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“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” — Abraham Lincoln A JOURNAL OF THE BORDERLANDS DECEMBER 2013
Est. 1994
Vol. XVIII No. 12 64 PAGES
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LareDOS Newspaper
The Veterans Outpatient Clinic: Doors open, lights on, patients in the cue. But where are the doctors?
“What a disservice this understaffed, poorly managed clinic is to Congressman Henry Cuellar, the man who secured the appropriations to build this state of the art facility, and what a slap in the face it is to those of us who willingly sacrificed to serve our country,”
BARRY BERNIER, USMC See Page 10
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Mission Give Laredo
Run Strong
Volunteers assisted in the 8th Annual Mission Give Laredo on Saturday, December 7 at Sames Motor Company. The collection of clothing and food benefited Bethany House.
Laredoans were not deterred by the coldfront on Sunday, December 8 when they participated in the Runstrong Laredo Kick Asphalt Relay at Uni-Trade Stadium.
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Five Star Service reception DeeAnn Novoa of the Women’s City Club, UISD superintendent Roberto J. Santos, Pamela Juarez, and Imaginarium of South Texas executive director Sandra Cavazos were at the Laredo Country Club on Thursday, December 5 for the Chamber of Commerce Five Star Service Awards.
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Holiday art show at Gallery 201 Gallery 201 along with CaffĂŠ Dolce and La Posada hosted receptions at their respective locations, on Thursday, December 5 as part of a downtown art walk. Attendees included (front) Adriana Benavides, Rocio Jacaman, Sissi Long, and Yvonne La Vaude, Jessica Diez Barroso, Nora Idalia Montemayor, Gayle Aker Rodriguez, Laura Jovel, and Monica Garza.
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At Jarvis Plaza ceremonies La Posada Art Walk Dobi Walsdorf, Ana Montoya, Victor Hugo-García, Gloria Galvan, and Claudia Nava attended Jesus Toro Martinez’s “Visiting an Old Love” exhibit at La Posada Hotel on Thursday, December 5.
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Former Laredo City Council member Alfredo Agredano, LCC board president Cynthia Mares, LCC president Dr. Juan Maldonado and his wife Linda, Adriana Talbot, and Elsa Dancause were among those who paid tribute to Laredo veterans at ceremonies December 7 in Jarvis Plaza.
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The Laredo Energy Arena’s Navidadfest was filled traditional holiday fun for all. Among the attractions, to the delight of hundreds of children, was the grand entrance of Santa Claus on a fire engine on Thursday, December 5.
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Santa is coming to town
Enjoying the cold front at Northside Market Jorge GarcĂa and Fito Santos were among shoppers at the Laredo Northside Market on Saturday, December 7 at North Central Park.
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Kid’s Christmas celebration
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St. Patrick Church CCD students performed a nativity play at Doctors Hospital’s Kid Salud Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 11 at the Providence Health Center at 230 Calle Del Norte.
Local nonprofit provided with a ride Volunteers Serving the Need was presented with a fully refurbished 2006 PT Cruiser from Allstate Insurance Company and Sterling Autobody Centers on Thursday, December 12. This was part of the Recycled Rides Program that has donated more than 160 vehicles across the country.
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Mailbox L
etters to the publisher
To the Editor: I am in complete disagreement with Carlos Valle Jr., Ph.D., regarding his letter, which appeared in the Opinion column of the November issue of the LareDOS, entitled “When religion clouds human reasoning.” I was present, and spoke at the City Council meeting Dr. Valle refers to in his letter. This was not a simplistic decision, as described in Dr. Valle’s letter. However, because I know letters to the editor have to be concise, I cannot expand as to how there was not one, but a second round of votes on this issue. Dr. Valle states that “According to the Mayo Clinic web site, ‘Plan Two’ is a contraceptive, which ….., preventing implantation (nidation) of a fertilized ovum.” This is as if we were to say that a woman is “just a little pregnant.” According to the “medical-dictionary.thefreeidctionary.com/nidation,” it is defined as “the implantation of the early embryo in the uterine mucosa.” And what is an early embryo other than a person? An embryo has the same DNA as Dr. Valle, Mr. San Miguel, and me. The difference is that it has not yet the same physical features as an adult person but is in the early stage of a person. Dr. Valle accuses Mr. San Miguel that, “His was a blatant example of personal spiritual belief clouding sound human reasoning.” Is not Dr. Valle, in his quest to convince, in my opinion, and because of his repetitive bullying to those of us, who proclaim respect of the human person from conception until natural death, actually trying to cloud others people’s minds when he does not specify what a “fertilized ovum” is? I invite all readers to look up what the meaning of “nidation of a fertilized ovum is” and if you feel, like all of those who believe, that if that fertilized ovum has the same DNA as a newborn, a toddler, a teenager, an adult and an elder person has, therefore this “fertilized ovum” is nothing more than a person. Let’s be clear about matter and semantics. The developmental stages of a human person are classified with different names, according to science. However, the undeniable truth is that if we let that fertilized egg continue to grow, in nine months, or less, we will have another human being living and breathing the same air that the rest of us breathe. If you are pro-abortion, as in my opinion Dr. Valle seems to be, go for it, but do not try to fool those who are in doubt to make misinformed decisions. Let’s not zealotry cloud human reasoning. Sincerely, Marcia O. Jovel
Dear Editor, Thank you, muchisimas gracias, to all involved in LareDOS! The information and entertaining articles are truly vibrant and vital. The coverage edifies and amuses me. Since I live on a shoestring social security check, I am grateful to all concerned who make it possible for me to enjoy LareDOS for free! I pass along each issue to my niece in Northwest Ohio. When she is done reading them, she shares with a husband and wife there who own and run a small Mexican restaurant and grocery store. They came from Laredo and they are happy to read LareDOS. I am wondering about something, and may concern is genuine. The city of Laredo has added recycling bins to trash pickup. The public has been told to rinse all items to be recycled. This means plastic detergent bottles, plastic milk jugs, tin cans, and aluminum cans, etc. These types of containers will need a lot of rinsing. I ask in all sincerity — will all this rinsing demand higher water usage? In Laredo and the surrounding area we all know that water is most precious. Water usage must be guarded and measured. Maybe in this climate and area it is more important and of more value for life to save water and not to waste it rinsing so many items to recycle. Maybe someone knows the answer. Thank you, Robin Ibarra
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Feature
New veterans clinic — twice the size, twice the empty promises for health care By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher “The standard of care that you get at the Veterans Outpatient Clinic falls short of President Abraham Lincoln’s promise to ‘care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.’ What we get here — it’s a far cry from that Civil War promise,” said retired Marine Barry Bernier. Bernier, who served two tours in Vietnam and retired after a 23-year career in the USMC, suffers servicerelated disabilities, including PTSD and hearing loss. Since he moved to Laredo in 2004, he has relied on the services of the Department of Veteran Affairs Laredo Outpatient Clinic, as much as you can rely on a clinic that is barely staffed and doesn’t keep its physicians for long. Bernier said he has had nine different doctors over the last three years. “How do you get continuity of care from that? Who would willingly change doctors that many times?” Bernier asked. “A doctor in a sixmonth contract with a VA clinic is just biding his or her time,” he continued. “There’s no commitment and little interest in establishing a caring, beneficial relationship with a patient,” he said. “What a disservice this understaffed, poorly managed clinic is to Congressman Henry Cuellar, the man who secured the appropriations to build this state of the art facility, and what a slap in the face it is to those of us who willingly sacrificed to serve our country,” Bernier continued. “Up until two weeks ago, on a recent Tuesday, the day the clinic’s ad-
ministration meets from 8 to 10 a.m., World War II veterans hanging on to their walkers, some who had traveled here from other towns, waited in the cold and the rain until the doors opened at 10 — no place to sit or warm up or go to the restroom, just waiting. How is it possible that is acceptable treatment for elderly veterans who are ill?” That Tuesday dilemma, along with a dozen other issues, were on an agenda at an October 25, 2013 meeting of the commanders of all Laredo veteran organizations, Congressman Cuellar, and Robert M. Walton of the Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (TVCBHCS). With the opening of the new 18,000 square foot outpatient clinic on Bartlett just ahead of them on November 8, representatives of the veterans organizations wanted to address what they say have been chronic shortfalls of service at the former Star Court location of the clinic. “This was not the first time we brought up these matters. All of us had written letters or let our concerns be known, but this was the first time representatives of all veterans groups spoke in one voice to the Congressman and to Walton, who oversees the Laredo clinic,” Bernier said. “We were there speaking for ourselves and on behalf of all veterans who have been promised medical care in return for their service to our nation. We had questions and we wanted answers. How was administration going to address the high turnover of employees, where were the physicians, how were they being recruited? Why not recruit locally? Where was an organizational
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chart so that we could know who did what?” Bernier continued. Among the other concerns voiced at that meeting: Why did Laredo veterans have to travel away from Laredo for audiology exams when a local provider was willing to serve them? When were the promised specialty services — dental, radiology, and care for women — going to be available? Where was the staff for gynecological exams and screenings, mammograms, and treatment for Military Sexual Trauma (MTS)? Where was the list of available women’s treatments? In the scheduling of appointments, why was there such a wide time span between appointments? When would the clinic update a sign-in system that was easier for older veterans in poor health? How could the VA clinic better communicate with a veteran’s private physician? Could not the office of the Webb County Veterans Service officer be located within the VA clinic? How were vouchers to see a specialist requested and issued, and what causes the delays constantly experienced? Why was the clinic not able to provide the shingles vaccine? Bernier rests the lack of services and order on the shoulders of clinic administrator Abel Flores whom Bernier characterized as having been “appointed and promoted above his level of incompetence.” Bernier said that veteran organizations represented at the meeting included the Laredo Veterans Coalition, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9194, Behind the Camo Women’s Group, the South Texas Afghanistan/Iraq Veterans Association (STAIVA), Catholic War Veterans, Laredo Marine Corps League,
Veterans Helping Veterans, American Legion Post 59, Vietnam Veterans of Laredo Association, and the office of the Webb County Veterans Services. Veteran Valentin Cuellar, who served in Vietnam from 1964 to 1966, said the function of the new clinic is “completely broken.” He said, “There are no doctors. We are seen by physician’s assistants. Doctors may come in on a six-month contract. You won’t see the same doctor twice. There’s no follow-through on medications. The opinion of the second doctor, the one who replaced the one you saw once, may not be right about your medications. There are some veterans who have ended up in private hospital care because of physician error at this clinic.” Cuellar, a diabetic, needs to be seen by a physician every three months. “Sometimes eight months go by without being seen by a doctor. This clinic needs doctors. Nearby in a migrant clinic there are plenty of doctors. I want to know why there are none here for general practice services for veterans. I believe we are being told we are not a priority,” he continued. Like Bernier, Cuellar recalled “the atrocity” of seeing elderly World War II veterans sitting outside the clinic on landscape boulders in the cold as they waited for the clinic doors to open or as they stood leaning on their canes and walkers in long sign-in lines. “What kind of system is that? Corpus Christi doesn’t have that system. The Audie Murphy clinic in San Antonio doesn’t have that system. Other veteran’s facilities have at the very least benches or a canteen where you can Continued on page 36
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he Washington Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) is prepping for the annual Uni-Trade sponsored Jalapeño Festival, which is set for Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22 at El Metro Park and Ride The two-day event promises sizzling entertainment, live music, games and fun for the entire family. Two of the biggest Norteño groups in the region, Duelo and Los Tigres Del Norte, are back by popular demand and will take center stage on Saturday night. Lic. Eduardo A. Garza, CEO of Uni-Trade said, “Sponsoring the WBCA Jalapeño Festival will allow us to continue to support our commitment to the Laredo community and ensure that our families remain unified by participating in such a wonderful event.” “Last year’s Jalapeno Festival sponsored by Uni-Trade was the best ever, and we hope to raise the bar even further. This year we are inviting Los Tigres del Norte to Laredo for the first time and we hope to show them a warm Laredo welcome. It will be a concert no one wants to miss,” said WBCA President Pati Guajardo, adding, “I am thrilled that Duelo is coming back because they have such a great following in our community and we look forward to welcoming them back. I encourage everyone to purchase their two-day pass to ensure that they will enjoy two great performances for the price of one!“ W W W.L A R ED OSN E WS.COM
Games such as Tug of War, Egg Toss, and the International Waiter’s Race are open to willing individuals or team participants. Young women between the ages of 17 and 25 can sign up to show off their talent in the Stripes Miss Jalapeño Contest, a competition for cash and other prizes. The coveted La Costeña Jalapeño Eating Contest is seeking courageous men and women to go head to head in the ultimate challenge. The current record stands at 141. Online registration is at www.jalapenofest.org Regional delicacies such as tripitas, fajitas, pozole, gorditas, flautas, Mexican Style corn on the cob, and funnel cakes are some of the mouth watering items on the menu for the evening. For a limited time a two-day pass will be available for purchase for only $35. Ticket prices at the gate will be $30 per night. Tickets are now available online. Additional sponsors include Stripes Convenience Stores, Anheuser-Busch, Miller Lite, La Costeña, South Texas Ford Dealers, and YuHsien Huang Del Rio. As part of the three-hour promo following the kick-off Friday, all who showed up to the Guerra Communications Centre and purchased their two-day passes received a free commemorative t-shirt and other prizes. For more information, to register, or purchase tickets visit www.jalapenofest.org — LareDOS Staff
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Duelo, Los Tigres headline Jalapeño Fest
Art haven for locals Sonya Marie Sky and Nicolas Cox were among attendees on Thursday, December 5 at Caffé Dolce’s holiday art show. The event was held in conjunction with downtown art walk receptions on the same evening at La Posada Hotel and Gallery 201.
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the deadline will be considered in the next funding cycle. Higher priority will be given to those applications that address national, state, and local priorities and provide higher cost efficiency.EQIP offers technical and financial help to install or implement structural, vegetative, and management practices that can benefit the soil, water, air, plants, livestock, and wildlife. WHIP applications must address traditional natural resource issues such as water quantity, water quality, grazing lands, forest health, soil management, emerging natural resource issues, and climate change. Each county in the state is funded yearly to assist producers financially with these land management practices. Last year, NRCS in Texas funded over 4,500 EQIP contracts with $91 million to accomplish conservation practices such as irrigation efficiency, minimum tillage, brush management, and more on 3.6 million acres across the entire state. Additionally, NRCS funded 200 WHIP contracts with $7.1 million to improve wildlife habitat on over 380,000 acres in Texas. In addition to helping the environment, Farm Bill conservation program funds support rural communities. In Texas, it is estimated that each dollar of NRCS and private matching expenditures on NRCS conservation programs generates an additional $2.54 in sales of goods and services locally. For more information, including eligibility requirements, call the USDA Service Center office in Laredo at (956) 723-3222, estension 3. Service center locations and program information can be found on the Texas NRCS Web site at www.tx.nrcs.usda. gov —LareDOS Staff
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pplications for funding opportunities with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) are currently being accepted at the NRCS offices at 7209 E. Saunders, Suite 7, according to USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist Flavio Garza. Texas NRCS has received its initial allocation of EQIP and WHIP funding for 2014 and will begin ranking and obligating contracts after January 17, 2014. All agriculture producers interested in submitting a contract application for 2014 should do so before this ranking deadline. EQIP — one of the largest programs in the Farm Bill — is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and assists producers to meet local, state, and federal regulations. “EQIP is a valuable tool to help Webb County’s agricultural producers implement conservation practices that provide environmental benefits to help sustain agricultural operations,” Garza explained.“WHIP helps landowners restore and improve fish and wildlife habitats, and benefit atrisk species,” he continued. “This funding will give landowners across the state the opportunity to address wildlife concerns in Texas.” EQIP and WHIP are continuous sign-up programs that allow landowners or operators to apply for financial and technical assistance for the application of specific conservation practices; but the deadline for the first 2014 funding allocation is January 17, 2014. Contracts are offered periodically depending on budgetary allocations. Applications made after
Deputy Fire Chiefs appointed Fire Chief Steve E. Landin (center) has appointed deputy chief Antonio Garibay as assistant fire chief, second in command, and district chief Ramiro R. Elizondo as deputy fire chief, third in command. The announcement was made December 8.
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NRCS offers EQIP, WHIP application
Outside historic Fort Treviño Peggy Umphres Moffett (center), her daughter Taylor, and Zapata fishing guide Stan Gerzsensyi are pictured at the San Ygnacio Historical Home Tour. W W W.L A R ED OSN E WS.COM
Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS Maria Eugenia Guerra/LareDOS
LISD magnet school recruitment LISD hosted a recruitment night for all eighth grade students and their parents on Wednesday, December 4, at the Laredo Civic Center. Counselors, administrators, and current students of the Vidal M. Trevi単o School of Communications and Fine Arts; Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet School; the Sabas Perez School of Engineering; Technology Application; and the Early College High School were on hand to answer questions about their respective schools.
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San Ygnacio honors veterans Decorated Vietnam-era veteran Beto Arambula of San Ygnacio was honored at Veterans Day ceremonies in the Plaza Blas Maria Uribe. The event was hosted by the A.L. Benavides Elementary School Student Council.
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Jaime Velasquez in the run for Webb County treasurer
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A healthy Christmas Miriam, Brian, and Pedro Salinas were at the Doctors Hospital Kid Salud Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 11 at the Providence Health Center. The Christmas celebration was hosted for kids ages 18 and under. Food, games, prizes, and a performance by the United High School band were part of the entertainment.
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time in the treasurer’s office. There is a lot of replication in the processing of 1099 vendors. There is software to estabhe application of new technol- lish those profiles without re-inventing ogy, increased efficiency and them,” he said. productivity, and diversifying Velasquez said that as a 30-year acWebb County’s investment countant providing services in a sole fund — these are high priority goals for proprietorship, he has knowledge of Jaime A. Velasquez, candidate for Webb financial reporting, budgeting, investCounty treasurer. ing, general ledger posting, payroll, tax Velasquez, a former executive ad- reporting, cash disbursements cash reministrator in the ceipts, and bank recontreasurer’s office and a ciliation. practicing accountant, “I bring all of that to is on the ballot for the the position. I am not March 4, 2014 primary a politician, and this in a field that includes department does not incumbent Delia Perarequire a politician to les, administrative serhead it. It does require vices director Cynthia a forward thinker, and Mares, Mayor Raul I am that,” he said. Salinas, and Jaime A. Velasquez is regisMontes. tered with the IRS as “Automating the a professional tax preJaime Velasquez county’s payroll sysparer. While employed tem with time and atby Webb County in tendance software will translate into im- 2010, he was certified as a County Investproved productivity in the County Trea- ment Officer by the Texas Association surer’s office and into increased efficien- of Counties, a requirement for a county cy and accountability in all other county treasurer to manage and maintain the departments,” he said, adding, “Payroll county investment fund. is 75 percent of the county budget. We He attended St. Edwards University don’t need manual payroll entries for in Austin, where he also managed an air 1,600 employees. There is software to freight cartage company for nine years. track annual leave, sick leave, and comp He was an accountant with a Nuevo Lartime. We need to digitize all county em- edo maquiladora for three years before ployee records to eliminate paper waste. working for seven years as a senior acGoing paperless would have a cost-sav- countant for the firm of Velasquez and ing effect throughout,” he said. Flores. He served as controller for six “One of the most important areas we years at Olympia International, a U.S. need to look at is to increase the rate of Customs brokerage firm. return on Webb County’s investments Velasquez is married to Rose Velasby diversifying to obtain the highest re- quez, a pharmacist. They have a family turn.” of seven. He said that new technology and For more information on the Velassoftware, coupled with additional train- quez campaign, go to www.velasquezing for staff, would save a great deal of 4treasurer.com
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By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher
Adelantelivefoods.com Vendor Viviana Frank of Adelantelivefoods.com visits with Victor Hugo about the benefits of wheat grass and sprouts at the December 14 Farmers Market. Adelante sells trays of energizing and cleansing wheat grass as well as alfalfa and sunflower sprouts.
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Feature
Judge Oscar O. Martinez’s departure will leave daunting challenges for successor By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff “The court and I have grown together. My staff and I have managed to meet all state demands. I wish I was younger and I could stay. I have been blessed with the community’s support,” said Webb County Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Oscar O. Martinez of his decision to retire. He added, “It has been a fantastic 23 years. This court belongs to the people, not me. I hope whoever takes over stays involved with the youth, which has been my main focus.” A former Webb County constable, Martinez was appointed to fill the JP Pct. 4 position when then-Pct. 4 JP Andy Santos decided to run for sheriff. “I ran against four other candidates, and won by two votes,” Martinez recalled. His departure from office after decades of advocacy for at-risk youth leaves big shoes to fill, as Martinez — despite a small staff and increasing demands on the court by Webb County’s growth — has been relentless in efforts to help school children in peril. With the help of the local sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Judge Martinez initiated the Rewarding Education Attitude and Leadership (REAL) Mission program. The six-week program targets at-risk teens and focuses on building leadership and teamwork skills by teaching kids the importance of living a positive lifestyle —emphasizing the repercussions of gang involvement and using of drugs. “I have always worked with the students of our school districts. We started the REAL Mission program here in this courtroom. It has
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been a tremenone, but you dous project have to folthat is now in low the law.” five JP courts He added, throughout “When indithe valley. It is viduals come also in El Paso before me for and is spreada second time ing throughfor the same out Texas,” crime, I have Martinez said. to be tough.” “I underAs a magstand the imistrate in the portance of jails, he said, supporting it has always students so been importhey can be- Judge Oscar O. Martinez tant to him be come producfair when settive and sucting bonds and cessful citizens. My strategy is to at- doing what he can to help individutack the root of the problem — why als get the legal counsel they need. they don’t want to go to school, why Martinez has worked closely they are misbehaving, why is there with law enforcement at all levels a lack of support at home, and what to tackle the city’s problem with the kind of environment they live in. drugs that increasingly make their The program aims to change their ways into local schools. way of life,” he added. “Drugs are a big issue, and we With an 80 percent graduation are constantly trying to address rate, the program has proven in- this. Last week we had a meeting strumental in teaching teens with with a lot of law enforcement offitruancy and disciplinary problems cers discussing the synthetic drug to care for themselves and their K2 and all the smoke shops popping community — to become involved. up,” he said. “There are a lot of expenses asHe would like to see a citywide sociated with the program, but this initiative with the county, the city, community is very involved with City Council, and school districts to its youth. Thanks to the support of address the drug problem. USBP Commander Robert L. Harris, Martinez’s commitment to youth Dr. Ike’s, the City of Laredo, Buddy and to all the residents of Webb Bruni, and the International Bank County has not gone unnoticed. of Commerce, the REAL Mission He has been recognized on many continues to be a success,” Martinez occasions by the United Indepensaid. dent School District and numerous On arriving at difficult rulings local agencies for his dedication to over the decades, Martinez said, “I changing young lives. have had cases when you feel like In his spare time he dedicates his you are doing damage to some- time to aiding various church youth
groups, like the St. Patrick’s Church group, with fundraising events. His accolades have been numerous. He was named a Tiger Legend in 2006. LULAC awarded him with the Tejano Achiever Award, and the Laredo Webb County Bar Association accorded him the prestigious Liberty Bell Award. He has been involved with the Laredo International Fair (L.I.F.E.) since 1965 and is presently co-chair for L.I.F.E.’s buyer committee. Long time JP4 staff member Amelia Martinez said, “Not many people know he makes it a point to get donations in advance to buy all the animals not purchased by others. He then donates them to the sisters at Sacred Heart Orphanage.” He also purchases gifts every year to donate to the children of the Floyd Head Start center in Las Peñitas. “He is here every day, even during his vacation,” she added. The acquisition of the former Texas Highway Department building at 8501 San Dario came about through the relentless efforts of Judge Martinez. “In 1999, I started to look at this building and discussing it with City Manager Carlos Villarreal, Rep. Richard Raymond, and Congressman Henry Cuellar,” he said, adding, “With their support, the state finally leased the building to the county. As long as it is used in a judicial capacity, we will never lose it.” Martinez was born and raised in Laredo and graduated from Martin High School in 1959. He attended Laredo Junior College and Texas A&I University at Kingsville. Continued on page 44
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Dimmit jury judgement for family of Eagle ford oilfield mechanic unprecedented By MARIA EUGENIA GUERRA LareDOS Publisher
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aredo attorneys Ron Rodriguez and José Luis Castillo, along with Houston truck accident attorney Gene Hagood, comprised the legal team that prevailed in the $281 million Eagle Ford Shale judgment in the negligence and wrongful death of oilfield mechanic Carlos Aguilar Sr., a veteran of service in Afghanistan and Iraq. The unanimous award returned by a Dimmit County jury on December 4 was for $181 million in compensatory damages and $100 million in punitive damages against Heckmann Water Resources (formerly Complete Vacuum Rental) for the May 29, 2012 accident that took the life of Aguilar, the father of seven. Aguilar, 31, was killed by a 20-pound driveshaft that separated from a Heckman 18-wheeler that went through the windshield of the work truck in which Aguilar was a passenger, striking him in the face and neck. The Heckman truck traveled eastbound at 67 mph on FM 133 in Dimmit County, in a direction opposite that traveled by Aguilar in a company vehicle. Attorney Hagood represented Aguilar’s parents and wife; Rodriguez, five of the Aguilar children; and Castillo, the two children of Carlos Aguilar’s second marriage. The attorneys presented evidence that the truck’s driveline U-joint crosspiece “melted and disconnected due to undetected long term insufficient lubrication or no lubrication.” Hagood, of the firm of Hagood and Neuman of Alvin, Texas, called the tragedy “preventable” and said W W W.L A R ED OSN E WS.COM
that the verdict sends a clear message to trucking companies and drivers about road safety and responsibility. “These companies must write and enforce correct policies and procedures, and supervise and train their employees. The drivers must operate their CMVs with courtesy and competence and respect all other drivers sharing the road. All must follow the Department of Transportation regulations. Everyone deserves safe vehicles and drivers,” he said. Attorney Castillo likened the fastpaced profits of the Eagle Ford Shale to the California Gold Rush “before California was a state and basically had no laws. Profits were put ahead of human life. In this case, Heckman, the defendant, put profits before safety. We have laws and the jury enforced the law accordingly after hearing all the evidence. This case sends a message to all companies in the oilfield to put the public’s safety above their profits.” He continued, “We hear and see in the headlines about frivolous lawsuits, and we all agree that we hate them. But what you don’t hear, and we should equally despise, are frivolous defenses. Heckman’s was a frivolous defense that tried to mislead the jury with half-truths and an attack on the character of the deceased — a war hero who fought not only for our freedoms, but also for the freedom of Heckman to transact business, and this is how they pay him back.” Attorney Rodriguez said, “I›m proud to have obtained one of the largest verdicts in the history of Texas and a full measure of justice for the family. The verdict will make the roads safer throughout South Texas and will enhance the quality of life
for all families.» Heckman Water Resources (CVR) is a subsidiary of Nuverra Environmental Solutions (NYSE:NES), which operates in the oilfields of the Eagle Ford, Barnett, Permian, Mississipian Lime, Haynesville, and Marcellus/ Utica shale plays. A story in the December 8, 2013 issue of HispanicBusiness.com quoted Nuverra CEO Mark Johnsrud as being “disappointed by the actions of this Texas state court jury but remain confident in the judicial system at both the trial court and appellate court levels.” Johnsrud continued, “While we are highly sympathetic to the deceased and his family for his unfortunate passing, we believe based on
input from our legal advisors and consultants, both trial and appellate, that this recent award exceeds wellestablished judicial norms and precedent by a staggering margin. The verdict is subject to post-trial motions and has not yet been entered as a judgment. We believe we have meritorious grounds to seek reconsideration of the verdict and to appeal. We intend to file motions to reduce or overturn the award and otherwise to file for reconsideration of the case.” A member of the National Guard since 1999, the late Carlos Aguilar Sr. was deployed to Afghanistan and served from 2009 to 2010 and then deployed for service in Iraq from 2010 to 2011.
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Midwifery, empowerment — subjects of natural childbirth seminar By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff
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atural birth resources were the focus of Empowerment Birth, a seminar for Laredo women of childbearing age. Among the topics discussed were the difference between having a hospital birth and a natural one; the importance of breastfeeding for both mother and baby; and other natural health options. Among the guest speakers was Licensed Midwife, Certified Professional Midwife Salli Gonzalez, a resident midwife for the South Texas, San Antonio, and Austin area. “When childbirth is treated as a medical event, that is when most problems occur, particularly with the induction of labor. Since there are 10 known hormones that are involved in the process of labor, and only two are used in an induction, it makes sense that not all inductions will proceed without what the medical field might call a failed induction,” said, Gonzalez, adding, “Yes, there is a time and a place for intervention and even induction, but these should be reserved for medical reasons.” Courtney Schusheim, an attorney and the mother of two young children, shared her birth experience and transition from using a medical model (Western medical practice) of birth versus the midwifery model of care — prenatal care that makes the woman the central focus based on the philosophy and knowledge of midwives practiced in varying degrees. Schusheim moved here from a small town that had only one obstetrician. “I was so excited when I learned my husband and I would
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be moving to Laredo, because I thought I would have my pick of doctors,” she said. Her initial plan was to give birth in a hospital naturally, so that if need be medical assistance would be available. Schusheim said, “I would have the benefit of being in a hospital with a doctor that I had worked with through pregnancy. Although what I found was completely shocking — doctor after doctor would say, when I asked if they supported a natural birth, ‘Well if you want to do that to yourself or if you are stupid enough to put yourself through that kind of pain.’ Every single doctor gave me a variation of that response.” Schusheim said that another discouraging factor about giving birth in a hospital setting was the high number of caesarean sections performed by local physicians. “When I was screening doctors, I asked about their C-section ratios, and most said that they were over 51 percent. That is so much higher than the national average. I couldn’t believe it, because that meant that my chances of having my baby vaginally were less likely than not.” According to Gonzalez, a Csection will determine a woman›s birthing future and limit her to only C-sections for subsequent pregnancies. The national C-section rate is 33 percent — one in three. According to a study by Tamas Horvath, the Jean and David W. Wallace professor of Biomedical Research and chair of the Department of Comparative Medicine at Yale school of medicine, “The increasing prevalence of C-sections driven by convenience rather than medical necessity may have a previously unsuspected lasting effect on brain de-
velopment and function in humans as well.” The tipping point for Schusheim was when her female obstetrician brought on unnecessary stress during her pregnancy. “During a visit with my doctor she could not find the baby’s heartbeat. She had this look of panic on her face and I was panicked. She said the heartbeat was not strong enough. ‘I’m not finding it. We need to get an ultrasound done immediately and if need be may need to perform an emergency C-section,’ she told me,” Schusheim said. She added, “I can’t even express how scared I was — all these different emotions going through me. My husband and I contacted our midwife, Salli, who tried keeping us calm and offered to see me. She reassured that even if I had to have a C-section that we would make sure it was for the right reason.” Schusheim said that the training that doctors receive differs greatly from that of midwives, that midwives appear to be more in tune with a woman’s body during pregnancy. “Salli put her hands on my stomach. That’s what midwives do to determine which way the baby is laying and where the heartbeat is, something my doctor had not done. She told me she felt the baby and placed a Doppler on my stomach and said ‘The heartbeat sounds strong to me. I think everything is good.’ I had an ultrasound the next day, and everything was good,” Schusheim said, adding, “A hospital birth was no longer an option.” “Midwives do all the standard checkups, but they also counsel you on how to prepare for birth. They are very involved in what you eat:
They work with you and your husband about what it will be like when you are in labor; and how to cope with pain,” Schusheim said, adding, “They actually show you different positions you can use to reduce pain and to maneuver the baby out while you are in labor. A doctor will not give that kind of information because in a hospital setting you have to be on a bed constantly monitored.” A popular medical intervention for pain is the use of epidurals or variations of them during childbirth. Schushiem said, “When you do an epidural, you are drugging yourself and your child and putting both of you in an unnatural state of consciousness. We take away a woman’s power when we go into the medical model, because instead of letting women do what their bodies need to do, we try to control it through interventions.” Gonzalez added, “My goal is to educate women that there are other options and that birth doesn›t have to be scary or something to dread. There is a reason that we go through the birthing process and feel the sensations of the birth itself. With education, caring, and support, many women give birth without the use of drugs.” Another difference between hospital and natural births is that hospitals do not allow for delay clamping of the umbilical cord, which transfers oxygen and nutrients like iron from the mother’s bloodstream into the baby’s. Schusheim said, “On TV you normally see when a baby is born that they cut the cord, slap them on the Continued on page 25
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Mexican Senate recognizes RGISC with Galardón award
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he Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) achieved a milestone in its 19-year history on October 30 in the Senate chambers of the Republic of Mexico. The Laredo environmental nonprofit organization, and its sister organization in Nuevo Laredo, were awarded one of five prestigious awards for their cross border work in raising awareness about the Río Grande. “I was floored when they called our names,” said RGISC executive director Tricia Cortez, who attended the event with her Nuevo Laredo colleague Gustavo Pantoja. “It was an incredible honor to receive this award from the President of the Senate of the Republic of Mexico, Sen. Ernesto Ruffo Appel,” she said. RGISC and the Centro de Estudios del Río Bravo (CIER) were one of 10 finalists flown to Mexico City. They had made it to the third and final round and had to provide a 10-minute presentation before a panel of judges. “We were up against fierce competition from other organizations who are doing amazing work along the entire border,” she said. “It was an emotional moment because it validated all of our hard work and struggles. But more than anything, Gustavo and I knew that this award belonged to RGISC’s founders and to the many, many people who work closely with us to improve the state of our precious and threatened river.” W W W.L A R ED OSN E WS.COM
The awards known as the Galardón a la Innovación y Cooperación Transfronteriza México-Estados Unidos 2013 are a collaboration of the highly respected Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF), the Wilson Center in Washington D.C., and Arizona State University. The goal of this Galardon is to write a “counter narrative” of the U.S.-Mexico border and to showcase this complex region as the vibrant, dynamic heartbeat of both countries. Cortez and Pantoja focused on the annual October river celebration known as Día del Rio and its crown jewel, the Rio Research Roundup, a student water testing project of the Río Grande-Rio Bravo basin. For the past four years, RGISC has coordinated with 70 to 80 student teams from the river’s headwaters in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the mouth of the river at Boca Chica at the Gulf of Mexico. On that given day in October, teams descend onto the river or one of its tributaries to test for nitrates, phosphates, bacteria, oxygen levels and other water quality parameters. Teams submit and analyze data, write short answer essays and also submit one-minute videos, PowerPoint presentations, artwork, and free writing pieces about their experience in the field. “The Roundup is a powerful tool for students to understand the river basin as a whole, and how interconnected we are — what we do upstream affects others downstream,” Cortez said. “Through this project, we are able to give nearly 2,500 students and teachers each year an opportunity to do field work and gain a deeper appreciation of this magnifi-
cent river basin.” The Roundup was conceived through a 2010 grant awarded to RGISC from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission. It has now become a model used by other river basins, and RGISC now coordinates with a growing number of schools from smaller Texas rivers that also drain into the Gulf of Mexico. “We wanted the judges to see how meaningful and vibrant this project is,” Cortez said. “We used photos and student videos to tell the story — to show how so many young peo-
ple from the U.S. and Mexico get so enthusiastic and engaged in this important environmental effort.” One highlight of the Galardon event was networking with Sen. Appel, president of the Mexican Senate, and seeking his assistance in closing the last of the raw sewer discharges from Nuevo Laredo. “We will be working with his office to accomplish this task,” Cortez said. “If and when we achieve this, it will be an historic moment for Los Dos Laredos and this Galardon event will have truly accomplished its mission of re-writing the border narrative.”
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Administrador Adjunto de Comisión de Cooperación Ecológica Fronteriza Jose Mario Sanchez; Centrol Internacional de los Estudios del Rio Bravo president Gustavo Pantoja; RGISC executive director Tricia Cortez; president of the Senate of the Mexico Ernesto Ruffo Appel; and presidente del Colegio de la Frontera Norte Dr. Tonatiuh Guillén López. LareDOS I D ECEM B ER 2013 I
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News Brief
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Superstar Alan Jackson coming to the LEA
NACCS calls for Premio Estrella nominations
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ashville country superstar Alan Jackson’s tour is slated to hit the Laredo Energy Arena Sunday, February 9. Jackson’s current album, The Bluegrass Album released on September 24, debuted number one on Billboard’s bluegrass album sales chart. Since his debut album Here in the Real World (1990), Jackson continues to be one of the most revered singer-songwriters in the music industry. He has written, cowritten, and recorded 24 of 35 songs that have successfully topped music charts. Jackson is one of the 10 best-selling artists
since the inception of SoundScan — the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada — ranking with other artists such as Eminem and Metallica. Tickets available for purchase starting Friday, December 13 for $45, $65, $85 and $125. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, LEA box office, via Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800745-3000. For more information visit www. learena.com or www.alanjackson.com — LareDOS Staff
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he Texas Foco of the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies, NACCS, has announced the Call for Nominations for the Premio Estrella de Aztlán(2014) to honor individuals who have contributed their life’s work towards the betterment of Chicanas/os in Tejas. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee comprised of representative Tejas Foco members. The Committee seeks letters of nomination of individuals whom we wish to celebrate and honor with the Premio Estrella de Aztlán Lifetime Achievement Award at the forthcoming 2014 NACCS Tejas Regional Conference. The 2014 Premio Estrella de Aztlán will be awarded to up to three individuals who, while they may not
currently reside in Texas, the life-time contributions or body of work for which they are being honored has been made in, or is about, Tejas. The deadline for submitting the letters of nomination is December 31, 2013. Awardees must be present to receive the Premio Estrella de Aztlán. The Premio will be announced and presented to the recipient(s) at the NACCS Tejas Foco Regional Conference, “Chicana/o Studies in Tejas: Transforming our Communities,” February 20-22, 2014, Northwest Vista College, San Antonio, Texas. Please e-mail nomination letters to Jesús Cantú Medel, chair, Premio Estrella de Aztlán Committee,chano6_@ hotmail.com or Prof. Victor Gomez at vgomez@southtexascollege.edu. — LareDOS Staff
Write a letter to the publisher. meg@laredosnews.com
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Yu-Hsien Huang Del Rio announces for JP Pct. 4
rivate practice attorney YuHsien “Shen” Huang Del Rio has thrown her hat into the race for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 along with eight other candidates vying for the position that will be vacated by 20-year veteran of the courts, Judge Oscar O. Martinez. “It is going to be a very aggressive campaign for all of us. I commend all my opponents for stepping up and wanting to serve their community,” said Del Rio. The candidate said her upbringing as the daughter of Liling and Jack Huang, immigrants from Taiwan, has given her a keen understanding of hard work and entrepreneurial endeavors. “I was born in Taiwan and my family immigrated to the U.S. when I was seven years old. Like most families who immigrate they searched for the perfect place for us,” Del Rio said, adding, “We ended up in North Carolina before relocating here. My parents have always owned their own business, and they are role models who taught me to take on every opportunity and challenge presented to me.” Del Rio graduated from Duke University with a major in comparative area studies, of North American and East Asian political systems, and a minor in political science. She went on to work for Duke University’s The Chronicle newspaper for 10 years. In 2012, she graduated from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston. While in high school in North Carolina, Del Rio’s interest in the law was sparked through her involvement with teen court. She said, “I had the opportunity
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to participate in teen court. That is where the interest in pursuing a law career came from. I volunteered several times and had the opportunity to be on both sides as a prosecutor and defendant.” Pct. 4 JP Del Rio would like to establish a Teen Court program, in Webb County to instill in youth a respect for the law and to develop their advocacy skills. “This program really involves students. It teaches them what the legal community does. You learn about civics, your government, and your right to vote. Teen’s get handson experience, which is the best especially for young minds. I say that because of the impact it had on me,” said Del Rio, adding “This program would also serve as an alternative disciplinary sanction for first time juvenile offenders.” Her advocacy of education goes back to her time at Duke where she organized and co-chaired a conference that invited high school students to address issues facing public schools. We had discussions and speakers, and came up with policy solutions we submitted to the Legislature. It was a great experience working with those teens and coming up solutions,” Del Rio said. The JP position offers the unique opportunity to adjudicate the law while working closely with the community, she continued. “This position will allow me to pursue my interest in education, to work with the school districts and the community, as well as work in the legal profession, which is the dream I had after teen court.” She added, “The Justice of the Peace is
the oldest court in the state that was built to serve the community. Over time the community disputes have gotten to a point where they involve greater legal issues. The position will eventually require someone with legal education that is familiar with new laws and legislation.” Effective September 1, new rules were implemented for bringing landlord and tenant cases to the JP courts. “You sign a lease agreement believing it is a binding contract. Although if a landlord doesn’t make any of the required repairs or provide adequate security measures that will affect the health and safety of the tenants then tenants are not required to pay their rent. The JP courts need someone that knows the law and what those changes are,” she said. She noted that I-35 is one of the busiest corridors through Precinct Four and into Mexico and that commercial drivers account for a bulk of the tickets and fines that are distributed. “I am looking into a pre-trial diversion program for commercial drivers. Deferred adjudication is not offered to commercial drivers. Things are always changing, and we have to keep an eye on that and we have to see what serves our commercial economy,” Del Rio said, adding, “Let’s not make it difficult for businesses to do business here. I will reduce the fines as much as legally possible for these drivers so that it does not take money away from our community.” One of the responsibilities of justice of the peace includes acting as a magistrate and setting bonds for jail inmates. Del Rio said, “When you set a
bond that could be a lot of money that determines whether an individual stays in jail or gets out. The code of criminal procedure wants a magistrate to consider several factors such as what is the crime; what is the flight risk; what is the possibility the individual would pose a threat to the community; and insuring that the amount is sufficiently high to insure appearance but at the same time not being oppressive.” Another key component in Del Rio’s platform is providing dedicated office hours to meet with electorates, to magistrate arrested individuals, and to offer the option of night court. “In public offices, even in the private sector, the standard hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I want to look at options for extending court hours for night court. There are many variables one can work with to extend hours to service the community,” she said, adding. “Not everyone can afford to take time off from work to attend court. Truancy cases are another factor we need to look into for holding court for after school hours. We need to help our schools with funding because they lose money when students aren’t in school. I’m in the process of exploring that.” Del Rio looks to role models judges Elma Salinas Ender, Monica Z. Notzon, and Beckie Palomo as examples of the judge she wants to be. Del Rio said, “I love how the community has accepted these strong female role models. I strive to be a judge who makes fair and impartial decisions.” She added, “Not only do I want to Continued on page 25
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ebb County treasurer Delia Perales will seek another four-year term in office, facing four challengers in the March 4, 2014 primary. She has served as treasurer since her election in 2003. “I push the pencil myself,” Perales said of her hands-on management of an 11-member staff that oversees payroll for 1,600 county employees and $80 million in accounts payable. She said that when she came to the treasurer’s position, she brought “a wealth of accounting and finance experience from 22 years at the county auditor’s office under four administrations.” Of her departDelia Perales ment, she said, “Training is key. We are cross-trained, and we work as a team. I am a fulltime working treasurer. It’s not just delegating, it’s doing.” Perales said that she counts among her major accomplishments as county treasurer “reconciling 74 bank accounts to the ledger and to the statements.” She continued, “I’m always thinking of how we can save time and labor. By going paperless, we have saved paper and labor and money to taxpayers. I’m a taxpayer too. I care about the office, and that’s why we need an honest person in that office.” Perales said that the installation of deposit express devices in some coun-
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ty departments, an initiative that began six years ago, has saved the county a great deal of time and money. “First of all, the money begins to earn interest immediately, and secondly there are fewer county employees traveling in fewer county vehicles to wait in bank lines. The depository bank provides us those devices at no charge,” she said. “Software updates the county is about to undertake will make all of our work faster and more efficient,” Perales added, “We’ll see savings in the time it takes to generate reports and filing with the state and the federal government.” She said she is looking forward to the installation of whole hand biometric time clocks. “This will prevent fraud and erroneous calculations for overtime. There will be more accountability, and employees will be paid for how much work is actually being done. This will save taxpayer money,” she said. “I feel there is more to do in this office to bring it up to the most updated technology, which translates to savings for the taxpayers. I’m a public servant who has worked for the last decade to make the department more efficient and more accountable. I want to continue in office to continue implementing those cost saving steps,” Perales continued. She said she is Webb County’s only certified investment officer. “I renew 150 funds that total about $150 million. Continued on page 24
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San Ygnacio Home Tour María Buchanan, Ashley and Virginia Salazar, and Leti Muñoz greeted visitors to the Treviño Fort during the recent San Ygnacio Historical Home Tour. Ojarascas and a big hearth fire welcomed those who took the walking tour.
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Perales seeks fourth term as Webb County treasurer
Celebrating kids' health Doctors Hospital employee Armando Villarreal, Annette Segovia, and Javier Compean were at the Kid Salud Christmas Party on December 11 at Providence Health Center. LareDOS I D ECE M B E R 2 0 1 3 I 2 3
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VITA now training volunteers for 2014 tax season
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I update my credentials yearly,” she said, adding, “I understand budgets. I’m also the administrator for county retirement. We match the employee’s six percent contribution with 10.75 percent. I’m the last person a retiree will see, as I counsel with them to show them all their options and guide them.” The native Laredoan, a graduate of
Martin High School, is married to Rafael Vasquez. Of her decision to run when she had earlier said she would not seek re-election, Perales said that the decision was made by her constituents who “called and came by to ask me to continue in office.” She will face Mayor Raul Salinas, Cynthia Mares, Jaime A. Velasquez, and Jaime A. Montes.
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Shopping local Gustavo, Sylvia, and Natalia Treviño got some Christmas shopping done on Saturday, December 7 at North Central Park’s Northside Market.
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he Volunteer Income Tax opment and Preservation CorporaAssistance (VITA) program tion, and 15 other private and public is currently training volun- organizations comprise the Laredo teers for the 2014 tax sea- Family Economic Success Coalition son and looking for interested per- (LFESC), which runs the annual sons who want to join and help the VITA program. Azteca Economic DeLaredo community. VITA provides velopment and Preservation Corpofree tax help to persons making less ration is the lead training agency of than $60,000, and the IRS training the local VITA program. The VITA is free. Classes are set for January program has been a long-running IRS at the Goodwill program that was Job Help Center, founded in 1969 said Esperanza and works across Sauceda, assistant the entire United director of Azteca States through Economic Develdedicated volunopment and Presteers who receive ervation Corporatraining and IRS tion and certified certification belead trainer for fore they are althe Laredo VITA lowed to prepare program. No tax returns. previous experiLast year, the ence is required Laredo VITA proand volunteers gram prepared receive specialover 3,800 tax reized training to Esperanza Sauceda turns, returned serve as; greeters, $7 million in tax reviewers, or tax refunds to the preparers. The IRS provides free tax Laredo economy, and saved local reslaw training, e-file training, and all idents over $700,000 in tax preparathe materials needed to prepare basic tion services (based on $200 average individual income tax returns, she fee). The total value of services that added. To register, please call (956) the VITA program provided amount726-4462 or visit vitalaredo.org ed to almost $8 million in 2013. The IRS, Azteca Economic Devel— LareDOS Staff
Tis the season for giving The annual Christmas Toy Tea, benefiting the Children’s Advocacy Center, was held on Thursday, December 12 at Polly Adams. In attendance were Adriana Maddox, Gail Gonzalez, Letycia Palacios, Linda Howland, Areli Martinez, Violeta Garcia, and Ana Maria Flores.
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back, and wipe out the mouth. That is what I had always seen, so I figured that’s just what you do. My friend wanted to delay cord clamping here, and the doctor said that he couldn’t because it created a liability conflict, whereas if you have a natural birth, clamping can be delayed.” Birth hospitals don’t allow for immediate contact between mother and child for breast-feeding, Schusheim said. “In the midwifery model of care, they encourage immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby. It helps regulate the baby’s heartbeat and it assists in breast-feeding,” Schusheim said, adding, “Another struggle here is that women who have C-sections are not allowed to nurse because again they are again being told it is a liability.” Of the births of her two children
Nayeli and Finn, Schusheim said,” I was able to deliver my babies on my own terms based on the information that the midwife gave me. Both times I used a birth pool, which was the difference between no pain and extreme pain. Women have been giving birth in water for hundreds of years. I think it is just an instinctual thing we do.” “As an advocate, having done it twice at home, and having met so many women that say, ‘How do you do that? I want to do that. My doctor told me that I couldn’t do that.’ It’s apparent that we need more support in Laredo for natural birth,” she said, adding, “As women, we need to demand that these services be available to us. I am really hoping that this will be the beginning of a conversation that will eventually lead to having a birth center in our hospitals, so women can have the best of both worlds.”
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Continued FROM page 21 bring in new programs, but it is also important to continue the good work that Judge Martinez has established. He is leaving a legacy behind that is important to maintain.” The candidate would like to continue Martinez’s efforts at deferred adjudication and providing constituents with the option of community service in lieu if fines, as well as his work with the Real Education Attitude and Leadership (REAL) Mission program. “I learned about the REAL Mission program before I even wanted to run. I have a friend whose daughter went through the program. She learned so much and through the program decided to pursue being a Border Patrol agent. So absolutely, I want to continue supporting it because I saw how it impacted a student’s life,” she said. Del Rio is married to assistant Webb District Attorney Philip Del Rio. She has worked on projects with
the Laredo Webb County Bar Association, Communities in School, and Voz de Niños. Del Rio serves as a board member of the Laredo Asian Association whose mission is to educate the community about Asian culture and heritage while providing scholarships to LCC and TAMIU students. “Asian culture, like the Hispanic culture — there is a lot of respect for our elders and you do what you can to support them and spend as much time with them,” she said, adding, “We think it is important to encourage Asian studies to make our students globally competitive.” Del Rio said she will devote herself as JP to finding innovative solutions to any and all problems and will turn to state and federal grants to establish new programs. “This fast-growing community needs someone that is prepared and has the tools and the education to serve,” said Del Rio. — LareDOS Staff
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LEA celebrates Christmas The Rodríguez family was among those at the Laredo Energy Arena’s Navidadfest on Thursday, December 5. The family bonded as they sang Christmas carols and awaited Santa’s arrival.
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Memorial Bell Choir hosts annual “Tapestry in Bronze” concert First United Methodist Church hosted its annual “Tapestry in Bronze” concert by the Memorial Bell Choir on Sunday, December 15. Choir members Gail Hauserman, Greg Lawrence, Joy Edwards, Alexandra Rodriguez, Rolinda Lawrence, Laura Harris, Pastor Paul Harris, Lucy Chavez, Matthew Bishop, Angel Ortiz, and Guillermo Chavez were led by Linda Mott.
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Sustenance By María Eugenia guerra
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ith a steady supply of eggs from our hens and the ranchharvested wild pig chorizo made with La India spices, the Santa María Ranch kitchen is a mighty good place to savor an allnatural breakfast. Cowgirl coffee, a view out every window, and the company of my two beloved sidekicks top off the experience. Cooking for my granddaughters is one of my favorite jobs. I love our conversations over breakfast when they are still so tender hearted and soft from dreamland. Biting cold weather and a stiff north wind will keep us indoors for most of this impromptu weekend we are sharing. After breakfast, we tidy up the kitchen, make the bed with alacrity, and then sort out boots and caps and layers of clothing and jackets for a quick run out to the chicken houses. The chicks in the brooder need fresh water and food, and the hens need their feeders topped off. I’m always amazed that these children never shirk from the chicken chores, but why would they — they’ve raised them from hatchlings. The girls gather eggs and we walk back to our warm house, hand washing an immediate priority. I revive last night’s hearth fire with mesquite logs, and the girls start a Little Rascals marathon, watching the same hilarious episodes I loved as a child. Their happy, uncontained laughter fills our house with a con-
tagious merriment that threads itself through and around my heart. As they always do, they move the toy barn (every grandmother on a ranch surely has one) from its table to a place where they can set up their pretend barnyard, including a wolf and a German shepherd that are way out of scale with the horses, cows, and the barn in the collection.
Emily ends up curling up with her Kindle by the light of the bedroom window, finding comfort under the Plains Indians design of a red woolen blanket, reading another Magic Treehouse novella. Amandita continues at the little barnyard, directing traffic and placement of sheep and chickens. I write nearby, stopping only to stoke the fire and to feel the energy and love in my house, so grateful to have these children in my life for a weekend of weather, hot chocolate, one hundred questions, baby chicks, feathers and eggs, blueberries and raspberries, and Gloria Gonzalez’s incredible San Ygnacio tangerines. The heart and spirit seek and find their sustenance, too.
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have coffee before your appointment. This is all wrong,” he said. “We are not asking for a handout. We gave up to and including our lives for our country. For those of us for whom the check wasn’t cashed, we did not expect to be treated like second class citizens. I am a proud American. If asked to serve again, I would,” Cuellar said. He lauded Congressman Cuellar for authorizing the money, and said the duty of administration was to run the clinic, to staff it. “The job is Walton’s, and this clinic is in the dump.” Samantha Ramirez, a U.S. Army reservist who served in Iraq, suffers from complications of PTSD. She was sexually assaulted in the military. “This clinic has no female doctors. There are no services available for women except to participate in group therapy with other women and men,” she said. Ramirez runs a program for Border Region MHMR called Behind the Camo, a PTSD support group for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. “We also counsel on benefit claims and legal aid,” she said. On a recent Tuesday she asked permission at the outpatient clinic if she could leave Behind the Camo flyers and was told there was not an administrator available who could give her a go-ahead. “When I saw the elderly veterans outside waiting in the cold, I took pictures of them with my phone. An administrator named Kramer showed up quickly and told me I couldn’t take photos and that he wanted to remove them from my phone.” She said the VA services to which she should have access are critical to her well-being. “We pay the price for what happened to us. We are punished for being victims. This facility is a big disappointment. At the San Antonio clinic I was treated very differently. They were well trained, and how I felt mattered to them,”
Ramirez said. She said, “We have all communicated with Congressman Cuellar. He knows our concerns and so do the administrators of the Laredo clinic. Those administrators act like they don’t think they could ever lose their jobs, like they are accountable to no one.” Jesus Segovia of the Laredo Veterans Coalition said inadequate staffing throughout the new clinic, and high turnover in personnel has a direct impact on the access to services. “There are local physicians who have told us they are interested in seeing veterans at the clinic. Has this option been explored? There are some very good people who work at the clinic, but not enough of them to make a difference,” the Vietnam veteran said. Gabriel Lopez, a veteran of Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan and a founder of the South Texas Afghanistan/Iraq Veterans Association (STAIVA), recalled the meeting with Cuellar and Walton in October. “It was a closed door meeting with a structured agenda. Here we had Congressman Cuellar clearly on our side, clearly concerned with our issues as to whether or not this clinic would serve us. And the administrators of the clinic giving us lip service about changes that were coming, services we had asked for for many years. Who were they to disrespect us and the Congressman?” Believing that the clinic “is run by numbers,” López made an open records request for the facility’s budget four months ago, but has yet to receive it. “The numbers are the writing on the wall. They are probably the best explanation for why services have been so minimal and inadequate for so long,” he said. “The clinic hours need to accommodate those of us in the workforce. I have firsthand knowledge that blood analysis equipment shuts down at 4:30 so that the bureaucrats can go home at 5.” He said much was promised at the beginning when the City of Laredo donated the land for the new clinic,
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UT Health Science said there would be doctors, and the federal government committed to build it. “Here we are three years later with very diminished services and no doctors,” he said. López spoke to the point. “I need the clinic’s services. I am 90 percent disabled, 60 percent disabled from PTSD. It’s amazing to me when I need an appointment to see a social worker to discuss how I am feeling that I am told I’ll need to wait four months. They bring a traveling doctor, not the last person you talked to about how you are feeling. He reads the notes, asks a lot of questions, and you start all over again, re-living everything and opening the wounds. What kind of continuity is that? How is that working through something?” He said about 20 percent of STAIVA’s membership seeks mental health treatment in Nuevo Laredo, paying for it out of pocket. “Those veterans are thinking, ‘My life is a wreck. My wife has left me. I could lose my kids. I need to talk to somebody now.’ It’s a tragedy that we tell a veteran with PTSD who needs help that day to come back in four months. When I go home and the phone rings late at night, I pray it’s not news that
someone pulled the switch tonight,” López continued, adding that divorce and suicides for returning veterans were “off the charts.” He said as the number of returning veterans continues to increase, caring for them will become commensurately more difficult. “There will be a point at which it will be explosive. This cattle call approach of 70 or 80 vets in a line for health care services isn’t going to work at all,” he said. López said that on a recent visit to the Laredo VA clinic, he was told by the attending doctor that his blood pressure was up and that he was diabetic. “That was untrue. He was reading from the wrong file. Imagine the same mistake being made on an older veteran who may not understand what the doctor is saying or prescribing. His palomita will follow the doctor’s orders to the letter and he might be sickened or killed by the wrong medications,” he continued. “There is no care in their care,” López said of the VA facility. (This writer attempted to contact public information officer Hugo Martinez of the Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System for comments, but he did not return the call.)
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Sharing in the gift of giving The employees of Killam Oil presented Sister Rosemary Welsh of Casa Misericordia with gifts for children in temporary residence at the domestic violence shelter and resource center. WWW.L A R E DOSN EWS.COM
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Supporting local art Matti Becera, Ana Montoya, Yu-Hsien Huang Del Rio, and Adriana Torres were at Jesus Toro Martinez’s “Visiting an Old Love” exhibit on Thursday, December 5 at La Posada.
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Education
them develop skills they may already possess.” Bishop said, “I am planning to discuss how people use technology to make music that is going to include music notation software programs and music sequence. I am also going to talk about digital audio recording.” The course will offer hands on experience writing music and recording, Bishop said, adding, “We will be working in the LCC piano lab which has a digital keyboard and computer at every station so that students will actually get to make sheet music. Also, the department will purchase digital recorders so the students can take them out to record sounds and bring them back and edit them,” Bishop added. The textbook for this course will be Audio Engineering 101 Beginners Guide to Music Production by Tim Dittmar, the head of the commercial music program at Austin Community College. “I spoke to Dittmar at length a year ago when I began designing the curriculum for this program. A lot of planning went into getting this started. I had to figure out which courses we could offer according to the Academic Course Guide Manual,” said Adams, adding, “I also had to get the course approved by the LCC curriculum committee and then figure out what kind of equipment we need now and what we will need in the future. I am thinking long term when we continue to offer this in the fall of 2014.” Adams added, “This is a really
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Angel of Hope Toy Give-away Constable Rodolfo “Rudy” Rodriguez Jr. hosted the 7th annual Angel of Hope Christmas Program (formerly Navidad En El Barrio) on December 10 and 11 at the Laredo Energy Arena. Over 10,000 gifts were distributed to LISD students, including laptops and bicycles. A show by Clown Bolitas was part of this year’s toy give-away.
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aredo Community College’s Performing Arts Department is pioneering the field of music with an Introduction to Music Technology course to be offered during the spring 2014 semester. LCC Performing Arts Department chair and percussion instructor Matthew Adams gave LareDOS insight into what prospective students can expect from the course that will cover audio recording, mixing, as well as the music business. “I saw the need for us to offer something like this, because usually you have to go out of town to take a course like this,” he said, adding, “It is a very important field for any musician to learn. At some point music students are going to have to put together audition tapes. When it comes to recording and marketing yourself, this is really something that is for everyone.” Whether students are applying to grad school or performing jobs, the skills learned throughout the Music Technology course will prove invaluable, according to Adams. “There are a lot of people who compose on their own and dabble with various music technology components. This course is geared for any type of musician — music students with declared majors or for those that have limited experience,” he said. Dr. Matthew Bishop, who has extensive expertise in recording and mixing, will be teaching this course. Adams said, “He is perfect for this course which will teach musicians very useful skills or help
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LCC offers music technology course
Rotary 5K Run benefits Scouts Troop 813 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are pictured with their leaders and the Sames Kia mascot on Saturday, December 14 at the 9th annual Rotary Club Tamale 5K Run and Bike Tour. The event benefited local Scouts. WWW.L A R E DOSN EWS.COM
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Recognizing service city-wide
Supporting Laredo veterans
Cassandra Wheeler, Miriam Castillo, and Johnathan Ruiz are pictured at the Laredo Country Club on December 5 for the Laredo Chamber of Commerce awards to local businesses for customer service initiatives.
County Clerk Margie Ramirez Ibarra, a supporter of all local veteran initiatives, is pictured with Vietnam era veteran Margarito Lara at the Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration in Jarvis Plaza on December 7.
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News
More voices, more choices: Webb County Greens on the 2014 ballot
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t its December 10 press conference, the Webb County Green Party (WCGP) announced that nine candidates for local and state office will be on the 2014 ballot. “This is historically the largest number of Green Party candidates that will appear on the Webb County ballot,” said WCGP secretary Daniel Monahan, adding, “This year the Green Party expects 50 candidates to be on the ballot across the state. This is up from 43 in 2012.” Green party candidates include Michael Cary of San Antonio for U.S. House of Representatives, Dist. 28; Marco Buentello for Texas State Representative, Dist. 80; Nicolas Serna III for Texas State Representative, Dist. 42; Frank Cortez for Webb County Judge; Jesus Quiroz for Webb County Treasurer; and William “Willie” Koehn for Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2. Luis Decker, candidate for Webb County Commissioner Pct. 4 said, “I have been thinking about running for a position under the Green Party for some time now. I want to ask all voters to register and to participate regardless of who they vote for.” Lakshmana “Vish” Viswanath, can-
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didate for Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 said, “I have always voted for the Democratic Party, but I am no longer satisfied with certain things they’re doing so I turned to the Green Party.” Two former Laredoans have also applied to run for statewide office as Green Party candidates. Emily Marie Sanchez is running for the U.S. Senate and Martina Salinas running for Texas Railroad Commissioner. “We are very excited to be running so many principled, progressive candidates,” said WCGP co-chair Courtney Schusheim, adding, “When we started in 2012 we were a small group that came together on social justice and environmental issues. The response in our community since has been incredible.” Monahan added, “Most people say that Laredo is a one party town, well after tonight, it is a two party town.” Since its inception in 2012, the Webb County Green Party (WCGP), a local chapter of the Green Party of Texas, has strived to provide citizens with progressive alternatives — more voices, more choices. For more information or to get involved email webbcountrygreenparty@ gmail.com or “Like” them on Facebook. — LareDOS Staff
Continued FROM page 38 exciting class and program that is being offered, and news of it spread like wildfire. As soon as I got this course approved I had several students and faculty tell me they were interested in taking the course.” Bishop said, “Certainly this is a very applicable part of the music for those that want to get into radio, television, movies, run live sound for concerts, or run a recording studio,” he added, “We hope to build more classes like this and develop an Associates of Performing Arts degree in Commercial Music. That is the long term goal.” Adams commented on the growth of the LCC music program over the years. “We are pioneering this field in Laredo because we are the only institution offering this type of program.
Since I have been here at LCC, I have seen the music program grow. We have more ensembles and a higher caliber of students, and more of our students are graduating and transferring into four-year universities and getting jobs in the music field,” he said. No prerequisites or prior recording experience are necessary for the course, though it is recommend that students have some knowledge of music. A maximum of 16 students will be allowed in the course. Registration for the spring 2014 semester is underway, and late registration ends January 11. The Performing Arts’ office hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information contact the Department of Performing Arts (956) 721-5330 or email lccperformingarts@ laredo.edu — LareDOS Staff
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Ladder to success built of dreams, hard work
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exas A&M International University (TAMIU) is a fertile environment for rising stars, and one of them is José Montañez, better known as Monti — a business administration student who hopes to become an entrepreneur. Montañez is known for his success in the music industry as part of a modern version of Menudo, the boy band originally formed in the late 70s. During his time with the band, Montañez learned the cyclical rhythm of the industry and developed an interest for the business side of it. He’s a full time student with a full time job that keeps him grounded, organized, and more responsible in his decision making “Going to college and learning business from another perspective has helped me understand better many angles of the music industry and the importance of thr relationships we create and sustain,” he said. Along the way he has created a network of business people and musicians who supported his career in music. He has also developed a core of fans that follow his career and wish him success. “They’ve shown me the reach I had in music. I receive emails everyday. Some share their problems and ask for my advice,” he commented. He is understanding that his public life as a performer has given him a perspective on how he can use his talent and business acumen to help others. “We don´t realize how big of an impact music has. The listener connects with the artist and sometimes they think of the artist as their mes-
senger,” he said. Montañez has been asked by several schools to speak to teenagers and children about the value of following their dreams. Among the schools he has visited are United High School, United South High School, and Alexander High School. At those events, Montañez performed a couple of songs and would also invite students to share their own talents. He said the response to his presentation was far more than he anticipated. “You don´t expect how powerful an exchange like this can be, and you don´t realize how serious it is and what you can achieve by just talking to people and telling them they are beautiful human beings,” he said. “I wrote the theme song My Dreams for the campaign called Dig It, which had as a goal to raise money for kids with cancer and leukemia,” he said about a project he undertook early in his career as a solo artist. This and other like projects have inspired Montanez’s new dream to become a voice for those who don´t have one or who don’t have the reach to share their dreams, needs, and concerns. “Having a business career and being in the music industry — the possibilities are infinite to what we could achieve” he commented. “Though I am originally from Puerto Rico, Laredo is my home, and I feel I have the responsibility to give this city back a little of what it has offered to me”. Montañez dreams of opening a record company that could offer Laredo musicians an opportunity to further their careers. “People see artists as gods, as though they are unreachable, but the truth is that it is possible to get there yourself. I want to help people see that,” he
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said. “I am working on my album and also writing songs for other artists” he said, adding, “I want to release a free album because I have a lot of material, but patience is key and you have to be ready before you make any big decision. I think it is not time yet.”
Some of his cover material can be found at www.youtube.com/MontiMontañez You can also find him at www.facebook.com/montimontañez or live at AJ´s Bar and F Bar, where he performs with the band The Option. (Alejandro Meza can be contacted at jalexmeza9@gmail.com)
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By ALEJANDRO MEZA LareDOS Contributor
Downtown Art Walk Roli Santos, Mary Sosa, Luis Villarreal, and Ray Martinez enjoyed the art and ambiance at Caffé Dolce on Thursday, December 5, scoping out the work of local artists for a holiday art show that was part of the downtown Art Walk from Caffé Dolce to Gallery 201 and La Posada Hotel. WWW.L A R E DOSN EWS.COM
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Local hardware stores stock toilets on the WaterSense list. “Once you’ve purchased your toilet and have it installed, you can submit your application with your original receipt of purchase and a copy of your picture ID to the Water Conservation Program at 5816 Daugherty,” said Karla Robles, water conservation planner. “We send out inspectors,” she added, “to make sure the toilet was properly installed and that it is not leaking. We ask the customer to crack the tank of the old , and we arrange for the Solid Waste Department to haul it away. We don’t want it re-installed elsewhere.” She added that the rebate will be posted as a credit to the customer’s monthly water bill. Robles said that the WaterSense program allows two rebates per residence per year. The Utilities Department first offered the HET rebate program in March 2012 and repeated it again in February 2013. — LareDOS Staff
Pet Haven at Mission Give Laredo Pet Haven of Laredo hosted an adoption event at Mission Give Laredo on December 7 at Sames Dealership. Among volunteers were Sigma Nu Delta members Jose Sánchez and Stephanie Martinez (far right); Finley Elementary Ecology Club members Rachel Barragan, Oscar García, Alexander Acevedo, and sponsor Maria A. García; Mauricette Diaz, and Alicen Roe who also assisted Pet Haven.
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nvironmentally conscious Laredoans who believe that water conservation measures are cost savers and natural resource savers can avail themselves of $100 WaterSense High Efficiency Toilet (HET) Rebates offered by the City of Laredo Utilities Department. Water Utility customers living in homes built in 1993 or earlier can apply for the rebate by replacing an old toilet with a high efficiency toilet from a WaterSense list of approved toilets. WaterSense toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush and are approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Rebates are available on a first come, first serve basis. Applications for the Water-Sense rebate program are available at the main office of the Utilities Department at 5816 Daugherty, the City Hall Annex Utilities Customer Service Division at 1102 Bob Bullock Loop, and at the City Hall Tax Office at 1110 Houston St.
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City Utilities offers $100 rebates for installation of high efficiency toilets
Top down, stylish wheels Martita and Miguel Esquivel are pictured with their 1961 Cadillac convertible as they ran errands downtown on a gloriously beautiful morning. W W W. L A R E D OSNEWS. COM
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“Let’s Move for Scholars” slated for January 11
Project GROW offers employment opportunities to South Texas region
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and local mascots will be a part of the health fair.” PIO Cantu said, “This is going to be a big party, and we want everyone to participate because it is going to help our students. That is the main focus, in addition to reminding everyone the importance of being active and staying healthy. We hope to see everyone there.” Early registration is $20 for adults and $10 for students by December 18. On-site registration will be is $25 for adults and $15 for students. Registration for only the zumba master class will be $15. Registered participants of both events will receive a free t-shirt and entry to the health fair. Proceeds from the event will benefit eligible UISD high school students for college scholarships, which will be administered by the Guidance and Counseling Department. UISD has launched Facebook and Twitter sites for access to the most up-todate information about this and other upcoming events. For more information or to register visit www.uisd.net, call (956) 473-6201, “like” UISD on Facebook, or follow on Twitter. — LareDOS Staff
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nited Independent School District (UISD) is set to host its Third Annual “Let’s Move for Scholars” Run/ Walk and Zumba Master Class on Saturday, January 11 at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex (SAC) at 5208 Santa Claudia Lane. The five-mile run will begin promptly at 9 a.m., whereas the 1.5-mile walk begins at 9:05 a.m. Various male and female age divisions for participants will be implemented — from 14 years and under to 60 years and over. UISD board of trustees, Superintendent Roberto J. Santos, public information officer Veronica R. Yunes, RunStrong Laredo, Momentum Running Company, and Zumba master class representatives were among those present in the UISD boardroom for the December 10 announcement. UISD health services director Irene Rosales will oversee the health fair going on simultaneously at the SAC. “We have procured the use of a mobile van from Mercy of Ministries to provide blood and sugar level screenings,” said Rosales, adding, “Various local entities such as AHEC, Driscoll health plans, Sheriff Martin Cuellar,
Zumba demonstration at UISD board room for the annual “Let’s Move for Scholars” 5k Run/Walk and zumba master class.
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roject GROW, a collaborative effort between Workforce Solutions for South Texas and Laredo Community College, is offering educational and vocational training to lower-skilled adults 18 years of age and older so that they can find employment in two regionally expanding fields — energy and health care. Qualifying residents of Webb, Jim Hogg and Zapata Counties who have not yet earned a GED can simultaneously obtain it and vocational training in one of four areas — medical office clerk, professional truck driving, general maintenance and repair with welding, and emergency care attendant. Those with limited English proficiency can also take advantage of the program, however, a sixth-grade competency in English is required. Qualifying high school graduates who have never taken college courses are also welcome to participate in Project GROW. The training programs run between 11 and 22 weeks and are divided into three cohorts:
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He served in the United States Air Force and attended the College of Justice Court Judges. Martinez was a founder of the Texas Justice Court Judges Association. He has served as director of the South Texas Justice of the Peace and Constable Association. Of his decision to retire, Martinez said, “I think it is time for me to go home to my wife.” Martinez and his wife Thelma Gutierrez Martinez have three children — Angela Geraldine, Oscar Omar Jr., and Thelma Christine along with five grandchildren. His wife was a guidance counsel-
Cohort A: High School Graduates or GED recipients who have never taken college courses. Cohort B: Individuals without a high school diploma or GED who have a minimum 8th Grade academic skills competency Cohort C: Individuals who have limited English Proficiency and do not have a GED; however, they must have a minimum 6th grade competency in English Workforce Solutions for South Texas is one of the five Texas border-area Workforce Development Boards participating in this pilot program. Funded through the US Department of Labor through the Workforce Innovation Fund Grant, Project GROW stands for Growing Regional Opportunities for the Workforce. For more information, contact Cristi Mitchell, WSST Project Grow career counselor, at (956) 794-6544. Interested parties can also visit Mitchell at the WSST Center, at 2389 E. Saunders. — LareDOS Staff or for many years, and he credits her line of work to his passion for helping teens. “At home, we discussed her work with at-risk teens, and I think that had a lot to do with my work in that direction. She helped me a lot, and I am very grateful to her,” he said. Martinez has no plans to permanently hang up his robe, as he wishes to become a visiting judge and assist when necessary. Given his humble nature, Martinez said, “I want to thank everyone for all of the support over the years.” After two decades, Martinez will leave an irrefutable legacy of service to the courtroom and the community.
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Philosphy to Go
Plato and Aristotle’s formal error
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By RAUL CASSO LareDOS Contributor
n Aristotle’s view, “Anything, any individual particular substance, a frog or dog or man, is a unity…the form of a thing is immanent in it, it is the universal and eternal form or essence which the thing shares with all other things of the same type or species, e.g. with all other frogs or dogs or men.” (See: Aristotle Metaphysics, Book 1; McKeon) Having studied in Plato’s academy for at least 20 years, Aristotle, like Plato, believed that we derive true knowledge of things by way of timeless forms that provide the essence of things and give them their recognizable shapes. He differs from Plato, however, as to where those forms are located in reality. Plato believed the forms to exist in an ideal realm separate from the material world where individual manifestations of objects occur. This was Plato’s dualistic assessment of reality: transcendent, timeless forms residing in an ideal world apart from matter (this almost sounds like, dare I say it, the difference between Heaven and Earth). In Plato’s scheme of things, the forms somehow invest matter, or, I should say, “inform” matter, giving it individual shapes that we know and recognize. (See: Plato, Parmenides). Aristotle, on the other hand, combined the material and the ideal into each object. For him, the forms did not exist in a separate, ideal world but resided in objects along with the physical material — that is, the matter and form become one (this sounds uncannily like, “…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1: 14, KJV). Take any object — I like to use apples and chairs as examples while Aristotle liked to use frogs and dogs and men — any object is
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plain matter which has been given its recognizable shape by the form that is the essence of the object. Aristotle believed an object, any object, to be a “unity” of form and matter. For either of them, the forms existed in the real world. Whether in a separate realm or “in” the objects themselves, forms were very real for both of those giants of philosophy. And, for them, the forms were timeless, transcendent, universal, and eternal (why do thoughts of deity keep coming to mind?). For those of you dear readers who have labored through my aphorisms generously included in LareDOS by the inimitable Meg, you know my take on this business: the forms are not “out there.” They do not exist in a separate realm from the physical world, nor do they exist in objects that we perceive. The “forms,” if one must call them that, exist in our heads as figments of our imagination. I refer to them as conscious images, concepts, or pictures that the subconscious apparatus in our minds draws for us, basing the depiction on sensory data scanned by the subconscious as it filters in. We know the senses cannot perceive everything that’s out there — our senses are limited. The subconscious, in turn, does not transmit all the sensory data it receives to the conscious mind for our viewing. Rather, the subconscious identifies a pattern of data and from there draws a picture for our conscious perception. This picture is a summary conclusion of what is perceived by the senses. These picture conclusions, over time, do not depend on the sensory data for their formation. As sensory data comes in, the subconscious scans it and rapidly selects the correct, corresponding image from a catalog of images stored away somewhere between the subconscious and
conscious mind. While dreaming, either day dreaming or at night, and also while remembering, we resort to the same images that describe our world — without the input of sensory data but using our memory bank instead. So, you see, Plato and Aristotle thought these forms existed out there in reality: either in an ideal realm apart from the physical world, or in objects themselves as an inherent quality of them. For either of those two Greek metaphysicians, the object perceived existed exactly as perceived. Also for them, the differences between objects of the same type were unnecessary for an object’s identity. Individual differences between similar objects were discarded. For those two titans of thought, the forms reign supreme and provide us with true knowledge of what those objects are. But in this, Plato and Aristotle are in error. Rather than true knowledge about the nature of reality, this idea of forms that both adhered to, and to which traditional philosophy subscribes, leads one to the illusion of certainty, and the more insidious, elitist attitude that the truth is now fixed and
one has gotten hold of it once and for all. How unnerving it is to consider that what we see is not what’s really there. The mistaken conclusion that Plato’s and Aristotle’s formal systems lead to is that there is a one for one correspondence between the objects we see and their objective reality. This conclusion, this empirical tautology that is untrue, ignores the limitations of our senses. Simply put, our senses don’t capture it all — they can’t. With limited sensory data, our conscious minds are not equipped to apprehend the sum of reality any more than the pentagon can be made to fit, by an exercise of thought, into a humble country cottage. What presumption; how quaint; how provincial. Contrary to any forms, when it comes to identifying objects, the concepts of them that we see in our minds are fabrications of our conscious apparatus. The little differences between objects of a similar kind are the only clues our conscious minds provide about the true nature of what’s really out there. The form our mind gives an object is not the truth but the truth is in the form.
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Commentary
Mrs. Reed’s Christmas tree By JOSE ANTONIO LOPEZ LareDOS Contributor
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or most people, childhood Christmas memories serve as imaginary gold nuggets treasured for a lifetime. One of these gems is also my earliest recollection of learning the true meaning of Christmas giving. It was 1953; I was about nine years old and in third grade at Central School in Mrs. Reed’s class. Authoritative, yet warm and friendly, Mrs. Reed was a classic elementary school teacher. Effective and practical in her no-nonsense approach to teaching, she constantly challenged us to learn. In her classroom, “Eyes and ears on the teacher” was the rule. A few days before the Christmas holidays vacation, she would purchase a small Christmas tree and place it in the middle of one of the classroom work tables. She also bought the tinsel and garland. Then, each student in class was asked to donate one ornament. They could either make it in class or bring one from home. Trimming the tree was an extra treat for us. As a reward for good behavior, she allowed us to help her adorn the tree, which was done a little each day. By the time we had our class Christmas party on the last day of school, the tree was finished. Not all teachers went the extra mile. So, after lunch on that special Friday, teachers formed a line outside our classroom and brought their students to view and admire our creation. Barrio El Azteca was mostly poor blue-collar Laredoans. Most of our neighbors were hard-working daylabor folks and migrants. They arose before daybreak and returned home
at nightfall; dead tired after their day at a building site in town or working at one of the area’s ranches and farms. The next day, they did it all over again. Pay for low-skill workers of the time was dismal, and employment for day laborers was erratic. Knowing that Christmas trees were considered a luxury in some children’s homes, Mrs. Reed responded with her own style of kindness. During the last day of school, she put all our names in a bag. She then asked one of her fellow teachers to draw a name from the bag for the lucky winner of the tree. More than anything that particular Christmas, I prayed that I would be the lucky winner. Having overheard my parents a few days earlier, I knew money was tight in our monthly budget. It seemed that they might not be able to buy a Christmas tree for us that year. That’s not to say that our house wouldn’t be decorated for the season. Mother always did a great job decorating our home with very limited resources. Too, the center point inside the house was a small Nativity set in the living room. Yet, the spot reserved for the tree was empty. So, it was with great anticipation that I welcomed the last day of school before our holiday break. The Christmas Party was well underway that afternoon, when all of a sudden, I heard my name called. I couldn’t believe it. I had won the prize. When the dismissal bell rang, I asked Bernardo, a classmate, to assist me in carrying it home. He agreed. Mrs. Reed helped us remove some of the breakable ornaments and she put them in a small box. As soon as we reached the outside of the school building, every step of the way became a challenge. First,
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we had to maneuver a steep stairway in front of the school entry. In one arm, Bernardo was carrying our notebooks and in the other, the small box with the ornaments. I carried the tree still sporting the tinsel and garland. Second, balancing the tree upright in front of me, my view was very limited. Walking on the unpaved, gravel street was tricky. So I walked on level ground, avoiding any large rocks that might make me fall. A slight wind was blowing and small bits of tinsel were dropping off the tree, marking our way. We were a sight to behold! Our house was about six blocks from Central School. Bernardo’s house was halfway to mine. So, before we knew it, we had already walked the three blocks to his home. I placed the tree on the ground and waited for him to drop off his school books and tell his mom he was helping me get home. After a minute or two, his mother walked out to admire the tree and went back inside. It was then that I realized that Bernardo’s home did not have a Christmas tree. Suddenly, a hard-to-explain powerful feeling overcame me. I asked Bernardo to open the front door to his home. Before he had a chance to ask why, I carried the tree inside and placed it by the front window. Hearing the commotion, his mother walked out of the kitchen, and I asked her if she would like to keep the tree. She was stunned and after a moment, she began to weep. She gave me a big hug, nodded “yes,”
and thanked me over and over. Then, I helped Bernardo put the ornaments back on the tree. It immediately brightened up the entire room. As I left, the two of them were quietly standing admiring their beautiful Christmas tree. Other kids had told my mother of my winning Mrs. Reed’s Christmas tree. As soon as I entered our home, she asked me where it was. When I told her what had happened on my way home, she began to cry just like Bernardo’s mom. I got my second big hug of the day. She then called Dad at work and told him what I had done. My father, a stern man of few words, but possessing a big heart himself, approved of my charity. That evening, he returned from work with a Christmas tree strapped to the top of his car. I tell this story to focus on the plight of today’s needy. Having lived the experience, I am in a position to say that poor people don’t enjoy being poor. Nor are they lazy. That is why they don’t deserve the unkind treatment they receive almost daily from politicians and some news commentators. The fact is, the poor are in a never-ending struggle to improve their quality of life. They only ask for a compassionate helping hand to grab onto the next rung in the ladder of success. This Christmas, let’s all be part of the solution by helping them do it. Here’s wishing all LareDOS readers of all faiths a very blessed holiday season and a most wonderful Happy New Year 2014.
Can’t find a hard copy? Go to www.laredosnews.com
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By dr. neo gutierrez
Dr. Neo Gutierrez is a Ph.D. in Dance and Fine Arts, Meritorious Award in Laredo Fine Arts recipient 2009 from Webb Co. Heritage Foundation, Laredo Sr. Int’l 2008, Laredo MHS Tiger Legend 2002, and Sr. Int’l de Beverly Hills, 1997. Contact neodance@aol.com.
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UT names first Latino to Athletic Hall of Honor season 9-1, and the Longhorns were ranked fourth in the nation when they played Syracuse in the 1960 Cotton Bowl. Ramirez had the nickname «The Galloping Gaucho» because of his speed on the playing field. After graduation, he established a successful insurance business in Austin and the Rio Grande Valley, and he also owned a barbeque restaurant. In the Poquito de Todo Dept.: Former N.B.A. giant star Shaq O›Neal now has to be addressed as Dr. Shaq, having received his doctoral degree in education from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. He ended with a cumulative grade point average of 3.8, as he completed 54 credit
hours, mostly through online courses and video conferencing over the past four years. His topic of study explored how business leaders use humor in the workplace. A former rapper and television analyst, Shaq stands at 7’1”, and he weighs 325 pounds, making him one of the heaviest players ever in the N.B.A. In his 19-year career, he used his size and strength to overpower opposing teams for points and rebounds. With the Thanksgiving holidays behind us, a strong image remains in my mind after seeing country singer king Garth Brooks› one-man, twohour Thanksgiving special television last month.
He›s 50 and performed live for two hours. He›s just finished a three-year run at Wynn›s Encore Theater in Las Vegas (where Adriana Reyna Zirpoli from Laredo is a business executive). The country superstar has performed sold out shows at Wynn›s for three years. He took the audience through the influences that made him a superstar. He considers his show the soundtrack of his life. He grew up as the last of six kids in a family where music was the life blood of the family. His 8-disk box set, including a DVD of his Vegas show, are available at Walmart stores. And on that note, wishing you a happy new year — as Norma Adamo says: TAN TAN!
Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS
Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS
ebbronville native Rene Ramirez recently became a part of UT sports history when he was named to the UT Men›s Athletic Hall of Honor. He played for the Longhorns from 1957 to 1959, the first Mexican-American in UT history to be named for this honor. In 1956 he graduated as valedictorian of his class at Hebbronville High School. According to Cristina Puga of NBC Latino, Ramirez, a sophomore receiver for UT, reversed the Longorns’ losing streak and was a key to the team’s 7-3 1958 season. He scored three touchdowns in the season›s last game, a 27-0 win over rival Texas A&M. In 1959 he finished the regular
Notes from La La Land
Vendors at North Central Janie Garcia of Jjams Jewelry was among the vendors at the Laredo Northside Market on Saturday, December 7 at North Central Park. W W W. L A R E D OSNEWS. COM
Asphalt Relay Heidi Jones, Cindy Luna, Mindy Sosa, and Dennis Moreno participated in the Runstrong Laredo Kick Asphalt Relay on Sunday, December 8 at Uni-Trade Stadium. LareDOS I D ECE M B E R 2 0 1 3 I 4 7
Maverick Ranch Notes
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Cold weather evokes thoughts of holiday food
By bebe & sissy fenstermaker
ooking back through my 2013 calendar is somewhat sobering. Noting the joy of new calves, Golden-cheeked warblers in springtime, rains, the beauty of Maverick Ranch-Fromme Farm all year and the kindnesses of sisters, close cousins, and good friends, it is easy to say I’m blessed. We sisters along with several women who are preserving Texas family farms and ranches had a lovely reception in Austin. This year took from us Langtry, Sissy’s horse, and Mole our old longhorn cow. The dark side showed itself in reminders for endless emails to foot-dragging governmental bodies, bulldozers and cedar shredders on the fenceline, and meetings that got nowhere. This was the year of a deep dive into Texas history which answered some life-long questions and started new ones. Just today I read about the feud between pompous Nicholas Trist of the U.S. State Department (delivering a treaty offer from President Polk to the Mexican government in 1847) and equally pompous General Winfield Scott. The absurd hissy-fit abruptly ended when Trist got “turista” in Jalapa and General Scott sent him some guava mermelada (membrillo?) which immediately cured him. After that, the two of them were thick as thieves but Trist drove President Polk mad by overstepping his authority. Cold weather had us socked in for almost two weeks. Out come the family recipe books, and I start digging through the freezer. Very tender venison has been the base of several interesting stews made with many spices gathered from an Indian grocery down the road. There is turkey soup waiting for Christmas that is unlike any we’ve had before, thanks to those
same spices. One Thanksgiving Mama refused to have a regular turkey and made turkey curry instead, which was a big production. Friends joined us for that “not too sure about it” meal and the curry was a hit. This year we put chopped vegetables, mushrooms, and cranberries in the turkey instead of stuffing. It was good, and the turkey cooked in no time and without all the trouble. Desserts at this time of year seem to follow old patterns. As a child I worked on the date nut bars since I guess not much could go wrong there. All three of us produced fancy cookies, which took us hours to decorate. We had favorite shapes: horses, sheep, reindeer, and Santa. Mama insisted on stars, moons, angels, and pine trees to round out her plates of delicious treats. She and her friends exchanged food we remember well: little Mrs. Johnson’s caramels, each wrapped in wax paper; Lucy Miller’s … well everything Lucy made; Clara’s cake and Teda’s candy. There was not a bad cook in Ft. Davis and I can pull out the old Ft. Davis cookbook and produce a winner from any page. This year Sissy may make Mrs. Wiggin’s orange pecan cookies, I may make Grandma’s gingerbread, and we are happily looking forward to our youngest sister’s grapefruit. A Happy New Year to All. — Bebe Fenstermaker
Having experimented with it last year we felt confident enough to put it on the table along with the other meats. Here in the southwest mincemeat usually means a spicy fruited desert pie. The ingredients for ours were prepared by two aunts of one of our hunters. They are from Maine, so they use venison in their mincemeat. Once the pie was cooked it looked beautiful and its wonderful aroma filled the car. On the way to Boerne we took bets on how much pie would be left by the end of the evening. Bebe had made a sign explaining what kind of mincemeat was in the pie. If tables could groan, those covered with food that night would have. Every cook and chef in the organiza-
tion had brought their best. Bebe’s pie looked magnificent nestled amongst the various meat dishes. I can only account for what I put on my plate, and for sure there was a slice of the pie and it was delicious. One member later admitted to me she had tried the pie and then promptly launched into an enthusiastic discussion about the crust and how much she liked it. Since Bebe had made it that didn’t surprise me, she makes good pie crust. I did note, however, a lack of enthusiastic discussion about the filling. When we picked up the dish however, to our surprise, only two little slender slices were left. A happy and prosperous New Year to all! — Sissy Fenstermaker
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ur Native Plant Society group had its annual holiday potluck dinner in early December; close on the heels of Thanksgiving and before the Christmas madness. The evening was brisk so most of us wore our warmest holiday attire. This year mincemeat pie was on the menu, courtesy of Bebe.
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By salo Otero Salo Otero is the director of marketing for the South Texas Food Bank. He can be reached at sotero@ southexasfoodbank.org or by calling 956-726-3120.
“Hunger exists in our own backyard.” That comment is used time and again by the South Texas Food Bank (STFB) to bring awareness to the hunger issue in Laredo. Those words were very appropriate when the STFB opened its 19th Kids Café at the Northwest Boys and Girls Club. STFB executive director Alfonso Casso echoed the phrase at the grand opening of the 19 th Kids Café on Wednesday, December 4. The Kids Café program provides an after-school meal for needy children. Childhood hunger in Laredo is at 42 percent — almost twice the
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South Texas Food Bank
STFB opens 19th Kids Café at Northwest Boys-Girls Club state average of 22 percent. Laredo children get breakfast and lunch at school, but many come home and have little or nothing to eat. That’s where Kids Cafes come in. There are 15 in Laredo-Webb County and four others in Eagle Pass, Carrizo Springs, Zapata, and San Ygnacio. The food bank serves more than 2,000 meals Monday through Friday. “We have Kids Cafes where the kids are, like the Boys and Girls Clubs,” Casso said. He noted the two largest are at the Roberto M. Benavides (Downtown) and Lamar Bruni Vergara (Los Presidentes) Boys and Girls Clubs.
Dr. Jesse Olivarez is the Kids Café director. Boys and Girls Club executive director Hector Noyola lauded the partnership between the STFB and Boys and Girls Clubs. “We started Kids Cafes eight years ago at our Main Club. It’s been our goal to have one at the Northwest Club, and here we are. We are grateful to the South Texas Food Bank,” he said. Alfredo Ortiz is the manager at the Northwest Club. At the grand opening, more than 50 children lined up for their meal. One of them, Miah, 8-year-old student from Santa Maria Elementary,
emphatically said, “Yes,” to enjoying coming to the Boys and Girls Club and its new addition — the Kids Café. “We’re not hungry anymore,” Miah smiled. “We eat here and save the food at home for another meal.” Miah’s family is also into conservation. She added, “(At home) My mom tells us to turn off the lights to save energy. Take short showers because the teacher told us there’s not enough fresh water in the world.” Others at the Kids Café included, Johanna, 6, who described the meal as, “very good.” Also giving a thumbs up were Anahi, age 9; Julio, 7; Savannah, 5; Osvaldo, 7; and Margie, 9.
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Serving Sentences
By randy koch
The NSA redacts and obscures my complaint
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rarely have cause for complaint. In fact, only one thing aggravates me today: discovering that Jolean, a freshman-composition student with wavy red shoulder-length hair, has for the fourth time ignored both me and the Modern Language Association and typed yet another essay in an Arial font instead of Times New Roman. The first time she probably did it out of a high-school habit, the second out of freshman negligence, and the third in the throes of mid-semester fatigue. But this time —the fourth — seems formatted with spiteful intent, a refusal, a defiant challenge, as if she’s thumbing her nose not only at the MLA but at me. I’m tempted to slap a D on it without even reading it. But I won’t. Jolean’s a bright girl, a competent writer, and though she sits silently in the third row every Monday and Wednesday afternoon and perpetually frowns in class, I want to believe she’s not really angry, not harboring some deep-seated resentment against me or the English language, but that she’s concentrating, trying to harness all of her cerebral powers in order to decipher the infinite mysteries of conjunctive adverbs. However, I’m much less willing to be so generous with others, to assume that their actions and outward appearances do not belie their spite, their greed, their self-indulgence, their eagerness and even resolve to insult or harm the innocent and down-trodden for their own profit. While I might, of course, be referring to any number of recent villains, such as Richie Incognito, Toronto mayor Rob Ford, Congress, or a multitude of foreclosure-happy mega-banks, I’m more worried about a much slyer and sinister and dominant menace: the notorious, the intrusive National Security Agency, or NSA.
I wonder how much any of us would really understand or know about their peering into the personal communications of ordinary lawabiding Americans and not-so-ordinary Germans, Brits, and Brazilians if not for the audacity of previous NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaking some 200,000 classified documents and then making a beeline for Moscow. While he’s been characterized as everything from a traitor to a perfect defender of personal liberties and a hero of free speech, he explained the purpose of his actions this way: “to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them.” As it turns out, the NSA has monitored everything from international phone calls to emails to the confidential conversations of heads-of-state. Granted, I spend little time chatting on my cell phone or Twittering radical ideas or posting revolutionary manifestos on Face book, LinkedIn, or other social media sites. But through Snowden we will find out more about the NSA’s operations and its reprehensible practices and raids into our personal private lives. Obviously, the NSA must understand the principles outlined in The Fourth Amendment, which says, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” This country has a long history of revolt and struggle against injustice and striving for more equitable treatment for all citizens. And when
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circumstances and injustice reach the tipping point, someone inevitably puts into words what we all feel but often cannot say. For example, Ralph Waldo Emerson famously proclaimed about the individual, “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.” Similarly, Henry David Thoreau wrote this regarding the need for civil disobedience: “Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once?” Even recent popular culture has reflected this unrepentant American spirit, most memorably in Network, the 1976 movie remembered for Howard Beale inciting TV viewers to open
their windows and shout into the street, “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take this anymore!” I cherish my privacy, loathe the suppression of our liberties, and refuse to be deterred from joyfully leaning on my sacred Fourth Amendment rights. And I insist that the NSA’s domestic operations be suspended and their spies’ lives examined with the same technological sophistication and cunning they have exposed myself and all Americans to as they ruthlessly conduct their impolitic inquisition in the name of our national security! And, of course, Americans everywhere can thank God that the NSA’s redactions are an ineffective way to obscure our complaints.
Mariela Rodriguez/LareDOS
Randy Koch earned his MFA at the University of Wyoming and teaches writing at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Vendors at Gallery 201 Juana Adela of Nochebuena an art and crafts local business was one of the vendors at Gallery 201 on Thursday, December 5 for the gallery’s holiday art show. Attendees had the opportunity to shop for Christmas presents. WWW.L A R E DOSN EWS.COM
TAMIU
TAMIU recognized for excellence in teacher education By STEVE HARMON LareDOS Contributor
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AMIU has been recognized by The Online College Database as one of “Top Colleges in Texas Shaping the Next Generation.” The new ranking honors those post-secondary institutions that graduated the most education and teaching professionals in 2012. TAMIU was ranked number 20 out of 67 Texas colleges and universities surveyed. The ranking also noted the University’s low tuition and fees. “Many colleges and universities have tremendous teacher education programs,” said Doug Jones, founder of The College Database. “But which ones are producing the most young educators today? We wanted to identify the colleges making the largest impact on our students.” The College Database is a notfor-profit organization that provides free information about education options both nationally and locally to students, parents and other interested parties on an easily navigated web site. It has become a leader in providing educational information to libraries, high schools and career centers across the country. TAMIU dean of the College of Education, Dr. Catheryn Weitman, said, “This affirms the perseverance, hard work, and dedication of our students, faculty, and staff, and this accomplishment would not have occurred without their combined efforts. We are honored by this selection,” TAMIU’s listing is available at: http://www.onlinecollegesdatabase. org/online-colleges-in-texas/#Best-
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Colleges-Shaping-the-Next-Generation-Texas Nursing students present research at symposium A total of 75 TAMIU students gave poster and scholarly presentations at the 11th Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways Student Research Symposium held at Texas A&M University – Kingsville in November. Of those presenting, 16 were from the TAMIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “Three graduate students from the TAMIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences received second place in the graduate poster presentation category,” said Dr. Marivic B. Torregosa, assistant professor, Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing. Graduate nursing students Elsa Morales, Amaechi Okori, and Araceli Flores presented their research: “A Review of the Effectiveness Between Two Contraceptive Methods: Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic.” “Their poster presentation was an evidence-based practice (EBP) project in a nursing research methods course that was designed in a manner that students can use the same project to submit and compete in a research conference,” said Dr. Torregosa. All three students were mentored by Torregosa. “It is important for students to present at conferences to acculturate and expose them to the world of research and scholarship. By exposing our students to these kinds of activities, these may inspire them to pursue doctorates which would help build a capacity of researchers and scientists in this region,” explained Torregosa.
TAMIU was represented by 69 poster and oral scholarly presentations in different fields and departments at the Symposium. Five undergraduate nursing students presented results on a research project they conducted on the health and social impacts of horizontal hydraulic fracking on Cotulla, Texas. Although they didn’t place, they were invited to attend the Eagle Ford Center for Research, Education and Outreach Fall Workshop sponsored by TAMU – Kingsville in Cotulla. “The results of the study could inform policymakers in developing strategic plans and monitoring systems impacted by the Eagle Ford Shale fracturing,” said Torregosa. The students who completed this project were mentored by Torregosa and Rose Sadivar, clinical assistant professor. “The annual Pathways Conference is a great learning experience for our students. It is a great platform to showcase our students’ research talents and how they contribute towards knowledge-building in their own respective disciplines,” said Torregosa. Pathways is an A&M System-wide initiative to encourage students – from undergraduate to Ph.D. levels – to pursue their doctoral studies. Each year, the initiative hosts its Research Symposium at a different System site so that students can share their innovative research outcomes. For more information, contact
Torregosa at mtorregosa@tamiu.edu or 326.2456. Business profs receive awards Four members of the Texas A&M International University A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business received awards from the American Society for Competitiveness (ASC) and International Society of Competiveness Conference held in Pittsburgh, Penn., in November. For his work “The Weakness of the Intrapreneurial and Venture Capitalist Approaches to Disruptive Innovation: An Opportunity for Angel Investors,” Dr. Kamal Dean Parhizgar, professor of management, division of International Business and Technology Studies, and co-author, Areeg Barakat, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, received the “Best Conceptual Paper Award.” Dr. Ananda Mukherji, professor of management, Dr. Jyotsna Mukherji, associate professor of marketing, and Dr. Pedro Hurtado, associate professor of management, received the ASC Outstanding Paper Award for their work, “The Impact of Environmental Variables and Firm Strategies on the Performances of Entrepreneurial Firms.” Of note, there were approximately 100 papers submitted by scholars from all over the world. Best papers were selected based on recommendations by outside reviewers and an in-house committee was responsible for the final selection.
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Laredo Community College
Spring registration continues through winter break By ROLANDO SANTOS AND MONICA MCGETTRICK WALTERS LareDOS Contributors
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tudents who still need to be advised before registering for the Spring 2014 semester at Laredo Community College are encouraged to do so before the college closes for the winter break on Friday, Dec. 20. While both the Fort McIntosh and South campuses will be closed from Dec. 21 to Jan. 5 for the winter holiday, registration will continue online through PASPort, https://pasport.laredo.edu, LCC’s online student portal for those students who have already been advised. All students planning to enroll in the spring 2014 semester must be advised to be able to register for classes. Students who are not advised before the holiday break will be unable to register through PASPort. Advising is available until Thursday, Dec. 19 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the Student Success Center at either campus. Students who registered between Nov. 4 and Dec. 19 are reminded to pay their tuition and fees by Thursday, Dec. 19 to secure their space in class. Students who fail to pay by the deadline will lose their space in class and will need to register again. Payments can be made in person at the LCC Bursar’s Office at either the Fort McIntosh or South campuses by 6 p.m. on that day. Cash, money order, and credit and debit cards from Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted. Students also can pay online via PASPort’s student account system at https://pasport.laredo.edu by 11 p.m.
on Dec. 19. Students also have the option of enrolling in an installment plan, which they can do online through PASPort with a debit/credit card, or they can visit the Bursar’s Office at either campus to enroll in person on or before Dec. 19. At the time of enrollment in the payment plan, the student will need to pay 50 percent of his/her total tuition and fees, plus a $25 service fee. The remaining 50 percent is divided in two equal payments due on Feb. 17, 2014 and March 31, 2014. For more information, contact the LCC Bursar’s Office at 721-5112 or 794-4212. Students who have questions about registration or any related topic during the holiday break can receive assistance from staff by visiting www.laredo.edu/e-advising. Although the campuses will be closed, college staff will be monitoring this website to offer assistance in a timely manner. Those who are unable to get advised before the break can come in for advising and late registration Jan. 7-9. Advisors will be on hand to assist students from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10 in the Maravillo Gymnasium at the Fort McIntosh Campus and in the Student Success Center and various departments at the South Campus. Once they have been advised, students can then register in person or through PASPort. The payment deadline for those who register from Dec. 20 through Jan. 9 is Jan. 9 by 7 p.m. in person at the Bursar’s Office or 11 p.m. online via PASPort. A $10 late fee applies only for
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those registered Jan. 7-11. For those who cannot make it to either campus during the week, there will be a Saturday Open House on Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Maravillo Gym at the Fort McIntosh Campus. This will be the last opportunity to register for the Spring 2014 semester. Staff will be available to help with admissions, assessment, financial aid, advising, and registration. Additionally, the Bursar’s Office and the College Bookstore at the Fort McIntosh Campus will be open. The first day of classes for the spring 2014 semester is Jan. 13. For more information on registration, contact the LCC Enrollment
and Registration Services Center at the Fort McIntosh Campus at 7215109 or at the South Campus at 7944110. Important Dates: Priority Registration Payment Deadline: Dec. 19 LCC closed for winter holidays/ spring in-service: Dec. 21-Jan. 6 Online Registration: Dec. 20-Jan. 6 First day for LCC Bookstore Purchases (with financial aid): Jan. 7 Advising and Late Registration: Jan. 7-9 Payment Deadline (for those who register from Dec. 20-Jan. 9): Jan. 9 Late Registration: Jan. 10-11 Payment Deadline: Jan. 11 First day of Spring Classes: Jan. 13
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LAPS
LAPS sees progress; still needs help By JENNIE REED LAPS Board Member
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oesn’t seem possible, does it, that another whole year has whooshed by? For the Laredo Animal Protective Society (LAPS), it always seems to be on double time, but we now see such progress each year. We are cooperating with the City Health Department in making yet more strides in reducing the alarming rate of births in the stray and unwanted animal population. Although we are always grateful to our local veterinarians for their help, we all realize the magnitude of the problem and that it has to be addressed from many angles. Since LAPS became a No Kill Shelter in November 2012, we have seen to it that over 500 dogs and cats have been altered, either by our local vets or by visiting ones. Our plans are to keep expanding these numbers even more, but that takes money. It is at this time of year that we thank those who have helped us and that we tell our story to those who have not, how much we need everyone’s help if we are to achieve our goal, impossible as it may seem, of becoming a No Kill Community. Forty more pets were altered at the Spay/Neuter clinic held at the Laredo Animal Care Facility (LACF) on December 10. These clinics are being held twice a month at present. Interested pet owners are advised to keep abreast of dates on which they are planned. Another equally important goal is to find loving “furever” homes for these altered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, “ready to roll” pets. All they need now are responsible and loving
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new owners. This objective was addressed recently with a City-Wide “Home for the Pawlidays” adoption event at Blas Castañeda Park on December 7, which was well-attended, despite the bitter cold weather. This was the brainstorm of Sid Holden of LAPS, who took the idea to District 5 Councilmember Roque Vela Jr. and Laura Llanes of PAWS. Councilmember Vela made the idea a reality by kicking it off. The dream is to have each Council member sponsor a similar event, possibly every other month at a park in their district for a city-wide effect. Adoption fee was $60 for dogs, $30 for cats. More than 30 dogs and cats were adopted and six are being sponsored. The City of Laredo Health Department and Parks and Leisure participated as did Dr. Sandra Leyendecker of Critter Care, who was on hand to give rabies vaccinations. Special thanks are due to all who helped make the event a success including, Ashley and Gerald of G&A Party Rentals for supplying a free Bouncy House for the kids. Vendors included Corina Melendez, Girl Scout Troop 9128, Jerry Palacios of Que Rico Pizza, Sandra of Puppy Palace, Etc. Laredo, Janie Martinez, Fabiola Lockler for helping with whatever was needed, and Miriam Elizabeth for consistently making her wonderful cupcakes and giving every bit of money she makes to LAPS. We thank PETCO for the prizes and for so much that they do for LAPS and especially the LAPS and other volunteers. All money raised was returned to the animal care stakeholders in Laredo who participated to help reduce the number of strays in Laredo.
Seguro Que Si By Henri Kahn Contact Henri D. Kahn with your insurance questions at (956) 725-3936, or by fax at (956) 791-0627, or by email at hkahn@ kahnins.com
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Too many rich or too many poor?
owadays a campaign fostered initially and primarily by President Barack Obama, is that every rich American is an anathema — an accursed or detested greedy person. This has become so viral that many religious sects are endorsing Obama’s declarations that the selfcentered rich have too much money as compared to the middle class who barely make it and the penniless poor. Obama, the socialist, declares that the ideal cure for this financial gap is a discriminatory taxation that increases income tax for Americans that earn between $200,000 and $250,000 annually. The additional tax money would be placed in the government coffer to even the playing field. The Socialist solution to resolve the gap is being championed by religious sects in constant need of donations to keep the church doors open. At a recent church service that I attended, the pastor, during his homily, kept stating that the rich should understand that money will not buy a
ticket to open St. Peter’s Golden Gate, so they better keep up with their religious obligations or they are going down instead of up. Rich Americans earn their wealth by working, creating jobs, and contributing a significant amount — millions, of their hard earned money to help middle income and poor Americans. Barack Obama, rabid socialist, now has his campaign of rich vs. middle class and poor people in full swing. His “you don’t have to do it — the government will do it for you” economic philosophy is his socialist campaign is to have the federal government control the personal lifestyle of Americans. The capitalist system of our country has created a more than generous welfare system that provides food, shelter, health care, education, and most importantly, opportunity for any person who is willing to work, a standard of life envied by the majority of our global neighbors. Look out!
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The Mystery Customer BY THE mystery Customer
Margie’s Beauty Shop 307 Nebraska The superb customer service as well as reasonable prices are a draw for the MC always. The salon is impeccably clean and the ambiance relaxing and inviting. With over 20 years experience, Margie is one of the best stylists in town. Appointments and walk-ins are accepted. El Capataz 7220 NE Bob Bullock Botanas and cocktails don’t get any better than those served at El Capataz. The MC savored the best cucumber martinis in town along with some appetizing shrimp and zesty salsa. The MC was pleased with the waiter’s attentiveness and friendly demeanor. The establishment’s choice of music always adds to the MC’s culinary experience. Ross 2450 Monarch Typically the MC’s experience with the chain store’s San Bernando location has never been a pleasant one. It was refreshing, however, to walk into the 2450 Monarch location and see merchandise displayed in an organized manner. Cashiers at this establishment, unlike the other, were helpful and friendly. They seem more knowledgeable in terms of the merchandise they carry. Although the one on San Bernando is closer to the MC’s residence, the drive to Monarch was well worth it for this customer. Wendy’s 10219 McPherson The MC discovered rush hour at this establishment is between 4 and 5 p.m. With a never ending line of vehicles ahead, it was no surprise to the MC that the service was not up to par. Fast food does not always live
Fast food not so fast as Wendy’s; ask for Angel in Lowe’s garden center up to the name. El Mejor Pan 1517 Lafayette On the first day of November’s first serious cold snap, a line of more than 25 pan dulce aficionados waited on the sidewalk and down the street to buy this bakery’s delicious authentic Mexican pastries. The space where you pick and choose is smaller than a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Just beyond the wood and glass cases is visible the industry of skilled bakers at work. It’s a wonderful, aromatic place. Scratch 1713 E. Del Mar Blvd. Really good and welcoming service at this sandwich shop. Delicious homemade sandwiches on a choice of several breads and incredibly fresh salads practically ensure repeat customers. Ravi’s 2919 San Bernardo Though the Shiloh and Market Street locations are newer, the MC prefers the old San Bernardo location which serves the best frijoles charros. The cordial wait staff knows the MC’s gustos and are quick with the iced tea. The MC likes to read there and to catch a snippet of a namelessto- her telenovela. Laredo Ranch Heights 2215 Laredo Street Owner Joe Gage and manager Mike Maciel provide a wealth of information on livestock feed and supplements. The MC was really happy to find Medina soil activator (beneficial bacteria) there. Shiloh Automotive 204 Shiloh Drive Romeo Uribe’s shop is a good place for maintenance and repairs before heading out on a holiday trip.
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You always get an estimate of costs and the work is done quickly. Lowe’s Garden Department 6623 San Dario The most helpful man in the entire department is a gentleman named Angel, of late the Christmas tree trimmer. He is a jack of all trades and will kindly help load
your purchases. He is informed about store specials. While the register clerk charged the MC full price for a Christmas tree, Angel knew the fir had a substantial price reduction and the MC saved a tidy bundle. Customer service didn’t believe the MC, but a call to Angel made it right.
Can’t find a hard copy? Go to www.laredosnews.com
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Movie Review
Hunger Games sequel leaves you wanting more By MARIELA RODRIGUEZ LareDOS Staff
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he sequel to the wildly popular series, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, hit the big screen on November 22. The worldwide box office thriller
has earned a whopping $573 million thus far. Jennifer Lawrence resumes her role as Katniss Everdeen one of the victors in the controversial 74th annual Hunger Games — a televised
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fight to the death in which two teenagers from each of the 12 Districts of Panem are chosen at random to compete. Everdeen along with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) achieved their victory through a double suicide attempt, which forced game makers to let them both win. Perceived by most as an attempt to protect a loved one, President Snow (Donald Sut herla nd) views it as an act of rebellion. The film kicks off with the Victors’ Tour of the 12 Districts. Everdeen grapples with the inner conflict at partaking in the killing of the other tributes, as well as faking a love interest with Mellark. The sinister Snow instructs Everdeen to keep up the facade of a happy couple, lest there be consequences. In an attempt to restore fear within the districts, cement the Capitol’s power, and prove that no one is invincible, the 75th Hunger Games — one of the special Quarter Quells — tributes are chosen from the previ-
ous Games’ victors. Everdeen and Mellark once again find themselves fighting for their lives, and all eyes are on Everdeen as the new beacon of hope for the impoverished that have begun the second rebellion. While the camerawork is much better than in the first installment, the games themselves are not so exciting, although the obstacles encountered by the tributes — the poisonous fog, rampaging baboons, and thick, bloody rain — were creatively captured on film. Costume designer Trish Summerville had her work cut out for her — as the narrative expanded, so did the film’s costume requirements. Between dressing 24 tributes, showing the evolution in maturity in Everdeen and Mellark (who undoubtedly now have more money), and displaying the Capitol’s fashions in more detail, Summerville did a fantastic job. One piece in particular, the wedding dress, got plenty of attention. Indonesian designer Tex Saverio’s 25-pound gown featured a metal bodice layered with silks and Swarovski crystals. Director Francis Lawrence at-
tempts avoiding a follow-up slump by addressing some of the first film’s shortcomings. A notable change is the amount of screen time given to the other tributes portrayed by the likes of Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, and Lynn Cohen. Lawrence along with writers Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt undeniably do justice to the Suzanne Collins’ novels that illustrate a self serving dictatorship government the likes of those of George Orwell’s 1984 or Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. Hutcherson’s role as Mellark evolves, as does the character that proves to be more formidable in this film. Jennifer Lawrence once again is a force to be reckoned with in her superb portrayal of Everdeem — from her reluctance as a symbol of the uprising to the film’s final shot where it is evident she is no longer so reluctant. The competitors’ alliances and realization of how to outsmart the system are all part of the real zinger and set up for the third installment of The Hunger Games. Moviegoers can’t get enough and cannot wait for what is to come.
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Traditional Posada at LCC Laredo Community College ushered in the holidays with the 12th annual Traditional Mexican Posada at the Fort McIntosh on December 4. Carolers joined LCC students dressed up as Joseph, Mary, and angels in a reenactment of the posada. Matachines, mariachi music, traditional Mexican refreshments, and a pi単ata were a part of the cultural celebration.
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Sebastian and Samantha De Hoyos are pictured with Omar and Betty Salinas on Thursday, December 5 at the Laredo Energy Arena’s Navidadfest . A tree lighting ceremony, carols, and an ice-slide were among the family fun-filled activities of the night.
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Navidad at the LEA
Organizers of event Javier García, Lois Jackson, Beatriz Saldaña, and José Ceballos, Bethany House committee members for the 8th Annual Mission Give Laredo, are pictured on Saturday, December 7 at Sames Motor Company.
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Education
TAMIU online degree: turn culture into career By MICHELLE RUBIO LareDOS Contributor
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hile many college graduates feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment with the completion of their undergraduate studies, there are some who worry about how competitive their degree will be in finding their place in the workforce. With a society that is increasingly pushing for a bachelor’s degree as the norm, it can often prove difficult for college graduates to distinguish themselves from others vying for the same job. Many look to a graduate degree to set them apart, but worry about parameters such as lowered income levels, time, costs, and potential relocation — all of which can ultimately be deal breakers for heading to graduate school. With the growing acceptance of online degrees, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) has implemented new online graduate degree programs, the newest of which is the Master of Arts in Language, Literature, and Translation (MALLT), a good complement to any bachelor’s degree. Dr. Manuel Broncano, professor and director of English and Spanish programs at TAMIU, explained, “If you look at a graduate with a degree in business administration and compare him/ her with a graduate in business administration [who also has a] translation degree, the latter will be much more competitive when applying for jobs.” He said that although there are some translation courses currently being taught on-campus, “the idea is that they will fully be online.” For those who may feel this will be a bland, linear degree, there are options to
consider in four concentrations that include Spanish, English, translation, and comparative studies. There is a translation core required for all students, but they are then able to branch out to study language and literature without the rigor of translation. In choosing another concentration, there is a greater chance of fortifying research skills already attained during the undergraduate years, which can be pivotal in any career. This degree can also serve as a means of cultural enlightenment due to the fact that some of the courses are taught by professors from the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain. Broncano acknowledged, “TAMIU has an agreement with their translation program, which is one of the best in Spain.” Broncano stressed that this degree is a natural fit for many Laredo students because all of the “raw material” is there, meaning that Laredo already widely accepts bilingualism as part of its culture. He noted, however, that, ”being bilingual doesn’t mean you are able to translate. It is a treasure trove and such a gift, [but] it requires some special skills [so it is] imminently practical for [Laredoans] to be able to translate with rigor and credibility.” Broncano clarified that although this is a Spanish-English route being offered at TAMIU, there is “possibility for another language to be implemented if the demand is there from the students.” For a part-time graduate student enrolled in two courses for six credit hours — a semester at TAMIU costs $1,771.30 — this seems affordable when compared to what the average American graduate student pays, a staggering $14,453 as of 2009-2010, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
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The Office of Graduate Studies and Research at TAMIU also offers scholarships to graduate students of $3,000 per year, which means that if a part-time student qualified for this scholarship, they would pay a mere $542.30 out of pocket for a full year of graduate studies — a small investment for a big payout. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 42% increase in translation jobs from 2010-2020, which is markedly larger than the national average for other occupations. As CNN Money noted, the hottest job is actually in translation, reporting that “a school district in Pasadena, Calif., is hiring Spanish, Korean,
Armenian, and Chinese interpreters to work part time for $40 an hour.” Regardless of whether students decide to pursue a full-translation job, there is also plenty of evidence to support that graduates of any graduate program are less likely to experience unemployment — 3.5% in 2012 for those with a Master’s degree compared to 8.3% for those with a high school diploma. For more information about this particular degree program, contact Dr. Broncano at (956) 326-2471 or email him at manuel.broncano@tamiu.edu. (Michelle Rubio may be reached at michellerubio@dusty.tamiu.edu)
TAMIU students learn about entrance to UT Law School By CELIA VILLARREAL LareDOS Contributor
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AMIU students with an interest in the legal field had the opportunity recently to meet with attorney George Prescott Bush, the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush and a University of Texas (UT) Law School graduate. Bush and representatives from UT Law, including Dean Ward Farmsworth, were on the TAMIU campus, to discuss getting into the 15th best law school in the nation. Farmsworth was accompanied by Samuel Riley, director for admissions, Monica Ingram, assistant dean for admission and financial aid, and three current UT law students, including TAMIU graduate Alejandra Avila. Avila, who graduated from TAMIU in 2011 with a degree from the
A.R. Sanchez School of Business, is a third-year law student who has worked in Austin and Washington, D.C. as a student lawyer. She told the TAMIU gathering that the UT Law School has a strong interest in admitting students from the South Texas region. Farmsworth gave a brief overview of the law school and discussed the clinics and programs offered, and basic statistics about the entering class. Questions from the students focused largely on admissions. UT law representatives shared ideas on how to become a competitive candidate, how to study for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), the best time to apply, and tips for a strong application. For more information, Celia Villarreal can be reached at celvreal@ gmail.com
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At Pearl Harbor commemoration
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Veterans Barry Bernier and Gabriel L贸pez are pictured at Jarvis Plaza on the morning of the ceremony commemorating Pearl Harbor Day. Congressman Henry Cuellar was the keynote speaker.
LCC performing arts faculty luncheon Among the members of the LCC Performing Arts faculty who enjoyed a holiday luncheon at La Posada Hotel were Andrew Uhe, violin instructor; Danuta Gazdyszyn, dance instructor; Mikolaj Gorecki, piano instructor; Matthew Adams; Performing Arts Department chair and percussion nstructor; and Matthew Bishop, guitar instructor. Also pictured are Susan Liu, piano instructor; William Hauserman, drama instructor; and Joseph Crabtree, vocal instructor. W W W. L A R E D OSNEWS. COM
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Ruthe B. Cowl staff at Five Star Awards
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Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center assistant director Jackie Rodriguez, board secretary Mary Lamar Leyendecker, board president Lillian Dickson, Gloria Cisneros, Elizabeth Prieto, Delia Canady, and Ariana Mora are pictured at the December 5 Chamber of Commerce Five Star Service Awards at the Laredo Country Club.
Longtime friends talk art Jesus Toro Martinez and Cuate Santos caught up at Martinez’s “Visiting an Old Love” exhibit on Thursday, December 5 at La Posada. The art reception was held in conjunction with Caffé Dolce and Gallery 201 as part of a downtown art walk.
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