Austwell, Texas – On Saturday, February 9 at 7:15 am, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge will be offering a Christmas Bird Count for Kids. This fun activity will meet at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and will last most of the morning as we scan outside to look for as many feathered friends as we can find! We will learn the use of optics, how to learn to identify birds by sight and sound, proper birding techniques and rules, and other things of interest The most important thing, however, is to have as much fun as possible in an incredible outdoor area. And we may see whooping cranes as well!

This is a free event for the public and anyone under 18 is welcome to join. Very young children should have an adult accompany them. We would appreciate if people could call us (361-286-3559) to register or send an email (david_true@fws.gov) if possible. However, we will take any youth or youth at heart that shows up for the event. After the count, all participants may be interested in joining Jody Mays, Park Ranger from Padre Island National Seashore, for a program on sea turtles at 12:00 pm at the visitor center. We will also go over the birds we observed and anything else that caught our fancy.

Come out and let your kids learn why birds and birding are so great!!!

Directions to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge:

From the South: follow Hwy. 35N to the FM 774 exit. Turn right on FM 774 and drive on the highway winding through the farm fields till you get to FM 2040. Do not get off FM 774 until you get to FM 2040! Go another 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Center to register.

From the North: travel south on Hwy. 35 to Tivoli. Continue past Tivoli for approx. 1 mile to the FM 239 exit (on your left). Follow FM 239 to Austwell. When you enter Austwell, FM 239 turns into FM 774 at the curve. Continue on FM 774. Follow 774 & take a right at the stop sign. Go down the end of the street. Take a right again. This takes you out of town for about ½ mile to the FM 2040 turn. Go left on FM 2040 for about 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Center to register.

For more information:
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas/ or phone # 361-286-3559.
Address is United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. P.O. Box 100. Austwell, TX 77950.

Jan. 18: Barbara Clayton

Jan. 20: Nancy Pomykal; Billie Powers; Will Wickham

Jan. 22: Julissa Lopez

Jan. 23: Krystal Stanfield; Terrence Sears

Jan. 24: Leslie Finster; Timmy Amundson; Martin P. Mapp

Jan. 25: Leroy Smith

Jan. 26: Timothy Doolin; Sandra Lane

Jan. 27: Albert L. Smith; Dylan Euton; Ashley Stephensen; Hazel Clayton; Tammy Sanders; Ashley Caldwell

Jan. 28: Duc V. Nguyen

February 1: Susie Jaycox; John Burkhart

Feb. 2: Pat Hatcher; Larry Gibson

Feb. 3: Bill Reeves

Feb. 4: Allan Berger; Bobby Smith; J.J. Johnston

Feb. 5: Mary Sue Thumann; Frank Mahalek

Feb. 6: Christopher Gaines, Jr.; Marjorie Gotcher

Feb. 7: Louis Ragusin; Phuong T. Nguyen

Feb. 8: Crystal Dobecka-Johnson; Casey Carter; Grace Stone: June Pitonyak

Feb. 11: Micki Morris; April May

Feb. 12: Benjamin Bourg; Johnny Hawes; Joseph Carey; Lucas Haynes; Herbert Rodriguez

Feb. 13: TH Long; Christa Hawes

Feb. 14: Dodie Sanders

Feb. 15: Kaitlin & Payton Rice; Raymond Dobecka; Ariel Johnson; Tesha Harborth-Russell; Xandra Aflord; Leanne Smith; Cheryl R. Sandoval

Happy Anniversary!

Billy & Margaret Ragusin (53 years!) January 2

Jerome & Sharon Preslar February 12

Elida & Joe Ragusin February 14

First Graders at Seadrift School practice safety first while doing their science experiments. Braeden Ragusin and Sydney Rasmussen are wearing goggles to protect their eyes. -Amy Christy

Citizens of the Week at Port O’Connor School

Week ending January 11:  PreK- Lauren Authement; Kindergarten- Eli Clark; First Grade- Kyle Doggett; Second Grade- Harley Peeler; Third Grade- Anthony Luna; Fourth Grade- Tristan Krenek; Fifth Grade- Thomas Hawes

Students of the Week at Seadrift School

Week ending December 14: PreK, Mrs. Hataway- Cody Castillo; K, Mrs. Kern- Natalie Hunt; K, Mrs. Myers- Mackenzie Moncrief; 1st, Mrs. Christy- Emily Lowder; 2nd, Miss Sistare- Blake Reyna; 2nd, Mrs. Flisowski- Zayda Estrada; 3rd, Mrs. Hons- Joel Zarate; 3rd, Mrs. Petrisky- Jordi Valeljo; 4th, Mrs. McGee- Jackie Cedillo; 4th, Mrs. Schultz- Zachary Henson; 5th, Mrs. Canales- Rebecca Mendez; Junior High: Mrs. Henderson- Amy Venecia; Mrs. Cady- Aspen Whitstine; Ms. Parnell- Torri Mikolas; Coach Anderson- Danielle Morales; Coach Sternadel- Matthew Frazier; Mrs. Charnetski- Joseph Nguyen; Mrs. Smith- Matthew Stringham; Coach Lillge- Katy Tatum; Ms. Blackburn- Trevor Williamson; Mrs. Beaver- Noah Rodriguez

Week ending December 20: PreK, Mrs. Hataway- Keith Hicks; K, Mrs. Kern- Katie Tatum; K, Mrs. Myers- Maci Bryan; 1st, Mrs. Christy- Sydney Rasmussen; 1st, Ms. Stringham- Jenna McManus; 2nd, Miss Sistare- Eda Gilliland; 2nd, Mrs. Flisowski- Tres Canales; 3rd, Mrs. Hons- Mrs. Petrisky; 3rd, Mrs. Petrisky- Mrs. Hons; 4th, Mrs. McGee- Donald Morales; 4th, Mrs. Schultz- Sierra Callaway; 5th, Mrs. Canales- Emily Cain Junior High: Mrs. Henderson- Nereida Torres; Mrs. Cady- Mrs. Guice; Ms. Parnell- Chloe White; Coach Anderson- Gillian Vasquez; Coach Sternadel- Mrs. Guice; Mrs. Charnetski- Reagan Odell; Mrs. Smith- Mason Clark; Coach Lillge- Jackie Cedillo; Ms. Blackburn- Alton Hall

Week ending January 11: PreK, Mrs. Kern- Destiny Starkweather; 1st, Mrs. Christy- Edgar Munoz; 1st, Ms. Stringham- Cruz Mayorga; 2nd, Miss Sistare- Jacob Nguyen; 2nd, Mrs. Flisowski- Emma McWherter; 3rd, Mrs. Hons- Tayshia Navarro; 3rd, Mrs. Petrisky- Vivian Munoz; 4th, Mrs. McGee- William Bales; 4th, Mrs. Schultz- Joseph White; 5th, Mrs. Canales- Cameron Edwards Junior High: Mrs. Henderson- Nativida Mayorga; Mrs. Cady- Cristal Barcenas; Ms. Parnell- Caleb Aguilar; Coach Anderson- CJ Morales; Coach Sternadel- Lexi Carabajal; Mrs. Charnetski- Noah Rodriguez; Mrs. Smith- Matthew Stringham; Coach Lillge- Kayla Williamson; Ms. Blackburn- Jesus Navarro; Mrs. Beaver- Mariah Wilson

New Year’s Resolutions
by Mrs. Anderson’s POC First Grade Students

This year I will:
Do what my mother and father tell me what to do. Kaitlyn Lashley

Brush my teeth every day and night. Kyle Doggett

Try to eat my vegetables every day. Dylan Ramirez

Feed my pet fish everyday win my mom saye. Aislin Guzman

Do my chores and take out the trash, clen my room, feed my cat, and I clen the plates. Sergio Sanchez

Try to do my chores. I will take the trash. Adam Authement

Clean up my sister’s room. She does’t help clean up. This year I will clean my teeth every nite and day. Cody Branch

Tri to do my homework before it is time to go to sleep and charge my brother’s 3DS when he is at school. Alexzaria Lopez.

Do my bed and clean my room every day even when my mom doesn’t say to. I will eat more helfty. Melany Romo

Austwell, Texas – Once again, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is proud to offer another series of family-friendly winter interpretive programs for the public dealing with Coastal Bend topics as diverse at beetles to sharks and marine debris to climate change.   These programs will be led by experts and resource specialists from a variety of agencies and naturalists across the Coastal Bend.  All programs are on Saturdays starting on January 5, 2013 and ending on March 16, 2013 and will begin at 12:00 pm at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Programs are scheduled to last approximately 45 minutes and are free for the public.  More programs may be added as well; check our website and local papers for more information!

We will also be offering free van tours on all Saturdays and Sundays starting on January 5, 2013 and ending April 28, 2013.  The tours are led by Texas Master Naturalists and other experts of the refuge.  Van tours are held at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm and last for approximately 2 hours.  The vans have a limit on how many people can ride in them, so if you would like to reserve a spot call us at 361-286-3559.  You can also register at the refuge on van tour dates by arriving before the vans head out if they are not filled up for those trips.  Be advised that if you or your party reserves spots for the van tours but don’t arrive by 15 minutes before the vans are scheduled to leave, then those reserved spots can be given to other people waiting for van tours at the refuge.

Programs at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

January 26: Whooping Cranes!  Inspiring for all who see them, Aransas is perhaps best known as a wintering home for these beautiful and important birds.  At one time only 18 birds were left on our planet, the cranes are making a slow but steady comeback, although they are still highly endangered.  Joan Garland of the International Crane Foundation will provide to the public a variety of information on these amazing birds and the continuing efforts to save them.

February 2: The Myths and Biology of Groundhogs, Armadillos and Gophers.  Of course we have to have a program on groundhogs on Groundhog Day, even though they are not found on the refuge!  But this program will also cover burrowing animals found here including pocket gophers and armadillos.  This program will be led by Park Ranger David True of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

February 9: The Texas Zoo and Native Wildife. We are happy to have the Texas Zoo coming to give a program for the general public on native wildlife of our region.  They will be giving a PowerPoint program and perhaps may bring a few animals in as well!  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about some of our “critters” of the refuge and Coastal Bend region.

February 16: The Sea Turtles of South Texas. Sea turtles are always a joy to see when observed from boats, crawling on sand to lay eggs, or feeding on jellyfish and other sea life.  Unfortunately most of these species are threatened or endangered and need our help today to survive in a changing world. Jody Mays of the Padre Island National Seashore will be leading this important program on these enigmatic species of our marine regions.

February 23: Climate Change and our Weather. An important environmental issue of today and our future, climate change is misunderstood by many people and is a topic that is not going to go away.  It certainly affects how we will manage wildlife refuges, forests and parks.  Weather certainly is an important part of climate change although weather is not the same thing as talking about climates.  Confused?  John Metz of the National Weather Service will help answer some of these questions with this fascinating program and will also discuss information on clouds and storms of our amazing region.

March 2: Beetles of Aransas!  Come on now, at some time in your life you have marveled at one of these astonishing creatures (whether you admit to it or not!).  Beetles come in all colors, sizes and shapes and are the largest insect group in the world.  They have fascinating behaviors and natural histories and can be a joy to learn about.  Come out and listen to Dick Klopshinske, Texas Master Naturalist, about these spectacular creatures and learn about some of the smaller members of our wildlife world.

March 9: The Wild Cats of South Texas. South Texas had originally five species of wild cats: bobcats, ocelots, jaguarondi, mountain lion and jaguar.  Today, only bobcats remain fairly common.  Ocelots are in small numbers near the Rio Grande, mountain lions range in small numbers throughout South Texas, and jaguarondis and jaguars haven’t been documented in this region for a long time.  Jennifer Owen-White, refuge manager of Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, will provide this program on the cats of this region.

March 16: The Attwater’s Prairie Chicken. At one time, the booming of the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken, a subspecies of the Greater Prairie Chicken, was heard in the grasslands of Aransas NWR.  Today these birds are gone, and can only be found in a few protected places in Texas.  Ferris Calderon of the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge will give a program about these extraordinary birds, and what the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is doing in trying to save them.

Directions To The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

From the South: follow Hwy. 35N to the FM 774 exit. Turn right on FM 774 and drive on the highway winding through the farm fields till you get to FM 2040. Do not get off FM 774 until you get to FM 2040!  Go another 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Center to register.

From the North: travel south on Hwy. 35 to Tivoli. Continue past Tivoli for approx. 1 mile to the FM 239 exit (on your left). Follow FM 239 to Austwell. When you enter Austwell, FM 239 turns into FM 774 at the curve. Continue on FM 774. Follow 774 & take a right at the stop sign. Go down the end of the street. Take a right again. This takes you out of town for about ½ mile to the FM 2040 turn. Go left on FM 2040 for about 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Center to register. Contact: 361-286-3559   http://www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas/

Victoria, Texas – Calhoun Air Center at Victoria Regional Airport (VCT) is proud to announce its recent certification. In addition to adding a helicopter division in early 2012; the flight school has been issued a Part 141 certificate. The certificate was awarded November 20, 2012 and enables Calhoun Air Center to teach the Private Pilot certification under Part 141 for airplanes.

The next step for the flight school is to add Instrument, Commercial, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)  to the Part 141 certificate. Chief Flight Instructor, Erin Michael, is currently working on the Instrument and Commercial Part 141 approval. Once the Instrument and Commercial courses have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Part 141, the Flight School will begin the process to become certified by the Veterans Administration (VA). This will enable veterans to attend the flight school and use their VA benefits.  In addition, an application has been submitted for the Flight School to accept International students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) program.

The Flight School is currently working on Part 141 approval for all courses for helicopter training as well. Flight schools certified under Part 141 provide a structured training program with a standardized training syllabus approved by the FAA.

“One of the multiple benefits of being certified under Part 141 is our students are allowed to complete the pilot certificate or rating in fewer flight training hours as compared to other flight schools,” commented manager and helicopter Chief Flight Instructor Toni McCarthy.

Part 141 certification requires an approved flight training syllabus for each course, instructor standardization, flight exams given by the Chief Flight Instructor and regular FAA inspections of school facilities, aircrafts, simulators and training devices.

If you wish to learn more about the newest addition to Calhoun Air Center’s airplane flight training courses, please contact Erin Michael at 361-575-2359 or via email at erin@calhounaircenter.com. For more information on helicopter flight training courses, contact Toni McCarthy at 361-575-2359 or via email at toni@calhounaircenter.com.

To schedule an interview or for more information about this event please contact, Jasmine Gordon at 361-746-8846 or via email at jas@calhounaircenter.com.