Car crashes into house

This time some people were hurt, but not seriously, though.

SAN ANTONIO -- A 7-year-old girl and her father were taken to the hospital after a car crashed through their home, San Antonio police said.

The girl had a cut to her forehead and her father had a rib injury, but neither injury was serious, police said. The crash happened about 8:30 p.m., at a home at the intersection of Summit Pass and Cambray Drive.

The driver of the car said she turned a corner and accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake.

(from KSAT-12)



No word on the fate of any fences.

Fighting bikinis

Before she leaves office, mayoral candidate and current District 8 Councilwoman Diane Cibrian wants to save us from scantily-clad women just one more time.

SAN ANTONIO -- A group of church and school parents have raised concerns over the scheduled opening of a sports bar with waitresses donning bikinis.

Parents of the San Antonio Preparatory Academy, located at 8308 Fredericksburg Road, are concerned over the creation of a new Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill a stone's throw away at 8224 Fredericksburg Road.

"These are children," said SA Prep Academy Principal Rose Evola. "They've got curious minds and they are curious."

The worry is that students may be curious about what's replacing the former Applebee's restaurant, and some parents said they're concerned about what kind of clientele the business may attract since its waitresses wear unorthodox uniforms.

"You have clientele that might ... [What? --ed.] look, there's children, I don't want that," said parent Kathy Jones. "Scary? Absolutely." [Bikinis are scary? Don't go near the beach; there are bikinis everywhere down there. --ed.]

Located less than a half-mile away at 8527 Wurzbach Road is a Hooters restaurant. District 8 City Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Diane Cibrian said she's already looking into the Bikinis situation.

"We want to make sure that our neighborhood is safe and we're providing the adequate security that's needed," she said.

(from KSAT-12)

Hm. The presence of Hooters -- which has been there for a long time -- does complicate things. What's a councilwoman to do?

Attracting reactionary types

Surprise, surprise. The wackos at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are trying to capitalize on the swine flu stories to promote their radical brand of veganism.

A new PETA billboard cites swine flu and other animal-borne illnesses as a reason to "go vegetarian" because "Meat Kills," according to a news release from the organization.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also mentions mad cow disease, MRSA and e.coli in the billboard that soon will appear in San Antonio.

(from KENS-5)

I used to wonder why PETA seemed to be made up of unreasonable reactionaries. Now I think I know why. Their recruitment methods attract just the type of person that will respond to their wacky stunts: someone who reacts unreasonably to unfamiliar situations.

Here's my reasoning:

Swine flu cases have been popping up around San Antonio, but the virus is a strain of influenza, something we are all familiar with, albeit in a seasonal form. The flu is spread through the air and through contact; it can't be contracted by eating pork because cooking the meat kills any harmful organisms, including the flu virus. Yet PETA discounts this and plays on raw emotions to make people think a bacon sandwich is going to give you swine flu. Most reasonable people won't be swayed by this tactic, but some others -- who might let their emotions get the better of their reason -- could react to the ploy by believing it and swearing off meat. Which, of course, is PETA's goal.

So, PETA reacts to a disease outbreak by putting out more of their scary nonsense, hoping to get some other people to react and change their meat-eating ways. But people with reactionary personalities are the only ones likely to be swayed by such arguments, and when they join PETA then the organization just has more of the same people with the same mindset.

And they do it all over again, waiting for another crisis to hang their anti-meat hat on.

It's all well and good for someone to become a vegetarian, but I advise making that choice based on thoughtful reflection, not a PETA billboard.

Spreading the disease

In case you haven't heard, there's swine flu going around. Wash your hands often.



Oh, and save money on cheap drinks, too.

"Man Killed While Playing Russian Roulette"

Here's another one.

SAN ANTONIO -- An 18-year-old man died early Friday when he shot himself during a game of Russian roulette, police said.

Police said Albert Delgado and some friends were playing with a gun on the front porch of a home in the 2000 block of North Trinity Street at 3 a.m. when the victim shot himself in the head. He died at the scene.

Delgado's friends told police that he didn't think the gun was loaded but his mother doesn't believe the story.

"There's something suspicious about it," said Rebecca Garza, Delgado's mother. "My son did not shoot himself."

(from KSAT-12)

As I've said before, there is nothing cool about Russian Roulette. I've never understood the fascination with this game.

A city manager in drag

Here's a disturbing mind picture.

SAN ANTONIO -- It's quite a combination -- political satire and drag.

You could find both at the annual Fiesta event called Cornyation, and San Antonians love it.

The show's motto: the raunchiest and cheapest event of Fiesta.

This year, San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley took center stage as the "teflon madame" at the show held Wednesday night at the Empire Theater.

Scully [sic] rocked the stage in a skin-tight costume, a blue cape and knee-high boots, presiding over the event as "king."

(from KSAT-12)

And here's an actual picture.

Going berserk during Fiesta

Point to remember: Fiesta is for fun, not fighting. And certainly not shooting.

SAN ANTONIO -- A fight led to a shooting and then a stand-off just outside a Fiesta event Sunday night. The shooting happened in Brackenridge Park and was the first violent crime this Fiesta season. Fiesta organizers hope it's the last.

Police say 19-year-old Mark Outing fired a gun near the zoo as thousands of people were peacefully leaving the "Taste of New Orleans" event.

The shooting was triggered by a fight on the street.

News 4 WOAI's Demond Fernandez was there and witnessed the fight. He said he saw a group of women beating each other up in the middle of the streets. He then heard several gunshots and saw dozens of people running for cover.

Police say Outing jumped a man he spotted taking pictures, grabbed his camera, and then broke into the zoo to hide out. S.W.A.T. officers caught up with Outing and arrested him.

(from WOAI-TV)

Keep calm, people. We sure don't want a repeat of this.

"Passenger sitting on ledge of car door dies after driver loses control and crashes"

This is a strange and deadly practice. Don't do it.

On Interstate 35, San Antonio Police say 43-year-old Richard Hayes hit several vehicles before exiting at San Marcos Street.

His passenger was sitting on the door ledge when Hayes lost control and crashed.

The passenger was treated at Brooke Army Medical Center, but later died.

(from KENS-5)

But the first line of the news story is a bit strange, too.

A wreckless driver faces intoxication manslaughter charges.

A simple dictionary search will show that reckless is the word that means a complete disregard for the consequences of one's actions, and it is undoubtedly the word the writer of this story meant to use. The only proper response to the first sentence as written is to say, "Not any more."

Protesting chickens?

I suppose you've heard by now, but there was a tea party here in San Antonio. I didn't go to it, but I was checking out some pictures of the event at the KENS-5 slideshow.

For the most part, it seems that it was a sane, respectable type of protest, and I guess no one got too crazy. There were a lot of American and Texas flags, and most of the signs were pretty much on topic with tax-related gripes of some kind or another.

But, of course, there was a bit of strangeness.



Can you tell me what he's protesting? I honestly don't know. That man had some cages with some chickens in them, and I guess he's upset because some city code is preventing him from keeping the yardbirds. I wouldn't know what it is; I think you can keep at least a couple of chickens in San Antonio yards. But apparently the man is quite upset. And that boy looks hungry.

Other than that, the strangest thing I saw in this set of pictures was this:



Tea anyone?

"Man Jumps To Death Off Freeway"

I guess those high, flyover ramps on the IH-10/Loop 410 interchange are just too tempting for some folks.

SAN ANTONIO -- A man was killed Thursday morning after jumping off a freeway ramp at the Loop 410 and Interstate 10 interchange on the city's northwest side, police said.

The person jumped from the Interstate 10 ramp onto Loop 410 near Fredericksburg Road, police said, and at least one vehicle hit the victim. The jump was an apparent suicide, police said.

(from KSAT-12)

This has happened before. I fear this will become a trend.

The 2010 race for governor

Kinky's back. And this time he's serious.

Kinky Friedman announced Tuesday the formation of “Texans for Kinky,” a ‘specific purpose’ committee that will enable him to explore and raise money for a possible run as the Democratic candidate for governor in 2010, according to a news release.

“I am a humorist, but I know these are not humorous times,” Friedman said in a letter to supporters. “There is a pathetic lack of leadership at the state level. The last governor who was truly on the side of the people was Ann Richards. She was a very funny lady — she was also a great governor.”

(from KENS-5)

Of course there's a San Antonio connection.

San Antonio attorney and Friedman advisor Abel Dominguez will serve as treasurer of “Texans for Kinky.” Dominguez helped orchestrate Victor Morales’ victory in the 1996 Democratic U.S. Senate primary.

Here's a hint, Kinky: If you want people to consider you to be a serious candidate, stop saying you'll appoint Willie Nelson to head up state energy policy.

(Kinky's website.)

Mayoral candidates for 2009 III

When the mayor's race is on in San Antonio, often a handful of colorful characters will inject themselves into the news covering the more serious candidates. This is more the case when there is no incumbent for the office, as with this year's race.

Phil Hardberger is term-limited, so he's not running again, though he is a popular mayor. The favorite for the 2009 race is Julian Castro, a former city councilman and one of Hardberger's opponents a few years ago. Serious contenders are Trish DeBerry-Mejia (a public relations person who will probably give Castro the most competition for votes), Diane Cibrian (a current councilwoman who you might remember from her days of fighting Boobie Rock), and Sheila McNeil (another city councilwoman).

And then there are the usual cluster of contenders that no one pretends will ever have a chance at being mayor, yet they still run for the office, some time and time again, and they provide a lot of entertainment. One of those other candidates is Napoleon Madrid. With a name like that, what's not to like?

A lot, if you dislike plagiarism.

The Express-News found some supsicous stuff on Madrid's Web site:

Napoleon Madrid said he jumped into the mayor's race because he didn't think they were talking about the right issues. But it turns out his distaste for their ideas wasn't so strong.

Madrid's “Issues and Concerns” page on his Web site was nearly identical to the platform on Trish DeBerry-Mejia's campaign site, including the order in which each issue was presented. The text was copied word for word in its entirety.

Madrid pulled the page down from his site Friday, shortly after a San Antonio Express-News reporter asked him how the two pages could be identical.

“No way,” he responded initially. “All I can tell you is the interns that were working on mine, I know that they went to everybody else's to check it out. I can't tell you on that, sir, to be honest with you.

“I would have never done that,” he said. “I don't plagiarize nothing.”

Madrid, who has said he believes theft is wrong, denied that he'd stolen from DeBerry-Mejia and placed the blame on an intern: “He was a student from, um, St. Philip's (College).”

"Yeah, and my wife is, uh, Morgan Fairchild. Yeah, that's the ticket."

(For more analysis of all the candidates, check out the Express-News's coverage.)

Car crashes into house

The crashing may be picking up as the cars renew their carnage.

SAN ANTONIO - An unlikely series of events made for a wild night for several people on the west side after a purse snatching triggered a car chase, and then a crash into a home. News 4 WOAI's Ryan O'Donnell investigated how witnesses helped police catch two teenagers.
...

The car that damaged [Julio Mendoza's] home was actually forced off the road after getting hit by [a] vehicle fleeing from a crime scene. Brittney Medellin, 17, and Albert Delgado, 18, were speeding through the west side neighborhood.

“They turned off their lights and started running stop signs,” explained Officer Joe Rios from the San Antonio Police Department.

Officer Rios said the teenagers were speeding away after robbing a young lady at the H-E-B just around the corner. They were also being chased by a couple of guys who saw the robbery and wanted them to stop.

(from WOAI-TV)

The fence -- which looks relatively new -- is a goner, too.

Car crashes into house

A car crashes into a house again, but this time it takes out a gas main along the way, causing a fire that burns the house and the car.

The car went out of control at the intersection of Kendalia and Ascott, hitting a gas main and a house and prompting some evacuations.

(video from KSAT-12)


It seems no one was hurt, but the house and the car are total losses.

Packing and stacking

While out shopping at your favorite grocery store, have you ever run out of room in your cart? If you have a large family (or come from one), you'll know that a trip to the store can often require two carts and at least another competent adult or older child to help you steer those brimming vehicles to the checkout lines.

And then, after seeing the following photograph, you will realize you are an amateur.




I can see a suitcase, a milk crate, a fishing pole, hose sections, what looks like part of a bed headboard, many bags of various shapes and sizes, and perhaps Waldo. And that's just what I can see on this side!

Next time, see if you can get out of the store with just one full cart!

Celebrating welding

Did you know that April was National Welding Month? I didn't, until I saw this over Main Street:



From the looks of that banner, it seems National Welding Month used to fall at a different time of year. I wonder what changed.

"Police: Man playing with matches burns 7-year-old"

Very strange, if it indeed happened this way.

SAN ANTONIO -- A 7-year-old is recovering from burns on his chest after police say an adult who was playing with matches burned the child. The boy reportedly showed a family member the burn and told how it happened.

...

Investigators told News 4 WOAI the boy's stepfather offered the 7-year-old money to put out the match with his finger or his mouth. When the boy refused, police said the stepfather threw the hot match at him.

"The unlit match landed on his chest and burned him," Officer Rios told News 4 WOAI.

Police say the little boy was in pain when it happened and was told not to say anything.

(from WOAI-TV)

Operating gambling without a name

Out near Canyon Lake, apparently you don't even need a name for your business.

The Comal County Sheriff’s Office raided three businesses and arrested five people on charges of illegal gambling.

Deputies busted the Crazy Coconut, and the Lucky Dog in Canyon Lake. They also raided another business without a name just off of Highway 281 in Spring Branch. [emphasis added]

(from WOAI-TV)

They were busted for eight-liners. In case you don't know yet, these machines are illegal to use in Texas. For gambling, that is. I'm sure quite a few establishments purchase eight-liners and put them out "for entertainment purposes only," but don't be fooled by that. How many pipes bought from Planet K do you think are actually being used for tobacco only?

Car almost crashes into house

This hasn't happened in a while.

A driver loses control and crashes through a fence, stopping just inches from a home. The wreck left an emotional scene for a mother who says this isn't the first time a car has come crashing into their yard and threatened their lives.

(from KABB-29)

I guess, technically, the car didn't actually crash into the house. But it looks like fence-crashin' is back!

Putting your emotions on display

OK, I admit it, I've said a few cuss words in my time. (I'd like to think they were well-timed, but I'm sure that wasn't always the case.) In all my days, though, I don't think I ever considered putting them on my car.



Nothing says "class" more, does it?

"Man Pepper-Sprayed, Shot At"

If you ever find yourself hanging out in front of your house at 3:00 in the morning and some strangers stop and start talking to you, they most likely aren't trying to be your friend. Go inside.

SAN ANTONIO -- A 20-year-man was pepper-sprayed and shot at by three men who ambushed him outside his home early Wednesday on the city's west side.

Police said the man was smoking a cigarette outside his home in the 200 block of Segura Street at 3 a.m. when three men in an sport utility vehicle confronted him.

After one of the men asked the victim if he lived in the neighborhood, one of the men sprayed him in the face with mace or pepper spray, police said.

(from KSAT-12)

They guy's fine, apparently, but I hope he's learned to be a little more cautious late at night.