By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

MARATHON – The first monthly Marathon Chamber of Commerce mixer last week at Marathon’s newest bar and restaurant was considered a success.

The mixer was at the Famous Burro, owned by Neil Chavigny. 

Approximately 100 people sampled a variety of hors d’ouvres prepared by Chef Bill Carlisle and his kitchen staff as well as drinks poured by bartender Matt Hicklen.  

Most of the evening was spent socializing but there was a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Chavigny, Carlisle and restaurant manager Pat Picasso.

Chavigny thanked everyone who has patronized the new establishment during its first few weeks of operation,

“Just keep letting us know what you want,” he said. “Please.  That’s the only way for us to know how to better serve you.”

After those on hand for the ceremony moved inside, Chamber president Hal Henthorne made a short introduction in which he emphasized the organization’s multi-faceted mission of fostering well-being within the community, supporting new businesses by both advertising and patronage and making the public aware of activities occurring throughout Marathon.

Some   of   the   events   which   the  chamber currently

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

MARATHON – Volunteer Fire Department Chief Daniel Eaton is all smiles these days.

Not only does the MVFD now have a shiny new 2008 Ford F-550 truck, but Eaton is also proud of the fact that no federal, state or local taxes had to be used in its acquisition.

Mustangs lose at home

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

MARATHON – Sophomore Colten Johnson played with such intensity that he literally left all he had on the court, hitting the hardwood hard enough to break bones on at least three occasions, as the Marathon Mustang Boys’ basketball team lost a hard-fought home game to Sierra Blanca 58-36 Friday.

Luckily for Colten and his teammates, his bones are apparently made of steel, as he just kept coming back for more.

AUSTIN – Texas Rep. Pete P. Gallego of Alpine this week criticized Gov. Rick Perry’s “State of the State” speech last week, saying Texas “needs a brighter, more empowering vision.

“Texans cannot afford to follow the same short-sighted policies Governor Perry has outlined over the last six years,” Gallego said. “The people of Texas deserve a government that works for them the same way they work for their families.

Deer regulation changes proposed

MIDLAND – Public meetings have been scheduled to discuss proposed changes to white tail deer regulations for Pecos, Upton and Terrell Counties.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologist Philip Dickerson in Midland said the changes “are part of a new comprehensive white-tailed deer management strategy that will allow the department to more cost effectively survey and monitor changes in the population.

“Managing deer populations will always be complex and difficult but our goals are to have the best science possible while providing opportunities for hunters and flexibility for landowners,” he said.

Lamb referendum this month

WASHINGTON, DC – A national referendum on a 1996 lamb promotion program is under way and ends Feb. 17.

The US Department of Agriculture said it will offer lamb producers, feeders and first handlers the opportunity to vote in a nationwide referendum on whether to continue or terminate the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Order, authorized under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996.

The referendum will be conducted at USDA’s Farm Service Agency county offices.

ALPINE – Sul Ross State University President Dr. R. Vic Morgan has announced he will retire Aug. 31, ending a 20-year tenure as chief executive, 34 with the university.

Morgan made the announcement at a joint faculty-staff meeting of the Alpine Campus and Rio Grande College via video-conference Tuesday.

He was named acting president in July, 1989, and was selected as Sul Ross’ 10th president on Aug. 30, 1990, by the Texas State University System Board of Regents.

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

MARATHON – Pre-K and kindergarten students at Marathon Elementary School celebrated the 100 day of school last week.

The anticipation of this day began on the very first day of school in August and students and teachers could hardly believe that the time had finally come.

Special activities included a self-portrait of each student, complete with 100 wrinkles, a special letter to parents sealed with 100 kisses and a paper written by students in which they were asked to imagine they had won $100 and elaborate on how they would spend it.        

Youth call on Devil’s Den

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

BIG BEND – The Marathon Baptist Church youth group, along with their sponsors, drove to Big Bend National Park and hiked to Devil’s Den near the park’s north entrance last week.

Pastor T.J. Joyner led the trekkers from the trail head at Nine-Point Draw across the desert to the mouth of the 500-foot deep canyon.

Catfish still thrive

By MARK GLOVER

Contributing Editor

Gliding through the greasy waters of the Rio Grande above the mud bottom on the deep outside reach of a bend, where the current ripples the surface on a moonless night, a giant blue catfish moves in on its prey.

Native to much of North America and existing as far south as Guatemala, the blue cat prefers large river systems like our nation’s geologically youngest river system, the Rio Grande. 

SANDERSON – In spite of a serious economic downturn, not only in the United States but worldwide, the Terrell County Fair last week set another new record, both in turnout and money generated.

County AgriLIFE Extension Agent Mark Carroll said the fair produced more than $17,000, significantly higher than last year’s $14,000, which also was a new record.

He said the fair provided 193 meals during the noon barbecue Saturday, up from 135 meals last year.

Mine plans still firm

By MARK GLOVER

Contributing Editor

MARFA – Silver prices have dropped 25 percent since Aurcana Corp. bought the Shafter Silver Mine in November but the Canadian company remains steadfast in its plans to mine the precious metal in south Presidio County.

Super ‘Sully Saturday’

tomorrow at SR

ALPINE – Tomorrow, Feb. 7, is the date for prospective students and their families to explore educational opportunities and campus life at Sul Ross State University during Sully’s Super Saturday, Feb. 7.

Check-in and registration begins at 9:30 a.m. in Marshall Auditorium.

The opening assembly will include a greeting from the Sul Ross administration and the Student Ambassadors.

WASHINGTON, DC – US Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez voted this week in favor of “DTV Delay Act,” which would postpone the date of the analog-to-digital television transition from Feb. 17 to June 12.

Rodriguez said there are 3,868 residents in his district on a waiting list to receive government coupons to help offset the cost of purchasing digital television converter boxes, which allow an analog television set that relies on over-the-air reception to display digital signals.

AUSTIN — Developing and protecting our water resources is one of the most pressing long-term issues facing Texas, state Comptroller Susan Combs of Marathon said this week.

Ensuring adequate and reliable sources of clean water is essential to protect the health of Texas citizens and the strength of the state economy, she said.

“By 2060, more than 46 million people could be living in Texas and demand for water will increase by an estimated 27 percent,” Combs said.  “According to the Texas Water Development Board, failing to meet    this   demand   could   cost

A Tribute to a One of the World’s Really Great Cats

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Library Friend

MARATHON – I did not do much reading last week. Steve and I returned from a three-day stay in El Paso Thursday to find our beloved orange tabby cat Reba in a bad way. 

She was able to move but could not stand and her pupils in both eyes were completely dilated.

We put her in the pink plaid dog bed that my brother and sister-in-law had accidentally left at our house and subsequently bequeathed to our animals as a gift, stroked her, talked to her and just gave her as much comfort as we could for the remaining hour of her life.