Story By
Bob Corbell

Texas high school football, for some if not a right of passage, might be regarded as a religion. Vengeance against a neighboring town, at the expense of a young 17 year old that is sold on the premise that ‘school pride’ is a virtue.  Aristotle was never forced to practice in 110 degree heat in order to get his accolades at the Diary Queen on a Friday night.   In 2019, Ol’ Aristotle would come to one conclusion about high school athletics, especially football.  It is incredibly expensive.  For a public school, little musing would render the discovery that athletics is a tax burden.
Whether the Texas good-ol-boy high school football booster realizes it or not, tax supported high school athletics, as we know it, is not as healthy as the coaches and athletic directors say it is.  Student athletes are making choices to participate in other curriculum which requires focus outside of classroom hours.  Coaches hate that.  Academic eligibility often restricts the roster.  Then there’s the new phenomenon of social technology.  Kid’s can now become professional gamers and play a virtual sport; not in the Texas heat, but indoors.  It is very feasible and more likely that a 17 year old can play a virtual sport and earn up to 50 thousand dollars annually depending on their achievement level and access to competition.   Concussion free, unless hit in the head by a keyboard.
Texas public school athletics soon will face another dilemma; funding.   Let’s look at any given Friday at Del Rio High School before a football road trip.   If 70 players are on the roster, the average annual equipment cost is close to $1,500 dollars-per player.  Meanwhile the math student left in the classroom, the average annual cost spent on him is slightly over $400 dollars.   Then add in the cheerleaders, dance team, and band.  No fewer than seven buses must travel a minimum of 300 miles round trip.  The students must be fed while traveling.  There’s the cost of bus drivers and fuel.  Advisors, administration, and support staff must accompany the students.  Then there’s the cost of hiring substitute teachers to fill the vacancy that day. The cost easily reaches the six figure mark, before even equating the legal expense and insurance.   Oh, and let’s not forget the money forfeited by the district that day for excused student absences.  The state funds the school district for attendance.  Almost one third of the student enrollment is on the road five Friday’s in the fall.    That is only one day and one sporting event.
It is time to get rid of public funded athletics and UIL competition in Texas high schools.  It is a burden and great expense to the taxpayer.  While state legislators continue to slash funds like Zorro, districts much like the San Felipe-Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District often have to come back to the tax payer and ask for temporary reform.  Much like the TRE election this past November.    That was a band aid for the district to address employee health care and campus security.   The next go around, something is going to have to give.  In my opinion, I propose pay-for-play athletics.  In less than a decade, it will come down to hiring a science teacher or a football coach.   Parents and school board members are going to have to face a hard realization of the future of a century old tradition. Does the student have a better advantage in life of core curriculum education or the chance at a trophy?
  In the March edition of the Texas Times, I’ll share the story of a Texas high school that ceased athletics for one season.  The results might surprise you.

“¿Cómo definir algo tan complejo, contradictorio, fascinante y que al mismo tiempo nos hace sentir tan vivos? No puede observarse bajo un microscopio, hay quien lo define en términos químicos y quiénes hacen poesía de él”. Para reflexionar sobre el amor tenemos que referirnos a la inspiración, al sufrimiento, a la donación y a la búsqueda del bien del otro aunque yo tenga que vivir el anonadamiento y hasta la muerte.  Amor es salir del egoísmo de pensar en nuestra comodidad, nuestros gustos y caprichos para pensar y actuar por el bien de la otra persona. No se puede vivir sin amor.

Mahatma Gandhi decía: “Donde hay amor hay vida” y en consecuencia podemos decir que el que no ama no vive, el que no vive para amar no es capaz de sobrevivir.  

El Señor Jesucristo nos dice: “No hay amor más grande que dar la vida por los amigos”. (Jn 15,13). “Yo he venido para que tengan vida, y la tengan en abundancia”.  (Jn 10, 10). “Si el grano de trigo no cae en tierra y muere, queda infecundo, pero si muere da mucho fruto” (Jn 12, 24).  

“Creo que todos los seres humanos hemos experimentado el amor. Experimentamos cariño, amamos o queremos  a nuestros padres, hermanos y hermanas, a nuestra familia,  amigos y hasta a nuestras mascotas, y ellos nos expresan cariño, nos aman o nos quieren a nosotros”.

¿Qué nos dice la ciencia? “En el amor existe cierto componente biológico, lo sabemos. Todos hemos oído hablar de esa tormenta química conformada por neurotransmisores como la dopamina, la serotonina, la oxitocina…    Ahora bien, tampoco podemos dejar de lado otro tipo de influencias, en este caso, externas. Hablamos de nuestra cultura y el peso de la sociedad como mecanismo de influencia”.

“Desde el punto de vista ético y filosófico: El amor como cualidad de orden superior: ¿Sólo un concepto o expresión de la trascendencia?

El amor es un concepto con dualidad de significación. Es considerado, en una primera acepción, como un conjunto de actitudes y conductas vinculadas al afecto, expresadas en ciertos sentimientos, emociones y experiencias típicas. En su segunda acepción, el amor es considerado una virtud de orden superior que condensa todo el afecto y la bondad de que es capaz el ser humano”. (Jorge L. Benítez R.).

También existe el amor de pareja, el amor romántico, que es otra cosa. Es un sentimiento intenso y nuevo que no se parece a ninguna de las otras formas de amor.

El amar y ser amado enriquece nuestras vidas. El amor nos ayuda a fortalecer el auto estima, a entender y hacernos entender y nos da seguridad y la alegría de vivir.  

Desde el punto de vista psicológico, el amor es una experiencia afectiva conformada por un conjunto de variables muy concretas: necesidad de vincularnos a alguien, necesidades de intimidad, pasión, sexualidad… Todos esos principios quedan recogidos en la teoría triangular de Robert Stenberg:

Intimidad: son los sentimientos que promueven el acercamiento, la conexión y la construcción del vínculo. Es la aceptación del otro y el sentimiento de confianza y cariño que establecemos con esa persona.

Pasión: es el deseo, pero no se refiere solo al deseo físico y sexual con todo el componente neuroquímico que de ello se deriva. La pasión también se expresa mediante la admiración del otro, mediante esa implicación psicológica donde surge el afecto más profundo y la necesidad de estar cerca de la persona amada.

Compromiso: es la decisión expresa y auténtica de construir un proyecto con la otra persona. Es serle fiel, y saber erigir un presente y un futuro donde se lleven a cabo actividades en común. Es crear un “nosotros”, un espacio propio donde consolidar la relación.

Amando le encontramos sentido a nuestra vida; no desfiguremos el verdadero sentido del amor.  La canción dice: “el amor siendo humano tiene algo de divino, amar no es un delito porque hasta Dios amó”.  Pienso que no tiene algo de divino, sino que es de origen totalmente divino y el Señor nos ha hecho participes de el  a los humanos. Es urgente que nos convenzamos que es necesario amar para poder vivir y debemos saber vivir para aprender a amar.  Dios los bendiga, Sady Pbro.

The most important thing we should all realize about life is that we are Not in control.
Our life is designed that way. Even though we may have limited control over some things many things we will never be able to control.
With that in mind, we should learn to forgive, forget (to some degree) and most of all Move On. In fact, our greatest power in life is, how we rebound from those things in life that do not end up well.
Most of us expect way too much of ourselves and because of that, we live a life of depression thinking that we are not worthy. We must learn to set goals that are in sink with what our life path is currently and improve on that.
Learn to fully appreciate what we have and what we’ve accomplished no matter how great or small that may be, and move forward.
With the exception of GOD, the rest of us, not one of us are perfect. With that in mind, we must learn to share whatever talents and blessings GOD has given us with others on a daily basis.
We must always be conscious of the fact that hating and worrying are just a waste of our time and energy. We learn early in our lives that hating on something or worrying about something NEVER changes the outcome. So why Do It.
Know and understand that from all failures or setbacks in life we are supposed to learn a lesson.
Never forget that the things we pay the most attention to will grow or in some cases fester.
So make certain you are always focused on things that are important and positive in your life.
What we fail to realize is that We Don’t Need More To Be Happy.
Too much, managed incorrectly, will bring us nothing but sorrow.
So learn to give from the abundance of our blessings to others who need the help.
Remember those material things may serve to distract us more than they help to make us a better person.
Truth, Love, Peace, and Helping are the things that should guide our life path.
Be Well, Be Blessed, GOD Speed.
Just Another Point of View.

La frontera de Del Rio y Ciudad Acuña estuvieron de luto al inicio de este 2019, al perder a dos reconocidas personas en ambos países, al haber trabajado para la comunidad, como lo hizo el líder comunitario Simón Sotelo y el periodista Osiris Cantu.
Simón Sotelo falleció a la edad de 65 años en esta población, una noticia para impacto esta frontera al ser uno de los líderes comunitarios mas reconocidos de esta población debido a su trayectoria como también por todos los programas de ayuda gratuita que tenia para la comunidad, y ayudaba a jóvenes a estar libres de adicciones.
Por mas de 20 años estuvo como director ejecutivo de Quad Counties, donde ofreció docenas de programas ara la prevención de adicciones, inicio con el movimiento el “Listón Rojo”, las vigilias en honor a las víctimas de violencia doméstica, inicio la organización de CAPS ara la prevención del suicidio, y logro reabrir el refugio de mujeres en esta población que lleva el nombre de Nuevo Horizontes.
Ayudo a la comunidad con diferentes programas, como ayudo a que Del Rio fuera cede de la entrega de sillas de ruegas a familias necesitadas en la vecina población, también apoyo las jornadas de salud gratuitas.
La noticia del pasado 15 de enero del 2019, donde se informo que Simón Sotelo falleció de un infarto, impacto la comunidad, durante el servicio funerario docenas de personas residentes tanto de esta población como de Ciudad Acuña acudieron para darle el último adiós.
Amistados de Ciudad Acuña hicieron un homenaje a Simón Sotelo en Ciudad Acuña, para que pudieron acudir todas sus amistades que desafortunadamente no pudieron acudir al velorio en la funeraria  Sunset.
A tan solo una semana el 22 de enero , esta frontera recibió la segunda mala noticia, el fallecimiento repentino del reconocido periodista Osiris Cantú García a la edad de , director editorial del periódico Zocalo Acuña,  columnista, y corresponsal de noticieros de radio en el Estado de Coahuila.
La causa de muerte del reconocido periodista de Ciudad Acuña y Del Rio Tx. fue un infarto a minutos de haber salido de su trabajo, en donde estuvo verificando que todo estuviera listo para imprimir el periódico, sin saber que sería su ultimo día al estar al frente de esta empresa.
Por mas de 40 años Osiris Cantú García estuvo elaborando para el reconocido periódico Zocalo, donde fungió como director de edición, tenía su columna “Escri Viendo”,  también director de la estación de radio Super Estelar, donde se unió a las noticias reportando diariamente a las 7:00 de la mañana los mas sobresaliente de estas dos poblaciones, a las 2:00 de la tarde, y a las 6:30 de la tarde de lunes a sábado.
Fue una persona dedicada a su trabajo y familia, y siempre buscando informar a la población sobre las buenas y en ocasiones malas noticias.

What compels a man or woman to run for public office? Good question. One way to find out is to go to the source.
“Basically, I’ve been in public service my whole adult life as a peace officer and game warden. So, this was just a continuation of that,” said Texas State Sen. Peter Flores.
Is it that simple? Not exactly...
“There was a senator in place (federally convicted felon Carlos Uresti) and a machine in place that I didn’t agree with and so when you do that...there’s two things you can do: You can stand by and take it or you can stand up and throw in. So that’s what I did, threw in,” he added.
Flores, who represents District 19, which includes Val Verde County, defeated Uresti in a September 2018 election after losing to the former state senator in 2016.
A few years ago, Flores had been giving speeches around the Pleasanton area where he lives and people began to take note of what was being said. A seasoned public speaker, he soon got the attention of a group of Republicans in Atascosa County who approached him about running for office.
“I just happened to be at hand when it came up...and it happened to be what the Good Lord put in my path,” he said.
The former game warden believes he possesses a life- experience toolbox that contains what is necessary for the legislative worksite.
“I’m from a military family, I grew up on the border...I worked my way through college...a state game warden, I served all around the state,” Flores explained.
He had stops in San Antonio as a captain and regional director of the far west and 10 years in Austin as the top administrator of the law enforcement division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
“I worked with the House and the Senate and state government here (Austin),” Flores said.
He said he established relationships on both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate which could prove invaluable as he heads into his first legislative session as an elected official.
“While I’m not a special person, I was specially prepared,” he expressed with humility.
Flores grew up on the border in Laredo and then matriculated to Aggieland before embarking on a career path with the state. He ended his 27-year career as the Director of Law Enforcement, Colonel Warden.
He’s been married to Elizabeth Flores for 37 years and has two daughters and two grandchildren.
Flores is adamant about the issues that are most important to his constituents and Texans. He indicated that property tax reform and school finance reform are the top priorities for the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house.
“And they certainly are for myself and most of my colleagues in the Senate,” he commented.
Flores insists that sticking to the major issues and refraining from tangling with the periphery is best practices-legislation.
“Stay with the basics, stay out of the weeds and let’s take care of the foundations of the house,” he asserted.
And what does Flores hope for after his days in office have run their final lap?
“I hope that my great-grandchildren will not curse me for the work I did in the Texas Senate,” he said unaffectedly.

New research results show that Wine Reduces Vascular Risk.
It showed that low-to-moderate consumption of Red Wine (up to 150mL daily) may help protect against vascular diseases by keeping your blood vessels healthy when combined with a healthy lifestyle and a good low-carb diet.
In a TWO Year Study, Wine was shown to Benefit those with Type 2 Diabetes
It found that patients with controlled type 2 diabetes (controlled by medication) who had about a five-ounce serving of red or white wine at night with dinner, and along with a Mediterranean diet and no calorie restrictions, noticed improvements in high-density lipoproteins. That’s the one know as the good cholesterol and glucose metabolism.
The study also showed that daily, moderate wine consumption can also lessen, by up to 30%, your chances of getting type 2 diabetes and that women who were drinking wine had a 70% reduced risk of developing obesity.
Other studies show that moderate daily use of Red Wine also Helps Fight a Common Cold.
Lessens Chances of Liver Disease, Promotes Mental Health, Stops Fat Cells from developing, Fights Food Poisoning, Has Anti-Aging, Improves Brain Function and Mood, Protects Your Vision, Reduces Some Cancer Risks and even Fights Inflammation and Improves Digestion.
So, Happy, Healthy Eating and maybe drinking wine too.
(Disclaimer: Remember, All our articles seen in this publication are intended for informational purposes only. They should never be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your Doctor or Medical Professional before making any changes to can affect your health.)

Niños Jóvenes y Adultos se dieron cita este es de enero en el parques Star Park, con la finalidad de participar en la décima octava marcha en honor a “Martin Luther King Jr.” Quien lucho de manera pacífica para la igualdad y respetos de todas las personas en este país.
Este evento fue organizado por Diana Salgado Concejal de la Ciudad y también fundadora de esta actividad, la cual cada vez logra atraer mas personas, quienes están interesados en recordar y honrar a quien lucho para que se terminara la discriminación, también que hubiera igualdad para todos y las mismas oportunidades para estudiar y trabajar para todas las personas sin importar su color de piel.
La marcha arranco desde el Star Park, el recorrido fue por toda la calle Main, hasta llegar al Palacio de Justicia, donde se tuvo una ceremonia en honor a Martin Luther King Jr.
Se tuvo la participación del Juez del Condado de Val Verde Lewis Owens, el Representante Estatal Poncho Nearez, el Sheriff Joe Frank Martínez, el Juez de Paz Tony Faz, la Jueza de Paz Hilda López, el Mayor Bruno Lozano, y como invitado especial Franchy McCrea, cada quien hablando sobre los logros del doctor Martin Luther King Jr.
Otra de las actividades que se llevaron a cabo durante el mes de enero de manea gratuita a la comunidad fue el Fit City Kids, evento que organizado por el Mayor Bruno Lozano, quien en coordinación de otras agencias buscan involucrar a comunidad en actividades físicas para prevenir enfermedades y la obesidad que puede traer complicaciones.
La actividad fue en la Plaza del Sol Mall, en donde se tuvo participando desde los cinco hasta los 17 años de edad, quienes participaron en el zumbathón, el cual estuvo bajo la dirección de Nelda Tarango instructora calificada para las clases de zumba para menores de edad.

It would be a waste of time to even start from the beginning with Fleetwood Mac when they first started back in 1967. They have sold more than 100 million records worldwide making them one of the worlds best selling bands. But it was not until late 1974 when Mick Fleetwood was scouting studios in Los Angeles, that he was introduced to LIndsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.
Soon Buckingham was asked to join the band to be their lead guitarist, and Buckingham agreed on condition that Stevie Nicks also join the band. The addition of Buckingham and Nicks gave the band a more pop rock sound, and their 1975 self titled album “Fleetwood Mac” reached #1 in the U.S. while their 1977 “Rumors” produced four U.S. top 10 singles and remained on the American Charts for 31 weeks.
The Rumors album had sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it the eighth-highest selling album in history. By 2003 “Rumors” had sold over 19 million copies in the U.S. alone. On October the 10th 1979 Fleetwood Mac was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame for their contribution to the music industry. In their tour in the early 2000’s the band grossed $27,711,129.00 and was ranked #21 in the top 25 grossing tours of 2004. For people just getting into Fleetwood Mac, it can be confusing to look at their discography and know where to start. After all,the group has released two albums called “Fleetwood Mac”, the first one in 1968 their debut album and second was their 1975 album, their tenth album overall. But despite having a legendary list of songs selling millions of records and releasing countless greatest hits collections, Fleetwood Mac has only 1 #1 hit to it’s name. The bands only #1 song was “Dreams” from the 1977’s album “Rumors”.
Find out more about Fleetwood Mac as KWMC1490 AM and the Little Red Rooster Show features the band as artist of the month coming this February. All stories and fun facts are by Wendy Johnson and all shows are produced by Javier Martinez.

There is a Himalayan Tree that is know as a disease fighting Super Hero. The Moringa Tree (Moringa oleifera) has been used in South East Asia for centuries. Moringa can thrive in most tropical and subtropical regions.
It’s seeds can be used to help purify water. It’s leaves can be used as Bio-Fertilizer.
It’s one of those trees that every single part of it can be consumed.
Most recently scientists have started using it’s unique properties to treat serious illnesses.
The Moringa tree’s fresh leaves are crushed to release a powerful compound, then dried into a powder. It can be used to treat Obesity, Cholesterol, Diabetes, and Bowl disorders. The leaves are also highly nutritious. Once harvested and dried, they contain 30% protein, all essential amino acids, and have abundant levels of vitamins and minerals.
The Bioactive compounds in Moringa are called isothiocyanates (ITCs) and are similar to ones found in broccoli and cabbage. These compounds ability to reduce chronic inflammation, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, obesity and inflammatory bowel disorders in both cellular and animal models has been proven.
The leaves and seed pods of the Moringa tree have unique chemical compounds which help defend the tree itself against environmental stress and pests.
Moringa is most commonly found in India and the Philippines but its cultivation is rapidly increasing throughout Asia, Africa, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Moringa tree’s have been known to survive droughts and grow rapidly in harsh conditions that would mike it harder for other trees to survive. Not surprisingly Moringa Trees are quickly being considered the world’s newest Superfood.
Moringa products and companies are on the rise, but caution for high quality products is needed. Most herbal products in the US and Kenya are not strictly regulated, leaving room for additions, alterations, and contamination. Additionally the soil, farming techniques, and processing of the leaves can affect its quality and nutrient content. Finding a high-quality Moringa powder may require a little research and contacting the company. Or you could buy some seeds and grow your own superheroes trees at home in your garden.
Happy, Healthy Eating

“For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome,” reads the quote from Jeremiah 29:11 on the pamphlet of the Casa Hogar El Corazón de Rey children’s home in Acuña.
The mission of White Stone Ministries, who operate the nonprofit home, is predicated on that scriptural verse. The home is a place of shelter, care, comfort and safety for children who have been abandoned, forgotten, abused and neglected. The 6,000 square foot structure is located three blocks from the port in downtown Acuna and currently houses 35 children including infants. The central figure in the home isn’t Ron Sherman, co-founder of the home, but Christ.
However, Sherman, along with his wife Anna Sherman, an ordained minister and native of South Africa, are the Earthly facilitators of El Corazón de Rey home. Setting out to be an orchestra conductor/music teacher, Ron Sherman, who has his Ph.D. in Christian counseling and is a certified behavioral consultant, became disillusioned with public education and took the path less traveled journeying to the deep south to teach at a Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Alabama. When that facility closed its doors, he was led to open two children’s homes in Uvalde and an emergency shelter in San Antonio. After nine years, the state cut its support for nonprofit children’s homes, which comprised 99 percent of the funding for Ron Sherman’s sites, and he found himself without a home so to speak. “I’m not a fundraiser. Our budget was...a third of a million dollars every year,” he said.
Ron Sherman soon began doing consulting work in Mexican orphanages.
“I just got hooked with what I saw in Mexico, because the orphanages, children’s homes were...they’re bad.” He couldn’t believe what he saw. The first home he was invited to was in Mexico City. Just blocks from the Zócalo. “It was a five-story office building that had been converted into a children’s home and they had 600 kids in there. It was horrible, horrible, horrible in there. Good people...but they would have 35 kids in one bedroom,” he commented. He explained the situation wasn’t intentional, but the staff was completely overwhelmed.
Eventually, he was asked to travel to South Africa to visit a church and orphanages. In local townships and in Zambia, he witnessed heart wrenching and gut-churning situations. One of the first children he held there was dying of AIDS like many of the others who surrounded her. “I never held a child that I knew was dying. That was gonna die,” he said. The administrator at that particular home indicated to Ron Sherman that all the kids there were three to four months away from death. He came back home and ultimately, after walking through a variety of barriers and stumbling blocks in Mexico, started the home in Acuña with Anna.
“A year into it we had a surprise visit from the head lady at the top (Coahuila child protective services), the head attorney for child protective services for the state level and head psychologist...They spent seven hours with us...so when they left they said congratulations you have the best home in the state...and so every year for the last eight years that’s the way we are. And they took our stuff and turned it into a manual for the state,” he said. More than 400 kids have come through the home during the past nine years without funding from any level of government in Mexico.
White Stone Ministries’ funding comes from private donors, churches and their thrift and consignment store in
Del Rio. (Repurposed For A Purpose at 1010 Veterans Boulevard; www.facebook.com/revron209.) For more information on their mission and donating please visit www.facebook.com/whitestone.min and www.whtestonekids.org.