Presidential Event..

If you are planning on attending the welcome home for President Bush next Tuesday, just a quick reminder. Please leave your ammunition and mace at home.

[from ticket reverse side]

Basketball......!

Three full days of basketball at the Byron Johnston Tournament in Midland, yielded great results. The MHS Lady Dawgs won the tournament and the MHS men's team were runner's up behind a very good Midland Lee team. Lot's of fun, good crowds and I got to see a lot of folks I hadn't seen in quite awhile. And as always interesting photos.

Lady Dawgs Photos
Bulldog Men's Photos

Thanks....CBS7

Christmas For OUR Troops, our organization sending gift boxes to our troops overseas, relies heavily on volunteers and donations. To get large numbers of volunteers and donated items, we have to rely on good media coverage. Probably no media source has been more helpful in the last years as has CBS7, going so far as to send a news crew to San Antonio last May to cover our event at Brooke Army Medical Center.

So it didn't surprise me at all when earlier this week my friend, CBS7 anchor, Catherine Collins called saying they wanted to do a follow up story about the troops receiving our packages. And so the next day we taped a spot which aired on Christmas Day.

So thanks and Merry Christmas to Catherine, Jose, Eddie, Jordan, Beau, Stephanie and all the other folks at CBS7 who help us out!

Remembering my Dad...

My Dad has been gone a little over two years now, the last day of November to be exact. I, of course, thought about the event on that day this year but sometimes, with other events happening at that time, it seems so sad that I'd rather not mention it in public. But tonight for some odd reason I was looking back over old posts on "Streams" and came across what I had written about him on Father's Day of 2002. It is still appropriate even now with him gone......

I'm making meat loaf, for Fathers Day with My Dad, Mom and xxxxx.

I am blessed that my Dad is still here, and living with my Mom only 4 blocks away...in the house I mostly grew up in. My Dad, a child of the "depression", worked from age 12 to help support his family because that's just what people did and he didn't consider himself special, but his Mom and Sister did.

My Dad, the soldier, left for WWII and didn't come home for 3 years. His best Army buddy was killed right beside him on their first day of combat in Italy. My Dad who endured many months of hard combat, and was evacuated only after his feet had frozen in the Vosge Mountains of France. My Dad who came home, and didn't talk about it all for the next 50 years, because it was too hard, and because as an American it was simply his duty to perform.....and that's what everyone did, so he didn't consider himself special. But we do.

My Dad who really worked way too hard to send three sometimes ungrateful kids to the best colleges while forgoing things he had dreamed of all his life. I only suspect this because he never mentioned it and didn't consider himself special....but we do.

My Dad who watched a son descend into the hellish pit of alcohol, but never had a harsh word, only good advice. And had the patience to wait years for this advise to sink in and didn't consider himself special......but I do.

My Dad who has always been there for everyone in the whole family, put everyone else first and always did the very best he could because that's what Dad's do and didn't consider himself special........but we do!!

Letters from Iraq....

Mailed just one week ago, amazingly enough, our gift boxes to Our Troops overseas are starting to arrive! We've received emails of thanks all day long from Iraq. The note below from a contact made through the 25th Infantry Divsion says it all....

Dear Friends,
It is hard to describe the feeling of warmth I have felt the whole day from deep inside. Your packages arrived at our Medical Facility here in COB Speicher today.

As our Soldiers started coming in, our Mail detail urged everyone to pick up their boxes. You should have seen the look of sheer pleasure in our kid's eyes when they saw the big boxes with their names on them. Their broad smiles, the way they wrapped their arms around the packages and showed to each other in amazement the good things you sent us made me realize how young and impressionable they still are.

I want you to know that your extraordinary act of kindness to our brave kids was well received and cannot be thanked enough.

People like you are the reason why we fight with pride. We fight for patriots like you. We fight for those who love and remember their young Troops who serve all around the world.

It has been a good busy day of work in this strange, troubled land. Seeing the progress made by those who go outside the wire risking their lives for a better Iraq and peace in America gives me hope for the future. In many ways you have been here side by side with us. You have reached out and touched our hearts. My prayers tonight will be for you and your loved ones to receive all the blessings you deserve.

May God keep you and your families in his loving hands. Thank you, dear friends. Thank you for giving our Troops a very Merry Christmas.

v/r,

Miguel Benzor-Anaya
CAPT, MS
25th Infantry Division

Smart or Stoopid....?

Hey, I've been trying to tell you!! Take the test yourself

Mission complete....

Over 100 volunteers packed 1,285 Christmas gift boxes for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan today. A truly amazing group of people for whom I have the highest respect and admiration. Special kudos go to a great group of kids, the Midland High cheerleaders, who came over after school, got right to work and quickly packed over 100 boxes. This in addition to making Christmas For OUR Troops their official non-profit organization and donating the proceeds from their poster sales to our cause. And not an insignificant amount either! Thanks to all. Here are a few images from the day. CFOT Photos

Santa's final push.

A quick reminder that this Wednesday, Dec 3rd, we will be packing Christmas gift boxes to be sent to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have a warehouse full of donated items to be packed into almost 1,300 boxes, so we can use a lot of help! If you would like to come for all afternoon, or just an hour or so, we'd love to have you. Santa's elves will be working at the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church on W. Texas Ave. in Midland starting at about 1 p.m. on Wed.

Here are some photos of last years workers and also some from a couple of the recepients. CFOT photos

Big Gold Dog....

I like to watch this every now and then...and it still brings a tear to my eye thinking about another Big Gold Dog.

I'm honored.....!

I didn't think I knew much about stamps, but apparently I do. And I didn't know I'd been honored, but apparently I have. At least the Federated Philatelic Clubs of Southern California appreciate my efforts......whatever they were. Thank you so much for the Exemplary Service Award

Upcoming: The Paula Nelson Band

Under the category of "here's something else to do in Midland". On Saturday December 6th, at 10p.m., The Paula Nelson Band will be at Kroc's in Midland. Paula and her band are hot commodities in Austin and around Texas and the USA. They play a mix of Texas rock, blues and hot country. Paula is the daughter of my friend Connie Nelson......her Dad is Willie. Connie at right in photo, Paula on the left and daughter Amy in the middle.

Just a dog.....

A letter by an anonymous author and sent by a friend.....

Just a dog...

From time to time people tell me to "lighten up, it's just a dog" or "that's a lot of money for just a dog". They don't understand the distance traveled, time spent, or costs involved for "just a dog". Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog". Many hours have passed with my only company being "just a dog" and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments were brought about by "just a dog". In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" provided purpose and comfort to overcome the day.

If you too, think that it's "just a dog" you will probably understand phrases like "it's just a friend", "just a sunrise" or "just a promise". "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust and pure unbridled joy. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks, and look longily to the future.

For me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog". It's the embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what is good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday people can understand that it's not "just a dog". It's the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman".

So the next time you hear someone say it's "just a dog", smile because they "just don't understand".

Open House Success...!

Our open house at The Springboard Center was a great success. The Mayor, the president of Midland Memorial Hospital, two district judges and 100's of patrons and supporters were in attendance. Guests had a chance to hear what the center and it's programs will mean for Midland and the surrounding areas and to tour the facility which will be officially opening in February 2009. As always, our friend and national spokesperson Jeanne Cooper of The Young and the Restless provided a great treat and and inspirational words.

Here's a photo slideshow of the afternoon: Springboard Open House and take a video walk thru of the new facility! Video Tour

Kiva....a great idea

Some time ago I ran into Kiva and wrote that I found this vehicle to make micro loans to individuals in 3rd world countries to be absolutely the highest and best use of the Internet. I still feel that way. After chunking in some money I invested in a woman, Sharifa Said Seif, and her hopes of expanding her clothing business in Dar es Salaam. Fast foward nine months and the loan was paid back in full. The idea of Kiva is to keep "rolling" your invested dollars into new loans as they are repaid.

Yesterday, on Veteran's Day, I thought that a good way to remember some of my past was to help someone in Southeast Asia. So my credit balance went to Savy Ek a woman on the Mekong River in Cambodia. Mrs. Ek is a silk weaver and needed some funds to buy materials to help her business grow.

The amount of money we might spend, without a thought, on a nice dinner out is a near fortune to someone in the poorer regions of the world. Kiva is a great way to help someone else up!

Kablooey!!

As a kid I always liked blowing stuff up with firecrackers. Today was the ultimate blow up, the implosion of the old Midland Savings Building. Here are my shots from the media viewing area on the 3rd floor terrace of the Hilton Hotel.

Open House........Ya'll come!

The Springboard Center, our home grown non-profit substance abuse treatment center will be having an open house this Friday to show off our new and nearly completed 11,500 square foot facility. We'll have a light Mexican food buffet and you can meet our national spokesperson Jeanne Cooper of The Young and The Restless, the newest Emmy Award winner for best actress in a daytime drama.

Things kick-off at Noon at the Center which is located at 200 Corporate Dr., off N. Big Spring Street behind the 1st National Bank branch. Here's our MRT Ad with info. Hope you can make it.....!

From Sir Charles...

"Poor people have been voting for Democrats for the last fifty years....and they are still poor."

-Charles Barkely-

Christmas For OUR Troops...

Our Christmas For OUR Troops program is once again swinging into high gear. For the past four years we have sent Christmas gift boxes to our troops serving us in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan. At first the idea was to send a few boxes of neccesities and goodies to some of the troops we knew were overseas, sending probably 40 or 50 boxes the first year. Last year we sent over 600 boxes and this year the plan is to send over 1,000!

The support from individuals, businesses and churches has been overwhelming! People donate items, large and small, they donate services, money and most importantly their time and efforts! This year we have a whole new group of people in New Mexico who are gathering gifts and providing locations for others to drop off their donations. But....we can always use more help, items for our troops and yes sometimes money. Last year the postage bill for sending our boxes exceeded $12,000! So, if you can help in anyway, please look over our website linked above. We are a registered 503 [c] non profit corporation....and every dime goes towards showing our troops they are not forgotten.

And for a reminder of why we do this....read the few of many, many letters we have recieved back from our grateful servicemembers.

Doyle Dykes...

It was another of those nights when I wonder where all the folks in Midland were....the one's who complain about the lack of things to do in town. Guitar virtuoso Doyle Dykes played before 75-80 folks at the First Presbyterian Church. In fairness it was a Sunday night and I suppose since Doyle was appearing at 1st Presby, more secular folks might have had the impression that this was a religous event. Doyle does have a great spiritual message in his music, which is why the church brought him to town, but Doyle played mainly what he's known for....hot lick country guitar! Doyle has played on stage with Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy, Peter Frampton, John Fogerty, Vince Gill, and has been a regular on the Grand Ol' Opry. He is also the national spokesperson for Taylor Guitars and Rivera Amps.

A small crowd, but a great chance to talk with a musical genius!

Mission Accomplished.....

For the last week I have been intending to add an update concerning the success of the 25th Divisions visit to Midland. Luckily, in Sunday's Midland Reporter-Telegram, Mella McEwen has done a good job of summarizing the trip. I had a great time in the week with the 25th Division soldiers and the feedback from them on their experience was very positive. I'll be seeing them again soon. And a big thanks to the Midland oil community for their support and assistance. Here's Mella's take on the trip.....

Soldiers visit Midland for tips on protecting Iraqi oil facilities
by Mella McEwen
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published: Sunday, October 5, 2008 3:14 AM CDT

Before heading to northern Iraq later this fall, eight members of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division -- who have previously been to both Iraq and Afghanistan -- detoured to Midland to learn about the oil and gas industry. "Our goal was to get a broad overview of the oil industry and better prepare ourselves for going to Iraq," said Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Blacker, adding that another goal was to identify experts who could assist their efforts once they are in Iraq, experts they can call or e-mail after they arrive in Iraq.

The division's 'mentor,' retired four-star General James T. Hill, contacted his close friend Wallace Craig of Midland for help preparing the division to oversee oil operations in Iraq. "When they first contacted me, I envisioned they were more worried about how to secure the equipment, but their main focus is on putting Iraqis back to work, increasing production and growing the economy," he said.

Craig -- who was in the division in the mid-1970s -- said Hill, a close friend and fraternity brother, had asked him to go to Iraq, but he told Hill the soldiers would be better served coming to Midland, visiting actual facilities and talking with industry representatives. "I said they needed to look at getting many involved because the industry is so segmented," he said.

He then enlisted Midland College's Petroleum Professional Development Center to set up three days of training for the soldiers. The first day was a full-day classroom seminar, "Overview of the Oil and Gas Industry" presented by T.E. Gill at the PPDC building in downtown Midland, followed by an update on global markets, sales and prices at Wachovia Securities.

The second day involved a field trip, touring a Pioneer Natural Resources well site, pipeline operations at Plains All American tank farm and control center and compressor systems at Exterran. At the Plains tank farm, Craig said, the soldiers saw how a large-scale storage facility operates and how it is vulnerable. "They needed to know what the red flags were and what the red flags look like," he said.

Lt. Col. Blacker said the group got a good understanding from both the classroom presentation and the trip to actual sites "to see what the equipment looks like and what right looks like."

The second day concluded at the Petroleum Museum with a panel discussion involving experts in various segments of the industry. Nick Taylor, president of Mexco Energy, was among the panelists talking with the soldiers. "What they were most concerned with was creating jobs, boosting the economy and getting people involved," Taylor observed. He said one thing that amazed him was learning that the Iraqis have now buried their pipelines and encased them in concrete. Better securing the pipelines, he said, will let the Iraqis focus on economic development. Participants discussed suggestions such as holding a trade show similar to the upcoming Permian Basin International Oil Show.

"We directed them towards adding revenue, increasing production, recovering gas that's now being flared, capturing the vapors from production facilities," said Taylor. "We talked about generating facilities, using portable generators -- engines or turbines, those microturbines. Some of them thought that might not be feasible at this point but they were glad to hear our ideas. "We also talked about fertilizer, chemicals, value-added products," he continued.

Taylor noted that, since his days in the army, the military has broadened its concerns from combat to dealing with civilian-military affairs, which he found encouraging.

Craig said there is a benefit to Midlanders from the soldiers' visit in that contacts were made "so that when things improve, there will be opportunities in Iraq, especially for service companies. The potential in Iraq is huge. It has the second largest reserves after Saudi Arabia. That region is going to be a major energy center and it needs revitalization and it needs people who know how to revitalize it."

Lt. Col. Blacker said her group "really appreciate being here and welcomed with open arms."