Western and Spanish themes

Rick Flores in the blogosphere

Burnt Orange Report is keeping track of the sheriff's race.

Truckin'

Is it a love for the open road or something else?

Geoffrey Arnold, president of the Nevada Brothel Owners' Association, said
truckers account for up to 75 percent of business at the state's rural brothels
along Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 95.

Still on hold

Why did Henry Cuellar vote to give phone companies immunity?
I'll give you 15,500 reasons.

What, what is it?!!!

I hate running errands in Laredo because one way or another, something or somebody will get on my nerves. And this weekend was no exception.

First my motorcycle just decided to die. This after a two week-old tuneup.

Then I go hand over my hard-earned money to an automobile insurance company, (Don't get me started on insurance companies) and I get the aloof associate paying more attention to Alejandra Guzman's "Hacer El Amor Con Otro" than to me.

And the capper is: yelling into the Popeye's intercom because the employee on the other side doesn't understand what I want.

A SMALL SIERRA MIST!!! (they don't have Sprite)

Que?
A SMALL SIERRA MIST!!!

mumble, mumble
Ah, pasele a la ventana.

Anyway, it's about 105 degrees out, I'm honking at people, they're flipping me off, yadda, yadda.

Next time somebody tells me to have a good weekend, I'm reacting like Holly Hunter when Nicolas Cage comes back empty handed.

So before I cool off, I want to get some things off my shes.

What's up with Bill Clinton?! I used to be a big fan of his until this year. Now he's saying that Barack Obama must kiss his ass to get his support. Bill, I love you but you have to go now.

Next. Free trade and the people who love it. Here's a quote from our mayor.

"In Laredo, we know that free trade means jobs and a job means a better
standard of living, not matter what side of the border on which you live,"
Salinas said.

Lovely. The people in Flint, MI must feel the same way. I would keep myself from laughing at the mayor's comment if Laredo high school SAT scores were higher. And the "on which you live" ending, oh gawd.

George Carlin? I found him annoying; not that funny.


Overrated: Anne Hathaway, Cameron Diaz, Angelina Jolie, SJP, Pamela Anderson, Olsen twins.

White men with doo rags like Hulk Hogan, and Brett Michaels need an intervention. It's time for a makeover, just as long as you stay away from Billy Ray Cyrus', or Kenny Rogers' stylist.

And white people on T.V. with more than five children are not special. I used to love Eight Is Enough back in the day but I've come to realize that the more children you have, the more of Earth's resources you gobble up. If you're thinking about having a ton of children, I'm sure Oprah will come calling.
Why doesn't cable television do a show about the trials of single women? THAT would be interesting. Maybe it already exists and I don't know it.

Lastly, Creed on the radio - there's no need. That'll be La Sanbe's new credo: Creed, no need.
Look for t-shirts this Fall. (free to all Sanbe regulars)

Thanks for checking in.

359 art

College readiness

Local SAT scores.

The most recent Texas Education Agency data shows that in the class of 2006, only 24 percent of United Independent School District students were college ready in reading and math. At Laredo ISD, the figure was just 14 percent.

Rainbow

Slowly going the way of the buffalo

A barber shop in San Antonio is closing its doors.

They frequented the shop from 6 a.m. to noon through the week for decades.

Where's Guzman?

The defendant went out for lunch and didn't return.

Guzman is the second defendant facing sexual assault charges to skip out on trial this week.

It's a tight ship we're running down here.

Strawberry Letter 23 - Brothers Johnson

Expected high for Laredo today is 102.

Jehovah's Witnesses

They don't vote.

Witnesses also refrain from serving in the military, running for public office, and pledging allegiance to the flag.

Learn something new every day.

Big BAD John

Cornyn's Big Bad John video is a hoot.

Texas drought

I am totally against building a water park in Laredo.

While each city should have enough water through the summer from backup sources and conservation, now is the time to start saving, the release said.

Besides, we already have a water park. It's called the Civic Center Pool.

FISA bill

Henry Cuellar voted for the FISA Bill.  More Democrats voted against it than for it.

What this bill does is give immunity to telecom companies for turning over phone "records of millions of innocent Americans to the federal government without proper oversight and without a warrant."

I'm waiting for comment from Henry Cuellar's Laredo office.

God and burgers

The villagers react

A local taxpayer is upset about the lack of financial sense over at LISD. Watch the video. It's very representative of Laredo.

The Rio Grande

It'll be dry in fifteen years. Believe it or not.

Money woes

LISD is short of cash, again. And because of that, ol' Shirley Field will stay intact.

Now several years later, construction costs have skyrocketed and LISD trustees
have already used about $14 million of the $60 million 2005 bond issue and $57
million 2006 bond issue to pay for things that weren't part of those bond
issues.

Is that legal? ???

Rick Flores speaks

Mark your calendar. Rick Flores is going to take his case to court July 16 to try to get his job back. According to him, it's all a scheme by the all-powerful Cuellar clan to depose him.

"Henry's scheme involving endless court battles and a draw on resources, use
of the courts and the appeals process, is deja vu in the 2008 sheriff's race and
ironically appears to be the same scenario with the same attorneys, which forced
Congressman Rodriguez out of the race," Flores' statement reads. "That's
not going to happen to us."

Rick, you're being forced out of office by the voters.
Get over it. Your cavalier attitude has worn thin.
And what does the Cuellar camp think of all this?

"It's a desperate act from a desperate man."

It's hypocritical, that's what it is. Flores accuses Cuellar of using the court system to get what he wants, but it's been Flores who has been dragging this thing out, and along the way, saying some pretty peculiar things.

Flores also said in his statement, issued Tuesday evening, that the "heat
is being turned up in the sheriff's race" and that he received a threat Monday
while in Boston.

Is he trying to insinuate that Cuellar has something to do with this?
Rick, focus. Let's get back to the subject of one of your poll watchers turning the count in your favor by 177 votes - allegedly.

Blue on green

Israel v. Iran

Get ready for $10/gallon gasoline.

For many countries, choosing between bombing Iran and Iran with a bomb is a tough call. But there is no doubt what choice Israel would make.

We should really start rationing fuel, and growing our own vegetables.

Welcome to Dixie

If you don't like the flag, leave.
(This is not my truck)

Yoga anyone?

Coming together through silent posing.

Hit the road

My Cousin Vinny - Voir Dire

La Sanbe contributor Piper Maru had jury duty today. She found out something rather interesting. Apparently Laredoans don't know how to pronounce legal terminology.
Case in point: Voir dire.

Instead of saying vwah-deer, we say vor-dyer.
We're a bunch of numbskulls.

The visiting judge had to clarify both pronunciations specifying that "here in South Texas" we do things a little different. The judge was very accomadating. To him, "it's all good."

Over there

Laredoans in Afghanistan.

Big logs

A company mistakenly (allegedly) knocked down 150 mature oak trees in Austin. Needless to say, it's upset some people.

"That was a horrible thing these guys did, and the city needs to make them
pay," he said. "The city needs to better enforce the tree preservation
ordinance or else these builders will keep getting away with this stuff."

I went to a local nursery Friday to check out what they had in stock. I asked the price of a pecan tree that was about 12-15 feet high. The sucker was $500!
I did not ask if labor was included in the price.
Anyway, how much do you think the oak trees were worth?

Shade in Laredo

Yes it's true.
The iron fence is going up next to the soccer fields. The hiking trail is in the wooded area in the distance. The trail itself is about two blocks long, and you end up in an open sunny area. It's a start.
Slaughter Park coming soon.

Where's Rick?

I got used to seeing Rick Flores on T.V. all the time but ever since he lost the election, he's been a no-show. Even when he won the recount by 133 votes, all he said to the camera was "I'm going to go back to work," and he was gone.
He's still got six months to go. What gives?

"I welcome any investigation into the many improprieties that have taken place at the Webb County Elections Administration," Flores said in a prepared statement Friday.
"...the blame for any alleged irregularities would fall squarely on the shoulders of Oscar Villarreal."

Wow. That was a prepared statement. In it he accuses Villarreal of mishandling the election process. Rick likes to flaunt his resume and pass himself off as an educated man but here he manages to talk out of his ass.
Rick, you lost. And the state is now looking into one of your poll watchers turning the race over in your favor. Have some dignity man.

Really hate going out

Gas-saving tips

People are going retro with their lawnmowers.

Here's a demo.

CLIFF RICHARD - Devil Woman (1976)

Soaking up the Seventies.

Slaughter Park Nature Trail

An Eagle Scout is going to lead the way in laying out a trail at the Slaughter Park.

Volunteers will clean smaller trees and lay mulch for the hiking trail, which winds through wooded areas on the parkland's northwest portion.

An irrigation system has been set up for the soccer fields, and an iron fence is in the works along Chacon St.
This whole thing is finally coming along.
La Sanbe will have some pics up tomorrow.

Denial

Has anyone told them?

Global warming

This might be helpful when talking to a global warming denier.

Donate today

Obama opts out of public financing.

There's one other delicious irony at work -- don't you find it funny that
McCain, the Republican, is embracing government funding for the election while
Obama, the Democrat, would rather be self-reliant?

I'm looking forward to November's election. It looks to be a historic event. If all goes well, I'll have something significant to tell my grandchildren someday instead of recounting the day O.J. drove down the highway in a white Bronco.

It's not over

Sheriff Rick Flores just won't let it go.

In a written statement, Flores confirmed he would, in fact, pursue an election contest.

Live Oak

Webb County sheriff's recount

Webb County Sheriff's recount

KGNS (pro8news.com) just reported that Martin Cuellar came out ahead in the recount for sheriff. He beat incumbent Rick Flores by 39 votes. The original election night totals showed Cuellar ahead by 37 votes.
The first recount that was requested by Flores resulted in his "victory" over Cuellar by more than 100 votes....a statistical impossibility (according to Laredo's own "Heatwave" Berler).

Flores was unavailable for comment on the news tonight. That only makes him come across as a sore loser. His past live television interviews have proven that he is seemingly incapable of taking the high road in defeat. Only when he is the winner does he indulge the media with a tip of the hat and a smile.

Congratulations to the Cuellar camp.

Is it really over this time?

UPDATE
It might not be over. Is Rick Flores financially ready to drag this on further?

Wood, Flores' attorney, pointed toward other irregularities in the second
recount.

Rick Flores was not in town Tuesday night, but still could've called in to say a few words.

Flores' spokeswoman, Tessie Medina, said earlier in the day that the sheriff
would likely make a statement after the results came in. She could not be
reached late Tuesday.

Mufflers

National Industrial Recovery Act

Let's hear it for minimum wage! hip hip, hooray!

Businesses that pay low wages lobby strongly against increases, arguing
that they cause jobs to disappear.

Cheap labor - gotta have it.

White casa

When lead singers freak out..

This one goes out to bozos that think throwing junk on stage during a rock show is a cool thing to do. Word to the wise - the band may just decide to fight back. Such an altercation took place over the weekend during Queens of the Stone Age set at Oslo festival. What in the hell does any of this have to do with LaSanbe you ask? Well, good question. It turns out that Queens drummer is one Joey Castillo - a cali native. We here at LaSanbe support fellow Mexican rockers and out of control frontmen - so there you go. Enjoy your summer.

Martin H.S. Class of '88 reunion

The Martin Tiger Class of '88 is having their reunion on August 16 at the Gathering Place on Shiloh.





Somebody inquired about the Nixon Mustang reunion. I don't have a date for it but I'll try to get the scoop.

UPDATE: The Nixon reunion will take place August 16 at The Atrium on Jacaman Rd. A TV commercial is in the works.

If anyone knows about the Cigarroa Toro reunion, let me know.
And that goes for United too.

Cooking with El Chavo

Burger combos can get old.

El Chavo keeps it real by cooking Verdolagas.

Looks interesting. I'll have to check with Laredo grocery stores for availability.

Adjusting to high gas prices

A Laredo gas station owner crossed the border to see about cheaper gasoline.

Arechiga brought some diesel back, put it in a clear bottle and compared it
with his own product. It was identical.

I love waiting for the bus

Getting its props

San Bernardo Ave. (aka La Sanbe) is being recognized tomorrow.

San Bernardo still bears witness to its glory days as a tourist attraction, including several sustaining examples of early motor inns or tourist courts answering the popularity of family travel by automobile.

Backyard Wedding Music

Andale Gloria!

Dry and hot

Raffles

A group was busted for conducting a raffle.

Under state law, only certain not-for-profit, religious and student organizations may conduct raffles.

Patricia Barrera, Tax Assessor, sold raffle tickets and football pots to help fund her campaign. Where does that fall under?

Catching up with Rep. Henry Cuellar

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar was in Laredo today to talk about a multi-million dollar grant for the Laredo International Airport.
The grant will be used for rehabilitation and upgrades.
I got a chance to talk to him about some other things.

I need to work on my shaky camera work.

Tim Russert dead at 58

RIP Tim. Thoughts and prayers...

Sheriff's department

What are they doing at the HEB?!













The sheriff's department is using more gasoline this year.

The increase comes despite the department's loss of 11 units from last year's fleet of vehicles, according to figures sent to the Commissioner's Court from the County Auditor Leo Flores' office. Officials with the Sheriff's Department did not respond to reported attempts for a comment.

That's it! Their cell phone privileges should be suspended. One, for using so much gas, and two, for not answering any calls.

Tin roof

Fight or Flight

Mexican police officers are crossing the border in El Paso to get medical attention for wounds suffered in the line of duty. While here, they require police protection.

"Don't put the burden on the local community. This is clearly the
result of the federal government's policy on the war on drugs."

It's all about compensation.
Laredo officials always talk about working with any agency to ensure the safety, and prosperity of the community, but I wonder how they would react if they were in this position.
What would Rick Flores do?

Veronica Escobar, an El Paso county commissioner who sat in on Tuesday's
closed-door meeting, said earlier in the day that she worries the city is being
used as a safe haven.

Yeah, you'd come over too if a target was painted on your back.

He's no doctor, he's my dentist

A little liposuction never killed anybody.

Prosecutors say Morales-Ryan performed breast augmentation, abdominoplasty
and liposuction operations but was not qualified to do so.

Apparently, dentistry doesn't pay.

Mission Afghanistan

Arturo, native of Laredo, on guard in a place far, far away.

His is part of the Chemical Unit that was sent off several months ago.

Decontamination duty yesterday, gun-wielding escorts today.

Free clinics

Some people are definitely saints.

"That means if it wasn't for places like this here, I'd be still home sick coughing my head off," Ervin says.

Keys

Hair

You have to wonder where all the money goes.

Stranded

Increased bus ridership is leaving some people behind.

Likewise in Austin, Texas, where "some of our operators are telling us that
sometimes the buses are so full that they have to tell passengers to wait for
the next bus," said Misty Whited, a spokeswoman for Capital Metro Transit.

Recycling

San Antonio is making their recycling efforts more efficient.

The change is more than quadrupling residents' curbside recycling
capability - a move the city is embracing because it can sell the paper, plastic
and cans for an average of $52 a ton.

Most of Laredo still uses blue plastic bags to round up its recycled products. Those blue bags have to be picked up manually by city employees.
A blue plastic can pilot program is underway in north Laredo.
How long before the blue cans reach the Chacon neighborhood?
The clock starts now.

Birthdays

3/11 - my friend Guillermo (San Antonio)
6/11 - Gene Wilder!!!
9/11 - my friend Ben (Dallas)
12/11 - me

March 11 is also the day of the Madrid train bombing but that's neither here nor there.

Hamilton Trophies

M*A*S*H

I consider myself a fan of the show. Regardless, this is strange.

On its hood, etched into the dust and pollen, were the words "Suicide is
Painless," the name of the theme of the classic "MASH" television show.

My better half "loves" that song.

Martin-Nixon game

I've just gotten an update on the upcoming high school football schedule.

Nixon and Martin will play August 30.

For those of you unfamiliar with local sports, this is the oldest rivalry in town. It was always the last game of the regular season; the game that was hyped up and well-attended. Now it's the first game because Nixon is now classified as a 4A school. I expect a lot of sloppy playing both from the football players, and the bands.

We'll know August 30 if the game still holds its appeal, especially with alumni who continue to use the motto: Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger.

Amargado

Fructuoso San Miguel is accusing mayor Salinas of abusing his power to hire the new police chief.

Salinas said he did not want to comment on the issue.

"He's the author," Salinas said about San Miguel's letter. "He's the
one that ought to be (commenting)."

Pa que te 'nojas?

It's really easy to push this mayor's buttons it seems. When he was criticized on the cover of LareDos, he ordered someone to remove all copies of the newspaper from plain sight. It's not the removal that bothered me so much, but instead the thin skin, and the act of ordering someone to do away with the LaroDos issues. Can you be more of a lazy ass than that?

It's your pride, you move 'em!

And now he's giving these lame responses to the media. The "my door is always open," and "we wan't to bring transparency" tag lines have gone out the window with this man.

Honestly, you're the mayor of the city with the largest inland port in the nation - start acting like it. The George W. impersonation won't cut it.

You're a big fan of the photo op. We see you alongside city employees paving Meadow Avenue, and you're pictured with the United Longhorn Baseball Team in council chambers, but it's going to take a little more than your mug in the paper to get you re-elected.

Every time you put on your suit and tie, it's time to play grown-up and convince us that everything is on the level. Fake it if you have to, but dump the sulking - it's annoying.

Truck pimpage

There are so many things you can do with a truck.

Homeland security

What does an escort go for these days?

After his arrest, Zuniga told investigators that he was paid $1,200 for
each load of illegal immigrants or narcotics he helped get across the border,
the document states.

What a shame. Career, and reputation all down the drain.

And yet another young person making bad decisions.

Benson's rocky relationship with the Bears took a turn for the worse when
he was arrested on a drunken driving charge in Austin, Texas, early Saturday
after failing a field sobriety test.

Make it stop!

Something new

I knew the price of oil shot up the other day, but it didn't hit me until I went to gas up today.
Regular unleaded is going for $3.95.
Effing unbelievable.
It's a good thing I'm a homebody.

OneWay

Going solar

High-def this, and X Box that really don't interest me, but solar panels do get my attention. And living in the Chacon neighborhood means that I won't have to worry about a homeowners association hassling me.

Solar advocates say high costs, a lack of incentives and resistant homeowners associations are clouding the nascent industry's future in the state.

It would be nice to get a tax break for buying solar panels for my house but that's not going to be a make-or-break thing for me.

A typical solar electric system for a home can cost between $20,000 to $29,000.

That's less than the cost of most cars.
I will go solar, sometime in the near future.

Housing

Foreclosures are nothing new in Laredo.

Locally, while the majority of foreclosures are concentrated in south Laredo, more than a handful of foreclosures have been in the north side, with houses in Regency, Alexander Estates and Winfield sold in the June auction.

I'm glad the local media decided to catch up.

Go ahead, have some

Indy movie

This looks interesting but I doubt it'll make it to Laredo.
If it doesn't smell like a blockbuster, it won't be shown here.

Rockin' is a tough gig

School closing

A school in Houston is ordered to close.

The Texas education commissioner ordered Sam Houston High School to close Thursday but in the same breath gave the Houston school district another shot at overhauling the campus, which has not met minimum academic standards for six straight years.

That sounds familiar. Laredo's oldest high school is having troubles of its own.

Preliminary data released Friday by the Texas Education Agency shows that Martin may have slipped into stage 4 federal sanctions, for failing to meet certain federal standards of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills five years in a row.

I wonder if our own superintendent is losing sleep over this. I'd like to get her reaction but she, like other local officials, has a nasty habit of not returning phone calls.

Original Rush drummer

John Rutsey died May 11.

Rutsey played drums with Rush from 1968 to 1974, as well as on the band's eponymous debut album, but departed soon afterwards, apparently due to a lifelong illness stemming from diabetes.

Classic rock radio still plays "Working Man" from Rush's first album. John's drumming was more straightforward than Neil Peart's, but it was perfect for the time and place.

Dealings

This is not good news for parents.

Hispanics also most often drank alcohol on school property, were offered or sold illegal drugs, and occasionally skipped school because they feared for their safety.

Beautiful Laredo

Shoutout to Portland

Construction of highways in San Antonio never seems to come to an end. I would think that they would have it all figured out by now.

America's usual answer to traffic congestion has been to add more lanes on
highways, or more highways, or more bridges and tunnels for more cars.

Laredo's only transit system, El Metro, is primarily used by those who are severely cash-strapped. And even then, some with no money in their pockets would die before taking the bus.

In recent years, only a few farsighted and ambitious cities, like Portland,
Oregon, have invested in light rail.

Via Atrios.

Shooting the breeze

This weekend, my brother-in-law brought up the topic of global warming. He asked me to explain the subject, when, according to him, recent events point to the contrary.

I passed on the opportunity because:



1. I'm not a scientist

2. It's not something I've researched and railed about, and

3. I don't think I can convince a Michael Savage fan of global warming.



Anyway, this from the EPA.

The intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded in 2007 that warming of
the climate system is now "unequivocal," based on observations of increases in
global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice,
and rising global average sea level.

He'd heard that the amount of ice was actually increasing somewhere in the world. I wasn't aware of this, but it's actually true. Nevertherless, it's not something that works in our favor.

The incremental expansion of Antartica's sea ice has coincided with some
more troubling changes. Four of the continent's largest glaciers are
retreating rapidly, and researchers blame increases in ocean temperature.

By the way, it's 100 degrees in "beautiful" Laredo.

John McCain

Mr. Excitement.

Flea

Out on the town

Where would I take people if they were visiting from out of town?

Paco Barrientos stated Laredoans should "rededicate ourselves and rediscover
Laredo."

I could treat visitors to Jet Skiing at Lake Casa Blanca. There's only one problem: nobody rents jet skis in town.
We could catch a minor league baseball game at Veterans Field if you don't mind the heckling of opposing players in Spanish.
Other than that, I've got nothing.

Profile

A drunk driver, driving a Grand Marquis, with tinted windows? This guy is definitely from south Texas.

Scouts

Stanley Cup Final

I can't believe this game is still going on.
Triple overtime, tied at 3.

Monday

"To all of which is added a selection from the elementary schools of subjects of the most promising genius, who parents are too poor to give them further education, to be carried at the public expense through the colleges and university." Thomas Jefferson

Shooting

Laredoans like to go to church and then go dine at Cotulla. Others skip church and just go get their weekly fix of barbacoa.

The man, described as a Hispanic male in his 40's, sustained five gunshot
wounds to the upper and lower extremities, authorities say.

This guy must've done something wrong for the suspects to go after him so early on a Sunday morning. They couldn't wait for the lunch rush to start.
I'm curious to find out if the restaurant will have security guards patrolling the premises next weekend.

Escapees

Licenses

If you give immigrants a chance to follow the rules, they will.

Let's be fair

I'd like to see the Minutemen, Tom Tancredo, and Lou Dobbs go after the bastards who hire undocumented immigrants.

"Until we enforce our immigration laws equally against both employers and employees who break the law, we will continue to have a problem with immigration," said U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, an Iowa Democrat whose district borders Postville.

I call employers bastards because they hire people who present fraudulent papers, then treat 'em like crap, and in some cases, don't pay them for the work done. And when the fuzz comes down on them, they act like they have no way of finding out if someone is here illegally.
I say: throw 'em in jail.

Hockey anyone?