The Odessa American from Odessa, Texas • 11

Tuesday, oril 17, 2001 Odessa American Check It Out Frame of Mind Photographic Spring Show on display at the Parker House Museum through May 7. Call 685-4770. Obituaries 2 SECTION Blotter 3 Death Notices 6 Odessa sales tax rebates Increase I A. There's no reason for soft-petaling the flower show Odessa $4,481,572.84, 9.94 percent Presidio $92,016.87, 1L73 percent Rankin $10,801.50, 38.76 percent Seminole $202,252.32, 116.72 percent Decreases: Alpine $253,576.38, percent Fort Stockton $321,623.34, percent Goldsmith $18,567.06, percent Kermit $14,070.16, percent Rebate Totals Year-to-date rebate totals (calendar-year basis) and percent change from prior year in area cities, according to the comptroller's office. Increases: Andrews $230,547.97, 7.74 percent Big Spring $1,178,236.33, 1.13 percent Crane $86,216.07, 6.30 percent McCamey $12,878,569.63, 5.27 percent check last week from the State Comptroller's office.

That amount includes the economic development sales tax of one quarter cent. The city of Odessa will receive $798,574.70, and the Odessa Development Corp. will receive $199,643.67. Odessa saw an increase in sales tax revenue with April's sales tax' revenue total of $798,547.70, which reflects an $11,514.26 or 16.57 percent increase as compared to April 2000. Odessa experienced its first decline in sales tax rebates last month after two months of increases.

Zentner called last month's See REBATES on Page 6B By Benjamin Adams Odessa American ODESSA After a slight drop in sales tax rebates paid in March, Odessa's April rebate rebounded with a 16.57 percent increase over April 2000. "That's a nice" increase," said James Zentner, city of Odessa finance director. "I think it's the continuation of a good local economy" Zentner said retail sales are a strong indicator of the health of the local economy and higher oil prices have boosted retail sales. The city of Odessa received $998,218.37 for its April 2001 sales tax Pecos $238,017.00, percent I Stanton $37,841.98, percent ECISD trustees Family affair io aecme upon planning survey 6 By Ruth Friedberg Odessa American A survey to determine long-range needs of Ector County Independent School District will be discussed at a school board meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in the board room of the Administration Building, 802 N.

Sam TV Houston Ave. The possibility of having a survey conducted was discussed during a board workshop April 10. aoiMJ superintendent noy Benavides said the survey would collect data from parents, teachers and In other taxpayers. business, "I think it would be a good opportu- tne Doara nity to get some will good baseline da- discuss an ta, Benavides said. Benavides said he estimated hopes to have a $2.2 survey done before any long-range bud- get planning, like a renovations bond issue, is done.

jQ jje The survey won't specifically phased in ask about a bond during the issue, but focus on instructional mat- next Iew LARA MECKFESSElODESSA AMERICAN Tiffany Perry, left, along with her mother Tammy Perry, rying on the family tradition by graduating from Odessa grandparents Mary Fambro and Tom Fambro, right, are High. Her mother graduated from OHS 25 years ago all graduates of Odessa High School. Tiffany Perry is car- while her grandfather graduated 50 years ago from OHS. on tradition ters and planning years. for children in Ector County, Benavides said.

Economic Development Services Company of Valley Ranch and Frank N. Magid Associates Inc. of Marinn Inwa arf nnssihilitips tn Three generations graduate from OHS within 50 years conduct the survey, district officials said. The cost of the survey would be $20,000 to $30,000, according to ECISD Office of School For all the talk about "flower power" back in the 1960s, that ancient movement has nothing on the Texas 2001 version. A pleasant and soothing benefit of the end of the Lone Star State's drought, thanks to fall and winter moisture, is an explosion of spring color that is proving to be extremely popular.

Now that's the good news. The bad news is that West Texans who want to get in on the best of the panoramas will have do some traveling. Central Texas boasts the best bluebonnets, as nearly everyone knows. But it's not just the state flower of Texas that makes this spring special. Indian paintbrushes, wildflowers with a unique reddish hue, are in plentiful supply in certain areas.

And when the two share the same pasture or roadside well, that's the best thing that happened to Kodak stock since the development of the Brownie model. There's something quite therapeutic about viewing a few billion bluebonnets and a few million Indian paintbrushes. Throw in some gold and yellow flowers and the color explosion is almost too good to believe. Adding to this year's extravaganza is the knowledge that prime wildflower years don't have to roll around on a regular basis. The recent dry years prove that all too easily.

What's more, the act won't be held over for any encores. The brilliant colors are only good for a few weeks. So you have to build your schedule around the bloomin' show, so to speak. Naturally, your intrepid columnist felt the need to offer a few first-hand observations for the edification of anyone who is getting the urge to head for the Hill Country before the flowers wilt. First of all, don't even start thinking about the bluebonnets until you pass through San Angelo.

But there is plenty of unusual greenery dotting the normally brown landscape to pass the time pleasantly until you get into Concho country By the time you get to Eden on U.S. 87, a few spotted patches of bluebonnets will have appeared. From that community, the show starts when you head south toward Menard and then cut over to Mason and then Llano. Or you can go east from Eden (sounds like a good name for a book or movie, doesn't it?) to Brady and then take Texas 71 from Brady to Llano. The Brady-to-Llano route offers some healthy patches of bluebonnets that extend well back into the pastures.

And there is a considerable presence of Indian paintbrushes. This 60-mile mile drive is recommended for those who don't want to go too much out of the way for their wildflower fix. But both of these roads lead to some of the best scenery you're likely to find. The stretch of Texas 29 that runs from Llano to Lake Buchanan is breathtaking. There is one spot a few miles west of Texas 29's intersection with FM 1431 near Buchanan Dam that is made for photography In fact, just about any time you pass that hillside covered with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and several other varieties of yellow and gold flowers, a cluster of photographers can be spotted.

It is dazzling. Actually the area in and around Lake Buchanan seems to be the best for Indian paintbrushes. Other areas that are heavily infested with bluebonnets don't have any tinges of red whatsoever. But the most relaxing tour is not for the casual flower gazer. This one requires a bit of inside knowledge.

So here's the sort-of-secret swing that is not on most maps: You head west on Texas 71 from Llano for 22 miles and turn south on FM 962. About three miles later, you swing west on FM 3347. The pavement runs out before you hit FM 1323 and the road name changes, but there are plenty of great vistas to distract you from the rutted road. When you reach FM 1323, hook a right and go into Willow City and watch for the signs that lead you to the Willow City Loop. The loop takes you through private ranches on a road that forces you to remember the rules of courtesy and sharing due to the many low-water crossings and cattleguards that accommodate only one vehicle going one way at a time.

The views are spectacular, including one outlook where an entire valley has been painted blue by the state flower It's a shutterbug's dream. The loop eventually deadends at Texas 16 and a right will get you back to Llano. So that's it If you go, be sure to allow more time than you anticipated to make room for the proper oohing and aahing and the bumper-to-bumper mobile gawkers. Ken Brodnax's column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. E-mail comments may be sent to oalink.freedom.com Improvements information.

In other business, the board will discuss an estimated $2.2 million space it does now. Commencement was held at Floyd Gwin Auditorium. Now it's held at Ratliff Stadium. "They played football games at Fly Field where the baseball field is now," Mary Fambro said. The OHS band probably had 100 members when Tom Fambro was at school.

He added that there was only one band then, not three. Tiffany Perry said the marching band has 180 to 200 members. Tom Fambro played the trombone and Tiffany Perry plays the French horn. Despite changes through the years, Tiffany Perry is proud to be carrying on family tradition. "I See GRADUATES on Page 6B "How many times are you going to get to say that your grandfather graduated 50 years ago and your mom graduated 25 years ago?" Tiffany Perry OHS STUDENT years ago?" she added.

When Tom Fambro went to OHS, it had about half of its current enrollment of 2,117 students, and everyone knew everyone else. OHS itself took up one-third the By Ruth Fried berg Odessa American ODESSA When Tiffany Perry graduates from Odessa High School next month, she'll not only be moving on to college she'll be carrying on a family tradition. Tiffany Perry's entire family her mother, Tammy, her grandparents, Tom and Mary Fambro, and her uncles, Mike and Jeff all graduated from OHS. Her mother graduated 25 years ago and her grandfather, 50 years ago. "I think it's really cool," Tiffany Perry said.

"How many times are you going to get to say that your grandfather graduated 50 years ago and your mom graduated 25 ill iciiuvcuiuua iu uc puaacu 111 during the next few years. Renovations would include putting a dance studio at Odessa High School and classroom expansion at the school; relocating and modernizing the ECISD cable TV station; and expanding the Career and Technology Education program. The projects would not be part of any proposed bond issue. Board' members are considering the items oecause tney are immediate Two candidates seek District 5 city council seat Jerry Baird, assistant super- intendent for support staff services, has said the projects could be financed during a two-year, budget period. Baird said ECISD would try to fund the projects within budget, but if not, some of the fund balance, a "rainy day" fund, could be used.

District officials aren't yet sure where they would move the TV station, which is now located at 10th Street and Lee Avenue. One possibility would be a site near the Career Center, Benavides said. On another matter, trustees will See ECISD on Page 6B Calzada said. "But I cannot choose to inhale the smoke or not. Smokers have a right to smoke but I have a right not to breathe the smoke." Rice says the proposed creation of a smoking ordinance is.

another example of the government overextending its reach. "I don't think it's right for the government to put their nose into private business and tell them what By Ian Heald Odessa American The proposed smoking ordinance aside, the candidates vying for the District 5 City Council seat agree on diversification of the local economy. Berta Calzada, 57, the incumbent, supports a smoking ordinance. George Rice, 61, her challenger, doesn't. "When I go to a restaurant I have the freedom to eat sweets or not," rt( li r- l.

George Rice See CANDIDATES on Page 3B Berta Calzada Authorities continue investigation of plane crash that killed Midland man By Brian Rogers Odessa American The investigation continues into the airplane crash that killed a Midland man Saturday during the Confederate Air Force's open cockpit day at Midland International Airport. The pilot, CAF member Roy Green, 53, was killed shortly after takeoff at 2:50 p.m. when the plane took a nosedive into a parking ramp. Green's passenger, Capt. Manfred Aust, a German Air Force instructor pilot, suffered minor injuries.

Green was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was taken to the medical examiner's office ti Tt" in Lubbock for an autopsy Officials at the National Transportation Safety Board said Alex Lemishko was investigating the incident, but would not speculate on when the cause will be determined. Lemishko could not be reached for comment. Tina Corbett, a spokesperson with the CAF said the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration investigated the scene through Sunday Corbett said she expects a report from the NTSB to be posted on its Web site within six to eight weeks. Corbett said the CAF acquired the single engine plane, a 1942 See CRASH on Page 6B LARA MECKFESSELODESSA AMERICAN A Fairchild PT-19A, owned by the Confederate Air Force, sits on the Tarmac after it crashed Saturday, killing pilot Roy Green of Midland. Green, 53, and co-pilot Manfred Aust were the only ones aboard.

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash..