Contempo CULTURE / BUSINESS / POLITICS / FASHION / TECHNOLOGY / TRAVEL
FEB 2010
The Opal Mines of La Trinidad
THE WORLD’S BEST
McAllen’s New Year Bash 2010
Contempo Pioneer
SIX BANDS & BALL DROP
MARICELA PEREZ
Candlelight Posada
Arte en Vogue STYLE SHOW FUSES PRE-COLUMBIAN ART AND FASHION
TRADITIONS & CULTURE
Jencarlos Canela
Political Pivots
PROMOTES NEW CD IN MCALLEN
AND INDEPENDENTS
Maritza Jimenez
Dulce Maria Gonzalez
FEATURE MODEL OF THE MONTH
WRITES BEST TEJANO ALBUM SONG FOR 2009 the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 1 ContempoMag.com
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from the publisher OUR COVER GIRL this month enriches the lives
of hundreds of students in the Upper Valley with inspiration and confidence. Maricela Perez projects an ideal role-model-best friend approach to education and her business, giving young women more definition and purpose. As always, thanks to David Pezzat for his fascinating camera work in helping us put this cover and issue together.
Contempo CULTURE / BUSINESS / POLITICS / FASHION / TECHNOLOGY / TRAVEL
JAN / FEB 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
JAN / FEB 2010
HEADS UP
It looks like politics is getting complicated again. Get an early fix on the agendas as we head into the fall stretch for what looks like an important and eventful political season. According to Wikipedia there is no topical reference for a political pivot. Although, the word is linked to sports, mathematics, finance and computing among others, one’s search is directed to the context of dance where its essence is found in the word “swivel”. Indicating a rapid and abrupt change in direction is what I take the media to mean by introducing it into the political debate.
The Opal Mines of La Trinidad The World’s Best
CONTEMPO PIONEER MARICELA PEREZ
Art in Vogue
18
STYLE SHOW FUSES PRE-COLUMBIAN ART AND FASHION
POLITICAL PIVOTS
and Independents
Maritza Jimenez
FEATURE MODEL OF THE MONTH
McAllen’s New Year Bash 2010
SIX BANDS & BALL DROP
CANDLELIGHT POSADA
TRADITIONS & CULTURE
JENCARLOS CANELA PROMOTES NEW CD IN MCALLEN
DULCE MARIA GONZALEZ
WRITES BEST TEJANO ALBUM SONG FOR 2009
in this issue
The media and political pundits are trying to catch up with the new “rage” taking shape, spurred by the surprising special election results in Massachusetts to fill the late Ted Kennedy’s senate seat with a moderate republican for the first time in 40 years.
DULCE MARIA GONZALEZ
6
Art in Vogue
8
POLITICAL PIVOTS and the
12
Maritza Jimenez
15
CONTEMPO PIONEER
16
The Opal Mines of La Trinidad
22
McAllen’s New Year Bash 2010
30
CANDLELIGHT POSADA
34
JENCARLOS CANELA
36
WRITES BEST TEJANO ALBUM SONG FOR 2009
Whatever. But the media should have dug a little deeper. As is turns out, again according to Wikipedia, a pivot can take a full, 360 degree swivel, commonly referred to as a “pirouette” in ballet. To make matters worse, it also speaks of a half pivot, a reverse pivot and a slip pivot. So, you have to stay a little ahead of the curve this season. It could get a little complicated.
STYLE SHOW FUSES PRE-COLUMBIAN ART AND FASHION
Our story on page 12 takes a look at the rising independent movement and its power to moderate the political agenda. One wonders, what would have been had there been no need for the special election?
Independent voter
It is our greatest hope you find this issue a compelling read for it’s truly unique and inspiring content about people, places and issues presented like no other in the Upper Valley.
CONTEMPO’S FEATURE MODEL OF THE MONTH
MARICELA PEREZ 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 World’s Best
President / Ralph Magaña Copy Editor / Raul Cabrera Politics / Shain Mata Business & Latin American Affairs / Tony Magaña Resident Photographer / David Pezzat
SIX BANDS & BALL DROP DRAWS RECORD CROWD
Ad Sales Issac Miranda 867.4469 / Beatriz Casas 569.3134 Distribution / Rosa Lopez Co-founder & Webpage Editor / Tony Magaña
TRADITIONS & CULTURE
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PROMOTES NEW CD IN MCALLEN
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Music & Entertainment
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ith a the gift of artistic talent Dulce Maria Gonzalez’s career soared at age 8 after performing for “Siempre En Domingo” in Mexico City in the popular “Juguemos A Cantar” national contest and soon after with her band, Dulce y Sol Latina, played at the Kennedy Center for winning the South Texas Talent Showcase 2000. She has worked with A. B. Quintanilla, Alex Gonzalez, Groupo Mazz and performed for Hillary Clinton, a song she wrote for her “We Need A Woman”. At the 2009 Latin Grammys, Dulce was recognized for her contribution to the “Best Tejano Album 2009” with the writing of “Falsa Felicidad” for Jimmy Gonzalez y Groupo Mazz. She has, at age 23, already written over 300 original pieces. With high expectations and plenty of time to achieve them the Valley is looking to claim another rising musical star in Dulce Maria Gonzalez. She performed with her new band at the new year’s eve bash. C
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the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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ARTE en VOGUE STYLE SHOW for ORATORY FUSES
PRE-COLUMBIAN ART and FASHION
page 8 ContempoMag.com
Global shifts in fashion have come and gone, but one
fashion statement that is getting its share of attention deals with the fusion of art and fashion design developing in Mexico. The style reflects pre-columbian and modern art of the period in the patterns and designs on scarfing, jewelry, shoes and much more. To create women’s fashion with this new trend, students at the Oratory Athenaeum for University Preparation presented a fashion show titled “Arte en Vogue” at the Cine El Rey Theater in downtown McAllen on Friday, December 4th.
The young ladies and men of the academy strutted the runway with artfully coordinated combinations using pieces inspired by some of the world’s most iconic artists and their works.
The students demonstrated how these brightly colored, versatile garments can be easily converted to take different shapes and styles and looked liked they had a lot of fun showing off their runway skills.
The show was hosted by Maricela Perez, the Oratory development officer. The models, mostly seniors at the Oratory and alumni, included Vanessa Guajardo, Karla Uvalle Castro and Janet Alvarado. Oratory alumni member Samantha Morales styled the show with selections from Pilar Zetuna of ZM Galleries.
Catered paella was provided by España Mediterranean Cuisine. The annual event benefits the school’s Tuition Assistance Program which provides financial assistance to students seeking a catholic school education. C by Ralph Magaña
the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 9 ContempoMag.com
page 10 ContempoMag.com
(pictured above) Pilar Zetuna of ZM Galleries–local distributor of Pineda Covalin Fashions and an event sponsor for the show. (pictured left) Maricela Perez, Development Officer, the Oratory Athenaeum for University Preparation describing a convertible outfit created by students. the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 11 ContempoMag.com
Political Commentary: The Value of the Independent Voter
Public Will and a Special Election Make for a Pivot to the Center in American Politics by Tony Magaña
Will Scott Brown form an independent base? Will Obama follow Clinton’s pivot? Will ideology or common sense prevail?
T he American political process is often characterized as a “two-party” system, imply-
ing that members of the electorate belong to either the Republican or to the Democratic party. However, the reality is that at least half and often more of participating voters in elections are actually independents who hold no real affiliation. Although political parties are a useful instrument to allow for the organization of political candidate’s campaigns and their alliances with others, they must not be confused as being an end goal in themselves. Many political pundits were flabbergasted by the recent special election for the United States Senate in Massachusetts. Conventional wisdom held that the state was the “bluest of the blue.” The only election which mattered, they mistakenly maintained, was the Democratic primary because only 13 percent of the voting public are Republican. What political parties in power seem to dismiss is that voters may actually vote for the individual rather than the party. The increasing educational level of the average voter, the Internet, the development of competing news media having various points of view, and the scandals unveiling crony-ism of both parties all have contributed to a rising level of not only dissatisfaction but outright mistrust in the sincerity of political parties. Ready and spontaneous access by the public to facts and figures in modern society create an unavoidable environment of transparency, limiting the ability of political party hacks to deceptively spin their agendas and control information.
page 12 ContempoMag.com
The Tea Party Movement has been misunderstood and underestimated by the mainstream media locally, nationally and by the Washington political establishment. With its commencement, deliberate Americans have moved away from the concept of political parties being the center of political theory or practice and instead see them, in a more realistic light, as being campaign facilitators for political figures who may have conflicting interests affecting their decision making. In effect Americans are beginning to “see through the party” and are paying particular attention to the candidate as an individual. Most Americans of any political persuasion would agree that there are both good and bad Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Political parties serve the public best when they have relatively small enrollments of the overall voting public so that they must prove their point to a greater majority of “independents” rather than when they represent a monopoly with heavy leans to one side or the other. It is the accountability–and to whom it serves–that can form a real engine for positive change. There is nothing inherently wrong with being a Republican or a Democrat in one’s advocacy for a particular issue or candidate, but being so on any and every issue should only occur after we have examined it or the candidate through our own independent point of view, unfiltered by the prejudice of party affiliation.
jobs or the sick to get health care. Those who hold leadership positions in government should not have to be “bribed” with secret back room deals to convince them to do the right or wrong thing for their constituents. Instead of being a conduit to promote overall societal improvement, the American public has too often seen established political party leaders become fixed on power acquisition through narrowly focused partnerships with special interests at both political extremes. The nineteenth century commentator on the American political process, Alexis de Tocqueville (who favored monarchy over democracy), lamented that the power of the majority would overwhelm the ability of a small group of enlightened intellectuals best fit to rule a nation. He incorrectly surmised that the American success story was a product of luck rather than design and so, predicted future chaos. Now, almost 200 years later we continue to marvel at the genius of our founding fathers for their conception of a government which most highly values the inherent goodness and judgment of the common man now manifested in the form of the modern day independent American voter. They remain our best protection against a European style oligarchy so valued by many in the progressive movement. And they serve as a reminder to both parties that if you lean too far, left or right, hope that a pivot or swivel breaks your fall. C Tony Magaña is the co-founder of Contempo Mag-
Party labels do not help the unemployed find azine and a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Where the Distinctive Culture and Cuisine of Two Continents Merge
the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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Award winning Executive Chef James Canter
Restaurant Bar Hookah Lounge page 14 ContempoMag.com
519 South 17th, McAllen Entertainment District for reservations call 9 9 4 - 9 7 5 4
Contempo’s
Feature Model Maritza Jimenez Contempo Model Maritza Jimenez, 25, is the daughter of Joe and Dora Jimenez of Mission, Texas. Maritza is an accomplished model and pageant queen who has earned several titles, top 8 ranks and most photogenic awards. She earned an undergraduate and graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at UTPA. Maritza is currently the Health Educator at the UTPA Border Health Office where she strives to raise awareness about the complications of diabetes in young school children. “I hope to continue to bring awareness to parents, educators, and students in making positive choices for their future. Remember yesterday, dream of tomorrow and live for today,” she says. Maritza is a fantastic model. She has a figure like Jessica Biel, the smarts of Angela Jolie, and the demeanor of Gisele Bündchen with no limits to expressiveness in front of the camera. She has appeared in several Contempo articles and promotions demonstrating her great posture, confidence and beauty with great style and poise. Thanks Maritza for your hard work and dedication, and congrats for being our Contempo Feature Model of the Month! C
the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 15 ContempoMag.com
People: Contempo Pioneer
Maricela Perez
Keeping the spirit and zest alive at the Oratory page 16 ContempoMag.com
She was nominated for a Lone Star Emmy Award for her voice over work on the documentary series “A Project of Love.”
The small town girl with a big city
heart, Maricela Perez, the Development Officer at the acclaimed Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System and owner of Mia Esthetics, has been there and done that from Broadway performances in New York City to South Texas commercial and philanthropic production. Maricela’s small town is Donna, Texas where she attended PSJA High School. She earned a B. A. in Communications and Theater and now at thirty-something she finds herself immersed in the fields of education, philanthropy, and beauty.
a teen of her age. “Performance was always fun for me and seemed to come natural but the loneliness and culture shock were great. Besides, although I could sing and act well, my dancing skills were not up to par.” Thereafter, returning to Texas, she played a number of lead roles in community theater, at the university and in school theatrical productions. Her voice has been showcased in a slew of television and radio commercials in both English and Spanish. More recently, Maricela was nominated for a Lone Star Emmy Award for her voice over work on the documentary series “A Project of Love” from the Hermes Music Foundation.
Maricela realized her dream and began a career in the New York theater with a talent for singing and acting but came to grips with the extreme level of com- Maricela has put her dramatic experipetition that required great sacrifice for ence to good use at the Oratory where the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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page 18 ContempoMag.com
Nonstop Service to Minneapolis/St. Paul from Harlingen. she, aside from her primary responsibilities, serves as an inspiring role model for the students. “I now know that I can use my developed talent as a performer in just about any venue. On stage talent can be used to inspire and in the teaching profession to motivate idle student to become achievers.” As a former teacher of only five years at the Oratory, Maricela was awarded “Teacher of the Year” by the Rio Grande Valley ACT program. Often the wedding singer but not yet the bride, Maricela preforms splendid renditions of “Ave Maria” at high profile weddings. “It is a wonderful experience to perform at weddings knowing you are part of that most precious day.” “One day I hope, someone will sing at my wedding but until then I’m a happy camper. My dream today is to become a person of integrity. I was raised with the idea that it doesn’t matter what one does in life as long as one is honest, good and makes a vital contribution to society. For that I strive in my profession, business and in my philanthropic efforts, something my career in Catholic education reminds me of everyday,” she says. In her role as Development Officer at the Oratory, Maricela is responsible for much of the design and direction of literature as well as events for the fund raising program. C
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Minutes from Major Area Hotels
100 Years of History The building, over time, became a fixture of the Hispanic business culture that clustered and excelled through the late 1970’s. It evolved with the area over time as a grocery store and later on as a drug store.
Although the area suffered in the 80’s and early 90’s for lack of urban renewal efforts, the Guerras maintained the property and took part in the successful efforts to have the 17th Street area undergo a historic restoration in the late 1990’s, taking it’s place as a historic site.
100 Years of Tradition Traditions require the patience, persistence and pride instilled over time with worthy family values. For over 100 years, the Guerra family has made their mark as early settlers of a new frontier in the upper Rio Grande Valley that lives on today at The Patio on Guerra in McAllen’s historic downtown entertainment district. At the turn of the century, as railroads brought early farmers to settle the area, the Guerra brothers, eager to start a local business, traveled by horseback some 245 miles north to San Antonio to sell a pack of mules. The journey took several days and was not without incident...The brothers sold the mules, returned to McAllen with the proceeds and built a mercantile store on the present site.
956.661.9100
page 20 ContempoMag.com
116 South 17th St.
Owners - Arturo Guerra & Che Guerra
M c A l l e n , T e x a s
Restaurant
Bar
Patio
Now, as the Patio on Guerra, the building has been carefully restored to reflect a period of history rarely seen in the Rio Grande Valley. The wood and iron entry doors open to a herringbone paver floorway of the patio area and another entry of wood and stained glass, typical of the early 1900’s opens to the bar and dining room. The interior is adorned with arched brickwork and a tin stamped metal ceiling. The walls archive original artwork and advertisements from long ago that don’t have that “just bought” look about them. The ambiance is exceptional and worth the visit but it doesn’t stop there. The Guerra family and staff are determined to make your expectations of great dining a part of their tradition. At The Patio on Guerra you will find a superbly crafted menu of steaks, seafood and other featured favorites prepared by Executive Chef Fermin Delgadillo. At The Patio on Guerra wine selections aren’t left to the discretion of the suppliers. We hand select great wines from around the world that are designed to pair well with our fine international cuisine. Our cellar offers over 130 reasonably priced wines from all over Europe, the U. S., and South America.
A variety of evening entertainment is billed Wednesday through Saturday evenings in the dining room and on the patio. This month’s venue includes Dulce Maria Gonzalez, Brooks Osborne, Ache, Midnight Band and Rafael Chaparro starting around 7:30 p.m.
G u e r r a f a m i l y l i nthe e aValley’s g e d aNo. t i n1gOn-Line b a c kMagazine t o 1 6 0 3 i n t h epage N e 21 w ContempoMag.com World
Travel Mexico: Off the Beaten Path
The
OPAL MINES OF THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS IN OLD MEXICO
The World’s Most Alluring Opal Mines Only a Few Hours Away
page 22 ContempoMag.com
Rough Opal - typically found in volcanic rock cavities in Central Mexico.
F ire opals were admired as symbols of fervent love in ancient times among the peoples of North
and Central America. It was believed that a gem that shimmered with vivacity to such an extent as the fire opal could only have been created in the waters of paradise. The Aztecs loved this gemstone and liked to use it in mosaics and for ritualistic purposes. They called it quetzalitzlipyollitli, the “stone of the bird of paradise.” Today, fire opal is regarded as the national gemstone of Mexico.
Mexican Cabochon Opal accents custom jewelry with it’s vivacious play of color.
It is in Mexico that the most significant fire opal deposits in the world lie. Rock strata containing opals run through the Mexican central highlands, with their many extinct volcanoes that helped to cultivate the precious gem. With a few exceptions, the gemstone, which lies hidden in cavities and crevices, is extracted in open-cast mines, giving rise to impressive canyons with walls up to 60 meters high and labyrinthine passages which wind their way through the mining areas. Sometimes, these orange-red gemstones are also found in other countries, in Honduras or Guatemala, in the USA, Canada, Australia, Ethiopia and Turkey, but these are mostly sites of little or no economic significance. Only recent finds in Brazil offer opal similar in quality to the Mexican stone. Not all fire opals are the same. The common fire opals are either faceted or cut into cabochons. The valuable fire opals, in addition to their vivacious color, also have the gaudy play of color typical of opals. But with or without play of color, the fire opal plays its part as a top quality gemstone that is still mined in Central Mexico. Play of color, body color and transparency are the three criteria which determine the price of fire opal. The more transparency and 'fire' it has, and the more intense the deep red of its body color, the more valuable it will be. The rarest, and thus the most highly esteemed, is the intense red-orange fire opal from Mexico with its strong play of color.
At the base of the mountain you can find many street vendors with an endless array of dazzling finished opal jewelry with both faceted and carbochon style gems.
the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 23 ContempoMag.com
The Querétaro mining district is one of the only significant sources of gem-quality “fire” opal to originate from an igneous or rhyolitic source.
The oval shaped cabochon common to opal. Entry into La Trinidad opal mine southwest of Queretaro, Qro. Mexico
An opal figurine shaped in volcanic stone crafted by local artisans in the form of a jaguar.
The state of Querétaro is the opal cradle and mining area of central Mexico. In this region the opal deposits are located mainly in the mountain ranges of three municipalities: Colón, Tequisquiapan and Ezequiel Montes. In modern times this area has been producing fine, unusually transparent opal with vivid red and green play of color for over 100 years. The oldest mine in Querétaro is Santa Maria del Iris. It was opened around 1870 and has been reopened at least 28 times since. At the moment there are about 100 mines in the region around Querétaro. The best quality of opals come from the mines Santa Maria del Iris, followed by La Hacienda, La Esperanza, La Carbonera and La Trinidad where these pictures where taken. The Querétaro mining district is one of the only significant sources of gem-quality “fire” opal to originate from an igneous or rhyolitic source. The opal mines of La Trinidad which can be visited are a short 10 minute drive from the municipality of Tequisquiapan and about 30 minutes from Querétaro, the state capital. The mine is located near an archeological site once inhabited by Chichimecan indians who prized the stone as did the Aztecs. The area is about 10 hours south of the Rio Grande Valley by car. For air travel there is the new Querétaro International Airport that is only 15 minutes from the mines and Tequisquiapan. C
A wild cactus flower in rocky soil sucks up the rain when it comes and blooms in the morning.
page 24 ContempoMag.com
by Ralph Magaña
Stands of opal vendors line the village roads leading to La Mina de Trinidad. Among the opal vendors you will find some with prized archeological artifacts.
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Wal-Mart McAllen
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Lobby Monday-Saturday 9 am-8 pm Sunday 11 am-5 pm Drive Thru Monday-Saturday 7:30 am-8 pm Sunday 11 am-5 pm
HEB In-Store Palmview 2410 E. Exp. 83 Monday-Saturday 9 am-8 pm Sunday 12 pm-5 pm
page 25 ContempoMag.com
It’s all about convenience and time. Fly more and drive less. Your time is worth it. Get there faster...
FLY McAllen! allegiant air Learn more at www.mcallenairport.com or call (956) 681-1500
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At the Center of Mexico, just 30 minutes east of Queretaro, there is a place they call Tequisquiapan. For centuries, a place where great cultures worshiped and one that the Spaniards tried to conquer...a
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Tequisquiapan, Mexico’s Fountain of Eternal Youth, find out more at www.tequis.info the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 27 ContempoMag.com
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*FreeStyle has received the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) accepFor a list of airlines that accept passengers with FreeStyle POCs, reference tance for onboard, in-flight use by oxygen passengers on commercial airlines via a 2006www.airsep.com. amendment to SFAR 106. Please check directly with the individual airlines with which For a list ofyou airlines that accept withfor FreeStyle POCs, reference would likepassengers to travel up-to-date information on their specific POC policies. www.airsep.com. Please check directly with the individual airlines with which you would like to travel for up-to-date information on their specific POC policies.
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On the Southside 613 S. 17th the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 29 ContempoMag.com McAllen / 681.5226
Valley Culture
McAllen’s Heart of the City Ushers in With a Ball Drop, Six Bands, & A Festive Bash
page 30 ContempoMag.com
The City of Palms gets a lift celebrating the New Year as the ball drops over the revived downtown entertainment district for a second time. The event attracted upwards of 30,000 spectators who were en-
tertained by six bands on two stages at opposite ends of Beaumont Street. A local favorite, Dulce Maria Gonzalez, Bombasta from San Antonio, Highway 7–a modern country band from Edinburg, the Fron-
tera Jazz Quartet of Brownsville, Marshall Law from Mission, The Manhattan Show from Reynosa and In-N-Out from McAllen provided a spectrum of talented entertainment. C
the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 31 ContempoMag.com
Highway 7 with their enchanting brand of modern country music on Stage 2.
Live outdoor music entertains guests at Ambiente.
8 time latin jazz grammy winner, Eddie Palimeri at Alhambra.
Bar 201
View of ball drop from The Rooftop Lounge. page 32 ContempoMag.com
Bombasta performs on stage 1
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CORNER OF MAYBERRY & 1ST BEHIND SPIKES FORD MISSION, TEXAS / OPEN DAILY 7:30AM-8PM / 519-8335 the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 33 ContempoMag.com
McAllen’s Candlelight Posada inspired the festive celebration of Christmas with food, song and a traditional procession along Main St. to Archer Park.
The Chamber Choir of the Diocese of Brownsville performing a Christmas concert at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on S. 15th in historic Downtown McAllen on December 14th. The Church was built in 1908 and served as a mother church to area parishes for nearly a century. page 34 ContempoMag.com
the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 35 ContempoMag.com
Here’s to me, and here’s to you, And here’s to love and laughterI’ll be true as long as you, And not one moment after. (anonymous but Irish)
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page 36 ContempoMag.com
Jencarlos Canela
In McAllen to Promote New CD
Jencarlos Canela, a Cuban-American actor and singer,
was in McAllen January 13th on a promotional tour for his new CD, “Buscame.” He made appearances at the HEB Plus in Mission for autographs and at the ICE HOUSE in McAllen where he made private appearances for the press. The crowds that lined up for autographs at the entertainment section of HEB in the northwest corner of the building were huge indicating a large fan base for his television role in “Mas Sabe El Diablo,” broadcasted daily on Telemundo 40 at 7 pm and 9 pm Monday through Friday. In 2008 he played the lead role and sang the theme song in the popular novela “Pecados Ajenos.” Telenovelas are becoming a popular trend in the U. S. with non-Spanish speaking audience. Telemundo offers some with English captions, whereas others are directly translated into English. Telemundo’s first U.S. produced novela “Amantes del Desierto” was aired in 2001. A telenovela is often described as a love story miniseries. In his first album “Buscame” he sings “Amor Quedate” that has become a #1 hit in many Latin American countries. In 2009 People en español selected him as one of the top 25 most handsome men in the world. C
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the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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ContempoMag.com
Art Wall
Artist : Enrique E. Guerra III (pictured above)This circa 1900's painting portrays the arrival of Texas Cowboys driving longhorns into Roma, Texas. The cowboys appear in customary clothing and accoutrements of the period. Many of these historical structures still remain in Roma and Rio Grande City where steam powered water craft transported goods to and from Brownsville at the turn of the century. You can see this oil painting on the north wall of the dining room at the Patio on Guerra Restaurant in downtown McAllen. Title : Couples Harmony (pictured right) / Artist : Louis Sottil Sottil studies, photographs and takes meticulous notes in the natural habitat of his subject before he paints the emotions that he experienced. His work is meant to emulate nature with the elements of surprise that are always present, from beauty, fear, joy, passion and romance. All human emotions are represented in nature. His original masterpieces are created using minerals, vegetable dyes and natural substances. He uses mother of pearl from the African sea to create iridescent white colors, to cochinilla powder from Oaxaca Mexico to create a brilliant cobalt blue.
Did you enjoy this issue of Contempo? Will you share it with a friend? for advertising inquiries Call 956.467.7880 Today page 38 ContempoMag.com
(above) A mahogany t
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Artist : Unknown A beautiful carved statue of a dragon made from that I found at a market in Central Mexico.
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Beautiful and durable bamboo, wood and cork flooring at reasonable prices. Visit our showroom and experience a full selection of the finest surfaces from around the world featuring glass mosaic, natural stone, ceramics, wood, carpet and countertops. “We Cover the Valley’s Finest Homes”. J C Cervantes, Pangea Floor Coverings
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