Word from the Publisher

Word from the Publisher/mensaje de nuestra fundadora

Querídos lectores...

Thank God for the many seasons in life - especially spring! It remains one of the seasons I look forward to the most because of what it represents and because I get to begin my gardening. This hobby was shared by my grandfather the late Don Juan Martinez. He lived next door to me. And during this season he began to work in his yard - planting flowers, removing the debris, and scalping the yard to allow for new grass to come in. His yard was one of the most attractive on the block - he had patience, vision, and commitment to hard work, thus, resulting in a backyard oasis. He would sit on the grass and would begin to remove unwelcome weeds one by one. I would often sit there with him and help. As I worked alongside him, we would talk. He would share dichos, old stories, and, give unsolicited advice. And through the discussions, he would reference to God and credit Him for all good and explain that even the obstacles in life were part of learning. He especially reaffirmed why I had to always be fair, just, and true to my convictions. I didn't always understand, I was young and naive. However today, those lessons make perfect sense - "Become what you were created to be," he said referencing that God had a purpose and plan for us all. I carry on those messages and lessons. Now, my husband Frank and I will spend hours in the back cultivating and tending to our garden, to plants and flowers. I look forward to the spring flowers, especially the Crocus, which are rare to see but confirm that Spring is here. More so, I look forward to the conversations about our past and future that my husband and I have while we enjoy our downtime. As we observe Passover and Holy Week, let us give honor and the glory to God for the next seasons of our lives. We trust Him and we are grateful to what is in store and what lies ahead. I remind you that while we remain ever faithful, remember that God gives us sense to use the tools to manage our lives. We're seeing life returning to normal after this awful pandemic., which is not completely gone. I urge you to approach this time cautiously and continue health parameters including wearing a mask, washing your hands and getting vaccinated. Also, with Los Hermanos Familia we are preparing for a Bilingual Financial Literacy Workshop Series, we are planning the Cinco de Mayo Parade, and, make plans to join us for the the 12th Annual "VAmos a Pescar, Let's Go Fishing Event. As you can see, there are many items of interest in this month's issue of Latino Lubbock Magazine. We are so proud of the achievements of many Latino's from our community, and we hope that you will take the time to read through and read the stories, and help celebrate their successes, and achievements. Many stories are included We are experiencing many changes in our community, state and nationally. This is the time that Latinos must step up and be heard, whether it be through registering to vote and voting, to assuring that your children are happy, healthy and achieving an education. It takes all and every effort for us to be successful as a community and as Hispanics today. Como siempre, Latino Lubbock is committed to our community. We are grateful to be 100,000+ readers strong and appreciate our advertisers who help make it possible to keep our publication free. If you haven’t visited our website, I urge you to do so at www.latinolubbock.net. Thanks for reading and supporting our publication onstands and online! ♥ And of course, thank you for your support. May God bless you! ¡Gracias por su apoyo! Que dios los bendiga. PEACE and random acts of kindness. Que las bendiciones de dios estén contigo siempre! Mask up! Sinceramente, Christy Martinez-Garcia, Publisher/Owner & Latino Market Specialist “Lubbock News from a Latino Perspective” Celebrating 15 Years of Commitment to our Community

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Causes Death of Family's Father

BY GRACIELA VAZQUEZ, INTERN FOR LATINO LUBBOCK MAGAZINE

During the February winter storm, Esperanza and Santiago Rodriguez took a nap without knowing a silent killer was sneaking out of their heater and into their home. Teresa Rodriguez, their daughter, said she remembered the day like it was yesterday. She drove to check on her parents after receiving a worried phone call from her brother, Santiago Jr., asking her to check on their parents. She developed a strange feeling after seeing the lights off and receiving no answer after knocking loudly. After forcing her way into the home, Teresa noticed the smell of gas and said her father and mother looked lifeless and were unresponsive. Her father had passed away due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and her mother was rushed to the hospital. Fortunately, she survived after days of being in a fragile state. Teresa described it as the scariest and hardest day. “Carbon monoxide is a deadly and very silent killer. Nobody knows, you think you smell it but then you're like, oh, it was nothing, it was probably just a gas,” she said emotionally. Esperanza, Santiago’s wife, said that day was faint, and she only remembered getting a kiss from her husband before the nap and trying to walk out of the room but tumbling. The rest of the day was a blur until she woke up in the ER. “I was on the bed and I was tumbling trying to get to the door, but I couldn't, and I passed out because I don't remember anything else.” Teresa said it’s easy to overlook the dangers of wanting to keep a home warm during the cold weather, but not to do so. She advises everyone to get a carbon monoxide monitor to prevent this from happening and to make sure the batteries are working at all times. “Especially during the winter, people tend to take it for granted and turn on the stove, or open the oven, and let it heat up the house. Don't take anything for granted,” she said. Brent Smith, with the Lubbock Fire Marshall, said carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas; caused by incomplete burning. The first symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning is a headache, then dizziness, weakness, and sometimes one may experience vomiting, chest pain, confusion, and unconsciousness. “Whenever you have gas coming through, ideally you want 100% of it to burn, but sometimes if you have dirty furnaces or leaks, it cannot burn 100%, and sometimes comes off with smoke, or even carbon monoxide, which you can't detect.” Smith said if anyone suspects carbon monoxide, they may call the fire department to check for leaks. Teresa described her father as a humble man and as someone who wanted to make everyone happy. “I know dad always said, family is everything, never go mad. If you get mad, get over it. Life is just too short, and you don't know when's your last day because we're not promised tomorrow.”

OUR OBJECTIVE “Strengthening Families, Building Community” Join our efforts and become a member today.

INFOBOX

· Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and toxic gas · Never heat your home with a gas range. · Carbon monoxide detectors are the fastest way to prevent CO poisoning. · Call 2-1-1 to learn about free detectors.

Important Numbers

Police (Non-Emergency) call 763-5333

Fire (Non-Emergency) call 765-5757

Emergencies call 9-1-1 Program/Service info, call 2-1-1

City services, call 3-1-1 City - call 775-3000. www.ci.lubbock.tx.us

County - call 775-1000 www.co.lubbock.tx.us LISD - call 766-1000 www.lubbockisd.org

Latino Lubbock Magazine 792-1212

news@latinolubbock.net www.latinolubbock.net LATINO LUBBOCK DEADLINE NEWS & INFO, 18TH ADVERTISING THE 23rd

Community & Event Brieflies

SOUTH PLAINS

FOOD BANK To receive a food box from SPFB, you still need to qualify through one of our partnering agencies and receive a voucher. You can call 2-1-1 or visit www.211texas.org to find a local agency that is giving our vouchers. Citizens are still required to bring all documentation needed to see if you qualify. TAMALE WORKSHOP Pt. 1 & 2 Learn to make delicious tamales in this two-day workshop! Pre-register by noon on 4/7. 4/9- 6:00 pm and 4/10- 10:00 am at the Rawlings Community Center. Register at (806) 767-2704. For ages 15+, Cost is $20.

COVID-19 OTHER RESOURCES

• Call 2-1-1 for Health, food, housing, and other assistance • Call 7-1-1 for Relay Service • To report price gouging, call the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General: 1-800-621-0508. • En espanol - www.unidosus.org/issues/ health/articles/coronavirus-span

VIRTUAL CIVIL LEGAL CLINIC

Get legal help from our location to yours! Lubbock Branch Office Service Area of the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Call Christina Richey at 806 763-4557, ext. 6010. Leave a message with your name, phone number, the best time to call you, and a brief description of your legal issue. Someone from Legal Aid will follow up with you and give you an appointment time. Space for this clinic is limited for Tuesday, April 13, 2021; and Tuesday, April 27, 2021, from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M.. Please contact us no later than 5 p.m., the day before clinic date to reserve your spot.

2-1-1 NON-EMERGENCY QUES-

TIONS 2-1-1 is a free help line answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which will link you to health and community services. Visit Latino Lubbock Magazine online at www.latinolubbock.net to read a copy of the monthly issue, or to submit news and info, view our events calendar and more!

Wear Your Mask! ¡Usa tu máscara! No, to Open Borders; Yes, to Open Minds

Many Republicans are eager to blame President Biden for the increase in families and children arriving at the border, but the truth is that this is not a new phenomenon. Since 2014, as Central American migrants have come, generous border communities like El Paso have ensured that they are safe and cared for. Meanwhile, the rest of the country wrings its hands, politicians complain about the “crisis at the border,” businesses across the country benefit from the labor of these hard-working individuals — and nothing changes. Americans must finally acknowledge that the real crisis is not at the border but outside it, and that until we address that crisis, this flow of vulnerable people seeking help at our doorstep will not end anytime soon. Presidents’ words are a minor factor in migrants’ decisions to leave their homeland. Overwhelmingly and consistently, Central American refugees tell stories of fleeing violence, persecution, food insecurity and calamitous economic conditions in their countries. Back-to-back hurricanes and storms that have made it impossible to rebuild are new motivations to go north. At most, what politicians say changes only the tone of the pitches criminal organizations make to the migrants they prey on, pitches of hope with a compassionate administration or fear with a cruel one. Policies limiting legal avenues for immigrants encourage them to undertake desperate measures to enter the United States, making it more difficult for agents and more profitable for criminal organizations. Closing the border isn’t a real solution. It’s clear that even the most draconian efforts by the Trump administration — walls, family separation, expulsion — did not stop the flow of migrants to the southwestern border. Neither did a deadly pandemic. The Trump administration’s “remain in Mexico” policy put an unsustainable burden on just from Central America those granted temporary protected status Mexico, and pushing people but from Mexico as well. We for humanitarian reasons and agricultural back into that country fuels need a shared plan with a focus workers and their families. They are even more of the criminal on security to combat crime promising, yet they address only a small activity that already plagues it. and persecution that includes fraction of the people already living and The Biden administration’s cracking down on gangs and working here. The Congressional Hispanic challenge is not just the other criminal organizations Caucus has introduced another important number of children arriving and creates accountability for piece of legislation that would take a at the border; it’s also that politicians and officials who multifaceted approach to immigration, the previous administration turn a blind eye to criminals. including dealing with the root causes of effectively obliterated existing We must stop treating it. (These bills also highlight why many of systems and infrastructure vulnerable children and us believe we must eliminate the filibuster, (flawed as they were), failed to work collaboratively on an orderly transition and created a Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX - 16) families like a national security threat. We have to rethink our facilities and processes to which has been an instrument of gridlock for immigration reform.) The Biden administration must work backlog of vulnerable people on the other include social workers, humanitarian aid with Congress to reform the Department side of our ports of entry. workers and other civilian personnel at our of Homeland Security. Border Patrol agents Politically, it’s never the “right time” processing centers to greet those who seek have been performing duties unrelated to for immigration reform. Even politicians refuge here with humanity. And we need to their law enforcement functions, like data genuinely seeking solutions have often reimagine the infrastructure where families entry for processing migrants and child and been afraid to tackle the issue because and children are processed. family supervision. Agents should be on there’s no quick and easy fix. We also need to understand that climate the ground, focused on collaborating with We came close in 2013. The Senate passed change has made some of the poorest law enforcement partners to track criminal a bill with 68 votes. But John Boehner, then parts of our globe too difficult to inhabit. activity and apprehending those who pose the speaker of the House, refused to bring Hurricanes and drought are causing a true threat to our security.the bill to the floor. Since then and especially food insecurity and mass migration. We Those of us who represent border during the Trump era, xenophobia has shouldn’t be surprised that populations in communities can help the administration become useful politically to some as well hard-hit areas have no choice but to leave. reshape a system that has focused on border as a tool of division. Another driver is our country’s eagerness militarization, a flawed and expensive The good news is that we now have an to employ migrant labor. A majority of strategy that we should all agree — after administration willing to work on the issue. unaccompanied children and families from decades and hundreds of billions of dollars It will take significant collaboration and Central America come to the United States — is a failure. something in very limited supply: patience. to reunite with family members (parents, If we continue to ignore the facts and Mr. Biden should engage the leaders of children, siblings or spouses) who are use the same failed approaches of the the Western Hemisphere for a summit working here in construction, meatpacking, past, we shouldn’t be surprised when we that identifies shared responsibilities, agriculture or the hospitality industry — have the same conversations every year. challenges and opportunities. Engaging paying taxes, helping their employers be The Biden administration is willing to try Northern Triangle countries, fully restoring profitable and supporting our economy. new approaches and focus on solutions; it the Central American Minors program Many immigrants are the very essential wants to restore order and humanity once (which allows children to apply for workers we’ve depended on during the and for all. It deserves a chance. refugee status in their home countries) Covid-19 pandemic. I’m not asking for open borders. I’m and reinstating aid (practices curtailed by Congress must enact immigration reform. simply asking for open minds.former President Donald Trump) is a good Last week the House passed H.R. 6, the start. But a multilateral approach must American Dream and Promise Act, as include our Canadian allies and address well as other measures that would create the causes of the migration coming not a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers,

Veronica Escobar is a Democratic representative from Texas.

Carta Abierta

¿Que Piensas?

We know our readers have a lot to say! Mail letters to Latino Lubbock “Letters to the Editor,” Box 6473 Lubbock, TX 79493, o r email them to news@latinolubbock.net. Please include your name, address, and contact phone number. Mailed letters must be signed. Please note that unsigned letters will not be published. Letters are limited to 100 words, depending on space availability, some longer will be included. Writers are limited to one letter per month. Submissions may be edited for clarity or space consideration. Letters are not acknowledged. Opinions expressed in

letters and Op-Ed articles do not necessarily represent the views of Latino Lubbock Magazine.

NO LOS OLVIDAMOS

No olvido el año que paso el tornado, ya son 50 años. Murieron 96 aqui en Lubbock. Que descansen en paz, no nos olvidamos de ellos. Si ponen los nombres de la gente creo que es bueno para la juventud y para toda la gente de Lubbock. Es todo, nomas decirles buena suerte a todos. Ben Rodriguez

AFTER COVID

I had COVID-19 and I'm still have after affects. I still can't believe the little issues that I'm having - heart palpitations, shortness of breath, headaches. I hope it goes away soon. Can you includes some articles about what to do after covid? Thanks for this great publication. Maria Zuniga

SCHOOL NAMING

While I applaud Ms. Harrison on being selected to have a school named after her, I disagree with the process LISD used to make the selection. One of the rules is that you cannot name a school after someone who's still alive. Yet, LISD went against its own rule. Not to mention I read the reason for the school naming and having been an educator at the time I know there were others who led and shared credit for developing bilingual curriculum. LISD should do its homework for future namings. Señora Maestra

HEALTH DEPARTMENT KUDOS

KUDOS to the City Health Department and all the staff and volunteers for a great job in administering the COVID-19 vaccine. The process was easy, smooth, and fast. Please get your vaccine. Thanks again, Terry Martinez

CONFIDENCE IN MASKS

I would like to thank the many businesses that are continuing to take precautions for preventing covid. I appreciate that they are wearing masks and recognizing that covid is still a situation despite the fact that our governor politicized mask wearing to try to gain voter confidence. If he would have waited just a little bit longer I think I would have felt the confidence. Joe Gonzalez

HAPPY EASTER

Ms. Christy, I want to wish you and your family and your staff a very Happy Easter. Things still look different, but I pray for better days. Rosie

TX Opens COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility to All Adults Legislation to Overhaul State’s

Electricity Market Receiving Unanimous Approval

The state officially opened its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone over the age of 16 at the end of March. According to Texas Department of State Health Services Associate commissioner Imelda Garcia, the amount of vaccines will increase next month. “We started to hear from providers in some parts of the state that we're getting to the end of their waiting list,” Garcia said. “And we're getting to the point where they've reached most of their priority groups." Two-thirds of the state population of people 65 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine with 43% of them fully vaccinated. Garcia said counties in that situation are seeing more pharmacies get doses to help. The state launched the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler where people can log on or call to get put on a waiting list to receive a vaccine. According to DSHS Deputy Associate Commissioner Dr. Nancy Ejuma, the website will help state officials get more vaccines to areas of need. To sign up online to schedule a vaccine appointment, click here or call 833-832-7067.

Wear Your Mask! ¡Usa tu máscara!

The Texas Senate on Monday unanimously approved a sweeping bill that would overhaul the state’s electricity industry and infrastructure, including mandating that power plants prepare for extreme weather and outlawing risky indexed retail electric plans. Senate Bill 3, filed by Republican state Sen. Charles Schwertner of Georgetown, now heads to the Texas House where its prospects are uncertain. Members in the lower chamber will take up a series of related, standalone bills last month. SB 3 would require all power generators, transmission lines, natural gas facilities and pipelines to make upgrades for extreme weather — a process known as weatherization. Most power generators and gas facilities were not equipped to handle temperatures that dipped into single digits last month. Natural gas regulators and industry groups have claimed that the majority of the problems that caused a shortage of natural gas during the storm — which worsened the problems for power plants — was caused by power outages, and suggested that winterization of the natural gas supply system was unnecessary. The Senate bill reflects that concern, leaving it to the Texas Railroad Commission, the regulatory body that oversees the state’s oil and natural gas industry, to decide what upgrades natural gas fuel facilities would have to make. The bill does not address funding to pay for the mandated upgrades. However, other pieces of legislation in the Texas House have been proposed with various funding mechanisms. Experts say the process of retrofitting the state’s power plants for winter could be difficult and costly, but not impossible, depending on the types of upgrades eventually mandated by regulators. The bill would also ban indexed retail electric plans, whose rates fluctuate based on the cost of wholesale electricity. Customers in Texas who purchased indexed electric plans, like Griddy — which has since declared bankruptcy — saw astronomically high bills in the weeks following the storm due to a massive spike in wholesale electricity prices. Senate Bill 3 would also create a statewide emergency alert system in the event of future blackouts and would create the Texas Energy Reliability Council, modeled after a currently voluntary board by the same name. Known as TERC, the board coordinates state energy regulators, electricity generators and the natural gas fuel industry to ensure reliable gas distribution for electricity. SB 3 would formalize the body and require it to meet twice a year. Senators tacked on a handful of floor amendments, including a provision that would give the Texas Public Utility Commission six months to draft weatherization rules. The PUC regulates the Electrical Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state’s main power grid. The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and natural gas industries, would be required to draft weatherization rules within six months upon completion of a map, detailing

Texas’ natural gas supply chain to “designate priority service needs during extreme weather events.” Both the PUC and Railroad Commission would also be required to conduct on-site inspections to ensure compliance. Another key provision of the bill would shift some of the financial burden of ancillary services, which help ensure the continuous generation of power to the electricity grid in the ERCOT market, to renewable energy providers. Lubbock has an anticipated peak demand of around 626 megawatts, so LP&L is joining ERCOT in 2021 for the remaining megawatts needed. That means on June 1, of 2021, about two-thirds of the city's power would come from the ERCOT grid, and one-third still from the Southwest Power Pool.

TX abre la vacuna COVID-19 Elegibilidad para todos los adultos

El estado abrió oficialmente su elegibilidad para la vacuna COVID-19 a todas las personas mayores de 16 años el lunes. Según la comisionada asociada del Departamento de Servicios de Salud del Estado de Texas, Imelda García, la cantidad de vacunas aumentará el próximo mes. “Comenzamos a escuchar de proveedores en algunas partes del estado que estamos llegando al final de su lista de espera”, dijo García. “Y estamos llegando al punto en que han llegado a la mayoría de sus grupos prioritarios”. Dos tercios de la población estatal de personas de 65 años o más han recibido al menos una dosis de la vacuna y el 43% de ellos están completamente vacunados. García dijo que los condados en esa situación están viendo que más farmacias reciben dosis para ayudar. El estado lanzó el Programador de vacunas de salud pública de Texas, donde las personas pueden iniciar sesión o llamar para que las pongan en una lista de espera para recibir una vacuna. Según la Dra. Nancy Ejuma, comisionada adjunta del DSHS, el sitio web ayudará a los funcionarios estatales a llevar más vacunas a las áreas de necesidad. Para inscribirse en línea para programar una cita de vacunación, haga clic aquí o llame al 833-832-7067.