The Galveston County Daily News by Michael Smith

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

Island nonprofit at center of controversy Children’s Center Inc. rocked over federal immigrant program

ary are any indication, illicit sex and gunfire are common themes in the young life of a Honduran immigrant who came to Galveston under the auspices of an obscure federal program. The man, 18, was shot at on two occasions and hit once during that time. He was accused once and suspected

By MICHAEL A. SMITH The Daily News »» GALVESTON If the first 25 days of Janu-

once again of having sex with underaged girls — one 15 and one 12. The suspicion arose at an island homeless shelter; the accusation sparked gunfire at an island park. His hosts at the Children’s Center Inc. called the man “George” in interviews. And although he is named in several police incident reports,

he has not been charged with a crime. And so he’s called “George” in this article, too, in keeping with the newspaper’s policy of not naming people who have not been charged with crimes. As far as the public record and the police are concerned, George has been a victim of crime more often than a sus-

pect. All the same, the situations he encountered, whether through bad luck or bad action, raise many questions about how he and other young men like him came to be here, why they remain here, who’s paying for their stay and who’s responsible for monitoring

See center | A7

Mobility plan construction cost* 2012-16 Landing Blvd...................................................$15,285,000 Butler Road............................................................$750,000 Brookport Extension..................................... $1,464,000 FM 270..............................................................$11,376,000 Calder Road....................................................... 12,050,000 League City Pkwy..............................................2,160,000 Total....................................................43,085,000 2017-21 Maple Leaf Drive............................................. $7,512,000 W. Bay Area Blvd.............................................. $5,760,000 Hobbs Road...................................................... $6,240,000 SH 96.................................................................... $8,200,000 FM 518................................................................ $8,100,000 FM 646................................................................ $9,300,000 Landing Blvd..................................................... $6,700,000 Total..................................................$51,812,000

Southbound traffic backs up on state Highway 3 at FM 518 in League City. Photos by KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News

The road ahead

2022-26 Proposed East/West Corridor...................$16,320,000 Proposed E/W Corridor-Grand Pkwy....$25,920,000 Butler Road........................................................ $1,000,000 W. Walker St...........................................................$360,000 Palomino............................................................ $4,455,000 Total..................................................$48,055,000 Grand total................................................... $142,952,000

* Right-of-way costs would be an additional $44 million SOURCE: City of League City

Growing city maps road expansion projects to ease traffic By CHRISTOPHER SMITH GONZALEZ The Daily News »» LEAGUE CITY In a city known for its political disagreements and debates, there is one topic just about everyone agrees on — traffic. “There is no one who says that traffic is not a problem,” Councilman Andy Mann said in a meeting in February. So, in an attempt to deal with it, the city council approved a mobility master plan that lists about $187 million in road projects that should chart the course of road construction See mobility | A3

Southbound traffic backs up on FM 270 at the five-corners intersection in League City. The council approved a master mobility plan identifying road projects to deal with traffic as the city grows.

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GALVNEWS.COM » Blogs: Check out what T.J. Aulds, Amanda Casanova and Michael Smith have to say in their blogs

In the know

A2 | Sunday, March 4, 2012 | Compiled from Associated Press and Internet reports

Coming Wednesday

Environmental damages still issue after BP deal »» NEW ORLEANS BP’s settlement with plaintiffs suing the company over the 2010 oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico may address harm to individuals and businesses, but there is nothing in it that compensates the public for damage

to its natural resources and environment, the Justice Department said. That’s a potentially critical issue because a separate victims’claims fund that was set up months after the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion was also meant to

cover environmental damages, but it’s now expected to be used to cover the BP settlement with plaintiffs. BP said it expects to pay out $7.8 billion in the settlement with the plaintiffs that was announced Friday. It’s not clear whether

environmental claims will now have to be addressed separately between BP and the U.S. government, or whether it will be rolled into their ongoing discussions over settling the fines and penalties that the British company faces. Both

issues could be resolved at an eventual civil trial, which has now been postponed indefinitely. The Justice Department said the settlement doesn’t address “significant damages” to natural resources and the environment.

Nation

Menu maker The qualities that make bread pudding the go-to dessert for many restaurants also appeal to cooks at home. 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

Reader Service Dedicated to the growth and progress of Galveston County. Published daily by Galveston Newspapers Inc., 8522 Teichman Road, Box 628, Galveston, Texas 77553. USPS 213400. Periodical postage paid at Galveston, Texas

Romney wins Washington state »» WASHINGTON Mitt Romney has won the Washington state Republican caucuses. The former Massachusetts governor easily defeated former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Congressman Ron Paul, who were battling for second place. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich trailed further behind. Forty delegates are at stake in the state.

House fire in Ohio kills 4; no survivors »» WARREN, Ohio A man, woman and two girls died Saturday in a house fire in northeast Ohio, fire officials said. Warren fire Chief Ken Nussle said one of the first 911 calls came from a woman inside the house. Flames had engulfed the two-story house by the time firefighters arrived around 3:30 a.m. No one was able to escape the wood-framed home, Assistant Fire Chief Dan Suttles said.

Texas Body found in alley in Fort Worth »» FORT WORTH Police in Fort Worth are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found early Saturday in an alley on the east side. Police spokeswoman Sharron Neal said officers were called shortly before 10:30 a.m. to the 2900 block of East Lancaster Avenue, where they found the woman.

Austin to decide bag penalties next »» AUSTIN The Austin City Council has passed one of the broadest bag bans in the country but still must determine penalties for refusing to comply with the law. The law, which goes into effect March 2013, will prohibit retailers from offering single-use paper and plastic bags at all retail checkout counters. Penalties will be worked out later.

Ashley Thomas, left, and Katie Paben look over the remains of Thomas’ home in Henryville, Ind., on Saturday after a tornado hit the area Friday. Severe storms, predicted by forecasters for days, killed dozens of people in five states — Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. AP PHOTO/Michael Conroy

Storms demolish small towns »» WEST LIBERTY, Ky. Across the South and Midwest, survivors emerged Saturday to find blue sky and splinters where homes once stood, cars flung into buildings and communications crippled after dozens of tornadoes chainsawed through a region of millions, leveling small towns along the way. At least 38 people were killed in five states, but a 2-year-old girl was somehow found alive and alone in a field near her Indiana home. Her family did not survive. A couple

World Syria hands over journalists’ bodies »» DAMASCUS, Syria The bodies of two foreign journalists who were killed in shelling while trapped inside a besieged district in the central Syrian city of Homs left Syria late Saturday on board a French plane to Paris, the Polish Foreign Ministry said. Earlier Saturday, Syrian Red Crescent officials handed over the bodies to embassy officials.

that fled their home for the safety of a restaurant basement made it, even after the storms threw a school bus into their makeshift shelter. Saturday was a day filled with such stories, told as emergency officials trudged with search dogs past knocked-down cellphone towers and ruined homes looking for survivors in rural Kentucky and Indiana, marking searched roads and homes with orange paint. President Barack Obama offered federal assistance, and Ohio Gov.

Survivors attend shipwreck hearing »» GROSSETO, Italy The first hearing of the criminal investigation into the Costa Concordia’s shipwreck was held in a theater Saturday instead of a courthouse because of high demand, with angry survivors seeking compensation, justice and the truth. The judge at the hearing assigned four experts to analyze the cruise ship’s data recorder and ordered them to report their findings in July.

John Kasich declared an emergency Saturday. The worst damage appeared centered in the small towns of southern Indiana and eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian foothills. No building was untouched and few were recognizable in West Liberty, Ky., about 90 miles from Lexington, where two white police cruisers were picked up and tossed into City Hall. “It looks like a bomb was dropped on that town,” Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said after touring the damage.

In East Bernstadt, two hours to the southwest, Carol Rhodes clutched four VHS tapes she’d found in debris of her former home as she sobbed under a bright sun Saturday. “It was like who, that was it,” said Rhodes, 63, who took refuge with four family members in a basement bedroom that she had just refinished for a grandchild. “Honey, I felt the wind and I said, ‘Oh my God,’ and then it (the house) was gone. I looked up and I could see the sky.”

Expert: Kids likely not harmed in pill mix-up »» TRENTON, N.J. Children who might have taken breast cancer treatment medication mistakenly distributed by a New Jersey pharmacy instead of prescribed fluoride pills likely won’t suffer any health problems, a pharmaceutical expert said Saturday. CVS Caremark officials said only a few children ingested pills for breast cancer treatment that they mistakenly received,

and company investigators are still working to determine how and why the errors occurred at the pharmacy in Chatham. “Fortunately, it’s very unlikely that this specific drug would cause any serious or adverse effects when used for only a short periods of time,” said Daniel Hussar, a professor with the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at the University of the Sciences.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

mobility Continued from Page A1

for the next 23 years. “This plan provides us a footprint of what is going to be needed when this city is fully built out,” Linc Wright, the city’s traffic engineer, said. The city isn’t necessarily planning to spend $187 million. But drafting the plan helped identify what will be needed as the city grows and will help get projects ready for when state or federal funding becomes available, Wright said. The plan is broken down into three phases. Some of projects will address current traffic needs and others deal with the needs the city will have as more people and businesses move in. Population projections place about 178,875 residents in League City by 2035. That is double the city’s population. Much of that growth likely is to be in the city’s undeveloped portions on the west side of Interstate 45. The mobility plan comes with maps of where new roads will go to move all those new people around. By having a general idea of where future roads will go, the city can act before development makes it harder to build the right infrastructure, Wright said. “We’ve identified the corridors, and now, the city can move to securing the right of way,” Wright said. That hasn’t always been the case. But with a plan in place, the city could start purchasing right of way soon, Wright said. The plan also lays out projects that could improve the flow of traf-

fic on existing roads and gets them ready for when funding becomes available. An example is the expansion of Landing Boulevard. The road dead ends just north of FM 518. But the city council approved hiring a firm to design an extension so the road would connect to Interstate 45 at the NASA bypass in Webster. The total construction cost of the project is about $15 million. Having a design in place will allow the city to seek funding from sources such as the HoustonGalveston Area Council. That funding could be ready in about 2015 or 2016, Wright said. And just that one road extension could have far reaching effects on traffic. Once built, the four-lane boulevard will carry about 60,000 cars per day, according to the mobility plan. That could mean more than a 20 percent reduction of traffic east of Landing Boulevard along FM 518 and about an 11 percent reduction in traffic west of the boulevard, Wright said. According to traffic models, reductions in traffic could be seen as far as West Bay Area Boulevard and state Highway 3. The boulevard could also have a significant impact on traffic on Interstate 45 frontage roads, he said. Landing Boulevard is just one of six projects in the first phase of the mobility plan. The plan will be revisited as time goes on, Wright said, but it is important to have so as to avoid the lack of connectivity other parts of the city suffer from.

The Daily News

City aims to simplify drought plan By CHRISTOPHER SMITH GONZALEZ The Daily News »» LEAGUE CITY League City residents had to put up with four different stage changes of the city’s drought plan during last year’s summer. Last year’s drought was long and harsh, and this year, the state might once more be plunged into a long dry summer. But Jody Hooks, water and wastewater utility manager for League City, is hoping the city will have a better drought contingency plan in place before the heat gets here. “Our first plan was just horrible,” Hooks said. “We knew it. The public knew it.” The city’s drought plan was confusing and had to be modified as the drought wore on, Hooks said. The city was able to make some simple changes last year to help people adhere to the rules as well as find time to water their lawns. But now the city is attempting to further simplify and streamline the drought contingency plan to make it easier on residents to conserve

Police Man found hanged »» LA MARQUE Two boys cutting through an empty lot late Saturday found the body of man who apparently hanged himself in a nearby building, La

galvnews »» Go to galvnews. com to see the entire proposed drought contingency plan

in a city with a limited daily amount of water. A draft of a new drought contingency plan goes before city council Tuesday and is available for public comment on the city’s website. Probably the most notable change will be that it takes the plan from five stages to three straightforward drought stages: first a mild voluntary stage followed by a severe and mandatory conservation stage and finally an emergency stage. If the city goes to the second, mandatory, stage homeowners still will have the ability to do things such as water their lawns, fill pools or even water their foundations as long as they do so during the approved times, Hooks said. Irrigation with hoseend sprinklers and automatic systems will be allowed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and designated watering days. Even

Marque police said. There were no signs of foul play and it appeared the man had been dead for several days, officials said. The gruesome discovery was made at about 11:30 p.m. in the 2600 block of Main Street, about a block west of Interstate 45, Det. Chad

numbered addresses get Mondays and Thursdays while odd numbered addresses get Tuesdays and Fridays, Hooks said. Homeowners can water their foundations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on designated watering days, he said. Wednesday is kept open to allow variances, and the city has set up a web page where residents can easily request one, Hooks said. Residents also will be able to wash their cars on designated days as long as they use a handheld bucket and handheld hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Pools can be filled on designated days from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., the plan states. Foundations can be watered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on designated days with a few restrictions, Hooks said. The purpose of the designated water times is to ease the pressure on the city’s water system during times of peak demand: when residents are getting up to go to work and when they are getting back, Hooks said. And while the plan attempts to make things easier on residents it

also gives the city a greater ability to enforce the rules on some of the largest water users: homeowners associations. Associations filling lakes and irrigating landscaped areas is what hurt the city the most during last year’s drought, Hooks said. “Aunt Betty Lou wanting to go water her flowers is not as devastating as you think,” he said. But when one of the large systems that associations use to water their green spaces starts up it can really be a drag on the city’s water system, he said. The new plan defines these green spaces and amenity lakes and gives associations time at night — off peak hours — to water them, Hooks said. The plan also lowered the minimum fine to $100 with a maximum of $2,000 while the reconnection fees were increased from $20 to $150. “It’s still not the perfect plan,” Hooks said. But it is better than before, he said. And it will be improved with time as the city is able to acquire more water and its water system is upgraded, he said.

Waggoner said. The boys were able to see the unidentified man’s body through an open door to the building, police said. After finding the man’s body the boys ran to a nearby convenience store/truck stop where one of the truck

drivers, after seeing the body for himself, made the call to police. Police were waiting for an autopsy to confirm that the death of the man, believed to be in his late 50s, was a suicide by hanging, Waggoner said. T.J. Auld

County A4 | Sunday, March 4, 2012 | Contact

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

MONDAY » CMS Media Arts Academy: What does it mean for students?

A golden anniversary League City celebrates 50 years with chili and plenty of cake By CHRISTOPHER SMITH GONZALEZ The Daily News »» LEAGUE CITY League City celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday with a party and chili cook-off, but there still are more events to come. The party at League Park was open to all city residents and featured games, food and music. Coming up March 10 is the 50th anniversary gala at South Shore Harbour Resort. Past mayors and council members all have been invited to attend. Aside from some fun and games, the gaSee anniversary | A8 TOP: Residents line up for cupcakes during the city of League City’s 50th birthday party Saturday at League Park. RIGHT: Mayor Tim Paulissen blows out the candle on a cupcake with help from Mary Proudy. BOTTOM LEFT: Winter Clark, 6, races a sailboat in the Cub Scout booth. BOTTOM RIGHT: Reese Salazar, 5, gets her face painted.

Photos by KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News

League City’s 50th anniversary a year-long celebration

he celebration of the 50th anniversary of the city of League City has begun. If you missed the birthday celebration Saturday at League Park you can join in the excitement at theupcoming gala this March 10. The diversity of our city’s history dictates the need for a yearlong celebration. For example, the month of February was dedicated to the founders of our town.Families like the Butlers and Leagues set the foundation for our city. The month of March will be used to highlight information on members of our first city council, as well as the members of the first charter committee. The month of April will be used to highlight

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. the farmers of our city. The significance of the Italian farmers to our city cannot be understated. While typical range lands usually generated $25 per acre, the farmers were able to produce up to $500 per acre off that same land.With the railroad going right through downtown,

League City became the shipping point for all the local areas. The month of May will highlight the different civic groups and their contributions to our city. The month of June will highlight our merchants as well as the third significant development in League City history — NASA. In July, we will look back at how our city has celebrated the holidays and special occasions during the last hundred years. August will be devoted to telling the story of the schools and the historical transition from that one-room school house to one of the largest and highly rated consolidated independent school districts in the state. September will re-

count the history and effect Mother Nature has had on our city and how our community works together to help one another and rebuild our itself. The month of October will be devoted to the volunteers who have made our city what it is today. The month of November will highlight the people who were born in League City and have stayed in League City as well as highlighting the dedication of our city employees. All during the year, we will be asking for input from the residents of League City as to where they believe League City will be in 50 years. In the month of December, we will highlight those thoughts, comments, projections and even prophecies.

In December, the city will bury a time capsule that will be opened in 2037. You can be part of that history for future generations to see by placing your name in your family name in a book that will become part of the time capsule. Tickets for League City’s Golden Anniversary Gala are available at www.leaguecityevents. com, GCPA.2011@ yahoo.com or call 832771-7661. The celebration of the 50th anniversary of League City is a celebration of all the people of our city. Every person who has come through League City has contributed a thread in one way or another weaving the fabric that makes League City. Comments, projections and even prophecies.

In December the city will bury a time capsule that will be opened in 2037. You can be part of that history for future generations to see by placing your name in your family name in a book that will become part of the time capsule. Tickets for League City’s Golden Anniversary Gala are available at www.leaguecityevents. com, GCPA.2011@ yahoo.com or call 832771-7661. The celebration of the 50th anniversary of League City is a celebration of all the people of our city. Every person who has come through League City has contributed a thread in one way or another by weaving the fabric that makes League City.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

galveston county, texas

The Daily News

Commentary

Gulf Breeze supports the plan Editor is wrong about housing

Guest column Jan Moriarity is the president of the Gulf Breeze Resident Council. Gulf Breeze, 1211 Moody, contains 199 apartments and is operated by Galveston Housing Authority.

ow-income families need clean, well-maintained affordable housing instead of the cache of dilapidated rental units that currently monopolize the housing market. These units often are offered by greedy slumlords who do not maintain their properties and contribute to the city’s history of blight. Equitable, affordable housing is needed by the disadvantaged in order to achieve and maintain success. Sustainable housing is crucial to the disadvantaged in order to compete with their peers in areas of education and employment. For those opposed to the idea of equality, “being ignorant is not such a shame as being unwilling to learn.” Continue to refer to us, if you will, as if we were redheaded stepchildren, and we will put on our best game face and continue to declare peacefully we are worthy of the same amenities you are. We are opposed to

The residents of Gulf Breeze agree with Mayor Joe Jaworski’s plan for mixed-income scattered site housing. KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News file photo

separate-but-equal housing developments for low income families. You cannot and will not regulate us to the slums merely because we are poor. We are good people of good moral fiber. We just do not have the same advantages as some of our neighbors. Why does that make us undesirable, unloved or disrespected? The separate-butequal doctrine didn’t work for education, it didn’t work for transportation and it won’t work for public housing. This is not 1938, it’s not 1964 — it is the year 2012. We would think by now, folks would have learned the separation of classes does not

work within education, transportation or public housing. If you are afraid someone you deem undesirable might move in next door to you, our advice to you would be to move to the mainland because we are opposed to being moved there. We concur with Mayor Joe Jaworski’s mixedincome plan utilizing the scattered sites. We feel that Councilman Rusty Legg should be able to contribute to the housing voucher program through his affiliation with Charna Graber Real Estate. Furthermore, we, the residents of the Gulf Breeze Housing Development, support the proposed plan wholeheartedly.

egarding Heber Taylor’s editorial, “Where should these folks live? (The Daily News, Feb. 29): What’s fundamentally wrong with his argument is the assumption that without taxcredits we won’t have low-income workers. Taylor, like everyone on the makeMcCormack-BaronSalazar-richer side of the argument, strains to link the expenditure of $200 million to support for minimum-wage workers. It’s a lie — a red herring. It’s the furtherance of a criminal enterprise, sponsored by Congress — all of it, both Democrat and Republican. Money trumps party affiliation, and this debate is about money. If you want an argument for public housing, just ask me. I can make a better one than Taylor, Mayor Joe Jaworski or councilwoman Betty Massey has yet managed to make in all this time because they aren’t arguing for the working poor. They’re arguing for money. Tax-credits for MBS are just a payoff, and Galveston Housing Authority is the bag man. Their proposed public housing scheme is neither good for the poor nor good for Galveston, and they know it. It’s not even good for MBS unless it gets an upfront incentive

Guest column David Collins lives in Galveston

— tax credits it can sell for cash-in-hand. A better use of the money would be to just pay the rent. That’s what choice vouchers do. But if you do that, MBS won’t get rich. It won’t suck off the millions dedicated to overbuilding, maintenance and “management fees.” And worse, underlying it all is the wholesale repudiation of the American dream and the concept of supply and demand. This is where the sociology of the ’60s has been hijacked by the 1 percent. If you think welfare is about transferring money to the poor, you haven’t been paying attention. Unskilled jobs pay a low wage. Should that force people to have to move to find better work? No, say Taylor and his ideological friends. If employers refuse to pay a livable wage, betterpaid workers should be taxed to make up the difference. But what if the answer

is yes? What if, instead of subsidizing University of Texas Medical Branch’s wage structure, Galveston Housing Authority gave away bus tickets and helped find a better job in Houston? What if, instead of paying poor people to stay here so they can hang on to their deadend service jobs, we put them on the road to an improved life. How would the economy react? For a short time, the dishes would get washed by the manager, the grass would grow and the floors at John Sealy would get dingy. But pretty soon, reality would set in, employers would offer better wages, people would stay in town, the rent would get paid and yes, you and I and the tourists would pay another dollar for a burger. But that’s the real world, not some idealized notion of parity — from each according to his tax bracket — to each according to the housing authority. Short-circuiting the economics of supply and demand has two outcomes. It traps poor people in poverty and it needlessly transfers millions of tax dollars to the poverty industry. I’m a responsible, taxpaying citizen and I don’t want to be party to either of those things.

BULLETIN BOARD

A6 | Sunday, March 4, 2012 | Contact

Angela Taylor, angela.taylor@galvnews.com

Today

Best Shot

»» The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 880 Ladies Auxiliary will be selling hamburgers from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. today at 1014 24th St. in Galveston. There also will be a raffle at 3 p.m. Call 409-763-9866.

Do you have a good photo of a public event or something that captures the lifestyle of Galveston County? Send us your best shot for possible publication in The Daily News. Include a brief description about the photo. We need to know what’s happening in the shot, where and when, and the first and last names of everyone in the photo. Email photos to bestshot@galvnews. com with the subject line “Best Shot.”

»» The Bayshore VFW Post No. 8566 will have bingo at 2 p.m. Sundays with doors opening at noon at 1401 FM 646 in Bacliff. Cards go on sale at 1 p.m. Early bird bingo will be at 1:45 p.m. You do not have to be a member to play. Call 281-339-1651, or Duke Bright, 281-9611499, or Danny Bell, 409457-6590. »» 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. »» The Mainland Jaguars Track Club will have summer track registration for children ages 6-18 at 4 p.m. Sundays and 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at the La Marque High School track field; and at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Dickinson High School track field Sunday through May 31. For information, call 409-682-5531, 713-240-2411 or email mainlandjaguars@yahoo. com.

»» Assistance League of the Bay Area is accepting donations for Operation Cinderella, a program that provides high school seniors in need of everything necessary for a positive prom experience, from formal dresses to tuxedo rentals. The chapter is in need of new or gently used formal dresses and women’s dress shoes. Tuxedos also are needed. Donations can be dropped off at the Bay Area Resale Shop, 100 E. NASA Parkway, Suite 80, in Webster. Donations also can be mailed to P.O. Box 591131, Houston, TX 77259-1131. For information, call 281554-2594 or visit www. bayarea.assistanceleague. org.

UPCOMING »» The Clear Lake Basket Weavers Guild will have a beginning basket weaving workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 18 at the University of HoustonClear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., in Clear Lake. The cost is $25 per person. Visit www.clbwg.org. Attendees must RSVP by Monday. Call Mary Brown, 936-273-1242; Stewart McGowan, 281-242-5677;

submit news » Email announcements to bulletinboard@ galvnews.com

Rachel Penn gets an elevated view thanks to friend Brook Dixon as the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade passes by Feb. 18 on The Strand during Mardi Gras in Galveston. KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News

Submit news The Daily News welcomes Bulletin Board announcements of up to 50 words in length about noncommercial events of public interest. Just include the key elements: what, when (a time and a date), where (with a speor Gale Broom, 281-5577572. »» The city of Texas City’s Department of Recreation and Tourism is accepting entries for its annual St. Patrick’s Day and Texas City Little League Parade, which will be at 10 a.m. March 17 traveling north on 21st Street and ending at Godard Park Baseball Field. »» If you or your organization would like to participate, contact Monica James, mjames@texascity-tx.org or 409-6435990. »» Skinner Pasta is celebrating their 100th anniversary with a 100 Years of Mealtime Memories Essay contest that provides entrants a chance to win $10,000 to help them continue the tradition of creating mouthwatering mealtime traditions. Visit www.skinnerpasta. com through May 14, and share an original story of a favorite mealtime memory with Skinner Pasta in 250 words or less. One essay will be awarded the $10,000 Grand Prize and four first-prize winners will receive $1,000.

cific address) and contact information. Nonprofit and charitable organizations can email items to bulletin board@galvnews.com. The Daily News will run special events, as space is available, twice: once in advance of the event and once on the day of the

event. Weekly scheduled meetings will not run in advance. Organizations seeking more frequent listings can do so as a paid featured listing. They can select the dates of their choosing. The cost of that service is $20 per date.

»» AARP Tax-Aide will offer free tax help for lowand moderate-income persons of all ages from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through April 16 in the Fox Room of Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Ave., in Galveston. For what items to take, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide or call 888-227-7669.

Hamburger deliveries will be available to businesses Friday (must call in orders by Wednesday). Donations of clean, usable items are being accepted at the church. Call 409-925-2552.

»» The Galveston County Democrats Club will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Live Oak Missionary Baptist Church, 1020 32nd St., in Galveston. David Mitchell, from The Jesse Tree, will be the guest speaker. Updates on the upcoming primary election also will be provided. The executive committee will meet at 6:15 p.m. Call 409-763-6866. »» Aldersgate United Methodist Church will have its annual garage and plant sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 13217 FM 1764 in Santa Fe. Hamburgers also will be sold from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

»» The Galveston Stonewall Democrats will have Sean Hubbard, candidate for U.S. Senate, as its special guest from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Market Street Lofts, 2318 Market St., No. 3, in Galveston. The public is welcome. »» The Galveston County Republican Party will have its 2012 Lincoln Dinner Fundraiser at 6 p.m. Friday at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, 2500 South Shore Blvd., in League City. State Sen. Dan Patrick will be the keynote speaker. For information, visit www. galvestoncountygop.org, contact Penny Ignazio, 832-704-6972, or party headquarters, 281-5548888. »» The 24th annual Galveston Home and Garden Show will be

Saturday and Sunday at the Galveston Island Convention Center, 5600 Seawall Blvd., in Galveston. Randy Lemmon, host of GardenLine, KTRH 740 AM, will be the special guest and broadcast live from the show Saturday. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-14 and children ages 5 and younger are admitted free. Parking will be free. Tickets also will be sold at the door. Advance tickets will be available at Kroger beginning in February. Visit www.galveston.com/ homeandgardenshow or call 409-762-3930. »» Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston County will have a used book sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 502 Church St. in Galveston. Visit www.uugalveston. org or call 409-765-8330. »» The Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department will have its 42nd annual Oyster Supper at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fire Station, 1806 Loop 108, in Port Bolivar. Attendees are asked to give a $15 donation. For information, call Malcolm Comeaux, 409-539-9140. »» The Eklektix Theatre Co. will have auditions for “Spring Awakening” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 11 at the Bay Area Theatre and Voice Academy, 400 Hobbs Road, Suite 202, in League City. Participants must prepare 16 bars of both a ballad and an upbeat song from a Rock musical or similar genre. All potential actors must look like high school students and must be at least 18 years old. Anyone younger than 18 will need parental consent. For information, contact Bryan-Keyth Wilson, ekleltixtheatreco@ gmail.com or 832-5610194. To book audition appointments, visit http:// eklektix-theatre-company. genbook.com.

Passing Parade HAPPY BIRTHDAY George Milina Jr., Tasha J. Edwards, Linda Anzaldua Donato, Angelica Jimenez, Dorothy Jean Jackson, Martha and Christine LaFoy, Renay Faust, Andre Castille Jr., Delores Edwards, Dominique Brooks, Ella Mae Tucker and Raymond Lopez Jr.

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 »» 5 p.m.: Texas City Planning Board, city hall, 1801 Ninth Ave. N., 409-643-5925. »» 6 p.m.: City of Jamaica Beach City Council, city hall, 16628 San Luis Pass Road, 409737-1142. »» 6 p.m.: La Marque City Council, council chambers, 1109-B Bayou Road, 409-9389202. »» 6 p.m.: City of League City Planning & Zoning Commission, council chambers, 200 W. Walker St., 281-5541081. »» 6:30 p.m.: City of League City Industrial Development Board, Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, 400 W. Walker St., 281-554-1030 »» 7 p.m.: Friendswood City Council, council chambers, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, 281-996-3270.

Tuesday

»» 9:30 a.m.: Galveston County Commissioners Court, 722 Moody, in Galveston, 409-7662249. »» 5:15 p.m.: Texas City Zoning Commission, city hall annex, 928 Fifth Ave. N., 409-6435925. »» 7 p.m.: Clear Lake Shores City Council, Club House, 931 Cedar, 281-334-2799. »» 7 p.m.: Santa Fe Planning and Zoning workshop, city hall, 12002 state Highway 6, 409-925-6412. »» 7 p.m.: Village of Tiki Island Council, Public Safety Building, 747 Tiki Drive, 409-9351427.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

center Continued from Page A1

their behavior. Events during those 25 days in January also raise questions about oversight in a federal program that imports illegal immigrants into communities like Galveston, serves them for a time, and then, apparently, just dumps them onto an underfunded local social-services network. Simmering conflict The violence and suspicion accompanying George has fractured a tightknit community of social workers and made public a conflict among staff members, board members and donors that, by some accounts, threatens to topple The Children’s Center, a private notfor-profit agency with roots back to 1878. Conflict already was simmering before Jan. 18 when George was alleged to have been in a room at a Children’s Center homeless shelter with a 15-year-old girl. Staff members left the organization over what they called bad management. Others said they were cut under the pretext of layoffs for complaining about the same, according to interviews with a half dozen former employees, most of whom declined to be named. Meanwhile, the center’s board of directors had for months been divided about how to manage a disagreement with the federal government over $630,000 in grant money, according to emails obtained by The Daily News. While the claims and allegations swirling around the organization are many and varied, they mostly radiate from the federal program that brought George to Galveston in the first place. Unaccompanied children The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement exists to deal with asylum seekers, the “Amerasian” offspring of U.S. servicemen and Vietnamese women, and the victims of human trafficking and torture. Among the programs funded by its $600 million annual budget is one for unaccompanied alien children — illegal immigrants with no parent or legal guardian available in the United States. Sometimes, the children are caught simply trying to cross the borders illegally. Other times, they’re caught up in raids on illegal workers or sex-trade operations, according to both local social workers and federal officials. The program gives the children a better place to live than a federal detention center until they are united with relatives or sponsors in this country or removed to their country of origin, according to the resettlement office’s mission statement. There’s a third possibility, however, and therein lies the trouble. Galveston Multicultural Institute George was among 24 children, mostly boys,

The (Children’s Center Inc.) may have been trying to do a good thing by taking this on, but it didn’t have to, and it shouldn’t have. Elizabeth Kinard | 23-year social worker mostly from Central and South America, who came to Galveston via a Children’s Center program called the Galveston Multicultural Institute. The program is funded through a fiveyear grant from the resettlement office worth about $3 million a year to the center, according to audit documents. The program is meant to provide the children food, shelter, clothing, health care and education until they become legal, are deported or turn 18 years old. Not even the center’s harshest critics have questioned the need for, or the administration of, the center’s program for unaccompanied minors. But many people said problems have arisen around immigrants brought to Galveston as minors who then became 18 and “aged out” of the federal program. ‘Aging out’ No one in the federal government seems to know, or wants to talk about, what’s supposed to happen when immigrants held in the unaccompanied minor program turn 18. Maureen Dunn, director of Unaccompanied Children’s Services for the resettlement office, said her division had no jurisdiction over adults. She said to ask U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which said to ask U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which said to ask Immigration and Customs Enforcement. What’s clear is that 10 of the 24 children who came to Galveston because of the program and have aged out and are still in the city. Greg Palmore, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said three of the young men living in Galveston, whose names were gleaned from po-

Young adult immigrants came to be living in a Galveston homeless shelter because the Office of Refugee Resettlement asked for that to happen, said James T. Keel, the Children Center’s president and CEO. In 2006, the resettlement office asked the Children’s Center to take in an Ethiopian girl who was about to age out of the program for unaccompanied children, Keel said. The girl, a Christian, faced religious persecution if she were deported, Keel said. All involved also thought sending her to an adult detention center while her residency petition was adjudicated would be unfair, he said. And so, she lived in Galveston under the auspices of the center’s Transitional Living Program until she was united with relatives in Colorado, Keel said. Since then, immigration judges have allowed 10 immigrants to age out the children’s program and into the center’s Transitional Living Program instead of a federal detention center, Keel said. “That was allowed because their cases were meritorious and they posed no threat,” Keel said. Galveston is the only place in the United States where that practice occurs, according to children’s center documents. Funds stop at 18 While the resettlement office’s best wishes might accompany the immigrants into adulthood, the federal money stops when they turn 18, as does any federal oversight. There is no dedicated funding for the adults, Keel said. Services are paid for with the center’s funds just like many services for the homeless are, Keel said.

It could be that they’re in nobody’s custody. Greg Palmore | Spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement lice reports listing them as victims, were subjects of immigration proceedings, and so, were in the country legally. But even Palmore could not say what federal agency had custody of the young men or who was supposed to feed, shelter and clothe them. “It could be that they’re in nobody’s custody,” he said. He speculated that perhaps the 10 in Galveston had become wards of the state of Texas or maybe came under jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice. Meritorious and not a threat The federal confusion might stem from the fact that practices in Galveston are even more obscure than those of the program at large.

“We paid for it through our fundraising,” he said. The Transitional Living Program had no place to house the 10 adult immigrants, so they moved into the second floor of the Family Crisis Center, a shelter for homeless people with children on Avenue M in Galveston run by the Children’s Center. That turned out to be a mistake, said Elizabeth Kinard, who ran the transitional program until December 2010 when she left in a disagreement about the 10 who had aged out of the federal program. Kinard said she thought the center could have developed a successful program for the young adult immigrants had it had enough money for staff and facilities. But it didn’t have that money, she said.

Some of the young adults in the program had experienced crime and violence in their home countries and been used for sex or smuggling or both on their journeys to this country, she said. Some had become tough, street-smart, cynical, opportunistic and predatory. “It needed to be a highly structured program,” Kinard, a 23year social worker, said. “These children need a lot of structure, a lot of therapy, a lot of everything, and there was no money for that age group.” Kinard said she argued in a letter to the center’s board that the best thing was to shut down the program and let the federal government take the 10 into adult detention. “The center may have been trying to do a good thing by taking this on, but it didn’t have to, and it shouldn’t have,” she said. Kinard said she was laid off after that letter. Police reports Keel and other center officials said the program was working. Some of the immigrants in the transitional program are going to school; some are taking GED courses; many are doing volunteer work and doing chores around the center and all are having to abide by such rules as an 11 p.m. curfew, they said. But the public record adds other details to that story. A little after 1 a.m. New Year’s Eve, for example, George and another 18-year-old man from among the 10 went to Menard Park in a purple Hyundai, according to police reports. A little later, a patrol officer in the 1200 block of 26th Street heard about six gunshots coming from the park and saw the Hyundai limping toward him on a flat tire, police said. Terry Leon Bernard, 39, of Galveston, was arrested on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the incident. Bernard told police his girlfriend believed her 12-year-old daughter had been having sex with George, according to police reports and other sources. Bernard said he sent a text message from the girl’s cellphone inviting George to the park for sex, sources said. The implication was he planned to at least put fear into George about the alleged relationship with the girl. Bernard remains jailed on charges including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, two felony assault charges and a parole board warrant, according to jail information. In the shelter On Jan. 18, a staff member at the Family Crisis Center said she saw George go into a room followed shortly by a 15-year-old girl who was staying at the shelter with her family, said Tino Gonzalez, the center’s executive vice president. The two were in the room for only a few minutes, Gonzalez said. But the situation was enough to prompt the staff member to call the police, then Gonzalez. George was questioned

The Daily News

about whether he was having sex with the underaged girl, a police report was filed and an investigation is under way, police sources said. No charges had been filed, police said. George was removed from the crisis center building and now is residing in another of the center’s facilities, Gonzalez said. The girl was taken into foster care, and her parents were evicted from the shelter for a rules violation unrelated to the Jan. 18 incident, Gonzalez said. Robbed and shot About 8:30 p.m. Jan. 25, George and a 19-year-old man, who also had aged out of the federal program, were robbed in the 4000 block of Broadway. George was shot in the leg and taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch. Endiah Pines and Akylius Spurlock, both 18, and Deshawn Cockrell, 19, each were charged with aggravated robbery and jailed on $200,000 bonds. Keel and Gonzalez said some of the young men in transitional programs have green cards and can work. George, however, is

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agreed and demanded the money back, according to documents.

Dispute in limbo Keel said none of that money was spent sheltering the 10 who aged out of the federal program. Documents filed on the center’s behalf in an appeal seem to say otherwise. The appeal documents said “some of the funds ... were ultimately used by TCCI following Hurricane Ike to cover expenses related to continued residential services provided through the Transitional Living Program to child immigrants who were older than 17 years of age.” It went on to argue “the expenses for residential services provided to child immigrants who aged past 18 would have been incurred by the federal government ... had they been released by TCCI.” Center officials also argue the money was spent not only as allowed but as required by its contract with the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The matter, like the 10 immigrants, is in lim-

The center does not act in loco parentis, nor can anyone supervise the activity of all persons at all times in any setting other than, perhaps, a jail or prison. Mark Stevens | Attorney representing The Children’s Center Inc. wrote in a letter to The Daily News not allowed to work, according to his pro bono immigration attorney. The Children’s Center feeds those among the 10 who, like George, can’t work, Gonzalez and Keel said. The men rely on Salvation Army vouchers and other charitable programs for the rest of what they need, the two said. No one seems to know how George was able to pay for a cellphone, get access to a car or have anything worth stealing at gunpoint. Treatment for the gunshot wound George received during the robbery was covered by Medicaid, Keel said. Federal money The implication that an adult man had sex with an underage girl in a shelter meant to be a haven for homeless families and funded largely by community contributions caused consternation among many, including some of the organization’s donors. Most won’t speak on the record for fear, they said, of legal action by the center. Even so, they generated a wave of outrage and concern that forced to the surface a disagreement between The Children’s Center and the federal government that threatens the 134-year-old organization’s very existence. Auditors from NullLairson in 2009 ruled the center improperly spent almost $630,000 in federal money earmarked for the unaccompanied alien children program on “unrelated expenses.” The Division of Payment Management of

bo, awaiting a decision about whether the Children’s Center will have to repay the money. “A repayment option is probably the kiss of death for TCCI,” a board member wrote in a June email about the situation.

Housing arrangements Many of the people interviewed for this article said young, single adult men should never have been housed in the same facility as homeless families with children, as still is being done at the Family Crisis Center. They said it was a violation of best practices and was not what donors thought they were funding when they gave money to that shelter. Center officials, however, said the building had long been intended for use as a shelter for both families and young homeless adults. The center used policies, procedures, devices and staff members to monitor the interactions between the two groups, they said. The center acted appropriately when the concern about George and the girl arose, Mark Stevens, an attorney representing the center wrote in a letter to Daily News editors as this story was being reported. The center “... does not act in loco parentis, nor can anyone supervise the activity of all persons at all times in any setting other than, perhaps, a jail or prison,” Stevens wrote. Contact Associate Editor Michael A. Smith at 409683-5206 or michael.smith@ galvnews.com.

The Daily News

anniversary Continued from Page A4

las and the parties are bringing about a sense of community, said Ronnie Richards, president of the League City Historical Society.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

Island dedicates firehouse to Weber From Staff Reports

TOP: The crowd mingles during the city of League City’s 50th birthday party Saturday at League Park. LEFT: Kamryn Russell, 3, rides a Pet on Wheels. Photos by KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News

The anniversary events also have given various groups within the city, from the historical society to the garden club to museums, a chance to come together to plan and promote events that highlight the city’s culture and history

all year, Richards said. Along with the events are the many stories that can be shared about the city’s past. Chris Mallios, who writes guest columns on League City for The Daily News, has been working with the city to collect those stories and hopes of sharing them with residents all year. “What’s important is that we aren’t losing it,” said Mallios, referring to the city’s history. “What better way of getting an accurate accounting of history than hearing it from the people who lived it and did it?” One of those people who lived it is Fey Dudney. She and her late husband, Ned, moved to League City in 1954. Eight years later, Ned Dudney would be one of the original incorporators of the city and would serve on the first city council. “I’m so sorry that he died two years ago and

he couldn’t see this,” Fey Dudney said. “He would have loved this. He loved people.” Dorothy Ludwig also has some deep ties to League City. She is from the Ghirardi family, one of the original 12 Italian families who helped turn the area from a ranching economy to a farming one. It was her grandmother Anna Fillippa who wanted her property sold to her neighbor Angelo Arolfo after she died, Ludwig said. It is on that property the Arolfos built a civic center and now, city hall sits there, she said. Organizers see the anniversary as an opportunity. “It’s a unique thing,” Richards said. “I’m hoping that ultimately this creates a greater spirit of community.” Contact reporter Christopher Smith Gonzalez 409683-5314 or chris.gonzalez@ galvnews.com

»» GALVESTON More than 150 people turned out Saturday morning for the dedication of Galveston Fire Station No. 5 in honor of former fire Chief and city Councilman Danny Weber. The fire department’s newest fire station is the first in the city to be named in honor of someone, fire Chief Jeff Smith said. Weber died last year of pancreatic cancer. He was 62. After a 32-year career with the Galveston Fire Department, including a tenure as chief, Weber turned to politics and served on the Galveston City Council for six years and served one term as mayor pro tem.

On Saturday, the Galveston Fire Station No. 5 was named in honor of the department’s late Chief Danny Weber Sr. Courtesy photo/JUAN PEÑA

A special moment in Saturday’s ceremony came when Weber’s son Danny Lee Weber Jr. addressed the crowd. The younger Weber is a fire captain at the firehouse named in honor of his father.

sports

Section B | Sunday, March 4, 2012 | Contact

NEXT WEEK » The Daily News’ All-County girls and boys basketball teams

Jordan Godwin, jordan.godwin@galvnews.com

POWER

Power players

rankings

Galveston County softball players to watch this season.

Several Galveston County softball teams already are beginning to dip into district play. Here are The Daily News Softball Power Rankings.

Samantha Robles, Jr., P, Texas City Robles hasn’t missed a beat this year, and she’s vital to Texas City’s success. Lexus Walker, Sr., OF, Clear Springs With the bat and the glove, Walker really is sharp for the Lady Chargers. Ciara Sunseri, Jr., P, Santa Fe With fellow ace Micaela Bouvier out with a knee injury, Sunseri’s mound presence is crucial for the defending state champs. Aubri Hockenbury, Jr., INF, Santa Fe Her frame might lead you to think otherwise, but Hockenbury can put some power behind her swing. Lindsay Campbell, Sr., OF, Santa Fe Campbell and Rachel Tassin are the only seniors on the Lady Indians’ roster, and leadership is key to getting back to Austin. Jraniel Andrade, Jr., P, Ball High The Lady Tors’ ace is back and better than before. Marissa Garza, Sr., C, Ball High You can’t get any more Tuffy Tor than Garza. With her bat and leadership, she’s key. Madison Ulmer, So., INF, Clear Falls The numbers don’t lie. Ulmer is hitting .484 through the first 10 games and is one of four Lady Knights hitting above .400. Misty Muniz, Fr., P, Clear Falls Muniz has been virtually unhittable from the mound so far, boasting a 0.95 ERA.

Up in lights

Kaylin Ramber, So., INF, Clear Creek Ramber is one of the sharpest hitters of a slew of talented underclassmen at Clear Creek. Jordan Godwin

Ball High Preseason: 4 The Lady Tors have surprised some early, but with most of their key contributors back from last year’s playoff team, you shouldn’t be shocked.

Clear Creek Preseason: 5 They’re still very young, but the Lady Wildcats are much improved since last season.

Texas City Preseason: 2 With Galveston County’s best pitcher, the Lady Stingarees are serious playoff contenders.

Lady Indians’ title saluted with new scoreboard

KEVIN M. COX/ The Daily News file photo

Clear Falls Preseason: 8 It doesn’t seem to matter the sport, seniorless Clear Falls is going to compete in its first varsity season. Dickinson Preseason: 7 The Lady Gators have had some big wins and some big losses at this early stage of the season.

By JORDAN GODWIN The Daily News »» SANTA FE As you pull into the Santa Fe High School from state Highway 6, you can see a new piece of eye candy emerge in the back of the campus. The brand new, state-of-the-art scoreboard at the softball field is a $36,000 reward for the Lady Indians’ 2011 Class 4A state championship and an investment in the future of the program. But how, in these strained economic times of state budget cuts, could the Santa Fe athletic department afford a $36,000 fully functional trophy? Simply put, it couldn’t. “We didn’t even have the funds for the $14,000 scoreboard,” Santa Fe girls athletic coordinator Anna Marie Milligan said. “We just couldn’t justify it when we were asking every other program to take significant cuts.”

The new $34,000 scoreboard at Santa Fe High School was funded by donations from Sonic, BP and Amoco Federal Credit Union. Lady Indians Ciara Sunseri, top, and Lindsay Campbell, right, are two of the team’s standout players hoping to lead the squad to consecutive Class 4A state championships.

5. 6.

Lanie Robinson, Sr., INF, O’Connell Robinson already has two state championships, and she’d like a third in her final year. Lauren Massar, Sr., P, Friendswood From the mound or from the batter’s box, when Massar plays well, Friendswood wins games.

Santa Fe Preseason: 1 Despite a slightly sluggish start by their own standards, the reigning state champions are hungry for more.

See scoreboard | B2

Friendswood Preseason: 3 If you want to know heartbreak, take a look at a scattering of Friendswood’s first few games — but the Lady Mustangs will improve.

Clear Springs Preseason: 6 The Lady Chargers have a few bona fide stars, but depth and pitching could be an issue.

O’Connell Preseason: 9 Another state championship, anyone? Don’t bet against the Lady Bucs to go all the way once again.

10.

At a glance

KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News file photo

WHAT: Lady Indians’ scoreboard dedication WHEN: 6 p.m. Monday WHERE: Santa Fe High School softball field, 16000 state Highway 6

La Marque Preseason: 10 The main thing the Lady Cougars can do at this point is compete and improve, day in and day out.

Jordan Godwin

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

o, you’re in the gym five times a week, but what are you really doing for your overall fitness? This might sound ridiculous, but it’s a point we need to go over. I’ve seen far too many peo-

ple getting basically no results. Many of these same hardworking folks get frustrated, and then they’re gone, never to return. That, my friend, is a darn pity. Don’t be one of those, please. Being simplistic,

let’s look at three basic points to, I hope, keep you in the gym. First, I want you all to realistically define what you want to change about the way you look. I get a chill up my back when I hear, “I want to

lose 20 pounds in four weeks.” I admire your desire, but I have to tell you this sets you up for failure more often than not. Twenty pounds can

See Getting Fit | B2

The Daily News

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Galveston County, Texas

Sports NCAA Men’s roundup

Illinois State 65, No. 15 Wichita State 64 »» ST. LOUIS Tyler Brown scored 25 points, including two free throws with 6.4 seconds left, and Illinois State (20-12) advanced to the final of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. Joe Ragland had 17 points for Wichita State (27-5).

No. 2 Syracuse 58, No. 19 Louisville 49 »» SYRACUSE, N.Y. Brandon Triche scored 18 points, and Kris Joseph added 11 as Syracuse (301, 17-1) beat Louisville on Saturday. Chane Behanan and Russ Smith led Louisville (22-9, 10-8) with 10 points apiece. No. 3 Kansas 73, Texas 63 »» LAWRENCE, Kan. Thomas Robinson had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Tyshawn Taylor added 22 points as Kansas (26-5, 16-2) rolled past Texas. J’Covan Brown scored 29 of his 33 points in the second half for Texas (1912, 9-9). No. 6 UNC, No. 4 Duke 70 »» DURHAM, N.C. Kendall Marshall had 20 points and 10 assists, and North Carolina (27-4, 14-2) beat Duke to win the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title. Miles Plumlee had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Blue Devils (26-5, 13-3). No. 7 Missouri 81, Texas Tech 59 »» LUBBOCK Kim English scored 20 points and Marcus Denman added 17 as Missouri (27-4, 14-3) beat Texas Tech.

Getting Fit Continued from Page B1

be lost in four weeks, but the safety risk factor involved is high. You didn’t gain those 20 pounds overnight, right? The American Medical Associations says 1 to 2 pounds weight loss per week with moderate exercise is safe. I bet it knows what it’s talking about. Now, lets talk about working to gain muscle and lose weight. Doing high reps at lighter weight keeps your heart rate up, munching out that stored body fat as fuel. The bad news is

No. 21 San Diego State 98, TCU 92, OT »» FORT WORTH Jamaal Franklin scored a career-high 35 points, including the go-ahead three-point play in overtime, and San Diego State (24-6, 10-4) claimed a share of the Mountain West Conference title. Hank Thorns scored 25 points for TCU (17-13, 7-7). Kansas center Jeff Withey, right, blocks a shot by Texas’ Myck Kabongo during the second half Saturday in Lawrence, Kan. AP PHOTO/Elisabeth Dillon, The Daily Texan Jaye Crockett scored 17 points for the Red Raiders (8-22, 1-17).

No. 8 Marquette 83, No. 11 Georgetown 69 »» MILWAUKEE Jae Crowder had 26 points and 14 rebounds as Marquette (25-6, 14-4) beat Georgetown and clinch the No. 2 seed in the Big East tournament. Otto Porter and Hollis Thompson each scored 19 points for the Hoyas (22-7, 12-6). Iowa State 80, No. 9 Baylor 72 »» AMES, Iowa Scott Christopherson

it’s very difficult to lose weight and gain muscle at the same time. Lifting heavy weight at low reps, about four to six, generally is considered muscle-building territory. Right now, my clients are saying, “Hey, I get both of those in each workout.” Yes you do. I want muscle on all of you, as that burns fat 24/7 and adds to bone density. Here’s another tip — you have to get to the gym. I know so many of you are working far too many hours and don’t have the energy for that noon or 6 p.m. workout. I understand you have obligations, but what

had 23 points as Iowa State (22-9, 12-6) rallied to beat Baylor. Pierre Jackson had a career night with 35 points for the Bears (25-6, 12-6).

No. 12 Murray State 54, Tennessee State 52 »» NASHVILLE, Tenn. Jewuan Long drove the baseline for a layup with 4.4 seconds left, and Murray State (30-1) rallied from seven points down in the final 5:28 to beat Tennessee State for the Ohio Valley Conference tournament title. Robert Covington led Tennessee State (20-12) with 14 points.

about taking time for you? Be a bit selfish for you and your fitness. Your heart will thank you and you’ll feel better after a great night’s sleep from that butt-kicking workout earlier. It never hurts to receive a nice compliment about how good you look does it? My last point is to be patient. Nothing of real consequence in fitness comes easy. Build your workouts on strong foundations with good form. Stop jerking on

No. 23 Temple 80, Fordham 60 »» NEW YORK Juan Fernandez scored 19 points as Temple (24-6, 13-3) beat Fordham to win the Atlantic 10 regularseason title. Chris Gaston had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Rams (10-19, 3-13). No. 25 Creighton 99, Evansville 71 »» ST. LOUIS Gregory Echenique had 20 points and nine rebounds in just 20 minutes as Creighton (27-5) beat Evansville in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament semifinals. Kenny Harris scored 17 for Evansville (16-15). The Associated Press

the weights. Pull the bars down smoothly and stay in control of both the push and the pull. Control your lifts for maximum benefit. Take movements to full extension for that amazing stretch you deserve. In closing, I think the most important thing I can tell you is stay with your training. I honestly believe there’s not anything better you can do that pays nearly as many long-term rewards.

scoreboard Continued from Page B1

So, the “ultimate fundraiser,” as Santa Fe athletic director Jay Buckner has grown to call Milligan, made a few phone calls. First, she called Santa Fe Sonic franchise owner Bobby Brown, a longtime friend whose wife played on Milligan’s volleyball team at Santa Fe 35 years ago. “He’s always been very generous to our program, and Sonic has become such a huge part of this community, so I started with him,” Milligan said. Once she had wrapped up Brown’s pledge and commitment to rewarding the softball program, she consulted SFISD board member Rusty Norman, who provided her with two phone numbers that turned out to be big hits — one for BP and the other for Amoco Federal Credit Union. The two companies combined with Sonic to split the cost three ways — a $12,000 commitment from each. “The taxpayers didn’t pay a cent,” Milligan said. “And because of the generosity of those three, we’ll be forever grateful.” Milligan received four designs from

Spectrum Scoreboards. Along with softball coach Trish Leidy, who originally proposed the idea of a scoreboard upgrade, the two picked the winner, which was finished in January, just before the start of the softball season. The school will host a ceremonial presentation for the scoreboard immediately before Monday’s softball game against La Marque at 6 p.m. “State championship, history and dedication — it was an easy sell,” Milligan said. Santa Fe’s roster is loaded with righthanded power hitters that threaten the life expectancy of the scoreboard. Although it’s at least 10 feet behind the left-center fence, don’t be surprised if sluggers like juniors Aubri Hockenbury, Ciara Sunseri or senior Lindsay Campbell clank a few off the modern marvel. “We wouldn’t mind paying for a few bulbs if it means our girls hit the home runs,” Buckner said with a grin. “But if the other team does it, they might be getting a bill.” Contact Sports Editor Jordan Godwin at 409-6835242 or jordan.godwin@ galvnews.com.

galveston county, texas

Scoreboard Auto racing NASCAR Nationwide-Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 Results

Saturday At Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Ariz. Lap length: 1 miles 1. (8) Elliott Sadler, Chevrolet, 200 laps, 120.4 rating, 47 points, $71,043. 2. (7) Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 200, 119.9, 0, $47,150. 3. (2) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 200, 114.3, 41, $49,518. 4. (9) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 200, 106, 40, $34,818. 5. (12) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 200, 140.2, 0, $24,600. 6. (6) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, 200, 98.5, 38, $25,568. 7. (5) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 200, 103, 38, $25,203. 8. (10) Joey Logano, Toyota, 200, 101.3, 0, $16,745. 9. (1) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 200, 117.5, 0, $19,025. 10. (21) Michael Annett, Ford, 200, 86, 34, $22,318. 11. (14) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 200, 91, 0, $13,875. 12. (25) James Buescher, Chevrolet, 200, 82.7, 0, $19,743. 13. (17) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 200, 88.1, 31, $19,168. 14. (11) Brian Scott, Toyota, 200, 85.2, 30, $21,393. 15. (13) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 200, 89.9, 29, $19,118. 16. (19) Mike Bliss, Toyota, 200, 77.7, 28, $12,275. 17. (22) Casey Roderick, Ford, 200, 72.8, 27, $11,675. 18. (4) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 198, 97.7, 0, $11,475. 19. (18) Jason Bowles, Dodge, 197, 71.7, 25, $17,968. 20. (24) Tayler Malsam, Toyota, 197, 64.9, 24, $18,293. 21. (30) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 197, 62.1, 23, $17,518. 22. (28) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 197, 65.2, 22, $17,393. 23. (32) Jamie Dick, Chevrolet, 196, 58.7, 21, $17,268. 24. (15) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, throttle linkage, 195, 68, 20, $17,193. 25. (31) Joey Gase, Ford, 195, 51.5, 19, $17,543. 26. (36) Erik Darnell, Chevrolet, 194, 61.9, 18, $10,500. 27. (39) Benny Gordon, Chevrolet, 194, 47.6, 17, $10,400. 28. (37) Eric McClure, Toyota, 193, 47.1, 16, $16,793. 29. (41) T.J. Bell, Chevrolet, 189, 43.4, 15, $16,743. 30. (38) Tim Schendel, Chevrolet, 189, 37.2, 14, $10,525. 31. (34) Blake Koch, Ford, 166, 49.4, 13, $16,638. 32. (23) Mike Wallace, Chevrolet, wheel bearing, 162, 50.6, 12, $16,578. 33. (40) Daryl Harr, Chevrolet, 149, 40.7, 11, $16,543. 34. (42) Charles Lewandoski, Chevrolet, brakes, 115, 33.2, 10, $16,508. 35. (35) David Green, Dodge, vibration, 109, 35.1, 9, $16,478. 36. (3) Kenny Wallace, Toyota, accident, 102, 69.6, 8, $16,443. 37. (16) J.J. Yeley, Ford, vibration, 25, 41.4, 0, $9,940. 38. (29) Morgan Shepherd, Chevrolet, fuel pressure, 17, 41.3, 6, $9,886. 39. (43) Mike Harmon, Chevrolet, fly wheel, 8, 34.4, 5, $9,770. 40. (33) Josh Wise, Chevrolet, electrical, 7, 34.1, 0, $9,715. 41. (26) Chase Miller, Chevrolet, electrical, 6, 33, 3, $9,665. 42. (20) Scott Speed, Chevrolet, electrical, 3, 33.4, 0, $9,620. 43. (27) Jeff Green, Toyota, vibration, 3, 31.8, 1, $9,568. Race Statistics Average Speed of Race Winner: 116.317 mph. Time of Race: 1 hour, 43 minutes, 10 seconds. Margin of Victory: 0.259 seconds. Caution Flags: 3 for 15 laps. Lead Changes: 8 among 5 drivers. Lap Leaders: D.Hamlin 1-4; T.Bayne 5-8; D.Hamlin 9-52; K.Harvick 53-105; D.Hamlin 106-110; K.Harvick 111-164; D.Hamlin 165167; B.Keselowski 168-174; E.Sadler 175-200. Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Led, Laps Led): K.Harvick, 2 times for 107 laps; D.Hamlin, 4 times for 56 laps; E.Sadler, 1 time for 26 laps; B.Keselowski, 1 time for 7 laps; T.Bayne, 1 time for 4 laps. Top 10 in Points: 1. E.Sadler, 89; 2.

A.Dillon, 79; 3. T.Bayne, 72; 4. C.Whitt, 71; 5. R.Stenhouse Jr., 66; 6. S.Hornish Jr., 63; 7. T.Malsam, 62; 8. M.Annett, 51; 9. B.Gordon, 49; 10. J.Nemechek, 42.

NASCAR-Sprint Cup-Subway Fresh Fit 500 Lineup Today At Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Ariz. Lap length: 1 miles 1. (55) Mark Martin, Toyota, 136.815. 2. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 136.126. 3. (78) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 135.998. 4. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 135.583. 5. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 135.547. 6. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 135.491. 7. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 135.074. 8. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 135.014. 9. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota, 134.998. 10. (5) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 134.771. 11. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 134.615. 12. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 134.564. 13. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 134.499. 14. (9) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 134.449. 15. (22) A J Allmendinger, Dodge, 134.278. 16. (15) Clint Bowyer, Toyota, 134.268. 17. (47) Bobby Labonte, Toyota, 134.058. 18. (43) Aric Almirola, Ford, 134.048. 19. (51) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 133.939. 20. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 133.814. 21. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 133.764. 22. (83) Landon Cassill, Toyota, 133.665. 23. (36) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet, 133.63. 24. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 133.615. 25. (56) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 133.417. 26. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 132.871. 27. (23) Scott Riggs, Chevrolet, 132.743. 28. (2) Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 132.709. 29. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 132.597. 30. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 132.441. 31. (13) Casey Mears, Ford, 132.251. 32. (10) David Reutimann, Chevrolet, 132.231. 33. (26) Josh Wise, Ford, 132.081. 34. (34) David Ragan, Ford, 132.057. 35. (49) J.J. Yeley, Toyota, 131.685. 36. (38) David Gilliland, Ford, 131.516. 37. (98) Michael McDowell, Ford, 131.502. 38. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 130.596. 39. (7) Robby Gordon, Dodge, 130.364. 40. (33) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 128.824. 41. (93) Travis Kvapil, Toyota, Owner Points. 42. (32) Mike Bliss, Ford, Owner Points. 43. (30) David Stremme, Toyota, 129.092. Failed to Qualify 44. (37) Timmy Hill, Ford, 128.968.

Baseball MLB Spring Training AMERICAN LEAGUE W L Pct Detroit 1 0 1.000 Minnesota 1 0 1.000 New York 1 0 1.000 Toronto 1 0 1.000 Oakland 1 1 .500 Seattle 1 1 .500 Baltimore 0 0 .000 Boston 0 0 .000 Chicago 0 0 .000 Cleveland 0 0 .000 Kansas City 0 0 .000 Los Angeles 0 0 .000 Texas 0 0 .000 Tampa Bay 0 1 .000 NATIONAL LEAGUE W L Pct Arizona 1 0 1.000 Houston 1 0 1.000 Chicago 0 0 .000 Cincinnati 0 0 .000 Colorado 0 0 .000 Los Angeles 0 0 .000 Miami 0 0 .000 Milwaukee 0 0 .000 New York 0 0 .000 San Diego 0 0 .000 St. Louis 0 0 .000 Atlanta 0 1 .000 Philadelphia 0 1 .000 Pittsburgh 0 1 .000 San Francisco 0 1 .000 Washington 0 1 .000 NOTE: Split-squad games count in the standings; games against non-major league teams do not. Saturday’s Games Houston 3, Washington 1 Toronto 7, Pittsburgh 1 Detroit 2, Atlanta 0 Minnesota 7, Tampa Bay 3 N.Y. Yankees 8, Philadelphia 5 Cincinnati 6, Cleveland 6, tie Arizona (ss) 9, San Francisco 6 Oakland 9, Seattle 2 Colorado 1, Arizona (ss) 1, tie, 10 innings Today’s Games Houston vs. Washington at Viera, Fla., 12:05 p.m. Minnesota (ss) vs. Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte,

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sports on TV AUTO RACING NASCAR, Sprint Cup, Subway Fresh Fit 500, at Avondale, Ariz. FOX, 1:30 p.m. CYCLING Paris-Nice, stage 1, Dampierreen-Yvelines to Saint-Remy-lesChevreuse (same-day tape) NBCSN, 2 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour, The Honda Classic, final round, at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. TGC, noon PGA Tour, The Honda Classic, final round, at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. NBC, 2 p.m. MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Kentucky at Florida CBS, 11 a.m. Clemson at Florida St. ESPN2, 11 a.m. Michigan at Penn St. ESPN, noon Missouri Valley Conference, championship game, at St. Louis CBS, 1 p.m. Arizona at Arizona St. FSN, 2:30 p.m. Ohio St. at Michigan St. CBS, 3 p.m. California at Stanford FSN, 4:30 p.m. Fla., 12:05 p.m. Philadelphia vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 12:05 p.m. Toronto vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 12:05 p.m. Atlanta vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla., 12:05 p.m. Minnesota (ss) vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 12:35 p.m. Kansas City vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz., 1:05 p.m. San Francisco (ss) vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix, 2:05 p.m. Oakland vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 2:05 p.m. San Diego vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 2:05 p.m. Cincinnati vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz., 2:05 p.m. San Francisco (ss) vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Ariz., 2:10 p.m.

Astros 3, Nationals 1 At Kissimmee, Fla. Washington 000 010 000—1 8 1 Houston 000 200 10x—3 5 0 E.Jackson, Detwiler (3), Durbin (5), Severino (7), S.Burnett (8) and Flores, J.Solano; L.Hernandez, Weiland (3), B.Myers (5), Abad (6), Lyon (7), W.Wright (8), W.Lopez (9) and J.Castro, Corporan. W—Weiland. L—Detwiler. Sv—W.Lopez. HRs—Houston, C.Johnson (1).

Basketball NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Philadelphia 22 15 .595 — Boston 18 17 .514 3 New York 18 18 .500 31/2 Toronto 11 25 .306 101/2 New Jersey 11 26 .297 11 Southeast Division W L Pct GB Miami 28 8 .778 — Orlando 24 14 .632 5 Atlanta 22 15 .595 61/2 Washington 8 28 .222 20 Charlotte 4 30 .118 23 Central Division W L Pct GB Chicago 30 8 .789 — Indiana 23 12 .657 51/2

MEN’S COLLEGE LACROSSE Syracuse at Virginia ESPN, 3:30 p.m. NBA New York at Boston ABC, noon Miami at L.A. Lakers ABC, 2:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Houston FSN, 6 p.m. Chicago at Philadelphia ESPN, 6 p.m. Denver at San Antonio ESPN, 8:30 p.m. NHL Boston at New York NBC, 11:30 a.m. Philadelphia at Washington NBCSN, 6 p.m. WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Texas A&M at Texas FSN, noon Atlantic Coast Conference, championship game, at Greensboro, N.C. ESPN2, 1 p.m. Big Ten Conference, championship game, at Indianapolis ESPN2, 3 p.m. Southeastern Conference, championship game, at Nashville, Tenn. ESPN2, 5 p.m. Stanford at California FSN, 8 p.m. Milwaukee 14 23 .378 151/2 Cleveland 13 22 .371 151/2 Detroit 12 26 .316 18 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB San Antonio 25 11 .694 — Memphis 22 15 .595 31/2 Dallas 22 16 .579 4 Houston 21 16 .568 41/2 New Orleans 9 28 .243 161/2 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Oklahoma City 29 8 .784 — Denver 20 17 .541 9 Portland 18 18 .500 101/2 Minnesota 18 19 .486 11 Utah 17 19 .472 111/2 Pacific Division W L Pct GB L.A. Clippers 21 13 .618 — L.A. Lakers 22 14 .611 — Phoenix 16 20 .444 6 Golden State 14 19 .424 61/2 Sacramento 12 24 .333 10 Saturday’s Games Atlanta 97, Oklahoma City 90 Orlando 114, Milwaukee 98 Washington 101, Cleveland 98 Indiana 102, New Orleans 84 Memphis 100, Detroit 83 Dallas 102, Utah 96 Minnesota at Portland, (n). Today’s Games New York at Boston, noon Miami at L.A. Lakers, 2:30 p.m. New Jersey at Charlotte, 5 p.m. Golden State at Toronto, 5 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Houston, 6 p.m. Chicago at Philadelphia, 6 p.m. Sacramento at Phoenix, 7 p.m. Denver at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

NBA LEADERS Scoring G FG FT PTS AVG Bryant, LAL 36 375 237 1035 28.8 Durant, OKC 36 362 219 1009 28.0

The Daily News

James, MIA 35 355 237 976 Love, MIN 34 270 242 832 Westbrook, OKC 36 321 181 850 Wade, MIA 27 236 150 624 Ellis, GOL 32 266 137 709 Aldridge, POR 34 306 140 753 D. Williams, NJN 36 260 176 780 Griffin, LAC 34 295 133 724 Rebounds G OFF DEF TOT Howard, ORL 37 135 420 555 Love, MIN 34 139 327 466 Bynum, LAL 32 106 305 411 Cousins, SAC 35 163 241 404 Griffin, LAC 34 105 270 375

27.9 24.5 23.6 23.1 22.2 22.1 21.7 21.3 AVG 15.0 13.7 12.8 11.5 11.0

Betting Line Glantz-Culver Line For today

NCAA Basketball FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at Florida St. 61/2 Clemson Kentucky 3 at Florida Michigan 31/2 at Penn St. at Michigan St. 21/2 Ohio St. at Wisconsin 11 Illinois Virginia 2 at Maryland Arizona 71/2 at Arizona St. at Stanford Pk California at Indiana 6 Purdue at Virginia Tech 11/2 NC State Colonial Athletic Association At Richmond, Va. Semifinals Drexel 11/2 Old Dominion VCU 61/2 Georgia St. or VCU 61/2 George Mason or Georgia St. 61/2 Northeastern or George Mason 61/2 Northeastern Missouri Valley Conference At St. Louis Championship Creighton 31/2 Illinois St. Sun Belt Conference At Hot Springs, Ark. Quarterfinals Middle Tenn. 91/2 Arkansas St. North Texas 2 La.-Lafayette UALR 11/2 W. Kentucky Denver 8 South Alabama Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference At Springfield, Mass. Semifinals Iona 21/2 Fairfield Loyola (Md.) 61/2 Siena or Loyola (Md.) 1 Manhattan Southern Conference At Ashville, N.C. Semifinals W. Carolina 11/2 UNC Greensboro Davidson 131/2 Elon Northeast Conference Semifinals at Wagner 6 Robert Morris at LIU 3 Quinnipiac America East Conference At Hartford, Conn. Semifinals Stony Brook 51/2 Albany (NY) Vermont 6 at Hartford Summit League At Sioux Falls, S.D. Quarterfinals N. Dakota St. 3 W. Illinois Oakland 61/2 S. Utah

NBA FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at Boston 21/2 New York Miami 2 at L.A. Lakers New Jersey 1 at Charlotte Golden State 2 at Toronto at Houston 2 L.A. Clippers Chicago 4 at Philadelphia at Phoenix 51/2 Sacramento at San Antonio 8 Denver

Hockey NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA N.Y. Rangers 63 41 15 7 89 175 130 Pittsburgh 63 37 21 5 79 202 166 Philadelphia 63 35 21 7 77 209 191 New Jersey 64 36 23 5 77 180 174 N.Y. Islanders 65 27 29 9 63 154 195

Northeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 63 38 22 3 79 206 146 Ottawa 66 34 24 8 76 200 194 Toronto 65 30 28 7 67 194 201 Buffalo 64 29 27 8 66 157 180 Montreal 66 25 31 10 60 170 184 Southeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Florida 64 30 22 12 72 159 182 Winnipeg 66 31 27 8 70 173 186 Washington 64 32 27 5 69 172 183 Tampa Bay 65 31 28 6 68 184 219 Carolina 65 24 27 14 62 171 197 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Detroit 65 43 19 3 89 208 151 St. Louis 65 40 18 7 87 166 130 Nashville 65 38 20 7 83 184 166 Chicago 66 35 24 7 77 200 194 Columbus 65 20 38 7 47 153 214 Northwest Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Vancouver 65 41 16 8 90 206 156 Colorado 65 33 28 4 70 168 175 Calgary 65 29 25 11 69 157 178 Minnesota 65 28 27 10 66 143 178 Edmonton 64 25 33 6 56 170 192 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Phoenix 65 33 23 9 75 170 165 San Jose 63 33 23 7 73 178 160 Dallas 65 34 26 5 73 171 176 Los Angeles 64 29 23 12 70 138 137 Anaheim 65 28 27 10 66 164 182 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Saturday’s Games N.Y. Islanders 3, Boston 2 Toronto 3, Montreal 1 Tampa Bay 4, Carolina 3, OT Nashville 3, Florida 1 Columbus 5, Phoenix 2 Pittsburgh at Colorado, (n). Buffalo at Vancouver, (n). Anaheim at Los Angeles, (n). St. Louis at San Jose, (n). Today’s Games Boston at N.Y. Rangers, 11:30 a.m. New Jersey at N.Y. Islanders, 2 p.m. Chicago at Detroit, 3 p.m. Ottawa at Florida, 5 p.m. Dallas at Calgary, 5 p.m. Philadelphia at Washington, 6 p.m. Colorado at Minnesota, 6 p.m.

Transactions Saturday’s Sports Transactions

BASEBALL National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS—Agreed to terms with RHP Sam Demel, RHP Barry Enright, RHP Daniel Hudson, RHP Brett Lorin, RHP Yonata Ortega, RHP Bryan Shaw, LHP Zach Kroenke, LHP Wade Miley, LHP Joe Paterson, RHP Mike Zagurski, C Konrad Schmidt, C Craig Tatum, OF Cole Gillespie, OF David Winfree and INF Paul Goldschmidt on one-year contracts. Renewed the contracts of RHP Josh Collmenter, RHP David Hernandez, RHP Ian Kennedy, OF Gerardo Parra. COLORADO ROCKIES—Agreed to terms with RHP Jhoulys Chacin, LHP Rex Brothers, C Wilin Rosario, INF Tommy Field, OF Charlie Blackmon, RHP Tyler Chatwood, LHP Edwar Cabrera, INF Hector Gomez, OF Tyler Colvin, RHP Edgmer Escalona, LHP Christian Friedrich, INF Jonathan Herrera, OF Jamie Hoffmann, RHP Guillermo Moscoso, LHP Drew Pomeranz, INF DJ LeMahieu, OF Eric Young Jr., RHP Juan Nicasio, LHP Matt Reynolds, INF Chris Nelson, RHP Josh Outman, INF Jordan Pacheco, RHP Zach Putnam, RHP Josh Roenicke, RHP Esmil Rogers and RHP Alex White on one-year contracts. MILWAUKEE BREWERS—Renewed the contract of RHP John Axford. PITTSBURGH PIRATES—Agreed to terms with SS Chase d’Arnaud, 1B Matt Hague, 3B Josh Harrison, OF Gorkys Hernandez, RHP Jared Hughes, RHP Chris Leroux, RHP Brad Lincoln, LHP Jeff Locke, OF Starling Marte, OF Andrew McCutchen, RHP Daniel McCutchen, RHP James McDonald, C Michael McKenry, RHP Kyle McPherson, INF Jordy Mercer, RHP Bryan Morris, LHP Daniel Moskos, SS Yamaico Navarro, INF Gustavo Nunez, LHP Rudy Owens, OF Alex Presley, 2B Neil Walker, LHP Tony Watson, RHP Duke Welker and LHP Justin Wilson on one-year contracts. SAN DIEGO PADRES—Agreed to terms with OF Cameron Maybin on a five-year contract. FOOTBALL National Football League NEW ORLEANS SAINTS—Designated QB Drew Brees as a franchise player.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

The Daily News

Spring Training

Astros win spring opener Harper gets hit in 1st start vs. Houston The Associated Press »» KISSIMMEE, Fla. When Bryce Harper came to bat for the first time as a starter in a major league exhibition game, he singled off a pitcher almost twice his age. Harper, the Washington Nationals’ first overall pick in the 2010 draft, singled sharply off Livan Hernandez on Saturday in the second inning of a 3-1 loss to the Houston Astros. “It’s nice being able to start and see different guys and different arms and pitching and things like that,” said the 19-year-old Harper, a candidate for Washington’s right field job. “Knowing that I’m going to get three at bats a game is pretty nice. I’m just trying to go up there and not do too much, and trying to get my strikeouts down and my

Spring roundup Yankees 8, Phillies 5 »» CLEARWATER, Fla. Hunter Pence hit a tworun homer, and Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect inning in his Philadelphia debut before the New York Yankees rallied for a win Saturday. New Phillies reliever Chad Qualls gave up a tworun homer to Cole Garner in a three-run seventh. Twins 7, Rays 3 »» FORT MYERS, Fla. Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Denard Span all got hits in their spring training debuts as Minnesota beat Tampa Bay. None of the hits came against David Price. The Rays ace pitched a hitless first inning, striking out Morneau and Mauer. Tigers 2, Braves 0 »» LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Prince Fielder went 2 for 2, and Doug Fister combined with seven pitchers to throw a one-hitter, leading Detroit over Atlanta. Fielder is 3 for 3 in a Tigers uniform, having

walks up.” Hernandez, who was with the Nationals the last two seasons, probably is going to be in the Astros’ rotation and wants to pitch at least three more years. “I want to be the Jamie Moyer of right-handers,” he said. Harper went 1 for 3, grounding out twice. His first time up against the 37-year-old Hernandez, baseball’s active leader in games started (474) and innings pitched (3,121 2-3). Harper, who hit .297 with 17 home runs in 109 games in Class A and AA, figures to get a long look this spring, but said it’s too early to think about making the team. “If I play my game and do things right, I’ve got a shot,” he said. “I’m not going to try to do too much and just roll with what I get.” Chris Johnson’s tworun home run off losing pitcher Ross Detwiler provided the Astros with their winning margin in the exhibition opener for both teams.

Hernandez and Nationals starter Edwin Jackson pitched two shutout innings each. The win went to Kyle Weiland, the former Boston Red Sox pitcher, who gave up one hit in two shutout innings. The game marked the return of Astros catcher Jason Castro, who missed the entire 2011 season with a knee injury sustained in the second game of the spring. Castro threw out Jason Michaels easily on a stolen base attempt in the second inning. “It was nice to get in there and have one of those in the first game,” Castro said. “In spring training, guys usually like to run so I was expecting something.” Jed Lowrie, who came from Boston in the same December trade as Weiland, led off the Houston seventh with a triple, leading to their final run. Doubles by Roger Bernadina and Jesus Flores produced Washington’s only run in the fifth inning.

doubled in an exhibition against Florida Southern on Friday. Mike Minor pitched two innings for the Braves, allowing one hit and striking out three.

Diamondbacks (SS) 9, Giants 6 »» SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Chris Young and Ryan Roberts homered to help an Arizona split squad beat Tim Lincecum and San Francisco in the Cactus League opener. Lincecum allowed one run and four hits in two innings. He struck out two, didn’t walk a hitter and threw 21 of 33 pitches for strikes.

Red Sox 25, Northeastern 0 »» FORT MYERS, Fla. Cody Ross hit two homers, and Adrian Gonzalez also connected as the Red Sox hit five home runs to rout Northeastern in their first game of a doubleheader against Bostonarea college teams. Jon Lester started for the Red Sox, giving up a hit and striking out two in two innings. Blue Jays 7, Pirates 1 »» DUNEDIN, Fla. Brett Lawrie hit a pair of two-run doubles as Toronto beat Pittsburgh. Eric Thames homered for the Blue Jays. Athletics 9, Mariners 2 »» PEORIA, Ariz. Jonny Gomes and Jemile Weeks each hit a two-run homer as Oakland beat Seattle. Carlos Peguero homered for the second straight day for Seattle.

Diamondbacks (SS) 1, Rockies 1, 10 innings »» SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Top prospect Trevor Bauer retired all six batters he faced in his spring training debut as Arizona’s split squad tied Colorado. Bauer, the third overall pick in last year’s draft, struck out two. Colorado catcher Ramon Hernandez had two singles in two at-bats. His second single tied the score 1-all in the fourth. Indians 6, Reds 6 »» GOODYEAR, Ariz. Scott Rolen went 2 for 2 in his return to the Cincinnati lineup. Michael Brantley doubled and singled for the Indians. The Associated Press

opinion B6 | Sunday, March 4, 2012 | Contact

Monday » Howard Brody takes on the issue of race in college admission

Heber Taylor, heber.taylor@galvnews.com

Our View

Lowe aims to change the public housing discussion S

tanley Lowe, the new executive director of the Galveston Housing Authority, came to meet our editorial board. We thought you might be interested in that conversation. First, Lowe gives the housing authority something it hasn’t had in an executive director, someone who is good at communicating ideas to the public and someone who understands the public forum occasionally resembles a street brawl. He is not at all put off by that. Lowe headed Pittsburgh’s housing authority in the days when Tom Murphy was mayor. Pittsburghers play politics like the Steelers play football. You really do need pads and a helmet for their style of play. Second, Lowe’s first instinct was not to talk about the responsibility of the larger community to the poor, but to talk about the poor’s responsibility to larger community. That, too, is something new. He was emphatic that the residents of the public housing units within the proposed mixed-income developments were going to have to play by the same rules as everybody else or they are going to have to leave. Third, a day after being offered the job, Lowe was using those communication skills to change the

discussion about “public housing.” He talks, instead, about public resources. His basic argument goes like this: Galveston is at a fork in the road. It can recall the failure that the public housing projects were and take the bare minimum that the federal government will provide and build exactly the same number of housing units back, just as they were. It can, out of fear, rebuild its greatest nightmare for something like $25 million. The community could, on the other hand, look at the federal investment as an opportunity and try to leverage money to solve some of its pressing problems. The ticket on the housing authority’s proposed mixed-income development, including infrastructure, is something like $200 million. If that money is spent right, Lowe says, it would be hard for surrounding areas not to benefit. One of the mixedincome developments in Pittsburgh is similar to the one proposed in Galveston. The development replaced a public-housing project Lowe describes as a hellhole. It was next door to the big university in Pittsburgh, much like the old Magnolia Homes projects in Galveston were on the doorstep of the

University of Texas Medical Branch. In Pittsburgh, police advised people not to walk near the projects at night. There was a virtual wall — at least a psychological one — that smart people didn’t cross. After the mixed-income units were built, Lowe recalled getting calls from the office that white people were moving in to what had been a minority neighborhood. First were students, poor but needing decent housing near the university. Then university employees, from one end of the pay scale to the other. Those employees work, shoulder to shoulder, day in and day out. The only thing that changed when the mixedincome development was built was that all those folks — in all income brackets — had an opportunity to live in decent housing within walking distance of work. Property values didn’t collapse. The invisible barrier between the campus and the old projects came down. The university, which once tried to isolate itself from the old housing projects, decided it actually needed room to expand. Lowe pointed out that Pittsburgh took advantage of opportunities to make things better. Why not Galveston?

• Heber Taylor

A score card on the mayoral debate

he C-Crewe, the young guns of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, hosted a mayoral debate Wednesday at Johnny Smecca’s Mario’s Restaurant on the seawall. This was the first time chamber members had the opportunity to see all three candidates for Galveston mayor — incumbent Joe Jaworski and challengers Beau Rawlins and Lewis Rosen — together in a public forum like this, and many took advantage of the opportunity. Candidates gave an opening statement, fielded questions submitted from the audience as presented by mediator Beau Yarbrough and gave a closing statement. Here are my impressions of how the candidates, listed in alphabetical order, performed during the debate: • Joe Jaworski — The incumbent did a good job of making sure people understood there is more going on in Galveston, now and in the future, than just the public housing debate. There was plenty

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

of focus on that topic, especially when it came time for questions from the audience. Jaworski was able to point out important economic development efforts (through working with the University of Texas Medical Branch, the tourism industry and the wharves, for example) he has supported in his first term and his vision for the future, like working toward a desalination facility and an Ike dike. As most already should know, Jaworski supports the mixed-income proposal for replacing public housing here on the island. • Beau Rawlins — Rawlins’ main push seemed to be making sure Galveston schools had a “seat at the table” when issues of importance to the island were

being discussed, whether those issues be public housing or economic development, indicating he doesn’t feel like that seat has been available in the past. Rawlins clearly is committed to the school children and public school system on the island. He often referred to his experience as a member of the Galveston school board and as a volunteer in the schools and why he believes that experience, combined with his position on the issues (anti mixed- income for example), qualifies him to be mayor. My guess is, he still has some work to do to convince voters. • Lewis Rosen — Rosen did the best job of staying on message. He made it very clear he was opposed to the mixed-income proposal to rebuild Galveston’s public housing and would go to court with the federal government if necessary to prove it. Rosen probably got the biggest reaction of the debate when Jaworski talked about his experience as an attorney being invaluable when evaluating the Concili-

ation Agreement and the city’s legal position, handed the microphone to Rosen who followed with, “I’m a businessman. I hire attorneys to work for me.” Ouch. You might or might not agree with Rosen’s message, but I think he did the best job of the three in driving his message home during the debate. I’ve asked a number of people in attendance who they thought “won” the debate, and not surprisingly, I’ve gotten a different response from just about everyone asked, no doubt to some degree based on who these folks were supporting going into the event. At the end of the day, I’m not sure who “won” this particular debate is going to have a significant outcome on the election. The winner of the mayor’s race is going to be the one who most effectively gets his message out, whose agenda most closely reflects that of the city voters and who gets his supporters to the polls. We’ll find out who that is in a few short weeks.

April Walsch, a sophomore at Dickinson High School, won the Best in Show Award. COURTESY PHOTO

Cellphone pictures: Yes, but are they art?

ny way you look at it, the cellphone photography exhibit at the College of the Mainland Art Gallery was a wow. The contest — offering $100 for the top cellphone photo — drew 1,300 entries. The crowd at the opening packed into the gallery and spilled outside. People looked at the 128 photos selected for the show and saw images of a pets, landscapes, sunsets, people — but is cellphone photography art? “What is the definition of art?” asked Mayuko Gray, the director of the gallery. “People think it is only some kind of high art. Art is what artists do.” Maybe that’s the point. Gray is trying to get more people involved in art and more people involved in the gallery. She and others at the college are trying to get the message to students that art is something well rounded people just do. Kristy Peet, who teaches photography at the college, considered the question of whether cellphone photography rises to the level of art. She said technology had nothing to do with it. Instead, art is about intentions, she said. If you are shooting snapshots of you family on vacation, that’s one thing. But if you are trying, by choosing what to photograph and how to photograph it, to make an image that’s beautiful, you are making art — good or bad. To make the point that it’s not about technology, Peet has her students — about 40 this semester — are learning to make images with pinhole cameras constructed from cardboard boxes. Peet was stunned at the volume of entries. She said it was tough picking just 128 photos to display. The $100 prize went to

Heber Taylor Heber Taylor is editor of The Daily News.

At a glance WHAT: “Oh Snap!” exhibition of photos taken with cellphones WHEN: Through March 29. WHERE: College of the Mainland Art Gallery, Texas City CONTACT: Call 409933-8354 or 8348 or email mgray@com.edu. ONLINE: »» www.com.edu/ gallery »» www.facebook. com/comartgallery »» http://www. fotofest.org.

April Walsch, a sophomore at Dickinson High School and the daughter of Lori and Chris Walsch of La Marque. She took a photo of some red berries in a dense fog when she was at her family’s place on Lake Livingston. Colleen Steblein, who teaches art at Dickinson High School, said she saw the photo and told April about the contest. April is not a photography student, Steblein said, adding that the photograph was not the product of training but of sheer talent. Peet saw the sharp textures of the berries against the softness of the fog and decided the picture deserved the Best of Show award. April is still a couple of years away from college. What will she study? “Photography, I guess,” she said.

From the archives of The Daily News for March 4: »» In 1912, although the fog sometimes swept in from the Gulf, Galveston experienced the largest crowds at its beaches of the season. »» In 1962, the Sun Oil Co. completed a well in Galveston County. The pay well was five miles southwest of Gilchrist. »» In 1987, a Houston petroleum company worker was critically injured and two others were injured when a crude oil storage tank exploded and burned in

From the files of Texas’oldest newspaper Texas City. The three were preparing to run tests on the tank when it exploded. From Staff Reports

sound off » Should La Marque ISD close a school? Email letters@galvnews.com.

WORD ON THE STREET

B7 | Sunday, March 4, 2012 | Contact

Heber Taylor, heber.taylor@galvnews.com

Lent diet offers many alternatives

Last Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period preceding Easter, when Christians would abstain from meat and dairy products in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of reflection before launching his ministry. Devout Christians who still observe meatless Lent help reduce chronic diseases, environmental degradation and animal abuse. In the past four decades, dozens of medical reports have linked consumption of animal products with elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer and other killer diseases. A 2007 United Nations report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations have documented animals being raised for food under abject conditions of caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation and manhandling. Lent offers a superb opportunity to honor Jesus’ powerful message of compassion and love for all living beings — to stop subsidizing disease, devastation and cruelty; to choose a wholesome nonviolent diet of vegetables, fruits, grains and a vast array of meat and dairy alternatives. It’s a

•••

Intervention is needed in schools

Students and parents march to the high school in Chardon, Ohio, on Thursday to honor the three students killed in a shooting there Monday. One reader is distressed by the growing police presence in schools. AP PHOTO/Mark Duncan

diet mandated in Genesis 1-29 and observed in the Garden of Eden. Entering “vegetarian Lent” in your favorite search engine provides ample tips and recipes. Gregory Driscoll Galveston •••

Help those who need it In regard to the article, “WWII vet: Nobody helped after carjacking” (The Daily News, Feb. 26): I watched the video on one of the news channels about Aaron Brantley, 86, of Detroit, Mich., as he was attacked and carjacked during the daytime hours at a busy Detroit gas station. He was crawling from his car as the hijacker

drove away. Mr. Brantley obviously was in distress, because of a broken leg that occurred during the hijacking, and no one stopped to help him. I was distressed, both physically and emotionally, just watching this happen. Mr. Brantley eventually made it to the door of the station as people walked and drove away, ignoring him. “People were passing me just like I wasn’t there ... I was crawling and they just walked by me like I’m not there.” He asked a woman to open the door for him and she did, then kept walking. I would like to think this would not happen in Jamaica Beach, where we live, in Galveston or

in any other city in Texas. If this happened to our father (or grandfather) we certainly would want someone to help him. Just because we don’t know the person doesn’t relieve our responsibility for assisting someone who is injured — whether we injured the person or not. If you are ever in a situation like Mr. Brantly’s, I hope and pray someone will help you. If you are the person who comes across a victim who is injured, I hope and pray you’ll have the sensitivity to help that person. Kathy Jackson Phillips Galveston

Police presence on our school campuses highlight a deepening and distressing phenomenon. Quixotic to me is why more emphasis isn’t placed on the problems of juvenile delinquency, rather than waiting until middle or high school to intervene. Discipline begins from the cradle and continues to the grave. In the past, schools have been reluctant to call upon police, but this all has changed. We must again place emphasis on people — on prevention — rather than security personnel. As we analyze and scrutinize the problems of schools, it is not always easy to know what is right and wrong; we sometimes have trouble discerning what is best. In America, we should consider placing policemen in the school a shame and disgrace. It is inconsistent with our way of life. We are probably the only nation on the globe with police in our schools. Now, we’re hearing of another school shooting. There has to be a better way. God bless our schools. Clark Hall Texas City

Letters Send letters to: Letters to the editor, P.O. Box 628, Galveston, 77553. Fax: 409-740-3421. Email: letters@ galvnews.com.

Siege of the Alamo Day 11: March 4, 1836 »» Mexican cannonading started early and continued all day. The Texans, low on powder and shot, saved their ammunition. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas

Today In History Today is the 64th day of 2012. After today, there are 302 days left in the year. On this date: »» In 1861, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as the 16th president of the United States. The U.S. Government Printing Office began operation. The Associated Press

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Galveston County, Texas

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Spring break fishing is near

very year at this time, the Reel Report receives numerous requests for information on prospects for fishing during spring break, and it appears a lot of out-of-state visitors will be spending their week off from school in Galveston. I get questions ranging from, “Would it be worthwhile to bring my fishing equipment?” to “Where will the fish be biting?” I will attempt to keep everyone updated on where the action is taking place. One thing I always mention is that during most years, the weather in place upon your arrival will be different upon your exit. March is a month that brings sudden changes in conditions. One day, it will be warm and sunny, and later in the week, a cold front with strong northerly winds will be either

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.

pushing through or kicking up southerly winds during the prefrontal arrival. Most weeks, there are windows of tolerable-togood conditions. The key is to look for days when the wind is the lightest. Historically, black drum are at the peak of their annual migration during spring break, and visitors fishing the jetties, Seawolf Park or the Texas City Dike have a good chance to hook up with a

20- to 50-pound fish. Trout are abundant in the bays; however, they are sensitive to weather changes. The best fishing for specks is on days when the wind is not too strong. Redfish are scattered all across the area. This year, a bumper crop of flounder have returned to the bays. Capt. James Plaag, Silver King Adventures, sent his weekly update. Plaag’s charters averaged 17 trout per day up to more than 6 pounds. Many were in the 5-pound range. Scattered reds and flounder were caught as well. Wading and drifting protected shorelines containing mud and shell bottoms between 2.6 feet to just more than 4 feet produced most of the fish. Limetreuse Bass Assassins and Catch 5 Mirrolures in pink and yellow worked the best.

Nice Catch!

Trey Soliz, 3, of Texas City, with a large flounder he caught unassisted at the Texas City Dike. COURTESY PHOTOS Maggie Albrecht with an 18-inch sheepshead she caught from her boat dock on Lake Madeline.

Pat Townson, a newcomer to coastal fishing, with a nice black drum he caught at the Texas City Dike.

Jessie caught this sow trout while fishing with Capt. James Plaag.

Capt. Bryan Brawner with his catch of a flounder limit and nine specks from East Bay.

Submit your fishing photos Want to get your fishing photo in the paper? Submit photos to reel.report@ galvnews.com. Photos must be submitted in .JPG format at a resolution of at least 200 dots per inch. Include first and last names, and make sure the picture includes the angler and his or her catch. For information, call 409-683-5273.

Sadler ends Nationwide drought Driver gets 1st series win in 14 years By JOHN MARSHALL The Associated Press »» AVONDALE, Ariz. Elliott Sadler pulled up to the grandstand, revved his engine and spun his tires until there was hardly any rubber left. A wall of white smoke billowed up the flag stand and drifted over pit road, leaving the rest of the field in a fog. After waiting so long to win a Nationwide race, Sadler wanted to enjoy this one. Sadler took the lead after a late caution and held on down the stretch to earn his first Nationwide win in 14 years at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday. “It’s a very emotional win,” said Sadler, who will run five Sprint Cup races for Michael Waltrip Racing along with his Nationwide schedule this season. “We all

Elliott Sadler celebrates in victory lane Saturday after winning the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. AP PHOTO/Lesley Ann Miller, LAT

know how long it’s been since I was in victory lane.” A former full-time driver in the Sprint Cup series, Sadler started eighth and didn’t get near the lead until the end of the race. He passed Brad Keselowski after a caution with 33 laps left and wasn’t really challenged on the way to his sixth career Nationwide win. It was Sadler’s first win on the Nationwide series since Oct. 31, 1998, at North Carolina Motor Speedway, a span of 91 races, and

the first career victory for his crew chief, Lucas Lambert. “I’ve got all the confidence in our Nationwide organization, and I knew Elliott could get the job done,” owner Richard Childress said. “He’s been too close too many times.” Keselowski finished second, and defending series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was third. Kevin Harvick led the most laps but finished fifth behind Austin Dillon after pit strategy at the last caution backfired.

lifestyle Section C | Sunday, March 4, 2012 | Contact

WEDNESDAY » Find several different recipes to make bread pudding

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

avvy tyle

A few months ago, Linda Pierce and daughter Heather Pugh, both nurses, opened a small shop in Dickinson called Twice Loved Resale. Business was so good, they quickly outgrew their space and moved into a 3,000-square-foot store at 905 FM 517. Twice Loved Resale carries clothing, including baby clothes and prom dresses, along with other gently used merchandise, such as furniture and household goods.

Shopping secondhand can save money, help others By ALEXANDRIA RANDOLPH Correspondent

Linda Pierce, right, and her daughter Heather Pugh, left, run Twice Loved Resale in Dickinson with help from Heather’s husband, Timmy, daughter Brittany and son Brian. Photos by KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News

Frugal Fashionista Katie Rowald is a copy editor for The Daily News and a shameless shopper of clearance racks.

ot so long ago, a stigma was attached to shopping at secondhand stores, a retail concept that conjured visions of faded fashions, musty old sweaters and dated wedding gowns. But in these tough economic times, buying previously owned clothing is considered savvy. And if you’re good at it, stylish, too. Area consumers of all walks of life are increasingly turning to resale, thrift and consignment shops. While some shops are all about vintage wear, more are carrying modern merchandise with designer labels. Some stores carry clothing from New York & Co. and Forever 21, along with apparel from small boutiques in New York, some still with the tags. Shops like Plato’s Closet, a national chain with a site at 19028 Interstate 45 near Baybrook Mall, buy and sell hot brands such as Lucky, True Religion and Joe’s Jeans. See secondhand | C5

There’s nothing wrong with dressing just for yourself

he latest fashion buzz revolves around the gowns that strolled down the red carpet at last week’s Oscars.

In short, it was Hollywood at its most glamorous. Rooney Mara won rave reviews with her white Givenchy, famously picked out only

hours before she arrived, and who could forget Angelina’s leg-baring black Atelier Versace or Gwyneth Paltrow’s cape? What stuck with me, though, were not the

labels, the jewels or Marie Claire’s Nina Garcia’s picks for best dressed. It was Piers Morgan’s catty comment on Twitter that too many women were “dressing for women.”

With a long history of missteps, the worst of which undoubtedly was his authorization of the publication in Britain’s

See fashionista | C2

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

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LIFESTYLE GIHS Pets of the Week

Janice Law at the entrance to Dover Castle, Great Britain. On a clear day, coastal France is visible over her left shoulder. COURTESY PHOTO

Dover Castle overlooks a historical miracle »» DOVER, Great Britain hen there was no Internet or TV, two emergency pleas went out over radios and by word-of-mouth through every hamlet and home: Anyone who has a boat of any size, bring it immediately to this small coastal town. And boats arrived by the thousands. On a blue sky day, 71 years later, when we could see the French coast from here, we stood underground with other tourists in Dover Castle in the very room where the “little ships” rescue, also called Operation Dynamo, was run by Vice Adm. Bertram Ramsay. Prime Minister Winston Churchill on May 26, 1940, joined separately by King George VI, asked every Brit to pray for the safety of British troops — to pray as urgently as they ever had in their lives. Churchill’s lack of specificity about the exact circumstances of why boats of any size

Travel Janice Law is a columnist for The Daily News. Have a travel question? Email janice. law@galvnews.com. and organized prayer were urgent was calculated. He did not want to tip the Germans as to exactly how perilous the Brits’ situation was. British and French troops were classic sitting ducks, queued, exhausted, wounded and trapped, stranded defenseless on the open beaches of Dunkirk, France, where German troops had forced them after efficient German invaders did better in striking Belgium than they, or the French and British expected. In what was termed “a miracle,” ordinary Brits in a small flotilla, during a nine-day period, ferried 338,226 British and

French troops to safety across the 22 miles of the English Channel separating England and France in what historians called one of the greatest, if not the greatest large rescue in human history. Although large ship carriers did rescue soldiers, they were too large to maneuver adroitly in the shallow waters where many soldiers waited for hours in waist-deep, cold seawater, hoping for rescue. One of the most spine tingling benefits of a lifetime of world travel is to be in the places where extraordinary events unfolded — the Versailles window where Marie Antoinette stood watching rabble run toward her door, stone altars where Mayan kings cut out the hearts of captured prisoners, the ground at Carthage where Romans sowed salt in147 B.C. A fun day trip about an hour from London, tours of Dover Castle take half a day, and there is a welcoming cafe for

hot tea and soup. We had a reservation for a boat trip out to sea. Alas, the captain decided not to go because of the high waves and wind. We wanted to view from the sea the magnificent white chalk cliffs immortalized in story and art. The Grand Shaft, a triple stairway that cleaves the cliffs with each stair reserved for use of a different military rank, was on our agenda. But the wind was so strong, we feared being blown off the stairs. So, we did not go. Other local attractions include the Dover Museum. In the afternoon, visit a house from Roman times with beautiful paintings then have tea and hop the delightful British trains back to London for an evening at the theater.

armony, top, and Marie are Galveston Island Humane Society’s Pets of the Week. Harmony is a gentle hound mix who craves attention. She’s a beautiful girl who gets along very well with other dogs. Harmony was brought in as a stray, and all she wants is a home of her own. Marie is shy but very sweet. She is a young, bobtail, dilute calico who loves sleeping under her bed. She is here with her brother Donnie, and with all siblings at the shelter, they can be adopted at a 2-for-1 price. Harmony and Marie 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 of age 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

fashionista Continued from Page C1

Daily Mirror of fake photos of soldiers in the British Army abusing Iraqi prisoners, Morgan isn’t known for his taste. The comment, then, shouldn’t be terribly surprising, and in truth, it isn’t. But since when are women required to dress for men? When I get dressed in the morning, I don’t stop to think about whether the male population will enjoy my collection of floral mini-dresses and my equally robust collec-

tion of flats. I don’t worry about whether they’ll like the way my jeans fit or the way my T-shirts are cut. Quite frankly, I don’t care. For me, fashion never has been about impressing the opposite sex. It’s about defining my sense of style and sticking to it. It’s about openly expressing the way I feel about myself and loving every minute of it. And if stubbornly nurturing my love for pretty things means I’m never labeled as sexy or smoldering, well, I am absolutely OK with that.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

galveston county, texas

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lifestyle

Les tres nouveau insouciant Groupe des Amies Krewe celebrate on the island and off. Pictured, from left, are Margaret Neidhart, Cindy Jaros, Linda Stice, Christina Deane, Era Lee Caldwell, Helen Seitz and Dawn Jackson.

Mike and Jeannie Janota, and Hud and Christine Hopkins celebrate “The Golden Era of Motown” ball.

Girlz have fun from the Clear Lake Area: Joanna Patton, Helen Seitz, Era Lee Casldwell, Margaret Neidhart, Mary Ellen Arledge and Julie Johnson enjoy The Tremont House Mardi Gras “The Golden Era of Motown” ball.

Tremont House spins the ball on Mardi Gras celebration

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.

his was the 28th annual Tremont House Mardi Gras Ball and Parade Viewing Party, hosted by George Mitchell and the Mitchell family. Ball-goers enjoyed Motown music all night, a VIP viewing of the Momus Grand Night Parade and a performance by Legends in Concert’s, The Legacy of The Temptations from Las Vegas and Houston’s Eclipse Band. Many guests dressed in costume as their favorite Motown artists. The ball was a huge success because of the planning of Sheridan Lorenz, Renee Adame and Sarah Harano. Galveston A-listers included Joyce and Doug McLean; Craig Brown and Angela Brown; Bill and Penny Ross, as Ike and Tina Turner; Jeff and Ester Sjostrom; Jeri Kinnear, donning a huge white wig, and Betty Massey; Renee Adame and twin daughters Monica Adame-Avant and Danielle Adame-Lopez and son Jeb Adame. Enjoying the cool sounds and great designs in the Davidson Ballroom were Doug and Joan McLeod, Marie and Chris Robb, Marilyn and Keith McFatridge and John and Cynthia Smith. Gina Spagnola led a performance of the Jackson 5 along with Sam Collins,

Renee Adame’s family, pictured, from left, are Danielle, Jeb and Monica Adame. Neighbors enjoy a Krewe du Hedgepeth Mardi Gras party. Pictured, from left, are Layne Dearman, Paula Ladd, Kathy Thomas, Tracy Cuchia, Paula Townley, Terri Farmer and Lea Bradford. COURTESY PHOTOS/Frances Powell

Teri Simpton, Erin Kay, Kelly-Ann Clarke, new park board Executive Director Kelly DeShaun and Chris DeShaun, Veronica and Chris Arneson and Joe and Sheryl Rozier. Along with those in the pic, 43 exuberant Groupe des Amis (Group of Friends) from the Clear Lake Area attended the San Luis Salute to Mardi Gras Ball. From Clear Lake, Seabrook etc. came Harry and Era Lee Caldwell, of Seabrook. Joanna Patton, Helen Seitz, Era Lee Caldwell, Margaret Neidhart, Mary Ellen Arledge, Julie Johnson — all of the Clear Lake Area; Ken and Myna Mungle of Seabrook and Will and Christina Deana of League City They are Roger and Kim Swaney, Greg Heausler and Linda Stice, Ray and Marie Laplant, Ray and Robin Stowe, Bill and

Terilynn Pinkley, Scott and Christine Pinkley, Randy and Loiuis Blanton, Jeff and Patty Blanton, Rene Adams and Ken Arechuk, Tom and Janice Zerecheck, Rudy and Joyce Adamiak and Kausik and Sapon. Also Paul Jenifer and Steven Lake, Randy and Amy Godfrey and Jim Rodgers. LCM hosts Hawaiian extravaganza Mahalo! Lighthouse Christian Ministries invites the locals to take a journey to the beautiful South Pacific for its Night in Polynesia annual celebration at 5:30 p.m. March 31 at Carothers Coastal Gardens of Seabrook. Individual tickets are $125. Guests will be greeted with fragrant leis, authentic music, beautiful hula dancers, thrilling male warriors and breathtaking fireknife dancers. A tradi-

tional island dinner will be served of Hawaiian favorites, such as Kalua pork, Huli Huli chicken, Mahi-mahi, steamed vegetables, Okinawa sweet potato, Kings Hawaii dinner rolls, macaroni salad, desserts and a whole roasted pig,

to the music of Houston-based Drums of the Pacific. The Drums has performed at Donald Trump’s Luxury West Palm beach home, opened for the premier for “Lilo and Stitch,” The Beach Boys and a private show for Will Smith, known for “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “I-Robot.” Proceeds from this event benefit LCM,

which provides financial assistance and food for short term help, educational and job placement assistance for long term help. LCM Executive Director Chuck Gussler sez they’re making a positive impact on the community helping others and people really enjoy making a difference. For information, visit www.lighthousecm.org.

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

galveston county, texas

Books

‘Standards’ a look ‘Iron Butterfly’ a memoir of reaching dreams into everyday life “The Iron Butterfly: Memoir of a Martial Arts Master,” by ChoonOk Jade Harmon and Ana Maria Rodriguez, Pelican Publishing Co., 217 pages. $24.95.

“Standards: Recipes for Reality,” by Lawrence Bush, The MIT Press, 408 pages, $35.

hat do you think of when someone mentions standards? Gold standard? National Bureau of Standards? Standards of behavior? Educational standards? All are examples of standards, yet all are different. Standards affect our lives every day in virtually every way. They are so ubiquitous we scarcely notice them. Yet, consider the standards used in writing and reading this review. The computer on which it was written uses numerous different standards that allow its components to interact. The text is stored in the machine using a communications standard. The copy was sent to the newspaper via the Internet, which uses a different set of standards to allow different computers to talk to each other. The printed version uses a standardsized paper, and the type is set in some standard font. Of course, the review is written so that it conforms to standards of good English. “Standards: Recipes for Reality,” by Lawrence Bush, examines the impact of standards on life and society. As the subtitle implies, Bush believes standards define reality or, rather, how we interpret reality. Some of the impacts are positive. Standards provide consumers vital information. When we check the contents of a box of cereal, we know we will be able to find critical information — weight, nutritional value and so forth — because of the standards agreed upon by manufacturers and marketers. We know the professionals we use — doctors, lawyers, accountants

Book review Mark Lardas, an engineer, freelance writer, amateur historian and model-maker, lives in League City. His website is marklardas.com. — are properly accredited, another example of standards. One interesting revelation in “Standards” is that standards break down into four broad categories, filters, ranks, divisions and Olympic. • Filters are standards that set acceptable minimums. An example would be the acceptable minimum score in a bar examination. Any passing grade allows you to call yourself a lawyer. • Rank standards prioritize. Where filters are either-or, rank standards place things in an ordered hierarchy. • Division standards define different unranked categories. Colors are examples of division standards. • Olympic standards measure superlatives — the Super Bowl winner, best restaurant in Galveston and so forth. Bush shows how standards can limit liberty or provide choice. Arbitrary standards can constrain opportunity, especially when not tied to a meaningful limitation. One example might be a standard requiring a minimum height to practice medicine. Yet, standards also can provide greater choice by permitting knowledge of the availability of different choices. In “Standards,” Bush makes readers aware of how something normally unnoticed shapes lives every day.

hoon-Ok Jade Harmon’s mother did not want this seventh child. She had a difficult life trying to find food for her six children as a haenyo (sea woman). Pregnant again, she still spent many hours diving into the deepest seawater to harvest seaweed, shells, octopus, abalone and sea urchins. One mid-February day in 1956, she tried to ignore the freezing temperatures before she had to go home for the birth of the baby. Three years after the Korean War, Koreans still were struggling to recover. Food was scarce and winter nights were very cold. ChoonOk’s father stole what little the family had and wasted it gambling and drinking. Choon-Ok remembers her unhappiness

Guest column JoAn Watson Martin is an educator who taught in public schools and at the university level, an author of teen novels and serves as a consultant for Houston-area schools. at 7. As she walked the beach finding tiny crabs and picking up sticks for the fire, she daydreamed of a better life. She remembered playing chase with her brother in the shallow water when she stepped into a hole. She could not swim and almost drowned before her brother pulled her out and made her vomit up the seawater. She determined to learn to swim so she could eventually rescue her own children. Other memories: She hated how vividly she remembered the constant hunger pains and being very, very cold.

Indie bound Hardcover fiction 1. “Death Comes to Pemberley,” by P.D. James, Knopf, $25.95. 2. “The Sense of an Ending,” by Julian Barnes, Knopf, $23.95. 3. “The Paris Wife,” by Paula McLain, Ballantine, $25. Hardcover nonfiction 1. “Behind the Beautiful Forevers,” by Katherine Boo, Random House, $27. 2. “Quiet,” by Susan Cain, Crown, $26. 3. “Steve Jobs,” by Walter Isaacson, S&S, $35. Trade paperback fiction 1. “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” (debut), by Stieg Larsson, Vintage, $15.95. 2. “The Tiger’s Wife,” by Téa Obreht, Random House, $15. 3. “The Weird Sisters,” by Eleanor Brown, Berkley, $15.

The Indie Bestseller List for the week ending Feb. 26, based on reporting from hundreds of independent bookstores across the United States.

Trade paperback nonfiction 1. “Bossypants,” by Tina

Although her mother was embarrassed this daughter was such a tomboy, Choon-Ok lived through many adventures — while trying to jump over a well, she fell in; she caught a giant octopus in a cave and it was sufficient food for the whole village; she dared to run through the dark forest to get medicine for her mother when her older brothers and sisters were afraid. From one disaster to another, the family managed to survive, but barely. After her father died, her mom realized there was no future for them on Koje Do. They moved to Pusan on the mainland. The city offered opportunities for Choon-Ok to achieve her childhood dreams. She hated feeling helpless to change her circumstances. At 12, she discovered martial arts. She practiced Kuk Sool against her mother’s wishes. She became an expert, and the chief master used her in demonstrations at schools. Even her

mother saw the value of learning Kuk Sool when she was threatened by two men at the market. Choon-Ok loved learning how to take care of herself. She often found herself in a tangle of punches and kicks. She continued to work toward her goal to marry and move to America. She had to overcome fears she couldn’t do it. She refused to tolerate mistreatment just because she was a woman, even though the Korean women walked away. This Korean woman could not imagine opening up her private life to anyone to read, but Choon-Ok’s husband asked Ana Marie Rodriguez to write Choon-Ok’s memoir. Rodriguez did research to provide the context and traveled to Korea to visit places Choon-Ok had lived. She wrote in ChoonOk’s own voice. They spent six years and 30 hours of interviews writing the true story. Their patience brought both of their dreams into reality.

Fey, Reagan Arthur Books, $15.99. 2. “Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey,” by The Countess of Carnarvon, Broadway, $15.99. 3.“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,”by Rebecca Skloot, Broadway, $16. Mass market 1. “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” (debut), by Stieg Larsson, Vintage, $9.99. 2. “A Game of Thrones,” by George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $8.99. 3. “A Clash of Kings,” by George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $8.99. Children’s interest 1. “The Invention

of Hugo Cabret,” by Brian Selznick, Scholastic, $24.99. 2. “The Fault in Our Stars,” by John Green, Dutton, $17.99. 3. “The Wimpy Kid DoIt-Yourself Book,” by Jeff Kinney, Amulet, $12.95. Children’s illustrated 1. “Goodnight Moon,” by Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd (Illus.), Harper, $8.99. 2. “The Lorax,” by Dr. Seuss, Random House, $14.95. 3. “Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet,” by Jane O’Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser (Illus.), Harper, $17.99.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

galveston county, texas

The Daily News

Lifestyle

Suffering from a bad back and finally giving in to yoga

y back has started to cause me problems again. Several years ago, I experienced a nearparalyzing pain in my hip and leg and could not stand, sit or walk. I used to poke fun at people who complained of a bad back until the malady was cast upon me. After visiting one of the University of Texas Medical Branch’s excellent physicians and receiving an MRI, I learned several of the discs that sit between the sections of my spine had eroded and caused a bone-to-bone connec-

Guest column John Dundee lives in Galveston. tion that pinched the sciatic nerve, which is at the base of the spine and runs down both of the legs to the feet. The pain that felt like someone hammering a rusty screwdriver into the side of my hip and leg was because of a

pinched nerve above my butt. The doctor had seen this defect many times in patients who had overworked their back, gained weight and did not maintain flexibility. He solved my immediate problem with an epidural injection of steroids and pain killers, termed “masking.” He forecast several months of relief and instructed me to begin physical therapy. I elected not to have the problem addressed surgically. I started doing the PT stretches, tried to lose some weight and walked more to assist the stretching and flex-

secondhand Continued from Page C1

Booming business Such shops aren’t just recession-proof, they’re thriving in tough times, becoming one of the fastest growing segments of retail, according to the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops. The $13-billion-a-year industry has grown by 7 percent in a number of stores during the past two years. A few months ago, Linda Pierce and daughter Heather Pugh, both nurses, opened a small shop in Dickinson called Twice Loved Resale. Business was so good they quickly outgrew their space and have moved into a 3,000-square-foot store at 905 FM 517. Pierce and Pugh always liked garage sales. They got to talking one day about owning a little resale shop, never realizing how popular it would be. Pierce said she hoped she would make enough money throughout the month to pay the rent. But the day she opened her business in the new location, she made enough to pay the rent and more, she said. The economy and a changing perception about what’s available in resale shops is driving consumers into secondhand stores, she said. Most of her customers are hooked after they discover what nice merchandise they can find in a resale shop, Pierce said. Twice Loved Resale carries clothing, including baby clothes and prom dresses, along

Resale shops rarely have two of the same item a customer want, so shopping resale becomes a kind of scavenger hunt. KEVIN M. COX/The Daily News

with other gently used merchandise, such as furniture and household goods. A lot of Pierce’s customers bring items in for consignment, then shop. Pierce and Pugh also see a lot of men walk through the doors, seeking items and advice for decorating their apartments. Big savings One of the top reasons consumers shop resale is the savings. Gently used or new clothing can be marked down as much as 90 percent off the original price. Entire outfits can be constructed for a fraction of what shoppers would pay for an article of clothing at a department store. And just like regular clothing stores, thrift stores have sales, too, sometimes marking down clothing to $1 an item. “I find all kinds of name brands at really cheap prices,” said Stephanie Flier, a Clear Lake area resident who shops regularly at secondhand stores. “No one ever knows that I’m wearing clothes I bought at a resale store.” Flier said she saves quite a bit of money by shopping secondhand. “I probably go shop-

ping a couple of times a month,” Flier said. “Each shopping trip, I save at least $50 to $60.” Last year, Jackie’s Resale in League City participated in a challenge to find several outfits that could be bought for less than $20. “And we did it,” owner Rosa Rivera said. In addition to the savings, some thrift stores offer loyalty discounts just like the department stores. Interfaith Caring Ministries Resale, 631 FM 270, in League City offers shoppers a loyalty appreciation stamp card. The shop stamps the card after every $25 spent at the shop. After five stamps, the shopper gets a large discount. Helping others Sometimes, shopping resale can take the guilt out of splurging on that extra pair of shoes. Some shops, including Interfaith Caring Ministries, donate a percentage of their income to charities. Bay Area Turning Point is an organization that provides aid for battered women and their children. Its shelter provides meals and housing for about 60 women at a time. The

ibility processes. Some days hurt like hell, but it was not nearly what I had experienced. For several years, the horrible pain did not recur. During that time, I chose the battles I waged with my back. If I knew I was going to have a physical day, I made sure to do my exercises and use caution. Then there came a period when I deemed myself too busy to exercise as a part of my daily schedule while our business demanded more physical labor from me. The thing about having a bad back is that those of us who deal with them usually can tell an

attack is coming. My dad’s head used to itch in advance of a heavy rain, and my aunt’s bunions used to hurt when a Blue Norther was coming, so I knew I was correct in prophesying an imminent sciatic nerve assault. For the past several weeks, I have been dealing with the pain again. I have delayed going for another procedure and am trying to regain my lost flexibility. My wife suggested yoga. For the past year, the company she works for retained someone to conduct yoga classes three mornings a week. Initially, I practiced

my usual satire asking, “Who brings the incense?” and “Who chooses the chant?” She had endured these questionable attempts at humor with her usual good nature. Her instructor sent home some positions that she thought might help me. I reviewed the instructions and with my wife’s help, began to add them to my routine. My wife told me the positions were called “downward facing smart aleck fat guy.” There was no chanting and no incense, and my back is getting much better.

Women’s Crisis Center Thrift Store, 150 I-45, in League City gives all its proceeds to Bay Area Turning Point. “Everything in the shop was donated to us,” thrift store manager Sally Seiler said. Interfaith Caring Ministries Resale shops in Clear Lake and League City provide nearly 50 percent of the total revenue of Interfaith Caring Ministries, an organization that provides financial assistance to the homeless and those in need in Galveston and Harris counties.

gently used clothing and furnishings was another creative way to reuse materials, Wyatt said. Wyatt and her staff set out visiting League City resale shops where they paired together pieces to create runway looks for less than $20. Wyatt said she also notices her younger relatives turning to resale shops for vintage clothes or for expensive designers, such as Juicy Couture. The perception of resale shops has completely changed, she said. “Especially among younger people,” she said. “There are so many trendy boutique resales shops. Instead of wanting to go to the mall, they head to resale shops. It’s inspired me to look into vintage pieces myself.”

the draw. Resale shops rarely will have two of the same item a customer wants in the right size, so shopping resale becomes a kind of scavenger hunt. Although this can be frustrating for some shoppers, others find it gratifying, ending their day with a new outfit, money left in their pocket and a feeling of accomplishment. “Every day, I get a compliment on something that I’ve bought resale,” said League City area resident Betty Benjamin, a frequent resale shopper. Benjamin said the prices keep her coming back. “I probably save around 50 percent of my shopping budget,” Benjamin said.

Unique fashion finds Another advantage of shopping resale is the unusual fashion finds. Upscale resale shops often carry specialty items like leather jackets, fur coats and formal dresses that normally might be too expensive for the average shopper. With the availability of these unique items, a thrift shopper is able to create a personal style, whether it be vintage, New York runway or simply radical. Kristi Wyatt, a public information officer for League City, is known for her fashion sense. Wyatt doesn’t shop resale often, she said. But she’s made some great vintage jewelry finds at such stores as Baubles & Beads resale, 603 E. Main St., she said. Wyatt got to be sort of an expert on League City area resale shops when about two years ago, some city council members encouraged staff to explore ways residents could “go green.” Recycling was an obvious choice. But buying

Scavenger hunt Resale shopping is all about the luck of

Reporter Laura Elder contributed to this article.

The Daily News

Sunday, March 4, 2012

galveston county, texas

Weddings and Announcements

Lifestyle

It’s how you play the game

have never been much of a sportsman — too scrawny and too interested in other things. I used to play tennis, but those days are gone forever. The former publisher of The Daily News and I used to play once in a while, but we spent more time between sets talking about books than playing tennis. I don’t remember how I got into softball umpiring. Probably, some of my friends did it, and I thought it would be fun. So, I went to umpire’s school to learn how, and I obtained a proper shirt, cap, mask and that little device one held in the palm of one’s hand and on which one registered strikes, balls and outs. Two umpires were usual for softball games, one behind the plate to call balls and strikes and cover home plate and another to cover the bases and the outfield. The one covering the bases had a tough job when they were loaded. The home plate umpire often had responsibility for third base as well when that happened. Just imagine trying to cover third base as the throw came in from the outfield when the runner on third was making a beeline for home. I mostly umpired for girls’ and women’s fast-

Guest column Melvyn Schreiber is a physician at the University of Texas Medical Branch. pitch softball games, including grown women who could really send that ball rocketing into the catcher’s mitt. I learned a lot of lessons during that earlier time of my life, such as no matter what call I made, half the audience cheered and the other half booed and hurled insults about my eyesight and lineage. I also learned not to expect civilized behavior from players who had a lot invested in the game. I so irritated one of the pitchers by my calls of balls and strikes that she and the catcher plotted revenge. I stood behind the catcher, leaning forward, sometimes with my hand on her back (that was permitted), and the catcher put her mitt up between me and the pitcher to receive the ball. But one day, they decided to pay me back, and the catcher dropped her mitt just as the ball reached the plate and struck me full in the chest, knocking

me over and, I think, injuring my clavicle. It’s a great way to learn respect. Once, I agreed to umpire a Little League game, hardball played by 11-, 12- and 13-year-old boys. What could be hard about that? It was this: If I paid attention to the strike zone, sometimes, I couldn’t tell if the batter had swung at the ball. My colleague on first base bailed me out by agreeing to put his fist over his chest if the batter had swung at the ball, and I looked up at the first-base umpire quickly after each pitch to verify or change my observation. It worked. When I got good enough, I was invited to umpire fast-pitch softball games played by the men’s Commercial League. That was an experience. Those guys threw the ball really hard, and they might have had some refreshments between innings. On one memorable occasion, when a dispute arose between the teams, one of the players was said to be going to his car to get a weapon. I don’t know whether that was true, but being the senior umpire, I announced loudly the game was called because of rain and hurriedly made for my car. It was the best call I ever made.