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Due to a recommendation by the Starr County Health Department, South Texas College has made the decision to temporarily close its Starr County Campus only as a precaution through Sunday, May 3, 2009. All classes and activities scheduled to take place at the college’s Starr County Campus are cancelled. Additionally, the college asks that if you are an STC student or an STC employee living in Starr County and commuting for class or work at any of STC’s Hidalgo County campuses, that you do not report for class or work. Please note again that this closure is a precaution, as we have not had any reports that any STC student or faculty or staff member at the Starr County Campus has been diagnosed/or potentially diagnosed with Swine Flu.

All other operations and classes at the college’s four campuses located across Hidalgo County will proceed as scheduled until further notice. But, all non-essential events district-wide are cancelled through Sunday, May 3, 2009.
At this time South Texas College expects to resume normal operations at all campuses in Hidalgo and Starr counties on the morning of Monday, May 4, 2009.

Students can call 956-872-8311 or 800-742-7822 ,or visit www.southtexascollege.edu for additional information.

We ask that you help us spread the word to our many Starr County students and their families.

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By Rick Reynoso

Though Mexico has been on high alert after more than 150 deaths due to the swine flu epidemic, Hidalgo County officials said there have been three confirmed cases reported in the South Texas area as of Thursday morning.

Health and Human Services Director Eddie Olivarez said the county has been contacting regional clinics and hospitals in order to stay up to date with information. He urged citizens to exercise caution, but not to panic.

“The news coming from Mexico is much different than here in the U.S.,” said Olivarez. “They’re at a much higher state of alert. The cases that have been reported here have been much milder than in Mexico.”

The first swine flu related death reported in the U.S. happened in Houston on Monday. A toddler from Mexico City became sick after visiting Brownsville. The three confirmed cases came from Starr County and Cameron County. All schools in the Rio Grande City Independent School District have been closed as a precautionary measure. As of Wednesday afternoon, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) has postponed upcoming athletic events until at least May 11. The UIL indicated that the postponement of all athletic events would be pushed back even more, depending on swine flu developments.

Swine Flu and you

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. Despite this, Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas said the name is a bit misleading.

“It is not contracted through the handling or eating of pork,” said Salinas. “It’s a bit of a misnomer because it’s normally contained within the swine population. But right now it’s being transmitted from human to human.”

The cases that have been reported in the U.S. have been mild compared to Mexico. The symptoms are similar to that of a normal flu, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Olivarez said it is important to keep the hospitals open for legitimate cases.

“If you feel you’re sick, but don’t have flu-like symptoms, call up your physician or doctor,” said Olivarez. “We don’t want people constantly clogging up the hospitals because they only have a little cough. It’s for legitimate concerns and legitimate symptoms.”

Prevention

The best way to prevent the flu is to practice what officials call social distancing. Try to avoid close contact such as shaking hands or kissing others. Avoid contact with those who are sick, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

“I know we’re used to leaning in and hugging or giving a kiss on the cheek when we see someone, but it’s better to just kind of nod your head instead of doing that or shaking hands,” said Olivarez. “I call it ‘doing the George Lopez.’”

Salinas reiterated the importance of washing hands.

“This is one of those times where the advice that our grandmas and mothers would give us has proven to be very true,” said Salinas. “Washing your hands is the best way to prevent sickness.”

Olivarez said the best way to combat the disease would be to wash hands and avoid close contact with those who are sick. For an updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm. For all public questions you can also call 1-888-777-5320.

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Sen. Hutchison: “The American people know that this increase in government spending is not free and is not sustainable.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Delivering remarks on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas’ senior Senator, spoke out against the budget resolution because of its overwhelming and unacceptable size.

“I'm speaking against the budget resolution today,” Sen. Hutchison said. “I think that the overwhelming parts of the budget that are unacceptable outweigh the few good things that were done… we know that our nation is in the middle of an economic crisis, the likes of which none of us have ever seen. And yet, we are looking at a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that says basically to the American people, we know you're struggling. We know you're trying to make ends meet. We know you can't get loans from the bank. We know your small businesses are struggling to stay open. But not the American government.

“The American government is growing. It is getting bigger. It is going to be a burden that is going to be beyond what we will be able to bring back or contract if we can get through this economic crisis. So while the American people are proving their resilience in the face of hardship, we are seeing the American government grow as if we had all the money in the world to spend, which we don't…”

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison voted against final passage of the budget resolution tonight. The budget passed the Senate by a vote of 53-43, with no Republican support.

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By Mary Nichols

On a Monday evening, Richard’s Pharmacy in Alton is closed. Lights are off, nothing stirs and the store appears to be sleeping. However, if you put your hand on the glass door and listen close enough, you can feel the thumping and vibrations of a musical earthquake. From the storage room come the sounds of a band rehearsal.

The Innkeeper Band of Mission, originally formed 42 years ago, has re-emerged and is again performing the music of the 60s and 70s. Their passion for music and the family bond the band forms are elements that just won’t set them free.

Richard Martinez, retired pharmacist from Mission, is one of the founding members and keyboardist. He says that life caught up with them and the band was put on hold. But they always found each other again.

“Now in 2009, it’s a calling again and it’s for the love of the music. We’re just hoping that we have a little more time to do it for fun and for the satisfaction,” said Martinez. “We got together again because we’re such good friends and enjoy the music.”

Making a Band

As good friends and juniors at Mission High School, Richard and Ramiro Barrera started the band in 1966. Oddly enough, the band was created with a coin toss.

“We had to come up with a band because we already had a booking and we flipped a coin for instruments,” said Ramiro chuckling. “I got the drums, another friend of mine got the bass and that’s the way we got it together.”

When naming their new band, they first came up with “the Muckrakers” from a history lesson that day in school. But the name changed when they drove by a billboard in McAllen for the Holiday Inn that read, “The Nation’s Innkeeper.”

“Which basically means like a bartender that provides drinks, or a place that provides lodging,” said Richard. “So we turned the name around to a band that kept ‘in’ with the music of the times.”

The band, uniformed with long sleeve shirts and a bartender garter band on their arm, or Nero suits, played professionally during football games and dances. The Innkeepers continued to play through their first two years of college at Pan American College. With Santiago “Chago” Espericueta as lead guitarist, and adding some horns, the band performed at college dances. David Trevino joined them as a trumpet player in college and helped market the band’s music, and to host their own dances. In September 1969, Ramiro, Richard and Arturo Gonzalez, bass player that year, all left for pharmacy school.

The Innkeepers, however, replaced all three members and continued to play music in the Valley until 1973. Before the group disbanded, they were able to record one song called, “I could never hurt you girl.” The song hit number one for several weeks on the local radio station KRIO.

“For us it was a hobby. But it was also our first love – before we had girlfriends,” Richard says laughing.

The band started up again in 1981, led by the original members, Ramiro, Richard, Santiago, and bass player Rick. They recruited some other players with horns, and played professionally for about two years.

“It was kind of tough and we were getting more gigs. But it was hard to keep our day business and have a family,” said Richard. “It was hard to keep up at that pace and we broke up again.”

Twenty-five years later, in April 2007, the four of them got together again and started playing gradually – not professionally – just practice sessions.

“We felt we were ready to take the next step and find some lead singers, and some new horns for the band,” said Richard. “We have been playing professionally since the Fun Fair at the Citrus Fiesta last year, and played again this year.”

Meet the Band

Two years ago, the Innkeepers had a band reunion at the McAllen Civic Center. About 25 different players went through the band over the years. Band members, consisting of horn, guitar and keyboard players, and vocalists, all left a musical note and moved on. Presently, the band is made up of eight members, four being the original members.

Ramiro “Snowball” Barrera has been playing the drums since ’66, and is a pharmacist at Richard’s Pharmacy. Hidden in a corner of the small back room, his whaling on the drums, reminds everyone he is there.

“I like the drums because it helps release stress, I just put faces on the drums and bang away,” he says jokingly. “But, playing is just simply a natural high. Back in the 60s music was everywhere, no need for drugs, just getting high on music.”

The song ‘It was just my imagination’ bounces off the white walls into the ears of all present in the room. The acoustics in the room are magnificent and the band’s chemistry and collaboration is magnetic.

Richard Martinez’s fingers dance on the keyboard to play the Motown tune. Richard is a retired pharmacist and spent 12 years on the Mission CISD school board. Currently, he serves on the board for Mission Regional Medical Center and Mission Economic Development Corporation.

Taking the black bass guitar and playing it like a magic wand, Ricardo “Rick” Montalvo adds to the soul of the song. Rick started playing back in ’66 as well. He comes from a musical family where all play an instrument and different genres of music. He currently works at the American Legion Post 37.

“We do cover songs, but we do our own stuff with the song,” said Rick. “We improvise and just let it run. We make it our own.”

Santiago “Chago” Espericueta strums his guitar and is also part of the founding group. Soul vibrates from every string played. Chago has worked for Halliburton for the last 34 years and is waiting to retire. Music has been part of his life for 15 years.

“We do this as a hobby, but of course there is money involved in most cases. But we get together when we can, because everyone has a tough schedule,” said Chago. “Some are retired; others are not. They called me and I came back; we’re all old friends.”

Jaime Gonzales, singing back up vocals, is in perfect harmony with the band’s lead singer. He has played for several bands throughout his career, and joined the Innkeepers in the ‘80s. He also performs with Noe Pro’s Orchestra. He currently works with the State Office of the Inspector General. Jaime also plays percussion, like the bongos, congas, tambourine and chimes.

“At 12 I started singing to my favorite records and dreaming of becoming a rock star,” said Jaime. “Music is what I have always done.”

Suddenly, during the chorus of the performance, golden horns are lifted as if saluting a king. Trumpeting sounds echo out and dance with the other musical tones in the room. Juan “JJ” Zuniga and Argelio Garza are the masters behind the horns.

JJ joined the band last year after a call from Richard. Prior to that he played Tejano music since the ‘70s, and was the founder of a band called the Mexican Generation, that still performs today. He also performed with Rush Hour, a jazz band, for four years.

“Generally, this is what I do, and it’s what I love. I tell my wife you’re not my wife. Music is my wife and you’re my mistress, and she knows it,” said JJ. “I don’t think this kind of music will ever die, not as long as we keep playing it.”

Argelio has been with the Innkeepers since March of last year. He works as an educational dietician and counselor at Edinburg Economedes High School.

“At first I didn’t want to come to practice when JJ invited me,” said Argelio. “But, I came once and I just loved it. I have fun and it’s a balance to my life with work and family.”

Lead vocalist is Adrianna Virrialle, 30, the youngest of the group. Her voice, however, is anything, but immature. Her voice projects, soul, heart and feeling that bring the lyrics to life. Rick discovered her singing at the American Legion Post 37, where she works as waitress/bartender and convinced her after a year to join the band. She has been with the Innkeepers since last January. Adrianna had a malignant tumor on her thyroid that she had removed in June of 2007. She had the tumor a year before she removed it, because of fear of losing her voice. However, it led her to go back to school full-time to study music and sign language, at STC, and she regained her singing voice.

“I would take singing for granted. I thought everyone could sing. I didn’t know it was a talent,” she said. “When I lost my voice and I couldn’t sing, I realized how important it was to me. If it hadn’t been for the cancer, I probably wouldn’t have gotten back into music.”

Taking Requests

The type of music a band plays expresses who the band members are artistically. The Innkeepers mostly play soulful music, like James Brown, The Doors, Chicago, Motown hits, and a lot of top 40 songs from the late 60s and early 70s.

“That’s basically what we played because no one at the time was able to provide a product that the kids could enjoy. Anything you heard on KRIO back then, we would probably play it,” said Richard. “That is our base, but we’re venturing into Latin music cumbias, polkas, and modern jazz. We’re experimenting because with the new talent we have, we want to stretch the music we’re playing.”

Forever Timeless

For the Innkeepers, the band isn’t just about the music, but the meaning of family.

“We’re not professionals here, but enjoy the company. We’re a big family. I have helped other bands, but it does not feel the same. If Rick, Richard or Chago isn’t there, playing is not the same,” said Ramiro. “When Adrianna came in, she just clicked with us. She fit the puzzle and there was the same feeling of a family, the same goes with the horns. It’s not a business, it’s family.”

The passion for each other and music is apparent. Even when they talk, they lightly play their instruments to take advantage of making music, as if it might be taken at any moment. The Innkeepers have left a legacy and continue to do so.

“I have friends that are in their 50s and I’ll tell them I’m playing with the Innkeepers, and they are surprised. They say, ‘I remember them from dances, and I fell in love with so and so at this band dance,’ said Adrianna. “The music is timeless, and it doesn’t matter how old you are. Everyone enjoys the show.”

The band wants everyone to know that they are still around performing, and with or without a crowd, they are happy to have each other and to make music. Music is what brought them together and created everlasting memories.

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Want to experience the excitement of a Dorados arena football game? Would you like some free tickets?

Now’s your chance to catch the action. The Progress Times is giving away a family pack of four club seat tickets, a value of $152.00, each week to the RGV Dorados home games at the Dodge Arena. All you have to do is register for your chance to win some tickets. A new drawing will be held every week, May 8 through July 24. You must register each week to be entered in that week’s drawing.

Here’s how you can register. Fill out the entry form in today’s edition of the Progress Times and mail it in or drop it by our office before the entry deadline listed on the form. Or, you can fill out the entry form online at www.progresstimes.net. Limit one entry per person, but Progress Times subscribers receive a free bonus entry when they enter the contest and check the “I’m a subscriber” box. Must be 18 years of age or older to win.

The next home game, on May 11, is sure to be an exciting night filled with promos designed to make sure the fans have a good time. This is the night for the halftime show featuring the Second Annual PowderPuff Football Brawl between Dorados Dancers and the McAllen Hooters Girls. For more excitement, the first 1,000 adults get Dorados jerseys.

Oh yeah, and the RGV Dorados will take on the Amarillo Dusters on the field.

The Dorados just posted the second-most points in franchise history in a 77-50 win over the Corpus Christi Sharks Saturday night at Dodge Arena in front of 5041 fans.

RGV improved to 3-1 with the win and kept pace in the Southwest Division with the Arkansas Twisters, who won Friday night at Green Bay.

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It was a big day for the little city of Penitas. The tiny city with a population of just over 2,000 people celebrated the opening of the modern 184,000 square foot Walmart Supercenter on Wednesday.

La Joya High School’s Mariachi group had to rise early to set the stage, South Texas Style, filling the air with lively music just before the 7 a.m. ceremony began. La Joya ROTC presented the colors as kindergarten students from JFK Elementary School gave the Pledge of Allegiance and members of the La Joya High School choir gave a rousing performance of the National Anthem in beautiful harmonies.

KRGV Channel 5 weatherman Tim Smith gave the event a very polished presentation as master of ceremonies.

Store Manager Joe Montalvo introduced his management team and the Walmart associates, then presented an over-sized check for $5000 to La Joya ISD Superintendent Dr. Alda T. Benavides The district plans to use the grant to help with its reading programs and attendance incentives. Grants of $2500 each were also presented to the Penitas Fire Department Police Department.

Montalvo was assisted by Penitas Mayor Marcos Ochoa in cutting the ribbon in a ribbon ceremony conducted by the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. Afterwards, the store was opened to the public as hundreds of local officials, community leaders and shoppers eagerly explored the new store with its bright colors and customer-friendly design.

Montalvo said the new store will bring approximately 300 jobs to area residents as well as ongoing support to local non-profit organizations. Most of the positions will be full time.

Mayor Ochoa said he is excited to see Walmart open in his town. “One of the immediate benefits of Walmart opening in Penitas is the number of permanent full-time and part-time employment opportunities that will be provided for area residents,” he said. “We have a high unemployment rate in Hidalgo County, and these jobs will allow many families to have a better standard of living.”

The mayor also said the new Supercenter will bring in an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 annually into the city’s coffers in sales tax revenues.

Store Designed for Local Tastes

The 24-hour Supercenter is designed to make shopping easy for customers. Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. The layout of the 184,109-square-foot store creates an open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays.

“The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” Montalvo said. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.”

As part of Walmart's store-of-the-community program, the store was merchandised to meet the diverse needs of local customers. “We’ve listened to our customers and have designed the store to include the products and services they need and want,” said Montalvo.

The store will make fresh corn and flour tortillas and chips daily. The bakery will offer fresh-baked bolillo and pandulce and the produce department will include an expanded selection of tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, chilies and spices. Customers can also pick up bulk packages of specially marinated meat, rice and beans.

In addition, the store features a La Flor de Michoacan juice bar that serves local favorites such as aquas frescas, paletas, ice cream and fruit cups.

Customers will find a Tire & Lube Express specially equipped to handle large recreational vehicles, a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, a digital photo processing center and a Walmart Connect Center for wireless phone sales. The store will also have a Walmart MoneyCenter, which provides low-cost money services including check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers.

Leased areas and services include a DaVi Nails salon, a McDonald’s restaurant, Game Play and a branch of IBC Bank.

The store is located at 1705 W. Expressway 83, approximately one mile north of the Rio Grande.

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The City of Penitas is holding a special election with two propositions on the ballot in addition to the regular election in which three aldermen are running unopposed for re-election. Election day is May 9.

Early voting, which began last Monday and continues through May 5, takes place at Penitas City Hall, located at 1111 S. Main St. (1 mile S. FM 1427). Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. today, and 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. May 4 and 5. The polls are closed this weekend, but will re-open Monday and Tuesday.

On the ballot for re-election to the board of aldermen are Patricia A. Cardenas, Jesus Avendano and Tomas Cedillo.

The first of two propositions on the ballot would increase the city elected officials’ term of office from the current three years to four years. If the measure is approved, Alderman Place 1, Place 3 and Place 5 terms will end on the first Saturday of May 2013. Alderman Place 2, Place 4 and the mayor’s term would be increased to four years when those positions are up for election in May 2011.

The second proposition being put before the voters of Penitas is a proposal to reduce Section 4A sales taxes from one-half of one percent to one-fourth of one percent and adoption of 4B sales tax at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to undertake projects such as street improvements and construction of public facilities.

Penitas Mayor Marcos Ochoa explained, “4A is more restricted as to how the monies can be used; 4A is to attract businesses (economic development) and 4B has more leeway. It can be used for streets and libraries. With the opening of Wal-mart we are going to need more street infrastructure.”

Election day voting will take place on Saturday, May 9, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at JFK Elementary School, located at 1801 Diamond Ave. in Penitas.

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The City of Mission will be holding a Remembrance Ceremony for U.S. Army Spc. Alex D. Gonzalez. The ceremony will be held May 6, at the RGV Veterans State Cemetery on 2520 S. Inspiration Rd, Mission, at 1 p.m.

Gonzalez was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. May 6 marks the first year anniversary of Gonzalez’s passing. Members from Gonzalez’s unit will also be in attendance for the ceremony.

Mission Historical Museum will have a Military Memorial Exhibit on display at 3 p.m. The museum is located at 900 Doherty. The public and Veterans are invited to attend both events. For more information call 580-8729.