POC Grand Slam Raffle Tickets On Sale Now

The 7th Annual Christopher Ragusin Grand Slam Memorial Fishing Tournament will be held October 5th & 6th. The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who makes this event possible. The POC Grand Slam has 3 big Raffle Items this year:

1. Phillips LCD TV 46” w/WiFi connections;
2. Rod and Reel Combo valued at $500;
3. Victoria’s Secret $500 Gift Card

To purchase a ticket ($1 each or 6 for $5), call Amy at 361-935-8745; Sylvia Ann at 361-655-3221; Sally at 361-655-7038; or Calvin at 361-655-0498. Anyone who wishes to donate an item for the Grand Slam auctions, please contact one of these persons. All donated items are greatly appreciated.

The Federal Budget – What Can Be Done?

Paul Ryan was widely praised by many Democrat Pundits, including Bill Clinton, on his work to ensure the survival of Medicare. Until now. As Mitt Romney’s running mate, he is now the Devil incarnate. The real problems with Medicare are fraud and Obamacare. To make the numbers even remotely palatable there is a large transfer from Medicare to Obamacare. Different accounts vary because Obamacare is so long and complicated, no one knows how it will work or how much it will cost. Even government agencies admit that the 10 year estimated deficit has tripled from $900 Billion to over $2.7 Trillion just for that one program. The ‘bad’ news is that the “Medicare funding” to transfer doesn’t exist. Like Social Security, the Medicare funding from taxes is placed in the General Fund and spent immediately.

Under Obama the Federal debt has risen from about $10 Trillion to $16 Trillion and is expected to exceed $16.35 Trillion by the end of this year. The Dems are fighting to maintain all the ‘Entitlements’ against the Economic Realists like Paul Ryan that are trying to prevent economic collapse. The facts are the Federal Government will take in $2.5 Trillion, but spends $3.8 T leaving a deficit of $1.3 Trillion. There are two forms of spending – Mandatory: Interest and all the Entitlements, and Discretionary: Security- the military, CIA, FBI etc= $868 Billion, and Non-security – the rest of the Federal Govt = $450 Billion, for a total of $1.319 Trillion. The current interest is artificially low: ‘only’ $225 Billion. The real problem is the “Entitlements”: Social Security $773 Billion, Medicare $478 Billion, Medicaid $255 Billion, and “Others” that includes unemployment and many Welfare programs $711 Billion, for a total of about $2.5 Trillion. See: http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EW5IdwltaAc?rel=0

This level of spending can’t be sustained, even taxing the “Rich” at Obama’s desired rates won’t make a dent in the deficit, but will drive capital from US markets, and they know it. That is Election Year Class-Warfare Rhetoric. They intend to keep on “borrowing” (really creating ‘debt-money’ out of nothing).  Our Federal Debt exceeds our entire GDP now, in fact our Debt is 1/4 of the World’s GDP and will increase at least $10 trillion in the next ten years at current rates. With the added debts of Obamacare and an interest-rate that must be increased to attract investors could easily double that, or more, if unchecked.

We must do something quickly. 1. No more entitlements for non-citizens.  2. If we have to be drug tested to earn the taxes, recipients should be drug tested to receive funds. 3. 99 weeks of ‘unemployment’ is plain crazy. 4. Stop putting people on SS Disability because they ‘can’t find a job’. 5. Stop IRS “earned Income tax credits” rebates. If their credits exceed what they paid in, then they can carry-over to the next year. And stop the fraud! 6. Investigate and prosecute Medicare and Medicaid fraud, it is rampant. 7. ‘Means Test’ for Social Security over $1000/ month. Why should people that get large Government pensions get big SS pay-out, too? Admit SS is broke, was a Ponzi Scam, and Congress spent the money since the 1960s. 8. Welfare recipients should be dis-enfranchised for 3 times the length of time they are on welfare, up to 5 years after they become self-supporting. 9. Stop government support for chosen industries with taxpayer money. They can give tax breaks for investors, such as tax-free dividends for 3 or 5 years, or even tax breaks on capital gains. This rarely reduces tax collections by much because new technology start-ups rarely pay much dividends until well established. Let investors take the risk voluntarily, not the taxpayers money risked on Crony Capitalism and Agenda driven projects.

These are just a few things that could be done immediately.  The Liberal Democrats, especially in the leadership, refuse to recognize there is a problem, much less identify it correctly. So, vote out the Obamunists that have hijacked our Democrat Party, we must try to rebuild a Pro-American Democrat Party like we used to have. And vote out the RINOs too!  The old Beltway Buffoon Repubs are not the answer, we need new leadership in both parties, or the Union is doomed! In fact, it may already be too late. With International Socialists running the Democrat Party, our choice now is Republican or Communist.

Celebrate the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and all fall migrants at the 24th Annual HummerBird Celebration in Rockport-Fulton, Texas Sept. 13-16.

Many opportunities exist to see and learn more about these delightful airborne creatures during bird banding, bus/boat and nature tours, lectures, workshops, and of course, Hummer Home tours. The event features over 80 vendors of bird and nature-related merchandise. Kevin Gaines will Keynote Friday, September 14 at 5:30 p.m. Also, Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to noon you can view Live Birds in flight,  children’s activities, butterfly exhibit, native plant sales, hummingbird facts and more! This year’s line up for Keynote Speakers are as follows:

Kevin Karlson is an accomplished birder, professional tour leader and wildlife photographer who has published numerous articles on bird identification and natural history for an assortment of magazines, books, and journals Karlson’s Program will feature “Birds on the Wind: The Miracle of Migration”. Breathtaking photos and several musical interludes add to the interesting nature of this presentation. This light-hearted program appeals to birders and non-birders alike.

Sky Kings Falconry – Kevin Gaines: Kevin has been working with raptors for almost 10 years.  He has worked with birds as small as Kestrels and Conures to ones as large as Bald Eagles and Andean Condors. He has recently started using his skills in the bird abatement field, and founded “Sky Kings Falconry Service” in order to spread the message of wildlife conservation and offer an environmentally friendly alternative to bird problems.   He will be presenting “Raptors Revealed” See Birds in Flight.

Kelly Bryan from Fort Davis will be talking about the interesting Western U.S. hummers (different from eastern ones we usually see here) he has banded at various sites between Terlinqua and Mount Livermore. His presentation: “Jewels of the Mountains and Desert”.

Bob Sargent, our official Master Hummingbird Bander, who hails from Alabama will be hummer banding at our Official Hummer Banding site. A Master Bander is a licensed technician that records data and banding birds. The times are as follows:

(Open to the public)

Thursday 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Friday 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Saturday 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Rockport Center for the Arts join expert wildlife photographers: John Martell for a discussion of tips and tricks on “Photographing hummingbirds and Other Small Birds”, and Bruce Sherman as she covers the subject of “Photographing Birds of Texas”.

Children (18 & under) are admitted to talks without charge when accompanied by an adult.

For complete HummerBird Celebration details and activities visit www.rockporthummingbird.com or call 800-242-0071. Information on Rockport-Fulton visit www.rockport-fulton.org

AA meets each Saturday night at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Port O’Connor.
AA Meetings are held each Monday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 4th & Cleveland, in Seadrift.  Fellowship begins at 7:00.
POC Lions Club meets the second Wednesday of each month, 12 Noon, at Cathy’s Restaurant
Commissioner’s Court meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 10 a.m., 1st Floor of the Court House, Port Lavaca.
Crossroads Astronomy Club meets at 7:00 p.m., third Mondays, at U of H, Victoria, Room 223 info: wes81461@yahoo.com   935-2016
Calhoun County Quilt Guild meets the first Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building.
Open Arms (Families Surviving Infant Loss) meets every third Tuesday at Central Church of Christ, 801 E. Airline, Victoria, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Calhoun County Democratic Club meets the last Thursday of the month at IBC Bank, Port Lavaca, at 5:30 p.m.
Calhoun County Conservative Club meets 2nd Tuesday each month, 11:00 a.m. at the Heritage Center in Port Lavaca
Friday Night Youth every Friday except the first Friday of each month, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., Fisherman’s Chapel, Port O’Connor
POC Sports Association meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at POC Community Center.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.) meets 3rd Monday each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Parkway Church, Victoria. Support group meets at Laurent Towers fountain from 6-8 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month.

Mon., Aug. 27    School Year Begins

Sat., Sept. 1    Flip Flop Festival
Noon-8:00 pm    Bayfront Peninsula Port Lavaca -Concert 9:30 pm

Sat., Sept. 1    Aquarium at Rockport Harbor “AquaFest”
Noon-8:00 pm    361-727-0016; www.rockportaquarium.com

Tues., Sept. 4    Bunco
7:00 p.m.    Port O’Connor Community Center

Tues., Sept. 4    Seadrift City Council
7:00 p.m.    Seadrift City Hall

Thurs., Sept. 6    Port O’Connor Service Club
10:00 a.m.    Port O’Connor Community Center

Sat., Sept. 8    Benefit for Heather Thumann
11:00 am – ??    POC Community Center Pavilion

Sept. 7-9 & 14-15    “The Fox on the Fairway”
361-649-6116    Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre

Mon., Sept. 10    Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce
6:30 p.m.    Port O’Connor Community Center

Tues., Sept. 11    Seadrift Centennial Committee
7:00 p.m.    Seadrift City Hall

Wed., Sept. 12    Port O’Connor Lions Club
Noon        Cathy’s Restaurant

Sept. 13-16    HummerBird Celebration in Rockport/Fulton
www.rockporthummingbird.com

Rockport, Texas– AquaFest 2012 on Labor Day weekend is the inaugural event presented by the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor, promising family fun inspired by the bay waters we all share. While Rockport, Texas is known as an art community, it is our unique position on the bays that residents adore and that keeps our visitors returning year after year. To highlight the mission of the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor, and to serve as an annual fundraising event, they are hosting the first annual AquaFest on Saturday, September 1, from noon to 8:00 pm. The admission is $1 for ages 8 and up.

In the tradition of other prominent festivals for our area, AquaFest will provide visitors with a variety of exciting activities with the added opportunity to explore the world under the sea. Unique water demonstrations, children and adult activities and vendors will span the grounds outside the Aquarium, most with a nautical theme. Among them will be the Texas State Aquarium and the Coast Guard with informative and engaging displays. The new Education Center will feature movies of various sea creatures and our very own Leopard Moray Eel, Marley’s “eel-leventh” birthday party, complete with party hats and an Eel shaped cake. Outside the Aquarium visitors will find an array of games and activities including Kid Fish for two age levels, face painting, prize wheel and more, along with a Rubber Ducky Regatta and Washer Tournament for all ages.

Musical artists will provide continuous entertainment just outside the Rockport Yacht Club who will also be serving up Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, along with beverages for all ages and taste. Headliners, the Scott Taylor Band, will kick off our event from noon to 2 pm, followed by local favorite Trip Hunt from 4 pm to 6 pm and finishing out our day with Rockport’s own Jade Patek and Bryan Matlock from 6 pm to 8 pm, with one remaining act to be announced.

Raffle tickets are currently available in conjunction with the festival with the drawing of winners to be held at 6 pm on the festival grounds. Prizes include fishing trips, whooping crane and bay cruises, an original Simon Michael painting, Hurricane Alley Fun Package, USS Lexington family membership, a shopping spree and more. T-shirts with the official AquaFest 2012 logo will be available for purchase in adult and youth sizes, in limited quantities.

A special “thank you” goes out to all our volunteers, vendors, musical artists and our many sponsors who are making our first annual event a reality. Your participation and support is greatly appreciated and will facilitate the continued growth of the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor, Inc., a non profit Texas Corporation, dedicated to the education and entertainment of visitors through experiences that promote understanding, conservation and stewardship of marine resources and environments. Admission to the Aquarium is free to the public. Special tours are available upon request from schools, churches, scouts, social and civic groups and other special needs The Aquarium at Rockport Harbor is located at 702 Navigation Circle, Rockport, Texas. For more information dial 361-727-0016 or visit our web-site www.rockportaquarium.com.