Mission, Texas Brain

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Summer hours announced for administrative offices

Business hours will change at the Mission CISD Central Administrative Office for the summer. Beginning Monday, June 5, offices will be open from 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Offices will be closed on Fridays.

These hours will last through the month of July, with the exception of the first two full weeks of July. From July 3-14, the Central Office will be closed for vacations.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Some words about Lloyd Bentsen

Local officials have released their sentiments on the passing of U.S. Senator Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr who passed away yesterday in Houston, Texas at age 85. Bentsen was a native of Mission, Texas who went on to a distinguished career in local, state, and federal government. The former Senator suffered from ill health before his departure to eternal sleep.
 
Here are links to statements by Congressman Ruben Hinojosa and State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
 
 

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Mission Favorite Son, Lloyd Bentsen Passed Away

Today we receive news that one of Mission's favorite sons, Lloyd Bentsen, has passed away in Houston at age 85. Lloyd Bentsen once served as Hidalgo County Judge, he served in the U.S. House of Reps and Senate, and ran for Vice President. His most recent notable post was as Secretary of the Treasury. You can read more about the statesman at the Houston Chronicle.

Friday, May 19, 2006

More room..more resources.Better Services at the Speer Memorial Library in Mission, Texas.

An old cliché says – bigger isn’t always better, but in this case – BIGGER is BETTER!  The City of Mission currently hosted a grand re-opening of the Speer Memorial Library after completing a major renovation. 

 

“What was once a 14,000 square foot facility is now a 48,760 square foot state of the art library that makes us very proud”, said Julio Cerda, City Manager.  “This is a dream come true for the residents of Mission.”

 

Speer Memorial Library is home to over 100,000 books, paperbacks, microforms and audiovisual material.  It is considered to be the largest single public library building in South Texas.  Patrons can count on a total of 250 computers that are available for public use throughout the library floor and labs.  Furthermore, they are able to provide Dial-in Internet Services to over 2,500 patrons who can access this service from their home. 

 

Special programs such as story time, games, GED and computer literacy programs as well as tax preparation classes are planned throughout the year for the enjoyment and benefit of the entire family.

 

There were many patrons, leaders and VIP guests that attend the festivities.  One special group was the delegation from the Prof. Agapito Zepeda Uriegas Public Library in Reynosa.  They along with Speer Memorial have a special agreement of cooperation between the two that allows both parties to be able to offer extended services to their respective patrons be being able to borrow books, materials and other items as needed. 

 

Rusty Dove, Library Director invites everyone to visit the Speer Memorial Library.  “It is a resource center for the entire community of Mission and the surrounding areas.  We want it to be a busy place,” he said.

 

Speer Memorial Library is located at 801 E. 12th St. in Mission, Texas and is open seven days a week.  For compete details visit www.mission.lib.tx.us .
 
Press Release by City of Mission.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

VMHS Commencement to be held on May 30

For Immediate Release 5/18/06

The Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS) graduating Class of 2006 will get their diplomas on May 30 at Tom Landry Stadium. The commencement ceremony will officially begin at 7:30 p.m. The senior will take to the field with the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance."

The presentation of colors will be done by the VMHS JROTC. Samantha Jean Salinas will lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem will be performed by Rebecca De Alejandro, Nina Rodriguez and Romie De Alejandro. Andrea Leianna Gonzalez will provide an invocation.

Jasmine Esmaeili will welcome everyone on behalf of the senior class.

The salutatory address will be done by Sally Ann Hart. The valedictory address will be provided by Hajera Nina Elena Blagg.

Principal Joe D. Reyes will certify the graduates. The presentation of the class will be handled by Oscar Rodriguez, Jr., superintendent.

Diplomas will be awarded by the Board of Trustees.

The VMHS Senior Choir Girls will perform a special song, Bless the Broken Road.

Closing remarks will be offered by Gabriel Isaac Garza.

The commencement ceremony will close with a benediction by Daniel James Crook. The graduates will then depart to "War March of the Priest."

MHS Commencement is May 31

For Immediate Release 5/18/06

The Mission High School Class (MHS) of 2006 will officially begin its commencement ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. on May 31 at Tom Landry Stadium. However, the seniors will take the field with the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance" at 7:15 p.m. honor students will serve as the class escorts.

Deandra A. Cavazos will call for the presentation of colors that will be done by the MHS JROTC. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Julissa Barrera and Liliana A. Salinas. Richard L. Reyna will give the invocation. Vanessa Chavez has the honor of giving the welcome on behalf of the graduating class.

The salutatory address will be given by Mariela Ontiveros, followed by the valedictory address by Jorge A. Garza.

An introduction of special guests and school officials will be handled by Lorena Villarreal.

Elizabeth Garza, assistant superintendent for personnel and student services will announce scholarship awards.

Special music for the ceremony will be introduced by Elyssa R. Garza.

The presentation of the Class of 2006 will be done by Oscar Rodriguez, Jr., superintendent. MHS principal, Janie Connelly will introduce the graduates with the diplomas being awarded by members of the board of trustees.

Commencement will close with the benediction led by Rosa I. Balderas. The graduates will then depart to "War March of the Priest."

Monday, May 15, 2006

Alton HeadStart Update



As reported this morning, the Alton HeadStart was damaged after severe thunderstorms last night. The sheet metal on the older part of the building was sheered off due to high winds. After initial inspections, it appears that three of the classrooms received most of the damage from the storm. Damage to other parts of the building are still unknown. Rain water formed bulges in the sheetrock. Maintenance crews had to poke holes in the ceiling paint to allow the water to trickle down. Inside the classrooms, most of the contents got wet. Crews took out the rugs and furniture from the rooms after insurance adjusters inspected the damage. As in most cases where there is moisture introduced into the interior of a building, mold will be something to prevent while making repairs.In the meantime, with the possibility of more rain tonight, repair crews have covered the damage with a plastic sheet and will resume repairs in the morning. There is no verification yet, but it is initially reported that the contractor who installed the roof did not use the customary screws used to secure metal roofs, choosing staples instead. Confirmation of this report is still pending.

There are questions about what to do with the staff at the Alton Headstart. Due to the unexpected event, graduation of the pre-schoolers is on hold and possibly canceled. Officials do not foresee that the school will reopen any time soon. Teachers were counting on the two weeks before end of school to catch up on end of year reports. With the empty classrooms, the teachers will have time to finish their paperwork. The question then is, what to do with the staff for the remainder of the time? One thought is to use them as substitute teachers as needed throughout HeadStart. Given that this sort of incident is not encountered by the organization on a regular basis, many questions are up in the air until questions about how to fund the situation are resolved. Towards the end of the year, HeadStart always faces a budget crunch. There is concern that not having the Alton children in class for the remainder of the school year will affect the program's funding. Any shortfall will not doubt affect next year's crop of pre-schoolers.

Last Night's Storms

A heavy thunderstorm rolled through the Rio Grande Valley last night. The storm brought with it strong winds and lightning. Although the storm had rain, it was not a major factor. In Mission, the main fury occurred between midnight and 2 AM. Residents in my neighborhood could be seen outside tying down loose objects and looking attentively for any signs of funnel clouds. Evidence of the fury of the storm was apparent this morning with damage throughout the RGV. At my apartment complex, a section of a cedar fence rested right behind our vehicle this morning blocking the parking lot. A few feet East and it would have hit the car.
 
In Alton, the Hidalgo County Headstart canceled classes after the storm ripped the north side of the roof off of the building. Sections of the steel roof were strewn in front of the school on the street and in the parking lot adjacent to the Recreation Center. One section of the roof was right at the door of the building. Inside, the classes were all wet from the rain that poured through the rafters. Next door at the Mission Hospital Clinic, their communication antenna was blown over. South of there, on Conway, a Quince tree was split down the middle.
 
KURV announced damage in other cities that included roof damage and fallen trees. No injuries have been reported.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

The Paper of South Texas Endorses La Joya Candidates

The Paper of South Texas recently endorsed Team USA, composed of Rita Marie Garza-Uresti, J.A. “Fito” Salinas, and Jose Valente Alaniz. These candidates have, in the past, challenged the hold husband and wife team Billy and Filemona Leo have on the city of La Joya and the La Joya ISD. Team USA's main focus is to get busses to carry children home regardless of how far they live from the schools. Currently children living withing a certain distance from their school have to walk to and from school despite the lack of sidewalks and other safe passages to protect the children from traffic. Another aim of Team USA is to prevent contracts going to bidders with inferior and more expensive products or services as has been recently alleged of Filemona Leo with respect to the district's current insurance provider.  You can read more by visiting http://thepaperofsouthtexas.com/page.php?kei=110.

Friday, May 05, 2006

MCISD Board Candidates Answer Questions

The Progress Times reports on an Q&A session with candidates for the MCISD Board. It's a little long given that each question is answered by multiple candidates, but worth reading. You can read the article here.

Local Leaders Honored by SBA

The Progress Times has an article in which Aida Lerma, Ben Cavazos, Sr, and Oscar Cavazos are honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration at the UTPA-SBDC in Edinburg. Lerma is a former President/CEO of Edinburg and Mission Chambers of Commerce and has served other business organizations.

The Cavazos family, most notably Ben Cavazos, Sr. and Oscar Cavazos, operate MAE Power Equipment, formerly known as Mission Auto Electric, and have been in business for over 50 years. You can find out more by clicking the headline on this post to visit the article in the Progress Times.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Trying to get Press Releases

I have contacted the City of Mission and have spoken with the new Public Relations officer, Aida Lerma, regarding having her office send me official press releases for here and for blog.spinrgv.com. I am awaiting her response pending her discussion with City Manager over whether or not to provide press releases. I'll keep you posted as I find out whether it's a yea or nay.