Designed by local St. Peter’s alum, website is informational and colorful

  As the Diocese of Laredo celebrates Catholic Schools’ Week, St. Peter’s Memorial School is officially unveiling the school’s website: www.stpetersmemorial.org and invites the community to learn all about the historic downtown Catholic school. 

 “This website is our calling card to the world,” said Dr. Linda Marie Garcia Mitchell, principal for the school.  “The website is beautifully designed and the layout is user-friendly, with great information about the school, so that anyone considering sending their children to a Catholic school can peruse the website and make an informed decision about our great school.”

 The website was designed under the creative direction of Board Member Xochitl Mora Garcia who worked with Carlos Ramirez, Jr., an independent, freelance and part-time website designer who is also an alumnus of the school (’71 -’77) and  actually designed and developed the site.

 “I was very excited to design the website for St. Peter’s Memorial School,” said Ramirez.  “I loved my time at St. Peter’s, sent my child there, and am pleased to be able to give back my talents to help raise awareness of this wonderful school.”

The website opens up on the school’s iconic images:  the front façade of the original school building; the school’s logo, the familiar red-colored cross with the dove and flames, representing the Holy Spirit; and the school’s boiler-plate below.  The site features five drop down menus: 

• About Us: with an introductory letter from the principal, along with the school’s mission and vision statement, and several sub-headings that give a great introduction and background into the school, with an archive of the school’s past media releases;  
• Academics:  highlighting the school’s curriculum, faculty and staff, which includes individual e-mails for all teachers and aides, and a general e-mail address to request more information about the school;  
• Our Faith: highlighting the school’s spiritual focus, including information on St. Peter;  
• Activities: outlining the various clubs and events that the school features; and  
• Advisory Board & PTO:  input from the two organizations that help the school with fundraisers and guidance for future goals, with messages from both the Advisory Board and PTO presidents.

In fact, the website project originated from the school’s Advisory Board, and the project was fast-tracked to be completed before the end of the school year.  According to St. Peter’s Memorial School Advisory Board President Marco Montemayor, the website was a priority to help promote the school to a broader audience.

 “With the focus on social and electronic media, we wanted to make sure that St. Peter’s had a presence on the Internet, so that Laredo’s best kept secret: the amazing accomplishments of the school in the past few years, wouldn’t remain a secret anymore,” said Montemayor.  “Additionally, it was important for the Board, along with our Parent Teacher Organization, to develop a site that would serve not only the community at large, but also, and just as importantly, our dedicated parents who have chosen to send their children to St. Peter’s Memorial School.  We also wanted to create a point of pride for our students, who are all so tech-savvy these days,” Montemayor concluded.

 St. Peter’s Memorial School is one of the oldest Catholic schools in Laredo.  First established in 1925, the school was run under the auspices of the Ursuline Sisters until 1968, and then the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco.  Now part of the Catholic Diocese of Laredo, the school offers classes from level K3 through 8^th grade and typically serves approximately 170 students each year.

 Standing together for the proclamation are the student ambassadors, holding the DATING BILL OF RIGHTS, along with City of Laredo MPT Cindy Liendo Espinoza; Sylvia Hernandez, SCAN; Dr. Susanna Rivera, SCAN; Webb County Judge Danny Valdez; Sylvia Flores, SCAN; City of Laredo Assistant Chief of Police Jesus R. Torres; and Assistant Chief Pete Arredondo, Sheriff Martin Cuellar’s Office.

Valentine sweethearts will be crowned the King and Queen of the City of Laredo.

(Laredo, Tx)-The government of Costa Rica is going to develop a port of entry with their neighbor, their fellow Central American country of Nicaragua, called Peñas Blancas.  The government of Costa Rica has announced they are using Laredo as the model to develop this port to take back to all of Central America.  

In addition, since there are very few air cargo flights from Costa Rica to Mexico, they see opportunities to develop air cargo between Costa Rica and Laredo that could then be shipped to Mexico via the dozens of charter companies that fly from Laredo to Mexico.

“Laredo is open for business and I am delighted to welcome our future partners from around the world to Laredo, so that we can continue to develop trade opportunities that positively impact our economy and cement our position as the nation’s number one inland port for trade for the Western Hemisphere,” said Mayor Salinas.

Costa Rica sees Laredo as a partner as they develop the port of entry.

(Laredo, Tx)-City of Laredo Dist. VI Council Member Charlie San Miguel proudly welcomed Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Laredo, as well as representatives from the six Laredo Catholic schools to proclaim Catholic Schools’ Week in Laredo, for the week of Jan. 29-Feb 3, 2012.  Prior to inviting the principals and students to join him at the dais, Cm. San Miguel showed a video highlighting the work of the Catholic Church throughout the world over history, highlighting the role the Church has played in advancing academic learning.  Later, he talked about how the Catholic Church was instrumental in establishing many of the first school systems around the world, including the United States of America and even right here in Laredo, Texas.

Celebrates Groundbreaking of La Terraza at Lomas del Sur with partners, Laredo Public Facility Corporation and Ejido Holdings

 LAREDO, TX  – The breeze carried the dust away in a triumphant show and with shovels in hand, the NRP Group LLC, in partnership with the Laredo Public Facility Corporation and Ejido Holdings, celebrated the groundbreaking of Laredo’s newest quality affordable housing development, La Terraza at Lomas del Sur. The press conference, which took place this morning at 11AM at 3201 SouthEjido Avenue, represented a significant stride for the area in what will soon stand a $17.3 million, 128-unit affordable housing development.

 “For young families in our community, whose current residence may be inadequate to meet their needs, today’s groundbreaking for La Terraza at Lomas Del Sur offers real hope and a real alternative that one day, they will provide for their families a beautiful, spacious and affordable place to call home,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas.

 Set to open in the Fall of 2012, La Terraza at Lomas del Sur will offer 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom floor plans as well as a “Homework First” program that provides children with tutoring, healthy snacks, and safe educational after school activities. Situated on 9.5 acres of land on the east side of South Ejido Boulevard, the development will be complete with a computer business/learning center, health club and swimming pool, this development is set to benefit families and individuals of low to moderate income levels by providing them with a higher quality of living at rates they can realistically afford.

 “Today’s groundbreaking marks a great day for all Laredoans, as this will be the first step that the City of Laredo Public Facility Corporation takes, along with our partners, NRP, Ejido Holdings, Clower Interest, and of course, HUD’s Equal Housing Opportunity and the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs, that will help put young families into beautiful and affordable housing,”  said City of Laredo District I Councilman Mike Garza, who, as president of the Laredo Public Facility Corporation, pushed for this project to be located in this growing area of the community. “We are proud to help make that dream a reality.”

 “Home is truly where the heart is, and this quality affordable housing development will soon become home to many families looking to provide something safe and beautiful for their children,” concluded Mayor Salinas.

 “Quality, affordable housing developments, such as La Terraza at Lomas del Sur Apartments, will improve living conditions for many Laredo families, create jobs and give a boost to the city’s economy,” said State Representative Ryan Guillen, D-31.  “I’m sincerely glad there was state support for this development which will provide Laredo families with safe, quality residences they can call home.”

 For more information, visit www.NRPGroup.com.

 Laredo, TX—The City of Laredo Tax Department is issuing an urgent reminder to all citizens that City of Laredo 2011 Property Taxes are due on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.   Property tax statements were mailed October 2011.

 City property taxes provide more tax dollars for local services in Texas than any other source.  Property taxes help pay for city streets, police, fire protection, and many other services.  For this reason, it is very important to pay taxes on time.

 City of Laredo 2011 property taxes not paid before February 1^st will become delinquent and assessed penalty and interest in accordance with the Texas Property Tax Code, as follows:

Date                Penalty                        Interest          Attorney Fee              Total %

                        Applied to Base           Applied to Base          Applied to Base and P&I

¹February 1^st         6%                    1%                       0                                         7%

March 1^st              7%                    2%                       0                                         9%

²April 1^st               8%                    3%                       0                                        11%

May 1^st                9%                     4%                       0                                        13%

June 1^st                10%                    5%                       0                                        15%

July 1^st                12%                    6%                      15%                                    33%

August 1^st           12%                   7%                      15%                                    34%

September 1^st     12%                    8%                      15%                                    35%

1% Interest added on the 1^st of each month thereafter.  

^1.                    For taxpayers who have an active lawsuit for prior year taxes: Any unpaid balance for the 2011 Tax Year  will be turned over to the delinquent tax attorney on February 1, 2012 and will incur an 6% penalty, 1% interest, and 15% Attorney Fees (for a total of 22%).

^2.                    Personal Property accounts will be turned over to the delinquent tax attorney on April 1, 2012 and will incur an 8% penalty, 3% interest, and 15% Attorney Fees (for a total of 26%).

  A taxpayer can avoid paying penalties, interest, and attorney fees by paying their 2011 Taxes before they become delinquent on February 1, 2012.

 In addition to penalties, interest, and attorney fees to be collected for delinquent taxes, there may be further action taken such as seizure of property, issuance of tax warrants, and filing lawsuits against taxpayers that owe delinquent taxes. 

 Taxpayers who qualify for an Over 65 or Disability Exemption may pay their 2011 property taxes in four installments.  Please notify the City of Laredo Tax Department on the first payment that taxes will be paid in the following installments: 

·         First installment must be paid by January 31, 2012; and

·         Second installment must be paid by March 31, 2012; and

·         Third installment must be paid by May 31, 2012; and

·         Fourth installment must be paid by July 31, 2012.

  For taxpayers who took advantage of the split payment option, the second payment is due by June 30, 2012.

 Normal business hours are from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The main office is located at the new City Hall Annex at 1102 Bob Bullock Loop.  In addition, you can continue to make payments at City Hall located at 1110 Houston Street, 1^st floor.  Payments are accepted in the following currency: cash, checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, credit card, and electronic transfers.  Taxpayers can also view account information or pay their bill on-line by visiting www.cityoflaredo.com.

 If you have not received your property tax statement or have any questions on any of the above, please call the City of Laredo Tax Office at 727-6403.

(Laredo, Tx)-  In response to a recent attack on a jogger in Century City last week, District I Council Member Mike Garza is hosting a neighborhood meeting tonight, Monday, January 23, 2012, starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Century City Park Entrance, located at 120 Century Boulevard.

 Present at the meeting will City of Laredo officials and members of the Laredo Police Department who will be on hand to discuss safety awareness and other safety and precautionary related issues.

 “By arming ourselves with information, knowing how to keep safe and being alert for danger, we can all help keep ourselves and our neighborhoods safe, sending a message to any would-be criminal out there, we’re not letting them over our community,” said Cm. Garza.         

 For more information, contact the Laredo Police Department at 795-2800.

At the  U.S. Conf. of Mayors meeting last week, City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas spent some time discussing immigration and port issues with City of New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

(Laredo, Tx)-The NRP Group LLC, in partnership with the Laredo Public Facility Corporation and Ejido Holdings, takes another stride for economic development and community outreach with the groundbreaking of its newest affordable housing development, La Terraza at Lomas del Sur. This 128 unit, $17.3 million development is set to feature enriching amenities and programs, such as their “Homework First” program that offers safe, educational after school activities, and houses 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom units.  The event will take place on Wednesday, January 25th at 3201 S. Ejido Ave.