September 19, 2008

Storm damages bridges

SANDERSON – Heavy rains last week caused extensive damage to bridge approaches and at least three vehicles were inundated with water. The bridges were not damaged but approaches were washed out on both sides of the Big Canyon bridge on State Highway 349 and on the east-bound approach to the same road as it crosses Independence Creek. “The only damage was in your area and in the Lubbock area,” Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Glen Larum of Odessa told the News Leader Monday. “The rest of us were left high and dry.” But Lajitas in south Brewster County Tuesday recorded the highest Rio Grande water level since records have been kept, eclipsing the 1978 record of 25 feet, six inches. A private aircraft inspecting the flooding crashed Monday, killing four. The FAA in Oklahoma City said the chartered twin-engine Cessna 421 belonging to EAC Parts, LLC, of Springfield, OH, was on a flight from El Paso to Presidio when it disappeared. It was found late Wednesday 20 miles northwest of Presidio. Killed were US Boundary and Water Commissioner Carlos Marin, his Mexican counterpart Arturo Herrera, Rio Grande Council of Governments Director Jake Brisbin, Jr., and pilot Matthew Juneau. Brisbin was a former mayor of Marfa and a former Presidio county judge. The FAA said the aircraft was found “about ten miles inside of Mexico” in rugged terrain. “The GPS measurement [in the Rio Grande] this morning was 26.5 feet” in the Rio Grande, Texas Department of Transportation Assistant Supervisor Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday. “We expect the river to crest on Thursday.” In Terrell County, school bus driver Albert Peña was rescued after the Ford Excursion he was driving was inundated on Ranch Road 2400 east of US 285 last week. No children were aboard the vehicle. Another vehicle was stranded with three people standing on top on an oil lease road in Northern Terrell County but they were rescued. A third vehicle was inundated on a private road off 2400 east if Ranch Road 2886. The driver extricated himself from his overturned truck. A rain gauge in north Terrell County registered 11 inches and a Department of Public Safety office west of Iraan reported nine inches. Larum said work will begin soon on repairing five places along Highway 349 damaged by the weather. “Traffic will be allowed to continue if at all possible,” he said. “If we have to close a portion of the highway, we will let you know in plenty of time.” Ft. Davis still tough on Eagles SANDERSON – The Fort Davis Indians always give the Sanderson Eagles a hard time in football and last week was no different. Playing on Thursday evening because of a problem getting officials for the scheduled Friday date, the Indians “45d” the home team just as the first half buzzer sounded. But the Eagle defense was impressive, holding the bigger school off the scoreboard until the final seconds of the first period. Fort Davis is still in six-man football but we heard rumblings in the stands that the school is only “one student” or within “two or three” students of having to play 11-man football in the state 1-A division. At the last realignment in February, Fort Davis enrollment was within one student of being required to play 11-man 1A football. The next count will not be until next winter. Whatever, our 17 kids looked across the field at, count ‘em, 29 suited up in green and white. The Eagles took the opening kick but had to turn the ball over on downs. But they held the Indians on the other side of the ball and so it went until the first-period clock read 1:54 when junior center Mark Cauble plunged over from the four. Mark turned around and booted the extra points and it was 8-0 in favor of the visitors. And there the quarter came to an end. But the Indians got busy in the second stanza, enough to be able to head for home after a halftime presentation by the Indian marching band. The second quarter was a mere 20 seconds old when junior running back Marcus Hartnett galloped 58 yards for a score. Cauble added two more and it was 16 to zip. The Indians recovered an onside kickoff at the Eagle 34 and they were off again. Senior running back Adrian Hernandez, reputed to be one of the top backs in the state, showed his stuff in a 19-yard run and, with Cauble’s accurate two, it was 24 to nada with 8:23 on the clock. The ball changed hands a time or two until the clock read 5:56. Adrian Hernandez galloped another 51 yards, Cauble’s PAT was good and it was 32-0 with the home team second best. Less than a minute later, senior Indian back Joe Ramos tossed a 20-yard scoring pass to Cauble, who then turned around for two more and it was 40-0 with 4:37 ticks left. Late in the period, the Eagles had a fourth and 14 when junior back Ryan Rosas threw some 20 yards to junior center David “Shoe” Shoemaker at the Indian three. But the home team was unable to push it in the final nine feet. The Indians took over and, shortly thereafter, Marcus Hartnett ran the length of the field for a 75-yard scoring play. The final horn filled the air as he crossed the goal line. Indians 46, Eagles 0. There was no point after try because the “mercy killing” at 45 points was at hand. Sanderson Head Coach and Athletic Director Mark said the Indians “have always given us a hard time. They have kind of always been a thorn in our side.“ Dominguez said he schedules tough games for the early part of the season to prepare the Eagles for division play later in the fall. “We gotta do what we gotta do,” he said. “We do learn from our mistakes. There are things we have to fix.” He said he was proud of his defense in the first quarter last week but it is “always hard to play solid defense when you don’t put points on the board.” But he said the team was able to bounce back after the loss. “I was pleased with the way they came back [to practice] on Monday,” Dominguez said. “They had a good attitude and great intensity and picked it up another notch.” Dominguez said his charges will be ready for action tonight on Parent’s Night. “Hopefully, we will come out and perform to best of our ability. They are playing for their parents,” he said. “The kids are going to be fired up.” In other action last week, Balmorhea edged Midland Trinity 46-44, Dell City shut out El Paso Bethel Temple 50-0, Grady edged New Hope 50-46, Rankin trounced Grandfalls-Royalty 62-24 and Sierra Blanca topped El Paso Faith Christian 56-6. Tonight is Parent’s Night. Moms and Dads will be presented on the field before the game when the Eagles will host El Paso Immanuel at 7:30 p.m. Back School enrollment up SANDERSON – Enrollment in Terrell County schools grew to 166 as of Sept. 10 and four more students were added after that date, Superintendent Gary Hamilton said this week. The 166 students is up by two from the first day of school, which was an increase of about ten percent from the last day of school last year. There were 57 high school students, up one from the first day of school, as of Sept. 10. There were 30 in junior high, up two from the beginning of school, and 79 in elementary, down one from the start of school. Back Royalty slate revealed SANDERSON – Terrell County Schools have named candidates for Homecoming king and queen and their court of princesses. Homecoming will be Friday, Oct. 3, when the Sanderson Eagles host Buena Vista. Nominees for SHS queen are Raquel Hinkley, Monica Lo-zano and Miriam Nuñez. Nominees for SHS king are J.D. Brotherton, Phillip Lascano, Jimmy Rapp and Jaime Rodriguez. Class princesses are freshman Ashley Hagelgans, Soph-more Taylor Johnson and Junior Elise Boyd. Back New tax rate gets nod SANDERSON – The Terrell County School Board Monday officially adopted a tax rate of $1.157 per $100 valuation for the new school year. The rate includes $1.04 for maintenance and operations, the maximum amount allowed by the state, and 11.7 cents for debt service. The board earlier approved a budget of $10.5 million for M&O and $1.027 for debt service. Of that amount, $7.17 million is budgeted for “recapture,” the amount the district sends to other districts under the state’s so-called “Robin Hood” finance scheme. The M&O tax rate was “compressed” from an earlier maximum of $1.50 in House Bill One by the Texas Legislature in an effort to minimize property taxes. The state attempted to equalize losses to school districts as a result of the compressed rate but Business Manager Blain Chriesman said the Terrell County ISD will have to budget carefully, even with the extra amount the state provides. In other action, the board “canceled” the November election for four school board seats. The resolution notes that all four, Neto Calzada, Cheryl Seidel, James Chapoy and Sandy Pierce, are all unopposed for re-election. The action saves the cost of an election when the outcome is already known. No action was taken Monday on a discussion of Project Graduation because no one showed up for the discussion. A key project principal was out of town attending a funeral. Hamilton said a new parent group had said “they want to separate from the school” but he had questions about how it could work. Project Graduation, which was created by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, is an all-night, chemical free party on graduation night, aimed at keeping young graduates from celebrating with alcohol. Hamilton said many larger districts have autonomous PG groups but Terrell County schools took control several years ago because there were not enough parents in some classes to rely on an autonomous group. There were questions about liability and continuity. The plan was to rent the high school gym but who would be responsible for accident, board members wondered. Would there be one party by the parent group and a second by the school district? Hamilton questioned continuity. Would parents of this year’s juniors become involved so there would be a responsible group next year? He said the item would be on a future agenda. Back “All My Sons” opens Oct. 11 ALPINE – Arthur Miller’s Tony Award-winning play “All My Sons” will be performed Oct. 3 to 5 and 10 to 12 at Sul Ross State University. Performances will begin at 8:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3 and 4 and 10 and 11 and 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 5 and 12. All performances will be in the Studio Theatre in the Francois Fine Arts Building. Tickets are $6.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and students, free to all Sul Ross students, faculty and staff with ID and half price for Activity Card Holders. “All My Sons” contains language not suitable for young children. The play is directed by Dona W. Roman, associate professor of Theatre. It was Miller’s first Broadway hit and won Tony Awards for both the author and director, Elia Kazan, in the first-ever Tony Awards ceremony in 1947. It ran for 328 performances on Broadway. Miller’s famous drama, inspired by a true story, is set for a revival this month on Broadway. The story is about two successful business partners who were arrested after selling the government defective airplane parts during World War II, resulting in the death of 21 pilots. Tickets, as well as Sul Ross Theatre Season Passes, are now on sale. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Fine Arts and Communication office at 432-837-8218. Back Amateur volleyball set SANDERSON – The calendar says it’s still summer – for a few more days until 12:44:18 p.m. Monday. But the weather says fall. With the cooler weather, some Sandersonites have again taken up volleyball. Volleyball has been very successful in the past here but, this year, only five people showed up for a sign-up meeting this week. “We’re going to play anyway.” Organizer Ashley Guerra said. Volleyball teams will meet at 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays on the open field next to the baseball field on Legion Street. “All ages are welcome,” Guerra said. “There are no teams made as of yet. As more people come, teams will be formed.” Guerra will have volleyballs if anyone needs to check one out for practice. “So grab the ice chest, the kids and come enjoy some outdoor activity before it gets too cold,” she said. Back It’s now National Hispanic Heritage Month National Hispanic Heritage Month began Monday, a time set aside to celebrate a rich cultural history provided by people from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Hispanic Heritage Week be observed and President Ronald Reagan expanded it to cover the 30-day period September 15 through October 15 every year. September 15th serves as a logical beginning for the observance since it is the anniversary of the declarations of independence of five Latin American countries, followed by Mexico’s on the 16th and Chile’s on the 18th. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Getting Involved: Our Families, Our Community, Our Nation.” “It is a reminder to engage ourselves in our surroundings, to be cognizant of the needs of our families and to participate in our civic responsibilities,” State Sen. Carlos I. Uresti said. “Getting involved in our families is a powerful phrase,” he said. “Connect with your family by engaging in conversations with your children and spouse and eating dinner with them. “Find out what is going on in their lives and commit to absorbing yourself in your family,” Uresti said. “Every day is the perfect time to make lifelong memories.” He suggested people introduce themselves to a new neighbor as an easy way to strengthen the community. “Volunteer work is a rewarding way to meet and help and meet people in your area,” Uresti said. “There are many means of volunteering your gifts, talents and time to those who need it.” Uresti said Hispanic Heritage Month is a timely reminder to vote in the upcoming election. “This was a hard-fought privilege for Mexican-Amer-icans in particular,” he said. “In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo granted citizenship to Mexicans living in Southwestern territories but denied them the right to vote, citing property, language and literacy requirements. “This continued until 1921 when The Sons of America organized to fight for Mexican-American citizens’ rights, including the right to vote,” Uresti said. “It wasn’t until as late as 1975 that all Mexican-Americans obtained voting rights.” He urged Hispanics to honor those who fought for the right. “Our ancestors struggled to give us the opportunities we have,” he said. “The best way to thank them is to make the most of these fortunes and create new ones for the next generations.” Back Apollo Chamber Brass sounds off By JASON HENNINGTON Sul Ross News Writer ALPINE – The Sul Ross State University music program gained a refresher course in the ACBs of music when the Apollo Chamber Brass of Boulder, CO, visited this month. In addition to a performing in concert, ACB offered its musical expertise via clinics with Alpine, Fort Davis and Presidio High School band members, practiced with the Sul Ross bands and played with the Lobo Pep Band at the Sul Ross-Texas Lutheran football game Sept. 6. Their presence has already prompted two students to join the music program, Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Michael Lippard said. He said there may be a possible music major created from this experience. “It was exciting to see the students and community react to them,” Lippard said. “They all have dynamic personalities, and are able to foster some interest and excitement.” The band is a non-profit music and education organization, which features five members playing brass instruments. Peter Auricchio and Donald R. Williams play the trumpet, while Jason Michael Johnston plays the French horn, John S. Neurohr plays the trombone and Charles D. Ortega plays the tuba. Lippard and fellow assistant professor Dr. Justin Badgerow both know members of the ensemble and were responsible for bringing them to Sul Ross. “I knew them all except for the new trumpet player,” Lippard said. Lippard played alongside Williams, Neurohr and Ortega in the University of Colorado Orchestra, as well as other concerts. His last time playing with members of the ensemble was in May, 2007, during a recital featuring Neurohr. “Every year we have concert artists and not all are from the immediate area,” Badgerow said. “Every semester we offer different events including pianist and vocalist. We wanted to get some brass players.” While visiting the Alpine area, the ACB performed a public concert at Sul Ross. The program included a mixture of sounds from Anthony DiLorenzo to Viktor Ewald to Jan Bach to Morley Calvert. The musical timeline ranged from 1860 to 1991. Eli Elizaldez of El Paso enjoyed the different styles of music during the concert and the idea of an ensemble with no conductor. “Music-wise, I like their repertoire. It had a lot of classical pieces mixed in [with] modern pieces,” Elizaldez said. “I really liked watching them. They had no conductors but they were all conductors.” Normally after concerts, the featured musicians leave but the ACB stayed and offered their musical expertise to students. After arriving, the ACB traveled the area, partaking in radio interviews with Marfa Public Radio and Alpine Radio, as well as working with students in the surrounding high schools. Lippard, who taught with Williams, Neurohr and Ortega, was enthusiastic about visiting schools with them. “It was great,” Lippard said. “We traveled to schools in the area. I got to teach with them again and it was amazing.” The ACB practiced with the various on-campus bands, and helped students in the brass sections. “Not having a brass teacher, it brought my levels up,” Elizaldez said. “I had someone to play who actually knew the instrument.” Students played alongside the ACB and learned through constructive criticism. “Group-wise, it let us open up more,” Elizaldez said. “They critiqued us on the right style and rhythm, especially in jazz and pep band.” Not only did the students enjoy the experience, but professors were inspired as well. “The sit-in rehearsals were very inspiring,” Badgerow said. “It gives students a sense of excitement and a new energy which is always good. I got the feeling that people got a great experience from playing with these top-notch musicians.” Lippard believed the brass players profited from the ACB’s visit and assistance during their stay at Sul Ross. “I think they helped them [brass players] tremendously,” Lippard said. “They were able to pinpoint specifics and give some one-on-one time to ensembles.” Before departing from Alpine, the ACB played alongside students in the pep band during a Lobo football game against Texas Lutheran University. The extra sound was enjoyed by both students and fans. Lippard hopes that students gained experience playing with professionals. “Sitting beside a professional musician, students get to hear how the instrument is supposed to be played,” Lippard said. The mission of the ACB is to help the advancement of music appreciation and understanding in current and future generations through education and performance. They visit school music programs and offer instruction to students while also assisting them during performances, all at no charge to the school districts. The ACB also provides performances to the surrounding community of the school district including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, churches and community halls. “They were very well received,” Badgerow said. “We are always trying to reach people and let them know what is going on, so that was good.” Badgerow was pleased with the outcome of the visit from the ACB and hopes that it has encouraged students to stay interested in music. “I was very impressed with their musicality and professionalism,” he said. “The community and I are pleased they worked with the high schools. It’s important to keep young kids interested in music and wanting to play.” Back

The most serious damage was on the eastbound approach to the Big Canyon Bridge. Pavement was torn out at both approaches to the bridge. Serious erosion cut into the shoulders on the eastbound approach and the guardrail was hanging loose. “Locations along State Highway 349 that suffered roadway or bridge damage as a result of flooding in eastern Pecos and northeastern Terrell County include Independence Creek, Sheffield Draw, Big Canyon Draw, Meyer’s Creek and Dry Creek,” Larum said. “The Texas Department of Transportation is issuing an emergency contract to repair damage at these locations. La Entrada not derailed – yet Canceling the last two rounds of public meetings for the feasibility study for “La Entrada al Pacifico” was not a result of confusion over the viability of a proposed deep water sea port at Topolobampo on the Mexican coast in the state of Sinaloa, a Texas Department of Transportation official said this week. Peggy Thurin of Austin said hearings scheduled this month in four West Texas cities along the designated trade corridor would be rescheduled, probably late this year or early in 2009. The plan was for a major highway connection along US 67 between the US Midwest and the West Coast port of Topolobampo through Midland/Odessa and the border at Presidio/Ojinaga, Chih. Opposition has arisen to the use of highways to transport cargo through West Texas towns. But clearly, the entire La Entrada project is far from a “done deal.” “There was some additional internal coordination that needed to take place” before the meetings could be held, Thurin said earlier. Thurin is overseeing the study for the Texas Department of Transportation’s planning division. Brian Swindell, who heads the Dallas-based HDR Engineering team of consultants conducting the study, said it looked into forecasts of freight diversions from the ports at Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA, when they reach capacity. Topolobampo was just one of several alternate points the study considered. A $48 billion “mega port” was opened recently in Baja Norte on the west coast of Baja California, 150 miles south of the border, and there were plans for rail lines to connect the new port to US destinations. Other West Coast ports in Mexico, including Mazatlan, have also been considered. There have been published reports that Topolobampo needs serious dredging before it could become a deep-water port and that highway access between the coast and Chihuahua is inadequate. Swindell said rail freight traffic is limited through Copper Canyon and trains cannot carry stacked containers. “We also were looking into diversion from other ports of entry such as El Paso,” he said. “If that gets crowded, there may be some diversion to other points of entry.” Swindell said he knew there were “several issues at Topolobampo.” He said he understood Mexico had “some money to begin” dredging but there also is work to be done to improve access to Presidio. “It goes through copper canyon, which is very rugged country, and they are limited to single stack containers,” he said. “There are other infrastructure issues.” Thurin said the road from Topolobampo is a dirt road and she understands the port may be limited to “bulk cargo” such as chemicals, agriculture and steel. That would not include containers, she said. “My understanding is they need to do dredging and they need to make Topolobampo a bulk port,” she said. “What status is, I don’t know exactly.” Back Another year starts for 4-H Club By GRACE JAHN 4-H Reporter SANDERSON – The Terrell County 4-H Club had its first meeting of the year on Monday, September 8. The 4-Hers enjoyed a nutritious snack of “ants on a log” after the meeting was adjourned. The new officers for this year are President Carver Tate, Vice President Dryden Baker, Secretary Abby Carrasco, Reporter Grace Jahn and Treasurer Shawn Stegall. Junior officers are Daniel Luevano and Joseph Carrasco. We are looking forward to exciting projects this year. Project instructors this year are Wayne Truesdell for livestock, Jill Jahn and Tammy Truesdell for arts and crafts, Lea Hawn for cooking, Mark Carroll for photography and Monica Mills for Clover Buds. There will be an auction at the Legion Park at 9:00 a.m. October 25 to benefit the 4-H Club. Everyone is invited and your support is appreciated. The next Club meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, October 13, at the Community Building. Back Roberts to offer inspections MARATHON — Travis Roberts of Marathon has been licensed to provide home inspections to confirm to a new state law and his son Travis of Sanderson told the News Leader this week he can operate under his father’s authority. The announcement was seen as some help to the rural communities that might otherwise have to get an inspector from a distant city with the increased cost of mileage, driving time and per diem. As of September 1, the law requires anyone building or remodeling a home to have the project inspected at least three times if the project does not otherwise require inspection by a city building official. House Bill 1038, passed by the 2007 Legislature, created a county inspection program for all homes built or remodeled if the work is performed in unincorporated areas or in cities that do not offer municipal inspections. The three new inspections include a foundation inspection before concrete is poured, a framing and mechanical systems assessment before wallboard is installed and a final inspection upon completion. It involves any new home construction started after Sept. 1 or under a contract signed after that date. It also includes remodeling if it changes the overall square footage of the home or is valued at $10,000 or more. The inspections must be performed by a fee inspector that is either a licensed engineer, a registered architect, a professional Texas Real Estate Commission inspector or a third party inspector certified by the Texas Residential Construction Commission. Roberts is a licensed engineer. Back Boosters reorganize SANDERSON – The Band Boosters club will file a new application for tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Service 501(C)(3) provisions. Boosters Treasurer Tammy Truesdell told school board members there was a question about the club’s status and whether reports had been filed yearly as required by the IRS. The club adopted new by-laws and will file for the new tax-exempt status. “It will be fairly hard to reestablish our status but we plan to start again,” she said. Superintendent Gary Hamilton said the new by-laws are “very good, very reader friendly.” There was a controversy last spring over the amount of a Band Booster scholarship and several officers resigned. It was revealed at the time that there were no by-laws and that the organization had been operating by “tradition.” It was reorganized this fall. Kristine Woosley was elected president, Kim Rapp vice president, Truesdell was elected treasurer and Kathy Lawson is the new secretary. Back AR tie finally broken SANDERSON – A pesky tie vote over trips for Accelerated Reading in junior high school was finally settled Monday with a vote to allow the trips, even if a student is failing in another subject. Last month, the vote was 3-3 and the month before, school board members deadlocked on 2-2. “If I’m the tie-breaker, I say let them go,” Trustee Neto Calzada said. The vote carried 4-2. At issue was whether the trip was a “reward” for reading and should be allowed even if a student is failing in another class. Those opposed to the change to the existing rule against the trip argued that the state has “no pass, no play” laws and if a student is not passing in another subject, he should not be allowed to go on the trip. Cramming for the reading trip could even result in the failure in another subject, they said. The point was argued by Eddie Benavidez and Cheryl Seidel. Those favoring the change said the trip encourages a child to read more and, since it is not a UIL competition, it should not be subject to no pass, no play. Taking that side with Calzada were Ada Lee Robbins, Johnnie Couch and Sandy Pierce. James Chapoy was absent. Back West Fest tonight, tomorrow MARATHON – The 8th Annual West Fest will kick-off tonight, Sept. 19, here with a dance featuring Los Pinche Gringos at the Post Park starting at 8 p.m. Tomorrow’s events will include the Cabrito Cook-Off. Last year, 21 teams competed for the best barbequed goat and approximately 400 people attended the two-day event. “It’s a great fun and family event,” West Fest Committee Chairperson Jerri Jones said. “There will be plenty to do and lots of kid games.” Canoe races will be held on Saturday as well as the washer tournament. This event is similar to horseshoes but requires greater skill, a deeper level of concentration and an adroit pitching arm. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best cooks and best show-stoppers. A panel of six judges will roam the cook camps sampling cabrito, brisket, beans, desert and showmanship. “The showmanship award is judged on what they do, how they do it, the look of their camp and how they dress up,” Patsy Cavness said. A live wet dump tank will also be featured at the event. Last year Sheriff Ronnie Dodson got soaked and many are looking forward to a replay this year. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Marathon Chamber of Commerce. Back Cactus Chat: School population going up By KIM RAPP News Leader Production Manager SANDERSON – Population rises again here as another Border Patrol family joins our community. The Bon family comes from Yuma, AZ, where David was a Border Patrol agent and Yvonne worked as a special education teacher. They bring with them first grader James, third grader Jacob, David, Jr., who is a freshman in high school and Amber, who is a sophomore. Jacob & James busy themselves with video games like most little boys. David, Jr., plans to play football and play the trumpet in band. Amber loves to play golf, basketball and text. Yvonne doesn’t plan to join the workforce just yet. She is going to stay home, raise kids and take naps. Anna & Paul LeFleur have opted to open a bakery in town on Oak Street. Anna opened up for breakfast at Paddy’s Res-taurant for a while before venturing out on her own. “Anna’s Bakery” will offer such treats as fresh donuts, pastries, breads and muffins, including some choices for diabetics. At lunchtime, she will offer soups, salads and sandwiches. Anna didn’t do much cooking until she became pregnant with five-year-old Mark. She said she was more or less homebound and bored. She began “playing around in the kitchen” and discovered she “loves it,” she told the News Leader. The couple plans to open the first week of October, Hours will be 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Paul will be on hand to help out when he’s not busy chasing little Mark or tending to one-year-old Elia. Or chasing airplanes in his “real job” with Universal Weather in Houston. Back Predator workshop next week OZONA – Texas AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a multi-county predator man-agement workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 22, in the Fair Park Convention Center here. “Predators are an increasing concern across West Texas and, in our area, which is the heart of sheep and goat country, the problem is fast becoming critical,” said Chase McPhaul, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural re-sources in Crockett County. “This workshop is being done in an effort to get this growing menace under con-trol,” he said. Topics will include interpreting physical evidence of pre-dation, predator biology, trap-ping techniques and disease dangers for humans. Coyotes, bobcats and feral hogs will be the main species discussed. Scheduled speakers are AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist Jim Gallagher of Uvalde, Mark Mapston of Uvalde and Hoppy Turman of Fort Stockton with Texas Wildlife Damage Management Service and Texas Animal Health Commissioner Tim Leary of Marfa. The workshop is being conducted by the AgriLife Extension offices in Crockett, Sutton and Edwards counties. Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing edu-cation units will be offered. Registration is $10 by noon Sept. 19 and $15 thereafter. For more information and to register, call the AgriLife Extension office in Crockett County at 325/392-2721. Back Quail study group to meet ODESSA – West Texas quail management will be the topic of a Texas Quail Study Group here Oct. 2 and 3. The meeting, co-sponsored by Sul Ross State University, will be at the MCM Grande Hotel. This year’s theme is Desert Quail Management, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Wildlife Specialist Dr. Dale Rollins of San Angelo said. Other sponsors are AgriLife Extension’s Quail Decline Initiative, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Quail Unlimited and the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch. “Texas is one of only three states that can claim four species of quail and this year's meeting will address each of them,” Rollins said. The first day will have presentations on each of the four species and common-sense approaches to managing their habitat. The second day will feature a tour of the Railway Ranch west of Odessa to inspect various management strategies. “The secret is out about the quality of blue quail hunting in West Texas,” Rollins said. “Several national outdoor magazines and television shows have featured blue quail hunting recently. “Hunting blues is considerably different than the more traditional bobwhite and all of a sudden blue quail hunting is in vogue,” he said. The keynote speaker will be Tom Waddell from the Armendaris Ranch near Truth or Consequences, NM. The ranch is one of media mogul Ted Turner's properties. This year’s meeting is being dedicated posthumously to Sherman Hammond of Fort Stockton. Four Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available for private applicators. Individual registration is $50 until Sept. 15 and $75 thereafter. Fees will cover two meals, refreshments and a copy of the symposium proceedings. See teamquail.tamu.edu/ home.php or contact Rollins at 325/653-4576 or by e-mail at d-rollins@tamu.edu . Back Car wash to boost trip to Spain SANDERSON – Members of the Sanderson High School Spanish III and IV classes plan a car wash and bake sale this month to help finance a trip to Spain. Sanderson coach, teacher and principal Jerry Garza said the students plan a trip to Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Cordoba next July. The car wash and bake sale will be from 10 a.m. till “whenever” Sunday, Sept. 21, at Sanderson Tire Center. “Donations” will be collected for the car wash and Garza said he did not want to suggest a specific amount. Students hoping to go on the trip are Fabian Orozco, Monica Lozano, Jessica Garza, Travis Roberts, Noemi Nuñez, Valeria Orozco, Vicky Busch and Miriam Nuñez. Students sold raffle tickets for a large cookie at last week’s football game to help fund the trip. A cake will be raffled off tonight as the Sanderson Eagles host El Paso Immanuel at 7:30 p.m. at Eagle Stadium. In a related action, Garza said the new combined eighth grade Spanish and Spanish II class attracted 27 students this semester, an unusually large class size for Terrell County Schools. Back

“State Highway 349 is currently closed to heavy through traffic due to bridge approach and bridge damage at Big Canyon Draw, 14 miles north of Dryden,” he said. “Light local and through traffic is allowed. ”There is a one-way condition at Big Canyon Draw bridge,” he said. “Drivers should yield to oncoming traffic. We are encouraging tourists and through travelers to Interstate 10 to use US 285.” Back School questions bond bid SANDERSON – The Terrell County School Board scheduled a meeting last night, Sept. 18, to question some charges in the $4.8 million contract awarded for school construction last month. The Board awarded a contract Aug. 26 to Mid-Tex of Midland, Inc., as the “construction manager at risk.” The contract was for the high school addition to the junior high building and a vocational building. It was a major part of a $14 million bond issue approved by the voters in May, 2007. School Board President Ada Lee Robbins said the board wanted to question Architect Monte Hunter of Hunter Corral Associates of Odessa about some of the charges in the Mid-Tex bid. Mid-Tex was selected as the “construction manager at risk,” a job in which the contractor is to oversee work done by sub-contractors. But Mid-Tex listed itself as contractor on almost 15 percent of the dollar amount of the bid. “There may be reasons for some of these charges,” Robbins said. “That’s why we wanted to question Monte about them.” The bid also included about $1 million for mechanical, including heating and air conditioning, fire alarm and control systems and testing and balancing. Robbins suggested last month the board could get a better price for that work and asked Hunter and Mid-Tex to negotiate for a better deal. The board also deferred action on the new field house, noting bids at $1.7 million came to some $315 per square foot. Mid-Tex President Alan White told the board last month the changes to the field house project and negotiating the mechanical portions would not delay the completion of the projects beyond the scheduled completion of December, 2009. The Board Monday questioned whether some charges in the contract may have involved “double dipping” and members said they were waiting to get Hunter’s response. Robbins said in the future, the board should not award a contract on the same night it is presented. Members should take the numbers home and study them before awarding a contract. “I think we’re getting ‘brother-in-lawed’ and we’re not going to have it,” Robbins said. “They must think we are some local yokels. “We are going to get the best for the school district come hell or high water,” she said. Back Students call on Snow White ODESSA – Elementary school children from Sanderson and Marathon traveled to Odessa this week for a showing of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The children attended a showing of the legendary fairy tale consisting of dwarfs, a wicked witch and true love overcoming all. Built in the 1960s, the Globe Theater is a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in England. It was the brainchild of teacher and Shakespearean scholar Marjorie Morris who wanted a place to present the Bard’s plays. The 410-seat octagonal theater hosts local theater performances and other community activities as well. The children from Sanderson, grades one through five, enjoyed lunch at McDonalds with their chaperones while the Marathon kids in grades pre-K through six gobbled on pizza at Gattiland before heading for home. Back SHS gets top scores at cross country BALMORHEA – The Sanderson Lady Eagles cross-country team placed first overall and Eagle boys come in second at the Balmorhea Invitational meet here last week. For the girls, Noemi Nuñez placed fourth, Jessica Garza was in fifth, Vicky Busch placed seventh and Isabel Rivera finished in eighth place. Placing tenth was Brianna Johnson, Angelina Hopkins placed 13th and Ashley Hagelgans came in 26th place. Also attending the meet was Juliana Castro and Ashley Woosley but they did not run because of injuries. In boy’s action, Travis Roberts placed sixth, brother Taylor Roberts came in seventh place and placing 12th was Shawn Stegall. Jimmy Rapp placed 20th and Cordell Lawson came in 26th. Also making the trip was Kelly Lomas and Andrew Woosley. In the junior high meet, no one placed but Dryden Baker, Jalen Chriesman, Daniel Lue-vano and Valentino Pacheco all participated. “They did very well and it was a good learning experience for all of them,” Coach Leighton Conway told the News Leader. After the kids were finished, there was a coach’s run just for fun. Coaches Conway and newcomer Landra Stewardson participated. Before heading home, the group enjoyed a little swimming in the Balmorhea waters. Tomorrow, Sept. 20, the runners will travel to Wink. Back Flood help available LUBBOCK – Several regions of Texas are finding out you don’t have to have a Hurricane Ike visit your doorstep to see flooding. After a year-long drought, many parts of West Texas are now getting perhaps more rain than they need. The National Weather Service said numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms have developed across the South Plains, Permian Basin, lower Trans-Pecos and Big Bend regions. Texas AgriLife Extension Service offers a variety of online information in Spanish and English on recovering from floods, most of which can be downloaded free.  Materials include “Controlling Mold Growth after the Storm,” “Caring for Important Papers after a Flood,” “Decontaminating Flooded Wells” and “Mosquito Problems After a Storm.” For information on these and other materials, go to http://agrilifebookstore.org . Additional information on flood and other disaster recovery is available at the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network Web site at http://texashelp.tamu.edu/004-natural/floods.php, and through county AgriLife Extension offices. Back Emergency procedures outlined SANDERSON – In a “Do not panic” letter, County Judge Leo Smith this week notified Terrell County residents of procedures to follow in case of emergency. “This letter is not meant to alarm or excite anyone,” he wrote. “At this time no present dangers exist but this letter is necessary to inform all of you in advance of needed assistance.” Smith said recent disasters around the state have prompted him to be concerned “that many citizens in the town of Sanderson may be unaware of some of the county’s disaster evacuation procedures.” He said in the event of flooding, the emergency shelter is the High School Gym. “If you are told to leave Sanderson due to flooding, the proper route will be to exit on Hwy 90 east towards Del Rio,” he wrote. “Do not exit on Hwy 90 west or Hwy 285 as this is where the high water will originate from.” In the event of a train accident and hazardous spill, he said, residents will be notified of evacuation procedures depending on the location of the accident. “Just remember you must exit into the wind and away from any smoke or fumes,” Smith wrote. “Avoid this at all cost as toxic fumes will follow the wind’s direction.” He said the High School Gym and secondly the Terrell County Courthouse are the designated disaster shelters. In case of a mandatory evacuation, Smith said emergency services may not be available but people should follow the order. “If you choose to ignore this warning, you could very possibly be on your own with no help or assistance available,” he wrote. “Hopefully, none of this will ever be necessary but we must all be prepared just in case.” Back Hair loss for a good cause SANDERSON – Abby Carrasco, the sixth-grade daughter of David and Tami Carrasco of Sanderson, lost ten inches of hair at Country Clips last week, but it was for a cause. Abby learned about an organization called “Locks of Love” and decided to support it. Locks of Love is a public, non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 in the United States and Canada suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called Alopecia Areata, which has no known cause or cure. Others helped are those who have suffered hair loss due to chemotherapy treatment. The prostheses they provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.  “Abby was grinning from ear to ear after she had her hair cut and is super excited that she could help another young lady out,” Mom Tami Carrasco said. For more information, go to www.locksoflove.com. Back Sanderson ‘Pachanga’ planned for Oct. 11 SANDERSON – The 11th Annual Prickly Pear Pachanga fundraiser and dinner will be Saturday, Oct. 11, at St. James Hall. The annual dinner and silent auction will begin at 7 p.m. with proceeds to benefit the Sanderson Arts & Education Alliance programs for Terrell County Tickets for the catered dinner are $20 per person, and seating is limited to the first 150. Last year, tickets sold out so the public is encouraged to buy tickets early. New for this year, the photography contest now will include a “Cactus Crafts Contest” – arts & crafts with a cactus theme that will encourage Terrell County citizens to create and submit items which encourages and enhances the community’s status as the Official Cactus Capital of Texas. Photography entries are $5 each and must have been taken in Terrell County. “We really want our participants to use their imaginations for the contest items this year,” A&E Secretary Ruth Engledorf said. “We still encourage photography but also want to include other forms of art, whether paintings, clothing items, crafts, sculpture, books, furniture, gift items and even cooking – with as many being cactus-themed as possible.” Another popular and traditional contest is the Cacti Specimen contest, where Terrell County residents vie for the bragging rights to the best, biggest and/or brightest cacti and native plants from the region – whether the longest or curliest sotol stalk, longest cow’s tongue prickly pear, prickly pear nopol with the most tunas or fattest mammalaria. An individual may even create his own category if the specimen is that out of the ordinary. The Pachanga is also seeking equally imaginative silent auction items for the night’s bidding – from home-made arts and crafts to products and services from Sanderson and surrounding communities. Doors will open at the St. James Hall at 7 p.m. for guests to examine the silent auction displayed on tables. Hors d’oeuvres will be served before the dinner at 8 p.m. Winning bids and the contest winners will be announced immediately after the dinner. Proceeds from the silent auction benefit the Arts & Education Alliance, which brings arts, entertainment and education programs and elements to the citizens of Terrell County. Plans were being made at press time for an expanded Pachanga for 2009, with a full slate of outdoor and indoor activities over the three-day Columbus Day weekend, including cacti tours, seminars, cooking with cacti, contests, games and entertainment for children and adults. For more information, to purchase tickets and to drop off silent auction items, contact Ruth Engledorf at 432/345-2850. Back Cameras, scanners and graphics in SR class ALPINE – The Big Bend Region Minority and Small Business Development Center will conduct a three-hour workshop, “Cameras, Scanners and Graphic Manipulation for Business Applications,” on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Centennial School Building, 500 W. Ave. H. There is no charge for participation in the workshop. The instructor will demonstrate the many uses and techniques for the utilization of cameras, scanners and software as tools for business applications. Topics include camera basics, composition and exposure, how to use a scanner for photo and document reproduction and photo-editing using Photoshop Elements software to adjust, modify and create a final product. Tips on lighting and product photography will also be presented and participants are encouraged to bring their own camera. Pre-registration is not required but is appreciated. To pre-register, call 432/837-8813. Back Saxophonist David Box to perform Sept. 19 at Sul Ross ALPINE – Saxophonist David Box of Austin will perform in concert at Sul Ross State University at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Sept. 19 as part of the Concert Artist Series. The performance in Marshall Auditorium and is free and open to the public. Box will be accompanied on piano by Dr. Justin Badgerow, Sul Ross assistant professor of music. He will play both alto and soprano saxophone with selections to include works by Handel, Tcherepnine, Piazzola and Milhaud. Last year, Box traveled the world playing music with his jazz quartet. He performed in Asia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Egypt, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, England, Northern Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Box is formerly professor of Saxophone and director of Jazz Studies at La Sierra University in Riverside, CA. His success as a composer for film and TV has him working on projects from The Alamo in 2003 to his current independent feature, a western film, “Reward.” His latest album “Transformation,” has been reviewed by the Los Angeles Times as, “showing a profound appreciation for the West Coast Style.” It features all original compositions and performances on soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. He has just finished a new jazz album with Jason Marsalis that will be released in January of 2009. Back