"Hoodies" popping up all over crime scenes

More and more often, we are learning from Pro8News that a common threat among more than a few recent crimes is that "the suspect was wearing a hoodie".  For example, in the Max The Laredo Dancing Bird theft, at least one of the culprits was sporting the dreaded "hoodie". 

In doing a scant bit of research, there have been some places in the US that have considered banning the hooded sweatshirts; referring to them as criminal accessories.

Even in this viral youtube video from last year, it was evident that hoodies were becoming the garnment of choice among assorted ne'er do wells.

Laredo continues as the copywright infringement capitol of the US

We've all seen countless Warner Brothers and Disney ripoffs throughout the Gateway City. LaredoTejas even dedicated a post to the Walter Lantz/Chilly Willy spinoff also known as Los Pinguinos .

It therefore comes as no surprise that the Austin American Statesman is reporting a rather sizeable confiscation of counterfeit goods at the Laredo port of entry. I guess the word has spread throughout the world, that when it comes to copywright infringement, Laredo has no equal.

From The Austin American Statesman

LAREDO, Texas — Customs officers in Texas have confiscated about 18,000 items in an investigation into counterfeit trademarks on high-tech equipment.

The agency on Tuesday announced the recent seizure, at the Laredo Port of Entry, of items including digital camcorders with memory cards, CD and MP3 players, car radios and parts.
Investigators say the items, in two enforcement actions, would be worth more than $782,000 if the trademarks were genuine.

Federal officials say the dispute involves the secure digital, or SD, registered trademark. Further details on the origination of the confiscated items were not immediately released.
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Local, local news: waiting in line at the HEB

Hey Ms. Gump, HEB is like a box of chocolates. You never know what service you're gonna get!

A couple of days ago, I was at the HEB stocking up on on some post-holidays supplies. As it turns out, I had quite a bit more than 10 items in my cart and therefore could not use the express lane(s).  I thought I was in luck when I noticed one of the regular lanes almost empty. A customer at that station was paying as I approached with my groceries in tow. Well, the cashier flicked off the light at his station and said "sorry sir, esta cerrado".

 He proceeded to immediately pull out the register's cash box and set out to count its contents. I froze momentarily, surprised by the un-partner like treatment I was getting. It was obvious that the holidays were over since I certainly was not getting more cringle for my jingle.

I looked around to find that the lines were starting to get long and so I walked around until I found a manager. "Yes sir, may I help you" : At least this guy seemed like he was willing to listen and hopefully help out.

"Yes, I was about to check out my cart but, for some reason, the cashier closed his station and the lines are starting to get pretty long". No dice, the best he could come up with was "how about the express lanes?". I glanced over to my cart and told him "No, no I've got more than 10 items for sure. Why are they closing registers with people lining up?". He pointed over "Ayi esta el ocho/There's register 8".

"Nevermind, gracias como quiera/thanks anyway" I said as I walked away. Register 8 had a lady with a full cart being checked out and another right behind her.  

So much for the HEB: Here's Everything's Better slogan. On this particular day, it just didn't ring true.

Make that two witnesses

Pro8News reported today on the unfortunate abduction of Max, the Petland Mascot along with several puppies. Let's hope that these pets are returned safely to those who will take care of them.

One minor correction to the Pro8news story: it mentions that there might have been one "witness" to the crime. Come to think of it, make that two possible witnesses. The dictionary defines witness as someone who can give a first hand account of something seen, heard or experienced. Don't put it past Max to be able to provide some valuable info on his abductors. Of course, first of all, he has to be found. Good Luck to the PetLanders. We hope you find Max and his entourage.  

From The Archives: De-evolution

This post originally ran in LaredoTejas back in November of 2010. Naturally, the De-evolution of many American traditions continues.  So, I figured I'd run  it again. Well that and just being lazy; sort of like the people depicted in the above picture on the right.  See, it's contagious!

Local, local news



"Willie Bote" photo compliments of Que Fregados


In local, local news, trash pick-up is finally back on regular schedule today (Thursday). During the Christmas and New Year Holidays, it was pretty near impossible to predict whether or not there was going to be any garbage pick-up at all.

Case in point: Monday, December 26th was officially a city holiday and thus I fully expected all the wrappings and packages from those Christmas treasures would not be picked up until that Thursday. Well, for some reason, I decided to call 311 to just make sure. I was really surprised when the lady told me that there were some "volunteer" city workers picking up trash in certain locations. She suggested we take out the trash and if it had not been picked up by 12 Noon, to bring it back in.  Pos, dicho y hecho, the volunteers showed up around 11am, zipping up and down our street. Sad to say, many of the neighbors assumed there was going to be no pick up and missed out.

Fast forward to Monday, January 2nd: I told some neighbors that there might, again, be some volunteers out picking up our trash that day even though the city was officially on Holiday.  Nambre, ni pa' que! almost no one heeded my advice. Well, come 10am , there's the whirrr of the truck again, just as I had mentioned and sure enough, several neighbors scurrying around in a hurry, rolling their "Willie Botes" to the curb.

I tell you, some Laredoans just have to be so stubborn that they can't take even the smallest piece of advice.   Well, that's all for Local, Local news for now.  Thanks for reading.

Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 27, NY football Giants 20



If Romo throws only 1 pick, Dallas should win

 OK, after much research, data analysis and number crunching, I've arrived at a scientifically-based (hunch) prediction for tonight's game between Los Vaqueros de Dallas and the NY Giants. Tony Romo will probably through an interception but he'll be able to avoid one of those games where he's thrown 4 or 5 or even 6 turnovers. Jones and Morris will probably combine for about 150 yards rushing and of course Witten will be a key player in the victory. Don't forget, either Austin, Bryant or number 81 (his name escapes me) will catch a touchdown pass or two.

The defense is where the problem is. They have been very inconsistent. They'll allow a couple of touchdowns but might be able to hold NY to field goals beyond that. Terrence Newman, no 41 will have to step up his play in order to be taken advantage of.

Anyways, it should be Dallas by anywhere from 4 to 7 points. If the game doesn't come down to the wire, I'll be surprised.