Charlando del Cine y TV Page 8

Annette Franco Page 11

Cocina de Tia Yole Page 15

CVBs funding went to Chamber of Commerce, audit finds

Action violates contract between the city and chamber

by Brian M. Cuaron bcuaron.reporter@gmail.com

Restaurant manager gets patent for Frankarita

by Peter Moralez

Frank Martinez obtained a patent in last November for his version of the classic margarita, the Frankarita. Martinez, who is general manager of La Tejanita Restaurant, has been perfecting his recipe for the past 27 years. He plans to begin merchandising the Frankarita later this year with a major advertising campaign. The day I received my patent would have been my father, Porfirio Martinezs, 70th birthday, so it was fitting, said Martinez. I really dedicate the Frankarita to him. The recipe for the drink is, according to Martinez, a trade secret. And he is the only one that knows the recipe that he concocts on a daily basis for the restaurant. I make batches daily, so bartenders simply have to add the te-

quila of your choice to the mix and serve it, he said. Right now, we go through approximately 60 to 70 gallons a week, and it is our most popular alcohol-based refreshment. The price of the cocktail varies, based on the tequila the patron chooses, varying from $6 to $10. You can choose our house tequila or any premium tequila that we serve, Martinez said. You can also choose either frozen or on the rocks. The Frankarita was chosen by a local newspaper as one of the 75 things you need to experience in Victoria before you die. Martinez thanks local patrons that gave his libation its name. Since I was the only one that could make the drink, customers began to refer to it as the Frankarita, and the name stuck. As the popularity of the Fran-

karita began to increase, Martinez thought about what he could do to market his drink. Honestly, I have to give credit where credit is due, he said. Deanna de la Garza, who is the mother of my daughter, Dailynn, did all the leg work. She compiled the documentation needed to have the Frankarita trademarked. All I had to do was write a check. Martinez said that anyone who wants to come out and enjoy a great drink, stop by the restaurant and give it a try. Come into La Tejanita and taste the Frankarita for yourself and see what you think, he said. And also, be on the lookout this spring for our marketing campaign. I really think its going to be great, and Im looking forward to bringing the Frankarita to everyone.

Taxpayer dollars going where they werent supposed to, along with a lack of management oversight was found to have occurred at the Victoria Convention and Visitors Bureau during its last year under the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, an Mayor Will Armstrong audit found. The City of Victoria requested the audit after the bureau was set to transfer from the chamber to the city sooner than expected. This occurred after chamber CEO Randy Vivian terminated Bridgette Bise, the bureaus former executive director, according to an email sent out by City Manager Charmelle Garrett on June 20. Garrett confirmed the emails authenticity, calling termination a generic word. Randy Vivian Hotel Occupancy Tax funding from the city was supposed to go into a separate account for the bureau and not be commingled with other funds or maintained in other, unapproved accounts, as stipulated by the contract between the city and chamber. However, it appears that public funds from the city were first deposited into an unapproved chamber account before being transferred to the bureaus account, the au- Bridgette Bise dit found. The activity described above appears Contributed photos. to violate the terms of the contract, the audit said. Between Dec. 15, 2010, and June 6, 2011, there were seven checks written by the city meant for the bureau, according to the audit. But, after the initial deposit, the funds werent transferred to the bureaus account until weeks or months later: Dec. 15 check Cleared citys account: Dec. 17 Deposited into bureaus account: 25 days later
See CVB, pg. 10

2 Revista de Victoria, January 2012

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VICTORIA
Jan. 20 THE TEXAS ZOO PEACOCK GALA FUNDRAISER at the Spring Creek Place Event Center from 6:30-10pm. Cocktails at 6:30pm, dinner at 7pm. Casual/elegant dinner, music, both silent and live auction. Cost is $75. For more information, call 361.573.7681.

Jan. 21 BENEFIT BBQ FOR LINDA GORDON at the Jaycee Hall with serving starting at 11am2pm. Price is $8 a plate consisting of brisket, sausage, rice and beans. Live auction; dance from 7pmmidnight with the band A Touch of Gold $8 per person. Come support Lindas fight against breast cancer. For tickets, contact Richard Mata at 361.220.0297, Jenni-

fer Mata at 361.220.0311, Liz Vela at 361.220.1561 or Nikki LaGrega at 361.484.2929. Jan. 29 ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY FESTIVAL at Victoria Community Center, 2905 E. North St. Festival features barbecue, which will be served between 11am-1pm. Games and country store. Live

and silent auctions beginning at 12:30pm. For more information, call 361.573.2651. Feb. 2 JOY GAMES & POT LUCK LUNCH at First Baptist Church, 301 N. Glass at 10am. Games, lunch and fellowship. Come enjoy playing games and meeting people and share in the potluck lunch on the first Thursday of each month. Feb. 11 QUEEN VICTORIA PAGEANT at VISD Fine Arts Center, 110 Sam Houston Drive at 5pm. Categories include: Queen, Junior Queen, Young Queen, Cowgirl/Cowboy Tot, Little Miss and Little Mister. For more information, call Leesa Brown, pageant director at 361.218.8516 or e-mail leesabrown@hotmail.com Feb. 12 OUR SAVIOURS LUTHERAN CHURCH CHICKEN BARBECUE at 4102 N. Ben Jordan beginning at 9am and continuing until sold out. Whole chickens are $7 each and come with sauce. Drive thru off Crestwood Drive. To reserve your chicken, call the Church Office at 361.575.4305 or Alan Carroll at 361.579.0112.

BBQ at Catholic Church Parish Hall, 225 N. Commercial. Chicken or beef with trimmings. Cost is $7 per plate from 11am until sold out. For more information, call Harold Gleinser at 361.645.5260. Feb. 3 A TASTE OF GOLIAD 2012 at Goliad Memorial Auditorium, 925 S. Hwy 183S from 5-7pm. Sponsored by the Astron Club. Cost is $12 for adults ($15 at the door) and $5 for children under 10. For more information, call Debby Brumby at 361.645.11210.

Managing Editor:
Emett Alvarez Trisha Dean Nick Rogers

Sales:

Graphic Design:

Natie Padierna Cynthia Cisneros John Padierna Peter Morales Margaret Peoples

Contributing Editors:
Gloria Rivera Santos Raya Pedro Raya Peter Morales Manuel de los Santos Brian Cuaron

CUERO
Jan. 24 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SOCIAL & AWARDS CEREMONY to be held at the Venue on Church Street. Social begins at 6pm with awards at 7pm. Tickets are $15 per person.

PORT LAVACA
Jan. 25 KIAWANAS SPELLING BEE at CHS Auditorium from 7-9pm Jan. 26 PORT LAVACA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET at Bauer Community Center from 5:30pm-9pm. For more information, call 361.552.2959.

GOLIAD
Jan. 19 GOLIAD COUNTY OUTREACH FOOD PICKUP DISTRIBUTON at 611 E. End St. from 9am-12pm. Registration is required. For more information, call Jeanette Bluntzer at 361.645.2850. Jan. 22 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

EDNA
Feb. 4 AWARDS BENEFIT at Texas Country Oaks Dance Hall, 924 FM822 starting at 6pm. Dinner, live auction and door prizes.

www.revistadevictoria.com

Precinct 1 commissioner race: Issues and campaign strategies

Experience, political philosophies and campaigns
by Brian M. Cuaron Bcuaron.reporter@gmail.com

Revista de Victoria, January 2012 3

Victoria County Commissioner Kenny Spann is a wanted man, or at least his job is. Five candidates have entered Victoria Countys Democratic primary for Precinct 1 commissioner: Spann, the incumbent; City Councilman Gabriel Soliz; political stalwart and former County Commissioner Chris Rivera; and newcomers Danny Garcia and Kenneth Wells. The election is set for April 3. Some of the countys poorest, most crime-ridden areas are found in this precinct. Yet the commissioners job allows the commissioner to shape the countys budget and comes with a $72,583 salary. One look at Spanns accomplishments illustrates his political philosophy and campaign strategy. Spann points to his reopening of the Bloomington courtesy station after taking office in 2009 as one of the reasons voters should reelect him. The effort may cost the county a 2012 budgeted amount of $12,065, but it allows rural residents to dump their trash at a lower rate than the citys landfill. The relationships he has made while commissioner are his campaigns foundation. For example, Spann installed a crossway across the ditch in front of Placedo resident Pete Guerra stepsons house. As a result, Guerra said he may vote for Spann. Spann said he is accessible to constituents: Im a simple man and I feel just like they do. Another help given to rural residents includes getting free gravel installed on the dirt portion of Black Bayou Road #1. This al-

lows drivers to more easily reach San Jose Cemetery, outside of Bloomington. Spann is against partnering with city of Victoria to maintain city roads in Precinct 1. While the county is financially assisting with overpasses along Loop 463, Spann said the city and county care for their own roads. They got their city taxes, Spann explained. Soliz has come up with a radical idea: County taxpayers should see a return on their investment, including those in Victoria. The taxpayer wants to know what they are getting out of paying all these taxes, said Soliz, a notary public and executive assistant at Golden E. Corp, a bookkeeping firm. He proposes that the county works toward attracting jobs by promoting distribution routes inside the citys portion of Precinct

1. These include U.S. Highway 59, Port Lavaca and Bloomington highways. To promote these routes, the county needs to work with city organizations with business contacts, Soliz explains. As commissioner, Soliz said he would use road and bridge funds to fix streets in the precincts city portion to entice businesses. Solizs campaign so far targets registered city voters. He has handed water bottles with a minicampaign sign attached, along

with a letter listing his city council accomplishments. Those include an economic development workshop in July, which discussed 380 agreements that provide incentives to private businesses for economic develop-

ment. Two such agreements passed in October, bringing in a hotel and an apartment complex. Soliz also won funding last year to fix damaged infrastructure in the Mayfair Terrace II
See RACE, pg. 12

Chris Rivera

Kenny Spann

Gabriel Soliz

Danny Garcia

Kenneth Wells Contributed photos.

4 Revista de Victoria, January 2012

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por Santos Raya

VATICAN El Vaticano con-

firmo la fecha del viaje del Papa Benedicto XVI para Cuba y Mxico. La visita del Papa para los dos

pases de Cuba y Mxico ser en Marzo 2012. Los viajes se harn antes de la Semana Santa. El Papa visitara a Mxico el 26 de Marzo por tres das y despus se va para Cuba por tres das. El Papa tambin tiene planes para ir a Brasil en 2013 para el World Youth Day. MADRID, SPAIN Mariano Rajoy de 56 aos de edad, fue electo el nuevo Presidente de Espaa. Fue electo con 187 votos en un total de 350 diputados. El presto juramento ante el rey Juan Carlos el mes pasado. NEW YORK El Comit de Proteccin Para Periodistas reporto que en el ao 2011 fallecieron 43 periodistas en varias partes del mundo haciendo su trabajo en lugares como el Medio Oriente y frica del Norte. Los periodistas que trabajan independientes fueron el tercer en la lista. En el cuarto lugar fue Mxico donde dos periodistas murieron. En Mxico han muerto 11 periodistas en los ltimos 10 aos. CARACAS, VENEZUELA Eva Ekvall, Miss Venezuela del ao 2000, muri del cncer del seno, a la edad de 28 aos, el mes pasado dejando a su esposo, John Fabio Bermdez y una hija de 2 aos. INDONESIA La gente de Indonesia y Tailandia recordaron a los miles de muertos por el tsunami del 6 de Diciembre 2004 donde ms de 230,000 personas murieron. Cienes de miles tambin fueron desaparecidas. MEXICO La violencia en Mxico ha dejado 12,000 muertos en el ao 2011. Dicen que la

Eva Ekvall, Miss Venezuela del ao 2000. Contributed photo.

violencia es una emergencia nacional. La enfermedad que tiene Mxico es debilidad del Estado, en tanto que la delincuencia organizada es el sntoma, dijo Samuel Gonzlez, especialista en narcotrfico y ex asesor de Naciones Unidas en temas de justicia y seguridad. ARGENTINA El gobierno de Argentina anuncio que la Presidenta Cristina Fernndez tiene cncer de tiroides y tendr ciruga este mes. Ella anuncio que 20 das despus de su ciruga regresa a su puesto de Presidenta. NEW YORK Sears anuncio

que cerrar el 3% de sus tiendas y tiendas K-Mart. El estado mas afectado ser la de Florida que tiene el mayor cierre de estas tiendas. Hasta la fecha ninguna Sears y K-Mart se van a cerrar en Texas. WASHINGTON, DC El IRS anuncio que los contribuyentes de los impuestos tienen hasta el 17 de Abril de este ao porque el da del 15 de Abril cae en un domingo este ao. Los contribuyentes de impuestos que necesitan una extensin tendrn hasta el 15 de Octubre 2012 las declaraciones de impuestos.

www.revistadevictoria.com

Committee seeks community participation in Black History Month events

sion is free. Food, jewelry, arts and crafts, clothing, home dcor and other items will be available to purchase from vendors. The committee is asking for entertainment entries and vendors to participate in the festival. The event will conclude later that night at the community center with a comedy show featuring White Chocolate, D.D. Ingram and Jazz Tate. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 from any committee member or at Mumphords Place, 1202 E. Juan Linn St. Tickets will be $15 at the door the night of the show. For more information about participating in the parade, contact Earnel Lee or Annie Hill at 361576-5650. Call Margie Montgomery at 361-652-1851 for questions about vendor booths at the festival, or call Sherilyn Shelton at 361433-6038 for information about participating in the festival entertainment. For ticket information for the comedy show, call James

Revista de Victoria, January 2012 5

Murphy at 361-237-7611 or Mumphords Place at 361-485-1112.

Area residents are invited to participate in this years Black History Month events, which include a Feb. 11 parade, festival and comedy show. The Victoria Black History Steering Committee is seeking entries for the annual Black History Month Parade, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The parade will start at Patti Welder Magnet Middle School, 1500 E. North St., and will end at the Victoria Community Center, 2905 E. North St. Entertainers, drill and praise teams, marching bands, musical groups, riding clubs, antique specialty car owners, and community and civic leaders are needed to participate in the parade. A Black History Month Festival will immediately follow the parade in the community center and will last until 4 p.m. Admis-

6 Revista de Victoria, January 2012

UHV plans to stay, expand

by Brian M. Cuaron bcuaron.reporter@gmail.com

www.revistadevictoria.com

Master draft plan looks at expansion across Ben Wilson Street

The University of HoustonVictoria has planned to stick around for the long haul, a turnaround from last years proposed Texas A&M takeover. UHV has already begun work on an expansion plan that will open a new academic and economic development building in 2015. The draft master plan has proposed the acquisition of properties, including the Arlington Apartments complex, across Ben Wilson Street from the university. The plan also seemed to suggest interest into acquiring residential properties east of the apartment complex. Last March, Victorias state Rep. Geanie Morrison filed House Bill 2556. The bill requested that UHV and all its properties be transferred to the Texas A&M system. On the day she filed, Morrison said that through at least the last two years, there had been a feeling that maybe we are with the system that were with, we werent able to have the particular education attainment that we wanted for our area. Local leaders lined up behind the bill. Victoria even designated $100,000 for the Victoria Economic Development Corp. to use for lobbying efforts in support of the transfer. However, the bill is now dead, according to Mayor Will Armstrong, who supported the legislation. And, the city of Victoria setting aside of the $100,000 was not included in this fiscal years budget, which began Oct.1 of last year. Details of master draft plan UHV has projected that it will need a new building by 2015 to acdemic building, along with a fivelevel parking garage and student life building would follow by 2020, according to the draft plan. The reason for this stair-step approach toward expansion is because of funding. For UHV to receive state funding or authority to issue bonds, the university must demonstrate that it has strong student demand requiring more infrastructure, Castille said. Funding for the projects could come from tuition revenue bonds.

A TODAS LAS PERSONAS Y ENTIDADES INTERESADAS:

Concrete Strategies, LLC se ha registrado con la Comisin para la Calidad Ambiental de Tejas (TCEQ o Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) para el Permiso de Calidad de Aire Nm. 99208 para autorizar la construccin de una Planta de Lotes de Concreto por la calle Lone Tree y Texas 463 Loop, ciudad de Victoria en el Condado de Victoria, Tejas. Informacin adicional sobre esta solicitud puede encontrarse en la seccin de avisos pblicos de esta publicacin.

UHV master draft plan aerial. Contributed art.

commodate growing enrollment, said UHV President Philip Castille. UHV hopes to start construction this year. The new building would be about 63,000 square feet and would be situated near the UHV Center building located off of Ben Wilson. Another similar-sized aca-

VICTORIA COUNTY TAX SALE

February 7, 2012 @ 10:00 A.M. At the Front Door of the Victoria County Courthouse For Tax Sale Information contact LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP at: (361) 573-9666 or www.publicans.com

UHV has already begun the process of letting bonds for the 2015 academic building, Castille said. Federal funds and money from the states oil revenues will also help pay the costs. The bonds wont raise UHVs tuition rates, which are among the lowest in the state for higher education, Castille said. Additional revenue from increased enrollment will pay for the costs. The plan projected 1,691 fulltime equivalent, on-campus students by 2015, rising to 2,606 by 2020. Of those, 940 of them would be residential, growing to 1,200 by 2020. Beyond 2020, the draft plan envisions student housing, a student life building, the parking garage and retail structure across Ben Wilson. A master plan is like a wish list, said Castille. Its no secret that were interested in property over there. It was not a guarantee that UHV would purchase the property, said Margaret Rice, Castilles chief of staff. Things would have to align price and need wise. A block of residential houses further east is also shaded
See UHV, pg. 14

www.revistadevictoria.com

What hath technology wrought for 2012?

by Pedro Raya

Mas o Menos
words in print later, the rest is, how you say, literary history. All that being said, I remember that in the beginning, what interested me in writing was reading. As a child, I was a voracious reader. In fact, my mother used to have to come and check on me nightly because I would use a flashlight to read under the covers when I was supposed to be sleeping. As I got older, I started to read newspapers. Of course, the sports page was always first, but then my tastes carried me to the front page, then to the community page and finally, to the op-eds. I was hooked. As much as I liked the news, whether it was in the form of sports, headline or local, I loved the editorials, which is peculiar because I tend to form very strong

Revista de Victoria, January 2012 7

First of all, I want to take the time to wish you and yours a very prosperous 2012. As a kid growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, its unbelievable to see the number 2012 in print, but thats not what Im writing about today. I got into writing almost 25 years ago, on a whim. I was actually trying to get tickets to take a prospective date to a jazz concert she wanted to attend that happened to be sold out. I called a local community newspaper to see if they had any extra tickets. The editor told me that he had two free passes, on one condition: that if I used the passes, I had to write a review of the show. I agreed, and more than 1 million

opinions and it takes a lot to sway me. However, I enjoy reading someones opinion because they are willing to put it out there for the simple reason they feel the need to voice their views. It doesnt matter to me if its about sports, news, arts and entertainment, or whats going on in their community. In the time I have spent putting my words into print, the world of writing has changed dramatically and, in my opinion, it hasnt changed for the better. The first obvious change has been the elimination of newspapers, in the traditional sense, with the growth of the Internet. Along with that has been the inevitable discarding of any form of fact checking. Just write whatever you want about whomever you want, and whether its true or not, well worry about all of that later. Most recently, the major change that has put a stain on the entire history of the written word is the black plague called social networking and, to a lesser degree, texting, which has to be an unscratchable irritant to any teacher worth their salt. With regards to texting, I feel that we have taken volumes of rules written about grammatical perfection and not only thrown them out with todays garbage, but have carried them to a bonfire and reduced them to ashes, to be cast away forever. I honestly would be amazed if I could find a teenager who could
See MAS O MENOS, pg. 13

Facebook. Contributed photo.

8 Revista de Victoria, January 2012

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por Gloria Rivera Hola, como estn en este ao nuevo 2012? Ojala que la estn pasando muy bien. Este invierno estado en la casa despus del trabajo muy temprano para ver mi mas favorita telenovela, (que ya termino y fue un todo un xito) Cuando Me Enamore con mi mas favorito galn Juan Soler. Por una hora el era mi galn, pero Renata (Silvia Navarro) era la que tenia todas las escenas de amor con el! Bueno, los dos son muy buenos actores. Mucha gente dice que Silvia tiene el look de una joven Mara Flix. Yo creo que si. La gran diva del mundo artstico de msica, telenovelas, y pelculas, Lucero, esta filmando la nueva telenovela Los Tacones de Eva que se va estrenar en Febrero en Mxico. La novela tendr sus momentos cmicos. Lucero explica, Mi personaje no ser de ser caras, ni chistes, simplemente las circunstancias las sern que provocan estos momentos agradables para el publico. Jaime Camil sale en esta novela como el galn de Lucero. Los Tacones de Eva es una telenovela basada en la novela en Columbia, llamada En Los Tacones de Eva. Falleci el actor Pedro Armendriz de cncer a la edad de 71 aos el 26 de Diciembre en Nueva York. El hizo 140 pelculas y tambin trabajo en telenovelas y obras de teatro. Su ultima telenovela fue La Fuerza del Destino. Que descanse en paz. Aracely Arambula anuncio que todava esta en la obra de teatro Perfume de Gardenias y en el medio del nuevo ao podra esSee CHARLANDO, pg. 9

Silvia Navarro y Juan Soler. Contributed photo.

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www.revistadevictoria.com

Revista de Victoria, January 2012 9

trella de Hollywood, le pidi a su novia, en el da de Navidad, a la modelo Brasilea, Camille Alves, de 28 aos, matrimonio. Ella dijo que si! La boda de Mathew y Camilla ser en Brazil.

Un rumor nuevo es que Luis Miguel quiere salir con Kim Kardashian. Una fuente dice que vieron a Luis Miguel con una amiga de Kim en un lujoso restaurante hablando de Kim. Marc Anthony, el reciente ex-

esposo de Jennifer Lpez, ya tiene una nueva novia. Ella es Shannon De Lima. Ella es de Valenzuela. Enrique Iglesias y su novia Anna Kournikova, novios de varios aos, celebraron el Ao Nuevo
See CHARLANDO, pg. 13

Kim Kardashian y Luis Miguel. Contributed photo.

CHARLANDO, from pg. 8

tar trabajando en una nueva telenovela. Ella sale en esta obra con Arturo Carmona con quien todos

dicen que los dos andan en un romance en la vida real. Estos son fuertes rumores. Pero ni Aracely ni Arturo lo ha confirmado. Despus de 4 aos de noviazgo y dos pequeos hijos, Mathew McConaughey, de 42 aos y es-

Se Habla Espaol

10 Revista de Victoria, January 2012

www.revistadevictoria.com

CVB, from pg. 1

January 18 check Cleared citys account: January 20 Deposited into bureaus account: 14 days later January 28 check Cleared citys account: Feb. 4 Deposited into bureaus account: 21 days later March 7 check Cleared citys account: March 10 Deposited into bureaus account: 41 days later March 31 check Cleared citys account: April

11 Deposited into bureaus account: 59 days later May 4 check Cleared citys account: May 11 Deposited into bureaus account: 42 days later June 6 check Cleared citys account: June 9 Deposited into bureaus account: 27 days later The city had disbursed $562,500 before the bureau was transferred to the city on Aug. 1, according to Billie Loep, city of Victoria accounting manager. During that process, the city of Victo-

ria allocated $62,500 per month to the bureau. The citys funds were put into a non-interest bearing account before they were deposited into the bureaus account, Vivian said. None of the funds were spent on anything that involves the chamber, he said. When pressed, Vivian refused to answer any more questions regarding the audit. Thats it, OK? Im not going to sit here and pick this thing to death. It is what it is, Vivian said. The audit also found that there was no written contract with the marketing company Jet Marketing & Advertising of Cuero that the bureau contracted with. There was no explanation as to why there was no written contract, the audit found. O.C. Garza, communications director for Victoria, said the bureau now has a contract with Jet Marketing. Under the chamber, the bureau paid Jet Marketing an hourly rate of $65 for certain services. For certain costs, there was a 15 percent commission added but was actually paid a 17.65 percent commission, the audit found. Typically, in the case of a cost plus arrangement, the customer should request evidence of what costs are being incurred prior to paying the bill. This was not done by the CVB staff, the audit found. Auditors requested invoices from Jet Marketing to determine billing accuracy. It turned out that the company charged the 17.65

percent fee onto the entire billing, which the audit found to be an industry-wide standard. The audit, which covered the period of Oct. 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011, also found inaccurate financial statements for two months. In May, the bureau double posted some checks that overstated expenses for the month and understated the cash balances by $22,234. In one of the bureaus accounts, expenditures totaling $1,643 went unrecorded from December to January. After corrections were made, an accurate accounting of all transactions was provided, the audit found. The bureau also paid credit card bills by the chamber, the audit found. On two occasions, some items were for personal use but were later reimbursed by the individuals. Public monies also went from the bureau to the chamber for personnel costs, according to the audit. These included: monthly salaries, health insurance, car allowances and payroll taxes. The audit found that the bureau overpaid the chamber by $1,665.05. The audit concluded that all funds were fully accounted for and were spent on valid expenses. However, if the audit worked on an opinion of the accounting records, other matters might have come to our attention that would have been reported to you, the audit found. City Council reacts Most council members, including Mayor Will Armstrong, said they were unaware that the

audit had even come out. Garza said the audit was probably put into one of the councils reading packets, information that doesnt always show up on the publically posted agenda packet. Armstrong declined to comment until he saw the audit and heard a report from staff. He didnt know if the matter would come before council since Victoria no longer contracts with the chamber for the bureaus services and all money was accounted for. However, a council member could bring up the issue, Armstrong said. Councilman David Hagan said the issue was big enough to warrant coming before council. When told about the commingling of funds, Councilman Joe Truman said that wasnt supposed to be done. Youre giving me a lot of questions that I need to get answered, so let me get busy, he said. Councilman Gabriel Soliz said that the audit was a big enough deal to put on the agenda since the city council budgeted $1.5 million toward the bureau for the last two years it was under the chamber. Thats the crazy thing; do we really want to look at the first year? Soliz asked. Councilman Tom Halepaska said he knew about the audit. While the commingling of funds was an issue, he noted that the audit found that all funds were accounted for. Follow Brian M. Cuaron online at Texas-Crossroads Inquirer.

www.revistadevictoria.com

Annette Franco combines wedding design, floral shop into one

by Peter Moralez

Revista de Victoria, January 2012 11

Annette Franco, local event and wedding planner, and owner of Accent Designs by Annette and Sophias Floral Shop, has combined her two stores into one location to better serve her customers. We have been very fortunate to enjoy great success at both our event planning business and floral shop, Franco said. However, bouncing from location to location to address customers needs, has always been time consuming and, quite honestly, in this business, every minute matters. The location address is 2001 East Red River, in the Crossroads Center. Accent Designs was already located there and Sophias Floral Shop is next door. The move provides an excellent opportunity to streamline our operations. Franco, raised in Lubbock, learned to plan parties and events until, eventually, she told herself, I should get paid, Franco said. Francos mother and daughter own a hair salon that she helped design as well as other clients stores. Franco was presented a business opportunity to buy a wedding decorator shop. According

depict our industry, and they are very popular with viewers. In addition, and what I really consider the greatest factor, are the valuable word of mouth references that our customers give so freely. Franco doesnt want anyone to get the wrong impression; she says that these references are a product of very hard Floral designers Donna Potcinske and Becky Rose. work. I make a simple Contributed photo. idea into a very magical to Franco, since she moved to the and theatrical event, Franco said. Victoria area, her business, specifiIn the best of situations, pocally, and event planning, in gen- tential customers will approach me eral, has been on an upward spiral at least six to eight months in adin sales. vance, of either their wedding or I attribute this trend to a cou- special event, to discuss what they ple of different factors, she said. want and how I can help, Franco Several cable television shows said. In many cases, that much

time is needed to secure the site location that the customer has in mind. In a smaller community like Victoria, there are a limited number of sites to hold large events at - so space reservation is a key factor. She went on to say that reserving caterers, musicians or deejays, and lighting technicians takes time, as well. Franco can handle

small events, such as childrens parties where the attendance may be 25 guests, or large events with several hundred. In addition, she will travel where needed. I have arranged events in Houston, Corpus Christi and even as far away as Lubbock, Franco said. I can go anywhere my customer wants to have their

See FRANCO, pg. 16

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RACE, from pg. 3

subdivision, alleviating flooding issues. To fix the water and infrastructure problems in Bloomington and Placedo, Soliz proposes they incorporate into cities. This would raise revenue via property and sales taxes at a rate of the citizens choosing. Soliz said relying primarily on the county doesnt work. This slow death that theyre going through right now, something needs to be done, he said. Former three-time Precinct 1 commissioner Rivera finds himself applying for his old job. He lost to Spann in a primary run-off in 2008, almost winning the primary via a majority. He faced six challengers in that race

and dominated the citys voting precincts. Rivera said he isnt taking anything for granted, calling Spann the frontrunner. Hopefully, I will continue to interview for this job and people will say, Youre hired, Rivera said. Before becoming commissioner, Rivera served as justice of the peace for Precinct 1 for five years. His years in the public sector gave him management experience, he said. He has Bachelors in Business Administration. He notes that Precinct 1 has workers who already know how to fix the roads. The key, he said, is to best utilize the funding. Theres no learning curve for me. First day on the job, I know exactly what job needs to be done, he said.

As a longtime Precinct 1 resident and former commissioner, Rivera said people call him with problems. He helps them by directing them to the suitable government agency or official. He will remain accessible, he said. However, Rivera said there isnt enough funding to put toward city roads. He noted that the county has services available to city residents, such as the health department. Garcia continues to campaign early and often. By early January, he had 17 yard signs posted throughout Placedo. If I can get an early start, at least I can stay the pace of the other guys, Garcia said. He visits with early-morning coffee drinkers in restaurants, later knocking on doors.

The recently retired Texas Department of Transportation worker, who developed a recognized training program, said he wants to give Precinct 1 the knowledge he learned from the state. While driving through the Guadalupe subdivision, Garcia noted paved areas and new pipes. Yet voters should support him, he said: Because I can do a lot more of that with the same amount of money. Garcia said TXDOT workers use cell phones and laptops to communicate in the field, increasing efficiency. He pointed out that Bloomington and Placedo have waterquality issues. Yet, Garcia had no answer for where he would find funding to alleviate the problem. While driving through those areas, he repeatedly remarked on the large piles of trash. I got to find a way to find these people a way to get rid of their trash, he said at one point. He pointed out several significantly damaged roads, saying that when a street deteriorates underneath, it can no longer be patched but needs to be fixed. Garcia said if an official hadnt done anything in four years, Dont expect people to hire you back. Spann, whose term is four years, said there is a financial limit on how many roads can be fixed. Embracing unorthodoxy, Wells declines to make campaign signs a part of his strategy. As of mid-January, he has not even be-

gun to knock on doors. Im trying to do something out of the norm, says Wells, a sheriffs office deputy. His website, kennethwells2012.com, is something no other candidate has. His platform is anti-graffiti and increasing public safety, which will lead to jobs. He would introduce a precinct website for transparency and for residents to report graffiti. Wells also wants to bring public services within the vicinity of Precinct 1 toward the end of his first term. He would look to grants for funding, like the $101,000 grant he used to fund a gang-prevention program. He also wants to reach out to residential college students. Democrat-turned-Republican sheriffs office Deputy Tony Mallette is avoiding the dog fight, for now. Mallette said the county should go after money-making rodeo and cattle shows by partnering with the city to build a covered, multi-purpose arena. Small towns typically host such shows, but lack facilities. He said the county should renegotiate its fire services contract with the city, paying a retainer fee and a fee for each fire instead of a lump sum. Hopefully, I will get out there and talk to people and have them vote for me as an individual, Mallette said. Follow Brian M. Cuaron online at Texas-Crossroads Inquirer.

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Revista de Victoria, January 2012 13

MAS O MENOS, from pg. 7

either make change for a dollar without computer assistance, or could spell an eight-letter word actually using vowels. In other words, forget both basic spelling and mathematics. With regards to social networking, is it really imperative to notify the free world that you just purchased a grape? I mean, talk about giving individuals a false sense of importance. I dont care that you just stood up, or that youre going

to take a shower, or that Buffy texted that she shes mad at you because., I mean, are you kidding me? It wasnt too long ago that children, and I do mean children, werent allowed to have a phone in a classroom. Nowadays, unless they can have their hand on the phone in either their pocket or pocketbook, life just isnt worth living. And parents are just as guilty. My son or daughter has to have a phone so I can get in touch with them. Get in touch with them for

what? Parents made it through many years not having to get in touch with their children during school hours, so what could be of such dire importance that a parent would need to speak with their child during school hours? If theres a legitimate emergency, a parent can do what always has been done: Call the school and get the child out of class. Anything short of that is, simply, a way to circumnavigate tried-and-tested rules that were installed for valid reasons. I guess requests of returning

back to basics is inconceivable, so all I can say is lets go into 2012 with our eyes open and take a look at what it is that we are creating. Personally, I dont see things get-

ting any better, but you never know, and thats what makes life worth living for me. Happy New Year!

CHARLANDO, from pg. 9

2012, en la isla de St. Bart. Este ao quiz se casan, pero Enrique ha dicho en el pasado que no piensa casarse por muchos aos. Ellos todava estn muy jvenes. Sonya Smith y su esposo Gabriel Porras estn haciendo planes para casarse en una boda religiosa. Se casaron por el civil hace casi dos aos pasados. Ella sale en la telenovela de Telemundo Mujeres al Lmite. En la nueva telenovela, El Talismn, Aarn Daz va hacer el papel del villano. Dicen que ya se ha recuperado de su divorcio de Kate del Castillo. Anqu apenas tienen un ao de casados, Anglica Vale y su esposo Otto Padrn tienen problemas legales de dinero con la exesposa de Otto. El primer actor Juan Ferrera y Rebecca Jones estn en la obra de teatro, Filomena Marturano. Rebecca esta separada de su esposo de mas de veinte aos, Alejandro Camacho. El sale en la telenovela de Univisin que podemos ver en las tardes, Alma de Hierro.

Lucero y Jaime Camil. Contributed photo.

Rebecca dejo a Alejandro porque el andaba con una jovencita o quiz varias. Para esta fecha ya estarn divorciados. Los dos tambin trabajaron juntos en varias telenovelas en aos pasados. Despus de la telenovela, Teresa Sebastin Rulli esta trabajando en Divorcimonos, Mi Amor, una obra de teatro con Mariana Seone en Mxico. Sebastin ap-

enas se divorcio de su esposa Cecilia despus de unos tres aos y un beb. En la novela Teresa, el personaje de Sebastin sufri mucho. Se ve que tambin esta triste por su divorcio en la vida real. Ojal el ao nuevo 2012 sea un mejor ao para todos porque es un comienzo nuevo. Haste pronto!

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AVISO DE SOLICITUD Y DECISIN PRELIMINAR PARA UN PERMISO DE CALIDAD DEAIRE PERMISO DE CALIDAD DE AIRE NO. 99208 SOLICITUD Y DECISIN PRELIMINAR Concrete Strategies LLC, 2199 Innerbelt Business Center Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri 63114-5721, ha solicitado de la Comisin para la Calidad Ambiental de Tejas (TCEQ o Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) el Permiso de Calidad de Aire Nmero 99208 para autorizar la construccin una Planta de Lotes de Concreto ubicado en la esquina noreste de la interseccin de la calle Lone Tree y Texas 463 Loop, condado de Victoria, Tejas. La instalacin propuesta va a emitir los siguientes contaminantes atmosfricos: materiales partculas incluyendo (pero no limitado a) agregados, cemento, polvo de caminos y partculas menores a 10 micrmetros de dimetro. El director ejecutivo de la TCEQ ha concluido la revisin tcnica de la solicitud y ha preparado un permiso preliminar, el cual si es aprobado, establecer a las condiciones debajo de las cuales el sitio deber operar. El director ejecutivo ha hecho la decisin preliminar de otorgar este permiso. La solicitud del permiso, la decisin preliminar del director ejecutivo, y el permiso preliminar estarn disponibles para ser revisados y copiados en la Oficina de la TCEQ y en la biblioteca publica de Victoria, por la calle 302 North Main, en al ciudad de Victoria, en el Condado de Victoria. Los archivos del cumplimiento de la leyes de la facilidad, si existen, estn disponibles para la revisin del pblico en la Oficina Regional de Corpus Christi de la TCEQ. COMENTARIOS PBLICOS/JUNTA PBLICA Usted puede presentar comentarios pblicos o solicitar una junta pblica sobre esta solicitud. El propsito de la junta pblica es el proveer la oportunidad de someter comentarios o hacer preguntas sobre esta solicitud. La TCEQ tendra una junta pblica si el director ejecutivo determina que hay suficiente interes de parte del pblico en esta solicitud o si es solicitada por un legislador local. Una junta pblica no es una audencia en controversia. Comentarios por escrito o peticiones para juntas pblicas sobre esta solicitud debern recibirse por escrito en la Oficina del Secretario Principal (Office of the Chief Clerk), MC105, TCEQ, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087, o por el Internet al www.tceq.state.tx.us/ about/comments.html, dentro de 30 das despus de la publicacin de este aviso. Despus del plazo final para someter comentarios pblicos subsequentes a cualquier Aviso de la Solicitud y de la Decisin Preliminar que se requiera, el director ejecutivo considerar los comentarios y preparar una respuesta a todos los comentarios pblicos relevantes y materiales, o de otro modo significativos. La respuesta a los comentarios, junto con la decisin del director ejecutivo sobre la solicitud, sern entonces enviada por correo a todos aquellos que hallan sometido comentarios pblicos o que hallan peticionado para estar en la lista de correo sobre esta solicitud. Si alguna solicitud para audencia pblica no es retirada, la correspondencia tendra instrucciones sobre como solicitar una audencia en controversia o como solicitar que la decisin del director ejecutivo sea reconsiderada. OPORTUNIDAD PARA UNA AUDIENCIA EN CONTROVERSIA Una audiencia en controversia es un proceso legal semejante a un a un juicio civil en una corte de distrito estatal. Una persona que pueda ser afectada por las emisiones de contaminantes atmosfricos de la instalacin tiene derecho a peticionar una audiencia en controversia. Para solicitar una audiencia en controversia, usted deber proporcionar lo siguiente: (1) su nombre (o, para un grupo o asociacin, un representante oficial), direccin postal, nmero de telfono durante el da, y nmero de fax, si hay; (2) el nombre del solicitante y el nmero de permiso; (3) la oracin en ingls I/we request a contested case hearing; (4) una descripcin especfica de cmo le perjudicara la solicitud y las emisiones atmosfricas de una manera que no es comn con los miembros del pblico en general; (5) la localizacin y distancia de su propiedad en relacin a la instalacin; y (6) una descripcin de cmo usted usa la propiedad que pudiera ser afectada por la instalacin. Una audiencia en controversia slo se otorgar basada en asuntos en controversia que sean relevantes y materiales a la decisin de los Comisionados sobre la solicitud. Adems, la Comisin slo conceder una audiencia en controversia en esos asuntos que fueron presentados durante el perodo de los comentarios pblicos y que no se retiraron. Asuntos como el valor de la propiedad, ruido, seguridad de trfico, y zonas municipales estn fuera de lo que la Comisin tiene la juridiccin de considerar en este proceso. ACCIN DEL DIRECTOR EJECUTIVO Una solicitud para audencia a sido recibida por la TCEQ dentro del plazo de tiempo requerido. A menos de que se presente una peticin para una audencia en controversia o una peticin para que reconsidere su decisin, el director ejecutivo aprobara la solicitud para este permiso. Si se reciben peticiones para una audiencia en controversia o para que se reconsidere su desicion, el director ejecutivo no aprovara la solicitud para este permiso y remitir la solicitud y las peticiones a los Comisionados de la TCEQ para su considerasion en una junta Comisionados. LISTA PARA ENVO DE CORREO Usted puede solicitar ser incluido en una lista de correo para recibir informacin adicional con respecto a esta solicitud. Para ser incluido en una lista de correo, enve su peticin a la oficina del Office of Chief Clerk a la direccin que se encuentra a continuacin en el prrafo ttulado Informacin. INFORMACIN Para ms informacin sobre la solicitud para este permiso o sobre el proceso de permisos, llame a la Oficina de Asistencia Pblica (Office of Public Assistance), sin cargo al 18006874040. Informacin general concerniente a la TCEQ puede encontrarse va internet en http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/. Este enlace a un mapa electrnico del sitio o ubicacin de la instalacin general se proporciona como un pblico cortesa y no forma parte de la solicitud o aviso. Para la ubicacin exacta, consulte aplicacin http://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/hb610/index. html?lat=28.8191&lng=-96.9319&zoom=13&type=r. Mas informacin puede ser obtenida de Concrete Strategies LLC en la direccin en el primer parrfo o llamando a Ms. Monique Wells al (512) 292-4314. Fecha de publicacin del aviso: 29 de diciembre de 2011

UHV, from pg. 6

differently. When asked what this means, Castille said the plan is fluid and envisions that decades into the future, UHV could possibly expand eastward, across Ben Wilson. The UH system sees UHV as part of its strategic plan since it offers a college-town environment to the systems urban universities, Rice said. That niche makes UHV a destination campus for urban students in Houston and across Texas who want that, Castille said. He pointed out Victorias proximity to nearby large cities. Reaction Last fall, Castille created the UHV 2015 Planning Committee, made up of elected and business officials. The purpose is to share the draft master plan with the city, county, school district and Citizens Medical Center, he said. Meetings were held in October and December to garner feedback. Armstrong declined to comment on whether the draft plan changed his mind on the issue of a system transfer, saying he wanted to learn more. Councilman Tom Halepaska also reserved comment, wanting to see the plan. Both said they were concerned about students living at the dorms on Business Hwy. 59 having to cross the wide, busy street to go to school. Not even Castilles proposed plan to shuttle the students to UHV from the dorms, starting in 2012, satisfied the Armstrong and Halepaskas concerns. Kids are not going to wait on a shuttle, Halepaska said. Councilman Gabriel Soliz, who was firmly against Morrisons bill, said he would like the draft plan to provide for an engineering department. Such a department would help with the citys efforts to bring manufacturing companies. Soliz also wanted to know more about the acquisition of neighborhood property on Cypress Street, east of Ben Jordan Street. In the end, though, officials need to fix the once rocky relationship with UHV. We have to rebuild bridges, Soliz said. Follow Brian M. Cuaron online at Texas-Crossroads Inquirer.

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Revista de Victoria, January 2012 15

preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until no longer pink and juices run clear. Pour of the spaghetti sauce into a 7x11-inch baking dish. Place chicken over sauce, and cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top and return to the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Serve it with your favorite pasta. Serves: 2 CLASSIC TOSSED SALAD 1 cup blanched silvered almonds 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces 1 head red leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces 1 (8-ounce) package crumbled feta cheese 1 (4-ounce) can sliced black olives 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 red onion, halved and thinly sliced 6 fresh mushrooms, sliced cup grated Romano cheese 1 (8-ounce) bottle Italian salad

dressing Heat large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Place the almonds in the skillet, and cook, stirring frequently until lightly browned. When the almonds are beginning to turn, add sesame seeds, and cook 1 more minute, or until seeds are toasted. In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce with feta cheese, olives, almonds, sesame seeds, tomatoes, onion, mushrooms, and Romano cheese. When ready to serve, toss with Italian dressing. Serves: 12 CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES 16 ounces milk chocolate chips 2 tablespoons shortening 1-pound fresh strawberries with leaves Insert toothpicks into the tops of strawberries In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into Styrofoam for the chocolate to cool. Servings: 24

Chicken parmigiana. Contributed photo.

CHICKEN PARMIGIANA 1 egg, beaten 2 ounces dry breadcrumbs 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (16-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce 2 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese cup grated Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Lightly grease a medium baking sheet. Pour egg into a small shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken into egg, then into the breadcrumbs. Place coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the

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FRANCO, from pg. 11

event, and I can guarantee success. Franco said that her association with both the Victoria Bridal Expo and the Victoria Quinceera

Fair has also gained her valuable exposure. This past year was my tenth year as the event planner for the Bridal Expo, and it was a resounding success, she said. Franco was especially gratified in bringing

David Tutera of WE TV to the bridal show. In addition, this year will mark my fifth year with the Quinceera Fair. In 2012, for the first time, the Quinceera Fair will be held at the Bauer Community Center; a two day event that we

hope will be a great success. We are also planning a special appearance at the show. Sophias Floral Shop will be offering a special deal for Valentines Day 2012 to promote their new location, as well as to pro-

mote the two floral designers they employ on site. I am so fortunate to have two very talented individuals working for me at Sophias, she said. Becky Rose, Floral Designer, Texas Master; and Donna Potcinske, the 2011 Texas Cup-State Floral Association third place finalist, handle our floral designs, and they do an incredible job. If you pre-order and pre-pay for flowers or a floral arrangement for Valentines Day, there will be no additional charge for delivery, and that makes a significant difference, Franco said. Franco indicated that neither their expansion nor their success would be possible without the support of the local community. I am so thankful for the business that comes our way, she said. In this industry, the age-old adage about do a great job for someone and theyll tell a friend, but do a bad job for someone and theyll tell everyone, really holds true. My staff and I work very hard to ensure that each and every event we plan goes exactly as the host has planned it to, and to my customers, that is what really matters. Franco can be reached at 361.652.1801 for either event planning, or floral needs.