SATURDAYOCTOBER 24, 2009

FREE

DELIVERED EVERY SATURDAY

A HEARST PUBLICATION ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

TO 4,000 HOMES

LAST CHANCESENIORS LOOK TO EXTEND FINAL SEASON 1B

A group of Zapata highand middle school studentswere introduced to the realworld of drug smuggling on avideo as part of OperationDetour, a program aimed atpreventing students from be-coming victims and statisticsin the drug trade.

The program uses a video

presentation about the cur-rent trends used by drugtrafficking organizations toshow youths, ages 14 to 18,the consequences associatedwith smuggling on behalf ofcartels, according to a U.S.CBP Border Patrol release.

Romeo Rodriguez, ZapataIndependent School Districtsuperintendent, said Fridaythat the presentation had astrong impact on students.

At first, ZISD officialswere concerned the videomight be too graphic.

“It’s realistic,” Rodriguezsaid. “It’s what’s happeningon our own front yard withthe drug cartel.”

Rodriguez said sometimesyouth do not realize the con-sequences of getting involvedin drug smuggling. Someyoungsters believe they aredoing something innocent –

and lucrative – by driving avehicle to a delivery pointand getting highly compen-sated for the seemingly “sim-ple” task.

“The video portrays howeasy is to get involved in thistype of world,” Rodriguezsaid. “It’s tempting for peo-ple.”

With harsh economic

EDUCATION

A deadly businessBorder Patrol seeks to keep kids out of the drug trafficking industry

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

See DRUGS PAGE 9AThe Zapata County Courthouse will be get-

ting a technological makeover this month asnew equipment is installed in both the Com-missioners Courtroom and the 49th DistrictCourtroom.

Romeo Salinas, Zapata County treasurer,said the county first began planning to up-date the technology while the new court-house was under construction.

With the update, county officials will beable to conduct videoconferences with stateand federal agencies and theCommissioners Court will beable to tape its meetings.

“This advanced technologi-cal venture will take us to anew level of county govern-mental management,” Sali-nas stated in an e-mail.

Both Commissioners Ga-briel Villarreal and Jose Emi-lio Vela said the updated technology is a posi-tive move for the county.

“That’s going to be great because that’s go-ing to be keeping us very transparent for thecounty to have all those CommissionersCourt meetings recorded,” Vela said.

Camera is readyA camera has already been installed in the

Commissioners Courtroom and Salinas ex-pects to be able to connect a 55-inch high-defi-nition monitor in the next week. The entireproject cost the county about $80,000, he said.

“In the near future, we may further be (ca-pable) of uploading the meetings via Web sitewith the approval of the CommissionersCourt,” Salinas said. “Residents will thenhave access to meetings and become betterinformed of all decisions made by our dulyelected Commissioners Court.”

Salinas stated that the 49th District Court-room will also have two flat-screen monitorsand communication capability with the Zapa-ta County Jail.

“Our Honorable Judge Joe Lopez haswholeheartedly endorsed this project sinceits inception,” Salinas said.

Citing Justice of the Peace Juana Maria B.Gutierrez as an example, Salinas said justic-es of the peace will be able to use the systemto handle video magistrate cases.

Gutierrez “will now be able to handlecases without leaving her office in San Ygna-cio,” Salinas said.

He credited former County Judge DavidMorales and the Commissioners Court “thathad this vision for Zapata County.

“It is through their efforts and wise deci-sions this new technology has become a real-ity,” Salinas stated.

(Julie Daffern may be reached at 728-2565or jdaffern@lmtonline.com)

ZAPATA COUNTY

Camerasat theready

Technology to connectcommissioners, courtroom

By JULIE DAFFERNTHE ZAPATA TIMES

SALINAS

A high-speed chase thatled to a car fire ended withthe discovery of six bun-dles of marijuana earlyWednesday morning in thenorthern area of ZapataCounty.

Zapata County Attor-ney’s Office investigatorswere in a marked unit, pa-trolling north of DoloresCreek around 5:45 a.m. onU.S. 83.

“We saw a car parkedwith its hazard lights on,”

said Investigator AlfonsoLopez of the Zapata CountyAttorney’s Office. “I madea U-turn and the car spedoff and the chase was on.We were going over 100mph. He went all the waynorth to Webb County justabout a mile north of RioBravo. He crossed thesouthbound lane and wentinto the brush area. Hemust have hit a little hillbecause he went airborne,and the car became stuckin the mesquite trees.”

Lopez said two menjumped out of the vehicle

and took off running. WebbCounty and Zapata Countysheriff ’s deputies as well asBorder Patrol agents joinedthe investigators in thesearch, but the men couldnot be found.

According to Sgt. MarioElizondo, as investigatorswere securing the vehicle,they noticed smoke wascoming from under the car.

Investigators pulled sixbundles of pot from the ve-hicle before it caught fireand turned into a burned-

WAR ON DRUGS

Pot-laden car flees, butchase ends in blaze

A vehicle smolders after a chase with Zapata County Attorney’s Office investigators. The occupants fledinto the surrounding brush, leaving behind 362 pounds of marijuana.

Courtesy photo

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZTHE ZAPATA TIMES

See POT PAGE 9A

ENJOYING THE SUNSHINE

The hot South Texas sun shines brightly over the impressive Zapata County Courthouse as the U.S. and Mexico flags fly high.Photo by Ricardo Segovia | The Zapata Times

PAGE 2A Zin brief SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009

Saturday, Oct. 24The Webb County Heritage Foun-

dation is offering a Ghostly Trolley Tourof some of downtown Laredo’s mosthaunted sites. Admission is $15, and in-cludes a viewing of the “Haunted Heri-tage” exhibit. There are two tours everynight, except Sunday, through Oct. 30.Tours begin at 6 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. atthe Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zara-goza St. For more information, call 727-0977.

The local Girl Scouts troop is orga-nizing Project Undercover. The Scoutswill be collecting new underclothes,diapers and baby wipes for boys andgirls ages newborn to 17 at the DollarGeneral and Family Dollar stores from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Monday, Oct. 26The Webb County Heritage Foun-

dation’s Ghostly Trolley Tour continues,showcasing downtown Laredo’s mosthaunted sites. Admission is $15, and in-cludes a viewing of the “Haunted Heri-tage” exhibit. There are two tours everynight, except Sunday, through Oct. 30.Tours begin at 6 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. atthe Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zara-goza St. For more information, call 727-0977.

Tuesday, Oct. 27The Zapata ISD Board of Trustees

will meet at 6 p.m. at the ProfessionalDevelopment Center, 17th Avenue andCarla. For more information, visitwww.zcisd.org

Wednesday, Oct. 28There will be a meeting today for

parents of Zapata High School freshmenat 6 p.m. at the Zapata High Schoolcafeteria. Refreshments will be served.

Area students interested in pursu-ing higher education will have thechance to meet with recruiters frommore than 60 universities at Laredo Col-lege Night from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. at theTexas A&M International University Stu-dent Center Ballroom. This event is freeand open to the public. Students fromLaredo, Hebbronville, Zapata, Cotulla,Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, Roma andRio Grande City are all invited to discusstheir educational future. The event willgive students the opportunity to explorethe variety of available choices andspeak to representatives in person. Stu-dents should contact their respectivehigh school counselors for more in-formation. For more information aboutTAMIU, contact Gina Gonzalez at956.326.2206, e-mail gina@tamiu.edu,visit offices in SC 126 or click on http://www.tamiu.edu/whatiwant/

Thursday, Oct. 29The Laredo Medical Center will

have a “Pink for Two” Tea Party honoringcancer survivors today at 6 p.m. atLMC’s Tower A third-floor patio. Survi-vors are invited to bring their daughter,mother, sister and best friends to enjoyan evening of relaxation under the starswhile sipping a delicious cup of pink tea.For more information, call 796-4725. Theevent is free for cancer survivors andtheir family and friends.

The First United MethodistChurch’s annual rummage sale beginstoday at the Fellowship Hall, from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. The event is free and open tothe public. It continues through Sat-urday, Oct. 31.

Friday, Oct. 30The American Legion 15th District

Convention begins today, with regis-tration in the afternoon. Business will beconducted Saturday, followed by a din-ner-dance. The presentation of awardswill be Sunday. Registration is $35 perperson, which includes the dinner-danceevent. Host is American Legion Post 486of Zapata.

Saturday, Nov. 14The Marine Toys for Tots program will

be collecting unwrapped toys for boysand girls today at the Marine CorpsLeague, 22nd and Hidalgo, starting atabout 11 a.m. There will also be a platesale to raise money for the project. Formore information, call Manuel Garcia at337-4917.

Friday, Dec. 42009 Annual Christmas Parade

and Lighting of the Plaza heralds thestart of the holiday season in Zapata.Events begin at 6 p.m. The parade startsat 17th Avenue, head south on U.S. 83and end on 6th Avenue at the plaza.

To submit an item for the dai-ly calendar, send the name of theevent, the date, time, locationand a contact phone number toeditorial@lmtonline.com

CALENDARToday is Saturday, Oct. 24,

the 297th day of 2009. Thereare 68 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in Histo-ry:

In Oct. 24, 1945, the UnitedNations officially came intoexistence as its charter tookeffect. (On this date in 1949,construction began on theU.N. headquarters in NewYork.)

On this date:In 1537, Jane Seymour, the

third wife of England’s KingHenry VIII, died 12 days aftergiving birth to Prince Edward,later King Edward VI.

In 1648, the Peace of West-phalia ended the Thirty YearsWar and effectively destroyedthe Holy Roman Empire.

In 1861, the first transconti-nental telegraph message wassent as Chief Justice StephenJ. Field of California transmit-ted a telegram to PresidentAbraham Lincoln.

In 1901, widow Anna EdsonTaylor became the first personto go over Niagara Falls in abarrel.

In 1931, the George Wash-ington Bridge, connectingNew York and New Jersey,was officially dedicated (itopened to traffic the next day).

In 1939, Benny Goodmanand his orchestra recordedtheir signature theme, “Let’sDance,” for Columbia Recordsin New York. Nylon stockingswere sold publicly for the firsttime, in Wilmington, Del.

In 1952, Republican presi-dential candidate Dwight D.Eisenhower declared in De-troit, “I shall go to Korea” ashe promised to end the con-flict. (He made the visit over amonth later.)

In 1980, the merchantfreighter SS Poet departedPhiladelphia bound for PortSaid, Egypt, with a crew of 34and a cargo of grain; it disap-peared en route and has notbeen heard from since.

In 1989, former televisionevangelist Jim Bakker wassentenced by a judge in Char-lotte, N.C., to 45 years in pris-on for fraud and conspiracy.(The sentence was later re-duced to eight years; it wasfurther reduced to four forgood behavior.)

In 2002, authorities arrestedArmy veteran John Allen Mu-hammad and teenager LeeBoyd Malvo near Myersville,Md., in connection with theWashington-area sniper at-tacks.

Ten years ago: An Israelicourt sentenced Americanteenager Samuel Sheinbein to24 years in prison for killingan acquaintance in Marylandin 1997. Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., died at Bethesda NavalHospital at age 77. The NewYork Yankees took Game 2 ofthe World Series, defeating theAtlanta Braves, 7-2.

Today’s Birthdays: Foot-ball Hall-of-Famer Y.A. Tittleis 83. Rock musician Bill Wy-man is 73. Actor-producer Da-vid Nelson is 73. Actor F. Mur-ray Abraham is 70. Actor Ke-vin Kline is 62. FormerNAACP President KweisiMfume is 61. Country musi-cian Billy Thomas (TerryMcBride and the Ride) is 56.Actor B.D. Wong is 49. Rockmusician Ben Gillies (Silver-chair) is 30. Singer-actressMonica Arnold is 29.

Thought for Today: “Pro-gress might have been allright once, but it has gone ontoo long.” — Ogden Nash,American author and humor-ist (1902-1971).

TODAY IN HISTORY

DALLAS — A packed Dallas County court-room erupted in joyous shouts and applauseFriday as two men wrongly convicted of cap-ital murder 12 years ago were set free.

Claude Simmons Jr., 54, and ChristopherScott, 39, had been serving life sentences forthe 1997 slaying of Alfonso Aguilar.

“I have to give my glory to God,” said Zed-die Rucker, Scott’s teary-eyed mom. “I’vewaited on this moment for 12 years. I knewneither one of them had done anythingwrong.”

The men each expressed gratitude to amultitude of people and groups responsiblefor their release, from Jesus Christ and theDallas Police Department to their defense at-torneys and students at innocence clinics atthe University of Texas at Arlington and UT

Austin’s law school who brought the case tothe district attorney’s office last year.

A joint investigation between the PoliceDepartment’s Cold Case Unit and the districtattorney’s office’s Conviction Integrity Unitled to Friday’s exoneration hearing.

“I’m very happy that it’s over now and wecan get on with our lives,” an elated Scottsaid, moments before a blue plastic jailbracelet was snipped from his wrist and thetearful hugging and backslapping from fam-ily and friends began.

Simmons said he didn’t blame anyone: “Inever gave up hope because I believe in Godand God knew that I was innocent.”

Prosecutors said another man confessed tothe crime in a sworn videotaped statementfrom prison last summer. His alleged accom-plice was arrested Tuesday in the Houstonarea and charged with capital murder.

AROUND TEXAS

Wrongly convicted of murderer, Christopher Scott, left center, and Claude Simmons, right center, exit Criminal District CourtNo. 1 with attorneys Michelle Moore, left, and John Stickels, right, and advocate Natalie Ellis, after being set free by JudgeRobert Burns on Friday, in Dallas. The two served 12 years in prison before their release.

Photo by Tim Sharp | AP

2 freed after 12 yearsBy LINDA STEWART BALL

ASSOCIATED PRESS

38 receive no-Englishtraffic tickets

DALLAS — Police officershave improperly cited Dallasdrivers for not being able tospeak English 38 times in thepast three years.

The discovery came after awoman was pulled over earlierthis month for making an ille-gal U-turn and was given a tick-et for being a “non-Englishspeaking driver.”

Inmate gets life for planto kill judge

HOUSTON — A south Texasman has been sentenced to lifein prison for plotting the mur-der of the federal judge whoearlier sentenced him to life fordrug trafficking.

The U.S. Attorney’s Officesaid Joel Lopez Sr., of Roma,had plotted with his wife tohire a man to kill U.S. DistrictJudge Ricardo Hinojosa ofMcAllen and also to kidnap a

woman who allegedly owedhim money.

Prop 9 would guardbeach access

AUSTIN — Fifty years afterthe Legislature passed theOpen Beaches Act, Texans willget a chance to enshrine publicaccess to the coast in the stateconstitution.

Voters will consider Proposi-tion 9 in the Nov. 3 constitu-tional amendment election.

Supporters say the planwould help protect beach ac-cess from the threat of lawsuitsand legislative meddling.

Flu closes Texline schooldistrict

AMARILLO — The tiny Tex-line school district in the TexasPanhandle shut down Fridaybecause of illness, making itthe latest of more than 40 dis-tricts around the state to closecampuses this year because of

the flu.Most of the 100 or so schools

in those districts that shutdown over the past month or sohave recently reopened, accord-ing to the Texas EducationAgency.

Budget, fence keeppreserve closed

BROWNSVILLE — A southTexas nature preserve won’t re-open as scheduled this fall afterit was left in limbo for morethan a year by plans to build aborder fence.

The Sabal Palm AudubonCenter has been a popular des-tination with bird watchersand home to a rare native standof Sabal palms along the RioGrande. The Brownsville Her-ald reports Friday the centerwill remain closed at leastthrough the end of the year.

The border fence, which iso-lates the preserve between theriver and the fence, continuesto create uncertainty.

-- Compiled from AP reports

Parents protest Hawaiischool closures

HONOLULU — Hundreds ofangry parents protested Ha-waii’s statewide public schoolshutdown Friday, saying theirchildren are losing out on edu-cation due to government bud-get cuts.

Hawaii closed 256 publicschools Friday, the first of 17teacher furlough days.

Private eye won’tcontest threats

LOS ANGELES — FormerHollywood private eye AnthonyPellicano and another manhave pleaded no contest in LosAngeles to threatening a news-paper reporter.

Prosecutors say Pellicanoand Alexander Proctor enteredpleas Friday and have been sen-tenced to the maximum threeyears in prison.

Mom says balloon sagawas hoax

DENVER — The mother ofthe 6-year-old boy once fearedmissing inside a runaway heli-um balloon admitted the wholesaga was a hoax, according tocourt documents released Friday.

Mayumi Heene told sheriff ’sdeputies that she and her hus-band Richard “knew all alongthat Falcon was hiding in theresidence” in Fort Collins, ac-cording to an affidavit used toget a search warrant for thehome.

-- Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION

U.S. Coast Guard ships escort a drug smuggling submarine as it is towed to Puer-to Quetzal, Guatemala, on Friday. Three Colombians and two Mexicans who wereon the sub with 10 tons of cocaine, will be judged by U.S. authorities.

Photo by Moises Castillo | AP

Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226Chief Accountant, Thelma Aguero .............. 728-2553General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510Retail Adv. Manager, Alice Arce .................. 728-2511Classified Manager, Sandra Valderrama....... 728-2525Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559Creative/Production Director, Raul Cruz ...... 728-2528MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505Editor, Diana Fuentes ................................ 728-2581City Editor, Julie Daffern .......................... 728-2565Sports Editor, Dennis Silva II......................728-2579Business Journal Editor, Joe Rutland .......... 728-2529A&E Editor, Kirsten Crow .......................... 728-2543

SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY(956) 728-2555

The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the LaredoMorning Times and for those who buy the Laredo MorningTimes at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted.

The Zapata Times is free.The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning

Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129,Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500.

The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Ave-nue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mailthezapatatimes.net

CONTACT US

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009 Zlocal PAGE 3A

More than 90 pounds ofmarijuana were found aftera driver of a vehicle evadedarrest and rolled over onnorth U.S. 83 on the morn-ing of Oct. 16.

The case started whenZapata County Sheriff ’sdeputies tried to stop ablack sport utility vehiclefor a traffic violation at 8:47a.m.

According to Sgt. MarioElizondo, the SUV traveledmore than two miles as itheaded north on U.S. 83.

The vehicle suddenly

went into the brush area,lost control and rolled over,ejecting the driver and pin-ning two passengers underthe SUV.

Zapata Fire Departmentfirst responders helped inmoving the wrecked vehi-cle off the injured.

Elizondo said a total ofsix people were inside thevehicle when it rolled over.Three of them ran awayand could not be located.

The other three were in-jured, including the driver,according to Elizondo.

The three injured weretransported to Laredo fortreatment. Later, two of

them were taken by medi-cal helicopter to San Anto-nio, he said.

According to Elizondo,all three patients were re-ported in stable condition.

After further investiga-tion, deputies found thatthe SUV was carryingabout 93.6 pounds of mari-juana with a street value of$12,000.

No suspects have beennamed and no arrest hasbeen made.

An investigation is ongo-ing.

(César G. Rodriguez maybe reached at 728-2568 or ce-sar@lmtonline.com)

An SUV lays on its side with packages of marijuana spilling out after being chased for two miles by Za-pata County Sheriff’s Office deputies on U.S. 83.

Courtesy photo

Pot found after rolloverBy CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ

THE ZAPATA TIMES

GIMME FIVE

Courtesy photo/

District Attorney Isidro Alaniz and Huggie the Bear visit with third graders at Villarreal ElementarySchool during Red Ribbon Week. Alaniz and his staff brought a special message on the importanceof staying in school and being drug-free. He also discussed with the students his job as an attorneyand the laws that we should follow to be responsible citizens of Zapata. Huggie, the DA Office’smascot, danced with the students and his message was "Hugs not Drugs."

AGGRAVATED ASSAULTWITH A DEADLY WEAPON

A 28-year-old man reportedat 3 a.m. Oct. 18 that shots werefired at El Tigre Exxon. The victimreported the shots were aimed athis vehicle. Zapata County Sher-iff’s Department deputies noticedseveral bullets holes on the rightside of a 2000 GMC pick uptruck. The department has anopen investigation.

ASSAULTA 35-year-old man and a

29-year-old woman reported at 11p.m. Tuesday they were assaultedin the 300 block of GonzalezStreet. Zapata County Sheriff’sDepartment has an open investi-gation.

BURGLARYA 29-year-old man reported

his laptop valued at $1,500 wasstolen from inside his truck at3:30 a.m. Oct. 16 while it wasparked in the 1400 block of Hi-dalgo Boulevard.

A 23-year-old woman re-ported at 1 p.m. Oct. 16 a mobilehome in the 1700 block of Lin-coln had been burglarized and aPlayStation, Xbox games and oth-

er electronics were stolen. Esti-mated value of items is $1,550.

A 26-year-old woman re-ported at 5 p.m. Oct. 16 a resi-dence in the 1100 block of southSiesta Lane had been burglarizedand a shotgun and handgun werestolen. The shotgun and handgunhave a value of $1,200.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEFA 45-year-old man reported

at 7 a.m. Oct. 15 the rear door ofMar y Tierra Restaurant on U.S.83 in San Ygnacio was damaged.According to reports, the subjectswere trying to gain access. Esti-mated damage is $200.

THE BLOTTER

PAGE 4A Zopinion SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM

After-school programsare a cost-effective way toboost student achievement,reduce juvenile crime andhelp overstressed workingparents. Yet a new studyfinds that the number ofafter-school slots continuesto lag far behind parents’demand. Even in thesehard economic times, itshould be possible to nar-row the gap.

There is good news inthe study — “America Af-ter 3” — by the After-school Alliance, a nonprof-it advocacy group. It re-ports a big increase in thenumber of children partici-pating in after-school pro-grams: 8.4 million young-sters compared with 6.5million in 2004. Parentssay they are generally sat-isfied with the programstheir children attend.

But the most strikingand disturbing finding isthe large number of latch-key kids — those left aloneand unsupervised at theend of the regular schoolday: 15.1 million — morethan a quarter of Ameri-ca’s schoolchildren and an800,000 increase from 2004.That number includes 4percent of elementaryschool students and 30 per-cent of middle school stu-dents who are on their

own until their parents re-turn home.

Parents of 18.5 millionstudents say they wouldenroll their children in anafter-school program if onewere available. These num-bers represent a hugemissed opportunity. A ma-jority of publicly financedafter-school programsserve low-income students.They offer help withschoolwork, sports activ-ities and other enrichmentknown to translate into im-proved school attendanceand higher graduationrates and lower rates ofteen pregnancy, drinking,delinquency and drug use.

During the 2008 cam-paign, then-Sen. BarackObama promised that hewould double the financingfor after-school programsunder the No Child LeftBehind Act. His budgetplan unveiled in Februarycalled for no increase inthe current $1.1 billion ap-propriation. The Househas approved a spendingbill that adds another $50million for after-school pro-grams.

Obama, Education Sec-retary Arne Duncan andCongress must all ac-knowledge that a lot moreis needed — and quicklycome up with a plan to in-crease financing for quali-ty after-school programs.

EDITORIAL

Afterschoolworthwhileinvestment

NEW YORK TIMES

AUSTIN — I don’tblame the business grouptrying to buy the St. LouisRams for dropping RushLimbaugh like a fumbleon the 1-yard line.

If they’d taken Lim-baugh’s money and al-lowed him in as an NFLowner, these guys wouldhave spent from dawn todusk explaining whatLimbaugh really meantwhen he once told a blackcaller to “take the boneout of your nose.”

With remarks like that,Limbaugh just wouldn’tbe good fit for the league.A lot of NFL playerswouldn’t find that sort ofremark cute. I wouldn’tsay that to the OaklandRaiders, how about you?

Limbaugh hasn’t exact-ly been Mr. Congenialitywhen it comes to dealingwith minorities. Therewas the time he was hiredby ESPN to add colorcommentary.

See, Limbaugh said onthe air that the reason thePhiladelphia Eagles madeDonovan McNabb theirstarting quarterback wasthat the media was “verydesirous that a blackquarterback do well —black coaches and blackquarterbacks.” ESPNwasn’t interested in insen-sitive loudmouth whiteguys doing well, though,so they didn’t exactly beghim to stay when he re-signed.

I had an idea thatwould have let Limbaughown an NFL team, howev-er. I’d let him buy an NFLteam — as long as he wasrequired to be a player/owner.

That’s right. Under myplan, Limbaugh couldown any NFL team hecould afford, if he had to

suit up and play ball.Not on both sides of the

ball, now. On the otherhand, with his build, itmight be physically im-possible for him to playwithout being situated onboth sides of the ball.

Unless they created amuch larger ball.

I think making Lim-baugh the owner playwith his team would havebeen a fair and entertain-ing solution. Let’s have ashow of hands of all youfolks who would like tosee Limbaugh pancaked.

Wow. That’s a lot ofhands.

And if he had to put onthe pads and take the hits,I think the league’s play-ers would hammer homesome of the lessons Lim-baugh might otherwisehave missed.

I think Limbaughwould be a lot less likelyto pop off if he had a 340-pound linebacker breath-ing down his windpipe.

Yes, I realize he’s in nocondition to play football.And he’d suffer somewelts. But I hear he usedto have a pretty goodpainkiller connection.When you can get yourhands on as much Ox-yContin as he apparentlycould, what’s a couple ofshots to the noggin from apulling guard who’s still alittle hot under the collarabout something Lim-baugh blurted on his lat-est broadcast?

So, let’s flip the coinand get this game started.Oh, did I mention that Ithink as player/ownerLimbaugh ought to be thefeatured running back?

Here he comes. Have athim.

(To reach John Kelso,who writes for the AustinAmerican-Statesman, sendan e-mail to jkelso@states-man.com)

COLUMN

Just give Rushthe ball already

By JOHN KELSOCOX NEWSPAPERS

OTHER VIEWS

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

WASHINGTON —Three years before Rep.Wilbur Mills, the ArkansasDemocrat who thenchaired the Ways andMeans Committee, had hisfling with a strippernamed Fanne Foxe, aka“The Argentine Firecrack-er” (Mills joined her onstage at Boston’s exquisite-ly named Pilgrim Theater,which specialized in whatTime magazine primlycalled “ecdysiast exhibi-tions”; this was after hehad a fracas with Ms. Foxethat provoked her to jumpinto Washington’s TidalBasin across from the me-morial to Thomas Jeffer-son, who really believedthat democracies could be-have rationally), he decid-ed to seek the Democrats’1972 presidential nomina-tion.

So in an almost admira-bly straightforward at-tempt to buy the votes ofthe elderly, he successfullychampioned an automaticCOLA – cost of living ad-justment – for Social Secu-rity.

Non-entitlementsHis campaign fizzled

but his achievement en-dures, and his place in lib-eralism’s pantheon is se-cure. His COLA, which be-gan in 1975, is theentitlement that provesthat the entitlement sys-tem, like the universe, willexpand until, perhaps likethe universe, it collapses

in on itself. Barack Obama has now

established Mills’ SocialSecurity COLA as the cap-stone to the architecture ofthe entitlement culturethat is modern liberal-ism’s crowning achieve-ment: It is an entitlementto which you are entitledeven when you are not en-titled to it. Obama says 57million Americans – everySocial Security beneficiaryand some other recipientsof federal entitlements –are entitled to $250 apieceto assuage the disappoint-ment of having not beeninjured by inflation. Be-cause the cost of living de-clined 4 percent last year,the 57 million are not enti-tled to the actual COLA,but they evidently are go-ing to be declared entitledto monetary consolationfor the misfortune of notexperiencing misfortune.

Throw money at itThis is the second conti-

nent-wide shower of $250checks. The first camefrom the $787 stimuluspackage enacted in Febru-ary. There will not be an-other such shower, untilthe next one.

In January, retirees re-ceived a 5.8 percent COLA,the largest since 1982, pri-marily because of a surgein energy prices, whichsince then have declined.Furthermore, after life-times of accumulation,Americans over 60 havethe highest net worth ofany age cohort. So why thespecial solicitude for them

during an economic down-turn that has afflicted al-most everyone?

Obama says “we mustact on behalf of thosehardest hit by this reces-sion.” But are they thehardest hit? How does heknow? By what measure?Is it possible that, say, themillions who have lostjobs have been hit harderthan retirees?

Buying affection?Andrew Biggs of the

American Enterprise In-stitute notes that a “lost”COLA can mean a signifi-cant increase in the valueof retirees’ entitlements.Because falling prices in-crease the purchasingpower of stable benefits,and because many Medi-care premium increasesare limited in years inwhich no COLA is paid,the typical retiree’s pur-chasing power will be al-most $725 higher nextyear.

More than 40 percent ofthe voters in 2008 were atleast 50 years old. PerhapsObama can do better thanMills did at purchasingthe affections of the elder-ly. He needs to becausethey are especially unen-thralled about his plansfor their health care. Butabout one thing, theyshould relax. A presidentwho cannot resist dispens-ing a semi-COLA after thecost of living declines willnot really fund a substan-tial portion of the newhealth care entitlement bycutting more than $400 bil-

lion from Medicare. And speaking of the un-

believable: Maine Sen. Olympia

Snowe is being beatified asthe incarnation of biparti-sanship because, of the 217Republican senators andmembers of Congress, onlyshe cast a vote for a Demo-cratic health care additionto the nation’s Ponzi enti-tlement structure.

Yet in 2005 she opposeda Republican plan forshaving just $10 billionfrom government healthcare entitlements over 10years. If, as seems proba-ble, she would have op-posed the health care billshe just voted for if Repub-licans had proposed it,does that devalue her ver-sion of bipartisanship?

Stimulus IIIPerhaps the 57 million

$250 handouts should beseen as a down paymenton a stealthy Stimulus III,which Democrats do nothave the audacity to advo-cate candidly.

In any case, Obama,whose inaugural addresswas a summons to "re-sponsibility," does not evenfeign an intention to payfor them with offsettingeconomies. The moneywill be borrowed, much ofit from abroad, much ofthat portion from China.Fortunately, foreignershave unlimited appetitesfor lending to America.Don’t they?

(To reach George Will, e-mail georgewill@wash-post.com)

COLUMN

Forcing 2009 COLA a mistakeBy GEORGE WILL

WASHINGTON POST

The Zapata Times doesnot publish anonymous let-ters.

To be published, lettersmust include the writer’sfirst and last names as wellas a phone number to ver-ify identity.

The phone number ISNOT published; it is usedsolely to verify identity andto clarify content, if neces-

sary. Identity of the letterwriter must be verified be-fore publication.

The Zapata Times doesnot publish letters with justan initial and a last nameunless the initials are regu-larly used by the writer.

People who want to airtheir opinions publiclymust do so openly.

We want to assure our

readers that a letter is writ-ten by the person whosigns the letter. The ZapataTimes does not allow theuse of pseudonyms.

Letters are edited forstyle, grammar, length andcivility. No name-calling orgratuitous abuse is al-lowed.

Length is limited to 500words.

This space allows for thepublic debate of the issuesof the day. Thank-you let-ters are published, but dueto limited space, we askwriters to list no more than10 names in such letters.

Via e-mail, send lettersto editorial@lmtonline.comor mail them to Letters tothe Editor, 111 EsperanzaDrive, Laredo, TX 78041.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009 Zlifestyle PAGE 5A

DEAR MISS MAN-NERS: You could assistan entire profession if youwould advise undergradu-ates on composing e-mailto their professors. Likemy colleagues, I’ve re-ceived peremptory mess-ages from even freshmenthe tone of which mighthave been used by an aris-tocrat to a particularly laxand unpleasant waiter. Af-ter the remonstrances,there’s often a transparentattempt at manipulation,as in “Have a great week-end!” or “Thanks in ad-vance for your under-standing.”

I want to be available tomy students, but I don’twant to be addressed as ifI were their employee.Can you give them somesuggestions?

GENTLE READER:Certainly.

“Dear Professor Wise,“I regret that because

of a tragedy in my family,I must ask you for an ex-tension on the paper thatis due on Friday. My be-loved grandmother hasdied, and my presence hasbeen urgently requestedin Aspen, not only to at-tend her funeral but todeal with matters con-cerning her estate. I ex-pect to be able to returnwithin two weeks, andcould certainly deliver thepaper before Thanksgiv-ing break or, so as not toburden you with it duringthe holiday, soon after.

“Let me say what aprivilege it is to hear yourlectures and how much Ihate to have to miss evenone of them. Please acceptmy apologies for this re-

grettable absence.“Yours sincerely,“Luke Loggle“P.S. I don’t want to im-

pose on you with my fam-ily troubles, but youshould know that this isnot the same grandmoth-er who passed away atStowe earlier in the se-mester. Owing to my par-ents’ remarriages, I amblessed with several.”

DEAR MISS MAN-NERS: My family was in-vited to a Halloween partywith an invitation thatmentioned a gift registryat a local store, recom-mending it for gift ideas.

I would understand tak-ing a gift to a birthdayparty, anniversary partyor even a dinner party,but I have never heard ofbringing a gift to a Hal-loween costume party. Isit rude to expect a gift, oris it polite to bring a giftfor the host no matterwhat type of party it is?

GENTLE READER:You are on that slipperyslope along with yourgreedy friends. Like them,you see nothing wrongwith asking to be givenpresents; your only quib-ble is whether this appliesto Halloween parties.Since you have acceptedthis vulgar practice, youshould not be surprisedthat it keeps spreading.

No – “hostess gifts” arenot obligatory except forovernight stays.

ADVICE

Students neede-mail etiquette

“JUDITH MARTIN

She’s a pretty littlegirl, blue ribbons onher curly pig tails

bouncing as she skipsthrough the darkened lob-by of La Posada Hotel.

Wearing a fancy whitedress with starched crino-linas making the taffetaskirt stand out, she couldbe a younger member of awedding party that’s goingback to their rooms as thefestivities finally winddown.

But it’s 3a.m. and she’salone. And it’s the middleof the week. Wait a min-ute, crinolinas? Theyhaven’t been used sincethe 1950s, right?

The guest who spottedthe child moves quickly tointercept her, to see what’sgoing on. But the little girlhas gone around a corner,toward the doors leadingoutside to the garden.Checking outside, however,there’s no one in sight.Where could she havegone? The water of thepool stirs slightly. All is ee-rily quiet.

A sudden wisp of chillair surrounds the guest.Goosebumps rise. Thechild?

A ghost of Laredo past.“There are different

kinds of ghosts, youknow,” said Rick Villar-real, museum director ofthe Republic of the RioGrande Museum and tourguide for this year’s Ghost

Trolley Tour downtown.“There are the transparenttype of ghosts that we’refamiliar with from themovies. A second typelooks like real people.Those just disappear.

“That’s what the littlegirl is,” he explained. “Bythe time they go see whereshe went, she’s disap-peared.”

That’s just one of thestories you’ll hear on theone-hour tour, whichstarts at 6 p.m. and then at7:30 p.m. every night Mon-day to Friday this weekfrom the Border HeritageMuseum, 810 Zaragoza St.It’s a $15 donation, whichincludes admission to theBorder Heritage Museum.

The tours are sponsoredby the Webb County Heri-

tage Foundation, whichsees the delicious thrill ofghost tales as a downtownattraction for locals andvisitors alike.

“(We have) always doneghost stories,” said Mar-garita Araiza, executive di-rector of the Webb CountyHeritage Foundation.“We’ve had our museumdirector visit schools dur-ing October and over theyears we’ve had differentevents that celebrate Hal-loween and it kind ofevolved over the years …we decided to do an exhib-

it and a tour of our localmyths and legends,”

The Ghost Tour beginsin the historic San Agus-tin Plaza with Villarrealrecounting spine-tinglingtales of wandering, restlesssouls who haunt the area.

Seems the American Le-gion Post 59 and the for-mer Ursuline Convent onthe banks of the RioGrande as well as the pla-za itself have seen a fairshare of strange occur-rences. From the little girlat La Posada to a cloud ofsmoke that transforms in-to a transparent nun tostories of women dancingwith a smartly dresseddevil, downtown Laredo isfull of restless spirits.

The Webb County Heri-tage Foundation chose todo a special October trol-ley tour of downtown Lare-do because of the popular-ity of similar tours in oth-er cities, such as inLouisiana and Florida,said Araiza.

“The foundation alreadyoffers walking tours; how-ever, since we have allthese haunted sites indowntown Laredo, we de-cided to the trolley tour toexpand on this,” Araizasaid.

Visitors to historic La Posada Hotel on the banks of the Rio Grande have seen a mysterious little girl skipping through the lobby.

Take a spine-tingling tourBy ERIKA LAMBRETON

LAREDO MORNING TIMES

It’s said the devil himself dances with unsuspecting lovely ladies atthe American Legion Post 59, a building with a storied past.

Courtesy images/Webb County Heritage Foundation | Special to the Times

See GHOSTS PAGE 6A

The stories that are re-counted during the tourare all folklore, myths andlegends that are consid-ered an oral tradition, sto-ries passed down from gen-eration to generation.

“Some are just folkloreand there are stories peo-

ple have talked about overthe years, but they aremainly based on fact,”Araiza said.

So far the Border Heri-tage Foundation has seen alarge response and excite-ment for the ghost trolleytours, and she hopes the at-

tendance levels will contin-ue to increase.

“Just judging by the firstone, we had a really goodresponse and if it contin-ues it’s something that wewill revisit and try to ex-pand on,” said Villarreal.

For now, the tour focuses

strictly on the downtownarea, but, depending on thepopularity, it might bebroadened in the future toinclude other haunted La-redo locations and mighteven be offered throughoutthe year.

“We appreciate the com-

munity’s interest and sup-port, and we hope this willencourage people to returnto the museum to view theexhibits which are not allghouls and goblins,” Arai-za said. “There are quite alot of fascinating storiesabout our community and

our ancestors.”For more information,

call the foundation at 727-0097

(Diana R. Fuentes con-tributed to this report. Toreach Erika Lambreton, call728-2567 or e-mail Eri-ka@lmtonline.com)

GHOSTS Continued from Page 5A

6A THE ZAPATA TIMES SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009

It’s part of the GrammyAward-winning duo’s tour whichwas scheduled to hit 15 U.S. ci-ties, performing in venues suchas Madison Square Garden inNew York, Staples Center in LosAngeles and American AirlinesArena in Miami.

The tour is being produced byAEG/Goldenvoice.

“We are beyond excited to betouring the United States thisfall,” Wisin said.

“We have sold out Staples andMSG before, but have never trulytoured North America extensive-ly. We look forward to performingfor all our fans across the coun-try.”

En vivoThe concert will feature the

duo’s seven-piece band, theirdance crew, a state-of-the-art au-dio/visual extravaganza and amusical fusion of genres andstyles delivered with unparalleledpower and passion.

In concert, Wisin & Yandelhave proven to be a force to bereckoned with, becoming the on-ly artists in their genre to sell outboth Staples and MSG in theUnited States.

The duo also recently becamethe first urban artists to performin and sell out Mexico City’sprestigious Auditorio Nacional.

They topped this only fourdays later by performing at themuch-larger Palacio de los De-portes, also in Mexico City, and

filling that venue to capacity aswell.

The feat was described as “aphenomenon” by journalists whowitnessed the hysteria which theduo generated throughout Mexi-co, a country which has nevertruly embraced reggaeton.

Behind the twosomeWisin and Yandel, originally

from Cayey, Puerto Rico, havespent the last 10 years as a suc-cessful duo. Before getting togeth-er to form one of the genre’s most

successful Latin music acts, Wi-sin was studying theater and act-ing while Yandel worked as a bar-ber.

They both fell in love with thereggae-Panamanian dance hallmusic which was eventuallynamed reggaeton and jumped in-to Puerto Rico’s underground ur-ban music scene.

In reggaeton’s infancy, most ofthe music produced came in theform of compilation albums gath-ered together by the DJs whowere promoting the music. Wisin& Yandel followed the familiarroute and, in 1998, appeared onDJ Dicky’s effort “No Fear 3.”

speaking audience.“Pa’l Mundo” was co-produced

with reggaeton hitmakers LunyTunes and was an almost imme-diate smash, lifting the duo fromthe ranks of the ordinary to thelevel of genre superstars like Te-go Calderon and Daddy Yankee.

It spawned three major hit sin-gles which stayed high on thecharts for weeks: “Rakata,”“Llame Pa’ Verte” and “Noche deSexo.”

The duo then started their ownrecord label, WY Records, and in2007, released their sixth studioalbum, “Wisin vs. Yandel: Los Ex-traterrestres.” With its firstbreakout single, “Sexy Movimien-to,” Wisin & Yandel skyrocketedto the top of the Latin urban mu-sic charts as well as winninghonors at the 2008 Premio LoNuestro and Premio JuventudAwards.

A new albumThe tour announcement in

June came on the heels of the re-lease of their latest album “La Re-volución.” In its first week out,the album was already No. 1 as adeluxe version and No. 2 as a reg-ular version in digital downloadsales, according to iTunes.

Wisin & Yandel have beenhugely successful during their 10-year career as a duo. They havegarnered numerous multi-plati-num certifications in the UnitedStates and Latin America anddozens of prestigious awards, in-cluding a Grammy and a LatinGrammy.

The album was released by FreshProductions; they subsequentlysigned with that label and, thefollowing year, released their de-but album “Los Reyes del NuevoMilenio.”

In the following years, they re-leased three more albums, all ofwhich met with good success inthe Latin American markets. In2004, they also each released a so-lo album: Yandel’s was titled“Quien Contra Mi,” while Wisingained a nickname with his “ElSobreviviente.” It wasn’t until2005 with the release of “Pa’lMundo” that they caught the at-tention of a broader, non-Spanish

Wisin y Yandel: A reggaeton ‘Revolución’SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Puerto Rican Reggaeton artists Wisin & Yandel pose as they arrive on the red carpet in this Feb. 23, 2006, file photo.

Photo by Alan Diaz | AP

Start off on the right foot. Sign up for Tiny Toes™ at Laredo Medical Center and we’ll have your pregnancy covered, from the first trimester until your baby is born. As an expectant mom, you will receive dinner for two, a diaper bag filled with special items, a commemorative footprint, exclusive merchant discounts, a car seat to take your baby home safely and more! Best of all, it’s free.

Laredo Medical Center believes that you and your newborn deserve the very best. Let us be a part of your special delivery by signing up for Tiny Toes today. Call (956) 796-4505 to register. w w w . l a r e d o m e d i c a l . c o m / ( 9 5 6 ) 7 9 6 - 5 0 0 0

Quality Care. Right Here.A T I P - T O P O B C L U B

Tiny Toes™ is offered exclusively at Laredo Medical Center. It’s helpful, fun, and membership is free! Call us to learn more.

We cover everything from top to…you know.

AGENDAEN BREVE

SÁBADO 24 DE OCTUBRELAREDO - Hoy salen a la ven-

ta los boletos para el evento deSmackdown y la ECW de la WWEque se presentarán en el LaredoEntertainment Center el martes 15de diciembre a las 6:30 p.m. Losboletos salen a la venta a las 10a.m. Podrá comprarlos en la taqui-lla de LEC, en www.ticketmaster-.com, por teléfono en el 800-745-3000 y en todos los expendedoresde Ticketmaster. Los precios de losboletos varían de 45, 35, 25 y 15dólares (más la cuota de las insta-laciones y cargos de conveniencia.

LAREDO - Pase la tarde en elPlanetario Lamar Bruni Vergara deTexas A&M International Universityy explore “New Horizons” a las 3p.m., “Star Sign” a las 4 p.m.,“One World, One Sky Big Bird’s Ad-venture” a las 5 p.m., “PlanetQuest” a las 6 p.m. y “Two SmallPieces of Glass” a las 7 p.m. Sepodrá utilizar el telescopio de ma-nera gratuita a partir de las 8 p.m.Las presentaciones de matinée, an-tes de las 5 p.m., tienen costo de 3dólares.

SAN ANTONIO- Hoy se pre-senta el largometraje de JuanEduardo Farré Rivera “Niño Fiden-cio… de Roma a Espinazo”, a las 6p.m. en el Instituto Cultural de Mé-xico (600 Hemisfair Park). La en-trada es gratuita. Más informaciónllamando al (210) 227-0123.

LAREDO - La zarzuela “ElDuo de la Africana” se presentahoy en el Martinez Fine Arts Centerde LCC a las 7:30 p.m. Es dirigidapor Joseph Crabtree y actuada poralumnos del Taller de Ópera deLCC.

CIUDAD MIER – Esta ciudades sede el día de hoy del certamenestatal para elegir a la SeñoritaFrente Juvenil Revolucionario a par-tir de las 8 p.m. en la Explanadade la Casa de la Cultura. El FJR esuna de las oficinas del Partido Re-volucionario Institucional.

NUEVO LAREDO – CineclubInfantil presenta “Coraline” en elAuditorio de Estación Palabra a las3 p.m. La entrada es gratuita.

NUEVO LAREDO – La sala delectura infantil de Estación Palabrainvita al evento “Hablemos de losmonstruos” hoy a las 2 p.m. La en-trada es gratuita.

NUEVO LAREDO – Se invita eldía de hoy a la proyección de lapelícula “El Extraño Mundo deJack” de 4 p.m. a 6 p.m. en elárea de Servicios Educativos delMuseo Reyes Meza. La entrada esgratuita.

DOMINGO 25 DE OCTUBRELAREDO - Hoy se abre al pú-

blico el Calabozo Embrujado en elLaredo Community College, Campusdel Sur, de 2 p.m. a 5 p.m. El Clubde Desarrollo Infantil estará contan-do historias de Halloween y ofre-ciendo pintura de rostros. La entra-da al calabozo es de 2 dólares porpersona. Más información llamandoal 794-4710.

LAREDO - La Orquesta Filar-mónica de Laredo presenta “EnergyUnleashed” hoy en TAMIU a las 3p.m. Más información llamando al326-2654.

LAREDO - Hoy se presentanen concierto Wisin & Yandel a las7:30 p.m. en el Laredo Entertain-ment Center con su “La RevolucionTour”. Adquiera sus boletos en lataquilla del LEC.

LAREDO- La zarzuela “El Duode la Africana” se presenta hoy enel Martinez Fine Arts Center de LCCa las 3 p.m. Es dirigida por JosephCrabtree y actuada por alumnos delTaller de Ópera de LCC. La entradaes de 5 dólares.

LUNES 26 DE OCTUBRELAREDO - Raymundo Ivan To-

rres presenta una exhibición de 10obras hoy en la Biblioteca Yeary delLaredo Community College a partirde hoy a las 10:30 a.m.

JUEVES 29 DE OCTUBRELAREDO - Hoy se presenta

Paulina Rubio en concierto en elLaredo Entertainment Center a las8 p.m. Compre sus boletos a travésde Ticketmaster, la taquilla de LECy varias ubicaciones de HEB; tam-bién haciendo el cargo por teléfonoen el 1-800-745-3000, ó visitandola página de intener www.ticketmas-ter.com. Los boletos tiene preciosde 25, 45, 65 y 85 dólares (más lacuota de las instalaciones).

Esta semana se dio el arran-que formal a los trabajos de Re-forzamiento de Lucha contra elDengue en los municipios de SanFernando, Valle Hermoso y RíoBravo. Las actividades ya se real-izan en el resto de los municipiosde Tamaulipas.

El Secretario de Salud JuanGuillermo Mansur Arzola llamóa la población a no bajar laguardia y participar en las ac-ciones de combate a esta enfer-medad.

Aplicando las acciones de fu-migación, Mansur encabezó lostrabajos de lucha contra el den-gue en la colonia Buena Vista delmunicipio de San Fernando, endonde también se realizaron lasacciones de eliminación de cria-deros, control larvario y desca-charrización.

En el marco de las actividadesque desde hace una semana serealizan en varios municipios dela entidad, Mansur puso en mar-

cha las acciones que evitaránque los casos se incrementen.

En Valle Hermoso, por ejem-plo, la Secretaría de Salud tieneregistrados cuatro casos positi-vos de dengue.

En varios municipios de la en-tidad se llevan a cabo diversosprogramas de salud, como son elde inspector de patio limpio, fu-migación y descacharrización demanera permanente y en coordi-nación con las autoridades de sa-lud, lo que permite contribuir ala eliminación de los criaderospara evitar el nacimiento y pro-pagación del mosco trasmisordel dengue.

“El exhorto es a los ayunta-mientos y a la población en gen-eral para que se sume a este es-fuerzo de prevención, lo que ga-rantiza que de manera conjuntase evite el incremento de casospor esta enfermedad y sobre todoponer a salvo la integridad de laspersonas logrando la elimina-ción del vector”, dijo Mansur.

En Tamaulipas, a la fecha se

tienen registrados más de 400 ca-sos positivos de dengue, de loscuales más de 300 registrarondengue clásico y cerca de 100 pa-

cientes tuvieron un cuadro hem-orrágico que afortunadamente serecuperaron de manera satisfac-toria.

Refuerzan descacharrizaciónESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

El Secretario de Salud Juan Guillermo Mansur Arzola coloca una llanta dentro deun camión recolector de la basura como parte del programa de descacharrizaciónen Valle Hermoso, el 20 de octubre.

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas

ESTRENAN DESAYUNADOR

La Presidenta del Sistema DIF Tamaulipas Adriana González de Hernández inauguró un nuevo desayunador escolar en Mi-guel Alemán. Con éste suman ya 378 desayunadores construidos y equipados por la presente administración estatal. Enla imagen, con González se observan al Alcalde Servando López Moreno, la Presidenta del DIF local Sandra Isela Garza deLópez y la directora del DIF Tamaulipas Lysette Marcos Ruiz.

Foto de cortesía | DIF Tamaulipas

CD. VICTORIA, México - El In-stituto Estatal Electoral de Ta-maulipas entregó al gobernadorEugenio Hernández Flores elnuevo Código que en esa materiarige en el Estado y que contienelos trabajos de redistritación pa-ra garantizar en el mismo lapreparación y condiciones ade-cuadas para la celebración de loscomicios que se avecinan.

En cumplimiento a lo acorda-do por el Congreso del Estado, encuanto a que la Entidad cuentecon una nueva demarcación elec-toral dentro del marco de las re-formas constitucionales, Hernán-dez recibió del Presidente delIEETAM, Jesús Miguel GraciaRiestra, el documento respectivo.

En la ceremonia oficial reali-zada en las oficinas del Goberna-dor en Palacio de Gobierno, Her-nández manifestó su beneplácitopor la formalización y entregaen tiempo y forma de este impor-tante documento que permitirá aTamaulipas refrendar su perfilde Estado ejemplar en sus proce-sos electorales y en la transpar-encia de sus comicios..

Por su parte, Gracia precisóque para estas acciones, el Con-greso del Estado canalizó las fac-ultades y atribuciones necesariasa este organismo, a fin de llevara cabo los trabajos técnicos y decampo para diseñar esta nuevademarcación electoral que ahoraestablece 22 Distritos Electoralesde Mayoría Relativa.

De esta manera, en lo quecompete a Nuevo Laredo y laFrontera Chica, habrá cuatroDistritos Locales.

El Distrito 1 es el Nuevo Lare-do Norte con 117,982 habitantes.El Distrito 2 es el Nuevo LaredoSur con 119,514 habitantes. ElDistrito 3 es el Nuevo LaredoOriente con 118,342 habitantes.

Finalmente, el Distrito 4 es elMiguel Alemán con 146,823. Eneste Distrito quedaron integra-das las ciudades de Camargo,Guerrero, G. Díaz Ordaz, Mier yuna parte norte de Reynosa.

IETAMentreganuevosdistritos

ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

CD. VICTORIA, México - Elcomité organizador de la FeriaTamaulipas 2009 se encuentraultimando sus detalles finales.

El Coordinador General delevento Eduardo Manzur dijoque sin duda la feria se ha con-solidado como una de las me-jores en el norte del país ya querecibe, en instalaciones propiasy adecuadas, a miles de tamauli-pecos y turistas de los estadosde San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León,del norte de Veracruz y las ciu-dades hermanas de Bronswilley McAllen, para apreciar y dis-frutar de las bondades de conque cuenta el estado.

La Feria Tamaulipas 2009 es-tá programada del 30 de octubreal 15 de noviembre y dentro deella se dan a conocer las carac-terísticas económicas, los atrac-tivos turísticos, culturales y fac-tores competitivos de cada unode los 43 municipios, a partir

del 30 de octubre al 15 de no-viembre.

Manzur informó que para es-ta edición 2009, las instalacionesdel recinto ferial cuentan conmayor infraestructura de servi-cios a la que se ha incorporadomás y mejor iluminación, ofici-nas, Bodega, Modulo de Seguri-dad Pública, estructura para laexposición de los 43 municipiosy en la zona ganadera y un nue-vo Teatro del Pueblo con velariay camerinos.

Dentro de los atractivos, losasistentes podrán apreciar unaamplia gama de espectáculos y

variedades como el "Robert́S In-ternational Circus", Delfines, elShow de los Osos amaestrados,la magia e ilusionismo de la es-cuela Rusa, patinaje artístico"Sidney on Ice" el Rodeo Amer-icano y la Mansión del Terror.

Destacando, además las pre-sentaciones gratuitas en el Tea-tro del Pueblo, de Alex Syntek,Roxana Castellanos, SonoraTropicana, el Gran Silencio, Ku-dai, Reik, Omar Chaparro,Playa Limbo, Moderatto, LMT,Maribel Guardia, Kalimba.

En la Clausura estarán losSúper Reyes.

Se acerca Feria TamaulipasESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

“Está programada del 30 de octubre al 15 de noviembre.COMITÉ ORGANIZADOR

CIUDAD MIER – Con el objetivo deresaltar la participación de los jóvenesen la política, y especialmente el papelde la mujer, el denominado “PuebloMágico” será sede el sábado del Certa-men Estatal Señorita Frente Juvenil Re-volucionario (FJR).

El FJR es una organización dentrodel Partido Revolucionario Institucional.

El evento está programado para las 8p.m. en la Explanada de la Casa de laCultura.

El Coordinador de Distrito del FJRHiram Peña Gómez dijo que esperan la

participación de 30 jóvenes.“El premio al primer lugar es que la

representante será la imagen del FrenteJuvenil Revolucionario de Tamaulipas”,dijo Peña. “Además obtendrá un premioen efectivo”.

El jueves, las participantes en el cer-tamen estatal arribaron a Camargo parainiciar sus trabajos preparativos, agregóPeña.

Previo al evento estatal, en cada mun-icipio se realizó un concurso de dondesalió la representante. Por Ciudad Mierasiste Mariana Guerra y por Nuevo La-redo asiste la Embajadora Rocío Váz-quez González.

Eligen hoy Señorita FJRESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

CARRERA PANAMERICANA

Foto de cortesía | Carrera Panamericana

Este Ford Victoria Turismo Mayor es uno de los autos queparticipan en la Carrera Panamericana 2009. El evento ar-rancó el viernes en Huatulco, Oaxaca y tiene como meta Nue-vo Laredo el jueves 29 de octubre a las 4 p.m. en la Explana-da Esteban Baca Calderón.

Zfrontera PÁGINA 7ASÁBADO 24 DE OCTUBRE DE 2009

For tickets and more information contact the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra at (956) 326-3042.

nergy unleashedSunday, October 25, 2009 • 3pmTexas A&M International UniversityAdults $25 Seniors (62+) $17

E

PMusical

earlsPMusical

earls

Soloist: Wesley Baldwin (cello)

Toccata Festiva S. Barber Cello Concerto B. Ranjbaran Symphony No. 7 in D minor A. Dvorak

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES Local SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009

READING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Courtesy photo | Special to the Times

The Zapata South Elementary School Library recently had its annual Fall Book Fair. Showing their pur-chases after shopping at the fair are students Jorge Garza, Juan Carlos Talamante, Alexi Luera and Is-trael Martinez. Students and teachers visited the book fair to buy a variety of reading material; all pro-ceeds went to the library to help with AR prizes.

Zapata residents willhave a chance to enjoy a“spooktacular” team rop-ing competition on thefirst of what is hoped to bean annual Monster BashTeam Roping on Hallow-een at the Nick Gutierrez4H Arena.

Organizer Roman Cuel-lar said Thursday this is afirst for Zapata: a ropingevent with a Halloweentheme.

Those who would like tocompete in scary outfits orcostumes are welcomed todo so, he said.

“I wanted to try some-thing new, something dif-ferent,” Cuellar said. “Inroping, people think youhave to go with boots andjeans.

“This is something dif-

ferent. You can come asyou want.”

Cuellar said the compe-tition could serve as an at-traction for all families.They can arrive early inthe morning to rope andleave in the evening for thetraditional trick or treattrip around the neighbor-hood.

During the competition,a surprise prize will begiven to the child with thebest costume.

Youngsters will have achance to show off theirdummy roping skills inthree age groups startingat 4 years old.

Concession stands withMexican antojitos andAmerican cravings will bearound for those who wantto grab a bite.

Flying J saddles will beprovided to first place andbuckles, collars and hal-

ters to runners-up.“I checked out some of

their work. It’s awesome,”Cuellar said.

He said the hits on theirWeb site have been in-creasing constantly. Thelast times he checked it,there were more than 250views on the roping com-petition.

“That’s really good forus. It gives us an idea ofwhat to expect,” Cuellarsaid.

Registration begins at 8a.m. Roping starts at 10a.m.

Registration is $150 withan entry limit of four. Chil-dren will pay $25 per entry.

For information on theevent, call (956) 333-8425 orvisit www.teamroper.comand click on ropings.

(César G. Rodriguezmay be reached at 728-2568or cesar@lmtonline.com)

Cuellar plans spookyroping fun for ZapataBy CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ

THE ZAPATA TIMES

Veronica E. Benitez (Sa-linas), a native of Zapatanative, graduated from Za-pata High School in 1996.

The daughter of Joe andLulu Benitez, her husbandis Cesar Salinas, co-Ownerof Zapata Auto Parts.

Veronica received an as-sociate’s degree in 1999 inOccupational Therapy fromLaredo Community Col-lege.

She worked for six and ahalf years as an occupa-tional therapy assistant inZapata, gaining clinical ex-

perience in the settings ofnursing home, early inter-vention, school systems,outpatient rehabilitationand home health.

During that time, shecontinued her professionaleducation and acquired abachelor’s degree inHealthcare Sciences and amaster’s in occupationaltherapy from the Universi-ty of Texas Health ScienceCenter at San Antonio inMay 2007.

Since then, Veronica hasbeen working at a Laredoclinic specializing in pedi-atric rehabilitation. Just a

few months ago, Veronicastarted her own children’stherapy clinic: LeapingMilestones Children’s Ther-apy, P.C.

Veronica states that own-ing her own children’s clin-ic has been her life-longdream and she looks for-ward to serving the com-munity for many years tocome.

Good Luck, Veronica.(Dora Martinez is a na-

tive of Zapata who was pub-lisher of Hispanic News inSan Antonio for 21 years.She can be reached at theza-patatimes@att.net)

Benitez opens kids’ clinicBY DORA MARTINEZ

A FRUITFUL LITERARY GOAL

Courtesy photo | Special to the TimesZapata South Elementary School Library is having its annual Literary Pumpkin Display. All teachersand staff participated in the annual event. Librarian Rosie Bigler invites the community to come byand visit the library and take a look at the beautiful and creative display of pumpkins.

The First United Metho-dist Church’s annual fund-raising Rummage Saletakes place Thursday, Fri-day and Saturday (Oct. 29-31) at the Fellowship Hall.

“All proceeds from the

rummage sale go to thechurch’s missions and out-reach programs,” said Hor-tense Offerle, sale chairwo-man.

The sale will be openfrom 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thurs-day-Friday and 9 a.m.-2p.m. Saturday. Admission isfree; the public is invited.

Items on sale at bargainprices include small ap-pliances; clothing for chil-dren, babies, men, andwomen; furniture; toys forall ages of children; exer-cise and athletic equip-ment; rugs and carpets;lamps; radios and TVs andmuch, much more.

Good deals at FUMC saleBy DENNIS P. KRIEWALD

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

STOCKS OF LOCAL INTERESTWk Wk YTD

Name Ex Div Last Chg %Chg%ChgWk Wk YTD

Name Ex Div Last Chg %Chg%Chg

AT&T Inc NY 1.64 25.73 +.03 +0.1 -9.7AEP NY 1.64 30.81 -.62 -2.0 -7.4BkofAm NY .04 16.22 -1.04 -6.0 +15.2Caterpillar NY 1.68 57.60 +3.45 +6.4 +28.9Citigrp NY ... 4.46 -.13 -2.8 -33.5CCFemsa NY .51 54.31 +.74 +1.4 +24.8CmtyHlt NY ... 34.91 -.53 -1.5 +139.4ConocPhil NY 2.00 51.97 +.01 ... +.3Dell Inc Nasd ... 15.48 +.20 +1.3 +51.2Dillards NY .16 14.92 +.36 +2.5 +275.8DirFBear rs NY ... 19.37 +.30 +1.6 -94.6EmpIca NY ... 10.43 +.01 +0.1 +55.7ExxonMbl NY 1.68 73.57 +.45 +0.6 -7.8FannieMae NY ... 1.18 -.28 -19.2 +55.3FordM NY ... 7.63 +.21 +2.8 +233.2GenElec NY .40 15.20 -.88 -5.5 -6.2HewlettP NY .32 48.56 +.19 +0.4 +33.8HomeDp NY .90 26.27 -.99 -3.6 +14.1Intel Nasd .56 19.78 -.40 -2.0 +34.9IntlBcsh Nasd .34 16.51 +.07 +0.4 -24.4IBM NY 2.20 120.36 -1.28 -1.1 +43.0Lowes NY .36 20.71 -.65 -3.0 -3.8

Lubys NY ... 3.62 -.13 -3.5 -13.6

MetLife NY .74 36.95 -.33 -0.9 +6.0

MexicoFd NY 2.18 21.84 -.23 -1.1 +43.7

Microsoft Nasd .52 28.02 +1.52 +5.7 +44.1

Modine NY ... 9.31 -.90 -8.8 +91.2

Penney NY .80 36.03 +.21 +0.6 +82.9

Pfizer NY .64 17.25 -.52 -2.9 -2.6

PwShs QQQ Nasd .18 43.13 +.35 +0.8 +45.0

RadioShk NY .25 15.66 +.15 +1.0 +31.2

Schlmbrg NY .84 65.20 -3.88 -5.6 +54.0

SearsHldgs Nasd ... 72.78 +2.70 +3.9 +87.2

SonyCp NY .13 28.91 +.03 +0.1 +32.2

SPDR NY 2.42 108.08 -.81 -0.7 +19.8

SPDR Fncl NY .38 15.10 -.12 -0.8 +20.6

TelMexL NY .67 17.04 -.45 -2.6 -18.6

UnionPac NY 1.08 57.73 -5.80 -9.1 +20.8

USSteel NY .20 40.87 -2.57 -5.9 +9.9

UnvHlth NY .32 62.57 -2.51 -3.9 +66.5

WalMart NY 1.09 50.44 -.78 -1.5 -10.0

WellsFargo NY .20 29.32 -.70 -2.3 -.5

STOCK MARKET INDEXES

MONEY RATES CURRENCIES

MUTUAL FUNDS

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Prime RateDiscount RateFederal Funds RateTreasuries

3-month6-month5-year10-year30-year

WEEKLY DOW JONES

10,119.47 6,469.95 Dow Jones Industrials 9,972.18 -23.73 -.24 +13.63 +19.014,094.39 2,134.21 Dow Jones Transportation 3,804.95 -218.20 -5.42 +7.57 +10.34

395.11 288.66 Dow Jones Utilities 377.43 -4.60 -1.20 +1.80 +6.717,241.39 4,181.75 NYSE Composite 7,066.80 -67.16 -.94 +22.75 +30.201,887.23 1,130.47 AMEX Index 1,834.13 -26.48 -1.42 +31.24 +41.992,190.64 1,265.52 Nasdaq Composite 2,154.47 -2.33 -.11 +36.62 +38.821,101.35 666.79 S&P 500 1,079.60 -8.08 -.74 +19.52 +23.13

11,403.02 6,772.29 Wilshire 5000 11,160.87 -95.82 -.85 +22.82 +26.74625.30 342.59 Russell 2000 600.86 -15.32 -2.49 +20.30 +27.54

2,998.87 1,789.23 Lipper Growth Index 2,946.74 -25.95 -.87 +34.09 +39.18

52-Week Wk Wk YTD 12-moHigh Low Name Last Chg %Chg %Chg %Chg

3.25 3.250.50 0.50

.00-.25 .00-.25

0.06 0.060.17 0.152.42 2.353.47 3.414.29 4.24

Last Pvs Week

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Alliance Bernstein GlTmtcGA m WS 888 65.11 +3.8 +54.8/A +5.1/C 4.25 10,000

Eaton Vance WldwHealA m SH 748 8.60 -3.6 +14.3/C +4.4/C 5.75 1,000

Fidelity Select Biotech d SH 1,136 61.29 -8.3 +7.3/E +3.4/D NL 2,500

Fidelity Select BrokInv d SF 695 50.76 +0.1 +57.3/A +8.5/A NL 2,500

Fidelity Select CommEq d SC 360 20.21 +0.2 +63.9/A +4.0/B NL 2,500

Fidelity Select Computer d ST 478 42.43 +0.5 +60.4/A +6.5/B NL 2,500

Fidelity Select Electron d ST 1,146 36.93 -4.2 +60.1/A +2.2/D NL 2,500

Fidelity Select FinSvc d SF 524 60.64 +0.8 +24.4/B -4.4/C NL 2,500

Fidelity Select HomeFin d SF 74 10.67 -4.5 -0.9/E -22.0/E NL 2,500

Fidelity Select SoftwCom d ST 788 70.29 +5.6 +47.6/C +8.8/A NL 2,500

Fidelity Select Tech d ST 1,744 70.31 +3.7 +72.4/A +5.9/B NL 2,500

Seligman ComInfoA m ST 2,522 36.42 +2.9 +54.0/B +10.4/A 5.75 2,000

T Rowe Price SciTech ST 2,304 20.89 -0.3 +53.7/B +4.0/C NL 2,500

Vanguard HlthCare d SH 11,311 114.77 +0.4 +21.3/A +6.7/A NL 25,000

Waddell & Reed Adv SciTechA m ST 2,036 8.96 0.0 +45.4/C +9.7/A 5.75 500

Total Assets Total Return/Rank Pct Min InitName Obj ($Mlns) NAV 4-wk 12-mo 5-year Load Invt

CA -Conservative Allocation, CI -Intermediate-Term Bond, ES -Europe Stock, FB -Foreign Large Blend, FG -Foreign LargeGrowth, FV -ForeignLarge Value, IH -World Allocation, LB -Large Blend, LG -Large Growth, LV -Large Value, MA -Moderate Allocation, MB -Mid-Cap Blend, MV - Mid-Cap Value, SH -Specialty-heath, WS -World Stock, Total Return: Chng in NAV with dividends reinvested. Rank: How fund performed vs. others withsame objective: A is in top 20%, E in bottom 20%. Min Init Invt: Minimum $ needed to invest in fund. Source: Morningstar.

NYSE7,066.80 -67.16

NASDAQ2,154.47 -2.33

Volume

Name Vol (00) Last Chg

Microsoft 4767322 28.02 +1.52PwShs QQQ4634862 43.13 +.35Intel 3717155 19.78 -.40ETrade 2874881 1.66 -.09Cisco 2005668 24.17 +.15Oracle 1760638 22.05 +.24Apple Inc 1566024203.94+15.89eBay 1489667 23.56 -.93SunMicro 1345675 8.44 -.68Yahoo 1322826 17.22 +.41

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg %Chg

Radcom 2.45 +1.26 +105.9HMN Fn 6.29 +2.87 +83.9CascadeFn 2.69 +1.13 +72.4Exceed wt 3.30 +1.30 +65.0Corcept 2.68 +1.03 +62.4NaturesS n 9.10 +3.35 +58.3WaccaBk 4.60 +1.59 +52.8ExceedCo 11.30 +3.37 +42.5TennCmce 5.44 +1.48 +37.2Napco 2.04 +.55 +36.9

Name Last Chg %ChgConns 7.46 -5.22 -41.2NtwkEq 4.49 -2.21 -33.0AmCareSrc 2.67 -1.28 -32.4Ultralife 3.81 -1.80 -32.1TwinDisc 10.47 -4.14 -28.3Affymetrix 6.68 -2.20 -24.8TriQuint 6.07 -1.98 -24.6OpexaTher 2.32 -.73 -24.0PhnxTc 2.47 -.78 -24.0RoyaleEn 2.84 -.85 -23.0

DIARYAdvanced 921Declined 1,953New Highs 370New Lows 51Total issues 2,940Unchanged 66

11,414,026,091

Name Vol (00) Last Chg

Citigrp 17848799 4.46 -.13BkofAm 9484527 16.22 -1.04SPDR 9384721108.08 -.81FannieMae 5680947 1.18 -.28GenElec 5069718 15.20 -.88SPDR Fncl 4675025 15.10 -.12DirFBear rs 4077363 19.37 +.30Pfizer 3950159 17.25 -.52iShEMkts 3516106 40.76 +.01BostonSci 3457723 8.75 -1.27

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg %Chg

HarvstEn g 9.31 +2.32 +33.2NY Times 10.74 +2.26 +26.7CPI h 12.97 +2.60 +25.1MPS Grp 13.54 +2.65 +24.3Lexmark 27.50 +5.35 +24.2HNI Corp 28.56 +5.33 +22.9GrubbEl h 2.08 +.38 +22.4CNH Gbl 22.38 +3.97 +21.6SLM pfA 35.50 +5.93 +20.1SLM pfB 36.75 +6.10 +19.9

Name Last Chg %ChgFredM pfT 2.00 -.75 -27.3FelCor 3.54 -1.06 -23.0CtlAir B 12.58 -3.33 -20.9Elan 5.31 -1.35 -20.3MGIC 5.13 -1.29 -20.1Newcastle 2.30 -.56 -19.6Synovus 2.92 -.70 -19.3MarshIls 5.97 -1.39 -18.9StratHotels 2.12 -.48 -18.5GaGulf rs 20.21 -4.48 -18.1

DIARYAdvanced 1,317Declined 1,844New Highs 698New Lows 10Total issues 3,214Unchanged 53

25,894,511,524Volume

8,000

8,500

9,000

9,500

10,000

10,500

A OM J J A S

96.28

MON

-50.71

TUES

-92.12

WED

131.95

THUR

-109.13

FRI

Close: 9,972.181-week change: -23.73 (-0.2%)

Dow Jones industrials

WEEKLY STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

Stock Footnotes: g=Dividends and earnings in Canadian dollars .h= Doe not meet continued- listings tandards lf = Late filing with SEC. n= New in past 52 weeks. pf = Preferred. rs = Stock has undergone a reverse stock split of at least 50 percent within the past year. rt =Right to buy security at a specified price. s = Stock has split by at least 20 percent within the last year. un = Units. vj = In bankruptcy orreceivership. wd = When distributed. wi = When issued. wt = Warrants. Mutual Fund Footnotes: b = Fee covering market costs is paidfrom fund assets. d = Deferred sales charge, or redemption fee. f = front load (sales charges). m = Multiple fees are charged. NA = notavailable. p = previous day’s net asset value. s = fund split shares during the week. x = fund paid a distribution during the week. Gainersand Losers must be worth at least $2 to be listed in tables at left. Most Actives must be worth at least $1. Volume in hundreds of shares.Source: The Associated Press. Sales figures are unofficial.

Australia 1.0853 1.0790

Britain 1.6311 1.6624

Canada 1.0523 1.0486

Euro .6666 .6655

Japan 92.10 91.29

Mexico 13.0365 12.9469

Switzerlnd 1.0087 1.0048

Last Pvs Day

British pound expressed in U.S. dollars.All others show dollar in foreign currency.

dd dd

out shell. Elizondo said themarijuana weighed 362pounds with an estimatedvalue of $47,000.

The cause of the fire isunknown, but arson hasnot been ruled out.

Elizondo said the firecould have started becauseof the dry conditions; thetall grass lodged under-neath the hot, stalled vehi-cle could have been fuel fora fire.

“That’s a speculation onwhat happened,” Elizondosaid, adding that deputiesare warned to be carefulwhere they park because ofthat possible danger.

The sheriff ’s departmenthas an open investigationon the case.

(César G. Rodriguez maybe reached at 728-2568 or ce-sar@lmtonline.com)

POT Continued from Page 1A

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009 THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

times, many have a toughtime finding jobs. That’sthe type of person that islured into the drug world,Rodriguez said.

The video features in-terviews with drug smug-glers and graphic footageof the carnage they inflictin the course of conduct-ing their business, accord-ing to the news release.

The video also drama-tizes scenes involvingsome high school studentswho tangled with a drugtrafficking organizationand suffer the conse-quences, the releasereads.

Some scenes included

actual bodies of peopleburned; other showed theremains of bodies. In oneinstance, there was adramatized scene of ayoung man from Laredowho was shot and burned.

“It was a strong mess-age. It’s important to talk

about the reality of ourworld,” Rodriguez said.

After the presentation,students were asked howmany of them knew afriend or relative who isinvolved in drug activity

“A lot hands would goup,” Rodriguez said.

Counselors had oppor-tunities to speak to young-sters and advise them onhow to deal with risky sit-uations.

Rodriguez is concernedabout parents not beinginvolved enough withtheir youngsters. Withboth parents working, notenough quality time isspent with their children.

“Takes a lot to be goodparent today than 20 yearsago,” Rodriguez said. “Weall as parents have to stepup to the plate.”

(César G. Rodriguezmay be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmton-line.com)

DRUGS Continued from Page 1A

“It was a strong message. It’simportant to talk about thereality of our world.ROMEO RODRIGUEZ, ZISD SUPERINTENDENT

KIDS WITH CHARACTER

Courtesy photo | Special to the Times

Villarreal Elementary recently honored kids with character. Shown in the bottom row, left to right, Gisela Zuniga, Ana Bravo, Miguel Gar-cia,Alyssa Reyes Alex Sanchez and Zachary Garza; second row, left to right, Cindy Zuniga, Cesar Garcia, Emilae Hill, Aileen De la Rosa,Carlos Sanchez and Israel Cervantes; third row, left to right, Andrew Trevino, Jocelyn Guzman, Miranda Perez, Natalia Lerma, Jose Es-quivel, Juan D. Rodriguez and Isabel Lerma; top row, left to right, David Garcia, Yesenia Bernal, Rene Pichardo, James Segovia, Francis-co Medina and Roel Gomez. Not pictured are Natalie Mendoza, Jose Leal, Estevan Salinas, Jessica Medrano, Alexander Aguliar and LuisAlberto Carmona.

AUSTIN — The newombudsman for the Texasyouth prison system hasbeen barred from enteringits lockups as authoritiesinvestigate allegationsthat she twice tried tosmuggle in weapons, pre-scription drugs and cash.

Catherine Evans wasappointed to the TexasYouth Commission in Sep-tember by Gov. Rick Perry.The ombudsman reportson the commission’s facil-ities and evaluates themto protect children’srights.

Commission spokesmanJim Hurley declined com-ment on whether Evansmay have been trying tostage her own sting oper-ation to test agency secu-rity.

Allison Castle, a spokes-woman for Perry, said in awritten statement thatproviding appropriate se-curity measures to protectthe youth, staff and vis-itors at the facilities re-mains a priority.

“An ongoing investiga-tion into this matter willdetermine whether or notthe ombudsman’s actionswere a legitimate test ofsecurity,” she said. “Wewill await the results ofthe investigation.”

What kind of weaponsEvans allegedly tried tobring in was not immedi-ately available.

Carrying weapons andother contraband into astate correctional facilityis a third-degree felony,punishable by two to 10

years in prison. “We are committed to

the safety of our youth,staff and visitors,” Hurleysaid.

Telephone messages lefton Evans’ cell phone byThe Associated Press werenot immediately returnedFriday.

The Austin American-Statesman reported on itsWeb site Friday that a re-port prepared by Evansand an assistant regard-ing her Sept. 22-23 visit tothe Al Price State JuvenileCorrectional Facility inBeaumont said Evans car-ried “a brown canvas bagcontaining a weapon, aniPhone, prescription medi-cine and $300” through asecurity checkpoint at thegatehouse.

“Ms. Evans carried herbag through the metal de-tector and the alarmsounded,” the report said.“Ms. Evans opened herbag and the guard glancedin, but none of the itemslisted above were identi-fied. The guard made nofurther effort to identifywhat set off the detector’salarm.”

Evans later was caughtentering the CrockettState School with a weap-on and other prohibiteditems.

Hurley said Evans isbarred from youth lock-ups until the investigationis complete but can reportto her office at agencyheadquarters.

Evans is a former Dal-las County juvenile judgewho chaired the TexasYouth Commission Advi-sory Board.

Youth prisonprobes official

ASSOCIATED PRESS

10A LAREDO MORNING TIMES SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009

Sports&OutdoorsSATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009 ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

The road to the statemeet began on June 1, andrunners for the ZapataHigh School Lady Hawkscross country team will fi-nally see if all their hardwork and training paid offwhen they face some toughlocal competition on Mon-day.

The first step toward astate berth is the districtmeet, and the stage is setfor the District 32-3A CrossCountry Meet, which isschedule to take place in

Harlingen at 8:30 am.

One chanceCross country, unlike

other sports in which thereare several district gamesto work out the kinks, isone-shot deal.

The Lady Hawks are thereigning district cham-pions and are set to defendtheir title.

Coach Mike Villarrealhas carefully laid out theseason for his team and

XC programs going strong

Seventh-grade members of the Zapata Middle School Lady Merlins cross country team pose with their first-place plaque after competingat a meet earlier this season.

Courtesy photo

Lady Hawks, Lady Merlinsrunning successfully

By CLARA SANDOVALSPECIAL TO THE TIMES

See GIRLS XC PAGE 2B

For all eight of them, there will be nomore summer volleyball league, no opengym or the anticipation for the start of newseason.

They know that they must lay everythingon the line if they hope to stretch out theircareers just a few games into the postseason.A

s each day goes by, eight young la-dies know that their high schoolvolleyball career is slowly comingto an end.

Seniors Adriana Peña, Clari Solis, LexiGarza, Kat Garcia, Loraly Rivera, AshleyMartinez, Liz Davila and Amanda Sanchezare on their farewell tour as the day to takeoff that Zapata uniform for the last time is

ALMOST TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

Seniors on this season’s Zapata Lady Hawks varsity volleyball team are, back row left to right, Kat Garcia, Amanda Sanchez, Ashley Martinez and Adriana Peña; mid-dle row, Liz Davila, Loraly Rivera and Lexi Garza; and, front, Clari Solis.

Courtesy photo

Zapata volleyball seniors hoping to extend seasonBy CLARA SANDOVAL

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

See SENIORS PAGE 2B

The Zapata Lady Hawks havebecome road warriors towardthe end of the district season.

They have found their secondwind and are putting togethersome unforgettable games.

After dropping their openinggame and fighting off a matchpoint that would have sent theminto a fifth and deciding game,the Lady Hawks bounced backto defeat Rio Hondo on the roadon Tuesday, 22-25, 25-12, 25-13and 26-24.

Zapata (9-4, 18-13) played PortIsabel on Friday and will headto Lyford on Tuesday for its reg-ular season finale.

The Lady Hawks were tiedfor third place in District 32-3Aprior to Friday’s match.

Tuesday’s resultZapata dominated the offense

on Tuesday, recording an aston-ishing 52 kills for the night.

Brandi King continued tolead the district’s hitters as sheput up 28 kills to go along witha 22-dig defensive effort.

Adriana Peña, Kat Garciaand Ashley Martinez combinedfor 24 kills to help King on theoffense.

Feeding the ball to King wassetter Lexi Garza, who recorded39 assists.

Also doing a remarkable jobin the back row was libero ClariSolis, who had 16 digs.

Fighting backThe Lady Hawks were up 2-1

Still inplayoffhuntBy CLARA SANDOVAL

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

See VOLLEYBALL PAGE 2B

COLUMBIA, Mo. —Blaine Gabbert’s numbershave plummeted the lasttwo weeks while he’s beenhobbled by a sprained rightankle.

So have Missouri’s for-tunes, with losses to Ne-braska and OklahomaState.

The sophomore quarter-back has heard plenty ofspeculation about the ideathat a break would do him,

and the Tigers, good in thelong run.

But even if he’s far from100 percent there’s no wayGabbert’s missing Saturdaynight’s Big 12 test againstNo. 3 Texas.

“That’s not the kind ofperson I am,” Gabbert said.“People can think all theywant, they have no ideawhat’s going on.

“I’m fine. I’m good togo.”

Strong offenseMissouri (4-2, 0-2 Big 12)

needs Gabbert against theLonghorns (6-0, 4-0), wholead the nation with a 42-point average, are 6-0 forthe second straight seasonand have taken 15 of thelast 16 from the Tigers, in-cluding a rout last seasonin Austin. Texas is one ofseven unbeaten teams left,has won 10 in a row datingto last season and is a 13-

In this Oct. 18, 2008, file photo, Texas Longhorns running back Chris Ogbonnaya (3) bulls his way intothe endzone to score a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during their game in Austin.

Photo by Kin Man Hui | San Antonio Express-News

No. 3 Texas lookingfor seventh straight

By R.B. FALLSTROMASSOCIATED PRESS

See TEXAS PAGE 2B

PREVIEW

PAGE 2B Zscores SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009

has methodically workedon every aspect of the racein order to come homewith a first-place trophy.

“Our team has a betterunderstanding of what ourracing tactics, strategy andrace plan consists of,” hesaid. “But we are targetingthese areas within ourworkouts.”

Villarreal increased theintensity of the workouts agreat deal over the lastcouple of weeks.

“We have dropped our

weekly mileage about 3-5miles per week over thelast few weeks, but areworking efficiently and ef-fectively to get faster,” hesaid.

Bumps and bruisesZapata has not been im-

mune to the bumps andbruises that go along withbecoming a state-qualify-ing team.

“I don’t think we have

ever been 100 percent, butthe girls are doing theirpart and giving all theycan at practice each andevery day,” Villarreal said.“We can’t ask them towork harder, simply be-cause they have been work-ing hard all season long.”

Villarreal instead imple-mented “the work smart-er” philosophy with a lot offocus during our dailyworkouts.

“It’s been fun watchingthese girls progress like

they have over the courseof the season and over thelast few years,” he said.

The Lady Hawks took aweek off from competitionand instead ran an intense5.5-mile run and also fo-cused on some core work.

Middle school reportThe Lady Merlins cross

country team has Villar-real excited, as the runnershave completely dominated

the middle school races allthrough out the season.

They captured the first-place trophy at every mid-dle school meet and willtake their undefeated re-cord to the course one lasttime for all the marbles.

Their last tuneup fortheir district meet was atthe Riviera Invitational,where they swept both di-visions.

Jazmine Garcia andCristina Garcia were thetop runners in the eighth-

and seventh-grade divi-sions, respectively.

“These middle schoolrunners are our future,and let me tell you the fu-ture looks bright for Zapa-ta girls’ cross country,” Vil-larreal said. “I am ex-tremely proud of theefforts these girls put fortheach and every week and itis awesome seeing themwalk the hall with theirmedals on Monday’s afterthe meets with big smileson their faces.”

GIRLS XC Continued from Page 1B

approaching.

Tight teamThis season’s Lady

Hawks team boasts one ofthe biggest senior classesthat has played undercoach Rosie Villarreal dur-ing her five-year tenure.

“Each one of them bringssomething special to theteam that makes themunique,” she said. “This isa very tight team, and theyrespect each other.”

“They all have the heartand desire to work hardand the will to win. I willmiss each one of them in adifferent way. I just hope Ihave taught them enoughto help them succeed inlife.”

Each player has playedan integral role in develop-ing the chemistry that hasbeen very beneficial to Za-pata this season despite

having a rollercoaster year.“The chemistry on this

team has been great,” Vil-larreal said. The girls getalong fantastically. Theyeach understand the rolethey play on the team.”

Veteran starsPeña and Solis are the

veterans of the team withthree years of experienceunder their belt.

Peña has developed intoa great outside hitter tocompliment junior BrandiKing on offense.

“She has brought energyand the desire to win tohelp her teammates pushthemselves to the limit,”Villarreal said. “I am goingto miss the leadership totake control of the teamand her positive attitude.”

Solis has been a defen-sive spark, serving as theteam’s libero for the past

three seasons.Her dynamic speed and

ability to react to opposingoffense has made her a pre-mier player.

“She never questions meand just does what she istold. I will also miss herleadership and the respecther teammates have forher,” Villarreal said. “I willalso miss her smile and herlaughs because no matterthe situation she has a verykind heart.”

Specific strengthsGarza, the team’s setter,

has controlled the offensefor the past two years andhas a knack for getting to aball that seems out of herreach to send it to her hit-ters.

“My challenge with herwas to make sure she be-lieved that she could get tothe second ball no matter

where the ball was,” Villar-real said. “She brings thedesire to work hard and tonever give up. I will alsomiss her warm kindheart.”

Garcia, in her secondyear on the varsity squad,was taught to be more pa-tient from her point of at-tack.

“She is a lefty and a littlehard to make her believethat she is a good hitterand that she can succeedwith a little work,” Villar-real said. “I will miss hersense of humor because notmatter how rough thingsseemed she always mademe laugh.”

Rivera has been bringingleadership and the desireto succeed on the courtthroughout the season.

“She is not a strong play-er, but her heart and desireto play and win helps theteam push themselves evenmore,” Villarreal said.

Learning fastMartinez began playing

volleyball late but quicklypicked up the game.

“She was more of a bas-ketball player and does wellconsidering she has playedfor only three years,” Vil-larreal said. “I believe thatif she would have playedearlier she would be amuch stronger player.”

Davila and Sanchez donot see much playing time,but they contribute in anarray of ways, whethercheering from the bench orkeeping a positive attitude.

“They help the team stayfocused and positive,” Vil-larreal said. “Despite notplaying a lot, they helpfrom the bench to keep theteam going strong.”

Finishing strongCurrently, the Lady

Hawks are fighting for aplayoff spot that will comedown to the last two gamesof the season.

“From the beginning ofthe season, I felt that wehad what it takes to makethe playoffs,” Villarrealsaid. “The problem I hadwas to make believers outof the girls.”

Zapata stayed positiveeven when their overall re-cord did not reflect the de-sire that they had to winduring the preseason.

“The season has been astruggling rollercoasterwith some tough lossesalong with unforgettablewins,” Peña said. “Theplayoffs are still in reach.”

Added Solis, “I believethat we have a very strongand positive team. Due toour attitudes, our successhas been coming our way.Playoffs are always on ourmind as we strive to beateach team in our district.”

SENIORS Continued from Page 1B

and just need the fourth game totake the victory when a peskyLady Bobcat scratched andclawed its way to a 24-21 lead.

“Rio Hondo was not going tolet us have the match withoutputting up a fight,” Villarrealsaid. “They responded well tothe challenge.”

With the game knotted up at21, the Lady Bobcats scoredthree straight points to take thelead.

With the fate of the gamehanging on a string, Garciastepped in and put her team onher back, scoring three straight

points to tie the game andbreathe new life into Zapata.

Garcia was not done for thenight, as she added the final twopoints to give the Lady Hawksthe victory.

“I had told the girls that theywould have to play hard andstay focused in order to win thematch,” Villarreal said.

Road successZapata’s play has shown no ill

effects of the road trips District32-3A forces a team to take.

“I do think that the longerroad trips are difficult. Ridingon the bus for more than threehours can take a toll on yourbody,” Villarreal said. “However,the girls were able to push andfight to take the match.”

Rio Hondo jumped out to a 6-1lead on Tuesday before Marti-nez scored six straight points togive the Lady Hawks their firstlead of the game.

Marissa Bauman was a factorin the game and helped the LadyBobcats obtain a 20-16 advantageheading into the final stretch ofthe game.

Rio Hondo drew first blood asthey took the game, 25-22.

Finding rhythmZapata finally started to find

its groove and focus, taking a 7-3lead in Game 2.

Martinez added four morepoints to make it 11-4.

Selina Mata and Garcia got in-to the scoring act to open Zapa-ta’s dominating 19-10 lead.

Garza finished the set by add-ing the last four points to win,25-12.

In the third game, the LadyHawks grabbed the lead andnever relinquished it to easilytake the set and take a 2-1 leadheading into the fourth andwhat proved to be the final gameof the night thanks to Garcia’sheroics.

ZAPATA STATS: Brandi King (28kills, two aces, two assists, 22digs, three blocks) Adriana Pena(10 kills, one ace, 19 digs), KatGarcia (eight kills, two aces, twodigs), Ashley Martinez (six kills,three aces, seven digs), Clari So-lis (16 digs), Lexi Garza (two ac-es, 39 assists, four digs).

VOLLEYBALL Continued from Page 1B

point favorite to spoil homecom-ing.

“I knew these three gameswere our toughest games, I knewthis was going to be a great chal-lenge for us,” coach Gary Pinkelsaid. “I said this last year, and theyear before and the first year Igot here: It’s hard to win. It’s ve-ry, very hard to win.”

For Gabbert, at times it ap-pears it’s been very hard to move,and the injury has affected his ac-curacy. The last two weeks he’s 39for 87 with five interceptions andone touchdown.

“It’s a little bit different thanhaving a sore elbow or wrist be-cause it’s your plant foot,” Pinkelsaid. “How that affects him, we’llnever know. But here’s a guy whosays ’I’m playing,’ as long as themedical staff says it’s OK, andthat kind of attitude is going todefine him.”

Defensive differenceDefense has made the differ-

ence at Texas, which overcameColt McCoy’s worst game of theyear to survive its annual Okla-homa rivalry game with a 16-13victory last week. The Longhorns

have used that game as a spring-board, following up with at leasta four-game winning streak allbut one of the last 10 seasons.

They’re allowing only 14.7points per game, and holding op-ponents to 20.7 percent success onthird down. The goal this week isto bring Gabbert more misery.

“We’re going to go after everyquarterback, no matter who it isor what team it is,” cornerbackAaron Williams said.

Missouri’s best hope for an up-set might be a quick start againsta school that’s been slow-startingon offense much of the season,scoring 10 or fewer points in thefirst half of four games. The Ti-gers’ problem lately has been alack of finishing touch withoutstars such as Chase Daniel, Jere-my Maclin and Chase Coffmanwho led the program to consecu-tive 10-win seasons in 2007-08.

Changed expectationsTexas coach Mack Brown anti-

cipated Missouri would have adrop-off, but changed his mind af-ter the Tigers whipped Illinois inthe season opener. He downplaysthe last two losses because of a

downpour that marred the Ne-braska game and Gabbert’s limit-ed mobility against OklahomaState.

“I think they have a chance tobe just as good as they were lastyear,” Brown said. “And becauseof that they scare you to death.”

Brown blames injuries for Tex-as’ slow starts, particularly atrunning back and receiver.

“We haven’t had continuity,”Brown said. “Everybody playsgood at times but we’re not start-ing the game well, and that’ssomething we’ve got to try to dobetter.”

Just like Gabbert, McCoy hasbeen less than 100 percent in re-cent weeks. He was ill againstTexas Tech and injured histhumb against Oklahoma whilegoing 21 of 40 for 127 yards.

The difference is Texas has stillbeen winning. McCoy is 19-1 inhis last 20 starts, and points tothe bottom line.

“At this point I wanted to be 6-0and we are 6-0, so I couldn’t bemore proud of that, I couldn’t bemore happy of that,” the quarter-back said. “There’s a lot of thingswe can be better at but the goodthing is we’re 6-0. So there’s beenno disappointment thus far.”

TEXAS Continued from Page 1B

In this Oct. 8 file photo, Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert throws during thefirst quarter of a game against Nebraska in Columbia, Mo.

Photo by L.G. Patterson | AP

MLBPostseason Glance

ALCSNEW YORK 3, LOS ANGELES 2

Friday, Oct. 16:New York 4, Los Angeles 1Saturday, Oct. 17:New York 4, Los Angeles 3, 13 inningsMonday, Oct. 19:Los Angeles 5, New York 4, 11 inningsTuesday, Oct. 20:New York 10, Los Angeles 1Thursday, Oct. 22:Los Angeles 7, New York 6Saturday, Oct. 24:Los Angeles (J.Saunders 16-7) @New York(Pettitte 14-8), 6:57 p.m.Sunday, Oct. 25:x-Los Angeles (Jer.Weaver 16-8) @New York(Sabathia 19-8), 7:20 p.m.

NLCSPHILADELPHIA 4, LOS ANGELES 1

Thursday, Oct. 15:Philadelphia 8, Los Angeles 6Friday, Oct. 16:Los Angeles 2, Philadelphia 1Sunday, Oct. 18:

Philadelphia 11, Los Angeles 0Monday, Oct. 19:Philadelphia 5, Los Angeles 4Wednesday, Oct. 21:Philadelphia 10, Los Angeles 4

WORLD SERIESPHILADELPHIA vs. AMERICAN LEAGUE

Wednesday, Oct. 28:Philadelphia @American League, 6:57 p.m.Thursday, Oct. 29:Philadelphia @AL, 6:57 p.m.Saturday, Oct. 31:AL @Philadelphia, 6:57 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 1:AL @Philadelphia, 7:20 p.m.Monday, Nov. 2:x-AL @Philadelphia, 6:57 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 4:x-Philadelphia @AL, 6:57 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 5:x-Philadelphia @AL, 6:57 p.m.

FOOTBALLNational Football League

AMERICAN CONFERENCEEast W L T Pct PF PAPatriots ............. 4 2 0 .667 163 91Jets .................... 3 3 0 .500 114 104Dolphins ........... 2 3 0 .400 112 106

Bills .................... 2 4 0 .333 93 129

South ................. W L T Pct PF PA

Colts .................. 5 0 0 1.000 137 71Jaguars ............. 3 3 0 .500 120 147TEXANS ............ 3 3 0 .500 143 137Titans ................ 0 6 0 .000 84 198

North ................. W L T Pct PF PA

Bengals ............. 4 2 0 .667 118 118Steelers ............ 4 2 0 .667 140 112Ravens .............. 3 3 0 .500 169 130Browns ............. 1 5 0 .167 69 148

West .................. W L T Pct PF PA

Broncos ............ 6 0 0 1.000 133 66Chargers .......... 2 3 0 .400 124 136Raiders ............. 2 4 0 .333 62 139Chiefs ................ 1 5 0 .167 98 144

NATIONAL CONFERENCEEast W L T Pct PF PAGiants .................... 5 1 0 .833 178 119COWBOYS ............. 3 2 0 .600 122 98Eagles .................... 3 2 0 .600 136 99Redskins ............... 2 4 0 .333 79 96

South ..................... W L T Pct PF PA

Saints .................... 5 0 0 1.000 192 93Falcons .................. 4 1 0 .800 123 77Panthers ............... 2 3 0 .400 85 125Buccaneers .......... 0 6 0 .000 89 168

North ..................... W L T Pct PF PA

Vikings .................. 6 0 0 1.000 189 121Packers ................. 3 2 0 .600 130 93Bears ..................... 3 2 0 .600 119 99Lions ...................... 1 5 0 .167 103 188

West ....................... W L T Pct PF PA

49ers ...................... 3 2 0 .600 112 98Cardinals .............. 3 2 0 .600 112 92Seahawks ............. 2 4 0 .333 118 109Rams ...................... 0 6 0 .000 54 169

Sunday’s GamesPatriots vs. Buccaneers at London, noonVikings at Steelers, noon49ers at TEXANS, noonColts at Rams, noonChargers at Chiefs, noonPackers at Browns, noonBills at Panthers, 3:05 p.m.Jets at Raiders, 3:05 p.m.Falcons at COWBOYS, 3:15 p.m.Bears at Bengals, 3:15 p.m.Saints at Dolphins, 3:15 p.m.Cardinals at Giants, 7:20 p.m.Open: Broncos, Seahawks, Lions, Jaguars,Ravens, Titans

Monday’s GameEagles at Redskins, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 1Rams at Lions, noonDolphins at Jets, noonSeahawks at COWBOYS, noonBrowns at Bears, noon

Broncos at Ravens, noonTEXANS at Bills, noon49ers at Colts, noonGiants at Eagles, noonRaiders at Chargers, 3:05 p.m.Jaguars at Titans, 3:05 p.m.Vikings at Packers, 3:15 p.m.Panthers at Cardinals, 3:15 p.m.Open: Patriots, Bengals, Steelers, Chiefs,Redskins, Buccaneers

Monday, Nov. 2Falcons at Saints, 7:30 p.m.

TRANSACTIONSBASEBALL

National LeagueCHICAGO CUBS: Assigned INF-OF BobbyScales outright to Iowa (PCL).

American AssociationLINCOLN SALTDOGS: Exercised the 2010 op-tion on LHP Jonathan Figueroa.ST. PAUL SAINTS: Exercised the 2010 optionon RHP Reed Dickert and C Scott Knazek.

Can-Am LeagueAMERICAN DEFENDERS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE:Released OF Billy Kovatch and INF Jabe Ber-geron.

SUSSEX SKYHAWKS: Announced the contractof RHP Stephen Fox has been purchased byBoston (AL).

Northern LeagueGARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS: Agreed toterms with LHP Andrew Paulun and RHP JohnPotrikus.

BASKETBALLNBA

HOUSTON ROCKETS: Waived G Brent Barry.MIAMI HEAT: Waived G John Lucas.OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Waived F MikeHarris.

HOCKEYNHL

ANAHEIM DUCKS: Recalled LW Matt Beleskeyfrom San Antonio (AHL).DALLAS STARS: Assigned LW Francis Wathierto Texas (AHL).LOS ANGELES KINGS: Recalled F Scott Parsefrom Manchester (AHL).NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Activated D Mark Fraserfrom injured reserve.OTTAWA SENATORS: Loaned F Jesse Winches-ter to Binghamton (AHL).

AHLPROVIDENCE BRUINS: Signed F Ben Gordon.

SOCCERMLS

NEW YORK RED BULLS: Announced the retire-ment MF Albert Celades.

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3BSATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009

DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES — Here’s how to work it: FAMILY CIRCUS DENNIS THE MENACE

Pets Take FlightDear Readers: Are you relo-

cating and need to get Fido,Fluffy or Tweetie Pie to whereyou are going and don’t want todrive? Did you know that manyairlines these days have "PRE-FERRED PET" SHIPPING,where you can ship your dogs,cats and birds in climate-con-trolled and pressurized com-fort? The larger your pet, themore the cost will be.

Here is a checklist of hints tohelp you get ready to ship ananimal:

n Call (or check the Web siteof) individual airlines to findout what their restrictions are.

n Make your reservations byphone as far in advance as pos-sible.

n Arrive at least two hoursearly to be sure all is in order.

n Some pets (dogs, cats andhousehold birds) can be carriedon board in the cabin with you.Each airline has special re-quirements and fees, so call tocheck. There also are a limitednumber of animals allowed oneach flight, so make your reser-vations as early as possible.

n Remember that in hot cli-mates, certain breeds of short-nosed dogs and cats cannot fly

in the heat of the summer or tosome destinations.

n Purchase only an airline-approved pet carrier.

n Attempt to get a nonstopflight, and earlier in the day isbest.

n Freeze little clip-on dishesof water the night before theflight so they will thaw slowly.

n Do NOT put towels, blan-kets, toys or pet food inside thecrate unless approved by theairline. Don’t muzzle, leash orput a choke collar on your crat-ed pet.

Always write your contact in-fo and the pet’s name on theoutside of the crate with a blackmarker.

There may be other addition-al charges. Some examples arekennel storage fees, terminalhandling charges and veterinar-ian care. You must pay these be-fore you can pick up your pet.So, be sure to ask about addi-tional charges before making areservation. -- Heloise

HINTS BY HELOISE

“HELOISE

Laredo Morning TimesClassifiedCARS FOR SALE 200

‘07 Xterra, Desert Stone, 28K miles, 1-owner. Great condi-

tion. $17,500 OBO Call 774-5041

‘97 Chrysler Cirrus, A/C,$1,500. Good condition must see! Call 796-4158 8am-5pm,After 5pm 956-235-3029

ChryslerSebring ‘04,

4dr., A/C, CD,90Kmil., $3,500

OBO Call857-1053

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 T ‘07,leather interior with wood trim,white, 30k mi., alloy rims, sun-roof, fully loaded. $12,500 obo.324-1875; 326-5236

TRUCKS FOR SALE198

GMC 3500 ‘93,Turbo Diesel,Std., A/C, all power, new paint,$4500 OBO Call 744-4445

2007 Grand Cherokee. 6 cyl,30K miles, blue title, sporty ti-res, excellent condition.$13,800 OBO. Call 324-1875

Ford Expedition‘03, a/c, 100kmi., Good con-dition, $7,600

obo, Call775-2519

CARS FOR SALE 200

2000 Mercury Sable blue title, $2,100 call:

727-2519

HEAVY EQUIPMENT192

1990 Freightliner dumptruck w/’05 leach pup trailer very strong

truck ready to go to work $ 23,000 call:512-734-3832

MOTORCYCLES 196

‘09 Harley Crossbones,25K mi-les, $14000 OBO lots of extra.

Call 744-6429

TRUCKS FOR SALE198

01 Silver NissanXterra. 1 ownr. Blue

title, excellent cond. 126000 mi.

pwr wind, air cond,extras $7199 obo.

Call 337-1952

ARTICLES FOR SALE136Comedor 6 sillas $300 OBO

Call 568-2525Laptop DELL, $260

cd burner, DVD player, wireless internet ready Call:

220-9654

SPORTING GOODS 1424x6 Camaflouge blind

w/10” tower w/stepladder rail. Regular $2700 asking

$1200 Call 744-8367

TRANSPORTATION

CAMPERS & RV’S 191Coleman Pop-Up trailer $499.00 call 754-4030

PETS & SUPPLIES 128

Registered TOY Chihuahua male puppy $300 Call

(956) 319-5029

LIVESTOCK & SUP-PLIES 130

Freshly cut Hey gracer, round bells $80, square bells $7.50.special price 10 or more. call

489-9404

MISCELLANEOUS

ARTICLES FOR SALE136

Heavy duty adj. Marcy weigh bench $45 OBO call

956-319-7231

PETS & SUPPLIES

PETS & SUPPLIES 128

Beautiful AKC Pomeranian puppies w/ papers, shots, and guarantee. Diffrent colors! Only 4 left. $400 (956)744-7023

Chinese Pug, Dark Brown, 2yrs old, male $200 Call774-2710.

Cock-a-poo2 Beautiful Males $200/ea. 795-0261 or

857-1123

cocker spaniel black 2 mths.with shots $100 call

237-1333

Registered Bull Terrier Puppies (Target dog) for sale. Serious Inq. Only! $450 & up. Call 744-8532 or 251-2979

ACREAGE FOR SALE76

1 AcreEn Pueblo Nuevo bien ubicado, agua y drenaje. Proxi-mamente $30,000 negocia-

ble.Tel: 724-7561

5 acre Commercial tract,frontage

on Casa Verde Rd.$200,000 per acre.Contact

(956)725-664120 acres on Mile Maker 60 on I-35. $3250 per acre.

956-286-8557 or 956-727-7271

BUSINESS OPPORTU-NITY 82Sign & Graphics business op-portunity, includes 24” Roland sign plotter, cut/print, CPU,monitor & printer, design pro-gram, vinyl roles for lettering,suppliers list, & more. reduced

$8,500.Call:(956) 771-6758

REAL ESTATE

HOMES FOR SALE 61FOR SALE 3bd/2ba

$3,500/down $750/monthly FHA Cen-

trally located call:237-1461

Now you canmake the

news come toyou.

Start your subscription

now by calling 728-2555

4B LAREDO MORNING TIMES College Football SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009

LUBBOCK — For thefirst time in Texas Techcoach Mike Leach’s tenure,there’s no Red Raidersquarterback anywhere onthe national list of top pas-sers heading into tonight’sgame against Texas A&M.

The quarterbacks incharge of No. 21 TexasTech’s high-octane offensethis year — starter TaylorPotts and backup StevenSheffield — can’t stayhealthy.

Leach, whose quarter-backs at some point in ev-ery one of his nine seasonshave led the nation in pass-ing, won’t reveal who’llstart against the Aggies,who are trying to end athree-game skid.

“We wouldn’t have it anyother way,” Leach said ofhis game-day decision.

Moving upThe Red Raiders (5-2, 2-1

Big 12) moved into therankings for the first time

this season after winning31-10 at then-No. 15 Nebras-ka last week. Sheffield, thebackup QB in his secondcareer start, threw for 234yards and one touchdown.

He also ran for two TDsbut hobbled off the field,apparently with an injuredleft foot. Potts, who led thenation in passing earlierthis season, suffered a con-cussion before halftime inan Oct. 3 win over NewMexico.

Leach does not acknowl-edge or comment on playerinjuries.

The two QB’s stats to-gether — Potts has 13 TDsand 1,817 yards; Sheffieldhas 12 TDs and 1,014 yards— would surpass the na-tion’s top passer, Case Kee-num of No. 17 Houston.Keenum has 19 touchdownsand 2,501 yards; Potts andSheffield have 25 TDs and2,831 yards.

No differenceAggies coach Mike Sher-

man said it doesn’t matterwho quarterbacks Texas

Tech.“They have a great sys-

tem out there,” Aggiescoach Mike Sherman said.“They plug ’em in and outin a lot of positions.”

Leach mentioned Colora-do and Purdue as teamsthat beat ranked opponentslast week and that no oneon his now-ranked teamshould look past the Ag-gies.

“In this conference youhave to respect everybody.There’s nobody that isn’tgood enough to beat you,”Leach said. “I suspect that(the Aggies) will come outswinging.”

Like Potts and Sheffieldat Texas Tech, A&M had alittle QB competition of itsown before the season.

Jerrod Johnson won thestarting spot over RyanTannehill, who played re-ceiver last season.

In this Oct. 18, 2008, file photo, Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree (5) scores a touchdownpast Texas A&M defensive back Arkeith Brown (18) defends in the first half of their game in CollegeStation.

Photo by Matt Slocum | AP

Tech meeting A&Mwith QB questions

By BETSY BLANEYASSOCIATED PRESS

game losing streakagainst ranked teamssince 2004. They are 1-12against Oklahoma Statesince the inception of theBig 12, losing the lastthree by an average mar-gin of 34 points since theironly win in the span.

Baylor’s strugglesBaylor hasn’t had a

winning season since1995, the year before theinaugural Big 12 season.

After Griffin accountedfor 28 TDs (15 passing, 13rushing) as an 18-year-oldfreshman last year, theBears came into this sea-son hoping for their firstbowl since 1994. The 15-year postseason droughtmatches Duke for thelongest for a team playingin a Football Bowl Subdi-vision conference.

Reaching their goal willbe very difficult for theBears, who after Oklaho-ma State have a stretch ofgames against Nebraska,Missouri and Texas — atrio Baylor is a combined1-26 against in Big 12 play.

WACO — Baylor’s sea-son and its bowl hopeswere thrown into a tail-spin when standout soph-omore quarterback RobertGriffin tore a ligament inhis right knee a monthago.

Oklahoma State (5-1, 2-0Big 12) just keeps winninggames without two of itsoffensive standouts: sus-pended All-America re-ceiver Dez Bryant and in-jured running back Ken-dall Hunter.

Despite Bryant missingthe last three games be-cause of a suspension andHunter out four games be-cause of a nagging ankle-foot problem, the 14th-ranked Cowboys have afour-game winning streak.They have averaged 41points in the stretch, thesame as last season whenBryant, Hunter and quar-terback Zac Robinsonwere together on the field.

“We’ve had a lot of in-juries that would causeother teams to get upsetand get off track,” offen-

sive coordinator GunterBrewer said. “But so far,we’ve been mature.”

No returnThere is no chance of

Griffin returning this sea-son to save the Bears (3-3,0-2) after finally havingsurgery last week to re-pair the tear sustainedSept. 26 in a 68-13 victoryover Northwestern State,when he finished the firsthalf after being hurt onthe opening series of thegame. He will be eligiblefor a medical redshirt.

Baylor is 1-2 withoutGriffin and scored only 17points its first two Big 12games. The Bears lost 24-10 on Saturday at IowaState, which had lost 11straight conferencegames.

“You have to move onand find something else,”coach Art Briles said. “It’snot easy and it’s not fun.... It’s part of what wehave to fight through, livethrough and sustainthrough it.”

The Bears have a 19-

In this Oct. 18, 2008, file photo, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin (10) throws a pass during agame against Oklahoma State in at Boone Pickens StadiumStillwater, Okla.

Photo by Brody Schmidt | AP

Bears set to host No. 14’Boys without Griffin

By STEPHEN HAWKINSASSOCIATED PRESS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009 LAREDO MORNING TIMES | 1B

9x4.25

Zapata

Classifieds

Laredo Morning TimesClassifiedCCAARRSS FFOORR SSAALLEE 220000

‘07 Xterra, Desert Stone, 28K miles, 1-owner. Great condi-

tion. $17,500 OBO Call 774-5041

‘97 Chrysler Cirrus, A/C,$1,500. Good condition must see! Call 796-4158 8am-5pm,After 5pm 956-235-3029

ChryslerSebring ‘04,

4dr., A/C, CD,90Kmil., $3,500

OBO Call857-1053

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 T ‘07,leather interior with wood trim,white, 30k mi., alloy rims, sun-roof, fully loaded. $12,500 obo.324-1875; 326-5236

TTRRUUCCKKSS FFOORR SSAALLEE119988

GMC 3500 ‘93,Turbo Diesel,Std., A/C, all power, new paint,$4500 OBO Call 744-4445

2007 Grand Cherokee. 6 cyl,30K miles, blue title, sporty ti-res, excellent condition.$13,800 OBO. Call 324-1875

Ford Expedition‘03, a/c, 100kmi., Good con-dition, $7,600

obo, Call775-2519

CCAARRSS FFOORR SSAALLEE 220000

2000 Mercury Sable blue title, $2,100 call:

727-2519

HHEEAAVVYY EEQQUUIIPPMMEENNTT

119922

1990 Freightliner dumptruck w/’05 leach pup trailer very strong

truck ready to go to work $ 23,000 call:512-734-3832

MMOOTTOORRCCYYCCLLEESS 119966

‘09 Harley Crossbones,25K mi-les, $14000 OBO lots of extra.

Call 744-6429

TTRRUUCCKKSS FFOORR SSAALLEE119988

01 Silver NissanXterra. 1 ownr. Blue

title, excellent cond. 126000 mi.

pwr wind, air cond,extras $7199 obo.

Call 337-1952

AARRTTIICCLLEESS FFOORR SSAALLEE

113366

Comedor 6 sillas $300 OBO Call 568-2525

Laptop DELL, $260cd burner, DVD player, wireless

internet ready Call:220-9654

SSPPOORRTTIINNGG GGOOOODDSS 114422

4x6 Camaflouge blind w/10” tower w/stepladder rail. Regular $2700 asking

$1200 Call 744-8367

TTRRAANNSSPPOORRTTAATTIIOONN

CCAAMMPPEERRSS && RRVV’’SS 119911

Coleman Pop-Up trailer $499.00 call 754-4030

PPEETTSS && SSUUPPPPLLIIEESS 112288

Registered TOY Chihuahua male puppy $300 Call

(956) 319-5029

LLIIVVEESSTTOOCCKK && SSUUPP--

PPLLIIEESS 113300

Freshly cut Hey gracer, round bells $80, square bells $7.50.special price 10 or more. call

489-9404

MMIISSCCEELLLLAANNEEOOUUSS

AARRTTIICCLLEESS FFOORR SSAALLEE

113366

Heavy duty adj. Marcy weigh bench $45 OBO call

956-319-7231

PPEETTSS && SSUUPPPPLLIIEESS

PPEETTSS && SSUUPPPPLLIIEESS 112288

Beautiful AKC Pomeranian puppies w/ papers, shots, and guarantee. Diffrent colors! Only 4 left. $400 (956)744-7023

Chinese Pug, Dark Brown, 2yrs old, male $200 Call774-2710.

Cock-a-poo2 Beautiful Males $200/ea. 795-0261 or

857-1123

cocker spaniel black 2 mths.with shots $100 call

237-1333

Registered Bull Terrier Puppies (Target dog) for sale. Serious Inq. Only! $450 & up. Call 744-8532 or 251-2979

AACCRREEAAGGEE FFOORR SSAALLEE7766

1 AcreEn Pueblo Nuevo bien ubicado, agua y drenaje. Proxi-mamente $30,000 negocia-

ble.

Tel: 724-7561

5 acre Commercial tract,frontage

on Casa Verde Rd.$200,000 per acre.Contact

(956)725-6641

20 acres on Mile Maker 60 on I-35. $3250 per acre.

956-286-8557 or 956-727-7271

BBUUSSIINNEESSSS OOPPPPOORRTTUU--

NNIITTYY 8822

Sign & Graphics business op-portunity, includes 24” Roland sign plotter, cut/print, CPU,monitor & printer, design pro-gram, vinyl roles for lettering,suppliers list, & more. reduced

$8,500.Call:(956) 771-6758

RREEAALL EESSTTAATTEE

HHOOMMEESS FFOORR SSAALLEE 6611

FOR SALE 3bd/2ba $3,500/down

$750/monthly FHA Cen-trally located call:

237-1461

Now you canmake the

news come toyou.

Start your subscription

now by calling 728-2555