Wonder of Water Festival - Page 6 the Irving Rambler www.irvingrambler.com “The Newspaper Irving Reads” May 18, 2006 Comics Page 11 Art Association THIS Classifieds Page 11 Pirouettes host Obituaries Page 8 celebrates 50 years championships Police & Fire Page 2 WEEK Puzzles Page 10 Page 3 Page 7 Gov. Perry signs landmark business tax reform Gov. Rick Perry traveled to KB employers, reliable funding for our Troy Fraser, R-Marble Falls, also at- Home Studio in Irving to sign into school classrooms and revenue tended the bill signing. law House Bill 3, legislation that that will help deliver a record $15.7 Perry noted that the old tax provides comprehensive business billion property tax cut for the system has gaping loopholes that tax reform but also helps deliver the people of Texas,” Perry said. allows businesses with good ac- largest property tax cut in the state’s Perry thanked state Rep. Jim countants to avoid paying their history. Keffer, R-Eastland, who authored share while other employers got “Today I am proud to sign into the legislation and participated in stuck carrying an unfair tax load and law landmark business tax reforms the bill signing, for shepherding the schools struggled as revenue from that will provide greater fairness for bill through the Texas House. Sen. the business tax steadily dwindled... and millions of homeowners who have been forced ElectionElection fafavorsvors incumbentsincumbents to make up the difference with sky- rocketing local property taxes. “When I put my signature on House Bill 3, that will all change,” he said. “Employers will benefit with a tax system that is fairer, a tax base that is broader and a tax rate that is substantially lower than the one we Providing for Texas’ public schools, Governor Perry addresses the have today. audience before signing House Bill 3 into law. “And as the centerpiece of our those whose tax bill is less than “This is tax relief that Texans school finance plan, House Bill 3 $1,000. can count on for more than just a will help us lower school property Rewards employers that create year or two,” he said. “Every new taxes by 33 percent for every ho- jobs and contribute to our economy, dollar raised from tax reform will go meowner and every other property but also mandates that, Businesses straight back to the people in prop- owner in Texas.” that hire illegal immigrants will pay erty tax cuts. And taxpayers will House Bill 3: the price with higher taxes. have more power to stop tax in- Rewards employers for creat- House Bill 3 is one of five bills creases passed at the local level.” ing jobs and investing in employee in a package of legislation that pro- School finance legislation benefits. Every time a business vide the largest property tax reduc- passed by the legislature will: puts a Texan to work, pays for health tion and the most comprehensive Reward every Texas teacher with a insurance or invests in a pension education reforms in decades. $2,000 pay increase and provides plan... their tax liability will go down. Over the next three years, the owner the largest teacher merit pay pro- Protects small employers so of an average-priced home will see gram in the nation. that they can continue to drive their property tax bill go down by Texas’ economic growth. nearly $2,000, Perry noted. See PERRY, Page 4 Newly re-elected city council members, Joe Philipp, Lewis Patrick and Exempts sole proprietors and Rick Stopfer, take some time to thank their supporters and enjoy the general partnerships from the tax, moment at a party following the release of the unofficial election results. as well as businesses whose gross EDS Pinball auction raises funds for the See ELECTION, Page 4 receipts total $300,000 or less, and Salesmanship Club Family Works Center Wetterich wins EDS Byron Nelson EDS, title sponsor of the 2006 pen to the be the initials of the EDS Byron Nelson Champion- 2006 champion Brett Wetterich. ship, closed the online auction “EDS and our people are for the pinball machine thrilled with the results. The fact autographed by 99 players at the that so many players, clients and 2006 EDS Byron Nelson Champi- employees had fun raising money onship. The winning bid was for children and families in the $15,600. A private auction among Dallas area is the icing on the cake EDS employees and clients for for another great year of our an identical, unsigned pinball sponsorship,” Gail Rigler, vice machine went for $10,000. president of marketing for EDS, The entire amount by the said. “Who knows, we might have auctions, $25,600, will benefit the to bring Mega Golf Ball Frenzy Salesmanship Club Youth and back next year for another auc- Family Centers’ newest facility – tion.” the Salesmanship Club Family The Salesmanship Club Works Center, which opened its Family Works Center operates doors last Monday. three innovative programs, The pinball machine, cus- which combine prevention, early tomized to reflect the eds.com intervention and treatment ser- game Mega Golf Ball Frenzy, cre- vices for children and their fami- ated its own frenzy in the play- lies. ers’ locker room. Players and their “As we work to make a dif- families spent hours on the ma- ference at the Family Works Cen- chine over the past week. When ter, we’re proud to have EDS as the machine was removed from our partner,” Jim Calvert, Ph. D., the locker room Sunday evening, With a little help from some children whose lives have been touched by the Salesmanship Club, Mayor Herb Director of the Salesmanship the initials atop the pinball leader Gears presents a 1.6 million dollar check to Brett Wetterich, the EDS Byron Nelson Championship winner. Club Family Works Center, said. board were BW, which also hap- The victory marks Wetterich’s first USPGA Tour win as he finished one point ahead of Trevor Immelman. Page 2 May 18, 2006 www.irvingrambler.com The Irving Rambler Community Calendar May 20 Irving Girls see, touch, and explore different May 21 Irving Missions May 21 Le Jazz Hot - The Conductor and Music Director Ri- Cheerleading Association aspects of classical music and the Day of Prayer - Each year at this 2004-2005 season of the Irving chard Giangiulio at the Irving Arts Spirit Day - Current cheerleaders orchestra. Children will have a time, the Christian community is Symphony Orchestra (ISO) con- Center at 8 p.m. The concert opener and girls wanting to sign up and “hands-on” experience with instru- busy putting the final plans to- cludes with the spring fundraiser, is the dramatic and picturesque Le cheer will celebrate of 25 years of ments of the orchestra, craft activi- gether for sending out their short- LE JAZZ HOT. To be held at the Chasseur Maudit, Cesar Franck’s friendship, cheering, dancing and ties and snacks, plus special give- term mission teams for the summer. Rhapsody Room of the Omni depiction of “The Wild Huntsman”. fun. Girls will play games, learn a aways to take home. Register online With your help, we are planning a Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas, the Mozart’s beautiful Concerto for cheer or two and have cake 10 a.m. at www.simonkidgitsclub.com or community-wide prayer service for fundraising event will feature jazz Two Pianos features Lucille Chung at Fritz Park. visit Simon Guest Services, Irving churches and supporters of mis- vocalist Trella Hart and her trio. and Alessio Bax. Included in the Mallfor more details. sions to come together for a prayer Tickets to the event, which includes ticket price are the popular 7 p.m. May 20 KidsNotes with the Las service at 2:00 p.m. at the Calvary dinner, dancing, live and silent auc- Pre-concert Recital Series in Car- Colinas Symphony Orchestra - May 20 Ladies Tea - From 11 Church located at 4401 N. Hwy 161. tions, are $125 per person and may penter Hall. This evening’s program Early exposure to music and the arts a.m.- 1 p.m. the Irving Downtown There is no charge for participating be purchased by calling the Irving will feature the staff of the Irving is crucial to developing thecreative Association will host its Third An- in the event, and your entire con- Symphony Orchestra office at 972- ISD Fine Arts Department. For fur- spark in youth 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Irv- nual “Ladies Tea”. Irving City Coun- gregation is invited, especially the 831-8818. ther information, call the Irving Arts ing Mall’s Center Court. The 30- cilwoman Beth Van Dynne will be mission group. For additional infor- Center Box Office - 972/252-ARTS minute KidsNotes program offers the guest speaker. Hats and Gloves mation and replies please go to May 23 New Philharmonic Or- or the NPOI message center - 972/ children the opportunity to hear, are encouraged. irvingmissions.com or email at chestra of Irving - The New Phil- 252-7558, ext. 248 or check the [email protected]. harmonic Orchestra of Irving ends website at http:// its eighteenth classical season with www.home.earthlink.net/~youngj1/ npoi.htm. Chamber of Commerce pOLICE &Fire Economic Devlopment Briefs Irving-based Carbo Ceram- new president. Most recently she Kitty Hawk Inc ics (NYSE:CRR) has named served as the senior supply chain (AMEX:KHK), a Technology Irving Police Department activity summary Gary Kolstad to be its president and executive for Constellation Energy Leadership Council member, has chief executive officer effective Group, the nation’s largest supplier announced plans to buy the assets May 16 - May 17 June 1.