Contempo Magazine November 2008 by Ignacio Magana

Contempo

November 2008

The Lifestyle Variety Magazine for the Upper Valley

STYLISH CASUAL WEAR CHANGES OUR PARENTS FACE INVESTMENT PSYCHOLOGY RAISING KOI MODEL PROGRAMS for EDUCATION SPI MUSIC FEST IN PICTURES LATINA HIGHLIGHTS FASHION AT SPI ASTRONAUT Mike Fossum at McAllen Chamber Event A Jeweled Watch Fit for a King

HOW A FALLEN SOLDIER’S STORY TOUCHED A NATION Contempo Pioneer Karla Seeveda Cabañas When & Whether to Decant Wine NHWN Hosts Fund Raiser at España

Contempomag.com the Valley’s No. 1 on-line magazine / intros BlogTalk contempomag.com page 1

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CHARRIOL u s a . C O m

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Contempo

ContempoMag.com The Valley’s #1 On-Line Magazine

The Lifestyle Variety Magazine for the Upper Valley

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Publishers Note: The South Padre Island Music Festival was a fascinating experience for all who attended & specially for me because I got to see Blue Oyster Cult for the first time live in concert. They were great! The festival achieved record attendance this year in spite of the economic turndown. To promote the festival, Contempo hosted one pre-event and three live broadcasts at Contempomag.com’s new blogtalk on-line radio show, “The Rio Grande Valley Show”. The network allows us to broadcast, on line audio programing where listeners can call in and speak with program quests. During our first show we interviewed SPIMF performers who took phone-in and text questions from our listeners. Look for more broadcasts at Contempomag.com. Music is and always will play a big part in our South Texas culture and we at Contempo plan to spend more time covering the topic in the future. In this issue, we visit the subject of aging parents and what can be done to improve their lives and those who care for them as needs change through the golden years. It can be a complex subject to deal with as many of us are seeing our parents reach into their eighty’s and beyond. Each month ContempoMag.com scores new hit records for the site. For the month of October, we reached over 76,000 web page hits and over 22,000 unique hits. Contempomag.com grows every day, now with over 50 pages of Valley based on line content. Thanks to all for clicking in and making it the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line magazine in such a short time. Ralph Magaña/Editor 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.

President/Ralph Magaña Staff Columnist/Michael Bilyeu Staff Writer Medical & Technology/Tony Barclay Staff Writer Gardening/Jorge Oliver Home Improvement/Teresa Morales Staff Fashion Writer/Vanessa Valiente Staff Writer Personal Finance/Melissa Magaña Guest Writer/Terry H. Hill Ad Sales/Ralph Magaña Distribution Manager/Rosa Lopez Assc. Editor/Webpage Editor-Tony Magaña Photography/Ralph Magaña 956-467-7880 e-mail: wmagana@rgv.rr.com web site: www.contempomag.com Suite B, PMB#170, 2403 N. 10th. St. McAllen, Tx 78501

Printed in Mexico

STAYING STYLISH IN CASUAL WEAR But do clear out the closet & drawers first

COMMON ELDERLY CARE FAMILY MISTAKES A hard look at a sensitive subject

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF INVESTMENT BEHAVIOR Where do you fit in?

THE NATIONAL HISPANIC WOMEN’S NETWORK RGV Chapter hosts Vino DeVino at España

RAISING JAPANESE KOI A competitive hobby taking root in the America

AN EDUCATED YOUTH / A PRECIOUS RESOURCE Model programs show promise but who is listening?

LATINA MAGAZINE HOSTS SOUTHPOLE FASHIONS Fashion show kicks-off SPI Music Festival at The Peninsula

ASTRONAUT MIKE FOSSUM BACK HOME IN MCALLEN McAllen Chamber hosts visit at Convention Center

DEUTSCH & DEUTSCH SHOWCASE JEWELED CARTIER watch collection including XL Roadster with 1400 diamonds

SPI MUSIC FESTIVAL DRAWS RECORD CROWD Over 30 bands entertain over 30,000 over 3 days

THE SUSHI / TEX-MEX FUSION EXPLOSION Where did it all begin?

A FALLEN SOLDIER’S STORY TOUCHED A NATION

CONTEMPO PIONEER Karla Seeveda Cabañas

WHEN & WHETHER TO DECANT WINE

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How to Stay Stylish with Casual Wear for Casual Times By Vanessa Valiente

Often a successful woman knows how to create an outfit that will wow attendees of a party or impress her co-workers in the office, but what happens when she walks out the door for a day of casual errands? As many of you have noticed, either on yourself or others, a trip to the grocery store will sadly involve running shoes and sweats. There is nothing wrong with this attire, but it can leave a little lady feeling frumpy and joyless. Looking good is feeling good and feeling great is looking better. If you feel fabulous in your athletic shoes and sweats then do not read another word and keep strutting the streets in your Nikes, but for the gals who crave a little more fashion in their casual wear here are a few tips to perking up your appearance on a lazy Saturday. Just as the name states casual wear is for casual times like running errands and walking the dog. You don’t need to impress a soul as you pick up pup poo, but you still want to feel cute. This means an uncomplicated outfit that holds the true comfort of old sweats without coming across slovenly. The first step, donate all but three of your unattractive “comfort” outfits to a charitable thrift store. I say three instead of one in case you’re a slouch in the laundry room. The only thing worse than an ugly outfit is a stinky ugly outfit. You are saving these outfits for days of cleaning the house, yard work and perhaps a day when you just want to flip the finger at caring about your appearance. Either way, you do not need twelve men’s T-shirts or seven holey lounge pants. Toss them and make room for pretty things. Your top can still be an incredibly soft t-shirt, but as a substitute for a plain white tee or a gigantic man shirt, get one that fits you properly and has some spice. You want to avoid slogans and cheesy vacation shirts. Instead, go for cotton tanks and tees in bold colors or with fun graphics on them. A popular style right now for any age is a cotton tee with an umbre dye, the fading of one color into another. You can find this and more at inexpensive stores like Target, Gap and Old Navy. They have plenty of stylish comfort Tees in a variety of sizes and all sleeve lengths. Next you want to focus on the pants. Instead of sweats or a velour suit, stop into any athletic store or woman’s shop and pick up a pair of lightweight lounge or full-length yoga pants. If you are concerned about outlining too much of your figure through the thin fabric get a thicker pair or commit to some palazzo pants. For the lounge pants get solid color like white, forest green, chocolate brown, terracotta red or black. Steer clear of pattern on this type of stretchy fabric to pass up an outdated and unflattering image. As for the breezy palazzo pant, you can get a solid color or have some fun with a pattern and the wide leg of this pant will look stylish while still hiding cellulite. They are made from cotton silk or linen so simply choose what is the most comfortable for you. page 8 contempo magazine

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If denim equals relaxation to you then jeans are also a good plan of attack, Purchase a pair that is strictly for coziness and make sure it has a stylish wash to it and a flattering fit. As a reminder, feel free to get the type that are already beat up and worn in. Stylish tore up jeans on a lazy day is ageless. If Bo Derek sports them, so can you. As for capris and shorts, pockets, pleats and cargos are a no-no unless they are edgy Jennifer Lopez stylish cargos. You will also want to generally avoid cuffs on your shorts or capris so as not to look fuddy duddy as they often do. Think extremely simple or fashion forward for these two styles. The in between is where you will loose your sharp look. With the colder weather tapping us on the shoulder, some hints on appropriate cover-ups are also necessary. Skip frump sweaters; sweat shirts, velour zip ups, work out gear and anything with a phrase or a designers name splattered across it (I’m looking at you Juicy Couture). You can wear the cottony lounge jacket that frequently comes with the lounge pants described earlier, but remember not to wear them together. If you do wear the lounge “suit” be sure the jacket is a different color than the top and, again, no phrases or labels should be visible. Other wise you will look dated and unimaginative. Other current options to warm you up would be the boyfriend button up sweater left unbuttoned (available at J. Crew), a stylish poncho in a solid color, and a cowl neck sweater. Another delicious and cozy choice would be an inventive cardigan. The open shawl cardigan is a favorite this season as well as the shrunken 3/4 length sleeve cardigan. Both very comfy and easy page 10 contempo magazine

to throw on to compliment jeans or lounge pants. Alas we come to the shoes. Yes, running shoes are insanely fabulous as they caress our tortured by high heels feet, but you can be (nearly) just as comfy wearing cute and colorful Ked like shoes. Any shoe store will have these modern tennis shoelike flats that have fun trims, colors and patterns on them. These lace-ups and slips-ons will be the cherry on any casual garb. Now the key to the adorable casual shoe is not to show sock. Many of you don’t need to wear socks with these shoes, but for those that do, purchase those “no show” socks and tries to avoid capris and shorts to ensure secrecy. Of course there is always the decision to wear sandals or flip-flops. This will eliminate the sock issue and elongate your legs. It is all very simple. Once you have eliminated your unattractive laid-back items and replaced them, with just as cozy, charming alternatives getting dressed for a languid day hasn’t changed anything but your exterior …and maybe your day. After all strolling around in pretty shoes has the potential of making the walk more interesting. Editors Note: Vanessa Valiente is a noted costume designer for cinema, television, and stage. Her credits include the series, “FashionHouse”.She has been a personal stylist for many Hollywood celebrities and currently is a customer for the CBS series,”EX-List”. Her fashion blog for men and women is www.v-style.typepad.com.Her website is http://www.vanessavaliente.com/home.html See her movie credits on the internet movie database at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2378827/

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Aging Gracefully Or Not 8 Mistakes Made by Older Adults and Their Families Due to Fear of Aging by Diane Carbo RN

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Taking care of aging parents is not an easy task. Many in our aging society are not aging gracefully, and fighting or ignoring their decline in physical and cognitive abilities. No matter how well we eat, how much we exercise, how many supplements we take, there is nothing that stops the aging process. Granted, we all age at different rates, but eventually our bodies wear out, and we can no longer do things as easily as we once did. Taking care of an aging loved one is not for sissies! To assist you as you go through the process of aging with your loved one, here are the top 8 common mistakes made by seniors and their families. Not planning ahead, even for a health care crisis Common sense tells us that as we age we should expect to require some assistance , or even total care at some point. Yet, many aging adults find aging gracefully difficult. Fear of aging and a need to hold on to their independence causes many seniors not to ask for help. Those in the early stages of dementia may not recognize their need. Family members need to prepare themselves so that if a health care crisis does occur that their aging loved one will have some protection. Preparing for this will take time and energy. It requires learning about Medicare, Medicaid, insurance policies, legal forms and health care options available. Being prepared, can decrease stress and anxiety in a time of crisis, and gives you a sense of confidence as you assist your aging parent in making important decision. Denial Many adults who have a fear of aging neglect signs of poor heath.. Many overlook health problems for such reasons as worrying about paying their co pay, so they delay going to the doctors until the condition worsens. Such a delay can result in more advanced stages of a condition. Many aging adults feel as if they can fight the process and refuse to wear hearing aides, braces or walking aids. Family members often do not address these behaviors as they are met with strong resistance. This can be a difficult and uncomfortable situation for many family members. Sometimes having a family meeting and having a person that your parent respects and trusts will open the lines of communication.

Reluctance Not aging gracefully causes many adults to be reluctant to discuss their need for assistance, because to admit that fact means they are growing old. To many aging adults, it is a blow to their self esteem and many perceive that they must give up their independence or become a burden to the family. Family members, many times are reluctant to bring up the subject due to family dynamics. Within the family there may be challenges of overcoming guilt, anxiety or even anger. It is important that you make your aging parent aware that you are there to support them and not to interfere, that their safety and health are your utmost concern. Are not aware of all the options and levels of care available The health care delivery system can be overwhelming. Many families have no idea that where to begin to look for assistance or what services and options are available. There are many county, state and senior services that can provide direct access to specific care providers. Your local agency on aging can direct you to programs and services that are specific to your area. Your clergy member may be able to assist you in directing you and your family members to professionals that have successfully supported other church members. You may want to utilize the services of a care manager or elder care consultant to assist you in maneuvering the health care system. These are individuals that specialize in the care of the aging population and can advocate, make recommendations and assist in overseeing every aspect of the care and services that are needed for your aging parent. Family disagreement Inaction may arise when issues like: family members, due to differences of opinion with in a family as to what care is needed, and where and from whom it should come, begin to surface. Nothing can revive old conflicts in adult siblings better than making decisions about an aging parent. All the old roles, parents favorite, the black sheep, the unresolved battles and family rivalries resurface. Old family dynamics come back, and adult siblings can sabotage wise decisions during those anxiety producing conversations about the aging parent. There are also cultural differences, where the eldest son, no matter what his relationship with his aging parents has been, is expected to be the decision maker in those families. Many of the sisters/daughters in these cultures are not involved in the decision making process, even though they are the ones that have been providing the care. It is important to maintain focus, contempomag.com page 13

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as a group, on what your parents would want, and then provide them with the best possible care in a safe and comfortable environment. In these situations, an outside objective third party is recommended. There are elder care facilitators, care managers and elder care consultants to assist your family through this process. Misunderstanding of what health insurance, long term care, and supplements provide It is important for seniors and their family members to investigate and understand what Medicare, Medicare supplements and Medicaid covers. If your aging parent has long term care insurance, it is also important to review waiting periods, cost of living riders and home care coverage. This is the first time many family members hear the term, “spend down”. Spend down is depleting private or family finances to the point where an individual is sufficiently poor to meet the eligibility criteria for Medicaid. The spend down process and transition to poverty can involve multiple losses. It is wise to consult an elder care attorney early, before a crisis, to assist you in planning to protect your aging parent’s assets. Concern over financial loss and downsizing Many aging adults have worked their entire life and they want to leave an inheritance. They do not want to give up everything they have worked for. There are emotional and logistical factors of downsizing. It is emotionally traumatizing and overwhelming to the aging parent to give up their possessions. For many, their former life style was their identity. It is can be a difficult transition to fit into this new lifestyle. People want to age in their homes and do not realize there are options available to them to help keep them there. Eighty percent of long term care is provided by families, not institutions. There are more than 20 million Americans that provide care for an aging loved one. This allows the aging parent to continue to age in place in the comfort of familiar surroundings and be close to their loved ones. Inability to discuss end of life issues Aging gracefully is no longer a part of our culture. Billions of dollars are spent trying to avoid growing old. It is a fact that no one lives forever. We all are going to die. If we don’t die young, we are going to die old. So we should prepare for this time. We should be able to say what we want to do to stay alive. Some choose multiple medical tests, invasive and painful procedures and multiple admissions to the hospital to avoid death at all costs. Others, do not discuss death and do not express their wishes to others, and leave the difficult decisions to family members. This takes a terrible toll on a family during a very difficult time. There is such a thing as dying with dignity. It is the very last thing we can have a say in as we age. Establish advanced directives now. Five Wishes, an advanced directive form, is a very complete and unique type of living will and health agent form because it looks to all of a person’s needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. Five Wishes also encourages discussing your wishes with your family and physician including complete durable power of attorney for finances and durable power of attorney for health care. These simple documents allow another person to make financial and health decisions for you should you become incapacitated in the future. You should also discuss developing a will and planning funeral arrangements. This will not only save you money in the preparation of your final arrangements, but your family will have comfort in knowing that your final wishes are being honored. It will alleviate stress and allow them to celebrate you and your life. In an effort to help family members become better informed and feel more empowered about assisting with the issues of your aging parent, the resources are there. You just need to take the time, have the energy and the commitment to getting the right assistance at the right time. Being proactive and planning ahead makes this process much easier. Realize that your parents are adults and are responsible for their own lives and that they would likely prefer to see a collective spirit as their health declines. You can only do what they will allow you to do. Hang in there and continue to work with your parents and do not take what they are saying personally. It is about them and fear of aging and change, fear of loss of independence and fear of loosing control, over their lives that may often lead to unusual tendencies. Lets give our parents a chance to age gracefully and try our best to understand what we will all go through one day, ourselves. Diane Carbo RN- As a geriatric care manager, that has cared for her father and mother in law in their homes, she learned first hand how overwhelming, stressful, and time consuming caring for a loved one can be. Staying in their homes was very important to them. As a result, Diane started http://www.aginghomehealthcare.com to assist others age in familiar surroundings and avoid the emotional and frustrating task of maneuvering the medical delivery system. Check here http://www.aginghomehealthcare.com/ home-health-care-planning.html for additional help

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The Psycology of Investment Behavior Where do You Fit In? Provided By: Melissa Magaña, Financial Advisor Wachovia Securities, LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC 4900 N. 10th. Street, North Towne Center, D1 McAllen, Texas 78504 / (956) 345-3530

Behavioral economists studying the interaction between psychology and investment behavior have found that people respond similarly to parallel situations in various areas of their lives. For example, those who avoid physical danger will also be cautious when investing. Similarly, entrepreneurs will often approach retirement preparations the same way they’ve tackled work. But the characteristics that have helped make them successful business owners could work against them as investors. “Successful entrepreneurs tend to be passionate, outgoing, confident and resilient individuals whose personal identities are intertwined with their businesses,” says Michael Burnham, CEO of My Next Phase, a non-financial retirement-planning service for business owners and executives. But self-reliance, confidence and perseverance can also undermine investment goals. Here’s a look at how — along with some solutions that can help if you recognize these positive traits affecting your style as an investor in a less-than-positive way. Attribute: Self-Reliance “Entrepreneurs often depend on their own abilities and efforts to initiate projects and achieve goals,” suggests Burnham. As a result, they may become used to controlling their own destinies. With a history of taking risks and having success in business ventures, investors may embrace risk at a time when they should be safeguarding their assets for retirement. Challenging investor behavior: If investors are faced with investment losses, they may become averse to loss — actually taking more risks to avoid loss than to realize gains. Behavioral economists call this the “prospect theory,” showing that people react more to an experience of loss than to an equivalent gain. In addition, research shows that investors are willing to take more risk with “found” money from investments than with “hard-earned” money from work. Solution: As you approach retirement, meet with your Financial Advisor to reassess your risk tolerance and long-term financial strategy. Rebalance your portfolio as appropriate. Discuss the risk of each new investment and its possible impact on your portfolio. Attribute: Strong Self-Confidence “Entrepreneurs may overestimate their skills and use the confidence gained from running a successful business to support a decision to manage their investments,” says Burnham. Overconfidence can lead to attributing any investment successes to their ability. Similarly, when finding an investment they like, investors may distort information to add weight to their decision. page 16 contempo magazine

Challenging investor behavior: Thinking they have the inside track on a particular stock or market sector may obscure the need to seek additional information. This can result in an incomplete picture, poor decision making and unnecessary risk. Entrepreneurs may base investment decisions on too little information, today’s hot tips and/or other investors’ behaviors. Solution: Commit to making investment decisions based on long-term market trends, potential risks and information gathered from multiple sources, including your Financial Advisor. Finally, consider how the investment will fit into your overall portfolio. Attribute: Perseverance Years of growing a business despite opposition and challenges develops perseverance — a stick-with-it attitude. Some entrepreneurs may feel as though they are reducing the risk to their investments when deciding to stick with a strategy rather than revise a plan when needed. Behavioral economists call this the “status quo” bias: not wanting to make changes to improve a situation because of fear of giving up something you already have. Challenging investor behavior: Investors may avoid selling a stock that has dropped in value significantly because they are rationalizing the losses and avoiding the regret of recognizing a bad decision. Additionally, investors may get locked into “anchoring” behavior, keeping a stock until it has reached a specific value. Solution: Know your sell strategy ahead of time and commit to it. Discuss the position this asset has in your portfolio with your Financial Advisor and choose replacement investments that keep you diversified. Set up regular portfolio performance reviews with your advisor to evaluate your strategy, making changes as needed. Entrepreneurs naturally have a vested interest in their retirement portfolios and a desire to control their future. If they choose to become more involved in managing their investments, it will be important for them to understand how some personal characteristics, necessary for building a successful business, may not be good for them as investors. Collaborating with a Financial Advisor can help support reaching long-term goals. Together, we can discuss: Your investor psychology and tolerance for risk Your portfolio diversification and risk exposure Your expertise and interest in new investments or market sectors and your role in managing your retirement portfolio This article was written by Wachovia Securities and provided to you by Melissa Magana, Financial Advisor. 1 Jonathan Meyers (an industrial psychologist in behavioral finance), “What Type of Investor Are You?” www.psychonomics.com/research/a&s/profiling.htm. 2 Meyers, Profits Without Panic: Investment Psychology for Personal Wealth (Nicholas Brealey, 1999). 3 Gary Belsky and Thomas Gilovich, Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes — and How to Correct Them (1999), p. 151. 4 Daniel Kahneman, Jack L. Knetsch and Richard H. Thaler, “Anomalies: The Endowment Effect, Loss Aversion and the Status Quo Bias.”The Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol. 5, Issue 1 (Winter 1991), pp. 193–216. 5 Meyers, Profits Without Panic. 6 Meyers, “What Type of Investor Are You?” 7 Belsky and Gilovich, p. 129. 0907-64641 Wachovia Securities is the trade name used by two separate, registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wachovia Corporation providing certain retail securities brokerage services: Wachovia Securities, LLC Member, NYSE/SIPC, and Wachovia Securities Financial Network, LLC (WSFN), Member FINRA/SIPC. The accuracy and completeness of this article are not guaranteed. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Wachovia Securities or its affiliates. The material is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. Provided by courtesy of MELISSA MAGANA, a Financial Advisor with Wachovia Securities in McAllen, Texas. For more information, please call MELISSA MAGANA at (956) 345-3530. Wachovia Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC, is a separate non-bank affiliate of Wachovia Corporation. ©2008 Wachovia Securities, LLC. Investments in securities and insurance products: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE

The NHWN Lights Up the Night with Music, Diamond Dig, Silent Auction & Folkloric Dancing

Wachovia Securities is the trade name used by two separate, registered broker-dealers and nonbank affiliates of Wachovia Corporation providing certain retail securities brokerage services: Wachovia Securities, LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC, and Wachovia Securities Financial Network, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Wachovia Securities, 1 North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63103

The National Hispanic Women’s Network of the Rio Grande Valley held their annual Vino Devino fund-raising event Friday, October 24th at España Restaurant. In attendance were over 300 guests who sampled fine wines from the cellars of Exceptional Wines of McAllen and enjoyed delicacies from three top area establishments, España, Sahadi’s and Crazy Guido’s. The Fifth St. Band performed a mix of rock & motown from the 70’s. For fun, the ladies dressed in vintage era clothing and danced the night away before the competitive silent auction closed. Sponsors Portillo Jewelers, Wilkinson Ray Iron & Metal, Frank Smith Toyota and Contempo Magazine provided items for the silent auction that will help fund NHWNT charities and programs. Portillo Jewelers of McAllen sponsored a popular diamond dig where ladies lined up to try and uncover a one karat diamond by screeding sand! The Dig yielded over $1000 in funds for the organization. At dusk everyone gathered around to see folkloric dancers perform in

traditional costumes. According to Alida Hernandez, NHWNT chapter president, the event grossed over $10,000 that they will put to good use. The NHWNT is a professional women’s organization that vigorously promotes the professional activities of it’s members, supports charities and celebrates local cultural heritage. Because it offers workshops, networking opportunities and other career advancement training, the National Hispanic Women’s Network is the largest hispanic based women’s organization in the state & has seen significant membership growth in the local chapter this year. To inquire about joining the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the NHWNT contact Rosie Wilkinson rgv@hwnt.org by R. Magaña contempomag.com page 17

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1004 N. Texas / 968-5551 215 E. Mile 3 Rd. / 688-3675 Monday-Saturday 9 am-8 pm Monday-Saturday 9 am-8pm Sunday 12 am-5 pm Wal-Mart In-Store Palmhurst HEB In-Store Weslaco Sunday 12 am-5 pm

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La Plaza Mall-East 2200 S. 10th St. 215 E. Mile 3 Rd. 688-3760 688-3675 2200 S. 10th Monday-Saturday 8 am-8 pm St. / 688-3660 Monday-Saturday 9 am-8 pm Sunday 11amMonday-Saturday - 6 pm Sunday 12pm - 51023 pm S. Bridge 9 am-8 pm

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La Plaza Mall-West 2200 S. 10th St. 688-3660 Monday-Saturday 9 am-8 pm 1200 E. Jackson Sunday 11am - 6 pm

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Raising

Japanese Koi By Jorge Oliver

I thought it would be of great interest this time to introduce you to a the great hobbie of raising Japanese Koi. The world of "Japanese Koi" provides an interesting and exciting past time. Some enthusiast raise Koi to compete at local and even international shows. There is also a great amount of effort and technology invested in designing and maintaining the fish ponds. The learning process takes many years to master but it rewards the hobbyists with healthy and beautiful fish know as Koi or Living Jewels as the Japanese called them. During the next months I will be introducing with more detail the different aspects of Koi, but for now a brief history of the Koi. Since the evolution of Koi is though to date back more than a thousand years, some of the earlier statements that follow in this section are not very well documented or not at all. Because the facts are "sketchy", there are many theories and speculations that exist regards the history of Koi. The following are some of the more popular theories that exist. The history and existence of Carp and Koi is certainly evident in some of the oldest crafts that exist today which remain or originated in Asia and the Far East, in the form of paintings, utensils, pottery sculptures and carvings etc. Nishikigoi, commonly referred to as "Koi" are the national fish of Japan, therefore the fish's name is derived from the Japanese language. "Nishiki" is the Japanese word used to describe a highly coloured cloth. "Goior Koi" is the Japanese name for carp. Together, therefore "Nishikigoi" is derived from coloured carp. However, as koi keeping has become more popular throughout the world, peo-

ple now refer to these species as "Koi". Contrary to belief, Koi are not indigenous to Japan. They were believed to originate from eastern Asia, in the Black, Caspian, Aral Seas and China. The earliest written records of Koi were found in China. Koi were believed to be introduced to Japan with the invading Chinese and a first account of them being kept by an emperor in Japan, apparently dates Back to AD 200. Iran is thought to be the ancestral home of the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), from which Koi were first developed. This wild carp, which is an excellent food, was carried to Japan, China and western Europe by traders about a thousand years ago. Koi differ from Goldfish (Carassius auratus) in their origins. Goldfish share a common ancestry with the Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius) and were developed in China, where carp have been bred for as long as 2000 years. they do not grow as large as Koi and the two species can be clearly distinguished by the fact that Koi have two pairs of barbels on the upper lip, while Goldfish have none. Koi were first bred in Japan in the 1820s, initially in the town of Ojiya in the Niigata prefecture on the north eastern coast of mainland Japan. This area is situated high in the mountains, where snow can fall up to several metres in depth, cutting of access to the area in the winter months. Therefore, carp were used for food and for eating during the winter. Rice farmers there (continued onwere pagestored 53 Koi) contempomag.com page 19

Our Most Precious Resource is Wasting Away Model Programs Show Essential Progress can be Made Although many in Texas would argue that our most precious resource is petroleum which has meant so much to our state’s economy. That answer is wrong. Our conservation of this resource has not changed in the last 20 years, loses continue to drip away at one unit every 4 minutes and will reach a level of potential tax loses in state income of $20 billion dollars soon. Our state leaders have become so used to this loss that many accuse them of now planning for it in their yearly budgets. Inaction on our part, will eventually directly affect more than 2 million Texans economic success as well as have effects on the whole of society. No, it is not water or clean air either. Our most precious resource is the education of our youth. The Intercultural Development Research Association reports that the level of attrition in Texas high schools has not significantly changed since 1986. About 1/3 of all high school students never graduate. Among Hispanics the level is much higher at 44%. In our Rio Grande Valley which averages a population that is 89% Hispanic, several counties had the highest dropout rates in the state including Cameron 47%, Hidalgo 45%, and Starr 41%. The gap between Hispanic students and white students is actually increasing. Many are complaining that we have become too complacent about this problem. The President of the IRDA , Maria Robledo Montecel, Ph.D., tells of a freshman English teacher in a large inner-city high school preparing her curriculum when her principal sent her a list of 38 students assigned in one class. She marched to his office and told him that she could not do a good job with 38 students in one class. He told her: “Not to worry. In six weeks, your class will have 24 students.” The other 14, he assured her, will have dropped out by then. Dr. Montecel was asked to testify before Congress where she provided an action plan. Her research has indicated that drop out rates can be reduced by: 1. Valuing all students equally. 2. Not writing off difficult students or challenging students 3. There must be at least one educator in a student’s life who is totally committed to the success of that student. 4. Families must be valued as partners with the school, all committed to ensuring that equity and excellence is present in a student’s life. Schools must change and innovate to match the characteristics of their students and embrace the strengths and contributions that students and their families bring. School staff, especially teachers, must be equipped with the tools needed to ensure their students’ success, including the use of technology, different learning styles and mentoring programs. Effective professional development can help provide these tools. There are critics who say that there is a major difference in what is an ideal situation and what can really be achieved. Early this year in the Rio Grande Valley a conference, the 3rd Annual College Readiness Summit, was held to discuss the drop out problem and the main topic of discussion reported in the press was that too many poor Hispanics had the “pobrecito” syndrome, that is that they felt sorry for themselves. page 20 contempo magazine

What is the attitude of Hispanics toward education? The highly respected non-partisan Pew Center reported in 2008 that a survey of Hispanics showed that 94% rated education as an important issue. Can a program work to improve Hispanic drop out rates? Dr. Rogelio Lopez del Bosque was a high school principal in Houston at a Title 1 school that was 85% Hispanic and overwhelmingly consisted of poor students. Over a five year period his school went from a high drop out rate to a majority of graduating seniors now attending college. How did he achieve success? His success began with engaging the parents into the school. Communication between teachers and parents is important. He found that parents regardless of their level of education wanted information about the school. This interaction must be more than talk, the school must be transformed into a “parent friendly” environment and encourage parent participation. Teachers must be able to do more than teach. They must show an ability to value students and also be adept at communicating with parents at their level. If there are language barriers to communication and the teacher is not bilingual than the school needs to have a plan for someone to translate. The conversation between teachers and parents should focus on positive points but that does not mean difficult issues cannot be addressed. For problem students a definitive intervention process needs to be made. This process should create for the student a sense of responsibility in dealing the issue. By having teachers and school officials become good listeners and by having them engaging the parents he was able to break the cycle of negative expectations. Parents welcomed the concepts of discipline and rigor in the classroom as well developed higher expectations for graduation or even attending college. Engaging the community also got them interested in pursuing adult education of the parents as well. For those of us lucky enough to have sent our children to private school all these ideas are striking familiar to what we have experienced. The ideas put forth by these talented educators are valid and should be instituted. Teachers and schools need to be given the time and resources to reach out to their communities. We have done a great job at creating programs for the few that are gifted but there is a tremendous untapped wealth of talent that could boost our nation in those that currently are failing and dropping out. Our first priority must be to improve our educational infrastructure to protect and develop our most precious resource. Drs. Del Bosque and Montecel have taught us how to succeed. Now lets see if we as a society are good students who will apply what we have learned. by Tony Magaña

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Latina Magazine Hosts SPI Music Fest

page 22 contempo magazine

Fashion Show & Kickoff Party featuring Southpole

Latina Magazine teamed up with the new fashion giant, Southpole to host a fall fashion show and kickoff party at the Peninsula Island Resort & Spa on South Padre Island. Missy’s Modeling of McAllen, Texas provided the Valley’s top models for the affair, attended by a large audience of over 1000 people. The event included a special acoustic performance by Chana a rising latina star from Los Angeles who performed her new hit, Manos Arribe for the special VIP audience. Local dignitaries including Miss Rio Grande Valley Teen USA, Laura Gonzalez and South Padre Island Mayor Bob Pinkerton attended the catered, pre-party event to kick off the SPI Music Festival. Southpole, a streetwear megabrand founded in 1991 who designs, manufactures and distributes its own exclusive clothing line, showcased their fall fashion trends in a cool out door breeze at the Peninsula with the ocean as a backdrop. Tom Castañeda of Latina Magazine brought his best crew down from New York to produce the show. Later, on Friday night Chana performed a full score of jazzy latin songs at Club Pelican West as part of the Music Festival line-up. The Peninsula Island Resort & Spa, with its great beach location just across from the bridge, made for an ideal fashion show atmosphere. From the pool area you could see both the Laguna Madre and the beach shoreline as dusk turned to night. Beatifully lit landscapes made for perfect model pathways around the pool and garden. Although the weather was perfect for the outdoor event, the view from inside Las Olas Bar & Grill that overlooks the beach and pool area was exceptional. contempomag.com page 23

page 24 contempo magazine

contempomag.com page 25

The models from Missy’s looked fabulous in Southpole’s comfortable west coast designs often worn by celebrities. These young ladies, in their stunning outfits, could turn any bad market good! They often appear at major Valley functions and clearly have perfected their modeling skills. Their seasoned poise, beauty & talent were very well received and truly a site to see. Great Job Missy! Guests from all parts of the state & Mexico had a wonderful time enjoying great food, a spectacular fashion show featuring over 20 of Southpole’s fall fashion trends and the musical performance by Chana. Contempo had a great time at the show too! We want to thank Tom Castaneda & his crew from Latina Magazine for giving us, at Contempo, the opportunity to collaborate with America’s leading latina fashion magazine. (congrats on the cover nomination). And most of all thanks, to Latina Magazine for coming down to the Valley & taking part in an event that celebrates our unique culture & talent. by Ralph Magaña page 26 contempo magazine

contempomag.com page 27

Colonel Mike Fossum Comes Home to McAllen for Dedication & Tells of His Advertures in Space

McAllen native, astronaut Mike Fossum comes back home

to a warm welcome at the new McAllen Convention Center. He holds many titles as a Valleyite. Mike has traveled the fastest & farthest. He is the only Valleyite to have seen us from space and the only one who has buckled up to a rocket. Mike has lived just about every boys dream by becoming one of NASA’s top astronauts. He has logged a mind boggling 636 hours in space, including over 42 hours in 6 EVAs. But it all started long before he strapped in.

the Shuttle during and after its July 4th launch. The crew also performed maintenance on the space station and delivered and transferred more than 28,000 pounds of supplies and equipment, and a new Expedition 13 crew member to the station.

Again on Discovery, Mike flew his second mission into space on the 123rd Space Shuttle flight, and the 26th Shuttle flight to the International Space Station. STS-124 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and docked with the International Space Station on June 2 to deliver the Mike Fossum was born December 19, 1957 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Japanese Experiment Module-Pressurized Module ( JEM-PM) and the Japbut grew up in the city he calls home, McAllen, Texas. Soon he was off to anese Remote Manipulator System. STS-124 Shuttle astronauts delivered college after graduating from McAllen High School in the spring of 1976. the 37-foot (11-meter) Kibo lab, added its rooftop storage room and Mike He graduated from Texas A & M with a B. S. in Mechanical Engineering and Fossum accumulated 20 hours and 32 minutes of EVA in 3 space walks relater with a M. S. in Systems Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Tech- quired to maintain the station and to prime the new Japanese module’s ronology. At A & M, he was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate botic arm for work during nine days docked at the orbiting laboratory. & served as Squadron Commander in the Corps of Cadets. Completing his formal education, Mike earned another M. S. but this time in Physical Sci- Mike is not just another techo/wizard/space junky. Col. Mike Fossum is a great speaker and it was a special pleasure to hear him speak of his famence at the University of Houston. ily, space flight and the future of the program. He described the feeling of He was detailed to NASA and was selected for Air Force Test Pilot School weightlessness & how it feels to readjust to gravity and how it feels to look at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where he graduated in 1985. After upon the Earth from space. Although there is a lot of serious business going graduation he served as a Flight Test Engineer, working on the develop- on up there, he makes it sound fun too. Mike also described how re-entry was a much smoother descent using only a mild, stabilizer rockets and how ment of the F-16 Falcon, fighter jet armaments. “little bumps” are not that unlike a bit of turbulence while flying. All the After moving on to NASA but still holding his rank of Colonel in the USAF kids in the audience eyes glimmered when he said that it would be the next Reserves, Mike immediately started work on evaluating the worthiness of generation of Americans who will be the first to walk on the planet Mars. the Russian Soyuz spacecraft for use as an emergency escape vehicle and then moved on to help develop the X-38, a prototype crew escape vehicle He and wife, Melanie have 4 children. He enjoys family activities, motorcycle riding, and backpacking. Mike’s main hobby is serving as Scoutmaster for the new Space Station, as a Flight Test Engineer. of a Boy Scout Troop. Mike’s first space mission was aboard Discovery, on July 4th, 2006 for what was a return-to-flight test mission and assembly flight to the Internation- by Ralph Magaña al Space Station. During the 13-day flight the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery tested new equipment and procedures that increase the safety of space shuttles, and produced never-before-seen, high-resolution images of page 28 contempo magazine

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Deutsch & Deutsch of McAllen hosted a showcase collection of jeweled watches by Cartier at the McAllen International

Museum on Friday evening, November 14th. The Collection showcased Cartier’s craftsmanship, creative styling and artistry in both contemporary and classical styles. Clients enjoyed ﬁne wine & tapas while mingling about the walls of contemporary art and highlighted chronographs in glass cases. Inspired by automobiles of the 1950’s, the fully paved, Roadster XL Chronograph Watch (pictured above) has over 1440 diamonds weighing over 19 carats. The Roadster is a sleek work of art that projects sophisticated masculinity and certainly attracted the attention of the ladies!

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South Padre Island Music Festival Draws Record Crowd with Willie Nelson, Blue Oyster Cult Ghostland Observatory & Los Lonely Boys

An enormous crowd gathered to hear living legend and Outlaw Willie Nelson who headlined the South Padre Island Music Festival this year. For decades Willie Nelson who has, with is crystal clear country voice and rhythm, entertained fans of many generations did not let the record crowd down that perfect Sunday afternoon. As he approached the stage that cool autumn day, looking fit & full of his calm relaxed demeanor, everyone sensed the presence of the great music star he has become. Willie, after all, doesn’t go by William or Billy and clearly projects a feeling of family closeness to his fans. After knowing of Willie for many years one feels proud hearing the “Country Sweet” reassuring sound of his voice. Funny how the rumors spread about this being his last concert. After the show however, everyone was in agreement that we haven’t seen the last of Ol Willie. The Outlaw, will be a crowd pleaser for years to come and is always welcome in South Texas as page 32 contempo magazine

a favored Son. He has over the years been a dedicated supporter of family farming aid and still remains very active in countless ways. His performance was an ideal finish for the SPI Music Festival, now in it’s second year as an annual Island event. This year the producers decided to spread the venue around the Island over three days and arranged over 60 performances by top groups including Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, Los Lonely Boys, Ghostland Observatory and Fantasma. They and many others performed at the Dunes Stage at Schlitterbahn, the Bay Stage at Louie’s, Amberjack’s, Wanna Wanna and at the new Club Pelican West. One had to be selective about performances because of the overlapping schedule but it gave everyone more alternatives. Rock, Alternative, Folk, Jazz, Country take your pick was the plan & it seemed to work well for the diverse crowds attending the three day festival.

Willie Nelson

contempomag.com page 33

Blue Oyster Cult

The festivities opened with a pre-festival style show at the Peninsula Resort & Spa, featuring new up & coming Latin singer/songwriter, Chana from New York with several of her new tropically Latin songs. She performed later at Pelican West as models featured stylish fashion wear from Southpole. Blue Oyster Cult, famed pioneers of heavy metal, performed on the big stage at the Dunes. It was a real sight to see on Saturday night. We all got to hear our favorites like Don’t Fear the Reaper, Burning for You & Godzilla. These guys, to the cheers and dancing of thousands were, note for note, right on with no awkward deviations of their seasoned classics. It was like going back in time to 1976 listening to these hard edged, pioneers who assaulted the music industry with their mastery of amplified electric guitar and memorable lyrics, taking rock to a new level of perfection. For this old timer, I came for B.O.C. and that’s what I got from the page 34 contempo magazine

band that gave us one of the all time greatest songs. Suzanna Choffel from Austin, Texas had, I think, one of the best slots. Her Band performed at the Bay stage just before Del Castillo Saturday evening. Her music, a refreshing blend of Jazz/Grove influenced Pop along the same lines as Nellie Furtado, attracted both young and old alike with a crisp tempo and enchanting lyrics. With songs like Hey Mister her sexy, jazzy, soul voice is like, whispering in your ear. Choffel flows with a magnetic attraction that drew in a larger than expected crowd as her soft voice filled the evening air around Louie’s Backyard with delightful music. Suzanna has been performing for several years but only became really serious about her career three years ago. Since then she has been touring & recording with her Band, most recently in L.A. and New York. When not touring, she plays the Austin club scene a lot and is working on a new music video CD.

Ghostland Observatory

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A real crowd pleaser from Austin, Texas, Ghostland Observatory had the most dramatic special visual effects short of fire works at the Festival. It is incredible what they (2) can do in a display of music & dramatic visual stimulation using lasers while performing. Their breed of music seemingly is still evolving with labels like electro-dance-funk. The duo, Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner are quickly performing to sell-out crowds all around the country after a quick start in Austin, their hometown. With their spectral blend of electronics, drums, guitar and vocals, they have emerged with a sound that is the culmination of past influence and present inspiration from rock legends like the Animals and David Bowie & more recently, Daft Punk and Green Velvet. Ginger Leigh, performed twice, Friday night at Wanna Wanna and again Saturday night at Amberjack’s. Ginger’s music is a lot of fun and she is very well staged for striking performances. You don’t need a beer in hand to have a good time listening to Ginger Leigh & her unpackaged music style that breaks only for some interactive comedy with crowd. Ginger was virtually born with stage & music in her blood coming from the San Antonio area. She has a really great lessoned voice, top showgirl attributes and plays a stiff acoustic guitar. Her music seems to draw from several different styles

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page 38 contempo magazine

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and she doesn’t like to be characterized but her roots are with Jazz, Country, Gospel and R & B. Like any dedicated artist, her performance was flawless and hard to break away from as the sunset over the bay at Amberjack’s. She is all entertainment with audience interaction, as she kids around with big crowd or small. It was a real pleasure to see both her shows at the music festival. There were lots of other great performances by local and popular regional bands including Groupo Fantasma, Los Lonely Boys who attracted large younger crowds at the festival. A local favorite, Pelican West performed at their new club. They are a great show band that performed hot pop hits from the 70’s and 80’s. Club Pelican West turned out to be a great hang-out after the daily shows in their new, hi-tech Club that features a video karaoke recorder for the brave!

Ginger Leigh

There were a number of jazz and folk artists throughout the festival at the six venues across the Island. It was easy and fun roaming around looking over different shows to sample the music. While the crowds were large, parking wasn’t too diﬃcult and the weather could not have been more perfect in helping to make the SPI Music Festival a big success and a delightful event for Valley music fans of all ages and tastes. Three deep Harumps! for Tim Haden and all the folks at GamePlan from Austin, Texas who produced the SPI Music Festival. Deanna Bowmen and the Island staff did a great job as well hosting special services. Their staff and operators did a professional job making the fans, quests and VIPs happy all weekend long. by Ralph Magaña contempomag.com page 39

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page 40 contempo magazine

Bongodogs at Wanna Wanna Contempo caught up with several members of the Bongodogs, at their home club the Wanna Wanna, a few days after their performance at the SPI International Music Festival. The Bongodogs have been playing on South Padre Island for over a decade. “Hmmm, it’s closer to 15 years now” says David Cassady, bassist and band manager. “I wouldn’t really call myself the manager. I just try to keep things going and organize the booking schedule”. The Bongodogs actually started out as a fourpiece band; trumpet, trombone, bass, and drums. “Hence the name Bongodogs” explains Cassady, “We were trying for the beatnik image”. Today the band rarely plays with less than 10 members on stage. Right up front you notice the horn section. Then there are a couple of vocalists, and two steel drum players, then the usual guitar, bass, and drums. This is a big band! The group often brings out their youngest member Brett Hill, 9, who plays a great cowbell and even chimes in on vocals. The rest of the band is Vikki Camacho, vocals; Cathi Quick, trombone and vocals; Alan Stewart, harmonica and vocals; Dave Lohry, guitar and vocals; Steve Philippus, trumpet and vocals; Terry Tomlin, sax; Patrick Anderson and Tom Nevill, steel drum and percussion; Phil Hill, drums; and David Cassady, bass. Most of the music was written by Joey Tamayo, who delighted the crowd with a guest appearance during the festival. It is difficult to peg the Bongodogs music into a specific genre. The basic concept seems to be a bouncy syncopated cumbia, with a punchy horn line and Spanglish lyrics laid over the top. “We call it Caliche Music. It is a blend of styles and influences that we think is unique to South Texas” says Cathi Quick. “A lot of what we do is improvisation, everybody is a soloist, everybody puts their voice into every tune.” If you would like to hear the Bongodogs, the good news is that you do not have to wait for the next SPI MusicFest! The Bongodogs play every Saturday night from April through October at the Wanna Wanna on South Padre Island. “I think our relationship with the club is unique” says Cassady. “The Wanna Wanna is really very much our home. Since the start of the International Music Festival, we’ve insisted on playing this venue. The crowds have been great..and who came blame them… just look at this view!” You can check out the Bongodogs on the web at www.bongodogs. com or www.myspace.com/bongodogs. Their music is available for purchase or download at any number or internet music sites, including i-tunes and CDBaby. The Wanna Wanna is located at 5100 North Gulf Blvd (Beach Access #19) on South Padre Island.

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THE FUSION OF TEX-MEX & SUSHI, BEST DONE HERE? What Began in New York & California Finishes Best with a South Texas Influence

Although the term Tex-Mex in reference to the culture of the Rio Grande Valley and border area had been in some use since the 1940’s the term was officially placed in print in 1972 by the international cooking authority Diana Kennedy in her classic book “Cuisines of Mexico”. Although she was English Mexican authorities were so impressed with her book she was honored with the Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest honor which can be bestowed to a non-Mexican by the Congress of Mexico.

A young chef from Austria named Wolfgang Puck was learning these new techniques in Europe including the famed restaurant Maxim’s in Paris before coming to the United States where he opened up Spago in 1982 in Los Angeles and subsequent world wide fame. At the same time California was seeing heavy immigration from Asia and Mexico. In 1985 Robert Lindsay, Chief Correspondent for the New York Times Bureau in Los Angeles wrote that Not many years ago, California cuisine meant a hamburger, fries and a milk shake at a drive-in Although Tex-Mex food had its foundations in the cooking tra- restaurant. But thanks largely to the seminal influence of two ditions of Northern Mexico it was influenced by spices, chees- people, Alice Waters, founder of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, and es, and beans more available in the United States out of neces- Wolfgang Puck, the proprietor-chef of Spago in West Hollysity. Gradually this type of food spread around the country as wood, California has produced a still-evolving culinary style “Mexican Food”. that can be sampled from one end of the state to the other. Meanwhile across the ocean in the 1970’s, French chefs began to combine traditional French dishes with other styles of cooking into a new style called nouvelle cuisine. Two important characteristics of this type of cooking were (1) cooking meats and fishes much less to preserve flavor and (2) making much lighter sauces.

page 42 contempo magazine

It's a style that emphasizes fresh, local ingredients cooked simply. Menus change according to the season and the availability of produce, seafood and herbs. At many restaurants, patrons may find as much attention devoted to a well-prepared salad as to more elaborate dishes. Clichés of California cuisine abound: ubiquitous hunks of goat

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and finally restaurant owners. They learn how to buy and prepare sushi as well as the Japanese.

Ever wonder why we see so many sushi places in the Rio Grande Valley. Mexican culture has an acquired taste for raw fish from eating ceviche. Which is raw fish marinated in citrus mix for about three hours which originated in Peru. Actually some historians believe that this idea came from the Philippines when In recent years, California has been at the receiving end of a ships used to land in Acapulco from the Philippines more than tide of immigration from Asia, Latin America, Europe and 250 years ago making it the original fusion cuisine. other parts of the world that is probably unmatched since the great trans-Atlantic migrations to New York at the turn of the In the best of these restaurants the chefs are exquisitely trained. century. Originally inspired in part and still largely influenced In fact many times they only use the Japanese name for the fish by the cooking of Northern Italy, the state's cuisine is melding they are preparing but always use the Spanish name for the the culinary styles of Western Europe with those of Japan, Chi- spices. na, Southeast Asia, Mexico, the American Indian and others. This appears to be first reference to Japanese-Mexican cuisine Today in the Rio Grande Valley we see local restaurants putat least that I could find. ting chili, avocado, olive oils, jalapenos, cilantro and various other spices into their own form of Sushi and Sashimi. There Interest in Japanese cuisine spread throughout the world in the is a lot of competition between restaurants so they are consis1990s and at the same time there was beginning to be a dent in tently improvising. I cannot prove it but I have traveled widely the opinion of many that going out meant going to a traditional between California, Florida, and Texas over the past several European restaurant. Renowned Dining Critic Joe Izzo Jr. wrote years during which I have not seen the number or quality of in the late 1990’s fusion cuisine starts to overtake traditional Mexican-Japanese restaurants that are in the McAllen area. In European style cooking also coincides with people becoming my view, this new generation of Tex-Mex is being best fused more casual about going out. here where spices like chipotle, ancho & serano have been familiar long before they became household American brands on At the same time all this is going on, Mexican immigrants are potato chips and salsas. working in places like Benihana’s and other Asian restaurants. They move up the ladder from busboys, to waiters, to chef’s By Tony Magaña contempomag.com page 43

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Homemade Scooters They were made by taking a metal roller skate apart, putting the front and back on a piece of 2 x 4 on opposite ends, nailing the parts in place. You would then nail the 2 x 4 onto a wooden milk crate, fastening the bottom of the crate to the top of the 2 x 4 at the front skate part end. I f you were really into it , you would paint your scooter with any color paint that was available in your house. It Hula Hoops a large plastic sand filled ring that when used spun was very inexpensive, but a lot of fun. around the waist, creating the motion of Hula Dancing G. I Joe was an overnight success. Later, it became an exercise G.I.Joe space suit and frogman outfit from Hasbro's tool that is still available today with battery operated came with G.I. Joe in his Mercury space capsule and sil- lights. ver metallic space suit, as well as the orange and black mini-sub and orange wet suit (we called it a "frogman outfit" back then. page 44 contempo magazine

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How a Simple Request From a Fallen Soldier’s Family Touched a Nation

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Call 956-702-4000 Felix Longoria grew up in a small town called Three Rivers between Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Texas. His father was initially a foreman for the railroad but when his engine was destroyed he was dismissed and thereafter sought work as a migrant farm worker. Taking his wife and small children on a truck they would canvas the state looking for work. As was common in the 1930s many times the family had to use the truck as a home if no barn was available because “Mexicans” were not allowed in hotels. Young Felix emulated his father in learning how to fix things. His late sister once said that he could fix just about anything around the house or on wheels. Like many young men, he eventually married and moved to Corpus Christi to seek his future as a truck driver but the world was at war and he was now of age to serve in the military. In 1945 he was a part of the invading forces retaking the Philippines. Several reports indicate that he found life in the military different without the discrimination he had felt at home growing up in Texas. His family last heard from him when he was in California just before being shipped out to the Pacific. On June 15th, 1945 he was in the jungle of Luzon in the Philippines when a sniper’s bullet killed him instantly. His family received word of his death some time later and that he had been buried in a temporary grave. Three years later in 1948, his sister had received word that the body of Private Felix Longoria was being returned to the family. The body was shipped by train to Three Rivers and she took a bus trip from Corpus Christi to Three Rivers. Initially the Rice Funeral Home had told her they would handle the body and funeral but just as the train was arriving, his widow Beatrice and her young daughter were told that the funeral home could not provide chapel services because certain, non-hispanics might find it objectionable. She called Dr. Hector Garcia, a well known physician and recent founder of the G.I. Forum, who got the message out to the press and to the young ambitious Senator from Texas, Lyndon B. Johnson. The Senator had been a school teacher in Texas for poor Hispanics. He once had donated 75% of his salary to help a school for Mexican-American children. The national press embarrassed the State of Texas when Walter Winchell said on a national radio broadcast “the state of Texas, which looms so large on the map, looks so small tonight….”. Horace Busby in an interview years later stated that then Senator Johnson on hearing about the incident said “These boys go off and fight and die and they run into this at home.” Johnson had been an aviator and awarded a Silver Star in the Pacific theater in

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1942 before President Roosevelt ordered all members of Congress back to Washington. In a statement to Congress, the young Senator noted that he had found out that Mexican Americans were winning medals for courage more than any other group. On January 11th, 1949 he sent to the following telegram to group of over 1,000 people including Dr. Garcia which said ”I deeply regret to learn that the prejudice of some individuals extends even beyond this life. I have no authority over civilian funeral homes. Nor does the federal government. However, I have today made arrangements to have Felix Longoria buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery here in Washington where, the honored dead of our nation’s war rest…. This injustice and prejudice is deplorable. I am happy to have a part seeing that this Texas hero is laid to rest with the honor and dignity his service deserves.” U.S. Senator Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson, Congressman John Lyle, and President Truman’s military aide, Gen. Harry H. Vaughan joined the Longoria family for a full military burial with honors at Arlington National Cemetery on February 16, 1949. That was not the end of the story. An official state inquiry found that there had been no wrong doing in Three Rivers. Since that time many have questioned the motives of the ambitious young Senator and what was really said. Unfortunately, the truth is that the Longoria family really just wanted Felix Longoria to be buried close to home and in that simple request there was no mercy. Today LONGORIA, FELIX Z ,PVT USAGF27TH INF rests in Section 34 of the Arlington National Cemetery. Of course things have changes much and for the better in South Texas. Earned of bravery, soldiers like Felix Longoria and then Congressman, Johnson should be remembered and celebrated. Private Longoria for his ultimate sacrifice in a time of war and Johnson, remembered not in this case for his politics, but for his sense of morality and just cause. Johnson is remembered after all, as a President who had great moral beliefs and exercised them with vigor in both domestic and foreign arenas, as this incident so well demonstrated. He took a political chance for a righteous cause ultimately embraced by many others as it unfolded. Felix Longoria was a hero but so too was the late Hector Garcia-Founder of the G.I. Forum. So to is the late, Beatrice Longoria-wife to Felix and Sara Posas-sister who suffered from the early death of Felix and the aftermath of what followed. The shy Beatrice Longoria died at the age of 88 this year. Tony Magaña contempomag.com page 47

Upper Valley Pioneer Karla Saaveda Cabañas

Karla Saaveda Cabañas grew up in Minatitlan, a small vil-

lage on the out-skirts of Veracruz, Mexico with no idea that destiny would lead her to McAllen, Texas some 17 years later. With her mother from Veracruz and father from Reynosa, at the age, they moved to Reynosa giving Karla the chance to pursue a college education at UTPA. She did well in school and with the help of student loans enrolled at UTPA to study business. Like many Valley college students, Karla got a part time job at the university to help make ends meet and in her spare time took up Folkloric dancing with the Mexican Folkloric Dancers at the university. Discovering one of the truly artistic, cultural dance forms has always captured her heart and she found it in flamenco expression. “It’s not only a lot of fun to perform but I find it a great fitness work out too. Flamenco is rooted in the Spanish culture as an expressive art form where motion & guitar fuse in a dramatic display of alluring sight & sound.” Eye contact with the audience is an other aspect of flamenco dancing that makes it all the more exciting to watch. One can perceive the entire performance as a personal affair as the dancer locks on, eye to eye as she works the crowd. At performances all over southern Spain, it is customary to tip the performers even at high society gatherings. Clicking castanets, perfectly timed striking heals, the fan along with a highly detailed dress for both men & women is more potent than coffee at keeping you attentive at a Flamenco dance performance. Karla spends about six to four hours a week perfecting her flamenco skills with Sonia Chapa in McAllen. page 48 contempo magazine

Karla graduated Cum Laude from UTPA with a degree in Business Administration, with a major in accounting and now works for a major accounting firm in McAllen. There she project manages audits for local cities, school districts and non-profit organizations as a Senior Auditor. With her staff she visits these organizations to make sure there is no hanky panky going on by reviewing their policies, financial records and files. Most of her time is spent insuring that federal grant money and local taxes are being well spent and to prevent fraud from occurring with tax payer money. With the flamenco costume off and the business attire on its “All serious business” she tells us. She works long hours looking for suspicious statement entries and patterns. “It’s not just about balancing the books, we do our work here with a different type of passion because of the huge responsibilities and large sums of public funds at stake.” Karla while working full time is also planning on achieving a seat for the CPA boards in 2009. She is taking classes for it and must complete 150 hours of credit to qualify for the test. Karla is an only child and has developed a strong personal desire to help young children in the area who have special needs. She serves as a volunteer big sister for the BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER program. Her little sister, nine year old Joanna is her other passion. They go to the movies, the park and the library together. Joanna can count on Karla as a good role model and as a friend. “It has been very rewarding to participate in the program because it gives me the chance to share my own educational and professional achievements with the next generation so they know what’s possible.”

contempomag.com page 49

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Decanting Wine Whether to Filter Sediment of Aged Wine or to Stimulate Development of Young Wine, Methods Differ. By Jennifer de Jong The idea of decanting brings images of blue bloods standing around a cocktail table with dozens of beautiful crystal bottles staring back at them. I used to think that people decanted their wine just to look "fancy". This may be true for some, but the real reason that wine began being decanted is because there was no filtration system in place for wine back in the day. The wine that would be poured from the barrel would contain a considerable amount of sediment and a system needed to be put in place to remove this before drinking. Now most of our wines are filtered to a very clear state and we don't have to decant to remove sediment but do it to enhance flavor prior to drinking.

When to Decant Wine?

1. Decant if your wine has sediment - Wines deposit sediment as a natural part of aging, some more than others. Decanting the wine can help to separate the clear wine from the sediment. Decanting the wine also introduces air into the wine - letting the wine breathe - releasing the aromas and enhancing flavors, particularly useful for red wines that are a little harsh. 2. If your wine has been aging for a long time Decanting old wines, just prior to serving, helps to ensure that the wines' clarity and brilliance are not obscured by any deposit that may have developed over time (pour slowly and avoid decanting the last ounce). 3. If your wine if very young - Decant young wines as much as several hours before they are served to give the wine a chance to breath, simulating a stage of development that might normally be acquired after years of aging (pour quickly, even up-ending the bottle - the idea is to expose the wine to air). 4. Just for fun! - I like to decant just to see if mine wine in the decanter tastes different than the wine I poured right out of the bottle. Why not! Decanters are also pretty so if you are having a party why not show them off. Just don't keep them sitting out for too long.

How to Decant Wine?

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Decanting Aged Wine For old wines with sediment one needs to be very careful when pouring the wine into a decanter. First, stand the bottle up for several hours to allow the sediment to settle at the bottom. Fine sediment will take longer to settle to the bottom of the bottle. Use a lit candle or lamp if you can't see where the sediment is in the bottle. Hold the bottle of wine so that the area

just below the neck of the wine bottle can be seen through the light while pouring. Ever so slowly begin pouring the aged wine into the decanter. Be patient. Hold the bottle as much as possible perpendicular to the candle. As the last one-third of the wine is poured, carefully watch for sediment. Stop pouring when any sediment appears in the neck of the bottle. For young red wines, splash the wine into the decanter. The more it splashes into the decanter, the more it comes in contact with oxygen. Let the wine settle and rest for a short time.

How Long to Decant?

If you are decanting your wine in order to let it breathe you will usually want it to sit in the decanter 1/2 hour to 1 hour before drinking. Your goal is for the wine to be giving off aromas. If it's not releasing flavors into the air, it's going to taste still and blah. There is however a point where you can let your wine decant too long. You would not want your wine to sit out at room temperature for 8 hours or more. At this point the wine will be come oxidized and begin to taste more like vinegar and/ or sherry. Remember, back in the old says wine was kept at about 50 degrees so being at 70+ for a substantial amount of time would be bad for the wine.

What Kind of Decanter?

Wine decanter design varies from the purely function to extravagantly decorated, but sometimes unusual design and functionality can go hand-in-hand as in the Orbital Decanter that, when removed from its base, will sit elegantly on your table while a gentle orbital movement increases the breathing of your wine with minimal disturbance. But the basic point of the decanter is to let air into the wine and to remove the sediment so whichever type you prefer is the one you should chose. There really is no right or wrong decanter. Of course, you can always let your wine breathe by just taking the cork out of the bottle, but very little air touches the surface and it will take much longer to achieve the desired effect. Some experts prefer to let wine breathe in the wineglass but I personally find it hard to wait patiently once it's been poured. About The Author Jennifer de Jong is a long time wine drinker, enjoyer of wine, and non-wine-snob. She is the founder of Vino Vixenz. A snob-free zone to learn wine tasting.

contempomag.com page 51

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Koi

(continued from page 19 Koi) introduced carp into their irrigation ponds to supplement their diet of rice. This devotion to breeding carp led to the Niigata region becoming established as the centre of the growing Koi industry.

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Colour mutations in carp were first noticed in the early 1800s. These mainly involved red, white and light yellow Koi (the latter developing into the first single - coloured Kawarimono) and later the tortoiseshell - patterned Koi. These were all mutations from the black Common Carp, known as Magoi. By the middle of the 1800s, cross-breeding of red and white carp produced what could be described as the first Kohaku. Early Koi varieties such as Asagi, Higoi and Bekko, were cross-bred until later the same century, fixing many of the varieties we know today. Certain varieties slowly reached high standards over several generations and in this way lineages became established. Around the same period, in central Europe a Carp mutation arose, the Carp only having a few large glossy scales along the dorsal line - the "mirror carp", or having no scales at all - the "leather carp". These fish which became known as "doitsu" from their mid european origins, were originally bred for food. Some of these "doitsu" carp were introduced to Japan in the early 1900s, which later led to the Shusui variety (doitsu Asagi). Until the beginning of the 20th century, Koi breeding was restricted to the Niigati region. Around this period Koi started to spread to other areas of Japan, where the industry, in general matured to what it is today. With the development of air travel in the mid 1900s, Koi started to migrate to other countries, such as America, Canada and the United Kingdom. Today, Koi can be hand picked in Japanese farms and transported anywhere in the world. As populations of high quality Koi increase throughout the world, It will be a matter of time before new varieties are produced in countries outside Japan. by Jorge Oliver

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For many Valley women Promesa Salud has been a lifesaver. A Project of Planned Parenthood, Cameron & Willacy County, “Promesa Salud” has become, for Valley women who have limited financial resources, a vital means to acquire free screening for the early detection of Breast Cancer. Promesa Salud offers free breast screening mammograms and if needed, additional diagnostic services, such as diagnostic mammograms, ultrasound, and surgical consultations when necessary, for women who meet eligibility requirements. The program is also supported by the Department of State Health Services, and the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations. They have achieved substantial success with the project although it is only a few years in existence. For these diligent & driven individuals in the program, success is measured by the incidence of positive screens from the participants. They know that for many of these women, early detection will be a lifesaver. Last year out of 1400 screens they discovered 33 incidences of breast cancer, a very significant number considering the small population size. Many of these women, because of early detection, have been cured & frequently speak on behalf of the program to help raise needed funds so it can continue. One such event, sponsored by Ben’s Liquor of Brownsville, Padre Island & Harlingen was held at the South Padre Island Convention Center. There I met Irma Salazar, a breast cancer survivor who attributes her opportunity of prolonged life to the early detection services at the program and thanks God for giving her the courage to participate.

Help Can Save Lives.

Irma (pictured above) contracted breast cancer. After a simple self administered breast exam she decided to seek medical advice & learned of the bewildering expenses needed for essential diagnostic procedures. Through her care givers, like Dr. Uvaldo Cantu of Harlingen, she learned of the program. Fortunately for Irma it was an early stage detection and she only required chemotherapy and radiation. Studies confirm that a dramatic difference in survival rates can be achieved through early detection of breast cancer and that such efforts can actually reduce the need for more costly expenses associated with advanced disease. However, more funding is needed to screen for this disease that inflicts thousands of Valley women each year. To support funding for Promesa Salud, Planned Parenthood hosted an international wine festival held at the South Padre Island Convention Center on October 25th. It was a large event featuring live music, wines from Europe, California, Argentina, Chile & Australia, and a generous buffet with the support of Ben’s Liquor and the Holiday Inn Express to help generate needed funds. Many of the out of town attendants stayed at the new Holiday Inn Express which is conveniently located directly across from the Convention Center. The event was well attended by supporters in the Lower Valley and there were a number of Upper Valley residents with over 2000 in attendance. For more information about Promesa Salud contact: Terri Lievanos at (956) 546-4574 ext. 106 contempomag.com page 55

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