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    Beloved Priest Dies

    Beloved city-changing, cowboy-boot-loving priest dies at age 44, sending Houston into mourning

    Shelby Hodge
    Nov 28, 2014 | 3:04 pm

    Hearts are aching across the city with news of the passing today of the much-beloved Father T.J. Martinez, 44, founder of Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School. With all who knew him, including this reporter, "Father TJ" had a special relationship that transcended religious affiliations, personal status and means.

    Everyone who knew him felt an extraordinary connection to the man and, often as a result, a greater connection to God.

    "Father TJ had a genuine gift of making people feel as though you were his best friend," said Nancy Kinder, head of the Kinder Family Foundation and ardent Martinez fan. "He was the most positive person I have ever known or will ever know, especially during the pain and suffering that he went through. Houston lost a unique leader and friend. Our heart goes out to his family."

    Martinez was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer earlier this year and recently entered Hospice care.

    Born in Brownsville, Texas, he graduated from Boston College with honors in politics and communications after which he studied to become a Jesuit priest. While preparing for the priesthood, the indomitable Martinez earned a law degree from the University of Texas and a Master's in school leadership from Harvard.

    He opened Cristo Rey in 2009 with 80 students. Today, 500 are studying at the school which has graduated two classes of seniors, all of whom were accepted to college.

    "Father TJ was one of the most outstanding and charismatic individuals I have ever known." — Rich Kinder

    As Paul Posoli, Cristo Rey interim president noted, "We know that Father Martinez was so many things to so many people, and that each person who had the honor of knowing him — whether as a spiritual leader, mentor, role model or friend — was better for it."

    Sharing his larger than life personality with all, Martinez was known for his high spirits, personal charisma and exuberance for life, the latter witnessed in his penchant for cowboy boots and trophy silver belt buckles. He was known among friends in the early days of Cristo Rey as the "Energizer bunny priest," for the boundless energy that accompanied his visionary leadership in education.

    On Martinez' passing, Cristo Rey supporter Tony Sanchez, president and CEO of Sanchez Energy Corp., noted, "Father Martinez is the finest man I know. He gave every minute of every day caring about other people — and the Cristo Rey Jesuit kids. He will be missed by everyone across Texas. This is a loss to all."

    Achievements noted in his biography included "In 2010, Father Martinez was knighted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, a Papal Knighthood that recognizes outstanding service to the church in founding the only Catholic high school in the state of Texas that exclusively serves underprivileged children."

    Kinder Morgan CEO Rich Kinder was keynote speaker for Cristo Rey's first graduating class in 2013. At the news of the priest's death, Kinder said, "Father TJ was one of the most outstanding and charismatic individuals I have ever known . . . He was an inspiration to the students, staff and supporters and has shown that educating all our young people is attainable with dedication and hard work."

    Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan cuts up on stage at a Cristo Rey luncheon with Father T.J. Martinez.

      
    Photo by Michelle Watson Catchlight Group
    Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan cuts up on stage at a Cristo Rey luncheon with Father T.J. Martinez.
    unspecified
    news/city-life

    natural disaster prep

    Purchase certain emergency supplies tax-free this weekend in Texas

    Amber Heckler
    Apr 24, 2025 | 1:00 pm
    Generac portable generator, emergency preparation supplies
    Generac/Facebook
    Portable generators that cost less than $3,000 are eligible for a tax break this weekend.

    Texans will be able to purchase critical emergency supplies tax-fee during the statewide Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday from April 26-28. It's not only a good time to prepare for any natural disasters in 2025, but to stock up on household necessities like batteries, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors.

    Shoppers can purchase certain emergency supplies tax-free starting at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 26, and the "holiday" runs until midnight on Monday, April 28. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased during the weekend. Purchases can be made in store, online, through the mail, and via custom order as long as they take place April 26-28.

    Qualifying emergency supplies
    The list of qualifying tax-free items is available on The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' website, but they must be purchased under certain price brackets.

    For example, portable generators that cost less than $3,000 qualify for a tax break, as well as ladders and hurricane shutters that cost less than $300.

    Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are included in the sales price, according to the Comptroller. So if a shopper buys a $299 rescue ladder and is charged a $10 delivery fee, the total sales price for the purchase is $309, and tax would need to be paid for that sales price.

    Additional items that qualify for a tax break as long as they cost less than $75 include:

    • Axes
    • Batteries – single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
    • Carbon monoxide detectors
    • Fire extinguishers
    • First aid kits
    • Fuel containers
    • Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
    • Hatchets
    • Ice products – including reusable and artificial ice
    • Light sources – including those that are battery operated or portable self-powered sources, as well as candles, flashlights, and lanterns
    • Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
    • Non-electric can openers
    • Non-electric coolers and ice chests for food storage
    • Radios – including portable self-powered radios, battery operated radios, two-way radios, and weather band radios
    • Smoke detectors
    • Tarps and other plastic sheeting

    The Comptroller's website also reminds shoppers that over-the-counter items – like antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, spray and wipes — are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a "Drug Facts" panel in compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

    Non-qualifying items
    Medical masks, face masks, and gloves of any kind do not qualify for a tax exemption. Other taxable items including toilet paper, cleaning supplies (such as disinfectants and bleach wipes), vehicle or boat batteries, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, and stepladders. Camping equipment and supplies, including stoves and tents, are also not eligible for a tax break.

    Additionally, any repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies do not qualify for tax exemptions, and neither do any services that are performed on or related to those supplies.

    If customers buy a tax-exempt item between April 26-28 and are still taxed, they may request a refund from the seller on the tax paid for the item. The seller can grant the refund to the buyer, or provide them with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, which would allow the customer to file a claim for their refund through the Comptroller's website.
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