Features

Geese are still here

As the extended conservation snow goose season continues, there are only scattered reports from the fields. There seems to be some big numbers of the snows, blues, and Ross geese that are staying south of the Intracoastal Canal. There are times, depending on the weather, when some of those birds will move back north of the canal; whenever this happens, then the folks that enjoy the late season will enjoy some really great shoots. Many of the waterfowl outfitters have told me that under the circumstances, they are scheduling hunts for standby.

Palm imposter :Popular sago palm is not a palm at all

Dinosaurs probably snacked on the relatives of the cycads that you have in our yard today. Yes, cycads are those unique plants that resemble palm trees. The cycad family dominated the landscape during the Mesozoic era more than 150 million years ago. We are probably most familiar with the cycad called the sago palm.

Playing with home field advantage

For several years of my Christian life, I wrestled with what God would have me to do concerning reaching others. I had heard sermons and read material teaching that I should be a witness for Him, and that if I really loved Him as I should, I would be eager to talk to folks about their eternal souls. I wasn’t. I was chicken. I was downright petrified. I was fearful that I would offend and possibly lose a friendship that I valued. Because of my work, I knew many different kinds of people, and my family members were pretty much like me and not into church things.

Letters to the Editor

Editor:

I had to choke back tears when I read that because State Farm considered its customers “highest priority” it was dropping their homeowners coverage. All 11,000 of us who live on the Texas Gulf Coast.

My, oh my, I could feel State Farm’s acute pain: “These changes will help ensure we are there for all Texas insurers.” How many attorneys and PR specialists were needed to craft such a press release?

Plant a free tree

Someone is giving away free trees? Jefferson County Master Gardeners, under the volunteer guidance of Glen Watz, will be giving away one-year old, bare-rooted seedlings to the local community. Get there early to get yours. The Campbell group is sharing trees with area residents on Friday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Jefferson County Master Gardener test garden at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport.