Isaiah Adan Ochoa was born Monday, October 3 at 9:56am in Victoria, Texas. 8 lbs., 10 oz,, 20 inches long.

Isaiah’s parents are Aaron and Roxanne Ochoa of Port O’Connor; Big Brother: Antonio Gloria of Port O’Connor.

Grandparents: Daniel and Debbie Gayle of Port O’Connor; Luis and Esmeralda Ochoa of Port Lavaca.

Great-Grandparents: Genevieve Scott of Port O’Connor; Peggy Gayle of Victoria; Daniel & Amelia Morales of Port Lavaca; Oweta Ochoa of Austin.

Seadrift – Kay Adams, 67, passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 surrounded by her loved ones in her home.

Family and friends gathered in Seadrift for a celebration of her life on Saturday, October 22.

Golfing Facility in Port O’Connor

Hey it’s me again, G.B., with my two cents worth.

Does anyone besides myself think it’s a good idea to have a driving range and maybe a couple of par three holes to practice on? This would be there for all of our citizens and visitors to use at no cost to them.

I have worked my tail off mowing, putting up range markers and building a tee box, plus I have started one green to pitch too.

Some anonymous person has complained about me using the water out there. They made a statement that G.B. is doing that for his own personal use.

At the present time there are about six of us that use the driving range. I admit that I use it the most.

I have offered to pay for the water I use and was told that it wasn’t possible. Come on now.

Can any one help solve the water problem?

What’s going to happen when the Sports Association builds a ball park there? How are they going to be billed for the water they use?

If you think it would be good for Port O’Connor to have some kind of golfing facility, please write your response in the next issue of the Dolphin Talk.

Thank you.

G.B. Robertson

October 21, 2011

I thought about our recent cutbacks in school budgets when I read the headlines this morning r.e. “Senate Votes Down Trimmed Version of Obama’s Jobs Bill”. The President responded saying that it was “unacceptable” and that Republicans are obstructing a bill that would “create jobs and get our economy going again”. The response from Tea Party Patriots was “This was yet another bailout for bloated state and local governments, which really means a bailout for the cronies and friends of President Obama”.

Well, it’s no wonder there’s such a serious political divide in this country when you have both sides resorting to such passionate, misleading rhetoric. Stuck in the middle are teachers, firefighters and law enforcement personnel. It’s really a shame they’ve become the political football in Washington, where the unlimited Federal budget is used as a policy tool to manipulate state and local governments.

Personally, I believe the accelerated levels of federal spending over the last few years is the root cause for many of our problems today. It has distorted state and local governments trying to balance their budget priorities. Now, without federal “stimulus” spending, state and local governments have no choice but to adjust to current revenue levels. As painful as this may be for effected individuals, doesn’t this make more sense than continuing down a huge deficit-spending path?

I would disagree with the Tea Party Patriots that state and local governments have become “bloated”, and would instead focus on the bloated Federal government. We, as a nation, really need to cut Federal spending in a big way. To illustrate how irresponsible and out of control our deficit spending has become, I’ve attached a chart for your review.

Thank you for your consideration.

King Tomlinson
Port Lavaca

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (with exceptions at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests: therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.

Letters to the Dolphin:

Dolphin Talk
P.O. Box 777
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
dolphin1@tisd.net

Hey there Dolphin readers, I’m back with several tips to help keep you on track. Remember to make time to continue your routine; it will only help you feel better, even if you simply start with walking half a mile and building from there. My grandma began joining me three evenings a week doing just this during the summer. In a month she was walking a mile and a half! — something she thought was impossible. She felt great; her blood pressure and cholesterol were stabilized, plus we got to spend more time together. Now you get out there and do the same!

1. Change up your scenery during training.

When I first started “jogging” I was determined to go only to the high school track. I was purely focused on, “Jog the straights and walk the curves.” Yes, I just had a flashback to 8th grade. While that helped me in the first weeks to get into gear and help determine race pace, it did not help me when it came down to the nitty-gritty – the day of the race. I had been training on Astroturf and now I was jogging on concrete. Doesn’t add up. So – mix it up, jog around your neighborhood, park, bay front, track, beach… I especially enjoy jogging at Lighthouse Beach in Port Lavaca. This tactic also helps to lower your percentages of getting shin splints.

2. Don’t be in a hurry.

The first couple of races I attended, I was fixated on being up front. Don’t be. I would wear myself out early on then wonder why I felt the need to walk mid-race. Don’t worry about being ahead of the pack. Keep race pace, then increase your pace towards the end and you’ll be surprised how many joggers you pass up towards the end.

3. Open up your stride.

I was able to shave 45 seconds off of my time just by opening up my stride. As soon as I hear my Nike + iPod inform me that I’ve reached the 3rd K – boom – I open up my stride. A simple tactic that shaves seconds off fast!

4. Motivation is key.

After several months of walking or jogging, you need to keep motivated and provide an incentive to continue your routine. Many of my running buddies inspired me to add to my routine; plus it helps to strengthen your core. Don’t just walk or jog; try yoga, bike riding or simply get yourself a couple of weights and do a couple of reps while watching your favorite TV show.

5. Keep your chin up.

Very important! Muy importante! I have a tendency to jog and stare at the ground. This is not ideal, folks. It took me five months to break myself of this habit, and I am happy to report that I have finally done so – not to mention shaved another 45 seconds off of my time. Every little bit counts! One thing that I like to do (especially when jogging at Lighthouse Beach) is focus on a post in front of me, 100 meters away. Once you reach that, move your focus target up another 100 meters. You’d be surprised how fast it goes by… take it a little bit at a time and you feel better about your time. Don’t think of it as, “Let’s jog this entire 5K.” Simply take it 100 meters at a time.

6. Create a Run! Run! Run! Playlist:

Last but not least – here are several songs you’ll find on my iPod playlist which I’ve appropriately entitled, “Run! Run! Run!” They provide a good beat, help inspire me and make the time go by super fast! Plus, on race day you can turn on your Nike +iPod and select this playlist. The key is to choose enough songs to cover your targeted time. Start out with your most mellow song and increase from there; it’s all about the beat!

“Ain’t Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up),” Garth Brooks
“Gasoline,” Audioslave
“Toxic,” Britney Spears
“So What,” Pink
“Jump Around,” House of Pain
“Seven Nation Army,” The White Stripes

Special thanks to all that sent emails regarding the first tips article and inspired me to continue my routine!

Perhaps with that cold snap of weather last week, we will be starting our journey towards Winter. It seems as though we just jump from Summer to Winter — maybe this year, we’ll get a little Fall weather. And with this slightly cooler air, the members of the Service Club are starting our plans for our Annual Christmas Luncheon for our Senior residents.

Repeating her work as Chairman of the food for the Luncheon is Pat Ekstrom who will be aided by several other members. Confirming a prior year’s menu of Brisket and Glazed Ham, Pat announced to members that their contributions of salads and vegetables, potatoes, breads and desserts will be necessary. The Decorating Committee, composed of Chairmen, Joyce Jordan and Sue Kubecka, announced that snowmen will occupy a prominent position, both in the entry and nearby tables, creating a wintry display. And our tree will again by adorned with multi-ornaments, many from past years with some of the beautiful shell ornaments that were created earlier. As this event is currently in the planning stage, more information will be available later in November.

Next on the agenda was the Halloween Carnival scheduled for Saturday, October 29th at the Elementary School. Lydia Strakos, Principal of the School, announced that she was turning to fellow Club members for help along with parents in the PTO chapter; therefore, judging for the costumed entrants, pumpkin and class-decorated boards may be manned by Club women. They will also be sending freshly baked and decorated cakes for the Cake Walk as well as providing a money token for each entrant in the Costume Contest. Club members of all ages have been participating in the Carnival for a number of years, and for many, it wouldn’t be Halloween if they weren’t there. Ms. Strakos reminded the judges to please be “ready and willing” and to make their appearance on campus no later than 3:45 p.m. as the Costume Contest will begin at 4:00 p.m.

Lydia Strakos, the able Chairman of the Garage Sale, reported on its success. Providing necessary help for loading and unloading trucks of boxes and setting up the tables were several members of the local Coast Guard as well as younger residents. Luckily, these men were available for assistance to some husbands of Club members. Accompanying the Garage Sale was the always delightful Bake Sale under the guidance of Sally Ragusin. Sally said that as usual, the cakes and cookies literally flew off the shelf at a very early time.

The next meeting of the Service Club will be Thursday, November 3rd at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Center. Items on the Agenda will be the annual Christmas Luncheon with more information concerning decorations and the menu items for the Luncheon.