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FLOOD OF 2010
TOURISM
Still closed
LAND FOR BIRDS
Lake may reopen Monday should level drop enough By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Despite residing water levels, Falcon Lake remains closed after topping out at more than 309 feet last week, flooding parts of Zapata County and the area − and greatly affecting businesses and tourism. According to Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez, the water level has been subsiding six inches a day. Friday’s level was 307 feet, and officials are trying to work with the Chamber of Commerce and businesses directly affected by the flood to try to reopen the lake. The Coast Guard is expected to reopen the lake on Monday if it falls to 306 feet, but recent rainfall might delay that further, officials said. “Chihuahua received three inches of rain and Lopeño about an inch and a half,” Fire Chief Juan J. Meza said. To the south, receding water levels but now are being affected by more rainfall. “Flood waters from Hurricane Alex in late June started rising again yesterday (Wednesday) and
for what we can tell the extra water is coming from the San Juan River in Mexico,” Omar Montemayor, Starr County agriculture extension agent, said. In response to Starr County’s rising water levels, Meza said Zapata will not be affected since the San Juan River in Mexico enters the Rio Grande south of the dam and not directly into Falcon Lake. According to an International Boundary and Water Commission report, flood waters released from Falcon Dam are still being released at a rate of 60,000 cubic feet per second since July 17, and the reservoir elevation is declining slowly. “I think once we hit the 305 mark they’ll decrease the amount being released,” Meza said. According to Zapata County officials, FEMA is assessing the flooded areas, but have not made a declaration for flood relief efforts. “There’s no one in shelters. They may have gone to relatives’ homes,” Gonzalez, said. Gonzalez said the biggest con-
See FALCON PAGE 9A
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Bravo Park in Zapata offers barbque pits and shaded picnic areas. Commissioners are moving forward with plans to incorporate a bird sanctuary into Flores Park with a Texas Parks & Wildlife Department grant.
County hopes tourists land at sanctuary By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES
With a long list of birds native to Zapata County and related tourism economically appealing, commissioners are moving forward with plans to incorporate a bird sanctuary into Flores Park. Back in 2006, when the court received a Texas Parks & Wildlife Department grant, part of the agreement included purchasing an additional one-acre
tract land to accompany the already existing 37-acre park and converting it into a sanctuary. “We never got owners from nearby land to accept our request,” said Jose E. Vela, Precinct 1 Commissioner. “They had apparently agreed to sell that land for the bird sanctuary, but it never came through.” As the county continued to look for sellers, officials pursued the possibly of converting
RECREATION
THE ZAPATA TIMES
The recent Archery Fun Shoot at El Tepozan Ranch has sparked interest in a 4-H shooting sports program among youth in Zapata and Jim Hogg counties who participated in a 3-D archery course featuring life-size targets in the shape of deer and other animals instead of the more common paper targets. “It’s more of a realworld scenario, more of a hunting scenario,” said Caleb Eaton, Zapata County extension agent, about the 3-D course. The shoot took place on Sunday, July 11, at El Tepozan Ranch. The course
was carved out of the brush and the participants moved through the fields to find the targets. The event provided outdoor fun and helped kids get rid of the summertime blues after school was out, Eaton said. Eaton said several youth and family members participated in an orientation and safety briefing before starting on the 3-D archery course, which deployed 17 targets. “There is no better time to start a 4-H shooting sports program in Zapata County than now,” he added. “At the recent District 12 .22 rifle match, more than 100 shooters partici-
See ARCHERY PAGE 9A
See BIRDS PAGE 9A
MEXICO
Seized trucks painted like official Army vehicles
Fun Shoot touts archery By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ
an existing division of the park. “Parks and Wildlife did not accept. Before we do that we need to show the state we’re trying to buy that land – that’s where we are,” Vela said, explaining that was the reasoning behind including it in the last Commissioner’s Court agenda, July 12. “It’s been approved. We need to advertise locally and see if
By MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photo
A teen takes aim at a lifesize, 3D target at El Tepozan Ranch in Zapata County during a 4-H Archery Fun Shoot on July 11.
Mexican Army soldiers recently seized two heavyduty trucks painted in the colors of the Mexican Army, near Ciudad Mier. Drug traffickers were passing themselves off as military personnel “to cause confusion and conceal illegal activities,” according to a news release issued by the Secretary of National Defense’s 8th Military Zone. The “cloned” vehicles which featured logos and insignias used by the Mexican Army were olive green Chevrolet Cheyenne trucks with extended cabs. They even had ID numbers painted on the
See TRUCK PAGE 8A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, JULY 24
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Hoop It Up For Hunger basketball tournament fundraiser is today at the TAMIU gym, 5201 University Blvd. The fundraiser will benefit the South Texas Food Bank. Games are at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is $3. For more information, call (956) 523-4660. A special showing of Despicable Me at Cinemark at Mall del Norte will be catered for children with autism and their family members. During the show, the lights will not be completely turned off and the sound will not be too loud. Tickets are $7.00 per person. For more information, contact Ramon Orduno at (967) 763-6044.
SUNDAY, JULY 25 Today is the last day to catch Texas A&M International University and the Laredo Theater Guild International’s presentation of “The Sound of Music” at 3 p.m. in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. General admission is $15, $10 discounted admission for students with ID and seniors. For more information, call (956) 319-8610 or visit www.laredotheaterguild.com
TUESDAY, JULY 27 Join the Korean War Veterans Association and the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution as they celebrate the anniversary of the Korean War Armistice at 9 a.m. today at Jarvis Plaza. For more information, call Rick at (956) 206-7855.
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. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age division, two overall trophies for both male and female winners, first six overall walkers will also 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. Zapata High School graduates from Class of 1980 will celebrate their 30th Year Class Reunion tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Mi Ranchito party place, South Hwy 83 about five miles south of Zapata. For more information, call (956) 763-2947 or (956) 4894250 for more information. PETCO, the Gateway Gatos and the Laredo Animal Shelter are having Cat Appreciation Day at the PETCO, 5410 San Bernardo Ave., from 1 to 3 p.m. today. Cats will be up for adoption for $45, rabies vaccine included. There will be a photo contest for pictures of people’s cats. For more information, call Richard Barraza, event coordinator, at (956) 206-0572.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 Today is the last day of "Willy Wonka Jr.". The matinee starts at 3 p.m. at the Lamar Middle School Auditorium, 1818 Arkansas Ave. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.
MONDAY, AUGUST 2 Imaginarium of South Texas hosts Dirty Science Chemistry Camp, Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. this week. Kids will study the different states of matter and get messy in the kitchen chemistry. Breakfast and lunch is provided by the LISD Summer Food Program. Visit www.imaginariumstx.org for more information.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4 AgriLIFE Extension of the Texas A&M System in cooperation with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association presents Ranch Estate Planning at College Station Conference Center, 1300 George Bush Drive today from 1 to 5 p.m. Dr. Hayenga will give a thorough analysis of income and estate tax rules as they affect families and agricultural business. Also, join the Animal Science Department at the Beef Cattle Short Course. For more information on the Beef Course contact Jason Cleere at (979) 845-6931 and for more information on the Ranch Estate Seminar, call (979) 845-2226.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 American Legion meets at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Building, located at 2213 North U.S. Highway 83. To submit an item for the calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com
Photo by David J. Phillip | AP
Jessica Zabala, left, and her fiance Jonathan Smith pin buttons on as they stand near "Lois", a rare "corpse flower” that is blooming at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The couple is scheduled to be married today at the museum, and hope the smell from the plant will not be too strong.
Wedding may be stinky By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — The flower girl at Jessica Zabala’s wedding is purple, six-feet-tall, uninvited and smells like dead bodies. She is Lois, a rare “corpse flower,” deemed the world’s stinkiest bud. Lois is unexpectedly blooming in the Houston Museum of Natural Science, in the room right next to where Zabala is marrying Jonathan Smith today. “I don’t need a florist anymore,” Zabala laughs. “I’ve got Lois.” The flower is an Amorphophallus titanum, which has only ever bloomed 29 times in the United States. It’s happened twice in Texas, but never before at the museum, which hosts about 50 weddings a year. “I did not know that Lois was quietly sprouting in the greenhouse across the
street,” Zabala said, donning an “I Love Lois” button given to her by the museum. Deforestation has left the flower endangered in its native tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, said Nancy Greig, of the museum. Six years ago, the center paid $75 for a “little walnut-sized tuber” from a Raleigh, N.C., nursery. The flower’s dead-body smell attracts the flies and beetles it needs to pollinate. Lois was about two-thirds of the way to full bloom by Thursday and up to 4,000 people were visiting daily. She will only stay open about two days, and the smell generally dissipates within 12 hours. Museum experts thought she would bloom two weeks ago and Greig was certain the stench would overtake the museum by now. “But she has not turned on the funk yet,” Greig said.
Expert says man on trial wasn’t psychotic
Family of executed man calls review too slow
Board adopts charter facilities investment plan
EDINBURG — A forensic psychiatrist who spent more than 14 hours interviewing a south Texas man charged with beheading his common-law wife’s three children in 2003 has testified for the prosecution that the man knew what he was doing was wrong. Dr. Michael Welner testified Friday that Rubio was not schizophrenic nor psychotic as defense experts have argued.
HOUSTON — Family members of a Texas man executed in 2004 for killing his three children said Friday they were upset by the “needless delays” in a commission’s ongoing probe of the arson finding that lead to his conviction. Cameron Todd Willingham’s family members expressed their concerns as the Texas Forensic Science Commission met here.
AUSTIN — The State Board of Education has adopted a proposal to dedicate public school endowment dollars to finance charter school facilities. The proposal is contingent on a legal opinion from the Texas attorney general. The 7-6 vote Friday was to invest as much as $100 million of the $23 billion Permanent School Fund into charter schools.
Houston judge urges inmate be freed
Transgender widow, hubby’s family in court
27 percent of Texans hold college degrees
HOUSTON — A judge who says a Houston man spent 19 years in prison for a rape he didn’t commit has recommended his release. Members of 39-year-old Allen Wayne Porter’s family joyfully jumped from their seats as state District Judge Joan Campbell made her ruling Thursday. Porter was set to be released on a recognizance bond Friday.
WHARTON — A Texas judge is hearing testimony from the transgender widow of a firefighter and will decide whether to extend a temporary restraining order on her late husband’s assets. Nikki Araguz has been sued by the family of her late husband, Thomas Araguz III. His family argues the marriage should be voided because Araguz was born a man.
WASHINGTON — A College Board study says Texas is one of the least highly-educated states. The board ranks Texas 40th in the number of people ages 25 to 34 who hold at least a college associate degree. In addition, less than one-third of Texans in that age group have a postsecondary degree, below the 41 percent national average. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Investigation ties military workers to child porn
CONTACT US
WASHINGTON — A major federal investigation has identified dozens of members of the military and defense contractors, including some with top-level security clearances, as having obtained child pornography. Among those implicated were individuals tied to the National Reconnaissance Office and National Security Agency, which keep some of the nation’s most heavily guarded secrets.
2 killed in gas well explosion near Pittsburgh INDIANOLA, Pa. — A natural gas well where welders were believed to be working exploded Friday, killing two people and sparking a fire. The blast happened around 9:50 a.m. in a remote area of Indiana Township. Officials believe people were welding at the site.
Today is Saturday, July 24, the 205th day of 2010. There are 160 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On July 24th, 1959, during a visit to Moscow, Vice President Richard Nixon engaged in his famous K ` itchen Debate’’ with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. On this date: In 1783, Latin American revolutionary Simon Bolivar was born in Caracas. In 1847, Mormon leader Brigham Young and his followers arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley in present-day Utah. In 1862, the eighth president of the United States, Martin Van Buren, died in Kinderhook, N.Y. In 1866, Tennessee became the first state to be readmitted to the Union after the Civil War. In 1929, President Herbert Hoover proclaimed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which renounced war as an instrument of foreign policy. In 1937, the state of Alabama dropped charges against four of the nine young black men accused of raping two white women in the S ` cottsboro Case.’’ In 1969, the Apollo 11 astronauts _ two of whom had been the first men to set foot on the moon _ splashed down safely in the Pacific. In 1974, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that President Richard Nixon had to turn over subpoenaed White House tape recordings to the Watergate special prosecutor. In 1975, an Apollo spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific, completing a mission which included the first-ever docking with a Soyuz capsule from the Soviet Union. In 1980, comedian-actor Peter Sellers died at 54. Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton continued to mediate the Camp David Mideast summit. Michael Stone, a proBritish paramilitary member, was freed from prison as part of Northern Ireland’s 1998 peace accord after serving 11 years of a life sentence for murder. (Stone received a 16year sentence in 2008 for attempting to kill Catholic politicians in a televised one-man attack on the Northern Ireland legislature.) Today’s Birthdays: Movie director Peter Yates is 81. Actress Jacqueline Brookes is 80. Actor John Aniston (TV: D ` ays of Our Lives’’) is 77. Political cartoonist Pat Oliphant is 75. Comedian Ruth Buzzi is 74. Actor Mark Goddard is 74. Actor Dan Hedaya is 70. Actor Chris Sarandon is 68. Comedian Gallagher is 64. Actor Robert Hays is 63. Former Republican national chairman Marc Racicot is 62. Actor Michael Richards is 61. Actress Lynda Carter is 59. Movie director Gus Van Sant is 58. Country singer Pam Tillis is 53. Actor Paul Ben-Victor is 48. Actor Kadeem Hardison is 45. Actresssinger Kristin Chenoweth is 42. Actress Laura Leighton is 42. Actor John P. Navin Jr. is 42. Actress-singer Jennifer Lopez is 41. Basketball playerturned-actor Rick Fox is 41. personality Bindi Ir Thought for Today: E ` verything has two sides -- the outside that is ridiculous, and the inside that is solemn.’’ -- Olive Schreiner, South African author and feminist (1855-1920).
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 Wilfredo Lee | AP
Surfers hold their boards tightly as they fight wind gusts while crossing the beach Friday, on Miami Beach, Fla. Tropical Storm Bonnie was moving over South Florida on its way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Gasoline pump prices are heading higher Drivers may want to fill up their SUVs, hybrids and motorcycles this weekend, because
higher gasoline prices could be right around the corner. Retail gasoline prices are expected to increase by a nickel a gallon in the next few days on the heels of a jump in wholesale gasoline and crude oil prices. — 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 24, 2010
Zlocal
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Fundraiser run, walk is next Saturday
Family aid starts Monday at middle school By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Nearly 100 runners and walkers for the Knights of Columbus Columbian Squires will be helping the less fortunate with proceeds to be collected from their 5K run and 2-mile walk event next Saturday. “We are all excited about this event,” Race Director Homer Carrizales said. “I have had people from around our area including Corpus Christi, Laredo and the Valley that say they are coming to this race.” Carrizales said proceeds will help the needy and help provide scholarships to Knights of Columbus Columbian Squires entering Catholic colleges and universities as freshman. A child or spouse of a member is also eligible for scholarships. “We also want to help the needy in our area and promote health by encouraging everyone to get out and exercise,” Carrizales said. “We are hoping to make this an annual event.” The race will take place at Romeo Flores Park on Glenn Street at 8 a.m. All participants must register from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. prior to the race, and the first
100 will receive a T-shirt. Pre-registration fee is $15 per person and same day registration fee is $20. Men and women of all ages can participate and there will be categories divided by age. Age divisions include 14 and younger, 1519, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 and over. The starting point for runners and walkers is at Glenn Street and 1st Street then taking a right on U.S. 83. From there the runners will take a right on 19th Street and another right on Glenn Street to the finish line. The walkers will take a right on 12th street at the Valero Gas Station and then another right on Glenn Street to the finish line. Awards and trophies will go to the top three finishers in each category and two overall trophies will go to a man and a woman. The first six walkers will also receive an award. For more information, call Carrizales at 285-0220, or stop by the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce to pick up a flier and registration form. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956) 7282557.)
Courtesy photo
Border Patrol agents assigned to the Zapata Station seized 406 pounds of marijuana Thursday near San Ygnacio.
San Ygnacio pot seizure yields 406 pounds SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Thursday, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Zapata Station seized 406 pounds of marijuana while patrolling near San Ygnacio. At about 3 a.m., agents observed seven subjects walking towards the river bank. About 15 minutes later, agents observed all seven walking back carry-
ing the bundles. The agents approached the subjects; they dropped the bundles and fled into the brush. Agents found 16 bundles of marijuana weighed 406 pounds with an estimate street value of $324,880. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Man arrested after swimming in flood By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Deputies say a man who though it would be fun to swim in flood waters was arrested after jumping off the Veleño Bridge on July 16, thus closing U.S. 83 momentarily. Thomas L. Bustamante, 18, was charged with terroristic threats, a third-degree felony, for allegedly interrupting a public service by causing officials to shut down U.S. 83 for
about 30 minutes. Authorities also charged Bustamante with disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor. Zapata County Sheriff ’s Department spokesman Sgt. Mario Elizondo said deputies, emergency personnel and a rescue truck responded to a call reporting a person in the water at about 7:30 p.m. “He had jumped off the bridge for fun,” Elizondo said. Bustamante was floating
toward the northwest bank of the bridge. Game wardens on standby by flooded homes near the lake assisted in the incident. They pull him up from the water and transported him to shore, Elizondo said. Though the man had a lifejacket, Gonzalez said that area was deep, at least 50 feet. Deputies then took him under custody and transported Bustamante to the Zapata Regional Jail,
where he was later released after posting a $20,000 bond. No one was harmed during the incident. Gonzalez said nobody had jumped off the bridge “for a long time.” Bustamante’s incident left authorities questioning his act. “I don’t know what caused him to do it,” Gonzalez said. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
The Zapata County Independent School District will be helping low-income families prepare for the first day of school through the Caring for our Families Program next week. “Many families depend on the program for their children to be ready for the first day of class,” said Corina Solis, secretary of Compensatory Education Department. Solis said the district has provided these services to families for nearly 10 years. The program will provide children with school supplies, uniform shirts, jeans, shoes, lunch, breakfast, snacks and immunizations. “We try to add new items each year,” Solis said. “This year we added tennies but still not certain because we are still working on it thru another program.” ConocoPhillips has been a long-time sponsor of this program, she add-
ed. The three-day event at Zapata Middle School is divided by the first letter of parents’ last name. Last names beginning with the letters A thru F will be served on Monday, G thru O on Tuesday and P thru Z on Wednesday. The event is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to noon and then 2 to 5 p.m. each day. “Parents must be here on these dates and must be patient,” Solis said. Same-day service requirements include showing proof of eligibility through food stamp letter, TANF, Medicaid or proof of income thru check stub or income tax return. Students new to the district will also be allowed to register on these days and must bring proof of identification through birth certificate, immunization card, social security card, picture identification and a utility bill with current address. All guardians must bring guardianship paperwork. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282557.)
THE BLOTTER CRIMINAL MISCHIEF A 41-year-old man reported at 7:30 p.m. July 16 in the 1400 Lincoln Street someone damaged his vehicle.
PUBLIC INTOXICATION Gabriel Gonzalez, 27, was arrested and charged with public intoxication around 8:30 p.m. July 16 in the intersection of Third Street and U.S. 83 in Falcon. He was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, and released to later appear in court. Edgar Bordonave-Quijano, 33, was arrested on charges of public intoxication at 3:45 p.m. July 17 in the intersection of Third Avenue and Bravo Street. He was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, and later
released, pending court appearance. Deputies arrested Cesar Sanchez Jr., 23, and charged him with public intoxication at 12:01 a.m. July 18 in the 5400 block of Laredo Lane. Sanchez was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, and later released, pending court appearance.
THEFT A 25-year-old man reported at 9:41 am. July 18 in the 200 block of East Street in Falcon someone stole the license plate, grill and the wipers from his vehicle. A 45-year-old man reported at 10:30 p.m. someone stole his 2004 Nissan vehicle from his residence in the 1000 block of Miraflores Street.
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SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
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EDITORIAL
OTHER VIEWS
After the war, troops still die NEW YORK TIMES
S
uicide stalks the U.S. military as much as enemies do on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the latest grim data. Last year, 347 military personnel were killed in the two wars, while at least 381 warriors took their own lives. The tragedy was brought home in recent congressional hearings that laid bare how much must be done to reach and comfort soldiers near the edge of their resources. Care and prevention programs have been up-
graded as the suicide toll has risen across the two wars, with suicide attempts increasing sixfold in the Army, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. But currently tens of thousands of reservists return home from battle and fall through the cracks of programs supposedly mandating psychological and physical examinations within 90 days, concerned lawmakers are warning. An estimated 40,000 reservists miss the mandated check-ups, and the bulk of military suicides may come from these overlooked ranks.
COLUMN COLUMN
Explain when Obama’s influence is limited they ask By GARY ANDRES
HEARST NEWSPAPERS
By RHONDA SWAN COX NEWSPAPERS
W
EST PALM BEACH, Fla. — “What’s a lesbi-
an?” We were stopped at a red light when my then-5year-old son stunned my mother and me with this question, which seemingly came from nowhere. I assumed that he’d heard the word in school, because we didn’t discuss such things in front of children. My mouth gaped open, but no words fell as I searched my brain for how to satisfy his curiosity without giving him an answer. At 5, I reasoned, this was something he didn’t need to know. But I didn’t get the chance to respond. “It’s a woman,” my mother blurted, “who loves another woman.” I thought, How dare she? “Why are you telling him that, Ma?” I yelled. “He’s only 5.” She answered with her usual matter-of-factness. “When they’re old enough to ask the question,” she said, “they’re old enough to know the answer.” My son went back to playing with his action figures as she and I debated the issue the rest of the drive home. In the end, logic won over emotion as I concluded that she was right. I was, after all, the parent who despised baby talk and believed that children should know the correct terms for the different parts of their anatomy. Knowing the definition of lesbian was no different. It didn’t scar my son’s psyche any more than knowing that a penis was a penis and not a “weewee” or any other such silly term. Nor did having such information prompt him to begin exploring sex at his tender age. I knew, however, that one day he would have sex. That reality seems to get lost on a lot of parents — that our children all will grow up one day and have sex. Many will begin exploring their sexuality a lot sooner than we would like. Many will wait. Whenever they choose to become sexually active, they will need to know the facts. Knowledge, as the saying goes, is power. And ignorance is not always bliss. So it confounds me that parents in Montana and many conservatives who
don’t live in the state are up in arms about a proposed health curriculum for public schools that will teach children the facts about sex. Some are upset that kindergartners would learn the names of reproductive body parts such as penis, vagina, breasts, nipples and testicles. Children that age and younger often point to these body parts — their own, their parents’ or their siblings’ — and ask, “What’s that?” Do we tell them it’s a secret they must learn only when they’re older? What message does that give them about the human body? Parents and pastors also are upset that by first grade students would learn that “human beings can love people of the same gender and people of another gender.” Regardless of our beliefs about homosexuality, it is a fact of life. Some of these kindergartners’ classmates will live in homes where there are two mommies or two daddies. The curriculum presents the facts and leaves the moral teachings to parents, as it should. By fifth grade, students would “understand that during puberty, many people begin to develop sexual and romantic feelings” and “understand that sexual intercourse includes but is not limited to vaginal, oral, or anal penetration.” Do fifth-graders, usually 10-year-olds, really need to know the different ways people can have intercourse? When you learn that girls as young as 11 are having intercourse and that for many adolescents oral sex is as common as kissing, the answer is yes. Especially when many of these youngsters don’t consider oral sex and anal sex to even be sex at all. Telling kids to just say no to sex didn’t work when we were growing up and it doesn’t work now. And my generation didn’t have “Gossip Girl,” with martini-sipping high-schoolers who swap bed partners like baseball cards and play sex games involving handcuffs. We expect public education to prepare our children for success. Making good decisions about sex and having healthy relationships defines success in life as much as earning a good paycheck. (Rhonda Swan writes for The Palm Beach Post. E-mail: rhonda_swan@pbpost.com.)
T
he news media hailed President Obama’s victory on the Wall Street reform bill signed into law earlier this week as another example of his legislative prowess. When it comes to congressional arm-twisting, New York Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg, like others, extolled him as a modern day LBJ. “If passage of the financial regulatory overhaul on Thursday proves anything about President Obama it is this,” Stolberg wrote. “He knows how to push big bills through a balky Congress.” Writing in the Christian Science Monitor last week, Linda Feldmann shared the sentiment: “Passage of financial regulatory reform signals another landmark legislative victory for President Obama, following the Recovery Act and health-care reform.” But is Obama the new master of the Capitol? Or, instead, is his large Democratic herd on the Hill more responsible for these victories? Despite the media adulation, the size of the Democratic pack in Congress explains a lot more about the White House’s legislative success than anything else. And ironically, the partisan nature of these first term “wins” will shrink the size of his party’s congressional margins next year, hampering his future
effectiveness, even if he deploys the same tactics. It’s all about the numbers. Emphasis on the president’s personal legislative skills is not unique to the current White House occupant. In his book, “Legislating Together,” UCLA political scientist Mark A. Peterson describes this orientation as a “presidency centered perspective.” It’s a metaphor, according to Peterson, firmly rooted in the popular imagination. “Whether the president succeeds or failsdepends upon the skill with which the president fashions influence, which itself is derived from the national expectation that the unifying force of political leadership resides in the Oval Office.” Peterson observed this tendency twenty years ago. But it’s still true today, given the cult of personality surrounding Obama. Whenever Congress tries something big, it’s all about the success or failure of the White House agenda. And whether he wins or loses, it’s all about him — his skill, his efforts, and his legacy. In his book, “At the Margins: Presidential Leadership of Congress,” Texas A&M professor George C. Edwards III tells us: “Presidential efforts at leading Congress do not occur in a vacuum. To understand presidential leadership one must also understand the context in which it takes place.” Edwards argues “de-
spite the conventional wisdom that attributes substantial importance to a president’s legislative skills in determining support for the president on congressional votes, there is good reason to be cautious in accepting this conclusion at face value. Other factors are likely to exercise more influence on congressional voting.” Other scholars agree. Political scientists Jon R. Bond and Richard Fleisher in their book “The President in the Legislative Arena” conclude: ”1/8T3/8here is little the president can do to move members of Congress very far from their basic political predisposition.“ Congressional leaders, Bond and Fleisher argue, hold more sway than presidents over lawmakers. ”Congressional leaders are likely to have more influence on how Congress responds to presidential preferences than anything the president can do personally.“ After all, Obama’s legislative victories were not based on bills crafted by the White House. Democratic leaders in Congress formulated the stimulus legislation, health care, and, most recently, the Wall Street reform bill. No doubt the White House shares in ”wins,“ but they occurred because congressional leaders knew their respective caucuses and plotted intraparty deals. And Democratic Caucus politics in Congress
marches to its own drummer. Legislative leaders evaluate the political landscape, develop agendas, and grapple with internal demands from rank-in-file lawmakers. The issues under consideration are not inconsistent with the White House, but Congress is not unlike most unwieldy institutions: It takes care of its own. Speaker Pelosi and Harry Reid believed enacting these big ”reforms“ would eventually produce political propellant for their caucuses. They didn’t do it because Barack Obama twisted their arms. Instead, they thought it was the right thing to do, and they believed it would ultimately help Democrats maintain their majority in Congress. Big legislative majorities always help president’s look quasi-omnipotent when it comes to relations with Congress. But President Obama ”won“ his battles because he was part of a stampeding Democratic majority that badly outnumbered the other side. His victories would have been more impressive if he occasionally challenged his own team or negotiated something other than token GOP support. Yet Obama’s victories have been pyrrhic; their partisan nature will undoubtedly thin the Democratic herd this November. A year from now, no one is going to be making analogies to LBJ.
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SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
LAREDO MORNING TIMES 5A
Zentertainment
6A LAREDO MORNING TIMES
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
Rihanna, Ke$ha perform tonight in Laredo By EMILIO RÁBAGO III
day night. Travie McCoy, orginally scheduled to perform in both venues, will not make the Laredo show, according to arena officials.
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
When Rihanna steps onto the Laredo Energy Arena stage later today, it will be a milestone in Laredo entertainment. It will be the first time a top mainstream female artist has performed while sitting atop the charts. Rihanna is the featured artist on the No. 1 song on Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Love The Way You Lie,” a track by Eminem features Rihanna’s vocals. “Rockstar 101,” another single, is No. 2 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart. The “Rihanna: Last Girl On Earth Tour” stops here with special guest Ke$ha, another very popular artist. “This is our first and biggest R&B show,” said Anissa Treviño, LEA marketing director. “Other than Lil Wayne, this is probably
Rihanna the star
AP photo
Rihanna performs at Madison Square Garden in New York in this file photo. Rihanna and Ke$ha perform today at the Laredo Energy Arena at 8 p.m. the biggest show we’ve had,” said Treviño. The show is being funded by the Laredo Energy Arena, and the Laredo show is one of only two in Texas. Rihanna and Ke$ha will be in San Antonio on Fri-
You remember her from her smash hit “Umbrella,” which took over radio a couple of years ago. Her other hits include “Disturbia,” “Don’t Stop the Music” and “Take a Bow.” Those singles were off her album “Good Girl Gone Bad,” which peaked into the Top 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart. “Umbrella,” which features Jay-Z, won a Grammy award in the Best Rap/ Song Collaboration category. Rihanna’s latest single, “Rude Boy,” reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100. That track is featured in many hot remixes
Courtesy photo | ©2010 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Oklahoma native Jack Swagger will be in Laredo Wednesday, along with others such as Kofi Kingston, Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, MVP and Christian, plus WWE divas Michelle McCool and Layla.
Swagger talks smack SmackDown wrestlers take over arena Wednesday By JOE RUTLAND LAREDO MORNING TIMES
In the world of professional wrestling, Oklahoma has produced quite a number of legends. Names like Danny Hodge, announcer Jim Ross and the late “Dr. Death” Steve Williams are all Sooner state natives. Jack Swagger, who followed a successful path from amateur wrestling to the professional ranks with World Wrestling Entertainment, calls it home, too. “It’s interesting because I’ve known Danny ever since I was a little kid,” Swagger said in a telephone interview this week. “He used to coach me and his grandson in wrestling school. Swagger will be part of Wednesday’s WWE “SmackDown” card at Laredo Energy Arena in a special added
attraction match. Bell time is 7:30 p.m. After “SmackDown” completes its television portion, a rugged steel cage will surround the squared circle for a triple threat match pitting Swagger against World Heavyweight Champion Kane (“The Big Red Machine”) and “The Master of the 619,” Rey Mysterio.
Wrestler with a degree Swagger finished college with a degree and looked for employment. Then the WWE called. “The opportunity that WWE offered me outshadowed any other job opportunity going for me,” he said. “I had a college degree, yet everything out on the job market would have been entry level. What WWE could offer me, from seeing the world to a salary … it was an undeniable opportunity. I was pretty excited about it.” His young WWE career highlights include a stint as World Heavyweight Cham-
pion, ECW champion and winner of WWE’s classic “Money in the Bank” contest. Looking toward the future, does Swagger hope to add his name among Oklahoma’s pro wrestling greats? “Jack Swagger is a long way from being mentioned in that crowd … and that’s what I’m working toward,” he said. Others wrestlers scheduled to appear include The Big Show, CM Punk and the Straight Edge Society, Kofi Kingston, Drew McIntyre, WWE divas Michelle McCool and Layla, Cody Rhodes, MVP and Christian. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and at the LEA box office. (Joe Rutland may be reached at 728-2529 or jrutland@lmtonline.com) Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.
“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health”
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by world-reknown DJs. It’s off her fourth studio album, “Rated R,” which also features the hit singles “Russian Roulette” and “Hard.” The album is No. 17 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Rihanna, who was born in Barbados, has also made
headlines recently for her relationships with other artists, such as Chris Brown. Her life has been wellchronicled by the tabloids and magazines. She is going out with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, so she is used to the spotlight.
Ticket info Ticket prices range from $32 to $122, plus charges. The event will be a fullhouse show and will feature a large stage with a catwalk. (Emilio Rábago III may be reached at 728-2564 or erabago@lmtonline.com)
SÁBADO 24 DE JULIO DE 2010
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 24 DE JULIO LAREDO — El torneo de baloncesto Hoop It Up For Hunger, a fin de recaudar fondos para el Banco de Alimentos del Sur de Texas, es hoy en el gimnasio de TAMIU (5201 University Blvd.) con juegos a las 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. y 5 p.m. La entrada es de 3 dólares y gratis para niños menores de 10 años. LAREDO — Hoy es el 2do Torneo de Pesca Anual Fish for Life Extravaganza de 7 a.m. a 12 p.m. en el Lago Casa Blanca. Adultos participan por 25 dólares y los niños gratis. También habrá un concurso de fajitas. 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 — Rihanna se presentan hoy a las 8 p.m. en la Laredo Energy Arena a las 8 p.m. NUEVO LAREDO — Cine Club Infantil presenta “Buscando a Nemo” dirigida por Andrew Stanton y Lee Unkrich en Estación Palabra a las 12 p.m. y 4 p.m. Entrada libre. NUEVO LAREDO — En el marco del Festival Infantil de José Saramago se presenta lectura de cuentos y memorama de personajes, con la participación de la Tía Por Qué y proyección de la película “El Rey León 1” a las 2 p.m. en Estación Palabra. Entrada libre.
Zfrontera SeDeNa localiza camionetas clonadas POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Dos camionetas de carga, pintadas con los colores del Ejército Mexicano, fueron incautadas el 19 de julio por un grupo de soldados en Ciudad Mier. En un comunicado de prensa de la Octava Zona Militar de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SeDeNa) se informó que los narcotraficantes pretendían de esta forma hacerse pasar por personal militar “para causar confusión y encubrir actos ilícitos”. Los vehículos clonados, que portaban logotipos e insignias utilizadas por el Ejército Mexicano, eran camionetas Chevrolet Cheyenne, doble cabina, color verde olivo, rotulada con los números 0815424 y 0815335 en sus costados. Las unidades fueron encontradas sobre una brecha cerca de Ciudad Mier y estaban ocultas bajo ramas próximas a unos árboles, indica el comunicado. “El aseguramiento señalado anterior-
Portaban logotipos e insignias utilizadas por el Ejército Mexicano. mente pone de manifiesto las acciones realizadas por la delincuencia organizada, simulando pertenecer al Ejército Mexicano”, indica el documento. La Octava Zona Militar, a donde fueron llevadas las unidades, continúa con las investigaciones. El ejército ha sido sujeto de numerosas quejas en materia de derechos humanos desde que el presidente Felipe Calderón le encomendó un papel central en la lucha contra los narcotraficantes en el 2006. Las fuerzas castrenses afirman que los grupos del crimen organizado han utilizado uniformes del ejército para desacreditar a los militares. (Con información de la Associated Press)
ALTO NIVEL DE AGUA
DOMINGO 25 DE JULIO LAREDO — Hoy se presenta “The Sound of Music”, una producción de TAMIU y el Laredo Theater Guild International, a las 3 p.m. en el Teatro del Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. Entrada general es de 15 dólares.
PÁGINA 7A
Foto de cortesía | La del Miernes
La imagen muestra momentos de trasvase de agua de la Presa Falcón, con la apertura de las compuertas del lado americano. Ganaderos y agricultores aseguran que lo positivo es la reserva de agua que tendrán para la temporada.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
El Presidente de México Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, a la derecha, y el Gobernador de Tamaulipas Eugenio Hernández Flores, dialogan previo al evento de apoyos a estados afectados por el huracán ‘Alex’, el miércoles en la Residencia Oficial de ‘Los Pinos’.
Buscan fondos adicionales para FONDEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
MÉXICO — El presidente Felipe Calderón pidió el miércoles a la Legislatura aumentar el Fondo de Desastres Naturales (Fonden) para ayudar a los damnificados que dejó el huracán Alex, reparar los daños y a la vez estar listos para cualquier otra emergencia. El mandatario anunció que el Fonden desembolsará 3.000 millones de pesos para los trabajos de reconstrucción en escuelas, puentes y avenidas afectadas en los estados de Tamaulipas, Coahuila y Nuevo León, azotados por Alex a finales de junio e inicios de julio. “Sabemos que el Fondo Nacional de Desastres, el FONDEN, tiene finalmente una aportación presupuestal limitada... y se verá rebasada, tan sólo por las consecuencias del huracán Alex... estamos buscando... proveer de fondos adicionales al FONDEN”, declaró Calderón tras reunirse en su residencia oficial de Los Pinos con los gobernadores de los tres estados mencionados.
Acciones
MIÉRCOLES 28 DE JULIO LAREDO — El Laredo Little Theatre, con el Women’s City Club, presenta “La Cindy del Barrio” una historia de Cenicienta, en el teatro del 4082 Thomas Ave., a las 7 p.m. de hoy. El boleto tiene costo de 5 dólares. LAREDO — WWE regresa al Laredo Energy Arena hoy a las 7 p.m. Los boletos van de 15 dólares a 60 dólares.
JUEVES 29 DE JULIO Hoy es la ceremonia oficial de reconocimiento a Steve LaMantia como la 2010 Laredo BusinessPerson of the Year del Comité de Pequeñas Empresas de la Cámara de Comercio de Laredo. El evento está programado a realizarse en el Laredo Country Club a partir de las 6 p.m. Los boletos individuales tienen costo de 85 dlls.
VIERNES 30 DE JULIO LAREDO — LITE Productions & The Laredo Center for the Arts presentan “Side Man” la obra de Warren Leights ganadora del Tony 1999. “Side Man” es dirigida por Danny Villarreal y se presenta hoy en el Teatro Mezanine del LCA 500 San Agustin a las 8 p.m. LAREDO — Roger Creager estará hoy en el Casablanca Convention Center.
SÁBADO 31 DE JULIO LAREDO — El juego de exhibición “Border Battle II” es hoy y las ganancias se destinarán a WINGS Laredo. Se enfrentan oficiales fuera de servicio de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza, tanto de operaciones como de patrullaje. — Tiempo de Zapata
Tamaulipas recibe donación millonaria ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
CD. VICTORIA, México — La comunidad ha tenido diferentes muestras de apoyo con Tamaulipas, incluyendo donación y envío de toneladas de víveres, agua potable, ropa, medicamentos y otros artículos que han sido utilizados para dar respuesta a las necesidades de miles de familias de esta entidad que resultaron afectadas por el huracán ‘Alex’. El gobernador Eugenio Hernández Flores agradeció la ayuda recibida del mismo estado, otras entidades del país y del extranjero, princialmente de EU. Hernández habló sobre el tema durante la ceremonia donde el Presidente de Banorte y del Grupo Maseca (Gruma), Roberto González Barrera hizo oficial la donación al Gobierno de Tamaulipas de 100 millones de pesos, los cuales serán utilizados también para beneficiar a las familias tamaulipecas que resultaron damnificadas por este huracán. “Estamos ante un hecho histórico, porque es la primera vez que un empresario
ROBERTO GONZÁLEZ: Donó 100 millones de pesos a damnificados de Tamaulipas.
hace un donativo de tal envergadura a Tamaulipas”, dijo Hernández. González había donado hace poco tiempo 10 millones de pesos que se destinaron para la construcción de un nuevo Centro de Tratamiento Contra las Adicciones. El centro será concluido en breve plazo. “Don Roberto ha sido muy generoso y además nos ha dado un voto de confianza, porque nos dijo, oye, yo no te voy a dar estufas, te voy a dar cien millones de pesos, para que de acuerdo a las necesidades que se tengan en Tamaulipas, se apliquen esos recursos”, dijo Hernández. En cuanto al resto de las donaciones, están siguen siendo canalizadas a las familias a través del Sistema DIF, quien es el encargado de decepcionarlos para después entregarlos.
Dijo que se repararán o reubicarán alrededor de 20.000 viviendas, se entregarán enseres domésticos y se invertirá casi 5.000 millones de pesos para reconstruir la infraestructura hidrológica en los tres estados. Según el presidente ya se puso en marcha el Programa de Empleo Temporal Inmediato en beneficio de 16.000 familias y se han entregado ayudas alimenticias por más de 450 millones de pesos en beneficio de 240.000 familias y cerca de 100.000 adultos mayores de escasos recursos. Estas ayudas se suman a las anunciadas la semana pasada por Calderón que incluían apoyos fiscales para personas y empresas afectadas. Alex provocó intensas lluvias que desbordaron ríos e inundaron carreteras. Más de 20 personas murieron desde el paso de Alex por situaciones vinculadas con las lluvias: Al
menos 12 en Nuevo León e igual número en Coahuila, incluidas ocho personas al caer una avioneta en la que funcionarios supervisaban los daños por las inundaciones y cuatro ahogadas por el desbordamiento de un arroyo.
Tamaulipas El gobernador Eugenio Hernández dijo que Alex impactó 32 de los 43 municipios del Estado. Sentenció que después de la tormenta no vino la calma, pues el meteoro, provocó crecientes avenidas de agua que provocaron el desbordamiento de ríos, arroyos y drenes que han causado grandes destrozos e inundaciones, provocando el cierre de importantes caminos y carreteras de la zona fronteriza, principalmente. “El impacto en la vida social y económica de los tamaulipecos es evidente, tenemos más de 6 mil viviendas afectadas, 202 escuelas dañadas, 500 empresas perjudicadas, 134 mil hectáreas de cultivos siniestradas, 28 obras de infraestructura vial y carretera afectadas, entre puentes, vados y caminos”, dijo Hernández.
Millones El paquete anunciado por Calderón contempla también para Tamaulipas el fortalecimiento del Programa de Empleo Temporal por un monto superior a los 49 millones de pesos; la elaboración de un censo para evaluar los daños a las viviendas; la reposición de enseres domésticos en beneficio de 2 mil 850 familias tamaulipecas afectadas y el pago adelantado de los recursos del Programa Oportunidades. De igual forma, contempla además la rehabilitación del cauce del río San Antonio y el reforzamiento del bordo de protección en el municipio de Hidalgo mediante una inversión superior a los 86 millones de pesos, así como apoyos en materia de agricultura y . (Con información del Gobierno de Tamaulipas)
Área de salud realiza recomendaciones ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
CD. VICTORIA, México — La Secretaría de Salud, recomienda a los habitantes de los municipios y zonas que sufrieron alguna afectación por la presencia del huracán y las inundaciones, que extremen las medidas preventivas para evitar enfermedades. El Secretario de Salud Juan Guillermo Mansur Arzola dijo que las diarreas y la conjuntivitis son las más comunes que se llegan a presentar con este tipo de contingencias. “Es de suma importancia consumir agua preferentemente de garrafón o en su defecto, hervirla o clorarla, preparar higiénicamente los alimentos y evitar consumir alimentos perecederos, así como conservarlos adecuadamente y no exponerlos a la temperatura ambiente por tiempos prolongados”, dijo Mansur en un comunicado de prensa.
“
Es de suma importancia que se extremen las medidas higiénicas”. SECRETARIO DE SALUD JUAN GUILLERMO MANSUR ARZOLA
Explicó que la diarrea se adquiere al comer o beber alimentos que tienen microbios y el cólera es una infección producida por una bacteria que ocasiona la diarrea y una deshidratación grave.”Es de suma importancia que se extremen las medidas higiénicas, consumir agua limpia, de preferencia hervida o desinfectada
con dos gotas de cloro por cada litro, no consumir alimentos de dudosa procedencia o en mal estado y mantener la basura bien tapada”, reiteró Mansur. Los trabajos de saneamiento básico continúan debido a que el contacto con secreciones provoca padecimientos como la conjuntivitis y de las vías respiratorias. Otro de los padecimientos que se busca prevenir es el dengue, para lo cual se continúa fumigando y abatizando. Entre los síntomas del dengue destaca la aparición brusca de temperatura, dolor de cabeza, dolor en los ojos que se incrementa con los movimientos oculares, dolores musculares y articulares, pérdida del apetito, presencia de ronchas en el cuerpo, nauseas y vomito. “Como en todo malestar, es importante acudir inmediatamente al médico y evitar automedicarse”, concluyó Mansur.
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
Tropical Storm Bonnie moving toward oil spill By JUAN MCCARTNEY ASSOCIATED PRESS
NASSAU, Bahamas — Tropical Storm Bonnie steamed through the central Bahamas and was approaching the Florida Keys on Friday along a course that is expected to cross over the site of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Rain and lightning raked the low-lying Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas on Thursday, and forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said the storm could reach the Gulf of Mexico by today. Early Friday, Bonnie had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, and was centered about 155 miles southeast of Miami. The center of Bonnie was expected to pass near or over the Florida Keys later Friday and part of the southern Florida peninsula. U.S. forecasters said slow strengthening of the storm was possible during the next 48 hours. Capt. Stephen Russell, director of the Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency, said there were no reports of major damage, flooding or injuries on islands in the southeastern and central Bahamas already passed by the storm. The storm wasn’t yet clear of the most heavily populated islands,
including New Providence and Grand Bahama. “We are advising everyone to remain vigilant throughout the night and early morning when the storm exits the Bahamas,” Russell said. A broken oil well has spewed somewhere between 94 million and 184 million gallons into the Gulf before a cap could be attached. The crisis — the biggest offshore oil spill in U.S. history — unfolded after the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon rig exploded April 20, killing 11 workers. Some experts worry the hurricane season could worsen environmental damage from the spill, with powerful winds and waves pushing oil deeper into estuaries and wetlands. As the storm advanced Thursday, people stocked up on water and food in the southern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, island chains that are well-accustomed to rough weather. Many businesses remained
open, but schools were closed for the summer. Donna Musgrove, a businesswoman in Providenciales, said some streets were flooded. “It’s raining from one end of the island to the other,” she said. “The skies are completely dark.” The storm did not pose a threat to tourist resorts in the islands. Tourist Ezra Uzzel, 45, of North Carolina, said he would not cut short his two-week vacation in the Turks and Caicos. “This is our third day, and if the reports are right, by the weekend we should have good weather again,” he said. Residents in the southeastern Bahamas endured heavy rains and lightning, but no damages or injuries had been reported. Officials with the Emergency Operations Center said they would travel to the area with basic supplies as soon as the weather improved.
TRUCK Continued from Page 1A sides just like real Army vehicles. Soldiers spotted the trucks on the side of the road on July 19, hidden under piles of brush next to a wooded area outside Ciudad Mier, the news release stated. “(The seizure) makes it clear that organized crime is pretending to be part of the Mexican Army,” the re-
lease stated. Members of the 8th Military Zone are continuing the investigation. The Army has been the subject of numerous complaints alleging violations of human rights since President Felipe Calderón gave the troops the central role in fighting drug traffickers in 2006. While saying that they
are committed to fully investigating such complaints and taking action if it is determined that troops are in the wrong, military officials also have pointed out that drug traffickers are using stolen uniforms and fake military equipment in attempts to discredit the Army. (Associated Press contributed to this report)
Photo by Ross D. Franklin | AP
Dozens march to protest the SB1070 Arizona immigration law in front of the U.S. District Courthouse, in Phoenix. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton is holding multiple hearings on whether the new Arizona immigration law should take effect on Thursday.
Judge hears appeals By JACQUES BILLEAUD AND PAUL DAVENPORT ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX — The judge who will decide whether Arizona’s new immigration law is constitutional hasn’t indicated whether she’ll put the statute on hold before it takes effect next week and had some pointed questions Thursday for challengers at two court hearings. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton also went beyond dry legal analysis to point out some of the everyday realities of illegal immigration and how that applies to the new law. Without prodding from attorneys, the judge noted that the federal government erected signs in a wilderness area south of Phoenix that warn visitors about immigrant and drug smugglers passing through public lands. She said the stash houses where smugglers hide immigrants from Mexico before bringing them into the country’s interior have become a fixture on the news in Arizona. “You can barely go a day without a location be-
ing found in Phoenix where there are numerous people being harbored,” said Bolton, who didn’t issue a ruling after the two hearings. Bolton has been asked to block the law from taking effect as she hears seven lawsuits by the U.S. Department of Justice, civil rights groups and others that question the constitutionality of the measure, which has reignited immigration debate. Opponents say the law will lead to racial profiling and trample on the rights of the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants in Arizona. Supporters say the law is a necessary response to combat the litany of problems brought on by illegal immigration and the federal government’s inability to secure the border. Bolton, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, repeatedly questioned Justice Department attorney Edwin Kneedler to explain how specific provisions of the law intruded on federal authority as he had argued. “Why can’t Arizona be as inhospitable as they
wish to people who have entered the United States illegally?” she asked. Kneedler said the law’s requirements that law enforcement check on people’s immigration status set a mandatory policy that goes beyond what the federal government requires and would burden the federal agency that responds to immigration-status inquiries. Attorney John Bouma, who is defending the law on behalf of Gov. Jan Brewer, said the federal government wants to keep its authority while turning a blind eye to illegal immigrants. “You can’t catch them if you don’t know about them. They don’t want to know about them,” he said. Outside of court, seven opponents of the law were arrested after they sat in the middle of a busy thoroughfare and unfurled a massive banner that said “We will not comply.” Some drivers honked their horns as they passed by, before police shut down the street. Some supporters waved signs and clutched American flags.
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
BIRDS Continued from Page 1A anyone’s interested,” Vela said. With upwards of $2.2 million invested, the county has already spent more than $1.8 million on park land improvements. Already boasting a softball field and swimming pool, the county stands to reap additional benefits should the bird sanctuary attract the anticipated tourism. The area, already popular with bird watchers, encompasses a varied bird life consisting of common and tropical species. Nancy Umphres, Texas Parks and Wildlife’s wildlife rehabilitator for Zapata County said, “people come all over the world to see the Green Jay and the White-Collared Seedeater.” Other popular species include the Flycatcher, White Crowned Pigeon, White Faced Ibis, White and Green Herons and Ospreys. “It would bring incredible tourism,” Umphres said. According to Umphres, Zapata County attempted to lure birders a few years back, but to no avail. “It would be different if they had a nice place to go,” Umphres continued, adding, that bird aficionados, particularly those interested in spotting the White-Collared Seedeater, now watch near the Olga V. Figueroa Zapata County Public Library. (Stephanie M. Ibarra may be reached at (956) 728-2567 or sibarra@lmtonline.com)
LAREDO MORNING TIMES 9A
ARCHERY Continued from Page 1A pated, more than double last year’s numbers.” Following 4-H rules, the archery shoot added points for hitting the target at a clean kill spot, but subtracted points if the target was hit in a place where the animal would only be wounded. “It promotes responsible hunting,” Eaton said. Eaton thanked Gil Gamez of El Tepozan for volunteering his property and time for the shoot. 4-H is perhaps best known in this area for the traditional livestock raising programs as well as helping kids with hands-on learning about food and nutrition, science, engineering and technology. Shooting sports is another dimension of the 4-H program. “This is not only a chance for current 4-Hers to branch out into another project, it’s also an opportunity for local youth who are not part of the 4-H program to join,” he said. “The one thing crucial to starting this program is having a strong group of devoted adult volun-
“
There is no better time to start a 4-H shooting sports program...” CALEB EATON, ZAPATA COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT
teers.” A meeting to discuss the possibility of a shooting sports program is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 10, and a 4-H adult volunteer training is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 14, at the County Extension office from 1 to 4 p.m. “Safety is a must for 4-H shooting sports and can only be obtained through adult supervision,” Eaton said. For more information, contact Eaton at 765-9967 or via email at Zapata@ag.tamu.edu. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2557.)
HILARIO HERRERA Hilario Herrera, 86, passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2010. Mr. Herrera is preceded in death by his wife, Maria Inez Herrera; daughter, Susana Herrera; and a grandson, David Alonzo Herrera. Mr. Herrera is survived by his sons, Hilario Jr. (Nora) Herrera from Houston, Texas, Roberto (Elma) Herrera from San Ygnacio, Texas, and Samuel Herrera from San Ygnacio, Texas; daughters, Blanca (Pedro) Zepeda from Banquette, Texas, Sylvia (Rolando) Gonzalez from San Ygnacio, Texas, and San Juanita (Humberto) Bustamante from Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Susana Herrera, Daniel Herrera, Cruz (Janet) Zepeda, Rina (Chris) Rodriguez, Karina (A.J.) Angeles, Lorina (Joaquin) De Leon, Roberto C. (Maritza) Herrera, Melissa Herrera, Rolando Gonzalez Jr., Lee Roy (Cristina) Gonzalez, Ruby Lee Gonzalez, Samuel Herrera Jr., Raymond Herrera, Felix (Hope) Bustamante and Michelle Bustamante; 14 great-grandchildren; and by numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and many friends. Visitation hours were held on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7
p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed on Thursday, July 22, 2010, at 9:15 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in San Ygnacio, Texas. Committal services followed at Panteon Del Pueblo. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 U.S. 83 Zapata, Texas.
FALCON Continued from Page 1A cern is to prevent people from getting close to power lines at the Lopeño Bridge. “We have to be cautious, that is our main priority,” Gonzalez said. Also a preliminary damage assessment conducted by the emergency management team of specialists for the individual assistance program has been completed for the Zapata and Webb County areas, Gina Cortez, FEMA public information officer and spokesperson said.
“The preliminary damage assessment is part of a process that might lead to a presidential disaster declaration for the counties affected by a storm, in this case ‘Alex,’” she said. “It is very early to determine a presidential disaster.” The emergency management team is comprised of FEMA personnel, the Small Business Administration and state and local officials, she added. “We were in Zapata and Webb County and we’ve
wrapped up there,” Cortez said. “We are still conducting preliminary damage assessments in other counties.” Cortez said once all the assessments have been completed they are compiled into a single report for the entire state, and will be turned into Gov. Rick Perry. He will certify if damages have exceeded state and local resources. Since officials have the lake closed to the public,
businesses and tourism will continue to be affected because people are not shopping at tackle shops or staying at hotels, Jose F. “Paco” Mendoza Jr., Chamber of Commerce president/chief executive officer said. “There’s not any business,” James Bendele, part owner of Falcon Lake Tackle said. “It’s very slow, very slow.” Bendele said the lake being closed has slowed down business and fishing for more than 10 days now, but
fishermen from San Antonio and the Valley are still inquiring about the lake and when it is expected to reopen. “The phone is ringing off the hook,” he said. The closed lake has fishermen looking for alternatives, he added. “People are still fishing and the Burro Arroyo near San Ygnacio is the only place available to launch,” Bendele said. (Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors MLB
Cooling down Cards offense disappears against Cubs ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO — Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer and Randy Wells pitched seven shutout innings to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. Tyler Colvin and Geovany Soto added solo shots for the Cubs, who trail first-place St. Louis by 10 games in the NL Central.
The Cardinals failed to get a run for the second straight day after outscoring opponents 46-17 during an eight-game winning streak. Albert Pujols was hitless in eight atbats in the two losses, both coming in uncomfortably hot, humid conditions. Wells (5-7) allowed five hits — one single in each of the second through sixth innings — and struck out seven. It was
the polar opposite of his performance against the Cardinals on May 28, when he gave up hits to the first six batters and left trailing 5-0. Wells, who has a 1.30 ERA in his past five starts after compiling a 5.21 mark in his first 15 outings, has allowed no runs in his past two games. The biggest threat came in the sixth, when Jon Jay singled, went to second on Pujols’ grounder and ad-
vanced on Wells’ errant pickoff attempt. Wells then struck out Matt Holliday and got Colby Rasmus to pop out. Sean Marshall wrapped up Chicago’s first shutout since June 13 with two hitless innings. Jeff Suppan (0-6) allowed five runs and 10 hits in six innings. He fell to 0-4 since rejoining the Cardinals last month after
Photo by Nam Y. Huh | AP
Chicago Cubs’ Alfonso Soriano, right, celebrates with Geovany Soto after hitting a two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday in Chicago.
See CARDINALS PAGE 2B
TOUR DE FRANCE
PREP FOOTBALL
SAME OLD STORY
Skills camp set to start By CLARA SANDOVAL LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Some Hollywood star power was there to greet him. Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise, on hand to promote their latest film in France, joined Contador on the podium to receive
Young football athletes can get a hand up on the competition as the 2nd “Annual Hawk Pride Football Skills Camp” is set to take place on Tuesday July 27 and run through Wednesday July 28. All campers are encouraged to meet at Hawk stadium at 8:45 a.m. for registration and instructions on the camp. The camp will run from 9 a.m. -12 p.m. and the cost is only $20. If there are two siblings a $10 charge will apply only to the second child. Second graders through incoming freshmen are highly encouraged to attend the camp. Incoming freshmen will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the coaching staff and get a jumpstart on the competition with their newly acquired football skills. They will also get the opportunity to tour the high school facilities and learn about the Hawk pride that runs through the football program. All campers must wear the proper attire for the
See TOUR PAGE 2B
See HAWKS PAGE 2B
Photo by Christohe Ena | AP
Alberto Contador of Spain, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, gestures on the podium after the 18th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Salies-de-Bearn and finish in Bordeaux, south western France, Friday.
Contador closes in on his title; Cavendish wins stage By NAOMI KOPPEL ASSOCIATED PRESS
BORDEAUX, France — Even without his most important teammate, Mark Cavendish showed yet again that few can touch him when it comes to
sprinting. The British rider captured the 18th stage of the Tour de France on Friday while Alberto Contador of Spain drew closer to victory. The defending champion leads Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck by eight sec-
event. He surged to the front in the final couple of hundred yards. He gave himself such a lead that he was able to look behind him a couple of times and then cross the line with his fist in the air.
onds entering Saturday’s decisive time trial, a day before the three-week race ends in Paris. Cavendish won a stage for the fourth time in this Tour and the 14th time in just three years of competing in cycling’s premier
NFL Randy Moss #81 the New England Patriots gains yardage against Elvis Dumervil #92 of the Denver Broncos at Gillette Stadium on October 20, 2008 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Dumervil quietly collects millions By ARNIE STAPLETON ASSOCIATED PRESS
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Elvis Dumervil’s route to riches was somewhat unconventional by today’s NFL standards for superstars. He didn’t posture, wasn’t petulant or pouty. He didn’t rip his coaches or the front office, hold out of minicamps or ask for a trade. Coming off an NFL-leading and team-record 17
sacks last season, Dumervil signed his restricted free agent tender and continued working out with the Denver Broncos during the offseason while his agent and general manager exchanged figures. Dumervil hit pay dirt with a $61.5 million extension through 2015 that includes $43.168 million in guarantees, a record for a player at his pass-rushing position.
His agent and his coach both suggested Dumervil’s payday wasn’t just about his pass-rushing prowess but also came about because of his patience and professionalism. Dumervil said he was raised with a strong work ethic and he praised the advice he got from family members and his agent. “And so at the end of the
See BRONCOS PAGE 2B
Photo by Jim Rogash | AP
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
Najar weighs options
TOUR Continued from Page 1B
By JOSEPH WHITE
football camp that includes t-shirts, shorts and cleats if possible. Head football coach and athletic director, Mario Arce will be conducting the camp along with all his coaching staff. Arce and his staff will stress the basic football skills, kicking, punting, passing throwing and many more skills related to football. Everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy a little football before the official season kicks off next month. For more information please feel free to call Coach Arce at (956) 2850256 (Clara Sandoval can be reached at csandovalzapatatimes@gmail.com)
his yellow jersey. Cruise raised the Spaniard’s hand and patted him on the back. Cavendish won without his usual leadout man and roommate. Mark Renshaw was expelled from the race after the 11th stage for head-butting an opponent, and Cavendish dedicated his latest victory to Renshaw. He says the Australian rider made life easy, bringing him to the front. “I’ve missed Mark,” Cavendish said. “I missed him in the Pyrenees, I missed somebody suffering more than me. I missed somebody to laugh about, about how hard it is.” Second place went to Julian Dean of New Zealand and third to Alessandro Petacchi of Italy. Petacchi took the green jersey given to the leading sprinter from Thor Hushovd of Norway. Hushovd acknowledged that his fight to retain the sprint title he won last year was over. “It’s a big disappointment, but I realized step by step during the sprints that I’m suffering,” said Hushovd, speaking after ducking into his team bus to take off the green jersey he had been wearing. “I don’t have the same level as Cavendish and Petacchi, and today was just another sprint that didn’t work out.” Although Contador hold what appears a slender lead, he is expected to easily outpace Schleck in the 32-mile time trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac. Last year, he won the time trial held late in the Tour and took 1 minute, 45 seconds off Schleck. Contador, as the leader, also has the advantage of riding last, allowing him to know how all his rivals have done. Saturday is the last stage in which the positions at the top can change. Sunday’s final stage into Paris is traditionally a sprinters’ stage and a daylong victory procession for the overall winner. Still, Contador insists his victory is not certain until the time trial is over. “This is a hard stage that comes after 20 days in the Tour, and this isn’t a race for specialists. I think tomorrow I will really have to fight a lot to win the stage and to defeat (Schleck).” Schleck, for his part, has not given up hope. “I feel good. I have nothing to lose,” he said. “He’s better but I’m not bad, too. We’re going to see a battle tomorrow.” In the race for third place, Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez of Spain holds a 21-second lead over Denis Menchov of Russia, the winner of the 2009 Giro d’Italia. Among those hoping to win Saturday is world time-trial champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, Schleck’s teammate at Saxo Bank. Cancellara took the race’s prologue time trial and held the yellow jersey for six days early in the race.
sion. Although the total value of Dumervil’s deal isn’t as high as other top pass-rushers, his $43.168 million in guaranteed money surpasses that of Chicago’s Julius Peppers ($42 million), Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware ($40 million), Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs ($38 million) and Minnesota’s Jared Allen ($31 million). The Broncos could have put off a deal with Dumervil because the league might shut down in 2011 without a new labor accord, and they could have slapped the franchise tag on him after that, effectively keeping him away from unfettered free agency. Instead, they rewarded him with the biggest deal
since Champ Bailey’s sixyear, $63 million contract in 2005. Dumervil realizes his sack total could go down this season even as his value rises because he’ll see plenty of double-teams and offenses scheming away from him. That makes it imperative for the Broncos to develop another pass-rusher such as outside linebacker Robert Ayers. “If my sack total goes down and other guys make plays — that’s what it’s all about,” Dumervil said. “It’s not really about the numbers all the time, it’s about how effective I can be in trying to free up someone else. As far as that guy, I don’t know. We’ll have to see when the time happens.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — In the nation’s capital, he’s a shy 17-year-old who misses hanging out with friends at high school. In Central America, he’s fast becoming the subject of an angstridden potential tug of war between Honduras and the United States. Andy Najar is D.C. United’s latest teen sensation, the lone bright spot on the worst team in MLS. The rookie midfielder who came up through the club’s youth academy leads United with three goals in league play and has earned the catchy nickname “Pequeno Guerrero” — or “Little Warrior” — from coach Kurt Onalfo. “The thing that was really revealing to me was with each minute he played in preseason, he got stronger and stronger,” Onalfo said. “I remember turning to my assistant coach and saying, ’This kid is special.’ Honestly I felt he could contribute later in the season, so it’s happened quicker than I imagined.” United has a checkered history with young sensations, from Bobby Convey to Santino Quaranta to Freddy Adu. All have persevered through various ups and downs, but none have turned out to be the next great name leading U.S. soccer to victories at the World Cup. Could Najar be a candidate? Well, there’s a catch. He was born in Honduras but has a green card in the U.S. and will eventually be eligible for citizenship. It’ll be his choice whose colors he wears on the international level. Hence the concern back in Tegucigalpa. The Hondurans don’t want to lose Najar to the Americans. “The Gringos are near to taking away our treasure,” splashed a recent headline under Najar’s photo in the newspaper Diez. Several Honduran reporters are expected for Saturday’s exhibition game
Photo by Francois Mori | AP
In this Saturday, June 19, file photo France soccer players listen to their coach Raymond Domenech. On Friday the new coach Laurent Blanc has taken the decision to suspend the entire 23man squad which took part in this summer’s failed World Cup campaign for next month’s friendly against Norway.
French team gets benched By JEROME PUGMIRE Photo by Luis Alvarez | AP
In this June 2, 2010, file photo, DC United’s Andy Najar celebrates after scoring a goal during overtime in a U.S. Open Cup soccer game against Real Salt Lake, in Washington. He’s causing lots of consternation in Honduras, a nation anxious to know if he’ll be representing the United States or his native country. between United and English club Portsmouth, all no doubt interested in pinning Najar on his preferred national team choice. It’s a fuss Najar could do without. The last few months have already been a whirlwind. It’s a challenge enough just to adjust to life in MLS, where veterans like to joke around with him by hiding his belongings. “It’s my first year. I’m young,” he said Friday through a translator. “I’m not ready to make that decision.” Besides, there’s no need to rush. Eleven MLS starts is not nearly a large enough sample size to determine whether he is national team material for either country, even at the youth level. The World Cup just ended, so there’s a lull before the next cycle of international competitions. Najar came to the area four years ago to join his parents, who were seeking a better life in the U.S. His father is a painter, and Najar was a student at Edison
High School in Alexandria, Va., before his rapid rise with United. He understands English but prefers to conduct interviews in Spanish and will work with a tutor to complete the work for his high school diploma, a requirement stipulated in his contract with United. “I miss my classmates a lot,” he said. Most of his answers are short and humble. He speaks of how anything is possible through hard work, and that his dream is to play for a European club. “My message to him is to worry about D.C. United,” Onalfo said. “If you talk to Andy, he’s a very grounded guy, doesn’t say much. He’s not thinking too much about anything else.” Onalfo delivers the same message to Najar when the Honduras-U.S. debate comes up. “Let those other things work themselves out, if they are potential opportunities,” Onalfo said. “Right now, it’s just talk.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PARIS — France coach Laurent Blanc will drop all 23 World Cup players for his first match next month as collective punishment for the team’s embarrassing fiasco in South Africa. The French federation said Friday in a statement it had granted Blanc permission to suspend the players at the coach’s request. France was eliminated in the group stage at the World Cup, failing to win a game. The players also refused to train as a protest after Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home following an expletive-laced tirade at thencoach Raymond Domenech. Blanc refused to speak to reporters when he left the federation’s headquarters Friday. France plays a friendly against Norway on Aug. 11 in Oslo, and Blanc is set to announce his squad Aug. 5. France’s disappointing performance in South Africa came after the team failed to win a game at the 2008 European Championship, also under Domenech. The French team en-
CARDINALS Continued from Page 1B Milwaukee released him. St. Louis is 39-22 in games started by Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and Jaime Garcia but 15-21 otherwise. Not only did Suppan’s teammates fail to score, they also made defensive mistakes leading to three Chicago runs. The Cubs already led 2-0 in the fifth when St. Louis second baseman Skip Schumaker botched a double play relay. Soriano then lined a homer into the left-field bleachers. In the sixth, nobody caught Starlin Castro’s infield pop, which fell for an RBI single. Colvin opened the game with his first career leadoff homer. He is the first left-handed-hitting Cubs rookie with 14 home
dured days of chaos at the World Cup after L’Equipe newspaper published a rant by Anelka aimed toward Domenech at halftime of a 2-0 loss against Mexico, prompting the French federation to send him home. The next day, the entire squad refused to train in protest and captain Patrice Evra had a lively altercation with the team’s fitness coach that was captured on TV. The events caused an outcry in France, with politicians harshly criticizing the players’ attitude, legislators in parliament questioning the coach and even President Nicolas Sarkozy weighing in on the mess. Earlier Friday, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris criticized the squad for being “totally stupid” for going on strike and said he is desperate to “restore the image” that was so badly damaged in South Africa. “Going on strike was the decision of a group that felt isolated, that felt no one had protected it, and that wanted to get a message across,” Lloris said in an interview with L’Equipe. “We went way too far. It was a clumsy decision, a big mistake. It was totally stupid.”
HAWKS Continued from Page 1B
The biggest threat came in the sixth, when Jon Jay singled, went to second on Pujols’ grounder and advanced on Wells’ errant pickoff attempt. Wells then struck out Matt Holliday and got Colby Rasmus to pop out. runs since Rafael Palmeiro in 1987. Soto hit his 14th on the first pitch of the fourth inning and has homered in three straight games. He went deep only 11 times last season after hitting 23 as the 2008 NL rookie of the year. Notes: Cubs RHP Carlos Zambrano, suspended by the team after a June 25 altercation with teammates, could return by late next week after a few more minor league condi-
tioning appearances. At that time, manager Lou Piniella said, Zambrano is expected to apologize. ... RHP P.J. Walters pitched two perfect innings for the Cardinals after being called up from Triple-A Memphis. ... Piniella, who will retire at season’s end, didn’t have a prototypical leadoff man during his four seasons in Chicago. “That’s something that has to be addressed,” he said, with GM Jim Hen-
dry standing close by. ... Both Piniella and childhood buddy Tony La Russa had brief apprenticeships before becoming big league managers and both said Ryne Sandberg’s lack of experience shouldn’t work against him as Hendry searches for Piniella’s replacement. “It just depends on who believes in you,” La Russa said. Added Piniella: “Either you can manage or you can’t.”
BRONCOS Continued from Page 1B day, I knew my value and there was no need to go out and pout or go out, you know, the way other guys may have handled things because I know that character is No. 1 for me and I knew if I could bring the stats along with that it gave me a good chance,” Dumervil said. Coach Josh McDaniels, who has shipped Pro Bowlers Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall out of town — where they got big extensions from their new teams — said the humble, hardworking Dumervil is the kind of player a team can be built around. “The way he has handled this lengthy negotiation this offseason is a great example of the type of player and
person we want on our team,” McDaniels said. Dumervil’s agent, Gary Wichard, lauded both his client’s quiet approach to an extension and also the Broncos for coming up big at a time when uncertainty surrounds the league’s labor accord, which is set to expire after the upcoming season. “I give all the credit to Elvis for conducting himself with class throughout the whole process this off season,” Wichard told The Associated Press in an e-mail Friday. “Also, Brian Xanders did a great job of getting this done through some tough circumstances and signing a ’Josh McDaniels guy.”’ Dumervil’s approach
stood in stark contrast to that of Marshall, a member of the same draft class who was a similar bargain for the Broncos for several seasons as a fourth-round steal in 2006. Marshall’s petulance consumed the team at times last season. He was suspended during training camp and again for the season finale for insubordination. The Broncos traded him to Miami just before the draft, and the Dolphins gave him a contract extension through 2014 that could be worth $50 million. One of McDaniels’ first orders of business as coach in Denver was to grant Cutler’s trade request and send his recalcitrant quarterback to the Bears, who gave him
a two-year, $30 million extension last season. About the only time Dumervil talked money publicly last season was when he mentioned in passing to an AP reporter that pass-rushers “get paid” because of their value to a team’s defense. So stunning was his comment that teammates who overheard it immediately gave him grief, albeit good-naturedly. Dumervil thrived last season in the Broncos’ new defensive alignment that turned him from a classic 4-3 defensive end in a three-point stance into a stand-up outside linebacker in the 3-4. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and was named AllPro, burnishing his credentials for a contract exten-
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE FINDING A VETERINARIAN was very helpful. When moving from the Northeast to San Antonio recently, I found myself in this very position. Here are some additional suggestions that may help folks whose pets are integral members of their families: Schedule an appointment with the doctor, without your pet, to conduct an in-person interview. Not only will you learn about the doctor’s approach to medicine, but you’ll also be able to assess if his or her personality is one with which your pet will be comfortable. Is the vet available for an occasional or emergency house-call visit? Can you be with your pet as it emerges from anesthesia following surgery? Does the office have after-hours contact numbers for emergencies? After interviewing a number of veterinarians, I’m happy to say that I found an excellent match, and my pets are in good hands. -- Judy, via e-mail HAMSTER HINTS
“
HELOISE
Dear Readers: Hamsters can be a fun addition to the family, but they also can be a lot of responsibility. Things to know: A cage, metal exercise wheel (they could chew through a plastic one), food dish and water dispenser all are necessary, and don’t forget an exercise ball! Remember to clean the cage often, supply hamster food and fresh water daily, and keep the cage out of the kids’ rooms, because hamsters are nocturnal and can be noisy at night. If a hamster does escape, fashion a sort of "trap" for it. Use a small bucket, a yardstick as a ramp, and some carrots or cheese in the bucket. He’ll run up the ramp to get the food and land safely in the bucket. Also, it’s important to know that hamsters have a very short life span. -- Heloise
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CABRITOS, Live/Vivos, Chivos/Chivas $50 & up 948-5218
Billiard Tables, parts, service $25 & up 744-1575,
Longhorn Cattle for Sale. $300 & up Call 956-285-2222 Reg. & Com. Red Brangus Bulls. 2yrs. & up Starting at $1500 & up 763-1116 & 763-7832 Trained Roping paint horse, $2,000 call 401-3070
MISCELLANEOUS
bimbo1951@yahoo.com Boys sizes 7 kahaki pants 15 for $60 plz call: 235-2708
Dining room french table only, $550 OBO Call 568-1389 Indoor outdoor kids go-gart buisness for sale $15,000 call for more details (956)242-2249
King size Mattress sets, Starting $165 Call 645-2006 leather sofa 2 dinning tables twin bedroom sets and a t,v plz call 726-9028
GARAGE SALES
134
Female Rottweiler adult 6mths. $100 call: 775-2081
Garage Sale Sat.24 & Sun.25 8a-1p 2102 Fremont (rear) clothing, toys and misc.
male shih-tzu 8wk, very small first shots $275 ph: 251-0652
Sat Only! 2604 Snead Ct. (Plantation) 7a-11p Clothing, furn. & misc.
Liviging room set Love seat, sofa, brown, $640 OBO, 956-729-1706 Men’s Rolex,05’GMT master2, Excellent condition $3,500 Call 326-5187 MOTOR CARBURADOR 318 Dodge,motor nuevecito, solomente 4,500 millas originales 724-8693; 334-3476
DENNIS THE MENACE
ARTICLES FOR SALE 136
TRANSPORTATION
NEW ATTELL speakers for computer, 3 w/subwoofer, MP3 $19 call: 401-7410
PicnicTables ($125,6 person) ($100, 4 person) heavy-duty 722-1731; 703 Garfield RCA HomeTheater,1000 watts AM/FM, surround sound $100 401-7410 RIHANNATICKETS1ST FIVE ROWS, START@$150/TIX CALL NOW 744-1100 Sofa set includes sofa with 2 love seats & ottoman for sale. good cond. call 795-4050 between 3p-8p $300
Truflex home gym & tredmill like new $350 call: 763-2594; 645-4910 Vendo campana para restaurant Ansul Vent System plz call :235-9601 Vendo ventanas, puertas, gabinetes con granito usados. Baratos 775-4138 Washer and Dryer $250 723-6633 3412 N. Buenavista
White refrigerator Whirpool, Kenmore washer & dryer $250ea OBO call 763-2594
MUSICAL MENTS
INSTRU 138
Complete SP drumset hardly used color red $400 OBO call 771-0570
HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192 2 New BFgoodridge tires, 37x12.50x18, $450, Call 326-5187 Montacargas 88’,Clark,3,000lbs, $2,300, perfectas condiciones, llamar 235-4643
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194 4 Bridgestone dueler A/T tires, 1K miles, 255/70/18, $450 OBO Call: 286-655858 07’ Ford Ranger Automatic Transmission $275 3.0L; 01’ Ford Taurus3.0Lengine and transmission $475 # 337-3648 Selling Jeep Wranger 15” Factory rims with 30x9.50 tires plz call 334-5657 Toyota Tundra Bridgestone tires, complete set of 4 with rims, almost new, P255/70R18, $550 Call 206-0180 or 791-9759
MOTORCYCLES
196
196
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198
2007 Suzuki, 4 wheeler, 4x4, 400CC, like new, $4500 call:763-2594; 645-4910
01’ GMC Sanoma es estandar color azul 4 cilindros 401-2955 $2,900 Ford 94’, Econoline Van, T.V., $1,100 OBO Call 727-0172 Ford F150, 1991, 6cyl, 129k miles, $1,200 call 956-744-3777
MOTORCYCLES
2007 Yamaha Big Bear 250 fourwheeler, Brand New!! $2,700 call 763-9281 ‘07 Kawasaki Ninja ZZR600 black, 4K mi, 3 year wty, race exhaust alarm $5,450OBO call: 220-5388 kawasaki 360 4x4 2007,white $5,300 OBO, call (956) 236-6143
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 00”Ford exlporer limited 4x4 pearl white, leather sunroof,all power,blue title $4,750 OBO 220-5388
‘05 F-150 STX. Sportside, 4drs., auto., V-8, $8,950 Call 645-3757 1998 Ford Ranger, single cab standard,AC,98k, clean title $3,100.00 O.B.O 206-5482
1996 Harley Softail classic burg a n d y , chromed, garaged 49K, $8300 OBO Hebbron 361-935-7840
Ford F-450 ‘01, Diesel $11,500 Call 237-2425
Ford P-up 2001,cabina 1/2, 6 cyl., auto, limpia $5600 call: 774-7003 Ford Windstar ‘01 double a/c, stereo, good cond., $2,950 OBO call 251-5958 Pontiac 00’Montana van,1 owner,excellent condition, $3,800 OBO Call 337-1076
CARS FOR SALE
200
2005 MagnumV85.7,GPS,sunroof, leather seats,22”rims $8,900 OBO Call: 210-331-4492 2007 Mercedes Benz in excellent cond., low mileage, $25,000 OBO Call: 722-0117 2010 Camaro 2LT/RS,Fully Loaded 1/K miles, Arctic Silver, 725-0162 06’suzuki reno hatchback 29,000m has new tires new battery $4,500 OBO 489-2414
‘95 Camaro T-tops, sound system, 20” rims, $3,800 OBO Call: 775-6915 Toyota Scion ‘06, 50Kmil., auto., good cond. $5800 O B O Call 210-331-4492
Sports
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
Speeding up baseball at NCAA level By ERIC OLSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
OMAHA, Neb. — Play ball! And hurry up! The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee has unanimously approved two new rules intended to speed up the game. The eight-member committee, which met this week in Indianapolis, set a 20-second limit between pitches when no runners are on base and a 90-second limit between innings during non-televised games. Barring major objections from coaches and administrators, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel will adopt the changes next month, said Ty Halpin, the NCAA associate director for playing rules administration. Anything that helps accelerate games is welcome, said Ray Tanner, the coach at national champion South Carolina. “I’m very much a traditionalist. However, the game needs to speed up,” Tanner said Friday. “Most coaches would agree with that. We may not always agree on the way it should happen, but we all agree that the games sometimes get a little too long. This is a step in the right direction.” Halpin said the between-innings time limit would be flexible. One of the base umpires would be in charge of monitoring the pitch and between-innings clocks. The recommendations basically mirror the rules used on an experimental basis during the Southeastern Conference tournament in May. A pitcher risked having a ball added to the count if he violated the 20-second rule. A batter who stepped out of the box within five seconds of the clock expiring risked having a strike added. A team offending the between-innings limit — set at 108 seconds to accommodate television — also faced having a ball or strike imposed. No violations were reported at the SEC tournament, but just the threat of a penalty helped play move along. “Having experienced it, it does not affect the integrity of the game,” Tanner said. “It just speeds the game up.” Division II commissioners are studying the possibility of switching to wood bats, since aluminum bats lead to more scoring and longer games. The NCAA does not track the time of games in the regular season, but the average College World Series game is rarely under three hours. At the SEC tournament this year, five of the seven nine-inning games were played in 2 hours, 50 minutes or less. A year earlier, only two of eight such games finished that quick-
ly. “I know I hardly ever looked out there at the clock to see where we were,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri said. “All the talk about it and all the thinking about it probably made everybody conscious about playing faster.” Halpin said the clock starts on a pitcher once the catcher has thrown the ball back to him. He must start his next delivery — whether in the full windup or stretch — in 20 seconds. Rice coach Wayne Graham said the change will force coaches who signal pitches from the bench to be quicker. “It’s not between innings that is hurting anything,” Graham said. “It’s what is going on during the game.” Stanford coach Mark Marquess said he’s open to ideas that make the game better, but he believes the changes shouldn’t be rushed. He said conferences should decide if they want to experiment with time limits rather than implementing it in one fell swoop. The rules committee also proposed a slight change to the obstruction rules. Previously, any contact between a fielder and runner could be called obstruction unless the fielder had possession of the ball. In the new proposal, a fielder who has established himself will be provided the opportunity to field the throw without penalty. Also, home-run celebrations will be curtailed. The rules committee said players cannot greet the home-run hitter at home plate and instead can go no farther than the warning track area outside the dugout, or about 15 feet. “The idea is to keep the excitement of the game, keep the enthusiasm, which is great for college ball,” Halpin said. “But let’s move it away from the plate and give the pitcher and catcher their space.” Texas coach Augie Garrido said he’s heard no complaints about teams being disrespectful when celebrating. “Absolutely it takes some of the fun out,” Garrido said. “The umpires are going to have a hell of a time carrying around a tape measure to determine what 15 feet is. Next year they’ll probably have a line there that you can’t cross on a home run.”
Photo by Charles Krupa | AP
Driver Mark Martin stands besides his car after qualifying for the NASCAR Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Sprint Cup Series auto race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., Friday.
Martin is tired of speculations By WILL GRAVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — Mark Martin tried being polite. Really, really tried. For weeks the NASCAR veteran has respectfully addressed speculation about his future, saying he has no plans to leave his job driving the No. 5 for Hendrick Motorsports next year to make way for the recently signed Kasey Kahne. Frankly, he’s tired of talking about it. He plans on returning to Hendrick in 2011. Period. “I feel very disrespected when the media doesn’t accept that because what that means is that you make me look like I’m about to get fired,” Martin said Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “That’s very disrespectful.” Though the 51-yearold acknowledged his team has struggled at times this season, he’s not plotting a graceful exit. “I’ve made myself perfectly clear over the last several weeks,” he said. “There’s no incli-
nation of any change, but I will tell you this: there is no road map for me and my future. So don’t even start thinking about criticizing what I do in 2012 or beyond, because I don’t know.” Not everyone is convinced. Ray Evernham, who won three Cup titles as a crew chief for Jeff Gordon while working for Hendrick and now works as a TV analyst, believes if Martin races in 2011, it will be in a different car. “I won’t be surprised if in the next 3-4 weeks that Mark makes some kind of announcement that says ’Hey Rick Hendrick has been good to me, the best thing I can do for him is to
make room for Kasey,”’ he said. Kahne signed with Hendrick Motorsports in April to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in 2012. The deal called for Hendrick to find a place for Kahne next season while he waits for his seat to open. Owner Rick Hendrick dismissed a report last month that Kahne would drive for Phoenix Racing in 2011, saying he’s still weighing his options. Until Kahne’s situation is sorted out, Martin knows chatter over his plans will persist. “I understand it will all be put to rest whenever they announce what Kasey’s going to do. I under-
stand that,” he said. “You should be focused on that. What is Kasey going to do? Because I’ve told you what I’m going to do.” Namely, drive. Though Martin admits he has no idea what he’ll do after 2011, he’s enjoying his resurgence at Hendrick. He won five races a year ago and is 14th in the points heading into Sunday’s 400mile race at the Brickyard. “I’m at the point in my career where I get to do whatever in the heck I want to do,” he said. “Racing is my life. And I don’t know what I’ll do if I was to ever lose that. And I’m not going to lose that anytime soon.”