TODO Austin July 2015

www.todoaustin.com

Love Eventually.

Volume VII / Jul 2015

Mixed Race Identities Patricia Vonne Texas Music Museum Fire Cider

Latinitas The Cycle Latinitas Co-Founder and Executive Director

Laura Donnelly

of Mentorship Continues

MATWAALA, South Asian Diaspora Poets Collective, is an initiative to increase awareness of South Asian Diaspora poetry.

The name Matwaala evokes bonding and bonhomie. As poets we are, of course, drunk on language and words!

South Asian Diaspora Poetry Festival

matwaala Presented by:

The Poetry Caravan, API & ACC ON: SUNDAY, AUGUST

2, 2015 * 9 AM-9 PM.

Eminent South Asian poets from U.S. & Canada Poetry Readings! Panels! Papers! Youth readings!

Guest of honor: Guest of honor: Keki N. Daruwalla Keki N. Daruwalla

CULTURAL SEGMENT: Natyalaya School of Dance Rohit Dhamankar Kai Cole Rama Tiru Julie Slim and band!

AT: CASA DE LUZ, AUSTIN, TEXAS. 1701 Toomey Rd, Austin, TX 78704.

The Poetry Caravan

For information: email poetrycaravanaustin@gmail.com or call 914.686.4487.

Seating Limited. RSVP Appreciated.

IN THE SAM Z. CORONADO GALLERY

IN THE COMMUNITY GALLERY

Regeneration Daniel Arredondo & Maria Montoya Hohenstein

homegrown Maria Teresa Bonet

Exhibit Runs Through August 29th For more information, visit www.austintexas.gov/esbmacc 600 River St, Austin, TX 78701 | 512-974-3772

C E N T R O U R B A N O HABLA Austin

All you need is love Handing gay rights advocates a monumental victory, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26 ruled that marriages between couples of the same sex cannot be prohibited by states, a decision that overrides Texas’ long-standing ban on gay marriage. In a 5-4 ruling, the high court found that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry and that states must license a marriage between two people of the same sex. “Today’s victory will bring joy to tens of thousands of Texans and their families who have the same dreams for marriage as any others,” Chuck Smith, executive director for the gay rights group Equality Texas, said in a statement. “We hope state officials move swiftly to implement the Constitution’s command in the remaining 13 states with marriage discrimination.” – Texas Tribune Say ‘no’ to Eastside hotel Developers want to build a 65-room hotel, restaurant, and bar in the heart of a neighborhood at 1207 East César Chavez—right next door to residential homes and a neighborhood day care center. This action is incompatible with the East César Chavez Neighborhood Plan, and more than 400 neighbors have said “no” and ask you to join them at City Hall on Thursday, July 9 when the Planning Commission will vote on the project.

Please arrive no later than 5:30 pm in order to sign up and donate your minutes to speak. Meeting starts at 6 p.m.

East Cesar Chavez neighbors

Delivering diversity in media to Austin

What’s in our trash?

Through an independent study, Austin Resource Recovery discovered that 44 percent of residential trash going to the landfill could have been recycled. An additional 46 percent could have been composted. In recyclables alone, the City is missing out on nearly $4.7 million in lost revenue.

The City has a goal to keep 50 percent of trash out of landfills by December 2015. “This study confirms that if we recycle and compost properly, our Zero Waste goal is entirely attainable,” said Austin Resource Recovery Director Bob Gedert.

Austin Women’s Hall of Fame The City of Austin is committed to honoring exemplary women in the community who have positively impacted the lives of young girls and women throughout the city. To submit your nominations to The Austin Women’s Hall of Fame, please visit www.austintexas.gov/whof; deadline for nominations is July 31.

Connect Forum for minority business Are you a minority business enterprise/ MBE? Learn about programs at the MBE Certification 101 workshop by the City’s Small & Minority Business Resource Department on July 15, 1:30-5 p.m. at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. The workshop is for small business owned, managed, and controlled by minorities and/or women who wish to work in local, state, and federal government contracting.

ACC Women’s Conference Austin Community College will host the 11th annual Women’s Health, Motivation and Empowerment Conference on Saturday, July 18, from 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Eastview Campus, Building 8000, Room 8500. The free event is for women and teen girls seeking to enhance their lives personally and professionally. Sessions cover health, inspiration, relationship building, and career development. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please register online.

Volume VII, Number 3

for more than five years, TODO Austin

PUBLISHER/EDITOR // Gavin Lance Garcia info@todoaustin.com

printed journal, and TODOAustin.

ART DIRECTOR // Dave McClinton // dmdesigninc.com

com offer news, opinion, cultural

ASSOCIATE EDITORS // Evelyn C. Castillo, Paul Saldaña, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins

arts and lifestyle stories written

SENIOR EDITORS // Lobo Corona, Sonia Kotecha, Diana Sanchez, Lesley Varghese, Yvonne Lim Wilson

by, about, and for all ethnic communities in multicultural Austin.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS // Anthony Garcia, Mia Garcia, Harish Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Callie Langford, Genoveva Rodriguez, Monica Peña, Blake Shanley

Got something to say about Austin?

By Victoria Desselle

The month of July is packed with events happening all around our great city – at little to no cost – from free events to free services.

When we participate together, we grow together.

Austin’s growing… and changing. Got something to say about it? People are listening.

Check out Austin’s Conversation Corps, a platform designed for citizen engagement in civic dialogue focused on hot topics.

Conversations are hosted all over Austin with discussions centering on each month’s topic – the month of July is Affordability month, August is Community Engagement, and September will be Workforce Development month. Conversation Corps encourages all citizens to get involved, as citizen input is indispensable to the city. Conversations are also available in Spanish. For more information, visit www.atxtalks.org.

topical discussions, create an outlet for citizen ideas, and connect with other members of the community who share your interests. In the past, numerous city policies in place today have originated through citizen ideas posted on the website. Visit www.speakupaustin.org

Interested in getting involved in Austin but are unsure of where to start? Attend the City of Austin’s CityWorks Academy. The academy provides an opportunity for Austinites to learn the “A to Z” of the City’s operations in 12 short sessions from September 8 through December 15. Classes will be held in the evenings from 6:30-9 p.m. Applications are available online by visiting www.austintexas.gov/cityworks, by visiting the third floor reception area at City Hall, or by calling (512) 974-2955. The deadline for applications is July 24.

The Austin Animal Services is now offering free microchip and ID tag services for your pets! Visit The Austin Animal Services from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. to receive free microchips and ID tags for your pets. The Austin Animal Center is also offering several pet services at little to no cost, such as free rabies vaccinations, low-cost veterinary care including spray and neuter services, and fencing assistance to keep your pets safe. A full list of the resources available can be found at www.austintexas.gov/department/animalservices.

AISD is offering free Pre-K classes for your child.

To qualify for this service, your child must be at least four years old by September 1 and meet a few other basic criteria. Contact your school district, or call 211 or 311, for more information about how to enroll your child.

Another great outlet to engage in civic discussion, or give feedback and comments on public issues affecting you, is through SpeakUpAustin! This community engagement portal is specifically designed to facilitate

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St.) is offering a free film screening on the last Tuesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. This month’s film will be “Así Era Pancho Villa,” on July 28. Please arrive to the screening 15 minutes early; following the film, a lunch will be provided for seniors. Call 512-974-3789 to RSVP, there is a limited space available.

WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/ARTISTS // Güner Arslan, Alka Bhanot, Adriana Cadena, Gabriela Candanoza, Roy Casagranda, Cindy Casares, Gabriela Castaneda, Priscilla Cortez, Alejandra Cueva, Nora De La Rosa, Victoria Desselle, Rose Di Grazia, Swapnil Dighe, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Yadira Izquierdo, Korina Jaimes, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ali Khataw, Ramey Ko, Callie Langford, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Esteban Lopez, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, Caitlin Moore, Tom Palaima, Cristina Parker, Tatum Price, Raul Rangel Uribe, Esther Reyes, Marion Sanchez, Shubhada Saxena, Dani Slabaugh, Amanda Sprague, Preya Sundaram, Corey Tabor, Sergio Tristan, Blanca Valencia, Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, Tara Veneruso

TODO Austin // Multicultural Media for All of Austin. TODO Austin is a free print and online journal for all of Austin highlighting our multicultural heritage and promoting the concept of community in an ethnically diverse city.

Circulation throughout Austin, from the Westside’s Pennybacker Bridge to the Eastside’s Montopolis Bridge.

WEB DESIGN // Mike Hernandez COVER // Latinitas-Laura Donnelly

ADVERTISING/SUBMISSIONS/EDITORIAL: info@todoaustin.com, 512.538.4115

TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2015 Spark Awakened Publishing. All rights reserved.

The views expressed here are the authors and should not be taken to represent those of Spark Awakened Publishing or of any of its associates or partners.

TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 03

Defending the Deaf Community It’s time to promote empathy and understanding

By Ryan Hutchison | VICE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL PROGRAMS AT CSD

My colleague, Brian Jensen recently posted a sharp article about a misguided NYPD policy banning officer use of hearing aids that resulted in a lawsuit settlement overturning it. Brian’s central argument is an extremely relevant one.

Bureaucrats who make such decisions rarely have the capacity to meaningfully understand both sides of an issue, but they should.

Making intentional efforts to understand the pros and cons of an issue is especially important for those who craft legislation and policy. I often find myself dumbfounded by legislator “report cards” based on their adherence to vote recommendations provided by policy institutes or interest groups. While some voters may see A+ grades as indication of a stalwart defender of such and such issue or principal, they seem like a key indicator of a lazy or hyper-partisan legislator to me. Vote recommendations from outside groups provide a baseline assessment of bills through the lens of common ideals and can be an important resource for legislators in states like Texas where thousands of bills move through the Capitol each session.

However, when neither legislator or policy institute take the time to gain a thorough understanding of an issue - but instead vote or make recommendations based solely on a strict adherence to political ideals or principle - it’s those without a voice or political capital who lose. It’s simply too easy to pass or defeat legislation that marginalizes underrepresented communities if you never understand their issues or needs.

The defeat of Texas House Bill 1069 on May 14 was a prime example of how myopic decisions made from a privileged perspective disenfranchise a community in need. House Bill 1069 would have required persons who provide paid sign language interpreting services in Texas to be appropriately certified.

Deaf advocates worked tirelessly to pass this bill for the past six years not because requiring certification fits into some abstract political agenda but because the number of unqualified interpreters taking work across Texas is increasing and it’s hurting Deaf Texans. It is hard to gain an appreciation of why such a bill is needed if you’ve never used a sign language interpreter, but if you’ve ever spent time in a foreign country where you don’t understand the language, you’re getting close. Imagine you live in that country and your child has been diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening disease, and the doctor doesn’t speak any English. Would you ensure a fluent interpreter was present at the doctor’s office to clearly translate for you, or would you be okay with someone who knows “some” English to help you gain a full understanding of the options available to help your child? What if you had an important business presentation to give in that country? What if you were arrested in that country? In such circumstances you’d want every assurance of the fluency and competency of your interpreter.

In Texas, there are no such safeguards to protect Deaf consumers and businesses that make the effort to reasonably accommodate their communication needs. Months before and all throughout this legislative session, community advocates have been working to raise this kind of awareness around the Capitol and gain support for HB1069. Advocates for required certification spent hours working with and mitigating opposition from key stakeholder groups to ensure the interpreting certification bill would not impose onerous regulations on businesses and schools, but instead provide necessary standards in an industry that continues to see more and more uncertified and unqualified interpreters working throughout Texas. By March, all interest groups who had concerns about the

The sign language interpreter used during a Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in South Africa was a fraud. AP photo, Evan Vucci 04 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Communication Service for the Deaf employee contacting customer

bill and took the time to understand the issue had been satisfied by amendments made to address their needs. The hard work had been done. The bill passed the House Human Services Committee and full passage seemed likely.

A day before the bill was to be heard on the floor of the Texas House, a “non-profit, nonpartisan” group with a mission to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise in Texas and the nation by educating and affecting policymakers and the Texas public policy debate with academically sound research and outreach came out - at the last minute - in opposition to the bill. Why? They said “HB1069 … would obstruct our free market and limited government principles by increasing the regulatory burden for persons seeking to provide interpreting services.” Yep, without reaching out to the bill sponsor or the coalition behind the bill to understand the issue, this group simply made the reactive decision that this bill wasn’t good for Texas.

With their opposition, and limited visibility into this issue, we knew this would kill the bill.

Despite multiple attempts to work with the policy institute, provide context to the issue and share cases where unqualified interpreters caused real harm to Deaf consumers, they remained “deaf” to our pleas and were unwilling to change their position. Their final “Vote NO” recommendation stated, “Adding to the list of settings where an occupational license is required in order to provide signing services is the wrong way to go in terms of attracting qualified, skilled interpreters.” This was a truly unbelievable statement that showed the lack of understanding and willful ignorance about an issue that deeply affects Deaf Texans.

Certification is the only reasonable standard we have to gauge whether an interpreter is “skilled and qualified” to provide effective communication access for Deaf consumers.

When the bill finally came to the floor for a vote, it was defeated 81-51. Republican legislators did not do their homework and simply followed the vote recommendation.

So be warned. A “Nelson Mandela” fake interpreter situation could happen here, or a tragic misunderstanding could cause great harm to a Deaf Texan seeking medical treatment - all because decision makers didn’t take the time to understand the issue.

We deserve more from our elected officials.

Actively gaining diverse perspectives on an issue may not change minds, but it’s an integral part of crafting smart laws. It is this purposeful effort that differentiates the partisan hack from the statesman. Strict adherence to any political ideal or principal leaves little room for nuance - and often makes for bad policy.

Let’s all expect more from our legislators. We should seek to elect people who will take the time to be a good arbitrator and represent the needs of ALL their constituents. Remember, we elected them to make the right votes, not a principle-based computer algorithm, and certainly not a willfully ignorant outside policy institute.

Communication Service for the Deaf is a nonprofit company based in Austin. It is a subsidiary of South Dakota Association of the Deaf founded in 1975 and the largest interpreting agency in the United States. CSD provides services nationwide and is a major provider of Telecommunications Relay Service and Video Relay Service in cooperation with Sprint Nextel.

CSD is dedicated to creating technologies and services that benefit deaf and hard of hearing individuals. CSD’s primary service offerings include sign language interpreting and translation services for the Deaf and hard of hearing.

Last month, we held special events including the presentation of the Juneteenth Memorial Monument. A celebration of freedom, the Carver Museum’s core exhibit is dedicated to the history and evolution of Juneteenth. We are proud to be the first museum in the nation to feature a permanent exhibit honoring this Texas-born day of jubilee. Through a combination of visual and interactive activities, every day is Juneteenth at the Carver Museum in the Juneteenth Gallery.

Our permanent exhibit on Austin African-American families highlights 10 families who have contributed greatly to the Central Texas landscape. From the area’s first black settlements to some of this generation’s strongest community leaders, this interactive gallery explores the history of Austin’s African-American community and allows guests to present their own family stories for all to see.

The Carver Museum and Cultural Center is offering a free lecture series on July 23 from 6:30-8 p.m. on the topic of Women and Finance: Creating Financial Independence. Registration for Carver Museum’s Youth Arts Safari Camp is now open online through the Carver Museum website, or in person at 1165 Angelina Street.

Camp dates are Aug. 3 through Aug. 21.

IMMIGRATION Austin promotes immigrantfriendly, welcoming environment The City of Austin’s Commission on Immigrant Affairs celebrated Immigrant Heritage Month with an Austin Welcoming City Reception on Monday, June 29 at Austin City Hall.

The event program included the delivery of a proclamation recognizing June as Immigrant Heritage month, remarks by elected officials or their representatives, and a presentation of the Austin Welcoming City Report Highlights.

Proclamations and events recognizing immigrants took place all over the United States in June.

The Austin effort was part of this nation-wide celebration recognizing the 2nd Annual Immigrant Heritage Month, an initiative organized by Welcome.

US to gather and share the inspirational stories of American immigrants.

The complete Welcoming City Initiative Report will be presented at the August 2015 meeting of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs.

“Regeneration” opens June 26 and runs through August 29 in the Sam Z. Coronado Gallery. In “Art Regeneration from Ancient Traditions,” Daniel Arredondo and Maria Montoya Hohenstein tap their Mexican and Native traditions and cultural roots to present a vision that shows landscapes are not limited to what’s above ground, but rather, that landscapes can take many dimensions, from the levels below our being, to a bird’s eye view of our planet.

Objects that are discarded and considered unusable and wasted by our material selves can sometimes – with the right touch – stir ancient depositories of memory and whimsy and take you to unimagined places with the deft and inner-vision of the artist with mere shards of crockery and twisted wire.

In this mixed media exhibit, see things from a new perspective as found objects and unexpected landscapes meld indelibly with our inner cultures to suggest new visions rooted in our deepest cultural selves. This can only be so. The new sprouts from the nurturing log is like spring in a forest. And years hence, the new growth today will also regenerate shoots of art that will in turn drive the fuse of future creations.

joined the ranks of the Welcoming Cities and Counties Initiative by Welcoming America, as one of 14 innovative cities leading the nation in promoting immigrant-friendly, welcoming environments.

Welcoming America, a national grassroots-driven collaborative, works to promote mutual respect and cooperation in communities to help immigrants integrate into the social fabric of their adopted hometowns, and has also been recognized as a 2013 Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action.

“Austin’s immigrant population is a key driver of our economic prosperity and an asset to our entire community,” said Natalie Betts, the City of Austin’s Acting International Economic Development Program Manager. “It is imperative for our continued success that new immigrants feel welcome and at home in Austin, and I’m thrilled to be joining this national initiative to learn new welcoming strategies from other communities.”

Welcoming Cities and Counties affiliates will share promising practices with each other and serve as a model to help communities across the nation learn from their local level innovations that support economic development and create vibrant global communities that are great places to live, work and Austin’s hospitable reputation preceded itself do business. once again with its new initiative designed to ease the transition to life in Austin for international Welcoming Cities and Counties Affiliates include: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; Austin, Texas; newcomers.

Baltimore, Maryland; Boise, Idaho; Chicago, Illinois; The City of Austin’s International Welcome Program Columbus, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio;

Friday, July 10, 7-10 p.m. | “Saving Face” film screening. A ChineseAmerican lesbian and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.

Special remarks by the Austin Asian American Film Festival. Plus, food available for purchase from Taiwanese food truck, Song La. Free. AARC Ballroom Thursday, July 16, 6 p.m.-12 a.m. | Chaand Raat Festival.

Celebrate Eid and the last day of Ramadan at this family-friendly event. Henna, face painting, jewelry and more. Food available for purchase. Free. AARC Ballroom Wednesday, July 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Intergenerational Fun Fair.

This family friendly health fair commemorates National Sandwich Generation Month and raises awareness of the special needs and community support available to those working so hard to maintain multi-generational families. AARC presents in collaboration with Austin Groups for the Elderly. Free. AARC Ballroom, Great Lawn Sunday, July 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | 1000 Cranes Origami Festival.

This family-friendly celebration includes cultural performances, music, and origami-based crafts for kids. Asian Families Support Services of Austin will also unveil its Thousand Cranes of Peace art installation, a multimedia display incorporating 1,000 origami cranes. Free. AARC Ballroom

High Point, North Carolina; Lincoln, Nebraska; Macomb County, Michigan; Montgomery County, Maryland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; St. Louis, Missouri (city) and St. Louis, Missouri (county).

The City’s International Economic Development Program within the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office hosts the International Welcome Program. These quarterly orientation sessions serve as information and resource fairs, and convene representatives from City agencies and community partners to provide valuable information to new residents. Information on everything from how to connect utilities, or start a business to access City resources such as libraries is shared.

The Program also offers a Welcome Ambassadors service which matches international newcomers with local volunteers who familiarize newcomers with Austin and act as their point of contact for questions about life in the United States and Austin.

In partnership with GlobalAustin, the program

also developed an online portal for all things international in Austin, www.internationalaustin. org, which will soon include a robust online Newcomer’s Guide.

For information about the City of Austin International Welcome Program, visit http:// austintexas.gov/internationalwelcome.

Meanwhile, June also marked the third anniversary of President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Almost 700,000 immigrant youths qualified under DACA 2012, which has proved it social and economic successes. Yet, the Republican-led Congress has led a “deportation only” agenda against these nearly 700,000 immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. The anti-immigrant officeholders at the federal and state levels also have worked to stop the expansion of DACA and the start of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) while ignoring the real solution, commonsense immigration reform.

Austin welcomes immigrants and refugees from around the world. Several are gathered in this 2009 photo at the Bob Bullock Museum TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

Choice is essential in mixed race identities

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

Back in the 1980s, when psychologist Dr. Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu was delving into multi-ethnic identities studies, it was not considered an academic subject at the time.

But for Murphy-Shigematsu it was a subject that is an essential part of his life, and he has made a name for himself in his pioneering global research on multiethnic families and identities.

Murphy-Shigematsu was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and Irish American father who were not able to marry legally. After three years of living together in the Shigematsu home with two children born, the couple were finally able to legally marry in 1951.

Murphy-Shigematsu, who co-founded and teaches Stanford University’s LifeWorks program, examines mixed race Asian American experiences in his book “When Half is Whole,” published in 2012.

“The boundaries between people disturb me.

When we see the world as Us versus Them, drawing firm lines between nations, races, genders or religions, we construct barriers that we are willing to fight and kill to defend,” Murphy-Shigematsu wrote in “When Half Is Whole.” “I claim many identities yet refuse to be limited by any of them.”

This past April, the Austin Asian American Bar Association hosted a book club discussion

with Murphy-Shigematsu, who is based in California, participating via Skype.

During the discussion, the issue of choice came up repeatedly. Giving children of mixed racial backgrounds the power of choice, without pressure or guilt, to identify with one race or another is essential, Murphy-Shigematsu said.

“We had books in our house. We went to visit my family in the summer. It will help them to naturally see they are part of a culture and part of a language. Give them choices. Without forcing them,” he said.

Even providing options with one’s given name signals an openness and flexibility with racial identities.

AAABA Chair of Community Outreach and Book Club organizer Christine Hoang said she and her husband gave their daughter a name that would be easily pronounced and translated into Vietnamese.

“Her name is Vanessa, and her Vietnamese name is Van,” she said.

Similarly, Tui Papenoe said he never fully appreciated the choice he was given with his full name Jean Tui Popenoe.

“I realized I had a choice,” said Papanoe, who opted to be called Tui for the sake of simplicity.

“I always identified as a New Zealander possibly because of that.”

AAABA President Chad Anson noted that his children have positively chosen to identify with their Chinese heritage, something that is very different from the days when he was a child bullied for his race.

“It seems there is more recognition that there

South Asian, Jewish communities raise over $20,000 for homeless children

By Preya Sundaram

What a nice way to spend an evening with a group of likeminded people. The 3rd Annual Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt fundraising event was a coming together of members of the Indian and Jewish community to help over a thousand homeless children in Austin, Del Valle and Manor with school supplies for the upcoming school year. The event was organized by Hindu Charities for America and Jewish Federation of Greater Austin.

The evening started off with comedy show by the world’s first Jewish Indian standup comedian, Mahatma-Moses, along with Indian and Jewish dance performances by local talents in vibrant hues. Indian food was donated by local Indian restaurant owners, and the stage and table decors were complements of Blueprint Events.

Each year, sponsors, performers, attendees and donors increase in number and have made the fundraising successful. Costa 06 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

is one larger society we participate in and less of the fear because you’re different,” Anson said.

Part of the discussed turned to “microaggressions” and incidents of racial discrimination. Many of the incidents come when there is competition, MurphyShigematsu said.

“I find it a useful term in terms of race. It’s a way of identifying things that are ‘not that bad’ and the aggressor can easily brush it off, like ‘I didn’t mean that.’ They are hurtful; they are cumulative and add up in that they have an effect on us,” he said.

One of the most surprising finds for MurphyShigematsu in his work was that racial identity could be a huge issue for some, but for others, race is only a minor factor in their identity.

“I was so into the whole thing I expected

Estos, an attorney said, “I am picky about what I eat and this was the first time that my wife and I ate Indian food. I was surprised that it was so good.”

The event was attended by several notable guests including former Mayor Gus Garcia and Manor ISD Superintendent Kevin Brackmeyer. “I really enjoyed visiting with all of you at the event that your organization sponsored,” said Garza.

Hindu Charities works with Texas Homeless Education Office to identify the school districts and then works with the district officials directly to find out the specific counts and grade levels that need help.

Many of the families cannot afford to buy the much needed school supplies. Some families skimp on their life balancing medicine to save for their children’s school supplies. It breaks your heart to see some parent’s compromise to support their kid’s education.

All proceeds from the event go to purchasing of school supplies.

On Sunday, August 16 at 1 p.m., volunteers will meet to pack the school supplies at Dell Jewish Community Campus.

The volunteers worked tirelessly to make this program possible

everyone else to be too. I had two older sisters, who cared very little. They grew up in Massachusetts, married local people. That they were partly Japanese made them interesting to some people, but it was not something that was of concern to them. I came to feel each of us has our own path and issues in life. Only some of us who have a mixed background feel there is something crucial there,” he said.

Attendees Tiffany Wu and Tui Popenoe said they enjoyed the discussion, particularly in that they are a mixed race couple engaged to be married. Wu commented on the stark contrast between today’s general acceptance of mixed race individuals compared to the time during which Murphy-Shigematsu’s parents were not allowed to be married.

“As a biracial couple, it was never viewed as a negative. Our children will be the next generation,” Wu said.

and enjoyable for the attendees.

Harish Kotecha, founder of Hindu Charities, was recognized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Austin and was recently honored for his selfless efforts by the White House with a signed letter from President Obama.

Hindu charities accepts any amount of donation at HinduCharitiesForAmerica.org or call 512-994-4638 for more information.

Improving race relations in an era of police brutality

By Kevin Cokley

As Texas and the rest of the nation recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth — when enslaved Africans in Texas were notified that the Civil War had ended and they were free — we should take this opportunity to reflect on current race relations in Texas and the nation.

Austin has had its share of negative interactions between police and communities of color, including the case of Larry Jackson, an unarmed black man who was shot to death in 2013 by a white former Austin police detective. Civilian deaths at the hands of the Austin Police Department have been racially disproportionate, with the majority being black and Latino.

Between 2002 and 2012, 10 of the 18 people who died as a result of police use of force did not have weapons and were not a danger to the police.

Many thought the election of Barack Obama as the first African American president would mark a new era of positive race relations.

tensions between police and communities of color? There is a silver lining to be found.

Relations between the police and communities of color will always be a litmus test of race relations. As long as racial minorities fear and mistrust law enforcement, democracy has failed to live up to its ideals. As the holders of ultimate power, the police are responsible for easing tensions and improving community relations.

Fortunately, there are positive examples. In the McKinney incident, it should be noted that 11 of the 12 officers responded appropriately and professionally, and most of the black bystanders say they did not feel racial bias from these officers. In Fresno, California, community policing has greatly improved the relations between officers and residents through partnerships and problem solving. In turn, residents have increased trust toward the police.

Although the ending of slavery came more than 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans should nevertheless commemorate June 19, 1865, as a significant moment in the course of race relations in American history.

Police agencies must also be actively committed to weeding out racist officers from their ranks, as the Fort Lauderdale Police Department did when they fired four police officers for racist texts and making a KKK video.

Fast forward 150 years and one of the most obvious ways to gauge the pulse of race relations is to examine the relations between police and communities of color. The repeated killings of unarmed black men and women by police officers have heightened racial tensions across the country.

For race relations to improve, more white Americans need to have the moral courage to acknowledge systemic racism, speak truth to power and most importantly take action and fight racial injustice. African Americans and other people of color should not automatically assume that the actions of police and white Americans are always motivated by racism.

Texas — like Baltimore, Cleveland, New York and South Carolina — is not immune from these tensions. Police in McKinney recently found themselves in a volatile and racially charged situation, another in a series of public relations nightmares for law enforcement agencies across this country.

A pool party turned ugly after a police officer used unnecessary aggression when he tackled a 14-year-old black girl and later brandished his weapon toward concerned onlookers. Soon after protests began, the officer was placed on administrative leave and later resigned.

APD Chief Art Acevedo at community meeting in 2009.

However, the racial animus toward Obama has been unprecedented and relentless, including images juxtaposing Obama with monkeys and other vile racist imagery. Beyond being the focus of intense racism, Obama has been blamed for making race relations worse. According to the latest Economist/YouGov poll, 55 percent of Americans believe race relations have worsened since Obama took office.

So as we commemorate Juneteenth, how do we improve race relations in the midst of pessimistic poll numbers and simmering

UT task force to examine issues around campus statues

Kevin Cokley is a professor of educational psychology and African and African diaspora studies, a Public Voices fellow and the director of the Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis at The University of Texas at Austin.

university’s Main Mall to a museum. Fenves met with student leaders to discuss their concerns before naming the task force.

“I understand the students’ concerns and am looking to review the full history, significance and impact of the statues on campus,” said Fenves, who began as president June 3. “I have asked Dr. Vincent and the task force to be guided by the university’s core values of learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity and responsibility as well as the principles of diversity and inclusion.”

Gregory L. Fenves, president of The University of Texas at Austin, has established the Task Force on Historical Representation of Statuary at UT Austin to discuss the future of the Jefferson Davis statue on campus.

The task force has three charges:

The 12-member task force will be chaired by Gregory J. Vincent, the university’s vice president for Diversity and Community Engagement, and will include students, faculty members and alumni. It will submit recommendations by Aug. 1 to Fenves, who will then make decisions about the placement of statues on campus.

UT Austin’s Student Government and Graduate Student Assembly have requested that the university relocate the statue of Davis, the former Confederate president, from the

The racial divide indicated by the poll results, especially involving police shootings, is disheartening. While we are commemorating the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth, I hope we take the opportunity to use it as a platform to talk about the ways we can continue to improve race relations.

Texas Tribune photo by Matthew Watkins

In providing alternatives, a discussion of the pros and cons for each alternative from the perspective of students, faculty, alumni, and other important campus constituencies will be particularly useful.

“To that end, the task force should ensure its work accurately represents history, values the fundamental principle that all people deserve respect, and serves to ensure these principles are preserved for the benefit of future students,” Fenves wrote in his charge to the group.

Analyze the artistic, social, and political intent of the statuary on the Main Mall, with particular focus on the statue of Jefferson Davis, as well as the historical context that they represent.

The task force will consult with experts both on and off campus, including the university’s Campus Climate Response Team, and receive input from faculty members, students, staffers and alumni.

Review the previous controversies over the Main Mall statues and factors that are similar and different today.

The statues on the South Mall include Jefferson Davis, Albert Sidney Johnston, Robert E. Lee and John H. Reagan.

Develop an array of alternatives for the Main Mall statues, particularly the statue of Jefferson Davis, with special attention to artistic and historical factors considering the university’s role as an educational and research institution.

“Of course a number of people want those statues taken down; then there are others who believe these are a powerful reminder of our past. That will be part of our deliberation,” said Vincent.

TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 07

The Cycle of Mentorship Continues Upward for Latinitas

By TODO Austin staff

Thirteen years ago, Latinitas launched Latinitasmagazine.org, the first magazine made for and by young Latinas. Still the only magazine of its kind, its founders, Laura Donnelly and Alicia Rascon, had a vision back then that young Latinas and other girls would become the editorial team behind the magazine. What began as a mission to present honest portrayals of young Latinas in all forms of media has become a movement whereby Latinas and other girls are finding their voice in more ways than one.

Attendees of Latinitas 1st Code Chica Conference

Latinitas alumni Anna-Alizette Ruiz

“When we started Latinitas it was a gut-reaction to the lack of positive or accurate portrayals of Latinas in magazines, the news, cinema and other media such as TV programs. Latinas were usually presented very stereotypically – as sexy or maids,” explained Laura Donnelly, founder and executive director of Latinitas Austin office. “The magazine was intended to be a vehicle for change. Over a decade later, we have realized our programs, where we are cultivating the next generation of media makers and tech innovators, are becoming more of that agent of change – in a different way, through a pay-it-forward legacy where the mentees are now becoming the mentors.”

Established in 2002, Latinitas, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to empower young Latinas through media and technology, has been a vital part of young Latinas’ lives through after school clubs, camps, workshops and conferences and Latinitasmagazine.org. The bilingual magazine, written for and by young Latinas, provides a vehicle whereby these girls and young women not only see themselves positively reflected, but are also a part of the production. Latinitas has published 2000 articles on its magazine, served over 20,000 girls and teens with its programming since its origin, provided more than 19,000 hours of digital

media, technology and cultural education classes and has registered 1300 girls bloggers to its own social media site: MyLatinitas.com.

Latinitas after school programs have been held at over 112 schools, libraries and community centers in Central and West Texas. In Austin, Latinitas meets with more than 250 girls a week for intensive after school lessons in publishing, video and audio production, graphic and web design, photography and of late – video game design, app development and coding.

Latinitas also began its first club at Martin Middle School in East Austin 13 years ago, where it continued for another 10 years. Today, girls from that club are reaching their senior year of college.

The phenomena the founders of Latinitas were hoping for has begun.

“Fifty percent of my program staff last year were Latinitas club alumni from that first club at Martin and later ones at Akins and Travis High School,” added Donnelly. “Other alumni from camp and our teen reporter program have come back as camp leaders themselves or helped start programming in other cities.”

Founder, COO Latinitas Laura Donnelly and filmmaker Carmen Marron 08 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Donnelly explained that alumni returning to lead at Latinitas make, of course, the best leaders. They look, sound and grew up just like the girls in the programs now and make an ideal role model.

That they are students at local universities is an extremely powerful model of success for young Latinas who suffer the highest rates of school drop out of all their peers (30 percent).

Latinitas has held programs in 10 cities including a new chapter in El Paso. Some of this growth has been driven by alumni participation. During her sophomore year, Anna Alizette Ruiz, a Latinitas teen reporter alum reached out to Latinitas about doing something for girls in San Antonio on her college campus, University of the Incarnate Word.

Ruiz contacted the Dean of the Communications department, secured space, rallied volunteers and implemented curriculum for two Media Chica and two College Chica conferences. Two hundred girls in San Antonio participated in empowering lessons in photography, video production, radio and blogging while exploring media literacy and college attainment.

“Latinitas will probably always be a part of life,” said Ruiz, Latinitas teen reporter alumni and current communications coordinator for Catholic Charities in Baltimore. “I won a coveted cover story when Latinitas printed in 2009 sharing my life growing up in South Austin and how I re-discovered my culture at my quinceañera, something my mother wanted me to have before she died.”

Latinitas just held its annual fundraiser, Fotos de mi Alma, a photography auction and exhibit.

The event raises money to support programs and features the donated photography of documentary, commercial, art and portrait photographers from around the world. The look of the event was driven by Latinitas club alum, Pamela Castelán, an Akins High alum and junior at Texas State University. Castelán returned to Latinitas post high school to serve as a camp counselor during winter break 2012. This spring, Castelan designed the program, title cards for the photographers and bid sheets for Fotos de mi Alma, in a short window of time. Despite the time necessary to do this kind of volunteer work during a busy summer school session, Castelan says she’d do it again.

“What I get out of coming back is that desire to

teach girls and give girls that confidence that Latinitas has given me, a sort of paying it forward.

If I help with their fundraiser – I am helping secure programs,” she said.

The cycle of mentorship continues upward for Latinitas. Sylvia Butanda was a club leader mentoring elementary and middle schools from 2012 to spring 2014. She was just hired as Latinitas Program Coordinator to manage all media and technology program offerings.

“Being a club leader is a program of its own,” said Butanda. “We have to learn leadership, classroom management, journalism and production skills and technology platforms in order to teach these lessons to the girls in the clubs. Then, we become the big sister to many chicas using media and tech to communicate important themes about goals, identity and confidence. I began as a journalist, but I love working with girls who need this kind of support too. The job was a great fit.”

Donnelly, as a founder of Latinitas, is not surprised this legacy of mentorship has taken off here in Austin and at Latinitas chapter office in El Paso.

“Latinitas served girls who struggled with more than, say the average Austin teen. She is the girl who helps her parents translate bills and documents. She is the first to go to college. The generosity displayed by these young women coming back to Latinitas as adult leaders doesn’t shock me – knowing them from when they were kids – this willingness to pay it forward is a part of who they are.”

Latinitas is launching its official program alumni program this summer with an easy entrée for anyone who has participated in Latinitas. Girls, teens and women can email Latinitas’ offices at alumni@ latinitasmagazine.org for information on alumni programs and events.

Latinitas welcomes any alumni or volunteer support for its upcoming summer camp series, four weeks of media and technology camps for any girl ages 9-14. Registration information can be found at www.latinitasmagazine.org or by calling 512-900-0304.

Good Times at Güero’s For great tunes and great rita’s!

Please join us for live music on our outside jardin stage, every Wednesday through Sunday. THANKS TO THE FANS & BANDS WHO SUPPORT US!!!

JULY Line-up

TACO BAR

OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING” -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/1 KDRP RADIO SHOW-6:00 THU 7/2 LOS FLAMES-6:30 FRI 7/3 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW-6-30 SAT 7/4 THE BREW-2:30 & EL TULE’-6:30 (TBD) SUN 7/5 GLEN COLLINS BAND-12:00 & THE RECUPERATORS-3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/8 KDRP RADIO SHOW-6:00 THU 7/9 BEYOND THERAPY FRI 7/10 THE SPENCER THOMAS BAND-6:30 SAT 7/11 THE TEXAS TYCOONS-2:30 & LOS AZTEXS-6:30 SUN 7/12 DIZZY LIZARD-12:00 & BLUE MIST-3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/15 KDRP RADIO SHOW-6:00 THU 7/16 WINK KEZIAH-6:30 FRI 7/17 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW-6:30 SAT 7/18 JIM STRINGER-2:30 & LOS TIPICOS DE CUBA-6:30 SUN 7/17 THE TAILGATORS-12:00 & MITCH WEBB Y LOS SWINDLES-3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/22 KDRP RADIO SHOW-6:00 THU 7/23 DR. ZOG-6:30 FRI 7/24 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW-6:30 SAT 7/25 AL DRESSEN-2:30 & TED RODDY-6:30 SUN 7/26 NYOB-12:00 & CHICKEN STRUT-3:00 -----------------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/29 KDRP RADIO SHOW-6:00 THU 7/30 PAULA RUSSELL BAND-6:30 FRI 7/31 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW-6:30

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KLRU-TV, Austin PBS broadcast 18.1, cable 9 klru.org

KLRU celebrates the best in SCIENCE and NATURE programs

Life On The Reef

Uranium - Twisting The Dragon’s Tail

Wednesdays, July 22, July 29 & August 5, at 7 pm

Tuesday, July 28, & Wednesday, July 29, at 9 pm

View Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on earth, through the eyes of those who live, work and play there. Home to a stunning array of animals, it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.

Join physicist Dr. Derek Muller to unlock the mysteries of uranium, one of the Earth’s most controversial elements. Uranium has brought hope, progress and destruction; revolutionized society, from medicine to warfare; and profoundly shaped the past.

Also This Month on KLRU

An Eastside Education

POV: Web Junkie

Arts In Context: Music For All

This documentary series follows the students, teachers and staff at Eastside Memorial High School (Austin ISD) as they fight to meet state accountability standards or watch their school be closed.

KLRU, Austin Film Festival and the Bullock Texas State History Museum present a preview screening and discussion of this documentary on internet addiction on July 7th. Go to klru.org to RSVP.

Follow Program director Patrick Slevin and his team at Austin Soundwaves as they provide a world class fine arts education to low-income youth and make a positive change in the community.

Watch online at at klru.org/eastside

The film airs on KLRU Monday, July 13, at 9 pm

Thursday, July 30, at 7:30 pm

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is community supported. More than 85% of our funding comes from the public. Please consider investing in KLRU.

Patricia Vonne Thrives as an Independent Voice and Talent ‘Viva Bandolera’ a celebration of heritage

By Liz Lopez

advice to others. “It always comes down to the contract. Read it, make sure of the details!” And it helps to have a lawyer.

Not only did she release her initial studio production in a timely manner, she has subsequently released five more albums. “Viva Bandolera” was released with three CD parties in June, which took place in Houston, San Antonio and Austin, as Vonne prepared to head out on tour to Europe this month.

The CD compilation explores her experience as a Tejana. “Growing up as a Tejana, I listened to the diverse music of San Antonio—country, rock, jazz, pop, conjunto and Tejano styles,” she recalled and cited several musicians names from each genre.

“When I started writing my own music, which is also a hybrid mix of sound and flavors, I felt a need to preserve and honor the rich cultural heritage of my upbringing.”

Among the tracks on the new release are revised versions of “Severina,” co-written with her filmmaker brother, Robert, in memory of their grandmother, Severina Rodriguez, and the title track, “Viva Bandolera.” Aside from bandmate/ co-writer, Robert LaRoche, and David Perales, the tracks include musical artists, Rick del Castillo, David Garza, Alex Ruiz (who also co-wrote the song “Tequileros”), Tito Larriva, Michael Ramos and Joe Reyes, among many others.

People have asked Austin singer-songwriter Patricia Vonne why her music is performed in English and Spanish. She proudly responds, “It is my heritage.”

Vonne has called Texas home since her return to her native state in 2001 after 11 years in in New York. “I did not deny my heritage there,” she states.

“When I moved to New York, I couldn’t get any work with my surname, ‘Rodriguez.’ My sister lived there and worked as an actress. She suggested I use my own name, so I did and started a band.”

For many Latinos raised in Texas, we share the same or similar experiences of not being welcomed to use the language our parents and grandparents know and taught us. “When my mother was in school, she was forbidden to speak Spanish,” said Vonne. Not only was Spanish forbidden in schools, but anywhere in public, and done so in a manner that intended to shame us.

Times have changed in some ways. After introducing the world to her Spanish material little by little, the owner of Bandolera Records is now soaring with the creation of a compilation

CD, “Viva Bandolera,” which includes 17 tracks in Spanish. “This is like a celebration of my heritage, as I am San Antonio born and bred,” Vonne declared.

Once she established herself in Austin and made herself known in live music circles, she set out to release her first album. She hired an attorney to help with the contract, but three weeks before the release, a breach of contract was discovered and the plan to go with the label stopped. It marked a point in time to make big decisions, but for Vonne, the only one was to move forward. She compared her first recorded musical creation to something “like a baby” and added, “my instincts kicked in and I just learned the rules of making it.”

“I had three weeks to do this, but I learned quickly what it took to start a record label – the bar code, name, and all that goes with having a label,” Vonne explained. “It was the beginning of my record label, Bandolera Records.”

She thought about the independent spirit of women, defending their rights and honor. “I am not at their (label) mercy and I have total artistic freedom. It’s been good for me!” She offered

“Traeme Paz,” heard in the Robert Rodriguez film, “Once Upon A Time In Mexico” and “Mexicali de Chispa,” co-written with her brother, features Vonne on lead guitar. “La Gitana de Triana” tells a story of Vonne’s sister and the song captures her passion for flamenco and the haunting magic of the city. Also on the album is “Mujeres Desaparecidas,” a song she wrote to bring awareness about the disappearance and death of so many women in Mexico. She has since donated the song to Amnesty International.

Marinero y La Sirena,” written in collaboration with fellow San Antonian, Michael Martin. They created a nautical-themed animated video as well. The short, shot and edited by Vonne, was featured at the SXSW Film Festival 2015 and the following month, it won the Audience Award at the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival.

There is no doubt all the Rodriguez siblings have an abundance of creativity. Patricia cited her parents as the main influence as they were growing up. After their mother took guitar classes, it led to her teaching the children harmonies and songs. “But she also took us to the revival house, the Olmos Theater. We saw films from the Golden Age of Hollywood. It was always about the arts – they always encouraged that. My dad played the drums and put himself through school playing in a college band. It looked like an orchestra.”

Life was not always easy. Their father worked as a traveling salesman for 39 years and eventually went into real estate. Their mother returned to nursing. “I learned my work ethic from them,” said Vonne. “Yes, I am related to a famous filmmaker, but let’s look back at his history. He went through Pharmaco in order to have money for films. There is the passion.”

She dedicated “Viva Bandolera” to her parents for sharing their passion. “I am glad to thank them.

There are not a lot of parents that are supportive of the arts.

“This album is special to me because I wanted it to capture my Latina heritage on one disk,” Vonne says. “It’s a big part of my identity and I feel I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. With this album I feel I’ve come full circle as an artist.”

Aside from her music career, Vonne’s credits in cinema continue to grow. In her latest work in 2014’s “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For,” she portrays Dallas (aka the Zorro Girl). She’s also being noted by critics and fans after years of toil. This past March during SXSW, she won the Best Female Vocalist title at the Austin Music Awards, as well as an award for her dexterity with her signature instrument, the castanets. “When I won, it meant so much to me as I was about to release my sixth album. It was my first award for this ever. It did not happen overnight.”

Another standout song from the new CD is, “El TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

11

Texas Music Museum highlights diverse music contributions LATIN MUSIC FIGURES TO BE HONORED IN JULY

By Liz Lopez For many of us who are born and raised in Texas, there’s a wonderful opportunity to grow up hearing a wide range of music genres, intentionally or by accident. Yet, it is still possible to be unfamiliar with various style if music appreciation is not taught in school, or if there are not many field trips to a local museum that has the resources from which to learn from. Although music may have roots in other regions or even other countries, the styles that have emerged are crafted by Texas musicians, many who have gone on to receive international recognition.

To Do Música

By Liz Lopez

July brings a major showcase Thursday, July 9, at One2One Bar (1509 S Lamar Blvd Suite 600).

Featured are three Austin based bands fronted by talented women musicians. On the bill are Leticia Rodriguez, recently a featured soloist at the XXI International Festival Las Romerias de Mayo in Holguin, Cuba, Paula Maya Niemeyer, a Brazilian singer, songwriter and keyboardist who released her new CD, “Iluminar,” in May and toured in Rio de Janeiro, and Naga Valli, who grew up in Mumbai, India and ranked in the top three World Music Artist category at the 201415 Austin Music Awards. Discounted tickets are available pre- day of show.

Austin soul band, The Nightowls, released their album, “Good As Gold,” on vinyl last month.

They’ll be performing with The Digital Wild on Saturday, July 25, 9 p.m. at Historic Scoot Inn, (1308 E 4th St.). Limited discounted presale tickets are available scootinnaustin.com.

Platinumline Entertainment Artist and Tejano Music Awards Nominee, Angel Gonzalez, released a new video, “Se Fue Mi Amor,” on June 13 and will tour this month performing both his Freestyle and Tejano Shows. Shows are scheduled for July 3 in Dallas, July 10 Club in San Antonio and an opening for N.V Freestyle King in New York July13-25h with a return to San Antonio on July 26.

Austin Classical Guitar Summer Series Brazilian pre-show parties and world-class 12 TODO AUSTIN // JUL 2015 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

For 30 years, the Texas Music Museum (TMM) located at 1009 E. Eleventh St in East Austin on 11th Street, down the street from the Texas Capital, has identified the state’s musicians who contribute to the world’s musical heritage. Volunteers donate their time to research and create exhibits and programs from approximately 20 music styles, ranging from mainstream to historical, as well as the culturally diverse and music made in different languages. The museum is host to a two-day International Music Festival each year in September featuring multicultural performances by great musical artists that reflect the diversity of the state. This year’s fest is September 12-13 from 12-6 p.m. at the Carver Museum.

The current exhibit at the Texas Music Museum in the Main Gallery, “Tejano Orquestas and the Great Tejana Singers,” explores two unique musical traditions from Texas. It offers in depth portraits of the orquesta, an evolving ensemble mixing together Texas-Mexican music with big band and other popular music styles, and the many important Mexican American female singers who sang with them.

A reception and award presentation will be held Sunday, July 19, at 4 p.m. to honor three important Austin-area figures from within the music industry.

At the ceremony, the TMM will present awards to artistry will combine to create a Brazilian cultural celebration at the spectacular new AISD Performing Arts Center in Austin’s vibrant Mueller neighborhood this month. Each appearance will include limited Brazilian art prints provided by Tesoros Trading Company and food

by Boteco. On the calendar are: Saturday, July 11, 7:30 p.m. see Latin Grammy-winning Brazilian Guitar Quartet bringing elegant, precision and stunning beauty to the stage. The special concert, in partnership with Austin Chamber Music Center, features live performance by Capoeira Austin.

Saturday, August 1, 7:30 p.m., see Brasil guitar duo, João and Douglas, captivating performers who have dazzled audiences each time they have come to Austin. The Concert Artist Guildwinning international touring and recording artists will be joined by Gabriel Santiago. For more details, visit: www.austinclassicalguitar.org – Monica Peña Recommended Shows Bidi Bidi Banda and Tequila Rock Revolution will be performing July 25, 9 p.m. at Hardtails Bar and Grill, 1515 N IH35, Georgetown ……………

Brasil Grooves Summer Series continues with the next show featuring Los Rumberos, Morena Soul and Macaxeira Funk on July 18 at Spiderhouse Ballroom. ……………

Braulio y Fuzzion takes the stage after a brief hiatus. Friday, July 17, 9 p.m. Toro Negro Lounge 615 West Slaughter Lane. ……………

The Castaneda Project and Friends is held every other Wednesday starting at 10 p.m. at Blue Moon 2200 S IH 35

Johnny Degollado, Leticia Rodriguez and Paco Rodriguez for their seminal contributions to our state’s musical heritage. The reception is free and open to the public.

The exhibit includes individual panels with photos and history on several musical artists, including Selena Quintanilla Perez, Laura Canales, Lydia Mendoza, Eva Garza, Carmen y Laura, Chelo Silva, Beto Villa, Isidro López, Orquesta Falcon, Sunny Ozuna and many others. It also features dresses worn by Mendoza, Garza, Silva, and Las Hermanas Gonzalez and a hat from Rita Vidaurri. The exhibit will run through December, 2015.

From the museum’s incorporation in 1984, Texas musicians have been interviewed and photographed, with painstaking efforts made to collect and preserve artifacts, historical photographs, documents, and reference materials having to do with the diverse traditions of Texas music. Since 2003, TMM has presented exhibits, educational programming and music programs based on these materials within the museum, as well as in public venues, schools, libraries, and in collaboration with other museums and cultural centers in the city.

In 2005 the Austin Chronicle called TMM the Best Roving Museum and the Texas House of

Representatives recognized TMM for its work in preserving the state’s musical heritage. In 2008, the TMM played an important role in honoring the first 10 inductees to the Austin Music Memorial at the Long Center, providing photos, biographies, copies of recordings and other memorabilia.

The exhibits and programs are created to encourage the public of all ages to learn about the state’s musical heritage and its preservation.

Aside from the current exhibit in the main gallery of the TMM, there are two other gallery areas on the first floor of the historical Marvin C. Griffin Building. The museum’s location near IH 35 makes a great entry to other cultural and historical attractions in East Austin, including the French Legation, the Carver Museum, the State Cemetery and Museum and the historic Victory Grill.

Texas Music Museum continues work to broaden its collection of oral histories, photos and other artifacts. To volunteer and/or obtain more information, visit www.texasmusicmuseum.org The project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

The Texas Music Museum Proudly Presents

Tejano Orquestas and the Great Tejana Singers

Now showing in the main gallery through December 2015 Museum Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm FREE ADMISSION Call 512.471.0520 for Private or group Tours

Austin herbalist fights lawsuit to protect community remedy

has almost 11,000 signatures. Over 150 schools, apothecaries, herbalists and distributors have pledged their support at FreeFireCider.com.

Shire City co-founder Amy Huebner boasted publicly as recently as February that the boycott had backfired, allegedly doubling the company’s sales, but just two months later Shire City Herbals served Telkes, along with Mary Blue of Farmacy Herbs in Rhode Island and Katheryn Langelier of Herbal Revolution in Maine, for $100,000 of lost revenue.

“It was Earth Day actually, and all of a sudden this woman threw papers through my door and ran off into the night,” Telkes remembers. The suit came just two days before Shire City Herbals was due to deliver their evidence to the Trademark Office defending their claim to the term.

By Katie Walsh

Should a company be allowed to buy the trademark to a generic term like “ginger ale” and then shut down everyone who’s been selling ginger-flavored soda for decades?

Austin herbalist and founder of Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine Nicole Telkes doesn’t think so, and this April her efforts to fight just such an attempt resulted in a $100,000 lawsuit she now faces with two other community medicine makers.

At the center of the heated battle is an immunity tonic known as “fire cider,” a mixture of spicy herbs like garlic, horseradish, ginger, and chile peppers with apple cider vinegar and raw honey.

A traditional folk remedy for staving off cold and flu, ownership of its name has been of no interest to the countless herbalists who’ve openly made, shared and taught it since Rosemary Gladstar first formulated and popularized the tonic at the California School of Herbal Studies in the 1970s.

It certainly was not coined or created by Shire City Herbals, the Massachusetts company who was issued exclusive rights to the term in 2012. But proving that its use is widespread enough to nullify the trademark has taken the commitment of the entire herbal village.

Trouble at the Trademark Office Just how Shire City was awarded the trademark in the first place has raised some concern around the U.S. Trademark Office’s ability to accurately police ownership of words and ideas.

“Fire cider” first appeared in print in Gladstar’s home study course in 1981, and had even been copyrighted in her books in 1991. “A simple Google search would have shown multiple existing suppliers of a product called fire cider,” Telkes said.

In effect, the issue of determining the trademark’s validity was shelved as the legal battle honed in on specifically these three small herbalists—since dubbed the “Fire Cider 3.”

Nicole Telkes

versus copyrights is just so foreign and out of our scope as community herbalists, it’s become like another part-time job.” Telkes said.

Local author and herbalist Jackie Dana (www. jackiedana.com) doesn’t mince words in her coverage of the case: “If they had no legal or intellectual claim on it, how did they get a trademark? They won the right to the phrase because they hired a trademark lawyer, and the U.S. Trademark Office took their word for it. Money talks.”

This doesn’t mark the first time such a dispute has arisen; Dana cites a 1960s case in which Kern’s Kitchen won the trademark to the popular southern “derby pie”—but the battle over fire cider appears to be the first in which the trademark holder has no verifiable connection to the original creation.

“The strangest thing was that Mary (Blue) and I had been very vocal, but for Kathy (Langelier) to be included, we were really confused. She had nothing to do with speaking up against them,” Telkes said.

Langelier, one of many herbalists systematically pursued to cease sales of fire cider on the peerto-peer eCommerce site Etsy, had actually complied with the request, going so far as changing her packaging and product name to “fire tonic.” As a well known producer of the remedy in the Northeast, she could, however, be perceived as a direct competitor to Shire City.

While shocking and potentially devastating for a small local operation already juggling clinical practice, small-batch medicine production, and student education, Telkes says she’s humbled and touched that the lawsuit has been met with such an outpouring of support and encouragement from the community. “I never thought getting sued would make me feel so loved,” she said.

Herbalism is for Everyone At the root of this entire fire cider fight lays something much more valuable and precious than any one entity’s ability to profit off of its sale: the preservation of an open-sourced, communal tradition of using and sharing herbal medicine.

It’s this commitment to teaching and spreading the knowledge of traditional healing practices that has given the movement a much deeper motivation than the pocket book.

“I don’t even sell a lot of fire cider, I mean maybe I make $50 of profit on it a year,” Telkes said. “But what good is it to teach it to my students if they’re not free to make it? I felt like I was responsible for protecting them and the herbal tradition in general.”

To that end, Telkes and several other movement members have begun discussions about the formation of a Traditional Healing Alliance to monitor corporate attempts to “own” and profit off of longstanding remedies.

While the fire cider case has stirred up the issue of capitalist culture threatening folk tradition, it won’t be the last. At least four different trademark issues have been brought to the movement’s attention since the battle began—with no progress in sight for amending the Trademark Office’s procedures.

The Free Fire Cider Movement After receiving cease sale letters demanding that they pull their products or change the names, herbalists across the country joined forces to launch the awareness and advocacy campaign “Traditions Not Trademarks” to free fire cider from the tight grips of its usurped new owners.

While that might seem like a pretty tight case, the nuances are much more complicated, and as it stands the onus of proving that the trademark was mistakenly issued falls upon a few passionate advocates with no legal background for these matters.

Along with educating the public about how to make and use fire cider for themselves, the movement took action to protect small business owners and prevent the slippery precedent that this type of legality would set through a boycott of Shire City’s product and formal petition for the trademark’s cancellation.

“Cases like these typically involve much bigger companies. Learning all of this about trademarks

The movement quickly exploded with support.

The petition, currently active on Change.org,

Dozens of Austin fire cider lovers and advocates gathered at a benefit party at the end of June, raising nearly $1,000 for the massive legal fees the Fire Cider 3 face. An Indie Gogo campaign brought in over $13,000.

“They chose the wrong people to sue,” Telkes said. “Did they not realize that each of us has been doing this for 20 years and have a huge community of support? Herbalism is for everyone, and we’re very committed to upholding that.”

Learn more about how to make your own fire cider, or donate to support the Fire Cider 3, at FreeFireCider.com.

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The beautiful game, futbol, descends on Austin

Stadium, home to the Longhorn’s women’s soccer team, and will feature northern Mexico’s powerhouse club, Los Rayados de Monterrey. A storied club from a vibrant city, Los Rayados are rebuilding after a lackluster season and will be taking on Liga MX minnows Monarcas Morelia.

The game should prove exciting as both clubs are seeking to make a better run in the Apertura 2015 tournament than they made last season.

By Sergio Tristan

It’s an exciting summer for those passionate about the beautiful game, and no I don’t mean football. I am talking about futbol! Soccer! The game beloved by the entire world and growing at an amazing pace in the United States. Nowhere is that growth more evident than in Central Texas, where four major Mexican soccer clubs from Mexico’s Primera Division will be showcasing their squads in pre-season friendly matches in July.

Tickets for the 2015 Copa Socio MX semifinal between Rayados de Monterrey and Monarcas de Morelia are on sale now and start at $20. They can be purchased online at TexasSports.com/ Tickets or on TexasBoxOffice.com. UT students must present a valid UT student ID at the box office window to be eligible for discount (limit to two tickets per student). VIP tickets are $75 and include a seat in the VIP bleacher area close to the field plus access to the private practice training of one team a day prior to the match (limited availability).

The first match, on Thursday, July 2, will take place at the University of Texas’ Mike A. Myers

The “Choque de Campeones” (Clash of Champions) is set for Tuesday, July 14, at Dell

(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County

VO LUN T EE R SPOTLIGHT Dan Hendrickson has always been passionate about helping children in need and his own experiences provide him unique insight into the kids he advocates for. “The only reason I was not in foster care,” he maintains, “was because nobody in my community reported the things (my parents) were doing.” Dan, a Sr. Manager of Payments Risk and Controls at eBay, heeded a friend’s advice to “take his baggage and do something good with it.” He found CASA at a volunteer fair in San Jose and knew he could make an impact. After being transferred to Austin, Dan took on two high-need cases with CASA of Travis County, all while creating a new team at work and building a house. His CASA kids have had their troubles but Dan has been with them every step of the way. “There is no judgment,” he says. “I have a troubled past as well.”

Now Dan is planning a wedding with his partner of five years, Ray. After their wedding in November, they plan to become foster parents themselves, so Dan will be taking a hiatus from CASA. He feels his experience as a CASA volunteer helped prepare him for foster parenthood. “I learned to be a better listener,” Dan explains. “I’m a fix-it person and, these kids, they don’t need to be fixed. They’re not broken.”

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Diamond, home of the PCL’s Round Rock Express, as a baseball field turned soccer pitch will make for a fun showing. Tickets available at Dell Diamond box office and online at www. roundrockexpress.com starting on June 13 at 10:00 AM. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the game starts at 7:30 p.m.

a CONMEBOL tournament. The roster includes their iconic goalkeeper, Óscar Pérez Rojas who’s nicknamed “El Conejo” Spanish for “The Rabbit.”

He has been capped 54 times for the Mexico national team since 1997.

The game will feature arguably the most popular club in Mexico, Chivas de Guadalajara, and the 10-time league champion Pachuca FC (Tuzos), who are current reigning champions. Chivas popularity stems from its club philosophy of only fielding Mexican players, the only club in Mexico to restrict itself in this manner. The 11-time league champion are viewed by some as playing with a self-imposed handicap, but supporters view it as nationalistic pride.

The rise of Mexican soccer is prevalent, not just in central Texas, but around the U.S. as well.

The Mexican national team has been selling out stadiums all over the country over the last 10 years, most recently in Houston for a friendly against Honduras. Their popularity is unquestionable, as Rich Guel of Pancho Villa’s Army, a Mexican soccer supporter group based in Austin, stated “the most popular sports team in the U.S. is El Tri (Mexican National Soccer Team).

More popular than the Yankees, the Cowboys, or any other sports team.”

Pachuca is one of the most successful clubs in Mexico, winning five national championships, four CONCACAF Champions’ Cups, the 2007 SuperLiga, defeating Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy and one Copa Sudamericana in 2006.

Pachuca was the first CONCACAF team to win

That popularity would, coupled with Austin weird vibe for all things cool and modern, translate to a sell-out crowd should El Tri ever step foot in UT’s Darrell Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. A record crowd cheering on Mexico on a beautiful Austin evening is not difficult to imagine.

Under threat of closure, KLRU’s ‘An Eastside Education’ shows Austin students’ courage For years, Eastside Memorial High School has been plagued by failing test scores and negative headlines. KLRU’s “An Eastside Education,” a six-part digital news project, follows one semester at the campus, the most talked about school in one of Austin’s oldest neighborhoods, as teachers, parents, administrators, and students fight to meet state accountability standards or watch their school be closed.

The project is part of KLRU’s American Graduate initiative funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The American Graduate initiative seeks to establish a clearer understanding about why students drop out of high school and how drop out impacts our economy and society. An Eastside Education examines these issues up close by exploring how one school, in an at-risk community, is overcoming years of poor performance and trending toward success.

To watch the programs go to www.klru.org/eastside PROLOGUE: ALL IN The Texas Education Agency gave Eastside Memorial three years to meet state accountability standards or watch their school by shuttered. Principal Bryan Miller calls this year “make or break.”

In the prologue we explain how the school got to this point and why the staff is all in on making the grade this school year.

CHAPTER 1: EAST SIDE Johnston High School opened in East Austin in 1960, when

mostly African Americans and Latinos lived east of I-35. In recent years parents, students, and community members have rallied to keep the doors open.

CHAPTER 2: FAMILY LIVES HERE Students at Eastside see struggles most teens don’t have to deal with. But many of them agree with the school’s unofficial motto: Family Lives Here. We follow two seniors through their final semester as they overcome statistics and graduate.

CHAPTER 3: AT RISK Its Graduation Coach Harry Brooks’ job to keep dropout rates low and graduation rates high. We follow him through the halls, to Truancy Court, as he conducts home visits, and watches his students walk across the stage at graduation.

CHAPTER 4: HIGH STAKES Eastside’s survival depends on how well the students perform on end-of-course STAAR exams. We follow as students, teachers, and administrators brace for test day.

CHAPTER 5: WAITING GAME If Eastside fails to meet standards again this school year they will only have one more school year to make it happen, or be shuttered for a year. Preliminary test results are back and some students will be forced to return to Eastside during the summer.

We check in with teachers as they pack up their classrooms and watch the Class of 2015 graduate. Everyone at Eastside will have to wait until August to find out if they finally made accountability.

EPILOGUE: Test results released (Updated reporting to come in August). School ratings go public in August – stay tuned to find out how Eastside Memorial fared.

CELEBRATING

DIVERSITY

Pan Am Hillside Summer Concert Series

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

Spend Independence Day with 100,000 of your closest friends and claim a grassy spot with the Austin Symphony Orchestra Saturday, July 4, for one of the largest Independence Day Celebrations in the state.

The free concert and fireworks begin at 8:30 p.m. on the banks of Lady Bird Lake at Vic Mathias Shores, framed by the Long Center for the Performing Arts and the city’s skyline. austinsymphony.org Zilker Theatre Production’s “Hairspray” is a highenergy musical comedy phenomenon that will have the whole Hillside Theatre on their feet, July 10-August 15, Thursday-Sunday evenings, approx. 8:30 p.m. Set in 1962 Baltimore, the musical is chock full of dazzling, toe-tapping production numbers and soulful rhythm and blues. With a diverse and exciting cast of characters.

Free. zilker.org

The Pan Am Hillside Summer Concert Series returns each Tuesday in July from 7-9 p.m. at the A. B. Cantu Pan American Recreation Center (2100 East 3rd St.). The free concert series, which began in 1958 with local musicians performing on summer nights for the East Austin community, serves as a fundraiser and highlights Austin’s thriving Latin music community.

Performing this year on July 7 are Tejano/ cumbia specialists Cañonazo and the return of Street People. On July 14, catch the soul sounds of 80H Project and the electrified Castaneda Project. July 21 features an eclectic line-up of Art Tigerina, Nikki Lopez, Calle Seis and Raulito Navaira. July 28 concludes the series with the high energy showmen, Los AT Boyz, and the Austin music legend, Ruben Ramos, gracing the stage. Acting as emcees will be Joe Morales and Jerry Avila, with DJ Lil Sharky.

In June 1942, the first and only Latin-American Center, the Pan American Recreation Center was opened at 3rd and Comal Streets. On September 7, 1956, a new Pan American Recreation Center was formally dedicated just west of the old location, where it currently exists today. The building adjoins Zavala School. The Hillside Theater was later built and completed in June 1958.

In addition to the Hillside Summer Concert Series, the center offers year round activities for children and adults including basketball, volleyball, boxing, fastpitch softball, wrestling, ceramics, Afterschool Program, Day Camp, Totally Cool Totally Art, P.E.E.R.S. (Teen Club), Ballet Folklorico, Mother’s Day Out, free karate classes and more. And the classic Hillside Concert Series.

For more info on the concerts, call 512-476-9193.

Quesoff returns to the Mohawk Saturday, July 11, 2-5 p.m. From restaurants, home cooks, parents, all are welcome to participate. This year there’s five categories to enter: meaty, spicy, veggie and wild card, and new this year, for those about to Guac, we salute you! (No queso needed in your guac dishes). Sign up at queso@ mohawkaustin.com. The event is free; $5 for a bag of chips. mohawkaustin.com Alliance Française D’Austin presents the 20th annual Bastille Day Festival on Saturday, July 11, 6-10 p.m., on the grounds of the Historic French Legation Museum (802 San Marcos St.). With Christine Albert French Band, Chico Chico Hot Jazz, pétanque contests, volleyball, bubble station, hula hoop station, French food court and more. GA $15 in advance$20 door; children 8 and under free. afaustin.org Long Center and Ballet Austin’s Butler Center for Dance & Fitness present Rhythm on Stage, part of “All Summer Long” on the Dell Hall stage. Join in for Austin’s only instructional dance series that invites you to take center stage. On the schedule: July 14: Bollywood with Prakash; July 21: Videodance, Michael Jackson’s “Bad”; July 28: West African Dance and Drums with Jean Claude. thelongcenter.org Welcome to Harlem’s famed Cotton Club in “Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies,” a stylish, brassy musical celebration of the master’s greatest hits. A full on-stage orchestra backs superb jazz vocalists, extraordinary tap dancers, dazzling deco costumes, and unforgettable torch singers who bring classics to vivid life at ZACH Theatre, July 15 through August 23 in the Topfer Theatre. zachtheatre.org Chaand Raat is a time of celebration when families and friends gather in open areas at the end of the last day of Ramadan to spot the new moon, which signals the arrival of the Islamic month of Shawwal and the day of Eid. Gather for the free, family-friendly event Thursday, July 16, 6 p.m.-12 a.m. in the Asian American Resource Center ballroom. With henna, face painting, jewelry, food and more. aarc.org

Austin Public Library Summer There’s something for everyone at the library this summer from toddlers to teens to adults.

Book Your Summer, the Austin Public Library’s adult summer reading program, isn’t just about kicking up your feet and cracking open or downloading a good book, it’s about experiences. There are great programs to help you get your hero fix. Visit event listings for details at library.austintexas.gov/events/ adult.

SRP’15, the 2015 Summer Reading Program for youth, continues through August. How can you participate? Pick up a Reading Log at any Austin Public Library location, or print one out at home.

The front of the log is where kids record a reading list. Flip it over and discover 16 free and fun activities to enjoy to make sure your summer is actionpacked. All programs and events are free and open to the public. For more information go to library. austintexas.gov/events/youth or call 512-974-7400.

Literature LIVE! presents Tortuga del Mar, a puppet show about a Mayan goddess Ixchel, who watches over two baby sea turtles on their journey across the ocean. Join them as they encounter the enchantment and mystery of the sea, and find out if they will overcome the refuse of humans which threatens their very existence. The dual language show is recommended for ages 5 and up. Through July 29 at 2 p.m. (except where noted). Schedule: July 2 at Willie Mae Kirk Branch, July 8 at Little Walnut Creek Branch, July 9 at University Hills Branch (2 p.m.) and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (7 p.m.), July at Terrazas Branch, July 18 at Yarborough Branch, July 20 at Spicewood Springs Branch, July 22 at Ruiz Branch, July 25 at Recycled Reads Bookstore, and July 29 at Hampton Branch at Oak Hill.

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