DR.

OZ WANTS PARENTS TO HAVE

THE TALK — ABOUT DRUGS PAGE D1

Monday, November 9, 2015 | HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com | Vol. 115, No. 27 | $1.50 xxx Partly cloudy, High 72, Low 58

WORLD

Myanmar
Scandal
voters in Brazil
flock
to polls snares
Hundreds of
thousands of
residents voted
Sunday in Myanmar’s
refinery
first democratic Locals unaware
election in years, a
historic event that
of legal issues
could mark a new over purchase of
era for the country. Pasadena plant
Page A6
By Mihir Zaveri,
Susan Carroll
and Ben Tavener

Sandwiched between
U.S. and Texas flags, the
Brazilian banner waves
outside a set of discolored
tanks and pipes at the site
Kin Man Hui photos / San Antonio Express-News of a Pasadena refinery. A
Dwayne Harrison is among the many Gulf shrimpers who say they’re barely afloat or leaving the business. sign marked “PRSI” —
for Pasadena Refining

Fishy problem for shrimpers

Getty Images System Inc. — hangs over
Residents last chain link fence with ra-
voted in democratic zor wire that surrounds
elections in 1990. the compound that dates
Gulf industry also are driven to anger by back nearly a century.
the indifference of Ameri- From her porch, Hilda
CITY & STATE struggles while can consumers. Perez and neighbor Lorie
contamination “In those restaurants,” Soliz can see that refin-
Regulators Harrison pointed out, ery across a grassy field
target payments in imports grows “people will be watching and train tracks — its
from campaigns By Bill Lambrecht our boats come in while glowing flares and sulfu-
In an effort to being served shrimp from rous fumes are familiar.
promote transparency BAYTOWN — Worry- halfway around the world Both friends remember
in elections, the Texas ing about bills and plum- that are fed antibiotics to four years ago when an
Ethics Commission meting shrimp prices, keep them alive.” explosion there rocked
has set its sights Dwayne Harrison stopped Foreign competition the neighborhood and
on large lump to apply for a mowing job and the rise of aquaculture a giant flame rose into
sum payments to one morning recently be- to fill the world’s seafood the sky. “There’s always
consultants from fore dropping his nets in Gulf shrimpers are catching more and being paid needs are familiar issues. something going on over
campaigns and the Houston Ship Channel. less than they were just one year ago. But illegal antibiotics in there,” said Soliz, who
political action The 65-cents-a-pound farm-raised Asian shrimp has lived in the neighbor-
committees. Page B1 he was getting last week Harrison, 51, is among market in the United is a lesser-known story, hood since 1992.
for small, head-on wild Gulf shrimpers who say States. Last year, imports one that Gulf shrimpers But they didn’t know
shrimp is one-third the they’re leaving the busi- rose by 143 million pounds have begun telling. that their hometown re-
SPORTS price of a year ago and less ness or are barely afloat, and are up another 2 per- Food and Drug Admin- finery — owned by Brazil-
Cypress Woods than his catch brought in and many blame imports, cent in 2015. istration records suggest ian state-run oil company
1998, the year he bought his which make up more than While driven to the they have reason to sound Petrobras — has become a
senior learns
50-foot vessel, Angel Lady. 90 percent of the shrimp brink, shrimpers in Texas Shrimp continues on A5 flashpoint in an explosive
to stand tall political scandal abroad.
At 6-9, Cypress ›› See more photos of the shrimpers at work at HoustonChronicle.com/shrimp Brazilian officials are
Woods basketball investigating allegations
star Nancy Mulkey that Petroleo Brasileiro
learns to embrace S.A. — Petrobras —
her height, become
more confident and
inspire others.
Change has Metro, riders still adjusting overpaid hundreds of
millions of dollars for
the Pasadena refinery
Page C1 By Dug Begley the driver is speeding along, coming more common for most significant operation- and funneled money
making great time at the Taylor and thousands of al change any American into a massive kickback
Slumped in his seat, ear- expense of a smooth ride. other riders, although con- transit system has made scheme that’s led to doz-
phones firmly in place, Eli- As a result, Taylor is run- siderable uncertainty lin- in three decades, Houston ens of convictions and ar-
jah Taylor closes his eyes ning a little early to make gers regarding the seismic transit officials and sup- rests and fueled calls for
as his bus bounces rapidly his downtown connection shift in bus service that porters are calling the new the impeachment of the

e tra
Houston Chronicle
down Washington Avenue
toward downtown.
Some bounces are more
severe than others because
on his way home from his the Metropolitan Transit bus network a rousing suc- country’s President Dil-
flange manufacturing job Agency started on Aug. 23. cess. Critics, however, point ma Rousseff, who chaired
in northwest Houston. Nearly three months into to broken connections and the company until 2010.
Quicker trips are be- what many consider the Metro continues on A8 Refinery continues on A9

Will oil slump sap energy from holiday shopping?

Extra: Learn the most
dangerous places to
use your debit card:
HoustonChronicle
.com/E-Edition
Online: Just who was
that famous musician
enjoying a meal
last week on Texas
Avenue? Find out at
HoustonChronicle
.com/famous
Retailers remain ergy capital. Khadijah
While acknowledging Daley
upbeat despite that conditions heading prepares
local uncertainty into the holidays are slight- the Tommy
ly less cheery than in 2014, Hilfiger
By Mike D. Smith longtime observers of the store at the
local economy say there are Houston
Retailers should finish enough signs of strength to Premium
the holiday shopping sea- suggest retail sales won’t Outlets for
son safely in the black. tank. holiday
That’s the national fore- “Some people are ner- shopping on
cast, at least, and Houston vous and concerned, but Thursday in
may be no exception. But no one’s panicked yet,” Cypress.
there remains a big un- said Patrick Jankowski,
known over how much the senior vice president of
oil slump will affect con- research at the Greater
sumers in the world’s en- Retailers continues on A5 J. Patric Schneider

Index
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NATION | NEWSMAKERS
Football players boost Missouri protests
By Marc Tracy
and Ashley Southall
NEW YORK TIMES
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Students
at the University of Missouri have
been demonstrating for weeks
for the ouster of the university
president, protesting the school’s
handling of racial tensions. But
their movement received a boost
over the weekend when dozens
of black football players issued a
blunt ultimatum: Resign or they
won’t play.
Fueling the anger were a series
of on-campus incidents: racial
slurs hurled at black students
and feces smeared into the shape
of a swastika on a wall in a resi-
dence hall.
What many students viewed
as a sluggish response from the
administration gave rise to calls
for the removal of the president,
Tim Wolfe.
The Legion of Black Colle-
gians, the black student gov-
ernment, posted a photograph
to Twitter on Saturday night of
more than 30 football players
linked in arms with a graduate
student who is staging a hunger
strike.
“The athletes of color on the
University of Missouri football
team truly believe ‘injustice
anywhere is a threat to justice
everywhere,’ ” a message accom-
panying the photo said, quoting a
line from the Rev. Martin Luther
King Jr.
After a meeting with the foot-
ball team Sunday at the school’s
athletic training complex, Coach
Gary Pinkel declared his support
POLITICS
Carson says it’s ‘time really to move on’
from questions about his biography
By Wesley Lowery
WASHINGTON POST
WASHINGTON — Re-
publican presidential can-
didate Ben Carson said
Sunday that he is receiving
more scrutiny than others
who have run for presi-
dent, just days after media
reports raised new ques-
tions about the inspiring
personal narrative he has
used to make millions of
dollars and thrust himself
to the front of the GOP race.
“There’s no question I’m
getting special scrutiny,”
Carson, a neurosurgeon
and author who has topped
several recent GOP pri-
mary polls, said during an
interview on CBS’s “Face
the Nation.” “There are a
lot of people who are very
threatened. They’re wor-
ried. There is no question
about it.”
On Friday afternoon,
Politico published a piece
in which it called an anec-
dote from Carson’s biogra-
phy — that he was offered
and turned down a full-
ride scholarship to West
Point — a “fabrication.” By
Friday evening, the Wall
Street Journal had followed
up with a piece that ques-
tioned other tales from Car-
son’s life story, which has
been central to his appeal to
GOP voters.
That piece questioned
his recollections about high
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Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x
1950, the student group orga-
nizing the protests, said Wolfe’s
refusal to resign showed that he
was out of touch.
“We’ve had departments sup-
porting us. We’ve had faculty
supporting us,” she said. “People
who he leads are standing in soli-
darity with us.”
Ervin pointed out the univer-
sity chancellor, R. Bowen Loftin,
who brought food to the campsite
and was talking with students
there Sunday afternoon. Loftin
was an early target of the demon-
strations before criticism shifted
to Wolfe.
“We’ve been to other schools
within the U.M. System,” Ervin
said, “and students there have
been protesting, saying: ‘Tim
Wolfe, your presidency is inade-
quate. You’ve been negligent. We
don’t want you here anymore.’
But he’s not budging, and that’s
Allison Long / Kansas City Star via AP really disappointing.”
University of Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin talks Sunday with campus protesters who A prolonged strike could have
want the school’s president, Tim Wolfe, removed. Some football players have joined the cause. potentially costly consequences
for the players, some of whom
for the demonstrating players in Ferguson, Mo. meeting around the clock and depend on athletic scholarships,
with a team photo on Twitter. Officials in Missouri were has been doing a tremendous and the university, which draws
The strike reflected a growing grappling with how to respond amount of reflection on how to revenue from ticket sales and
willingness among black college to the boycott, which could cost address these complex matters,” the sale of television distribution
students at predominantly white the university more than $1 mil- he said. “We want to find the best rights.
institutions to demand quick lion if the team forfeits a game way to get everyone around the If Missouri forfeits Saturday’s
action and stronger responses scheduled for Saturday. table and create the safe space game against Brigham Young
from officials to reports of racial Wolfe said in a statement Sun- for a meaningful conversation University, it would be required
antagonism. day that his administration was that promotes change.” to pay $1 million to BYU, accord-
Their efforts dovetail with working to address the students’ His response did not quell ing to a copy of the contract be-
broader pushes against inequal- concerns, including a list of de- frustration among demonstra- tween the two schools.
ity and injustice like the Black mands from a campus activist tors, both black and white, who Sixty of the 124 players on
Lives Matter movement, which group spearheading the demon- were camped out in tents on the the Missouri football roster are
arose in response to a string of strations, and promised to share Mel Carnahan Quadrangle at the black, although it is not clear
fatal police shootings of unarmed the next steps as soon as they center of the campus. whether all of them are partici-
black civilians, including the were confirmed. Storm Ervin, a senior and a pating in the strike, according to
death of Michael Brown last year “My administration has been member of Concerned Student the Columbia Missourian.
NEWSMAKERS
George W. Bush Jan. 7, 2012.
The Saturday telecast
downplayed averaged a 6.6 rating
father’s advice
DALLAS — Former
President George W.
and a 16 percent share of
the TV audience in the
56 markets that Nielsen
with anyone else,” Carson Bush acknowledged on tabulates for overnight
said during an interview on Sunday that he may have ratings. It was the stron-
NBC’s “Meet the Press,” in downplayed how much gest overnight number for
which he said his biogra- he sought advice from his “SNL” since former NBA
phy is being picked through father during his presi- star Charles Barkley
because he is a threat to the dency, a sign of the influ- hosted the program.
“secular progressive move- ence George Herbert But Trump falls far
ment in this country.” Walker Bush still has short of the 10.7 overnight
“It’s time to really move over his son. rating the show received
on,” he said. “It’s not time to It was a reminder the on Oct. 18, 2008, when Re-
spend every single day talk- father’s legacy could have publican vice presidential
ing about something that a powerful impact if an- candidate Sarah Palin
happened 50 years ago.” other son, Jeb Bush, wins was featured.
AFP / Getty Images file Carson has insisted the White House. At the time, it was the
Ben Carson says it’s time to put an end to talking that his West Point story George W. Bush made highest rated “SNL” in 14
about “something that happened 50 years ago.” is at worst exaggerated but the acknowledgement in years.
largely accurate — that he a public forum Sunday,
school, including a claim in he had attempted to stab. met with top military of- talking about his father’s Lennon guitar
that he protected white stu- In an account given earlier ficials who told him they biography with the book’s
dents during a race riot, and this year, Carson claimed to could get him into the acad- author, Jon Meacham.
sells at auction
about college, including a have once been threatened emy and that his tuition During their talk, for $2.4 million
claim that was profiled in by an armed robber while would be covered. He said Meacham recalled a BEVERLY HILLS, Ca-
the Yale Daily News be- eating at a Popeye’s restau- on “Face the Nation” that conversation he’d had lif. — An acoustic guitar
cause he was the only stu- rant in Baltimore. However, he has found the Yale Daily with George W. Bush for that John Lennon used
dent in a course not to walk critics noted that Carson is News photo of him being the book: “I think you to record and write “Love
out after being told that a vegetarian, and Baltimore praised as the most “hon- downplayed at times how Me Do,” “I Want to Hold
they would have to retake police say they have no re- est” student in that college much you talked to your Your Hand” and other hit
an exam. cord of the robbery. psychology course. dad.” The younger Bush songs sold for $2.4 million
In interviews with for- But Carson has insisted As for those white stu- nodded. at auction.
mer classmates and others that those questions are dents he says he protected The forum at the Julien’s Auctions said
at Carson’s high school and unfair, and on Sunday he during riots after the death George W. Bush Presiden- the Gibson J-160E guitar
at Yale, the Wall Street Jour- repeated his stance that the of Martin Luther King Jr., tial Center came two days was sold Saturday to an
nal could not find anyone to level of scrutiny to which he Carson said that just be- before Meacham’s “Des- undisclosed buyer.
support his claims. is being subjected has never cause no one has come for- tiny and Power” becomes The auction house
Questions about the ac- been applied to others who ward to confirm his story publicly available. said the guitar was one of
curacy of other tales Car- have sought the presidency, does not mean that they only two of its type flown
son has told in his books including President Barack will not eventually. Trump lifts from America to England
and on the campaign trail Obama. “Maybe one of those stu- in 1962 for Lennon and
have preceded these latest “I have always said that I dents will come forward, I
‘SNL’ rating, but George Harrison. Len-
reports, though. For years, expect to be vetted, but be- don’t know,” Carson said Palin did better non used it for for about
he has spoken of having ing vetted and what is go- during the “Meet the Press” NEW YORK — Don- a year before swapping
attempted to stab a close ing on with me — ‘You said interview. “Maybe they’re ald Trump’s hosting stint it with Harrison; it later
friend back in the day, but this 30 years ago, you said not spending all of their on “Saturday Night Live” went missing during a
facing new scrutiny, he said this 20 years ago, this didn’t time reading the Wall Street lifted the NBC program Christmas concert in 1963.
last week that it was a cous- exist’ ... I have not seen that Journal.” to its highest rating since From wire reports
BOX OFFICE GUNNAR HANSEN: 1947-2015
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Actor played Leatherface
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Reader Representative
a classic among horror- writer. At the time of his
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 xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | A3

NATION | WORLD

Consensus grows in U.S. that bomb

likely caused Russian plane to crash
By Michael S. Schmidt
NEW YORK TIMES
WASHINGTON — Se-
nior House members said
Sunday that there was
a mounting consensus
among U.S. intelligence of-
ficials that a bomb brought
down the Russian charter
jet that crashed last month
in the Sinai Peninsula in
Egypt, killing all 224 people
on board.
“I think there’s a grow-
and X-ray machines, had
been badly maintained or
operated by poorly trained
staff members. One Egyp-
tian official said he had seen
workers unplug a luggage
scanner to save power.
Since the crash, several
countries have sent secu-
IN STORES & ONLINE MON, NOV. 9 & TUES, NOV 1O!
rity teams to supervise the ports, including Egypt,”
return of passengers and said a spokesman for the
their luggage, which in Department for Transport
some cases is being sent on in Britain. “The U.K. does
separate flights. not pay for these checks,
“We request additional which are separate to the
security screening to be additional precautions now Olga Maltseva / AFP/ Getty Images
provided at departure gates being undertaken on hold Russians light candles for the Oct. 31 crash victims
at a number of overseas air- baggage at Sharm.” Sunday at St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

PRE-HOLIDAY
ing body of intelligence
and evidence that this was
a bomb — still not conclu-
sive — but a growing body

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of evidence,” Rep. Adam B.
Schiff of California, the top
Democrat on the House In-
telligence Committee, said
on the ABC program “This
Week.”
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.,

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It is not clear how much
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A4 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x

NATION

Missile test puzzles, alarms Californians

By Christopher Weber
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES — A bright,
colorful light that streaked
across the California sky, star-
tling residents and leading to
a flurry of calls to law enforce-
ment, turned out to be an un-
armed missile test-fired from
a Navy submarine off the coast
Saturday evening, officials said.
Kevin Stack was walking to
dinner with his young son in
northeastern Los Angeles when
he was stopped in his tracks by
what he thought was an espe-
cially intense light from a police
helicopter — except that it was
completely silent.
“It intensified then shot across
the dark sky, leaving a green
trail,” said Stack, 41. “Then it
fizzled and appeared like a dying
dot on an old television screen.”
Stack’s 5-year-old son, Black-
stone, was under no illusions
about what he had just seen.
“It was an alien,” Blackstone
said.
Not quite, said Cmdr. Ryan
The light from a Navy unarmed missile over Southern California on Saturday night led to
panicked calls to police and lit up social media as puzzled residents posted photos and videos.
Perry, a Navy spokesman. Navy
Strategic Systems Programs
conducted a missile test at sea
from the USS Kentucky, a ballis-
tic missile submarine, Perry said
in a statement.
The launches are conducted
on a frequent basis to ensure the
continued reliability of the sys-
tem and that information about
such test launches is classified
prior to the launch, he said.
The lack of information about
the streak of light just after sun-
set led to panicked calls to police
and lit up social media as people
posted photos and video of the
celestial sight.
Julien Solomita just happened
to be shooting some video foot-
age in a Los Angeles neighbor-
hood when his group saw some-
Julien Solomita / Associated Press
thing odd up above.
“It was very wild watching
this in the sky,” he said in an
email to The Associated Press.
“I can’t really say what I thought
it was because I’ve never experi-
enced anything remotely close
to it.”
The light was visible for hun-
dreds of miles, startling people
in Nevada and Arizona and as
far north as California’s Sonoma
Valley wine country.
“Anybody else see the big
white ball of light in the sky?”
wrote California state Sen. Mike
McGuire, D-Healdsburg, on
Facebook. “Wow.”
It wasn’t clear whether the
test was related to the rerout-
ing of nighttime flights into and
out of Los Angeles International
Airport because of an active mili-
tary airspace from Friday to Nov.
12.
Flights usually arrive and
depart over the ocean from mid-
night to 6:30 a.m. to minimize
noise, but they will have to go
over communities east of the air-
port.
A message seeking comment
from the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration wasn’t immediately
returned.
The test was conducted in the
Pacific Test Range, a vast area
northwest of Los Angeles where
the Navy periodically test-fires
Tomahawk and Standard cruise
missiles from surface ships and
submarines.

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Plan to digitize immigration forms flops
By Jerry Markon
WASHINGTON POST

Heaving under moun-

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to $3.1 billion and be done
By 2012, officials at the
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tem until nearly three years
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the internal documents and
interviews.
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forms have been digitized
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taken offline after they de-
buted because nearly all of
the software and hardware
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FROM THE COVER

Shrimp imports found to contain antibiotics

Shrimp from page A1
warnings.
In August, FDA inspec-
tors set a monthly record
by refusing 72 shipments
of shrimp, much of it from
Malaysia, that either test-
ed positive for antibiotics
or lacked evidence of be-
ing drug free. Most of the
shrimp was turned away
from the agency’s South-
west Import District, which
includes Texas ports.
Through October, the
FDA has refused 377 sepa-
rate shrimp entries — from
large containers to small
packages — citing antibi-
otics or veterinary drug
residues. In all of 2014, the
agency turned away 208
shrimp shipments due to
illegal drug residues, and
that was nearly four times
the refusals of a year before.
The FDA actions ac-
knowledge the worrisome
fact that antibiotics relied
on for decades are becom-
ing ineffective because of
overuse in human health
care and indiscriminate
use in farming. The Cen-
ters for Disease Control
and Prevention says 2 mil-
lion people a year contract
serious infections that don’t
respond to antibiotics and
that at least 23,000 die.
Few shipments tested
In foreign aquaculture,
some operators persist in
giving shrimp hatchlings
feed laced with antibiotics
that are prohibited in the
United States. They do so to
strengthen their immune
systems against bacterial
diseases. No antibiotics are
approved for shrimp farm-
ing in the United States.
The discoveries raise
questions about whether
the speed of global trade
has outpaced the ability to
keep food safe. Some in the
domestic seafood industry
contend that the pending
12-country Trans-Pacific
Partnership free trade
agreement could make it
even more difficult for reg-
ulators to do their jobs.
The FDA has been criti-
cized over the years for lack
of attention to antibiotics.
The uptick in refusals sug-
gests that the agency may
be getting more vigilant at
the borders.
Even so, the FDA in-
spected just 3.7 percent of
110,000 shrimp shipments
last year and tested far less
than that in a monitoring
system that focuses on risk.
What’s more, the FDA,
citing lack of resources,
is ignoring a 2011 law or-
dering inspections of
thousands of foreign food
plants.
For Texas shrimpers
enduring one of the hard-
est seasons in memory, the
hit-and-miss regulatory
system is another vexing
reality. In interviews, sev-
eral said they’re convinced
that ships turned away for
contamination seek out
other ports to bring in their
wares.
Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News
Shrimper Dwayne Harrison throws out his nets
for shrimping in the Houston Ship Channel near
Baytown on a late afternoon recently.
“It doesn’t look like they
(the FDA) are doing any-
thing,” Dwayne Harrison
said, dodging a tanker and
barges during a fruitless
day on the water.
Studies raise questions
In April, Consumer Re-
ports disclosed finding an-
tibiotic residues in about 5
percent of imported shrimp
purchased at some 300 gro-
ceries, big box stores and
even at “natural” retail
outlets across the country.
Tests also found bacteria,
including Vibrio, which can
cause serious illness.
“The FDA can’t be catch-
ing all the illegal products
on the market when it
comes to shrimp and anti-
biotic residues,” Urvashi
Rangan, Consumer Re-
ports’ director of consumer
safety, said in an interview.
After publishing its
findings, Consumer Re-
ports made recommenda-
tions to top FDA officials,
noting that antibiotics in
shrimp were especially
concerning. The magazine
never heard back.
Shrimpers like to say
that consumers have no
clue what they’re getting,
no matter what labels and
menus say. DNA tests
by the advocacy group
Oceana last year bear out
those concerns. Oceana
found that 35 percent of
shrimp tested nationwide
was misrepresented, a lev-
el of mislabeling that rose
to 41 percent in groceries.
In a common deception,
farmed shrimp, largely
from Asia, was sold as Gulf
shrimp or simply labeled
“wild.”
Even in the Gulf region,
home to America’s biggest
shrimp fishery, genetic tests
on dozens of shrimp prod-
ucts in nine cities — includ-
ing Houston and Galveston
— showed 30 percent were
misrepresented.
Scientists found import-
ed shrimp not listed on the
FDA’s list of 1,842 species
of seafood consumed in the
United States and shrimp
with unrecognized genetic
makeup. Tests on a bag of
salad-sized shrimp im-
ported from Vietnam sold
at a Gulf grocery showed
banded cleaner shrimp,
aquarium pets not intend-
ed as food.
“When you find out it’s
your own local seafood
involved in this bait-and-
switch, it wakes people
up,” Kimberly Warner,
Oceana’s senior scientist,
said in an interview.
Plenty of shrimp
In Texas, shrimpers say
they’re falling behind even
while catching more.
In September, Texas
vessels landed 6.1 million
pounds, 600,000 pounds
more than September of
last year, the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration reported. For
the year, the catch in Texas
is 8 million pounds more
than at this time in 2014,
attributed to abundant
spring rains that moved
shrimp from bays and es-
tuaries into the Gulf.
The bigger catch in Tex-
as, it turns out, almost ex-
actly matches the decline in
Louisiana from a year ago.
That hasn’t made up for
abysmal prices shrimp-
ers are getting across the
Gulf — one-third lower
than a year ago for large
shrimp and half the price
for medium-sized. Smaller
shrimp were bringing just
one-third the price of 2014,
NOAA said.
Far fewer vessels than a
decade ago are chasing the
crustaceans.
Andrea Hance, execu-
tive director of the Texas
Shrimp Association,
said the number of per-
mits across the Gulf had
shrunk from 5,000 in the
early 2000s to about 1,400.
Of those, roughly 1,100 are
operating, she said.
Hance, who operates
two vessels out of Browns-
ville, said the catch had
tailed off after early fall
successes. But the price she
got last week for her large
brown shrimp had ticked
up to $3.25 a pound, albeit
about half of what it was a
year ago. Overall, imports
were down 6.5 percent in
September, a hopeful sign
for the Texas industry.
Shrimpers’ challenge,
she said, is saving money to
withstand times like these
and expensive repairs —
like the new $25,000 freez-
er on one of her trawlers.
“One of these years, the
sun, the moon and stars
will align and we all will
make some money,” she
said.
bill.lambrecht@hearstdc.com

Retailers unsure how much oil slump will affect sales

Retailers from page A1
Houston Partnership.
Houston retailers feel
like they’ll closely follow
the national trend, added
Ed Wulfe, an established
Houston developer and
chairman and CEO of
real estate brokerage firm
Wulfe & Co. The chat-
ter he’s hearing suggests
they expect 3 to 4 percent
growth over 2014.
That would be in line
with national forecasts,
which so far have found re-
tailers entering the season
largely upbeat. The Na-
tional Retail Federation’s
forecast calls for sales to in-
crease 3.7 percent. Though
slightly less than last year’s
growth rate, that’s still a
“solid” figure, according to
the NRF.
The International Coun-
cil of Shopping Centers
calls for a 3.3 percent sales
increase, with shoppers
spending $702 on average,
up from $677 in 2014.
In a survey of retailers
large and small across the
country, retail and con-
sumer consulting firm
BDO USA reported 61
percent expect sales to rise
over last year. BDO predict-
ed overall sales growth of
4.2 percent for this season.
“What we’ve seen over
the last several years
coming out of the reces-
sion is this steady, cau-
tious growth,” said Ted
Vaughan, an accountant
and partner with BDO.
Nationally, retailers told
BDO that lower employ-
ment and lower energy
prices will be among the
main drivers helping sales
Shopping outlook
Some national forecasts
have been issued for the
upcoming holiday season.
Deloitte: Predicts sales will
rise 3.5 to 4 percent.
National Retail
Federation: Up 3.7 percent.
International Council of
Shopping Centers:
3.3 percent growth.
Wulfe & Co.: Up 3 to 4 per-
cent in the Houston region.
Fretful consumers tend
to shy away from luxury
goods and large purchas-
es that require multiple
payments — home items
or cars, for example. Dis-
counters and big-box re-
tailers tend to pick up more
consumers when they be-
come uncertain about their
finances, Krishnamurthy
said.
Sid Mashburn, CEO of
a company that operates
high-end clothing stores
at Lamar-River Oaks
Shopping Center on West-
heimer and counts many
energy-connected custom-
ers among his clientele,
said he has yet to a see a
dropoff in Houston.
Mashburn, whose com-
pany is based in Atlanta
and has stores there and in
Washington, D.C., said he
remains confident about
Houston, “although if the
energy slump continues to
drag out over an extended
period, we will certainly
reassess our position.”
“It’s our judgment that
retailers who are not of-
fering a truly special shop-
ping experience and strong
value proposition are go-
ing to have a tougher time,”
could still nudge the region promotions through the crowds more manageable. was spreading out holiday
to a successful holiday season to keep the activity “I might spend a little purchases throughout the
shopping season, he said. level up. more, but we’re bargain year. Plus, as a 15-year vet-
Then there are home Yet the traditional rush shoppers,” Mays said, add- eran of the oil industry, he’s
and vehicle sales, which period retains a powerful ing that she occasionally aware of its cyclical nature.
remain strong. The latest pull. may shop Black Friday if a “It’s just something
data show auto sales con- “I’ll start shopping the deal is too good to miss. that’s out of your control,”
tinuing to surge ahead of week after Thanksgiv- Tony Dasher, a finan- Dasher said. “The only
2014, which was consid- ing,” said Patricia Mays of cial analyst with a major thing you can do is do your
ered a banner year for the Houston, who said she will oil company, said he’s not job.”
Houston area. buy for nieces and neph- yet conducting himself
“Most rational consum- ews, ages 5 to 38, and finds any differently than a nor- michael.smith@chron.com
ers will not sign a four-, the post-Thanksgiving mal year. But he already twitter.com/mdsmithnews
five-, six-year note on an
automobile if they don’t
have the confidence they’ll
be able to make the pay-
ments,” Jankowski said,
adding that the still-strong
home sales suggest long-
No time to make
term consumer confidence. your money work?
Wulfe, the retail devel- These rates
oper, also expects online
growth and more home work for you.
delivery or in-store pickup
options from companies
like Amazon, Target and
others to further boost
sales.
Shopper habits
Still, the deep recession
that began nearly a decade
ago casts a long shadow.
Consumers remain cau-
tious and continue the
habits they formed during
that national downturn,
Vaughan said.
Today’s shopper in-
creasingly expects dis-
counts, will wait for the
best sales before purchas-
ing and perhaps buy fewer,
more meaningful items for
those on their list, Vaughan
said.
This trend has persisted
through times of high con-
sumer confidence and is
most pronounced among
younger people who grew Smart CD Smart CD
up during the recession, he 10-Month 24-Month

this year.
A chilling effect
Yet in Houston, the
prolonged dip in crude oil
prices that chilled oil field
and related activity and
claimed perhaps tens of
thousands of jobs could
depress some shoppers’
moods this season.
The job cuts hit blue-col-
lar energy workers hardest
and are now beginning to
affect white-collar work-
ers.
Though other sectors
have added some new
jobs, they aren’t making
up for the energy losses in
number or in pay levels,
Jankowski said.
Even the threat of a job
loss breeds uncertainty.
“Uncertainty will put
a damper on high-ticket
items,” said Partha Krish-
namurthy, a professor at
the University of Houston’s
Bauer College of Business.
he said.
Constina McIntyre, who
counted many Shell em-
ployees among the clientele
of her women’s clothing
and accessories boutique
in Stafford, said she is feel-
ing the oil crunch. While
business has been better
this year than the past four,
she has yet to see any holi-
day upturn.
“A lot of my custom-
ers are pulling back,” Mc-
Intyre said, adding that she
still expects people to get
in the shopping mood. “I
think it’s going to be a rush
toward the last minute.”
Signs of hope
Observers point to other
hopeful signs. Parker Har-
vey, senior regional econo-
mist with the Houston-
Galveston Area Council,
cited population growth
that drives demand for re-
tail. Although that growth
has slowed somewhat, it
%
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Another adjustment
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A6 | Monday, November 9, 2015 |
NATION | WORLD
Voters in Myanmar flock
to polls in test of democracy
Annie Gowen
WASHINGTON POST
RANGOON, Myanmar
— Hundreds of thousands
of residents voted Sunday in
Myanmar’s first democratic
election in years, a historic
event that could mark a new
era for the country and pave
the way to power for the
longtime opposition leader,
Aung San Suu Kyi.
Around the country, vot-
ers lined up before the polls
opened at 6 a.m. and waited
in the hot sun for hours
to cast their ballots. Some
polls were open after the 4
p.m. closing time because of
demand. Afterward, many
went on Facebook and
posted photos of their ink-
stained pinky fingers, the
equivalent of an “I voted”
sticker in Myanmar, also
known as Burma.
A new era
By nightfall, hundreds of
supporters of Suu Kyi’s Na-
tional League for Democra-
cyPartyhadgatheredonthe
street in front of the party
headquarters, waving red
balloons, dancing, chanting
and watching local election
results on big-screen TVs.
They cheered every time a
ballot was unfurled with
a stamp next to a golden
peacock, the symbol for the
NLD. Some preliminary re-
sults might be known Mon-
day, but the final official re-
sults could take days.
“We have been suffer-
ing for 25 years. Today, we
change the old system and
bring in a new one,” said
Theingi, a housewife and
mother of two, at the rally.
She uses only one name.
Suu Kyi’s party was
poised to make a strong
showing in the Southeast
Asian nation of 51 million,
which was isolated from the
world for more than half a
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Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x
Supporters of opposition leader Aung San Su Kyi’s National League for
Democracy Party watch returns Sunday in Mandalay, Myanmar.
century under a military
dictatorship.
But the path to victory is
hardlyclear.Partymembers
appear confident they will
get the majority needed to
govern. But the military will
still control 25 percent of the
seats in parliament and key
ministries. A constitutional
provision bars Suu Kyi,
called “Mother Suu,” from
becoming president. And
the country has more than
90 parties — smaller groups
that support Myanmar’s
ethnic minorities — that will
also play a factor in forming
a new government.
Suu Kyi, 70, was
swarmed by international
reporters Sunday when she
voted in her home constitu-
ency of Bahan as the current
president, Thein Sein — the
former general who heads
the country’s ruling Union
SolidarityandDevelopment
Party — cast his vote in the
country’s capital of Naypy-
idaw.
Suu Kyi had said earlier
in the week that if her party
713-263-3622
wins the majority of seats in
parliament, she will govern
the country despite the con-
stitutional barrier.
“I’m going to be above the
president,” she said. When
asked how, she responded,
“Oh, I have already made
plans.”
An imperfect system
Sein said Friday that the
government would respect
the outcome of the election,
and many voters seemed ea-
ger to take him at his word.
In Myanmar’s last demo-
cratic election in 1990, Suu
Kyi and the NLD won an
overwhelming majority, but
the country’s military dicta-
torship ignored the results
and placed her under house
arrest, where she remained
off and on for the better part
of two decades.
“I think it will be free
and fair overall,” said one of
Sein’s supporters, Aye Aye
Mu, 28, a mother of two who
comes from a military fam-
ily.
Critics have said that
Hku n Lat / Associated Press
these elections cannot be
considered truly free be-
cause voting was not held
in some areas of the country
still fraught with ethnic vio-
lence. And about 1 million
Rohingya Muslims, who
are stateless and consid-
ered by the government to
be illegal immigrants from
neighboring Bangladesh,
have been stripped of their
right to vote. More than
100,000 Rohingya still re-
side in displacement camps
after Muslim and Buddhist
violence in 2012.
“We’ve said it is difficult
to see how this can be a truly
free and fair election given
the disenfranchisement of
the Rohingya population,
the 25 percent of parliament
guaranteed to the military
and other structural prob-
lems,” said Tom Malinows-
ki, assistant U.S. secretary
of state for democracy, hu-
man rights and labor. “But
there can still be a result that
credibly reflects the overall
desires of a majority of the
Burmese people.”
(713) 454-7593
DN-SPAD1029143911
AROUND THE NATION & WORLD
WISCONSIN
Train
carrying
crude oil
derails
WATERTOWN — A
Canadian Pacific Rail-
way train carrying crude
oil derailed Sunday and
prompted some evacua-
tions in Wisconsin, the
second day in a row a
freight train derailed in
the state.
The eastbound CP
train derailed about 2
p.m. in Watertown, in the
southeastern part of the
state. The railroad said at
least 10 cars derailed, and
some were leaking.
No fires or injuries
were reported. CP was
sending teams to the site.
On Saturday, a freight
train derailed near Alma
in western Wisconsin,
spilling thousands of gal-
lons of ethanol.
EGYPT
Journalist faces
charges after
series of reports
CAIRO — Egyptian
military intelligence on
Sunday filed charges
against an investigative
journalist who is also the
founder of Egypt’s pre-
mier human rights group,
raising alarms about
attempts to suppress
domestic dissent as the
government grapples with
questions about the crash
of a Russian passenger jet.
The journalist, Hossam
Bahgat, 36, founded the
Egyptian Initiative for
Personal Rights, a highly
regarded rights organiza-
tion, in 2002.
Since the military take-
over in 2013, however, he
has distinguished himself
as a unique voice in the
Egyptian news media
by writing a series of
painstakingly researched
investigative reports that
have called into question
official government state-
ments.
CROATIA
Opposition
claims most seats
after election
ZAGREB, Croatia —
Croatia’s conservative op-
position claimed victory
Sunday against the ruling
center-left coalition in the
Balkan country’s first par-
liamentary election since
joining the European
Union in 2013 — held
amid deep economic woes
and a massive migrant
surge.
The state electoral com-
mission said the conser-
vatives won 61 seats in the
parliament, while Social
Democrats had 53.
The result means both
blocs have failed to win
an outright majority. The
kingmaker could be the
third-placed party, Most,
or Bridge, with a project-
ed 19 seats.
CHINA
Coal burning
pushes pollution
to dangerous level
BEIJING — Air qual-
ity reached extremely
hazardous levels in the
northeastern Chinese city
of Shenyang, as northern
China began to burn coal
to heat homes for winter.
Real-time data released
by the Shenyang Environ-
mental Protection Agency
on Sunday showed the
density of the poisonous
tiny airborne matters
known as PM 2.5 was
more than 1,000 micro-
grams per cubic meter.
The World Health
Organization considers
the safe level of PM 2.5
to be 25 micrograms per
cubic meter on a 24-hour
average basis.
From wire reports
 xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | A7

NATION | WORLD

EPA expands on-road testing 2015-2016 SEASON

EXPERIENCE IT.

for emissions to all diesel cars

C A ME RON M A C K I N TO S H ’S
By Danny Hakim Whistleblower pushed Volkswagen sents a sea change from S PECTAC UL AR NEW PRODUCTION
and Jad Mouawad the traditional, highly
NEW YORK TIMES
to admit broader cheating controlled lab setting
OF

FRANKFURT, Germany — Volkswagen’s recent dis- A N D R E W L L O Y D W E B B E R ’S

Concerned that cheat-
ing on vehicle emissions
could be prevalent across
the automobile industry,
regulators in the United
States and Canada are sig-
nificantly expanding their
on-the-road emissions
tests to cover all makes and
models of diesel cars.
The tests, which come in
the wake of Volkswagen’s
admission that it installed
software on more than 11
million cars to evade emis-
sions standards, are being
conducted randomly and
in real-world conditions,
rather than in traditional
laboratory settings, to in-
crease the odds of catching
cheaters.
“We are very anxious
to find out if there are any
other programs out there,”
said Christopher Grun-
dler, director of the office
of transportation and air
quality at the Environmen-
tal Protection Agency.
10,000 vehicles
The first tests on brands
manufactured by Volks-
wagen, completed last
week, found the cheating
software on about 10,000
VW, Audi and Porsche
models not previously
disclosed by the German
where vehicles are put on
closure that it reported false fuel economy and carbon
a treadmill, wired up with
dioxide readings to European regulators was prompted by
sensors and run through a
an internal whistleblower, the company said Sunday.
standardized and familiar
Volkswagen’s admission that it had underreported car-
routine.
bon dioxide emissions on 800,000 diesel- and gasoline-
“Manufacturers have
powered cars in Europe. That disclosure added to the au-
asked us what the test
tomaker’s credibility problems, which began in September
conditions would be, and
when it admitted that it had installed software on millions
we’ve told them that they
of its diesel cars in recent years to enable them to cheat
don’t have a need to know,”
on air-pollution tests.
Grundler said. “It will be
In trying to determine who was responsible for the diesel
random.”
cheating scandal, Volkswagen’s investigators have report-
edly been hampered by an ingrained fear of delivering bad
Future of diesels dims
news to superiors. But in the case of the new disclosure,
The road-testing regi-
some employees have evidently been willing to come
men could dim the future
forward under the company’s new management.
for diesels, which have
Volkswagen on Sunday broadly confirmed a report in
higher pollution emis-
Bild am Sonntag, a German newspaper, that an engineer
sions, making electric and
at the company had volunteered information about how
hybrid vehicles more at-
employees had manipulated tests for carbon dioxide
tractive in terms of their
emissions and fuel economy. Tires, for example, were
environmental impact.
filled with more air than normal, the newspaper reported.
U.S. regulators believe
The diesel cheating scandal involves the company’s
that road testing is relative-
manipulation of pollution control systems on 11 million
ly crude and cannot match
cars that enabled them to pass emissions control tests
the precision of lab results
in laboratory settings but allowed the cars on the road
at detecting nitrogen oxide
to emit up to 40 times the allowable limits of nitrogen
and other fine particles and
oxides, a pollutant that can damage lungs.
pollutants.
The more recently disclosed problem involves un-
Rather, the aim of their
derstating the amount of carbon dioxide in cars sold in
road tests is to help vali-
Europe. Although U.S. regulators do not measure cars’
date lab findings by catch-
carbon dioxide emissions, European officials do.
New York Times ing cars whose road per-
formance reveals higher
emission readings. ‘TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND
say they will focus on 2015
and 2016 model year diesel
dal has highlighted defi-
ciencies in the existing lab
The European plan,
under development since PREPARE TO BE
DAZZLED’
cars. They will also be per- tests both in North Amer- 2011, still faces what could
formed on all new cars that ica and in Europe. be a contentious fight in
manufacturers seek to cer- “Regulators must think the European Parliament,
tify, he said. more like the cheaters,” amid criticism that poli- THE SCOTSMAN

manufacturer. Volkswa-
gen disputes the EPA’s
claim, saying the software
was not intended to thwart
emissions testing.
Since then, no other
automobile company has
been found to have in-
stalled so-called defeat
software, although it will
take several weeks for all
makes and models to be
tested.
The move by the EPA is
a significant expansion of
its testing regimen, which
previously did road testing
for pollutants mainly on
large trucks. It also makes
road-test spot checks of
older cars to ensure that
their pollution-control
mechanisms are still ef-
fective. Tests are also be-
ing performed alongside
regulators in Canada and
said Luke Tonachel, an
auto-emissions specialist
at the Natural Resources
Defense Council.
“EPA is starting to use
new tests that can’t be
readily gamed by manu-
facturers.”
Europe has been plan-
ning its own real-world
testing for several years,
although those tests will
not start until 2017.
cymakers have watered
down earlier proposals.
Automakers say they
need to be allowed to ex-
ceed Europe’s existing ni-
trogen oxide standards sig-
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A8 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x

FROM THE COVER

Metro officials
still tweaking
new bus system
Metro from page A1 Park & Ride service — is muddled.
Overall, Metro officials say,
to transit-dependent riders whose local buses and three rail lines
service has been cut as Metro tries handled 6.65 million trips in Sep-
to appeal to riders who have the tember, a 4 percent increase over
option of driving. the same month last year. One
For many, perhaps most, Met- reason for the growth, however,
ro riders, the new bus system is that buses now steer people
didn’t drastically change any- into the rail lines and frequent
thing. Their trips usually start routes, which could be increasing
and end at bus stops within a transfers and causing extra trips.
block of where they always have. Other ways to slice the figures
Getting there might involve a dif- paint a less favorable picture Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle
ferent route, and buses may come than Metro’s preferred math. Riders board the bus Thursday at the Hillcroft Park & Ride on the new Route 151, one of the
a few minutes later or earlier. On weekdays, average ridership routes that has drawn the most criticism from riders since the changes to bus service in August.
Roughly two dozen riders dropped 7.7 percent to 231,535
— among more than 100 inter- riders per day. A portion of that ›› See more photos and a video about Metro’s new system at “We are just forgotten out
viewed over seven weeks start- drop, however, can be attributed HoustonChronicle.com/metrosystem there,” Patricia Hall said, refer-
ing after Labor Day — said they to changing bus routes to avoid ring to the inconsistency of a
preferred their old route. Rea- duplicate service with the Green more direct, dependable service. or longer under the new system. shuttle meant to connect resi-
sons ranged from longer walks and Purple lines that opened in Popular routes, notably the Riders on the new Route 151 dents near Texas 288 and Loop
to crowded buses that require May. Route 52 along Scott, for ex- Route 82 Westheimer bus, have are the most vocal and notice- 610, linking them to Metro’s
transfers in inconvenient spots. ample, was one of the most-used become huge carriers of transit able exception. Many relied on Southeast Transit Center.
Many others said the new bus routes, but now those riders riders. The Westheimer line is the the now-defunct Route 163 from Metro has since altered the
system was easier to navigate hop on the Purple Line. most used bus in Metro’s system the Hillcroft Transit Center to route, based in part on the com-
and seemed quicker and more Fare revenue is another uncer- — averaging more than 12,000 Houston’s central business dis- plaints. The agency also made mi-
responsive to their needs. Most, tain measure. Metro’s fare reve- trips on an average workday trict. Dozens signed a petition to nor changes to departure times.
however, could only point to a nue in September was down 6.4 — leading some riders to com- replace the 151 — which makes Still, Hall is not the only Metro
minute or two saved or lost — percent compared to September plain of crowded bus stops and more stops and has a different customer who feels forgotten.
maybe a slightly shorter walk 2014, a loss of roughly $400,000. standing-room-only rides along end point — with the former 163. Riders can encounter problems
— while applauding the decision Revenue, however, fluctuates a curvy, bumpy major street. “I can tell you for sure more getting to frequent routes or find-
to expand weekend service. For wildly, especially as Metro con- Those frustrations, however, people are driving in,” rider Ali ing the bus full when they arrive.
many working folks and those tinues hemorrhaging riders — a can be fixed by adding service, Rashid told Metro officials. Some of the infrequent buses run
dependent on the bus, the pluses trend that started before the new something Metro started doing only every 30, 40 and in some
and minuses were minor. system was put in place and one along some routes less than two Rider discomfort cases 60 minutes. For riders ac-
“Ain’t nothing changed about that officials hope the changes weeks after rolling out the new Opinions commonly tilt on customed to “the way things
the bus,” Wallace Monroe said will reverse. For May and June of system. Many more significant whether a rider’s particular trip used to be” — another common
as he waited at a stop along Main this year, fare revenue was down changes are planned for January, to work or school is among those phrase among longtime riders
Street for a Hiram Clarke bus. 9.8 percent from those months in pending Metro board approval. that improved dramatically — or and drivers — the changes force
“Same long ride as it ever was.” 2014. Among them is adding even more became calamitous, confusing, them to change familiar routines.
Despite the mixed indicators, buses to the Westheimer route, time-consuming or all of the Over time, however, many
Numbers muddled Metro board member Christof giving it a frequency of every above. of those riders are adjusting.
The revised bus system focused Spieler, who orchestrated the six minutes during peak times. Sarah Holden, 54, said she in- Shortly after the changes took
resources on frequent routes changes, is pleased with the re- That would put it on par with the tends to start driving to her job effect, Paul Mudd, 60, said Metro
that crisscross the Houston re- sults so far. light rail Red Line that connects in the Texas Medical Center. Not had “ruined his life” by eliminat-
gion, augmented by less frequent “We are seeing it play out, and the central business district and only is her new bus trip about 25 ing his early morning bus. Last
routes that cover more areas. It’s frankly I am surprised at how well Texas Medical Center. minutes longer compared to her week, Mudd muted his rage, not-
a system based on what plan- this has worked,” Spieler said. The bus system changes have old route from Tanglewood, it ing his neighbor helped him fig-
ners have known for years — key had little effect on the trip down requires a transfer at the Wheel- ure out a better way to make his
routes drive most transit demand. Correcting mistakes Westheimer, however. Buses er Transit Center rather than trip from near Northline Com-
Proving the theory is a work in At the roughly 9,000 bus stops bounce along the same bad roads downtown, she said. mons to Greenspoint.
progress. Ridership numbers can- and train stations where Metro’s in the same congested traffic. Perhaps more affected are res- “It takes time to get used to it,”
not fully explain how well Metro’s riders rely on service, reaction to Dozens of riders along major idents in low-income neighbor- he said.
new system is working. For exam- the changes remains mixed. Some routes report that while buses hoods on Houston’s east, south-
ple, September ridership on Met- riders find the route changes in- might come more frequently, east and northeast sides who feel dug.begley@chron.com
ro’s local buses — which excludes convenient, while others cheer the their trips are really no shorter inconvenienced or ignored. twitter.com/DugBegley

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FROM THE COVER
Refinery part of alleged kickback scheme
Refinery from page A1
One of prosecutors’ first
major discoveries in their
ongoing investigation was
that Petrobras overpaid in
its purchase of Pasadena
Refining Systems Inc. in a
series of transactions dat-
ing back to 2006.
Petrobras, Brazil’s larg-
est company, paid about
$1.2 billion for the nearly
century-old refinery com-
plex — almost 30 times the
amount the Belgian com-
pany Astra Oil purchased
it for in 2005, according to
Brazilian prosecutors and
court records. Petrobras
itself is one of the world’s
largest refiners. The Pasa-
dena refinery on Red Bluff
Road is Petrobras’ only U.S.
refinery — with a produc-
tion of more than 100,000
barrels per day and more
than 500 contract and per-
manent employees.
One former executive
has admitted to being of-
fered a $1.5 million bribe to
allow the Pasadena deal to
go through, records show,
and Brazilian prosecutors
are investigating whether
politicians also received
kickbacks from the pur-
chase.
“We were absolutely
dumbfounded, not to men-
tion extremely concerned,
by what we found,” Ma-
rinus de Vries Marsico, a
prosecutor at Brazil’s Fed-
eral Accounts Court said
of the Pasadena deal in an
interview with the Hous-
ton Chronicle. “There were
such flagrant, indefensible
irregularities that it was
easy to see what a cata-
strophic deal it was.”
Little attention here
He and other Brazilian
investigators say Petro-
bras contracts worldwide
were systematically over-
inflated by corrupt former
executives and a “cartel”
of construction companies
that skimmed off money
for themselves and paid off
politicians, lobbyists and
money launderers.
In corporate filings and
news statements, Petrobras
spokesmen claim the com-
pany is a victim. In an April
2015 filing with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange
Commission, Petroleo
Brasileiro S.A. estimates
that the company overpaid
more than $2.5 billion in
“capitalized costs” for “the
acquisition of property,
plant and equipment in pri-
or years.” Petrobras states
in the filing the money was
used to fund “improper”
payments to political par-
ties, public officials, con-
tractors, former Petrobras
employees and “other indi-
viduals involved in the pay-
ment scheme.”
Petrobras officials did
not respond to requests for
comment for this story.
Petrobras, which has
a U.S. subsidiary called
Petrobras America Inc., re-
ported in the April 2015 fil-
ing that it was subpoenaed
by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission in
November 2014, and is co-
operating with the agen-
cy’s request. It’s unclear
from Petrobras’ disclosure
whether the SEC probe
specifically focuses on the
Pasadena deal or how the
refinery’s operations could
be impacted. SEC officials
declined comment.
The revelations have
seized the public’s atten-
tion and generated massive
protests in Brazil. But the
Texas refinery’s role in the
scandal has gotten scant at-
tention back in Pasadena.
“I’ve never heard any-
thing about” it, said Pasa-
dena Councilman Ornaldo
Ybarra, whose district
encompasses the area
around the refinery. “From
our perspective at the local
level, there hasn’t been any
issue.”
Value of facility
Baltimore-based Crown
Central Petroleum erected
the refinery in 1920 in what
was then a rural commu-
nity covered by strawberry
fields.
“Crown was a major em-
ployer as Pasadena transi-
tioned from its agricultural
economy to industrial,”
xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | A9
Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle
Brazilian state-run oil company Petrobras paid more than $1 billion to buy the Pasadena refinery, much more than the $42.5 million paid
by Astra Transcor in 2005. The purchase of the refinery is now part of a Brazilian investigation into an alleged kickback scheme.
›› Learn more about the Petrobras scandal through a ção Lava Jato,” or “Opera- evolving is just amazing.” Under Petrobras owner-
photogallery at HoustonChronicle.com/petrobras tion Car Wash.” To date, 43 In the context of global ship, the Pasadena refinery
people have been convicted corporate scandals, the has had its share of envi-
said Pasadena resident C. U.S. federal court record. and sentenced to jail terms Petrobras case is “huge,” ronmental problems — in-
David Pomeroy Jr., a local One Astra executive sent and fines over offenses said Tom Fox, a Houston cluding the 2011 explosion.
historian. a 750-page email detailing ranging from corruption lawyer who specializes in In 2012, Harris County
Crown furnished the “significant problems” with and money laundering to corporate compliance with received a $750,000 settle-
city with its first firefight- the joint venture. criminal association, and the Foreign Corrupt Prac- ment from the refinery for
ing equipment and em- Petrobras eventually investigations continue. tices Act. “It’s huger than alleged environmental vio-
ployed enlisted men wait- agreed out of court to pay This month allegations huge,” he said. lations, including failing to
ing to deploy during World another $820 million, Bra- surfaced that a Brazilian control emissions, records
War II. Local residents zilian court records say. senator who was not pre- Environmental issues show. Federal workplace
— including Pomeroy’s fa- That meant Petrobras viously under suspicion The dozens of convic- safety officials have fined
ther — found work at the paid about $1.2 billion to received a kickback of at tions in Brazil so far in the the company $56,500 since
refinery as valve hands, Astra for the Pasadena re- least $1 million in connec- probe include lobbyists, 2010.
maintenance workers and finery, including its initial tion with the Pasadena re- money changers, and exec- Still, Pasadena Council-
engineers. But later the investment and the settle- finery purchase. utives both from Petrobras man Ybarra has seen no
refinery became the site ment payments, according “The information and construction industry signs of major flaws. He
of a bitter labor dispute to Brazilian court records. doesn’t stop coming,” said giants. Former Petrobras said he views Petrobras as
that included a yearslong Brazilian auditors later Monica Arruda De Almei- director Renato Duque has a good corporate neighbor
lockout. In 1998 it paid a $1 concluded that a handful da, an adjunct professor at received the largest indi- that contributes to chari-
million fine for air quality of former Petrobras ex- the Center of Latin Ameri- vidual jail sentence so far: table causes.
violations — then a Texas ecutives were responsible can Studies at Georgetown 20 years and 8 months.
record. for the overpayment in University. “The speed There have been no pros- mihir.zaveri@chron.com
In January 2005, Bel- Pasadena and ordered that with which things are still ecutions to date in the U.S. susan.carroll@chron.com
gian group Astra Transcor $792 million be returned to
purchased the refinery Petrobras.
for $42.5 million and later Marisco said the Brazil-
reached out to Petrobras ian criminal probe of the
about a partnership, Brazil- Pasadena refinery deal
ian court records show. began in 2013, and offered
That year, a Texas-based “a first indication of the
consulting firm hired by high level of corruption in
Petrobras assessed the re- Petrobras’ activities.”
finery’s value at $126 mil- “The Pasadena deal was
lion. But Petrobras then did an affront to Brazil; it was a
its own estimate of the re- joke that damaged Brazil’s
finery’s value and pegged it reputation for being able
at $745 million. “Petrobras to do business in a serious,
then adopted this result responsible way,” Marisco
as the basis for the offers it said.
presented” to Astra, Brazil- Paulo Roberto Costa,
ian court records show. who was Petrobras’ direc-
Petrobras initially paid tor of refining from 2004
about $431 million for its 50 to 2012, told investigators
percent stake in the refinery he had reservations about
and in a trading company the Pasadena purchase,
that would hold the right to describing the refinery as
sell the refinery’s products, “very old,” and in need of
according to the Brazilian serious upgrades. Costa
court records. said last fall that he was
Petrobras America Inc. offered $1.5 million to “not
partnered with Astra Oil to cause problems” at an
Trading NV, and two other approval meeting of that
interrelated companies — deal, according to a state-
Astra GP Inc. and Astra ment Costa made to Brazil-
Tradeco LP LLC — in the ian officials as part of a plea
deal, according to a U.S. bargain.
federal court records. Marsico said he and his
But the partnership colleagues will investigate
soon turned sour. the link between Petrobras
and Astra, the company on
‘High level of corruption’ the other side of the “per-
To settle the contract dis- nicious” Pasadena sale, to
pute, Astra officials went see if anyone else should be
first to an arbitration panel held accountable.
and then to federal court Astra officials did not
to invoke contract rights to respond to emails and
try to force Petrobras com- calls to their attorneys and
panies to buy them out, U.S. to their offices in Houston.
federal court records show. In Brazil, about 500
The parties fought over people and companies are
what Houston-based U.S. under investigation for
District Judge Ewing Wer- their alleged involvement
lein Jr. described as “strate- in the Petrobras kickback
gic vision” in a related 2010 scheme, known as “Opera-
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 CITY | STATE
INSIDE EDITORIAL

Die-hard Alamo buffs New city ordinance

promote song to urge aims to curb truck
the restoration of the emissions, but we all
celebrated landmark. can fight air pollution.
Page B3 Page B9

Houston Chronicle @HoustonChron Houston Chronicle | Monday, November 9, 2015 | HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com Section B xxx

Regulator
targets
campaign
payments
Ethics Commission
wants transparency
on consultant fees
By David Saleh Rauf

AUSTIN — Wading into the

hush-hush world of political
operatives, Texas’ campaign
finance regulator is consider-
ing how to get more details
disclosed when a consultant
spends a candidate’s money to
shape state and local elections.
The Texas Ethics Commis-
sion has set its sights on large
lump sum payments to con-
sultants from campaigns and
political action committees —
six-figure totals, on occasion,
Melissa Phillip photos / Houston Chronicle that are disclosed on campaign
finance reports only as “con-
Houston celebrates sulting” or “consulting fees.”
Dia de los Muertos Those expenses can be pay-
ments for actual consulting
Above, Karen Ortiz, second from right, services.
and Jezzilyn Rodriguez, both 11, wait to However, regulators say they
go on stage to perform with MECA Ballet believe campaigns and PACs
Folklorico at the Dia de los Muertos are increasingly writing big
Festival held Sunday at the MECA in checks to operatives for a wide
Houston. At right, Nadia DeLavega, 6, range of activities to influence
left, and her sister Adina, 3, browse for elections — hiring boots on the
items to buy at the festival. Dia de los ground, purchasing mailing
Muertos is a traditional Latin American lists, production costs for ads
holiday that honors and celebrates the — and the details are never re-
lives of family and friends who have died. ported. That allows a campaign
The common theme that runs through the or a PAC to essentially mask
two-day celebration, traditionally held who and what it’s paying for
Nov. 1 and 2, is the belief that the dead by outsourcing expenditures
return home, visit loved ones and feast through a consultant, they ar-
on their favorite foods. Campaign continues on B2

Investors financing litigation to net big profits Too tough

Critics argue third-party funds in mass torts
often turn lawyers’ clients into commodities
a political usually get.
The lawsuits, which at one
surgical complications, it was
the subject of a 2008 alert by the

tide for point numbered far more than

Charleston’s population of
Food and Drug Administration.
The companies insisted the

By Mike Tolson
In the West Virginia court-
room of U.S. District Judge Jo-
seph Goodwin, lawsuits that
have been lingering for several
years in America’s largest-ever
an insider
medical mass tort may be head-
ing toward a comprehensive set-
tlement. The judge said earlier
this year the two sides should
work out a deal on the cases that
have not yet been settled, and
what federal judges want, they
50,000, arose from the use of
a product called transvaginal
mesh. The implanted mesh was
manufactured by several com-
panies to help women with a
variety of pelvic problems, but
because of the potential for post-
product was safe. But blood was
in the water, and soon plaintiff
lawyers around the country, in-
cluding most of the heavy hitters
and big names, had rounded up By Cindy Horswell
plenty of clients — some 70,000
Suit continues on B4 Bruce Tough, the chairman
of The Woodlands’ governing
board, ran as the ultimate in-
sider in his bid for re-election.

Inmates’ families receive a touch of hospitality The son of the award-win-

By Allan Turner
HUNTSVILLE — On
execution days, the dinners
at Huntsville’s Hospitality
House are bland — sooth-
ing to the stomach if not
the soul. But no one dies to-
night, and the out-of-town
guests, some whom have
driven all day to visit rela-
tives locked up in eight area
prisons, are in for a spicy
treat: Debra McCammon’s
beef stroganoff.
Preparations for the
evening meal begin at mid-
afternoon as McCammon
slaps four packs of ground
beef into an electric cooker.
“We can’t afford beef tips,”
she admits, tossing in a
dash of powdered garlic, a
pinch of pepper and dollop
of sour cream. Rounding
“When we pray, we pray
to make the best of the
circumstances. We see
that someone can serve
the Lord in prison.
We try to show them
someone cares.”
Debra McCammon, director of
Huntsville’s Hospitality House
out the menu, are canned
green beans, salad, can-
taloupe and fruit cups of
peaches and oranges.
McCammon cooks
with the verve of Julia
Child, drawing on recipes
she learned from ladies
at church. But for Mc-
Cammon and her Baptist
preacher-turned school-
teacher husband, Joe —
Hospitality continues on B10
ning model community’s archi-
tect, Tough has held multiple
leadership positions over 15
years as he’s sought to complete
that dream. The 62-year-old
lawyer has been the commu-
nity’s public face presiding over
parades, ribbon-cuttings and
festivals.
His opponent, Laura Fillault,
couldn’t be more different. A
stay-at-home mom with an in-
dustrial engineering degree, Fil-
lault never held elective office.
She had moved into the com-
munity only three years ago.
But like a microcosm of
what’s happening on the na-
tional political scene, the con-
summate outsider — in this case
Fillault — edged out the insider,
Tough, who has served on The
Woodlands Township’s board
since its inception.
Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle Both candidates identify
Debra McCammon, director of Huntsville’s Hospitality House, gives cake to themselves as fiscally conser-
Don and Brianna Bonneville, who visited their incarcerated son on Oct. 30. Tough continues on B3

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B2 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x

CITY | STATE Editor, Tony.Freemantle@chron.com • @TonyFreemantle Houston Chronicle

Bush’s clumsy campaign comparable to dad’s

AUSTIN — Jeb Bush has
moved from presumed front-
runner to a candidate trying
hard to gain his footing in a field
crowded with quicker-off-the-
mark hopefuls.
But his clumsy campaigning
is something of a family tradi-
tion, a political liability that
prompted ridicule for his father
and brother but wasn’t enough
to keep them from the presi-
dency.
And he’s countering criticism
of his lackluster style in much
the same way as his dad did
nearly 30 years ago.
George H.W. Bush, after all,
was plastered across the cover
of Newsweek in 1987 with the
headline, “Fighting the ‘Wimp
Factor,’ ” a description that
invites comparison to today’s
questions about whether his son
has the fire to lead the GOP to the
White House.
The elder Bush’s awkward
style included describing some-
one in trouble as being in “deep
doo-doo” and having difficulty
expressing what he called “the
vision thing.”
It was a style
that he acknowl-
edged in typical
fashion in that
long-ago race.
“People aren’t
PEGGY looking for a lot
FIKAC of pizzazz out
there. They’re
looking for someone who’s
stable,” he said then. ”So I think
to kind of suddenly get my hair
colored, and dance up and down
in a miniskirt or do something
— show I’ve got a lot of jazz out
there — drop a bunch of one-
liners. We’re talking about run-
ning for president of the United
States. It’s a serious business.”
Strangled syntax
He was elected against hap-
less Democrat Michael Dukakis
before being ousted in 1992 by
Democrat Bill Clinton.
His son, George W. Bush,
gained the White House after
the 2000 election despite a string
of malaprops that rivaled his
father’s strangled syntax.
He reached out to those
“working hard to put food on
your family,” made such pro-
nouncements as, “The question
we need to ask: Is our children
learning?” and asserted, in
making the point that parent-
ing is the paramount pursuit,
“The most important job is not
to be governor, or first lady in my
case.”
His election went into over-
time against Democrat Al Gore,
with the outcome hinging on
votes in Florida, where Jeb Bush
was then governor.
That was recalled in a new
round of jokes when the cur-
rent candidate unveiled his new
“Jeb Can Fix It” slogan, which
was meant to give him a new
start but instead was widely
mocked, with one wag tweeting,
“whuuuuut? Is he recalling (his)
role in Florida’s voter suppres-
sion when his brother was
elected?”
The slogan jokes came after
Bush missteps ranging from
having to backpedal on whether
he would have invaded Iraq to a
cheery apology to the French for
having compared their country’s
workweek to that of the U.S. Sen-
ate in a flat-footed attack on rival
Marco Rubio.
‘Anti-establishment year’
Consultant Mark Sanders,
who in 1988 worked for the Texas
Victory campaign, saw George
H.W. Bush do what it took to
win that election — including
the infamous Willie Horton ad
that slammed Dukakis over the
release of a furloughed black
inmate who committed new
crimes.
“George Herbert Walker
Bush changed. He became a
tough, strong candidate that
really put the fear of God in
the Democrats,” said Sanders.
While Sanders thinks signs
are pointing to mogul Donald
Trump being the nominee, he
said, “Anybody who wants to
count the Bushes out is making a
huge mistake.”
But Larry Sabato, director of
the Center for Politics at the Uni-
versity of Virginia, said Jeb Bush
has a tougher task than did his
family in previous elections.
“Unlike his father and broth-
er, Jeb is running in a strongly
outsider, anti-establishment
year. And Bush is the ultimate
establishment insider. That’s
the crux of his problem,” Sabato
said, even before such issues as
“the dynasty problem” and “his
brother’s baggage,” including the
Iraq war.
Jeb Bush gave answers that
echoed his father’s of nearly
30 years ago when asked on CNN
about his campaign.
“I’ve got to get better at
debating, I guess, or perform-
ing, whatever that’s called, and
I will,” he said, calling a presi-
dential race “a serious endeavor”
that he nevertheless approaches
with joy.
Asked whether the country is
looking for an “old-fashioned”
guy who wants to be fixer, Bush
asserted people are “desperate
for” just such a candidate.
“I’m not going to win over
the punditry class for sure,” he
said, “but I know I can win over
people that aspire to a better life
for themselves and their family.”
pfikac@express-news.net
twitter.com/pfikac

Rockets runners
jump for joy
From left, Phuong
Nguyen, Hue Bui,
Tammy Gee and Camy
Tran celebrate Sunday
outside the Toyota
Center after finishing
the 14th annual Rockets
Run. It featured a 5K
run, 2 mile walk and
kids’ 1K fun run. This
year’s race benefited
Children’s Memorial
Hermann Hospital.

Michael Ciaglo /
Houston Chronicle

NASCAR fans ignore request not to fly Confederate flags

By Drew Davison
FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
FORT WORTH —
Charles Ivey climbed to
the top of his bus parked
on the infield campground
at Texas Motor Speedway
and proudly hoisted the
Confederate battle flag on
Thursday afternoon.
He’d never flown the flag
during a race weekend but
felt compelled to do so for
this weekend’s NASCAR
tripleheader event at TMS,
which concluded with Sun-
day’s AAA Texas 500.
This marked the first
race weekend at the speed-
way since NASCAR and
the track itself in July en-
couraged fans to leave Con-
federate flags at home after
a racially charged church
shooting in South Carolina
that left nine worshippers
dead.
But that request fell on
deaf ears of some race fans
who firmly believe it’s their
right to fly the flag. Ivey and
a handful of other race fans
are flying the Confederate
flag this weekend. The flags
weren’t prevalent around
the track, but could be spot-
ted them around the infield.
“I have the right to fly it
just as much as they have
a right to tell me not,” said
Ivey, 52, of Greenville. “It’s
not a race thing at all. I’m
not about that at all. But I
am about First Amendment
rights, Second Amendment
rights, the Constitution.
I believe the flag is about
heritage. I had family that
fought in the Civil War. I
was born in the South, so
it’s my right to fly it.”
The Confederate flag de-
bate resurfaced this sum-
mer with the June 17 church
shooting in Charleston. The
suspect, Dylann Roof, had
posed with a Confederate
flag.
NASCAR, which has
deep Southern roots, found
itself in the midst of the con-
troversy because many fans
displayed the flags during
races.
But the sanctioning body
has made a conscious effort
to diversify and broaden its
fan base. NASCAR Chair-
man Brian France, along
with popular drivers such
as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and
Jeff Gordon, strongly dis-
couraged fans from flying
Confederate flags after the
shooting.
TMS President Eddie
Gossage said he under-
stands the flag debate is a
touchy subject on both sides
and believes the track might
be seeing more flags this
weekend simply based on
NASCAR’s public stance.
“We’ve never had an is-
sue with it the way you
see it so prevalent at cer-
tain tracks,” Gossage said.
“NASCAR’s public position
has prompted more to show
up. You know, whenever
you tell somebody you can’t
do something, they’re going
to show you, ‘Yes, I can.’ ”
NASCAR’s strong stance
against flying the flags has
incited more fans to do so.
Ivey went out of his way
to make sure he brought
a Confederate flag, along
with koozies and beads em-
blazoned with Confederate
flags, to the track this week-
end.
This isn’t what NAS-
CAR or the tracks want to
see during race weekends,
of course. Neither do civil-
rights activists such as Rev.
Kyev Tatum of Fort Worth.
“It’s not a First Amend-
ment act. What it is is a di-
rect affront to us coming
together, a direct affront
in an effort to try to make
an unnecessary point,”
said Tatum, president of
the Fort Worth Southern
Leadership Conference.
“This is definitely hollow
(by those fans). NASCAR
did the wise thing in the
21st century to discourage
it. This is based on civil-
ity and humanity, and (the
fans are) saying, ‘To hell
with humanity, to hell with
civility, my rights are more
important.’
“And that’s the attitude
that has gotten us into this
position in the first place.”

‘Campaign in a box’ fires up commissioners, consultants

Campaign from page B1
gue.
It’s proven to be a touchy sub-
ject for political operatives who
consider their strategies, includ-
ing pricing agreements and even
the names of third-party ven-
dors, akin to classified material.
In meetings over the summer,
several commissioners appeared
fired up, describing the lump
sum payments with no details
as defeating the requirements
of state disclosure laws. The
commission even came up with
a catchy name for the practice:
“campaign in a box.”
‘Trade secrets’ argument
However, months after airing
the issue in meetings, and taking
public comment in a series of let-
ters, the state regulator has yet
figure out a path forward — and
it’s not clear anything will result
from the effort.
One reason: pushback from
consultants has been strong.
Consultants and PAC treasurers
have written to the commission
with a largely unison message:
back off.
One consultant told the com-
mission he would quit the busi-
ness. One asked if regulators
need to know every time he
pumps gas or buys ink from a
printing company and “where
will it stop?” One wrote: “The so-
lution is like killing a gnat with a
sledge hammer.”
Fred Blanton, a consultant
from Houston who wrote a let-
ter to the commission, said the
regulator’s inquiry into opera-
tive spending is absurd. His main
beef is an identical one voiced by
others in the field: a consultant’s
livelihood is dependant in large
part on protecting so-called
“trade secrets,” namely who they
do business with and how much
those transactions are worth.
“No consultant should have to
disclose who or what is paid for,”
he said in an interview. “That
would be a breach to a consul-
tant to have to disclose sources
and costs, and it would also give
an advantage to an opponent to
know where they need to spend
money to counter their oppo-
nent’s actions.”
The issue was first raised by
Commissioner Jim Clancy, the
former chairman of the eight-
member panel, who painted the
following scenario at a public
meeting: a big campaign writes
a check to a consulting firm for
$150,000. The money is spread
around to hire poll workers, de-
sign mailers and pay for ads.
None of it, he cautioned, is
reported beyond the lump sum
to the consultant, who is not re-
quired to provide a break down
of the spending.
“I am confident it is a growing
practice to make these large pay-
ments to campaigns in a box and
not disclose any of the specifics,”
Clancy said.
Commission Chairman Paul
Hobby said the practice has re-
placed a previously popular
method for campaigns and PACs
to hide the destination of politi-
cal money: the credit card. As of
September, all expenses racked
up on plastic are now required to
be itemized in on state campaign
finance reports.
‘New piece of paper’
That, however, is not the solu-
tion the commission is looking
for when it comes to consultants,
Hobby said.
“If we can find a way to give the
regulated community guidance
on how to use the existing for-
mat, that’s better,” he said. “I’m
trying to avoid creating a new
piece of paper and make sure the
public has access to the final re-
cipient of campaign dollars.”
The commission has weighed
in on the issue in the past by look-
ing at how involved the candidate
or PAC was in the final say of any
expenditures made by the con-
sultant. But Clancy, the ethics
commissioner, has said that es-
sentially provides the equivalent
of “hear no evil, see no evil, speak
no evil protection.”
A sign of just how sticky the
issue is from a policy perspec-
tive was apparent at a commis-
sion meeting in August. Hobby
pushed for ideas and received a
lukewarm response from a com-
mission that has aggressively
tackled disclosure issues in the
past year.
It was tabled soon after one
commissioner declared: “I’m not
completely sure who or what a
political consultant is.” The in-
quiry hasn’t been brought back
up since then, but Hobby says it’s
still a live topic for the commis-
sion.
The responses the commis-
sion received from consultants
so far have been fairly wide-
ranging.
Take one from Pam Thacker,
the campaign office manager for
Agriculture Commissioner Sid
Miller, who disagrees with the
general approach but said she
recognizes why this type of dis-
closure is important.
“As the one who fills out the
ethics reports I do not like this as
it would cause me to have to rely
on the consultant to send me the
invoices, etc,” she wrote. “But I
do understand the validity and
value of it.”
Lump sums ‘misleading’
W. Troy McKinney, a Hous-
ton lawyer and the treasurer
of the Concerned Citizens for a
Responsible Judiciary PAC, told
regulators that consultant ex-
penditures should be itemized
because the current system “al-
lows those inclined to hide pay-
ments to others to do so.”
“Simply reporting a lump sum
to any consultant is, at best, mis-
leading if the amount reported is
not solely for the services of the
consultant,” McKinney wrote.
Donna Holland Wilcox, Chair-
man of the Burnet County Re-
publican Party, summed up her
argument briefly: “In the name of
transparency, which is the intent,
I say FULL disclosure is best.”
Those who voiced opposi-
tion mostly cited the need for a
consultant to be able to protect
“trade secrets,” saying vendors
could use the information to un-
dercut or overcharge. Or a politi-
cal opponent could tamper with a
campaign by using the informa-
tion to threaten a vendor.
“Consultants should be able
to protect their business and
their client’s best interest, and if
in their judgment, this includes
keeping their vendor’s names
confidential, they should be al-
lowed to do so,” wrote John
Shults, Chief Business Officer for
the Eppstein Group, a prominent
Republican consulting shop.
Craig Holman, a federal lob-
byist on government ethics at the
liberal advocacy group Public
Citizen, shrugged off the trade
secret argument, saying it’s been
used before by others in the influ-
ence arena when new disclosure
requirements become a topic for
regulators.
“Providing a picture for the
public to understand where the
money is going,” he said “that’s
more important than preserving
any trade secrets.”
drauf@express-news.net
 xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | B3

CITY | STATE

Song urges
restoration
of the Alamo
By Scott Huddleston
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Two die-hard Alamo
buffs, former teachers liv-
ing in New Jersey, have
created what they said may
be the key to elevating the
Texas shrine to its full po-
tential: a catchy new theme
song.
In the wake of metal
rock idol Ozzy Osbourne’s
conciliatory visit last
week to the mission and
battle site downtown, Al-
amo advocates William R.
Chemerka and Mike Boldt
are promoting their song,
“Stand With the Alamo,”
to rally support for up-
grades to the area.
Both are members of the
Alamo Society, a group of
James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle about 500 Alamophiles in
the United States and 10
Accident causes Sunday traffic jam foreign nations, some gath-
Traffic backs up Sunday on the Pierce Elevated near Bagby after an accident involving multiple vehicles and a ering in San Antonio each
three-wheeled motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was transported by ambulance from the scene. year for the anniversary of
the battle on March 6, 1836.
“I always feel there’s
today’s Alamo area. It sug-
gests the shrine is “sur-
rounded by decay.”
“It’s time to bring back
all the long lost beauty;
And a sense of history,”
the lyrics declare, echoing
sentiments of local and
state officials now leading
an effort to refurbish the
state-owned Alamo com-
plex and improve the sur-
rounding area.
“We’ve got to do some-
thing to save that place”
from mediocrity and com-
mercialization, Boldt said.
“Music tends to galvanize
people.”
The state and city al-
ready have committed
more than $45 million in
public funds for the Al-
amo area, including the
pending purchase of three
buildings now leased as
amusement attractions in
the plaza, and for projects
recommended by a mas-
ter plan for the area, to be
completed next summer.

Tough opposed by tea party groups a karma to things. They

Tough from page B1
vative Republicans. But
Tough’s job experience be-
came almost a dirty word
as tea party groups who
wield significant influ-
ence in The Woodlands
portrayed him as “part of
the establishment,” more
likely to favor developers
over residents. She won by
4 percentage points.
Fillault, who gained at-
tention as a vocal critic of a
controversial road project
in The Woodlands, prefers
to see herself as an “inde-
pendent” rather than as an
outsider.
“I see this as more of
a grassroots movement.
Bruce Tough has more of
an establishment feel, like
the Republican presiden-
tial contender Jeb Bush,”
said Fillault, 43, noting
how she spent only $4,000
on her campaign compared
to the $18,000 that Tough
spent.
She was part of a three-
candidate slate endorsed
by two local tea party
groups — the Texas Patri-
ots PAC and the Montgom-
ery County Tea Party —
that were instrumental in
pushing her name before
the public.
every year.
Still, Tough didn’t seek
tea party support this elec-
tion, nor did he answer
voter questionnaires from
two tea party groups.
While not opposed to
their principles, Tough
said he knew the tea party
groups would target him
for supporting last spring’s
$350 million road bond
package that included the
deeply unpopular road
proposal, an extension of
Woodlands Parkway to
Texas 249.
Like Fillault and the tea
partiers, he opposed the
parkway extension. But he
did not want to jeopardize
the entire bond package
over that one project, he
said.
‘Political piñata’
In the end, county vot-
ers defeated that package
— but six months later ap-
proved a scaled-back $280
million version that didn’t
include the road extension.
Fillault believes the
bond outcome showed
why people should never
compromise their ideals.
Tough, on the other hand,
contends it shows how res-
idents eventually lost out
Bruce Tough and Laura
Fillault disagreed on last
spring’s road bond plan.
dissuade the developer
from doing it.”
Tough said the person
who circulated the peti-
tion, Matthew Burton, was
supported by the tea party
organizations for a board
seat being vacated by an in-
cumbent.
Burton, a political new-
comer, narrowly lost to
Ann Snyder, a longtime
resident who’s headed ev-
erything from Interfaith
of The Woodlands and its
community clinic to the ar-
ea’s chamber of commerce
and school board. She, too,
earned the tea partiers’
disdain for supporting the
first road bond package.
Tough believes the tea
partiers are after “control”
and, in so doing, could
stamp out independent
thought.
“I don’t want to see any
single group control the
want that one to be the last
one built. I heard these
special interest people say-
ing, ‘Elect me and I’ll stop
development.’ It may play
well politically, but legally
you can’t tell someone what
to do with their land.”
The Texas Patriots’
Turner said that while no-
body can stop growth, it
could be better managed,
possibly through incorpo-
rating as a city.
Bass said incorpora-
tion was put off three years
ago because a study then
showed it would triple the
property tax rate.
‘But I won’
Meanwhile, Fillault
thinks The Woodlands has
moved too far away from
the greenbelts and path-
ways through the trees dis-
played on the township’s
website.
A self-described com-
munity activist, she blogs
about how she and her
husband left France, her
husband’s homeland, to es-
cape socialism and return
to Texas. She writes on the
website — rightstraight-
fromtheheart.com — about
being a fighter who packs
a gun and is not somebody
happen when they’re sup-
posed to happen,” said
Boldt, a musician and re-
tired special education
teacher in Weehawken,
N.J.
Boldt called Chemerka,
who lives in Barnegat, and
told him about two weeks
ago to “send me some lyr-
ics” about the need to up-
grade Alamo Plaza, to pro-
vide more reverence and a
moving historical experi-
ence.
“He got the words to
me in an email within 10
minutes,” said Boldt, who
recorded a CD of songs
about the Alamo, “Victory
or Death,” in 2012.
Boldt said it took him
two days to compose, per-
form and record a song to
complement Chemerka’s
lyrics in his studio, which
he calls “Alamo North.”
Many Alamo songs have
been written, most notably
“Remember the Alamo,”
by Jane Bowers, and “Bal-
lad of the Alamo,” by Paul
Francis Webster and Dimi-
tri Tiomkin. This new one
may be the first to address
VOLUNTEER
Social media users,
Also engaged in the
plan is the nonprofit Al-
amo Endowment, which
has projected up to $300
million may be needed to
return the area to its full
glory, with new pavement,
pedestrian access, public
art, a museum and partial
reconstruction of the 1836
mission-fortress com-
pound. Famed musician
Phil Collins has donated
$15 million in artifacts to
advance a bigger vision for
the Alamo.
Chemerka, who found-
ed the Alamo Society in
1986, said he copyrighted
the song but will permit its
open Internet use to aid the
cause. He said he would
like to see it recorded by a
major country artist, to be-
come a fundraising theme
song. Members of his
group created a video with
the song on YouTube.
“It’s just another effort
in an overall campaign to
do what’s right,” Chemer-
ka said. “Why not restore
Alamo Plaza with a song?”
shuddleston@express-news.net
twitter.com/shuddlestonSA

‘Kingmaker’ influence
Fillault said that one of
these groups, the Texas
Patriots, taught her how to
campaign through block
walking and introducing
herself at the polls. It also
used its volunteers to hand
out literature and work the
polls on her behalf.
While some refer to the
group as a “kingmaker” in
local politics, Fillault dis-
agrees. “I met their criteria
as a fiscal conservative, but
that does not mean I’m in
lockstep with all they do,”
she said, noting that she
attends occasional meet-
ings but has not been a
dues-paying member since
January.
But the Texas Patriots’
website boasts that the
organization has become
the “trusted source for the
Woodlands voter” and that
92 percent of its candidates,
including Fillault, won this
past election.
The organization’s pres-
ident, Julie Turner, who
lives outside The Wood-
lands in Montgomery, does
not deny the group’s pow-
erful influence: “I would
certainly hope we have an
impact. We take a deep look
at people’s values and past
actions. People rely on us
for that information.”
Tough cannot fathom
why he has never won tea
party support. He recites
a long list of accomplish-
ments, from preventing
Houston’s annexation of
The Woodlands and fight-
ing for the burial of utility
lines to achieving the high-
est possible rating for the
fire department and lower-
ing the township’s tax rate
on “millions” of other road
improvements (besides the
excluded one) that could
have eased the traffic grid-
lock.
Fillault and the tea par-
ty groups also criticized
Tough for failing to sign
a petition opposing clear-
cutting in the last residen-
tial area being developed
in The Woodlands, which
is known for its lush forest.
“I felt like a political pi-
ñata, being bashed by a
lot of contrived misstate-
ments,” Tough said. He
explained how he wanted
to remain neutral so that
he could work behind the
scenes with the devel-
oper, which indeed led to
the compromise in which
100-gallon trees are being
planted as a buffer there,
among other things.
“Bruce did as much as
humanly possible to stop
the clear-cutting,” said
another township direc-
tor, Jeff Long. “It’s a com-
plicated issue because the
township doesn’t have the
power to order it. We must
fate of our community,”
Long said. “We’re bigger
than one group. All the
folks who live here should
have a say.”
Mike Bass, a township
director who was opposed
in 2012 by tea partiers who
had once backed him,
agreed.
“They want to win con-
trol of the township board
and then have us incorpo-
rate our township into a
city,’ Bass said. “We have a
perfect limited government
and free marketplace now.
But they really don’t want
that.”
‘Victim’ of success
Community leaders
agree on one thing: resident
frustration over the area’s
rapid growth is driving the
discontent. Montgomery
County’s population, now
a half million, is expected
to double over the next
half-century.
“The Woodlands is a
victim of its own success,”
said Tough. “Once people
build a house here, they
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to “mess” with as she takes
the country back from “the
leftists.”
After she filed for local
office, her husband, Pierre,
wrote a letter to the local
newspaper in support of
his wife, he said his vote for
her would be his first as an
American citizen.
As to what she hopes to
accomplish after her win,
she said she plans to do
more listening and com-
municating with residents
to keep them involved in
their community.
“People look at me and
say, ‘You took down Bruce
Tough,’ ” she said, but in-
sists that she has no wish to
tarnish his legacy. “I don’t
want him to go away or be
put in an old folks home
and shut the door. He’s
done great things for the
community. People respect
him. But I won.”
Tough said he’s not rul-
ing out anything in his fu-
ture and intends to stay ac-
tive in his community.
cindy.horswell@chron.com
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B4 | Monday, November 9, 2015 |
CITY | STATE
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into litigation finance
Suit from page B1
by one estimate. Massive
advertising campaigns
made sure of that.
Curiously, the firm that
advertised the most was
one few other lawyers
had heard of. Houston’s
AkinMears, a tiny opera-
tion with only seven law-
yers listed on its website,
reportedly spent around
$25 million in a sweeping
TV blitz, cutting across
channels from gardening
to golf to get viewers to call
a toll-free number.
Yet, with no star attor-
neys in its stable, Akin-
Mears took no part in the
crucial “bellwether” tri-
als that were intended to
establish the value of the
cases.
In truth, it spends little
time in the courtroom. Its
main partner, Truett Akin
IV, is still better known as a
Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x
“I find the whole thing
incredibly distasteful
and borderline
reprehensible. I am a
capitalist, and I believe
firmly in the capitalist
system. I believe in the
civil justice system.
But there are more
appropriate business
models and models that
are inappropriate. I find
this one ghastly.”
Mark Lanier, Houston trial lawyer
such firm, Gerchen Keller
Capital, and line up about
$100 million, to be couched
as loans.
For experienced lawyers
on both sides of the divide
and pretty much anyone
who keeps up with the
high-stakes world of big-
time civil litigation, it was
not hard to imagine a fu-
Keller provide backing for
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lawyers involved in expen- You are invited to our Hearing Health Event.
sive lawsuits. Typically
these litigation finance
operations are private eq-
uity funds that may couch
their help as loans but are
in essence investing in the
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former University of Hous-
ton football player than a
lawyer, though in fairness
he has finally earned some
headlines. Just not the kind
he wanted.
‘Bushels of wheat’
A breach-of-contract
lawsuit filed by a former
AkinMears employee at
the end of September raced
through the legal grape-
vine like a greyhound. In
colorful language obvious-
ly intended for a broad au-
dience, the suit by a bank-
er-turned-lawyer named
Amir Shenaq opened a
rare window into a shad-
owy world where clients
exist only as case numbers,
and large chunks of them
are bought and sold with
outside money and with-
out their knowledge — in
the words of one critic, like
“bushels of wheat.”
Shenaq had been hoping
to strike it rich as the mesh
litigation headed toward
conclusion. His job had
been to arrange financing
ture of many such firms, all
of them quietly using other
people’s money — and lots
of it, rather easily obtained
— to build a juggernaut
of lawsuits that in theory
could threaten the founda-
tion of the American civil
justice system.
The defense bar, which
represents corporations
that are often targeted in
so-called mass torts, found
the glimpse into the Hous-
ton firm’s inner work-
ings predictably chilling.
Lisa Rickard, president
of the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce’s Institute for
Legal Reform, said the
revelations about Akin-
Mears shows how “litiga-
tion financing perverts the
justice system and puts the
interests of lawyers and
financiers ahead of actual
plaintiffs.”
Growing alarm
The American Asso-
ciation for Justice, the trial
lawyers’ group, defended
access to third-party fund-
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has been in one-off law-
suits, often in complex
business matters such as
patent disputes. Gerchen
Keller, with around $800
million in its litigation
portfolio, has publicly said
it will shy away from class-
actions and personal-inju-
ry cases. Its apparent will- 6*+5-
ingness to invest heavily 9''.;
in AkinMears, however, 10
is part of a more recent
strategy of finding “late-
stage” litigation where the
promise of a good return is Audiotone Pro Special Price
quick. The subject matter
$
795 for Audiotone Pro All Styles!
mostly is irrelevant.
Gerchen Keller declined
*
to comment on Shenaq’s
lawsuit or its business
practices, citing client con-
fidentiality.
According to Shenaq’s
calculations, the 14,000
transvaginal mesh cases
AkinMears was intending
to buy from a Washington,
D.C., firm would net at-
torney’s fees of $14,000 to
$16,000 per case, accord- In the Canal Completely In Canal Behind the Ear
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that would allowed Akin-
Mears to quietly acquire
thousands of cases at a dis-
count, right before Judge
Goodwin pushed through
the final remaining settle-
ments.
The money, according
to the suit, came from a pri-
vate investment firm that
bankrolls lawsuits in ex-
change for a portion of the
returns. Shenaq claimed
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that he was fired because
the firm did not want to
pay him $4 million it owed
him.
The suit was settled last
week with the terms un-
disclosed. The attorney for
Shenaq did not respond
to requests for comment.
AkinMears declined to
comment on the suit or the
settlement.
If publicity was
Shenaq’s initial aim, he
succeeded. There both in
the flamboyant text and be-
tween the lines of an other-
wise routine complaint of a
fired employee was raised
the specter of a different
type of law firm that does
not have to do very much
to get a piece of the action.
“AkinMears is not run
like a traditional plaintiff’s
law office, and the firm’s
lawyers do not do the types
of things that regular trial
lawyers do,” the lawsuit
states. “AkinMears is noth-
ing more than a glorified
claims processing center,
where the numbers are
huge, the clients commodi-
ties, and the paydays, when
they come, stratospheric.”
Corrupted interests
Making it all possible,
in this case, was one of the
private equity firms that
have sprung up in recent
years to invest in litiga-
tion, which they see as
promising higher returns
than other investments.
It had taken only weeks
for Shenaq to interest one
de
ur Ri
o Befo
Get Y
ing as a necessity when
consumers face corpora-
tions with unlimited re-
sources
“The world of litigation
funding is complicated,”
the advocacy group said
in a statement. “But, when
done ethically, (it) can help
balance the playing field
for those who have been
harmed and ensure that
wrongdoers can be held
accountable,”
The AAJ did not define
what constitutes ethical
financing or address the
AkinMears legal practice
directly. But some veteran
plaintiff lawyers are dis-
pleased by the notion of
law firms as tools of invest-
ment bankers.
“I find the whole thing
incredibly distasteful and
borderline reprehensible,”
said Mark Lanier, a nation-
ally known trial lawyer
from Houston. “I am a cap-
italist, and I believe in the
capitalist system. I believe
in the civil justice system.
But there are appropriate
business models and mod-
els that are inappropriate. I
find this one ghastly.”
Shenaq’s lawsuit claims
AkinMears was not satis-
fied with the results, de-
spite all the money it spent
on advertising. Leads from
a call center were too iffy.
“Akin ... wanted to ag-
gressively grow his busi-
ness, including a signifi-
cant change of course,”
the lawsuit states. “Rather
than buying non-stop ad-
vertisements and acquir-
ing clients in a random,
unpredictable manner,
he wanted to start mak-
ing direct investments in
ongoing mass tort litiga-
tion. Akin mentioned a
goal of closing on $100 mil-
lion worth of cases in 2015
alone.”
Long established in
other countries, third-par-
ty funders like Gerchen
G on e! .com
e It’s A utos
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Chro
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of each case, however, was
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the profits would be im-
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“Akin was now on the
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a nickel coming out of his II*Àœ“œÌˆœ˜> œvviÀ >Û>ˆ>Li `ÕÀˆ˜} iÛi˜Ì
`>Ìià œ˜Þ° >Þ ˜œÌ Li Vœ“Lˆ˜i` ܈̅ œÌ…iÀ
own pocket,” the suit says, œvviÀà >˜` `œià ˜œÌ >««Þ ̜ «ÀˆœÀ Ã>ið -ii
adding that the total net Ã̜Ài vœÀ `iÌ>ˆÃ° œ V>Å Û>Õi° "vviÀ >««ˆià ̜
value to the firm could be ̅i ˆÀ>Vi‡
"vviÀ iÝ«ˆÀià ££‡£Î‡Óä£x°
an estimated $100 million.
All of that without having
to try a single case.
“This is not the way a
civil justice system is sup-
posed to work,” said Bryan
There is no charge or obligation for these services.
Quigley, ILR spokesman.
“The outside money will
Appointments fill quickly, so call NOW to schedule
... introduce other players
that have no stake in it. It your appointment for a RISK FREE trial!
will expand litigation and
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ness groups.
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Lanier said. League City Willowbrook
mike.tolson@chron.com 184 Gulf Freeway S. 17284 Tomball Pkwy
832-260-0213 713-581-8802
DN-SPAD1030153524
PROMOCODE: 04TE111G

Brady, Mary
Cardona, Deborah
Deborah a. CarDona
1957-2015
Deborah A. Cardona, 58,
passed away November 5,
2015. She is survived by her
daughter Roxanne, mother
Ofelia Diaz and father in law
Antonio Cardona Sr. She is
preceded in death by husband
Ruben, father David P. Diaz,
and mother in law Connie
Cardona.
Also survived by 2 brothers,
2 sisters, and numerous other
relatives.
Visitation will be held Mon-
day, November 9, 2015 from
2pm - 9pm with a rosary at
7pm. Memorial services will
be held Tuesday, November
10, 2015 at 10am. Visitation
and memorial will be held at
Blackwell & Vazquez Wood-
RobeRt MaRR Dunson,
JR.
1935-2015
Robert “Bob” Dunson, 80,
passed away Friday, Novem-
ber 6, 2015. He was born
February 21, 1935 in Waco,
TX to Doris and Robert
Dunson, Sr.
Bob is survived by his wife
of 61 years, Pernie Ruthven
Dunson; his children Sarah
Corie and husband Martin,
Robert Dunson III, Leslie
Huygen and husband Patrick;
11 grandchildren and 2 great-
grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Tues-
day, November 10, 2015 from
9-10 a.m. at Klein Funeral
Home, 1400 West Main in
Tomball, TX. Funeral services
will be held following the visi-
Earl GorEl
1924-2015
Earl Gorel, 91, passed away
November 7, 2015. He is
survived by his wife Selene
Gorel, children, Everett Gorel,
Marla Cooper, Sheri Gorel
and Lance Gorel and many
Uzi Halevy
1936-2015
Uzi Halevy, 79, of Houston,
Texas, and formerly of Israel,
passed away suddenly on No-
vember 7, 2015. Uzi was the
beloved husband of Michal
“Micki” Halevy, and father
to Amir (and his wife Amy
Karff Halevy), Ellie (and her
husband Larry Kalman), and
Tammy. He was the cherished
older brother of his sister Ada
Friedman (and her husband
Yanai) of Jerusalem. Uzi was
the proud Saba, grandfather,
of Jacob and Daniel Halevy
and Orli and Gabriel Kalman.
Uzi and Micki were married
for 56 years and shared a
life filled with love, family,
friends, travel, and music.
They were perfectly matched
in their intellectual curios-
ity and desire to learn. They
created a home and family life
that reflected their apprecia-
tion of education and knowl-
edge. Uzi was extraordinarily
proud of each of his children
and grandchildren. Travel was
a particular interest of Uzi
and Micki and during their
56 years they traveled to every
continent and every major
country in the world.
Uzi embraced and appreci-
ated technology and particu-
larly enjoyed keeping up with
his family and friends via his
cell phone. Uzi loved sports
and played basketball as a
youth and throughout his life.
Uzi was an 11th genera-
tion Israeli whose parents,
Asher and Shoshana Halevy,
were actively involved in the
establishment of the State of
Israel. Uzi came to the United
States in 1964 for 3 years but
ultimately settled in Hous-
ton, Texas, after spending a
number of years in Wichita,
Kansas. Although Uzi became
a U.S. citizen and was proud
of his U.S. citizenship, he
remained staunchly loyal and
supportive of the State of
Israel.
Uzi earned his bachelor’s
(cum laude) and master’s
degree in Mechanical and
Nuclear Engineering from
the Technion in Israel. He
was active with the student
union, served as chair of
the International Student
Exchange Program and was
Send your condolences at chron.com/tributes
Dunson, Robert
Gorel, Earl
forest Funeral Home, 750
Uvalde Rd., Houston 77015.
Cremation to follow.
tation at 10 a.m. Interment
will follow at Klein Memorial
Park on FM 2920.
family members. Graveside
service will be held at 3:00
pm, Monday, November 9,
2015 at Beth Yeshurun Allen
Parkway Cemetery.
instrumental in establishing a
student union book publish-
ing house.
Uzi was recently awarded
an Honorary Fellowship by
the Technion. Uzi served
the Technion on the local,
national and international
levels. He served on the
National Board of Directors
and on the Technion Board
of Governors. He was an
inspiration and role model
through his dedication to the
Technion and Israel.
Before retiring in 1996,
Uzi was the president and
CEO of The Litwin Engineer-
ing Group, an international
company that operated in the
United States and around the
world. After Uzi retired from
Litwin at the age of 59, he
contributed his keen intellect,
extraordinary knowledge of
the oil and gas business, and
boundless energy to a number
of other businesses and
ventures.
A Funeral Service will be
held Monday, November 9,
2015 at Noon, in Congrega-
tion Brith Shalom, 4610
Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, Texas,
77401. Interment will take
place immediately following
the service at Beth Yeshurun
Post Oak Cemetery, 1037 N
Post Oak Rd, Houston, Texas,
77055. Rabbi Ranon Teller
will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family
requests that any donations
be sent to the American
Technion Society at 710 Post
Oak Rd # 400, Houston, TX
77024.
xx
life tributes
Halevy, Uzi
Moody, Tom
Tom Rush moody, JR.
1930-2015
Tom Rush Moody, Jr.
died on November 5, 2015
in Trappe, Maryland. He
was born in Alpine Texas on
July 21, 1930 to Tom Rush
and Lois Whipkey Moody.
Surviving him are his sister
Marilyn Pickard, his wife
of 61 years Ann Cheavens
Moody, his children Tom
Rush Moody III, Catherine
Eshelman, M. Bradford
Moody, Sarah Mariani, Lisa
Breslin, Stephen Moody and
Emily Moody, his grandchil-
dren Jack, Laura and Henry
Eshelman, Chandler, Rush
and John Moody, Carole and
Cristina Mariani, Kyleen
and Kate Breslin, Ashleigh
and Erin McDonald and his
great-grandchild Judson
Guarino. Predeceasing
him were his sister Jimmy
Poxon and his daugther Beth
Moody.
Rush grew up in Houston,
Texas, graduating from
John Reagan High School
in 1948. He attended Rice
Institute for two years before
transferring to the University
of Texas to complete a joint
BBA/LLB degree program.
There, he was a member of
Delta Tau Delta, Friars, Silver
Spurs and President of the
student body in 1952-53.
After a brief timeout to marry
his college sweetheart Ann,
he took a leave of absence
to serve in the United States
Air Force as an intelligence
officer stationed at Warner
Robins Airbase. He returned
to the University in 1955 to
complete his law studies,
becoming an Associate Note
John Ledger Moore
1939-2015
Mr. Moore was a proud
graduate of Phyllis Wheatley
H.S. Class of 1957, Visitation
will be held Tuesday Novem-
John Davis Morton
1924-2015
John Davis (Jack) Morton
passed away on Oct. 31, 2015
at his home in Conroe. He
was born in 1924 in Ferris,
Texas, the oldest son of John
T. and Cleva Duff Morton,
and moved to Houston in
1931.
Jack graduated from Lamar
High School in 1940 and at-
tended Rice University before
joining the Navy during
WWII. He married his high
school sweetheart, Katherine
Kellogg, in Miami, Florida,
while stationed at Key West.
After the war, he graduated
from the University of Texas.
He was employed by Shell
Chemical for 17 years in
Houston, New York and Cali-
fornia, before joining George
Mitchell and Associates in
Houston in 1965. He retired
as Vice President of Admin-
istrative Services for Mitchell
Energy and Development
Corp. in 1983.
Jack was active in his
church and involved with
many civic and historical
groups, including the Sons
of the American Revolution
where he served as president
of the Freedom Chapter for 7
years as well as a district VP
and on the state audit com-
mittee. He volunteered for 17
years in the genealogy section
AlbinA V. Peschke
1931-2015
Albina Valusek Peschke was
born 1-27-31 and passed from
the world she loved so much
on 11-5-15. She is preceded
in death by her husband of
46 years Victor M Peschke,
Sr. She is survived by her
son Victor M Peschke, Jr and
wife Karen of Livingston TX;
daughter Janice Light and
husband James of Pearland,
TX. Nine grand children and
nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held 11-11-15
from 5PM to 9PM with a
rosary starting at 7PM at
Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 |
Moore, John
Morton, John
Editor of the Texas Law
Review and member of Phi
Delta Phi. He graduated in
1956 and was admitted to the
State Bar of Texas that same
year.
After graduation, he
returned to Houston to take
a position with the Baker,
Botts, Andrews and Shep-
herd law firm. In 1961, he
told the partners that he was
leaving the firm to join his
college mentor Tom Sealy’s
law firm in Midland, Texas, a
move that was subsequently
postponed for nine months
when he learned that Ann
was pregnant with triplets.
After ten years practicing
in Midland as a trial lawyer
and learning as he said
“everything I needed to know
about law from Bill Browder,”
Rush was appointed by
Richard Nixon (with critical
support from Congressman
George Mahon and Senator
Lloyd Bentsen) in 1971 to a
five-year term on the Federal
Power Commission, then
chaired by John Nassikas.
Rush served ably for three
years but found himself
increasingly voting in dissent
with regard to the Commis-
sion’s continued regulation of
interstate natural gas prices
under the Federal Power Act.
He ultimately resigned in
1975, urging President Ger-
ald R. Ford in his resignation
letter to pursue a legislative
solution to end the natural
gas shortages then plaguing
the Atlantic Seaboard. Texas
Governor Dolph Briscoe
immediately appointed
ber 10, 2015, 9am. Funeral
11am. Services will be held
at Ross Mortuary, Interment
Paradise North.
of the Montgomery County
Library in Conroe.
He was preceded in death
by his wife of 67 years, his
brother, Tommy D. Morton,
and his sister-in-law, Sarah
L. Morton, and is survived by
three sons; Davis Morton (Su-
san) of Conroe, Richard Mor-
ton (Connie) of Maryland,
and Harold Morton (Shelley)
of Iowa; five grandchildren,
six great grandchildren and
one great-great grandchild.
Jack will be remembered by
the many people he touched,
and for his compassion,
humility, and love of family.
A memorial service will
be held at 2:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, Nov. 11 at The
Woodlands United Methodist
Church, 2200 Lake Wood-
lands Dr., The Woodlands,
TX. Memorials may be sent
to the The Woodlands United
Methodist Church Founda-
tion.
SouthPark Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass will be held
11-12-15 at 11AM at Sacred
Heart Catholic Church in
Manvel, TX. Please visit
www.southparkfunerals.com
Peschke, Albina
Zaboroski, Leona
Moody to serve as his special
counsel, advising him and
Lt. Governor Bill Hobby on
energy policy and helping
Senator Lloyd Bentsen draft
what ultimately became the
Natural Gas Policy Act of
1978.
In 1977, Rush returned
to private law practice in
Washington, working at a
number of Texas-based firms,
helping each of them grow
their energy practice groups.
After stints with Baker &
Botts, Vinson & Elkins and
Akin Gump, Moody joined
Andrews Kurth where he
served as managing partner
from 1992 until his retire-
ment in 1996. He worked on
regulatory, trial and en-
ergy policy matters for many
clients but was perhaps most
proud of his work helping
his friend John G. McMil-
lian organize and finance a
consortium to build the first
natural gas export pipeline
from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to
the lower 48 states.
Upon retirement, Rush
and Ann moved from Chevy
Chase to Trappe, Maryland
Leona D. Zaboroski
1921-2015
Leona Dehart Zaboroski,
passed away on November
6, 2015 at the age of 94. She
was born in Bessmay, Texas to
R.B. and Jetta Hollis Dehart
on March 28, 1921, the third
of eleven children, and raised
in Jasper County during the
Great Depression. Upon
graduating from Buna High
School in 1938 she set off for
the big city of Houston, living
with relatives and securing
her first job making $6.00
per week.
She married Louis V.
Zaboroski on September 21,
1940 and settled in the Cot-
tage Grove area of Houston
where she would remain for
the next 42 years before mov-
ing on to Inwood Forest and
ultimately the Champions
area.
She raised two sons and
participated in their school
and play activities, including
PTA, Cub Scouts, and Little
League Baseball. She also
excelled at cooking, cake
decorating, crafts, and gar-
dening. Her passion for her
flowers and vegetable gardens
were unparalleled.
Upon the death of her
husband Louis in 1970, she
was asked to work for friends
of the family at Lobb Hard-
ware on Washington Avenue,
spending 25 years meeting
many interesting individuals.
In the late 1970’s she
was approached by a group
determined to restore the
Washington Cemetery to the
condition of its inception
in 1887. Having known the
caretakers of the property
for many years, she provided
historical insight and spent
many hours researching and
maintaining burial records,
locating family members,
responding to inquiries, and
participating in the physical
DEATH NOTICES
Brady, Mary Margaret Weston
Born 09/30/1932
New Orleans, LA
Died 11/08/2015
The Woodlands, TX
CEMETERY LOTS
FOREST PARK EAST Sec#216D Lot#210,
Space# 7, w/outer container, $2,500.
obo +transfer fee. (713) 679-3505
Forest Park West Cemetery, 2 Plots,
Lot 75. Sec. 407, spaces 11 & 12.
Very very nice location. No monu-
ment. $4,500 each. (218) 583-4235
FLOWERS.....
can bring comfort.
B5
where he enjoyed being a
gentlemen farmer growing
corn and soybeans at Trappe
Landing Farm. He was also
past-President of Chesapeake
Chamber Music, Inc., a
board member of the Easton
YMCA and an usher at Christ
Church Easton. Not able to
keep the lawyer in him from
disappearing completely,
he also served on the Talbot
County Planning and Zoning
Board of Appeals until his
death.
Rush dearly loved being
on the water, catching fish
and watching the sunsets.
Neither “hell nor high water”
would keep him from his
weekly gin rummy and poker
games with friends. He
developed a skilled hand at
woodcarving, producing ex-
quisitely figured and painted
butterflies. Most of all, after
many years of hard work, he
loved having the time to be
with his family, re-engaging
with his children and teach-
ing a few good card tricks to
his grandchildren.
By all who knew him, he
will be missed.
restoration. She proudly
served on the Board of Direc-
tors of Concerned Citizens for
Washington Cemetery Care
and as a Trustee for the Wash-
ington Cemetery Historic
Trust, until she stepped down
in 2012 due to health issues.
She continued to tour the
property whenever she could.
She always remembered
birthdays of friends and
family members and was the
“go to” person for any fam-
ily historical information or
nostalgia.
Leona is preceded in death
by her beloved husband Louis
(1970), son Richard Ray
Zaboroski (2013), and six
siblings. She is survived by
son Robert Louis Zaboroski
of Houston, grandson Ray
Louis Zaboroski (wife Carrie,
sons Frank and Jack) of Dal-
las, sisters Mae Joubert and
Doris Hemsworth, brothers
Dalton and Delton Dehart,
and numerous nieces and
nephews. She will be missed
by many.
Friends are cordially invited
to a visitation from 5 PM
to 8 PM at Heights Funeral
Home, 1317 Heights Blvd. in
Houston, on Tuesday, Novem-
ber 10, 2015. The Funeral
Service will be conducted
at 1 o’clock on Wednesday,
November 11, 2015 at Heights
Funeral Home, with burial
following in Washington
Cemetery.
In lieu of usual remem-
brances, memorials may be
directed to the Washington
Cemetery Historic Trust, P. O.
Box 63592, Pipe Creek, TX
78063-3592.
The Lord is my shepherd, I have
everything I need. HE lets me rest
in fields of green. HE leads me to
quiet pools of fresh water. HE
gives me new strength. HE guides
me in the right paths as HE’s
promised. Even if I go through the
deepest darkness I will not be
afraid, LORD, for you are with
me.
CEMETERY LOTS
MEMORIAL OAKS - Katy Freeway
Sec 14, 6 plots in a row. Value $8,950
ea., sell $6,000 ea. Will sell 2, 4, or 6.
Call (281) 497-8791
MEMORIAL OAKS 4 Plots Prestigious
area List $8950 Sell for $5950 each
Will sell separately 713-299-9161
SAN JACINTO MEMORIAL PARK
E. BLTWY 8 /I-10, St. Hyacinth,
lot 38, spaces 1-4. 713-666-2223
 BUSINESS
COMING TUESDAY

Help Line’s
Jay Lee helps you
determine
your best backup
options.

Houston Chronicle @HoustonChron Houston Chronicle | Monday, November 9, 2015 | HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com Page B6 xx

ENVIRONMENT Q&A

Value
of local
real estate
holds up
By Katherine Feser

Michael Welch has been

named chairman of the board
and interim CEO of Integra
Realty Resources, a commercial
real estate market research,
valuation and counseling firm
based in New
York City.
Welch hails
from IRR’s
Houston office,
the largest of its
58 offices and
home to 45 of the
Welch company’s 850
employees. He
joined Dominy, Ford & McPher-
son, one of the founding offices
of IRR in Houston, 25 years ago.
Welch shared insights on the
Houston real estate market with
the Chronicle. Edited excerpts
follow.
Katherine Feser / Houston Chronicle
BG Group Place on Main Street in downtown Houston was built with sustainable features such as this sky garden. A new city- Q: What’s the biggest line
approved program aims to make it more affordable for smaller building owners with less financial means to go green as well. of business in your Houston
office?

Saving by updating
A: We do commercial CMBS
(commercial mortgage-backed
securities) work, institutional
portfolio work, feasibility
studies, etc. David Dominy and
myself have a specialization
in litigation and large-scale
Program can help infrastructure projects, which
carries us throughout the coun-
make buildings try. We’re a dominant player in
energy-efficient the metro area. When they’re
widening I-10 or U.S. 290 or the
By Erin Mulvaney Grand Parkway, we’re doing

T
he Jewish Com-
munity Center
wanted to update
its 50-year-old
building, which
still functions with original
energy-guzzling mechanical
and electrical equipment. But
the project’s multimillion-
dollar price tag would leave
less money available to serve
the group’s core mission, said
Joel Dinkin, executive vice
president of the center.
Now, the 200,000-square-
foot building on South Braes-
wood plans to be one of the
first to take advantage of a new
program in Houston designed
to ease the way for a long-term
loan to pay for energy-efficient
heating and electrical systems,
lighting and a new roof. The
community center’s leaders
believe it will reduce energy
bills and free up money for
the services it provides, from
early childhood development,
senior care and support for
arts and culture.
“This is attractive for non-
profits, like us, without the
resources for capital improve-
ments, to get resources and
use our own resources to
support our mission,” Dinkin
said. “We are running on old,
original equipment. It’s cer-
tainly not energy-efficient.”
The Houston City Council
passed the measure last week
A pottery class is held at Houston’s Jewish Community Center. The center could be one of the
first buildings in the city to take advantage of the Property Assessed Clean Energy program.
that would enact a Property
Assessed Clean Energy, or
PACE, program in Texas.
Houston is the first city to cre-
ate its own program, follow-
ing Travis County earlier this
year. A measure is also under
consideration in Dallas.
The program allows owners
of commercial, industrial and
residential properties with
five or more units to obtain
low-cost, long-term loans for
water conservation, energy-
efficiency and renewable ret-
rofits. The voluntary program
requires the local govern-
ment to place an assessment
secured with a senior lien on
the property until it is paid in
full, in exchange for the funds
provided by a private lender to
pay for the improvement.
“This is a win-win-win-win
situation,” Councilman Jack
Christie said.
The effort to build and
renovate commercial build-
ings across Houston, from
strip centers to skyscrapers,
with energy-efficient materials
is a key focus in the growing
conservation movement be-
cause, as the U.S. Department
of Energy reports, buildings
account for roughly 40 percent
Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle
of the nation’s energy use.
It’s been a particular focus
in Houston.
Mayor Annise Parker has
announced a goal to reduce
greenhouse gases. Houston
was also one of the first cities
in the world targeted by the
Geneva-based World Business
Council for Sustainable Devel-
opment and the U.S. Busi-
ness Council for Sustainable
Development to study how
to remove barriers to energy
conservation.
Environmental groups have
lauded the PACE program.
Energy continues on B8
the valuations out there.
Q: Who are your clients?
A: Every major lending
institution, investment portfo-
lio holders, retirement systems,
hospital systems, oil and gas
firms, pipeline companies
and most major governmental
entities. We represent a lot of
condemnors when they are ac-
quiring rights of way for public
infrastructure.
Q: What are you seeing
with values in Houston?
A: It’s a great time to be in
Houston. Because we have 58
offices around the country, I get
to hear both the sighs of relief
when markets are booming and
the sighs of pain when there is
market turmoil. But in Hous-
ton, we have weathered the
storm much better than most.
Q: In what way?
A: You can see the prolif-
eration of multifamily develop-
ments across multiple classes as
a sign of a strong economy. Even
with the downturn in oil prices,
we’ve been able to maintain
slight growth, which is quite
unheard-of in other parts of the
country.
Q: What markets are
having trouble in the multi-
family sector?
A: The Northeast — Wash-
Q&A continues on B8

STATE YOUR CASE

Father wants to leave his daughter’s portion to her children

The information in this col-
umn is intended to provide
a general understanding of
the law, not as legal advice.
Readers with legal problems,
including those whose ques-
tions are addressed here,
should consult attorneys for
advice on their particular
circumstances.
Q: My husband has
two children from a
previous marriage. He
wants to cut his daugh-
ter out of his will and
leave her portion to her
children. Is it legal to
cut her out after both
of us are gone? Should
we hire an estate plan-
ner?
A: Yes, it’s perfectly
legal to leave no property
to a child. In fact, it’s done
quite often.
You should see an attor-
ney to get this done, pref-
erably one who handles
estate planning matters.
Q: In 2016, my em-
ployer will be chang-
ing its paid time off
buyback policy to a 75
percent payout instead
of the 100 percent pay-
out it’s been using. Is
this true for the entire
state of Texas, or is my
employer just trying
to save a buck on the
backs of its employees?
A: Employers have
no legal obligation to buy
back unused paid time
off. In fact, employers
aren’t required to provide
paid time
off at all.
Many
employ-
ers have
policies
RONALD that require
LIPMAN employees
to use paid
time off or lose it. So your
employer is quite generous
to provide any compensa-
tion at all.
If you want to learn
more about why your
employer has changed
its policy, you should ask
someone in the human
resources department.
Also, if you have any ac-
crued paid time off, you
may want to submit your
request before the pay-
ments are reduced.
Q: Are retirement
accounts (401(k), IRA
or pension payments)
subject to forfeiture
if I were to lose a civil
lawsuit against me in
the state of Texas?
A: No, those types of
assets generally are pro-
tected from the claims of
creditors in Texas.
Q: How does a sur-
viving spouse get a new
deed when the spouse
is the primary benefi-
ciary of a Transfer on
Death Deed?
A: There is no new
deed. The original deed
and the Transfer on Death
Deed operate together to
transfer ownership and
establish title.
Q: If a husband
and wife own a house
together and the wife
dies without a will, can
the husband use an
Affidavit of Heirship
to remove his wife’s
name from the deed to
the property so he can
sell the house or get a
reverse mortgage?
A: An Affidavit of
Heirship will not remove
the wife’s name from the
deed. That document
merely recites who
inherited the property
from the deceased under
Texas law. The new owner
or owners would then
possibly be able to take
the actions you described.
Keep in mind, a
husband does not always
inherit his wife’s half of
a home. If the wife has
children from a prior
marriage, her children
inherit her interest,
subject to the husband’s
right to a life estate
allowing him to live on the
property.
Ronald Lipman is an
attorney with the Houston
law firm of Lipman &
Associates. He is board
certified in estate planning
and probate law by the
Texas Board of Legal
Specialization. Questions
for this column, 50 words or
less. Mail: State Your Case,
Houston Chronicle; P.O.
Box 4260, Houston, 77210.
E-mail: stateyourcase@
lipmanpc.com

REAL ESTATE
TRANSACTIONS
Sales
APARTMENTS
Sun Holdings Group
has purchased The Villas
at Sienna Plantation, a
190-unit apartment com-
munity at 8585 Sienna
Springs Blvd. in Missouri
City. Todd Marix, Todd
Stewart, Chris Curry and
JC Clemens of Holliday
Fenoglio Fowler repre-
sented the seller, a joint
venture between Water-
mark Residential and
Murphy O’Brien. Com-
pleted in 2015, the two-
story community spans
12.2 acres and has one-,
two- and three-bedroom
floor plans averaging 1,103
square feet each.
LAND
J. Alan Kent Develop-
ment has purchased 37.8
acres near FM 2978 on
Bogs Road in Tomball for
a residential community.
David Alexander Newcor
Commercial Real Estate
assisted the buyer with
the purchase of four tracts
from different sellers. The
site is near FM 2978 just
south of The Woodlands
and Toll Brothers’ new
NorthGrove community.
Liberty DS Barker
Cypress, a partnership
between Devon Street
Homes and Liberty
Homebuilders, has
purchased 20 acres of land
on the west side of Barker
Cypress Road approxi-
mately 2 miles north of
Interstate 10 West. Dennis
Johnston of Vista Broker-
age Services represented
the seller, Compressor
Engineering Corp. The
buyer plans a single-
family home development
containing 115 lots.
Leases
OFFICE
Apache Corp. has ex-
tended its 524,000-square-
foot lease at Post Oak
Central for one year
through December 2019.
The building is owned by
Cousins Properties.
The Loev Law Firm,
Timothy J. Henderson,
Attorney at Law, and
Barron and Newburger
entered into a lease with
6300 WLS at 6300 West
Loop South, covering
2,650 square feet. John
Andell represented the
landlord.
Apogee Consulting
Group renewed a lease for
3,018 square feet at 2500
Tanglewilde. Terri Torre-
grossa of Moody Rambin
represented the land-
lord, Woodlake (Texas)
Properties. Keith Lloyd
with Marcus & Millichap
represented the tenant.
NorTex Midstream
Partners has renewed a
lease for more than 10,000
square feet on the seventh
floor of Total Plaza, 1201
Louisiana. Jon Dutton
represented the landlord,
Brookfield. Anthony
Squillante and Jeremy
Hunt of Stream represent-
ed the tenant.
INDUSTRIAL
The Brandt Cos. has
signed a 56,255-square-
foot, 7½-year lease at 8848
N. Sam Houston Parkway
West inside Levey Group’s
Sam Houston Business
Park. The lease brings the
262,130-square-foot park
to 100 percent occupancy.
Joseph Smith of CBRE
represented Levey Group.
Jeff Venghaus of JLL rep-
resented the tenant.
Sweet Bee Farm has
COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY
6.825 Acres, 767 ft. of Frontage
on state Hwy 105, + 29,000 sq ft.
RETAIL STORE, 48 parking
spaces. We are open to small
sellers financing or trade in.
Appraised at $4,125,000. accept-
ing offers. Brokers welcome.
Call Patrick 281-528-5760
Web #26358621
BBVA Compass Plaza has new owner
Foreign investors
have taken notice
of city’s top locations
By Katherine Feser
BBVA Compass Plaza, the
first office building to rise on the
Uptown skyline in 30 years, has
changed hands in a deal that sig-
nals the strength of Houston for
international investments.
Masaveu Post Oak Houston
Delaware, a private investor
based in Spain, has purchased
the 22-story building at 2200 Post
Oak Blvd.
The sale price was not dis-
closed, according to commercial
real estate firm Holliday Feno-
glio Fowler, which marketed the
property for the seller.
Completed in 2013, BBVA
Compass Plaza was sold by a
venture partnership of Stream
Realty Partners, TRC Capital
Partners (formerly the Redstone
Cos.) and an institutional client
of L&B Realty Advisors.
“The sale of BBVA Compass
Plaza reflects the continued in-
terest of foreign capital in Class
A product in superb locations
in Houston such as the Uptown/
Galleria submarket,” Steve Lern-
er, CEO of TRC Capital Partners,
said in an announcement.
The 326,200-square-foot
building is 83 percent leased,
with BBVA Compass Bank oc-
cupying 58 percent of the space.
The building has seven levels of
parking with 1,144 spaces, a retail
bank, a fitness center and two
upscale restaurants, Caracol and
Oka Sushi.
Located on Post Oak Boule-
leased 42,066 square
feet at 3130 Pawnee.
David Boyd of Boyd
Commercial/Corefac
International represented
the landlord, DIG Hous-
ton.
Distribution Inter-
national Southwest has
leased 33,584 square feet at
6002 Murphy Road. David
Boyd of Boyd Commer-
cial/Corefac International
represented the landlord,
Joann Gillebaard & Robert
Joseph Gillebaard Stock
Purchase Trust. Ryan
Boozer and Drew Coupe of
Stream Realty represented
the tenant.
Freedom Tents and
Events has leased 16,861
square feet of warehouse
space at 2300 Quitman.
Jennifer Rabon represent-
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xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | B7
DEAL OF THE WEEK
mercial real estate in the Hous-
ton market, placing it just ahead
of Miami and behind Atlanta, ac-
cording to Real Capital Analyt-
ics, a real estate information firm.
Foreign investments represented
9.2 percent of all commercial real
estate investments here during
the period.
The top cities for foreign in-
vestment in the past two years
are Manhattan, Los Angeles,
Boston, Washington, D.C., and
Chicago.
The biggest deal occurred
earlier this year when German
realty fund Union Investment
purchased 1000 Main, a 36-story
downtown building from Inves-
co Real Estate. With a price tag of
$440 million, the sale is one of the
biggest ever in Houston.
Post Oak Boulevard has been
a popular street for foreign inves-
tors.
This summer, Strategic Capi-
tal, the U.S. investment arm of
China-based real estate conglom-
erate CSCEC, made its first Texas
Gary Fountain purchase with the acquisition of
The 22-story BBVA Compass Plaza was completed in 2013. Broadstone Post Oak apartments
at 3100 Post Oak Blvd.
vard north of the Galleria, the multi-housing units, more than Last year, Sinopec USA of
building is in a high-growth ur- 2 million square feet of office China purchased 3050 Post Oak
ban area where cranes dot the space, in excess of 697,000 square Blvd., a 17-story office building in
skyline and amenities such as feet of high-street retail and two the Lakes on Post Oak complex.
40 restaurants are within walk- new luxury hotels,” Dan Miller, And FG Asset Management of
ing distance. But, with oil trad- senior managing director of HFF South Korea bought 3000 Post
ing below $50 a barrel, it is un- said in an announcement. “The Oak Blvd, a 19-story building in
likely additional office buildings transformative impact that this the same complex.
will break ground anytime property has had on the Galle- The investment sales team of
soon. ria skyline cannot be overstated, Scott Galloway, Dan Miller, Matt
“With its groundbreaking, placing it at the forefront of the Kafka, Colby Mueck and Trent
BBVA Compass Plaza ignited ‘urbanization’ movement in the Agnew from HFF handled the
a development renaissance in Houston marketplace.” sale of 2200 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston’s most coveted submar- In the past two years, for-
ket that is ongoing and encom- eign investors have spent nearly katherine.feser@chron.com
passes more than 6,050 luxury $2.5 billion on all types of com- twitter.com/kfeser
ed the landlord, Hartman future development. The portfolio totals feet. GLP’s portfolio
Income REIT. The park is owned by 57.9 million square feet spans 521 million square
a private international across 20 major markets feet across China, Japan,
Etc. developer. including 4 million square Brazil and the United
feet in Houston. GLP States.
INDUSTRIAL GLP, a global provider established a U.S. platform
Smith Raines Co., as of logistics facilities head- through the purchase The Chronicle lists
representative for the quartered in Shanghai, has of IndCor Properties commercial real estate
owner/developer of Port completed its acquisition of earlier this year. The latest transactions each
Commerce Park, an- a $4.6 billion portfolio from deal boosts its U.S. foot- Monday. Send items to
nounced the addition of Industrial Income Trust. print to 173 million square realestatedeals@chron.com.
three companies to the
72-acre park. Osburn
Commercial Concrete/
Trucking has leased a
24,000-square-foot facility
on 5 acres at 4458 Genoa
Red Bluff. Red Ball Oxy-
gen has purchased
6 acres on Genoa Red Bluff
Road in Port Commerce
Business Park for future
development. IPAK Sys-
tems has purchased
5 acres on Genoa Red
Win a Dickens on The Strand
Bluff Road in Port Com-
merce Business Park for
Weekend Getaway!
December 4-6
Prize package includes:
• 2 nights at the Victorian, December 4 & 5
• 2 tickets to the Dinner with Dickens on December 4
• 2 tickets to Dickens on The Strand for December 5 & 6
• Carriage ride for two in the Queen’s Parade
Enter at HoustonChronicle.com/Dickens
B8 | Monday, November 9, 2015 |
BUSINESS
A gymnastics class is offered at Houston’s Jewish Community Center. A new
program could help the 50-year-old building gain energy-efficient systems.
Energy reduction
can pay off loan
Energy from page B6
Otherwise, lenders tend
to give high-interest rates
for loans that could pay
for expensive heating,
ventilation air condition-
ing systems, new lighting
or water-conservation
equipment.
“People don’t spend
money on their build-
ings today. It’s just bad
business,” said Charlene
Heydinger, executive
director of Keeping PACE
in Texas.
Smaller business own-
ers, in particularly, may
not see that it would be
worth the cost to try to
make their building more
energy-efficient, said Hey-
dinger, who led the effort
to bring PACE to cities in
Q&A: No ‘hypersupply’ yet
Q&A from page B6
ington, D.C., New York,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
— those areas are in
“hypersupply,” as well as
cities like San Francisco,
San Jose and Seattle on
the West Coast. They’re
having increasing vacancy
rates and low to negative
absorption (change in
demand).
Q: Where does Hous-
ton fit in?
A: We still have the
last phase of expansion.
We still have decreasing
vacancy rates, and we still
have new construction.
It’s the last stage before
hypersupply.
Q: What do you see
happening in the office
market?
A: Baltimore, Hartford,
Conn., Kansas City and
Sacramento are in the
recovery stage. Houston,
Denver, New York and
San Francisco are still in a
period of expansion.
Q: Are we overbuilt?
A: We’re getting close
in some sectors. The key to
the office market, multi-
family, industrial — or any
real estate — is not to be
the last to break ground.
We try to provide our cli-
ents with real estate intelli-
gence to allow them not to
be left holding the bag.
Q: Is the Energy Cor-
ridor oversupplied?
A: I don’t think you’ll
see a lot of speculative
space along the Energy
Corridor. You’ll see Hous-
ton-based firms who plan
to be here for the long haul
contemplate their projects.
Coal giant agrees to disclosures
NEW YORK TIMES
Peabody Energy, the
world’s biggest private coal
company, has agreed to
make more robust disclo-
sures to its investors about
the financial risks it faces
from future government cli-
mate change or other envi-
ronmental policies and reg-
ulations that could reduce
demand for its product.
The coal giant’s conces-
sions came in response to
Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x
Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle
Texas. Under the PACE
program, the lender has
more security because the
loan is tied to the land,
rather than the property
owner.
The Legislature passed
legislation during the 2013
session to enable cities
and counties to create
their own program.
“At the end of the day,
it’s a more affordable and
easier way for commer-
cial property owners to
get low-cost, long-term
loans,” said Laura Span-
jian, the city’s director
of the Office of Sustain-
ability.
“The idea behind it is
the energy reduction and
water will go to pay off the
loan. We anticipate these
loans being cash-positive
Q: What sectors have
seen the biggest in-
crease in values?
A: We’ve seen office
rents continue to be one
of the fastest-growing
sectors in Houston, and
obviously the multifamily
sector is close behind.
Q: What about land
deals?
A: There’s been major
blocks of land being
acquired in outlying areas
along the Grand Parkway.
We believe that thorough-
fare is going to be a boon
for single-family residen-
tial developers.
Q: Are land values
holding up?
A: They are.
Q: Have you seen any
property values come
down in Houston?
A: The industrial
market in the northwest
quadrant has begun to
flatten. We’ve tracked a
rapid expansion of supply
in that area that does not
seem to equal demand.
Q: What are some hot
spots in Houston?
A: The gold rush south
of The Woodlands at 45
and the Grand Parkway
still has some room. The
development that’s oc-
curred on the 288 south
corridor with Pearland
Town Center has filled a
void. I’m curious to see
once the expansions along
290 have been completed,
what that will do to the
areas at Barker Cypress
and beyond. The ease of
commute is essential to
allowing these outlying ar-
eas to continue to expand.
a two-year investigation by
the New York attorney gen-
eral that found Peabody
had not been forthright
with investors and regula-
tors about the threats to its
business that the company
projected in private.
The agreement between
Peabody and Attorney Gen-
eral Eric Schneiderman is
expected to be announced
Monday. Days before, Sch-
neiderman’s office started a
separate investigation into
for the owners,” she said.
The program will be
run by the nonprofit Tex-
as PACE Authority and
there is no cost to the city
of Houston. Since PACE
loans pay for themselves
over time, property own-
ers are not only using less
resources and improving
public health, they are
saving money, Spanjian
said.
“It’s saving money to
use less resources and
helping us and the envi-
ronment,” Spanjian said.
“It’s a win for the envi-
ronment, as well as the
economy, local govern-
ments, property owners
and lenders.”
erin.mulvaney@chron.com
twitter.com/erinmulvaney
Q: How is Houston
perceived by investors
from other regions
of the country? Are
people scared by the
low oil prices?
A: Astute investors
are not because they
recognize that the major
players in the oil and
gas industry capitalize
on downturns by purchas-
ing outright or just the
assets of middle market
players. When there’s
retraction in the industry,
the strong get stronger.
The middle gets elimi-
nated.
Q: What’s your strat-
egy for the firm?
A: Our plan nationwide
is to change the way ap-
praisal valuation con-
sulting services interact
with the purchasers of
our service. Histori-
cally, valuation is based on
historic data. We intend to
employ data strategies that
become real estate intel-
ligence to allow investors
to be forward-thinking
in their decision-making
process.
Q: How are you going
to do that?
A: By virtue of our 58
offices around the coun-
try, we are amassing an
incredible stockpile of
data. We have folks in the
company much smarter
than me at understanding
how that data can be used
not just to look at trailing
information, but use the
relationships between list-
ings, sales, etc., to forecast
more accurately what the
future holds.
katherine.feser@chron.com
twitter.com/kfeser
Exxon Mobil to determine
whether the company lied
to the public about the dan-
gers of climate change while
its scientists warned about
the gathering threat to the
environment posed by car-
bon pollution.
The Peabody settlement
will not include a monetary
settlement. Its impact will
surely pale in comparison
with the other problems
Peabody faces as demand
for coal plummets.
NOTICE
TO CREDITORS
Notice To
Creditors
Ad
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C26323597
$
69.00*
2 cols x 3I
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Start date: fr 10 16
Pick up number: 26323595Fee
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*$69.00 includes first 36 lines
*$1.92 per line over 36 lines
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Notice is given that Let-
ters Testamentary for the
Estate of David J. Free-
man, Deceased, were is-
sued to Cynthia Louise
Freeman on October 21,
2015 in No. 443215 in Pro-
bate Court No. 2 of Harris
County, Texas.
All persons having claims
against this Estate cur-
rently being administered
are required to present
them to the undersigned
within the time and in the
manner prescribed by
law. Claims may be pre-
sented by addressing
them as follows:
Cynthia L. Freeman
Scott, Clawater &
Houston, LLP
2777 Allen Parkway,
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77019
Dated: November 9, 2015.
Cynthia L. Freeman
Bar No. 00789298
Tel (713) 650-6600
Fax (713) 650-1720
BIDS
& PROPOSALS
Aldine ISD Construction
Department is issuing a
Request for Qualifica-
tions (RFQ) from qualified
firms to provide architec-
tural services.
RFQs will be due 12/4/15
at 2:00 pm at 1617 Lauder
Rd., Houston, TX 77039. A
pre-submittal meeting
will be held at the M.O.
Campbell Center located
at 1865 Aldine Bender Rd.,
Houston, TX 77032 on 11/
18/15 at 2:00 pm. All inter-
ested parties intending to
make a submittal are en-
couraged to attend this
meeting. For information
and a copy of the RFQ, call
Patrick Mouton or Nicco-
lle Copeland at 281-985-
6373.
Aldine ISD Construction
Department is issuing a
Request for Qualifica-
tions (RFQ) from qualified
firms to provide Con-
struction Manager-
Agent/Project Manager
Services in connection
with the 2015 Bond Refer-
endum addressing exist-
ing and future K-12 cam-
pus facility needs.
RFQs will be due 12/4/15
at 2:00 pm at 1617 Lauder
Rd., Houston, TX 77039. A
pre-submittal meeting
will be held at the M.O.
Campbell Center located
at 1865 Aldine Bender Rd.,
Houston, TX 77032 on
11/18/15 at 3:00 pm. All in-
terested parties intend-
ing to make a submittal
are encouraged to attend
this meeting. For informa-
tion and a copy of the
RFQ, call Patrick Mouton
or Niccolle Copeland at
281-985-6373.
FORT BEND ISD,
in accordance Texas Edu-
cation Code 44.031 and
Texas Government Code
2269, is soliciting pros-
pective proposals for RFP
Marketing and Advertis-
ing Services, RFP 16-020JK
Submissions will be due
12/01/15 @ 10:00 A.M.
CST. NO LATE BIDS WILL
BE ACCEPTED. Contact:
Julie Kaiser @ 281-634-
1845 Bid may be down-
loaded from: http://
purchasing.fortbendisd.
com/CurrentBids.aspx.
Mail response in a
SEALED envelope with
RFP # on outside to:
FBISD, 555 Julie Rivers
Drive, Sugar Land, TX
77478, ATTN: Julie Kaiser
INVITATION TO BIDDERS
Sealed Bids, in duplicate,
addressed to Fort Bend
County Municipal Utility
District No. 30, Attention
Linda Yorlano, President,
Board of Directors, will be
received at the office of
the District’s Engineer,
J.A. Costanza & Associ-
ates Engineering, Inc.,
4301 Center Street, Deer
Park, Texas 77536, until
10:00 a.m. Local Time,
Tuesday, November 17,
2015, and then publicly
opened and read for
Grand Vista, Lift Station
No. 3, Fort Bend County,
Texas. Scope of Work of
the Contract includes
sanitary sewer lift station
and related improve-
ments. Bids received af-
ter the closing time will
be returned unopened. A
NON-MANDATORY pre-bid
conference will be held
on Wednesday, Novem-
ber 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
Local Time, at the District
Engineer’s office. Each
Bid must be accompanied
by a bid bond or a certi-
fied or cashier’s check,
acceptable to the Owner,
in an amount not less
than 5 percent of the total
amount bid, as a guaran-
tee that the successful
bidder will enter into the
Contract and execute the
Bonds on the forms pro-
vided and provide the re-
quired insurance certifi-
cates within 7 days after
the date Contract Docu-
ments are received by the
Contractor. Copies of the
bidding documents are
on file at the office of the
District’s Engineer and
are provided to iSqFt
(AGC Houston) and AGC
of Texas for contractor re-
view. Bidding documents
may be obtained at the
offices of the District’s
Engineer by prospective
bidders or suppliers upon
payment of Forty Dollars
($40.00) non-refundable
cost, for each set of docu-
ments. The Owner re-
serves the right to reject
any or all Bids and to
waive all defects and ir-
regularities in bidding or
bidding process except
time of submitting a Bid.
The Successful Bidder, if
any, will be the respon-
sible Bidder which in the
Board’s judgment will be
most advantageous to
the District and result in
the best and most eco-
nomical completion of
the Project.
RESULTS you can count
on from Houston’s classi-
fied leader.
Chronicle Classifieds
713-224-6868.
To place legal notices
Legal Notices email legals@chron.com
or call 713.224.6868.
NOTICE LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES
TO CREDITORS
NOTICE OF DRAWING FOR PLACE ON BALLOT
Notice is hereby given of a drawing to determine the order in which the names of
candidates are to be printed on the ballot for the Runoff Election to be held on
December 12, 2015, in the City of Houston, Texas. The drawing will be held at
2:00 p.m. on November 13, 2015, at City Hall Annex, City Council Chamber, 900
Bagby, Room P112, Houston, Texas.
_____________________
Officer Conducting Drawing
City Secretary
AVISO DE SORTEO DE LUGAR EN LA BOLETA ELECTORAL
Por medio del presente se comunica que se realizará un sorteo para determinar el
orden en el cual se imprimirán los nombres de los candidatos en la boleta electoral
de la Segunda Votación que se llevará a cabo el 12 de diciembre de 2015, en la
Ciudad de Houston, Texas. El sorteo se realizará a las 2:00 p.m. del 13 de
noviembre de 2015, en el City Hall Annex, City Council Chamber, 900 Bagby,
Oficina P112, Houston, Texas. Display Ad Name:
C26374921 _______________
3Funcionario
x 4I a cargo
colsSecretario del Sorteo
de la Ciudad
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THOÂNG BAÙO RUÙT THAÊM ĐEÅ LAÁY CHOÃ TREÂN LAÙ PHIEÁU
Start date: Nov 09 2015
Xin thoâng baùo seõ coù moät cuoäc ruùt thaêm ñeå xaùc ñònh thöù töï teân cuûa caùc öùng cöû vieân seõ
ñöôïc in treân laù phieáu cho Cuoäc BaàPick
u Cöû up number:
Sô Boä seõ ñöôïc 0toå chöùc vaøo ngaøy 12 thaùng Möôøi
Hai, 2015, taïi Thaønh Phoá Houston, Texas. Cuoäc ruùt thaêm seõ ñöôïc toå chöùc vaøo luùc 2 giôø
tröa ngaøy 13 thaùng Möôøi Moät, 2015, taïi City Hall Annex, City Council Chamber, 900
Bagby, Room P112, Houston, Texas.
________________________________
Nhaân Vieân Tieán Haønh Cuoäc Ruùt Thaêm
Thö Kyù Thaønh Phoá
BIDS
& PROPOSALS 選票姓名抽選公告
Bid Notice ��公告�德克薩斯州休斯頓市將於2015年12月12日舉行大選�選票��選
The Klein Independent 人的姓名順序將由抽選���抽選將於2015年11月13日下午2�舉行���是
School District is accept-
ing electronic bids for Bid 德克薩斯州休斯頓市政廳附樓的市議會會議��900 Bagby�P112 ���
# 16-231 Klein Collins ______________
High School Drill Team
抽選官員
Uniforms, at 2:00 p.m. on 政府秘書長
November 24, 2015 in
Room 207 of the Central
Office Building, Purchas- Notice of Public Meeting
NOTICE OF SALE
ing Specifications, 832- The Texas Department of
249-4685. Transportation (TxDOT), SEDONA LAKES MUNICIPAL UTILITY
Houston District, will hold DISTRICT NO. 1
FORMAL BID a public meeting regard- OF BRAZORIA COUNTY
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD ing proposed roadway
will receive proposals for: improvements to FM 523
(A Political Subdivision of the State of Texas
Located within Brazoria County, Texas)
Automotive Chemicals, from SH 332 to FM 1495 in
Parts and Supplies, #15- Brazoria County, Texas. $3,190,000
10-4593, 11/16/15 3:30 PM. The meeting will be held Unlimited Tax Road Bonds
Bids 281-897-4578. 12510 on Thursday, November Series 2015
Windfern Rd., Houston 19, 2015 at Lanier Middle Bids to be Submitted:
77064. www.cfisd.net School Cafeteria located
at 522 North Avenue B,
11:00 A.M., Houston, Texas Time
Bids to be Opened:
INVITATION TO BID
Sealed bids in duplicate Freeport, TX 77541. The 12:00 P.M., Houston, Texas Time
addressed to Bridgestone meeting will be held in an Thursday, November 19, 2015
Municipal Utility District open house format from Place and Time of Sale: The Board of Directors
will be received in the of- 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. No (the “Board”) of Sedona Lakes Municipal Utility
fices of Jones & Carter, formal presentation will
District No. 1 of Brazoria County, Texas (the
Inc., Consulting Engi- be made. “District”) will receive and publicly read bids for
neers, 6335 Gulfton, Suite The purpose of the public the purchase of the Bonds at the designated meeting
100, Houston, Texas meeting is to present the place outside the boundaries of the District, at
proposed project to the
77081, until 11:00 a.m.,
Monday, November 16, public and receive com- the offices of Sanford Kuhl Hagan Kugle Parker
2015, and then publicly ments. The proposed Kahn LLP, 1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1380,
opened and read for fur- road reconstruction of FM Houston, Texas 77056 at 12:00 P.M., Houston, Texas
nishing all plant, labor, 523 from SH 332 to FM Time, Thursday, November 19, 2015.
material and equipment 1495 would involve wid- Address of Bids: Display
Bids, Ad Name:
which must be submitted
and performing all work ening from a two-lane to in duplicate on the Official Bid Form and plainly
C26374383
required for the construc- a four-lane facility with marked “Bid for Bonds,” should be addressed to
tion of: Water Well No. 2 center left-turn lane for “President and Board
approximately 1.4 miles Municipal Utility District 2 cols x 5.25I of Sedona Lakes
of Directors
No. 1 of Brazoria County,
Rework - 2016.
The project is located in within existing right-of- Texas,” and delivered Positiontorequest:
the District's Financial
Bridgestone Municipal way, including the re- Advisor, Robert StartW.date: Nov&09Co.
Baird 2015Incorporated,
Utility District, Harris placement of three
1331 Lamar, Suite 1360, Houston, Texas 77010
bridges (East Union
County, Texas. Water Well prior to 11:00 Pick
A.M., up number:
Houston, 0 Time on the
Texas
No. 2 is located at Water Bayou, Dow Barge Canal, date of the bid opening. Any bid received after
Plant No. 2, 4135 F.M. 2920, and Dow Wastewater Ca- 11:00 A.M. Houston, Texas Time, Thursday,
nal). The purpose of the
Spring, Texas 77388.
November 19, 2015, will not be accepted and will be
The bidder shall submit a project is to improve returned unopened. All bids must be accompanied
five percent (5%) bid safety and mobility by by a Bank Cashier's Check in the amount of
bond of the maximum to- adding capacity. No
$63,800 payable to the order of the District as a good
tal bid amount. Make the changes are proposed to faith deposit.
bid bond payable to the the drainage system or Information: The Bonds are more completely
Owner. posted speed limits. The
Plans, specifications, and project would not require described in the “Official Notice of Sale” and the
bidding documents are new right-of-way. No resi- “Preliminary Official Statement” which may be
available at www.civcas dential or commercial obtained from Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated,
tusa.com. Said docu- displacements are pro- 1331 Lamar, Suite 1360, Houston, Texas 77010;
ments may be examined posed. Financial Advisor to the District. The District
without charge in the of- Maps showing the pro- reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to
fice of Jones & Carter, Inc. posed project’s location waive any and all irregularities except time of filing.
6335 Gulfton, Suite 100, and design drawings will This notice does not constitute an offer to sell the
Houston, Texas 77081 be available for review at Bonds but is merely notice of sale of the Bonds as
There will be a pre-bid the Public Meeting. This required by law. The offer to sell the Bonds will be
conference in the offices information will also be made only by means of the “Official Notice of Sale,”
of Jones & Carter, Inc., available by appointment “Preliminary Official Statement,” and the “Official
6335 Gulfton, Suite 100, for review Monday Bid Form.”
Houston, Texas 77081 at through Friday between
the hours of 8:00 a.m. and Board of Directors
11:00 a.m., Monday, No- Sedona Lakes Municipal Utility
vember 9, 2015. Atten- 5:00 p.m., excluding state
holidays, at the TxDOT District No. 1
dance is not mandatory.
The Owner reserves the Houston District Office, Of Brazoria County, Texas
located at 7600 Washing-
right to reject any or all
bids and waive any or all ton Avenue, Houston, BIDS BIDS
irregularities. No bid may Texas 77007. To schedule & PROPOSALS & PROPOSALS
be withdrawn until the an appointment at the
expiration of 60 days from Houston District please Notice to bidders
contact Reina Gonzalez at Sealed bids in duplicate, APPLICATIONS
REQUEST FOR
the date bids are open.
-- (713) 802-5269. Maps and addressed to DD Louetta/
designs may also be Spring Cypress, LLC, will The Houston-Galveston
NOTICE TO BIDDERS viewed at the TxDOT Bra- be received at the offices Area Council (H-GAC)
Sealed bids in duplicate, zoria County Area Office of Costello, Inc., 9990 Area Agency on Aging
addressed to Levee Im- located at 1033 E. Orange, Richmond Avenue, Suite (AAA) is accepting appli-
provement District No. 19 Angleton, TX 77515, con- 450, North Building, Hous- cations to provide con-
will be received at the of- tact (979) 864-8500. The ton, Texas 77042 until gregate and home deliv-
fices of Costello, Inc., 9990 project information can 11:00 a.m. local time, ered meals, and support
Richmond Avenue, Suite also be viewed at TxDOT’s Tuesday, November 24, service programs for
450, North Building, Hous- website: http://www. 2015 and then publicly older persons age sixty
ton, Texas 77042 until 2:00 txdot.gov/inside-txdot/ opened and read for fur- and older living in south-
p.m. local time, Monday, g e t - i n v o l v e d / a b o u t / nishing all plant, labor, ern part of Liberty
November 23, 2015 and hearings-meetings/
then publicly opened and houston/111915.html.
material and equipment County. The application
and performing all work period is for Fiscal Year
read for furnishing all la- All interested citizens are required for the construc- 2016, beginning January 1,
bor, material and equip- invited to attend this pub- tion of the Off Site 12” Wa- 2016. Organizations may
ment and performing all lic meeting. Written com- ter Line and Sanitary obtain application infor-
work required for the ments may be submitted Sewer along Spring Cy- mation
project: Traffic Signal In- at the meeting. Written press & Louetta Roads. gac.com. Bids will be ac-
at www.h-
stallation at University comments may also be The site of the work is lo- cepted by H-GAC until
Blvd and Oilfield Rd & Uni- submitted either in per- cated in Harris County, 12:00 noon, November 23,
versity Blvd and River- son or by mail to the Tx- between Spring Cypress 2015.
stone Blvd in Fort Bend DOT District Office, Direc- and Louetta Roads, west
County, Texas. The loca- tor of Project Develop- of Louetta Glen Road. Bid- LEGAL NOTICE
tion of the work is at the ment, P.O. Box 1386, ding documents may be Harris County Depart-
respective intersections. Houston, Texas 77251. viewed and downloaded ment of Education (HCDE)
A voluntary pre-bid con- Written comments must free of charge (with the is accepting Requests for
ference will be held in the be postmarked, submit- option to purchase hard Proposals (RFPs) for RFP
office of Costello, Inc. at ted through the website, copies) at the CivCastUSA #16/017YR for Nutrition
2:00 p.m. local time, Mon- or emailed to HOU- website (www.CivCast
Consultant Services. In-
day, November 16, 2015. PIOWebMail@txdot.gov USA.com). Reproduction terested proposers may
All prospective bidders by December 4, 2015, to charges may apply.
are invited to attend. be included in the Public
San Jacinto College
go to https://hcdeebid.
ionwave.net and register
Plans, specifications and Meeting Summary.
bid documents may be The Public Meeting will be Request for Proposals to download the solicita-
tion or call 713-696-8212.
viewed and downloaded conducted in English. Per- Promotional Items Proposals are due at 12:00
free of charge (with the sons interested in attend- Project No. 16-03
p.m. CST on November 30,
option to purchase hard ing the meeting who have San Jacinto College is so- 2015. It is HCDE policy not
liciting sealed proposals
copies) at the CivCastUSA special communication
Website (www.CivCast or
to discriminate on the ba-
accommodation from qualified firms to sis of race, color, national
USA.com). Reproduction needs, or need an inter- provide promotional
charges will apply ac- preter, are encouraged to items. The solicitation glish
origin, gender, limited En-
proficiency or
cording to CivCastUSA contact TxDOT’s Public In- documents can be ob- handicapping condition
rates. formation Offices (713) tained at http://esbd. in its programs.
cpa.state.tx.us/. Direct
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
802-5076. Requests
should be made at least inquiries to Charity Simp- WHERE DO YOU FIND
Sugar Land
Regional Airport
two days prior to the Pub- son at Charity.Simpson@ THE BEST BUYS
lic Meeting. Every reason- sjcd.edu or 281-998-6328. IN HOUSTON?
TxDOT CSJ No. able effort will be made to In the city’s largest clas-
1512SGRLD these Sealed proposals will be sified
accommodate
needs. received in the Purchas- market place
Sealed bids for the con- The environmental re- ing Dept. until 2:00 P.M. Chronicle Classifieds. Big
struction of airport im- view, consultation, and CST on November 17, buys, small buys, items
used or new, our classi-
provements at the Sugar other actions required by 2015.
Land Regional Airport applicable Federal envi- fied pages have a deal for
SELLING
need to be addressed and ronmental laws for this you. Check today!
delivered to Ms. Glenda project are being, or have
SUCCESS
Gundermann, City Secre- been, carried-out by Tx-
tary, 2700 Town Center DOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C.
Boulevard North, Suite 327 and a Memorandum To place a
Display Ad Name:
122, Sugar Land, Texas of Understanding dated
starts with s0912578
77479. Bids will be re- December 16, 2014, and legal notice
1 col x 1I
ceived until 2:00 pm on executed by FHWA and
Chronicle Position request:
December 16, 2015, then TxDOT.
publicly opened and read. email legals@
Start date:
Pick up number: 0
Any bid received after SELLING SUCCESS
closing time will be re- starts with
Classifieds place legals
chron.com
turned unopened. Chronicle Classifieds
713-224-6868. 713-224-6868.
In general, the Aviation
Construction work con-
sists of parallel taxiway
relocation. HOME | LOCAL | US & WORLD | SPORTS
Technical questions con-
cerning the specifica-
tions should be directed
BREAKING NEWS FIRST
to Mr. Philip Huseman,
P.E. with KSA at 281-494-
3252. Please call Sheri
Quinlan, TxDOT, Aviation,
at 512-416-4517 for ques-
tions concerning the bid
document or further in-
formation.
A pre-bid conference con-
cerning this project will
be held at 1:00 pm on De- Display Ad Name:
cember 3, 2015 at the
Sugar Land Regional Air- jobcmpl4023
port Terminal Building 3 cols x 4I
Conference Room #24,
12888-B Highway 6 South, Position request:
Sugar Land, Texas 77498.
Start date:
“Proposals will be re-
ceived by the Galena Park Pick up number: 0
Independent School Dis- BreakingNewsFirst
trict for RFP 16-012 Tele-
communications and In-
ternet Access Services.
Proposals will be opened
at the GPISD Admin Bldg.
located at 14705 Woodfor-
est Blvd., Houston, TX
77015 on December 4,
2015 at 10:00 am. Propos-
als may be downloaded
Sign up for news alerts!
from CRW Consulting
website at: www.
crwconsulting.com/rfp.
Chron.com/Alert
All questions and bids
must be submitted via
the on-line RFP system.
The Galena Park ISD re-
serves the right to reject
any or all proposals.”
 xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | B9

Nancy C. Barnes Jeff Cohen

Paul Barbetta, Executive VP and COO Executive VP / Editor Executive VP / Executive Editor Editorial pages
Jack Sweeney, Chairman Vernon F. Loeb Veronica Flores-Paniagua
F o u n d e d 1 9 0 1 • A H e a r s t N e w s pa p e r Managing Editor Outlook Editor

EDITORIAL LETTERS

Idle Fateful steps

Regarding “HERO
and announced there was
a sufficient number of
signers, the mayor went

not
A new city
ordinance only
applies to large
vehicles, but all
can help combat
air pollution.
Trucks idled for nearly
4 million hours at Port of
Houston facilities in 2007,
according to the website
of the Environmental
Defense Fund. Idling hap-
pens when a driver leaves
a vehicle’s engine running
while it’s parked.
Idling tailpipes spew
out pollutants and create
unhealthy smog and soot.
These pollutants have
been linked to serious
human illnesses, includ-
ing asthma, heart disease,
chronic bronchitis and
cancer. Children, the
elderly and those with
asthma and other chronic
health problems are es-
pecially vulnerable to the
health dangers of exhaust.
On Wednesday, Hous-
ton City Council took a
needed step to combat air
pollution. Now, drivers of
vehicles weighing more
than 14,000 pounds, or
seven tons, can spend
only five minutes idling.
The ordinance ex-
empts vehicles sitting in
traffic jams, military vehi-
cles and various vehicles
that must run heat or air
conditioning for health
and safety reasons.
Houston has multiple
idling trouble spots in ad-
dition to our port. Buses
drop off children at mu-
seums and often sit idling
for hours, according to
officials at the Museum
Park Super Neighborhood
Association.
The goal of the or-
dinance is voluntary
compliance, but it’s not
without some teeth. The
Houston Health Depart-
ment will “enforce the
ordinance by issuing
Notices of Violation for
the initial violation and
citations to repeat offend-
ers,” according to Daisy
D. James, acting bureau
chief of the Houston
Health Department.
The regulatory frame-
work is stronger than it
sounds. Both Dallas and
Austin have adopted or-
dinances that limit idling
time to five minutes.
Once truckers and
others become aware of
an anti-idling ordinance,
many comply, according
to a 2013 Capital Area
Council of Governments
survey. “We know from
experience that these
ordinances have high vol-
untary compliance rates
— as much as 80 percent,”
according to Adrian Shel-
ley, executive director of
Air Alliance Houston.
But the city must get
the message out. “Lots
of companies, school
districts and Houston
Metro have some sort
of anti-idling policies in
place. We’re trying to stop
the bad actors from idling
excessively,” according to
Laura Spanjian, director
of the Office of Sustain-
ability for the City of
Houston.
To that end, the city
needs to reach out to large
fleet owners, trucking as-
sociations and owners of
truck stops. Signs about
idling laws should target
specific areas such as
schools, hospitals, hotels
and gas stations.
While the law only ap-
plies to large vehicles, all
of us can help.
When you pull over,
turn off your engine right
away. Everyone has some-
thing to gain by reducing
needless idling.
Veterans need more access to legal aid
By Nathan L. Hecht
and William H. McRaven
Alex, a third-generation Army
veteran with eight years’ service,
escaped with her two young boys
from an abusive home. With no-
where else to turn, she was stay-
ing with a friend when she sought
help at a legal clinic. Her lawyer
got court protection for her and her
boys and helped her get back on her difficulty. Nearly 6 million Texans
feet.
Alex’s legal fees: Zero.
Alex is a pseudonym to con-
tinue to protect her, but she’s a real
person.
So is Roger, a
65-year-old disabled Legal aid can be a
veteran who ap- lifeline, and helping
pealed to a legal aid veterans get help is
office for help paying critical. But lawyers
a minor ticket. The
in private practice and
lawyer helping
Roger discovered he legal aid providers
faced a legal prob- can’t do it all.
lem much worse
than a ticket. He was about to lose
his home because of delinquent
property taxes. Within a month,
the lawyer got a court to halt the tax
suit against Roger’s home.
Result: One less veteran facing
homelessness in the U.S.
For veterans like Alex and
Roger, legal problems can seem
insurmountable. Nearly 1.5 million
veterans live in poverty, according
to 2012 figures by the U.S. Census
Bureau. And veterans are almost 9
percent of the homeless adult popu- But lawyers in private practice and
lation. Homelessness and poverty
hit younger veterans especially
hard.
To help commemorate Veterans
Facing, ignoring austerity’s grim legacy
Paul Krugman says the deficit
fetishism that led to cutbacks
by government has been more
destructive in the long run.
When economic crisis struck in
2008, policymakers by and large did
the right thing. The Federal Reserve
and other central banks realized
that supporting the financial system
took priority over conventional
notions of monetary prudence. The
Obama administration and its coun-
terparts realized that in a slumping
economy budget deficits were help-
ful, not harmful. And the money-
printing and borrowing worked:
A repeat of the Great Depression,
which seemed all too possible at the
time, was avoided.
Then it all went wrong. And the
consequences of the wrong turn
we took look worse now than the
harshest critics of conventional
wisdom ever imagined.
For those who don’t remember
(it’s hard to believe how long this
has gone on): In 2010, more or less
suddenly, the policy elite on both
sides of the Atlantic decided to stop
worrying about unemployment and
start worrying about budget deficits
instead.
This shift wasn’t driven by
evidence or careful analysis. In
fact, it was very much at odds with
basic economics. Yet ominous talk
about the dangers of deficits became
something everyone said because
everyone else was saying it, and dis-
senters were no longer considered
respectable — which is why I began
describing those parroting the
orthodoxy of the moment as Very
Serious People.
Some of us tried in vain to point
out that deficit fetishism was both
wrongheaded and destructive, that
there was no good evidence that
government debt was a problem
Day, legal aid lawyers across the
state will hold special clinics and
workshops during Texas Veterans
Legal Aid Week through Friday to
help veterans with legal problems.
Legal aid provides basic civil
legal services to the poor, not only
for veterans returning home, but
also for victims of domestic vio-
lence, the elderly facing foreclosure
of their homes, and children in
qualify for civil legal aid. The Texas
Access to Justice Foundation, cre-
ated in 1984 to fund civil legal aid
in Texas, stands committed to a
vision that all Texans
deserve equal access
to justice, regard-
less of income. The
Foundation recently
awarded more than
$63 million in grants
to 30 Texas legal aid
providers for basic
civil legal services to
low-income Texans.
In 2014, these grants helped more
than 7,000 veterans get access to the
justice system.
Add to that the millions of hours
Texas lawyers every year donate
pro bono — for the public good — to
represent our state’s lowest-income
citizens for free. Texas lawyers also
donate millions of dollars each year
to fight for better legal representa-
tion for people living on the edge.
Legal aid can be a lifeline, and
helping veterans get help is critical.
legal aid providers can’t do it all.
The need is too great. Earlier this
year, the 84th Texas Legislature rec-
ognized that need and appropriated
for major economies, while there
was plenty of evidence that cutting
spending in a depressed economy
would deepen the depression.
And we were vindicated by
events. More than 4 1/2 years have
passed since Alan Simpson and Ers-
kine Bowles warned of a fiscal crisis
within two years; U.S. borrowing
costs remain at historic lows. Mean-
while, the austerity policies that
were put into place in 2010 and after
had exactly the depressing effects
textbook economics predicted; the
confidence fairy never did put in an
appearance.
Yet there’s growing evidence that
we critics actually underestimated
just how destructive the turn to aus-
terity would be. Specifically, it now
looks as if austerity policies didn’t
just impose short-term losses of jobs
and output, but they also crippled
long-run growth.
The idea that policies that de-
press the economy in the short run
also inflict lasting damage is gener-
ally referred to as “hysteresis.” It’s
an idea with an impressive pedigree:
The case for hysteresis was made in
a well-known 1986 paper by Olivier
Blanchard, who later became the
chief economist at the International
Monetary Fund, and Lawrence
Summers, who served as a top
official in both the Clinton and the
Obama administrations. But I think
everyone was hesitant to apply the
idea to the Great Recession, for fear
of seeming excessively alarmist.
At this point, however, the evi-
dence practically screams hyster-
esis. Even countries that seem to
have largely recovered from the
crisis, like the United States, are far
dealt crushing defeat;
Turner, King set for
runoff” (Page A1,
Wednesday), HERO got
cut off at the knees. And
it can be blamed solely
on actions of Mayor
Annise Parker. When
the City Council passed
the ordinance last year,
a number of residents
began circulating
petitions to place the
ordinance on a ballot
for the voters to decide.
After the city secretary
counted the signatures
$17.56 million in general revenue for
basic civil legal aid for disadvan-
taged Texans. For veterans specifi-
cally, the Legislature provided an
additional $3 million for expanded
services. That leadership has been
crucial in helping ensure access to
justice.
Military service is challenging.
Deployment means long, distant
separations from family and home.
It means leaving loved ones to face
life’s pressures without you, worry-
ing that you’re OK. It means facing
danger, putting your life on the
line, with all the stress on body and
mind that comes with it.
You do all this because you love
your country and her values and
ways of life. You serve because you
love liberty and you’re willing to
give all you have to preserve it.
But returning from service is also
challenging. Veterans struggle to
readjust, hold on to their families
and their health, find jobs and pay
the rent.
We salute our military men and
women returning home. One criti-
cal way to honor their service is to
guarantee for them the promises
of America’s civil justice system
and the rule of law that they fought
bravely to preserve. Vets answered
our call. Now it’s our turn.
Hecht is chief justice of the Texas
Supreme Court and a veteran of the
U.S. Navy Reserve Judge Advocate
General’s Corps. McRaven is
chancellor of The University of Texas
System, having recently retired as
the U.S. Navy four-star admiral
in command of special operations,
including the Navy SEALs.
poorer than precrisis projections
suggested they would be at this
point. And a new paper by Sum-
mers and Antonio Fatás, in addition
to supporting other economists’
conclusion that the crisis seems
to have done enormous long-run
damage, shows that the downgrad-
ing of nations’ long-run prospects is
strongly correlated with the amount
of austerity they imposed.
What this suggests is that the
turn to austerity had truly cata-
strophic effects, going far beyond
the jobs and income lost in the first
few years. In fact, the long-run dam-
age suggested by the Fatás-Sum-
mers estimates is easily big enough
to make austerity a self-defeating
policy even in purely fiscal terms:
Governments that slashed spending
in the face of depression hurt their
economies, and hence their future
tax receipts, so much that even
their debt will end up higher than it
would have been without the cuts.
And the bitter irony of the story
is that this catastrophic policy was
undertaken in the name of long-run
responsibility, that those who pro-
tested against the wrong turn were
dismissed as feckless.
There are a few obvious lessons
from this debacle. “All the impor-
tant people say so” is not, it turns
out, a good way to decide on policy;
groupthink is no substitute for clear
analysis. Also, calling for sacrifice
(by other people, of course) doesn’t
mean you’re tough-minded.
But will these lessons sink in?
One striking aspect of the past few
years has been how few people are
willing to admit having been wrong
about anything. It seems all too pos-
sible that the Very Serious People
who cheered on disastrous policies
will learn nothing from the experi-
ence. And that is, in its own way, as
scary as the economic outlook.
Krugman is a New York Times
columnist.
ballistic. She got the then-
city attorney to render
an opinion that the city
secretary was wrong.
Lawsuits at taxpayer
expense followed, and
the court agreed with the
opinion of City Secretary
Anna Russell that the
matter should be placed
on the ballot.
The mayor and city
attorney then tried to
obfuscate the ballot. Once
again the court struck
down the mayor. Because
this took a year, the ballot
measure had to be placed
along with the general
election. It gave opponents
ample time to raise money
and create ads that had
absolutely nothing to
do with the whole of the
ordinance.
I didn’t vote on the
ordinance, because I was
so disgusted with both
sides.
Bob Ryan, Houston
Immigration
Regarding “Ryan reined
in by anti-immigration
Republicans” (Page B9,
Thursday), the reason
there will be no immigra-
tion bill is because of the
question of what to do
with the undocumented
already living in America.
The tea party wing of the
GOP will never agree to
any bill allowing undocu-
mented residents to stay.
Nothing but total
deportation of all undocu-
mented residents and the
border with Mexico being
shut down to any illegal
crossings will suffice.
Neither of these conditions
are realistic. It is on these
two points that immigra-
tion reform will continue
to founder as long as the
GOP is in power.
Gonzalo Martinez, La Porte
The poor
Regarding “Brady
picked to chair powerful
House panel” (Page A1,
Thursday), I respect Texas
Republican Kevin Brady,
and wish him the best in
his new role as chairman
of the Ways and Means
Committee.
However, I hope that
when he pushes for
income tax reform, he will
not forget the poor, many
of whom work full time,
often at two jobs and can
still barely make it.
A national sales tax
will weigh most heavily
on the working poor who
spend almost 100 percent
of their income on taxable
items. The working poor
depend on Earned Income
Tax Credit and Child Tax
Credit to meet their daily
needs.
David Schubert, Houston
Respect first
Regarding “Why has
justice for black girls
been such an elusive
goal” (Page B13, Nov. 1),
the article should have
been titled “Bad behavior
mishandled.”
It is up to the parents
to discipline their children
and be responsible. If the
parents are not responsive
and school policies were
followed, only then
should the police be
called and only in the
event of imminent danger
or violence or threat to
others.
Every person deserves
respect and should
respect the rights of
others. The lack of respect
and irresponsibility led to
a bad situation.
Doris Lucus, Houston
BIBLE VERSE
Trust in the Lord
with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own
understanding.
Proverbs 3: 5

Send letters to the editor: Viewpoints c/o Houston Chronicle, P.O. Box 4260, Houston, Texas 77210 or viewpoints@chron.com, Fax: 713-362-3575
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B10 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x

WEATHER
ERIC
TODAY'SBERGER FORECAST HOUSTON’S SEVEN-DAY FORECAST MOON PHASES
Houston Chronicle 72 76 79 71 68 67 68
New
moon
First
quarter
Full
moon
Last
quarter
Skies will be partly to
meteorologist
mostly sunny today. 58 69 53 52 50 53 52
High temperatures TODAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
Partly cloudy. Partly sunny. 50 percent 20 percent Partly sunny. 20 percent 30 percent Nov 11 Nov 19 Nov 25 Dec 3
should reach the lower chance of storms. chance of rain. chance of rain. chance of rain. Sunset today 5:28 p.m.
70s. Winds will be out of Sunrise tomorrow 6:41 a.m.
Moonrise today 4:45 a.m.
the north around 5 mph.
Skies will be partly NORTH AMERICA TODAY Forecast highs and location of weather systems at 3 p.m.
Moonset today 4:31 p.m.

<-0s Vancouver Calgary Saskatoon INTERNATIONAL

cloudy this evening, 0s Today Tomorrow COASTAL FORECAST
Regina
then more clouds 10s
Seattle Winnipeg
Thunder Bay Africa GALVESTON BAY :
Ottawa Montreal Cairo 73/59/pc 77/60/pc Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots.
should gradually move 20s Portland
Helena Cape Town 72/57/pc 72/58/pc Bay waters smooth. Tonight:
Bismarck Boston
into the area. Low 30s
Boise Toronto
Casablanca 75/58/pc 74/57/pc East winds around 5 knots.
40s St. Paul Dakar 89/78/s 88/78/s Bay waters smooth.
temperatures will be in L Sioux Falls New York Johannesburg 92/64/s 94/65/s
the upper 50s. Winds
50s Madison Detroit H Lagos 87/75/ts 85/74/ts
60s
San Francisco L Philadelphia
Asia/Pacific MATAGORDA SHIP
should be light and 70s Cheyenne Des Moines Chicago Beijing 54/35/s 50/41/pc CHANNEL TO HIGH ISLAND
Salt Lake City Indianapolis Wash., D.C. Ho Chi Minh 91/76/ts 92/76/ts OUT 20 TO 50 MILES :
variable. Expect more 80s
Denver Lincoln Hong Kong 85/73/r 81/73/pc Northeast winds around 10
clouds and warmer
90s
100s>
Las Vegas H Topeka
St. Louis Raleigh Islamabad 72/53/pc 69/50/pc knots. Tonight:East winds 5
Los Angeles Jakarta 87/76/ts 87/76/ts to 10 knots, to southeast.
weather on Tuesday, L Columbia
Karachi 91/69/s 92/71/s
with highs in the Phoenix Albuquerque
Oklahoma City Little Rock
Kuala Lumpur
Manila
90/76/ts 88/76/ts
90/76/ts 89/75/s
GALVESTON TIDES
mid-70s and lows near Low New Delhi 85/65/pc 85/63/s HIGHS: 1:45 a.m. , 3:46 p.m.
pressure H
Dallas Jackson
Atlanta Atlantic
Ocean Seoul 56/42/pc 59/39/s LOWS: 8:42 a.m. , 9:03 p.m.
70. The next chance for El Paso Shanghai 61/52/cd 61/55/cd
wet weather will be on Juarez Austin Singapore 88/79/ts 87/79/ts
SciGuy
High
Hermosillo
New Orleans Sydney 72/58/pc 77/64/s RIVERS, CREEKS
Wednesday. pressure
Rain
San Antonio Taipei 78/68/ts 73/67/pc
AND BAYOUS
online Jet stream
Chihuahua Houston Miami Tokyo
Canada
73/64/ts 67/56/r
Flood Latest 24-hr.
›› Get regular updates on the Thunder- Monterrey Calgary 31/17/sn 37/23/s Location stage stage chg.
weather at Eric Berger’s SciGuy Warm front storms Gulf of Havana Edmonton
Montreal
35/24/pc 39/26/s
54/34/s 52/36/pc Brays Bayou South Main 54 17.3 -0.2
Mexico
blog. blog.chron.com/sciguy Toronto 50/41/s 47/42/r Brazos River Bryan 43 31+3.9
Cold front
Snow Vancouver 48/38/s 46/42/r Hempstead 50 32.3+0.9
Cancun Winnipeg 51/34/pc 43/33/cd
METRO AREA Pacific Guadalajara Tampico
Europe
Richmond 48 33.7 -4.9
Stationary Ocean Merida Piney Point 50 36.1+6.9
OUTLOOK front Ice Amsterdam 56/55/r 59/55/cd
Shepherd Dr. 23 2.3 -1.5
TODAY: Partly cloudy. Highs in Athens 73/57/s 75/58/s
the lower 70s. North winds
Mexico City Veracruz Caribbean Sea
Berlin 58/52/r 59/54/cd Clear Creek Friendswood 12 1.5 -0.4
around 5 mph.
Belize City Copenhagen 54/50/r 57/53/r Colorado R. Austin 29 12 -0.4
Anchorage Honolulu
Acapulco Dublin 62/58/r 60/52/cd Bastrop 25 4.2 0.0
TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows Frankfurt 60/51/cd 57/49/pc La Grange 32 8.8+0.9
in the upper 50s. East winds Guatemala
Tegucigalpa Geneva 65/46/s 58/41/s Columbus 34 14.3+0.4
around 5 mph. Istanbul 61/54/pc 61/55/pc Wharton 39 14.6 -0.9
London 57/55/pc 60/54/pc
Bay City 44 10.6 -0.8
AIR QUALITY Madrid
Moscow
73/45/s
35/30/pc
73/44/s
36/31/sn Greens Bayou Eastex Fwy. 61 39.6+0.4
Today’s forecast for FOR THE RECORD TEXAS NATIONAL cont. Paris 60/48/pc 58/46/s Guadalupe R. Hunt 12 8.2 0.0
the entire metro area: Measurements taken at George Today Tomorrow Today Tomorrow Prague 59/50/r 58/51/pc Comfort 26 3.7 0.0
Bush Intercontinental Airport Abilene 70/54/pc 74/59/pc Cleveland 56/45/pc 55/42/sh Rome 73/52/s 71/51/s Spring Branch 36 3 -0.2
Temperature Degrees F Amarillo 68/45/s 76/41/pc Columbus, OH 56/43/sh 56/38/sh Stockholm 48/40/r 45/37/s New Braunfels 7 3.3 0.0
Austin 69/55/pc 74/67/pc Denver 62/31/pc 57/29/pc Vienna 64/54/pc 62/52/pc Gonzales 31 18.1 -3.1
Ozone watch High yesterday 72° Warsaw 56/47/r 56/52/r
51° Beaumont 70/54/pc 74/65/pc Des Moines 57/37/s 59/50/pc Cuero 20 16.3 -1
Low yesterday Brownsville 77/67/pc 83/72/pc Detroit 56/40/pc 53/37/r Zurich 65/49/s 59/42/pc
Good Unhealthy Normal high 75° Bryan/Col. St. 69/57/pc 76/66/pc Duluth 55/37/s 52/43/pc Latin American/Caribbean Victoria 21 19.6 -0.3
55° Dupont 2024.8 -0.6
Moderate Very unhealthy Normal low Corpus Christi 75/65/pc 81/74/pc Fairbanks 23/7/fl 17/3/pc Bogota
Buenos Aires
69/51/r 72/53/ts
80/67/pc 78/62/pc Little River Little River 30 13.3+0.4
Record high 89° in 1989 Dallas/FW 67/55/pc 74/64/pc Great Falls 40/26/sn 34/25/sn
Unhealthy/ Hazardous Record low 34° in 1991 El Paso 72/40/pc 76/39/s Hartford 60/38/s 53/44/r Caracas 84/68/ts 83/68/ts Cameron 30 18.6+2.8
sensitive Precipitation Inches Galveston 69/65/pc 76/70/pc Honolulu 85/77/sh 85/77/sh Havana 89/71/ts 88/71/ts Navasota R. Easterly 19 17.3 +5.1
groups Kingsville 76/63/pc 86/70/f Indianapolis 54/40/r 59/44/pc Kingston 87/80/ts 89/81/pc Neches River Evadale 19 9.5 0.0
Yesterday through 4 p.m. 0.00" Lima 70/63/pc 71/63/pc
0.60" Laredo 75/62/pc 86/70/pc Jackson, MS 66/47/pc 73/53/pc Pine Island B. Sour Lake 25 28.6 -0.7
Month to date Longview 65/49/pc 74/64/pc Juneau 37/33/r 36/32/sh Rio 84/73/ts 86/74/s
Normal month to date 1.21" San Juan 89/80/ts 89/79/ts Sabine River Bon Wier 30 25 +2.1
POLLEN AND MOLD Year to date 61.62"
Lubbock
McAllen
72/47/s 76/46/pc
76/65/pc 84/72/pc
Kansas City
Las Vegas
60/42/s 65/56/pc
67/46/pc 60/41/pc San Salvador 91/69/s 90/69/ts Deweyville 24 24.5 -0.3
Yesterday’s readings by the Normal year to date 42.90" Midland/Od. 72/51/s 76/51/pc Little Rock 63/44/pc 70/57/pc Santiago 72/48/s 78/50/s Orange 4 2.2 -0.5
City of Houston: Other readings San Angelo 72/52/pc 76/57/pc Los Angeles 66/53/r 67/52/pc Sao Paulo 80/66/ts 87/68/ts Burkeville 43 23.4 +3.1
Countpercubicmeterofair Top wind speed 20 mph San Antonio 70/57/pc 76/67/pc Memphis 63/47/pc 70/59/pc St. Thomas 88/79/r 88/78/r San Bernard R. E. Bernard 17 9 -0.9
Tree pollen Low 4 High barometer 30.21 in. Texarkana 65/47/pc 71/61/pc Miami 88/75/pc 89/73/pc Mexico Sweeny 16 12 0.0
Victoria 74/59/pc 81/69/pc Milwaukee 55/35/s 55/36/pc Acapulco 89/78/s 89/77/s E. San Jac. R. Cleveland 19 5.5+0.6
Weed pollen Medium 14 Low barometer 30.09 in. Waco 67/52/pc 73/64/pc Minneapolis 58/40/s 55/45/pc Cancun 85/74/pc 85/75/s
Grass pollen Low 4 High dewpoint 54° Nashville 55/47/sh 65/48/pc Guadalajara 83/59/s 85/58/s W. San Jac. R. Conroe 11695.4+0.7
Low dewpoint 47° New Orleans 72/58/pc 73/61/pc Guanajuato 81/55/s 83/57/s San Jacinto R. Sheldon 10 1.4 -0.7
Mold pollen Heavy 13,312 Sims Bayou Telephone Rd. 30 6.1 -0.6
Avg. dewpoint 51° NATIONAL New York City 58/49/s 58/49/r Mazatlan 87/64/s 88/64/s
High humidity 93% Today Tomorrow
Oklahoma City 63/49/pc 70/58/pc Merida 89/73/ts 91/73/s Trinity River Goodrich 36 34+0.3
Low Medium Heavy Ext. Heavy Low humidity 49% Orlando 86/71/ts 85/62/pc Mexico City 76/52/pc 77/54/s Liberty 2628.9+0.2
Albany, NY 54/36/s 54/41/r Philadelphia 60/50/pc 61/52/r Puerto Vallarta 87/74/s 88/70/s Village Creek Kountze 20 10.1 -1.1
Note: No measurements on week- Albuquerque 62/37/pc 60/33/pc Phoenix 80/56/pc 67/45/pc Tampico 82/72/s 85/74/s White Oak B. Heights Blvd. 48 9+0.9
ends; charts in Sunday and Monday
papers reflect reading from previous KEY TO CONDITIONS Anchorage 36/27/fl 34/22/fl Pittsburgh 55/44/pc 54/42/sh Veracruz 84/73/r 86/72/r
Friday
Atlanta 52/45/sh 67/48/pc Portland, OR 53/40/sh 51/46/pc Middle East
c-cloudy r-rain Baltimore 55/52/r 61/49/r Sacramento 57/42/ts 60/38/pc Baghdad 75/56/pc 72/54/s TEXAS LAKES
d-drizzle rs-rain/snow Birmingham 58/50/r 69/49/pc Salt Lake City 59/34/r 43/32/fl Beirut 71/63/r 70/61/r Full Actual Release
UV FORECAST f-fair s-sunny Boise 46/31/sh 44/26/fl San Diego 69/59/sh 67/53/ts Dubai 89/77/s 94/80/s level level cfs
fg-fog fl-flurries Boston 59/44/s 54/47/r San Francisco 58/50/ts 60/51/s Jerusalem 64/53/r 66/50/pc 909 910.7 0.0
Buffalo 54/42/pc 54/46/r Santa Fe 58/32/pc 57/28/pc Canyon Dam
h-hazy sh-showers Kabul 52/41/r 52/40/r 201 199.6 0.0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Charleston, SC 65/60/ts 72/60/sh Seattle 50/41/sh 49/44/r Mecca 93/68/s 90/64/s Conroe
i-ice sn-snow Charlotte 52/50/r 65/50/pc St. Louis 56/42/s 63/56/pc Houston 41.73 42.5 0.0
Riyadh 89/70/s 90/63/s
Very mm-missing ts-thunderstorms Chicago 55/34/s 58/43/pc Tucson 78/47/s 69/39/pc Tehran 55/47/r 54/44/r Lake Travis 681 671.1 0.0
Low Moderate High high Extreme pc-partly cloudy w-windy Cincinnati 54/45/sh 59/39/pc Wash., D.C. 55/53/r 62/49/r Tel Aviv 70/61/r 72/59/s Livingston 131 132.8 5440

Hospitality House shows that ‘someone cares’

Hospitality from page B1
her designated assistant
— kitchen duties are only
a beginning. Together they
run what may be Texas’
most unique bed and
breakfast, one where the
guests — some 3,000-plus
each month — sleep and
eat for free and bring with
them worries that demand
a sympathetic ear.
Guests can stay for free
up to three days, depend-
ing on the distances they
have traveled. Some are
regulars.
“We’ve been coming
two years,” says Brianna
Bonneville, who traveled
with her husband, Don,
from the North Texas town
of Sanger. “They help you
mentally to get up in the
morning,” she says of the
McCammons.
“They give you the love
of God.”
Earlier this year, Hospi-
tality House, built by Bap-
tist volunteers and funded
through donations, was
honored for community
service by the Governor’s
Criminal Justice Volunteer
Service Award program.
“Through their grace
and their love, these vol-
unteers touch the lives of
many Texans,” said Crimi-
nal Justice Chairman Oli-
ver Bell.
“They assist agency staff
and they help the offend-
ers and their families have
a chance for a better life,
impacting generations to
come.”
History, aesthetic
Located just blocks from
Walls Unit, the Texas’ first
prison and the site of the
state death house, Hos-
pitality House opened its
doors in 1986. With 17 bed-
rooms in a light-filled, low-
slung building surrounded
by blooming gardens, Hos-
pitality House routinely
accommodates more than
60 travelers at a time. At a
glance, it resembles an or-
dinary bed and breakfast,
with the requisite charm.
mate, traced the outlines of “He grew up without
hands on her drawing pa- me,” he says of his son.
per before furiously filling “When I was doing con-
in the blank areas with a tract work, he hardly spent
black felt-tip marker. time with a father figure. I
“She was angrily mak- blame myself. When their
ing it as black as she could. mother died in 2010, I was
I didn’t know what to say,” working in Iraq. I came
McCammon says. back for 15 days and went
“Finally, I said, ‘Aman- back. I hoped they could
da, tell us about your pic- cope. If I had stayed it prob-
ture.’ ” ably would have made a
“This is my hand. This is difference.”
my dad’s hand. We haven’t
been able to touch in three ‘Emotional upheaval’
years,” the girl spat. Execution days — 12
“He was so selfish to do Texas killers have been put
that robbery. I do all the to death this year — are the
laundry, cook all the meals, darkest times at Hospital-
clean house, take care of ity House.
two brothers. My mom is “As a pastor,” says Joe
working three jobs. I can’t McCammon, “I’d conduct
take driver’s training.” funerals. Execution days
“She was screaming this are like being at a daylong
Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle out,” McCammon says. funeral. It just goes on and
Debra McCammon, director of Hospitality House, leads a group in prayer before “Then she broke down on.”
dinner on Oct. 30. Hospitality House, which offers free lodging and meals to in tears.” As the hours pass, con-
families visiting inmates in Huntsville, is funded through donations. demned inmates are per-
‘It’s peaceful here’ mitted to make a final tele-
The Bluebonnet Room connection with the bed of Huntsville motels. Inmates’ parents also phone call to their families,
is decorated in a floral and breakfast seemed nat- “They’re under a lot of carry a heavy burden. who anxiously await the
motif; the Cow Girl Room ural. Debra McCammon stress and money hard- “Dealing with a child ringing telephone at Hos-
is shocking pink; the became executive director ship,” she says. in prison is a hard thing,” pitality House.
John Deere Room evokes in 2009; Joe McCammon, “There are moth- says Bonneville, whose “There’s a huge emo-
sweated leather and a life now an elementary school ers working a lot of jobs; 36-year-old son is serving a tional upheaval on those
outdoors; the Cowboy’s special education teacher, grandmothers raising 19-year sentence for sexual days,” says Debra McCam-
Watering Hole is best left became chaplain. grandchildren.” assault. mon.
undescribed. A Bible is in Beyond a place to sleep, The McCammons “un- “There’s all that frus-
each room. A table covered ‘Under a lot of stress’ Hospitality House tries to derstand. It’s wonderful to tration and grief. … Moth-
with a red cloth is topped They had encountered offer families desperately have people care about us. ers and grandmothers are
with a 750-piece jigsaw the ups and downs of hu- needed support. It main- The world looks at some- wailing and screaming
puzzle lake scene in prog- man emotion during their tains a library, and volun- one with a kid in prison and crying. … They come
ress. A wall-mounted flat- years as church leaders, teers read to children and like the whole family is in exceedingly angry.
screen television displays but the emotional and help them in their studies. like that. It makes you sort They think we’re part of
images of a crystal clear financial need they wit- Families are offered food of isolated. … It’s peaceful the (prison system). They
brook whose murmuring nessed among inmates’ and clothing to take back here. You feel the peace of don’t know that we’re a
fills the room. families tugged at their home. Children are outfit- God.” standalone agency. After
“Let your faith be bigger hearts. ted with backpacks and Lucio Sanchez, who about 15 minutes, though,
than your fears,” reads an “I’ve learned that there school supplies. In adjoin- came to visit his 34-year- we usually can defuse it.
adage featured in a paint- are realities of life’s situa- ing buildings are a “Santa old son, serving an We’re serving them a hot
ing. tions that stick to you and shop,” where mothers may eight-year sentence for meal.
The McCammons’ first don’t go away,” says Joe Mc- fill plastic bags with toys sexual assault, agreed. “We always cook a lot of
acquaintance with Hospi- Cammon. The incarcerated and a recently opened art “There’s a touch of home food,” she says.
tality House came when relatives of some Hospital- therapy studio where a vol- here,” he says. “Beef stroganoff, spa-
Joe McCammon pastored ity House guests, he says, unteer art professor from “You get to meet other ghetti chicken, chicken pot
a church in nearby Cook may never be released. the local university leads people. I really enjoy that.” pie and ‘chicken delight’
Springs in the early 1990s. “When we pray, we youngsters in painting, Sanchez says his wife is — the guests named that
“We’d bring Christ- pray to make the best of sculpting clay and making dead and a daughter has one,” Debra McCammon
mas toys for the children’s the circumstances. We see jewelry. small children and a de- says. Often she puts meals
groups and help decorate that someone can serve One incident at the stu- manding career. together using whatever is
the tree,” Debra McCam- the Lord in prison. We try dio, says Debra McCam- Sanchez, who spent time handy in the pantry.
mon says. to show them someone mon, underscores the in the Middle East in the “Comfort food” is what’s
When the couple re- cares.” trauma children endure. military and as a contract offered, she says.
turned to Huntsville after Debra McCammon says As a teacher and junior worker, expresses senti-
pastoral stints in Wharton many families simply can’t artists watched, Amanda, ments common to inmates’ allan.turner@chron.com
and Mesquite, a formal afford the $40-a-night fees 16, whose father was an in- parents. twitter.com/Turnerchron

COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Clemson displaces
Ohio State as the
No. 1 team in the
Associated Press poll.
Page C3
Houston Chronicle @HoustonChron
Big wins by Colts, Titans
force Texans to take notice
The Texans
watched and
possibly learned
something about
the AFC South on
Sunday when two
teams showed their JOHN
McCLAIN
teeth and earned
On the Texans
some respect for
the worst division
in NFL history.
While the Texans took
the day off, Tennessee and
Indianapolis pulled off
impressive upsets over
UH FOOTBALL
Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle
Redshirt freshman
Jeremy Winchester will
start at cornerback for
UH after an injury to
William Jackson III.
Injuries
latest
test for
surging
Cougars
By Joseph Duarte
Jeremy Winchester is
preparing to make his first
start at cornerback for the
University of Houston.
It just so happens it will
come against one of the
most explosive offenses in
college football.
“I’m actually excited
about the challenge,” Win-
chester said of preparing
for No. 25 Memphis on Sat-
urday at TDECU Stadium.
Winchester, a redshirt
freshman who played at
Klein Collins, was thrust
into the starting role after
cornerback William Jack-
son III suffered what is
initially being diagnosed as
a sprained MCL. The Cou-
gars will have a better idea
how much time Jackson,
who is third nationally with
17 passes defended, will
miss after he undergoes an
MRI exam on Monday.
“I wouldn’t expect (him
to play) this week,” coach
Tom Herman said Sunday.
“Usually, the best-case sce-
nario would be next week
(at Connecticut), but I’m
just speculating a little bit.”
With backup tailback
UH continues on C3
Strife at Missouri
›› The Tigers would have to
pay BYU $1 million if they
were to forfeit Saturday’s
game. Page A2
Purchase tickets at:
HOUSTONIWF2015.COM
SPORTS
ASTROS
Jeff Luhnow will feel
out potential trade
partners at this week’s
GM meetings.
Page C8
Houston Chronicle | Monday, November 9, 2015 | HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com Section C xxx
WEEK 9
SCOREBOARD
CLE 10 TEN 34
CIN 31 NO 28
JAX 23 WA 10
NYJ 28 NE 27
New Orleans and Texans NYG 32 STL 18
Denver, respec- TB 18 MIN 21
tively.
at Bengals
When/where: GB 29 OAK 35
The Colts’ 27-24 CAR 37 PIT 38
7:30 p.m. Nov.
victory ended a
16; Paul Brown MIA 17 PHI 33
three-game los- BUF 33 DAL 27
Stadium, Cincinnati.
ing streak and
TV/radio: ESPN, KIAH; 610 ATL 16 CHI
left them 4-5 — a 7:30
AM, 100.3 FM, 1180 AM SF 17 SD Mon.
half-game ahead of
(Spanish).
the Texans and 1½ AJ Mast / Associated Press
games ahead of Tennessee A whole lot of Luck Inside
and Jacksonville. territory at the bottom of Quarterback Andrew Luck celebrates after Jack Doyle Eagles top Cow-
As for the Jaguars, they the division, tied with Ten- scored on a 3-yard touchdown reception in the first half, and boys on 41-yard
lost 28-23 to the New York nessee at 2-6. the Colts went on to hand the Broncos their first loss of the TD pass in over-
Jets to remain in familiar AFC continues on C5 season Sunday. See story on page C5. time. Page C4
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL ROCKETS
‘Embracing my height’ Thornton
showing
he’s more
than just
a shooter
By Jonathan Feigen
LOS ANGELES — With
just a little encouragement
— or none at all — Marcus
Thornton will put up his
shot. That is his game. It is
also his reputation.
It is not, he said and the
Rockets
have dis-
covered, ev-
erything he
can bring.
The shot
gets him on
the floor.
That much Thornton
has not
changed. But as a surprise
starter and an X-factor as
the Rockets went from an
0-3 start to a four-game
winning streak, Thornton
has shown more than an
itchy trigger finger.
“He’s a very good pass-
er,” coach Kevin McHale
said. “He’s a good on-ball
defender. All of our guys
have to get better as off-ball
defenders. He’s kind of one
of those old-time (types).
He’s a baller.”
Through seven games,
and especially in the
Rockets’ four-game win-
ning streak to turn things
around, they have turned
to a surprising Big Three:
James Harden, Dwight
Howard and Thornton.
Thornton is third on the
Rockets in scoring, averag-
ing 16.6 points and making
a team-best 40.5 percent of
his 3s. But he helped finish
off Saturday’s 109-105 victo-
ry over the Clippers with a
Jerry Baker pair of plays that did not in-
When Cypress Woods’ 6-9 center Nancy Mulkey, left, extends herself for a jump shot, there’s volve his putting up a shot.
little a defense can do to stop her. She’ll try to help the Wildcats repeat as 6A state champions. On one end of the floor,
Thornton saw the Clippers’
By Corey Roepken Cy Woods’ Mulkey is even more difficult. defense rushing to close
Mulkey might be one of the out on him, drove to the
Nancy Mulkey ducks through comes to terms nation’s brightest high school paint, and waited until the
the door and into the gym. Once with being 6-9, basketball stars, but for the last moment to lob a pass to
inside, she stands tall, smiles longest time she would have Rockets continues on C2
and greets her visitor. now helps others traded that for being of similar
As recently as a year ago, height to her friends. Rockets update
this scene would have played tor to sit next to her — prefer- “My first year here, I was Saturday: Rockets 109,
out differently. Mulkey would ably on the row above the one like a turtle. I was always in Clippers 105.
have ducked through the she was on. my shell,” Mulkey said. “Every Record: 4-3.
door, kept her head down, and Being 6-9 is not easy for any time I walked into a room, I Wednesday: Brooklyn at
gone straight for a seat on the teenager trying to fit in with wanted to sit down, because I Toyota Center, 7 p.m.
bleachers, waiting for her visi- much shorter peers. For a girl, it Mulkey continues on C6 TV/radio: Root; 790 AM,
850 AM (Spanish).
104 COUNTRIES AND 750 ATHLETES WILL BE COMPETING!
QUALIFICATION EVENT FOR THE
RIO 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES
C2 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x x

PRO BASKETBALL
NBA AT A GLANCE ROCKETS REPORT

By revving his engine,

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Southwest Division
W L Pct. GB L10 Str. Home Away Conf.
San Antonio 4 2 .667 — 4-2 W-1 2-0 2-2 0-1

Harden gets back in gear

Houston 4 3 .571 ½ 4-3 W-4 2-2 2-1 3-2
Dallas 3 3 .500 1 3-3 W-1 1-2 2-1 3-1
Memphis 3 4 .429 1½ 3-4 L-2 1-1 2-3 1-3
New Orleans 0 6 .000 4 0-6 L-6 0-3 0-3 0-4
Northwest Division
Utah 4 2 .667 — 4-2 W-2 1-1 3-1 2-1 LOS ANGELES — James to progress in his crash playing the way they need
Minnesota 3 2 .600 ½ 3-2 W-1 0-2 3-0 2-1 After struggling through Harden course as an NBA center. to be.
Portland 4 3 .571 ½ 4-3 L-1 2-2 2-1 4-2 his first three games totaled 89 Capela was back in a “We just have to contin-
Oklahoma City 4 3 .571 ½ 4-3 W-1 3-1 1-2 3-1 of the season, Rockets points in reserve role, with How- ue to play this type of bas-
Denver 2 4 .333 2 2-4 L-2 0-2 2-2 2-4 guard James Harden has the week- ard returning Saturday ketball,” center Dwight
Pacific Division turned things around in end back- night after sitting out the Howard said. “We’re
Golden State 7 0 1.000 — 7-0 W-7 4-0 3-0 7-0 several ways, not the least to-back. first game of the weekend playing together. We trust
L.A. Clippers 4 2 .667 2½ 4-2 L-2 3-1 1-1 4-2 of which is hitting shots back-to-back. each other. We’re mak-
Phoenix 3 4 .429 4 3-4 L-2 2-2 1-2 3-3 he had been missing. In 19 minutes, Capela ing plays for each other.
L.A. Lakers 1 5 .167 5½ 1-5 L-1 0-3 1-2 0-4 “He’s making shots,” Hayes waived; had nine points and eight When we do that, we have
Sacramento 1 6 .143 6 1-6 L-5 1-4 0-2 1-6 coach Kevin McHale Jones due back rebounds at Los Angeles. an excellent chance of
EASTERN CONFERENCE said. “He’s being aggres- With forward Ter- He is averaging 8.6 points winning.”
Atlantic Division
sive. He’s playing faster. rence Jones expected and 6.6 rebounds in 19 The Rockets could get
W L Pct. GB L10 Str. Home Away Conf.
Toronto 5 2 .714 — 5-2 L-2 2-0 3-2 3-2
I thought our entire team back from his cut eyelid minutes per game this forward Terrence Jones
New York 3 4 .429 2 3-4 W-1 1-3 2-1 2-3 played like we had ce- this week, the Rockets season. (cut right eyelid) and
Boston 2 3 .400 2 2-3 W-1 2-2 0-1 2-2 ment boots on for three waived center/forward “Clint’s been fantas- point guard Pat Beverley
Philadelphia 0 6 .000 4½ 0-6 L-6 0-3 0-3 0-5 games. We were just slow. Chuck Hayes on Sunday. tic for us,” coach Kevin (concussion) back this
Brooklyn 0 7 .000 5 0-7 L-7 0-3 0-4 0-4 You watched the film, it Hayes had signed with McHale said. “He battled week. Both are scheduled
Southeast Division looked like we were sickly the Rockets on Nov. 1 to in there. He got pushed to be evaluated Monday
Atlanta 7 1 .875 — 7-1 W-7 3-1 4-0 6-1 or something. We were help fill in with Jones out (on) one rebound, but as the team returns to
Miami 4 3 .571 2½ 4-3 W-1 3-1 1-2 2-3 so slow it was ridiculous. out and center Dwight he stood his ground more. practice after Sunday’s
Washington 3 3 .500 3 3-3 L-2 1-1 2-2 2-3 You just can’t play that Howard to miss the first He’s finding out you’ve travel day.
Orlando 3 4 .429 3½ 3-4 W-2 1-2 2-2 2-2 way. He’s playing with game of two back-to- got to hit first. You’ve got “As we go along, we’ll
Charlotte 2 4 .333 4 2-4 L-1 1-1 1-3 1-3 more pace. He’s play- backs. Hayes’ return to to carve out space. You’ve try to get some rhythm
Central Division ing with more force. We his first NBA team was got to be big. He had a big and hopefully get some
Cleveland 6 1 .857 — 6-1 W-6 4-0 2-1 5-1
got out of that doldrum, always planned to be offensive putback for us guys back healthy,” coach
Detroit 5 1 .833 ½ 5-1 W-2 2-1 3-0 2-1
Chicago 4 3 .571 2 4-3 L-1 3-1 1-2 3-2
thank goodness.” brief, with the Rockets when we needed one. I Kevin McHale said. “We
Milwaukee 4 3 .571 2 4-3 W-4 2-2 2-1 4-3 Harden put up 89 wanting to avoid a payroll couldn’t be any happier have a long, long way to
Indiana 3 4 .429 3 3-4 L-1 2-2 1-2 3-2 points in the games at under which they would with Clint. go.
Sacramento and Los An- be hard-capped, limit- “As I said all along, he’s “You’re going to have so
Results/schedule geles, hitting 14 of 26 shots ing their ability to make still 21. He’s still got a lot many ups and downs in
Saturday’s results New York 99 L.A. Lakers 95 and five of 10 3-pointers moves. to learn. But he’s going to an NBA season. We were
Houston 109 L.A. Clippers 105 Miami 96 Toronto 76 against the Clippers on Hayes played in two be a very nice player for a terrible for three games.
Minnesota 102 Chicago 93 (OT) Oklahoma City 124 Phoenix 103 Saturday, when he picked games but did not see ac- long time.” Now we’re fighting our
Orlando 105 Philadelphia 97 Detroit 120 Portland 103 up two fouls midway tion Saturday. way back and trying to get
Atlanta 114 Washington 99 Today’s games through the first quar- Trust can go better. We’ve got a couple
San Antonio 114 Charlotte 94 Orlando at Indiana 6 ter and a third midway McHale likes a long way days of practice, got to
Milwaukee 94 Brooklyn 86 Chicago at Philadelphia 6 through second quarter. grind out. But it’s a good
Dallas 107 New Orleans 98 Minnesota at Atlanta 7 He remained in the game Capela’s progress The Rockets have made group.
Utah 89 Memphis 79 Portland at Denver 8 to score 18 first-quarter Despite often matching up for much of the dam- “When things don’t
Golden State 103 Sacramento 94 San Antonio at Sacramento 9 points and 25 by halftime. up in the paint with one age done by their 0-3 start work well, work harder.
Sunday’s results Detroit at Golden State 9:30 “Try to play smart and of the NBA’s top big men with a four-game winning When things don’t go
Cleveland 101 Indiana 97 Memphis at L.A. Clippers 9:30 not pick up any cheap in the Clippers’ DeAn- streak. Along with build- well, fight harder. They
fouls and still be aggres- dre Jordan, the Rockets’ ing a winning record, seem to embrace that. ”
sive,” Harden said. Clint Capela continued they believe they are now Jonathan Feigen
NBA BOX SCORES
Cavaliers 101, Pacers 97 New York — Anthony 8-20 6-6 24, Porzingis

Rockets 4-0 with Thornton as starter

Indiana — George 11-21 7-8 32, J.Hill 3-15 1-1 3-10 5-6 12, Lopez 5-9 4-4 14, Calderon 6-12
7, Mahinmi 3-4 0-2 6, G.Hill 6-16 2-2 14, Ellis 0-0 14, Vujacic 2-7 0-0 5, O’Quinn 0-1 1-2 1,
10-17 3-4 25, Allen 0-5 0-0 0, Turner 3-4 0-0 D.Williams 1-4 4-6 6, Grant 1-6 0-0 2, Gal-
6, Budinger 2-4 0-2 5, Robinson III 1-4 0-0 2. loway 5-9 1-1 14, Seraphin 0-3 0-0 0, Thomas
Totals 39-90 13-19 97. 2-3 3-4 7. Totals 33-84 24-29 99.
Cleveland — James 10-23 9-14 29, Love L.A. Lakers 25 24 21 25 — 95 Rockets from page C1
9-18 2-2 22, Mozgov 2-5 4-5 9, Williams 4-15 New York 25 20 26 28 — 99
0-0 10, Jefferson 2-6 0-0 5, Dellavedova 3-point goals—L.A. Lakers 9-27 (World
2-3 0-0 5, Thompson 7-8 2-4 16, Jones 0-0 Peace 2-2, Clarkson 2-3, Young 2-5, Bryant Howard for a slam, a seven-
2-10, L.Williams 1-6, Randle 0-1), New York
0-0 0, Cunningham 2-5 0-0 5. Totals 38-83
9-27 (Galloway 3-4, Anthony 2-6, Calderon
point lead and the Rockets’
17-25 101.
Indiana 22 20 31 24 — 97 2-6, Porzingis 1-3, Vujacic 1-4, O’Quinn 0-1, final field goal of the game.
Grant 0-3). Fouled out—None. Rebounds—
Cleveland 24 23 27 27 — 101
L.A. Lakers 61 (Randle 11), New York 62 (Lo-
“If you break the de-
3-point goals—Indiana 6-18 (George 3-6,
Ellis 2-4, Budinger 1-2, Robinson III 0-1, G.Hill pez 13). Assists—L.A. Lakers 19 (L.Williams fense down, you have lob
0-5), Cleveland 8-24 (Williams 2-5, Love 2-6, 5), New York 22 (Grant 8). Total fouls—L.A.
Lakers 20, New York 15. Technicals—New
targets like Dwight back
Mozgov 1-2, Dellavedova 1-2, Cunningham 1-3,
Jefferson 1-3, James 0-3). Fouled out—None. York Coach Fisher 2, New York defensive three there waiting to see the
Rebounds—Indiana 54 (J.Hill, George 11), second. Ejected— New York Coach Fisher. lob,” Thornton said. “You
Cleveland 56 (Love 19). Assists—Indiana 19,812 (19,763).
A—19,812
22 (George 6), Cleveland 25 (Dellavedova Pistons 120, T-Blazers 103
can throw it anywhere. It
9). Total fouls—Indiana 20, Cleveland 20. Detroit — Morris 5-18 2-2 13, Ilyasova 2-5 0-0 makes it easy on you.”
A—20,562
20,562 (20,562). 6, Drummond 14-19 1-6 29, Jackson 15-26 7-8 Thornton had three as-
Thunder 124, Suns 103 40, Caldwell-Pope 6-15 2-2 16, Johnson 1-4 1-2
sists against the Clippers
Phoenix — Tucker 1-5 0-0 3, Morris 7-20 5-6 3, Blake 1-4 0-0 3, Tolliver 2-4 0-0 6, Baynes
19, Chandler 0-3 1-2 1, Bledsoe 10-15 6-7 28, 1-1 2-2 4. Totals 47-96 15-22 120. and is averaging 2.2 per
Knight 6-14 0-0 14, Goodwin 1-2 1-4 3, Len Portland — Aminu 3-7 3-4 9, Leonard 7-13
2-3 4-4 8, Warren 7-10 3-3 17, Leuer 3-6 0-0 7, 0-0 17, Plumlee 3-8 1-3 7, Lillard 8-15 6-7 26, game. As with his scoring,
Price 0-0 0-0 0, Booker 0-3 0-0 0, Teletovic McCollum 8-17 2-2 18, Crabbe 7-7 0-0 15, Davis that places him third on
2-3 0-2 4, Vonleh 2-3 0-0 4, Harkless 1-3 0-0
1-3 0-0 3. Totals 38-84 20-26 103.
Oklahoma City — Durant 12-19 6-7 32, Ibaka 3. Totals 41-76 12-18 103. the Rockets.
5-12 0-0 10, Adams 3-6 1-1 7, Westbrook 9-20 Detroit 23 24 32 41 — 120 “Marcus can also dribble
Portland 32 25 35 11 — 103
3-4 21, Roberson 3-7 1-2 7, Kanter 9-10 3-3 21,
3-point goals—Detroit 11-30 (Jackson 3-3,
drive,” McHale said. “He’ll
Waiters 6-9 5-6 19, Singler 1-5 0-1 2, McGary
1-3 1-2 3, Augustin 0-2 2-4 2, Payne 0-1 0-0 0. Tolliver 2-3, Ilyasova 2-4, Caldwell-Pope 2-7, attack, and he’s a very good
Totals 49-94 22-30 124. Blake 1-4, Morris 1-7, Johnson 0-2), Portland
9-25 (Lillard 4-9, Leonard 3-5, Crabbe 1-1,
passer late. That’s one thing
Phoenix 29 25 23 26 — 103
Oklahoma City 29 31 29 35 — 124 Harkless 1-2, Aminu 0-4, McCollum 0-4). I found out about Marcus.
3-point goals—Phoenix 7-16 (Bledsoe 2-2, Fouled out—None. Rebounds—Detroit 50
(Drummond 27), Portland 47 (Aminu 9).
He’ll get on top of the rim
Knight 2-6, Leuer 1-2, Teletovic 1-2, Tucker
1-2, Morris 0-1, Goodwin 0-1), Oklahoma Assists—Detroit 16 (Jackson 5), Portland 24 and find people late. Mar-
City 4-20 (Waiters 2-3, Durant 2-5, Payne (Lillard 11). Total fouls—Detroit 16, Portland cus made some nice ones.”
0-1, Roberson 0-1, Augustin 0-2, Ibaka 0-2, 22. Technicals—Morris, Davis 2. Flagrant
Westbrook 0-3, Singler 0-3). Fouled out— fouls—Morris. Ejected— Davis. A—19,393 On the other end, with
None. Rebounds—Phoenix 46 (Chandler (19,980). the Rockets clinging to a
8), Oklahoma City 59 (Durant 11). Assists— Saturday’s late game two-point lead in the last
Phoenix 18 (Bledsoe 11), Oklahoma City 26 Warriors 103, Kings 94
(Westbrook 13). Total fouls—Phoenix 25, Golden State — Barnes 4-17 5-6 13, Green half-minute, Thornton ro-
Oklahoma City 25. Technicals—Phoenix 3-8 4-4 10, Ezeli 3-9 4-5 10, St.Curry 8-18 6-7 tated to defend Blake Griffin Alan Diaz / Associated Press
defensive three second. A—18,203
18,203 (18,203). 24, K.Thompson 7-16 0-0 18, Iguodala 6-8
Heat 96, Raptors 76 0-0 14, Livingston 3-5 0-0 6, J.Thompson 1-2
to help force a missed layup. Rockets guard Marcus Thornton, left, going here against Miami Heat couterpart
Toronto — J.Johnson 3-5 1-4 7, Scola 3-5 0-0 0-0 2, Barbosa 2-7 0-0 4, Speights 1-2 0-0 2. “The last couple plays, Dwyane Wade, has shown some prowess as an on-the-ball defender.
7, Valanciunas 8-12 1-2 17, Lowry 4-16 5-6 15, Totals 38-92 19-22 103.
Sacramento — Gay 10-25 1-1 22, Acy 1-1 1-2
Coach said just switch ev-
DeRozan 5-14 6-6 16, Patterson 1-4 0-0 2,
Ross 0-4 0-0 0, Biyombo 1-2 3-3 5, Joseph 3, Koufos 6-9 0-0 12, Rondo 7-20 0-0 14, erything, just try to stand tial reward of the decision. time since I’ve been in an step up and knock the shot
2-3 0-0 4, Powell 0-3 0-0 0, Bennett 0-1 0-0 Anderson 1-3 0-0 2, Belinelli 5-11 9-10 22, him up and make it tough He did not play at all in the offense with coaches that down.”
0, Nogueira 1-1 1-1 3, Wright 0-1 0-0 0. Totals Cauley-Stein 3-4 0-0 6, Casspi 4-7 0-0 10,
28-71 17-22 76. Butler 0-3 1-2 1, McLemore 1-4 0-1 2. Totals on him,” Thornton said. season’s first two games have the ultimate con- That remains what he
Miami — Deng 2-7 1-2 6, Bosh 8-14 3-5 23, 38-87 12-16 94. “I’m a pretty strong guy, so before — with Terrence fidence in you. When a does best and the talent
Whiteside 8-15 4-5 20, Dragic 1-5 0-0 2, Wade Golden State 20 26 26 31 — 103
4-13 3-4 12, Winslow 3-8 3-4 9, McRoberts 2-7 Sacramento 14 24 30 26 — 94 I believed in myself.” Jones out — moving into the coach has the ultimate that moved him into the
1-2 5, Chalmers 3-8 3-3 9, T.Johnson 4-5 0-0 3-point goals—Golden State 8-39 That sort of confidence starting lineup in the fourth confidence in you, it’s easy starting lineup when the
10, Ennis 0-0 0-0 0, Haslem 0-1 0-0 0. Totals (K.Thompson 4-11, Iguodala 2-3, St.Curry
35-83 18-25 96. 2-10, Livingston 0-1, Green 0-3, Barbosa 0-4, led Thornton to bet on game. He made five 3-point- to go out there and play, let Rockets, with few power
Toronto 24 23 16 13 — 76 Barnes 0-7), Sacramento 6-19 (Belinelli 3-6, himself when he signed ers in the first half that the chips fall where they forward options, chose to
Casspi 2-4, Gay 1-4, McLemore 0-1, Anderson
Miami 22 22 30 22 — 96
0-1, Rondo 0-3). Fouled out—None.
with the Rockets. Knowing night against the Thunder, may. If you mess up, get add Thornton’s shooting
3-point goals—Toronto 3-19 (Lowry 2-8,
Scola 1-2, Bennett 0-1, Patterson 0-2, Ross Rebounds—Golden State 57 (Ezeli 12), a place in the rotation was missing only on a halfcourt back, get it again. It’s great instead. He has shown that
0-3, DeRozan 0-3), Miami 8-20 (Bosh 4-7, Sacramento 53 (Rondo 12). Assists—Golden
State 27 (Green 7), Sacramento 26 (Rondo
not assured but believing heave at the buzzer. when you have guys that is not all he can bring.
T.Johnson 2-2, Wade 1-1, Deng 1-3, Winslow
0-1, Chalmers 0-1, McRoberts 0-2, Dragic 0-3).
15). A—17,317
17,317 (17,317). his talents would line up He has kept shooting share the ball, too. It’s fun. “I always had a lot more
Fouled out—None. Rebounds—Toronto 47
NBA leaders
Through Saturday
well with the Rockets’ sys- since, with the Rockets’ “When you have Dwight to show,” Thornton said.
(Biyombo, J.Johnson 7), Miami 56 (Whiteside
SCORING G FG FT PTS AVG tem, he signed with them spacing and ball move- and James, I’m standing “Just now, I’ve been in the
11). Assists—Toronto 17 (Lowry 8), Miami 18
(Chalmers 6). Total fouls—Toronto 21, Miami
Curry, GOL 7 78 43 237 33.9 in part for the chance to ment improving enough out there getting open right position to show it.”
Durant, OKC 6 61 40 179 29.8
20. A—19,600
19,600 (19,600). Harden, HOU 7 57 76 208 29.7 demonstrate his value for a for Thornton to often find shots. Sometimes it’s cra-
Knicks 99, Lakers 95 Griffin, LAC 6 70 36 176 29.3 season before returning to himself left open. And the zy. I’m like, ‘Damn, I’m so jonathan.feigen@chron.com
L.A. Lakers — Bryant 6-19 4-7 18, Randle 3-12 Lillard, POR 6 60 21 164 27.3
0-0 6, Hibbert 5-9 8-10 18, Russell 3-7 0-1 6, Westbrook, OKC 6 61 30 163 27.2 free agency next summer. Rockets are 4-0 with him wide open.’ It’s on me to twitter.com/jonathan_feigen
Clarkson 4-13 0-0 10, L.Williams 3-12 2-3 9, Davis, NOR 6 50 46 151 25.2 His first two weeks of as a starter.
World Peace 3-4 0-0 8, Young 4-10 0-0 10, James, CLE 6 59 19 142 23.7
Nance Jr. 1-2 0-0 2, Black 4-6 0-2 8. Totals Beal, WAS 6 52 16 136 22.7
the season vividly demon- “It’s been great,” Thorn-
36-94 14-23 95. DeRozan, TOR 6 39 54 134 22.3 strated the risk and poten- ton said. “It’s been a long
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COLLEGES
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Clemson dislodges Ohio St.
from No. 1 spot in AP poll
Clemson is the new No.
1 team in the Associated
Press college football poll,
knocking Ohio State from
the top spot for the first
time this season.
The Tigers, who were
ranked No. 1 in the first
College Football Playoff
poll last week, are top-
ranked in the AP media
poll for the first time since
the final poll of the 1981
season, when Clemson
won its only AP national
title.
The Tigers (9-0) re-
ceived 31 first-place votes
and 1,489 points after
beating Florida State 23-13
on Saturday. Ohio State
(9-0) had 26 first-place
votes and 1,460 points.
The defending national
champions had been first
since the preseason.
Third-ranked Alabama
(8-1) climbed four spots
and got two first place
votes, and No. 4 Baylor
also received two first-
place votes.
Houston moved up to
16th.
Big Ten: Officials
got call right
The Big Ten said Sun-
College football week in review
Navy and Oklahoma State messed up a couple of
perfectly good November showdowns among undefeated
teams. Bully for them but bad for expectant fans in the Lone
Star State looking forward to a Memphis-at-Houston battle
on Saturday and a Baylor-at-TCU prizefight on Nov. 27.
The Midshipmen rolled over the previously unbeaten Ti-
gers 45-20 on Saturday. Memphis, now with one loss, visits
undefeated UH on Saturday night in a game that might have
drawn ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew to Cullen Boule-
HIGHS
Around the area
1 Houston did its part to
set up a hyped contest
against Memphis with a
33-30 victory over Cincin-
nati on Saturday at TDECU
Stadium. The Cougars
under first-year coach
Tom Herman have started
9-0 for the second time in
school history, joining the
2011 club. On the downside,
UH lost No. 2 running back
Ryan Jackson to a broken
collarbone that will sideline
him the rest of the season.
2 Prairie View A&M and
dynamic quarterback
Trey Green scored 40 points
in the first half at Alcorn
State and then held on for
dear life in a 40-34 victory.
The Panthers are 6-1 in the
SWAC West, a game behind
division leader Grambling
State (7-0).
3
Nothing cures a college
football ailment like
Kansas. Texas, coming off a
24-0 loss at Iowa State, col-
lected 598 yards of offense
and six sacks in a 59-20
spanking of the Jayhawks
in Austin. The Longhorns
scored at least 50 points for
the first time in the two-sea-
son Charlie Strong era.
Around the nation
1 Clemson continued
making its case as the
nation’s top team with a 23-
13 victory over Florida State.
The Tigers were ranked No.
1 in the first College Football
Playoff ranking last week,
and the Associated Press
joined the No. 1 fun Sunday
by sliding them ahead of
Ohio State and Baylor.
UH one of six unbeaten teams left
UH from page C1
Ryan Jackson suffering a
season-ending broken col-
larbone, the injuries are the
latest obstacle standing in
the way of UH and a pos-
sible American Athletic
Conference title and trip to
a New Year’s Six bowl.
UH, one of six remaining
unbeaten teams, climbed
to No. 16 in the Associated
Press and coaches polls on
Sunday. The Cougars are
the highest-ranked team
from the so-called Group of
Five conferences vying for
a spot in either the Fiesta
Bowl or Peach Bowl.
After surrendering 523
passing yards to Gunner
day that officials used the
proper mechanics to in-
dicate a Nebraska player
stepped out of bounds
and returned to the field
before catching the win-
ning touchdown pass
against Michigan State on
Saturday night.
The conference, how-
ever, didn’t say whether
the officials’ determina-
tion that Brandon Reilly
was forced out of bounds
— and thus able to come
back inbounds and make
a legal catch — was right.
“We don’t comment
on judgment calls but
can confirm that proper
technique was used, and
provide additional infor-
mation on instant replay,”
conference spokesman
Scott Chipman wrote in
an email to the Associated
Press.
The Spartans’ 39-38
loss all but ended their
hopes of making the Col-
lege Football Playoff. They
dropped from No. 6 to No.
14 in this week’s AP poll.
They were No. 7 in last
week’s initial CFP top 25.
Michigan State was
trying to hold off a late
charge by Nebraska when
the Cornhuskers’ Reilly
Coleman Henry
2 Navy sank Memphis
45-20 and in doing so
sailed into the AP Top 25 for
the first time since the end
of the 2004 season (No.
24). The Midshipmen are
No. 22 and will try to start
8-1 for the first time since
1963 when they play host to
SMU on Saturday.
LOWS
Around the area
1 So Kyler Murray isn’t the
savior of Texas A&M
football — at least not yet.
The freshman quarterback
threw three interceptions,
and the Aggies’ offense
managed all of 10 points
against the SEC’s worst de-
fense in Auburn. The Tigers
prevailed 26-10 at Kyle Field
in a drizzle, and more than
100,000 fans left soaked
and sizzling under the collar
at another inept A&M of-
fensive showing.
2 Sam Houston State
grabbed a 10-0 lead
at McNeese State and
appeared poised to move
into a tie for the Southland
title — before the Cowboys
scored the next 27 points for
a lopsided victory and the
SLC crown. The Bearkats
fell to 5-2 in league action.
Around the nation
1 Michigan State’s
chances of making the
Memphis at UH
When/where: 6 p.m.
Saturday; TDECU Stadium.
TV/radio: ESPN2; 950 AM.
Kiel in a 33-30 victory over
Cincinnati, UH must now
contend with a Memphis
offense that is sixth nation-
ally in scoring (44.8 points
per game) and seventh in
total offense (546.7 yards).
Quarterback Paxton Lynch
has thrown for 3,014 yards
and 19 touchdowns. The
Tigers are coming off their
worst game of the season in
a 45-20 loss to Navy.
UH and Navy, both 5-0
in the AAC West Division,
hold a one-game lead over
xxx
stepped out of bounds
at about the 7 and came
back in to catch the 30-
yard pass from Tommy
Armstrong Jr. with 17
seconds left. After hud-
dling, officials ruled Reilly
was forced out of bounds
by cornerback Jermaine
Edmondson — allow-
ing Reilly to remain an
eligible receiver. Though
there was slight contact
between the two, tele-
vision replays did not
support that Reilly was
pushed or forced out.
Referee John O’Neill
announced the play
would be reviewed. But
the only thing replay of-
ficial Tom Kissinger could
review under the rules
in this circumstance was
whether Reilly stepped
out of bounds or if there
was contact. The answer
to both was yes.
Pac-12 suspends
official for error
The Pac-12 suspended
line judge Rich Troyer for
one game and downgrad-
ed the entire officiating
crew for giving Washing-
ton State an extra down in
its game against Arizona
vard. Instead, the ESPN crew will be on the banks of the
Brazos for Oklahoma at Baylor.
TDECU Stadium still will feature a Top 25 matchup after
Memphis dropped from 15th to 25th and UH climbed to 16th
from 18th in the Associated Press poll.
Unbeaten Oklahoma State fired the first salvo in the
Big 12 race, whipping TCU 49-29 at Stillwater to take some
of the luster off the day-after-Thanksgiving battle at Fort
Worth between the No. 4 Bears and No. 13 Horned Frogs.
four-team playoff took a
serious dent courtesy of
a 39-38 loss at Nebraska.
Tommy Armstrong drove
the Cornhuskers 91 yards for
a final touchdown with 17
seconds remaining, and the
Spartans blew a 12-point
lead with less than five
minutes remaining.
2 Mississippi has had
some serious ups and
downs this season — and
this week the Rebels are
submerged in the latter.
Arkansas defeated Mis-
sissippi 53-52 in overtime,
erasing any Rebel hopes for
an SEC West crown. This is
the same team that in Sep-
tember defeated Alabama
43-37 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
— a one-loss Crimson Tide
squad that in November ap-
pears invincible.
QUOTABLE
“
I wanted to hit the
deep ones, not just
throw. When you throw, you
just throw. You want to hit
the deep ones.”
— Ohio State coach Urban
Meyer, when asked if he
wanted to “throw deep”
in the second half of a vic-
tory over Minnesota
HEISMAN WATCH
1 Corey Coleman, Baylor:
The Bears wide receiver
turned in another superb
showing with 216 receiv-
ing yards in Baylor’s 31-24
victory at Kansas State
on Thursday. He has 20
touchdown catches in eight
games this season, seven
shy of the FBS record of 27
set by Louisiana Tech’s Troy
Edwards in 1998.
Memphis.
“We go out of the fry-
ing pan into the fire, so to
speak, from Kiel to Lynch in
back-to-back weeks,” Her-
man said.
That’s just fine with Win-
chester, who entered Satur-
day’s game midway in the
third quarter after Jackson
was injured. Before then,
the most action Winchester
had seen in a game this sea-
son was Sept. 26 against
Texas State, although he’s
been in the two-deep rota-
tion the entire season.
Senior Tyler White
moved into the two-deep
Sunday, joining starters
Brandon Wilson and Win-
chester and third corner-
Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 |
State on Saturday.
The play came in the
second quarter, when
Washington State receiver
Gabe Marks appeared
to be stopped short on a
fourth-down attempt as
a whistle blew the play
dead by the officials. After
huddling, the officials
determined it to be an
inadvertent whistle and
gave the Cougars another
play.
Washington State
scored on the next play
and went on to win 38-24.
Prosise suffers
concussion
Coach Brian Kelly said
running back C.J. Prosise
is undergoing concus-
sion protocol after being
injured in No. 6 Notre
Dame’s win over Pitts-
burgh.
He will go through a
physical conditioning
test Monday, and Kelly is
hopeful Prosise will be
able to play against Wake
Forest.
Prosise leads Notre
Dame (8-1) with 975 yards
rushing on 148 carries, an
average of 6.6 yards.
From staff and wire reports
2 Derrick Henry, Ala-
bama: In a showdown
with LSU and Leonard
Fournette, the junior running
back loaded the Crimson
Tide on his back, gaining
210 yards on 38 carries. He
looked like the best back in
Bryant-Denny Stadium and
the best in the nation.
3 Leonard Fournette,
LSU: He spent the
entire season at No. 1, so one
bad game should not drop
him from the list. It came
close, though. The Tigers
running back had only 31
yards on 19 carries in the 30-
16 loss to Alabama — the
first time he has not rushed
for at least 150 yards in a
game this season.
COMING THIS WEEK
• Kansas at TCU, 11 a.m.
Saturday; FS1
• Texas at West Virginia, 11
a.m. Saturday; ESPNU
• Alcorn State at Texas
Southern, 1 p.m. Saturday
• Prairie View A&M at
Alabama State, 2 p.m.
Saturday
• Alabama at Mississippi
State, 2:30 p.m. Saturday;
CBS
• Kansas State at Texas
Tech, 2:30 p.m.; FSI
• Southern Miss at Rice,
2:30 p.m. Saturday
• Houston Baptist at
Stephen F. Austin, 3 p.m.
Saturday
• Memphis at Houston, 6
p.m. Saturday; ESPN2
• Western Carolina at Texas
A&M, 6 p.m. Saturday;
ESPNU
• Oklahoma at Baylor, 7
p.m. Saturday; ABC
Brent Zwerneman
back Marcus Dillard.
“The whole goal is to
seem like we didn’t lose
anyone,” Winchester said.
“Of course, we all know
how big a player (Jackson)
is for our team, and he
wants to be out there just
as bad as we want him to be
out there. All we can do is
just work as hard as he does
every day to make sure we
can pick up the slack.”
With Ryan Jackson out,
Herman said the Cougars
will go with starter Kenneth
Farrow and backups Javin
Webb and Kaliq Kokuma
in the backfield.
joseph.duarte@chron.com
twitter.com/joseph_duarte
RICE BASKETBALL
Rice junior guard Marcus Jackson, right, is expected
to play a key role this season after averaging 14.5
points as a sophomore for the Owls.
Rhoades pushes
freshmen hard
to get up to speed
By Stephanie Kuzydym
Rice men’s basketball
coach Mike Rhoades al-
ways notices the first play-
ers to leave the practice
court.
He also can name who is
usually last: Max Guercy,
Marcus Jackson and Egor
Koulechov.
That’s likely why the
senior, junior and redshirt
sophomore transfer, re-
spectively, were the only
three definite starters for
Rhoades this preseason.
The other players —
including six freshmen
— were challenging each
other in practice for the re-
maining spots.
Those six freshmen —
Harrison Brown, Amir
Smith, Marcus Evans,
Connor Cashaw, Chad Lott
and Marquez Letcher-Ellis
— will see significant play-
ing time this season, espe-
cially since Rhoades held
one scholarship that he
won’t fill in order to help
class numbers down the
road.
Devil in the details
During preseason,
those freshmen probably
wondered how they got
on Rhoades’ bad side as he
pushed them hard to im-
prove.
“It’s tough to come in
and have a guy scream and
yell at you for the small
details like being one inch
over to the left,” Jackson
said. “They’ve been will-
ing to learn, which is the
biggest part.”
Attention to detail is
what Rhoades wanted his
team to focus on in the fi-
nal two weeks of the pre-
season, leading up to Fri-
day’s season opener at No.
14 California.
“We need to continue to
move forward as a team,”
Rhoades said. “We keep
talking to them about what
goes into playing … extra
shots, extra lifts. Do all the
little details, and things
add up as the year goes on.”
There’s a lot of talent
and athleticism in Rice’s
youth, but Koulechov, ju-
nior center Andrew Drone
and sophomore guard
Bishop Mency have really
stood out to Rhoades.
Green light for transfer
Koulechov is a transfer
from Arizona State who sat
out last season.
“He finds different ways
to score the basketball,”
Rhoades said. “He’ll shoot
the most 3s on our team
this year. He has the neon
green light. If he sees day-
light, he knows to let it fly.”
Rhoades is looking for
leadership from Koulechov
and Drone.
“He’s taken a huge step
this offseason,” Rhoades
said of Drone. “He’s in the
best shape of his life. He’s
moving well. He’s getting
on his feet. He’s had great
C3
Thomas B. Shea
Owls at a glance
2014-15 record: 12-20
overall, 8-10 Conference
USA.
Coach: Mike Rhoades
(second year).
Players to watch:
• Marcus Jackson —The
guard averaged 14.5 points
per game while leading
C-USA with 2.7 3-pointers
per outing last season.
• Max Guercy — The point
guard led the league in
free-throw accuracy at 86.4
percent.
• Egor Koulechov — The
Arizona State transfer sat
out last season because of
transfer rules but will start
this season.
By the numbers: The Owls
will have 17 home games
this season. They were
7-7 last season at home,
4-10 on the road and 1-3 at
neutral sites. ... The team
averaged nine 3-point field
goals made per game while
shooting 798 treys last
season. ... Rice struggled in
rebounding and turnovers,
with a -1.6 rebounding
margin and a -1.7 turnover
margin.
Schedule highlights: Nov.
13 at No. 14 California; Nov.
19 vs. Oregon State; Dec. 19
at New Mexico.
practices for us.”
There’s a good chance
Drone will be the man in
the middle for the Owls. As
for Mency, he’s fighting for
playing time as one of four
freshmen guards.
“We are going to throw
them in the fire from day
one,” Rhoades said.
Evans and Letcher-Ellis
likely will switch between
roles on the court. Evans
can play point and shoot-
ing guard and even fill in
at small forward. Lott and
Cashaw also can play those
three spots.
Letcher-Ellis can play
anywhere along the front
line.
Aggressive play
“Marcus Evans is best at
the point,” Rhoades said.
“Lott is best at the combo.
Connor is probably best
at the wing but has a high
basketball IQ and can re-
ally handle the basketball.”
Rhoades liked the more
aggressive style he saw
from his team toward the
end of its 12-20 season.
For the 2015-16 season,
the Owls will fly across
the court as if doing a cho-
reographed dance crafted
by their leader. Rhoades
doesn’t want his players
looking too far ahead. He
wants them to focus solely
on the two halves in front
of them.
“For 40 minutes, if you
lock in and follow the plan
and play aggressive and go
after people, you give your-
self a chance,” he said.
stephanie.kuzydym@chron.com
twitter.com/stephkuzy
C4 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x x

PRO FOOTBALL
SUNDAY’S GAMES

Newton, Panthers top Packers to stay unbeaten

CHARLOTTE, N.C. pair of second-quarter TD er among three field goals
— Cam Newton threw passes to Garrett Celek in the second quarter.
three touchdown passes for undermanned San
and ran for another score Francisco, which won at BILLS 33, DOLPHINS 17
Sunday, and Carolina Santa Clara, Calif. Sammy Watkins had
took an important step to- Making his first start eight catches for 168 yards
ward securing home-field in more than two years, and a 44-yard touchdown
advantage throughout the Gabbert didn’t take a that broke open the game
NFC playoffs with a 37-29 sack behind an offensive for Buffalo late in the
victory over Green Bay. line that has faced heavy third quarter at Orchard
Newton completed 15 scrutiny all year. Celek Park, N.Y.
of 30 passes for 297 yards made TD catches of 1 Rookie running back
and ran for 57 yards on and 11 yards to give him Karlos Williams scored
nine carries in one of the three on the year, and the twice, and LeSean McCoy
better games of his five- 49ers’ defense flustered also scored on a 48-yard
year NFL career. Matt Ryan despite the run for the Bills.
The unbeaten Panthers patchwork use of back-
extended their regular- ups because of a rash of JETS 28, JAGUARS 23
season win streak to 12 injuries. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw
and put themselves in two touchdown passes
terrific shape in the NFC VIKINGS 21, RAMS 18 while playing with a torn
standings. Every other Adrian Peterson ligament in his left thumb,
team in the conference rushed for 125 yards on and Chris Ivory ran for
has at least two losses. 29 carries, helping set two scores in New York’s
Aaron Rodgers threw up Blair Walsh’s 40-yard victory at East Ruther-
for 369 yards and four field goal in overtime that ford, N.J.
touchdowns and led a gave Minnesota a victory Brandon Marshall
furious fourth-quarter at home after quarterback had a 20-yard TD catch
comeback from 23 points Teddy Bridgewater left after the Jets recovered
down but couldn’t Bob Leverone / Associated Press with a concussion early in a muffed punt late in the
complete it. Linebacker Carolina qauarterback Cam Newton, who passed for three touchdowns, scores the fourth quarter. fourth quarter.
Thomas Davis intercepted from 1 yard out in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against Green Bay. The Vikings ended Blake Bortles threw for
Rodgers on a fourth-and- Todd Gurley’s streak 381 yards and two touch-
goal pass at the Carolina 3 for 170 yards and two touchdowns for New came back from miss- of games with 125-plus downs for Jacksonville.
with 1:54 left. scores as the Steelers England at Foxborough, ing two games with a yards rushing at four.
rolled up 597 yards of Mass., before Washington sprained knee to pass for Gurley gained 89 yards GIANTS 32, BUCCANEERS 18
STEELERS 38, RAIDERS 35 total offense. ran its second play. 371 yards and four touch- and a touchdown on 24 Eli Manning threw for
Chris Boswell kicked Derek Carr threw Tom Brady completed downs, including a 5-yard attempts for the Rams, two touchdowns in New
an 18-yard field goal with for 301 yards with four 26 of 39 passes for 299 scoring pass to Anthony who received the overtime York’s victory at Tampa,
two seconds left to lift touchdowns and an inter- yards and two TDs, Fasano in overtime, as kickoff but went three- Fla.
Pittsburgh to a home win ception for the Raiders. including an 8-yarder to Tennessee snapped a six- and-out. Josh Brown booted four
after Ben Roethlisberger Oakland running back Edelman on the open- game skid with a victory Marcus Sherels tiptoed field goals for the Giants,
left with a potentially seri- Latavius Murray ran ing drive. The unbeaten at New Orleans. along the sideline for a including fourth-quarter
ous left foot injury. for 96 yards but left in Patriots then pulled off a The Saints, who had 26-yard return of Johnny kicks of 53 and 44 yards
The Steelers survived the third quarter with a surprise onside kick, but won three in a row, led 21- Hekker’s 63-yard punt, that gave New York some
after Roethlisberger potential concussion. that drive stalled when 10 but could not put away and Peterson ran the ball breathing room after the
exited midway through Roethlisberger passed Edelman fumbled. the Titans, who turned well into Walsh’s range Buccaneers pulled within
the fourth quarter after for 334 yards with two Washington could in a feisty performance to give Minnesota its two points.
getting sacked by Aldon touchdowns and a pick manage only a single play: in their first game since seventh consecutive home The Giants’ defense,
Smith. Replacement as he moved past Hall of Kirk Cousins’ pass that coach Ken Whisenhunt victory. bolstered by the return
Landry Jones found Anto- Famers Johnny Unitas bounced off Pierre Gar- was fired and replaced by Greg Zuerlein kicked of Jason Pierre-Paul, did
nio Brown for a 57-yard and Joe Montana and into çon and was intercepted Mike Mularkey. four field goals for its part by keeping the Ja-
reception on Pittsburgh’s 13th on the NFL list for by Logan Ryan. New Brees was 28-of-39 the Rams, including a meis Winston-led Tampa
final drive to set up Bo- career yards passing. England then marched passing for 389 yards and 53-yarder with 17 seconds Bay offense out of the
swell’s winning kick. downfield to make it 14-0 three TDs. He also scored left in regulation to make end zone until the rookie
Brown finished with PATRIOTS 27 on Blount’s 5-yard score. on a short keeper. up for the 48-yarder that scrambled 10 yards for
17 catches for 284 yards, WASHINGTON 10 went wide right a few a TD that made it 20-18
both franchise records. Julian Edelman and TITANS 34, SAINTS 28 49ERS 17, FALCONS 16 minutes before. Zuerlein with 9:25 remaining.
DeAngelo Williams ran LeGarrette Blount scored Rookie Marcus Mariota Blaine Gabbert threw a had a career-long 61-yard- From wire reports

GAME SUMMARIES
Panthers 37, Packers 29 Second quarter Andrews 1-23. Receiving—Oakland, Crabtree 7-108, Cooper
Green Bay 7 0 7 15 — 29 Mia—Miller 1 run (Franks kick), 11:28. New Orleans, Snead 6-95, Watson 5-60, 7-88, Roberts 3-73, Rivera 2-16, Murray 2-(mi-
Carolina 3 24 3 7 — 37 Buf—FG Carpenter 43, 7:08. Cooks 4-73, Ingram 4-42, Colston 3-37, Cole- nus 1), L. Smith 1-10, Jones 1-6, Walford 1-1.
First quarter Buf—Ka. Williams 11 run (Carpenter kick), man 2-58, Hill 2-21, Spiller 1-2, Hoomanawa- Pittsburgh, Brown 17-284, Miller 3-32,
Car—FG Gano 20, 10:12. 2:26. nui 1-1. Bryant 3-31, D. Williams 2-55, James 2-13,
GB—R. Rodgers 1 pass from A. Rodgers Third quarter Missed field goals—Tennessee, Succop 55. Wheaton 1-(minus 2).
(Crosby kick), :55. Mia—Miller 1 run (Franks kick), 10:05. New Orleans, Forbath 46 (BK). Missed field goals—Pittsburgh, Boswell
Second quarter Buf—Watkins 44 pass from Taylor (Carpenter Vikings 21, Rams 18 (OT) 41 (WL).
Car—Newton 1 run (Gano kick), 12:09. kick), 2:21. 49ers 17, Falcons 16
Car—Olsen 7 pass from Newton (Gano kick), Fourth quarter NFL AT A GLANCE St. Louis
Minnesota
6 9 0 3 0 — 18
10 0 8 0 3 — 21 Atlanta 3 10 0 3 — 16
8:55. Buf—Ka. Williams 38 run (Carpenter kick),
Car—FG Gano 49, 4:59. 8:35. AMERICAN CONFERENCE NATIONAL CONFERENCE First quarter San Francisco 0 17 0 0 — 17
Min—FG Walsh 34, 10:19. First quarter
Car—Brown 39 pass from Newton (Gano Mia—FG Franks 48, 3:53. South W L T PF PA East W L T PF PA Min—Peterson 6 run (Walsh kick), 5:24. Atl—FG Bryant 44, 9:24.
kick), :41. A—70,214. StL—Gurley 1 run (run failed), 1:09. Second quarter
Mia Buf
Indianapolis 4 5 0 200 227 N.Y. Giants 5 4 0 247226
Third quarter Second quarter SF—Celek 1 pass from Gabbert (Dawson
GB—Cobb 53 pass from A. Rodgers (Crosby First downs ......................................29 18 Houston 3 5 0 174 205 Philadelphia 4 4 0 193 164 StL—FG Zuerlein 61, 10:55. kick), 13:41.
Total net yards..............................397 420
kick), 14:00. Jacksonville 2 6 0 170235 Washington 3 5 0 158 195 StL—FG Zuerlein 35, 3:23. Atl—FG Bryant 36, 6:05.
Car—FG Gano 22, 4:48. Rushes-yards...........................23-106 36-266 StL—FG Zuerlein 45, :00. SF—FG Dawson 44, 3:20.
Fourth quarter Passing ........................................... 291 154 Tennessee 2 6 0 159 187 Dallas 2 6 0 160204 Third quarter SF—Celek 11 pass from Gabbert (Dawson
Car—Funchess 14 pass from Newton (Gano Punt returns .................................2-18 0-0 East W L T PF PA South W L T PF PA Min—Bridgewater 6 run (Bridgewater run), 8:39. kick), 1:16.
kick), 9:22. Kickoff returns............................ 4-50 3-32 Fourth quarter Atl—Freeman 17 pass from Ryan (Bryant
GB—Starks 29 pass from A. Rodgers (Adams Interceptions ret.......................... 0-0 0-0 New England 8 0 0 276 143 Carolina 8 0 0 228165 StL—FG Zuerlein 53, :12. kick), :13.
pass from A. Rodgers), 7:54. Comp-att-int........................ 28-37-0 11-12-0 N.Y. Jets 5 3 0 200162 Atlanta 6 3 0 229190 Overtime Fourth quarter
GB—R. Rodgers 3 pass from A. Rodgers Sacked-yards lost....................... 2-27 3-27 Min—FG Walsh 40, 9:20. Atl—FG Bryant 19, 2:56.
(Crosby kick), 3:43. Punts...........................................3-31.3 3-50.0 Buffalo 4 4 0 209 190 New Orleans 4 5 0 241268 A—52,406. A—70,799.
A—74,461. Fumbles-lost.................................. 3-1 0-0 Miami 3 5 0 171 206 Tampa Bay 3 5 0 181 231 StL Min Atl SF
GB Car Penalties-yards.......................... 8-62 13-94 First downs ...................................... 18 21 First downs .......................................17 18
Time of possession ..................28:47 31:13
North W L T PF PA North W L T PF PA Total net yards............................. 302 318
First downs .......................................21 20 Total net yards............................. 320 293
Total net yards.............................402 427 Individual statistics Cincinnati 8 0 0 229142 Minnesota 6 2 0 168140 Rushes-yards.......................... 36-160 35-145 Rushes-yards...............................14-17 39-133
Rushing—Miami, Miller 12-44, Ajayi 5-41, Passing .......................................... 285 185
Rushes-yards.............................. 19-71 36-130 Pittsburgh 5 4 0 206 182 Green Bay 6 2 0 203167 Passing ...........................................160 148
Landry 4-18, Tannehill 2-3. Punt returns ................................4-76 1-17
Passing ........................................... 331 297 Punt returns ................................ 4-27 4-40
Punt returns ................................ 4-18 5-35 Buffalo, McCoy 16-112, Ka. Williams 9-110, Baltimore 2 6 0 190214 Chicago 2 5 0 140202 Kickoff returns.............................. 0-0 4-96
Kickoff returns............................ 4-115 3-80
Taylor 10-44, Woods 1-0. Interceptions ret........................... 2-2 0-0
Kickoff returns.............................. 3-71 2-33 Cleveland 2 7 0 177 247 Detroit 1 7 0 149 245 Interceptions ret............................1-0 0-0
Comp-att-int........................30-45-0 15-26-2
Interceptions ret............................1-4 1-(-1) Passing—Miami, Tannehill 27-36-0-309, Comp-att-int.........................18-33-0 15-27-1
Comp-att-int.........................25-48-1 15-30-1 Landry 1-1-0-9. West W L T PF PA West W L T PF PA Sacked-yards lost..........................1-8 1-11
Sacked-yards lost........................2-18 0-0
Punts..........................................7-43.4 5-48.2
Sacked-yards lost.......................5-38 0-0 Buffalo, Taylor 11-12-0-181. Denver 7 1 0 192 139 Arizona 6 2 0 263153 Punts.........................................8-46.5 8-41.8 Fumbles-lost..................................1-0 0-0
Punts.........................................8-44.6 6-48.2 Receiving—Miami, Landry 11-69, Miller 7-97, Fumbles-lost................................ 0-0 2-0
Fumbles-lost.................................. 2-1 0-0 Matthews 4-54, Stills 3-74, Sims 1-9, Tan- Oakland 4 4 0 213 211 St. Louis 4 4 0 153 146 Penalties-yards..........................12-87 6-67
Penalties-yards.......................... 6-63 5-30
Time of possession ................. 32:08 27:52
Penalties-yards........................... 7-87 6-45 nehill 1-9, Cameron 1-6. Kansas City 3 5 0 195 182 Seattle 4 4 0 167 140 Time of possession .................. 32:27 33:13 Individual statistics
Time of possession ..................27:48 32:12 Buffalo, Watkins 8-168, McCoy 2-7, Clay 1-6. Individual statistics
San Diego 2 6 0 191 227 San Francisco 3 6 0 126 223 Rushing—Atlanta, Freeman 12-12, Coleman
Individual statistics Jets 28, Jaguars 23 Rushing—St. Louis, Gurley 24-89, Austin 1-3, Ryan 1-2.
Rushing—Green Bay, Starks 10-39, A.Rodgers Jacksonville 3 7 3 10 — 23 Week 9 results/schedule 8-66, Mason 3-3, Foles 1-2. San Francisco, Draughn 16-58, Gabbert 9-32,
4-22, Lacy 5-10. Carolina, Stewart 20-66, N.Y. Jets 14 0 7 7 — 28 Minnesota, Peterson 29-125, Bridgewater Gaskins 7-20, P. Thomas 4-12, Ellington 1-7,
Newton 9-57, Whittaker 2-13, Tolbert 3-7,
Thursday’s result N.Y. Jets 28 Jacksonville 23 3-17, Asiata 2-4, Hill 1-(minus 1).
First quarter Miller 2-4.
Webb 1-(minus 1), Brown 1-(minus 12). Jax—FG Myers 45, 8:59. Cincinnati 31 Cleveland 10 Pittsburgh 38 Oakland 35 Passing—St. Louis, Foles 18-33-0-168. Passing—Atlanta, Ryan 30-45-0-303.
Passing—Green Bay, A.Rodgers 25-48-1-369. Minnesota, Bridgewater 13-21-1-144, Hill San Francisco, Gabbert 15-25-2-185, Kaepe-
NYJ—Decker 7 pass from Fitzpatrick (Quigley Sunday’s results San Francisco 17 Atlanta 16
Carolina, Newton 15-30-1-297. kick), 5:08. 2-6-0-15. rnick 0-1-0-0.
Receiving—Green Bay, Adams 7-93, Starks NYJ—Ivory 1 run (Quigley kick), :43. Tennessee 34New Orleans 28 (OT) N.Y. Giants 32 Tampa Bay 18 Receiving—St. Louis, Austin 4-15, Britt 3-87, Receiving—Atlanta, Jones 10-137, Freeman
6-83, R.Rodgers 5-19, Cobb 4-99, J.Jones 2-57, Second quarter Minnesota 21 St. Louis 18 (OT) Indianapolis 27 Denver 24 Gurley 3-20, Kendricks 2-25, Bailey 2-13, Cook 8-67, Tamme 6-61, Hardy 4-17, White 1-20,
Ripkowski 1-18. Carolina, Olsen 4-66, Cotchery Jax—Hurns 30 pass from Bortles (Myers 1-10, Marquez 1-3, Quick 1-(minus 1), Mason Toilolo 1-1.
3-82, Funchess 3-71, Brown 2-50, Ginn Jr. 1-20, Carolina 37 Green Bay 29 Philadelphia 33 Dallas 27 (OT) 1-(minus 4). San Francisco, Draughn 4-38, Patton 3-70,
kick), :14.
Dickson 1-6, Stewart 1-2. Third quarter New England 27 Washington 10 Today’s game Minnesota, Diggs 3-42, Rudolph 2-30, Peter- Smith 2-44, McDonald 2-19, Celek 2-12,
Missed field goals—Carolina, Gano 43 (WL). son 2-18, Ellison 2-11, McKinnon 2-11, Ellington 2-2.
Jax—FG Myers 39, 4:32. Buffalo 33 Miami 17 Chicago at San Diego 7:30 C. Johnson 1-25, Wright 1-12, Pruitt 1-6,
Patriots 27, Washington 10 NYJ—Ivory 1 run (Quigley kick), 2:02. Off: Arizona, Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Seattle Giants 32, Buccaneers 18
Washington 0 3 0 7 — 10 Fourth quarter Wallace 1-4. N.Y. Giants 10 7 3 12 — 32
Missed field goals—St. Louis, Zuerlein 48
New England 14 3 3 7 — 27 Jax—FG Myers 35, 10:18.
NYJ—Marshall 20 pass from Fitzpatrick
Week 10 schedule (WR).
Tampa Bay
First quarter
6 3 3 6 — 18
First quarter Thursday’s game
NE—Edelman 8 pass from Brady (Gostkowski (Quigley kick), 2:41. Steelers 38, Raiders 35 TB—FG Barth 25, 13:26.
kick), 9:01. Jax—Walters 20 pass from Bortles (Myers Time Open. line Cur. line O/U TV Oakland 7 7 7 14 — 35 NYG—FG Brown 35, 9:52.
NE—Blount 5 run (Gostkowski kick), 4:30. kick), 2:16. Buffalo at N.Y. Jets 7:25 N.Y. 3 N.Y. 3 43½ NFL Pittsburgh 3 18 0 17 — 38 TB—FG Barth 28, 8:04.
Second quarter A—78,160. First quarter NYG—Randle 8 pass from Manning (Brown
Sunday’s games
NE—FG Gostkowski 21, 7:56. Jax NYJ Oak—Crabtree 22 pass from Carr (Janikowski kick), :53.
Was—FG Hopkins 23, :13. First downs ...................................... 19 14 Time Open. line Cur. line O/U TV kick), 12:10. Second quarter
Third quarter Total net yards............................. 436 290 Detroit at Green Bay noon G.B. 12 G.B. 12 47½ Pit—FG Boswell 34, 4:40. NYG—Vereen 4 pass from Manning (Brown
NE—FG Gostkowski 21, 7:32. Rushes-yards.............................19-98 28-29 Second quarter kick), 11:20.
Carolina at Tennessee noon Car. 4½ Car. 4½ 42½
Fourth quarter Passing .......................................... 338 261 Pit—D. Williams 3 run (D. Williams pass from TB—FG Barth 21, :06.
NE—Bolden 18 pass from Brady (Gostkowski Punt returns ................................2-20 4-42 Chicago at St. Louis noon StL 8 StL 8 NL Roethlisberger), 13:57. Third quarter
kick), 11:28. Kickoff returns............................ 4-117 4-115 Dallas at Tampa Bay noon NL NL NL Fox Oak—Cooper 15 pass from Carr (Janikowski NYG—FG Brown 35, 11:49.
Was—Reed 3 pass from Cousins (Hopkins Interceptions ret.......................... 0-0 2-8 New Orleans at Washington noon N.O. 1½ N.O. 1½ 50½ kick), 6:05. TB—FG Barth 53, 7:15.
kick), :25. Comp-att-int........................24-40-2 21-34-0 Pit—D. Williams 3 run (Boswell kick), 1:56. Fourth quarter
A—66,829. Sacked-yards lost...................... 6-43 2-11 Miami at Philadelphia noon NL NL NL Pit—FG Boswell 38, :29. TB—Winston 10 run (pass failed), 9:25.
Was NE Punts.........................................5-40.6 9-39.0 Cleveland at Pittsburgh noon NL NL NL Third quarter NYG—FG Brown 53, 7:18.
First downs ...................................... 16 27 Fumbles-lost................................. 3-2 1-0 Jacksonville at Baltimore noon Bal. 6 Bal. 6 48½ Oak—Walford 1 pass from Carr (Janikowski NYG—FG Brown 44, :23.
Total net yards.............................250 460 Penalties-yards.......................... 4-30 6-41 kick), 7:02. NYG—Wade 5 fumble return (run failed), :00.
Rushes-yards..............................15-37 37-161 Time of possession .................. 29:16 30:44
Minnesota at Oakland 3:05 NL NL NL Fourth quarter A—64,351.
Passing ........................................... 213 299 Individual statistics Kansas City at Denver 3:25 Den. 7 Den. 7 42½ Pit—Bryant 14 pass from Roethlisberger NYG TB
Punt returns ...................................1-9 2-(-2) Rushing—Jacksonville, Yeldon 14-64, Bortles New England at N.Y. Giants 3:25 N.E. 7 N.E. 7 54½ (Boswell kick), 12:13. First downs ......................................24 19
Kickoff returns............................ 3-48 2-18 4-32, D. Robinson 1-2. Pit—James 4 pass from Roethlisberger Total net yards..............................327 385
Interceptions ret......................... 1-44 1-13 N.Y. Jets, Ivory 23-26, Stacy 1-3, Fitzpatrick
Arizona at Seattle 7:30 Sea. 3 Sea. 3 44½ NBC (Boswell kick), 11:24. Rushes-yards............................33-114 23-136
Comp-att-int......................... 22-40-1 26-39-1 4-0. Monday’s game Oak—Olawale 19 run (Janikowski kick), 9:32. Passing ........................................... 213 249
Sacked-yards lost..........................1-4 0-0 Passing—Jacksonville, Bortles 24-40-2-381. Time
Open. line Cur. line O/U TV Oak—Crabtree 38 pass from Carr (Janikowski Punt returns ................................. 0-0 1-1
Punts......................................... 4-47.0 2-34.5 N.Y. Jets, Fitzpatrick 21-34-0-272. kick), 1:15. Kickoff returns.............................2-54 4-87
Houston at Cincinnati Cin. 11 7:30
Cin. 11 47½ESPN Pit—FG Boswell 18, :02. Interceptions ret.......................... 0-0 2-34
Fumbles-lost.................................. 2-1 2-1 Receiving—Jacksonville, A. Robinson 6-121,
Penalties-yards........................... 4-27 6-43 Hurns 5-122, Walters 5-54, Yeldon 3-37, KIAH A—65,520. Comp-att-int........................26-40-2 19-36-0
Oak Pit Sacked-yards lost........................ 0-0 0-0
Time of possession ..................22:55 37:05 Thomas 3-14, Lewis 1-27, Jacobs 1-6. Off: Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, San Francisco
Individual statistics N.Y. Jets, Decker 6-79, Thompkins 4-45, First downs ......................................24 27 Punts..........................................1-64.0 2-42.5
Rushing—Washington, Jones 11-27, Morris Marshall 4-44, Ivory 3-22, Kerley 2-22, Total net yards.............................440 597 Fumbles-lost..................................1-0 4-3
4-10. Cumberland 1-44, Stacy 1-16. STANDINGS SPONSORED BY Rushes-yards...........................25-139 30-195 Penalties-yards.......................... 6-49 9-79
Passing ...........................................301 402 Time of possession ..................34:55 25:05
New England, Blount 29-129, Lewis 4-14, Titans 34, Saints 28 (OT) Punt returns ....................................1-1 3-2 Individual statistics
Bolden 1-12, Amendola 1-8, Brady 1-(minus 1), Tennessee 10 7 3 8 6 — 34 Fourth quarter Comp-att-int........................28-39-0 28-39-1
Kickoff returns............................. 5-74 4-83 Rushing—N.Y. Giants, Jennings 13-48,
Garoppolo 1-(minus 1). New Orleans 14 7 0 7 0 — 28 NO—Hoomanawanui 1 pass from Brees Sacked-yards lost........................ 0-0 4-32
Interceptions ret.............................1-1 1-25 Williams 7-30, Darkwa 6-23, Vereen 6-14,
Passing—Washington, Cousins 22-40-1-217. First quarter (Forbath kick), 11:32. Punts.........................................5-50.6 4-45.8 Comp-att-int.........................24-44-1 28-50-1 Manning 1-(minus 1).
New England, Brady 26-39-1-299. NO—Hill 10 pass from Brees (Forbath kick), Ten—Hunter 8 pass from Mariota (Walker Fumbles-lost.................................. 2-1 1-1 Sacked-yards lost........................ 0-0 1-11 Tampa Bay, Sims 8-78, Martin 11-31, Winston
Receiving—Washington, Crowder 6-50, 9:46. pass from Mariota), 7:06. Penalties-yards..........................9-66 8-75 Punts..........................................7-39.6 5-41.6 3-24, Rainey 1-3.
Garcon 4-70, Reed 3-18, Jackson 3-15, Roberts Ten—FG Succop 51, 6:58. Overtime Time of possession ...................32:21 32:49 Fumbles-lost................................. 5-3 1-1 Passing—N.Y. Giants, Manning 26-40-2-213.
2-26, Thompson 2-21, Jones 2-17. NO—Cooks 38 pass from Brees (Forbath Ten—Fasano 5 pass from Mariota, 9:50. Individual statistics Penalties-yards............................3-21 5-42 Tampa Bay, Winston 19-36-0-249.
New England, LaFell 5-102, Edelman 5-55, kick), 3:44. A—73,075. Rushing—Tennessee, Andrews 19-88, Mc- Time of possession .................. 27:56 32:04 Receiving—N.Y. Giants, Beckham Jr. 9-105,
Gronkowski 4-47, Lewis 4-39, Amendola 4-24, Ten—Walker 61 pass from Mariota (Succop Ten NO Cluster 8-19, Mariota 1-5. Individual statistics Randle 5-40, Vereen 4-29, Tye 2-19, Cun-
Bolden 3-27, Chandler 1-5. kick), 1:00. First downs ......................................25 29 New Orleans, Ingram 21-52, Spiller 2-8, Rushing—Oakland, Murray 17-96, Reece 3-21, ningham 2-10, Williams 1-7, White 1-3, D.Harris
Bills 33, Dolphins 17 Second quarter Total net yards.............................483 416 Brees 3-(minus 1). Olawale 1-19, Carr 2-3, Jones 2-0. 1-1, Jennings 1-(minus 1).
Miami 0 7 7 3 — 17 NO—Brees 1 run (Forbath kick), 11:01. Rushes-yards............................28-112 26-59 Passing—Tennessee, Mariota 28-39-0-371. Pittsburgh, D. Williams 27-170, Brown 2-22, Tampa Bay, Evans 8-152, Humphries 5-55,
Buffalo 9 10 7 7 — 33 Ten—Walker 2 pass from Mariota (Succop Passing ............................................371 357 New Orleans, Brees 28-39-1-389. Todman 1-3. Martin 2-12, Brate 1-17, Lane 1-5, Dye 1-4,
First quarter kick), 8:08. Punt returns .................................2-12 3-21 Receiving—Tennessee, Walker 7-95, Green- Passing—Oakland, Carr 24-44-1-301. Sims 1-4.
Buf—Team safety, 11:48. Third quarter Kickoff returns............................ 4-96 3-82 Beckham 5-77, Douglas 5-73, Fasano 3-33, Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger 24-44-1-334, Missed field goals—Tampa Bay, Barth 43
Buf—McCoy 48 run (Carpenter kick), 8:50. Ten—FG Succop 29, 7:17. Interceptions ret............................1-0 0-0 Hunter 3-17, McCluster 2-28, Stevens 2-25, L. Jones 4-6-0-79. (WR).
 xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | C5

PRO FOOTBALL
EAGLES 33, COWBOYS 27 (OT)

Extra period brings more heartbreak to Dallas

Losing streak Eagles 33,Cowboys 27 (OT)
Philadelphia 0 7 7 13 6 — 33
reaches six, Dallas
First quarter
7 0 7 13 0 — 27

longest for club Dal—Beasley 5 pass from Cassel (Bailey

in 26 years
By Schuyler Dixon
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARLINGTON — De-
Marco Murray put Phila-
delphia in position to win
in his return to Dallas.
Sam Bradford and Jordan
Matthews finished off the
Cowboys.
Bradford threw a 41-
yard touchdown pass to
Matthews in overtime, and
the Eagles sent the Cow-
boys to their longest losing
streak in 26 years with a
33-27 victory Sunday night.
Matthews broke away
from rookie defensive
back Byron Jones and ran
past safety J.J. Wilcox on
the first possession of over-
time to hand Dallas (2-6) its
sixth straight loss. The last
time Dallas lost that many
in a row was in 1989 when
it dropped eight straight
and finished 1-15.
“Me and Byron had been
competing all game,” said
Matthews, who had nine
catches for 133 yards. “He
doesn’t play like a rookie,
and he’s so aggressive. We
said let’s try and go with a
double move. Sam threw it
right on the money.”
Jordan Hicks had a 67-
yard interception return
for a touchdown for the Ea-
gles (4-4) in just the second
overtime game for teams
that have met 114 times.
The Cowboys have lost
every game without quar-
terback Tony Romo, who
will miss at least one more
with a broken collarbone.
kick), 6:44.
Second quarter
Phi—Murray 1 run (Sturgis kick), 9:01.
Third quarter
Phi—Mathews 6 run (Sturgis kick), 8:36.
Dal—Beasley 17 pass from Cassel (Bailey
kick), 2:04.
Fourth quarter
Phi—Hicks 67 interception return (Sturgis
kick), 12:47.
Dal—Bryant 18 pass from Cassel (Bailey
kick), 10:52.
Phi—FG Sturgis 31, 7:22.
Dal—FG Bailey 41, 2:53.
Phi—FG Sturgis 53, 1:46.
Dal—FG Bailey 44, :02.
Overtime
Phi—Matthews 41 pass from Bradford, 10:59.
A—91,827.
Phi Dal
First downs ......................................25 25
Total net yards.............................459 411
Rushes-yards............................35-172 29-134
Passing ...........................................287 277
Punt returns ................................. 0-0 2-5
Kickoff returns.............................. 0-0 1-79
Interceptions ret..........................1-67 0-0
Comp-att-int........................25-36-0 25-38-1
Sacked-yards lost..........................1-8 4-22
Punts.........................................5-48.2 4-43.8
Fumbles-lost................................ 0-0 2-0
Penalties-yards......................... 10-70
Time of possession ..................25:42
8-58
38:19
Individual statistics
Rushing—Philadelphia, Murray 18-83,
Mathews 11-67, Sproles 5-23, Bradford
1-(minus 1).
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Dallas, McFadden 27-117, Cassel 2-17.
Passing—Philadelphia, Bradford 25-36-
After leaving Cowboys defenders in his wake, Jordan Matthews scampers into the end zone to complete a 41- 0-295.
yard pass play and give the Eagles an overtime victory Sunday night at AT&T Stadium. Dallas, Cassel 25-38-1-299.
Receiving—Philadelphia, Matthews 9-133,
Murray 6-78, Ertz 5-44, Huff 2-10, Sproles 2-3,
Murray had 161 total back after missing five down to start overtime. The Cowboys forced Austin 1-27.
Dallas, Beasley 9-112, Witten 6-43, Bryant
yards — 83 rushing and with a broken right foot. New Orleans’ Drew Brees overtime with a 54-yard 5-104, Te. Williams 3-27, Whitehead 1-8,
78 receiving — in his first Dallas defensive line- threw an 80-yard TD pass drive to Dan Bailey’s 44- McFadden 1-5.
game on his old home field man Greg Hardy had a on the second play of the yard field goal that car-
after winning the NFL sack and two penalties, extra period in Week 4. omed off the left upright 18-yarder to Bryant in the
rushing title with the Cow- including an unsports- This time, Murray had a and went through. Byron end zone when he threw
boys last season. manlike conduct call, a day 20-yard run to get the drive Maxwell was called for up a jump ball after a Ro-
“They’re a tough oppo- after he tweeted “regret” in going. Bradford’s winning pass interference twice mo-like spin out a potential
nent. They’re like family response to the release of toss on his 28th birthday against Bryant on the sack. But the big mistake
to me,” said Murray, who pictures of his bruised ex- came a play after officials drive. to Hicks left him with the
broke Emmitt Smith’s Dal- girlfriend from his domes- originally ruled a fumble Bryant had 104 yards on same 0-3 record Brandon
las rushing record with tic violence case. at the end of a run by Ryan five catches, and Cole Bea- Weeden had filling in for
1,845 yards last season and “Greg has a commit- Mathews. But replays sley had career highs with Romo.
is starting to churn out ment to us,” Dallas owner showed his knee was down nine catches for 112 yards Hicks stepped in front of
yardage after a slow start Jerry Jones said. “He has a before the ball came out. with two touchdowns, a pass in the flat for Darren
this year. “This one’s spe- commitment to do the right “Jordan did a great job which matched his total McFadden and sprinted 67
cial. A lot of emotion.” thing. We expect him to do running that route,” Brad- from a win against Chicago yards untouched. Cassel
Dallas All-Pro receiver the right thing.” ford said. “It was some- last year. hung his head as he slowed
Dez Bryant had his first It was the second time thing that we worked on Matt Cassel threw up, realizing he had no
touchdown catch of the during the skid that Dallas all week. Best birthday for 299 yards and three chance to catch the former
season in his second game lost by giving up a touch- present ever.” touchdowns, including an Texas linebacker.

COLTS 27, BRONCOS 24

Luck of old helps send

Denver to first defeat
By Michael Marot
ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — An-
drew Luck finally reverted
to his old form Sunday —
and the Indianapolis Colts
finally looked like the team
everyone expected.
Now they just have to
keep playing this way.
Luck threw two touch-
down passes and set up
Adam Vinatieri for a tie-
breaking 55-yard field goal
with 6:13 left, giving India-
napolis a 27-24 victory over
Denver that ruined Peyton
Manning’s homecoming.
“That’s who we need to
be consistently,” Luck said.
“Probably a little bit of soul
searching, trying to figure
out what we want to be.
The truth of the matter is
we have the pieces, which is
pretty darn obvious.”
The Colts (4-5) ended a
three-game losing streak,
won for the first time in six
tries outside the horrible
AFC South and moved a
half-game ahead of the Tex-
ans for the division lead.
Ill-fated return for QB
Manning fell 3 yards
short of becoming the
NFL’s career passing leader
— after his second intercep-
tion and two late defensive
penalties allowed Indy to
Colts 27, Broncos 24 But that was not the
Denver 0 7 10 7 — 24
Indianapolis 7 10 0 10 — 27
record Manning really
First quarter wanted to break in a venue
Ind—Gore 7 run (Vinatieri kick), 6:48.
Second quarter
many credit him with help-
Ind—FG Vinatieri 43, 12:13. ing build. He also will have
Ind—Doyle 3 pass from Luck (Vinatieri to wait to break Favre’s re-
kick), 7:12.
Den—Bolden 83 punt return (McManus cord for most career regu-
kick), :00. lar-season wins (186) by a
Third quarter
Den—Sanders 64 pass from Manning
quarterback after going 21-
(McManus kick), 11:27. for-36 with 281 yards, two
Den—FG McManus 29, 4:57. TDs and two interceptions.
Fourth quarter
Ind—Bradshaw 8 pass from Luck (Vinatieri The Broncos (7-1) were
kick), 14:05. the only one of the NFL’s
Den—Daniels 1 pass from Manning (McManus
kick), 8:54. four unbeaten teams to lose
Ind—FG Vinatieri 55, 6:13. this weekend.
A—66,894.
Den Ind
“I’ve been in enough
First downs ...................................... 16 27 situations like that in my
Total net yards.............................309 365 career where I’ve been able
Rushes-yards............................. 14-35 40-120
Passing ...........................................274 245 to focus on the task at hand
Punt returns ................................ 1-83 3-2 — trying to win the foot-
Kickoff returns............................ 2-69 2-33
Interceptions ret.......................... 0-0 2-1
ball game,” Manning said AJ Mast / Associated Press
Comp-att-int..........................21-36-2 21-36-0 after losing his second in a The Colts’ Jack Doyle, left, dives for the end zone to top off a 3-yard catch with a
Sacked-yards lost...........................1-7
Punts.........................................5-43.0
1-7
5-45.2
row at Lucas Oil Stadium second-quarter score despite the best efforts of the Broncos’ Darian Stewart.
Fumbles-lost................................ 0-0 0-0 in what could be his final
Penalties-yards.......................... 8-56 4-30 game in Indianpolis. “I • They committed only ues playing this way. on Omar Bolden’s 83-yard
Time of possession ....................21:21 38:39
Individual statistics kind of dealt with (the emo- four penalties, and the 17-0 He was 21-of-36 passing punt return on the last play
Rushing—Denver, Anderson 7-34, Hillman 7-1. tions) a few years ago. I felt lead they took in the first for 252 yards and guided of the first half. Manning
Indianapolis, Gore 28-83, Luck 6-34,
Bradshaw 6-3.
like this time coming back half was their largest of the the Colts on two tiebreak- started the second half with
Passing—Denver, Manning 21-36-2-281. was just playing against a season. ing drives in the fourth a 64-yard TD pass to Em-
Indianapolis, Luck 21-36-0-252. good football team.” That’s exactly what In- quarter. manuel Sanders, and the
Receiving—Denver, Daniels 6-102, Sanders
6-90, Thomas 5-50, Fowler 2-22, Green 1-13, A Colts team that was dianapolis needed. The first ended with an Broncos tied it on a 29-yard
Anderson 1-4. mired in turmoil. 8-yard TD pass to Ahmad field goal from Brandon
Indianapolis, Hilton 5-82, Whalen 5-73,
Fleener 4-22, Moncrief 3-30, Doyle 2-18, Gore
Just five days after offen- Fourth-quarter magic Bradshaw that gave Indy a McManus.
1-19, Bradshaw 1-8. sive coordinator Pep Ham- “We really feel we’ve 24-17 lead. After Manning But they never got the
ilton was fired, Manning’s competed with the best tied the score on a 1-yard lead.
run the final six minutes off successor played like the football teams in the league TD pass to Owen Daniels, “We dug ourselves a hole
the clock. best young quarterback in — Denver, New England, Luck took Indianapolis in the first half and showed
Denver’s quarterback football. The Colts followed Carolina,” team owner Jim back down the field and set a lot of character getting out
heads into next weekend’s his lead: Irsay said. “We still feel we up Vinatieri for his longest of that hole,” Denver coach
game against Kansas City • They started fast and can go the places we dream field goal since coming to Gary Kubiak said. “We just
with 71,836 career yards; finished strong. of going.” Indy in 2006. weren’t able to close the
Brett Favre had 71,838. • They had no turnovers. They can if Luck contin- Denver closed to 17-7 deal.”

AFC South perhaps can take its cue from NFC South’s upsurge
AFC from page C1
The Texans return to
the practice field Monday
to begin preparations for
their Nov. 16 prime-time
game against undefeated
Cincinnati.
The Bengals are one of
the league’s three unbeaten
teams, joining New Eng-
land and Carolina.
The Broncos were fa-
vored to beat the Colts, but
they suffered their first de-
feat because they couldn’t
stop quarterback Andrew
Luck, who appeared to be
healthy for the first time
this season.
Luck threw two touch-
down passes and didn’t
seem to be bothered by the
rib and shoulder injuries
that plagued him earlier The Texans play an-
this season, which is bad other five games before
news for the rest of the their second game against
division. the Colts, who won the
Luck outplayed Peyton first one 27-20. Because the
Manning in his return to Texans have never won at
Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis, a sweep by
Colts seem to have the the Colts seems assured.
Broncos’ number. Last The Colts weren’t the
season, the Colts elimi- only AFC South team to
nated the Broncos from make a good impression
the playoffs by winning in Sunday. Usually, the divi-
Denver. sion is ridiculed for being
so bad, but Tennessee also
Big return for Mariota put on a sterling perfor-
This was supposed mance.
to be a revenge game for Under interim coach
Denver, but it turned out to Mike Mularkey, who
be another embarrassment replaced the fired Ken
for Manning, who threw Whisenhunt last week,
two interceptions, the last the Titans shocked New
one ruining any chance the Orleans at the Superdome.
Broncos had of tying the Rookie quarterback
score or possibly winning. Marcus Mariota returned
to the lineup after missing
two games with a strained
knee ligament and threw
for 371 yards and four
touchdowns in the 34-28
overtime victory.
The Titans are 2-6,
including a victory over
Tampa Bay in the season
opener. Mariota threw four
touchdown passes in each
of the two wins.
The Texans were fortu-
nate Mariota was sidelined
in their 20-6 victory at
NRG Stadium on Nov. 1.
The defense sacked quar-
terback Zach Mettenberger
seven times.
Barring another injury,
Mariota will play for the
first time against the Tex-
ans when they visit Nash-
ville on Dec. 27 in their last
road game of the season.
The Texans find out
Nov. 29 if they can do to the
Saints what the Titans did
to them. They host New
Orleans one week after
they entertain the Jets and
the week before they visit
Buffalo.
3 unbeatens on schedule
The Texans will play
or have played the three
teams this season that are
currently unbeaten. They
lost 24-17 at Carolina. A
month after the Cincin-
nati game, they’ll host New
England.
As teams struggle to
win in the AFC South, it’s
interesting to look back at
the 2014 season.
The NFC South was
awful. Carolina won the
division with a 7-8-1 record
and upset Arizona at home
in the wild-card round.
There weren’t high
expectations for the NFC
South this season, but the
division has been a huge
surprise, beginning with
the unbeaten Panthers.
Tampa Bay (3-5) has
the worst record. If the
Buccaneers played in the
AFC South, they’d be tied
with the Texans for second
place instead of five games
behind Carolina.
Perhaps the AFC South
will follow the NFC South’s
lead and make a surprising
improvement in 2016.
john.mcclain@chron.com
twitter.com/mcclain_on_nfl
C6 | Monday, November 9, 2015 |
HIGH SCHOOLS
Mulkey inspires others with height issues
Mulkey from page C1
knew kids haven’t seen a
tall female before.”
Everything has
changed for Mulkey, now a
senior at Cypress Woods.
She is a state champion
who last season averaged
10.3 points, 7.1 rebounds
and 3.7 blocks per game.
She has verbally pledged
to play for Oklahoma. She
has won two gold medals
with Team USA.
Most importantly, she’s
more confident. Mulkey
still doesn’t like it when
people stare and try to
sneak photos but is more
accepting of it. Rather
than dwell on the nega-
tives, she tries to concen-
trate on the good things.
“When I think about
where I am now, all I can
think is, ‘Wow. I’m glad I
am who I am,’ ” Mulkey
said. “I walk straighter. I
hold my head higher. I’m
embracing my height. It is
getting me things I never
thought I could do.”
TV show helps
One of those things is
an appearance on TLC
Network’s original series
“My Giant Life.” It aired
in July and August and
followed four women who
are at least 6-6.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PAIRINGS
Class 6A Division I
Bi-district
Region I
EP El Dorado (7-3) vs.Amarillo Tascosa (8-2)
8:30 p.m. Friday: Socorro ISD Center, El Paso
Odessa Permian (9-1) vs. Arl.Bowie (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday: Ratliff Stadium, Odessa
Denton Ryan (10-0) vs. Plano East (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Denton Collins Complex
S.Grand Prairie (6-4) vs.Euless Trinity (10-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Pennington Field, Bedford
Amarillo (8-2) vs. EP Montwood (6-3)
6 p.m. Friday: Bivins Stadium, Amarillo
Arlington Martin (8-2) vs. Midland (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Maverick Stadium, Arlington
Allen (10-0) vs. Trophy Club Nelson (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Allen
DeSoto (5-5) vs. Coppell (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: DeSoto
Region II
Skyline (8-2) vs. Lake Highlands (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Forester Field, Dallas
Garland Rowlett (8-2) vs. Belton (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Johnson Stadium, Garland
RR Cedar Ridge (9-1) vs. Austin Bowie (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Reeves Complex, Round Rock
Klein Collins (9-1) vs. Atascocita (9-1)
7 p.m. Friday: Memorial Stadium, Klein
N. Mesquite (8-2) vs. Irv. MacArthur (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Memorial Stadium, Mesquite
Kill. Shoemaker (8-2) vs. Garl. Sachse (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Killeen
Austin Westlake (9-1) vs. Round Rock (8-2)
7 p.m. Friday: Chaparral Stadium, Austin
The Woodlands (9-1) vs. Klein Oak (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday: Woodforest Stadium, Shenadoah
Region III
Cypress Falls (9-1) vs. Aldine Nimitz (2-8)
1 p.m. Saturday: Berry Center, Cypress
Bellaire (5-5) vs. Katy Cinco Ranch (9-1)
1 p.m. Saturday: Rhodes Stadium, Katy
GP North Shore (7-3) vs. Pasa. Dobie (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Galena Park ISD Stadium
Alief Taylor (8-2) vs. LC Clear Springs (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Crump Stadium, Houston
Al. Eisenhower (7-3) vs. Cy. Fairbanks (6-4)
6 p.m. Saturday: Thorne Stadium, Houston
Lamar (9-1) vs. Katy Morton Ranch (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Delmar Stadium, Houston
Pearland (10-0) vs. Beau. West Brook (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday: Pearland ISD Stadium
Dickinson (9-1) vs. Alief Elsik (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday: Dickinson
Region IV
Converse Judson (9-1) vs. SA Churchill (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Converse
SA Northside O’Connor (7-3) vs.
SA Southwest (4-6)
7 p.m. Thur.: Gustafson Stadium, San Antonio
Laredo United (8-2) vs.
La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: SAC, Laredo
Los Fresnos (9-1) vs. Weslaco High (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Weslaco
SA Reagan (10-0) vs. Smithson Valley (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Fri.: Comalander Stadium, San Antonio
SA East Central (4-6) vs.
SA Northside Stevens (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: SA East Central
McAllen Memorial (10-0) vs.
Laredo United South (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: McAllen ISD Stadium
Edin. Economedes (5-5) vs. Harlingen (8-2),
7:30 p.m. Friday: Boggus Stadium, Harlingen
Class 6A Division II
Bi-district
Region I
EPAmericas(6-4)vs.LubbockMonterey(5-5)
5 p.m. Friday: Socorro ISD Center, El Paso
San Angelo Central (8-1) vs. Arlington (5-5),
7 p.m. Friday: San Angelo Stadium
LewisvilleHebron(4-6)vs.DentonGuyer(7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Apogee Stadium, Denton
Southlake Carroll (8-2) vs. Cedar Hill (9-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Dragon Stadium, Southlake
EPEastwood(8-2)vs.WolfforthFrenship(7-3),
7 p.m. Friday: Wolfforth
Arlington Lamar (9-1) vs. Abilene (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Cravens Field, Arlington
Lewisville Marcus (9-1) vs.
Keller Fossil Ridge (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Fri., Marauder Stadium, Flower Mound
Mansfield (8-2) vs.Colleyville Heritage (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Newsom Stadium, Mansfield
Region II
Dallas Jesuit (9-1) vs. Mesquite Horn (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Postell Stadium, Dallas
Rockwall (7-3) vs. Copperas Cove (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Fri., Wilker.-Sanders Stadium, Rockwall
Pflugerville Hendrickson (8-2) vs.
Austin High (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday: Pflugerville Hendrickson
Spring(9-1)vs.TheWoodlandsCollegePark(3-7)
7 p.m. Friday: George Stadium, Spring
Highland Park (9-1) vs. Irving Nimitz (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dallas Highland Park
Waco Midway (7-3) vs. Garland (6-4)
6 p.m. Friday: Hewitt
Lake Travis (10-0) vs. Pflugerville (3-7)
7 p.m. Thursday: Lake Travis
Kingwood (6-4) vs. Spring Westfield (8-2)
7 p.m. Friday: Turner Stadium, Humble
Region III
Cypress Ranch (9-1) vs. Memorial (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Berry Center, Cypress
Katy (10-0) vs. Houston Westside (4-6)
7 p.m. Friday, Rhodes Stadium, Katy
La Porte (8-2) vs. Pearland Dawson (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday: La Porte
FB Hightower (10-0) vs. Friendswood (6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday: Hall Stadium, Missouri City
Aldine Davis (6-4) vs. Cypress Creek (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday: Thorne Stadium, Houston
Strake Jesuit (6-4) vs. Reagan (8-1)
7 p.m. Saturday: Delmar Stadium, Houston
Manvel (8-2) vs. Channelview (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday: Alvin
Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x
Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News
Nancy Mulkey has enjoyed a lot of good times on
the court at Cypress Woods, and now she is more
comfortable with her 6-9 stature off the floor as well.
The show gave view-
ers an inside look at the
Mulkey family and what
they deal with because of
their height. Her brothers
are 7-footers. Her mother
is 6-7. One episode showed
Mulkey being asked to
prom and going.
League City Clear Creek (10-0) vs.
Fort Bend Travis (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday: Clear Creek
Region IV
Cibolo Steele (10-0) vs. SA MacArthur (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Lehnhoff Stadium, Schertz
SANorthsideBrennan(8-2)vs.CCKing(8-2)
7 p.m. Thursday: Farris Stadium, San Antonio
Del Rio (7-3) vs. La Joya Palmview (4-6)
2 p.m. Saturday: Del Rio
Brow. Memorial (7-3) vs. Weslaco East (7-2)
7 p.m. Thursday: Weslaco
PSJA North (5-5) at San Benito (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: San Benito
SA Johnson (7-3) vs. Schertz Clemens (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Heroes Stadium, San Antonio
CCCarroll(8-2)vs.SANorthsideBrandeis(6-4)
7:30 p.m. Fri., Buccaneer Stadium, Corpus Christi
McAllen (5-5) vs. Laredo Alexander (4-6)
4 p.m. Saturday: McAllen ISD Stadium
San Benito (8-2) vs. PSJA North (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: San Benito
Class 5A Division I
Bi-district
Region I
EP Chapin (9-1) vs. EP Bel Air (6-4)
8 p.m. Friday: EP Irvin
Canyon Randall (9-1) vs. Plainview (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Plainview
FW Boswell (9-1) vs. NRH Birdville (4-6)
10:30 a.m. Sat.: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
FW Arlington Heights (8-1) vs.
Burleson Centennial (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Weatherford
EP Del Valle (8-2) vs. EP Andress (6-4)
8 p.m. Friday: EP Del Valle
AbileneCooper(5-5)vs.AmarilloCaprock(3-7),
4 p.m. Friday: Lowrey Field, Lubbock
Grapevine (8-2) vs. Denton (8-2)
9 p.m. Saturday, AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Aledo (9-1) vs. FW Trimble Tech (5-5)
7 p.m. Thur.: Chisholm Trail Stadium, Fort Worth
Region II
Frisco Wakeland (8-2) vs. Wylie (6-4)
2 p.m. Saturday: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Carrollton Creekview (8-2) vs.
Rockwall-Heath (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Clark Stadium, Plano
Kimball (6-4) vs. Mansfield Summit (9-1)
7 p.m. Thursday: Midlothian
Longview (8-2) vs. Lufkin (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Rose Stadium, Tyler
WylieEast(9-1)vs.LewisvilleTheColony(5-5)
5:30 p.m. Friday: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
MesquitePoteet(7-3)vs.CarrolltonSmith(4-6)
7:30 p.m. Fri.: Standridge Stadium, Carrollton
Lake Ridge (10-0) vs. Samuell (4-6)
7 p.m. Thur.: Gopher-Warrior Bowl, Grand Prairie
Tyler (7-3) vs. Texarkana Texas (8-2)
2 p.m. Saturday: Lobo Stadium, Longview
Region III
Temple (9-1) vs. Willis (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Bowers Stadium, Huntsville
Stratford (9-1) vs. Houston Waltrip (6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday: Delmar Stadium, Houston
King (8-2) vs. Beaumont Central (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Pearland ISD Stadium
FB Elkins (8-2) vs. Richmond Foster (8-2)
7 p.m. Friday: Traylor Stadium, Rosenberg
Bryan (7-3) vs. Manor (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Bryan HS
Madison (7-3) vs. Magnolia West (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday: Mustang Stadium, Magnolia
Nederland (7-3) vs. New Caney (7-3)
6 p.m. Saturday, Thomas Center, Beaumont
George Ranch (10-0) vs. FB Bush (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Mercer Stadium, Sugar Land
Region IV
Austin Vandegrift (8-2) vs.
Bastrop Cedar Creek (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Monroe Stadium, Austin
Lockhart (7-3) vs. SA Highlands (7-3)
7:30 p.m., Friday: Lockhart
Uvalde (6-4) vs. Victoria East (6-4)
4 p.m. Saturday: Alamodome, San Antonio
Edinburg Vela (10-0) vs.
Brownsville Porter (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Sams Stadium, Brownsville
Austin LBJ (8-2) vs.
Cedar Park Vista Ridge (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Nelson Field, Austin
SA Harlandale (6-4) vs. San Marcos (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Fri.: Memorial Stadium, San Antonio
Victoria West (9-1) vs. Laredo Nixon (5-5)
Noon Saturday, Alamodome, San Antonio
Mission Veterans (7-3) vs. Donna High (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Donna
Class 5A Division II
Bi-district
Region I
EP Burges (6-4) vs. EP Ysleta (8-2)
8 p.m. Friday: EP Burges
Canyon (8-2) vs.San Angelo Lake View (3-7)
7 p.m. Friday: Seminole
WF Rider (6-4) vs. FW Dunbar (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Clark Stadium, Fort Worth
FW Wyatt (6-4) vs. Everman (6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday: Newsom Stadium, Mansfield
EP Eastlake (9-1) vs. EP Bowie (7-3)
8 p.m. Thursday: Socorro ISD Center, El Paso
Lubbock Cooper (8-1) vs. Dumas (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Dumas
Lake Dallas (8-2) vs. FW Brewer (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Justin Northwest HS
Burleson (7-3) vs. FW South Hills (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Fri.: Gopher-Warrior Bowl, Grand Prairie
Region II
Frisco Lone Star (9-1) vs. Prosper (6-4)
9 p.m. Friday: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Dallas Adams (7-3) vs. Forney (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Allen
Dallas South Oak Cliff (7-3) vs.
Mansfield Timberview (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: DeSoto
Marshall (9-1) vs. Lindale (5-5)
1 p.m. Saturday: Lobo Stadium, Longview
Throughout the series,
Mulkey discussed her
transformation from
awkward young girl to
confident high school
senior and the way she has
learned to handle herself.
“It’s part of any young
woman’s journey and try-
Lucas Lovejoy (7-3) vs. Frisco (8-2)
5:30 p.m. Saturday: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Terrell (9-1) vs. Dallas Wilson (7-3)
7 p.m. Thursday: Johnson Stadium, Garland
Lancaster (7-3) vs. Seagoville (7-3)
7 p.m. Thursday: Wilmer-Hutchins
Ennis (6-4) vs. Hallsville (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Van
Region III
Waco (6-4) vs. A&M Consolidated (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Waco ISD Stadium
Magnolia (9-1) vs. Sharpstown (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday: Magnolia
Crosby (10-0) vs. Lumberton (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday: Porter
Fort Bend Ridge Point (7-3) vs.
Port Lavaca Calhoun (7-3)
7 p.m. Thursday: Freeport
College Station (8-2) vs. Hutto (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: College Station HS
North Forest (9-1) vs. Brenham (4-6), 7:30
p.m. Friday: Brenham
Port Neches-Groves (8-2) vs. Dayton (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday: Stallworth Stadium, Baytown
Angleton (5-5) vs. Texas City (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Freeport
Region IV
Cedar Park (10-0) vs. Bastrop (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Thur.: Gupton Stadium, Cedar Park
Kerrville Tivy (10-0) vs. SA McCollum (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Alamodome, San Antonio
Somerset (9-1) vs. Gregory-Portland (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Gregory-Portland
Roma (8-2) vs. Edcouch-Elsa (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Landry Stadium, Mission
Austin Reagan (7-3) vs. Georgetown (7-3)
7 p.m. Thursday: Georgetown ISD Complex
SA Sam Houston (10-0) vs.
Boerne Champion (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Boerne ISD Stadium
CC Calallen (8-2) vs.
Castroville Medina Valley
7:30 p.m. Friday: CC Calallen
Mercedes (7-3) vs. Mission Sharyland (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Thompson Stadium, Mission
Class 4A Division I
Bi-district
Region I
Pampa (7-3) vs. Clint Mountain View (4-6)
7 p.m. Friday: Denver City
Mineral Wells (8-2) vs. Snyder (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
Andrews (9-1) vs. Lubbock Estacado (2-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Snyder
Brownwood (8-2) vs. Graham (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Glen Rose
Abilene Wylie (8-2) vs. Burkburnett (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Graham
Clint (6-4) vs. Borger (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Saturday: Grande Stadium, Midland
Decatur (9-1) vs. Stephenville (3-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Aledo
Levelland (5-4) vs. Fabens (2-8)
7 p.m. Friday: Fort Stockton
Region II
Kennedale (10-0) vs. Dallas Carter (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Cedar Hill
Athens (7-3) vs. Princeton (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Hanby Stadium, Mesquite
Argyle (9-1) vs. Lake Worth (4-6)
7 p.m. Thursday: Birdville Complex, NRH
Pittsburg (9-1) vs. Crandall (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Lindale
District 7 No. 1 vs. District 8 No. 4, TBD
Sanger (9-1) vs. Springtown (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Sanger
Kaufman (9-1) vs. Paris (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Greenville
Alvarado (8-2) vs. Wilmer-Hutchins (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Midlothian
Region III
Kilgore (7-3) vs. Huffman Hargrave (6-4)
7:30 p.m. TBD: Lufkin HS
El Campo (7-3) vs. Houston Wheatley (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Butler Stadium, Houston
District 10 No. 1 vs. District 9 No. 4, TBD
Sealy (5-5) vs. Needville (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Traylor Stadium, Rosenberg
District 11 No. 1 vs. District 12 No. 4, TBD
District 10 No. 2 vs. District 9 No. 3, TBD
Stafford (10-0) vs. Sterling (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Stafford
Region IV
Waco La Vega (10-0) vs.
Fischer Canyon Lake (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Georgetown
Kingsville (6-4) vs. Rockport-Fulton (6-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Sinton
Liberty Hill (8-2) vs. Burnet (6-4),
7:30 p.m. Friday: Gupton Stadium, Cedar Park
Gonzales(4-6)vs.RioGrandeCityGrulla(4-6),
7 p.m. Friday: CC Flour Bluff
La Vernia (6-4) vs. Zapata (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Alice
Taylor (4-6) vs. Gatesville (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Belton HS
La Feria (8-2) vs. Beeville Jones (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Shirley Field, Laredo
China Spring (9-1) vs. Boerne (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Pflugerville Connally
Class 4A Division II
Bi-district
Region I
Iowa Park (6-4) vs. Pecos (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Snyder
Godley (4-6) vs. Krum (5-5)
7 p.m. Sat.: Chisholm Trail Stadium, Fort Worth
Dalhart (5-4) vs. Sweetwater (10-0)
7 p.m. Thursday: Lowery Field, Lubbock
Aubrey (6-4) vs. Ferris (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Birdville Complex, NRH
Celina (10-0) vs. Venus (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Memorial Stadium, Frisco
Monahans (6-4) vs. Bushland (4-6)
7 p.m. Thursday: Levelland
Preseason All-Greater Houston
FIRST TEAM
Player School
Nancy Mulkey Cypress Woods
Chasity Patterson North Shore
Deauzya Richards Cypress Ranch
Charli Collier Barbers Hill
Jaelyn Richard-Harris Dekaney
SECOND TEAM
Angela Harris Cy-Fair
Faith Cook Goose Creek Memorial
Sentreal Gregory Westside
Madison Glass Hightower
Sierra Cheatham Clear Springs
THIRD TEAM
Jasmine Williams Cypress Woods
Kayla Owens Langham Creek
Jasmyne Harris Brazosport
Daizha Norris Bush
Michelle Fokam Seven Lakes
ing to figure out who you
are and what makes you
you,” Cy Woods basketball
coach Virginia Flores said.
“Being a basketball player
and being tall is some-
thing that defines Nancy.
She’s starting to realize it’s
more than just that.
“Being able to embrace
that journey and saying
she’s proud of who she is
and where she’s going has
been remarkable.”
State champion
Mulkey had been on TV
earlier in the year. Many
watched as she helped Cy
Woods win the Class 6A
Dallas Madison vs. Anna (2-8)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Wylie
Perryton (5-5) vs. Greenwood (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday: Muleshoe
Region II
District 5 No. 1 vs. District 6 No. 4, TBD
Shepherd (8-2) vs. Mexia (6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday: Bryan HS
District 6 No. 1 vs. District 5 No. 4, TBD
Fairfield (7-3) vs. Diboll (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Bullard
Lorena (7-3) vs. Cleveland Tarkington (4-6)
7 p.m. Thursday: College Station HS
District 6 No. 2 vs. District 5 No. 3, TBD
Coldspring-Oakhurst(6-4)vs.Groesbeck(5-5)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Madisonville
District 5 No. 2 vs. District 6 No. 3, TBD
Region III
West Orange-Stark (9-1) vs.
Scarborough (1-9)
7 p.m. Thursday: Stallworth Stadium, Baytown
Wharton (7-3) vs. La Grange (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Victoria
La Marque (8-2) vs. Liberty (4-6)
7 p.m. Thursday: Channelview
Caldwell (6-4) vs. Columbus (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Giddings
Giddings (10-0) vs. Sweeny (2-8)
7:30 p.m. Friday: El Campo
Worthing (7-3) vs. Orangefield (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Barbers Hill
Bellville (8-2) vs. Salado (1-9)
7:30 p.m. Friday: A&M Consolidated
Hamshire-Fannett vs. Kashmere (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Channelview
Region IV
Geronimo Navarro (9-0) vs. Poteet (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Thur.: South San Stadium, San Antonio
Rio Hondo (7-2) vs. Yoakum (5-5)
7 p.m. Thur.: Buccaneer Stadium, Corpus Christi
Devine (9-1) vs. Lytle (3-7)
7:30 p.m., Friday: Devine
Cuero (5-5) vs. Port Isabel (6-3),
7:30 p.m. Fri.: Cabaniss Stadium, Corpus Christi
Sinton (9-0) vs. Raymondville (4-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Javelina Stadium, Kingsville
Crystal City (8-2) vs. Llano (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Bandera
Orange Grove (9-0) vs. Ingleside (2-8)
7:30 p.m. Saturday: CC Calallen
Wimberley (3-7) vs. Pearsall (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Edgewood
Class 3A Division II
Bi-district
Region I
Muleshoe (9-1) vs. Slaton (3-7)
7 p.m. Thursday: Wolfforth
Breckenridge (7-3) vs. Brady (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Brownwood
Shallowater(7-2)vs.AmarilloRiverRoad(4-6)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Plainview
Clyde (8-2) vs. Bowie (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Stephenville
Wall (10-0) vs. Boyd (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Early
Brownfield (8-1) vs. Littlefield (5-5)
7 p.m. Saturday: Lowrey Field, Lubbock
Brock (10-0) vs. Tuscola Jim Ned (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
Childress (7-3) vs. Denver City
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Sweetwater
Region II
Pottsboro (10-0) vs. Commerce (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: McKinney
District 8 No. 2 vs. District 7 No. 3, TBD
Sunnyvale (9-1) vs. Van Alstyne (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Williams Stadium, Garland
Daingerfield (4-6) vs. Sabine (4-6)
7 p.m. Thursday: Marshall
Redwater (5-5) vs.Big Sandy Harmony (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Tatum
District 6 No. 2 vs. District 5 No. 3, TBD
Mineola (10-0) vs. Prairiland (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Emory Rains
District 5 No. 2 vs. District 6 No. 3, TBD
Region III
Grandview (9-0) vs. Little River Aca. (5-4)
1 p.m. Saturday: Waco ISD Stadium
Winnie East Chambers (9-1) vs.
Palestine Westwood (8-2)
7 p.m. Thursday: New Caney
Cameron Yoe (9-1) vs. McGregor (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Waco ISD Stadium
Malakoff (9-1) vs. Buna (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Dragon Stadium, Nacogdoche
Teague (8-1) vs. Woodville (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Bowers Stadium, Huntsville
Rockdale (8-2) vs. Comanche (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Marble Falls
Kirbyville (9-1) vs. Kemp (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Carthage
West (9-1) vs. Troy (8-2)
7 p.m. Saturday: Waco ISD Stadium
Region IV
Luling (4-6) vs. Vanderbilt Industrial (2-8)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Bastrop
Lyford (6-3) vs. Goliad (6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday: Alice
Edna (7-3) vs.Universal City Randolph (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Beeville
Mathis (8-2) vs. San Diego (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: San Diego
Hallettsville (8-2) vs. Falfurrias (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Somerset
Hitchcock (8-2) vs. Marion (7-3)
7:30 p.m., Thursday: Waller
Aransas Pass (7-3) vs. George West (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Taft
Comfort (5-5) vs. Altair Rice (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Seguin
Class 3A Division II
Bi-district
Region I
Idalou (9-0) vs. Holliday (4-6)
7 p.m. Friday: Abilene Wylie
Colorado City (4-6) vs. Big Lake (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Forsan
Cl. Pos.
Sr. P 1. Cypress Woods
Jr. G 2. Clear Springs
Jr. G 3. Dekaney
So. F 4. Cypress Ranch
Sr G 5. North Shore
Sr. G 7. Hightower
Sr. G 8. Atascocita
Sr. G 9. Seven Lakes
Sr. G 10. Cy-Fair
Jr. F CLASS 5A/OTHERS
Sr. G 2. Bush
Jr. F 3. Concordia Lutheran
Sr. G 4. Galveston Ball
Sr. G 5. Navasota
Sr. G 6. George Ranch
championship in Febru-
ary. With three starters
back, including Jasmine
Williams and Cate Reese,
the Wildcats will be in the
mix again.
If the Wildcats get far
enough, they may play
on TV again, though no
television appearance will
mean as much to Mulkey
as being on “My Giant
Life.” Basketball likely
will take her far, but being
a role model for other girls
dealing with height issues
is a big deal for Mulkey.
“I’m glad I got that
opportunity to let people
know the struggles that
Cisco (9-1) vs. Amarillo Highland Park (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Vernon
Coleman (9-1) vs. Alpine (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Grande Stadium, Midland
Post (10-0) vs. District 4 No. 4, TBD
Henrietta (9-1) vs. Sanford-Fritch (4-6)
7 p.m. Thursday: Weatherford, Okla.
Ballinger (6-4) vs. District 4 No. 1, TBD
Spearman (9-1) vs. Eastland (8-2)
7 p.m. Friday: Shallowater
Region II
District 5 No. 1 vs. District 6 No. 4, TBD
New London West Rusk (9-1) vs.
Hughes Springs (6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday: Lobo Stadium, Longview
District 6 No. 1 vs. District 5 No. 4, TBD
Omaha Pewitt (6-4) vs. Winona (7-3)
7:30 Friday: Lobo Stadium, Longview
Hooks (9-1) vs. Arp (5-5)
7:30 Thursday: Gilmer
District 6 No. 2 vs. District 5 No. 3, TBD
Waskom (10-0) vs. DeKalb (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Gilmer
District 5 No. 2 vs. District 6 No. 3, TBD
Region III
Dublin (4-6) vs. Blooming Grove
7:30 p.m. Friday: Burleson
Trinity (7-3) vs. Corrigan-Camden (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Woodville
Jarrell (10-0) vs. Maypearl (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: McGregor
Crockett (7-3) vs. Lexington (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Groesbeck
Newton (6-4) vs. Buffalo (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Huffman Hargrave
Marlin (5-5) vs. Rio Vista (4-6)
6 p.m. Saturday: Alvarado
Franklin (10-0) vs. Garrison (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Palestine
Palmer (3-7) vs. Clifton (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Alvarado
Region IV
East Bernard (8-2) vs. Karnes City (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Edna
Dilley (6-4) vs. Santa Gertrudis Aca. (7-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Dilley
Blanco (10-0) vs. Van Vleck (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Yoakum
Taft (9-1) vs. Freer (3-7)
7 p.m. Saturday: Taft
Odem (10-0) vs. Cotulla (4-6)
7:30 p.m.Fri.,Southside ISDStadium,San Antonio
Stockdale(5-5)vs.ElMatonTidehaven(6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Schulenburg
Hebbronville (4-6) vs. Banquete (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Mathis
Boling (9-1) vs. Poth (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Edna
Class 2A Division I
Bi-district
Region I
Canadian (10-0) vs. Hale Center (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday, Bivins Stadium, Amarillo
Stamford (9-1) vs. Ozona
2 p.m. Saturday: San Angelo Stadium
New Deal vs. Panhandle (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday: Kimbrough Stadium, Canyon
Christoval (4-6) vs. Anson (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Brownwood
Forsan (8-2) vs. Windthorst (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Cisco
Abernathy (6-4) vs. Wellington (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Canyon Randall HS
Hawley (9-1) vs. Anthony
7:30 p.m. Friday: Pecos
Stratford (9-1) vs. Floydada (4-6)
7 p.m. Friday: Bushland
Region II
Valley View (6-4) vs. Wolfe City (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Little Elm
Mart (8-2) vs. Tolar (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Waxahachie
Clarksville (4-6) vs. Bells (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Cooper
Hico (4-6) vs. Bosqueville (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Robinson
Goldthwaite (8-2) vs. Axtell (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Copperas Cove
Quinlan Boles (4-6) vs. Alvord (3-7), TBD
Crawford (10-0) vs. De Leon (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Granbury
Blue Ridge (9-1) vs. Bogata Rivercrest (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Cooper
Region III
District 9 No. 1 vs. District 10 No. 4, TBD
Centerville (4-6) vs. Grapeland (4-6)
7 p.m. Thursday: Buffalo
District 10 No. 1 vs. District 9 No. 4, TBD
District 11 No. 2 vs. District 12 No. 3, TBD
Alto (10-0) vs. Groveton (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Madisonville
District 10 No. 2 vs. District 9 No. 3, TBD
Lovelady (10-0) vs. Cayuga (2-8)
7 p.m. Thursday: Crockett
District 9 No. 2 vs. District 10 No. 3, TBD
Region IV
Holland (8-2) vs. Harper (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Buda
Three Rivers (6-4) vs. Weimar (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Saturday: Victoria
Mason (10-0) vs. Rosebud-Lott (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Burger Stadium, Austin
Refugio (8-2) vs. La Villa (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Javelina Stadium, Kingsville
Shiner (10-0) vs. Riviera (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Three Rivers
Johnson City (8-2) vs. Moody (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Liberty Hill
CC London (8-1) vs. Flatonia (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Refugio
Thrall (7-3) vs. Junction (7-3)
7 p.m. Thursday: Marble Falls
Class 2A Division II
Bi-district
Region I
Sunray (6-4) vs. Sudan (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Amarillo River Road
Preseason
rankings
CLASS 6A
6. Westside
1. Barbers Hill
7. Brazosport
8. Westbury Christian
9. Brenham
10. Bay City
tall people go through,”
she said. “I’ve had so many
people in person, on Twit-
ter and on Instagram tell-
ing me I’m an inspiration.
They tell me I have helped
them with confidence.
“You can’t be afraid
of who you are. Having
that opportunity to help
younger people, I’m glad
the TV show came my
way.”
Corey Roepken is a freelance
writer.
Smyer (2-8) vs. Memphis (4-6)
7 p.m. Thursday: Kimbrough Stadium, Canyon
Vega (10-0) vs. Gruver (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Stinnett
Crosbyton (9-1) vs. Sundown (4-6)
7 p.m. Friday: Lamesa
Quanah (6-4) vs. Plains (1-9)
7 p.m. Thursday: Amarillo Highland Park
Farwell (5-4) vs. Shamrock (5-5)
1 p.m. Saturday: Bivins Stadium, Amarillo
Seagraves (9-1) vs. Lockney (5-5)
8 p.m. Friday: Lowrey Field, Lubbock
Wheeler (4-6) vs. Springlake-Earth (8-2)
7 p.m. Thursday: Canyon Randall
Region II
District 5 No. 1 vs. District 6 No. 4, TBD
Baird (8-2) vs. Electra (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Jacksboro
District 6 No. 1 vs. District 5 No. 4, TBD
District 7 No. 2 vs. District 8 No. 3, TBD
Seymour (8-2) vs. Cross Plains (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Sweetwater
District 6 No. 2 vs. District 5 No. 3, TBD
District 8 No. 1 vs. District 7 No. 4, TBD
District 5 No. 2 vs. District 6 No. 3, TBD
Region III
Muenster (9-1) vs. Meridian (6-4)
TBD Friday: Springtown
Iola (8-2) vs. Timpson (2-7)
7 p.m. Thursday: Palestine
Hubbard (8-2) vs. Celeste (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Forney
Maud (7-3) vs. Evadale (6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday: Shelbyville’
Tenaha (5-5) vs. Colmesneil (3-7), TBD
Italy (6-4) vs. Era (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Joshua
Normangee (8-2) vs. Overton (3-7), TBD
Lindsay (7-2) vs. Chilton (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Roughrider Stadium, Saginaw
Region IV
Bremond (10-0) vs. Kenedy (2-7)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Bastrop
Woodsboro (4-6) vs. Rocksprings (3-7)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Jourdanton
Falls City (10-0) vs. Burton (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Bulldog Stadium, Seguin
District 15 No. 2 vs. District 16 No. 3, TBD
District 15 No. 1 vs. District 16 No. 4, TBD
Yorktown (8-2) vs. Milano (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Giddings
District 16 No. 1 vs. District 15 No. 4, TBD
Granger (5-5) vs. Louise (7-2)
7 p.m. Thursday: Brenham
Class A Six-Man Division II
Bi-district
Region I
Happy (10-0) vs. Spur (6-4)
8 p.m. Thursday: Lockney
Meadow vs. Klondike
7:30 p.m. Friday: Dawson
Borden County vs. Anton
7 p.m. Friday: Ralls
Valley (9-1) vs. Nazareth (9-1)
6 p.m. Thursday: Lockney
Region II
Garden City (9-1) vs. Robert Lee (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Robert Lee
Hermleigh vs. Aspermont
7 p.m. Thursday: Trent
Crowell (6-3) vs. Ira (9-1)
7 p.m. Friday: Jayton
Sterling City (9-1) vs. Rankin (4-6)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Garden City
Region III
Newcastle (8-2) vs. May (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Strawn
Zephyr vs. Paint Rock
7:30 p.m. Friday: Santa Anna
Rochelle vs. Santa Anna
7:30 p.m. Saturday: May
Gordon (10-0) vs. Bryson (6-4)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Springtown
Region IV
Blum (8-2) vs. Abbott (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Hillsboro
Savoy vs. Apple Springs
7 p.m. Friday: Fruitvale
Chester vs. Gilmer Union Hill, TBD
Milford (8-2) vs. Gholson (7-3)
TBD Thursday: Itasca
Class A Six-man Division II
Bi-district
Region I
Follett (8-1) vs. McLean (6-4)
6 p.m., Friday: Panhandle
Amherst (6-4) vs. Whitharral
7 p.m. Friday: Lorenzo
Southland vs. Kress (5-5)
7 p.m. Friday: Petersburg
Groom (6-3) vs. Lefors (5-5)
8 p.m. Friday: Panhandle
Region II
Balmorhea vs. Ackerly Sands
7:30 p.m. Friday: Rankin
Loraine vs. Blanket
7 p.m. Friday: Trent
Rising Star vs. Blackwell, TBD
Imperial Buena Vista vs. Dell City
7:30 p.m. Friday: Imperial
Region III
Guthrie vs. Rule, TBD
Chillicothe (4-6) vs. Throckmorton (3-7)
8 p.m. Friday: Archer City
Forestburg (7-3) vs. Benjamin (4-6)
6 p.m. Friday: Archer City
Lueders-Avoca vs. Motley County
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Jayton
Region IV
Rich. Springs (10-0) vs. Wal. Springs (8-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday: Hamilton
Mount Calm (9-0) vs. High Island
7:30 p.m. Friday: Bellville Faith
Calvert (10-0) vs. Oakwood (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Coolidge
Jonesboro (10-0) vs. Cherokee (5-5)
7 p.m. Thursday: Hamilton
 xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | C7

FOR THE RECORD Sports Editor, randy.harvey@chron.com • 713-362-3491 • Fax: 713-362-7866 @randyharvey Houston Chronicle Sports

AROUND SPORTS

Djokovic makes short work of Murray

PARIS — Novak Chasing success at Ro- Championship at Scotts- old Scot was flawless on
Djokovic’s relentless land Garros and the quest dale, Ariz., beating Cham- the back nine of Sheshan
desire for tennis perfec- to win all four Grand pions Tour points winner International and closed
tion is pushing him to Slams in one year — he Bernhard Langer with a with a 4-under 68 for a
a consistently brilliant has won three in a year birdie on the first hole of a two-shot victory over
level, one that proved far twice — means his moti- playoff. Kevin Kisner. Knox
too high for Andy Mur- vation level will remain Andrade two-putted found out only a week ago
ray on Sunday. undiminished in 2016. from the back fringe on Friday that he was in the
The top-ranked Serb “I take nothing for the par-5 18th, holing a HSBC Champions as an
dominated Murray in granted. I try to work on 2½-footer for his third alternate when J.B. Hol-
the Paris Masters final, that all the time, because I victory of the year on the mes withdrew. He was
beating the second-seeded know that is the only way 50-and-over tour. in Malaysia and had to
Briton 6-2, 6-4 for his 10th I’m managing to stay suc- Andrade, 51, closed scramble to get a Chinese
title of an outstanding cessful,” said the 28-year- with a 6-under 64 at Des- visa, arriving in time for
year that now includes a old Djokovic after playing ert Mountain, making a one practice round.
record six Masters titles in his 14th consecutive 10-foot birdie putt on 18 to • Sun-Ju Ahn won
to add to his three Grand tournament final this year. post at 14-under 266. the Toto Japan Classic at
Slam wins. In their 30th career Langer missed a chance Shima for her first LPGA
With 10 titles in 2015, meeting, Djokovic im- Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images to win on 18 in regulation Tour victory and 20th
he is four ahead of Roger proved to 21-9 against Novak Djokovic of Serbia is all smiles after defeating when his 18-foot eagle Japan LPGA title, beat-
Federer. Djokovic now Murray, who beat the Andy Murray in the Paris Masters final. putt lipped out. He fin- ing fellow South Korean
has won 26 Masters Serb in the 2013 Wimble- ished with a 67 and then player Ji-Hee Lee and
events altogether — two don final. Since then, and scored the clincher on Eastern Conference finals. failed to get up-and-down American Angela Stan-
more than Federer and Djokovic has won 10 of a penalty kick to help top- New York, which won the for birdie from the right ford with a birdie on the
one behind leader Rafael their 11 encounters. seeded FC Dallas reach first leg of the two-game greenside rough in the first hole of a playoff. Ahn
Nadal. In other tennis news: the MLS Cup Western series 1-0 last week at playoff. closed with a 5-under 67
“If you are going for • Top-seeded Venus Conference finals with a Washington, advanced on The 58-year-old Ger- to match Stanford (67)
the perfection, you might Williams beat Karo- victory over the Seattle aggregate goals 2-0. man star won the Charles and Lee (66) at 16-under
reach excellence,” the 10- lina Pliskova 7-5, 7-6 Sounders at Frisco. • Kei Kamara scored Schwab Cup points title 200.
time Grand Slam cham- (6) to win the WTA Elite FC Dallas won 4-2 on his second goal in the for the second consecu- • Roberto Castro
pion said after dispatch- Trophy at Zhuhai, China. penalty kicks after three 111th minute to lift Colum- tive year and record third clung to a one-stroke lead
ing Murray in 1 hour, 33 With her third win of the lead-changing goals in the bus past visiting Montreal time overall, earning a $1 in the Sanderson Farms
minutes. “That’s the kind year, Williams returns to final 10 minutes of regula- and into the Eastern Con- million annuity. Championship at Jack-
of mindset I have.” the top 10 for the first time tion time and 30 scoreless ference finals after they In other news: son, Miss., after playing
The only major in more than four years. minutes of extra time. split the two legs 3-3. • Russell Knox made the first six holes in the
Djokovic did not win In other games: an unexpected trip to suspended third round
this year was the French SOCCER • Bradley Wright- GOLF Shanghai and left with a in 2 over par. Play was
Open, losing the final to FC Dallas makes Phillips scored two Andrade bests most surprising victory suspended because of
Stan Wawrinka, and minutes into second-half in the HSBC Champions. darkness and will resume
it remains the only big Western finals injury time, and the New Langer in Schwab Knox became the first Monday morning, with
trophy missing in his fast- Walker Zimmerman York Red Bulls beat D.C. Billy Andrade won player to win a World the final round following
growing collection of 58 forced extra time with a United 1-0 at Harrison, the season-ending Golf Championship in his immediately.
career titles. goal in the 91st minute N.Y., to advance to the Charles Schwab Cup debut when the 30-year- From wire reports

SCOREBOARD
America’s Line Ian Poulter, $68,000............ 72-71-70-67—280
Martin Kaymer, $68,000.....69-71-73-67—280
Television Winnipeg
Chicago
15 8 5 2 18 42 41
15 8 6 1 17 39 38
38. (9) Denny Hamlin
39. (29) Trevor Bayne
T 304 $111,852
F 296 $134,355
(Home team in CAPS) Robert Streb, $63,000......... 73-69-68-71—281 Pro basketball Chicago at Philadelphia NBA 6 p.m. Colorado 14 4 9 1 9 36 42 40. (4) Joey Logano F 268 $132,988
Basketball Scott Piercy, $63,000 .......... 70-73-66-72—281 Pro football Chicago at San Diego ESPN 7:30 p.m. Pacific Division 41. (31) Alex Bowman C 236 $81,780
Emiliano Grillo, $63,000.......69-71-69-72—281 GP W L OT Pts GF GA 42. (22) Tony Stewart C 52 $104,994
Favorite
NBA
Points Underdog
Charl Schwartzel, $63,000.68-72-69-72—281 Radio Los Angeles 14 9 5 0 18 35 29 43. (25) Ryan Blaney F 26 $74,280
Bulls 7½ 76ERS Bubba Watson, $63,000.....68-73-68-72—281 Pro football Chicago at San Diego 610 AM 7:30 p.m. Vancouver 15 6 4 5 17 43 36 Key: C— Chevrolet; F— Ford; T— Toyota.
PACERS NL Magic Anirban Lahiri, $58,500.......70-75-66-71—282 San Jose 14 7 7 0 14 38 36
HAWKS 9 T’Wolves Luke Donald, $58,500 ......... 71-69-70-72—282
Matt Jones, $58,500 ...........74-70-68-70—282
Johnson Wagner............................... 69-69—138 Caroline Masson, $23,964........67-68-70—205 Arizona
Anaheim
13 6 6
14 5 7 2 12 22 33
1 13 35 38 Soccer
NUGGETS 1½ Blazers Jeff Overton ........................................74-64—138 Ai Suzuki, $23,964 ..................... 66-68-71—205
Steven Bowditch, $58,500 64-75-68-75—282 Bronson Burgoon...............................68-70—138 Teresa Lu, $18,781...................... 70-67-69—206 Calgary 15 5 9 1 11 37 59 MLS
Spurs NL KINGS
CLIPPERS 5½ Grizzlies Louis Oosthuizen, $55,500 68-69-73-73—283 Luke List ............................................. 70-68—138 Danielle Kang, $18,781.............. 70-66-70—206 Edmonton 15 5 10 0 10 39 47 Playoffs
WARRIORS 14 Pistons DanielSummerhays,$55,50068-74-67-74—283 Tyrone Van Aswegen ..........................67-71—138 Mirim Lee, $18,781...................... 69-67-70—206 Note: Two points for a win, one point for Conference Semifinals
Xinjun Zhang, $52,000.........67-72-73-72—284 Scott Langley .....................................68-70—138 Mi-Jeong Jeon, $18,781 ............. 66-70-70—206 overtime loss. Eastern Conference
Soren Kjeldsen, $52,000.....68-71-70-75—284 Derek Ernst ........................................ 69-69—138 Yani Tseng, $18,781......................67-68-71—206 Saturday’s results
College football S.S.P Chawrasia, $52,000....69-72-71-72—284 Andres Romero .................................. 66-72—138 Mi Hyang Lee, $16,678.............. 70-68-69—207 Buffalo 3 .......................................... Vancouver 2
N.Y. Red Bulls 2, D.C. United 0
Leg 1 — N.Y. Red Bulls 1 ................ D.C. United 0
Associated Press Top 25 Richard T Lee, $52,000.........68-72-73-71—284 Andres Gonzales................................68-70—138 Wei-Ling Hsu, $14,114................69-70-69—208 Los Angeles 4 .........................................Florida 1 Leg 2 — N.Y. Red Bulls 1................ D.C. United 0
W-L Pts. Pvs. Miguel A. Jimenez, $52,000 73-72-70-69—284 Tyler Aldridge ...................................... 71-67—138 Ilhee Lee, $14,114.........................66-72-70—208 Montreal 4 ............................................. Boston 2 Columbus 4, Montreal 3
1. Clemson (31) 9-0 1,489 3 Lee Westwood, $49,000......72-69-71-73—285 Henrik Norlander .............................. 69-69—138 Ha Na Jang, $14,114 ....................69-68-71—208 Washington 3 ............................. Toronto 2 (SO) Leg 1 — Montreal 2........................... Columbus 1
2. Ohio St. (26) 9-0 1,460 1 Chris Wood, $49,000 ..........68-76-69-72—285 Cameron Percy...................................68-70—138 Misuzu Narita, $14,114................68-69-71—208 Carolina 3 .................................... Ottawa 2 (OT) Leg 2 — Columbus 3 ..............Montreal 1 (AET)
3. Alabama (2) 8-1 1,376 7 Zecheng Dou, $49,000 ..........70-71-73-71—285 Trey Mullinax ......................................68-70—138 Shiho Oyama, $14,114 ................70-66-72—208 Philadelphia 3 ..................................Winnipeg 0 Western Conference
4. Baylor (2) 8-0 1,351 2 Alex Noren, $47,500 ........... 70-76-66-74—286 Darron Stiles.......................................69-70—139 Erina Hara, $14,114......................69-67-72—208 St. Louis 4 ......................................... Nashville 0 FC Dallas 4, Seattle 3
5. Oklahoma St. 9-0 1,256 12 Thomas Aiken, $47,500........70-71-73-72—286 Jonathan Byrd....................................69-70—139 Alena Sharp, $14,114...................67-69-72—208 Minnesota 1 ....................................Tampa Bay 0 Leg 1 — Seattle 2................................FC Dallas 1
6. Notre Dame 8-1 1,219 8 Tyrrell Hatton, $47,500.......70-76-70-70—286 Will MacKenzie....................................71-68—139 Eun-Hee Ji, $,14,114.................... 69-66-73—208 N.Y. Rangers 4........................................ Arizona 1 Leg 2 — FC Dallas 2...............................Seattle 1
7. Stanford 8-1 1,144 9 Kevin Na, $46,500 .................. 72-72-72-71—287 Seung-Yul Noh...................................70-69—139 Maiko Wakabayashi, $11,118 .... 68-72-69—209 Calgary 5 .......................................... Pittsburgh 2 Dallas wins 4-2 on penalty kicks.
8. Iowa 9-0 1,091 10 Trevor Fisher Jnr, $44,792....67-74-70-77—288 Vaughn Taylor .....................................68-71—139 Ritsuko Ryu, $11,118 ................... 70-69-70—209 Anaheim 1 ........................................... San Jose 0 Portland 2, Vancouver 0
9. LSU 7-1 1,050 4 Greg Chalmers, $44,792...... 73-73-69-73—288 Steve Flesch ........................................68-71—139 Hee-Kyung Bae, $11,118 ............. 70-67-72—209 Sunday’s results Leg 1 — Vancouver 0............... Portland 0 (tie)
10. Utah 8-1 900 13 Nick Cullen, $44,792 ..............74-71-70-73—288 Tom Hoge.............................................71-68—139 Ryann O’Toole, $,11,118...............65-70-74—209 Dallas 4 ....................................................Detroit 1 Leg 2 — Portland 2 .......................Vancouver 0
11. Florida 8-1 887 11 Danny Lee, $44,792 ................71-73-71-73—288 Michael Bradley .................................69-70—139 New Jersey 4.......................... Vancouver 3 (OT)
12. Oklahoma 8-1 858 14
Champions Boston 2 ...................................... N.Y. Islanders 1
Conference Championship
Ashun Wu, $44,792...............69-74-72-73—288 Mark Hubbard ....................................69-70—139 Eastern Conference
13. TCU 8-1 841 5 Wenchong Liang, $44,792.....71-73-73-71—288 Jarrod Lyle............................................71-68—139 Charles Schwab Cup Chicago 4......................................... Edmonton 2 N.Y. Red Bulls (1) vs. Columbus (2)
14. Michigan St. 8-1 807 6 Andy Sullivan, $43,250....... 70-74-70-75—289 Tim Wilkinson .....................................68-71—139 Sunday’s final-round scores Today’s game Leg 1 — New York at Columbus....TBD Nov. 22
15. Michigan 7-2 684 16 Cameron Smith, $43,250 .....71-73-70-75—289 Michael Putnam ................................69-70—139 at Scottsdale, Ariz. Arizona at Anaheim .......................................... 9 Leg 2 — Columbus at New York .. TBD Nov. 29
16. Houston 9-0 561 18 Hiroshi Iwata, $43,250........ 70-77-69-73—289 Martin Flores .......................................67-72—139 x-won on first playoff hole
Western Conference
17. North Carolina 8-1 506 21 x-Billy Andrade, $440,00065-67-70-64—266
18. UCLA 7-2 403 22
Danny Chia, $42,750.............. 72-73-74-71—290
Shane Lowry, $42,375 ........... 74-75-72-71—292
Frank Lickliter II..................................70-70—140
Bernhard Langer, $254,00063-68-68-67—266 Motor sports FC Dallas (1) vs. Portland (3)
Billy Mayfair........................................70-70—140 Leg 1 — FC Dallas at Portland ......TBD Nov. 22
19. Florida St. 7-2 379 17 Andrew Dodt, $42,375 .......70-80-76-66—292 Jason Kokrak .......................................69-71—140
Michael Allen, $213,000 ... 65-64-69-70—268 NASCAR - Sprint Cup-AAA Leg 2 — Portland at FC Dallas..... TBD Nov. 29
20. Mississippi St. 7-2 357 24 Adam Scott, $42,000 .......... 75-76-72-70—293 Mark O’Meara, $158,000 ..68-68-66-68—270 Texas 500
Michael Kim........................................66-74—140
21. Temple 8-1 310 23 Jeff Sluman, $158,000........69-64-71-66—270
22. Navy 7-1 218 NR
Satoshi Kodaira, $41,750 ....74-76-76-68—294
David Lingmerth, $41,375.... 70-72-76-77—295
Sung Kang...........................................68-72—140
Stephen Ames, $111,000......68-67-67-69—271
Sunday’s results at Fort Worth
Lap length: 1.5 miles
Tennis
Ollie Schniederjans ...........................70-70—140
23. Wisconsin 8-2 183 NR Danie Van Tonder, $41,375.....77-73-71-74—295 Kirk Triplett, $111,000.......... 70-68-66-67—271 (Pole position in parentheses)
24. Northwestern 7-2 177 NR
Billy Hurley III......................................70-70—140
Joe Durant, $93,000 ......... 69-66-68-69—272 ATP - BNP Paribas Masters
Yi Cao, $41,000.......................70-78-71-78—297 Rob Oppenheim................................. 71-69—140 1. (8) Jimmie Johnson C 334 $462,976 Sunday’s results at Paris
25. Memphis 8-1 137 15 Steven Jeffress, $40,750 ......76-78-73-74—301 Olin Browne, $76,000 ..........66-67-71-69—273 2. (1) Brad Keselowski F 334 $394,391
Scott Stallings ....................................67-73—140 Fred Couples, $76,000.......66-69-69-69—273 Singles
Others receiving votes: Southern Cal 104, Chris Kirk, $40,375 .................71-79-74-79—303 3. (2) Kevin Harvick C 334 $280,475
K.J. Choi ................................................69-71—140 Duffy Waldorf, $76,000.... 68-68-69-68—273 Championship
BYU 35, Mississippi 22, Boise St. 6, Texas A&M Marc Warren, $40,375 .......... 75-74-81-73—303 4. (3) Kyle Busch T 334 $242,766
Tim Herron..........................................70-70—140 Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Andy Murray
6, Toledo 4, W. Kentucky 2, Washington St. 2. Tom Lehman, $64,000....... 69-65-71-69—274 5. (13) Carl Edwards T 334 $170,575
PGA - Sanderson Farms John Huh .............................................70-70—140 (2), Britain, 6-2, 6-4.
Coaches Top 25 Dawie van der Walt............................67-73—140 6. (10) Dale Earnhardt Jr. C 334 $171,240 Doubles
W-L Pts. Pvs. Championship Hockey 7. (7) Kurt Busch C 334 $162,615 Championship
Sunday’s partial third-round scores Brian Stuard .......................................70-70—140
1. Ohio St. (34) 9-0 1526 1 8. (23) Martin Truex Jr. C 334 $160,910
2. Clemson (21) 9-0 1511 5 at Jackson, Miss. Leader board NHL Ivan Dodig, Croatia, and Marcelo Melo (2),
9. (18) Jeff Gordon C 334 $172,351 Brazil, def. Vasek Pospisil, Canada, and Jack
Note: Third round was suspended and will be Score Thru Eastern Conference
3. Baylor (5) 8-0 1439 2 10. (27) Jamie McMurray C 334 $158,556 Sock, United States, 2-6, 6-3, 10-5.
completed with the fourth round on Monday. Roberto Castro.................................. -13 6 Atlantic Division
4. Alabama (3) 8-1 1410 7 11. (26) Austin Dillon C 334 $156,576
5. Oklahoma St. 9-0 1267 10 Roberto Castro................................... 62-67—129 Boo Weekley...................................... -12 8 GP W L OT Pts GF GA 12. (6) Erik Jones T 334 $153,326
Huajin Securities WTA Elite
Bryce Molder.......................................64-69—133 D.J. Trahan.......................................... -12 8 Montreal 16 13 2 1 27 59 29 Trophy
6. Notre Dame 8-1 1234 9 13. (20) Paul Menard C 334 $120,440
Jhonattan Vegas ............................... 66-67—133 Michael Thompson .......................... -12 7 Ottawa 14 7 4 3 17 42 42 Sunday’s results at Zhuhai, China
7. Stanford 8-1 1197 8 14. (21) Brian Scott C 334 $127,748
Michael Thompson ............................67-67—134 Tyler Aldridge ..................................... -11 15 Tampa Bay 16 7 7 2 16 38 38 Singles
8. Iowa 9-0 1119 11 15. (14) Clint Bowyer T 334 $142,973
Brian Davis......................................... 65-69—134 William McGirt ................................... -11 12 Boston 14 7 6 1 15 47 45 Championship
9. LSU 7-1 1023 4 16. (11) Danica Patrick C 334 $116,140
Patrick Rodgers..................................70-64—134 Brian Davis.......................................... -11 7 Detroit 14 7 6 1 15 33 36 Venus Williams (1), United States, def. Karo-
10. Florida 8-1 949 12 17. (30) AJ Allmendinger C 334 $137,398
D.J. Trahan............................................67-67—134 Patrick Rodgers.................................. -11 7 Florida 14 5 6 3 13 37 35 lina Pliskova (3), Czech Republic, 7-5, 7-6 (6).
11. Oklahoma 8-1 936 13 18. (24) Aric Almirola F 334 $143,526
Boo Weekley.......................................68-67—135 Jhonattan Vegas ............................... -11 6 Buffalo 14 6 8 0 12 32 41 Doubles
12. TCU 8-1 898 3 19. (12) Greg Biffle F 333 $137,148
13. Utah 8-1 862 14 Nick Taylor ......................................... 69-66—135 Bryce Molder....................................... -11 6 Torontox 14 2 8 4 8 29 45 Championship
20. (16) Kasey Kahne C 333 $120,765
14. Michigan St. 8-1 849 6 Peter Malnati .................................... 69-66—135 LPGA - Toto Japan Classic Metropolitan Division 21. (28) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. F 333 $113,540 Liang Chen and Wang Yafan (4), China, def.
15. Michigan 7-2 683 17 Ricky Barnes .......................................68-67—135 Sunday’s final-round scores GP W L OT Pts GF GA 22. (19) Ryan Newman C 333 $137,240 Anabel Medina Garrigues, Spain, and Arantxa
16. Houston 9-0 577 18 Carl Pettersson ..................................67-69—136 at Shima, Japan N.Y. Rangers 14 10 2 2 22 42 25 23. (15) David Ragan T 333 $132,079 Parra Santonja (2), Spain, 6-4, 6-3.
17. North Carolina 8-1 524 21 Robert Garrigus..................................67-69—136 (x-won on first hole of playoff) Washington 13 10 3 0 20 43 31 24. (32) Sam Hornish Jr. F 332 $130,910
18. UCLA 7-2 413 22 Patton Kizzire.....................................67-69—136 x-Sun-Ju Ahn, $225,000..........68-65-67—200 Pittsburgh 14 9 5 0 18 31 28 25. (36) Landon Cassill C 331 $104,265 Transactions
18. Florida St. 7-2 413 15 David Toms .........................................67-69—136 Ji-Hee Lee, $118,379.................. 67-67-66—200 New Jersey 14 8 5 1 17 37 36 26. (17) Casey Mears C 330 $126,123
20. Mississippi St. 7-2 356 25 Adam Hadwin ..................................... 65-71—136 Angela Stanford, $118,379.......65-68-67—200 N.Y. Islanders 15 7 5 3 17 40 37 27. (39) Cole Whitt F 330 $115,398 Hockey
21. Temple 8-1 323 23 Brice Garnett .....................................68-68—136 Jenny Shin, $77,003...................66-65-70—201 Philadelphia 14 5 6 3 13 28 39 28. (43) Justin Allgaier C 330 $120,587 NHL
22. Wisconsin 8-2 227 NR Ted Purdy ............................................68-69—137 Ariya Jutanugarn, $61,979.......70-68-64—202 Carolina 14 6 8 0 12 30 40 29. (41) David Gilliland F 329 $108,340 CAROLINA HURRICANES — Recalled F
23. Navy 7-1 212 NR Jason Bohn ..........................................67-70—137 Hyo Joo Kim, $37,062...............69-67-68—204 Columbus 15 4 11 0 8 35 54 30. (35) Brett Moffitt F 329 $103,130 Joakim Nordstrom from Charlotte (AHL).
24. Northwestern 7-2 166 NR Lucas Glover .......................................69-68—137 Stacy Lewis, $37,062................67-69-68—204 Western Conference 31. (37) Michael Annett C 329 $99,915 COLORADO AVALANCHE — Recalled F
25. Memphis 8-1 147 16 Andrew Loupe......................................66-71—137 Jiyai Shin, $37,062.....................67-68-69—204 Central Division 32. (40) Jeb Burton T 329 $99,690 Andreas Martinsen from San Antonio (AHL).
Others receiving votes: Southern California Brett Stegmaier.................................68-69—137 Lexi Thompson, $37,062 .........67-68-69—204 GP W L OT Pts GF GA 33. (34) J.J. Yeley T 329 $99,473 DETROIT RED WINGS — Recalled C Andreas
57; Brigham Young 40; Mississippi 27; Oregon Aaron Baddeley ..................................64-73—137 Pornanong Phatlum, $37,062 ..67-66-71—204 Dallas 15 12 3 0 24 54 39 34. (33) Michael McDowell F 328 $99,240 Athanasiou from Grand Rapids (AHL). Placed
25; Washington St. 20; Texas A&M 10; Boise William McGirt .................................... 71-66—137 Ha-Neul Kim, $37,062.............. 66-66-72—204 St. Louis 14 10 3 1 21 40 31 35. (38) Matt DiBenedetto T 328 $99,040 D Kyle Quincey on seven-day injured reserve.
St. 9; Toledo 8; Western Kentucky 7; Georgia Graham DeLaet ................................. 66-72—138 Lala Anai, $23,964.................... 73-64-68—205 Minnesota 13 8 3 2 18 38 35 36. (42) Ryan Preece C 326 $98,810 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Recalled D
5; Appalachian St. 2; Arkansas 2; Bowling Smylie Kaufman................................. 71-67—138 Yukari Nishiyama, $23,964 ......68-67-70—205 Nashville 13 8 3 2 18 35 31 37. (5) Kyle Larson C 304 $126,510 Nikita Nesterov from Syracuse (AHL).
Green 1; Pittsburgh 1.
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MOTOR SPORTS | BASEBALL

AAA TEXAS 500 ASTROS

Johnson extends track reign GM meetings allow

No. 48’s late pass
undermines
race domination
by Keselowski
By Stephen Hawkins
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT WORTH — Brad
Keselowski was dominat-
ing at Texas Motor Speed-
way, leading lap after lap
and getting close to a victo-
ry that would give him one
of the four championship-
contending spots in the
Chase for the Sprint Cup
finale.
Until Texas fall favor-
ite Jimmie Johnson came
charging after the final re-
start.
Keselowski led a track-
record 312 of 334 laps Sun-
day after starting from the
pole, but he could not keep
Johnson from winning the
AAA Texas 500 for the
fourth consecutive year.
“Just one step short of
having the awesome day
we needed to have,” Kes-
elowski said. “I’m not sure
exactly how to feel about it
at the moment. The 48 car
had so much speed those
last 10 laps.”
With the already-elim-
inated Johnson getting his
75th career victory, three
spots are still up for grabs
at Phoenix, the last race
before the Nov. 22 finale at
Homestead-Miami Speed-
way. The only champion-
ship contender set is retir-
ing four-time champion Jeff
Gordon, the Martinsville
winner last week.
Kenseth pipes in
Kyle Busch leads the
points race for at least two
of the spots, ahead of de-
fending Chase champion
Kevin Harvick and Martin
Truex Jr. Carl Edwards is
next, followed by Kesel-
owski, Kurt Busch and Joey
Logano.
“It’s not a must-win
Sarah Crabill / Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway
Atop his No. 48 Chevrolet, Jimmie Johnson rejoices
in victory lane after winning Sunday’s Sprint Cup
Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
situation for us like it is for
some other guys,” said Kyle
Busch, who finished fourth
Sunday. “I couldn’t be more
pleased with the position
we got right now.”
After the final restart
with 18 laps left, Keselows-
ki and Truex were side-
by-side. They even made
contact at one point before
Truex went briefly in front.
Keselowski almost as
quickly got back in front,
and Johnson also went
charging past Truex into
second place. Truex lost
his power steering in those
closing laps and slipped to
finish eighth.
Johnson kept pushing
and on the backstretch on
lap 331 he finally got past
Keselowski, who got really
loose out of the second turn.
Johnson went on to win by
more than a second.
“That was the first I had
seen him that vulnerable all
day,” Johnson said. “I just
kept the pressure on him,
kept searching for line.”
Noted Keselowski: “I did
everything I could to hold
him off, but he was way
faster that last run.”
Minutes after the race,
suspended driver Matt
Kenseth tweeted, “Good
work (at)JimmieJohnson!
Textbook pass for the win
at the end of the race when
someone is trying to take
your lane.”
Logano got knocked
from first to last among
the eight championship
contenders after being in-
tentionally wrecked by
Kenseth at Martinsville a
week ago. NASCAR then
suspended Kenseth for two
races, and his appeals were
denied.
“Clearly, he was watch-
ing and bored at home,”
Johnson said, when asked
about Kenseth’s tweet.
Logano’s title shot took
another huge hit when he
had a blown tire after only
10 laps at Texas, where he
finished in 40th place.
Logano must win
Johnson led only six laps
to get his fifth win of the
season. The No. 48 Chev-
rolet also won the spring
race at Texas and is the first
driver to win three consec-
utive Cup races at the high-
banked, 1½-mile track.
Harvick finished third,
even after he twice had to
come in to replace punc-
tured tires after running
over something on the track
and having to drive one-
handed for a long stretch
when he was having to hold
on to the shifter to keep his
car from popping out of
gear.
“We just kept goug-
ing away, and everything
worked out in the end,”
Harvick said.
The only one of the title
contenders who finished
outside of the top nine at
Texas, Logano will have to
win next week to get to the
finale with a championship
shot for the second year in
a row.
Kenseth’s streak of 571
consecutive starts, which
was the second-longest
active streak behind Gor-
don’s 795 in a row, came to
an end.
Luhnow to feel out
potential moves
By Evan Drellich
Astros general manager
Jeff Luhnow will be among
the contingent at Monday
morning’s groundbreak-
ing for the Astros’ and
Nationals’ spring train-
ing complex in West Palm
Beach, Fla., along with
owner Jim Crane and MLB
commissioner Rob Man-
fred.
Afterward, Luhnow
will go to nearby Boca Ra-
ton for the start of the an-
nual general managers’
meetings. He’ll have three
lieutenants in tow: director
of player personnel Quin-
ton McCracken, director of
pro scouting Kevin Gold-
stein, and director of base-
ball operations Brandon
Taubman.
The GM meetings,
which run from Monday
to Thursday, have become
a de facto kickoff to the off-
season and a precursor to
the winter meetings, to be
held in Nashville, Tenn.,
roughly a month later.
“Really good opportu-
nity to face-to-face interact
with the other guys and
find out where they are,
how quickly they’re going
to move, what their goals
are, etc.” Luhnow said.
“We’ve done a lot of that
over the phone anyway
in preparation … but it re-
ally accelerates it once you
get a chance to talk to the
person. Whether it’s at the
table eating shrimp or hav-
ing a cocktail or whatever,
you get a lot more real in-
formation, find out how se-
rious they are about inter-
est in some of your players
or whether or not they’re
going to trade one of their
guys. A lot of feeling out.”
Such a sense is particu-
larly important for the As-
tros, who could move in
several directions this win-
ter. In particular, it could
influence how they handle
Chris Carter and first base
in general. What’s the level
of demand for first base-
men? Last winter, even
though Carter was coming
off a 37-homer season in
2014, trade interest in him
wasn’t high.
The GM meetings are
not reserved for execu-
tives. Most player agents
make the trip, particularly
those with free-agent cli-
ents.
“They kind of tell you
their lists, and you sort of
tell them which guys you
might be interested in on
their list and start to talk
about some rough param-
eters,” Luhnow said. “You
do start to get some early
indication for the market
for the different players,
albeit from the agent per-
spective.
“So just a lot of touching
base and feeling out. End
of the meetings, you come
out with a prioritized list:
‘These are the five clubs
we potentially match up on
a deal (with); let’s get seri-
ous about working with
them. These are the seven
or eight free agents that we
think are a best fit for us;
let’s start to think about of-
fers and that sort of thing.’
Just a lot of information
gathering.”
The Astros are unlikely
to make a move during the
GM meetings.
“Very rarely (does that
happen),” Luhnow said.
“But I think the ground-
work gets laid for conver-
sations that ultimately lead
to deals.”
evan.drellich@chron.com
twitter.com/evandrellich

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Houston Chronicle Life & Entertainment Houston Chronicle | Monday, November 9, 2015 | HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com @HoustonChron Section E 777

RESEARCH

Moms-to-be
could affect
child’s risk
for obesity
By Rich Marini

An obesity researcher has

put forth a new theory that it’s
not how much we eat or how
little we exercise that makes us
so overweight.
While both are important
elements, Edward Archer,
an obesity theorist and post-
doctoral research fellow at the
Nutrition Obesity Research
Center at the University of Ala-
bama at Birmingham, contends
that most people are obese
due to a combination of their
mother’s body composition and
her activity level while she was
pregnant.
Sounds crazy, and it is con-
troversial, but hear him out.
Archer said that most obesity
is caused by what’s known
as nongenetic evolution. This
means you didn’t inherit your
tendency to be obese geneti-
cally, the way you got your hair
color or your height. But rather
through other means. And
that’s where your mom’s body
composition and activity level
come in.
Before modern conveniences
removed the need for most
people to work long hours in
fields or factories, much of the Getty Images
Researchers continues on E3

Talking about addiction

Fotolia
One researcher says a
woman’s activity level while
pregnant can influence
whether her child will have an
increased risk of being obese.
‘Night of Conversation’ painkillers, and even heroin, are
seeping into American middle schools Dr. Mehmet Oz
seeks to open dialogue and high schools. That’s when the is the driving
between parents and cardiologist, host of “The Dr. Oz force behind
Show” and father of four, decided to the “National
children about drugs use his bully pulpit to focus on youth Night of Con-
addiction and recovery. versation” on
By Claudia Feldman Oz, health officials and Nov. 19. He
addiction experts around wants parents to
When Dr. Mehmet Oz asks the country are calling sit down with their
his TV audiences what health HEALTH for a “National Night of children and talk
issues worry them most, they ZONE Conversation” on Nov. 19. about drugs.
keep it simple. Weight loss They are hoping
usually tops the list. families will set
But the last time Oz posed the aside that Thursday
question, viewers trusted him with a evening for heart-to-
darker truth: They were fearful their heart talks about drugs.
kids had picked up deadly drug habits. Oz, no stranger
Oz learned that drug overdoses to controversy
have surpassed traffic accidents as or personal or
the leading cause of death among Conversation
young people and that prescription continues on E2 Dr. Oz Show

STUDY

Teens, pre-teens spend massive

amounts of time consuming media
Media use
has become By Hayley Tsukayama group, Common Sense tor. Even as someone who
more WASHINGTON POST Media. For tweens, those spends all day looking
common between the ages of 8 and at these issues, Steyer
among Teens are spending 12, the average is nearly said he was staggered by
teens and more than one-third of six hours per day. the amount of time that
pre-teens, their days using media The Common Sense young people are spend-
according to such as online video or census was designed ing consuming media —
a new study. music — nearly nine to set a new statistical and how little the govern-
hours on average, ac- baseline for research on ment has done to explore
cording to a new study teen and pre-teen media what that means.
from the family technol- use, said Jim Steyer, the “Where is the re-
Associated Press ogy education nonprofit group’s executive direc- Digital continues on E2

Dear Abby: Husband’s long tresses are stressing his wife. PAGE E5
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NOV.
11 – 15
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STAR Senior Editor, melissa.aguilar@chron.com @MelissAguilar Houston Chronicle Life & Entertainment

Being overweight can increase pain sensitivity

DRS. MICHAEL ROIZEN
AND MEHMET OZ
The You Docs
The rotund tenor Lu-
ciano Pavarotti once said,
“The reason fat people are
happy is that their nerves
are well protected.” As
revered as he was, the
Italian opera star was way
off key when it came to
being fat and happy.
As scientists from
Ohio State University
recently told colleagues at
a meeting of the European
Pain Federation, as you
gain weight you become
more pain-sensitive. It’s
a result of the bodywide
inflammation (cytokines)
triggered by excess belly
fat, aka visceral fat. That
disrupts your immune,
respiratory and metabolic
organ systems (and just
about every other one),
plus your gut biome. If
you’re obese or over-
weight, those aches and
pains are not all in your
head.
A lot of problems start
with what you eat; over-
weight folks who have a
low-fiber diet (no whole
grains, few vegetables or
fruits) are particularly
vulnerable. In plain Eng-
lish: The Five Food Felons
(all added sugars and
sugar syrups, all trans
and saturated fats and any
grain that isn’t 100 percent
whole) can increase pain
and inflammation. So if
you’re overweight, clear
those foods from your
plate and start walking.
Don’t feel discouraged:
Exercise will become less
painful the more you do
it. Get your doctor’s OK,
a pair of good shoes and
head out the door. Start
with 15 minutes, increase
by a few more steps every
day — never a few less
— with a targeted goal of
10,000 steps daily. Less
weight equals less pain.
The Fat Tenor has sung.
Say “no” to nail-biting
Nail-biting is an af-
fliction that may indicate
you have a condition
associated with obsessive-
compulsive disorder
that’s called body-focused
repetitive behavior or
pathological grooming.
Experts say nail-biting
is a clue that you’re not
handling stressful, frus-
trating, dissatisfying or
boring situations effective-
ly and that you’re inclined
to create short-term, self-
soothing habits instead of
discovering positive ways
to make yourself feel bet-
ter in the long run.
In addition, the Ameri-
can Academy of Derma-
tology warns that repeat-
ed nail-biting can harm
the nail bed and lead to
abnormal-looking nails. It
also can pass bacteria and
viruses from your mouth
It turns out that opera singer Luciano Pavarotti’s proclamation that fat people
are happy because their nerves are well protected was way off the mark.
to your fingers, and back
again from your nails to
your face and mouth.
So how can you stop?
Keep a journal that identi-
fies triggers; you’ll begin
to see when the urge
strikes. Knowing that will
help you resist. When you
can’t beat the urge, sub-
stitute squeezing a stress
ball for nibbling. Keep
nails short, and consider
using a bitter-tasting nail
polish to make it unpleas-
ant to put your fingernail
in your mouth. Then
think about adopting
long-term stress-busters,
like mindful meditation or
yoga. And if you still can’t
beat it, cognitive behav-
ioral therapy or holistic
psychotherapy may be
smart steps.
Q: I have a friend
who’s still drinking,
even though she knows
she’s pregnant. She
thinks that a drink
here and there doesn’t
hurt anything. Doesn’t
it cause birth defects?
What can I tell her?
Tracy D.,
Trenton, New Jersey
A: Unfortunately,
drinking during preg-
nancy is more common
than you might think. A
Houston Chronicle file
recent Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
survey found that among
pregnant women in the
U.S., “the prevalence of
any alcohol use and binge
drinking in the past 30
days were 10.2 percent and
3.1 percent, respectively.”
(And participants may
well have underreported
their drinking.)
But, back to your
friend. You can tell her
that for her fetus, there
is no known safe level
of alcohol consumption,
period. If a woman drinks
when she’s pregnant, so
does the fetus. The alcohol
goes right through the
umbilical cord. Birth
defects due to an alcohol-
exposed pregnancy are
called Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders
(FASDs). They include
everything from abnormal
facial features, such as
a smooth ridge between
the nose and upper lip, a
small head, short stature
and low body weight,
to poor coordination,
and learning and speech
difficulties. Fetal death is
unusual, but it’s the most
extreme result.
Not only should every
woman stop drinking as
soon as she knows she is
pregnant, but she should
refrain if there is a chance
of pregnancy. That’s
because a woman can get
pregnant and not know
for up six weeks — during
that time, a lot of damage
can be done to the fetal
brain.
So tell your friend
that the sooner she stops
drinking, the better off
everyone will be; fetal
brain growth takes place
throughout pregnancy. If
she’s having a hard time
quitting, her problem may
be one of addiction, and
if so, she needs help now.
Go with her to talk to her
primary-care provider,
her OB-GYN, Alcohol-
ics Anonymous or a local
alcohol treatment center;
you’ll be a really good
friend!
Contact the You Docs at
realage.com.

Digital technology has become harder for parents to monitor

Digital from page E1
search?” Steyer said. “We’re
conducting the biggest experi-
ment on our kids — the digital
transition — without research.”
It’s hard to fully judge how
much screen time has increased
in recent years. The closest
study to Common Sense Me-
dia’s may be the Kaiser Family
Foundation’s 2010 study, which
estimated an average of 51/2
hours of media use for those
ages 8-10, 8 hours and 40 min-
utes for those age 11-14, and just
under 8 hours for ages 15-18.
The Common Sense study,
which surveyed 2,600 youths,
used a different methodology
than the Kaiser Family Founda-
tion, so it is difficult to make a
direct comparison between the
two findings.
But there is a definite upward
trend, said Steyer, and media
use is getting more and more
ubiquitous. Teens are often
multitasking with media on in
the background. “Everything is
digital,” he said. “We are now
in the true emergence of digital
natives; that has enormous
implications for anyone who
cares about media, technology
and children.”
For many parents, the
amount of time kids are
spending watching video,
listening to music, texting and
posting may not be a surprise.
But what are these kids today
doing in all those hours of
screen time? In some ways,
they’re doing things teens have
always done. Among tweens,
the most common media
activities are watching TV and
listening to music. Among
teens, the activities are the same,
though music edges out the
television. For tweens, playing
mobile and video games, plus
watching online videos, round
up the top five activities. Teens
watch videos, play video games
and use social media.
There were also interesting
socioecomic differences in the
study. Tweens and teens from
lower-income families spend
more time using media, on
average, than higher-income
teens. The study says that it’s
not necessarily that lower-
income kids are more likely
to use media, but rather that
those who do are heavier media
users. For example, the study
says, while fewer low-income
teens watch TV or videos on a
given day, those who do watch
for 90 more minutes than their
higher-income counterparts.
Black youth report spend-
ing far more time with all types
of media than Hispanics or
whites, averaging 11 hours and
10 minutes of media use per
day. That’s over two hours more
than the average amount for
whites or Hispanics. While all
teens are equally likely to use
social media on a given day,
By the numbers
56: average minutes teen boys
spend playing video games daily
7: average minutes teen girls
spend playing video games
92: minutes teen girls spend on
social media
52: minutes teen girls spend on
social media
41: percent of total screen time
spent by tweens (ages 8-12) on
mobile devices
46: percent of total screen time
spent by teens (ages 13-18) on
mobile devices
4.5: hours of screen media
consumed by tweens
6.5: hours of screen media
consumed by teens
36: percentage of teens who say
they enjoy using social media “a
lot”
73: percentage of teens who say
they enjoy listening to music “a
lot”
45: percentage of teens who say
they enjoy watching TV “a lot”
Source: Common Sense Census: Media
Use by Tweens and Teens; based on a
nationally representative survey of 2,658
8- to 18-year-olds
black teens reported that they
spend far more time doing so.
When it comes to keeping an
eye on what their kids are do-
ing, parents have different ap-
proaches. Fifty-three percent of
teens and 72 percent of tweens
say their parents have talked
with them about how much
time they spend using media
— even more say they’ve had
conversations about content.
Just because they’re talk-
ing about it, however, doesn’t
mean that parents understand
what’s happening all of the
time. A quarter of teens who go
online say their parents know
very little about what they do;
30 percent say the same about
social-media use.
“As a parent, it’s incredibly
hard to stay up to date on
what the latest thing is,” said
Terri Markwart, the president
of the Langley High School
parent-teacher association in
McLean, Va. Markwart said
she has clear rules about tech
and social-media use with her
three children — one in middle
school and two in high school.
Her kids also got their phones
relatively late; in the sixth or
seventh grade. In their house,
no phones are allowed at the
dinner table.
The same is true of the kids’
rooms when they go to bed.
When Markwart remodeled
her kitchen, she installed a
cabinet charging station where
the whole family keeps their
phones at night.
Markwart said that when she
thinks about how screen time
affects her kids, she worries
most about the effect on their
ability to hold a conversation.
“You could have a room full of
teens together in a classroom
or a hallway, hanging out for a
little bit, and they’re all on their
phones,” she said. “They’re
together, but they’re not to-
gether.”
She’s had frank conversa-
tions with her kids about what
their digital actions can do to
their reputations — something
particularly important as they
fill out college applications.
“I have to give Langley
credit,” she said. “The coun-
selors there told the kids to go
radio silent on social media in
their junior year.”
For all the debate about what
the appropriate place of tech-
nology should be in most kids’
lives, the study also highlighted
how many people are still cut
off from that conversation
altogether.
Vicky Rideout, an indepen-
dent researcher and consultant
who wrote the Common Sense
Media report, said the dispari-
ties in teenagers’ technology
access amounted to “digital
inequality.”
“There’s a really big differ-
ence between trying to type
an essay for school — or do
research on the Internet — on a
smartphone or using a comput-
er,” Rideout told the New York
Times. “We need to make sure
that technology does not exac-
erbate the disparities between
the haves and the have-nots,
instead of ameliorating them.”

Conversation should be nonthreatening COMMUNITY

Conversation from page E1 in trouble as well.”

professional criticism, says he took on
adolescent addiction after advice from
another talk-show host.
“When I first started the show,”
Oz says, “I had dinner with Phil
Donahue, and he said, ‘If you want
to do your job right, shed light where
there is darkness.’ And I think he was
right.”
A Baylor College of Medicine as-
sociate professor has been sharing his
knowledge of addiction and recovery
with Oz.
“Parents are the anti-drug,” Scott
Basinger says. “They should start ask-
ing kids in fifth or sixth grade open-
ended questions. ‘What do you know
about drugs in your school?’ ‘Do you
have friends who use?’ ”
Every middle school child, Basinger
says, knows someone on drugs. “If the
kids won’t talk, at least you tried, and
they know you are concerned.”
In a nonthreatening way, Basinger
says, return to the conversation. It is
OK, even wise, to ask the questions on
the tip of every parent’s tongue: “Have
you used drugs? Which ones? Are you
drinking?”
Adults are shocked when they find
out their kids are experimenting or,
worse, already hooked, Basinger says.
“You tell the truth. It’s important.
If anyone in the family has already
had problems with drugs or
alcohol, other family members are
much more likely to get in trouble
as well.”
Scott Basinger, Baylor College of Medicine
It’s sad, but it happens. What
should a parent say next?
Tell the kids that you love them,
that you appreciate their honesty, that
you will get help as a family, Basinger
says.
But where?
In Houston, places to turn include
the Council on Recovery, Cornerstone
Recovery, Lifeway International, Teen
& Family Services and Palmer Drug
Abuse Program or PDAP.
Therapists for adolescents also
abound in Houston, Basinger says.
Don’t be surprised, he tells parents,
if kids ask them uncomfortable ques-
tions about their histories with drugs
and alcohol.
“You tell the truth,” Basinger
says. “It’s important. If anyone in
the family has already had problems
with drugs or alcohol, other family
members are much more likely to get
Children who have been abandoned
or abused are also at risk, Basinger
says. “They’ll develop shame and low
self-esteem, then they’ll use drugs and
alcohol to medicate that shame and
fear. The next thing they know, they’re
hooked.”
Both Oz and Basinger point to
Houston as a city working hard to
help young addicts.
For kids just out of rehab programs,
there are “alternative peer groups”
scattered all around the city.
“They can trade their old drug bud-
dies for kids who are already sober,
kids who will act as mentors and
friends,” Basinger says.
Houston has two sober high
schools, Archway Academy and Three
Oaks Academy, and help for college
students, Cougars in Recovery, at the
University of Houston.
“It’s unusual for a city to offer a
continuum of care and to be so ready
to help,” Basinger says, “but parents
are really the key. Sometimes they
ignore the warning signs: isolation,
strange smells, a change in friends.
Parents notice all that, but they are
afraid to ask. That’s why this National
Night of Conversation is such a gift.”
claudia.feldman@chron.com
Do you know
a Houston Hero?
We live in one of the na-
tion’s most charitable cities.
Between community volun-
teers, foundation organizers
and corporate leaders, we
help others and get things
done in Houston and sur-
rounding communities.
Do you know someone
who embodies the spirit of
giving in the greater Hous-
ton area?
The Houston Chronicle
is looking for generous in-
dividuals who donate their
time, their money — or both
— to benefit our city and
its residents. We’ll feature Houston’s Heroes in
our fourth annual Houston Gives section, coming
March 27.
Tell us why you think your nominee is a
community hero and let us know how to get in
touch with him or her. Fill out the form at chron.
com/heronominations; email nominations to
houstonheroes@chron.com; or send via postal mail
to: Houston Heroes, Features/Houston Chronicle,
801 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002 Tell us why you
think your nominee is a community hero and let us
know how to get in touch with him or her.
Deadline for entries is Dec. 2.
 xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | E3

STAR

Some medications may contribute to vitamin B-12 deficiency

Q: I developed and treat severe heart- to treat it. I would put good for something. Powder that you
numbness and burn. Both metformin about a teaspoonful of A: During the remember did not
tingling in my feet and PPIs reduce the ab- the powder on the tin 19th century, doctors actually contain
due to vitamin B-12 sorption of vitamin B-12 cover of the asthma sometimes prescribed marijuana. Instead,
deficiency after taking from the stomach, which powder can and light cannabis (marijuana) or the ingredients were
pantoprazole and is why people must be it with a match. I then “Indian hemp” to treat stramonium, belladonna
metformin for several JOE AND TERESA GRAEDON tested for deficiency. inhaled the smoke, and migraines, menstrual and potassium nitrate
years. I had received The People’s Pharmacy Lack of vitamin B-12 it did work to stop an cramps and asthma. It (saltpeter). The herbs in
no warnings from my can lead to depression, attack. was available as either this powder were from
doctors about potential pills. I was able to irritability, confusion, If I smell marijuana powder to be burned the nightshade family.
vitamin B-12 deficiency get off pantoprazole. poor muscle control and now, it reminds me or “cigarettes.” In both Side effects included dry
and only found out What can I do for my nerve damage producing of the smell of the cases, the smoke was mouth, rapid heartbeat,
during a yearly blood- diabetes? symptoms like yours. smoke from the inhaled. A study in the difficult urination
screening test. A: Metformin is pre- asthma powder that New England Journal of and, in high doses,
My doctor wanted scribed for diabetes, while Q: I was born in 1933 I used. Knowing now Medicine (Aug. 16, 1973) hallucinations.
me to take vitamins, pantoprazole (Protonix) and had asthma when that there probably revealed that both oral
but to heck with is a proton-pump inhibi- I was in my teens. I was marijuana in the and smoked marijuana Write to Joe and Teresa
taking pills to cover up tor (PPI) used to suppress inhaled the smoke from asthma powder must opened airways. Graedon via their website:
problems from other stomach-acid production Rexall Asthma Powder mean that marijuana is The Rexall Asthma peoplespharmacy.com.

Researchers have differing views on the role of genetics in obesity

Researchers from page E1 energy balance is thrown — is inactive, the child will don’t exist in a vacuum, of not blaming mothers, generation.
out of kilter. grow up without an adult so it’s only when moth- however. But what about those
food a pregnant woman “Exercise is incredibly modeling the benefits of ers suddenly have all “In fact, mothers are who have been overweight
consumed went to fuel important for pregnant physical activity. this food available that the cure,” he said. “Espe- their whole lives? Archer
her own body. Sure, na- women, yet between 75 The result is a child, the child’s propensity to cially active mothers.” says that, first, the rest of
ture made sure her grow- percent and 95 percent and later an adult, who is become heavier can arise. His prescription is for us need to stop blaming
ing baby got the nutrients of U.S. adults, including more likely to be inactive So there is a genetic basis women to be as active as them because it’s not a re-
it needed, but everything, women who are preg- and become overweight, to the obesity epidemic.” possible before, during sult of their moral failings.
usually, was kept in bal- nant or are trying to get or even obese. In what Comuzzie and after their pregnancy. “Face it, more than
ance. pregnant, don’t meet the “Initially, the changes called a “wrinkle,” this Not only will this improve 90 percent of people are
Fast-forward to the minimum federal guide- are minor, but with each over-abundance of food her own health and the unable to lose weight and
1950s, when Americans lines for physical activity,” generation, the effect also can cause changes health of her unborn keep it off,” he explained.
started becoming more Archer said. “And 20 per- snowballs until it reached in DNA that can make child, but if the baby is a “But that doesn’t mean
sedentary. Thanks to cent of pregnant women a tipping point in the ’70s the child more likely to girl, this activity will im- they shouldn’t exercise
modern, labor-saving today watch six or more and ’80s, and we have an become obese later in life. pact the metabolism of the and eat well. They just
devices, the average hours of TV a day.” obesity epidemic,” Archer Yes, living a sedentary eggs that are developing in need to understand that
American woman burned As Archer explained in said. life and eating a diet the fetus, too. they’re doing that to im-
almost 2,000 fewer calo- the journal Mayo Clinic A Texas obesity of fast food and other Archer says that by prove their health, not to
ries per week in 2010 than Proceedings, this extra researcher questions high-calorie stuff doesn’t staying active, mothers lose weight.”
her counterparts did in energy causes changes in Archer’s theory. help. But children born to could put a halt to the obe-
1965. Yet she eats just as the baby’s metabolism, in- “Everyone is different inactive, often overweight sity epidemic in a single rmarini@express-news.net
much, if not more. creasing the number and genetically, but not every mothers already have
Since her body uses less size of the fetus’ fat cells. genetic variable can be the cards stacked against
energy than did her pre- So these babies grow a expressed,” said Anthony them in the form of COX’S BAIL BONDS
decessor’s, it shuttles the little bit larger and a little G. Comuzzie, co-director increased risk for obesity, MISDEMEANORS or FELONIES
extra calories, in the form bit fatter than those of the of the TOPS Nutrition and type 2 diabetes, cancer We Specialize in Large Bonds
of glucose, to her develop- previous generation. And Obesity Research Center and a host of other • No collateral on most bonds • Collect calls accepted
ing fetus. since the child’s mother — at the Texas Biomedical problems. • Qualified payment plans
The mother-child and likely the father, too Research Institute. “Genes Archer makes a point 713 2227934 or 713 2378029 LIC#74419 & LIC#74520
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MARTIAN [PG13] 1115 630
PEANUTS MOVIE - REALD 3D MISS YOU ALREADY - CINEARTS
OUR BRAND IS CRISIS [R]
145 430 710 [G] 1140 440 [PG13] 1045 145 435 730
PEANUTS MOVIE [G] 1000
1030 1235 105 310 340
BRIDGE OF SPIES [PG13] 1010 SPECTRE [PG13] 1200 400 800 IPIC HOUSTON
545 615 810 850 1115
125 445 800 SUFFRAGETTE - CINEARTS
@ R I V E R OA K S D I S T R I C T
SICARIO [R] 1140 305 PEANUTS MOVIE [G] 210 715 [PG13] 1030 115 410 700
715 1015
SPECTRE [PG13] 1015 150 CINEMARK KATY
I - 10 @ Grand Parkway
515 845

1100 125 350 615 840 THOONGAVANAM [NR] 830PM

CINEMARK WEBSTER
45 - S. @ Nasa Pkwy
SPECTRE - XD [PG13] 1215 340 705 1030
GOOSEBUMPS - REALD 3D [PG]
130 940
MARTIAN - REALD 3D [PG13]
320 1020
PEANUTS MOVIE - REALD 3D
[G] 1240 220 310 540 810 1030
BRIDGE OF SPIES [PG13] 1200
320 640 1000
BURNT [R] 1100 135 410
650 925
CRIMSON PEAK [R] 1245 340
650 945
GOOSEBUMPS [PG] 1045
420 700
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 [PG]
1120 145 410 640 905
TINSELTOWN JACINTO CITY
1 - 10 @ Holland Road
GOOSEBUMPS - REALD 3D [PG]
1155 515 755
INTERN [PG13] 1220 325
625 925
LAST WITCH HUNTER [PG13]
1120 205 450 735 1020
MARTIAN [PG13] 1150 700
MISS YOU ALREADY - CINEARTS
[PG13] 1110 200 450 740 1030
OUR BRAND IS CRISIS [R] 1055
140 430 720 1005
PAN [PG] 1050 445 735
PEANUTS MOVIE [G] 1100 1140
130 405 450 630 720 900 950
SICARIO [R] 140 1025
SPECTRE [PG13] 1045 1115
110 210 240 435 535 610 800
900 935
LAST WITCH HUNTER [PG13]
1245 325 640 915
CINEMARK PEARLAND
3311 Silverlake Village Dr.
SPECTRE - XD [PG13] 1200 325
700 1025
GOOSEBUMPS - REALD 3D
[PG] 200 955
MARTIAN - REALD 3D
[PG13] 345 1020
PEANUTS MOVIE - REALD
3D [G] 105 150 335 610
655 835
BRIDGE OF SPIES [PG13]
1140 315 645 1000
BURNT [R] 1155 235 505
750 1030
CARTER HIGH [PG13]
145 730
MARTIAN [PG13] 1145 705
CINEMARK ROSENBERG
59 S. W. Freeway @ Reading Road
PEANUTS MOVIE - REALD
3D [G] 1240 300 520 1000
GOOSEBUMPS [PG] 1140
210 445 715 945
LAST WITCH HUNTER
SPECTRE - XD [PG13] 1220 350 720 1050
MARTIAN - REALD 3D [PG13] HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 [PG]
1200 1035 1105 205 500
GOOSEBUMPS [PG] 1120
435 720
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 PEANUTS MOVIE - REALD 3D
LAST WITCH HUNTER [PG13]
[PG] 1110 140 415 710 935
LAST WITCH HUNTER [PG13]
[G] 1235 310 820 1055
1115 155 445 725 1005 750 1045
OUR BRAND IS CRISIS [R]
1105 450 1015 BURNT [R] 1130 210 450
PEANUTS MOVIE [G] 1125 PEANUTS MOVIE [G] 1115 150
1215 245 425 515 745
730 1010
925 1010
SPECTRE [PG13] 1100 100 425 545 700 935
230 440 605 810 930 GOOSEBUMPS [PG] 1125 210
455 740 1025 SPECTRE [PG13] 1030 1125 200
BURNT [R] 725PM
MARTIAN [PG13] 330 710 255 530 625 900 955
PEANUTS MOVIE [G] 1130 HOLLYWOOD 20 PASADENA
E. Bltwy @ Pasadena Blvd.
GOOSEBUMPS - REALD 3D [PG] LADRONES [PG13] 325 1005
150 410 630 740 850 1215 705 LAST WITCH HUNTER [PG13]
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 - 1145 230 515 800 1040
REALD 3D [PG] 1240 310 MARTIAN [PG13] 1145 300
SPECTRE [PG13] 1135 100
MARTIAN - REALD 3D [PG13] 655 1015

PEANUTS MOVIE - REALD 3D MARTIAN [PG13] 1145 340 730 1045 MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH
[PG13] 1145 450 955 250 415 605 730 920 1045 PAN - REALD 3D [PG] 420 1010 TRIALS [PG13] 1150 255
[G] 1205 115 225 335 445 555 650 1005

705 815 1040

BIG STONE GAP [PG13] 1135
205 435 710 955
BURNT [R] 240 745
CRIMSON PEAK [R] 1125 210
500 750 1035
GOOSEBUMPS [PG] 120 405
655 930
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 [PG]
1210 245 510 730 950
LADRONES [PG13] 230 1025
MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH
TRIALS [PG13] 1150 255 635 940
OUR BRAND IS CRISIS [R] 1200
505 1030
PEANUTS MOVIE [G] 1130 1240
150 300 410 520 630 740 850
925 1010
PERFECT GUY [PG13] 1120 200
430 735 1015
SICARIO [R] 1225 315 620 920
SPECTRE [PG13] 1140 1215 330
400 645 725 1000 1045
MOVIES 12 TEXAS CITY
Mall of Mainland
GOOSEBUMPS - REALD 3D
[PG] 240 815
MARTIAN - REALD 3D
[PG13] 1230 705
PEANUTS MOVIE - REALD
3D [G] 1200 225 450 715 940
BRIDGE OF SPIES [PG13]
1220 335 720 1035
BURNT [R] 1125 200 430
700 930
GOOSEBUMPS [PG] 1155
520 1050
MARTIAN [PG13] 345 1030
PEANUTS MOVIE - REALD 3D 655 1005
[G] 1220 140 415 650 805 1040 OUR BRAND IS CRISIS [R]
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2
[PG] 1205 245 515 740 1000 BIG STONE GAP [PG13] 1155 1230 710
LAST WITCH HUNTER [PG13] 240 525 810 1050 PAN [PG] 125 715
1110 205 445 735 1015 OUR BRIDGE OF SPIES [PG13] 1225 PEANUTS MOVIE [G] 1140 100
BRAND IS CRISIS [R] 1135
345 705 1025 215 255 335 450 530 610 725
215 455 735 1025
BURNT [R] 1250 335 710 945 845 925 1000
PAN [PG] 1100 145 440
CRIMSON PEAK [R] 255 1020 SICARIO [R] 1205 310 700 1010
725 1010
PEANUTS MOVIE [G] 1100 GOOSEBUMPS [PG] 1140 230 SPECTRE [PG13] 1200 140 330
125 350 615 840 1105 520 805 1045 510 700 840 1030
SPECTRE [PG13] 1130
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 [PG] VISIT [PG13] 1215 245 510
1215 330 415 700 745
1150 220 450 725 955 735 1000
1020 1105

TIMES VALID 11/09/15 ONLY

E4 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x x

PUZZLES & TV
word sleuth Jumble daily crossword
Find the listed words in the diagram. They run in all directions — forward,
backward, up, down and diagonally. ©2015 King Features Syndicate Inc.
ACROSS 49 “Storage Wars” 22 Makes tracks
1 Not at all flexible sales event 24 Jazz aficionado
Saturday’s unlisted BIRD COLLECTIVES 6 Long and lean 53 Membranes that 27 Breakfast and
clue: BIRDS. 10 Declare openly vibrate dinner
Monday’s unlisted 14 Easily tipped boat 58 Napoleon’s exile 28 “Darn it!”
clue hint: A — OF 15 “__ further isle 29 Shoe brand
QUAIL. reflection ...” 59 Biz bigwig Thom __
16 Building toy with 60 Mishmash 30 Line around a tub
theme parks 61 French-__ 31 Droops
Band
17 Western crooner potatoes 32 “Hud” Oscar
Cast Gene 62 No-frills shelter winner Patricia
Charm 18 Sanctuary recess 63 Speak abrasively 33 “Casablanca”
Exaltation 19 Overly compliant 64 Apartment rental heroine
Kettle 20 Compressed agreement 34 Play list
Muster video file format 65 Former trans-Atl. 35 Play part
Pack 21 Close to defeat fliers 39 Giggled
Parliament 23 The brown one is 66 Kremlin rejection nervously
Pod
Louisiana’s state 67 Milk dispenser 41 Medicinal dose
bird 42 Mythical horse
Pride
25 Mae West’s “I DOWN with a horn
Rookery 43 In the manner
used to be Snow 1 Mischief-maker
Stare White, but I 2 Brownish gray indicated
Troubling drifted” is one 3 Info from a spy 44 Rocker
Twack 26 Sonoma Valley drone Ocasek
Watch vessel 4 Pardoned 46 Punches back,
27 Start of an 5 “Saturday Night say
envelope address Live” alumna Tina 49 Bring home from
sudoKu cryptoquip 32 “Cool duds!” 6 Blonde comic the shelter
36 Covert org. in strip teenager 50 Homeric epic
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter “Argo” 7 Date bk. entry 51 Like Santa Claus
the numbers 1 to 9. ©2015 King Features Syndicate, Inc. stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal 37 Dashing style 8 Quick bite 52 “Unsafe at Any
O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and 38 Granola grain 9 Skateboarder’s Speed” author
words using an apostrophe give you clues to locating vowels.
Solution is by trial and error. 39 Citrus drink used protective gear Ralph
by NASA 10 Energy bar nut 53 November
©2015 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
40 Obstinate critter 11 Show for which parade
41 Use one’s Julia Louis- participants
influence Dreyfus has won 54 Clumsy oafs
45 Where soldiers four consecutive 55 Lincoln’s coin
go? acting Emmys 56 Big name in skin
47 Swat 12 S-shaped molding care
48 Manning of the 13 Bowl-shaped pans 57 Get to one’s feet
Giants 21 Sworn statement 61 Winter illness

significant, I reckon he puts on his thinking cape.

©2015 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc. ANSWER: If Superman needs to ponder something

saturday’s answers — OF A —

By Gail Grabowski and Bruce Venzke ©2015 Tribune Content Agency 11/9/15

TV TONIGHT M movie (S) sports (N) newprogramming (P) premiere (SP) season premiere (F) finale (SF) season finale (CC) - closed caption aces on bridge
By Bobby Wolff
11/09/15 COM 6 PM 6:30 7 PM 7:30 8 PM 8:30 9 PM 9:30 10 PM 10:30 The 1997 Cavendish tourna-
KPRC Channel Ent. Tonight The Voice The Live Playoffs The remaining artists perform Blindspot Persecute Local 2 News :35 The ment moved from New York
NBC (2) 12 2 News (CC) in front of the coaches. (N) (CC) Envoys (N) (CC) at 10pm Tonight Show to Las Vegas because the
PBS NewsHour (CC) Antiques Roadshow Tulsa Antiques Roadshow 1/2 Queen Victoria's Empire Engines of Change/ Passage to prize money had become so
PBS (8) 8 (Hour Three) (CC) cont'd Nov 16 (N) (CC) India (CC) significant that the organiz-
KHOU 11 Wheel of Supergirl Fight or Flight (N) Scorpion Area 51 (N) (CC) NCIS: Los Angeles An KHOU 11 :35 Stephen ers risked running afoul of
CBS (11) 11 News at 6 Fortune (CC) (CC) Unlocked Mind (N) (CC) News at 10 Colbert (CC) state gambling laws. That
13 News at 6 p.m. (CC) Dancing With the Stars (N) (CC) Castle Cool Boys (N) (CC) 13 News at :35 Jimmy year, the total auction pool
ABC (13) 13 10 p.m. (CC) Kimmel (CC) was $1.3 million, and the
TBN (14) 14 Samuel Potter Trinity End of Age Kingdom J. Duplantis Praise the Lord (CC) owner of the winning pair
Family Feud Family Feud Law & Order: S.V.U. Savior Law & Order: S.V.U. Big Bang TheSimp- 2 Broke 2 Broke collected about $350,000.
MyTV (20) 4 (CC) (CC) (CC) Confidential (CC) Theory (CC) sons (CC) Girls (CC) Girls (CC) Since the winners, Harry
KLTJ (22) 20 Perry Stone John Hagee Rod Parsley (CC) Marcus and Joni Lamb J. Duplantis Carpenter K.Hagin K. Copeland Tudor and Michael Seamon,
Modern Modern Gotham Rise of the Villains: Bones The 200th in the FOX 26 News at 9 (CC) Big Bang TMZ (CC) had bought more than half
FOX (26) 9 Family (CC) Family (CC) Tonight's the Night (N) (CC) 10th (CC) Theory (CC) of their team for $15,000,
Mike & Mike & Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (N) Jane the Virgin Chapter NewsFix at 9 NewsFix at Two and Half this made for a pretty good
CW (39) 5 Molly (CC) Molly (CC) (CC) Twenty-Seven (N) 10 (CC) Men (CC) investment. Here they are
in action, this board being a
Uni. (45) 10 Muchacha italiana Antes muerta Pasion y poder No creo en hombres Noticias 45 NoticieroUni
slight indication of how the
Tel. (47) 6 Caso cerrado (CC) Celia Bajo el mismo cielo (CC) Señor de cielos Noticiero Titulares
wind was going to blow for
ION (49) 7 Criminal Mind The Inspiration Criminal Mind The Inspired Criminal Mind (CC) Criminal Mind (CC) Criminal Mind (CC) them throughout the event.
KUBE (57) 53 Family Guy Family Guy M Short Circuit +++ ('86) Steve Guttenberg. (CC) King-Queens King-Queens Loves Ray Loves Ray Game looks comfortable release to those of a nervous
ABCFAM 32 5:00 M Varsity Blues ++ :15 M Steel Magnolias +++ Six women become friends as they share stories. (CC) The 700 Club (CC) enough for North-South, par- disposition. I have made my
A&E 23 My Haunted House (CC) My Haunted House (CC) My Haunted House (CC) Cursed Bell Witch (N) (CC) My Haunted House (CC) ticularly three no-trump by best guess at it.
AMC 57 4:30 M Constantine ++ M The Matrix +++ ('99) A man learns his world is a computer-created illusion. (CC) M The Raid: Redemption South, and the very fortunate They were lucky enough to
ANPL 42 To Be Announced (CC) To Be Announced (CC) To Be Announced (CC) To Be Announced (CC) :05 To Be Announced (CC) position in diamonds means get a club lead — can you
that if you reach five dia- spot the winning line now?
BBC 226 Top Gear (CC) Top Gear: Patagonia Part One 1/2 (CC) Top Gear: Patagonia Part Two 2/2 (CC) Top Gear (CC)
monds, you can survive even Take the ace of clubs, ruff a
BET 46 5:05 M New Jack City ++ ('91) (CC) Martin (CC) Martin (CC) Martin (CC) Martin (CC) Martin (CC) :55 #TheWestbrooks (CC)
on a trump lead: You can
BRAVO 65 Housewives Atlanta (CC) Ladies of London (N) Vanderpump R. New Blood Après Ski Cold Feet Watch (N) Vanderpump spade, and ruff a club, then
drop the spade king in three play a trump to dummy and
CNBC 45 Jay Leno's Garage Shark Tank (CC) Shark Tank (CC) Shark Tank (CC) The Profit (CC) rounds. That does not make ruff another club. When
CNN 25 Anthony Bourdain Ethiopia Anthony Bourdain Borneo Anthony Bourdain Istanbul Somebody's Gotta Anthony Bourdain Borneo it a great spot, however. Sea- clubs break 3-3, play the
COM 59 5:55 SouthPk :25 SouthPk South Park South Park South Park South Park Archer (CC) Archer (CC) Daily S. (N) Nightly Show man and Tudor were more ace and another trump and
DISC 29 Street Outlaws (CC) Street Outlaws: Full (N) Street Outlaws (N) (CC) Vegas Rat Rods (N) (CC) Street Outlaws (CC) ambitious; they reached six claim the rest, with three
DISN 41 K.C. Underc. Liv Maddie M Invisible Sister ('15) (CC) Girl World Austin/ Ally Best Friends Girl World Jessie (CC) diamonds from the South club discards for your losing
E! 44 E! News (N) (CC) The Kardashians (CC) The Kardashians (CC) The Kardashians (CC) E! News (N) (CC) seat after an auction that spades.
ESPN 33 5:00 (S) Monday Countdown :10 (S) NFL Football Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers (CC) (Live) :20 (S) SportsCent. (CC) they were not prepared to
ESPN2 34 (S) Horn (S) Interrupt (S) Poker World Series - Las Vegas, Nev. (CC) (Live) (S) Poker (CC)
lead with the aces answer: Two experts
FNC 38 On the Record The O'Reilly Factor (CC) The Kelly File (CC) Hannity The O'Reilly Factor (CC) whom I respect, Anders
FOOD 52 Diners Diners Chopped (N) Cake Wars: Christmas (N) Cake Wars (CC) Cake Wars Nintendo (CC) Wirgren and Benito Garozzo,
FSN 37 (S) Game365 (S) Sports (N) (S) Big 12 Showcase (N) (S) DFL Soccer Schalke at Borussia Dortmund (CC) (S) Replay (N) (S) Cowboys have written very intelligently
FX 31 M Fast and Furious 6 Criminals assemble to take down a criminal mastermind. (CC) Fargo (N) (CC) :20 Fargo (CC) on the subject of when to
HALL 24 5:00 M Hitched for the ... M Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle ++ ('09) (CC) M Debbie Macomber's Call Me Mrs. Miracle ('10) (CC) lead shortage and when to
HGTV 47 Love It or List It Love It or List It (CC) Love It or List It (N) H.Hunt (N) House (N) Love It or List It (CC) lead from length or honors. In
HIST 58 Bigfoot: Definitive The Definitive Guide (CC) Bigfoot Captured (CC) :05 Bigfoot: Definitive essence, both conclude that
leading singletons is much
LIFE 40 5:00 M Daddy's Little Girls Women of Honor Obama (N) M Hitch ++ ('05) Will Smith. A professional 'date doctor' falls for a journalist. (CC)
better in practice, and I see
MSNBC 80 Hardball (CC) All in With C. Hayes (CC) Rachel Maddow (CC) The Last Word (CC) All in With C. Hayes (CC) no reason to disagree with
MTV 30 Awkward. Awkward. Awkward. Awkward. Awkward. (N) (SF) (CC) Rules (N) Rules (N) M 8 Mile +++ (CC) them. Lead your diamond
NGEO 335 Brothers in War (CC) Inside Combat Rescue (N) Fearless (N) (CC) Inside Combat Rescue and blame me if it is wrong.
NICK 43 Thunder Thunder iCarly (CC) iCarly (CC) Full House Full House Full House Full House Friends (CC) Friends (CC)
OWN 66 Police Women of Cin. (CC) Dateline NBC (CC) Dateline NBC (CC) Dateline NBC (CC) Dateline NBC (CC)
OXY 327 Snapped Lisa Whedbee Sex & City Sex & City Sex & City Sex & City Sex & City Sex & City Snapped Misty Witherspoon United Features Syndicate
ROOT 39 (S) NCAA Football Southern Utah vs. Montana State (CC) (S) The Dan Patrick Show (CC)
SPIKE 48 Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC)
SYFY 60 5:00 M Live Free or Die Hard +++ ('07) (CC) M Aeon Flux ++ ('05) Charlize Theron. (CC) M The Mortal Instrument... LOOKING BACK BIRTHDAYS
TBS 51 Seinfeld (CC) Seinfeld Family Guy Family Guy American D. American D. BigBang BigBang Conan (N) (SP)
TCM 169 5:15 M Lydia +++ (CC) M Gypsy +++ (1962, Musical) Natalie Wood, Rosalind Russell. (CC) M Limelight +++ ('52) (CC) 1965: The great North- Actor Lou Ferrigno is
TLC 63 Hoarding (CC) Hoarding (CC) Hoarding (CC) Hoarding (CC) Hoarding (CC) east blackout began as a 64. Rapper Pepa (Salt-
TNT 36 Castle (CC) Major Crimes (CC) Major Crimes (N) (CC) Legends (N) (CC) Major Crimes (N) (CC) series of power failures N-Pepa) is 46. Rapper
TOON 22 Bare Bears Gumball Adventure T. Regular (N) King of Hill Cleveland RickMort American D. Family Guy Family Guy lasting up to 131/2 hours left Scarface (Geto Boys) is
TRAV 62 Bizarre Foods Seattle (CC) Bizarre Foods (CC) Bizarre Foods (CC) Heroes (N) BizarreFood Mystery Museum (CC) 30 million people in seven 45. Singer Nick Lachey
TVLAND 346 Facts of Life Facts of Life Facts of Life Facts of Life Loves Ray Loves Ray Loves Ray Loves Ray King-Queens King-Queens states and part of Canada (98 Degrees) is 42. Actress
USA 21 Modern Fam Modern Fam (S) WWE Monday Night Raw (CC) :05 Modern Modern Fam without electricity. Nikki Blonsky is 27.
WE 117 CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami Pro Per (CC) CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami The Oath (CC)
WGN 54 Funniest Home Videos (CC) Funniest Home Videos Funniest Home Videos Funniest Home Videos Manhattan Overlord (CC)
ENC 400 5:00 M Be Cool ++ (CC) M Gattaca ++ ('97) Uma Thurman. (CC) :50 M Executive Decision +++ ('96) Kurt Russell. (CC)
HBO 444 5:45 Whoopi Goldberg Moms M Dawn of the Planet of the Apes ('14) (CC) :15 The Leftovers (CC) :15 Get On (S) Boxing JOKES ON US
MAX 425 5:30 M Into the Storm The Knick M Queen of the Damned ++ ('02) (CC) :45 The Knick :45 Sex Game
SHO 474 4:45 M Waterworld ++ Homeland Parabiosis (CC) The Affair (CC) Homeland Parabiosis (CC) The Affair (CC) A stowaway on a NASA space shuttle learned a valu-
STARZ 410 Flesh and Bone (CC) :10 M Fury (2014, War) Logan Lerman, Brad Pitt. (CC) M Army of Darkness +++ ('92) (CC) able lesson when he was caught just before liftoff: There’s
SUND 398 M Goodfellas +++ ('90) Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta. A man testifies against the mob. (CC) M Goodfellas +++ ('90, Cri) Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta. (CC) no such thing as a free launch.
TMC 488 5:00 M Runaway Bride M Serendipity ++ ('01) (CC) M Match ('14) (N) (P) (CC) :05 M Kama Sutra: A Ta... Jack Eastham, Cypress
 xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | E5

HOROSCOPES, ADVICE & COMICS

Bizarro
JaCQueline Bigar
Your Horoscope for Monday, November 9
aries (march 21-april 19) HHHH
Have an important one-on-one conver-
sation. Sensitivity remains key to your
well-being as well as the other party’s. Be
willing to look at what is bothering you.
taurus (april 20-may 20) HHHH
Others appear to be quite strong-willed
and determined to have their way. Unex-
pected insights occur because of what is
going on around you.
gemini (may 21-June 20) HHH You
will throw yourself into your work or a
mother goose and grimm project. A friend suddenly could show up
and seek your company. You might find it
difficult to incorporate him or her into your
plans.
CanCer (June 21-July 22) HHHHH
Your creativity opens you up to a new
environment full of possibilities. Though
you might want to stay where you are
and continue on your present path, don’t
hesitate to enrich your life by opening up
to new ideas.
leo (July 23-aug. 22) HHH Commu-
nication forces a wild action or two. You
might find yourself breaking past a previ-
ous assumption. You will witness a better
understanding evolve with a key person.
hagar the horriBle Virgo (aug. 23-sept. 22) HHHH
Your sense of direction and your long-
term goals need to conform to your
budget. You could feel out of sync with a
situation that develops suddenly.
liBra (sept. 23-oct. 22) HHHH You
could be overly cautious of a money mat-
ter. Curb any need to possess someone
else or to show off. Stay centered when
dealing with the unexpected.
sCorPio (oct. 23-nov. 21) HHHHH
You have more dynamic energy than you
realize. Your flexibility comes out when
you feel as good as you do. Handle an
important matter privately; you will be
more effective as a result. Others who are
involved will feel more comfortable this
way.
sagittarius (nov. 22-dec. 21)
HHHH Understand that others might
not get where you are coming from right
away. Even though you will chime with
a group concern, there appears to be an
element that is hidden or that you are not
sharing. Be as open as possible.
CaPriCorn (dec. 22-Jan. 19)
HHHHH You know what you want, yet
others might not want to go along with
your ideas. You have the choice of taking
the lead or flying solo. You will make the
right call, as you know the goal.
aQuarius (Jan. 20-feb. 18) HHHH
Make the necessary calls to get more
information. Your final conclusion might
be very different from what you thought it
would be. Take the lead in a project, and
you’ll be much happier as a result.
PisCes (feb. 19-march 20) HHHH
A partner clearly has a say in the events
about to take place. You might want to
have a discussion with this person, but
you don’t want him or her to dominate
the talk. Remember that he or she can’t
control you, and claim your power.
haPPy Birthday (nov. 9) This year
you will do your fair share of reflection on
various matters of importance to you. Be
careful not to get too worried about situa-
tions, as you are likely to replay them over
and over again in your head.
King Features Syndicate

Blondie

Brewster rockit: space Guy!

Beetle Bailey

garfield

Curtis

sherman’s lagoon

B.C.

DEAR ABBY
Dear Abby:
My husband, who has
a beautiful head of dark
curly hair, decided to let
it grow. It is now about
halfway down his back.
Sometimes he braids it
or pulls it into a ponytail.
Other times he wears it
down and it falls loose.
The problem is, I can’t
bear to look at him.
He has always been
clean-cut and had short
hair. But as time has
gone on and many of
his friends have begun
losing their hair, he says
he wants to grow his out
while he can.
I know that in the
grand scheme of life, hair
shouldn’t be an issue, but
I can’t seem to get past
this. I think it’s because of
the way he used to look.
I can’t talk to him about
it because he really likes
his hair. This feels like my
problem, but how can I
deal with it?
Too Much of a Good Thing
Dear Too Much:
If you can’t look at your
spouse because his flow-
ing tresses are a turnoff,
this must be affecting
many aspects of your
marriage. Although he
likes his hair long, if you
address it in those terms
he may be willing to lis-
ten. How-
ever, just
as women
should
be free to
wear their
ABBY hair the
way they
want, the same should
apply to men.
Dear Abby:
My wife and I went to
a Mexican resort with
five other couples for a
seven-day vacation. On
the second day, one of the
wives, “Sandra,” received
the news that her sister
“Kate” had died unexpect-
edly. The funeral would
not be held until two days
after we returned.
Sandra’s husband
was furious at the family
member for calling. What
did they expect her to do,
hop a plane? We were all
affected by Sandra’s loss.
The first two days, all five
couples were having a
ball. After that call, it was
like someone popped the
balloon — it was never the
same for any of us.
Some of us feel they
could have waited until
the last day before calling,
although I personally
think they should have
waited until she got home.
Sandra and Kate were
completely dissimilar and
not close. Even Sandra
said, “Well, at least I had
two good days of vaca-
tion.” Should the family
have waited?
Disgusted in Wisconsin
Dear Disgusted:
rex MorGan, M.D.
It depends, I think,
upon the dynamics in the
sisters’ family and to what
degree Kate’s death was a
shock to everyone. When
death happens out of the
blue, people sometimes
react emotionally rather
than rationally, which
may be why the relative
called immediately.
I agree with the friends
who said the sad news phantoM
could have been conveyed
on the last day of the trip.
Had Sandra been told
immediately upon her
return home, she might
have been grateful. On the
other hand, she also might
have been furious, saying,
“How could you keep this
from me!?” That said, in
my opinion it would have
been kinder to let Sandra
and her husband enjoy
their holiday since it was argyle sweater hoCus foCus
already too late to rush to
the sister’s bedside.
DearAbby.com
Dear Abby
P.O. Box 69440
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Universal Press Syndicate

HINTS FROM HELOISE

Dear Heloise: a camera with water afterward and
When I travel for busi- phone. wipe off the dusty leaves of
ness, I put extra business S.D., my kitchen ivy.
cards in a zip bag in my Boulder, Colo. Maureen C. in New York
carry-on bag. I’ve run out
at too many conventions Dear Heloise@heloise.com
and don’t have any to hand HELOISE Heloise: Heloise
out! Last time, I resorted When I P.O. Box 795000
to letting the person take a use a paper towel to wipe San Antonio, TX 78279
snap of my last card with something up, I rinse it King Features Syndicate
E6 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x x

COMICS

famiLy CiRCus Ziggy Zits

mutts

dustin

PeaRLs BefoRe sWine

BaBy BLues

diLBeRt

Peanuts

get fuZZy

Luann

RHymes WitH oRange

HeaRt of tHe City

Wumo

Hi & Lois

CRanksHaft

BaLdo

funky WinkeRBean

Red & RoveR

f minus
saLLy foRtH
e tra
Houston Chronicle

PERSONAL
FINANCE
November 9, 2015

PROTECT YOUR MONEY The worst places to use debit cards

Manage spending at any age. Page 5 | Hidden tax breaks for retirees. Page 6
Z2 | Monday, November 9, 2015 |
Graduated reading list for novice investors
Q: In a recent col-
umn, you wrote that
“most people aren’t
willing to do the learn-
ing necessary to live
comfortably with low-
cost investing.” Would
you spell out what we
need to learn, or how
we might go about it? —
J.K., Seattle
A: Virtually every bit
of major research over the
last 50 years has shown
that high-cost managed
portfolios can’t
overcome the
drag of their own
costs. Once you
become convinced
of this, you will
no longer listen
to the blather of SCOTT
the many advisers BURNS
who claim to have
the secret to beating the
market. Some people need
more convincing (and
more data) than others.
So here is a list of books in
order of increasing depth
and data:
• For an education in
tiny bites, visit my website
archive (www.asset-
builder.com) and read the
Couch Potato investing
columns.
• An easy, fun-to-read
starter book is a classic
by Andrew Tobias, “The
Only Investment Guide
You’ll Ever Need.” Most
people love his puckish,
irreverent humor.
• The Prince of Brevity
between book covers is
Dan Solin. Start with “The
Smartest Investment Book
You’ll Ever Read,” then
move on to “The Smart-
est Portfolio You’ll Ever
Own.”
• For a well-written
mother lode of data, read
any edition of John Bogle’s
“Common Sense on Mu-
Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x x
tual Funds.”
• To have a foundation in
basic ideas, read any edition
of Burton Malkiel’s classic
“A Random Walk Down
Wall Street.”
• And to put it all to-
gether, read William Bern-
stein’s “The Four Pillars of
Investing.”
There is no formal
reading requirement for
becoming an index investor,
so feel free to stop at any
time. You need only to have
read enough to be
confident that the
odds of successful
investing increase
as your costs go
down. While the
legacy financial
firms (think Merrill
Lynch, Morgan
Stanley, USB, etc.)
still work their business
plans on the idea that they
deserve a 2 percent (or
more) yield on our money,
the reality is that the world
has changed. You and I can
get superior results, easily
and quickly, by managing
our investments for less
than one-tenth of 1 percent.
Today, the burden of
proof is on the traditional
money managers, the ones
who charge the big fees.
What they need to prove
-- and can’t — is that their
chance of beating low-cost
index investing -- by any-
one, anywhere -- is better
than the survival odds of a
snowball in a very hot place.
Q: If this gets into the
paper it will be a short
answer indeed. My wife
and I are both 87 and in
reasonably good health
for our age. We have
excellent Tricare health
insurance. I am retired
military; my pension
is currently $2,818
Personal Finance
monthly. My wife is a
retired teacher with no
pension (Catholic lay
teacher). Our combined
Social Security comes
to a little over $1,400 a
month. As you know,
both our SS and my
pension are tied to the
cost-of-living index.
We have a diversified
portfolio, mostly with
Fidelity, that is hover-
ing around $400,000.
Other than the required
minimum distribution,
we do not take a penny
from our portfolio.
Upon my passing, my
wife will receive 55 per-
cent of my retired pay
for life. We are frugal,
but not cheap. We own
our home (double-
wide) and car. Are we
OK? — R.G., by email
A: Yes, you are prob-
ably OK. Here’s why:
• Your income is higher
than the income of most
retirees your age. So are
your assets.
• Your double-wide is
paid for and has low op-
erating costs, particularly
if you own the land it’s on.
Shelter is the largest single
expense for retirees.
• Your Tricare health
care coverage is widely
admired.
• You are old enough
that your need for long-
term care, if any, will be
minimal. At 87 the down- Getty Images
hill slope is pretty steep.
The biggest foreseeable you currently spend your articles, find referenced Web of this article do not
problem is the 45 percent income. Then try to mea- links or to discuss personal necessarily reflect the views
loss of pension income if sure how it will naturally finance topics on his forums. of AssetBuilder Inc. This
you die before your wife. decline when you die. Questions of general interest information is distributed
It means total income will will be answered in future for education purposes,
decline by more than your Questions about personal columns and on the website. and it is not to be construed
portion of your combined finance and investments Scott Burns is a principal as an offer, solicitation,
living expenses. You can may be sent by email to of the Plano, Texas-based recommendation or
check how large, or small, scottscottburns.com. Please investment firm AssetBuilder endorsement of any
this problem will be by visit www.assetbuilder.com Inc., a registered investment particular security, product
taking a close look at how to comment on any of his adviser. The opinions or service.

By Stan Choe | Associated Press
NEW YORK — Think a
company is paying its CEO
way too much? Or that its
board of directors is too full
of the CEO’s cronies?
If you own a broad
index mutual fund, you
may already be doing
something about it, at least
indirectly.
Index funds, which
now control $3 trillion
in total assets, are often
among the biggest share-
holders of companies from
Apple to Zions Bancorp.
That gives them a lot of
votes on shareholder
resolutions and a lot of
influence at annual share-
holder meetings.
Vanguard, the largest
fund family, is beginning
to wield that power more
aggressively. It has ad-
opted a new approach to
push for improvements to
compensation practices,
board construction, and
other corporate issues,
says Glenn Booraem, head
of its corporate gover-
nance efforts.
Vanguard is now sifting
through data, looking for
companies that don’t adhere
to mainstream good-gover-
nance principles and then
pressing the companies
about its concerns. In the
past, Vanguard would usu-
ally speak with companies
only after a proxy advisory
firm criticized them.
An example of how
Vanguard uses its pull:
Earlier this year, at the
annual meeting for Che-
niere Energy, Vanguard’s
Total Stock Market’s index
fund voted for a proposal
xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Z3
Personal Finance
Passive mutual funds can be
active corporate watchdogs
comparing you to is a
positive differentiation, or
that could make it easier articulate a plan for how
for some shareholders you’re going to address it.
to nominate directors to
the board. The company Q: What kinds of
recommended investors things are you pushing
vote against the proposal, companies to do?
but Vanguard and other A: Independent
shareholders approved oversight is key. That
it. At the same meeting, goes to independent
Vanguard gave a thumb’s leadership at the board
down in a non-binding level, whether that’s
vote on how much com- through an independent
pensation Cheniere execu- chair or an independent
tives got for 2014. lead director.
Booraem recently The second general
discussed how Vanguard principle is all about
does its governance work. accountability: account-
Answers have been edited ability of management to
for clarity. the board and the board
to shareholders through
Q: Why get involved annual elections by major-
in governance issues ity vote. We don’t want
at all? Isn’t an index multiple classes of shares
fund’s job just to track or super-voting shares,
the index? Daniel Burke / Vanguard via Associated Press and (we want) minimal
A: Our index funds Glenn Booraem, head of corporate governance efforts at Vanguard, talked to The anti-takeover stuff.
are going to own these Associated Press about the index-fund giant’s new approach to governance. Sensible compensation
companies, whether that’s tied to performance.
everyone loves them or we think it supports the the level where I’m voting dozen analysts for whom
everyone hates them. returns of the companies against directors or voting corporate governance Q: How can
And we’re going to own we invest in for the long against pay, you’re going to and engagement is their Vanguard fund
them in a significant way. term, companies that we see 5 percent of the shares only job. We use data investors know if
On average, our funds can’t sell. voting that way. from a number of sources you’re doing a good
own about 5 percent in And if you think about about performance, their job? Will returns be
aggregate of just about Q: If companies the top three index fund governance features, better?
every company we own in know you aren’t going providers, Vanguard, proposals that may be on A: I don’t know that
the U.S. to sell their shares, why State Street and the ballot. you can measure it.
So we’re going to do they need to listen BlackRock, our holdings We’ll use all of those Some of this is based on
be significant holders, to you? of the largest companies data sources to screen for our common sense view,
and we’re going to hold A: If the only aggregate to somewhere companies that raise a that good governance
practically forever. We repercussions you care in the order of 16 percent. particular concern, say, a supports good returns.
don’t have the opportunity about are me selling the None of us can sell, but company that has high pay I think it’s hard to argue
to sell if we don’t like stock, that would be all of us are going to vote, and poor performance. philosophically that a
something that’s going on. rational. and those votes have We’re looking for outliers better board overseeing
We’re not in the But since I’m going to implications. and managing the shareholders’ interests
governance business. be here forever, I’m going outliers. is a bad thing. It’s hard for
We’re not in the to vote my shares at this Q: Some of your We’ll go to the board us to argue that having pay
compensation business. annual meeting and the funds own thousands and say: Either own it that’s reasonably aligned
But we’re in the one after that and the one of stocks. How do you and convince us why with the performance
investment business. after that. If the level of keep track of them? being different than your shareholders get
We’re doing this because dissatisfaction rises to A: We’ve got a team of a everyone else we’re is a bad thing.
Z4 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x x

Personal Finance

3 most dangerous places

to use your debit card
By Cameron Huddleston
GOBankingRates.com

Making all of your purchases

with a debit card is a good way to
avoid spending more money than
you have and racking up debt.
But it’s not always the smartest
way to pay. In fact, using a debit
card at some places or in some in-
stances can be dangerous.
That’s because debit and credit
card transactions are processed
differently. And the protections
aren’t quite the same.
Under federal law, your liabil-
ity for unauthorized credit card
transactions is capped at $50.
You’re not responsible for any un-
authorized transactions if your
card number - rather than the
card itself - is stolen, according to
the Federal Trade Commission.
You’re not responsible for un-
authorized debit card transac-
tions if you report that your card
is missing before someone uses
it. Otherwise, you must report
unauthorized charges within two
days of learning that your card is
lost or stolen to limit your liabil-
ity to $50.
If you wait more than two
days, you could be liable for up
to $500 in unauthorized charges.
After 60 days you could be on the
hook for all unauthorized trans- Jupiter Images
actions made with your card, ac-
cording to the FTC. Unlike with because so many e-commerce Breyault said. With a credit card consumer protections and pay- assumption that you’ll leave a
credit cards, you have to report sites have been compromised, on the other hand, those funds ments with the American Bank- tip, Feddis said. It could take a
unauthorized transactions with said John Breyault, vice president would still be available while the ers Association. few days for the actual amount -
your debit card number within of public policy, telecommunica- card company investigates. If you pay with a debit card, rather than the hold amount - to
60 days of your statement being tions and fraud at the National you won’t have access to those appear on your account balance.
sent to you to avoid liability. Consumers League. Plus, you HOTELS funds temporarily, which could However, a bigger reason to
So to protect the money in your could easily have viruses on your When you check into a hotel cause problems if you don’t have avoid using a debit card at a res-
bank account, here are three situa- computer that can capture your it’s not certain what final amount sufficient money in your account taurant is that you are letting it
tions when you should think twice information as you enter it online. you will owe when you check or didn’t plan on spending more leave your sight while the server
before using your debit card. If a thief were to get your debit out will be, due to restaurant than the room rate, Feddis said. takes it away to be swiped, said
card information, you could con- charges or other fees charged to Bryan Jardine, director of fraud
ONLINE test any unauthorized charges. your room. So hotels will place a RESTAURANTS prevention solutions at security
Your chances of having your But that money typically isn’t hold on a certain dollar amount Restaurants, like hotels, might provider Easy Solutions. During
card information stolen is greater available to you while the bank above the room rate, said Nessa authorize a higher dollar amount that time, your card information
when you make purchases online is investigating your fraud claim, Feddis, senior vice president of than your actual bill under the could easily be stolen.
 xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Z5

Personal Finance

Manage spending at any age

By Larry Frank Sr. | AdviceIQ

You save and save and save

for retirement, trying to tune
out those escalating estimates of
what you need to never run out
of money. Conventional wisdom
blathers that in retirement you
spend only 75 percent of your
current expenses, anyway. Think
again. Here’s why.
Retirees often spend too
much early in retirement and -
the retiree’s nightmare - outlive
their cash.
Aside from having more
time to pursue increasingly ex-
pensive recreation from golf to
cruises, other factors pinch re-
tires like no post-work genera-
tion before. These include, as
Jill Krasney notes in her Busi-
ness Insider article “The Notion
That You’ll Spend Less in Re-
tirement Is Totally Misguided,”
skyrocketing health care costs
and bankrolling equally sky-
rocketing costs of housing, ed-
ucation and other life expenses
for both kids and grandkids.
Why retire then? Why not keep
working? As the Employee Ben-
efit Research Institute notes in
its “2013 Retirement Confidence
Survey,” almost half (47 percent)
of respondents retired earlier
than planned because of illness;
a third of those respondents also
retired early simply “because they
can afford to do so.” Maybe a big
financial mistake.
Among other findings: Fotolia
More than 1 in 5 workers and
retirees say they expect to retire Nearly half of retirees are “not expect to spend less when older portfolio during retirement and ally need. Keep a record of what
later due to the poor economy, at all confident” about finding and once again continue to spend try these spending-control steps: you buy.
lack of faith in Social Security or paid employment in retirement. more. Expect to cut spending lat- Admit that you spend too Think about all the money you
the government and inability to Misguided notions and pes- er to justify spending more now? much and think about why you spent instead of saved. If you hit
afford retirement. simistic outlooks lead to faulty Eventually you run out of spend so much. Does it make a milestone in your saving goal,
More than a third (36 percent) retirement planning at any age, money, period. you feel good? Is it the pleasure don’t celebrate by blowing all of
report they expect to wait until working or retired. Maybe illness or the economy of having money to spend on it at once.
after age 65 to retire and 7 percent First, you save too little when ended the job and with it your what you like? Try to spend with cash as
don’t plan to retire at all. working because you expect to income. Maybe you spent what Make a goal of how much you much as possible. Parting with
Almostsevenof10workersplan spend less once you retire - jus- little you saved. In any case, yes: want to save. Whenever you get actual cash makes spending feel
to work for pay after they retire. tifying in your mind why you can Your expectation about future your money, put it all - or at least more real.
Only a quarter of retirees report spend more and not save more spending came true. a portion of it - away. And remember: You can man-
working for pay since they retired. now. Once retired, you again Do an annual checkup on your Spend stuff on what you actu- age spending at any age.
Z6 | Monday, November 9, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com x x x

Personal Finance

3 hidden tax breaks for retirees

By Caroline Banton | GOBankingRates.com
Managing your taxes in
retirement can be quite an
undertaking. And when it
comes to your taxes, there
are many write-offs you
should consider. Make
sure you understand all of
the deductibles, write-offs
cal expenses are $5,000,
multiply $45,000 by 0.075
(7.5 percent), and you’ll find
that only expenses exceed-
ing $3,375 can be deducted.
This would give a medical
expense deduction of $1,625.
ask your doctor to provide
a written recommendation
for tax-planning purposes.
TRAVEL TO THE
DOCTOR OR
HOSPITAL
Elderly people visit
the doctor much more
frequently than healthy,
compared with only 10.6
percent of Americans aged
18 to 44. And, many might
go much more than 10
times a year when you con-
sider screening and testing
appointments. Luckily,
transportation to and from
these appointments can be
deductible.
from the doctor. After in- “In order to take
corporating the mileage
deduction, that’s another advantage of
$50 to $100 that can be
included as a deduction
these breaks and
when the taxpayer item- benefits, you need
izes their return.”
The IRS also states that to itemize your
individuals can also in- deductions.”
clude the cost of overnight

David M.
and tax breaks for retirees VITAMINS AND younger adults. A survey “Medical transporta- trips that are required for
that might apply to you. NUTRITIONAL from a Centers for Dis- tion mileage is deductible medical services. Lodg-
Here are three of them: SUPPLEMENTS ease Control and Preven- at the rate of 23.5 cents per ing expenses for caregiv-

MEDICAL AND
DENTAL EXPENSES
According to the IRS,
medical expenses include
medical insurance premi-
ums as well as the cost of
qualified long-term care
services and long-term
care insurance contracts.
David M. Hryck is a
New York-based lawyer
and personal finance ex-
pert with Reed Smith. He
explained the tax breaks
with respect to health in-
surance and Medicare
premiums, long-term care
insurance and prescrip-
tion drugs as well as the
limits depending on your
income. “In order to take
advantage of these breaks
and benefits, you need to
itemize your deductions,”
said Hryck. “Medical and
dental expenses are de-
ductible from your income
taxes on Schedule A of
your tax return.”
Hryck said it’s important,
however,to note that there is
a limit for individuals age 65
and older and their spouses.
“Until 2017, the limit is 7.5
percent of a taxpayer’s ad-
justed gross income,” said
Hryck.So,medicalcoststhat
exceed 7.5 percent of an indi-
vidual’s AGI are tax deduct-
ible. This is the also the case
for dental expenses.
For example, if your AGI
is $45,000 and your medi-
Ryan Himmel is a certi-
fied public accountant and
CEO of TaxResearchPro,
tion study shows that in
2012, almost 23 percent of
Americans aged 75 or old-
mile (for 2014),” said Him-
mel. “Let’s suppose some
taxpayers visit the doctor
ers are also eligible as tax
write-offs if the caregiver
is required to travel with
Hryck
an online research portal. er visited their doctor 10 or 15 times, and the average the person that is to receive New York-based lawyer and
He said that vitamins and more times in the past year travel is 20 miles to and the care. personal finance expert
nutritional supplements
are typically discounted
as possible sources of tax
breaks for seniors. Accord-
ing to him, “Vitamins and
supplements can be over-
looked as many elderly tax-
payers may think there’s
no chance of deducting
these medical expenses.”
But, “that’s not always
true,” said Himmel. “We’ve
seen countless examples
of those on dialysis being
prescribed specific supple-
ments and vitamins by
their doctor that goes be-
yond just caring for their
general health.” Referenc-
ing IRS Publication 502,
Himmel suggests that the
cost of these products can
amount to thousands of
dollars, which can be ap-
plied as eligible deductions.
To qualify, the supple-
ments must be “recom-
mended by a medical prac-
titioner as treatment for a
specific medical condition
diagnosed by a physician” in
ordertobeincludedasmedi-
cal expenses, states the IRS.
So, save all your receipts
for any products that you
buy for health reasons,
which might add up to a
substantial amount over
the course of a year. And, Fotolia