The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 2, 1990 Page: 4 of 10
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RIO GRANDE HERALD. Thursday, August 2,1990, Page 4
Conservation Plans
Needed For Erodible Cropland
Tourism Important Asset
To Texas Economy
Annual status reviews of
conservation plans for highly
erodible cropland will be conducted
starting this year according to
Arturo Ibarra, District
Conservationist for the Soil
Conservation Service at Rio Grande
City.
The Food Security Act of 1985
required that approved conservation
plans by developed on highly
erodible cropland by January 1,
1990.
"In order to remain eligible lor
most USDA benefits, farmers must
be actively applying these
conservation plans", Ibarra said.
"Actively applied means that
planned cropping systems arc being
installed according to schedule",
explained Ibarra, adding that "all
planned practices must be
completed by January 1, 1995."
Beginning this year, the Soil
Conservation Service will conduct
status reviews on at least 5 pcrccnt
of the conservation plans to
determine if they arc being actively
applied.
A predetermined procedure was
used to randomly select farms for
status review. "The review process
will begin on individual farms as
soon as possible but some farms
will not be checked for compliance
until the end of the year," said
Ibarra.
Operators of the farms selected
for review will be notified by mail
and farmers will be encouraged to
be present when their plan is
reviewed. Farm operators will be
given an opportunity to explain if
for some reason their plan is not
being followed.
If necessary, modifications can be
made to existing plans if the
changes meet current guidelines and
are approved by the Starr County
Soil and Water Conservation
District.
Ibarra pointed out that "every
effort will be made to keep farmers
in compliance, but revisions of
plans will only be made in extreme
circumstances."
Questions concerning
conservation plans on highly
erodible cropland or the status
review procedure should be directed
to Ibarra ai the Soil Conservation
Service office located at 4400 E.
Hwy 83 in Rio Grande City or
phone 512^87-5598.
Equipment Loan ProgramTo
Benefit Farmers, Ranchers
AUSTIN- Beginning Aug. 1, a
new loan program offered by the
Production Credit Associations
(PCAs) of Texas should make it
less expensive for Texas farmers
and ranchers to purchase equipment.
Tractors, combines, new cars and
trucks, sprinkler systems and
OT o(jrrrm9{%$
We zoish to egress our thanks and
appreciations to all our friends, neighbors and
refatives for their masses, prayers, food, flowers.
Special thanks to Starr County 'Water 'District
'Board 'Members and 'Employees and aiI other
fetidnesses shoiun during the death of our husband,
father, brother, 'Eligio Qarza jr.
Cjuerrero, (jarza, & Trevino families
CJVRP Of
'We, the family of Ofelia O. So(is, wish to express our
sincere gratitude and thanks to aff our refatives and friends
who helped comfort our sorrow during a time of great need.
'The monetary contributions and the many acts erf kindness
received in the form of prayers, flowers, masses, food, pfwu?
calls, and personal insits have touched us very deeply.
Softs-Ortiz 'families
J
ELECTRICITY...
Today's
Way to
Enjoy Life
It's important to spend time
together.. .and just relax. It's nice to
know you can take time to enjoy life
a little more because you can let elec-
tricity do the work. Clean, safe,
reliable and quiet, your electric
appliances are there for your
convenience.
Your washer and dryer and
dishwasher are work savers, like your
freezer and microwave. They are the
big and little miracles of electricity
that give you the day off.
After all, don't you deserve it?
Electricity is today's way to en-
joy life.. .today's way to relax.
MEDINA ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE
planting and harvesting equipment
arc some of the eligible equipment.
The program offers a 9.95 pcrccnt
stated fixed interest rate and loan
terms up to five years. It is
designed to help finance the
equipment needs of both existing
and new PC A borrowers.
"Many farmers and ranchers have
delayed their purchase of equipment
for some time," said Paul Day,
president of the Farm Credit Bank
of Texas. "This loan program gives
producers a special opportunity to
buy much-needed equipment in
preparation lor the coming season.
"The need for this type of funding
was evident from the response
PCAs received to a similar
equipment loan progarm last year,"
Day added. "More than $14 million
was provided to Texas farmers and
ranchers through that program in
less than lour months."
Established in 1933 in Texas,
PCAs provide short and
intermediate-term agricultural
financing. They receive their
funding from the Farm Credit Bank
of Texas.
Additional information on the
equipment loan program and
application procedures may be
obtained through any PCA office or
by calling 1-800-447-8865,
extension 745.
By JUDITH ZAFF1RINI
State Senator
"I'm more convinced than ever
that no other state dollar invested
returns so much, so quickly, to so
many, as the dollar invested in the
development of tourism," Governor
John Connally said in 1965 when
the Texas Tour si Development
Agency was created.
The Texas Legislature recognizcd
the economic development aspect of
tourism in 1987 when we approved
House Bill 4, merging that tourist
agency into the newly created
Department of Commerce and
giving it tools to improve its
marketing efforts. The bill was
sponsored by Sen. Bob Glasgow,
D-Siephenvillc, and Rep. Ashley
Smith, R-Houston.
Our senatorial district has a
strong voice for our area at TDOC
as Ernesto Ancira, Jr., of San
Antonio, whom I sponsored, is one
of its six commissioners and serves
as the board's liaison to the Tourist
Division.
Legislators also dedicated a half
pcrccnt of the state's six percent
hotel/motel occupancy tax to the
TDOC Tourism Division to
increase marketing of travel and
tourism in Texas. The results of
that action are most encouraging.
Tourism now ranks fourth among
all Texas industries and is "friendly"
to our environment.
In 1989, Texas ranked fourth
nationally in total domestic travel
share, compared to its 23rd national
ranking in 1962. Last year, only
California, Florida, and New York
attracted more travelers, according
to TCOD. What's more, Texas
ranked third nationally in total
domestic pleasure travel.
As a result of specific marketing
strategics, our state also has gained
popularity with visitors from other
countries. International travelers
who chose Texas as their first
destination in the U.S. jumped 24
percent in 1988.
Attracting more tourists and
business travelers is critical, for
these visitors contribute
significantly to our economy.
In 1988, for example, travelers
from the U.S. spent $17 billion in
Texas, according to the U.S. Travel
Data Center. This is an 8.1 percent
increase over 1987 and does not
include money spent by our
international visitors to Texas.
These dollars permeate our
economy. Travel in 1988, for
example, generated more than S712
million in state taxes,
approximately 5.3 percent of our
total tax revenue collected.
Additionally, local governments
received S218 million in revenue
from money spent by travelers.
Travel in Texas in 1988
contributed directly to the salaries
of approximately 273,900
employees. In the 20 counties of
Senate District 21, 29,415 persons
were employed by travel-related
businesses. The payrolls for these
employees totaled $412.9 million.
If travel and tourism had ceased
suddenly in 1988, the number of
jobs in this state would have fallen
4.1 pcrccnt and many businesses
would have had to lire employees or
close.
Three counties in S.D. 21 are
included in the 30 counties which
draw the most in tourist-related
revenues. In 1988, travelers spent
more than $1.3 billion in Bexar
County, SI 12 million in Webb
County and $58 million in Comal
County.
Hunting, fishing, camping,
resorts, historical sites, water sports
In 1880. Wabash, Ind., became the
first town to be completely illuminated
with electrical lighting.
The United States took possession of
the Virgin Islands from Denmark in
1917.
The first dance marathon in the
United States was held in New York
Citv in 1923.
Ford Motor Co. publicly unveiled its
"V-8"engine in 1932.
Congress authorized the Civilian Con-
servation Corps in 1923, during the
Great Depression.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein
musical, "Oklahoma," opened on
Broadway in 1943.
HOROSCOPES
August 5th-llth
ARIES - March 21/April 20
Personal plans are working out bet-
ter than you expected. It's going to
be a profitable week, so push for-
ward with strong determination A
social invitation could open an excit-
ing new door and an unsettled rela-
tionship becomes more positive.
TAURUS - April 21/May 21
This is a good time for personal
advancement; you are handling
things well Some useful spare time
enables you to deal with home
issues. Patience pays off where a
young family member is concerned,
so postpone a decision if you can.
GEMINI - May 22/June 21
Close relationships are a little off-
balance this week But don't worry,
tolerance will allow you to control
undesirable situations. If you keep
yourself organized, the end of the
week will bring some rewarding
results.
CANCER - June 22/July 22
You will be pleased to see a domes-
tic issue is coming to an end Now is
a good time to sort out a new rou-
tine Be prepared for an unexpected
call from an old friend
LEO - July 23/August 23
The social side of life is bright and
flourishing. Your zest and enthusi-
asm for new ideas is welcomed by
your friends The first days of the
week are in your favor financially.
There is a satisfying invitation near
mid-week; make time for it by
reshuffling your other plans A home
problem can be sorted out before
next weekend
VIRGO - August 24/Sept 22
Avoid changes at home this week
The sharing of ideas as well as
duties can help to further good rela-
tionships An old financial problem
will soon be resolved and you can
now afford that luxury item you
have been wishing for.
LIBRA - September 2.VOct 23
Changing circumstances encourage
you to be more spontaneous this
week You will impress associates
by a decision which at first you were
reluctant to make A lot of new and
exciting things stand in your future,
so be ready for more positive change
in your life
SCORPIO-October 24/Nov 22
A conflict in romance will occur
with little prospect of resolution
unless there is a great deal of toler-
ance on both sides. Although this
week may appear undesirable, it is
one filled with self development.
Those people who think highly of
you will be trying to make things
easier and your efforts will not go
unnoticed
SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 23
Follow your intuition now that your
luck is running wild There is an
important development in your
career and a new routine would be
good for your morale. Stick by any
decision made or you could lose the
initiative. Socially, your enjoyment
comes from simple things.
C APRICORN - Dec 24/Jan 20
There is an air of indifference in the
social scene. You can expect to be
occupied with matters of finance
Anything you put into writing should
be carefully scrutinized. Watch for an
opportunity mid-week but avoid
time-wasting preliminaries.
AQUARIUS - January 21/Eeb 18
The summer has thus far been full of
relaxation and fun Now it is time to
settle down and get serious with
work As soon as you get yourself
back into a routine, you will once
again think that work is just as much
fun as play
PISCES - February 19/March 20
A delay early in the week upsets
your schedule; timing is important
Don't allow your concern for punc-
tuality to ruin a good project
between you and your associate.
After a mid-week rendezvous you
can afford to relax and take a look at
things of interest.
Your birthday this week
THE NEXT 12 MONTHS
A very eventful year, one in which you
will be continually on the move, mak-
ing the most of opportunities and
enjoying new experiences A good time
for taking up fresh interests One person
close to you may behave unexpectedly,
probably in the early months of 1991
Whatever happens, you will always feel
excited and ready for action
and international flavors arc among
the tourist attractions in our
district. Unquestionably, linking all
of our cities and towns to
metropolitan areas via lour-lanc
divided highways would be a real
boon to our tourism industry.
Friendly Tcxans, beautiful
scenery, distinctive cuisine and
lovely wildflowers often are named
by tourists as their reason for
visiting.
The 1990 Texas Auto Visitor
Survey reported that 62 percent of
the visitors who stayed fewer than
30 days said the stale's scenery
attracted them.
Nearly 47 percent ol those
quizzed in March, April and May
said they were attracted by the
colorful displays of blucbonncts,
Indian paintbrushes, firewhccls and
pink evening primroses that blanket
fields and the sides of our
highways.
Because the majority of our
visitors travel here in summer and
fall, we should do our best in the
coming months to be "Texas
Friendly" to our guests.
Author ADA Louise Huxtable
wrote, "Summer is the time when
one sheds one's tensions with one's
clothes, and the right kind of day is
jeweled balm for the battered
spirit." The sights and sounds of
Texas arc just the jeweled balm
many tourists arc seeking, and for
that we arc fortunate.
Mulch Conserves
Water And More
By ENRIQUE PEREZ
County Extension Agent
Probably the most overlooked,
yet most effective water
conservation practicc in the
landscape is mulching.
In a sense, mulching is man's
attempt to imitate nature. 'Hie next
time you walk through a wooded
area, look at the ground. You will
sec layers of dead. Reaves, twigs,
fallen branches and trees. Bacteria,
fungi and other organisms are
breaking down this tree litter" and
turning it into soil. This process
takes many years and is part of
nature's cyclc.
Water conservation through
mulching is based on the mulch's
ability to reduce moisture
evaporation from soil. Mulching
has been used for centuries by
farmers. The practice of shallow
cultivation after a rainy period
shows the rale of water loss from
the soil. The shallow layer of dry
surface soil acts as a mulch.
In addition to reducing
evaporation, mulch provides several
other benefits to landscape and
gardens. Irrigation and rainfall
absorb into the soil faster on a
mulched area bccausc the soil
doesn't crust and pack down as
much. Mulchcd areas also prevent
soil erosion from heavy rainfall and
high winds.
Keeping soil temperatures cooler
in the summer and warmer in ihe
winter is another plant-pleasing
characteristic of mulchcd beds
Mulches also prevent soil from
THE RIO
GRANDE
HERALD
(USPS 466-200)
is published weekly for $15.70
per year in Starr County and
$18.75 per year out-of-county by
Rio Grande Herald Publishing Co.
Inc, James V. Mathls, President,
215 E. University Drive, Edinburg,
Texas 78539. Second class post-
age paid at Rio Grande City, Texas.
POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to The Rio Grande Her-
ald, P.O. Box452, RioGrandeCity,
Texas 78582.
Editor
Kenneth Roberts
Advertising And
Business Director
Yolanda (Yoli) Pena
Ramona Garcia
Assistant Director
Circulation
• •
splashing on the plants which helps
eliminate soil-borne plant diseases.
Just like on the forest floor,
mulches arc eventually decomposed
and worked into the soil by
microorganisms. In our Texas
soils, this natural addition of
organic matter is appreciated
immensely by our plants.
Perhaps the most motivational
attribute ol mulch is its ability jo
suppress weeds. Even water
conservation can become secondary
to the gardener who sees his weed
problems disappear through
mulching. Most weed seeds need
light to germinate and the mulch
simply shuts out the sun. II a wcQjd
sprouts on lop of the mulch it ^s
easily pulled, roots and all.
How much mulch to apply is;u
function ol the type used, but asT;i
general rule ol thumb, three or lour
inches is ample. Organic mulches
will decompose and, therefore, ncod
replenishing about once a year.
Some recent research in Maryland
cautions against ovcrmulching. Too
deep of a mulch layer can actually
prevent gas exchange (oxygen and
carbon dioxide) from the soi),
causing the plant to sulfur
tremendously.
One other word ol caution about
using plastic as a mulch Shetu
plastic prevents needed gals
exchange and also eliminates any
evaportalion. Water builds up
beneath the plastic and drowns the
plant.
There have been in the past lew
years a few woven plastic matcri;i}s
for mulching. Their performan&
has been quite good. Usually a thtji
layer ol another mulch matcriegl,
such as bark is put over the woven
plastic to hide it.
Dance Class
Registration
At La Rosita
Church
Classes in dancing ana
gymnastics will be held this fall bjj;
Grethe Sullivan School of Danc'C
and Gymnastics.
Fall registrations lor jazz, tap,
gymnastics, prc-ballet and ballej
will be held Sunday, Aug. 5 and
Sunday, Aug. 12 from I to 3 p.tn!
on both days.
Anyone seeking lurtliol
information should call Fathej
Eddie Villa or Eduardo Ortega at
849-1741
Always keep cultured buttermilk
chilled If it becomes warm, it may
separate If it does—stir it
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 2, 1990, newspaper, August 2, 1990; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195248/m1/4/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.