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Museum moving along Gas service By JASON BUCH LAREDO MORNING TIMES
The Zapata County Commissioners this week chose a firm to coordinate the construction of the Zapata County Museum. The court approved PM2I, a statewide firm, to handle advertising and bidding for the museum’s construction project. The museum will be on the site of the old community center, next to the sesquicentennial plaza and will include exhibits about Zapata County’s history, culture and art, said county project director
Mario Gonzalez-Davis. “We’re all excited about it, of course,” said County Judge Rosavla Guerra. “We’re looking forward to GUERRA it, because I think in Zapata, we’re in need of one.” The court has set aside almost $2 million over the last two years to fund the museum, said Pct. 3 Commissioner Joseph Rathmell. The museum’s façade will in-
corporate the old stone architecture common in the county’s communities that were abandoned when Falcon Lake was created, Rathmell said. It will be a place to display the county’s historical artifacts, and will discuss industries, such as oil and gas, that have played a large part in the county’s history, he said. “Currently we don’t have museum, so we felt it was appropriate to make space available for it,” Rathmell said. Also at Monday’s meeting, the court chose an environmental
firm to test decibel levels as part of the county’s noise ordinance as well. The ordinance is still being tweaked, and is not yet being enforced, said County Attorney Said Alfonso Figueroa. Commissioners voted to hire the environmental consulting firm Argus Consultants to handle testing decibel levels in areas affected by the ordinance. The ordinance targets compressors for oil and gas wells that are within 800 feet of residential
See COUNTY | PAGE 11A
firm opens By ZACH LINDSEY THE ZAPATA TIMES
The McJunkin Redman Corp. has a lot of faith in the future of natural gas in Zapata. On Thursday, Nov. 13, the corporation held a grand opening for its new location in the community of Zapata. McJunkin Redman supplies ConoccoPhillips and a variety of other, smaller suppliers in the area. “Right now, it’s a big demand for the supplies,” said Alan Montes, inside sales representative for McJunkin Redman. “Even though the gas prices are going down, the work is still there.” The Zapata store is a division of the Laredo center. “It’s one profit center, but it’s two different worlds,” said
David Hance, sales representative in the Laredo area. His brother, John, is one of the sales representatives at the new Zapata store. The brothers are from Michigan, but they’ve been in the South Texas area for years and plan to stick around. “Our goal is to be here for quite a while,” John Hance said. “With our customer base, it looks like we have a pretty good future here.” The company decided to open up a Zapata location after recognizing the community’s growth. The Zapata location has been open since Aug. 18. “We’re definitely committed to the community’s growth,” said Robert Smith, the company’s regional manager. “We …
See NATURAL GAS | PAGE 11A
Photo by Christina Rosales | Laredo Morning Times File photos
FULL LAKE
Red Cross ready to help
BOOSTS FISHING PLEASURE By RON HENRY STRAIT
FLW tourney next week/Page 3
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
here’s a “new lake” on the U.S.-Mexico border, but it has a familiar name and actually has been around for decades. What has created a new lake from a familiar old trophy-bass haunt on the Rio Grande is water, lots of water. Falcon Reservoir was at 101 percent conservation capacity as of Friday. On Sept. 1, it was at 47 percent capacity. The sudden surge of water that filled the giant lake originated with Pacific storms that carried into Northern Mexico’s Concho River drainage in August and September. As the Mexican reservoirs west
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of Big Bend spilled with over-capacity, the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission began flood operations on Sept. 5 as water was released into the Rio Grande. On Sept. 16, the flow reached 53,000 cubic feet of water per second. To get a feel for the volume, that is the equivalent flow of about 40 semi trailers of water per second. The water filled Falcon, as well as Amistad up river, to their current combined 162,600 surface acres and flooded miles of shoreline that had become overgrown in drier times with brush and weeds.
See FALCON | PAGE 11A
Rossy Benavides, left, watches as four of her five children, left to right,Alexis, Eddie, Brian and Brandon, play with their father, Eddie Benavides.
(Editor’s note: United Way is funding 25 agencies in Laredo and Zapata with its 2008-09 campaign. This is the first in a series on the agencies and the people they help.)
By CHRISTINA ROSALES THE ZAPATA TIMES
Fishermen in an October 2007 tournament found plenty of space — and fish — to enjoy. TOP: A bass fisherman scoots along Lake Falcon. ABOVE: An angler shows off his catch.
The Benavides family was ready for back-to-school time. The newly purchased school supplies and clothing were stored in closets at their Cielito Lindo home that summer day in August. While parents Rossy and Eddie Benavides were at work, their five children were at home.
Then one of the toddler boys, curious about fire, began playing with a match in one of the closets, Rossy Benavides said. “I saw black smoke under my door so I got out and tried to put out the fire,” said the oldest son, 13-year-old Felipe Hernandez. Felipe could not put out the fire, so he closed the closet door and rushed his brothers and sister out the door before any of
See UNITED WAY | PAGE 11A
A LAKE VIEW
Land grants help populate Nuevo Santander panish explorer Jose de Escandon and his close aides had the right idea over the issue of populating the northern villages in the province of Nuevo Santander, “Escandon and his colegas (advisors) were given authority by Spain through the viceroy to offer settlers something of value to get them and their families to come here,” Rodolfo Gonzalez de la Garza, genealogist-historian said in one of his many talks in Laredo or Nuevo Laredo. “The most im-
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ODIE ARAMBULA portant thing this region had to offer, of course, was land, but it would be land from which they could make a living and raise
their families.” Gonzalez de la Garza said that Escandon was trained at a military school in Merida (Yucatan) but while he was a military strategist, “he was knowledgeable in topography, surveying and tools of an engineer.” According to Gonzalez de la Garza, the Spanish-born explorer and his men did some scouting of the region years before he got the itch to settle the region. By the middle of the 18th century (1745), Escandon, having left
his Indian fighting in the Gulf coast and Sierra Madre Oriental, lobbied the Crown in Madrid for support to colonize what became known in history as the Seno Mexicano. People who signed to be among the early land grantees had to agree to settle the land, and remain on site to work the land for a determined period of time. The tracts were assigned close to the source of water along rivers that emptied into the lower Rio Grande — Salado, San Juan, Alamo.
From this period of time, the national archives recorded the names of leading explorers who contributed to these settlements, Gonzalez de la Garza developed brief biographies from “Archivo de la Nacion” documents. The biographies cite historical figures that were prominent in the Laredo-Zapata scene. Jose Maria Peña also documented (“Four Winds of Revilla”) the briefs on Captain Blas Maria de la Garza Falcon, Captain Miguel de la Garza Falcon, Cap-
tain Carlos Cantu, Captain Pedro Estrada and Vicente Guerra Cañamar. Jose Espitia de Vela of East Chicago, Ind., working on a book on the history of the Vela family in the Americas, told this writer his genealogy research on Guerra Cañamar took him to the beginnings of the Los Ojuelos community in Webb County. Laredo native Peña’s research focused on Revilla to pin down
See LAKE VIEW | PAGE 11A
Zin brief
SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 15,2008
AROUND THE WORLD | IN BRIEF
WHAT’S GOING ON
Former IRA militant fights deportation
El Centro Cultural de Nuevo Laredo, of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, proudly announces “Hasta La Basura Se Separa [artcrush],” an exhibition featuring select work from Austin, Houston, Louisiana, Cuba, Utah and New York artists. The exhibit will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Dec. 31.
RAYMONDVILLE — The question of whether a former IRA militant will be deported after living in the United States for 25 years now rests in the hands of a federal immigration judge. Two and a half days of hearings in the case of Pol Brennan, 55, ended Friday morning with U.S. Immigration Judge William Peterson saying he would review the evidence and issue his decision at a later date. Brennan has been fighting deportation in the small courtroom of a federal immigrant detention center here, thousands of miles from his homeland or his new home in California’s Bay Area. Brennan has been married to an American for 19 of the 25 years he’s been in the U.S. after illegally entering the country.
MONDAY,NOV.17 The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center Blood Drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at 1901 Bob Bullock Loop in the parking lot. Donors must present identification. Eating and drinking before and after donating blood is recommended. Learn more at www.southtexasblood.org.
WEDNESDAY,NOV.19
THURSDAY,NOV.20 The 2008 Wal-Mart FLW Series FishOff tournament begins today at Falcon Lake.The lake will see top-ranked National Guard Western Division and BP Eastern Division pros from the 2008 season.The full field will weigh in at the Zapata County Public Boat Ramp, about a half mile south of the Veleno Bridge-U.S.83 intersection,at 3 p.m. today through Saturday.
FRIDAY,NOV.21 The 2008 Wal-Mart FLW Series FishOff continues at Falcon Lake.Weigh-in is at the Zapata County Public Boat ramp at 3 p.m. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, the Ruthe B.Cowl Rehabilitation Center in Laredo will be having a neurological clinic for patients needing to consult with a specialist. Patients from Zapata are accepted. If you are interested in consulting with Dr.H.Skerhut, call 722-2431. 98.1 Big Buck Country will hold the third annual Radiothon today, sponsored by Guerra Communications and the MakeA-Wish Foundation. Help grant local children’s wishes by calling in a pledge at 7129474 or 795-8210. For more information, call Mary Freeman at 235-0673.
SATURDAY,NOV.22 Today’s the last day of the 2008 WalMart FLW Series Fish-Off at Falcon Lake. In addition to the tournament, there will be a local expo, including National Guard boat simulators, an obstacle course, Taste of South Texas food concessions,a booth from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and more.The Zapata High School Mariachi Halcon is expected to perform, and the “Big Green”Border Patrol mascot will be on hand.
TUESDAY,NOV.25 From 8 a.m.– 1 p.m.today,the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center in Laredo will be having a Pediatric Orthopedic Clinic for patients needing to consult with a specialist. Patients from Zapata are welcome. If you are interested in consulting with Dr. J. Edeen, call 722-2431. Also from 8 a.m. – 1 pm. today, the Cowl Rehabilitation Center in Laredo will be having a wheelchair clinic for people who need to purchase a wheelchair or make adjustments to their wheelchairs.Zapatans are welcome. If you are interested in consulting with Ken Healy on this topic, call 722-2431.
Photo by Khalid Mohammed | AP
Supporters of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr burn symbolic American flags as they demonstrate against the proposed security pact between Iraq and the U.S. in Baghdad’s Shiite stronghold of Sadr City, Iraq, on Friday. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Friday renewed threats to resume attacks on U.S. forces if they don’t leave Iraq, deepening the unease over a proposed U.S.Iraqi security agreement that would allow American troops to stay for three more years.
Key Shiite clerics warn Iraqi gov’t about U.S. pact By HAMZA HENDAWI ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s two most powerful Shiite clerics on Friday challenged the government’s planned security pact with the United States, undercutting efforts to reach a deal before the U.N. mandate for American troops in Iraq expires Dec. 31. Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr renewed threats to unleash his militia fighters to attack U.S. forces unless they leave Iraq immediately, and Grand Ayatollah Ali alSistani vowed to intervene if he concludes the proposed agreement governing the presence of U.S. forces infringes on national sovereignty. Iraqi officials have said they will seek a
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renewal of the U.N. Security Council’s mandate if the pact, which would allow American troops to stay in Iraq through 2011, is not passed by parliament by year’s end. The pressure from the clerics showcases the precarious position of Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Most of his Shiite allies reject the deal, including the senior partner in his coalition, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, and his own spiritual guide, Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah of Lebanon. Al-Sadr’s threat to attack American troops if they don’t leave came in a statement by the Iran-based cleric that was read to thousands of supporters at Friday prayers in Baghdad’s Shiite Sadr City enclave and the city of Kufa.
Dallas schools OK’d fake Social Security numbers DALLAS — A state agency told the Dallas school district in 2004 to stop providing foreign citizens with fake Social Security numbers in order to get them on the payroll quickly, but it wasn’t until this past summer
that the practice was halted, a newspaper reports. An internal report issued in September by the district’s investigative office described the practice. The office had looked into it after getting a tip. The report said the Texas Education Agency learned of the fake numbers in 2004 and told the district then that the practice “was illegal.”
WaMu unclear about Texas jobs despite contract AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry’s office says it is closely watching Washington Mutual’s compliance with its state contract to create thousands of jobs in Texas now that has been taken over by banking giant JPMorgan Chase & Co. Those who question the way the governor’s job creation fund is distributed also are keeping an eye on what happens next and say a company’s business practices should be scrutinized before state money is handed out. Washington Mutual Inc. — one of several companies to run into trouble lately amid the nation’s credit crisis and financial meltdown — promised to add 4,200 financial services jobs in the state in return for $15 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund. —Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION | IN BRIEF
Photo by Dan Steinberg | AP
A large, Spanish-style estate home burns, ignited by a wind driven brush fire dubbed the “Tea Fire” in Montecito, Calif. on Thursday. Firefighters said they had to work fast before the “sundowners,” gusts of wind that can reach 70 mph,pushed the fire with frightening speed Thursday, chewing up mansions, exploding eucalyptus trees and turning rolling hills into a glowing nightmare.
Russian lawmakers back extending presidential term
India’s first lunar probe lands,sends back images
Air turbulence likely caused Mexican jet crash
Neb.lawmakers prepare to take up ‘safe haven’law
Tentative deal in Boeing engineers contract talks
MOSCOW — Russian lawmakers moved to lengthen the presidential term from four to six years on Friday with a vote that opponents called a step toward Vladimir Putin’s return to power. The change means that the powerful prime minister could serve a total of 20 years as president if he returns to the position as many expect. The office of Russian president “already has more power than the General Secretary (of the U.S.S.R.), the czar and the pharaoh together,” Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov complained shortly before the State Duma voted 388-58 to approve the constitutional amendment.
NEW DELHI — The first lunar probe from India landed successfully on the moon Friday as part of a two-year mission aimed at laying the groundwork for further Indian space expeditions, the Indian Space Research Organization said. ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair said cameras on board have been transmitting images of the moon back to Indian space control, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. Chief among the lunar mission’s goals is mapping not only the surface of the moon, but what lies beneath. If successful, India will join what is shaping up to be a 21st century space race with Chinese and Japanese crafts already in orbit around the moon.
MEXICO CITY — The turbulent wake of a large passenger plane likely caused the fatal crash of a government jet carrying Mexico’s second most powerful official, the transportation secretary said Friday. A preliminary investigation found the jet’s pilots didn’t immediately follow instructions to slow down and appeared to be nearly one nautical mile too close behind a Boeing 767-300 on the same flight path to Mexico City’s international airport, Luis Tellez announced at a news conference. Tellez said the planes were 4.15 nautical miles apart and that international standards recommend at least 5 nautical miles to avoid dangerous wake turbulence. —Compiled from AP reports
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska officials geared up Friday for a special legislative session designed to deal with a unique “safe haven” law whose unintended consequences have allowed parents to abandon nearly three dozen children as old as 17. As the session to correct the law approached, a 5-year-old boy was dropped off at an Omaha hospital on Thursday night. Earlier in the day, a woman dropped off two teenagers at another Omaha hospital, but one of them, a 17-year-old girl, fled. Authorities have not found her yet. As of Friday afternoon, 34 children had been abandoned under the Nebraska law, five of them from other states.
SEATTLE — A tentative settlement has been reached on a four-year contract covering nearly 21,000 Boeing Co. engineers, scientists and technical workers, following talks that were delayed by a Machinists union strike. Negotiators for Boeing and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace announced the deal Friday. Negotiators were recommending approval and the union’s two councils were to meet Friday night to decide whether to support the deal. “That recommendation (from negotiators) is based on our major issues, the stumbling blocks” in the talks, union spokesman Bill Dugovich said. —Compiled from AP reports
To submit an item for the daily calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and a contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com
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AROUND TEXAS | IN BRIEF
SATURDAY, NOV. 15
Registration for the 2008 Wal-Mart FLW Series Fish-Off tournament will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. today, with a pretournament meeting at 6:30 p.m., at the Zapata County Community Center,603 U.S. 83. For more information or to become a sponsor of the event,call the Zapata Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871.
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TODAY IN HISTORY ASSOCIATED PRESS
Today is Saturday, Nov. 15, the 320th day of 2008. There are 46 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Nov. 15, 1806, explorer Zebulon Pike sighted the mountaintop now known as Pikes Peak in present-day Colorado. On this date: In 1708, British statesman William Pitt (the Elder) was born in London. In 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation, a precursor to the Constitution of the United States. In 1889, Brazil was proclaimed a republic as its emperor, Dom Pedro II, was overthrown. In 1908, China’s Empress Dowager Cixi died two weeks short of her 73rd birthday. In 1939, President Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington. In 1958, actor Tyrone Power died in Madrid, Spain, at age 44 while filming “Solomon and Sheba.” In 1966, the flight of Gemini 12 ended successfully as astro-
nauts James A. Lovell and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. splashed down safely in the Atlantic. In 1988, the Soviet Union launched its first space shuttle, Buran, on an unmanned 3½hour flight. Ten years ago: Kwame Ture, the civil rights activist formerly known as Stokely Carmichael, died in Guinea at age 57. Five years ago: Two Black Hawk helicopters collided and crashed in Iraq; 17 U.S. troops were killed. Two synagogues were bombed in Istanbul; 29 people were killed. A gangway on the cruise ship RMS Queen Mary 2 collapsed in St. Nazaire, France, killing 15 people. One year ago: During a feisty Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Hillary Rodham Clinton accused her closest rivals, Barack Obama and John Edwards, of slinging mud “right out of the Republican playbook” and sharply criticized their records. Cyclone Sidr struck Bangladesh, killing more than 3,200 people and leaving millions homeless. Baseball player Barry Bonds was indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice, charged with lying when he told a federal grand jury that
JONESTOWN 3O YEARS LATER he did not knowingly use performance-enhancing drugs. T o d a y ’ s B i r t h d a y s : Judge Joseph Wapner is 89. Statesman Howard H. Baker Jr. is 83. Actor Ed Asner is 79. Actor John Kerr is 77. Singer Petula Clark is 76. Comedian Jack Burns is 75. Actress Joanna Barnes is 74. Actor Sam Waterston is 68. Pop singer Frida (ABBA) is 63. Actor Bob Gunton is 63. Director-actor James Widdoes is 55. Rock singer-producer Mitch Easter is 54. Actress Beverly D’Angelo is 54. CNN anchor-reporter John Roberts is 52. “Tonight Show” bandleader Kevin Eubanks is 51. Comedian Judy Gold is 46. Rapper E-40 is 41. Actress Rachel True is 39. Country singer Jack Ingram is 38. Actor Jonny Lee Miller is 36. Actress Sydney Tamiia Poitier is 35. Christian rock musician David Carr (Third Day) is 34. Rock singermusician Chad Kroeger is 34. Rock musician Jesse Sandoval is 34. Actress Virginie Ledoyen is 32. Thought for Today: “What was once thought can never be unthought.” — Friedrich Durrenmatt, Swiss author and playwright (1921-1990).
File photo | AP
This November 1978 file photo of the aftermath of the Jonestown tragedy shows some of the dead. Thirty years ago, more than 900 Americans died in a murderand-suicide ritual at the Peoples Temple agricultural mission in the jungle of Guyana. Passage of time since the holocaust has faded the differences between some temple enemies and loyalists because they have common experiences. Many share painful memories, guilt-filled feelings, loss of loved ones and psychological scars from an incomprehensible event that has come to symbolize the ultimate power of a charismatic leader over his followers.
Zlocal
SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 15,2008
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Local fishing tourney to air on national TV
SOUNDS OF ZAPATA
THE ZAPATIMES TIMES
Courtesy photo/Zapata Chamber of Commerce | Special to the Times
The San Millan Family had a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open Zapata’s radio station, La Rancherita KJJS, located at 103.9 on the FM dial. Shown, left to right, are Juan Jose San Millan, Maria Adriana San Millan, Francisco San Millan,Zapata County Judge Rosalva Guerra, Luis Lauro Gonzalez, Romeo Salinas and Dora M. Ramos, Zapata Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Paco Mendoza, Celia Balderas and Teresa Hinojosa. The station is already broadcasting, and has a popular live request show in addition to music, informative social event news and other community service announcements.
After months of hard work, local officials and anglers from across the nation are looking forward to the FLW Outdoors EastWest Fish Off next week. The tournment runs from Nov. 20-22, but officials and participants are expected to begin descending on the city as early as Tuesday. The Falcon Lake tournament, part of the Wal-Mart fishing series, will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports News as well as via an Internet Web cast. “The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce and FLW Outdoors East-West Series Fish Off are teaming up to bring one of
the biggest, most popular tournaments to our very own town of Zapata,” said Jose F. “Paco” Mendoza Jr., the chamber’s executive director. Registration for the tournament will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, with a pre-tournament meeting at 6:30 p.m., at the Zapata County Community Center, 601 U.S. 83. A Texas fishing license is required for fishing in Texas waters, and a Mexican license is required for Mexican waters. The lake is off limits Nov. 3-14 and on Nov. 19, according to the FLW Web site. Mendoza said the chamber is still accepting sponsors for the event. In addition to supporting a
major Zapata event, the sponsors will have the opportunity to promote their businesses on a national as well as local level. “Helping with as much as possible will ensure that your business gets the recognition it deserves,” Mendoza said. Levels of sponsorship are: platinum, $500; gold, $450; silver, $350; and bronze, $250. The chamber also is seeking local people to help out. “Volunteers are welcome to participate and take part in this exciting and entertaining event,” Mendoza said. “Help us in making this tournament a great success!” For more information, call the chamber’s office at 765-4871.
TOP SELLERS REWARDED
Zapata County residents enjoy sesquicentennial fest By DORA MARTINEZ It was a windy and cool morning in Falcon last Sunday. The mistress of ceremonies, Alma Diana Zapata Canales, began her speech at 9:30 a.m. She called on Congressmen Henry Cuellar, who presented the American flag to one of our own heros, Raul Guerra Jr. Henry later spoke about the new changes coming to veterans services, including a mobile van here in Zapata so vets will not have to travel back and fourth to Laredo, all the result of the promised GI Bill. The following presentation was to Isidro Ramirez, who was given a Texas flag. The speaker was none other than state Rep. Ryan Guillen, a native of Falcon. He spoke about his roots and Rafaela Serna the woman responsible for the donation of the land there. Later came our very own Judge Rosalva Guerra who spoke about the sesquicentennial, and how proud we should be over the years with all these events and she said “un parque, una plazita” holds the key to the people. We all took a small pause, then came the proclamation from state Sen. Judith Zaffirini read by County Commissioner Jose Emilio Vela. A brief history of the bridge was given by Eduardo Garcia Jr., transportation engineer, who spoke about several bridges specially the one that is resting in the community park at Falcon. He recalled his mother, Ninfa
COLUMN Ramirez, when he was a small boy, talking about the bridge. She would hear a sound coming from beyond — it was the old bridge in Falcon, which served the needs of the people day and night. The bridge was named after James Warren, who designed it in 1848. Later moved to stay at the park in 1999, the bridge will remain there as a monument. Eddie explained detail by detail. It was a very nice presentation indeed. The awards presentation as a tribute to the veterans born in Falcon was done by David Guerra. Caps and pins donated by the family of Don Maximiano and Doña Angelita Z. Yzaguirre. The flag raising ceremony was by Gerardo Gutierrez VFW Post 7768, Commander Clemente Gutierrez American Legion Post 486 and, of course, the rest of the helping veterans including Manuel Uribe, Hector Lopez Jr. After that, there was a rifle salute. Then the people walked around the corner to the Santa Ana Mission where we all heard Mass by Father Gerardo Silos, who spoke about us being a temple of the Lord. After the Mass the people gathered, talking and laughing with one another. We later walked to the community center for a very nice lunch given by the community. Dessert was a beautiful anniversary cake. Along with the cake, there was a video exhibit with all the Falcon
old homes and their families. Every time someone saw their kin folk they would yell and cheer. There was music going on with the old songs, and there was an exhibit of antique items dating back to the 1800s. There was one item I liked the most. It belonged to ex-judge Estella Guerra Ramirez. It was a set of white and dark orange dishes that Ninfa Garcia had given to her by her mother around the time her mother was married. The festivities were a success. Everyone was happy. It was like a large reunion. I hope these will come along in another 150 years — with our children. (Send suggestions to thezapatatimes@att.net Dora Martinez is a native of Zapata who was publisher of Hispanic News in San Antonio for 21 years.)
Courtesy photo
The top sellers in the Zapata South Elementary School fundraiser were treated to a ride in a limousine and ice cream at Dairy Queen.
What’s hotter than hot? Heatwave, of course! Read his column for a fascinating look at weather fact and fable every Sunday
Zopinion
SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 15,2008
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
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OTHER VIEWS
EDITORIAL
U.S. must move quickly, strongly SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
ow bad is the economy? “This is not the Great Depression of the 1930s, but nor is it turning out to be merely a bad recession of the kind we’ve experienced periodically over the last half-century. Call it a Mini Depression,” writes former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, now a professor at the University of California at Berkeley (and an adviser to President-elect Obama). He says government keeps attempting to bail out industry — financial, housing and now the auto sector — without recognizing the real problem. “Consumers won’t or can’t borrow because they’re at the end of their ropes,” he writes. “Their incomes are dropping (one of the most sobering statistics in Friday’s jobs report was the continued erosion of real median earnings), they’re deeply in debt and they’re afraid of losing their jobs.” Back in September we suggested three elements in the rescue package that we considered essential: transparency, accountability and taxpayer protection. The government is failing the transparency test. The $700 billion rescue package is far more expensive than advertised. Bloomberg News reported recently that the Federal Reserve has made at least $2 trillion in emergency loans under 11 different programs (most of them new
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ones). The Treasury Department also quietly slipped in a tax change that experts say will save banks more than $140 billion. According to The Washington Post, Wells Fargo & Co. alone saves $25 billion in taxes because of the change. The government isn’t doing much better in the accountability department. The insurance giant AIG — now the largest single bailout beneficiary at some $150 billion — has yet to understand what it means to be a taxpayer-funded enterprise. ABC News reported Monday, “Even as the company was pleading with the federal government for another $40 billion in loans, AIG sent top executives to a secret gathering at a luxury resort in Phoenix last week.” The conference cost $343,000. We won’t know about the protections for taxpayers until the economy is repaired. But based on the track record so far, we’re concerned. That brings us to the news that the Bush administration has another new program, this one set to modify mortgages from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. We’d like to be hopeful, but we don’t think there is enough money to make a difference. These rescue efforts seem like a few pebbles tossed aimlessly into a very large pond. We’re still waiting for an idea that’s big enough to splash.
COLUMN
Obama making a promising start W ASHINGTON — So far, so good. The first week of Barack Obama’s transition to the presidency has gone about as well as anyone could imagine. His few public appearances have been gaffe-free and the initial decisions in setting up his administration have been strongly reassuring. One area where there were legitimate questions about the president-elect concerned his ability to organize, direct and motivate his administration. Nothing in his prior life in Illinois or Washington had required or tested those skills. His campaign — a model of efficiency and innovation — certainly augured well. But there is a world of difference between running for the White House and leading the country — as witness the stumbles of every newly elected president since Ronald Reagan. What we have seen so far suggests that Obama’s skills will carry over to his new and expanded responsibilities. His acceptance speech in Grant Park, his first news conference, and his meeting with President Bush went off almost without a hitch. He wisely emphasized that all executive authority — on issues here and abroad — remains in Bush’s hands until Jan. 20, but at the same time he urged the president and Congress to do all in their power to address the sinking economy. The new president’s first decision — to name Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff — is a positive step on two different levels. It is significant that Obama began structuring his White House staff before he turned to the construction of the Cabinet. Bill Clinton did the reverse and paid a high price for it. Clinton dawdled in filling the Cabinet jobs, preoccupied with achieving racial, ethnic and gender diversity. It was almost Inauguration Day before he told his campaign aides what jobs they were getting in the White House. Many of the early decisions were mishandled, and Clinton created the impression that individual department chiefs would set policy more than the president. Cabinet government is a familiar concept, but not a practical one when so many issues require coordination across bureaucratic lines. Clinton’s second mistake was giving the chief of staff job to Thomas F. “Mack” McLarty, his boyhood friend from Arkansas. McClarty was a novice to Washington and — by his own declara-
DAVID BRODER tion — ill-suited to the job. It took Clinton months to correct the error. By contrast, Emanuel is a Washington veteran, first a senior legislative-political-press aide for Clinton and, more recently, as a Chicago congressman, a key member of the party’s congressional leadership. Emanuel is a volatile personality. When he was in the White House the first time, he was a shouter. When angry about something that I’d written about Clinton, which he often was, his protest calls were so high-decibel that I often found myself holding the phone at arm’s length, just to spare my eardrums. But Emanuel has calmed down a lot — at least in my experience. In the last four years, I have found him responsive and remarkably smart in his assessments of national and congressional politics. He is as serious about policy as he is about politics, and while he waited for a long time before endorsing Obama, out of loyalty to Bill and Hillary Clinton, he clearly has earned the trust of the new president. Some Republicans have complained publicly that Emanuel is too partisan to reflect Obama’s professed desire to enlist the talents and help of both Republicans and Democrats. But I think that is a misreading of his personality and it disregards the friendships he has built with GOP colleagues such as Ray LaHood of Peoria, Ill. That is important, because the dire conditions Obama inherits make it imperative that Washington not fall back into the partisan gridlock of the last few years. Bush, to his credit, has set exactly the right tone for cooperation. And so has John McCain, who on his return to the Senate can be particularly helpful to Obama. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leaders, have also set the right tone in their early comments. Many challenges lie ahead, but the start has been promising. (To reach David Broder, e-mail davidbroder@washpost.com)
EDITORIAL
Global talk on economy must begin NEW YORK TIMES
t is tempting to dismiss today’s summit of 20 of the world’s leading economies. President George W. Bush is discredited and on his way out. President-elect Barack Obama has no legal authority and has decided, rightly, to stay away. There is a pressing need for leaders to agree on basic steps to jump-start the sagging world economy, including fiscal stimulus and financial help for developing countries, which are being pummeled as multinational banks and investors cut credit lines and dump assets. While it is too soon to negotiate any new international financial regulations, the leaders can use the meeting to begin a serious discussion about the roots of the financial crisis and set the stage for future meetings to discuss substantive reforms. The global economic picture is bleak and getting bleaker. Last week, the International Monetary Fund lowered its estimate for world growth next year to 2.2
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percent. Advanced economies will shrink. On Thursday, Germany discovered that its economy was already in a recession. Unless leaders work together, protectionist pressures will mount, deepening everyone’s problems. Governments need to pump a lot more money into their economies to promote growth, especially in countries that have large trade surpluses, like Germany, China and Japan. China took the first step, announcing a fiscal stimulus package worth nearly $600 billion. European countries must overcome their doubts. In this country, Democrats are calling for a small fiscal boost right now. The incoming administration should follow with much more. Some economists are calling for a stimulus package of up to $500 billion next year. Rich countries have to do more to deal with the mortgagebacked messes on their banks’ balance sheets. Governments should reopen the option of purchasing some of
the banks’ troubled assets to help unblock trading of trillions of dollars of mortgage-backed securities, encourage write-downs and free capital for lending. Developing countries are going to need help salvaging their banks and boosting their economies. The World Bank plans to increase lending to $100 billion over three years. The Federal Reserve pledged $30 billion to help Mexico, Brazil, Singapore and South Korea fight runs on their currencies. Developed countries should consider extending guarantees on bank lending to cover all cross-border loans to avoid sucking more money out of poorer nations. And they should make more capital available. The IMF has less than $250 billion at its disposal, while it may need three times that much to avert a meltdown in emerging economies like South Korea or Brazil. Global leaders should direct it to amass more capital. At this weekend’s summit, governments could begin to identify some important areas in
need of reform. It is clear from this crisis that banks and other financial institutions should be required to hold back a larger percentage of their capital as a reserve if investments go sour. There needs to be a lot more transparency and oversight in the market for complicated financial products. New rules are needed to regulate credit-rating agencies, whose bad calls enabled the boom of noxious debt. The world needs to re-examine the patchwork of entities that oversee global finance, from the Group of Seven industrialized nations to the IMF — long dominated by a handful of rich Western countries. Big new players like China and India must be given more of a voice and take more responsibility for the global economy. None of these questions will be settled quickly. Bush should not make any commitments on Saturday. But the conversation needs to begin, and Obama can pick it up as soon as he is inaugurated.
COLUMN
Dad’s good advice: Set your own pace By MARK RUTLEDGE COX NEWS SERVICE
REENVILLE, N.C. - The first time I went with my dad on his regular jog around the Veterans Administration campus in Johnson City, my 8-year-old legs faded quickly. Falling farther and farther behind, I finally let out a winded “Wait up!” “Don’t try to stay with me,” Dad said, running in place as I struggled to close the gap between us. “Just go at your own pace and you’ll make it all the way around.” But I didn’t understand the concept of setting my own pace. When he turned and resumed his before I could catch up, I sat down in the grass and watched him disappear behind the next hill. That was 1969. I would have 39 more years with my Dad, who died on Oct. 28. That’s a lot more
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time than he had with his father, who died when Dad was 8. One of the speakers during the celebration service for Dad said that while some people think outside the box, “Wiley Rutledge lived outside the box.” I think he did that because he had to set his own pace so early. By the age of 9, dad was working multiple odd jobs in Nashville and buying his own clothes. At 13, he lost his older brother and became the only man in a house with a mom and four older sisters. He taught himself how to be light and humorous while carrying an unbearable weight of grief and responsibility. He developed an incredibly strong work ethic and applied it to everything he did. “Outside the box” was the only way Dad knew how to live, and full-throttle the only comfortable pace. As we wrote in his obituary, “He made lifelong
friends wherever he went — and Wiley went everywhere.” He was as loud as the motorcycles he rode to Baptist conventions and as calm as the Amish friends who regularly welcomed him into their Pennsylvania homes. He found success as a preacher, teacher, storyteller, humorist, songwriter and vocalist, but loved working on his Tennessee farm above all. The early tragedies in his life gave Dad a profound understanding of human suffering that served him well as a minister and counselor. I believe those hurtful events also laid the groundwork for bouts of depression that would plague him throughout his adult life. Like so many others who possess extraordinary talents and abilities, he always fell short of the expectations he placed on himself. He didn’t fully realize or com-
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
pletely appreciate the positive impact he had on so many lives. I grew up seeing that impact and the way people responded to it. I never wanted to be a preacher, but I did seek those qualities that made him such a great one. The last really deep conversation I had with my dad was three years ago. Already in the grips of a disease that was attacking his mind, Dad kept me up talking until 5 a.m. As we ended that long conversation, I felt compelled to tell him that he was my hero. “I want you to know,” I said, “that I’ve spent my whole life trying to be like you.” Laughing off the compliment, he said, “I hope you can do a better job than I have.” But no one could do a better job than he did. Dad had it right back in 1969. “Just go at your own pace,” he said, “and you’ll make it all the way around.”
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SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 15,2008
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
MISS MANNERS | BYJUDITH MARTIN
Special circumstances give hostess a pass DEAR MISS MANNERS — I am appalled by a Thanksgiving invitation I just received from my brother’s wife’s mother. I actually did not receive an invitation at all, but a demand to bring three bottles of wine. But that is not my complaint. She also asked others in my family to bring the rest of the meal, including the MARTIN turkey! Miss Manners, please clarify for me, as I am frustrated that one would ask the attendees to provide the entire meal! I think this is audacious and simply tacky tacky tacky. I entertain all the time and never ask my guests to bring anything other than their presence. To make matters worse, this “inlaw” of mine is not the nicest lady in the world and has only agreed to have people to her home because my brother’s home burned down — otherwise, she would never have us over. What do you think about all this? Should I refuse to go to this family gathering? GENTLE READER — What? And miss all that family conviviality? Miss Manners has always been a staunch opponent of the bait-andswitch invitation, by which people who are asked to come to dinner find out, after accepting, that the invitation was to come with dinner. But Thanksgiving is somewhat different, and so are the particular circumstances of your family. Because it is often an abnormally oversized meal for a large number of people, Thanksgiving is not infrequently done as a cooperative meal. People who are used to that may believe this to be universal, which is it not. Another possibility is that your brother and his wife asked her mother to hold the dinner because
their house burned down — not exactly a trivial excuse — and that they assured her she wouldn’t have to do anything because other relatives would bring the food. In either case, it would be your brother who is at fault for not explaining the terms, not the lady whom you already dislike. If a meal is to be cooperative, rather than hosted, guests should be told that in time to claim that they have another engagement. Furthermore, they should be asked, not told, what to bring. Thanksgiving, especially, is an occasion for such guests to bring their grandmother’s specialty, without which, they believe, the holiday cannot be celebrated. But maybe, since it will be Thanksgiving (and you are already stuck accepting), you can remind yourself to be grateful that your brother was not incinerated and find it in your heart to forgive him. DEAR MISS MANNERS — I am soon to be the proud father of the bride. My problem, though, is that my palms tend to perspire quite profusely, mostly because of humid conditions, but often when I am nervous or excited. I am dreading the moment at the wedding reception when I would be expected to shake hands with the many guests. I wonder, is it accepted for a man to have gloves on in such a circumstance, or is there a way to avoid hand shaking all together without insulting these guests? Are there other solutions? Readers may write to Miss Manners at MissManners@unitedmedia.com, or via postal mail at United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016 or (in black or blue-black ink on white writing paper) to Miss Manners, in care of this newspaper. Miss Manners’ newest book is “No Vulgar Hotel: The Desire and Pursuit of Venice,” written under her real name, Judith Martin.
Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times
By ZACH LINDSEY LAREDO MORNING TIMES
aredo is an international city. But Texas A&M International University’s annual Asian Night served as a reminder of just how many nations coexist in the Gateway City. From the Spanish-influenced castanets and rhythms of Phillipino dancers to the soft and calm dress of Cambodian fashion, the annual Asian Night showcased a presence in Laredo that sometimes gets overlooked. “The Asian folks in town here are business owners or educators,” said local lawyer Nathan Henry Chu. “They don’t really get to
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go out and interact with the community. So there’s a disconnect. (Laredoans) don’t really get to experience the Asian folks around here.” At TAMIU’s Asian Night, local AsianAmericans showcased cultural distinctions by providing attendents with samples of local food, showing off regional dances and presenting a fashion show of sorts, displaying traditional garb from a variety of countries. Net proceeds from the event went to establish a scholarship fund for TAMIU students interested in learning more about Asian cultures and studies.
See INTERNATIONAL | PAGE 11A
TOP: A member of the Korean Drum and Performance group performs a beautiful dance involving brightly colored fans. ABOVE RIGHT: Auguste J. Ramos is dressed as a bold Chinese prince. BELOW RIGHT: Carolina Del Bosque depicts a confident Ching Dynasty Little Queen.
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ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 15,2008
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Venegas tickets selling quickly LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Don’t wait any longer; get your tickets to see Julieta Venegas in concert at the Laredo Entertainment Center now while they’re still available. Venegas will be in Laredo for the first time at a special concert Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving. This is no ordinary event; instead of the usual tens of thousands of fans at a major concert, this one will be a much more intimate affair, giving fans a chance to get an up-close look and listen at one of the most intriguing musical stars of today. The seating arrangement will allow for only about 4,000 tickets, and more than 1,000 were sold as part of a unique buy-one-get-onefree promotion, according to Sonya Sanchez, LEC’s director of marketing. So if you don’t have your tickets already, go get ’em now.
JULIETA VENEGAS Venegas’ youth was the inspiration for the most recent of her five albums, “MTV Unplugged.” According to the Houston Chronicle, the album, which is filled with acoustic instruments, features a “vibrant mix of rock and pop along with some jazz and folk music from Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.” The Grammy award-winning
artist is not only a singer/songwriter, but she also plays guitar, accordion and keyboard. She has written songs for such Latin artists as Paulina Rubio, Mala Rodríguez, Miguel Bose and Los Tigres del Norte, according to MTV’s Web site. According to MTV, Venegas first established herself as a “cuttingedge Latin alternative artist in the late 1990s.” The Houston Chronicle describes her first album, “Aquí,” as mixed with rock and a gothic influence, and the album “Bueninvento” also contained a rock sound. The albums “Sí” and “Limon y sal,” however, had more of a pop sound. Ticket prices are $80, $60 and $40, with a special holiday ticket available for just $20. Tickets can be purchased at the LEC box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. You can also charge tickets by phone at 712-1566.
LOCAL BRIEFS Planetarium offers intriguing shows
For show times, check Laredo Morning Times or call the theater at 725-0132.
Spend tonight at the Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium and explore “Origins of Life” at 6 p.m. and “Destination Saturn” at 7 p.m. On Saturday, it’s “The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” at 6 p.m. and “Stars of the Pharaohs” at 7 p.m. General admission is $5 and $4 for children, TAMIU students, staff and alumni. Premium shows are $1 extra. Buy a ticket for a different show on the same night and receive $2 off. For more information, call 326-2444.
‘140 Something’exhibit continues at TAMIU
‘August Evening’still playing at Cinemark The touching Texas drama “August Evening” starring Laredo native Pedro Castañeda and McAllen native Veronica Loren continues at Cinemark Mall del Norte through Nov. 20. “August Evening,” which had a glamorous red-carpet opening last week, follows an aging undocumented worker, Jaime, and his young widowed daughter-in-law, Lupe, as their lives are thrown into upheaval. Castañeda plays Jaime and Loren plays Lupe.
Texas A&M International University College of Arts and Sciences Center for the Fine and Performing Arts is presenting “140 Something,” artwork by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) graduate art students and will include paintings from the Nexus Art Collective art group. Admission is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 4. Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday, noon – 5 p.m. or by appointment.
Love hockey? Take a minute to give blood The Laredo Bucks are supporting a blood drive and marrow registration Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Laredo Entertainment Center in Conference Rooms 4, 5 and 6 in memory of the late Daniel Estrada, a Bucks fan and Laredoan who had leukemia. All presenting donors will receive a commemorative Bucks blood drive T-shirt, a pair of tickets to see the Laredo Bucks at an
upcoming game, Papa John’s pizza and coupons from the Chickfil-A on Loop 20, plus a mini physical, which includes checking blood pressure, iron and cholesterol levels. They also will be entered in a giveway that includes such prizes as an autographed Laredo Bucks jersey. Donors must be at least 17, weight at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. ID is required before beginning the donation process.
Blue Santa to benefit from City-media contest The fourth annual Emerald Capital Mortgage Holiday Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. at the UISD Student Activity Complex. In the great tradition of the BCS bowl games, this football game delivers a lot of fun for the community, and raises funds to help support the Laredo Police Department’s Blue Santa program. The game pits folks from the media against representatives and employees from the City of Laredo. Entrance to the game is an unwrapped new toy, or $5, which is donated to Blue Santa, who last year delivered toys to over 2,000 needy girls and boys.
By DAVID GERMAIN ASSOCIATED PRESS
OS ANGELES — Nixon’s back. So are Kate and Leo and Nicole and Baz, not to mention Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves. Despite the harsh economy, Hollywood has been on a box-office roll the last month, and studios head into the year’s homestretch with a solid lineup of returns, reunions and promising newcomers that could uphold the old saw about movies as a recession-proof business. Lighthearted fare such as “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” and “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” provided a brisk prelude to the holiday season, of which the first big offering is the animated sequel “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.” Among other big films: “Titanic” stars Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are together again in the domestic drama “Revolutionary Road”; Nicole Kidman reteams with “Moulin Rouge” director Baz Luhrmann for the World War II-era epic “Australia”; Kidman’s ex, Tom Cruise, stars in his own World War II tale “Valkyrie”; Frank Langella reprises his stage role as Richard Nixon in Ron Howard’s “Frost/Nixon”; “Babel” co-stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett reunite for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and Keanu Reeves stars in an update of the sci-fi classic “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” Other upcoming Hollywood highlights:
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in “Titanic.” With “Revolutionary Road,” they play a couple on another sort of collision course as they try to break free of their stifling suburban lives.
On the war front “Australia” takes Nicole Kidman, co-star Hugh Jackman and director Baz Luhrmann back to their homeland as World War II breaks out. “It was important to all of us, Baz, Hugh and myself, that we be able to go back where we started, at a time when we could go anywhere in the world, and actually choose to go there and tell our story,” Kidman said.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
THE ZAPATA TIMES | 7A
ZAPATA CELEBRATES 150 YEARS By NICK GEORGIOU LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Courtesy photo
Zapata CountyTreasurer Romeo Salinas,left,visits with Reynaldo Uribe,a former county treasurer and Zapata’s oldest living public official, at the sesquicentennial festivites in San Ygnacio last week. Uribe, also a military veteran,was presented with a U.S. flag.
Gabriel Villarreal recalled a dry and foreboding Rio Grande landscape as he stood at the steps of the Nuestra Señora del Refugio church in San Ygnacio last Sunday. Dirt streets, no electricity, no phones, no running water — this was the world Zapata County Commissioner Villarreal grew up in along with every other San Ygnacio resident. But with time and better technology, Zapata County began to see a greener landscape, an increase in tourism and quality of life, and of course, running water, which benefited farmers and ranchers in the area, Villarreal said. “Isn’t it amazing how running water brings life, both figuratively and literally,” he told a crowd that had gathered at the Blas Maria Uribe Plaza for a historical reminicising on the town and Zapata County. The event marked the fourth and final day the county celebrated its sesquicentennial, which kicked off Thursday, Nov. 6, with a drugfree pep rally at the Zapata County Courthouse.
“All in all, this county has so many resources and productive citizens that there is no limit to what we can achieve,” Villarreal told the crowd that filled the San Ygnacio plaza. Recalling the successful event, Zapata County Treasurer Romeo Salinas said the entire four-day celebration was meaningful and well organized, showing the hard work that clearly went into planning. “We started on Friday with the dedication of the plaza,” Salinas said. “The oldest living official and the oldest businesses were recognized.” Sunday, three of the county’s smaller communities had individual celebrations to mark the once-in-a-lifetime occasion. “We started in Falcon, then went to Lopeño and then to San Ygnacio,” Salinas said. “It was a very memorable event for all the citizens.” Salinas noted all the events honored those who have served America; veterans were each presented with a U.S. flag. “We were recognizing all the veterans of all wars, those who have put their lives on the line to defend the freedom that we enjoy today,” Salinas said. “If they weren’t there, their fam-
ilies were presented with the flag.” Earlier in the day, officials went to a historical reminicising at the Lopeño Community Center. Keynote speaker Judge Hector Lopez Sr., a retired justice of the peace and educator, told the crowd that Lopeño has undergone a lot of change during its 150 plus years of existence. But the greatest change, he said, came in 1953, when heavy rain caused a sudden rise in the Falcon Lake reservoir waters. “Although the community of Falcon was closer in proximity to the Falcon Dam, Lopeño was situated at a lower elevation and therefore became Zapata County’s first casualty to the waters of the Falcon reservoir,” a sesquicentennial program read. The planned flood not only swallowed up Lopeño, but also Zapata and Falcon. During her welcoming address in Lopeño, County Judge Rosalva Guerra said the sesquicentennial is “not something that comes lightly nor is it something that can be fully appreciated without looking at the larger context of it all.” (Nick Georgiou may be reached at 7282582 or nickg@lmtonline.com)
Mercurio Martinez, whose family has deep roots in the Zapata area, points out historic photos during a presentation at the Zapata County sesquicentennial celebration in San Ygnacio on Sunday. Martinez was the keynote speaker at the event, held in front of the church in the historic town just north of Zapata. ABOVE: A large crowd stands at attention as JROTC students execute a military ceremony in San Ygnacio Plaza last week during festivities surrounding the Zapata County sesquicentennial celebration. LEFT: Rafael Ramos Jr. and Maria L. Ramos listen at a special outdoor Mass at Nuestra Señora del Refugio Mission in San Ygnacio, part of the sesquicentennial events.
Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times
ZFrontera AGENDAEN BREVE SERVICIO SOCIAL LAREDO — El sábado, los Laredo Bucks y BMP Radio encabezarán el programa “Give Blood, Play Hockey” que busca la donación de sangre y registrarse como donador de médula ósea. El programa será de 10 a.m. a 8 p.m. en el Laredo Entertainment Center. LAREDO — La Border Olympics tendrá una venta de platillos para recabar fondos el sáhbado de las 11 a.m. a las 2 p.m. en el estacionamiento del Civic Center. La donación es de 5 dólares para un platillo con brisket, sausage, arroz y frijoles. LAREDO — Apoye el Book Drive (campaña de recolección de libros) de los capítulos Phi Kappa Phi y Phi Delta Kappa de Texas A&M International University, el lunes y martes. Los libros que se recaben serán entregados al Literacy Volunteers of America durante el programa “Feast of Sharing” en el Laredo Civic Center este mismo mes. Puede llevar los libros al módulo de circulación de la Biblioteca Sue and Radcliffe Killam, antes del martes 18 de noviembre.
DEPORTES LAREDO — La Liga Amigos Billiard está patrocinando su torneo para Roger Riojas el sábado en Hal’s Landing a las 2 p.m. El costo es de 25 dólares por persona. Del prmero al cuarto lugar recibirán un trofeo y camisetas. Más información llamando a Jaime Gonzalez en el 235-7508 ó Arturo Banda en el 771-5323. LAREDO — El equipo de baloncesto femenil de Texas A&M International University jugará el viernes contra Sul Ross State University en canchas de TAMIU a las 7 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares; estudiantes pagan 3 dólares; cualquiera con ID de TAMIU entra gratis.
CULTURA NUEVO LAREDO – El grupo de teatro Expresión del Instituto Tecnológico de Nuevo Laredo presenta la obra ‘Tejer la Ronda’de Emilio Carballido,a las 7 p.m. en el Teatro Lucio Blanco de la Casa de la Cultura,el sábado y domingo. La admisión general es de 30 pesos. NUEVO LAREDO — El sábado a las 7 p.m. se realizará la inauguración de la exposición “Hasta la basura se separa (artcrush)”en la Galería del Espacio Cultural de la Antigua Aduana. La entrada es gratuita. Las obras que se exhibirán fueron creadas con material reciclado y objetos comunes elaborados originalmente para otros usos. LAREDO — Texas A&M International University tendrá un evento de autógrafos de Jose A. Lopez, autor de “The Last Knight: Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe,ATexas Hero”de las 4 p.m. a 6 p.m. en el Student Center Downstairs Rotunda. Lopez nació en Laredo es un descendiente de una de las primeras familias ascentadas en el Sur de Texas. Más información llamando a Becky L. Garcia en el (956) 326-2175.
SÁBADO 15 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2008
TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
MATAMOROS, México — El domingo concluyó en esta ciudad el Moto Rally Tamaulipas 2008, tras una travesía de 333.3 kilómetros. El evento tuvo como objetivo el fortalecimiento del turismo nacional y binacional en la frontera, pero además permitió poner en marcha obras de infraestructura social. Según datos del Gobierno de Tamaulipas, participaron más de tres mil motociclistas, provenientes de todo el estado, diferentes entidades mexicanas y de ciudades de Texas. El primer Moto Rally Fronterizo 2008 abarcó el sábado las ciudades de Guerrero, Mier, Miguel Alemán, Camargo, Díaz Ordaz y Reynosa. El domingo abarcó, saliendo de Reynosa, a Río Bravo y como meta a Matamoros.
Beneficios El sábado fue inaugurado el Colegio de Bachilleres de Nuevo Laredo y en Ciudad Guerrero
fueron inauguradas las nuevas instalaciones de una Escuela de Medicina privada. En Ciudad Mier se dio inicio a las obras del Centro para Abuelitos y la inauguración del acceso principal y en Miguel Alemán se puso en marcha los trabajos de una planta tratadora de aguas residuales. En el municipio de Camargo se inauguraron las instalaciones de un auditorio municipal que tuvo una inversión de 10 millones de pesos y en Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, fue inaugurada una nueva plaza pública municipal. El domingo, en Reynosa se puso en marcha la construcción del Centro de Lenguas y Lingüística Aplicada de la UAT. En Río Bravo se entregó un laboratorio de idiomas al CONALEP; y, en Matamoros se puso en marcha el Programa Estatal de Infraestructura 2008 con el banderazo para la construcción de la red de distribución y de bombeo de agua potable.
Derrama En Nuevo Laredo la derrama
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ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier
De izquierda a derecha, el presidente municipal de Ciudad Mier, José Iván Mancias Hinojosa, la presidenta del DIF municipal, Isabel Cristina Treviño Ruiz, el Gobernador de Tamaulipas, Eugenio Hernández Flores, y la presidenta del DIF estatal, Adriana González de Hernández, durante el inicio de obra del Centro para Abuelitos, el sábado, durante el Moto Rally Fronterizo 2008. económica reportada por el Gobierno Municipal fue de 14.5 millones de pesos. “En términos generales el Moto Rally rebasó las expectativas, dijo el alcalde Ramón Garza Barrios. “Hubo una gran derrama
económica y el saldo fue blanco”. Garza Barrios dijo que hoteles estuvieron a su máxima capacidad, los restaurantes, los bares, los comercios, las gasolineras. “Todos se vieron favorecidos con este evento”.
Tamaulipas tendrá presupuesto histórico ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
GÜÉMEZ, México — Tras calificar como histórico el presupuesto de egresos que Tamaulipas ejercerá en el 2009 en los rubros de carreteras, obras hidráulicas, salud y Fondo de Hidrocarburos, el gobernador Eugenio Hernández Flores afirmó que al Estado “le va a ir muy bien” en el año siguiente. “Este logro es parte importante de lo que tenemos que hacer para contrarrestar la crisis; invertir en infraestructura y en nuestro gasto social para ayudar a la gente, sobre todo a los que menos tienen”, dijo Hernández. Al precisar algunos de los renglones presupuestales, señaló que en materia carretera
la inversión en el 2009 significará un presupuesto sin precedentes, al aprobarse más de mil 600 millones de pesos a obras de esa naturaleza, por parte de la Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes. En materia de agua potable, drenaje y alcantarillado, temas a los que Eugenio Hernández Flores ha dado prioridad permanente para que durante su mandato constitucional ninguna familia carezca de estos servicios básicos, el Gobernador indicó que la Comisión Nacional del Agua asignó alrededor de 750 millones de pesos, incluyendo la asignación de distritos de riego. Hernández también anunció un presupuesto sin precedentes en el tema de salud,
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Miguel Alemán
El presidente municipal, Servando López Moreno, a la derecha, realiza personalmente el bloqueo y desviación del tráfico pesado sobre el Libramiento “Los Presidentes”, el fin de semana pasado.
Alcalde ordena bloqueo a carretera ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
MIGUEL ALEMÁN — Debido a los daños ocasionados a la carpeta asfáltica, el libramiento “Los Presidentes” permanece bloqueado al tráfico pesado desde el pasado 10 de noviembre. Fue el propio presidente municipal, Servando López Moreno quien realizó el bloqueo y desviación del tráfico pesado. La decisión fue tomada debido a que el Gobierno Municipal considera que las unidades de carga pesada han causado daños al libramiento. “El bloqueo se mantendrá hasta que se tenga una respuesta de la paraestatal Petróleos Mexicanos”, dijo López Moreno. Las unidades están siendo desviadas por la Carretera a Los
Aldama, para recorrer varios kilómetros de terracería hasta salir a la carretera a Arcabuz, de donde se desplazarían hasta el poblado Los Guerra, según comunicado de prensa. Se agrega que en un principio se dio a conocer que se había dado marcha atrás al proyecto de la reparación del boulevard Los Leones, el cual se encuentra deteriorado por el paso de las pesadas unidades de carga. El desvío se realiza desde el entronque ubicado frente al plantel Conalep y ahora los transportistas tendrán que invertir más tiempo y recursos para volver a tomar la carretera Ribereña. López Moreno dijo que destacó que ya no permitirá que se dañe más esa vía.
CRIT abrirá el 26 ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
CIUDAD VICTORIA — Será el 26 de noviembre cuando sea inaugurado el Centro de Rehabilitación Infantil Teletón. La Presidenta del Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) en Tamaulipas,
Adriana González de Hernández, dijo que todo está listo para el evento. La unidad CRIT se sumará a la red de infraestructura (una de las más completas y modernas del país) para la atención a la discapacidad temporal o permanente.
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Acortan desfile
Moto Rally deja obras y dinero
ESPECTÁCULOS NUEVO LAREDO — El sábado inicia en la Plaza Juárez a las 4 p.m. el programa del Fideicomiso del Centro Histórico para impulsar la reactivación del sector. El sábado se presentará a un grupo de actores dirigidos por Luis Eduardo Torres. LAREDO — Pase la tarde del sábado en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de la Texas A&M International University y explore “The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” a las 6 p.m. y Stars of the Pharaohs” a las 7 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares y de 4 dólares para niños, estudiantes de TAMIU, su personal y ex-alumnos. Más información llamando al 326-2444. LAREDO — Habrá un concierto de la Orquesta de la Region 14 de la Texas Music Educator en el United ISD Student Activity Center a las 6:30 p.m. del sábado. LAREDO — Una historia fílmica consistiendo de dos segmentos, de 40 minutos cada uno, discutiendo teorías relacionadas al asesinato del Presidente John F. Kennedy se presentarán el miércoles en el Student Center Theater, aula 236 de 7 p.m. a 9:45 p.m. El evento es gratuito y abierto al público en general. Más información llamando al (956) 326-2626. LAREDO — Julieta Venegas con su gira “El Presente”ofrecerá su recital esta noche a las 8 p.m. en el Laredo Entertainment Center. Los boletos tienen costo de 40, 60 y 80 dólares. “Esta será una presentación muy íntima con solamente un promedio de 3,000 lugares dispomibles”, dijo Paul Magee, promotor de la gira. Para información y comprar sus boletos puede llamar al (956) 712-1566; ó bien puede adquirirlos en Ticketmaster.com. Un cargo por servicio se agrega a cada precio de boleto.
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en el que se invertirán cerca de 200 millones de pesos para hospitales de igual magnitud como el construido en el municipio de Altamira. El Gobernador reconoció el esfuerzo realizado por los diputados federales priístas para que el Fondo de Hidrocarburos incrementara su porcentaje para los estados petroleros al subir del 0.46 al 0.6 por ciento, aspecto en el que se instrumenta una fórmula nueva que le otorga mayores recursos a Tamaulipas. “Con esta nueva fórmula vamos a estar llegando a casi 500 millones de pesos, logro que nos va a permitir contrarrestar de alguna manera los efectos negativos de la actividad petrolera en nuestro Estado”, dijo Hernández.
MIGUEL ALEMÁN — Todo se encuentra listo para la celebración del tradicional desfile conmemorativo del Día de la Revolución Mexicana, a desarrollarse el jueves 20 de noviembre. En esta ocasión, la logística del tradicional evento cívicodeportivo tendrá algunas modificaciones, según anuncio GONZÁLEZ hecho en comunicado de prensa del gobierno municipal. El Secretario de Educación, Roberto González Moreno, coordinador del tradicional desfile del Día de la Revolución Mexicana dijo que en la emisión del desfile de este año la tarima para autoridades e invitados estará ubicada por la Avenida Francisco I. Madero, a espaldas del Palacio Municipal. Corresponderá al presidente municipal, Servando López Moreno dan la bienvenida a invitados especiales a la tarima. “Será en este punto donde cada contingente desarrollará su presentación para ser apreciado por primera vez por la ciudadanía en general”, dijo González Moreno. Los participantes continuarán su paso sobre la Avenida Madero, y a la altura de la calle Tercera cada institución educativa repetirá su presentación. Será en la avenida principal Miguel Hidalgo que se hagan dos presentaciones solamente. “Este cambio es con el propósito de darle celeridad al desfile y evitar la fatiga de los alumnos, pues comúnmente duran de pie hasta 4 horas, desde que inicia la concentración hasta que termina el recorrido”, dijo González Moreno.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
THE ZAPATA TIMES | 9A
BP seizes pot in Laredo, Zapata SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than half a ton of marijuana in three separate incidents last weekend, including one in Zapata. The largest of the seizures occurred Sunday, when agents assigned to the Freer station thwarted an attempt to smuggle 791.81 pounds of marijuana past the checkpoint on U.S. 59 west of Freer. Agents conducted an immigration inspection on the three occupants of a Ford pickup towing a cargo trailer. As the agents interviewed the occupants, a Border Patrol canine alerted toward the trailer, indicating the possible presence of hidden people or contraband. Agents searched the trailer and found what appeared to be a load of musical equipment. Agents examined the equipment more closely and discovered 438 cellophane-wrapped bundles hidden in several large speaker cabinets. The bundles contained marijuana weighing 791.81 pounds and with an estimated street value of $633,448. The subjects, the vehicles and the marijuana were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. On Saturday, Nov. 10, agents assigned to the Zapata station made another seizure when they found two abandoned duffel bags while patrolling. The duffel bags contained several cellophane-wrapped bundles of marijuana weighing 175 pounds and with an estimated street value of $140,000. The marijuana was turned over to the DEA.
Courtesy photo
CBP agents found a load of musical equipment that contained over 700 pounds of marijuana. The third seizure occurred Sunday afternoon when agents assigned to the Laredo North station conducted immigration inspections on the passengers of a commercial bus that drove into the checkpoint north of Laredo on Interstate 35. During the inspections, a Border Patrol canine alerted agents to the luggage
comp artment lo cated under the bus. Agents searched the compartment and found a suitcase containing 38.2 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of $30,560. The bag was not marked, and none of the passengers claimed ownership. The marijuana was turned over to the DEA.
Family seeks damages from company By JASON BUCH THE ZAPATA TIMES
The family of a man killed in a 2005 pipeline explosion near Zapata was in court this week, seeking damages from the company that owned the pipeline. Augustine Alaniz, 31, of Za-
pata, was killed June 1, 2005, in a pipeline explosion about 18 miles north of Zapata on Highway 16. Alaniz was part of a crew that was excavating about 150 feet of pipeline that day to cut up for salvage, according to court records. They were working for Kobra
Sales and Services to remove the pipeline that had been operated by Dominion Exploration and Production, according to the records. The crew thought the pipeline had been depressurized, but it had not been, according to the records. His family and one of the men
injured in the explosion are seeking damages from Dominion. The case began this week in the 49th District Court in Zapata and is expected to continue next week. (Jason Buch may be reached at 728-2547 or jbuch@lmtonline.com)
THE BLOTTER SEXUALASSAULT A woman reported to sheriff’s deputies Sunday that her son told her he was sexually assaulted when he was about 13. A suspect was identified, according to the offense report.
SHOTS FIRED Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of shots fired at about noon Sunday in the Nicholson Addition district area in Garcia Ranch. Upon arriving at the scene, a deputy encountered two men who were firing shots from a handgun and an assault rifle. According to the offense report, the deputy seized the two weapons for further investigation and safekeeping. No arrests were made.
EVADING ARREST Sheriff’s deputies said a man fled on foot Tuesday after being pulled over at about 3 p.m. on U.S. 83. Authorities later caught up with the man, identified as Jose Rivera-Mendoza, who was then booked and taken to Zapata County Jail.
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Sheriff’s deputies detained a male juvenile at about 3 p.m. Nov. 7 on the charge of possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana. According to the offense report,
deputies originally responded to a theft report in the 2100 block of Carla Street, but ended up detaining the juvenile near the location for possession of a controlled substance. Two men were arrested Sunday near Bravo Avenue and Third Street on the charge of possession of marijuana. Jose Daniel Chapa-Villarreal and Jose Julian Sanchez were booked and taken to Zapata County Jail. According to the offense report,the two were arrested after being pulled over at about 10 p.m. for a traffic violation. Both were passengers in the vehicle, the report stated. A man was arrested Monday after being pulled over just before midnight Monday near Seventh Street and Bravo Avenue. Upon search of the vehicle and driver, authorities said they found Timothy Gordon Bill to be in possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana. He was booked and later taken to Zapata County Jail. Sheriff’s deputies said they arrested a man at about 4 a.m. Thursday after he consented to a search of his home in the 300 block of Fourth Street. Upon conducting the search, deputies Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.
“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health”
1520 Corpus Christi Street Telephone (956) 726-0160
said they found about 27 grams of marijuana. They also seized two marijuana plants, the offense report stated. Gosfray Rodriguez-Jimenez was arrested, booked and later taken to Zapata County Jail.
MINOR IN POSSESSION OFALCOHOL Two minors were arrested at about 11:30 p.m. Nov. 7 after being pulled over for a traffic violation near 14th Street and U.S. 83. According to the offense report, a deputy sheriff arrested Sergio Edelmiro Valadez III and Jonathan Garcia on the charge of minor in possession of alcohol, a Class-C misdemeanor.
AUTO THEFT Deputies arrested a man Nov. 8 near the intersection of 23rd Avenue and Iturbide Street on the charge of theft of a motor vehicle. Perez D. Rodolfo was booked and later
taken to Zapata County Jail. According to the offense report, the complainant,who resides in the 3300 block of South Bartlett Street in Laredo, reported that his car was stolen from the Zapata National Bank parking lot. Avehicle was reported stolen Sunday from the national oil well services parking lot, located near 21st Avenue and U.S. 83. The complainant, a Laredo resident, told deputies about the theft at approximately 1:30 a.m.
BURGLARY OFAVEHICLE A vehicle was reported burglarized Monday near Hidalgo Boulevard and Seventh Avenue. According to the offense report, the complainant told sheriff’s deputies that a stereo and speakers were stolen from the vehicle. The report identified the suspect as Rafael Romero.
Zbusiness
SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 15,2008
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10A
Crude continues decline Stocks retreat with focus despite signals from OPEC on economy renewed By MARK WILLIAMS ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Oil prices slumped Friday, despite signals from OPEC that it may slash production again, with the markets instead focused on the most recent reports showing drastic cutbacks in spending and consumption by businesses and consumers. Gasoline prices again fell overnight, prompting one analyst to note a “half price holiday sale on gas” with Americans fueling up for the Thanksgiving holiday
at half the price they did in July. Light, sweet crude for December delivery fell $1.20 to settle at $57.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Commerce Department on Friday reported the largestever October plunge for retail sales and a sharp drop in business inventories. It said retail sales fell by 2.8 percent last month, surpassing the old mark of a 2.65 percent drop in November 2001 in the wake of the terrorist attacks that year. The decline in sales was led by a huge drop in auto purchases,
but sales of all types of products from furniture to clothing fell as consumers retrenched. That likely means fewer vehicle miles driven because of job losses, fewer trips to the shopping mall and less money spent on vacations. Businesses are slowing down as consumption drags. The Commerce Department reported business inventories dropped by 0.2 percent in September. It was the first decline since March 2007 and the biggest drop in more than three years, since inventories fell by 0.3 percent in July 2005.
By JOE BEL BRUNO and SARA LEPRO ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Wall Street retreated from the previous session’s big gains Friday as investors absorbed another wave of downbeat economic news and took little solace from hints that an additional interest rate cut might be possible. Some retrenchment was to be expected after such a big advance Thursday, in which the Dow Jones industrials rallied more than 550 points after falling near their low for the year. But there was
also plenty of discouraging news for investors to focus on, including comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the markets remain under “severe strain” and a sobering report on October retail sales. The Fed chief said during a speech in Frankfurt, Germany, that he would work closely with other central banks to try to alleviate the global financial crisis and left open the door to a fresh interest rate cut. The Fed is scheduled to meet Dec. 16 at its last regularly scheduled meeting this year.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
THE ZAPATA TIMES | 11A
NATURAL GAS | Continued from Page 1A thought it was a pretty promising community to be involved in.” Before opening their store in Zapata, McJunkin Redman salespeople from the Laredo location were coming down to Zapata as often as three times a day. “We’re actually helping our store out,” Montes said. The store sells all sorts of supplies for the oil and natural gas industry, but its biggest sellers are pipe valves and fittings. “Just with the contractors we’ve had, we’ve had our hands full,” Montes said. But the new location has already drawn in several new customers. “We want to be smart about growth,” Smith said. “Our first goal is to become a part of such a healthy community.” Smith said that Zapata is a community that accepts and promotes growth, and he sees a future in the oil and natural gas industry in the region. “We like to work with the community,” John said. The company plans to donate a little bit of money for each fishing tournament in Zapata.
COUNTY | Continued from Page 1A areas, Figueroa said. The compressors, some of which are as large as buildings, are fans that can create a noise as loud as a jet, he said. The consultants will compare the noise levels without the compressors to the noise levels with the compressors and determine if there is a significant change in decibel level, Figueroa said.
The county, which received authority to pass ordinances two years ago, has not settled on a decibel lever, he said. “The ultimate goal is to lower those noise levels while at same time not make it too contrary to the oil and gas companies where they’re not able to operate effectively,” Figueroa said. (Jason Buch may be reached at 728-2547 or jbuch@lmtonline.com)
LAKEVIEW | Continued from Page 11A
Photo by Zach Lindsey | Laredo Morning Times
Brothers John and David Hance of McJunkin-Redman stand outside the company’s new office in Zapata The new store’s parking lot was full at Thursday’s ribbon cutting, and the office space was cramped. “This place is small, man,” said one of the attendents at the grand opening.
“Are you saying we’ve already outgrown it in the first month?” John Hance said with a smile. (Zach Lindsey may be reached at 728-2538 or zach@lmtonline.com)
FALCON | Continued from Page 1A In turn, that flooding has created miles of new fish habitat and fishing opportunities. Randy Meyers, TPW district biologist who oversees both fisheries, said the changes are positive, with the only downside being the decomposition of flooded vegetation that will sour water near the shoreline. That will put spawning bass in deeper water come late winter. “The sour water should be finished before April,” Meyers said. “The fisheries were excellent going into the flood, and that won’t change.” The two bass fisheries are incredible and have been for years, but they have different personalities. Amistad is usually clear and deep; Falcon, in the South Texas flatlands, is shallow, with warmer water that is slightly off-color. Trophy bass anglers who have known the lakes in their normally lower stages will need to get reacquainted if they visit this fall. Ray Hansleman Jr. has guided on Amistad and Falcon for more than a decade and has fished both lakes since the water made its rapid rise in September. He fished Falcon for three days this week and said the fish are “acting strange. Things are different.” Hansleman said sour water up shallow already is a problem, and that the bass were not where he expected them to be. “The fish have to learn a new lake just like a fisherman does,” Hansleman said. “They are scattered. There’s not much of a pattern. I don’t know why. If you find 10 places that hold fish, only two (places) will have fish that bite.” On Amistad, he said submerged hydrilla that had been up to the shoreline in August is now in 16 feet of water. He is fishing the old shoreline like it is the inside edge of a new weed line.
“There is submerged grass out to 43 feet of water, but I’m not sure how long that will survive with cooler temperatures and less sunlight penetration,” Hansleman said. He uses Power Tackle, which is made in Del Rio, and fishes with 7-inch Texas-rigged Sinko worms and flips 11/2-ounce dark jigs over grass beds and along the edges of the grass lines. “Most of the (Amistad) water is tea color with a little more color in the Rio Grande arm because that’s where the water came in,” he said. “That will all settle out by spring.” On Falcon, professional bass angler Debra Hengst said the sour water would be more of a problem for anglers than for the fish. “The bass ... will relate more to the old shoreline than the new shoreline,” Hengst said. “The flooded mesquites and prickly pear means the anglers will have to adjust their thinking. They’ll want to go to the bank and fish all that flooded stuff, but the fish won’t be there when the water is sour.” Water in the upper lake is stained, but not muddy, and the lower lake is clear. Hengst will be fishing Falcon in the mild weather with plastic worms, blue-black jigs and spinnerbaits. Try plum-colored and redbug 6-inch worms with 1/4-ounce weights. She will also be throwing a 10-inch Rage Anaconda worm rigged to sink very slowly. The Strike King Raz-R-Blade spinnerbait in all white or chartreuse and white is her other go-to bait. “The bass will be out from the shore in the trees, and I’ll keep the pace very slow,” she said. (Laredo Morning Times contributed to this report. To reach Ron Henry Strait, call (210) 250-3358 or e-mail rstrait@express-news.net)
his forefathers. Peña discovered Escandon was in Reynosa (June 15, 1750) when he obtained a list of the 14 original families that came to Revilla with Miguel Martinez and Tomas Cuellar. History records hundreds of land grants in the Revilla and Guerrero jurisdictions that stretched to locations in modernday Laredo (Webb County), Zapata, Guerrero, Hebbronville (Jim Hogg County) and Starr County. In a public posting as recent as 1997 (General Land Office), according to data cited by Gonzalez de la Garza (“Mil Familias de Laredo”), it was explained petitions for land date to the year 1753. However, it did not become official until 1667 when the Crown dispatched a team of auditors (inspectors) to take inventory of the land and to partition (porciones) north of the Rio Grande. Historians researched archived documents indicating while tracts duly measured and partitioned, not all were assigned. One of the most recent and extensive reviews of the land grant process was done by Jose Maria Peña. In his “Inherit the Dust form the Four Winds of Revilla,” Peña tells the Crown’s viceroy, Marques de Croix, appointed a royal commission to oversee the land grant processes in Santander. The head of the
commission for that purpose was Juan Fernando de Palacios. counsel for the Royal council was Joseph de Ossorio y Llamas. The land grants carried conditions as determined by the Crown essentially on the basis of “who are you, who sent you and what you have.” The common tracts naturally went to common (average) petitioners. The larger tracts went to influential petitioners (genet de radon) or ranchers with greater need for land. When it involved abandoned or confiscated tracts, these tracts were assigned to newcomer settlers. This was done during a period between 1776 and up to the time Mexico gained independence. The awards became a matter of public record through a Royal decree. The town site would include provision for a park (plaza with kiosk), jailhouse (detencion), designated streets, a place for the priest and church to include housing for Indians being converted, as well as parcelas de riego y temporal (parcels for farming and raising livestock and small animals). The rule of the ejido surfaced in 1767 to designate public land available to all settlers to farm and to feed or water their livestock. For settlers to make use of the ejido required a permit. In time, the ejido system would be
overwhelmed by corrupt landowners (hacendados) who would buy settlers out of their parcels for peanuts. As a result, many of these working settlers and their families became peons, essentially slaves indentured to the landowner. These practices gave rise to massive protests in the rural areas and a series of revolutions. To this day, some ejidos operate outside Nuevo Laredo in the rural lands of the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Raymundo Mayo Rios, Nuevo Laredo historian well versed in ranching and farming lands in Tamaulipas, said rural border history has been marked by numerous disputes over land. Peña wrote Revilla, in particular, “had an unusual number of disputes over boundaries resulting from mete and bounds, the threat of Indian attacks and “the close proximity of other jurisdictions” like Mier and Hacienda de Dolores (the Borrego Grant). The Borrego Grant was one of the five largest authorized in the Revilla region that included thousands of acres in San Ignacio and Guerrero in Tamaulipas as well as the north side of the Rio Grande. (Odie Arambula is at 7282561. E-mail him at oarambula@stx.rr.com and odie@lmton-
UNITED WAY | Continued from Page 11A them could even put shoes on. They called 911 and their mother. “When I got there, there were several fire trucks turning off the fire at my house,” Benavides said. Everything was gone. But the kids were alive. “I’m glad we didn’t lose our children,” Eddie Benavides said. “That’s one thing that I’m grateful for.” Rossy Benavides, who volunteers for the American Red Cross, knew she could call the organization for help. “That’s the first thing I thought about when my house was totally left with nothing,” Benavides said. “We called Red Cross and they showed up there in less than 30 minutes.” The Red Cross was able to assist the family with hotel accomodations for four days and provided other needed items, including clothing for the five children. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t know what to do,” Rossy Benavides said. The family had to stay in hotels for two weeks and received much help from the community to help the kids start the school
year. “Red Cross can’t do it just by themselves, and we can’t either,” the mother said. “We had a lot of help from our community as well. They all pitched in to help us come out ahead.” The family had a hard time finding someone who would rent a house to them for months because of the fire. “It was very hard because a lot of families don’t want to rent to you when you have so many children, especially when a child has burned the house down,” Rossy Benavides said. The family found a home owner who allowed them to rent and later let them take over payments of the house. The family has lived there for six months. Both parents said they felt the incident brought their family closer together. The children have had to share bedrooms and sleep on mattresses without bed frames. “We cried, we struggled a lot, but we pulled together,” Rossy Benavides said. “It was just hard.” The two parents are also grateful their children know their parents are working hard to try to give them back everything
they’re used to having, but it’s going to take time. “They understand when we say, ‘Later on,’ or ‘Not right now,’ ‘There’s not enough,’ ” Rossy Benavides said as she watched her children play a game on the floor. “Thankfully, our children are not materialistic.” The children do not lack necessities, such as clothing and food, the parents said. “Thankfully, we’ve worked hard,” the mother said. “If you just sit around and wait to see who helps you, there’s not going to be help. It’s impossible. You need to go out there and work for your family.” Eddie and Rossy Benavides said the Red Cross is a “wonderful organization” that can help restore people’s lives in time of emergency. “They don’t only help you for fires,” Rossy Benavides said. “They help you with many other things as well — storms, elderly people when their houses are in really bad condition, reuniting families during disaster.” For more information about the American Red Cross — Laredo Branch, which also serves Zapata County, call 726-4778.
INTERNATIONAL | Continued from Page 5A Chu observed that many Asians who come to the area, whether they be Americans of Asian descent or immigrants from an Asian country, embrace the region’s Hispanic culture, but their own culture often gets overlooked. TAMIU’s Asian Night was the place for locals of Asian descent to embrace their own culture. “I wanted a close-knit community that appreciates people,” Chu said. That’s why he came to Laredo from San Antonio, where he attended law school. Saturday’s event was conceived about four years ago, according to Jacky Yuk-Chow So, Ph.D. and dean of the College of Business Administration at TAMIU. So helped organize the Laredo Asian Association, which, in turn, organized the event at TAMIU. The event has grown by leaps and bounds each year. “Last year, we expected 200 and got 400,” So said. “This year we expected 450 and got 550.”
He noted the similiarities between Mexican culture and the culture of many Asian countries. “Mexican culture is very family-oriented,” So said. Asian culture is also family-oriented, he said. “We’re all part of the big family.” The similarities between the Laredo and the world many Asian-Americans grew up in don’t end at culture. “This is warm, just like my hometown of Hong Kong,” So said with a smile. The hosts of Asian Night interrupted their celebration to honor Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas, who turned 63 that weekend. He was presented with a birthday cake, and he quipped about his Social Security benefits. “This is definitely an international city,” Salinas said. “It really shows the unity of different cultures.” (Zach Lindsey may be reached at 728-2538 or zach@lmtonline.com)
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12A | THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
The Zapata Times SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 15,2008
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors Injury bug bit Hawks By NINO CARDENAS LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Courtesy photo
The Zapata Hawks were guests at Zapata South Elementary School for the last Hawks pep rally of the football season. The team was cheered on by Zapata South student body, which exhibited some of the most enthusiastic “Hawk Pride”in Zapata County.There were games,cheers,dancing and more games.
The Zapata Hawks showed their new District 32-3A partners exactly just how good they can be, but then the injury bug bit — hard. The Hawks (2-5 32-3A, 5-5 overall) opened district play with wins over eventual district champ Rio Hondo (6-1, 8-2) and Lyford (5-2, 7-3) before key personnel losses contributed to the team’s five-game losing skid to close out the season. Zapata beat Rio Hondo, 21-14, and fol-
lowed that up with a 26-20 win over Lyford. Against Lyford, the Hawks lost their slot back in senior Isaac Patterson and senior tight end Jerry Buentello suffered an injury, though he still managed to tough it out for the season. Losing Patterson hurt the Hawks because, despite having other capable runners, Patterson was the focal point of the Slot-T offense, while the less-than-100-percent Buentello essentially took the oomph out of their offensive and defensive schemes. “He’s our running back and wide re-
ceiver, and that kinda killed us. He was also our safety, and Buentello (also a defensive player) was never 100 percent on the season,” coach Mario Arce said. That’s not to say the Hawks weren’t competitive. “We couldn’t finish the season; we were just too banged up. We had kids playing that were hurt; they toughed it out and gave it everything they got. It wasn’t because of a lack of effort,” Arce said. Injuries, especially in a 3A school, have
See FOOTBALL | PAGE 2B
ZAPATA XC KEEPS RUNNING SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
hen someone dedicates their heart and soul, expectations become easier, especially when you share sweat, blood and tears. Along the way, the road may sometimes get bumpy and sudden challenges may lead to scary, sharp turns with cliffs over the side, but a determined person keeps moving forward. Through the journey, experiences become special moments with personal satisfaction. For the past six years, Zapata cross country has transitioned into something special. For the first time in school history, both cross country teams will test themselves once again among the elite at the state meet. Only 12 teams qualify to compete at the State CC meet in Round Rock. Cross country teams comprise seven runners, with the top five on each team scoring. The finishing places of the five runners are added up, with the lowest score winning. Earning a medal at the state championships can be determined by just one point,
W
Courtesy photo
See CROSS COUNTRY | PAGE 2B
Zapata Hawks cross country keeps on shining, as both the girls and boys teams qualified for the state meet in Round Rock.
Romo’s back for Cowboys’ Texas looks to stay in Big 12 must-win game vs. Redskins chase with win over Kansas By JOSEPH WHITE
By DOUG TUCKER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LANDOVER, Md. — O, Romo, Romo, how for art thou, Romo? “I’m confident that I’ll feel pretty good for the game,” the Dallas Cowboys hero replied. You don’t need a Shakespearean balcony scene to realize the importance of Tony Romo’s return to the Cowboys, perhaps just in time to save a season going wrong. The quarterback whose broken pinkie sidelined him for three games returns Sunday night to face the Washington Redskins in a game Dallas is calling a must win in everything but name. “I wouldn’t say it’s a must game,” receiver Terrell Owens said, “but we need to win the game.” Rivalry Week? How about Desperation Week? For both teams, that is. Even though the Redskins (6-3) lead the Cowboys (5-4) by a game in the NFC East, the moods in Washington and Texas are similar. “It’s a must win for both teams — and something has to give,” Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell said. Of course, neither would be in such a fix if it weren’t for something else they have in common: The Redskins and Cowboys are the only two teams to lose to the St. Louis Rams this year. “We saw when we played St. Louis — you can’t take anyone for granted,” Dallas tight end Jason
LAWRENCE, Kan. — He’s a proud kid, an undersized quarterback who grew up in Texas and loved his home state Longhorns — only to be spurned by them. Todd Reesing’s also a straightforward kid. He won’t deny that getting ready to lead Kansas against the fourth-ranked Longhorns on Saturday is causing his competitive heart to beat a bit faster. “I grew up in Austin, obviously watching the ‘Horns,” Reesing said. “My dad went to UT. So I would be lying if I told you (the game) wasn’t a little bit bigger for me.” Rejected by the school he always dreamed of playing for, Reesing wound up at Kansas, and the Jayhawks couldn’t be happier. In less than two full seasons, he already holds 32 school passing records. Through the first 10 games this year for the Jayhawks (6-4, 3-3 Big 12), he ranks in the top 10 nationally in completions, yards and total offense. Texas coach Mack Brown graciously agreed last year, while Reesing was leading the Jayhawks to a 12-1 record, that “anyone who did not recruit him made a mistake.” It’s not that Reesing’s making it any sort of vendetta game, or grimly setting out to show Tex-
Photo by Tony Gutierrez | AP
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, center, prepares to throw a pass to tight end Jason Witten (82) during football practice at the team's training facility in Irving,Texas. Cowboys quarterback coach Wade Wilson is seen at left rear. Witten said. The other problem for these teams is the emergence of the NFC South, which could snag one or both of the wild-card spots that had been expected to go to the East. If Carolina (7-2), Tampa Bay (6-3) and Atlanta (6-3) keep winning, the only sure route to the postseason for the Cowboys and Redskins would be to catch the first-place New York Giants (8-1), who are threatening to run away and hide.
“The Giants are definitely trying to distance themselves from everybody else, and we’ve got to keep pace,” Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen said. “If we don’t keep pace, then we’ll be looking at a wild-card game and then you’re looking all the way across the board, how we match up (in the standings). We’ve got to win some ballgames.” The NFL thought enough of
See COWBOYS | PAGE 2B
MACK BROWN ans everywhere what they missed. But Kansas’ first game against Texas since 2004 may be like none other for the junior quarterback. “You got to try to not make it as big to yourself, but it is going to be fun,” he said. “I grew up watching Texas and cheering for them, so now that I am playing against them, it will be a lot of fun.” As proud as Kansas fans are of Reesing, however, it would be hard to mount a credible argument that he would be starting for Texas this season. The Longhorns (9-1, 5-1) have a guy named Colt McCoy who’s pretty good, too.
After throwing five touchdown passes last week in a rout of Baylor, McCoy’s passer rating in 36 games is 158.2, No. 1 alltime among Texas quarterbacks. He’s hit a shade under 70 percent of his passes for 8,752 yards and 79 touchdowns in his career. “He is a quality player,” said Kansas coach Mark Mangino. “He is one of the most improved quarterbacks from last year to this year. Whoever works with him in the offseason has done a magnificent job. He is way ahead of where he was at this time last year. He has a lot more poise, he is throwing the ball better and he is running the ball better.” The Longhorns’ lone loss this year was to Big 12 South rival Texas Tech, ranked No. 2 in the country this week right behind No. 1 Alabama. But Texas has a victory over Oklahoma, and if the Sooners should beat Tech in their upcoming game while Texas wins out, the Longhorns could slip out of the crowded South into the Big 12 championship game next month. A win there, and they might get a chance at another national championship. “It is what it is,” said Texas cornerback Ryan Palmer. “The main thing is winning, and we didn’t win against Tech, so we’re here now. We can’t go back and ‘what if’s’ and this and that. We just have to finish strong and win
See TEXAS | PAGE 2B
Zscores CHL NORTHERN CONFERENCE Northeast Division W L OTL Pts GF GA Oklahoma City 8 0 2 18 35 17 Bossier-Shreveport8 2 0 16 42 21 Mississippi 5 5 0 10 34 34 Tulsa 2 5 1 5 19 41 Northwest Division W L OTL Pts GF GA Colorado 10 1 0 20 51 33 Rapid City 2 3 4 8 34 36 Wichita 3 6 1 7 30 42 Rocky Mountain 1 7 1 3 19 43 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE Southeast Division W L OTL Pts GF GA Laredo 6 4 0 12 34 27 Rio Grande Valley5 1 1 11 27 19 Texas 5 3 1 11 29 28 Corpus Christi 3 5 1 7 34 35 Southwest Division W L OTL Pts GF GA Odessa 7 2 1 15 47 26 New Mexico 5 5 1 11 46 49 Arizona 4 6 1 9 33 43 Amarillo 3 7 0 6 24 44 NOTE: Two points are awarded for a win, one point for loss in overtime or shootout. Overtime or shootout losses are only denoted in the OTL column, not the loss column. Friday’s Games Oklahoma City at Mississippi Amarillo at Odessa Bossier-Shreveport at Texas Wichita at Laredo Corpus Christi at Rio Grande Valley Tulsa at Colorado Rocky Mountain at New Mexico Rapid City at Arizona Saturday’s Games Amarillo at Corpus Christi Oklahoma City at Mississippi Rocky Mountain at Odessa New Mexico at Texas Bossier-Shreveport at Laredo Wichita at Rio Grande Valley Rapid City at Arizona
NFL All Times EST AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF N.Y. Jets 7 3 0 .700 289 New England 6 4 0 .600 219 Miami 5 4 0 .556 192 Buffalo 5 4 0 .556 192 South W L T Pct PF Tennessee 9 0 01.000 220 Indianapolis 5 4 0 .556 191 Jacksonville 4 5 0 .444 198 Houston 3 6 0 .333 209 North W L T Pct PF Pittsburgh 6 3 0 .667 198 Baltimore 6 3 0 .667 212 Cleveland 3 6 0 .333 172 Cincinnati 1 8 0 .111 125 West W L T Pct PF Denver 5 4 0 .556 224 San Diego 4 5 0 .444 244 Oakland 2 7 0 .222 113 Kansas City 1 8 0 .111 145 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF N.Y. Giants 8 1 0 .889 262 Washington 6 3 0 .667 171 Dallas 5 4 0 .556 216 Philadelphia 5 4 0 .556 251 South W
L
T Pct
PA 221 194 182 189 PA 117 197 186 254 PA 140 150 194 236 PA 251 218 218 243
PA 160 168 219 180
New York Toronto Philadelphia New Jersey
5 3 .625 2½ 4 4 .500 3½ 3 5 .375 4½ 2 5 .286 5 Southeast W L Pct GB Atlanta 6 1 .857 — Orlando 5 3 .625 1½ Miami 4 4 .500 2½ Charlotte 2 5 .286 4 Washington 1 5 .167 4½ Central W L Pct GB Cleveland 7 2 .778 — Detroit 5 2 .714 1 Indiana 4 3 .571 2 Chicago 4 5 .444 3 Milwaukee 4 5 .444 3 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest W L Pct GB Houston 5 3 .625 — New Orleans 4 3 .571 ½ Memphis 3 6 .333 2½ San Antonio 2 5 .286 2½ Dallas 2 6 .250 3 Northwest W L Pct GB Utah 6 2 .750 — Portland 5 3 .625 1 Denver 4 4 .500 2 Minnesota 1 6 .143 4½ Oklahoma City 1 7 .125 5 Pacific W L Pct GB L.A. Lakers 7 0 1.000 — Phoenix 6 3 .667 2 Sacramento 4 5 .444 4 Golden State 3 5 .375 4½ L.A. Clippers 1 7 .125 6½ Thursday’s Games Cleveland 110, Denver 99 Chicago 98, Dallas 91 Detroit at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. Friday’s Games Utah at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Philadelphia at Indiana, 7 p.m. Atlanta at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. Washington at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at New York, 7:30 p.m. Milwaukee at Memphis, 8 p.m. Denver at Boston, 8 p.m. Portland at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Houston at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. Orlando at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Phoenix at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Detroit at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. Saturday’s Games Golden State at L.A. Clippers, 3:30 p.m. New Jersey at Atlanta, 7 p.m. Oklahoma City at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Utah at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Portland at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Indiana at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. Boston at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m. New Orleans at Houston, 8:30 p.m. Sunday’s Games Miami at Toronto, 1 p.m. Orlando at Charlotte, 5:30 p.m. Dallas at New York, 6 p.m. Detroit at Phoenix, 8 p.m. Minnesota at Denver, 8 p.m. San Antonio at Sacramento, 9 p.m.
NHL All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L OT Pts GF N.Y. Rangers 12 5 2 26 52 Pittsburgh 10 4 2 22 53 New Jersey 7 6 2 16 39 Philadelphia 5 6 4 14 52 N.Y. Islanders 5 9 2 12 41 Northeast Division
PF PA
Carolina Tampa Bay Atlanta New Orleans
7 2 0 .778 191 133 6 3 0 .667 200 147 6 3 0 .667 211 174 4 5 0 .444 236 229 North W L T Pct PF PA Chicago 5 4 0 .556 237 194 Minnesota 5 4 0 .556 210 215 Green Bay 4 5 0 .444 237 206 Detroit 0 9 0 .000 151 277 West W L T Pct PF PA Arizona 6 3 0 .667 263 208 Seattle 2 7 0 .222 170 231 San Francisco 2 7 0 .222 195 259 St. Louis 2 7 0 .222 128 282 Thursday’s Games N.Y. Jets 34, New England 31, OT Sunday’s Games Denver at Atlanta, 1 p.m. Oakland at Miami, 1 p.m. Chicago at Green Bay, 1 p.m. Baltimore at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. Houston at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. Detroit at Carolina, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Kansas City, 1 p.m. Philadelphia at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. Arizona at Seattle, 4:05 p.m. St. Louis at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. San Diego at Pittsburgh, 4:15 p.m. Tennessee at Jacksonville, 4:15 p.m. Dallas at Washington, 8:15 p.m. Monday’s Game Cleveland at Buffalo, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 8:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 N.Y. Jets at Tennessee, 1 p.m. Tampa Bay at Detroit, 1 p.m. Chicago at St. Louis, 1 p.m. New England at Miami, 1 p.m. San Francisco at Dallas, 1 p.m. Buffalo at Kansas City, 1 p.m. Houston at Cleveland, 1 p.m. Philadelphia at Baltimore, 1 p.m. Minnesota at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. Oakland at Denver, 4:05 p.m. Carolina at Atlanta, 4:15 p.m. Washington at Seattle, 4:15 p.m. N.Y. Giants at Arizona, 4:15 p.m. Indianapolis at San Diego, 8:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24 Green Bay at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.
NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic W L Pct GB Boston 8 1 .889 —
W
Boston Buffalo Montreal Toronto Ottawa
L
OT Pts
GA 42 46 40 53 53
GF GA
10 3 3 23 50 36 9 3 3 21 47 36 9 3 2 20 48 40 7 6 4 18 55 60 6 8 2 14 39 42 Southeast Division W L OT Pts GF GA Washington 9 4 2 20 48 42 Carolina 8 6 2 18 44 50 Atlanta 6 7 2 14 45 55 Tampa Bay 5 7 4 14 34 46 Florida 6 8 1 13 35 43 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division W L OT Pts GF GA Detroit 10 2 3 23 57 50 Chicago 7 3 4 18 49 37 Columbus 7 7 2 16 48 54 Nashville 7 7 1 15 48 53 St. Louis 5 8 1 11 44 49 Northwest Division W L OT Pts GF GA Minnesota 9 4 1 19 37 28 Vancouver 9 6 1 19 49 40 Calgary 9 7 1 19 51 56 Edmonton 8 7 1 17 41 49 Colorado 7 8 0 14 41 46 Pacific Division W L OT Pts GF GA San Jose 13 3 1 27 57 42 Anaheim 9 7 1 19 52 54 Phoenix 8 7 0 16 38 38 Los Angeles 7 6 2 16 41 40 Dallas 5 8 3 13 45 60 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss or shootout loss. Thursday’s Games Boston 6, Montreal 1 N.Y. Islanders 3, Ottawa 1 Detroit 4, Tampa Bay 3 Pittsburgh 5, Philadelphia 4, SO Minnesota 4, Phoenix 0 Los Angeles 3, Dallas 2 Toronto 5, Edmonton 2 Calgary at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. Friday’s Games New Jersey at Washington, 7 p.m. Columbus at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m. Carolina at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Florida, 7:30 p.m. St. Louis at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. Nashville at Anaheim, 10 p.m. Saturday’s Games Philadelphia at Montreal, 7 p.m. Ottawa at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. Boston at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m. Washington at New Jersey, 7 p.m. Toronto at Vancouver, 7 p.m. Buffalo at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. Columbus at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008 Dallas at Phoenix, 9 p.m. Colorado at Edmonton, 10 p.m. Nashville at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. Sunday’s Games Tampa Bay at Carolina, 3 p.m. Montreal at St. Louis, 6 p.m. San Jose at Chicago, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Los Angeles at Anaheim, 8 p.m.
NCAA Football Top 25 Schedule All Times EDT (Subject to change) Friday, Nov. 14 No. 22 Cincinnati at Louisville, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 No. 1 Alabama vs. Mississippi State, 7:45 p.m. No. 3 Florida vs. No. 24 South Carolina, 3:30 p.m. No. 4 Texas at Kansas, 12:30 p.m. No. 6 Southern Cal at Stanford, 7 p.m. No. 7 Penn State vs. Indiana, Noon No. 8 Utah at San Diego State, 8 p.m. No. 9 Boise State at Idaho, 5 p.m. No. 10 Ohio State at Illinois, Noon No. 11 Oklahoma State at Colorado, 8 p.m. No. 12 Missouri at Iowa State, 6:30 p.m. No. 13 Georgia at Auburn, 12:30 p.m. No. 16 BYU at Air Force, 3:30 p.m. No. 17 North Carolina at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. No. 19 LSU vs. Troy, 8 p.m. No. 20 Florida State vs. Boston College, 8 p.m. No. 23 Oregon State vs. California, 3:30 p.m. No. 25 Tulsa at Houston, 8 p.m. Tuesday’s Scores MIDWEST Ball St. 31, Miami (Ohio) 16 Wednesday’s Scores MIDWEST Kent St. 41, Temple 38 Thursday’s Scores SOUTH Miami 16, Virginia Tech 14 MIDWEST Bethel, Minn. 26, Augsburg 0 Buffalo 43, Akron 40, 4OT FAR WEST UNLV 22, Wyoming 14 Schedule (Subject to change) Friday, Nov. 14 SOUTH Cincinnati (7-2) at Louisville (5-4), 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 EAST Notre Dame (5-4) vs. Navy (6-3) at Baltimore, Noon Massachusetts (6-4) at New Hampshire (7-2), Noon Harvard (7-1) at Penn (5-3), Noon Indiana (3-7) at Penn St. (9-1), Noon Maine (7-3) at Rhode Island (2-8), Noon Princeton (3-5) at Yale (5-3), Noon Cornell (4-4) at Columbia (1-7), 12:30 p.m. Brown (5-3) at Dartmouth (0-8), 12:30 p.m. Bucknell (4-5) at Lehigh (3-6), 12:30 p.m. Wagner (3-7) at Albany, N.Y. (7-3), 1 p.m. Monmouth, N.J. (6-4) at Duquesne (3-6), 1 p.m. Georgetown, D.C. (2-7) at Fordham (4-5), 1 p.m. Northeastern (2-8) at Hofstra (3-7), 1 p.m. Bryant (5-4) at Iona (3-7), 1 p.m. Holy Cross (6-3) at Lafayette (7-2), 1 p.m. Cent. Connecticut St. (6-4) at Sacred Heart (8-2), 1 p.m. Robert Morris (4-6) at St. Francis, Pa. (09), 1 p.m. Towson (3-7) at Villanova (7-2), 1 p.m. VMI (3-6) at Stony Brook (4-6), 3:30 p.m. Connecticut (6-3) at Syracuse (2-7), 7 p.m. SOUTH Valparaiso (2-7) at Campbell (1-8), Noon Duke (4-5) at Clemson (4-5), Noon Marist (3-7) at Davidson (3-6), Noon Drake (5-4) at Jacksonville (6-3), Noon Rutgers (4-5) at South Florida (6-3), Noon Georgia (8-2) at Auburn (5-5), 12:30 p.m. Murray St. (4-6) at E. Kentucky (6-3), 1 p.m. Delaware St. (3-6) at Norfolk St. (4-6), 1 p.m. Middle Tennessee (3-6) at W. Kentucky (28), 1 p.m. Savannah St. (3-5) at Webber International (3-7), 1 p.m. Edward Waters (3-7) at Charleston Southern (5-5), 1:30 p.m. William & Mary (7-2) at James Madison (81), 1:30 p.m. Winston-Salem (3-6) at N.C. Central (2-7), 1:30 p.m. Coastal Carolina (5-5) at Presbyterian (46), 1:30 p.m. Louisiana-Monroe (3-7) at Mississippi (54), 2 p.m. Chattanooga (1-9) at The Citadel (3-7), 2 p.m. Utah St. (2-8) at Louisiana Tech (5-4), 2:30 p.m. Hampton (5-4) at Florida A&M (7-3), 3 p.m. Tennessee St. (8-2) at Jacksonville St. (73), 3 p.m. Wofford (7-2) at Samford (5-4), 3 p.m. East Carolina (6-3) at Southern Miss. (4-6), 3 p.m. UAB (2-7) at Tulane (2-7), 3 p.m. Georgia Southern (5-5) at Furman (7-3), 3:05 p.m. Elon (8-2) at Appalachian St. (8-2), 3:30 p.m. South Carolina (7-3) at Florida (8-1), 3:30 p.m. North Carolina (7-2) at Maryland (6-3), 3:30 p.m. Wake Forest (6-3) at N.C. State (3-6), 3:30 p.m. Delaware (4-6) at Richmond (7-3), 3:30 p.m. Howard (0-8) at Bethune-Cookman (7-2), 4 p.m. Louisiana-Lafayette (5-4) at Florida Atlantic (4-5), 4 p.m. Alabama A&M (4-6) at Jackson St. (5-4), 4 p.m. S. Carolina St. (8-2) at Morgan St. (6-4), 4 p.m. UCF (2-7) at Marshall (4-5), 4:30 p.m. Gardner-Webb (5-5) at Liberty (8-2), 7 p.m. McNeese St. (6-3) at Northwestern St. (64), 7 p.m.
Alabama St. (2-7) vs. Southern U. (5-4) at Mobile, Ala., 7 p.m. Mississippi St. (3-6) at Alabama (10-0), 7:45 p.m. Boston College (6-3) at Florida St. (7-2), 8 p.m. Vanderbilt (5-4) at Kentucky (6-4), 8 p.m. Troy (6-3) at LSU (6-3), 8 p.m. MIDWEST Ohio St. (8-2) at Illinois (5-5), Noon Purdue (3-7) at Iowa (6-4), Noon Northwestern (7-3) at Michigan (3-7), Noon N. Iowa (8-2) at Indiana St. (0-10), 12:05 p.m. Texas (9-1) at Kansas (6-4), 12:30 p.m. Morehead St. (3-6) at Dayton (9-1), 1 p.m. N. Dakota St. (5-4) at Missouri St. (3-6), 2 p.m. Tenn.-Martin (7-3) at SE Missouri (3-7), 2 p.m. Toledo (2-7) at W. Michigan (8-2), 2 p.m. Illinois St. (3-6) at W. Illinois (5-4), 2:05 p.m. Austin Peay (1-8) at E. Illinois (4-6), 2:30 p.m. S. Dakota St. (6-4) at S. Illinois (7-2), 3 p.m. Nebraska (6-4) at Kansas St. (4-6), 3:30 p.m. Minnesota (7-3) at Wisconsin (5-5), 3:30 p.m. Missouri (8-2) at Iowa St. (2-8), 6:30 p.m. SOUTHWEST Alcorn St. (2-8) at Prairie View (8-1), 3 p.m. Texas A&M (4-6) at Baylor (3-7), 4 p.m. Nicholls St. (2-5) at Texas St. (5-4), 4 p.m. MVSU (3-6) at Ark.-Pine Bluff (1-9), 5 p.m. SE Louisiana (4-6) at Sam Houston St. (44), 7 p.m. Cent. Arkansas (8-2) at Stephen F.Austin (4-6), 7 p.m. Tulsa (8-1) at Houston (5-4), 8 p.m. SMU (1-9) at UTEP (4-5), 9:05 p.m. FAR WEST New Mexico (4-7) at Colorado St. (4-6), 2 p.m. Idaho St. (0-10) at Montana (9-1), 2:05 p.m. Portland St. (3-6) at Montana St. (6-4), 2:05 p.m. South Dakota (5-4) at S. Utah (4-5), 3 p.m. BYU (9-1) at Air Force (8-2), 3:30 p.m. California (6-3) at Oregon St. (6-3), 3:30 p.m. San Jose St. (6-4) at Nevada (5-4), 4:05 p.m. New Mexico St. (3-6) at Fresno St. (5-4), 5 p.m. Boise St. (9-0) at Idaho (2-8), 5 p.m. N. Arizona (6-4) at E. Washington (4-5), 5:05 p.m. N. Colorado (1-8) at Sacramento St. (5-5), 5:05 p.m. Washington St. (1-9) at Arizona St. (3-6), 5:30 p.m. Arizona (6-3) at Oregon (7-3), 6:30 p.m. Southern Cal (8-1) at Stanford (5-5), 7 p.m. UC Davis (5-5) at Cal Poly (7-1), 7:05 p.m. Oklahoma St. (8-2) at Colorado (5-5), 8 p.m. Utah (10-0) at San Diego St. (1-9), 8 p.m. Butler (6-3) at San Diego (7-2), 9 p.m. UCLA (3-6) at Washington (0-9), 10:15 p.m.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Top 25 Schedule All Times EST Friday’s Games No. 2 Connecticut vs. Western Carolina, 7:30 p.m. No. 5 Pittsburgh vs. Fairleigh Dickinson, 7 p.m. No. 7 Texas vs. Stetson, 8 p.m. No. 11 Purdue vs. Detroit, 9 p.m. No. 12 Oklahoma vs. American, 8 p.m. No. 15 Arizona State vs. Mississippi Valley State, 10 p.m. No. 16 Marquette vs. Houston Baptist, 8:30 p.m. No. 19 Florida vs. Toledo, 6 p.m. No. 20 Davidson vs. Guilford, 9 p.m. No. 21 Wake Forest vs. North Carolina Central, 7 p.m. No. 23 Villanova vs. Albany, N.Y., 8 p.m. Saturday’s Games No. 1 North Carolina vs. Pennsylvania, 4 p.m. No. 10 Gonzaga vs. Montana StateBillings, 7 p.m. No. 13 Memphis vs. Fairfield, 8 p.m. No. 14 Tennessee vs. Chattanooga, 7 p.m. No. 17 Miami vs. Florida Southern, 7:30 p.m. No. 18 Southern California vs. UC Irvine, 3:30 p.m. Sunday’s Games No. 6 Michigan State vs. Idaho, 6 p.m. No. 8 Duke vs. Rhode Island, 4:30 p.m. No. 9 Notre Dame vs. South Carolina-Upstate, 7:30 p.m. No. 19 Florida vs. Bradley, 2:15 p.m. No. 24 Kansas vs. Missouri-Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. No. 25 Wisconsin vs. Long Beach State, 4 p.m. Schedule All Times EST Friday, Nov. 14 EAST Cent. Connecticut St. at Boston College, 6 p.m. William & Mary at Penn St., 6:30 p.m. George Washington at Boston U., 7 p.m. Quinnipiac at Hartford, 7 p.m. Sacred Heart at Holy Cross, 7 p.m. Mount St. Mary’s, Md. at Loyola, Md., 7 p.m. Fairleigh Dickinson at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. Cent. Michigan at Princeton, 7 p.m. Brown at Rhode Island, 7 p.m. Rider at Saint Joseph’s, 7 p.m. Md.-Eastern Shore at Stony Brook, 7 p.m. Navy at Towson, 7 p.m. Stanford at Yale, 7 p.m. W. Carolina at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m. Hampton at Iona, 7:30 p.m. Robert Morris at St. Bonaventure, 7:30 p.m. Lafayette at Wagner, 7:30 p.m. Columbia at Fordham, 8 p.m. Marist at Rutgers, 8 p.m. St. Francis, NY at Seton Hall, 8 p.m. Albany, N.Y. at Villanova, 8 p.m. South Dakota at Cornell, 8:30 p.m. High Point at Duquesne, 8:30 p.m. Long Island U. at St. John’s, 9 p.m. SOUTH Maryville, Mo. at Tenn.-Martin, 12:30
COWBOYS the NFC East to feature the division on back-to-back Sunday nights. Redskins coach Jim Zorn was a no-win spectator as he watched the Giants beat the Philadelphia Eagles last week. “It was tough to know who to root for,” Zorn said. “And because of what happened, we have to have a little help if we’re going to achieve one of our goals.” The bye week gave several Cowboys time to heal. In addition to Romo, left guard Kyle Kosier is expected to play after missing the last six games with a right foot injury, as is cornerback Terence Newman after being out five because of a sports hernia. The Cowboys went 1-2 while Romo was sidelined, but there is unanimous agreement that the team’s struggles
began before he was hurt. The first cracks in the facade showed in Week 4, with Dallas was stunned at home 2624 by the Redskins. His return might not be an instant salve. “I don’t know if it’s that simple,” Witten said. “I mean, even before that we weren’t playing our best football. I think that just collectively understanding you have to win your own battle, one-on-one, within the team concept. Obviously not having your quarterback out there puts you in a bad spot. I think we’re kind of rallying behind everybody being healthy and making a big push here.” The Redskins are thinking more highly of Romo’s potential impact. Exhibit A: Dallas averaged only 140 yards
p.m. Toledo at Florida, 6 p.m. Grace Bible at The Citadel, 6:05 p.m. Monmouth, N.J. at Florida Atlantic, 7 p.m. Oregon St. at Howard, 7 p.m. VMI at Kentucky, 7 p.m. Virginia-Wise at Longwood, 7 p.m. Piedmont at Mercer, 7 p.m. Brevard at Radford, 7 p.m. Brewton-Parker at Savannah St., 7 p.m. Jacksonville St. at South Carolina, 7 p.m. SMU at South Florida, 7 p.m. Belmont Abbey at UNC Asheville, 7 p.m. Appalachian St. at UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m. N.C. Central at Wake Forest, 7 p.m. North Greenville at Winthrop, 7 p.m. Wilmington, Del. at Delaware St., 7:30 p.m. Coker at East Carolina, 7:30 p.m. S.C.-Upstate at Georgia, 7:30 p.m. Reinhardt at Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m. Erskine at S. Carolina St., 7:30 p.m. Missouri St. at Auburn, 8 p.m. Samford at Belmont, 8 p.m. UNC Greensboro at Charlotte, 8 p.m. E. Kentucky at Fla. International, 8 p.m. Emory at Furman, 8 p.m. Morehead St. at Louisiana-Monroe, 8 p.m. Bucknell at Maryland, 8 p.m. Trevecca Nazarene at Middle Tennessee, 8 p.m. Arkansas St. at Mississippi, 8 p.m. Gardner-Webb at Virginia Tech, 8 p.m. Alcorn St. at South Alabama, 8:05 p.m. Winston-Salem at Georgia Tech, 8:30 p.m. Tougaloo at Southern U., 8:30 p.m. Cumberland, Tenn. at Tennessee St., 8:30 p.m. Guilford at Davidson, 9 p.m. Montreat at Liberty, 9:15 p.m. MIDWEST Marygrove at E. Michigan, Noon St. Xavier at Chicago St., 4:30 p.m. Loyola Marymount vs. Wis.-Milwaukee at Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa, 5:30 p.m. Georgia St. vs. Bowling Green at Williams Arena, Minneapolis, 7 p.m. IPFW at Xavier, 7:30 p.m. UC Davis at Iowa St., 8 p.m. Florida A&M at Kansas St., 8 p.m. Rockhurst at Loyola of Chicago, 8 p.m. San Jose St. at S. Dakota St., 8 p.m. Missouri-St. Louis at Saint Louis, 8 p.m. Ill.-Chicago at Bradley, 8:05 p.m. Charleston Southern at Iowa, 8:05 p.m. Houston Baptist at Marquette, 8:30 p.m. Mid-Continent at Minnesota, 9 p.m. Detroit at Purdue, 9 p.m. North Dakota at UMKC, 9:05 p.m. E. Washington at Illinois, 9:30 p.m. SOUTHWEST Schreiner at Sam Houston St., 4:30 p.m. Cameron at North Texas, 8 p.m. American U. at Oklahoma, 8 p.m. Texas-San Antonio at Oklahoma St., 8 p.m. Howard Payne at Stephen F.Austin, 8 p.m. Stetson at Texas, 8 p.m. Texas A&M-Kingsville at Texas A&MCorpus Christi, 8 p.m. SE Louisiana at Arkansas, 8:05 p.m. St. Francis, Pa. at Texas Tech, 9 p.m. Texas Southern at UTEP, 10:05 p.m. FAR WEST CS Monterey Bay at Pepperdine, 8 p.m. Western St., Colo. at Air Force, 9 p.m. Long Beach St. at BYU, 9 p.m. Ark.-Pine Bluff at Colorado, 9 p.m. Montana at Colorado St., 9 p.m. SE Missouri at New Mexico, 9 p.m. N. Arizona at Utah Valley St., 9 p.m. CS Bakersfield at Wyoming, 9 p.m. E. Oregon at Idaho St., 9:05 p.m. Montana St.-Northern at Utah St., 9:05 p.m. MVSU at Arizona St., 10 p.m. Ark.-Little Rock at Cal Poly, 10 p.m. Texas St. vs. Cal St.-Fullerton at the Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu, 10 p.m. Sacramento St. at Fresno St., 10 p.m. Cal St.-Hayward at Santa Clara, 10 p.m. Cal State-LA at UC Santa Barbara, 10 p.m. Cal Lutheran at CS Northridge, 10:05 p.m. Evergreen St. at Idaho, 10:05 p.m. Seattle Pacific at Saint Mary’s, Calif., 10:05 p.m. Pacific, Ore. at Boise St., 10:15 p.m. N. Colorado at Oregon, 11 p.m. San Francisco at Hawaii, 12:35 a.m.
MLS Playoff Glance All Times EST Conference Semifinals (Two-leg Aggregate Score Series) All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE Columbus 3, Kansas City 1 Saturday, Nov. 1: Columbus 1, Kansas City 1, tie Saturday, Nov. 8: Columbus 2, Kansas City 0 Chicago 3, New England 0 Thursday, Oct. 30: Chicago 0, New England 0, tie Thursday, Nov. 6: Chicago 3, New England 0 WESTERN CONFERENCE New York 4, Houston 1 Saturday, Nov. 1: Houston 1, New York 1, tie Sunday, Nov. 9: New York 3, Houston 0 Real Salt Lake 3, CD Chivas USA 2 Saturday, Nov. 1: Real Salt Lake 1, CD Chivas USA 0 Saturday, Nov. 8: Real Salt Lake 2, CD Chivas USA 2, tie Conference Championship EASTERN CONFERENCE Thursday, Nov. 13: Columbus 2, Chicago 1 WESTERN CONFERENCE Saturday, Nov. 15: New York at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. MLS Cup At Carson, Calif. Sunday, Nov. 23: Columbus vs. Western Conference, 3:30 p.m.
Fight Schedule National TV in parentheses Nov. 15 At Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville,
Tenn. (HBO), Jermain Taylor, Little Rock, Ark., vs. Jeff Lacy, St. Petersburg, Fla., 12, super middleweights; Kermit Cintron, Puerto Rico, vs. Lovemore N’Dou, Australia, 12, welterweights; Chazz Witherspoon, Paulsboro, N.J., vs. Adam Richards, Houston, 10, heavyweights. Nov. 18 Table Mountain Casino, Friant, Calif., Roger Gonzalez, Chino, Calif., vs. Frankie Archuleta, Bernalillo, N.M., 12, for the vacant IBA junior lightweight title. Nov. 20 At HP Pavilion, San Jose, Bobby Pacquiao, Philippines, vs. Robert Frankel, Denver, 10 lightweights. Nov. 21 At Casino Rama, Ontario, Canada (SHO), Steve Molitor, Canada, vs. Celestino Caballero, Panama, 12, for Molitor’s WBA-IBF bantamweight title; Raymond Olubowale, Canada, vs. Grzegorz Kielsa, Canada, 10, heavyweights. At Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Ind., Eric Mitchell, Vero Beach, Fla., vs. Danny Perez, San Diego, 12, for Mitchell’s USBA light middleweight title; Aaron Mitchell, Vero Breach, Fla., vs. Delray Raines, Paris, Ark., 12, middleweights. Nov. 22 At Rostock, Germany, Hugo Hernan Garay, Argentina, vs. Juergen Braehmer, Germany, for Garay’s WBA light heavyweight title. At The MGM Grand, Las Vegas (HBO), Ricky Hatton, Britain, vs. Paulie Malignaggi, Brooklyn, N.Y., 12, for Hatton’s IBO light welterweight title and Malignaggi’s IBF light welterweight title; James Kirkland, Austin, Texas, vs. Brian Vera, Austin, Texas, 10, middleweights; Matthew Hatton, Britain, vs. Ben Tackie, Bronx, N.Y., 10, welterweights. Nov. 27 At Phitsanulok, Thailand, Oleydong Sithsanerchai, Thailand, vs. Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym, Thailand, 12, for Sithsanerchai’s WBC minimumweight title. Nov. 28 At Panama City, Panama, Jorge Linares, Japan, vs. Whyber Garcia, Panama, 12, for the vacant WBA super featherweight title. Nov. 29 At Mexico City, Edgar Sosa, Mexico, vs. Juanito Rubillar, Philippines, 12, for Sosa’s WBC light flyweight title. At Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, Calif. (HBO), Paul Williams, Augusta, Ga., vs. Verno Phillips, Denver, 12, for the interim WBO light middleweight title; Chris Arreola, Riverside, Calif., vs. Travis Walker, Houston, 12, for Arreola’s NABF heavyweight title. Dec. 6 At Nottingham, England, Carl Froch, Britain, vs. Jean Pascal, Canada, 12, for the vacant WBC super middleweight title. At MGM Grand, Las Vegas (PPV), Oscar De La Hoya, Los Angeles, vs. Manny Pacquiao, Philippines, 12, welterweights; Juan Manuel Lopez, Puerto Rico, vs. Bernabe Concepcion, Philippines, 12, for Lopez’s WBO super bantamweight title.
Transactions BASEBALL American League CHICAGO WHITE SOX—Assigned RHP Mike MacDougal outright to Charlotte (IL). KANSAS CITY ROYALS—Named Mike Arbuckle senior advisor to the general manager/scouting and player development. TORONTO BLUE JAYS—Activated 2B Aaron Hill and RHP Casey Janssen from the 60-day DL. Released RHP Jean Machi. National League MILWAUKEE BREWERS—Named Stan Kyles bullpen coach. NEW YORK METS—Named Luis Alicea first-base coach. Carolina League SALEM AVALANCHE—Announced its new nickname will be Red Sox. Northern League WINNIPEG GOLDEYES—Agreed to terms with C Jeff DeSmidt and C Dustin Richardson. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association NBA—Suspended Houston G Rafer Alston and Phoenix F Matt Barnes for two games each, without pay, and Phoenix G Steve Nash for one game and fined Phoenix C Shaquille O’Neal $35,000 and Houston F Tracy McGrady $25,000 for their roles in an altercation in a game on Nov. 12. SAN ANTONIO SPURS—Assigned C Ian Mahinmi to Austin (NBADL). HOCKEY National Hockey League NHL—Suspended N.Y. Islanders D Thomas Pock for five games, without pay, for an elbowing incident in a game on Nov. 13. EDMONTON OILERS—Recalled LW Liam Reddox from Springfield (AHL). Placed D Ladislav Smid on injured reserve. OTTAWA SENATORS—Recalled F Ilya Zubov from Binghamton (AHL). ST. LOUIS BLUES—Recalled D Jeff Woywitka from Peoria (AHL). TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING—Fired coach Barry Melrose. Named associate coach Rich Tocchet interim coach. VANCOUVER CANUCKS—Recalled D Lawrence Nycholat from Manitoba (AHL). Eastern Professional Hockey League BROOKLYN ACES—Signed F Tony Resendes. DANBURY MAD HATTERS— Signed F Stephen Schofield and F Hank Carisio. HUDSON VALLEY BEARS—Signed F Andy Cripps, D Chris Oleson, G Len DiCostanzo and G Jim Pellegrino. Waived F Mike Jacobs and G Scott Rowan. LACROSSE National Lacrosse League PORTLAND LUMBERJAX—Re-signed F Ryan Powell and G Matt Disher to one-year contracts. SOCCER Major League Soccer D.C. UNITED—Loaned MF Fred to Wellington FC Phoenix (Australian). COLLEGE NYU—Named Stefano Trompeo women’s interim basketball coach.
| Continued from Page 1B passing in three games with Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger. “When they get Romo back in, they’re at full power,” Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. “It’s like an automobile getting its engine back in.” As one engine returns, another will likely watch from the sideline. Clinton Portis, the league’s second-leading rusher, sprained his knee in Washington’s 23-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers before the bye and isn’t expected to play. The Redskins are so nervous about the game that they are taking extra measures to make sure they have a true home-field advantage. Steelers fans dominated the lower bowl of the
stadium two weeks ago, so executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato was on the radio this week practically begging the Washington faithful not to sell tickets to Cowboys fans. The team-affiliated radio station is distributing 50,000 “Redskins Rally Rags,” a response to the Terrible Towels waved by those Pittsburgh infiltrators. Needless to say, the nail-biting part of the season has arrived. “In this next three weeks, you’ll really see some teams stay up in the playoff race and other teams will fall behind,” Jansen said. “The third quarter of the season is really where it gets tough, and you’ve got to be mentally tough to win at this time.”
CROSS COUNTRY | Continued from Page 1B so watch for the tremendous effort put forth during the finishing sprint. The objective is to have the lowest score of all teams. Both teams scored under 100 points, which is impressive for a regional meet. The boys scored 91 points behind two-time regional champions La Vernia and distanced themselves from district foe Progresso’s 127 points. The girls scored 96 points to capture the regional title by three points over La Feria and five points over Giddings. The top three teams at regional advanced to the state meet this weekend in Round Rock. The girls’ team earned the regional title by running gutsy performances. Junior Michelle Garcia led the way with a top 10 finish placing seventh (12:33), becoming only the third girl in ZHS history to advance to state individually. Twin sister Maritza busted out in a big way, showing signs of a major comeback from a nagging injury to place 12th in 12:48, missing a
top 10 spot by just two seconds. Then the sophomore class took over, paced by Marlena Garcia’s 12:56, 20th-place finish. Amber Guzman and Alba Jasso followed closely with 29th- and 35thplace finishes in 13:09 and 13:17, respectively. Gloria Jaurgui’s personal record of 13:46 and Adrianna Ramirez’s 14:16 rounded out the seven runners for the Lady Hawks. The regional title was the fifth victory of the season for the Lady Hawks, earning them a trip back to the state meet for the first time since 2005. During the past month, the girls have battled illnesses and injuries. The team maintained its composure while being dealt big blows throughout the season, losing some quality runners. During summer camp, team goals were set and qualifying to state was the main objective for the girls Saturday. The underdogs, the boys who flew under the coaches’ radar until late in the season, were the Hawks. It was no
surprise to their coach and anyone who has seen their work ethic day in and day out that the boys managed a convincing runner-up finish. The boys were led by ’07 qualifier Raul Serna, who coasted to an eighth-place finish, with big plans for this week’s state meet. Raul completed the 3.1mile course in 16:54 in a tight race where only 14 seconds separated runners Nos. 5 through 10. Junior Keith Cobb’s 17th-place (17:29) finish kept him close to Raul and helped pull the rest of the team, in an amazing 15second gap between second and fifth. Juan Alvarado’s 20th-place finish (17:35) was closely matched by Jerry Chapa’s 17:42 (25th place) and Oscar “OJ” Quintanilla’s 17:44 (27th place). Luis “Chino” Olvera (18:10) and Edgar Hernandez (19:02) rounded out our boys team. The boys also faced many challenges and have had to overcome some late-season injuries. However, the boys’ morale and
training enabled them to advance to the state meet for the first time in school history. The boys had to be error-free at regional due to not running a top-five teammate. In the end, the boys have met their team goal and are determined to fight for a top-three finish. The quest for both teams to advance to state began in early June. All the morning practices and months of training finally paid off in a big way. Zapata cross country is now at a pinnacle of sports programs in South Texas. The coaches would like to thank the parents and many supporters from as far away as Dallas and California who made the trip to see Hawk athletes perform. These are remarkable athletes, and it makes us proud to have been a part of their accomplishments. The state meet will be held in Round Rock at Old Settlers Park. Race times are varsity girls 11:40 a.m. and boys at noon.
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
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SPORT SHORTS Nash,Alston,Barnes suspended for fight NEW YORK — The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight. Alston and Barnes were suspended for two games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O’Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 on Friday for their actions during the Rockets’ 94-82 win in Phoenix on Wednesday. Barnes knocked back Alston with his shoulder late in the third quarter, and Alston charged him. Nash ran in and was pushed back by McGrady, who was shoved down by O’Neal. Nash was cited for “escalating the altercation.” He and Barnes will miss Friday’s game at Sacramento, and Barnes will sit Sunday against Detroit. Alston will miss games Friday against San Antonio and Saturday against New Orleans.
Zapata Hawk baseball booster club meeting The Hawk baseball booster club will have a meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Hawk baseball stadium. Parents of baseball players in grades 9-12 are encourages to attend.
Zapata varsity basketball coaches Please send rosters and schedules to the LMT sports department at dsilva@lmtonline.com or via fax at 724-3036.
29th annual Guajolote 10K Run Registration for the 29th annual Guajolote 10K Run is being held now through Thanksgiving morning. This year’s race will take place on Thanksgiving day, Thursday, Nov. 27, at 9 a.m. in front of Hamilton Trophies. If you have any questions, call Hamilton Trophies at (956) 724-9990 or (956) 722-9463 or come by 1320 Garden St. Registration will also be taking place at Hamilton Jewelry, 607 Flores Ave., or (956) 722-9015.
Hands Across South Texas Thanksgiving 10K The run/walk will be held Thursday, Nov. 27, at 603 Shiloh Drive. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. All proceeds benefit Thanksgiving meals for the less fortunate families in Laredo. For more information, call Delia Mendez at 7123363 or 285-6362.
TAMIU winter baseball camps TAMIU baseball will host hitting camps Dec. 6 and 7 and pitchers and catcher camps Dec. 13 and 14. The Dec. 6 hitting camp will be for ages 13-18 and the Dec. 7 camp for ages 7-12. The Dec. 13 pitchers and catchers camp will be for ages 13-18 and the Dec. 14 camp for ages 7-12. All camps will be held at the TAMIU Baseball Field with an entry fee of $75 per player. All camps will be directed by head coach Chad Porter and his assistant coaches, along with current players. Instruction will be provided emphasizing the fundamental skills of baseball. Participants will have the opportunity to put their skills into action while being evaluated by the coaching staff. For more information, call Coach Porter at 3263004 during normal business hours, or to register, visit www.godustdevils.com.
FOOTBALL | Continued from Page 1A a way of deflating the team’s sails a little, but in their five-game losing streak, the Hawks were contending in three of the contests. They lost to Raymondville by one point, Port Isabel by nine and Progreso by six. “To be honest, we were counted out from the beginning. We proved that when we’re healthy, the team could play with anybody. We beat the best teams in the district. Barring those key injuries, who knows? … We could’ve been fighting for a district title,” Arce said. The Hawks are losing nine starters on both sides of the ball and 20 seniors. “That (having a good number of seniors) speaks well for our program, being a Class 3A school. The kids stuck it out,” Arce said. The graduating seniors are Meliton Trejo, Rene Garcia, Mike Garza, Julio Lopez, Armando Velasco, Victor Sanchez, Patterson, Buentello, George Gutierrez, David Solis, Anthony Grove, Osiel Jasso, Julian Delgado, Orlando Guerra, Juan Torres, Robert Flores, Joey Guerra and Oscar Cantu. The departure of another big group of seniors, though, means opportunity for the underclassmen. The disappointing season also means getting a head start on next season. “We started on Monday; we felt that we needed to start now to prepare for next season,” Arce said. “We are not waiting for anything and not taking any time off. The kids already know what’s expected from us; I drew a line in the team meeting with the juniors and sophomores that we have. “We are ready to go.”
TEXAS | Continued from Page 1A our last two conference games and see where we go after that.” Kansas, a 13-point underdog, needs to win its last two games, against Texas and Missouri, or face an embarrassing drop-off from its historic 12-1 season of 2007. Texas expects the Jayhawks to be at the top of their game. “They’re going to be really ready to play,” said Palmer. “They need to get back on the winning side and we’re going down there. The last time we went there they almost beat us so it’s going to be hostile. Their fans are going to be loud and ready to go. We’ve just got to go down there and take care of our business.”
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B
HINTS BY HELOISE Dear Heloise: We recently took our dog, Sherlock, to a GROOMER because he needed to be shaved. The groomer who performed the service had left for the day when we arrived to pick him up. My husband went in to get the dog while I paid the bill. HELOISE I turned around and my husband was carrying the shaved dog out to the car. The workers could not find the dog’s collar and leash. Upon arriving home, I carried the dog into the house. The dog started running around, sniffing everything. I thought that was a strange action for Sherlock. I tried to feed him his favorite food, but no takers. I then told my husband that something was wrong with the dog. He started watching the dog and then suddenly said, “That isn’t our dog, because it’s female!” The groomers had given us the wrong dog! I called the groomer, and by the time we got there, Sherlock had been found, along with his collar and leash. So, be careful — shaved dogs look alike! — Nell Funk in Schertz, Texas
HOROSCOPES | BY FRANCIS DRAKE ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Surprising news might be very helpful for you today. It could concern your partner’s income or wealth, the wealth of others, positive news about a loan being approved or something like that. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Partners and close friends are full of surprises today. In discussions with others, you feel freer to do your own thing just the way you want. Yay! GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Some of you will get some bright ideas about how to be self-employed today. Others will make suggestions at work that impress people. There’s room for possibilities here. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) New love and romance might suddenly flower today. If so, it could be with someone who is from a very different background than yours. Social events are fun and different! LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) Surprise company might drop by at home today. A scheduled event might be canceled, or some guests might not show up. Something unexpected will affect your home today.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) This is a mildly accident-prone day. Be careful. However, it’s an exciting and thrilling day, because you’ll meet new people who are different, and you’ll enjoy spontaneous, new activities. Ole! LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) Surprise opportunities to earn money or to find a new job exist for you today. If shopping, you might buy something modern or something very hightech. Keep your receipts. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) You have lots of energy today. You’re curious about everything. Expect to meet new people and encounter new ideas that are probably better ways of doing things. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) You feel excited and restless today. You sense something unusual is going on, and you’re right. Be open to new ideas, new faces and new ways of looking at the world. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) You might meet a real character today. Alternatively, someone you already know might do something that surprises you, but it’s fun!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) This is an exciting day to talk to parents, bosses, teachers and VIPs. People will be impressed with your bright, outside-the-box ideas. PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) You’ll adore learning anything new today, especially something different and out of the mainstream. Travel opportunities and exciting. Anything can happen! YOUR BORN TODAY You certainly have the courage of your own convictions. Once you set your mind to something, you work with determination to achieve your goal. You’re very fair-minded, because justice is important to you. You’re a realist in your day-to-day life. After letting go of something this year, you will step into a new year for new possibilities and opportunities. Birthdate of: Chad Kroeger, singer; Marianne Moore, poet; Georgia O’Keeffe, painter.
Zclassified HOMES FOR SALE
61
Norte, Central y Sur de Laredo Casas Disponibles de 3 a 5 recamaras para mudarse el dia de HOY. Facil de Calificar. Financiamiento Disponible. Llame HOY, al 956-237-2041 O a 956-717-0958 Con Adriana Moya Tijeriana
HOMES FOR SALE
61
Great Location-New Spacious Homes 3 Bedroom 2 bath 2 car garage approx. 1400 sq.ft. paying closing cost. Monthly payment $1100.00 Call Jesus @ cell 956-740-2542 office 956-724-9756
Hiring Drivers CDL/A. 2 yrs min. flatbed Experience Clean MVR & background Call (956) 718-1000 Owner Operators wanted. Plenty of miles, great pay! Call 956-712-4555 or 956-206-3698 or stop by 910 Pelegrino
BY PHONE: (956) 728-2527 HOMES FOR SALE
61
2 NEW SUBDIVISION IN NORTH LAREDO FROM THE $150’S & UP. RESERVE YOUR HOMESITE TODAY WITH ONLY $500.00 IN HOUSE FINANCING AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFO. CALL ANTHONY CARABALLO @ 333-3844
ON THE WEB: THEZAATATMES.COM
HOMES FOR SALE
61
* San Ygnacio Tx, 30 Mins Older Remodeled 3bd/1ba New Stove, Refrig, & Washer, 7 blks sch. $56K, 15% down $542 MO, 15 yrs or $46,000 Cash 903 Morelos 956-763-1320
Shiloh- 1236 Longhorn,1950sqft, 3bd/2ba $176,500 Call 337-6701 LOTS FOR SALE
70
403 Matamoros in San Ygnacio Texas w/small stone bldg. $28K LRED 726-4754 Owner Fin. Lots Payments incl. taxes @ $300/m (Built Homes Only) 728-0008; 744-3583
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY 82
Has your family outgrown your home? Good news! Your dream home is just a trade away! Call me, Eddie Rendon (956) 763-8207
Let me help you by putting you in your new home like if you are paying rent. You can choose a home from 3, 4 & 5 bedrooms. You can even choose the area where you want your family to grow up. Call Javier Garcia today @ 956-235-4641
$ Great Opportunity$ Franchise La Paletera $95,000OBO Been operating for 3yrs. Fully Equip 1212 International Blvd. Call 251-3797
GARAGE SALES
134
Gran Venta Sabado 15 de Nov. 1816 McClelland de 8am-3pm. Precious bajos para venderse
Sat. & Sun. Only! 1417 Rosario 8am-5pm Clothes, Toys, & Misc. Sat. & Sun., 530 A Sequoia (Base area), 7am-2pm. T.V.s, stereo, VCRs, clothing & toys. Sat. Only! 955 Tiara Trail, 8am-1pm Furniture, clothes & appliances. No Early Birds Sat. only, 104 St. Pierre (Mines Rd.) 8am-1:30pm. Clothes, shoes, household items & misc. Sat. only, 606 Chaparreal St., 8am-1pm. Clothing,childrens clothing & misc. items. Sat. only, 610 Berkeley Rd. 8am-12pm. House hold goods & clothing. No early birds! Saturday Only! Designer wear Mens & Womens, Electronics 4507 Gallagher, 8am-12pm Venta de garage, varias cosas, Nov. 16 de 8am-2pm 12931 Blackfoot Dr. Tel 337-0758
ARTICLES FOR SALE 136
RENTALS
COMMERCIAL RENTALS 120 719 Pelegrino 10,000sqft $.50 warehouse and office space Call 956-7122185/84 Rent Warehouse w/ Office Sp. 320 Logistics 10,000 sqft Suit $.50 cents Call 712-2185/84
PETS & SUPPLIES
* Mesquite Firewood logs, Full pick up load (apx cord)San Ygnacio $125 Call 763-1320 6 ft tensel Silver X-mas tree with color change spot light. $45, call (956) 727-8401 Comedor, usado, vitrina, meza y 6 sillas. exc. cond. $1,250 Call:(956)727-8401 Display Video Stands $50. Call 645-3499
New! Worksite Table Saw w/Gravity-Rise Wheeled Stand Model 4100-09, $460 OBO 206-4298 Vendo sala, sofa y love seat, $250 omo. Inf: 324-9868
Vendo TV RCA 32” Digital $135 Inf. 333-5451 radio 135*829*2784 Westinghouse, electric dryer, white, excellent condition, $130 Call:(956)740-5755
Manufacturer’s Rep 169 year old lubrication company needs straight commission. bilingual, experienced closer to take over profitable territory near Laredo, Texas. Industrial Agricultural, Commercial accounts. Applicant must be able to start immediately. Call Roy Cranek 979-758-1675
4 bedroom 2 bath approx. 1,500 sq.ft. home on a 10,000 sq.ft. lot for only $117,990 I will also help you with your closing costs let me worry about your credit. Call Luis Calderon @956-725-1965 or @ my cell 956-645-8977
AVISO IMPORTANTE! 2 NUEVAS COMUNIDADES AL NORTE DE LAREDO Cerca de centros comerciales Hospital de los Doctores y de Escuelas, financiamiento y programa de trade in disponible hableme para una Cita De Hoyos 635-6702
SPORTING GOODS 142
African Gray Parrot, 1 1/2 years old, Talks, with Big Bird Cage $750. Call 723-9321
10-22 Ruger Carbine Rifle w/Tasco “World Class” scope, new gun case, 2 clips, 50 rounds, great shape $400 obo 740-1351
Blue Pitbulls puppies, 8 wks $300, OBO. (956) 645-4813
TRANSPORTATION
PETS & SUPPLIES
128
Cocker Spaniel, 2 mos, M/F Black, 1st shots Dewormed,$100. 235-3520 Schnauzer, female, 2 mo. old, tail clipped, first shots. $250. Call:(956)796-1230
MISCELLANEOUS
BOATS
190
Skeeter Boat 18.6FT, 1986 w/175hp Mercury, with original Trailer brand new tires , Minn.(New) Fishfinder. $3,600. Call 235-5711
CAMPERS & RV’S
191
‘01 Trail Lite Travel Trailer 26ft, self contained. Sleeps 7 has full bathroom, full kitchen, CAH, great cond. $8,000 Call 324-4887
HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192 98 Komatsu D-37-E2, 6 Way Blade Dozer with Rippers, 80% U.C. New Remanufactured Engine. $25,000. Call 645-3499
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194 Escalade Chrome Alloy rims & Goodyear P265/70 R17 Tires. Call 645-3499, $499.00
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 ‘00 Chevy S-10 Ext. Cab 4x4, 84Kmil., Lifted, larger tires, bedliner, brush guard, Hi-lift, $6800 Call 237-9587 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4dr, 4WD, 80K am/fm/xm/cd, toolbox, $12,000 OBO 285-2654 2007 Ford F-150, V6, Single Cab, Auto, Blue Title, 22K Mi. $13,000. Call 727-3564 ad#83007359, jose\66. ‘99 Ford F150-Std Tran., 6 cyl Single Cab, AC, Good Cond. $4500 Call 236-2783 Ford Explorer ‘97, a/c, 4dr., 6cyl., $2,500 obo. Call:(773)410-6137 or Nextel I.D. # 109*417605*18 Ford Explorer ‘99, 4dr., 6cyl., blue title, $2,600. Call:(956)333-5451
Ford F-150 ‘01 Extended Cab, big bed, good cond., $4,250 OBO Call 337-6701 Scooter, 2 Stroke Gas + Oil Motorized. Almost New. $200. Call 645-3499
CARS FOR SALE
200
‘99 F150, Ext Cab, Lift kit $4000 OBO Call 949-0023 ‘99 Nissan Altima, 4dr, 4cyl, A/C, Low Mileage, 1 Owner, $5,200 obo. Call 956-645-0471 Black 1974 Caprice Classic, 2 dr. coupe, original 454 engine. Excellent condition, $9,995 Call:(956)286-5073 Chevy El Camino ‘81, 2 tone, new upholstry, needs engine work. $1,300. (956)645-3499 ad#83007237, jose\66. Classic ‘66 Mustang 289, great interior, auto, Must Sell! $6,000 obo. (956)726-4589 Nissan Sentra ‘07 4cyl., Blue Title, 1 owner wrnty agency, 17Kmil., rims, spoiler, Smart Key, $14,150, obo. 324-3637
4B | THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
<DATE>
LAREDO MORNING TIMES | 1B
Zapata Classifieds
CLASSIFIED HOMES FOR SALE
61
Norte, Central y Sur de Laredo Casas Disponibles de 3 a 5 recamaras para mudarse el dia de HOY. Facil de Calificar. Financiamiento Disponible. Llame HOY, al 956-237-2041 O a 956-717-0958 Con Adriana Moya Tijeriana
HOMES FOR SALE
61
Great Location-New Spacious Homes 3 Bedroom 2 bath 2 car garage approx. 1400 sq.ft. paying closing cost. Monthly payment $1100.00 Call Jesus @ cell 956-740-2542 office 956-724-9756
HOMES FOR SALE
Hiring Drivers CDL/A. 2 yrs min. flatbed Experience Clean MVR & background Call (956) 718-1000 Owner Operators wanted. Plenty of miles, great pay! Call 956-712-4555 or 956-206-3698 or stop by 910 Pelegrino
61
2 NEW SUBDIVISION IN NORTH LAREDO FROM THE $150’S & UP. RESERVE YOUR HOMESITE TODAY WITH ONLY $500.00 IN HOUSE FINANCING AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFO. CALL ANTHONY CARABALLO @ 333-3844
HOMES FOR SALE
61
* San Ygnacio Tx, 30 Mins Older Remodeled 3bd/1ba New Stove, Refrig, & Washer, 7 blks sch. $56K, 15% down $542 MO, 15 yrs or $46,000 Cash 903 Morelos 956-763-1320
Shiloh- 1236 Longhorn,1950sqft, 3bd/2ba $176,500 Call 337-6701 LOTS FOR SALE
70
403 Matamoros in San Ygnacio Texas w/small stone bldg. $28K LRED 726-4754 Owner Fin. Lots Payments incl. taxes @ $300/m (Built Homes Only) 728-0008; 744-3583
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY 82
Has your family outgrown your home? Good news! Your dream home is just a trade away! Call me, Eddie Rendon (956) 763-8207
Let me help you by putting you in your new home like if you are paying rent. You can choose a home from 3, 4 & 5 bedrooms. You can even choose the area where you want your family to grow up. Call Javier Garcia today @ 956-235-4641
$ Great Opportunity$ Franchise La Paletera $95,000OBO Been operating for 3yrs. Fully Equip 1212 International Blvd. Call 251-3797
GARAGE SALES
134
Gran Venta Sabado 15 de Nov. 1816 McClelland de 8am-3pm. Precious bajos para venderse
Sat. & Sun. Only! 1417 Rosario 8am-5pm Clothes, Toys, & Misc. Sat. & Sun., 530 A Sequoia (Base area), 7am-2pm. T.V.s, stereo, VCRs, clothing & toys. Sat. Only! 955 Tiara Trail, 8am-1pm Furniture, clothes & appliances. No Early Birds Sat. only, 104 St. Pierre (Mines Rd.) 8am-1:30pm. Clothes, shoes, household items & misc. Sat. only, 606 Chaparreal St., 8am-1pm. Clothing,childrens clothing & misc. items. Sat. only, 610 Berkeley Rd. 8am-12pm. House hold goods & clothing. No early birds! Saturday Only! Designer wear Mens & Womens, Electronics 4507 Gallagher, 8am-12pm Venta de garage, varias cosas, Nov. 16 de 8am-2pm 12931 Blackfoot Dr. Tel 337-0758
ARTICLES FOR SALE 136
RENTALS
COMMERCIAL RENTALS 120 719 Pelegrino 10,000sqft $.50 warehouse and office space Call 956-7122185/84 Rent Warehouse w/ Office Sp. 320 Logistics 10,000 sqft Suit $.50 cents Call 712-2185/84
PETS & SUPPLIES
* Mesquite Firewood logs, Full pick up load (apx cord)San Ygnacio $125 Call 763-1320 6 ft tensel Silver X-mas tree with color change spot light. $45, call (956) 727-8401 Comedor, usado, vitrina, meza y 6 sillas. exc. cond. $1,250 Call:(956)727-8401 Display Video Stands $50. Call 645-3499
New! Worksite Table Saw w/Gravity-Rise Wheeled Stand Model 4100-09, $460 OBO 206-4298 Vendo sala, sofa y love seat, $250 omo. Inf: 324-9868
Vendo TV RCA 32” Digital $135 Inf. 333-5451 radio 135*829*2784 Westinghouse, electric dryer, white, excellent condition, $130 Call:(956)740-5755
Manufacturer’s Rep 169 year old lubrication company needs straight commission. bilingual, experienced closer to take over profitable territory near Laredo, Texas. Industrial Agricultural, Commercial accounts. Applicant must be able to start immediately. Call Roy Cranek 979-758-1675
4 bedroom 2 bath approx. 1,500 sq.ft. home on a 10,000 sq.ft. lot for only $117,990 I will also help you with your closing costs let me worry about your credit. Call Luis Calderon @956-725-1965 or @ my cell 956-645-8977
AVISO IMPORTANTE! 2 NUEVAS COMUNIDADES AL NORTE DE LAREDO Cerca de centros comerciales Hospital de los Doctores y de Escuelas, financiamiento y programa de trade in disponible hableme para una Cita De Hoyos 635-6702
SPORTING GOODS 142
African Gray Parrot, 1 1/2 years old, Talks, with Big Bird Cage $750. Call 723-9321
10-22 Ruger Carbine Rifle w/Tasco “World Class” scope, new gun case, 2 clips, 50 rounds, great shape $400 obo 740-1351
Blue Pitbulls puppies, 8 wks $300, OBO. (956) 645-4813
TRANSPORTATION
PETS & SUPPLIES
128
Cocker Spaniel, 2 mos, M/F Black, 1st shots Dewormed,$100. 235-3520 Schnauzer, female, 2 mo. old, tail clipped, first shots. $250. Call:(956)796-1230
MISCELLANEOUS
BOATS
190
Skeeter Boat 18.6FT, 1986 w/175hp Mercury, with original Trailer brand new tires , Minn.(New) Fishfinder. $3,600. Call 235-5711
CAMPERS & RV’S
191
‘01 Trail Lite Travel Trailer 26ft, self contained. Sleeps 7 has full bathroom, full kitchen, CAH, great cond. $8,000 Call 324-4887
HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192 98 Komatsu D-37-E2, 6 Way Blade Dozer with Rippers, 80% U.C. New Remanufactured Engine. $25,000. Call 645-3499
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194 Escalade Chrome Alloy rims & Goodyear P265/70 R17 Tires. Call 645-3499, $499.00
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 ‘00 Chevy S-10 Ext. Cab 4x4, 84Kmil., Lifted, larger tires, bedliner, brush guard, Hi-lift, $6800 Call 237-9587 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4dr, 4WD, 80K am/fm/xm/cd, toolbox, $12,000 OBO 285-2654 2007 Ford F-150, V6, Single Cab, Auto, Blue Title, 22K Mi. $13,000. Call 727-3564 ad#83007359, jose\66. ‘99 Ford F150-Std Tran., 6 cyl Single Cab, AC, Good Cond. $4500 Call 236-2783 Ford Explorer ‘97, a/c, 4dr., 6cyl., $2,500 obo. Call:(773)410-6137 or Nextel I.D. # 109*417605*18 Ford Explorer ‘99, 4dr., 6cyl., blue title, $2,600. Call:(956)333-5451
Ford F-150 ‘01 Extended Cab, big bed, good cond., $4,250 OBO Call 337-6701 Scooter, 2 Stroke Gas + Oil Motorized. Almost New. $200. Call 645-3499
CARS FOR SALE
200
‘99 F150, Ext Cab, Lift kit $4000 OBO Call 949-0023 ‘99 Nissan Altima, 4dr, 4cyl, A/C, Low Mileage, 1 Owner, $5,200 obo. Call 956-645-0471 Black 1974 Caprice Classic, 2 dr. coupe, original 454 engine. Excellent condition, $9,995 Call:(956)286-5073 Chevy El Camino ‘81, 2 tone, new upholstry, needs engine work. $1,300. (956)645-3499 ad#83007237, jose\66. Classic ‘66 Mustang 289, great interior, auto, Must Sell! $6,000 obo. (956)726-4589 Nissan Sentra ‘07 4cyl., Blue Title, 1 owner wrnty agency, 17Kmil., rims, spoiler, Smart Key, $14,150, obo. 324-3637
4 | LAREDO MORNING TIMES/THE ZAPATA TIMES
COPD is preventable by not smoking, avoiding pollutants By BENSON HUANG, M.D. SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, affecting 32 million people. It is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. COPD is a chronic lung disease in which the lungs are damaged, making it harder to breathe. Men are more likely than women to develop the disease, and it occurs predominantly in individuals older than 40. However, recent studies reveal that since 2000, the number of female deaths associated with COPD exceed the number of male deaths. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema and, in some cases, asthma are commonly associated with COPD. When breathing in, air travels down the trachea and into the bronchial tubes. From the bronchial tubes, the air is carried through small air passages that branch off into each of the lungs. At the end of each of the branches are thousands of little air sacs known as alveoli. The airways and air sacs of healthy
lungs are elastic, springing back to their normal shape after filling with air. With COPD, the airways and air sacs lose their elasticity and HUANG shape, making it harder for air to flow out of the lungs. The air sac walls are destroyed and the walls of the air passages thicken and produce an increased amount of mucus, blocking the airways. There is no cure for COPD. The damage to the airways and lungs is irreversible. Fortunately, it is preventable. Smoking is the primary cause of COPD. Smokers are 10 times more likely to develop COPD than nonsmokers. Exposure to secondhand smoke may also increase a person’s chance of getting the disease. Another cause is exposure to indoor or outdoor pollutants. A recent study found that 19.2 percent of COPD cases are connected to work-related exposure to toxic chemicals and pollutants. A rare genetic disorder called Alpha-1
NOVEMBER 15-16, 2008
NOVEMBER 15-16, 2008
Antitrypsin Deficiency and other respiratory infections may be causes as well. Symptoms such as persistent cough, increased mucus production, shortness of breath (especially during exercise), wheezing and a tight feeling in the chest are warning signs of the disease. COPD is often mistaken for other conditions, such as “smoker’s cough.” Although there is no cure for COPD, the symptoms can be manageable. Lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, regular exercise and a healthy diet may improve shortness of breath and strengthen the body. Patients are encouraged to visit a physician to discuss medications and treatment options that may also be appropriate. If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COPD, then seek medical attention early to reduce your risk of developing COPD. For more information on COPD, call the Respiratory Care Department at Laredo Medical Center at (956) 796-3223 or visit www.laredomedical.com.
Seniors Circle offers fun options in November SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
During the month of November, Laredo Medical Center is happy to offer the therapeutic form of exercise called Tai Chi to members of its Senior Circle group from 9-10 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the private dining room at Laredo Medical Center. Studies have shown those who practice Tai Chi every day have a longer, more active life than those who do not. Furthermore, Tai Chi has been proven to be an effective remedy for arthritis. Frequent arthritis sufferers report the gentle movements from the exercise help ease sore joints and muscles. Also this month, members can work on creating beautiful pieces of work through crochet. From sweaters to blankets, to one-of-akind pieces, crochet is a way to express your individuality. Classes take place from 10 a.m. to noon each Monday at LMC’s cafe-
teria. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to learn how to make your own original, custom-made jewelry, classes take place from 1-3 p.m. each Wednesday, also in the cafeteria at Laredo Medical Center. On Thursday, Senior Circle members will travel to the Kickapoo casino in Eagle Pass for a day of fun. The cost is $15 and members will board the bus at 7:45 a.m. at LMC. On Friday, Senior Circle members can attend the Broadway Show “Cirque Dreams” at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Cost is $47. On Tuesday, Nov. 25, Senior Circle members will be treated to a Thanksgiving dinner from 58 p.m. in Conference Room 1, Tower B. To RSVP for any of these events or for membership information into the Senior Circle group, call Mari Morales at 796-2007, or stop by the office, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lung cancer tops deadliest cancer list
L M T
Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in men and women in the United States. In fact, lung cancer causes more deaths each year than the next three most common cancers combined (colon, breast and prostate). — American Lung Association
AP Photo
ACCENT ON HEALTH
Now’s a good time to kick smoking habit By SYLVIA GUTIERREZ, M.D. SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The statistics are scary. Smoking cigarettes causes more deaths than alcohol, AIDS, illegal drugs, car crashes, fires, murders, and suicides combined. In 2008, 400,000 Americans will die as a direct result of smoking. Yet, despite the risks of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and ulcers, millions of Americans continue to feed their addiction to nicotine. If you have ever tried to quit smoking, you know what a difficult choice this can be. Quitting smoking takes courage and hard work. Many smokers may multiple times before GUTIERREZ try they are successful. However, no matter how long you have been smoking, quitting will help you live longer. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a lifetime of smoking will cut your lifespan by an average of 12 years. So why not quit today? For more than 28 years, smokers across the country have taken part in the “Great American Smokeout,” an event that challenges all smokers to quit for one day and encourages all to quit smoking for good. This Thursday, take the challenge to quit smoking and begin to save your life. To help you quit, the Surgeon General has provided the following five-step formula: Get ready. Set a quit date. Your quit date should be a specific calendar day that is not too far into the future (which allows you to change your mind) but far enough away so that you can still prepare. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people avoid smoking on their quit date are 10 times more likely to be smoke-free six months later. In addition to setting a quit date, make changes to your environment by ridding your house, vehicles and office of cigarettes, then clean the smell of smoke from your house and clothes. If you have tried to quit before, review your past attempts and make note of what strategies
See SMOKING | PAGE 2
Courtesy photo | Laredo Medical Center
2 | LAREDO MORNING TIMES/THE ZAPATA TIMES
National ulcer event scheduled for Friday SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Laredo Medical Center, in conjunction with the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), will host the “Best Practice for Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management: Old Concepts, New Ideas” regional seminar. The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday at Laredo Medical Center in the Community Center Room. Speakers include Joyce Black, Ph.D. R.N., CWCN, CPSN; Steve Black, M.D., FACS, and Diane Langemo, Ph.D., EN, FAAN. Joyce Black is an associate professor of nursing with the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing. She is currently doing research on pressure ulcers on the heels, deep tissue injury and intertriginous dermatitis. Steve Black is a plastic surgeon in Omaha, Neb. He is the current director of the Center for Wound Healing with the Nebraska Medical Center. Langemo is a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of North Dakota College of Nursing. She is currently doing research on chronic venous ulcer care, thermography and wound measurement techniques. Cost of the seminar is $150, which includes continental breakfast, snacks and lunch. For a complete itinerary of topics to be discussed, please call Vicky Vasquez, R.N. CWS, director of the Premier Wound Care at Laredo Medical Center, at (956) 796-3157.
ON THE COVER Children and adults need special care when it comes to respiratory issues, ranging from asthma to pulmonary diseases. Alexandria Gomez is held by her mother, Elizabeth Rocha, while receiving a respiratory breathing treatment from Mario Salinas, RRT, at Laredo Medical Center.
NOVEMBER 15-16, 2008
LMC respiratory care offers support SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asthma accounts for one-quarter of all emergency room visits in the United States each year, with 2 million emergency room visits in 2001. So what exactly is asthma? It’s a chronic disease that affects your airways. If you have asthma, then the inside walls of your airways are inflamed. This inflammation makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that
you are allergic to or find irritating. Asthma is common — more than 31 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with it at some point in their lives, including more than 9 million children. Without proper treatment, a person with asthma may miss work, limit exercise, need emergency treatment or hospitalization. Fortunately, early detection, care and treatment of asthma can help a person with asthma live a full, active life. At Laredo Medical Center, our healthcare professionals are able to
provide information and treatment on asthma and any other lung disease. Below are a few questions that may help you and your healthcare professional assess whether or not you have asthma: Do you cough or have trouble breathing when exercising? Do you cough or have trouble breathing when it’s very hot or cold outside? Do you cough or have trouble breathing when around pets, dust, smoke, pollen, or other allergy triggers? Do you wake up at night because of breathing problems
or coughing? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, we encourage you to see your physician and ask for an asthma assessment at Laredo Medical Center. The Respiratory Care Department at LMC utilizes advanced pulmonary function testing equipment to provide the community with simple, fast, and accurate pulmonary function testing. For further information, please call LMC’s Respiratory Care Department at (956) 796-3223 or visit www.laredomedical.com.
Doctors Hospital honors October employees SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Elmo Lopez Jr., CEO of Doctors Hospital, together with administration and staff, congratulate its October Employees of the Month and salute them for going “above and beyond” in providing quality healthcare services to patients. October employees of the month are Cindy Guzman, from Accounting Department representing Business and Support Departments; Susie Mendiola, R.N., from Ambulatory representing all Nursing Department Departments; and Joann Ramirez, from Cancer Treatment Center, representing all Ancillary Departments. They were chosen for their dedication to caring for patients. “Being chosen directly by colleagues as well as our patients is by far the greatest compliment an employee can receive,” Lopez said. “We congratulate these employees and thank them for their positive outlook and dedicated service to Doctors Hospital.”
Courtesy photo | Doctors Hospital
Left to right, Doctors Hospital’s October employees of the month are Joann Ramirez, Cindy Guzman and Susie Mendiola, R.N.
SMOKING | Continued from Page 1 were successful and what things to avoid. Get support. If you have the support of your family and friends, then you are much better prepared to quit smoking. Inform friends, family and co-workers of your plan to quit and encourage them not to smoke around you. Find support through individual, group and Internet support groups and talk with your healthcare provider to discuss a healthy approach to quitting.
Learn new skills and behaviors. This is the time to take up a new hobby. Whether it’s exercise or arts and crafts, changing your routine can help you avoid smoking triggers. Many times, smokers light up when they are stressed. Find ways to distract yourself from urges and reduce your stress. Get medication and use it correctly. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, use of medication can more than double your chances of quitting for good. There
are many options out there, including patches, nicotine gum, inhalers and prescription medication. Your healthcare provider can assist you with finding the medication that is right for you. Be prepared for difficult situations. The decision to quit will not be easy. Most relapses occur within three months of quitting smoking. The following tips should help you avoid the urge to smoke. Avoid the use of alcohol Avoid other smokers
Eat healthy Stay busy. The choice to quit is a difficultyet-rewarding decision. And it is the most important thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. For additional information on smoking cessation, contact your physician, or call a Cancer Treatment Specialist at the A.R. Sanchez Cancer Treatment Center at Laredo Medical Center at (956) 796-4725 or visit the Web site at www.laredomedical.com.
LAREDO MORNING TIMES/THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3
NOVEMBER 15-16, 2008
Asthma can hit both children, adults By FRANK NINO, RRT SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Asthma affects nearly 20 million Americans, both young and old. In both pediatric and adult-onset cases, asthma symptoms can affect your quality of life or restrict your activity. However, with proper treatment, individuals with asthma can lead a healthy, normal life. For both children and adults, asthma is characterized by a swelling of the airways leading to the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe. The airways may also create an excess of thick mucus clogging the airway passage or may become constricted because of contracting muscles. When those with asthma experience a major flare up that includes extreme difficulty breathing, it is called an asthma attack. Asthma is often accompanied by wheezing and coughing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and difficulty sleeping. Generally, asthma is associated with allergies, but there are several other factors that can lead to an asthma diagnosis. For children,
“In severe cases, without proper medication an asthma attack can be life threatening.” DR. FRANK NINO, LAREDO MEDICAL CENTER
asthma can be genetic if is prevalent in the family history. If several family members are diagnosed with asthma, then it is important to have children examined by their physician even if they are not showing signs or symptoms. Pollution, cleaning products and other environmental and household irritants can cause asthma or make the condition worse. Adult-onset asthma may be caused by environmental irritants, a virus or illness, such as the flu, obesity or hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause. Both children and adults can experience exercise-induced asthma, a type of asthma in which symptoms become worse due to physical labor or exercise. While both pediatric and adult-onset asthma function similarly, adults tend
to experience symptoms more frequently, while children’s symptoms may come and go. This is due to a lower lung capacity in adults caused by changes in the muscles in the chest walls after middle age. Diagnosis for asthma can be as simple as a breathing test to check lung capacity. A physician may also order an allergy test or a chest Xray to check for additional diseases or factors that may be causing asthmatic symptoms. Once tested, there are several classifications which determine the severity of the asthma diagnosis. Cases can range from mild intermittent, where symptoms only occur once or twice a week, to severe persistent, where symptoms are continuous. While there is no cure for asthma, with proper medication and
precautions it can be controlled. Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, medications prescribed by a physician may only be used during a flare up or may require a daily maintenance dosage. In severe cases, without proper medication an asthma attack can be life threatening. It is important to seek immediate treatment from a physician when experiencing asthmatic symptoms or asthmatic episodes, such as shortness of breath or difficulties breathing. Along with proper medication, there are several ways to improve quality of life, reduce symptoms and return to normal activities, which include: Stop smoking or avoid cigarette smoke by wearing a mask Try walking, hiking or biking rather than strenuous aerobic exercise Avoid exercising in extreme cold or dry weather. For more information on treating asthma as well as any other respiratory conditions, call Laredo Medical Center at (956) 796-3223, or visit the Web site at www.laredomedical.com.
Blankets in need for LMC drive SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The deadline to donate a blanket to Laredo Medical Center’s Auxiliary Volunteer Group is Thursday. As the cold weather approaches, members of the group are collecting blankets to give to needy individuals. Donated blankets can be dropped off at LMC’s gift shop Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Members of the Auxiliary provide services to patients, visitors, staff and community members at LMC. Several donation drives and fundraisers are held throughout the year raising money for educational scholarships for high school seniors wanting to enter healthcare fields. If you’re interested in joining LMC’s Auxiliary Volunteers, please call (956) 796-2007.