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.

Inaugural Eagle Ford Shale Consortium Conference Brings Leaders Together to Tackle Issues

 CARRIZO SPRINGS, Texas   — Recognizing the extraordinary pinnacles and pitfalls the Eagle Ford Shale represents for the twenty-four counties it lies under, a consortium of community leaders and stakeholders is planning its inaugural conference to develop sustainable models of long-term development.  Organized by the Eagle Ford Consortium, “Creating a Sustainable Pathway” will be held in San Antonio Feb. 29 – March 2, 2012 at the Omni Hotels Colonnade.

“Our communities realized that we’d been in a reactive mode to the challenges the Eagle Ford brings,” explains Leodoro Martinez, Jr., Executive Director of the Middle Rio Grande Development Council and Chairman of the Eagle Ford Consortium.  “We wanted to learn from the lessons of historic boom towns that later went bust, and instead take a proactive, sustainable approach that will let communities make the most of current opportunities while building for the future.”

The interactive, working conference is attracting experts and decision makers from the 24 counties within the Eagle Ford Shale formation, which, in the United States, cuts a crescent-shaped swatch from Maverick and Webb counties along the U.S./Mexico border north and north east to Camp Wood county.  Representatives from city, county and state government, education and workforce development organizations, the housing industry, environmental groups, community-based organizations, the financial industry, energy interest groups and landowners will tackle pressing infrastructure, workforce development and related issues affecting the area.   Says Martinez, “This is the first and largest gathering we know of that brings together such a comprehensive representation to share experiences, plan for immediate needs and begin crafting models of what our future might look like.”

Confirmed speakers include Mayor Julian Castro, San Antonio; Judge Nelson Wolff, Bexar County; Daryl Fowler, county judge, Dewitt County; Ford Patton, city manager, City of Kenedy; Francisco G. Ponce, county judge, Dimmit County; Larry Dovalina, city manager, Cotulla; Paula Seydel, manager, Dimmit County Chamber of Commerce; Darrell T. Brownlow, Ph.D., San Antonio River Authority board of directors; Judge Joe Luna, Middle Rio Grande Foundation chairman and Thomas Tunstall, Ph.D., director of the Center for Community and Business Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute for Economic Development.

The City of Laredo Health Department Continues to Offer FLU Vaccine

Laredo, TX – The City of Laredo Health Department continues to encourage the public to get vaccinated against influenza (FLU). Recently, a child was confirmed to have contracted H1N1 influenza and this could have been prevented if vaccinated.  The vaccine protects against both seasonal and H1N1 strains and is the most effective measure towards reducing the impact of influenza, and is particularly important for people who are at increased risk for severe complications from the flu.

 People in the high risk groups include:

·         All children more than 6 months of age to 4 years;

·         People 50 years and older;

·         Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular, kidney, liver, neurological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes);

·         People with compromised immune systems;

·         Women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season;

·         Children age 6 months to 18 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;

·         Residents of long-term care facilities;

·         People who are morbidly obese;

·         Household contacts and caregivers of children less than 5 year of age or adults age 50 and above.

 What are FLU symptoms?  “FLU” is sudden and symptoms include:

·         Sudden fever (100.4° F or more)

·         Headache

·         Tiredness, sometimes extreme

·         Dry cough, Sore throat

·         Extreme Body aches

Risks from FLU: In some persons, flu can cause serious complications, including bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, diabetes or seriously infecting those that are immunocompromised.  Children and adults may develop sinus problems and ear infections; therefore, we also recommend Pneumococcal Vaccine to protect against pneumonia for anyone over 65 years of age.

FLU Season is Still Here! / page 2 of 2

 Where can I get FLU and Pneumonia shots? At your doctor’s office, clinics and at:

 City of Laredo Health Department’s Immunization Programs

(2600 Cedar)

Monday through Friday

8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; additionally on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

or at the Health Department WIC clinics (Call for times)

 The cost is $20 vaccine for adults and $8 for children up to the age of 18

It is free for Medicare Part B Recipients. Please bring your card.                                               

Don’t Let Flu Stop You! Fight Back, Get Vaccinated!

For more information, please contact the City of Laredo Health Department Immunizations Clinic at (956) 795-4906.

Laredo, TX—The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) would like to inform the public that there is a new change in immunization requirements for college entry students. It is now required by state statute that all college students get vaccinated against meningococcal disease, more commonly known as bacterial meningitis. This disease can cause serious illness, such as neurological complications.   In order to ensure that college students are protected and in compliance, the CLHD is working with local colleges and universities and will be hosting a Saturday Clinic to provide the vaccine. We also urge all college students to review and assess other vaccines that are important for protection (i.e. measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough and human papiloma virus [HPV]). The clinic information is as follows:

 Meningococcal Vaccine Saturday Clinic:  City of Laredo Health Department  2600 Cedar Avenue

                          Saturday, January 7, 2012  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

 Vaccines remain one of the best and safest protective measures against very serious communicable diseases.

 There is an administrative fee of $8.00 per person for those who are medically uninsured or underinsured. Those who have medical insurance that covers vaccines should consult with their physician.

For more information, please contact the CLHD Immunization Clinic at (956) 795-4906.

Laredo, TX— The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) would like to remind the public that wildlife, specifically javelinas, raccoons, and opossums, can be found throughout our community, especially in residential areas along creeks, foothills, and brush country.  The CLHD would like to offer the following tips for dealing with strays in your home: 

• Do not feed stray animals.
• Remove dense brush to reduce hiding places.
• Do not leave pet food or water out overnight.
• Do not touch or move injured, or sick stray animals.
• Do not corner or provoke stray animals.
• Keep all garbage cans covered and secured from tipping over. 
• Pick up all dropped fruits and vegetables from trees and plants.
• Make repairs to your home in order to prevent animals from entering your home, attic, or den.
• In order to avoid any harm to pets, all yards with pets should be gated or secured. 

 For more information, please call the City of Laredo Health Department:

 Animal Control Program, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. & Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (956) 795-4902 or (956) 795-2485

or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at (956) 718-1087

For Emergencies please call the Laredo Police Department at (956)795-2800

Aside from the initial gift they received the children received added gifts at the end of the event walking away with two to three gifts.

 The Laredo Public Library would like to invite parents to bring their children to enjoy some fun-filled holiday story time, arts and crafts, entertainment and other holiday activities over the Christmas break. 

 The festivities kick off this FRIDAY, December 16, 2011, from 4-5:30 PM, in the HEB Multi-Purpose Room with the Once Upon A Christmas program, for Christmas stories, a puppet show, Christmas craft, hot chocolate and cookies.  Mascots participating for this event are Reader Bear, Willie Bote, and Thomas the Tank. This activity is sponsored by The Public Library, McDonalds, Jack in the Box, and the American Cookie.

 Starting next week, simply stop by the Laredo Public Library Children’s Department, located at 1120 East Calton Road at 2:30 p.m. on the following days; the events are free and open to the public. 

• Monday, December 19:          Make a Christmas Card
• Tuesday, December 20:          Make a Christmas Ornament
• Wednesday, December 21:     Make a Christmas Craft
• Thursday, December 22:         Watch a Christmas movie 
• Tuesday, December 27:          Celebrate with a New Year’s Activity     
• Wednesday, December 28:     Make a New Year’s Hat
• Thursday, December 29:      Watch a New Year’s Movie

 One small note:  please do not leave children unattended at the Laredo Public Library for these or any other activities.

 For more information, please contact Diana Gallegos at 795-2400, x2247.

Local business tycoon is estatic to put his company’s name to the new stadium

 (Laredo, Tx)  As the Laredo baseball stadium continues on its fast-paced construction schedule, to be ready for its first baseball game on May 17, 2012, the next big announcement from the City of Laredo, Ventura Sports Group, and the Laredo Lemurs organization is the name of the soon-to-be completed baseball stadium. 

 Welcome to the Uni-Trade Stadium.   “I am so proud and excited that one of Laredo’s own most prominent businessman, Mr. Eduardo Garza, and his company, leaders of industry in their own right, are true visionaries when it comes to the longterm viability of this stadium and the quality of life it will bring to not only Laredoans, but even visitors to our beatiful city,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas.  “I would also like to congratulate Ventura Sports Group for their work to make every aspect of the stadium and team, a world-class endeavor.  From our coach, the incomparable Pete Incaviglia, to the team name, the Laredo Lemurs, which I love, by the way and now, the facility’s name: are all coming together for something very special for Laredo.  Another home run!”

 Eduardo Garza, CEO/President of Uni-Trade Forwarding, LLC, felt that the opportunity to be a part of something so permanent and so exciting, as tying his name to the baseball stadium, and ultimately, the team, was the right fit for this locally built, locally run business.

 “Uni-Trade is as much a part of Laredo’s economic landscape as baseball is a major part of Laredo’s sports world,” said Garza.  “Uni-Trade Stadium will come to represent the best of minor league baseball and family entertainment in Texas , much like Uni-Trade Forwarding represents the best in the forwarding industry.”

 The partnership between Ventura Sports Group and Uni-Trade Forwarding gives them the exclusive naming rights to the the Ventura Sports Group run, City of Laredo owned multi-purpose facility.    Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

 “We could not have hand-picked a better Naming Rights partner than Eduardo Garza and Uni-Trade Forwarding,” stated Mark Schuster, managing partner of Ventura Sports Group.  “From the moment we begain discussing the possibility, we knew it was the perfect fit,” he added.

 In early June, the City of Laredo officially broke ground on the $18 million facility.  The construction is on a fast-pace to be completed in time for the first pitch, to be thrown out in spectacular Laredo fashion on Thursday, May 17, 2012, 7:30 p.m.  Leyendecker Construction, a Laredo firm, along with HKS Sports & Entertainment, Humphries & Sanchez Architects and Puig Engineering, are all working together to help build a world-class sports entertainment facility for Laredo.

  Uni-Trade Stadium is designed to accommodate professional baseball dimensions. The facility will have a stadium capacity of 6,000 for baseball with 3,940 fixed seats with seat back, arm rests and cupholders, as well as 11 suites; a party suite; club seating; and general admission seating.  Grass berm areas will accommodate an additional 1,700 spectators and picnic tables another 370 attendees.  The stadium will feature plenty of restrooms, fun and interactive fan amenities and numerous concession offerings throughout the 10-acre ballpark.  A stadium club with an air-condition sports bar, first-class press box,  and 11,000 square foot kids’ play area will also be included, along with team offices, clubhouses, and maintenance areas. 

 Aside from professional baseball, the facility will be able to host high school and college regular season and play-off games and tournaments.  Additionally, Uni-Trade Stadium will be an entertainment venue itself, hosting concerts and other outdoor events, such as professional boxing, mixed martial arts competitions, car shows, as well as corporate picnics or even family reunions.  The permanent concert stage, located above the centerfield wall, will bring the stadium capacity to over 16,000 for concerts and non-baseball events.

 On the field, the Lemurs are currently searching worldwide for players to fill out their roster of 22 players for play in the American Assocation of Independent Professional Baseball League.  The league has three divisions – North, Central and South – with teams in great markets, such as St. Paul, MN; Kansas City, MO; Lincoln, NE; El Paso, TX; and even Winnepeg, Canada;. According to Ruben Navas, Laredo Lemurs President, this is an exciting time for fans to get involved with the team.

 “I couldn’t be more excited about this great opportunity for bringing great baseball to Laredo,” said Navas. “As a young Hispanic, I understand our culture and the passion for the game of baseball.  I am honored to be a part of such an exciting time for Laredo, where families and friends will build many memories at the ballpark.  With tickets as low as $5, there’s not a bad seat in the house.  The organization is thrilled at the rapid growth of our fan base and local corporate support that we are receiving throughout our region.”

 For more information on the Laredo Lemurs, please visit www.laredolemurs.com.

 Funding for the project comes from sales tax that was originally set aside in 2000 for the construction and development of an entertainment complex, which included the Laredo Energy Arena.  In 2008, voters approved for a portion of those same tax dollars – not a new tax – to be diverted to construct the baseball stadium.

“Operation Clean-Up” hits District IV

Laredo, TX—Inspectors from various City departments will team up on FRIDAY, December 9, 2011 to make a sweep of an area in City Council District IV educating about and enforcing City of Laredo codes.

The campaign will encompass the following central neighborhood: Maryland Avenue to Tilden, between Ash and Travis Street..  Inspectors from Community Development (Code Enforcement division), Police (Ordinance division), Health (Animal Control division) and Building Development Services (Zoning Inspection division) will be walking door-to-door on Friday.  They will be speaking to property and business owners about proper maintenance codes, pointing out violations and distributing information.

In addition to this focus on the neighborhoods, City inspectors will advise residents and business owners to place unwanted debris and objects at the curb for removal.  On Wednesday, December 14, 2011, Solid Waste crews will be picking up all curbside debris along the designated Operation Clean-Up area.  Participants in the “clean-up” area are urged to place all unwanted items on the curb away from fences, water meters and mailboxes by 7:00 a.m.  Inspectors will inform participants on a case-by-case basis regarding limitations on unwanted items.  Please note, no oil or paint will be picked up.

“Operation Clean-Up is a really positive campaign for helping to beautify Laredo,” said Ronnie Acosta, Community Development Director. “Residents have cleaned up their community, and we have only had to issue a minimal amount of citations.  We encourage everyone to be a part of this campaign,” she said.

December’s Operation Clean-Up District III results:

132 verbal warnings

6 junked vehicles

53 small tires

4.96 total tons of debris

For additional information on the clean-up campaign, contact the City of Laredo Community Development Department at 795-2675.