Friday Night Lights

The lights will be on for the last time this year in Perry Gym as the Mountaineers and District Champion Lady Mountaineers play their last home game for the year Friday night. The Mountaineers will take on the teams from Veribest starting at five with the JV Girls followed by the Varsity Girls and the Varsity Boys.

COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION CAPABILITIES AGREEMENTS SIGNED

On Wednesday, NASA agreed to cooperate with PlanetSpace Inc. of Chicago and Transformational Space Corp. (t/Space) of Reston, Va., to facilitate the commercialization of low-Earth orbit as they develop capabilities to transport goods and people to orbital destinations.

The non-reimbursable Space Act agreements signed by NASA and the two companies involve no agency funding to the companies. The pacts establish milestones and objective criteria by which the companies can gauge their own progress, as part of the agency's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program.

Under the agreements, NASA will share information that will help the companies understand projected requirements for space station crew and cargo transportation launch vehicles, spacecraft and NASA human rating criteria.

PlanetSpace and t/Space will work to develop and demonstrate the vehicles, systems and operations needed to transport crews and cargo to and from a low-Earth orbit destination. NASA will acknowledge the companies' milestone accomplishments.

"NASA is proud to reach agreements with two more private companies dedicating their own resources toward establishment of a robust commercial launch industry," said Scott Horowitz, NASA associate administrator for Exploration Systems. "By stimulating the growth of commercial space enterprise, NASA will free itself to focus on long-range exploration of the moon and Mars."

"The importance of these agreements is that they demonstrate the willingness of entrepreneurs to invest their own resources with NASA's commitment to help develop a whole new sector of the commercial space industry," said Alan Lindenmoyer, manager of the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office at Johnson Space Center, Houston.

The program administers NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project. Its overarching goals are to stimulate commercial enterprises in space; facilitate U.S. private industry development of reliable, cost-effective access to low-Earth orbit, and to create a market environment in which commercial space transportation services are available to government and private customers.

Last year, NASA signed funded agreements with Space Exploration Technologies of El Segundo, Calif., and Rocketplane Kistler of Oklahoma City. t/Space was a finalist in that competition.

Once industry has demonstrated safe and reliable capabilities, NASA plans to enter the next phase of the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program and may purchase transportation services from commercial providers to support the International Space Station.

For more information on NASA, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/home

Feb. 01, 2007

Gov. Perry Calls for Higher Education Reforms

Plan calls for more incentive funding, 60 percent increase in financial aide and more accountability

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today proposed an ambitious higher education reform plan, directing responsible investment in the academic rigor and future success of Texas’ students and universities.

“Today I am proposing major reforms to higher education that will reward colleges and universities for every student that earns a degree, lead to more degrees awarded in critical fields like computer science and nursing and increase financial aid by $360 million,” Perry said. “If lawmakers adopt this plan, the ultimate result will be a higher education system that is more affordable, more accountable and more focused on meeting the needs of tomorrow’s global marketplace.”

The comprehensive higher education reform plan includes measures to:

• Increase higher education funding by $711 million in general revenue ($1.7 billion all funds).
• Increase financial aid by 60 percent, or $362 million.
• Fully fund the higher education operations formula.
• Substantially change the funding mechanism by eliminating “special items,” or earmarks, so funding increasingly follows students instead of schools.

“While our two largest university systems have been ranked among the best values in the country, we must do more to improve access to a college education for students of all income levels,” Perry said. “If students have proven themselves in high school and need financial assistance to better their future, Texas should pay their tuition and fees.”

Budgetary allocations will provide for an incentive program for well-performing universities and colleges, an increase in need-based and performance-driven financial aid, and the creation of alternative programs to address nursing shortages statewide.

The governor also repeated his call for transparency in budgetary expenditures today, recommending the Legislature eliminate vague lump sum appropriations to higher education institutions.

Gov. Rick Perry’s Higher Education Reform Proposal 80th Texas Legislature

Attorney General Abbott Obtains Restitution For Consumers Duped By Dietary Supplement Companies

Steve Warshak of Ohio also agrees to halt misleading product trial offers

DALLAS – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today stopped five Ohio companies from fraudulently marketing several unproven dietary supplements, often using deceptive "free trial" offers. An agreement with Steve Warshak, owner of all five companies, provides refunds to Texas consumers deceived by the supplement manufacturers’ misleading practices.

The settlement covers 15 products, including Altovis, Mioplex, Numovil and Enzyte, the last of which was known for its "Smiling Bob" television commercials.

“Texans will not tolerate falsely advertised, unproven healthcare supplements,” said Attorney General Abbott. “We are committed to cracking down on companies that make false claims about dietary supplements. This judgment ensures that appropriate restitution is available to the good folks who were deceived by these defendants.”

Attorney General Abbott filed suit in June 2005 against Warshak and his five companies – Berkley Premium Nutraceuticals Inc.; Lifekey Inc.; Boland Naturals Inc.; Warner Health Care; and Warner Nutraceuticals.

The defendants agreed to end the deceptive “free trial offers” that convinced consumers to order the supplements. Once consumers received the product, the companies began automatically billing consumers without their consent. Further, the defendants instructed consumers to take the supplements for 90 days or risk not achieving all the products’ beneficial health affects. In fact, the 90-day period’s true purpose was simply to exceed the trial period and thereby encourage consumers to purchase the defendants’ goods. Many consumers found it difficult, if not impossible, to cancel shipments or obtain refunds.

Warshak and his companies enticed consumers by falsely claming his products could cure diseases. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any of the products for use as drugs, and no scientific studies support Warshak’s claims.

Under the settlement, Warshak will pay $350,000 in civil penalties and attorneys’ fees to the State. Warshak also agreed to refrain from deceptively promoting his products. Additionally, the defendants are prohibited from offering “free” product trials unless the promotions clearly give consumers a way to cancel after the trial period ends.

Consumers seeking refunds may file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General by calling (800) 252-8011 or accessing the Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us. Complaints should be filed within 90 days of the filing of the judgment.

Texas Brigades Seek to Muster New Recruits

Jan.31, 2007

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Dale Rollins, 325-653-4576,d-rollins@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – Texas Cooperative Extension's Texas Brigades is seeking to muster new recruits into this year's summer camps.

This year's camps are:

-"South Texas Buckskin Brigade," June 10-14 at La Bandera Ranch near Carrizo Springs.

- "Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade," June 16-20at Krooked River Ranch near Lueders.

- "South Texas Bobwhite Brigade," June 24-28 at 74 Ranch near Pleasanton.

- "North Texas Buckskin Brigade," July 22-26 at Stasney's Cook Ranch near Albany.

- "Feathered Forces Brigade," July 15-19 at Piney Island near Lufkin.

The core curriculum for all the camps stresses leadership development and natural resources conservation, said Dr. Dale Rollins, Extension wildlife specialist at San Angelo, and originator of the camps. He said each camp forges these skills into fun and interesting activities that focus on a particular game species. The game animals form the nucleus for the camps which typically involve 30 youth ages 13 to 17 years old.

"This marks our 15th year and I'm proud to say that the fire still burns brightly among our various volunteers who conduct these camps," Rollins said.

"We've been doing these camps long enough now to begin to see the fruits of our labors," he said. "We have young professionals in place who were active in the Brigades ten years or more ago. Some of them are coming ‘back home' to dedicate their time and talents to the Brigades. This helps bridge the generation gap between an ever-aging corps of instructors and an ever younger group of cadets."

Rollins said the Texas Brigades has been blessed with substantial support recently from several foundations which has allowed expansion and improvement of the programs.

"We're also excited about helping to start a Buckskin Brigade camp in Pennsylvania this summer," Rollins said. "That makes a total of six states that have cloned our Brigades model."

Tuition is $300 per cadet per camp, but Rollins said cost shouldn't deter applicants.

"We don't want financial hardship to stop any potential cadet from participating in these camps," he said. "We have sponsors ready and willing to provide financial aid whenever they are needed."

Applications are available at www.texasbrigades.org and are due by April 15. Mail applications to: Helen Holdsworth, Texas Brigades executive director, 2800 NE Loop 410, Suite 105, San Antonio, TX 78218.

For further information contact Rollins at 325-653-4576 or e-mail him at d-rollins@tamu.edu or contact Holdsworth, at 800- TEX-WILD or 210-826-2904, or h_holdsworth@texas-wildlife.org .

Attorney General Abbott Halts Company That Duped Consumers With Deceptive Credit Card Offer

Cross Country Bank’s scheme targeted consumers with tarnished credit scores

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today prevented a Delaware bank from targeting Texas consumers with misleading credit card offers and abusive collection tactics. The Attorney General’s settlement with Cross Country Bank Inc., now known as Applied Card Bank, and its affiliate, Applied Card Systems, ends a scheme aimed at consumers with low incomes or tarnished credit scores.

Under the terms of the agreed final judgment and permanent injunction, the defendants must comply with strict debt collection guidelines and are prohibited from misleading consumers about their cards. In addition to paying $1.3 million in penalties and attorneys’ fees to the state, the defendants must provide refunds and/or credits to eligible consumers.

“Texans will not tolerate creditors who abuse or mislead consumers,” said Attorney General Abbott. “With lower-than-advertised credit limits, hidden fees and abusive debt collection practices, these defendants gave their customers a raw deal. This settlement sets new standards, ensuring that these defendants will treat debtors fairly.”

Attorney General Abbott filed suit against the defendants in June 2004, alleging the companies preyed on consumers with no credit or bad credit ratings, urging them to apply for credit cards to improve their credit history. Through direct mail solicitations, Cross Country Bank told consumers that the cards had credit limits of up to $2,500. When cardholders received their first billing statement, however, they discovered that the company set their actual credit limit at approximately $350, a limit that many cardholders unwittingly exceeded. Consumers also found that they were assessed a $150 start-up fee, hidden charges, as well as interest rates in excess of 20 percent.

Unable to gain control of their accounts as finance charges, over-the-credit-limit fees and other charges accrued, many of the defendants’ cardholders fell into a downward spiral. An affiliated company, Applied Card Systems, would thereafter begin an unlawful collection effort, harassing the cardholders with repeated and sometimes threatening or obscene telephone calls.

Restitution is available for consumers who received unsecured credit cards from Cross Country Bank between Jan. 1, 2002, and July 30, 2004, exceeded their credit limit within 17 days of the first billing date, but who did not use their credit card more than 17 days after the first billing date. Eligible consumers will automatically receive a credit of all charges, fees and other amounts the company charged cardholders, excluding actual goods and services purchased with defendants’ credit cards.

Cross Country Bank must contact credit reporting agencies to provide updated and corrected information for each eligible consumer. In addition, eligible consumers who made payments that exceeded their actual purchases may file a complaint with the Attorney General or Cross Country Bank within 75 days of today’s court filing to receive a refund of the difference.

Consumers who believe they may be eligible to receive restitution under this settlement should call the Office of Attorney General at (800) 252-8011. Consumers may also mail complaints seeking restitution to Cross Country Bank at:

50 Applied Card Way
Glen Mills, PA 19342

Gov. Perry Outlines Budget Reform Measures

Jan. 31, 2007

Governor wants stronger spending limit, end to accounting gimmicks

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today outlined budgetary reform measures to promote fiscal responsibility and transparency in state government. The governor also stressed the need for a stronger state spending limit and wants to “true-up” the budget by paying for past delayed payments and ending accounting gimmicks.

“This session I am proposing a truth-in-spending measure that ends the accounting gimmicks, stops the funding diversions and that lets state government get right with the people,” Perry said. “Texans deserve a budget that makes sense, that’s accessible to the average person, straightforward on priorities, and responsible in size.”

Reform measures proposed by Gov. Perry include:

• A truth in spending initiative that ends accounting gimmicks such as delayed payments and requires dedicated funds to be used as intended, or refunded to taxpayers.
• Imposing a stronger spending limit on state government.
• Requiring detailed budget line items instead of lump sum line items.
• Requiring all state agencies to publish expenditures online in a clear and consistent format.

With a record budget surplus, Gov. Perry believes now is the time to make one-time payments to reconcile past accounting maneuvers and accurately balance the budget.

“Now is the time to true-up the Texas budget, pay for our property tax cut and then move forward with a real, meaningful spending cap,” Perry said. “I’m not trying to cast blame for past practices; I’m trying to wipe the slate clean going forward. If we don’t end these budget gimmicks now while we have a record surplus, it will never happen.”

“The spending limit we have today is not really a limit. What I will propose will be more closely aligned to population growth and inflation, allowing room for key investments with a strong check against excess spending.”

Additionally, in an effort to further promote transparency and accountability, expenditures made by the governor’s office will be available to view online beginning today.

“Transparency is the cornerstone of public trust,” Perry said. “If taxpayers are picking up the bill, they ought to be able to look at the receipt.”

Santa Anna Folks in the Hospital

Please remember a couple of Santa Anna folks that are close to the Peltons and SantaAnnaNews.com.

Cindy's Grandma and the Robinett families' "Mom", Maggie Robinett, is recovering from a double knee replacment at the Brownwood Regional Medical Center. Oh, and she is doing fine of course. She is the toughest lady I have ever known. I guess that happens when you grow up on a dairy during the Depression in Coleman County!

Please also remember my cousin, Justin Wright, who was seriously injured in pickup truck rollover in Bryan where is a student at Texas A&M University. Justin is the son of my Uncle Lynn and Aunt Jerry Wright of Mason. Justin is recovering from surgery on Tuesday after suffering numerous injuries in the accident including a broken back and jaw.

Santa Anna Junior Varsity Basketball

I haven't gotten to go to any basketball games this year but my friend and co-worker, Terry Thompson, who lives in Goldthwaite and is originally a Coleman Bluecat went to watch the Priddy JV girls take on the Santa Anna JV girls in the Zephyr JV Tournament this past weekend. The Santa Anna JV Girls lost to the Priddy JV Girls 25-28... I think Terry might have been rubbing it in a little...

Terry has a great photo site that he works on at www.CentexPhotos.com. He takes a lot of Mills County, general Texas landscape, sunset, and athletic photos. His daughter Hailey, plays on the Priddy JV Girls team and he shared some of his photos of the game with the News. Click on each photo for a larger version.

Thanks Terry!

Gov. Perry Proposes $50 Million Disaster Contingency Fund

Jan. 30, 2007

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today proposed the creation of a $50 million Disaster Contingency Fund to ensure that state and local governments have the ability to forcefully respond in times of great public emergency.

“As we have learned from disasters like hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as recent wildfires and floods, we can never be too prepared,” Perry said. “The Disaster Contingency Fund will allow state and local government to respond with all the necessary resources in the face of a disaster and better manage the cost to taxpayers.”

The Fund will be used to pay costs associated with pre-positioning state resources in anticipation of disasters; reimburse local jurisdictions for disasters that do not meet federal disaster declaration standards; provide up-front funding to smaller jurisdictions that lack the necessary resources to conduct large-scale emergency operations; and pay the federal matching fund obligations that are required for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Various disaster situations would merit the allocation of these funds. For example, the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program under FEMA does not reimburse local jurisdictions for fighting wildfires before they become a threat to communities. Also, as part of Gov. Perry’s hurricane evacuation plan, the state pre-deploys substantial resources to support local communities as a hurricane’s projected path includes the Texas coastline. If a hurricane turns and misses Texas, as Hurricane Ernesto did in 2006, FEMA will not reimburse funds for the pre-deployment of resources.

“There is no question that Texas is prepared to step up to the plate and meet a disaster head-on,” Perry said. “I encourage the Legislature to support this $50 million fund, so we may continue to coordinate our emergency response efforts and protect our communities without being financially penalized.”

If approved by lawmakers, these funds will be available September 1st for the 2007-2008 biennium and will be distributed by the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management to eligible applicants.

Historical Commission Meeting

Submitted by: Tex Wright - Public Relations and Publicity

Feb. 1, 2007
7:00PM
1st National Bank
Club Room

Everyone who is interested in the history of COLEMAN COUNTY is invited to this meeting. We need to know your history, especially those from the Coleman, Santa Anna, Rockwood, Trickham, Burkett, Talpa, Valera, Gouldbusk, and Novice communities.

The program will be on the Local Government Codes in the eyes of the area Historical groups.

The agenda will be:
Snacks and conversation starting about 6:30PM
Opening - Chairman
Invocation
Reading of the Minutes - Sec.
Old Business:
1) Annual Report 2006 and discussion

New Business:
1) Programs for 2007
2) Annual Report 2007 - looking ahead

Program
Closing - CC

Come early as some of the regular members will try to be there for your benefit and the snacks.

Perry Orders Creation of Criminal Justice Analysis Center

Jan. 29, 2007

Center will provide objective assessment of state criminal justice programs

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today issued an executive order establishing the Texas Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) to provide objective analysis and assessment of state criminal justice programs and initiatives.

“By providing objective reports on statewide criminal justice trends, the Statistical Analysis Center will help policymakers develop effective and efficient criminal justice programs that will keep Texans safe,” Perry said. “This center will help us manage our prison population better and attract more federal funds for crime prevention and criminal justice initiatives.”

Under the governor’s order, the SAC will collect, analyze and report statewide criminal justice statistics; evaluate the effectiveness of state-funded initiatives; and disseminate analysis results to practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, and the public in order to enhance the quality of criminal justice and crime prevention at all levels of government.

Gov. Perry’s directive also designates the SAC as the state’s liaison to the U.S. Department of Justice on criminal justice data reporting and research. This designation will make Texas eligible for additional federal criminal justice funding.

The SAC will be housed within the Office of the Governor and will have access to data maintained by the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, the Texas Youth Commission, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and other relevant agencies as needed.

Gov. Perry designated Janna Burleson as director of the Center. Previously, Burleson served as the governor’s policy advisor for criminal justice issues. Prior to that she was a top policy advisor to Senator Royce West (D-Dallas).

Extension Expands Statewide Viticulture Team

Jan. 29, 2007
Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, 806-746-6101,t-mcalavy@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Ed Hellman, 806-746-6101,EWHellman@ag.tamu.edu
Jim Kamas, 830-997-7047,Jkamas@ag.tamu.edu

LUBBOCK – Texas Cooperative Extension continues to expand its statewide viticulture program with the addition of four regional viticulture associates.

The new associates serve four distinct regions:

- West Texas: Teresa Burns is stationed in Lubbock at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center. She can be reached at thburns@ag.tamu.edu or 806-746-6101.

- North Texas: Fran Pontasch is stationed in Stephenville at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center. She can be reached at fmpontasch@ag.tamu.edu or 254-968-4144.

- Hill Country: Penny Adams is stationed in Fredericksburg at the Extension building. She can be reached at psadams@ag.tamu.edu or 830-997-3452.

- Gulf Coast: Fritz Westover is stationed in Houston at the Extension office for Harris County. He can be reached at fawestover@ag.tamu.edu or 281-855-5600.

They will work under the direction of Dr. Ed Hellman, Extension viticulture specialist at Lubbock, and Jim Kamas, Extension fruit specialist at Fredericksburg.

The goal of Extension's Texas viticulture team is to improve wine grape production practices that will enhance the economic impact of the grape and wine industry, Hellman said. Identifying and refining production practices that fit the range of Texas soils and climate should help growers attain more consistent yields and higher quality fruit more efficiently and at a lower cost, he said.

The four new associates will help provide statewide delivery of Extension viticulture education programs and assist Texas growers.

"They will also be responsible for implementing on-farm research projects designed to address local problems," Hellman said. "Those projects will focus on grape variety evaluation, disease control, pest management and irrigation scheduling.

"What we derive from this work will be shared through one-on-one contact with producers, workshops and field days."

"Texas Senate Bill 1370 funds our four new associates," Kamas said. "That legislation returns a portion of excise tax on wine products to support the Texas grape industry."

Gov. Perry Announces Budget Plans for Clean Air Standards

Jan. 29, 2007

Also Pledges Support for FutureGen Funding

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that his proposed budget will contain an additional $183 million in dedicated general revenue to fund the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP), one of the most innovative voluntary emission reduction programs in the country. TERP is a set of incentive programs that awards grants for projects aimed at reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides in areas of the state designated as non-attainment or near non-attainment for federal ground level ozone standards. Perry’s recommendation increases the current TERP appropriation by 71 percent from $257 million to $440 million next biennium.

Gov. Perry signed the original TERP bill into law in 2001 and has aggressively pursued adequate funding for the program to help reduce nitrogen oxide emissions across this state. TERP revenue is generated primarily through vehicle title transfer fees and surcharges on the purchase, lease or rental of heavy-duty equipment. An additional $183 million in funding this biennium is projected to yield more than 36,000 tons of additional diesel emission reductions (at an average of $5,000 per ton) in non-attainment and near non-attainment areas of the state.

“We have made great progress in cleaning up Texas air,” Perry said. “As we continue our efforts to meet federal clean air standards, I am asking the Legislature to support an additional $183 million to reduce pollution from diesel engines and protect the public health.”

Texas is pursuing the federally mandated clean air standards for ozone in the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Beaumont/Port Arthur (BPA) and Houston/Galveston/Brazoria (HGB) areas. The BPA and DFW non-attainment areas are on schedule to meet the 8-hour ozone standard by or near the 2009 deadline, while the HGB non-attainment area presents a larger challenge. Mobile sources, such as automobiles, trains, marine vessels and airplanes, contribute the majority of the emissions in the non-attainment areas while states are preempted from setting emission standards from these sources.

“As mobile sources fall under federal control, the state must provide a mechanism for incentives to achieve reductions,” Perry said. “Dedication of additional TERP revenues will greatly assist the state in achieving federally mandated standards at the earliest possible time.”

Gov. Perry also supports allocating $20 million to fund clean coal technology in Texas. The U.S. Department of Energy is considering two Texas sites near Jewett in East Texas and Odessa in West Texas for the world’s first near-zero-emission coal power plant (FutureGen). These sites are under consideration along with two other locations in the nation.

To date, the state has dedicated more than $5 million to the FutureGen project. If either Texas site is selected for the $1 billion project in fall 2007, Perry has proposed a contingency rider to allocate $20 million to the State Energy Conservation Office to be distributed to the FutureGen Industrial Alliance. The majority of the funds will help with pipeline easement and CO2 transportation costs.

“Our state has the resources, geology and commitment necessary to support this project,” Perry said. “With the Legislature’s support, we will also have the additional funding to ensure FutureGen is a success.”

Texas Experience Pavilion Designed to Provide Enjoyable Experience for Whole Family

Jan. 26, 2007
Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-467-6575,paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Lupe Landeros, 210-467-6575,g-landeros@tamu.edu
David Rodriguez, 210-467-6575,dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.edu

SAN ANTONIO – For the third time, Texas Cooperative Extension for Bexar County and the Texas Department of Agriculture will co-present the Texas Experience pavilion at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. The 20,000-square-foot pavilion is located near Freeman Coliseum on the west side of the event grounds.

The pavilion will be open Feb. 1-18. Hours will be 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

"We'll have displays and activities for people of all ages to enjoy," said Lupe Landeros, county Extension director for Bexar County. "Extension and the Texas Department of Agriculture are working to provide an experience that will show attendees the uniqueness of Texas and everything all it has to offer."

The pavilion will offer a variety of displays, along with many interesting and entertaining activities for children and adults, Landeros said.

"Among this year's Extension displays will be Earth Kind exhibits relating to energy and water conservation, she said. "We'll also have several Outdoor Classroom displays about nature, gardening and the environment, children's arts and crafts activities, a Bexar County Master Gardeners' area, and a Schultze House gardening-related gift store."

Texas Department of Agriculture displays will include a GO TEXAN general store stocked with foods only grown or processed in Texas, and the GO TEXAN kitchen, said Marilyn Magaro, marketing specialist for the agency.

"Attendees can sample various Texas agricultural products, including Gulf shrimp, honey, nuts, fruits, vegetables, ice cream and dairy products," she said. "At the Texas Experience pavilion, attendees can literally get a taste of Texas. We produce some of the best agricultural products in the world and exhibiting them at the Texas Experience pavilion gives us an opportunity to demonstrate their quality to our visitors."

Other agriculture department displays will include home furnishings made almost exclusively from Texas wood products and natural fiber materials.

The pavilion will also feature a water conservation display from the San Antonio Water System, a wildlife exhibit from Texas Wildlife Association and an exhibit on native snakes from the South Texas Herpetology Association.

Reasonably priced, high-quality plants will be for sale at the Bexar County Master Gardener display area inside the pavilion, said David Rodriguez, county Extension agent for horticulture for Bexar County.

Master Gardeners will sell Top Gun tomato plants in 3-inch pots at $1 each or six for $5, Rodriguez said. They also will sell two types of Fantasia geraniums, Violet and Strawberry Sizzle, in 4.5-inch pots for $3 each.

"Proceeds from plant sales go toward a scholarship for a student interested in pursuing a career in horticulture or a field relating to the green industry," Rodriguez said.

Master Gardeners also will be on site each day during the 18-day event to answer questions about gardening, landscaping and other aspects of horticulture, he said.

"More than 138,000 people visited the Texas Experience exhibit in 2006," Landeros said. "This was 18,422 more people than in 2005, and includes almost 7,900 students, mainly from elementary schools. Among other things, the Texas Experience pavilion provides a fun and interesting educational experience for both children and adults."

Santa Anna National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization recognizing outstanding high school students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These criteria for selection form the foundation upon which the organization and its activities are built.

The Arleigh Harris Chapter of NHS at Santa Anna High School held its induction of new members on Thursday, January 24 in the High School auditorium. Current members Kendra Cannon, Priscilla Guerrero, and Michelle Wetsel conducted the candle-lighting ceremony explaining the four membership criteria.

New members inducted into the group include the following:
• Coriann Hoskins, Senior, the daughter of Hubert and Shawn Hoskins. Since coming to Santa Anna as a junior, Coriann has served her class as reporter and participated in basketball, volleyball, and yearbook. This year she was a Homecoming queen nominee. As a sophomore in her school in Ohio she was chosen most creative in her sculpture class. Coriann works part-time in Coleman in addition to her school activities.

• Becca Fellers, Junior, daughter of Curtis and Janice Fellers. Becca is a member of First Methodist Church and attends Baptist Youth Group. She participates in all school sports, UIL debate, one-act play, and she has been in Band. She led her JV teams as team captain. Becca has served her community volunteering at the Daycare Center and has given of her time to the school filming athletic events.

• Sierra Herrod, Junior, the daughter of Scotty and Wendy Herrod. Sierra attends First Baptist Church and is in Youth Group. She served her class working in concession stand and has volunteered in the local library summer reading program. She has served at charitable fund raisers. She has participated in cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, band, FFA, and in UIL for three years. She was team captain of her J-V Basketball team.

• Jarod Jones, Junior, son of Bud and Sandra Connolly and Wade and Leanna Jones. He has been a member of both 4-H and FFA and has participated in UIL for the past three years. Jarod served as class President and J-V football team captain. He has volunteered in charitable fundraisers, in 4-H, and in vacation bible school. Jarod is a member of First Baptist Church and is active in Youth Group.

• Samantha Sanchez, Junior, daughter of Lupe Sanchez and Caesar Padilla. She is a member of First Baptist Church, in the Youth Group. Samantha participates in volleyball, basketball, FFA, band, track, and tennis. Her service includes volunteering in the summer reading program, vacation bible school, and helping with charitable fundraisers. She was J-V basketball captain.

• Martika Whaley, Junior, daughter of Joe and Julie Whaley. She attends St. Willow Baptist Church. Martika has served her class twice as Class President and as Student Council Representative. She participates in volleyball, basketball, and track, as well as UIL debate. Martika has given of her time delivering food and clothing to needy families in the community.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION STATUS REPORT

HOUSTON - This week, the crew aboard the International Space Station prepared for an unprecedented series of spacewalks. NASA astronauts Mike Lopez-Alegria and Suni Williams are scheduled to begin a 6.5-hour spacewalk from the station around 9 a.m. CST on Wednesday, Jan. 31. It will be the first of a record four spacewalks planned during the next month.

Lopez-Alegria and Williams will conduct other spacewalks on Feb. 4, 8 and 22. The first three spacewalks will originate from the station's Quest airlock and the astronauts will use U.S. spacesuits. Lopez-Alegria and cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin will use Russian spacesuits for the last spacewalk and will exit the station from the Pirs airlock.

The three U.S. spacewalks will rearrange the station's cooling system, bringing online new portions of the system that were activated during a shuttle mission in December 2006. The Russian spacewalk will free a stuck antenna on the ISS Progress 23 cargo craft docked to the aft end of the station, ensuring that craft can safely undock in April.

The crew began the week unloading some of the more than 2.5 tons of food, fuel and supplies that were delivered to the station on Jan. 19 by the ISS Progress 24 cargo craft, which included fresh produce, gifts from home, new clothing, spare parts, oxygen and water.

The crew's attention quickly turned to preparations for the upcoming spacewalks. On Monday, the crew began working with the U.S. spacesuits. Batteries for the suits were charged, and the suit cooling systems were cleaned.

On Tuesday, Lopez-Alegria and Williams trained using an onboard, laptop computer-based simulation. The training refreshed their skills operating the Simplified Aid for Extravehicular Activity Rescue, or SAFER, jetpack that is worn on spacesuits. The backpack allows spacewalkers to fly back to the station in the event they become separated from the complex.

On Thursday, ground controllers in Houston commanded the station's robotic arm to maneuver into the position it will occupy for the start of the spacewalk. Aboard the station, the crew reviewed the plans for the first spacewalk.

Lopez-Alegria and Williams continued checks of their spacesuits and checks of the SAFER backpacks Friday. The SAFER backpacks are propelled by compressed nitrogen gas, and, during the checkout, the harmless gas was released, depleting the nitrogen in one unit below the usable quantity. Two other usable SAFER backpacks remain onboard, however, and the loss of the third unit does not affect plans for the upcoming spacewalks.

The crew took time during their work on Monday to speak with television host Martha Stewart. Crew members also took time to field questions by amateur radio from two schools, one in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and another in Winnebago, Neb.

For more about the crew's activities and station sighting opportunities, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station

Gov. Perry and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Leavitt Discuss Restructuring Medicaid

Jan. 26, 2007

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today joined U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt and state lawmakers to discuss restructuring the state’s Medicaid program. As the cost of managing the Medicaid program continues to grow, the state must develop new approaches to sustain the program that serves 2.7 million vulnerable, disabled and elderly Texans.

“Texas cannot continue to take a ‘one size fits all’ approach to Medicaid,” Perry said. “Escalating costs and increasing enrollment has made our current system unsustainable. Together, with our state and federal partners, we must develop a more flexible and efficient system of providing safe, quality medical care to those who need it most.”

In 10 years (1994 to 2004), the cost of Medicaid doubled in Texas, now constituting 26 percent of the state’s budget. In the near future, Gov. Perry will suggest reforming Texas’ Medicaid program through:

• Providing customized benefit packages for specific populations;
• Providing assistance for enrollment in private insurance and employer-sponsored plans; and
• Promoting consumer choice through health savings accounts and consumer directed services.

At today’s event, Perry emphasized the importance of greater flexibility in managing diverse Medicaid populations. Children represent 70 percent of the Medicaid population and only 30 percent of the cost, while the elderly and those with special needs represent 21 percent of the Medicaid population and account for about 60 percent of the cost.

“The best insurance plan for pregnant women and children is not the same as the best plan for elderly Texans who need long-term care,” Perry said. “I would like to create Medicaid benefit packages that target specific groups, such as a plan for healthy children and adults, a separate plan for children with special needs, and a third plan for adults with disabilities and long-term care needs.”

Yesterday, HHS awarded Texas $4 million for Medicaid “transformation grants” to support the development of electronic health passports for children in foster care. Electronic health passports ensure greater continuity of care for a population of children that often receives treatment from a variety of physicians due to changing living arrangements.

Several Burglary Reports

I have heard several reports of burglaries around Santa Anna. Primarly from the school to the railroad tracks. There was one report of a purse stolen from a car on Avenue C during the night. I understand that there is reward and some discussion of a Crime Stoppers or neighborhood watch being organized.

If you have any information about these crimes please contact the Santa Anna Police Department.

Food Manager Training in Neighboring Counties

Texas Cooperative Extension, Coleman County, recently offered a food manager certification training course. This program is offered for $89. Cost includes training, materials, and the State food manager certification examination.

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. The exam is administered on the second day of the class.

If you need this training and missed the one in Coleman on January 22-23, there are more opportunities to take it in the near future, in neighboring counties.

January 29 & 30, 2007 (2-Day Course) - San Saba County, 1601 W. Dry Street, San Saba, TX 76877. Agent Carolyn McDowell (325)-372-5416 or cl-mcdowell@tamu.edu

February 26 and March 5, 2007 (2-Day Course) - Taylor County, 1982 Lytle Way, Abilene, TX 79602. Agent Judy Gully (325)-672-6048 or jk-gully@tamu.edu

There will also be a class in Brady, in McCulloch County, in February, at a time to be announced. For more information call Debbie Hailey at the Coleman County Extension Office at 325-625-4519. The course will be offered again in Coleman later this year.

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