Juarez or Matamoros

If you are an American, you are safer traveling in Mexico than in Texas. ?

Obviously, if you are Mexican and live in Juarez or Matamoros, you aren’t very safe. But the same can be said for the residents of Houston, Baltimore, and New Orleans as well.

Nonetheless, noted international experts in the Texas Department of Public Safety have recommended that Americans avoid Mexico in the Texas area.

Ca., Az., Fire Risk

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River District is announcing fire restrictions on 2.5 million acres of public lands in western Arizona and southeastern California along the Colorado River. 

Effective Friday, May 18, 2012, fire and smoking restrictions will be enforced on all public lands within the BLM Yuma and Lake Havasu Field Office jurisdictions.  These restrictions are similar to those being implemented in other areas in Arizona. 

The BLM is asking the public to use extreme caution when visiting public lands this summer.  Currently there are no plans to close any areas along the Colorado River area to public use.  The public is reminded that the Fire Prevention Order prohibits the following acts: 

1.   Open campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires.  Campfires and charcoal grills are only permitted in developed recreation sites or improved sites, where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided.  The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices is allowed on public lands provided such devices meet the fire underwriter's specifications for safety.    

2.  Smoking. Smoking is restricted to enclosed buildings, within a vehicle and on a paved or surface road, within a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

3.   Use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices. 

4.   Welding or the use of any torch or metal cutting implement. 

"Due to the mild winter and low precipitation levels, we have very dry vegetation in the area that will become fuel for wildfires as temperatures increase," stated Fire Management Officer Mike Trent.  "The restrictions will continue until conditions warrant the lifting of the restrictions."

Arizona motorists booster seats change

Arizona motorists are going to have to use booster seats or other restraint systems for children through age 7 who are not more than 4 feet 9 inches tall.

Arizona already requires that children through age 4 use a child restraint system but the expanded requirement becomes law Aug. 20 under a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Jan Brewer.

It makes violations subject to a $50 civil penalty, but it wouldn't be imposed if the person later equips the vehicle with a restraint system.

The Arizona Automobile Association calls the legislation an important safety protection for children. The group says only two other states lack similar laws.

Arizona legislators blocked previous attempts because of objections about government intrusion and costs to parents. Friends and Grand Parents Take Note!

Mother's Day in Mexico 2012

Happy Mothers Day

Mother’s Day celebrates the achievements and efforts of mothers and mother figures.

Local names    

Name	Language

Mother's Day	English
Día de la Madre	Spanish

Mother's Day 2012      Thursday, May 10, 2012 (Mexico)

United States Sunday May 13, 2012

U.S. Navy Ship Named for Cesar Chavez

SAN DIEGO (AP) - The military has christened its newest cargo-ammunition ship for civil rights leader and labor activist Cesar Chavez, who served in the Navy during World War II.

The Los Angeles Times reports  a champagne bottle was broken over the ship's bow during a ceremony Saturday night at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.

The 689 foot vessel will join the Military Sealift Command and bring ammunition, food, fuel and other supplies to U.S. ships at sea. The ship's sponsor is Chavez's widow, Helen Fabela Chavez.

Chavez joined the Navy in 1944 at age 17 and served for two years.

He led United Farm Workers union grape boycotts and raised awareness of the plight Hispanic agricultural workers.

deadly hantavirus threat

RIVERSIDE, CA- Wild mice that can cause the deadly hantavirus have been discovered in Riverside County, California.

That's prompting Imperial County health officials to remind people to wear plastic gloves in enclosed areas and to spray diluted bleach where rodent droppings are present to prevent contracting the hantavirus.

Droppings that have been stirred up into the air and breathed in pose the biggest threat.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, difficulty in breathing and in some cases death.

Best Message of the Day! 1

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car, and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.
I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him.
I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying:
'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight, and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're  having a problem.'
He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around, I saw a gas station up the road, and I told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went I inside. I saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them, and related the problem the old man had with his car. I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman.
When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'
He said that he served with the first Marine Division at Guadalcanal Pelieliu, and Okinawa .
He had hit three of the worst ones, and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.
He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it, and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbye's to his wife.
I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.
One of them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.
For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name was written: 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'
I sat there motionless, looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence.
Remember, as we approach another Memorial Day, OLD men like him gave you, and all of us, FREEDOM for America .
Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who supported them, and who continue to support them.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.
If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!
Remember, Freedom isn't Free. Thousands have paid the price, so that you can enjoy what you have today.
LET'S DO THIS: JUST 19 WORDS:
GOD OUR FATHER, WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES; AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL MY FAMILY; AND PLEASE PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS, AND WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS, WHO ARE DEFENDING THOSE FREEDOMS.