Latino Perspectives Magazine January 2012 by Latino Perspectives Magazine

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January 2012

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Journal of the American Latino Dream

Volume 8

{January 2012}

Issue 5

Auld lang syne

We can put new lyrics to the traditional New Year’s song, but instead, let’s just hope for a better 2012. A year in review

A day in Phoenix

U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis was in town not long ago, and took time to listen to Arizonans’ stories—and tell one, too

42 7 8

From the editor Looking ahead to the Arizona Centennial

27 Rodriguez Movin’ up is new head coach at UA; AFC hires Machiche; Guerrero named state diversity champion; Gonzalez to head up Golden Gate Community Center

¿Será posible? The dictionary of ... men? Obama Chia pet is not meant to insult

12 LP journal Integration nation; Aguirre vs. Grijalva?; don’t forget Wenona; bad water in Douglas, AZ

31 33

14 Vibe Gabriel Iglesias comes to Phoenix; to infinity and beyond on ice; peace (or hope or love) in a box

19 Rincón del arte Ernie Gloria, visual artist

Health 43 Small changes can make a big impact: 51 ways

Entrepreneur

Michelle Rosado puts on her gloves to promote Arizona boxing

Briefcase

39 Eight, Education Arizona PBS receives grant; schoolhouse goes green; grant for veterans; nominate a mom to get healthy in 2012

out 46 Time Post-holiday R&R at an Arizona spa

Arizona gets HUD grant for METRO; state housing values keep slipping; MEDWeek honors minority enterprises; ACEE wants KGers to learn about finances; AZHCC’s Million-Dollar Roundtable

49 P.S.

Those who serve

perspective 50 My Lorenzo Sierra on running for Arizona House of

Daniel Rincon, police sergeant, Scottsdale Police Department

If you can be trusted in little things

Representatives

Coming in February: listen to your heart latinopm.com

¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

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¡! from the executive editor

January 2012 Publisher/CEO Ricardo Torres Executive Editor/COO Cecilia Rosales, Ph.D. Copy Editor Rosa Cays Art Director Jorge Quintero Contributing Writers Catherine Anaya, Erica Cardenas, Dan Cortez, Ruben Hernandez, Jonathan Higuera, Robrt L. Pela, Stella Pope Duarte, Lorenzo Sierra, Hilda L. Solis Director of Sales and Marketing Carlos Jose Cuervo Advertising Account Executives Grace Alvarez and Barry Farber Webmaster QBCS Inc.

www.latinopm.com P.O. Box 2213 Litchfield Park, Az. 85340 602-277-0130 Advertising: sales@latinopm.com Editorial: editor@latinopm.com Design: art@latinopm.com

Bring on 2012 By Cecilia Rosales, Ph.D.

This month we get to greet friends and colleagues with a cheerful and most often heartfelt “Happy New Year!” Thankfully for us Arizonans, the weather outside is dreamy and makes it easy to have a bright and sunny disposition as we kick off 2012. As Robrt Pela highlights in this month’s cover story, 2011 was an interesting and eventful year. Political bickering and economic uncertainty dominated the headlines. Locally, the unemployment rate has gone down. However, job loss and unemployment benefits have been in the minds of many; we all know someone who is still looking for a job. Last month, US Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis visited Phoenix to participate in roundtable discussions with veterans, unemployed individuals and recently re-employed workers. In an LPM exclusive she shared her experience with us. Read her guest opinion editorial on page 29. In My Perspective Lorenzo Sierra, a local community leader, shares with us what inspired him to run for office; he’s resolved to represent the newly formed District 19 in the West Valley in the Arizona House of Representatives. If your New Year’s resolutions call for healthier eating habits or more time for yourself, read on. In our Health department you will find 51 simple yet effective ways to be healthier in the New Year; no fad or special diets required! If the holidays left you burnt out and in need to recharge your energies, make sure to read Time-Out. Check out the current specials and offerings at three of Arizona’s finest spas, because everyone could use some pampering, or a massage to start the New Year revitalized. Don’t forget to send us your feedback, profile or story ideas to editor@ latinopm.com. ¡Salud, Paz y Amor!

Subscriptions

For home or office delivery, please send your name, address, phone number, and a check for $24 to Latino Perspectives Magazine at the address above. Subscriptions also available for credit-card purchase by calling 602-277-0130. Visit www.latinopm.com/digital for a free digital subscription. Latino Perspectives Magazine is published 12 times a year and is selectively distributed throughout Arizona. The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted by Latino Perspectives Media, LLC, all rights reserved, and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.

Editorial mission statement

Latino Perspectives creates community, cultivates c u lt ural pr ide and provokes, challenges and connec ts L at inos who are def ining, pursuing, and ac h iev i n g t he A me r ic a n L at i no D re a m .

Your thoughts? Tell us what you think. Send your thoughts to editor@latinopm.com

Latino Perspectives welcomes feedback from readers regarding published stories or topics of interest. Please include your name and phone number. Mail letters to Editor, Latino Perspectives, P.O. Box 2213 Litchfield Park, Az. 85340. Or, email letters to editor@latinopm.com. latinopm.com

¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡! ¿Será posible?

Obama … or bust By Robrt L. Pela

If the buzz on the Internet is any

indication, most folks who saw the television commercial for the Chia Obama thought it was a spoof. And who can blame them? It’s hard to imagine that this wildly absurd, vaguely racist “as-seen-on-TV” item could be anything other than a joke. Based on the infamous Chia Pet, those earthenware, animal-shaped vessels that sprout fuzzy green “fur” when filled with earth and grass seeds, the Chia Obama depicts a bald version of the 44th U.S. president. Once planted and watered, the clay head sprouts nappy “hair” that, some say, is a racist slam against black people. (All President Obama said, when presented on national television with a prototype of his grass-growing clay head, was “I have green hair!”) The Chia Obama, which is emblazoned with the campaign slogan “Yes We Can!” as well as with the words liberty, opportunity,

prosperity and hope, has been around for a couple of years. It was yanked from Walgreen’s store shelves in Chicago and Tampa in April of 2009 after complaints from human rights activists (and, presumably, people with taste). But 77-year-old Chia Pet magnate Joseph Pedott, a lifelong Republican, didn’t give up on his tacky gift idea and reintroduced it in late November of this year—just in time for the holidays—in a television ad campaign that aired on both cable and network stations. “Since when is an Afro racist?” demanded Pedott (who says he voted for Obama) at a recent press conference. “You can trim Chia Obama’s “hair” to any length you want!” Pedott seems sincere, or at least totally unaware of the cheese factor of both his newest product and its stunning ad campaign, which can be found on YouTube

400 BC

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The term cancer originates.

3000 BC

Signs of cancer found on bones from ancient Egypt.

and on americanchia.com. The commercial has proven more popular than the item it’s plugging, with hundreds of Internet commentaries in chat rooms and on YouTube. “You can accuse me of naïveté,” Pedott says of both the campaign and his oddball homage to the president. “If people want to laugh at it, fine, as long as they recognize it’s positive.”

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¡! ¿Será posible?

What makes a man? Still trying to figure out what to do

with all those gift cards you received as holiday gifts? You might spend one on a copy of The Dictionary of Men, a new book that attempts to define the male species based on where he was born, where he attended college and what he does for a living. No, really. Authors Maria Blanco and Jane Black have chosen 365 different types of man—one for every day of the year—and by identifying his favorite car and what kind of shoes he wears, have deconstructed the male mystique with short, alphabetized, tongue-in-cheek definitions of every imaginable kind of guy. As defined here, the men are at the mercy of their favorite cocktail, whether they shave every day, and how much hair they have on the backs of their hands. A second section, titled True Romantic and Unfortunate Encounters (TRUE), offers illustrated, real-life dating habits of different

types of men. Culled from what had to have been thrilling research, this section hints at what one might expect to experience over dinner with “High-Maintenance Hayden,” “Marco the Mama’s Boy,” and “Dave the Douchebag.” Available only at dictionaryofmen.com, the book will evidently do away with the need for psychotherapy caused by failed romances. “All women have acute intuition, but they just don’t use it,” Blanco says. “Seeing other women’s trials and tribulations in print is the cheapest and most valuable therapy session.” Published by MASH Media, a womenowned publishing and multimedia firm, the dictionary is purse-sized and full of comic barbs made at the expense of the “stronger sex.” Men will, according to co-author Black, love the book as much as women, apparently because they are as clueless about what drives their male friends as are women. “For men, it’s like picking up a personalized version of

“Dave the Douchebag”

GQ, Maxim or Playboy,” she says, “where all their buddies and bunnies can be found.” Not to mention a whole lot of funny putdowns and stereotypical categorizations, which is possibly just what men deserve, after centuries of asking their female counterparts to endure the same.

The history of cancer meets a future of hope. Banner Health has teamed up with MD Anderson Cancer Center, ranked # 1 in cancer care by U.S.News and World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” survey, to open Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. We’re fighting cancer like never before with a powerful combination of groundbreaking treatments, revolutionary facilities, and the world-class exper tise of professionals like Medical Director, Edgardo Rivera, M.D. ( pictured here). It’s time to expect more in the battle against cancer. Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center – bringing new hope to cancer patients.

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2011

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center opens in Arizona. BannerMDAnderson.com

1976

Twitter

Connect with us: FacebookTwitter

American Cancer Society recommends mammograms.

Now Open at US 60 and Higley Road Facebook

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Conversation starters from the world around us

12 LP Journal

Integration nation; beating Raul; don’t forget Wenona; dirty water in Douglas

17 Anaya says Rincón 9 1 del arte

The fastest-moving train

Ernie Gloria, visual artist

i say... Ladies and gentlemen, I think we’ve been able to turn the doubters into believers.

Photo © Shannon Brinkman, Courtesy of The Musical Instrument Museum

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on the state’s credit-rating upgrade from negative to stable by Standard & Poor’s.

By their actions today, President Obama and his band of merry men might as well erect their very own pink neon sign at the Arizona-Mexico border saying Welcome All Illegals to your United States…. Our home is your home. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in response to the racial profiling investigation by Department of Justice the cancellation of the federal 287 G agreement.

page

Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Del McCoury

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¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡¡!!

LP journal

ASSIMILATION

Integration = equal opportunity. Assimilation = leave your culture behind.

Integration nation Who needs a soothsayer to tell us whether or not immigrants are likely to integrate into American society? The first-ever study to investigate the future of immigrant integration in the U.S. has been completed, and now we needn’t invent time travel to uncover future trends in immigrant income, education, English proficiency and homeownership. Assimilation Tomorrow: How America’s Immigrants Will Integrate by 2030, a new study by the Center for American Progress, finds that the future of our community and our economy will be dependent on the assimilation of non-native-born Americans. The study, authored by Dowell Myers, a professor at the University of Southern California, and John Pitkin, senior research associate in the USC Population Dynamics Research Group, finds that in most cases, immigrants are more likely than not to assimilate in the coming decades. Using a control group of immigrants who arrived in the U.S. in the 1990s, the authors found that while only 25.5 percent of immigrants from the group owned homes in 2000, by 2030, the report claims, more than 70 percent will own property—a figure 12

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡ January 2012!

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equal or slightly higher to homeowners among nonimmigrants. The percentage of new immigrants fluent in English will rise from the current 57.5 percent to 70.3 percent by the year 2030, and the number of nonnatives living in poverty is estimated to fall from 22.8 percent to 13.4 percent. A focus on Hispanic immigrants in the study reveals that they will follow the same upward trajectory as all other immigrants. In fact, the report suggests that nonnative Hispanics will experience higher achievements in the coming decades, in good part because they will advance from lower starting points. Perhaps of greatest interest to American politicians is the finding that Hispanic immigrants’ naturalization rates are expected to rise from 13 percent to a substantial 70.6 percent by 2030. The report suggests that the successful assimilation of today’s new immigrants will be due largely to the all-American upbringing of their U.S.born children. Whatever the reason, and according to the numbers in this report, tomorrow’s Americans will be made up mostly of last week’s newly arrived immigrants. Hmm … define assimilation, please.

Beating Raul Former state Sen. Amanda Aguirre hasn’t even thrown her hat into the ring yet, but the buzz about the likelihood has begun. The race for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, should Aguirre decide to run, ought to be interesting— she’d be up against incumbent Congressman Raul Grijalva. Aguirre will likely jab about how Grijalva’s call for a boycott of Arizona (after the Legislature adopted S.B. 1070 last year) created a backlash within his own party, nearly resulting

Former state Sen. Amanda Aguirre

LP journal in the congressman losing his seat in the heavily Democratic district to Republican political unknown Ruth McClung. And Aguirre contends that Grijalva’s constituents in his rural district complain that he’s never around. “She’s wrong,” counters Grijalva, who says he’s hesitant to start a debate until Aguirre actually announces her candidacy. “I’ve advocated for businesses in rural areas, and have made sure they have access to the government’s rural assistance programs.” If Aguirre does become a candidate in the race, Grijalva says, she’ll have to answer to voters who want to know why, when she was a senator, “she walked out on the vote for [immigration reform] Senate Bill 1070, a critical vote for the whole state.” “I did vote against 1070 the first time,” Aguirre told Latino Perspectives. “When it came back [to the Senate from the House], I did miss that vote,” she admits, citing a family medical emergency as her reason. Grijalva stands firm that he won’t banter until and unless Aguirre officially joins the race. Until then, he says, his voting record stands for itself. And what about that boycott story that keeps dogging him? “In my mind, and in most people’s minds, the boycott is a dead issue,” he insists. “My voting record is open and very strong, and speaks for itself.”

The Democratic candidate is from Kayenta, a rural town on the Navajo Reservation in northern Arizona, and an advocate for middle-class communities with a long history of public service work. If her early support is any indication, Baldenegro may well sweep straight into the House. Thus far she’s collected endorsements from Arizona Corporate Commissioner Sandra Kennedy, Union organizer and former U.S. Senate candidate Randy Parraz, state Sen. Steve Gallardo and House Reps Macario Saldate and Sally Ann Gonzales, Gonzales herself one of the first American Indian women to serve in the state Legislature. Look for brickbats from hyperconservatives concerned that

Wenona Benally Baldenegro

¡!

Baldenegro will favor Indian tribal governments over her own constituents. Hey, it’s Arizona.

Arsenic and old standards The Verde Valley’s reputation has been spared. That’s because it was announced in December that Douglas, Arizona, now has the highest levels of arsenic in its drinking water in the state—a distinction previously held by Paulden, a Yavapai County township. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered that Monte Vista Water Company do something to reduce the arsenic levels in its drinking water system, which services Douglas and surrounding communities. Apparently the federal Safe Drinking Water Act’s standard for arsenic, a naturally occurring mineral found primarily in groundwater, is a meager 10 parts per billion. Monte Vista and similar water companies were given 10 years to come into compliance with new arsenic standards set in 2001, and the local company has failed. Drinking high levels of arsenic over many years reportedly increases the chance of various cancers, as well as heart disease, diabetes and neurological disorders. Aquafina, anyone?

Don’t forget Wenona Wenona Benally Baldenegro is possibly about to make history. Baldenegro (who contributed a My Perspective piece on social justice in the May 2011 issue of LPM) has announced her candidacy in the U.S. House of Representatives race in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. If she’s elected, Baldenegro will become the first American Indian woman to ever serve in the U.S. Congress, and the first Native American from Arizona to take a congressional seat. latinopm.com

¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡!

vibe

Funny man Gabriel Iglesias comes to Phoenix

To infinity and beyond!

The comedian’s Stand-up Revolution Tour makes

daycare gang will be in town from January 18 through the 22 as Disney on Ice presents Toy Story 3 at the US Airways Center. Tickets ($14, $18, $25, $40 and $68) and show times are available at Ticketmaster or by calling 800-745-3000. Seventeen-year-old Pablo Saccinto from Córdova, Argentina, is among the talented skaters performing in Phoenix. For Saccinto, performing with Disney on Ice was a lifelong dream. His advice for youth wanting to follow in his footsteps? “Although we fail a thousand times, we have to get up, keep our head up and keep dreaming, because dreams sometimes do come true.”

Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jesse and the Sunnyside

a stop at the Comerica Theater in downtown Phoenix on January 28. The host of the eponymous Comedy Central show is known for eliciting LMAOs from audiences the world over. A talented storyteller and gifted sound-effect human machine, Iglesias has become a fan favorite in the standup circuit. In just a few years since his 2000 debut in the Nickelodeon series All That, Iglesias joined the ranks of revered humorists like Carlos Mencía and George Lopez. Tickets start at $35.50 plus fees and are available through Ticketmaster.

The Priority Boxes art series Franck de Las Mercedes, a Nicaraguan-born and New

York-based visual artist, has pleasantly surprised postal workers and people around the globe with his Priority Boxes project. Since 2006, the artist has been painting and decorating empty boxes with labels that read “Fragile: Contains Peace, Love or Hope.” The public art series is intended to initiate a dialogue on peace and remind people everyone can affect positive change. From his New Jersey studio, de Las Mercedes sends boxes to anyone who requests one—gratis. To date, he has sent over 10,300 boxes to countries in every continent. While the United States Postal Service contemplates nixing its next-day service, the peace activist and artist has no plans to call it quits, despite financing the project himself: “The boxes must be free in order to reinforce and remind us that things like peace and hope are not only free but also a priority.” Check out fdlmstudio.com/PriorityBoxes to request your delivery of peace, love or hope. 14

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Clockwise from top left: Courtesy of Arson House PR; Courtesy of Feld Media; Photo by FDLM Studio

Get more Vibe at www.latinopm.com

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¡!

Pocho keen

vibe

Like peachy keen, pero different

The whitest and funniest Mexican you don’t know courtesy of the artisT

That would be Louis C.K., unless

Quetzal Guerrero

¡Carnaval de novo! If you are over 21, mark your

calendar for the third annual Carnaval do Brazil scheduled for February 4 at Club 910 Live in Tempe (910 N. McClintock Drive). The event is presented by Afro:Baile, a Phoenix-based independent record label founded by Miguel Ivery, known in the music scene as DJ Seduce. The carnaval is the result of Ivery’s love for world music and all things Brazil, which he hopes to share with event attendees. The evening’s lineup includes Arizona’s own Quetzal Guerrero (now based in L.A.), Radio Brazil from Sao Paolo, Axé Folclórico of Recife, and a special guest appearance by three-time Brazilian JiuJitsu champion Gustavo Dantas from Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian homemade delicacies and caipirinhas will be available for purchase to help you get in the mood. Dance the night away to samba rhythms and don’t forget to dress the part. There’s a special prize for the bestdressed couple! Tickets are $15 at the door the day of the event, starting at 8 p.m. Check out carnavalbrazilaz.com for updates, group discounts and to purchase reserved seating VIP tickets. 16

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you’ve seen his TV show Louie on FX or you’ve caught his comedy show live, on the Internet or on cable. He’s definitely white and even sees himself that way, so much so that he has a routine on the benefits of being a “white man.” Yet the large, red-haired and balding comedian is of Mexican descent, something that even some of his closest comedic confidantes didn’t know. Louis C.K.’s real name is Louis Szekely, which he pronounces as “see kay,” hence the moniker. His Hungarian-Jewish grandfather immigrated to Mexico and married a Catholic señorita. They had little Luis, Louis C.K.’s father, who must have been pretty smart because he went to Harvard (at least for a summer program anyway) where he met a coed with IrishAmerican roots. But this isn’t about the discovery of a successful Mexican so we can feel better about ourselves. Rather, it’s a look at how someone who doesn’t care much for racial identity can actually have an impact on how Americans view people of Latino descent. This point was illustrated recently on Conan when Louis recounted a story that happened in, uh, Arizona. His female driver, not realizing he was Mexican, complained about how offensive it was to have payment instructions in both English and Spanish in a parking garage. When Louis pointed out that the inclusion of Spanish seemed harmless enough, she told him he couldn’t under-

stand what it was like to live amongst so many “Mexicans.” His story seemed a little awkward until he pointed out to Conan O’Brien that he himself is in fact one of those “Mexicans,” which was met by enthusiastic shouts and applause. Louis pointed out that his father was from Mexico, where he had lived until he was seven years old. “I came to America as a little Mexican boy,” he said, and then in a funny and high-pitched little Mexican boy voice he added, “¡America es muy bonito!” Funny stuff indeed, but he also continued on to say that, according to his Arizona driver, Mexicans are OK, but not if there are too many of them, as if she was trying to say, “Under a certain number they’re fine, above 2,000 they start to get smelly and bad.” This was on national television, and Louis’s fans, mostly white, are paying attention. Not that a George Lopez or Carlos Mencia don’t command that kind of attention, but you expect that from them; it’s part of their routine. They’re Latino comedians, whereas Louis C.K. is a comedian who happens to be Mexican. He has the ability to make people take notice of their own veiled prejudices and that they’re normal for having them—just don’t be a pendeja, like his taxi driver. As for the future for Louis C.K., his show is entering its third season to rave reviews, and GQ magazine recently awarded him the Comic Genius award, another indication that he’s on his way to become as iconic as his heroes George Carlin and Richard Pryor.

Happenings at Phoenix Art Museum

Vibe

¡!

Anaya says

Courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum

The fastestmoving train By Catherine Anaya

Seven years ago, I did a story for

Detail, painting of Krishna and Radha under an Umbrella. India, 19th century. Ink and color on paper; 8 3/8 x 6 3/8 in. (20.8 x 16.1 cm). Collection of Phoenix Art Museum, Gift of George P. Bickford.

Religion through artistic, literary vision Drawing from the collections of

Phoenix Art Museum and several prominent private collections, Sacred Word and Image: Five World Religions features the written word and painted image as expressed in the cultures of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity throughout the past 1500 years. The variety of materials used to document mankind’s significant thoughts and beliefs during this long span of time is astonishing: paper, palm leaf, vellum, wood, lacquer, metal and ivory. In some instances, complete illustrated manuscripts allow us to understand the original artistic and literary vision of the scribe and illustrator. Other examples preserve the decorative and illustrative images, which tell a visual story that is linked to one of the major tenets of a religious faith. These beautifully created sacred objects were used in rituals and celebrations within their religious traditions. In an age when the printed word and image have been translated into electronic form, it is revelatory to see how past civilizations used the means available at the time to create lasting documents of their wishes and hopes for a better world, both now and in the next realm. Sacred Word and Image: Five World Religions January 4 – March 25, 2012 To learn more, visit phxart.org.

CBS 5 News and Latino Perspectives about AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute (AGUILA). The mission of AGUILA: to increase the number of Arizona’s Latino youth getting into college and graduating with a degree. The program’s architect Rosemary Ybarra-Hernandez asked me to speak to the group about the importance of higher education. That first year, in 2004, I gathered with several dozen high school students in a small room at the Burton Barr Library in Phoenix. Rosemary’s enthusiasm and passion were contagious. She was like a mother hen to the students who were ready to make her proud. Every student in that room knew much was expected of them. The highlight for me was watching the eagerness in their faces and hearing in their voices the same enthusiasm and willingness to work hard, knowing full well that education is the key to unlocking the doors to opportunity. AGUILA has grown by incredible leaps and bounds since then—from 42 students to 257 students today. Four hundred students who stayed with the program entered 55 colleges and universities across the country, including MIT, Brown and USC. Of those 400 students, 42 have earned their degrees, with the remaining on track to graduate; three are in graduate school with 10 preparing to enter graduate studies. The success is beyond even Rosemary’s wildest dreams. “I have gone through

many Kleenex boxes in this job, [from] sheer frustration in dealing with the many barriers that attempt to keep our brilliant people ‘in their place,’ to incredible joy when I receive phone calls, emails, texts and Facebook notices about admission, scholarships, internships and those precious messages of gratitude,” she tells me. Rosemary still invites me to speak to AGUILA students about staying the course and working hard to meet their goals. She likes to refer to AGUILA as the “fastest-moving train” in Arizona and I couldn’t agree more. Recently, I was honored to be named an inaugural Friend of AGUILA for my commitment and support of its mission. I do so because had my mother not instilled the value of higher education early on, I might not have considered a college degree a possibility or critical to a successful future. Many of our Latino youth aren’t so fortunate. It is up to all of us as professionals, community leaders, parents, friends and neighbors to continue supporting AGUILA because, to quote one AGUILA student, “If Arizona expects more, then they need to give us more— more encouragement, more guidance, more trust, more opportunities—and model, truly model for us what it means to be a good person.” It seems much is expected of us, too. Catherine Anaya anchors CBS 5 News weeknights at 5, 5:30, 6 and 10 p.m. She is a mother of two, a marathon runner and a motivational speaker. Reach her at canaya@kpho.com, on Facebook, Twitter and at catherineanaya.com.

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¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡!

rincón del arte

Just the beginning Ernesto G. Gloria, visual artist Tell us about you:

I am 20 years old and have three older sisters, one who influenced me to get into art to begin with. Seeing her paint was inspiring! So I started taking art classes in high school. I have not stopped since. I have always kept to myself and am a quiet person in general. I spend a lot of time looking at objects and my surroundings trying to figure out how I could put what I see on canvas or paper.

Highlights:

Images courtesy of the artist

I have participated in several art shows in downtown galleries and in galleries in my high school. I’ve earned several certificates and awards including the Outstanding AP (Advanced Placement) Art Student of the Year. I’ve created brochures and won contests for Academic Convention. All throughout school, there wasn’t one day one of my pieces wasn’t hanging in the front office.

Education and training: I started my sophomore year of high school taking a general art class and in my junior year, I was introduced to actual drawing and painting. Then my teacher asked me to join the AP studio art class, so I took the challenge and took digital photography, advanced drawing and painting, and the AP studio art class. My days were spent drawing and painting at least seven if not more hours a day. I will continue taking classes in college to grow and learn more! Favorite artist: My inspiration is Salvador Dali.

Website:

He was an amazing artist. His surreal pieces have influenced me to someday create artwork as unique as his.

ernie-draw-paint.blogspot.com

Art genre that best describes you: I would have to say surrealism best describes my mind. I find myself thinking of everything in a different, more surreal way. I’m always finding ways to twist objects and make them something there not. I’m fascinated with the idea that there aren’t any rules in painting. I can think of anything and it’s possible to paint it!

Your artistic future:

Art is my escape. When I paint, I am in a different world. I would never want it to feel like a job. I want to grow into all styles, so I will continue to go to school and learn more.

Help us highlight the local arts Send information to editor@latinopm.com. latinopm.com

¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

2011

In a spottily attended ceremony that cost close to $65,000, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is sworn in to office. In a seven-minute lunchtime speech delivered to a crowd of about 12 people gathered in front of the Capitol building, Brewer outlines steps she’ll take—deep program cuts and a temporary sales-tax hike among them—to help weather the darkest economic times in a generation. After scraping together more than sixty grand for her inaugural blowout, and with absolutely no irony, Brewer blames former Gov. Janet Napolitano and President Barack Obama for the state’s financial woes.

January

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February

January

The year in rev Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, is critically injured by a gunshot wound at a supermarket in Tucson where she is meeting with constituents. Thirteen others are also injured, and six people are killed in the shooting, among them conservative Federal Judge John Roll. The 22-year-old gunman, Jared Lee Loughner, is later described as “mentally unstable” and will remain incarcerated, pending trial, for the remainder of the year. Giffords eventually moves to a rehabilitation facility in Houston, Texas, and, as the year ends, vows to return to Congress, although she continues to struggle with language and has lost 50 percent of her vision in both eyes.

January

February Three-term Sen. Jon Kyl an-

nounces his retirement from Congress at the end of his term next year, making him the fifth senator scheduled for reelection to proclaim his departure. The 68-year-old Arizona lawmaker, who served four terms in the House before winning a Senate seat, was named “one of the 10 best U.S. senators” by Time magazine. His departure means there’ll be an open Senate seat from Arizona for the first time since 1994. Although Kyl swears he’s not interested in running for public office, he allows that he wouldn’t turn down an offer to run as a vice presidential candidate on a Republican presidential ticket. Elsewhere, the list of potential contenders for Kyl’s replacement include Rep. Gabby Giffords, Homeland Security Secretary and former governor of Arizona Janet Napolitano and Republican Rep. Jeff Flake, a well-regarded conservative.

Let’s

By Robrt L. Pela

hope for a

better

2012

eview Kyl threatens that he’ll continue to focus on immigration reform before leaving the Senate.

here does the time go? In the case of Arizona’s calendar year 2011, it went mostly into shady political dealings and overspending of taxpayer’s money. There were, as in any 12-month period, highs and lows: A largely unknown congresswoman became a national celebrity whose story of survival inspired millions; an entirely unknown Mexican immigrant became a figurehead for a fraudulent political campaign, and Sarah Palin threatened to move to town. Immigration reform continued as the hot topic in every corner of Arizona, helped along by our occasionally befuddled governor and our state Senate president, who at year’s end became the first in American history to be plucked from office in a recall election. What a year!

February Shawna Forde, a

self-appointed border patrol vigilante and former Minuteman Civil Defense Corp member, is convicted of murdering Raul Flores and his 9-year-old daughter, Brisenia. Flores, killed because he was considered “competition” among the local border drug dealers, was slain in his home in Arivaca in May of 2009 by three people masquerading as police officers. The trio, one of them Forde, staged a home invasion and, after killing Flores and his daughter, turned their guns on his wife, Gina, who survived.

February Gov. Jan Brewer signs the Arizona Com-

petitiveness Package, an incentive program designed to promote bigger and better business conditions by reducing the corporate income tax rate. Previously, Arizona had the highest corporate income tax rate of any West Coast state besides California; by 2014, the state will offer the lowest corporate income tax other than Nevada, which has none. This will undoubtedly lure corporate giants to town, which isn’t sitting well with immigration reform activists who are trying to keep various Arizona boycotts alive.

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In an official release, House Democrats announce that they’re holding Republicans, “who control all of state government,” accountable for ridiculous legislation that wastes Arizona taxpayers’ money and fails to fix jobs and the economy. By backing irresponsible and divisive bills, the angry Dems contend, Republicans are backing wedge issues while the state budget is out of balance and while Arizona maintains one of the worst poverty rates in the country. “As a lifelong Arizonan, I grew up with the five C’s in our state seal: copper, cotton, cattle, citrus and climate,” writes Minority Leader Chad Campbell in a March press release. “But now we have a new C: crazy.” Among the bills cited as damaging to our state are S.B. 1519, which terminates the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), making Arizona ineligible for $4.8 billion in federal funding and leaving thousands of Arizonans without health care, and H.B. 2165, which changes unemployment benefits paid to individuals from 26 weeks to 16 weeks, causing a hike in poverty rates among the unemployed.

March

The U.S. Census Bureau releases last year’s census population and demographic totals, which provide a firstever look at population counts based on Hispanic origin. According to the 2010 census, 29.6 percent of all Arizona citizens are Hispanic or Latino. As a result of new census numbers, a new congressional district—Arizona’s 9th—is created. Its first candidates will run in the 2012 House elections, and will be seated for the 113th Congress in 2013.

March

courtesy of U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office (PIO)

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The East Valley Patriots for American Values, a recently formed grassroots organization, announce their intention to take on the Utah Compact. The group, made up of Democrats, Republicans and independents from Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe and Ahwatukee Foothills, show up at City Council meetings to stump for the document, which originated in Utah and addresses federal solutions to the problem of illegal immigration to the U.S. and how best to handle undocumented immigrants. Conservative groups and Senate President Russell Pearce immediately set upon the Patriots, all of who object to the group’s use of the word “patriot” in its name.

March

It’s announced that Arizona lawmakers who accepted free tickets from Fiesta Bowl lobbyists to attend football games in Chicago, Boston and other cities may have violated state law. That’s because state statutes include an “entertainment ban” that prohibits state employees and elected officials from accepting complimentary tickets to any sporting or cultural event. A 276-page investigative report into the Fiesta Bowl’s financial and political doings finds that Fiesta Bowl employees went on at least seven trips with politicians in the last several years—including (surprise!) now-former Senate President Russell Pearce, who hobnobbed with lobbyists and athletes during more than one out-ofstate football weekend. Because lawmakers are required to report any single gift in excess of $500 in personal financial-disclosure statements, and Pearce didn’t report any such football-related gift since May of 2008, he becomes the poster child for freebie-accepting. The Fiesta Bowl report also documents a scheme to improperly reimburse Fiesta Bowl employees for more than $46,000 in campaign donations to 23 candidates over the past nine years. The report fails to indicate whether the politicians who received the donations knew of the reimbursements.

March

An article published in The Washington Post claims that the Department of Homeland Security is hard at work on a rating system, not unlike Equifax, to identify new employees—a move designed to make it difficult for undocumented immigrants to get work using stolen Social Security numbers. Arizona is among a handful of states where the as-yet-unnamed verification system will be tested. If the program is well received here, it’s reported, it will be expanded nationwide later in the year—making it more impossible for undocumented workers nationwide to find work using forged documents.

April

Rumors that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is considering a run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Jon Kyl heat up when it’s learned that Palin has purchased a $1.7 million house in North Scottsdale. A new poll from the lefty-funded Public Policy Polling suggests that, if the Tea Party favorite does run, there’s a good chance she’ll win. Palin’s many detractors are heard groaning en masse.

June

May

The Macerich Company, a real estate investment trust, purchases the remaining 50-percent ownership of Phoenix’s Desert Sky Mall for $27.6 million, a move that pleases local Hispanic activists and the larger Latino community, because the 900,000-square-foot Desert Sky is the city’s only mall focused on the Latino community. The newly renamed, 77,500-square-foot Mercado de los Cielos consists of rooms and kiosks for 200 tenants, more than half of which are currently filled with Latino-centric shops, eateries and service providers. Fresh produce, clothing, carnicerias, seafood vendors, general merchandise and service-oriented shops like barbers and nail salons are the order of the day, and are mostly run by bilingual purveyors.

April

June

April

After agreeing last July to guarantee the Phoenix Coyotes’ financial losses for the 2010–11 season, the City of Glendale is left holding a big, mostly empty bag. Led by Chicago moneybags Matt Hulsizer, a deal by investors to purchase the Coyotes from the NHL collapses, largely because of a threatened lawsuit by the Goldwater Institute regarding the legality of payments Glendale would make to Hulsizer prior to his investors buying the team. The threat of the suit is likely what prevents the sale of bonds to finance the payments Glendale would make, and the team is allowed to stay in Phoenix for the 2011-12 season only after another $25 million payment by the city of Glendale—which has sunk four times as much into its beleaguered hockey team thus far.

June

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Councilman Sal DiCiccio gains sympathy from locals when a video clip from a city council budget meeting goes viral. In the clip, which makes the rounds on YouTube and on local television news stations, Mayor Phil Gordon calls DiCiccio “childish” and refuses to answer his questions about obscured funds that may have been covertly earmarked for city employee pay increases.

July

Among others, the following bills become law: SB1610 The Colt Single-Action Army revolver becomes the state’s official firearm.

SB1188 Prohibits gay couples from adopting children in Arizona. SB 1495 Grants the Governor the power to create The Arizona State Guard, a volunteer militia, for “any reason considered to be necessary.” SB 1406 Allows Arizona to build a border wall on private, state or federal property ( if allowed) along the Arizona Mexico border using inmate labor and private contractors.

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¡ January 2012!

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September

Phil Gordon

Sal DiCiccio

City Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox

August

July

September City Supervisor Mary Rose

Wilcox testifies in a state Bar ethics hearing against Maricopa County Attorney General Andrew Thomas, in response to a 2009 lawsuit against Wilcox in which Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio accused her of taking business loans from an affiliate of a nonprofit while voting to approve grants to its parent organization. Earlier this year, an out-of-county prosecutor concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue a criminal case against Wilcox and dismissed the case. Thomas and two of his former deputy attorneys are accused of a total of 33 ethics violations stemming from their actions against county officials, judges and other public servants. A panel continues to review the evidence found in the pretrial investigation and will then decide on Thomas’s future. Many expected him to be disbarred before the end of 2012. In November, Wilcox announces plans to run for reelection as Maricopa County’s District 5 supervisor.

October The election faceoff

November

between state Senate President Russell Pearce, who’s led the charge against immigration reform, and Olivia Cortes, a Mexican immigrant running against Pearce, burns out quickly when it’s revealed that Cortes is a sham candidate, recruited onto the ballot by Pearce’s allies in order to split the vote in the pending Pearce recall election. The clues that Cortes might not be the real deal are hardly subtle. Her campaign adviser is Greg Western, a well-known Pearce ally and chair of the East Valley Tea Party. And Cortes, a naturalized citizen from Veracruz, Mexico, is barely a presence in her own campaign. Her infrequent interviews are filled with uncertainty about issues and vague knowledge of immigration reform. The faux candidate finally throws in the towel after fellow candidate Jerry Lewis provides evidence that Pearce’s allies and family members had collected many of the signatures that got Cortes on the ballot.

Olivia Cortes

ment, right-wing extremist Russell Pearce becomes the first state senate president in American history to be thrown out of office in a recall election. The self-proclaimed “Tea Party President” had made the state’s notorious Senate Bill 1070 the hallmark of his legislative career, and immigration reformists see his takedown as a major victory in the war against anti-immigrant attitudes. “Russell Pearce is not only too extreme, but had remained untouched for too long,” Randy Parraz, cofounder of recall drive organizer Citizens for a Better Arizona, tells the Arizona Republic. “This election shows that such extremist behavior will not be rewarded and will be held accountable.”

November The Arizona chapter

December

October

November In a stunning blow to the Tea Party move-

of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, the largest Latino law enforcement organization in the United States, issues a formal letter to Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, requesting an investigation into the Olivia Cortes scandal. The letter explains that the Hispanic community is “outraged that Olivia Cortes was used to help commit voter fraud, by successfully placing her on the recall election ballot. This example of voter fraud should be vigorously investigated and wrongdoers should be punished.” The peace officers are also interested in knowing who financed the Cortes campaign and whether the lady herself was paid to be a political figurehead.

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December Popular art spot

After Hours Gallery announces it’s closing down, becoming the fourth downtown art gallery to shutter this year— following such stalwarts as Pravus Gallery, the summer closing of Perihelion Gallery, and gallerist Kim Larkin’s departure from Modified Arts. While support for visual art seems less vital than ever before, Latina artists Annie Lopez and Irma Sanchez continue to show their art throughout the year, in both solo exhibitions and group shows. “Next year will be even bigger,” Sanchez predicts, “for both local artists and for Latinos in general.”

¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

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12/21/11 9:31 AM

31 Entrepreneur Promoter Michelle Rosado has entered the Arizona boxing ring

33 Briefcase

Arizona gets HUD grant for METRO; state housing values keep slipping; MEDWeek honors minority enterprises; ACEE wants KGers to learn about finances; AZHCC’s MillionDollar Roundtable

Movin’ Up UA hires Rodriguez as new head coach

Photo by Luke Adams/Arizona Athletics Photography

The University of Arizona recently announced the hire of Rich Rodriguez as head coach of the football program. Within days of his appointment, Rodriguez attended a fundraising dinner hosted by the UA Hispanic Alumni Association (UAHA). While greeting guests at the event, he pulled out a UA helmet and signed and dated it. The coveted helmet was then auctioned off and bids poured in. Event organizers asked if he could sign another helmet to be awarded to the next highest bidder; Rodri-

Rich Rodriguez, the new head coach of the University of Arizona Wildcats football program

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¡!

movin’ up

guez agreed and his improvisation generated an extra $6,000 for UAHA’s scholarship fund. Rodriguez’s accomplished 18-year coaching career includes stints as head coach at the University of Michigan and West Virginia University. He has also served as a football analyst for CBS Sports.

National Latina Leadership Institute’s Advancing Latina Leaders In Nonprofits (ALL IN) program. The program is intended to help young Latina professionals develop leadership and management skills. Karla serves on the board of the ASU Hispanic Business Alumni and is a graduate of Valley Leadership.

AZ Dems 2011 Hall of Fame inductees

Nolberto Machiche

AFC hires Machiche Nolberto Machiche, who until recently served as communications manager for the Arizona Commerce Authority, has joined the American Federation for Children (AFC) as senior communications associate for Arizona. In his new role, he will be responsible for public and media relations in the Southwest, and will lead all Arizona-related policy communications and outreach efforts.

NHLI selects Robles for ALL IN Karla Robles, vice president of college-going initiatives for the Phoenix-based Be A Leader Foundation, was recently selected to participate in the

Last month, the Arizona Democratic Party inducted six individuals into its Hall of Fame at a reception and ceremony at the Heard Museum. Among those honored by the party were David Mendoza, political action representative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees International, and the husband-and-wife team formed by former state Sen. Jaime Gutiérrez and community leader Linda Mazón Gutiérrez.

Medina recognized for behavioral health advocacy The Arizona Latino Caucus Foundation presented Manuel Medina with an award in appreciation for the many years he has served as an advocate for the delivery of behavioral health services among the Hispanic population in the greater Phoenix area. Medina is vice president of diversity at TERROS and is responsible for coordinating the company’s annual Cesar E. Chavez Behavioral Health Conference, which provides multicultural training workshops

for more than 600 behavioral health service providers and attendees each year.

Guerrero named state diversity champion The Arizona Society of Human Resource Management has named Maricopa County diversity director Ed Guerrero as Arizona’s “Diversity Champion.” The award honors outstanding organizations, employers and individuals who adopt diversity as a workplace value and promote it in their organizations. Guerrero, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was recognized for his commitment to establish the county’s diversity program within its business and management strategies and performance measurement standards.

Adame elected chair of AZ Housing Commission The Arizona Housing Commission recently elected David Adame, CFO of Chicanos Por La Causa, as the commission’s new chairman. The 24-member commission serves as an advisory group to the governor and the Arizona Department of Housing. Adame has over 20 years of operational management experience, including as senior deputy director of Fannie Mae’s Arizona Partnership Office.

T-Bird professor receives award Ernesto Poza, a clinical professor of entrepreneurship at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, was honored by

Movin’ Up Know someone who has been promoted, elected or honored? Send us the news of their achievements! Email movinup@latinopm.com 28

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¡ January 2012!

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The Family Firm Institute, an international body for family enterprise professionals, for his outstanding achievement in furthering the understanding of family business issues that occur between two or more countries. Poza is the director of Thunderbird’s renowned Global Family Enterprise, a program within the Walker Center for Global Entrepreneurship at Thunderbird.

Sarah C. Gonzalez

Gonzalez joins Golden Gate Community Center Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) has appointed Sarah C. Gonzalez as the new director of Golden Gate Community Center. Gonzalez holds a master’s degree in social work and is a graduate of Arizona State University. Prior to her new position, she served as coordinator of Golden Gate’s KARE Family Center Program, as well as director of the center’s community health programs. Golden Gate is located in the Maryvale area of Phoenix and serves over 7,000 children, youth, adults and seniors each year.

¡!

LPM exclusive

A day in Phoenix The U.S. Secretary of Labor pays Arizona a visit By Hilda L. Solis

One of the best parts of my job is being able to

visit different parts of the country and meet different people—to listen to them and to hear their stories. Storytelling, a great tradition in the Latino community, is one way to learn about their issues, a way to connect with them and with each other. Stories help us see our commonality; our common struggles, goals and victories. Last month in Phoenix, I met with Arizonans from all walks of life to hear about their issues and hear them tell their stories. My first stop was at Arizona State University, where I sat down with local residents, community leaders and elected officials to discuss the critical need for Congress to extend federal unemployment insurance. If Congress fails to act, roughly 1.1 million out-of-work Americans will lose their benefits next month. The clock is ticking. And livelihood is on the line for millions of people. I had the opportunity to meet six of them during this meeting. I heard from smart, diligent, hardworking people—all current recipients of unemployment benefits—who would see those funds disappear in just a matter of days. That’s money they use for the basics: putting food on the table, buying clothes for their children and making sure there’s gas in the car. Needless to say, they’re worried. Failure to extend unemployment insurance would leave 27,000 people without benefits in Arizona alone. And nearly 1 million Latinos nationwide, a group with one of the highest poverty rates in the country, will lose access to this crucial lifeline. History has shown that keeping our social safety net firmly intact during tough economic times is critical. In 2009 and 2010, Congress strengthened unemployment insurance for those out of work longer than six months, and helped 17 million people as our na-

tion recovered from the recession. And it’s estimated that 3.2 million Americans were kept from falling below the poverty line when Congress passed an extension last year. For people in Arizona and for the broader pace of our economic recovery, they need to do it again. The conversation about extending unemployment insurance is an important one. Mine at ASU could have gone on for hours had I not needed to get to my next meeting. My second and final visit for the day was at a luncheon with local veterans and community organizations that provide support services for them. At the Department of Labor, we strive to honor our veterans every day. In fact, we have an entire team putting the full weight of our department latinopm.com

¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

LPM exclusive

Photos by Robert Hernandez, Courtesy of American Legion Post 41

¡!

American Legion Post 41 Historian Robert Hernandez, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski and Post 41 Commander Alfonso Aranda.

behind programs that ensure rewarding careers are waiting for veterans when they come home. I was proud to tell them about the many services we offer that they could take advantage of, including the “Veteran Gold Card,” which vets can download from our website (dol.gov/dol/aboutdol/ main.htm). It entitles them to six months of intensive job counseling and personalized case management services at any of our One-Stop Career Centers in Phoenix, throughout Arizona and across the country. I also made sure the group knew about “My Next Move for Veterans (mynextmove.org/vets),” which allows veterans to enter in their military occupation code and find civilian jobs where their skills translate. They can also enter a specific career field and browse more than 900 career options. The veterans had a lot to say, too. I heard from about 10 of them, women and men who served in Iraq. Many were parents and a few of them were students at local schools. They spoke candidly about their past and with great hope for the future. Both of my meetings left me incredibly inspired, to press forward in our effort to 30

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¡ January 2012!

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extend unemployment insurance and to continue supporting our nation’s veterans. Trips like this one remind me of why I chose public service, and that stories are not only one, but often the best way to learn about issues, to connect with them and with each other. Hilda L. Solis was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Labor on February 24, 2009. Prior to her confirmation, Secretary Solis represented the 32nd Congressional District in California from 2001 to 2009. In the Congress, Solis’s priorities included expanding access to affordable health care, protecting the environment and improving the lives of working families. A recognized leader on clean energy jobs, she authored the Green Jobs Act, which provided funding for “green collar” job training for veterans, displaced workers, at-risk youth and individuals in families under 200 percent of the federal poverty line. In 2007, Solis was appointed to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission), as well as the Mexico–United States Interparliamentary Group. In June 2007, Solis was elected vice chair of the Helsinki Commission’s General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Ques-

tions. She was the only U.S. elected official to serve on this committee. A nationally recognized leader on the environment, Solis became the first woman to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2000 for her pioneering work on environmental justice issues. Her California environmental justice legislation, enacted in 1999, was the first of its kind in the nation to become law. Solis was first elected to public office in 1985 as a member of the Rio Hondo Community College Board of Trustees. She served in the California State Assembly from 1992 to 1994, and in 1994, made history by becoming the first Latina elected to the California State Senate. As the chairwoman of the California Senate Industrial Relations Committee, she led the battle to increase the state’s minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.75 an hour in 1996. She also authored a record 17 state laws aimed at combating domestic violence. Solis graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. A former federal employee, she worked in the Carter White House Office of Hispanic Affairs and was later appointed as a management analyst with the Office of Management and Budget in the Civil Rights Division.

Secretary Solis participated in an unemployment roundtable discussion with veterans and elected officials on December 16, 2011, at the American Legion Post 41.

¡!

In the ring

entrepreneur

Michelle Rosado, president/CEO, Face II Face Events Founded: February 2011 Elevator pitch: Face II Face Events produces, markets and promotes professional boxing events. Our mission is to bring quality, professional boxing events back to Arizona. We provide fans the opportunity to see local favorites, rising prospects and top amateurs in Arizona. We will always pride ourselves on maintaining quality, style and class, not only to the event itself but also to every fighter involved.

dad when I was a little girl and fell in love with the sport. I moved here in 2005, and that was when boxing took a dive in Arizona. I was missing the action. I went to a couple boxing events, but I felt the production value of shows was mediocre and the fights very one-sided. Thankfully, I met a boxer who was getting ready to turn pro and I started managing him in 2009. I got to see a lot behind the scenes; how the fighters were used and taken advantage of, how contracts would change last minute, and how shows would cancel on short notice. That is when I realized I would be a much better promoter than manager.

Company you admire: Hands down, Oprah Winfrey’s empire Harpo, Inc. She is so powerful yet so charitable and compassionate. She is a pioneer and truly an inspiration.

Inspirational book:

Hit Me with Your Best Shot by Jackie Kallen, the First Lady of boxing.

Advice to others wanting to open their own business: Have integrity. It defines your character. I may not be a boxing expert, but I know good business and I know that it is always best to be honest and treat people fairly. Also, organize your business to position it for a growth rate that you can handle.

The future:

I want to continue bringing quality boxing shows to Arizona, discover new talent along the way and continue energizing boxing fans. Next up is Friday

Photo Courtesy of Michelle Rosado

What prompted you to start your own business? I started watching boxing with my

Night Fights 4 in Tucson, Arizona, at the Desert Diamond Casino on March 16, 2012!

Most challenging aspect of being a business owner: I am a double minority, so I have extra hurdles to overcome. The boxing business has been a man’s world for many years and it is ruthless and brutal … I’ve had to overcome sexism, learn how to bob and weave from negativity, avoid low blows such as lies and rumors, and roll with the punches. I’ve been called names, let down, put down and knocked down, but I’m still standing proud and ready to take the next punch.

Two lessons I have learned:

I can’t please everyone and I will never be liked by everyone. I just take the high road, keep a positive attitude, conduct myself professionally, stay persistent and stay true to who I am.

Company info and website: facetofaceevents.net

Suggest an entrepreneur Send your information to editor@latinopm.com.

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¡!

: HUD grant for METRO development? “Reinvent Phoenix” project awarded funding for its vision for success By Jonathan Higuera

many things to positively impact the transportation needs of the region it serves. But can it really help reduce obesity, poverty and exposure to heat among the residents who live along its path? According to some government officials and METRO proponents, it certainly can if the planning for development is executed properly and the projects become reality. By studying the needs of residents along the light rail path, the resulting commercial development could provide a big boost to their living standards, contend economic development officials. To help with that planning, the city of Phoenix received a $2.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to get planning processes funded and under way. The HUD grant, announced in November, will be used to fund research, short- and long-range planning, community engagement and development incentives “to set the foundation that will encourage commercial and housing development along the Light Rail,” according to the city’s press release. The “Reinvent Phoenix” project was chosen among competing proposals from communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Phoenix grant was one of the bigger awards out of the $96 million HUD distributed to projects throughout the country. “We chose the city of Phoenix’s proposal because the city not only had a great plan but the right community partnerships and vision for success,” HUD regional administrator Ophelia Basgal said during the grant’s public announcement. Community partners also contributed by raising the capital to meet the matching grant. They included Arizona State University, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mountain Park Health Center, Phoenix Union High School District, Local

Photo courtesy of Valley Metro

The METRO light rail has been touted for doing

First Arizona, Maricopa Community Colleges and Native American Connections. Flanked by City Manager David Cavazos, Mayor-elect Greg Stanton, Congressman Ed Pastor and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Basgal explained the grant’s overarching goal to provide residents with safe, convenient access to quality, affordable housing, well-paying jobs, education and training programs, fresh food and healthcare services. “It is with partners like Mayor Gordon and Congressman Ed Pastor that we’ve proven that small investments can yield big results for our economy,” said Basgal, “and that this debate isn’t about government that’s big or small. It’s about government that’s smart.” latinopm.com

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briefcase

Valley housing values keep slipping Just when it seems the like the

Think outside the mailbox.

LPM, sent to your Inbox. For seven years, LPM has been the only Arizona magazine focused on the local Latino community.

Valley’s housing woes might be easing, along comes another national report to bring us back to reality. The reality appears to be this: Housing values in Arizona will take a lot longer to rebound than optimistic homebuilders and land developers will tell you. In this instance, the bad news comes from the Standard & Poore’s Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, which focus on the largest 20 cities in the U.S. and found that home values dropped nationally in September of 2011 after five months of gains. That would be enough malas noticias, especially for homeowners, but it goes on to report that the decline in home values was greatest in Phoenix, Atlanta and Las Vegas. David M. Blitzer, chairman of S&P’s index committee, said that

while the steep price drops seen between 2007 and 2009 appear to be over, home prices are down from the same time last year and do not show signs of rebounding anytime soon. “Any chance for a sustained recovery will probably need a stronger economy,” he says. Atlanta, San Francisco and Tampa, Florida, posted the biggest monthly price increases. Prices in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Phoenix fell to their lowest points since the housing crisis began four years ago. So while average home prices nationwide are back to their early 2003 levels, in Phoenix, average home prices are about where they were in 2000, which isn’t necessarily cause for total despair. It could be worse. In Atlanta and Las Vegas, average home prices are below their 2000 levels.

MEDWeek honors Andale Construction The 16th Annual Minority Enterprise Development Week Awards Breakfast

and Expo brought out the stars when it comes to minority business owners in the Valley. The November event at the Arizona Biltmore recognized and honored the contributions of minority-owned businesses nationwide. Why not? They account for 22 percent of all U.S. businesses and collectively contribute $1 trillion to the nation’s economic output. They also employ about 10 percent of U.S. workers. The Minority Business Center (MBC) and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which operates the Phoenix MBC, present the local honors. Here are select winners of the MEDWeek Awards:

Minority Firm of the Year: Andale Construction Inc. Sign up for the free digital edition: www.latinopm.com/digital

Founded in 2006 by Luis De La Cruz and partners J. Aguilar and A. De La Torres, Andale provides construction services to diverse segments within the underground utilities industry. In 2008, Andale was the MEDWeek Minority Construction Firm of the Year.

Minority Advocate of the Year: Lisha Adela Garcia Lisha Adela Garcia has worked throughout her career to support small businesses, whether for local government on redevelopment of downtowns and neighborhoods, mixed-use live/work space, or funding for small business development centers.

Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award: Arizona Public Service In 2010, APS contributed $82 million in procurement opportunities for diverse suppliers, of which $64 million APS directly spent with diverse suppliers. 34

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briefcase

¡!¡!

Teaching kids financial literacy The Arizona Council on Economic

Education (ACEE) is dedicated to improving economic and personal financial literacy in Arizona and it wants that education to start at the youngest age levels possible. It works with teachers to integrate financial literacy components into their coursework and provides resources to do it effectively. Now it has found another avenue to provide that teacher training. This month, Mesa Community College opened its new Center for Economic Education. The center is a partnership with ACEE and part of a nationwide network of university and community college-based centers that provide teacher training and curriculum development for America’s K-12 schools. The new center at MCC is the sixth in the United States to be housed at a community college. The center will improve economic literacy of current and future citizens of the state by providing educational and training programs and materials for teachers of K-12 classes, say its backers. The center also will conduct workshops, seminars, forcredit classes and other professional development opportunities for educators. Debbie Henney, ACEE’s executive director, says the end result will be that more teachers in Arizona will receive high-quality training to teach these concepts. This is important because many educators are now tasked with teaching Arizona’s K-12 Economics Standards and the new economics course now required for high school graduation. “This center will serve as a model that can be replicated to take advantage of the vast community college network in Arizona to reach educators across the state that have been historically underserved,” she said. The MCC Center for Economic Education will host the Arizona Society of Economics Teachers (ASET) Conference 2012: Celebrating Arizona’s Centennial! on Saturday, February 4. This event will showcase the new MCC center and economic training for K-12 teachers.

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AZHCC’s Million-Dollar Roundtable The Arizona Hispanic Chamber

of Commerce has announced the formation of the Arizona Million-Dollar Roundtable. The roundtable recognizes companies and corporations that spend $1 million or more with women- or minority-owned businesses and suppliers in the state. “The Arizona Million-Dollar Roundtable will promote and share best

practices with regard to supply-chain diversity through the publication of white papers and thought leadership,” says Gonzalo De La Melena, the chamber’s president. “It will also encourage corporations to continue growing their supplier diversity programs.” The roundtable is modeled after the Billion-Dollar and Million-Dollar Roundtables started in Texas.

Send us your briefcase items

Jumpstart your career with us today!

Contact Josh Pelligreen at 602-377-3691 or jpelligr@amfam.com.

Have a business story idea? Email us at editor@latinopm.com.

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MICHAEL JACKSON MADONNA BEE GEES EARTH WIND & FIRE

www.eva955.com

PRINCE DONNA SUMMER KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND

Domestic duty Daniel Rincon, police sergeant, Scottsdale Police Department Years of service:

20 years as Domestic Violence

Unit supervisor

Honors:

Chief’s Award of Excellence – Trainer of the Year (1997), Critical Incident Award (2005)

Duties: I review all DV reports and assign all “open”

Most of us in our profession know that every passing day, we will see new heights of kindness and evil.

Personal:

Next professional goal:

I make sure I routinely plan time with my family. It sounds easy enough, but after a work shift, overtime, call-outs, trials, defense interviews, MVD hearings, mandatory training and special meetings, there isn’t much time left in the week! Watching the children grow and reach milestones are exciting moments!

Inherent dangers you face:

It is often said that if you have to put on a ballistic vest before you go to work, you probably don’t have a very safe job.

Learning experience: We learn about cultures, hardships, the best and worst people have to offer.

Photo courtesy of Scottsdale Police Department

cases to my team of detectives to conduct further investigation and to make arrests when appropriate. Our unit reviews all cases to identify repeat offenders and identify trends of abuse. I maintain a database of offenders who have two or more DV convictions so that any further offenses (regardless if they are misdemeanor or felony) are charged as a felony under the Aggravated Domestic Violence statute. On a weekly basis, we search for DV offenders that have active warrants and apprehend them. I serve on the East Valley Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, which conducts thorough reviews of DV fatality cases with the purpose of identifying current practices that can be improved. As a certified DV instructor by FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center), I teach domestic violence investigations at the Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy and specialized training to all Valley agencies on the investigation and prosecution of strangulation and attempted strangulation cases.

I will be testing in our next lieutenant promotional process for the first time. Currently, it is my goal to have our unit recognized as the leader in the field of Domestic Violence in Arizona as it relates to the education of officers around the state, investigative practices and an aggressive stance against repeat offenders.

Final words:

Serving your country or community is a commitment that will change your life. You will find honor and pride on your voyage along with old-fashioned, hard work. Remember: Promise only what you can deliver, then deliver more that you promise.

Nominate a candidate

Help us acknowledge those who serve. Men and women currently in the military or a first responder. Send your info to editor@latinopm.com. latinopm.com

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Ask the pros... Dr. Jiaxin Niu

Change is good. Dollars are better.

Medical Oncologist Cancer Treatment Centers of America 14200 W Fillmore St. Goodyear AZ, 85338 P. 623.207.3000 cancercenter.com

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How do you go about choosing the best oncologist and what to do?

Listen to referrals from your family doctor, friends and family or locate a doctor from a reputable cancer center. Can they fully explain your diagnosis and treatment plan? If communication problems exist, it’s not wise to treat there. Can you contact them in an emergency? Chemotherapy often carries significant side effects, so it can be life-saving to talk to the physician.

The suggestions and opinions of the advertisers on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of Latino Perspectives Magazine

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Ojos que no ven... Corazón que no siente Got something to sell? Showcase it at MercadoatLatinoPM.com

Mercado at LatinoPM

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Ready to learn Eight, Arizona PBS receives grant By Erica Cardenas

Eight, Arizona PBS is among 11 public television

stations selected nationwide to work with children and their families, caregivers and educators to test the effectiveness of interactive content aimed at helping youth develop math and literacy skills. As part of this initiative, Eight will receive a $93,800 one-year stipend. Eight’s staff of certified educators, known as Eight Educational Outreach, will team up with several partners to connect this “transmedia” learning experience across home, school and community to reach kids in high-needs school districts in Phoenix and Coconino County. Eight was chosen as a demonstration site by the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), funders of the yearlong project titled “Expanded Learning Through Transmedia Content.” The CPB and PBS are leading the Ready To Learn initiative to develop content across many platforms: video, online games, mobile apps and offline activities. The goal is to boost math and reading skills in children ages 2 to 8 using their favorite PBS KIDS characters, such as Clifford, The Cat in the Hat and Curious George. “This latest Ready To Learn initiative builds on public television’s original mandate to use the power of media for education,” says Eight’s general manager Kelly McCullough. “We are Arizona’s largest classroom, and by working with partners and local communities, we can offer resources for our earliest learners, families and educators that aren’t available anywhere else.” In Phoenix, Eight’s Educational Outreach team is partnering with Balsz and Creighton school districts, which encompass a total of 14 schools within the central Phoenix corridor. Both districts have low-income families and high child poverty rates, and approximately three-quarters of the children under 5 years of age are of Hispanic descent. Eight’s educators also will partner with the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools to reach the county’s often isolated and underserved rural population, which is one-third American Indian and 16 percent below the poverty level.

“We believe that the parent is the child’s first teacher in literacy and math,” says Kimberly Flack, Eight’s associate general manager. “This effort supports that idea by engaging kids not only at school, but also in communities—after school and at home—to give us a better understanding of how technology and public media can work together to advance children’s learning.” According to Flack, a key component of Eight’s educational project is developing a traveling iPad lab that can immerse youngsters in Ready To Learn content, regardless of where they live and what resources they have available to them. Eight will also work with partners to host hands-on transmedia sessions at school conferences, family curriculum nights, open houses, community centers and out-ofschool care settings. At its PBS Early Literacy Workshop series, funded by the First Things First North Phoenix and Yuma Regional Partnership Councils, Eight will integrate the new Ready To Learn content to benefit both parent and child attendees. latinopm.com

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Will You Be There?

In addition, Eight’s educational team will conduct professional development workshops for classroom teachers, early-care providers and out-of-school providers on using the power of media for inclusive, intentional and engaging instruction including Ready To Learn resources. Working with major partners, Eight plans to leverage the project’s impact through their reach and expertise. Its major partners include the Arizona Department of Education, Arizona Head Start, Balsz School District, Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Creighton School District, Discovery Triangle Development Corporation, First Things First, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Latino Institute and City of Phoenix “Phoenix Afterschool Center” and Social Venture Partners of Arizona. Eight will support partners in using the Ready To Learn content through curriculum mapping and alignment to Arizona academic and early learning standards. It will also track the project’s impact through survey and research mechanisms designed in collaboration with these partners.

Schoolhouse goes green Roadrunner Elementary School in

January is National Mentoring Month. Will you be there for one of the more than 10,000 children in out-of-home care in Arizona? If you have spent time as a child in a foster or group home or in a relative’s care, we would like to talk with you about becoming a mentor. Learn more at www.inmyshoesinc.org/mentor or call 520.747.1533.

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Phoenix is the first of 18 schools nationwide to be part of the Green Schoolhouse Series (GSHS) that creates environmentally sustainable and LEED Platinumcertified facilities. GSHS, in collaboration with CAUSE AND EFFECT Evolutions and Washington Elementary School District, broke ground on the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-designed schoolhouse built entirely by volunteers on the campus of Roadrunner Elementary School last month. The 6,000-square-foot project in Phoenix will be the launching pad of state-of-the-art green schoolhouses on campuses across the country. The schoolhouse at Roadrunner, named Safari, will be a teaching tool, educating the students and community members on the importance of sustainable living and building practices. Safari’s sustainable features include a solar rooftop system, STEM-devoted (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) classroom, rainwater harvesting capabilities, interactive white boards, an outdoor classroom and native gardens. “We are thrilled to see everyone’s efforts come together to begin construction on our first schoolhouse,” said Marshall G. Zotara, cofounder and senior manag-

ing partner of CAUSE AND EFFECT Evolutions. “Not only will the students benefit from learning in a healthier classroom setting, Safari will also serve as an integral part of the surrounding community.” Features and sponsors of the schoolhouse include:

•

Rainwater harvesting system – Brae

•

Solar roof system – Empire Renewable Energy

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Native green garden – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

•

Eco-friendly windows – Pella Corporation

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STEM classroom – DeVry University

•

Schoolhouse kitchen – Kraft Foods and IGA

•

Energy efficient fans – Rite-Hite Fans

•

State-of-the-art water bottle refilling stations – Elkay

•

No VOC paint – Glidden

The project is a collaboration of corporations, school districts, foundations, municipalities, communities and volunteers to build environmentally sustainable schoolhouses on existing Title I, lowincome, K-12 public school campuses. A complementary aspect of the program is to integrate sustainable education and gardens into the overall Green Schoolhouse project, so that these schools are green and healthy inside and out.

Grant for veterans Thunderbird School of Manage-

ment alum Merle Hinrichs recently donated a $100,000 grant to fund veteran scholarships at the school. A 1965 graduate of Thunderbird, Hinrichs and his wife promised the grant as a way to get more veterans access to the Glendale school’s programs. “Thunderbird students are unique in that they receive a great business education. They are global. They are among the most engaged group of people in their

communities,” Hinrichs said. “This scholarship should go to those veterans who have learned a lot from being involved in war and who wish to be involved in the global community of business.” The scholarship was announced at the recent dedication ceremony of the Thunderbird Tower, a historic airfield control tower that helped pilots train during World War II. Hinrichs and his wife Miriam pledged $2 million to the project.

Nominate a mom

G O FA R , CL OSE T O H O M E .

Do you know a mom who inspires you with her attitude or by getting

involved in her local community? Perhaps she has defied the odds. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is looking to highlight some exceptional moms. A nationwide search was launched by Lucille O’Neal, BGCA, its longtime partner Kimberly-Clark Corporation and University of Phoenix, to find and honor the country’s “Most Inspirational Mom.” The search celebrates moms everywhere and gives three deserving moms the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate or master’s degree from University of Phoenix, accomplishing their own educational goals while also demonstrating for their children, firsthand, the importance of school. Applicants can go to familyplus.bgca.org through January 19, 2012, to submit a 500-word essay on what makes them the most inspirational mom. The search is designed to uncover a special mom who is an inspiration to her kids, family and community. The “Most Inspirational Mom” search will award three University of Phoenix scholarships, including electronic educational materials. After each applicant has submitted the 500-word essay, 15 finalists will be selected and highlighted on familyplus.bgca.org next month. Those finalists will submit a scholarship application with three short essays, and the recipients will be selected from the group of 15. The three winners will be announced the week of May 7, 2012. For details on the “Most Inspirational Mom” search, visit familyplus.bgca.org.

Fo l l ow us on www.phoenixcollege.edu

Have an education story idea? Send your information to editor@latinopm.com.

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Heart. Mind.

Rio Salado College Seeks Comments from the Public Rio Salado College is seeking comments from the public about the College in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The College will host a visit March 5-7, 2012, with a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The public is invited to submit comments.

In writing to: Public Comment on Rio Salado College The Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604-1411

Or online at: www.ncahlc.org All comments must be received by February 5, 2012. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the Institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing.

It started as a decision of the heart. To do more for my neighborhood … dedicating myself to something I believe in. By helping others, I’m building a business that will last. Imagine what you can build if you put your mind to it.

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Agency: Off Madison Ave · 5555 E Van Buren #215 · Phoenix, AZ 85008 · (480) 505-4500 · Fax: (480) 505-4501 • Contact: Ruben Muñoz • Contact Email: rubenm@offmadisonave.com • Contact Phone: 480-505-4562 • Client: Delta Dental • Job #: ıı-DEL-0828 • Pub: Latino Perspectives • Trim Size: 4.9028 in w x 4.828 in h • Color: CMYK

Small changes can make a big impact 51 simple ways to be healthier in 2012 By Patty James

It’s a new year. You are full of hope and want

to be full of zest! This is the year you will commit to your good health! If you have a feeling of dread in the back of your mind because this same scenario happens every year, have no fear. Big changes are often daunting and hard to fold into your everyday life. Try a new healthy habit a week and encourage your family to do the same. These are small changes that can make a big impact on not only your health, but also the environment’s health. Print and post these easy tips to your refrigerator and resolve to add them to your weekly routines. Drink eight glasses of pure water a day. Encourage your family to do the same. Get rid of any junk food in your house. Limit your caffeine intake to 1-2 cups of coffee a day. Replace white rice with brown rice. Spend 30 minutes twice a week cutting up fresh veggies to have them ready at all times. Keep seasonal fruit at home and eat it when you’re hungry or when a sweet tooth strikes. Bake or grill meats and vegetables instead of frying or boiling. Don’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach; it’s hard on your system and burns up B vitamins.

Eat raw vegetables every day. Raw veggies contain important enzymes that can be lost when they’re cooked. Use cinnamon on sweet potatoes, oatmeal and in hot beverages instead of sugar. Add a little vanilla for additional flavor. latinopm.com

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Next time you make cookies or cake, substitute half of the butter with applesauce, pumpkin or prune puree. Less fat, more nutrients. Get at least eight hours of sleep a night. Vary your food. If you eat it today, don’t eat the same meal for four days. Different-colored food has different nutrients, so eat from the rainbow: red peppers, orange carrots, green kale, etc.

Start your day with a glass of fresh lemon water. Use half to one juiced lemon. Your liver loves it. De-stress. Find out what works for you. Warm baths? Exercise? Reading? Yoga? Walks in the desert? Find out what calms and soothes you and practice daily. Move every day. Find what “moves” your body and eases your mind and make it a part of who you are. If you enjoy it, you will do it. Try nopales; they’re a good source of dietary and vitamin C. Cook without salt. Next time you want scrambled eggs, sauté some veggies first, then add eggs. Try eating veggies all day! Set a good example for your kids. If you have healthy habits, they are more likely to develop health habits, too.

Thicken soups with pureed beans, delicious and added nutrition. Don’t drink water from plastic bottles. Polycarbonate water bottles (labeled #7) contain bisphenol A (BPA), which leaches from the plastic and has been linked to chromosome damage and hormone disruption.

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Have at least one day a week without meat—“Meatless Monday” perhaps. Eat more beans! They’re high in protein, dietary fiber and taste so good. Use whole grain flour in your baking instead of white flour. Whole-wheat pastry flour is a fine grind and much healthier than the white stuff.

Remove white sugar from your diet or at least limit it. Use maple syrup, honey, agave or stevia instead. Don’t eat fake food! No artificial anything! Don’t go out for meals as much. Stay home, cook more. Exercise your mind! Learn a new dance, read a good book. Learn a new language. Keep your mind moving as well as your body. Learn to communicate better. Speak your mind, kindly, and be done with it. Don’t hold grudges. Forgive yourself and others. Make your own vinaigrette for your salads. Olive and/or flax oil, lemon juice or vinegar, a little Dijon mustard, a minced garlic clove and a little salt and pepper. Use sea salt instead of the highly processed salt you find in many grocery stores. Season with fresh herbs, lemon or limejuice instead of salt. Involve your family with meal preparation. Try to stay off computers and away from anything electronic two hours before bed for a better night’s sleep. Use plain yogurt instead of sour cream.

Switch to whole wheat, corn or quinoa pasta (there are many selections) instead of pasta that uses refined flour.

Teach your children to cook! Be sure to teach them the recipes of their grandparents. Generally, they were less processed and healthier.

Don’t eat or drink any food with trans-fats. Watch those nondairy creamers!

Increase omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Sources include walnuts, flax seeds and flax oil, and coldwater fish, such as salmon. Healthy fats are important to good health.

Add more leafy greens to your life such as kale, chard, spinach, radicchio, etc. They are wonder foods! Steam the greens for a couple minutes, drain and set aside. In a pan, sauté onions, garlic and shitake mushrooms in olive oil for a few minutes. Add the kale back in, stir and serve. Yum. Use less cheese in casseroles that call for it. Instead, sprinkle grated cheese on top. Good measure: One serving of meat is about the size of your palm; generally 3-4 ounces. Try new foods. Buy a kohlrabi or something you’ve never tried before and go from there. Keep yourself inspired. Don’t reward yourself or your family with food.

Increase your intake of legumes: lentil, beans and peas. They are good sources of protein, dietary fiber and blood-sugar regulators. Try split pea or lentil soup for breakfast! Think outside the box. Take supplements. Begin with a good multivitamin and speak with your health practitioner about others that may be needed for your optimum health. Watch your portion sizes as well as your plate and utensil sizes. Some forks and spoons look like garden utensils. Eat slowly. Shop in the outside aisles of the grocery store. Most of the more processed foods are located in the middle isles.

Try to eat whatever food is in season; it’s more nutritious and tastes better. Don’t go hungry. Eat healthy snacks so you don’t overeat later.

Play! Everyone needs to have fun! Patty James is a certified natural chef with a master’s degree in holistic nutrition. She co-authored More Vegetables, Please! and is the founder and director of the Californiabased nonprofit DirectionFive Health (directionfive.org), which seeks to educate and empower kids to lead healthier, happier lives. Read her blog at pattyjames.com.

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Post-holiday R&R Take a little time for you

holidays, chances are your well-being is the last thing on your mind or on the laundry list of urgent matters needing your immediate attention. Whether you’re mortified over the work you left undone over the holidays or frazzled and sleep deprived after all the fiestas, a little rest and relaxation can do you good and help you start the New Year with a positive outlook. Don’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself; we all need time to recuperate once in a while. And now may be a great time to destress, indulge in some pampering and leave all your worries on the massage room floor at one of Arizona’s spas. One of the world’s premier spa destinations is the Miraval Resort, nestled in the Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson, Arizona. At the Miraval, you can treat yourself to a full range of spiritual and physical activities, all while surrounded by 400 acres of Sonoran Desert landscape. If you’re looking for an experience that transcends the standard faire, the Miraval is an ideal and environmentally friendly destination. To help you rejuvenate and combat stress, the Miraval’s spa offers more than 100 unique facial, body and beauty treatments. Many of the treatments

Photo courtesy of the Talking Stick Resort

If you’ve been crazy-busy over the

Vista of Talking Stick Resort

on the spa menu draw ingredients directly from the neighboring environment. For example, you can revitalize your skin with an exfoliation followed by a gentle, prickly pear scrub. There’s also a Sonoran mud wrap that combines a desert rain treatment with the application of a mineral-rich clay, desert sage butter and botanical mixture for the entire body, to relax muscles and nourish your skin. When you’re done unwinding, you can partake in activities designed to challenge your physical and spiritual well-being. The resort’s services include personal “dare” challenges such as the Swing and a Prayer, where

you ascend to the top of a 35-foot pole and concentrate on balancing your weight on the narrow platform rested on its apex. When you’re ready, you’ll leap off the platform and soar through the air with the aid of a harness fastened to your lower body. Some may recall Oprah Winfrey and gal pal Gail King’s memorable participation in this exercise during their 2007 visit to the Miraval Resort. When you’re secure in your balance on the platform, your appointed challenge facilitator will encourage you to listen to your inner voice. The discomfort of balancing atop a 35-foot pole in total silence is intended to facilitate difficult emotions

Talking Stick Resort and Spa

Photo courtesy of the Miraval Resort

talkingstickresort.com 480-850-4065 9800 East Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale

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Highlights: Day Spa packages start at $220 and include three hours of services. The Essence Package includes a Simply Swedish Massage, Sweet Mesquite and Honey Manicure and Pedicure, and Make-up Refresher. Thru January 31, the 50-minute Candlelight Pedicure is $70. Local guests can buy daily passes for $25, subject to availability. After a day at the spa, spend the night at the Talking Stick Resort. Room rates for this month start at $259 per person per night based on Deluxe King accommodations, and include your choice of a 60-minute massage or a 60-minute facial per night, subject to availability. Additional spa services are available at 15 percent off.

Photo courtesy of the Miraval Resort

you normally prefer to avoid, so you may acknowledge them. Prior to jumping, your appointed challenge facilitator will continually ask you your goals for participating in the exercise, especially during any moments of hesitation right before leaping. The underlying idea is to identify what you want to overcome, whether it’s a fear of heights or the need to be in control all the time; or as in Oprah’s case, simply invite more joy into your life by having some fun. The hesitation to leap off the platform is meant to be figurative of something holding you back in your own life, and the act of jumping off is symbolic of what you can achieve by simply letting go. The Westward Look Resort and Spa is another inviting Sonoran spa destination. Situated on 80 acres of land at the base of the Catalina Foothills, the Westward Look spa also offers environmentally friendly accommodations that draw from its lush surroundings. Guests can practice meditation by walking the outdoor labyrinth, consecrated as a special space in nature and blessed by a Tohono O’odham elder. Ancient techniques and remedies inform the massage therapies, specifically the 5,000-year-old Indian medical tradition of Ayurveda. The massage services include an Abhyanga massage therapy, which involves rhythmic, long palm strokes using specially formulated Ayurvedic oil containing a variety of herbs ($119, 60 minutes). The Abhyanga massage does not penetrate deep tissue, but is rather a highly

Miraval Resort Quiet Room

customized Indian massage meant to detoxify and nourish the skin. The Abyhanga can be coupled with a Shirodhara massage, a treatment that involves the dripping of warm, aromatic oil onto the “third eye” or forehead ($119, 60 minutes). One of the newest additions to the local spa scene is Scottsdale’s Talking Stick Resort. The Spa at Talking Stick boasts 13,000 square feet of open-air space on the 14th floor of the resort’s tower. The vistas of the McDowell Mountains are breathtaking, and the private rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows; you choose if you want them open or closed during your spa experience. A eucalyptus steam room is available to prepare and relax before your spa treatment, and to recoup afterward and prolong the nirvana, a serenity lounge is at your beck and call. In addition to facials, manicures and pedicures, the menu of services include

body and massage therapies, all of which incorporate ingredients harvested in the community and are true to the traditions and heritage of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Take, for instance, the Peaceful Healing massage. Traditionally used in American Indian cultures to bring about vitality and balance and heal farmers, hunters and weary travellers, this treatment consists of luxurious aromas to help you relax while rhythmic pressure is applied along the energy pathways of the body; a soothing massage with warm, revitalizing oils completes the experience ($190, 90 minutes). To soothe dry, flaky skin, the Mission Fig body treatment combines dried fig, sugar and honey to polish away dead cells. A neck and shoulder rub compliment the body wrap before a custom massage with shea butter to nourish, moisturize and brighten up the skin ($130, 60 minutes).

Westward Look’s Resort/Sonoran Spa

Miraval Arizona

westwardlook.com 1-800-722-2500 245 W. Ina Road, Tucson

miravalresort.com 1-800-232-3969 5000 E. Via Estancia Miraval, Tucson, AZ

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¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

Thursday, March 1, 2012 10:30 AM – Silent Auction 11:45 AM – Luncheon Arizona Biltmore

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EVERY GIRL MATTERS

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Stella Pope Duarte

If you can be trusted in little things By Stella Pope Duarte

“There was a man who was going

on a journey and he called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.” This is the beginning of the “Parable of the Talents,” a famous story recounted by Christ in the Gospel of Matthew. First of all, what on earth is a talent? In the ancient Jewish world, it was a unit of coinage with varying degrees of value depending on the metal it was made of—gold, silver or copper, and its place of origin. A talent was used as we use currency today to transact business, for buying property and goods, and for saving and investing. The talents in this story take on a new “value,” as the master of the servants entrusts five talents to one servant, two to another and only one to a third. Immediately, the one who received five talents goes off and trades with them and makes another five. The second servant makes another two; however, the third servant digs a hole in the ground and buries his one talent and does not increase its value. On his

return, the master compliments the first two servants telling them, “Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.” However, the master is fiercely angry with the third servant, calling him wicked and lazy for not making a profit on the money. The servant explains that he was afraid of him and decided to bury the talent and give it back to him upon his return. Then the master commands that the servant’s one talent be taken away from him, and given to the one with ten talents, because “to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich, but for the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” The master goes on to say that the “useless servant” must be thrown out into the darkness “where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” Over the years, and certainly as we face a new year, I have thought of this parable, wondering of its meaning. Knowing our own strengths and Godgiven talents is something that will keep us out of the darkness. Defining a talent as a natural or exceptional ability, we are commanded to understand our

talents and increase them. One of our tasks on earth is to uncover our talents, identify them, build on them and share them with others. The more talents we possess, the greater our responsibilities. This goes along with the saying, “If you want something done, ask the busiest person you know.” Why? Because the busiest person is the one who accepts responsibility and is not afraid to act on things that are important and have meaning. In the parable, the foolish servant says he realizes his master is a demanding person, so “out of fear, I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is, back to you.” And he is brutally reprimanded. Fear is the basis of failure. It is the reason so many fall back and do not live out who they are—their beauty and strength, their abilities and wisdom, all of it is buried in the ground! We are responsible for evolving our talents, for giving freely that which we have freely received. There is no better way, I think, to begin a New Year than to think of ourselves as fearless, willing to take on new tasks, risk the unknowns and increase our talents a hundredfold.

Stella Pope Duarte was born and raised in South Phoenix. She began her awardwinning career in 1995 after she had a dream in which her deceased father told her that her destiny was to become a writer. Contact her at stellapopeduarte.com. latinopm.com

¡ January 2012!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡!

my perspective on: running for office

In times like these

More perspectives

Send us your perspective on whatever moves you. Email editor@latinopm.com.

By Lorenzo Sierra

Why would you

run for office in times like these? It’s a question I was asked by a government relations professional from a large healthcare firm. It’s a good question that deserves an honest answer. Times like these are defined by an Arizona in crisis and headed toward disaster. We’ve lost more than 300,000 jobs in the past four years and rank second in the nation for foreclosures. Arizona ranks third in the nation in child homelessness and our state has cut more than $1.5 billion from education from fiscal 2009 through fiscal 2011. No matter when, we expect the priorities of our elected officials to reflect the pressing needs of our state. Instead, lawmakers passed legislation to create a Tea Party license plate and an official state gun. They chose not to vote on legislation that would have extended unemployment benefits to our neighbors who can’t replace the jobs they’ve lost. And they chose to “balance” our state budget on the backs of the most vulnerable by decimating education funding and kicking more than 100,000 people off of AHCCCS. Times like these offer a chance and a choice to take Arizona from the bottom of virtually all socioeconomic indicators and move our state upward. It’s because of times like these that I’ve chosen to enter the race for the Arizona House of Representatives in the new Legislative District 19, which, once maps are finalized, will include Avondale, Tolleson and Southwest Phoenix. District 19 residents reflect the strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit that defines the Arizonans I know and respect. It’s one I understand personally and champion because of my own experience. As an Arizona native with family roots within the mining community of Morenci, I grew up in a poor neighborhood in southern Tucson. We were poor, but my parents and neighbors had a strong sense of community pride. My parents worked hard and sacrificed to ensure my success.

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡ January 2012!

latinopm.com

With this family foundation, I worked five parttime jobs to put myself through ASU. I was the only one in my family to graduate from college with a fouryear degree. This work ethic, instilled by my parents, has given me employment opportunities at three Fortune 500 companies, two nonprofits and a small Arizona-grown business. My career has given me the chance to give back to the community through service on several professional and community boards. Currently, I am on the boards of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Chicanos Por La Causa’s Parenting Arizona and Xico, Inc. I was also appointed by then Gov. Janet Napolitano to serve on the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. As the only candidate with senior-level Fortune 500 experience, my background and professional accomplishments are important to Arizona—especially in times like these. In both the community and the boardroom, I’ve been given the unique opportunity of bringing people together to solve problems. Those solutions have enabled businesses to grow and have empowered communities to establish centers of help and hope. In times like these, our state cannot afford anything less than this passion and proven experience. Neighbors I meet talk about creating jobs, investing in small businesses and making sure our children get the education they need to be successful. My neighbors not only understand a tough economy, they live with the sacrifices it demands. These neighbors, many of them unemployed or underemployed, don’t want a handout—but they do need a hand up to help them rise above a devastated economy. I share their priorities. As an accomplished problem solver, I’m focused on putting Arizonans back to work and taking our state from the bottom of economic and educational indicators to the top. When Arizona reaches that place, we’ll look back at times like these as the impetus to inspired action. It was times like these that caused us to say “no more” to ideological extremists. And it was times like these when we rallied behind a kid from one of the poorest neighborhoods in Tucson to establish the new priorities and new leadership to get us there. Learn how you can join me in times like these by visiting sierraforaz.com. Together, we’ll establish new priorities and new leadership that create a better, brighter future for Arizona!

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