LareDOS April 2013 Issue by Maria Eugenia Guerra

LOCALLY OWNED

Water is the driving force of all nature. — Leonardo da Vinci A JOURNAL OF THE BORDERLANDS APRIL 2013

Est. 1994

Vol. XVIII No. 4 64 PAGES

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LareDOS Newspaper

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=Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Martinez Foundation gives LMS a boost Laredo Main Street (LMS) board president Hector “Tito” Garcia, LMS executive director Christina Nazarin, board member of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation (GLMF) Leslie Gonzalez, GLMF board president Shirley Gonzalez, and Farmer’s Market coordinator Marisa Laufer are photographed on April 4 at La Posada Hotel. The GLMF presented LMS with a generous donation of $10,000 intended for its continued revitalization efforts of historic downtown.

At USBP’s Leadership Forum Dr. Israel Peniel, assistant professor of education at TAMIU, was a guest speaker at the Laredo Border Patrol Sector Leadership Forum on April 5. The event commemorated the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the 45th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s untimely death.

PUBLISHER

María Eugenia Guerra

meg@laredosnews.com STAFF WRITERS

Mariela Rodríguez

Silke Jasso SALES

María Eugenia Guerra

ads@laredosnews.com

CIRCULATION, BILLING & SUBSCRIPTIONS

meg@laredosnews.com LAYOUT/DESIGN

Vantage Graphics

design@laredosnews.com

CONTRIBUTORS Bebe Fenstermaker

Randy Koch

Sissy Fenstermaker

José Antonio López

Denise Ferguson

Monica McGettrick

Vicky García

Salo Otero

Neo Gutierrez

Itiel Valdez

Steve Harmon

Celia Villarreal

Henri Kahn

Write a Letter to the Editor meg@laredosnews.com

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Gallery 201 opening Fabian and Patti Garza showed their support for local artist Antonio Briones (center) on Wednesday, April 10 at Gallery 201. Briones works were displayed in the Back to Reality exhibit along with other local artists.

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Communities Matter at UISD Library Proclamation Jackie L. Ramos of Finley Elementary, Cristina Vidaurri of Colonel Santos Benavides, and Yvette Hernandez of Nye Elementary were among the United Independent School District library media specialists who attended the 8th annual Library Week proclamation on Monday, April 15 at the Student Activity Complex.

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Dear Meg. Congratulations to Mariela Rodriguez for her recent interview of Sandra Valls in your March issue. I was very happy to read that Sandra is doing so well nowadays. I remember her as a lead character in Oliver, one of the thirty+ plays that we photographed and presented in my Theatre In Laredo, 1983. Early on in one of the first performances, one of her fellow actors miscalculated in his movements and collided with Sandra. He broke her nose. However, after cleaning the blood with a Kleenex, Sandra carried on as a real trooper and finished the entire performance. For the remaining performances, she continued to “carry the day.” I am not even sure that all of the other cast members even knew of the injury. As I read the interview, I saw that Sandra is still a fine and sturdy “trooper” — i.e., that she goes ahead, even in the face of adversity, and performs her parts in life as they come. Every time I have seen Sandra’s father, through all these years, I have asked for an update and sent my best wishes. I send them again herewith. Finally, congratulations to you, Meg, for your capabilities in attracting, screening, hiring, and supporting such high-caliber LareDOS staff members as Mariela. – Lem Londos Railsback

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

etters to the publisher

Family Field Day Alicia V. Cantu is photographed with her grandchildren Alicia and Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez on April 14 at the Fifth Annual Voz de Niños Family Field Day. Fun, music, food, and games were the order of the day.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Ride of Heroes benefits Juvenile Diabetes research

Culturas Concert

Fernando Sosa, Fonz Villarreal, Imelda Villarreal, Sal Hale, Gabriel Martinez, Alberto Salas, and Gerardo Vargas of team Level X were among the participants of the 2nd annual Ride of Heroes Bike Race on April 14 at the Shiloh Bike Trails. The event benefited the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The Laredo Tex-Mex Defenders, a local group of historians, paid tribute to the Mexican Revolution throughout Laredo Community Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Culturas concert on Sunday, April 14 at the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center located on the Fort McIntosh campus. The group performed songs such as Cancion de Morelos and La Llorona.

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The International Bank of Commerce hosted a free health care reform seminar on Tuesday, April 9 at the main bank community suite to help employers and small businesses prepare for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Pictured from left to right are IBC Insurance team members Elsa A. Huron, commercial lines; health, and life sales representative Kai Yang; office manager Yolanda López, and Alan Jackson, commercialized producer.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

IBC sponsors health care reform seminar

At the French Quarter Bazaar Jewels in the Sky — Adolfo Vasquez and Luis Lascani — provided live music for the the French Quarter Bazaar on Saturday, April 13.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Stampede Art exhibit

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Patrick, Dan, and Elizabeth Bausman, and LCC art instructor Mary Bausman are pictured at the opening reception of the Stampede Art Exhibit. The art of LCC employees will be displayed through May 3 at the visual art gallery located in the Visual and Performing Arts Center.

Earth Day tours at the LBVESC Families gathered at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center on April 20 for Earth Day walking tours of the center. The center offered play and educational activities to promote the importance of preserving nature and conserving natural resources.

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News

Founders’ Day recognizes Heritage Award nominees

Vera, Welsh named co-presidents of RRG

he Webb County Heritage Foundation’s (WCHF) annual Founder’s Day Celebration is set for Saturday, May 11 at Texas A&M International University’s Student Center Ballroom. Celebrating the 258th anniversary of Laredo’s founding, the luncheon will honor the descendants of founder Don Tomás Sánchez and the founding families of this historic community. The event includes the inauguration of this year’s honorary President of the Republic of the Río Grande and the presentation of the 2013 Heritage Awards that recognize those who have contributed to the preservation of the unique architectural and cultural heritage of Webb County. Sr. Maria Luisa Vera, R.S.M. and Sr. Rosemary Welsh, R.S.M., of the Sisters of Mercy have been named the first-ever co-presidents of the Republic of the Rio Grande. “The Sisters of Mercy are a driving force protecting the health and spiritual welfare of countless people in this border region,” said Margarita Araiza, WCHF executive director, adding, “They are unstoppable examples of love in action, providing not only health care, but valuable advocacy for the unprotected, the forgotten, and the less fortunate.” The Jim Parish Award for publication of original material related to local history will be presented to Beatriz de la Garza for her publication, From the Republic of the Río Grande. Recipients of the Luciano Guajardo Award — presented in recognition of efforts to promote awareness of the history, architecture, and folklore of the region — are Laredo Morning Times photographer Cuate Santos, and Dr. José Roberto Juárez, and Joe Moreno for their dedication to researching and preparing historical narratives W W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

used in designating Recorded Texas Historical markers in Laredo and Webb County. LISD Dean of Social Studies Christina T. Dancause will receive the newly designated award created in memory of the late LCC instructor Ricardo Hernandez. She will be recognized for spearheading the creation and implementation of the Laredo History course at LISD. Hernández was a member of the WCHF’s Local History Curriculum Committee that developed the Laredo History course taught at LISD and St. Augustine High School. The award in his name annually honors outstanding achievement for a student, teacher, or administrator. The Preservation of Folklore/Customs/Traditions Award will go to the First United Methodist Women for sponsorship of the annual flower and art show for 64 years. Also receiving this award are Roque and Melissa Haynes for their preservation of an annual Christmas posada tradition in their neighborhood. The Foundation’s Environmental Preservation Award will be presented to the Rio Grande International Study Center and the Monte Mucho Audubon Society for their sponsorship of the Laredo Birding Festival. . “Every year, the Webb County Heritage Foundation is proud to honor a selection of worthy recipients with a Heritage Award in recognition of their services in preserving this region’s history and cultural heritage,” Araiza said. The event is open to the public and all descendants of founding families as well as all friends of preservation are encouraged to attend. For luncheon reservations or more information contact the Webb County Heritage Foundation at (956) 727-0977 or email heritage@webbheritage.org. ◆

r. Maria Luisa Vera, R.S.M. and Sr. Rosemary Welsh, R.S.M. share the spotlight as the first-ever co-Presidents of the Republic of the Rio Grande. They and their cabinet will we inaugurated during the Webb County Heritage Foundation’s annual Founders’ Day Celebration on Saturday, May 11 at noon at Texas A&M International University. The Sisters will represent the original President of the Republic of the Río Grande Jesús Cárdenas. Their cabinet members who, in turn, represent historical figures that also played a part in the government of the Republic of the Rio Grande are Sister Olivia Maria Obregon, R.S.M.; Libbie Casso; Rosanne Palacios; Fernandina Garcia; Maria “Nena” Arambula; Karen P. Martinez; and Gloria Jackson. They will be representing Francisco Vidaurri y Villaseñor, Vice-President and delegate for Coahuila; Col. Antonio Zapata, Commander of the Cavalry; Antonio Canales, Commander-in-Chief of the Army; Manuel Nina, Quar-

termaster General; Juan Francisco Farias, Secretary; Manuel María de Llano, delegate for Nuevo Leon; and Juan Nepomuceno Molano, delegate for Tamaulipas. “As the Sisters of Mercy who have gone before us planted deep roots in Laredo-Webb County, I am blessed to be adopted into the rich history of this beloved community,” said Sr. María Luisa of the honorary presidency. I love everything about Laredo and Webb County. I have been here for over 20 years now and I am so proud to call it my home. Thank you for adopting me and teaching me how to be a better Sister of Mercy,” said Sr. Rosemary. Past honorary presidents have included Congressman Henry Cuellar, Evan J. Quiros, Dr. Ray M. Keck, III, Judith G. Gutíerrez, Dr. José Roberto Juárez, Norma Z. Benavides, Mercurio Martínez, Jr., Elizabeth Foster, E.H. Corrigan, Sam Johnson III, Annabelle Uribe Hall, and the current president Renato Ramirez. ◆

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News

Corina Rodriguez recipient of RRG scholarship

orina Isabela Rodriguez, a senior at J.B. Alexander High School, is the 2013 recipient of the President of the Republic of the Río Grande Scholarship. Her winning essay is a narrative about her great-grandparents and the origins of their family business, La India Packing Co. Using vivid descriptive writing and excellent historical anecdotes, the essay combines her family’s generational memories and community history.

She is the daughter of Rene Rodriguez and Dr. Sonia Garza Rodriguez. She is active in numerous campus organizations and has extensive volunteer and award recognitions. She has listed Texas A&M University as her first choice for college. She will receive the scholarship as part of the Founders’ Day Celebration on Saturday, May 11 at noon in the Student Center Ballroom of Texas A&M International University in Laredo. ◆

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

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At the Narcotic Detector Dog Association Conference Officer T. Trout and deputies L.T. Jones and J. Peyton of the Dallas County’s Sheriff Department’s criminal and addictions team were among 150 participants who attended the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association National Conference from April 15 through April 19 at the Laredo Energy Arena. New techniques for K-9 officer training were among the topics discussed at the conference.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Guard volunteers for Casa Blanca cleanup Soldiers of the Texas Army National Guard 436th Chemical Co., along with civilians, participated in beautifying Lake Casa Blanca on Saturday, April 20. Volunteers worked diligently to collect trash and other debris in and around the lake. The cleanup was organized through a partnership between the Rio Grande International Study Center and the 436th Chemical Co.

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News

No Mud! No Glory! Take 2 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a fee of $55 at a location to be announced, and online between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. on the day of istrict VI Council member the race for $65. Charlie San Miguel is set to “The race begins at 7:30 a.m. with aphost another “No Mud! No proximately 10-minute staggered heat Glory! one tough mud’r2” 5K start times,” said parks and leisure sermud race — a three mile boot camp style vices director Osbaldo Guzman, adding, obstacle course — on Saturday, May 4 at “However, because of the sheer number North Central Park. of participants last year, some people did Monkey bars, mud hill climbs, over not get to start competing until well after and under logs, mud pits, and mud noon. By signing up early, you should get crawls are among the obstacles that par- the better start time, avoiding the heat ticipants can anticipate. The “No Mud! of the day, plus a less muddy obstacle No Glory! one tough mud’r2” race antici- course.” pates greater participation numbers over All pre-registrants will be provided last year’s 1,000 participants. with a registration packet, including bib “I’m so excited to once again host this numbers, T-shirts, and all the important race for competitors of all ages. I really heat start times prior to the race. want people to get together, whether it’s Teams, with a minimum of five from your workplace, members, will comchurch, neighbors, pete for the Agent Jefschool groups or any frey Ramirez Memorial organization to come Team Championship out and experience the Award which is named feeling of pride you get in honor of Border Patrol when you are running agent Jeffrey Ramirez. for your team,” said CM “Agent Ramirez San Miguel. was a big fan of such Racers will be enevents. Border Patrol tered according to age agents who ran in his categories, including honor as Jeffrey’s Dawgs CM San Miguel male and female ages took the trophy last year 18-23; 24-29; 30-39; 40-49; and vow to keep de50-59; 60 and up. Course obstacles will be fending the title,” said CM San Miguel. modified for racers by providing alternaSponsors include the City of Laredo, tive sets of exercises, such as burpees or Garza Medical Associates, Hickey Peña push-ups that must be completed if an Architects, and Southern Distributing. obstacle proves to be too tough. CM San Miguel added, “We hope to The fee for early registration is $45 for have a festival, fun atmosphere at the adults and $30 for youth ages 11 to 17. En- mud race, with sponsor displays and trants can pre-register online at www. other vendors selling food and drinks, cityoflaredo.com or in person at the as well as providing music and enterJames and Maria Luisa Haynes Health tainment to make waiting around and and Wellness Center; Northeast Hillside watching the racers come in more fun.” Recreation Center; or El Eden Recreation For more information contact Xochitl Center. Mora García at (956) 791-7461 or email Late registration is Friday, May 3 from lmora@ci.laredo.tx.us. ◆

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

BY MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

Job Corps culinary art students Irene Garza, Gabriel Leal, José Porter, Juan Carlos Peña, and Eddie Vallejo along with their instructor Pablo Camarillo were part of the April 20 Farmer’s Market. The students offered a variety of sweets.

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News Brief

Banker Jorge Gonzalez takes helm of Laredo Boys-Girls Club board

anker and Laredo civic leader Jorge Gonzalez has been elected president of the Boys and Girls Club of Laredo board of directors. An executive with Falcon International Bank in the Falcon-Sure insurance Division and a native Laredoan, Gonzalez has been active with the Boys and Girls Club since 2004. He is a former basketball star at J.W. Nixon High School and was recently named a Mustang Legend and to the first Laredo Philanthropy and Volunteer Hall of Fame. Other officers elected were Daniel B. Hastings Jr., president-elect; J.J. Castillo, first vice president; Memo Treviño, second vice president; Jim Kelly, treasurer; and Russell Cerda, secretary. Jimmy Notzon is the immediate past president. Re-elected to the board were Treviño, Notzon, Ramiro Barrera, Eliza Gonzalez, Alberto Ma-

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gnon III, Joe Palacios, and Alfonso Chapa. Susan Foster was named a lifetime director and was replaced on the board by Anabella Herbig. Other new board members are Guillermo Cavazos Jr. and John Villarreal. Cavazos replaces the late Louie Bruni and Villarreal replaces Juan Cruz, who resigned. Elected as members of the corporation were Orlando (Jay) Juarez, Steve Trautmann Jr., Dr. Vanessa Carpenter, Alberto Torres Jr., Ernest Bruni, Carlos Mendoza, and Alejandro Quetzari. The Boys and Girls Club started in Laredo in 1946 at 500 Moctezuma, which is now the Benavides Boys and Girls Club. Branches are the Lamar Bruni Vergara Boys and Girls Club in Los Presidentes, the Northwest Club on Santa Maria, and facilities in Rio Bravo and El Cenizo. Hector J. Noyola is the longtime executive director. – LareDOS Staff

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Feature

BY MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

aredo Main Street (LMS) – the non-profit that works to build community support, interest, and economic growth for downtown – has named Christina Nazarin as its new executive director. “The revitalization of downtown is necessary for the success of Laredo as a whole. We need to hold on to where we came from and what built us,” said Nazarin, adding, “We can’t move forward without considering where we started.” Of her predecessor Sandra Taylor Rocha, Nazarin said, “Everything Sandra implemented worked. I wouldn’t want to change anything. We’re simply building on what was already established.” Nazarin’s vision for LMS is growth. “Growing up downtown was the place to be. LMS is working on the revitalization of downtown’s cultural and historical aspects. Many people assume that LMS just puts on Jamboozie every year and that’s it. They may not realize that monies raised go to our facade improvement programs and revitalizing structures such as the old American Legion Hall,” she said. LMS is attempting to reach out to other members of the community, not necessarily through advertising but through the work the organization has accomplished, according to Nazarin. “We’re trying to expand the Laredo Farmer’s Market to host it twice a month, thanks to the generous donation we received from the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation,” said, Nazarin,

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adding, “I’m really excited to get work done, and I look forward to meeting a lot of new people.” Nazarin earned a BA in political science and a Master’s in public administration from Texas A&M International University. Once a biology major with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, Nazarin became intrigued with the system of government after her first political science course. She took various prestigious internships throughout her college career, including a stint at the Office of Strategic Human Capital in Washington, D.C. “My plan was to go back to D.C. after getting my BA to work for the federal government. The politics, however, were too cut throat for my taste,” Nazarin said, adding, “I thought to myself – I can work for the government, get a good check, go home at the end of the day, and be miserable, or I can go into something where I can actually make a difference.” Nazarin also conducted an internship at the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, which she cites as one of the best learning experiences of her life. After that internship she began looking at employment with nonprofits A member of Laredo Run Strong, Nazarin sees herself continuing to work with nonprofit groups in the future. “Most of the time when people ask me what Laredo Main Street does, I get the question ‘Why?’ My response is usually that if one part of Laredo can be reestablished as not only a part of the cultural mecca it once was but also as the shopping venue it once was, why wouldn’t that help the rest of Laredo grow?” she added. ◆

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

The new face of Laredo Main Street

Casas del Ayer exhibit Isidro Antoñio Gonzalez Molina and his wife Graciela Gonzalez are photographed at the opening reception for Casas del Ayer, Gonzalez Molina’s photo exhibit on Friday, April 12 at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum. The exhibit is sponsored by the Webb County Heritage Foundation and will be on display through through June.

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Feature

Somos Hermanos portraits aim to unite sister cities

os Dos Laredos Inside Out Project Somos Hermanos — a grassroots effort seven months in the making — aims at promoting peace and unity between the sister cities through 60 portraits of U.S. and Mexican citizens displayed on the walls outside the Rio Grande Plaza Hotel that faces the river and Mexico. Somos Hermanos was inspired to participate in JR’s — a French street artist and recipient of the 2011 TED Prize — global art movement intended to turn the world inside out. Viky García, a Somos Hermanos project coordinator, said, “We were inspired to demonstrate our community’s commitment to peace and unity. It is remarkable to engage with others around the world who are adding their voices and faces to stand publicly for what they believe in.” According to JR at www.insideoutproject.net/, “The Inside Out Project is a large-scale participatory art project that transforms messages

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of personal identity into pieces of artistic work. Everyone is c hallenged to use black and white photographic portraits to d i s cover, reveal, and share the untold stories and i m a g e s of people around the world.” Portraits were taken for $30 at the monthly French Quarter bazaars, of which $20 went to the individual’s portrait and $10 towards funding portraits of those at an economic disadvantage. “The Inside Out Project sponsored a few portraits and the rest we covered out of our own pocket. It was truly a community effort. Vicky Garcia

BY MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

There were no sponsors, no big names supporting what is supposed to be a community effort, and I am glad to say that we succeeded,” said García. Wh i le the completed project has received positive feedback, there were a few criticisms on the choice of location for exhibition. “I think the location is perfect because it faces the International Bridges where folks from both the U.S. and Mexico can see them,” García said, adding, “We also received comments about people being happy that public art has made its way to Laredo. Laredo is a vibrant com-

munity, but it lacks art that is accessible to all.” Veronica Padilla and García organized the necessary logistics to begin the project and recruit volunteers to assist with various aspects. García said, “Volunteers from the French Quarter Bazaar allowed us the space to take photos. Lynne Nava’s volunteers from Keep Laredo Beautiful cleaned the area where the portraits are on display on the hotel grounds, and Corina Salinas of the Laredo Rotary Club provided refreshments. Volunteer photographers were Jesus García, Ari Farias, and Jennifer Sanchez. Ruben Rodriguez of the Río Grande Plaza Hotel and many others played an integral role in making it happen.” According to the TED website, the TED Prize is awarded annually to creative individuals seeking to spark global change. “From Bono’s the ONE Campaign to Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, the TED Prize has helped to combat poverty, take on religious intolerance, improve global health, tackle child obesity, advance education, and inspire art around the world.” ◆

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News

Arguindegui Family, Hortense Offerle, Cookie and Roque Vela 2013 Laureates

unior Achievement of Laredo has selected as its 2013 Business Hall of Fame Laureates the Arguindegui family of Arguindegui Oil Companies; Hortense Offerle, trustee of the Reuthinger Living Trust and Reuthinger Residue Trust; and Cookie and Roque Vela, owners of Jett Bowl North. The laureates will be inducted into the 2013 Business Hall of Fame on Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the Laredo Country Club. “Through the Laredo Business Hall of Fame, Junior Achievement recognizes the outstanding contributions of esteemed local business leaders,” said JAL executive director Oralia Bernal.

Bernal added that the laureates exemplify business achievement demonstrated through courageous thinking, action, vision, and innovation. Inductees must inspire leadership and community mindfulness through business practices. “These laureates have played a major role in the history and growth of the city and are role models for the com-

munity’s youth,” Bernal said, adding, “Junior Achievement aims to empower young people to own their future economic success by enhancing the relevancy of education.” Sponsors of the event include the International Bank of Commerce; Arguindegui Oil Companies; Fernando A. Salinas Charitable Trust; Jett Bowl North; Laredo Energy;

Falcon International Bank; San Isidro; ANB Cattle Co; BBVA Compass; Cuellar, Saldaña, Cuellar, Morales, and Co., PLLC; HEB; McDonald’s; Renato and Patricia Ramirez; Southern Distributing; Texas Community Bank; Carranco & Lawson PC; Cavazos Candy and Product Wholesale Company; the City of Laredo Mayor and City Council Office; Howland Engineering and Surveying Co., Inc; La Posada Hotel; La Quinta Inn and Suites; and the Laredo Morning Times. For more information on the event and reservations contact Bernal at (956) 725-3464. – LareDOS Staff

News

LWCBA continues Law Day tradition with Liberty Bell awards

he Laredo-Webb County Bar Association (LWCBA) will honor Judge Oscar J. Hale, Jr., Sister Rosemary Welsh, and Webb County District Clerk Esther Degollado at the annual Liberty Bell Award Luncheon in the Colonnade Ball Room of the Laredo Country Club at noon on May 3. The luncheon is part of the week-long celebration of Law Day includes high school and college level educational opportunities and the second phase of an immigration clinic that aims to assist undocumented youth in applying for deferred action. “The Laredo-Webb County Bar Association is a non-profit organization that aims to bring legal

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awareness to all of Webb County,” said John Perez, assistant director of the LWCBA. “We are proud to bring opportunities, like these, to Laredo and its youth.” In 1958, Dwight D. Eisenhower declared May 1st National Law Day, a day of celebration of Americans for their rededication to the ideals of equality and justice under law. The LWCBA has made it a tradition to expand the Law Day commemoration to a week. The local bar association provides daily events for the community, including organizing an in-court experience for Laredo’s high school students, attorney shadowing opportunities for college level students, a legal ethics seminar for the

attorneys in Webb County, an immigration-focused law clinic, and the Liberty Bell Award Luncheon. The LWCBA will recount the year’s successes and hand off the baton from the outgoing officers to the new administration of LWCBA officers. As a final act, it is customary for the current President (Edward Nolen) to award three individuals in our community that have shown exceeding dedication and determination in bringing justice to Laredo.

Nolen will end his administration by passing presidency to the current president-elect, Silverio Martinez. Attendance for the event is available through an individual ticket purchase of $50 or by a table purchase of $500 to seat 10 individuals. For table reservations or more information, please contact John Perez by phone at 956-725-4400 or by email at webbcountybar@gmail.com – LareDOS Staff

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News

Serenata Mexicana, May 7 fundraiser for classroom musical instruments BY MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

ory, how to read music, and how to play an instrument,” he said. A tenor, Gutierrez will perform as Varak in Serenata Mexicana, singing Las Mañanitas, Cielito Lindo, Serenata Huasteca, other traditional favorites, and several original compositions, including one dedicated to his own mother, Sandra Gutierrez. “Music has always been part of my life. When I was five, I started participating in dance and music programs at school, or being the emcee. My grandmother saw my inclination toward music and supported me. My father was more pragmatic. He told me I could have a career that supported me and let me pursue my love of music. He said I could do both

things, but he needed a diploma in my hand,” Gutierrez said, adding, “I have learned from all genres of music. I’m culturally tied to Mexican music, but I am open to all. Teaching is my vocation, and music is my passion. Those two things come together in the classroom.” The Finley music instructor is a graduate of TAMIU with a BA in Spanish. He took extensive coursework at LCC in voice, guitar, and piano. He has lived in Miami, where he was featured as an estrella del futuro on Sabado Gigante and Cristina Saralegui’s talk show. Gutierrez is inviting all Finley parents, mothers, and grandmothers, and others in the community to attend the concert and be part of the fundraising effort. ◆

Courtesy Photo

erenata Mexicana, a fundraising concert to purchase new musical instruments at Finley Elementary School, is in the works for a Tuesday, May 7 performance at 8 p.m. at the United Middle School Auditorium. Finley Elementary music teacher Arturo Gutierrez, who sings professionally as Arturo Varak, is organizing the event and will perform with Mariachi Origen y Tradición of Houston in an homage to mothers. The TAMIU Ballet Folklorico will also perform. Assigned seating tickets for the event are $15 and can be purchased at the

school or by calling (956) 473-4501. Gutierrez, who teaches 500 Finley students annually, hopes to raise enough money to purchase a complete classroom set of Orff (percussion) instruments, ukuleles, and two piano keyboards. “We will need about $6,000 to do this,” he said, noting that the concert expenses include the cost of the mariachi band, an audio technician, and a lighting technician. “Every one else is a volunteer. We are very grateful for the support of other Finley teachers in organizing the concert as well as that of Principal Anna Wirsching and UISD administration,” Gutierrez said. “The new instruments will benefit the children directly as they learn music the-

The J.W. Arndt Elementary Cardinals are pictured after taking the City Co-Championship in the Boys and Girls Club tournament. They are Anthony Flores, Angel Apac, Miguel Murillo, Raymond Madrigal, Roberto Ruiz, Alex Villareal, Alex Lara, Esteban Medina, and Evelio Rodriguez. W W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

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News

Museum organizers ask community for service artifacts BY MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

military artifact collection drive is underway under auspices of the board of the Juan Francisco Farias Military Museum (JFFMM). Items may be dropped off every Friday up to May 24 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Cigarroa, Martin, and Nixon High schools. “All items may be donated or loaned to the museum for a minimum of one year,” said Gabriel López, president of the board of directors of the JFFMM. Items sought include but are not

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limited to clothing, such as military uniforms, pants, sweaters, coats, special garments, rain gear, cold weather gear, tropical uniforms, and all types of military shoes. Other desired items include mechanical and non-mechanical military tools such as hand and power tools, pneumatic or hydraulic driven tools, and/or knives used in domestic or foreign campaigns. The museum will accept furniture used in military installations on the continental USA or overseas military installations, including at embassies, territories, and or commonwealths. “The JFFMM would like to dis-

play ribbons and medals from all military campaigns from all branches of the service. This includes foreign medals and ribbons awarded to services members from other countries that served in a joint campaign with United States service members,” said López. He said the museum will display personal items such as letters, post cards, pens, wallets, and handbags used during a military campaigns or during military service. Media or recording devices such as pictures, voice recordings, video recordings, or paintings are also being accepted. The museum will display military weapons and inert ammunition

as well as any motorized vehicle or self-propelled vehicle used during military service. The vehicles can be in working order or in any condition that will be suitable for restoration. All miscellaneous items will be used at the discretion of the museum curator. López said, “We urge all citizens to donate or loan items to the museum as we continue on the next phase of establishing the museum, which is intended to preserve the memory of those local citizens who served our country in the military since the founding of Laredo.” For more information please contact López at (956) 229-0265. ◆

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News

AHEC offers five summer camps for youth interested in health careers

he Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area (AHEC) has plans for five summer camps for students who aspire to enter the health care field. The camps will be held at the UT Health Science Campus at 1937 E. Bustamante and are offered at no charge. Students who are interested may register at the AHEC offices at 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 430; through school counselors; and via AHEC’s Facebook page http:// www.facebook.com/mrgbahec The AHEC College Academy, a one-week summer enrichment program for high school juniors and seniors, aims to prepare students for the school-to-college transition. The program provides 25 hours of training with attention to academic awareness, standardized test preparation, interview skills, basics of college admission, and the college application process. Students leave the session with a 12-week study plan for the SAT or ACT college entrance exams. The College Academy, which served over 50 students last year, will be held from June 10 to 14. The AHEC Junior Academy for middle school students is designed for rising 7th and 8th grade students in public or private schools in a summer camp format. The academy provides enhancement in science, mathematics, health science, and an approach for middle school students to think about attending a university. Activities with instruction include, but are not limited to, the study of muscles, bones, the brain, the heart, nerves, the digestive system, and the skin. In addition to the W W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

human body, the students study day class that includes hands-on aspects of chemistry and physics activities for high school juniors while integrating mathematics. This and seniors interested in pursuing gives students awareness about ca- a career in the health care field. Sereers in STEM — science, technol- lected health care professionals will ogy, engineering, and mathematics, present on their field or specialty while also recognizing the impor- and students will be taken on an edtance of these subjects for all areas ucational field trip. The camp dates of health care. Over 90 students at- are July 1 to 3. Over 50 students partended the 2012 Junior Academy in ticipated in the Summer Biomedical 2012. Class dates are June 17 to 21. Enrichment Program in 2012. The AHEC Mini Academy, a sumThe Youth Health Service Corps mer camp for elementary school applies a nationally recognized students, is designed for rising 5th curriculum to develop leaderships and 6th grade students in public or skills in high school students who private schools in Webb County. are interested in improving their The Mini Academy provides age ap- community thought community propriate enhancement in science, service projects. Topics covered in mathematics, health science, and the July 8 and 9 training include vocabulary development. Hands-on vulnerable populations, homelessactivities will provide concrete ex- ness, and legal/ethical issues. Stuperiences that students can transfer dents are then ready to service in to the classroom. Success in school various community service projects and strengthened study skills are in the community. Over 80 students promoted by design. Taking appro- attended the Youth Health Service priate courses in high school for the Corps training in 2012. student’s projected career choice are strongly suggested to significantly improve education outcomes. While health care careers are emphasized, the student may aspire to pursue any career of choice. The Mini Academy will take place from June 24 to 28. The Summer Biomedical Enrichment Pro2012 Junior Academy gram is a three-

For further information on the AHEC camps, call (956) 712-0037. The Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area was founded in 1993 by the University of Texas Health Science Center and a group of community leaders to address the growing need for health care professionals and academic resources in Laredo, Webb County and surrounding areas. Since then, AHEC and its Board of Directors have developed a menu of programs appropriately designed for students from the elementary level through the college level to create a continuum of programs to promote health careers and encourage higher education. Each year, the AHEC programs serve over 5,000 students. The MRGB-AHEC holds independent status as a 501© (3) entity; this broadens funding opportunities and enhances its community-wide base. – LareDOS Staff

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Family Field Day

Laredo Community College Flamenco dance students were among the performers in the 2013 Culturas concert on April 14, which offered attendees the opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of old Mexico and Spain.

Voz de Niños hosted its 5th annual Family Field Day on Sunday, April 14 at the International Bank of Commerce Lago del Río. Pictured is Voz de Niños board member Triana Lerma accompanied by son Andres and husband Paco.

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Preserving culture through dance

Celebrating achievement with the Philharmonic First violinist Yu Mei Huang along with her husband, bassoonist Dr. Xiaohu Zhou, were among the performers who accompanied the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra on April 21 at the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center. “The Celebrating Achievement” concert marked Maestro Brendan Townsend’s 10th season leading the orchestra.

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Commentary

Resolution to Celebrate 200th Anniversary of the First Texas Constitution (H.R. #709)

BY JOSE ANTONIO LOPEZ LareDOS Contributor

n a previous LareDOS article, I wrote about the significance of the month of April in early Texas history. Very briefly, on April 1-2, 1813, Colonel José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara and his Army of the North triumphantly entered and took possession of San Antonio, the regional Capital of Texas. On April 6, he signed the first Texas Declaration of Independence. On April 17, he signed the first Texas Constitution. Thus, jubilant Bexareños, Bexareñas, and all Texas citizens got their first taste of independence during the month of April 200 years ago. Sadly, today little is known about pre1836 Texas history. To that end, some of us are making progress, albeit at a slow pace. Some examples are the Tejano Monument in Austin, Battle of Medina re-enactments, Hispanic genealogy and history events held throughout the year, and the preservation and restoration of historic buildings, such as the Treviño-Uribe Fort in San Ygnacio. The most recent notable milestone is the reading on April 17th of Texas House Resolution 709, sponsored by Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin). (See Proclamation below.) As my wife and I travel throughout South and Central Texas sharing with others our wonderful history, we are often asked a very reasonable question. Why has it taken so long to restart the engine of early Texas history? There is no simple answer. However, no one can deny that mainstream Texas history has been taught as if it begins at the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. In my view, this narrow method of teaching has stonewalled our state’s true founding. Expectedly, it is in tearing down that wall that many Mexican-descent citizens we meet find most satisfying. For example, they embrace and welcome the mention of Spanish Mexican people, places, and events in our state’s history. They are pleasantly surprised to find out that Texas has its own SpanishW W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

speaking founding fathers and mothers apart from those in the U.S. English Colonies. Further, they take pride in learning that beginning in 1810, ideals of liberty, justice, and independence already existed by the time Sam Houston emigrated from Tennessee to Texas. Why is it important today to remember the past? The answer is simple. The road ahead in telling our story is still a bit bumpy. Not everyone shares our enthusiasm for a fair and balanced rendering of Texas history. Expectedly, opponents of our movement come from the so-called conservative side of the political spectrum, since it is this group that still adheres to a rigid, unyielding Manifest Destiny point of view. Exposing themselves as anti-diversity agents, they’ve zeroed in on hard-won human dignity victories that minority groups have attained through the years. Por ejemplo (for example), at least two conservative party leaders have said in public that they are working to undo the 1964 Civil Rights Act because for one thing, white business owners have a “right” to refuse service to members of minority groups just as they did in the 1950s. Then, there’s that elected official from Alaska who sees nothing wrong in his using a demeaning slur to refer to Mexican-descent farm workers. Closer to home, attacks against Mexican-descent citizens are plentiful here in Texas. Far-right politicos have amassed an arsenal of intimidation WMDs to target the Mexican-descent population, such as redistricting, English Only, Voter ID, voter suppression, and their ill-advised goal to do away with public school education. Hopefully, all decent, sensible U.S. citizens regardless of racial/ethnic background have figured it out. Such bigotry was not fair in the 1950s, and is certainly still unfair in the 21st Century U.S. In summary, the Tejano Monument in Austin was unthinkable just a few years ago. Yet, the Tejano Monument Committee got it done! This memorial and H.R. Proclamation 709 (below) remind all of us of the genuine birth of Texas. To put it bluntly, they are re-

minders that some of us do not descend from the Mayflower; nor did our ancestors land at Ellis Island. We Spanish Mexican (Native American) people of Texas and Southwest were already here before 1848 when the U.S. took the land from Mexico. The bottom lines are these: (l) if you are a U.S. citizen of Anglo or Northern Europeandescent, there is no reason to fear the learning of pre-1836 Texas history. This is not about rewriting Texas history; it’s about filling in the missing pieces. (2) Likewise, whether you are a first-generation U.S. citizen of Mexican-descent, or an 8th generation Texan, we are all part of a large extended familia. The Spanish Mexican roots of Texas run deep and thus they give all of us a deserved claim to Texas history. Lastly, access to knowledge has its rewards. Perhaps finally giving Mexican-descent students in Texas classrooms a legitimate sense of Texas history ownership will inspire them to stay in school, graduate from a four-year university, and become productive members of their community. Moreover, let’s hope that very soon Texas school children of all backgrounds will learn Texas history in a seamless manner from the arrival of the Spanish in 1519 to the present. 83RD TEXAS LEGISLATURE H.R.ANo.A709 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Nearly a quarter of a century before the siege of the Alamo, an army inspired by the fervor of Don José Bernardo Maximiliano Gutierrez de Lara and composed of Tejanos, volunteers from the United States, and Native American allies made a courageous bid to liberate Texas from the Spanish empire, leading to the first Texas Declaration of Independence on April 6, 1813; and WHEREAS, On September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and his followers seized the prison at Dolores, Mexico, sparking a Mexican rebellion against the Spanish empire; answering the call to freedom, Don Bernardo trav-

eled to Washington, D.C., in 1811 to inform the U.S. government of the rebels’ plans to establish a republican government in Texas as part of the liberation of Mexico; and WHEREAS, In 1812, Don Bernardo and former U.S. Army officer Augustus Magee led the Army of the North from Natchitoches, Louisiana, into Texas; this volunteer force quickly defeated the Spanish Royalist troops at the Battles of Nacogdoches, La Bahia, Rosillo, and Alazan Creek; and WHEREAS, Don Bernardo and the republican army took possession of San Fernando de Bexar, now known as San Antonio, on the night of April 1 and 2, 1813, and on April 6, 1813, Don Bernardo signed a proclamation declaring Texas ’ independence from Spain; on April 17, 1813, acting in his capacity as president of the new provisional government, Don Bernardo signed the first Texas Constitution; and WHEREAS, This first bold attempt to win the independence of Texas came to a tragic end on August 18, 1813, when the Royalist army under General Joaquin de Arredondo defeated the Texan army at the Battle of Medina; during the bitterly fought, four-hour-long contest, more than 800 Tejano patriots lost their lives in their quest for freedom; and WHEREAS, The valiant struggle of Don Jose Bernardo Maximiliano Gutierrez de Lara and the Army of the North to throw off the Spanish yoke represents a significant chapter in the rich annals of Texas history, one that is indeed worthy of remembrance on this special occasion; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first Texas Constitution on April 17, 2013, and call on all Texans to honor the memory of Don Bernardo and his comrades. ◆ LareDOS I A PRI L 2013 I

News

“Just beat” it was this year’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life’s slogan. The relay took place from 7 p.m. on April 26 through 7 a.m. on April 27 at the UISD Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex. The event not only raised funds to help find a cure but also celebrated the lives of cancer survivors. This year’s relay honored Gracie Peña, Javier Compean, and Raquel Cruz Chambalaga. “I’m truly honored to have been chosen as one of the honorary survivors for Relay for Life 2013. I have been a part of relay for the past 13 years, because to me it’s about providing hope and inspiration to others, and if I can do that for at least one person, then I have completed my mission,” said Peña The relay began with a victory lap in which hundreds of cancer survivors and their caregivers walked the track, followed by participants joining the overnight walk. The Luminaria Ceremony — which honored survivors while remembering those lost to the disease — took place after sundown. Participants circled the track with glowing luminarias that bore the name of one who battled cancer. Alma Jasso served as this year’s Relay chair, with UISD Supt. Roberto Santos serving as honorary chair.

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“Our event brings hope to people — hope that someday soon there will be a cure. Our committee has been working hard all year to make this a successful event for Laredo. We believe that what we contribute today may save lives tomorrow,” said Jasso. “It is my great pleasure to serve as the honorary chair for this year’s Relay for Life is a cause that is very close to my heart. Relay for Life allows us to recognize and celebrate survivors, caregivers, and those who give time, love, and support to their friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers who are currently facing cancer. It is a beautiful community event for all to take part in,” said Santos. The live music of Little Sister and country musician Romeo provided entertainment along with team fundraising activities and contests. The event’s proceeds help support the American Cancer Society’s mission of eliminating cancer. 60 percent of funds raised go toward assisting Webb County residents currently fighting cancer. For more information on the Relay for Life Webb County, contact community manager Stephanie Gonzalez at stephanie.gonzalez@cancer.org. – LareDOS Staff

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Relay for Life honors cancer survivors, victims

Palomino Mariachi at the Stampede art exhibit The Laredo Community College Palomino Mariachi group provided entertainment for attendees at the opening of the Stampede LCC Employee Art Exhibit reception on Thursday, April 11 at the Visual Art Gallery on the Ft. McIntosh campus.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

MHS ROTC does its part on Earth Day Martin High School Junior ROTC members were a large part of the Lake Casa Blanca Earth Day cleanup on April 20. The event was organized by the RĂo Grande International Study Center in partnership with the Texas Army National Guard 436th Chemical Co.

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Courtesy Photo

First Holy Communion Emily Altgelt is pictured on the occasion of her First Holy Communion on April 20 at St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic Church. She is the daughter of Rosa Elia and George Altgelt.

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Congressman Henry Cuellar and Cmdr. Robert L. Harris of the CBP South Texas Campaign were speakers at the Leadership Forum hosted by the Laredo Border Patrol Sector on April 5 at the Laredo Police Department.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Forum commemorates life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Ride benefits Juvenile Diabetes research Fermin Flores, Carlos Morales, and Antonio Hernandez, representing Gold’s Gym, rode their bikes at this year’s Ride of Heroes race on Sunday, April 14.

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News Brief

Uni-Trade Stadium hosts first-ever boxing bout

tions company, “I am looking forward to watching Vic bring it on May 11.” The telecast will also feature Oscar Valdez, of Nogales who represented Mexico in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games, in a six-round featherweight battle. Tickets are priced at $15 and $20, for box seats. VIP field tables for 10 are priced between $500 and $750 and can only be purchased at the Uni-Trade Stadium box office. While supplies last, vouchers for free general admission tickets are available at all participating Whataburger restaurants. The doors open at 5 p.m. with the first fight set to begin at 6 p.m. Sponsors for the event include UniMas, Tecate, and the Laredo Lemurs. For fight updates go to www.toprank.com – LareDOS Staff

Courtesy Photo

ni-Trade Stadium will host its first-ever boxing match with Solo Boxeo Tecate on Saturday, May 11. The match will be televised by UniMás and includes headliners Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan, the two-division world champion, and two-time Mexican Olympian Oscar Valdez. The main event, a 10-round super bantamweight rumble, will see Darchinyan — the four-time world champion, current top-three contender, and a member of Armenia’s 2000 Olympic boxing team — taking on Tijuana’s eight- year pro Francisco Javier Gallo. “Vic brings an all-action style of fighting to a very exciting boxing division,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, a Las Vegas based boxing promo-

A nod to Gary Leyendecker Contractor Gary Leyendecker (far right) was recognized for his generous contributions to Laredo Community College. The reception in his honor was held Tuesday, April 9 at the Lewis Energy Group Academic Center on the Fort McIntosh Campus. He is pictured with LCC president Dr. Juan L. Maldonado and LCC Board Secretary Carlos Carranco Jr. W W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

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News

MHS band to commemorate 50th anniversary of 1963 composition “Laredo Paso Doble”

he Martin High School Band will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the musical composition “The Laredo Paso Doble,” the 1963 composition written by University of Texas at Austin professor of music theory and composition Clifton Williams. A special event has been planned for Wednesday, May 1, at 6:00 p.m. at the MHS Batey Gym to commemorate a song intended as a gesture in celebration of the international friendship and goodwill between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. The piece was first performed by the Martin High School Band at a pair of international concerts in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo in May of 1963.

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“It is beautiful that this piece has lasted over 50 years,” said former MHS Band director Elmo López. “The Laredo Paso Doble” has been taken all over the world. It has been taken to Mexico as well as South America.” As part of MHS’ jubilee anniversary, the MHS band is inviting the public and especially former band members to take in the commemorative performance of “The Laredo Paso Doble.” “The MHS band has been a constant, and we need to recognize them,” said Lopez. “Band directors come and go, but the band continues,” he said. For more information, please contact MHS Band director Robert Castro at 273-7100 or rcastro1@elisd.org. – LareDOS Staff

Former MHS Band Director Elmo Lopez Sr. is pictured with 1963 MHS band members Juan Castillo and Josie Castellano as they discuss the upcoming 50th year celebration of the “Laredo Paso Doble” composition.

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South Texas water dowser: changing lives and landscapes one ranch at a time BY MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

he detail is not lost on me. Jaime Gonzalez, a corporate pilot whose day job keeps him in the firmament above, is so grounded that his avocation — one that changes lives and landscapes — allows him to see underground rivers and veins of water below the sand and hardpan of the parched South Texas brush country. Gonzalez is a dowser who uses neither rods nor branches to locate water. He relies on a sixth sense he attributes to “a gift from God” and a sensitivity to electromagnetic currents. I met Jaime Gonzalez at Chick-Fil-A on Loop 20 for a cup of coffee we never remembered to order. A couple of hours later the owner of the restaurant kindly brought us one. As I talked to him, I had the thought that I could not possibly bring to a story the intensity with which he speaks about water or how he finds it. He shared the story of being on his grandparents’ ranch in Mexico, how they ranched without ready access to water, that he flew his first plane as a seven-year-old and knew he would be a

Drilling sand samples

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pilot, that he grew up in California but returned to Laredo to finish junior high and high school. In the decades that followed, Gonzalez began his family with his wife Estela Gonzalez and became a pilot. He eschews publicity, does not sing his own praises, and does not say anything that takes away from the real matter at hand — finding water and helping those who need it. You have only to speak to some of the ranchers who have benefitted from his gift to know how seriously he takes his mission to find water, how good he is at it, what they’ve observed happens to him when he finds it, and what happens to them in the eureka moment that the miracle, the gift of life, gurgles and sprays from the desert floor. Meme Ortiz is one of those ranchers. Now 80, Ortiz hauled water for 39 years — twice a week in the summer, once a week in winter — to the southeastern Webb County ranch that is his home off Wormser Road in southeastern Webb County, “We had heard about Jaime’s work, and when we met him we were very confident he could help us,” said Ortiz, a retired Southwestern Bell installer. “He drove on to our property, waved hel-

Casing the well

lo to where we stood greeting him, and then drove past us. When he stopped his truck and got out, he said, ‘The water is under your house.’” Ortiz said a well was drilled to Gonzalez’s specifications about 90 feet from the house. “I left it all to him. Right away we trusted him and his knowledge of the drilling sands, where the good water would be, where to cement the well, what driller to use,” he said. The well was completed in mid February of this year, bringing with it a host of life-changing positives. “It changed our landscape and how we run our household,” said Joyce Ortiz, Meme’s wife, of the advent of sweet, potable water. Gone from their lives are the time-costly trips to haul water 1,200 gallons at a time. “There is no more having to worry not to run out of water, though by now I am very cautious and do not waste water,” she said. The oak trees she and Meme planted 12 years ago have come back as has other greenery on the property. They have planted a plot of calabacita, no doubt the sweetest they will ever taste. Alejandro Rivera, the owner of an oilfield service company, recalls meeting

with four different water well drillers to get an idea for how to bring water to his Mangana Hein Honeycomb Ranch about 18 miles east of U.S. Hwy. 83. “All roads led us to Jaime Gonzalez. My brother’s father-in-law said he knew this amazing guy that could find water. So Jaime comes out to the ranch, and we walk with him through the brush. Jaime started sweating a bit and he said, ‘It’s right here. The water is here.’ By now he is trembling, and I am having some kind of experience of my own. I make it to the truck and I faint,” Rivera recalled of the day Gonzalez marked the well site. “It was as he said. Sweet water, lots of it, enough for the house and the animals, enough to plant and cultivate three acres of squash and melons, enough to fill the two lakes we have and the third one we are digging,” Rivera continued. Rivera was on-site the day the well came in. “I’ve never seen anything like that before — a blue gusher of water, a lot of screaming and hollering at the blessing that would change everything for us,” he said, adding that because the well was an expensive proposition, he has been sellCONTINUED ON PAGE 33

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Cattle inventories at lowest since 1952

Dowser Jaime Gonzalez

 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 ing water to his neighbors. “They don’t have to drive as far as the county facility to load water and they are getting cleaner, chemical-free water,” he said. “I’ll have water to sell to the oilfield when it comes back around this way,” Rivera said. Near Rivera’s newly arrived good luck, Dickie Salinas and his brothers Abelardo and Benny of El Brasil Ranch are irrigating a 65-acre field of Haygrazer in Year Four of one of the worst droughts in history. “A well had been drilled here in the early 1940s and there had been a little corral around it to mark it, but it was now pretty much lost to time and memory. Like everyone else, we’ve lost our tanks to the drought and to the reality that our September-May rain cycles are off. Things looked terrible,” Salinas said, “Until Abie met Jaime Gonzalez as they were exiting a bank.” According to Dickie Salinas, as Gonzalez stepped from his truck onto the soil of El Brasil, the dowser said he could sense where the water was. “His face turned red. He said, ‘There’s water beW W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

hind your house.’ I’d never seen anything like this before. He marked the well, and thanks to his gift from God, we have water.” Salinas describes Gonzalez as “down to earth, a man who knows his stuff.” Rancher Larry Puig of San Juan Ranch, which is located in northern Webb County near the mid-point of the 22.7-mile Camino Colombia, concurs. “We’ve lived with wells that produced 13 to 15 gallons a minute with a small horsepower pump. My father knew we had water, but we didn’t know we could produce it to the extent that we have. We now have all the water we need, excellent water, water enough to fill the craters excavated for the soil base for Camino Colombia,” said Puig. The San Juan well that Gonzalez marked produces 200+ gallons per minute. “The water came in at the full capacity of the six-inch pipe,” Puig said, adding that they are recovering the cost of the well by selling water for highway construction and road improvements as well as to the oilfield. CONTINUED ON PAGE 43

attle numbers are down again, at their lowest level since 1952, according to the USDA. Beef cow numbers are at their lowest since 1962 due to the 2012 drought. Other reasons for the decrease are high feed and forage prices, persistent drought in the Southern Plains and the widespread Midwestern drought of 2012. The 2012 drought was just the latest event to result in the liquidation of cows that has been accelerating since 2007. Nationally, beef cow herds have dropped by 3.6 million head (11%). It has been difficult for the beef industry to compete for high priced feed and limited land that is being converted to corn and soybean production.

What will it take to turn the herd decline around? The answer is more rain, more crop production, and more pasture and forage production. Larger crop and forage production would increase availability and lower prices of these critical feedstuffs. Finished cattle prices should strengthen into the spring as beef supplies drop. If crop and forage production returns to near normal, the cattle industry is poised for multiple years of favorable returns and expansion. (Re-printed with permission of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension from the March 2013 issue of Brush Country Agriculture/Natural Resources Newsletter. For further information, contact George Gonzalez at (956) 721-2626.) ◆

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Santa Maria Journal

By MARÍA EUGENIA GUERRA

he rainfall began at 8, washing the dust off the metal roofs of our houses and barns. It’s been a wonderful thing to experience on a morning for which I had planned to drive into San Ygnacio for a load of water. I saw the thunderheads billow with hope yesterday at day’s end, but the clouds and I have broken faith over the last year in which they have been pretenders of water rather than portenders. This morning I’m all Joni Mitchell about the clouds. I love the coolness of the morning and the dark sky, the moisture in the air, the bright green bonnets of the mesquite trees bent a little with water, and the redolence of damp earth. I’m a realist through it all, however. The rain gauge corroborates that this was not a major rainfall event. It was a kiss, un besito much needed and much appreciated. The slow falling drizzle soaked in enough to make a little mud.

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The clouds are pretenders, not portenders of the much needed spring rains

Though it was certainly not enough to change the parched pastures or the levels of the evaporating ponds, it was still a gift and one for which we gave thanks. Pinched-looking and dehydrated, the prickly pear have graced the landscape with blossoms in variations of yellow and orange, as have the pitayas with their explosions of magenta flowers. I recall over decades past splendors of hip high grasses rich in nutrients, senderos lined with blan-

kets of wildflowers, and topped-off fresh water ponds. I care so much for the welfare of this land and for all the creatures that make their home here, that the wish for rain — and the lack of it — has become an obsession. Taunted by thunderheads to the east that do not come close enough to us, I think I’ve come to know when the prospects for rain are viable. 10 percent chance of rain, 20, 30, and even 40 are no-shows. There’s a terrible uncertainty in the hot, dry wind about what the climate has in store for those of us who look to the heavens for relief, but even as we find none day after day, the days out here showcase the beauty of this punished land — daybreak’s first light spilling across the treetops in shades of amber and gold, the raucous birdsong that ac-

companies the dawn, the fierce fireball of the sun setting behind the mountains in Mexico. The drought has made me an optimist, one who hopes, and what is hope after all, as Emily Dickinson wrote, but “the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tunes without the words and never stops at all.” ◆

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News

Earth Day RGISC style BY MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

cal Co., for a clean-up at Lake Casa Blanca on April 19. In addition to Cortez and García, the RGISC Earth Day committee included Armando Cisneros, Bernice Esteghamatdarshad, Victor Hugo

García, Adolfo “Popo” Gonzalez Jr., David Gonzalez, Pope Gonzalez, Isela Ramirez, Alexis Rodriguez, and Lysa Rodriguez. For more information about RGISC, please call (956) 718-1063. ◆

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

he Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) observed the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day with a worldwide theme of “the face of climate change,” presenting Laredoans of all ages with various fun-filled activities to find ways to address some of the planet’s most pressing problems. RGISC held its first ever Earth Day bulletin board art contest at the elementary, middle, and high school level. The elementary school division’s theme was the Río Grande, the only source of municipal water for Laredo and Nuevo Laredo and a river ranked as one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the world. Middle Schools took on the theme of the impact of plastic bags on the environment, while area high schools took on the more challenging theme of climate change and its bearing on the future of life as we have known it. Cortez said, “Our bulletin board art competition called for the use of

nothing but recyclable materials. We had three panels of judges visiting each participating school to select the winners — Nixon High under the direction of María Esther Scruggs, Clark Middle under the direction of Nancy Poinsot, and Alma Pierce Elementary under the direction of Alejandra Leticia Martinez. The winners received a tree to plant on their campus. RGISC also participated in the city’s Earth Day Festival on April 19 at Uni-Trade Stadium where they showcased a globe about six feet in diameter constructed of plastic bags — a precursor to RGISC’s initiative to reduce the use of plastic bags. “This model is a symbol of how polluted the world is, Laredo included! The United States alone uses an estimated 100 billion petroleumbased bags each year,” said Diana García, RGISC project coordinator, adding, “Laredoans use anywhere from 80-170 million bags per year. We definitely want to start changing the mindset of people.” RGISC teamed up with the Texas Army National Guard, 436th Chemi-

RGISC’s Earth Day committee member Isela Ramirez, RGISC project coordinator Diana García, executive director Tricia Cortez, and member Santos Jimenez took part in the annual Earth Day Festival on April 19 at Uni-Trade Stadium.

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RGISC made its point about the worldwide proliferation of plastic bags with this globe built of hundreds of plastic bags. The Earth Day Festival project, which was on display at Uni-Trade Stadium on April 19, was sponsored and built in part by Home Depot. W W W.L A RED OS N E WS.CO M

Commentary

My lifelong romance with loam, peat and plants BY MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

’m not certain what explains that some of us end up with a lifelong love for loam, peat, and plants. My parents certainly set an example for the riches to be gained by hands in soil My mother’s beds of roses and iris, my father and my grandfather’s fruit trees and vegetable gardens were living seasonal monuments to the return plants offer for ministrations of water, fertilizer, and trimming. Some of our greatest lessons in character building came from the heft of a shovel, the sweep of a rake, and learning to maneuver a wheelbarrow of goat manure without spilling its contents. That thirst for the exhalations of growing green things in the ground and in greenhouses has never left me. Never, I think, was I more happy about my romance with plants than when I owned a greenhouse and nursery in Austin with the man I married in 1971. The Jungle Store on 29 th Street was a vibrant place that teemed, almost hissed with the energy of living things respiring and growing in magnificent, unordinary ways, the way plants do when they are not disturbed from their optimum light and when all their conditions to thrive are met. There began a longstanding interest in unusual plants, not rare ones necessarily, but plants beautiful by their markings, their requirements, or their country of origin. In the years that we operated the nursery, our buying trips took W W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

us to established nurseries all over central and south Texas where we acquired stock plants to simply admire in our collection of unusual species or from which we propagated cuttings. We made our own potting soil in an antique chicken-foot bathtub, and our guide for plant lore, besides the seasoned nurserymen and women we met along the way, was a massive tome called Exotica by the German botanist Dr. Alfred Graf. I came to love the use of botanical nomenclature, the only Latin I would ever know other than that the responsorials and refrains at mass. I find myself these days looking for and collecting some of the plants that once filled our nursery in Austin — no easy feat down here on the desert. I’ve had some successes, however, finding favorite species of Kalanchoe (beharensis and tomentosa) Peperomia (sandersi, caperata, and obtusifolia), Pilea (cadierei), Scilla violacae (now Ledebouria socialis), Ceropegia woodi (String of Hearts), Rex begonias, aloes, and Haworthia. I still make my own potting soil, and I putter behind our building on Houston Street in a small space that is in some respects a greenhouse, a space that my plants share with my granddaughters’ rabbits, Thumper and Niña, who are confined and not free to eat my plants. Most mornings after I water my vegetable garden, I go — coffee cup in hand — into that little green space to marvel at a new leaf, to understand what has taken root, and to admire the perfection nature has placed before me for quiet contemplation. ◆ LareDOS I A PRI L 2013 I

Feature

ounds of Arson, a local hard rock trio, features vocalist and guitarist Sergio Puente, drummer Ernie Everett, and bassist Alex Lozano. With their first album — “From the ashes, a fire will rise” — set to debut June 8, 2013, the band is gearing up to play shows throughout Texas. “The concept of our album is rebirth. How life gives and takes from us every day and gives us the chance to reinvent and grow ourselves based on those experiences,” said Puente. Sounds of Arson’s debut album will include tracks such as Disconnected, Finally Awake, and My Ammunition. The trio’s powerful lyrics are sure to captivate hard rock fans. The musicians formed the group Alternate Silence in 2003, but disbanded and pursued other musical projects or dealt with personal obstacles. They regrouped in 2011 with a new outlook and common passion in their music. “So we were together...split up...then got back together. Now that we’re together again we feel like we should’ve never been apart. We’re trying to catch up for lost time,” Puente said. In 2012, all three band members became fathers for the first time, a lifechanging event that cemented their bond and became a guiding force in their music.

Puente explained, “A lot of songs are inspired by the give and take of life. My 21-year-old brother passed away and my first son was born within a span of five months. A tragedy and a miracle put so many emotions and questions in my mind that are in the themes of our music.” Drummer Everett said, “Playing drums is my favorite thing to do. One drummer that has ultimately inspired me to play is John Bonham of Led Zeppelin,” adding that his ultimate goal in life was to at least be nominated for a Grammy Award. “I would like our sound to reach the masses. In a time when bands and people seem to be coming off an assembly line, we want to be different and true to ourselves. We might just be a three piece, but we like playing with fire,” said Lozano. Puente began playing at the age of 17, Everett at six, and Lozano at 15. The Deftones, Evans Blue, 10 Years, Red, Chevelle, Shinedown, Rush, Boston, Alice in Chains, In Flames, Soilwork, Tool, and Def Leppard are among the bands that have influenced Sounds of Arson. As fatherhood had bearing on their music, so did it shift the purpose of the band. The self-taught musicians wish to pursue their goals no matter how big or small — to do what they love — and most importantly to set a good example for their children. The album will be available through iTunes and their website www.soundsofarson.com on June 8, 2013. ◆

Catherine Avaritt’s art at Gallery 201 Proud parents Charlie and Shryll Avaritt were at the Back to Reality art exhibit on April 10 at Gallery 201 where their only daughter, Catherine Avaritt, exhibited her work along with three other artists.

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BY MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Fatherhood, life’s give-and-take form music of Sounds of Arson

LBVESC celebrates Earth Day and a birthday Yazmin Leach, Mike Peña, Tom Miller, Ariana Gonzalez, and Linda Taez celebrated with the community the 14th anniversary of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center on April 20. Special Earth Day events took place throughout the day.

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TAMIU

Fifth Annual L.B. Vergara Academic winners named BY STEVE HARMON LareDOS Contributor Over 200 TAMIU undergraduate and graduate students presented their research, scholarly and creative activity at the recent Fifth Annual Lamar Bruni Vergara and Guillermo Benavides Z. Academic Conference Awards. The Conference is TAMIU’s premier annual academic conference for all TAMIU students and is supported by the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust, J.C. Martin III, and James H. Pearl. The Conference Grand Prize for Graduate Students was awarded to Cristina Aguilar for her presentation “Julia.” George-Thomas Pugh received the Undergraduate Grand Prize for his presentation, “Cloning and Sequencing the Vitellogenin Gene in Tilapiine Fishes.” Cash prizes were awarded for best presentations in various disciplines. Other Awards to graduate and undergraduate students are as follows: First Prize, Graduate – Education: Jun Young Hong and Aram Yoon; Arts and Humanities: Cristina Aguilar; Health and Life Sciences: Daniel Vera; Business: Manuel Hoffman; and Social and Behavioral Sciences: Wualu Altamira, Xochitl Tovar, Jacklyn Orr, and Barbara Escamilla. First Prize, Undergraduate – Business: Karl Heinz Stoeckler; Education: Jessica Rojas; Health and Life Sciences: GeorgeThomas Pugh; Arts and Humanities: Claudia Rodriguez; Engineering, Mathematics and Physics: Dagoberto Melero ,and Social and Behavioral Sciences: Lorena Zapata. Second Prize, Graduate – Education: Leticia Cantú; Arts and Humanities: Blanca Donovan; Health and Life Sciences: Pedro Villarreal; Business: Joel Hawkins; and Social and Behavioral Sciences: Rosario Benavides and Andrea W W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

Almendarez. Second Prize, Undergraduate�� – �� Business: Robbi Marlett; Education: Selma Herrera; Health and Life Sciences: Raul Ramos; Arts and Humanities: Paola Rocha; Engineering, Mathematics and Physics: Enrique Villarreal, Eduardo Vásquez and Andres Ortegón; and Social and Behavioral Sciences: Raúl Ramos. Undergraduate Top 10% Presentations – Javier Aguirre, Ignacio Alaniz, Emily Bueno, Jorge González, Rene A. García, Libia G. Lee, and Vicente O. Ruiz. Summer, fall registration underway online Registration for Maymester, Summer Semester I, II and III, and Fall 2013 is underway online at uonline.tamiu.edu. Class schedules are currently available at schedule.tamiu.edu Students can get ahead of their degree process by enrolling for any or all the semesters. The first day of classes for �� Maymester is Monday, May 20. Maymester is a three-week long session between the Spring Semester and Summer Semester I. Students attend class Monday through Friday, three hours a day for 15 days, and can only enroll in one Maymester course. Summer Semester I and III start Monday, June 10. Summer Semester II starts Monday, July 15. First class day for the Fall Semester is Wednesday, Aug. 28. For other important dates, deadlines, and other information, see http://www. tamiu.edu/affairs/registrar/schedule/ index-real.shtml For more information, contact the Office of the University Registrar at registrar@tamiu.edu or 956.326.2250 or visit offices in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, suite 121. Additional information is also available on @txamiu on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and on the free Powered by TAMIU smartphone and tablet app http://www.tamiu. edu/mobile/apps.shtml ◆ LareDOS I A PRI L 2013 I

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Young artist displays work at Gallery 201

Marco Rivera was among the Tony Parker Basketball Skills Clinic coaches Sunday, April 7 at Alexander High School. Participants received fun-filled instruction from current and former college and professional players along with local coaches.Â

Mari and Andrew Royster and Anita Guerra were among the attendees at the Back to Reality art exhibit hosted at Gallery 201 on April10. Andrew is an aspiring artist who said he draws inspiration from the works exhibited by Shelley Laurent, Mauro Martinez, Catherine Avaritt, and Antonio Briones.

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

Spurs All-Star World Champions teach round ball

At the Casas del Ayer exhibit Reyna Zarate and Sandra Resendez attended Isidro Antonio Gonzalez Molinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Casas del Ayer exhibit at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum on April 12. The exhibit was hosted by the Webb County Heritage Foundation.

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TAMIU recruitment efforts Leiza Nochebuena, graduate admissions counselor for the A.R. Sanchez Jr. School of business; Monica S. Gonzalez, office of graduate studies and research outreach and retention specialist; and Suzanne Hansen-Alford, director of graduate recruitment were on hand at the April 20 Farmers Market at Jarvis Plaza. W W W.L A RED OS N E WS.CO M

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

“I was never skeptical that Jaime could find water. He believes in what he does, and he has a sincerity and a passion for his work. The advent of this kind of water on the ranch is an important footnote to the history of this ranch,” he said. Justo Leyendecker said that Gonzalez has found water on both of the ranches he owns with his brother James, one off U.S. Highway 59 and the other just south of Encinal off Interstate-35. “He came across a humongous vein of water on the IH-35 property — wide and deep. He found good water. We did exactly as he instructed — which driller, the casing, the pump, how to position the drilling rig over the site. Jaime was there supervising, looking at the drilling sand samples the driller left for him. He knew where to cement the bad water. He knew the depth at which the water stopped. If he says it stops at 1,147 feet, that’s exactly where it stops,” Leyendecker said, adding, “We have a well that produces 600 gallons a minute. We have filled a dry lake. Our property values have increased.” Leyendecker recalled the travails of an oil company that had drilled a water well about two miles south of his IH-35 property. “It was in line with our well. They didn’t get much volume and tried different pumps to change the outcome. After the third pump, they called Jaime,” he said. “Jaime Gonzalez is an amazing man. He can find water no matter what. The experience of working with him was unbelievable. When he is locating the site, he starts getting red in the face. He goes to the deepest part of the vein,” Leyendecker said. “You can’t tell Jaime Gonzalez’s story without pointing out that within 700 yards of the county operated water well at Las Lomas, a source of poor quality water, that he found excellent clean water,” he added. Gonzalez said trust, “with a capital T,” between him and the landowner is one of the most important factors that influences a good outcome. He sent me a text about how water dowsing works, that it is a sensitivity to W W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

electromagnetic fields. He said it is a skill that does not call upon psychic powers, that its success comes from experience, concentration, a sixth sense, and magnetic susceptibility. And that above all, his text read, it is a gift from above. “I myself don’t understand everything about this gift,” he said. “I know it is about energy, and that experience makes you better at it. All my thinking is about water. I take notes all the time,” he said, pulling a small graph paper notebook filled with meticulous notations for locations and depths, not just about the wells he’s marked and has drilled, but about the landscape he traverses. He may not have yet met the rancher he’s about to see, but he knows that rancher’s property is three cattle guards off the highway. “Oil and gas producers call me from time to time, but it’s the ranchers and those without water that I most want to help,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t take any shortcuts. I tell the pump installer to use Schedule 120 PVC and brass couplings in between. I take this job very seriously and believe it should be done right from the beginning,” he said. The closest I got to Gonzalez acknowledging in any way his role in the miracle of making good water flow where none had, was to elicit the observation, “It’s amazing when the terrain goes from black and white to high definition.” Gonzalez finds no comfort in global water statistics for pollution and availablity. “Worldwide there are contaminated lakes and rivers. Our water situation is worse than it ever has been — 40 percent of the world’s population has little or no water, and that worsens day by day. The exhaust of cars and trucks and factory emissions fall to our surface water and become part of it,” he said. He recalled a telling conversation with an Air Force pilot in 1982. “There was very little in the way of bottled water in the market at the time except what came from Europe. He told me that a bottle of water would one day be more valuable than a can of soda. We’re there. Water is our future,” he said. (Jaime Gonzalez can be reached through his website stxwaterdowserservice.com or by phone at 956-206-9045) ◆

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

Learning to be better stewards of the environment Clark Middle students April Fox, Samantha Gonzalez, Abigail Santa Maria, and Paulina Torres were at the Earth Day Festival held on Friday, April 19 at Uni-Trade Stadium. The girls enjoyed the musical stylings of Vocal Trash as well as a wealth of fun and educational Earth Day activities.

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Members of the St. Peters School student body are pictured during a recent walk to raise funds for the annual athletic banquet.

News Brief

abitat for Humanity is preparing for the upcoming National Women Build Day to be observed on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. In partnership with Lowe’s, Habitat is seeking women volunteers to build homes for low-income families. Every year Habitat’s Women Build organizers invite women from the community to come together to assist with the building of family homes at the Tierra Prometidas subdivision just off Hwy. 359. “No skills are required to join in the National Women Build Day, just an eagerness to learn and have fun,” said Carol Sherwood, Habitat executive director. Chairperson for Women Build Day Linda Maldonado appointed Webb County Pct. 2 Commissioner Rosaura “Wawi” Tijerina and District VIII City Council

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member Cindy Liendo as this year’s honorary construction superintendents. “Both women have participated in the annual event for several years and they look forward to building. They are ready to strap on their tool belts and build a home following the Women Build motto, ‘Girls play house. Women build them,’” said Sherwood of Tijerina and Liendo. Women interested in volunteering need to register early and complete a mandatory orientation that takes place Wednesday, May 1 at Lowe’s from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To sign up or for more information, contact Cindy Villarreal Habitat volunteer coordinator at (956) 724-3227 or email volunteersupport@habitatlare-

do.org

– LareDOS Staff

Courtesy Photo

Girls play house — women build them

Yadira Rojas of Lowe’s, City Council member Cindy Liendo, Habitat for Humanity executive director Carol Sherwood, County Commissioner Rosaura Tijerina, and Lowe’s Mollie Gaytan are pictured on April 16 at the County Commissioner’s court for the National Women Build Day announcement. W W W.L A RED OS N E WS.CO M

News

udge Hector Liendo and the Webb County Area Justice Foundation and volunteers staffed city corners for the South Texas Food Bank Bucket Brigade on April 20. The Webb County Area Justice Foundation, an agency of the STFB, dedicated proceeds from the corner of Calton Road and Yeary to the new Palomino Pantry, which opened Wednesday, April 17 at the LCC Main Campus. The Palomino Pantry has long been a dream of Judge Liendo and his son Hector Liendo Jr. The Liendos came across an idea that has been spreading throughout the nation — food pantries at colleges and universities. Both Hectors quickly agreed that this was needed in Laredo and contacted LCC to try to make it happen. LCC came on board and found the perfect location for the new pantry. “Students are usually struggling to make ends meet while trying to attend school full time and pay for tuition and books, but we want to make sure they stay in school and that they are not going to bed hungry,” Judge Liendo said.

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The pantry will be run by student volunteers and funded through Judge Liendo, the Webb County Area Justice Foundation, and private donations. For more information, call Margie Siegfried at (956) 523-4299. South Texas Food Bank representatives and volunteers staffed eight Laredo street corners during the April 20 city-wide bucket brigade. “We relied on the generosity of Laredoans during these difficult economic times. The need is tremendous and the lines are long,” said Alfonso Casso, executive director of the STFB, adding, “Coins and dollar bills are very welcome. The food bank converts every dollar donated into eight meals, 10 pounds of food, or $17 worth of groceries.” Bucket brigades set up at the intersections of Hillside-McPherson, Springfield-Del Mar, McPherson-Shiloh, Calton-Yeary, Saunders-Bartlett, Arkansas Clark, Guadalupe-Meadow, and Zacatecas-Zapata Highway. All money collected was matched by the Feinstein Foundation of Cranston, R.I. Volunteers included members of

Courtesy Photo

STFB bucket brigades spurs new LCC pantry

Judge Hector Liendo (center), Justice of the Peace for District 1-Place 1, cuts the ribbon at the opening of the new Palomino Pantry at the Laredo Community College Fort McIntosh Campus on Wednesday, April 17. the ACTS movement Christian Community from St. Patrick and San Martin De Porres Catholic churches. STFB agencies including Volunteers in Need for the veterans, Christ Church Episcopal, and the Webb County Area Justice Foundation staffed intersections. staffed corners with all the money collected there going to their group’s account at the STFB. The three

are the The South Texas Food Bank is located at 1907 Freight at Riverside in West Laredo. It distributes supplemental food to 26,000 families per month, including 7,000-plus elderly, 6,000-plus children, and 500 veterans and their widows. For information call (956) 726-3120 or visit www. southtexasfoodbank.org. Donors can mail contributions to 1907 Freight St., Laredo, Tex., 78041. ◆

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Assistant Cmdr. Narcizo Ramos of the South Texas Campaign, Border Patrol Agent Kristopher Willis, and Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak were among the attendees of the Laredo Border Patrol Sector Leadership Forum on Friday, April 5. The forum celebrated the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

USBP’s Leadership Forum

Kiddos enjoy Dia del Niño Webb County Commissioner Jaime Canales hosted the 2nd annual Dia del Niño celebration on Sunday, April 21 at Caesars Reception Hall. Children of all ages enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment, games, and great door prizes.

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South Texas Food Bank

BY SALO OTERO

Annie Dodier elected STFB board president

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.

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she continues the family tradition of giving back to their beloved Laredo and South Texas. She added, “The South Texas Food Bank is a very worthy cause whose mission statement is to alleviate hunger in our community as well as in the surrounding counties. The need to help our friends and neighbors in need is daily and constant.” As a member of the STFB board, Dodier has served on various committees including the organization’s major fundraiser, Empty Bowls. The STFB began in 1989 as the Laredo-Webb County Food Bank. It is located at 1907 Freight at Riverside and serves supplemental food to the unemployed, under-em-

Annie Dodier Co., ZUCO Minerals, and Columbus Enterprises. Dodier is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, The Texas Supervisors of Mathematics, and is a certified TEXTEAM trainer for the State of Texas. She is also a member of the Texas Cattlewomen’s Association, a sustaining member of the Princess Pocahontas Council, Washington’s Birthday Celebration, and the Society of Martha Washington for which she has served as president and has also portrayed Martha Washington. She is married to David Dodier. The couple has three sons — David Michael, Robert (Cristy), and Thomas (Marci). They have two grandchildren — Daniel David and Zooey Jean. Her parents, the late Fernando and Josephine P. Zuniga, were longtime Laredo civic leaders. Dodier noted, “They instilled in us the importance of community service.” As the newly elected STFB president,

ployed, and those living on fixed incomes. Those served monthly in an eight-county area from Rio Grande City to Del Rio are 26,000 families, 6,000 children, 7,000 elderly, and 500 veterans and their widows For information call (956) 7263120 or visit www.southtexasfoodbank. org At the March meeting the STFB board heard reports from executive director Alfonso Casso Jr., and chief financial officer Mike Kazen, who emphasized that any donations received through April 30 will be matched by the national Feinstein Foundation of Cranston, R.I. Donations can be mailed to 1907 Freight, Laredo, Texas, 78041 ◆

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etired educator and civic leader Anita (Annie) Dodier has been elected president of the South Texas Food Bank board of directors. Other officers elected were Anna Benavides Galo, presidentelect; Erasmo Villarreal, secretary; Ed Sherwood, treasurer; and Aide Brooks, historian. Joining the officers on the executive board are Tano Tijerina, chairman of the Ranchers for the Hungry program and outgoing president Kevin Romo. Attorney Pete Saenz and businessman Doug Howland were elected to the board, replacing Mike Garza and Goyo Lopez. Saenz was previously on the board for 13 years and is a past-president. Re-elected to a two-year board term were Dodier, Sherwood, Tijerina, Jaime Arizpe, Romelia Cardona of Eagle Pass, Gaby De Leon, Roberto Diaz, Felipe García Perez, Rodrigo Jaime of Carrizo SpringsAsherton, and Romeo Salinas of Zapata. Dodier becomes the second woman to serve as STFB board president. The first was Olga Maldonado, who is still a board member. Dodier is a graduate of J.W. Nixon High School and Southern Methodist University where she earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education with a specialization in mathematics and a Master’s in bilingual education with a kindergarten certificate. She later attended Texas A&M International University where she earned a mid-management certificate. She retired from the Laredo Independent School District after 31 in education. She is a partner of ZP Cattle

National Library Week proclamation United Independent School District library media specialists Ale Garza, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Michelle Martinez, Annette Abdallah, Irma Montemayor, and Yvette Hernandez are pictured at the Student Activity Complex on Monday, April 15 for the 8th annual library week proclamation. The theme for this year was “communities matter at your library.” LareDOS I A PRI L 2013 I

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Marquez showcases art Artist Victoria Marquez showcased her artworks at the Saturday, April 13 French Quarter Bazaar.

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Movie Review

Evil Dead: perhaps there’s hope for remakes

emakes and reboots — that seems to be all we see in theatres lately. The horror movie genre is no exception. But are remakes acceptable if the original masterminds play a hand in its revamping? The Evil Dead, the 1981 gory cult classic, was originally written and directed by Sam Raimi and started Bruce Campbell in his most notable role to date. The two joined first-time feature director Fede Alvarez’s 2013 rendition as producers for the remake. In The Evil Dead Alvarez improves upon the plot and characters without drastically altering them. A dilapidated cabin in the

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woods remains as the setting. The premise is still that five friends arrive, discover a book of Satanic curses, and inadvertently release a demon. The characters’ names were changed in order to be more relatable for 20-something hipsters — Mia (Jane Levy), a recovering junkie; her estranged brother David (Shiloh Fernandez); and friends Olivia (Jessica Lucas), Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci), and Natalie (Elizabeth Blackmore). Horror film aficionados will appreciate how closely Alvarez worked with Raimi to honor The Evil Dead’s best stomach-churning scenes with a notable bump in production value. Bear with me — as utterly ridiculous as this may sound — there is a classic moment when an unsuspecting girl wanders off into the woods and is raped by a tree. The scene is shocking, one of the most deeply disturbing visuals I’ve seen on the big screen. Raimi’s version — which cemented him as a creative force to be reckoned with — was shot in 16mm in the woods of Tennessee for around $350,000, whereas Alvarez had a budget of $26 million to play with. Raimi’s version was revered for its absurd volume of blood and guts, so it comes as no surprise that there is twice as much gore in this new version.

With enhanced sound effects, some scenes are extra revolting — even considering that dismemberment played a big role in the original film. There is no escaping the gag reflex when the camera zeros in on a character slicing at the corner of a character’s mouth with a piece of broken glass. The cinematography and sound design come together perfectly. The

Evil Dead is gore done right. Watching this with a big audience gasping all the way only enhanced the experience. Audiences may want to reconsider the pit stop at the concession stand prior to viewing this film. For those die-hard horror fans this is one remake you do not want to miss — just don’t forget your barf bag if you’re squeamish. ◆

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BY MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff

A queen and her princesses Oralia Aguilar and daughters Riana, Raquel, and Roxane are pictured at the 2nd Annual Dia del Niño celebration on Sunday, April 21 at Caesars Reception Hall.

meg@laredosnews.com LareDOS I A PRI L 2013 I

News

My HEB Texas Table cookbook now available

or those always on the go but always interested in healthier eating habits, HEB recently released the My HEB Texas Table cookbook, which includes 100 light recipes that retain traditional Texas flavors. Published by Eating Well Press, the cookbook was inspired by hundreds of recipes submitted by HEB employees and customers as part of the “Ready, Set Cook! Challenge” currently underway until May 26. Participants can log on to www.heb. com/healthy to submit recipes and for a chance to win great prizes — HEB groceries for a year, $1,000 for a kitchen upgrade, and $3,750 in HEB gift cards. My Texas Table also offers a variety of tips from planning a menu to cooking techniques for reducing fat, sugar, and salt in dishes. The cookbook evaluates portion intake and the importance of understanding nutrition labels. “Our goal with My Texas Table is to inspire our customers to cook healthy at home by providing a guidebook tailored not just to our stores, but to their tastes. These are their recipes, their family favorites,” said Kate Rogers, vice president of communications and engagement at HEB, adding, “As a culture we have become too reliant

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on convenience food eaten outside the home. We need to get back to the basics of cooking and eating as a family not just for our health, but for our happiness.” According to the United States Department of Agriculture, more than half of adults dine out at least three times a week. My Texas Table

includes a budget comparison of fast food dining to store bought items to prove that healthy eating is a better deal for family budgets. My Texas Table can be purchased at any HEB store for $9.99. For more information visit www. heb.com. – LareDOS Staff W W W.L A RED OS N E WS.CO M

LAPS

In Laredo, there are plenty of examples of cruelty to animals and strays

large, white, shaggy dog lies on a concrete driveway with a long chain looped around the trunk of a tree. His panting is heavy as he tries to get into the shade of a parked car. He has a bucket of water and food in a bowl. But the owner of this tethered animal is breaking the law that specifies how and for how long a dog can be chained in this manner. HB1411 prohibits an owner from tethering a dog outside between the hours of 10 pm to 6 am and also prohibits tethering for more than 3 hours. The law also prohibits tethering outside during extreme weather conditions such as: when the outdoor temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or when a heat advisory has been issued by a local or state authority of jurisdiction. Tethering a dog is also prohibited during a hurricane, tropical storm or when a tornado watch or warning has been issued for the area by the National Weather Service or any combination of these factors. If you drive in the neighborhoods of Laredo, you will see any number of animals tethered all day and all night in violation of the Texas State Law. While one can understand the desire of the owner of the dog to protect their property, chaining or tethering of an animal for long periods contributes to dog attacks against people who approach the dog. A scrawny grey tiger-striped Tomcat appears at your door step. He looks as though he has had numerW W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

ous battles but appears to want and need humans. His attempts to slip past you to enter the house indicates he has been someone’s pet. His fur is dirty, matted, eyes watering and drooling mucus from his mouth, he looks up at you and cries pitifully for food. You happen to have leftovers from your dinner so you provide him with something to eat. If you do not report the presence of the stray to the animal control officers within 24 hours you are in violation of the City’s Ordinance in regard to animal control. You are subject to penalties for the violation. You don’t want the dirty, obviously ill animal in your home so you get an animal carrier or maybe a cardboard box, gingerly pick him up and stuff him into the container and decide to take him to the Laredo Animal Protective Society’s Animal Shelter. Upon arrival, you are greeted by a friendly receptionist. You explain you want to help the poor, starving stray Tomcat by giving him to the shelter. The receptionist, with an understanding look upon her face, explains that due to severe financial problems, the shelter is limited to the number of cats and dogs that can be accepted and offers to put your name and phone number on a “Waiting List” to be called when space is available in the shelter. Now you are dismayed as the only alternatives are to either keep the cat yourself or surrender him to the City’s Animal Care Facility. Neither of these options are what you want, so you threaten to dump him on the street . If you do dump the cat, you are now in violation of yet another portion of the City’s Ordinances! (Sec. 6-10. - Abandoning or dumping

animals in city. It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon, set at large or dump any small animal, fowl or large livestock within the corporate limits of the city. ) To read the full animal control ordinance go to: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx? clientId=12258&stateId=43&stateNam e=Texas. There are numerous animals on the streets of Laredo because not enough of the owners follow City’s animal control ordinance. The ordinance requires owners to sterilize their pets and register their pet dogs and cats with the Health Department. Owners must also provide proof of rabies immunization.

If your dog or cat is fertile you must pay a larger registration fee. Take advantage of the low cost spay and neuter events being provided by the City, LAPS, PAWS, Pet Haven and Gateway Gatos. Lastly, please, please, provide financial support to all the non-profit organizations that are currently attempting to find homes or foster families for those pets that are being surrendered or picked up by the Animal Control officers. As a result of the pet overpopulation crisis we are faced with, these organizations need financial support to continue providing the community with these muchneeded services. ◆

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

BY RICHARD RENNER President of the Laredo Animal Protective Society

Earth Day observance at the Farmers Market Among those observing Earth Day at the April 20 Farmers Market at Jarvis Plaza were José Ceballos, Viviana Frank, Rafael Torres, and Melissa Amici Haynes. LareDOS I A PRI L 2013 I

Keeping a Weather Eye

BY JUAN ALANIS

Alanis, former of Laredo, is currently a meteorology student at Mississippi State University. He is a member of the American Meteorology Society (AMS) and Webb County Coordinator for the CoCoRaHS/National Weather Service rainfall observer program

t is being called the most significant upgrade to weather radars in several decades and its goal is to improve forecasting significant weather events, rainfall estimates, and better identify type of precipitation falling. The National Weather Service Doppler Radar in Corpus Christi (which is the office responsible for the Laredo area) was turned off earlier this month as part of a national upgrade of Doppler radars to include “dual-polarization” technology. This upgrade will give forecasters 14 new radar products to go along with the current radar products that are currently available to NWS forecasters. Previously, weather service Doppler radars would only send out and receive radio signals that would only measure the horizontal dimensions of cloud and precipitation droplets. This horizontal dimension would simply identify the intensity of the precipitation (light, moderate, heavy) but not the type of precipitation falling. The new “dual-polarization” radar will send out radio waves in both horizontal and vertical orientations. The new vertical orientation of the radar beam will enable forecasters to get better estimates of the size, shape of various targets, including rain droplets, hail, and even tornado debris within a cloud. The expected results from the radar upgrades are numerous. First, forecasters will be able to get better estimates of how much rainfall is falling. This will lead to better detection of flash floods and therefore lead to more timely and accurate flood warnings. Plus, better rainfall estimates will also allow for improved stream and river flow forecasts during flood events. Dual-pol technology will also allow forecasters to better detect aircraft icing conditions and better identify the melting layer in the atmosphere which can be critical when forecasting what type of winter precipitation may fall and when. Hail and the size of hailstones will also

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Doppler radars get an upgrade be able to be detected much better. Perhaps the most beneficial feature of the new dual-pol radars will be the ability to detect non-meteorological echoes, such as tornado debris. Previously, radars would detect wind velocity to/from radar site and when these opposite moving winds “met” on radar, rotation was probably occurring in the cloud. The radar however could not officially confirm whether that rotation had touched the ground. The new dual-pol radar now has the ability to detect debris in the cloud, and therefore can confirm a tornado on the ground. This will be very critical during the nighttime tornadoes when storm spotters on ground may have great difficulty seeing the tornado. This feature of the new dual-pol radar has already been proven a success. An example is the Hattiesburg, Mississippi tornado back in February. Under the old technology, forecasters would have to depend on ground observer reports or look for tornadic signatures on radar before issuing a warning. The new dual-pol technology, however, allowed forecasters to actually detect debris within the cloud, and therefore confirm that there was actually a tornado on the ground. As a result, forecasters were able to issue warnings and give those ahead of the storm time to get to safety. Officials in Mississippi credit the new technology to preventing tornadorelated deaths on Feb. 10, despite nearly a dozen tornadoes that afternoon. And while the new technology may not necessarily improve tornado warning lead times, it will help in confirming whether rotation seen in a cloud is actually on ground or not. Large debris will be able to be detected in the cloud for several thousand feet above the ground. After being in development for nearly 30 years at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, the new dual-pol radars were officially test-

WEBB COUNTY RAINFALL REPORT STATION LOCATION APRIL WB 2 Heights Garfield St 0.00” WB 4 Las Tiendas Ranch 0.00” WB 5 Callaghan Ranch 0.00” WB 6 McPherson/Chacon 0.00” WB 9 Mangana Hein Rd 8E 0.00” WB 12 Del Mar C 0.00” WB 13 Del Mar North/Preston Ln 0.00” WB 14 Laredo 18.4 NE 0.00” WB 18 Springfield/Hillside 0.00” WB 19 Prada Elementary School 0.00” WB 21 Shiloh/Woodridge 0.00” WB 22 Laredo 23.7 ENE 0.00” WB 23 Freer 29.5 WSW 0.00” WB 25 United South MS area 0.00” WB 26 Zaragoza St-downtown 0.00” WB 27 Jacaman Rd/Saldana Ln 0.00” WB 28 Gutierrez Elementary area 0.00” WB 29 Heights E. Lane St 0.00” WB 36 Del Mar/Inwood 0.00” WB 37 Stamford St (East Laredo) 0.00” WB 39 E. Clark Blvd/Jarvis 0.00” WB 40 McPherson/Country Club Dr 0.00” Laredo KGNS-TV Del Mar Blvd 0.00” Laredo International Airport 0.00” Source: CoCoRaHS/National Weather Service

REGIONAL WEATHER RECAP—MARCH 2013

Avg Temp Depart Rain Departure Laredo KGNS Cotulla Airport Encinal Hebbronville Freer Falcon Dam

69.8 66.9 65.6 67.4 66.9 69.7

+1.2 +0.9 +0.0 +0.8 +0.8 +0.5

0.00” 0.00” 0.00” 0.34” 0.00” 0.00”

-1.11” -1.29” -1.58” -1.24” -1.76” -0.67”

Source: National Weather Service

ed for three years at the Norman weather office in the heart of tornado alley, before they were rolled out across the nation starting in 2012. During one severe weather event in May 2010, the dual-pol radar at Norman detected six tornadoes on the ground all at once. Dual-pol radars were also tested successfully in the Seattle area. In January 2012, a significant snowstorm hit the area. The new radar was successfully able to locate exactly where the snow changed to sleet and then where it changed from sleet to freezing rain. Forecasters said this was vital information that enabled them to better forecast when the changing precipitation would arrive across the different parts of the

Seattle area, which can be extremely important information for commuters and emergency management agencies. The upgrade to all of the weather services 160 radars nationwide is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2013 at an estimated cost of $50 million. The weather service’s parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, estimate the economic benefits of the new radars to be nearly $690 million annually. (Juan Alanis, former teacher at United ISD, is a meteorology student at Mississippi State University and currently a student volunteer with the National Weather Service. He may be reached at: cocorahsstx@gmail. com) ◆ W W W.L A RED OS N E WS.CO M

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.

“A star is born!” That’s what the “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) judge shouted after the performance of 16-year-old Zendaya on the show’s first new season episode. The 5’6” actor and singer from Oakland is currently the star of the Disney Channel sitcom “Shake It Up,” playing the role of Rocky Blue. Her debut album will be out on Hollywood Records in August. Her name means “to give thanks” in Shona, the Bantu language of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. She originally discovered by the same agent that discovered Miley Cyrus. Zendaya is so efficient that she was chosen from a field of 200 other girls for Rocky Blue. She has beat Shawn Johnson as the youngest DWTS contestant to ever be on the show. Her partner is Val Chmerkovsky, and on the first show this season she got the highest score of all the contestants. That she has

Notes from La La Land

Zendaya: a star is born danced all her life shows. She currently lives in L.A. with her family and dog, a Schnauzer named “Midnight.” It’s a good bet she›s going to win DWTS this season! A few months back I wrote about Laredo born Adriana Reyna Zirpoli hitting the big-time in Las Vegas in her new job as vice-president of slot operations for the beautiful Wynn and Encore resorts in the famous resort city. There is big news now about her boss, billionaire Steve Wynn, who has sold one of the treasures of his art collection, Pablo Picasso’s “Le Reve,” for $155 million. The 1932 oil painting, by the master painter of the Spanish Cubism era, was set up for auction years ago, but then Wynn accidentally put his elbow through the painting. After much restoration work, the art piece, at its current sale price, makes it the highest price paid by an American for art.

The record for the most expensive painting in the world was set by Cezanne’s “The Card Players,”which sold to a member of the Zatar royal family for $250 million. Steve Wynn’s collection, which I once saw in Las Vegas, has many other highly priced paintings. He owns William de Kooning’s “Woman III,” for which he paid $137.5 million and Jasper John’s “Flag” painting, for which he paid $110 million, among several others. Let›s jump over to another brilliant guy, but in a way totally different from Wynn. His name is Terrence Tao, 37 and a math teacher at UCLA. Some are calling him the most intelligent person in the U.S. and maybe the entire world. He has an IQ of 230. A normal IQ is considered 100. Tao started taking math classes at UCLA when he was 9. Born in Australia, he became a U.S. citizen in 1996. At 13 he was the youngest contestant in the International Math Olympics, where he won a gold medal. At 20 he graduated from Princeton with a Ph.D. in math, and four years later he landed his present job at UCLA.

On another topic, recent state reports indicate that Latinos will make up the plurality of Californians by 2014. We will be the crucial part of the workforce when baby boomers retire. By the middle of this year, we will be even in numbers with the Anglo population, at about 39% each group, but we will gain more by the end of the year. The new study indicates that by 2060, California›s population will grow to nearly 52.7 million, which is about 40% higher than the most recent estimates last year. Although the Anglo and African American population will increase by 2060, their numbers will decrease in proportion to the total population. Latinos by then will be 48% of all Californians. Now just under 13%, the California Asian population will be just slightly over that figure in 2060. The Anglo population will drop to 30% from the current 39%, and the African-American population from 6% to 4% by 2060. Due to longer life expectancies, women will continue to slightly outnumber men. And on that note, it’s time for--as Norma Adamo says – TAN TAN ! ◆

meg@laredosnews.com

Can’t find a hard copy? Go to www.laredosnews.com

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Laredo Community College

LCC May-mester, summer, fall registration underway BY MONICA MCGETTRICK WALTERS LareDOS Contributor

tudents hoping to find their future at Laredo Community College this summer and fall are encouraged to get advised now as registration for May-mester, Summer Sessions 1 and 2, and the Fall 2013 semester, is under way. Students who have already been advised can register for May-mester, Summer Sessions 1 and 2, and the Fall 2013 Semester by visiting PASPort, the college’s student account system, at https://pasport.laredo.edu, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. from any computer with Internet access. Students new to LCC or those who have not yet declared a major (now known as “General Studies” majors) can get advised at the Student Success Center at the Fort McIntosh Campus in Memorial Hall, room 107, or at the South Campus in the William N. “Billy” Hall Jr. Student Center, room 116. Both locations are open for advising Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. Students also can get advised on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial Hall, room 125, at the Fort McIntosh Campus only. Students who have not yet been advised are encouraged to contact the LCC Student Success Center at 7215135 to make an appointment with an advisor. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments take priority. Those with a

declared major can visit or call their instructional departments to make an appointment for advising. The first day of class is May 13 for the May-mester, June 3 for the first summer session and July 11 for the second summer session. The first day of classes for fall 2013 is August 26. To view an up-to-date listing of summer and fall classes, log on to www.laredo.edu and click on the PASPort icon. Then click the tab for Additional Resources to view the class schedule. For further assistance, call the LCC Student Success Center at the Fort McIntosh Campus at 721-5135 or at the South Campus at 794-4135. Health program application deadlines near With the ever-growing need for health care workers, Laredo Community College has consistently provided the community with competent and skilled health care professionals. Individuals who want to pursue a career that allows them to help others should consider their options at LCC, which offers quality training for health care professionals in several fields. Students interested in those programs are urged to do so before their respective application deadlines. Depending on their career tracks, students can choose from a one-semester certificate to a two-year degree. For full information on LCC health care career courses, call (956) 721-5261. ◆

Can’t find a hard copy? Go to www.laredosnews.com

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Itiel Valdez/LareDOS

LCC Percussion Ensemble celebrates Earth Day

Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

The LCC Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Matthew Adams, played Inuksuit by John Luther Adams, a piece inspired by the outdoors, on Earth Day at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center. Adams said Inuksuit, translated literally means “to act in the capacity of the human.” He added that Inuksuit is inspired by the stone sentinels constructed over the centuries by the Inuit in the expanses of the Arctic.The music was a beautiful accompaniment to walking through the center, taking a walk on the nearby trail, or taking in one of the educational seminars on native plant life. Pictured are members of the Percussion Ensemble, Ismerai Valdez (Cymbal), Marco Martinez (Conch), Elias Diaz (Cymbal), and Rick Ramirez (Tom Toms.)

Learning about health care reform Alejandro Lancon and Blanca Moore of Braniff Fowarding; Irma Garcia of J.O. Alvarez, Inc; and María Ruiz of AmeriCorp Insurance Group were among the local business representatives in attendance at IBC’s April 9 health care reform seminar. W W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

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Maverick Ranch Notes

BY BEBE & SISSY FENSTERMAKER

Despite drought, wildflowers make a showy appearance; evidence of climate change visible in weather patterns

he combination of cool nights, grey overcast days, wind and intermittent sun have produced rich dark bluebonnets, yellow Texas stars, bright yellow cut-leaf daisies, and spiderworts of all kinds of purples. Coreopsis are moving toward flowering and Old Plainsman adds creamy white everywhere. A 1.6 inch rain about a week ago brought every wildflower up and out. The irises in the yard always remind me of the people who loved and shared them. Numero uno in bloom are the Ranch’s old light blue flags. They were our grandmother’s and have bloomed here every year I can remember. Their fragrance is Spring. Originally they were in the front bed but somehow moved to better light as the pecan tree grew overhead. Now they hold forth on the terrace in blazing sunlight. Next come the brownish-yellow ones from Ron Winstead whose delightful small garden in San Antonio boasted flowers and vegetables grown together. When Ron and his partner moved away he gave Sissy and me many of his favorite plants and his grandmother’s iron skillet. The tall pink irises came from Bill

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McDonald in Ft. Davis. He gave them to Mama back in 1971 when she admired them growing in his little cactus garden. She gave me a good start of them and they bloom in front of the Big Room for several weeks. Next are Marilyn Lanfear’s light apricot irises. I saw them in her garden when she hosted our MFA art class at her house at least 40 years ago — so long ago she doesn’t even remember having the irises. At our next class she brought me several corms wrapped in newspaper. I have moved those plants at least three times and this year they are outstanding. Last to come will be simple yellow flags — short, old-fashioned and in some years non-performing. Time will tell. We are Golden-cheeked Warbler-Important Bird Area censusing. This takes several hours once a week until June 1. We get in at least a three-mile walk each time. The birds have had a slowish time of it due to cooler than normal weather and wind. Nevertheless they are on their territories and we see and hear them. San Antonio Audubon Society came for their spring outing census and with wind and mist had a good accounting of song birds, including Golden-cheeks, by lunchtime. We ate on the porch and the

Fenstermaker brownies were appreciated. Chuck-wills Widows arrived four days ago and hearing their calls that first evening was lovely. The next evening I heard a similar but very speeded-up series of calls which we birders think were probably Poor Wills passing through. Now I’m waiting for the Painted Buntings’ arrival. There is a new little red heifer named Tedda Osa who isn’t growing up coddled in the hay barn like her slightly older spoiled brother and sister. Tedda is very sturdy on four large legs and can hold her own with those siblings. – Bebe Fenstermaker

arch did not go out like a lamb this year. There was a late freeze, too, which damaged peach crops in the Hill Country. Some trees that set fruit later in the spring may have survived the freeze. A summer without Hill Country peaches would be very sad, to say the least. There is no doubt in my mind that a major climate change is and has been under way for some years. Some wildflow-

ers are blooming at least a month earlier than in the past. Blue (the peacock) had grown his showy tail and begun strutting around long before the end of February this year. Of course, he hollers at each little sound during that new extra time, too. San Antonio Audubon Society members were out for a birding walk a couple of weeks ago. The morning dawned to an overcast sky, chilly temperature, and wind. Even so, they were good sports and eventually one big Live Oak suddenly came alive with activity. If my memory is correct, three Warblers we saw were the Nashville, Orange-crowned, and Tennessee. Also up there with them were Black-crested Titmice and Carolina Chickadees. Off to the side in another tree was a pair of Summer Tanagers. We heard Golden-cheeked Warblers calling and finally saw a pair. It was a good day for wildflowers, too. Two exciting ones seen were the Texas star (Lindheimera texana) and the Celestial (Nemastylis geminiflora). After finishing in the field we headed for the house to have lunch and list the bird species seen that morning. – Sissy Fenstermaker

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Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS

At Casas del Ayer photo exhibit Beti Gomez Rejon, Navi Leyendecker, and Alma Alarcon were among those who enjoyed the Casas del Ayer photography exhibit at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum on Friday, April 12.

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Opinion

Laredo vets should have place of camaraderie, reconciliation BY MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher

he Last Patrol Ranch three miles northeast of Benavides on Highway 359 is a place of remembrance — an unordinary monument made by soldiers to honor their brothers and sisters. Part of it — the Huey medevac chopper, the re-created bunkers, the grotto to a beneficent Buddah — these things evoke the original purpose of the Last Patrol Ranch, to honor Vietnam era veterans, to account for prisoners of war, and to ask for the accounting of and repatriation of the remains of POWs and those still missing in action (MIAs.) The ranch sits on a 10-acre tract leased by the non-profit organization for $1 a year. It was founded in 1985 by Richard Yaeger, Romeo Rodriguez, Alberto Mendiola, Juan Escobar, and Fidel Salinas. The Last Patrol Ranch is a place of somber recollection, a place to walk through and “get” in some fashion what those who built it wanted to share with you about war —its sacrifices and devastations, its transformation of boys to men, and what is left when the mortar fire stops. The ranch is also a place for patriotic ceremonies to honor veterans of all wars. There are two Memorial Walls, one for POWs, MIAs, and KIAs of all wars, and the other for veterans of all wars. Of late, the named bricks remember the warriors who have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan, their sacrifice telegraphed into the vast blue sky over the ranch lands in 21-gun salutes and etched into the hearts of those left behind with the playing of “Taps.” At this hilltop memorial there is nothing polished or professionally W W W.L A R ED OS N E WS.CO M

constructed. It was designed and built by the hands and hearts of men who fought as boys in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and you intuit all of that as you walk into it and through it. You will not forget that you came here and you will not forget what you have been asked to remember about the Vietnam conflict, or any war for that matter. You will not forget the odd beauty of rusting war machines and seemingly random objects set on a hilltop or the impact of all those things in one place — a place that calls the terror by its name, war, a place that offers solace to heal from it. Though Last Patrol Ranch was vacant the day I visited, I could feel the energy that went into acquiring and building the displays and the “techos” that were constructed for cover from the weather and for the camaraderie of shared meals and shared stories. Laredo veterans need just such a place. ◆

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News

Little Caesar’s DEEP! DEEP! Dish Pizza debuts to good reviews

ittle Caesar’s new DEEP! DEEP! Dish Pizza — a large pepperoni/cheese pizza with a crunchy crust and eight carmelized cheese corners — is a huge success, according to Lola Quesada, the owner of four Little Caesar’s locations in Laredo. At $8, the new addition to the menu offers value, quality, and convenience to Laredo pizza aficionados. Quesada tested the DEEP! DEEP! Dish Pizza to great results prior to the official April 1 launch date for the Detroit-style product. She said the new offering, a nod to the company’s hometown, is in synch with Little Caesar’s history of innovation

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to provide a better product and a consistently tasty product that has great value. The rectangular pizza gets its crispycrunchy edge from a custom metal pan coated with olive oil, a pan styled after the assembly line trays first used to make a deep dish pizza in the Motor City years ago. Little Caesar’s is the first national chain to introduce Detroit style pizza to its core menu in all 50 states. According to Quesada, the DEEP! DEEP! Dish pizza builds on the suc-

cess of Little Caesar’s ever-popular $5 HOT-N-READY pizza. She added, “The unforgettable taste starts with handmade dough baked in custom designed pans that allow a crispy on the bottom crust, a soft

and chewy inside, a carmelized edge of Mozarrela and Muenster, and vine ripened California tomatoes,” she said. DEEP! DEEP! Dish pizza is the most recent addition to the HOTN-READY lineup that includes the $5 pizza, Crazy Bread, and Caesar Wings. The four Little Caesar’s locations in Laredo are at 1503 Guadalupe, 2020 Santa María, 3706 U.S. Hwy. 83, and 2438 Monarch. Little Caesar’s, the largest and fastest growing pizza chain in the U.S., was founded in 1959 by Michael and Marian Illitch in Garden City, Michigan. – LareDOS Staff

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