TODO Austin July 2013

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Volume V, 3 / July 2013

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INSIDE Immigration Reform Ramadan in Austin A-List: Richard Jung A Chorus Line

Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center’s

Latino Arts Residency FRONT: Herlinda Zamora, Linda Crockett; CENTER: JoAnn Reyes, Anjanette Gautier, Luis A. Ordaz; BACK: Rupert Reyes,

Nino Miranda, Roén Salinas.

Photo by Diana Sanchez

HLQL Report Makes Recommendations to Council

By Rene Renteria

serve as a distinct reference in answering fundamental questions: How are Austin Chicanos/Latinos/Hispanics faring to other residents...as well as, to other Hispanics in selected US cities?

Martha Cotera, a Hispanic community leader and historian told the crowd assembled, “It’s very insulting for the Hispanic Quality of Life to be dropped into this equation. We represent at least one-third of the taxpaying community in our city. And for them to offer $200,000 for the Hispanic Quality of Life that is our due as taxpayers and long overdue, you know it’s insulting the Mayor Pro Tem should take that off the table or she’s gonna hear a lot about it.”

According to the Census Bureau, Austin is now No.11 on the list of biggest U.S. cities. Should Austin’s progress and vibrant quality of life include its growing demographic ethnic/racial group? Is Austin’s diversity reflected in the way it actually attends to its citizens?

On Thursday, June 27, the HLQL Oversight Committee presented their final report for the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life (HLQL) to the Austin City Council. The morning briefing initiates a critical opportunity for the Austin City Council to address the historic and continuing economic and socio-cultural marginalization of the Hispanic/Latino community.

Hispanics/Latinos now represent nearly 40 percent of the population of the city, and our children constitute over 60 percent of the students in the area schools. The exponential growth of the Hispanic/Latino community is a trend that can and should contribute to a vibrant diversity in our city. However

to provide a “gathering space” of 1,200 square feet with a 20-year free lease (1,200 sq. ft), $100k for art installation, and $200k for the Hispanic Quality of Life Initiative.

In October 2012, Austin City Council passed a resolution directing the Parks and Recreation Department to incorporate the land at 64 Rainey Street into the MACC’s master plan.

Skylar Bonilla, President of Chicanos in Action at Austin Community College. Photo by Rene Renteria

Where should our tax dollars be invested to improve the quality of life for community members in need of services, programs and various forms of attention?

The HQL Report looks at topics that include: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH, YOUTH, CULTURAL ARTS and CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

“You know, I’ve been telling my friends, at my age I feel like those old Mexican ladies that use to be chaperones to the beautiful Señoritas,” said community leader, Gloria Pennington. “The MACC is the beautiful Señorita and I am feeling like I am the chaperone that is protecting it from lecherous old men! I don’t want to have to go down to City Council again, but if it needs to happen, ayi los vemos (we’ll see you there)!”

The MACC Board voted unanimously to reject the offer and instead reiterate previously adopted Board resolutions to utilize 64 Rainey for future phases of the ESB-MACC.

Several months ago, I heard someone say, “A city’s level of sustainability is in direct proportion to its ability to integrate its diversity.”

What do you think? Do you imagine Austin marginalizes any groups? Do you imagine Austin can improve its record, that Austin can listen to citizens pointing toward a path for a better future?

Gilbert Rivera and other community leaders present a report and recommendations on Latino Quality of Life. Photo by Diana Sanchez

Community Continues to Fight for ESB-MACC

By Paul Saldaña and Korina Jaimes ESB-MACC’s packed June 5 board meeting. HABLA photo

The HLQL REPORT is a historic document that works as a scorecard and road map for Austin.

The fight to protect the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center continues. On June 5, Hispanic leaders hosted a press conference to oppose the sale of city-owned property (64 Rainey Street, located next to the entrance of the ESB-MACC. Later that evening, our Latino community showed up in full force as a standing room only crowd of 100-plus provided testimony at the MACC Advisory Board meeting that led to the successful rejection of an offer from a Rainey Street Developer to purchase 64 Rainey.

Today, next year and for decades to come, the report ought to

The Rainey Street developer who attended the meeting offered

- without addressing the disparities in areas such as economic development, health, and education - our population growth may instead result in growing ranks of poor and ill-served in Austin. The Raza Round Table asserts that full implementation of the report recommendations will put this city on the path to a better future. If Latinos succeed, Austin succeeds!

TODOAustin.com TODOAustin.com is a vibrant new website site providing multimedia features, the print journal content, enhanced event listings, special creative features and staff and community-led blogs, with links to archived past printed issues, augmenting social media networks in Austin’s multicultural community.

02 TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Volume V, Number 3 PUBLISHER/EDITOR // Gavin Lance Garcia info@todoaustin.com ART DIRECTOR // Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com ASSOCIATE EDITORS // Evelyn C. Castillo, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins

SENIOR EDITORS // Lobo Corona, Sonia Kotecha, Diana Sanchez, Lesley Varghese, Yvonne Lim Wilson CONTRIBUTING EDITORS // Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Adriana Cadena, Cindy Casares, Sirsha Chatterjee, Priscilla Cortez, Ruben Cubillos, Nora

Following the meeting, Latino trailblazer Gilbert Cortez Rivera said, all “were present to express opposition to a presentation by the developer that would have hidden the MACC behind a 31 story condo project. The condos would have blocked the MACC from public view. (I’m) proud of everybody who came out to fight for the MACC. Every speaker spoke about the over 30 year struggle to get a cultural center by the Mexican American community and were in opposition to the proposal. The MACC Board voted unanimously to not accept the developers attempt to buy our culture, our history and our heritage. LA CULTURA NO SE VENDE.”

de LaRosa, Rose Di Grazia, Chi Dinh, Harmony Eichsteadt, Layla Fry, Anthony Garcia, Mia Garcia, Jessica Garza Cherry, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Ryan Hutchison, Yadira Izquierdo, Korina Jaimes, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ramey Ko, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, JoJo Marion, Valerie Menard, Preya Patel, Monica Peña, Rene Renteria, Esther Reyes, Jim Rigby, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Ernesto Santillan, Hani Saleh, Azim Siddiqui, Jessica Solis, Corey Tabor, Blanca Valencia, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Joseph P.A. Villescas, Bowen Wilder

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

TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2013 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.

Cover // Front: MACC mgr. Herlinda Zamora, Linda Crockett; Center: JoAnn Reyes, Anjanette Gautier, Luis A. Ordaz; Back: Rupert Reyes, Nino Miranda, Roen Salinas.

Photo by Diana Sanchez.

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Arab Spring, Texas Style

Papa Perry:

By Jim Rigby | www.jimrigby.org

There could have been a riot on June 25 in the Texas Capitol. I don’t know how to put what happened into words. I have been involved in Texas politics for maybe thirty years and I have never seen anything like it. I suspect few of us had.

After the Republicans appeared to have won the day and passed a bill that added a horrible burden on poor rural women seeking reproductive healthcare, as soon as it became clear that the Republicans were going to make up the rules as they went along, including a final dirty trick of letting the bill pass after time had expired, it was clear that the women of Texas had had enough.

Words fail. It was like a Kafka novel where humanity and the structure of a building merge. Suddenly, from the capitol extension, one could feel a vibration coming from the Rotunda where people had begun shouting and stomping and producing a noise that was so loud it was hard to make out the words being chanted.

At the time, I could not make out what people were saying, but the men were chanting a refrain and the women were answering. It turns out the chant began with the men asking, “Whose house is it?” and the women responding in deafening thunder, “Our house!” Through the early years of this movement in Texas I always expected to be one of a handful of men at such a gatherings. My eyes filled with tears as I realized those days are over.

The women of Texas have found their beautiful angry voice and the men of Texas have their back. We have all begun to realize that reproductive choice isn’t just a woman’s issue. It is a human rights issue as basic as any other.

The people seemed to realize they had to stop asking for their own power. They needed to stop asking permission to be fully human. When this bill passed, it could have been just one more indignity for Texas women. After all, the Republicans of Texas have launched a tireless assault on women for decades. As one more anti-choice bill passed in the Texas House and then Senate, suddenly a realization 04 TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

The People’s Champ, Sen. Wendy Davis. (photo by Bob Daemmrich, Texas Tribune)

seemed to dawn on the masses all at once.

They realized that these Republicans will never stop trying to control Texas women.

They will never really listen to what Texas women have to say. And they will cheat at every turn because they believe they are right by definition.

After the bill appeared to pass another reading, people ran toward the rotunda for what might mean certain arrest. One Republican talked about removing the people if they would not be quiet, and then something happened. I saw a look of determined peace in the peoples’ eyes as they ran toward what might be their own arrest. It was the peace one only sees in those who have given themselves to do their duty at any price.

As the politicians struggled to justify their anti-democratic actions, democracy broke out all around them. It must have been hard to think with apocalyptic thunder ringing from the heart of the building. In the end, the Republicans agreed to throw out the bill. I have no idea what happened behind closed doors, but this much seems clear.

That night would not have happened had the people lacked a revolutionary courage and a willingness to be civilly disobedient.

Nor could last night have happened had there not been people who stayed to work

within the system to translate the peoples’ energy into law. And we must not forget the x factor. Last night could not have happened had not at least one Republican done the right thing. Republicans are not our enemies, they are our friends, but they cannot be our overlords. This world belongs to us all and if necessary the people will rise up to make it so.

The evening ended with Cecile Richards leading us in a song that, as a native Texan, always seemed trite, “The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You.” I have never heard the song as a revolutionary anthem until last night.

Our nation is a representative democracy.

And, as Jefferson warned, if the powers that be do not represent the people, then the people must rise up and remind them where all real legitimate power resides, not in the government but in the people.

Last night Republicans were served notice that they must represent every Texan or find new employment.

The Eyes of Texas are upon you, All the live long day.

The Eyes of Texas are upon you, You can not get away.

Do not think you can escape them At night or early in the mornThe Eyes of Texas are upon you ‘Till Gabriel blows his horn.

‘Abstinence Works’

By Jim Rigby

Rick Perry isn’t just our governor, he’s our mentor. He’s like Jesus would be, if he liked to execute people. He’s like Einstein would be, if he didn’t care about testing his beliefs to see if they are true.

He’s like Mother Theresa would be, except he likes to take the food out of hungry mouths.

Evan Smith asked Papa Perry (as we call him here in Texas) about his views on “abstinence only” education. Sure, it’s been discredited by experience, but can Papa Perry still hold onto irrational belief in the face of inconvenient facts? Did Davy Crocket wear a raccoon hat?

Perry: “It works. Maybe it’s the way that it’s being taught or the way that it’s being applied out there, but the fact of the matter is, it is the best form to teach our children. I’m gonna tell you from my own personal life abstinence works. And the point is if we’re not teaching it and

Protesters in the Senate gallery disrupt the final hour of the special session on June 25, 2013. (photo by Bob Daemmrich, Texas Tribune)

we’re not impressing it on them, no, but if the point is we’re gonna go stand up here and say, ‘Listen, y’all go have sex and go have whatever is going on and we’ll worry about that and here’s the ways to have safe sex,’ I’m sorry, call me oldfashioned if you want, that is not what I’m gonna stand up in front of the people of Texas and say that’s the way we need to go and forget about abstinence.”

Immigration Reform Advocates Arrested in Austin for Protesting Congress’ Trading off Rights

By Cristina Parker

The arrest of the Austin demonstrators came two days after three immigrant rights activists were arrested at the Democratic Party headquarters in Dallas, where they were also protesting border militarization.

The actions were part of the #Texas4CIR caravan campaign, which saw activities across 3,000 miles as participants rallied in 16 Texas cities. Buses brought protesters to Austin from as far as El Paso, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley to participate in the About 300 immigration reform activists action dramatizing the deadly implications of flooded W. 6th Street and Lavaca in Austin the U.S. Congress’ immigration bills. just before rush hour. They shut down traffic, blocking cars with hand-held giant cardboard The Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) fences — representing the border wall. and Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance Protestors demonstrated in front of the fence (RITA) organized the caravan, demanding “just and handed out leaflets with information on and humane comprehensive immigration the humanitarian crisis of migrant deaths reform.” at the border. Militarization forces migrants Those making the journey alone are pushed into the hands of criminals who promise to into the most dangerous, most remote areas. get them to the U.S., but who often abuse, Falfurrias, Texas is one such area where the exploit or abandon them. With the busy number of bodies is overwhelming the small streets partially shut down, the Austin Police police force there.

Department arrested five activists practicing civil disobedience, Arielle Lewis-Zavala, Alan The protest was called a “die-in,” similar to a Garcia, Antolin Aguirre, Miguel Miranda and sit-in. The group first gathered at Republic Karen Diaz Morales.

Square Park in downtown Austin at 4th Five associates of the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition were arrested June 27 in Austin for staging a protest against the border militarization provisions in the United States Congress’s latest immigration reform bills.

Border Communities Stand United Against Senate Border Deal By the Border Network for Human Rights, the Southern Border Communities Coalition, the ACLU of New Mexico Regional Center for Border Rights, and the Northern Borders Coalition The negotiated Senate deal which calls for an additional armed 20,000 border patrol agents, increased drone surveillance, and up to 700 miles of border fencing at an estimated cost of $48 billion over 10 years is a bad deal for U.S. taxpayers, but especially for those

that live and work in the border region. While the flow of migration is at a historic low, excessive enforcement remains unchecked and unaccountable to communities in which Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection operates. This proposal to increase enforcement without checks and balances is an example of excessive and wasteful government spending and represents an unnecessary expansion of the federal government’s authority.

We know the effects that these provisions will have on the daily lives of all border residents. Our communities have endured the painful reality of unchecked and unaccountable enforcement operations, which have led to decreased civil liberties and civil rights protections, interruption of

Street and Guadalupe. With faces painted to represent the hundreds who die in the desert, protestors marched to Congress Avenue to get the attention of Texas senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. At 6th Street, several laid down and stopped moving or responding to people around them. Onlookers reminded passers-by that six million lives are not bargaining chips.

helicopters plus an array of military weapons and surveillance technology. The deal was touted as a way to get to 70 votes in the Senate.

The amendment passed with only 67.

commerce and trade, constant surveillance in our neighborhoods, excessive and deadly use of force by Border Patrol agents, and the outright militarization of border communities. The Senators need to be reminded that border communities are still part of this nation and that there should be no further militarization of our neighborhoods.

In fact, there has been an immediate and overwhelming response from mayors, local elected officials, law enforcement leaders and faith leaders along the border in opposition to the proposal.

agents in our communities. This includes mandating lapel cameras for border agents, providing subpoena power to the DHS Border Oversight Task Force, applying geographic limits on warrantless Border Patrol stops in the southern border, and directing any increase in personnel to ports of entry where they are needed to facilitate trade that is fueling our economies.

The inclusion of militarization in the immigration reform deal means it is no longer about families and American values, the protestors argued Carrying messages that compared the U.S.“This is a response to the passing of the Mexico border to the Korean DMZ, they asked legislation in Washington earlier today,” “Is this reform?” said Fernando Garcia, Executive Director of After their colleagues were arrested, the Austin Border Network for Human Rights. “This is a crowd then went to the city jail to protest for response of the communities in Texas against the quick release of “the Texas Five.” militarization of our border.”

The Austin event was the last in the twoPolice were eventually called and had to week long statewide caravan for citizenship carry each limp protestor off the street before and accountable enforcement that began in arresting them.

El Paso. Caravaners marched into offices of As protestors staged the die-in, the U.S. Senate John Cornyn and Ted Cruz in Harlingen, San was taking a vote to pass their immigration Antonio and Dallas. On Wednesday, June 26, reform package. The deal was poisoned about 50 people shut down Democratic Party Monday, June 24 with the adoption of the headquarters in Dallas — leading to the arrest Corker-Hoeven amendment. The amendment of three caravaners include BNHR’s Fernando represents a concession to the border- Garcia and BNHR Executive Assistant and enforcement-first crowd and will double Deputy Director Teresa Nevarez, of El Paso and Border Patrol ranks, double the border wall, Daniel Diaz of La Union del Pueblo Entero in bring 18 border drones and new Black Hawk the Rio Grande Valley.

As border communities, we stand united in our resounding rejection of the HoevenCorker deal and urge the Senate to include accountability and oversight mechanisms to the already massive presence of border

Overhauling the nation’s immigration process is urgently necessary, but this should not be done without proper consultation with those communities who must live with the effects of poorly thought-out policy. We cannot not remain silent as politicians on both sides of the aisle continue to treat border communities as an endlessly expendable trade-off for immigration reform.

TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 05

Observing Ramadan in Austin: A Period for Reflection and Joy

Alhamdulillah, ICBC has been active from the beginning, with various activities including daily and Juma’a prayers, bi-weekly halaqa for men and women, and education programs for children and youth. These include daily Quran recitation for elementary and middle-school children, a Saturday-only Hifz/Tajweed program for children and Sunday school.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast during the daytime, is Monday, July 8, through Wednesday, August 7.

Austin’s growing Muslim population, which may have doubled in past years with a current estimate of over 10,000, enjoys access to seven mosques.

For Muslims, Ramadan is a time to reflect on the poor and homeless who suffer from hunger, and also offers an opportunity for the faithful to break their fast with a meal, known as iftar, at the close of day with Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Islamic Center Of Round Rock. 1951 Hampton Lane. www.rrmasjid.com

Nueces Mosque. 1906 Nueces Street. www. nuecesmosque.com The Nueces masjid is conveniently located near the University of Texas campus. The Mosque was established in 1977 by the Muslim Student Association at UT, and was the first in Austin. It is currently used primarily by students and the downtown community. In 2007, it was renamed as Nueces Mosque and became part of the ICGA umbrella of organizations. In recent years, Nueces Mosque has gone through major renovations and continues to be improved, enjoying the support of the community at large.

school. ICGA offers daily prayers, a dawah center, audio/video library, Eid prayers, social activities (picnics, halaqas by the Sheik, weekly quranic school, seminars, workshops and symposiums), an Islamic Counseling Center, a ghusul facility and burial services, and maintains a Muslim cemetery.

Austin Peace Academy is Pre-K through seventh grade.

North Austin Muslim Community Center. 11900 North Lamar Blvd. www.namcc.org

NAMCC was founded in approximately 1992 Islamic Center of Greater Austin. 5110 Manor and caters to the area’s Muslim community. The Road. www.austinmosque.org current property of three buildings located on Located in Northeast Austin, the masjid, named five acres of land was purchased in 1996. One of after Khadijah Bint Khwailid, first wife of the the buildings was renovated toward the end of Prophet Muhammad, opened in 1977. In 1999, that year to be used as a mosque. The other two ICGA completed a two story building which buildings were renovated the following year to be houses a large mosque and a full time Islamic used for Sunday school and a guest quarter. In

The masjid was founded in 2002 and provides services for the five daily prayers and the Friday prayer. ICRR has special programs for Ramadan including Iftar, Daily Taraweeh and arrangements for Aitikaf. ICRR also holds various halaqas and programs for the community and conducts bi2011, the Masjid was named Masjid Aisha. wekly halaqa program for adult and youth. There Masjid Ibrahim. 1701 W. Ben White Blvd. #3. is also a weekend Nazira program for kids to learn www.masjidibrahim.org the Holy Quran.

Masjid Ibrahim was founded in 2001 in southwest Islamic Ahlul Bayt Society. 12460 Los Indios Trail.

Austin, an area where no masjid existed previously. www.iaba-austin.org Since its inception, the number of worshippers continues to grow, especially at Jumua’ah and IABA, founded in 1997, is a flourishing and vibrant Isha prayers. This is in part due to the proximity community of approximately 300 Muslims from of several large employers like Intel, Free-scale a richly diverse background including India, Iran, Semiconductor and AMD. Currently, it is the only Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Philippines, Tanzania, center where Muslims can gather in South Austin. Kenya, Qatar, and the United States. The Al-Mahdi Center was purchased by IABA in 2002 and an Islamic Center of Brushy Creek. 1950 Brushy Islamic Center sits on 4.1 acres in Northwest Austin.

Creek Road. www.icbrushycreek.org Al-Mahdi Center consists of a main prayer hall to Opened in 2008, the Masjid serves the needs of the accommodate men and women, an office and fast growing Muslim communities in Northwest English and Arabic libraries. An existing residential Austin, including the communities in and around structure serves visitors, with class rooms for NW Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park and Leander. weekend school.

Art of the Start

and doubts that make us human and compel us to create,” said Leng.

The Multi-Ethnic Chamber Alliance (MECA), comprised of the Greater Austin Asian, Greater Austin Hispanic, and Capital City African American Chambers of Commerce is holding a forum on Thursday, July 11, 11:30 a.m. at the Long Center.

The topic of the forum is ‘How to start and sustain a successful enterprise in the creative media/arts in Austin.” Panelists include Leng Wong, China Smith and Yesenia Garcia. They will be joined

by Megan Crigger, Program Manager for the Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office of the City of Austin.

Smith is a dance teacher for a Charter School in East Austin and the founder/director of Ballet Afrique. She began dancing with the Puerto Rican Folklore Dance Company and created Ballet Afrique in 2007 to give her community a place in which they could see themselves represented and explore their African roots. As a mother, teacher and dancer, Smith’s goal is for people to see the beauty of her culture and to teach not only her perspective as an African American, but spread awareness about the mixed nature and diversity of the African Diaspora around the globe.

Leng Wong

Yesenia Garcia 06 TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

Wong is the founder and artistic director of LuckyChaos Theater Projects, whose mission is to produce original works by or about Asian Americans and other under-represented communities. She has appeared in numerous independent films, commercials, and television shows, produced short films, performed with improv troupes, and has been nominated for an Austin B. Iden Payne Theater Award. “Being an artist is about putting your soul out there, in spite of all the fears and doubts because it’s those fears

Garcia is an actress, advocate, entrepreneur and educator who wrote, produced and designed a bilingual one-woman show “Remembering Chevo.” She has taught master acting classes and performed through the Promising Performing Artists of the 21st Century Program in San Jose, Costa Rica, and her film performances have been screened across the globe, including a nomination for a Student Emmy Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Garcia charity efforts include serving AISD, is an adjunct professor at ACC, and is founder of C2C Multimedia.

China Smith

2. If I win, I may become the first Asian American County Commissioner in Texas History and I hope that my race will lead to more ground breaking efforts by Asian Americans.

I believe that Asian Americans must overcome their fear of “losing face” and be courageous enough to “make a face” and forge new paths. By fully participating in every aspect of our American society (including politics), we will give our children the gift of considering themselves fully American and not foreigners in our own country.

Richard Jung

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

Richard Jung is a local immigration attorney and community activist involved with many civic and community organizations. Jung is running for Travis County Commissioner Precinct 2 and should he win, he would become the first Asian American County Commissioner in Texas history.

Learn more about what Jung has to say about Austin, the American Dream and cultural values.

our political and social freedoms are among the greatest in the world.

Richard Jung (RJ): A combination of both. I’m currently an immigration lawyer and very active in community and public service. This is where I wanted to be when I decided to go to law school in the early 1990s. But there were almost 15 years worth of detours into the business world due to my obligations to my parents as their oldest son.

AA: Is there anything particular about Austin that inspires you?

RJ: As someone who tends to analyze everything, I knew I would either end up in philosophy or the law. I love immigration law because essentially I help people like my parents, immigrants to this great country, figure out the best options for living and working in the United States.

This kindness inspires me to do more in terms of serving our community. My focus has been on the refugee and underprivileged immigrant communities through my work with the Asian American Resource Center. My new focus will be on all the residents of Travis County.

I also believe that the American Dream requires hard work and full participation in our society. None of us are an island unto ourselves and the freedoms we enjoy require our participation as citizens in our political process and our cooperation with each other as neighbors to ensure that we all have equal Asian Austin (AA): Did you know what you wanted and fair access to education, jobs, and a future for to do with your life or did it just happen? ourselves and our children.

RJ: Kindness. I find Austinites among the kindest and most down to earth people I have ever run across. While our city has changed a great deal in the almost 20 years I have been a resident, I still find there is an essential kindness to our fellow AA: What was your attraction to your vocation? residents that I hope will remain a central part of What drew you to do the work you do? the culture here.

AA: What does the American Dream mean to you? AA: Are there generational issues, or cultural issues, or both, between young and old Asian RJ: The American Dream means the opportunity American Austinites? to control your own destiny. The United States is one of the few places in the world where an RJ: I think there are both, and I think, in general, it is individual citizen has so much freedom to live incumbent upon our elders to provide perspective the way he or she wants to. Of course, we have to the younger generation and for our youth to many problems in our country but fundamentally, remember and honor our elders for their struggles

Jung was born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1964, and immigrated with his parents and little sister to the United States in 1972. The family eventually settled in Memphis, Tennessee. There, Richard learned about blues, BBQ, and rock and roll as well as the complexities of living in a racially diverse and divided community. These life lessons would helped Jung become a student leader at Vanderbilt University, where he was co-chair for the “Vanderbilt Against Apartheid” group and the founder of Vanderbilt Asian American Student Association.

After graduating from Vanderbilt in 1988, Jung went on to work and attend law school in Washington, DC. During this time, he was recruited by the DC Mayor’s Office to serve as the Assistant to get us where we are today.

Director for Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, and in his work he helped strengthen relationships I think any generational or cultural issues are really between the African American and Asian American issues of communication. We should be patient communities. with each other and listen. Once we do this we may find ways to get beyond the issues and into Since 1996, Jung has called Austin home and ways we can help each other grow. began his first foray into the business world by hauling trash and power washing as part of a AA: Asian Americans are becoming a powerful force construction cleaning company. His second foray in Austin economically, culturally, politically and ended with Jung as the CEO of an international otherwise. How do you see Asian Americans fitting semiconductor service company with nearly into the larger Austin culture and community? $20 million in sales. Over the ensuing 10 years, he managed a worldwide network of sales RJ: I think we are doing a good job now of companies and his client list included most of the engaging and enhancing the general culture of top semiconductor manufacturers worldwide, Austin. What we need more participation in is including Intel, Texas Instruments, AMD/Spansion, active engagement in the arts and politics - areas Motorola/Freescale and Samsung. that don’t have a great deal of participation by Asian Americans in general.

With his father’s passing, Jung reset his priorities to seek a better work/life balance and have more AA: What do you consider the most important time to re-engage his passion for community cultural value for you and for those close to you? service. He opened a small law practice focusing on immigration law, and took on responsibilities RJ: Tolerance is the most important cultural value including board chair of the Asian American for me. Intolerance leads to the lynching of African Resource Center, service on the Austin Travis Americans, the internment of Japanese Americans, County EMS Advisory Board, the 2012 City of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Vincent Chin’s beating Austin Charter Revision committee, and the Austin death in Detroit, the burning of Mosques, and the Sustainable Development Committee. ____________________________________ list goes on and on.

To learn more about Jung and his campaign, visit We must engender tolerance and civility in our jungforcommissioner.com and www.facebook. society to ensure that the weakest among us are com/jungatx. treated with respect and dignity.

Asian Austin at www.AsianAustin.com is an online news source featuring news about Asian American AA: Anything else you’d like to add? people, organizations and events in Austin. Visit the Asian Austin website and “Like” us on Facebook RJ: I am looking forward to an exciting race to for calendar and event details! Contact publisher become Travis County Commissioner for Precinct Yvonne Lim Wilson at yvonne@asianaustin.com.

TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 07

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

Pan-Am Hillside Concerts PAN AMERICAN THEATER

BRIDGE2BRIDGE From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

Melding the allure of historical and contemporary entertainment, Northeast Austin’s Midtown Live is not only the quintessential sports cafe but a musical sweet spot on Monday nights in July. Catch Jabo and the Old Dogs as they perform traditional blues each week from 6-11 p.m. Along with the music, the club’s voyeuristic design offers a bird’s-eye view of a stylish crowd. midtownlivesportscafe.com

J U LY

TODO Arts

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Prakash Mohandas Bollywood Dance LONG CENTER

Long Center presents “Rhythm on Stage,” Tuesday, July 16, featuring Bollywood Dance with Prakash Mohandas. Participants will start with a lesson, then dance the night away with friends and fellow dance aficionados. Whether you’ve never taken center stage, or you’re an old pro, all are guaranteed to have a ball. Things kick-off each night at 7 p.m. and go until about 10 p.m. thelongcenter.org

Blue Moon Bar & Grill welcomes the Plateros on Thursday, July 11. The three-piece family blues rock power trio from Tohajiilee, New Mexico, are Native Americans of the Eastern agency of the Navajo Nation.

They’ve wowed audiences everywhere, from the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C. to the world’s largest Pow Wow, the “Gathering of Nations.” The 9 p.m. show is free.

Celebrants of French National Day storm the French Legation Museum on Saturday evening, July 13, from 6-10 p.m., for Alliance Française d’Austin’s annual Bastille Day festivities. Commemorating the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, the event offers food, dancing, games and family activities for Francophiles, while helping preserve the museums’ legacy of the French in the Republic of Texas. afaustin.org An Austin ritual since 1958, the A. B. Cantu Pan-American Summer Concert Series returns this month. Every Tuesday, along the 2100 block of E. 3rd, the familyfriendly park hosts the finest in Latino music, starting at 7 p.m. This year’s line-up includes Palacios Bros., Tiarra Girls, Trampia, Miranda Gil, Big Band Tejano, Paul Limon, Gilbert Alba, Jonny Martinez, Eddie Gonzalez, Clay Campania, Chris Castaneda Project with Jose “Sweet Tone” Ruiz, Calle Seis, J.R. Gomez, Raulito Navaira, Los A-T Boyz, Cacy Zavala, Joe Bravo and Ruben Ramos. Bring blankets, drinks, sunglasses and lawn chairs.

ACMC Gay Pride Concert

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH The Austin Chamber Music Center holds its 5th Annual Pride Concert, Thursday, July 18, 7:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church (1941 Webberville Rd.). As part of the 17th Annual Austin Chamber Music Festival, the free concert celebrates the contributions of gay and lesbian composers to the world of chamber music, featuring local artists including bassoonist Daniel Chrisman, clarinetist Jon Guist, flautist Timothy Hagen, baritone Phillip Hill, harpist Vincent Pierce, and pianists, Jim James and Russell Reed.

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Pollyanna Theatre Company presents “The Funnybun Family Picnic,” July 13-21, at Rollins Theatre. The Funnybuns, being a clown family, see a picnic go awry as nothing goes as planned. Papa Willie tries hard to keep the kids laughing, while Mama Lindy keeps putting on band-aids. Will the family stick together? Come join the fun and see. For family audiences ages 4 and up. Tickets from $9.75. thelongcenter.org Hector Hernandez and William Hundley’s, “The Watchdog and The Thief,” opening at the ESB Mexican American Cultural Center on July 13, represents the interplay of character interpretation in an exhibition of dueling personalities. The artists’ work collaboratively and independently, their art representing distinct and corresponding forces and as a result, blurring individual divides. maccaustin.org In today’s Indian classical music world, Sangeet Martand, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj-ji, is the senior-most celebrated, sought-after icon whose vocal range, likened to a wizard of musical aesthetics, uses diction, tunefulness and rhythm. The legendary performer and foremost exponent of Mewati Gharana performs in Austin on Saturday, July 20, 6 p.m. at Akins High School Auditorium. austinifa.org Esquina Tango Cultural Society of Austin heats up with “Post Festa Junina Carnaval,” featuring Gente Boa, an Austin-based Brazilian band specifically tailored for dancing feet, Friday, July 26, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. The “Good People” combine Forró, Carimbó and cumbia with a reggae vibe, creating the perfect party atmosphere.

Arrive early for a mini Forró class at 9:30 p.m. $8 cover. esquinatangoaustin.com

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Children’s Day Art Park SYMPHONY SQUARE Kids and adults can experience the magic of the arts with local musicians, dancers, storytellers, magicians, mimes and crafts people. Youth can visit the Instrument Petting Zoo, talk to symphony musicians, see a Ballet Folklorico, hear Latin jazz, follow a Pied Piper along the Lemonade Trail to the Magic Oak Tree and try their hands at art projects.

Wednesday mornings, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., July 10-31.

50 cents per child. austinsymphony.org

ESB-MACC Enhances Programming with

Latino Arts Residency

By Imani Gonzalez

ProyectoTearo’s “Mi Mujer es el Plomero.”

for the community to enjoy, dissect, discuss and ultimately claim as its own.”

The ESB-MACC will be home to some of Austin’s most innovative Latino arts organizations and the place from which the finest work will be produced for years to come. “Every one of us at ProyectoTeatro is absolutely thrilled about this amazing opportunity to be one of four organizations that can now call the ESB-MACC their home,” said Luis Armando Ordaz Gutiérrez, Executive and Artistic Director of ProyectoTeatro.

Laura Esparza, PARD’s Cultural Arts Division.

The organizations selected for the inaugural year are:

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) will launch its newest expansion of cultural programming in July, welcoming four local performance arts groups to the Latino Arts Residency Program (LARP).

Selected for residency in the inaugural year of the program are the Austin Latino Theater Alliance, AZTLAN Dance Company, ProyectoTeatro and Teatro Vivo. The ultimate goal for the organizations is to graduate from the residency with a greater ability to sustain artistic production at the highest professional quality.

Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) created the program to increase the presence of Latino arts organizations at the site and support the center’s mission. According to PARD Division Manager Laura Esparza, “The purpose of the program is celebrate the rich tradition of Latino arts in Austin and invest in their sustainability to assure that generations to come will get to enjoy the finest in Latino arts. We hope that in years to come, Austin will be recognized as a national center for Latino arts.”

The Latino Arts Residency Program and the four selected resident Latino arts organizations will be officially welcomed on July 13 from 5 -7 p.m. at ESB-MACC. Following the presentation of the resident organizations, the ESB-MACC will host a gallery opening and reception. Each organization’s representative will be present and share their mission, vision, and goals for their time in residency.

The program was developed in response to concerns expressed in Austin’s Hispanic Quality of Life report regarding by the costs associated with presenting cultural productions at the ESBMACC including rental of the facility. In response to their concerns, the ESB-MACC Advisory Board presented a resolution to the Austin City Council in August 2011. The adopted resolution directed the City Manager and staff to “research and create a Latino Artists Incubator Program at the

Center geared towards developing local small and mid-sized Latino arts organizations.”

“Teatro Vivo is very proud and excited to be part of the Latino Artist in Residency Program,” said JoAnn Reyes, Executive Director of Teatro Vivo. “This program will foster the growth of Latino arts groups and support their collective missions to celebrate our culture and make the arts accessible to a diverse spectrum of Austin audiences.”

Austin Latino Theater Alliance was born 14 years ago with the intention of uniting and supporting the different Latino and Hispanic theater groups in the community. Today, ALTA has been reborn as a community of artists and volunteers who are firmly committed to fostering the development of new talents in the theater arts, promoting collaborative productions among local and international artists, and bringing the highest quality theater to the Austin audiences.

The AZTLAN Dance Company has enriched audiences through annual theatrical dance productions and creative cultural workshops.

The AZTLAN Dance Company is guided by the mission to establish a stable and conducive environment for imagining, creating, and presenting dance projects that reflect and inspire the communities within which it works.

Through our work AZTLAN promotes greater intercultural, cross-generational understanding and appreciation of Indo/Xicano/Latino dance arts. AZTLAN creates dance that imagines a future informed by the past, in the present.

ProyectoTeatro’s mission is to preserve and promote the Latin-American culture through theatrical arts in Spanish, providing a source of transformative arts education and quality cultural entertainment. ProyectoTeatro strives to offer all participants-actors, students and audience members alike a space conducive to human development through the arts.

Teatro Vivo produces and promotes Latino based theater, providing a window into the Latino community to make theater accessible to all audiences, especially those underserved in the arts. As a bilingual theater company, Teatro Vivo’s mission is to produce culturally relevant Latino theatre that addresses critical social issues. Teatro Vivo serves the community by telling the Latino story, positively reflecting the Latino community and uniquely celebrating the vibrancy of the Latino culture and the power of the human experience.

Teatro Vivo’s “Petra’s Pastorela.”

The program will also seek to increase awareness of the cultural projects produced by the organizations in the Austin community, at large. “Ideally, at the close of their residency, these organizations will have an increased following, funding, and new partnerships,” said Nino Miranda, ESB–MACC Latino Arts Residency Program Coordinator.

Another component of the program will be to encourage resident organizations to invite the public to participate in the creative process.

Additionally, resident organizations will have the ability to offer educational programming to further enrich the community’s knowledge of and exposure to the arts.

As a community, Austin will witness projects from the beginning of the creative process, up through rehearsal and opening night. “People will have the chance to see the making of canvasses, initial sketches and the masterful strokes and beauty of works created by our local visual artists,” said Miranda. “The work created at ESB-MACC will be TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 09

The Howlin’ Lobo

By Lobo Corona

June found important paths being carved in Austin’s music scene. Long overdue, it seems that a plethora of great projects are being generated and setting a new course into a golden era of Latin music in the city. The people at Austin City Limits and ACL Live are doing much of the trailblazing, which comes as no surprise as legendary artist Flaco Jimenez was part of PBS Austin City Limits’ season one in 1975. Since then, more Latino artists than can be counted have been added to the list of ACL TV alumni.

Kicking things up a notch, tracing an invitation for Latin artists to play a larger role in the Latin Music Capital, international stars Juanes and Jesse y Joy, respectively, visited Austin to take part in ACL tapings for season 39. Keep an eye on this column for airdates later this fall on PBS. I witnessed Juanes orchestrate a blissful night of music. Jesse y Joy’s performance was a living color extravaganza. Be sure to watch and support KLRU.

Making Tracks on The Road We’ll recommend the Texas Tornados and Joe King Carrasco performance on July 6 at Antone’s as well as Piñata Protest, sharing the stage with Reverend Horton Heat, on August 10. Both shows at the club’s new 2015 E. Riverside location will see doors open at 8 p.m.

A.B. Cantu Pan-Am Summer Concert Series It’s a free show under the stars with a can’t miss lineup every Tuesday in July. Head to the A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center (2100 E 3rd St,) for the 6:30-9:30 p.m. shows. The bill is: July 2 - Palacios Brothers, Tiarra Girls & Trampia July 9 - Big Band Tejano, Jonny Martinez & Eddie Gonzalez July 16 - Clay Campania Band, The Chris Castaneda Project featuring Jose “Sweet Tone” Ruiz July 23 - Raulito Navaira, J.R. Gomez & Calle Seis

so heavy?” is the question that kicks off Human Tattoo, and over the course of its 10 tracks Garza explores heaven and earth to answer that question. Between “Heavens in Your Heart,” “Rude Eyeshadow” and “Jean Genet,” Garza’s new album stomps deep inside the flesh of music leaving traces of color … a great mixture of sounds.

Lauren Silva - Back to Bridges On Austin-based R&B, soul and pop singersongwriter Lauren Silva’s new album “Back to Bridges,” Lauren’s talent reassures that good music still lives on. Her voice, lyrics and music shines forward as the album embellishes the world with magic. Don’t forget the name, Lauren Silva, who no doubt will conquer new worlds.

July 30 - Ruben “El Gato Negro” Ramos, Joe Bravo, AT Boys & Cacy Savala NEW ALBUM RELEASES Patricia Vonne - Rattle My Cage Patricia Vonne, the Tex Gypsy Rocker Gal, released her new Album “Raddle my Cage,” featuring Alejandro Escovedo, Doyle Bramhall, Robert Rodriguez, Alex Ruiz of Del Castillo, Michael Martin of the Infidels and Johnny Renoand. Her fifth album coinsides with a Tour in Europe including dates in Germany, Slovenia and Austria with plans to return for an Austin CD Release Party on September 14 at the Continental Club. Glücklich Reisen Trish.

Bobby Garza, Transmission Events

Straight from Argentina, Enanitos Verdes, returns to Texas in August with tour dates in El Paso, July 1, Houston, July 2, Dallas, July 8 and McAllen, July 10. After a sold-out show last year in Austin, a local date has not yet being confirmed.

Jesse y Joy on Austin City Limits.

On Another Note ...

Congratulations to Austin musician Bobby Garza, who will take on the position as General Manager of Transmission Events, leaving his position as chief of staff for Austin Council Mike Martinez to Andy Moore.

Que Hora Es? After 22 years, longtime music impresario Jerry Avila’s “Primetime Tejano” taped its last live show on Tuesday, June 25. The show was recorded to air on weekend mornings this month. Avila’s show has been a cultural treasure which we hope will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Rene “Residente” Perez Joglar, lead singer of Calle 13, teamed up with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to write a song about media manipulation, free speech and disinformation. Any artists willing to follow and pair with Edward Snowden ?

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Hot Times at ACL Live Rodrigo y Gabriela, a cross-cultural phenomenon, Mexican acoustic guitar slinging rock duo, is set to perform on July 20 at 8 p.m. Also, look out for Cypress Hill, the first Latino hip-hop superstars, who set the stage on July 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater.

KLRU Rides the New Latino Wave “Latino Americans,” a three-part, six-hour documentary series produced by KLRU that is scheduled for Hispanic Heritage Month this fall will be complimented by the broadcast of a unique concert, “Vamos al Baile” (Let’s go to the Dance). Taping for the show, which will be a reflection of the Mexican American culture in dance and music, is set for July 11 at KLRU’s Austin City Limits’ soundstage on the UT campus.

The event is a collaboration of KLRU and Austin Tejano music promoter Leonard Davila, and will premiere September 17 on KLRU. The show will feature live music by the cream of Latino heritage music with Ruben Ramos, Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox, and Little Joe y La Familia. The “Latino Americans” series will also be televised in Spanish on KLRU’s V-Me channel starting September 20.

Lauren Silva

Patricia Vonne

David Garza - Human Tattoo The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist called his new album “Human Tattoo.” The concept that inspired the title, explains Garza - who admits he at times felt uncool on the tats-heavy rock scene because he didn’t have any ink himself - is that “We give each other human tattoos-when we fall in love, when we change somebody’s mind.” “Why’s your heart

DaPunto Beat DaPuntoBeat, a Mexican based band mixing electronic, funk and rock with heavy bass and pioneering synth effects, will release their Nacional Records debut album on August 6. On Wednesday, July 10, the LAMC Indie showcase at the Mercury Lounge in New York will feature DaPuntoBeat among other great bands such as Torreblanca, La Vela Puerca, Vinilo Versus, Ulises Hadjis and Los Master Plus.

Contact Lobo with music news, album releases and information at Lobo@todoaustin.com

‘A Chorus Line’ Kicks Off Long Center’s Broadway Series

By Mia Garcia

Line” is a great deal more so than others and, in a curious way, demands collaboration from the audience. I am told that in the first days of the show’s performances (and perhaps it still happens) people occasionally felt that the play had not really This landmark, Pulitzer Prize-winning musical begun when the lights came up for the start of the forever changed the way we look at Broadway. play, because of the rehearsal atmosphere.”

“A Chorus Line” represents a group of dancers auditioning for a Broadway musical who must lay Every song in “A Chorus Line” is beloved by those their talent and life experiences on the line. The who cherish the score for lyrics that expose result is a hopeful, heartbreaking and dynamic the highs and lows of human nature, and for its race through the paces from audition to rehearsal melodic grasp of the heart. The opening number, to performance for those lucky enough to be “I Hope I Get It,” is as hopeful as are the dancers, as chosen for the chorus line. they run through the audition’s grueling paces for their discerning director. As the line begins to be “A Chorus Line” was conceived by Michael culled, the dancers must prove they are more than Bennett after weeks of discussions with his cast, what their resumes and photos represent. where he taped their dialogues, reaching for the essence of what made them become dancers. He “I Can Do That” points to the spark one feels when collaborated with playwrights James Kirkwood suddenly realizing a dream is attainable. As a young and Nicholas Dante to create the story that would boy, character Mike tagged along to his sister’s eventually be dedicated to everyone who has dance classes. His realization as a child, “I Can Do ever danced in a chorus or marched in step – That,” gives the first answer to the director’s quest anywhere. for what will make this chorus line work in perfect harmony.

Bennett’s extraordinary direction and choreography of The New York Shakespeare “A Chorus Line” is packed with songs that are more Festival’s original cast of “A Chorus Line,” plus than a backdrop to the story, as each becomes Marvin Hamlisch’s superb score (“What I Did For the storyteller that moves from dancer to dancer, Love,” “One”) and truthful and touching lyrics by giving each of the chorus line hopefuls a voice.

Edward Kleban, all meshed into one of the most The beautiful, “What I Did For Love,” answers the recognized and awarded Broadway musicals ever director’s question to the cast of, “If today were the performed. day you had to give it up, how would you feel?”

The Long Center is proud to kick off its new series of Broadway programming with the groundbreaking classic “A Chorus Line,” July 2428. Tickets are on sale now and start at just $25.

Goddard Lieberson was president of Columbia Records at the time “A Chorus Line” became accessible to every dancing dreamer via vinyl recording. Lieberson contributed his thoughts on the effect of this musical on the audience. “Yes, it is reality, the reality of Michael Bennett’s own story and those of some of the others performing that gives “A Chorus Line” a special quality of involvement, not only on stage among the players, but an involvement shared by the audience to a degree many of us have not felt for a long time.

Every musical is a collaboration, but “A Chorus

have repeatedly told us they want to see more Broadway in Dell Hall,” Beutel said. “And, we’re giving them just that. Teaming up with renowned producers like Theatre Under the Stars, with its 45year history of excellence, makes it possible.”

winner Audra McDonald in concert (Oct. 20, 2013), “Godspell” (Nov. 26 & 27, 2013), “Man of La Mancha” (Jan. 14 & 15, 2014) and Hair (March 4 & 5, 2014).

Other Broadway highlights in the Long Center For more information and tickets: Presents 13-14 Season include Tony Award http://thelongcenter.org/event/a-chorus-line/

“One,” the theme song of the musical, celebrates the individuality of the dancers, along with their ability to conform to the precision of dancing in chorus. The striking end to the musical features the final chorus line in all their glory, as they are realized as individuals who strive for this their entire lives, finally performing as “One.” “A Chorus Line” is presented in partnership with Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars. Long Center Managing Director Paul Beutel says he is thrilled with the relationship. “Our audiences TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 11

HOWTO Community Leadership Summit

By Monica Peña

Hispanic Organizations Working Together as One (HOWTO) successfully completed its first HOWTO Community Leadership Summit on Saturday, June 22, to engage speakers from the community and share insight with attendees on topics affecting the greater Austin community including civic engagement, jobs, education, and healthcare. The day concluded with attendees discussing the impact they could have on the community and how to start planning for the next Community Leadership Summit.

Dr. Regina Lawrence, with the University of Texas school of Journalism, spoke on civic engagement, while Delia Garza covered the new structure in the Austin City Council and how to get engaged on a local level. Dr. Paul Cruz, Chief School Officer at AISD, pointed out the 43 percent student enrollment increase in the area and the need for mentorship, volunteers, and board involvement.

Steven Epstein from KIPP Public Charter schools explained that their schools are successfully modeled nationally through five educational pillars of standards (high expectations, choice and commitment, more time, power to lead, and focus on results). Dr. Guadalupe Zamora and Patrick Garcia M.D. discussed the importance of the U.T. medical school. “Where physicians train,they will

usually practice within 50 miles,” said Dr. Garcia.

“Central Texas has been doing fantastic” in the area of economic growth, said Michael Henning of the Capital Area Council of Governments. “COTA, U.T. Medical School, and other assets are adding new dimensions to the regional economy.” Challenges like rising rents, educational attainment, entrepreneurship, and international trade were conversed in this portion.

Hispanic Organizations Working Together as One (HOWTO) is an alliance comprised of 10 partnering Hispanic professional organizations working together to build synergies through economies of scale and focus on wealth creation in the Central Texas region. The HOWTO alliance includes: Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA), Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC), Hispanic Bar Association of Austin (HBAA), Hispanic Physicians Association of Austin (HPA), Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (HWNT), National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO), National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and Young Hispanic Professional Association of Austin (YHPAA). For more information on HOWTO Austin, further details, and registration information on the next summit to be held in early November, 2013, visit HOWTO Austin fan page.

Tiny Taiga Condensation

Sen. Judith Zaffirini (R) recognized the 27th anniversary of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas at the Capitol. Recognized on the senate floor were Dr. Mary Jane Garza, Dora TrinidadCampos, Linda Escamilla, Elizabeth Medina and Lupe Morin.

LET GO – Let go of the HOWs, WHOs, WHATs and WHEREs. Let go of the details. Let go of the outcome. Let go of the fears.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF – Step outside of your comfort zone often. Put yourself OUT THERE. Make some noise. Wear red.

Be fearless. Be confident. Be vocal. Be interested. Be bold.

SHOW UP – Every day, show up, bright-eyed and bushytailed and ready for your life. Be there, be present, be aware.

Show up, dressed for success - bedazzled, bejeweled and ready for anything.

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY – All of them. Choose them. Be aware of them. Be intentional with them. Including the words in your head.

SAY YES – Even if, and particularly when, you’re scared, when you’re “not ready” and “not sure.”

HAVE FUN – With everything that you can. Choose to enjoy yourself, laugh, hug, be silly, be free, be barefoot.

WE’re not going to have ONE passion, ONE perfect idea, ONE perfect job, ONE perfect situation. That ONE thing doesn’t exist the way we like to tell ourselves it exists. We have many talents, gifts, passions, ideas and options. And if we allow ourselves to, we get to discover and explore them daily, often, and without struggling or beating ourselves up about it.

HELP OTHERS - What you want for yourself, cause and create and allow for another. We’re all in this whole thing together.

Blake Shanley is a superfood pusher, holistic consultant at Tiny Taiga, a one stop corner shoppe of heal goods and soul treats at 1200 E. 11th St. #106.

There is an ART to living passionately. And it involves not waiting for everything to line up, in perfect order, with clear steps down a clear path. It is a choice we can consciously make, to BE passionate about whatever we’re doing and wherever we are, exactly where we are. Challenging ourselves to see beyond, see further, see deeper into every moment, to discover the little bits there for us to grab onto and run with.

BE PASSIONATE – Be it. Feel it. Express it. Say it. Share it. About everything. Don’t miss any opportunity to BE passionate.

By Blake Shanley

Passion - not for a particular place, person or thing - but PASSION, a feeling, a way of life, a perspective and an intention.

Those bits are always there and in abundance. The more we look for them, the more our passion is awakened and energized and revealed.

Our true PASSION becomes OUR LIFE and living it fully.

TRUST – Ourselves. Each other. The journey. The imperfect perfection.

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FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT – Act, talk, feel and think as if you’re already “there” and already have everything you want.

FEEL it.

BE GRATEFUL, BE PRESENT, BE AWARE – Every moment, person and experience has a gift for you. Look for it. See it. Be grateful for it. Understand it. Learn from it.

CHOOSE YOUR PERSPECTIVE – Don’t simply accept your first reaction to something. Look at it differently. See it more clearly. Decide how you want to feel about it. Choose to feel more joy, happiness, understanding and acceptance.

TAKE A STEP FORWARD EVERY DAY – Baby step or big leap, take it. Forward. Keep your flow flowing. Make a call, write a chapter, take a class, paint a swirl, try something new, admit a fear, sing a song.

CARIDAD CASA

(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Juliet Castañeda, originally from Mission, Texas, grew up as a migrant farm worker with her large family of 10 and spent much of her youth travelling to northern states for her family’s work.

She remains very close to her family, especially her twin brother, Romeo. She moved to Austin to attend St. Edwards University, receiving a degree in Elementary Education. Currently the Training Specialist for Texas CASA, she has three daughters, ages 5, 11 and 13, and is actively involved with school fundraisers and the Parent Teacher Association.

She’s also a pet-lover and enjoys painting with watercolor. Juliet’s motivation to volunteer with CASA was prompted by the testimonial she read of a Hispanic mother

AISD News: Welcome Principal McGruder Come meet Sterlin McGruder, the newly appointed principal at the new Single-Sex School for Young Men for District 1, at the Building Bridges Town Hall, Saturday, July 6, 1:30-3 p.m., at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex (1156 Hargrave Street). The attendance area for Garcia and Pearce middle schools will be combined to facilitate the design of two, single-sex middle schools, one male led by McGruder - and one female. McGruder served as the principal of Grand Prairie ISD’s Young Men’s Leadership

of two helping a Hispanic sibling group in the foster care system. “I knew I could offer my bilingual skills and I value keeping families together,” she says. “Being a CASA volunteer has just completely changed my world and has helped me understand what my children could possibly go through in life as teenagers.”

She says it has been a fulfilling experience helping her CASA teen and that the “best part of volunteering with CASA is helping guide a youth through the foster care system safely and helping them choose the right path in life, the path to get ahead.”

Academy at Kennedy Middle School and brings 11 years of administrative experience to his new position.

Free Summer Lunch for Children During the summer, AISD will serve free breakfast and lunch to local children through the Summer Food Service Program. Free lunch will be available at more than 30 locations.

Any child between the ages of 1-18 can received a free breakfast and lunch, regardless of economic status and whether or not the child attends AISD. For information about the Summer Nutrition Program, please visit www. summerfood.org or call Texas 2-1-1. Contact AISD Nutrition and Food Service Department at (512) 414-0251 for participating sites, program dates and meal service times.

Austin Pets Alive!

Austin Pets Alive! has a mission to promote and provide the resources, education and programs needed to eliminate the killing of companion animals. You can help by making a donation at www. austinpetsalive.org and by supporting the cause at a number of events this summer.

You are invited to “Sweat for Pets” on Sunday, July 7, and Sunday, August 4, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Come join Susan, Cosmo and the Pure Bikram Yoga community at 7950 Great Northern Boulevard to practice some yoga to benefit APA! On the first Sunday of every month at the North Austin location, a 6:30 p.m. class will be offered to benefit APA! and Lucky Dog Rescue Blog. The suggested donation amount is

Ballet Austin Awards Scholarships to Selected AISD Dance Students

$10-$18. Yogagroove is a Bikram Yoga Studio. Come well hydrated and dressed to sweat. You’ll need a mat and towel, which can be rented at the studio.

The Rescuers: Launch Party is Wednesday, July 17, 7-10 a.m. Check APA! website for more info.

In cooperation with AISD’s “Any Given Child Initiative,” Ballet Austin will award four scholarships to selected area dance students. The scholarships will be presented to two elementary students from Reilly and Blackshear Elementary Schools, and two rising eighth grade students from Lamar Middle School.

“Ballet Austin believes that it is important for students of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds to have access to high quality arts education, both in and outside of school,”

Amala’s Beets Café Giving Day

Inspired by the popular plazas of Mexican cities and towns, Plaza Saltillo, at 412 Comal St. is home to the HOPE Farmers Market every Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Amala Foundation’s next “One Business Giving Day” will be at Beets Cafe (611 W. 5th Street, Suite 165) Tuesday, July 9, 12 a.m. to Wednesday, July 10, 12 a.m. The recurring event on the second Tuesday of every month for the next four months. On those dates, Beets Cafe has generously agreed to donate 10 percent of sales to the Foundation for the day. Please come out and support us and Beets Café.

The HOPE Farm Stand supports small urban and rural growers, redistributes surplus, reduces waste, and increases access to healthy food in East Austin. Each week, individuals, community gardeners and small farmers sell their surplus produce to the Farm Stand, giving

The two elementary students receiving scholarships will be eligible to attend Level 1 classes at Ballet Austin Academy, the official ballet school of Ballet Austin.

Scholarships being awarded to the two middle school students are valid for five drop-in dance and fitness classes at Ballet Austin’s Butler Community School.

“Paws Party” at Langford Market, 2nd Street District, is Sunday, July 28, 4 - 6 p.m. Fifteen percent of proceeds is going to APA! during this party. Come shop and enter the chance to win a gift basket.

HOPE Farmers Market

The market supports a regional food system, celebrating local culture and increasing awareness of and access to healthy food. The Sunday market is a weekly showcase, featuring a diverse selection of farmers, food artisans and artists, educational programming, community outreach and great live music.

says Ballet Austin Community Education Director Pei-San Brown. “We are proud to be a resource for AISD’s pilot program bringing dance to these schools, and are so happy to provide scholarships to students so that they can continue their dance studies through the summer months.”

growers the chance to earn extra income while keeping good food from going to waste. The project provides a meaningful link between the market and the community, connecting a diverse range of consumers and growers through the exchange of beautiful, high-quality produce.

Beets Living Foods Café features an upscale raw-food dining experience. Owner/ Operator, Sylvia Heisey, is

passionate about healthful living and sharing it with the world. Including more raw living foods in her diet has dramatically improved Sylvia’s health and outlook on life.

She invites you to come in, take a break from your busy day and relax in a beautifully spacious 44 seat dining room.

Join our supporters for a delicious meal that will help benefit Amala’s youth programs. The Amala Foundation is a humanitarian service organization that inspires the diverse youth of the world to live in unity, serve compassionately and lead peacefully. Find out more at amalafoundation.org.

HOPE Farmers Market is a project of the HOPE Campaign, which sponsors the Market’s Local Artist Poster Series and HOPE FM Live, a showcase of some of Austin’s best and brightest talent. For more info go to hopefarmersmarket.org TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 13

9 Reasons I Love the Riviera Maya

By Katie Walsh

Cenotes

Street Beauty

Tropical Plants

Tropical Fruit

Thousands of cenotes, or natural sinkholes and caves, have formed around an underground network of fresh, crystal clear water. They are stunningly beautiful.

This is an empty lot, folks. That’s all I have to say about that.

The biodiversity and breathtaking colors of the native plant life here might be #1 on my list. Being surrounded by these beauties makes everyday life feel better.

Custardy sweet potato-like mamey, tangy guava and passionfruit, and the beautiful pitaya, or dragon fruit, are just a few of the things you’ll find in the frutería.

What most Americans know about the Riviera Maya is tragically little, outside of Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

The beaches are no doubt amazing, but this strip of Caribbean paradise has so much more to offer.

Ceviche Some of the best and freshest ceviche I’ve ever had. I love adding floral chiles like serrano or habanero and some tropical fruit, all of which flow plentifully.

Street Food True of Mexico in general, neighborhood folks pedal buckets of fresh tamales, trays of handmade Mexican sweets, and slabs of fruit with lime juice and chile for less than $3 USD. This is real fast food.

Native Culture The Riviera is bursting with the influence of both ancient and modern Mayan culture, and home to the only sacred site (or “ruins”) built on the coast, in Tulum.

Caribbean Sunrise You just have to witness this personally...my words could never do it justice.

Mayan Honey Stingless Mayan honeybees build their nests in hollow tree trunks and produce an incredible dark amber-colored honey with a flavor you’ll never forget, in large part due to the Xtabentún flower. It is used in the anise liqueur by the same name.

HispanosNet Austin

Sheila Morataya, Eres Poderosa.

by Diana Sanchez

NotiHispano’s Mario Tapia and Marcela Rodarte.

Miguel Santana, Claudia Montero, ARTeSTUDIO. Leticia Rodriguez, La Americana.

Lorena Bernal and Tania Quiroz support WiriKuta.

Alejandra Regalado and Karla Leal.

14 TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM

CHRONICLES OF UNDERCOVER MEXICAN GIRL:

Changarrito at Mexic-Arte Museum: Art On a Cart Tacos and paletas aren’t the only things sold from carts. “Changarrito” is a vending cart designed as an alternative to the official gallery selection presented by the art and cultural authorities in Mexico. There are multiple Changarrito carts circulating throughout the world – all with the same objective of promoting original artwork to the general public.

| By Alexandra M. Landeros

de Cultura Popular “Mártires del ’68,” Iseo Noyola Isgleas was hired to interpret the design. This preliminary model, built by Alfredo Meneses, was called “2004 – Model.”

of traditional Mexican imagery. His work often features playful elements like paletas, calaveras as well as pop culture references that recall childhood memories.

Given the limited mobility and heavy weight of the original Changarrito model, Máximo González collaborated with Juan Zuñiga to design an improved model, which was built by Jesús Zuñiga Street vending in Mexico can be traced back to Montes de Oca in 2008. In similar fashion, the the pre-Columbian times, called tianquitzli by the newer version was named “2008 – Model,” indigenous – that word evolved to the current term “tianguis,” which refers to the temporary markets set up in different parts of the city. This type of informal commerce has become increasingly popular in Mexico, especially given the continuous economic crisis.

Rebolloso studied Graphic Design at Austin Community College and is currently studio manager at Austin’s Coronado studio and the Serie Project producing limited edition fine art prints and gig posters.

Temporary retail is also a concept that’s been catching on internationally, particularly to make use of vacant lots and former retail or office spaces. Here in Austin, we’ve had a recent surge of pop-up stores, particularly at festivals and special events. Austin first tried the concept of temporary retail in 2009 during the Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll.

Austin In Queue: THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

Places to Dine FONDA SAN MIGUEL A corner of old Mexico offering a wide range of dishes that are muy caliente. The ambiance is out of this world with its colorful Talavera tiles and exotic furnishings. Sit a spell at the bar and listen to traditonal Spanish musica and munch on hot tortilla chips and order a Modelo or Tecate beer. www.fondasanmiguel.com

Fonda San Miguel

As a live project, Changarrito is faithful to its original informal spirit and has evolved to become a forum for public education, special curatorial programs and projects, and individual collective exhibitions.

In a program that began last year and currently running at Mexic-Arte Museum, where the “2008 – Model” of Changarrito resides, is the artwork of Jonathan Rebolloso. The Museum’s Changarrito with Rebolloso is Saturday-Sunday, July 6-7, 12-3 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, July 20-21, 12-3 p.m..

Rebolloso was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of nine. Inspired by his experiences and those of others, he explores immigration and identity in his work through a conceptual use

In September 2004, Máximo González developed a concept sketch of the first cart for the Changarrito project in Mexico. Through Escuela

If you are looking for fantastic places to have some food and fun, here are some of my favorite places to stay, play, relax, and dine this summer.

and its permanent home is in Austin under the directorship of curator Leslie Moody Castro.

Jonathan Rebolloso

| By Rose Di Grazia

The service is stupendous and pets on the patio stomach. Sylvia, the owner, is a wonderful are always welcome. www.austinvespaio.com hostess and cook and makes you feel right at LITTLE CHINA home. It is a lovely place to come back to time Tasty Asian cuisine just down the street from and time again. www.austinfolkhouse.com Austin Community College, Northridge campus.

Step inside and hear the delightful Chinese music AUSTIN HYDE PARK INN is a gem of an abode and smell the delicious lunch specials going by. to rest your head after a business trip to Austin.

The lunch prices are great for any budget. Most of Tucked away in the cozy neighborhood where If theater is your thing, then Paradox Players the lunch specials come with soup and an egg roll. every newcomer wants to live. Rooms are are the actors to watch on stage. Paradox This is a favorite for quick and tasty dishes from furnished with period antiques. Enjoy a swim Players theater is housed in the Howson Hall various parts of the Orient. www.urbanspoon.com in the pool or dip in the heated spa and a full Theater First Unitarian Universalist Church. A hot breakfast or sip coffee on your balcony. night at the theater always makes for a good This Inn is just a short walk to wonderful date. Be one of the first to attend opening restaurants, coffee shops, and theater. stay@ night and take part in the gala receptions. austinhydeparkinn.com The grounds offer plenty of parking. www. paradoxplayers.org HABITAT SUITES offers more then just a place to sleep. Indulge in the hearty buffet breakfast City Theatre is a world class performing and complimentary happy hours daily. Dive arts venue for plays and theater arts classes. into the salt water pool. Rooms offer a full See astounding performances such as size kitchen with everything you might need Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” to whip up something to eat. Sit a spell in Spend an afternoon yelling “Bravo!” The the modern living room and watch TV Land playhouse is located on Airport Boulevard in or enjoy viewing from your comfy bed. The North Austin. www.citytheatreaustin.org suites are part of the Green Hotel Association.

A hotel that is your home away from home. The Long Center is the place to see the ballet, Enoteca Vespaio www.habitatsuites.com opera, or music concert. The center is located ENOTECA/VESPAIO across from Lady Bird Lake in South Austin.

This place gets my vote for best patio, Italian AUSTIN FOLK HOUSE is a charming bed and Visitors enjoy beautiful views of the Austin beers, coffee drinks, desserts to die for, and soup breakfast in walking distance to the University skyline. Get decked out and enjoy some of you can’t get enough of and Sunday Brunch. The of Texas and just around the corner from the the best performances Austin has to offer. Any pizzas and cheese plate and Italian Cream Cake Drag. Each room is decorated with gorgeous night is a good night to see a great show in my are something patrons can never get enough of. antiques. Breakfast is a feast for the eyes and book. www.thelongcenter.org

Places to Stay

Places to Play

TODO AUSTIN // JULY 2013 // TODOAUSTIN.COM 15

July 13 - August 31, 2013

Dreamers Todos Installation y Fotoprints

LATINO ARTS

Luis R. Gutiérrez Main Gallery

RESIDENCY PROGRAM

The Watchdog and The Thief

Join us July 13th at 5:00 pm for the welcoming of our resident organizations selected to the Latino Arts Residency Program. Special guest Dr. Tomas Ybarra-Frausto will deliver the keynote address.

Hector Hernandez and William Hundley Community Gallery

600 River St., Austin, TX 78701 www.maccaustin.org 512-974-3772

Monday - Thursday 10 am - 6 pm Friday 10 am - 5:30 pm Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities please call 512-974-3772 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 512-974-3772 o 711 Relay Texas.

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”

JULY Line-up

TACO BAR

1412 S. Congress Avenue • Austin, Texas 78704 Open Weekdays 11am-11pm; Weekends 8am-11pm

----------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/3 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) FRI 7/5 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 7/6 TONY HARRISON BAND (2:30), MIKE MILLIGAN & THE ALTAR BOYZ (6:30) SUN 7/7 THE RECOUPERATORS (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/10 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 7/11 THE FABS (6:30) FRI 7/12 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 7/13 THE LEROI BROTHERS (2:30), HOT TEXAS SWING BAND (6:30) SUN 7/14 BLUE MIST (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/17 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 7/18 PONTY BONE & THE SQUEEZETONES (6:30) FRI 7/19 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 7/20 LOS TIPICOS DE CUBA (2:30), JONAS ALVAREZ (6:30) SUN 7/21 MITCH WEBB & THE SWINDLES (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/24 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00) THU 7/25 ERIN JAIMES (6:30) FRI 7/26 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 7/27 M.C. & THE MYSTICS (6:30) SUN 7/28 CHICKEN STRUT (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 7/31 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW (6:00)

www.GuerosTacoBar.com