Friday's Internet Edition, July 04, 2008.
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| Cycling across Texas.... Mikail Davenport, 58, of Austin is handcycleing across Texas. This polio and cancer survivor is making the trip without the use of his leg. He started in El Paso and is traveling to Beaumont. He said, “I cannot sit idly by while the rights of Texans with disabilities are ignored or trampled underfoot.” His trip is aimed at calling attention of the Texas Legislature to the plight of Texans with Disabilities. |
- The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Texas Heritage Trails web pages are shaping up to be some of the most frequented by heritage tourists –– one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry in Texas.
In 2006, the THC’s heritage tourism site pages, along with the 10 heritage regional web sites, received more than one quarter of a million page views. More and more travelers are taking advantage of the web sites’ interactive itinerary builder feature that was specifically designed for the Texas Heritage Trails Program. The user-friendly itinerary builder allows travelers to plot their trip by selecting cities, events or attractions. The itinerary builder even maps out the most ideal travel routes and allows users to share their itinerary with others via email.
“The web is an important tool from which we can glean information about the success of our programs and initiatives just as the public gains useful information from visiting these vibrant and informative sites,” said THC Chair John L. Nau, III. “The THC has the unique opportunity to bring heritage tourism and historic sites alive for travelers through its popular web pages, as well as its award-winning Texas Heritage Trails Program.”
The newly released Texas Mountain Trail Region brochure is an example of how the regional web sites complement the heritage travel guides. The new brochure features several sidebars covering such topics as ranching, adobe structures and border life. Readers wishing to learn more about a sidebar topic, are directed to a web page address at the end of the sidebar for more extensive narratives.
The Texas Heritage Trails Program increases tourism at cultural and heritage sites in regions across Texas and revitalizes local economies through regional tourism development and marketing. The program also stresses the importance of historic preservation to tourism and fosters effective local tourism leadership. The increased traffic to the THC’s heritage region pages, as well as the 10 regional web sites, indicates a strong potential increase in visits to heritage sites throughout the state.
In March of 2006, the THC’s Texas Heritage Trails Program (THTP) was named one of the first 45 recipients of grant funding through the Preserve America initiative. As part of that grant, the THTP recently produced the new Heritage Tourism Guidebook, as part of the curriculum at heritage tourism workshops being offered across the state. For a list of the Preserve America workshops, complete with dates and locations, visit the THC’s web site at www.thc.state.tx.us/grantsincent. The guidebook will be available to download from the THC’s web site on March 12.
To visit the heritage tourism web pages and the 10 regional web sites visit www.thc.state.tx.us/travel. Use the map to select a region of interest. For free heritage trail travel brochures call 866/276-6219. For additional information on Texas travel events and vacation destinations, visit www.TravelTex.com, for a free Texas State Travel Guide call 800/8888-TEX.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
I had not had a reason to drive by the new Border Patrol building for quite a while and was totally impressed when I saw it this past week. It’s complete with landscaping and all, and makes a very nice addition to Van Horn - particularly along the interstate where we need an improved image.
The news of their grand opening should be coming real soon. We are very fortunate to have this professional group of people in Van Horn, and more to look forward to in the near future. They add so much to our community, not to mention the payroll money that is circulated in town because of this contingent of law enforcement agents.
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We always enjoy passing along news about those graduates of Van Horn High School who have been extremely successful in their careers. Their families have every right to be so proud of them and we appreciate them letting us know. (See McBirnie ad) It is a good example to the youth growing up here in Van Horn to see what someone from here can accomplish if their sights are set high and they go the distance.
Julie McBirnie is the President of the Chicago Chapter of Women in Construction. The Chapter was honored by the Mayor of Chicago by having a ‘Women in Construction Week’ dedicated to them. Julie is a Civil Engineer with the firm of H.H. Hughes Testing. She is the daughter of David and Adela McBrinie and is a graduate of Van Horn High School and UTEP. We’re proud of you, Julie.
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We made the ‘big time’ news again! A very well-known and nationally circulated magazine - Popular Mechanics - did a story on space travel, mentioning Blue Origin and its location in Culberson County. It was in the April 2007 issue. We’ll welcome all the free publicity we can get! (especially if it’s good publicity)
We had three calls to the Advocate this week of people looking for real estate to buy. That tells us that there continues to be an interest in our area and that’s great.
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Congratulations to another ‘local’ who kept pushing for a goal and has achieved it. Gilda Morales has received her medical doctor’s degree. She’s been a very good Chiropractor for several year’s, while working on her MD. The good part is that she hopes to practice in Van Horn after her residency is completed, which she also hopes will be in the surrounding area not too far from here.
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Politics sometimes preys on the ignorance of people and that frustrates me just a little. Take for instance the new slogan for the Democrats - “A New Direction For America”.
The stock market is at all-time highs, even following a correction in the past week and America’s 401K’s are back. A new direction from there means, what?
Unemployment is at 25 year lows. A new direction from there means, what?
Taxes are at 20 year lows. A new direction from there means, what?
Federal tax revenues are at all-time highs. A new direction from there means, what?
The Federal deficit is down almost 50%, just as predicted over last year. A new direction from there means, what?
Home valuations are up 200% over the past 3.5 years. A new direction from there means, what?
Inflation is in check, hovering at 20 year lows. A new direction from there means, what?
Not a single terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11/01. A new direction from there means, what?
Osama bin Laden is living under a rock in a dark cave, having not surfaced in years, if he’s alive at all, while 95% of Al Queda’s top dogs are either dead or in custody, cooperating with US Intel. A new direction from there means, what?
Several major terrorist attacks already thwarted by US and British Intel, including the recent planned attack involving Jets being exploded in mid-air over major US cities in order to celebrate the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. A new direction from there means, what?
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Hey, it sure seems strange that Daylight Savings time comes so early this year, but it does. So don’t forget to ‘Spring Forward’ Saturday night. Have a great weekend!
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
March 8th - Van Horn Eagles boys varsity and JV baseball teams compete in a baseball tournament here today. Van Horn Junior High School track will be competing in the McCamey Track Meet at 4 p.m. The board of directors of the Culberson County Hisotrical Association is set to meet tonight at 6 p.m. at the Clark Hotel Museum. Members of the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department are slated to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at the firehouse.
March 9th - Van Horn Eagle boys and girls tennis teams compete in Ft. Hancock today beginning at 9:30 a.m. Van Horn Eagle varsity baseball team continues play in baseball tournament here. Van Horn Eagle boys and girls track teams compete in the McCamey Invitational today.
March 10th - The Van Horn Junior High tennis team will be competing in Fabens today. Van Horn Eagle boys and girls tennis teams continue play in Ft. Hancock today. The Van Horn Eagle varsity andJV baseball teams continue tournament play here today.
March 11th - Attend the church of your choice.
March 12th - Culberson County Commissioners are slated to meet this morning at 10 a.m. in the County Courthouse. The Van Horn Lions Club is scheduled to meet tonight at 7 p.m. at the Sands Restaurant.
March 13th - The Van Horn Rotary Club is slated to meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant.
March 14th - Nothing scheduled at press time.