Gas Pains

With gas prices at an all time high and soon to go higher, everyone and their dog is forwarding old gas related urban legends and hoaxes. We feel your pain but there's no use signing petitions, boycotting specific oil companies, or refraining from buying gas on Tuesday. Snopes.com explains why.

"Gasoline prices have gotten so high that women who want to run over their cheating husbands have started car pooling."

Invitation to Annual ICC Fall Festival

Immaculate Conception Church in Skidmore invites you to help celebrate our annual Fall Fest and barbecue Sunday, September 4th. The site of this year's festival will once again be the tree shaded church grounds located at 600 1st Street – a perfect spot for a picnic and fun for the entire family.

A $5 donation gets you a delicious barbecue brisket meal with all the trimmings, served at 11 a.m. Also available are turkey legs, beef fajita tacos, mollejas, and hot dogs! A full day of fun is scheduled including live entertainment, a cake walk, toy walk, moon walk and of course the all-time favorite game of old-fashioned prize bingo! The raffle drawing caps the day’s events. Prizes include $250 cash, 4 Astros tickets, a 20-inch flatscreen TV, a microwave, a DVD player and more!

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, September 4 and join us at Immaculate Conception Church in Skidmore, Texas. -- Submitted by Domingo Martinez Jr.

Tech Talk: Telephone? That 's SO 20th Century...

For what the telegraph did to dispatchers, and e-Mail did for letter writing, VoIP appears to be doing to telephone.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) also known as, Internet telephony, IP telephony, and Internet voice is catching on and is expected to grow in the next few years. The technology has been around for about a decade, but it isn’t till now that we have the supporting technology to handle it and an market reaching critical mass. VoIP uses a broadband Internet line to offer inexpensive calling plans and novel features such as the ability to manage voice mail on a Web page. VoIP is a method for taking analog audio signals, like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone, and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet.

VoIP works like e-Mail. TCP/IP networks consist of IP packets with a code for controlling communication and information for transportating data. VoIP uses the IP packets to send the human voice across the Internet using IP packets to its destination.

It digitizes a voice into data packets, sends them through the network and converts them back to voice when arriving at the destination. Digital format can be compressed, routed, and converted to other and better formats.

When calling someone using VoIP, you use a phone with an adapter. Just like we use a telephone to make phone calls on POTS (not "pots", but plain old telephone service), the adapter is a device to connect the phone to the network. The VoIP phone has its own phone number for callers to dial.

The number of consumers bypassing the traditional phone network and opting for Internet voice service is soaring beyond expectations. The latest surveying found 2.7 million subscribers nationwide, compared with just 440,000 a year earlier. That’s an increase of about 600%!

The reasons for making the switch from traditional telephony to VoIP are usually in price. The biggest factors in the numbers are cable TV companies, which are using VoIP to bundle phone service with their TV offerings in hopes of staving off competition from incumbent phone companies that are just beginning to get into the TV business.

VoIP is traditionally one flat-rate, whether local or long-distance. Since the Internet makes no distinction between the location of servers or websites, neither does phone service provided using the same method. Thus, VoIP boasts lower long-distance charges. Other consumers want to bundle their telecommunications, or, have their satellite/digital cable, broadband, and telephone VoIP all bundled together. Some say it saves money, but such consolidation is still new and not yet widely available.

Regardless, though, consumers continue to make the switch. While the revenue generated from VoIP services remained relatively small, at $220 million, it is expected to change quickly, with some strategists forecasting annual VoIP revenue hitting $3 billion in two years.

More information on the technical aspects of the service, and an explanation of how the technology works is available at HowStuffWorks.

Vonage, one of the earliest commercial providers of the service, is by far the largest and considered the best VoIP service. Vonage is estimated to have 750,000 U.S. subscribers, more than three times its level a year ago. Woo Hoo.

Sports Pics - Bobcats 55 - Cardinals 0

Garrett Gonzales coasts into the end zone for a touchdown in Friday night's season opener vs. the Shiner St. Paul Cardinals.


A Channel 10 News cameraman captures a Jordan Haws touchdown pass to wide open receiver Trey Dodson.

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Tuleta Treasures Auction 6:00 p.m. Saturday, September 10, 2005 at the Tuleta Community Center (Highway 181 between Kenedy and Beeville). Sell your treasures or buy that special something. Sponsored by the Tuleta Community Improvement Program. Info: 361-375-2964 or 361-375-2558.

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ICC Grotto Dedication September 17

The new grotto to the Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, at Immaculate Conception Church, is undergoing the next phase towards completion. Mr. Reeys Falcon reports the statue is being treated with special epoxy paints and sealers in an effort to restore it to its original appearance when purchased shortly after the end of World War II.

The concrete urns and benches, specially selected to carry out the simple, classical design of the grotto, are being similarly treated and finished as the statue. Lastly, the floor will be finished in a deep tone that will both complement and frame the total look which incorporates the tree behind the grotto. It was the “fan” of the tree branches that first moved Mr. Falcon to erect the grotto there. The builder, Alfonso Garza Concrete Contractor, listened well and positioned the statue precisely centered in that “fan.” “It is so exciting,” said Mr. Falcon, “to have witnessed construction from inception.”

The next phase, the memorial marker, will be installed in the next week or so. The congregation will see a totally different concept and develop a deeper appreciation of the grotto, which is the answer to many prayers, when they finally see the memorial marker in place.

The final phase, landscaping, will not be started until October or November after the severe heat we are experiencing. Lighting is also to be added.

The blessing and dedication of the grotto is scheduled for Saturday, September 17. Bishop Edmond Carmody will be with us to officiate. The blessing will be at 10:45 a.m., followed by the Holy Mass concelebrated by Bishop Carmody and our Pastor Father Sebastian Thomas, with a reception afterwards.

Mr. Falcon feels the grotto will become a landmark for Skidmore which will be there for people to see and appreciate for years to come. It is a lasting and fitting tribute and a thing of beauty for our community. Anyone interested in the blessing and dedication on September 17 is welcomed to attend the event.

Lions Annual Punt, Pass, & Kick September 17

The Skidmore-Tynan Lions club will host its “Punt, Pass & Kick” competition 9:00 a.m. Saturday, September 17th, 2005. The annual event is held at Bobcat Stadium with the generous support of the S-TISD coaching staff. Registration for Punt, Pass & Kick is free and open to children ages 7 to 12. Just stop by the stadium on the day of the event to sign up. Trophies will be presented at Bobcat Stadium prior to a Bobcat football home game.

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Bobcat cheerleading uniforms and jerseys are available at Betty’s Flowers in Sinton. They have jerseys in sizes 2T thru XL – also tote bags, shoe lace pom poms, and other spirit stuff. Betty's Flowers – 119 E Sinton Street – Phone (361) 364-4363

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Booster Club Kicks Off Season with Barbecue

The S-T Athletic Booster Club will be selling barbecue brisket plates for $6 at the Bobcat's first home football game, Friday, August 26th. Come watch the Bobcats start the season off with a win, support the booster club, and enjoy brisket with all the fixins!

Mars Spectacular a Bit Overrated

If you live on planet Earth and are connected to a computer or know someone who is, you've probably received the e-mail.

"The Red Planet is about to be spectacular," the e-Mail reads. "On Aug. 27, Mars will look as large as the full moon." People are buying up binoculars and telescopes in anticipation of sharing with parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren a celestial event that "no one alive today will ever see again."

The only trouble is - most of it is bunk! What you've been receiving is information that's being recirculated from the close approach of Mars in August 2003, along with some bogus information thrown in for good measure.

So what's true and what's false? Well, the only thing that's true is that Mars will appear beautiful in our sky, and not in August, but October. Mars and Earth are approaching each other in their orbits, and the Red Planet will reach its closest point in late October. At that time, Mars will be quite brilliant in our sky - being outshone by only the sun, moon and Venus - and appearing every bit as spectacular as it did two years ago.

But as large as the full moon? Well, let's think that one out. For Mars to appear that large in our sky, it would have to approach to (assuming my math is correct) within 484,000 miles - or only twice the distance of the moon itself. That would indeed be impressive but, if it were to do so, its gravitational pull would - at the very least - raise tremendously destructive tides on our planet, enough to smear Corpus Christi, Los Angeles, San Francsico, and New York, and literally obiviate the sub-sea level New Orleans! Also, a shift in the Earth's gravitational field might cause it to move in or out of normal orbit, casuing shattering extremes in temperature, casuing either extreme drought, or another ice age. You cannot rule out, also, that if such large masses were to come that close, their graviational attraction creates the potential of collision. Um...

No, even at its closest this October, Mars will remain at a safe distance of 42.9 million miles and will appear as a brilliant red "star" in the evening sky. More information at Snopes.com. The planet will still be brilliant, but spare us the catastrophic coastal flooding of coming too close.

It is amazing that this e-mail about Mars has showed up in just about every inbox on every computer on Earth. And, with the Internet being what it is, expect to receive it again every summer from now until the sun burns out!

August Issue of Signal Hot Off the Press

Pick up the latest edition of the Skidmore Signal Friday at one of the following local businesses: Chisholm Trail Cafe, Dalia's Cafe, Papa's Market, and Kwik Pantry.

In this month's edition, we welcome back contributors Jo Kreis and Steve Sugarek. Mrs Kreis writes of her recent heart attack and its effect on her outlook on life. Mr. Sugarek keeps it "light" with his story of "The Olmos Casino Heist" and and a heart-healthy recipe for "Unleaded Breakfast Tacos." Edwin Wallek Jr. penned a humorous essay on a few of the "Outrageous Moments" shared by his family over the years. The Signal also welcomes "Tech Talk" contributor J.D. Henshall whose column you will recognize from the Signal online.

Breakthrough in MedTech and Bioscience

People often say the with all the advancements today, technology is advancing rapidly. It is important not forget that technology embraces a wide world of sciences, includng medicine. Regardless that this isn't one of my columns, I felt it was important to share.

Australian scientists have discovered that crocodiles have a highly robust immune system capable of seeing off some penicillin-resistant bacteria. Experts there are collecting blood from crocodiles. They they're trying to develop a powerful antimicrobial drug for humans with HIV. Tests showed that the crocodile's immune system actually kills the HIV virus. MSNBC reports crocodiles need a super immune system to prevent life-threatening infections. Let's hope this is the one.

Skidmore News by Way of Victoria

The Victoria Advocate seems to be doing an excellent job of covering local news. This week they report on the marriage of S-T graduate John "Luke" Hardin and Malisa "Missy" Shelton: Shelton-Hardin, an August 9th Skidmore immigration bust: Bee County deputies pick up total of 114 illegal immigrants over weekend, and details on the recent destruction by arson of the Papalote bar Elmyra's: Woman released after being arrested in connection with fire.

UPDATE: ZOTOB Worm Goes Global

AT-RISK SYSTEMS:
PRIORITY: ELEVATED to CRITICAL

UPDATE: The Zotob MS05-039 worm may be the most recent virus that has gone global, hitting Windows 2000 desktops at CNN, ABC, the New York Times, and many others. The virus is spreading around the world rapidly as compromised systems become bots and propagate the worm, with reported epidemic outbreaks in Germany and China. Many networks have been cut-off from the Internet and quarantined in an attempt to prevent infection.

Some systems security experts are saying that this is a new, different worm altogether and says it is one of the fastest-spreading infections in history. If you suspect your system maybe at risk, Microsoft gives you some important infromation. System security giant Symantec has W32.Zotob.D removal instructions. Symantec has lowered the threat to eleveated, granted your systems is up-to-date.

This has is unfortunately a severe example of what happens when your systems are not updated frequently. If you haven't yet done so, please visit Windows Update as soon as possible

The Zotob virus appeared shortly after the Microsoft warned of three newly found "critical" security flaws in its software, including one that could allow attackers to take complete control of a computer. The virus takes advantage of users who failed to update their computers last week after the discovery of security flaws in the Windows systems.

The latest worm exploits security holes in Microsoft's Windows 95, 98, ME, NE, 2000 and XP platforms and can give computer attackers remote access to affected systems. More information at RedHerring.

Systems with strong firewalls and that are up-to-date on the latest updates are not as risk. Again, make sure to go to Windows Update to patch your computer with the most recent fixes. Also make sure to update your anti-virus and firewall software.

S-T Grad Staggs Completes Army Training

1999 S-T Graduate Joshua Staggs has completed Army basic training as reported in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times Military Notes.

Tech Talk: No More Phone Books with SMS

This week, we look at Google SMS, short for Short Message Service, which serves up answers to specialized queries, and it's as simple as sending a text message. Even if you don't have web access on your cell phone or mobile device, you can send your query as a text message and get phone book listings, prices, dictionary defintions and other information.

Be aware, Google SMS is still in beta and only works on major wireless providers, namely AT&T, Cingular, Nextel, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The good news is you don't need a brand-new fancy phone with web browsing built in. Google SMS should work on almost any mobile or handheld, as long as you have the ability to send and receive text messages. Also note that standard text messaging fees apply.

I assume all this reading is making you hungry, right? So let’s find a pizza place and call in. And wings, please, with medium sauce! So let's try a query. We'll find a nearby pizza joint in Beeville. Send your text message to 46645 (the numbers spell "GOOGL") like this:

pizza beeville tx

Or, if you know the zip code, you can shorten it to:

pizza 78102

You'll get your answer in a reply text message, usually within a few seconds in a format like this:

(1of2) Google Local:
Pizza Hut 1103
N Washington St
Beeville, TX 78102
361-358-2970

The "1of2" tells you to look for another message labeled "2of2" with more results. You may get up to four responses.

Google SMS also serves up business and residential phone listings. Why would anyone ever call the phone company for information and pay for it, when Google SMS is free? Here are some examples:

walmart 78102
home depot corpus christi

Or to find publicly listed phone numbers and addresses for residences in the US, try a query like one of these. Specify all the info you know to increase the chances of a successful search. Note that you can omit first name, use an initial, specify the city and/or state, or just the zip code or area code.

iman example anywhere tx (firstname_lastname_city_state)
OR
example 78339 (lastname_zipcode)
OR
example 361 (lastname_areacode)

Google SMS will make you the life of the party when people around you notice your skill at retrieving dictionary definitions and doing price comparisons. Even look up the word 'bloviate' using your cell phone!

define bloviate

If you're in a store bargain hunting, Google SMS will access Froogle to search millions of products from stores on the web. The results contain no ads, just current prices for products available online.

price dvd player
price stereo
price 27 inch television

Suppose that sophisticate at the party is just not impressed that you can get phone listings and compare coffee makers with your phone. What if he says "Well that's fine, sir, but certainly your inexpensive cell phone cannot find information on the moons of Uranus."

Not a problem: Snippets will solve this! A snippet is an excerpt from the results page when you do a search on Google. You don't get the full web results and you can't click on any of the links, but sometimes the answer to your question will be found in the snippets. Happily,

G moons of uranus

returns this:

Google Web:
* The Moons of Uranus-
The following image (Ref)
shows the 5 largest satellites
of Uranus: Miranda, Ariel,
Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon...

Surely that will leave him speechless. Here are some other snippet search examples:

G population san antonio tx
G patriots football schedule

So your old, clunky, 2 day old cell phone doesn't have a calculator? Google SMS does! The calculator can solve basic math problems, convert units of measure and other fun stuff. Some examples:

52134*98.6
23967/12
2^20
sqrt(490)
half a cup in teaspoons
2 gallons in liters

It doesn't stop there, you can even find movie listings, driving directions, stock quotes, and more. If you forget any of the Google SMS commands, just send 'help' as a text message to 46645 and you'll receive instructions and tips on how to use the service. Oh, and if your phone is configured to add a signature to outgoing text messages, you'll have to turn that off to receive Google SMS results. More information and instructions are available at Google SMS. Time to go tally the text messaging fees for writing this column! :)

Ice Lake at Mars North Pole

The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter captured the above spectacular image of water ice filling the floor of a Martian crater. The area of ice is about 7 miles wide. Detailed information can be found at the ESA website: Water ice in crater at Martian north pole.

Historical Map of Skidmore

Skidmore NW.jpg,
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Several people have commented on Mrs. Ledbetter's map of 1940s Skidmore published in the July issue of the Signal. We are experimenting with the idea of creating a web-based historical map of Skidmore utilizing a combination of Google Maps and the Flikr photo hosting service. Click on the image to the right for a not-ready-prime-time preview of how the idea might work.

If we do expand on the idea, we'll need help from the community in fleshing out the rest of the map and verifying its accuracy. Please use the "Leave a Comment" link below for any suggestions or information about the businesses in question.

Skidmore PeeWee 4-H’ers Awarded Buckles

4H buckle winners Dillon Stautzenberger, Sydney Baker, and Brady Bednorz

Three Skidmore Pee Wee division 4-H’ers of the Stampede Club were awarded buckles for competing in the 2004-2005 Bee County sponsored 4-H Point Horse Shows on August 6th at the Bee County 4-H Banquet.

Dillon Stautzenberger, age 7, riding his horse “Oliver,” won Reserve Hi Point Speed Event Champion. Sydney Baker, age 7, riding her horse “Cracker Jack,” won Hi Point Speed Event Champion, and Brady Bednorz, age 7, riding his horse “Sugars Lil Peppy,” won All-Around Champion.

Tech Talk: New Developments in High Speed Internet

President Bush has said that by 2007, he wants high-speed Internet to be the new connection standard in the United States. Yet, in mid-2005, 56K dialup still reigns.

High-speed Internet via satellite was introduced a few years ago and was the first high-speed option for rural areas such as Skidmore and Tynan. Then, earlier in 2005, LightningConnect became just the second high-speed Internet access option for the area by offering a high speed wireless service to residents. Other than that, though, cost has kept telecom companies from exploring rural clients. What companies do take the risk, the price of it makes it a luxury for most.

New alternatives may soon make high-speed Internet without straining the wallet a reality for rural communities. Two new technologies have been introduced which promises to heat up the ISP market and hopefully start brewing competitive prices.

Texas is one of the leading states to when it comes to BPL services. The Texas Senate recently passed SB21, allowing new telecom regulations, including BPL. BPL, short for Broadband over Power Lines will deliver broadband-like speeds over standard electrical lines. This opens up a whole new dimension of high speed possibilities because telecom companies will no longer need to spend thousands of dollars wiring to rural locations. Instead, electric utilities may allow an ISP to provide Internet service over a BPL system on the utilities' electric delivery system. So now, if you have electricity, you have the potential for receiving BPL services. BPL also goes by a few other names and acronyms: Power Line Communications (PLC), Power Line Telecommunications (PLT), and Power Line Broadband (PLB) are terms also used. More information is available at HowStuffWorks. (updated site)

Another new high speed system is wireless. 802.16a, known as WiMax, short for (big breath) Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is considered a descendant of the popular 802.11a/b/g technology, known as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi and WiMax use similar technology in delivering Internet access wirelessly, and both offer broadband-like speeds. However, while Wi-Fi is constrained to offering wireless access of a radius of 90-100 yards, WiMax will be able to provide coverage for a whopping radius of over 30 miles!


In theory, a WiMax tower in Skidmore could cover all of the shaded area above under optimal conditions.

So, hypothetically, a tower placed in Skidmore could cover Sinton, Papalote, Beeville, Tynan, Mathis, St. Paul, Clairville, Olmos, or practically all of southern Bee County, even as far north as Pettus, as far south as Odem, as far east George West as and as far west as Refugio! Many municipalities are considering, and even constructing WiMax towers for their cities and communities to provide a low-cost high speed option to their residents. More information is available at the WiMax Forum and at HowStuffWorks.

Despite lobbying by telecom giants who are reluctant to release their control of high-speed ISPs, these technologies will hopefully continue to develop, and be in place for areas like ours in the coming few years. Mr. Bush may get his wish after all.

Bobcat Little League Minors Play at Hooks Field

Circle K mascot (and umpire) "Thirsty" poses with the team after the game (coach Salinas is still mad about a few of those calls).

Members of the Bobcat Little League Minor teams went up against the Corpus Christi Longhorns at Hooks field Monday, August 1st. The game was played at the "Kids Park" located adjacent to Whataburger field. The team was coached by Toby Salinas, J.J. Trevino, and Richard "Shrimp" Garcia. Look for more photos of the game in the upcoming August 15 issue of the Skidmore Signal.

Dolores Perez Wins Jefferson Volunteer Award

Dolores Perez has been chosen as the weekly winner of the 15th annual Caller-Times/KRIS 6 News Jefferson Volunteer Award. Read the full story, Volunteer fights cancer, moves forward, on the Caller-Times website.

Bin Laden Trojan Circulating Internet

PRIORITY: ELEVATED

Recently, yet another malicious computer program has been making the email rounds. While most people familiar with email and the Internet can avoid such messages, this one has an enticing subject line.

Messages with the subject line “Osama bin Laden Captured” or “Osama bin Laden Killed”, etc. have be circulating on the Internet recently. The message attempts to lure readers by reportedly offering photographs or video taken by overseas journalists of a slain Bin Laden.

Instead, clicking the link downloads and auto-executes a file which exploits a known security hole to download a Trojan horse. This allows spammers and hackers to use your computer as a “zombie” (as it is referred) to route information and thus remaining anonymous. More information and a patch is available at Snopes.com.

Remember to never download attachments or click hyperlinks in messages sent to you by unfamiliar addresses. You may end up downloading a malicious program to your computer without even knowing it.

Channel 6 Recognizes Texas Baptist Men Hurricane Relief Effort

Reverend Lee Bevly of the First Baptist Church of Skidmore was interviewed by KRIS TV Channel 6 in its report on the church's involvement in hurricane relief efforts in: Texas Baptist Men return from Mexico.