LareDOS July 2014

Locally Owned

The accomplice to the crime of corruption is frequently our own indifference.

B— Bess Myerson A JOURNAL OF THE BORDERLANDS juLY 2014

Est. 1994

Vol. XIX No. 7 64 PAGES

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Academy presented with UISD board appreciation Academy Sports and Outdoors, which is under the management of Javier Arriaga, has been recognized as a longtime supporter of the United Independent School District through generous donations for uniform vouchers. This year students from Muller Elementary were selected to shop for their uniforms in the store.

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Habitat for Humanity presented the Fabela-Ruiz family with the keys to their new home in Los Obispos Subdivision on Saturday, July 12. The family completed their required 500 community service hours by assisting with building their home and time logged in at the Habitat ReStore.

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Jesse Herrera/LareDOS Contributor

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Habitat home dedication ceremony

A ticket to ride Frank Rotnofsky and other members of Level X and the Laredo Cycling Association made the early morning Bike to Market Ride from TAMIU to the Farmers Market on Saturday, July 20.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Cook book club

Artisans come together Taylor, Rylie and Donita Ruiz-Aceves are pictured at the French Quarter Bazaar on Saturday, July 12.

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The first official meeting of the Cook Book Club kicked off with a brunch on Monday, July 14 at the Laredo Public Library. The club is open to beginning cooks or gourmet chefs who wish to prepare a recipe from the cookbook of the month and share with other members during their monthly meetings, which are held the second Monday of every month at 11 a.m.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Honoring sister city Supporting Vish for JP4 Olga Duarte and Sara Buentello were among the supporters of Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 candidate Lakshmana “Vish” Viswanath. They are pictured at the opening of his campaign headquarters on July 12.

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Presidente municipal de Nuevo Laredo Carlos Cantu Rosas, Laredo City Council member Cindy Liendo, Mayor of Laredo, Cantabria, Spain Angel Vega Madrazo, and Mayor Raul G. Salinas were present for the renaming of Los Dos Laredos Park on July 21. In honor of Laredo, Spain’s 1978 agreement to be Laredo’s sister city, the park at 1300 Pedegral was renamed Los Tres Laredos Park.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Aztec District recognizes Dr. David Garza

Out for art Alex Lara and Leslie Gallegos, supporters of local artists, enjoyed CaffÊ Dolce’s Serendipity art show on Saturday, July 12.

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Chief executive officer of the South Texas Council Manuel Ramos is pictured with Aztec District Award recipient Dr. David Garza, who was recognized for his life long devotion to Scouting. They were participants in the Aztec District Award of Merit Gathering and Scouting Family Dinner on July 22 at the Max Mandel Municipal Golf Course clubhouse.

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News Brief

News Brief

NBA legend “Magic” Johnson headlines Stars Extravaganza

UISD asks for uniform donations

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BA legend, two-time Hall of Famer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and motivational speaker Earvin “Magic” Johnson will headline this year’s Stars Extravaganza on Thursday, September 11 at the Laredo Country Club. The annual Extravaganza is a fundraiser for Stars Scholarships.

“Our $23.6 million in scholarships has assisted over 11,000 students since our inception. The number of scholarships Stars can award is directly related to the success of our Extravaganzas, therefore we strive to ensure each Extravaganza is better than the last,” said Steve La Mantia of L&F Distributors.

Laredo media sponsor opportunities include the Crown Jewel level for

$35,000 for one table for 10 in an exclusive location, the Double Diamond level for $30,000 for one reserved table for 10 in a premier location, the Diamond level for $20,000 in a prime location for one for 10, and the Emerald level for $15,000 for one table during the private dinner and presentation.

All sponsor donations go directly to the Stars Scholarship Fund awarded to academically talented and highly motivated students who intend to pursue full-time undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degrees at any accredited college or university of their choice.

For more information or to become a sponsor visit www.StarsScholarship.org.

— LareDOS Staff

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he United Independent School District (UISD) is asking for donations of any gently used school uniforms for the start of the school year on August 25, 2014.

Donations of uniform tops such as blouses and polo shirts, and uniform bottoms such as pants, shorts, and skirts are welcome. Shoes and belts will also be accepted.

“All uniform sizes are needed for boys and girls in elementary, middle, and high schools. Donations will benefit students of the district from Pre-K through 12th grade,” said assistant superintendent for admin-

News Brief

T Laura Escamilla, Yvette Donovan, and Linda and Steve La Mantia

istration Gloria S. Rendon.

Uniform donation drop off locations include the UISD central office at 201 Lindenwood Drive, the UISD curriculum and instruction building at 4410 Highway 359, the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex at 5208 Santa Claudia Lane, and the Imaginarium of South Texas inside Mall Del Norte.

All uniforms must conform to district dress code policy as described in the Student Code of Conduct.

For more information call UISD offices at (956) 473-6349 or (956) 4736201.

— LareDOS Staff

Foreigner returns to the LEA

ickets are on sale now for Foreigner’s return to the Laredo Energy Arena (LEA) on Wednesday, August 17.

The 80’s rock sensation, which formed in 1976, is revered as one of the bestselling touring bands in the nation.

Concert goers can expect to hear fan favorites such as “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Feels like the First Time,” and “Waiting For a Girl Like You.”

The band is comprised of Mick Jones, Kelly Hansen, Tom Gimbel, Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Bruce Watson, and Chris Frazier.

Tickets ranging from $33 to $75 are available for purchase at the LEA box office, ticketmaster.com, or can be charged by phone at 1800-745-3000.

For more information on the band visit www.foreigneronline.com or visit www.learena.com.

— LareDOS Staff

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News

Art studio dedicated to Shira De Llano

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n Friday, June 27 the Border Region Behavioral Health Center (BRBHC) Art and Health program celebrated its fifth anniversary with a dedication of the art building in honor of Shira Yael de Llano.

BRBHC executive director Daniel G. Castillon addressed attendees at the celebration and explained the importance of obtaining a separate art building with the support of benefactors like Marilyn de Llano, Shira’s mother.

Castillon said, “We want to celebrate these five years with the dedication of the art building to Shira and thank inividuals like Marilyn, who made this achievement possible.”

De Llano recalled the love and passion her daughter, a former BRBHC client, had for the arts. “She loved playing the piano, singing, writing, and painting,” she said.

A longtime supporter of the BRB-

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Art instructor Patricia Orduña HC and a champion against the social stigmas aimed at those with mental illness, De Llano shared her perspective on mental health.

“It’s not about the illness. It’s about who you are as a human being,” said an emotional De Llano, adding, “Society must fight against the stigma of the

disease.”

Castillon praised art instructor Patricia Orduña’s positive impact on patients. “Through this program, patients have gained the motivation to simply get up and out of their homes to attend the art class,” he said.

The BRBHC Art and Health Pro-

gram hosts art classes for children and adults.

“We have seen that when students produce art, their self esteem increases, and when they feel good about themselves, they know they can achieve something worthwhile,” Orduña said, adding, “When you have this feeling of being able to project this creativity, that impacts the rest of their lives.”

A student art exhibit showcasing various techniques taught through the program was also on display.

The dedication ceremony ended with a reading from an excerpt of one of Shira’s poems.

“Believe in yourself and in your dream, even if it seems impossible, it will succeed. Do not say no, I cannot, but I can. Through our ups and downs, remember that life is a gift, in a nutshell, I love you,” Orduña said.

— LareDOS Staff

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News

News Brief

Tijerina, García named SOL Masquerade honorees

Rota Run set for August 30

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ebb County Commissioner Rosaura “Wawi” Tijerina and LISD board president Hector “Tito” García have been named Reina and Rey of the upcoming Streets of Laredo (SOL) Masquerade Ball. The announcement was made July 8 at La Posada Hotel by Laredo Main Street (LMS).

“The distinguished honorees were selected for their commitment and vision to enhance the quality of life in Laredo by focusing on the important role the Historic Downtown District plays in our city,” said LMS presidentelect Victor Manuel García.

Tijerina is a native Laredoan who took office as Webb County Commissioner of Precinct 2 in January 2007. She served as a municipal court judge for four years, was a criminal justice professor at Laredo Community College and the police academy, and has practiced law for 25 years. Tijerina serves on various boards of nonprofit organizations.

García was elected to the LISD board of trustees in November 2010 and became board president in December 2012. He is currently the assistant general manager of La Posada Hotel. García served as a City Council member from 2002 to 2010. He has volunteered with Border Olympics, the Jalapeño Festival, and Borderfest. He was a founder of the Sister Cities youth advisory committee.

The SOL Masquerade 2014, the Bourbon-style party, is set for Friday, October 10 at the Laredo Center for the Arts. Festivities will include live music from the “Oh So Good Band,” Cajun inspired cuisine, and an open bar.

Individual tickets are $150 and sponsor tables for 10 will range from $1,500 to $5,000 and are now available for purchase.

For more information, to purchase tickets, or to sponsor a table, contact Laredo Main Street at (956) 523-8817 or visit www.laredomainstreet.org.

— LareDOS Staff

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aredo Next Generation Rotary Club and the City of Laredo Parks and Leisure Department will host the Annual Rota Run on August 30 at Manadas Trail.

The run will have a 10k, 5k, one mile walk, and Zumba sessions for male and female age divisions 14 and under, 1519, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 plus.

The pre-registration fee for the10K is $20, 5K is $15, the one mile walk, $10, and $5 for Zumba.

Proceeds will benefit Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club service projects such as last year’s building of the Dovalina Elementary School playground.

The check-in and package pick-up will be on August 29 at Johnny Carino’s

News Brief

Collectors Expo opens September 30

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he South Texas Collectors Expo (STCE) is set for Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Laredo Energy Arena (LEA).

The family oriented expo will feature over 30 comic book artists — including Mark Texeria of Ghost Rider fame and Carlo Barberi from Marvel Comics. The show features DC and other independent comic companies.

Former superstar wrestler Brutus the Barber Beefcake, Sam J. Jones of Flash Gordon and Ted, Verne Troyer of Austin Powers and Harry Potter, Jason Faunt, Erin Cahill, and Cerina Vincent from the Power Ranger series, and Paris Themmen of Willy Wonka

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between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club is one of five local Rotary International Clubs. Charterd in June 2007, the chapter was created to bring young business and community leaders together to focus on service.

Collectively they have built four playgrounds, provided 500 pairs of shoes to elementary school students, volunteered at orphanages both in Laredo and in Nuevo Laredo, and raised funds and awareness for cancer through RotaStrong.

To register visit www.eventbrite. com. For more information on sponsorships call Laura Narvaez (956) 645-0751 or Oscar Castillo (210) 621-5797.

— LareDOS Staff

are among the confirmed featured guests.

Cosplayers Mariedoll and Soni Aralynn will be available for autographs. A live comedy show featuring Alien Warrior will be held throughout the weekend. The 501st Skull Garrison and Star Wars fans in authentic costumes will also be at the STCE. Passes for the event are available at Ticket Master. Adult one-day passes are $15; a two-day pass is $20; a child’s one-day pass is $10, a two-day pass is $15; and children under five enter free.

For more information visit www.

STCELaredo.com.

— LareDOS Staff LareDOS I J U LY 2014 I

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News

News

Jackie Rodriguez named ED of Ruthe B. Cowl Center

Operation Crackdown demolitions continue

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acqueline R. Rodriguez has been named executive director of The Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center. The announcement was made after the July 8 meeting of the center’s board.

Rodriguez, a 27-year veteran of the Cowl Center staff, has been an administrator for the last 13 years and was named assistant director in 2011 and interim director earlier this year.

“Jackie Rodriguez’s presence on the senior staff of the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center has been a blessing to the center, one of the finest rehabilitation facilities in the country,” said board president Lillian Dickinson.

Once an outpatient as a child at the Center, Rodriguez has been responsible for managing grants, overseeing the completion of projects funded by the state, federal government, and private foundations. She has vast experience in the center’s day-to-day operations and has been part of the uniqueness of

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a facility that provides a myriad of care services under one roof.

“I know the Cowl Center from personal experience. Many have been touched by the services provided here,” Rodriguez said.

She has completed certifications in Nonprofit Leadership and Management courses at Texas A & M International University (TAMIU.) She is a candidate for an associate degree from Laredo Community College this fall, and plans to pursue a Bachelors Degree at in Public Health Administration at TAMIU in the spring of 2015.

Members of the board of directors of the Cowl Center include, in addition to Dickinson, first vice president Jorge Gonzalez, second vice president Fernando F. Zuñiga III, Ruben Soto Jr., Lorraine W. Laurel, Odie Arambula, Eloy Cantu, Eva Connelly, Juan J. Cruz, Nancy N. De Anda, Eddie Elizondo, Viviana Frank, José A. García, Mary Lamar Leyendecker, Linda R. Mann, and David Treviño. 

By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

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peration Crackdown, a program offered by the Texas Army National Guard in partnership with the City of Laredo and U.S. Border Patrol, is aimed at ridding the community of abandoned homes identified as being havens for criminal activity.

The Guard is providing engineering assets to assist municipalities to reclaim control of known drug trafficking areas. Over the course of two weeks, 22 structures from District II, III, IV, and VIII were demolished. A total of 1,650 tons of the rubble of those buildings has been disposed of at the

landfill.

The Guard schedules one demolition per quarter based on funding.

They will demolish as many structures as have been identified and have gone through the process of approval for demolition.

“The City of Laredo is moving forward with identifying structures and going through that process to be able to have them ready to go for the next quarters,” said City of Laredo public information officer Xochitl Mora Garcia.

The next demolition is scheduled for August and another in the spring. Operation Crackdown works toward community revitalization by ridding neighborhoods of gangs, drugs, and other associated violent activity. 

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Feature

Quilting: it’s a joy

By JANICE SANCHEZ LareDOS Contributor

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ne early Saturday morning two years ago, my friend Irene and I tooled down I-35 from Laredo to San Antonio for our first quilting class at Las Colchas.

From the first knot in the thread to hand stitching my first block, I was hooked.

If you have never sewn, sewn a little, or you are an avid sewer, you, too, can experience the joy of quilting. This article isn’t about quilting techniques. Magazines like McCall’s Quilting or YouTube do a fantastic job of that. Pen in hand, I’m using this forum to express my enthusiasm over the creation of a quilt.

Historical accounts equate quilting to a necessity. When English and Dutch settlers came to America, they made quilted clothing. Quilts made warmer door coverings and bedding with whatever materials were available. Our needs aren’t the same

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as earlier settlers. There in lays the question, why should one in the 21st Century take up the hobby of quilting?

Perhaps the artistic element of designing your quilt would be your driving force. During the Arts and Crafts movement in the early 20th Century, American women were encouraged to experiment with design when they read Ladies Home Journal and Needlecraft. Arguably, one could agree with the artistic sense of a quilt because quilts resemble paintings in the cloth form when the sewn shapes come together to create the desired design. As a newcomer to this hobby, I believe there’s more to it.

Another aspect to consider is the wonder of the fabric. It is somewhat a science choosing the just right cloth to blend in the pops of color your eyes behold. Two people can sew the same design and have a totally different look, depending on their choice of materials. I must admit, this rang true to me. When my

friend and I attended our first mystery class, we each had different textiles. We made the same wonky star quilt and had two different looks.

Spending time selecting your perfect textiles at a quilt shop is like being a child in a candy store. There are so many unusual fabrics to choose from. Does one pick jellyrolls, layered cake, or buy by the yard. Within that unique shop there’s a mini-community of quilting enthusiasts willing to share their expertise. Sharing of tips with a novice or experienced quilter helps make quilting exciting.

Even if you are by yourself in your sewing space, you aren’t alone, because creative communication that has been shared guides you.

As powerful as this seems, there’s more to it! Completion of your project gives you the self-satisfaction of knowing you did it. The added knowledge you created this for someone special in your life could be the ultimate joy. This organized bundle of misshapen pieces will belong to a daughter, son, mother, or

grandchild; a reminder of someone special’s love. Knowing you’ve gone through the creative process to produce a work of art either for a bed, wall, or table top is secondary to this awareness.

The old-fashioned quilting bee grew from necessity. Women in their communities would join together to complete a quilt, and in so doing, socialized. When groups of people gather for the quilting experience, the opportunity to bond is unavoidable; sharing of experiences through laughter is very therapeutic. Surprisingly, at the end of the four hours, one has a quilt top. The stresses of your busy life will be left at the door once you step into this creative nucleus.

This is a very popular hobby. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln study on quilting, there are more Americans quilting today than ever before.

Join the experience. No matter what your individual reasons, you too will enjoy. 

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News

El Cenizo and Rio Bravo water suit settled

By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

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nder the terms of an agreed upon settlement between civic action groups Comite de Ciudadanos Unidos de El Cenizo and Alianza de Rio Bravo and defendant Webb County, the county will post daily and monthly water sampling results on the county’s website, pri-

vate consultants will test the drinking water twice every six months, and the county will hold a public meeting in El Cenizo and Rio Bravo to explain how plant operations are evaluated and can improve.

The settlement also resulted in a

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$115,000 award to the plaintiffs’ for attorney fees and provisions that Webb County will undertake community projects in El Cenizo and Rio Bravo to annually collect large trash items, provide free vaccinations for children and adults, and free rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs.

The county will also begin procuring new equipment including an ultraviolet treatment system at the plant within 30 days.

The county will also be required to determine which employees have falsified records and how to prevent such behavior in the future.

According to the suit, over the past five years the Rio Bravo Water Treatment Plant (RBWTP) violated the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulations by selling public water with sediment levels so high that in August 2013 residents were issued a boil water notice.

This and the county’s slow, seemingly indifferent reaction to citizen concerns prompted residents to file the lawsuit for Webb County’s violations of the SDWA. County operators of the plant admitted to inaccurately reporting and making adjustments to turbidity logs — the measure of water clarity results — by continuing to take samples of water until the operators got a reading that complied with the drinking water standards.

According to the suit, the Rio Bravo plant operators since early 2010 falsified monthly operating

reports (MOR) filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

The TCEQ’s extensive investigation into the county’s operation of the water plant revealed that in July 2013 two logs monitoring water quality did not correspond with the MORs filed.

The county, the suit alleged, consciously ignored citizen and state enforcement complaints, failed to maintain proper monthly disinfection levels required for public drinking water, and failed to report equipment failures and years of improper operation and maintenance at the plant.

President of the Comite de Ciudadanos Unidos de El Cenizo Karla Támez said, “We sued Webb County as a last resort to obtain safe drinking water.”

Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid attorney Daniel Monahan said, “We are very pleased with the outcome of the lawsuit which provides trans-

parency at the county level.”

Member of Alianza de Rio bravo Guadalupe Elizondo said, “I am happy with the assurances we have received. We will hold the county accountable with the bimonthly meetings with the Webb County engineer with the newly formed Citizens’ Advisory Committee. This will be a great opportunity for the citizens to present their concerns.”

“Now that they are willing to answer our questions and let us be a part of the quality of water we are receiving, it will be easier for us to trust that the water we will be receiving will be safe,” said Támez.

“We are very glad to have reached this settlement agreement because we are getting a lot of things that we weren’t before,” said Támez, adding, “The county will have to display a poster at the plant stating it is a crime to falsify records and assure employees that they cannot be fired or suspended for reporting violations to the SDWA.” 

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News Brief

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oz de Niños Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are set to host the 8th annual Pulling for Kids Sporting Clay Tournament on August 9 in honor of the Angel Laurel family.

The shootout fundraiser will be at the South Texas Shooting Complex on Highway 359. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., and the competition commences at 8:30 a.m.

The entry fee is $150 per shooter and $125 per youth entry (18 and under). First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded to highest overall shooter, top lady, and top junior.

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Participants are required to bring shotgun, shells, and eye and ear protection. Some of those items will be available onsite for purchase.

Proceeds will go toward recruiting, screening, and training CASA volunteers to serve Webb County’s foster care children.

“We are very excited about our upcoming Pulling for Kids Event,” said CASA volunteer coordinator Alexis Herrera, adding, “We will provide food, drinks, awards, and fun for all participants.”

Registration will be available on site or by calling the Voz de Niños office at (956) 727-8691.

— LareDOS Staff

Courtesy Photo

Voz de Niños honors memory of Angel Laurel

Celebrating 75 years of the Dark Knight The Laredo Public Library along with the South Texas Collectors Expo hosted Batman Day- Dark Knight, in honor of the 75th anniversary, on Wednesday, July 23. Families were treated to a DC themed cosplay contest and film screening.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Marquez siblings all set for back to school Sandra, Arturo, and Adriana Marquez are pictured with Academy Sports and Outdoors employee Lisa Tijerina after selecting their new uniforms for the upcoming school year on Monday, July 21.

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Feature

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City’s history and culture focus of neighborhood’s annual meeting

esus Najar of the Texas Historical Commission addressed members of the St. Peter’s Historic Neighborhood Association (SPHNA) at their annual meeting on July 12, sharing with them research and a power point presentation entitled “Anglos in the Making of a Mexican Town: Laredo, Texas 1881-1891.”

Najar, who formerly worked in Laredo on historic preservation projects and collaborated with SPHNA to develop historic and architectural tours, presented his research at the “Visionary Entrepreneurs, The Strong Wills that Built Texas” session of the 67th Annual Society of Architectural Historians Conference held in Austin in April.

St. Peter’s residents and the general public learned about the significant demographic and architectural changes experienced in Laredo in the last two decades of the nineteenth century. Najar’s research surveys the contributions of Anglo American builders and developers in the Spanish-Mexican cultural context of Laredo.

The arrival of the railroad opened opportunities for new immigrants and mercantile organizations such as the short-lived Laredo Improvement Company (LIC) to develop this fron-

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tierizo community into a progressive city.

Anglos revamped the city’s image by constructing many of the landmark buildings in Laredo, such as the Hamilton Hotel and the LIC offices, both buildings built around Jarvis Plaza. They also developed the Heights, the first suburban subdivision in Laredo, and connected it with the city’s center with a streetcar system. The Laredo streetcar was the first system to successfully operate in the state of Texas.

Urban and technological achievements such as these made Laredo a sort of testing ground for new technologies available at that time. The arrival of Anglo and European immigrants not only changed the demographic and ethnic composition of Laredo, but also its Spanish-Mexican cultural and architectural landscape.

In neighborhoods like St. Peter’s, such borderland identity can still be found in the Victorian and Queen Anne style residences and buildings coexisting along with Mexican vernacular homes. The contrast provided by the two traditions is a testimony of Laredo’s rich and diverse cultural landscape, always informed by its bi-national and bi-cultural community.

Jesus Najar An exchange between Najar and the audience reflected on attitudes towards Laredo’s present and preservation of the sites and buildings that represent that era. The gathering included members of the Laredo Main Street organization, the Azteca Economic Development & Preservation Corporation, Avenida San Bernardo, the Webb County Historical Commission, and the St. Peter’s Historic Neighborhood Association. There was discussion about improving knowledge about Laredo traditions.

Several attendees expressed their concern for the city’s lack of promotion of local history and agreed to

look at collaborating more and possibly forming a coalition.

LISD history teachers present said they wished for a local history course for elementary level students. Members of the Webb County Historical Commission invited attendees to volunteer and participate in their history education programs. The county historical commission is comprised of non-paid, county-appointed individuals. They are preservation leaders and a primary point of contact for the Texas Historical Commission when discussing local preservation matters. SPHNA continues its work to preserve the neighborhood’s past and to promote its history through creative partnerships with other local organizations as it has over the last three years.

The SPHNA’S annual meeting was held at the Holding Institute Community Center. Neighborhood organizer Viky Garcia shared images of the community initiatives and events the SPHNA has organized and hosted for the past three years. García passed the leadership of the neighborhood association to Juan Sebastian Mendive. Jorge Santana will serve as vice president, Paco Garcia as treasurer, and Viky Garcia as secretary.

— LareDOS Staff

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Los Dos Laredos Park renamed Members of the Laredo Police and Fire Department honor guard presented the colors on Monday, July 21 at the renaming of Los Dos Laredos Park to Los Tres Laredos Park.

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Feature

Fracking fights loom large in Mexico From Frontera NorteSur

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exico is emerging as the next big battleground in conflicts over hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as the method of extracting natural gas is commonly known.

While Mexican lawmakers consider regulatory legislation to put into practice the 2013 energy reform that opened up their county’s oil and gas reserves to private investors, antifracking forces are mobilizing for a moratorium or an outright ban of the controversial practice from the Mexican Congress.

“There are many warning signs around the world about this predatory practice in the environment and on health,” said Mexican Senator Rabindranath Salazar Solorio, a member of the center-left PRD party and secretary of the Senate’s energy commission. “It’s for this reason that Mexico should reflect and not commit the same errors to the detriment of the population.”

Mexican environmentalists cite many reasons to forget fracking: the depletion of scarce water resources; the potential contamination of aquifers; the usage of toxic chemicals, including substances identified as carcinogens, mutagens and endocrine disruption agents; the generation of toxic waste; and a growing body of evidence linking earthquakes to fracking.

Prohibited in some localities around the world, the fracking technique blasts millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals into underground shale deposits in order to break up the rock formations and release gas.

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Governor Cesar Duarte maintain that developing shale gas reserves will ring in an unprecedented bonanza of billions of greenbacks and benefit economic and social development.

“The ecological effects as well as the economic and social ones don’t have to be negative. Why would we want an industry to come that impacts us?” Duarte was recently quoted. “On the contrary, this is an opportunity for Chihuahua that was not on the horizon, to turn us into a state with energy potential.”

Lately, the Chihuahua governor has been a busy man selling his state’s energy profile. He’s discussed the matter with the director of Mexico’s national oil company Pemex, addressed thousands of businessmen at a Washington, D.C. conference, and met with unnamed European investors. And Duarte is far from alone among Mexican political and business leaders poised to plunge into the shale gas market.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Mexico places number six in the world’s club of nations with recoverable shale gas resources, topped only by China, Argentina, Algeria, the United States, and Canada — in that order. Touted as the spark that will get Mexico’s economic engine roaring, the success of 2013 energy reform will largely depend on accessing shale and other hard-to-reach hydrocarbon reserves, such as deepwater oil.

The industry news site Oilprice. com reports that Mexico’s recoverable shale gas reserve is estimated at 600 trillion cubic feet. Additionally, the country is believed to possess 13 billion barrels of recoverable shale oil, making the Aztec Republic the 8th largest country in the world with such deposits.

Pemex has identified five main shale gas regions for possible exploitation, extending from parts of Hidalgo, Veracruz, and Puebla states in the center and south of the country to the states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, and Chihuahua in the northern border region, roughly the same zone Mexican political analyst Victor Quintana calls “Zeta Land,” in reference to the influence of the Zetas organized crime group.

Mexican and international press reports indicate that 20,000-plus fracking wells could be on the drawing board. Pemex has already drilled at least 19 experimental shale gas wells in the Nuevo Leon-Tamaulipas borderlands, with other exploratory grounds near Nuevo Laredo and another zone to the south.

Reportedly, Halliburton and Schlumberger have commenced drilling wells in nine municipalities of Nuevo Leon. Gustavo Hernandez, Pemex’s chief for exploration and production, said wells located in the Burgos Basin and other areas should receive $800 million in investments within the next year.

Likely springing from deep foreign pockets, overall investments between $100-250 billion are projected as necessary to develop the national shale gas industry during the next decade.

For Federico Alanis, owner of a small aluminum business in the border city of Reyosa, Tamaulipas, fracking is the future. “We have to renovate or die,” Alanis said. Shale dollars, Alanis added, represent a “blessing from God.” But others in northern Mexico do not see a divine hand in fracking.

Residents of Nuevo Leon and at least one academic study point the finger at fracking, (already underway on a large scale in neighboring Texas) for

an increase in earthquakes during the last two years.

Scores of homes in Las Enramadas, Nuevo Leon, have purportedly suffered fractures to walls and floors.

Elias Gonzalez, resident of Garza Gonzalez, Nuevo Leon, told the Mexican press he had spent nearly $2,000 repairing damages to his floor from a quake. Students preparing for a springtime festival this year at the Repueblo de Oriente school were startled when the earth shook, breaking building windows and sending the children into a panic.

A January 2014 study authored by the engineering faculty of the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon linked the spike in earthquakes to natural geological movements, natural gas extraction, the over-exploitation of aquifers, and barite mining.

Water is a huge concern, especially considering that much of the area of the country mapped out for fracking is in an arid zone that is likely to get only drier according to the predictions of climate scientists.

Javier Melendez, former sectional president of Samalayuca, Chihuahua, a small community just south of Ciudad Juarez, warned that the desert environment should be treated differently in light of the delicate state of natural resources, of which water is the principal one.

“Without water, we would be ushering in a catastrophe for this entire zone of Chihuahua,” Melendez said.

The movement against fracking is growing across Mexico. A national organization, the Alliance against Fracking, is petitioning Mexican legislators to ban the gas extraction method. Coahuila Bishop Raul Vera and Chihuahua Congresswoman Martha Beatriz Cordova have added Continued on page 44

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Feature

Laredo Girl Scouts complete Yellowstone Park service project

By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

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ineteen Laredo Girl Scouts from Troops 9102 and 9128 — traveling in a group of 47 that included parents and siblings — spent six days in June completing a service project in Yellowstone National Park and exploring the breathtaking scenery of the Grand Tetons, Mt. Rushmore, and the storied Black Hills of South Dakota.

The one-day service project for which the Scouts were recognized by the U.S. Park Service entailed the removal of the remnants of a wooden boardwalk over Mud Volcano at Yellowstone. They worked with wheelbarrows at an altitude of 8,000 feet to load the old wooden planks of the walkway into a park truck.

The participating members of the two troops were thanked at ceremonies in the park and were also named Junior Rangers.

The trip was the culmination of a well-orchestrated 15-month effort to raise $1,300 per Scout for travel and lodging. Troop members and parents staged plate sales and a golf tournament to make their goal.

The group flew to Rapid City, South Dakota and would thereafter travel to and through Yellowstone and the surrounding area by charter bus, boats, covered wagon, and steam train.

Many of the Scouts, including Elyssa Esparza considered the sixday trip a transformative adventure thanks to the region’s natural beauty.

Victoria Padron said she was captivated by the variety of wildlife that included black bears and grizzlies, elk, bison, ravens, and blue mountain birds.

The deep green landscape, daily

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rain showers, and the evening temperature drop were memorable aspects of the trip for Jazlyn Flores, who enjoyed the contrast to South Texas.

Leann Bernal said the snow pack and the cool weather rated high in the adventure.

Lauren Melendez said the ferryboat ride across Jenny Lake and the two-mile hike to Inspiration Point in the Tetons was the most memorable part of the trip. “The view of the Grand Canyon was awesome,” she said, adding that the landscape at Yellowstone was “Christmas trees everywhere you looked."

The sighting of bald eagles and snow-capped peaks were among Sugeily Jarmon’s favorite parts of the trip, as well as coming upon yellowbellied marmots at Old Faithful. She said the lack of phone service in the region was “a good thing.”

The group enjoyed a chuck wagon supper and a cowboy and Indian show at the Bar T5 in Jackson, Wyoming, and visits to the Little Big Horn battle-

field in Eastern Montana and Crazy Horse, South Dakota. The group returned to South Texas on a flight from Salt Lake City, Utah.

“It was all a great learning experience for the Scouts,” said Troop #9128 leader Corina Melendez. “A lot of

American history transpired in that part of the west — the history of the making of Yellowstone National Park, the history of native Americans, and the natural history of the region and its wildlife, rivers, and land formations.”

Melendez said the transportation and lodging logistics of the trip were “seamless,” the work of a travel agency in Pennsylvania.

“The service project was the best part of the trip,” said Scout Bernal.

“It’s not every day a national park thanks you.”

A letter from Yellowstone Ranger Rita García commended the Scouts: “On behalf of the National Park Service and Yellowstone National Park, I would like to offer my most heartfelt thanks to Girl Scout Troops 9128 and 9102 and the Boy Scouts who worked on the boardwalk cleanup project at Mud Volcano on June 25, 2014.

This was a project long overdue, but Continued on page 24

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News

Council member Cindy Liendo announces run for mayor

By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

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istrict VIII City Council member Cindy Liendo has announced her bid for Mayor of the City of Laredo. She will face attorney Pete Saenz, former Webb County Commissioner Jerry Garza, José Dorantes Jr., and Guadalupe Botello in the November 4 election.

“I am offering leadership, a voice that will be heard and that takes a stand. It’s easier to remain silent and not offend than it is to take a position. I will as mayor, as I did for six years as a Council member, speak up, make efficient use of my time and move the city agenda forward positively and with momentum. The mayor’s role should include clear communication and setting the direction for how an issue is discussed,” Liendo said. “I’ve never held back on my opinion. I have listened to my constituents and worked for them. When they said they did not want a new baseball team and a new stadium, I took their lead. When they were not in favor of the plastic bag ordinance, I listened.”

Liendo said Laredo’s prime trade location on the border and “the good, hardworking people of this community” are two of the city’s greatest assets.

“Proactive leadership would go a long way to bring new businesses and more jobs to Laredo,” she continued, adding, “We are growing so rapidly. We need to prepare with an educated workforce, and not just for entry level positions, but also for skilled positions such as those needed in the Eagle Ford Shale.”

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Liendo emphasized the importance of working with both school districts, LCC, and TAMIU to continue in this vein.

She said that the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone incentives for development and re-development have logged $5.7 million in projects with only $30,000 in permit fee waivers. “We offered good incentives without giving away the house,” Liendo said.

She said the city will rise to create the infrastructure to get shoppers downtown and to the riverfront outlet mall that will be a stimulus for jobs, sales tax revenues, and

hotel/motel tax revenues. “We will see a need to create more private sector lodging and entertainment amenities for those who travel here to shop. I’d like to see more promotion of the city as a prime business location and as a tourist venue,” she said.

Liendo’s platform focuses on economic development, increased public safety, water quality, and creating an educated workforce.

She said a learning center north of the Jefferson Street Water Plant will do much to educate children early on the value of water, how it is cleaned, and how to conserve it.

She said the center is one of three in the state.

“Great ideas come from the community. Laredo Main Street and the Farmers Market are proof of that.

I am listening for great ideas,” she said.

The 39-year-old native Laredoan, a single mother, is the daughter of Webb County Justice of the Peace Hector Liendo and Bertha Liendo.

She is a 1993 graduate of Nixon High School.

Liendo said she is proud of her large, extended family. “Most of them are in public service, in law enforcement, the military, and as Girl Scout troop leaders and Little League coaches,” she said. She remembers with much pride being able to vote for her father when she turned 18.

“My parents and grandparents inspired in us the self confidence that we could do anything we set our minds to if we worked hard,” she said.

She said that her own inspiration to serve came from her grandparents, especially Andrea Liendo, an activist in Mother Cabrini Church.

Liendo said her daughter Annie, 16, is her “best friend,” one who accompanies her to meetings. “She can converse with anyone on any topic. She has learned a great deal about government and public service,” she added.

The Council member has worked at the South Texas Food Bank since 2009, serving as its development officer for fundraising and community awareness.

“My heart is here in this city. We were taught to give back. I want to continue to make this a better place,” she said. 

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Opinion

Candidates for city elections— good choices and civility; county elections replete with gladiator gore and jockeying in the disgraced realm of the indictable

By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

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he November 2014 Mayoral and City Council elections look promising not only in the number of seats up for bid, but also in the number of candidates running and in the caliber of some of the candidates vying for positions.

District VIII City Council member Cindy Liendo is the most recent to announce for mayor in a field in which she will face attorney Pete Saenz, former Webb County Commissioner Jerry Garza, Guadalupe Botello, and José Dorantes Jr. With District I Council member Mike Garza termed out, that race so far has Rodolfo Gonzalez Jr. facing off with Rogelio Benavides Jr. Incumbent Esteban Rangel, the Council member representing District II, is up for reelection, and thus far has no challengers.

District III Council member Alejandro Perez, also up for reelection will face, as of now, Abraham Lugo and Ulysis Salinas III. Charlie San Miguel, who has held the District VI Council seat since 2008, thus far has no challengers.

District VIII, the position vacated by Liendo, will see a formidable face-off between community activist Viky García, attorney Roberto Balli,

and Webb County probation officer Raquel Ibarra.

By comparison with the political machinations in Webb County government, the City races look like contests between Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

On the Webb County side of the worn mojoso coin of la politica, there will surely be a charged, high-octane grab to take hold of the Precinct One seat, the unexpired term vacated by indicted Commissioner Mike Montemayor and filled for the moment by UISD educator Linda Ramirez.

Those reportedly vying to be the Precinct One candidate hoping to be put forth by precinct chairs before the Webb County Democratic Party executive committee are Ramirez, attorney Carlos Flores, El Cenizo mayor Raul Reyes, and the disgraced former Precinct One commissioner Frank Sciaraffa.

As Webb County politics is an arena sport akin to mace-wielding gladiators and a great deal of behind the scenes stage-setting, be aware that there is in play a fair amount of jockeying by precinct chairs and wantto-be delinquent tax attorneys and a second tier of want-to-be delinquent tax attorneys. Some of the positioning reportedly has already put some candidates ahead of the others.

May the good and innocent among them wear armor and chest plates of

protective mail and Kevlar, and the rest — que se hagan garras.

May there be embarrassing white light transparency cast on the rumored strings-attached machinations and sin verguenzeria at play by public entities and at so many levels — job offers for votes, and who moves where in this game of Acomodada meets la gota gorda.

I know. It makes your head spin.

And it should — it’s your money vortexing in crazy circles to play out reputed accommodations for new jobs for the soon to be unemployed.

If you want the worm-turning and the vermin to continue, keep quiet

and stay home during the next election, as many of you have for so many election cycles.

If you want it to stop, if you’d like to see a Webb County Commissioners Court whose members who are not wearing indictment cologne and who honorably uphold their promise to safeguard your tax dollars, get to the Democratic precinct meeting and have a voice in who will be the best candidate to fill Mike Montemayor’s unexpired term.

And then vote on Nov. 4, 2014.

Early voting begins October 20 and continues through October 31.

Boo! 

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News

Community activist Viky Garcia launches ‘por lo nuestro’ City Council bid

By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

V

iky Garcia is seeking a seat on the Laredo City Council to represent the oldest part of the city, District VIII, which includes Laredo’s designated historic districts.

The landlocked district hugs the riverbanks to include some of the oldest neighborhoods in Laredo — notably La Ladrillera, the St. Peter’s Historic District, El Trece, El Azteca, El Cuatro, San Francisco Xavier, Los Amores, Las Cantaranas, and slivers of the Guadalupe neighborhood and Los Martinez.

She believes that in terms of greenspaces and parks, District VIII is “forgotten.”

According to García — who makes her home downtown on Farragut Street — the oldest sector of the city has not enjoyed the economic development seen in other districts. The advent of the outlet mall, she said, could change that.

She believes that downtown with it historic architecture, old trees, and “walkability” is ripe for development.

“The vitality and preservation of a city’s downtown area is an indicator of the overall character and health of a city,” she said.

García’s belief in social justice goes to equality in economic development. “Just as we should be doing all we can to stimulate new business in Laredo, we should also address the needs of the small independent business owners that are a huge part of the local economy.”

She said her agenda is broader than revitalizing downtown. “It’s about business, economic development, neighborhoods, and education,” she said.

“Laredo has its place in Texas,” she said. “What will we do as a city to create jobs? What will we do to attract large and

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small businesses to the city? How can we stop being reactive and start developing progressively with sound planning? Other cities offer examples of good practices and incentives to bring in new business.

We need to look at those models. Seattle city government listens to its community organizations. That is not a bad idea,” she said.

García would like to see an overhaul of some of the most important citizen committees whose members are appointed by the City Council and the Mayor. “Imagine if all committee appointees were really interested, though not self-interested, and really attended the meetings and really got the work done without having to consider politics or the agenda of the Council member who appointed them,” she said The candidate said she is openminded and a workaholic. “No me rajo.

I’m intensely curious about how things work, especially about ‘done deals.’ I can ask a lot of questions, which may be uncomfortable for some. I don’t mind being challenged,” she continued.

García believes the number of council seats up for reelection, could mean more energy and more transparency in City Council decisions. “We could end up with a Council that is more willing to hear from the community and that informs the public of its reasons for its decisions.”

She said she doesn’t have a political agenda. “And certainly I don’t come from a family that has one.”

Born in California, she is the oldest of the three children of María Magdalena and Antonio García, migrant workers from Durango who toiled in the fields of California, Nevada, and Oregon before moving to Chicago. Her mother became an outreach coordinator for the Illinois Migrant Council, and her father a railroad machine operator.

Viky Garcia “I learned from my parents to question how things work and to work for equality and social justice,” she said.

García grew up in Chicago and earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Northern Illinois University. She was recruited by TAMIU in 1996 as director of career services, a position she held for eight years. Thereafter she worked for Habitat for Humanity for five years as a grant writer and coordinator of volunteer activities.

A near-fatal highway accident en route to a Rotary event in the Valley in 2008 resulted in García being in a coma for three months and with multiple breaks in her pelvis and dislocations of her back that rendered her bedridden, immobile, without speech, and financially devastated. Her road to recovery was arduous and staffed by loved ones.

María Magdalena quit her job in Chicago to be with her daughter, and García’s father, uncle, and brother alternated stints in Laredo to help.

Confined to a wheelchair, García began the Que Fregados blog and later opened a small business in South Laredo.

She, along with a handful of other Laredoans and the coalition of organizations they represent, are the force behind the Laredo Humanitarian Relief Team that has seen to the needs of thousands

of Central American women and children detainees who were processed and released by U.S. immigration authorities.

“The coalition has been the face and hand of kindness to women and children who had suffered great hardship, fear, hunger, and inhumane treatment,” García said.

Nominated by the Laredo Morning Times, Viky García was the recipient of the national Jefferson Award for service, which she received in Washington, DC. She is a 2008 inductee into the Laredo Women’s Hall of Fame, and recently received the Positive Impact Award in Miami.

She is a founder of the St. Peter’s Historic Neighborhood Association, a founding member of the Casa de Misericordia board of directors, and a founding board member of Volunteers Serving the Need Veteran’s Food Pantry. She currently is the president of the Board of Laredo Crime Stoppers, and is an active board member with the county’s Child Welfare Board and Laredo Main Street.

She is a facilitator of the Las Comadres de las Americas network.

García said she is looking forward to walking her district, getting there by bicycle as often as possible.

“It’s an important election and equally important for me to meet the residents of this district and for them to meet me.

We have a great deal in common, including civic and cultural pride, and the belief that the governance we pay for should be responsive to what we need to keep our homes and families safe,” she said, adding, “I’m in this por lo nuestro, to make sure District VIII gets its share of funding for infrastructure and quality of life amenities, especially for the elderly and the children of this district. But it’s also about leadership and how we need to move this city forward so that it shines in every aspect,” García said. 

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News

New school year sees shifts in UISD administrative positions

U

 Continued FROM page 20 lack of staff and time made it very difficult for park staff to complete the work required to remove the old lumber from around and under the boardwalk areas along the 2/3-mile walk. The lumber was an eyesore and a potential threat to wildlife and visitors. Removing hundreds of pieces of lumber (some up to 15-feet long!) greatly improved the safety and enjoyment of the Mud Volcano area.

In spite of coming from a much lower elevation and having to repeatedly walk up and down some pretty steep hills carrying old lumber, the Scouts never complained and completed their task in a very short period of time considering the huge amount of material they removed. A 40-foot-long dumpster was at least two thirds full by the end

of the day! The work completed by the Girl Scouts was much more demanding compared to many others who are working toward their Resource Stewardship patch. A great many visitors made remarks and comments that were entirely positive and greatly impressed by the work done by the Girl Scouts. The boys and girls represented their Scout organizations extremely well and in the best manner which was appreciated by the visiting public.

Thank you again for your efforts and labor. All members of Troops 9128 and 9102 should be proud of the valuable work they accomplished in their Yellowstone National Park. You all represent what is best about GSA! Sincerely, Ranger Rita García Fishing Bridge Visitor Center 

By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

nited Independent School District (UISD) board of trustees held a meeting on Wednesday, July 16 to reassign current UISD employees to various administrative positions.

The new director of student assessment program will be Christina Casanova, who currently oversees student achievement by planning, designing, and implementing state and federal assessments — as a testing coordinator for UISD. She earned a BA in business from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master’s in educational administration from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).

Elouisa Diaz, currently principal at Barbara Fasken Elementary School, was assigned director of elementary education where she will direct and manage Pre-K through 5th grade instructional programs. Diaz holds a BA and Master’s in education from TAMIU. UISD’s technology department will also see a change in leadership as Judith M. García was selected as the new director of instructional technology. She will be expected to oversee the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of instructional technology to supple-

ment the district’s present instructional program.

García is currently a technology coordinator for the district and has a BA from Laredo State University (now known as TAMIU) and a Master’s in curriculum and instruction, with a minor in technology, from TAMIU. Among the slew of reassignments, at the special called meeting, was that of executive director for high school education David Canales — who fill the vacancy of executive director of middle school education.

David Gonzalez who was reassigned as executive director of middle school education will now serve as associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

Alexander High School principal, Dolores W. Barrera, will replace Canales and oversee high school education curriculum for UISD. The shift in administrative positions leaves a vacancy for the principal position at Alexander.

The district is currently looking for a highly qualified candidate. The job posting can be found at www. uisd.net.

Transition for these UISD employees into their new administrative positions commences at the beginning of the upcoming school year. Classes for UISD resume on August 25, 2014. 

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The Arts

News Brief

Serendipity reveals artist’s penchant for happy accidents

LISD board of trustees accepting applications

By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

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ocal artist Sonya Marie Sky showcased Serendipty, a collection of her art on Saturday, July 12 at Caffé Dolce. The show was a combination of work completed over the last three few years.

Of her show’s title Sky said, “Serendipity. I just really like that word. It is all about happy accidents. That is what my process is like, and that’s what leads to my improvisation. A lot of my pieces never come out as originally intended. At times they come out even better.”

Sky credits her inspiration to the artists whose techniques she has studied.

“If other artists inspire me, that inspiration is based on the type of artist they are, their ability to do things in great detail — that is what inspires me.

I am very inspired by multidisciplinary artists. I love dabbling in everything. I recently tried my hand at creating ceramics and wood burning,” she said.

Oil, wood burning, charcoal, and mixed media are her preferences.

She said, “For now my favorite me-

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dium is oil because I love the end results.”

Sky added that her piece “The Unmasking” is about putting up a face in the front of the crowd. You may be having the worst day ever, feel very dark inside, but are forced to present a happy front to the outside world.”

The young artist’s interest in the arts began with a love of drawing at a young age. Sky recently graduated from Texas A&M International University with a BA in arts. 

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or the upcoming general election, Laredo Independent School District (LISD) board of trustees is accepting applications for the board positions in district three, five, and six until August 18, 2014 at 5 p.m.

Residents of the district may file an application for a place on the ballot at the LISD Tax Office located at 904 Juarez.

Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Those interested in running also have the option of mailing their application. Individuals must include proper address with postage or handling charges prepaid. A U.S. postmark indicating a time and date prior to the deadline is required.

For more information please contact LISD director of tax collectors/elections officer Rodolfo Sanchez at (956) 2731800.

— LareDOS Staff

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Troop 201 at the MAX Members of Scout Troop 201 are pictured with Max Mandel Municipal Golf Course instructors Dennis Gutierrez and Jorge Flores. The Scouts were treated to a round of golf prior to the Aztec District Award of Merit Gathering and Scouting Family Dinner on Tuesday, July 22. The Aztec District serves over 850 youth and 100 registered adults in Webb and Jim Hogg County.

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Santa María Journal

By María Eugenia guerra

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ccording to Wikipedia, I am older than the Tokyo Stock Exchange and ihop; older than George Orwell’s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four; older than NATO; older than Joe McCarthy’s Red Scare that named Helen Keller, Dorothy Parker, and Danny Kaye as Communists in an FBI report; older than the first and second trial of Alger Hiss.

Impending decrepitude aside, I had a great birthday doing as I pleased and spending the day with those I love most, in between the must-do mandados of getting a new prescription for eyeglasses and renewing my drivers license.

“I don’t have to go back for 10 years!” she said, a little Betty White faux incredulity creeping into her voice.

I enjoyed a great supper prepared by my son. I had my cake and ate it, too, with my little beloveds and reveled in the hugs and kisses that only grandchildren can give you.

I spent some time in the greenhouse with my hands in soil, and

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Older than ihop

wrote a letter to my best childhood friend. I remembered the wonderful people my parents were and sent kisses into the ether to thank them for this good life, this lovely circle.

In my bodega at the ranch, wrestling in the still, hot air with a bolt that wouldn’t free itself of its rusted nut, I listened to Joni Mitchell’s Ladies of the Canyon and tripped across “The Circle Game,” which brought on such nostalgia for the last days of my arrested development at UT in Austin.

What a slow study I was to accept the terms of adulthood. Why wasn’t I listening to La Joni, putting attention (poniendo atención?)

“And the seasons they go round and round, and the painted ponies go up and down. We’re captive on the carousel of time. We can’t return, we can only look behind from where we came and go round and round and round in the circle game.”

As much as I look back with nostalgia and forgive myself for the loss of precious time that might

have been better spent, I give myself a pass for bringing into this world a child who grew into a good man and for writing this newspaper for the last 20 years.

I loved those freewheeling Austin years of s el f- d i s c over y (and equally large measures of self-doubt), books, and culture, but I love more the richness that has run unfettered through my life since I moved back here to live in the austere little house at the ranch, the natural world the palette on which sunrise, sunset, and the smell of sereno dampened earth would recalibrate the meaning and substance of my life.

Had we not moved back here — this nurturing, loving place of my beginnings — my own life and

my son’s would have manifested themselves quite differently. Surely I would still be a grandmother, though probably not to Emily and Amandita.

For every orbit around the sun, for all the random intrigues the Universe conspired to fashion me from stardust, I am eternally grateful. 

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Feats of fire and entertainment

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Kaj Fjelstad went atop the Jarvis Plaza bandstand to exhibit his skills at juggling fire at the recent Farmers Market.

Dr. Gomez Vasquez honored Dr. Eduardo Gomez Vásquez was one of the honorees at the Aztec District Award of Merit Gathering and Scouting Family Dinner on Tuesday, July 22. His family was also in attendance. Pictured are Homero Vela, the honoree, Marisa, Roberto, and José Gomez Vásquez. (bottom row) Rosario Vela, Garciela Vásquez de Gomez Lugo, Annie Botello de Gomez Vásquez, and Laura Treviño de Gomez Vásquez.

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Serendipity art show Kristen Davila, Olga Martinez, and Camila Davila were at Sonya Marie Sky’s Serendipity art showcase on Saturday, July 12 at Caffé Dolce.

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How fresh is this gift?

Berman Rivera and Tom Miller, keepers of the organic garden at LCC, shared this harvest of chiles, eggplant, bell pepper, and squash with LareDOS. The variety of wholesome, locally grown food makes it easy to plan a menu.

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Feature

Indefatigable volunteer Diana S. Farias honoree of LAPS fundraising gala

By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

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aredoan Diana Salinas Farias, a 25-year veteran of unwavering service to the Laredo Animal Protective Society (LAPS), is the honoree of the organization’s 2014 fundraising gala, which will be held Thursday, August 14, at the Laredo Country Club.

Farias, who joined LAPS in 1989 and has since served on its board, said, “LAPS has been blessed with a dedicated group of volunteers who have been present for so many events — happy, wonderful ones and some sad, tear-filled occasions.

Without our staff, volunteers, and faithful contributors who have been there through thick and thin, we would be unable to continue our work. My husband and family have always been very supportive of my involvement in LAPS. My vision is to place Laredo on the map as being a very special community whose residents are caring, sensitive, and responsible to the needs of all animals and who realize the value of spay/neutering their pets.”

Farias is married to U.S. Customs broker and legendary community activist Hector Farias Jr. They have seven grown children — Diana F. Dewall, Gonzalo P. Farias, Cristina Farias, Ana María Farias, Marisela F. Ridgley, Alejandra F. Landis, and Susanna F. Druker — and 16 grandchildren to whom Diana Salinas Farias is known tenderly as “Nana.”

Of his wife, Hector Farias said, "Since childhood, Diana began her love and affection for the care of animals. This dedication only grew

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stronger as the years passed. I can't remember a time when there was not a cat or dog being fostered at our home. I know that her work will be carried on by her children and grandchildren because of the example she has instilled in her family."

Of her mother, Diana F. Dewall recalled, “I am the oldest of my mother’s seven children, and I can clearly remember as a young girl that no matter how busy she was with caring for all of us, she always made time for each and every one of us, including our father, our friends, our pets, and all the neighborhood stray animals that somehow easily found their way to our house. When you need my mother, she makes you feel like there is nothing more important than being there for you.

She expresses this same love to animals. She has said so many amazing things to us, but the one that is fitting at this time is she that she has always told us that animals cannot speak up for themselves and so we have to be the voice for them. She is so deserving to be recognized for years and years of unselfishly giving of her heart and time to LAPS.” Susanna F. Druker said, “I can vividly recall my mother having countless board meetings at our home and going to the animal shelter. My parents’ home became a haven for shelter pets. My mom, sisters, and I have all fostered pets through the years.

Countless doggies and cats have been nurtured in the Farias backyard until they were healthy enough to be adopted. Learning to care for and treat all God’s creatures with dignity and respect was something I learned in my childhood, and this has stayed with me all of my life. My mother’s love and devotion to LAPS

has transcended across generations, as I am now on the LAPS board and two of my sisters have also served.

My young children have already attended pet adoption events and they are 5, 2 and 1 years of age. My nieces, nephews and cousins have all volunteered in numerous events for the animal shelter…and its all due to her.”

Alejandra F. Landis considers her mother a source of pride. She said, “I have always been in awe of my mother. She has always handled everything in life with grace and compassion.”

Marisela F. Ridgley said, “My siblings and I learned early in life that it was our social and civic duty to act — to care — for those that could not care for themselves. No living creature — from kids to turtles, cats, dogs, rabbits — was ever turned away from our home. I know that try as we may, my siblings and I will always fall short of her example, but we will follow in her footsteps, hearts swelling with pride.”

Ridgley has written a short story about Farias and LAPS, and will offer it for sale to benefit LAPS at the gala.

“I am the number one son (only son) of Diana S. Farias. I am not a member of LAPS. I think I felt I

needed to stand my ground with six animal-loving sisters and mother. I have been able to resist, but somehow they got around me and got to my kids. They are all junior members of LAPS. I see through them what my mom had instilled in my sisters, and for that I am very grateful. I am very proud of what my Mom has done for the LAPS organization and have been a witness to all the time and effort that she has put in over the years. I am very happy that has passed on to my kids,” said Gonzalo Farias.

“This is a very well deserved recognition. I am grateful to my mother for showing me the joy that animals bring to our lives. She is a truly exceptional advocate for all our fourlegged friends. She taught me to be the voice for those who had none,” said daughter Cristina Farias.

Individual tickets to the event are on sale for $125. Table sponsorships are available as Platinum (two tables), $5,000; Gold (table for eight), $3,000; Silver (table for eight), $2,000; and Bronze (table for eight), $1,500.

Other $1,000 sponsorships include the honoree’s table; centerpieces; and wine.

For further information or to purchase tickets, please call (956) 2061229. 

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Feature

A take on the dog days of summer

By VIKY GARCIA LareDOS Contributor

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ost would disagree with the online Urban Dictionary’s definition of Canícula, “A woman who angers you, or those you care about or an evil whore who deserves it. A derogatory (sic) curse.” (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=canicula) After reading the slang dictionary definition, maybe the Canícula as a curse may actually fit well because it refers to the hottest, sweatiest time of the year. In our Laredo semi-arid climate, that translates to intense and almost unbearable heat in the 100s.

Technically, what we call the Canícula in Spanish is known as the Dog Days of Summer in English.

It isn’t unique to the South, we just happen to feel it a little more intensely. The Canícula is a weather pattern observed throughout the ages. According to Weather.com, the Romans referred to it as “Caniculares dies,” or dog days. It is defined by the rise of the celestial star Sirius, the brightest spot in the night sky known as the Dog Star. The belief is that Sirius was much closer to the sun during its rise and that was what caused the intense heat. The dates can vary from starting during the Summer Solstice to late summer or some will pin it down to July 14 through August 24. Traditions vary but they are all marked by an extra hot weather spell.

Despite rural roots, contemporary upbringing didn’t really teach me what my ancestors worked and planned around on their crops. It was not until I moved to the sweltering South that I heard it called

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the Canícula. I spoke with my father who told me “es algo de la gente Antigua que no plantaban nada durante 40 días” which means it is a time the older generation would honor in which they did not plant anything for 40 days. Although the idea of a star influencing the heat is partly superstition, farmers knew that planting in the heat would yield very little. Superstitions had grains of reality.

The same goes for the Cabañuelas, which in the past referred to a time used by rural communities to predict the year’s weather by observing the first month. Lucy Hernandez, who works at the Holding Institute, described it as a weather calendar of sorts in which the first 12 days would mirror the forecast for the next 12 months. It was more complicated than, that but for the Canícula, she said its ending on August 24th was when “el Diablo andaba suelto” – when the devil was loose on earth.

Unfortunately, younger generations no longer keep track of these traditions, nor do they watch the skies or observe animal behavior.

They don’t have to when they have the Weather Channel or other distractions in a more modernized environment.

I polled a number of friends about the meaning. Very few could tell me exactly what or when the Canícula was. All they knew was of the general heat associated with it. Mike Smith described a practice his father, Andres, would do every year as a youngster. Their family would gather plain sheets and soak them in tubs of water so they could be hung on the windows and door of their house. The breeze passing through the thin fabric would pro-

vide just enough relief from the heat to be able to fall asleep in the times of no air conditioning.

Mike was describing how the same effect was felt recently after he watered the bushes at his house and it triggered the memory of his dad.

The light wind passed through water that clung on to the bushes instead of sheets but had the same effect of providing a light cool breeze of yesteryear.

What curious memories. Another friend, Manuel Ramirez, equated the Canícula with the time to castrate the ranch animals. He stated that it was the best time for them in terms of a quick and clean healing.

Aside from all the memories of heat, heat, and more heat, the time of the Canícula was a time filled with great childhood and family memories. For Dr. Norma Cantu, the impact of those memories led her to write a book of short stories titled Canícula. I asked her about those early Laredo tales and she stated that her father taught her about La Canicula and other weather-related traditions. It meant an idyllic time

for kids between summer and fall when the world was magical.

My friend, Elisa Gutierrez shared “… memories of la Canícula. Fresh squeezed limonada in the evenings in the galeria (front porch). Dancing with my sister while the musicos (two gentleman who went door to door to play and make a living, one played the violin the other la guitarra) came by to play la raspa. My grandmother fanning herself with a homemade cardboard fan and telling us stories about when she lived in Nuevo Laredo as a little girl and how she met my grandfather.”

As the Old Farmer’s Almanac quote goes, “Dog Days bright and clear, indicate a happy year; But when accompanied by rain, for better times our hopes are in vain.”

To Laredoans, maybe the Canícula is not so much about the crops and ranch life. Maybe it really is a curse, a curse induced by the high temperatures, a curse that leads you to begotten times and inescapable childhood memories, often involving family, in the summer’s toasty heat. 

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BY THE mystery Customer Red Lobster 5315 San Dario Ave MC met a friend for a quick lunch on a Saturday. The restaurant didn’t appear to be too busy.

The server was polite and quick on his feet. The waiting period between getting — drinks and food — was reasonable. The woodgrilled shrimp skewers served over rice pilaf and an order of broccoli were cooked to perfection. The MC doesn’t frequent the establishment, but was content with the level of service.

Emperor Garden 620 W. Calton Rd The MC was craving Chinese food and opted to swing by Emperor Garden for a lunch special. The MC ordered the chicken almond ding which looked much more appetizing on the menu picture than on the plate. The chicken was bland

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The Mystery Customer

Speedy service at Red Lobster; expletives at Walmart South and the white rice was over salted.

The service was so-so, but the cooks must have been having an off day.

Home Depot’s Garden Center 5710 San Bernardo When the MC asked for sphagnum moss, the blood drained from the stocker’s face and then she mulled over the word “moss” and sent the MC to soils and peat moss.

Nice try.

Walmart 4401 Zapata Highway The MC was pretty shocked to hear a store employee in a Navy blue polo shirt scream “F•••!

F•••!” as he peered over some clear wrapped watermelon halves in the refrigerated fruit section.

Lowe’s 6623 San Dario Many thanks to Ashleigh at Customer Service/Returns for a speedy turnaround/cash back on

a returned drill. Victor in the contractor part of the store tried really hard to make sure the MC’s 12’ polycarbonate panels were able to make the ride home. He was a master with knots and string.

Subway 5724 San Bernardo Though this location becomes extremely busy with downtown and surrounding customers, the service is always good.

Laredo Salsa’s Restaurant 9902 McPherson A friendly hostess, mediocre server, and fresh delectable sushi is what the MC encountered during her dinner. The MC highly recommends the crab salad, Denise roll, and seabrook roll.

Walmart 2615 NE Bob Bullock The MC needed to stock up on household supplies one Thursday

afternoon. The store was very well organized. Staff was friendly and helpful. The only complaint MC had was the fact that there never seem to be enough employees to occupy the vast number of registers the store has.

Texas Roadhouse 5722 San Bernardo The MC was surprised that his steak was not cooked to his liking. Despite ordering it medium rare, he was presented with a medium cooked steak. Sending it back proved to no avail as by the time MC was served what he initially asked for, he had lost his appetite.

Jiffy Lube 1307 E Del Mar Blvd Great speedy service on an oil and tire change. The MC was very pleased with the quick service offered on a busy Saturday morning. 

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Continued FROM page 19

their voices to the fracking opposition. Last April, hundreds of small farmers from Chihuahua who blockaded the Bridge of Americas between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso listed looming fracking projects as among their grievances laid out in the Chamizal Proclamation.

At the end of June, the Chihuahua Citizen Alliance against Fracking was christened at a meeting in the state capital of Chihuahua City. Promoted

by Chihuahua Senator Javier Corral of the National Action Party (PAN), the alliance brings together non-governmental organizations, students and militants from both right and left political parties.

Corral contended that the fracking issue had been downplayed in the Mexican press, with opponents characterized as enemies of economic and social progress. The broader economic benefit of fracking is highly exaggerated, Corral insisted to a Mexican reporter.

“This is a big tale,” the senator said. “(Fracking) doesn’t employ many people, and it is expensive considering the big machines that it uses.” Corral said the current focus on exploiting shale energy resources is coming at the expense of other energy choices Mexico should be adopting.

“The problem is that they want to continue delaying other alternative sources of energy in favor of extracting hydrocarbons,” he said. “And what this does is set us back another 50 years extracting sources of fossil fuels when the country should be investing in renewable energy and a real energy plan that is not just petroleum based.”

Conversely, others in powerful positions dismiss the negative reports about fracking.

“There is no scientific evidence from respectable sources, which are not downloaded from Google, that fracking generates tremors in Nuevo Leon, in Texas, or anywhere else,”

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said PRI party Senator David Penchyna, Senate energy commission president. “There are many interests involved in this issue.”

Penchyna’s pronouncements to the contrary, serious scientific evidence keeps accumulating that ties fracking to negative environmental consequences.

For instance, Purdue University scientists published a report this spring in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science that found shale gas wells in Pennsylvania emitted methane, a powerful greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide, on the order of 100 to 1,000 times the rate of earlier estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

After geologists detected a probable relationship between earthquakes and fracking in Ohio, the state government recently moved to require seismic monitoring for new gas drilling permits.

Similarly, another study published this month in the journal Science reported on the probable links between fracking and earth movements in Oklahoma, where the number of earthquakes registered on the Richter Scale of 3.0 or greater soared from an average of one annual event during 1976 to 2007 to 44 per year from 2008 to 2013; so far this year, 233 such earthquakes have occurred in Oklahoma, according to the report.

An unusual ripple of earthquakes in neighboring Texas and Kansas preceded an Oklahoma meeting earlier this year where government regulators from the three states discussed fracking standards.

Critics, however, assert fracking cannot be done in an environmentally-friendly manner. “Making fracking safe is simply not possible, not with the current technology, or with the inadequate regulations being proposed,” Louis Allstadt, former executive vice president of Mobil Oil, was quoted earlier this year.

Security is another thorny issue hanging over a Mexican frack-

ing boom. It just so happens that the geography of Mexico’s shale gas reserves is populated by organized crime groups, particularly the Zetas, which have long mastered the theft and distribution of gasoline and diesel as a profitable endeavor.

“Organized crime, which is going to watch the (energy) businesses, is an operative cost of security,” said Alejandro Islas, head of the Mexico City-based Risk Evaluation consulting business.

The relatively short life of shale gas wells, which Mexican geologist Dr. Luca Ferrari Pedraglio pegs at two years, almost lends itself to irregular business practices in a political system where functionaries frequently change faces and regulatory capacities are limited.

Will fracking present lucrative opportunities for extortion fees, kidnappings, product heists, or outright ownership of production facilities?

Taken together, the potential profits to organized crime from fracking could easily dwarf the revenue stream from illegal drugs.

Given the enormous amount of capital and profits at stake, some Mexican analysts like John Saxe-Fernandez and Victor Quintana foresee a redoubled militarization in fracking land, implemented by the Mexican army, private security firms in the mold of the old Blackwater firm and foreign mercenaries with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a recent article, Quintana compared Mexico with Ukraine in terms of the political power and energy industry dynamics at play.

Wrote Quintana: “The interests of the transnational oil companies, the U.S. government, (President) Peña Nieto, the PRI, and the majority of the PAN require the imposition of gas shale exploitation on the northern border of our country, with all the force of legal, paralegal and even illegal institutions at a given moment.

This is the size of the enemy that confronts the people of Mexico.”

For now, the future of fracking

rests with the Mexican Congress, whose members will decide the issue.

If the voting follows the pattern that’s prevailed on major economic reforms since the beginning of the Peña Nieto presidency in December 2012, in which the president’s PRI party has teamed up with members of other political parties to pass contentious labor, education, taxation, energy and telecommunications reforms, an absolute ban or moratorium on fracking seems unlikely.

Mexico’s Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources is expected to review draft regulations for the drilling of shale gas and the disposal of toxic waste later this fall.

The proposed rules will touch on water consumption and pollution, chemicals, earth tremors, and worker safety.  (Sources: Inter-Press Service, June 28, 2014. Article by Emilio Godoy. Oilprice. com, June 20, 2014. Article by James Burgess. Norte, April 11, 2014; May 1 and 2, 2014. Articles by Felix Gonzalez and Claudia Sanchez. Lapolaka.com, April 13, 2014; May 19, 2014; June 12 and 17, 2014; July 1, 2014. Semanario, April 1, 2014. Article by Emilio Godoy/IPS. La Jornada, March 15 and 23, 2014; May 15, 2015. June 7, 14, 17, 25, 30, 2014; July 3 and 4, 2014. Articles by San Juana Martinez, John Saxe-Fernandez, Andrea Becerril. Erick Muniz, Arturo Sanchez Jimenez, Miroslava Breach, Victor Quintana, Reuters, Associated Press.

El Diario de Juarez, March 15 and April 4, 2014. Articles by Patricia Mayorga Ordonez and editorial staff.

Commondreams.org, December 17, 2013. Sarah Lazare. April 11, 15 and 23, 2014; June 6, 2014. Articles by Jacob Chamberlain, Lauren McCauley and Jon Queally. Arrobajaurez.com, March 16, 2014.

El Heraldo de Chihuahua, March 16,2014.)

Frontera NorteSur: on-line, U.S.Mexico border news Center for Latin American and Border Studies New Mexico State University Las Cruces, New Mexico

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LAPS

A formula for responsible pet ownership

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By RICHARD RENNER LAPS Board Secretary

entered one of the City Parks near McPherson Road with my small terrier/Chihuahua mixed female dog. As I rounded a corner, there in the path was a pile of dog feces. Being a responsible owner, I took care to stop my walk to pick up the mess as best I could that someone else’s pet had left!

I always carry small plastic bags to pick up after my dog if need be. As I was removing the mess, two women walked by and I heard one say, “Dogs should not be allowed in city parks.

Look at the mess his dog made!”

The City’s Animal Control Ordinance addresses this issue requiring an owner to carry suitable materials (plastic bag or some device) to remove the droppings and dispose of them in a sanitary way. You can be cited for failure to comply with this ordinance.

If you are observant as you walk in the city parks or neighborhoods, you will see repeated violations of the ordinance. Be responsible and obey the City ordinances by carrying plastic baggies or pooper scoopers to clean up any mess you dog makes during your walk.

Being a responsible pet owner requires certain things from you as the owner (parent). Providing adequate care for the well being of the pet is of primary concern. Food, shelter including protection against temperature extremes, veterinarian care for immunizations, checking for parasite infections, and spaying or neutering are all needed for your pets. Recently there was an outbreak of rabies at Fort Hood. Although there has not been many cases of rabies locally, rabid bats have been found in Webb County and

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surrounding counties.

It is imperative that dogs and cats are immunized against rabies. If you are bitten by a rabid animal and do not get treated prior to the development of the disease, your chance of survival is nearly 0%. There are immunization clinics offered through the year for rabies at minimal cost. If your unimmunized dogs and cats are involved in a biting or scratching, the pet must be quarantined, requiring you to pay boarding fees for the pet which will be much more than the cost of the vaccine.

Your dog needs exercise to be healthy and happy. Being derived from wolves, dogs typically will dog trot the limits of their territory. If your dog is a destructive, aggressive, attention hog, it is likely not getting enough exercise.

Chaining or tethering a dog for long periods of time is considered animal cruelty and is against Texas State Law. The law specifies it is unlawful to tether a dog for more than three hours in a 24-hour period, or during weather extremes (colder than 32 degrees, during a heat advisory, tropical storm, hurricane, or tornado warnings). So owners who are tethering their pets day and night for weeks on end are violating of state law. Tethered dogs must have water and shelter available.

If you want to exercise your dog while your are exercising, you can download an app called “Walk for a Dog” from WoofTrax.com that monitors the distance and time you walk with your dog. Every three months, the company will donate to an animal shelter of your choice based on the miles you have walked with your dog.

If you do download this app, please donate the your accumulated miles to the Laredo Animal Protective Society’s No Kill Shelter. 

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Feature

News

A school without music is like a body without a soul

RGISC raffle offers $20,000 solar system for 1,200 SF home

By BERENICE GARCIA LareDOS Contributor

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artin High School (MHS) band director Robert Castro is no stranger to the campus. He’s a 1981 graduate and was part of the Martin High School band.

An educator for 22 years, he has taught at MHS for three years. He earned a degree in music education from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, graduating in 1999.

The lifetime educator was drawn to the field of music education by the joy he finds in music, which he feels plays an important role in our lives from birth. He said that the discipline of learning music bears the rewards of learning skills that lead to responsibility.

When he is not in the classroom,

MHS band director Castro

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Castro enjoys listening to classical music preferably that of Australian composer and arranger Percy Grainger.

He said his instrument of choice is percussion. Castro said he brings creativity to his class every day. To motivate his students, he quotes St. John Bosco with “a school without music is like a body without a soul.’’

He expects his students to do their very best and to never give up.

To those of his students who hope to major in music, he says be dedicated and listen to all music.

I have the great fortune to be one of Robert Castro´s student. He pushes all of us students to do our best and to never give up on our dreams. He helped me get back up when I was about to give up. He is one teacher I will never forget.

(Berenice García, a first time writer, is a junior at Martin High School.) 

T

hanks to a generous donation by South Texas Solar Systems, the Río Grande International Study Center (RGISC) is offering an opportunity to win a $20,000 solar system that can generate enough energy — between 3,000 kW and 6,000 kW — to power a 1,200 square foot home or business.

Raffle tickets are being offered for $5 each or six for $20. A win includes free installation.

“We are so grateful for this extraordinary gift made by South Texas Solar Systems,” said RGISC executive director Tricia Cortez. “It will give Laredoans an opportunity to take advantage of the incredible resource that we have in abundance in our city – the sun!”

News of the raffle was made at a press conference at the home of Oscar Franco, who installed a solar panel system in his home a year ago and is

seeing the fruits of his investment in not having to pay an electricity bill in six months.

John Kelley, sales and marketing manager with South Texas Solar Systems, explained why installing a solar system makes sense in Laredo.

“It’s two-fold,” Kelley said. “It’s environmentally friendly, so you emit less CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the creation of the energy that you are using. And from a cost-savings standpoint, as costs for electricity increase, your savings will increase. As electricity prices continue to go up, you will continue to save more and more money.”

The winner will be announced on November 8, with installation scheduled for January 2015. For ticket information, call the RGISC office at (956) 718-1063, or email tricia@rgisc. org.

— LareDOS Staff

Oscar Franco, Tricia Cortez, Popo Gonzalez, Dr. Tom Vaughn, Armando Cisneros, and John Kelly discuss raffle of solar panels.

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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.

N

ia Sanchez, the first Latina to win the Miss Nevada contest, is the new Miss USA, and she’s also the first woman from Nevada to be crowned Miss USA. The fourth Hispanic to win the Miss USA title, she will represent the USA in the next Miss Universe 2014 pageant.

Born in 1990, Sanchez competed in the Miss USA pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When asked by a judge about the high rate of sexual assault among undergraduate women, Sanchez, a fourth degree black belt in Taekwondo, responded that it is important to be able to defend yourself. Nia is a fourth degree black belt in taekwondo, which she started practicing at age 8.

Notes from La La Land

Sanchez, fourth Hispanic to win Miss USA title She also studied jazz and ballet for 5 years.

At 17, she visited Kenya and thereafter spent three months out of the year serving a mission in Mexico.

After graduating from high school, she lived in Europe as a nanny, and visited 12 countries. She worked at Disneyland in Hong Kong for seven months in 2012, portraying a princess.

A controversy erupted after she won Miss USA regarding her claim to Nevada residence. After not winning Miss California USA for three years in a row, Nia set up a paper trail so she could compete as Miss Nevada. She worked at Disneyland in Los Angeles until November 2013, and she became Miss Nevada in January 2014. She is

represented by AC Model Agency, which has offices in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

She established Nevada residency by proving she owns a home in Las Vegas. She succeeds Gabriela Lister of Venezuela.

Nia›s parents divorced when she was six and in the transition she lived with her mother at Shade Tree, a Las Vegas women›s shelter.

The frenzy over the World Cup soccer matches is finally over after 31 days.

According to Sportology, soccer is the most popular sport throughout the world, though not in America, where it is the fifth most popular sport. The first four most popular are football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey. After soccer, come tennis, golf, wrestling, motor sports (car racing). The tenth is badminton.

Jesse Herrera/LareDOS Contributor

And from Time Magazine we learn about the World Cup crazy rules some teams have about pre-game sex.

According to Reuters, science tells us that sex can actually help, not hurt, athletic performance. But not all coaches

agree. They claim that when competing in the world’s most watched sports event, you don’t take any chances with your body. While not all coaches agree, many teams in this past World Cup implemented sex bans.

Sex was permitted on these teams: Germany, Spain, the USA, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Uruguay, and England. Sex was banned for Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, and Mexico. And the rules were complicated for France (yes on sex, but not all night), Brazil (yes, but not «acrobatic»sex), Costa Rica (no sex until the second round), and Nigeria (ok to sleep with wives, but not girlfriends).

UCLA math professor Terence Tao has received a three million dollar grant for some advanced work in theories in his field. Once a child prodigy, he received his bachelor›s degree from college at age 16 and finished his doctorate at Princeton University at 21. He became a tenured professor at 24. His co-workers call him "The Mozart of Math."

And on that note, it’s time for--as Norma Adamo says--TAN TAN! 

Ready for the ride Members of all ages of the Laredo Cycling Association participated in the Bike to Market ride from TAMIU to the Farmers Market in historic Jarvis Plaza on Saturday, July 20.

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Opinion

It’s a new world for consumers

By NANCY BLACK LareDOS Contributor

M

any consumers today are in various states of bewilderment, frustration, or annoyance, and it’s no wonder. The days are past when businesses were owned and operated by members of the local community who treated their customers royally with good customer service.

Consumers must now do business with nation-wide mega-companies. If they choose to phone a company, they are forced into robotland where they are placed on automated “hold”. They finally talk with people in call centers around the world who try to act competently but often don’t because they have little incentive to do so.

Corporations are the new royalty both in relations with customers and in the political-legal sphere where they are now considered “persons.”

As such, they are allowed to donate to political candidates who they believe will support — or even write — legislative bills to benefit them, often to the detriment of their customers.

Two questionable business practices have become commonplace in recent years: contracts of adhesion and companies’ monopolistic behavior. Contracts of adhesion are contracts prepared by the party in a stronger position and then signed by the weaker party who has no option to negotiate or change the terms before signing. This is a “take it or leave it” contract and is sometimes called that.

Corporations are more frequently using these contracts of adhesion, in agreements concerning products

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like computers or services like those of Amazon, credit card agreements, airline, train, and bus tickets and so forth. Consumers of these goods and services must sign multiple page paper or internet contracts if they want access to certain information, products, or services despite the likelihood that consumers have neither the time nor patience to decipher the language of zealous lawyers who craft these contracts to protect the interests of their corporate clients.

For example, when one starts to use its services, Amazon states: “you will be subject to ... terms and agreements applicable to that Amazon service.... You agree that all agreement, notices, disclosure and other communications that we provide to you electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing... Subject to your compliance with these conditions of use and your payment of any applicable fees, Amazon or its content providers grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to access and make personal and non-commercial use of the ... services.”

If consumers don’t sign such contracts, they are not allowed access to the desired information or product so, of course, they sign even though most neither understand the contentnor the ramifications of that agreement. If signed, courts usually allow contracts of adhesion unless the terms of the contract are “unconscionable” or clearly outside the consumer’s “reasonable expectations.”

Another example of a contract of adhesion is a real estate listing agreement. In some states, a clause in the contract states that even if it

is a sales listing, if the seller later wants to lease the property, for a certain time period that seller-lessor must nevertheless pay the sales agent a fee even though that agent did nothing toward leasing the property. Although one can try to negotiate out such overreaching clauses, if all listing agents hold firm, the contract is, de facto, a contract of adhesion. As in this example, contracts of adhesion sometimes overlap with companies’ monopolistic behavior.

Consumers clearly need to reclaim the bargaining power they once had.

Monopolies and anti-competitive practices have also grown recently in spite of important anti-trust legislation enacted decades ago to encourage competition among companies.

Competition benefits both individual and business consumers by spurring innovation, creating better quality products and services, and lower prices. Those laws — Sherman Anti-Trust Law (1890), Clayton Act (1914), and Federal Trade Commission Acts (1914) — are still in force.

The latter act created the Feder-

al Trade Commission (FTC) which works with the Bureau of Competition to protect consumers from unfair business practices and other antitrust violations such as anticompetitive mergers by giving the FTC the power to investigate corporations’ conduct and practices.

The media recently reported on a proposed merger of Comcast and Time-Warner that if completed would have implications for millions of television and internet service consumers. The 1914 Clayton Act, amended in 1976, requires large companies such as these to give the FTC pre­merger notification and wait a certain period before executing such a transaction. This particular merger seems not in consumers’ best interest because it is anticompetitive and likely to increase costs but decrease the quality of customer service. However, the good news is that consumers can express their thoughts and opinions on these matters directly to the Federal Trade Commission while waiting on hold for a customer service representative to answer. 

WWW.L A R E DOSN EWS.COM

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.

O

ne summer intern and three year-long AmeriCorps VISTA program volunteers are now part of the STFB mission of feeding the hungry. The four women are from Laredo.

STFB executive director Alfonso Casso Jr. announced the new staff members — Ithiel Benavides , Angelica Analee “Angie” Sifuentes, Sonia L. Rocha, and Pamela S. Guerra.

“All will be working on building awareness on the hunger issues affecting Laredo and the area,” noted Mike Kazen, STFB chief financial officer and human resources manager.

Most of the focus of the intern and volunteers will be on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly food stamps.

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Sarah Lamm, a native of Washington D.C., completed her year of work at the STFB, paving the way for Benavides, Sifuentes, Rocha and Guerra.

Kazen reported to the STFB board at its July monthly meeting, “While Sarah is winding down, we’re just winding up (with four new faces).”

Lamm was a guest at the board meeting at which Casso praised her work. The daughter of Dr. Steve Lamm, M.D., and Joanne, a retired speech pathologist, Lamm noted her positive experience in Laredo helping with SNAP and building a volunteer base. She coordinated the viewing of the hunger awareness documentary “A Place at the Table,” at LCC and TAMIU and a lecture visit at TAMIU by anti-hunger specialist Joel Berg of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger.

The VISTAs work in cooperation with the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, Feeding Texas (for-

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South Texas Food Bank

Four AmeriCorps VISTAs join STFB merly Texas Food Bank Network), USDA, Walmart, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Benavides, a 2011 Nixon High School grad, is the summer intern through August. She is a senior-tobe at the University of Texas-Pan American in social work studies.

She will be assisting with SNAP. Her volunteer experiences have been with the diabetes walkathon, HEB Feast of Sharing, Bethany House, Teens in the Driver Seat, and Catholic Social Services.

Sifuentes is a recent TAMIU Bachelor of Arts and Sciences graduate. She will assist in the STFB health area. She has volunteered with Veterans Serving the Need and organizing local poetry readings.

Rocha, also from Nixon (2006), is a 2012 TAMIU graduate in applied science for criminal justice with a minor in public affairs and social sciences.

Guerra, a 2008 United South grad, is a recent Texas A&M graduate with a degree in poultry science and minor in agriculture communication and journalism. She is working her masters in public administration at TAMIU. The 501c3 non-profit STFB (STFB), celebrating its 25th anniversary, opened in 1989 under the auspices of H-E-B as the Laredo Webb-County Food Bank distributing supplemental food to the unemployed and the elderly. The STFB, member of Feeding Texas (formerly Texas Food Bank Network) and the national organization Feeding America, now serves an eight-county area from Del Rio (Val Verde County) to Rio Grande City (Starr County), helping an average of 27,000 families, 7,000

elderly, and 500 veterans and their widows per month. It also serves an average of 1,500 children 2,500 meals Monday through Friday in the Kids Café program at 19 sites, including 15 in Laredo-Webb County. The

STFB is located at 1907 Freight at Riverside in west Laredo. The phone number is (956) 726-3120 and website www.southtexasfoodbank.org Tax deductible monetary donations can be mailed to 1907 Freight, Laredo, 78041. 

Jesse Herrera/LareDOS Contributor

By salo Otero

Cool treat after TAMIU ride A mango hit the spot for this young passenger who made the Bike to Market ride on Saturday, July 20 from TAMIU to Jarvis Plaza.

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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.

S

ummer is ripe with possibilities. With neither snow to shovel nor classes to teach, it means more time for turning over ideas and memories composted during the long winter.

It means thawing out the monotonous routines and habits that settled in like a hard freeze. And it means wandering and being picky — like a grocer thumping melons with his knuckles — when choosing new places to write.

Now I can sit in the backyard in the swirl of sumac, catbirds, cardinals, and bumblebees or pitch a tent in the Shenandoah Mountains and milk the long days for every horizontal shaft of sunlight falling across the page. I can nudge the chicory bluing the shoulder of Iron Street or walk down to the Susquehanna River where a motorboat’s wake fans across the gray water like herringbone. Every summer brings a new season of attention, and by breaking the tether attaching me to my laptop and venturing off the grid into some unelectrified, disconnected landscape, I find a fresh chance to re-imagine my writing and my self.

One night several years ago, a heavy dew settled on North Padre Island and gathered on the inside of the tent where I slept on an air mattress and sleeping bag. Under a dome of starlight, the onshore wind flopped the fabric, sending a small baptism down on my shoulder and face. The gibbous moon arced over the dunes and sea oats, sank toward the Laguna Madre, and descended into the west while I dreamed of black skimmers and firm sand, ribbed and muscled. Eventually, dawn dragged its long body out of the Gulf, and I hauled mine out of the tent, khaki

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Waiting in the breakers shorts twisted around my hips, Tshirt damp, sandals gritty with sand and salt. Then, the sun, like a red egg, sat on the smooth, blue curve of the horizon before gradually rising, sulfurous and bursting with gulls, their cackling indistinguishable from the hawking of the pony-tailed man sipping coffee on the end gate of his pickup.

Malaquite Beach was mostly empty that morning, and fingers of sand had drifted from the dunes and into the road running through the campground. Only a few quiet motor homes sat next to the wooden picnic tables, and deer tracks, still sharp in the blow-out, crossed into the dunes to the west. From the table near my tent, I watched a line of brown pelicans disappear in the crease between waves, and then a man and a woman — both gray and carrying blue canvas shoes — moved down the beach, their arms, legs, and bare feet fleshy and white as sea foam in the early sun.

I hooked a green backpack over one shoulder and carried a small cooler through the sea oats and morning glories down to the base of the dunes. There stood a row of heavy gray picnic tables, each under a rectangular frame of spaced planks mounted on two 4x4 posts. I took the last one on the north end, set the cooler under the table and laid the backpack on top, kicked off my sandals and trudged across the warm sand. Near the skirt of effluvium left by the high tide, a laughing gull shook a small crab. The legs flew off, and the gull tossed the body back and down in a single swallow. Then, he picked at the pieces in the sand, turning them in his beak, first one, then another, until a second gull ran him off.

As I walked barefoot into the water, stepping around small washedup jellyfish and bits of driftwood rolling with the receding surf, an eel-like tail slithered into a cloud of roiling sand. Following it, I wondered what sort of long quivering fish it might be. Then, out of the haze slipped the outline of a broad, flat body — a ray, maybe a foot across, its color so similar to the brown sand as to make it nearly invisible. It cruised through the shallows before turning to deeper water under the swells where it vanished.

I wandered south in and out of the surf, drifting from beach to kneedeep breakers, picking up scraps of shells and sand dollars, studying a bit of pink corral, skirting the stench of a rotting fish. Eventually, I turned around, the sun higher and my table a half-mile distant now, and on the way back looked for signs that I’d passed here less than an hour ago.

I spent much of the rest of the day at the table writing in a notebook.

I watched pelicans, sanderlings, plovers, and a park ranger on a four-wheeler. As I ate peanut butter

sandwiches and barbecue chips and drank a bottle of chocolate milk for lunch, a gull glided back and forth behind me like a kite tethered to the frame overhead. I walked some more and found a sea bean, a calcified sponge, and a bleached piece of driftwood riddled with holes the size of pencil points.

I found I could sit all day on the beach and write whatever washed in: a sprig of seaweed, the torso of an old doll, a light bulb, enough air to lift a pelican out to sea. I could dredge up memories turned loose by a voice on the wind, the smell of sunscreen, the burn of the afternoon sand. I could wait all day for the shadow of that small rock to stretch to the water or the wind to wrap a drift around my left foot under the table. I could wait for the sea oats to lose its grip and for that dune to move grain by grain to the other side of the island. Who knows what a plover will pluck from that wreckage of seaweed, what thoughts a ray through cloudy water might set off?

But I’m willing to watch and wait and write to find out. 

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TAMIU

A

TAMIU senior participates in Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Internship Program

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) senior is getting a firsthand look at our nation’s government as a participant in this summer’s Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Internship Program.

Jesus Vazquez, a TAMIU senior Systems Engineering major, is interning in the office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Vazquez is one of only 45 students selected nationwide to live in Washington, D.C. and intern in a congressional office for two months. He will also participate in CHCI’s nationally renowned leadership program, meet with national public and private sector leaders, and engage in national policy discussions.

Each year, the CHCI Internship Program selects promising Hispanic college students from across the

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Jesus Vazquez country, offering selected interns unmatched professional and learning opportunities by exposing them to the legislative process and strengthening their leadership skills.

TAMIU freshmen music majors awarded scholarships

A total of 16 incoming freshmen majoring in music at Texas A&M International University recently received the University’s Music Scholarship based on auditions and accomplishments in their high school band.

Students received varying amounts of yearly scholarships based on their selection for District Band, Regional Band or All State Band at a recent signing session in TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

Receiving $2,500 scholarships were Kevin González, United High School; Enrique Gloria, Nixon High School; Juan Vallejo, United High School; José Aguilar, Martin High School; and Jesús Inguanzo, Martin High School.

Students receiving $1,500 scholarships were Alejandra Olivares, United South High School; Regina Ro-

dríguez, United South High School; Javier Andrade, United South High School; and Aaron Hinojosa, Martin High School.

Dr. James Moyer, TAMIU director of Band and Percussion Studies, said $2,500 scholarship winners were selected for having placed in Regional Band or higher, Area Solo/Ensemble or higher, and earning a 3.35 GPA in high school. Those receiving the $1,500 award placed in Regional Band or higher, Regional Solo/Ensemble or higher, and maintained a 3.0 GPA. “We are delighted to welcome these talented and promising students to TAMIU this Fall,” Dr. Moyer said, “They are some of the most accomplished students graduating from their high school bands and we look forward to assisting their musical and professional growth in our rapidly expanding program.” 

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News

Laredo Community College

Open the door to your Children’s Advocacy Center hosts annual fundraiser future this fall at LCC

By MONICA McGETTRICK WALTERS LareDOS Contributor

W

hether you are a recent high school graduate or an adult seeking a career change, Laredo Community College can help you open the door to your future.

With a wide variety of classes and programs to choose from, LCC is an affordable option for anyone seeking a higher education.

The fall semester is just around the corner, so those who want to register are encouraged to get advised today.

Registering early is the best way to secure the best choice in classes and class times.

The first day of classes for the fall semester is Monday, Aug. 25.

If you are new to LCC, applying is easy. You can apply online by visiting www.laredo.edu/apply.

Prospective students also can apply in person at the Enrollment and Registration Services Center in room 116 of the Lerma Peña Building at the Fort McIntosh Campus or in room 113 of the William N. “Billy” Hall Jr. Student Center at the South Campus.

The newly expanded and renovated Lerma Peña Building is now the central hub for student services at the Fort McIntosh Campus.

After applying, students can visit room 201 to get advised in the Student Success Center. If you need help with financial aid, the friendly staff at the Financial Aid Center can be found in room 143.

In addition to these offices, the Lerma Peña Building also houses the Assessment Center and the Bursar’s Office.

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By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

Advising is available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 to 11 a.m.

Students who have not yet been advised are encouraged to contact the LCC Student Success Center at the Fort McIntosh Campus at 721-5135 or at the South Campus at 794-4135 as soon as possible to make an appointment with an advisor. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments take priority.

Those with a declared major can call their instructional departments to make an appointment for advising.

To view the online schedule of classes, visit www.laredo.edu and click on the PASPort icon. Then click the tab for Additional Resources to view the class schedule.

The deadline to pay all tuition and fees for students who registered between April 7 and Aug. 14 is Thursday, Aug. 14. Students can pay in person by 6 p.m. that day or online via PASPort until 11 p.m. Emergency loans and a tuition installment payment plan also is available.

Those who miss the payment deadline risk being dropped from their classes and will have to register again.

If you cannot make it to either campus during the work week, you can take advantage of our Saturday Services.

Saturday Services are available every Saturday (excluding holidays) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lerma Peña Building at the Fort McIntosh Campus only. Students can get advised, register for classes or get information on financial aid.

For information on registration, students should call the LCC Enrollment and Registration Services Center at 7215109 (Fort McIntosh Campus) or 7944110 (South Campus). 

A

ntwone Fisher will keynote the The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) annual fundraiser on Thursday, August 21 at the International Bank of Commerce Annex Ballroom.

“CAC Board’s annual event, especially this one, will be remarkable because of this year’s speaker name recognition,” said CAC executive director Sylvia Bruni.

In 2002, Denzel Washington starred in and directed in Antwone Fisher, a film based on Fisher’s life.

His mother was 17-years old when she gave birth to Fisher in an Ohio prison. His father was murdered, and as a result he grew up in foster care. Fisher is a survivor of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse for most of his childhood.

He eventually enlisted in the Navy and turned his lfe around with the compassion and mentoring of a psychiatrist.

Today Fisher is a director, producer, and film writer. He was awarded two NAACP awards, won Screenwriter of the Year for the 2002 film, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Cleveland State University in 2003.

The event will include sponsorships on the champion level for $10,000, guardian level for $7,500, defender for $5,000, advocate for $3,000, and friend for $1,500. Each sponsorship level will include a table for 10 and advertising recognition in The Laredo Morning Times.

The CAC has served over 8,000, children and spearheaded the RAD Kids program — the first ever community wide youth empowerment safety education program that provides realistic self-defense lessons to children. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser will go directly to the CAC’s programs.

For more information or to reserve a table contact Bruni at (956) 712-1840, email executivedirector@ caclaredo.org, or call event chair Adriana Maddox at (956) 791-3003. 

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Commentary

What we owe our Tejano ancestors and their descendants

By JOSÉ ANTONIO LÓPEZ LareDOS Contributor

F

or over 150 years, mainstream Texas history books have been written as if Texas history began in 1836. By design, conventional Texas history books cut out or reject the foundation story of Texas, simply because it doesn’t fit the Sam Houston model.

Equally unfortunate, that restrictive method (l) tends to treat early (pre-1836) Texas history as Spanish & Mexican “foreign” history; and (2) ignores the direct connection between Native Americans and today’s Mexican-descent Texans and Southwest people. The result? Mainstream Texas history instruction omits the very roots of Texas. That is unfair to the memory of the Spanish Mexican Tejano founders of Texas.

How can we fix this long-standing problem?

For about the last 30 years, a group of dedicated Tejano history aficionados of both Tejano and Anglo backgrounds have tried to offer a more fair and balanced account. However, selling that idea to a skeptical public raised on movie myth-inspired Texas history hasn’t been easy.

That said, the unveiling of the Tejano Monument in Austin in 2012 has finally popped that balloon of ignorance. The memorial now serves as a permanent beacon that puts a spotlight on pre-1836 Texas people, places, and events. There have been other efforts to make Texas history curriculum more inclusive. More recently, a dedicated effort supported by the Texas State Historical Association is about to bring together Tejano history stories with the goal of establishing a Tejano History Handbook Online.

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Based on grass-roots petitions and testimony in 2010, the Texas State Board of Education agreed that the teaching of Texas history in the classroom is incomplete. As such, they approved the inclusion of some Spanish Mexican people in the STAAR social studies and Texas history school curriculum. It’s not much, but it’s a start.

What is the main problem with the way Texas history is taught today? The clear answer is that mainstream Texas history at all levels tends to pigeonhole Texas history into three distinct eras: Spanish colonial, Mexican Republic, and Republic/State of Texas. Worse, as presented in the classroom, the first two eras are not connected to the third (Texas history). Such an approach implies that the people who lived during the first two eras have disappeared and thus are treated as detached, unconnected parts of mainstream Texas history. The fact is that the descendants of the Spanish Mexican people who lived in the first two eras (pioneer settlers who founded Texas) are still here today in the form of Mexican-descent Texans.

Regrettably, generations of Mexican-descent Texas students have been treated as foreigners in their own homeland. They know little of their ancestors’ history.

What are some lessons that a more open discussion of Texas history will provide Texas children? Below is a partial list of topics that especially Mexican-descent children in South Texas must discover, study, and get to know their impact on (help or hurt) Spanish Mexican people of the U.S. Southwest: (l) The First Texas Independence occurred on April 6, 1813; (2) The 1836 Battles of the Álamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto are part of a chronological chapter in Mexico’s history, not the U.S. Mexico didn’t lose Texas, South

Texas, and the southwest until 1848; (3) In Texas in 1836, the Anglo immigrants from the U.S. were the aggressors, not General Santa Anna; and (4) the name Álamo refers to the Presidio (no longer exists) and not to Mission San Antonio, sister mission to San José, San Juan, Concepción, and Espada.(5) the real story as to how the U.S. “won” the west by following El Camino Real routes; (6) how “Borderlands” families were split in two in 1848 as a result of the U.S. Mexico War; and (7) for high school and college students, develop lessons on the Mutualista Movement, Jovita Idar, LULAC, Mexican-descent military veterans; Dr. Hector P. García, and the American GI Forum, The Class Apart (1954 Supreme Court Decision —Hernandez v. Texas), 1964 Civil Rights Act, etc.

Other aspects of little-known early Texas history facts that Texas students must know in higher grades: (a) The Black Legend (Leyenda Negra); (b) Manifest Destiny; (c) why and how U.S. encroachment into the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi Valley and the Northwest displaced existing Spanish settlements, presidios, and missions; and (d) the negative effect of 1836 Texas Independence on Spanish Mexicandescent Texans (Tejanos).

In summary, nowhere else in history has one ethnic group robbed an-

other of its heritage to embellish their own. Yet, that’s what’s been done to the Álamo and La Bahia (Goliad) Presidio.

It’s time to honor these magnificent historical structures for their strength, beauty, and creativity of their Spanish Mexican builders. They must no longer be marketed only because armed Anglo expatriates from the U.S. died there.

So, what do we owe the memory of our Tejano ancestors, founders of Texas, and their growing number of descendants? We owe them inclusion in mainstream Texas history. The first chapters of our state’s history may be written in Spanish, but what’s wrong with admitting that Texas history is truly bi-cultural and bi-lingual? Simply stated, Tejano history is not a “separate but equal” history. Tejano history is and will always be Texas history.

(José Antonio “Joe” López was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and is a USAF Veteran. He now lives in Universal City.

He is the author of three books: The Last Knight (Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe, A Texas Hero, Nights of Wailing, Days of Pain (Life in 1920s South Texas), and The First Texas Independence, 1813. Lopez is also the founder of the Tejano Learning Center, LLC, and www.tejanosunidos.org, a web site dedicated to Spanish Mexican people and events in U.S. history that are mostly overlooked in mainstream history books.) 

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Maverick Ranch Notes

arol came out this morning to bring her yardman, saint that she (and he) is.

He started on the terrace, reclaiming it from a hackberry takeover.

When the old bois’d arc (bodark in Texan) trees died every bird on the Ranch brought in hackberries to eat in the bare limbs. All seeds that they dropped sprouted and I had lost the battle until Carlos came.

It is amazing how dense shade keeps these opportunist berries at bay and how quickly they can turn a yard into a wilderness. Hackberries feed more wildlife than any other tree but in the yard I draw the line.

Now I can see some of the flowerbeds again.

This has started me thinking about thinning out the yard overall.

In the 40 years of my occupation, I have definitely overdone flowerbeds.

The native bushes of which I had to have one of every kind have grown so large that we cannot look past them to see deer and the cows when they come up in the evening. The Ranch houses no longer look like they did in old photos. I want less vegetation so the evening southeast breezes can reach the porch.

Today Carol paused just long enough to help me sort out photos from 1980 to 2005. I don’t consider them old, but they are in some ways.

There are our parents and lots of our old cow friends. Papa’s hibiscus collection, Mama’s daylily and iris collection (that’s where this thing with plants started) and all our cows from day one are in this pile of photos.

Carol and I looked at them, copied information off their covers, dusted and bagged them according to decade. It took a couple of hours and

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Old photos and new views now I can start clearing out something else from the bedroom floor.

Soon there will be nothing to trip over.

This is the summer for Robert E. Lee. There is a new book out on him written by Michael Korda. Korda has lately been writing well about men in American history (Ulysses S. Grant, Ike,) so the book looked good.

Korda was an editor for most of his career and then began writing.

The first of his books I read was Charmed Lives about his filmmaking father and uncles, the famous Kordas of Hollywood. I read it in the 1970s, it was good then and I’d read it again if I could find it. All us sisters have read his horse book (he came to horses and riding later in life) and Sissy and I have read his Another Life. This book is about his career and wild experiences in the book publishing/editing world. It is personal and educational at the same time and describes an almost lost kind of business these days.

Since Korda was an editor I would never have expected to say that Clouds of Glory; The Life and Legend of Robert E. Lee needs an editor. It appears as if the book was rushed to publication even though he thanks his editors on the back pages (where were they?) Korda repeats points so often that he seems to be writing for someone with memory loss. Perhaps each chapter was researched and written on its own then later assembled without checking to make sure his points were covered once, maybe twice, but not 10 times.

He does the unforgivable for me, he got Lee’s horses mixed up, though most readers won’t notice.

He also says Lee didn’t like being in Texas, which I never knew, and there

were points about Texas that Korda should have researched better. All this aside, he has assembled a readable biography on Lee’s life and the Civil War. He writes so that young people on first introduction to Lee can under-

stand his personality, the times, and the country’s situation. Korda sets scenes as well as his uncles and father did. The book is well worth the effort; I like Korda and got beyond his slip-ups.

— Bebe Fenstermaker

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

C

By bebe & sissy fenstermaker

Academy donates uniform vouchers to UISD Students from Muller Elementary received uniform vouchers from Academy Sports and Outdoors on Monday, July 21. The students are pictured selecting their uniforms in the Academy store at 5700 San Bernardo.

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Review

Review

Latest installment in Transformers franchise

Horror-thriller The Purge: Anarchy opens

By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

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ichael Bay’s Transformers: Age of Extinction, the fourth installment in the blockbuster franchise, takes place five years after the devastation of Chicago in the Dark of the Moon film.

Despite the fact it was the decepticons that demolished Chicago, mankind has turned its back on the autobots. Shady CIA agent Harold Attinger (Kelsey Grammer) is hunting down all remaining autobots instead of his deal with billionaire tech tycoon Joshua Joyce (Stanley Tucci).

Joyce, who has created transforming robots from Transformer technology, wants the competition eliminated. He essentially creates a prototype, known as Galvatron that turns out to be a reconstructed version of Megatron.

The leading man in this installment is struggling inventor Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) who uncovers a disheveled Optimus Prime in hiding. When Attinger and his drones come looking for the autobot, Cade, his daughter Tessa (Nicola Peltz), and her boyfriend Shane (Jack Reynor) are forced to go on the run.

While Wahlberg gives an earnest portrayal of a working father, his Bostonian accent is a bit much to overlook in light of being a Texan in the film.

One of my main criticisms would be that with a storyline such as this, it

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would have been a two-parter in the original animated TV show, as opposed to the three hours Bay subjects us to.

Explosions galore, typical of a Bayhelmed film, eventually becomes a tedious yawn fest — although Age of Extinction was still way better than its predecessor. Bay also manages to pull a fast one on fans of the original series,

as Dinobots were used as a fixture for the film’s advertisement, but didn’t appear until after the two-hour mark.

Kudos to Bay for his cinematography skills, although it wouldn’t kill the man to learn how to structure a concrete plot revolving around solid characters, because in this film his character development is seriously flawed. 

By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

T

he sequel to The Purge (staring Ethan Hawke) was released exactly one year later.

That was an automatic red flag that begged the question — how could a sequel released so quickly after its predecessor be any good?

The first film introduced audiences to the concept of an annual government sanctioned purge — 12-hours of legalized crime in which all emergency services are suspendered. I was sold on the first film by the excitingly terrifying perverse concept which left me feeling like a purge could answer many of society’s problems.

It was the idea and snazzy teasers, trailers, and tag lines that really sold tickets because the first film itself lacked substance — which director and writer James Demonaco made up for in The Purge: Anarchy.

The Purge focused on a wealthy neighborhood and a wealthy family with an unlimited supply of resources — depicting how all the money in the world couldn’t protect anyone from the government-approved mayhem.

Where the first film failed, The Purge: Anarchy not only resolves, but also opens up a whole new realm of fear. The sequel puts into perspective the idea of what the purge would look like from multiple realistic story lines.

The sequel follows a single mother Eva (Carmen Ejogo) and quick witted daughter Cali (Zoe Soul) struggling to make ends meet, living in a run down apartment complex, hoping to simply

barrack themselves and survive the night). Papa Ricco (John Beasely) Eva’s elderly sick father uses the purge as a means of committing the ultimate sacrifice — selling himself to rich folk who wish to purge from the comfort of their home.

The film also showcases a couple Liz (Kiele Sanchez) and Shane (Zach Gilford) who find themselves stranded on the highway as the purge is about to commence. Sergeant (Frank Grillo) was hands-down my favorite character — a seemingly hopeless man and an unlikely hero, who is obliviously out to partake in the purge that evening.

The characters were all very well written, most of them wildcards that constantly kept the audience guessing. I was incredibly impressed that the film could be violent without being gratuitous. There were so many scenes that could have easily been overly bloody (which typically I am a fan of), but I was left having to rely on my imagination from time to time.

The film presents an element of anarchy, as its namesake indicates, by a radical anti- government group urging the masses to not be fooled by government officials’ message of the purge being ‘a cleansing of the soul.’ The anti-government radicals point out that the majority killed on purge night are of low economic status, a means of ‘the man controlling the population. Radicals are urged to take arms and defend themselves on this holiday.

I highly recommend this film for those with strong political opinions. 

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Scout leaders gather Market draws Laredoans from across the spectrum The July 20 Farmers Market at Jarvis Plaza was packed with Laredoans looking for good buys and good company.

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Troop 615 committee chair Blanca Wells, Aztec District manager Abraham Reyna Troop 201 cub master Catalina Zaragoza, and Troop 201 assistant cub master Michael Dickerson gathered for the Aztec District Award of Merit Gathering and Scouting Family Dinner on July 22 at the Max Mandel Municipal Golf Course clubhouse.

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Green candidate Sibling vendors at Bazaar Joe and Nena Raygoza were among the craft vendors at the French Quarter Bazaar, hosted by the Artisans on Saturday, July 12.

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Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 candidate Lakshmana “Vish” Viswanath is pictured with Green Party supporters on Saturday, July 12 at the ribbon cutting for his headquarters at 2918 Santa Ursula.

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Letter from the Village

The emmets descend on Cornwall

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By IDA SWEARINGEN LareDOS Contributor

t’s summer in Cornwall, and we are beginning our annual inundation of holiday makers (in Cornish they are called emmets).

We love them because they’re fun to have around and a major source of income, but they do bring some unfortunate camp followers. Emmets attract white goods vans, busses full of Germans, SUVs, and camper vans.

This is in addition to our own tractors which all take to road this time of year to begin the silage (hay) harvest.

Those of you who have been here know how narrow our roads are, but a photo is included below to give you an idea of what I’m talking about. Emmets are usually from the more civilized parts of the UK where roads are a bit wider and have markings and all that upcountry stuff. So holiday drivers tend to putter along at 20 mph, eyes wide open with fear, staying steadfastly in the middle of the road so as not to brush into the hedges which line all our roads. Trouble is, our roads are two-way so when they run into oncoming traffic, there is panic and sometimes meltdown.

One response has been to post the following sign: Welcome to Cornwall Your car is not as wide as you think it is.

In the winter its pretty quiet around here and there can be days when I know every car I meet on the road, but this time of year I am constantly having to dive into the hedges to avoid an oncoming truck or move confidently ahead to convince some driver from Sussex that two cars really can pass on our roads or wait in a long tailback while some driver works up the courage to let a bus pass in the other direction.

Then there are the tractors. If you are

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lucky they’re towing wagons of silage, but they often tow wagons of shit around to fertilize their fields.

It makes for a smelly ride with the ever-present possibility of shit flying right at your windscreen. Gives new meaning to the old phrase.

In spite of it all, we’re having a lovely summer so far. Ellen and I and another friend got up at 3:00 in the morning to go out to a solstice ceremony on Bodmin Moor. For a change we had fabulous weather and it was lovely to hear the people sing and dance. They we repaired to the Cheesewring Hotel for a fabulous English breakfast. In the evening we went for another solstice gathering at our beach with a group of young women from the village. Everyone talked about some woman who had inspired them during the past year and it was a very moving time.

So here is wishing you a grand summer. 

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SOL announces masquerade ball honorees

Habitat dedicates energy efficient home

Washington Birthday Celebration Association’s director Celina Alvarado, president Veronica Castillon, and Eddie Villarreal were at the Laredo Main Street SOL Masquerade announcement on Tuesday, July 8 at La Posada Hotel.

Laredo Environmental Summit members Carlos Ruiz, Alice Herrera, Carmen Ramirez, and Habitat for Humanity executive director Carol Sherwood are pictured July 12 at the Fabela-Ruiz family home dedication ceremony in Los Obispos Subdivision.

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