Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 3, 2005 Page: 2 of 6
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IkTl
itted three
before UTPA was awarded $26,000
iin January 2005.
over
Imagine
iwhere you can enjoy the sunshine,
eat lunch outdoors or study native
fauna and flora. The University of
Texas-Pan American was recently
awarded a grant by the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
for the formation of an Indigenous
Wildscape Garden which will allow
students, faculty, staff and visitors
to do just that.
A groundbreaking ceremony for
the garden will be held Wednesday,
Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. north of the
Student Services Building and east
' of the chapel.
Clielse Benham, radio and
television production supervisor in
the Office of University Relations
and project coordinator for the
grant, and Dr. Vera Vincent,
former director of the tourism
research center and professor, co-
authored the Community Outdoor
Outreach Program grant.
Nonprofit groups, non-political
groups, local governments,
religious groups, and other tax-
exempt organizations are eligible to
apply for the grant of up to
$30,000. According to the TPWD,
approximately $800,000 has been
set aside annually to te used to
introduce under-served constituents
to the services, programs and
facilities of the TPWD through this
grant.
Benham said "perseverance
pays off," as the grant was
Several UTPA staff and faculty
members formed a committee to
assist the grant authors with letters
of support, guidance and raising
$12,000 in cash and donated
services. Because the garden
features only indigenous plants, the
committee was crucial in ensuring
only plants from Hidalgo,
Cameron, Willacy and Stan-
counties were used.
Landscape designer Rod
Russell-Ides of Dallas, Texas
agreed to design the garden on a
pro-bono basis. He recently buil: n
replica in Houston of the Grotto of
Our Lady of Lourdes, a
reproduction of the most famous
shrine to the Virgin Mary, located
in Lourdes in southern France.
"I think the garden will develop
enormous school spirit," Benham
said. "It will also be a beautiful site
for University tours, and will be
open to the community for free."
The plants in the garden will be
identified with name tags so
onlookers will have the opportunity
to learn about indigenous plants
and wildlife. The garden will serve
as a place for bird watchers to see
migrator)' birds and will have
telescopes available for spectators
to look at insects, butterflies and
other fauna. Benham said the
garden is also a model for water
Olivarez named to
Metropolitan Who's Who
Local scientist and substitute
teacher Abel Ramiro Olivarez,
Ph.D., has been appointed to
represent Rio Grande City in the
Metropolitan Who's Who 2005 in
New York City, New York.
His biography will appear in that
organization's 2005 registry.
Dr. Olivarez is being recognized
for his outstanding work in time -
relativity physics. He found a way
to "split" time in the laboratory and
is attempting to develop a full-
working model of a time-splitter.
Since he is involved in the South
Texas Institute of Natural Science
and Engineering in Rio Grande
City, it is hoped that a palatable
and safe time machine will be
derived from the time-splitter.
Dr. Olivarez is also a local part-
time substitute teacher. He is the
Abel R. Olivarez
son of the late Antonio Olivarez
and the late Elodia Barboza. both of
Rio Grande City.
IRS TAX TIPS-200S
SELLING YOUR HOME
If you sold your main home, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000
of gain ($500,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly) from your federal
tax return, according to the IRS. This exclusion is allowed each time that
you sell your main home, but generally no more frequently than once
every two years.
To be eligible for this exclusion, your home must have been owned by
you and used as your main home for a period of at least two out of the
five years prior to its sale. The two years may consist of 24 full months or
730 days. Short absences, such as for a summer vacation, count as
periods of use Longer breaks, such as a one-year sabbatical, do not.
You also must not have excluded gain on another home sold during the
two years before the current sale. Special rules apply to members of the
armed, uniformed and foreign services and their families in calculating
the 5-year period.
If you and your spouse file a joint return for the year of the sale, you can
exclude the gain if either of you qualify for the exclusion But both of you
would have to meet the use test to claim the $500,000 maximum
amount.
If you do not meet the ownership and use tests, you may be allowed to
use a reduced maximum exclusion amount if you sold your home due to
health, a change in place of employment or unforeseen circumstances.
Unforeseen circumstances can include divorce or a disaster resulting in
a casualty to your home, for example.
If you can exclude all the gain from the sale of your home, you do not
report any of that gain on your federal tax return If you cannot exclude
all the gain from the sale of your home, or you choose no' to, use Sched-
ule D, Form 1040, to report the total gain and claim the exclusion you
qualify for.
For more details and information, get a copy of IRS Publication 523,
"Selling your Home," by calling 1-800-TAX-FC1RM (1-800-829-3676) or
by downloading it from the IRS Web site at www irs.gov. For rules apply-
ing to members of the military, see Publication 3, "Armed Forces Tax
Guide-
Brought to you by the IRS and
l]conservabon since
,indigenous plants which require
iless water than bringing in plants
ifrom outside the area.
The garden is being created to
serve students of all ages, from K-
12 to University students, she said.
The biology and anthropology
departments are being afforded
small plots to install their own
indigenous plant selections. In
addition, they may also want to
study many of the native plants
used in folk medicine, which will
also be in the garden.
"The city of Edinburg will also
benefit because it will effectively
be a tourist site," Benham said.
The 1.5 acre garden will take
approximately two months to
physically create, as the
composition of the land will be
altered into rolling mounds and
contain a water feature. The project
will be completed by the UTPA
grounds maintenance employees.
Benham is hoping the garden will
be completed in time for the spring
commencement ceremonies. The
water feature will comprise a
circular shallow pool and a moon-
shaped bog area that houses plant „
life.
The grant covers supplies,
plants, bedding, travel expenses
and educational materials.
Additional funds are still needed
for the water feature, statuary in the
center of the water feature,
telescope kiosks, benches, solar
lights and pathways. Benham hopes
to raise $36,000 in addition to the
grant funds for those elements by
selling personalized bricks for $50
each to be placed in the garden.
The Women's Group, an
informal group of University
women comprised of staff and
faculty who meet to network and
participate in community service
projects, has also shown support
and will oe promoting the garden
and helping with fundraising
efforts.
The garden has received support
from several environmental groups
in the community including the
TWPD, Texas Forest Service.
Hidalgo County Extension Agent-
Horticulture, Friends of the
Wildlife Corridor, Texas Naturalist
Society, RGV Nature Coalition,
Valley Nature Center and Native
Plant Project. On campus, the
Anthropology Club, the Student
Government Association,
Psychology Club and faculty from
the biology department have
pledged support as well.
For more information about the
groundbreaking, volunteering or
fundraising, call Benham at
956/316-7996.
Vitamiitas Y Mas...!
Health Food Store
609 E. 2nd Street
Rio Grande City
Vitaminas. Remcdios Naturales.
Productos para Dcportistas.
Perdida dc Peso,
Homeopatia y. mas!
Phone: 956-716-6005
Fast Refunds
Irasema's Income
Tax Service
26 Catfish/Gutierrez (Roma Creek
Sub) Roma, TX., 78584
956-849-2038
or 956-847-1650
8:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m.
Monday Saturday
Molina 8.
Associates
Income Tax Service
406 N. Britton Ave.
Rio Grande City
956-487-4196
Program on Heroic Ladies
Celia Barrera, center, presented a program on five heroic ladies who helped shape our nation during a meeting
of Texas Delta Theta Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi held in the home of Sonja Smith, at lell, in October.
Josie Guerra, at right, presided during the business meeting. Featured in the program were "Mother Ann" Lee,
Emma Hart Willard, Dolley Madison, and Sarah Grimke and her younger sister Angelina. Sorority sisters
present were told about the lives of these women, their courage, and their contributions to our nation. The
program chair asked, "HoW^oyou think these women would react to life in the 21 1 century?" An interesting
discussion followed.
RGC High JROTC set to march
on m reels of Washington, D.C.
The Rio Grande City High School
JROTC 12ih Cavalry is scheduled to
participate in the National Cherry
Blossom Festival Parade in Wash-
ington D.C. on Saturday, April 9,
2005. Each Spring Washington D.C.
has a celebration in commemoration
of Japan's 1912 gift of cherry trees
to the United States. The trees were
planted around the Tidal Basin near
the Jefferson Memorial and the fes-
tival is scheduled to coincide with the
first bloom of the cherry trees. This
two week long event brings in more
tourists than any another annual event
in the city. The National Cherry
Blossom Festival features daily in-
ternational cultural performances,
sporting events, arts & crafts dem-
onstrations and other special events.
The festival will be held March 27-
April 11 and showcases highly an-
ticipated events such as the National
Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and
the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street
Festival on Saturday, April 3. The
festival celebrates the 92nd Anniver-
sary of the gift of the cherry blossom
trees and the enduring friendship be-
tween the citizens of the United
States and Japan. This is the first year
that the 12th Cavalry participates in
this event that draws over 100,000
spectators from around the world.
" The cadets are extremely excited
because it is a whole new experience
for them. It will give them the op-
portunity to participate in a national
level parade. They will also get to
visit an extremely historical area such
as Washington, D.C.," says Mastei
Sergeant Marco Pena.
According to Sgt. Pena the students
will have to do some research before
the trip to familiarize themselves with
The National Cherry Blossom Parade
and the historical sites in the D.C.
area. They will have to prepare re-
ports to share with other classmates
to incorporate the educational com-
ponent into this endeavor.
" It is important not only to repre-
sent our community and our school
district but also to tic in education
into this trip," says Sgt. Pena.
The 12th Cavalry battalion lias
been practicing to prepare for this
grand event. They recently lead the
Parade of Oranges in Mission, Texas
in January 2004 and participated in
the Battle of the Flowers Parade in
San Antonio, Texas in April 2004.
Each of these events drew in a crowd
of over 100,000 spectators. This in
itself gave the 12th Cavalry the op-
portunity to practice in front of thou-
sands of spectators to prepare them
for upcoming national event.
" I am confident that these parades
have helped but you can never train
enough for a national event such as
this. So, we are training four days a
week for Washington, D C.," says
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Dhilendy
Garcia. According to Cadet 2nd I icu-
tenant Norma Cardenas the battalion
has been practicing new formations
that Sgt. Pena and Major Rutlcdge
created for the Battle of the Flowers
parade in San Antonio.
" I was really glad and excited thai
our organization was chosen for this
event, it is such an honor," says Ca-
dgj;^t l ieutenant Mayra Elizondo.
It is definitely obvious that the Rio
Grande City High School 12th Cav-
alry is setting the pace for the Rio
Grande Valley and other JROTC
units They are ready to put Rio
Grande City CISD and Rio Grande
City on the map on a national level.
" I'm really proud to be wearing
this uniform, when I joined JROTC,
I joined the best and feel extremely
proud representing Rio Grande City
and Rio Grande City High School,"
says Cadet 2nd Lt. Norma Cardenas.
The cadets wear the same uniform
the United States Army 12th Cavalry
Memorial Unit used to wear when
they were stationed at Fort Ringgold.
The sense of pride thai is felt by ca-
dets when they put on that uniform
is ania/nig: Not onlv do they repre-
sent their school and community but
also the every 12th Cavalry soldier
that served at Fort Ringgold from
1921-1941.
The Rio Grande City High School
JROTC is .,(>ened to invitations as
long as their schedule permits. If you
would like more information contact
M Sgt. Pena at (956) 488-6024 or
Major I) • id Km ledge at (956) 488-
6031
Medina Electric
offers scholarships
Vcile-ntine-'s
Str^wbe-rrie- 5
Chocolate
I? i
Covered
Strawberries
JYa/h, Coco, C'(7/?(/y cjpr/s?//es, Call Norma at:
cbaj/s'/s, ^fhcas?, os, r7r/\ cr/o. 956-802-2179
For the sixth year in a row.
Medina Rlectric Cooperative will
offer nine $2,500 scholarships to
eligible Medina EC members and
their dependents Applications are
available at each district office and
schools throughout Medina FC's 17
county service area.
"For the last five years Medina
Electric Coop., Inc has helped a
number of students achieve their
educational goals," said Medina EC
General Manager Larry Oefinger.
"It has been very rewarding to hear
some of the success stories of our
scholarship recipients and look
forward to another year with this
program."
Texas State Law (His 3202).
enacted in 1997 allows non-profit
electric cooperatives to use
escheated funds for scholarships
programs in the rural areas.
Members and tlieii dependents
that are served by Medina FC, and
are in good standing are eligible to
apply.
Applicants must plan to attend a
recognized I'exas institution of
higher education.
High school seniors, home
school, GFD students and adults
pursuing an undergraduate degree
are encouraged to apply.
"We wanted to help as many
people as possible to meet their
educational goals," Oefinger said.
"That's why we decided to make
the scholarship available to recent
graduates as well as adults."
All applications must be
received by 5 p.m. in the Medina
EC General Office in Hondo on
February 18. 2005.They are
available from high school
guidance counselors, by contacting
the nearest Medina EC district
office or visiting our website at
www.medinaec.org.
We're here to help you make this Valentine's Day a memorable one
This year. PRINT YOUR VALENTINE. Flic Rio Grande Herald is gning vou the opportunity to print a
□ personalized greeting in our Valentine's Day Edition of the Herald r"*«
Call 956-487-2819 now to reserve your spot Greetings Start at only 1.10
When you betray somebody else,
you also betray yourself.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer
The
Rio Grande
Herald
(DSPS 466-20(1)
Pearl Austin Mathis
Publisher
Published weekly for 15 70 per year in Stan-
County and 18 75 per year out-of-county by Rio
Grande Herald Publishing Co Inc , Peat I Austin
Mathis. President Publisher, Travis A Mathis
and Will N Mathis, co-owners, 21 ** K University
Drive, Edinburg, Texas 78539 Periodicals
postage paid at Rio Grande City. Texas
POSTMASTER Send
Editor
KENNETH ROBERTS
Advertising
CHRISTIAN SAUNAS
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 3, 2005, newspaper, February 3, 2005; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196306/m1/2/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.