Unemployment in East Texas Online Banking
Special Report:
Drought Recovery
PLUS
March 8, 2012
Rancher’s challenges, gas prices, cattle prices and feral hogs
PLUS
Tiger Creek : Big Cats Refugee
In This Issue
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
By Kelley Connor Managing Editor
East Texans are easing into a surprisingly warm Spring, many of them dreading the possibility of another record-breaking Summer. Much has transpired in the year 1 A.D. (after drought). Wild hog populations have ballooned, causing widespread damage to crops and other agricultural property. Lack of cattle from last year’s drought has caused an increase in meat prices. Gas prices have also been leaping and economists say it will only get worse. Add to that scam artists who have been trying to empty East Texans’ bank accounts and wallets. These concerns and more are addressed in this issue, including a story of rescue and hope for big cats, at Tiger Creek in Tyler. Along with our latest installment of the T-Bone, our fact-finding page, you’ll also find a few words about romance in a fast-paced, digital age. We hope you enjoy.
Front page: Arula,Tiger Creek Courtesy Photo
OPINION
19
2 • The Pine Curtain
We don’t send letters anymore, ask the U.S. Postal Service. We don’t want to take the time to conquer somebody’s heart or fall in love; we want a drive-through of feelings, but without having to pay.
Contents T-BONE
4
NEWS
6
ESPECIAL
10
FEATURES
16
ART
22
T-BONE
4
Take your average Tbone steak. Carve away the fat and the bone and the little that remains is meat. Take your average politician. Carve away the bluster and rhetoric and you just may find the Editor-In-Chief truth…or not. In our TBone, we’llMARMOLEJO look at politiIRVING cal quotes that make us wonder where the meat is, closely examine their value and grade them just as a meat inspector might grade cuts of beef: Prime, Choice, Standard or Canner. Then we’ll serve it up to you for your consumption.
Among the top 10, bank and credit card scams were the most reported incidents, two of which remain a threat. Every time someone logs into their banking account from their home computer, the virus steals passwords and user names.
SPECIAL REPORT
According to the State Energy Conservation Office, animal agriculture is Texas’ largest agricultural sector, and it has been stressed financially by the recent market situation for feed grains.
16
FEATURES
Most of the animals have had hard past experiences before coming to the refuge. Some of them have faced physical or emotional damage.
STAFF Editor-In-Chief
IRVING MARMOLEJO
Assistant Editor HOLLY HOOTEN
Contributing Writers JESSICA SWINK
10
CHANTEL MARTIN
Managing Editor
KELLEY CONNOR Photographers KELLEY CONNOR DAVE WEINSTOCK: ADVISOR
Comments or questions can be directed to the.pine.curtain.mag@gmail.com The Pine Curtain Magazine is an online publication created by Communication students at the University of Texas at Tyler. Content may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from The Pine Curtain Magazine. ©The Pine Curtain Magazine 2011
March 8, 2012 • 3
In This Issue
8
NEWS
Hospitals Combine. Page 7
“How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains,
T-Bone
Take your average T-bone steak. Carve away the fat and the bone and the little that remains is meat. Take your average politician. Carve away the bluster and rhetoric and you just may find the truth…or not. In our T-Bone, we’ll look at political quotes that make us wonder where the meat is, closely examine their value and grade them just as a meat inspector might grade cuts of beef: Prime, Choice, Standard or Canner. Then we’ll serve it up to you for your consumption.
‘Prime’ Truth: Top shelf—Grade A goodness.
‘Choice’ Truth: Mostly true, depending on the bull it came from.
‘Standard’ Truth: Run of the mill bull—more gristle than fat, less meaty than most.
‘Canner’ Truth: I wouldn’t eat that.
--In a conference call with New Hampshire reporters, Dec. 20.
“Fifty percent of Speaker Gingrich’s tax plan goes to the top 1 percent.”
--President Barack Obama Ben LaBolt, Obama’s spokesman, made this claim on his behalf. The Tax Policy Center, a non-partisan research group which reviews all candidates’ tax plans, supports the numbers. The center’s analysts reported that if Bush administration tax cuts are extended—which it appears they will be—the top 1 percent will receive more than 50 percent of the benefit. They’ll pay an average of nearly $300,000 less in taxes. The bottom 20 percent of the population would pay $63 less, on average. This quote is Standard grade. 4 • The Pine Curtain
, however improbable, must be the truth?”
—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) The Sign of Four.
--In a presidential primary debate in New Hampshire, Jan. 8.
“Eliminating ‘Obamacare’...saves $95 billion a year.”.” --– Mitt Romney
--In a Feb. 5 interview on “Meet the Press”
President Barack Obama “has an Environmental Protection Agency proposal that would raise the price of gasoline by 25 cents a gallon.” --Newt Gingrich Gingrich knew where to hit the American public--in the gas tank. He was apparently too elated when he unearthed this informational nugget to check its authenticity. It’s fool’s gold. His information comes from a decade-old study sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute, a company obviously involved in the oil industry. The study, outlining the affects of complying with federal standards, estimated a 12- to 25-cent-per-gallon increase in gas prices. Gingrich simply took the highest exaggeration--25. Also, the standards mentioned in the study were set by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1999, and have since been revamped. So the cost of complying will be much less, about 1 cent per gallon. Gingrich needs to become a better prospector and stop leaving the digging up to us. This quote is Canner grade. March 8, 2012 • 5
T-Bone
Here we have a politician who’s focusing on the one sentence in a 20-page article that confirms he’s right. Romney is referring to an analysis, by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, on the effect of repealing the new healthcare law. The only time $95 billion ever appears in the report is in relation to the year 2016. “Repealling Obamacare will save $95 billion in the year 2016,” would have been more accurate, especially if Romney had added the part about $210 billion a repeal would tack on to the deficit. That sentence was further down in the document, we suppose. Either way, pertinent information was disregarded by Romney, making his quote false. It receives a Canner grade.
After the Drought: Hogs. Page 12
Workers in East Texas Face Unemployment By Irving Marmolejo Editor in Chief
News
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, this year the rate for unemployment is 8.3 percent compared to 5.1 percent in 2007. Hundreds of former East Texas workers began 2012 by turning to the Texas Workforce Commission for unemployment benefits, after substantial layoffs. Statewide, more than 959,000 Texans were unemployed during the holiday season. “The two major [companies] that had mass layoffs were Trane and Carrier,” said Steve Lynch, TWC area manager for Tyler and Jacksonville. “Carrier went from 12 hundred workers to four hundred--that is where they are now--and Trane laid off about four or five hundred people.”
“
Every week, until we find a job, we have to present the information from several places where we submit applications ,so we can claim unemployment benefits,
”
Last month Carrier’s representatives made it official: Carrier at Tyler will stop operations at the end of 2013. Before the company moves to Mexico, the remaining East Texas em6 • The Pine Curtain
ployees must be laid off. This phase began last September. An agreement has been worked out between Carrier Co. and the plant workers. “For us it (the severance package) is a paid week for each year of service and six month of continuing insurance coverage. We negotiated the severance package and that is all we could do,” said Blain Strickland, Carrier union leader in Tyler. Trane laid off many of its workers last July. Layoffs had been common every year, but this time there was no call-back date given. Many of the former workers at Trane applied for help at the TWC. Workforce Solutions held a couple of special sessions for these workers on how to find a new job, how to get involved in jobhunting activities and where to go to get information about their unemployment benefits. One of the many companies facing national layoffs is the U.S. Postal Service. Last year the USPS announced a plan to close down 4,000 or more post offices, which will put more than 5,000 postal Cont. Unemployment pg 20
Cont. Civic pg 20
Regional Medical Center Combines By Jessica Swink Contributing Writer
Tyler and Longview residents will experience some changes in the months ahead, as the cities attempt to streamline services and generate revenue.
The facilities, each owned by parent company Community Health Systems, were already closely linked and worked together frequently. Because of this close relationship, Longview Regional Medical Center CEO Jim Kendrick believes that joining the facilities was only natural. “We’re working closer with doctors and the needs of the community. By linking, we’re able to accommodate more people,” Kendrick
Tyler’s New Civic Building
By Jessica Swink Contributing Writer
Tyler is also working to generate future revenue, with the possibility of a new multipurpose center. The city’s communications director, Susan Guthrie, said this idea has been floating around for years, if not decades. Only in the past year has the idea been seriously considered. “The reason for this is tourism,” Guthrie said.
In Tyler, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics is also expanding care for patients. The hospital’s new clinic, Trinity Clinic-Broadway Commons, opened January of this year, making it the 36th Trinity Clinic in the East Texas area. “It’s a one-stop shop for each member of the family. We treat anyone, from children to the matriarchs and patriarchs of the family,” said John Moore, public information officer for Trinity Clinic. Moore said the new clinic was desperately needed in East Texas. “Southern Smith County is one of the fastest growing areas in the region. Ultimately, this clinic provides more convenience for those who do live nearby. That’s why we built it,” Moore said. With the Broadway Commons clinic, patients and physicians can easily partner to communicate visits, expedite treatments and have faster recovery times. “About this time last year, we approached our delegation to the Texas legislation, because we had to have it approved. Eventually it was passed.” Tyler, along with Dallas-based PFK Consulting, are conducting surveys among community groups to figure out where the multipurpose center is most needed, and what it will be. “We’re waiting for the results to see if it will be a convention center, or an area to have concerts, rallies, and the like,” Guthrie said. If the building is approved, then it all comes down to getting funding. The possibility of a new
Cont. Civic pg 20 March 8, 2012 • 7
News
The Diagnostic Clinic of Longview and Longview Regional Medical Center combined Feb. 1 to provide more efficient care for patients.
said. “Nothing has changed. There’s just a more formalized relationship, and we work in a more unified fashion. Now we can plan for the future rather than guessing needs.”
News
Bank and T
Credit Card Scams
By Chantel Martin Contributing Writer
he Better Business Bureau handled 25,953 East Texas complaints in 2011 . Among the top 10, bank and credit card scams were the most reported incidents, two of which remain a threat.
plaints received are due to new and used car dealers. Wills said it’s important to do your research before you shop for a used car.
“There are a lot more used cars on the lot this time and a lot of people are looking to save money by “One is a computer virus,” BBB agent Angela Wills buying a cash car,” she said. “When it’s ‘as is,’ the said. “It helps frauds steal your banking informa- buyer often does not have a case if someone sells tion and run transactions on your account.” them a faulty car.” Every time someone logs into their banking acWills said the best thing shoppers can do is to take count from their home computer, the virus steals a mechanic with them, know what kind of car they passwords and user names. Wills said it is best to want and know how much they plan to spend. check bank accounts from multiple locations. Over the past three years, the BBB has received “The second type of bank scam is also computer over 15,000 used car complaints in East Texas. related,” Wills said. “If you accidentally miss-spell But now, local scam artists have turned to somea word while typing in the Web address of your thing more personal: pets. bank, hackers will send you to a fake page that looks like an original.” When an owner loses a pet, they usually post a Once information is entered on a fake Web page, reward for the pet’s return. hackers will be able to view account history and use their victim’s credit cards. “Well known banks are at more of a risk just because they have a higher search rate,” Wills said. She said having the right anti-virus software and checking your accounts daily will help prevent and catch potential credit card theft. Aside from bank scams, Wills said a lot of comLocal scam artists have turned to something more personal: pets. 8 • The Pine Curtain
Denny Richards, Longview, said he was a victim of pet fraud when his dog Homer went missing after a storm. “Me and my dad posted pictures and went on Facebook and Twitter to see if anyone had seen the dog,” he said. “There was even a site called PetAmberAlert.com” Pet Amber Alert makes all user contact information public. “We began to get emails and postings from a few people saying that they might have found our dog,” Richards said, adding they must have seen the flier because the description they gave of the dog matched the description that was on their fliers.
But they never got a response. Wills said people who have lost their pets are more vulnerable to scams. “It’s the same as if they lost their child,” she said. “People will go to any lengths to get loved ones back.” Pet Amber Alert recently changed its policy because of the scam cases. They now keep all user information private. Wills said it’s also a smart idea to not post everything about your pet. That way if someone truly has your dog, you can ask them a question that they can answer only by having the seen the animal. Wills said another new scam was most likely inspired by the hit television show “Extreme Couponing,” where shopping is a competitive sport. Buyers try to beat the system while saving as much money as possible. According to Groupon.com, more than 330 billion coupons worth $1.2 billion were issued in 2010. Wills said this money-saving trend has caused a lot
• Organize coupons in files or envelopes that you can carry with you to the store. Make a list of products you need that have coupons before you go shopping. • Clip coupons only on products that you use or want to try. • Be aware of stores’ coupon policies and read a coupon’s requirements before you try to use it. Some stores will double the face value of coupons or allow you to “stack” coupons on an item, which means you can use a manufacturer’s and a store coupon for the same item. There may be limits on the number or value of coupons that are doubled or how many may be stacked. • Ask a store if it will match a competitor’s price on items that you have coupons for, saving you the trouble of visiting several stores. • With online coupons, check to see if the coupon is being offered directly by the store or by a third party. If it’s from a third party, a store may ask for more information or require that the consumer sign up for additional services to redeem the coupon. If so, the BBB recommends using extreme caution before divulging any personal information. • Don’t fall for phony coupons from email. Just because a coupon comes for a friend or family member, don’t assume the coupon is legitimate. If a coupon site asks for sensitive financial information, it could be a scam. • If you end up with more products than you can use, consider donating them to a food pantry or other charity.
Cont. Coupons pg 20 March 8, 2012 • 9
News
“Then they started asking for...our information ‘to make sure we were who we said we were,’” Richards said. His father replied by asking the sender to supply a picture of Homer.
And after receiving the coupons the BBB has these tips for organization to make sure yours do not expire:
Tiger Creek: Follow The paw. Page 16
The Agriculture Industry is trying to recover. Ranchers and Farmer have to deal with:
The Year Cattle Prices ∙ Wild Hogs ∙ Gas Prices
Cattle Prices By Jessica Swink Contributing Writer
Special Report
Agriculture across Texas has been struggling to build itself back up in the wake of last year’s ravaging drought.
“
Additionally, water in stock tanks either had completely dried or was full of sediment so the cattle on pasture could not drink it.” An additional influence of the drought is set to effect consumers during the next few months, in the
There are fewer cattle in Texas now than there has been since the 1950’s
According to the State Energy Conservation Office, animal agriculture is Texas’ largest agricultural sector, and it has been stressed financially by the recent market situation for feed grains. Saqib Mukhtar, Interim Associate Department Head of Biological Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University, agrees. “The major impact of drought on animal agriculture continues to be access to feed,” Mukhtar said. Mukhtar works with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, which strives to improve the lives of all Texans through agricultural education. Mukhtar added, “The drought caused major yield reductions in crops grown for cattle feed and reduced pasture availability for them to graze on. 10 • The Pine Curtain
”
form of higher prices. This is because availability of cattle--and therefore meat--is lower. “Wildfires killed some livestock in Texas last year. As a result, we are seeing rising costs of meat at the grocery stores this winter,” Mukhtar said. Chad Gulley, Smith County AgriLife extension
After the Drought agent, said the aftermath of last year’s drought could last for several years.
“Because of low rainfall and low saturation, grass and trees can be stressed down to the roots,” Gulley said. This also effects cattle availability, Mukhtar said, because “a lot of cattle on pasture were sold out of state [during the drought].” Joe Stewart, district sales manager for LoneStar Feed in Nacogdoches, knows this all too well.
Because many farms and ranches couldn’t handle the high cost of keeping extra cattle around, selling became a quick fix. LoneStar has about 200 locations across East Texas, Stewart said. “We manufacture almost everything that we sell on the dry feed side of the store, and stay pretty regional. Our tonnage has not been effected yet, but this year I’m sure it will be. Since there are fewer animals to feed, as soon as spring pokes its head around, it’ll come down to profitability versus survivability,” Stewart added. Scott Snowden works as farm manager for a demonstration farm on site at Kilgore College. Without their newly installed irrigation system, the farm would have had to sell at least one-third of its cattle.
He acknowledged that it is a hard choice for agriculturists to make. “People have to decide whether to roll the dice and spend more money on cattle now, or to risk losing more money. The only choice for many people now is to sell.” He stresses that for agriculturists, farmers and ranchers, the best thing to do right now is irrigate their soil until heavier rain comes along. “It depends on rainfall. This winter has been good so far in that it’s filled up stock tanks and saturated the ground, but the spring is when it’ll be critical. If we have a dry spring and summer, we’ll have to irrigate extensively. That equals more money and stress on the equipment,” Snowden said. Stewart advised financial management until things go back to normal. “Just manage and do everything you can to save that money,” he said.
Photo by Kelley Connor
As a consequence of the drought many farmers had to sell their cattle. Some ranchers have installed irrigation systems to have sufficient hay all year long.
March 8, 2012 • 11
Special Report
“We were real concerned at the beginning of fall because so many animals we sold in the state of Texas. There are fewer cattle in Texas now than there has been since the 1950s,” Stewart said.
“It provided hay without having to sell our cattle, but if not, we would have had to sell some of the herd or buy hay, which is expensive,” Snowden said.
Wild Hogs By Chantel Martin Contributing Writer
For landowners recovering from the drought, the rapidly growing population of feral hogs is making the process more difficult.
Special Report
Kevin Barns from Texas Boars has been killing swine for 15 years in Van Zandt and neighboring counties. He said the wild hog population has grown from 1 million to 4 million in Texas in the past 10 years. According to agrilife.org, wild boars are reported in over 73 percent of Texas counties. “Farmers are trying to recover from the drought and the boars are setting them back,” Barns said. “The boars attack livestock, destroy crops and eat the roots of plants.” James Newsome owns 30 acres outside Henderson County. He said he has had a boar problem ever since he and his wife bought his property in 2005. “We were walking down to the stream and I was just telling her how I needed another firearm,” he said. “We rounded the bend and there was a dead hog lying on the ground. Apparently one of the neighbors must have shot it and it ran onto my property and died.” Since then, Newsome said he does not go into the woods without being armed. “I have a four-year-old daughter and another daughter that will be here in about a week or two,” he said.“She is not allowed to go into the woods.” Newsome said he has woken up on mornings and found that his land had been damaged by boars 12 • The Pine Curtain
Feral hogs population grows rapidly. A litter size goes from four to six piglets. Because of the rapid growth encounters between humans and hogs are more common and dan gerous. throughout the night. “They’re like little bulldozers,” he said. “It looks like a tractor with a plow on it plowed across your yard.” Newsome said he and his neighbors have a “shooton-site policy.” “Everyone wants to think of these hogs as little piglets, but these piglets will kill you,” he said. “They’re like a cross between a rhinoceros and a rabid dog. They have an attitude problem and they are more likely to charge.” Although Newsome and his neighbors are able to shoot hogs if they get a chance, Newsome said it’s becoming an even bigger issue in cities. “Driving back and forth from Tyler to Brownsboro I’ve seen wild herds of hogs, in the median or the ditch of the roadway,” he said. “You can call a sheriff
“
Like any animal they need food and water...They’ll eat dogs they can corner. Cats if they catch them.
or animal control to come help but it’s not a good idea to go blasting guns in heavily populated areas.” Barns said trapping is the next best choice to capture feral hogs.
is also good for hunting hogs,” Menoz said. She said the tags come in handy if you want to process or sell the meat. “When we hunt, every animal has to be tagged. That way, if a game warden has any questions they find you, the hunter using that number,” she said. “After that, you are able to do whatever you want with it.” Since wild hogs have no natural enemy, Newsom said he hopes that one day more can be done about the hog population. “Like any animal they need food and water,” he said.“So they are going to go where they can get that. They’ll eat dogs they can corner. Cats if they catch them.” And if hogs are not destroying crops, they are crowding the roadways. “The problem with deer is that they go through your windshield, so not only does it damage your car, it hurts you,” he said.“But the hog is a large mass that weighs almost as much as the deer is so low to the ground that when your car hits it, it’s like running into a tree. And they are a lot more difficult to see.” Anyone who spots a hog on his property is urged not to approach it without proper protection. Otherwise, call the local sheriff or animal control.
Why they are a problem? Become a threat to regional species. Domestic pigs escape from a farm or ranch.
They become feral and reproduce rapidly
Destroy fielts and eat crops Carry diseases March 8, 2012 • 13
Special Report
“Lately, trapping has been promoted as some type of sporting recreation which is not even close to the truth,” he said. “Rookies especially wind up wasting money and hurting the public if they do not know what they are doing.” Barns said another mistake people make is that they unknowingly provide food for the hogs. “The public really needs to be educated about feeding wild animals, especially in urban areas,” he said. “Dog food, trash and road kill are all things they can eat.” With the hog population increasing, people are becoming bounty hunters in order to make extra cash. Selena Menoz, with Texas Parks and Wildlife, said she does not recommend hunting the hogs without getting a hunting license. Residents can go to Academy or any other agency that sells licenses. They cost $25 and require the applicant to take a hunting class if born after Sept. 1, 1971. “Although it is now deer season, if you were to get a license it would come with five white tail deer tags, two mule tags and four turkey tags and that
”
Art: Ink drawings. Page 22
By Irving Marmolejo Contributing Writer
Gas P
Special Report
East Texas residents, still recovering from last year’s drought, are now facing a new challenge: higher gas prices.
The average price of a gallon of gasoline in Texas is $3.24. In the last month there has been an increase of 20 cents per gallon. “Today’s regular gas price is $3.31(per gallon) which is approximately an increase of 21 cents per gallon since last month,” said Roy Johnson, owner of C J’s Quick Stop Gas Station in Jacksonville.
California and even out of the country.
“We had to financially cut in every direction. Now we have four employees when we usually had eight. In our financial report gas prices are definitely our concern because we use machinery to process our products and to transport to the stores,” Vaselenluck said. East Texas businesses are not the only ones concerned about the increase in the gas prices, but also people whose driving is a necessity.
Agriculture is one of the industries most affected by the increase because many farmers and ranchers are still recovering from the drought. Echo Springs Blueberry Farms, in Murchison, is one of the many agricultural businesses for which total drought damages have yet to be calculated. Phylis Vaselenluck, co-owner of Echo Springs, reported severe damage to over 700 trees--most of last year’s crop. Some of these trees require at least three gallons of water a day, which involves machinery and large amounts of diesel fuel. The distribution of the packed blueberries also requires diesel fuel to transport the fruits as far as 14 • The Pine Curtain
Photo by Kelley Connor
Doug Rode, Gladewater, pumps diesel into
his pickup before heading to the deer lease.
Prices “My wife and I had to accommodate, and now we have to car pool to go to work. I guess driving less is the most logical answer to save more,” said Samuel Mejorado, from Chandler.
“Last year’s gas price increases were constant and this year’s look like they are going to be the same or worse. This year we will give Christmas presents on another day to find better discounts because our family’s budget is getting tighter and tighter,” Mejorado said.
Source: Fox News Channel March 8, 2012 • 15
Special Report
Families are spending more of their budgets on gas every week. Many have changed their routines accordingly. Mejorado is making new adjustments this year to balance his family’s finances in
light of the higher gas prices.
By Irving Marmolejo Editor in Chief
Features
Its eyes, like yellow quartz, watch intently from inside the fence. A direct strike from its claws would be fatal and a bite would be lethal. But even with all its natural skills as a predator, the tiger is one of many seriously endangered species. “In the wild they (the tigers) are disappearing because of habitat destruction and in Asia they also use them for all kinds of medicines and aphrodisiacs. There is a huge black market for animals like tigers and bears,” said Terri Werner, director of operations at Tiger Creek. According to World Wildlife Organization 2011 census, there are only 1,706 tigers in India --half
Through
the world’s population. Their numbers are decreasing every day, making it difficult to find them in their natural environment and learn more about these animals.
“
Now she allows me to get into t one is going to hu
Tiger Creek, in Tyler, is a local refuge that gives hope to this and more species and offers a close look to its visitors. They get a face-to-face experience while learning more about this and many other felines. “This sanctuary is a good experience to understand, appreciate and help these beautiful animals,” Werner said. Tiger Creek was founded in 1995 when Terri Werner, a tiger rescuer, and Brian Werner, founder of Tiger Missing Link Foundation, cooperated to Tiger Creek Courtesy Photo
Sammy is an indochinese tiger. Sammy was born in march,3 of 1996 and was one of the fist animals brought to the refugee. 16 • The Pine Curtain
h a Tiger’s Eyes create the big cat sanctuary. It is sustained by just donations and admission fees.
The first animals rescued were two brothers, Sammy
the enclosure..She learned that no urt her anymore
The current feline count is 42, including 29 tigers, five lions, four cougars, two leopards and two bob cats. “My favorite is Accolon. He is one of our Bengal tigers . He originally came from Michael Jackson’s NeverLand Ranch. The other that came from there is Sierra, she is also a sweetheart,” said Chelsea Maute, director of administration at Tiger Creek.
Features
and Piffer, Indochinese tigers. But the refuge is not exclusively for tigers.
” Tiger Creek Courtesy Photos
Bob posing for a calendar picture on its cage. Bob is a bobcat that was born in 1998. It is totally blind that is why the color of his eyes.
In 2000, there was an increase in the number of tigers rescued and smaller enclosures were built to hold the new residents. Recently, facilities have been expanded to give a larger number of animals These were the first tigers Jackson had; unfortunate- permanent locations so they don’t have to be ly the trainer who took care of the animals was in a rotated to an exercise area in the refuge. car accident and went into a coma. Tiger Creek was Tiger Creek has received national attention from contacted to take care of both animals. newspapers like The Washington Post and shows March 8, 2012 • 17
like A&E Investigative, Good Morning America and The Early Show. In the year 2002 Animal Planet filmed the documentary “Growing Up Tiger” at Tiger Creek during the growing process of Lily and Sarge. “Lily and Sarge are some of the favorites, because people come and want to see the actual tigers from the show. They are adults now, big and healthy,” Maute said. As a result of the media attention, refuge founders created a Facebook, a Web page (http://www. tigercreek.org) and videos on YouTube. College students can get experience at Tiger Creek thanks to an internship program offer at the facilities for people who want to work in the animal management field.
Features
“I was studying animal science at Ohio State. I came to do my internship eight years ago and fell in love with it,” said Maute.
Interesting facts about Tiger Creek • They use from 300 lb. to 350 lb. of meat every day to feed all the animals from Tiger Creek. • From the almost 100 living golden tabby tigers in the world, Tiger Creek have 3(Kahil, Kumari and Arula) • The name Tiger Creek is from a creek that runs in the middle of the refuge.
Interesting facts about tigers • Tigers are the largest cat species. • Tigers’ canines are the longest among the living felines. • Tigers have longevity of 15-20 years. • The remaining six subspecies of tigers are classified as endangered. • Mike the tiger is the official mascot of the Louisiana State University.
Every feline rescued has its own story; some are painful and sad. For that reason they are brought to the refuge. Some of them have faced physical or emotional damage. “We have a tiger here that had been hit many times, so when she got to Tiger Creek she was really aggressive all the time... Every time we would pick up a stick to empty her water bucket she would get really scared and starting grunting at us, jumping at the fence. Now she allows me to get into the enclosure with her. Over the years she learned that no one is going to hurt her anymore,” Terri Werner said. Tiger Creek Courtesy Photos
Kenya taking a bite from her Thanksgiving present. Kenya is an african lion born in 1999. 18 • The Pine Curtain
?
After Valentines day’s chocolates, flowers and gifts ,
What Happened to theRomance
as long as it has the word love, it is sufficient. We don’t send letters anymore, ask the U.S. Postal Service. We
When I was a little kid I was a witness to the romance
don’t want to take the time to conquer somebody’s
on the streets. It was an unforgettable event to wake
heart or fall in love; we want a drive-through of feel-
up, on Feb.14, with the sound of guitars, the rhythm of
ings, but without having to pay.
the violin, the flow of the trumpet and the strength in the voice--the mariachi. That was romance. Every neighbor, even me and my family, would look out through the window or stand on the balcony to wait for the lady, who the mariachi was dedicated to, to open her window and throw a rose in approval. Feb. 14 was a day when young people would give and receive chocolates, roses, cards and sometimes letters, from secret admirers. We, the little ones, would give a special gift or at least a hug and a kiss to the ones that had stolen our hearts: teacher, grandma, mom or if you were brave enough to the girl who you would look at in a special way in the classroom. That was back in Mexico when our idea of technology was a phone in which you had to stick your finger and turn almost 360 degrees to dial. Today people involved in relationships have adapted to a technological world. We like everything fast, on the go, a Facebook card or simply a comment on Twitter;
Years ago a kiss would make you dream for weeks. Now that is not enough. You ask for the whole package to make you dream a single night, when sometimes you don’t even know her last name. Young people don’t give flowers anymore and young girls don’t eat chocolate because they say it has too many calories. I miss the good old days. Instantaneous romance has left a nation full of single mothers and broken hearts--a generation confused. It is not how much you pay for a gift but how much you put into it. It is not how many flowers you receive, but how deep you want the roots of that love to be. It is not the brand of chocolates, but for how many years you will receive them from the same person. It is not the message in the letter, which lately we don’t receive, but the sincerity from the heart. Not everyone by nature is romantic, but we should encourage the act of showing love to our kids so when they grow up they would know the real meaning of love. It takes time, money and attention, but it pays off. They would know the right way to treat a girl and the right way to be treated. We don’t need ‘players’ when our homes are falling apart, and we don’t want supermodels if they are dead inside. If we teach our children, they will know how to be romantic and never break a heart, so they will be loved in the same way and never suffer from the disease of a broken heart.
March 8, 2012 • 19
Opinion
By Irving Marmolejo Editor in Chief
Civic
page 7
multipurpose center is not all the city of Tyler is doing to garner tourism in the area. Liberty Hall, Tyler’s downtown theater, opened in 1936. After closing in 1986, it sat vacant until the city decided to renovate it in September 2011.
News
Coupons of complaints against grocery stores. “People call and they complain about stores not owning up to the policy on the coupon,” she said. “What they don’t know, is that the coupon has to follow store procedures.” In the show, shoppers try to double and combine coupons. But many stores have caught on to the trend, making their facilities a “no-double” zone. “Excess is glamorized on the show,” she said. “People want as much as they can get for as little as they can spend.” Another problem arising from the coupon trend is the theft of newspapers. Wills said the company has gotten complaints that newspapers weren’t being delivered to homes. But after talking with officials, Wills said people were stealing newspapers for the ad inserts.
“The city wanted to bring arts and entertainment to downtown Tyler like it had been before,” said Anne Payne, Liberty Hall manager. The renovation of the theater was part of the Tyler 21 plan, a community comprehensive plan for the future of Tyler.
page 8 “Coupons are available online and can be mailed to you if you call the manufacturer,” she said. “There’s no need to steal another person’s Sunday paper.” Consumers can visit the BBB website to see what the latest scams are and to check ratings of services. “Our review ratings are based on complaint history, type of business, time in business, background information, honoring commitments to the BBB, licensing or governmental actions and advertising issues,” Wills said. “Companies are usually assigned an A through F grade unless they receive an NR (no rating).” A consumer who wishes to file a complaint about a previously unlisted company may submit their information to the BBB, which in turn will make a listing.
Unemployment page 6
employees out of work.
The benefits receive by former post office workers are through the Unemployment Compensation Federal Employee program (UCFE). The severance 20 • The Pine Curtain
package depends on the state, the amount earned by the worker and the reasons why the person is being laid off. In cases like this, TWC often initiates what is known
as a rapid response. “The rapid response allows us to go out and talk to the employer to discuss how we are going to make the transition for those workers into jobs training, or any services we have to offer,” Lynch said. Zilkha Biomass Energy, in Crockett, suffered a mass layoff in 2011. The company provides former employees with a number to call and receive advice about how to get their unemployment benefits. Ramon Murillo is among the former workers that are unemployed. He is receiving benefits after submitting his application.
There are two ways to apply for unemployment benefits through TWC: through the internet or at a local Tele- Center. It is important to get advice from TWC to properly submit an application. Basic information is needed, such as the applicant’s social security number and last employer’s business information, but for more detail visit http://www.twc. state.tx.us. If applying online there is a user ID and a password needed to get information about payment status, appeal status or how to submit a work search.
News
“Every week, until we find a job, we have to present the information from several places where we submit applications so we can claim unemployment benefits,” Murillo said.
After more than 15 years working for the company Murillo is struggling to find a new job while still hoping to return to his old one.
March 8, 2012 • 21
Art by:armolejo M g n i v r I
Art + Life
Pencil and Ink : Felines
22 • The Pine Curtain
Art + Life March 8, 2012 • 23
Art + Life 24 • The Pine Curtain
Art + Life March 8, 2012 • 25
26 • The Pine Curtain
Texture Exhibition and Brochure
Art + Life
Construction Paper Package Covers 32 &33
Kellie Reaves and Kaleigh Acker
Museum Posters and Brochures 26 &31
Kamren Thompson and Stephanie Long
By Stephanie Long
Art + Life March 8, 2012 • 27
Art + Life 28 • The Pine Curtain
Art + Life March 8, 2012 • 29
Museum Art Exhibitions Marine Life
Art + Life
By Kamren Thompson
Posters and Brochures 30 • The Pine Curtain
Art + Life March 8, 2012 • 31
Art + Life
By Kellie Reaves
32 • The Pine Curtain
By Kaleigh Acker
Art + Life March 8, 2012 • 33
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1