Volume II, 08 | December 2010
The United Colors of TODO.
Wishing you
Peace on Earth. -the staff of TODO.
Erica Stall Wiggins
Jillian Hall
Julia Lee
Esther Reyes
Yvonne Lim Wilson
Blake Shanley Katie Walsh
Gabino Iglesias Brandon Ramiro Badillo
Harmony Eichsteadt
Alexandra M. Landeros
Sonia Kotecha
by Mary Parsamyan
La Peña presents “Nosotras al Filo del Tiempo/ We to the Edge of Time,” a group exhibition of contact@todoaustinonline.com six women artists from the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas. The exhibit (227 Congress Avenue) runs Dec. 3-23 with a reception on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 6-8 p.m. More information on the artists and their personal bios can be found at www. www.facebook.com/todo.austin lapena-austin.org. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Asian American Cultural Center (11713 www.twitter.com/todo_austin Jollyville Road) hosts the Asian Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 4. Experience the season as it’s celebrated in the Far East. This charming fair features Asian Artworks and gifts from both OSCAR DAVILA, east and west—Asian snacks, and more from mentoring story pg. 10 a.m-3 p.m. Admission is FREE. See www. 5, engages Austin asianamericancc.com. through Communities ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In Schools of Central Community caroling at the Capitol kicks off the Texas. Dec. 4 Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll. KUT 90.5’s John Aielli leads the DAMARIS wassailing, which leads into the state’s Christmas NICHOLSON is the Tree Lighting (south steps of the Capital and Child Protective Services Congress Avenue). The free event starts at Disproportionality 6 p.m. For more information on times and other fun activities for the family, visit www. Specialist for Region downtownaustinholidays.com. 7. Her story about the ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------over-representation of The local cultural icon Armadillo Christmas children of color in the Bazaar is here again at the Palmer Events Center child welfare system is (900 Barton Springs Road) daily from 11 a.m. on P. 6. -11 p.m. from Dec. 15-24. The beloved arts and crafts, shopping and music festival all rolled into ALEXANDRA MARIA one is a destination attraction and a great place LANDEROS is a to get some needed holiday cheer. Go to www. writer by trade, and armadillobazaar.com for more. musician, gardener, and ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------adventurer by heart. Tapestry Dance Company presents “Of Mice and Music: A Jazz Nutcracker 2010” at the George Her “Plum” column is Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center on P. 15. from Saturday-Monday, Dec. 18- 20. This variation on the traditional holiday ballet spreads rhythm Award-winning poet and communal merriment in the heart of the KATHERINE DURHAM Eastside inside the cozy Boyd Vance Theatre (1161 OLDMIXON is Angelina). For more see www.tapestry.org. Associate Professor of ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------English and Director El Pueblo Que Canta, Noche Navideña features of the Writing Program Austin’s preeminent Latin traditional band, Los at historic HustonTexas Wranglers, in their 8th Annual Tejano Tillotson University. Two Christmas spectacular on Monday, Dec. 20, from 6-10 p.m. at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican of her poems grace American Cultural Center (600 River St). Featuring P. 12. Frank Gomez Band, Salaman, Conjunto Los Pinky’s, AT-Boyz and Johnny Degollado. JULIA LEE has lived ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------in Austin for eight Barsana Dham’s Hindu Family Camp will provide years and still loves the whole clan a spiritually uplifting winter program finding new places to of devotion, yoga, meditation, games, seva, sattvic explore. For a turkey living and more from Dec. 26-31 at 400 Barsana recipe you can make in Road. For more info and to register see www. your sleep, turn to P. 13. hindufamilycamp.org.
512.538.4115
CONTRIBUTORS
Yoga made ESY for You. 1050 East 11th St. #150 ~ 512.779.8543 www.eastsideyoga-austin.com
LA TIERRA Y SU GENTE
THE RIO GRANDE PHOTOGRAPHS OF ROBERT RUNYON, 1901-1926 La Tierra y Su Gente is a sampling of the rich and diverse work of Brownsville photographer Robert Runyon (1881-1968) and a tribute to his unique photographic record of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and its people. The exhibit is currently on display in the MACC Community Gallery and runs through January 3, 2011.
EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER 600 RIVER ST., AUSTIN, TX 78701 •512.974.3772 • MACCAUSTIN.ORG The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call 512-974-3770 or 711 Relay Texas. La ciudad de Austin está comprometida al Acta de Americanos Incapacitados. Si requiere asistencia para participar en nuestros programas por favor llame al teléfono número 512-974-3770 o 711 Relay Texas.
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TODO Austin VOLUME II, NUMBER 008 Publisher/Editor - Gavin Lance Garcia
The Giving Season: Causes Close to the Heart
contact@todoaustinonline.com
By Sara Hickman
Art Director - Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com
Sara Hickman, award-winning musician, artist, community activist and the Official State Musician of Texas, was kind enough to send TODO Austin a list of nonprofit organizations that are especially close to her very generous heart. We hope that this season our readers can find time to foster a cause of their own; whether from one of our lists or by searching online for a cause with a more personal connection. You can learn more about Sara Hickman’s philanthropic endeavors and her projects “Absence of Blame” and “Family Time Rocks!” at www.sarahickman.com. ~ Erica Stall Wiggins House the Homeless (www.housethehomeless.org) From providing thermal underwear, to free legal representation, to speaking out for the rights of those without homes and their annual House the Homeless Memorial Sunrise Service held every November, HOH is one of the organizations I know is working hard to make an impact and create change for those living on the streets of Austin, from teens to veterans. Richard Troxell, the founder, also created the Universal Living Wage, for which he frequently travels to our nation’s Capitol, trying to get legislators to understand the importance of real wages so individuals and families can make enough for a place to live, to pay bills and buy groceries with something left over each month for savings. P.O. Box 2312 Austin TX 78768 | 512.796.4366 From The Heart Rescue (www.fthar.org) Stacy and Paul are a terrific couple who work tirelessly to help abandoned and/or abused animals, including saving them from kill shelters. They house, feed, bathe and provide shots, dental and health care for dogs and cats, in a fantastic wonderland they’ve created, until they can match each animal with a loving family. We adopted our sweet terrier from them. These folks are VERY deserving of wider financial support, and will use the funds wisely, I guarantee! 7513 Old Bee Caves Rd. Austin TX 78735 | 512.480.0015 Tanner Romania Mission (www.tannerromaniamission.org) Since 1994, I have been working with Bruce and Sandie Tanner, a loving, Christian couple who left Ohio and moved, permanently, to Romania to adopt children out of orphanages, giving them a home and family. Over the years, volunteers from around the world have come to help build additional homes, to teach and help with this astoundingly loving, extensive family that nourishes children into adulthood, and also supports children with severe disabilities/ special needs for their entire lives. Check out the love, care and hope dwelling within the Tanner’s walls (and playgrounds, gardens and schooling!) at: www. tannerromaniamission.org. | American donations can be mailed to the Tanner’s Mission account at: Tanner Romania Mission c/o 2nd National Bank P.O. Box 130 Greenville OH 45331 | Attn: Linda Allread Customer Acct.Dept. Theatre Action Project (www.theatreactionproject.org) TAP delivers a one-of-a-kind service of bringing art, theatre, music and creative spunk to kids in school--helping them develop, say, a play on bullying, complete with handmade costumes and sets — to camps with world themes, sharing artistic processes and ideas that help kids learn about different cultures, having enormous fun in the process. 701 Tillery St. Box 9 Austin TX 78702 | 512.442.8773 Austin Area Interreligious Ministries (AAIM) (www.aaimaustin.org) Working to bring diverse faiths together for greater understanding, AAIM utilizes many programs, from Hands on Housing, to ESL classes for refugees, to the annual Thanksgiving Gathering, Cropwalk and the popular conversational Red Bench series. As an ex-board member, I can testify to the incredible bridges AAIM is building for Austin’s community at large. There are so many areas one could volunteer for, or if you make a financial donation, know your money will be a part of the building process towards educating all of us and who we are in relation to our beliefs and how we can work together. 701 Tillery, Suite 8 Austin TX 78702 | 512.386.9145 Family Time Rocks! (www.Familytimerocks.com) This is a CD I produced of 37 tracks as part of the band, Family Time Rocks! – songs, stories, poems and ideas– that is an absolutely FREE download so that “families can be great together when they create together!” There is also a supplemental page of projects and conversation starters for families to utilize alongside this FREE CD! Great for families, classrooms and librarians. 04 TODO Austin // DEC 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com
Executive Editor - Erica Stall Wiggins Senior Editors – Harmony Eichsteadt, Jillian Hall, Gabino Iglesias, Katie Walsh
Sara Hickman by Randal Ford
Mike Martinez
Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez’ Holiday List When it comes to giving back, Austin Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez is a strong believer in community involvement and a supporter of causes ranging from environmental protection to quality of life initiatives. One of his holiday wishes is that the following nonprofit organizations are well supported through the season: River City Youth Foundation (www.rivercityyouth.com) The vision of the River City Youth Foundation is to be the model of comprehensive neighborhood-based youth services that maximizes every child’s potential and improves communities. They serve primarily in the Dove Springs area of East Austin. Mobile Loaves and Fishes (www.mlfnow.org) A social outreach ministry for the homeless, Mobile Loaves and Fishes provides food and clothing and promotes dignity among brothers and sisters in need. Blue and Brown Santa (www.bluesanta.org and www.brownsanta.org) Operation Blue Santa is organized by the Austin Police Department with help from other City of Austin departments, and provides holiday meals and wrapped Christmas gifts to children of families in need. Similarly, Operation Brown Santa is a community service program of the Travis County Sheriff’s Department, with a 2010 season goal of serving 2000 families in need, including providing Christmas gifts for approximately 15,000 disadvantaged children. Southwest Key Program (www.swkey.org) Southwest Key Programs is a national nonprofit organization providing transformative education, innovative safe shelters and alternatives to incarceration for over 6,000 youth each day, while creating opportunities for their families to become self-sufficient.
Associate Editors – Brandon Ramiro Badillo, Sonia Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Julia Lee, Esther Reyes, Blake Shanley, Yvonne Lim Wilson Contributing Writers/Artists – Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Joseph Banks, Lina Begum, Stefanie Behe, Deborah Alys Carter, Jennie Chen, Brandi Cowley, Oscar Davila, Katherine Durham Oldmixon, Mia Garcia, Jesse Greene, Paul Hernandez, Anoop Iyer, Yadira Izquierdo, Callie Langford, Heather Lee, Otis Lopez, David Marks, Mike Martinez, Lata Narumanchi, Damaris Nicholson, Jay Parmar, Mary Parsamyan, Kathy Pham, Marion Sanchez, Rupal Shah, Carol Stall, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Priya Vijayaraghavan, Bowen Wilder, Thomas Yoo Photographers – Heather Banks, David M. Collins, Jenny Fu, Mark Guerra, John M. P. Knox, JoJo Marion, Jay Parmar, Mohan Sridharan, Rama Tiru, Aimee Wenske, Matt Ziehr Advertising Jake Morse at 817.313.7062 or sales@todoaustinonline.com TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2010 Spark Awakened Publishing. All rights reserved. Unsolicited submissions (including, but not limited to articles, artwork, photographs) are not returned. Visit us at:
Court Appointed Special Advocactes of Travis County (CASA)
TODOAustinOnline.com
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Born in Phoenix, Olivia Kim went to college in Seoul, Korea before ending up in Austin with her husband. She loves rock music, so Austin’s live music scene suits her well, as does the great environment for sports and fitness which she enjoys. When she got to Austin, Olivia wanted to find a volunteer opportunity that would help her connect more with her new city, and something that would challenge her. She found CASA and immediately appreciated how in-depth the training was, and the fact that volunteers are sworn-in to their official roles by the court. She has been volunteering with CASA of Travis County for over a year, and has greatly enjoyed her first case and her role as a stable and consistent adult presence for a young boy in the foster care system.
TODO Austin: Multicultural Media for All of Austin TODO Austin is a free, colorful print and online journal for all of Austin highlighting our multicultural heritage. Our mission is to promote the concept of community in an ethnically diverse city.
WRITE TO US Olivia Kim
with stories, submissions, etc.: Contact@TODOaustinonline.com Editorial – 512.538.4115
Let’s Talk About It
Making a Difference in Austin: Mentors’ Perspectives By Oscar Davila
Austin youth mentor Phillip and mentee Eduardo enjoy reading together.
“We can help a person to be himself/herself by our own willingness to steep ourselves temporarily in his/her world, in his/her private feelings and experiences. By our affirmation of the person as he is, we give him support and strength to take the next step in his/her own growth.” ~Clark Moustakas In our modern lives, we often crave genuine connection and the feeling that we are making a positive difference in the world. After surmounting the hurdles of scheduling and general apprehension (“who me, a role model?”), most volunteers find mentoring to be an easy and deeply satisfying way to make a difference. Historically, mentoring a student has been one of the most effective methods to keeping kids on track to graduate and enter college. Mentored students have better school attendance, a better chance of going on to higher education and better attitudes toward school. Adults who mentor get to take a regular break from their busy professional lives and gain insight into the day-to-day lives of youth, and often into their own childhood or children. Five mentors shared their own stories, in hopes of encouraging others to take the leap. Phillip, 42, is a father of three and sells insurance for the Knights of Columbus. Katherine, 33, works for the US Postal Service and is a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Military Order of the Purple Heart (of which her dad is a recipient). Miguel, 25, whose parents live in Mexico, is a Relationship Banker at Capital One Bank and a member of the Travis County Democratic Party, and the City of Austin Commission on Immigrant Affairs. Leia, 30, is a juvenile probation officer and married mother of an 11 month old, and is working on a master’s degree. She grew up around gangs and drugs. JP, 42, is an independent real estate broker and investor. Married with a son aged six, he’s mentored for 17 years. Q: What was the first meeting like? Phillip: I didn’t know what I was really getting into, but sometimes you have to take that leap of faith…once I saw him, and his smile, his demeanor, it set me at ease. When we first met, he was a little bit apprehensive. And then he said something that was really funny and both of us had a big laugh. And then that allowed both of us to feel at ease and then it progressed from there. Katherine: (laugh) The first meeting was a tad awkward for me and probably for her as well.
Fortunately, the Match Support Specialist was able to make things less uncomfortable by sharing some of the things we had in common. Once we started talking, we were golden.
siblings and his mother.” He wants to serve the community as well, so he’s not just looking at it for his interests. It’s awesome. I want my children to be that type of person as well.
Miguel: I went to his house and met his family and the Match Support Specialist. We walked around his block and talked about our likes and dislikes, mainly sports.
Katherine: I’m very blessed to be matched with such a wonderful kid. Listening to Joana talk about school, friends, and the things going on her life has reminded me that it’s not easy being a kid. There are so many factors that go into every decision kids today make...what will my friends/ parents/siblings think? I have a HUGE amount of respect for her. She manages to make good solid decisions for herself day after day, despite what other kids may be doing.
Leia: I was nervous. I thought she was going to look at me like I was some old lady! But once it was just me and her then it was comfortable and easy. Q: What kinds of things do you like to do together? Phillip: Really what we do is ask how the week has been and what the week has coming up. How was your week, what are you going to be doing for your weekend, are there any big tests coming up? Katherine: We spend a lot of time talking. We talk about everything under the sun. I help her with her homework, where applicable, although she’s a pretty good student. I’m very proud of her. Miguel: Kayaking, eating, talking, and just hanging out. Leia: Sometimes we work on homework assignments. Most of the time she likes to walk outside and show me off to her friends. She’ll say, “Oh don’t worry, she’s cool, she’s cool.” If it’s a heavy day where I can tell something is on her mind we’ll go sit in the library. JP: Usually we spend time playing games and doing school work. Q: How has being a mentor impacted your life? Phillip: It certainly has made me closer to my three teenagers. Eduardo has been able to do so much more with so little that he has and I reference that with my children. I say, “he’s doing this on his own, and he’s helping his family, his
Miguel: Siento que el ayudar a alguien mas es una cualidad que tenemos todos y que mas deben de ejercitar. Leia: I have a new perspective on the struggles of these kids. I have an eleven-year-old stepdaughter, and when she comes home and tells me the gossip at school or the problems at school, I can see it through her eyes. Q: How do you think having a mentor has impacted your mentee? Phillip: Every week I can see him developing more as a man, and I get a better understanding of where he’s coming from. Our roles are not father/son, even though Eduardo doesn’t have his father there anymore. I try to be that person in his life that will give him personal guidance. Even though I did not have that life that Eduardo has, I can at least put in some input as to the things he’s doing right and encourage him to continue to follow that path. Katherine: I hope that she knows when I talk to her about things that could be potential pitfalls for her that she knows I’m talking to her as a friend, not just another adult lecturing her. I hope that our talk of about the future helps her keep her eye on the ball, and that she’ll keep looking forward to all the wonderful things life has to offer her. Miguel: I know he knows he has a friend in me and that he can count on me.
JP: I’m the guy that shows up and he can say “hey this is my big buddy, he’s here for me.” One student I mentored gave me a plaque that said “last year this really cool guy came into my life, he’s funny, he likes children, he’s just a great role model, his name is JP and he is my mentor. If I get frustrated or mad, JP helps me a lot. He shows me I’ve got different options and helps me solve my problems. Now I know I can turn bad situations to good.” Q: What advice would you give someone who is considering becoming a mentor? Phillip: If you have an hour of time, if you could take a lunch break during your work time and you have a school that is close in your community, see if they have a need. And that need is just being able to meet with a young person and provide them with that opportunity to have interaction with you. Once you get past that first moment of insecurity and feeling apprehensive, you’ll find a long-standing benefit to you and the young person. Katherine: Do it! One hour a week of your time may not seem like much, but to a child, it may be the world. Miguel: DO IT! It doesn’t take a lot of time to make a difference! Leia: To just take the time to open up and let them in. For a first time mentor, don’t be afraid. They just need somebody to talk to. That’s really all it is. They can’t talk to a mom or dad or a teacher the way you can talk to a complete stranger and even we as adults know that, we can confess all our sins to the person on the bus, but we can’t tell our own husband or wife so it’s the same with kids. JP: It’s not a whole lot of time, when you really break it down, it’s not a big time commitment if you want to make that time. Once you get in there, it’s an easy deal. To find out more about how to mentor a student in the Austin area, contact Oscar Davila at (512) 464-9764, or odavila@ cisaustin.org.
TODO Austin // DEC 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com 05
Combating Disproportionality in Child Protective Services By Damaris Nicholson
On November 16, 2010, former foster youth, state and community leaders came together for the 4th Annual Disproportionality Conference in Austin, Texas. They came together to celebrate the victories of reducing the high number of children of color in the Texas foster care system. They came to inspire each other to advocate for equity and to challenge a system in hopes of improving outcomes for all children, youth and families. This conference served as a celebration of the groundbreaking work that has occurred in Texas since 2004, and a call to action to continue making positive change. Disproportionality is an over-representation of an ethnic or cultural group within a particular program or system; in this case, children of color in the Child Protective Services (CPS) system. And while there are many contributing factors, including poverty, at the root of the issue is the systemic institutionalized racism that over the years has resulted in negative consequences for children, youth and families. And when we improve outcomes for children of color, in essence, we are improving outcomes for all children, youth and families.
In Austin Texas, African American children make up roughly 12% of the child’s population, yet they are removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect at a rate of 26%. In comparison, white children make up 36% of the child population, yet are removed from their homes at about 32% of the child population. By analyzing this data, CPS learned that even when poverty, race and ethnicity of caseworkers were taken into consideration, these removal rates were skewed. This led to the fundamental notion that this over-representation is caused by imbedded practices in our system that are not equitable, and lead to disparate outcomes for children, youth and families of color. With this work, courageous conversations must be had with people across all races. The idea is not to debate, contradict or even change the others mind, but to be able to get to a place where despite differences, culture is valued with respect to the families served. The Department of Family and Protective Services has implemented trainings across the state in order to begin these conversations. Through “Undoing Racism” and “Knowing Who You Are” trainings, stakeholders and staff come
away with an understanding that they can no longer shy away from a topic that has been so difficult for many to discuss. It has allowed conversations with other systems that families encounter each and every day. This is why it is so important to build relationships with one another, to identify allies from across cultures for a better understanding of individualism and roles played in every day life. Addressing disproportionality is a responsibility of the community, for workers in the CPS system and otherwise. Vertical and horizontal accountability within the system and across systems is key. Rolando Garza, Deputy Executive Commissioner of Health and Human Services said recently, “within the walls in which we work, in the cubicles and offices, those places have to be a vibrant laboratory and a catalyst for change.” It is time to take back our common humanity and advocate for equitable treatment for all of our community’s families. To learn more about disproportionality in child welfare, and to become part of the conversation, visit www. senate6austin.com.
Good Times at Güero’s For great tunes and great rita’s! Please join us for live music on our outside jardin stage, every Thursday through Sunday. THANKS TO THE FANS & BANDS WHO SUPPORT US!!! ALL OUTDOOR SHOWS ARE “WEATHER PERMITTING”
DECEMBER Line-up
TACO BAR
1412 S. Congress Avenue • Austin, Texas 78704 Open Weekdays 11am-11pm; Weekends 8am-11pm
---------------------------------------------------Thu 12/02 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) Fri 12/03 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 12/04 CHRISSY FLATT BAND (6:30) Sun 12/05 THE TEXAS TYCOONS (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 12/9 THE FABS (6:30) Fri 12/10 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 12/11 TED RODDY (6:30) Sun 12/12 TIBURON (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 12/16 THE LISA MARSHALL BAND (6:30) Fri 12/17 LOS FLAMES (6:30) Sat 12/18 ERIN JAIMES (6:30) Sun 12/19 MITCH WEBB & THE SWIDLES (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 12/23 JOHNNY GIMBLE (6:30) Fri 12/24 CLOSED Sat 12/25 CLOSED Sun 12/26 CHICKEN STRUT (3:00) ---------------------------------------------------Thu 12/30 AL DRESSEN BAND (6:30) Fri 12/31 MARK ALAN BAND (6:30)
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Upcoming Events
ASIAN AUSTIN: ABOUT TOWN By Yvonne Lim Wilson
There’s been a lot of buzz around the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) lately with a high-profile expo hosted by Austin Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez on Oct. 29, as well as an update meeting with Assistant City Manager Rudy Garza on Nov. 17. Also, congratulations to Erica Estetter, who was named AARC Director in November. Erica is the former executive director of the Austin Asian American Chamber of Commerce. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but I think everyone’s driven to make it happen. I’m honored to help see this plan out to completion,” she said. The center, which will be built on a 15-acre site at 8501 Cameron Road in northeast Austin, started with a voter-approved $5 million bond in 2006. The vision for the center includes educational classrooms, administrative offices, meeting facilities, performance hall, retail space and outdoor park. The project has been broken down into three different phases. Groundbreaking for phase one has been pushed back from a few months to summer 2011; substantial completion remains unchanged at May 2012 at this point, Estetter said. Currently, Estetter said she is working to build the board, recruit active committee members and increase community outreach. More community meetings are being planned for 2011. “Our organizations know about it, but there are many other groups who aren’t aware. We’re making sure that everyone who wants to have a voice can,” she said. For more information, visit www.aarcaustin.org.
The Center for Asian American Studies faced possible elimination due to budget cuts at the University of Texas at Austin, but has found itself still standing with the latest budget news. The Academic Planning and Advisory Committee has recommended a 10 percent permanent budget reduction, which, while painful, is certainly less dramatic compared to the nearly 40 percent recommended cuts to the Warfield Center for African & African American Studies and the Center for Mexican American Studies (both of which have substantially larger budgets). “This is a much less serious cut than we had feared, and we are setting about planning how to best use our resources to continue, in so far as possible, our academic and community outreach efforts. Despite the cuts, we feel strongly that we will be able to continue building knowledge and awareness of Asian Americans and their history and culture in Texas,” wrote Madeline Hsu, Director for the Center of Asian American Studies.
Dec. 5 – “Light & Shadow of France” art exhibit, closing day (South Corridor Gallery at First Presbyterian Church, 8001 Mesa Drive, Austin TX 78731) Dec. 6 – Shakuhachi & Okinawa Shamisen Concert (Casa de Luz Cielo Room (2F), 1701 Toomey Rd ) Dec. 7 – Capital Area Asian American Democrats Monthly and Lunar New Year Celebration Planning Meeting (Thai Kitchen, 3009 Guadalupe St) Dec. 8 – Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce December networking/Holiday Party For full event details, visit www.asianaustin.com This year for the first time, SAHELI presented awards at the event, honoring three “founding sisters”: Kalpana Sutaria, Mamata Misra and Dr. Harishini Ernest. Guests sampled several Asian cuisines along with special wine pairings while browsing through silent auction items. www. saheli-austin.org Rainforest Partnership, a nonprofit founded by Niyanta Spelman, who also serves as executive director, also held a fundraiser on Nov. 17 at the Barr Mansion. Rainforest Partnership is dedicated to reducing tropical deforestation by working with rainforest communities to develop alternative and sustainable means of income, so that it makes economic sense to keep their forests standing. www.rainforestpartnership.org Planning is underway for the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce’s 15th annual Lunar New Year Gala, celebrating the Year of the Rabbit. The gala is planned for Feb. 5, with the theme “Leap into Prosperity.” The
All University departments are feeling the budget strain, as the University has had to cut $14.6 million from its budget earlier in the year, and now potentially another $9 million reduction in state funding, according to The Daily Texan. Stay tuned for details. www.utexas.edu/cola/ centers/aas
event will feature cultural performances and Asian cuisine, as well as individual and business awards and scholarships for Asian American students. The next volunteer meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14. www. txasianchamber.org.
The fundraising season is underway for many local groups with worthy causes to support. SAHELI, a non-profit that provides assistance to Asian and immigrant families dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking, held its third annual “Discover Asia through Wine” event on Nov. 12 at the Mexican American Cultural Center.
Saheli silent auction
Erica Estetter was recently named director of the Asian American Resource Center, expected to break ground in summer 2011.
Yvonne Lim Wilson is founder and publisher of Asian Austin at www.AsianAustin.com, an online news magazine featuring news about Asian American people, organizations and events in Austin. Contact Yvonne at yvonne@ asianaustin.com.
PERSPECTIVA CARIBEÑA By Yadira Izquierdo
I moved to Austin a year ago from my native Puerto Rico and in my short time here, I’ve learned that our community is full of openness, creative energy and characters. Take my friend Alice and her professor, for example. A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture on the origins of the alphabet with Alice. The presentation, titled “We all write hieroglyphs,” was given by Dr. John Huehnergard, a faculty member of the Middle Easter Studies Department at the University of Texas at Austin. Alice, who was once my English teacher, has a PhD in semantics and is kind enough to bear with my thick—and for some people, exotic— accent. For some reason, every time Alice suggests something, I always follow. Maybe
it’s because I admire her for being the kind of person who was born to give; she is always involved in some sort of volunteer work. Nevertheless, on this occasion I felt I would be out of my element due to the fact that my last such lecture came years ago when I was studying for my Master’s in Journalism in Puerto Rico. Besides, I’m not too familiar with the field of semantics so I didn’t know what was in store for me. A word about Alice. She was born in New York and one day, trying to connect more deeply with her Jewish roots, moved to a Kibbutz in Israel. She wanted something and she grabbed it in an honest and truthful way. We can usually talk about everything: the U.S., Israel, Puerto Rico, immigration, etc. The only thing that she keeps refusing to give me is her age.
Is that an Austin thing? Nevertheless, she shares her knowledge and that’s what counts the most with me. Alice knows the work of Dr. Huehnergard well after using one of his books for her dissertation. The lecture was no doubt appealing, as Dr. Huehnergard managed to explain a complex topic in a simple and engrossing way. In his lecture, Dr. Huehnergard explained how the Egyptians used hieroglyphs for honoring important figures or places, and to embellish temples. The Hieratic writing needed to be quite simple because it was used for real world commerce and other practical purposes. It was more effective and thus used for everyday purposes.
Examining a juxtaposition of the writing techniques, it was apparent that the Hieratic didn’t resemble the beauty of hieroglyphs. Of course, they had two different functions. Likewise, I learned two things about Austin and its appeal. The academic world is much the same everywhere; there you’ll find people with big egos fighting for recognition. Dr. Huehnergard is the rare exception, and a brilliant and modest man. People that have true knowledge, and are sure of it, are humble and easygoing. It’s the way of things in Austin, and I find it amusing how some of the most important things we learn have nothing to do with the subject at hand.
TODO Austin // DEC 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com 07
TODO Mexico:
Carlos Pascual and the War on Drugs By Katie Walsh
Last month, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual spoke at the LBJ Library. His presentation focused on economics, security and the rule of law, emphasizing the need to support and cooperate with Mexico (our #2 trading partner, he pointed out) as it faces a crossroads in economic and social stability. The policy strategies he described for achieving that goal centered around dismantling drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) by rebuilding and expanding the judicial and criminal justice systems with new forces, tactics and technologies. While he flushed out the discussion of DTOs by including the historical shift of power structures in Western drug trafficking, Pascual didn’t address what might happen to the illicit drug market if the current Mexican “kingpins” were indeed taken out. “So what happens then?” I was left wondering. As Pascual narrated, Colombian drug lords once reined king over the drug trade in the West, but the implementation of the U.S.’s Plan Colombia and the extradition of Colombian agents to U.S. prisons in 2002 left Mexican cartels holding the reins. Mexican cartel proliferation and consequential, increasing turf violence is a direct result of Mexico having seized the abandoned market. To end the story with the takedown of Mexican DTOs is to ignore the nature of economics and the larger issue at hand. The root cause of the violence is prohibition. As long as drugs are illegal, they make an incredibly lucrative business—one that isn’t just going to dissipate in the absence of current industry leaders. Of course, a market isn’t a market without demand. Pascual did mention President Obama’s 13% budget increase for “demand reduction” in the U.S. (the primary consumer of Mexican-managed drugs), but the simple truth is that D.A.R.E. programs and “Above the Influence” PSA commercials aren’t going to make Americans stop rolling joints and doing lines. Austin American-Statesman contributor Hamish McKenzie summed it up nicely when he called the effort “laudable but futile,” positing that the only way to truly wrench power from the cartels is to take away their market,
For Immigrants by Immigrants In Spanish, we say “La union hace la fuerza” (unity creates strength), a phrase commonly used by groups in the struggle for justice and equality. In Austin, a group of immigrant community leaders knows well that only a united and organized immigrant community can bring about justice for itself. These leaders, members of the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition (AIRC), are known as “human rights promoters,” and their aim is to build a sustainable and long-lasting community power that defends and reclaims the human rights of immigrants in Austin. Their method: education. Human rights promoters complete an intensive 48-hour training through which they learn to defend and organize around their rights. Each promoter commits to forming a human rights committee of at least 5 fellow immigrants whom they educate about rights guaranteed under the US Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During their time together, 08 TODO Austin // DEC 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com
“allow[ing] governments to control, regulate and tax the production, distribution and use of drugs.” Al Giordano of the Fund for Authentic Journalism and Narco News echoed this sentiment in a recap of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2009 visit to Mexico. His assertion that telling the “whole truth” about the drug market and the best way to fight it “is not yet viewed as politically feasible” might explain why Pascual, aside from a safe, mostly vague answer to an audience question posed by McKenzie, remained relatively quiet on legalization. It’s interesting to note that, without the drug war, the U.S. would have little opportunity to influence Mexico’s economic future in a way that benefits this country. Further exploration of Pascual and his role in rebuilding nations suggests that, perhaps, the drug war is exactly what the U.S. needs to take advantage of the abundant economic opportunity present in a post-cartel Mexico. Pascual’s appointment to the post of Ambassador last year stirred some feathers in Mexico—throughout his long career in diplomatic service, has come to be known as a specialist in “post-conflict stabilization,” or the cleaning up of “failed states.” Shortly before his appointment, Secretary Clinton expressed confidence in President Felipe Calderón’s administration, stating that she didn’t believe there was “any ungovernable area in Mexico”—but the selection of Pascual seems to send another message. Former Vice President of Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institute, Pascual also served as the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization at the U.S. Department of State, where he organized “U.S. government planning to help stabilize and reconstruct societies in transition from conflict or civil strife.” As Giordano points out, this position and his previous experience with South Africa, the Ukraine, Europe and Eurasia earned Pascual recognition as “a key architect” of disaster capitalism policies by Naomi Klein, author of “The Shock Doctrine.” In a nutshell,
Klein’s work asserts that the global free market was not achieved democratically; she pieces together money and paper trials to demonstrate how government office’s like Pascual’s “have come to dominate the world through the exploitation of disastershocked people and countries.” When a war, natural disaster, or other catastrophic event hits a country, Pascual’s team of “private companies, nongovernmental organizations and think tanks” would come in to reconstruct the nation’s very social fabric and implement pro-market economic policy that would never pass in peaceful times. In fact, Klein states that Pascual’s mandate as the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization was to create “post conflict” plans for 25 countries that were not yet in conflict, executing “pre-completed” contracts to “rebuild countries that [were] not yet broken.” Given this history, his post as Ambassador to Mexico raises some questions about whether there exists an off-the-record “post conflict” plan for that country, and what it might look like. As you might guess, he didn’t touch on this topic in his speech in Austin, and standing behind McKenzie at the Q&A mic, I never got the chance to ask. The public-facing version Pascual argued was that the economic future of Mexico depends on taking down the DTOs and instituting the rule of law as it exists here in the U.S. While that narrative certainly suits a “post-conflict” plan that situates the U.S. at the end of the rainbow, ready to offer up our “democratic,” “free market” influence, it simply doesn’t solve the problem. Mexican DTOs may go away; the black market for illegal drugs will not. Until legalization enters the public dialogue in a real way, the war on drugs will wage on far after the Mexican DTOs fall. ”It is the prohibitionist drug war model that sends the value of cocaine and other illicit substances sky high,” Giordano wrote. “That, and that alone, feeds the escalating violence, corruption and death toll in Mexico and elsewhere.”
By Esther Reyes
groups develop a common identity and identify common needs for a dignified life, while exploring the history and struggle of immigrants in the US to gain a better understanding of the current struggle. Human rights promoters also learn to document human rights abuses in the community. This structured process of education and leadership development was introduced to the AIRC by the Border Network for Human Rights, a leading immigration reform and human rights advocacy organization based in El Paso, TX, earlier this year. Since then, human rights promoters organized their committees to plan the screening of “9500 Liberty,” a documentary revealing the social and economic impact of a 2007 resolution in Prince William County, Virginia, requiring police officers to question anyone they have “probable cause” to suspect is an unauthorized immigrant. In November, they held a second training for immigrant community
The Human Rights Promoter Project trains immigrants to defend and organize around their rights.
members interested in becoming human rights promoters. As evidenced by these groups, fear will not keep the immigrant community in Austin from reclaiming and defending their civil and human rights, which ultimately means defending the rights of all US citizens.
E M M A S . B A R R I E N T O S M E X I C A N A M E R I C A N C U LT U R A L C E N T E R AND BELLAS ARTES ALLIANCE PRESENTS
MARCH 18-19, 2011 • AUSTIN TEXAS Pan Americana Festival is an innovative, all-embracing multicultural arts and entertainment celebration designed to foster appreciation of America’s diverse cultures and heritage. www.panamericanafestival.com 3 1 9 C o n g r e s s A v e n u e , S t e 2 5 0 | A u s t i n , Te x a s 7 8 7 0 1 | 5 1 2 . 5 3 8 . 4 1 1 5
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center 600 RIVER ST., AUSTIN, TX 78701 • 512.974.3772 • MACCAUSTIN.ORG
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call 512-974-3770 or 711 Relay Texas. La ciudad de Austin está comprometida al Acta de Americanos Incapacitados. Si requiere asistencia para participar en nuestros programas por favor llame al teléfono número 512-974-3770 o 711 Relay Texas.
United Sounds of Austin
December Brings Exciting Events Worthy of Austinites’ Attention
By Bowen Wilder
Jesse Sublett’s Colorful Women On Friday, December 3, Austin author and trailblazing musician Jesse Sublett presents the first public showing of his visual art in “Colorful Women” at Yard Dog (1510 South Congress Ave.) from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Most of the work in the show was drawn from Sublett’s pocket journals, which the veteran’s used to jot down reflections for his noir fiction, songwriting and other projects over the decades. During espresso breaks, Sublett began adding color to his random black and white sketches. The small-scale, intricately detailed works in the show (mostly 4 in. x 6 in., or slightly smaller) were culled from over a dozen petite black books that Sublett filled up in recent years. The text supporting many of the drawings gives insight to Sublett’s creative process, as the pages were originally used for recording literary notes, song lyrics or poetry. The show will also include some larger scale works incorporating acrylic and India ink.
featuring exemplary Texas talents Will Sexton, Amy Cook, 16year-old fiddle prodigy Ruby Jane, and many other top talents in an effort to raise money to alleviate the economic and emotional frustration that afflicts struggling professional musicians seeking addiction recovery and mental therapy.
For the past fifteen years, SIMS has been advocating and providing assistance to thousands of persevering individuals who brave the tempestuous waters of professional musicianship. Austin’s reputation of rich musical culture is both a blessing and a burden to aspiring entertainers in a competitive industry, where irregular hours, traveling schedules, financial insecurity and close proximity to drugs and alcohol can lead to personal and familial stress as well as drug and alcohol abuse.
One of the unique aspects of “Colorful Women” is its reflection on Sublett’s musical influences, which range from Howlin’ Wolf and Son House to Nina Simone and Bryan Ferry, as well as his obsession with film noir and hardboiled crime fiction. Sublett is also a longtime fan of cubism, impressionism and surrealism, as well as Jack Kirby’s work for Marvel Comics. Sublett, a vital presence in the Austin music scene since the late 1970s when he formed Austin’s first punk band, the Skunks, continues to play gigs, drawing from a large repertoire of original and traditional murder ballads and blues. His first crime novel, “Rock Critic Murders” (set in Austin), was published in 1989 and was followed by two other titles, plus a memoir (“Never the Same Again: A Rock N’ Roll Gothic”) and various other works. SIMS Benefit Bash Austin’s SIMS foundation will be holding a “Benefit Bash” at the Austin Music Hall on Saturday, December 11 from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Widely known within the industry is the organization’s reputation for relating to the plight of the struggling musician. The foundation was established by the friends and family of Sims Ellison, a young, talented Austin rock musician whose promising career was tragically cut short when he committed suicide after a debilitating bout with depression. Such an unbridled but tragic talent is deserving of a worthy memorial, but SIMS is not a passively sentimental organization. Their mission is to provide access to and financial support for mental health and addiction recovery services for Austin musicians and their families in the metropolitan area.
uplifting social activities and propensity to include children in her performances makes kids of all ages feel the strange but comforting pull of an intangible umbilical cord. Family Time Rocks is looking to make that cord a little longer with “The Universe,” which coaxes younger generations’ hearts to beat a little faster through the band’s brand of unsophisticated musical novelty that promotes creativity, learning and fun with a dash of upstanding moral character and multicultural awareness. According to their website, band members Sara, Gray and J pride themselves on “singing songs about how great it is for folks when they get creative together,” a proper summarization of their beautiful endeavor. “The Universe” exhibits musical styles from around the world and a rich brew of exotic personalities to complement the album’s approach to the modern day equivalent of Michael Jackson’s “Black and White.” Hispanic, African, Swedish, Pakistani and Russian influences pepper this pleasant mixture of music, prose and interviews that demonstrates to its listeners that symbiotic harmony can be achieved in all cultures. The CD is available (free download!) at www.sarahickman.com/site/ familytimerocks. Hickman has been a positive role model to the Austin community for the last fifteen years, and she doesn’t plan to stop making a difference anytime soon. She’s been bombarded with accolades for her charity work, contributions to the art of music and to the study of child cognitive development, and was most recently appointed as the 2010 Texas State Musician by the Texas State Commission on the Arts (following on the heels of 2009 TSM Willie Nelson). Hickman is already using the title to help families create together and bring art programs into public schools. She vehemently champions her cause to provide Austin children with fun and education through the arts and continues to be a surrogate to anyone willing to open up their hearts and ears.
“The Benefit Bash” will be pulling out the red carpet for several philanthropic individuals and businesses, but all are encouraged to attend. And if you can’t enjoy the show in person, you might consider giving any extra coin this holiday season to those artists in need at www.simsfoundation.org. Sara Hickman’s Family Time Rocks! Looking at photos of the new release “Family Time Rocks!-The Universe” one can’t help think that front woman Sara Hickman might possibly be the greatest mom on the planet. Her histrionic stage presence, flair for vibrant garb, incorporation of morally
photo by Todd V. Wolfson
Bemba Beat By Brandon Ramiro Badillo
Bemba Entertainment, a Year in Review Bemba Entertainment made it a point to grab attention its sophomore year as it set a multicultural trail ablaze in the “Live Music Capital.” Kicking off 2010 with its second annual Nina Simone Tribute, “Wild is the Wind”, Bemba solidified a trademark event and due to the box office sell-out two years in a row. Riding on high and with a mission, Bemba collaborated with Soul of The Boot Entertainment and Strange Tribe Productions to put on a blow-out showcase during SXSW. In April, Bemba paid a tribute to the great Bill Withers. Although still alive and well, Bemba felt the need to have a night in this legend’s honor. They did so by bringing in local bands to make a night covering Bill’s tunes in their own right. May came along and brought with it Bemba’s second annual Mother’s Day event, Momma, I Love You. “World Music Night” was alive and well at Momo’s every Tuesday throughout the year, and continues to build a following. During 10 TODO Austin // DEC 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com
the summer months, Bemba established a monthly “World Beat Cruise” on Lady Bird Lake the last Thursday of each month from June through September. The summer came to a close with a celebration for the one year anniversary of World Music Night. Over 500 people came to Momo’s to witness 16 of Austin’s world music groups perform during a scorching August day and night. October arrived, and with it, Bemba put on two events that showcased a love of Afrobeat & 70s Soul Funk. Fela Kuti’s birthday warranted a “Felabration” and that’s just what Bemba did. Next was a “Funk Freak Halloween Ball” inspired by Parliament Funkadelic. Austin will now house the Mothership every year during the holiday. After CD releases for Austin iconic bands Maneja Beto, Afrofreque and The Just Desserts, Bemba found it appropriate to end the year on a high note and closed it out with a CD
release event for their friends Hard Proof, Austin’s only Afrobeat band. A lot has happened in 2010 for Bemba Entertainment, and there’s more on the horizon. With a couple of great events lined up, including the Third Annual Nina Simone Tribute in February and an Afrobeat & Soul Funk Festival in June, it’s certain that Bemba will continue to put on much needed events that bring diversity to the spotlight. “World Music Night” will continue every Tuesday. The “World Beat Cruises” are likely to reappear in the summer. Another Bill Withers Hoot night may be in store. Latin music showcases with Austin Vida will definitely happen. There are many things that Bemba will continue to do in this city, and behind each event lies the desire to bring all shades of beauty together to share an experience; whether it be excitement, warmth, or amazement, they will all feel welcomed.
THE TODO ARTS LIST PRESENTED BY TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS Texas Performing Arts is proud to recognize Austin’s many outstanding arts organizations UT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Guest Conductor Carl St. Clair and violinist Brian Lewis perform Bruch Concerto for Violin no. 1 op. 26 and Prokofiev Symphony no. 5, op. 100. The UT Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmermann, is one of the top college orchestras in the nation. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m. Bates Recital Hall www.music.utexas.edu STEEL MAGNOLIAS Robert Harling’s wisecracking and wise southern hit comedy serves up life, love and laughter that is as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie. In the haven of Truvy’s beauty salon, six women come together to share secrets, gossip and bare their souls, learning to embrace themselves and the future with all its uncertainties. Directed by Barry Pineo and starring Annie Dragoo, Jessica Loyd, Ellen Massey, Melita McAtee, Virgina Pratt and Akasha Banks Villalobos. Dec 1-19, Thursdays – Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays , 5:30 p.m. City Theatre. (3823 Airport Blvd.) www.citytheatreaustin.org
BALLET EAST NEW WORKS The world premiere of Regina Larkin’s “Morning/Midday” and Juan Flores’ “Let’s Go” features choreographies by Melissa Villarreal, Sheila Cruz, Sharon Marroquin and Eric Midgley. Larkin is internationally recognized for her mesmerizing performances and Laredo native Flores is now Rehearsal Assistant for Ballet East. Dec. 2-5; Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 2-4, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Dougherty Arts Center (1110 Barton Springs Rd.) www.balleteast.org LA PASTORELA: A SHEPHERD’S STORY The Austin Latino Theater Alliance’s traditional Yuletide play has been an Austin Latino community staple since 1997. Reverent in the Christmas tradition as the Latino counterpart to “The Nutcracker,” this is a familyfriendly, musical comedy must see. The play follows a group of singing shepherds on their journey to Bethlehem, guided by guardian angels as they encounter obstacles put before them by crafty devils. Directed by Patricio Villarreal Avila with musical director Francisco “Kiko” Villamizar. Dec. 2-18, Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Mexican-American Cultural Center (600 River St.) www.lapastorela.org
DANCE REPERTORY THEATRE FALL SHOWING Presenting works-in-progress by second-year M.F.A. in Dance candidate Alvin J. Rangel, collaborative work with visual artist John Christensen and students in design technology, and a World Premiere by Guest Artist choreographer Charlotte Boye-Christensen. Featuring choreographers David Justin, Alvin Rangel, and Co-Artistic Directors Andrea Beckham and Yacov Sharir. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4, 8 p.m., B. Iden Payne Theatre (Winship Drama Bldg., UT) www.utexas.edu/finearts/events
KATHY DUNN HAMRICK DANCE’S HERE.ME.NOW. People all over the world share one thing: We want to be heard. “Here. Me.Now.” is a new evening-length dance work set to the hauntingly beautiful music of Balmorhea. Since its founding in 1999, KDH has presented contemporary dances that illuminate everyday encounters and use both substance and wit to transform the mundane into the meaningful. Thursdays-Saturdays, Dec. 2-4 and 9-11, 8 p.m. Salvage Vanguard Theater (2803 Manor Rd.) www.kdhdance.com
HOLIDAY CHORAL CONCERT A delightful potpourri of exquisite and exciting choral settings of the holiday season, featuring the combined choirs of the University of Texas’ Butler School of Music: Chamber Singers, Concert Chorale, Women’s Chorus, Men’s Chorus, and Longhorn Singers. Sunday, Dec. 5, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Bates Recital Hall (Music Bldg, UT) www.music.utexas.edu AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL POLLAN Spend a fascinating evening with bestselling author, journalist, and food activist Michael Pollan. For the past twenty years, Pollan has written about the places the human and natural worlds intersect, challenging the way Americans think about eating. Central Texans are increasingly moving toward healthful, locally produced, and sustainable food options, and Pollan has been at the front of the movement. His books, including “Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual,” have prompted a generation to consider rules for eating to live healthier and happier lives. Friday, Dec. 10, 8 p.m. Bass Concert Hall (E. 23rd St. and Robert Dedman Dr.) with a 6:30 p.m. Farm Direct Showcase. www.TexasPerformingArts.com
GREAT ORGAN SERIES HOLIDAY ORGAN CONCERT Featuring Judith and Gerre Hancock Gerre Hancock, one of the most highly acclaimed concert organists in America, renowned as this country’s finest improviser at the organ, plays delightful holiday fare with Judith Hancock. Together, they serve as co-directors of the Sacred Music Center. Saturday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. Bates Recital Hall. www.TexasPerformingArts.com RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Fill your heart with Christmas as the world-famous Rockettes bring their eye-high kicks and a cast and crew of over 100 to Austin. The program is a glittering present full of fun and surprises for the whole family, including flawless precision in numbers such as the legendary Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. Children thrill as Santa takes them on a magical ride to his workshop at the North Pole, and marvel at the “Living Nativity.” Friday, Dec. 17-Friday, Dec. 31 Bass Concert Hall (E. 23rd St. and Robert Dedman Dr.) www.TexasPerformingArts.com CELTIC CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL One of the most anticipated concerts of the season, gather for some of the city’s most honored vocalists including Brett Barnes, Danny Johnson, and Stephanie Prewitt led by award-winning director Jeffrey Jones Ragona. A night of enchanted wonder includes Irish and Scottish traditional music played by noted artists of the Celtic Cultural Center including Gregory Grene, Tea Merchants and The Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums. MondayTuesday, Dec. 20-21, 7:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Cathedral (203 W. 10th St.) www.celticchristmasaustin.com
TEXASPERFORMINGARTS.ORG
Spotlight on Poesía P O E T R Y
B Y
Katherine Durham Oldmixon Canción para los muertos Viven como canciones, under petals of marigolds, their skulls molded in white sugar, clay bones holding votive candles. Beneath yellowed wedding photos viven como canciones, their hands forever on the knife still amid fresh-stripped nopales. Here rust the medals from their wars, rest chilis en molcajetes; viven como canciones the old dead beside the young ones. Let us twist for them crepe chains of tears, hang crisp papeles picados, leave oranges, water, salt and wine— viven como canciones. First printed in 2010 Texas Poetry Calendar (Austin: Dos Gatos Press, 2009) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
El árbol milagroso On the way to el árbol milagroso the young girls told stories del otro lado
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like their brush with spirits through a window over the washer and dryer— Turo’s sister laughed as she drove over vanishing pools on hot asphalt. Unexpected, a bristle of javelinas appeared, grazing the dry kiñena ditch, but pale plastic Jesus fixed to the dash, cardboard signs and suspicion led past the weeping virgin’s water-tank, past the dead snakes hung on a rail, to a fence laced with sun-faded garlands, to a cross studded with glinting milagros, guarding the Jerusalem olive tree, bound in burlap and colored ribbons protecting the saint from pilgrims with pocketknives and prayers. Mira—she led us to the shrouded trunk, planted her ear against its skin, sighed— oye—eyes closed. Next, I listened to the waterfall inside laddering sky to ground, through the live green core so far from what we thought we knew. First published in 2008 Texas Poetry Calendar (Austin: Dos Gatos Press, 2007) and reprinted in Big Sky, Big Land, Big Hair: The Best of Texas Poetry Calendar’s First Decade (Austin: Dos Gatos Press, 2009.)
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Leave This Ingredient Off of Your Holiday Grocery List By Heather Lee
As you consider what kinds of treats to stock up on this holiday season, you might also want to consider what’s in those treats. Forget counting calories. Something far unhealthier than a few extra calories is potentially lurking in the items on your grocery list — high fructose corn syrup. Michelle Obama won’t serve her family anything that contains high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Steps are being taken in New York to ban products containing HFCS from the list of items that can be purchased with food stamps. But why? The Corn Refiners Association’s position on HFCS is that the risks associated with it are no more dangerous than those associated with other sugars. So why then do we hear this hullabaloo about HFCS? Is it being demonized for no good reason? Or is it really a health concern? And, if so why? Studies have shown that consumption of HFCS in high quantities leads to obesity. But how? There are two main types of sugar found in HFCS, glucose and fructose. Both are naturally occurring compounds, but the manufacturing process of HFCS leaves the fructose molecules unbound and free, ready for absorption by our bodies. Cane or beet sugar, however, contain fructose molecules that are bound to glucose molecules and therefore
Sleepy Turkey By Julia Lee
Let’s be honest. That Thanksgiving turkey you had was dry, bland and tasteless without the half cup of gravy you poured all over it. And what are you going to have for Christmas dinner? Turkey again? Maybe you fried your turkey, and if you didn’t burn your house down, it was probably delicious. But how can you get a juicy, tasty bird without risking life and limb? Here’s a new spin on the turkey recipe that’s so easy you could do it in your sleep. “This turkey is prepared the night before the holiday—while you’re sleeping,” says Mrs. Karen Lee of Jackson, MS (no relation, but mother to TODO Austin contributor Heather Lee). Mrs. Lee has been cooking her sleepy turkeys for about 16 years. She heard about this method from a woman at the bank where she worked at the time. Intrigued, Mrs. Lee asked questions and tried it. Through the years, she has adapted the recipe, adding butter and seasoning under the skin. Heather Lee says she’s not a huge fan of turkey, but concedes that her mom’s turkey “never disappoints. Always juicy. Always flavorful.” Mrs. Lee graciously shares her own version with family, friends and colleagues. She relates how one colleague she shared the recipe with is “now the official turkey cooker of [her] family!” If there’s one thing that you could call a drawback to this recipe, it’s that the result is not terribly photogenic. “This is not a turkey that you put on the platter, like on television, and carve at the table,” Mrs. Lee confesses. “This is a fall-off-the-bone turkey.”
undergo an extra metabolic step before being absorbed or utilized by the body. Simply put, the fructose in high fructose corn syrup is like a wild card ready to land anywhere — most notably, it would seem, in the fatty tissues of the body. Obesity rates have soared in America since the 1970s. Coincidentally, that’s the same time that HFCS made its way into many of our food products, including sodas, fruit juices, bread, yogurt, soup, lunch meat, ketchup, mayonnaise and so on. Does that mean HFCS is solely to blame for America’s obesity epidemic? Certainly not. Could it mean that there’s a good chance that HFCS contributed to America’s obesity rates? It certainly could. Increasing obesity rates aren’t the only matter of concern when it comes to HFCS. Studies have revealed that many products containing HFCS also contain mercury, which is a direct result of the “mercury cell” technology used to turn corn into HFCS. The Corn Refiners Association denies that mercury is present in HFCS-containing products — at least, not anymore. It stands to reason that HFCS is included in so many food products. It’s cheaper than imported cane sugar, and the corn industry receives millions of dollars in subsidies from the government. So
Mrs. Lee’s Sleepy Turkey 10-12 lb. turkey
how can we as consumers bypass the interests of industry in order to fulfill our need for products that don’t harm us? Perhaps the first step is to read labels. As it turns out, the HFCS industry is one step ahead of us on that front. HFCS is slated to be renamed “corn sugar.” Does that mean it’s something different? No. Does that mean that a label was changed to appease growing concern? Yes. And doesn’t that fact alone raise concern? Isn’t it somewhat of a lie?
Beginning at the back of the turkey breast, work your hand between the
1 onion (white or yellow), quartered
skin and meat and place the pats of
2 tablespoons Seasoning Mix (mix of poultry seasoning, Tony Chachere’s Cajun seasoning and black pepper)
down on the skin of the turkey and
1 stick butter or margarine
Coat the outside of the turkey with
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Double line a roasting pan with enough aluminum foil to cover
seasoned butter under the skin.
mash the butter pats to spread the butter around.
olive oil and then sprinkle with additional seasoning.
Completely wrap the turkey in foil and cover with roasting pan lid.
Wash turkey inside and out and place in roasting pan. Place quartered apple and onion into cavities of turkey.
In the morning, remove the roasting pan lid and uncover the foil.
Mix together seasoning mix on a paper plate or in a saucer.
Turn oven back on to 350 degrees and start basting every 30 minutes
Roll the stick of butter into the seasoning mix, then cut into pieces.
So when you’re preparing for the upcoming holiday season, HFCS is one ingredient you might consider leaving off your grocery lists.
Push
Place in the 450-degree oven for one hour. Turn oven off and let sit overnight – Do Not Open the Oven Door.
turkey from bottom to top and fold.
The varying and contradictory statements regarding the health effects of HFCS no doubt raise a lot of questions. But we have to ask questions in order to make informed decisions about our health.
Leave a bit of the seasoning for the outside of the turkey.
1 apple, quartered
Olive oil
Commercials by the Corn Refiners Association suggest that people are acting on pure rumor if they decide not to consume HFCS. Are they?
or so until the turkey reaches your preference of browning. of the oven and enjoy!
Take it out Illustration by Jesse Greene
TODO Austin // DEC 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com 13
Austin’s Season of Tradition and Fancy
The Muslim Adhan (call for prayer), performed by Jafar Muhibullah of the Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association.
images by
Erica Stall Wiggins
The peace dove with an olive branch adorns a stained glass window at University Baptist Church. Chief Executive Officer of AAIM Tom Spencer with Chief Operations Officer Simone Talma Flowers.
Christmas wish lists on their way to the North Pole.
Dr. Shams Siddiqi (Muslim), Nahid Khataw (Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association), and Msgr. Michael Sis (General Catholic Diocese of Austin) convene at the reception after the AAIM Thanksgiving service.
The Christmas tree at the Domain.
The AAIM Thanksgiving service opened with a multi-faith musical interlude, including the Jewish Shofar, played by Dr. Allan M. Cook, Congregation of Shir Ami.
Restaurant & Bar
LIVE MUSIC
Latin American Cuisine
FREE PARKING
DEC 3 ISMAEL GARCIA (10 PM) DEC 4 SON Y NO SON (9 PM) DEC 5 QUEEN OF THE NIGHT CABARET (7 PM) DEC 10 SON DE REY (10 PM) DEC 14 GREATER AUSTIN HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING (8 AM) DEC 17 MARIACHI TAMAZULA (8-10 PM) NOCHE BUENA CON CHINAMPA (10 PM) DEC 18 ATASH! (10 PM)
2 HR LUNCHTIME PARKING ON 6TH ST.
We have relocated from our long time home on South Congress to Austin’s Historic Sixth Street.
cCLOSED
MON
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c9am - 4pm
// TUE to THU 8am - 11pm // FRI - SAT 8am - 2am // SUN 600 East 6th Street // 512.444.7770 // www.elsolylalunaaustin.com
Frame of Reference
Plum Writing:
The World of Undercover Mexican Girl Through Words By Alexandra M. Landeros
By Blake Shanley
I think it is safe to say that the majority of us have been taught some version of the “Golden Rule.” This “rule” advises us to treat others the way we would like to be treated, or more importantly to some, “Do not do unto others what you would not like others to do unto you.” A concept we can surely all get behind, yes? This “rule” may be the most universally recognized, and accepted, guideline on how we should treat each other as human beings. But really, it is just an attempt to encourage us to think twice before we are ugly to each other, which indicates the sad need we have as a society to remember to be nice to each other. This is a novel concept, and may actually encourage people to be kinder to each other and to have more compassion for each other. Ideally it will cause us to pause before doing things that may harm another, but it appears to fall desperately short of the message it has the potential to share. I have long been a strong believer in the true interconnectedness of us as human beings, but we won’t get into that right now. Let’s just say I believe there is another version of the Golden Rule that may have more potential to give new meaning to the way we interact as human beings, ultimately giving wings to the idea that we are all genuinely connected as one. It goes like this: “What you wish to experience, cause another to experience.” If success is what you desire, cause another to be successful. If love is what you want, cause another to feel loved. If joy is what you seek, cause another to be joyful. If understanding is what you’re after, help another to feel understood. If money is what you desire, cause another to achieve wealth.
“Bless you” is a common English phrase said to someone when he or she sneezes. Socially, the word “bless” has lost its religious connotations in the United States. It’s used quite casually in various sayings: “bless your heart” (old-fashioned saying to express sympathies), “blessing and a curse” (something good and bad), “blessed day” (wonderful day), and “you have our blessing” (usually granted from parents as a sign of approval). These are just a few examples. But if you look up the word “bless” in MerriamWebster (www.m-w.com), the formal definition is very much based on religion: “to hallow or consecrate by religious rite,” or to “invoke divine care for,” or to “praise, glorify.” So when I sneeze, and a person says “bless you” – who is blessing me? That person? God? The ghost of Pope Gregory I, who supposedly originated the tradition of this expression in the 6th century, when people believed that sneezing was an early symptom of the bubonic plague? Does my soul really momentarily exit my body, or does my heart really stop beating when I sneeze? Or,
as the Buddhists believe, am I clearing my consciousness while spewing out snot and dust particles? Why must sneezing be such a complicated and mysterious act?
At first glance, it almost sounds as though this version of the rule could be just a tool to use others in a more positive way to get what you want; a softer approach to a self-motivated hidden agenda. But when approached with the idea that we are all very intimately and intricately connected, when you are helping another to experience something, you are actually allowing yourself to experience these things, because there is no difference between you and the other. The rule translates into “what you cause another to experience, you cause yourself to experience.” I’m just saying…
Why do Latin Americans, who, on the whole, are much more known for being religious with their traditional Catholicism, instead say “salud” when someone sneezes? They don’t go around blessing each other. Salud literally means “health,” and it makes a lot more sense to wish someone good health, rather than offer some kind of vague blessing with questionable origins. The founders of the United States, beginning with the First Amendment, called for the legal and political separation of church and state. Yet, our pennies trust in God, city council meetings begin with the “Our Father” prayer, and apparently, our sneezes leave us at the mercy of being possessed by the devil. I’ll favor the Latin Americans on this one.
TODO Austin // NOV 2010 // TODOaustinonline.com 15
Austin Tejano Music Coalition BBQ Fundraiser Saturday, December 11 11 AM to 3 PM
 Capuchinos Sports Bar 2000 E. Cesar Chavez Street
 BBQ Chicken with rice and beans, bread and jalapenos, $5.00 a plate. Desserts & drinks $1 ea. www.austintejanomusic.org