Debate over city and state propositions heats up in final days of election

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Early voting is over and voters are in the final countdown of the Nov. 6 Election Day debate over city and state propositions, most evident in Montgomery County, which leads the state in early voting at 2.64 percent of registered voters.

Many voters will turn out for this election due to the potential impact on city, county and state issues, but most will be concerned with general revenues at the state level in the form of bonds against future state tax income and will cast their vote on Propositions that affect state programs in the process.

On a city level, Proposition 5 would allow a tax-freeze on properties either in or adjacent to an area approved for funding under the Dept. of Agriculture’s Downtown Revitalization program or the Main Streets Improvements program.

“That is a selling point for the city’s Proposition 2,” said Jonny Williams of the Magnolia 4A Economic Development Corp. City Prop 2 would allow the 4A to use existing and future sales tax dollars to participate in a planned revitalization project for Magnolia.

While most politicians will claim to be supporters of a healthier, more economically sound Texas with a diverse economy, they and others disagree on how to get there. Since the publication of the ballot prior to the election, comparisons by analysis in support of and in opposition to various city and state propositions have been circulating.

Represented in more than 20 states, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is an advocate for and against specific legislation at the state and federal levels and accepts contributions from individuals and business entities in support of its mission, but should not be mistaken for its non-profit sister AFP Foundation.

The Texas Association of Business (TAB) has represented multi-national corporations and small businesses for more than 75 years across Texas in the legislative, regulatory, and judicial battlefields. The group merged with the Texas Chamber of Commerce in 1995 to become business owner advocates across agricultural, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries, as well as the service and financial sectors and to advance the creation of jobs and improve the public education system.

TAB President Bill Hammond and AFP Director Peggy Venable offer opposing perspectives for consideration.

“At the end of August 2006, the state's outstanding general-obligation bond debt was $7.5 billion,” said Venable. “The state ballot initiatives, if all pass and are issued, would more than double that total.”

AFP is opposed to state propositions that would significantly increase state debt, Propositions 2, 4, 12, 15 and 16 because, “(state) taxpayers are already carrying considerable government debt – exclusive of federal government debt,” said Venable.

While AFP is opposing propositions that include bond measures, TAB is in support of those bond proposals to increase funding for education, cancer research, and road and highway maintenance, as well as Propositions 3, 6, 7, 9, and 11.

Support of nine ballot measures was approved by the TAB Board of Directors and endorsed by Hammond.

“I hope that my position will help further the issues of Texas business at the state and national levels,” said Hammond who was recently appointed to serve on the Federation Executive Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Proposition 2
TAB: Support. It helps the state meet the growing demand for financial assistance in post-secondary education.
AFP: Oppose. Funding more student loans while allowing tuition to climb and requiring little fiscal accountability on how higher education dollars are spent is not in taxpayers’ best interest.

Proposition 4
TAB: Support. Allows use of general obligation bonds rather than revenue bonds, which is a more fiscally sound way to pay for much-needed state projects.
AFP: Oppose. Though many of the these projects appear deserving of some funding, with a state budget surplus we should not be obligating bonds and future taxpayers to fund them.

Proposition 12
TAB: Support. Highways are essential to continuing the flow of commerce in our state.
AFP: Oppose. Gasoline taxes (should be redirected) to transportation and highways. The state should use dedicated funds and not obligate future state revenue and taxpayers.

Proposition 15
TAB: Support. The program's success could save generations of Texans from the pain and complications of cancer.
AFP: Oppose. At a time when The State of Texas has a budget surplus, we should not use bonds to fund this project. The bonds are reported to cost $1.6 billion in interest.

A Web site is available that provides an objective analysis with both pros and cons for the state propositions. Visit www.tlc.state.tx.us/pubsconamend/analyses07 for more information.

Tomball Junior High eighth grade students (from left) Jordyn Siecko and Jenna St. Germain recently filled a beaker with ice and water to determine how long it takes for a solid to become a liquid. Siecko and St. Germain also found that as the ice melted, the temperature of the liquid state increased.
Submitted Photo

Annual ECHO Foundation Fashion show raises money for Women’s Center

By Brian Walzel
Editor

The ECHO Foundation, the primary fundraising branch of Tomball Regional Medical Center, held its annual fashion show Oct. 26 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. As of press time last week, organizers were still crunching numbers to determine how much was raised, according to ECHO Foundation Executive Director Marilyn Kinyo. However, Kinyo is optimistic the foundation raised an impressive sum, which will be used to benefit the hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center. The hospital hopes to purchase new state-of-the-art equipment such as digital mammography units, bone density units, a patient library and more.

Rachel Richards shows off a dress on the runaway during the ECHO Foundation Fashion Show.

Organizers estimate a crowd of more than 300 took part in the day’s events.

The evening kicked off around 5 p.m. with shopping in the ballroom. Several local boutiques set up shop while early arrivers browsed through dresses, shoes, hats, jewelry and accessories. The official festivities got underway later with dinner followed by a fashion show, hosted by Channel 11’s Darby Douglas.

Model’s showed off fall and holiday season fashions from several area clothing stores. Outfits ranged from jeans and boots, to sportswear, to suits and evening gowns.

One of the night’s highlights came when Douglas announced that three-time Grammy Award winner LeeAnn Rimes would be the entertainer for the ECHO Foundations 2008 Gala, “Under the Moonlight,” scheduled for Feb. 9, 2008 at the Marriott. Tickets for that event are now on sale at the foundation’s office. If purchased before Dec. 31, there is a 5 percent discount on the ticket prices. For more information, call 281-401-7928.

Concordia’s Christian named Texas High School Player of the Week

Concordia Lutheran junior quarterback Joshua Christian was recognized Oct. 15 as one of six Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Players of the Week for Week 7.

The Texas High School Football Player of the Week program honors one student-athlete in six of the state’s athletic classifications every week during the high school football regular season for his accomplishments on and off the field. The award was launched for the 2006 season.

If he keeps playing as he did against Houston Lutheran North Oct. 26, Christian may well keep Concordia unbeaten in district play. In leading the Crusaders to a 45-23 victory, Christian completed 11 of 16 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another pair of scores. A basketball and track athlete who has compiled a 3.3 GPA, Christian is also heavily involved in music. A three-year member of Concordia Lutheran’s choir, he often plays the guitar as a chapel leader at school and frequently serves as a worship leader in his church youth group. “Josh is a serious football player,” says head coach (and father) Bruce Christian. “He works hard at it every day, is dedicated in the weight room, and is a great competitor who has a unique ability to make plays when they’re needed. His teammates look to him for leadership and he always keeps his poise under pressure.”

Other winners were Weslaco senior running back Mishak Rivas for 5A, Buda Hays quarterback Clayton Rogers for 4A, Lytle running back Clayton Jopling for 3A, Comfort quarterback Travis Chrisman for 2A, and La Villa quarterback J.D. Cisneros for 1A.

During Waller High School’s homecoming football game Oct. 26, senior Christine Torres was crowned WHS Homecoming Queen. The king, senior Dexter McKee, was crowned at the homecoming dance immediately following the football game. The freshmen class duchess was Shelby Lalumandier, sophomore class duchess Diane Velasco, and junior class duchess Nancy Mata. The dukes were: freshman Jacobie White, sophomore Patrick Villarreal, and junior Kody Merchant. The Waller Bulldogs won their game against the Montgomery Bears, 41-0.
Submitted Photo

Prairie Parkway proponent seeks support for H-GAC feasibility study

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

County resident and President of CLR Inc. Orval Rhoads is a proponent for the proposed development of the Prairie Parkway and has spent the better part of the year presenting the project in an attempt to move it to the next level, that of a feasibility study.

“This is the answer to our prayers,” Rhoads said. “We need a feasibility study.”

In 1985 CLR completed a thoroughfare and development study for Waller County funded by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). Since then it has sat on a shelf waiting for support from TxDOT, Rhoads said.

TxDOT recently held public hearings on the project, which is planned to extend north from Woods Road at I-10 to SH 290 east of Prairie View.

The Waller County Toll Road Authority was one in a long line of groups with a vested interest in the project to hear from Rhoads who said he was not representing TxDOT, but the community he lives in.

Maps that have recently been updated to accommodate development changes in South Waller County were provided, highlighting the planned route for the parkway.

The project has been presented as an evacuation route from Brazoria County through to Hwy. 6 by Rhoads throughout the year to the Commissioners Courts of Brazoria and Fort Bend Counties in an attempt to elicit community support for the project.

Rhoads is encouraging the Commissioners Court in each of the three counties affected by the parkway’s development to submit letters to H-GAC requesting a feasibility study for the project. According to Rhoads, H-GAC has committed to fund the study.

The study will address the needs of businesses, such as the Port of Freeport, which estimates increased transportation needs to 500 trucks “in the not too distant future.”

“We feel like the three counties together will help get the regional authorities to give the Prairie Parkway the respect that we think it needs and get it back on a list of priorities,” he said.

If the H-GAC transportation council accepts the study, the corridor will then be reserved as a planned evacuation route, said Rhoads.

WCTRA Director Trey Duhon voiced concerns regarding the timing of the Draft Environmental Impact Study. TxDOT is due to release the study on the parkway in early 2008.

Duhon’s concern is that support from WCTRA prior to that may open the door for TxDOT to “piggyback” on the Prairie Parkway as part of the TTC-69 development, which Duhon opposes.

Broken, smokin’ derby cars keep firemen hot-footin’ it in Fields Store

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Officials, judges and volunteer firemen were busy in the Fields Store Community on Oct. 27 as engine fires sparked, burning rubber melted and smoke mixed with the red dust of autumn, billowed into the air at the 5th Semi-Annual White Dove of Hope Demolition Derby.

The Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department kept down the dust and doused several engine fires preventing injury throughout the night at the White Dove of Hope 5th Semi-Annual Demolition Derby held Oct. 27 at the Chad Treichel Memorial Arena.

The White Dove of Hope is a non-profit organization that benefits those in need. In 2006 donations exceeding $34,300 were distributed by the organization. The spring 2007 Demolition Derby event grossed $70,000.

The organization operates under a board of directors with Leonard Treichel as founder and President, Travis Carlton as vice-president, Terri Treichel as Secretary, Candace Wren as Treasurer and Sgt. of Arms Trey Wren.

This year’s master of ceremonies was Cliff Gilland. A professional rodeo announcer for 15 years, Gilland was the original announcer for the White Dove of Hope derby in 2005.

Engine trouble plagued the evening, apparent at the start when cars stalled during the Best of Show parade, won by David Tomczek.

With the first crash, dust was in the air flying in all directions and blotting out the view of drivers and spectators alike. Barely under way, officials halted the derby due to an engine fire and called in Tri-County firemen to douse the flames and wet down the arena due to the dust.

With all the water on the field, drivers were looking for windshield wipers to keep the mud out of their eyes. Back underway; the spray of red dirt clods was an added bonus for those in the stands.

At the end of the regular derby, pit crews were welding and hammering in preparation for the final round, while fans were entertained with a seven-car Powder Puff Derby.

The winner, Angela Mixon, took her victory drive back to the pit. Afterwards she donated her winnings back to the White Dove of Hope in the name of the La Paloma Equine Vet.

As Tri-County attended to the fires, volunteers driving John Deere tractors removed the debris and dressed the field in preparation for the musical entertainment of the evening.

Mark Randall, 39, of Cleveland performed a 30-minute tribute to George Strait.

Engines hot and steaming, 12 cars entered the arena for the Final Heat from which Chris Budziz emerged victorious.

In the heat that followed, Powder Puff driver Kristine Dygert signed up for the heat as the first woman to enter the White Dove derby Grudge Match. Dygert fought hard for the lead, but Chaz Cook drove away with the winnings.

For more information, log on to www.whitedoveofhope.org.

TEAM Holiday Plea
Tomball Emergency Area Ministries (TEAM) reports their food shelves are “very empty.” TEAM is set to provide Thanksgiving meals to 125 families in the Tomball area on Nov. 19 and 20 and is asking the community for help. TEAM is asking for grocery gift cards or food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Those who cannot adopt a family for Christmas are asked to help with food or toys. For more information, call 281-351-6500.

CPS Fundraiser
B2B Ministry will present “A Day of Fun 4 Everyone” Nov. 10 from 1 to 10 p.m. at Carrie’s Coffee Mill, located at 4401 N. Frazier in Conroe. Activities will include putt-putt golf, a petting zoo, volleyball, basketball, swings, jungle gyms, scooter races, music, barbecue, and more. Admission is a minimum $10 donation at the door for adults, and $8 for kids 10 and under. All proceeds will benefit the B2B Ministry, a non-profit organization that provides support for children in the greater Houston Area Child Protective Services. For more information and discounted tickets, call Barbara at 832-892-0858.

THS Baseball Fundraiser
The 8th Annual Tomball Baseball Alumni Association Golf Tournament will be held Dec. 10 at WindRose Golf Club. The cost is $150 per person and includes green fees, range balls, golf cart, sack lunch, dinner and soft drinks. The tournament will begin with a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third places. For more information, call 281-820-0747.

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Pct. 4 Constable fired after grand jury hands down indictment

By Brian Walzel
Editor

A Harris County Pct. 4 captain was fired last week after a grand jury returned with an indictment following a six-week investigation into an August family violence incident.

Tim Cannon, a 20-year veteran of the force, was terminated by Constable Ron Hickman shortly after the indictment came down. Hickman was also being investigated by a grand jury, but no indictment was brought against him.

The investigation came after an anonymous letter was sent to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in September alleging that Hickman and Cannon tampered with evidence following a reported domestic violence incident.

According to Ed Powers of the District Attorney’s Office, the evidence led only to an indictment of Cannon. He added that the investigation is complete.

The letter claimed that Hickman and Cannon had given special treatment to suspects during a domestic violence call in September and had tampered with evidence.

During the incident, officers responded to a call involving Sharon Grady, an alleged friend of Hickman and his ex-wife.

Grady was subsequently arrested after it was discovered that she assaulted an officer during the incident. She was also indicted last week. At the time of the incident, Grady was arrested and transported to a jail on Cypresswood Drive. The letter claims that Hickman ordered the release of Grady. That night, Hickman’s ex-wife picked up Grady from jail after charges against her were dropped.

Church volunteers of New Hope United Methodist Church, located at 26104 Schneider Road in front of the Fields Store Cemetery, held a bake sale to benefit the church’s building fund at the White Dove of Hope Demolition Derby held Oct. 27. Pictured, Toppie Swaim (left) serves cake to a customer.
Photo by Cari Herr

Military museum offers unique area attraction

By Brian Walzel
Editor

World War II buffs, or anyone looking for a truly unique experience in the Tomball and Magnolia areas, will find a hidden gem at a new military museum near Navasota.

Jesse Hernandez will open the Camp Anderson Military Museum north of Magnolia on Nov. 11.

The Camp Anderson Military Museum, located approximately eight miles north of Hwy. 105 on FM 1774, is set to open Nov. 11 and features an eye-popping collection of tanks, jeeps, trucks, weaponry and more assembled by Director Jesse Hernandez through more than 30 years of collecting.

“I guess I just got the bug and it started growing,” he said. “And since I had this property, I thought it would be a good idea to open up something that the community could benefit from.”

A former president of the World War II historical society, Hernandez is hoping his attraction will soon be a must-see not only in Texas, but throughout the south.

He says the Nov. 11 opening is just an introduction to what the museum will become. Right now, the facility includes a large metal building that houses a battle-worn tank used in Operation Desert Storm, several other military vehicles, uniforms, cannons and beautifully-designed murals depicting battle scenes from several different wars throughout U.S. history.

There is also a fully-functional Army barracks and mess hall, which Hernandez plans to use for overnight accommodations for those wishing to stay a weekend.

Phase 2 of the project will include a 2,400-square foot, two-story building which will house more than 1,200 more artifacts which Hernandez has collected through the years.

The final portion of the museum, and perhaps the most intriguing, is scheduled to be completed by next summer.

Hernandez plans to provide rides in trucks and jeeps that are still mobile after enduring battles through simulated battle scenes in the woods on the 200-acre property, and into a full-scale replica of a French battle town where a re-enactment of a battle will be staged.

He also hopes to put together seasonal themed attractions, such as a Haunted Woods with ghosts of dead soldiers for Halloween and Christmas tours to show how soldiers spent the holidays.

The tract of land is one that Hernandez already owns, and one where World War II re-enactments have been held.

While Hernandez hopes his museum will materialize into an entertainment destination, his primary goal is to educate local youth.

A member of the Army Reserves for more than a decade and a retired police officer of more than 30 years who has undertaken several successful business ventures, Hernandez believes his experience in educating youth will benefit the museum’s programs.

Many area veterans, Hernandez said, have already shown their support and offered their services to the museum, such as to work as tour guides.

Even though the facility will soon be open, more work remains as Hernandez’s vision continues to grow. He said he has visited several military museums throughout the country to find out “what works and what doesn’t.”

So far, he believes his facility is right on track.

Garden Club returns favor to 4H clubs to benefit SOS toy drive

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

In an exchange of community service appreciation, the Indigo Lakes Garden Club is returning a favor to local 4H clubs for beautifying Magnolia with a Christmas toy drive.

Pictured, (left to right) Barry Carter, Rachel Whitton, Beau Babcock, O’Sheay Williams, Elizabeth Wishert, Ben Wishert, and Emily Whitton.
Submitted Photo

The Shining Star and Morning Star 4H Clubs participated in the “Keep Montgomery County Beautiful” program by planting pansies Oct. 21 at the entrance to the City of Magnolia at FM 1488 and Buddy Riley Blvd.

Along with Tex-Star Rentals, which provided the group two tillers, and owner Barry Carter of HFC Tile, who provided laborers to work the ground, a group of 10 youth spent the weekend making Magnolia beautiful with flowers donated by Wal-Mart at SH 242.

In appreciation of the 4H clubs’ efforts, the Indigo Lakes Estates Garden Club will hold a toy drive on Nov. 12 at the Beach Park on Country Lake Dr. at 9 a.m. to benefit the Society of Samaritans, according to Garden Club President Suzanne Campbell.

Shining Star 4H has adopted SOS as a service project and will be holding toy drives to benefit Christmas care packages through Dec. 14, which are then distributed by SOS volunteers.

Robinson Irrigation Lawn and Landscape, located at 25107 Sea Turtle Lane, will accept toys and food on behalf of SOS from Nov. 23 to Dec. 15 when donations will be delivered to SOS.

SOS is a non-profit assistance agency using Montgomery County Community Development Block Grant funds in conjunction with donations from community members, businesses and churches to benefit the needy in the Magnolia Independent School District.

The Champion Cowboy Church entered this float in the Waller County Fair Parade Sept. 29. The church is family-focused and meets at the Chad Treichel Memorial Arena, located at 30628 FM 1488. Bible study and worship with nursery service is offered at 10 a.m. on Sunday and 7 p.m. on Wednesday. For more information, call Pastor Gene Johnson at 936-931-9202 or e-mail championcowboychurch@yahoo.com.
Photo by Cari Herr

Waller PD partners with Chamber for Business Watch program

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Chief James Fulton and the Waller Police Department have partnered with Waller Area Chamber of Commerce businesses to establish a Business Watch Hotline program.

Northwest Houston businesses are directly affected by crime in Houston, said Fulton, who receives crime reports from various agencies such as Homeland Security, the Secret Service and the FBI that impact the Waller area.

Through the Chamber, the WPD will provide area businesses with profiles on local crimes, suspects and methods by which crimes are being committed, and seeks to use business owners as an “an extra pair of eyes” for the community.

“The Board has already approved it,” said WACC President Mark Dandy.

Fulton offered pointers for businesses in the prevention of burglary and response to robbery, as well as prevention techniques for personal and commercial identity theft at the Oct. 26 Chamber luncheon.

No location, high-rise or not, is exempt from robbery or burglary, Fulton said. Robbery is a crime against a person, whereas burglary is a crime against property. With a robbery the potential of loss is much greater because it involves force and may result in death.

“The WPD has little effect in burglary prevention, but can be proactive in removing the element of opportunity,” Fulton said.

Clearing windows of displays and using good interior lighting are effective in the prevention of both burglary and robbery because it increases visibility from the street. In addition, business owners should implement strategic policies that support proactive prevention.

Most importantly in a robbery, Fulton encouraged businesses owners to protect potential evidence by closing the store to customers until police have arrived.

“Time is of the essence,” he said, in maintaining and collecting evidence with integrity that can lead to a conviction.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. and one of the most difficult to investigate and get a conviction on.

“Your business can become a victim of identity theft,” Fulton said. “Smaller businesses are even more vulnerable.” As a preventative, businesses should notify creditors of employee changes in the company.

With identity theft, both personal and commercial, it is the victim’s responsibility to address the repercussions.

In case of identity theft:

• Report information to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the crime and acquire a case report number.
• Notify creditors immediately and in writing referencing the case report number.
• Request reimbursement of specific charges from the bank in writing.
• Place a fraud alert on accounts through the credit bureaus using an ID Theft Affidavit.

More information on ID theft prevention can be found at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or contact the WPD for brochures and forms at 936-372-2525.

Magnolia claims second district win with victory over War Eagles

By Brian Walzel
Editor

The Magnolia Bulldogs ended a five-game losing streak with a much-needed 29-14 win over Oak Ridge Oct. 26 in a district 15-5A match-up.

The Bulldogs had to rally from an early 7-0 deficit after the War Eagles’ Tyler Barrett ran for a 7-yard touchdown.

Magnolia then scored 22 unanswered points over the next two quarters to pull away and secure just their second win of the season.

Down 7-0 midway through the second quarter, Magnolia’s Josh Smith punched it in from a yard out to move within an extra-point of taking the lead. But the ensuing kick failed and the Bulldogs still trailed.

After stopping the War Eagles on the following drive, the Bulldogs got the ball back with enough time to take the lead before halftime.

Ned Thomas nailed a field goal before halftime to give the Bulldogs the 9-7 lead.

Smith found the end zone again in the third when he scored from seven yards out. Thomas showed his versatility by scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 22-7 after a successful two-point conversion.

Oak Ridge threatened to make it a game when Aaron Donahoe scored on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jay Buchanan to cut the Magnolia lead to eight.

With the War Eagles just one possession away from tying the game, the Bulldogs pulled away on Smith’s third and final touchdown run of the night, this one coming from a yard out, to make it 29-14.

The Bulldogs forced the War Eagles to turn the ball over four times, with each resulting in a Magnolia score.

Magnolia’s offense had its best game of the season, running up 333 total yards and converting 21 first downs. The Bulldog ground game proved to be nearly unstoppable, with the team rushing 56 times for 294 yards.

Smith led the team with 22 carries for 144 yards.

The victory over the War Eagles was just the second district win of the year for Magnolia.

From the Book of Clifford

By Clifford Parker
Contributing Writer

Wayne the Window Washer asked me what happened to the drunk that I told you about last week. Well, my wife and I actually took three days and went to Las Vegas.

We are not big spenders when it comes to entertainment and, quite frankly, we usually play the nickel slot machines. I enjoy the buffets and by the time we got home, we had actually spent about $60 for our three days of entertainment, including food. We usually limit ourselves to $100 and you can pull a lot of nickel arms on $100. We figure money is too hard to come by to waste it in a machine.

Being self-employed and both of us working together in the same business doesn’t leave us much time off. We were glad to get a day out of the office.

I told you last time about the trip and the trouble the drunk caused on the plane. I’m just glad he went to sleep. I am a very patient man and am not prone to anger, but I told my wife if he didn’t quit talking nasty and mouthing off to everybody I felt a very strong urge to help his lips swell up so he couldn’t talk anymore, if you get my drift.

I can honestly say I have never, ever hit another human being with my fist. I’m not a fighter and I don’t lose my temper, but this guy was really getting to me. I can say without a doubt I have really, really only been angry five times in my lifetime. One of these days I may share them with you.

Our trip on the ground went well. We had a very enjoyable time together. We walked and talked and actually got to have a conversation with each other without the phone ringing or someone interrupting us.

The two of us can enjoy a vacation without really planning anything special. We are the type of couple that can arrive at our destination and never really plan anything. We purposely do not plan any schedules; we are both very flexible in what we decide to do and we just enjoy walking around looking at things.

My wife enjoys mall and store settings. I enjoy people watching and looking at the building design and construction. A clothes rack of new outfits makes her happy. Staring at a nut and bolt the size of a man’s head allows study for me. A whole row of shoes to look at keeps her entertained. Freaks and geekie people give me laughter.

Together we can both go to the same locations and each of us can fall into our own world of inner entertainment. The only problem, however, is my wife sometimes accuses me of rushing her. I can be minding my own business, leaning against a rack of women’s underwear or something when she suddenly announces it’s time to go. Her body language tells me she’s peeved at me for something and when I ask her why we’re leaving so quickly, she says it’s because I’m rushing her.

She says she can tell by the way I stand that I’m bored when, really and truly, all I did was shift my weight from one foot to the other, or if I sigh about something, she thinks it means I’m ready to go. I quit trying to figure her out many, many years ago. I guess that’s why we have been happily married so long.

The plane trip home brought us another first for both of us. As we found our seats on the plane, low and behold we sat next to Linda and David with the same seating arrangement we had on our first flight up. We were in different row numbers, but the side-by-side seating was the same. As I looked around I then began to notice the other people in front of us were the same, too. As I scanned the empty seat where the drunk was first sitting I heard his voice coming from the backside of the plane and I thought he was about to sit in the same spot, but his new seat was on the far side of the plane from us.

When I first heard him I was about to become upset, but as I saw him I could tell this guy wasn’t drunk anymore. I figured after three days in Vegas he was bound to have stayed drunk, but he was actually funny.

He was spewing out funny, clean jokes left and right. I kept an eye on him as we made our flight and the persons sitting next to him actually seemed to enjoy his company. I guarantee this guy could talk the horns off a Billy goat.

I’ll tell you the rest of the story next week.

-- Clifford