Blog Title: Arlington Texan

METROPOLITAN CLASSICAL BALLET OPENS SEASON

Fall Repertory - Richard Adler will be special guest.By MCB - Oct. 14, 2008
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Opening the 2008 / 2009 Season with a dramatic mix of Bolshoi and Broadway, Metropolitan Classical Ballet continues its distinctive artistic identity by offering the audience an incredible evening of ballet. The Fall Repertory production will be held on October 27 at 8:00 PM at the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. The Metropolitan Classical Ballet Orchestra under the direction of guest conductor Bernard Rubenstein will accompany the one night only performance.

The first work of the evening will be Alexander Vetrov’s abridged version of Yuri Grigorovich’s great epic ballet Spartacus, which premiered at Bass Hall in April 2004 to great acclaim. The ballet, considered to be one of Grigorovich's greatest masterpieces, premiered at the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow in 1968. In 2004, Grigorovich granted Mr. Vetrov permission to create an abridged version of the famous ballet. Metropolitan Classical Ballet premiered this version with Mr. Vetrov dancing the role of Crassus, the same role he danced at the Bolshoi when he was the leading male principal dancer. For this Fall Repertory performance, the role of Crassus will be danced by Andrey Prikhodko. Olga Pavlova and Marina Goshko will dance the two principal female roles. Shea Johnson has been cast in the title role of Spartacus. This will be Mr. Johnson’s first significant role since his appearance in Diana and Acteon in the Company’s Summer Gala performance last June where he garnered the attention of audience and critics alike.

The second work of the evening will be Paul Mejia's highly acclaimed ballet, Eight by Adler, a ballet that has always enjoyed the reputation of being an audience favorite. Mr. Adler granted the right to use eight particular songs for Mr. Mejia's use in choreographing Eight by Adler including some of his biggest hits: You Gotta Have Heart, Hey There, Hernando's Hideaway, Rags to Riches, and Everybody Loves a Lover. The ballet premiered in 1984 at the Chicago City Ballet when Mejia served as co-artistic director with Maria Tallchief. Last performed by Metropolitan Classical Ballet on June 26, 2004, the ballet was the first collaboration between Mr. Adler and Mr. Mejia; the second was Notes on My Life, which premiered in February of 2007. Olga Pavlova will dance the only female role in Eight by Adler.

Richard Adler composed both music and lyrics with his collaborator, Jerry Ross, for the musicals The Pajama Game (1954) and Damn Yankees (1955), both of which won Tony awards for best musical and best score. In 2006, a major Broadway revival of the Adler and Ross musical, Pajama Game opened at the American Airlines Theater on 42nd Street. It won the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. The 2008 NYC Encores production of Damn Yankees received great critical acclaim. In addition to his two Tony Awards, Richard Adler has been the recipient of numerous other awards and honors. During the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, he staged and produced numerous Presidential entertainments as White House Consultant for the Arts. He also served as a Trustee for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. for fourteen years. Between 1978 and 1993, he composed numerous symphonic works including four Pulitzer Prize nominees. Mr. Adler will be in attendance the night of the Fall Repertory performance.
Programming, program order and casting for all productions is subject to change without notice.

Single ticket are $10, $25, and $38 and are available by calling Bass Performance Hall Ticket Office at (817) 212-4280 or by calling Metropolitan Classical Ballet at (817) 275-0598, or online at www.mcballet.org. Group discounts are available.

Caelum Moor monuments will find new home at park near new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington

By JEFF MOSIER - The Dallas Morning News - Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Arlington’s praised and briefly vilified 540-ton granite Caelum Moor monuments are about to re-emerge after nearly a dozen years in storage.

The city intends to spend about $1 million to install the 22 pink Texas granite stones — arranged as five different monument sets — in a park near the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. The work is expected to start early 2009 and should take about six months to complete.

“It’s going to be in a high-visibility location,” said George Guernsey, a landscape architect who worked on the plans. “It lends itself to becoming a landmark.”

The Caelum Moor sculptures — which have a style reminiscent of England’s Stonehenge — were first installed on commercial property along Interstate 20 more than two decades ago. The set was intended as an artistic centerpiece for an office park that never materialized.

The owner donated the sculptures to the city in hopes that they would find their way into a public park.

About that time, a local church claimed that pagans or Satanists were using the site for rituals. Police officials at the time said they never found evidence backing up those claims. A coalition of local pastors urged the city to not to display the monuments on municipal property.

Since 1997, the stones have been stored at the Pierce Burch Water Treatment Plant. Now the city has a design to incorporate the stones into a 3.8-acre section of Richard Greene Linear Park along Randol Mill Road and next to Johnson Creek.

The current plans include walking paths and landscaping in addition to the stone structures. The city and RTKL architects, which prepared the site plan, also received input from Norm Hines, the California-based sculptor who created the monuments.

They used old photos documenting the site as well as a PBS documentary about the original project to help design the new layout.

“It’s magnificent work that we’re very lucky and very fortunate in this city to have,” council member Sheri Capehart said.

Read more in the Dallas Morning News

Arlington Cowboys Stadium Lawsuit over eminent domain

Ex-land owners seek to invalidate lease for new Cowboys stadium

By JEFF MOSIER - The Dallas Morning News - September 11, 2008


FORT WORTH – The owners of some property condemned for the new Dallas Cowboys stadium are seeking to have Arlington's lease with the team invalidated and force the city to reacquire the land.

A lawyer representing the owners of 17 parcels acquired via eminent domain argued in front of an appeals court panel Wednesday morning that the team has too much control over the city-owned stadium. The lawyers involved said that appeals court decisions often take at least several months.

Attorney Bob Cohen said he's not trying to stop work on the $1.1 billion stadium, which opens next year. But he said that a court victory would mean that his clients would go through the condemnation process again, and now property values would likely be higher.

"We'll go from a Prius to a 550 Mercedes," said Clyde Godfrey, who owned 1 ½ acres adjacent to Randol Mill Road.

Mr. Cohen said not only are property values in that area higher, but mineral values weren't a serious consideration a few years ago. Now, Arlington property owners often get $25,000 or more per acre for leasing the rights to drill for natural gas in addition to an average of 25 percent of the royalties.

The city acquired the mineral rights when it purchased and condemned land for the stadium.

Team's authority
Arlington City Attorney Jay Doegey rejected Mr. Cohen's argument that the lease gives the Cowboys too much authority over stadium operations. He said that a lease is essentially a contract giving the tenant exclusive use of a facility.

"It's just like we would do if we had somebody that wanted to lease counter space at our airport or any other kind of city facility," Mr. Doegey said. "If we enter into an agreement to permit someone to use a recreation center, they have the use, the exclusive use of that facility or the part they're renting."

The two sides gave their oral arguments for about 45 minutes Wednesday morning at the 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth. Mr. Cohen filed an appeal in April after Tarrant County Court at Law Judge Vincent Sprinkle ruled in favor of the city.

There are still 20 other pending eminent domain cases related to land acquisition for the stadium. Nearly one-third of the stadium's cost is funded by the city, and rest is paid by the Cowboys.

Mr. Cohen told the judges Wednesday that he didn't dispute that Arlington had the right to build a stadium for the Cowboys. But he said the legal problem is the team has complete control over bookings at the stadium and would receive all revenue generated by it for at least the next 30 years.

He said that the city wouldn't be allowed to use its own property without the permission of the Cowboys.

"Leases that go that far are not allowed," Mr. Cohen said. "That's why we are here."

Specific purpose
He said that the condemnation of his clients' property was based on this contract. If the contract isn't valid, Mr. Cohen argued, then the eminent domain cases must be voided.

Jim Harris, a lawyer with the Dallas-based firm of Thompson & Knight, which was hired by the city, argued that the stadium was built for a specific public purpose permitted by state law. The rights the Cowboys have as the lone tenant don't change that, he said.

Mr. Harris also questioned whether Mr. Cohen's clients have standing to ask for a ruling about the lease.
Read more in the Dallas Morning News

- - -


Arlington landowners fight eminent domain to appeals court
By ANDREA AHLES - Fort Worth Star Telegram

Arlington landowners argued in court Wednesday that the city acted unconstitutionally when it obtained their land through eminent domain for the new Dallas Cowboys stadium.

An attorney for four landowners argued before a three-judge panel in the 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth that the city’s lease with the NFL team is illegal because it is too broad and the city has no control over the new stadium.

"You can’t take [my land] for a private individual like [Dallas Cowboys owner] Jerry Jones," said landowner Walter Herrington after the one-hour hearing.

The landowners are asking the appellate court to overturn previous rulings that allowed the city to take their land for the project. If they succeed, the city could be forced to renegotiate the long-term stadium lease with the Cowboys and the land purchases. A group of 17 lawsuits were heard together Wednesday; twenty additional cases are still pending.

The city argued that it legally obtained the property needed for the stadium project and that Texas’ local government code allows the city to make leases with private entities.

"In our view, there was a take for a very public purpose," said Jim Harris, outside counsel for the city, during his presentation to the court.

To date, the city has spent over $80 million to purchase about 150 parcels of land covering about 200 acres for the stadium. The $1.1 billion stadium is expected to be ready by fall 2009.

"At the end of the day, they are dissatisfied with the amount of money they received," Harris said. "They are not asking for their land back."

For Charlie Scott, who owned 11 parcels where the new Cowboys stadium is being built, the issue is that not all landowners were treated equally by the city during the land acquisition process.

"I have nothing against the Cowboys or Jerry Jones, it was the way it was handled," Scott said. "I want to see the little man treated fairly."

Volunteer Corner

Volunteers are needed to answer the 2-1-1 phones in four hour shifts between 7 am - 11 pm. If you are interested in helping answer the phones to help evacuees, please contact Sue Matkin at smatkin@uwmtc. org or Estela Jimenez at ejimenez@uwmtc. org . Training is provided. The 2-1-1 call center is located in Arlington.

Arlington Organizations wishing to list calls for volunteers on this site:
Send e-mail to dfwrcc@gmail.com.
Put "VOLUNTEERS NEEDED" in subject line.

Youth Auditions for The Little Mermiad

By Theatre Arlington - September 10, 2009Youth Auditions for The Little Mermiad
Saturday, Sept. 20 at Noon

Theatre Arlington is holding open auditions for our youth fall play The Little Mermaid by by Linda Daugherty and based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. This story was made famous by Disney's musical version with Ariel. This play adaptation focuses on the mermaid Pearl and the Sea Witch. Auditions are Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 at noon at Theatre Arlington located at 305 W. Main St. in downtown Arlington.

ABOUT THE SHOW: In the harmonious world under the sea, the little Mermaid dreams of the world above. Cautioned by her sea-bound family and friends and enchanted by the Sea Witch, she ventures forth to find true love and a happy ending with the handsome Prince and learns a few lessons along the way!

Directed by Chelsea Wilson Thayer, we are seeking an ethnically diverse youth cast of 10 boys and 10 girls ages 8 to 18.
The auditions consist of cold readings from the script. Bring a headshot and resume if available. Rehearsals are usually Sunday through Thursday evenings. Some Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will be added closer to opening date. There will be a rehearsal calendar available at auditions. Write down any conflicts you may have.
The Little Mermaid runs Nov. 7-16, 2008. Performances are held at at the Allan Saxe Mainstage at Theatre Arlington. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
For more information, go to www.theatrearlington.org or call Theatre Arlington at 817-261-9628.

Theatre Arlington is located at 305 W. Main St. in downtown Arlington at the corner of West and Main Streets. For information about our 35th Anniversary Season and other information about Theatre Arlington, please visit the Theatre Arlington website.

DFW area receives Gustav Evacuees

DISASTER RELIEF

The Volunteer Center of North Texas is working in collaboration with the American Red Cross, the North Texas Food Bank and The Salvation Army to prepare for a possible mass evacuation as a result of Hurricane Gustav.

As of Saturday, August 30, it has been announced that 4,100 individuals will be evacuated to our area. However, depending on where the hurricane makes landfall, it has been projected that 45,000 people, or more, could evacuate to the DFW Metroplex. Here's how the four organizations will coordinate the response:

• The American Red Cross will manage and oversee shelter operations.

• The Salvation Army will provide meals at all mass shelter locations.

• North Texas Food Bank will provide food for meal preparation.

If you wish to sign up to volunteer as needs arise, please download and fill out an application and email to volunteerme@volunteernorthtexas.org. You will be contacted and scheduled, as needed. For more information, call 1-866-797-8268.

URGENT NEED!

The Volunteer Center is in immediate need of volunteers to help serve meals at shelters that are already open for Hurricane Gustav evacuees. As the evacuation continues, volunteers will be needed for other roles as well. All volunteers must complete a volunteer application form. Volunteers SHOULD NOT go to a shelter expecting to volunteer without prior approval, as every volunteer must pass a criminal background check in order to serve. If you have any questions, please contact the Volunteer Center at 866-797-8268.


The Volunteers of North Texas web site for updates as they become available.

NOTE: The American Red Cross will hold volunteer training this weekend in Dallas and Fort Worth. The trainings will be offered 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at chapter headquarters in both cities. For more information, please visit http://www.redcrossdallas.org/ or call (214.678.4800) OR http://chisholmtrail.redcross.org/ or call (817) 336-8718).






By WFAA - Aug. 31, 2008

FORT WORTH — The City of Fort Worth is preparing to open three more shelters for guests leaving the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Gustav approaches, bringing the total to eight.

Ten buses with evacuees from the New Orleans area were expected to arrive at the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, 5201 C.A. Roberson Boulevard, by 7:30 p.m. From there, they will be dispatched to the following shelter sites:

• Worth Heights, 3551 New York Ave.
• Highland Hills, 1600 Glasgow Road
• Greenbriar, 5200 Hemphill St.
• Handley/Meadowbrook, 6201 Beaty St.
• Eugene McCray, 4932 Wilbarger St.
• Martin Luther King Community Center, 5565 Truman Drive
• North Tri-Ethnic Community Center, 2950 Roosevelt Ave.
• Fire Station Community Center, 1501 Lipscomb.

Pets will be housed at the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Division, 4900 Martin St. Guests can call 817-392-3737 to make sheltering arrangements for their pets. All pets will be microchipped to ensure they are returned to their owners.

Want to help? Contact the Volunteer Center of North Texas at 817-335-9137.

The American Red Cross is welcoming cash donations at this time.

ATTENTION PARENTS: Did your blonde teenage son return home Sat. without his black and white athletic shoe?

By Faith Chatham and Harriet Irby - DFWRCC - Aug. 10, 2008
Several of my friends were in Starbucks in the Tom Thumb at W. Park Row and Bowen Road last night. Late evening shoppers were drifting in and out. Not very much seemed to be going on when one spotted two teen-age boys stuffing boxes of beer under their arms. Seated in view of the check-out lanes, my amigos noted that the lads had not paid for the boxes of lite brew they'd nabbed. Before my friends could say "Hey!", two security guards dashed out of the store in pursuit of the boys.

Approaching the boys, they asked to see their drivers license and receipt. Realizing that they were in serious trouble, the lads dropped the beer, took off running and disappeared from view. One was so scared that he ran so fast that he left his white athletic shoe on the pavement of the Tom Thumb Parking lot.

The boys got away. Cheers and applause from patrons and store employees greeted the security guards as they re-entered the store carrying the beer. Hoots of glee filled the store as another Tom Thumb store employee walked in carrying the black and white athletic shoe and handed it to the manager on duty.

There are several possible morals to this tale.
1. Don't expect boredom when drinking a cup of coffee at Starbuck's after nine.
2. If you steal beer, is lite beer worth it?
3. Don't shoplift if your shoes are untied.
4. Underage drinkers beware in Tom Thumb.
5. Security guards at Tom Thumb have quick reflexes.
6. Saturday night entertainment is sometimes cheaper than a movie!
7. If you're the blonde teenage boy who lost your black and white athletic shoe Saturday night, be prepared for your mom to eye-ball it's mate next time she buys groceries.!

Theatre Arlington Audition Notice

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Click here for more information.

Two Arlington City Councils seats determined in Run-off election

By Faith Chatham - DFWRCC - June 15, 2008
Robert Shephard and Jimmy Bennett were elected to the Arlington City Council At Large seats vacated by Ron Wright and Steve McCollum..

Robert Shepard received 4,994 (65%) votes to Vera McKissic's 2,668 (35%) votes for the Place 6 At-Large Arlington City Council seat.

For the Place 7 Seat of the Arlington City Council, Jimmy Bennett received 4,253 (55%) votes to former AISD School Board member Michael Glaspie's 3,427 (45%) votes.

Both Shephard and Bennett were first-time candidates for public office.

Worker dies at Dallas Cowboys stadium site

By MICHAEL A. LINDENBERGER - The Dallas Morning News - Sunday, June 15, 2008
Just days after three workers were injured in a crane accident at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, an electrician was electrocuted there Saturday while performing tests on some of its wiring.

Timothy Mackinnon, 45, of Arlington was standing on a ladder when he touched a high-voltage line in the ceiling of the stadium's concourse level, said Neal Strasser, a battalion chief with the Arlington Fire Department.

Mr. Mackinnon, a journeyman electrician, was knocked off his feet but became wedged between the ladder and the stadium wall, where he hung until a co-worker spotted him and carried him to the ground, Chief Strasser said.

"When we arrived, one of his co-workers was already performing CPR," Chief Strasser said. "We took over and began performing advanced life-saving efforts. They performed CPR on him all the way to Arlington Memorial Hospital."

The Tarrant County medical examiner's Web site confirmed Mr. Mackinnon's death Saturday afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at noon. Officials said the accident occurred around 11 a.m. The Fire Department received a call by 11:05 a.m. and arrived within five minutes.

The Cowboys issued a statement Saturday from the stadium's general contractor, Manhattan Construction, that said it and JMEG Electric, the subcontractor for whom Mr. Mackinnon worked, are cooperating with investigations by police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Chief Strasser said construction continued at the stadium after the electrocution. "They were still working as we were walking out," Chief Strasser said. "The workers were visibly upset."

The stadium site has already been under scrutiny, following a crane accident on Thursday afternoon. That day, a crane connector "failed," prompting cables and other parts to fall.

Three workers leapt off a nearby crane to avoid being hit and were injured in the 10- to 12-foot fall. All three were taken to area hospitals, though two have been released. The third, Wesley Harlow, remains in Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. Hospital spokeswoman Susan Hall said Saturday evening that he is in serious condition.

More than 170 injuries – mostly minor – have occurred at the stadium site, where about 1,400 workers are engaged each day.

Two other high-profile accidents have happened during construction of the $1.1 billion stadium, which is scheduled to open for the Cowboys' 2009 season. A construction worker was injured in August when crane cables struck him in the back while on an upper deck of the new stadium. In January 2007, another worker fell 20 feet from scaffolding onto the field.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Here are construction accidents at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium:

January 2007: A worker was injured when he fell 20 feet from scaffolding onto the field.

August 2007: A construction worker was injured when crane cables struck him in the back.

Thursday: Three construction workers were injured, one critically, when they jumped off a crane cab to avoid equipment falling from another crane. Wesley Harlow, one of the injured workers, was in serious condition Saturday.

Saturday: An electrician testing an electrical wire died when he touched the high-voltage line.

Stand With Hillary Rally Saturday, May 17th in Pantego

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Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau names new Executive Director

Fort Worth Star Telegram - Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors announced Tuesday the hiring of Jay Burress to helm the destination marketing organization during its next phase of growth. He was most recently Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, and will begin his new duties on June 2.
Jay Burress, 43, has been named the new chief executive of the Arlington CVB after working 20 years for the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. Burress signed a three-year contract and will be paid $155,000 annually.


The Arlington CVB has been without an executive since Linda DiMario stepped down in December. Former Fort Worth CVB director Doug Harman has led the bureau while it searched for a new leader.

In an interview with the Star-Telegram on Monday, Burress said he was excited to lead the city’s efforts to promote its attractions like Six Flags, the new Dallas Cowboys stadium and the town center project, Glorypark. Although he lives in Dallas, Burress said he is planning to move to Arlington with his wife, Jill, and three young children.

Read more in the

Fort Worth Star Telegram

Homeowners near Dallas Cowboys stadium seek an exit from a parking lot-to-be

By ANDREA AHLES - Star-Telegram Staff Writer - Mon, May. 05, 2008

When Chris Cavanaugh moved into his house nearly two years ago, he expected to live on a tree-lined street lined with single-family homes in Arlington.

But in about a year, Cavanaugh's house may be surrounded by a parking lot.

Cavanaugh, who lives less than a block from the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, is one of a handful of residents on Web and Slaughter streets who have not sold their property to the NFL team. More than a dozen have already sold their property to a team executive who then transferred the land to a company run by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

The remaining residents say they are increasingly worried that the team will simply build the parking lot around them if they are unable to reach an agreement to sell -- and that when the lot opens, they'll be disturbed by rowdy tailgaters and drunk concertgoers.

"I'm perfectly happy living here, but it's changing around the neighborhood," Cavanaugh said. "It's not going to be a residential area anymore, and I don't want to live next to a parking lot."

Cavanaugh is caught in the middle: As a firefighter, he was able to buy his home for half-price as part of a Housing and Urban Development program that requires him to live in the house for at least three years. If he sells, he will owe the government tens of thousands of dollars.

Other holdouts say they haven't been offered enough to cover their costs and the inconvenience of buying another home.

Plans for the area

In February, Dallas Cowboys executive Jud Heflin sold more than a dozen parcels on Web Street and Randol Mill Road to a firm headed by the Jones family.

The team said the land will be used as a parking lot for the new stadium.

That news led adjacent residents to wonder whether the city of Arlington might use eminent domain to force them to sell to the Cowboys.

Deputy City Manager Trey Yelverton said the city has no plans to use eminent domain to acquire these houses for the stadium project.

"As far as the city acquiring additional property, the answer is no," Yelverton said. "We've already identified what we need for the stadium."

The stadium project contains about 12,000 parking spaces for the 80,000-seat stadium, scheduled to open in 2009.

The homes on Web Street that have been purchased are being rented out, and nothing has been bulldozed for the parking lot. Cowboys spokesman Brett Daniels confirmed that the team plans to build the parking lot around parcels that the Jones firm does not currently own.

"I can't speculate as to what may take place in the future, but I can say that we are not currently in negotiations for any additional parcels," Daniels said.

Last year, Arlington passed an ordinance that prevents the creation of new commercial parking lots in the city. However, the team could petition the city to earmark the property as part of the stadium project, which would allow parking lot construction. The City Council would have the final say.

Suspicious activities

The Whalens had lived in the 900 block of Web Street for more than 21 years and had every intention of staying in their home for the rest of their lives.

But Bill Biesel, a real estate agent who has been negotiating land terms in the area for Heflin, began contacting them in August 2006. Over the next year, he would repeatedly stop by the house unannounced; he also left phone messages, sometimes weekly, Connie Whalen said.

"He kept calling and coming around ... he was very persistent," said Whalen, adding that several sale contracts were slipped under her door. "He said, 'You're not going to want to live here because of the construction and when 2009 comes, it will be horrible.'"

Shanna Medrano was also approached by Biesel in 2006 about her property in the 400 block of Slaughter Street, which abuts the former Bethel Baptist Church site, bought by the Cowboys that year. Biesel's initial offer was $105,000 for her property, which is valued by the Tarrant Appraisal District at $71,500.

"He also had attached an addendum saying we had to pay his 6 percent commission and I laughed in his face," said Medrano, adding that the offer isn't enough for her to pay off her mortgage and relocate her family of six to a new house.

Medrano said she didn't hear from the agent again until January.

Then one day this spring, she noticed a surveyor in her front yard.

"He said he had been called by the Dallas Cowboys to survey the property for a parking lot," Medrano said.

Rise in crime

Cavanaugh had not seriously considered selling his house until the break-ins occurred. Between May and December last year, his house was burglarized four times.

During one of the incidents, the robbers spent the night in his house and drank his beer while Cavanaugh was working an overnight shift. The results of the police investigations were inconclusive but Cavanaugh said he feels it is partly related to the stadium construction.

"It's definitely not a coincidence in my opinion," said Cavanaugh, adding that a Heflin employee who has been maintaining the rental houses approached him about selling after the initial break-in. "He came up after the first time and said, 'It's just going to get worse and I know somebody that wants to buy these homes.'"

The multiple burglaries at Cavanaugh's house are partly what led the Whalens to agree to sell their house in August 2007.

"After the break-ins my husband started worrying about me and I think that was a big part of the decision," said Whalen, adding the only crime she had experienced in the neighborhood was when her lawnmower was stolen 15 years ago.

Looking ahead

Medrano has listed her house with a Re/Max real estate agent for $350,000; in the past two weeks. she has gotten another call from Biesel.

"I want to get out of here," Medrano said. "It's not going to get any safer here if you build a parking lot. You're going to have car break-ins and you're going to have people tailgating and getting drunk. That is not a safe environment for my kids."

Cavanaugh says he has no choice but to stay in his house. He will fulfill his deal with HUD in October 2009.

"I'm to the point now, if we had a decent offer I'd probably take it, but it would have to get me out of my contract with HUD," he said. "I don't want to get stuck with a worthless home next to a parking lot."

[A real estate agent] kept calling and coming around ... he was very persistent. He said, 'You're not going to want to live here because of the construction and when 2009 comes, it will be horrible.'

What's next

Several steps will need to be taken before the Dallas Cowboys can build a parking lot as planned next to their new stadium in Arlington.

A Cowboys executive has bought a number of homes adjacent to the stadium project and sold the land to a company owned by Jerry Jones. Several homeowners have not yet agreed to sell.

The team could petition the city to include the newly purchased property, which is more than 10 acres, as part of the stadium project.

If the property is included, the team could then build a parking lot on the property.

read more in the Fort Worth Star Telegram

The Visiting Nurse Association of Tarrant County will be conducting a grief recovery workshop called “Good Grief” for adults who have experienced the

By Robert Smith - April 2008

The Visiting Nurse Association of Tarrant County will be conducting a grief recovery workshop called “Good Grief” for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The workshop will be held Monday, May 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Visiting Nurse Association of Tarrant County office on 6300 Ridglea Place, Suite 801 in Fort Worth. Information and support will be provided on topics that include common grief experiences, coping with grief, myths about grief, and resources for help. There is no cost to attend the “Good Grief” workshop. Reservations can be made by contacting Sue Rafferty, VNA Manager of Hospice Bereavement Services, at 214-689-2922, 1-800-442-4490 extension 2922, or rafferts@vnatexas.org.

Study finds pharmaceutical drugs in tap water - Tiny amounts found in Arlington, other cities; experts differ on effects

By Jeff Donn, Martha Mendoza and Justin Pritchard -Associated Press - Monday, March 10, 2008
A vast array of pharmaceuticals – including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones – have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows.

The concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose.

Utilities insist their water is safe.

But the presence of so many prescription drugs – and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen – in so much of our drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human health.

In the course of a five-month inquiry, the AP discovered that drugs have been detected in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas.

Several Texas cities were included in the study. Dallas officials said the results of drug screenings are not complete. Five drugs were found in Arlington water, but officials would not identify them, citing security concerns. Austin officials said tests there were negative and Houston doesn't test for drugs.

The drugs get into the water through human waste. When people take medicine only some of it is absorbed by their bodies. The rest passes through and is flushed down the toilet. It is treated at least twice before it reaches consumers, but most treatments do not remove all drug residue.


Resistant to treatment

Some drugs, including widely used cholesterol fighters, tranquilizers and anti-epileptic medications, resist modern drinking water and wastewater treatment processes. Plus, the Environmental Protection Agency says there are no sewage treatment systems specifically engineered to remove pharmaceuticals.

"We recognize it is a growing concern, and we're taking it very seriously," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water.

The federal government doesn't require testing and hasn't set safety limits for drugs in water. Of the 62 major water providers contacted, the drinking water for only 28 was tested.

Some providers screen only for one or two pharmaceuticals, leaving open the possibility that others are present.

In several cases, officials at municipal or regional water providers told the AP that pharmaceuticals had not been detected, but the AP obtained the results of tests conducted by independent researchers that showed otherwise.


Smaller providers

The AP also contacted 52 small water providers – one in each state, and two each in Missouri and Texas – that serve communities with populations about 25,000. All but one said their drinking water had not been screened for pharmaceuticals.

Even users of bottled water and home filtration systems don't necessarily avoid exposure. Bottlers, some of which simply repackage tap water, do not typically treat or test for pharmaceuticals, according to the industry's main trade group. The same goes for the makers of home filtration systems.

The problem isn't confined to surface water. Pharmaceuticals also permeate aquifers deep underground, the source of 40 percent of the nation's water supply. Federal scientists who drew water in 24 states from aquifers near contaminant sources such as landfills and animal feed lots found minuscule levels of hormones, antibiotics and other drugs.

Pharmaceutical industry officials say the contamination is not a problem.

"Based on what we now know, I would say we find there's little or no risk from pharmaceuticals in the environment to human health," said microbiologist Thomas White, a consultant for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

"There's no doubt about it, pharmaceuticals are being detected in the environment, and there is genuine concern that these compounds, in the small concentrations that they're at, could be causing impacts to human health or to aquatic organisms."

Arlington won't identify pharmaceutical drug found in city's water

By JEFF MOSIER - The Dallas Morning News - Monday, March 10, 2008
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck said he would not name the lone pharmaceutical chemical found in the city’s drinking water but added that recent tests indicated it was present in the parts per trillion range.

He said that chemical is not a danger in such small concentrations.
The mayor said he authorized the test – which is not required – after reading a medical journal article a few months ago mentioning that Prozac and other drugs were found in some water supplies.

Arlington’s testing was revealed Monday in an Associated Press story, which reported that pharmaceutical drugs in minute concentrations were found in drinking water nationwide.

Dr. Cluck declined to reveal the name of the drug found after water was treated or the five drugs found in pretreatment for security reasons. He said he did not want to reveal what drugs were or were not being effectively eliminated from Arlington’s drinking water.

Dr. Cluck did say that Prozac was not one of chemicals discovered in the testing.

Read more in the Dallas Morning News

Experts says risks from drugs in Arlington drinking water is low

By Jake Batsell - WFAA - Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A recent Associated Press investigation found that pharmaceuticals were detected in tap water supplies of at least 41 million Americans.

While utilities maintain that their water is safe, follow-up questions were posed to two experts: Purnendu "Sandy" Dasgupta, chairman of the department of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Texas at Arlington, and Alicia Diehl, team leader in the public drinking water section at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in Austin.

What can or should consumers do to protect themselves from pharmaceuticals in water?

Dr. Diehl: The least expensive, most effective method to remove organic chemicals from water for home use is with a carbon filter, such as a Brita filter or equivalent.

Dr. Dasgupta: The present state of knowledge we have is very sketchy. One must understand that present instruments can detect very minute quantities of substances, and all the results I have seen to date for U.S. drinking water do not indicate that the levels are enough to be of concern.

Do we know if bottled water is any safer?

Dr. Diehl: No. If anything, more questions arise with bottled water, since plasticizers may leach out of plastic into the bottled water.

Dr. Dasgupta: Some bottled water is just municipal tap water from some place. That's clearly not any better. Others are ultraviolet-sterilized. Such a step will degrade most pharmaceuticals.

Does it appear that new regulations might be necessary to keep pharmaceuticals out of drinking water?

Dr. Diehl: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will consider regulating pharmaceuticals or other chemicals of human origin using their standard scientific protocol. This involves determining whether the chemicals occur frequently enough to be of nationwide concern, and scientifically determining what levels of the chemicals may cause an adverse health effect. Based on this protocol, EPA will make a decision to regulate or not regulate these chemicals.

Dr. Dasgupta: A few pharmaceuticals are already on the EPA's unregulated contaminant monitoring list. If the levels approach anywhere near those of concern, obviously they will need to be regulated.

What kinds of research might shed more light on the nature of this risk?

Dr. Diehl: The EPA will review human epidemiological data and animal studies in determining the risk to human health.

Dr. Dasgupta: Standard toxicologic lifecycle studies at low levels of drugs on organisms and aquatic life, and routine monitoring.

Do we know how this risk might compare to other environmental health risks?

Dr. Diehl: At this point, the risk is not quantifiable. Therefore it is not possible to compare it with other risks – either from the environment or from drinking water.


Dr. Dasgupta: My personal opinion is that it is relatively low. We do not do as much water recycling as some places in Europe, and in general these levels are too low to be of concern. I have not seen the latest results on the Dallas-Fort Worth drinking water area. I would be far more concerned if our water was not properly disinfected.

See more at WFAA

Bill stumps for Hillary in Arlington

By Faith Chatham - DFWRCC - Feb. 25, 2008
Several thousand North Texans turned out with little advance notice to hear former President Bill Clinton address the public at a Get our the Vote Rally in Vandergriff Park in Arlington Sunday morning.


PHOTO BY BRENDA MARTINEZ copyright 2008

President Clinton was introduced by Tarrant County Constable Sergio de Leon (pictured below), who President Clinton said he'd known in Arkansas. The president said: "I've known him since he was a little boy." He told the crowds: "I'm so proud of him. I have watched him grow up!"


PHOTO BY BRENDA MARTINEZ copyright 2008


PHOTO BY BRENDA MARTINEZ copyright 2008


PHOTO BY BRENDA MARTINEZ copyright 2008

PHOTO BY BRENDA MARTINEZ copyright 2008
Faith Chatham, co-founder of DFW Regional Concerned Citizens, discusses NAFTA and toll roads with President Clinton. He said NAFTA hasn't turned out like we intended. We need to revise it. He was surprised when she told him that there are plans to build 675 miles of toll roads in the DFW Metroplex alone. He wanted to know "Why? and "Who's puahing it?"

By ANNA M. TINSLEY - Fort Worth Star Telegram - Sun. Feb. 24, 2008

ARLINGTON -- Nancy Taylor was cold, but she didn't care.

She stood for more than three hours in frigid weather just to try to see former President Clinton, in town campaigning for his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.

"I wanted to support Hillary Clinton," said Taylor, who drove in from Irving and arrived at Vandergriff Park around 6 a.m. "She’s the best person. She's got the love for this country and hopefully the people are behind her."

Bill Clinton stood in the bed of a white Ford truck to talk to about 2,000 North Texans who huddled together, waving "Hillary for President" signs, during an early vote rally Sunday morning.

In asking voters to cast ballots early or on Election Day, as well as show up for precinct conventions on election night, Clinton said this is the rare time Texans can vote twice -- legally.

"You can vote on two different days, maybe that will reduce the guilt," Clinton joked.

He did say it's appropriate that Texas will play a key role in Hillary Clinton’s presidential run.

"If she wins in Texas and Ohio, I believe she'll have a great victory and we'll go on and win this," Bill Clinton said. "It's all together appropriate that her fate should be decided in Texas because her first job [was to register voters] here."

Clinton, in a 30 minute speech, touched on some of his wife's key campaign issues, including her desire to pull troops out of Iraq, universal health care, boosting the economy and improving the education system.

He said he knows he's biased but that he'd be campaigning as vigilantly for his wife even if they had never married.

"I think she's the best candidate I ever put eyes on in my life," he said. "This is only the third election she has ever run in, but she’s been a change maker all her life."

During the event, people waved signs -- "The Clinton years allowed my mother to stay home and raise me," "Don’t fall for the Obama hype, vote for Hillary," and "Made for a Woman."

Local officials, including Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck and Tarrant County Constable Sergio DeLeon were on hand to greet and introduce Clinton to the crowd.

DeLeon asked the crowd if they were ready to make Tarrant County "Clinton country," and he mentioned the new stadium and the fact that the Dallas Cowboys will soon be located in Arlington.

"It would be great to have President Hillary Clinton do the coin toss at the Super Bowl here," DeLeon told the crowd.

...

ARLINGTON-AREA CANDIDATE FILINGS

By Fort Worth Star Telegram - Feb. 25, 2008
These are the candidates who have filed to run in the Arlington-area May 10 municipal and school board elections.

Arlington City Council

Term: two years

Pay: $200 per month

Who's filed

District 1: Mel LeBlanc (i), 57, medical salesman, real estate investor

District 2: Sheri Capehart (i), 59, retired computer security analyst; Don Faram, 65, retired air traffic controller

District 6: Dennis Hackler, 51, retired federal loan officer; Robert Shepard, 49, attorney

District 7: Jimmy Bennett, 47, certified public accountant; Michael Glaspie, 61, minister

Applications: City Hall, 101 W. Abram St. or go to the city's Web site, www.arlingtontx.gov, and click on "May 10 Election."

Arlington school board

Term: three years

Pay: none

Who's filed:

Place 6: Carla Crow, 48, homemaker/volunteer; Roger DeFrang, 61, sales management; Bowie Hogg, 29, healthcare insurance executive

Place 7: Wayne Ogle (i), 45, insurance executive

Place 2, unexpired term: Peter Baron, 60, teacher; Alisa Simmons, 44, public relations manager/volunteer

Applications: School district administration building, 1203 W. Pioneer Parkway

Mansfield City Council

Term: three years

Pay: None

Who's filed

Mayor: David Cook, 37, attorney; Robert McDowell, 21, self-employed lawn care serviceman

Place 6: Marvin Kahlden, 60, electrical contractor

Place 7: Larry Broseh (i) 53, owner of an aerospace components manufacturing company.

Applications: 1201 E. Broad St.

Mansfield school board

Term: three years

Pay: None

Who's filed

Place 6: Gale Moericke (i), 48, information systems

Place 7: Mike Leasor (i), 45, attorney

Applications: 605 E. Broad St.

Dalworthington Gardens City Council

Term: two years

Pay: None

Who's filed

Mayor: Michael Tedder (i), 39, chief financial officer

Place 1: Mike Pettke (i), 52, certified public accountant

Place 2: Guy Snodgrass (i), 59, airline captain; Cathy Stein, 48, tutor

Applications: 2600 Roosevelt Drive

Kennedale City Council

Term: two years

Pay: $10 per meeting

Who's filed:

Mayor: Bryan Lankhorst (i), 50, real estate agent

Place 2: David Green (i), 39

Place 4: Kelly Turner, 41, fire training officer

Applications: 405 Municipal Drive

Kennedale school board

Term: three years

Pay: none

Who's filed

At-large (2 seats): Lori Glover (i), 53, physician

Applications: 120 W. Kennedale Parkway

Pantego Town Council

Term: two years

Pay: None

Who's filed

Place 2: Nancy Tice (i), 64, retired customer service associate

Place 3: Melody Paradise, 47, paralegal/business administrator

Applications: 1614 S. Bowen Road

More Democrats vote at all five Arlington Voting Sites on First Five Days of Early Voting

By Faith Chatham - DFWRCC - Feb. 24, 2008

In Arlington, Democratic voters outnumbered Republican voters at all five polling places for each of the first five days of Early Voting. Countywide, over twice the number of Democrats voted early or by mail than Republicans.


In Arlington this year, larger numbers of Democrats are voting than Republicans. Democratic turnout at the five Arlington early voting sites exceeded Republican turnout for the first time in decades. In Arlington, known as a "Republican stronghold", 1033 votes were cast the first day of Early Voting in the Democratic primary while only 496 Republican votes were cast.
County wide, 5,733 Democrats voted early the first day; 2,606 Republicans voted early in Tarrant County on Tuesday.

On Wednesday Feb. 20, in Arlington, 1112 Democrats voted early; 463 Republicans voted early at the five early voting sites in Arlington.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, in Arlington, 846 Democrats voted early; 421 Republicans voted Thursday in Arlington.

On Friday, Feb. 22, in Arlington, 1,164 Democrats voted early; 557 Republicans voted early Friday in Arlington.

On Saturday, Feb. 23, in Arlington, 1,259 Democrats voted early; 431 Republicans voted early Friday in Arlington.

During the first five days of early voting in Arlington, 2,423 Democrats voted early and 988 Republicans voted early in Arlington during the first five days of early voting.

TARRANT COUNTY

County Wide on Tuesday Feb. 19, 5,732 Democrats voted and 2,607 Republicans voted.
County Wide on Wednedsay Feb. 20, 5,602 Democrats voted and 2,583 Republicans voted.
County Wide on Thursday, Feb. 21, 4,554 Democrats voted and 2,204 Republicans voted.
Wednesday. 5603 Democrats voted early and 2583 Republicans cast early ballots.
County Wide on Friday, Feb. 22, 5,992 Democrats voted and 2,985 Republicans voted early.
County Wide on Saturday, Feb. 23, 6,979 Democrats cast early ballots and 2,514 Republicans voted early.


During the first three days of Early Voting this year in Tarrant County 15,888 Democrats voted early and 7,394 Republicans voted early.

MAIL BALLOTS

By the second day of early voting, Tarrant County Elections reported a total of 2,146Democratic Primary mail ballots had been received and 1,982 Democratic Primary Vote by Mail ballots were still unvoted; 536 Republican Primary voters have returned Vote by Mail Ballots; 849 Republican Vote by Mail ballots remained to be voted at the close of the second day of Early Voting.
By Saturday, Feb. 23rd, 2,579 Democratic Vote by Mail Ballots had been returned and 893 Democratic Vote By Mail Ballots remained unvoted; 714 Republican Vote By Mail Ballots had been returned by Thursday and 888 Republican Vote By Mail Ballots remianed out and unvoted.

Democrats outpaced Republicans at the polls in Tarrant County on each of the first five days of Early Voting. Arlington, formerly thought of my many as a Red city, and discounted by most national Democratic campaigns as too expensive to work and too Republican to merit expenditure of resources, continues to turn out over two Democratic voters for every Republican. Democratic turnout has attracted the Presidential Campaigns. Chelsea Clinton appeared at UTA earlier this month. Her father, President Bill Clinton, will be 'stumpin'' for his wife at a rally this morning, (Sunday, Feb. 24) from 9:30-noon at Vandergriff Park. Arlington, noted as a city with a large number of Republican donors, has attracted Republican Presidential candidates in past years and some statewide Democratic candidates. This year, instead of fundraisers, the campaigns are holding rallies open to the public. Retail politics has arrived in Arlington


COMPARISON OF TARRANT COUNTY EARLY VOTERS BY DAY
FOR LAST THREE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS


DAY 1 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 372 - Republican Voters: 1,558
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 396 - Republican Voters: 286
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,732 - Republican Voters: 2,607

DAY 2 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 558 - Republican Voters:2,518
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 464 - Republican Voters: 387
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,602 - Republican Voters: 2,583

DAY 3 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 713 - Republican Voters: 3,319
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 591 - Republican Voters: 496
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 4,554 - Republican Voters: 2,204

DAY 4 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 983 - Republican Voters: 4,665
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 610 - Republican Voters: 538
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,992 - Republican Voters: 2,985

DAY 5 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 1,205 - Republican Voters: 5,788
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 542 - Republican Voters: 372
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 6,979 - Republican Voters: 2,514



SOURCE: Tarrant County Election 3-4-2008 Primary Elections Combined Early Voting posted Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008

President Bill Clinton scheduled Sunday, Feb. 24 in Arlington

Join President Bill Clinton for an "Early Vote Rally" in Arlington!
Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
at Vandergriff Park
2800 South Center Street
Arlington, TX 76014
General Area: Near the Bob Duncan Community Center (an early voting site).

(This park is between I-20 and Pioneer Parkway. There is also an entrance on Matlock Road.)

Vote early for Hillary and then join President Bill Clinton for a rally in Arlington! Voting for Hillary early takes us one step closer to getting our country back on track. To find the early vote location nearest you.
For more information see website:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/action/txearlyvote/

Host: Texas For Hillary

democrats continue to outpace Republicans at Arlington Early Voting Sites

By Faith Chatham - DFWRCC - Feb. 22, 2008

On the third day of Early Voting, all Tarrant County voting sites except two reported more Democratic Voters than Republican Primary Voters.
At Benbrook City Hall 104 Republicans voted early on Thursday and 98 Democrats voted early. At Nance Elementary 16 Republicans voted early and 10 Democrats voted early. A significant number more Democrats than Republicans voted Thursday at all other Tarrant County Early Voting sites.

County wide, 5,733 Democrats voted early on Tuesday while only 2,605 Repubicans voted early. This year both parties in Tarrant County have exceeded the number of voters participating in their primaries during the first and second days of early voting in the 2000 and 2004 Primaries. On the third day, Republican turn-out was less than in 2000; Democratic turnout on the Third Day in Tarrant County this year is over 6 1/2 times greater than 2000 Day three turnout and over 7 1/2 times greater than in the 2004 Presidential Democratic Primary.

In Arlington this year, larger numbers of Democrats are voting than Republicans. Democratic turnout at the five Arlington early voting sites exceeded Republican turnout for the first time in decades. In Arlington, known as a "Republican stronghold", 1033 votes were cast the first day of Early Voting in the Democratic primary while only 496 Republican votes were cast.
County wide, 5,733 Democrats voted early the first day; 2,606 Republicans voted early in Tarrant County on Tuesday.

On Wednesday Feb. 20, in Arlington, 1112 Democrats voted early; 463 Republicans voted early at the five early voting sites in Arlington.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, in Arlington, 846 Democrats voted early; 421 Republicans voted Thursday in Arlington.

County Wide on Tuesday Feb. 19, 5,732 Democrats voted and 2,607 Republicans voted.
County Wide on Wednedsay Feb. 20, 5,602 Democrats voted and 2,583 Republicans voted.
County Wide on Thursday, Feb. 21, 4,554 Democrats voted and 2,204 Republicans voted.
Wednesday. 5603 Democrats voted early; 2583 Republicans cast early ballots.

During the first three days of Early Voting this year in Tarrant County 15,888 Democrats voted early and 7,394 Republicans voted early.

MAIL BALLOTS

By the second day of early voting, Tarrant County Elections reported a total of 2,146Democratic Primary mail ballots had been received and 1,982 Democratic Primary Vote by Mail ballots were still unvoted; 536 Republican Primary voters have returned Vote by Mail Ballots; 849 Republican Vote by Mail ballots remained to be voted at the close of the second day of Early Voting.
By Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2,324 Democratic Vote by Mail Ballots had been returned and 1,935 Democratic Vote By Mail Ballots remained unvoted; 584 Republican Vote By Mail Ballots had been returned by Thursday and 856 Republican Vote By Mail Ballots remianed out and unvoted.

At the close of the third day of early voting 15,888 Democrats had voted early (in person and by mail) and 7,394 Republicans had voted early. In Tarrant County on each of the first three days of early voting, over twice the number of Democrats cast early votes than Republicans.

In 2000 in Tarrant County more Republicans voted early than Democrats during the first three days of Early Voting; In 2004 more Democrats voted early during the first three days of early voting than Republicans. However, this year a much higher percentage of Democrats are voting early than in 2004.


DAY 1 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 372 - Republican Voters: 1,558
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 396 - Republican Voters: 286
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,732 - Republican Voters: 2,607

DAY 2 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 558 - Republican Voters:2,518
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 464 - Republican Voters: 387
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,602 - Republican Voters: 2,583

DAY 3 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 713 - Republican Voters: 3,319
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 591 - Republican Voters: 496
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 4,554 - Republican Voters: 2,204

SOURCE: Tarrant County Election 3-4-2008 Primary Elections Combined Early Voting posted Friday, Feb. 22, 2008

Arlington Democrats outnumber Republicans at Early Voting

By Faith Chatham - DFWRCC - Feb. 21, 2008 - Updated Feb. 22, 2008
More Democrats cast early ballots during the first day of early voting at every Tarrant County early voting site. Democratic Primary voters exceeded the the number of Republicans voting even at sites which normally draw more Republican early primary voters than Democrats. County wide 5733 Democrats voted early on Tuesday while only 2605 Repubicans voted early.

Both parties have exceeded the number of voters participating in their primaries during the first and second days of early voting in the 2000 and 2004 Primaries. This year, larger numbers of Democrats are voting than Republicans.

Democratic turnout at the five Arlington early voting sites exceeded Republican turnout for the first time in decades. In Arlington, known as a "Republican stronghold", 1033 votes were cast the first day of Early Voting in the Democratic primary while only 496 Republican votes were cast. County wide, 5,733 Democrats voted early the first day; 2,606 Republicans voted early in Tarrant County on Tuesday.

Heavy Democratic voting trends continued on the second day of Early Voting with Democratic voters exceeded the number of Republican Primary voters at all Tarrant County Early Voting sites. On Wednesday Feb. 20, 5603 Democrats voted early; 2583 Republicans cast early ballots. During the first two days of early voting 11,336 Democrats voted early and 5189 Republicans voted early.

By the second day of early voting, Tarrant County Elections reported a total of 2,146Democratic Primary mail ballots had been received and 1,982 Democratic Primary Vote by Mail ballots were still unvoted; 536 Republican Primary voters have returned Vote by Mail Ballots; 849 Republican Vote by Mail ballots remained to be voted at the close of the second day of Early Voting.

At the close of the second day of early voting 15,464 Democrats had voted early (in person and by mail) and 6,574 Republicans had voted early. Democratic voters still have over twice the number of VOTE BY MAIL Ballots out than Republican Primary Voters.

Tarrant County Elections reports show early voting sties in Arlington, noted as a predominately Republican voting city, registered consistently high Democratic turnout at all five early voting sites during both of the first two days of Early voting. At Bob Duncan Community Center 550 Democratics voted; 204 Republicans voted. At Arlington City Hall 504 Democrats voted early; 225 Republican voted early. At Elzie Odum Recreation Center 325 Democrats voted early; 128 Republicans voted early. At the Arlington Fire Training Center 185 Democrats voted early; 113 Republicans voted early. At the South Service Center 581 Democrats voted early; 288 Republicans voted early.

In 2000 in Tarrant County more Republicans voted early than Democrats during the first two days of Early Voting; In 2004 more Democrats voted early during the first two days of early voting than Republicans. However, this year a much higher percentage of Democrats are voting early than in 2004.

DAY 1 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 372 - Republican Voters: 105
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 464 - Republican Voters: 387
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,733 - Republican Voters: 2,606

DAY 2 EARLY VOTING
Tarrant County - 2000:
Democratic Voters: 558 - Republican Voters: 2,519
Tarrant County - 2004:
Democratic Voters: 372 - Republican Voters: 105
Tarrant County - 2008:
Democratic Voters: 5,603 - Republican Voters: 2.583

Tx RR Commission Candidate - Dale Henry: Protecting state's water a priority

By RANDY ROSS - Longview News-Journal - Friday, February 08, 2008

Protecting the waters of Texas is a priority for Dale Henry.

The 76-year-old Democratic candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission said the production of oil and gas in Texas does not matter if the industry destroys Texas' natural water sources.

"We have to stop wasting and contaminating our water," Henry said.

Henry faces Art Hall of San Antonio and Mark Thompson of Hamilton in the Democratic primary election on March 4.

Henry has more than 40 years of experience working in the oil and natural gas fields in the United States and abroad, according to his campaign Web site. He has a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

"I've been hands-on from the top to the bottom," Henry said. "I more or less speak the language of the oilfield."

The Railroad Commission is the state agency that regulates the oil and gas industry, gas utilities, pipeline safety, safety in the liquefied petroleum gas industry and the surface mining of coal. Established by the Legislature in 1891, the commission is the state's oldest regulatory agency, according to the agency's Web site.

The self-described environmentalist from Lampasas is a former city manager and county commissioner. He also founded 4 Arrows, the first cementing service company contracted by the railroad commission.

Henry said his experience in the oil and gas industry make him an ideal candidate for the commission. He said he knows the commission's rules and regulations from working as a contractor, and he would be able to begin working on his first day.

The oil and gas industry has a strong economic impact on the state, he said. That impact has come at a cost to the public, he said.

Henry said the commission has for many years considered the economics of the industry more important than public safety. He said that philosophy has changed in recent years, but it needs to continue to change. He said the commission must consider what is in the public's best interest.

"Environmentally, we have a problem," Henry said.

He said companies often cut corners when installing casing in wells to save money. As time erodes sealing and concrete shifts, water begins flowing and drawing out contaminants.

By forcing companies to install casing properly, Henry said companies would save more money in the long-term by avoiding remedial and repair work.

"These are serious matters," Henry said.

Attempts to reach Republican incumbent Michael Williams for comment were unsuccessful Thursday.

Read more in the Longview News-Journal

Adopting a pet will get more expensive

By SUSAN SCHROCK - Star-Telegram staff writer - Sun, Feb. 10, 2008

ARLINGTON -- Pet adoption rates at the animal shelter will increase after the city hires a veterinarian to perform procedures at the shelter.

In some cases, adoption fees would more than double from the current $60 fee. The higher rates cover the cost of new services that the city will provide, such as spaying or neutering, rabies vaccinations and more medical screenings. The city hopes to hire a full-time veterinarian before the April 23 opening of the new animal shelter in southeast Arlington.

The current adoption fee covers only core vaccinations, microchipping, a city license and a discount coupon for spaying or neutering. The new fees will be comparable to what other large cities, such as Dallas, charge for pet adoption, city officials said.

Other animal fees, such as pet registration, have increased already to help pay operating costs for the city's new shelter, which will be near the Tails 'N Trails dog park in the 900 block of Southeast Green Oaks Boulevard. For example, it will now cost $7 to register sterilized pets and $12 to register unaltered pets. Dogs and cats are required to be licensed annually in Arlington.

Arlington animal shelter

Location: 5920 W. Pioneer Parkway

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Information: www.arlingtontx.gov/animals, 817-451-3436

Fee increases

Arlington plans to raise its animal adoption fees, possibly by next month.


Proposed adoption fee Increase from current $60 fee
Female dog under 50 pounds $103 72%
Female dog 50-80 pounds $108 80%
Female dog 80-100 pounds $113 88%
Female dog over 100 pounds $133 122%
Male dog under 50 pounds $93 55%
Male dog 50-100 pounds $103 72%
Male dog over 100 pounds $123 105%
Female cat $93 55%
Male cat $83 38%