The Galveston County Daily News by Michael Smith

INDULGE IN AN AWARD-WINNING DINNER AT THE STEAKHOUSE county » positive outlook A campaign is underway to raise money to restore a dog trainer’s eyesight » A7

Lifestyle » Fatboy slimming Although he has dropped more than 100 pounds, T.J. Aulds continues his weight-loss battle » B1

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As the University of Texas Medical Branch seeks to curb indigent-care costs, the university and local health-care organizations are looking at alternative ways to help people.

Critical coping

»» LEAGUE CITY A pair of city council members are proposing to give taxpayers some of their money back. Councilmen Mick Phalen and Mike Lee have suggested using $3 million of the city’s money to fund an 8-percent refund of 2012 property taxes. The proposal is on the agenda for the council’s Tuesday meeting. Phalen suggested the idea of a rebate at a workshop Wednesday. The money for the rebate would come from the city’s reserve fund. The city has a yearly operating budget of about $48 million and has about $18 million in reserves. The city has a requirement to keep in reserve enough money to cover 120 days of its operating budget — about $16 million — in case of an emergency. On Wednesday, the council made a preliminary decision to lower that to 90 days, which would be about $12 million, said City Manager Mike Loftin. That would leave about $6 million in reserve above what the city is required to have on hand. The council has made some preliminary decisions to use some of that for one-time expenses and capital projects, Loftin said. But even after those expenses, there is still a little more than $3 million left. Phalen said it made sense to give the

Total unsponsored-care patients at UTMB 50,000

While overall numbers have dropped by more than 60 percent ...

40,000

30,000

14,597 20,000 14,109 10,497 10,000

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Percentage of unsponsored-care patients through the ER 59% 60 55% 56% ... emergency room visits have more than doubled.

PERCENT

40 30

22%

17%

LC mulls property tax rebate By CHRISTOPHER SMITH GONZALEZ The Daily News

Uncompensated care 43,036 41,981

Sunday, July 22, 2012

20 10

See rebate | A4 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

By the numbers

Resource coordinator Johnnie Moses works with Cindy Keith to get a wheelchair for her mother at the Jesse Tree in Texas City on July 12. KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News

Dollar amounts are in millions 2007

2008

2009 2010

2011

Total amount of money spent on uncompensated care

$197.6 $208.6 $122.4 $130.9 $104.8 Total amount of money appropriated for uncompensated care including unclaimed lottery funds

$13.5

$4.7

$8.6

$11.6

Amount of unclaimed lottery funds, “indigent care fund”

$10

$1.2

$5.1

$8.4

Percentage of total UTMB budget state funded

21%

20%

22%

24%

21%

Percentage of clinical budget spent on

25%

21%

18%

13%

UTMB’s budget $1.58 1.6

In billion dollars

$1.54

1.55

$1.5

1.5

$1.44 $1.46 2007

2008

Source: UTMB

2009

1.45

2010

2011

1.4

DAVE MATHEWS/The Daily News

Focus on preventive care By LAURA ELDER The Daily News

Inside

Forced to sharply cut the amount of charity care it provides, the University of Texas Medical Branch and some area social agencies are increasingly using preventive measures to keep patients out of emergency rooms and hospitals beds and to reduce the costs of health care. Measures including counseling programs and nutrition classes may be the best hope for thousands of chronically ill and uninsured people and may help stretch a dwindling pool of charity care dollars. But reducing health care costs isn’t the only benefit, providers said. “It improves quality of lives,” said Dr. Ben Raimer, senior vice president of health policy and legislative affairs for the medical branch. “People do get well. They do go back to work.” The medical branch began slowly cutting back on uncompensated care

Texas’ oldest newspaper

Bulletin Board................... A6 County............................... A5 Crossword..........................B5 Lifestyle...............................C1

Cuts in spending have sent an influx of people to social agencies » A4

By the Numbers $48 million: League City’s yearly operating budget. $18 million: Money in the reserve fund. $12 million: The reserve fund after a $3 million rebate plus other onetime expenses. $83: Rebate for a homeowner with a property assessed at $170,000.

Trust erodes in LM city staff

more than a decade ago. The cuts accelerated after Hurricane Ike, which struck in September 2008 and badly damaged the island campus and its hospital. Those cuts have been a worldchanger for uninsured patients who counted on the medical branch for care, and for social service agencies that face a crushing influx of clients needing everything from insulin to chemotherapy. The medical branch last year treated 14,109 unsponsored patients, compared with 41,981 in fiscal 2008, a 66 percent decrease. It spent $104.8 million last year on uncompensated care, compared with $208.6 million

»» LA MARQUE The recent revelation by the interim finance director that the city is facing a $1 million budget shortfall because the past city administration

See UTMB | A3

See trust | A7

Lotto................................... A2 Movies.................................B2 Obituaries.......................... D6 Opinion...............................B6 Sports..................................B1 TV Listings.........................B5

Council members blast city finance department By T.J. AULDS The Daily News

WEATHER High

Low

Details

91 80 B8

In the know

GALVNEWS.COM » Video: Comedian Jimmie Walker, aka Kid‘Dyn-o-Mite,’ is still looking for laughs

A2 | Sunday, July 22, 2012 | Compiled from Associated Press and Internet reports

Coming Wednesday

Casino for a Cause Guests at Casino for a Cause will be as tempted by the buffet tables as they are the card tables. Read more in Wednesday’s Lifestyle section.

Directory Subscriber Service Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F 409-683-5260 Missed Paper Deliveries Daily 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. M-F; Weekends 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Holidays 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Report missed papers at 409-683-5260 or 888561-3611 Office Locations • 8522 Teichman Road, Galveston 77554 • 7800 E.F. Lowry Expressway 77592 Mailing Address P.O. Box 628, Galveston 77553 Contact Us Main 409-683-5200 or 800-561-3611 Editorial 409-683-5239 After hours and weekend 409-938-6111 Advertising 409-6835252 Classified 800-3907355 or 409-683-5301 Editorial fax 409-7403421 On the Internet www.galvnews.com

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Police: Suspect planned attack for months »» AURORA, Colo. The shooting suspect who went on a deadly rampage inside a Colorado theater planned the attack with “calculation and deliberation,” police said Saturday, receiving deliveries for months which authorities believe armed him for battle and were used to rig his apartment with dozens of bombs. Authorities on Saturday removed dangerous explosive materials from inside James Holmes’ suburban Denver apartment

a day after police said he opened fire and set off gas canisters in a suburban theater minutes into the premiere of the Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises.” The attack left 12 people dead and 58 injured. His apartment was rigged with jars of liquids, explosives and chemicals that were booby trapped to kill “whoever entered it,” Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said, noting it would have likely been one of his officers.

All hazards have been removed from the Holmes’ apartment and residents in surrounding buildings can return home, police said. Authorities wouldn’t discuss a motive for one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history, as makeshift memorials for the victims sprang up and relatives began to publicly mourn their loved ones. Holmes apparently had prepared the attack at the Aurora theater well in advance, receiving mul-

tiple deliveries by mail for four months to his home and school and buying thousands rounds of ammunition on the Internet, Oates said. Holmes, 24, was in solitary confinement for his protection at a county detention facility Saturday, held without bond on suspicion of multiple counts of first-degree murder. He was set for an initial hearing on Monday and had been appointed a public defender, authorities said.

Young victim ‘was excited about life as she should be’ »» AURORA, Colo. Ashley Moser drifted in and out of consciousness in the ICU, bullets lodged in her throat and abdomen. In her waking moments, she called for her 6-year-old daughter Veronica. Nobody had the heart to tell her that Veronica was already dead, the youngest victim killed at a Colorado movie theater in one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history. “Nobody can tell her about it,”Annie Dalton said of her niece, Ashley Moser. “She is in critical condition, but all she’s asking about is her daughter.” Veronica just started swimming lessons on Tuesday, Dalton said. “She was excited about life as she should be. She’s a 6-year-old girl,”her greataunt said The young girl was among the 12 people killed when a gunman barged into a crowded Colorado theater, set off gas canisters and opened fire as spectators dove for cover. Dozens of others were injured, including the 25-year-old Ashley Moser and 10 others in critical condition as of Friday night. The victims’identities have emerged one by one after authorities told their families of their deaths. By Saturday afternoon, relatives, employers and family spokesmen had confirmed the identities of seven of those who died. One is 27-year-old Matt McQuinn. His family’s attorney, Rob Scott of Dayton, Ohio, said McQuinn was killed after diving in front of his girlfriend and her older brother to shield them from the gunfire. Scott’s account

World Rebels target Syrian power base »» BEIRUT Riding a wave of momentum, Syrian rebels made a run on Aleppo on Saturday in some of the fiercest fighting seen in the country’s largest city, which has been a key bastion of support for President Bashar Assad over the course of the 17-month-old uprising. The rebels also took over a third border crossing — and the second one along Syria’s frontier with Iraq — another sign the regime’s tight grip on the country is wobbling. The fighting in Aleppo comes on the heels of intense clashes in the capital, Damascus, as rebel forces target the pillars of regime power in their attempts to usher in what they hope will be the end of Assad’s rule.

Jessica Ghawi

Nation Gay pride parade features troops

»» SAN DIEGO Some of the loudest cheers Saturday at San Diego’s gay pride parade were for activeduty troops marching in military dress, the first time that U.S. service members participated in such an event while in full uniform. Dozens of soldiers, sailors, and Marines marched alongside an old Army truck decorated with a “Freedom to Serve” banner and a rainbow flag. They were joined by dozens more military personnel in civilian clothes, but the uniforms stood out among the flower-bedecked floats and scantily clad revelers. Spectators waved signs reading, “Thank you for your service.” A woman held a placard that said: “My gay son is a Naval officer.”

21 suffer burns at Robbins event John Larimer

Micayla Medek,

Flowers surround a photograph of shooting victim Alex Sullivan at a makeshift memorial near the movie theater Saturday in Aurora, Colo. AP Photo/David Zalubowski could not be immediately verified. For Alex Sullivan, it was to be a weekend of fun: He planned to ring in his 27th birthday with friends at the special midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” and then celebrate his first wedding anniversary today. Late Friday, Sullivan’s family confirmed that police told them he was among those killed. “He was a very, very good young man,”said Sullivan’s uncle, Joe Loewenguth.“He always had a smile, always made you laugh. He had a little bit of comic in him. Witty, smart. He was loving,

had a big heart.” Micayla Medek, 23, was also among the dead, her father’s cousin, Anita Busch, said. Busch said the news, while heartbreaking, was a relief for the family after an agonizing day of waiting for news. “I hope this evil act ... doesn’t shake people’s faith in God,”she said. On Saturday morning, parents of John Larimer released a statement that Navy officials notified them about midnight that their 27-year-old son was one of the 12 killed. The family said that Larimer’s brother is working

“There were huge explosions and the gunfire didn’t stop for several hours,” Aleppo-based activist Mohammad Saeed told The Associated Press via Skype. “The uprising has finally reached Aleppo.” The city has remained largely loyal to Assad and been spared the kind of daily bloodshed that has plagued other areas.

Newspaper Holdings and News Corp. Investments in the U.K., said Daisy Dunlop, spokeswoman for News Corp.’s British arm, News International. The companies oversee The Sun, The Times, and The Sunday Times. It was not immediately clear which of News Corp.’s U.S. boards Murdoch had left. Britain’s Telegraph newspaper, which first reported the news late Saturday, said those details had not yet been disclosed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. News International sought to play down the significance of the resignations, saying in a statement that “this is nothing more than a corporate housecleaning exercise prior to the company split.” That was a reference to News Corp.’s announcement June 28 that it would separate its publishing business,

Murdoch resigns from board »» LONDON Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has resigned as a director of a number of News Corp. boards overseeing his Britain newspapers, a spokeswoman confirmed Saturday. He also quit from some of the media company’s subsidiary boards in the United States. Murdoch stepped down this past week as a director of NI Group, Times

with the Navy to take his body home to Crystal Lake, Ill. He was with a unit that belongs to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet at Buckley Air Force. An Air Force reservist who worked at Buckley also was among the victims killed. Sgt. Jesse Childress, 29, was a cybersystems operator, the Air Force said in a statement. Another reservist was treated and released after also being wounded in the shootings. A blogger and aspiring sports reporter who recently wrote of surviving a Toronto shooting was killed, the woman’s brother said. The death of Jessica Ghawi, who was also known as Jessica Redfield, was a“complete and utter shock,”said her brother, Jordan Ghawi. which includes The Wall Street Journal, from its much more profitable media and entertainment business — forming two distinct, publicly traded companies. Under those proposed changes, Murdoch, 81, will chair both of the companies, although he would continue as chief executive of the media and entertainment company only.

»» SAN FRANCISCO Fire officials said 21 people at an event hosted by motivational speaker Tony Robbins suffered burns while walking across hot coals and three of the injured were treated at hospitals. The injuries took place during the first day Thursday of a four-day event at the San Jose Convention Center hosted by Robbins called “Unleash the Power Within.” Robbins Research International said in a written statement that 6,000 attendees of the event walked across the coals Thursday.

Texas Instructor gets 20 years in prison »» SAN ANTONIO The women assaulted by their U.S. Air Force training instructor don’t sleep much these days and when they do, he sometimes haunts their dreams. They testified Saturday about being suddenly unable to relate to husbands, boyfriends and even fathers and brothers after they were sexually assaulted. Staff Sgt. Luis Walker was sentenced to 20 years in prison Saturday for crimes that included rape and sexual assault. He is among 12 instructors investigated for sexual misconduct toward at least 31 female trainees at one of the nation’s busiest military training centers. Six have been charged with crimes, and the counts against Walker were the most severe. He could have faced life in prison.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

UTMB Continued from Page A1

in 2008, a 50 percent decrease. ‘We can’t go bankrupt’ The medical branch has a long tradition of treating the state’s uninsured and underinsured. It rarely turned anyone away for inability to pay, but not doing so kept it perennially in the red. In the past, the medical branch, which last year had a budget of nearly $1.6 billion, skimmed margins from its other operations to subsidize treatment of patients unable to pay, neglecting capital projects. For years, the legislature and the University of Texas System Board of Regents pressured the medical branch to get its financial house in order. At the same time, the state was steadily reducing the amount of money it gave the medical branch for uncompensated care. While some groups have criticized the medical branch’s cutbacks on uncompensated care, officials said they have had little choice. Doctors and staff derive no pleasure from turning patients away for inability to pay, Raimer said. “It’s very hard for doctors and students or anyone to know we can’t do what we’d like to do for everyone who comes here,” Raimer said. “That’s difficult. It breaks hearts some days. At the same time, we can’t go bankrupt.” ‘Terrible state of mind’ The medical branch is still providing care to the uninsured, but in ways that surprise some patients. Mary Long, 55, is uninsured and unable to work. Long had heart bypass surgery a decade ago and has a pacemaker. She suffers from thyroid disease and chronic depression. In January, the Dickinson resident sought treatment from the medical branch for her thyroid issues and related depression. She had been seeking help from a Clear Lake area medical provider that was unwilling to run blood tests for an uninsured patient. She turned to the medical branch, where doctors adjusted her thyroid medication, prescribed a different antidepressant and then did something Long didn’t expect — they sent a registered nurse, a nutritionist and counselor to her home for follow-ups. The nurse joined Long on doctor visits. Twice, a counselor visited Long, who at the time was suicidal. “I was in a terrible state of mind,” Long said. Long’s husband, Eddie, has diabetes and chronic pain from a back injury that keeps him from working as a plumber. Eddie, 57, and his wife together spend about $300 a month on prescription medications. Although he has Medicare, the couple struggles to make ends meet. ‘We are rehabilitated’ Last summer, when the Longs were struggling to pay their power bill, they turned to M.I. Lewis Social Service Center in Dickinson, which steered them to The Jesse Tree, a faith-based agency that works to connect people with social services. Officials with The Jesse Tree told Eddie they

could provide him with diabetes test strips that cost about $50 a month and aren’t covered by Medicare, if he attended diabetes management classes. Eddie first went to the classes to save money. But he stayed for the healing and camaraderie, the couple said. Feeling better after her medical branch visit, Mary began joining her husband in The Jesses Tree classes. Both have learned to cook healthy foods and take better care of themselves. Both said the preventive measures and chronic disease management services by both the medical branch and The Jesse Tree changed their lives and have saved them costly medical bills. They feel better. Grateful, they’re volunteering for The Jesse Tree and working to spread the word to others with illness. “We are rehabilitated,” Mary Long said. ‘Our common bond’ Island resident Raymond Serrata is uninsured and has depended on the medical branch for health care. About six years ago, Serrata had a swollen leg and was suffering from cellulitis, a skin infection caused by bacteria. The medical branch admitted him into the hospital, where he stayed about four days for treatment with heavy doses of antibiotics. Late last month, Serrata, 52, again sought treatment for a swollen

leg. Although the medical branch emergency room doctors saw him, they prescribed antibiotics and sent him home. Federal laws require that emergency rooms stabilize patients. But they don’t have to admit them into the hospital. There would be no long, costly hospital stay. Serrata said his condition worsened, and he went to the emergency room at Mainland Medical Center, where he was admitted June 30 and stayed for seven days. While the medical branch was friendly, it wasn’t the same charity provider he remembered from years ago. “I had gone in for the same thing years ago, and they took good care of me,” Serrata said. “They were nice, but it’s not the same.” Serrata is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 350 pounds. He suffers from arthritis in his knees, sleep apnea, narcolepsy and high blood pressure, he said. His illnesses prevent him from working, he said. When discharged from Mainland Medical, he had no way to pay for medications or buy a hospital bed to keep his leg elevated. The Jesse Tree provided a hospital bed and helped him pay for prescriptions at a nearby pharmacy. But The Jesse Tree also signed Serrata up for classes on healthy eating. Serrata likes the classes

and other participants. He looks forward to changing his lifestyle and feeling better, he said. “Everybody wants to live a better, healthier life; that’s our common bond,” Serrata said. ‘An avalanche’ The medical branch’s drastic cuts are rapidly draining The Jesse Tree’s resources as patients desperate for wheelchairs, money for expensive prescriptions or in need of chemotherapy flood the agency with requests for help. “It’s an avalanche,” Ted Hanley, co-founder and director of The Jesse Tree, said. “We’re still getting 1,500 calls a month. Unfortunately, as the calls increase, our resources have decreased and we’re able to help fewer and fewer people.” The agency helps many navigate the bureaucratic thicket and find services for which they are eligible. But it’s getting tougher to meet demand, he said. It’s not unusual for The Jesse Tree to receive 50 to 80 prescription requests a day. “There is no way, even with the $4 and $5 formularies, that we can afford to help them all,” Hanley said. “We have to prioritize and triage.” The downturn in local indigent care began 20 years ago and accelerated after Ike, Hanley said. The Jesse Tree formed when St. Mary’s Hospital on the island closed

The Daily News

and the medical branch became the only provider on the island. The agency has seen a significant rise in the number of two-income, uninsured families seeking health care, Hanley said. While the need is overwhelming, The Jesse Tree is making some strides with its chronic disease management programs to keep people out of the emergency room for illnesses that could be prevented. Diet is key in health management, Hanley said. The Galveston County Food Bank and The Houston Food Bank these days are probably making the greatest contributions to helping the uninsured, Hanley said. “Diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are directly affected by poor diets, fast food and unhealthy cooking practices,” Hanley said. “The Jesse Tree provides the health education, training and teaches the skills that people need to use the nutritious food toward their own improved health, while teaching proper monitoring of the condition, access to prescriptions and the array of supportive care.” Avoidable hospital visits The medical branch has several programs focused on prevention and chronic disease management. One of its greatest success stories is the Outpatient Care Management Program, which serves

high-risk, unsponsored patients with chronic illnesses such as congestive heart failure, renal disease, diabetes and coronary artery disease. Patients must live in Galveston County and complete financial counseling to determine eligibility. Patients enrolled in the program receive the benefit of a care manager who provides services by phone or through home visits or a primary care clinic. Immediately, the medical branch saw results, measured from the program’s inception in April 2007 to August 2008. According to a case study based on a sample of 83 patients, the program reduced inpatient hospital admissions by 53 percent and reduced emergency room visits and day surgeries by 62 percent, officials said. The issue facing the nation today is how to deliver health care more efficiently, Raimer said. Prevention and chronic disease management and keeping so-called “superusers” out of the emergency room and hospital is a big part of the answer, Raimer said. “As someone’s health improves, they consume less resources and we can take care of more people by not spending high dollar amounts on avoidable hospital visits,” Raimer said. Contact Laura Elder at 409-683-5248 or laura.elder@ galvnews.com.

The Daily News

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

rebate Continued from Page A1

Ted Hanely, executive director at The Jesse Tree, talks about the medical supplies it is able to supply their clients July 12 in Texas City. KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News

UTMB cuts put a strain on social agencies By Laura Elder The Daily News Cuts in spending on unsponsored patients has sent a crushing influx of people to social agencies such as The Jesse Tree, which helps people obtain medical supplies and prescription drugs, while also directing them to other services. “We’re right at the point where we’re about to fold up,” Ted Hanley, co-founder and executive director, said.

Coming soon What has become of the millions of dollars generated by the so-called “UTMB tax” that was supposed to pay for hospital and specialty care for the county’s poor?

In August 2010, The Jesse Tree made national headlines when Friendswood attorney Tony Buzbee announced he would donate 13 exotic cars with an estimated value of $3.5 million to the faith-based agency. The donation was

meant as an endowment and not for dayto-day operations. In the down economy, the cars haven’t sold as quickly or for as much money as Buzbee and others had hoped, Hanley said. “Unfortunately, it left

the impression we were flush with cash,” Hanley said. “Only a few cars were sold.” The Jesse Tree depends on donations of money and an array of medical supplies. To donate money or supplies, or to learn more about classes and services offered by The Jesse Tree, call 409-7622233 or visit jessetree. net. Contact Laura Elder at 409-683-5248 or laura.elder@ galvnews.com.

money back. “Our taxpayers, over the past few years, have given us more money than we need to spend,” Phalen said. “Why in the world don’t we give it back to them?” Lee was not at the Wednesday workshop but said in an interview that the money belonged to the taxpayers. “Just because we have the money there doesn’t mean that we have to spend it,” he said. Having 90 to 100 days of reserves is a stable amount to have, Lee said. Loftin said many cities would like to be in a position to have $12 million in their reserve funds. Asked whether a $3 million tax rebate was something he would be comfortable with, Loftin said yes. “It is fairly unconventional,” Loftin said. “A city has to be in extraordinarily good financial condition to even want to consider this.” The State Property Tax Code does not provide a way to provide rebates, and the city attorney is not comfortable with the idea, Loftin said at the workshop. Arnold Polanco, the city attorney, said he had no comment while the matter was being debated. But Loftin said two other cities, Friendswood and Farmers Branch, have successfully given rebates. The average home value in League City is about $170,000, Loftin said. With a property tax

At a glance WHAT: City council meeting WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday WHERE: Council chambers, 200 W. Walker St., League City

rate of 61 cents per $100 of taxable value the owner of a home assessed at $170,000 would pay $1,037 in taxes. An 8-percent rebate would mean a refund of about $83. While Phalen and Lee like the idea of cutting homeowners a check, not everyone on the council agreed. Councilman Dan Becker suggested the city could use the $3 million in its reserve fund to cut the city’s debt. Councilwoman Phyllis Sanborn said the council could have made different decisions on what to fund and what to cut from the budget if its members had all known that $3 million from reserves could have been used. Visibly frustrated at Wednesday’s meeting, Councilman Dennis OKeeffe said if there was such a surplus he wondered why the tax rate hadn’t been adjusted in the past or excess money used to pay down debt or fund more projects. But Lee said a refund would do a lot for residents right now. “We are in tough economic times,” Lee said. “Lets give people a few bucks back.” Contact Reporter Christopher Smith Gonzalez at 409683-5314 or chris.gonzalez@ galvnews.com

County

A5 | Sunday, July 22, 2012 | Contact

MONDAY » The underpinnings are in place for Trinity Episcopal School’s new gym

Michael A. Smith, michael.smith@galvnews.com

East Texas murder suspect caught in Galveston By T.J. AULDS The Daily News »» GALVESTON A man wanted on charges of kidnapping a pregnant woman and killing her best friend during the abduction was arrested

Guest column Chris John Mallios, a longtime resident of League City, is writing a series of occasional columns about the history of his hometown. He can be reached at mallios@ comcast.net.

Some folks who make League City Proud

late Friday night on the seawall. The pregnant woman was safe. Tiffany Hurd, 19, was kidnapped Thursday night from a house in Henderson County in East Texas. Her best friend, Chantel Barrett, 18, was shot and killed during the abduc-

tion, investigators in Henderson County said. Hurd’s boyfriend, Jackie Martez Guthrie, 22, is charged with murder and kidnapping. Late Friday night, people who recognized Guthrie’s photo from television news

See suspect | A7

‘Don’t be blinded by the negatives’ A campaign to raise money to restore a dog trainer’s eyesight has helped keep a woman’s outlook on life positive By BRONWYN TURNER Correspondent

he first officers of League City Proud were President Bette Specion, Vice President Vicki Holley, Treasurer Mary Anne Malfa, Secretary Debbie Groce, Historian Susan Bova, event coordinator Janice Hallisey, fundraising coordinator Tommy Cones and email coordinator Pat Hallisey. The Holiday in the Park parade has been a welcome tradition to our city. Some of the parade marshals have been Eileen Collins, a city resident and commander of the space shuttle; Houston TV anchorman Sylvan Rodriquez; and the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales, as well as local residents such as Art Hewitt, Alison Stewart, Marge Jacobson, the Groce family of Red River BBQ fame, the Butler family, the Hinte family, the Gharradi family, Rex Ward and the League City Fire Department honor guard. Like any other event of this size there are always three or four handfuls of regular volunteers who devote their time and effort to help make this event a success. People like Gary Little and family, Larry Corona, Melinda and Jon Kenney, Camaro Bob, the ladies of the St. Mary’s Church choir, Ange Sheffield, Mike Baughman, Rick Wade and many others. The League City Parade board is small and includes Holly Primeaux, Pat Hallisey, Tommy Cones, Marc Edelman, John See Mallios | A7

Jackie Guthrie is charged with murder in Henderson County.

reports called police. At 10:36 p.m. Officer Chris Sanderson found Guthrie and Hurd at Seawall Boulevard and 30th Street. Sanderson was able to get within 20 feet of Guthrie

Trelle Dandridge, a dog trainer with Mutts With Manners, works with Dozer, a mixed breed, at the Galveston Island Humane Society on Thursday. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News

At a glance WHAT: “Benefit for Trelle,” concert, auction and barbecue (cooking by the Lighthouse Charity Team) with proceeds to help fund treatment in China for Galvestonian Trelle Dandridge WHEN: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 14.

WHERE: Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, in a tent set up by the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat dock. 3 HOW TO HELP: Auction items and volunteers are needed for the event. Monetary donations are needed for medical costs. Contributions can be made to HomeTown Bank Galveston and through the website,

www.trelles2020.com. CONTACT: Email trellecvc@ comcast.net or call 281685-7601. ONLINE: Fundraiser website at www.trelles2020. com; Mutts with Manners, www.muttswithmanners. com; Lighthouse Charity Team, lighthousecharityteam. com.

»» GALVESTON Former Galveston County Commissioner Eddie Janek was looking for a dog trainer when he came upon a mission — helping a Galveston woman regain her sight. The project will involve $40,000, a letterwriting campaign, a benefit auction and concert, a website, the Lighthouse Charity Team, treatment at an eye hospital in China and a small army of volunteers. Like Janek, they signed on when they met Trelle Dandridge, the gentle dog trainer determined to overcome blindness, one way or the other. “Just walk around your house for three minutes with your eyes closed, and you’ll understand what this young lady has achieved with her life,” Janek said. The 85-year-old is writing letters on behalf of Dandridge and serving on a fundraising committee. For Janek, it all started when his dog Brownie lost control and killed the family cat. The vet recommended training by Mutts With Manners, run by Dandridge and Heather Leeson. Dandridge quietly worked with both dog and owner, explaining positive reinforcement and demonstrating it. Janek was so impressed with the 36-year-old trainer’s expertise and story he offered to help. “I don’t have a lot of years left to do a lot of good things,” he said. “This is one thing I’m going to do.” Janek will be joining Dandridge’s family and friends in the fundraising effort. He is recruiting more help, including Dick See sight | A7

BULLETIN BOARD

A6 | Sunday, July 22, 2012 | Contact

Angela Taylor, angela.taylor@galvnews.com

TODAY

Decker, 281-534-6188. »» The Galveston County Community Action Council board of directors will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at 2627 Ave. M in Galveston.

»» The Friends of Galveston Island State Park will offer bay walks at 10 a.m. Sundays and beach walks at 10 a.m. Saturdays through Nov. 25. All activities will begin at the Nature Center on the bay side of the park at 14901 FM 3005 in Galveston. Park entrance is $5 per person. There is no fee for the walks or visiting the Nature Center, which is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Call 409-737-1222.

»» The International Oleander Society will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Moody Gardens Visitors Center, Macadamian Room, 1 Hope Blvd., in Galveston. The program will begin at 11 a.m. The meeting and program is open to anyone interested in preserving and cultivating oleanders for the beautification of the island.

»» The Central High School Class of 1967 will conclude its 45-year reunion at 11 a.m. today at the Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Ave. M, in Galveston. The men of the class will honor the ladies at 1 p.m. Call 409-7399077 or 409-771-5562. »» The Galveston Elks Lodge No. 126 will have bingo for cash prizes from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays at 1518 Tremont St. (23rd Street) in Galveston. Food concessions will be available. Doors open at noon. The public is welcome, but come early for best seats. Email elkslodge126@ gmail.com. »» Art and acting lessons taught by George Douglas Lee will be available at the G. Lee Gallery, 2215 Postoffice St., in Galveston. Sessions are $40 each or $120 for four classes. Art classes present drawing, composition and painting in watercolor and acrylic. Acting classes are on-camera instruction in presentation, monologue and scene study. Call 409370-7350. »» The Hospice Care Team Inc. will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2013 and is asking members of the community send or call in with stories and thoughts of their history for a memory book. Call 409938-0070, 800-545-8738, or visit www.hospicecare»

Schools in brief »» TEXAS CITY College of the Mainland will have a free Industrial Craft Career Exploration event for high school juniors and seniors from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Aug. 3 at 1200 Amburn Road. Participants will learn to wire a circuit, install a ceiling fan, read gauges,

»» The Carbide Pioneer Club will meet at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Ryan’s, 2330 Mall of the Mainland Parkway, in Texas City. All members are encouraged to attend. Call 409-9455886. Queasia Block, 9, works on her writing skills during The 1867 Settlement Historical District Summer Enrichment Program at Rising Star Baptist Church in Texas City on June 28. KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News team.org.

Upcoming »» The Galveston Riptide Youth Football Organization will have late registration for children ages 5-10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the field behind Weis Middle School football stadium in Galveston. A copy of the child’s birth certificate and two utility bills will be needed to sign-up. Some partial scholarships are still available. Visit galveston» riptides.com. »» The Coastal Island Toastmasters will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at Golden Corral, 6200 Seawall Blvd., in Galveston. Contact Susan Baker, 409-5997773, or visit coastalisland. toastmastersclubs.org. »» The Greater Clear Lake Families Exploring Down syndrome group operate the virtual welder and more. Space is limited. Lunch will be provided. Donations will be accepted. For information, contact Earl Alexander, 409-9338147; or Patty England, 409-933-8046. »» TEXAS CITY The Texas City Independent School District board of trustees will have its regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m.

will meet from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real, in Clear Lake. Snacks and child care will be provided. For information and registration, visit gclfeds. org. »» The Gulf Coast Basketball Officials Association is seeking males and females ages 18 and older who are interested in officiating high school, middle and junior high school games in Galveston County. No experience is necessary, training will be provided. The deadline to sign-up is Sept. 15. Call George Henley, 409-3920317; or Shirley McDaniels, 409-771-1835. »» The Monsanto Women’s quarterly luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Gio’s Flying Pizza and Pasta, 650 FM 517 W., in Dickinson. Call Marilyn Monday at 1700 Ninth Ave. N. Visit www.tcisd.org. »» LA MARQUE The La Marque Independent School District board of trustees will have a special-called meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at 1727 Bayou Road. »» HITCHCOCK The Hitchcock Independent School District board of trustees will

»» The Bay Area Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Friday at University Baptist Church, 16106 Middlebrook Drive, in Clear Lake. Eric Sandifer will present “The Escape and Suicide of John Wilkes Booth.”Visit txbayareagen. org or call 281-334-6100. »» Zumba Motions will present an International Dance Party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Galveston Health and Racquet Club, 2318 83rd St., in Galveston. There also will be a flash mob at 2 p.m. at the Rainforest Café afterward. Admission is $10. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Galveston. Call 409-4438805 or 832-259-2388. »» There will be a Christmas in July fundraiser benefiting The Shriners Hospital for Children from noon to midnight Saturday at Lucky Lounge, 8305 Stewart Road, in Galveston. There will be a toy drive, silent auction, bake sale, karaoke, live music and drink specials. Donahave a special-called meeting and a budget workshop at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 8004 N. Railroad. »» SANTA FE The Santa Fe Independent School District board of trustees will have a special-called meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at 4133 Warpath. Call 409-925-3526. »» DICKINSON

submit news » Email announcements to bulletinboard@ galvnews.com tions will be accepted. Email Jacki Anderson, j_lynn_anderson@yahoo. com. »» Butler Longhorn Museum will offer its “Let’s Work Together” crafting workshops from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Aug. 11 at 1220 Coryell St. in League City. The cost is $18 for one child and one adult helper, per session; each additional person is $5. All supplies and materials will be provided. Call 281-332-1393. »» The third annual Casino for a Cause event benefiting the Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Moody Gardens Convention Center, 1 Hope Blvd., in Galveston. There will be casino-style gambling, a silent auction and casino prizes. To RSVP or for information, visit rccgc.org, or contact Debbie Williams, dwilliams@moodybank. com or 409-632-5206. Sponsorships are available. »» The Seamen Center of Texas City will have a luau fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Doyle Convention Center, 2010 Fifth Ave. N., in Texas City. The Drums of the Pacific dancers will perform. All funds will go toward the center’s new building. If you would like to participate or donate, email annualgala@theseamencenteroftexas» city.com. »» The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council will have its annual membership meeting at 5:30 p.m. July 31 at the Bienville Social, 323 Tremont St., in Galveston. Kelly de Schaun, executive director of the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, will be the guest speaker. The event is open to members and invited guests. To RSVP, email » naturetourismgalv@juno. com. True Cross Catholic School eighth-graders will have a large multifamily garage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and after all Masses July 29 at 400 FM 517 E. All proceeds will go toward the students’ annual trip to Washington D.C. If you would like to donate items, call Dianne Duron, 409-996-0943, or Ann Sustrick, 281-7323989.

Passing Parade HAPPY BIRTHDAY Roberta Gamble, Christopher Jerome Lewis, Mary Ruth White, Lareisha Lewis, Donzell Lawrence, A'zha Edmond, Justin Thrash and Betty Brown.

Send birthdays or anniversary names to Passing Parade, The Daily News, P.O. Box 628, Galveston, TX 77553. Or leave a voice mail at 409-683-5275 or 800-561-3611, Ext. 5275. No nicknames will be printed. The deadline for Saturday, Sunday and Monday editions is noon Friday.

City Meetings Monday »» 6 p.m.: La Marque City Council, council chambers, 1109-B Bayou Road, 409-9389202.

Tuesday

»» 9:30 a.m.: Galveston County Commissioners Court, 722 Moody, Galveston, 409-7662249. »» 5:15 p.m.: Texas City Board of Adjustments, city hall annex, 928 Fifth Ave. N., 409-643-5925. »» 6 p.m.: League City Council, council chambers, 200 W. Walker St., 281-554-1031. »» 6 p.m.: Santa Fe Parks Board, city hall, 12002 state Highway 6, 409-925-6412. »» 7 p.m.: Dickinson City Council, city hall, council chambers, 1621 FM 517 E., 281-3376217. »» 7 p.m.: Village of Tiki Island Council, Public Safety Building, 747 Tiki Drive, 409-935-1427.

Thursday

»» 4 p.m.: Galveston City Council, city hall, 823 Rosenberg, 409797-3510. »» 7 p.m.: Kemah Community Development Corp., board meeting, city hall, 1401 state Highway 146, 281-3341611. »» 7 p.m.: Santa Fe City Council, city hall, 12002 state Highway 6, 409925-6412.

Email city meetings to Angela Taylor, angela. taylor@galvnews.com.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

Clerk faces possible charges of gambling, alcohol sale to minor Police: Gambling ticket paid in front of officers By T.J. AULDS The Daily News »» GALVESTON Friday was just not a good day for an island convenience store clerk who faces possible charges of selling alcohol to a minor as well as operating an illegal gambling establishment. Police said the clerk was being questioned by officers about the alcohol sale when he paid off an 8-liner ticket to a store customer. Galveston police were conducting several stings across the island when they stopped in at a store in the 7500 block of Stewart Road at about 3 p.m. An 18 year old who was assisting officers was able to purchase some booze from the clerk in the store, police said. Two officers working the sting stepped in and informed the clerk of the sting. They were taking down the

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Randolph, Mike Guerrero, and Janice Hallisey. All these individuals work together to help create a sense of community pride through an event like no other in League City. This event brings people together in beautiful League Park during the holiday season. It is put on by League City residents for League City residents. Ms. Hallisey remembers one year when “several of us walked at the very back of the parade tossing candy and beads and there was a very elderly man sitting on the sidelines

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using parked vehicles and buildings to conceal his approach, police Lt. Michael Gray said. When Sanderson got close enough, he pulled his gun and ordered the suspect to the ground. At first the man did not respond, but the kidnapping victim was able to convince the man, who Henderson County police said was the father of the woman’s unborn child, to do as Sanderson instructed. Sanderson held Guthrie at gunpoint until more officers arrived. A

clerk’s information when a customer who had been playing on an 8-liner machine in the store came to the counter with a slip and claimed he had just won $165 from the machine. The clerk, while being interviewed by police, reached into the cash register and paid off the customer’s winning ticket, Lt. Michael Gray said. That prompted a new gambling investigation by members of the Galveston Vice and Narcotics Unit, which seized the machines from the store and took in more than $10,000 in cash, Gray said. The clerk was not charged, but the case was turned over to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, Gray said. Contact Mainland Editor T.J. Aulds at 409-683-5334 or tjaulds@galvnews.com.

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Daugird and the Lighthouse Charity Team. The team will be barbecuing for the “Benefit for Trelle, set for Oct. 14 at Moody Gardens. A live auction is planned, led by Galveston songwriter, playwright and radio personality George Douglas Lee. At the center of the project is a story of unexpected loss and gritty recovery. A native of Oklahoma, Dandridge was 13 when an auto accident caused head trauma and eventual damage to her optic nerve. She was adapting to restricted vision when she moved to Galveston in 1998, following a dream to work at a coastal aquarium. She used software to zoom text on her computer screen and carefully memorized her surroundings. But in 2001, when Dandridge was working at Moody Gardens, her vision drastically deteriorated. “It’s like looking through a really dirty window — some spots don’t seem as dirty as others, but you can’t see through the window at all,” she said. Dandridge again adapted, even learning to dive and navigate the Caribbean tank, eventually moving up to the

in a wheelchair with a red blanket covering his legs. “He looked peaceful but let some beads come his way and he stretched his arms out wide to see if he could hook his very own and he did,” he said. “The memory will last forever.” In 2008, while preparing the park Friday, snow started falling, and Debbie Groce, Vicki Holley, Bette Specion, Glenda Lancôm and Janice Hallisey danced like kids in the park not believing their eyes. Real snow. It didn’t last but won’t be forgotten.The theme that year was “It’s a wonderful life.” It takes a lot of

preparation to put this event together every year; however, you cannot buy that many smiles nor hear that much laughter and see so many happy people in such a short distance of one mile. There is nothing quite like parade night on Main Street under those charming and historical oaks that we have all come to love and identify with. It is very easy to see why the event organizers are League City Proud. So, mark your calendars now for the first weekend every year in December. The celebration now includes three parades, a huge market, carnival and entertainment, of course — all

search of Guthrie turned up a 9 mm pistol believed to have been used in the shooting, Gray said. “Officer Sanderson did an outstanding job,” Gray said. “He was able to avoid getting into a shootout that would have put anyone on the seawall at risk.” Police found Guthrie’s

car behind a motel in the 3700 block of Seawall Boulevard. Guthrie was being held in the Galveston County jail awaiting transfer to Henderson County. Contact Mainland Editor T.J. Aulds at 409-683-5334 or tjaulds@galvnews.com.

post of Biologist 3. She met her husband, Ryan, at a vacuum cleaner demonstration and the couple married in 2003. In 2008, she helped start Mutts with Manners. Dandridge relied on family members for transportation and on her partner for some assessment duties. Screenreader software on her computer dictated text to her; her iPhone tools helped manage calendar and text messaging. But she is determined to look beyond adaptations. An eye hospital outside Beijing, China uses stem cells from banked umbilical cord blood to treat patients with similar eye conditions. Such procedures for Dandridge’s condition are years away in the United States. The process, tentatively set for next spring if funds are raised, will involve 23 days of injections — two IVs, eight lumbar and at least one injection behind one eye. If successful, the injections could allow her to see color, faces and large print. But thousands of dollars stand between Dandridge and that goal. In the meantime, she rallies friends with her insight. “Don’t be blinded by the negatives,” she said. “Let your eyes be opened by the positives.” free to attend. For more information check out holidayinthepark.org. Holiday in the Park and all those who help put it on are names you should know.

The Daily News

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overestimated revenues and miscalculated expenses has some council members talking about a lack of trust. “Ninety-eight percent of what council votes on is based on information from city staff,” Councilman James Osteen said. “From what we have learned, I don’t trust anyone who was in that finance department before.” Earlier in the week, Mayor Bobby Hocking suggested that the council had been “hoodwinked” during the last budget process. Carl Wessels, a budget troubleshooter brought in by City Manager Carol Jo Buttler, found a series of missteps by the former administration that included former City Manager Eric Gage and Budget Director Karen Cooper. Gage resigned last year while Cooper left city hall in the spring. Cooper could not be reached, and Gage did not return calls from The Daily News. The former budget administrators missed revenue estimates for the city to the tune of about $533,000, Wessels said. He also uncovered that the city actually was working with a $200,000 deficit in the budget for the current fiscal year. Wessels said his assessment was that La Marque’s was not a professionally run finance department. But Wessels defended those members of the staff who remain.

“These are good people,” Wessels said, in responding to Osteen’s statement about trust. Wessels said with the proper training, staff members who remain would be reliable and would earn the trust of the council. Wessels cautioned that he was focused on getting the budget situation worked out and wanted to stay away from “beating a dead horse” about the past mistakes. Council members, while encouraging him to move ahead, stressed they wanted an accounting of what went wrong. Mayor Pro Tem Keith Bell said he didn’t necessarily want to name names for blame but does want to find out what went wrong and what steps could be taken to prevent a recurrence. La Marque is in the middle of its budget planning process. Faced with the deficit, council members are seeking ways to trim costs and possibly raise extra revenue to make up the difference. All council members have already spoken out against a tax rate increase. With employees responsible for 76 percent of the city’s budget, Osteen warned that cuts would likely mean people losing their jobs. Buttler is already putting together a plan that would include job cuts through attrition, incentivized retirements and outsourcing some city work. Contact Mainland Editor T.J. Aulds at 409-683-5334 or tjaulds@galvnews.com.

The Daily News

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

sports

Section B | Sunday, July 22, 2012 | Contact

Monday » Manuel Moreno Jr. reports on the area’s latest tennis news

Jordan Godwin, jordan.godwin@galvnews.com

Clear Creek knocked out of 7-on-7 tournament Wildcats fall early in opening round of Division I consolation bracket By JIM LEVESQUE The Daily News »» COLLEGE STATION Clear Creek’s stay at the 7-on7 state championship tournament ended quickly Saturday.

The Wildcats were one-anddone in the consolation bracket, losing their 8 a.m. opener to Westwood, 33-27. Overall, Creek went 1-3 in the Division I tournament. The Wildcats won their state

7-on-7 state tournament glance

opener Friday against Alamo Heights, 40-35, but lost its final two pool play games to Mesquite, 39-24, and 2010 state champ Lake Travis, 41-26, to

Division II pool play La Marque 39, Melissa 18 La Marque 42, Iraan 34 Lexington 44, La Marque 34 Championship bracket Merkel 40, La Marque 34

See 7-on-7 | B2

Division I pool play Creek 40, Alamo Heights 35 Mesquite 39, Creek 24 Lake Travis 41, Creek 26 Consolation bracket Westwood 33, Creek 27

The Houston Astros traded closer Brett Myers to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday for two minor league pitchers and a player to be named. AP FILE PHOTO/Gene J. Puskar

Astros trade Myers Houston gets 2 ML pitchers from White Sox By NOAH TRISTER The Associated Press »» DETROIT The Chicago White Sox acquired Houston reliever Brett Myers on Saturday for two minor league pitchers and a player to be named. Myers had 19 saves and a 3.52 ERA for the Astros this season and will try to bolster an inexperienced Chicago bullpen. Addison Reed, Chicago’s 23-year-old closer, has 15 saves but a 4.24 ERA. Rookie Nate Jones has a 3.57 ERA in 35 appearances. White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said Myers would not be Chicago’s closer. “In no way, for (manager Robin Ventura) or myself or in any way, is this a lack of confidence in Addison Reed,” Williams said. The White Sox entered Saturday’s game at Detroit with a halfgame lead on the Tigers atop the AL Central.

Setting sail Captains and their crews head for the starting line of the 24th annual Harvest Moon Regatta on Oct. 21, 2010. More than 200 sailboats entered the annual race to Port Aransas. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News file photo

Galveston offers fun for sailors of all kinds By JOHN IRA PETTY Correspondent »» GALVESTON Galveston and Galveston Bay offer sailors of all experience levels chances to race, relax and learn. The bay is among the

nation’s top sailing areas, based on the number of sailing vessels found here. The sailing craft range from the functioning tall ship Elissa to tiny dinghies. The area’s sailors inSee sailing | B2

ABOVE: The crew of Blame It on Buffett, skippered by James Tyson, and other sailboat crews warm-up July 24, 2010, before the start of races on Day 3 of Texas Race Week in the Bolivar Roads off Galveston’s East End. RIGHT: Crews pull their catamarans into the water for the start of the Big Kahuna Kup at Bermuda Beach in Galveston on July 14. KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News file photos

See trade | B2

Getting Fit Bill McGinnis is a nationally certified master fitness trainer. He can be reached by email at mastertrainer.tx@gmail.com.

Strong balance is key to improving your golf swing

s we age, balance fades a bit and requires some strengthening on our part. And when it comes to your golf swing, having strong balance is important. Here are some drills

easily done in your gym or at home to keep you steady. 1. One-foot handoffs to left and right with a ball or light plate. Do three sets with 15-20 reps on both feet. The weight you’ll need

varies, and you’ll need a partner for this one. Feel your core moving? Good. 2. Uphill/downhill swing drill. To properly align shoulders for the terrain you’re simulating, put one foot on

a stool or ball, then complete a smooth, full swing 15-20 times. Let the club do the work for you. This drill will take practice and might look strange to you at first. Do three sets of 15-20 reps.

3. With empty hands, complete the back swing, then go smoothly through the ball to the finishing position. Hold for a 5-second count on your front foot. Do three

See balance | B2

The Daily News

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

Sports

7-on-7 titles go to Plano, Celina The Associated Press

ABOVE: Onlookers and fishermen watch the 24th annual Harvest Moon Regatta from the 29th Street rock groin Oct. 21, 2010, in Galveston. More than 200 sailboats entered the annual race from Galveston to Port Aransas. BELOW: Lee Wicklund and Wendy Simkins from Utah prepare their catamaran to sail along the race. Wicklund, who has sailed in the Great Texas Cat Race, said the weather was too nice to not sail. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News file photos

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clude folks from yacht owners and professional instructors to beginners. Just about anyone who wants to can find a way to sail. Houston Yacht Club, Lakewood Yacht Club, the Galveston Bay Cruising Association and others have active racing programs. Lakewood, which maintains a satellite facility on Offatts Bayou, organizes the state’s largest Gulf of Mexico race, the Harvest Moon Regatta, each fall. About 175 boats started from the Flagship Pier last October for the 156mile race to Port Aransas. Racing, especially in the offshore events, such as Harvest Moon, is a relative concept. While some sail their boats as fast and as hard as they can, other crews are more relaxed, focusing on the end-of-race parties. Some skippers are willing to take along inexperienced crew members. Many sailors don’t race. Cruising under sail can be delightful. A sailing visit to Clear Lake from Galveston becomes

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an adventure rather than a brief, boring drive, and there’s a feeling of accomplishment once you tie up and go ashore. For some sailors, few things are more fun that sailing a small, shallowdraft boat to explore seldom visited areas around the bay. Few things are more relaxing than sailing along the reflection of a full moon on the bay’s surface on a peaceful night outing. Sailing lessons for adults are available through sailboat charter companies. The U.S.

Power Squadrons and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offer affordable instruction that gives a learning sailor information anyone operating any boat needs. Youth sailing instruction is available through yacht clubs, Sea Scouts with bases in Galveston and elsewhere around the bay and through some charter companies. Galveston’s tall ship Elissa is a fascinating resource, especially for those interested the history of square riggers and

learning how to sail one. The 1877 iron barque is scheduled for dry-docking later this year. Officials at the Galveston Historical Foundation’s Texas Seaport Museum have scheduled a series of Elissa daysails this fall after the dry-docking and for the spring of 2013. Individuals can volunteer for sail training aboard docked Elissa. It is a considerable commitment. Go to www. galvestonhistory.org for details.

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“It’s time to make a push,” Williams said. “He’s an intense competitor. He makes our bullpen better.” The Astros are in last place in the NL Central and had little need to keep Myers, a 31-yearold right-hander. Houston receives right-hander Matt Heidenreich and left-hander Blair Walters. Chicago also receives cash considerations from Houston in the deal. Myers signed with the Astros as a free agent in January 2010 and made 33 starts in each of the last two seasons. He’s been used exclusively in relief this year, and Chicago plans to put him in the bullpen too. “He’s got a nice mix of pitches that he can go to as a former starter,” Williams said. “I think he can do whatever role Robin decides to use him.” Chicago also activated

»» COLLEGE » STATION Plano defeated Manvel, 45-28, Saturday at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field to win the Division I 7-on-7 high school football state championship. Led by tournament MVP quarterback Richard Lagow, who threw for seven touchdowns in the final game, Plano beat Rosenberg Terry in the quarterfinals and Arlington Bowie in the semifinals. Plano led by two scores most of the game, and an interception with the clock dwindling by Tim Yo-

Houston Astros closer Brett Myers, right, and catcher Chris Snyder celebrate after a 2-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday in San Diego. The Astros traded Myers to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. AP PHOTO/Lenny Ignelzi

right-hander Jesse Crain from the disabled list Saturday, giving Ventura another option out of the bullpen. Along with Reed and Jones, the White Sox have relied on 24-year-old lefthander Hector Santiago, who has a 4.15 ERA in 29 appearances this year. The 21-year-old Heidenreich was an 11th-round pick in the 2009 draft. The 6-foot-5

Submit your high fives photos The Daily News publishes photos of sports-related awards, honors and events. Submit photos to sports. desk@galvnews.com. Photos must be submitted in .JPG format at a resolution of at least 200 dots per inch. For information, call 409-683-5242.

right-hander is 9-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 18 starts this season with Class A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham. The 22-year-old Wal-

ters is 4-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 18 starts this year with Class A Kannapolis and Winston-Salem. He was picked in the 11th round of last year’s draft.

fall into the consolation tournament. John Tyler went on to win the Division I consolation bracket with a 49-28 win over O’Connor. Plano won the Division I state title, beating Manvel in the championship game, 45-28. La Marque wrapped up play in the Division II state tournament Friday. The Cougars finished 2-2 overall, bowing out in the first round of the champi-

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sets of 10-15 reps. At the finish position, notice if your balance has brought you to a position where your torso faces the desired ball flight path. It’s hard to put a golf ball where your belly button isn’t facing. 4. Half-swing drill using a light weight, balanced on one foot at a time. Do three sets of 10-15 reps. This drill will show you more about weight transfer done smoothly from backswing to finish. 5. Heavy-ball toss to a partner, or off a wall, on one foot then the other foot. Do three sets of 10-15 reps. When you practice, notice what your front abs are doing on the throw and the catch. I imagine they’ll tighten. I use this to show the importance of your core to good balance.

der closed out the victory giving Plano its first 7-on-7 championship in their 10th state appearance. The consolation final saw John Tyler defeat O’Connor, 49-28, with quarterback Greg Ward throwing five touchdowns. On Friday, Celina captured its fourth 7-on-7 state football championship with a 38-28 win over Graham in the Division II final. Celina won close games against Gatesville, West Orange County and Rockdale to advance to the semifinals against Navasota before closing out Graham at Kyle Field.

onship tournament to Merkel, 40-34. Via three-way tiebreaker, La Marque won its pool Thursday with victories over defending state champion Melissa, 39-18, and Iraan, 42-34, before losing to Lexington, 44-34. Celina went on to win its fourth 7-on-7 state title with a 3428 win over Graham in the Division II title game. The high school football season will begin Aug. 6, the day schools can host their first practices. 6. Eyes closed, do a full swing for 1520 reps with a light weight. With both feet down and both eyes closed, smoothly imitate your golf swing with both eyes closed. Not so difficult was it? Now, place a ball in the proper stance position for a short iron. Using the same smooth swing and eyes closed, hit the golf ball and go to your finish position. This may take some practice, so be persistent if you want better swing balance and a lower handicap. No peeking folks. Once the eyes-closed drill takes hold, hit some balls on your front foot and back foot, keeping your eyes closed. You aren’t swinging so fast anymore, are you? Try all of these drills often. Smooth, powerful, graceful and balanced from your core are good visual images for your swing.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

The Daily News

Sports

Scott takes 4-shot lead into Open final round Woods finishes with a 70, is 5 behind leader By DOUG FERGUSON The Associated Press »» LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England Adam Scott never has had a better chance to end that long wait for a major championship — mostly because of that long putter. Scott stayed in the game early with two key par saves, pulled away with three birdies around the turn and was solid at the end Saturday for a 2-under 68 that gave him a four-shot lead going into the final round at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. “It was all pretty solid stuff, considering the circumstances and how much trouble there is on this golf course,” Scott said. The golf course, even without wind for three days, swallowed up Brandt Snedeker during a 10-hole stretch in the middle of the round and nearly knocked him out of contention. This is the fourth time in the last nine majors that someone took at least a four-shot lead into the final round. The only player who failed to win was Rory McIlroy at the Masters in 2011. But this Open is far from over. Scott narrowly missed a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have given him a share of the 54-hole Open scoring record. He settled for 11-under 199 and will play in the final group with Graeme McDowell,

Adam Scott, right, talks with Steve Williams before teeing off on the 11th hole during the third round of the British Open at Lytham St. Annes, England, on Saturday. Scott leads the tournament by four strokes. AP PHOTO/Peter Morrison

who had a 67 to get into the final group for the second straight time at a major. Snedeker birdied two of his last three holes to salvage a 73 and was tied with McDowell. Right behind them were three major champions, starting with the guy who has won 14 of them. Tiger Woods recovered from a sloppy start and was within three shots of the lead on the front nine until Scott pulled away. Woods missed a short par putt on the 15th and didn’t give himself many good looks at birdie on the back nine for a 70, leaving him five shots behind. Woods has never won a major when trailing going into the last round. Three-time major champion Ernie Els was

solid in his round of 68 and was six back, along with former Masters champion Zach Johnson, who had a 66. Even so, the biggest challenge might be the weather. If the forecast holds true — and there’s been no reason to believe that — the greatest defense of links golf could finally arrive with wind projected to gust up to 25 mph. “It will be in Adam’s hands tomorrow if the conditions are as straightforward as they have been the last few days,” McDowell said Saturday. “Throw a bit of wind across this course like perhaps they are forecasting, he will have to go and work a lot harder and he will have to go win it. “He’s going to have

to go win it anyway, for sure.” McDowell was seven shots behind as he walked up to the 13th green and found three birdies coming in to get into the last group, just as he was at Olympic Club last month in the U.S. Open, where he was one putt away from forcing a playoff. Snedeker opened this championship by playing 40 holes without a bogey, and then he couldn’t buy a par. He had to blast backward out of a bunker, chunked a pitch shot from the fairway, missed short putts and was reeling. He started with a oneshot lead and was six shots behind after only 11 holes. Snedeker rolled in a birdie on the 16th and stretched out his

arms in mock wonder, and then finished with a birdie that could bode well for today. “It’s just one of those things where you’ve got to find out if you have some guts or don’t,” he said. “I could have packed up and gone home today, but I didn’t.” Scott was becoming a forgotten star until he switched to the long putter in February last year, and it has been the biggest reason for the turnaround — his runner-up at the Masters last year, winning his first World Golf Championship at Firestone and now on the cusp of his first major. It certainly was the key to his third round. Showing nerves on the opening tee, he hit into a bunker and played a beautiful shot from the

back of the wet sand to 8 feet, holing the putt for par. Scott made another par putt from the same distance on the third hole. And in the middle of his run of birdies — including a 30-foot putt on the eighth — he escaped with par on the 10th hole by making one from 18 feet. “To make a nice putt like that on the first and make par is obviously very settling,” Scott said. “And then to do the same thing on 3, that’s been a hole that I haven’t parred this week. From there on, I was very settled into the round and started hitting fairways and greens.” He played it safe on the back nine, giving himself a few good looks, but mostly making sure he didn’t get into position for big numbers. Luke Donald and Lee Westwood will have to wait to try to win their first major. Donald, the No. 1 player in the world, had a 71 and was 10 shots behind. Westwood played early with Tom Watson and had a 71 to fall 15 shots behind. It’s all down to Scott, but this has been a tough year for 54-hole leaders. Five players have rallied from deficits of at least six shots this year to win, a peculiar trend Snedeker started at Torrey Pines in January. “A four-shot lead doesn’t seem to be very much this year on any golf tournament that I’ve watched,” Scott said. “That doesn’t mean a lot. The good part is, if I play a solid round of golf tomorrow, it will be very hard for the others to beat me, and that’s all I’m thinking about.”

Brees files affidavit supporting Vilma Quarterback had no knowledge of bounty program The Associated Press »» NEW ORLEANS New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees defended teammate Jonathan Vilma in a court document filed Saturday to support Vilma’s fight against the NFL over his seasonlong suspension. The affidavit was entered in New Orleans federal court as evidence for Vilma’s motion to dismiss the 2012 suspension imposed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, for the linebacker’s alleged involvement in a program offering bonuses to players who injure opponents.

Vilma has sued Goodell, claiming defamation. Brees, who signed a five-year, $100 million contract last week to stay with the Saints, also swears that he wasn’t aware of any bounty program. “I have no knowledge of a pay to injure program existing, and yet to personally see any evidence that would substantiate these allegations,” Brees says in the affidavit. “In my four years as a teammate with Jonathan, I have found that he is a man of integrity who passionately plays the game of football within the frameworks of the rules and has respect for his opponents.” He also praises Vilma’s leadership role on the team and his impor-

tance to the community. Brees says Vilma has been dedicated to helping the city recover from Hurricane Katrina and has started a foundation to build schools in Haiti. “As a professional football player, our platform to reach our communities is directly driven by the manner in which we compete on the field,” Brees said. “Therefore, Jonathan’s absence on the field will adversely affect his ability to impact the community in a positive way as a leader and a role model.” Vilma and Saints coach Sean Payton have been suspended for the 2012 season for their roles in the bounty program the NFL says went on for three seasons. Vilma was scheduled

to have a hearing on his motion Thursday. The league wants the case dismissed because the collective bargaining agreement reached last August to end the lockout gives the commissioner the authority to punish players for “conduct detrimental” to the NFL. The NFL Players Association has sued the league, claiming Goodell violated the league’s labor agreement by showing he had predetermined the guilt of players punished in the bounty probe before serving as the arbitrator for their June 18 appeal hearing.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, right, celebrates with linebacker Jonathan Vilma on Dec. 26 after breaking Dan Marino’s all-time season passing record. Brees defended Vilma in a court document filed Saturday to support Vilma’s fight against the NFL over his seasonlong suspension. AP FILE PHOTO/Bill Haber

The Daily News

Scoreboard Baseball National League

East Division Washington Atlanta New York Miami Philadelphia Central Division Cincinnati Pittsburgh St. Louis Milwaukee Chicago Houston West Division San Francisco Los Angeles Arizona San Diego Colorado

W L 54 39 52 42 47 47 44 50 41 54

Pct GB .581 — .553 21/2 .500 71/2 .468 101/2 .432 14

W L 54 40 53 40 49 45 44 49 38 55 34 61

Pct GB .574 — .570 1/2 .521 5 .473 91/2 .409 151/2 .358 201/2

W L 53 41 51 44 46 48 40 55 35 57

Pct GB .564 — .537 21/2 .489 7 .421 131/2 .380 17

Friday’s Games Atlanta 11, Washington 10, 11 innings Pittsburgh 4, Miami 3 San Francisco 7, Philadelphia 2 L.A. Dodgers 7, N.Y. Mets 6 Cincinnati 3, Milwaukee 1 St. Louis 4, Chicago Cubs 1 Arizona 13, Houston 8 San Diego 9, Colorado 5 Saturday’s Games Atlanta 4, Washington 0, 1st game L.A. Dodgers 8, N.Y. Mets 5 San Francisco 6, Philadelphia 5, 10 innings Washington 5, Atlanta 2, 2nd game Pittsburgh 5, Miami 1 Cincinnati 6, Milwaukee 2 St. Louis 12, Chicago Cubs 0 Arizona 12, Houston 3 Colorado at San Diego, (n). Today’s Games L.A. Dodgers (Eovaldi 1-6) at N.Y. Mets (Niese 7-4), 12:10 p.m. Milwaukee (Fiers 3-3) at Cincinnati (Cueto 11-5), 12:10 p.m. Atlanta (Jurrjens 3-3) at Washington (Detwiler 4-3), 12:35 p.m. Miami (A.Sanchez 5-6) at Pittsburgh (Karstens 2-2), 12:35 p.m. San Francisco (Zito 8-6) at Philadelphia (Blanton 8-8), 12:35 p.m. Chicago Cubs (T.Wood 4-4) at St. Louis (Lynn 11-4), 1:15 p.m. Colorado (Friedrich 5-7) at San Diego (Ohlendorf 3-0), 3:05 p.m. Houston (Lyles 2-6) at Arizona (Collmenter 1-2), 3:10 p.m.

American League

East Division New York Baltimore Tampa Bay Boston Toronto Central Division Detroit Chicago Cleveland Kansas City Minnesota West Division Texas Los Angeles Oakland Seattle

W L 57 37 50 44 49 46 48 47 47 47

Pct GB .606 — .532 7 .516 81/2 .505 91/2 .500 10

W L 51 44 50 44 47 47 40 53 39 55

Pct GB .537 — .532 1/2 .500 31/2 .430 10 .415 111/2

W L 56 37 51 44 50 44 41 55

Pct GB .602 — .537 6 .532 61/2 .427 161/2

Friday’s Games Baltimore 10, Cleveland 2 Detroit 4, Chicago White Sox 2 Tampa Bay 4, Seattle 3, 14 innings Toronto 6, Boston 1 Minnesota 2, Kansas City 1, 11 innings Oakland 3, N.Y. Yankees 2 L.A. Angels 6, Texas 1

Saturday’s Games Detroit 7, Chicago White Sox 1 Texas 9, L.A. Angels 2 Baltimore 3, Cleveland 1 Kansas City 7, Minnesota 3 Seattle 2, Tampa Bay 1 Toronto 7, Boston 3 Oakland 2, N.Y. Yankees 1 Today’s Games Chicago White Sox (Humber 4-4) at Detroit (Ja. Turner 0-1), 12:05 p.m. Toronto (H.Alvarez 5-7) at Boston (Lester 5-7), 12:35 p.m. Seattle (Beavan 4-6) at Tampa Bay (M.Moore 6-6), 12:40 p.m. Minnesota (Deduno 0-0) at Kansas City (Guthrie 0-0), 1:10 p.m. Baltimore (Britton 0-0) at Cleveland (Tomlin 5-6), 2:05 p.m. N.Y. Yankees (Sabathia 10-3) at Oakland (B.Colon 6-8), 3:05 p.m. Texas (M.Harrison 12-4) at L.A. Angels (Haren 6-8), 7:05 p.m.

Diamondbacks 12, Astros 3 Houston Arizona ab r h bi ab r h bi Altuve 2b 4 1 2 0 Blmqst ss 4 0 3 3 Bixler ss 5 0 0 0 A.Hill 2b 3 2 1 1 Maxwll cf 4 1 2 1 RWhelr 3b 1 0 0 0 JDMrtn lf 3 0 0 0 Kubel lf 5 3 3 6 BFrncs rf 4 0 0 0 Gldsch 1b 3 1 1 0 MDwns 1b 4 0 1 0 J.Upton rf 2 0 1 0 CJhnsn 3b 4 1 2 1 GParra rf 1 0 0 0 CSnydr c 3 0 0 0 MMntr c 4 0 0 0 Keuchl p 2 0 0 0 HBlanc c 1 1 1 1 FRdrgz p 0 0 0 0 CYoung cf 4 2 2 1 DelRsr p 0 0 0 0 RRorts 3b 3 2 1 0 MGnzlz ph 1 0 0 0 Miley p 3 1 1 0 WLopez p 0 0 0 0 Saito p 0 0 0 0 R.Cruz p 0 0 0 0 Breslw p 0 0 0 0 Corprn ph 1 0 1 1 Totals 35 3 8 3 Totals 34 12 14 12 Houston 000 100 011— 3 Arizona 200 521 02x—12

Sports Camps »» GALVESTON The Ball High football camp will be Tuesday through Thursday at Spoor Field, 4102 Ave. Q, in Galveston. From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., thirdthrough ninthgraders will learn from Ball’s coaches and players. Registration is 30 minutes before the start of camp. »» GALVESTON Ball High is offering several different volleyball camps. The Ball High volleyball camp, session 1, for thirdthrough sixth-graders will be Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Sports on TV AUTO RACING NASCAR, Nationwide Series, pole qualifying for STP 300, at Joliet, Ill. ESPN2, 10:30 a.m. Formula One, Grand Prix of Germany, at Hockenheim, Germany (same-day tape) FOX, 11 a.m. American Le Mans Series, Grand Prix of Mosport, at Bowmanville, Ontario ESPN2, noon IRL, IndyCar, Edmonton Indy, at Edmonton, Alberta NBCSN, 1 p.m. NASCAR, Nationwide Series, STP 300, at Joliet, Ill. ESPN, 2 p.m. NHRA, Mile-High Nationals, at Morrison, Colo. (same-day tape) ESPN2, 6 p.m. BASKETBALL Men’s national teams, exhibition, Argentina vs. United States, at Barcelona, Spain (same-day tape) ESPN2, 11 p.m. CYCLING Tour de France, final stage, Rambouillet to Paris NBCSN, 7 a.m. E—Keuchel (1), H.Blanco (2). DP—Houston 2. LOB—Houston 8, Arizona 8. 2B—Altuve (22), Maxwell (7), C.Johnson (18), Goldschmidt (29), H.Blanco (3), C.Young 2 (14). 3B—J.Upton (3). HR—Kubel 3 (20). SB—C.Young 2 (5), R.Roberts 2 (6). S—Miley. SF—Bloomquist. IP H R ER BB SO Houston Keuchel L,1-2 31⁄3 7 7 6 4 1 Fe.Rodriguez 12⁄3 2 2 2 2 0 Del Rosario 1 1 1 1 2 0 W.Lopez 1 1 0 0 0 1 R.Cruz 1 3 2 2 0 1 Arizona Miley W,11-5 7 4 1 1 2 9 Saito 1 1 1 0 1 0 Breslow 1 3 1 1 0 1 Balk—Miley. Umpires—Home, Paul Nauert; First, Dana DeMuth; Second, Doug Eddings; Third, Kerwin Danley. T—3:12. A—35,665 (48,633).

NATIONAL LEAGUE top 10 G AB R H Pct. McCutchen Pit 89 340 65 126 .371 MeCabrera SF 90 367 64 131 .357 Ruiz Phi 86 288 44 100 .347 DWright NYM 90 332 61 115 .346 Votto Cin 86 298 52 102 .342 CGonzalez Col 85 344 64 115 .334 Holliday StL 91 345 59 110 .319 Posey SF 85 303 38 95 .314 Braun Mil 87 332 61 103 .310 AHill Ari 91 350 47 108 .309 Home Runs Braun, Milwaukee, 26; McCutchen, Pittsburgh, 22; PAlvarez, Pittsburgh, 20; Beltran, St. Louis, 20; Kubel, Arizona, 20; Bruce, Cincinnati, 19; CGonzalez, Colorado, 19; Stanton, Miami, 19. Runs Batted In Kubel, Arizona, 70; Beltran, St. Louis, 68; CGonzalez, Colorado, 66; DWright, New York, 66; Braun, Milwaukee, 65; McCutchen, Pittsburgh, 65; Holliday, St. Louis, 62. Pitching Dickey, New York, 13-1; GGonzalez, Washington, 12-5; AJBurnett, Pittsburgh, 11-3; Hamels, Philadelphia, 11-4; Lynn, St. Louis, 11-4; Miley, Arizona, 11-5; Cueto, Cincinnati, 11-5.

AMERICAN LEAGUE top 10 G AB R H Pct. Trout LAA 73 297 69 105 .354 Mauer Min 86 320 50 107 .334 MiCabrera Det 95 378 62 124 .328 Konerko CWS 86 318 41 102 .321 Beltre Tex 89 348 55 111 .319 Cano NYY 94 365 63 116 .318 AJackson Det 73 290 58 92 .317 Ortiz Bos 89 320 65 101 .316 AEscobar KC 91 341 38 107 .314 Rios CWS 92 350 53 109 .311 Home Runs ADunn, Chicago, 28; Hamilton, Texas, 28; Bautista, Toronto, 27; Trumbo, Los Angeles, 27; Encarnacion, Toronto, 26; Granderson, New York, 25; Ortiz, Boston, 23; Willingham, Minnesota, 23. Runs Batted In Hamilton, Texas, 78; MiCabrera, Detroit, 77; Fielder, Detroit, 68; Willingham, Minnesota, 68; Trumbo, Los Angeles, 66; Bautista, Toronto, 65; ADunn, Chicago, 65; Encarnacion, Toronto, 65. Pitching Price, Tampa Bay, 13-4; Weaver, Los Angeles, 12-1; MHarrison, Texas, 12-4; Sale, Chicago, 11-3; Verlander, Detroit, 11-5; Darvish, Texas, 11-6; Sabathia, New York, 10-3.

Betting Line Glantz-Culver Line For today

Major League Baseball National League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE at Cincinnati -150 Milwaukee +140

The cost is $20 ,and the camp will take place at the Ball High main gym. The Ball High volleyball camp, session 2, for seventh- through ninthgraders will take place from Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $30 and the camp will take place at the Ball High main gym. »» DICKINSON The Dickinson Gator Leadership and Football Camp will run from Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for kindergarten through ninth grade. The camp will take place at Sam Vitanza Stadium, 3300 Baker Drive, in Dick-

Galveston County, Texas Luke Donald Jason Dufner Vijay Singh Nick Watney Anirban Lahiri Simon Khan Greg Chalmers James Morrison Steven Alker Keegan Bradley Matthew Baldwin Justin Hicks Alexander Noren Hunter Mahan Thomas Bjorn Peter Hanson Steve Stricker Joost Luiten Padraig Harrington Harris English Francesco Molinari Dale Whitnell Jamie Donaldson Garth Mulroy Simon Dyson Carl Pettersson Paul Lawrie Rickie Fowler Gary Woodland Troy Matteson Rafael Echenique Jim Furyk Branden Grace Greg Owen Ian Poulter Miguel Angel Jimenez Geoff Ogilvy Toshinori Muto

Tour de France, final stage, Rambouillet to Paris (same-day tape) NBC, noon GOLF The British Open Championship, final round, at Lytham St. Annes, England ESPN, 5 a.m. PGA Tour, True South Classic, final round, at Madison, Miss. TGC, 2 p.m. MLB L.A. Dodgers at N.Y. Mets TBS, noon Chicago Cubs at St. Louis WGN, 1:05 p.m. Houston at Arizona FSN, 3:10 p.m. Texas at L.A. Angels ESPN, 7 p.m. MOTORSPORTS FIM World Superbike, at Brno, Czech Republic (same-day tape) SPEED, 3 p.m. TENNIS ATP World Tour, BB&T Atlanta Open, championship match ESPN2, 2 p.m. WTA, Mercury Insurance Open, championship match, at Carlsbad, Calif. ESPN2, 4 p.m.

MLS

Football Arena Football League Pct PF PA .778 1042 949 .556 1047 1044 .389 948 1032 .176 683 891 Pct PF PA .706 1071 858 .706 1094 982 .667 1143 1027 .529 1000 995 Pct .556 .500 .471 .444 .176

PF PA 930 884 812 923 968 1045 979 995 721 863

Pct PF PA .824 1159 885 .444 879 875 .294 921 1013 .278 827 963

Friday’s Game Jacksonville 64, Pittsburgh 39 Saturday’s Games Cleveland 60, Chicago 54 Georgia 55, New Orleans 48 Iowa 66, San Antonio 63 Kansas City at Arizona, (n). Tampa Bay at Spokane, (n). End of Regular Season

Golf British Open Par Scores Saturday At Royal Lytham & St. Annes Lytham St. Annes, England Purse: $7.75 million Yardage: 7,086; Par: 70 Third Round Adam Scott 64-67-68—199 Graeme McDowell 67-69-67—203 Brandt Snedeker 66-64-73—203 Tiger Woods 67-67-70—204 Zach Johnson 65-74-66—205 Ernie Els 67-70-68—205 Thorbjorn Olesen 69-66-71—206 Bill Haas 71-68-68—207 Thomas Aiken 68-68-71—207 Bubba Watson 67-73-68—208 Louis Oosthuizen 72-68-68—208 Mark Calcavecchia 71-68-69—208 Matt Kuchar 69-67-72—208 Dustin Johnson 73-68-71—209 Kyle Stanley 70-69-70—209

-1 -1 E E E E E E E +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3

Soccer

at New York -140 Los Angeles +130 at Philadelphia -135 San Francisco +125 at Washington -125 Atlanta +115 at Pittsburgh -115 Miami +105 at St. Louis -180 Chicago +170 at San Diego -110 Colorado +100 at Arizona -180 Houston +170 American League at Detroit -125 Chicago +115 at Boston -170 Toronto +160 at Tampa Bay -175 Seattle +165 at Kansas City -120 Minnesota +110 at Cleveland -135 Baltimore +125 New York -160 at Oakland +150 at Los Angeles -110 Texas +100

NATIONAL CONFERENCE Central Division W L T y-San Antonio 14 4 0 Chicago 10 8 0 Iowa 7 11 0 Kansas City 3 14 0 West Division W L T x-Arizona 12 5 0 x-Utah 12 5 0 x-San Jose 12 6 0 Spokane 9 8 0 AMERICAN CONFERENCE South Division W L T y-Jacksonville 10 8 0 Georgia 9 9 0 Tampa Bay 8 9 0 New Orleans 8 10 0 Orlando 3 14 0 Eastern Division W L T z-Philadelphia 14 3 0 Cleveland 8 10 0 Milwaukee 5 12 0 Pittsburgh 5 13 0 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division z-clinched conference

70-68-71—209 70-66-73—209 70-72-68—210 71-70-69—210 68-72-70—210 70-69-71—210 71-68-71—210 68-70-72—210 69-69-72—210 71-72-68—211 69-73-69—211 68-74-69—211 71-71-69—211 70-71-70—211 70-69-72—211 67-72-72—211 67-71-73—211 73-70-69—212 70-72-70—212 71-71-70—212 69-72-71—212 71-69-72—212 68-72-72—212 71-69-72—212 72-67-73—212 71-68-73—212 65-71-76—212 71-72-70—213 73-70-70—213 70-72-71—213 73-69-71—213 72-70-71—213 73-69-71—213 71-71-71—213 71-69-73—213 71-69-73—213 72-68-73—213 67-72-74—213

-11 -7 -7 -6 -5 -5 -4 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -1 -1

inson. Fee is $50. For information, contact Johnny Sierra, 281-732-3376. »» LEAGUE CITY The Wildcats Soccer Camp 2012 will run from Monday through Thursday. Incoming freshmen will have sessions at Clear Creek High School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for $100, and players 5 years old through incoming eighthgraders will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for $90. The camps are run by Clear Creek boys soccer head coach Chris Cobb and Galveston Catholic School head coach Joanna Ellis. For information, email ccobb@ccisd.net or call 832-477-3568.

EASTERN CONFERENCE W L T Pts GF GA New York 11 5 5 38 37 29 Sporting KC 11 6 4 37 26 19 Houston 9 5 7 34 31 25 D.C. 10 7 3 33 34 27 Chicago 9 7 4 31 22 22 Columbus 7 7 4 25 18 19 Montreal 7 13 3 24 30 42 New England 6 9 5 23 25 25 Philadelphia 6 10 2 20 20 21 Toronto FC 5 11 4 19 24 36 WESTERN CONFERENCE W L T Pts GF GA San Jose 13 4 4 43 43 25 Real Salt Lake 11 7 3 36 31 26 Seattle 8 5 7 31 25 21 Vancouver 8 6 7 31 23 25 Los Angeles 8 10 3 27 35 34 Chivas USA 6 7 5 23 12 18 Colorado 7 12 1 22 27 28 FC Dallas 5 10 7 22 25 30 Portland 5 11 4 19 19 35 NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. Saturday’s Games New York 2, Philadelphia 0 Columbus 1, D.C. United 0 Sporting Kansas City 0, New England 0, tie Houston 3, Montreal 0 FC Dallas 5, Portland 0 Colorado at Real Salt Lake, (n). Chivas USA at Los Angeles, (n). Today’s Game San Jose at Vancouver, 6 p.m. Wednesday’s game Chelsea at MLS All-Stars, 7:30 p.m.

Transactions Saturday’s Sports Transactions BASEBALL Major League Baseball MLB—Suspended Cleveland RHP Roberto Hernandez three weeks for engaging in age and identity fraud. American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES—Added INF Omar Quintanilla to the roster. Designated OF Steve Pearce for assignment. CHICAGO WHITE SOX—Acquired RHP Brett Myers and cash considerations from Houston for RHP Matt Heidenreich and LHP Blair Walters and a player to be named. Optioned RHP Brian Omogrosso and RHP Dylan Axelrod to Charlotte (IL). Reinstated RHP Jesse Crain from the 15-day DL. CLEVELAND INDIANS—Signed LHP JC Romero to a minor league contract and assigned him to Columbus (IL). KANSAS CITY ROYALS—Optioned LHP Francisley Bueno to Omaha (PCL). MINNESOTA TWINS—Placed 1B Justin Morneau on the paternity list. Recalled 1B Chris Parmelee from Rochester (IL). TAMPA BAY RAYS—Placed DH Luke Scott on the 15-day DL. Recalled LHP Cesar Ramos from Durham (IL). TEXAS RANGERS—Announced C Yorvit Torrealba was reinstated from restricted list. Optioned C Luis Martinez to Round Rock (PCL). TORONTO BLUE JAYS—Placed RHP Jason Frasor on the 15-day DL, retroactive to July 17. National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS—Reinstated RHP Takashi Saito from the 15-day DL. Optioned RHP Jonathan Albaladejo to Reno (PCL). ATLANTA BRAVES—Placed OF Matt Diaz on the 15-day DL. Activated LHP Jonny Venters from the 15-day DL. Recalled RHP Randall Delgado from Gwinnett (IL). NEW YORK METS—Placed LHP Johan Santana on the 15-day DL. Recalled RHP Jeremy Hefner from Buffalo (IL). PITTSBURGH PIRATES—Recalled RHP Evan Meek from Indianapolis (IL). Placed RHP Juan Cruz on the 15-day DL, retroactive to July 18. WASHINGTON NATIONALS—Sent LHP John Lannan to Syracuse (IL). Reinstated OF Xavier Nady from the 15-day DL and designated him for assignment. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association DALLAS MAVERICKS—Signed G Jared Cunningham. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES—Signed C Greg Stiemsma to an offer sheet.

»» LEAGUE CITY The 2012 Coach Simonds’ Wildcat Volleyball Camp will be July 30 through Aug. 2 for incoming fourth- through ninthgraders from any school. The camp will be at Clear Creek High School. The camp fee includes a T-shirt, individual awards and volleyball instruction from 2008 state semifinalist coach Scott Simonds, the Creek volleyball staff and former Creek players who are collegiate volleyball players. Campers will learn the basic skills of volleyball in addition to having fun and playing in a camp tournament. For information and a registration flier on the

Kubel hits 3 HRs; ’Backs blast Astros By BOB BAUM The Associated Press »» PHOENIX Jason Kubel became the seventh player in Diamondbacks’ history to homer three times in a game, driving in six runs as Arizona dominated the Houston Astros for the second straight game, 12-3, on Saturday night. Kubel hit a two-run home run in the first inning and a three-run shot in the fourth off starter Dallas Keuchel (1-2). He added a solo homer off reliever Enerio Del Rosario in the sixth. He struck out in his other two at-bats. With the first threehomer game of his career, Kubel leads the NL with 70 RBIs. Wade Miley (11-5) gave up a run and four hits in seven innings, striking out a careerhigh nine while setting a franchise rookie record for victories.

The Astros lost their fifth straight and 18th in 20 games. Willie Bloomquist went 3-for-4 with three RBIs for the Diamondbacks. Aaron Hill singled in the fifth to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Keuchel, called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City for the start after J.A. Happ was sent to Toronto on Thursday in a 10-player trade, allowed seven runs and seven hits and walked four in 31⁄3 innings. Notes: The Astros named RHP Francisco Cordero closer after RHP Brett Myers was traded to the Chicago White Sox earlier Saturday for two minor league prospects. ... Houston has not won a series since taking two of three from Cleveland July 22-24. The Astros’ last road series win was June 8-10 against the White Sox in Chicago.

Kandji scores 2 in Dynamo’s 3-0 win The Associated Press »» HOUSTON Macoumba Kandji scored twice to lead Houston to a 3-0 win over the Montreal Impact on Saturday night to extend the Dynamo’s unbeaten streak to six games. Bobby Boswell also scored to help the Dynamo (9-5-7) win their third straight and move into third place in the Eastern Coference. Kandji had his first two-goal game since Oct. 24, 2009, when he was playing for New York. Montreal (7-13-3) has lost two of three and five of its last seven. Kandji put the Dynamo up, 1-0, in the sevcamp, go to www.clear creekvolleyball.org, email scottsimonds@hotmail. com or call 281-557-1938. »» LEAGUE CITY Clear Springs High School is offering several sports camps this month. The boys and girls strength and conditioning camp will run through Friday for high school athletes. The cost is $60. For information, contact Clint Hartman, chartman@ ccisd.net. The football camp will run Aug. 6-9 for thirdthrough ninth-graders. For information, contact Hartman, chartman@ccisd.net.

enth minute, knocking in the rebound of his own shot off Montreal goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and Zarek Valentin and inside the far post. Houston nearly doubled its lead in the 12th minute, but Andre Hainault was whistled offsides before his shot from eight yards out on the right box dribbled inside the far post. Boswell extended the Dynamo’s lead in the 84th minute with a header from inside the 6-yard box to just inside the far post off Brad Davis’ corner kick. Kandji capped the scoring in the 89th minute with his second goal of the match. »» FRIENDSWOOD Friendswood High School will have summer sports camps for basketball, football, golf, wrestling, sports medicine, baseball, track and field, pole vault, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball. The Mustang Athletic Camps for junior high and high school athletes will run through Friday. Camp registration forms are available at www. fisdk12.net/hs/athletics. html.

To add your sports camp announcement in The Daily News, email sports@ galvnews.com.

opinion B6 | Sunday, July 22, 2012 | Contact

Monday » Simple things remind Cathy Gillentine of people in the past

Heber Taylor, heber.taylor@galvnews.com

Our View

Banking on long shots T

he La Marque school board is proposing to fill a $2.63 million hole in its budget for the coming school year by betting on two long shots. First, it’s betting voters will approve a tax increase — 13 cents per $100 of assessed value, which would generate $1.79 million. Second, it’s betting enrollment will increase by as many as 200 students, meaning the district would get as much as $1.24 million in additional state funding. If it gets both sources of revenue, the school district would cover its deficit with room to spare. But neither is a good bet. The money from the tax increase is needed — desperately. The district has little chance of surviving without it. However, news that the board had voted to call a tax ratification election this fall was met with little enthusiasm. A group of ministers pledged vigorous support — but only if the board ousts Superintendent Ecomet Burley. Reaction from the business community was cool, reflecting little trust that the board could restore stability even if it were given more money. Betting on a sudden increase in enrollment is an even longer shot. Enrollment has been dropping for about 20 years. That trend accelerated after Hurricane Ike. Remember last year’s “full-court press?” Officials went door-to-door, essentially begging people to send their children to La Marque schools, with little success. Betting on a sudden in-

LMISD student population drop The La Marque Independent School District student population has gone from more than 3,700 students in the 2003-04 school year to fewer than 3,000 in the 2010-11 school year. Despite the trend, school board trustees are counting on attracting about 160 to 200 new students to the district help balance the budget.

SOURCE: Texas Education Agency

fusion of students to cover a budget shortfall is not a wise thing to do. Unfortunately, failure is going to have consequences. Year after year, the school district has failed to trim expenses in proportion to revenues. The district’s reserves are gone. The school board has agreed to include the tax increase and the enrollment increase as ways to balance its budget — and if both those sources of revenue don’t come in, the district will be in new territory. The school year will have started by the time either of those bets is called. Unless both long shots pay off, the school district is going to have to tell the Texas Education Agency it is operating without a balanced budget and it has no money in savings. At that point, the state will get involved. What could the school board do to avoid all this? It could do what it should have done years ago. The school board should trim payroll by about $2.5 million — enough to live within the budget. That

means the district would have to cut about 50 employees — at least 13 percent of the 384 people on its payroll. Yes, that would be painful. But many businesses in the area have had to make similar cuts since Hurricane Ike. After it has made those cuts — not before — the school board should ask voters for the tax increase. It should use the money to rebuild the district’s reserves and to stop the bleeding in enrollment. It shouldn’t try to keep every staff member. But it should try to keep the best — and it should try to reward them for staying. There is nothing complicated about that plan. It would be painful. But consider the alternative. At some point, the long shots aren’t going to pay off, and trustees are going to have explain why people from the state education agency, rather than local folks, are making the decisions about La Marque’s schools. That day of reckoning will come. It’s likely to come before Christmas.

• Heber Taylor

Anyone think this will turn out well?

ocal officials are scheduled to meet Monday with the head of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to discuss the future of public housing on Galveston Island. That’s right. The guy who sits at the table with the president during cabinet meetings, U.S. Secretary of HUD Shaun Donovan, wants to get together with Mayor Lewis Rosen and others from a little Texas coastal town of 47,000 to discuss what the holdup might be on replacing the public housing units wiped out on the island during Hurricane Ike nearly four years ago now. Anybody think this is a good thing? Especially given the tone of the letter Rosen recently received from HUD officials reiterating one for one replacement of the 569 units was required under the Conciliation Agreement. Or the fact that a

Patrick Graham Patrick Graham is president and publisher of The Daily News.

meeting Rosen had previously scheduled with the Texas General Land Office in Austin for the same day was mysteriously canceled to make room on the mayor’s calendar for the meeting with Donovan. Still feel optimistic? Local officials are saying all the right things about being summoned (my word, not theirs) to the nation’s capital. No one is going to be harassed or intimidated, they believe. This is going to be a frank and honest discussion about what is in the best interest of low-income

residents on the island, they emphasize. But if you read between the lines here, it seems pretty clear this meeting is not going to go well for proponents of the voucher-only approach to solving the public housing issue in Galveston (and I include myself in this group). The good news is Irwin “Buddy” Herz, chairman of the Galveston Housing Authority, will have the opportunity to present some compelling new statistical data to the very highest levels of HUD management indicating new hard units aren’t needed on the island. (On a side note, in my opinion putting Herz back on the GHA board was the smartest move Rosen has made in his short time in office. If Herz had been part of the public housing debate earlier, the community might have saved itself a couple of years worth of bickering. But

I digress.) While I think it may, and I emphasize “may,” be possible Herz and the other members of the delegation can convince Donovan to give the city and GHA some relief from the one to one new unit replacement requirement, the chances of them convincing the secretary of HUD all the units should be converted to vouchers aren’t just slim to none; in my opinion, those chances are none. What I would consider a win for local officials would be some concession from HUD relative to the use of additional vouchers (again, they aren’t going to get all the units converted) and some type of assurance from HUD the $586 million in disaster relief funds won’t be cut off while GHA tries to determine what shape the new hard units will take. Can local officials get a deal like that done? We’ll find out Monday.

Yes, Virginia, there really are zombies

hen I was young, I did not believe

in zombies. That was before I moved to Galveston. In Galveston, there are zombie ideas — ideas that just refuse to die. Take, for example, the idea that Galveston has no jobs. In January, before the campaign for city council seats began, The Daily News said: “One of the persistent myths about Galveston is that it is dying for lack of jobs. “It’s just not true. “Galveston has many problems, but the number of jobs, compared to its population, is just not one of them.” In most newspapers, an editorial like that might be greeted as hometown boosterism. But in Galveston, it was greeted as a lie — a damnable lie worse than heresy. People didn’t want to hear it. If you believe the numbers, Galveston has more than 25,000 jobs, measured as full-time equivalents. Its population is about 47,000. If you exclude children in grade school and retirees, you can see how some employers might think that Galveston has more jobs than workers. Galveston’s ratio of jobs to population is about 52 percent. The ratio in Manhattan, the place half the country commutes to, is around 46 percent. The numbers come from the census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and a Galveston Economic Development Partnership’s survey of employers. But you don’t really need to be a numbers person to understand the concept. You can tell that Galveston has more jobs than employable people just by looking at rush-hour traffic crossing the causeway. People come from the mainland to the island to work. Then they go home. This is a phenomenon that officials at the University of Texas Medical Branch, the county’s largest employer, have studied and written about at length. There are enough hard facts to bury the idea that Galveston has

Heber Taylor Heber Taylor is editor of The Daily News. no jobs. But this is a zombie idea. It lives on. The Idea from the Land of the Undead was revived, horrifically, by candidates running for city council. Many people in Galveston do not like public housing and want public housing residents to be elsewhere. Candidates tapped into that source of public unrest, and some argued that public-housing residents had to go elsewhere — meaning off the island — because there are no jobs in Galveston. It would be unfair to provide public housing on the island — so far from all those jobs, don’t you see? When people pointed to the numbers, readers blasted The Daily News for spreading false ideas. As one recently put it: “Mr. Taylor, why can’t you get it through your head that the publichousing debate has not one thing to do with being poor. It has to do with the fact that there are no jobs in Galveston. …” I thought that reader put the argument rather well, although I disagree with her view. But when we published her letter, people in the business community — real living employers who hire real living employees — chided us for printing it, since it presents a picture of the world that’s contrary to reality. You can’t win with zombie ideas. If you allow them to wander around on the editorial page, swaddled in grave clothes and moaning pitifully, reasonable people will complain. On the other hand, you can’t kill zombie ideas — at least I can’t. If you’d like to try, be my guest. Silver crosses, stakes through the heart and cloves of garlic don’t seem to work.

From the archives of The Daily News for July 22: »» In 1912, roads into Galveston saw an influx of nearly 6,500 tourists during the previous weekend. »» In 1962, Galveston’s hotels and motels reported near-capacity reservations as the island enjoyed one of its best weekends for tourism. »» In 1962, work was set to begin on three ramps leading to Murdoch’s Pier, which was damaged by Hurricane Carla. »» In 1982, bids were

From the files of Texas’oldest newspaper accepted for sewer and water extensions for the planned Mall of the Mainland. From Staff Reports

WORD ON THE STREET

B7 | Sunday, July 22, 2012 | Contact

LM owes taxpayers an explanation So where are the “Save Our City” organization and their leadership of Diane Gerami and Maggie Manuel to defend or oppose the re-announcement that the city of La Marque is reporting a $1 million long-term debt (“LM faces $1M deficit,” The Daily News, July 16)? Is this why the former Mayor Geraldine Sam’s tenure was so abruptly recalled because of her prying eyes and determined inquisitive meddling into the daily financial affairs of the city? Let’s do keep this on the down low or sweep it under the rug as if it didn’t occur. Yes, even the editors at The Daily News took the bait and came running to their defense. Now, Mayor Bobby Hocking is saying not on his shift — when it actually was announced when he had been elected mayor. So, Mayor Bobby Hocking, thanks for your offer of advice to the La Marque Independent School District on its dilemma, but focus on doing your job, getting the city of La Marque’s affairs in order and let the school board

Heber Taylor, heber.taylor@galvnews.com

Letters policy The Daily News welcomes letters of up to 200 words and guest columns of up to 500 words on any issue. Guest columns must include a photograph of the writer. We publish only original contributions. An address and daytime phone number must be included for author identification. Send letters to: Letters to the editor, P.O. Box 628, Galveston, 77553. Fax: 409-740-3421. Email: letters@galvnews.com.

clean up its own mess. I believe the hardworking taxpayers in the city are owed an explanation and resolution to this act of deception. Anthony W. Jackson La Marque •••

Where are the isle code enforcers? I’m mainly writing to the Galveston mayor and city council, but I’m open to other input as I strive to understand. Why has Galveston Housing Authority allowed slum lords to use Section 8 housing and take advantage of the poor? Why doesn’t GHA demand the houses and apartments be decent, instead of eyesores. Who oversees this? Does it lie within a lax code enforcement? Do we have any standards? If there are, why not enforce them? Every other city does! The city needs money, as

every city does, but no one seems to enforce anything and the city is a mess. I do applaud the city for hiring more police officers, but no one seems to want to enforce the laws and codes we have. I live on a one-way street and there has been a car parked the wrong way for a month. No one gets a ticket, and the police and code enforcement ignore it. What is wrong with this picture? And I can’t help but wonder why. David Parker Galveston ••• What readers are saying about the election.

Trochesset’s my choice for sheriff Henry Trochesset is my choice for sheriff of Galveston County. I ask the voters to join me in voting for him in the runoff election

Let’s correct record on drainage

am responding to statements in The Daily News (“Solving neighborhood’s drainage could cost $4 million,” July 8) regarding drainage and infrastructure issues in League City. Specifically, statements that drainage had not been recognized as a serious issue by city hall, nor included as part of the city’s capital improvement program until now are simply not true. Drainage and other infrastructure improvements were major initiatives I ran on in my 2008 mayoral campaign. Under my administration, in October 2009, the city council responded by allocating $750,000 to address the cleaning of all major outfalls and drainage ways and directed Marcus Jahns and Rich Oller to prepare a CIP that not only identified needed projects, but earmarked revenue sources to fund the projects. This major management improvement, under my administration, continues today to allow the city to address drainage and other infrastructure improvements in a planned and sustainable manner. Specific actions taken in 2009 by my administration and council included the purchase of two track hoes with 60foot booms and mower heads that allowed city crews to clean all outfalls and major drainage ways (approximately 78 miles) in a 12-month period — a task never before accomplished. Improvements were made to the ConocoPhilips drainage way to address major flooding that occurred in that area during the April

Guest column Toni Randall is the former mayor of League City. She lives in League City. 2009 rain event. All of the Devereux facility was cleared of debris, allowing free unrestricted flow into Clear Creek. Clear Creek Heights outfall was slope-paved to improve drainage of the channel. Roadside ditches and culverts were cleaned or replaced in bottlenecked areas. A systematic maintenance schedule was developed for the continued maintenance of the outfalls and other improvements. With regard to Shellside, this neighborhood was identified as a major flooding area during my administration, and actions were taken to address the issue. Elva Lobit Park is the natural outfall for Shellside. As an immediate step to mitigate flooding, the city, county and Texas Department of Transportation collaborated in the cleaning of Lobitt outfall to improve drainage of the area. The permanent solution proposed by city

staff included construction of a stormwater retention basin with pumping to Robinson’s Gully near L.A. Fitness. Community Development Block Grant funds were applied for to assist in the cost of the proposed improvements. It is my understanding that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, within the last two weeks, awarded a $4 million grant to implement the project. Design of the project is scheduled to begin as soon as the appropriate contracts are executed. Contrary to the comments in The Daily News, all of the aforementioned improvements were facilitated by the city’s drainage master plan prepared by Dannenbaum Engineering, which was conducted under my administration. All engineering of these projects was done by city staff, with considerable savings to the tax payers. The 2010 CIP included drainage projects for the first time and identified funding for each of them. Among the projects included were ConocoPhillips Drainage Improvements, Robinson’s Gully Bank Stabilization and slope paving and/or concrete lining of Interurban Ditch, Newport Ditch, Bradshaw Road and Nottingham Ditch.

on July 31. I hope that everyone who voted for him in the primary last month will take the time to come out and vote for Henry again. I am impressed that four of the men who ran against Henry in the primary have endorsed him. These are all men who know him and have confidence in his ability to lead the sheriff’s office. I know Henry well and I, too, am confident that he is the most-qualified candidate. His character is impeccable. He is completely committed to his family, his church, his community and his profession. I believe that his 28 years experience makes the difference. Early voting runs Monday through Friday. A vote for Henry Trochesset is a vote for an honest, hardworking, dedicated law enforcement officer. Lee Sander Hitchcock

Vote for experience in the 405th race Judge Wayne Mallia’s opponent in the runoff election, Michele Slaughter, has never tried or handled a criminal case in her short legal career (seven

sound off » How do you think the meeting in D.C. with islanders will go? Email letters@galvnews.com

years). She has never tried any type of case to a jury in district court in Galveston County. She has only tried one civil case to a jury in Harris County. She calls herself the “real Republican” but has never even voted in a Republican primary, except this past primary, so she could vote for herself. She has only exercised her right to vote one other time in the 20 years she’s been eligible to vote. This is the “real” Republican and “only” conservative in this race? We’re just not buying it anymore, Michelle. Why is such an inexperienced attorney running against a highly experienced judge like Wayne Mallia? One word: politics. Slaughter was hand-picked to run against Judge Wayne Mallia by Commissioner Ken Clark. Commissioner Clark is Slaughter’s consultant and has received more than $5,000 in consulting fees. I think we’ve all read about Ken Clark’s recent problems and the investigation by the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Pick the honest judge with experience, Judge Wayne Mallia. Nina Jones San Leon

Today in History Today is the 204th day of 2012. After today, there are 162 days left in the year. On this date: »» In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln presented to his Cabinet a preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. »» In 1893, Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates visited the summit of Pikes Peak, where she was inspired to write the original version of her poem “America the Beautiful.” »» In 1934, bank robber John Dillinger was shot to death by federal agents outside Chicago’s Biograph Theater. »» In 1937, the Senate rejected President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s proposal to add more justices to the Supreme Court. »» In 1962, Mariner 1, NASA’s first attempt at sending a spacecraft to Venus, was destroyed shortly after launch because of faulty steering. The Associated Press

The Daily News

Fishing report COASTAL BOLIVAR: Trout are good on the south shoreline on Bass Assassins, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Black drum, sand trout and redfish are good at Rollover Pass. TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working wells and shell pads on shrimp, croakers, Bass Assassins, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Redfish are good on live bait around the reefs and at the spillway. EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good for drifters working deep shell on limetreuse and plum plastics. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp. Trout are good on the Ship Channel on croakers and plastics. WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good over reefs on

Galveston County, Texas

Sunday, July 22, 2012

live bait. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Offshore is good for tarpon, kingfish, and ling. TEXAS CITY: Trout are fair to good on the reefs on live shrimp and croakers. Trout are good on the edge of the Ship Channel on croakers and shrimp. FREEPORT: Trout are good at San Luis Pass on shrimp and MirrOlures. Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs in Christmas Bay. Trout, Spanish mackerel and sand trout are good at the jetties on soft plastics and shrimp fished on the bottom. Offshore is good for kingfish, ling and dorado. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair for drifters on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Redfish are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on crabs and mullet. Trout are fair on topwaters on the shorelines early.

The Associated Press

Big bull shark hooked in Offatts Bayou

he cursed southwest wind has conditions less than desirable in most parts of the Galveston area; however, fish are being caught. The off-color water around the mouth of Offatts Bayou did not keep sharks away as Emily Burr and her boyfriend, Yoslic Yasuda, proved that big sharks do roam West Bay. Saturday afternoon, they landed a 100-pound bull shark, a fish big enough to cause some problems if it were angry. Earlier last week, Dewey Jones of Port Bolivar took his sonin-law John Lewis and grandson Travis House of Longview fishing at the North Jetty, where they landed 27 trout to 25 inches on popping corks with live shrimp. Jeremiah at The Fish Spot on Moses Lake reported customers catch-

Reel Report Capt. Joe Kent is a columnist for The Daily News. To get your catch in the Reel Report, call 409-683-5273 or email reel.report@galvnews.com.

ing good numbers of reds near the floodgates on live croaker. Capt. Mike Williams, Tarpon Express Guide Service, reported that Tarpon Alley is in excellent shape. Friday, Williams hosted Houston Texans Case Keenum, T.J. Yates and John Beck to a trip to the famous alley where they limited out on kings. The largest king was a 30-pound smoker caught by Beck.

Last week, Capt. Michael LaRue, LaRue’s Guide Service, landed a tarpon estimated to weigh 140 pounds while hosting Buck Purselly, his father, Butch, and brother Baron. The trip was cut short by thunderstorms. The causeway area has been productive with Capt. Nathan Gray and his guests bringing in 26 trout and five reds, while Capt. Ted, of Ted’s Guide Service, returned with 15 trout caught during his charter. All of the action took place last Friday. Richard Belleau, 61st Street Fishing Pier, reported catches of sand trout, gafftop and whiting. Lee Bryant attempted to fish East Bay on Friday and ran into extensive seismic work taking place around Big Reef and Pepper Reef. Bryant said he wasted a lot of fuel trying to fish the area, with only

one fish to show for his efforts because of the obstacles associated with the work. The party boat Capt. John made headed out Tuesday with Capt. Shawn Clark to the old Buccaneer Field. Its catch included 201 spadefish, 10 Dorado, three bonito, 12 kings to 25 pounds and an assortment of other fish included Gulf trout, whiting, a mangrove snapper and a shark. Bryan Treadway reported that flounder action in Chocolate Bay and the surrounding area has been excellent this year. Guts around San Luis Pass have been producing good numbers of the flatfish during tidal movement. A reader named Chris sent a note saying the fishing was off at San Luis Pass on Saturday and mosquitoes were having a feast on anyone nearby.

Nice Catch!

Nicholas Brown with his 20-inch flounder caught at Port Bolivar while fishing with his grandfather. COURTESY PHOTOS Polly Kent with her 37-inch striped bass caught in Nantucket Sound off the Massachusetts coast.

Isabel Peralta with a 24-inch red she caught last Sunday in West Bay.

Fritz Stanford and his friend “Foxy Linda” with a nice catch.

Larry Yarbrough of Bayou Vista with a 70-pound sailfish he caught last month.

Submit your photos Lindsay Garland with a nice catch of trout she and her dad, Curtis, caught in West Bay.

Submit photos to reel.report@ galvnews.com. Photos must be submitted in .JPG format at a resolution of at least 200 dots per inch. For information, call 409-683-5273.

lifestyle

WEDNESDAY » Casino for a Cause is set to benefit the Resource and Crisis Center

sm il mnig

Section C | Sunday, July 22, 2012 | Contact

Michael A. Smith, michael.smith@galvnews.com

FATBOY

T.J. Aulds works out on a freestanding heavy bag during a kickboxing boot camp Wednesday at TransforME/ Body by Frances studio in La Marque. Photos by JENNIFER REYNOLDS/ The Daily News

Story by T.J. AULDS | The Daily News

More than 100 pounds down, the battle continues

sed to be when I complained that my clothes didn’t fit, it was because the shirts were snug or I couldn’t button my pants. These days when I make that complaint, it’s because

my Dockers are too baggy or my shirt’s too loose. There are worse problems I could be having. For those who follow my Fatboy blog each week, you are already aware of the journey I’ve been on to

lose weight. I’m not talking 20 pounds or so; we are talking about getting to the point that by year’s end, I will have lost 141 pounds. When I started, I weighed 421 pounds. Ac-

tually, it was much more than that, but I lost weight before I started the program. As of my weigh-in last week, I am down to 318 pounds. See Fatboy | C8

galvnews Follow T.J. Aulds’ regular updates on his weight loss successes, struggles and stories of others as they battle obesity in the Fatboy blog. Go to galvnews.com/fat boy to read more.

Today’s post Why is everyone watching me?

Get running Aulds says if he can get 400 runners to participate in The Daily News’ inaugural Press Run 1K and 5K on Sept. 29, he will run the 5K. If you would like to signup, visit galvnews.com. »» Copy Editor Katie Rowald’s column offers tips to select the right workout gear to get ready » C4

I guess I had it in my mind that I’d have a sixpack like actor Channing Tatum five months after my surgery. Instead, well, I’m still fat. T.J. AULDS | The Daily News

Galveston County Daily News Mainland Editor T.J. Aulds underwent gastric sleeve weight loss surgery at UTMB in January. ABOVE: In February, he shows his old size 64 bluejeans no longer fit, even with a belt cinched up. KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News file photo LEFT: After losing 100 pounds, Aulds shows where he is with the same jeans. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News

The Daily News

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

LIFESTYLE

The Houston Mass Choir at the 2012 GMWA National Convention in Nashville, Tenn. COURTESY PHOTOS

Trip to choir conference in Nashville was time well spent Angela Taylor Angela Taylor is the community news editor for The Daily News and sings soprano for the Houston Mass Choir, which recently released its CD “Live Experience” in April that can be purchased at www.houstongmwa.com.

n my weekly Hot Ticket column (“Harvest time at Haak Winery,” The Daily News, July 6), I wrote a snippet about going to Nashville as a member of the Houston Mass Choir, which is a chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. I’ve been a member of this aggregation of singers, musicians, directors and composers of gospel music for a little more than a year, and it’s been a great learning experience. The chapter is a part of GMWA, which was founded by the Rev. James Cleveland in 1967. The annual convention was held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. When I arrived, it was evident that country music was king; however, delegates from the GMWA Convention were in great numbers. There were people and chapters from California, Seattle, New York, Chicago and as far away as Paris, the Bahamas and Japan. The convention included many academic classes, nightly music services, showcases featuring all genres of gospel music, exhibits and seminars. With this being my first convention, needless to say, I was a bit overwhelmed at first. My first morning consisted of getting up at 6 a.m. (I’m not a morning person) to rehearse a song for the new music class that

The Houston chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America swept all categories for the Junior Ms. and Mr. GMWA and National Queen crowns at the annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., July 9-13. Pictured, from left, are Frances Harris, Ms. National GMWA Queen 2011-12; Valeria Boyer; Jeremiah Gray; and Angela Taylor. Angela Taylor, community editor for The Daily News and member of the Houston Mass Choir, won Ms. Houston Mass Queen for 2012-13 at the annual mass choir convention in Nashville, Tenn.

started at 9 a.m. The new music classes went on for the next four days, and, yes, I had to sing at all of them — some times more than once in a session. Houston Mass is led by Elder Timothy Thompson, Ronald Materre and Dr. Theola Booker. Our chapter had 11 songs chosen for new music this year — that’s a pretty big deal. Also along with that, I was chosen to represent the chapter at nationals as its Ms. Houston Mass Queen for 2012-13. This was the first time that someone from our area had been chosen to represent the chapter at

nationals, so I was pretty excited. The premise was that I had to raise funds for the GMWA scholarship fund. OK, I thought, how am I going to raise enough money in less than three months to attempt to keep the crown in Texas? The current national queen of GMWA, Frances Harris, who also is a

member of the Houston chapter, won it last year, so I didn’t want to disappoint. Well, that’s when I got busy soliciting friends, businesses, churches and family to help me win the title. And guess what? I won! I was a little nervous the day of the ceremony because I had to leave that same day.

I had scheduled the last flight of the day and I was almost certain that the winner would be announced by the time I had to be at the airport. Well ... the ceremony started late, so I had to leave before the announcement. I had just gotten through security at the airport when I got the call that I had won. Talk about being surprised! Nonetheless, I ended up missing my flight and got whisked

back to the hotel for the presentation to the entire convention at the midnight musical (yep, midnight). All in all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I wouldn’t change for the world. I want to sincerely thank all of you who helped me to keep the crown in Texas. Words cannot express to you my gratitude for those of you who believed in me and helped me with this wonderful journey.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

The Daily News

lifestyle

ETC. kicks off All-American season with ‘Best Little Whorehouse’

Caitlyn Mytelka, playing Shy, and Tara Wright, playing Angel, ask Miss Mona, played by Robin Lusby Schaefer, if they can move into Miss Mona’s ‘boardinghouse’ in ETC’s production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” COURTESY PHOTO/ Frances Powell

Scenes Frances Powell is a columnist for The Daily News. Send deets ’n’ pix of your parteez ’n’ proceedings to divascenes@aol.com or call 409-744-6540.

etcha’ calendars and checkbooks out … Island East-End Theatre Co. is pleased to celebrate and announce its 10th season — The All-American Season. Kicking off its first decade season will be the foot-stomping, rollicking fun musical, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” based on the book by Larry L. King & Peter Masterson, with music and lyrics by Carol Hall. Performances will be through Aug. 11. There will be only two Sunday matinees, today and July 29. Next will be the southern classic, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” by Tennessee Williams. Performances are Sept. 14 to Oct. 6. There will be one Sunday matinee Sept. 23. Next up is the regional premiere of “My First Time,” by Ken Davenport. Performances are Nov. 9-24. There will be one Sun-

day matinee Nov. 17. The new year will bring four performances of “A Steady Rain,” by Keith Huff. Performances will be Jan. 11-19 — Fridays and Saturdays only. ETC. then will produce the much-requested musical, “Avenue Q,” based on the book by Jeff Whitty, with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Performances will be March 1 to April 6. There will be two Sun-

day matinees March 10 and 17. And rounding out ETC’s All-American Season will be Mary Chase’s beloved comedy, “Harvey.” Performances will be May 10 to June 1. There will be one Sunday matinee May 19. Season tickets are available. ETC. is once again offering its flexticket options to season ticket purchasers. For information regarding season tickets, call ETC. at 409-762-3556 or 888-

762-3556 or visit island etc.org. All productions are subject to change. Get well soon Divafave Jean Kirk wants to thank all her friends for cards, flowers and phone calls during her recent stay in the Docshop. She was in Mainland Hosp for two weeks with a broken shoulder, arm and nose and the flowers and cards really helped brighten a hospital room. She’s home now

and would love to hear from all of her friends. And a big Get Well from The Diva. New arrival Laurie and Robbie Popovich are the proud parents of little Miss Abigail Grace Popovich was born at 3:24 p.m. June 24. According to happy grandparents Janice and MNB’s Victor Pierson on mom’s side and proud Jedo, Stephen Popovich and Baba,

Gertrude Popovich on dad’s side, she tipped the scales at 8 pounds and was 201⁄2 inches tall. Laurie, who takes after dad, is a senior lending assistant at Moody National Bank. Isle birthday wishes Happy Birthdays to our former fearless leader’s son ’n’ heir Jay Tillotson, Gale Backe, author Steve Long, KC officer Harry Abbott and Divafave Tonya Callender.

Historical foundation’s preserving Galveston, environment

hen one thinks of historic preservation, most don’t think of it as cutting edge or even very relevant to their lives. Galveston having such an inventory of historic homes and buildings is challenged on how to make them relevant, efficient and livable for today’s families and businesses. After successfully completing the national award-winning Green Revival House, which generated an estimated $400,000 in publicity, a new Green Sustainable committee was formed. Its mission: To set the course for preserving historically and architecturally significant buildings, neighborhoods and landscapes as they relate to the environment of Galveston Island. A joint collaboration between the U.S. Green Building Council and Galveston Historical Foundation developed “Galveston Green Guidelines, Strategies for Building Projects on the Texas Gulf Coast.” This book was the brainchild of Green Committee members and USGBC members Chula Ross Sanchez,

Guest column Galveston Realtor Tom Schwenk is a member of the Galveston Historical Foundation board and is chair of the foundation’s Green/Sustainable Committee.

Brax Easterwood and Matthew Pelz. Significant editing help came from Chris Arneson and Michael Carson. Copies are available at the salvage warehouse for $10 or by emailing tom@thehousecompany.com. Developing the Coastal Heritage Center, a place where Galvestonians and others from coastal cities can come for resources on historic properties in Gulf Coast communities, is becoming a reality. This will, in effect, aid in developing a go-to list for the city of Galveston in the event of another hurricane. Our initial symposium featured a threeday Cast Iron Building Conference that attracted professionals from

as far away as Oregon. The symposium will be an annual event with the 2013 symposium featuring a contractor conference on lessons and rules for historic houses after storms and disasters. Another initiative is to find sustainable products that align with the overall mission of the foundation. The first product that is being offered is a rain barrel that is for sale at the Salvage Warehouse for $99. Recycling stations and the sale of donated water in recycled bottles will be evident at all GHF events. Our Green Revival Galveston Certification program is a voluntary checklist and will serve as a guideline for historic homeowners interested in making their homes more energy efficient. The Avenue L project is a joint venture with the Grace Foundation; 1406 Ave. L dates from the 1870s and was abandoned and a neighborhood eyesore. It is being rehabbed into a three-bedroom, one bath home. Its neighbor, a twostory, two bedroom home with first floor space for a home based

business. Additionally, GHF recently completed the purchase of a storm-damaged home in the San Jacinto Neighborhood using Community Housing Development Organization funds and will be renovated with sustain-

able and energy efficient features. The GHF Salvage warehouse is having a banner year as neighbors are reusing donated and salvaged materials to complete their renovation products. The 2012 Genteel

Junque sale is a popular sale that generates revenue specifically for the maintenance of the 1837 Samuel May Williams House. While technically not part of the Green committee, this is an example of how easy recycling is!

The Daily News

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

lifestyle

Exercising requires the right outfit Hats: Some fit Frugal and some make Fashionista you look foolish Katie Rowald is a copy editor for The Daily News and can be reached at katie.rowald@ galvnews.com.

he copy desk here at The Daily News learned last week that the paper will be hosting a 5K fun run and walk in September to benefit Newspapers in Education. As one of the more out of shape people on the desk, I decided to train to run it because it would give me some motivation to finally drag myself out of bed at a reasonable hour for a workout. The desk doesn’t usually leave work until 12:30 a.m. or later, so most of us tend to stay up until some ungodly hour and sleep late in the morning. At any rate, the first order of business was getting my workout gear ready. First came the shoes. I haven’t bought a new pair of running shoes since some time during high school, which means the pair I’ve got is possibly 8 years old. The last time I wore them to run, my knees hurt for days, so I knew it was time to break down and buy some new ones that had adequate padding. I ended up with a pair

of neon coral and black Asics that, so far, feel great. Then came socks because although I have enough socks that I have to wrestle my sock drawer to get it shut, I don’t have many pairs of black ankle socks. Black shoes require black socks. Most people don’t think about that because it’s just working out and nobody’s really expecting you to look your best, but I’m just anal enough that it bothers me. I can ditch the little makeup that I wear to do this, but I have to have black socks. Next was workout clothes. I do have workout clothes, I swear, but again, I haven’t replaced them since high school, with the exception of my Victoria’s Secret Pink yoga pants, which are great and all, but they’re long and tight. I’ve always been told that you want running clothes to be a little more loose so they breathe and your body cools more easily. I found a good pair of loose running shorts in the Campus Short from, of course, Victoria’s Secret Pink, but for less expensive versions, Walmart and Target are and always will be my go-to stores for that sort of thing. Good underwear also is important for working out. Not, you know, “good” underwear, but the kind that gives you enough support in the

Copy editor Katie Rowald is getting ready for The Daily News’ 5K in September, but first she had to get the workout gear. metrocreativeconnection.com

right places and doesn’t creep when you start to move. A good sports bra is important because quite frankly, when you don’t have enough support up there, things start bouncing around, and it hurts. Undies with a good amount of elastic in the leg are important, too. The elastic literally keeps your panties from ending up in a wad, which, if you’re out there long enough, can cause chafing, and nobody wants that. Last, I had to figure out the technological aspect of all of it. I like running to music, so I got a pair of headphones that clips over the ear and stays in place. The

earbuds that came with my iPhone don’t stay in when I’m walking, so this seemed obvious. I also found that putting my phone in an armband is a significant help because my hands get sweaty, and I’m the type who will be running or walking along when suddenly my phone slips out of my hand and goes flying. My mom has the same trouble with hand weights, so I know this sort of thing runs in the family. And now that I’ve got my duds, I’ve begun the process of training for my first 5K. It’s hot and just a little painful, but I’ll live. Happy running, and remember to take water with you.

Identity crisis: ‘That’s my mower, I think’

love to watch the modern crime shows like NCIS and CSI and marvel at the technology they use. In one hour, they can solve a crime that spans cities, multiple crime scenes and sometimes oceans. All they need is the smallest particle of evidence and they can trace it back to its prehistoric origins. If only real life were as efficient. Most police agencies have to work very hard to solve the most common crimes, i.e. theft, burglary. Whether it is a flat screen TV, lawn mower or a piece of jewelry, not only is it hard to trace, but once you find it, it’s hard to prove who actually owns it.

The Crime Corner:

Prevention Tips & Tidbits Walt Candelari is a police officer with the Dickinson Police Department. He is writing a series of columns on creating an environment of safety from burglars. The problem is often that there is nothing on the item that separates it from others like it and designates it as being yours. How many red lawn mowers with a dent here and a scratch there are in Galveston

County? How many flat screen TVs? How many gold necklaces? There are several steps you can take to help yourself and police recover your property should it ever be stolen. The most important step is to mark it. Get an electric engraving tool and place an identifying number, letters or symbols somewhere. The marking should be unique and something that you or the police can easily recognize. Take valuable jewelry to an engraver and have your initials inscribed on it. Take a metal die and stamp numbers on your lawn equipment. Most pawn shops keep records about who has brought in what item.

Galveston Island Humane Society Pets of the Week Caroline, right, and Solo are Pets of the Week for the Galveston Island Humane Society. Solo is your typical wonderful kitten that loves to play but settles down and just wants to be loved. He has unique black and white markings, which makes him stand out in a crowd. He is available to be played with in the cat condos at the Galveston PetSmart. Carolina is a gorgeous blue and white pit bull mix. For those of you who know and love the breed, she is a magnificent dog. For anyone weary of the

breed, come up and see the wonderful pit mixes at the shelter. Carolina and Solo are available for adoption this week for half the humane society’s usual fee. All adoptions include vaccinations, including rabies, spay or neuter, heartworm test and preventive, flea preventive, microchip, registration

and one month’s health insurance. Fees are $75 for cats and dogs older than 6 months and $90 for kittens and puppies. Check out all of the adoptable pets at petango.com. For information, call the society at 409-7401919 or visit the shelter at 6814 Broadway. Galveston Island Humane Society

The second thing that will help is to record all serial numbers. Pictures also help in identifying items, especially if it shows something unique to that item. Do not use your Social Security number, credit card number or even your birthday as the identifier. Don’t give a thief another bit of information about you that he or she can use. Keep several copies of the serial numbers and give at least one of them to a trusted friend or family member. Remember, think, plan and execute crime prevention designs. These are just a few simple tips that could keep you from being a victim.

hen I was growing up in the 1930s, all the men wore hats, mostly felt fedoras, and everyone had a little crease around his head where the hat had been when he took it off. One tipped one’s hat to others, especially women, and no one wore a hat in the house. Everyone’s mother had told him it was rude to wear a hat in the house, and that lesson still resonates with me. Sometimes, on my way in to work, my hands will be full, and I feel distinctly uncomfortable until I can get inside and put something down so I can take my cap off. Early lessons reach deep inside. I actually own a fedora or two and sometimes wear one walking from the parking lot to the entrance of the hospital. People tend to stare, and a few smile and snigger. What do they know of the proprieties? If I don’t protect my head from the sun (and even if I do, after a while), I develop little scabby excrescences called keratoses that have to be removed a couple of times a year by my dermatologist who zaps them with liquid nitrogen. This is going to hurt a little, she says, with a curious smile on her face, as if it doesn’t work if it doesn’t hurt. Well, it does hurt, but not for long. The bad part comes a few days later when the treated skin turns brown-black, then sloughs off, finally leaving me temporarily free of the troublesome little wartlike things. I cover my head mostly with a baseball cap, and my favorite is the one with a New York Yankees insignia on the front. People who pass me say, “Oh, you’re a Yankees fan!” If there’s time, and if I know them well enough to reply, I tell them that I’m really a Red Sox fan, but this cap, purchased in Yankee Stadium years

Guest column Melvyn Schreiber is a physician at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

ago during a visit to a game with my grandson, actually fits me, so I wear it because it’s comfortable. Lots of the others are too tight or too loose and I have been unable to adjust them properly. Apart from the one with “NY” on it, my favorite is the one I had made in Hawaii during a visit with the same grandson. It says “BAPA” on it, my nickname. Grandson, when much younger, tried to say “PAPA,” and it came out “BAPA” and stuck. Women don’t wear hats anymore except to show off on TV or for the news media. I like some of the funny ones and admire women who are gutsy enough to wear them. If one wants to see women in hats, one must wait for a wedding or for Easter. My father left me a real Stetson. I never wore it, and when I got it out of the closet in anticipation of wearing it for a “Go Texan” day celebration, the moths had gotten to it, and it was full of holes. I have one other cowboy-like hat, a straw one with a big brim, given to me out of pity by a friend whose ranch I was visiting when he saw me in a baseball cap. I fancied that it made me look like a rancher or cowboy, but it probably only made me look like a fool. I don’t know how people wear top hats. Even Lincoln looked goofy in one, and one rarely sees them anymore except in movies. Times and fads change, and today’s good-looking chapeau will be tomorrow’s laughable idiosyncrasy.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

The Daily News

Books

‘The Crowded Grave’ achieves almost contradictory goals “The Crowded Grave,” by Martin Walker, Knopf, 2012, 336 pages, $24.95

t is spring in St. Denis, a small village in rural Périgord, France. But in “The Crowded Grave,” a mystery by Martin Walker, Bruno Courrèges, chief of police in St. Denis, is too busy to appreciate the beauties of a rural French springtime. Everything seem to be happening at once. An international counterterrorism summit is scheduled in St. Denis. Ministers from

Book review Mark Lardas, an engineer, freelance writer, amateur historian and model-maker, lives in League City. His website is marklardas.com. France and Spain will be discussing means of handling Basque terrorism at a meeting on Bruno’s turf. Animal rights extrem-

Indie Bound Hardcover fiction 1. “Shadow of Night” (debut), by Deborah Harkness, Viking, $28.95. 2. “Gone Girl,” by Gillian Flynn, Crown, $25. 3. “Mission to Paris,” by Alan Furst, Random House, $27. 4. “Canada,” by Richard Ford, Ecco, $27.99. 5. “Beautiful Ruins,” by Jess Walter, Harper, $25.99. 6. “The Age of Miracles,” by Karen Thompson Walker, Random House, $26. Hardcover nonfiction 1. “Wild,” by Cheryl Strayed, Knopf, $25.95. 2. “Unbroken,” by Laura Hillenbrand, Random House, $27. 3. “Darth Vader and Son,” by Jeffrey Brown, Chronicle, $14.95. 4. “Imagine,” by Jonah Lehrer, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $26. 5. “The Amateur,” by Edward Klein, Regnery, $27.95. 6. “Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake,” by Anna Quindlen, Random House, $26. Trade paperback fiction 1. “Fifty Shades of Grey,” by E.L. James, Vintage, $15.95. 2. “Fifty Shades Darker,” by E.L. James, Vintage, $15.95. 3. “Fifty Shades Freed,” by E.L. James, Vintage, $15.95. 4. “The Night Circus,” by Erin Morgenstern, Anchor, $15. 5. “State of Wonder,” by Ann Patchett, Harper Perennial, $15.99. 6. “Rules of Civility,” by Amor Towles, Penguin, $16. Trade paperback nonfiction 1. “In the Garden of Beasts,” by Erik Larson, Broadway, $16. 2. “Bossypants,” by Tina Fey, Reagan Arthur Books, $15.99. 3. “I Remember Nothing,” by Nora Ephron, Vintage, $14. 4. “Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness,” by Alexandra Fuller, Penguin, $15. 5. “Turn Right at Machu Picchu,” by Mark Adams, Plume, $16. Mass market 1. “A Game of Thrones,” by George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $8.99. 2. “A Clash of Kings,” by George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $8.99.9 3. “A Storm of Swords,” by George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $8.99. 4. “A Feast for Crows,” by George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $8.99. 5. “The Litigators,”

ists have arrived in St. Denis, determined to put a spoke in one of the village’s major industries — foie gras manufacturing. Local geese farms and foie gras canneries are being sabotaged. Finally, at an archeological dig near the village, a body has turned up. Not the ancient Neanderthals, sought for at the dig site either. Ancient Neanderthals did not wear Swatches or die of modern bullet wounds. This body appears to have been buried 20 to 30 years earlier — but no one locally disappeared in that time frame.

Connections begin emerging between the Basque terrorism summit, the foie gras vandalism and the dead body at the archeological dig. A pattern begins to form linking things, but Brun’s not sure that he can fit things before the problems arising explode. To complicate Bruno’s life still further, a new magistrate has been assigned to the area. A young woman from urban France, she is an anti-hunting, anti-foie gras animal-rights supporter in her first assignment as magistrate. She is

What are you reading? We want to know what book you just cannot put down. Send us an explanation — 100 words or fewer

soon making common cause with Bruno’s nemesis, Capt. Duroc of the Gendarmerie, to get Bruno fired. Other complications occur, including the reappearance of one of Bruno’s old flames and Bruno’s current love interest getting called to her home in Scotland to deal with a family crisis. The archeologist in charge of the dig disappears as does the town’s blacksmith. “The Crowded Grave” is the fifth book in Walker’s series about Bruno. It takes readers into a bucolic patch of

French countryside, but one where Brussels and European Union regulation complicate the lives of its inhabitants. Bruno serves as St. Denis’ bulwark against the outside world, shielding it with his sometimes unconventional rules. Walker has written a book that achieves seemingly contradictory goals. It is a fast-paced adventure set in an easygoing setting, a modern police procedural placed in a local attached to a more-pleasant yesterday, and a thoroughly entertaining mystery novel.

— about what book has you captivated. Be sure to include the book’s title, author, publisher, page number and price. Also, don’t forget to send in a photo of yourself to lifestyle@galvnews.com.

Bio details rise of ‘Catherine the Great’ The Indie Bestseller List for the week ending July 15, based on reporting from hundreds of independent bookstores across the United States. by John Grisham, Dell, $9.99. 6. “Unlikely Friendships,” by Jennifer S. Holland, Workman, $13.95.

Children’s interest 1. “The Book Thief,” by Markus Zusak, Knopf, $12.99. 2. “The Fault in Our Stars,” by John Green, Dutton, $17.99. 3. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” by Ransom Riggs, Quirk, $17.99. 4. “Wonder,” by R.J. Palacio, Knopf, $15.99. 5. “The Wimpy Kid DoIt-Yourself Book,” by Jeff Kinney, Amulet, $12.95. 6. “Chomp,” by Carl Hiaasen, Knopf, $16.99. Children’s illustrated 1. “Goodnight Moon,” by Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd (Illus.), Harper, $8.99. 2. “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore,” by William Joyce, Atheneum, $17.99. 3. “Where the Wild Things Are,” by Maurice Sendak, Harper, $17.95. 4. “Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site,” by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Tom Lichtenheld (Illus.), Chronicle, $16.99. 5. “Where’s Waldo?” by Martin Handford, Candlewick, $7.99. 6. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” by Eric Carle, Putnam, $10.99. Children’s fiction series 1. “The Hunger Games” (hardcover and paperback), by Suzanne Collins, Scholastic. 2. “Magic Tree House” (hardcover and paperback), by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca (Illus.), Random House. 3. “Divergent Series” (hardcover and paperback), by Veronica Roth, Katherine Tegen Books. 4. “The Kane Chronicles” (hardcover and paperback), by Rick Riordan, Hyperion. 5. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” (hardcover), by Jeff Kinney, Amulet. 6. “Ivy & Bean” (hardcover and paperback), by Annie Barrows, Sophie Blackall (Illus.), Chronicle.

“Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman,” by Robert K. Massie, Random House Inc., 625 pages, $35.

he Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Peter the Great” and “Nicholas and Alexandra” utilizes his extraordinary wealth of Russian history, his writings about “The Romanovs” and “Castles of Steel” in weaving this biography. “Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman” is his latest book about a 14-year-old princess, Sophia Augusta Fredericka, from a German minor principality, who is summoned by Empress Elizabeth of Russia. The empress is childless. Her desire is to ensure the succession of her family’s throne by betrothing a nephew to a young woman of her choosing. Sophia, who took the name Catherine at her conversion to the Russian Orthodoxy, later would be known as Catherine the Great. Betrothed at age 15 to Charles Peter Ulrich, the only living grandson of Peter the Great, her marriage was an arranged union as many of the marriages of monarchs were at that time. Catherine’s husband was immature and, as providence would show, unfit to rule any country other than the miniature troops he commanded in his bedroom. Catherine saw herself as the successor of Peter the Great. It’s a biography of the development of a woman of extreme intelligence who would become unusually knowledgeable of the Russian language, Russian history, religion, intrigue and, perhaps most importantly, power. In the years to follow, she would study how to gain, use and keep this power. In the process, Catherine manipulates her biological son, heir to the Russian throne, and becomes the most powerful and wealthiest woman in the world. Her power dictates total dissolution of countries like Poland. Treaties, secretive and public, and wars secure ports

Book review Margaret C. Barno, story creator and mentor, lives in Tyler. and access to the seas for Russia. It’s an amazingly wellcrafted, well-written book, weaving Cath-

erine’s triumphs and failures, her needs and desires into the history of her adopted country. This New York Times best-selling book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, especially 18th through 20th century European and Russian political events, helping to explain the events leading to the Communist Revolution of 1917. Massie’s ability to create a biography of interest, artful writing,

well-documented and detailed, brings this portrait of a woman to life in such a manner the reader will have a difficult time putting down the book.

The Daily News

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

We d d i n g s a n d A n n o u n c e m e n t s

lifestyle

Isle crew brought forth great change

t’s been a long time coming, but a change has come. This came under former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski’s watch. After about 35 years, the cement in front and on the side of our family home is repaired. Years of tripping, stumped toes and the fear of someone getting injured on the property are now gone. These gentlemen worked hard and tirelessly to get the job done — a beautiful job, I might add. I observed how the guys communicated to keep things running smoothly. It was great to see them staying on task and getting in a laugh every now and then. I was even afforded the opportunity to chat with them about the work and how it was done. Each of them were very respectful and humble, yet went about taking care of the business at hand. Members of this particular crew were one big, happy family. They jokingly discussed who worked the hardest. I would have to call it a tie — they were a team in the first degree. With the sun beating

Library events »» GALVESTON Rosenberg Library will have its Mystery Book Party from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Wortham Auditorium of the library, 2310 Sealy Ave. Attendees will travel the universe and explore mysterious cosmos with books and activities. Visit www.rosenberglibrary.org. »» GALVESTON Rosenberg Library will present Big Bird Live! at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Wortham Auditorium of the library, 2310 Sealy Ave. The lovable curious Big Bird from Sesame Street comes to visit. Recommended for infants through age 7. Visit wwww.rosenberglibrary.org. »» GALVESTON Rosenberg Library will present a free presentation of Circus Chickendog from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Wortham Auditorium of the library, 2310 Sealy Ave. Trick dogs, a performing parrot, magic, juggling and unicycling will be presented. Visit www.rosenberglibrary.org. »» LA MARQUE The La Marque Public Library will be offering a Wild Zoofari with live monkeys and more at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Community Room (next to the fire department). Call 409-938-9270. »» GALVESTON Rosenberg Library is inviting adults to its “What’s in the Rosenberg Library Attic?” event at 10 a.m. Saturday at 2310 Sealy Ave. Attendees are invited to investigate the history,

Guest column The Rev. Reginald L. Gilford Sr. lives in Galveston. down, it could have been some frustration, but with all that heat, they continued to work on and had fun doing it. My hat goes off to supervisor Joe Falcon, who I had met a few days prior, and each of these hardworking young men — Stephen Williams, Antoine Museau, Juan Hernandez, Jesus Deleon, Lebrosius Scoot, Albert Ouz, Randy Marshall, James Garner and Nathan Kinlaw. Fellas, you are outstanding and there is no reason why a raise shouldn’t be forthcoming in the very near future. Hello, Mayor Lewis Rosen! The repairing of that busted and lopsided cement has come to fruition. Brothers, again I say thanks and Mom thanks you as well. God bless you all. architecture, and stories — paranormal and otherwise — of the library. The event also includes a unique behind the scenes tour of the Rosenberg Wing attic. Space is limited. To RSVP, visit www. rosenberg-library.org.

»» TEXAS CITY Book Bits will meet at 2 p.m. Aug. 1 in the Holland Meeting Room at Moore Memorial Public Library, 1701 Ninth Ave. N. Participants can enjoy an informal group setting in which they can share favorite books, authors, controversial titles and more. Call 409-643-5970. »» GALVESTON Rosenberg Library will offer free movies for the community at 2 p.m. Aug. 4 and Sept. 1 at 2310 Sealy Ave. For information about what film will be playing, visit the events calendar at www.rosenberg-library. org or call 409-763-8854, Ext. 115. »» LEAGUE CITY Helen Hall Library will have an antiques round-table meeting at 1 p.m. Aug. 6 at 100 W. Walker St. Call 281-554-1101. Visit www.leaguecitylibrary. org. »» GALVESTON The Saturday Morning Book Club will meet at 10 a.m. Aug. 11 in the Robbie Farmer Memorial Library at Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church, 2803 53rd St. “The Hummingbird’s Daughter,” by Luis Urrea, will be discussed. Call Joan Hyatt, 409744-1657.

Email library events to Angela Taylor, community news editor, angela. taylor@galvnews.com, or call 409-683-5239.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

The Daily News

applause Wilcox receives GTF Scholarship Galveston College student Gina Wilcox was awarded the Greater Texas Foundation Scholarship. Wilcox is majoring in general studies plans a career in international business.

Behrle earns bachelor’s Chelsea Marion Behrle graduated from Midwestern State University with a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary studies during the school’s spring commencement ceremony.

Grizzaffi selected for leadership camp

Pictured, from left, are Mario Carranza-Flores, Kaitlyn Dalehite, Nina Corley, instructor; Gianni Ridriguez, Kelly Taylor, Smythe Mullikin and Justin Viernes.

Best In Class O’Connell science class awarded

Joe Huff, director of Institutional Advancement and the GC Foundation, shakes hands with Galveston College student Marques Johnson.

Galveston College student Allen Burton shakes hands with Galveston College President Myles Shelton.

O’Connell College Preparatory High School’s summer NASA earth and space science class was recognized with the Civil Air Patrol, Outstanding Achievement in Promoting Aerospace Education in America’s Schools Award. Students participated in hands on lessons, labs, and field trips to NASA, the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Ocean Star Museum.

Burton receives Darst Scholarship Galveston College President Myles Shelton congratulates Gina Wilcox.

Scholarship winner Cheng Yan Ping is congratulated by Galveston College President Myles Shelton.

Galveston College student Allen Burton was awarded the Maury Darst Memorial Scholarship for the 2012-13 year.

Ping awarded scholarship

Galveston College student Manuel Garcia is congratulated by President Myles Shelton.

Achievements

Jack Tingle, right, presents the IMC Company Leader Award to Bob Kerr, left.

Kerr wins IMC leader award Industrial Material Corp. announced that Bob Kerr received its Company Leader Award for the second time. The IMC Company Leader Award is given quarterly to the representative that best exemplifies its commitments to safety, quality, production and morale. Kerr received a special plaque, gift certificate and preferred parking space.

Winston’s re-elected Bessie Winston was reelected as grand worthy matron, Order of the

Galveston College student Cynthia Chronister is congratulated by President Myles Shelton.

McNatt’s named vice chairman

Bessie Winston

Eastern Star PHA for the state of Texas, June 26 in Fort Worth. Winston is a resident of Santa Fe.

Janice McNatt, registrar of the Captain Gilbreth Falls-Absolom Hooper Chapter, Friendswood Daughters of the American Revolution, was named vice chairman of Genealogy for Division V. McNatt is a volunteer genealogist for National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Galveston College student Cheng Yan Ping received the Rudy Tomjanovich Scholarship for the 2012-13 school year. Ping, a native of China, has been attending the college since the fall of 2011.

Austin Middle School student Frank Grizzaffi was selected to travel to the Austin/ San Antonio area as a participant in Education in Action’s Lone Star Leadership Academy on July 8-13. Grizzaffi’s selection was based on outstanding academic success, leadership and a nomination from teacher April Sammons. He is the son of Anthony and Bethany Grizzaffi.

Garcia awarded Davie Scholarship Galveston College student Manuel Garcia was awarded the John Parker Davie Scholarship. Garcia is majoring in the two-year degree program for industrial systems.

Johnson earns IM Scholarship Galveston College student Marques Johnson was awarded the Industrial Materials 50th Anniversary scholarship.

Chronister selected for scholarship Galveston College student Cynthia Chronister was selected to receive the Joan Cannady scholarship. Chronister is majoring in Criminal Justice.

The Daily News

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

lifestyle

Shellie Long, co-owner of TransforME/Body by Frances studio in La Marque, punches a free-standing heavy bag during a kickboxing bootcamp Wednesday.

Fatboy Continued from Page C1

The program To accomplish that, I went under the knife at the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Center for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery with a gastric sleeve procedure. I also changed my eating habits, increased my workout and, in general, living a healthier life. It’s so far been a fantastic journey, thanks in large part to my friends and the hundreds of readers who have posted comments, emailed me or come up to me when they see me out and about to say “way to go” or tell me their own story of battles against the bulge. I’ve had many people tell me my weekly posts have been an inspiration. When I started this effort, I knew that it would have an impact on some people. That’s the reason to write about my personal experiences and those of others in the first place. Still, the response has been greater than I expected, and it’s reached beyond the borders of Galveston County. Why am I still fat? I’m usually a “glass is two-thirds full” kind of guy, but I’m also impatient. Not a good combination when you are trying to lose weight. There’s recognizable

progress to be sure, but I still have self-inflicted, “Why ain’t I skinny?” syndrome. I wrote about this in my June 28 Fatboy blog, “Not believing in my own hype.” The scale tells me I’ve been losing weight. The smaller clothing sizes tell me I’m losing weight. All the comments on my Facebook page when I post a recent photo tell me I look great and am losing weight. Then why don’t I think I’m doing all that well in my weight loss battle? I recognize I’ve come a long way, but I am not yet to where I want to be. I’m working on it, but I’m not there yet. I guess I had in my mind that I’d have a six-pack like actor Channing Tatum five months after my surgery. Instead, well, I’m still fat. In fact, according to my Body Mass Index calculations, I’m still classified as obese. Even when I hit my one-year weight loss goal, I’ll still be classified as obese. Something in my mind tells me I should be closer to the body image I pictured — some could say fantasized — about when I went in for surgery. This is not a simple process, and it takes work. I’m putting the work in and kicked it up a notch by joining a local boot camp.

T.J. Aulds does squat jumps during a kickboxing bootcamp Wednesday at TransforME/Body by Frances studio in La Marque. Photos by JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News

Giving me the boot Earlier this month, I entered the next phase of my transformation. I joined a boot camp class that meets three days a week. I chose the TransforME/Body by Frances studio at the suggestion of readers and my Facebook friends. Shellie Long and Frances Field came highly recommended. So, fittingly, on Independence Day, I started my boot camp adventure. Within 15 minutes of that first class, I was wondering, “What the hell have I gotten myself into?” It sucked. And for a day after, my body was very, very, very sore. Then I returned for more torture. And I keep going back for more. Now I love it. I have far more energy after the classes than on days when I don’t work out. I’m still not in shape Monica Genarie demonstrates the proper form to T.J. Aulds. Aulds writes he began bootcamp earlier this month, and although the start was rough, he now loves it. He says he has more energy after the classes than on days he doesn’t work out.

and struggle to do all the workout routines, but thanks to support of the trainers and my classmates — including my pal Lori Carnes, Teri Tillotson (wife of our former Publisher Dolph Tillotson) and Dolph’s daughter Katherine Rearick as well as trainers Frances Field, Shellie Long and Monica Genarie, I am making steady progress. I’ve met some very

interesting people in the class as well and all with their own stories to tell. I hope to bring their stories to you as well. Give me 400, I’ll give you 5K I must be feeling cocky about my workouts because I have committed to running in The Daily News’ inaugural Press Run 1K and 5K on Sept. 29. Actually, I announced

I would enter if we get at least 400 entries in the event, which raises funds for the Newspapers in Education program. So far, I have about 40 people committed to be on Team Fatboy. I started my training Saturday and hope to be able to run the entire 5K when the time comes. Contact Mainland Editor T.J. Aulds at 409-683-5334 or tjaulds@galvnews.com.