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DRUG WAR

MORE ZAPATA RESIDENTS Mexican GOING HUNGRY EACH YEAR forces kill Food bank is 11 gunmen a big help By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA By MARIANA MARTINEZ

THE ZAPATA TIMES

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ith more than 46.7 percent of residents younger than 18 living in poverty, Zapata ties Brooks County for the sixth-worst poverty in the state, so it should be no surprise that local food pantries are seeing an increased number of people seeking help. More than 4,500 people are living in poverty in Zapata, according to a hunger study commissioned by Feeding America. “It has increased at least 15 percent from one year to another. There are always more families coming in to ask for assistance,” said Elia Solis, agency coordinator for South Texas Food Bank. “Some for a temporary basis, others seasonal, and a lot more families are needing help more often than before.” Feeding America is the nation’s largest hunger-fighting organization. The South Texas Food Bank, which provides services to Zapata and seven other area counties, is a member of Feeding America. Norma Mendoza, responsible for running Helping Hands food pantry in Zapata, reported seeing 1,248 families in the month of May alone. “It varies from month to month,” said Mendoza, explaining the process many residents may know all too well. “When they come in, we

See HUNGRY PAGE 11A

In the border state of Tamaulipas, at least 11 gunmen died in three separate clashes with Mexican navy and Army troops Thursday. The navy said in a statement that six gunmen died in two shootouts in Matamoros, across from Brownsville. Another five gunmen died after clashing with soldiers later that day in Ciudad Mier, also in Tamaulipas, the Mexican Army said in a separate statement. More than 23,000 people have been killed by drug violence since late 2006, when President Felipe Calderón began deploying thousands of troops and federal police to drug hot spots. Mexican officials attribute much of the bloodshed to turf battles between drug cartels, but the gangs are increasingly turning to attacks on

Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times

Armando Tadeo, an employee at the Zapata County Food Pantry, prepares bags of groceries for distribution Monday afternoon. See letter, Page 4A.

COMMUNITY

More than 23,000 people have been killed by drug violence since late 2006. police and prosecutors. Meanwhile, police in the border city of Mexicali have arrested a purported top figure in Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, authorities said Friday. Baja California state police arrested Manuel Garibay on Thursday while he was driving in Mexicali, across from Calexico, Calif., the state public security department said in a statement. Garibay, 52, had been the Sinaloa cartel’s link to Colombian cocaine

See DRUG WAR PAGE 10A

HONORING BRAVE WARRIORS

EDUCATION

Rotary gives Zapata assistant to pantry, coaches lose days other groups By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

By JOE RUTLAND THE ZAPATA TIMES

The Shepherd’s Pantry of Zapata provides nourishment for both body and soul. Last week, it received needed nourishment of its own from the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club. The club’s members donated $5,800 to Shepherd’s Pantry to help support its efforts to help the hungry in Zapata. It was one of four area nonprofit organizations to benefit from donations distributed by Gateway Rotary. Keep Laredo Beautiful received $7,350 from two separate donations. A $5,350 donation was from funds collected by the club’s Paul Harris Fellow fundraiser. Then, a separate $2,000 grant for the “Go Green” program, a community garden initiative, also was awarded. Gateway Rotary distributed $24,000 to other

See ROTARY PAGE 11A

Assistant athletic coaches learned Tuesday night they will be losing their extra days as part of budgetary cuts within the Zapata County Independent School District. Athletic director Mario Arze put forth the suggested cuts for his athletic department during ZCISD’s regular school board meeting. According to interim superintendent Norma Garcia, all department and program heads were consulted for input regarding necessary department budgetary cuts. “When we met with the athletic director and asked for his input, he recommended that if we had to cut anything in his department it would be the assistant

“

I know this was difficult for him, but all programs are being looked at.” ZCISD INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT NORMA GARCIA

coaches’ extra days,” Garcia said. “I know this was difficult for him, but all programs are being looked at.” Most coaches were present at the meeting in hopes of a change but didn’t have success. “I’m really disappointed,”

See ZAPATA PAGE 10A

Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times

Korean War veterans Ernesto Sanchez, right, Reynaldo Reyna and others pause Friday morning at Jarvis Plaza in Laredo to reflect on the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The veterans were joined by Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas, representatives of the Korean Baptist Church of Laredo and members of the Color Guard for Constable Rudy Rodriguez.

PAGE 2A

Zin brief CALENDAR

MONDAY, JUNE 28 This week is the last week to attend the Olga V. Fugueroa Zapata County Public Library summer reading program from 10 a.m. to noon. Themed 2010 Texas Reading Club Catch of the Reading Express the last day is Wednesday, June 30. Along with exploring new books, children are provided with arts and crafts activities. For more information, call (956) 765-5351. THURSDAY, JULY 1 Today is the last day to RSVP for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service & Zapata County ANR Program Area Committee “Pasture to Plate” Beef Marketing Seminar, to take place Friday, July 16, at the Oswoldo & Juanita Ramirez Exhibit Hall. Speakers include Joe Paschal, extension beef specialist; Omar Montemayor (CEA-ANR); Ronnie Zamora (EA-CEP); and Mike Risica of Rio Beef Feedyard. A complimentary lunch will be sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, Juancarlo Rendon. For more information, call Caleb Eaton at (956) 765-9967. SATURDAY, JULY 3 Spend the evening at the Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium and explore “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” at 6 p.m., “Attack of the Space Pirates” at 7 p.m. and “Rock on Demand” at 8 p.m. General admission is $5 and $4 for children and TAMIU students, faculty, staff and alumni. Premium shows are $1 more. For additional show times, call (956) 326-DOME. SUNDAY, JULY 4 Today marks the annual 4th of July Webb County Trailride. The ride starts 4.8 miles east on Del Mar Boulevard (at the old Detention Center). Registration is at 7 a.m., with the ride out at 8 a.m. Breakfast will be provided by District Attorney Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz and lunch provided by Sheriff Martin Cuellar. Don’t forget your coggins. For more information, call the Webb County Trailriders at (956) 7442146. In celebration of the Fourth of July, AARP and American Legion Auxiliary will be providing booths, alongside a plate sale by Marine Corps League at the American Legion Building. For those interested in setting up, tables are priced at $2 outside and $5 inside. Everything from fashion jewelry, shoes, western decorations and signs will be for sale. Call Karran at (956) 763-0468 for more information. MONDAY, JULY 5 VFW No. 7768 will hold its general meeting today at 7 p.m. at the post home, located on Highway 16 and 16th Street. SATURDAY, JULY 10 Pawsitive Pet Pals, an organization aimed to raising money and awareness for homeless and abused animals in the community, will be hosting The Pooch Parade at North Central Park. Registration for the parade begins at 8 a.m. and is $10 per entry. Forms may be picked up at Laredo Animal Shelter, Petland and KGNS Pro-8 News. For more information, call (956) 7248364 or (956) 724-5118. FRIDAY, JULY 16 Texas AgriLife Extention Service and the Zapata County ANR Program Area Committee invite the community to “Pasture to Plate” Beef Market Seminar, part of the 2010 Beef Improvement Program Series today from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oswaldo and Juanita Ramirez Exhibit Hall. A complimentary lunch will be sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, Juancarlo Rendon. For more information, call (956) 765-9967. The second annual Fish for Life Extravaganza will kick off today, with registration at Oso Blanco from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The March of Dimes benefit fishing tournament will be Saturday, July 17, at Falcon Lake in Zapata. SATURDAY, JULY 17 The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce presents the second annual Fishing Tournament for Life Extravaganza March of Dimes on Falcon Lake. Take off time is at 7 a.m., with weighin at 3 p.m. at the Oso Blanco Lodge Boat Ramp. Prize awards will be based on 100 teams. For more information, call Melissa Ramirez at (956) 765-4444 or Juan Gamez at (956) 285-7225. SATURDAY, JULY 31 Knights of Columbus and Columbian Squires host a 5K run and 2-mile walk today. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the start of the race at 8 a.m. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age division, two overall trophies for both male and female winners, and the first six overall walkers also will win an award. The first 100 to register will receive a free T-shirt. Registration forms are available at the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce. Call Homer Carrizales at (956) 285-0220 for more information.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

AROUND THE WORLD

TODAY IN HISTORY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Saul Loeb | AP

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, left, President Barack Obama, right, and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, center, take part in the 2010 G8 Summit family photo at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, on Friday.

Economic meeting set By JEANNINE AVERSA AND TOM RAUM ASSOCIATED PRESS

HUNTSVILLE, Ontario — President Barack Obama carried a fresh congressional victory on tighter U.S. financial rules Friday to a summit of world leaders debating how to keep the world economy growing. There was little expectation of major breakthroughs from sessions here and in Toronto. Divided on economic remedies, the leaders searched for common ground on other issues, such as confronting nuclear standoffs with Iran and North Korea, maternal and infant health care and dealing with the AIDs epidemic. Despite a big win early Friday as congressional negotiators in Washington reached a hard-fought compromise on new Wall Street banking rules, Obama has been stymied on his pleas to Congress for more jobs and stim-

Vatican ‘astonished’ at Belgian police raid VATICAN CITY — The Vatican said Friday it was astonished and outraged that Belgian police investigating priestly sex abuse had conducted raids that also targeted the graves of two archbishops. The Vatican summoned the Belgian ambassador to the Holy See to convey its anger over the raids, which also included the home and offices of the retired archbishop of Belgium. The ambassador was called in for a meeting with the Vatican’s foreign minister. In a statement, the Vatican said any sinful and criminal abuse of minors from members of the church must be condemned and repeated that there is a need for justice and amends. But it added, “The Secretariat of State also expresses astonishment at the way in which the search took place.” It expressed “outrage over the violation of the tombs.” On Thursday, police raided the

ulus money. It seemed doubtful he could claim much momentum from the legislative win in corralling world leaders behind stronger global banking rules. Obama’s call for more spending to keep world economies from slipping back into recession was being rebuffed by leaders in Europe and Japan who instead have emphasized cutting government spending and even raising taxes. Leaders of the so-called Group of Eight — an aging club of rich democracies including the U.S., Canada, Britain, Germany, France and Japan plus Russia — met for their annual session at a resort in Canada several hours’ drive north of Toronto. Today and Sunday, the focus was to shift to Toronto, where they will be joined by 12 leaders representing fast-growing developing economies, such as China, India and Brazil.

home and former office of former Archbishop Godfried Danneels, taking documents and Danneels’ personal computer. Police and prosecutors did not say if Danneels was suspected of abuse himself or simply had records pertaining to allegations against another person. He was not questioned. Investigators also opened the graves of archbishops in the St. Rombouts Cathedral in Mechlin, north of Brussels, looking for possibly incriminating documents, said Jean-Marc Meilleur, spokesman for the Brussels public prosecutor.

UK report: Fetus can’t feel pain before 24 weeks LONDON — Human fetuses cannot feel pain before the age of 24 weeks, a British medical association said Friday — delivering a setback for anti-abortion activists campaigning to lower the country’s 24-week time limit. Lawmakers who were considering lowering the limit to 20-22 weeks had commissioned the

study by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Citing evidence from medical research and post-mortem reports, the group said nerve connections in the brain were not sufficiently formed to allow pain perception until after 24 weeks, and that even after 24 weeks, the fetus was in a state of sleep-like unconsciousness or sedation. “There was fairly good evidence that the pathways necessary to feel pain really just aren’t there before 24 weeks — although they very clearly are there after,” said Richard Anderson, a professor in human reproductive sciences with the University of Edinburgh, who was part of the study. Some doctors disagree with the findings, arguing that fetuses can experience distress by the age of 20 weeks. The U.S. state of Nebraska recently passed a bill banning abortion at and after 20 weeks of pregnancy. But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has said it knows of no legitimate evidence that shows a fetus can experience pain. —Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION Financial overhaul deal gives Obama a new win WASHINGTON — The toughest financial regulations since the Great Depression are headed for final votes in Congress next week, covering everything from debit card swipes at Starbucks to the most complex securities, in an election-year salve for public anger over the Wall Street risktaking that cost millions their jobs, homes and nest eggs. House and Senate bargainers approved the deal as the sun rose Friday, giving President Barack Obama a fresh campaign-season triumph after his health care overhaul — and an achievement to tout at the weekend global economic summit in Toronto.

BP says Gulf relief well on target for mid-August NEW ORLEANS — Tests show BP is on target for mid-August completion of a relief well

Today is Saturday, June 26, the 177th day of 2010. There are 188 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin, where he expressed solidarity with the city’s residents by declaring: “Ich bin ein Berliner” (I am a Berliner). On this date: In 1870, the first section of Atlantic City, N.J.’s Boardwalk was opened to the public. In 1919, the New York Daily News was first published. In 1945, the charter of the United Nations was signed by 50 countries in San Francisco. In 1948, the Berlin Airlift began in earnest after the Soviet Union cut off land and water routes to the isolated western sector of Berlin. In 1950, President Harry S. Truman authorized the Air Force and Navy to enter the Korean conflict. In 1960, the island nation of Madagascar became independent of French rule. In 1973, former White House counsel John W. Dean told the Senate Watergate Committee about an “enemies list” kept by the Nixon White House. In 1977, 42 people were killed when a fire sent toxic smoke pouring through the Maury County Jail in Columbia, Tenn. In 1988, three people were killed when a new Airbus A320 jetliner carrying more than 130 people crashed into a forest during an air show demonstration flight in Mulhouse (muh-LOOZ’), France. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush went back on his “no-new-taxes” campaign pledge, conceding that tax increases would have to be included in any deficit-reduction package worked out with congressional negotiators. Ten years ago: Rival scientific teams completed the first rough map of the human genetic code after a 10-year race. The Supreme Court gave new power to its landmark Miranda decision of 1966, ruling police still must warn the people they arrest of their “right to remain silent” when questioned. Five years ago: Dozens of international leaders met in San Francisco to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the United Nations’ birth. Tens of thousands of festively dressed people marched in parades around the country to celebrate the 35th anniversary of gay pride. One year ago: Los Angeles County medical examiners performed an autopsy on the remains of pop star Michael Jackson a day following his death at age 50. The Democratic-controlled House passed a global warming measure 219212 following intense lobbying by President Barack Obama. A federal judge in New York ordered disgraced financier Bernard Madoff stripped of all his possessions under a $171 billion forfeiture order. Today’s Birthdays: Rock singer Chris Isaak is 54. Actor Sean Hayes is 40. Actor Chris O’Donnell is 40. Rock musician Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon) is 31. Thought for Today: “Nothing is improbable until it moves into the past tense.” — George Ade, American writer (1866-1944).

CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 Chief Accountant, Thelma Aguero .............. 728-2553 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Retail Adv. Manager, Raul Cruz................... 728-2511 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Editor, Diana Fuentes ................................728-2581 City Editor, Kirsten Crow .......................... 728-2543 Sports Editor, Dennis Silva II......................728-2579 Business Journal Editor, Joe Rutland .......... 728-2529 Entertainment Editor, Emilio Rábago III ....... 728-2564 Online Editor, Julie Daffern ....................... 728-2565 Photo by Ross D. Franklin | AP

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer speaks in Phoenix on June 15. Brewer on Friday said the motivation of “a lot” of the illegal immigrants is to enter the United States to look for work, but that drug rings press them into duty as drug “mules.” in the Gulf of Mexico, the best hope of stopping the oil that’s been gushing since April, the company said Friday. The crew drilling the first well ran a procedure this week to confirm it is on the correct path, spokesman Bill Salvin said.

“The layman’s translation is, ‘We are where we thought we were,”‘ he said. Several such tests are needed to determine the relief well’s location relative to the well. Related story, Page 9A. —Compiled from AP reports

SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

Zlocal

LITTLE LEAGUE STANDOUTS

PAGE 3A

Ranch hand still missing By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Courtesy photo

The Astros coach pitch team in Zapata had a great season this year. Coaches for this team are, left to right, Domingo Castañeda, Artemio García and Lupe Alvarado. Team members are, standing, left to right, Albert Carmona, Marco Rodriguez, Carlos Hurtado, Julian Cruz and Oscar Zamora; kneeling, left to right, Jesse Alvarado, Andy Castañeda, Osiel Gonzalez and Desori Garcia. Not pictured are Ramon Torres, Anfernee Saldaña and Ruben Gutierrez.

Authorities are continuing to search for a ranch worker who was discovered missing the same day that another worker was found dead this month, the victim of several gunshot wounds. Zapata County Sheriff ’s investigators identified the missing man as David Hernandez Guzman, 26. He is believed to be from Chiapas, Mexico. “Investigators believe subject has direct ties with the (homicide) either as another victim or suspect,” a Zapata County Sheriff ’s Department news release states.

DAVID HERNANDEZ: Missing since day of death. Hernandez Guzman has been entered as a missing person in the national missing person database, the news release states. “We’re trying to locate the person to question him and go from there,” Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr. said Friday. Sgt. Mario Elizondo said the ranch owner and investigators could not locate the man on June 11, the day on which Miguel Angel Serrato Garza, 28, from Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico, was found dead. According to the sheriff, both Serrato

Garza and Hernandez Guzman were in the country illegally. On June 11, the owner of Los Potreritos Ranch on Los Potreritos Road, about 2.5 miles east of U.S. 83, arrived to find Serrato Garza dead in a chair outside the modest house where he lived. He had been shot several times. The owner called deputies, who arrived at about 11:30 a.m. A 2001 Chevrolet with Texas license plates used by Serrato Garza was stolen from the residence at the ranch but it was recovered several hours later in Rio Bravo. Gonzalez added that there was blood on both doors on the driver’s

side of the truck. That same day, investigators canvassing the neighborhood discovered that Hernandez Guzman was missing. “We don’t know if he’s OK. We don’t known if he’s the one who stole the truck,” Gonzalez said. At the scene, investigators recovered several shell casings, including 9 mm, .357- and .22-caliber rounds. The sheriff ’s office has asked that anyone with information about Hernandez Guzman call the sheriff ’s office at 765-9960 or Crime Stoppers at 765-TIPS. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

THE BLOTTER ASSAULT Oscar Sanchez Jr., 50, was arrested on a charge of assault at about 10 p.m. June 18 in the 1100 block of Carla Street. The man was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail. He was fined $250. David Orta, 25, was arrested on a charge of assault causing bodily injury at about 4 a.m. Monday in the 5100 block of Laredo Lane. After booking procedures, the man was taken to Zapata Regional Jail. He was held in lieu of $10,000 bond.

POSSESSION Juan Gabriel Benavides, 33, was arrested on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop around 2:30 a.m. in the vicinity of Seventh Street and Ramireño Avenue. Also arrested was Roberto Carlos Duran, 20. He was charged with public intoxication. Both men were released; they are

scheduled to appear in court later. After a traffic stop, deputies arrested Roberto Garcilazo III, 18, and charged him with possession of marijuana. The man was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of $5,000 bond.

DWI Ricardo Carrizalez, 56, was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated at about 1:15 a.m. Monday in the 600 block of Bravo Avenue. The man was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of $25,000 bond.

around 2 p.m. Wednesday in the 1600 block of Kennedy Street that unknown people stole his backpack from his 2007 Chrysler. The bag had an iPhone and a laptop.

INCIDENT Deputies responded to a suspicious package call at about 8:30 a.m. Monday at Ace Hardware on 2101 U.S. 83. A 49-year-old man stated that 1.12 pounds of marijuana were found inside a UPS package that had been left at the business since December 2009. The marijuana was valued at $150.

THEFT BURGLARY A 36-year-old man reported around 6:30 p.m. June 18 that someone broke into his 1998 Ford F150 and stole his stereo and cologne. A 21-year-old man reported

A 53-year-old man reported around 12:15 p.m. Thursday in the 5000 block of Laredo Lane that someone stole his beveling machine from his wielding truck. The item was valued at $1,500. A 40-year-old woman reported

around 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office that a known person stole her daughter’s 15th birthday ring. The item is valued at $200.

DEADLY CONDUCT Juan Jose Romero, 26, was arrested on a charge of deadly conduct at about 5 a.m. June 19 in the 300 block of Fourth Street. Deputies say

Romero discharged a rifle into the air. The man was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of $35,000 bond. – Compiled by César G. Rodriguez

PAGE 4A

Zopinion

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM

YOUR OPINION

OTHER VIEWS

South Texas Food Bank and Border Media get ready for radio telethon fundraiser To the editor: Zapata and area residents have a chance to help the South Texas Food Bank mission of feeding the hungry during the two-week period June 28 to July 11. It is the fifth annual Border Media-South Texas Food Bank radio drive fundraiser over the five BMP stations – Digital 107.3, Hot 106.1, La Ley 100.5, The Works 94.9 and Norteño 1490. The South Texas Food Bank, in its 21st year of operation, serves supplemental food to 21,000 families in a multi-county area, including Zapata. More than 6,000 elderly and 6,000 children per month receive help. The South Texas Food Bank is prayerfully urging the public to make a donation during the radio drive by calling (956) 771-5545. Donations, which are tax-deductible, can always be mailed to P.O. Box 2007, Laredo, TX, 78044. The hungry in our communities are plentiful from children and fam-

ilies to adults and elderly. A recent Feeding America hunger study reveals the need in Zapata, which has a poverty rate of 33.4 percent, more than twice the state average of 16.3 percent and triple the national average. It’s worse for children. Texas is No. 1 in childhood hunger with 22 per cent listed as “food insecure,” meaning a lack of money or other resources prevents the child from getting enough food. The statewide poverty rate for children younger than 18 is 23.1 percent, but in Zapata, it’s 46.7 percent. South Texas Food Bank programs include adopt a family, elderly, SNAP (food stamps) outreach and Kids Cafes. For information, call the food bank (956) 726-3120. Thank you and blessings for performing one of the corporal acts of mercy – feeding the hungry. Signed, Salo Otero Director of Development South Texas Food Bank

COLUMN

Clean up that gusher of debt By GARY ANDRES HEARST NEWSPAPERS

Mourning a W good journalist By LLEWELLYN KING HEARST NEWSPAPERS

WASHINGTON — Norman Macrae, who died on June 11 in London aged of 86, looked into the future and saw it was good. So it should have been. He worked hard to make it so. Macrae was one of the intellectual giants of latter part of the 20th century, who ceaselessly opposed all forms of collectivism, communism, socialism, statism and group think. But unlike his American contemporary and fellow philosopher of the right, Milton Friedman, Macrae was a journalist and as such he was influenced by what he saw, as well as what be believed. One could say that as a philosopher, Macrae was more of a journalist and as a journalist, he was more of a philosopher. Macrae had unique gifts and found a unique home in which to exercise them, The Economist — a magazine that resolutely calls itself a newspaper. He worked there for just shy of 40 years, and the glove fit the hand perfectly. He was not the kind of reporter who kicked down doors looking for smoking guns, nor was he likely to waste time and space speculating whether a politician would or should apologize for some slip of the tongue or judgment. Instead Macrae, without pomp, actually tried to find out where the world was going. He tackled such enormous issues as world health and education, and he found the trends that would change things permanently, far more than posturing politicians could or would do. He predicted the computer workstation, the collapse of communism, and the privatizations of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.

True wordsmith Macrae added ideas to his times, corrected drift and exulted in the human condition. He even coined a few words like “telecommute,” “stagflation,” “intrapreneur” and possibly “privatize.” In a seminal two-part survey for The Economist, published in September

1962, Macrae noted the economic rise of Japan, largely enabled by the Japanese way of working in teams. That was a collectivism he embraced. That was also the journalist in Macrae, triumphing over the ideologue. Macrae came to his hatred of state control honestly: His father was the British consul in Moscow from 1936-38, and he witnessed Stalin’s purges in the embassy compound. Macrae suffered and benefited from The Economist’s practice of not using bylines. He was saved from the ranks of celebrity journalists and their airs, but he was not known to the world he affected.

An eccentric, too For 23 years, Macrae was deputy editor of The Economist. But he was more. He was its, heart, soul and visionary. It was Macrae who joyously referred to The Economist as the world’s newspaper, which indeed he helped it to become. Macrae was such a giant in a forest of giants that the magazine broke its own rules and gave him occasional bylines. For a man of the world, Macrae was quintessentially English, and quite eccentric. After his beloved wife Janet Kemp died, I was talking to him on the telephone and he accosted me with this information: “My skillet is broken. You know, there are no ironmongers left in London.” I replied: “That’s right, Norman. You railed against first-world countries maintaining obsolete skills and technologies.” Macrae: “But, Llewellyn, it’s such a small repair, and it’s a good skillet. You could probably fix it,” a comment that was followed with a volley of high-pitched laughter. I said: “I’m not flying to London to fix your skillet.” The great man conceded: “I suppose not.” Macrae, a big man physically, was great company. Actually, he was great in many ways. (Reach Llewellyn King, executive produce and host of “White House Chronicle” on PBS, at lking@kingpublishing.com.)

ASHINGTON — When tiny globs of gooey brown oil began washing up on Gulf shores, it foreshadowed a more ominous environmental calamity lurking just over the horizon. These first signs were troubling enough. But they also revealed a more daunting threat riding incoming tides that might prove impossible to fix. The Gulf disaster is a metaphor for our federal spending and debt crisis.Globs of budgetary red ink have been washing up in Washington for some time now.Cleaning up the immediate problem is hard enough. But the difficulty policymakers face addressing the current fiscal mess only underscores a larger challenge. The Senate’s efforts over the past month, trying to enact a state aid/unemployment/tax extender bill are illustrative. The Democrats’ original plan exemplified politics as usual. These initiatives all cost the federal government money. But instead of making the tough choices necessary to pay for these benefits, they proposed just adding more to the deficit.

Cut and cut But with an election looming and nervous voters increasingly cranky about unsustainable debt, the original Senate plan, which increased the federal debt because it offset less than one-third of the

$190 billion in spending, ran into a buzz saw of opposition. Democratic leaders continue to ameliorate concerns by scaling back the package or finding other offsets. For example, part of the first Senate package — a provision to avoid a large scheduled cut in payments to physicians who provide Medicare, the so-called “doc fix” — was originally proposed as a multi-year spending initiative. Then it was scaled back to only six months, promising Congress would face the issue again after the November election. Next it was stripped out of the unemployment/tax extender bill completely and lawmakers approved it separately.

No easy answers This process of scaling back, modifying, and searching for offsets demonstrates how fulfilling short-term fiscal commitments can tie the Senate in knots. It’s unclear how lawmakers can resolve other, more immediate budget challenges. Congress now faces the difficult task of cutting doctor reimbursements, allowing popular tax breaks to expire, letting unemployment benefits lapse, and slashing other forms of assistance to cash-strapped states’ budgets. Yet with a 2010 deficit of about $1.5 trillion and debt projected to triple in the next 10 years, the normal approach of just passing more of these costs on to

future generations seems increasingly risky as well. But there’s more. Congress’s inability to pass a new budget for the 2011 fiscal year starting Oct. 1 is another example of the shape of things to come. Enacting such a blueprint in the face of massive debt and daunting entitlement commitments requires unpopular choices just months before the midterm election.

A bigger hole As a result, Democrats decided to punt on passing a budget this year, the first time the House failed to adopt its version of a plan since the 1974 Budget Act created the modern congressional budgeting process. Again, these actions represent just small globs of fiscal challenges washing up on the steps of Congress now. Bigger fiscal spills are on the way. How can Social Security remain solvent with an aging population? Can we afford to pay Medicare benefits with health care costs on the rise? And what if over the next 10 years the administration’s economic projections prove wrong? Another recession in the next decade certainly seems possible. That alone would blow an even larger hole in the White House’s deficit forecasts. This all raises a scary thought. As a country we promised a lot. And when it comes to enlarging the public trough, Obama and the Democrats are the gift that keeps on giving.

We offered health care and income support to the elderly; we made commitments to help the unemployed; we provide states with assistance for the poor on Medicaid; and we bestow a host of tax incentives for research, education and alternative energy, to name a few. It’s possible to pay for all this in the short run with borrowed money. But here’s the rub: We can’t borrow indefinitely. So the challenges we see playing in Congress right now — how to pay doctors in the Medicare program, provide extended benefits to the unemployed, help states with Medicaid, or even pass a budget blueprint for the year — are all precursors of what lies ahead. Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress succeeded in putting a lot on the taxpayer’s credit card. That was the easy part.

GOP lookin’ good Avoiding a full-blown fiscal catastrophe, however, means doing the hard work of plugging the gusher of federal spending. Yet by all indications the president and his allies on the Hill are ill-equipped to do so. So don’t be surprised if voters begin the clean up process on their own by electing a Republican Congress in November. (Reach Gary Andres, vice chairman of research for Dutko Worldwide, at gary.andres@dutkoworldwide.com)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity; the phone number IS NOT published;

it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. The identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. Letters should be no more than 500 words. No

name-calling or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. This space allows for the public debate of the issues of the day. Thank-you letters are published, but due

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

to space, we ask writers to list no more than 10 names in such letters. To e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor; 111 Esperanza Driver; Laredo, Texas 78041.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A

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Zentertainment

Daddy Yankee returning Puerto Rican rapper to perform September 24 THE ZAPATA TIMES

After a three-year hiatus, mega Latin artist Daddy Yankee is returning to the Laredo Energy Arena. The Latin urban music sensation will be in three cities in South Texas in September. He will be touring behind his newest release, “Mundial,” which has spawed a No. 1 single on the Billboard Latin music charts. “Mundial” had a fiveweek run atop the Latin Album chart on Billboard. “Descontrol” is the album’s top single. Yankee will stop in Laredo first, on Friday, Sept. 24. Ticket prices and an on-sale date have not been established. After the Laredo date, Yankee will visit Corpus

Christi and McAllen. Daddy Yankee will be performing all his recordbreaking hits and new hits from his new album. Promoters promise “pouncing high energy, visual effects, dancing and hit songs” Among those hits are “Gasolina,” “Ella Me Levanto,” “Lo Que Paso, Paso,” “Rompe,” “Que Tengo Que Hacer” and, of course, his newest smash hit, “Descontrol.”

For a limited time, some tickets will be available at a 2-for-1 price. The promotion will only last the first 24 hours of sale. According to a news release, there will be a limited number of tickets available. Get yours at any Ticketmaster outlets, including the LEA box office, and on Ticketmaster.com.

LITE presents ‘Jungle Book Kids’ SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

2-for-1 tickets

Photo by Ricky Arduengo | AP

Puerto Rican musician Daddy Yankee gestures as he presents the “Artist of the Year” award at the 2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in this Thursday, April 29 file photo. Daddy Yankee returns to the Laredo Energy Arena on Friday, Sept. 24. Ticket prices have not been released.

COMING UP Independence Festival next weekend

Karma hosts boat party at lake on Sunday

City Trendz and Karma Lounge are celebrating the Fourth of July with an urban Independence Festival at the nightclub on Sunday, July 4. The event will include a variety of attractions, including a car show, live rock music, rap performances, live graffiti, a tattoo artist, a rap battle, a B-Boy competition and local clothing lines. Organizer DJ 2 Dope Dave calls it a “new-age festival,” highlighting current trends and local talent. Presale tickets are $5 and cover at the door will be $10. For tickets or information, call 753-2489.

Karma Lounge is hosting a boat party Sunday at Lake Casa Blanca International State Park. The event will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. DJ 2 Dope Dave is spinning and hosting a battle of the DJs, with a cash prize. Cost is $40 for men and $30 for women. People will hang out at the Ranchito area, with boat rides. food, beer and liquor. Only those 21 or older are invited. Laredo Heat Party buses will provide transportation from Karma to the lake. Capacity is limited, so call 7278279 to reserve. — Emilio Rábago III

Photo by Elise Amendola | AP

BIG GAME TOMORROW: Mexico’s Carlos Salcido performs a bicycle kick during the World Cup match between Mexico and Uruguay. Despite losing 1-0 to Uruguay, Mexico advanced, in second place in its group, to the Round of 16 and will face Argentina tomorrow. The game starts at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised on ABC, Univision and Televisa.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

“Forget about your worries and your strife” says the song, and that’s the fun the City of Laredo Parks and Leisure Department and The Laredo Institute for Theatrical Education (LITE) Productions promise to bring with their summer production of Disney’s “Jungle Book Kids” at the Laredo Civic Center. The production contiues tonight, with another show scheduled for Sunday; it picks up again next weekend for an additional three shows. The play is under the direction of Jose A. Flores and assisted by Sandra Gallegos. Guillermo Gallegos Jr. is the technical director. Flores and Gallegos have sought to have LITE’s award-winning high school and college actors collaboratively direct the cast of children — who are between the ages of 5 and 14 years. The production features more than 40 children from Laredo’s public and private schools

SHOW TIMES THIS WEEKEND June 26 — 7 p.m. June 27 — 3 p.m. NEXT WEEKEND July 2 — 7 p.m. July 3 — 7 p.m. July 4 — 3 p.m.

taught by veteran LITE actors. Flores, Gallegos and the student director crews will transform the Laredo Civic Center into the vibrant and living jungle of Rudyard Kipling’s wonderful story of the escapades of Mowgli, a boy raised in the jungle by wolves. The show is based on Disney’s classic film, “The Jungle Book.” The book is adapted by Heisler with music adapted by Bryan Louiselle. The music for the show is arranged by Louiselle. Admission is $5. Presale tickets are available from all cast members or by calling at 645-8088 or 7260722. Tickets also will be on sale at the door.

SÁBADO 26 DE JUNIO DE 2010

Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 26 DE JUNIO NUEVO LAREDO — Hoy a las 6 p.m. se llevará a cabo el evento “Fiesta Río / 7 Historias en el Bravo” en el Corredor turístico bajo los Puentes Internacionales. NUEVO LAREDO — ‘8 Segundos’ presenta El Desafío Tour 2010 a las 8 p.m. en la Plaza de Toros Lauro Luis Longoria.

DOMINGO 27 DE JUNIO NUEVO LAREDO — Hoy a las 10 a.m. habrá un Torneo de Ajedrez en Estación Palabra. SAN ANTONIO — En el Marco del 16to Festival de Cine de San Antonio hoy se presenta en el Instituto Cultural de México la película “Danzón” (1991) de María Novaro en función nocturna y con subtítulos en inglés.

MIÉRCOLES 30 DE JUNIO LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “The Future is Wild” a las 3 p.m. y “Destination Saturn” a las 4 p.m. La entrada general es de 3 dólares, el día de hoy.

JUEVES 1 DE JULIO LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “Kaluoka’hina: The Enchanted Reef” a las 3 p.m. y “Force 5” a las 4 p.m. La entrada general es de 3 dólares, el día de hoy. LAREDO — Hoy habrá una lectura especial sobre la Declaración de Independencia y los Padres Fundadores en el aula 236 del Student Center de TAMIU a las 7:30 p.m. a cargo del presidente del capítulo SAR Rick Ramirez. El evento es patrocinado por el Children, Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution. NUEVO LAREDO — Inicia el Tercer Festival Jornadas Culturales en la Explanada Cívica de la Independencia, aun costado de la Plaza Hidalgo, de 10 a.m. a 10 p.m.

Zfrontera

PÁGINA 7A

Plan uniría ejército y sociedad Unidad reforzaría lucha anti-narco POR E. EDUARDO CASTILLO ASSOCIATED PRESS

MÉXICO — El ejército anunció la creación de una “unidad de vinculación ciudadana” para dirimir conflictos generados con la sociedad por su participación en el combate al narcotráfico, en momentos en que militares se encuentran en el centro del debate por presuntamente alterar una escena para ocultar que soldados dispararon directamente contra civiles. “La unidad tendrá por objeto generar los acercamientos necesarios para la solución de conflictos entre el Ejército y Fuerza Aérea Mexicanos y la sociedad en general, ocasionados con motivo de la presencia militar en las calles, desarrollando una metodología para establecer, articular y mantener una adecuada y efectiva comunicación entre los citados interlocutores”, señaló la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) en un acuerdo publicado el lunes en el Diario Oficial. El anuncio ocurre casi cuatro años desde que el presidente Felipe Calderón desplegó a miles de soldados a las calles para apuntalar su ofensiva contra el narcotráfico y el crimen organizado. Durante ese período, algunos militares han sido acusados de cometer abusos a los derechos humanos. El más reciente caso involucra al ejército en el homicidio de dos menores de Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. La Comisión Nacional de Dere-

chos Humanos (CNDH) divulgó la semana pasada un informe en el que responsabilizó a soldados de la muerte el 3 de abril de dos niños, de 5 y 9 años, en la carretera Ribereña y de alterar la escena para hacer creer que fallecieron en un enfrentamiento con sicarios del narcotráfico. Tras el informe de la CNDH, organismos como Amnistía Internacional y Human Rights Watch llamaron al gobierno a que cualquier abuso de soldados contra civiles sea investigado por autoridades civiles, y no militares. El gobierno aún analiza el informe para responder en los próximos días, pero en principio lo calificó de “descontextualizado”, por no haber considerado las indagatorias que realizó el ejército y sólo contar con las versiones de las víctimas.

Participarían civiles En su anuncio de esta semana, la Sedena señaló que la nueva unidad estará integrada por militares, aunque podrá invitar a participar a civiles “con conocimiento y experiencia en políticas públicas y vinculación ciudadana”. Integrar civiles, añadió, “constituirá una señal favorable a la población civil y la comunidad internacional, de que el Estado mexicano está generando los acercamientos necesarios para la debida atención de la ciudadanía,

Foto por Miguel Timoshenkov | Laredo Morning Times

Soldados patrullan calles de Nuevo Laredo. Su presencia ya no es novedad para los residentes, pero ahora la Sedena anunció que creará una ‘unidad de vinculación ciudadana’. ante los conflictos que traen aparejada la presencia militar en las calles”. En algunos momentos en los últimos años se han presentado protestas en las que gente pide la salida del ejército del combate al narcotráfico, aunque el gobierno ha advertido que muchas de ellas fueron promovidas por el mismo crimen organizado para manchar la reputación de las fuerzas armadas. Jorge Chabat, experto en narcotráfico y seguridad nacional del Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas, se mostró cauto ante los resultados que pueda tener la unidad, aunque consideró que refleja una “preocupación por las críticas que se han hecho al ejército en los últimos años en el tema de los derechos humanos, tanto de dentro como fuera de México”.

“En principio, es una buena noticia, que habrá más comunicación (con la sociedad), pero no estoy muy seguro que por sí sólo vaya a ser una gran diferencia”, dijo a la AP Chabat, para quien se deberían establecer, además, protocolos y controles más rigurosos sobre el uso de la fuerza en el combate al narco. Dijo que si bien podría discutirse si algunas de las acusaciones de violación de derechos humanos por militares eran evitables o no, lo cierto es que “hay casos perfectamente demostrados”. En marzo, el procurador de Justicia Militar, general José Luis Chávez, dijo que algunos militares cometen errores graves y delitos, pero rechazó que se trate de violaciones sistemáticas a los derechos humanos.

TESTIGO MUSICAL EN CIUDAD MIER

Listos para el verano POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

VIERNES 2 DE JULIO LAREDO — El Laredo Heat recibe a West Texas Sockers en las canchas de TAMIU a las 8 p.m.

SÁBADO 3 DE JULIO LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” a las 6 p.m., “Attack of the Space Pirates” a las 7 p.m., y “Rock on Demand” a las 8 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares, el día de hoy.

DOMINGO 4 DE JULIO LAREDO — Festival de la Independencia en Karma Lounge & Nightclub a las 3 p.m.

JUEVES 8 DE JULIO LAREDO — El comediante Polo Polo se presenta en la Laredo Energy Arena a las 8 p.m. Los boletos son de 22 y 32 dólares. Puede adquirirlos en Ticketmaster y en la taquilla de LEA.

VIERNES 9 DE JULIO LAREDO — El Laredo Heat recibe a Houston en las canchas de TAMIU a las 8 p.m.

SÁBADO 10 DE JULIO LAREDO — Hoy se presenta Clay Walter en el “Deer in the Headlights Music Fest” a llevarse a cabo en la Laredo Energy Arena a partir de las 2 p.m. Otros artistas a presentarse serán Buddy Vargas, Joel Green y los Turnpike Troubadours, y The Bottom Line. Los boletos en preventa a 30 y 35 dólares. Adquiera sus boleto en Ticketmaster, la taquilla de LEA, Guerra Communications, Casa Raul, Rumor’s.

Foto de cortesía | La del Miernes

Un piano antiguo y deteriorado es testigo de la historia en la que fuera casa de Raúl Flores y su familia en Ciudad Mier. Cuentan que la mamá de Flores impartía clases de música utilizando el piano en la década de los 50. La imagen, dicen residentes de Mier, es evidencia de que se cultiva el gusto por la música.

EU se enfoca en seguridad fronteriza POR SUZANNE GAMBOA ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Al escuchar el debate público en Estados Unidos, nadie diría que la frontera con México está más reforzada ahora que hace cinco años: Más agentes la patrullan, más barreras la protegen y más millones de dólares de los contribuyentes financian el refuerzo. Sin embargo, los reclamos de mayor seguridad en la frontera desplazan el clamor por una reforma general de las leyes de inmigración, lo que induce al Congreso y al gobierno a asignar aún más fondos a la tarea. Asegurar la frontera es el requisito para cualquier reforma migratoria. Por eso nadie escucha argumentos tales como que para mejorar la seguridad sería conveniente obligar a los indocumentados a presentarse, someterse a averiguación de antecedentes y cumplir otras normas a cambio de la legalización. O bien, que más visas temporarias de trabajo reducirían la inmigración ilegal, lo cual permitiría un mejor apro-

“

Una vez asegurada la frontera, podremos apoyar muchas cosas”. LÍDER DEL BLOQUE REPUBLICANO EN EL SENADO, JOHN KYL

vechamiento de las fuerzas de seguridad y sus recursos. “Una vez asegurada la frontera, podremos apoyar muchas cosas” hacia una reforma migratoria, dijo el líder del bloque republicano en el Senado, John Kyl. “Antes de eso, será muy difícil”. En un año electoral, ese argumento repercute con fuerza entre los demócratas y los republicanos por igual. Sin embargo, la seguridad fronteriza es un concepto subjetivo. No existen definiciones aceptadas de lo que constituye una frontera segura ni cuánto cuesta. ¿Se habrá logrado cuando exista una cerca, o una doble cerca, a lo largo de los 3.220 kilómetros (2.000 millas) de frontera? ¿Se logrará cuando las detenciones de inmigrantes

ilegales se reduzcan a cero o casi? ¿O cuando se pueda identificar a todos los que cruzan la frontera? ¿O cuando se envíen fuerzas militares a la frontera como en 1916, cuando el revolucionario mexicano Pancho Villa asaltó una población de Nuevo México, o cuando se haya quintuplicado el número de agentes? La Casa Blanca divulgará sus planes para el reforzamiento en una reunión con la gobernadora Jan Brewer en Arizona el 28 de junio. El presidente Barack Obama ya ha dispuesto el envío de 1.200 efectivos de la Guardia Nacional para tareas de apoyo y 500 millones de dólares adicionales para el presupuesto. Cuando George W. Bush era presidente, consideraba que eran necesarios 6.000 efectivos. Un congre-

sista por Arizona dice que se necesitan no menos de 25.000. Las medidas de los últimos años incluyen: Duplicación de los efectivos de la Patrulla Fronteriza a más de 20.000 agentes desde 2003, la mayoría de ellos en la frontera con México. El presupuesto de la patrulla, de 1.000 millones de dólares en 2000, crecerá a 3.580 millones de 2011 de acuerdo con lo solicitado. Los presupuestos combinados de aduanas, inmigración y protección fronteriza alcanzan los 17.000 millones de dólares. Se han agregado 220 kilómetros (137 millas) de cercas y barreras desde 2006, para un total de 820 kilómetros (510 millas) en la actualidad. Los estadounidenses que viajan a Canadá o México deben hacerlo con pasaporte. Mientras tanto, nadie sabe con exactitud quiénes ni cuántos son los inmigrantes indocumentados en Estados Unidos. (La periodista de The Associated Press Ileana Morales contribuyó a este despacho)

Los estudiantes se preparan para la primera semana de julio, especialmente aquellos que graduarán ya que el nueve de julio es el último día de clases del ciclo escolar 2009-2010 e iniciará el periodo vacacional. El Jefe Regional de la Secretaría de Educación Luis Castillo dijo que tan sólo en Nuevo Laredo egresarán 85,000 alumnos. En Nuevo Laredo hay tres sectores el 1, 23 y 30. “Sin llegar a la presunción, puedo asegurar que estamos avanzando”, dijo Castillo asegurando que se implementarán estrategias para aprovechar los días que marca el calendario educativo. Sostuvo que las reformas educativas han permitido reducir las ausencias escolares. “Se redujo el índice de días perdidos”, dijo Castillo.

Mundial Inclusive, a manera de incentivo, los juegos de la Selección Mexicana de Fútbol en la Copa Mundial Sudáfrica 2010 han podido ser disfrutados por maestros y alumnos en las aulas escolares. “Autorizamos ver los encuentros (de México)”, dijo Castillo. “Son momentos importantes en la vida de finales de un país. “El nacionalismo se expresa”.

Certificados También aclaró que los certificados de educación primaria y secundaria serán entregados a los alumnos cuando ellos hayan cumplido con las regulaciones, aunque aclaró que ningún documento será retenido. “Existen órdenes generales que al término del ciclo escolar los alumnos deben regresar a casa con su certificado”, dijo Castillo. (Localice a Miguel Timoshenkov llamando al 7282583 ó en mramirez@lmtonline.com)

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Zlifestyle

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS LeBron to release headphones line NEW YORK — LeBron James already sported Dr. Dre’s headphones in an NBA commercial. Now the basketball star can rock his own. Monster Cable Products Inc. CEO Noel Lee tells The Associated Press the Cleveland Cavaliers forward is set to launch his own headphones line. Lee says “sound quality really matters when you

enjoy music.” He says athletes such as James need that kind of high-quality sound experience because “it’s their way of focusing energy” before games. Monster Cable is synonymous with expensive video and audio cables. The San Francisco Bay-area company partnered with Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine and rapper Dr. Dre to release Beats by Dre in 2008. They released Heartbeats by Lady Gaga last year and Diddy’s Diddybeats in May.

Judge extends Nicole Richie’s probation

Judge orders Lohan to answer questions

GLENDALE, Calif. — Court records show a judge has extended Nicole Richie’s probation until March to give her more time to complete alcohol education classes. Richie was not present in court Tuesday when the order was made. She will have to complete the classes by February. Richie was arrested in December 2006 in Burbank.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — A judge says Lindsay Lohan must answer more questions about an incident that led to her arrest, including details about any drug use at the time. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard A. Stone ordered Lohan to sit for a two-hour deposition in civil case filed by a woman who was in a car pur-

sued by the actress. An attorney for the woman, Tracie Rice, argued Lohan hadn’t answered key questions during a previous deposition. Lohan’s attorney, Ed McPherson, says the actress will comply with the order but said the questions are “overkill.” He persuaded the judge to allow the deposition to happen after a July 6 hearing on whether Lohan violated her probation for drug and alcohol charges filed after arrests in 2007.

‘Grown Ups’ offers chuckles, warmth By AMY BIANCOLLI

REVIEW

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

efore deciding whether to plunk down the bucks for “Grown Ups,” a new comedy about five guys catching up after 30 years, ask yourself this important question: Do you feel like spending a long weekend with Adam Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade, Chris Rock and Rob Schneider? If you do feel like spending major quality time with these guys (and no fair cheating, it has to be all five), then go for it. Nothing bad will happen to you, not even a wedgie. If, on the other hand, you suspect you’d rather stay home and clean tile grout than hang with this crew over the Fourth of July weekend — sitting around, watching them drink, listening to lame put-downs and whiny children — then you’d be well advised to follow your gut. Speaking of guts, much is made of them in “Grown Ups,” whose lead characters played together on a championship middle school basketball team in

Photo by Tracy Bennett/Columbia/Sony Pictures | AP

In this film publicity image, Kevin James is shown flying on a rope swing in a scene from “Grown Ups.” 1978 but have now inexorably morphed into lumpen adults: Lenny (Sandler), a high-powered Hollywood agent with a chic wife (Salma Hayek Pinault) and three spoiled kids; Kurt (Rock), an emasculated Mr. Mom with a dismissive wife (Maya Rudolph), an awful mother-in-law (Ebony Jo-Ann) and two less-

spoiled kids; Eric (James), a humble furniture salesman with a chronically breastfeeding wife (Maria Bello) and two bizarre kids, one of them a suckling 4year-old; Marcus (Spade), an unreformed Lothario; and Rob (Schneider), a glum mystic with a bad wig (Elvis) and a wife in her 70s (Joyce Van Patten).

Keeping it simple When their beloved old coach dies, the five and their broods gather at the funeral and then stay together at a humongous New England lake house. There they berate one an-

other and reflect on their halcyon days of rope swings and woodland high jinks — so much less complicated than the gizmo-obsessive youth culture of today. Sandler and co-writer Fred Wolf make this the central business of the screenplay, aside from all the fat jokes, naked-malefanny jokes and ogling-thechick-in-hot-pants jokes (which are actually kind of funny). It’s a plea for the simple joys of down time in bringing families together. What a nice idea. A schoolboy mean streak seems to negate the whole message, but all the same. Nice. The film has some chuckles, if no belly laughs; it has some warmth, if no great heat. Sandler, James, Spade, Rock and Schneider make for undemanding company for a few days’ communing with nature. Assuming you’ve got the money. And assuming you’re in the mood.

‘The Bachelor’ star splits with fiancee LOS ANGELES — “The Bachelor” is flying solo again. Jake Pavelka and Vienna Giraldi, the lovey-dovey couple who met and became engaged in front of millions of viewers on the 14th season of the ABC series, have called off their engagement, according to Pavelka’s spokeswoman. — Associated Press

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

SHAKING HANDS, TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES

Smuggling tunnel found at border in El Paso By ALICIA A. CALDWELL ASSOCIATED PRESS

EL PASO — U.S. officials have discovered a smuggling tunnel running under the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States, the first such tunnel in the region.

Photo by Michael Graczyk | AP

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White campaigns in Pecos on Wednesday. The former Houston mayor is trying to unseat Republican incumbent Rick Perry and is to address the Texas Democratic Party’s state convention this weekend in Corpus Christi.

Verdict too much in cattle theft case By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — The Texas Supreme Court on Friday struck down a $1.25 million jury award in a case involving a ranching feud, a drought and wandering cattle improperly sold for about $5,000. The court said that even in a state that still looks “unkindly” on thievery in a $15 billion industry — and noting it used to be the kind of thing settled with a rope over a tree limb — such a large damages award was too much and should be recalculated to

something more “modest.” But the court also couldn’t refuse the chance to comment on modern-day cattle theft, noting that “Texans know better than to steal cattle.” According to court records, the case stems from a dispute between San Saba County ranchers Randy Reynolds and Thomas O. Bennett Jr. in October 2000, when drought had parched a stretch of the Colorado River that ran next to their properties. Reynolds noticed he was missing 23 head of cattle that had wandered down the dry riverbed onto Ben-

nett’s land. He was able to round up six and return them to his ranch. Bennett then ordered two of his ranchers to round up 13 cattle to sell at auction and, even though the ranchers raised concerns that the cattle were not his, Bennett sold them for $5,327. A year later, one of the ranchmen told Reynolds he thought Bennett had sold his cattle and that he had reported it to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. In 2002, Bennett was indicted on charges of cattle theft, but acquitted of the criminal charge.

Storm could force tight escape schedule on spill operation By SHARON HONG HOUSTON CHRONICLE

As BP worked Friday toward plugging its damaged well in the Gulf of Mexico in a few weeks, a tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea threatened to halt all operations at the leak site and send oil gushing unabated into the ocean. If a storm reaches the Gulf, oil containment operations and the drilling of relief wells to plug the leaking Macondo well will have

to be stopped and equipment redeployed to safe areas, retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, commander of the spill response effort, said in a Friday briefing. If the response armada has to retreat, Allen said, oil would flow into the ocean uncontained until work could resume, which he said could take as long as two weeks. The well, which blew out April 20, killing 11 rig workers and triggering the

nation’s worse oil spill, is flowing at a daily rate of 35,000 to 60,000 barrels — nearly 1.5 million gallons at minimum. The depression is likely to become the first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and is forecast to reach the southwestern Gulf of Mexico by early Monday. Crews will need five days before a storm hits — 120 hours — to disconnect vessels and shut down, Allen said.

U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Doug Mosier said a sensor technician and border agent discovered Friday the crude 2foot-by-2-foot tunnel, which connects to a drainage tunnel at the border in El Paso. The tunnel was discov-

ered after agents found a Mexican teenager with about 200 pounds of marijuana and noticed a hole in the cement drainage pipe at the border. The dark, unventilated tunnel led south under the Rio Grande into Mexico.

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

Jackson: tribute, lawsuit By JOHN ROGERS ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson fans the world over paused Friday to remember the man they called the King of Pop with songs, dances and prayers on the first anniversary of his death, a day Jackson’s father marked by filing a wrongful-death lawsuit against the doctor charged with giving his son a lethal dose of sedatives. In Japan, hundreds of people lighted candles in Jackson’s memory. In the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale, thousands filed silently through the gates of Forest Lawn Cemetery, where Jackson’s body is entombed in the mausoleum. Some of them released white doves while others wept softly. “He’s been my idol all my life since I can remember. I feel like I haven’t had closure,” said Erick Dominguez, who traveled

more than 80 miles from his home in Victorville to pay respects. As he spoke, the 37-year-old sales representative, his eyes hidden by sunglasses, began to weep. Several of Jackson’s relatives visited the mausoleum, which was off limits to the public. Brother Tito shook hands with fans as he arrived, and brother Jermaine rolled down a window and waved as the family left in a fleet of luxury vehicles. In Jackson’s hometown of Gary, Ind., Jackson’s mother, Katherine, unveiled a monument in the front yard of the modest home where her children grew up. “This past year has been very hard on the family,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the help of all of you, we wouldn’t have made it through.” Jackson died June 25, 2009, at age 50, just before he was to begin a comeback tour. Dr. Conrad Mur-

ray has pleaded not guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter in his death. Authorities say Murray provided the entertainer with a mix of sedatives — including the powerful anesthetic propofol — that killed him. As Jackson fans everywhere grieved, the entertainer’s father, Joe Jackson, filed suit against Murray in federal court in Los Angeles. The complaint, which seeks more than $75,000, accuses Murray of professional negligence and contends the physician tried to conceal his administration of propofol after Jackson’s death. Propofol is normally administered only in hospital settings. Murray had been providing it in the bedroom of Jackson’s rented mansion in Los Angeles to help him sleep after the physically grueling rehearsals the performer had been putting himself through to get in shape for his comeback.

ZAPATA Continued from Page 1A Zapata Middle School assistant coach Gaby Montes said. “We may end up losing a lot of good staff.” In other business, the ZCISD Board of Trustees approved appointing Hildaliza Garza as reading interventionist and Lori Moreno as math interventionist for Zapata North Elementary. Rachel Mejia

was appointed as Zapata High School counselor and Gerardo Morales as bilingual and ESL director. There were no applicants for the Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs and ALBES counselor position, so those items were tabled. Other moves approved included:

A name change for Zapata North Early Childhood Center to Zapata North Elementary Changes to Policy BED (local) regarding public comments only pertaining to items on the agenda. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956) 7282557.)

DRUG WAR Continued from Page 1A suppliers since last year’s arrest of Vicente “El Vicentillo” Zambada, the department said. Zambada’s father, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, is one of the leaders of the Sinaloa cartel, together

with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, according to authorities. Garibay was being sought by authorities for trafficking cocaine from Colombia to Mexico and for being involved in sev-

eral kidnappings and killings, it said. Garibay allegedly led a cell of at least 28 cartel members, including his brother, Jose Luis Garibay, who was arrested in Mexicali in 2005.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A

MARIA DE JESUS GARCIA

HUNGRY Continued from Page 1A make them sign; that’s how I keep a roster. They write in their name, address, family size and they sign when they receive their food. We keep a roster for every month.” Despite the evident community need, Helping Hands has no guarantee that it will continue to exist in October, when the county’s new fiscal year starts. Money is tight, and an expected drop of more than 30 percent in appraised property values means the county will be having to make tough budgetary decisions. “A long time ago, they wanted this place to be run by volunteers,” said Mendoza, who was transferred from the museum to work for the pantry. “One of the commissioners wants to keep the place open because of how the economy is, but it’s not written in black and white. You can see it just by the numbers of how many people benefit from it. I don’t know what’s going to happen in October. I’m just worried about the people.” A Zapata resident and mother of three who asked to remain anonymous said she has been frequenting Helping Hands for more than a year and a half. “It is what it is. (My kids) need to eat,” the young mother said.

Not ‘La Migra’ One of the main advantages of the pantry for the public is that no citizen papers are required, officials said. As long as a family in need lives in Zapata, it can receive help. “Right now a lot of families that had income don’t have any. We don’t ask things like do the children go to school or are you a U.S. citizen. We are not im-

Despite expecting a shortfall in the millions this coming year, Salinas maintains that while cuts in county appropriations will be required, Helping Hands, the distribution point for many pantries and kitchens in Zapata, shouldn’t be in the crossfire.

Need is great

Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times

Zapatan Sofia Treviño takes the food she received at the Zapata Helping Hands Food Pantry to her vehicle Monday afternoon. migration. Tienes papeles, no tienes papeles? We cannot ask,” Mendoza said.

Apply at pantry There are requirements, however. Those who receive help must apply at the pantry. The person needs to produce a utilities or telephone bill proving residency, proof of income, a letter from the food stamps program, an AFDC check receipt, a child support receipt (if applicable) and proof of mineral rights and all extra income. With the help of Romeo Salinas, the Zapata County treasurer, who also serves on the board of the South Texas Food Bank, Helping Hands is continuing to apply for several grants in hopes to expand local pantry services. “We have a great need in our community,” Salinas said. “That’s why I’m always trying to look for opportunities to apply for grants.”

ROTARY Continued from Page 1A civic-minded organizations, including the Imaginarium of South Texas, which received an $8,200 donation, and Literacy Volunteers of Laredo, $4,650. The Shepherd’s Pantry, which is run by director Mary Pulido, is a partner of the South Texas Food Bank. “We are very, very grateful for that (donation),” Pulido said. “Any kind of help we can get is welcome, and I am so happy they considered us and awarded us with those funds. We’re ready to put those funds to use.” Pulido said one big need for the pantry is equipment, such as a large refrigerator. “We’re looking to get a

large-sized one, along with an ice machine and a bigger stove,” she said. Lynne Nava, Keep Laredo Beautiful executive director, said her organization plans to use the money to create “seed banks.” “We’ll show people how to learn about gardening, such as container gardening,” Nava told Rotarians gathered at Embassy Suites. “We have a lot of kids interested in our program.” The donations were presented by Gateway Rotary Club members Alvaro Martinez, Laredo Morning Times publisher William B. Green, Sylvia Bruni and Olga Maldonado. (Joe Rutland may be reached at 728-2529 or jrutland@lmtonline.com)

One of the grants would expand the Helping Hands pantry facilities, providing an additional 10 feet of storage. According to Salinas, notification of the grant status will be unavailable until late August. “We depend a lot on donations and organizations in the community,” he said. “We thank all those people in church organizations that have helped us in the past. “United Way, they’ve always come through,” he added. “Because of ConocoPhillips we were able to do Adopt-A-Family and have adopted 40 families.”

“We’re serving over 1,200 families a month,” Salinas said. “Helping Hands is indispensable. I hope the Commissioners Court understands the importance of all those we help. I hope that they consider keeping that food pantry open. “The need is there,” he continued. “We’re seeing a big loss of jobs in our community. We need to step up to the plate and help them.” Helping Hands is the largest pantry in Zapata. It’s open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 7659327. Four others also serve as food distribution points: Shepherd’s Pantry; Mary Pulido, 765-0123. Concilio El Buen Pastor; Gilberto Hernandez, 765-1300. Boys and Girls Club; Viola Torres, 765-3892. Iglesia Pentecostes Emmanuel; Enedina Morales, 750-0182. (Stephanie M. Ibarra may be reached at (956) 728-2567 or sibarra@lmtonline.com)

Maria De Jesus Garcia, 66, passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2010, at her residence in Zapata, Texas. Mrs. Garcia is preceded in death by her brother, Manuel (Maria Guadalupe) Almaguer; daughter, Maria Teresa De Jesus Garcia; granddaughter, Kathia Isabel Guzman; and a grandson, Juan Francisco Velazquez. Mrs. Garcia is survived by her husband, Agustin Garcia; sons, Agustin R. (Yadira) Garcia, Jose Luis (Maria Olga) Garcia, Jesus Lauro (Cari) Garcia and Gerardo M. (Marla) Garcia; daughters, Ana Luisa (Enrique) Alvarado, Olga Lydia Guzman, Maria De Jesus (Diego) Velazquez and Sonia Isabel (Rogelio) Gonzalez; and by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Visitation hours were held on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at 3:15 p.m.

for a 3:30 p.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home; Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 U.S. 83 Zapata, Texas.

12A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors TENNIS

Courtesy Photo

Campers go through hand-eye coordination drills at the 2nd Annual Zapata High tennis camp last week.

Celinda Canales hits a backhand shot during the 2nd annual Zapata High tennis camp last week.

Zapata High tennis camp a big success By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES

The Zapata High tennis coaching staff conducted the second annual Hawks summer tennis camp for the past two weeks at the high school tennis courts. “We were amazed at how much some of the kids retained

and how much they learned and improved over the course of the week,” Zapata tennis coach Robert Alvarez said. The camp included students from incoming kíndergarten through ninth graders. The tennis players were divided into four groups: the pee wee, the future stars, the teen stars and the

8th-9th graders. A total of 62 campers participated. “The kids really enjoyed themselves,” Alvarez said. “We covered the basic strokes, volleys, serves and court awareness and scoring.” Alvarez also noted that he spoke to the campers about three

important fundamentals that will enhance their overall game. “We also talked to the kids about nutrition, academics and the importance of exercise,” he said. The first and last part of the camp featured drills and games that promoted hand eye coordination and physical condition-

ing. “My assistant coach Melissa Herrera and I had a blast working with the boys and girls,” Alvarez said. “They were so eager to learn. “When they showed up each morning with their little tennis outfits and tennis racquets, it just made our day.”

WIMBLEDON

NERVES TAKE HOLD OF FLAIR ON PROMINENT WORLD CUP STAGE

Photo by Anja Niedringhaus | AP

Photo by Matt Dunham | AP

Roger Federer makes a overhead smash return at Wimbledon, Friday.

Spain’s Andres Iniesta, back right, scores a goal past Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, center foreground, during the World Cup group H soccer match between Chile and Spain at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday.

Federer Chile, Spain, Portugal join Brazil in last 16 still going J strong ASSOCIATED PRESS

OHANNESBURG — Spain, Chile and Portugal joined Brazil in the last 16 of the World Cup on Friday, but the glittering football promised by the world’s leading teams was missing as nerves

By STEPHEN WILSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

WIMBLEDON, England — One day after winning the longest tennis match in history, John Isner lost the shortest men’s match at Wimbledon so far this year. It was back to normal, meanwhile, for defending champion Roger Federer, who showed he was back at the top of his game by sweeping Arnaud Clement in straight sets to reach the fourth round in his bid for a seventh Wimbledon crown. Marathon man Isner looked weary from the outset Friday, required treatment for a neck injury and was beaten by unseeded Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. The second-round match was over in just 1 hour, 14 minutes, and the five games won by Isner is the fewest by a male player this week. It was a complete turnaround from Isner’s epic three-day victory over Nicolas Mahut,

See TENNIS PAGE 2B

took their toll on flair. David Villa and Andres Iniesta scored a goal each to help Spain beat 10-man Chile 2-1 and send both teams through from Group H. Spain now meet Iberian neighbors Portugal on Tuesday in Cape Town. Villa scored a spectacular goal from

45 meters (yards) in the 24th minute at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. He ran on to a loose ball and curled a left-footed shot into an open goal after Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo had rushed out of the area to clear the ball.

See WORLD CUP PAGE 2B

2nd round big crucial for U.S. By RONALD BLUM ASSOCIATED PRESS

RUSTENBURG, South Africa — For other countries, a second-round World Cup match is a big step. For the United States, today’s game against Ghana is so much more. The television audience back home could top the U.S. national team record of 13.7 million, set during the 1994 World Cup loss to Brazil. With a victory, the Amer-

icans would advance to a quarterfinal matchup versus Uruguay or South Korea on July 2 and match the farthest the U.S. team has advanced since the first World Cup in 1930. Confidence is soaring. “If we continue to build on the successes so far, we can go to the end,” coach Bob Bradley said Friday. The U.S. team made the 2hour trip Friday northwest from Irene and checked into

See U.S. PAGE 2B

AP Photo

U.S. national soccer fan Aaron Russo, 11, of Atlanta, Ga. blows a vuvuzela at a fan rally at the U.S. embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday, June 23, 2010 prior to the U.S. World Cup Group C match against Algeria.

PAGE 2B

Zscores

TRANSACTIONS BASEBALL Major League Baseball MLB: Suspended minor league OF Prentice Redman (Albuquerque-PCL) 50 games, after testing positive for an amphetamine, a performance-enhancing substance. American League

BOSTON RED SOX: Recalled LHP Fabio Castro from Pawtucket (IL). Optioned OF Josh Reddick to Pawtucket. CLEVELAND INDIANS: Recalled LHP Aaron Laffey from Columbus (IL). KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Signed SS Christian Colon and assigned him to Wilmington (Carolina). MINNESOTA TWINS: Selected the contract of OF Jason Repko from Rochester (IL). SEATTLE MARINERS: Activated RHP Doug Fis-

ter from the 15-day DL. Placed RHP Shawn Kelley on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 16. National League ATLANTA BRAVES: Purchased the contract of LHP Andy Oliver from Erie (EL). CHICAGO CUBS: Activated INF Aramis Ramirez from the 15-day DL. Designated INF Chad Tracy for assignment. SAN DIEGO PADRES: Reinstated INF Everth Cabrera from the 15-day DL. Optioned C

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010 Dusty Ryan to Portland (PCL). Reinstated C Yorvit Torrealba from the suspended list. WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Agreed to terms with CF Connor Rowe, 1B Russell Moldenhauer, RF Rick Hughes and RF Wander Nunez. Eastern League ALTOONA CURVE: Announced LHP Daniel Moskos and OF Alex Presley were promoted to Indianapolis (IL) and OF Brandon Jones was assigned to the team from Indianapolis.

BASKETBALL NBA CHARLOTTE BOBCATS: Made a one-year qualifying offer to F Tyrus Thomas making him a restricted free agent. FOOTBALL NFL CINCINNATI BENGALS: Signed WR Dezmon Briscoe.

DETROIT LIONS: Signed OT Jason Fox to a three-year contract. COLLEGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE: Named Debbie Yow athletic director. PROVIDENCE: Named Chris Driscoll men’s assistant basketball coach. SHENANDOAH: Named Jaime Terenzi women’s volleyball coach. SOUTH CAROLINA: Named Matt Lucas men’s assistant tennis coach.

WORLD CUP Continued from Page 1B Marco Estrada was sent off after being booked for a second time during the buildup to the second goal. Drafted into the side to replace the suspended Carlos Carmona as holding midfielder, Estrada was first booked in the 21st and shown a red card for tripping Fernando Torres. Replays raised doubts as to whether there was any contact, and if there was, it looked accidental. Referee Marco Rodriguez of Mexico had already shown a controversial red card to Australia’s Tim Cahill in an earlier match and Estrada’s was his second. In the other Group H game, Honduras held Switzerland to a 0-0 draw — a result that knocked both teams out. On a day when Latin American teams confirmed their dominance of the World Cup, with six teams represented in the last 16, Brazil and Portugal played out an ill-tempered 0-0 draw in which seven players were booked in the first half. Both teams calmed down and settled for the draw that Portugal needed to join Brazil, which had already qualified. Brazil now play Chile in Johannesburg on Monday. Brazil was not taking any responsibility for the 0-0 draw, saying Portugal’s defensive setup prevented the much-anticipated match from being a spectacle. “It’s really boring when we have to play against an opponent

North Korea finished a distant last in Group G, clearly outclassed by their opponents, scoring just once and conceding 12 goals. Hopes of a repeat of its famous performance in 1966, when it beat

Italy, faded quickly. The round of 16 gets underway today in Port Elizabeth with Uruguay playing South Korea, which has reached the second stage for just the second time. Ghana faces the United States in Rustenburg. Europe’s focus will be on Germany-England in Bloemfontein on Sunday — a fixture that has been closely fought for decades, starting in the 1966 World Cup final. Germany met some lions Friday, but they were cuddly, furry ones rather than English players. The players visited a lion park near their base outside Pretoria and played with some of the cubs. Captain Philipp Lahm said the outing was good for the players, but they will be going into Sunday’s match with “far more aggression.” British Prime Minister David Cameron and his German counterpart Angela Merkel will have one eye on the match while they attend the G-20 summit in Canada. “I’m desperate for us to win,” Cameron said. “I will try not to wrestle her to the ground during penalties, but we will have to see.” The repercussions from Italy’s shock exit were felt Friday. Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete called for structural reform of the game at home. Captain Fabio Cannavaro, 36, announced his international retirement.

consecutive World Cup games in 80 years. And in Ghana, it plays the only one of six African teams to have survived past the group phase. All African fans figure to be supporting the Black Stars. “Ghana is the African hope now,” defender Samuel Inkoom said. “We aren’t going to disappoint them.” Four years ago, the Americans played Ghana in their final firstround game and needed a victory to advance. Ghana went ahead early only for Clint Dempsey to tie it. But the Black Stars won the game on Stephen Appiah’s penalty kick after a foul called by German referee Markus Merk against Oguchi Onyewu. “An injustice,” Onyewu said. “I still to this day don’t know where the foul came from.” Ghana had just two goals in the group phase, penalty kicks by Asamoah Gyan against Serbia

and Australia. Gyan, a teammate of Bocanegra’s on Rennes, also scored against the Czech Republic in the 2006 World Cup after 68 seconds, the fastest goal of that tournament. “He’s got a great leap. He’s really good in the air. He’s powerful and fast,” Bocanegra said. “He spearheads their attack.” Right back John Pantsil is a teammate of Dempsey on Fulham, but Ghana is missing its top player, midfielder Michael Essien, out since January with a knee injury. A four-time African champion, the Black Stars lost 1-0 to Egypt in this year’s African Cup of Nations final. Coach Milovan Rajevac is familiar with American soccer, having spent several seasons playing with an indoor team in New York. “America has grown into a football superpower,” he said.

Photo by Rick Bowmer | AP

Chile’s Esteban Paredes, left, competes for the ball with Spain’s Xabi Alonso, right, during the World Cup group H soccer match between Chile and Spain at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday. with 11 players at the back, only trying to draw,” Brazil striker Luis Fabiano said. Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said his side “advanced on its own merit and now we have to start thinking about our next

matches.” In the other Group G game, Ivory Coast beat North Korea 3-0 but both teams were eliminated. Ivory Coast scored through Yaya Toure, Koffi Romaric N’Dri and Salomon Kalou.

U.S. Continued from Page 1B the Bakubung Bush Lodge, where the bus was blocked by an elephant ahead of the opener against England on June 12. Players have been stoked since Landon Donovan’s injury-time goal beat Algeria on Wednesday and lifted them into the knockout phase. “The way we’ve been playing, feeling like we’ve gone undefeated and we’ve gotten stronger, I think that gives us hope,” goalkeeper Tim Howard said. American sports fans have been focusing on soccer at an unprecedented level. Former President Clinton attended Wednesday’s game in Pretoria and chugged a postgame beer with captain Carlos Bocanegra. New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush joined the party. Clinton changed his schedule to stick around for the Ghana

game. “People were coming out of the woodworks to celebrate,” Bocanegra said. The Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer are among those hosting viewing parties. The Kansas City Royals are setting up televisions around Kauffman Stadium so fans can watch while attending the baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals. “You want to have a team that the people who care about ... and follow that team and root for that team and can feel part of,” coach Bob Bradley said Friday. “A team that people believe in and a team that people are proud of. And so, that’s part of our responsibility, and we’re excited in the moment that there’s that kind of feeling.” Today’s game, nationally tele-

vised by ABC starting at 2:30 p.m. EDT, will be the third for the Americans at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. They had a 3-0 win over Egypt in last year’s Confederations Cup and the 1-1 draw with the English in this tournament. The U.S. is coming off a 2-2 tie against Slovenia, when the Americans rallied from a two-goal deficit and saw an 85th-minute goal controversially disallowed, and the thrilling 1-0 victory over the Algerians. It would appear the U.S. has a favorable path to the semifinals, a round it reached for the only time 80 years ago. The Americans are ranked 14th, well ahead of Ghana (32nd) and South Korea (47th) and slightly in front of Uruguay (18th). While the U.S. finished atop its first-round group for the first time since 1930, it hasn’t won

TENNIS Continued from Page 1B which lasted 11 hours, 5 minutes and went to 70-68 in the fifth set. What’s more, Isner served no aces Friday after hitting a record 112 against Mahut. “I’ve never been this exhausted before,” Isner said. “Mentally and physically, I was obviously a bit drained. I just didn’t have much in the way of my legs. I was just low on fuel out there. Didn’t really have a chance.” Starting shortly after noon in warm sunshine, Isner received a standing ovation when he walked onto court. He immediately lost his serve — something that didn’t happen once in his never-ending fifth set against Mahut. “The turnaround time — he just didn’t have enough time to get his body right,” said Isner’s coach, Craig Boynton. “He’s one tired boy.” Federer looked perfectly fresh as he demolished Clement 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, playing like the old grass-court master himself after being stretched to five sets in his first-round match and four in the second. Federer saved the only break point against him, hit 29 winners, made only 12 unforced errors and left Centre Court to a rousing standing ovation. “I get standing ovations 99 percent of the time —

doesn’t matter if the performance was great or not so great,” he said. “I think they’re happy to see me, and they love tennis. ... But of course, when I end up winning, and they give me a reception like this, it feels good at the heart.” Federer will next play 16th-seeed Jurgen Melzer, who beat Feliciano Lopez in four sets. Federer and the Austrian played doubles together as juniors but have never faced each other in singles on the tour. “I’m excited about having a weekend off, because it’s been a tough first week,” Federer said. “Not as tough as Isner and Mahut, of course, but still somewhat tough mentally. So I’m looking forward to Monday.” The man Federer has beaten in three Wimbledon finals, Andy Roddick, served 28 aces in a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber to make the round of 16. The fifth-seeded American broke four times and saved all seven break points against him. Roddick missed his first match point at 5-2 when he dove head first in vain to reach a drop shot and landed face first on the grass. In the next game, he saved a break point and then finished with an ace down the middle on his third match point.

Photo by Mark Baker | AP

John Isner reacts to a lost point during his match against Thiemo de Bakker of Netherland’s at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, Friday. Roddick next plays YenHsun Lu, who became the first Taiwanese man to make the fourth round of a Grand Slam. He was leading Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-4, 2-1 when the German retired with an injury. In women’s play, five-time champion Venus Williams moved into the fourth round by beating Russia’s Alisa Kleybanova 6-4, 6-2. Williams was down 3-1 in the first set before taking control with her power game as both players went for big shots from the baseline.

Williams took a tumble in the last game as she slipped on the grass, but appeared unscathed. The No. 2-seeded Williams next faces Australian Jarmila Groth, and could eventually meet top-ranked sister Serena in the final. Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters — two Belgians making Wimbledon comebacks — won in straight sets to set up a fourthround showdown Monday. Clijsters, seeded eighth, beat No. 27 Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 6-3. Henin, seeded 17th, defeated No. 12 Nadia

Petrova 6-1, 6-4. Clijsters and Henin will play each other for the 25th time, but the first time in a Grand Slam since 2006. Their rivalry stands at 1212 and has become friendlier over the years. “It’s obviously not the same as in the beginning,” Clijsters said. “We’ve definitely grown up. We’ve had great times together playing Fed Cup and just messaging each other on phones, teasing each other, fun, you know, relax. I think that’s how I would have liked it.”

Both Belgians have mounted career comebacks from retirement. Clijsters last played at Wimbledon in 2006, Henin in 2007. Henin has seven Grand Slam titles and Clijsters two, but neither has won the Wimbledon crown. Clijsters won their last previous meetings this year in Brisbane and Key Biscayne. No. 4 Jelena Jankovic beat No. 28 Alona Bondarenko 6-0, 6-3. No. 11 Marion Bartoli, the 2007 runner-up, defeated Greta Arn 6-3, 6-4. No. 3 Novak Djokovic reached the round of 16 by beating No. 28 Albert Montanes 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. That sets up an intriguing fourth-round battle against 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt. The 15thseeded seeded Australian, enjoying a resurgence after returning from hip surgery, advanced with a 6-3, 7-6 (9), 6-4 win over Frenchman Gael Monfils. Hewitt saved three set points in the second-set tiebreaker, and pumped his right arm four times in celebration after closing out the set. Monfils fought back to stay close in the third but double-faulted to end the match. In a minor upset, 13thseeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia was ousted by PaulHenri Mathieu, 6-4, 2-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B

HINTS BY HELOISE Dear Readers: A recent column discussed “WHITE DOVES” being released at special events, and I asked you about any experiences you had. Here are just a few of the many responses: * Linda R. of Madison, Ala., says: “I work at a pet store, and a customer brought two doves to me, complaining that they had purchased them for a wedding, as a fly-away effect. She didn’t buy homing pigeons. These doves don’t have the homing gene and will fly around aimlessly and then land wherever they please — in this case, right back on a table at the reception! Doves make great pets and are very gentle. But don’t think that this type of bird will survive in the wild; it will not, and will fall victim to hawks, cats and the elements.” * Sue, via e-mail, says: “I was glad you encouraged people to choose bird profession-

“

HELOISE

als to supply doves. Often people just go to a pet store and buy ‘doves.’ These aren’t ‘homers,’ and they are left to fend for themselves when the festivities are over.” * Patty H. of Jacksonville, Fla., says: “I’ve now had a white dove for many years! She is sweet and gentle, recognizes our voices and loves living most of the year on our screened-in porch. We could never come up with a name, so we just call her Dove.” * Alice H. of Springfield, Mo., says: “At the 2009 National Day of Prayer, hundreds of people met on our courthouse lawn. At the conclusion, several doves were released, leaving everyone with an aura of peace.”

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CONDOS FOR SALE 64 VENDO CONDOMINIO EN NUEVO LAREDO, 2/1.5,$47,000/$5,000 ENGANCHE Y $600 P/M. INFORMES: 237-2377

HOMES FOR SALE 61 Del Mar C, by owner, 4bd/6ba, 5600 Sq. Ft., Travertine floors, built soild, $650,000 OBO call: 235-7272 For Sale By Owner 1310 Nicklaus Lp, 4bedroom, 4 bath, 3,388sq.ft. Lot size 14,808, tile roof, complete block fence 744-7373, $397,000 Corner lot. House for Sale in North Laredo. 3bd/2ba/2cg No closing cost. $165,000 Call 949-4169 OWNER FINANCED HOUSE! 4/2/2 Winnfield 20% down $1700 Monthly 333-3663 Windfield Sub 3202 Wingate Ct,3bd/2ba/2cg, palapa W/bedroom & full bath,pool, 2,140sq.ft, $220,000 neg.,Call 956-489-3003 or 791-1913

CONDOS FOR SALE 64 Regency Oaks Townhomes for sale,4246 Dorrel 2 & 3 bedroom,starting $87,900. Near Target on Loop 20 . Call 956-237-2377

LOTS FOR SALE

407 S. Seymour, 7300sqft, 49ft x 149ft $35,000 Owner Financing Available Call 727-w5245 5112 Angel Falls,blk 6,8,498sqft Lakeside Subd.,$64,000 Negotiable Call 744-5247 or 726-0573 Lot for sale. 3012 San Eduardo, 145’x165’ $28,000 Call 235-6101

WINFIELD Residential lot

4001 Cullaton (23,125 sqft.)

$119,000. $5.15p/sqft Call: 206-4508 ACREAGE FOR SALE 76 5 acre Commercial tract, frontage on CasaVerde Rd.$215,000 per acre. Contact (956)725-6641

FARMS & RANCHES 77 168 ACRES, North Golaid. Large oaks. lots of game. Water and electric, windmill and 3 ponds. $4200 p/ac OBO Call 361-438-1438 leave message.

COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT 79 Full Service Floral & Gift Shop.Established wire service incl. Great Income Opportunity.Serious Inq. Only. $140K neg. 206-3644

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY 82 Traspaso Restaurante aclientado $40,000 OBO communicarse 956-401-7941

PETS & SUPPLIES

PETS & SUPPLIES 128

PETS & SUPPLIES 128 For Sale Schitzu, 2M, ready to go $ 3 0 0 OBO call:722-2607 Jack Russell Terrier Puppies,pure breed,shots, 2mths.$300 326-5865 Mixed Pups For Sale Terrier/Pug $50 774-6690 ask for Dan Sanchez Pure breed Weimaraners,10mths female & 12mths male. $200ea. Call 725-7184 Tiny Chihuahua puppies, 8 wks, cream & tan $120, 2 males, Call 401-6941

1yr old male BostonTerrier,very friendly, great for breeding, $200 Call 337-8701 Boston Terrier Male 11wks B&W $325 Call 726-2556 or 235-0054 Chihuahua apple head puppies, all shots/ dewormed $175 call:319-2469

White Chihuhua puppies, $140 Call:206-1705

Chihuahua,Poodles,Scotch Terriers,shots & dewormed $135 & up Call 753-0118

CABRITOS, Live/Vivos, Chivos/Chivas $50 & up 948-5218

Chihuahua/Poodles puppies 2M/1F, 2&3mths, $105 obo. call 763-2594; 645-4910 Chihuahuas puppies,3mo, 2 male,black W/beige, & Beige $100 each Call 286-4603 English Bulldog, boxer mix, Valley Bulldogs, $150, 6wks old, Call 956-763-3204 Female Yorkie, 1.5 yrs, all shots, $800 OBO Call 956-285-0552

DENNIS THE MENACE

FAMILY CIRCUS

White colored Parrot $750 with large cage Call: 334-9806

LIVESTOCK & SUP PLIES 130

Fresh cut large round bales for sale in net wrap.Coastal Hay. $65ea. Call (956) 724-1079 or 286-4717 Hay Round bales starting at $ 6 0 . 0 0 Call: 401-3070 Reg. & Com. Red Brangus Bulls. 2yrs. & up Starting at $1500 & up 763-1116 & 763-7832 Registered Appaloosa colts & Fillies yearling’s,athletic bloodline,outstanding confirmation,beautiful.Starting $500 & up. 763-3355

FARM & RANCH SUPPLIES 132 4x7 utility trailer, 2100lbs c a p a c i t y $585 OBO Call: 722-6441

MISCELLANEOUS

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 1 Phillips HomeTheater,1000 watts with ipod dock $125 401-7410 2 elegant sofas like new, 96’ long, sage color, were $8500 now $5500 for both call: 235-7272 2 Lazy Boy Recliners,blue $50ea. Call 723-1853 5 boxes of clean, used mixed clothing for sale $4/per box call:728-8008; 4418 San Agustin Ave (Rear)

18 inch aluminum extension ladder $50 OBO call: 722-2504 27”SunniTV with remote Standard definition & digital connections $85 401-7410

BilliardTables,parts,service $25 & up 744-1575, bimbo1951@yahoo.com Coach handbags, Ed Hardy belts, sunglasses, caps $29 & up Call 754-5112 Dinning room set, 12chairs, large class table top, 120” long x 60” wide, was $12,000 asking $4000 call: 235-7272 For Sale! 6pc Bedroom Furniture, dark wood. $300 OBO Call 744-5283

For sale, Dell C521 80GB desktop w/flatscreen, G-4 Power Mac tower only, $200ea call:286-4871 Gas Stove & Washer,$125ea.Call 401-8223; 235-9572 Golden Retriver puppy pure breed, parents on site, $175 Call 220-9010

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 Granite large reception desk, heavy, spacious $350, Must see! 333-3663 Harley Davidson ‘03,RoadKing. Many upgrades with Motorcycle Platform lift. $11,500 Call 229-9059 Juego de sale de 2pc. $150 Inf: 220-9860; 401-0161

Kenmore Refigerador, & Microwave.Like New! Beige.$475 723-7781 Kenmore Washer & Dryer, $400 for both! Excellent cond., Call 568-1389 Large A/C window unit, almost new, $75 OBO call:722-8883 Livingroom for sale! with 3 end tables, $350 Call 763-2594 Men’s Rolex,05’GMT master2, Excellent condition $4,000 Call 326-5187

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 Top Mount Stainless Steel Refrigerator 21.5 cu.ft. $300 Call 723-1853 Twin Beds (2),with mattress. $300 Call 401-8223; 235-9572 Twin bunk beds, W/mattress, & chest 100% $375, call 763-2594

USED HEIL 2 ton A/C $125. Call 725-3104 Whirlpool appliances, refridgerator & stove, both for $800 Call: 721-6753

Wood Queen size bedroom w/nightstand $300 OBO call:220-6927

SPORTING GOODS 142 Large Gun Safe 3.5x3x5 four locks $1,400 cage included 333-3663 Taurus .357 Magnum 8 shot revolver $420 Call Carlos 220-9883

TRANSPORTATION

PicnicTables ($125,6 person) ($100, 4 person) heavy-duty 722-1731; 703 Garfield Printers and Scanners HP, Cannon, Lexmark, $25 & up. 401-7410 Recamara Queen completa de madera, beige, $1000 OMO, Call 763-2594 Refrigerator & Gas Stove, Good condition, white, $200 for both 337-9148

Rims w/ tires for Ford Focus $450 Call 949-4169 Rocker recliner & swival desk chair both in good cond., starting @ $65ea. OBO Call:722-2504 Se venden 2 recamaras nino y nina, completa $250 c/u Inf: 771-7925 Sofa Bed, leather, brown, $200 OBO, Call 206-8653 or 109 Ridgemore Ln. RCA 5 CD Home audio system w/ ipod deck;300 watts $100 401-7410

HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192 2004 Freightliner centry in very good cond., $19,300 OBO call: 237-3151 32ft Tandem Dual Gooseneck Flatbed. $6,100 Call 724-8596 Lincoln SA200 Welder Recondition Red Face $4,000 OBO. Call 740-6632

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194 Diesel engines Chevy 6.6 Ford 7.3 & Cummins 5.9 Remanufactured w/warranty will deliver, $2,950. 713-918-5811. Pick upTruckTires,GOOD CONDITION, 265x65x17 $35ea. Call 401-7410

MOTORCYCLES

196

1996 Harley Softail classic burgandy, chromed,garaged 49K,$8300 OBO Hebbron 361-935-7840 Suzuki GSXR 750CC ‘97, 24Kmi., good condition, $4500 Call 333-2282 BRAND NEW Four Wheeler ATV 110 $1500 OBO Call 236-9212

Harley Davidson Superglide ‘03, 3,800 Original miles,$8,000 Call 337-8358 Kawasaki Ninja 250R 2006, good cond., $2000 OBO call:286-4462 Suzuki Intruder ‘94, 1400CC, lots of extras. $2250 OBO Call 712-0249

TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 03 Minivan Pontiac Montana 55k mi., $3,700 Call 251-6398 99 Surburban, 4x4, lifted, 20’ wheels $6500 Call:721-6753 1976 Chevy Pickup for sale,350 engine w/camper,go by 3106 Springfield $1500 OBO 2000 Land Rover in good condition, $4,200 OBO Call:645-4198 2004 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4wd, 79,000 miles $8000 call:337-5955 ‘03 ford f-150 v8,alarm,cabina 1/2, auto,a/c,airbag,good cond., $4750 call:237-5609 ‘99 GMC Sierra A/C,crew cab, $3500 OBO Call: 324-2305; 229-8418

DodgeVan ‘03,6dr.,excellent cond., $2,800 Call 763-6526 Ford Aerostar 1993 cargo, 4120 McPherson $800 OBO Call 725-3567 Ford Explorer 96’ XLT, good running condition, $1,200, Call 242-9361

TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 Ford Explorer XLT 06’, 33k miles, fully loaded, like new! $17,000 OBO Call now! 713-294-0918 Ford Windstar ‘01 double a/c, stereo, good cond., $3,150 OBO call 251-5958 GMC Yukon 03’, 53k miles, 1 owner, $12,500 OBO, call 723-2779 Jeep Cherokee sport 01’, 6cyl., automatic,good cond.,$3,700 OBO call 712-0249 or 771-6489 Nissan 94’, 4dr, A/c, good Cond., $1,000 Call SOLD Pontiac 00’ Montana van, 1 owner, excellent condition, $4,800 OBO Call 337-1076

CARS FOR SALE

200

2000 BMW 5 Series,528i-auto, 106K miles,silver,4dr.,clean! Leather int, a/c, runs great! $8,500 OBO call: 645-5117-645-5125

2005 Mercedes 29K miles, white w/black interior, $23,000 OBO call:242-5634 BUICK- CENTURY, 2002 106 K, MILLAS $3,350.00 DLLS. A/C CD/STEREO. CELL. 956-235-2206 RADIO:145*2*55236

Cadillac DTS ‘01,black on black, wood grain,110Kmil.,$3500 Call 361-438-5824 Honda Civic 2000,$2800 OBO call:324-9205; 724-6301 Mazda Protege 01’, A/c, Good Condition, blue title, $1,600 Call 727-5429 Oldsmobile 2001 Alero,4dr,6cyl., Good Condition $1800 call 337-0281

Pontiac G6 ‘06, V6, 40Kmil., $3500 Call 361-438-5824

Sports

4B LAREDO MORNING TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010

Mavs get perimeter help with Jones

Anderson a good catch for Spurs

By JAIME ARON

By PAUL J. WEBER

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN ANTONIO — James Anderson is the latest Big 12 player of the year headed to the NBA, following the recent likes of Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin. “We don’t have those kind of expectations,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. “But if he wants to go ahead and do that, it’s fine by us.” The Spurs snatched up Anderson with the 20th overall selection the NBA draft on Thursday night, hoping the former Oklahoma State star will be another overlooked steal like George Hill and DeJuan Blair. Anderson averaged 22.3 points last year for Oklahoma State, but limited his workouts the last few weeks because of a sore hamstring. Watching the draft with his family in Junction City, Ark., Anderson said the injury probably made his stock drop. “I don’t think they got to see what they wanted out of me,” Anderson said. Not the Spurs, who had already seen plenty. “When you’re drafting No. 20, I don’t think you can be particularly selective,” Buford said. “As much as anything, if you listen to the guys who really know the college basketball scene, people really liked James.” It was the highest pick for the Spurs since drafting Tim Duncan first overall in 1997. Anderson is no Duncan, but the Spurs have been able to find good players late — they took Hill with the 26th pick in 2008, and grabbed Blair at No. 37 a year ago. After picking Anderson, the Spurs took 7-footer Ryan Richards from England with the 49th pick. The 19-year-old has played for England’s national development teams and is another long-term international prospect for the Spurs. The player the Spurs perhaps want most this summer wasn’t on the draft board — because San Antonio already drafted him three years ago. Tiago Splitter, a 6-foot-11 center and star for the Spanish League club Caja Laboral, has tantalized the

AP Photo

Oklahoma State guard James Anderson, left, was drafted by the Spurs Thursday. Spurs since they drafted him with the 27th pick in 2007. Splitter was named MVP of the Spanish League this past season, and the Spurs want to finally bring him aboard. But it’s no guarantee. Splitter could make more money staying in Europe, even though he has recently expressed a desire to play in the NBA. Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, a famous international find by the Spurs, said this week that he would “love to see” Splitter finally arrive in San Antonio. “I heard he’s developed his game so much in the last couple years, that he became the best player in Europe, or the best big for sure,” Ginobili said. “I’m dying to see him.” Having made the playoffs 13 consecutive years — the longest streak in the NBA — the Spurs seldom enter the draft with much expectations for their late picks. But they made deep steals the past two years,

particularly with Hill, who was starting ahead of Tony Parker in the playoffs last season. The move had much to do with chemistry and Parker providing a jolt off the bench, but also demonstrated Hill’s emergence. It has led to speculation that the Spurs might trade Parker, who is 28 and entering the final year of his contract. Buford has tempered that speculation, and Parker reiterated Wednesday week he expects to remain in San Antonio. Anderson could give the Spurs a valuable outside shooter, perhaps even from 3-point range. San Antonio shot .358 from behind the arc last season, its lowest percentage since 2003-04. Anderson is believed to have NBA 3-pointer potential, though he was a 34 percent shooter as a junior. “He had to do so much for Oklahoma State that you can understand why his percentage were down, because teams were keying on him and he was having to take hard shots,” Buford said.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks opened their wooing of Dirk Nowitzki by spending millions to jump into the first round of the draft for the exact kind of perimeter player he wants — Dominique Jones, a young guard who can create his own shot. “When we interviewed him, he said he felt like a cross between Dwyane Wade and (Rodney Stuckey); that sounded pretty good to me,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said, laughing. “We’re always trying to surround Dirk with guys who can take the pressure off him.” Nowitzki, the franchise leader in points, rebounds and other key categories, is expected to become a free agent next week but the team is hoping he’s only doing that to sign a longer deal to stay. Still, once he’s on the market, anything can happen. So they obviously want to keep him happy. This should help. When asked the day after the Mavericks were bounced from the playoffs what type of player Dallas needed to get, Nowitzki said: “We’d love to get somebody explosive off the dribble, who can create his own shot at any given time.” Nowitzki was thinking of guys like LeBron James or Wade. While they will be free agents next week, too, landing either of them will be a lot tougher. Mavs president Donnie Nelson was excited to have landed Jones without giving up anything but a pile of team owner Mark Cuban’s cash, likely the league

maximum $3 million. It would’ve cost a future first-round pick to get any higher, and Dallas refused because those picks are precious chips that can be used all sorts of ways later this offseason. “We got really lucky,” Nelson said. “We kept our powder dry for bigger things this summer.” Carlisle and Nelson proudly noted that Jones, a 6-foot-5 off guard at South Florida, was the only player in the country who averaged 21 points, six rebounds and three assists last season. He also scored 46 points on the road in the Big East (in overtime against Providence) and had a knack for getting to the free throw line “a lot — 15, 16, 18 times a game,” Carlisle said. “That’s hard to do,” Carlisle said, adding that drawing fouls is a skill that “translates extremely well” from the college game to the NBA. “He has the ability to get places with the ball. He’s a very resourceful scorer. Toughness and energy are high on our list.” Jones is 6-foot-5 with a wingspan closer to 6-foot-9, which should help on defense, too. He was a firstteam All-Big East selection, averaging 21.4 points per game last season. Jones was just getting used to the idea of competing for playing time in Memphis when he learned he was headed to Dallas. He’s excited about being

teammates with Jason Kidd and is eager to find his niche in the rotation. He describes his style as big on seeking contact. “I love it,” he said, “because everyone else doesn’t.” He also feels a burden to contribute right away. “If they paid $3 million to get into the first round to get me — whew!” Jones said. “That means I’ve got high expectations.” With Jones and last year’s top pick Roddy Beaubois, the Mavericks could have their backcourt of the future already in place. Beaubois is quick, with great leaping ability, a nice touch on 3-pointers and is spending the summer trying to hone his skills as a point guard. Jones is more suited to be a shooting guard, a banger who needs to work on extending his range. They should be somewhat interchangeable, too. “They supplement each other very well,” Nelson said. “They’re going to be fast friends.” Only thing is, Jones hasn’t heard of Beaubois. Asked about his new teammate, Jones said, “WHO?!” He’ll find out very soon, as they will be working together soon in the summer league. The Mavericks also had the 50th pick. They spent it on Florida State center Solomon Alabi, then sent him to Toronto for a second-rounder in 2013 and cash.