Advent Conspiracy: Give the Gift of Presence
Last year, Carson shared on How to Purify Christmas. This season, even more churches and communities across the nation are joining forces with Living Water International, a non-profit water well-building organization, in an attempt to spread the message of Jesus’ life: one of pure selflessness and giving. Read more
Response to Duck Drama by State Game Warden
In the midst of high media attention regarding the duck removal at Mary Jo Peckham Park, one curious constituent (not myself) contacted the Texas Game Warden to inquire about the legality of duck removal by Commissioner Steve Radack. The Game Warden’s response is below, and I thought it might be interesting to those following the story:
I am responding to a complaint that was filed with the Operation Game Thief for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regarding the removal of protected migratory waterfowl species from a Harris County Park in Katy. The issue of duck removal from the Harris County Park system in Katy has been addressed from a very proactive standpoint with personnel from Harris County Precinct 5. Several years ago this issue arose out of concern for health and safety for people fishing, the welfare of migratory waterfowl and concerns involving invasive exotic duck species in Mary Jo Peckham Park, a Community Fishing Lake. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is partnered with Harris County to create an environment that is conducive to family outdoor recreation in county parks by participating in a fish stocking program that promotes recreational fishing. I, State Game Warden Kevin Malonson, have worked very close with Harris County personnel to ensure that any removal of ducks from the park is guided by the laws of the State of Texas and federal guidelines. After careful observations of the waterfowl species present in this park, it was determined that the vast majority of these ducks were an exotic species known as Muskovy ducks. There have been several ducks that have appearances very similar to protected species however through hybridization these ducks bear Muskovy characteristics. The removal of Muskovy or Muskovy hybrids, lethal or not, is lawful for depredation reasons whereas these particular ducks are causing problems at this facility. There have been many instances where ducks have become entangled in fishing lines of recreational fisherman, also. These ducks present a potential health hazard to humans, as determined by the Health Department, with regard to their waste or feces in the water of this contained pond since people eat these fish. Provisions for ducks that cannot be differentiated from wild species involve transplanting them to Mason Creek Park. For further information regarding the Muskovy duck I’ve included some factual data from Wikipedia:
“In the US, Muscovy Ducks, like other domestic animals, are considered private property. An owner may do with the birds as he or she pleases, so long as laws regarding animal cruelty are not violated. Similarly, if the ducks have no owner, no US state or federal law prohibits their capture. This can be a last resort to resolve a nuisance problem.
The Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck which is native to Mexico, Central and South America. A small wild population reaches into the US in the lower Rio Grande River basin in Texas. This is a somewhat aggressive duck; males often fight over food, territory or mates. There also are feral breeding populations in North America in and around public parks in nearly every state of the USA and in the Canadian provinces; feral populations also exist in Europe. Feral Muscovy Ducks can breed near urban and suburban lakes and on farms, nesting in tree cavities or on the ground, under shrubs in yards, on condominium balconies, or under roof overhangs. Some feral populations, such as that in Florida, have a reputation of becoming nuisance pests on occasion (For more information, read ?Florida’s Introduced Birds: Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)”). At night they often sleep at water, if there is a water source available, to flee quickly from predators if awoken. A small population of Muscovy Ducks can also be found in Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK, where they are considered a pest and culled by the local council.”
Sincerely,
Kevin Malonson, State Game Warden
10101 Southwest Frwy, #206
Houston, TX 77074
713-779-8977
Reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscovy_Duck
I found Mr. Malonson’s response informative, helpful, and respectable. It shed light on health concerns (no one had previously clarified that it had to do with water – not picnic tables) and state law concerning the treatment of waterfowl. I’m still a little lost on what Radack meant when he said ducks were being eaten, but it is comforting to know actions were investigated.
What does everyone else think?
American Docu-Thriller Hopes to Save Japanese Dolphins
In a time when healthcare and resuscitating the economy take precedence in our national news, there is an upheaval brewing off the coasts of Osaka, Japan. A group of activists that include a billionaire, a dolphin trainer, marine techs and the noted photographer, Louie Psihoyos, set to capture the realities of what really happens in “The Cove.”
The docu-thriller sheds light on the inhumane mass killings of dolphins in a tranquil cove next to a dolphin themed tourist attraction. Because dolphins are not protected under the commercial whaling ban, the ocean’s mammals are killed for Japanese consumption. Read more
Where Did All the Ducks Go?
Edit: Story covered at KHOU.com.
I’m mad. Why am I mad? Because someone decided to complain about one of the most beloved features of the City of Katy and then a group of equally useful people decided it would be a great idea to listen. One decides for all… some democracy? Katyites now have Harris County to thank for stripping Mary Jo Peckham Park of its most charming and treasured feature – the ducks.
Several weeks ago, some men in uniforms were seen forcing ducks into trucks in order to take them away from their habitat permanently (and do what only God knows to them thereafter). Why? Strands of rumors here and there blame sanitation, but I have seen no statement given by Harris County regarding the removal. Read more
Don’t Do It! Don’t Cut Up Those Credit Cards!
The financial counselors tell us we should get rid of our credit cards. Don’t use our credit cards!
Others wisely tell us to keep our current credit timely, to use our credit cards regularly, but to pay off each balance monthly. The latter is the way to go if you ever want to buy a house. That is, if you need a mortgage to purchase.
Credit ratings can be addressed even in these times of tight money. No credit rating, due to being a cash-for-everything purchaser, is a brake-slam in the home buying process. No credit equals no mortgage.
Unfair as it sounds, it’s exactly the burden currently facing clients of mine. These are hard-working, hard-saving, productive members of our society. No good, the American way is to use credit. Credit equals the ability to get more credit. Read more
Giving Bike Riders a Place to Call Home
It’s been over a decade since I lived in a place I could call home, but after moving to Katy, I knew I found the place I belonged. I’ve since settled down, bought a home, got married, volunteer in the community, and even started my own business. My wife, Jessica, and I are both fitness fanatics, so instead of the typical anniversary gift exchange/trip, we opted for a pair of new bikes so we can spend more time exercising together. I’ve seen more people on bicycles in the Katy area than anywhere else I lived in the past, so it was inevitable that I would eventually join in. We were both excited about the process and after shopping around, we chose our anniversary presents, 2 new shiny bicycles. However, my wife stumped me with a question I hadn’t put much thought into, “Where are we going to ride our bikes?” Read more
Why Is It Difficult To Accept Public Education’s Fraud?
By George Scott.
Every major financial or corporate scandal that has rocked the nation’s confidence from the foreshadowing of things to come represented by Enron to the current corruption de jour of Richard Madoff has a common denominator.
The victims were given numbers, charts, graphs, tables, and sophisticated data all designed to affirm that what they wanted to hear and what they were hearing purely represented the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Read more
Looking for a New Puppy? Avoid Heartache and Costly Mistakes
Puppies are cute and adorable, but if you don’t do your homework or if you don’t buy that puppy from the right source, you could be walking blindly into a sad and expensive situation. Did you know, for example, that AKC-registration has nothing to do with the puppy’s health, temperament, or sturdiness? Here are some tips for finding the right puppy for your family: Read more
Celebrate Life Week
The Mayor of Katy, Don Elder, Jr., announces the first ever “Celebrate Life Week,” January 18-24, 2009. The City and the Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston invites citizens, friends, family, and church groups to a series of events around the Katy area in order to celebrate the importance of life. The events will coincide with the national “Sanctity of Human Life Day” on January 18th and The Pregnancy Help Center’s 20th Anniversary. Read more
Chivalry is Not Dead in Katy, Texas
This past summer I was driving back to Katy from Remington Trails when a brand new tire blew out on my car. I was on Hwy. 90 with no service station in sight and had forgotten to bring my cell phone with me. I am a 73 year old widow, so trying to change the tire myself was out of the question.
I made an arbitrary decision to continue driving until I reached a service station or someplace where I could make a phone call to AAA. I got to the service station on Avenue D and 90 and checked the Read more
Katy Hardware: A Quaint Adventure
By: Mystery Teacher
I have unclogged many toilets without fanfare and moved on. Boy was I worried when my new state of the art plunger didn’t do the job. Who hasn’t heard the scary stories about plumbers costing more than lawyers? I was tipped off about an instrument called a snake, and further tipped to go down to Katy Hardware to get one. It so happens that Katy Hardware was closer to me than Walmart. Read more
Discovering the Seven Wonders of Katy?
The staff over at the Katy Sun (Houston Community Newspapers) has put together a list of what they consider the “Seven Wonders of Katy”. The list included many of our favorite places. The final wonders (8 were mentioned) are listed below: Read more
The History of the King Cake
Must digress from my real estate columns, a deep tradition from my New Orleans heritage is calling to me on this, the 11th day after Christmas. King Cakes, a Mardi Gras goody, will appear in the stores tomorrow as they commemorate the arrival of the Three Kings at the birth of Jesus.
Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. This day, the beginning of the Carnival season, is known by several names including “Epiphany”, “Twelfth Night” or “Kings Day”. It’s a period of great festivity in the cultures where Mardi Gras is observed. Read more
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – New Year’s Resolutions
The clock is ticking – only a few more days until 2009. No pressure. It’s the time of year that people feel compelled to make resolutions. Stop smoking, lose weight, get organized – just to name a few. I’m not a big fan of resolutions. I completely understand the reasoning to making resolutions and the time of year (new year = fresh start), but to me it’s not necessary. I am not saying don’t do any of these things, and resolutions in general are not a good idea, but why only at the beginning of the year? Why not any time of the year? If you want to accomplish something to better yourself, does it have to be on January 1st? Nope. Read more
Phở What? A Guide to Vietnamese Restaurants in Katy
Most have noticed the number of Vietnamese “Pho” restaurants popping up around Katy over the past few years. Some, like myself, have ventured out and tried a few, while others are afraid of what they do not know.
From Pho Mai to Pho Saigon and everything in between, you may be wondering if there’s a difference, or more simply, what the heck pho is. Pho can be a refreshing alternative to the “heavier” restaurants around Katy and if it hasn’t already, may easily become a new favorite of yours! Read more
Please Don’t Call Me Scrooge – Again!
Oops, I did it again; two years in a row, and not a decoration to be seen at the Godwin residence. I love Christmas and the holidays. I am not a Scrooge. But if one more person calls me that because I didn’t decorate again this year, I will scream. There should be an 11th Commandment -”Thou shalt not judge one’s holiday spirit on sight alone”.
I am a generous soul which Mr. Scrooge was not. This year, just like last year, I just didn’t have time to decorate, I was too busy doing other more important things and (uh-hem) working to help others plan their holiday Read more
The Day Katy Texas Stood Still…
Don’t ask me how I found it, but I recently stumbled across an interesting video of a man being interviewed because he supposedly witnessed a UFO sighting in his own backyard -right here in Katy, Texas!
The 4 part interview was recorded by an independent reporter who happens to call himself “Independent Reporter”. After doing a little research on the show, I found that this is no “Art Bell” wannabe. The Independent reporter covers a variety of topics and offers in-depth commentary that isn’t as ridiculous as this story may lead you to believe. Read more
