Edinburg Review January 16, 2013

EDINBURG- At the corner of Jackson and Trenton Roads, surrounded by a steady stream of traffic and a slew of businesses, sits Edinburg’s biggest eyesore.

Construction on the unfinished movie complex known as the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema began in 2006 but unfortunately for eager patrons, the project never came to light.

However, Rio Grande Valley residents will soon be able to head to dinner and a movie all at one place with popcorn in one hand and maybe a beer in the other.

Cinemark Holdings has announced the launch of the Cinemark Movie Bistro which will introduce patrons to its first-run cinema eatery concept.

The land was purchased in November 2010 by B-Y Properties after the Alamo Drafthouse fell through. The company and new cinema project is not associated with any of the old players who participated in the Drafthouse project.

“We saw an opportunity and ran with it and ended up with something better”, Johnny Cisneros, of Cadence Commercial Real Estate, said.

He noted that they couldn’t make the unfinished land a

booming project until they secured an anchor.

Cisneros, who’s company represents B-Y Properties, also credits the City of Edinburg and The Edinburg Economic Development Corporation for getting the project underway.

According to Cinemark,the bistro will feature an expanded menu with high-quality food offerings such as fresh wraps, hot sandwiches, burgers, gourmet pizzas, alongside favorites like freshly popped popcorn, hot dogs, and popular candy brands.

As for beverages, customers have the opportunity to select from micro-brewed beers, premium wines, margaritas,

and of course, Coca-Cola fountain beverages.

The plan for completion is slated for summer 2013 and since the property is already setup for a theater-equipped with chairs, kitchen equipment and projectors, it makes it easier to stick to a completion deadline.

Cisneros has high hopes for the rest of the plaza as well. He says there is potential to bring in other forms of entertainment such as music venues, steak-houses, restaurants, pubs and possibly an arcade.

“It is exciting for us,” Cisneros said. “(It’s) exciting for Edinburg and for South Texas.”

Pan de Campo Cook-Off helps support American Legion’s many youth and community projects

Quinta Mazatlan to honor birder, nature cinematographer

Laura Garcia

The Edinburg Review

Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge to celebrate 70th anniversary

Edinburg Review

McALLEN – Join Quinta Mazatlan for a special evening hearing and seeing the story of John Bax who had a passion for learning about birds and their habitats on Jan. 17.

Quinta Mazatlan to honor birder, nature cinematographer

Pat McGrath Avery will present “Emergence: The John Bax Story” at 6p.m. at Quinta Mazatlan. She will discuss Bax’s many filming adventures that took him from the Arctic to South America to the Caribbean and finally to the Rio Grande Valley.

Bax grew up in Belgium with a childhood love of birds. He later immigrated to Canada where he bought a Super 8 camcorder and began to feed

his growing passion for learning about birds and their habitats.

Fascinated with their migratory habits, he followed them south. He spent the last 25 years of his life in the Rio Grande Valley where he made four films with the Gorgas Science Foundation in Brownsville.

Bax continued filming and leading his many photographer friends to the birds until his death in

2011.

McGrath Avery’s newest book “Emergence: The John Bax Story” will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation.

The Nature Speaker Series takes place on Thursday evenings through April 2013 and is sponsored by Thurmond Eye Associates. The program fee is $2 per person and no advance reservation is required. Quinta Mazatlan, the McAllen Wing of the World Birding Center, is located one block south of La Plaza Mall on 10th Street. For more information contact Quinta Mazatlan at 95681-3370.

Pat McGrath Avery will present “Emergence: The John Bax Story”.

Pan de Campo Cook-Off helps support American Legion’s many youth and community projects

By Nora N. Garza Special to Valley Town Crier

EDINBURG - Manuel Cantu Jr. served in the Army during the Vietnam War and years later he con tinues to serve his country through the American Le gion.

Cantu is a 19-year mem ber of American Legion Post 408, named in honor of Alfredo Cantu Gonza lez, a marine and medal of honor recipient who served in Vietnam. He is an active member, vice commander of the post and has been historian for the 15th Dis trict for four years.

Cantu will be taking part in the post’s 35th an nual Pan de Campo Cook Off Saturday Jan. 19. Com petitive categories in clude Pan de Campo, Fa jita, Carne Guisado, Charro Beans and Pork Spare Ribs. A trophey and $100 prize will be awarded to first place in all categories. Only trophies will be awarded to second and third place for all categories.

The public is invited to attend the cook-off free of charge. Visitors are encour aged to bring their own lawn chairs and stay awhile to enjoy the music and visit with friends. Food will be available for purchase.

Pan de campo has a storied tradition in South Texas and is also known as cowboy bread. It is cooked in a Dutch oven with a layer of hot ashes over it. The Pan de Campo Cook-Off has a cowboy camp atmosphere, reminiscent of setting up camp after a long trail drive with wagons in the back ground and cowboy hats standard attire for cooks and judges.

The cook-off is one of the events that the Post 408 holds to raise funds to sup port its community proj ects. The American Legion has long been a staunch advocate for veterans and is committed to mentoring young people and sponsor ing wholesome programs in the communities.

The local post donates Easter baskets for the Ed

inburg Children’s Hospi tal and assists high school ROTC programs. Cantu was the driving force behind the Veteran’s Day parade in Edinburg, which has expanded to 80 floats in a short time.

Among the youth pro grams the organization sponsors are American Legion Baseball and Boys State, a leadership confer ence. Through Boys State, two high school juniors are sent to Austin, where they learn about government and politics.

The American Legion helps serve as a facilitator of veterans benefits, en suring that veterans can properly use and access the benefits they earned with their service.

“Having someone on your side while you’re navi gating the system is a tre mendous help,” Cantu said.

Cantu is the warehouse supervisor for North Alamo Water Supply in Edinburg, where he has worked for 24 years.

An Edinburg Homeboy,

Cantu was born and raised in Edinburg and gradu ated from Edinburg High School in 1972. As his cous ins joined the service, he felt left out. He was curious about the military life. He decided there was only one way to find so at the age of 20, he joined the Army.

“I was among the first wave of volunteers after the draft was initiated,” he said.

He became a com munications special ist, operating a radio and switchboard. He figures he protected his comrades just as much with a radio as he might have with his M14.

“People don’t under stand how important com munications are,” he said. “People have been killed by friendly fire because there wasn’t proper communica tion.”

Manuel served in the Army for four years and was stationed in Germany for two and a half years. His early jobs of driving a school bus when he was a

senior in high school and a delivery truck for his fa ther’s business were put into action during his mili tary service. He traded in his Texas commercial li cense for an international license. His switchboard operation was installed on a tractor trailer, which he drove from site to site in Germany.

He said he enjoyed his time in the service and was forced to mature quickly. But his heart was always in Edinburg. While he was at Fort Gordon in Georgia for specialized training, he re quested four days of leave to marry his high school sweetheart Nelda.

IRS plans Jan. 30 tax season opening for 1040 filers

Edinburg Review

With the January tax law changes made by Congress under the American Taxpayer Re lief Act (ATRA) the In

ternal Revenue Service plans to open the 2013 filing season and begin processing individual income tax returns Jan. 30.

The IRS will begin ac cepting tax returns on that date after updating forms and completing programming and test of its processing sys tems. This will reflect the bulk of the late tax law

changes enacted Jan. 2. This means that the vast majority of tax filers –more than 120 million households nationwide – should be able to start filing tax returns starting Jan. 30.

The IRS estimates that remaining house holds will be able to start filing in late Feb ruary because of need for more extensive form

and processing system changes. This group in cludes people claiming residential energy cred its, depreciation of prop erty or general business credits. Most of those in this group file more complex tax returns and typically file closer to the April 15 deadline or ob tain an extention.

At a previous Pan de Campo Cook-Off, a judge digs into fajitas.

Education Beat

By Chris Ardis

STAAR Light, STAAR Not So Bright

I’m not sure I should admit this, but I’m going to. I supported a more challenging state standardized test. There, it’s out.

You see, it frustrates me that there seems to be this belief that if we say “college ready” enough times, our students will magically be just that. But this isn’t the Wizard of Oz, and we definitely aren’t passing out shiny red shoes they can click together to make that happen. The reality is that many of our state’s (and, truthfully, our nation’s) students are graduating far from college ready.

So when the buzz started circulating about a test with higher standards, I couldn’t help but get excited. Surely, I thought, if we raised the standards on the test, we would also have to implement a more demanding K-12 curriculum. Surely, I thought, people will begin realizing we can’t magically correct years of academic ills in three years of high school testing.

Now that I have admitted I supported the idea of STAAR, I must share my disclaimer with you, as well. Little did I know the havoc this “staar”-studded new test would wreak.

Last year was the first year students took this highstakes testing. Gone are the days of students taking what amounted to practice tests their freshmen and sophomore years to prepare for the “real thing” their junior year—four tests in the four core areas (English, math, science, and social studies/history). This year’s juniors are the last class to fall under TAKS, so they need to pass only those four TAKS tests.

The Class of 2015 has to pass 15 End-of-Course (EOC) exams in the four core areas. (English is broken up into two separate exams, reading and writing.) On each of these exams, students have to meet a minimum score in order for that score to be included in the cumulative score they will need in order to graduate. If an exam score is less than the minimum, the student must re-take that test until the minimum score is reached.

Picture this. As I mentioned earlier, last year was the first year for STAAR. Passing standards are being phased in. Last year, freshmen only had to correctly answer 37 percent of the Algebra I and Biology questions and 46 percent of the world geography questions. In reading and writing, students had to get 50 percent of the questions right to meet this first passing standard. At the end of the summer, after the first test and a summer re-test, 40 percent of Texas high school students still had not met this 50 percent standard in writing. In reading, 26 percent of students still had not passed.

Since then, we’ve had the second round of re-tests. Classes are going on as usual, so students who are retesting are missing their classes. If a student failed all four STAAR tests last year, that student missed all of his/her morning classes for the four days of re-testing held before the Christmas break. Some students also attended blitzes (“power” study sessions to prepare for the exams), which caused them to miss even more class time.

Do you see where I’m going with this? Many students who fail one or more STAAR tests are already struggling in those subject areas. Re-testing requires them to miss classes, so they fall further behind and risk failing because of the instruction they missed.

Last week, schools received the scores from this second round of re-tests.. A large number of students still did not meet the minimum score. Those students now have to prepare for a third round of re-testing while also preparing for the five sophomore-level EOCs they have to take in the next couple of months.

I didn’t even get to the fact that original legislation required double-jeopardy. Besides counting toward graduation, the STAAR scores were also supposed to count as 15 percent of the final grade in each course all three years of testing; however, the Texas Education Agency allowed districts to waive that requirement last year and have extended the same offer this year.

I certainly hope the 83rd Legislature addresses more than the 15-percent rule. If not, expect our drop-out rates to soar. We need higher standards, but was this the way to get them? The STAAR system doesn’t appear to be too bright.

Chris Ardis is in her 29th and final year of teaching. She has taught in McAllen ISD for 28 years. You can reach her at cardis1022@aol.com or on Twitter @CHRISTINEARDIS.

Bibleville conference center goes above and beyond

Laura Garcia Edinburg Review

ALAMO - Every year around the holidays the surrounding communities come together to help out the less fortunate. Whether it be through the distribution of food or winter outerwear, local groups find a way to lessen the hardships of many families.

The Valley Town Crier was able to partner up with several local businesses to jump-start the Becky’s Wish: Warm Hands, Warm Hearts campaign. In December

2008, American Consolidated Media’s Scott Wright lost a dear friend, Rebecca “Becky” Wright. Becky’s Wish started in Detroit, Mich., in 2009 in order to preserve Becky’s legacy of love and good-will.

For the holiday season, The Valley Town Crier collected winter accessories including: hats, gloves and scarves. These items were then distributed to the Food Bank of The Rio Grande Valley and went out to those in great need.

As with anything else, there will always be those

who go the extra mile. Mary Lou Lezer and Claudette Merriman from the Bibleville ministry organized a knitting event and instead of purchasing winter items to donate they hand-crafted hats, gloves and scarves.

Bibleville is a non-denominational Bible Conference Center/ RV park with about 500 residents near Alamo that caters to but is not limited to Winter Texans. It is a place for members to share their faith and participate in various activities as they spend their winter in

the RGV.

“We’re all retired Christians that want to keep serving the Lord and it’s a way that we get to do what we enjoy doing,” Merriman said.

The ministry was established in 1975 and in 1993 became part of the Rio Grande Bible Institute. Throughout the year they work on various projects benefitting local organizations.

For more information contact 956-787-2824

Visit yourvalleyvoice. com for more on Becky’s Wish.

Madame Gourmande

By Odette MacDonald

Paco’s sushi is a “work of art”

Asian Coast Bistro has worked hard and passionately at maintaining the taste and quality of its food while adding its own special twists to it – and that’s what fusion is all about. The menu offers a combination of traditional and nouveau sushi which seems to mix and match the highlights of various cuisines.

Sushi made fresh while you watch……who’s that behind the bar? That’s what I thought when I encountered a non-Japanese preparing my sushi roll. This turned out to be jovial and eager-toplease sushi chef, Francisco “Paco” Aguilar, insisting I try a few of his specialties.

Preparing wonderfully crafted sushi requires enormous training – it takes time and dedication to do well. Good news for sushi aficionados! Paco was formally trained in Monterrey and has acquired 12 years of experience – he’s an expert on the importance of proper food storage, preparation, and presentation. He’s known locally for his innovative and creative flair. It may not be 100 percent Japanese but its 100 percent Paco. His great social instincts make each customer feel totally appreciated and cared for.

Yes, there’s an abundance of vibrant fresh sushi which is quite tasty. Paco, the attentive mindful chef prepares each order as though the customer is an expert who will judge the dish astutely. Cutting fish is an art (it’s not easily mastered) - they are all cut and served differently.

Experience the real thing by ordering the “Sashimi Deluxe” which comes with 18 pieces of assorted raw fish and a bowl of white rice ($23.00perfect for experimenting or sharing).Quality raw fish tastes good by itself but, some might opt to kick it up a notch. Pickled ginger and wasabi are eaten to refresh the taste buds between eating different types of sushi. Ginger also speeds up digestion and warms up your body. Dissolve wasabi (a pinch, remember…..it’s similar to horseradish) in soy sauce for an additional dimension of taste –and an extra punch.

Surprising textures and flavors are just the prelude to sushi morsels of fish that arrive with Chef Paco’s “special sauce” – in other words he’s not going to give his secret away.

The Golden Phoenix (a “special something” by Paco -$12.00) won my heart. Two pieces of shrimp (jumbo) tempura, avocado wrapped inside and out topped with a fresh mango puree, sprinkled with tiny tobiko (red flying fish roe) and glazed with Chef Paco’s Special Mango Sauce. Get a rush of sweet shrimp combined with a stunning fusion of flavors.

Unique and interesting sushi hybrids (rolls prepared with cream cheese, avocado, fried seafood, jalapenos, etc.) are quite a sensation. Unique rolls in the sense that the combination of ingredients, drizzled success and accommodating flavors literally melt in your mouth.

There are diversions with designer sushi rolls such as:

The fried “White Dragon Roll “ ($10.00) has a mélange of textures and flavors; various fish and avocado layered together give this saucy tempura roll a luxurious mouthfeel. Enjoy tuna, salmon, white fish, and avocado (inside) with tobiko on top.

Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge to celebrate 70th anniversary

Edinburg Review

ALAMO — Along the banks of the final stretch of the Rio Grande lies the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge , ap propriately recognized as ‘the jewel’ of the Na tional Wildlife Refuge System. Chachalacas, kiskadees and green jays are just three of the many bird species that bring visitors from across the United States and 35 countries flock ing to Santa Ana Na tional Wildlife Refuge.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is cel ebrating its 70th anni versary on Jan. 26 with special events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..

The refuge opened in 1943 making it the oldest public nature site in the Rio Grande Val ley. The celebration will

host free food, games, crafts, special programs and $2 tram tours.

At 2,088 acres, Santa Ana is one of the small est refuges in the coun try. The semi-tropical thorn forest is host to an astounding 400 species of birds and 260 species of butterflies, making it a wildlife watcher’s delight! Established for the protection of migra tory birds, Santa Ana’s management program mimics the histori cal flooding of the Rio Grande, maintaining the bottom land hard wood forest and pro viding crucial nesting and feeding habitat for birds, watering holes for animals, and homes for countless amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans and insects.

Known as the Jewel of the Wildlife Refuge System Santa Ana hosts various events. Sihil, an ocelot from the Cinncinati Zoo visited the refuge in early 2012.

Econ Soccer should be title contender

once again in 2013

By Greg Selber

Last year the soccer Jags returned to their accustomed perch as district champions, and started 3-1 heading into the 12th annual ECISD Tourney, played ThursdaySaturday.

Econ, which extended to the semi-finals before dropping out, defeated La Feria to begin the event, and the starter match showed a little of what Orange fans can expect in 2013. Though they were down 1-0 after a defensive lapse midway through the first half, the Jags got an equalizer from returning league MVP Marcos Perales two minutes later.

Coach Sam Gonzalez’ club had dominated the action until the Lions scratched, and seemed to take the 1-0 score as an insult.

Early in the second half, rugged Angel Rivera, the most physical of the Jags this year, rumbled through the defense to give his school the lead. Ivan Vazquez’ header in the final seconds finished the job, 3-1.

Thursday, the Jags exhibited their perennially nice ball skills, with Perales, a terrific handler with lightning quickness and amazing passing ability, in the middle. On the left, defender Angel Duran and midfielder/forward Brandon Alejo, both lefties, pushed the action downfield.

Veteran goalkeeper Ruben Platas did his steady thing, and he is an All-Valley returner along with Perales, midfielder Joel Luna, and defender Edgar Garcia. The fact is, the Jags are stacked, and right now long-time coach Gonzalez is more pleased than he normally is at this stage of the game.

“We have been doing very well, and they have the potential to be even better,” said Gonzalez, who directed Econ to wins over Progreso, Brownsville Pace, and Mission Vets before a loss to San Benito, 3-2 at home, all pretourney. “This is a senior ball club, a good solid team...now we just have to get ready for district play, when the games are going to count toward the playoffs.”

In the refurbished 30-5A, the La Joya schools, particularly Juarez-Lincoln, and defending state champ Sharyland are both awesome, but the Jags were ranked No. 4 in the initial Valley poll, after ending 2012 at No. 9 and with a playoff win before dropping out against the Rattlers.

your valleysports

Jags run and jump to win over visiting Sabercats

Vela girls take down lady Jags

By Greg Selber

They put the SaberCats away a couple of times Friday, after Vela kept coming on back. Finally, the Jags’ athleticism nailed it down, as springy senior Luis Rosillo scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half of a physical 72-58 win for Econ.

In winning their third 30-5A decision, the Jags withstood a couple of rallies by the 1-7 SaberCats as senior Danny Barrientes hit for 18 after being shut out in the first period of a must-win home tilt. Econ also got 16 from

Teo Arreola, who has popped in double figures three times in a row and continues to unfurl a tight all-around skill-set.

But Vela led most of the first period and then again, 22-21 after a three-point play from Jimmy Cisneros (led the New Cats with 11) in the second. A late rush near the half set Coach Jaime Olivarez’ club up in the lead at 33-25.

With Arreola and muscular Robert Brown combining with football star Andy Duarte, the inside kids compiled 23 rebounds, while Barrientes nailed a big three with 17 seconds left in the third for a 10-point advantage.

Vela, coming off its first ever league win, boasted eight boards from Jaylen Gonzalez and seven from freshman Michael Arguelles,

but the Jags got past them by 14.

“We didn’t play well at times tonight, didn’t do the little things like boxing out,” said Olivarez, whose team did attempt 26 free throws in the first half of a very aggressive slugfest. “We have Sharyland Tuesday so we will see what happens, but right now, we just had to have this one. Vela may be inexperienced, but those guys played well at times tonight, give them a lot of credit for that.”

It has been an up-and-down season for the Jags so far, and the team has been prone to lulls and spells of ineffective play. Against North last week Econ was behind 35-5 at one stage before cutting the gap to 12 by the half. Though they lost to the Coogs, Olivarez points to the effort as an impor-

tant one.

“I told those guys when we got down so bad early, ‘I am not giving up on you,’ and they came on back. You know, they showed a lot of character by continuing to fight, that is all we ever ask, that they always keep on working hard. And they have done that. We’ll make some noise in the race before it’s over.”

NOTES: The Jags have allowed 69.6 points per game, so the 58 given to Vela was an improvement. The lowest yield in district was 50 to Juarez-Lincoln. Barrientes averages 17.5 ppg halfway through 30-5A play. Cisneros of Vela has now made a three in four straight ball games.

Luis Rosillo flies to the rim.

EHS bigs enormous in road sweep of Donna

By Greg Selber

DONNA - When the stars come out for EHS, the light they create can be incredibly powerful. As the hoops teams faced a road test here Wednesday, Gabe Rivas and Michelin Mercelita came to the party with tremendous individual performances to lead the Bobcats and Lady ‘Cats to victory.

Slight reminder: their individual efforts each were paramount in their team’s success, meaning that Rivas (26 points, 15 rebounds, six blocks) and Mercelita (26 and 21, five rejections) were so good because their exploits generally came in the flow of the game. Each of the senior posts passed exceedingly well and keyed defensive stands, against a pesky Donna program that is improving. The ‘Skins were right behind the ‘Cats in the boys’ standings heading into the night.

That EHS (5-2 in district) salted away a 65-50 win on the road was due to the superb skills of Rivas, but also to the continued excellence of Matt Garza, who had 18 points and played really tall Wednesday with 12 boards and four blocks of his own. Those two were challenged with the task of carrying the squad, as Adrian Palacios (foul trouble) and Milo Trejo (ejected midway through the third quarter after an altercation) were not in the floor in crunch time.

Rivas sailed in for two big follow shots in the fourth period as the Bobcats clung to the lead and Garza’s steal from speedy

Anthony Gonzalez resulted in a big two at the other end. Down to two standouts, the Bobcats won the day, and held serve for a playoff spot as the second half of league play neared.

The Bobcats sought to use trick defenses against Gonzalez and streaky scorer George Garcia, run-

ning a man out at them in the forecourt out of a zone look. The box-and-one paid dividends until personnel losses slowed the EHS charge.

“You want to not let them get comfortable doing what they do,” said Rivas about Coach Zeke Cuellar’s strategic decision to throw something new out there. “We haven’t done it a lot, but we know how to do it. And on offense, our guard play got me some good shots, without them I wouldn’t have done that much.”

The Bobcats led by 12 at the half but Donna fought back to within a 4-point margin at the end of three. But with Rivas dominating inside with his patented pivot moves, the Redskins could not hang on. He netted 14 in the fourth alone and put in a district season high with 26.

MERCELITA ON THE MARCH

Meanwhile, Mercelita and fellow senior Eileen

Martinez ran the court well Wednesday, and early on, the rest of the crew did the job. Megan Soliz and Chelsea Cortes contributed sharp passes in the opening minutes, allowing senior Brisela Curiel (15 of her 17 points came in the first half) to go nuts down low.

In the second half, the unflappable Martinez, who scored 21, made her way through a Donna press that had been effective in a first half that had ended with EHS up 10. And Mercelita, leaping like a panther as always (and converting her looks), collected 12 in the fourth as the girls rose to 8-1 in league action.

EHS’s J.D. Salinas says that his seniors and the supporting cast have been a pleasure to work with in this, his first season as head coach.

“They are doing very well, we have not peaked yet but we are playing pretty consistent basketball right now,” said Salinas, whose club had a 5-point edge after three and extended that to the final count of 68-52. “Mich played with a lot of authority out there, and the thing is, we have some talented kids who can come off the bench and contribute.”

The coach said that he has a lot of trust in Martinez, the tiny killer whose only speed is full and whose only direction is forward.

“It’s like Coach John Wooden always said, ‘doers make some mistakes but you can live with that,’” he explained. “Eileen just keeps on playing, she has progressed a lot this year, and we knew she would eventually break the press and get us some easy scores at the other end.”

NOTES: The team’s 68-point effort was two off its 30-5A high, 70 against La Joya and marked the third time it had topped 60 in nine tries. Mercelita topped 20 for the third time while Martinez and Curiel established district bests Wednesday. Those three account for 70 percent of the offense so far in league.

Down the road: the EHS boys ran into a tough Palmview team and dropped a 53-51 decision Friday, while the girls killed the Lady Lobos. The boys saw a 4-game winning streak come to an end.

2012 FOOTBALL HONORS

30-5A ALL-DISTRICT

Defensive MVP: Josh Dennet. North

Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Rey Ramos (soph) Econ Defensive Newcomer of the Year (of 4): Armando Barraza, EHS; Fidel Orozco (jr.) North

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

RB Bubba Villarreal, Econ; WR Matt Ramirez (soph) North; TE Teo Arriola (soph) Econ; T Genaro Acevedo, Econ; G Hugo Jimenez, Econ

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL Isaiah Galvan, EHS; ILB Thomas Leyva, North; OLB Diego Sandoval, North; S Vince Ortiz, North; K Kristov Martinez (jr.) EHS; P Ramon Enriquez, EHS

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

RB Tony Yzaguirre (jr.), Econ; WR Eddie Sanchez, North; TE Fernie Contreras, North; T David Anzaldua (jr.) North; G Romeo Uresti (jr.), North; C Felix Gallegos, Econ; RET Johnny Davila (fr.) Vela

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DE Andy Rodriguez, Econ; DE Librando Salinas, EHS; DL Mark Garza, Econ; DL Luis Rios (jr.) North; OLB Mando Celedon (jr.) EHS; Aliver Garza (jr.) Econ; CB Roy Cantu (jr.) North; CB Ricky Rodriguez (soph), Econ; S Ronnie Benavidez (jr.) Vela; S Alex Cantu, EHS; S Andy Duarte, Econ

HONORABLE

MENTION OFFENSE

QB Hugo Reyes-Paz (jr.) Econ; QB Josh Vela, North; RB Genaro Cavazos (jr.) Vela; RB Adrian Alvarez (jr.) North; RB Alex Trevino, EHS; RB Victor Montemayor, EHS; RB Matt Whitesides (soph) North; RB Steve de Luna (soph) Vela; WR Luis de la Paz, Econ; WR Andrew Gaona, EHS; WR Cody Martinez (Soph), EHS; WR Reyes-Paz, Econ; WR Jordan Saldana (jr.) EHS; WR Marco Montana (jr.) Econ; TE Scott Theriault (jr.) EHS; T Mario Lopez, EHS; T Luis Prieto, Econ; J.D. Sanchez, North; Rico Alfaro (jr.) Vela; G Ricardo Arce, EHS; G Juan Saenz (jr.) Econ; C Jay Ramirez, EHS; C Aaron Rivera (jr.) North

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

DE Abram deLeon, Econ; DE Mark Aguilar, North; DL Erik Castellanos, EHS; DL Jonathan Orta, Vela; ILB Alexis Garza, Econ; ILB Lupe Quintero (jr.) North; OLB Efrain Gonzalez (jr.) Vela; CB Mike Moreno, EHS; CB Ossie Silguero, EHS; CB Jerry de la Garza, North; S Andrew Sanchez, EHS; John Silva (jr.) North; K Frank Padron, North; P Arriola, Econ; P Orozco, North

ALL-VALLEY from RGVSports.com

FIRST TEAM

K Kristov Martinez, EHS; S Vince Ortiz, North; S Andy Duarte, Econ; P Ramon Enriquez, EHS

SECOND TEAM

OL Hugo Jimenez, Econ; DL Fidel Orozco, North

VELA WEARS OUT

ECON BY 13

In the girls’ game at Econ Friday, same story, different winner as the Lady SaberCats outlasted a game try from the Lady Jags, behind 14 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks from Emily Azubell and 13 points, seven boards, and six assists from Ariel

Rodriguez. The final was 52-39, marking the 20th win of the campaign for Coach Lottie Zarate and her girls.

Vela (9-1 in district) led 12-4 early with steady Larissa Navarro banging away down low and Azubell dominating the smaller Econ frontline.

But Emily Suarez knocked in a bomb to cut it to 5 entering the sec-

ond, and from there the Lady Jags (2-8 in league) hustled their way into the lead at 18-16 with 2:06 to go before the half, on a Blanca Barrientos triple.

However, by the end of the third, it was a 16-point Vela margin as Navarro (nine points, eight caroms) converted twice inside and Rodriguez started to pass with the expert ability she can

conjure at times. Still, Kelly Garrett’s club did not fold, notching the last six of the period, aided by freshman Silvia Perez brawling for a couple of hoops down low.

Rodriguez then closed the door with a pair of long shots, and Nay Nay Rayford, who had keyed a surge in the second quarter, put in four more to end with 10 points. Econ,

led by Suarez’ 14 (four treys), plus 11 boards from Kim Barrientos and nine from Celeste Rodriguez, worked hard but could not hit enough open shots and committed too many turnovers, giving away possessions with unforced errors.

NOTES - Rayford had scored 17 district points coming in, and her contribution was vital Friday.

Valerie Camacho also did well off the bench, cleaning away six rebounds. The Lady Sabes expect defensive whiz Maranda Washington back from an ankle injury this week, in time for the rematch with a surging EHS crew, which lost to Vela 53-41 in round one.

JAGS (contd. from pg. 9)

Crafty Eileen Martinez averages nearly 14 ppg this season.

Matt Garza has been scoring liberally as of late.

Bobcats’ big three looking to keep soccer success going

By Greg Selber

Interesting that everyone wants to wear No. 10 in soccer, but historically speaking, understandable. It is the uniform number of Lionel Messi, the best player in the world; it was worn by Diego Maradona back in the day when he could perhaps claim that title; and it was surely recognizable on the whirling back of Pele during the legend’s long run as a Brazilian folk hero.

So no surprise that 10 is magic, bringing respect and fear from opponents when they spy who is donning it for the evening, on the pitch’s other side. Close to home, the Edinburg Bobcats, who no Messis, Peles, or Maradonas, do in fact possess a trifecta of very good soccer players who will lead the team charge in 2013.

With Sergio Romo, Kristov Martinez, and Luis Hinojosa, the Bobcats have a chance to win every night; they are making their own brand of history, albeit local. The tough little Hinojosa, whose heart is as big as the sky, has claimed the prize for his senior season, and is a good choice. He scored 15 times last year.

Senior Romo and the junior Martinez, however,

would make excellent 10s as well, the former for his amazing versatility all over the field and the latter for his flawless ball-handling and knack for finding the slot. Romo had already committed to play at Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio.

The fortunes of Coach Luis Cardenas’ team, which won its first 10 games, including the first five at the ECISD Tourney over the weekend, will turn on the health and prosperity of the three big guns, yes, but also on the contributions of the other roster members. The group advanced to the finals of the event before losing (penalty kicks) to a Mission Vets team it had beaten earlier in the tourney.

Cardenas says that the Big Three show a collective passion for the sport that is unquenchable. Now he is looking for some other cats to come along and join the parade.

“Those three guys are very good, they love the game,” said Cardenas, who has guided the ‘Cats to the postseason the past three seasons. “They would never miss a practice, they always want to be out there playing. If some of our young kids can start to have the passion for soccer like that,

we could be a good team, even better.”

The second line has some promising kids, including stocky Josue Carrillo, who showed some aggressive force on the wings Friday in the squad’s 3-0 win over Mission Vets. Oliver Arredondo, a rangy defender who has been and out of the lineup the past few years, will really solidify the back if he can muster a steady senior season campaign; he has all the tools and played well at the tourney before injuring an ankle.

Robert Zuniga, the third brother of that clan to compete for EHS, has shown some scoring punch so far. In goal, another veteran complements the Big Three, as Misael Lopez, an awardwinner in 2012, has solid stop instincts and quickness on a 6-foot frame.

After a nice showing at the tournament, including a win over rival North on Day Two (2-0), the ‘Cats are hopeful. Most observers think Cardenas’ club should to be considered a contender for the playoffs, but he insists that District 30-5A is a very tough league. And it is so.

“The La Joyas, Sharyland, Economedes...there are some very difficult

teams in the district,” he commented. “It’s not quite as good as the Brownsville league, but it’s getting pretty close.”

It will be a total dogfight, then, with North also expected to contend and Donna possessing some decent athletes; Vela at this point is an unknown, though the SaberCats began their career as a program with a 1-6 mark, including four straight losses in the tourney. The Bobcats meanwhile have their stars aligned, each a 10-worthy veteran with skills. Now to see who the unknowns are that will join them in the quest for glory.

CITY HOOPS STATS, District Play

Sergio Romo, a defensive star for the ‘Cats.

gourmande

Deep fried (tempura style) shrimp combined with eel, tobiko, aspara gus, egg omelet and avocado lathered with two different creamy sauces could only have one name….Lava Roll ($10.00). The crunchy eruption of texture of the fried outside meshes very well with the layered in terior of soft avocado and all those delicious treats wrapped inside.

*My favorite Chi nese fix happens to be their traditional panfried “Sesame Chicken” ($12.95 hearty dinner portion) prepared with a special teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds. Chinese food junkies never hesi tate to order this sweet, fried specialty.

You mustn’t leave without ordering their delicious traditional con fection. ” Mochi” this is a single scoop of ice cream wrapped in sweet rice dough.

The chewy outer layer and creamy ice cream is the happy ending to ev ery meal. These are some of your refreshing choic es: mango, coffee, straw berry, chocolate, green

(contd. from pg. 7)

tea or vanilla (availability of flavors might vary).

There’s no doubt I’ll hurry back to try the plethora of other tempt ing menu items (popular Asian signature dishes).

This is an ideal venue for families or groups of friends.

Every Day Specials: The “Dine-In for two” $25.00 special includes 2 dinner entrees and a complimentary bottle of house wine (3pm-11pm). $1.00 “Kids Meal Special” with purchase of an adult dinner entrée -limit 2 kids per adult.

Happy Hour (early bird cocktail hour) 3:00pm to 11:00pm – Drink and Ap petizer specials

I’m turning Japanese,

Coast asian Bistro Bar (956) 630-9599 or (956) 630-9566 - 7100 n 10th st. MCallen, t X

*Paco participated in the 1st RGV Iron Chef Con test *His Sushi Fans fol lowed him from Ozuka to Hayashi to Coast.

Becky’s Wish

Madame Gourmande odettemac@gmail.com

The Edinburg Review partnered with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley for the Becky’s Wish: Warm Gloves, Warm Hearts campaign

By Isaac Garcia Edinburg Review

SAN JUAN – This year local physicians are warn ing that Influenza season may be the worst in a long time.

With just a few weeks until the peak of flu sea son, medical physicians, like Dr. Esteban Palacios Jr., of Norma Iglesias and Associates in San Juan, are seeing more than the usual office visits of pa tients reporting flu-like symptoms.

Palacios urges the community and especial ly the very young, old, and

Flu season in full effect

those with compromised health to get a flu vaccine that is supposed to pro tect against both strains of the flu present in Texas this year.

Palacios clarified that a flu vaccine does not make individuals sick with the flu, nor does it guarantee a 100 percent immunity from the virus.

Instead, he suggests that best prevention is to couple the flu vaccine with other preventative measures, like not sharing food or drinks with oth ers, always washing hands and avoiding contact with

eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of the virus.

Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms should visit their healthcare pro vider in order to identify the source of the illness, Palacios said.

He reminds the com munity that antibiotics are not effective in com bating the flu and dis courages persons from self medicating with old prescriptions or antibiot ics purchased outside of the country.

Palacios said his office,

located on 1205 N. Raul Longoria Rd., preforms a nasal swab test that iden tifies both strains of the flu present this season.

He said if the flu virus is identified, patients are prescribed the drug Tami flu to help them clear the virus faster than without medication.

Palacios said it’s still not too late to get the flu shot, however supplies are on high demand. He recommends patients call their healthcare providers to make sure they have the vaccine in stock.

Palacios urges the community and especially the very young, old, and those with compromised health to get a flu vaccine that is sup posed to protect against both strains of the flu present in Texas this year.

Monster Jam drivers visit Edinburg Children’s Hospital

Edinburg Review

EDINBURG – Children at the Edinburg Children’s Hos pital got a visit from Monster Jam racers Friday morning.

Beads of Courage and Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam have joined forces for the second consecutive year to provide the Monster Jam Bead of Courage.

The bead is packaged with a note of encourage ment explaining the symbol ism of the bead and an auto graph page for the driver to make it official.

Carl Van Horn, driver of Grave Digger and Nicole Johnson, driver of Scooby Doo will joined Edinburg Children’s Hospital to cel ebrate the crushing power of courage and confidence with the Monster Jam Bead of Courage.

“I’m really excited to be here in Edinburg, visiting with children at this hospi tal,” she said. “Beads of Cour age encourages kids to take control and show them they they can crush this [ illness] and keep pressing forward.”

Patients were able to

spend one-on-one time with Van Horn and Johnson and receive autographs and take photos with the drivers.

In addition, Van Horn and Johnson will sat with patients and helped them create their Monster Jam Thriller Necklace – includ ing the Monster Jam Bead of Courage to encourage the children during their chal lenging journey.

Patients at Edinburg Children’s Hospital are among the first in 2013 to re ceive the Monster Jam Bead of Courage.

Aceptamos Medicaid y la mayoría de seguros.