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Hastings in Victoria opens its doors Friday night at 9 for a vampire prom -- in honor of the midnight release of Stephenie Meyer's "Breaking Dawn."

The book release opens the doors to this question: Who is Hollywood's worst actor?

While "Breaking Dawn" is the fourth installment of Meyer's popular series, her first installment -- "Twilight" -- is being made into a movie.

When directors announced the movie's cast -- including lead actor Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward -- folks everywhere posted harsh criticisms of the young actor.

And it got us to thinking ...

Hollywood, no doubt, produces poor flicks galore each year. But which actors are most guilty of polluting the big screen with even poorer performances?

Take your pick, right?

While I could rattle a dozen or so off the top of my head, I wanted to leave that to you. Tell us who you think couldn't act his way out of a paper bag and we'll use it in our story.

The story publishes Sunday alongside our coverage of the vampire prom and Meyer's midnight book release.

For you hard news junkies out there: Don't worry. We're not turning into Entertainment Weekly. It's OK to have a little fun sometimes and there'll be plenty of hard news this weekend.

As always, thanks for your help -- and cut.

Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor

Between 1982 and 1992, the Sanctuary Movement flourished. Now, the movement is again gaining steam.

The Sanctuary Movement is a religious and political movement in which churches shelter Central American refugees from Immigration and Naturalization Service.

For our fifth Fatal Funnel installment, we are digging deep into this movement -- into churches in South Texas and along the border -- that partake.

We also want to talk to church leaders who preside over congregations and others who stand firmly against the movement.

We are leaving for the border within a few weeks.

What are your thoughts? Do you know about South Texas churches that protect illegal immigrants? Do you have a story or opinion to share?

As always, you can reach me at 361-580-6519 or gsemenza@vicad.com or by posting in here.

Thanks for your help,

Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor

On Sunday, our third installment of the Fatal Funnel publishes. For those who missed the first two installments, click here.

This long-term project explores illegal immigration and never-before-told stories about the tragedy of May 14, 2003. Nineteen illegal immigrants died in a sealed tractor-trailer, which was ditched in south Victoria County.

As you'll learn Sunday, we met several times with a man who still has nightmares from that horrific morning five years ago.

You'll also read three stories about people who were close to the tragedy and who are sympathetic to illegal immigrants.

For our fourth installment, set to publish in late August, we want to visit with folks who remember the tragedy and who oppose illegal immigration.

Both viewpoints -- pro and con -- are important in this hot-button issue.

If you oppose illegal immigration, were affected by the 2003 tragedy and want your opinions voiced:

Post in here, call me at 361-580-6519 or e-mail gsemenza@vicad.com.

Thanks for your help,

Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor

Were you elsewhere but in the midst of the storm?

Do you have pictures? Video? Stories?

We want to feature anyone who witnessed Dolly. If you or anyone you know did experience the storm, please let us know.

To share your story, post in here or call 361-574-1222 361-580-6519 or e-mail gsemenza@vicad.com.

Thanks again for your help -- and be safe.

Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor

Hurricane Dolly is expected to make landfall Wednesday on the Texas-Mexico border.

Do you, or anyone you know, plan to help folks affected by the storm?

Do you know anyone from Victoria who is in the area experts say will likely be hit?

We want to talk to anyone with ties to the storm or to those who will help to pick up the pieces.

To share your story or story tip, post in here, call 361-574-1222, 361-580-6519 or e-mail gsemenza@vicad.com.

Thanks for your help and be safe,

Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor

On the heels of the new "X Files" movie, Advocate reporter Aprill Brandon, who starred in a short film about the elusive Chupacabra, wants to feature stories about your strange encounters.

So whether you've seen a UFO, alien, ghost or vampire, Aprill wants to hear your story.

To tell your tale, post in here or contact Aprill at 361-580-6514 or abrandon@vicad.com.

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A hurricane watch was issued for the Texas coast. Tropical Storm Dolly has moved into the Gulf of Mexico.

Are you a hard-core storm watcher? Do you track every movement of such storms?

If so, we want to feature you.

If you get excited about following violent storms, we’re excited to meet you.

To connect with us, post a message in here or contact me at 361-580-6519 or gsemenza@vicad.com.

Here’s to a safe hurricane season.

Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor

An Edna family's roof was ripped from the home. Water poured into the house.

Now, the family is trying to pick up the pieces -- literally.

There is, however, varying stories about the June 21 storm that damaged this family's home.

Some say a tornado touched down. Others say the storm only flung high winds.

Did you see a tornado in Edna on the night of June 21? How about hail?

You can comment in here, or by reaching me at 361-580-6519 or gsemenza@vicad.com.

Thanks for your help,

Gabe Semenza, Advocate public service editor

Extreme drought, food shortages, civil unrest. Some say Texas' future is filled with those realities.

Global warming, although still called a hoax by some, is virtually accepted as fact by scientists.

But what about Texas warming?

Advocate reporter Tara Bozick is digging into a story about the effects of global warming on the Lone Star state.

San Antonio Bay, for example, has warmed in the last 25 years. That's not debatable. Whether the warming is part of a natural cycle is a debate, however.

Tara interviewed the author of a book dedicated to exploring Texas warming. The book hits stores this fall.

The author, John Nielsen-Gammon, a state climatologist, says that without greenhouse gases, the warming of the bays could be deemed cyclical.

But greenhouse gases are documented. The gases have tripped weather models, and Nielsen-Gammon is determining warming effects on Texas while considering the effects from the gases.

What do you make of Texas warming?

If you'd like to add your thoughts or examples to Tara's story, call her at 361-580-6514 or tbozick@vicad.com.

I'm researching the judge presiding over the Michael Lewis Ratcliff case.

Visiting San Antonio District Judge Mark Luitjen, appointed to the case after local district judges recused themselves, will decide Aug. 15 whether to accept the plea deal offered to Ratcliff.

What do you know about Luitjen?

I've researched him online thus far. I'm interested in information about Luitjen that you can't find via a Google search.

Any insight or experience you have regarding Luitjen is appreciated.

Thanks for your help,

Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor

Michael Lewis Ratcliff admitted under oath that he lied to a grand jury in October.

As part of a plea deal offered to him by special prosecutor Terry McDonald, Ratcliff said he lied to grand jurors about having sex with his accuser and about making unwarranted advances on the accuser.

Tomorrow's Advocate is loaded with stories that cover nearly every angle of this highly public and important story.

Two of those angles covered include Advocate reporter Bj Lewis's interview with Ratcliff's accuser. The accuser describes how he feels about the plea and how he learned about it.

In addition to many other stories, I interviewed McDonald, the special prosecutor, and asked him why he offered Ratcliff a plea.

I also ask DA Steve Tyler, who presented evidence to the grand jury that indicted Ratcliff, if there is enough evidence to have convicted Ratcliff in a jury trial.

In the meantime, visiting San Antonio Judge Mark Luitjen has until Aug. 15, when he's expected to be in Victoria again, to decide if he will accept the plea.

Do you think he will?

Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor 

I talked to a Victoria woman this afternoon who said she recently witnessed a random act of kindness.

She and 10 of her friends and family members were beneficiaries of this random act.

After an expensive dinner at a local restaurant, the group walked to the register to divvy the bill.

Then a stranger – a man in his 60s, this woman thinks – paid the hefty tab. He didn't say why. He simply paid the bill.

Some in the group of 11 followed this man into the parking lot to offer him cash for his deed, but all he said was, “I got it.”

Talk about paying it forward.

The woman I talked to believes in Christian karma and that what goes around comes around.

What do you think?

I’m working on this story and would like to include other, similar acts. Do you have a similar story?

Ever been the benefactor of a random act of kindness?

Ever been the giver of this kindness?

Thank you for your help,

Gabe Semenza / Advocate public service editor