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Dancers spark debate By ZACH LINDSEY THE ZAPATA TIMES
A combination adult book store and bar and grill with topless dancers opened recently on U.S. 83 in Zapata, sparking a flurry of debate between the county commissioners and representatives from the store. There are no zoning laws related
to adult businesses in Zapata County. At Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting, the court discussed the importance of creating such laws. “I had about 10 to 20 calls last week,” said Commissioner Joe Rathmell. “I thought it was appropriate that we try to take care of our residents.” “Under current law, counties and
municipalities have the authority to regulate sexually oriented businesses,” said Hector Uribe, an Austin-based lawyer who serves Zapata County. “How they’re generally regulated is distance.” In many cases, there is a rule that such businesses must be at least 1,000 feet away from residences, religious facilities, educational facilities and government
facilities. Uribe suggested going a step further and restricting those types of businesses to industrialcommercial zones. Michael Adelman, a representative from Zapata’s Fantasy Ranch, the business in question, said this was unfair because if Zapata’s zoning was more established, the
See DEBATE | PAGE 13A
JPs asking for Blue Santa help By DIANA R. FUENTES THE ZAPATA TIMES
In less than two weeks, Zapata kids who might have thought they weren’t going to receive a Christmas present this year will be in for a delightful surprise at the Zapata County Courthouse. But it’s going to take the help of generous Zapata residents to make the Justices of the Peace Blue Santa project a success.
A special appearance On Monday, Dec. 22, Blue Santa plans to be at the courthouse, distributing gifts and candy bags to children who otherwise would have to do without. “We want them to see the miracle of Christmas,” said Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Ana Muñoz Guerra, who has played Blue Santa for several years. “I love doing this. You get to see all the smiles from these little kids. Their eyes light up and they run over to hug you. ‘I love you, Santa!’ they say. ‘I love you!’ “It’s a lot of fun,” the judge said.
This year, those who donate a wrapped present to Blue Santa can get more than just a warm feeling of helping others. If you take a wrapped toy to the Zapata County Courthouse on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to noon, you’ll get a free autograph from Costumbre.
Donations Members of the popular band are donating their time to the project, signing autographs and greeting fans that day in exchange for toys for the Blue Santa program. “This is the first time we do this,” Guerra said. “It’s new, and we’re hoping to collect more toys.” Stuffed animals, games, dolls, trucks, trains — all kinds of toys for all ages will be accepted. Candy also is needed for the candy bags, and financial contributions will be accepted. Even if you can’t make it to the autograph session, though, your donations still will be
See BLUE SANTA | PAGE 13A
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times
United Way volunteer Rolando Flores greets Teodoro Grajeda as they start working on assignments to help Grajeda become a better student.
Communities in Schools helps kids By CHRISTINA ROSALES LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
TOP: The U.S. Border Patrol’s Green Santa waves to onlookers as Border Patrol Agent Henry Rodriguez looks on during the Zapata Christmas Parade on Friday.“I think we had a good turnout. It seemed like all the kids enjoyed themselves, and that’s mainly why we did it, for the kids,” said Danielle Westerman. assistant editor for the Zapata County News, parade sponsor. ABOVE: A lighted float moves along Highway 83 in Zapata during the Zapata Christmas Parade, attended by hundreds of residents.
Lyndon B. Johnson High School student Teodoro Grajeda was thinking about dropping out. He was angry about his problems and lacked motivation. It took some time with Communities in Schools of Laredo, Inc. counselor Rolando Flores for him to understand that an education was necessary for a better lifestyle. “Mr. Flores encouraged me and said that education was a must nowadays,” Grajeda said. “I thought about it and kept going to him for counseling and advisement.” Communities in Schools of Laredo, Inc. is a stay-in-school program for students who can
go to CIS counselors for advisement and help with personal problems. The program provides several services for local students including food baskets and $300 vouchers for eyeglasses. Students can receive services for free and teachers and peers can recommend students for the program. Flores said some students need someone to guide them and listen to them. “School counselors have a
See COMMUNITIES | PAGE 13A
A LAKE VIEW
Ride to frontier brought settlers to South Texas area t was from the historic city of Queretaro in central Mexico where it started for Jose de Escandon y de Helguera, heading north to settle the northern region of Nueva España. History tells that Escandon initially was looking at 14 settlements to include space for church and related facilities, which explain why history referred to these developments as missions — to teach the faith, to civilize (convert) the Indians and to enhance security. Escandon was fixing to make
I
ODIE ARAMBULA stops in Nuevo Leon (Monterrey) and Coahuila (Saltillo) to recruit people willing to take the risks to travel the wilderness to get to the Rio Grande frontier.
Laredo and the rest of South Texas were not even a bad dream at the time because, in later years, Tomas Sanchez would first check out sites along the Nueces River. Escandon, having earned the trust and graces of the Crown in Spain, was the man for the job. Recognizing the dangers of the unexplored mountainous route he would have to travel to reach the frontier, he talked a good story. Escandon would seek out recruits in Monterrey and Saltillo where he expected to find tough and tested men and women for the project.
“These people had to be tough as nails to put up with the rigors of the journey,” Rodolfo Gonzalez de la Garza, Nuevo Laredo genealogist-historian, used to tell guests at his talks. “You had to be because you were coming to a region with that basically offered a terrible environment.” Gonzalez de la Garza, however, claimed from his readings of archived material, the settings were favorable to raise crops and livestock because of the availability of water from the river. He said the reports indicated wildlife
game was plentiful. “A los que venían se les avisaba que el viaje no seria nada fácil,” Gonzalez de la Garza would explain (People who signed up were cautioned that it would not be easy.) “También les advirtiron del los riesgos con la presencia de los indios. Entre tantos tendrían que encontrase con unos que eran unos bárbaros. En las partes montañnozas habitaban en las cuevas.” (People were warned about dangers of the Indians along the way. Some were considered as outright barbarians. In the
mountainous parts of the region are, the Indians tended to seek shelter in caves.) Evidence of Indian life in these caves has been reported through modern times in the mountain sectors in the vicinity of towns in Coahuila and Nuevo Leon. Donald E. Chapman, in his Spanish Texas (1994), quoted from the national archives January 7, 1747, as the date of Escandon’s departure from Queretaro. Escandon had received approval
See LAKE VIEW | PAGE 13A