Starr County Town Crier

Study Club Presents A.I.M. Award
to Exemplary RGCHS Students
STUDY CLUB PRESENTS A.I.M. AWARDS --- Eight exemplary young people from Rio Grande City
High School were honored as recipients of the 2010 Achieving Inspirational Merit (AIM) Award. The
event, sponsored annually by the Florence J. Scott Study Club, celebrates federation and the achievements
of our youth. The Study Club, a member of GFWC/TFWC is dedicated to education and community
service. Crisanto Guerra IV, Jessica Guerrero, Federico Lopez, Mark Lopez, Heriberto Montalvo, Anabel
Rodriguez, Ediel Saenz, and Katarina Salazar were the 2010 honorees.
See Story on Page 10
San Isidro High School
2010 – 2011 FFA Officers
The San Isidro High School FFA Chapter Officers for the 2010 –
2011 school year are: President: Joy Griffith; Vice-President: Sloan
Gonzalez; Secretary: Eric Herrera; Treasurer: Lisa Saenz; Reporter:
Jesse Marquez; Sentinel: Jon Quinn Galvan; and Chaplain: Jenna
Griffith. Mr. Raul Hinojosa, FFA Advisor, stated, “I want my students
to excel in the classroom, contests, and in all areas of leadership. I am
looking forward in carrying out the FFA mission by ensuring that the
organization makes a positive difference in the lives of our students.
Participation in agricultural education will assist the students in
developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and
career success.”
Alto Bonito Elementary Holds
Their Annual 911 Remembrance
Pictured above are members of the U.S. Border Patrol, La Casita Fire
Department and 5th Grade Students of A.B.E. They took part in a Flag
Raising Ceremony and were treated to breakfast, all in their honor for
protecting our freedom.
The Rio Grande City High School Cheerleaders have been busy this football season cheering at every
game and pep rally. The squad also participates in various events throughout the year. The 2010-2011
RGC High School Cheerleaders are under the direction of Hermelinda Ayala. This year’s squad consists
of; Bottom: Mariela Olvera, Bryanna Garcia, Nohely Alanis, Lizett Garza, Tiffany Guerrero, Larissa
Cardoza (Captain), Jennifer Coello (Co-Captain), Jazmin Valladarez, Monica Martinez, Griselda Garza,
Clarissa Cantu. Middle: Mayra Flores, Ingrid Villanueva, Maxine Saenz, Victoria Cantu, Bianca Garza,
Ana Alanis, Lori Ann Martinez, Erin Ramirez. Top: Lisi Valenciana, Josie Ramirez, Kendra Saenz, Maddy
Ramirez, Savannah Saenz, Ciara Medrano. RGCCISD photo.
It is difficult to believe that nine years have passed since the September
11th tragedy.
It seems like just yesterday we heard those first mind-boggling reports
that the first plane, then a second plane, had crashed into the buildings of the
World Trade Center. The Pentagon was the target of yet another plane and
the one headed for the Capitol crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
The anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, offers a
time to remember, to reflect about this unforgettable moment in history, and
to reconsider the effect that September 11th has had on our country and the
world.
On September 10, 2010, Alto Bonito Elementary had their annual 911
Remembrance. This day was dedicated to the highest act of love one human
can show to another. They flew our countries Flag at half mast in honor of
the families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and for
those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished
freedoms. We must never forget!
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 2
Alto Bonito children received school supplies from Woodmen of the World Lodge 6167.
Cuellar Helps Pass Rural Energy Savings Program Bill
More Clean Energy Jobs, Lower Energy Bills, Stronger Manufacturing
Washington,
D.C.
–
Congressman Henry Cuellar,
TX-28, helped pass H.R. 4785,
the 2010 Rural Energy Savings
Program Bill, which provides
loans to the 1.6 million American
families and farmers in rural
communities to renovate their
homes or farms to become
more energy-efficient, creating
American manufacturing and
installation jobs, while lowering
energy bills for American
families.
The
Congressman’s
amendment, which requires
that the USDA provide their
outreach expertise to the entities
providing loans to areas of high
unemployment, was also passed.
This program will offer
homeowners and farmers loans
of about $3,000 to $7,500 to
eliminate the upfront cost of
home energy upgrades, which
customers can then repay over 10
years on their electric bill -- with
their energy savings from the
renovations covering most of the
cost of the loan.
The Rural Energy Program
is estimated to create 20,000
– 40,000 American jobs per
year and will not add a cent
to the deficit. The legislation
is fiscally responsible, as all
of the loans will be repaid to
the federal government, and is
fully compliant with PAYGO,
according to the Congressional
Budget Office.
“In my Congressional district
I have 2 counties that are
significantly above the national
average for unemployment-Hidalgo County is suffering at
11.1%, and Starr County is
at 17.3%.,” said Congressman
Cuellar.
“This
important
amendment will go a long way
towards making sure those areas
that have been hit the hardest
can take advantage of this
legislation.”
Public Invited to Stroller-A-Thon to
Commemorate 30 Years of ECI in Texas
The Region One ESC Early celebration as they commemorate
Childhood Intervention (ECI) 30 years of Early Childhood
Program is inviting the public Intervention Services in Texas!
Region One ECI Program,
and ECI families to join in the
in collaboration with Easter
Seals ECI, will host a Stroller-aThon on Saturday, September
25, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to
Noon at Doolittle Park (North
Raul Longoria & Sprague) in
Edinburg, Texas.
The morning’s activities will
include a stroll around the scenic
park and refreshments to follow!
ECI is a statewide program
for families with children, birth
to three, with disabilities and
developmental
delays.
ECI
supports families to help their
children reach their potential
through developmental services.
ECI services are individualized,
family-centered and delivered
by an interdisciplinary team of
professionals. ECI staff work
with families to identify learning
opportunities for children during
daily routines and activities.
Services are provided in homes
and community settings, such as
a day-care facility.
If you have questions about
the Stroller-A-Thon or about ECI
services, contact the Region One
ECI Office at (956) 984-6148 or
Easter Seals RGV at (956) 6319171.
Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church 2010 Jamaica
Father Richard Philion, OMI,
and the 2010 Jamaica Committee
of Our Lady of Refuge Catholic
Church in Roma and its missions
in Los Saenz, Fronton, Salineno,
and Falcon Heights wish to
invite all to the annual Father
Keralum, OMI, Fall Festival
scheduled for October 3, 2010 at
the historic Roma Plaza at 5 PM,
immediately following the city
and school parade.
The entertainment for the night
includes a variety of musical
enjoyment:
the
nationally-
recognized Mariachi Santander
and other school mariachi
groups, music from Roma’s own
Grupo Tremendo, and Grupo
Super Odisea, the YB Escobar
Guitar Students, as well as
local folklorist dancers, Roma
cheerleading
performances,
Zumba Kids, and Jr. ROTC
Marching
presentations.
The games and food booths
will be other exciting highlights
of the evening with carnival rides
for the children, a Spooky House,
games such as darts and balloons,
Saturday, September 25th is Nature
Rocks and National Public Lands Day
Roma Bluffs World Birding
Center is celebrating National
Public Lands Day and the New
Nature Rocks Day. National
Public Lands Day is a day to give
back to the land and help protect
it. Nature Rocks Day is a day to
encourage families to get out and
enjoy the outdoors.
From 10:00-Noon as part of
National Public Lands Day, there
will be opportunities to help
pick up trash around the historic
square,
overlook/observation
deck and to work in the courtyard
trimming plants and mulching.
From 1:00-4:00 p.m. is Nature
Rocks Day. Tables will be set up
in the courtyard for area youth and
their families to test water, learn
about owl pellets, microscopes,
make animal tracks, learn about
endangered species, animal hides
and skulls, nature games, and
more.
There is no cost and participants
will be given bags for the morning
cleanup. Those participating
in the cleanup should wear old
clothes and shoes.
Please call if you are interested
in attending either one of those
events. Contact Christine (956849-4930).
Participants in the cleanup will
receive a poster, and a certificate
which allows free entry into
public lands that charge fees
(BLM, NPS, US Army Corp of
Engineers, USFWS, and Forest
Service lands).
Roma Bluffs WBC is located
at 610 N. Portscheller St. Roma
TX 78584 in the historic square
across from the City Hall of
Roma.
the duck and fish ponds, tic, tac,
toe, the bean and nickel toss, cake
and plant roulettes, and the very
popular Chalupa Bingo.
The scrumptious and delicious
food booths will include tacos
colorados, menudo, enchiladas,
tacos bistek and tacos al carbon,
frito pies, popcorn, cotton
candy, tacos de fajitas, hotdogs,
hotdogs with bacon on a stick,
“chicharrones prensados with
chile and cheese,” tostadas, and
other treats.
This family-oriented event will
also include raffle announcement
of eighteen prizes of hundreds of
dollars in gift cards donated by
area banks and businesses, and
others prizes which will lead to
the culmination of the grand prize
announcement: a 2010 Chevrolet
Silverado -1500 Crew Cab Truck.
Everyone is invited to join in the
fun of this annual celebration!
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 3
VETERANS MIDDLE SCHOOL – Students and staff at VMS kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with
a breakfast merienda at the library on September 15th. While everyone enjoyed pan dulce and coffee, the
VMS Mariachi entertained them with their musical talents and sang traditional Mexican songs. Hispanic
Heritage Month buttons and informative brochures were also given out to commemorate the festivities at
the library. Pictured above are some of the VMS Mariachi players and staff who celebrated this event.
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 4
ORACIÓN AL SAGRADO CORAZÓN DE JESÚS
Para Cosas muy Difíciles
Brazo poderoso ante ti vengo con toda la fe de mi alma a buscar
tu sagrado consuelo en mi difícil situación, no me desampares en
las puertas que han de abrirse en mi camino, sea tu Brazo para
darme la tranquilidad que ansió (3 peticiones difíciles) suplica que
te hace un corazón afligido por duros golpes del cruel destino que
lo han vencido siempre en la lucha humana. Ya que si tu poder
divino no intercede en mi favor, sucumbiré por falta de ayuda,
Brazo poderoso asísteme, ampárame y condúceme a la gloria
celestial, gracias dulce Jesús.
(Rezar 15 días empezando viernes. Publicar antes de los 8 días.)
Federal and State Agencies
Plan to Rebuild Smarter
Future storm damages are less
likely to occur when the Federal
Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) and the Texas Division
of Emergency Management
(TDEM) join forces and provide
extra funding to mitigate public
facilities so that they are better
prepared to face and withstand
impending disasters.
Federal funding is available
to state and eligible local
government and certain private
nonprofit organizations on a costshare basis for emergency work
ORACIÓN A NUESTRA
SEÑORA DE LA
CARIDAD DEL COBRE
Oh, Santísima
Virgen
de
la
Caridad,
Madre
mía
y
Señora
Soberana,
con
cuanta
alegría acudo
a postrarme
a tus pies!
Virgen
de
los milagros!
como te llamaban nuestros
mayores; cura a los enfermos,
consuela a los afligidos, da animos
a los desesperados, preserva de
toda desgracia a las familias,
protege a la juventud, ampara a
la niñez. Nadie puede publicar
dignamente las maravillas que
obras cada día en favor de las almas
que te invocan, justificando así la
confianza y el amor que te profesan
todos tus hijos! Desde tu Santuario
del Cobre, Venerable Virgen de la
Caridad, se siempre el manantial de
todas las gracias. Amen.
(Se reza 3 días. Prometer publicación)
M. V., JR.
and
the
repair/replacement
and mitigation of infastructure
damaged by Hurricane Alex and
subsequent flooding.
“Disaster recovery includes
building smarter and stronger
for better protection from
future disasters,” said Federal
Coordinating
Officer
Brad
Harris. “@Mitigation specialists
from FEMA’s Public Assistance
(PA) program will be working
closely with our state and
local partners to identify cost
effective mitigation projects
that will reduce risk of future
damage for all eligible projects.”
The FEMA PA program works
in coordination with state and
ORACIÓN A NUESTRA
SEÑORA DE LA
CARIDAD DEL COBRE
Oh, Santísima
Virgen
de
la
Caridad,
Madre
mía
y
Señora
Soberana,
con
cuanta
alegría acudo
a postrarme
a tus pies!
Virgen
de
los milagros!
como te llamaban nuestros
mayores; cura a los enfermos,
consuela a los afligidos, da animos
a los desesperados, preserva de
toda desgracia a las familias,
protege a la juventud, ampara a
la niñez. Nadie puede publicar
dignamente las maravillas que
obras cada día en favor de las almas
que te invocan, justificando así la
confianza y el amor que te profesan
todos tus hijos! Desde tu Santuario
del Cobre, Venerable Virgen de la
Caridad, se siempre el manantial de
todas las gracias. Amen.
(Se reza 3 días. Prometer publicación)
local officials to identify, develop
and fund recovery measures to
include the restoration of disaster
damaged government and certain
private nonprofit organizations’
facilities. Facilities are identified
as
roads,
bridges,
water
control facilities, buildings,
equipment, utilities, parks and
other recreational facilities. In
addition, FEMA will provide
recommendations for project
specific hazard mitigation as part
of the restoration process.
This mitigation is provided
and funded under FEMA 406
mitigation. The cost share of
the additional mitigation is 75
percent from FEMA with the
remaining 25 percent to be the
responsibility of the applicant.
“The goal is to allow local
officials an opportunity to
reduce risk of damage to their
infrastructure and in the long term
save scarce local dollars,” said
Harris. “Mitigation projects have
to be looked at as an investment
with a significant return. An
independent study shows that
for every dollar spent on 406
mitigation, the applicant will
save $4 in future repair costs.”
Eligible are Calhoun, Cameron,
Cottle, Dawson, Floyd, Foard,
Garza, Jim Hogg, Hidalgo,
Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Jim
Wells, Maverick, Motley, Starr,
Terry, Webb, Willacy and Zapata
counties.
“Given the history of storms
and hurricanes in the Gulf, it
certainly makes sense to be
FEMA, page 6
HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE SET
Roma—A hunter education
class has been scheduled for
October 23 and 24, beginning at
8am at the Roma High School
library, according to Drew
Spencer, Starr County Game
Warden and Hunter Education
Instructor. Spencer adds that
the class each day will run until
5pm, with students allowed an
hour and a half lunch break each
day. Students will be required to
attend class both days.
According to the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department, if you
were born on or after September
2, 1971, and you are:
•under 9 years of age, you must
be accompanied, or
•age 9 through 16, you must
successfully complete a hunter
education course, or you must be
accompanied, or
•age 17 and over, you must
successfully complete a hunter
education course; or purchase a
“Hunter Education Deferral,” and
you must be accompanied.
Spencer points out that
“accompanied” means: by a
person who is at least 17, who is
licensed to hunt in Texas, who
has passed hunter education,
or is exempt (born before
September 2, 1971), and who
is within normal voice control.
Proof of certification or deferral
is required to be on your person
while hunting.
However, any individual may
take the course on a voluntary
basis and is encouraged to attend
regardless of requirements,
according to Spencer.
“The course is open to adults
and youngsters and will include
instruction in modern firearms
and primitive sporting arms
handling and safety, outdoor
responsibility
and
ethics,
laws and regulations, wildlife
conservation and management,
hunting traditions, field care of
game and wilderness first aid
and survival,” Spencer added.
“We will have an excellent group
of hunter education instructors
teaching this course. Fellow Starr
County Game Wardens Dennis
Gazaway, Jr., Ben Baker, and
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 5
Brandon West will be teaching
certain parts of the course, each
bringing unique experiences,
stories, and knowledge with
them.”
The minimum age for
certification is 9 years and cost
is $15. Students 9 years of age
or older successfully completing
the course will be issued a
“Temporary Student Card” at
the end of the course. Students
will then receive an original
“Hunter Education Certificate”
from Texas parks and Wildlife
after processing the paperwork.
Those less than 9 years of age
will receive a “Certificate of
Attendance,” but must take the
course again after turning 9 for
proper certification.
For more information, contact
Dr. Mario E. Ramirez Elementary Students of the week: Pre K- Valeria L. Salinas, Kinder- Annette Rios, 1st
Drew Spencer at (956) 500-4743
Grade- Samantha M. Arevalo, 2nd Grade- Daniel Pena, 3rd Grade- Ashley Aguirre, 4th Grade- Estrella A.
or Texas Parks and Wildlife Perez, and 5th Grade - Joan Alvarez.
Department at (800) 792-1112,
(512) 389-4999, or the Website at
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/
hunter_education.
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 6
Consejos de seguridad para ejercitarse al aire libre
El último día del verano es el 22
de septiembre, pero esto es sólo un
tecnicismo para la mayoría de los
texanos. Las altas temperaturas
todavía marcan los altos 80 grados
o principios de los 90. Estas
temperaturas son similares a las
de mayo en Texas y a las de mitad
del verano en otros estados.
Pero aún cuando la palabra
“otoño” no lo hace buscar leña
para el fuego de la chimenea, es
una palabra que podría calmar
a los texanos para no temerle al
calor al momento de ejercitarse
al aire libre. Esto podría ser una
amenaza mayor para las personas
que tienden a ejercitarse más y
cambian sus rutinas de ejercicio
cuando las temperaturas bajan a
los dos dígitos después de un día
de tres dígitos de calor.
Los
resultados
pueden
variar desde deshidratación y
agotamiento por el calor hasta
hipertermia, ataques de asma
o ataques al corazón. Según
el Departamento Estatal de
Servicios de Salud de Texas
(DSHS), un promedio de más de
20 texanos han muerto por causas
relacionadas al calor durante los
meses recientes de septiembre. El
riesgo mayor es para personas que
son frágiles, que están enfermas o
son adultos mayores, pero también
deben tomarse precauciones
al ejercitarse enérgicamente al
aire libre. A continuación cinco
detalles importantes que debe
recordar al ejercitarse en el calor:
1. Manténgase hidratado. Las
condiciones húmedas y calientes
pueden provocar grandes riegos
de deshidratación. La humedad
suspendida en el aire no permite
que el sudor se evapore y su cuerpo
trata de compensarlo sudando más.
La mayoría de las personas saben
que es importante reemplazar los
fluidos que se pierden. Lo que
muchos no sabemos es que no
debemos esperar hasta tener sed.
Si esperamos hasta este punto ya
estamos deshidratados.
Una buena alternativa es tomar
alrededor de 16 onzas de cafeína
y líquidos que no contienen
carbonato una hora o dos antes
de ejercitarse 90 minutos o más
en temperaturas calientes. Tome
por lo menos ocho onzas antes
de ejercitarse y añada sorbos
de cuatro a seis onzas cada 15
minutos mientras se ejercita.
2. Use ropa apropiada para
ejercicios. Esto no necesariamente
significa menos ropa. Es más
importante que lo que sea que use
tenga suficiente espacio para que
el aire circule y para que el sudor
se evapore. La ropa suelta y de
tela sintética es la mejor opción.
Use también una gorra o visera y
mucho bloqueador solar, mientras
más alto el número de protección
solar (SPF) mejor.
3. No se exceda. Esto puede
ser tentador cuando el calor de
las tardes baja aunque sea un
poco. Sin embargo, el programa
de ejercicios Texercise del
Departamento de Servicios para
Adultos Mayores y Personas
Discapacitadas de Texas (DADS)
aconseja a las personas que se
ejercitan a seguir la regla del 10 por
ciento. Nunca aumente su nivel de
actividad más de 10 por ciento en
una semana. Haga por lo menos
10 minutos de calentamiento
(por ejemplo, corra sin moverse
del lugar) antes de ejercitarse y
continúe con 10 a 15 minutos
de enfriamiento como caminar.
4. Préstele atención a su
cuerpo. El agotamiento por calor
o la hipertermia son un peligro
para cualquier persona que se
ejercite en condiciones húmedas
o calientes, particularmente las
personas que tienen problemas
de alta presión o del corazón.
No importa cuál sea su estado
de salud, préstele atención a su
cuerpo si experimenta calambres
musculares, boca seca, fatiga
excesiva, mareos, debilidad, dolor
punzante en la cien o si su piel
pierde color. Todos estos síntomas
deben tomarse como avisos
urgentes de su cuerpo.
Esté especialmente alerta a
síntomas de hipertermia como
latidos rápidos del corazón, dolor
de cabeza severo, fiebre, nausea
o confusión mental. Si usted o
su compañero muestra síntomas
como éstos, vaya a un lugar
fresco inmediatamente y cubra
a la persona afectada con toallas
húmedas y déle agua fresca (no
fría). Llame al 9-1-1 si la condición
no mejora de inmediato.
5. Use el sentido común.
Cuando se trata de ejercitarse en
el calor, la línea entre ser fuerte
y tonto es muy fina. Aunque el
calendario diga que ya es otoño,
todos los consejos de seguridad
mencionados
arriba
deben
seguirse en cualquier momento
que haya temperaturas de 80
grados o mayores. No se exceda,
recuerde que el tiempo de frío
llegará eventualmente, aún en el
estado de la estrella solitaria.
Para más información, vaya
al sito web del Departamento de
Servicios para Adultos Mayores
y Personas Discapacitadas de
Texas (DADS) en (www.dads.
state.tx.us) y haga una búsqueda
con las palabras “heat related
illness” (sólo en inglés). El
programa Texercise también
ofrece excelentes consejos de
seguridad sin importar la edad o
su condición física actual.
FEMA
Continued from page 2
prepared for future disasters,” said
State Coordinating Officer Ben
Patterson.
The U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) offers lowinterest disaster loans to certain
private nonprofit organizations
to repair and/or replace damaged
or destroyed property. Private
nonprofits should first register with
FEMA, and may be referred to
SBA to apply. Private nonprofits
can contact SBA Customer
Service Center at (800) 659-2955
or visit our website at www.sba.
gov/services/disasterassistance to
apply online. SBA can also lend
additional funds to help with the
cost of making improvements that
protect, prevent or minimize the
same type of disaster damage from
occurring in the future.
For more information on the
Hurricane Alex disaster recovery,
browse the features on this FEMA
Web site at www.fema.gov/hazard/
hurricane/2010/alex/index.shtm.
Users of smart phones and other
mobile devices can visit m.fema.
gov. Texans should also visit www.
txdps.state.tx.us/dem for more
information on this disaster and
preparation for future disasters.
Anthony’s Home Health Care Durable Medical Equipment
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(956) 716-6050
1300 W. Main St., Suite B, RGC
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 7
THINK TEXAS
Help Children Develop Healthy Habits After School
By: Drew DeBerry, Texas Deputy Agriculture Commissioner
With a new school year upon us,
life is busier than ever. As hectic
as the days may be, I encourage
parents to use healthy Texasgrown and raised food when
preparing after-school snacks and
meals. Although Texas schools
are doing an outstanding job of
improving the nutritional value
of school meals, we’re losing our
children’s health to poor habits
after school when they become
less active and eat higher calorie
foods at home.
Research shows more than
35 percent of Texas schoolaged children are considered
overweight or obese. Studies also
Anaqua Headstart celebrated on Sept. 16, 2010 the traditional “El Día del Grito” with Mexican stories
and all kinds of Mexican food. Thanks to the teachers and parents for their support.
Cuellar Announces Retroactive Pay
Deadline for Soldiers Affected by Stop Loss
Washington,
D.C.
–
Congressman Cuellar announced
that service members whose
service was extended under
stop loss orders in Iraq and
Afghanistan have until October
21, 2010 to apply for retroactive
pay.
Troops eligible for retroactive
pay will receive $500 a month
for each month their service
was extended.
The Defense
Department estimates that while
145,400 troops are eligible, and
only 58,000 claims have been
paid out so far.
“Our brave men and women
have made tremendous sacrifices
for our country and they
deserve our highest respect and
appreciation,” said Congressman
Cuellar. “Working with our local
veterans organizations, I want to
make sure that all eligible service
members here in South Texas get
the benefits they have bravely
earned.”
In 2009, Congressman Cuellar
voted to pass HR 2346, the War
Supplemental
Appropriations
Act which established retroactive
stop loss special pay (RSLSP).
This allows troops whose service
was
involuntarily
extended
between September 11, 2001 and
September 30, 2009 to file claims
in order to receive retroactive
pay if eligible. The deadline for
submissions is October 21, 2010.
The average benefit is $3,800.
For more information or to
submit a claim please visit www.
defense.gov/stoploss.
show children who are overweight
or obese have a higher probability
of developing diabetes and
other obesity-related illnesses.
If current trends continue, it’s
estimated 75 percent of Texas
adults will be overweight or
obese by the year 2040, with
taxpayers picking up a tab as high
as $39 billion a year for obesityattributable health care costs.
In an effort to combat the state’s
growing obesity problem, Texas
Agriculture Commissioner Todd
Staples developed an initiative
called the 3E’s of Healthy Living
- Education, Exercise and Eating
Right. The 3E’s serve as a good
reminder that living a healthy
lifestyle takes a three-pronged
approach - part of which starts at
home.
So in addition to helping with
homework each evening, invest
in your child’s health. Every time
you prepare an after-school snack
or meal, try using fresh Texas
products like lean meats, poultry,
fruits and vegetables. Eating right
is a great first step in adopting a
healthy lifestyle.
Texas has a variety of fresh
products for the picking all year.
Visit
www.TexasAgriculture.
gov and click on GO TEXAN
Programs and select Pick Texas.
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 8
2-1-1 Texas: Top Phone Based Assistance TXDoTLaunches “BuckleThem Right” Campaign
Line Upgrades Resources for Web Surfers During Child Passenger Safety Week -- Sept. 19-25
“Call 2-1-1” is already a
watchword for Texans seeking
telephone access to state
benefits programs, rent or
utility assistance, food pantries,
emergency
preparedness
information and countless other
services. The state’s leading
phone-based benefits helpline is
equally helpful to web users.
Anne Hotze of 2-1-1 said
the newly upgraded website,
www.211texas.org,
pairs
a
simplified design with even
more resources, including easier
searches, constantly updated lists
of featured services and quick
links to the most frequently
sought state agency websites and
application forms.
“We’ve made the website more
consistent with what people have
told us they expect in searching
other, non-governmental sites,”
Hotze said. “The search style now
is more like Google and other
popular search engines. Most of
the content, which we’ve always
been proud of, is the same. It’s
just way more convenient to
access now.”
The current chart-topper in
the website’s Top Searches list
is Electric Service Payment
Assistance,
which
recently
bumped Food Stamp (SNAP)
Applications to No. 2. “That
demand is something that
typically
happens,”
Hotze
explained, adding that many
people seeking help with utility
bills also ask about food and rent
assistance or state health and
human services benefits.
“Our goal is to have at least
three possible resources to
recommend for people who
contact us,” Hotze said.
In most cases, they do much
better than that. Although 2-1-1 is
operated by the Texas Health and
Human Services Commission —
the state agency that administers
Medicaid, the Children’s Health
Insurance Program (CHIP) and
SNAP food benefits — it stays
constantly on top of the entire
range of public, private for-pay,
church, charitable and volunteer
service providers.
In Austin, for example, a
recent search for Electric Service
Payment Assistance turned up
16 different public and private
sources of potential help, most
from church and charitable
organizations.
2-1-1 Texas, Hotze noted,
makes a point of featuring not
only most-requested services but
ones that are likely to be requested
based on past experience. A
current example is the prominent
red Alert! button that links to
directions for signing up for a
transportation service that helps
evacuate people from hurricanethreatened areas.
In other cases, resource links
have been moved front and center
based on observations from 2-1-1
customers and personnel. “That’s
why we’re featuring veterans’
services such as TexVet, the
Texas Veterans Commission,
the VA and the Texas Veterans
Portal,” Hotze said.
For all this new web
functionality,
2-1-1
hasn’t
forgotten its roots. You still can
access the whole array of services
over the phone, just by dialing
(you guessed it) 2-1-1 from
anywhere in Texas. Either way,
the service referrals include not
only those already mentioned but
also employment help, medical
and mental health assistance, help
with transportation, and trained
suicide intervention counseling.
In addition, you can find
information on affordable child
care, information about caring
for an aging relative, or help
recovering from a disaster.
There’s never any charge for
2-1-1 service, and the system is
available 24 hours a day.
If you’re calling from outside
of Texas, or have trouble reaching
the system from your cell phone,
voice-over-IP, or office location,
dial the toll free alternate access
number, 877-541-7905.
Free hands-on child safety seat inspections will be occurring on Saturday, Sept. 25 at locations across the state
According to figures from
the National Center for Health
Statistics, motor vehicle crashes
are the leading cause of death
for children 3 to 14 years old.
The National Highway Safety
Administration
(NHTSA)
estimates that roughly 3 out of
4 child safety seats are not used
correctly.
Correctly installed child safety
seats and booster seats save lives
– offering the best protection
for children in the event of a
crash. The Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT), along
with SafeKids, will be offering
free safety seat check-ups
throughout Texas during Child
Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 1925.
“Child restraint seats can be
complicated to install and use
correctly and we want to make
sure Texas families are buckling
their children up right,” said
Carol T. Rawson, P.E., Traffic
Operation Director for the Texas
Department of Transportation.
“We want to encourage adults
to read the child safety seat
instructions, in addition to the
vehicle manual on installation,
in order to protect our smallest
Texans.”
On Saturday, Sept. 25, TxDOT
and SafeKids certified technicians
will offer hands-on child safety
seat inspections at locations
across the state for free to help
Texas families learn to secure
their children in the appropriate
child safety seat, booster seats and
seat belts. More information on
how to properly secure children
and where to find a child safety
seat check point is available at
www.bucklethemright.org.
A 2009 study conducted by the
Texas Transportation Institute
(TTI) in 14 cities across the
state found that 13.6 percent of
observed children were riding
unrestrained. The same study
found that almost one third of
children observed in child safety
seats were restrained in an unsafe
manner.
The Texas Child Restraint Law
was changed in 2009, requiring
all children younger than 8 years
old, unless taller than 4 feet 9
inches, to be in child restraint
seats or booster seats in the car.
After June 2010, fines of up to
$25 for a first offense and $250
for a second offense may be
issued.
Visit www.bucklethemright.
org to learn more about the 4
Steps for Kids guidelines for
determining which restraint
system is best suited to protect
children based on their age and
size and where to find a child
safety seat check point. The
THINK TEXAS
Published on September 22, 2010:
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF RIO GRANDE CITY
STARR COUNTY, TEXAS
TEXAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
Rio Grande City is giving notice of the city’s intent to submit Texas Community
Development Block Grant Program grant application for a Community
Development Fund grant request of $481,006.00 for “Street Improvements” in
the Charco Blanco Subdivision, Gomez Addition, Los Olmos Addition, San Jose
Subdivision, and San Rafael Subdivision. The application is available for review
at the City Hall, 101 S. Washington Street during regular business hours.
Statewide Dine-Out Week Offers Great Food for a Good Cause
By: Drew DeBerry, Texas Deputy Agriculture Commissioner
This month, I invite you to
join me along with thousands of
other Texans for the GO TEXAN
Restaurant Round-Up, Sept. 27Oct. 1. The Texas Department
of
Agriculture’s
statewide
event highlights the best Texas
food, wine and restaurants
that use local ingredients.
Participating GO TEXAN
restaurants will feature special
menus for breakfast, lunch and
dinner that incorporate Texasgrown and -raised products. The
GO
TEXAN
Restaurant
Round-Up also gives consumers
a chance to give back to their
community, as many restaurants
will donate a portion of the
week’s proceeds to Texas food
banks.
Did You Know?
Solar eclipses occur fairly
frequently, typically two to five times per year. One possible
explanation as to why this fact may surprise people is due to the
relatively small area of the ground covered totally during a solar
eclipse. Unlike a lunar eclipse, which covers roughly half of Earth’s
surface, a solar eclipse only covers a few miles in width. Although
human beings have spent millenia associating solar eclipses with
doom, no such evidence exists to suggest such theories are accurate.
What’s more, no evidence exists supporting the theory that solar
eclipses can have a profound physical effect on the human body.
NOTICE TO BIDS
CROSSROADS ADULT DAY CARE, LLC IS
NOW ACCEPTING BIDS FOR MEALS WHICH
INCLUDE BREAKFAST, LUNCH & A PM SNACK.
WE WILL BE ACCEPTING BIDS FROM MONDAY
09/13/2010 THROUGH 09/27/2010, CLOSING BIDS
BY 5:00PM. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR BIDS AT:
202 N. FLORES ST. RIO GRANDE CITY, TX 78582.
YOU MAY CONTACT REIMUNDO SALDIVAR,
ADMINISTRATOR FOR ANY QUESTIONS AT
(956)487-3700. CROSROADS ADULT DAY CARE
LLC, PROHIBITS THE DESCRIMINATION IDUE TO
RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, AGE, OR
DISABILITY.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
FOR CATERING SERVICES
Starr County is soliciting sealed bids for catering services for the Starr County Nutrition Program.
Centers to be served are: San Isidro, Rio Grande City, Roma and Salineño.
Bid Packets may be picked up starting Thursday September 23, 2010 from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30
P.M. at Starr County Self Help Center located at 10 Mayorga St. Rio Grande City, Texas 78582
(next to La Casita Volunteer Fire Department).
Bid Opening will be held on Wednesday September 29, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at Starr County Self
Help Center located at 10 Mayorga St. Rio Grande City, Texas 78582 (next to La Casita Volunteer
Fire Department).
All submitted bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Any bids received after the closing
time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened.
Starr County reserved the right to accept or reject bids submitted and accept bid deemed most
advantageous to the County.
For more information please contact Anna Villarreal, Director or Yolanda Rosales, Program
Manager at (956) 488-2025.
The County of Starr is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer
website also features video
demonstrations on installing
child safety seats and crash test
simulations, where parents and
caregivers can see firsthand
the effects of improper child
restraint. For more information,
you can visit the NHTSA site
at http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/
CPS or SafeRiders at http://
www.dshs.state.tx.us/saferiders/
default.shtm.
Rio Grande Valley Child Safety
Seat Inspections:
ROMA
Friday, September 24, 2010
10 AM to 2 PM
Riverview Family Center, 80 E.
Grant St., Roma, Texas
Contact: [email protected]
(956) 487-2585
Sponsored by: Community
Action Council of South Texas
MISSION
Thursday September 23 , 2010
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Target 2500 E Expressway 83.
Mission, Texas
For further information contact:
Sgt. Reynaldo Perez - Mission
Police Department
(956) 584-5000
Sponsored by: Mission Police
Department, Texas Department
of Transportation (TxDOT), TX
Dept of State Health Services
Safe Riders, Hidalgo County
Sheriff’s Office
In addition to serving up the
best in Texas foods, Round-Up
kicks off Texas Wine Month on
Oct. 1. Texas is the fifth-largest,
wine-producing state in the
nation, contributing an estimated
$1.35 billion to the state’s
economy.
Great Texas food, great Texas
wines and the opportunity to
give a helping hand to local food
banks is what the GO TEXAN
Restaurant Round-Up is all about.
To find a participating
restaurant near you, visit www.
TexasaAriculture.gov and click
on GO TEXAN Restaurant
Round-Up under Most Popular
Links, or call 1-877-99-GOTEX.
Remember - Go out. Go eat.
GO TEXAN.
NOVENA A SAN JUDAS
Que el Sagrado
Corazón de Jesús
sea adorado,
glorificado y
preservado por
todo el mundo
ahora y por
siempre. Sagrado
Corazón, ruega
por nosotros.
San Judas de
las obras milagrosas, ruega por
nosotros. San Judas de las causas
perdidas, ruega por nosotros. Diga
este rezo 9 veces al día y para el
octavo día el rezo será contestado
y tendrá su respuesta. Rece por 9
días, que nunca a fallado.
Publicación debe ser prometida.
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 9
Understanding your prescriptions
Roque Guerra, Jr. Elementary Students of the Week
The following students have been selected as students of the week: Standing: Anna Christina Hernandez
(3rd Grade), Kayla Barrera (4th Grade) Lorissa Alaniz (5th Grade), Guadalupe Lynette Castillo (All
Stars), Aaliyah Beltran (1st Grade). Seated: Jasmine Olivares (Kinder), Bryan Arredondo (Pre-Kinder),
and Orel Garcia (2nd Grade). This is what their teachers had to say about each of the student: “Anna shows
great excitement for learning each and every day.” “Kayla is an astonishing student with tremendous
leadership skills.” “Lorissa follows all rules daily in class.” “Lynette has developed leadership skills in the
classroom.” “Aaliyah is a great student, always attentive, and on task.” “Jasmine is a wonderful student
with excellent behavior.” “Bryan is doing very well academically.” “Orel has shown to be excellent and
studious ready to excel in all academic areas.” Congratulations and continue doing your best!
Children with mental illness can be ‘invisible’
It’s surprising how many
children are affected by a
disease that makes them appear
“invisible” because we don’t hear
about or see them.
But in fact, 14 million – or
1-in-5 – children and adolescents
have a mental health disorder,
as reported by the Office of the
Surgeon General.
“Mental illness is a very
sensitive subject, even among
parents,” says Ann Millard,
Ph.D., associate professor at
the Texas A&M Health Science
Center School of Rural Public
Health McAllen campus. “Some
tend to deny that their child has
a mental illness and will try to
justify it by such comments as
‘It’s just a phase…He’ll grow out
of it.’ If they are Hispanic, they
may say ‘está chiflado’ or ‘está
embrujado,’ meaning he or she is
Oh Sagrado
Corazón de
Jesús,
te
he pedido
por tantos
favores,
pero con
ansias te
imploro
por esta petición. Tómala,
ponla en tu abierto y roto
corazón y cuando el Padre
Eterno la mire, cubierta por
tu Preciosa Sangre, no podrá
rehusarla. Ya no será mas
mi oración, sino la tuya, Oh
Jesus.
Amen
Rece 3 días al cuarto día
publique y se cumplirá.
Aunque no tenga fe. Observe
lo que pasara al cuarto día de
su publicación.
M. G.
spoiled or possessed.”
Mental illness comes from
biological factors, environmental
factors or a combination of both.
These factors include chemical
imbalances in the brain, genetics,
damage due to a brain injury,
exposure to violence, stress
caused by living in extreme
poverty, and the loss of someone
important in their lives through
death or divorce, Dr. Millard
says.
In 2002, it was estimated
419,070 children and adolescents
in Texas suffered a serious mental
illness, and the majority never
received services or treatment for
their disorder.
“Children and adolescents
who go without treatment can
have further issues such as
performing poorly in or dropping
out of school, using alcohol or
drugs, getting in trouble with the
law, health problems, violence,
inability to live on their own, and
even suicide,” Dr. Millard says.
“Through education, the stigma
associated with mental illness
can be diminished. This will
make people more receptive to
the illness, and these ‘invisible’
children can get the treatment
they need so they can succeed in
life.”
It’s
quite
common
to
misunderstand your prescription
or dosage instructions, but it’s
just as easy to ensure you are
properly and accurately reading
your prescriptions.
One of the most common
mistakes is taking pills not
belonging to you.
“You want to make sure you
verify that your name is on the
prescribed bottle of pills,” says
Joan Everett-Houser, Pharm.D.,
assistant professor of pharmacy
practice at the Texas A&M Health
Science Center Irma Lerma
Rangel College of Pharmacy.
“It is also important that you get
out of the habit of grabbing and
popping the pill into your mouth
without examining that it is the
correct pill. Take time to become
familiar with the color and shape
of your pills.”
Other important tips in
understanding your prescription
are
to
follow
directions
accurately, be certain you know
how many times a day to take
the medication, follow storage
directions, and be informed on
whether it needs to be taken with
or without food.
“For those taking medication
that is needed for a long period
of time and not just on an asneeded basis, try to be consistent
in taking your medication at the
same time every day,” Dr. Houser
says.
It is also imperative to inform
your physician of any other overthe-counter medication that you
may be taking. By informing
your physician, you decrease the
risk of having adverse side effects
from mixing medications.
Most important, Dr. Houser
encourages you to ask your
physician any and all questions
that you may have, and ask your
physician to write down what
each medication is for. Always
call your doctor or pharmacist
if you have any additional
questions, and seek medical
attention if you are feeling side
effects from the medication.
Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s
2010 Holiday Card Collection,
gifts and 2011 calendars are
now available at the hospital’s
gift shop and online at www.
driscollchildrens.org. Six unique
holiday cards, a sterling silver
angel charm, a decorative cookie
plate, a t-shirt and an apron were
selected from artwork created
by young Driscoll patients
throughout South Texas.
Packages of 18 cards are
available for $12. Calendars are
$10. Proceeds from the items
will go toward scholarships
sponsored by the Auxiliary to
Driscoll Children’s Hospital. For
more information, call (361) 6945011 or 1-800-DCH-LOVE.
Driscoll offers holiday
cards, gifts, 2011 calendar
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 10
Study Club Presents A.I.M. Award to Exemplary RGCHS Students
The Florence J. Scott Study
Club, a member of GFWC/
TFWC, held its annual A.I.M.
Banquet,
which
celebrates
federation and the achievements
of our youth, at Che’s Restaurant.
Eight exemplary young people
from Rio Grande City High
School were honored as recipients
of the Achieving Inspirational
Merit (AIM) Award.
Recognized were Crisanto
Guerra IV, Jessica Guerrero,
Federico Lopez, Mark Lopez,
Heriberto Montalvo, Anabel
Rodriguez, Ediel Saenz, and
Katarina Salazar, all prospective
2010 graduates.
Club president Thelma Molina
gave the welcome. Table grace
was led by Bitsy Margo, and
Lucinda Villarreal led members,
students, and their guests in
the pledges to the American
and Texas flags. Throughout
the evening, door prizes were
presented by Agueda Garza and
Lori Perez.
Following the meal, Tissa
Peterson led a Federation Day
observance.
She
addressed
the honorees and their guests
about the General Federation
of Women’s Clubs, one of the
largest and oldest women’s
volunteer service organizations,
and its theme, “GFWC~It’s a
VOLUNTEER Thing!” This
international
organization
is dedicated to community
improvement by enhancing the
lives of others through volunteer
service. GFWC club members
have achieved much since its
founding in 1890.
Locally, members of the
Florence J. Scott Study Club
are dedicated to education, selfimprovement, and service to
the community. The club has
held and supported innumerable
projects in the areas of the Arts,
Conservation, Education, Home
Life, International Affairs, Public
Affairs, and Texas Heritage.
“Currently, one of our highest
Retama Manor Nursing Home
400 S. Pete Diaz Jr. Ave
Rio Grande City, TX
956-487-2513
Is now accepting applications for the following
job positions:
• Activity Director (Must be Certified)
• Housekeeping/Laundry Supervisor (High
School Diploma - fluent English/Spanish/
Computer Literate)
• Marketing Liaison (Bachelor’s Degree
Required)
Please apply in person or fax resume to 956-487-1053
Job Announcement
Fresenius Medical Services, a world leader in the dialysis
industry, has openings for the following positions:
*for Registered Nurses and Patient Care Technicians in
Rio Grande City, dialysis experience preferred, but not
necessary, will train.
Company Benefits:
•competitive salary
•401k program
•Medical, dental, life insurance
•Short & Long Term Disability
•Tuition reimbursement
•5 Weeks Paid Vacation
Please call or send resume to:
Janie O. Fuentes, A.A.
5406 S. Jackson Rd.
Edinburg, Texas 78539
Phone Number: 956-928-0026
Fax # 956-928-1960
E-Mail: [email protected]
EOE
RIO GRANDE CITY CISD
Vacancy Announcement
2010-2011 School Year
POSITION: Certified Nurse Aide/Certified
Medical Assistant
QUALIFICATIONS:
• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Current Texas Department of Health Certification for
Medical Assistant and/or current Texas Department of Health
Certification Nurse Aide
• Minimum two (2) years experience in a health related field
• Computer and typing skills
• Current American Red Cross Certification for C.P.R.
and Standard First-Aid
• Current Texas Drivers License
REQUIRED Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
CAMPUS:
Grulla High School
CONTACT: Pablo Martinez, Principal
956-487-4672
Diana G. Solis, Director for Health
Services 956-716-6637
DEADLINE:
September 28, 2010
Applications are available at the Office of Human Resources located at the
Multi-Purpose Center, Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande City, Texas. For additional
information, call the Office of Human Resources at (956) 716-6750.
All applications should be submitted to the Office of Human Resources.
Rio Grande City CISD is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
A.I.M. Award Recipients --- The Florence J. Scott Study Club, a
member of GFWC/TFWC, held its annual A.I.M. Banquet. They
honored Crisanto Guerra IV, Jessica Guerrero, Federico Lopez,
Mark Lopez, Heriberto Montalvo, Anabel Rodriguez, Ediel Saenz,
and Katarina Salazar, all 2010 graduates of Rio Grande City High
School.
priority projects is the protection
of
women
and
families
experiencing Domestic Violence.
We want to promote awareness
and prevention of this problem,
especially during Domestic
Violence Awareness Month in
April,” she stated.
Mrs.
Molina
introduced
each A.I.M. honoree, who
was presented with a framed
certificate by Vice-president
Aminta Reyna.
Crisanto Guerra IV is the
son of Eva M. Guerra and the
late Crisanto Guerra III. This
honor student is a member of
the National Honor Society. He
played varsity football for two
years and was honored with the
All-State Academic Football
award. The Rattlers made it to
the state playoffs his senior year,
and he looks forward to playing
football for Austin College, where
he will major in engineering.
Jessica Lynn Guerrero is the
daughter of Martin and Velma
Guerrero.
She
participated
in
varsity
cheerleading,
Marching Band color guard,
Student Council, as public
relations officer, and University
Interscholastic League, where
she was a regional qualifier in
Poetry and Prose. She was in
the National Honor Society and
was named Tech Prep Scholar
and Texas Scholar. Her plans
are to major in pre-occupational
therapy at Texas Tech University,
with plans to pursue a bachelor,
master, and doctoral degree in
occupational therapy.
Federico’s parents are Fred
and Debra Lopez. He was a
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
leader, deputy chief of Columbian
STAR
SERVICES TO AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAM
COUNSELOR POSITION AVAILABLE
SCAN, Inc.
STARR COUNTY
Full-Time Position (40 hours)
The STAR Program’s mission is to prevent and reduce the problems
of runaway, truancy, family conflict and youth crime by helping
participants achieve goals that strengthen families.
Essential duties include the following:
•Provide individual and family counseling services
•Provide crisis intervention services
•Be on call 24hrs a day including weekends (phone crisis intervention).
•Parenting skills group facilitation
•Youth coping skills group facilitation
•Community Presentations
•Universal Child Abuse Prevention Education
•Establish and maintain working relationships with other agencies
Qualifications: Bachelors degree in Psychology, Sociology or
related field, and one year experience working with children, youth
or families.
Skills Required: Must have good oral and written communication
skills. Bi-lingual (English and Spanish) preferred.
Monthly Salary: $2,583.33 to $ 2,750.00 depending on
qualifications and experience.
www.scan-inc.org
Apply in person or mail application and resume to:
2347 E. Saunders Suite #B
Laredo, TX 78041
Deadline to apply: Until position is filled.
RIO GRANDE CITY CISD
Vacancy Announcement
2010-2011 School Year
POSITION: Registered Nurse (R.N.)
QUALIFICATIONS FOR R.N.:
• Valid License as a Texas Registered Nurse
• Minimum of one (1) year experience as R.N.
• Current Texas Drivers License
• Work experience in the nursing professional
CAMPUS:
Grulla High School
CONTACT:
Pablo Martinez, Principal
956-487-4672
Diana G. Solis, Health Services Director
956-716-6637
DEADLINE:
September 28, 2010
Applications are available at the Office of Human Resources located at the
Multi-Purpose Center, Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande City, Texas. For additional
information, call the Office of Human Resources at (956) 716-6750.
All applications should be submitted to the Office of Human Resources.
Rio Grande City CISD is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Squires, vice-president of the
senior class, and served on
student council. He played
football and was named second
team all-district fullback. He was
also a regional qualifier in track.
A Los Nuestros Scholarship
recipient, he was a member of the
National Honor Society and was
named a Texas Scholar.
Mark A. Lopez is the son of
Mario A. Lopez and Esmeralda
C. Lopez. He participated in
student government and was
vice-president of the Rio Grande
City High School Student
Council. Active in Immaculate
Conception Church, he served as
Poll Captain for the Columbian
Squires. His plans are to attend
the University of Texas at Austin.
Heriberto Rene Montalvo’s
parents are Rene and Norma
Montalvo. A leader in student
government, Heriberto was
president of the Rio Grande City
High School Student Council.
He took part in NHI and was
Director of the Mock Trial. NHI
hosts national and international
programs with high ability youth
to advance their educational
aspirations. He plans to major
in business at the University of
Texas at Austin then attend law
school.
Anabel Rodriguez is the
daughter of Francisco and Maria
Irma Rodriguez. She played
varsity softball for four years and
was proud when the team became
district champions this year. A
National Honor Society member,
she was named Head of the
Class and a Gates Scholar. Her
plans are to major in biology at
St. Edward’s University, attend
medical school, join the Peace
Corps, and contribute back to her
community.
Ediel Saenz, Jr.’s parents are
Ediel and Doralisa R. Saenz. He
served as president and drum
major of the mighty Rattler
Marching Band. He won fourth
chair and third chair honors
in the Texas All-State Band in
2008 and 2010. A member of
the National Honor Society, he
also earned Skills USA All-State
Photography honors in Media
Tech in 2009. He plans to begin
his music studies at the University
of Texas at San Antonio and then
transfer to the University of Texas
for a double major in music and
petroleum engineering.
Katarina I. Salazar is the
daughter of Fidel and Maria Y.
Salazar. A student government
leader, she served as secretary of
the senior class and treasurer of
the student council. She was in
band, earning All-State honors
in 2009. She was also a varsity
cheerleader and a member of the
National Honor Society. Her
plans are to attend Texas State
University and possibly major
in psychology to become a
psychiatrist.
The
students
expressed
much gratitude to their parents
for their help, support, and
encouragement.
For those thinking about a
career in interior design, one
must realize that employment of
interior designers will vary just
like many other careers.
The way interior designers
take on jobs could be on a
project-to-project basis, or they
may be involved with a firm
that has contracts with larger
corporations.
Based on how work is received,
salary could range from a regular
paycheck to a per-diem or perhour payment arrangement.
Interior design work can be
challenging and full of long
hours. Many designers must
work around the schedules of
their clients, meaning working
hours may not be the traditional
9 to 5 scenario.
Designers who choose a selfemployed route will also have
to factor soliciting new clients
into their work day, as it will be
necessary to secure new business
to make the design business
profitable.
Did You Know?
NOTICE TO
CONTRACTORS
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS OF
PROPOSED
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION (TxDOT)
CONTRACTS
Sealed proposals for contracts listed
below will be received by TxDOT
until the date(s) shown below, and
then publicly read.
CONSTRUCTION/
MAINTENANCE/BUILDING
FACILITIES CONTRACT(S)
—————————————
Dist/Div: Pharr
Contract 6208-10-001 for POTHOLE
AND PAVEMENT REPAIR in
HIDALGO County, etc will be
opened on October 22, 2010 at 1:00
pm at the State Office for an estimate
of $2,153,695.00.
—————————————
Plans and specifications are available
for inspection, along with bidding
proposals, and applications for the
TxDOT Prequalified Contractor’s
list, at the applicable State and/
or Dist/Div Offices listed below.
If applicable, bidders must submit
prequalification
information
to
TxDOT at least 10 days prior to the
bid date to be eligible to bid on a
project. Prequalification materials
may be requested from the State
Office listed below. Plans for the
above contract(s) are available from
TxDOT’s website at www.txdot.gov
and from reproduction companies at
the expense of the contractor.
NPO: 34004
State Office
—————————————
Constr./Maint. Division
200 E. Riverside Dr.
Austin, Texas 78704
Phone: 512-416-2540
Dist/Div Office(s)
—————————————
Pharr District
District Engineer
600 W U.s. 83 Expwy
Pharr, Texas 78577-1231
Phone: 956-702-6100
PUBLIC
NOTICE
NOTICE
THE STATE OF TEXAS
C O U N T Y O F S TA R R
NO.___________
NOTICE is hereby given that
a hearing will be held on the 1ST
day of OCTOBER, 2010 at 10:00
A.M. in the County Courthouse
of the above named County in
RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas on
the application of the hereinafter
named owner
for a license to
sell beer at retail at a location not
heretofore licensed. The substance
of said application is as follows:
1. Type of license or permit
MIXED BEVERAGE PERMIT
AND MIXED BEVERAGE
LATE HOURS PERMIT
2. Exact location of business 2734
HWY 83 EAST, ROMA, TX
3. Name of owner or owners
ALBAR HINOJOSA
4. Assumed or trade name
TEKILAS RESTAURANT
5.Corporation name ___________
6. Name and title of all officers
of corporation ______________
Any person shall be permitted
to contest the facts stated in said
application and the applicant’s
right to secure said license or
permit upon giving security for
costs as provided by law.
WITNESS MY HAND this the
17TH day of SEPTEMBER,
Minimum wage rates are set out in 2010.
bidding documents and the rates
will be part of the contract. TXDOT
ensures that bidders will not be
discriminated against on the grounds
of race, color, sex, or national origin.
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 11
Attention Roma Class of 1985!!!
Our 25th year reunion will be October 23, 2010. If you are
planning to attend please email Yvonne “Bona” Ramirez at
[email protected] or call 956-844-8817.
STC’s Valley Scholars Program will honor the LaMantia Family on Oct. 7 for its community leadership
and continued support of creating a college-going culture in the Valley.
LaMantia Family to be honored at annual STC event
The LaMantia Family has
had their roots in South Texas
for more than five decades,
led by Joe LaMantia Jr., a first
generation American. The family
has successfully established
businesses in agriculture and
in the beer industry, with L&F
Distributors operating in 34
counties throughout Texas and
New Mexico and employing
more than 900 people.
The family is a strong supporter
of educational opportunities in
the Rio Grande Valley. Through
their efforts with the South
Texas Academic Rising Scholars
(STARS) Program, the family has
changed a generation of Valley
students, including hundreds
of South Texas College (STC)
students.
Now STC’s Valley Scholars
Program will highlight all of the
family’s efforts at its 5th annual
scholarship fundraiser, A Night
with the Stars. At the event on
Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, the
program will honor the LaMantia
Family for its community
leadership and continued support
of creating a college-going
culture in the Valley. The event
takes place from 6:30 to 9:00
p.m. at The Club at Cimarron.
Tickets are $50.
“There is no doubt that the
Valley would not be what it
is today without pioneering
entrepreneurs like the LaMantia
Family,” said Marie Olivarez,
coordinator of STC’s Valley
Scholars Program. “We are proud
to call them supporters of the
college and hope their vision of
a brighter future for our region
inspires our students to reach for
the stars. Mr. Joe LaMantia Jr. is
a symbol to our students, who are
primarily the first-generation in
their families to attend college,
that anything is possible if you
are ready and willing to put in the
work. It will be a special evening
for all in attendance.”
All proceeds from the event
INMIGRACIÓN
Abogado Jose M. Martinez, P.C.
(956) 682-5297
* Ayuda con Deportaciones/
Detenciones/Fianzas (Bonds)
* Peticiones Familiares/ (Greencard)
Ayuda con Residencia Permanente
* Visas de Trabajo (H2A) (H2B)
* Visas de Inversionistas/Empresas
(E-2, & L1-A)
* Casos Criminales/
Federales/ Estatales
* Divorcios
* Adopciones
* Accidentes
Automovilísticos
* Aplicación para
Ciudadanía/Naturalización
PLAN DE PAGOS
3235 N. McColl
McAllen, Texas
Not Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
will benefit STC’s Valley
Scholars Program, which was
founded in 1997 to provide
financial assistance, academic
support services, mentoring,
and leadership development to
academically talented and highly
motivated students. More than
400 students have graduated
through the program and gone on
to study at premier universities
around the nation.
For additional information and
to purchase tickets visit http://
www.southtexascollege.edu/
nightwithstars/index.html or call
956-872-2621.
ergonomic
intended to
provide comfort
and reduce injury
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, PAGE 12
Alto Bonito Elementary Celebrates Grandparent’s Day
What is Grandparent’s Day? • Why do we Celebrate it?
The motivation for a National
Grandparents Day originated with
Marian McQuade, a housewife in
Fayette County, West Virginia.
Her primary motivation was to
champion the cause of lonely
elderly in nursing homes. She also
hoped to persuade grandchildren
to tap the wisdom and heritage
their grandparents could provide.
President Jimmy Carter, in
1978, proclaimed that National
Grandparents Day would be
celebrated every year on the first
Sunday after Labor Day.
Grandparents are our heritage
and are essential members of our
families and communities. Alto
Bonito Elementary celebrated
this special day on September
10, 2010. It has become an event
that Grandparent’s look forward
to every year.
Another “Your Taxes at Work Project” by Commissioner Roy Peña,
Starr County Pct. #2. Shown above is the paving of Placido Rd. at Los
Arrieros and also two streets at Salineno, Church St.
You are never too young
to appreciate and love your
Grandparents.
Alto Bonito’s 5th grade Science
Teacher Jennifer Pena is pictured
above with her Grandparents
whose unexpected visit was a
pleasant surprise. Alto Bonito
Elementary students and their
grandparents spent time creating
projects together and simply
enjoying each other’s company.
The Grandparent day festivity
was a huge success.
A GIFT FOR YOUR GRANDPARENTS THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
By Leslie L. Young,
Social Security Public
Affairs Specialist in
Laredo, Texas
You probably don’t need an
excuse to let your grandparents
know how much they mean to
you. But here is one anyway:
September 12th was National
Grandparents Day.
Let your grandparents know
about a new “twist” in the law
that may make them eligible for
Extra Help with their Medicare
prescription drug costs, even if
they didn’t qualify before.
Take Grandma and Grandpa
to
www.socialsecurity.gov/
prescriptionhelp and tell them
about the Extra Help they may
be able to get through Social
Security to help pay for Medicare
prescription drug costs. In
addition to the useful information,
the website also features videos
of celebrities your grandparents
will remember even if you don’t:
Chubby Checker and Patty Duke.
The high cost of prescription
drugs can be a burden on people
with limited income. This Extra
Help — available through Social
Security — can pay part of
their monthly premiums, annual
deductibles, and prescription copayments. It’s worth an average
of $3,900 per year.
To figure out whether they’re
eligible, Social Security needs to
know their income and the value
of their savings, investments, and
real estate (other than the home
they live in). To qualify for the
Extra Help, your grandparents
must be receiving Medicare and
have:
•Income limited to $16,245
for an individual or $21,855 for
a married couple living together.
Even if their annual income is
higher, your grandparents still
may be able to get some help
with monthly premiums, annual
deductibles, and prescription
co-payments. Some examples
where income may be higher are
if they:
—Support
other
family
members who live with them;
—Have earnings from work; or
—Live in Alaska or Hawaii;
and
•Resources limited to $12,510
for an individual or $25,010 for
a married couple living together.
Resources include such things as
bank accounts, stocks, and bonds.
We do not count their house and
car as resources.
Thanks to this new twist in
the law, we no longer count as a
resource any life insurance policy,
and we no longer count as income
the help your grandparents
receive when someone else
provides them with food and
shelter or someone else pays
their household bills for food,
mortgage, rent, heating fuel or
gas, electricity, water, or property
taxes.
Social Security has an easy-touse online application that anyone
— family members, friends, or
caregivers — can complete. You
can find it at www.socialsecurity.
gov/prescriptionhelp. To apply
by phone or get an application,
call Social Security at 1-800-7721213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and
ask for the Application for Help
with Medicare Prescription Drug
Plan Costs (Form SSA-1020). Or
go to the nearest Social Security
office.
To learn more about the
Medicare prescription drug plans
and special enrollment periods,
visit www.medicare.gov or call
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).
So this Grandparents Day,
show your grandparents the twist.
Take them to www.socialsecurity.
gov/prescriptionhelp, show them
the Chubby Checker and Patty
Duke videos, and tell them about
the twist in the law that may help
them qualify for Extra Help.
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, SECTION II, PAGE 2
Early Autumn is Just Summer’s Curtain Call in Texas, So Mind the Heat While Exercising
The last day of summer is Sept.
22, but that’s just a technicality
for most Texans. Our high
temperatures still are in the upper
80s and low 90s — similar to
May here and to mid-summer in
many states.
But even if the word “autumn”
doesn’t trigger a massive run
on firewood, it may lull us into
taking heat less seriously when
exercising outdoors. This can be
a major health threat for fitness
buffs who tend to ramp up their
workouts when the daily highs
fall into double digits.
The results can range from
dehydration and heat exhaustion
to heat stroke, asthma flare-ups
and heart attack. According to
the Texas Department of State
Health Services, an average
of more than 20 Texans have
died from heat-related causes in
recent Septembers. The greatest
risk is for people who are frail,
ill or elderly, but vigorous
outdoor exercise also calls for
precautions. Here are five things
to remember when exercising in
the heat:
1. Stay hydrated. Hot, humid
conditions push dehydration
risk through the roof. Moisture
suspended in the air keeps your
sweat from evaporating, and
your body tries to compensate by
perspiring even more. Most of us
know it’s important to replace that
lost fluid. What we may not know
is that we shouldn’t wait until we
start feeling thirsty. By that point,
we’re already dehydrated.
A good rule of thumb is to drink
about 16 ounces of caffeine- and
carbonation-free fluid an hour or
two before a hot-weather workout
of up to 90 minutes. Drink at least
another eight ounces right before
you work out and add a four- to
eight-ounce sip every 15 minutes
as you exercise.
2. Wear suitable workout
clothes. This doesn’t necessarily
mean less clothing. It’s more
important that whatever you wear
leaves plenty of room for air to
circulate and sweat to evaporate.
Light, loose synthetic fabrics are
best. Top your outfit off with a
cap or sun visor and use plenty
of waterproof sunscreen — the
higher the sun-protection factor
(SPF) the better.
3. Don’t push yourself.
This can be tempting when
the afternoon heat drops off
even slightly. However, the
Department of Aging and
Disability Services’ Texercise
fitness program promotes the “10
Percent Rule”: Never increase
your activity level by more than
10 percent a week. Build at least
a 10-minute warmup period (for
example, jogging in place) into
your workout and follow with
a 10- or 15-minute cool-down
activity such as slow walking.
4. Pay attention to your body.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
are dangers for anyone exercising
in hot, humid conditions,
particularly folks with high
blood pressure or heart problems.
Regardless of your health status,
pay heed if you’re experiencing
muscle cramps, dry tongue,
excessive fatigue, dizziness,
weakness, throbbing temples
or loss of color in the skin. All
should be taken as urgent “slow
down!” warnings from your body.
Be especially alert for possible
heatstroke symptoms such as
rapid heartbeat, severe headache,
fever, nausea, confusion or mental
confusion. If you or a companion
show these signs, get to a cooler
place immediately and cover the
affected person with moist towels
or other cloth and give them cool
(but not cold) water. Call 9-1-1
if their condition doesn’t quickly
improve.
5. Use common sense. When
it comes to hot weather exercise,
the line between Texas Tough and
Texas Dumb can be fine indeed.
Even if the calendar says it’s
autumn, all of the safety tips above
should be followed whenever
it’s 80 degrees or above. Don’t
push it; cool weather will come
eventually — even in the Lone
Star State.
For more information, go to
the Department of Aging and
Disability Services website
(www.dads.state.tx.us)
and
search on “heat related illness.”
The agency’s Texercise site also
has excellent tips on exercising
safely regardless of your age or
current physical condition.
High
ground
does
not
guarantee that you are safe
from floodwaters. But it does
mean that you may be eligible
for a low-cost Preferred Risk
Policy (PRP) available through
the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). The Preferred
Risk Policy is available for as
little as $119 a year for $20,000
of building coverage and $39
a year for $8,000 of contents
coverage for a building without a
basement.
The special policy was created
to answer two major insurance
needs: flood damage is not
covered under most homeowner’s
policies and; since 1978, the
NFIP has paid one-quarter of its
claims to cover flood losses to
homes located in moderate to
minimal flood risk zones.
“People should consider this
low-cost protection for their
homes and contents because
floods occur even in areas no
one considers high risk,” said
Brad Harris, federal coordinating
officer for the severe storms and
flooding recovery effort.
Harris pointed out that when a
flood occurs, there is no guarantee
that it will be declared a federal
disaster and that a resident will
qualify for federal assistance.
NFIP insurance is available in
any Texas community enrolled in
the program. The policy provides
the same coverage as the standard
flood insurance policy: your
building’s structural elements
can be insured up to $250,000
and the contents of your home
can be insured up to $100,000.
Replacement cost coverage is
also available for a single-family,
primary residence.
This inexpensive policy is
available for homeowners and
business owners located in a lowto moderate-risk area, which is
indicated by a B, C, or X zone on
the current Flood Insurance Rate
Map.
The PRP is not available on
properties located in the highrisk flood zone, in the Emergency
Program or on condominium
units, except for townhouse/
row house type buildings. If
the structure has a history of
recurring losses due to flooding,
it may not be eligible under
program guidelines.
Officials said more information
about specific policies and
coverage is available by calling
the NFIP at 888-FLOOD29,
(TTY/TDD) 800-427-5593, or
asking an insurance agent about
the Preferred Risk Policy.
For more information on the
Hurricane Alex disaster recovery,
browse the features on this
FEMA Web site at www.fema.
gov/hazard/hurricane/2010/
alex/index.shtm. Users of smart
phones and other mobile devices
can visit m.fema.gov. Texans
should also visit www.txdps.state.
tx.us/dem for more information
on this disaster and preparation
for future disasters.
Low-Cost Flood Policy Set for Low-Risk Residences
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, SECTION II, PAGE 3
Follow Four Smart Steps With
Your Disaster Assistance Payment
Disaster assistance payments
are bringing some vital financial
help to many Texans rebuilding
their lives after Hurricane Alex
and the subsequent flooding.
But those Individual Assistance
monies come with some advice
from state and federal officials:
Play it smart with the funds.
If you follow these four steps,
you will handle the grant correctly
and spend the money wisely,
say experts from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) and the Texas Division
of Emergency Management
(TDEM):
1. Know where to find the
FEMA payment. The money
from the U.S. Department of
Treasury will appear as a direct
deposit to an applicant’s bank
account or arrive as a check by
mail at the address specified on
the aid application.
2. Expect a letter from FEMA
detailing the payment terms.
Arriving soon after money is
received, the letter will explain
what the money is intended for.
It is important that the money is
used only for its intended purpose.
Applicants who don’t receive the
letter or who don’t understand
the grant’s purpose can get help.
Call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA
(3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585
for people with hearing and
speech impairments, or discuss
the grant with a specialist at a
Disaster Recovery Center.
3. Spend the money on
disaster recovery purposes
only. Most FEMA disaster
recovery payments awarded to
individuals are given for two
purposes: to make minimal
temporary repairs on a damaged
house and/or to help with the
cost of renting a place to live
temporarily. Resist temptations
to spend the money on household
bills or make purchases that are
not related to storm damage. If
the disaster assistance money
is for home repairs, it is only
for those repairs that will make
a home livable. These include
fixing windows, doors, plumbing,
ventilation, electrical systems and
minor structural damage. Before
you begin making repairs,
be sure to check with local
authorities to see if permits are
required.
4. Keep receipts of disaster
spending for three years. Be
prepared to prove the money
was spent to meet the needs
caused by Hurricane Alex and
the subsequent flooding. FEMA
provides a verification program to
confirm its grant payments were
spent properly. In the event of a
request for proof, those receipts
will offer protection.
For more information on the
Hurricane Alex disaster recovery,
browse the features on this
FEMA Web site at www.fema.
gov/hazard/hurricane/2010/
alex/index.shtm. Users of smart
phones and other mobile devices
can visit m.fema.gov. Texans
should also visit www.txdps.state.
tx.us/dem for more information
on this disaster and preparation
for future disasters.
381 JOBS TO BE CREATED IN SOUTH
TEXAS FOR HURRICANE ALEX CLEAN-UP
Cameron County is one of nine South Texas counties to receive
funding from the Department of Labor
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S.
Representative Solomon P. Ortiz
(D-Texas) announced today the
creations of 381 temporary jobs
to assist with clean-up recovery
efforts as a result of Hurricane
Alex in nine South Texan
counties, including Cameron
County.
The Department of Labor is
making available $5,849,481
for
the
clean-up
efforts,
with
$2,000,000
available
immediately.
“Cameron County was hit
hard by Hurricane Alex and we
must provide the county and our
residents with the appropriate
tools to rebuild those areas that
were affected by the storm and its
massive flooding,” Ortiz said. “I
will monitor the process closely
to ensure issues brought by
Hurricane Alex are taken care of
in Cameron County and that we
receive the much needed funding
and jobs for our area.”
The emergency funds will
be used to provide temporary
employment on projects to assist
with clean-up, demolition, repair,
renovation, and reconstruction
of destroyed public structures,
facilities, and lands within the
affected communities.
Additional funding up to the
amount approved will be made
available as the state demonstrates
a continued need for assistance.
Funding is available for the
following counties: Cameron,
Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells,
Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy,
and Zapata. Project Operators
will be the Cameron County
Workforce Development Area,
Lower Rio Grande Valley
Workforce Development Board,
Middle Rio Grande Workforce
Development Area, and South
Texas Workforce Development
Board.
Zora Neale Hurston:
It seems to me that trying to live
without friends is like milking a bear
to get cream for your morning coffee.
It is a whole lot of trouble, and then
not worth much after you get it.
Class of 1980
will have a class reunion on Oct. 22-23,2010. For more
information call Julie Briseno 500-3603, Hilda Lozano
Garza 458-3927, or Nelly Gonzalez 844-4925.
VILLA VALLARTA APARTMENTS
600 N. Fairground Rd, Rio Grande City, TX
Mon.- Fri. • 8am-2pm
956-487-1411
1 & 2 Bedrooms • Rates Based upon Income
Rental Assistance for qualified applicants “62 years of
age or older, handicap/disabled, regardless of age.”
Central Heat & Air, All Electric, Laundry Room,
Water, Sewer & Garbage Paid,
Community Building,
Handicap Accesible Units
“This institution is an equal opportunity provider, and employer.”
VILLA DE ESCANDON APARTMENTS
212 Frank Doyno St., Rio Grande City, TX
Mon.- Fri. • 2pm-5pm
956-488-1900
1 & 2 Bedrooms • Rates Based upon Income
Rental Assistance for qualified applicants “62 years of
age or older, handicap/disabled, regardless of age.”
Central Heat & Air, All Electric, Laundry Room,
Water, Sewer & Garbage Paid,
Community Building,
Handicap Accesible Units
“This institution is an equal opportunity provider, and employer.”
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, SECTION II, PAGE 4
Se Compran Carros
viejos con o sin titulo. De $100 a
$300 por su carro. Se compra fierro
y lamina. Cell 735-7534
“GASPY”
PAYASO Y DJ
DEER LEASE
FOR MORE INFO CALL
Radio 145*132583*3
956-208-0810
2 LOTS FOR SALE
FOR RENT
956-256-2626
Across from General Sanchez
Elem. In Mountain View Subd.
80x150 for more call
956-500-0049
COMMERCIAL BUILDING 70X40 IN
RGC. ACROSS COMET CLEANERS
FOR MORE INFO. CALL
Chacon Upholstery and Repair
LOT FOR SALE
Commercial/Residential
Building For Rent
80X100
PARA TODO TIPO
DE EVENTO SOCIAL
“We Upholster Home Furniture Only”
We Repair Furniture
158 Sanchez Dr. RGC
487-1267
573-6358
Rocking a Subdivision
)
NOW HIRING:
100x140 Kennedy St. RGC
For more info call:
Companies desperately need
employees to assemble products
at home. No selling, any hours.
$500 weekly potential. Info.:
1-985-646-1700 DEPT. TX-5860
1/2 Acre Lots. Utilities available. Also
available Land for Sale. 6 miles N. FM
755/Left on La Carla Rd., RGC. Owner
Finance Available •Horses For Sale•
HELP WANTED
VALLEY A/C
Se necesita Estilista medio
tiempo o tiempo completo.
Pago por hora + comisión,
con o sin experiencia.
Licencia de Cosmetología
requerida Para mas
información llame al:
THE
FAIR
CUT
487-4207 • 735-9261
789-7520
256-4609
BUILDING FOR LEASE
40’ X 50’ EMBASSY ST.
(LAS LOMAS). IDEAL FOR
CHILD OR ADULT DAY CARE
CENTERS. FOR MORE INFO
CALL (956)
487-0964
Home For Sale
Nice 3 bdrm., in Salineño, Tx. asking
$42,000. Some furniture & appl.
included. Possible owner finance
w/down payment. Call Efrain Canales
2 recámaras, incluye refrigerador,
estufa, microwave, A/C. En RGC.
TRAVEL TRAILER FOR SALE
95’ Alumina Lite XL 30ft
in good condition new A/C
$3,500. For more info call
FOR RENT
848-9456 • 437-0780
500-0699
SE RENTA LOCAL
PARA OFICINA O NEGOCIO
incluye agua. En R.G.C.
House - 3bdrm., 2-1/2 ba.,
Alvarez Rd. $630mo. + dep.
208-8785
House For Rent
2 bedrooms, 1 bath - $285 per mo.
+ $200 Dep. Rio Grande City.
For more information call
Se Construye Casa
de 3 recámaras, 2 baños, de
ladrillo, en su lote. Por $77,900
Para mas información llame al:
956-358-4659
FOR SALE
2004 Ford F150 Heritage pick-up,
70,000 millas, buenas condiciones.
$5,900 o mejor oferta. Para mas
información:
487-0568
GARAGE SALE
102 Corona Dr., RGC
Sat. Sept. 25 - Sun. Sept. 26 8:00 - ?
Baby clothes and items, women & men
clothes, shoes, makeup, washer, dryer, tires
w/rines & much more.
rain or shine!!!
750-1727
V.F.W.
Terreno comercial en
orilla del Hwy. 83,
La Puerta. Para mas
información llamar al:
956-844-4095
Hall Rental Info.
487-2752 • 358-3451
HERITAGE
DEVELOPMENT
Owner
Francisco (Frank) Moreno
Lic# TACLB3952E
Licensed
Roma, Tx
Insured
San Roberto Apartments
Personas de bajos ingresos
pueden calificar para comprar
casa nueva (con ayuda de $10,000
dólares).
OTRAS CASAS – con malcredito,
no seguro social (casas de persona
a persona).
Casa en Alto Bonito por el dueño
Si no arreglas tu crédito no
hay préstamo para comprar
casa, carro, tarjeta de
crédito, prestamos bancario
incluso hasta para obtener
apartamento! Arregla tu
crédito gratis o en pagos
BRAND NEW 2 bedroom, 2 bath, granite
kitchen counter top, all appliances, included
washer & dryer, free garbage pick-up, alarm
system, Free Cable. Right behind STC and
High School. $595/mo., $500 deposit.
956-624-7360
¡Remodelamos su Casa en Pagos!
956-240-0518 • 956-580-7679 • 956-483-0346
624-7360 King Kredit
(219) 808-1914
Se Vende o Se Renta
487-7247 956-500-4900
Inf. sin compromiso
Para mas información llame al:
735-3120 • 487-2621 844-2193 • 488-2879
& APPLIANCE
SERVICE & REPAIR
Heating & Cooling
¡ATENCION! ¡BASTA!
Se Renta Apartamento
Lots,
Ranchettes
and
Ranch Land
Available
Call Romeo or Lynda
534-1912 or 488-8339
Get Your Career Moving!
• Drivers are in demand.
• Companies offer great pay, benefits, & equipment.
Drive to Succeed!
Secure
Your Future!
VALLEY WIDE 3 LOCATIONS!!!
MCALLEN, WESLACO, & RIO GRANDE
IN ONLY 4 SHORT WEEKS YOU CAN BECOME A PROFESSIONAL
TRUCK DRIVER WITH A REWARDING CAREER.
GO AHEAD MAKE THE CALL:
(800) 598-7859
STATEMENT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY – No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to
discrimination under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by South Texas Community College on the basis of race, color, national
origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
Lots For Sale
Adams Garden Subdivision phase 3
Owner Financing Available with $1,000 down
Close to Elementary & High Schools
on Eisenhower rd.
City Fire and Police protection
For more info call
239-2212 or 239-0101
*****LOT FOR SALE*****
VACANT RESIDENTIAL LOT
Lot 29 755 Country Estates Unit # 1
Rio Grande City Texas 78582
Located on Mockingbird St.
Contact Mr. R. Salinas or Mr. L. Gonzalez
Citizens State Bank
956- 849-2311
PRICE REDUCED! MOTIVATED SELLER
20-200 acre Ranches
Native Brush with Excellent Hunting
CORN ROTISSERIE ON WHEELS
FOR SALE
CAPACITY ABOUT 300 CORNS
GREAT FOR
CORN, TURKEY LEGS
CHICKEN ETC.
GOOD MONEY MAKER
FAIR, SPECIAL EVENTS ETC.
Call Mike Diaz
437-4959 • 353-1058
3 Miles South of El Sauz
Owner Finance, No Credit Check
(956) 500-2919 or (956) 464-4431
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, SECTION II, PAGE 5
SEPT. 19 - SEPT. 25
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, a few moments
of complete solitude
and sanctuary are on
the horizon this week.
Make the most of this rarity and
enjoy the break from your hectic
schedule.
TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, a business
rival wants to infringe
on your territory. You
are not about to let
that happen. Higher-ups know
that you have the goods to get the
job done.
GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21
It might be time to
lay low for awhile,
Gemini.
When
conflicts arise you
want to stay below the radar until
things smooth over. Thursday
proves to be a challenging day.
CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, put your trust
in someone close to
you. You will need this
person in the weeks
to come to help you through a
difficult situation. Chances are it
could stretch on for a while.
LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, complacency is
not your credo. Take
matters into your
own hands if you find
things aren’t going according to
how you see them. Do it right.
VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22
Virgo, you may have
taken on more than
you
can
handle.
Now is the time to
backtrack and see what items you
can delegate to someone else ...
and pronto.
LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23
Libra, a work project
that’s baffled others
will take a lot of
hard
work
and
determination. If anyone can get
it done, it is you. This could be
grounds for a raise.
SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio,
recurring
health woes could
mean something is
amiss and it’s not just
a coincidence. This is a good
time to visit the doctor and get a
check-up.
SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21
A silly mistake has the
potential to snowball
into something with
a life of its own,
Sagittarius. Just get a handle
on the situation and things will
quickly return to normal.
CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20
Use your instincts
when making an
important
financial
decision, Capricorn.
While others are consulting charts
and figures, stick with what your
gut is telling you.
AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18
Aquarius, you may
need a little push to
get motivated. That’s
OK. There are plenty
of people who can offer the gentle
support that you need to get by.
PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, spend this
week fostering any
and all friendships
that might have grown
estranged in recent months.
***
Elizabeth Foley:
The most beautiful discovery true
friends make is that they can grow
separately without growing apart.
RIO VISTA APARTMENTS
191 S. Portaleza Ave., Roma, TX
Mon., Tues., Fri. • 1pm-5pm
Wed. • 8am-5pm
956-847-1689 • 956-487-2478
1 & 2 Bedrooms • Rates Based upon Income
Rental Assistance for qualified applicants “62 years of
age or older, handicap/disabled, regardless of age.”
Central Heat & Air, All Electric, Laundry Room,
Water, Sewer & Garbage Paid,
Community Building,
Handicap Accesible Units
“This institution is an equal opportunity provider, and employer.”
STARR COUNTY TOWN CRIER, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, SECTION II, PAGE 6
A cactus gem, native only in Starr County
by Jim Seeden
President,
Rio Grande
Wilderness
Society
Our area has many natural
treasures but none more special
than the star cactus. This little
gem of the cactus world is native,
here in the U.S., only to Starr
County, and we’re losing it for
reasons I’ll explain a bit later.
Unfortunately common names
are sometimes confusing. There
are several “star” cacti. The one
which is native here has the
scientific name Astrophytum
usterias (as-tro-FIE-tum asTEAR-ee-us).
Let me describe A. usterias.
It’s a low dome, up to 6” across
but usually smaller and under an
inch tall. It has eight nearly flat
sections with shallow but distinct
furrows between them. That is,
it looks like a little pie you’ve
sliced into eight even pieces.
The surface usually has many
tiny white dots on a medium
green background. In addition,
down the middle of each section
you’ll find a row of several tufts
of short, gray fuzz; there are no
spines. The flowers, with many
thin petals, are a bright yellow
with red-orange centers.
Once you’ve seen and correctly
identified a star cactus, you’ll
always be able to recognize it.
You’ll also realize why it is so
popular with cactus collectors
from around the world, that is,
because it is such a distinctive
and attractive looking plant as
well as increasingly rare.
Sadly, it’s now on the
endangered species list. Since
it’s so attractive and popular,
unethical people poach these
plants from the wild and sell
them to collectors worldwide. In
addition, of course, landowners
are clearing lands for farming
and rangeland and inadvertently
destroying the star cacti along
with other native species. Habitat
preservation
is
absolutely
essential for species survival.
The Nature Conservancy has
purchased a 400+ acre ranch
in Starr County. The ranch, by
actual count, is known to have
over 2,000 specimens of star
cactus along with a few other
rare native plants. Star cacti have
very special habitat requirements
and The Nature conservancy is
conducting a careful study to
determine just what those needs
are. A project can begin then to
restore it to other suitable sites
within its range.
It was our Rio Grande
Wilderness
Society
which
originally alerted the Nature
Conservancy to the existence
of this star cactus population
and Lisa Williams, who was
the Nature Conservancy’s south
Texas representative at that time
and a member of RiGWriS, after
years of effort, consummated the
purchase. The ranch is now known
as the Las Estrellas Preserve.
Congratulations and thanks to her
for assuring the preservation of at
least one significant population
of the endangered star cactus.
Those of you who own
portions of our wildlands should
determine if the endangered star
cacti grow on your lands and take
steps to preserve them. Thanks to
those of you who do so.