The Odessa American from Odessa, Texas • 10

10A ODESSA AMERICAN lOCALPOLI-TICS THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 pick Twin Cities for GOP Gonvisotion Republicans media markets in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa all battleground states in the 2004 election and ones expected considering holding their convention in the Twin Cities, but the Republican announcement left Democrats with two competing cities to choose from New York and The Republican National Committee will vote in pened in 1892, when the GOP backed President Benjamin Harrison in his unsuccessful re-election bid. Minnesota's political landscape, however, has shifted right in recent years. It has become less of a Democratic bastion And more of a swing-voting state, a change attributed in part to population growth in the Twin Cities suburbs. The state was a hard-fought battleground in the 2004 and 2000 presidential elections, and in 2002, Minnesota elected Pawlenty, a Republican, as governor and Coleman as senator.

"Our stereotype is that we're cold and liberal and Democratic, and we're still cold," Steven Schier, a political scientist at Carleton College in Northfield, rvlinn said. Selection ensures plenty of media coverage in three battleground states THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON Republicans will hold their 2008 presidential convention in the Twin Cities of. MinnoapolisLSt. Paul, choosing a location in the politically pivotal Midwest. Party and state officials announced the selection Wednesday.

The convention is slated for Sept. 1-4. 2008., "This is fantastic news," Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said. "We're very, very pleased." Losing out were New York JIM MONEjM' be competitive in the next presidential race.

"The heartland of America," Sen. Norm Coleman, wins those states is going to be the next president of the United States." Minnesota had been seen by some as an unlikely host, with just lO electoral votes and the nation's longest streak of voting for Democratic presidential candidates. In 2004, Democrat John Kerry won the state 51 percent to 48 percent. The last Republican to win a presidential race in the state was Richard Nixon in 1972 and the last national convention hap The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, was selected Wednesday as the site of the 2008 Republican National Convention will be held -Sept.

1-4, 2007, party officials January to affirm the decision of the party's site selection committee. GOP officials say approval is assured. Wednesday's announcement eame, a full two years before the convention will be held and just six weeks before midterm elections. Pawlenty is in a tight re-election race and polls show the GOP candidate for an open Senate seat, Rep. Mark Kennedy, trailing his Democratic opponent.

By picking the Twin Cities for 2008, the GOP will ensure plenty news coverage in held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, a concert venue and the home of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild. Democrats also had been City, Cleveland and a joint bid from Tampa and St. Petersburg, other cities that had sought the convention. The four-day event will be KPBT JOAN BASKIN VOLUNTEER WHO WAS CHOSEN? KPBT is producing a documentary about people who make the Permian Basin what it is.

The documentary will air in November. The' following longtime Permian Basin residents will be profiled: Joan Baskin, a former member of the Midland Chamber of Commerce's executive committee, is known for her volunteerism in Midland. The wife of former Judge Pat Baskin, she's described as 'the epitome of Charles. Perry, former owner of Perry Gas has been president of the Colorado River Municipal Water District's board of directors. He was also a former executive director of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance.

Dr. Sudhir P. Srivastava, a cardiac and thoracic surgeon at Alliance Hospital. The doctor is a pioneer in minimally invasive surgical techniques. He was named the city's 'Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2001 ON THE BOARD Board chair John James, chief executive officer of Tomcat USA.

Board vice-chair Patrick Canty, Odessa American publisher Frank Deaderick, chief executive officer of Standard John Land, vice president of community development for the Midland Chamber of Commerce. Charles Spence, Midland Reporter-Telegram publisher. Dr. Nalin Tolia. owner of the Tolia Eye Clinic.

Debbye Valverde, executive director of the Big Spring Chamber of Commerce! Len Wilson, retired Andrews City Manager. Jane Wolf, of Legacy Real Estate. Janet Wood, Odessa community volunteer. Daphne Dowdy, KPBT general manager. federal grants.

But, Dowdy said the community is what helps a PBS station to thrive. "When you turn on the station and it says, 'It's possible because of donations by viewers like It's true. It's Jane Smith, Joe Jones who call and make donations," she said. James said the people of the -Permian Basin have made a stark impact on the station's budget. had upward of $120,000 donated to us in the last year by people who say, 'We believe in PBS.

We believe it adds value to the quality of life in our community. We want this to work, James said. "We're inspired and enthused about how much support there is for PBS and, quite frankly, for Big Bird in our community." And KPBT is grateful for all the community support it has received in the last year, Dowdy said. "We said, 'If you value community television and the services we provide children and adults who want to expand their learning in arts, culture and history, the community will have to take Ownership of this Dowdy said. "And they did in amazing ways." DR.

SUDHIR SRIVASTAVA CARDIAC SURGEON. I ii mi I'ajr I local station is preparing its first major local programming. "Proud Heritage" will air in November, featuring a documentary about three people who "make the Permian Basin what it is." The project was announced Wednesday evening at a news conference. This is the first example of many of fun. ideas," she said.

"I think it's a rewarding idea fors local programming and community V- The idea spawned from something KPBT aired last year. "We did a pilot of Dr. Viola Coleman after she "died," Dowdy said of the first black and first female physician in Midland. "It was so well received, we wanted to make this our signature to do a documentary series to pro- file those people who make the Permian Basin what it is: a unique and fabulous place to live." Community volunteer joan Baskin, heart surgeon Dr. Sudhir Srivastava and longtime oil and gas man Charles Perry will be the subjects of the documentary.

"We'll now gather information, Iff College to temporary headquarters at the Commemorative Air Force. "We're. still two or three years out from a permanent location," she said. "We don't have a studio, but we're working on a brand--new location to move into in- a couple of In the meantime though, the organization is working to continue to bring PBS staples like "Sesame Street" to Permian Basin audiences, put together local programming and finding a home. James said the PBS station is also working to meet the federal government's mandate to go all digital by 2009.

"When we have a five-plus dig-, ital channel, it'll open a whole new world of interactivity arid programming to PBS for the peo- pie in our community," he said. All that takes money, though. "We're membership-driven, sponsorship-driven, grant-driven' Dowdy said. The PBS station also runs three or four pledge drives a year, accepts corporate sponsorships and applies for local, state and and put a documentary together KPBT's 'True Hollywood Story' of these people," Dowdy said of the three, which were chosen from a large list of nominees. "We thought we could do one of these documentaries every night for a year and not get to all the unique stories in the Permian Basin over the years," she said.

Meanwhile, KPBT continues to thrive, Dowdy said, pointing to plans to build and expand. The organization is in the process of moving its temporary headquarters from Odessa CHARLES PERRY BUSINESSMAN Slower business along the East coast has made it possible for our buyers to find several truckloads of new and exciting furniture at some of the best values of the year. We've made these purchases, and now as they arrive we must offer some spectacular bargains in order to have room for our fall stock arriving soon. We have excellent buys in every department. All discontinued and one-of-a-kind items are drastically reduced, as well as complete groups of newly arrived beautiful furniture.

Don't miss this great chance to have a great new look for your homef just in time for the holiday. Come in today! Our store has been owned and operated by the McMinn family for over 35 years, serving the fine folks of the Permian Basin: We invite you to come by and shop with us. Your complete satisfaction with every purchase is personally guaranteed. i -t I 3 Si. I I 4' A Premium Leather Sofa SAVE 70 Top quality leather club, sofa with 8-way hand tied coil spring seating and plush top grain leather for years of great comfort.

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You get the exquisite ball and claw leg table with leaves, four fiddle-back ball and claw side chairs and two fiddle-back ball and claw arm chairs. Also includes the break front lighted china cabinet with lots of storage behind glass and wood doors. This suite features intricate patterns in the table top. It's a one of a kind beauty, now being cleared from our stock. -V 9 Piece Dining Room Suite Reg.

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$2599.99 SAVE 60! my f- NO MONEY DOWN 12 MONTHS SAME AS CASH with approved credit see store for details 1 5 All advertised items are subject to $1039 prior sale 3323 Andrews Hwy. Odessa 550-2338 or 1-800-223-6852 Open MonSat 10-6 Closed Every Sunday Email askusmcrninns.com.