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Creative Spirit Artists
CONNECTING SOUTHERN ARIZONA
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Self-Advocacy Regional Summit
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Nogales Community Food Bank
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People the “Echo” Arthur Espinoza
Border Eco Updates CONTENT Border Eco would like to say thank you to its advertisers. Your support has helped us to continue with our mission and vision, which is to change public pereception of our bordertown. For years, Santa Cruz County has always been associated with drug smuggling, drug tunnels, and corruption. Our magazine is dedicated to changing the way people perceive our bodertown by including stories on people, businesses, services, programs, events, and non-profit organizations that make a difference in Santa Cruz County. Thank you for your continued support. Special thanks to the office of the Santa Cruz County Attorney, George Silva and Mariposa Community Health Center for your support in helping us change the way people perceive our community.
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Self-Advocacy Regional Summit
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Fitness Express Encouraging Health Lifestyles
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An Inspirational Educational Leader Retires-Sue Neilsen
10 Patagonia-Creative Spirit Artists 12 Nogales Community Food Bank Making a Difference 14 People the “Echo”-Arthur Espinoza 16 RRHS Graduate Accepts Membership from NSCS 17 Correctional Officers from Santa Cruz County recognized for their dedication 18
SCVUSD Business Office Receives Excellence Award
19 Happening Events-July
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Editor: Adriana Romero Student Intern Reporter: Nailea Leon Student Intern Reporter: Cindy Marisol Gallegos Magazine Graphic Designer: Consultant: Ana Moriset Adriana Romero Advertising Sales Representative: Tony Montanez Information is correct at press time. Check www.bordereco.com for updates.
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Border Eco, LLC © 2014 copyright all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Border Eco Magazine is prohibited. Any material produced is the property of Border Eco. Any material published is not necessarily the opinion of Border Eco and will not be held responsible. Border Eco Magazine accepts material from advertisers, clients, readers and various sources which are not necessarily the opinion of Border Eco Magazine in print or on Border Eco websites and will not be held responsible.
Please send us information on any upcoming events, meetings, or programs to share with our readers.
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Self-Advocacy groups throughout Arizona came together on Saturday June 13th at the VFW in Nogales for the Inaugural Self Advocacy Regional Summit. The event was coordinated by the Autism Society of Southern Arizona - Santa Cruz and the Direct Center for Independent Living of Tucson. Representatives from People First of Tucson, Self Direction of Nogales, Direct Aktion Club of Tucson and Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Councils came together to share information, initiatives and ideas on how to work together to achieve common goals.
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"The end result of this summit is that everyone’s voice counts. It was a learning opportunity for all involved. Members from each of these Self-Advocacy groups shared opinions, initiatives and common goals." said Albert Acuna Chapter Chair of the Autism Society of Southern Arizona - Santa Cruz.
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The Nogales Self-Advocacy group "Self Direction" meets once a month at the Santa Cruz Training Center in Nogales. If you are a resident of Santa Cruz County with a disability and are interested in participating, please contact Michelle Jacquez at michellej@as-az.org.
Edith Garcia Estrella-Recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. A community partner and employee of the General Consulate of Mexico in Nogales, Arizona was recognized by Mano Amiga for exceptional community work. Edith Garcia Estrella works within the department of protection. She is a native and resident of Nogales Sonora, Mexico. She has a Bachelor Degree in Accounting from the Technological Institute of Nogales. Her role entails working with issues on domestic violence, labor rights, social security, and a liaison between nonprofit organizations. She also works closely with the department of finances in accounting. She has been working in this field for over 5 years. Ms. Garcia enjoys her job as she is able to work directly with the public. She provides assistance to Mexican nationals. She helps connect them to resources and local organizations. The Consulate of Mexico in Nogales, Arizona works with the Mexican government to ensure Mexican nationals have access to health, education, civil and labor rights information. Ms. Garcia works closely with victims of domestic violence to empower those victims who need a voice in the community. She is very grateful to have an opportunity to work in the field where she is able to help empower the Mexican com-
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Fitness Express Summer is here!. For those wanting to get in shape, Fitness Express offers an array of fitness programs to fit everyone’s needs. Fitness Express is located on 2051 N. Grand Ave. Fitness Express sits in a spacious 100,000 square feet building with a state of the art equipment. It is not only a gym but an organization dedicated to promoting fitness, but health, and wellness. Ken Larriva owner of the business, opened it’s doors in 1999. He wanted to bring something new to the community he felt was missing in Santa Cruz County. He believed community members would benefit from having a local gym in the area.
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Mr. Larriva also a team motivator of Fitness Express offers wellness programs to residents of Santa Cruz county of all ages, sizes, and health conditions. According to Mr. Larriva, “the main purpose of their program is to focus on the individual needs of their customers by encouraging active lifestyle.” We know in the long run this will help reduce medical costs. Our staff is always available to help beginners get started on their fitness program. We offer customers a free tour of the facility to encourage more people to join. “Our membership is not only for the use of our equipment but members have an option to join any of our fitness classes at no extra charge.
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We have spinning, Zumba, Yoga, cross training, H.I.I.T. (High intensity interval training), as well a H.I.I.T. for parents/children, and the Silver Sneakers Program,” said Larriva. We have a big team working with us and we are constantly looking to add more people. “ There are no excuses for people not to join, we try make it affordable for everyone. It is accessible to people of all ages,” said Mr. Larriva. There is also a gymnasium in Rio Rico.
Fitness Express Fitness Express is open 7 days a week. Hours of operation are: Daily from 5:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Friday from 5:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Saturday from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Offer expires on 7/31/15
Offer expires on 7/31/15
Offer expires on 7/31/15
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n e s l i e N e u S o t s e h Best wis
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hen we think about our local community college in Santa Cruz County, the first thing that comes to mind is Sue Neilsen Director of Cochise College. She has worked with the college for over 12 years. Unfortunately for our community, she will be retiring June 30, 2015. She will be moving to San Francisco to be with family. Ms. Neilsen believes she has accomplished a lot throughout her lifetime. “I am very fortunate to have lived in Santa Cruz County for 44 years. I like the warm culture and living close to the border.” According to Neilsen, “it will be difficult for her to leave Cochise College but she feels it is time for her to retire. ow has 11 staff members. #8 Pg.
My staff has been like my family to me.” When Cochise College first started there were only 3 staff members who managed the college Sue Neilsen, Josefa Jacquez and Leticia Cuevas. Moving into the Santa Cruz Provisional Community College District on 2021 N. Grand Ave. has been quite an accomplishment.The passing of the tax rate for the provisional district board enabled a group of citizens from the board to make the kind of investment the community wanted to make in education. “As a result, we knew it was important to get a bigger facility that would be more suitable for educating our college students,” said Sue Neilsen.
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Getting a bigger facility helped us be able to hire more staff, full-time faculty, have science labs and a nursing lab. We have a great board members, I have been fortunate to work with such a great group of people. “We share the same mission and vision, which made a huge difference in being able to expand the college,” said Neilsen. This has also helped to increase the number of students enrolling per school year. This past semester we had approximately 1,100 students enrolled. The expansion of the school facility helped us to also be able to offer more classes. “I am deeply grateful for having the opportunity to serve such a warm and embracing community,” said Director Sue Neilsen.
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Very few community leaders are as humble, passionate, and driven enough to make such a difference in our community. The expansion of the college will help many future generations to come. We are deeply fortunate, and grateful to have such an individual like her in our community. Ms. Neilsen will be deeply missed, but her legacy of expanding higher education for our future generations will continue for many generations to come.
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“Welcome. Come in and Be Amazed” says the signboard in front of the colorful entrance to Creative Spirit Artists Gallery, located in the center of “downtown” Patagonia. Yes, amazed is the right term when you see the wonderful art inside. Creative Spirit is a bright, well-arranged consignment gallery that specializes in the work of local artists— painters, photographers, flute makers, jewelry and fiber designers, folk wood and iron workers, authors, and more. The majority of its nearly 50 artists live in or near Patagonia, although “local” does include a few from elsewhere in Santa Cruz, Cochise, and Pima Counties.
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The gallery is beginning its 10th year of operation this month. Creative Spirit opened in April 2005 as a cooperative, a venture that lasted three years. One of the members and her husband then assumed ownership and continued to run the gallery until retiring in October 2012. Since then, it has been owned jointly by six member artists, who have continued to expand the gallery and attract new members. In addition, Creative Spirit offers space to local nonprofit groups, such as PARA (Patagonia Area Resource Alliance) and the Patagonia Museum.
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The gallery is open from 10 to 4, seven days a week, throughout the year, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter. Our prices range from the affordable to the absolutely worth it. Customers come from all parts of Arizona, from Kingman to Kayenta, and from most other states and many foreign countries, from Kansas to Kazakhstan. A breakdown of our customer base shows that 15% are local, 32% are from elsewhere in Arizona, 47% are from other US states, and 6% are from other countries. We hope you can make it to the gallery, but if you can’t get there, then please check us out online at www.azcreativespirit.
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Nogales Community Food Bank is much more than a food bank. The Nogales Community Food Bank has been in operation for 7 years. Their mission is “Through education, advocacy, and the acquisition, storage, and distribution of food, they anticipate will meet the food needs of the hungry in our community.” In September of 2007, NCFB, started as a “One Man Show” through donated space by the City of Nogales at the Senior Center. The City of Nogales allowed the NCFB, to begin distribution of “The Emergency Food Box Program,” free of charge to the Santa Cruz County Residents.
“It is an accomplishment for me personally to serve this community,” said Espinoza. According to Espinoza, “as the executive director I wear many hats within the organization.” He not only runs the daily operations of the food bank, but also advocates for the organization in an effort to meet the needs of the community. The food bank basically serves the entire area of Santa Cruz County and in some occasions within the state of Arizona.
The food bank receives federal, state, and local funding. Local funding comes from private business donations. The food bank relies a lot on local inThe Nogales Community Food kind donations to meet the Bank is now located on 2636 needs of the community. “If N. Donna Ave. It has grown you have food to donate, we from a “one man show” to 6 have people to distribute too. employees, 12 volunteers, and The produce the food bank an executive director. Arthur receives really changes the lives Espinoza a Nogales Native and of those in our community. It executive director for the food educates them to eat healthier bank has been working with the to promote healthy eating,” said organization for over 7 years Espinoza. now. He has been working in the field for over 12 years. The food bank also partners #12 Pg.
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with our local schools to encourage healthy eating habits. The food bank works with 6 local schools, and the Boys & Girls Club distributing produce to children and families within the community. “Our Kid’s Farmers Market program enables us to distribute to 2,650 students on a monthly basis 45,000 pounds of fresh produce to children and families in the community. Our local Walmart supplies the bags of produce,” said Espinoza. The program benefits children and families as it promotes healthy eating habits. “Our Kid’s Farmer Market coordinator sends school principal’s recipes on Wednesday, to let them know what produce will be distributed. This gives families the tools to prepare the produce we distribute into tasty nutritious dishes,” said Arthur Espinoza.
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Arthur Espinoza is not new to the field of community service. He has been working in the field for over 12 years. Mr. Espinoza has been working for 7 years at the Nogales Community Food Bank as the executive director. The Nogales Community Food Bank is dedicated to keeping families “in need” within Santa Cruz County nourished. The food bank supplies families with fresh fruit, vegetables and groceries monthly. The Nogales Community Food Bank is an invaluable resource in our community helping to feed families across the county.“It is not work, it is a passion for me to help those need,” said Espinoza. Passion allows you to see life differently. Arthur Espinoza was born and raised in Nogales a byproduct of a single parent household. He believes programs like these are what helped his mother make ends meets. “Programs like these are what helped me throughout my childhood. This is the main reason why I am such an advocate for helping families in need. We all need help at one point or another.
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My goals are to continue educating and advocating for my community. It is important to for us as community members to vote and support programs that help families in need. Coming from a single parent household food stamps are what helped me throughout my childhood. I strongly support programs within the community that focus on helping families in need. I was the chairperson for 3 years for the Jump Back to School. This is a yearly event in, which several organizations come together to help support families “While growing up, I pictured myself as in need. “Programs like these runway model but that didn’t work out are what help make a difference because of my height,” said Arthur Espinoza. for those families in need. I hope our community continues It is important for us as community to supports organizations and members to support programs that people who are dedicated to help families in need.” helping those need,” said Arthur According to Mr. Espinoza his Espinoza executive director of mother has been his only source the Nogales Community Food of inspiration and education Bank. throughout his life. “My mother taught me how to utilize core values. I owe everything I am to my mother,” said Arthur Espinoza.
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RRHS Graduate Accepts Membership into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Juan Carlos Salcedo, Jr., 2014 RRHS graduate, recently accepted membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS). “NSCS is more than just a symbol of academic achievement. Membership gives students access to a number of amazing benefits including career and networking resources, scholarships, travel, and service projects both on campus and in the community,” said Stephen E. Loflin, NSCS Founder and Chief Executive Officer. NSCS is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is the nation’s only interdisciplinary honors organization for first-year and secondyear college students. Membership is by invitation only, based on grade point average and class standing. NSCS has over one million lifetime members and 300 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. “We congratulate Juan on this accomplishment,” said SCVUSD Superintendent Verdugo. “He is very deserving of this honor. It is our hope that his achievement will serve as inspiration to all RRHS students.”
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8th Annual AZJails Conference
officers from Santa Cruz County recognized for their dedication The 8th Annual AZ Jails Conference took place May 11 through the 14, 2015. The conference was directed towards providing training to detention officers and jail staff on issues/trends within the jail facilities. All fifteen counties participated in the conference, with over 300 were in attendance. Nominations were request from all fifteen counties by the Board Members of AZJails in categories such as, Rookie of the Year, Officer of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Jail Commander of the Year, Medical Personnel of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
Hundreds of nominations were made across all 15 counties. Here in Santa Cruz County the Sheriff’s Office had two winners. Sergeant John Marquez was recognized as 2015 Supervisor of the Year and Sylvia Yepiz won 2015 Medical Caregiver of the Year.
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SCVUSD No. 35 Business Office Receives Certificate of Excellence Award for 15th Consecutive Year For the 15th consecutive year, Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District No. 35’s Business Office has received the Association of School Business Officials International’s (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award for having met or exceeded the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability. For the last 13 years, the Business Office has been led by Isela Brown, Business Manager. The district was recognized for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending 2014. The certificate assures constituents that the school district has been a good steward of their public funds, and strengthens a district’s ability to achieve #18 Pg.
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strengthens a district’s ability to achieve the best possible bond rating. “This award is given to Ms. Brown and her team,” said SCVUSD Superintendent Verdugo at a recent SCVUSD Governing Board Meeting. “Under her leadership the district continues to be successful and fiscally responsible. I’d like to thank
“Everyone who owns a business knows the value of accounting,” said Governing Board Member Brian Vandervoet. “Sometimes [the department] is ‘subsurface’ – you don’t see it, but without it and without a good accounting system your business is dead. Thank you, Ms. Brown, for all you and your department do for the school district.” “You have always done such an awesome job for the school district,” said Governing Board Member Rosie Simpson as she acknowledged Brown’s years of service to the district. “Your dedication is amazing. I truly appreciate everything that you and your team do for the school district.” For more information on the COE award, visit Arizona School Business Officials Website: www. asbointl.org/COE.
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Happening Events-July Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration – Saturday, July 4, 10am-12 noon Tubac Presidio State Historic Park will be the site of an assortment of free games for the kids including hula hoops, water balloon and bean bag toss, coin guess, and others. For a special treat kids can make authentic adobe bricks to take home. A face painter will be available to brighten kids’ faces. Free hot dogs, nachos, watermelon, and lemonade. The “squirt-down” courtesy of the Tubac Fire Department will be the cooling grand finale. This old-fashioned family celebration is organized by the Tubac Chamber of Commerce with help from our local non-profit organizations. Park admission is FREE during the event. Living History: Foods of the Spanish Colonial Period – Saturdays, July 11 & 25, 11 am-2 pm For the summer months we are adjusting our Old World/New World foods program to focus on 1) the native and imported fruits of New Spain, and 2) how Mexico has developed and enhanced the notion of dessert. The presentations will educate visitors about the origins, nutritional/survival values and the incredible variety of these delectable foodstuffs. Featuring a special display and samples from the Old and New Worlds. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Frontier Printing Press Demonstrations – Sundays, July 12 & 26, and Saturday, July 18, 11 am-3 pm Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Hand Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, type setting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering. Included with park admission $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Living History: Medicine of the Spanish Colonial Period – Friday, July 17, 11 am-2 pm When the Spanish soldiers and their families settled Tubac in 1752, there was no doctor or surgeon among them. It was the responsibility of the women to treat their family's physical complaints and wounds. Medicine was basic and dependent on herbs and plants known for their healing properties. This living history program features a display of medicinal herbs and plants, and knowledgeable commentary by an herbalist who will tell visitors how these plants were used by “curanderas” (healers) to treat illness and injuries. $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. 4th Annual Jump Back to School: Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 9 am-11 am Ray Molera High School Gymnasium The Jump Back to School Event is organized by several community organizations within Santa Cruz County. Community organizations provide school supplies, and backpacks to children K-5th grade from Nogales Unified School District. The event helps families and children "in need" get ready for the new school year. Children participating in the event are selected by the school district to participate. This event is not open to the public. 6th Annual Rio Rico School Blitz: Saturday, July 25th from 9am-12 pm Calabasas Middle School and Peña Blanca Elementary School. The mission of this event is to help our district families better prepare their children for the first day of school. For more information contact Yolanda Felix, Rio Rico High School Parent Liaison (520) 375–8717 or yfelix@santacruz.k12. az.us Movie: “The Bottom of the Bottle” – Thursday, July 30, 2 pm For the dog days of summer come to the Presidio to enjoy classic refreshments in air conditioned Otero Hall to watch the 1956 movie, “The Bottom of the Bottle” starring Van Johnson and Joseph Cotton. It is based on the 1948 novel by the Belgian-born author of the Inspector Maigret mysteries, Georges Simenon. Local Historian Dwight Thibodeaux will comment on the film as it’s being shown to tie it to local people, places, and events. The film runs 88 minutes. Call 520398-2252 to reserve a place. $7.50 fee includes admission to tour the Park.
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