The Zapata Times 7/10/2010

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RIO GRANDE RACING THROUGH FALCON

ENTERTAINMENT

Courtesy photo

Hector Benavides, producer of Ze Divaneb Productions, shoots a scene for his upcoming film, "El Peso de Oracion."

Man chases film dream By LORRAINE R. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Laredoan Hector Benavides has long pursued a dream of becoming a filmmaker, and now he is using his own backyard as a backdrop for his latest project. Zapata, along with Hebbronville, Oilton and Laredo, are used as locations as part of his most recent Ze Divaneb Productions filmmaking venture, “El Peso de Oracion.” Benavides always knew he wanted to be a filmmaker. He headed to Dallas at a young age to pursue a career in the film industry. Leaving Laredo

with little money, he spent his first night under a bridge, he said. He later became an entrepreneur in several businesses, but writing remained his passion. He’s living and breathing that passion now as he draws closer to completing his masterpiece. The film should be wrapped by December, and Benavides said he plans to donate all revenue to local nonprofit organizations. “El Peso de Oracion,” a short film scheduled to be an hour long, tells the story of a cold-hearted,

See MOVIE PAGE 9A

Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times

The International Boundary and Water Commission releases thousands of gallons of water Friday afternoon from Falcon Lake.

Zapata, San Ygnacio expects little flooding By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

COUNTY

Spat brewing over museum director offer By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

A proposal made by Chamber of Commerce President Jose F. “Paco” Mendoza to become the new museum curator and simply take on the new duties at no extra cost to the county does not sit well with Hildegardo Flores, Ph.D., chairman of the Zapata County Museum of History. At last month’s regular Commissioners Court meeting, the commissioners put off hiring Amparo Montes-Gutierrez as museum curator at a salary

of $30,000 per year plus fringe benefits due to an advertisement disagreement. Flores had recommended that she be hired. According to Commissioner Jose E. Vela, the ad for the museum curator position was only made available online and people complained because it was not advertised in the local newspaper. “On account of that we decided to rescind to hire a curator,” Vela said. According to Flores, the museum structure alone cost more than a

See MUSEUM PAGE 9A

State officials warned Zapata County residents who have watercraft or other property near Falcon Lake to take prompt action to move them to safety because the water is expected to rise as much as eight feet. “Anyone with boats, docks or other equipment near the lake should take immediate step to move it above the 301 level ... as further rises in the lake are possible,” said state Rep. Ryan Guillen, D- Rio Grande City, who also represents Zapata County. Falcon Lake is expected to reach a depth of 301 feet; the maximum it can hold is 306.5 feet.

Not so bad Residents inside the towns of Zapata and San Ygnacio don’t need to be as worried, county officials said Friday. “We have been meeting with IBWC and other local officials and we’ve come to the conclusion that there is no threat for Za-

pata County,” Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said. Gonzalez and other county leaders said they’re confident Zapata and San Ygnacio are safe from flooding due to high land elevations. “We don’t anticipate an evacuation,” Zapata County Commissioner Jose E. Vela said. “Zapata is one of those areas. We’re lucky.” The areas near the lake are government restricted and land owners are not allowed to build, Vela said, which helps avoid residential flooding problems.

IBWC releases Falcon Lake is 60 miles long and 12 miles wide. The International Boundary and Water Commission has been releasing water from Falcon Dam, connecting Falcon Heights and Ciudad Guerrero, as it pours down the Rio Grande. The water was moving through the structure at a rate of near-

See FLOOD PAGE 9A

People standing at the top of the mighty Falcon Dam look tiny as they watch water rushing through the gates Friday.


PAGE 2A

Zin brief CALENDAR

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

AROUND TEXAS

TODAY IN HISTORY

SATURDAY, JULY 10

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clay Walker performs tonight at 8 p.m. at the Laredo Energy Arena as part of the Deer in the Headlights Music Fest. The multi-platinum selling country music sensation will be accompanied by Casey Donahew, JR Castillo, Rob Baird, Mick Cruz, Whiskey Myers and Brison Bursey Band. 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) 724-8364 or (956) 724-5118.

SUNDAY, JULY 11 Youth Archery Fun Shoot will be held today at the El Tepozan Ranch, south of Zapata on Hwy 83 from 5 to 8 p.m. All youth participants must be accompanied by an adult, and participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment. For more information, contact Caleb Eaton, County Extension Agent for Zapata County at (956) 7659967 or Larry Perez, county extension agent for Jim Hogg County, at (361) 527-3169.

Photo by Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle | AP

Nancy Greig, director of the Cockrell Butterfly Center, left, points to Lois, the corpse flower, as, from left, Anthony Garza, Caitlin Nowak, Shana Hagemeyer and Mark Gewurz look on at the center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on Wednesday. Botanists think Lois will open this weekend and unleash a smell reminiscent of a corpse.

Stinky flower to bloom ASSOCIATED PRESS

MONDAY, JULY 12 Faith Academy, located across from the fire department, will begin offering math and reading classes starting today from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information about this three week program, call (956) 750-7822 or (956) 750-7157. Texas A&M International University will have a free seven-day Summer Academic Mathematics and Writing Boot Camp to help boost THEA scores. Two camps are scheduled: July 12 – 21 and July 26 – Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Only current students or students registered at TAMIU for fall 2010 may apply. For more information, call Norma Cortez at 326-2722.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14 Anyone interested in youth athletics is invited to attend Fair Play Sport’s committee meeting today at 6:30 p.m. at El Paraiso Restaurant. The American Cancer Society and Doctors Hospital of Laredo will cosponsor classes for people with cancer and their family and friends today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Doctors Hospital of Laredo. The I Can Cope educational program give participants an opportunity to share their concerns with others having similar experiences and to design ways to cope with the challenges that arise from a cancer diagnosis. Call Jessica Guajardo at (956) 5232658 or Diana Juarez at (956) 7239682 for more information.

FRIDAY, JULY 16 Texas AgriLife Extention Service and the Zapata County ANR Program Area Committee invites 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 2nd Annual Fish for Life Extravaganza will kick-off today, with registration at Oso Blanco from 5 to 7 p.m. The March of Dimes benefit fishing tournament will be on 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 weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the Oso Blanco Lodge Boat Ramp. Prizes 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 Colubian 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. Registration forms are available at the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce. Call Homer Carrizales at (956) 285-0220 for more information. To submit an item for the calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.

HOUSTON — A rare, stinky corpse flower is expected to bloom this weekend in Houston. Botanists at the Houston Museum of Natural Science are measuring the flower daily, and Friday said it stood nearly 5 feet tall and weighing 30 pounds. The museum’s plant is nicknamed Lois after a former staff member’s mother. The Amorphophallus titanum — which is native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra — has only been seen in bloom in the United States 28 times, including twice in Texas, said Nancy Greig, the museum’s Cockrell Butterfly Center director. The Latin name translates to “giant shapeless phallus.”

When in bloom, the plants emit a foul odor that attracts pollinating carrion beetles hoping to lay their eggs in rotting flesh. The plant has a central stalk that is surrounded by a leafy, purple collar. Inside that stalk is a hollow gas chamber that heats its natural oil and emits the stinky smell for eight to 12 hours. It looks like a tower surrounded by a frilly, liver-colored Elizabethan collar, according to the Houston Chronicle. Thousands of male and female flowers surround the base. The plant doesn’t flower every year and when it does, it’s only for two days. The flower can grow up to 200 pounds, and starts as a $75 walnut-sized corm. A corpse flower bloomed in Nacogdoches in 2004 and the smell was so bad, fans surrounded the plant to blow the scent away so visitors could approach.

Latino advocates fight AZ law at convention

Univ. of Texas president supports renaming dorm

Houston couple must display theft signs

SAN ANTONIO — Hispanic leaders are focused on Arizona’s tough new immigration law as one of the nation’s largest Latino conferences gets under way. National Council of La Raza president Janet Murguia said Friday discussing ways to combat the law will seep into every topic at the national convention.

AUSTIN — The University of Texas president will propose removing the name of a white supremacist with ties to the Ku Klux Klan from one of the school’s dorms. The president will endorse an advisory group’s recommendation to pull the name of former law school teacher William Stewart Simkins from the building.

HOUSTON — A couple convicted of theft must display signs, outside home and near a mall, saying they are thieves. Eloise Guerrero Mireles and Daniel Domingo Mireles were sentenced to 10 years of probation. She is a former administrative assistant in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

US rig count increases by 10

Man dies as watercraft hits tree on bayou

HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by ten this week to 1,567. Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday 964 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 592 for oil. Eleven were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the count stood at 916. Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Louisiana and Texas each lost two.

BEAUMONT — A personal watercraft accident in Jefferson County has left a Louisiana man dead after his vehicle hit a tree. Friday the victim was identified as 46-year-old Scott Henry of Lafayette, La. The accident happened Thursday night on Taylor Bayou. The victim and a woman were on personal watercrafts when the man’s went out of control. − Compiled from AP reports

Federal inmate escapes El Paso jail EL PASO — A Mexican national facing federal drug charges escaped from El Paso’s downtown jail early Friday, El Paso County sheriff ’s officials said. Carlos Roberto Medina Bailon, 30, was booked into the jail June 6 on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute narcotics. He went to work in the jail’s basement kitchen about 12:45 a.m. Friday and vanished sometime after about 2:30 a.m.

AROUND THE NATION ‘Grim Sleeper’ probe to check unsolved killings

CONTACT US

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Police investigators will examine more than 30 cold case files for possible links to a suspect in the “Grim Sleeper” serial killings. The cases, dating to 1984, will be reviewd with information gleaned from the investigation into Lonnie Franklin Jr., who was arrested Wednesday and accused of murdering 10 people.

Into the cold: Swapped spies face uncertain lives MOSCOW — They are abruptly entering radically different lives — 10 spies for Russia who hid in suburban America bartered for four agents imprisoned by Moscow in the biggest spy swap since the Cold War. Family dramas unfolded behind the scenes Friday as the fiction of American life was re-

Today is Saturday, July 10, the 191st day of 2010. There are 174 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On July 10, 1940, during World War II, the Battle of Britain began as Nazi forces began attacking southern England by air. (The Royal Air Force was ultimately victorious.) On this date: In 1509, theologian John Calvin, a key figure of the Protestant Reformation, was born in Noyon, Picardy, France. In 1890, Wyoming became the 44th state. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson personally delivered the Treaty of Versailles (vehrSY’) to the Senate, and urged its ratification. (However, the Senate rejected it.) In 1929, American paper currency was reduced in size as the government began issuing bills that were approximately 25 percent smaller. In 1951, armistice talks aimed at ending the Korean War began at Kaesong. In 1962, the Telstar 1 communications satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral. In 1973, the Bahamas became fully independent after three centuries of British colonial rule. In 1985, the Greenpeace protest ship Rainbow Warrior was sunk with explosives in Auckland, New Zealand by French intelligence agents; one activist was killed. Bowing to pressure from irate customers, the Coca-Cola Co. said it would resume selling old-formula Coke, while continuing to sell New Coke. In 1991, Boris N. Yeltsin took the oath of office as the first elected president of the Russian republic. In 1999, the United States women’s soccer team won the World Cup, beating China 5-4 on penalty kicks after 120 minutes of scoreless play at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Ten years ago: Texas Governor George W. Bush, facing a skeptical audience, told the NAACP convention in Baltimore that “the party of Lincoln has not always carried the mantle of Lincoln,” and promised to work to improve relations. Israeli President Ezer Weizman resigned, effectively ending a seven-year term that turned sour when he was found to have acted improperly by accepting gifts while in office. Today’s Birthdays: Former boxer Jake LaMotta is 89. Writer-producer Earl Hamner Jr. is 87. Former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins is 83. Actor William Smithers is 83. Broadway composer Jerry Herman is 79. Director Ivan Passer is 77. Actor Lawrence Pressman is 71. Singer Mavis Staples is 71. Actor Mills Watson is 70. Actor Robert Pine is 69. Rock musician Jerry Miller (Moby Grape) is 67. International Tennis Hall of Famer Virginia Wade is 65. Actor Ron Glass is 65. Actress Sue Lyon is 64. Folk singer Arlo Guthrie is 63. Rock musician Dave Smalley is 61. Country-folk singer-songwriter Cheryl Wheeler is 59. Rock singer Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys) is 56. Banjo player Bela Fleck is 52. Thought for Today: “One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind.” — Malayan proverb.

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 Classified Manager, Sandra Valderrama....... 728-2525 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 Don Ryan | AP

Washington’s Mount St. Helen’s volcano is seen through a layer of smog as an Alaska Airlines plane comes in for a landing at Portland International Airport, on Friday. Officials have issued a heat advisory and smog alert for the area. placed by the realities of Russia.

Duck boat, girl’s body removed from river PHILADELPHIA — Crews recovered the body of a Hungarian

teen who was tossed into the water when a 250-foot barge hit a stalled sightseeing boat, which was also raised from the water Friday. A second body was spotted during salvage operations but has not yet been recovered. − 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, JULY 10, 2010

Zlocal

PAGE 3A

GIVING EDUCATION A BOOST

Deputies seek armed man in store robbery

Trustees from the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation were at Zapata High School on June 29 to announce the donation of $120,000 to support the LCC Zapata Satellite Jump-Start Program. Shown, left to right, front row, are Zapata County Judge-Elect Joe Rathmell, Zapata County Commissioner Jose Vela, Martinez Foundation advisory trustee David Slaughter Jr., Martinez Foundation Vice President Deacon Larry Sandlin and LCC President Juan L. Maldonado; back row, Zapata County Treasurer Romeo Salinas, LCC Education Foundation Vice President Andres Cuellar, LCC South Dean Luciano Ramon and LCC Education Foundation Ex-Officio Ramiro V. Martinez.

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Zapata County Sheriff officials are investigating an aggravated robbery with a firearm at a local store. The offender is at large. Deputies responded to an emergency call for a reported robbery at about 10:19 p.m. Tuesday at Taikkiris grocery store, 2300 block of U.S. 83. Authorities arrived after the assailant had fled the premises with $500 taken from the cash register, Sgt. Mario Elizondo said. The clerk, a 26-year-old woman, stated she was held at gunpoint, he said.

THE BLOTTER

Courtesy photo

ASSAULT

Fun shoot teaches archery By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Since school is out and children have more time on their hands, El Tepozan Ranch is sponsoring a Youth Archery Fun-Shoot for some summer entertainment while exposing children to the sport. “We want kids to get outdoors, have some fun and learn archery,” Zapata County Extension Agent Caleb Eaton said. The event will take place at El Tepozan Ranch, south of Zapata on US 83, Sunday from 5 to 8

p.m. The event is free. “In the summer time there are limited activities for kids to do especially free of charge,” Eaton said. Eaton said a brief demonstration will show participants the different types of archery and how the types will be scored. Afterwards, children will participate in a 3-D target fun shoot. “If you have any interest in archery come out,” Eaton said. Jim Hogg County Extension Agent Larry Perez said participants will

be primarily taught the safety rules and the proper etiquette on how to shoot. “Our safety and the kids safety is our number one priority,” Perez said. No one will be able to shoot unless they know and understand the rules and that people can get hurt, he added. “We try to teach some life skills and keep them interested and active in outdoor sports,” Perez said. All participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment and must

be accompanied by an adult, Eaton said. The goal after the event is to put together a shooting sports program in Zapata, Eaton added. “It would be a big hit with the kids,” Eaton said. Also, since equipment is limited and pizza will be provided for participants, an RSVP is needed at (956) 765-9967. Sponsors include El Tepozan Ranch, Eaton and Perez. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)

According to the complainant, the unknown male wore a brown mask, a blue long-sleeve shirt and light blue jeans. “His mask covered his whole face and she could only see his eyes,” Elizondo said. She also noticed the man had red and white tennis shoes, the sergeant added. No one was harmed during the incident. Investigators have an open case in the hold-up. To provide information, call the sheriff’s department at 765-9960 or Crime Stoppers at 765-8477. All callers may remain anonymous.

Noel Zamora, 20, was arrested on charges of assault family violence at 12:15 p.m. June 2 in the 2400 block of Elm Street. He was booked, taken to Zapata Regional Jail, and fined $300. Deputies responded to an assault call at 5:45 p.m. June 2 in the 5400 block of Garry Lane in the Siesta Shores subdivision. A woman, 20, reported a known man assaulted her. Andres Perez Jr., 23, was arrested on charges of resisting arrest and sexual assault at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of North Siesta Lane. He was booked, transported to Zapata Regional Jail, and held in lieu of a combined bond of $95,000. A woman, 35, reported an assault at 11:45 p.m. July 4 in

the 2100 block of Cardinal Drive. A woman, 20, reported at 6:30 a.m. Monday in the 2100 block of Retama Lane a known person assaulted her.

BURGLARY A man, 45, reported at 11:15 a.m. June 2 in the 800 block of Zapata Street someone broke into his house. Deputies said nothing was taken. A man, 46, reported at 6 p.m. July 4 in the 500 block of Second Street in Lopeño someone broke into his residence and stole a washer, dryer, microwave, TV and jewelry, valued at $3,000. A man, 27, reported at 11:45 a.m. Thursday at the Sheriff’s Office someone opened his unlocked Ford F150 but stole nothing.


PAGE 4A

Zopinion

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

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

COLUMN

OTHER VIEWS

Obama needs his supporters By GARY ANDRES HEARST NEWSPAPERS

WASHINGTON — President Obama’s behavior over the past year, and particularly the last month, borders on bizarre. The candidate who promised to bring people together and move beyond polarization has morphed into a divisive and defensive president.

Disapproval His sinking approval numbers underscore the growing public disappointment in the gap between his campaign rhetoric and his governing style. The president’s thin skin at news conferences is now part of Washington press corps lore. His “ass kicking” comments about the Gulf oil spill were weird and un-presidential. Lately, he’s resorted to criticizing individual members of Congress personally at town hall events, tactics more suited to a rookie political hack than the leader of the free world. What happened? Some believe the president is just stressed out. Maybe he could use a few beers and a couple smokes with his buddy Joe Biden in the Rose Garden. After all, to paraphrase the vice president’s comments about health care: This job is a big (expletive) deal!

Eye on November But the president’s madness may also have a method. He needs to avoid electoral disaster in November. These offyear contests are different — more about turning out base voters than persuading the less committed. Obama’s peculiar tactics are intended to do just that. Fire up the faithful now; worry about swing voters in 2012. How? First, instead of seeking bipartisan legislative consensus, he uses his party’s majority power like a steamroller. Democratic partisans swoon when Speaker Nancy Pelosi crushes Republicans using the House’s unique majority powers. Next, every Obama initiative also includes a designated villain. Turning political opponents into piñatas always riles up the base. Democrats built momentum for passing stimulus legislation last year because of the mess President George Bush left behind. When touting health care, they blasted greedy insurance companies. And, of course, the Wall Street reform emasculated the big banks before they could spend any more of those obscene CEO bonuses.

Eyes support Taken together, these tactics are an attempt to energize partisan Democrats prior to November. And Obama needs their help. A quick look at midterm turnout patterns explains why the president has cause for alarm. The electorate always

looks different in nonpresidential years. For example, just over 80 million Americans voted, or about 37 percent of the voting age population (VAP) in 2006. But two years earlier in the 2004 presidential contest, 122 million showed up on Election Day (over 56 percent of the VAP). In other words, over 41 million fewer votes were cast in 2006 compared to 2004. This was no fluke. Looking back at recent midterm elections, turnout usually drops about 20 percent from the presidential election two years prior. About 132 million people voted in 2008. Based on history, 30 million to 40 million of them won’t show up this November.

COLUMN

Older voters Who are the higher and lower propensity voters? History again provides some insights here. Age is one key variable. Midterm contests include a higher percentage of older compared to younger voters. For example, in 2008, Americans 65 and older represented about 16 percent of the electorate, while 18-29 year olds made up a slightly larger 18 percent of the total, according to exit polls. In 2006, however, older voters represented 19 percent of the total compared with only 12 percent for the younger bloc. How are these older and younger voters stacking up to the last midterm election in 2006? Pew Research released a poll last week demonstrating a massive GOP turnaround with older voters compared to four years ago.

GOP inches ahead Democrats held a 14point lead with voters over 50 in June of 2006. Today, the GOP enjoys an 11-point lead with this demographic — a net 25point swing among these high propensity midterm voters. Turnout rates are also higher among those who say they are more enthusiastic or following the election closely. Here again Pew finds a massive shift compared to four years ago. In June of 2006 Democrats led Republicans by 16-points on vote enthusiasm. Today, the GOP enjoys a 14point edge. The president’s name is not on the ballot this November. Still, the midterm election will significantly impact the White House, shaping the final contours of his first term. Losing the congressional majority would translate to a major political setback. Some might think Obama needs anger management. After all, vilifying businesses and kicking some Republican butts around the country seems more fitting for an irate community organizer than a transformational political figure. Yet the president’s actions are very sane. Put transformation on hold and get the base “fired up and ready to go.” Failure to do so will produce another political butt kicking − his own.

GOP needs new leader now By JONATHAN GURWITZ SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

I

t appears Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele will — in the short term — keep his job. He shouldn’t. The thinking among party insiders is that Steele’s term runs out in January. Better to let him walk out the door after the November general election than try to drag him out and embroil the party in a leadership fight. Nothing, they believe, should detract from the effort to roll back the Obama-Pelosi-Reid imperium in November.

Now’s the time But that is exactly why Steele must go — now. Speaking at a recent GOP fundraiser, Steele said that Afghanistan was “a war of Obama’s choosing.” He also derided the stupidity of engaging in a land war in a place where “everyone who has tried, over a thousand years of history, has failed.”

Unexpected opinions Those are comments you might imagine coming from Azzam al-Amriki, the American-born

spokesman for al-Qaida. They are not what you would expect to hear from the titular head of the one American party that has consistently supported the global war against Islamic extremism, the only party upon whom President Obama can rely upon to support his war strategy. Let’s stipulate that one job of a national party leader is to make partisan points. Still, some things should be beyond partisanship, among them the nation’s security, the wellbeing of its men and women in uniform and the primacy of victory.

Reflects Democrats Sadly, too many partisans abandoned that principle during the last administration. Steele’s remarks about Afghanistan are a hollow echo of that partisan zealotry, exemplified by the reflexive hostility to Bush’s war effort by the Democratic National Committee under Howard Dean, the bizarre belief that somehow the world would be a better place with a genocidal dictator and his psychopathic sons lording over Iraq, and MoveOn.org’s scandalous attack on Gen David Petraeus, now the last best hope for Obama’s war effort.

Afghanistan was not a war of Obama’s choosing. It was not, for that matter, a war of Bush’s choosing. It was a war thrust upon the United States by a group of extremists brooding to restore a medieval world of theocratic darkness.

Fruitless war Nor is the United States simply engaged in another Central Asian land war, indistinguishable from the 19th century attempt to incorporate Afghanistan into the British Empire or the brutal 20th century campaign to bring it under the Soviet heel. Afghanistan will never be an American colony. And American soldiers and aid workers are dying, literally, to build schools and hospitals and bring health care and sanitation projects to a longneglected and long-suffering people — all while trying to minimize civilian casualties.

Raise funds Steele has lamely tried to re-interpret the meaning of his words, which only highlights his errors. The problem is not only that Steele is so wrong and so out of his depth. It

is also that it is none of his business. The other jobs of a national party leader are to raise money and to manage an organization that can support the party’s candidates, not to make policy statements. Steele’s Afghanistan comments along with previous gaffes and RNC scandals involving lavish spending — including a $1,946 tab at a Los Angeles lesbian bondage-themed nightclub — don’t inspire the confidence of donors or candidates.

Party lacky As a GOP officeholder or candidate, Steele would be free to publicly oppose the war in Afghanistan, though that would place him in an exceedingly small GOP minority. As a private citizen, Steele would be free to voice his opposition, as many Americans do for completely honorable, nonpartisan reasons. But Steele isn’t any of those. He’s an easily replaceable party bureaucrat, one who has discredited his party by opposing the war on dishonorable, partisan grounds. Republicans can and should do better. (E-mail: jgurwitz@express-news.net)

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. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our

readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.


SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A


PAGE 6A

Zentertainment

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

For headliner Clay Walker, it’s about Texas By JOE RUTLAND LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Even with a bevy of hits and chart-topping records to his credit, Clay Walker stays close to his Texas roots. Walker’s career started when he was 16 — he caught a break in his hometown of Beaumont. In the 17 years since then, he’s catapulted to the top of country music’s charts. He’s headlining the Deer In The Headlights Music Fest today at Laredo Energy Arena. “We are excited to have such a great lineup of country artists that are making a name for themselves nationally and are visiting all the major Texas cities,” said Roy Medina, general manager for the SMG-managed LEA. “This event will surely be an overwhelmingly fun experience for all.”

New album Walker also is out with a new album, “She Won’t Be Lonely Long,” on the Curb Records label. It is a collection of songs that appears to be as solid as those he’s recorded in his previous albums. One of

them is a cover of Alabama’s “Feels So Right” with Randy Owen, a member of the band and the writer of that song. It’s only appropriate that Owen sings a duet with Walker on that tune. Alabama has a close connection to Walker’s heart. The band’s concert in Beaumont was the first one he saw — his mother took him.

Mom’s a fan “I remember them taking the stage and the emotion that came over my mom,” Walker said. “I just fell in love with their performance. As entertainers, they influenced my wanting to become an entertainer. I think that’s where the energy of my live show comes from. So the song has a special place in my life, and I’m proud to do it.” Reviewing his list of successes is, well, pretty incredible. Of Walker’s nine previous albums, four are Recording Industry Association of America-certified platinum and two others are certified gold. Reviewing nearly 36 singles released, 11 have reached No. 1.

Taking a stand

Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News

Clay Walker is shown on Feb. 15, 2003. He will perform at the Deer In The Headlights Music Fest today at Laredo Energy Arena. Walker’s career and life, though, took a sharp turn in 1996, when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “My first thought was ‘I’m not going to be able to walk my daughter down the

aisle,’” he said of his reaction to the diagnosis. “The other was that I thought my kids would be ashamed of me because I was incapacitated.” But Walker, who is a competitive cutting horse rider and skilled golfer, is

one of the fortunate ones whose MS is now contained by medication. His illness pushed him to find a cure for MS and offer support with his charity organization, Band Against MS. What about that early break Walker received? As a 16-year-old, he was working nights as a desk clerk at a Super 8 Motel in Beaumont. Walker took a tape of a song he wrote to a local radio station, but the disc jockey said it was against corporate policy to play such tapes on the air. Walker picks up the story himself. “I was heartbroken, but when I left the studio and got in my car — and I remember it was about 6:30 in the morning — as I was driving away from the radio station, he said, ‘Folks, I’m not supposed to do this, but this song is just too good to pass up. This song was written by a hometown boy; his name is Clay Walker!’ He spun it, and I could not believe it. It was one of the highlights of my whole career.”

His big break “Even to this day,” Walker continued, “when I think

about the one moment in time, it said to me: ‘This is what you’re going to be!’ That defined it. I knew with no question, that was it.”

Also appearing Other country performers on the main stage include Casey Donahew, JR Castillo, Mick Cruz and Diamondback, The Brison Bursey Band, Rob Baird, Whiskey Myers, Zona Jones and Zack Walther. Featured on the outdoor stage will be Buddy Vargas, The Bottom Line, Joey Green, Turnpike Troubadours and Rodney Parker & The 50 Peso Reward. Doors open at 2 p.m., with the first artist scheduled to hit the stage at 2:45 p.m. Tickets to the event are available at all Ticketmaster locations, which include the LEA box office, H-E-B locations around Laredo, Casa Raul, Guerra Communications, Rumor’s Country Grill & Patio and Rudy’s BBQ. Tickets also can be ordered by calling toll-free 1800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. (Joe Rutland may be reached at 728-2529 or jrutland@lmtonline.com)


SÁBADO 10 DE JULIO DE 2010

Zfrontera

Agenda en Breve

Sin temores en Zapata

SÁBADO 10 DE JULIO LAREDO — Hoy es la Clínica de Vacunación en el Departamento de Salud de la Ciudad de Laredo de 8 a.m. a 12 p.m. Las vacunas tienen costo de 4 dólares por niños, con un máximo de 12 dólares por familia. Más información en el 7954906. 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 y Rudy’s BBQ. NUEVO LAREDO — Cine Club Infantil presenta “Mulán” en Estación Palabra a las 12 p.m. y 4 p.m. Entrada libre.

MARTES 13 DE JULIO NUEVO LAREDO — Cine Club Emilio Fernández presenta “Mujercitas” en el Teatro Lucio Blanco de la Casa de la Cultura a las 7 p.m. Entrada libre. NUEVO LAREDO — El Taller de Arte “Renacimiento” presenta ‘Esta Noche es México Lindo, Voces y Guitarras” a las 8 p.m. en la Antigua Aduana. Entrada libre.

MIÉRCOLES 14 DE JULIO LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather” a las 3 p.m. y “Planet Quest” a las 4 p.m. La entrada general es de 3 dólares, el día de hoy. LAREDO — El Laredo Heat recibe a Dallas Rio Grande Valley en las canchas de TAMIU a las 8 p.m. NUEVO LAREDO — Cine Club Gabriel Figueroa presenta “Mariana, Mariana” en Estación Palabra a las 7 p.m. Entrada libre. La película es para adolescentes y adultos.

JUEVES 15 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 3 p.m. y “Origins of Life” a las 4 p.m. La entrada general es de 3 dólares, el día de hoy. LAREDO — Hoy se presenta “The Sound of Music”, una producción de TAMIU y el Laredo Theater Guild International, a las 8 p.m. en el Teatro del Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. Entrada general es de 15 dólares. .

SÁBADO 17 DE JULIO LAREDO — Hoy se presenta “The Sound of Music”, una producción de TAMIU y el Laredo Theater Guild International, a las 8 p.m. en el Teatro del Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. Entrada general es de 15 dólares. LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “Attack of the Space Pirates” a las 6 p.m., “Stars of the Pharaohs” 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. ZAPATA — La Cámara de Comercio de Zapata presenta el Torneo de Pesca para Life Extravaganza March of Dimes en el Lago Falcon. Las inscripciones son hoy de 5 p.m. a 7 p.m. en el Oso Blanco Lodge Boat Ramp. Más información llamando al 765-4339. — Tiempo de Zapata

PÁGINA 7A

POR LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Foto de cortesía | La del Miernes

El Paso del Cántaro en Ciudad Mier es visto cubierto por el agua del Río Álamo. A la extrema derecha se observan las instalaciones del Hotel Urrutia, bajo el agua.

Autoridades en alerta por creciente ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Los daños que el Huracán ‘Alex’ dejó en varios municipios serán atendidos por el Gobierno Federal y el Estatal. Aunado a esto, la llegada de la tormenta tropical ‘Bonnie’ mantiene a las autoridades en alerta, especialmente en la zona de Matamoros. Hasta el momento solamente se tiene reportada una persona fallecida en el municipio de San Carlos, como consecuencia de las inundaciones. En Ciudad Mier, desde el 7 de julio empezó la evacuación de familias en algunas zonas. Los residentes de la calle Alameda y Terán así como por la Allende y Morelos, considerados puntos bajos, fueron evacuados debido a la crecida del Río Álamo. Las familias fueron trasladadas al Salón Casino Arguelles, implementado por el Gobierno Municipal como albergue. Elementos de Protección Civil estuvieron notificando de la evacuación y auxilió en el desalojo de familias. El objetivo fue prevenir accidentes en caso de que el río siga aumentando su nivel. Las familias estuvieron presentando problemas con los servicios como la energía eléctrica, Internet y teléfono. También se reporta que las vialidades están afectadas en diversos puntos.

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas

El Presidente de México Felipe Calderón, a la derecha, recorrió zonas afectadas por el Huracán Alex, el jueves, acompañado por el Gobernador de Tamaulipas Eugenio Hernández Flores. El Presidente de México Felipe Calderón Hinojosa estuvo el jueves en Tamaulipas y junto al Gobernador Eugenio Hernández Flores recorrieron algunas zonas afectadas en Matamoros. “Tamaulipas cuenta con el apoyo irrestricto del gobierno federal”, dijo Calderón durante un encuentro en el que representantes de la SCT, SEDESOL, CONAGUA, SEDENA y Secretaría de Marina dieron a conocer las principales estrategias y esquemas implementados para apoyar a esta entidad. En ese aspecto se anunció que se pusieron a disponibilidad del estado 26 millones de pesos de recursos del FONDEN.

Además de la evacuación de personas de zonas de riesgo, la Secretaría de Salud realiza labores sanitarias. Durante la junta Calderón reiteró la importancia de estar atentos a las instrucciones emitidas por las autoridades, a fin de proteger la integridad de las familias que habitan en zonas de riesgo. “No podemos impedir que se presenten fenómenos de esta naturaleza, pero lo que si podemos hacer es trabajar coordinados como lo estamos haciendo ahora en labores preventivas de auxilio y posteriormente en labores de reparación y construcción de la infraestructura dañada”, dijo Calderón.

CIUDAD MIER — En el marco del cierre del ciclo escolar 2009-2010, los alumnos de la Escuela Primaria Urbana Federal “Club de Leones No. 1” y de la Escuela Primaria Francisco Ramírez Canales recibieron sus certificados de graduación y fin de cursos. El 6 de julio fue realizada la graduación de la Generación XLVIII de la primaria “Club de Leones #1”. La Directora de la escuela Melva Alicia Stringel Rodríguez encabezó la ceremonia oficial. En ese marco la alumna Lesly Jazmín Izaguirre Lucio recibió la Medalla a la Excelencia de manos de Stringel, la responsable de Vinculación Educativa Blanca Delia Alanís Barrera y la Presidenta del Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) Isabel Cristina Treviño de Mancias. En tanto el 7 de julio, durante la ceremonia en la primaria “Francisco Ramírez Canales” la alumna Paola Cordero Hernández recibió la Medalla a la Excelencia. La ceremonia ahí fue en-

CORDERO

IZAGUIRRE

Con el objetivo de apoyar a las madres adolescentes de esta ciudad se creó el programa AMA. Treviño hizo entrega de una beca con ayuda económica de 500 pesos a las integrantes del programa AMA. El dinero, explicó Treviño, es enviado por la Presidenta del Sistema DIF Tamaulipas Adriana González de Hernández. El programa AMA sigue abierto para recibir a madres de familia, cuya edad fluctúe entre los 14 a 20 años de edad. “Si están interesadas en recibir este tipo de becas las invitamos a las oficinas del DIF”, dijo Treviño.

COMISIONADO DE ZAPATA JOSE E. VELA tres horas y el lago es de 60 millas de largo y 12 millas de ancho. Fue forzado a cerrar una de las rampas de botes debido a los niveles de agua con deshechos. “Esa es mucho agua y el agua sigue subiendo”, dijo Ruiz. Aunque Ruiz cerró una de sus rampas para botes, estuvo de acuerdo que el Condado de Zapata no estaba en riesgo de inundación. “San Ignacio es alto en elevación y no ha tenido una inundación en más de 10 ó 15 años”, dijo él. “No se espera una inundación en San Ignacio, pero no sabemos”. Es muy difícil calcular cuando el agua viene de diferentes áreas, agregó él. De acuerdo al comunicado de CILA, el agua está fluyendo río abajo hacia la parte baja del Rio Grande Valley, donde se ubica un sistema de diques de control de inundaciones, presas de desvío y cauces. Los esfuerzos de trasvase de agua de CILA empezaron en la Presa de Desvío Anzalduas en el Condado de Hidalgo hacia el interior de los cauces de EU y continuó incrementándose durante el jueves. Los canales de alivio de EU incluyen a Banker Floodway, Main Floodway, North Floodway, Arroyo Colorado a través de los condados de Hidalgo, Cameron y Willacy. “Estamos revisando a Roma porque las personas están siendo evacuadas y se dirigen hacia Zapata para albergarse”, dijo Gonzalez. El agua no ha sido desviada hacia canales de alivio de EU desde 1998, debido al Huracán Gilberto, indica CILA. “Los arroyos estarán llenos, pero es normal”, dijo Gonzalez.

Fideicomisarios de la Fundación Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez estuvieron en Zapata High School, a finales de junio, haciendo entrega de un cheque con donación de 120.000 dólares para apoyar el Programa Satellite Jump-Start Program de LCC-Zapata.

cabezada por la Directora de la escuela María del Carmen García Garza; Alanís y el Jefe de Gobierno José Iván Mancias Hinojosa.

Programa AMA

No anticipamos una evacuación”.

APOYO A LCC-ZAPATA

Alumnas reciben medallas de honor ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Pese a los niveles de agua subiendo del Rio Grande y el Lago Falcón tras que la Comisión Internacional de Límites y Agua dejó escapar agua de la creciente de la Presa Falcón debido a las condiciones río arriba y los niveles de reserva incrementándose, el Condado de Zapata no se encontraba en riesgo de inundación, dijeron oficiales. Oficiales del Condado de Zapata se sentían confiados que Zapata y áreas circunvecinas estaban seguras de la inundación debido a la alta elevación de la tierra. De acuerdo al Alguacil del Condado de Zapata Sigifredo Gonzalez, Zapata y San Ignacio están elevados y no serán afectados. “Nos hemos estado reuniendo con CILA y otros oficiales locales y hemos llegado a la conclusión de que no hay amenaza para el Condado de Zapata”, dijo Gonzalez. Otros oficiales del condado confirmaron que el Condado de Zapata no es un área de preocupación cuando se trata de inundaciones y no se espera evacuaciones. “No anticipamos una evacuación”, dijo el Comisionado del Condado de Zapata Jose E. Vela. “Zapata es una de esas áreas, somos afortunados”. Algunas áreas están cerradas al lago pero son restringidas del gobierno y propietarios no tienen permitido construir, dijo Vela. La Presa Falcón, ubicada en Falcon Heigths y Ciudad Guerrero dejó salir casi 40,000 pies cúbicos por segundo el jueves a primera hora y había empezado inicialmente dejando salir 15,000 pies cúbicos por segundo. Los trasvases a esta tasa son controlados con la capacidad de la parte de EU dentro del Rio Grande Flood Control Project que se extiende de Peñitas al Golfo de México, dijo CILA. “El río se abre al lago muy ampliamente”, dijo Gonzalez. “Todo deberá estar bien”. De acuerdo a Joel Ruiz, residente en San Ignacio, el nivel del agua en el lago alcanzó las 3-pulgadas en

Foto de cortesía | LCC

IETAM oficializa resultados de elecciones POR MELVA LAVÍN-CASTILLO TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Pasadas las elecciones estatales del 4 de julio, el Instituto Electoral de Tamaulipas dio a conocer oficialmente en su página de Internet los nombres de los triunfadores en las ciudades de la frontera ribereña. El Distrito 4, con cabecera en Miguel Alemán, incluye las ciudades de Miguel Alemán, Camargo, Guerrero, Díaz Ordaz, Mier y la parte poniente de Reynosa. En este distrito, como en el resto del Estado, Egi-

dio Torre Cantú, de la Coalición Todos Tamaulipas obtuvo el triunfo como Gobernador. Para Diputado Local, obtuvo el triunfo el Partido Revolucionario Institucional, cuyo candidato fue Adolfo Víctor García Jiménez. En cuanto a las Presidencias Municipales, son ya alcaldes electos: En Camargo, triunfó María del Carmen Rocha Hernández, quien era candidata por el Partido de la Revolución Democrática. En Guerrero, obtuvo mayoría de voto el candidato de la Coalición PRI-

Nueva Alianza Luis Gerardo Ramos Gómez. En Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Humberto Roque Cuellar, de la Coalición PRINueva Alianza, obtuvo el triunfo. En Mier, obtuvo el voto ciudadano el candidato de la Coalición PRI-Nueva Alianza Alberto González Peña. En Miguel Alemán, triunfó Ramón Eduardo Rodríguez Garza, quien era candidato de la Coalición PRI-Nueva Alianza. (Localice a Melva LavínCastillo en el (956) 728-2569 ó en mramirez@lmtonline.com)


8A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

Most stocks stay low in first half of 2010 By DAVID HENDRICKS SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

After the dismal investment decade that ended last December, the first six months of 2010 signaled only more of the same. The Dow Jones industrials, the Standard & Poor’s 500 and the Nasdaq 100 indexes all fell during the first half of 2010, largely because of a swoon in stock prices in May and June. Investors just do not see a clear sign the economic recovery will hold up. The momentum coming into 2010 actually was quite good, with healthy advances in stock prices in 2009. Even those, however, failed to bring the past decade back to even. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index lost 9.14 percent from 2000 to 2009.

It’s a circle Until the jobs and housing outlooks improve,

stocks in general won’t go anywhere. Housing values won’t firm up until more people find jobs. Employers able to hire are not finding the skilled workers they want. Employer needs have shifted somewhat since layoffs occurred in 2008 and 2009. Efficiency and productivity are critical when hiring decisions are made. If the experienced workers are not there, nothing changes for the wider economy. Of 28 selected San Antonio-area public companies, share prices were, at best, mixed. Exactly half of the companies, 14 of them, saw share prices rise during the first half of 2010. Some local companies could have rewarded investors with huge percentage gains in the past six months. But it probably didn’t happen for investors because many of the companies have small market capitalizations. Stock pric-

es were so low for some of the best-performing companies that even small price gains resulted in outsized percentage gains. Boerne-based Tootie Pie Co. Inc., for example, is the top company on the San Antonio list, but it only has a market capitalization of $3.47 million. The No. 2 company, radio-and-billboard giant CC Media Holdings Inc., is 70 percent owned by two Boston private equity companies. The 30 percent still publicly held is thinly traded. Advertising revenues have improved somewhat this year, but analysts do not think ad volume will ever return to levels radio saw several years ago. CC Media Holdings still faces massive debts from its 2008 leveraged buyout. No. 3 on the list is Nighthawk Systems Inc. with a market capitalization of only about $730,000 and a stock price of less than 1 cent per share.

Coast Guard: Most Texas tar balls not from spill By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI AND JUAN A. LOZANO ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — New laboratory test results released Friday showed that most of the tar balls that washed up on Texas shores during the past week were not from the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the Coast Guard said. Officials had initially said on Monday that the tar balls that were rolling up over the weekend on Galveston and other Texas Gulf shorelines were from the BP-operated Deepwater Horizon rig that blew up April 20, killing 11 people and causing an oil spill that has

They speculated the oil had not arrived with the currents or naturally, but may have been carried in by a vessel. yet to be controlled. Now, the Coast Guard said only tar balls found Monday were from the rig. The tar ball sightings in Texas, and the news that it had originated from the BP well, created a stir because it had been the only Gulf state untouched by the spill. From the beginning, officials were perplexed by what they called “the weath-

ering” of the tar balls, saying it was inconsistent with oil that had traveled 400 miles. They speculated the oil had not arrived with the currents or naturally, but may have been carried in by a vessel. Tuesday, National Incident Commander Thad Allen said officials were investigating five vessels that may have carried it.

Greehey success The main San Antonio companies that generated wealth for investors the past six months were both built by William Greehey. NuStar GP Holdings, with a market capitalization of $1.29 billion, and NuStar Energy LP, with $3.64 billion, rewarded in-

vestors with decent price gains. So did San Antonio’s largest market capitalization stock, Valero Energy Corp., with $9.72 billion, although Greehey is no longer there. Don’t read too much into the 12.04 percent decline at Rackspace Hosting Inc. The Rackers had a fabulous year in 2009, with a

287.55 percent price explosion, so its shares were bound to moderate this year. How will stocks perform the rest of the year? Employers are in the best position to know the answer better than anyone. (Reach David Hendricks at dhendricks@expressnews.net)


SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

FLOOD Continued from Page 1A ly 40,000 cubic feet per second early Thursday; on Wednesday, the rate was at just 15,000 cubic feet per second. Nevertheless, releases at this rate are well within the capacity of the U.S. portion of the lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project that extends from Penitas to the Gulf of Mexico, IBWC officials said. “The river opens to the lake pretty wide,” Sigifredo said. “Everything should be OK.” According to San Ygnacio resident Joel Ruiz, the water level at the lake rose 3 inches in three hours. He was forced to close one of his boat ramps because of the rising water levels with debris. “That’s a lot of water, and the water is still rising,” Ruiz said. Although Ruiz had to close one of his boat

ramps, he agreed that Zapata County likely was not at risk for major flooding. “San Ygnacio is high in elevation and has not flooded in over 10 or 15 years,” he said. “No flooding is expected in San Ygnacio but we don’t know.” It is very difficult to calculate when water is coming from different areas, he added.

Starr County The problem was expected to be much more acute in Starr County, where flooding was predicted at Roma. Mandatory evacuation had already been ordered of the De la Cruz, Campo Verde and Garza subdivisions by 6 p.m. Friday, according to Rep. Guillen. Sheriff Gonzalez said Zapata was ready to help its neighbors.

“We’re checking into Roma because people are being evacuated and are headed to Zapata for shelter,” Gonzalez said. Rio Grande City also was expected to be hit hard. The Rio Grande reached 52.35 feet early Friday morning, and officials said major flooding occurs when the river reaches 53 feet, which was expected to occur Friday night. “The latest forecast is now for a peak of 55.5 feet over the weekend and into next week,” the state representative said. “And officials say it could go higher if there are additional releases caused by additional heavy rains from the second tropical depression across the Sierra Madre mountains over the next few days.” Drainage and irrigation structures were closed on July 3 by the U.S. section of IBWC in order to pre-

MOVIE Continued from Page 1A greedy man named Damian who made his fortune by taking advantage of illegal immigrants trying to carve out a living in the United States. “There is so much injustice and so many people take advantage of immigrants,” Benavides said. “I want to show people discrimination among ourselves.” Damian’s journey begins when he falls sick in the middle of nowhere. He then encounters several miracles through the very people he once took advantage of. Previously oblivious to faith, the miracles change his life completely — he vows to instead help immigrants. “There is time to change your life no matter how old you are,” Benavides said. The filmmaker hopes to bring back faith in God through his film. Although Benavides said he is not a religious man and does not even attend church regularly, when his father died two years ago, he became more emotional and claims his writing has improved. The film is dedicated to his father, he said, because on his death bed, his father encouraged Benavides to continue writing. He endured 42 days of pain and suffering, but never stopped praying, Benavides said. “This taught me that there are more important

There is so much injustice and so many people take advantage of immigrants.” HECTOR BENAVIDES

things in my life,” he said. “My life since has been more peaceful.” Benavides had a vision of how he wanted the film to be and who the characters had to be like, but his latest decision to play the role of Damian himself was an inability to find the perfect person to play that role. He said his cast initially suggested he play the role because he embodies who the character is.

“It’s not going to be easy, but I do have to do it,” Benavides said. “My fulfillment is this film.” (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be contacted at (956)7282557.) Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.

“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health”

1520 Corpus Christi Street Telephone (956) 726-0160

Photo by Miguel Tovar | AP

A man tosses water from his flooded home in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, on Friday. A tropical depression that came ashore just north of the mouth of the Rio Grande on Thursday was expected to add 6 to 8 inches of rain to rivers and reservoirs in south Texas and northern Mexico already swollen from the heavy rains dropped by Hurricane Alex. vent floodwaters from the Rio Grande and interior floodway from flowing in-

to adjacent communities, according to a water commission news release.

(Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)

MUSEUM Continued from Page 1A million dollars and more than half a million has been spent on exhibits. “It will be a world-class museum,” Flores said, adding that the facility deserves an experienced director. The museum will consist of several exhibits featuring the historical timeline of the area, flora and fauna, Native American Period, Spanish Colonial Period, Mexican Period and the Republic of Texas. Also included are the Republic of the Rio Grande, Confederacy Period, Reconstruction Period and

the Modern Era. “Zapata is supposed to be targeting tourism and to hire a person that has never been in a museum to run a museum spells disaster,” Flores said. “I’m going to fight it.” Meanwhile, Mendoza refused to comment about his proposal. An agreement between Zapata County and the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors to transfer chamber of commerce staff to the Zapata County Museum of History is an item on next week’s regular

Commissioners Court meeting. The museum is slated to open in September after many construction and exhibit approval delays. The new building, located on U.S. 82, is still missing carpeting and proper landscaping. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)


10A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010


SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors BASKETBALL

TOUR DE FRANCE

Britain wins 6th stage By JAMEY KEATEN ASSOCIATED PRESS Courtesy Photo

Sixty camp participants learned the fundamentals of basketball at the 3rd annual Zapata High basketball camp held last week.

A success of hoops Third annual Zapata High hoops camp brings in 60 By CLARA SANDOVAL ZAPATA TIMES

Basketball is still a few months away, but over 60 local basketball players got a leg up on the competition this summer by hitting the court this past

week for a four-day basketball camp at Zapata High School. The 3rd Annual Hawk Pride basketball camp was a huge success for the Zapata community. Under the direction of head basketball coaches

Clyde Guerra Jr. and Juan Villarreal, players from all ages were tutored on the fundamentals of the game. Former Hawks and Lady Hawks players were also on hand to help out with the camp. “Camp was a great suc-

cess,” Guerra said. “We are extremely happy that our young leaders have a great interest in basketball. I want to thank all our basketball coaches and our volunteers for a great camp.” Campers were taught

the basic fundamentals of dribbling, shooting and passing in a variety of drills during the four-day camp. Guerra and Villarreal broke down each funda-

See HOOPS PAGE 2B

2 CLUBS OF SIMILARITIES Dutch, Spain seek title By STUART CONDIE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHANNESBURG — Spain aims to create a football dynasty in Sunday’s World Cup final against a Netherlands team trying to emulate its opponent by finally shrugging off a long history of chronic underachievement. Spain ended a 44-year barren spell when it won the 2008 European Championship and can become only the third team to be world and European champion at the same time. Spain’s exquisite talent is reminiscent of that of the Dutch when “Total Football” carried them to

See WORLD CUP PAGE 2B

Photo by Luca Bruno | AP

South African kids play soccer in a street in Soweto, South Africa, Friday. On Sunday, Spain and the Netherlands face each other in the final of the first soccer World Cup on the African continent.

World Cup fears have vanished By DONNA BRYSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHANNESBURG — Doomsday scenarios seem to go hand-in-hand with mega events like the World Cup, and concern was even deeper than usu-

al heading into the tournament in South Africa. This a country best known for the brutality of its apartheid past, and a future clouded by high rates of crime and poverty. Beyond that, South Africa was a distant and little-un-

derstood destination to tens of thousands of World Cup visitors from Europe and the United States — making it all too easy to fill in the gaps with speculation about race wars and terror attacks, and to believe warnings that

tourists would need to rent stab-proof vests before venturing from the airports. With two games still to go, those doomsday fears have faded. South Africa is being praised as a warm and capable host,

and even a possible Olympic candidate — assuming all goes well at the final on Sunday at Soccer City. Jorge Santos, a 26-yearold Brazil fan from Rio de Janeiro, was among those

See FEARS PAGE 2B

GUEUGNON, France — Mark Cavendish made it two straight Tour de France stage victories Friday, leading a sprint for the line as the main title contenders finished in a closely trailing pack. The 25-year-old native of Britain’s Isle of Man raised his hands in celebration at the end of the hot, mostly flat 141.3-mile sixth stage from Montargis to Gueugnon. The HTC Columbia rider earned his 12th career Tour stage victory and fifth in all races this year — clocking 5 hours, 37 minutes, 42 seconds to edge Tyler Farrar of the U.S. and Alessandro Petacchi of Italy. The main title contenders crossed 3 seconds after Cavendish. Defending champion Alberto Contador was 28th, seven-time champion Lance Armstrong was 38th, and overall race leader Fabian Cancellara was 41st. The top of the standings didn’t change: Cancellara retained the yellow jersey he has worn everyday but one this year, Spaniard Contador stayed ninth overall, and Armstrong kept his 18th spot. Cadel Evans of Australia, a twotime Tour runner-up and the highest-placed potential title contender, is third — 39 seconds behind Cancellara. The heat appeared to be taking a toll on the riders as Carlos Barredo of Spain and Rui Costa of Portugal got into a fight after the finish. The cause of the fracas was not immediately clear, but video footage posted on the website of sports daily L’Equipe showed Barredo of the Quick Step team charging toward Costa and attempting to strike him over the head with a bike wheel. Costa, who rides for Caisse d’Epargne, tried punching Barredo in the face several times before both fell to the ground screaming at one another. They were eventually separated and Tour organizers cited both for “insults and threats” and “incorrect behavior,” fining each of them about $190 (200 Swiss Francs). It was not immediately known whether there would be further discipline. Cavendish’s victory came a day after he broke down in tears after winning Stage 5, experiencing a sense of redemption after failing to meet expectations he would win a stage earlier in the race. “I’m really happy. I’m speaking better today because I was pretty emotional yesterday,” Cavendish said. The sprint attempt by Farrar suggested the Garmin-Transitions rider’s condition has improved since he broke his left wrist in one of numerous crashes on rain-slicked roads in Monday’s Stage 2. “I’m still not 100 percent,” Farrar said in French on French televi-

See TOUR PAGE 2B


PAGE 2B

Zscores

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

Test concerns athletes By EDDIE PELLS ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A new test that provides a breakthrough in detecting human growth hormone in blood is expected to become available soon and make it more difficult for athletes to use HGH without getting caught. It’s a test some experts consider so good, however, it could blunt the push for the urine-based test sought by some in baseball and football, possibly stalling promising research that has already cost many thousands of dollars. The new test, called a biomarkers test, scans the blood for chemicals the body produces after HGH use, which are detectable for up to two weeks. The test, expected to be available in the coming weeks or months, is a complement to — or maybe an improvement over — the current test, called an isoform test, which scans blood for synthetic HGH.

More tools The isoform test detects synthetic HGH in the blood

for only about 48 hours after use, making it easier for users to avoid detection. “Anytime we have more tools, it’s a good thing,” said Larry Bowers, the lead scientist for the U.S. AntiDoping Agency. “We view the two tests as working together. One doesn’t replace the other, but it certainly gives us a wider window and a greater opportunity for catching people.” Following these developments anxiously are scientists from a Virginia lab called Ceres Nanosciences, where a $65,000 grant from USADA has been used to fund research that could someday lead to a urine test for HGH — the only HGH test Major League Baseball players would have to submit to under the current “Joint Drug Agreement” between baseball and the union.

Need cash Buoyed by success from the early phases of their testing, which the Ceres scientists say has debunked long-held claims that HGH particles can’t be effectively captured in urine, Ceres is now applying for a grant to

take the experiments to the next step. “To move forward after this, we desperately need money,” said Lance Liotta, lead scientist on the Ceres HGH project. “Funding is critical for us. If all the money goes toward the blood test that other people are working on, then they’re missing a fantastic opportunity in urine that they shouldn’t dismiss offhand.” Ceres’ best chance for funding is from the Partnership for Clean Competition (PCC), a collaborative founded in 2008 by the NFL, Major League Baseball, USADA and the U.S. Olympic Committee that has provided $1.3 million in grants for promising antidoping research over the last two years. The founders of the PCC, which delivers grants after receiving advice from a scientific advisory board chaired by Bowers of USADA, have different agendas.

Realistic feelings “We’re optimistic but realistic” about the possibility of a urine test, USADA CEO Travis Tygart

HOOPS Continued from Page 1B

said. “Right now, and for the foreseeable future, you have to collect blood to detect and deter HGH.” Baseball and football have long held out against blood tests, with leaders of their respective unions questioning the validity and effectiveness of the original isoforms test, which has been available since 2004 — and on a wider basis since 2008. Encouraged by that development and others, the NFL has come around on blood testing over the past several months, saying it would like to implement HGH blood testing if it can come to terms with the players’ union. That debate figures to be part of next collective-bargaining agreement. “In a perfect world, a urine test would be far easier for us to deal with and administer than a blood test,” said Adolpho Birch, who oversees the NFL’s drug policy. “The problem is, we thought there was some chance a urine test could be developed. That’s increasingly looking less likely. The practical reality is, we need to focus on a test that works, and the test that works is blood.”

TOUR Continued from Page 1B sion. “Maybe I’m stupid not to stop after the break, but today I was feeling better.” Thor Hushovd of Norway, who wears the best sprinter’s green jersey that Cavendish covets, finished 10th, and expressed disappointment that he wasn’t able to keep up. He has 118 points in the green-jersey classification chase — only four more than Petacchi. “If I want to win this jersey I can’t continue like this,” Hushovd said. Barring crashes or mishaps, the overall standings rarely change much on flat stages. But with the Tour about to leave the lowlands for the mountains, the climbers are poised to take center stage and the contenders will test their rivals for weakness. Riders get their first real taste of climbing this year in Saturday’s seventh

Photo by Christophe Ena | AP

Stage winner Mark Cavendish, of Britain, reacts on the podium after the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 227.5 kilometers (141.4 miles) with start in Montargis and finish in Gueugnon, France, Friday. stage, a 102.8-mile trek from Tournus to Station des Rousses with six low-

to mid-grade ascents in the Jura range. The climbing begins in

earnest Sunday, when the three-week race enters the Alps.

FEARS Continued from Page 1B who braved the trip and lived to tell the tale: “I didn’t get mugged,” he said as he strolled through an upscale Johannesburg shopping center between matches. “My experience here was way better than expected.” Crime — armed robberies, carjackings and even murder — was a major concern. Most of the country’s crime, though, pits the poorest of South Africans against other poor South Africans. Police said they did not expect tourists to be targets, but they took no chances. Leaves were canceled, 40,000 new officers hired and recruits taken out of academies for temporary duty to ensure enough staffing to keep World Cup fans safe. Fikile Mbalula, South Africa’s deputy police minister, said the country can now celebrate. “You have fought a war and won it on the basis of the feeling that this thing is going to be a failure,” Mbalula said Friday at a public debate on the legacy of the World Cup. If anything, officials have been criticized for taking too hard a line on law and order. Special courts established to expedite cases during the World Cup have handed down strikingly harsh sentences. In one case, five hotel maids convicted of pilfering football shirts, a medal and underwear from members of the England team were given three years in prison and fined 6,000 rand (about

AP Photo

The June 12, 2010 file photo shows police officers being inspected by their commander before been deployed to provide security outside the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa. Doomsday scenarios seem to go hand-in-hand with mega event like the World Cup. The paranoia was more mega than most in the lead-up to the tournament in South Africa. $800). Such sentences, especially coming as they did while the games were still on, were meant as deterrents. Some may be lessened on appeal. In January, a deadly attack on the Togo soccer team while in Angola for the African Cup of Nations tournament in January focused attention on the possibility of a terror attack on the World Cup. Never mind that South Africa has no separatists like the Angolan group that claimed responsibility for the attack, and that many terror experts rated the possibility of an attack here as low. The Iraqi government announced in May it had arrested a Saudi citizen accused of targeting the World Cup, based on conversations

he had had with a friend about lashing out at Danish and Dutch teams to avenge insults against the Prophet Muhammad. Fears were raised again in late June, when state media in neighboring Zimbabwe linked a man trying to cross into South Africa using a fake passport to the November 2008 attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai. It was never clear why such a suspect would have designs on the World Cup, and Pakistani officials did not even deem the story worthy of comment. Within weeks Zimbabwean police were saying that the terrorism links were “a media creation” and that the man was only facing illegal immigration charges. The death of white su-

premacist Eugene Terreblanche with just weeks to go before the World Cup started set off speculation racial tensions could erupt. Police say a wage dispute led two black farmworkers to beat Terreblanche to death. White militants in the South African heartland, who considered Terreblanche their leader, at first vowed revenge but then called for calm. And Julius Malema, leader of the youth wing of the African National Congress, has toned down rhetoric seen as anti-white. Race and violent crime may be particularly South African issues. In at least one other area, South Africa was part of a global trend — fears that human trafficking spikes during events like the World Cup.

mental so that the youngest camper was able to comprehend the concept of the drill and why the fundamental was important in the game of basketball. Campers enjoyed the structure that Guerra and his staff provided, maximizing the time allotted for the camp. They moved from drill to drill with ease and also engaged in defensive drills. Guerra and Villarreal hope that the basketball community continues to support the camp and they are looking to increase next year’s numbers. “It was a great camp, and the support that the Zapata community gives is unparallel,” Guerra

It was a great camp, and the support that the Zapata community gives is unparallel.” CLYDE GUERRA JR., COACH

said. “Next year we’ll continue to move in the right direction and increase the numbers.” (Clara Sandoval can be reached at csandovalzapatatimes@gmail.com)

WORLD CUP Continued from Page 1B the 1974 and ’78 finals. But the Dutch lost each time and still carry the title of the best team never to have won the World Cup. The Netherlands’ streak without a title only stands at 22 years but whatever happens at Johannesburg’s Soccer City, one of the teams will become the eighth champion in the 80year history of the World Cup and the first new name on the cup since France 12 years ago. Spain won Euro 2008 after adding midfield steel to a free-flowing style based upon first-time passing and quick movement. Although Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets now provide the midfield shield that protects the defense and allows the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa to dismantle the opposition, the pattern is so effective that Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk is among those pursuing something similar. Captain Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong, who should return from suspension after being replaced by Demy de Zeeuw for the 3-2 semifinal win over Uruguay, are more physical and destructive than their Spanish counterparts but offer a similar platform from which the Dutch build. It’s a policy that has denied the Netherlands the weight of neutral support it usually enjoys from fans of entertaining football, but has brought six straight 90-minute wins at the tournament and a first World Cup final appearance for 32 years. “We won every qualifying game, every game here. We are not going to allow Spain to beat us now,” playmaker Wesley Sneijder said. But in an ideal world, Van Marwijk wants style and substance. “We play well. Spain plays well, but they are more attractive and this is where we want to get too,” Van Marwijk said. More sparkling Dutch sides than the current crop have come and gone, most notably those eliminated in the second round of the 1990 World Cup and the semifinals in 1998, but none have as successfully blended hard-nosed indefatigability with raw talent. Sneijder won the Champions League, Italian league and Italian cup with Inter Milan this season before scoring five of the Netherlands’ 12 goals at this tournament. Victory Sunday would make him the first European to win the world title in the same season as such a treble. “They don’t even give you time to think about it,” Sneijder said. “Afterward, I’ll have time enough to enjoy it. Now it doesn’t really enter my mind.” Winger Arjen Robben has overcome injury after missing the first two matches and, if he and hitherto goalless striker

Del Bosque will stick with more or less the same lineup that has steadily improved since the team’s surprise opening loss to Switzerland, meaning that as many as eight players who appeared in the 2008 European Championship final are likely to start. Robin van Persie are on form, Spain’s defense could wobble. Spain also has a misfiring striker in Fernando Torres, whose first touch, pace and confidence have deserted him in South Africa. Coach Vicente del Bosque dropped the Liverpool forward for the 1-0 semifinal victory over Germany but hinted that he may recall him for the showpiece. Torres endured a similarly goalless European Championship before playing as a lone forward in the final and scoring the only goal. Del Bosque will stick with more or less the same lineup that has steadily improved since the team’s surprise opening loss to Switzerland, meaning that as many as eight players who appeared in the 2008 European Championship final are likely to start. “We’ve kept a certain block of players in these six games, so I don’t think there will be many changes,” Del Bosque said. Del Bosque fielded the same starting 11 for three straight games before replacing Torres with Pedro Rodriguez. Pedro excelled in his first start, which came in only his fifth appearance. Striker Villa shares the lead in the tournament scoring charts with Sneijder but, while Del Bosque wants Spain to stick to the attractive style of football that has made it favorite, he is looking at defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol to do their bit. Spain hasn’t conceded a goal in three straight knockout matches. “We will be halfway there if we defend like we did against Portugal and Germany,” Del Bosque said.


SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B

HINTS BY | HELOISE THE BEST LEASH Dear Readers: What kind of LEASH might be best for you and your dog? Here is what our friends at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have to say on the subject: Retractable leashes are best for romping in the park or in more open spaces. It can be difficult to control the dog in a small area, as I have found when taking Cabbie, my miniature schnauzer, to the vet. Chain leashes are a good bet for a big dog that likes to chew or pull, even though they are heavy and not as easy to handle. Leather leashes are durable and feel comfortable in human hands. (Plus they do look lovely.) Nylon leashes are sturdy and durable but can leave a leash burn if they get wrapped around a leg or arm. So don’t use with an animal that is prone to pulling. -- Heloise HANDY ICE PICK Dear Heloise: When my Siamese cat, Sassy, is in the bathroom and the door is closed, she sometimes grabs hold of the handle on the

HELOISE

cabinet drawer next to the door, pulling it open and thereby making it impossible to open the bathroom door from the outside. The only way for me to get inside is through a tiny opening, where I insert an ice pick into the side of the wooden drawer, edging it closed, and open the door. I’ve had to do this many times, and I always use my ice pick! -- Keri E., Sacramento, Calif. CHEESE TO GIVE PILLS TO DOGS Dear Heloise: My dog is pretty smart. She knows that when I get out the cheese and stand at the kitchen counter, she’s about to get a pill, but she seems to forget about the medicine and eagerly gobbles down the yummy cheese holding the pill. My other dog (not on medicine) gets a small piece of cheese also. -- A Reader, via e-mail Check with your vet about giving human food to your dog. -- Heloise

DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES — Here’s how to work it:

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LOTS FOR SALE

FAMILY CIRCUS

70

PETS & SUPPLIES 128

PETS & SUPPLIES 128

2817 San Dario vacant commercial lot, 24x15,great opportunity $55,000 call: 635-4188

Adorable Chihuahua(Toy) puppies,7wks old,1st shots,3girls & 1boy, $125-$250 Call:220-5095 Boxer Puppies for sale. 3f/3m, Tigerstriped, 5wks., $150ea. Call 775-0022 Chihuahua apple head puppies, all shots/ dewormed $175 call:319-2469 Chihuahua puppies, Toy & T-Cup, 6wks, 1112 Coolidge Dr. Call SOLD Full blooded Blue Heiler dogs, 1/2 yrs old,great ranch dog,good w/children, $150 to good home only call:324-8781 Jack Russell Terrier Puppies,pure breed,shots,3 mths.,both parents on site, $150 326-5865 Jack Russell, Purebreed CKC,6 weeks, Tail Cut,Dewormed $250 956-337-9194; 791-8274 Male Shih-tzu 8wk,white & brown,$290 small parents, playful, call: 251-0652 Mini Pinscher Puppy, Female, 2mths old, $135 Call 645-5225

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Lot for sale. 3009 Pecos, 62x100, $35,000 Call 771- 4897

COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT 79 Professional Offices for Sale- 408 Shiloh Dr., 2 buildings,front building over 6,000sqft, rear building 3,000sqft.Total property approx 60,000sqft

Currently leased! INCOME PRODUCING! $1.1million Negotiable Call Julio Patino 956-229-5454

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Pug Puppy,6wks.old,Male $350 OBO Call:(956) 750-1260; 286-9603 Pure breed Huskies,white,blue eyed, $200 OBO, Call 744-7077 Parents on site!

Shih-tzu,7 months old, $400 Negotiable, Call 229-1366

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MISCELLANEOUS

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ARTICLES FOR SALE 136

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136

NEW Sony Home Audio System 100 watts $75 Call 401-7410

Whirlpool appliances, refridgerator & stove, both for $800 Call: 721-6753

Oak dining room-Claw foot table w/leaf, 6chairs,& 3 large matching pieces $1,800 call:725-2153; 206-4242

SPORTING GOODS 142

PicnicTables ($150,6 person) ($120, 4 person) heavy-duty 722-1731; 703 Garfield

TRANSPORTATION

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‘02 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport $7,500 call:857-2266 ‘94 GMC Suburban (White) Fair Condition, $2,300 OBO. Call 334-5080

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CARS FOR SALE

200

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Sports

4B THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010

Photo by Fernando Vergara | AP

Photo by Daniel Ochoa de Olza | AP

Uruguay’s Diego Forlan, right top, controls the ball as coach Oscar Tabarez, left, walks during a training session in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Friday. Uruguay will face Germany today for third place in the World Cup.

Spain players on the bench, including David Villa, center, cheer as the final whistle is blown during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Germany and Spain at the stadium in Durban, South Africa, Wednesday. Spain won 1-0 to advance to the final.

Paul chooses Germany By GERALD IMRAY ASSOCIATED PRESS

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez thinks it’s time to prove Germany’s oracle octopus wrong. Tabarez said he isn’t superstitious but the selection of Germany by the world famous octopus Paul to win the third-place playoff today at Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is another motivation for his team. “It’s not just a matter of beating Germany but also beating the octopus,” a smiling Tabarez said Friday on the eve of the penultimate game of the World Cup. “It would be absolutely spectacular, and I think it is possible. “(It) would send a message to everyone by saying nothing is impossible in football.” The octopus has correctly predicted the result of all six of Germany’s games — including the semifinal loss to Spain — and five out of six matches at the 2008 European Championship. Meanwhile, Germany captain Philipp Lahm and forward Lukas Podolski missed Friday’s training with a cold, as did coach Joachim Loew. Striker Miroslav Klose had some fitness tests on his back problems in the team hotel, while backup goalkeeper Tim Wiese sat it out because of a right knee injury. Even with a growing sick list, Germany is still the favorite, according to Tabarez. “Since 1934, Germany has been participating all the time in the World Cup and Germany has written a great history in the book of the World Cups,” he said. “Before the match against Spain this (German side) had been the best team of the tournament, so this is very motivating for us. We recognize this match will be difficult but we don’t think it will be impossible.” Uruguay, a two-time

World Cup winner, is also playing for its place in history. Victory would give the South Americans their best finish at a World Cup since winning its last title in 1950. “We have overall delivered great performances,” Tabarez said. “I think overall it has been a great World Cup (for Uruguay).” Tabarez said strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, who is back after a onegame suspension, will both start. Forlan, who is fit after being substituted in the semifinal loss to the Netherlands with a right thigh injury, has scored four goals at the World Cup, one goal fewer than leading scorers David Villa of Spain and Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder. Forlan has also been nominated among the 10 candidates to be selected as the best player of the tournament, but Tabarez said Forlan was not focused on personal awards. “It’s a matter of standing up for our country and he has done so,” Tabarez said. “It would be great for Uruguayan football if he was taken into account as one of the top players (at the World Cup) ... but he is not going for that. It is a collective sport.” Tabarez paid tribute to his team’s fighting spirit ahead of what could be his last game in charge. “At any rate tomorrow, my contract with the Uruguayan football association will be over and that’s it,” Tabarez said. “Whatever comes in the future will depend on me.”

10 nominees for Ball ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHANNESBURG — Leading scorers Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands and David Villa of Spain headline the list of FIFA’s 10 nominees for the World Cup Golden Ball. FIFA honors the tournament’s best player with the award. Sneijder and Villa have each scored five goals and will go head to head in Sunday’s final at Johannesburg’s Soccer City. Also nominated were Diego Forlan of Uruguay, Asamoah Gyan of Ghana, Andres Iniesta of Spain, Lionel Messi of Argentina, Mesut Oezil of Germany, Arjen Robben of the Netherlands, Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany and Xavi of Spain. Media members will vote to determine the winner after the final. Past winners have been Paolo Rossi of Italy, 1982; Diego Maradona of Argentina, 1986; Salvatore Schillaci of Italy, 1990; Romario of Brazil, 1994; Ronaldo of Brazil, 1998; Oliver Kahn of Germany, 2002; Zinedine Zidane of France, 2006.

Best young players Germany’s Thomas Mueller, Andre Ayew of Ghana and Mexico’s Giovani Dos Santos are in contention for the best young player at the World Cup. Players must be born after January 1989 to be eligible. The 20-year-old Mueller scored four goals in Germany’s run to the semifinals, but was suspended for its 1-0 loss to Spain be-

WORLD CUP NOTEBOOK cause he received two yellow cards. The list was determined by a FIFA technical panel of coaches and former players. The panel will choose the winner Sunday after the World Cup final. The award was first made at the 2006 tournament to Germany’s Lukas Podolski.

Players robbed Spain players Sergio Busquets and Pedro Rodriguez had money and documents stolen from their rooms in Potchefstroom before their World Cup semifinal win over Germany in Durban. Busquets lost documents and about $1,000. Pedro reportedly lost nearly $1,300 from his safe. Busquets said Friday that “nobody likes to be robbed ... but I’ll exchange all of my documents for the World Cup.” Spain plays the Netherlands in Sunday’s final. Three Greece players al-

so had money stolen from their hotel rooms just outside Durban earlier in the tournament.

‘Out of reach’ Former Netherlands star forward Ruud van Nistelrooy agrees with Spain’s status as the favorite in the World Cup final against the Dutch, saying the European champions’ style of play is “out of reach.” Van Nistelrooy said in an interview with Spanish sports daily Marca published Friday that “no one moves the ball as well as the Spanish team. That and its past three years make it a big favorite to win.” However, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker said it would be a mistake to underestimate the Netherlands in Sunday’s match at Soccer City in Johannesburg. “Spain will have the ball, but (Arjen) Robben and (Wesley) Sneijder can

kill you on the counterattack,” Van Nistelrooy said.

Antic’s antics Serbia coach Radomir Antic has criticized FIFA’s decision to suspend and fine him, calling it “inappropriate and undeserved.” Antic said in a statement Friday he felt “disbelief and displeasure. “During my yearslong career as a coach ... I’ve never been suspended or punished.” Serbia’s soccer association said this week that FIFA suspended Antic for four matches and fined him $13,000 for his “inappropriate behavior” after a World Cup first-round match against Australia in South Africa. It was not clear why Antic was punished, although he criticized the refereeing of the match, which Serbia lost 2-1 to eliminate it from the tournament. Antic reiterated Friday the referee made “several mistakes at the cost of our team.”


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