Contempo CULTURE / BUSINESS / POLITICS / FASHION / TECHNOLOGY / TRAVEL
FALL FASHION PICKS WITH PAGEANT TITLEISTS
AUGUST 2010
SPI ART BY CHRISTINA SALAZAR THE CUSTOM & CULTURE OF BELLY DANCE
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAN WE GET BY W/OUT THEM?
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at Cornerstone Bar & Grill want to express a statement of sincere thanks to all of our loyal patrons who we have come to know also as good friends. The Grill is a family owned business as you all know at a glance. All of us–my brother Roberto (co-owner), and our staff truly appreciate your visits and hope you enjoy our service and unique menu items that Chef Bernie prepares to your specifications. As a family, we realize great pride & accomplishment with your every visit to our restaurant/bar. For your catering & party events, Nelda, our expert event coordinator, is always happy to assist you with a big smile. If you haven’t dropped by the restaurant yet, or its been a while, please come see our new look and try some of our new delicious entrees. Stop by the bar where we feature televised sporting events in a comfortable, relaxing environment where Brandon, our bartender, will gladly pass you the remote. We founded our restaurant with faith in the blessings of God, and for that, we are humbled and greatful! Let his guidance sustain our enterprise and your patronage.
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from the Publisher: Fashion for Fall is our cover theme for this month as we ready the kids for school and prepare ourselves for cooler temperatures, shorter days, and the festivities of the season. Now is the time to gear up the smart look for school and evening events. Our fashion series this month features the wardrobes of area boutiques that are known for their discriminating tastes and comfortable prices. Their day wears are fashioned for school codes and their evening wears are the latest available by private labels. We have the Debi-Lou Productions Pageant Titleists modeling their selections from these fabulous locally owned and boutiques.
Contempo CULTURE / BUSINESS / POLITICS / FASHION / TECHNOLOGY / TRAVEL
JUNE 2010
Exploring the People, Places, Issues and Events of the Rio Grande Valley
ContempoMag.com The Valley’s #1 On-Line Magazine
Contempo CULTURE / BUSINESS / POLITICS / FASHION / TECHNOLOGY / TRAVEL
AUGUST 2010
FALL FASHION PICKS WITH PAGEANT TITLEISTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAN WE GET BY W/OUT THEM? NICK MORALES McALLEN’S SUN HARVESTOR
SPI ART BY CHRISTINA SALAZAR THE CUSTOM & CULTURE OF BELLY DANCE BREAKING 80 SIGNATURE GOLF CONTEMPO BOOK REVIEWS
The Miss RGV & Miss South Texas Pageant titleists shared their picks for fall fashion on the cover this month. We took over 400 pictures of these young ladies in over 40 garments of apparel, both school wear & evening attire. Thanks Debi. Your girls can handle the pressure!
Illegal Immigration is the number one issue on the air waves this month and yet we here little about it from the local press. While talking points rule the waves, one wonders what in the world these illegals are doing here in the first place. Could it be we need them? This month we explore the economic benefits of illegal immigration.
FALL FASHION 8 pageant titleists make their picks MISSY’S SUMMER 22 FASHION SHOW CONTEMPO BOOK REVIEWS
24
ILLEGAL 26 IMMIGRANTS CAN WE GET BY WITHOUT THEM?
Ralph Magaña Contempo is a publication of Contempo Magazine Inc. All opinions represented are of the authors & not necessarily the views of the publisher. The publisher makes no representations regarding advertising content. Contempo Magazine is a trademark of Contempo Magazine Inc. All rights reserved. All content published and constructed by Contempo Magazine is the property of Contempo Magazine Inc. Permission for reprint shall be granted only upon written request and authorized release from Contempo Magazine Inc.
THE CUSTOMS & 29 CULTURE OF BELLY DANCING
President / Ralph Magaña Business & Latin American Affairs / Tony Magaña Fashion & Culture / Tom Castañeda Ralph Magaña / Special Events Photographers / R. Magaña Ad Sales Ralph Magaña 467.7880 / Lohane 802.4245 Chanel 209.1214 / SPI Christina 433-1440 Distribution / Rosa Lopez Co-founder & Webpage Editor / Tony Magaña
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BREAKING 80 CIMARRON’S NO. 18
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Summer & Fall FASHION REVIEWS
Featuring Joyce International Boutique Lauren Anthony Just Convinced Chic 365 McAllen Metro area boutiques offer women exceptionally unique fashion designs selected from top world markets. This is our first in a series about these boutiques and their marvelous high value selections.
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THE LAST YEARS OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
RUBICON is a fascinating book by Tom Holland that explores the exploits of Julius Caesar that collapsed the idea of a republic to fulfill his personal ambitions. It covers his march on Rome, the relentless pursuit of his enemies, the affair with Cleopatra through his murder at the forum. This detailed account also presents the political posturing that ultimately predicated the fall of the empire. Rubicon is available in hardback at Barnes & Noble. C
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THE ECONOMIC LOGIC OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
The Council on Foreign Affairs Study
Although the drain on social services are great, in a report from the Council on Foreign RelationsThe Economic Logic for Illegal Immigration, the drain is almost entirely erased by their positive economic impact. This, and other studies don’t even take into account the productive gains experienced by their employers.
Can we recover without them?
On May 12th, 2008 an ICE raid on the
small Iowa community of Postville set the stage for a new approach on dealing with undocumented workers/illegal aliens in the United States. The raid rounded up 389 illegal workers, most at a sprawling kosher meat packing plant that they and the local community began to rely on as it grew and provided economic success onto this small farming community of 3200 residents.
Americans acquire from the efforts of undocumented workers. What if the Postville Raid happened here, and what would be the economic impact of the Arizona immigration law if it were applied vigorously in Texas? What if we sent them all back?
In Postman, the economic effects were clearly devastating as the mayor of the city blasted away on national television about the turmoil. ”It’s like In essence, the raid left a tragic aftermath of hu- you’re in an oven and there’s no place to go and man suffering and economic bewilderment. Since there’s no timer to get you out,” said former then, the plight of undocumented workers and Mayor Robert Penrod. their families and all those who depend on them, has again resurfaced as a populist political issue. The result of the Postville raid was an economic The Bracero program of the 40s-60s, Presidents squeeze that destroyed several businesses. PostReagan & Bush (1) efforts to document illegals, ville’s population shrank by nearly half, to about and Clinton’s successful efforts (that also implicat- 1,800 residents, and townsfolk said “the resulted employers with sanctions), all embraced the ing anxiety, felt from the deli to the schoolyard idea of offering a pathway for the undocumented was relentless.” The aftermath of the raid rippled alien who could prove they had spent some time across the country as it paralysed the nation’s koin the States. sher meat supply and crippled Midwest livestock farmers who supplied the plant.
The Politics of Immigration
Now, the political tables have turned, as conservatives abandon the economic reasons to support reform, progressives embrace reform under their broad tent policy, and as mid-term elections heat up. Political gain or loss is unfortunately, what it’s all about.
The Valley Impact
Many Americans, like working single parents and the elderly employ illegal aliens for personal assistance and domestic services. How many seniors have forfeited home health care because they have help at home from illegal immigrants? How many working American mothers rely on undocumented workers for child care so that they can earn a decent income? Overall, the report concluded that stemming illegal immigration would lead to a “net drain on the U. S. economy.” The author of the study, Gordon H. Hansen had this to say about the purely economic impact, “From a purely economic perspective, the optimal immigration policy would admit individuals whose skills are in shortest supply and whose tax contributions, net of the cost of public services they receive, are as large as possible. Admitting immigrants in scarce occupations would yield the greatest increase in U.S. incomes, regardless of the skill level of those immigrants.” Hansen continues on, “In the United States, scarce workers would include not only highly educated individuals, such as the software programmers and engineers employed by rapidly expanding technology industries, but also low-skilled workers in construction, food preparation, and cleaning services, for which the supply of U.S. native labor has been falling. In either case, the national labor market for these workers is tight, in the sense that U.S. wages for these occupations are high relative to wages abroad.”
Postville is not the Valley but it wouldn’t be hard to project the consequences of a similar raid here, with a much higher dependence on undocumented labor. Aliens don’t live here in a vacuum. They use their income to pay for all the typicals–food, clothing, transportation, entertainment, and other The report revealed some interesting facts about The right-wing media and the “Send them all living expenses, paying applied sales tax like us illegal immigrants in the U. S. including: 1. Half to two-thirds pay income taxes with miniback” proponents have taken to a form of sen- all. mal deductions. sational dramatics to drive their talking point that now firmly claim that “most illegals” carry drugs It has become popular to accurately point out 2. Many pay into the social security system with across the border, harbor terrorists or are intent that undocumented workers and their families use no claims to benefits. on attacking American field officers. The unfor- social services but we don’t here all the facts. 3. All pay sales taxes & property taxes. tunate death of an Arizona rancher, probably at For example, an undocumented senior I know had 4. Their impact on U. S. unemployment is suthe hands of a Mexican drug smuggler, became a appendicitis and although she had been paying perficial. rallying point for much of the anger that has now into the system she had no benefits for treat- 5. Their dependence on social services is fracbeen exploited with new resolve. The press, in ment. Using her Securidad Social, she traveled to tional when compared to other groups. particular, has “vetted” all the angles except one– Mexico and had her surgery performed there and the economic consequences of deporting illegal returned back to work in the U. S.. The national Other studies show that a mass deportation of immigrants. media wouldn’t know to ask, but many illegals illegal immigrants would cause a sever and rapid seek medical care in Mexico, which they pay for, rise of the unemployed in certain, fundamental Economic Impact in Postville along with thousands of American seniors who economic sectors like education and in the consumption of typical commodities. Many commuLittle attention is paid to the economic benefits do the same. page 26 ContempoMag.com
nities, to a much greater extent than Postville, are highly dependent on the economic activity of illegal immigrants in production and expenditures. From construction to food service, and from gardening to domestic service, illegal aliens permeate the landscape providing highly productive work for individuals and companies. But should the status-quo be maintained? The Council on Foreign Affairs study suggests that we document aliens that are here and provide a formal system to accept more. They suggest this to preserve the unique and highly stimulating characteristics of the undocumented workforce.
Economic Factors Favor Illegal Immigrants
The ease of mobility of illegal immigrants, their lack of dependence on social services, adaptability to new work skills, and their willingness to work hard are all valuable traits. In the past, guest worker programs have been widely successful and have helped to provide economic recovery by empowering new businesses and individuals. While working hard to prevent illegal border crossings, we should also offer Mexico significant assistance in dealing with the root of the problemthe economic turmoil of the under-classed citizens of that country. By going to the source of the problem, a positive outcome will be more likely. It seems that expensive border walls and beefed up border security will only satisfy some political appetites with no long term results. Over the past 60 years we have exhausted all the other ideas. Our stimulus of the German and Japanese economies in the 40’s after the war seemed to work well for two totally devastated nations. It is in our best of interests to advance the economic status of Mexico. In the interim, we should productively exploit this migration and, at the same time be a “Great and Good Nation.”
Perspectives
For most of the illegal immigrants already in the U. S., we should consider the positive economic impact of their existence here as well as the burdens they place on our society. Long before immigration facilities were built on Staten Island, there was a flood of illegal immigrants coming ashore from Europe, fleeing for the same reasons Mexicans are coming here now–Not to terrorize, not to assault border agents, and not to use our social services for free. They come here to find work and to provide for their families. Europeans illegals would still be here illegally had we not expedited their legalization. Should we have sent them back to Europe? C by Ralph Magaña
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Origin, Customs, & Pop Culture of Belly Dancing B elly dance also known as "Raqs Sharqi," originates from the Middle East. One theory on it’s
origin comes from ancient Arabia where it was performed by women, for women as a dance to the goddess of fertility. In the Middle East women still use belly dance to prepare for child birth. It is also used in celebrations like weddings for good luck. Dancers from the Middle East began to perform in World Fairs throughout the West around the 18th and 19th century. The elaborate costuming began to change after the introduction of belly dance to Hollywood. Westerners that visited the Middle East expected to see the belly dancer as portrayed in Hollywood and at the World Fairs. The Egyptian dancer was not and is still not allowed to show her midriff. Her costuming requires that she cover her midriff with sheer material that may be decorated. Traditionally they would dance barefoot but now some prefer to wear shoes. Lebanese dancers have no rules on their costuming and are known to dance with veils and high heel shoes. I was told by a Lebanese dancer that the higher the heel the better the dancer. The Turkish dancer wears costumes with cutouts that are more revealing.
Belly dance is very beneficial to the body and soul. It is a non impact exercise which benefits all ages. It strengthens the upper body, arms, legs and back. Shimmies, hip drops, rib cage circles, undulations, snake arms, chest slides, glute squeezes, locks and layering are just a few of the movements of belly dance. It also improves your posture, promotes good health, builds self esteem and confidence. It's a great way to firm and tone your body as you learn to isolate different body muscles to help you lose weight and improve flexibility. My specialty is in Egyptian cabaret and American cabaret. American cabaret is a fusion of other dance styles added to Egyptian cabaret. My studio in Donna, Sasha’s Belly Dance Studio is dedicated to Middle Eastern dance. We now perform an annual event called "Rio Raks." A belly dance workshop and a special professional belly dance show are the highlights of the evening. We have intense training with popular instructors/professional dancers from around the World attending.
My 2ND annual "Rio Raks" is scheduled for February 11-13, 2011. It will feature Louchia of the Belly Dance Superstars and Belly Dance Evolution. Drum Costuming for the American belly dancer usually Solo Belly Dancer of the Universe 2010, Rachel comes from Cairo, Egypt and Istanbul. These costumes George, both are from California. Stacey Lizette of are handmade, high end designer costumes that will Austin, TX and Sharid Sana of Mexico City, MX. last a lifetime and may take anywhere from 3 months to 1 year to receive after the order. They are made In July I hosted a special professional belly dance show from Lycra or Velvet and some have beautiful flow- called "MoRakan Nights." My special guest were the ing chiffon skirts. The detail put into these costumes spectacular Lebanese Simon of Houston, coming from is exquisite. Designer costumes can cost as much as Lebanon who performed to a sold-out crowd. C $1300. Dancers also use props. The most common are the veil, swords and Isis wings. Finger cymbals, also called zills, require the dancer have very good by Sasha Cantu coordination and musical skills. Other props used are the lighted candle chandelier also called a shamadan learn more about bellydancing at www.sashabellyand live snakes. A Cane is used in Saiidi, which is dancer.com & www.rioraks.eventbrite.com. balanced on the dancers head. the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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Life insurance premiums are near historic lows. Term life insurance premiums have dropped to levels not seen in years. Do you have enough coverage to support your loved ones? Now is a good time to provide more protection for your family. Call today for a free, no-obligation life insurance review. This review is not, in any way, intended as an invitation to replace your existing policy coverage. Such an exchange is often not suitable due to such factors as surrender charges on your existing contract, the surrender charge period on the new contract, transaction costs associated with the exchange, the values of the new contract versus the old contract, and the various fees and expenses associated with the new product. Therefore, replacing an existing policy should only be considered after a careful evaluation of these factors as well as a thorough review of your existing coverage. Insurance products are offered through nonbank insurance agency affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company and are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies.
Melissa Magana & Laura Magana Laura Magaña
Financial Advisors 4900 North 10th Street, Building D1 McAllen, TX 78504 956-345-3530 (956) 343-0736 melissa.magana@wfadvisors.com . laura.magana@wfadvisors.com Investment and Insurance Products: X NOT FDIC Insured X NO Bank Guarantee X MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2009 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. 0609-0683 [76811-v1] 06/09
the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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Art Wall / Christina Salazar
Ever since she was a young girl Christina Salazar wanted to be an artist. But not until 2004, when she became the protege of artist Loretta Ponder, did she get serious about art. Loretta convinced her to let go, to experience the non-judgemental feel of unrestricted creativity. Without traditional art schooling, Christina entered and won honorable mention at an art competition in 2006. “It wasn’t until that moment that I realized how much I loved and needed art in my life.” Later, with a piece entered in the student juried art show at the UTB she received top honors with Best of Show. It has been seven years since then and Christina has produced numerous commissions for her work but still enjoys painting what she likes as an abstract impressionist. “Between commissioned work I try to escape back to my roots of dealing with human emotions in art. I am inspired by Van Gogh, Dali, and Picasso. I want to, one day, develop a style of my own that transforms cubism.” C You can see Christina’s art work at her studio in Port Isabel. She can be reached be e-mail at artconnection122@yahoo.com
page 32 ContempoMag.com
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BREAKING EIGHTY They say visualizing is the key to any sport as it is for golf. But, seeing the wrong shot well won’t produce a round below 80. “Game management can be an easy way to shave the strokes when applied with reason”, according to Will Borowski, assistant professional at the Club at Cimarron. On Cimarron’s signature Par 5, No. 18 Will describes how to keep a birdie from turning into a bogey by applying good game management. Taking into account the obstacles presented on any shot will help you make better decisions and help improve your confidence on the course.
Natasha Govea - Weslaco High School Golf Team
Will Borowski - Cimarron
Cimarron’s Signature Hole - No. 18 525 yard par 5 from Championship Tees./Water on the left & right all the way down. Prevailing right to left, head wind./Large two tiered, sloped green, bunkers right & left. Difficult to reach in two because of carry over water hazard. Large tree left of fairway for lay-up or approach to green./Two tiered green, bunkers right & left. Number 18 can offer a great opportunity to finish a round with a birdie, but if you fall short with a drive under 240 yards, the lay-up to give you a 160 yard approach is the way to go for the 15 handicapper. Trying to reach the green or leave an approach around the 100 yard marker can be hazardous on the second shot. There are too many obstacles along the way-a large tree on the left, water on both sides, and a narrow landing area that almost requires a perfect shot. A better choice from the poor drive would be to hit a shot placed just beyond the 150 yard-marker in the center of the fairway. It is a safer, higher percentage shot that will leave you around 140 yards to the center of the green. Hitting the more aggressive shot might have left you with a 90 yard pitch to the flag, or more likely, a lost ball in the water and a double-bogie to spoil your bid at breaking 80! C
the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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Pioneer
Nick Morales
Harvests the Power of the Sun at Home. N
ick Morales is a man of many talents. Among his passions are rocks, fossils, mexican folklore and ...renewable sources of energy? Nick is one of the first residents of the McAllen area who is trying to go ZERO. Zero energy use that is, at his home at 1500 Quamasia. He wants to reach a point where he can generate enough electricity to supply his own needs by assembling an array of energy saving devices at his home. He also drastically reduced heat gain by improving the insulation and changing window units to vinyl frames. Nick’s Solar panels produce from 700 to 900 kilowatt hours per month. Thus, if weather permits he will average 800 Kilowatt hours of solar production and consume zero net power from the electrical Grid. page 36 ContempoMag.com
Nick has also installed a solar powered water heater that collects heat from sunlight to replace electricity used to heat water. The unit can achieve temperatures well above scolding during summer months. The system has a insulated holding tank where heated water is stored during the evening. Panels for heat generation are on the roof along with solar collectors for the generation of electrical power. He also has a system for collecting rainwater from the roof using gut ters, catch basins and storage tanks that are connected to his lawn sprinkler system. Nick is currently arranging to have his home generated electricity made
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HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT TAX CREDITS
Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements "placed in service" starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010. See EnergyStar.gov's Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency for a complete summary of energy efficiency tax credits available to consumers. RESIDENTIAL RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX CREDITS
Consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016. for more information go to energy.gov/taxbreaks available to the electric grid so that when he is not using it he can sell it back to the electrical supplier. To achieve this, he has installed a special electrical meter that can measure the electricity his home produces. During summer months Nick’s home uses about $70 of electricity per month. Once he is on the grid as a electical producer that amount should be radically reduced. Nick keeps track of these greening effects and how they have reduced his energy usage since he started the project. Computerized graphs show a dramatic reduction in energy consumption, particularly in the summertime. He has calculated a return on investment from the projected energy savings that extends out only a few years. He also took advantage of federal and state tax credits to reduce the costs of the system. According to Nick, the project is a work in progress until he reaches net zero on energy usage. Nick is our pick for Contempo Pioneer. His efforts to break new ground and plow through the red tape will make it much easier for those who follow his lead in making the Valley Greener. C Bravo Nick!
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the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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MAMA MIAS PIZZERIA Old Chicago Style Pizzas, Sandwiches, Dogs All Homemade - Original 100 E. Bus 83, McAllen call-in orders: (956) 664-2671 page 39 ContempoMag.com
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