LareDOS February 2014 by Maria Eugenia Guerra

Locally Owned

The war against hunger is truly mankind’s war of liberation.” — John F. Kennedy A JOURNAL OF THE BORDERLANDS february 2014

Est. 1994

Vol. XIX No. 2 64 PAGES

page 12

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LareDOS Newspaper

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Texas Exes work on Paso del Indio cleanup

At the Gateway Rotary debates

The University of Texas alumni association volunteered their time on Saturday, February 1 cleaning up the Lamar Bruni Vergara Enviornmental Science Center’s Paso del Indio Nature Trail.

Tano Tijerina and Webb County Judge Danny Valdez, who will face off in the March 4 primary, are pictured at a debate sponsored by Laredo Gateway Rotary.

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María Eugenia Guerra meg@laredosnews.com Editorial Assistant

Mariela Rodriguez Staff Writers

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Contributors

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Circulation, Billing &

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Courtesy Photo

O.J. Hale Sr. recognized for 40 years service

Fernando A. Salinas Charitable Trust donates Tiger sculpture

O.J. Hale Sr. (center) is pictured with Senator Judith Zaffirini and Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz. Haleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service as chief investigator for the 49th Judicial District was recognized by Senate Proclamation 54.

Martin High School principal Guillermo Pro, Laura Hovel, Javier Santos of the Fernando Salinas Trust, Adriana Luna, and Flor Ayala are pictured at the 75th anniversary Tiger sculpture dedication ceremony on January 30.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

TAMIU celebrates Chinese New Year

First place winner

Texas A&M International University students Denise Flores and Jessica Porras celebrated Chinese New Year on Thursday, January 30 with cultural activities.

Anselmo Sanchez Jr., a counselor at Bruni Elementary School, is pictured with his winning painting of an Eastern Bluebird. He is pictured at the avian art show at the Laredo Center for the Arts.

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The South Texas Food Bank (STFB) screened the documentary A Place at the Table at Laredo Community College on January 29. A discussion followed with City Health Department diabetes program coordinator Erick Juarez, Laredo Medical Center nutritionist Rosa Cavazos, LISD nutrition education trainer Helen Edewu, and Dr. Jessie Olivaries of the STFB’s Kids Cafe program.

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Emily Altgelt/LareDOS

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

STFB panelists for A Place at the Table

It’s Girl Scout cookie time! Members of Girl Scout Troop #9130 had a great morning at the Northside Market selling cookies. By all accounts, they did very well.

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Corina Carranza, San Juana Sanmaniego, and David Kunkle represented J.B Alexander, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Nixon High School, respectively, as winners of the First Annual LULAC Essay Writing Contest. Carranza and Kunkle will receive $1,000 in scholarship funds to continue their higher education.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Students excel in writing

Cooking with beer Chef Bobby Gonzalez of El Capataz gave a cooking demonstration at the Third Annual Border Beer Fest on January 1 at the Laredo Civic Center. The proceeds from Border Beer Fest, now part of the Washingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday Celebration, benefit the STARS Scholarship fund.

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Opinion

From the publisher By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

n this issue you’ll come across Mariela Rodriguez’s story about the newly poor and the hungry, some who might be your neighbor or co-worker or a student who sits next to your own child at school. She wrote it with something more than compassion and empathy, as though inviting us all to re-think the comforts we take for granted and the plight of many in our community who struggle to feed themselves, their children, or their elderly parents. Her story strikes away at common misconceptions about food stamps, who qualifies and how, and how they save families, mostly children. She writes of the indignity of poverty, hunger, and having to ask for help — holding down two jobs and still not putting enough food on the table. Mariela also writes of people and entities in our community who move food by the pallet to pantries and soup kitchens — principally the South Texas Food Bank, now marking its 25th year doing God’s work. She sings their praises and names others who have made their life’s work to feed the hungry — Bethany House and Gigi Ramos of Volunteers Serving the Need, which focuses on service veterans and their surviving spouses. Her story made me thankful for the wide reach of the STFB across eight counties, but I was left, too, wondering how this nation of so many riches has come to disenfranchise the working poor, veterans, and the elderly. ••• Quietly and with little fanfare, LareDOS has entered its 20th year of publication. There have been many times in our history, especially in re-

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cent years, that I have wondered if we would make it to 20. But here we are — older, though somehow not necessarily wiser. Little newspapers don’t enjoy long lives, especially those run without a manager or by a woman spared the acumen to make good business decisions. The attrition of advertisers making hard decisions in 2013, especially those who had been with us since our early days, has been unnerving. We’re here by the grace of God, parches of baling wire holding us together, along with the goodwill of bankers who generally are not thought to be supporters of bleeding heart publishers and the liberal press. You know who you are, and I thank you from my deepest reserves of gratitude and admiration. I thank, too, those who have filled the pages of this journal with their writing, as I thank our advertisers and our readers. Onward through the fog! ••• We will no doubt be accused of failing to be all inclusive in profiling candidates for all races in the March 4 primary. We made many efforts to contact candidates, some whom did not return repeated phone calls or emails, set up appointments they did not keep, or listed phone numbers no longer in service. In the two decades that I’ve published this journal, LareDOS has never endorsed a candidate, though I broke from the sidelines a few months ago to write that Tano Tijerina was the best candidate running for Webb County Judge. I reiterate that point of view. He’s an educated citizen of the world and is not a politician, which sets him apart from the sitting judge and nearly every member of the Com-

missioners Court. There is an honest, grounded, good-hearted man in that tall rancher who has the ganas to make county business transparent and accountable to those who pay for it. Danny Valdez has had every opportunity to raise the bar for how Webb County does business and to be a leader, but alas, he has failed in that very critical role. LareDOS also endorses Judy Gutierrez for Webb County Commissioner for Pct. 2. She is savvy to budgetary matters, she is honest and prudent, she does not have as a priority the giving of county jobs to family members and friends, and as a hard-working individual, she has no need to claim the work of others as her own. I wish Tano and Judy well in their upcoming races because I want to see Webb County change. I want leadership and county business that is decided in broad daylight, on the table of public discourse and not under it.

I’ve wearied of the fleecing for personal gain and the vacuous promises and platitudes for progress. The CAA imbroglio, the unconscionable use of that agency’s federal and state funds to weatherize and remodel the homes of political cronies, the turning of a blind eye to Johnny Amaya’s negligence when he might have taken someone’s life with his ineptitude — I’m done with that. There is such a lack of integrity in the performance of this Commissioners Court. It is a sham and a shame, and we own that shame because we have willingly paid the salaries of elected officials who do not serve us. The only transparency about this Commissioners Court is that of the blatant self-serving of some of its members. Unless we get out the vote and unless each of us exercises that sacred privilege to give voice to our convictions and preferences, nothing will change. 

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News

First-ever LGBT Couples Confer-

Blue bins spike recyclables increase

ustin will play host to the first-ever Contemporary Couples Conference on May 17. Organized and co-hosted by Jeff Lutes, LPC, and the Equality Texas Foundation, the Contemporary Couples Conference will bring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) couples and singles together with mental health professionals, religious leaders, and civic leaders to discuss the formation of lasting and healthy relationships. As Federal courts in Texas have become the most recent arena for marriage equality advocates, the LGBT community continues to make great strides in their pursuit of the freedom to marry. Recent rulings in Oklahoma and Utah have favored marriage equality in conservative states, and Texas is now poised to continue this fight with multiple Federal lawsuits in Austin and San Antonio asking Texas judges to void discriminatory laws. With political, religious, and social landscapes changing rapidly, more and more lesbian and gay couples now feel the liberty to openly pursue raising children, living authentically, and being “out” in the workplace. Drawing from both research and experience, the

Contemporary Couples Conference will offer a day-long series of workshops from 22 speakers from eight cities providing simple yet powerful insights into how great LGBT relationships work. Representing a variety of practices, organizations, and academic institutions, presenters will cover such topics as dating, intimacy, communication, jealousy, sex, parenting and blended families, gender, religion, and insights from long-term LGBT couples. The conference will also feature keynote speaker Dr. Judith Stacey, Professor Emerita of Social and Cultural Analysis and Sociology at New York University. Dr. Stacey’s analysis of a widely discredited study by embattled University of Texas sociologist Mark Regnerus has been used in the successful efforts to overturn California’s Proposition 8 and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. A Federal judge in San Antonio recently dismissed the Regnerus study as “corrupt science”. Dr. Stacey, along with other sociologists, have described the study as flawed, unethical, and inaccurate. For further information on the conference, go to www.ContemporaryCouples.com or call Lutes at (512) 419-0600. — LareDOS Staff

ince the City‘s implementation of a once-weekly recycling and garbage pickup in October 2013, the there has been an increase in recyclables from 249 tons to 971 tons. City leaders hope citizens continue to embrace the new recycling and trash collection schedule in an effort to prolong the life of the City landfill. According to Solid Waste Services Department (SWSD) director Stephen Geiss, this trend should continue as more residents get used to not only the new schedule but also on how to recycle properly. Sylvia Garza, recycling coordinator for the SWSD, said the lid of the blue Billie Bote household container provides information in English and Spanish on everything that can be recycled. Recycling contamination has been the biggest challenge to the program — the amount of non-recyclables that end up with good recycling material. Only clean paper, carton, plastic, tin, and aluminum products shou ld be recycled. The rate for the City of Laredo recycling plant averages a 48 percent contamination rate. In order to insure that higher quality recycling occurs — which in turn produces higher quality products — it is key to know what items are and are not accepted. Lights, electronics, toys, rubber hoses, and other such similar items, although made up of plastics, have other elements that prevent them from being recycled.

Lawn and grass clippings, which are picked up separately, should not be placed in the blue bins either. Plastic bags — left over blue bags, grocery, dry cleaner, or even department store plastic bags cannot be recycled in the City’s new materials recovery facility recycling center. “Many well-meaning individuals are collecting their recyclables in plastic bags and then putting that bag inside of their Billie Bote,” said Jesse Navarro of First Recycling, the company that runs the recycling material recovery facility. Navarro added, “While we commend these citizens for their efforts in wanting to recycle plastic bags, this unfortunately causes issues with the sorting machines. Please place all clean recyclable material loose in your Billie Bote, and we will take care of the rest.” Repeated contamination of the Billie Bote with un-recyclable materials will result in a warning ticket, and if the issue persists, it could possibly result in the loss of trash and recycling collection services. The City of Laredo Recycling Program will launch the “Let’s all Recycle Right” Educational Campaign. The community’s recycling performance will continue to be closely monitored and objectively evaluated for the opportunity of adjusting and striving to enhance the recycling program. For more information on how to properly recycle call 3-1-1 or (956) 796-1098. — LareDOS Staff

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Feature

El Centro de Laredo Farmers Market: family venue showcasing creative energy By ALEJANDRO MEZA LareDOS contributor

den-ripened, it tastes far better than something picked in California two weeks ago and shipped to a grocer. No middle man, and proceeds from your purchase make their way back into the local economy. I especially enjoyed learning about lavender at the booth called Sunshine ’n’ Lavender, which offers the fragrant herbal flower in body care products. There were several plant vendors there who offered landscape plants as well as houseplants. It was a learning experience to understand how many handcrafters there are in our city — people who sew aprons and hot pads, small manufacturers of pet products, bakers, and makers of natural remedies and body care products.

The market was filled with the energy and the pride of crafters who know their products well. I found good food choices there, too, from the splurge for a whole wheat waffle to some wholesome, gluten free cupcakes. Far from being just a local market for handcrafts and organically raised produce, the Farmers Market presents Laredoans with a venue for family time, a unique shopping experience, and entertainment. Director Mendez said the market is open to new vendors. Further information is available at http://www. laredomainstreet.org or by calling her at (956) 523-8817. (Alejandro Meza can be contacted at jalexmeza9@gmail.com ) 

María Eugenia Guerra/LareDOS

n a recent walk through the Streets of Laredo Farmers Market, I contrasted the fast pace of city life with this tranquil downtown setting under the old oak canopy of historic Jarvis Plaza. This monthly gathering of small merchants, crafters, and growers offers up a world of natural, hand-crafted, and home-grown products for sale — everything from herbs, spices, and soaps to quesadillas nestled in tortillas made with nopalitos. As I walked through the market, I felt immersed in the efforts of the vendors that went into their products,

and likewise, I felt the effort that went into staging this third Saturday of the month venue. When I stopped to visit with some of the vendors, I felt, too, how knowledgeable they were about their products. I met up with El Centro de Laredo market director Stephanie Mendez, who manages the market as of about five months ago. She introduced us to many of the vendors and their products. I was especially taken by the fresh winter produce, including the citrus that is now in season. The idea of buying organically raised fruits and vegetables directly from the grower makes perfect sense. Nothing has been sprayed on them to extend their shelf life. Fresh and gar-

Lupita Rodriguez of Simon’s Nursery, a mainstay of the downtown Farmers Market, offers Norfolk Island Pines, herbs, and landscaping nursery stock. W W W.L A R ED OSN E WS.COM

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Feature

The new faces of hunger By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

he clock is about to strike noon, and you’ve been hungry since you woke. Reality sinks in. You fed your children the last of the cereal before sending them to school. You search frantically through your wallet to no avail. You used the last of the cash to make the rent. It is a week before payday. What will you do? Constantly yawning and fidgeting, the quick-witted student whose grades don’t reflect his intelligence is mistakenly labeled a slacker. The child’s thoughts and daydreams are not of pronouns or math equations, but of food. He is hungry. His complete lack of focus lies in the food insecurity at home. A Vietnam-era veteran proudly wearing his service cap sits on a bench at Jarvis Plaza. He is pensive, his thoughts on how he will survive. It is the end of the month and his Social Security check is depleted — all gone to pay bills and pay his wife’s meds — and his $60 in food stamps was long ago spent. He wonders if he has anything to pawn to put a few meals on the table. Hunger has a new face in Laredo, just as it does in communities across the nation. It is no longer exclusive to transients and the unemployed. Hunger, that thing that gnaws not only at the innards, but also at pride, lives in the home next door and down the street. About 37 percent of Laredoans live below the poverty line on incomes of less than $36,000 per year. For all the prosperity enjoyed in this city, the disparity between the comforts of plenty and the struggle in food-insecure households supports that statistic. Many in our city make the calculated choice every day between food, housing, healthcare, or education. For those faced with the grim choice, blessed relief comes from the South Texas Food Bank

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Garza’s life was turned upside down six years ago after her divorce. She went from being a housewife living in Lakeside, to working two jobs seven days a week just to put food on the table for her children.

(STFB) and its soup kitchens, pantries, and Kids Cafés. In addition to distributing 12 million pounds of food per year to 30,000 families in an eight- county area, the STFB assists Laredoans in applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamp benefits. In January 2013, Texas issued more than $360 million in SNAP benefits statewide, including more than $7.8 million in benefits to 71,589 residents of Webb County — 28 percent of the population. AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Sarah Lamm who spearheads the STFB effort to get more area residents to sign up for SNAP, said, “One in six Americans is food-insecure, especially in South Texas — that is one in five adults and one in three children. The food bank is meant to handle emergency food distribution, but many of the families that come to us are here chronically.” Lamm’s goal over the next year is to work with different agencies and people who work in impoverished communities to teach them how to show others to apply for SNAP benefits. “SNAP reaches so much further in a more efficient and effective way. None of its costs are coming from the Webb County or Laredo community. These are all federal funds that are creating and

boosting the local economic revenue. For every dollar spent in SNAP money, $1.90 goes back to the local economy,” she said. According to Lamm, misconceptions abound about SNAP benefits, such as that they are very easy to obtain. “For people to access these services they have to provide a lot of paperwork that really shows who they are as a person. It is hard to get all this documentation together. You are screened for a few hours, and if approved, you have to wait 30 days before you are even issued a Lone Star Card,” Lamm said. Another misconception, she said, is that individuals in need remain on SNAP benefits for a lifetime. Unemployed individuals receive SNAP benefits for three months, but if they do not get a job, their benefits cease. “Families are on this program an average of eight months during a stint when they need to rely on it until they get more hours at work or get a pay increase. In order to qualify, you need to be working at least 20 hours a week. People are working, but the problem is they aren’t making ends meet,” Lamm said. “Another myth is that people on food stamps are undocumented and cheating and taking advantage of the system. Those numbers are currently at a

record low of one percent. Most people on these resources are trying to support their families and have had a dose of bad luck meeting basic needs,” Lamm said, adding, “With SNAP benefits, it is essentially $1.50 per meal. I would challenge anyone critical of the system to live on that for about a month to see if they can do it.” At the end of the month, many have to make compromises about what they eat, Lamm said. “What does that say about how people are nourishing their bodies? If you look around, the cheapest food is the poorest quality food, thus diabetes and obesity are on the flip side of the coin. The financial disparity and food insecurity is all leading to significant health differences between the rich and the poor,” Lamm said. The STFB, along with the San Antonio Food Bank, is piloting the On Demand program, which fast tracks the system and works with the clients to expedite SNAP benefits. “Most people find that SNAP is the last resort. They don’t feel prideful of accepting these benefits, but at the end of the day this is something people take as an emergency to feed their families,” Lamm said. For Violeta Garza, a 47-year-old mother of five teenagers, the STFB’s Adopt a Family Program has provided some much needed relief when food stamps are not enough. “Going to the food bank was a big blessing. If you stretch the food, it can last you two to three weeks. It definitely does help because the little you save you can use on gas or other little things,” she said. Garza’s life was turned upside down six years ago after her divorce. She went from being a housewife living in Lakeside, to working two jobs seven days a week just to put food on the table for her Continued on page 13

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children. “It was difficult to get to the point where you can’t take your kids to the dentist, or to the doctor when they are sick because you don’t have insurance or money. When I stopped working my second job in November 2007, that is when I really considered seeking help. My children and I were counting change to pay for gas,” Garza recalled. Going from economic stability to uncertainty was difficult. She was the first person in her family to apply for any type of government help, which caused Garza to hesitate seeking assistance. “I knew Medicaid and food stamps existed, but I didn’t know the process to apply. Because at the time I worked two jobs, the assistance I got was minimal,” she said, adding, “It was very humiliating when I had to go to the food stamp office. During one of my interviews, I remember one lady saw I drove a Mercedes and said I could sell the car and put food on the table. I was appalled because she had no idea that the car was all I got from the divorce, or what condition the car was in. I’ve been trying desperately to sell it because I can’t keep up with the maintenance.” Garza’s SNAP benefits fluctuated because she sometimes worked seasonally, forcing her to reapply to the program. “It is always a holding-your-breath type of situation, wondering am I going to get $30 or $200 this time. You just don’t know,” Garza said. At times forced to choose between moving to different apartments to save cash, Garza has lived off of loans to get from one month to another. “We’ve moved seven times since the divorce. My biggest struggle emotionally is always telling my kids ‘this is the last time we are going to move.’ Working so many hours to ensure my children don’t go hungry, well, as a mom it’s hard because I know I’m not spending a lot of time with them; but as a provider, it is a matter of survival,” she said. Garza receives no child support from her exhusband. Retired educator Karina Gomez W W W.L A R ED OSN E WS.COM

provides for her elderly mother Ericka, another recipient of the STFB’s Adopt a Family Program. Gomez’s mother suffers from dementia, diabetes, and other age-related ailments. “We are grateful for the food she receives from the food bank. She is really impressed by the content she gets,” Gomez said, adding, “It absolutely helps to stretch our dollars. My mother is fortunate to have Medicare and Medicaid, but some of her meds are not covered, so I do have to pay the difference out of pocket.” Purchasing nutritional food does not always come easy for Gomez, as she lives on a fixed income and her mother only receives $60 in food stamps. “With my mom’s diabetes, it is hard because it is not easy to always get the nutritious stuff. The milk that the food bank gives is so nutritional and tasty. She really likes it. Right now we are having a problem with her eating, so when we do get this food, that is a big help,” she said, adding, “We are grateful. Because of my mom’s heath, we tend to not want to go out too much, so the food we get really helps us stock up.” “When the food bank approved her application, it was truly a blessing,” Gomez said. VETERANS SERVING THE NEED In its eight-county reach, the STFB stocks 80 different agencies including Veterans Serving the Need (VSTN), Bethany House, and 40 local and regional pantries for further distribution. VSTN currently serves 500 veterans and their surviving spouses, many who live on less than $900 a month and are enrolled in the non-profit’s Adopt a Veteran program. Recipients receive 60 to 80 pounds of food per month. VSTN director Gigi Ramos has been involved with food banks since the 1980s and has seen firsthand the plight of hunger in communities across the nation. “There is a lot of work in Webb County. Hunger is here. Salaries are just too low, and I feel the reason there is so much hunger is that it is so expensive to live here,” she said. She noted that over the last 20 years, the cost of fruits and vegetables has increased about 40 percent, leaving finan-

cially struggling families with over-processed junk food as viable food options. “The prices of even rice and beans, a Mexican staple, not to mention the fresh produce, is so expensive. That is why people eat canned food, because they cannot afford anything else,” Ramos said. It is more common than not that those who struggle to put food on the table may experience severe health issues pertaining to nutrition. There are 25.8 million Americans with diabetes. Ramos said, “I am very fortunate that the food bank delivers to us. Otherwise I would not be able to get the food and to provide the service to those veterans in need.” She feels that the federal government needs to step up, because veterans shouldn’t be going hungry. Ramos added that VSTN couldn’t function without the STFB. “I have a man who walks five miles with a shopping cart to pick up his groceries every month. I am totally heartbroken when I see these people come in, and they are so grateful for the amount of food they are taking home. The good thing is that the veterans are helping the veterans,” said Ramos. Hector Cantu, who was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1993, started receiving assistance from VSTN in 2010. “I first heard about the program by word of mouth. It was an easy process. From one day to the next I began to get assistance. It took three years before I got help from the Veterans Administration,” he said, adding, “I like the fact that this organization takes care of their own. It really does help out with groceries at the end of the month. This service provides a substantial amount of food that carries you over for weeks.” Cantu found gainful employment on contract when he was discharged, and then faced unemployment when his contract expired. He receives some military disability benefits for servicerelated tendonitis. “People think that veterans have it easy, or that they are getting all the help there is. That is not true. When you get

back to your civilian life, you are disconnected from the information on readily available assistance,” he said. Cantu has been volunteering for VSTN for over a year. “I wish I could do more. I like what I do, and I feel like I’m giving back some of what they are giving to me. It is not just about receiving the help. It is about returning the favor,” he said BETHANY HOUSE The Bethany House soup kitchen and homeless shelter prepares 1,300 meals a day and has the capacity to house about 120 individuals a night. In January 2014, statistics showed an increase to 707 clients of which two percent were elderly, eight percent had mental illness, nine percent were substance abusers, and one percent were veterans. “We get a mix of people at the shelter and soup kitchen. Some are homeless, others are of low economic status,” said director of operations Beatriz Saldaña. Bethany House has different delivery services for clients who do not have transportation, Saldaña said. “During the operation hours of the soup kitchen, we have a homebound food delivery program for the elderly and disabled.,” she added. “They come to us either through referrals from physicians, or even family members who call us and say, ‘My dad is disabled, but I work and can’t go cook for him,’” Saldaña said, adding, “We have an application process and require proof of income and of disability prior to servicing these clients.” The Street Bound delivery program delivers food to those living on the street who can’t make it to the soup kitchen. Five days a week, dinner is delivered to 175 homeless persons throughout the community. “There is more that the whole community can do, but there is just a lack of funds. If funding were available, I know we could reach more people. Through the homebound program, we deliver to West and South Laredo. We also get applicants from the East and Northside as well, but because we don’t have Continued on page 14

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dividuals think that everyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps, but many times they can’t. Many people in the state of Texas are one precarious step away from poverty. I think the whole thing is that people don’t realize how much others are struggling.” Welsh reflected on the magnitude of hunger in the face the nation’s wealth. “It is amazing we don’t realize that people don’t have enough to eat. To me it is very sad that we are among the wealthiest countries, and we can’t figure something out,” she said. STFB marketing director Salo Otero said, “It’s almost impossible for a family living on minimum wage with three or four children to make ends meet. To address the issue of hunger, people must stand up to urge employers to pay living wages,” he said. Otero urged Americans to speak up to demand a stop to cuts to programs that help those in need. He cited the recently approved Farm Bill that changes environmental regulations on farms, aid to dairy and sheep farmers, and the kind of food that will replenish the nation’s food banks. While the cuts will save billions in funding over 10 years, it will reduce benefits to $90 a month for 850,000 SNAP recipients. “We need to raise awareness that there is hunger right here, right now. If we don’t talk about it, enough, it’s like it is not happening,” Otero said. 

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 Continued FROM page 13 the funding to do it, we can’t deliver,” Saldaña said. Bethany’s soup kitchen serves breakfast and lunch five days a week for 247 clients and provides weekend meals to those staying at the shelter. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 16 million children in the United States live in foodinsecure households, and 21 million children rely on free or reduced-price lunches at school. Lamm said, “Hunger is having significant effects on the development of children. A malnourished child isn’t able to concentrate in school. What does that mean for the future of the American workforce?” For many children, their only hot meal of the day is served at school. According to the documentary A Place at the Table, on average $1 is spent on a school lunch — which gives rise to questions about the quality of the food being served to children. STFB runs 19 Kids Cafés, the afterschool meal program that feeds 2,000 children Monday through Friday. The program offers hot, nutritious meals to children at risk of hunger. Bethany House has been involved with the Kids Cafés Program since 2002, and prepares food for 145 children in six different colonias. Casa de Misericordia executive director Sister Rosemary Welsh said, “In-

At the Laredo Birding Festival avian art exhibit Tricia Cortez, director of the Río Grande International Study Center (RGISC) and District VII City Council member Jorge Vera are pictured at the opening of the avian art exhibit on February 5 at the Laredo Center for the Arts. The exhibit was part of the Laredo Birding Festival sponsored by RGISC, Monte Mucho Audubon, and the City of Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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News Brief

Inspire Social Business Club assists local entrepreneurs By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

Courtesy Photo

rganizers Victor Navarro, Eduardo Martinez, and Melina De La Fuente spearhead local professional organization — the Inspire Social Business Club (ISBC). Meetings are held monthly every second Thursday at various locations and include a presentation by a keynote motivational speaker. The organization is open to the public — to both current business owners and anyone with a business idea. “Inspire Social Business Club was created, to “inspire” each and every individual in however way they can. The advantage of these meetings is that one gets to meet others with whom services can be exchanged and help each other grow,” said Navarro. ISBC began with a vision for change in Laredo’s economy — to create jobs, to change downtown, and the city as a whole. The club’s goal is to motivate people to start their own business and provide them with the

tools to get started. Martinez said, “Many times people are lost and don’t know where to start. One always needs motivation as starting a business is never easy. Motivation can come from the speakers themselves or from other club members. We promote shopping local and also focus on the downtown area which needs the community’s help to come back to life.” ISBC aspires to continue growing and assisting growth in our community. “We should be moving into a new building where we should be able to assist the community better. We are planning an event downtown where it involves live local bands to promote the nightlife and entertainment there, which will open doors for new business,” Navarro added. The networking events are free of charge and provide complementary food and wine at every meeting. For more information visit www. inspiresocialclub.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ inspiresocialbusinessclub. 

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Commentary

My home: a positive experiment in globalization By SHAWN MILLER LareDOS Contributor

here is a three bedroom, two bathroom, 1,545 square-foot house in the Heights that has, in less than four years, been the home to a French girl, two German girls, an African girl, a girl from San Antonio, a guy from San Antonio, a guy from Pakistan, a guy from Philadelphia, a guy from Green Bay, Wisconsin, a guy from Laredo, and two guys from Houston, one of whom is me. For me, this house near Nixon High School epitomizes globalization, and in more ways than one. The most obvious characteristic of this household is the diversity of its residents. In addition to the fact that we vary by in national origins and genders, we have also differed in our religious and political beliefs. I am a Roman Catholic Christian, and so were three of the others; two were Muslim; three were atheist; one was a Protestant Christian; and two who never shared their religious beliefs. I am a Libertarian; the man from San Antonio was a Republican; the man from Laredo was a Democrat. The other Americans did not tell me their political views. Some of the non-Americans’ political beliefs could be called conservative, whereas others held political beliefs that were liberal. The reason for our cohabitation is the same reason for the world-wide phenomenon known as globalization; both are caused by free-market capitalism. When I bought this house in the spring of 2010, I did not plan to create a temporary home for numerous young cosmopolitans from all over the world. I simply bought it because I needed a place to live and the previous owners agreed to sell it at a price that I could afford. The real estate agent who worked

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with me and the previous owners suggested that I rent out the extra rooms. I thought that her suggestion would be a good way to make some extra money, so I spread the word among the people I knew in Laredo that I had rooms available for rent. I work at Texas A&M International University. A co-worker talked to a friend of hers named Zach, he came to a party that I threw in July, gave me some cash that very night, and moved in the following week. Zach was a journalist from Philadelphia. A few months later, a school teacher from San Antonio came to rent my other spare room. Living with Zach and Hector was a good learning experience; I learned that renting rooms in my home could not be an impersonal business transaction. We saw each other every day. I got to know Zach’s girlfriend, who is now his wife. I listened to Hector complain about his job. We threw parties at which each one of us invited a few friends and the sum of our three groups of friends made excellent parties. Perhaps the best activity, though, was the book club. We had a book club, to which we invited others to join. In early 2011, Zach and Hector both moved away; then a French girl who was studying to earn her Master’s degree in psychology at TAMIU moved in. Cisse lived in my house from March until December of that year, then she left for all of 2012, then she lived in my house again from January to December 2013. I speak French fluently, and I like beautiful girls, so having a beautiful French girl living with me was unbelievably good fortune. I spent much time with her, because I so enjoyed her company. Word got out that my house was a nice place to live, and other young women felt secure knowing that I never acted inappropriately towards Cisse, so two

more girls moved in. First, a German graduate student named Doreen, but she left after less than a month because she wanted to live with her boyfriend. Then a girl named Elizabeth from San Antonio moved in. Elizabeth lived in the house for about two months, then went back home. At the end of 2012, Cisse and I threw a party. An African girl named Ghaniat, who was a graduate student at TAMIU, came to the party, liked the house, and agreed to rent a room in January after Cisse left. Ghaniat lived with me from January until August. I missed Cisse, but Ghaniat consoled me. Every person is unique, therefore irreplaceable, yet some individuals resemble others, and Ghaniat was a beautiful Frenchspeaking girl, just like Cisse. In February, the only person from Laredo to ever live in my house, not counting the previous owners, moved in. His name was Mariano, and he lived in my house over a year until June of 2013. We three filled the house with books; all three of us read much, and we had many long conversations late into the nights. In May, Ghaniat went to London for two weeks, and Anna occupied her room while she was away. Anna was a German who was studying at TAMIU, but unlike most Germans, Anna was very affectionate, which I liked. When Ghaniat left in August, Joachim from Houston moved in. He was a college student who had been a monk, and he envisioned making the household, which then consisted of three single intellectual men, into a type of monastery. That idea appealed to me, but then Doreen called me asking if she could live in my house again because she no longer wanted to live with her boyfriend. I told her that the rooms were all full, but if she was desperate then I would allow her to sleep

on the couch. She agreed, and then she slept on my couch for the next eight months. For the first time, there was conflict: Joachim and Doreen did not get along. Doreen made noise late at night, which prevented Joachim from sleeping, and Joachim shared the bathroom with Doreen, but did not leave it as clean as she wanted. Joachim dealt with the conflict by moving out. Doreen would have moved into his room, but I had promised Cisse that she could live in my house again, and she called me on that promise, returning in January 2013. For the first six months of 2013, four people, of whom two were European girls, lived together in my little house. Cisse and I spoke to each other in French, but we spoke to Doreen and Mariano in English, whereas Doreen spoke to her friends and family on the telephone in German, and Mariano sometimes spoke to Laredo people in Spanish. It was a four-language household. Mariano left at the end of June to move to Illinois, and Doreen left in August for Fort Worth. Cisse and I were not alone for long; in September a Pakistani graduate student named Zubair moved in. He was the first married person to live with us; Zubair’s wife and son are in Pakistan, and he talks to them often over the telephone and using Skype. Cisse graduated with her Masters degree, then went home to France four weeks ago. The day after she left, Bill moved in. Though all the people who have lived in my house since I bought it were more-or-less intellectual, Bill, a librarian, is certainly the one who knows the most about books. This article might seem boring; it is little more than a list, with very brief Continued on page 22

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Cowl Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orthopedic clinic benefits children MHS commemorates 75th anniversary Martin High School cheerleaders, Tigerettes, and football players are pictured at the Tiger sculpture donated by the Fernando A. Salinas Charitable Trust on Thursday, January 30.

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Dr. Earl Stanley is pictured examining Juan Ignacio Salazar at Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Clinicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Orthopedic Clinic on Thursday, January 30. The monthly clinic assists children with cerebral palsy, clubfoot, scoliosis, spina bifida and other conditions. Patients must register at the center before the day of the orthopedic clinic that serves on a first come-first served basis.

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News

rganizers of Laredo Main Street - El Centro de Laredo Farmers’ Market are preparing for the Third Annual Cilantro Fest, which will take place at the March 15 market in Jarvis Plaza from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those who wish to enter the cilantro recipe contest can contact market manager Stephanie Mendez at (956) 523-8817 or email farmersmarket@laredomainstreet.org Products to look forward to at the March 15 market include local allnatural and pesticide-free seasonal produce, organic maple syrup, vanilla, avocado oils, olive oils/vinegars, pan de campo, nopal jerky, fresh edible garden roses, teas, natural pecans, natural soaps and skincare products,

lavender, plants, freshly prepared on-site healthy meals and beverages, baked breads, sweets, and Girl Scout cookies. Over 30 farmers and bakers will participate at the market, which will feature live music and children’s arts and craft. There is plenty of free parking across from Jarvis Plaza in El Metro Transit Center at 1301 Farragut. The market opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m. Laredo Main Street Association is a non-profit organization that works to build community support, interest and economic growth for Laredo’s historic downtown commercial area and surrounding neighborhoods. — LareDOS Staff

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Farmers Market gears up for Third Annual Cilantro Fest

After repatriation of remains in San Ygnacio Felipe Aguilar (left) his wife Elda hosted lunch for those who participated in the February 15 repatriation of the remains of an American Indian woman claimed by the Mescalero Apache tribe. The remains, exhumed from a road way in San Ygnacio in 2012, date to the 1400s. Aguilar is pictured with James Kunestsis (right) of the Mescalero Apache tribe of New Mexico, who performed the burial rites, and Mario Garza of San Marcos.

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Love art reception Bavi Nixon and Evelyn Summers took in the Love Show, which showcased the work of 20 artists at the Laredo Center for the Arts on Friday, February 14. W W W.L A R ED OSN E WS.COM

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News

Incumbent Margie Ibarra seeks fourth term as Webb County Clerk

ncumbent County Clerk Margie Ramirez Ibarra, who has held the office for the last 12 years, is probably one of the most cross-trained of Webb County employees, having worked in the Manpower program, Elections Administration, the office of the Tax Collector and Assessor, Indigent Health, and the County Clerk’s office. She will face Arturo Santos, a former employee in the County Clerk’s department, in the March 4 primary elections. Ibarra recalled that when she took office as County Clerk in 2003 as the official keeper of public records that she walked into a scenario that was “all out of hand.” The disarray left by the former office holder included, she said, “Unopened mail, computers out of service, no forms to document and organize with, manual processing of documents, and poor customer service.” She said that the 15 employees on staff at the time re-applied for their jobs. “I hired the best and hired a few from the outside,” she said, adding, “The computers went back into service, employees were trained, and there were new rules.” One of Ibarra’s first measures was to remove a kitchen that occupied the office’s main vault and to restore it to a vault. “We created an area where representatives of the title companies could do their research and make copies of documents. We shortened dramatically

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the time it took scan documents for them. We are using E-recordings to verify documents, index them, and post them to our website,” Ibarra said. And that was in the first six months in office. Since then, she said, the re-organized office has become increasingly efficient at documenting and electronically storing warranty deeds, releases for paid property, assignments, and extensions; liens for child support, federal and state taxes, and hospital costs; judgments from the courts; assumed names for businesses; indexing and verifying abstracts and plats for all subdivisions; military discharges; delayed birth certificates; death certificates, marriage licenses, Texas Lottery Commission licenses for bingo businesses; cattle brands; and the agendas, contracts, memos, and minutes of the meetings of the County Commissioners Court. All this, she said, while continuing to scan old public record documents from the 1840s forward. “This historic information is invaluable for title companies, attorneys, the courts, and anyone who is doing research on the history of this area,” Ibarra said, adding that there are seven public stations for access to documents. She added that her department indexes, files, and records the judgments of County Court-at-Law decisions for civil and probate matters, guardianships, commitment cases, drug cases, criminal misdemeanors, and all juvenile cases. “Our clerks have learned to work with judges on the filing of warrants, capeas, and

documents for juvenile and adult probation,” she said, adding that cross training of staff has enhanced customer service. Ibarra said the success of her initial 2003 goal to transform the office to function well, paved the way for vastly improved service, not only for title companies, petroleum company land men, and attorneys, but also for taxpayers who need access to documents. Other improvements, she noted, were a moisture suppression system and the electronic backup for documents. “By July, all civil cases will be e-filed and paperless,” Ibarra said.

She manages an annual budget of $2 million for the department. She considers herself a fulltime department head. “I am accessible and have been since I took office,” she continued. “At some point in your life, you will come into this office to look for a document, whether it’s historical or for other matters,” she said, “And we will be here to serve you.” Ibarra was married to the late Juan Alberto Ibarra for 35 years. Her grown children are Rachel, Sandra, Juan Alberto, and David. She has one grandchild, Emma, the daughter of David and Mary Lou. 

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By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

LCC Fun Fest Children enjoyed diverse and fun filled family festivities at the 26th Annual Laredo Community College Family Fun Fest and Musicale on Saturday, February 15. The event is part of the annual WBCA events. W W W.L A R ED OSN E WS.COM

Vote 2014

udge Danny Valdez has served as Webb County since January 2007 and is vying for reelection against challengers Tano Tijerina and Juan “Frank” Cortez in the March 4 primary. Valdez said he has “brought back dignity and respect to the county judge’s office and commissioners court and has established better working relationships among court members.” He said he is a proponent of transparency in government. “Everything is on the table and should be discussed out in the open,” he said. He said he has resolved differences with the City of Laredo, working together on matters of mutual interest to advance county-wide projects such as the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) for Loop 20 and the Farias Veterans Museum. Valdez credits himself with initiating the legislative committee that worked for legislation for civil service for county employees, tax breaks for elderly and disabled, and water and sewer connections to colonias in rural Webb County. A former Justice of the Peace for 24 years, he reflected, “As Justice of the Peace, I handled civil and criminal cases and worked with law enforcement agencies and our school districts to combat truancy, gang violence, drug abuse, and juvenile delinquency among our at-risk youths,” he said, adding, “During this time, I also initiated the youth village concept for juveniles — a place where detention, intervention, and rehabilitation can take

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place at the same facility in an effort to help our troubled youth. I made the youth village a reality when I became county judge.” Valdez said that as Webb County Judge, he has overseen a $90 million dollar budget. “The budget is used to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the community by providing essential county services such as law enforcement and jail operations, indigent health care, fire suppression and EMS, county road and bridge maintenance, and the judicial system, to name a few,” he said. According to Valdez he initiated the County-City Projects and Programs Coordinating Committee during his first term in office. “The purpose was to resolve differences with the City of Laredo and to focus on working together on matters of mutual interest to advance countywide projects that would benefit both entities. Since over 90 percent of the population of the county live within the City of Laredo, we basically represent the same taxpayer,” he said. Valdez said, “Since the county can only do what is authorized by statue, I initiated the creation of the legislative committee to make sure that the county stayed on top of changes in the laws that affect county government. One of my platform goals was the creation of a civil service system for county employees. We were successful in getting legislation passed during my first term to establish a civil service system for our employees. Regarding water and sewage improvements for Rio Bravo and El Continued on page 23

At the Valentine Tea It was standing room only at the Tuesday Music and Literature Club’s annual Valentine Tea at which TAMIU student members of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra presented selections from Granados, Debussy, Poulenc, Bach, Mendelssohn, and Schumann. Pictured at the event at the First United Methodist Church were Elizabeth Alford, Angeles Elizalde, and Emily Altgelt.

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By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

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County Judge Valdez runs for reelection

From Scratch The Scratch Sandwich Company team is pictured on Thursday, February 6 at the annual WBCA Taste of Laredo at the Laredo Energy Arena. The company served up some of their tasty specialties to attendees of the event. LareDOS I FE B RUA RY 2 0 1 4 I 2 1

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descriptions of the 13 people who have lived in my house since I bought it in the spring of 2010. There seems to be no point to this story, but that is the point. None of it was planned, it just happened, but it was better than anything that I could have planned. Whereas all I had wanted was a little extra revenue, what I got was relationships with 12 interesting, highly intelligent and very diverse individuals. Almost all of their rent money went to house expenses. They used electricity, gas, and water. One renter wanted cable television; others wanted Wi-Fi; and all of us could use a home phone, so I bought Time-Warner’s triple bundle of cable, wireless Internet and a land-line. The monthly Time-Warner bill, the electric bill, the gas bill and the utilities bill combine to almost equal the rent that I receive. Each year, my profits from renting the two rooms have been miniscule. In 2012, I counted all that was paid

me and then subtracted all that I had spent; the balance for the year was only $250. Some people fear globalization, because it is largely caused by greed. Multinational corporations spread their operations around the world not because they want to help people but because they want to benefit themselves. In the process of seeking profits to benefit themselves, however, they actually do help millions of people earn their livings and so rise out of poverty, and they benefit American consumers by lowering the prices of the products we want. It is as if an invisible hand were guiding things in such a way so that everyone gains in the win-win situation that is global capitalism. The important point is that the hand is invisible; there is no government controlling globalization; there is none, save perhaps God who plans it all. In the same way, I was just seeking money, but what I got was worth more than material wealth. 

At the Birding Festival art exhibit District Court Judge José Antonio Lopez and his children are pictured at the February 5 opening of the Laredo Birding Festival art exhibit at the Laredo Center for the Arts.

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Cenizo, he said, “I and the County Commissioners are committed to ensuring that the water treatment plant is restored to its original capability. We have committed to hiring the engineering consultant expertise of Leyendecker, Naiser and Viera, Inc., and the water treatment plant’s original process designer, CH2M Hill in an effort to bring together the expertise required to consult and advise Webb County on all the TCEQ regulations for the operation of the Water Treatment

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women’s heart health. The CLHD hosted several events promoting a positive lifestyle change — such as a Love Your Heart Walk and Zumba for Your Heart — intended to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. The month-long heart health promotion also focused on teaching women about preventative steps that can reduce the risk of heart disease. CLHD health educator Dr. Zaida Gonzalez added, “Risk reduction steps such as reducing salt intake, checking your blood pressure, taking small dose aspirin as prescribed by a physician, eating healthier, stopping smoking, and controlling glucose levels, can save lives, especially for women.” Partners of the CLHD in its heart and stroke prevention initiative included the Laredo Medical Center Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Laredo, the City of Laredo Fire Department (LFD), LISD, UISD, and the Laredo Health Coalition. For more information call the City of Laredo Health Department at (956) 795-4918. — LareDOS Staff Plant, and to train our operators the latest TCEQ requirements.” Valdez is a native Laredoan. He is a graduate of Martin High School, attended Laredo Junior College, and served in the United States Navy. (LareDOS requested a one-onone interview with Judge Danny Valdez. He subsequently asked for written questions and agreed to an interview. When LareDOS kept the appointment for the scheduled interview on February 5, he declined the interview and handed this writer a set of written answers. This story is based on those answers.) 

Fun with feathered friends Julie Castillo Kelly and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Ranger Holly Reinhard are pictured with Alexa Moreno, the first to complete all the interactive activities at the Fun with Feathered Friends workshop on February 1 at the Laredo Public Library.

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aredo went red to celebrate the American Heart Association and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s American Heart Prevention Month for February. Surprisingly deadlier than cancer, heart disease is the number one killer of women. According to the City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD), deaths in women due to cardiovascular disease are at an alarming rate in Laredo. “All women need to make healthier choices for better health outcomes, especially to reduce the risks of heart disease and hypertension,” said CLHD director Hector Gonzalez. The city’s chief of health promotion and nutrition services Nora Martinez added, “During pregnancy, this is more critical as it puts both mother and child at high risk of complications and premature birth.” The month-long initiative kicked off on Friday, February 7 with a proclamation of “National Wear Red Day” followed by free blood pressure screenings, nutritional cooking classes, and a discussion by Dr. Claudia Mercado on

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City observes Heart Health Month

Students reflect on studies in China Texas A&M International University students who studied abroad talk to other students about their experience in China on Thursday, January 30. This was part of the Chinese New Year celebration. LareDOS I FE B RUA RY 2 0 1 4 I 2 3

Feature

Rancher of the Year Jim Walker: a love of land, a legacy of faith By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher L.I.F.E.’s 2014 Rancher of the Year James D. Walker wears many hats, and they all fit well — that of land steward, patriarch, and partner and manager of several family businesses. He said he accepts L.I.F.E.’s recognition on behalf of five generations of Walkers, men and women tied inexorably to the land of farms and ranches in Webb and Zapata counties, West Texas, and Mexico. He recalled the measures his grandfather J.O. Walker Sr. took as a young man to establish credit in order to buy land that would eventually chart the course for prosperity for generations to come. “He was a man of integrity, a man who worked hard and valued God, family, and land. He instilled that in his children — my father J.O. Walker Jr., Gene S. Walker, and Elizabeth — and they passed it on to us.” He said that the advent of oil and gas in the 1970s allowed the family to retire loans on the land and on improvements that had been made for fencing and tanks. “Each generation has faced hard decisions regarding the land, and now the challenge was how to diversify. My generation diversified into the distribution of natural gas into homes,

warehousing, establishing subdivisions and building new homes, and the title business,” Walker said. “We have all stood our boots on the land as ranchers and stewards, just as our parents and grandparents did. As time has evolved, we’ve come to see what everyone is gifted at, what their strengths are, and what aspect of the family business they can manage to benefit everyone. Aging and personalities have also defined who’s doing what,” he said, acknowledging that the inscription on J.O. Walker Sr.’s tombstone read, “In unity there is strength.” He said the extended family of Walkers and Quiros “huddle up” when there is a crisis. “We fight to stay together and to work together, and God is an integral part of our work. It comes down to God, our love of land and each other, and a legacy of faith. That’s the foundation that makes our work meaningful. Without God’s grace, so many parts of my life would be different. Each generation has had to find this for themselves,” Walker said. He noted that family board meetings begin with prayer. Jim Walker was born on October 19, 1945, the son of J.O. Walker Jr. and Bonnie Jean Dysart Walker. He and his sister Nancy were raised on the family ranch near Aguilares. He com-

Jim Walker with father J.O. Walker Jr.

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pleted the first six grades of his education in the one-room schoolhouse in Aguilares and graduated from Bruni High School in 1963. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University in 1967 and a Masters in education in 1969. Walker met the love of his life, Sherra Lynn Castle, when he was 18 and asked her to marry him. He taught vocational agriculture in the Panhandle and later in Laredo. He said it was a privilege to have had a small part in the lives of his students and to see them become leaders and responsible individuals through their work with livestock and other agricultural projects. Walker returned to Laredo to take his place at the family’s Vaquillas Ranch operations and to be part of the diversification of the Walker holdings. He and Sherra are the parents of John and Kimberly Jean Walker. John, an attorney, lives with his wife Jelaine and children J.O. III and Alex in the Woodlands. Kimberly is married to rancher Tano Tijerina and they have four children — Bonnie Jean, Cayetano, Christopher, and Keith. Walker said he long ago removed the distinction of in-law from Jelaine and Tano. “They are a daughter and son in

Jim with J.O. Jr. and Bonnie Dysart Walker

the family circle.” Walker is an aficionado of history and an admirer of Abraham Lincoln. He has read Carl Sandburg’s Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years and is well versed on the history of Webb County and its post-Civil War role as a major producer of cattle. “There were 36 million head of wild cattle in Texas after the Civil War. This area provided the country’s meat. There were huge cattle drives in which oxen with bells would lead the herds. If you could get them to Kansas City, you’d get a $20 gold piece for each one,” he said. Walker, 68, said this is a time of reflection for him. “What do I want for my kids and grandkids? What do I know that I can share with them?” he asked. He said that in his lifetime he has seen the family’s ranching practices change —from arduous roundups to move cattle to the rail pens at Aguilares to get them to market by rail, to rounding up by helicopter and selling cattle by satellite. “All of us have built pens all our lives, and fences. That part stays the same, but we’ve seen ranching change overall. What doesn’t change is your relationship to the land, how you know you are home there, how it feels, how it smells, the memories it evokes, and how you deal with yourself in the silence.” 

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Jim Walker working cattle

Jim and Sherra Walker

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Writer reads from his latest literary work

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Ito Romo author of The Border is Burning read from his dark and gritty account of life on the border on Friday, February 14 at the Laredo Center for the Arts.

Founding Fathers’ 5K The Washington Birthday Celebration Association hosted its annual Founding Fathers’ 5K run on Saturday, February 15 at the Laredo Medical Center. LMC, City of Laredo Parks and Leisure, and McDonald’s of Laredo sponsored the run and health fair. W W W. L A R E D OSNEWS. COM

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UT alumni lend a helping hand The Laredo Community College Lamar Bruni Vergara Enviornmental Science Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paso del Indio Nature Trail got spruced up by UT alumni who volunteered on Saturday, February 1.

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Best of show

Country superstar takes the LEA stage

Dr. John Britton, pictured at the Laredo Center for the Arts with his bronze sculpture of a Blue Heron, took home Best of Show at the recent exhibit that was part of the Laredo Birding Festival.

Alan Jackson performed to an arena filled with country music fans on Sunday, February 9 at the Laredo Energy Arena. Jackson performed his classic hit singles as well as some of his new tunes.

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News

Avian art exhibit draws local artists By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publilsher

he Laredo Center for the Arts teemed with Laredoans of all ages on the evening of February 5 as artists, parents, art instructors, and art lovers came together for the opening of an exhibit of avian art, part of the many activities featured during the annual Laredo Birding Festival. Over 300 artists submitted work to the juried show in categories of realistic and fantasy and in divisions of elementary and secondary students, amateur artists, and professional artists. Tricia Cortez, executive director of the Río Grande International Study Center (RGISC), called the exhibit “an extraordinary display of imagination and creativity.” She said that this year’s entries far exceeded last year’s show, not only in submissions, but also in artistic depth. “The goal of this art contest is twofold — to give Laredoans with a unique venue to express their artistic talent by focusing on the rich avian wildlife found throughout our city and region, she said, adding, “We are so lucky to have hundreds of species of birds move throughout this area. Our geography and rich Río Grande eco-system make this river corridor – between Laredo and Brownsville – the birdiest corridor in all of North America.” RGISC co-sponsred the Laredo Birding Festival with Monte Mucho Audubon and the City of Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau. Best of show went to Dr. John Britton for a brass sculpture of a Blue Heron. Nye Elementary School fourth grader Emily Altgelt won first place in the elementary school category for a watercolor of two yellow-headed

blackbirds. She is a student of Maru Alexander. In the fantasy category Yura Lee took first place and Isabella Haynes, second. Both are students of Artworks Studio. In the secondary school division, Lizeth Terrazas, an art student at the Vidal M. Treviño School of Fine Arts and Communications (VMT), won first place for realistic painting. Other winners were Yeilissa Ibarra, second place, J.B. Alexander High School; Itzmara Cepeda, third, United High School; Alexis Reveles, fourth, J.B. Alexander High School; and Yamayka García, honorable mention, VMT. In the secondary fantasy category, Selina Quintanilla of the VMT took first place. Other winners were Gabriella Tijerina, second, United High School; Victoria Marquez, third, United South High School; James Acosta, fourth, United High School; and Erica Escamilla, honorable mention, United High School. In the black and white category, Andrew Lazo of the VMT, took first place. Other winners included David Garcia, second, LBJ High School; Vanessa Padilla, third, LJ Christen Middle School; Kendra Treviño, fourth, VMT; and Denise Montiel, honorable mention, Alexander High School. In the amateur category for realistic art, educator Anselmo Sanchez took first place. Other winners were Ricardo Nuno, second; Patty Goldberg, third; Eduardo Alvarez, fourth; and Julia Esquinca, honorable mention. In the professional category for realistic art, Armando Chapa was awarded first place. Other winners were Lillian Rodriguez, seond; Consuelo Ramirez, third; and Hector Rodriguez, fourth. Arturo Nochebuena took first place for professional fantasy art. 

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Webb County Treasurer candidates debate Members of the Laredo Gateway Rotary welcomed Webb County Treasurer candidates Raul Salinas, Cynthia Mares, incumbent Delia Perales, and Jaime Velasquez for a February 12 debate. The candidates shared their qualifications with members and discussed what they respectively would like to accomplish if elected.

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Courtesy Photo

ÂĄFelicidades, Ines Castro! Ines Castro celebrated her 80th birthday with a party hosted by her son Anselmo Castro. The festivity for family and friends was held at the home of Tito GarcĂa.

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Feature

Karla Robles, an advocate for water conservation By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

ative Laredoan Karla Robles, Water Conservation Planner I for the City of Laredo Utilities Department since February 2006, is an advocate for water conservation throughout the community. “I was asked to develop a water conservation program to help reduce the gallons per capita per day consumption (GPCD) and the unaccounted-for water in Laredo. Both were very high,” she said. Robles began by reading the city’s Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Ordinance, which had been drafted in the early 1990s and amended in 2005. She toured the Jefferson Street Water Treatment Plant and the Zacate Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant to learn about the systems before conducting further research on state requirements for implementing a conservation plan. “I developed slideshows to air on the Public Access channel and to print flyers that described how to conserve water. I also borrowed city units from our distribution and engineering divisions, as available, and went out to the field giving out flyers about water conservation to those found in violation of our ordinance,” she said. Along with staff from the Solid Waste Department, Health Department, and Environmental Services Department, Robles has made presentations in schools on the importance of conserving water. She has established not only the City’s Water Conservation Program, but also a Toilet Rebate Program for Laredoans to install water-conserving low-flow toilets. “I developed the Water Sense High Efficiency Toilet Rebate Program as a

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pilot. The Utilities Department allocated $30,000 from its budget to provide rebates to those who qualified. The beauty of this program was that it was available to all customers, regardless of income or council district. Everyone qualifies if they are a Utilities water customer, have an active water account, have a home built in 1993 or prior, and they purchase a Water Sense toilet that uses 1.28 gallons per flush,” she said. Robles has overseen the restructuring of the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Ordinance, developed the position of water conservation inspector, implemented a water conservation enforcement program; and launched a public education program that has reduced the gallons per captia per day consumption from 198 GPCD in 2007 to 146 to date. “These statistics were a result of combined teamwork strategies from all the divisions from the Utilities Department. Before this, it was not uncommon to see sprinkler systems watering sidewalks, driveways, and streets and people leaving hoses unattended with the water running off to the streets. Now you don’t see that too often. Customers have adapted to change, and they have learned a new behavior — conserving water,” Robles said. Inspired by the Killam Elevated Storage Tank, Robles devised a concept she thought would be appealing to students. “My pride and joy was also converting one of my drawings into reality — our Utilities Department mascot, Tommy the Tank,” she continued. Various events are in the works for the Utilities Department this year. Robles hopes to start a Summer Water Camp to teach kids about rain harvesting, xeriscape, testing water samples, and building water treatment process

model displays. The average daily consumption in Laredo during 2013 was approximately 35 million gallons per day (MGD) and the peak demand for 2013 was 48 MGD. “The pumping capacity of the City’s water treatment plants is 65 MGD. Once the new El Pico Water Treatment Plant is completed, our water treatment plant capacity will increase by 20 MGD, making our total capacity 85 MGD. This capacity is anticipated to meet our water demand for approximately another 10 years,” said Robles. Robles supervises five water conservation inspectors, hires and trains new staff, prepares grant applications, develops incentive programs for the public, plans environmental community activities, coordinates ground-

breakings and ribbon cutting ceremonies, handles customer complaints and 311 reports, plans and implements public awareness campaigns, participates in city and school events, prepares news releases and public service announcements, handles open records requests, and prepares and operates a small program budget while monitoring expenses. She holds a degree in business administration with a focus on management and a Masters of Public Administration from Texas A&M International University. Robles obtained the designation as a Texas Certified Public Manager at Texas State University. She holds a TCEQ Class D Wastewater Treatment Operator’s license, and a Class C Water Distribution Operator’s license. 

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Vote 2014

Green Cortez in the run for Webb County Judge

Green party’s Cary in race against Congressman Cuellar

By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

reen Party candidate Juan “Frank” Cortez will run for Webb County Judge, facing incumbent Danny Valdez or Tano Tijerina. Cortez describes himself as “a working class guy.” “I have been a part of the community’s workforce since the age of 17. I have many of the same values as other hardworking Laredoans,” he said. Like other Green Party candidates, Cortez said he was prompted to run by the lack of choices and voices in the upcoming elections. “There is only one political party in Webb County. They usually bring the same ideas or just like to mud sling one another,” he said, adding, “It is time we hear some concrete ideas, concrete solutions to some of the problems we are facing in Webb County.” Cortez has observed a lack of leadership in the Webb County Commissioners Court. “Problems like dirty water and the overcrowding in the county jail these are problems that should have been eradicated long ago,” he said. Of the Rio Bravo and El Cenizo water quality conditions, he said, “I think it is despicable that those people were treated less than human. The fact that officials failed to assume responsibility and gambled with lives is unacceptable.” Cortez is against the proposed plan for a new jail, and he said that other solutions besides throwing people in jail should be explored. “My solution would be to work with the Sherriff’s Department and other local enforcement to implement an onsite release — similar to the one in Travis County. People that are ar-

rested for nonviolent Class C misdemeanors will be released instead of being sent to county jail and taking up resources needed for other inmates,” he said. Cortez has been involved with the Green Party officially since December 2013. He was a member of the Occupy Laredo Movement. “I am a believer in do it yourself ethics. I see the lack of choices, and I want to be the one people look to for solutions,” Cortez said. His platform is threefold — green justice, green jobs, and a green future. “I think our resources and taxpayer monies should be spent responsibly. The whole fiasco with the Rio Bravo and El Cenizo water contamination, and the fines imposed on the county by the TCEQ — we, the taxpayers, are going to have to pay for that. What is going to happen with the county commissioners or county judge? Nothing. They are going to go home and drink their Evian water, and they don’t have to deal with it. Tax payers are the ones that have to pay for the mistake,” he said. Given the mismanagement that he says is rife in the county, Cortez would like to see county commissioners take a pay cut. “That money could be used to fix the water and for different environmental programs to help the community,” he said. Cortez would like to see Webb County stray away from reliance on fossil fuels, which, he says, research has proven is unsustainable. “I’d like to investigate the use of solar panels, which will provide people with the opportunity to install and sell them — creating green jobs while subsequently relying on renewable resources. I want to also look into building more wind farms in our area that will provide us with electricity,” he said. 

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By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

he Texas Green Party has recruited more than 50 candidates for state and local office to occupy the 2014 ballot — historically the largest number of Green candidates to appear on the ballot. Michael D. Cary, who ran in 2012 for the U.S. House of Representative, District 28, against Congressman Henry Cuellar, is on the ballot once more. “I would love to see the Green Party break into the U.S. House of Representatives. I believe that once the voters perceive that there can be a viable third-party option, they will break away from the two-party system. There seems to be a high level of dissatisfaction with what is going on,” he said. Cary believes that a Green Party candidate would work much harder than other candidates “who are going with the status quo and taking salaries,” he said. The candidate became involved with the Green Party in 2011. “I worked in a newspaper office with Kat Swift, co-chair of the Texas Green Party. She put out a call for individuals to ‘Occupy the Ballot’ in Fall 2011. I thought, why not, and signed up,” he explained. Cary said he is concerned with the work ethic of today’s members of the House of Representatives. “Working two-and-a-half days a week and earning a salary that can feed and house up to six families that would otherwise be living in poverty, that is ridiculous,” he said. Part of Cary’s platform is his desire to restructure the taxing system so that it is fair to everyone and lessens

the burden on blue-collar workers. “The drug war, which is a war on the citizens of the United States, is something that concerns me. Money should be better spent treating drug addiction instead of putting people in prison. As I told the San Antonio League of Women Voters, legalizing and taxing marijuana is something that should be considered,” said Cary. Congressman Cuellar’s vote for a national ban on abortion and the Farm Bill are alarming, he said. “I don’t believe that restricting women’s rights is a good thing. Cuellar voted for the Farm Bill, which cut food stamp benefits. I don’t understand why he was voting along the Republican lines on both those issues,” he said. At first an advocate of Obama Care, Cary said, “I have generally supported Obama Care, but it’s not enough, and it is costing people a lot of money. My deal is that for years I paid a lot of money to Medicaid in the taxes from my paycheck, but I don’t have health care. I believe that I, as well as other voters, have been paying for healthcare for decades, but have yet to benefit from it. We should all be covered with universal healthcare,” he said. There is a momentum building around the progressive Green Party, according to Cary. “Over the years in the United States there have been political parties that pop up. The Republicans at one point were a start-up group. You have to start somewhere,” he said. Cary studied journalism at San Antonio College and jumped into covering local government in the 1980s, and continued to do so for 20 years. Now he works as a driver and painter and is a member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. 

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Feature

Native American repatriated, buried in San Ygnacio cemetery By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher SAN YGNACIO - After a prayer circle of cedar smoke and offerings of water, venison, and chocolate, the remains of a Native American woman presumed to be of Coahuiltecan origin were laid to rest on February 15 in a corner of the Martinez Cemetery in San Ygnacio. The 600-year-old remains, reduced now to a small bundle wrapped in white canvas and twine, were claimed by the Mescalero Apache Tribe of New Mexico and were lowered into a square, shallow grave by tribal representatives James Kunestsis and his nephew Troy Wizza. A stone representing the four cardinal directions was placed at each corner of the burial. Eagle feather in hand, Kunestsis recited and sang prayers in Mescalero Apache dialect at the grave and made offerings of tobacco and cattail pollen from a worn medicine pouch. He burned a bundle of sage in an abalone shell and offered it as a cleansing carried on the smoke. The re-burial ceremony and Kunestsis’ immersion in ancient rituals moved many who were in attendance. He closed the ceremony with a few words and an offer to smudge anyone who came forward, using the eagle feather to fan sage smoke on those who stepped up. The remains, a source of controversy for the last 21 years, were discovered and badly damaged in 1991 when a backhoe trenching for a wastewater improvement project disturbed the grave pit that was a scant 40 cm below the pavement of Treviño Street.

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Archaeologist Jim Warren, acting with the Texas Antiquities Commission, documented the burial and sent bone matter for a radiocarbon assay. The grave was marked with a steel pin in the roadway and then covered with a thin sheet of plastic, road base, and pavement, subject for another two decades to the daily traffic that traversed Treviño Street and continued to break and pulverize the James Kunestsis of the Mescalero Apache Tribe skeletal remains of a human soul. In 2008, as work was about to be- settled for an undisclosed amount to gin on a storm water drainage proj- cover the exhumation. ect, Warren’s documentation of the When the Native American womburial became part of a September an, presumed to be 25 to 35 years 2008 Memorandum of Understand- old, was buried 600 or so years ago, ing between the County of Zapata she was laid to rest on a high bluff and the Texas Historic Commission, above the Río Grande in what had which acknowledged “one Native perhaps once been an open campAmerican human burial known to site. She had been buried with her lie beneath Treviño Street” and that face to the setting sun and the river. “Any disturbance of the burial will When the streets of San Ygnacio took constitute an adverse effect on a his- on names, her resting place would toric property.” be beneath Treviño Street where it As the storm water project came meets Washington Avenue. to a close in 2010, the project conThere she remained, a rise in the tractor — well apprised of the site thoroughfare, until late 2012. and compliance with the Antiquities In 2012, Zapata County filed a peCode of Texas — capped the burial tition for Removal of Remains in the site with another layer of asphalt, 49th District Court. The county conwhich constituted the forewarned tracted with the University of TexasSan Antonio Center for Archaeologi“disturbance of the burial.” Zapata County held the contactor, cal Research (CAR) to carry out the Reim Construction, responsible for work, which consisted of applying the disturbance and the two entities for a permit from the THC, monitor-

ing the removal of the cap of asphalt and caliche road base, exhuming by hand-excavation, returning the remains to CAR for analysis, completing Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) consultation, compiling a report of details of findings, overseeing the return of the remains to Zapata County for burial, and coordinating with the THC’s Archaeology Division and Zapata County to satisfy the Texas Antiquities Code and permit requirements. CAR’s investigation concluded it was not possible to determine the tribal affiliation of the Native American woman. Coahuiltecan, the CAR’s summary, explained, “was a name assigned to the regional population by the Spanish explorers. It represented hundreds of small bands that spread across the region from Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, Mexico to South Texas.” The Mescalero Apaches are the only Federally Recognized Indian tribe claiming Zapata County as aboriginal lands. Kunestsis, Wizza, and Holly Houghton, the Mescalero tribal historic preservation officer and coordinator for NAGPRA, had conducted similar repatriation and burial rites in Alice the day before they were in San Ygnacio. Kunestsis, an extremely reserved and dignified individual, said that it is important to claim and repatriate Native American remains that are in museums and universities or that are found at construction sites for roads. “The teachings of the elders tell us that we are all connected, and that this is the right thing to do,” he said. 

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Vote 2014

Vish Viswanath in race for Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff “This community has given a lot to me, and now I am trying to give back,” said Lakshmana “Vish” Viswanath, in a recent interview. A native of India, Viswanath relocated to South Dakota in 1980, and since then has lived in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and New York. In 1995, he came to Laredo to work as a data analyst for Texas A&M International University. In 2005, he opened his own Postal Service Center, and since then he has opened three locations — San Bernando Avenue, McPherson Road, and Mines Road. “I was looking into other opportunities, and this is what came up. This is my livelihood, and I actively participate in my businesses. I work from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at one location or another,” he said. He said being in business has given him experience in dealing with different people, supervising employees and their time sheets, and managing budgets. His involvement with the Green Party began about a year ago, and since then he has diligently worked on issues pertaining to fracking, solar energy, and lately, the issue of the water quality in Rio Bravo and El Cenizo. “The Green Party is not very strong in Laredo, but we are making some waves. We are at the forefront mobilizing on issues such as these,” he noted, adding, “Looking at all the other candidates running for JP 4, I now see this position is more political than the others,” he said. Viswanath said he admires JP Oscar Martinez’s REAL Mission Program. “Judge Martinez has done a great job. I would like to expand and add more

groups for the students to do community service with like the South Texas Food Bank, Bethany House, Volunteers Serving the Need, and other groups in need of volunteers,” he said Community service in lieu of jail time or fines for minor crimes are one of the candidate’s goals if elected as a JP. He believes in exploring the root of the problem. Regarding drug issues, the candidate said that like 406th District Court Judge Oscar Hale, he favors treatment over incarceration and wants to bring more awareness to programs such as Narcotics Anonymous. “I want to focus on prevention and education as it pertains to our youth. Alcohol, substance abuse, truancy, delinquency, bullying, and gangs — these are some of the issues our children face in school,” he said, adding, “I will be seeking local, state, and federal funding to accomplish this. I want to make sure our children are going in the right direction and help them prevail in that.” He said the same funding could establish a Teen Court. “I will be investing a lot of my time in coaching and mentoring teens and developing this court.” With high numbers for truck traffic violations in Precinct 4, driver safety is another major concern for the JP4 candidate. “If we are getting teens out there and they don’t know how to drive, we are putting them at risk along with other drivers. If they come into the court with a traffic violation, we need to insure that they take the proper defensive driving courses — face-to-face and not online. Things like that will make a difference in reducing these crimes.” Approaching these issues from a counseling perspective will make a big difference in how they are attacked, according to Viswanath.

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“I am looking into my role as mediator, something I have had experience with in the past working in customer service. I think mediation skills are key when acting as a judge,” he said. Another concern for Viswanath is the inconvenience for people having to take time off from work to attend court and the financial strain of paying fines. “I don’t want to take food off the tables of those who can’t afford fines,” he said, adding, “Many times most people get a ticket and pay it. For the minimum wage employee, if they get a ticket of $150, they have to work an additional 20 hours to pay it off. That is a big burden that prevents them from possibly buying groceries, and I don’t want to penalize people that way,” he said. As far as extending the JP court hours to better service the community, he said if that is what is needed, then he will implement it. He added, “I am different. I am a working man. One of the things I hear a lot is about nepotism. I can stand here today and say I am a solitary guy. There will be no nepotism or favoritism on my part toward anyone including my fam-

ily. It is not going to happen.” He said his grassroots campaign is focused more on developing a solid platform based on the feedback from the community and the needs of the voters. “You see hundreds of signs out there and some of my opponents have spent thousands of dollars. I am not going to ask anyone to donate thousands of dollars to me; this is a very shoestring operation at a grassroots level. When you get those thousands of dollars as contributions, you could owe favors. I believe in working toward all my goals. I am not asking for money. I am asking for votes.” Viswanath has two sons, Avinash and Abiram Viswanath, and an adopted daughter Elizabeth Ledezma. He earned a BA in Mathematics from Kerala University (1979); a Masters in Meteorology from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1982); a Masters in Computer Science from Iowa State University (1987); and a Master of Counseling and Psychology from TAMIU (2000). He is available on Facebook at Vish for Justice, by email vish@vishforjustice.com, or by phone (956) 717-8384. 

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Vote 2014

Green Party’s Decker vies for Pct. 4 commissioner By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

reviously a Democrat, Luis F. Decker’s dissatisfaction with the one-party system in Laredo drew him to the Green Party and prompted him to run for County Commissioner Precinct 4 against José A. Valdez Jr., Hector J. Liendo, or incumbent Jaime A. Canales. “I think the voters need an alternative to the entrenchment that this one political party has in Laredo. They are entitled to an alternative on the ballot,” he said. Decker has resided in Precinct 4 for over 30 years and has been involved with the Green Party for four years. “I became involved through the Occupy Laredo Movement. I think more than anything it is the Green Party’s views of equality, the care for the environment, the need for living wages —neither party in Webb County ever mentions this — that appealed to me,” he said. “Mr. Canales is an excellent commissioner. I have known him for years, and he has my respect, but there are areas in which I disagree with him. We need to move away from providing all these Christmas gifts only during election years,” he said, adding, “We need to be a little more proactive on issues like working on a ban on fracking 2,000 feet from any county-owned structure, residence, or body of water,” Decker said. He would like to provide county employees with a living wage of $15 per hour. “We could do this by reducing

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the pay of other county officials by 20 percent over four years. County Commissioners should go on record supporting equal pay for all county employees. Women in Webb County are grossly underpaid. Everyone should get paid equally for the same work,” he said. The Green Party candidate said he would like to convert the fleet of county-owned vehicles to propane or natural gas. He said, “It is far less expensive than gasoline or diesel, which would save taxpayers money.” Decker’s platform includes supporting the county-wide ban on hydraulic fracking and reducing the reliance on fossil fuel in county buildings. “We have well over 300 days of sunshine in Laredo, and we need to explore the use of solar energy for these buildings. Instead of spending thousands on electricity, we could be getting it for free,” said Decker. He said there are some county roads that are not paved and prove troublesome for drivers when it rains. “In the Precinct 4 area, we need to look at this issue as drivers are getting mired down in the mud. If the budget does not permit paving the streets, caliche would be a good alternative,” he said. Decker added, “I don’t claim to know it all, but I have been around long enough to know if we don’t move on an issue and voice it out, the powers that be will not expose it.” Committed to the Green Party principles, Decker is running a grassroots campaign and is not accepting any campaign contributions. On nepotism in the county, Deck-

er said, “That has been an ongoing system that needs to be done away with. If you are an elected county official none of your relatives should be working for the county unless they were working prior to you being elected.” An independent businessman for over 40 years, Decker owns and operates three businesses in the community — Laredo CPR, which offers CPR training; a tax preparation business; and a mobile 24/7 notary service.

From 1966 to 1975, Decker served in the United States Army, completing three tours in Vietnam with the Special Forces group. He earned a degree in business administration from the University of Houston, and he is a certified nurse. “In the Army, you learn that when you assume a position of power, you don’t change anything right away. You assess the situation and then begin to tweak it and make changes,” he said, adding, “That is how I will work.” 

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LAPS

here is a cadre of people you might see working at the LAPS’ No-Kill Animal Shelter. They may be wearing a t-shirt with the slogan, “Adopt! If you can’t adopt, Foster! If you can’t Foster, Sponsor! If you can’t sponsor, Volunteer! If you can’t volunteer, Donate! If you can’t donate, Educate! “ This slogan tells you there is something for everyone to do to help the homeless, neglected, abused pets as a LAPS volunteer. Volunteers complete an application and are given training before they start helping around the shelter or participating in an event held in Laredo. What would a volunteer do? How much time will it take? Let’s list some of the possible ways of helping. You could agree to be the “keeper” of a donation box at a local business. You would regularly visit to collect the money and thank the business for allowing LAPS to keep a donation box at their location. You could agree to take photos at our PetFests to be used for publicity on Facebook or for our newsletters. You could organize a fundraising activity to sponsor a kennel for the year. Each “abode” requires about $2,000 a year to maintain a homeless pet waiting for a “forever” home. If the resident pet gets adopted, another dog or cat can take its place if the “abode” is ready and waiting for the next rescued pet. You could agree to record an educational or PSA media message for LAPS. You could get a friend or friends to help sell tickets for a LAPS fund raising event, such as the Spay-ghetti No

Meatballs dinner celebrating National Spay Day. You could organize donations of new or used blankets and towels to be used on cold days to keep our resident pets warm. You could organize donations of Kuranda Beds used in the kennels to keep the dogs and cats off the concrete floors of the kennels. You could organize a drive to obtain flea and tick preventative treatments (collars or tablets), heart worm preventative treatments or other medicines needed to treat pets that arrive at the shelter sick or infested with pests. You could use your creative ability to develop educational materials for proper care of dogs, cats, birds, and other common pets. You could walk a dog at the shelter or teach a dog basic obedience commands. You could play ball with a dog or cat to help socialize the pet. You could clean bowls and buckets used in the kennels. You could pull weeds, pick up trash, or wash windows. You could help escort visitors to the different activities of a Saturday Play Day at the shelter. You could help as the receptionist in the office or file documents. If none of these suits your abilities or interests, ask the Executive Director Michelle Deveze if she has an urgent task that needs to be done. You can help at the shelter during the hours the shelter is open. Contact Michelle at (956) 724-7681 or through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LAPSadopt As you can see there are many ways you can provide valuable assistance to LAPS. Volunteering can be as little time or as much time as you can spare. 

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At burial of remains of Native American woman Miguel and Angelica Bustamante of Stockdale are pictured with San Ygnacio Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal after the burial ceremonies of the 600 year-old remains of a Native American woman removed from a roadway in San Ygnacio. The remains have been claimed by the Mescalero Apache Tribe of New Mexico and were buried in the Martinez Cemetery.

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

By Richard Renner LAPS Secretary

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Volunteers provide vital help

Evening at the Center for the Arts Terry and Al Flores and Lily and Juan Castillo are pictured at the Ito Romo book signing and reading from The Border is Burning on February 14 at the Laredo Center for the Arts.

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By dr. neo gutierrez

Dr. Neo Gutierrez is a Ph.D. in Dance and Fine Arts, Meritorious Award in Laredo Fine Arts recipient 2009 from Webb Co. Heritage Foundation, Laredo Sr. Int’l 2008, Laredo MHS Tiger Legend 2002, and Sr. Int’l de Beverly Hills, 1997. Contact neodance@aol.com.

Pope’s Harley brings in the bucks for. The target was smashed, however, when it went to auction in a bidding war that lasted only six minutes. The Pope's signed Harley leather jacket went to a separate bidder. Caritas Roma, a charity that works on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, will receive all the auction money to help fund renovations of the Don Luigi di Liegro hotel and soup kitchen in Rome's Termini railway station. Opened 30 years ago, the hostel supports some of Rome's most vulnerable citizens; it now provides more than 1,000 people with food and shelter daily. Because of his desire to rid the Vatican of corruption, last year the Pope suspended the so-called "Bishop of Bling," Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst of Linburg, for spending around $40 million on ren-

ovations to his official residence. Consequently, the Pope warned priests and nuns to be careful how they spend their money, saying it hurts his heart when he sees a priest with the latest model car. So it wasn't surprising that the Pope sold the motorcycle, and that in the process he set a world-record for what was paid for a new Harley. The motorbike sold to a private buyer in Europe, and the jacket was snapped up by an overseas bidder. No names of buyers are known. Moving to other news, I hear of the Neo Neo Grill House chain in the Philippines. The item was brought to my attention by my former 9th grade student at Christen, Brian Notzon, now retired and a world traveler. He was in Cebu when he noticed Neo Neo's, an inviting

place to eat, and a chain that is growing. Brian says the restaurants over there look good, and their prices are great. Brian, by the way, was there in November, soon after the huge storm that really damaged the Philippine Islands. A professional food reviewer explains that if you want freshness in your food, Neo Neo will give you that, as well as a refreshing view. The six restaurants have their own lot, so no other buildings clutter theor view. The reviewer loves the Filipino foods served there, especially their mango shake. If you want to eat fish, you can actually choose which fish from their aquarium. Now, that's fresh fish. Writing this really made me hungry. So, on that note it's time for — as Norma Adamo says — TAN TAN ! 

Maria Eugenia Guerra/LareDOS

he average price range for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is around $20,000, but in a recent auction in Paris, the Pope's Harley brought in a whopping $300,000 for charity. His leather jacket netted $75,000. According to Carey Lodge of the Christian Today website, the auction took place at Bonham’s, as part of Les Grandes Marques de Monde sale at the Grand Palais. The Pope was given the 1,585 cc Dyna Super Glide bike in June last year to mark the 110th anniversary of HarleyDavidson; however, the Pope is better known for riding around in a 30-yearold Renault 4. Signed by the Pope, the bike that sold was expected to bring in about 10% of what it actually sold

Notes from La La Land

At the Tuesday Music and Literature Club's Valentine Tea TAMIU student Sonia Mares performed the first movement of Poulenc's Sonata for Flute and Piano at the Tuesday Music and Literature Club's Valentine Tea. She was accompanied on the piano by Dr. Colin Campbell, assistant professor of fine and performing arts Texas A&M International University. The annual event was held at the First United Methodist Church. W W W. L A R E D OSNEWS. COM

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Maverick Ranch Notes

A cold winter with no outlook for rain

By bebe & sissy fenstermaker

y my count this is the 20th year of LareDOS, A Journal of the Borderlands. Congratulations Meg, you do wonderful work to keep everyone in South Texas up to date on everything. We know we’ll hear it in LareDOS first! We appreciate your efforts on behalf of Texas environment, wildlife, and culture. We are beginning another cold week, the fourth hit in two months. It has been very cold this winter, dry with no positive outlook for rain and winds that have kept us wrapped up in at least four layers of clothes the entire time. On warmish days it seems odd not to tote extra coats and sweaters along. Nights require long johns and thick socks just to reach a comfort level, because I will not heat the bedrooms. A friend and her husband spent the Christmas holidays with relatives in Ireland. Warned beforehand that only the kitchen and living room had heat in the country house, she said she’d never been so cold. We didn’t ask how many layers she needed to get through those nights. She had a wonderful time despite the weather, taking interesting drives over the snowy countryside and participating in family talent nights (some good, some dreadful, but all fun she said). A new bull calf joined the herd in January and he is his mother’s first calf. I happened upon them a couple of minutes after his birth and got to watch his first efforts to get up and nurse. Longhorn calves are up quickly and he was no exception. His first feeding filled him out like a small balloon, and within 45 minutes he was running around his mother with his tail curled over his back. We have given his naming to a friend from Yorkshire, England and

she came up with Champagne Charlie. I asked if we could add “Yorkshire” to it, so she’s thinking of some typical Yorkshire word to add instead. At birth Champagne was identifiable as a bull from a distance; his mother’s line always has this desirable trait. His mother is a good new mom and quite tough about his security, since they had a lot of visitors those first few days. We are looking forward to the gilt show at the San Antonio Stock Show. A cousin’s granddaughter is showing her 4-H project for a third year. When the show is over her, gilt goes into a regular breeding program, so there isn’t that usual sad ending for the year’s project. Her grandmother says she is thinking about raising a calf for her senior year project but the family is hoping the project won’t get bigger than a gilt. We are also looking forward to the Cattlemen’s Texas Longhorn Registry’s annual meeting in San Antonio later this month at the Briscoe Western Art Museum downtown. Enrique Guerra of Linn, Texas will bring over a hundred old photographs of real longhorns as part of the program. His family has raised longhorns for generations and he has a collection of early Tejano saddles and ranch gear which he lent to the museum. His cattle and historic collection contributed to the design of the Tejano Monument on the Capitol grounds in Austin. — Bebe Fenstermaker

February is Rodeo month in San Antonio. On a bitter cold, wet morning Bebe and I attended the stock show to support a cousin who was showing a Hampshire gilt. As we entered the barn, a black and white paint hog headed our way at quite a clip trailing a group of folks earnestly trying to catch up with it. Throughout the morning there continued to be escaped porcine dashing through the barn with groups of two-footers desperately trying to corral them. Everyone, including us, would scatter when those groups came hurtling down the aisles. Luckily we could hear them coming with shrill squeals, shouts, and hollering in advance. When you think about it, those hogs stood knee-high, and if one barreled into someone that someone would be upended in a nasty way. There were also Angora goats and various breeds of sheep in the barn. We felt sorry for the sheep sheared of almost all their wool. There they stood shivering; some in form fitting, skin tight leopard, zebra, or multicolored designer outfits topped off with a looser canvas covering, while most

of the rest just wore canvas jackets. One ewe had triplets bouncing around in her pen. They had been born the day before in seven degree temperatures while traveling down from Perryton at the top of the Panhandle. They were mighty cute. Interestingly, their breed was also called Hampshire. We enjoyed talking with the owners, a mother and her daughter, who were there feeding the group. In a neighboring pen was an enormous Suffolk ewe, enormous in both body and height. Her back was just short of the top of her pen, which was three-feet high. In the adjacent pen was a Suffolk ram also large in body and just a tad under the ewe’s height. Never have I seen sheep of such a large size. This year is the 125th anniversary of the first recorded sighting of the Golden Cheek warbler. According to an announcement I recently saw, International Migratory Bird Day is celebrated in the U.S. and Canada during April and May whereas Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean celebrate it in October. — Sissy Fenstermaker

he winter of 2013-14 has been like a rollercoaster, with deep plunges of temperature followed by creeping rises that maybe get into the low sixties. The cold days have so far out numbered the warmer ones.

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South Texas Food Bank

By salo Otero Salo Otero is the director of marketing for the South Texas Food Bank. He can be reached at sotero@ southexasfoodbank.org or by calling 956-726-3120.

he South Texas Food Bank’s (STFB) Silver Jubilee year is in high gear. The food bank opened in 1989 and in 2014 is celebrating 25 years of its mission to feed the hungry. The STFB, a member of Feeding America and the Texas Food Bank Network, distributes supplemental food to the unemployed, under-employed, and those on fixed incomes. Located at 1907 Freight at Riverside (website www.southtexasfoodbank .org), the food bank serves 30,000 families per month in an impoverished eight-county area that includes Laredo-Webb County and from Del Rio to Rio Grande City. Here are a handful of events and stories that happened one month into the milestone No. 25. United HS Honor Society donates one-half ton of citrus The United High School National Honor Society (NHS) students brought fresh produce to the STFB. More than 30 of the 200-strong honor society members delivered 4,000 pieces of citrus fruits to be distributed to needy families. In addition, the students spent one hour of hands-on volunteering, sorting food items to be bagged for pick up. The items included oranges, grapefruits, and cuties that weighed a little more than one-half ton. It was 1,150 pounds to be exact “Cuties? Those are small tangerines,” explained Rosario Idrogo, one of the NHS sponsors, who accompanied the group. “But like I told them, you’re the cuties,” she quipped. The others sponsors are David de la Rosa, Elia Alaniz and Elizabeth Vega. Idrogo, a culinary arts teacher, added, “I remember you telling us

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STFB marks 25th anniversary that fresh produce was much-needed. And now during the flu season Vitamin C is crucial.” And so the United students came in with recyclable bags full of product. The organizing committee included Sara Gonzalez, Esteban Elizondo, Kaila Vega, and Gaby Sanchez. Gonzalez noted, “We saw a lot of trees in Laredo growing (all this citrus) and we picked it. And some we bought.” Elizondo added, “We decided to clean up the city a little bit and give back to the community.” Elizondo was asked, “Was any of the fruit taken without permission (stolen)?” He added, “To my knowledge we all asked for permission to pick ‘em.” Casso called the United NHS deed, “Very admirable. Our clients will enjoy nutritional product.” Newman science project brings in 6,000 diapers A fifth grade science project at Newman Elementary School resulted in a much needed donation of 6,000 diapers by the nation-wide Kimberly Clark Company. The class of 24 students taught by Rachel Hinojosa presented the product in their classroom to STFB representatives. Leticia Rendon García is principal at Newman. A teacher of almost 30 years, Hinojosa explained the experiment was about which diaper was more absorbent. Three brands were tested via eight trials by the eight student groups, and Huggies won six of eight times. The results were graphed and mailed to Kimberly Clark, makers of Huggies, at offices in Dallas and Wisconsin. Kendra Hill and Eileen

Meyer were the contact persons. Kimberly Clark was impressed “and the company wanted to recognize the class with a pizza party, sending t-shirts and a certificate to all who participated. And to the students’ surprise, and most importantly the donation of diapers.” Valeria Rivera, 11, one of Hinojosa’s students echoed her teacher. “The most exciting part was that we got a donation to help needy families and children. Your story (about the need in Laredo) got me teary-eyed. The experiment was great, but it’s not everyday you get 6,000 diapers donated,” she said. Rivera’s classmate, Alejandro Duarte, also 11, added, “We were really surprised when they called Mrs. Hinojosa about the donation. There was a lot of excitement in the classroom.” “We’re more than just a food bank. We get so many requests for diapers and other non-food items from the 80 partner agencies. A donation like this is a huge blessing. Maybe Kimberly Clark will consider it as an annual event. The need is evident,” said Casso. The diapers were distributed to families with infants in the Adopt-aFamily and SNAP (food stamp) Outreach Program. SNAP mobile unit helps in benefit sign-up The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach Program has taken on a new meaning with the addition of a unique vehicle that was unveiled. The mobile unit has been assigned to the STFB for the next two months to help sign up new SNAP clients. SNAP is formerly Food Stamps. The colorful vehicle, with the lettering Community Connections, is

used in cooperation with the Texas Food Bank Network and H-E-B. The STFB is the first of the 20-strong Texas Food Bank Network to use the unit. Julie Lara and David Ayala of the H-E-B Public Affairs Department delivered the $135,000 vehicle to the South Texas Food Bank at 1907 Freight at Riverside. They had a training session with the STFB outreach staff on its features. Alma Blanco is the SNAP Outreach coordinator. Her staff includes three working in Laredo-Webb County, Jim Hogg, Zapata, and Dimmitt. Also, two are based in Maverick for Val Verde and Kinney counties and one in Starr County. “The mobile van will give us better access to the community in helping clients sign up for benefits. Because it is wired for WiFi, our staff can register clients online for much quicker results,” food bank executive director Alfonso Casso said. “There are eight computers on board. There were times where in certain communities, we would set up tables in people’s back yards and by word of mouth, clients would show up. This unit has its own generator, so we can set up anywhere.” Blanco, the outreach coordinator since 2007, said the average is almost 200 SNAP applications per month and almost 400 that include other benefits like CHIP, Medicaid for Children, and women’s health programs. “We’re working on educating the public that they might qualify for assistance. Some don’t know the guidelines and how the programs works. The SNAP on-demand pilot program is a huge plus. On demand, people Continued on page 51

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Serving Sentences

By randy koch Randy Koch earned his MFA at the University of Wyoming and teaches writing at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

nline publication is virtually meaningless. Sure, I could tweet this column 140 characters at a time or update my Facebook status with bits and pieces of it during the next month or use excerpts to expand my LinkedIn profile. But unless I get a bunch of retweets or new followers or “likes” or connections, it’d likely be considered a failure (if it were considered at all) and fade quickly and inexorably into some shadowy digital corner of the Net. But it’s not just this ephemeral nature of online content that bothers me. It’s the unsettling way that the digitizing of our voices, images, music, and words impinges on our memories and daily lives and, maybe even more importantly, makes Nicholas Carr’s prediction about changes in “writers’ attitudes toward their work” a very real possibility. Obviously, given my age, I’m not a digital native. When I was in grade school and on summer vacation, I often peered over fields of alfalfa and soybeans to the east and waited expectantly for a brown cloud of dust to rise behind the mailman’s approaching car. After he stopped at the Jensens’ mailbox a half-mile distant and then slowed for ours, I ran down the long driveway, waved at him as he rolled away toward Matt Burglemeyer’s place, and breathlessly yanked the mailbox open. Among the Piggly Wiggly flyer, newspaper, and REA bill addressed to Dad, I hoped something would have my name on it. Maybe the free comic book from Post Cereals that I ordered with six box tops or a Weekly Reader full of cartoons, puzzles, and a story about John Glenn or Mickey Mantle.

Getting it right In the 1970’s when I was a teenager, Sports Illustrated arrived in Friday’s mail, and I devoured most of it by Monday. I found Thoreau’s Walden and the novels of Herman Hesse in the school library and poet John Ashbery’s Houseboat Days at the closest bookstore 45 miles away.

born, when I lived in Lamberton and Julie worked 150 miles away, I clocked out at Valley View Manor and then hurried downtown to get to the post office before Bob Molina locked up at 5 o’clock. I turned the key in the small brass door of my mailbox. Inside, under the phone bill

“It seems likely that removing the sense of closure from book writing will, in time, alter writers’ attitudes toward their work. The pressure to achieve perfection will diminish, along with the artistic rigor that the pressure imposed.” —from Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains (107)

When my older brother Ken joined the Columbia House Music Club and LPs came in flat, square cardboard packages, I finally discovered the Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix and read their lyrics on the liner notes while their albums spun on a turntable. In the Farmer magazine I chuckled at the rhyming “Song of the Lazy Farmer,” and during the Watergate years, I tried to understand Jack Anderson’s syndicated political column in the New Ulm Daily Journal. In my twenties before Mary was

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and the latest Book-of-the-Month Club offerings, was a white envelope with a Minneapolis postmark and my name and address written in Julie’s hand across the front. A big loop dangled from the bottom of the Y, the 5’s in the zip code were indistinguishable from the S’s in “South Douglas Street,” and in the return address a tiny heart dotted the “i” in her name. A few years later, her letters arrived less frequently from Mission, South Dakota, then from Pierre, and later from her attorney. By the time Mary started first grade

and I began teaching in Rochester, MN, they often came with postage due, the loop under the Y now a sharp hook, and the return address stamped “Springfield Correctional Facility.” My frequent inability to get things right in my life is at least part of what attracts me to the printed page, where there’s always the possibility of getting everything right. But there’s more to it than that. Printed pages, like human beings, occupy a physical space in the world; reading them requires neither machinery nor an electrical current to bring them to life, unlike the digital Frankenstein monsters rapidly taking their place. Physical books and documents can endure spilled coffee or a collision with a tile floor and aren’t susceptible to the corruption that digital files inevitably face. And unlike e-mail, text messages, and online documents, they are both message and material, fixed as firmly in my memory as the sizzle of this morning’s bacon and the slobbery grit of a calf’s tongue around my eightyear-old fingers. Unfortunately, many who type online — bloggers and microbloggers, social-networkers and professional-connectors, and especially haters and trolls — are far more interested in getting noticed or getting it posted than in getting it right. But because print lasts, writers and publishers are responsible for making magazines, newspapers, and particularly books worthy of lasting, to bring to bear on the work all their imagination and “artistic rigor,” to make the writing — in spite of technology’s and our own serious imperfections — as perfect as we’re capable of making it. 

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Commentary

The forgotten fourteen freedom fighters By JOSÉ ANTONIO LÓPEZ LareDOS Contributor

ostly as a result of the Tejano Monument’s unveiling in Austin in 2012, interest in early Texas history people, places, and events continues to grow. In a previous article, I wrote that the first President of Texas, Lt. Colonel José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara Uribe wasn’t born in Texas, but in the state of Nuevo Santander (now Tamaulipas), Mexico in what is today’s bi-national sister towns of Guerrero and Zapata. The question in readers’ minds is why would Don Bernardo get involved in a Texas affair? The answer is simple – family ties. The first communities in Nuevo México, Coahuila, N. León, Tejas and Nuevo Santander consisted largely of the same family groups. Of strong stock, they came from towns in Central Mexico. Hence, firm familial cohesion served as one of Don Bernardo’s motivations to first volunteer, and second, to serve and lead Texans in declaring independence from Spain. (Incidentally, family ties could easily qualify both sides of the Lower Rio Grande for a Guinness Book record as a region with one of the largest blood-related populations in the world.) From their start in 1747-49, Count José de Escandón’s Villas del Norte served mas o menos (more or less) as a Camino Real midpoint from Monclova to sites north in Texas, such as San Antonio, Goliad, and Nacogdoches. Thus, the Villas, although set up in Nuevo Santander, strengthened Texas communities against French incursion and hostile Indian attacks. To be sure, independence fervor inside Texas itself grew on its own. Reaction was typical in communities throughout the region, once riders came into town bringing news of Father Miguel Hidalgo’s “Grito” of September 16, 1810.

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One of the first attempts for Texas liberty was initiated in 1811 in San Antonio by Captain Juan Bautista de las Casas. Sadly for Captain de las Casas, his compatriots betrayed him. He was arrested and executed by the Spanish Army. Don Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara led the next attempt. It introduced the people of Texas to their first taste of freedom. Here’s how those events occurred. As mentioned above, Don Bernardo was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Republican Army. Alas, shortly after Mexico’s 1810 revolution began, Father Hidalgo and his senior staff were defeated in battle, captured, and executed. It was shortly thereafter that Lt. Colonel Gutiérrez de Lara, accompanied by Captain José Menchaca, undertook a difficult trip to Washington, D.C. to seek help for their revolution. Of interest to South Texas is the fact he was also joined on his trip from Revilla to the U. S. by a small group of recruits. The trip was tough, with most energy spent trying to avoid the Spanish Army. All went well until the party reached the Texas-Louisiana border. It was then that they were attacked by a Spanish patrol. Don Bernardo narrowly escaped death, most of his soldiers were wounded, and three of his men were killed. Stopping in New Orleans, Don Bernardo left Capt. Menchaca and wounded soldiers there to recuperate. He continued on his journey. Don Bernardo succeeded in his mission. Due to its historical significance, many people are now familiarizing themselves with his epic story, and would like to see it become part of mainstream Texas history classroom curriculum. Besides Gutiérrez de Lara, only one other name is known — that of Capt. Menchaca. However, what about the recruits who were with him when they left Revilla? Who were they and what is known about their lives before they became the seeds of the Army of the North

(First Texas Army)? Regrettably, we don’t know. Based on available information, the following is a partial list in alphabetical order of some early Revilla family names. It’s possible that the 12 heroes had names within this group. However, many other family names existed in the nearby close-knit Villas del Norte (over 20) on both sides of the Rio Grande. There was also constant movement of pioneer settlers within the villas: Adame, Alcántara, Baez Benavides, Benavides, Botello, Campos, Cañamar, Cavazos, Cuellar, de la Cerda, de la Garza, de la Garza Falcón, de la Peña, Garcia, Gonzales, González Hidalgo, Guerra, Guerra Cañamar, Gutiérrez, Gutiérrez de Castro, Gutiérrez de Lara, Herrera, Longoria, Martínez, Ochoa, Paredes, Peña, Pérez, Piña, Rodríguez, Salinas, Tabares, Treviño, Uribe, Vela, Villarreal. I’m hoping folks with these names who originate in the Villas del Norte realize that they’re blessed to have such lineage. Coincidentally, the enthusiastic generosity of South Texans (Nuevo Santander/Tamaulipas descendants) led by Renato Ramirez of Zapata was vital in getting the Tejano Monument built.

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have applied in the morning and by the afternoon they’re covered,” Blanco noted. With a poverty rate of 30-plus percent, those who qualify in Laredo and South Texas are plentiful. Still millions of dollars earmarked to feed the hungry go unused because qualifying candidates do not apply for assistance. More on the plate • A city-wide food drive, labeled Love CAN Stop Hunger, is operating through March 14. Several businesses have bins collecting product. Items most needed are peanut butter, macaroni, rice, beans, cereal and canned tuna,

It’s quite a fitting tribute, since the spark leading to the first Texas independence in 1813 was lit in Revilla. The torch of liberty was then carried to Texas. Rio Grande Valley residents should be especially proud of early Texas history. Most of all, please share this knowledge with your children to show them how it is they have ownership of early Texas history. It’s with that thought in mind, and with a deep sense of honor, that the following homage is dedicated to these unidentified Texas patriots: The Forgotten Fourteen Fourteen Revilla Valientes rode out in 1811 in search of freedom. First to fight for Texas, against the mighty Spanish kingdom. Pledging their very life; these courageous men, loyal and brave; Eternally entombed in a long vanished, far-away unknown grave. Their spirits soar high in heaven, amidst other warriors in history. Rare valor; so vital to Don Bernardo’s Texas Independence victory. Nameless souls whose memory in our hearts will always be close. Valiant Villa de Revilla patriots; ‘ever may you rest in sweet repose.  veggies, fruit, meat, and juice. For information email South Texas Food Bank Development Director Cindy Liendo at cliendo@southtexasfoodbank.org • Volunteers are needed at the food bank March 15-23 for a sort-a-thon. Alexander High School’s Amnesty International held a bake sale outside of Walgreens’ on Del Mar and McPherson. Walker Brown was the organizer. Brown and fellow students Rebeca King and Eugenio Perez presented a check to help three families for one year in the Adopt-a-Family program. • St. Augustine High School students sold ice cream cones during the lunch hour and collected $250 as a donation to the food bank. 

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TAMIU

2014 at TAMIU bears promise: campus additions and changes

By STEVE HARMON LareDOS Contributor

n 2014, TAMIU will chart new growth on campus, in the classroom, and for the community. The University continues its ascendancy as the regional university of choice through various rankings and awards received this past year. Each has helped to pave the way for the campus’ planned growth. TAMIU ranked third among U.S. Colleges for Hispanic Students by the College Database; ranked in the top 5%, (23 out of 684) by Washington Monthly Magazine and ranked 35 in the Top Public Schools (Regional Universities West) of 1800 institutions surveyed by US News and World Report. In addition, it was named the area’s only “Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs for the third year, and The Chronicle of Higher Education cited TAMIU among the nation’s fastest growing public master’s institutions in its “Almanac of Higher Education 2013.” The Princeton Review ranked TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez Jr. School of Business third in the nation for “greatest opportunity for minority students.” In part because of the increased enrollment interest, TAMIU has now extended its marketing and recruitment efforts to include onsite recruiters for its expanded recruitment in Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio, and the Valley. The campus’ growth and projections have fueled the University to revisit its Master Plan, Dr. Keck

noted. “We have been blessed to receive, from the State and from private philanthropy, a magnificent institution of higher learning. We now work diligently to preserve and expand these gifts in ever more creative ways to put the American dream of higher education in reach of all committed to pursuing it. Part of that means looking clearly into the future and envisioning how the campus should look in five years, 10, years and more,” he added. Central to that revised Master Plan will be the proposed creation of an on-campus major athletics complex, Keck said. “With a 300-acre campus, we have room to grow and are eager to partner with both the City and County to develop a major athletics complex for the region,” he noted. For 2014, TAMIU’s growth will be most immediately measured on academic, facility and outreach fronts. Academics On the academic front, the University is expanding its online offerings. The University’s online RN to BSN Program has proven quite popular and additional online areas include MBA offerings in both English and Spanish, as well as graduate online offerings in Criminal Justice and Public Administration and a new Masters degree in Language, Literature, and Translation. The University is rapidly developing additional areas based on undergraduate students’ needs and preferences with an additional focus on creating hybrid graduate degrees that mine strengths and opportunities in healthcare, business,

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public administration and compliance areas. This Spring, the University moved to dynamic scheduling, a model providing greater flexibility for students to compress and shorten some undergraduate and graduate courses. Courses will be offered in mini-mesters of five weeks, subterms of seven weeks, and flexterms of 12 weeks with different entry points and times. The University is also reaffirming its commitment to Study Aboard options for students. The latest Study Abroad opportunities have included initiatives in Belize, Costa Rica, Chile, and South Africa. Facilities The Student Center expansion is nearing completion and will open later this Spring. It will house a student computer lounge and expand Dusty’s Diner seating. TAMIU dining options now include a popular Chik-fil-A Express which was dedicated earlier this month. Other construction projects scheduled are the addition of cardio and weight rooms to the Kinesiology, Wellness, and Recreation Center and a new track and field facility. Bicycling trails have also recently

been added to the campus. Outreach Through its research enterprises and long-term community outreach efforts, the University continues to underscore its position as the community’s cultural and intellectual center. With the addition of the University’s first E. H. Corrigan Organ University Organist, South Africa native Dr. Colin Campbell, the University aims to grow its organ program and performance profile internationally through participation in various concert circuits, collaborations with schools, appearances in organ festivals and other promotional activities. The organ initiative will complement the University’s long-standing tradition of hosting and presenting artistic, athletic and cultural events through existing partnerships with the Laredo Phil, Laredo Philharmonic Chorale, the Laredo Theater Guild International, and others. The University’s popular Dustdevil Athletics Program has also provided a powerful bonding opportunity for fans of all ages with game attendance mushrooming with successful team records in 11 NCAA Division II sports. 

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

LULAC #7 honors Mercurio Martinez LULAC Council 7 president Juanita Gonzalez recognized Mercurio Martinez Jr., as the higher education award honoree on Saturday, February 8 at the Noche de Cabaret at the Laredo Civic Center.

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Philosophy To Go

By RAUL CASSO LareDOS Contributor

s sensory data filters into the brain, the subconscious apparatus scans, or “reads” it. Swiftly, the subconscious apparatus spots patterns, or as I liken it, constellations among the data, and then, presto — an image appears in your mind with no conscious awareness of the process that put it there. Meanwhile, the subconscious apparatus continues reading the data coming in, for as long as you’re awake, and constantly updates the imagery in your mind, so that you experience a normal, conscious waking experience. Over time, these patterns, or constellations, on which our conscious perceptions are based, become unnecessary for the formation of the conceptual identity of objects in our minds. The conscious apparatus demonstrates this during dreams where no sensory data is being transmitted, yet the same images appear. With the use of memory, the concept is perceived without reference to any constellation or pattern of sensory data to back it up. Thus the conceptual images become independent of the sensory data, and are logged away in a subconscious memory bank — a sort of library. Unlike a typical librarian, however, the subconscious is not simply retrieving a stock image from a collection. Rather, it recreates the image each time it is summoned by a recognized pattern — as though a librarian would instantly rewrite the book you asked for each time you did. The memory is not a passive process of storing images, but is constantly re-categorizing on the basis of previous categorizations: it reinvents the imagery you see anew each time as you look at it, thus allowing you to see

things age. Consciousness, equipped with memory, reads the sensory data, recognizes patterns in the material, conjures up the corresponding image, and then updates the image according to the passage of time as you continue looking at it or look at it again whenever you do. We know this to be the conceptual process from the clues provided by the different, particular details between perceived objects of a similar type — two different pears, for example, or two different chairs. The identified pattern of material data, or constellation as I put it, points to something, as though gesturing, resulting in a conceptual image that humans gave a name to. Subsequently, all one has to do is think of the name, think of a pear for example, and the image pops into conscious awareness — instantly. You can look at it as though you actually held one in your hand. Indeed, the image in your mind as produced by simply thinking of the name of an object is no less real than the image of the object that you see when you hold it in your hand. But there is a difference. As the subconscious apparatus reinvents a conceptual image in your head, it does this on the basis of prior categorizations remembered. And so, you can conjure the image of a pear by thinking of the name, “pear.” When you actually hold one in your hand at the H.E.B., however, the subconscious machine includes the individual particulars of the actual object as spotted among the data. This allows you to get choosy at the grocery store — some pears appear better eating than others. You don’t have any such choice when you think of an object by name: a picture of the object named appears in your mind as pure abstraction just as it would in a dream. 

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Of memory in consciousness

Happy birthday, Sara Sara Gutierrez, pictured with her son Richard, celebrated her birthday at the San Ygnacio Nutrition Center on February 12. Mundy Gutierrez in the foreground serenaded her with Las Mañanitas.

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Enjoying avian art exhibit

Fresh produce at the Farmers Market

AHEC at Founding Fathers’ 5K Bianca Duarte, Lucinda Duarte, Julie Bazan, Shakira Medellin, Hazel Medellin, and Erik García represented AHEC at the WBCA Founding Fathers’ 5K Run and Health Fair on February 15 at the Laredo Medical Center. W W W. L A R E D OSNEWS. COM

Grower and vendor Danny Gunn is a regular at the Farmers Market, offering seasonal fruits and vegetables. He had fresh cauliflower at the February 15 market and his delicious citrus.

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Artist Alma Pérez Alarcon (far left) won honorable mention in the Laredo Birding Festival art contest. She is pictured at the Laredo Center for the Arts with her daughter Carmen Gage and grandchildren Joseph Gage III and Silke Gage. Also pictured is Jada Perez, the daughter of Council Member Alex Perez.

The carnival has arrived WBCA president Pati Guajardo and Dan Ryan were among the first to ride the carousel at the WBCA Carnival sponsored by McDonald’s of Laredo on Thursday, February 13 at the LEA parking lot. LareDOS I FE B RUA RY 2 0 1 4 I 5 5

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Great sampling at WBCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Taste of Laredo Tina and Daniel Ramirez and Christine Dunivnt were at the Laredo Energy Arena on Thursday, February 6 enjoying samples offered at the annual Taste of Laredo.

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Review

ased on The New York Times best seller of the same name, Lone Survivor is an eye witness account of Operation Red Wing, the June 2005 Navy Seals reconnaissance mission east of Asadabad in Afghanistan. Marcus Luttrell, who co-authored the book with Patrick Robinson, was the sole survivor of a team of 10 Navy Seals on a mission to capture or kill a top AlQaeda leader. While documenting Taliban activity, Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg) along with Matt Axelson (Ben Foster), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch), and Mike Murphy (Taylor Kitsch) are spotted by goat herders. A moral quandary ensues whether to kill the goat herders who might rat them out to the Taliban, or let them live. This portion of the film has been grossly criticized as overtly exaggerated, with no way to define fact from cinematic fiction. The story stresses that ethical and tactical dilemmas such as this are part of wartime conflicts. The men let the goat herders go, something Luttrell has openly stated was the wrong call. The Taliban, a much larger force, hunts down the men with rocket propelled grenade launchers. Luttrell, Axelson, Dietz, and Murphy soon confront unthinkable odds together as they are shot multiple times and run out of ammunition.

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The four men find unlikely reserves of strength and resilience in a fight to the finish. Terribly injured and presumed dead (after his comrades die), Luttrell crawled for miles through the mountains and found the aid of sympathetic Afghani villagers — who risked their lives to keep him safe from the Taliban. Critics have also taken issue with the depiction of an American solider being rescued by Afghani villagers. I was a complete sucker for this portion of the movie because I believe in the raw human quality that exists at the very core of us to overlook race, ethnicity, or religion. I saw this film with a friend who served in Iraq for two years. His reactions — head nods and comments like, “Yup, that is how it is” — affirmed that Berg portrayed the disorienting and desperate chaotic fury of war. Berg and the cast did justice to the powerful narrative of modern war by honoring those who lost their lives that day. Naysayers will call this a wartime propaganda film, or tell you that veterans shouldn’t be so revered because they chose to sign up. It’s my belief that if they served and risked their lives, these men deserve to be honored. While the cinematography in Lone Survivor is lacking overall, the film is filled with action-packed scenes and a heart wrenching final credit role depicting photos of the real Navy Seals that were lost in Operation Red Wing. 

Giving at the heart of United Way United Way of Laredo, which supports 24 local agencies, exceeded their goal and raised $1,640,000 through employee giving, bucket brigades, and the First Ever Caring, Loving, Giving Concert. Board members and representatives of several non-profits are pictured outside the United Way office on February 14.

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By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

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Lone Survivor depicts chaotic fury of modern war

Local teens remain active Jennifer and Moises Garza participated in the WBCA Founding Fathers’ 5K run on Saturday, February 16 at the Laredo Medical Center. LareDOS I FE B RUA RY 2 0 1 4 I 5 9

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Canvas painting at Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birding Workshop Young artist Kenya Puente put her artistic skills to practice at the Fun with Feathered Friends workshop on Saturday, February 1 at the Laredo Public Library. The event was part of the Laredo Birding Festival 2014 activities.

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