May 2012
FOR THE LOVE OF MOM losing his A son describes mother, one day at a time
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I was caught off guard when a test showed I had a forerunner to esophageal cancer. Mayo listened and made me feel everything would be okay. My answer was Mayo Clinic. Benny Andujar
Cancer specialists at Mayo Clinic worked together to develop an effective chemotherapy program to meet Benny’s physical and emotional needs—especially since he had already received unsuccessful treatment by other doctors. The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is one of only 40 National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, and is the only multi‑site facility in the southwest. To schedule an appointment, visit mayoclinic.org/cancer or call (800) 446‑2279.
Journal of the American Latino Dream
Volume 8
{May 2012}
Issue 8
18
23
Remembering mother
Engineering is really sexy
Memories no longer shared remain valued treasures
ASU’s Mitzi Montoya’s mission to lure Latinas to STEM fields
42
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From the editor Celebrating mothers
27 Movin’ up 39 Brewer Education Phoenix Business Journal’s “25 most admired” vetoes expansion of ESA program; list of CEOs and execs; Rev. Eve Nuñez recognized as “Champion of Change” by White House; AZHCC hosts symposium on Transforming Arizona’s Economy; CPLC honors Hispanic families for decades of service
¿Será posible?
Colombian escapades embarrass U.S. Secret Service; new iPhone app ensures sweet dreams
12 LP journal Bivens bows out to aid Carmona’s bid for U.S.
Senate; word games: adding insult to illegality; Obama campaign exploiting hot news stories for political advantage?
14 Debut Vibe of Ib Andersen’s Topia at DBG al aire
31 33
libre; Chandler turns 100; Girl in Progress explores mother-daughter bond; Latino Fashion Live at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino
17
Rincón del arte
Albert Quihuis enters children’s book market with Sofia’s Awesome Tamale Day
37
Entrepreneur
Versatility, key to success for interior designer, Ernesto Garcia
Briefcase
Avondale joins with Gangplank to assist in downtown revitalization; National Fair Housing Alliance reports disparities in maintenance of REO properties; who’s dealing Facebook shares
Those who serve
Tempe’s top cop, Tom Ryff, reviews his career and his recipe for success
Maricopa Community Colleges partner with University of Phoenix; NSF funds workshops to improve middle school math instruction
43 Health A 10-point program for living with arthritis from author and president/CEO of National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Jane Delgado, Ph.D.
46 Time out Summer camps and classes designed for the adventurous learner
49 P.S.
Anniversary of a dream
50 My perspective On adoption and foster care by Martha Duran Coming in June: The health issue latinopm.com
¡ May 2012!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
5
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¡! from the executive editor
May 2012 Publisher/CEO Ricardo Torres Executive Editor/COO Cecilia Rosales, Ph.D. Copy Editor Virginia Betz Art Director Jorge Quintero Contributing Writers Catherine Anaya, Erica Cárdenas, Jane L. Delgado, Martha Duran, Jonathan Higuera, Mitzi Montoya, Robrt L. Pela, Stella Pope Duarte, Cecilia Rosales, Michelle Thompson Director of Sales and Marketing Carlos Jose Cuervo Advertising Account Executives Grace Alvarez and Barry Farber Webmaster QBCS Inc.
Contact Us
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
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.
On mothers and motherhood By Cecilia Rosales, Ph.D.
For the first time, I’ll celebrate Mothers’ Day without my mother.
As I mourn her recent passing, I’m comforted in knowing our bond lives on – although I’m also haunted by the time I wasted questioning some of the most important life-lessons she tried to teach me. Grief is a wildcard emotion; it magnifies the hindsight bias rendering the bereaved vulnerable. In processing my loss, and its accompanying sense of vulnerability, I’ve indulged my melancholy by rummaging through mother’s old photographs and long-forgotten mementos of my childhood. Much like a child learning how to ride a bike without training wheels, this is an exercise in letting go and holding on. This is something Robrt Pela knows all too well. In this month’s cover story, he poignantly narrates the experience of losing his mother, one day at a time, as she battles Alzheimer’s disease and slowly forgets the life she lived. This is the gut-wrenching and heart-rending story of a son’s efforts to alleviate a painful, early farewell. In My Perspective, you will find the story of a generous mother whose children were conceived in her heart. Martha Duran is brimming with excitement with the recent adoption of three boys to whom she’s vowed to provide unconditional love and a “forever home.” Congrats to the Duran family! Mothers and motherhood have been a hot topic lately. Last month, when democratic strategist, Hilary Rosen, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that Mitt Romney is not connecting with women voters, she inadvertently unleashed a firestorm. She quoted Romney as saying, “My wife tells me that what women really care about are economic issues and, when I listen to my wife, that’s what I’m hearing.” Then Rosen added, “Guess what? His wife has actually never worked a day in her life. She’s never really dealt with the type of economic issues that a majority of women in this country are facing in terms of how do we feed our kids, how do we send them to school and why do we worry about their future.” The media led a riot. The national conversation at one point reached 250 tweets per minute on the Rosen-Romney ruckus. Rosen, a mother herself, was criticized for demeaning stay-at-home moms. For her part, Ann Romney told Fox news, “My career choice was to be a mother, and I think all of us need to know that we need to respect choices that women make.” Rosen apologized, but the banter continued. Sigh. Politicos and pundits from the gamut of ideological perspectives chimed in, mostly commending the unpaid, hard work of stay-at-home moms. Let’s just hope the national conversation continues, this time focusing on issues beyond the trite “mommy wars.” Here’s to all the mothers, the ones who (whether by choice or necessity) work at home and the ones who also work out of the home, the soccer and yoga moms, the tiger moms, the grizzly mammas, and even las mamás cuervo. To all, feliz día de las madres.
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, a nd 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
¡ May 2012!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
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¡! ¿Será posible?
Fool service By Robrt Pela
In defense of the Colombian prostitute
who blew the whistle on President Obama’s Secret Service staff last month, she probably mistook her customer and his colleagues for just another group of drunken Shriners. That’s how they were behaving, anyway. Mistakenly identified in early (and rampant!) press reports as the President’s bodyguards, the eleven Secret Service agents were, in fact, there in Cartagena, Colombia, to arrange security prior to Obama’s arrival for a Summit of the Americas. But, it was their late-night hi-jinks with nearly two dozen prostitutes that we, and every other nation with access to the Internet, have since heard about – endlessly and repeatedly. When one of the agents refused to pay a prostitute who’d spent the night with him at the Hotel Caribe, she called the cops (who apparently protect, rather than bust, hookers in Colombia). A police officer forced the john to pay, and later identified him and
Fear sets in.
Cancer diagnosis.
several others to the press as American Secret Service agents. The cadre was sent back home with their security clearances revoked, but, by then, the damage was done: Latin America’s opinion of the U.S. was further tarnished, which isn’t exactly what our leader was there to accomplish. The White House spin doctors have since been doing double duty trying to assure Americans that this is not a story of espionage or blackmail, just plain old bad behavior on the part of our occasionally drunken Secret Service. Overlooked in all official presidential press releases has been the possibility that the agents’ misdeeds might have compromised national secrets or the safety of our president. Hey, they’re just Secret Service agents, not the guy who designed Michelle Obama’s fetching new hairdo. Right? Consorting with prostitutes is, after all, an American political tradition. Elliot Spitzer, anyone? How about Barney Frank?
Why should we expect the men assigned to protect the president, his family and several of our nation’s top leaders to take seriously their oath to maintain any type of professional integrity? And, why, at a time when the nation is divided in its support of our current president in the thick of a heated reelection race, should his staff behave in any way other than disgracefully?
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¡! ¿Será posible?
Perchance to dream By Robrt Pela
The heck with leaving your dreams
up to chance – a new iPhone application called “Dream: ON” proposes to maximize the entertainment value of our sleeping state by dictating what we dream about. Whee! The app is the brainchild of British psychologist, Richard Wiseman, professor at the University of Hertfordshire. Currently in a testing phase, the application offers prerecorded soundscapes that dictate an aural setting for your dream, which is nudged along by an iPhone placed near your bed. The iPhone monitors your movements while you sleep, and cues these preselected audio cues once you enter REM sleep (the deepest stage of sleep), the time when you are most likely to have episodic dreams. How these background sounds produce particular stories isn’t explained on
the invention’s website, but, since its launch at the Edinburgh International Science Festival in March, the app has received upwards of 400,000 downloads, and has collected data from nearly a quarter of a million dreams. For now, “Dream: ON” offers a limited menu of soundscapes, such as “Into the City,” “Peaceful Garden,” and “Space Shuttle.” The
app prompts you to “send in a report” about where those particular sleep soundtracks take you for analysis by Wiseman and his dream-time colleagues. (“You can also post your dream on Twitter,” Wiseman suggests in the helpful – and unintentionally hilarious – instruction video that appears on the company’s website, dreamonapp.com.) One can’t help but ponder the app’s better uses. Bankers plagued by nightmares about the failing economy might program their phones to force them into happy dreams about giant boxes of cash falling from the sky. Stressed mothers with colicky babies could arrange for dreams of their former lives as disco-crazed bachelor girls. Overworked desk employees might program an office revenge-fantasy involving punching out the boss and storming off to a better career. A man can dream, can’t he?
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GRAMMY-nominated Brazilian pop star
Sultry, seductive music infused with inimitable samba swing
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MUSIC
THEATER
Located in the Musical Instrument Museum
Conversation starters from the world around us
12 LP Journal
Democrats rally behind Carmona; critiques of Obama’s re-election strategies in Ariz.
15 Anaya says 17 Rincón del arte Live like you’re dying
Writing, like making tamales, is a process
i say... All I knew was that my refrigerator was going to be full of stuff. Dancing with the Stars sensation, William Levy, on how he imagined life in the U.S. before emigrating from his native Cuba
I sure don’t want to be known as a nice guy. I’m not a social worker; I’m a cop. Photo courtesy of Latino Fashion Live
Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, to CBS News correspondent, John Blackstone, in an interview about the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation of the sheriff’s office
Our debt is the Jolie-Pitts. U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake (R, Ariz.), in a press release issued by his office, estimating that the country’s debt ($15.6 trillion) could buy more than 14.3 million exact replicas of Angelina Jolie’s engagement ring, including taxes
page
15
Latino Fashion Live model, Paloma Teran, poses for photographer Michael Franco
latinopm.com
¡ May 2012!
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¡!
LP journal
Altruistic Don Bivens abandons Senate race for the greater good of his party
Bivens bids farewell In a move to strengthen the party vote behind former U.S. Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman, Don Bivens, ended his U.S. Senate bid in late March. Bivens’ decision frees Carmona from what might have been a costly primary campaign, and allows him to focus on the race to replace outgoing Republican Senator Jon Kyl. This doesn’t mean that Carmona can now coast in the general election against Republican Jeff Flake of Mesa, who is considered Carmona’s main opponent. (Also running: Republican business owner, Wil Cardon.) Some claim that Bivens’ campaign lost momentum when Carmona entered the race late last year, although Bivens insisted, in an official statement, that he could have taken the Senate seat. “The continuing head-to-head competition in our Democratic primary is draining resources that we will need as a party to win the U.S. Senate race in November,” Bivens said in a press release. “While I am confident we would win this primary, the cost and impact on the party I’ve spent my life fighting for could diminish our chance to achieve the ultimate goal, winning in November.” Not surprisingly, Bivens’ camp has not acknowledged that much of the na12
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tional Democratic backing has gone to Carmona, a former registered independent who served under President George W. Bush. His moderate politics and support from President Obama, wags are saying, make him the most electable candidate in the race, despite the fact that Flake, now in his sixth term in the House, has raised upwards of $3 million for his Senate campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission.
A rose by any other name Response to a recent Fox News Latino poll about the term, “illegal immigrant,” has been loud and long. After Fox published an early April article about the poll, in which nearly half of all Latino voters admitted they found the term offensive, politicians and journalists began weighing in and organizations, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Unity: Journalists of Color, have joined the discussion.
“Calling people ‘illegal’ or ‘illegal immigrants’ has become normalized,” Monica Novoa, Coordinator of the Drop the I-Word campaign, says. The campaign, started by the online magazine, Colorlines, encourages politicians and the media to stop using the term “illegal immigrant,” which Fox says offends 46 percent of all Latinos. “It is a term that is inaccurate, dehumanizing and politically charged,” Novoa says, “It is anti-immigrant, antiLatino language that is harmful.” Ross Romero, the Senate Minority Democrat from Salt Lake City who attempted to pass a piece of legislation that would have required lawmakers to undergo “cultural sensitivity training” as part of their orientation, also had plenty to say on the subject. “It is important for people to understand that we prefer the term ‘undocumented,’ because it is more accurate,” Romero says. “By and large, most folks came legally and overstayed their visas, so, at most, they are committing
LP journal a civil infraction. To call them ‘illegal’ is inaccurate and unnecessarily offensive.” The writer, Javier Manjarres, on his political blog, The Shark Tank (sharktank.net), offered another suggestion. “If people such as Ms. Novoa will continue to insist that the term ‘illegal immigration’ is outside of the bounds of respectable discourse,” he wrote last month, “I would like to submit the following as an alternative. Instead of the perfectly accurate term, ‘illegal immigrant,’ can we now refer to these individuals as ‘unlawful foreign nationals?’” Novoa has yet to respond.
Sheriff, this town’s not big enough Last month, when the Obama administration announced its intention to sue County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for improperly targeting Latinos and violating civil rights laws with “illegal immigrant” crackdowns, conservative pundits went nuts with accusations. In response to the April 3 announcement, the web blog, IOwnTheWorld.com, published a laundry list of the president’s apparently insincere and welltimed manipulations. “The Obama campaign has whipped up their ‘union base’ with their Wisconsin attacks,” the blog’s un-bylined editorial began. “They
have whipped up their anarchist ‘class warfare’ base with their ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement. They have whipped up their ‘feminist base’ with their contraception mandate and their charges of a Republican ‘war on women.’ They have whipped up their ‘black base’ with a month-old shooting. And now, they are whipping up their Hispanic base by suing Sheriff Arpaio and rekindling their attacks on Arizona in general. Have they missed anything? Have they covered all their bases?” Allegations that Obama is more interested in shoring up the Hispanic vote than he is in fostering better immigration reform overlook the fact that the president’s Justice Department has been in negotiation with Maricopa County for more than a year. Those negotiations, meant to address allegations that county police officers have made unlawful arrests of Latinos and often used excessive force in dealing with them during arrests, have fallen apart in recent months. Arpaio continues to deny any wrongdoing, and recently complained in a press release that the Obama administration has failed to deal with the problem of illegal immigration, which has resulted in more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States. “To the Obama administration,” Arpaio said in a recent statement, “who is attempting to strong-arm me into
¡!
submission only for its political gain, I say, ‘This will not happen, not on my watch!’”
Obama Takes Arizona?
Our president’s re-election campaign has swung into full gear here, and its main targets are college campuses and Latino neighborhoods. Putting Arizona into play for Democrats is no mean feat; the state typically votes Republican presidents into office, as does Texas. But both states will be canvassed by re-election workers in coming months, a strategy that worked in rustling up Obama votes from Republican states North Carolina and Indiana in 2008. On paper, turning Arizona blue looks like a long shot. Bill Clinton is the only Democratic presidential candidate to win the Arizona state vote since Harry Truman took the state in 1945. “It’s simply not going to happen,” says Shane Wikfors, communications director of the Arizona Republican Party, referring to the Obama campaign’s canvassing attempts. “If they want to spend money here in Arizona – good. Let them. It will take money away from other places where they could spend money on a victory.” latinopm.com
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¡!
vibe
Art + Music
Chandler celebrates 100 The city of Chandler will kick off its centennial
celebration weekend with its “Happy 100th Birthday Chandler!” event on Thursday, May 17, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at Chandler City Hall Plaza. There is no cost to attend, and event-goers will have a chance to check out the new 50-year time capsule and plaque dedication, local entertainment, special speakers, history and art exhibits, as well as sample pieces of the winning centennial birthday cakes. The mayor will also be recognizing Chandler centenarians and birthday cake design contest winners. Visit chandleraz.gov for a complete list of Chandler’s weekendlong centennial events. Feliz cumpleaños, Chandler!
Muddy Waters by Jill Brownley
of paintings by Anne Allemann, Jill Brownley and Jesa Townsend, titled “In Tune: Art + Music,” through May 31 at the Library’s Central Gallery located at 1221 North Central Avenue. For this group exhibition, the artists took their inspiration from music, each depicting their subjects from a unique point of view. Working in either oil or watercolor, Allemann paints contemporary musicians in an abstract style; Brownley’s fondness for blues music is reflected in her folk art portraits of noted blues musicians; and the classically trained musician, Townsend, plies an impressionistic technique and bold color combinations to create highly distinctive oil paintings. Get more Vibe at
www.latinopm.com
Ballet in the desert The Desert Botanical Garden, in Collaboration
with Ballet Arizona, will present the premiere of Topia on May 2. The ballet, inspired by the Sonoran Desert landscape, will be performed in an intimate desert space of the Garden and performances will run through May 26. Ib Andersen, artistic director of Ballet Arizona, has created this new and site-specific work that features the full company of Ballet Arizona dancers in a panoramic performance on an 80-foot stage. This stage, to be used for the first time for Topia, was designed specifically for this unique environment once inhabited by ancient peoples. Visit dbg.org for performance schedule and ticket prices.
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From top left: image courtesy of Jill Brownley; Courtesy of City of Chandler; photo by Tim Fuller, courtesy of Ballet Arizona
The Burton Barr Central Library will host an exhibit
vibe
¡!
Anaya says What it means to really “live” your life Photo by Michael Franco courtesy of Latino Fashion Live
By Catherine Anaya
Model Paloma Teran
Fashionista heaven Latino Fashion Live, a mash-up of haute couture and Hispanic culture, is set to take over the catwalk at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s “Ovations Live” Showroom on May 26. The fashion show will feature designs by Carolina Herrera, wedding gowns by Gigi Bridal Boutique, jewelry and accessories by Tous, footwear by Roberto Botticelli and the latest trends in swimwear by Beach Bunny. Karla Márquez, who recently represented Phoenix in the beauty pageant, Nuestra Belleza Latina, will host the evening. The creative force behind the event, which is presented by the Scottsdale Internet Group, is Diana Prieto, of Ideaz Media. Doors open at 7 p.m.; fashion show begins at 8 p.m. Guests must be 18 or older to attend. Tickets ($25, $35, $65 and $100) can be purchased on-site the day of the event or online at wingilariver.com. Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino is located at 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. in Chandler.
Live like you’re dying.
I’ve loved that Tim McGraw song for years, and the words about his father’s reaction to learning he had inoperable cancer: “I went skydiving; I went Rocky Mountain climbing; I did 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu; I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter; and I gave forgiveness that I’d been denying; and then he said, some day, I hope you get a chance to live like you’re dying.” Live like you’re dying. That was how my brother-in-law lived up until the last few days of his life. We lost him this past March to cancer. I didn’t say “former” brotherin-law, because, even after my marriage to his brother ended, he let me know that he would never refer to me as his “ex” sisterin-law. He told me I was family for life. He loved life. Jim was one of the strongest people I knew, not just physically, but in spirit. When he was diagnosed with skin cancer three years ago (a melanoma the size of an eraser head), we had no doubt he’d beat it. And it seemed he did. But, this past December, the cancer had returned, with multiple tumors in his stomach, and, in the span of just three months, it spread to his brain and then his bones. Even with that devastating diagnosis, he asked the doctor with the utmost optimism, “So it’s fixable, right?” Even as he started losing mobility on one side of his body, he insisted on getting to the gym (we shared a passion for exercise). In the last week of his life, his friends would take him there and strap his weak side into an upright bicycle so he could manage even a few pedals. He didn’t want sympathy. He wanted to live.
One of the most competitive people I’ve known was, sadly, not going to win this challenge. He’s not the first person I’ve loved and lost to cancer, nor likely the last. So, as I sat at his funeral service, looking at his smiling face staring back from the slide show, listening to his best friend Todd recite those Tim McGraw song lyrics in his eulogy, describing the way Jim lived - I wondered to myself how I could honor his life. Todd answered that with the final words of his emotional tribute: “As you one day meet your Maker and are standing in line at the pearly gates of heaven, Jim’s going to be there with a clip board in hand with a list of questions that he’s going to ask before letting you through. And, you better be careful how you answer them, because he’s going to ask you: Did you ever go skydiving? Did you ever take the time you said you would and go Rocky Mountain climbing? Did you ever have real fun and go 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu? I’m hoping you loved deeper, and definitely spoke sweeter. But, most importantly, did you ever give forgiveness to those people you’ve been denying? And I’m truly hoping that after I passed away that you took some time to realize what was truly important to you and lived the rest of your life like you’re dying.” I’m going to live like I’m dying. That’s what Jim would want. Catherine Anaya anchors CBS 5 News weeknights at 5, 5:30, 6 & 10pm. She is a mother of two, marathon runner and motivational speaker. Reach her at canaya@ kpho.com, connect with her on Facebook, twitter and at CatherineAnaya.com.
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¡ May 2012!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
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Pocho keen
vibe
Photo by Bob Akester, Courtesy of Pantelion Films
Like peachy keen, pero different
¡Cuba, sí! ¡México, no! Now that Santorum is officially
Eva Mendes stars in Girl in Progress
Girl in Progress By Erica Cárdenas
How about treating mom to a movie
this Mother’s Day? Girl in Progress, starring Eva Mendes, Cierra Ramirez, Eugenio Derbez and Raini Rodriguez, will be shown in theaters beginning May 11. Recently judged “family-approved” (for ages 12 and up) by the International Dove Foundation, the film has already been attracting the attention and support of churches and organizations across the country, including Life Teen and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. Grace (Eva Mendes) is a single mom too preoccupied with “paying the bills” and herself to notice that her teenage daughter, Ansiedad (Cierra Ramirez), is in desperate need of her attention. When Ansiedad’s English teacher, Ms. Armstrong (Patricia Arquette), introduces her students to classic coming-of-age stories, Ansiedad decides to jump start her own coming of age, and all the pain associated with it, as a shortcut to “adulthood” – that is to say, by having a life without her mom. As her misguided plan unravels, in some comedic yet poignant series of events, both Ansiedad and Grace must learn that sometimes growing up means acting your own age. 16
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out of the way, it’s time to start seriously considering a running mate for Mitt Romney. I have to admit, when I first started writing this column, I had an intent to prove that the GOP would be making a terrible assumption in believing that the selection of Cuban American and Tea Party favorite, Marco Rubio, would help them garner the growing Latino vote. Romney advisors probably think that Rubio represents the everyday José, with a compelling immigrant story, even if it has a hole or two in it. And, what timing! Rubio is working on an alternative to the DREAM Act, sans the part about a pathway to citizenship because that would lead to “chain migration” and we can’t have that! A recent New York Times editorial even described it as a “A Dream Act without the Dream.” But, whatever, he looks good! I also wanted to point out that most Latinos may not identify with this guy and his alternative reality of a dream, and how he was for Arizona’s SB1070 before saying that he was against it. I was going to challenge the large percentage of Cuban Americans who are Republican and support laws like SB1070. I was going to argue that attitudes toward illegal immigration might be different if there were no Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966, or its revision in 1995, known as the “the wet foot, dry foot policy.” Land safely on U.S. shores and you’re in like Flynn.
I was also going to make clear that Cuban Americans, while accounting for only three percent of the Latino population, have held significant political clout for some time now, and that some of those old-school views aren’t necessarily shared by younger, much more moderate, U.S.-born Cuban Americans. They may be more likely to resent a growing anti-Latino sentiment in America than resent American policies concerning Cuba. Heck, they probably like Juanes more than they hate Fidel. I was going to delve into theories about how Cuban Americans ever even became Republicans when, at first, they were mostly Democrats. Was it the botched invasion of the Bay of Pigs that led to no mas JFK? Or, was it when Ronald Reagan promised to take a hard line with Castro, possibly even overthrowing him, and proclaimed “¡Cuba, sí, Castro, no!” In a recent interview with Rubio, the “crown prince” of the Tea Party, Juan Williams asked him a poignant question, “Your family’s story is an amazing story, but as a Cuban-American Republican, the question becomes: Does it resonate with Puerto Ricans, with Mexicans, with Dominicans, or do they see you and Cuban Americans as a separate story?” Then I lit a cigar, put on some Buena Vista Social Club, and remembered how much I love the Cuban culture, even if I didn’t always agree with the politics of their U.S. brethren, and said “coño!”
rincón del arte
¡!
Children’s author promotes traditional culture Albert Monreal Quihuis, author of Sofia’s Awesome Tamale Day Originally from: Phoenix, Arizona Professional background: Certified financial planner, entrepreneur, community advocate, author Tell us about your new children’s book and why you decided to pursue this project? I was inspired by our family tradition
Photos courtesy of the author
of making tamales every Christmas season and I wanted to pay tribute to my parents. I wanted to share with everyone the process of making tamales and to have the reader embrace the beautiful Mexican culture, its traditions and the family experience that goes with it. It is a teaching guide to learning life principles – leadership, planning, team work and believing in yourself. Also, a wonderful story wraps around it that is entertaining and funny for children. The foreword is by Stella Pope Duarte and the vivid, original artwork is by one of Arizona’s premier Southwestern artists, Susan Klecka.
What were some of the challenges you encountered while preparing the manuscript? I thought it would be easy to write a children’s book, but the three years it took was quite a learning process, but most satisfying. You need to be dedicated to your project, but I learned that it’s okay to take a break.
Sofia’s Awesome Tamale Day Winmark Communications ISBN: 978-1-892225-14-6 32 pages; $18.00 hard cover
Advice to other aspiring writers? Since the release date, many people have come to me and said they have thought of writing about their life or family experiences. I encourage them to do so, and to not be afraid to write and rewrite (I rewrote Sofia seven times), to not be pushed into having a deadline. Follow your heart and you will know when your story is ready. Surround yourself with the people who want to see you complete your book with your story – the way you want it, so you can be proud of it.
Available at: ALAC (Downtown Phoenix), Xico and Sibley’s West (Downtown Chandler)
Website: winmarkcom.com/sofiastamales.htm Educators interested in book presentations and classroom readings can contact the author at aquihuis@msn.com
Help us highlight the local arts Send information to editor@latinopm.com. latinopm.com
¡ May 2012!
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By Robrt L. Pela
The author describes losing his mother, one day at a time
M
y mother was once a woman who would invite you to dinner and then spend an entire day cooking an elaborate meal in your honor. And, if you arrived late, she would say to you, “I’m glad you didn’t come any earlier, because I’ve been running behind all day and I wouldn’t have been ready for you,” even though it wasn’t true; even though she was a woman who deplored tardiness and was always ahead of schedule. If, at this meal, you praised her cooking, she would say, “Oh, this dish is really easy to prepare,” even if it wasn’t. And then she would offer to teach you how to make it yourself. latinopm.com
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And, if you invited my mother to your home for dinner and you made something from a box mix or served something store bought, my mother would praise you for being smart enough to take shortcuts. If you burned the meal, Mom would tell you a story about the time she forgot to bake the pie crust or the time she set fire to an entire Thanksgiving dinner, even though, of course, she had never so much as scorched a slice of toast. She was a woman who photographed every moment of her children’s lives – first day home from the hospital, first tooth lost, first day of school, recitals, graduations, weddings, and everyone’s birthdays well into middle age – and arranged the photographs in crumbling albums that sent the message, “Here is who you were. Remember this person. Remember me. I loved you.” Today, my mother is baffled by the toaster, and likely to start crying at the thought of having to use it or to find a place to store it. She is, at 87 years old, a woman who takes 13 pills each day, most of them designed to offset the Alzheimer’s disease that has been overtaking her life – as well as my father’s life and my own – these past five years. Afraid of most of her appliances, confounded by the stove, she sits now in the kitchen where she cooked all those amazing meals reading, and re-reading, the diaries she kept as a young girl.
‘
taken on one I don’t recognize at all, even as I’ve been living it these past five years. I’ve done so sometimes grudgingly, often with deep regret. But I’ve done it knowing that I have no choice. My mother is a tree falling in an unfortunate forest, and I want – I need – to be there to hear her crashing to the ground. I know that she would want, as she goes about the business of forgetting herself, to be helped by someone who remembers when she forgot to bake that pie crust. Someone who can say, “I know who you were. I know who you are. I remember.” (air) When I was a boy, my mother frowned on my prevarications. I’d come home from school and she’d ask, “How was your day?,” and I’d answer, “Lousy. Pirates broke into our classroom and kidnapped Mrs. Neal. They forced us all to wear eye patches and eat sauerkraut. Plus, they smelled really bad.” Making up stories was more fun than reciting the usual list of math lessons and spelling tests. My mother would roll her eyes and say to me, “Do you ever tell me the truth?”
And so, forty-five years almost to the day after my mother took me to my first day of school, I dropped her off at her first day of adult day care.
‘
Watching my mother disappear has been frightening, sad and profoundly enlightening. I’ve learned life lessons I would rather have skipped over entirely. I’ve set aside the life I called my own and 20
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Not anymore, I don’t. Forty-five years later, telling Mom the truth usually leads to tears. Her Alzheimer’s makes it difficult for her to understand a lot of what’s happening around her. Any mention of
doctor appointments confuses and upsets her, since she doesn’t know there’s anything wrong with her. Following a lifesaving coloncancer surgery four years ago, she asked me repeatedly why she was wearing a wig – a fact she’d rediscover over and over each day. I’d tell her, “Because they’re so fashionable!” She had no memory of the chemotherapy that made her bald, or of the cancer that made the chemo necessary. Mom worried that I’d grow up to be a pathological liar. All these years later, I’m learning the value of lying to my mother, but it’s not as much fun as it used to be. While I once enjoyed changing A-minuses to A-plusses on my report cards, there’s a certain desperation in my lies now, like the other day when Mom discovered the several racks of biscotti cooling in her kitchen. We’d spent the morning making them, and she’d left the room to comb her hair. By the time she came back, she’d forgotten our baking and was startled to discover her kitchen counter buried in cookies. “Where did these come from?,” she demanded. “Aunt Mae sent them over,” I lied. Mom took a bite out of one. “I wish mine came out this good,” she said. I try to tell myself that making stuff up is just part of taking care of this old-lady version of my mother; that lying is just a new
‘
‘
Watching my mother disappear has been frightening, sad and profoundly enlightening.
way of communicating that makes Mom’s life easier. Still, answering the same question dozens of times a day can be a bit of a grind. Sometimes I make up stuff just to amuse myself. When Mom asked me last week why she had to swallow so many pills with breakfast, I told her it was by order of Dr. Fraloobanopp. “Who?,” she asked. “Dr. Fraloobanopp.” “I’ve never heard of him.” “He works at the girdle factory. On Bosom Hill.” Mom considered this possibility for a moment, then said, “If that’s where he works, I don’t think I’ll be taking any medicine he prescribes.” Then she pushed her pills away. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to lie. (air) On my first day in the first grade, it rained. I was less worried about the peculiar weather than the fact that my mother insisted on accompanying me to my first day of school. She didn’t seem to understand that I was a big kid now, and didn’t need a chaperone for what I thought of as the beginning of my grown-up life. Mom wore a blue leatherette swing coat with gold buttons embossed with little anchors and carried an umbrella. She walked me to the pale yellow door of room five, which she kept calling my “homeroom,” as if she thought I was going to live there. And then she lied to me. “I’m going home now,” she said, “have a good first day of school.” Instead, she walked to the end of the breezeway and stood there until school let out several hours later. I was horrified when I discovered her waiting for me. “I’m six years old,” I told her, “I know where our house is. I can find it on my own. What is your problem?” Today, my mother’s problem is that she has been sitting around too much. And so, forty-five years almost to the day after my mother took me to my first day of school, I
dropped her off at her first day of adult day care. I’d been to a half-dozen adult day care centers, looking for one that didn’t look like the setting from a TV movie-of-the-week about a nice old lady who was abandoned by her selfish child. At most of the places I visited, I saw old people seated at round tables, many in wheelchairs, all of them fast asleep with half-finished jigsaw puzzles spread out before them, while attendants watched television. I smelled diapers and microwaved food and despair. Eventually, I found a brightly lit place on the campus of a local hospital, where the employees were so busy entertaining the elderly people in their charge that they didn’t have time to talk to me. That was a good sign. The television was turned off – another good sign. After a series of meetings with the people who run this place, and a physical, Mom was accepted. I arranged for her to visit adult day care twice a week, for four hours at a time, and was given a schedule detailing the various choices she would have each time she came: ceramics, culinary arts, crafts. I tried to appreciate the irony of my mother attending a cooking class. Before being stricken with Alzheimer’s, she was a woman who could prepare a five-course, gourmet meal from a pound of ground round, a jar of mustard and a can of snow peas – with one hand tied behind her back, and a can of Sterno for a stove. On Mom’s first day of adult day care, I got her out of the house by telling her that we were both enrolled in “an art class at the community center.” Once we arrived, Mom was whisked past the door by a cheerful attendant, while another attendant pinned a name tag to Mom’s blouse. I marveled at how efficiently these women distracted my
mother so that she wouldn’t see me as I stepped back through the door and into the parking lot. And I marveled at how completely her illness allowed her to forget that I’d ever been there with her at all. As I stood outside, watching my mother get on with her life, it began to rain. Just as it had on my first day of school, 45 years before. I’d like to use the rain as my excuse for leaving, for not standing there to watch my mother through the window of the day care center to make sure that she didn’t get confused or upset about my having left her there. But, while I am my mother’s son, I did not inherit her deep compassion. There was a rare day of solitude stretching ahead of me, and so I got into my car and drove home toward it. As I drove, it occurred to me that it was possible that the reason my mother stood outside my classroom on that first day of school, 45 years ago, was not because she was hoping I would notice that she was gone and miss her, but because she was afraid that I wouldn’t.
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Engineering has an
image
problem
ASU’s College of Technology and Innovation encourages Latinas to pursue STEM careers By Mitzi M. Montoya, Ph.D.
Intel, the world’s largest semiconductor
company, recently surveyed more than 1,000 teenagers to determine their attitudes towards engineering as a career path. Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, the company found that more than twice as many teenage boys (37 percent) as teenage girls (18 percent) had considered a career in engineering. The students surveyed were as young as 13, suggesting that girls start moving away from engineering at a very young age. The survey did uncover some promising news, however. Intel found that many teens don’t understand what engineers actually do. When the questioners explained that engineers work to provide clean water to poor African communities, helped rescue the trapped Chilean miners, and get to work on “cool” projects, such as designing protective pads for athletes, teenagers became much more interested in engineering as a career path. Even just a brief introduction to the kind of projects engineers work on – and how much money they can make – was enough to double the number of girls who said they would consider the field. (Boys saw a 50 percent increase.) Growing up, I experienced the life of an engineer firsthand. My father, a first-generation Mexican American, decided early on that he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life going down into the mines of Colorado. After one particularly grueling day, he asked the foreman how he could get his job. The foreman told him, “Get a degree in mining engineering.” Since he’d never had a single algebra class and he’d struggled through high school, that was a tall order. But, he was determined and, so, he set off on a course that would eventually take him through junior college and on to Colorado State University, where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. My father met my mother in college. If it were possible, she was even more focused on education than he was. Originally from Alabama, her father moved the family to find work in sawmill camps in the mountains latinopm.com
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Photo courtesy of ASU
Latinas lead male age-mates in earning bachelor’s degrees, but not in STEM fields
of Colorado. She grew up in the 1950s – no electricity or TV in the sawmill camp – and saw education as the key to a better life. She nurtured a lifetime love of learning through weekly trips to the library, where the only rule was that my sister, brother and I could only check out ten books at a time. She still visits the library weekly. Together, my parents gave us every imaginable exposure to all kinds of learning opportunities, as well as lots of challenging projects mostly revolving around fixing and building things around the house and farm. It was through these projects that I learned what it meant to be an engineer – a problem solver. In fact, when
it was my turn to go to college, my parents’ advice was that I could be anything I wanted to be, as long as it was some kind of engineer. I graduated from Michigan State with a degree in general engineering and then went on to graduate school to study business and statistics. Obviously, this career choice was somewhat unusual. Latinas make up eight percent of the U.S. population, but only one percent of employed scientists and engineers, according to the National Science Foundation. The percent of Latinas with graduate degrees is even smaller. This obvious disparity has an impact on the next generation, because a lack of role models
Employing hands-on, needs-driven projects incorporated throughout the curriculum, CTI students collaborate with industry and community partners to transform everyday challenges into opportunities for economic growth. Students start with simple projects that can be executed within a single class, and then advance to iProjects which bring students, faculty and industry or government sponsors together to find innovative solutions to complex, real-world challenges. Students can also launch an eProject if they have an entrepreneurial idea of their own that they want to pursue. Many of our professors have real-world experience, and our deep engagement with industry means that we constantly evolve as technology and processes change. This environment also lets students learn the skills they need to get good jobs and grow as needed to be future leaders. The intimate campus environment 24
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may lead Latinas to believe that these careers are unattainable. We see some evidence of this effect stretching farther back in the pipeline. In 2005-2006, Latinas earned 61 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics, but only 37 percent of bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. By the end of college, Latinas have earned just over one percent of all engineering degrees. More broadly, even though women are now the majority of all college graduates, only five percent of female freshmen entering college plan to major in engineering, computer science or the physical sciences. It will take years and a lot of work to address these issues. However, as my own experience and the Intel research has shown, there are ways to make a difference on the important issue of attracting more Latinas into STEM fields. Opening opportunities, creating awareness As vice provost and dean of Arizona State University’s College of Technology and Innovation (CTI), my mandate is to grow the ASU Polytechnic campus and develop innovative learning models and interdisciplinary educational programs in engineering, applied sciences, management and entrepreneurship. At CTI, we offer a unique, experience-based learning model
with small class sizes allows students to develop close relationships with faculty and with one another. Part of CTI’s mission is to create pathways to higher education for Latino and other under-represented youth in Arizona. The CTI summer academy programs provide junior high and high school students with experiences like the ones I had growing up. Students learn how to think like scientists and engineers, while they work together to solve challenging and fun problems. For example, in the STEAM Labs Camp, students build multi-step, multi-location contraptions that perform simple tasks in a purposefully complex manner. Building one of these devices is a great way to introduce engineering design to students, drawing a straight line between bedrock engineering principles and the things they see in the world around them.
Working with partners We are also working to strengthen and expand our partnerships with Arizona’s La-
tina community leaders, who can broaden our reach and help ensure the cultural relevance of our materials and programs, as well. ASU’s model for a new American university assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. Creating pipelines for Latinas to pursue STEM education and to engage as economic leaders in their communities is critical for the prosperity of their families and communities, and our state. There are many great programs at ASU to support young Latinas and help them on their journey to a degree and career in a STEM field. For example, ASU’s School of Social Transformation has a mentoring program called CompuGirls, which combines culturally relevant teaching, social justice, technology and peer support. Participants in the program are in grades 8–12 and come from underresourced school districts in the Greater Phoenix area. CompuGirls is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, and it is a model we are inspired to emulate as we develop our Latina outreach
activities in the College of Technology and Innovation. As we look to the future of our communities and the Arizona economy, we need to understand the importance of building strong pipelines of STEM students from all backgrounds. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that nine of the ten fastestgrowing occupations that require at least a bachelor’s degree will also involve “significant” science and math training. If we want to equip the students of our state to tackle the complex, multidisciplinary challenges they will face after they graduate, then we need to teach them how to tackle complex, multidisciplinary challenges in a real-world environment before they graduate. Parents can help start the process at home. My mom gave me my love of learning and my dad gave me my love of problem solving. With my own sons, I hope I have done the same. Mitzi M. Montoya, Ph.D., is vice provost and dean of the College of Technology and Innovation on the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus.
Photo courtesy of ASU
that has transformed the way we educate undergraduates and prepare them to become leaders, innovators, tech starters and social transformers after graduation. There are many potential pitfalls lying between a bright, curious young Latina and a career in science, technology, engineering or math. There are many places along the path where early dreams can be derailed. That’s why CTI is implementing various programs that will reach out to the local Latino community. I am very excited about a new initiative we will launch next fall that targets Latina mothers and daughters in Arizona. The objective of the one-day conference is to inspire young Latinas and expose them to the vast range of opportunities available in STEM fields. Teachers will also be invited to learn more about resources available to help make postsecondary education a reality for these young women. The conference follows in the footsteps of another recent CTI event that was part of our “Inspiring Innovation” series, in which we hosted NASA astronaut Dr. Cady Coleman (Colonel, USAF, Ret.). Dr. Coleman joined NASA in 1992 and has since logged more than 4,330 hours aboard the space shuttle Columbia and the International Space Station. She spoke to a packed house, including a number of local Girl Scout troops, about the importance of science, math and engineering studies. I like to think we helped make a few more young scientists that day. We are also launching a new accelerated/flexible engineering degree option to make our innovative engineering programs available to students whose schedules aren’t aligned with a traditional academic calendar. Classes are offered in a mix of online, evening and weekend sessions, giving working adults the opportunity to tailor a course of study to fit their schedules. Our engineering studios and computer labs are open on weeknights and weekends for completion of class projects.
Experienced-based learning enhances engagement in ASU’s CTI engineering classes latinopm.com
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31 Entrepreneur Interior designer, Ernesto Garcia, has style – lots and lots of them
33 Briefcase
Gangplank comes to Avondale; Arizona STEM network gets a boost; Latino-owned financial firms in on Facebook IPO
Movin’ Up
Photo Courtesy of Rodolfo (Rudy) Parga Jr.
Most admired CEOs
Rodolfo (Rudy) Parga, Jr., one of Phoenix Business Journal’s “most admired” executives
On April 10, the Phoenix Business Journal hosted an awards dinner at the Montelucía Resort and Spa to honor the “25 Most Admired CEOs/ Top-Level Executives.” Among the honorees were: Lisa Urias, CEO of Urias Communications; Jaime Molera, partner of Molera Alvarez, LLC; and Rodolfo (Rudy) Parga Jr., managing shareholder of Ryley Carlock and Applewhite. The award recipients were selected by the publication’s news team, publisher and advisory panel for their leadership, dedication and impact on the community. latinopm.com
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¡!
movin’ up
Nuñez receives White House honor Arizonan Rev. Eve Nuñez was recently recognized and honored by the White House as one of ten Cesar Chávez “Champions of Change.” The Chávez Champions of Change recognition was part of an administration-wide effort to celebrate the life and legacy of Cesar Chávez. Nuñez, founder and president of Help 4 Kidz, has received numerous awards for her work with at-risk children and young adults. Nuñez is also a founder and president of the Arizona Latino Commission, a HUDapproved agency that serves clients with housing needs, such as foreclosure prevention and a first-time home-buyers program.
Ernie Calderón Awards into a groundbreaking, two-day business symposium, called Transforming Arizona’s Economy, on May 4 and 5. This year’s Business Award Winners are: Man of the Year, Ernie Calderón of Calderón Law Offices; Woman of the Year, Bettina Nava of First Strategic; Entrepreneur of the Year, Luis de la Cruz of Andale Construction; Community Advocate of the Year, Phil Gordon, former mayor of Phoenix; Corporation of the Year, Arizona Public Service (APS); Legacy Award, Eddie Basha, Sr., of Basha’s Grocery Stores.
CPLC recognizes Arizona families Bettina Nava
54th Annual Black & White Ball and Business Award winners This year, for the first time, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (AZHCC) will be incorporating its annual DATOS luncheon, Black & White Ball and Business
Last month, Chicanos por la Causa (CPLC) paid tribute to Hispanic families whose leadership and service have positively impacted Arizona communities. The celebration was part of CPLC’s 43rd Annual Anniversary Dinner; the three Arizona families honored at the event were: The Abril family of Phoenix, the García family of Guadalupe, and the
Ortega family of Phoenix. The Abril family is celebrating 50 years in the food service industry as owners of La Canasta, a second-generation, family-owned business. They have five restaurant locations and a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility – both of which provide employment to hundreds of Arizonans. The García family helped established the nonprofit, Guadalupe Organization, Inc., in 1964, and were instrumental in creating the first ASU Hispanic Convocation in 1984, first held in Guadalupe. They also helped institute a paid César Chávez Holiday in 1994. The Ortega family represents multiple generations who, individually and collectively, have been involved in a number of community service organizations over a span of forty years.
LULAC acknowledges education award recipients The 23rd Annual Educator’s Banquet hosted by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) was held in Tucson last month. The event honored several individuals for their efforts towards bettering the lives of young people through education. This year’s honorees included: Ann Rodriguez, Pima County Recorder; Arnold Palacios, Dir. of Tucson Youth Development, Inc.; Ernie Duarte, director of Developmental Services with the City of Tucson; Joel Valdez, former city manager with the City of Tucson; and Ramon
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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Valadez, chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Proceeds raised by the annual banquet go towards sponsoring students to attend the National Washington Youth Leadership Seminar and provide scholarships through LULAC’s National Scholarship Foundation.
George Diaz, Jr.
ALAC adds members to its board The Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC) recently elected four members to its board of directors. The new board members were elected to serve a oneyear term and will help the nonprofit work towards its long-term goals and objectives. They are: George Diaz, Jr., a veteran in the public affairs industry; Joya Kizer Clarke, managing member of Desert Jewel Enterprises, LLC; Cecilia Rosales, M.D., director of Phoenix Programs for the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona; and Julio Zapata, a shareholder at the law firm of Fennemore Craig.
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entrepreneur
Outpacing the competition Ernesto Garcia, managing partner, Ernesto Garcia Interior Design, LLC
Company founded: 1989 Professional background: Masters of Architecture, School of Architecture, National University of Tucuman, Argentina
Career highlights: Four Awards of Excellence from the American Society of Interior Designers, Arizona-North Chapter; having work published in the books, Spectacular Homes of the Southwest and Decorative Hardware; making the cover of Kitchens and Baths magazine; being featured in numerous articles in local magazines and on more than 50 TV programs, including appearances on Sonoran Living, Arizona Midday and Cool House.
Contemporary kitchen design by Ernesto Garcia
was trained as an architect, which makes me particularly well suited for remodeling as well as new construction work. I had a solid education in style that is reflected in my varied portfolio; I feel as confident designing contemporary interiors as I do traditional ones. This stylistic versatility combined with my architectural knowledge gives me an edge over others professionals with less training and stylistic diversity. I also work as a real estate consultant, helping buyers and their agents visualize the possibilities of a prospective purchase, making sure it will suit their lifestyle and taste. I am considered one of the most well-rounded and better trained interior designers in the Valley. I have done work all over the state of Arizona, and in California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington D.C., Puerto Vallarta, Buenos Aires and Barcelona.
Most challenging aspect of being a small business owner: Addressing marketing issues and client relations while producing award-winning designs.
Business goals for 2012: To continue growing my business and producing outstanding interior design.
Images courtesy of Ernesto Garcia
Elevator pitch: I am an interior designer who
Universal design master bath by Ernesto Garcia
Best business advice you have received: “Pace your growth.”
If you could do it all over again, what you would do differently? I would take bigger risks – which probably contradicts the best advice I received!
Ernesto Garcia
Suggest an entrepreneur Send your information to editor@latinopm.com.
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We’ve moved to downtown Phoenix, but our commitment to civic-minded leadership is right where it’s always been.
Come experience our innovative learning environment fi rsthand at 1 North Central Avenue, or visit www.phoenixlaw.edu for more details.
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: Gangplank opens Avondale office By Jonathan Higuera
At Gangplank, the ethos is to provide a free
workspace to aspiring entrepreneurs and other webbased workers seeking a collaborative and innovative work environment. The goal is to spur the creative class to become successful entrepreneurs and, perhaps, match them with an investor or two to help actualize their business plans, thus creating a new source of jobs and a stronger community. Oh yeah, they want to do it in an environment of collaboration versus competition. A tall order by any means but, by and large, the concept seems to be catching on since they opened in Chandler in 2008. Avondale becomes the organization’s third location (they also opened in Tucson recently). In Avondale, they have the blessing of the city council and the mayor. Gangplank moved into the former City Hall in historic downtown Avondale in March. It pays $1 a year to lease the building, and received $60,000 from the city to operate. Avondale officials don’t see it as a giveaway. In return, Gangplank’s charge is to help develop an entrepreneurial class by providing infrastructure, resources, collaboration and brainpower. The building itself was renovated with a focus on energy efficiency. Gangplank offers learning and networking opportunities for small businesses, along with activities for youth, musicians and artists. “Avondale is proud to open Gangplank-Avondale to the talented and innovative individuals of the West Valley,” said Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers. “It is the work space for them to come together and collaborate with other entrepreneurs and small business owners to grow and express their business ideas.” Founded by Derek Neighbors and Jade Meskill, Gangplank’s vision is to provide infrastructure and resources to entrepreneurial workers willing to engage in the free exchange of ideas. The folks who use the space are expected to give back to the community in ways beyond monetary exchange, although, if the venture seeds business growth, they will become net contributors to the community. In addition to providing workspace, Gangplank, which is seeking 501(c)3 status, also provides workshops, presentations and mentoring, as well as opportunities to connect with experts and potential investors.
The Gangplank team at the grand opening of the Avondale office.
Other programming ranges far and wide, for example: Gangplank Junior allows students to learn and explore with the freedom to fail. It includes programs such as DangerScouts and the First LEGO League. Gangplank Academy consists of weekly brown bag presentations in which community leaders share stories or teach a short subject. Workshops are longer presentations with the goal of teaching a new skill. Gangplank Studios provide classes, workshops and events that bring together the arts and entrepreneur communities, as well as create a thriving downtown area for residents. Gangplank Health is an initiative that seeks to program balance between life and work, so that health does not take a backseat to business. Community outreach is accomplished through the Gangplank staff’s participation in planning off-site events, as well as partnering with local organizations. Considering Avondale’s efforts to remake its downtown into a more active area, the hope is that Gangplank will inject some potent juice.
About Gangplank Open: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays Address: 525 N. Central Ave., Avondale Information: gangplankhq.com latinopm.com
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¡! For some foster kids, this is a closet.
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briefcase
Facebook goes public Facebook’s decision to go public
has some investors frothing at the bit. But, behind the scenes, money is already being made for those working on the initial public offering (IPO) for the world’s top social networking service. The underwriters are the investment bankers who handle dispersing the shares. And, as you can imagine, they get a fee for their work. When Facebook originally announced the team of underwriters – Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Barclays and Allen & Co. – not a single Hispanic-owned firm was among the group. However, through some lobbying, Facebook added more underwriters, including a couple of Latino-owned firms. One is Cabrera Capital Markets based in Chicago. Cabrera is a member of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Another Latino-owned firm is Samuel A. Ramirez & Co. based in New York. “Facebook, a corporate member of
the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has once again illustrated its visionary leadership by engaging three top-tier minority-owned firms, which best illustrate our country’s diverse human capital and reflect their customer base,” said the chamber’s chair, Nina Vaca, in a press release. Facebook is planning to raise $5 billion in an offering that could value the company at up to $100 billion. The timeframe for the high-profile IPO is dependent on when the Securities and Exchange Commission declares the company’s prospectus effective. With more than 845 million users, Facebook is challenging established web companies, such as Google, Inc. and Yahoo, Inc., for users’ time online and for advertising dollars.
Science foundation launches Arizona STEM Network In academic circles, STEM does not refer to stopping or turning back
something, or even the trunk of a plant. It is actually an acronym for “Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.” It has become the hot trend in education to make students aware of the rewards of getting degrees in these disciplines. To that end, the Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) has launched the Arizona STEM Network with the goal of revitalizing Arizona’s economic future through human capital trained in these areas. The five-year plan will provide educators, the business community and donors with the infrastructure, tools, resources and framework needed to measure performance and have an impact in Arizona classrooms. The initiative has received funding from the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation, which will provide $2.1 million spread over three years. This is in addition to the $2.2. million it has already provided to the nonprofit SFAz. Specifically, the initiative will: Integrate STEM learning into Arizona schools and districts Develop and deploy analytics to measure impact Strengthen teacher effectiveness in STEM teaching Create opportunities for private sector businesses to engage with schools “Arizona must develop a globally competitive educational system, and STEM disciplines will lead the way,” said Darcy Renfro, vice president of education and coordinator of the Arizona STEM Network for SFAz. The AZ STEM Network initiative began in 2010 when Governor Jan Brewer, along with philanthropic and private sector leaders, tapped SFAz to spearhead the initiative in September of 2010. Arizona is now one of 12 states with STEM networks in place.
briefcase
¡!¡!
Unequal treatment: Evaluating foreclosed home maintenance The housing crisis storyline keeps evolving, but a common theme has
emerged: Latinos and African Americans keep bearing a disproportionate amount of the pain created by the crisis. This time, a civil rights organization alleges that banks are less likely to take proper care and maintenance of homes they own if they are located in predominantly Latino or African American neighborhoods rather than in largely white ones. The investigation by the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and its affiliates found that of 1,000 real estate-owned (REO) properties reviewed in nine metro areas, including Phoenix, blight and neglect of REO properties occurred much more often in minority neighborhoods than in predominantly white areas. According to the report, “The inferior way in which banks maintain and market their REO properties in communities of color actually changes the character of, and serves to degrade, the quality of life in these neighborhoods.” The NFHA and its affiliates evaluated the properties based on 39 different aspects of maintenance and marketing. Overall, REO properties in communities of color were 42 percent more likely to have 15 or more maintenance problems than properties in white neighborhoods. For example, REO homes in communities of color were 82 percent more likely to have broken or boarded up windows than homes in predominantly white areas. The group evaluated 72 foreclosed homes in the Phoenix area, including Maryvale. Homes in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods typically received low grades of D and F, while most homes in predominantly white neighborhoods were graded A or B. Shanna L. Smith, NFHA’s president and CEO, said the group plans to file complaints with HUD and initiate federal lawsuits in the coming weeks. A spokesman for the American Bankers Association said that banks do not discriminate and are incentivized to take care of all their properties, “regardless of where the property is located.”
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The AARP Automobile & Homeowners Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford CT 06155. In Washington, the Auto Program is underwritten by Trumbull Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Underwritters Insurance Company. AARP and its affiliates are not insurance agencies or carriers and do not employ or endorse insurance agents, brokers, representatives or advisors. This program is provided by The Hartford, not AARP or its affiliates. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP’s intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program elegibility in most states. Aplicants are individually underwritten and some may not qualify. Specific features, credits, and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and applicable law. The premiums quoted by an authorized agent for any Program policy include the additional costs associated with the advice and counsel that your authorized agent provides.
Have a business story idea? Email us at editor@latinopm.com.
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Lee Ester Manager, Water Measurement
Water ManageMent. How do we estimate the amount of water available for the Valley each year? Teams of SRP water experts use the latest technology to monitor and measure our 13,000-square-mile watershed, which feeds into our reservoirs. In fact, SRP has been working to manage and conserve the Valley’s water for more than 100 years. This constant measuring of our rivers, lakes, dams, and canals allows SRP to better manage our water to ensure we meet demand – today and tomorrow. Learn more about the Valley’s water and find water-saving tips at togetherweconserve.com.
Servant leadership Tom Ryff, chief of police, City of Tempe Years of service: Thirty-three years with the Tempe Police Department. I have served in many capacities, including detective, motorcycle officer, undercover operative and public information officer. Throughout the years, I was promoted to various supervisory/managerial commands and have had the honor and privilege of serving as Tempe’s police chief since October, 2006.
Photo courtesy of Tempe Police Department
Career highlights: I’ve always believed that policing is one of America’s most notable professions. In an instant, the actions of any police officer can impact an individual for life, or a community for generations. Serving as chief of police has renewed my awareness of the nobility of policing, and how critical policing is to the quality of life of the people we serve. I remain humbled and honored by that trust and support – and remain committed to interacting directly with people in our community, listening to concerns and taking active steps to address issues quickly, directly and openly. Important skills in your line of work: Leadership – recognizing that I must earn trust and respect every day by my actions. Being fair, listening and continuously supporting the people who work with and for you. Being direct and honest at all times, even when (perhaps especially when), there is personal, political and professional risk in doing so. Ultimately, we are all in this together.
Proudest moments: Having a blessed marriage of 32 years and raising two wonderful children; my daughter’s recent graduation from college with an education degree and my son’s recent graduation from dental school. Receiving the Dr. Martin Luther King Award from the Tempe Human Relations Commission, the NAACP President’s Award for Law Enforcement Leadership, and the League of United Latin American Citizens Community Service Award. My work with local police chiefs to establish the East Valley Chiefs Association, which evaluates operational and policy issues that impact our collective agencies and communities, and establishing the Tempe Police Crime and Intelligence Center.
Lessons learned on the job: How we interact with each other on a day-to-day basis is the foundation for great relationships and teamwork. I enjoy studying the experiences from past great American leaders. I’m particularly impressed with the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, specifically when he said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you
want to test a man’s character, give him power.” So true! It is important to develop our future police leaders with encouragement, mentoring, education and challenges. People become personally and professionally invested when their work is meaningful and they have a direct voice in the outcomes that affect them and their community. I have found that police officers have three fundamental needs: the autonomy required to perform their jobs; mastery of the skills officers need to be good at what they do and to grow in professional competence; and nobility of purpose. I don’t forget what it was like as a young officer. I am determined to give the same level of support that I received from mentors who had a great influence on the officer I am today. When you take care of employees – through benefits, supervision, training, equipment and positive interactions – those actions will be directly transferred to the public we serve.
Why did you decide to pursue this career? As a young man, I was influenced by a neighbor, Robert Rivas, a Phoenix police officer. I went on several ridealongs with him and was truly captivated by the experiences.
Final word: As a proud member of our Hispanic community, I remain committed to serving our communities with honor and pride! latinopm.com
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National Science Foundation awards math-science grant for $8.7 million Area middle schools targeted for five-year partnership By Erica Cárdenas
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has
awarded a grant for $8.7 million to fund a project in which three of the Maricopa Community Colleges (Scottsdale as the lead, Glendale and Chandler-Gilbert) will create and deliver professional development workshops that will support middle school teachers in advancing their knowledge about the teaching and learning of mathematics. The project, “Promoting Excellence in Arizona Middle School Mathematics: Increasing Student Achievement through Systemic Instructional Change,” will benefit six Valley middle school districts: Deer Valley, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Chandler, Florence, and J.O. Combs school districts, as well as the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community schools. The project is a strategic response to the national 2010 Common Core State Standards Initiative in grades K–12 led by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Arizona has embraced these standards as a way to systematically improve teaching and learning to ensure that students are well prepared for future college mathematics courses and for the workforce. “Teachers will be engaged in activities that promote their understanding of mathematics and connect new ways of thinking with classroom practice,” said Dr. April Strom, Scottsdale Community College (SCC) mathematics professor and principal investigator for the project. “Project activities are designed to build teachers’ knowledge while rejuvenating their excitement about mathematics.” According to Strom, workshops will focus on developing teachers’ deep understanding of the big ideas of middle school mathematics. Teachers will be encouraged to shift their thinking about math; rather than
regarding math as a set of skills and procedures, math can be thought of as a collection of well-integrated ideas that anchor their curriculum and instruction. Since 2003, mathematics professors from the Scottsdale and Chandler-Gilbert Community Colleges have provided professional development workshops to over 260 in-service teachers at eight school districts statewide, which have impacted over 10,000 students. The funding for these workshops, now totaling approximately $2 million, came from the U.S. Department of Education and the Arizona Department of Education. latinopm.com
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G O FA R , CL OSE T O H O M E .
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Dr. James Vicich, SCC mathematics professor and coordinator for the professional development workshops from 2004 to 2011, will serve as Director of Workshops under the new grant. “Cottonwood Middle Schools have reported sustained gains in the number of students scoring at the highest level on the AIMS math test, and attributed their success to the district’s collaboration with SCC faculty,” said Vicich. “Cottonwood teachers have reported positive impacts on their classroom practices, an increase in their students’ enthusiasm for math, and an increase in their own confidence,” he added. The new NSF-funded partnership will involve 300 in-service middle school math teachers, 32 middle school math teacher-leaders, 40 middle school administrators and 140 pre-service middle school teachers (education majors at the community colleges).
Supporting partners are Arizona State University, the Maricopa Community College District, and the Glendale, Mesa and Peoria school districts. The partnership will impact a total of 24,000 students in grades 5–8. Teachers and administrators will be engaged in workshops that place emphases on conceptual understanding, computational fluency and problemsolving skills for students. The project will help teachers connect what they learn in the workshops with their classroom practice. “It is well documented that many students’ attitudes and beliefs about mathematics shift significantly – in the wrong direction – during their middle school years,” said Strom. “This project aims to change this phenomenon by working with teachers to find innovative ways to engage their students and turn their students on to mathematics.
New educational alliance established The University of Phoenix has announced a partnership with the
Fo l l ow us on www.phoenixcollege.edu
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Maricopa Community Colleges that will provide new educational opportunities in manufacturing, healthcare, business and hospitality. Through the new partnership, the University of Phoenix and the Maricopa Community Colleges will work with area businesses and academic and diversity leaders to identify workforce needs in order to develop focused curriculum for specific career pathways intended to meet deficiencies in workforce skills. Students will have the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree at any Maricopa Community College and then seamlessly transition to a bachelor’s degree program at the University of Phoenix. “We agree with President Obama that community colleges are critical in developing our next generation of skilled workers, and that’s why we continue to invest in these types of partnerships,” said Dr. Bill Pepicello, president of the University of Phoenix. “When two education providers like the University of Phoenix and the Maricopa Community Colleges come together to present education solutions, the benefit to students, employers and the local economy is that much greater.” One consequence of the partnership is that Maricopa Community College students will have the opportunity to convert prior training and work experience into college credit through Prior Learning Assessment at the University of Phoenix. Through a new University of Phoenix transfer policy, credits earned through an associate of arts degree at Maricopa Community Colleges will transfer to the University of Phoenix and satisfy general education course requirements so that students can begin working towards bachelor’s degrees in their fields immediately. For more information on this new partnership, please visit phoenix.edu/mccd.
New York Times Bestseller Anthem College wins ecology grant The National Technical Honors
Society at Anthem College-Phoenix was recently awarded a grant from the Project Learning Tree GreenWorks! environmental education program to support a student-led campus recycling project. Anthem’s “Green Team” was the only recipient in Arizona. The Anthem team will use the grant to expand recycling programs at the campus, located at 1515 East Indian School Road in Phoenix. In addition to recycling paper, plastic and aluminum, grant funds will be used to create a student mentoring program in recycling education. The team will also send podcasts on recycling to students at Anthem’s 22 other campuses and online college. Anthem College applied for the $500 grant after reviewing a student poll in which 80 percent expressed a high level of
interest in expanding recycling opportunities on campus. “We are delighted that our National Technical Honors Society students have received this recognition from Project Learning Tree,” said Anthem Education Chancellor, James D. Hutton. “Our students, many of whom are busy working adults, have demonstrated their commitment to the larger community in which they live, study and work.” Project Learning Tree (PLT) is the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation. It awarded 26 grants to schools and youth organizations in 19 states after reviewing more than 100 applications. GreenWorks! is PLT’s service-learning program that engages PLT educators, students and their communities in “learning by doing” local environmental stewardship projects.
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Governor Brewer vetoes education savings program expansion Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed House Bill 2626, which would have
expanded the state’s education savings accounts program. School choice advocates had rallied in support of the bill, which they claim would have offered parents an unprecedented level of choice for their children’s education. House Bill 2626 (which passed by a 39-15 vote) would have increased the number of students who would qualify for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA). In addition to special needs students, who currently qualify, the legislation would have expanded the program to include students who attend a school or school district rated a “D” or “F” by the state department of education, children of a member of the U.S. military and students identified as gifted. Arizona enacted the ESA program in April, 2011. The program allows parents of students who are identified as having a disability to receive 90 percent of the perpupil expenditure to use on a variety of educational tools, including tuition and fees, textbooks, educational therapies and tutoring. In a letter to the speaker of the House of Representatives, Andy Tobin, the governor underscored the main reasons behind her decision to veto the bill. Namely, that ESAs can have an upfront cost and a cost to the state’s general fund. “We must enhance educational options whenever we can,” added Brewer, “but we must also ensure that government is not artificially manipulating the market through the state budget or tax policy in a manner that would make an otherwise viable option so unattractive that it undermines rational choice in a competitive market.”
Have an education story idea? Send your information to editor@latinopm.com.
From Gabby’s miraculous survival to her husband Mark’s unwavering dedication to his wife, this book tells the unforgettable story of these true American heroes. AUDIOBOOK ALSO AVAILABLE
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May is National Arthritis Awareness Month A “10-point program” for living well with arthritis By Jane L. Delgado
Too many people believe that arthritis results
from some combination of hard work, old injuries and aging. These misconceptions are compounded by the many testimonials about cures for arthritis or quick ways to relieve the pain. As a result of these often fraudulent messages, it is no surprise that Hispanics do not know that there are steps they can take to alleviate their arthritis and feel less pain. Because May is “National Arthritis Awareness Month,” it is a time to understand what arthritis means for the 50 million adults in the United States with the condition. Each person should take advantage of the opportunity to learn the facts about arthritis and the specific steps they can take to manage the condition. This is especially true for Hispanics, who tend not to seek a health care provider when they have pain, and, so, invite even more severe pain. Arthritis, inflammation of the joints and the accompanying pain, may result from more than 100 conditions. It is not enough to be told you have arthritis; it is essential to know what is causing it. For some people, arthritis is due to wear and tear of the joints (osteoarthritis), while others may experience arthritis due to an autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis), and for others the cause is not known. Knowing the kind of arthritis you have is a key step for reducing pain and maximizing what you can do to enjoy life. Unfortunately, too many Hispanics with arthritis do not even talk to their health care provider about the pain they feel because they are more focused on things that they fear may kill them, such as heart disease, cancer, etc. The tendency is to dismiss pain as something you should just live with. This is definitely the wrong approach. Not only do you need to know what causes your joints to hurt, you also
need to know what you can do to reduce the pain. With new advances in treatment, there are steps that can be taken to prevent the condition from getting worse in many instances. Providing up-to-date information on arthritis is why I wrote the Buena Salud® Guide to Arthritis and Your Life (2012, William Morrow Books, available in English latinopm.com
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and Spanish). Dr. Jack Klippel, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation wrote the foreword. Our goal was to give the facts about what arthritis is, the many conditions that can cause arthritis, the treatments that are available, the latest scientific discoveries, and the tools and resources available for each person to use. At the core of the book is the “10-Point Program” to a healthier life. The “10-Point Program” is at the core of all the books in the Buena Salud® series, which are tailored to focus on the specific nuances of each condition addressed in the series (heart disease, diabetes, depression, etc.). Some of the 10 points may seem familiar, but the challenge is to think about what each statement means in the life of someone who has arthritis, specifically, how individual sufferers must redefine their goals in dealing with the limitations that may come with the underlying conditions. If you are the person with arthritis, you need to set goals that are consistent with your present abilities and life circumstances. For example, consider the step called “Exercise for Life.” While it may sound exciting to be a triathlete, that may not be a realistic goal for someone who lives with pain. For others, the constraints might be family, school, and/or work obligations. The desired action is to consider what you have to do to meet the goal of “move more,” given your abilities and obligations. The 10 points are as follows:
1.
Eat and drink for a healthy body.
Dealing with arthritis, especially when it is in your knees and hips, requires that you maintain a healthy weight. When you lose one pound, the force on your knees is reduced by four pounds and the force on your hips is reduced by three to four pounds. The key is to try to get to the healthiest weight possible. If you weigh 200 pounds and lose 10 pounds (which is five percent of your body weight), you will feel some relief. Getting to a healthy
weight is a challenge, and maintaining a healthy weight is even more challenging for most people. There are specific steps you can take to help you reach your goal and maintain it. At a minimum, you should avoid “white” (salt, sugar, white rice, white pasta, potatoes, lard), eat some “brown” (whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice) and eat lots of “colorful” (kale, carrots, celery, tomatoes, avocados, lettuce).
2.
Exercise for life.
3.
Take your medicines.
Movement is essential for health, even when someone has arthritis. The challenge is to identify the exercises that you can do, which will help maintain flexibility and cardiovascular health while protecting the joints. Swimming may be something to consider, while high-impact aerobics are to be avoided by all. It is important to remember that, if something is causing you pain, you should not “push through it.” You need to stop and consider how you should move to maintain the benefit of movement without stressing your joints. For some, the answer may be the movements involved in gardening and others may prefer easy yoga.
Depending on the condition that underlies your arthritis, there are medicines that you can take to make you feel better. This is why it is critical to know exactly why your joints hurt. In some instances, the medicines can stop the progression of your condition, while, in other cases, medicines can be used to control the pain.
4.
Have a regular source of health care.
While everyone needs to have a regular source of care, arthritis often needs to be managed by a team of health professionals. The goal of your team is to
help you be as comfortable as possible and make sure that you can enjoy the different activities in your life.
5.
Stay away from smoke and other toxic substances.
Whether you smoke, are near someone who smokes or smell smoke on someone’s hair or clothing, what you inhale is toxic – it goes into your lungs. Because your heart and lungs work together, the toxic substances go into your red blood cells and are transported to every cell in your body. All toxic substances are bad for you and have a negative impact on your immune system. In some instances, the chemicals that are part of your job may create problems, and you may need to find ways to protect yourself from absorbing them.
6.
Get enough sleep.
If you do not sleep well, your body will not be able to produce the hormones that are essential to good health. Additionally, people who do not sleep enough are more likely to gain weight. If you take medicines to reduce your pain, it is essential that you work with your health care provider to develop a schedule that will help you sleep through the night.
7.
Maintain and nourish healthy relationships.
Healthy relationships are always key to wellness. If you have arthritis, there may be times when you will need help, as well as times when you will be unable to meet some of your obligations. A healthy relationship is one in which neither person feels burdened by the needs of the
other; both accommodate to each other’s limitations.
8.
Keep a health journal.
Sometimes pain makes it hard to know what you are doing. Keeping either a digital or paper journal can help you to understand what you experience better. The memory is often not enough; documentation helps in producing the best health outcomes possible.
9.
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Listen to your body.
A diagnosis of arthritis requires being very attentive to the changes in the body. When you experience a change that is good (no pain or reduced swelling) or bad, you need to take note of it. Pain is a symptom that tells you that something is not working as it should and, therefore, it is important that you pause and try to see what is causing the pain. By working on these 10 points, you can learn to manage your arthritis, control the underlying condition and enjoy your life. The goal is not perfect health, but to have the best health that you can. Dr. Jane L. Delgado is the President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and author of the series, the Buena Salud® guides.
National Hispanic Family Health Help Line: 1-866-783-2645 Arthritis Foundation: 1-800-283-7800 arthritis.org
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¡ May 2012!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
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4/24/12 1:10 PM
Not a bummer summer
Unique summer day-camps and classes promise unforgettable experiences for kids from 6 to 18 By Cecilia Rosales
The academic year will come to an end in a few more weeks. While kids may revel in anticipation of the summer
recess, working parents are starting to ask themselves the dreaded “Now what?” question. This is especially true for multi-kid households. If 11-year-old Frankie is now too old to go to daycare with his younger sister, Lucy, but Lucy is still too young for the cool camp at the zoo, then who’ll shuttle them both back and forth to different locations – at different times, mind you? And then there’s the parents’ work schedules and the summer camp schedule, which seldom jibe. Fortunately, options abound. If you haven’t started looking into it, you better get on it now; you don’t want to end up on five different waiting lists. A good place to start is your public school district or municipal parks and recreation office. If you already have a good plan in place, but still want to add some oomph and enrichment activities to your child’s 2012 summer experience, check out these dandy summer camp alternatives.
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iD Tech Camps & iD Teen Academies
Reptile encounters
These day camps and overnight camps at Arizona State University are offered by internalDrive (iD), a company that specializes in cutting-edge summer camps for children and teens. There are several week-long camps to choose from, such as, Game Design for iPhone and iPad II, Adventures in Robotics, and Programming in Java, to name a few. Reserve your space soon; there is a maximum number of eight students per instructor. For an additional fee, students interested in receiving continuing education credits can request an official accredited transcript issued by Villanova University. Age: 10–17 Location: Arizona State University, Tempe campus Dates: Varying start dates for week-long camps between June 4 and July 20 Fee: starting at $749 More info: internaldrive.com or 1-888-709-TECH
The Phoenix Herpetological Society’s working sanctuary opens its doors to youngsters ages 9–14 interested in wildlife and the world of reptiles. Week-long camps include classroom and field sessions and close-up encounters with magnificent creatures. Participants work with wildlife educators and are taught how to record data during desert explorations like real field biologists. The curriculum teaches the basics of daily animal care and maintenance, veterinary procedures and how to identify venomous reptiles. Age: 9-14 Location: Phoenix Herpetological Society, 20701 N. Scottsdale Rd. # 107, Scottsdale, AZ Dates: Nine week-long (Mon.–Fri.; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) sessions from which to choose, with varying start dates between May 28 and August 3 Fee: $275 More info: phoenixherp.com or 480-513-4377
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¡ May 2012!
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Camp Invention® Invent Now Kids – a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring kids to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math – has partnered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to offer summer day-camps where kids can let their inventiveness and imagination soar while honing critical thinking skills and having fun. The camps are offered at select public and private schools and academies. The child-to-staff ratio is eight to one. Learning modules include provocative themes, such as “Saving Sludge City,” “Inventeureka,” and “Problem Solving on Planet ZAK.” Age: For kids entering grades 1–6 Location: Various throughout the Phoenix metro area. Visit website for full listing Dates: Week-long camps (Mon.–Fri.; 9 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.) Fee: $215 More info: Visit campinvention.org or 1-800-968-4332
Camp Compassion - where character counts! If your kids want a pet, but you are unsure if they are ready to take on the responsibilities of pet ownership, look no más. The Arizona Humane Society has developed a summer camp to help raise the next generation of responsible and compassionate pet owners. Program participants select a shelter animal and are taught how to properly care for it, while building character traits such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, caring, fairness and citizenship. The shelter also rescues bunnies, ferrets, gerbils and hamsters, so, it’s not just cats and dogs. The ultimate goal is for participants to become future compassionate advocates for animals and to promote the adoption of shelter animals, in “forever” homes, by camp participants. Age: 8–12 Location: 1521 W. Dobbins Rd., Phoenix, AZ Dates: Vary; four three-day sessions to choose from, starting June 5 Fee: $250 for two sessions; $135 for one session, $50 per day More info: azhumane.org or 602-997-7586, ext. 1015
Kid’s College at EMCC The Community Education Office at Estrella Mountain Community College offers a wide array of short summer courses for kids and young adults. Now in its 12th year, the Kid’s College offers participants over 30 course options. Topics include culinary arts, math, science and engineering, music, dance, fitness, language arts and more. If you have a LEGO™ or a Star Wars aficionado at home, check out the Jedi Engineering course taught by Play-Well TEKnologies (with LEGO™ Technic and System components, in which kids ages 5–7 build planes, droids, motorized sand crawlers and other projects inspired by designs made a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away). If your kid is more of a Doc McStuffins or Alfred the Hedgehog type, look into the Chemicals, Cells and Crimes course taught by Mad Science (niñas y niños, 6–12, use their chemistry skills, compare fingerprints, and learn about DNA and body organs while perfecting their secret agent skills). Due to popular demand, some new sections have just been added to the schedule. Register pronto; space is limited. Age: 4–18 Location: EMCC, 3000 N. Dysart Rd., Avondale, AZ; EMCC Buckeye Educational Center, 902 E. Eason Ave., Buckeye, AZ Dates: Vary by course. Visit website for up-to-date information Fee: Varies; courses range from $49–$240. Visit website for full class and fee schedule More info: estrellamountain.edu/kids or call 623-9358888.
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¡ May 2012!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
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P.S.
Stella Pope Duarte
The Spiral Staircase By Stella Pope Duarte
“It’s right there what you have to
do next, m’ija; it’s right in front of you.” Every April, I reflect on my father’s words, as given to me in a dream in 1995. I heard the words clearly in the dream, as a thought that crystallized in my mind as I stood with my father at the bottom of a salmon-colored, spiral staircase that climbed up into the heavens. He was dressed in his work clothes and held my hand as he led me to the spiral staircase that would become a symbol of my writing life. Of course, no one could have guessed the meaning of my dream, nor did I have any idea what it meant. That is the way it is when something happens in the spiritual world. We are given a glimpse of what is to come, nothing more. It is then up to each of us to discover our direction. The questions must begin within, and, most likely, they will not have answers. It is a humbling thing to ask questions. When the mysterious is
presented to us, our way is uncertain, and nothing seems to fit. I now tell people at my workshops, “Ask yourself the hard questions.” I had to learn to do the same. I wrote the dream in my journal and began to ask, “What’s in front of me?” As a single mom with three jobs, there were many things in front of me – which one of those was I to look at? Over and over again I asked. Then, one night (or shall I say in the wee hours of the morning), I decided to write the dream on my computer while I was working on research for the college classes I taught. When I wrote the words, “It’s right there what you have to do next; it’s right in front of you,” I experienced a moment of catharsis in which I realized I was a writer. In fact, I asked out loud, “You mean, I’m a writer?” And it seemed as if every cell in my body responded with a loud, resounding “YES!” I wish I could say that, once I learned what the words meant, everything was easy; but, that is not true. Then the work began. More questions followed. I even began to “argue” with my father! “What should I
write, Dad?” No answer. I was frantic. Something was bubbling up inside me. A prophecy had been given, and I did not understand how to put it into action. One evening, in desperation for an answer, I went to a nearby bookstore and, as I ran my hand across a bookshelf, a book fell into my hands. It was a collection of short stories, Tales of Tenderness and Power, by Bessie Head, a South African writer who wrote stories about her village. She wrote about the people she had known as a child, such as the young couple who dared to marry in spite of their parents’ disapproval, and the American woman who had married an African man and was now living in the village. On and on, her stories told of everyday life in a small African village. Life is a magical journey. What we have to do next IS in front of us, at all times. The key to understanding is patience and the ability to believe in things we cannot understand. I had a village like Bessie did, my barrio, and, once I realized that, I took my first step up the spiral staircase and my writing journey began.
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
¡ May 2012!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
49
¡!
my perspective on: adoption and foster care
A joyous first Mother’s Day By Martha Duran
More perspectives
Send us your perspective on whatever moves you. Email editor@latinopm.com.
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celebrate Mother’s Day as a mother. On April 11, my husband, Manuel, and I adopted three boys, Lorenzo, Juan and Damian. The boys first came to us for foster care, but we quickly realized that we didn’t want to lose them, and so my husband and I decided to adopt them. I always wanted to have kids. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to have children of my own, so we immediately began exploring alternatives. Manuel saw a feature on Univisión, Phoenix, about a child who needed a home, and we decided to get more information on foster care and adoption. We wanted to help kids by providing a home, and helping them feel safe and secure. We got our foster care license in 2010 and Lorenzo came to live with us in December. Lorenzo was 10 years old and had already been in four or five different foster homes. He was nervous about coming to a new family, but we worked hard to encourage him. We wanted him to understand that he can do anything he sets his mind to, become anything he wants. Then, in April, 2011, Juan and Damian came to live with our family. Six-year-old Juan and four-year-old Damian are brothers who wanted to stay together. At first, Juan wouldn’t talk much, but he’s opened up a lot. He was afraid that he was going to have to go to another home, and he used to ask us how long he was going to stay at our house. Damian’s laugh is the greatest thing ever. At first he didn’t talk, and now we can’t turn him off! All three boys have come a long way considering what they have been through. Manuel and I feel very close to them. As soon as they were available for adoption, we said, “Yes!” We always asked their opinion about us being their parents; we wanted to know how they felt. When the case worker asked him how he felt about adoption, Damian said, “We’re going to have a mommy and daddy forever and ever!” The most important part of foster care and adoption is helping a child one at a time, giving them the love that they need. I have been telling friends and family members how great it is seeing that we can help a child and knowing that they feel love. The best part is seeing their smiles and knowing that they are secure and nothing bad is going to
Photo courtesy of AASK
For the first time in my life, I will be able to
Martha and Manuel Duran and their sons: Lorenzo, Juan and Damian
happen to them. When they come home from school and I see them, the boys will say, “Mom, we had a good day!” It’s wonderful to know that whatever happened in the past is not remembered, and that they are not struggling anymore. We are helping them and giving them love – that’s what they need the most. I am definitely open to having more foster children. We are going for a girl next! There are lots of kids in need, and we want to help as many as we can. Lorenzo said to me, “You don’t know how it feels to be a foster kid.” I can’t imagine how it feels. But, I told him to remember that the choices his parents made were not his fault. I hope more people help these children. When you get to know them, they are wonderful kids who just need love, comfort and protection. I am very blessed to have these three angels in my life. I can’t imagine not being with them. (As told to Michelle Thompson at Aid to Adoption of Special Kids) Martha Duran was born in Hammond, Indiana, and raised in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She and her husband, Manuel, have lived in Phoenix for eight years, where she currently works as a nanny. Her previous work experience includes working with special needs children at One Life Unlimited. She is the proud mother of three adopted boys.
Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK) is a nonprofit, founded in 1988, with the vision of ensuring that every child in Arizona’s foster care system has someone who cares. AASK is the leader in Maricopa County for the successful placement of foster children; the organization has helped more than 1,900 foster children find permanent adoptive homes. With adoption, foster care and mentor programs available, and locations in Phoenix and Peoria, AASK impacts the lives of hundreds of Arizona foster children and families everyday. Visit aask-az.org or facebook.com/AidtoAdoptionofSpecialKids for more information.
Latino Perspectives Magazine
¡ May 2012!
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