December 9, 2015 full pdf
Transcription
December 9, 2015 full pdf
The Post www.thepostnewspaper.net Newspaper Legal Notices, BETTER RATES LOWER FEES GREAT SERVICE News, Sports & Community Official weekly publications Galveston County legal notices WWW.JSCFCU.ORG Call NOW to get involved 409-943-4265 thepostnewspaper.net Vol. 13, No. 7 Wednesday, December 9, 2015 All the fun of a festival weekend Carnival rides, beautiful songs and a new store were the order of the weekend as League City held its Holiday In The Park annual Christmas festivities, right and below left, while Ghanbrji Nelson, below right, tucked into her first meal at a new Stripes store and gas station on Texas City’s 25th Avenue North. USPS 9400 75 cents Havana tough sales pitch Investment and credit blocks stifle Texas exports to Cuba Photos by Gene Schwartz Storm relief State to help workers who lost jobs in October disaster area By Ian White WORKERS throughout the county who lost their jobs during the severe weather that hit a large area of Texas in late October can now apply for special unemployment assistance. The financial assistance is being offered through the state’s workforce commission in the wake of acceptance by the federal government of a call by Texas governor Greg Abbott for the affected area to be declared a disaster zone. Self-employed people who have been left unable to work since the severe storms can also apply for the disaster unemployment assistance. Under the terms of the program, applicants have only a limited time in which to file for assistance, which provides access to federal disaster-aid programs including unemployment benefits to affected residents and businesses in the disaster area. Original applications must be filed by January 6 and all documentation required by the program must be delivered within 21 days of filing. Required documentation includes the applicant’s socia l-securit y nu mber, a copy of the filer’s most recent federal income tax form or check stubs, or documentation to prove that the claimant was working or self-employed between October 22 and 31, when the disaster occurred. The assistance, known as DUA, takes the form of unemployment insurance benefits made available especially for victims of disaster and is available to individuals who meet one or more of six criteria. • They must either have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state or be unable to qualif y for unemployment benefits. • They must have worked or been self-employed or scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area at the time of the disaster. • They must be no longer able to work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of their employment as a direct result of the disaster. • They must establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income. • They must be no longer able to perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster. • They must have become the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household during the disaster. TWC is operating a call center for applicants at 800939-6631 between 8:00am and 5:00pm from Monday to Friday each week until the deadline and is also offering the benefits through the unemployment-benef it-services section of its website, texasworkforce.org. Galveston is one of 15 counties covered by the presidential disaster declaration. The others are Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson counties. MANAGE YOUR FINANCES & INCREASE EFFICIENCY We are here to help your business succeed! W W W. T E X A S F I R S T B A N K . CO M with our suite of C A S H MANAGEMENT SERVICES, SAVING TIME AND MONEY Pool report provided by Austin American-Statesman TEXAS governor Greg Abbott said that, maybe it is the lawyer in him, but at the end of a narrated slideshow about all the benefits of foreign investment in Cuba’s showpiece Mariel special development zone, he cut to the chase. In a meeting midway through his four-day tradeand-travel visit, Abbott said he knew that, as well as the state of Texas, the port directors from Houston, Beaumont and Corpus Christi who had accompanied him on the trip “have a deep interest in trying to find a way that we could collaborate on this project”. But, he asked, is it possible under the US embargo on trade with Cuba – or, as it is called in Havana, “the blockade” – for a US company to legally invest in the Mariel port’s development. No, he was told by the development zone’s director general, Ana Teresa Igarza Martínez, above right, in an answer that didn’t really require translation. The blockade won’t allow it. Abbott asked whether there are “any such businesses from the United States at this time” seeking to invest there. Well, Igarza Martinez said, there is in fact one proposal pending. It is from an enterprising Alabama company – Cleber LLC – which is seeking to use some loopholes in the embargo to build a small assembly plant in the economic zone to make tractors in Cuba, thereby taking advantage of the blockade’s exemption for agricultural products. The company would also sell the tractors in Cuba but, again exploiting the fine print of the embargo, would sell not to the state but to non-government cooperative farms. The Cubans are waiting to see if federal officials in Washington agree that the proposal does not run afoul of the embargo and can be licensed. Abbott, in an extended interrogation of Igarza Martínez, said Texas has plenty of products, including fine-quality long-grain rice, to sell to the market in Cuba, where the government is obliged to provide each of its 11 million people at least seven pounds of rice every month. “Texas has an abundance of [rice and other products] and a very easy ability to export to Cuba,” he said. But Igarza Martínez replied that, “due to the blockade restrictions and the economic situation of the country, [which] is no secret,” Cuba can simply not afford to pay in cash for US rice when it can buy rival product from other, albeit far more distant places, chiefly Vietnam, on extended credit terms. “The price is not as difficult as having to pay in cash,” she said. Tourists “The last two days we’ve been leaving a lot of cash in Cuba,” Abbott said of his entourage. Indeed, the answer for Cuba’s cash crunch would appear to be foreign visitors. Igarza Martínez said Cuba would be approaching four million visitors this year – nearly twice as many as last year – and on a trajectory toward 10 million tourists in the foreseeable future Over the next 10 years, she said, Cuba is expecting to add about 80,000 hotel rooms. If so, Abbott said, “you will need American products your visitors are accustomed to. “Rumor has it that tourists prefer American rice.” To which Igarza Martínez said something to the effect that “the American tourist is a tourist of selectivity.” • Cuba pledges “ irreversible” US friendship – see pg 5. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours! HELPING TEXANS BUILD TEXAS 2 Wednesday, December 9, 2015 www.thepostnewspaper.net THE POST New year’s lesson College urges community to spring into academia By Lora-Marie Bernard COLLEGE Of The Mainland is hoping to make spring the start of something new for anyone in the community looking to go back to school. The Texas City-based community college is offering classes not only for degree-seeking students but also for people wishing to stretch their academic acumen through continuing education, as well as folks whose interest lies in non-degree academic pursuits. And it has classes, trips and lectures at nominal cost for citizens older than 50, including total body fitness, yoga, Pilates, line dancing and weight training. There’s even a course called “sit-nfit” for less mobile students. The courses, part of a program called 50 Plus, also includes creativity classes from painting to papier maché and jewelry making to technology courses in which senior citizens can learn how to use such electronic equipment as a smart phone, tablet or computer. The college says it is keen to make the courses as affordable as possible and has installment plans for several of the courses. Details are on the college’s automatic payments website at com.edu/paymentplan, or prospective students can call 409-933-8668. Registration for the spring semester classes is now open and the college has detailed the various methods by which prospective students can apply. Anyone wishing to become a degree-seeking student can apply online at com.edu/apply or call call 409-933-8264. Registration for continuing-education classes is available at the college’s continuing education office in its technical vocation building, room 1475, on the camous. Non-degree students can learn more about continuing education at com.edu/ce or by calling 409-933-8438. Information about the 50 Plus program is available online at com.edu/50plus or by calling 409-933-8226. Surge of artwork Study a new on display language at A GERMAN photographer known for his pictures of world-class fencing competitions will be the subject of next year’s first new exhibit at University Of Houston-Clear Lake. The exhibit, Change Of Engagement: The Photography Of Serge Timacheff, will open at the campus’ art gallery on January 22, two weeks after the college’s latest student-art exhibit closes. Local artists will be featured until January 7 in the college’s 14th Houston-area community-college student exhibition, which features work from students across the metro area in a variety of mediums, including paint, sculpture and photography. The exhibits are open to the public during the 2700 Bay Area Boulevard gallery’s operating hours and are free to enter. The gallery operates each week from 9:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Thursday and from 9:00am to noon on Friday. The gallery, on the first floor of the campus’ Bayou Building, is closed on weekends, university holidays and during exhibition installations. Information about the campus’ exhibitions is available at 281-283-3376 or online at uhcl.edu/artgallery. your local university MANDARIN, above, and Japanese are just two of the foreign languages to be taught in short courses at University Of HoustonClear Lake from next month. Spanish, French, German and Russian are also among the courses available as part of the UHCL foreign-language program, which runs from January 11 to February 26. The noncredit continuing-education classes will cost $145 for class lessons, with private instruction available at an additional cost. The program also offers English-language enhancement for foreign professionals. The university says its teachers are fluent and possess advanced degrees in the languages they instruct and focus on oral instruction for conversational skill. For information, prospective students can call the program office at 281-283-3033 or go online to uhcl.edu/fl. The world this week uhcougars.com Saturday The Cougars football team of University Of Houston beat their rivals the Owls from Temple 24-13 in the American Athletic Conference championship to advance to Chick-fil-A’s Peach Bowl game in Atlanta, Georgia, on New Year’s Eve, when they will face the Seminoles of Florida State. RCULAR WEEKLY CI ONLINE AT COM ERFOODS. WWW.ZIEGL Ziegler’s Foods G R E AT SELE C T IO N & G RE AT P RIC E V E RY D E S AY Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Meats Daily orh “Di ““Dickinson’s D i cki Di kinson’ i n n ’s friendly f ri neighborhood orho h od d groce grocer grocer.”” Open 7 days a week 7am to 11pm 2308 FM 517 East, Dickinson (281) 337-1547 Graduates flying high at UHCL THE HAWKS are graduating. Commencement for the University Of Houston-Clear Lake Hawks summer and fall 2015 graduates is little more than a week away. The celebration will take place on December 19 at Houston’s George R Brown convention center, where students from the college’s education, computer engineering and science schools will graduate at noon, followed at 5:00pm by students from its schools of business and human sciences and humanities. Information about the event is available online at uhcl.edu/commencement. Frances Durisseau’s Inspirations A question of pride M ost of us have been taught to tough things out in life and that it’s sometimes to our advantage to be somewhat stubborn. I’m not talking about being difficult or cantankerous. I’m referring more about how we handle situations when “the going gets tough”. Do we rise to the occasion or do we give up and quit? And when is it acceptable to quit? At some point, we all have to face those questions in life and they will be some of the most difficult we will ever have to answer. We will probably face such questions in our careers at least once or twice and it can be overwhelming. Do I stay in this job even though I keep being ignored for the promotion I deserve? You are also going to face it in your relationships in life. Relationships are not perfect and they will have problems. Some are dangerous. Where do you draw the line? What about where you live and about relocating? That can be a huge decision, especially if it requires going far from your home base. If you or your children have bad memories and experiences where you are at, should you stick it out or leave and start over somewhere new? If you have one child who is being bullied, should you move the family for that child’s peace of mind and comfort? Sometimes when we are faced with such difficult situations, we have to have the courage to make the bravest choice of all – to let go, to quit and be proud to be known as a quitter. Contact Frances by e-mail at [email protected]. Visit The Post’s free website, thepostnewspaper.net, for online links to full internet reports of our highlighted news from America and the world. US Navy/MGN MGN Sunday The Jewish religion’s eight-day Chanukkah – or Hanukkah – festival began on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, which celebrates the Maccabees’ recapture of Jerusalem’s second temple from the Syrian Greeks and its rededication, marked by the kindling of lights on a menorah, or chanukiah. Monday Americans marked the 74th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, when the battleship USS Arizona, was blown up by kamikaze dive-bombers, killing 1,177 of its officers and crewmen, in an action president Franklin Roosevelt referred to as “a date which will live in infamy”. 12345678 CLEAR CREEK GUN RANGE 87654321 CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSE All IN ONE DAY AT GUN RANGE by Ken Martin ALL ALL LL I INCLUSIV INCLU INCLUSIVE USIVE VE $ A l Trug Al Tru T Tr rru ug u g - GM GM (281) (28 (281 1) 337 337-1722 7- 72 7-1722 7 22 22 1st Time Tim mee Licensee 10hrs Renewals 4 hrs Finger prints, photos, use of semi-automatic s mi-automatic sem THE POST www.thepostnewspaper.net PUBLIC DOMAIN A weekly review of Galveston County local authorities’ affairs Wednesday, December 9, 2015 with Lora-Marie Bernard City to hold a special election to fill seats vacated by councillors THE COUNTY’S largest city is to conduct a special election in March 2016 to fill two vacancies on its city council, including electing a new mayor. The vacancies at League City are for the seats formerly held by councilmember Tommy Cones and mayor Tim Paulissen, who is stepping down to run for a county-commission seat. Darryl Apffel and Paulissen are vying for the precinct-one seat that Ryan Dennard will vacate next year in order to spend more time with his young family. Paulissen’s resignation as mayor was an automatic trigger under state law and the city charter. Cones, far right, submitted his resignation to become the city’s assistant fire chief and Fire Marshall on November 24. According to the city’s charter, that created a vacancy on the city council beginning on Monday, December 7. Under the Texas constitution, even though the two seats are now officially vacant, both Cones and Paulissen, near right, can continue to serve until they are filled. However, Cones chose not to continue serving after Sunday, December 6, when he was due to start his duties on the city staff. Paulissen will serve as mayor until voters choose a replacement during the special election. Vacancies occurring on the city council with an unexpired term of more than 12 months must be filled by a special election. The unexpired terms for both Paulissen and Cones exceed that time limit. The city council was due to consider a resolution to formally call the special election and to discuss the process for filling the vacancies during its meeting yesterday, Tuesday, as well as considering a resolution covering a run-off election in April. Passenger spacecraft to be star of talk butlerscourtyard.com Wedding man appointed to state housing board TEXAS governor Greg Abbott has appointed a county resident to the board that regulates the state’s manufactured-housing industry. Abbott last week appointed Ronald Richards for a term set to expire on January 31, 2017. Richards, from Clear Lake Shores, is co-owner of Butler’s Courtyard, above, a wedding and reception venue in League City’s historic district. He retired after a 45-year career as vice president of marketing for homes builder American Homestar Corporation and is president of Clear Lake Shores’ economic development corporation board of directors and a member of the League City hotel occupancy tax advisory board. He is also active in that city’s chamber of commerce and is past president of League City Historical Society. Richards was appointed alongside Kiran Shah, an independent owner and operator of several national hotel franchises from Richmond. BOEING’S international space station program manager is on his way to the county to tell residents about the company’s development of craft to take passengers into space. Mark Malqueen will discuss the Boeing passenger spacecraft in a free public talk entitled Boeing’s CST100: A 21st Century Space Capsule as part of a series of talks by distinguished speakers commissioned by Clear Lake Association Of Senior Programs. The Visions In Our Midst presentation will take place at University Of Houston-Clear Lake’s 2700 Bay Area Boulevard campus from 5:30-7:00pm on January 7. Information about the event is available by phone at 281-283-2021 or online at uhcl.edu/clasp. Word Search Hobby Services Fa$t Ca$h Telephone Approval Checking Checking or or Savings Savings Account Account Required Required NO Credit Check No Hassle State grants fire insurance cut RESIDENTS of the county’s emergency services district 2 could save significant amounts of money on their fire insurance next year after state approval of a community request for a reduction in premiums. The Texas department of insurance state fire marshall’s office has approved rate reductions from January 1 for Bolivar Peninsula residents based on how near their property is to a fire hydrant. The fire marshall’s office told EMS2 officials of the reduction in a letter that referred to two classes of insurance, 05 and 5X, according to a property’s proximity to a fire hydrant. The letter said all class-rated properties farther than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant or water-supply suction point and within five miles of a fire station will be insurable using the more expensive 5X premium class. It also said: “With a split class 05/5X, all class-rated properties within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant or water-supply suction point and within five miles of the fire station will use class 05.” The district, in turn, has told peninsula residents and property owners that they should inform their insurance agents of the reduction approval, referring to ISO public protection classification rates. Friendswood welcomes new director of transportation ONE OF the county’s most seasoned education administrators has switched school districts after eight years. Dean Lewis has left the Clear Creek independent school district to become the Friendswood district’s new transportation director. Lewis has been a school transportation professional for 28 years and previously worked as transportation director in Lubbock and Rockwall. Friendswood has a fleet of 50 school buses and its transportation department moves almost 3,000 students daily to its high and junior high schools, two intermediate campuses and two elementary schools. “I love working and what I do,” Lewis, who graduated from Texas Tech University in 1981, said. “I come with experience but not all of the answers. Friendswood already does great things – I just hope to add some positive tweaks here and there.” He added: “I am excited to be in Friendswood. I look forward to getting to know the people here. Everyone has welcomed me and I can sense this group is like a family.” Lewis and his wife of 32 years live in League City. They have one son who attends the Texas A&M University’s Galveston campus. The POST Newspaper of Galveston County D and V Day Investments, Inc 501 6th Street North, Texas City, Texas 77590 Phone 409-943-4265 Fax 409-965-0216 www.thepostnewspaper.net [email protected] Publisher: David Day Editor: Ian White ● Production manager: James Martin POSTAL NOTICE The Post Newspaper is published twice weekly (104 times per year) by David S Day of D & V Day Investments Inc, dba The Post Newspaper (USPS 9400) Periodicals postage paid at Texas City, Texas City of Texas City 1801 9th Ave N. City Hall 409-948-3111 texas-city-tx.org Annual mail subscription $75.00 Annual home-delivery subscription $25.00 Call 409-943-4265 to subscribe LOLA LOLA FRAZZ POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box 1686, Texas City, Texas 77592 FRAZZ Call Now 409-741-2274 (CA$H) 3 4 Wednesday, December 9, 2015 www.thepostnewspaper.net THE POST At last, shopping gives me a shot in the arm! T oday’s world seems to be so super high-tech and all about being able to do several things at the same time – successfully. The millennium generation seems to have mastered these abilities with ease. For the rest of us, especially the baby boomers, these are challenging skills, to say the very least. For example, last week I was determined to go for my annual flu shot. Normally I’d have done that by late October. I’m one of those lucky people who doesn’t dread a shot, so my only reason for putting it off so long was that I had more important things to do. Finally, I decided that last week was the week I would finally take this chore off my “to do” list. But Monday came and went and Tuesday and Wednesday also passed by without me making it to the clinic. Wednesday night I announced to my husband that I planned to get a flu shot the next day, no matter what. Sometimes you just have to set a deadline for yourself, right? Unfortunately, Thursday was also the day I needed to make my weekly grocery shopping run. You know you’re overdoing the “multi-tasking” concept when you decide that the solution to accomplishing two goals in one swat is to have the flu shot at the grocery store. I mean, really, why not? It would be the ultimate onestop shopping trip. And these days you can be vaccinated for flu almost anywhere. Drug stores, grocery stores, probably even at convenience stores – who knows? Years ago, f lu shots were offered by College Of The Mainland at the nearby fire station. It was a drivethrough deal. You got your vehicle in line and, when it was your turn, you drove forward, stopped, put the car in park and stuck your arm out the window. Some competent-looking individual came up, checked your paperwork and stuck a needle in your arm. Drive-through flu shots. What a great concept! And that’s how I found myself at a local grocery store, my shopping cart parked nearby, receiving a flu shot from the head pharmacist. It was much less of a hassle than shopping for groceries, I can assure you. As I mention here frequently, I really hate shopping of any kind. Grocery shopping is the worst because you have to do it on a regular basis. And it’s an absolute given that the store will be out of at least five things on your list. This either requires phone calls home – “Honey, they’re out of your favorite cereal; what’s your second choice?” – or the brand you have the really good coupon for is no longer in stock. By the time I reach the checkout line, clutching my store card, credit card and coupons in one hand while unloading three multi-packs of colas (three for $10 sale!), a 14-pound container of cat litter, an eight-roll package of paper towels and lots more with my other hand, I’m finished for the day. Just let me out of there so I can fight my way through the parking lot, dodging cars, carts and other dangers while frantically trying to remember where I parked my SUV. Trust me when I say that, last week, the flu shot was This ’n’ That by Nicky De Lange absolutely the best part of that multi-tasking experience. *** PS: A very happy Chanukkah to all of you who are celebrating the festival of lights! The POST Community Calendar GALVESTON COUNTY, CITY COUNCIL and COMMISSION MEETINGS Santa from 11:00am 7:00pm, in the Nessler Center Surf room, 2010 5th Ave N. $15 gets 2 edited photos emailed within 3-5 business days. Magic keys and reindeer food sold separate at the door. Go online to [email protected] for more information. BAYOU VISTA City Council meets the last Tuesday of every month - December 29, 2015, 6:30pm at the Community Center, 783 “C” Marlin. CLEAR LAKE SHORES City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month - December 1, 15, 2015, 7:00pm at the Club House, 931 Cedar. GALVESTON City Council meets the last Thursday of every month - December 31, 2015, 1:00pm at City Hall Council Chambers, second floor, 823 Rosenburg. HITCHCOCK City Commission meets the third Monday of every month - December 21, 2015, 6:30pm at City Hall, 7423 Highway 6. KEMAH City Council meets the first and third Wednesday of every month, December 2, 16, 2015, 7:00pm at City Hall, 1401 Highway 146. LA MARQUE City Council meets the second and four th Monday of every month, - December 14, 28, 2015, 6:00pm at City Hall, 1109B Bayou Road. MARMADUKE LEAGUE CITY City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, - December 8, 22, 2015, 6:00pm at City Council Chambers, 200 West Walker St. SANTA FE City Council meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month, - December 10, 24, 2015, 7:00pm at City Hall, 12002 State Highway 6. TEXAS CITY Cit y Commissioner s meet the first and third Wednesday of every month, - December 2, 16, 2015, 5:00pm at City Hall, 1801 9th Avenue North. Other events throughout the Houston Galveston area ... Christmas Parades Upcoming Bayou Vista Boat Parade - December 12, 2015 at 6:00pm. Dickinson - December 10, 2015 at 6:30pm. Friendswood - December 12, 2015 at 6:00pm. Hitchcock - December 9, 2015 at 6:30pm. League City Boat lane Parade - December 12, 2015 at 6:00pm. Santa Fe - December 12, 2015 at 5:30pm. Galveston County Small Business Development Center workshops 8419 E. F. L. Expressway, Texas City, Texas 775912249, phone: 409-9331414, fax: 409-933-3365 gcsbdc.com. Go online for discounted prices. New client orie nt at ion s e s s ion 12/9/2015 9:00 11:00am Free. Build your business Facebook Page 12/15/2015 1:00 4:00pm - $19 Marketing and Publishing Group December 10, 2015, 11:30am - 1:00pm. This is a group for authors to discuss and share ideas and processes for the marketing and publishing of their novels. Helen Hall Library. For more about this event, see Public Libraries listing below for library information. Woven Bookmark s - December 10, 2015, at 3:30pm. Come make yarn bookmarks with a cardboard loom. Supplies are provided. All ages welcome. Moore Memorial Public Library. For more about this event, see Public Libraries listing below for library information. Glamour - A style show and holiday market December 10, 2015 at Doyle Convention Center, 2010 5th Ave N. Texas City. Holiday market opens at 4:00pm, Style show at 6:30pm. For tickets go on line to galvestoncount yfoodbank.org. Sponsorship available. $60 general admission, $40 Vogue VIP lounge pass. Proceeds benefit the Galveston County Food Bank. Limited vendor spaces available. For more information contact Natalie Clarke at 409-9454232 or [email protected]. PUBLIC LIBRARIES DICKINSON Dickinson Public Library, 4411 Hwy 3, 281-5343812. www.dickinsonpubliclibrary.org. 8005 Barry Ave, 409986-7814. www.hitchcockpubliclibrary.org 1011 Bayou Rd, 409 9389270, www.ci.la-marque. tx.us/216/Library. HITCHCOCK G e n evieve Mill e r Hitchcock Public Library, LA MARQUE La Marque City Public Librar y LEAGUE CITY Helen Hall Library 100 W. Walker, League Roosevelt-Wilson book fair November 30 - December 11, 2015, 8:30am to 2:30pm at 301 16th Ave N, Texas City, TX 77590, Go online to tcisd. org or call 409-942-2860 for more information. The Book Fair raises money for the school library. Books make great holiday gifts! City of Kemah 50th anniversary celebration - December 11, 6:00 to 8:30pm Events include enter tainment at Kemah visitors center / Old School House at 6th and Bradford, Kemah Christmas tree lighting and carolers. December 12, 10:00am celebration parade in Lighthouse District, 6:00pm annual Christmas boat parade, take view from the Kemah Boardwalk. Smile with Santa December 12, 2015, Hopeful Expressions Photography offers: get your photo taken with City 281-554-1113 www. leaguecitylibrary.org. TEXAS CITY Moore Memorial Public Library - 1701 9th Avenue N, Texas City 409-643-5979 texascity-library.org. MARMADUKE FRIENDSWOOD City Council meets the first Monday of every month - December 7, 2015, 4:30pm at City Hall, 910 South Friendswood Drive. Hospice Care Team knew just how to keep the crowd warm as they waited for the lighting of its tree of lights at Texas City’s Carnes funeral home last week. To numerous enthusiastic rounds of applause, a troupe of young actors and dancers excited their audience with a lighthearted performance before the official opening ceremony of the annual event. – Photo Gene Schwartz MARMADUKE DICKINSON City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month - December 8, 22, 2015, 7:00pm at City Hall, 4403 Highway 3. Model Train and Toy Show - December 12, 10:00am-4:00pm and December 13, 12:004:00pm. at Dickinson Historical Museum, 218 FM 517 Road West, Dickinson, TX 77539. Dickinson public library book sale - December 12, 2015, from 10:00am until 1:00pm at 4411 Highway 3, Dickinson. Donations of magazines, paperback and hardback books, videos, DVD’s and puzzles are being accepted during library hours. For more information call 281 534 3812. Networking with purpose! - December 17, 2015, 11:30am - 1:00pm. During this Christmas season, will you take time to hear how our Partner Ministries are serving people in need and our Lord? Come enjoy lunch with others in the business community and brainstorm unique ways to meet the tangible needs of ministries and those they serve in the Bay Area. You’ll discover new ways your talents, gifts and resources can be used to make a difference in the lives of those living in your area. Bring a friend! Galveston County Food Bank and Innovative Alternatives will be sharing with us all that’s happening in their ministries at Ecclesia Clear Lake Church, 218 Clear Creek Avenue, League City. Send your Community Calendar information, including event, date, time, and contact person, to editorial@thepost newspaper.net. THE POST www.thepostnewspaper.net Wednesday, December 9, 2015 5 Cuba pledges Paxton: Refugees ‘irreversible’ can come but only friendship to on Texas’ terms Abbott Lone TEX AS ATTORNEY general Ken Paxton has abandoned his legal attempt to halt the federal government’s plan to place Syrian refugee families in Texas – but the state still wants a court to order Washington to consult with Austin before placing any under its local jurisdiction. He, right, went to court on Friday, December 4, to withdraw his request for a temporary restraining order to put a hold on the program. As the state’s chief law-enforcement officer, Paxton had initiated the lawsuit on behalf of the Texas health and human services commission, the state agency potentially most involved with the resettlement process. In an explanation of his reasoning for backing down, he cited the US refugee act of 1980, a law requiring that Star watch by Ed Sterling the federal government consult with state authorities in advance of such relocations. Paxton said, in effect, that his request for the restraining order had prompted the federal government to provide information that he said would help resolve security concerns about the first group of refugees set to arrive in Texas. However, Texas continues to seek a federal court injunction requiring the federal government to consult with state authorities before resettling refugees. According to Paxton’s office, Texas takes in roughly 10 per cent of the refugees resettled in the United States, partnering with local volunteer agencies to help refugees travel to the state and to pay associated costs. “Texas shouldn’t have to go to court to require Washington to comply with federal law regarding its duties to consult with Texas in advance,” Paxton said on Friday. “Our state will continue legal proceedings to ensure we get the information necessary to adequately protect the safety of Texas residents. “While we remain concerned about the federal government’s overall refugee vetting process, we must ensure that Texas has the seat at the table that the refugee act requires.” ONE OF CUBA’S highest-ranking officials told Texas governor Greg Abbott last week that rebuilding the island nation’s relationship with America is an “inexorable process”. Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, Havana’s foreign trade and investment minister, was speaking during a four-day trip in which Abbott led a two-dozen-strong group to the island to discuss trade and travel between the island and Texas. Abbott’s group included members of his staff and economic development team and representatives of economic interests including Houston’s seaport and airports, as well as his wife, Cecilia. Officials from the ports of Beaumont and Corpus Christi were also present during the tour, which lasted from November 30 until December 3. While in Cuba, Diaz told Abbott, above, that he believes “the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States is an inexorable process that won’t be reversed no matter who is elected president in 2016.” The minister said: “This is an historic process. It’s historic because it’s been a long time and a lot of administrations and there weren’t any changes, and now is when the changes are taking place. “We think this process is irreversible. It’s not going to be taken back.” Members of congress State meets feds on border security must spend more time on Capitol Hill WHEN PAUL Ryan became speaker of the US house of representatives a few weeks ago, he made it clear that he has no intention of spending too much time in Washington. His wife and children are in Wisconsin, he pointed out, and he plans to commute, as he’s done since his election to congress. “I just work here,” he told CNN. “I don’t live here.” I have great sympathy for Ryan’s urge to strike a balance between family and work. It is very, very tough for every member, let alone the speaker, to live and work far from home and to weigh constantly whether to be in Washington or back in the district. I remember that, when I served in congress, I felt I was in the wrong place wherever I happened to be. If I was at home in Indiana, I missed important meetings on Capitol Hill. When I was in Washington, the calendar in Indiana was filled with events I should have been attending. Yet, while we should sympathize with the compromises that members of congress have to make between their duties in Washington and their responsibilities back home, there’s no question where they must be to discharge their public responsibilities. If we want a well-functioning congress, they need to be in Washington more often. When I was first elected to congress in 1964, its members didn’t have to split time between their colleagues on Capitol Hill and their families back in the district, because most moved their families to Washington. But, over the years, the politics of the country have grown strongly anti-Washington. Members of congress do not want to be associated with the city. They want to show they haven’t been seduced by the lifestyle of the nation’s capital or adopted an “insidethe-beltway” mindset. Washington watch with Lee Hamilton They take pride in rejecting the elitism of Washington. Today’s politics make it hard to argue that members of congress should be spending more time on Capitol Hill. Yet, as Washington Post writer Dana Milbank noted recently in an insightful column on the topic, “It’s no mere coincidence that, in the time this trend has taken hold, much of what had previously existed in Washington disappeared: civility, budget discipline, big bipartisan legislation and just general competence. “In place of this have come bickering, showdowns, shutdowns and the endless targeting of each other for defeat in the next election.” Expanding the Capitol Hill workweek, in other words, isn’t just a symbolic gesture. It’s one of the keys to reversing congressional dysfunction. For starters, you have to get to know your colleagues in order to do business with them. The amenities are crucial in politics, even more than in most spheres of working life. In any legislature, whether it’s on Capitol Hill, in a state capital or in city hall, the very nature of the job is going to involve disagreement. Yet everyone is there to solve problems together; they have no choice but to work together. It’s hard to attack a person you know well but, even more important, getting to know one another – and one another’s families – is an essential lubricant for resolving the issues you confront together. Second, drafting legislation is highly demanding because its core involves building consensus. This takes time. It can’t be forced. Members need the time and room to consider the options, look for common ground and think through alternatives. Politicians, in other words, need sufficient time to be good politicians and good legislators. The array of tough issues that faces congress can’t be dealt with by part-time legislators. Which, unfortunately, is what they are right now. Members of congress work hard but they do not work hard at legislating. They work hard at constituent relations and raising money and campaigning. Legislating, whether we like it or not, takes a five-day week, not the three our lawmakers put in at the moment. What I’m arguing for here will not be popular with members of congress and it certainly won’t receive a warm reception from their families. But they are elected to do the job of legislating. For the good of the institution they serve and the work product they owe the nation, the members of congress do need to spend more time in Washington. Lee Hamilton is director of The Center On Congress At Indiana University and was a member of the US house of representatives for 34 years. LIEUTENANT governor Dan Patrick has acknowledged “strong pleas for state assistance” in dealing with illegal immigrants during a US senate interim committee hearing on border security. During the hearing, on Thursday, December 3, Texas public safety department director Steven McCraw testified that, during the past four years, more than 174,000 undocumented individuals had been arrested and booked into Texas jails. AJ Louderback of Texas Sheriffs’ Association also testified, saying PEP, the US immigration and customs enforcement agency’s priority enforcement program, “significantly weakens how we protect the state”. Under PEP, the agency seeks the transfer of removable people convicted of offens- Aeroplane Aside Assured Cargo Cloudy Compare Crabs Crisp Curls Curve Dense Disappearing During Escapes Exist False Gates Geese Ideal Indeed Lakes Lanes Learn Little Losers Medal es listed under the US homeland security department’s civil immigration enforcement priorities, who have intentionally participated in an organized criminal gang to further its illegal activity, or who pose a danger to national security. Patrick, who presides over the Texas senate, said: “[I am] committed to work with the senate, both during this interim and the remainder of my term in office, to make sure that assistance is provided.” He added: “While securing the border is a responsibility of Washington, DC, it is still a Texas problem. “That’s why the [state] senate led the way during the last session to provide funding for border security at the highest levels in history.” WORD SEARCH Naval Needles Nines Opera Planet Reply Reports Rested Robots Seats Seems Smelt Smooth Soviet Spots Stall Steps Stormy Answers pg 3 Swallow Thermometer Thorn Tickled Views Wages Waters Yacht 6 Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Auditor and the Purchasing Agent. Sealed proposals are to be delivered to Rufus G. Crowder, CPPO CPPB, Galveston County Purchasing Agent at the Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody,(21st Street), Floor 5, Purchasing, Galveston, Texas 77550, (409) 770-5372. The time stamp clock located in the Purchasing Agent’s office shall serve as the official time keeping piece for this solicitation process. Any proposals received after 2:00 P.M. on the specified date will be returned unopened. www.thepostnewspaper.net THE POST Five things to do with an unexpected inheritance UNEXPECTED money from a friend or relative can be a great surprise or a potentially difficult financial lesson. How you plan for unexpected money issues overall can be a key to how well you’ll handle a sudden windfall. Many people don’t do so well. A recent study from Ohio State University suggests that adults who inherit money save only about half of what they receive. Researcher Jay Zagorsky reported that only about 11 per cent of the study participants had received an inheritance, with the median amount around only $11,340. He believes awareness of the high-spending numbers suggest it is time for a campaign on saving inherited wealth. Want to get there early? Here’s a plan for dealing with an unexpected inheritance APARTMENTS Neptune Apartments 2 bed 1-½ bath $425 Deposit $645 Monthly All amenities/no application fee 409-813-1510 www.acownerfinance.com ACCESSIBILITY Acorn Stairlifts. The AFFORDABLE solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!**Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1-800211-9233 for FREE DVD and brochure. TXCAP The Post is only $25 a year 409-943-4265 or any other surprise money issues in the future: 1. Start by taking control of your current finances. Why wait for an inheritance? In 2013, the Gallup organization reported that only one in three Americans actually prepared a written or computerized household budget. If you’ve never prepared a budget before, know that it is the traditional starting point for all personal-finance decisions. 2. Start saving now. The long-term purpose of budgeting is to find excess dollars so you can save and plan for the future. Even if it’s a few dollars a week as other resources go toward everyday expenses, get into the habit of regular savings and investment now. Consider activating a direct deposit to build those amounts automatically. If an inheritance comes along, BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY GOT 2 JUNK IT For For ALL ALL your your UNWANTED UNWANTED items items One call hauls it All! We We recycle recycle and and donate donate Job Job site site clean-up, clean-up, trash, trash, vehicles, vehicles, RV’s RV’s && Boats Boats you will already have savings habits in place and account relationships set up to receive the money. 3. Line up qualified advice. Skilled financial or tax experts can help you review what you’ve done so far with your money and suggest ways to make your personal savings or investments go further. Having these relationships in place before an expected – or unexpected – windfall is valuable. They’ll know your situation and the best ways to handle new money. If an inheritance arrives, consider a certified financial planner, certified public accountant and an attorney involved in trust or estate matters for your financial team. 4. Evaluate your relationships. Money can change people for better or worse. That is why you see so many troubling news stories about SPAY & NEUTER CLINIC The Animal Alliance of Galveston County Spay & Neuter Clinic Mon-Sat – 9am to 5pm To learn more about spaying or neutering call or come by 409-933-1600 www.animalalliancetx.org 1014 BAYOU ROAD • LAMARQUE, TX CALL NOW TO SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Post Guarantee delivery for just $25! The cost of subscribing to The Post makes it the best-value newspaper in the county – you can guarantee delivery each Wednesday and Sunday for just $25 for one whole year! Or, especially if you’re outside our Galveston County doorstep-delivery area, you can have a copy of an issue mailed to you for just $75 – less than the paper’s annual cover price, so postage and packing is effectively free! To guarantee either doorstep or mailed delivery, just call 409-943-4265 or complete the form below and mail it to us with your remittance. We accept Visa, Mastercard or Discover payments for telephone orders. When applying by mail, allow seven days for receipt of your first copy. Sign up today for our lowest rate! *1 year $25 home delivery __ *1 year $75 mailed __ Check one NAME ______________________________ _____ ADDRESS _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __________________________________ __________ PHONE _____________________ START DATE _______________ END DATE ________________ PAYMENT (check one) CHECK_________________ CREDIT CARD____________ CREDIT CARD NUMBER __________________ _________________ EXP DATE ______________ CVC NUMBER ____________ TOTAL COST $ ____________ Mail to P.O.Box 1686, Texas City, TX 77592 by Nathaniel Sillin people who have had an unexpected windfall. The best approach to sudden money is to go quietly and immediately into the planning phase – don’t make announcements and involve only your key loved ones who need to be part of the process. 5. Don’t go on a spending spree. If you’re lucky enough to receive an inheritance of significant size, planning doesn’t mean quitting your job, buying a car or moving out of your current place, at least not immediately. FOR SALE LAND FOR SALE BBQ Pit Smoker, one of kind Submarine on 20ft Trailer. $7,500 OBO. 832-627-4407 LOOKING TO SELL land? Reach over 2-million readers for one low price in the Texas Statewide Advertising Network. Call 1-800-749-4793. HOMES FOR SALE TexSCAN THE POST supports the publication of legal notices in the newspaper 832-593-1967 www.got2junkit.com Practical money matters LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of CARL S. WILTROUT, Deceased, were issued on November 30, 2015, in Cause No. PR-0076411, pending in the Probate Court of Galveston County, Texas, to: CAROLE J. WILTROUT, Independent Executrix. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being LAND FOR SALE administered are required to present them to the 15 ACRES south undersigned within of George West. the time and in the Heavy brush manner prescribed cover, end of road, by law. c/o: joins large ranch 2 DINAH J. MUELLER sides. Deer, hogs, Attorney at Law turkey. $3187/ 550 N. Egret Bay down, $581/mo., Blvd., Suite 125 (9.9%, 20-yrs.) League City, Texas 1-866-286-0199. 77573 www.ranchenDATED the ___ terprisesltd.com. day of December, TexSCAN 2015. EMPLOYMENT Certified Nursing Assistants $1500.00 Sign On Bonus Located in League City, Baywind Village has a reputation for excellence in guest service and resident care. As a privately owned and operated facility, Baywind Village offers an inviting setting for employee growth and career opportunities. Benefits include Sign on Bonus and Competitive Salaries. Tuition reimbursement for nursing school may also be considered. If you are compassionate and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others we invite you to apply at our facility. We are located at 411 Alabama, League City, TX 77573. Contact Stephanie Holweg @ 281-332-9588. Fax Resumes’ to 281-316-2715. Job Type: Full-time Required experience: Certified Nursing Assistant: 1 year LEGAL NOTICE RFP #B162002 OPEN: 01/07/2016 TIME: 2:00 P.M. cial future. Seek some advice, plan thoughtfully for taxes and Purpose: Galveston County is investments and save a little seeking proposals for the rehabilitation, bitreconfor fun or luxury. Without struction, and/or new windfalls construction ofproper afford- planning, able multi-family housing don’t always last as long as you units and/or single-family units under might common think. ownership of at least Editor’s note: You can find eight (8) such rental units within Galveston Counthe Ohio State University ty’s jurisdictional area for the Program. Galveston study and budgeting advice County may award one or online the links more projects under this through request for proposal. included Involve members Galveston of yourCounty is a in our electronic versub-recipient insion the CDof this article at thepostfinancial team in your planBG-DRS grant to the of Texasnewspaper.net. (State) ning. After any tax State or estate and is continuing to parSillin directs issues are settled and ticipate the in Round 2,Nathaniel Phase 2 of the CDBG-DRS grantPractical Money Skills Visa’s money is free for your use, (commonly referred to as Round 2.2). Under For this Life financial educaextinguish long-standing grant, the County has ention with programs. Follow him expenses, build an emergentered into a contract the Texas General Land on Twitter at twitter.com/ cy fund and then establish Office (GLO), the State agencythat administering PracticalMoney. His articles savings and investments the grant to the State, arewhich intended to provide genare appropriate for for youRound and 2.2, includes a multi-family eral information and should your loved ones. rental housing program (Program) be considered legal, tax or Once details are complete, do fornotaffordable rental housing. The financial advice. Always conhave some fun, but trycontract to keepbetween Galveston County and the the cost below 10 per cent of the sult a tax or financial adviser GLO is GLO Contract No. 12-511-000-6725. The total inheritance amount. for information on how the prior State agency that Bottom line: Inherited law CDapplies to your individual administered the was the Texas money can help buildBG-DRS a finanfinancial circumstances. Department of Housing LEGAL NOTICE RFP #B161004 OPEN: 01/07/2016 TIME: 2:00 P.M. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL ONLINE LEGAL RESEARCH AND PROPRIETARY DATABASE SERVICES REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL CDBG-DRS ROUND 2 RENTAL PROGRAM FOR GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS Sealed proposals in sets of five (5), one (1) original and four (4) copies, will be received in the office of the Galveston County Purchasing Agent until 2:00 P.M. CST, on 01/07/2016, and opened immediately in that office in the presence of Galveston County Auditor and the Purchasing Agent. Sealed proposals are to be delivered to Rufus G. Crowder, CPPO CPPB, Galveston County Purchasing Agent at the Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody, (21st Street), Floor 5, Purchasing, Galveston, Texas 77550, (409) 770-5372. The time stamp clock located in the Purchasing Agent's office shall serve as the official time keeping piece for this solicitation process. Any proposals received after 2:00 P.M. on the specified date will be returned unopened. Sealed proposals in sets of ten (10), one (1) original and nine (9) copies, will be received in the office of the Galveston County Purchasing Agent until 2:00 P.M. CST, on 01/07/2016, and opened immediately in that office in the presence of Galveston County Auditor and the Purchasing Agent. Sealed proposals are to be delivered to Rufus G. Crowder, CPPO CPPB, Galveston County Purchasing Agent at the Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody,(21st Street), Floor 5, Purchasing, Galveston, Texas 77550, (409) 770-5372. The time stamp clock located in the Purchasing Agent’s office shall serve as the official time keeping piece for this solicitation process. Any proposals received after 2:00 P.M. on the specified date will be returned unopened. Purpose: The County of Galveston is seeking a vendor for online legal research and proprietary database services for Galveston County governmental use. All proposals must be marked on the outside of the envelope: RFP #B162002 ONLINE LEGAL RESEARCH AND PROPRIETARY DAT ABASE SERVICES Proposers name, return address, and the enclosed label should be prominently displayed on the proposal package for identification purposes. Specifications can be obtained on application at the office of the Galveston County Purchasing Agent, located in the Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody, (21 st Street), Floor 5, Purchasing, Galveston, Texas, 77550, or by visiting the Galveston County website @ http://www.galvestoncountytx.gov/pu/Pages/ BidListings.aspx. Proposal prices shall be either lump sum or unit prices as shown on proposal bid sheets, if applicable. The net price shall be delivered to Galveston County, including all freight, shipping, and license fees. Galveston County is tax exempt and no taxes should be include in proposal pricing. Upon satisfaction of contractual terms ( e.g., goods delivered in promised condition, services rendered as agreed, etc.), contractor shall be paid via Galveston County's normal accounts payable process. Bonding Requirements: No bonding is required with this Request for Proposal. County The Galveston Commissioners' Court reserves the right to waive any informality and to reject any and all proposals, and to accept the proposal which, in its opinion, is most advantageous to Galveston County with total respect the governing laws. Rufus G. Crowder, CPPO CPPB Purchasing Agent Galveston County Purpose: Galveston County is seeking proposals for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and/or new construction of affordable multi-family housing units and/or single-family units under common ownership of at least eight (8) such rental units within Galveston County’s jurisdictional area for the Program. Galveston County may award one or more projects under this request for proposal. Galveston County is a sub-recipient in the CDBG-DRS grant to the State of Texas (State) and is continuing to participate in Round 2, Phase 2 of the CDBG-DRS grant (commonly referred to as Round 2.2). Under this grant, the County has entered into a contract with the Texas General Land Office (GLO), the State agency administering the grant to the State, for Round 2.2, which includes a multi-family rental housing program (Program) for affordable rental housing. The contract between Galveston County and the GLO is GLO Contract No. 12-511-000-6725. The prior State agency that administered the CDBG-DRS was the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). The TDHCA adopted guidelines for Round 2, which continue to apply in Round 2.2 (State Guidelines). This Program is subject to the State Guidelines. All proposals must be marked on the outside of the envelope: RFP #B161004 CDBG-DRS Round 2 Rental Program for Galveston County, Texas Proposers name, return address, and the enclosed label should be prominently displayed on the proposal package for identification purposes. Specifications can be obtained on application at the office of the Galveston County Purchasing Agent, located in the Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody, (21 ‘t Street), Floor 5, PurchasCONTINUED and Community Affairs (TDHCA). The TDHCA adopted guidelines for Round 2, which continue to apply in Round 2.2 (State Guidelines). This Program is subject to the State Guidelines. All proposals must be marked on the outside of the envelope: RFP #B161004 CDBG-DRS Round 2 Rental Program for Galveston County, Texas Proposers name, return address, and the enclosed label should be prominently displayed on the proposal package for identification purposes. Specifications can be obtained on application at the office of the GalLEGAL NOTICE veston County Purchasing Agent, located in the Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody, (21 ‘t Street), Floor 5, Purchasing, Galveston, Texas, 77550, or by visiting the Galveston County website@ http://www.galvestoncountytx.gov/pu/ Pages/BidListings.aspx. Proposal prices shall be either lump sum or unit prices as shown on proposal bid sheets, if applicable. The net price shall be delivered to Galveston County, including all freight, shipping, and license fees. Galveston County is tax exempt and no taxes should be include in proposal pricing. Upon satisfaction of contractual terms ( e.g., goods delivered in promised condition, services rendered as agreed, etc.), contractor shall be paid via Galveston County’s normal accounts payable process. Bonding Requirements: • PROPOSAL GUARANTEE: Evidencing its firm commitment to engage in the contract if Proposer is selected for award of contract, each Proposer is required to furnish with their proposal a Cashier’s Check, Certified Check from any bank within the State of Texas, or an acceptable Proposer’s Bond (in the event of requests for bids, this is called a Bidder’s Bond), in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total contract price. The Proposer’s Bond must be executed with a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Texas. Failure to furnish the bid/ proposal guarantee in the proper form and amount, by the time set for opening of bids/proposals may be cause for rejection of the bid/proposal. • PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS Successful proposer, before beginning work, shall execute a perfonnance bond and a payment bond, each of which must be in the amount of the contract. The required payment and performance bonds must each be executed by a corporate surety in accordance with Section 1, Chapter 87, Acts of the 561h Legislature, Regular Session, 1959 (Article 7.19-1, Vernon’s Texas Insurance Code). The Galveston County Commissioners’ Court reserves the right to waive any informality and to reject any and all proposals, and to accept the proposal which, in its opinion, is most advantageous to Galveston County with total respect the governing laws. Rufus G. Crowder, CPPO CPPB Purchasing Agent Galveston County MISCELLANEOUS AIRLINE CAREERS begin here - Get started by training as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1-888-896-8006. TXCAP MISCELLANEOUS Stop OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! Save up to 93%! 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Some exclusions apply - Call for details 1-800-4212049 TXCAP Guaranteed Roofing Roofing/Remodeling www.RoofingTexas. com 409-945-6920 PETS ANIMAL ALLIANCE 1014 Bayou Rd La Marque, TX Low cost spay & neuter clinic. Call 409-933-1600 THE POST www.thepostnewspaper.net Wednesday, December 9, 2015 7 Make your yule tree stand proud THE TIME is at hand to deck the halls for the holiday season. Do you have your mistletoe, holly and yule tree ready yet? Few of us have direct access to a local source of fresh sprigs of mistletoe to hang over doorways as mistletoe is fairly rare in Galveston County. (This is actually very good – for our trees anyway – because mistletoe is a parasitic plant.) Some of us can make fresh boughs of holly to deck the halls as hollies, which are common in our area, have set a good berry crop this year. However, for many folks – both the young and not-so-young – a fresh Christmas tree complete with lights and other decorations provides a delightful focal point under which to assemble and open those holiday gifts. Fortunately, Christmas trees are accessible through a wide variety of outlets and are now a renewable resource. After a tree is harvested on a tree-growing farm, it is replaced with a transplant seedling and the cycle is repeated. Christmas-tree production is an emerging industry in Texas. How will you select, prepare and care for your yule tree? Even if you put off buying it until the last minute, there are several steps you should take to ensure adequate safety and full enjoyment of the occasion. The lasting beauty of a Christmas tree depends on careful selection and proper pre-holiday treatment. Here are a few helpful hints: Selection: Choosing a real Christmas tree is a fun outing for the whole family and easy to do. So your tree isn’t bare by Christmas Eve, first select one with a fresh, green color. Such trees provide good needle retention, pleasing fragrance, better fire resistance and longer holiday beauty. Second, conduct a simple freshness test. Gently grasp a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pull it toward you. Few needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh. Third, try lifting the tree a few inches off the ground and letting it drop on its stump end. Very few green needles should fall off. Note that this action will require a measure of gravitas so be prepared for folks looking in your direction. Preparation: Properly pre-condition your new tree before setting it up inside the home. Imagine that it has been cut a while back, packed into trucks and shipped to its final destination. During transportation, its water uptake mechanism at Choosing a real Christmas tree is much fun and very easy. Conduct a simple freshness test before purchase by gently grasping a branch with needles between your thumb and forefinger and pulling it toward you. If it is fresh, few needles should come off in your hand. – William Johnson Beautiful gardens by William Johnson the point of the cut becomes blocked with dirt, sawdust and resins from the needles. To help alleviate this, purchase your tree a little in advance of the time at which it is to be set up and decorated. When you get it home, cut off the butt of its trunk at least one inch above the original cut. Place the tree in a container of water in a cool location outdoors overnight or even for a couple of days, if possible. This helps the trunk to absorb water, which will extend its season of freshness and reduce the fire hazard associated with dry trees. Care: When it’s time to trim the tree, place it in a stand that holds water and keep it filled throughout the holiday season. A Christmas wish list for Obama LOLA ALL IS CALM and all is bright? Few Americans are singing Silent Night this week in America. First, let me say I do agree with president Barack Obama in that we must not send thousands of soldiers to Syria. This would end up costing us thousands of lives and another trillion dollars that we do not have. However, if Obama wants to shut down Islamic State, there’s a list of actions he must take. The organization’s communications and media must be shut down. Americans are guaranteed freedom of speech but not IS. We must do everything we can to take out its ability to communicate. This includes cell phones and internet access. Can we not figure this out? Any social-media corporation that has ties to America or any segment of the free world must help with this. Islamic State promotes, taunts and recruits via online propaganda. We have to stop that. All means of making money must be blocked. Islamic State has millions and millions of dollars at its disposal. We must bomb the oil refineries it controls and put them out of commission. We must shut down Islamic State’s travel means, take out its major bridges, destroy its highways and airports and take out all its sources of food supply. We must work strategically with Russia, France, the United Kingdom and Germany. However, the Middle East countries must get on board with manpower and cash to support the effort. By the way, where is worthless Saudi Arabia? The Saudis do not even want the Syrian refugees in their country. They would rather send them to Germany or America! We further need to take control of the visas that are being issued to anybody and everybody. People from all over the world can acquire a visa to America for almost any excuse. This must be tightened up drastically. Obama must recognize that guns are still not the problem. The couple suspected of the San Bernardino mass shooting had a bomb factory in their garage. They could eventually have killed dozens or hundreds with bombs! Does anybody remember April 19, 1995? Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people and injured more than 600 in Oklahoma City with a truck bomb! The radical Muslims of September 11, 2001, took over Uncommon sense with Glenn Mollette airplanes that became catastrophic missiles killing almost 3,000 people. Do you remember the Jonestown massacre? In 1978, 900 people were led to their deaths by radical religious leader Jim Jones. He led some and forced many to drink Kool-Aid poisoned by cyanide. Jones’ henchmen guards did have guns. However, most of the 900 died from cyanide poisoning. Radical religion was at the forefront of the massacre. Groups such as Jones’ People’s Temple and Radical Muslim Mosques are a danger to our society and must be monitored. Speaking of religion, our president needs to call America together in prayer. We need a special day of prayer for our nation. People are jittery. People are buying guns and ammunition as fast as they can be made. The 30th day of April 1863 was set aside by Abraham Lincoln as a day of fasting and prayer for the nation. Nothing could have been more frightening than the Civil War. Bloody killing was taking place all over this country. Americans were killing Americans. We stress, jitter and worry about this country and the world situation. More and more, our world needs a strong and wise America to step up and provide strong and wise leadership. Surely, we need the wisdom, help and power from Almighty God to lead and calm our nation. Glenn Mollette is an American author whose syndicated column is read in all 50 states. Check the water level periodically, making sure it never drops below the bottom of the trunk, and refill as needed. A cut Christmas tree will absorb a surprising amount of water, especially during the first few days. During the first week, check the level of the water in the stand a couple of times a day. After that, check the stand daily. The tree will take up a larger quantity of water at first, as much as a gallon or more a day, but its water uptake will slack off later. The amount of water initially taken up primarily depends on how recently the tree was harvested. Safety: Place the tree in the coolest location possible indoors, away from fireplaces or heater vents, and inspect your Christmas lights before placing them on the tree. Look for worn, exposed, or frayed wires and broken or cracked bulbs and replace as necessary. Be sure to not overload extension cords and to check to see that your smoke detectors are working properly. We think of the holidays as happy times, an occasion for celebration, thankfulness and sharing with our family, friends and community. By taking a few preventive measures, you and your family can celebrate a happy, nostalgic and fire-safe holiday. William Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Visit his website at aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm. At a glance WHAT: Growing Tomatoes From Seed tutorial DATE: Saturday, December 12 TIME: 9:00-11:30am SPEAKER: Master gardener Ira Gervais TOPICS: Variety selection including heirlooms, where to obtain seeds, planting and growing techniques and insect and disease control WHERE: Galveston County AgriLife extension office in Carbide Park, 4102B Main Street, La Marque. Go online to aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/ index.html for additional details. The event is free but pre-event registration is required, either by phone at 281-534-3413, ext 21, or by e-mail at [email protected]. The views and opinions expressed by our contributors are their own and do not necessarily agree with those of The Post newspaper. December 12, 2015 at St. George’s Episcopal Church 510 13th Ave North - Texas City, TX Starts at Noon Great fun for parents and kids! Ages 2 & Up FRAZZ Call for details Call Jimmy 832-385-2076 Sponsored by: & The Post Newspaper 409-943-4265 www.thepostnewspaper.net 8 Wednesday, December 9, 2015 www.thepostnewspaper.net THE POST SportsPost First down and four to go HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL Just too many unhappy returns Two players and two coaches lining up for club goal A COUPLE of Wildcats and a pair of Gators are up for top honors in the area at tonight’s Touchdown Club of Houston awards ceremony, with members of both Clear Creek and Dickinson among the finalists. Creek defensive end Nik Daniels is a finalist for defensive player of the year after leading the Wildcats in sacks as Creek won the district 24-6A title and finished the season with an 11-1 record. Dickinson running back Jordan Myers is a finalist for the offensive player of the Season’s end for no-rush Gators Dickinson 14 North Shore 45 ON PAPER, it might have appeared the Gators held the Mustangs in check on Saturday, as they allowed just 220 yards of offense to the normally high-octane attack of North Shore. In reality, Dickinson’s special teams, which had been a key staple of their success all season, chose the wrong day not to show up, leaving the Gators so close yet so far from a trip to the state semifinals. Mustangs return specialist Jacory Nichols returned two punts for touchdowns, while the North Shore defense added an interception return as icing on the cake in a brutal afternoon for the Gators, who were limited to a withering season-low minus-13 yards rushing on 31 attempts. Running back Jordan Myers found few openings in the North Shore defense, managing just 35 yards on 14 carries, while the Mustangs pass rush recorded eight sacks of quarterback Delan Baines. Nichols unwrapped the bow on what had been a scoreless affair when he sprinted 96 yards past a stunned pack of Gators to give the Mustangs a lead they would not relinquish with 4:09 left in the first quarter. The score remained that way until the Gators, helped in part by a pair of pass interference calls, marched downfield on a drive that was capped off by Myers’ two-yard touchdown run that tied matters at 7-7 with 6:15 remaining in the half. The deadlocked score did not have a lengthy duration, however, as the Mustangs took the lead for good on a 22-yard field goal from Aaron Cuevas with 3:28 left in the half. The momentum swung further in the direction of North Shore when Mustangs defensive end John Sifuentes stepped in front of a Baines screen pass that set the stage for Bryant Badie’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Eltroy Potts on the final play of the first half, extending the North Shore margin to 17-7. A methodical Mustangs drive to open the second half took more than five minutes off the clock culminating in running back Carl Guillory plunging in from a yard out with Brandon C Williams to give them a 24-7 lead before the Gators mustered what would be their final scoring drive of the season, a steady march that ended with Myers scoring on a sixyard run with 3:42 left in the third quarter. Nichols, who had already nearly taken another punt for a score, did so late in the third as his picture-perfect 54-yard return put North Shore in a commanding 31-14 lead to start the fourth quarter. Unable to evade the harassment of the Mustangs front four, Baines could not get the Dickinson offense rolling as the North Shore defense continued to hold him back in a game that saw him make just 13 completions in 29 attempts. Guillory scored from a yard out with a minute left to make it 38-14 before Mustangs defender Michael Boult closed out the scoring with a 45-yard interception return with 21 seconds on the clock. With the win, North Shore advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 2007 and will take on Converse Judson on Saturday evening at Houston’s NRG stadium. year, as he rushed for 1,927 yards and 32 touchdowns while also adding 21 catches for 445 yards and five scores as the Gators finished 12-2 and advanced to the class 6A, region III, division 1 semifinals for a second straight season. Both Creek’s Darrell Warden and Dickinson’s John Snelson are among the finalists for coach of the year. The ceremony will be held at the JW Marriott hotel, at 5150 Westheimer, beginning at 7:30 pm today, Wednesday. COLLEGE BASKETBALL Palmer high way Jessieka rewarded for helping disadvantaged uhcougars.com ON THE COURT, Jessieka Palmer has been a mainstay for University Of Houston’s women’s basketball team, yet off the court the La Marque native, above, has been equally productive, a fact the Women’s College Basketball Association recognized last Wednesday when it nominated her as one of 103 candidates for the Allstate Insurance Good Works team. In the midst of her senior season at Houston, Palmer has been a prominent off-court figure in the Houston area and no doubt won the accolade for contributing her time as a volunteer at a host of charities, including Houston Food Bank, Ronald McDonald Star Of Hope, Boys & Girls Club Of Houston, and Houston Area Women’s Center. “Jessieka continues to be a leader for our program on and off the court,” Houston coach Ronald Hughey said. “I’m proud that she is a candidate for the Good Works team and I’m excited to see the way she continues to guide our young roster.” The members of the Good Works team will be recognized at both the WBCA 2016 convention and the upcoming Women’s Final Four in Indianapolis. Palmer, meanwhile, entered last Thursday’s game at in-town rival Rice averaging 8.8 points per outing in Houston’s first six matches and had a career-best 25 points against nationally-ranked George Washington University on Thanksgiving Day. A 2012 graduate of La Marque, she was a three-time all-district 24-4A selection and led the Cougars to the class 4A, region III finals in 2010. "You owe it to yourself to have a healthy smile. We can help with all of your dental needs. We make teeth sexy!" John K. 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