Man possibly involved in financial scheme with Hispanic immigrants

A 49-year-old Galena Park man who was reported missing earlier this week was found dead in the trunk of his car in a Pasadena apartment complex parking lot Saturday morning, authorities said.
Officers discovered the body of Salvador Rojas in the trunk of his silver 2000 Volkswagen Jetta shortly before 11 a.m . in the 4300 block of Shaver after a resident in the apartment complex reported a foul smell coming from the car, said Assistant Pasadena Police Chief Bud Corbett, adding that Rojas' hands were bound together at the wrists.
While questioning residents at the apartment complex, detectives learned that Rojas' car may have been seen in the parking lot on Wednesday night, which is the last time anyone heard from the man, Corbett said.

Decomposition of the body made it difficult to determine any injuries. An exact cause of death will be determined by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office, Corbett said.
Rojas, who owns a small boot business at a southeast Houston flea market, was last heard from about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when he called friends to say he had a flat tire and was running late to meet them, said FBI spokeswoman Pat Villafranca.
By midnight, Rojas had not returned to his home in the 12300 block of Kayla. His wife became worried and began calling his cell phone, but got no answer.

When the call was returned, Rojas' wife told investigators she heard strangers' voices on the line.
``She said 'Who are you? Where is my husband?' And they didn't say a word,'' Villafranca said. ``They just hung up.''
When the woman tried to call back, the phone had been turned off. Rojas wife immediately called Galena Park police, who then later requested the assistance of the FBI, Villafranca said.
During the investigation, Pasadena police detectives learned that Rojas was allegedly involved in a financial scheme loaning money to Hispanic immigrants for outrageous fees and interests, making it difficult for people to ever repay the loan, Corbett said.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

First reported US swine-flu death occurs in Houston

The first reported death in the United States from the swine flu outbreak was that of a 23-month-old Mexican toddler who fell ill in Brownsville and was transported for treatment in Houston, where the child died Monday, city officials said.
Kathy Barton, spokeswoman for the Houston Department of Health and Human Services, did not say which hospital treated the child or give any other details about the toddler.

There still have been no reported Houston-area cases of the disease, which is thought to have begun in Mexico but is being detected around the world. However, Barton said Houston should expect to see cases originate here.
She added that hospitals that handle any flu cases, swine or otherwise, take precautions to prevent its spread, such as masks, frequent handwashing and other sanitation measures.

"Even though we've been expecting this, it is very, very sad," said Dr. Richard Besser, acting chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who made the initial announcement of a Texas death on several nationally televised morning shows today. "As a pediatrician and a parent, my heart goes out to the family."

Germany today reported its first three cases of swine flu. The number of confirmed swine flu cases in the United States before today rose to 66 in six states, with 45 in New York, 11 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one each in Indiana and Ohio, but cities and states suspected more. In New York, the city's health commissioner said "many hundreds" of schoolchildren were ill at a school where some students had confirmed cases.

The world has no vaccine to prevent infection but U.S. health officials aim to have a key ingredient for one ready in early May, the big step that vaccine manufacturers are awaiting. But even if the World Health Organization ordered up emergency vaccine supplies — and that decision hasn't been made yet — it would take at least two more months to produce the initial shots needed for human safety testing.
"We're working together at 100 miles an hour to get material that will be useful," Dr. Jesse Goodman, who oversees the Food and Drug Administration's swine flu work, told The Associated Press.
The U.S. is shipping to states not only enough anti-flu medication for 11 million people, but also masks, hospital supplies and flu test kits. President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion in emergency funds to help build more drug stockpiles and monitor future cases, as well as help international efforts to avoid a full-fledged pandemic.

"It's a very serious possibility, but it is still too early to say that this is inevitable," the WHO's flu chief, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, told a telephone news conference.
Cuba and Argentina banned flights to Mexico, where swine flu is suspected of killing more than 150 people and sickening well over 2,000. In a bit of good news, Mexico's health secretary, Jose Cordova, late Tuesday called the death toll there "more or less stable."

Mexico City, one of the world's largest cities, has taken drastic steps to curb the virus' spread, starting with shutting down schools and on Tuesday expanding closures to gyms and swimming pools and even telling restaurants to limit service to takeout. People who venture out tend to wear masks in hopes of protection.
New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Britain, Canada and now Germany have also reported cases. But the only deaths so far have been Mexican citizens, baffling experts.
The WHO argues against closing borders to stem the spread, and the U.S. — although checking arriving travelers for the ill who may need care — agrees it's too late for that tactic.

"Sealing a border as an approach to containment is something that has been discussed and it was our planning assumption should an outbreak of a new strain of influenza occur overseas. We had plans for trying to swoop in and knockout or quench an outbreak if it were occurring far from our borders. That's not the case here," Besser told a telephone briefing of Nevada-based health providers and reporters. "The idea of trying to limit the spread to Mexico is not realistic or at all possible."
"Border controls do not work. Travel restrictions do not work," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said in Geneva, recalling the SARS epidemic earlier in the decade that killed 774 people, mostly in Asia, and slowed the global economy.

Authorities sought to keep the crisis in context: Flu deaths are common around the world. In the U.S. alone, the CDC says about 36,000 people a year die of flu-related causes. Still, the CDC calls the new strain a combination of pig, bird and human.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Medical Center Boot Camp

Friday May 1, 2009 at 6:00am Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute 6411 Fannin Houston, Texas
WHO: Anyone looking for a jumpstart to help achieve their fitness goals

WHAT: The Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute will host a fitness boot camp to help individuals lose weight, improve their fitness levels, strengthen and tone muscles and increase cardiovascular endurance. Participants will also receive nutrition and food coaching to learn how to regulate protein, fat and carbohydrate intake to improve individual results. One-on-one personal training can also be scheduled at a cost of $65 a session. Full-size lockers are available to rent as well for $30 a month, which includes access to showers and towels. Price: $185.

WHEN: Monday, Wednesday and Friday Time: 6 a.m. – 7 a.m. Session 1: May 1st to May 27th Session 2: June 5th to July 1st Session 3: July 10th to Aug 5th For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 713-222-CARE
WHERE: Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza 6411 Fannin, Suite 1620 Houston, Texas 77030

WHY: At the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute, highly trained physicians and staff are here to push every level of athlete – recreational, competitive or professional athletes – to a higher level of performance. As all athletes know, there is always a way to get better. Whether it’s getting better after an injury, getting better at your game, or trying to promote a healthy, active lifestyle, we’re here to help.

Pasadena-area residents have a new commute option beginning April 6.

Harris County Transit, working with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, has created a Park & Ride route along State Highway 225 between Pasadena and downtown Houston.

The new service also serves residents of Deer Park, Galena Park, La Porte and surrounding areas along S.H. 225.

The 244 Monroe/Pasadena Park & Ride will operate four trips each weekday morning and five trips each weekday afternoon, with service running from 5:48 a.m. to 7:23 a.m., and 4:05 p.m. to 5:58 p.m. The bus will make a stop at the Monroe Park & Ride lot before heading into downtown on the normal 244 Monroe route.

The one-way fare will be $3.75 and customers are encouraged to use the Metro Q Fare Card, which offers five free trips for every 50 paid trips.

‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’

Favorites art Art Park whenever they return are The Plaids, (from left to right) Larry Mitchell, Fred White and Rusty Groos. (Missing member Ed Fitzsimmons is represented by the Canned Ham.)


By GLORIA WALKER SMITH
Updated: 04.01.09
A lot of excited people played “Dress Up” at Art Park Theatre on Saturday, March 28, as they anticipated the variety show, “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

In the lobby, guests were greeted with the sight of sophisticatedly decorated round tables filled brim to brim with delectable finger foods. The caterer, Sherry Hale, was ably assisted by scores of Art Park volunteers and the result was elegant-looking, as well as wonderfully tasty.

Each table was classy with black and silver appointments entwined with ropes of pearls. As participants ambled among the tables filling their plates, Dr. Tommy Hysler entertained with piano selections. Eating at Art Park is always a pleasure, because the seating arrangements are comfortable for dining or watching a show.

Promptly at 8 o’clock, Emcee Rusty Groos opened with his own brand of hilarious comments. He reiterated his support of education and revealed that he had a 4.0 when graduating from college – however, that was not his GPA, it was his blood alcohol level!

One of his first announcements was an explanation of the Canned Ham Award to be given to the act on the program receiving the most monetary support from the audience. Murline Staley, the Tip Fairy (or as she preferred, the Tip Queen) circulated throughout the theater with her huge crystal goblet collecting donations for Mead-Holm Scholarships, awarded to theater students.

Interspersed between musical acts was something new for Art Park and proved to be very enjoyable.

Fashions from Casanova’s Downfall and Adelaide’s were modeled by local ladies AND gentlemen: Arnold Adair, Bennie and Christina Boles, Beckie S. Cobb, Brenda Cothran, Gaylyn DeVine, Beth Dombrowa, Jim Fox, Charles Garrison, Greg Grigg, Thane Harrison, Larry Johnson, Sharon McLean, Donna Mills, Darrell Morrison, Dana Philibert, Rae Sinor, Chris Swanson, Donna Thomas, Ryan Taylor, Dana Tuggle, Sheri Vaughn, Grady West, Holly Williamson and Sandra Womack.

From Barbra Streisand’s role in “Funny Girl,” Julianne McBride belted out her version of “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” while Tyler Duke and Margo Staley giggled their way through a cute “Romeo and Juliet.”

Then the stage was filled with Art Park kids bringing “Consider Yourself” from “Oliver

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Annual prayer breakfast quickly approaching

By ROY N. KENT
Updated: 03.27.09
The annual Pasadena Kiwanis Club Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is quickly approaching and spots are filling up.

The event is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, in Campbell Hall at the Pasadena Rodeo Fairgrounds. Breakfast will be served around 6:45 a.m.

Table sponsorships include platinum for $500; gold for $400; silver for $300; and general for $120. Individual tickets are $16.

The featured speakers at the event are Commissioners Paul and Jajuan Kellner, formerly officers with The Salvation Army. They retired on Oct. 1, 2000, from the Zimbabwe Territory, concluding nearly 40 years of active service as officers of The Salvation Army.

Following their commissioning as officers in 1963, the Kellners served in corps appointments in Panama City and Fort Myers, Fla., at the College for Officer Training, in divisional work in the National Capitol and Virginia Division and in ministry among Vietnam refugees.

They were then appointed to the Caribbean Territory where they were given responsibility for youth work.

In 1977, the Kellners transferred to the Haiti Division, first as corps officers and later as Divisional Secretary and Divisional Finance Officer respectively. In addition, they operated a workshop for blind and handicapped men.

In 1980, the Kellners returned to the United States and had divisional headquarters appointments in the Maryland and Northern West Virginia Division and the Florida Division, before being assigned to Territorial Headquarters in Atlanta to inaugurate the new Adult Ministries and Evangelism Department.

From there, the Kellners were appointed as chief secretary and territorial home league secretary in the Zimbabwe Territory. After nearly five years in Zimbabwe, they were appointed to the Congo (Brazzaville) Territory as territorial leaders. In June of 1998 they returned to Zimbabwe to assume leadership of that territory until the conclusion of their active service as officers.

The Kellners are products of the Tampa, Fla., Corps, but entered officer training from Miami. Prior to their entry into officer training, Paul Kellner obtained a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University, and was a public school music teacher, bandmaster and songster leader. He has had several of his musical compositions published by The Salvation Army. Since September, 2001, he has been bandmaster of the SAROA Brass, is the Corps Songster Leader, and conducts the corps band.


Read the full story HERE.


Jajuan Kellner is known as a very creative person in many areas including programming, public speaking, writing, and home making. The Kellners together have written and produced a number of musical plays down through the years.

Deer Park Egg Hunt April 4th

For more information click HERE.