Edinburg Review January 11 2013

Edinburg to Host “Out of this World” Conference & Festival March 15th

Edinburg Review

Edinburg- Stanton Friedman, a UFO expert, and Travis Walton,whose UFO encounter inspired the Paramount movie Fire in the Sky, are featured speakers at Edinburg’s “Out of This World” Conference

& Festival,to be held on March 15 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance, 118 Paseo Del Prado Road.

The conference will also feature a lecture by South Texas UFO researcher Noe Torres, author of Mexico’s Roswell,

Aliens in the Forest, The Real Cowboys & Aliens, Ultimate Guide to the Roswell UFO Crash, Fallen Angel, and four other books. Born and raised in Edinburg, Torres has maintained a life-long interest in UFOs that was inspired, in part, by a strange encounter his

mother had in Mission in the 1940s.

Sponsored by the Edinburg Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation and the Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library,

the day-long event begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 10p.m. Admission starts at $15 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.EdinburgUFO.com or call 956-3834974.

Esparza’s Monica Perez named HEB teacher finalist

Monica Perez, a fifth grade teacher at Esparza Elementary in Edinburg, has been named one of 30 regional educator finalists in the 2013 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. H-E-B officials along with Dr. René

Gutiérrez, Edinburg CISD Superintendent of Schools, surprised Perez as she began her class day on Feb. 28 with flowers and a $1,000 check for herself and a $1,000 check for her school.

H-E-B recognized Perez

in the Rising Star Award teacher category which honors exceptionally promising teachers with less than 10 years of experience. Perez will travel to Austin in May to compete on a statewide level with other educators for larg-

er cash prizes from H-E-B. A panel of judges will interview each teacher and principal finalist and announce the winners at a celebratory dinner.

Esparza’s principal Marisa L. Garza said Perez is a one of a kind educator.

She is the type of teacher that makes a true difference in a child’s life,”she said.

“She cares for each student and shows empathy for their academic and social well-being and each child’s learning is her personal mis-

sion.”

The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards celebrate public school professionals whose leadership and dedication inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Editor’s Note: In last week’s edition of the Edinburg Review we accidentally ran the wrong photo of Perez. Our apologies and congratulations.

Monica Perez is a finalist in the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Human Rights Art Exhibit addresses global, regional issues

Edinburg Review

McALLEN–The Annual Human Rights Art Exhibition which serves as an educational event and addresses global and regional human rights concerns is set to open in a couple of weeks.

The exhibit begins March 18 through April 6 at the Cooper Center located at South Texas College.

The exhibit has been held at several locations including the University of Texas Pan American, Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico, Progreso Art Gallery, Mexico and hosting this year will be South Texas College.

The spring exhibition coincides with the Human Trafficking Conference also held

at STC.

This conference sponsored each year by the STC Women’s Studies Committee is an essential part of the exhibit‘s purpose and planning where both venues collaborate to bring awareness to human rights issues and encourage contemplation, refection and activism.

Through the exhibit’s conceptually and aesthetically unique artwork, artists hope to connect with viewers on an emotional and personal level. Furthermore, the artists hope to open both internal and external dialogues and confront the many horrors and injustices still found in the modern world as well as the unique problems found along the border re-

gion of the U.S. and Mexico.

If you would like to help support continued efforts to educate the community in human rights and social justice issues by being a sponsor please contact the exhibit coordinator Richard Lubben.

With your support artists will

be able to continue to provide exhibitions and community education through the arts. email: rdlubben@ southtexascollege.edu

Office phone: 956-8722541

Edinburg’s latest retail, employment figures more positive signs of prosperous economy

By DAVID A. DÍAZ legislativemedia@aol.com

In his State of the City presentation on Febru ary 20, Mayor Richard García announced that the city’s retail economy in the past year was 16.4 percent better than the previous year – the best annual figure in the past 10 years.

Now, the newest findings by the Texas Comptroller of Pub lic Accounts show that Edinburg continues to prosper.

Plus, Edinburg and McAllen tied for the low est unemployment rate in the Rio Grande Valley for the month of Janu ary, according to the lat est data by another state agency, the Texas Work force Commission.

“This is explosive growth in our city,” Gar cía says of the retail economy, low unem ployment rate, and resi dential and commercial construction growth. “This is an enormous amount of activity in the City of Edinburg – done

without increasing tax es.”

For the month of Jan uary, the local sales tax figure – which reflects the strength of the lo cal retail economy – was up almost eight percent over the same month in 2012, according to the state comptroller.

For January, Edin burg’s retail economy generated $1,264,487.44 in local sales taxes, an improvement of 7.92 percent over January 2012, which registered $1,171,618.48 in local sales taxes.

The sales tax figure represents January sales reported by monthly tax filers as well as sales by businesses that report tax on a quarterly or an nual basis.

The unemployment rate for Edinburg contin ues to remain in single digits, while other South Texas cities struggle with higher and even doubledigit jobless figures.

For January, Edin burg unemployment rate was 7.6 percent –the same as McAllen’s.

By comparison, Mis sion (8.8 percent), Har lingen (9 percent), Pharr (9.9 percent), Browns ville (11.1 percent), and Weslaco (11.5 percent) had higher unemploy ment rates in Janu ary than Edinburg and McAllen, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

More retail activities and job creation advanc es are on the way, adds the mayor, who also serves as president of the Edinburg Economic Development Corpora tion Board of Directors.

“Utilizing research from industry experts highlighting traffic counts, roof tops, and spending capacity, Edin burg is now home to The Shoppes at Edinburg, with 500,000 square feet currently occupied by national retailers,” Gar cía said of key charac teristics of the city that brought one of South Texas’ premier retail shopping venues to the community. “Phase Two of its planned expansion will grow The Shoppes to

1.2 million square feet.”

The mayor shared the credit with the en tire community, but had special praise for his col leagues on the Edinburg City Council.

“I wish to recognize and extend a sincere note of gratitude to my

fellow council mem bers,” he said. “They are unsung heroes who do everything I do, also gratis,” García said. “It is truly an exhilarating experience to serve with a group of degree pro fessionals from diverse backgrounds: accoun

tants, bankers, business owners, developers, and administrators.

“Together, we agree, on occasion disagree,” García continued. “But we always lock elbows and catapult our city to new horizons.”

Edinburg City Council

Bills to reduce veteran’s property taxes

Representative Eddie Lucio III (D-Harlingen) and Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. (DBrownsville) announced Friday the filing of bills to reduce veterans’ property tax burden. The bills, House Joint Resolution 134 and Sen ate Joint Resolution 59 would exempt veterans from paying taxes on at least $10,000 of homestead property value.

“It was important to me that I carry this bill. Men and women in uniform deserve this courtesy and respect,” Rep. Lucio said. “Veterans have put their lives on hold and on the line to protect our

way of life, and this bill is the least we can do to show our gratitude.”

“This bill is about giv ing back to those brave men

and women who have them selves given so much to our country,” Senator Lucio said. “Thank you to Cam eron County Judge Cascos and members of the County Commissioner’s Court for proposing this important piece of legislation. ”

Lessening veterans’ property tax burden was part of Cameron County’s legis lative agenda. Friday’s bills were proposed to Cameron County legislators in January.

“Giving veterans and their surviving spouses some property tax relief is the least we can do, considering all

they have done and continue to do to insure that our coun try maintains the liberties and freedoms we all enjoy today,” said Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos.

Under the bill, a veteran would be exempt from at least $10,000 of homestead property value. Texas county governments would be able to increase the amount of

the exemption up to $75,000 of homestead property val ue. If a county government does raise the property tax exemption, it may not lower the exemption in the future.

Veterans are not permitted to couple this exemption with any other property tax ex emptions.

The bills compliment legislation passed by in 2011

which provided tax relief for the surviving spouses of dis abled veterans. Last Session, Senator Lucio was an author of Senate Joint Resolution 14, which provided that the sur viving spouse of a 100 per cent or totally disabled veter an is exempt from the same property taxes their spouse was exempt from in life.

Objects in the sky to possibly put on the stellar show of the century

By Isaac Garcia Edinburg Review

Mankind has always looked to the sky for answers, wonder and patterns.

From the beginning of time, humanity has looked up in awe of the vastness of space.

That intrigue continues as this month and in November all eyes are fixed to the sky, as scientists from around the world have coined 2013 the year of the comet.

University of Texas Pan American Associate Professor Dr. Hyun-Chul Lee, who is an expert on astrophysical ages and time scales, chemical enrichment history of galaxies and stellar populations and galaxy evolution says that Rio Grande Valley residents may have a shot at catching a glimpse of these approaching comets.

First up to tour the interstellar flying field is Comet PanSTARRS,

which is expected to be at its brightest on March 12 and March 13 as it appears next to the moon, as it dawns its best crescent suit.

Lee said this will be the perfect time for people to catch a glimpse of the comet as it streaks across the sky and slowly pummels itself out of view. Lee said people wanting to see the comet may do so after sunset and all that is needed is a pair of binoculars or an untrained set of eyes.

Lee said that if all the stars align just right, PanSTARRS may just be a preview of the cosmic event of the century.

Scientists from around the world have already garnered a great amount of star-time after declaring Comet ISON as possibly the brightest comet in the sky since Comet Hale- Bop in the late 20th century.

But Lee acknowledges the prediction, however he is taking it with a grain

of comet stardust.

He said that too many times the brightness, visibility and intensity of approaching interstellar objects can be off. He said that as the day gets closer to the premiere of Comet ISON, many in the astronomy community are becoming more reserved about its brightness over the night’s sky in November.

Lee said that predicting the brightness of these comets is not an easy task. He added that it all depended on the size of the rocks and the amount of material it sheds as parts of the comets release ice and gasses as they approach the sun.

Lee said that Comet Pan-STARRS was formed in the Kuiper belt, which is located near Neptune, within our solar system. He said Comet ISON originated from a much further place known as the Oort Cloud, which is approximately one light

year away from the sun.

Lee said that these comets are usually stationary in space but due to collisions with other space debris and gravitational pull, these comets can quickly become a spectacular sighting in the skies, as the comets launch themselves into orbit towards the sun or a devastating impact.

Objects in the sky have been generating much interest after the highly profiled passing of asteroid 2012 DA14 and the unpredicted explosion of a meteor over the Ural Mountains in central Russia on Feb.15. which injured 1,000 people.

Lee called this event a cosmic coincidence and added that impacts like the one over Russia happen on average, every month. However he said these impacts happen over the Earth’s vast oceans or on isolated land, away from detection.

Definitions

A small planetary body in orbit around the Sun. Most asteroids can be found in a belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The orbits of some asteroids take them close to the Sun, which also takes them across the paths of the planets.

An area of dust or gas surrounding the nucleus of a comet.

A gigantic ball of rock and ice that orbits the Sun in a highly eccentric orbit. Some comets have an orbit that brings them close to the Sun where they form a long tail of gas and dust as they are heated by the Sun’s rays.

A small particle of rock or dust that burns away in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Asteroid Coma Comet Meteor Meteorite

An object, usually a chunk of metal or rock, that survives entry through the Earth’s atmosphere.

A theoretical shell of comets that is believed to exist at the outermost regions of our solar system.

Oort Cloud Kuiper Belt

A large ring of icy, primitive objects beyond the orbit of Neptune. Kuiper Belt objects are believed to be remnants of the original material that formed the Solar System.

Madame Gourmande

By Odette MacDonald

Drive your culinary passion to its greatest height

Dear Culinary Aficionados,

Its 1792…..the height of the French Revolution and a frightened eight year old boy named Marie-Antoine Careme is abandoned on a doorstep by his poor desperate parents. Interesting enough the doorstep on which he landed belonged to Monsieur Sylvain Baily, a famous patissier, who gave Careme room and board in exchange for general kitchen work; Baily became his mentor.

Without prospects or hope, Antonin would grow up to be the first celebrity chef during the 18th and 19th century. He was “The King of Chefs” (served royalty)…Master Patissier, founder of haute cuisine, and the greatest, most original chef in European History. Careme was known for developing a new refined food style (nouvelle cuisine) using fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables. All of his simplified sauces were classified into groups based on four mother base sauces: espagnole, veloute’, béchamel, and allemande. He wrote several books on cookery, aside from hundreds of recipes, plans for menu and opulent table settings, a history of French cookery (‘L’ Art de la cuisine Francaise), and instructions for organizing kitchens. He also invented the standard chef’s hat, soufflé, piped meringue, and the volau-vent. His list of creations goes on and on.

Careme’s impact in the culinary world as an inventor and creator will hopefully motivate those who aspire to be an exceptional chef. You don’t have to be rich – but, it does take the right combination of passion, education, and proper experience.

It’s 2013, new techniques have evolved, and chefs have become more inventive (adding something new to the mix). A good way for you to learn, network and gain support is by joining your local chefs association. Being a member builds camaraderie, which is important in an industry marked by egos and competitiveness. You may find it valuable to connect with chefs in South Texas.

The “Texas Chefs Association” Rio Grande Valley Chapter cordially invites motivated foodies to take pleasure in their craft by becoming an official member.

Chef Santiago De La Cruz (Director), Chef Larry Delgado (Treasurer/Community Fundraiser) and Jessica Delgado (Secretary) share resources, and discuss the importance of reaching a “wider community” on monthly bases.

Being a member of TCA does have its privileges:

• *You’ll receive a membership card, certificate and patch

• * Voting rights with your TCA membership

• *Friends of the culinary arts (chefs, cooks, bakers, culinary educators, students, restaurateurs, food purveyors) are able to exchange skills and fresh ideas. Meet and learn from other Culinarians ; you’ll form a close bond by congregating under the same umbrella.

*Industry recognition – certificates and awards

* Members are encouraged to use their talents to: raise awareness and funds for ongoing (community service/charities/TCA of RGV) events.

*They encourage training in cuisine and assist professional development by offering seminars, guest speakers and demos. Development and education offered in the Rio Grande Valley.

By Chris Ardis

Education Beat Spring Break: Time for Adventure

You’re probably thinking I’m living my dream and spending spring break in Norway, the home of my paternal grandmother’s ancestors. Oh, how I wish. Instead, my spring break adventure involves reading.

One of the things I love about summer and spring break is that I finally have time to read. I try to read during the school year, sneaking in 10-20 pages a night before my eyes involuntarily close, desperate for rest. During spring break and in the summer, I can actually read for an entire day. Reading is definitely one of the things I look forward to most when I think about retirement.

When I first began teaching back in the early 80s, many students I encountered loved to read. Most had parents who began reading to them long before they learned how to read. There’s nothing like a toddler pulling a favorite book off a shelf and crawling up in your lap to read it to him or a beginning reader asking you to sit down so she can read to you, sounding out the unfamiliar words.

For the past several years, when I give my students a questionnaire to fill out the first day of school, it has saddened me that so many have left this question blank: What is your favorite book? “I hate to read” and “I don’t read” have become all-too-familiar phrases.

This year has been different. I have more readers than I’ve had in a long time, and contrary to popular belief that “books are obsolete,” most of my students prefer bound books over digital books when it comes to reading for pleasure.

A couple of months ago, one of my students came into my room before school. “Have you read The Fault in Our Stars?” she asked me. I had to admit I had never even heard of it. She went on and on, telling me I had to read it, and, when I finished, I had to read every book its author, John Green, has written. She told me the book was “life changing” for her. I wrote the title down and promised her I would read it when I retire at the end of the school year.

But then, after our first round of standardized tests, a student left a book in my classroom. I picked it up, and lo and behold, it was The Fault in Our Stars. I found it a big strange but didn’t give it much thought until one or two days later when another copy of the book appeared in my room. It had to be a sign.

I finished The Fault in Our Stars last week. I wouldn’t say it was “life changing” for me, but I definitely enjoyed Green’s style of writing. At times, I had to put the book down because it made me sad, but I’m glad I read it. An added benefit is that it gave me the opportunity to talk to my students about the joys of reading for pleasure.

Hopefully, by the time you read this column, I will have finished at least one more book. By the end of spring break, I hope to have read at least two. Thanks to Bookbub.com, my Kindle is loaded with lots of free digital books. Stacks of books also fill one of my bookshelves, just waiting to be read.

If you want your children or grandchildren to go on some great adventures, they can sign on to Bookadventure.com. It is a free program offered by Sylvan Learning. (According to the site, by fourth grade, fewer than 33% of children in the U.S. are reading at or above grade level. They’re working to change that.) On this site, children in grades K-8 can choose a book, read it, take a quiz, and win prizes.

What books do you think I should add to my reading list? Please get on www.yourvalleyvoice.com or send me an email and let me know. I’m ready for more great adventures.

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.

Cooking Classes held by RGVDA

EDINBURG - The Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association (RGVDA) will be hosting a Healthy Cooking Class on March 20, 2013 at 6pm at the RGVDA office located at 2007 W. Owassa Rd. The topic which will be covered is “Creating a Diet based on Your Calorie Count.”

For those individuals who attended last month’s cooking class were asked to visit their physician and request either a 1600 or a 1200 calorie count diet.

If you did not attend last month’s cooking class it is not too late to participate by going to your doctor asking what calorie count diet would be best for you, let the RGVDA assist you create your own diet. Space is limited to please call the RGVDA office at 956-7821900 in order reserve you

seat.

It has been found that diabetes can be controlled with good nutrition and exercise. When it comes to diabetes, food doesn’t have to be the problem –it can be the solution. With a healthier diet, you can help prevent or manage your diabetes, as well other chronic illnesses. Making wise food choices can help you manage your blood sugar level, lower your blood cholesterol, and help you lose weight.

Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the Rio Grande Valley. One out of every four individuals has diabetes in the Rio Grande Valley, even more are at risk. Diabetes can be life threatening if it not managed and controlled. A healthy diet can be a great help in managing diabetes

for those who have been afflicted. A healthy diet can also be a preemptive measure in preventing diabetes.

The RGVDA is a local non-profit organization, founded in 2006 by area professionals in order to bring awareness on this a growing health epidemic.

The Hidalgo County has one of the highest prevalence rates in the nation. Our goal as an organization is to bring awareness to the resident of the Hidalgo County; this disease is life

threatening without proper diet and exercise. We are here to assist the residents of the RGV to control your diabetes. All the funds generated by the RGVDA stay in the Rio Grande Valley to be used exclusively for educational purposes providing not only awareness but also, diabetic management classes, in school presentations, support groups among other services for adults and children.

valleysports

Vela Making Strides

North Takes Road Win Against Bobcats, 6-4 Coogs Unbeaten At 5-0

BY GREG SELBER

After the Bobcats had come almost all the way back from a 6-0 deficit Tuesday, the Big Guy slammed the door on them. David Anzaldua, probably the largest pitcher in city history, fanned EHS hitting star Michael Harrison looking to end the seventh inning and the game, handing North a 6-4 victory over the ‘Cats and raising the team district mark to 3-0 for the young season.

North (8-4 overall, by week’s end the Coogs would 5-0, 10-4) had been in control from the outset with the baffling effort of senior righty Fernie Contreras, who took a no-hitter into the fifth before tiring. A 5-run fourth keyed by five ringing base hits set the visiting Coogs up, and Anzaldua was able to relieve in the late stages to stop the Bobcat rally. EHS plated

four in the sixth before expiring and then got runners to second and third with two down before the confrontation between football kids who know each other well from the Cats Stadium wars.

The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Anzaldua was able to get the best of Harrison, who earlier had driven in a run in the sixth, to avoid a letdown for North and Coach Damian Gonzalez.

“He has been coming in during basketball, working after school to get back into throwing and hitting,” said Gonzalez of the four-sport star who also performs well in the throws for the school’s track contingent.

“When Fernie wore down, David came in and did the job for us.”

In the big fourth inning the Coogs got a triple from hard-hitting third baseman Sam Garza and a

double from shortstop Alex Chavez. Thus, the Coogs chased lefty starter Manuel Mata of the 6-6 ‘Cats, who dropped to 1-2 in league play. Strapping sophomore lefty Alejandro Canul contributed a run-scoring double in the frame, and let it be said, 1 through this team has some heavy hitters!

EHS managed one hit through five innings but came alive in the sixth, drawing a couple of walks and getting singles from Harrison and freshman John Henry Gonzalez, who also turned in a pair of great catches in the infield, one on a sliding effort to snag a short bunt in the air.

In the final chance, Robert Valdez’ crew got oh, so close when it pulled off a double steal to get runners into scoring position, only to see Anzaldua put out the fire.

Josue Carrillo (white jersey) and Luis Sierra of Vela scrap it out.

BY GREG SELBER

At first blush it might have seemed that the game was bereft of much mean ing, with the teams strug gling to stay out of last place in 30-5A. It is true that the EHS and Vela girls were aware that the loser of Friday’s clash would in deed be at the bottom of the standings.

Contextually, how ever, it was all about the Rivalry, and all about the future, meaning that the action was entertaining, though sometimes slightly sloppy, and very meaning ful. Vela emerged victori ous after penalty kicks, for its third win of the league campaign, after Carolina Cortez banged in an early goal and the Lady Sabercats withstood a furious Lady Bobcat effort in the second half to earn the tie in regu lation and eventually the W in PKs.

Cortez, a former Lady Bobcat, is part of the huge upside for Coach Hugo Leal, along with the im mensely talented and lyri cally named Summer Van Hook. In terrific physi cal shape this season, the sophomore Cortez can crush the ball on set pieces and has good soccer sense. Van Hook, angular and quick, also sees the field well and is already one of the sharpest passers in the district. Got feet!

Add in swift freshman Alexis Martinez, who did not play Friday, plus class mate Jessica Reyes up front, and the Lady Sabes have the nucleus of a fantastic side moving forward. Hav ing the hard-nosed Alanah Chavez in back never hurts, either.

“Little mistakes have kept us from being better this year, but we are getting there,” said Leal, who noted that his team had led Econ 1-0 before fading to a 2-1 loss earlier in the year. “We are learning when to attack, to go up, and then fall back to defend. I think the girls have done a great job alto gether.”

The coach said that for

Vela Soccer Groups Steadily March Along Learning Road

stretches of every game this season the Lady SaberCats have shown potential for the future.

“Five or 10 minutes at a time we have really put it together but then we’ll go through lulls,” Leal com mented. “Sometimes we are just kicking it around out there, but at others we are handling the ball, pass ing it, playing our game.”

After grabbing the lead off the bat Friday, Vela had to contend with a spir ited evening of work from the Lady Bobcats. Though EHS is currently battling a 9-game losing streak, the nightly efforts have been way better lately for Coach Serjio Elizarraraz. With Vanessa Silva moved back due to the absence of leader Leslie Alvarez (cheerleading tryouts), pairing with salty Xamara Hernandez, the home side engineered a tie in the first half when Allie Sanchez punched in a shot from close range. Sanchez illus trated the can-do mental ity EHS has been playing with, as her goal came a se quence after she had been a bit tardy locating a pass in the zone. The Lady Bob cats may indeed finish last; it remains to be seen. But they are working hard and improving, setting the tone for what they hope will be a comeback season in 2014.

In the PK mode, after several second-half EHS tries ended up barely short, Vela took control. Van Hook lifted one high left for a point, followed by a sweet punch from Cortez and the eventual tide-turner, a con nection from yet another ex-Lady Bobcat now wear ing

blue and black. Ash ley Torres, injured earlier in the game, made it 3-1 for Vela and when Mayra Ibarra faced down Alvarez (played the last 25 minutes after a late arrival), making the senior fire just wide left, the Lady Sabes had their win.

“There were some nerves out there, there are a lot of young girls and they just have to be in a bunch

NORTH (contd. from pg. 9)

“Maturity, that’s what it’s about this year,” said Gonzalez, whose Coogs faced matches with Donna and then Palmview and want to continue the early buzz around the program. “We want these kids to see what they are building with this program, so far we have played pretty well, and want to keep it going. And I would put our first five hitters up there with anyone, if the lower order guys get on base, they will be hit around, we know that.”

NOTES: Soph Michael “Mac” Cas tillo came on to spell Mata and shut the Coogs down effectively in a 3 2/3-inning stint. Senior Scott Theri ault drove in a run in the sixth with a sacrifice fly and was robbed of extra bases in the second when speedy cen

of games before they get used to playing in the tough ones,” Leal said. “The Ri valry Games, when you go against people you know, and the city pride is on the line, these are the types of games where experience is very important to get. We say that is the mental part of it. And it comes as the girls get more mature in the games.”

‘CATS SCRATCH OUT 3-0 TOLL

The Vela boys have had a harder time in their initial futbol venture, and Friday was a difficult assignment. The EHS contingent is holding on to a playoff spot these days, and needed the points because a fine Sharyland team was to be the next opponent.

True to form, the Bob cats attacked from the getgo, getting a monumental performance from Luis Hi nojosa to clinch a 3-0 victo ry. Hinojosa has never been better than he was Friday, scoring from all angles and giving a dribbling clinic to the callow SaberCats, dip

ping and slicing through multiple defenders to abso lutely dominate the match.

As Hinojosa excelled, teammate Sergio Romo did as well. The do-it-all se nior slipped three terrific passes into the zone early on, and again was to be seen up front, in back, and in transit, the whole night. Romo’s best attribute, be sides deceptive strength, is the ability to be anywhere on the field and display ex quisite understanding, not to mention the polished ability to finish. He and midfielder Kristov Martinez are fun to watch when they start touching, while the speedy but tiny “Papo” Hi nojosa, who averages one injury per game but is fast on the comeback, can run circles around any defense.

Given the greatness of the Killer Three for EHS, it was going to be a long night for Vela. But Coach Ameri co Cortez, a soccer guru who works his kids hard but properly, is going to use nights like this as home work for the guys.

“Experience is what we’re after, they are listen

ing and they are working hard,” Cortez said. “They are good kids in the locker room, no problems, they are doing good. We just have to get more experi enced, and we are doing it each game.”

Vela would be a whole lot tougher if it weren’t for the fact that no fewer than five very good athletes have not been cleared to eligi bly play, and are on the JV. When those youngsters get into the mix next year, the Sabes will have a chance to be one of the most im proved teams in the league.

Right now, Raymond Partida is ruling the roost for the Blue and Black. Fri day he showed as much speed as Hinojosa, which is to say, a lot of it. In fact, Partida and the league’s leading scorer are very sim ilar in ability. Friday it took a strong defensive job from EHS’s Martinez to keep lit tle No. 7 for Vela at bay. He can really get that that ball and go!

Other Sabes looking good these days include soph Zeke Chapa, an ac tive player, and gutty se

nior defender Luis Sierra, one of few upperclassmen on the roster. Joe Alvarado has been solid while keep er Christian Hernandez is getting there steadily: but Friday, nothing would have impeded Hinojosa. His second goal of the first half was a glimpse of awe: a location of a long, bounc ing thru ball between two defenders down deep, and then a quick karate pop on the ball halfway up after its first bounce, simply sick, people. He was the only person in the crowd react ing quickly enough to own the ball, and thus, the goal. Still, Vela will get there, sooner than later. If goodsize athletes like Josue del Toro (rangy defender, a nice running header clear against Bobcats) and Alexis Salinas (brother Tony is a Jag futbol legend) come through Next Year, Cortez and the Gang will be able to say that the struggles of Year One were indeed worth it.

ter fielder Matt Ramirez of North ran a mile to track down his looper in the right-center gap.

EHS rebounded with a victory over Vela Friday while the Coogs stayed un beaten with a terrific rally and 1-run wins back to back, Friday-Saturday. Down three entering the bottom of the seventh at home against Donna, North stormed to a 4-run outburst to complete a 9-8 triumph. Vince Or tiz drove in two that night and Sam Chavez earned the win on the mound.

The next day, the Coogs bested Palmview (previously unbeaten) 5-4, while EHS was flattened by Shary land, 18-1. Vela outlasted Donna 3-1 Saturday and came into the week a solid 3-2 in 30-5A.

Those football guys are everywhere!

The Lady SaberCats romp following the win against EHS

City Roundup:

North Travels To Shary For Huge Softball Match Thursday

After Tuesday’s surpris ing home loss against Shary land, the Lady Bobcats took their frustration out on La Joya Friday, pummeling the Lady Coyotes 20-0 in the minimum of three innings. EHS (4-1 in league) has Econ Tuesday at home and then is at Juarez-Lincoln Thursday.

North meanwhile, de feated Brownsville Hanna in a non-district game Friday, 7-2 behind Jacui Chapa (two hits, got the W) and fresh man Abby Hinojosa, who knocked a couple of safeties and drove in two. Vanessa Salazar added three hits for the Lady Coogs, tied for sec ond at 4-1 in district.

In their four wins, they have scored 79 runs and al lowed just one. North wel comes Vela to its place Tues day for the first shot of a new Rivalry Game, and then trav els to Sharyland Thursday for the biggest contest of 2013.

It was a big night at the plate Friday for Econ, which produced a program record of 25 runs in beating JuarezLincoln 25-15. After three games in which they scored just one tally to start 0-3, the Lady Jags exploded on Lin coln for the triumph.

Perhaps the most over looked story from softball so far has been the excellent play of Belinda Trevino’s Vela squad. The Lady SaberCats blasted Donna 9-0 in their most recent outing to rise to 3-2 in 30-5A and 13-4 overall. Tuesday, as stated, offered a chance for the Lady Sabes to battle vaunted North, and observers will be watching to see how well the promising young ‘Cats can do.

TRACK AND FIELD

EHS football veteran Rene Trevino is off to a fine start in track and field, and he jumped 13-0 in the pole vault Friday to take first place at the Patriot Relays hosted by Mission Vets. The other No. 1 performance by a city athlete at that 1-day event came from Rick Montero of North, who ran a 4:31.43 to win at 1,600 meters.

The Lady Jags continued their outstanding teamwork with a championship at the Patriot Relays, getting the usual points from Leigha Brown and the distance kids such as Emily Suarez. Allison Marroquin also came to the party with a contribution, finishing second in the 400.

Econ won the 4x400 relay as well, while EHS runner Alex Cruz paced the field in the 1,600.

PAN AM HOOPS

The Bronc men wrapped up the regular season over the weekend, beating New Jersey Institute of Technol ogy at home to raise their overall record to 16-15 head ing into the Great West Con ference Tournament this weekend in Chicago.

This is the final GWC event for UTPA, which joins the WAC this summer, and the club comes in seeded No. 2. Friday they play host Chi cago State and are hoping to gain an invite to the College Inside Tournament begin ning March 18.

Former EHS star Noe Espericueta has been with the Broncs all season and has gotten occasional play ing time. The 6-foot-5 fresh man has made an impact in practice and with his spirited support on the bench.

The North girls take on Vela and Sharyland this week.

Bronc Country To Continue Through Baseball Season

EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Monday that they have extended their partnership with KMBH 88 FM to broad cast an additional 10 epi sodes of Bronc Country, covering baseball season.

Bronc Country is a weekly 30-minute show that airs on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Starting on March 19, it will fea ture a weekly interview with UTPA baseball head coach Manny Mantrana,

as well as other segments about what’s going on in the world of UTPA Athlet ics.

The show can be heard on 88.1 FM in the upper valley and 88.9 FM in the lower valley.

Fans who are unable to catch the show live or want to hear the show again will be able to do so starting shortly after the conclusion of each live broadcast by logging on to UTPABroncs.com.

“It is important that we keep our on air presence with KMBH 88 FM during baseball season,” UTPA Director of Athletics Chris

King said. “Broadcasting Bronc Country and our men’s and women’s bas ketball games has allowed us to reach all of our fans and alumni across the en tire Rio Grande Valley.”

Hosted by UTPA As sistant Athletic Director

for Communications Jo nah Goldberg, who is also the play-by-play broad caster for UTPA baseball, basketball and volleyball, Bronc Country has been running every Tuesday since November 6, featur ing interviews with UTPA

men’s basketball head coach Ryan Marks and women’s basketball head coach Denny Downing.

“We are both excited and proud to be associ ated with UTPA Athletics and look forward to a long lasting relationship as we

enter a new and exciting time going forward with UTPA as members of the WAC,” said Robert Gutier rez, the General Manager of KMBH-TV and Radio.

Edinburg Review

Report Endorses Lucio Bill to Expand School Breakfast

AUSTIN - Today, a report by the Center for Public Policy Pri orities endorsed ex panding Texas public schools’ participation in the federal School Breakfast Program, leg islation filed by Sena tor Eddie Lucio, Jr. (DBrownsville).

Senator Lucio an nounced the filing of a bill which would ex pand the Program last month.

CPPP’s report, The Curious Case of NoCharge School Break fast: How Serving More for Less Pays Off, con cludes:

Legislation has been filed in both the Texas House and Sen ate which will require school campuses with 80 percent or more of their students eligible for free or reducedpriced meals to offer breakfast to all students at no charge. The legis lation allows schools to choose the delivery model which best suits their campus . . . .

If the proposed leg islation were passed in Texas the effects would be dramatic, as it is es timated that if every school with 80 percent or more of its student

qualifying for free or reduced-priced meals were to offer breakfast at no charge, an addi tional 731,000 students would be guaranteed a nutritious start to their school day. In addi tion to a significant in crease in participation, Texas would increase the amount of federal funds going to local Texas schools by $203 million, easing de mands on school bud gets. Senator Lucio’s Senate Bill 376 would require that all school districts and openenrollment charter schools participating

in the federal School Breakfast Program provide universal free breakfast, if 80 percent or more of that school’s students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Very similar leg islation, House Bill 296, has been filed by Rep resentative Eddie Ro driguez (D-Austin).

“We need to ensure that every Texas child has the resources they need to reach their full potential. This begins with a nutritious break fast. It has been shown that providing access to nutritious food in creases students’ con

centration, and reduces students’ absences and discipline problems,” Senator Lucio said last month. “We need to give these students ev ery available resource if they are to raise them selves out of poverty through education.”

CPPP’s report out lines several benefits to schools who offer free breakfast to all stu dents. For example:

· campus adminis trators spend less time implementing the Pro gram;

· teachers lose less instructional time re focusing hungry stu

dents;

· students no longer feel the stigma often associated with receiv ing free or reducedprice lunch; and

· parents save hun dreds of dollars per year on food expenses.

Senate Bill 376 has already been endorsed by expert nutrition ad vocates during a Capi tol Hunger Roundtable Summit organized by Senator Lucio’s office last month.

Economedes High School seniors earn BPA Scholarships

G. Economedes High School seniors, Aranza Garza and Amanda Wilke, received scholarships at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) State competition on March 2nd in Houston.

Aranza received $1,000 and Amanda $500 in scholarship money. The BPA chapter is

By Mark Noe

Commentary And Nothing But

Remember when we used to laugh at infomercials with their promises that for $19.95 you could slice, dice, and make julienne fries? But wait, you get not one, but not two, and a free set of Ginsu knives worth $12.95. We laughed because we knew they were lying to us. We laughed because we wondered who would be dumb enough to believe them.

I found out who would be dumb enough when my uncle gave one to my aunt for their anniversary. She put a big, juicy tomato in the thing. It didn’t slice. It didn’t dice. It didn’t make julienne fries. It did make a rather nice tomato puree. Of course, that was in 1963. That was the last time my uncle gave my aunt a kitchen appliance for their anniversary. And, along with him, I learned a very important lesson, actually two important lessons.

The first is an old lesson, one we should have already known: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That particular lesson goes back to the Trojan Horse. Remember that one? After ten years of siege, the Greeks gave up trying to take Troy and sailed away. However, they built a giant horse out of wood as a tribute to the valor of the Trojans and left it on the beach. The Trojans dragged it in their walls—after all, the Greeks had conveniently put it on wheels—and partied the night away celebrating their victory over the Greeks. A little too soon. After the Trojans had all passed out Ulysses and his men crawled out of the horse and, well, all that’s left of Troy is the saying, “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”

Ever thought your TV might actually be an electronic Trojan Horse? You invited it into your home. Shoot, you paid good money for it. And now all these messages crawl out of it like sneaky Greeks. (Okay, they’re no more sneaky than those guys on Mad Men, none of whom are Greek. I don’t want to spread ethnic stereotypes.)

Today we live in a world where we get lied to so often that it’s no longer a laughing matter.

Remember those political ads leading up to November election? Obama tells lies about Romney; and Romney tells lies about Obama. And when the lies get so outrageous that any moment we expect them to offer a free set of Ginsu knives, they just have a conveniently anonymous super pac lie for them. By the end of that election I had come to the conclusion that the best thing about democracy is that it only comes around every four years.

Not so, on TV. Every ten minutes or so they stop the program for a set of slick lies called commercials. We’ve come a long way since the Ronco days. Remember the Super Bowl? Some years the commercials are more interesting than the game. Notice how many of them didn’t actually try to sell us a product? Instead, they do something today called “branding,” which is where they try to get you to buy a logo instead of a product. Now, that’s a Trojan Horse.

The problem isn’t that they’re trying to pull the wool over our eyes. We all recognize that. The problem is that they’ve made all of us as cynical as they are. I remember when my kids were seven and eight. One of those commercials would come on TV making promises you knew they couldn’t keep and my kids would jump up and down. “Dad, we’ve got to get that. It slices and dices. What’s a julienne fry?” Now, they switch channels and mutter, “Whatever.” Makes me want to yell, “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” and throw my Trojan Horse out the window.

Take this whole sequestration thing? If you listen to Obama it’s the first step toward fiscal Armageddon, it’s the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs coming back for a second swipe at the rest of us, it’s the end of the American Dream. If you listen to Boehner it’s no big deal. It might actually be good for the Republican Party—woops, I mean the country. Makes me wonder if the sequester comes with Ginsu knives.

Oh, I almost forgot the second lesson. Get her flowers.

Edinburg CISD’s Johnny

sponsored by Kim Wilke.

Rep. Canales files bill to protect integrity of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

On Friday Rep. Terry Ca nales, D-Edinburg filed leg islation to require Texas to further protect the integrity of the Supplemental Nutri tion Assistance Program( SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program), which serves more than four million qualified Texans, es pecially children.

His legislation, House Bill 3631, requires the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (which ad ministers SNAP and related cash assistance programs in the state) to withdraw all SNAP benefits that have not been spent after 90 days. It would also prevent a person from accumulating more than three months’ worth of SNAP benefits on their Lone

Star Card. “Let me make it clear: SNAP is tremendously important for all Texans be cause it helps our most vul nerable citizens, especially households with children, elderly and the disabled,” Canales noted.

“In addition, every year, SNAP pumps billions of dol lars in federal money into our state and local economies. My legislation is designed to help protect the integrity of these important programs by making sure our state gov ernment correctly provides these benefits to Texans who are truly in need.” SNAP of fers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-in come individuals and fami lies and provides economic benefits to communities,

according to the U.S. Depart ment of Agriculture. SNAP is the largest program in the hunger safety net. Monthly SNAP benefits in Texas are credited into the state’s suc cessful Lone Star Card, which is a plastic card that is used like a debit card, according to HHSC. Each month, ap proved monthly benefits are placed in the card’s account.

Monthly benefits that are not used in one month stay in the Lone Star Card, and are added to the bal ance when the next month’s scheduled SNAP benefits are deposited into the recipient’s

Lone Star Card.

Canales’ legislation was a response to a local news in vestigation in mid-February, which featured a Lone Star Card receipt that showed a balance of more than $7,000.

“It’s unclear how wide spread the problem of highbalance SNAP accounts is,” he said. “Nevertheless, the idea that funds can roll over indefinitely is not a sound accounting principle and is not in the best interest of the SNAP program. We sim ply must improve the state government’s management and accounting practices of

this vital program, and my legislation is one way to help make sure our tax funds are used properly.”

The state lawmaker add ed, “This is not so much a fraud issue as it is an internal accounting issue.”

According to the Texas Commission on Health and Human Service, SNAP ben efits are given to a single person or family who meets the program’s requirements.

HHSC sends a renewal ap plication to a family getting SNAP before the end of each benefit period. Most benefit periods last for six months

but some can be as short as one month or as long as three years.

For most adults between the ages of 18 and 50 who do not have a child in the home, SNAP benefits are limited to three months in a three-year period. The benefit period can be longer if the adult works at least 20 hours a week or is in a job or training program.

Some people may not have to work to get benefits, such as those who have a dis ability or are pregnant.