Zoo recognizes summer volunteers-08.06.07

Brownsville, Texas—After dedicating two months to the Gladys Porter Zoo, 46 summer volunteers on Friday were recognized for their help.
“This is something that’s going to help them in the future,” said the zoo’s Education Curator Sergio Garcia.
For approximately 20 years, the Summer Teen Program has been giving teens between the eighth and 12th grades the opportunity to learn more about animals.
“They’re doing things here you wouldn’t even expect them to do at home,” Garcia said.
The volunteers shadow keepers and help clean and care for the animals.
“One time we were cleaning out a squirrel cage, when she flew out. It took a lot to get her back inside,” said 16-year-old Alex Sanchez.
Sanchez has volunteered at the zoo for the past two summers, but her friend, Natalie Lauber, has devoted the past five years.
“When I was younger, I remember making my grandmother bring me to the zoo,” the 16-year old said. “It’s always fun here.”
Those interested in the program must go through an application process.
Once accepted, volunteers are expected to work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. two days out of the week for two months in five different departments — Australia, Birds, Education, Herpetarium and Small World.
Birds keeper Ruben Gracia said the volunteers are a lot of help and that he notices how observant they tend to be.
“They come here at the perfect season (mating season in his department) and want to know about everything,” Gracia said.
“Some of them don’t like it and leave — but those that do, like it a lot,” he added.

Newshound, diabetes and apples-08.06.07

The Brownsville Herald’s Newshound is on neighborhood watch — sniffing out answers to your questions and complaints. From potholes to poor drainage and issues in between, he’ll make the problem known, find out who’s responsible and try to get an answer.
If you have an issue in your neighborhood and need help getting it resolved or want to make a complaint, call on The Newshound.
Include your full name, address and description of the problem in an e-mail to Newshound@brownsvilleherald.com or post mail to Brownsville Herald c/o The Newshound, 1135 E. Van Buren, Brownsville, Texas 78520. Submissions must be 250 words or less, please.

Issue:
As a diabetic, Francisco Treviño is concerned that the Wal-Mart supermarket on Boca Chica Boulevard near his home does not carry the brand of apple he alleges has the least amount of sugar. “I have to drive out to the Wal-Mart on (7480 Padre Island Hwy.) to get Braeburn apples,” Treviño claims. “I’ve asked them for to get it for the past three to four months, but they still have not brought it in,” he added. According to the product’s nutritional information, Braeburn apples only have 17 grams of sugar per serving. “I just try and consume products that will help me,” Treviño said.
Who to call:
Wal-Mart on Boca Chica at (956) 544-0394.
What they said:
An assistant manager at the location, who refused to give his name, said the store does carry the apple, but it is not currently in stock. He said they would call the buyer on Monday to try and fix the problem.

Group to hold memorial for Hiroshima bombing-08.05.07

Brownsville, Texas— More than 140,000 Japanese people lost their lives when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
For those lives and countless others lost to war, Pax Christi Brownsville, a Catholic peace movement, will hold a service today to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the bombing.
The event, “Pray for Peace,” will take place at Hope Park across from the Greyhound Bus Stop from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
There will be songs and prayers. Representatives from the Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, and Muslim communities were invited.
“We want to recognize the terrible acts of war,” said Jean Krause, event organizer and part of Pax Christi Brownsville.
The story of an 11-year-old Japanese girl who died from leukemia prompted by the bombing will also be shared.
“The story of Sadako is famous. She was told that the Gods would smile upon her, if she made 1,000 paper cranes,” Krause said.
The girl died before she was able to reach her goal, but nonetheless was buried with 1,000 paper cranes. “The paper crane is now seen as a symbol for peace all over the world,” Krause said. Sadako holding a gold crane in her hands is now the memorial seen in Japan. “We’ve asked kids around the community to make cranes for the service,” Krause said. A thousand paper cranes will be displayed at the park today.

The Brownsville Herald