Welcome to SantaAnna News.com

Welcome Home James

A special SantaAnnaNews.com "Welcome Home" to James Culpepper, returning from his seven and a half month deployment at sea on the USS John C Stennis.

James was set to arrive home this week in San Diego to some signs made just for him, reading "Daddy, you're our hero", "Welcome Home Argo Sailors, You Rock!", "Hope you had a safe swim", and "Welcome Home Daddy, the butterflies are flying you home"

Mountaineers

Don't forget about the Mountaineer's home opener Friday night at Mountaineer Stadium.

The Mountaineers will take on Coolidge for their first game this year.

See ya at the game!

The People You Meet - Part III

I had begun to think that I wasn't going to meet anyone from California that was friendly as we stepped off the shuttle from that had taken us from the car rental to the terminal at Oakland's airport last Friday. We had an 8:30 flight on Southwest with a fifty minute layover at LAX. I was already a little nervous about the recent near misses at LAX which is one of the busiest airports in the world. I didn't even know then about all of the problems that came out this week with the Boeing 737's that we had been flying on!

The older black man flashed a big smile and a "Good Mornin'" to us as we packed our bags onto the curb. He made the rest of my day which had already started out to be a long one at 5:00AM. It couldn't have been a long day because I stayed up a little too late in San Francisco the last two nights.

The check in lines already had several hundred people backed out of the doors to the ticket counters so Buddy and I decided to try the curb side check in. I later noticed a lady that was just ahead of us in the counter check in was way ahead of us in the security line.

We made it through security and headed for our gate with an hour or so to spare but our flight was showing a thirty minute delay on boarding. I thought we are going to get stuck in Los Angelos if that was the case. I barely caught the airport announcer saying that anyone flying on to Austin on our flight please see the ticket agent at another gate for an alternate flight right away. I gathered my carry ons and told Buddy, "let's go" as I headed for the gate which was in a different terminal. We arrived to a long line at the Southwest counter and the agent said, "Anyone to Austin?" and four or five us spoke up and he said please come to the end of the counter. It was a 7:40 flight to LAX from Oakland and they got us right on. He assured us that they were trying to get our bags on this flight. The flight was about half full which was the only time we would have that much room. It was short flight to Los Angelos only to wait for our flight to Austin. It gave us a little time to grab some lunch before we got in the cattle chute.

Southwest has open seating for those of you that are not familiar with it which means you board the plane in three of four boarding groups and can sit in any seat you like unlike the other airlines where you choose your seat from open seats when you purchase your ticket. It makes for an interesting experience much like the buffet line at Pizza Hut! One of my bosses calls it a cattle car and thinks it is more like cattle being herded on.

Either way you usually end up sitting by someone you don't know unless there are several in your traveling group. I always hope that I get to sit by someone that doesn't smell bad or snore. Last year I had to sit by someone who was pretty sick and it was a terrible flight. I like to sit by the window which can make it fun if you need to use the restroom and have to get two others to move for you. Hopefully they aren't asleep. I never can sleep on the plane. Oh, and if you are in the middle seat, the armrests are yours!

As Buddy and I got on the already full plane we found two seats together in the next to the last row. The isle seat was already taken by a young man who looked to be about twenty five already working on his laptop. As we settled in for takeoff I asked him how he was doing as I do just about everyone I come across... not really expecting much of a response especially from a Californian, and I was surprised by his energetic response. I thought, "he must be from Texas!"

"Hal Elrod" he said as he stretched out his hand for a shake. "James and this is Buddy" I said as Buddy was checking out the window. I think he was looking for our luggage being loaded on the plane.

"What do you do?" I said to Hal, opening the door for this young man to tell me his story. What a story he has to tell too! And he shared it and one of his books with Buddy and I as he had us captured.

Better known as "Yo Pal Hal", an author and motivational speaker from Sacremento. He was headed to Austin to speak later that evening at the Airport Hilton in Austin. I think I will just use the story from his website yopalhal.com to tell you about this amazing and energetic young man...

4-H News - August 30, 2007

By: Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS
Luther Dunlap, CEA-Ag/NR

4-HERS NEEDED TO SELL CHANCES AT DOVE FEST

Saturday, September 1, 2007

The Wildlife Committee has asked Coleman County 4-Hers to help sell chances for the *Mule* at the Dove Fest event on Saturday, September 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you can*t stay the entire time, you can work in shifts. This event will take place at the Bill Franklin Center at the Rodeo Grounds. For those of you keeping track - this is a good community service project to include in your 4-H Record Book.

Please be at the Bill Franklin Center at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. If you would like to help sell chances, please contact the County Extension Office at 325-625-4519 so we*ll have an idea who and how many can come.

LAST CHANCE - Have you ordered your State Sheep & Goat Tags for the 2007-2008 year???

If you have not yet ordered your 2007-08 STATE Sheep & Goat tags, please call the Extension Office NOW at 625-4519 and let us know how many you*ll be needing. Cost for tags is $7.00 each and is payable at time of ordering. After Sept. 5th tags will cost $20.00 each!!

STATE SWINE VALIDATION TAG ORDERS

Due Mon., Sept. 17th, 2007 by Noon

Attention 4-H SWINE EXHIBITORS !!! It is time to order STATE validation tags in order for you to be able to exhibit your Swine project(s) at major shows. Please call the Extension Office A.S.A.P. and let us know HOW MANY STATE VALIDATION TAGS YOU WILL BE NEEDING for the upcoming year. State tags will cost $7.00 each. County tags will cost $1.00 each. DEADLINE TO ORDER IS Monday, September 17, 2007. If you have any questions, please contact your advisor.

4-H END OF SUMMER BASH

Saturday September 22, 2007 at the Bill Franklin Center from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

All 4-Hers, parents, and interested persons are invited to attend. Bring a friend and help promote the 4-H program in Coleman County. More details to come !!!....

4-H Meetings Begin NEXT WEEK!

CALLING ALL 4-Hers.....old and new ! 4-H meetings will soon begin in your area. County 4-H Club Leaders and club officers have been busy planning the 2007-2008 4-H year and are eager to get your clubs started. Below is a listing of the Community Clubs that will be meeting in September. Please remember - EVERYONE needs to sign up each year to be enrolled in 4-H.

If you are interested in joining 4-H, please feel free to attend a club meeting, or contact the Coleman County Extension office at 625-4519 for more information on the 4-H program.

Santa Anna 4-H, Sept. 4, 7 p.m., Santa Anna High School - Ag Class Room

Panther Creek 4-H, Monday, Sept. 10, 3:30 p.m. Home Ec Room, Panther Creek School

Coleman 4-H , Tuesday, Sept. 11, Bill Franklin Center, 5:30 p.m.

4-H COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING - Tues., Sept. 11, Bill Franklin Center, 7 p.m.

COUNTY 4-H COUNCIL

There will be a County 4-H council meeting on Tuesday, September 11th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Bill Franklin Center immediately following the Coleman 4-H Club meeting. Agenda items include : preparation for the 2007 Achievement Banquet, selecting adult leader awards, and assign youth speaking parts for the script. ALL County Council members need to be at this VERY IMPORTANT meeting.

STOCK SHOW SCHEDULES

West Texas Fair (Abilene) www.taylorcountyexpocenter.com

YOUTH MEAT GOAT
Health Certificates Required
Arrival Time: 1 hour after Boer Goat Show until 8:00 p.m., Sat., Sept. 8
Weigh In Deadline: by 7:30 PM, Sat., Sept.8
Show Time: 8:30 AM, Sunday, Sept. 9
Release Time: One hour after show

OPEN MARKET LAMB
Health Certificates Required
Arrival Time: 12 Noon-5PM, Fri., Sept. 7 AND 5 PM to 6PM, Sat., Sept. 8
Weight Cards to Supt. by 6 PM, Fri., Sept.7 AND 7:00 PM, Sat., Sept. 8th
Two Show Times:
8:30 AM, Saturday, Sept. 8 AND 8:30 AM, Sunday, Sept. 9
Release Time: One hour after show or at discretion of superintendent

JUNIOR STEER
Arrival Time: 12:00-6:00 PM, Thurs.,Sept. 13
Weigh In: 9:00 AM, Friday, Sept. 14
Show Time: 8:00 AM, Saturday, Sept. 15
Release Time: One hour after entire show is complete

OPEN JACKPOT SWINE SHOW
No new entries will be accepted, nor may arrive, after 9:00 PM, Friday, September 14
Arrival Time: Friday, Sept. 14 beginning @ 2:00 p.m.
Show Time: 8:00 AM, Saturday, Sept. 15

YOUTH & OPEN RABBIT SHOW
Arrival Time: 7:00 - 8:30 a.m., Sat. Sept. 15
Show Time: 9:00 a.m., Sat. Sept. 15
Release Time: One hour after show

West Texas Fair - Modern Living Mall Entries

The 2007 West Texas Fair and Rodeo is coming up in September, and you can enter items for competition in the Modern Living Mall (Taylor County Expo Center). There are a great many Youth and Adult Division competition areas including: Clothing, Fine Arts, Canned Foods, Cookies, Candy, Cakes, Breads, Crafts, Photography, Needlework, Bubble Gum Contest. All exhibits (such as clothes, quilts, purses and pillows, and other crafts) must be the work of the exhibitor and made within the past 12 months except where Special Department Rules require otherwise. You can enter your items according to the following schedule:

Non-perishable items must be turned in on Tuesday, September 4th between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.

Perishable food items must be submitted on Saturday, Sept. 8th from 12 Noon to 3:00 p.m.

ALL items MUST be picked up on Monday, September 17, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

There is a 2007 West Texas Fair catalog in the Extension office, if you would like to come in and browse. You may also access the fair catalog on-line at: http://www.taylorcountyexpocenter.com There are $$money$$ prizes for the first six places. Let*s show West Texas what a talented group of folks we have in Coleman County.

State Fair (Dallas) Schedule - http://www.bigtexlivestock.com

BARROWS Judge: Ryan Sites, OK
Arrival: Mon., Oct.1, 8 AM - 8 PM , Gate 15
ALL Weight cards:Tues. Oct. 2, 8 AM -1 PM
Show Time: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 8:00 AM (BOPB, WOPB, Hampshire, Yorkshire)
Thursday, Oct. 5, 8:00 AM (Duroc, Cross)
Release: Terminal Sale: Friday, October 5, 10:00 a.m.

LAMBS Judge: Keith Berry, IA
Arrival: Monday, October 1, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Gate 15
Classification & Weight cards turned in : October 2, by 10:00 AM
Show Time: Wednesday, October 3, 2:00 PM
Begin Release / Relocate: Wed., Oct.. ,5 PM
Sale: Friday, October 5, 10:00 AM

GOATS Judge: Brian Faris, NC
Arrival: Mon.,Oct. 1, 8 AM - 8 PM , Gate 15
Weight cards: Tues. Oc.r 2, by 12:00 PM
Show Time: Wed., Oct. 3, 8:00 AM
Begin Release / Relocate: Oct.r 3, 2:00 PM
Sale: Friday, Oct. 5, 10:00 AM

STEERS Judge: Randy Daniel- GA
Arrival: Tues. Oct. 2, 8 AM - 6 PM, Gate 15
Classification, Hair Check, Weight cards: Wednesday, October 3, by 10:00 AM
Show Time: Thursday, October 4, 8:00 AM
Begin Release / Relocate: Thurs.,Oct. 4, 5 PM
Sale : Friday, October 5, 10:00 AM

4-H Achievement Banquet

Sun., Sept.30, 2007, 2 PM
Application for Recognition Awards due by Thursday, September 20

The Annual 4-H Achievement Banquet is set for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, September 30th , 2007 at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Coleman. All 4-Hers and families are invited to attend - so please mark this special event on your calendars. 4-Hers, this is an annual event at which we recognize you for your 4-H achievements for your project work during the past year. If you*re new to 4-H, please join us not only for fellowship, but good food too, and to see Coleman County 4-Hers share their experiences. AGAIN THIS YEAR - - - Families are asked to bring a DESSERT . 4-H Council will provide paper goods and ice tea, etc

Each 4-Her that completed a project during the 2006-2007 year will receive a 4-H Project Pin at the Banquet if, and only if, you complete a recognition application form. It only takes a few minutes to do and we need those back to us by Thursday, September 20, 2007. A project is something you did and can think of six (6) learning experiences you had. ( Example: Goats 1. Feeding and Nutrition 2. Health Management 3.Fitting 4. Showmanship 5. Hoof care 6. Exercise ) Each 4-Her can receive one pin per year. Also, we will be recognizing all those who participated in District and State 4-H events by presenting certificates of completion. This includes: Roundup, judging teams, Food Show, Fashion Show, Consumer Decision, shooting events, Horse show, etc. ,etc., etc.

Awards to be presented during the banquet will include: Gold Star, Silver Star, Danforth "I Dare You" Award, project medals and project certificates. See below:

Project Certificates: This award is given to all 4-H members who have completed a project.

Project Medals: To receive a medal, the 4-H member must submit an application in a project completed under the supervision of a 4-H leader or compete in a multi-county, district, or state -H organized event.

Gold Star Award: The Gold Star Award is the highest county achievement award presented to a deserving 4-H member based on the following criteria: 1) Must be an active 4-H member and regularly attend club meetings. 2) Must be at least 14 years of age as of August 31 of current year. 3) Complete a current 4-H Record Book. 4) It is also recommended that the 4-H member participate in three different project areas and participate in one or more activities. The members should have demonstrated leadership skills by serving as a 4-H officer or committee chairman and/or as a junior or teen leader in an activity or project with/or/under the supervision of an adult leader. The member should have participated in one or more community service projects.

Silver Star Award: This is the highest county achievement award presented to Junior 4-H members. Similar criteria apply as the Gold Star except the members must be under 14 years of age as of August 31 of current year.

Danforth "I Dare You" Award : The 4-Her must be an active 4-H member and regularly attend 4-H meetings. Members must be at least 14 years of age as of August 31 of current year and have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.

If you have any questions about the Achievement Banquet event, call or come by the Extension Office. 4-Hers....Please make every effort to attend. Hope to see you there !

National 4-H Week - October 7 - 13, 2007

National 4-H Week is an excellent time to promote your club or tell others what you have been active with in 4-H. We encourage each of you to make a contribution to your club during the week. Here are just a few ideas that are considered to be Leadership in 4-H that you can do for your club, your community, your country, and your world.
* Attend the Annual 4-H Achievement Banquet
* Write an article for the local newspaper on What 4-H Means To You or what others should know
* Decorate store windows
* Recruit 4-Hers
* Talk to groups or organizations about 4-H

......In other words, let*s tell everyone about 4-H. If you have any questions about National 4-H Week, contact the Coleman County Extension Office at 625-4519.

LAMB & GOAT VALIDATION

October 20,
1:00 p.m.,
Coleman Rodeo Grounds

NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST UPDATE.......

Each year our office is required to update our 4-H mailing list. It is very important that we have your correct mailing address or correct e-mail address in order to receive news about Coleman County 4-H events. Due to very limited postage allocations, we cannot send both a paper and e-mail copy of the 4-H Newsletter to you. Our preference is to send you an e-mail, however, we realize that everyone may not have internet accessability.

FOR USPS MAIL RECIPIENTS - Please fill out a current enrollment or volunteer form for the 2007-2008 4-H year, or notify us that you wish to receive a newsletter via regular mail. Enrollment forms are available at the County Extension Office and will be available at all 4-H meetings.

FOR E-MAIL RECIPIENTS - There are many *undeliverable* e-mail addresses returned when we send out a 4-H e-mail. If you haven*t received any 4-H announcements lately, we probably don*t have your current address. There will be a space on the new year*s 4-H Enrollment form for your current e-mail address. Please keep your e-mail information current by contacting the County Extension Office, 2nd floor, County Courthouse 325.625.4519.

Thank you.

4-H Calendar

September
1 4-Hers volunteer activity at Dove Fest
4 Santa Anna 4-H Club meeting
10 Panther Creek 4-H Club meeting
11 Coleman 4-H Club meeting
11 4-H COUNCIL Meeting
7-15 West Texas Fair (Abilene)
17 STATE Swine Validation Tag Orders Due to Extension Office
20 Deadline for 4-H Achievement Banquet - Award Applications
22 4-H End of Summer Bash
30 4-H Achievement Banquet

October
1 - 6 State Fair of Texas (Dallas)
4 Santa Anna 4-H Club Meeting
6 Fiesta de la Paloma
7-13 NATIONAL 4-H WEEK
10 Panther Creek 4-H Club Meeting
11 Coleman 4-H Club Meeting
20 County-wide Lamb & Goat Validation

Check This Out !!! TEXAS 4-H INTERNET PAGE has a new look. It*s bright, colorful, very easy to use. The web address is: texas4-h.tamu.edu .

4-H is a community of young people across America, who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills !

Dove Festival and Deer Hunters Appreciation Barbeque

The Coleman County Wildlife Committee sponsors the annual Dove Festival and Deer Hunters Appreciation Barbeque. A portion of the proceeds from these events go to Coleman County youth groups. Sarah Beal, Wildlife Committee member is shown presenting a check from last year's event to members of the Coleman County 4-H Council. The 4-H Club helps assist the committee with sales of chances on the "Mule" and serving meals at the events.

The People You Meet Part II - And The Places You Go

After the BART adventure I wasn't sure our new found friends from the North would ever go anywhere with us Texans again. But they proved adventurous and braved my driving for another trip to San Francisco. We had a new Chevy Impala from Budget and let's just say I get a little aggressive when I drive in the city. My lane is my lane and yours is yours... if you want in my lane you better get my permission first. I accept a friendly signal, as in a turn signal... otherwise it won't bother me to Nascar you into the wall.

Seriously, I try to drive carefully especially with others in the car but when you are in the city things can get a little crazy. My first mistake was letting Buddy navigate for me. Once everyone said Bobo's was OK I knew how to get where I was going. There was a catch of course and that is that almost every other street in San Francisco is one way and it wasn't always my way!

The other thing was that there is a four way stop at almost every intersection especially the fun ones with the sixty degree grades. This forces you to also practice some Nascar skills with one foot on the gas and one on the brake! Coach Fuller never taught us how to do that but I am a fast learner. In San Francisco the street cars have the right of way too and their lane is right down the middle which is the lane I like also...

Then there was Bobo's... boboquivaris.com located in a three story building on Lombard it has a circus decor with lots of little knooks and would be a great place for taking your someone special. I plan on taking mine one of these days. Reservations are recomended and the valet parking is free. I wheeled the Impala right up with the BMW's and Mercedes and we walked right in with no waiting for our gang of five from all over but then we were lucky. Our waiter had a bit of a French accent and Pierre worked him over pretty good. As the waiter described how the steaks were prepared all of our mouths began to water.

Here is how Bobo's describes Bobo's:

Who is Boboquivari (bo-bo-kwee-var-ee)? He’s the Venetian court jester of comedy and entertainment, embodied in a popular Italian marionette with a perpetual smile.

"The Steak" What is the difference between a very good steak, a great steak and THE STEAK? Aging is a natural process that improves the tenderness and flavor of beef. In the 70's a less expensive aging process became popular that put the beef in vacuum-sealed Cryovac bags, allowing the meat to age in its own juices, hence the term "wet-aging." This produces a tender steak. 99% of steak restaurants serve wet-aged "Angus choice" or "choice".

Some quality steakhouses serve top grade 100% USDA Prime, aged beef. A few of the better steakhouses can dry-age their beef on premise for a maximum of twenty-one days, which may produce a very good steak. Historically, dry-aged beef was the gold standard. It is a respected, time-honored technique of preparing high-quality beef.

A great steak must be dry-aged four to six weeks in a large, specialized facility that provides a sanitized and closely monitored environment; the temperature must be maintained at 33-34 degrees (F), the humidity must be precisely 82% and there must also be a constant air flow of fifteen feet per second around the open meat at all times, all of which takes place under the watchful eye of a highly-skilled butcher. The texture and taste of the meat becomes richer and more buttery. The result is the best steak you've ever tasted !

Bobo’s is a boutique restaurant that caters to the discriminating steak eater and does not age its beef on premises but has partnered with one of the few purveyors who has a Total Quality Control (TQC) USDA-rated facility (only 8% qualify for this designation in the country) that can age beef for four to six weeks and fulfill our rigid specifications. Pan searing the meat in its own natural juices with a hint of garlic and rosemary then deglazing it is what makes our steak THE STEAK

What is a Bobo’s Style Porterhouse? To provide the consummate steak, we offer a Porterhouse that is a little different from the norm. The size of the filet on a typical Porterhouse varies and can be quite small. The differing thickness in the meat on either side of the bone often means that one side is over done. We separate the Porterhouse into its components, a New York and a Filet Mignon, and cook them separately so that each steak is perfect. The steaks arrive at your table on one plate, Bobo’s style: tender and delicious.

"The Crab" Bobo's buys only Dungeness crab that weighs at least two plus pounds (for those meaty legs) and is harvested from the nearby Pacific Ocean. The whole crab is roasted and drizzled with our crab butter sauce 1450 LOMBARD SAN FRANCISCO 415.441.8880 It's Addictive!!

The People You Meet

I had a particularly good trip to Oakland, California last week, met some really good people, and I just wanted to take a little bit of time to tell you about some of them.

For the first time I got to take a trip with one of my long time friends and co-workers, Buddy "Boudreaux" Williams. He is one of those that is just a good guy. Known for being in the middle of an occasional misfortune, Buddy is one of the hardest working men I know. He works in the central office at the telephone coop, owns a carwash, a bait shop, and does drywall work on the side. His son, just returned from Iraq and he is also fixing to be a grandpa again so he stays busy. He is one of the few from Goldthwaite that have actually come to see me in Santa Anna and I consider him a good friend which made this trip not quite as lonely as the last one.

There were those new friends I met too... first there was Pierre from Montreal. The city of Montreal of course is on one of two large islands in the St. Lawrence River, the largest city in Quebec, and the second largest in Canada. Pierre was attending the same training we were and worked for the company that was putting it on. He was quite a character with his French Canadian way of thinking. More in a minute about Pierre.

Then there was Rhonda and Don, who both worked for the city owned telephone and Internet service for the City of Ketchikan Alaska. Ketchikan is a beautiful island city in the Southern Panhandle of Alaska. Ketchikan with a population of about 14,000 is a favorite stop for Alaskan cruise ships and attracts sport fishermen and hunters to the coastal island. Don and Rhonda were always ready for whatever evening adventure we could come up with including the ferry ride to AT&T Park, the BART, and the streets of San Francisco. Two special people that I will never forget.

Our first adventure was to the ball park of course so we were going to catch a ferry across San Francisco Bay. Nancy Wylie had warned me take a jacket, but trying to limit my luggage I left it at home. Thanks to Buddy loaning me a long sleeved shirt, I came out pretty good. But then there was Pierre. He showed up for the shuttle from the hotel to the ferry wearing shorts and a light short sleeved jersey shirt. We thought that Pierre must be acclimated to the cooler weather being Canadian.

The ferry ride was pretty fun but the wind picked up as the pilot let the ears back in the open water. It was probably in the seventies but got much cooler as the ferry dumped us at the Park. As the Sun went down and the lights came on the cool Bay breezes quickly became cold chill on the bare skin. Don had his windbreaker and Rhonda had her sweatshirt jacket, but Pierre was freezing his tail off while the Giants fans had their team jackets and stocking caps on.

USS John Stennis

Santa Anna's James Culpepper is aboard the Stennis.

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea -- USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, and USS Antietam (CG 54) are scheduled to arrive in San Diego, Aug. 27, marking the strike group’s return after being deployed for seven-and-a-half months.

While deployed, the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) supported Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF), maritime operations, coalition operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) training and most recently, exercise Valiant Shield 2007 in the Pacific.

“The performance of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group has been magnificent,” said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn.  “I couldn’t be more proud of them.  Contributing to security and stability in the Middle East, as well as the Pacific, is one of the most important missions of the United States Navy.”
           
JCSSG spent five months deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO.  While there, Stennis and CVW-9 flew more than 7,900 sorties providing more than 22,000 flight hours and dropping nearly 90,000 pounds of ordnance in support of coalition forces operating on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Stennis’ Commanding Officer, Capt. Brad Johanson, also assessed the ship’s preformace while on station.

"Throughout this deployment Stennis has set a new standard for the performance of carriers in a combat zone,” said Johanson.  “The missions we sent into Afghanistan and Iraq and the strong presence we established in the Arabian Gulf made a very significant difference in providing security and stability to the entire region.”

While this marks the end of deployment for CVW-9 and Antietam, Stennis will continue to its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., following its visit to San Diego.
           
JCSSG includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Stennis, embarked CVW-9, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), the guided-missile destroyers O’Kane, USS Preble (DDG 88) and Paul Hamilton and the fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10).  More than 6,500 Sailors and Marines are assigned to JCSSG. 
The squadrons of CVW-9 include: the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146, “Argonauts” of VFA-147, “Death Rattlers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323, “Yellow Jackets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138, “Golden Hawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 112, “Top Cats” of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31, “Eightballers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 8 and “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30.

Coleman County Youth Activity Center News

Submitted by Sarah Beal

The building package for the new "Expo Center" was delivered on the grounds of the Coleman County Youth Activity Center on Wednesday, August 22nd. Four truckloads of metal that included the framework, sheet metal, doors, etc.., were brought in and unloaded to the building site. A crew has been on the job and has begun moving the materials around to prepare for the erection of the building. The actual construction of the building should go rather quickly, once a full crew gets to work on it.

John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) arrives at Pearl Harbor

Santa Anna's James Culpepper is aboard the Stennis.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ron Reeves USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- The John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Aug. 20, marking the strike group’s first port call to the United States after being deployed for seven months.

While deployed, JCSSG supported Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF), maritime operations, coalition operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) training and most recently, exercise Valiant Shield 2007.

“The performance of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group has been magnificent,” said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn.  “I couldn’t be more proud of them.  Contributing to security and stability in the Middle East, as well as the Pacific, is one of the most important missions of the United States Navy.”
           
JCSSG spent five months deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO.  While there, USS John C. Stennis and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 flew more than 7,900 sorties providing more than 22,000 flight hours and dropping nearly 90,000 pounds of ordnance in support of coalition forces operating on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Our air wing set records for combat support for troops in Afghanistan,” said Quinn.  “Their precision bombing in support of troops on the ground helped achieve our national objectives in the area, and more importantly, they helped save the lives of our troops who were in direct contact with the enemy.”  
           
JCSSG also participated in Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) training in the 5th Fleet AOO while simultaneously providing close-air support to coalition ground forces in support of OEF and OIF.  ESF training brought together JCSSG, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Expeditionary Strike Group to test their ability to plan and conduct multi-task force operations across a broad spectrum of naval disciplines.

“The purpose of the Expeditionary Strike Force operations was to refresh our skills in completing complex missions that required capabilities even broader in scope than Stennis can provide alone,” said Stennis’ Commanding Officer Capt. Brad Johanson.  “From the delivery of emergency medical response from Stennis, to the movement of humanitarian supplies from Bonhomme Richard via LCAC [landing craft air cushion], and the repair capability of our engineering department and logistical capability of our supply department—the exercise was a complete success.”
           
After successfully completing operations in the 5th Fleet AOO July 11, JCSSG sailed to the U.S 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) where Sailors and Marines enjoyed port visits in Singapore and Hong Kong and participated in more than 20 community relations projects. 
           
Following the visit to Hong Kong, JCSSG participated in exercise Valiant Shield 2007 off the coast of Guam Aug. 7-14.  The joint military exercise brought together more than 30 ships, including the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups, 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.  Valiant Shield tested the military’s ability to rapidly bring together joint forces in response to any regional contingency, demonstrating the United State’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability throughout the Asia-Pacific region. 

“All the strike groups in Valiant Shield performed extremely well,” said Quinn.  “What we found in Valiant Shield is that we can come together at sea, working in a joint military environment, having not worked with each other a lot before and fall into a strike force construct to conduct integrated combat operations.”

JCSSG wrapped up the operational requirement of its 2007 deployment with the conclusion of Valiant Shield and sailed to the U.S. 3rd Fleet AOR and into Pearl Harbor.  For two ships in the strike group, USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77), they return to their homeport.  The rest of JCSSG will continue heading east to San Diego and finally, Bremerton, Wash. to complete the 2007 deployment.

“When I look back on this great adventure of ours, the thing I’m most proud of is the performance of our young Sailors and Marines,” said Quinn.  “They’ve left the comforts of their homes; they’ve left their families; they’ve gone forward into the combat zone to fight for our country, and their performance in that combat zone has been outstanding.”
Johanson echoed similar thoughts.

"Throughout this deployment Stennis has set a new standard for the performance of carriers in a combat zone,” said Johanson.  “The missions we sent into Afghanistan and Iraq and the strong presence we established in the Arabian Gulf made a very significant difference in providing security and stability to the entire region.”
           
JCSSG includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Stennis, embarked CVW-9, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), the guided-missile destroyers O’Kane, USS Preble (DDG 88) and Paul Hamilton and the fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10).  More than 6,500 Sailors and Marines are assigned to JCSSG. 
The squadrons of CVW-9 include: the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146, “Argonauts” of VFA-147, “Death Rattlers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323, “Yellow Jackets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138, “Golden Hawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 112, “Top Cats” of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31, “Eightballers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 8 and “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30.

Texas Cooperative Extension to Offer Food Manager Certification Training Course

Submitted by Debbie Hailey - Coleman County Extension Agent Family & Consumer Sciences

Statistics indicate that foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the United States. Each year, 1 in 4 Americans will become sick, 1 in 1,000 will become hospitalized, and 5,000 will die due to a foodborne illness.

During a recent legislative session, a statute was amended that allowed the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to require each food establishment to have one certified food manager.

Recently, the Texas Board of Health adopted rules to implement this statute. Many of you have already received a letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding this. Under these new rules, each food establishment permitted by the Texas Department of State Health Services must have one certified food manager. New Food Manager Certificates will be valid for 6 years, as long as the Food Manager renews it every 2 years..

Texas Cooperative Extension, Coleman County, is offering a Food Manager Certification Training Course. This program will be offered for $89 on September 17-18, 2007, at the First Coleman National Bank Hospitality Room, 100 S. Commercial Ave, in Coleman. Cost includes training, materials, and the State food manager certification examination. Instructors will be County Extension Agents Debbie Hailey of Coleman County, Angela Hughes of Brown County, Jane Holubec of McCulloch County, and Carolyn McDowell, of San Saba County. Registration forms will be available at the County Extension Office, and participants will need to mail them to Texas Cooperative Extension by September 3.

This program is designed to not only prepare foodservice managers to pass the certification examination; it will provide valuable education regarding the safe handling of food. Almost 50 cents of every dollar Americans spend on food is spent on meals prepared away from home. Therefore, careful attention to food safety will help keep customers safe and satisfied.

Foodborne illnesses are estimated to cost thousands of dollars in lost wages, insurance, and medical bills. With these statistics, knowledge of how to prevent foodborne illness is essential. The benefits of improved food safety include:
• Increased customer satisfaction
• Improved relationships with health officials
• Prevention of bad publicity and law suits due to foodborne illness

By attending the course, foodservice managers will learn about:
• identifying potentially hazardous foods and common errors in food handling
• preventing contamination and cross-contamination of food
• teaching and encouraging personal hygiene for employees
• complying with government regulations
• maintaining clean utensils, equipment and surroundings
• controlling pests

Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices. For more information about the Food Manager Certification Training course of Texas Cooperative

Extension, called “Food Safety: It’s Our Business,” call Debbie Hailey at 325-625-4519, or email: drhailey@ag.tamu.edu.

Contributed by: Luther Dunlap, CEA-Ag/Natural Resources , Coleman Co.

Pecan Crop Overload and Pecan Scab

By: Larry Stein, Professor & Extension Horticulturist Texas A&M University

The pecan crop in many parts of the state is best described as a "limb breaker" this year. Homeowners are losing large limbs right and left. Due to the large crop, the insect pressure from casebearer has been minimal and as a result many trees are still carrying a large crop. In addition the wet weather has allowed the nuts to attain their true genetic potential and as a result are very large which makes the nuts weigh even more. The nuts will be the heaviest when the kernels are totally full of water. As a result many of the limbs are breaking. Nuts can still be removed from the tree to reduce the crop load and prevent limb breakage. Check out the information at the following site: http://www.plantanswers.com/breaking_pecan_limbs.htm

However not all areas of the state have trees which are fully loaded. The freezes around Easter got some of the crop and disease is taking its toll as well. Scab fungal disease has caused many nuts to drop and will also cause the nuts to be smaller and not fill as well. Realize though that is too late to do anything about scab at this time of the year.

Observations that I have made to date in southwest Texas indicate the following: rating from the most susceptible to most resistant.

Wichita most scab, followed by Hopi, then Western, the Waco is next. Cheyenne, Sioux, Nacono, Desirable, Kiowa and Choctaw are all about the same.

It would be interesting to compare orchards or trees which have been sprayed to those which have not been sprayed. In some orchards where we have been spraying Wichita to keep it clean we are losing other varieties which are more resistant like Cheyenne and Choctaw. Scab got a foot hold on these varieties because we did not put preventative sprays out on these other varieties.

If you have questions concerning your pecan trees, you may contact Luther Dunlap, CEA-Ag at the Coleman Co. Extension Office at 325-625-4519, or Dr. Larry Stein at Texas A&M University, Phone: 830-278-9151.

Contributed by: Luther Dunlap, CEA-Ag/Natural Resources , Coleman Co.

Oak Wilt Continues to Threaten Our Trees

What You Need To Know
By: Melissa Clifton, County Extension Agent - Horticulture / Taylor County

If you have traveled in Central Texas, you have seen the destruction that Oak Wilt has brought to our oak trees (Quercus sp.). Nowadays, you don't have to travel far because the fungus is definitely among us. New cases continue to emerge throughout the Big Country and this disease is spreading at epidemic proportions. However, if you manage your landscape carefully, you can protect the trees and help to stop the spread of this destructive tree disease.

Oak Wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases in Texas and is caused by the fungus, Ceratocystis fagacearum. Once the fungus infects a tree, the fungus spores are carried throughout the tree's vascular system. As the fungus continues to spread within the tree, it behaves much like vascular disease in us, the "arteries" of the tree become clogged. The infected tree reacts by developing tyloses which further restricts the flow of water and nutrients in the vascular tissue. The restricted flow of water and nutrients will cause the tree to wilt and most trees will die. Some tree species die fairly soon while some may survive with the disease for years. Once a tree is infected, there is no cure for oak wilt!

All oak tree species are susceptible to contracting Oak Wilt to some degree; however, some species are at greater risk than others. This should not deter you from planting oak trees in your landscape. Oak trees offer tremendous economic and aesthetic value and add to our quality of life. Your selection and planting of oak trees should be limited to those that are most resistant to Oak Wilt.

* Extremely Susceptible - Red Oaks, especially Spanish Oak, Texas Red Oak, Shumard Oak, Pin Oak and Blackjack Oak are extremely susceptible and typically die within three to four weeks following the initial appearance of symptoms. Red Oak species tend to develop symptoms over the entire crown shortly after infection.

* Susceptible - Live Oaks (Q. virginiana and Q. fusiformis) are intermediate in their susceptibility, but most are seriously affected because these trees tend to grow in dense groups. Over time, these trees form vast interconnected root systems which allow the disease to travel easily from one infected tree to a healthy tree. These tree species usually defoliate and die within one to six months of being infected. However, a small percentage of infected Live Oaks can actually survive for many years in varying degrees of decline but they will never fully recover once they are infected.

* Low Susceptibility - White Oaks, including Post Oak, Bur Oak, Lacy Oak (Q. laceyi and Q. glaucoides), Monterrey Oak, White Shin Oak (Q. sinuate var. breviloba) and Chinkapin Oak are resistant to the fungus and rarely die from the disease. In fact, White Oaks can survive a number of years with the disease. White oaks develop symptoms slowly and usually one limb at a time.

Successful management of Oak Wilt depends on correct diagnosis and an understanding of how the pathogen is transmitted. Symptoms vary among species; and these symptoms can be confused with other plant stresses brought about by herbicide damage, other diseases or from improper or lack of irrigation. Look for symptoms that include:
* bronzing or browning of green leaves during a short period of time
* discoloration from the leaf tip margins downward toward the leaf base
* veinal necrosis
* premature defoliation
* sudden decline or death of the tree

The fungus is greatly favored by moderate temperatures, and our unseasonably cool temperatures and record rainfalls recently are favoring its movement. In the case of Live Oaks, the spread of the disease is favored because these trees tend to grow in dense clusters. Red Oaks and Live Oaks behave in this manner as well, and will essentially develop one grafted root system. The fungus can spread from infected trees to healthy trees through this system of grafted roots.

Above ground, the Nitidulid beetle and possibly other insects carry spores of the fungus on the underside of their body from infected trees to wounds on healthy trees. Wounds on a tree can be caused by breakage of limbs during high winds and by pruning. Almost all the transmission in our area continues to be encouraged by improper pruning of trees.

When trees are pruned, insects are attracted by the smell emitted from new, open wounds on a tree, and beetles or other insects which may encourage transmission of the fungus may travel many miles in search of oozing, open wounds. This is why it is so important to prune correctly and at the right time of the year. Transmission of Oak Wilt can be significantly controlled and prevented with proper pruning methods and good hygienic practices.

Pruning should only be done during the very coldest part of winter or during the very hottest temperatures of summer. Use of wound paint is critical to prevent spread of the disease. Immediately after a pruning cut is made, the wound must be sealed with a tree wound paint or a latex paint. Of importance, all pruning equipment such as shears, knives, saws, chisels, axes, etc., must be sterilized before moving to another tree. Wash equipment in soap and water and swab with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution, and allow to air dry. Also, sanitize your hands before handling healthy plant parts.

Oak Wilt is in our community and trees continue to die from this disease. Prevent the spread with effective landscape management and good hygienic practices. If you would like more information about Oak Wilt and how to reduce the risks, contact me or visit our webpage at http://grovesite.com/mg/tamg for timely tips.

Melissa is the County Extension Agent for Horticulture in Taylor County and may be reached by email at dmclifton@ag.tamu.edu or by calling 672-6048.

And the survey says...