EMILIO CRIXELL AND BORDER SOUL AT COBBLEHEADS~11/28/2021

 

BROWNSVILLE'S LOS EBANOS 90 ACRE SUBDIVISION STARTING AT RINGOLD AND PALM BOULEVARD

 

CHARRO DRIVE IN, BROWNSVILLE FOOTBALL, BASEBALL AND BROWNSVILLE TO ALICE STAGE COACH

The Charro Drive In Theater on Boca Chica

 

Brownsville's Frank Maldonado Sliding In Against Kansas City Monarchs in 1946

IS THE COLONIZATION OF MARS BY EARTH FANTASY OR REALITY?

 

Elon Musk has displayed extreme intelligence, inventiveness and creativity in several fields, yet his proposed colonization of Mars seems more fantasy than practical reality.

We've raised a number of issues about a human colony on Mars he's not so far addressed and also questioned his basis for claiming Earth's inhabitants must go multi-planetary~his assumption that the Sun will "soon" encompass Earth wiping out all its inhabitants.

Our last article dealt with a number of factors that make placing a large colony of humans on Mars impractical, if not suicidal:  

Temperatures on Mars

1.  Mars average temperature is -81F with lows as cold as -220F, temperatures fatal to human life to be sure.  Elon Musk trivializes the problem, saying he'd have to "warm Mars up a bit," as if he could.

2.  Mars has no oxygen in its atmosphere.

3.  Mars' surface has no soil, no organic matter in which plants could grow, only the toxic regolith containing chloride compounds.

Travel to Mars is possible once every two years when the orbits of Earth and Mars are aligned so as to permit a Hohman transfer, that is, escaping the gravitational pull of one planet's orbit to enter the gravitational pull of the other planet's orbit.

With the two planets aligned perfectly, the trip to Mars from Earth would take 259 days or 8.515 months traveling at 24,600 MPH.

Scientists have closely monitored the effects of weightlessness on the human body during relatively short travels through space.  Muscle atrophy, interference with fluid distribution, embolism, lung and circulatory issues have been noted.

If you've ever broken your leg, you may remember when the cast was removed and your leg felt like jelly when you tried to put weight on it. 

That's muscle atrophy from a month or two of inaction.  

An 8.5 month trip in weightlessness' effect on the body's musculature is unknown, but don't count on the space travelers bounding onto Mars with total limb function.

A human colony requires huge, atmosphere-tight housing with water-processing capability, so many, many trips with huge payloads have to precede human colonists.

Landing on Mars with such enormously heavy payloads is problematic as Mars possesses only 1% of the atmosphere Earth enjoys.

The friction of Earth's atmosphere slows down entry considerably, making a "soft" landing possible.

Current technology requires a large craft landing on Mars to use considerable fuel through its jets to slow down the craft before landing.  More required fuel adds more weight to the craft.

A considerable amount of fuel will be required to take off from Mars.  

That fuel has to be either taken from Earth, adding to the vehicle's initial weight, or produced by a support crew traveling to Mars a couple years earlier.

Effects of Radiation in Space on Human Body

We haven't even mentioned radiation dangers, both during flight and once on Planet Mars.

Radiation shielding along with biomedical countermeasures are mandatory to protect the astronauts.

The most dangerous form of radiation is likely cosmic rays or GCRs, traveling at the speed of light.  They can knock apart the atoms in the astronaut's body or the metal walls of the spacecraft to shower the inside space with sub atomic particles.

The habitation of Mars requires man bring much of what sustains life from Earth. 

A temporary power outage in the colony's enclosed housing would not just interfere with the broadcast of the Cowboys game, but could prove fatal if not corrected in minutes.  

The effect of solar flares and radiation on Mars surface are not fully known.

Brownsville being on the Mars bandwagon poses no problem.  Even if its just a fantasy, SpaceX' presence could still be a positive with job creation and inventions useful to Earth's occupants.

HAS ELON MUSK REALLY THOUGHT THIS MARS THING THROUGH?

Elon Musk

Elon Musk's mad dash to Mars and desire for Earth's inhabitants to be multi-planetary is fueled by his belief that the Sun will "soon engulf" the Earth.

When?

A billion Earth years from now?

Even if Musk could put a timeline to Earth's demise, no one will be around to prove him wrong.

But, if a solar explosion "engulfs" Earth, 93,000,000 miles from the Sun, wouldn't that massive conflagration also consume Earth's closest planetary neighbor, Mars, a mere 147,770,000 miles from the Sun?

Running to Mars to escape the Sun's "engulfment" of Earth seems equivalent to hiding in the weeds adjacent to a forest fire.

Anyway, things are pretty cold on Mars, with an average temperature of -81F and a low of -220F.  

Musk says he will try to "warm Mars up" a little.

As for the oxygen humans and other Earth creatures need to survive, NASA has been working on that.

NASA's Perseverance Rover

NASA's Perseverance Rover that landed on Mars February 18, 2021, was equipped with a device called the MOXIE, Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment.

That device has produced about 9 grams of "breathable oxygen," converting it from CO2.

Mars has no organic matter, no soil in which plants could grow, its surface covered in toxic regolith containing chloride compounds.

There are other barriers we could mention, but, suffice to say, Mars seems inhospitable to human life

Were it not for Musk's speculation about Earth's doom, this planet has room for billions more inhabitants.

Thinly-Populated Mongolia

The huge country of Mongolia has a population density of 1.9 inhabitants per square kilometer(American spelling).

Our northern neighbor, Canada, has only 4 inhabitants per square km.

Even the world's most populous country, China, with 1,477,084,648 people, has many thinly populated regions as does India.

Musk's pursuit of his dream will likely produce equipment or concepts that will prove useful, much as the U.S. space program has done, but his pursuit of Mars as, not only a destination, but prime real estate for Earth's inhabitants, seems to be not well thought out.

Many women have married men over the years with the belief they could "change him."

That usually doesn't work out.

It's much harder to change a planet.

A BLACK ACTIVIST WHO MADE WHITES UNCOMFORTABLE

Robert "Say" McIntosh, Jr.  in the 80's

During my 29 years in Arkansas (1970-1999) I met some interesting people; Nolan Richardson, who coached the Arkansas Razorbacks to a national title in 1994, James Pledger, Clinton's Chief of Staff as President and Bill Clinton, once when he was Attorney General and once as Governor.

My personal favorite, however, was Robert McIntosh, Sr., a self-effacing Black man, hired by a company in Little Rock as a janitor, ending his career 50 years later in the same position.

"Mr. Mac," as he was known by most, also ran a small eatery, was considered a barbecue God with his barbecue sauce sold all over the city.

Mac had two sons, both of whom eventually owned restaurants, having inherited their dad's work ethic and practice of starting every day at 4:00 AM.

One son particularly, Robert "Say" McIntosh, Jr. became widely known as the "Sweet Potato Pie King" of Little Rock, but also as "Black Santa."

While McIntosh, Sr. was soft-spoken and mild-mannered, his son, "Say" McIntosh was not.

"Say" was loud and angry.

"Say" was the one thing Arkansans hated the most; a Black activist, someone constantly pushing civil rights, equality, a constant and annoying reminder of the South's horrendous record of slavery, suppression and oppression of Blacks.

A frequent guest on local talk shows, McIntosh would speak with a rapid-fire, preacher type delivery, about issues concerning the Black community, not winning many fans among the white audiences. 

But, people loved his sweet potato pies, buying them by the thousands at Safeway, Kroger, Albertson's in Central Arkansas, with $1.00 from each pie sold going into "Say" McIntosh's Christmas fund.

On Christmas Day, "Say" McIntosh, dressed as Black Santa, went into the ghettos of Little Rock and North Little Rock and to other small towns in central Arkansas, distributing toys to boys and girls from those monies earned from pie sales. 

Over a decade ago, I garnered a copy of Mr. McIntosh's sweet potato pie recipe.

Three are in the oven right now.

BROWNSVILLE'S DR. LAURA CISNEROS' CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS, DISTRICT 34 GAINING MOMENTUM

 

MISSING 13 YEAR OLD LOCATED NEAR SPACEX

 

Missing 13 year old Bella Martinez was located by Cameron County deputies near SpaceX.

County officials are still on the lookout for Aryel Moreno, a person of interest in the case.

BROWNSVILLE DOCTOR OR MCALLEN TRANSFER FOR CONGRESS, DISTRICT 34?

 

Dr. Laura Cisneros

It was local attorney Jerry Danache who introduced us to Dr. Laura Cisneros last week at a local steakhouse.  

The 52 year old Cisneros, running for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 34, is a medical doctor, practicing oncology for the last 21 years, lives in Brownsville with an 18 year son enrolled in a high school in B.I.S.D.

During our conversation, Cisneros mentioned several concerns she has for our local district.

Cisneros is concerned about medical care for those who do not qualify for government assistance, yet do not make enough to provide medical coverage for their families.

While she realizes many families purchases bottled water, Dr. Cisneros wants water standards upgraded with fewer contaminants and carcinogens.

She accepts "no excuses" for our area's poor flood control.

Dr. Cisneros' primary opponent will be District 15 representative, McAllen resident Vicente Gonzalez.

A reader explains Gonzalez' rationale for transferring his candidacy from District 15 to District 34:

Yes. they deliberately drew his home out of CD 15 by drawing a narrow line west from the actual Western CD 34 boundary (Veterans Blvd) and went across two Pharr pcts to get to the corner of the Precinct where his house is situated in his McAllen pct - only including just the 1/4 corner of that precinct in the redrawn CD 34 map. 

They just wanted to grab his house and get him moved to a theoretically easier District in which to run. 

He wanted to move to running in the east because, with Cameron, it had a stronger DEM rating after redistricting (Packing) vs the 'Dem Plus 1' of District 15. 

He said that it would be too hard and that he wanted to move to CD 34 as it would be easier. 

Additionally, 81,000 REGISTERED voters (NOT voters who actually VOTED) East of US 281 in Hidalgo were moved from CD 15 to join Cameron as CD 34.

Simultaneously, he GAINED all the Dems in Western Hidalgo (CD 15) - those which used to be Henry Cisneros' voters - and who are Solid Dem voters - it was an even switch on the two edges of Hidalgo - gained the West and lost the East - even swap and even partisanship - but the greatest part is that he abandoned or left 200,000 thousand voters in the center of Hidalgo county that he has represented for his 6 years in Congress - the people who actually elected him. 

He has never run in Cameron - they were not his constituents. FYI - congressional members do not have to live in their District.

Of course, it will be up to voters to decide between an actual Brownsville resident or one who's simply tried to move where "the grass seems greener" for his candidacy.

But, if a project or funding is up for grabs between Brownsville and McAllen, which of these two candidates would likely favor Brownsville~the Brownsville resident or the McAllen transfer?

YOUTHFUL TREY MENDEZ APPEARS IN UTB/TSC AD IN 2009

 

CITY COMMISSIONER DE LOS SANTOS ADDRESSES BROWNSVILLE'S FLOODING PROBLEM AT FUNDRAISER

 

Commissioner Roy de los Santos

With his typical openness, City Commissioner Roy de los Santos, in his opening remarks to the group gathered Wednesday evening at the 1929 Whiskey Tavern downtown, explained that his fundraiser's purpose was to retire $17,000 in remaining debt from his recent campaign.

A portion of the proceeds would also go to buy turkeys for Monica & Maggie's House, a center that serves child victims of abuse.

At the end of the evening, five attendees had their names drawn for free turkeys, with all five winners agreeing to add their turkeys to the child abuse center donation.

De los Santos addressed several key city issues.

He stated that permitting requirements in Brownsville were "abysmal" with respect to building in areas known to flood.

"Irresponsible developers build houses in areas known to flood and then it becomes a city problem when people get water in their homes."

De los Santos said standards with respect to building in areas that historically flood have to be raised and irresponsible developers called out and cited.

Developers who carefully avoid flooding areas with their projects need to be recognized.  The homes they construct are worth more to buyers.

He said the city commission had recently approved the largest infrastructure project in its history, $46,000,000, to deal with areas that flood in Brownsville.

"We know where it floods and we will go to those areas to address the problem," stated De los Santos.

An audience member asked De los Santos how he felt about the recently defeated convention center proposal.

"It would have been good for the city and the recently-annexed area would have contributed to the city's tax base," stated De los Santos.

De los Santos said that for such a project to work, every city and community in Cameron County would have to be approached for their support and sold on the project's benefits.

"That didn't happen," he stated.

Will the project be brought up again?  

"Likely," De los Santos said.

As for his own political plans, De los Santos explained that term limits will prevent Rose Gowen from seeking another term as City Commissioner At Large.

De los Santos plans to run for that position in 2025 when his current term as City Commissioner in District 3 expires as does Gowen's City Commissioner At Large term.

"So many times I've been asked for help, only to explain that the person doesn't live in my district and refer them to their commissioner.  Being a City Commissioner At Large, I could serve the entire city."

De los Santos also explained the the city's district boundaries have to be redrawn as, currently District 3 has a much larger population than the other districts, while District 1 is far too small.

WILL BROWNSVILLE SOON BE NEEDING A NEW CITY MANAGER AND MAYOR?

City Manager Noel Bernal

It appears the Noel Bernal "Total Alignment" era  with the City of Brownsville may soon end.

A reliable source tells us Bernal is "out" as City Manager and is actively seeking employment elsewhere.

Bernal, a nice  young man with a head full of management theory, never seemed to make our city function like it should, despite a small army of high-paid assistants and huge consultant fees.

In the most recent fiscal year, the City Manager's office employed 5 assistants at a salary of $857,648.  That same year Bernal also spent $976,420 on consultant fees.

Why in the Hell would a competent City Manager need that much backup support?

The Brownsville Observer speculated in October 2, 2018, two months before he took the job, that Bernal might not be on the job long based on his work history:

"Yet, Bernal has held five different jobs in eight years, an average of 1.6 years on each job.  

He served in the Pharr Economic Corporation for 8 months in 2010-2011. Since then he’s worked in La Villa (1 year, 8 months), Falfurias (2 years, 5 months), and Taylor, Texas (2 years, 5 months). He now works Coppell, Texas. He’s been there since August 2017.

If hired for something close to $250,000 per annum plus benefits, will he stay long term, long enough to right Brownsville's governmental ship and steady the progress toward job growth, development and asset management?

Considering his employment history, that's the big question about Bernal."

Bernal's original contract with the City of Brownsville was extended on September 15, 2020 extended for two more years, effective October 1, 2020 at a salary or $225,000 with added deferred annual compensation of $19,500.  That contract ends September 30, 2022.

These are turbulent times for the City of Brownsville with long-time city official Ramiro Gonzalez retiring after a self-serving use of his city office for personal enrichment was revealed.

Mayor Trey Mendez

Mayor Trey Mendez, it was also discovered, was attempting to personally claim $280,000 of BCIC funding for use on his own downtown properties.

When Mendez' attempted money grab became known, he withdrew the requests.

So, it appears the city will soon be seeking a new City Manager and when his term runs out in 2023, likely a new mayor as well.

ROY DE LOS SANTOS FUNDRAISER AT 1929 WHISKEY TAVERN

 

Ana and I will see you there!

SARA STAPLETON BARRERA FORMALLY ANNOUNCES FOR TEXAS SENATE DISTRICT 27

 

Sara Stapleton Barrera

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brownsville, November 6, 2021: Sara Stapleton Barrera has announced her bid for Texas State Senate District 27 for the upcoming 2022 Democratic Texas Primary. 

She is a constitutional trial lawyer, mother of three, and known activist for government reform, including term limits and campaign finance reform. 

Stapleton Barrera is also the founder of South Texans for Term Limits.

Stapleton Barrera is noted as the strongest former challenger that the retiring incumbent, Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr has faced, losing by a small margin in a forced run-off, while being outspent 13 to 1 with substantial funds coming from outside district corporate interests and Republican Super PACs for her opponent.

Corpus Christi native, Pepe Serna, known for his successful career as an actor, movie producer and human rights activist, has filed as her Campaign Treasurer.

Stapleton Barrera is entering the race in order to help “give back South Texans their government.” She plans on assisting economic growth through sustainable expansion that puts the people first. 

“There is much to be done in restoring equality of laws without discrimination and in guaranteeing constitutional protection for all Texans,” said Stapleton Barrera.

Contact:

Ricardo Barrera (956) 428-2822

CAN DR. LAURA CISNEROS FEND OFF THE TRANSFER CANDIDATE FROM DISTRICT 15 TO WIN DISTRICT 34?

 

Dr. Laura Cisneros

Dr. Laura Cisneros, a local oncologist, has entered the District 34 House of Representatives race to replace retiring Filemon Vela.

Cisneros, who's practiced oncology for 21 years, has an 18 year old son, a clinic in Harlingen and a Brownsville address.

Cisneros is concerned that healthcare is not really available to all.

"There's an income level where you no longer qualify for assistance, but can't afford to pay for health care," stated Cisneros. 

Cisneros also advocates for cleaner, purer drinking water from the tap.

"Everyone buys bottled water," she thinks is a poor excuse for not filtering carcinogens, impurities and contaminants from tap water.

Cisneros finds that flooding in the same areas again and again is inexcusable.

"Don't tell me it was an unexpected rain," she tells politicians who make excuses for constant flooding.

"It's not possible to represent big corporations and to represent the people at the same time.  The corporations, with their big money, will always win the battle for attention."

"I want to be the voice of the people," Cisneros says.

Cisneros' main competition seems to come from Vicente Gonzalez, who previously served in District 15, but finds District 34 more easily winnable.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION~EASILY THE MOST CRIMINAL IN U.S. HISTORY

 

18 Individuals Associated with Donald Trump Since his 2015 Run for Office;  Arrested, Indicted, Jailed or Imprisoned

BROWNSVILLE NOSTALGIA 1939-1941

 

Brownsville Herald ad in 1939 offering Missouri-Pacific train round trip to McAllen for $1.00 to watch the Brownsville Eagles take on the McAllen Bulldogs. . . . . .when a dollar was worth a dollar

The 1940-41 Brownsville High School Pep Squad directed by Miss Monroe who later became Mrs. Margaret Clark.  BISD's Margaret Clark Aquatic Center is named after her.

GOP CANDIDATE TRAINING WORKSHOP

Cameron County Republican Chair Morgan Cisneros Graham

Interested in running for office? Come join us to learn what you need to do to launch a successful campaign!

About this event

The Texas Republican Initiative and the Cameron County Republican Party are presenting a GOP candidate training workshop this Saturday, November 20th, from Noon until 4pm. Location will be provided upon confirmation of registration.

If you're a candidate, prospective candidate, campaign manager, or campaign treasurer, this event is for you. We'll be discussing what resources are available to candidates from the Republican Party, the role of the Party vs. the role of individual campaigns, strategies for running a successful campaign, and campaign finance basics you need to know.

Speakers include:

Morgan Cisneros Graham- Chairman of the Cameron County Republican Party, President of the Texas Republican Initiative, and State Republican Executive Committeewoman for State Senate District 27.

Carlos Cascos- State Republican Executive Committeeman for State Senate District 27, former Cameron County Judge, and former Texas Secretary of State.

Mark McCaig- Attorney and Chairman of the Texas Republican Initiative

Registration is required to attend this event. Many thanks to our event sponsor, Mayra Flores for Congress!

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Morgan Cisneros Graham at 956-622-1010 or morgangraham@cascoscpa.com.

CARLOS CASCOS SLAMS EDDIE TREVINO

 

Carlos Cascos

As we venture onto our 2022 elections, please remember that in Cameron County the county judge (Trevino) had no issue awarding himself & other elected officials unearned raises, unilaterally distributing vaccine vouchers, while many had to wait for hours to simply pick up a voucher & then wait for hours to get the vaccine, allowing a fellow court member to host a wedding with over 200 guests in the midst of the pandemic, failed to open shelters after a freeze, actively supporting a $100M arena project that financially made no sense...do we really need this kind of leadership for another 4 years?

I trust not.

LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL RACE TAINTED BY GERRYMANDERING

Gerrymandering, manipulating the boundaries of a political district to favor one party over the other, is one of the uglier aspects of politics.

Texas, according to the Associated Press, is the most gerrymandered state in the union.

Take a gander at the map above.  Those odd, irregularly shaped districts are not the result of natural boundaries like rivers, mountain ranges or even county lines, but pure political skulduggery.

While the lines we see are currently shaped by the controlling Republicans, both parties do this kind of shit when they get the chance.

Locally, the District 34 race, has obviously been effected, with Representative Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat, switching districts after Governor Abbott and Texas Republicans gerrymandered his district into a more Republican one.

Gonzalez now wants to run for re-election in District 34, one one that gerrymandering left predominantly Democrat.

We encountered a Vicente Gonzalez campaign sign with a generic "for U.S. Congress" phrasing with Gonzalez in a quizzical, squinting "what should I do now?" expression.

Gerrymandering reared its ugly head and seemingly has made Gonzalez' decision for him.  

He's running for District 34 as his former District 15 has become more of a challenge.

MY CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH FAUSTO YTURRIA, SR. IN 1967

Brownsville Observer Editor, 1966-67

I'd been in Brownsville about a year and met Tom Robinson. I think it was 1967.

Pulling away from Tom's house on Palm Boulevard, I failed to notice an International Scout traveling north on Palm and the front left tire of my '59 VW hit the driver's front right tire, puncturing it.

The driver of the Scout happened to be the owner of the Gulf station at the corner of Palm and Boca Chica Boulevards.

I admitted to being at fault and the station owner said he would settle for a new tire and new wheel cover.

I agreed.

Later in the day, I ran into an elderly friend of mine, Martin Jensen, an Iowa farmer, who'd been living in Brownsville several decades since his divorce. 

Yturria Bank Building

"I know just the person you need to see," said Jensen as we drove to downtown Brownsville, stopping in front of the Yturria Bank Building.

We walked up the stairs to the office of Fausto Yturria, Sr., who listened carefully to my description of the accident.

"No, no no!  That's not what happened!" exclaimed Mr. Yturria.

"That driver was distracted by a young girl in a miniskirt and rammed into your vehicle.  He needs to pay for your damages," explained Yturria.

"Tell you what.  I have a grandson who just finished law school and has set up his practice.  He could use a little experience.  Let me give you the address of his office.  Tell him his grandfather sent you.  Oh, and before you leave, let me give you a word of advice:  Buy all the land you can!"

As I walked down the stairs from the Yturria Building's second floor, my anxiety dissipated.  Although, I knew how the accident happened, it felt good to be supported by such an experienced legal professional.

We went to the new lawyer's office, the grandson's, described the accident, mentioning the grandfather's referral.

"Oh, that son of a bitch!" said the grandson when I mentioned his grandfather.

"That's your grandfather!" I replied.

"Yeah, I know, but he's still a son of a bitch," replied the grandson lawyer.

"Well, you can pay the man for his damages, pay the ticket, if there was one, or you can give me $800 and I'll throw a big barbecue, get the judge drunk and get you off." 

I told Yturria's grandson I would just pay the man's damages.

"That's what I'd recommend," he replied.

I paid the station owner for his damages in two payments.

He thanked me, stating he was glad to have met someone who was "a man of his word."

 

 

https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/59148345add7b049344a4563

MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING ER DOCTOR IN BROWNSVILLE HOSPITAL

Laura Martinez, Brownsville Herald

James John Beach

A Brownsville man’s trip to the emergency room landed him in jail after he allegedly assaulted a doctor who was treating him.

Brownsville police report 53-year-old James John Beach walked into the emergency room at Valley Baptist Medical Center on Wednesday seeking treatment, said Investigator Martin Sandoval, spokesman for the Brownsville Police Department.

Sandoval said during Beach’s time in the emergency room, he was being belligerent and used profane language towards the staff.

Beach was then advised by a doctor that he needed to calm down and not to use foul language towards the staff.

“Beach got upset and started to strike the doctor,” Sandoval said.Brownsville police arrived at the hospital and took Beach into custody.

Beach was arraigned Wednesday on one count of assault on emergency personnel providing service. His bond was set at $10,000.

ERIN GAMEZ ANNOUNCES FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 38

 

The pandemic has changed our lives since I last spoke with many of you. Over the past year, we have all experienced loss. Loss of our way of life, loss of loved ones and friends, loss of normalcy.

My heart and prayers go out to all who have been affected by this pandemic. But, more than anything, we have learned to appreciate how precious this life is, the blessing of being able to come together, and the joy of unity.

I am coming to you again, still fortunate to call South Texas my home. Now, more than ever, I want to represent our community in Austin and become your first female State Representative in the lower RGV.

I have been told that the best strategy right now is to wait, to let the redistricting maps settle, and then announce my candidacy. However, after what transpired during this redistricting process and seeing how divisive politics can be, I firmly believe that this is not the time to sit on the sidelines.

We cannot spare another day.

Today, I am announcing that no matter where we land on these new redistricting lines, or which District we could fall in, I am compelled to roll up my sleeves and start working. I want you to know that I am here, ready to fight for you.

It does not matter if you live in Brownsville, Port Isabel, South Padre Island, Harlingen, or San Benito. If you live in the Rio Grande Valley, I urge you to stand with me against any and all efforts to diminish our voice in Austin.

We thrive together and I will fight for ALL of us. If we do not stand together, they will decide our fate for us.

I am asking for your support once again because we have faith; Faith in tomorrow and the power to change our destiny. Enough faith to know that even if these political maps change, our determination never will. The same faith my father taught me to always keep alive in the face of difficulty. The same faith I have today, announcing my candidacy, and the same faith I will have representing you in Austin.

So, today I say this: My name is Erin Elizabeth Gamez and I want to be your Texas State Representative.

A CHRISTMAS SONG I NEVER TIRE OF HEARING

 

7TH GRADE INAUGURAL BASEBALL CEREMONY

 

These people don't look like 7th graders, but possibly some BISD board members and administrators gathered in a ceremony celebrating the new baseball program for 7th graders.

That's baseball historian Rene Torres on the left, who sent the photo of the inauguration ceremony.

It would have been great to see the actual 7th grade players. . . . . . oh, just sent and posted below:

Vela Middle School Eagles Baseball Team

HOW SNOBS RUIN IT FOR THE REST OF US

Snobs take the enjoyment out of everything.

Wine snobs pontificate about proper storage room temperature, UV resistant doors and bottle wrapping.

Tuning them out, I enjoy my $6 merlot.

Craft beers were intriguing, but beer snobs take things too far; analyzing aroma, foam, flavored "notes," even "fruitiness" or, worse yet, "hints of fruitiness."

Poetic justice comes to our rescue.

Now, wine and beer snobs have to put up with coffee snobs.

A couple days ago, I mentioned on Facebook that I'd been drinking Folgers for 60 years, since I was 13.  

In seconds, a coffee aficionado came out of nowhere to lecture me on "good" coffee.

Mrs. Olson

The coffee variants are fine.  I've tried several.  One pecan flavored brew was a good change of pace, but I've returned to dadgum Mrs. Olson's Mountain Grown Folgers, thank you very much.

I'm fine with overthinking things.  I've done it all my life, but analysis ruins drinking.

BASEBALL LEGEND TY COBB

 

Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb, nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American League baseball player from Narrows, Georgia. 

Cobb spent 22 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, the last six as the team's player-manager, then finished his career with the Philadelphia Athletics.

Cobb was noted as a fiercely competitive, sometimes angry player, who would slide into base with his spikes aimed high.

The above picture, autographed by Ty's grandson, was a gift to former TSC Trustee Rene Torres.