Latino Perspectives Magazine December 2013 by Latino Perspectives Magazine

LATINOPM.COM

DECEMBER 2013

ARIZONA EDITION

Wipe away

the

“healthcare.gov”

blues

Adopt an adaptive sport

Socially responsible giving

Let’s talk options that save you energy and money Have you met Rubén from APS? He’s on the road to spread the word about options that give you more control over your energy use and budget. • REFRIGERATOR RECYCLING

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Receive up to $250 in rebates when a participating contractor tests and seals leaky ductwork in your home, which can save you up to $200 a year. • CFL BULBS

CFL bulbs use up to 75% less energy and save you $40 over the life of each bulb. • HOME ENERGY CHECKUP

For just $99 (a $400 value), your checkup will identify opportunities to make your home more energy efficient and qualify you for rebates on ductwork repair, air leaks, insulation and more.

You’ve got options. Find them all at aps.com/options. Programs funded by APS customers and approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. 2013

Ccn De Créteil et du Val-De-Marne

Compagnie Käfig: Correria Agwa Friday and Saturday January 10-11, 8 p.m. A major figure in the global hip-hop scene, French choreographer Mourad Merzouki works at the intersection of many different disciplines, from circus and martial arts to visual art and music. His unique dance ensemble, Compagnie Käfig, has become an international sensation with its passionate young dancers from the shanty towns of Rio de Janeiro performing an intoxicating fusion of hip-hop, capoeira and samba.

Maria Rita

Friday, January 31, 8 p.m. The daughter of Brazil’s famed pianist/arranger César Camargo Mariano and vocalist Elis Regina, singer Maria Rita has charted her own course with a refreshing blend of bossa nova, pop and jazz. Her 2003 debut album sold more than 1 million copies worldwide and made her an international star. She has since earned six Latin Grammy Awards, including “Best New Artist” in 2004.

click call visit

ScottsdalePerformingArts.org 480-499-TKTS (8587) 7380 E. Second St.

Journal of the American Latino Dream

Volume 10

{December 2013}

21 Spread the cheer

Ideas to consider for giving gifts “outside the box”

7 8

From the publisher The advantages of planned giving

¿Será posible?

Hostile hot dogs and a real-life hamburglar

12 LP journal Latinos hard pressed to name national leaders;

Attorney General Tom Horne can’t put his troubles behind him; U.S. Senate passes ENDA but conservative Congress thinks the differently gendered will abuse right to equal treatment

14 Eva Vibe Longoria directs herself in new short film;

Mario Molina and Arturo Sandoval honored with Natonal Medal of Freedom; Olmos’ latest vehicle, Go for Sisters, AZ opening in December

15 NoAnaya says one in my family battles alone

Issue 4

Exchanges explained

Advisory agencies help you wipe away the “healthcare.gov” blues

17 Latina still standing

31 Briefcase Fusion cable news aims to attract millennials;

A little generosity goes a long way

support for West Valley casino gains ground; Scottsdale’s burgeoning health care industry

19 Rincón del arte Guitarist Misael Barraza Diaz explains his

who serve 34 Those Multitasking Peoria PD Officer Dave Fernandez

fascination with flamenco

27 Movin’ up Vince Yanez appointed new director of Arizona Venture Fund for Quality Education; Anna Solley inducted to HACU Hall of Champions; CPLC’s 2013 Esperanza Awards; Tucson HCC recognizes bi-national business leaders at annual gala; Juan Zaragoza joins Polsinelli; Luis Caballero is new executive director at Cox Communications Hispanic Marketing Center of Excellence

29 Entrepreneur Christopher Miranda and colleagues develop innovative wheelchair design

Education

Bullying can be de-fused; BioBuzz lectures at AZ Science Center; SAT/ACT test-taking tips

42 Time out Able-bodied can aid adaptive sports programs 45 P.S.

The value of gifts as symbols 46 My perspective ... on a life well lived: Celebrating the life of Ruben Hernandez, Jr.

Coming in January: The year in review latinopm.com

¡ December 2013!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

We turn your

panic attack

plan of attack.

into a

We understand that your mammogram may be abnormal, but your reaction to the news isn’t. At the Breast Program at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, all diagnostic tests are done at your first appointment so you can get the answers you need quickly. And, if treatment is needed, our team of specialists collaborate to customize a plan for you. If you have an abnormal mammogram, call us immediately (480) 256-4582.

US 60 & Higley Road • BannerMDAnderson.com • Connect with us:

¡! Publisher’s letter

December 2013 Publisher/CEO Ricardo Torres

Channel your impulses

Executive Editor/COO Cecilia Rosales, Ph.D.

A ONCE-POPULAR BUMPER STICKER EXHORTED THE READER TO “PRACTICE Art Director Jorge Quintero Editor Virginia Betz Contributing Writers Catherine Anaya, Diana Bejarano, Virginia Betz, Erica Cardenas, Jonathan Higuera, Robrt L. Pela, Stella Pope Duarte, Ira Weitz Director of Sales and Marketing Grace Alvarez Webmaster QBCS Inc.

www.latinopm.com P.O. Box 2213 Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 602-277-0130 Advertising: sales@latinopm.com Editorial: editor@latinopm.com Design: art@latinopm.com

Subscriptions

For home or office delivery, please send your name, address, phone number, and a check for $24 to Latino Perspectives Magazine at the address above. Subscriptions also available for credit-card purchase by calling 602-277-0130. Visit latinopm.com/digital for a free digital subscription. Latino Perspectives Magazine is published 12 times a year and is selectively distributed throughout Arizona. The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted by Latino Perspectives Media, LLC, all rights reserved, and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.

random acts of kindness.” A seemingly lovely thought, but one that, by implication, suggests that giving in a spontaneous manner is more heartfelt, more “real,” than making regular contributions to institutionalized charities. While not wishing to disparage any charitable impulse, spur-of-the moment gestures of generosity likely yield less productive results than planned, regular giving. Organizations can plan and deliver services more efficiently when their revenues are predictable. Our resident Latina Still Standing, Diana Bejarano, reminds us that vulnerable families need protection every day and hungry children need to eat every day. Relying on occasional gluts of donations can make it difficult for organizations to determine what level of services they can provide on a sustained basis. Responsible giving also encourages better oversight within charitable organizations. The fear in donating to non-profit organizations is that a large portion of the gift will go to administrative costs and not the intended recipients. Reputable charities are very transparent about where their funds go, and it’s easy to check on a website, such as charitynavigator.org, to get independent evaluations of how specific organizations distribute and manage their funds. Responsible giving doesn’t mean you need to make a large donation or that you should only give to large, well-established organizations. Numerous studies and surveys have consistently concluded that lower-income individuals donate proportionately more of their income to charity than do upper-income individuals. And, they often do so by contributing to small-scale, locally-organized efforts. Catherine Anaya’s column this month about raising money for ALS research reinforces the dictum about “strength in numbers,” as well as the extreme level of satisfaction that comes from giving to a cause to which we feel personally connected. Likewise, Marketplace reporter Jeff Tyler discovered that, in the early days immediately after the Haian typhoon hit the Philippines, effective relief was provided by small, ad hoc fundraising efforts organized by Filipino-American communities; they were better positioned to coordinate with on-the-ground contacts “who know how to navigate around the bureaucracy and corruption” in their home country. The impulse to give feels good, but make the effort to channel those impulses into careful choices of how best to make your contribution count. You can give from the heart and still use your head!

Editorial mission statement

Latino Perspectives creates community, cultivates c u lt ural pr ide and provokes, challenges and connec ts L at inos who are def ining, pursuing, a nd ac h iev i n g t he A me r ic a n L at i no D re a m .

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¡! ¿Será posible?

Hunger games By Robrt Pela

THERE’S A SUPREME COURT-MANDATED LEGAL

standard in Missouri, known unofficially as “the baseball rule,” that protects sports teams from being sued over any injury sustained by a fan in the stands or on the field or court. But the jury is out on whether this standard applies to injuries caused by team mascots. You read that right. It seems that John Coomer of Overland Park, Kansas, was injured at a 2009 Royals game by a flying wiener thrown by Sluggerrr, the team’s lion mascot. Apparently the faux feline tossed a foilwrapped hotdog into the Kauffman Stadium stands, striking Coomer in the eye. The sports fan has since endured a pair of surgeries: one to repair a detached retina; the other to remove a cataract that developed later. According to his attorney, Coomer’s vision is worse now than before the injury. His lawsuit, which could set a legal precedent changing the way that pro teams in other cities approach fan interaction, seeks more than $20,000 in damages from the team. The suit was originally thrown out by a Jackson County jury two years ago, when jurors ruled that Coomer was to blame for his injury because he “wasn’t aware of what was going on around him.” But an appeals court overturned that decision earlier this year ruling that, while being struck by a baseball is a familiar risk most fans assume at pro games, being hit with flying sausages is not. A spokesman for the Royals has issued a statement that the hot dog toss has been a popular fan attraction at Kauffman Stadium since 2000, and is simply part of any game held there. It shouldn’t be, insists Coomer’s attorney. At least Coomer was able to find a lawyer to represent him. Not so the fellow in Long Island who tried to steal some Big Macs earlier this month. New York police arrested a 33-year-old man who allegedly walked up to a McDonald’s drive-through window and threatened to shoot employees unless they handed over some hamburgers.

Your thoughts? Tell us what you think. Send your thoughts to editor@latinopm.com

Juan Mendez-DePaz allegedly told the drive-up worker that he was packing heat when he visited the fast food restaurant. In response, the employee closed the window and called the police. State troopers confronted Mendez-DePaz in the McDonald’s parking lot; he was wearing a cowboy hat and showing off a large knife hanging from his hip. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle, and later charged with criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree robbery. No hamburgers were found in his possession. Latino Perspectives welcomes feedback from readers regarding published stories or topics of interest. Please include your name and phone number. Mail letters to Editor, Latino Perspectives, P.O. Box 2213 Litchfield Park, Az. 85340. Or, email letters to editor@latinopm.com. latinopm.com

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Conversation starters from the world around us

14 Vibe

Eva Longoria goes rogue; two Latinos awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

15 Anaya says Still 17 Latina Standing

Auntie Penny motivates the family to join her cause

Holidays are about giving

i say...

PHOTO BY JORGE QUINTERO

People say, Hispanics really are more conservative, a lot of Catholics are really conservative, blah blah blah, they’re Republicans, they just don’t know. Really? Talk to people about issues, don’t talk to people about parties, and I think you end up getting people who look at candidates as individuals and are willing to crisscross. New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez (GOP), the first Hispanic female governor in the country, in interview with The Washington Examiner

page

Guitarist Misael Barraza Diaz is a highly distinguished performer in both classical and flamenco genres

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¡ December 2013!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡!

LP journal

Survey results for most important Latino leader in the U.S. (ordered from left to right by response frequency) show “Don’t know” the leader of leaders (see graph below)

Leaderless Latinos? Wooing and winning the Latino vote is now regarded as critical for any one seeking national political office. Implicit in any discourse on the subject is that there is such a thing as a coherent, homogeneous Latino voting bloc that can be appealed to by taking predictable stands on a standard set of “Latino issues.” But, is this assumption justified? A recent (May 24 - July 28, 2013) survey conducted on behalf of the Pew Research Center Hispanic Trends Project (PRCHTP) attempted to clarify the situation by asking a nationally representative sample of 5,103 adult Hispanics questions that might reveal to what extent they see themselves as a unified political force with common causes. The survey results were summarized in a Pew report authored by Project director Mark Hugo Lopez and published last October. The findings were eye-opening. A number of survey items dealt with the uniformity of cultural identity and values among U.S. Latinos. When asked how they usually identified themselves, 20 percent said they preferred a panethnic term, such as Hispanic or Latino; 54 percent identified themselves by their country of origin; and 23 percent usually referred to themselves as Americans. In 12

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¡ December 2013!

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response to a question about whether U.S. Latinos from different countries of origin shared similar values 39 percent answered that they shared most values, 39 percent said that they shared some values, and 19 percent felt that few, or almost no, values were shared by all groups. Some of the patterns in these responses are well explained by the length of time the respondents had been in the U.S. More recently arrived immigrants felt more like outsiders and were less likely to feel part of American culture or of Hispanic cultural groups of different geographic origin. However, the survey’s most striking finding was that the majority of respondents (62 percent) answered “Don’t

know” to the question: Who is the most important Hispanic leader in the country today? Nine percent said that there wasn’t anyone. Among leaders named by the remainder, no one person was named in more than five percent of the interviews, with Sonia Sotomayor and Marco Rubio mentioned most often. When respondents named a leader, they tended to name one who had a connection with their own country of origin. Are many U.S. Latinos simply politically disengaged, or is it more the case that emerging Latino leaders are not effectively tapping into the power in the plurality of the Latino demographic? Whichever, or if both, of these conditions prevail, the survey results suggest that there is a great need for media resources, like LPM, that draw attention to Latinos in positions of leadership and also provide a platform for leaders to reach out and explore the shared aspirations among all Latinos. The survey question that elicited the most agreement was the one that asked: How important is it to have a national leader to advance the interests of the U.S. Latino community? A majority of the respondents (74 percent) said that it was “extremely” or “very” important. Although the percentage was somewhat higher among foreign-born Latinos than

LP journal U.S.-born Latinos, overall, this result suggests that there is a yearning for a sense of shared identity and purpose, and it is exactly the job of leaders to satisfy this yearning. See the entire report at pewhispanic. org/2013/10/22/three-fourths-ofhispanics-say-their-community-needs-aleader/

The fashion police are at the door It will surely come as a surprise to members of the LGBT community that their fight for recognition and acceptance, represented by the hoped-for passage of the Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), is not about their right to receive respectful treatment and equal opportunity in the workplace, but about their slathering desire to sport outrageous gender-bending attire on casual Fridays. ENDA is not particularly radical legislation. Its merely extends the language of earlier federal legislation against employment discrimination to include reference to sexual orientation and gender identity. In a U.S. Senate vote on November 7, 2013, the legislation passed 64 to 32, with ten “yes” votes coming from Republicans, including Arizona’s Republican Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain among other long-time familyvalues stalwarts. Evidently, they have come to accept that the world’s population is not easily categorized as either M or F. Sadly, the consensus among political prognosticators is that ENDA will get no further with our consistently recalcitrant Congress. Indeed, Speaker of the House John Boehner is on record as saying that he opposes the legislation and does not plan on bringing it to the floor for a House vote. The fear-mongering tactics often associated with the Far Right have reached new lows in the rationales presented for opposing ENDA, as is evidenced in a recent press release issued by the Western Representation PAC. Jay Batman, Director of Research and Messaging for Western

Workplace dress codes threatened?

Rep, writes that banning discrimination against LGBT persons is tantamount to “masking privilege as equality,” so that one result could be “having grown men show up to work in miniskirts or ball gowns” in spite of business owners’ objections. Like Boehner, Batman believes passage of ENDA will produce an avalanche of frivolous lawsuits and, thus, bring the nation’s economy to its knees. The big issue here, of course, is putting limits on big government. But, to couch the argument in terms of deciding whether “cross-dressing is a civil right” merely begs the question: how much longer should we tolerate crumpled cargo pants and aloha shirts in the work place?

Keeping Horne on the hook Given the allegations of legal and ethical misconduct that have been leveled at Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne over the past year, many citizens are wondering: why is he still in office? Horne has been accused of infidelity, a hit-and-run, and had been the subject of an FBI investigation for fraud. So far, he has only been brought to account for campaign finance law violations. Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk,

¡!

both acting for the Arizona Attorney General’s office, determined that Horne and Kathleen Winn, chair of the Business Leaders of Arizona (BLA) independent expenditures committee, broke the law by colluding to use BLA funds to conduct an ad campaign against Horne’s rival, Felecia Rotellini, in the 2010 general election. On October 17, the parties were ordered to return the monies used for these activities to contributors or risk additional financial penalties to the tune of $1.5 million. Horne has persistently claimed that he is innocent of the charges and is the victim of a smear campaign; he just refuses to pay out. In a recent interview on the 12News show Sunday Square Off (azcentral. com/news/politics/tomhorne), reporter Brahm Resnik asked Bill Montgomery why criminal charges were not being brought against Horne and why the Attorney General was not being pressured to resign. Montgomery said that, in the public mind, all of Horne’s alleged misdeeds have become conflated but, actually, the various offenses fall into different legal and jurisdictional domains. Only the campaign finance violations were his bailiwick, Montgomery explained, and these were abrogations of civil, not criminal, statutes, which only carry financial penalties. The idea that there are simply no consequences for Horne’s refusal to pay these penalties is galling to quite a few Arizonans. On November 8, the Arizona Public Integrity Alliance (APIA), a nonprofit corporation with a libertarian agenda founded in 2012, launched a statewide multimedia effort to educate the public about Horne’s “embarrassing” behavior. Visitors to their website, unethicalhorne.com, are urged to sign a petition and/or call or tweet the attorney general’s office to personally request that he pay back the money. The APIA describes its mission as advancing “principles of limited, constitutional government; integrity and accountability in government and public officials; government fiscal responsibility; and lower taxes.” latinopm.com

¡ December 2013!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡!

vibe

New star turn for Olmos

21st Century arcade experience SINCE 1998, MAIN EVENT ENTERTAINMENT® HAS BEEN

GO FOR SISTERS FIRST HIT MOVIE THEATERS IN NOVEMBER and will premiere in Phoenix at Harkins Superstition Springs 25 on December 13. Written and directed by John Sayles, Go For Sisters centers on the relationship of two high school friends, Bernice (LisaGray Hamilton) and Fontayne (Yolonda Ross). Their reunion many years later comes about when Bernice is assigned as the parole officer for Fontayne. Fontayne would like to turn her life around and redeem herself in her old friend’s eyes. She gets her chance when Bernice embarks on a mission to find her wayward son, who’s been involved in sordid activities in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. Edward James Olmos as Freddy Suarez, a down-atthe-heels ex-LAPD detective, is recruited along the way. Called a “female buddy film” by Huffington Post critic Penelope Andrew, the changing dynamics of the women’s friendship are worked out in the context of a crime story that has some humorous asides, such as the threesome’s attempt to pass as Tony-Orlando-and-Dawn imitators.

updating classic recreational pastimes, like bowling, billiards and even tag, for the contemporary consumer acclimated to a high-tech play environment. The Plano, Texas-based company opened its first game palace in Tempe on November 12, 2013, the first of its installations outside of Texas. A second center is planned for Avondale. Visitors charge up Fun Cards with the dollar amount of their choice to pay-to-play any of the over 100 virtual and interactive games. There’s also places to eat and drink and facilities available for banquets, parties and other group events. The Main Event is located at 8545 S. Emerald Drive, Tempe 85284. Hours: Mondays and Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Info at mainevent.com/locations/tempe_az; 480-753-1200.

Get more Vibe at latinopm.com

Highest national award for Latino immigrants THE RECIPIENTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM

were named in August, but the official award ceremony was held on November 20, 2013, in the East Room of the White House. Among this year’s 16 honorees were two Latino immigrants: Mario Molina and Arturo Sandoval. Mario Molina, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California-San Diego, received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1995 for his work on the effects of man-made compounds on the ozone layer. The 70-year-old Molina was born in Mexico City and came to the U.S. in 1968. Arturo Sandoval, a household name among jazz, classical and Latin music enthusiasts, is the winner of nine Grammy Awards. Internationally renowned as a trumpet virtuoso, pianist and composer, the maestro defected from his native Cuba in 1990 and eventually obtained U.S. citizenship in 1998. 14

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¡ December 2013!

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Anaya says

vibe

¡!

Battling ALS on two fronts By Catherine Anaya

JUST A WEEK AFTER MY NANA PASSED

Longoria makes film for festival organized by Ron Howard

Fight Club femenil IF WATCHING EVA LONGORIA IN A CATSUIT

and five-inch-high-heeled boots beat up baddies sounds like your idea of a good time, your moment has arrived. That’s basically the content of Out of the Blue, a short film that Longoria produced, directed and starred in. Longoria created the film as part of Project Imaginat10n, organized by Ron Howard and Canon U.S.A., Inc., to celebrate the creativity in all of us. The project began with an open call for photographs on 10 storytelling themes. Howard assembled a pool of photos and each celebrity director used 10 of them to inform their films. Finally, there was a public call for short film submissions based on the same batch of photos. A panel of judges selected five from the hundreds of user-generated films received. Ten films premiered together at a special screening at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York on October 24. Longoria was one of the five celebrity filmmakers, none of whom are principally known as film directors. Out of the Blue gave her the chance to work on the other side of the camera lens, and to do all her own stunt work – an amazing undertaking for this middle-aged mom. View photos and films at longliveimagination.com/ films#1022.

away, our family was hit with another blow. My nana’s youngest child, my mom’s baby sister Penny, told us she had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a neuromuscular disease that slowly robs a person of their ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. There is no cure. The average life span after diagnosis is two to five years. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and another person dies from it. Auntie Penny is only 52 years old. She is very aware of the grim statistics. When she called me late one night to tell me about her condition, she made it clear that she knew what she faced. I’ve reported about people who’ve battled this disease, so, she knew I also knew what’s ahead. She told me her goal was to raise as much money as possible to fight this disease so that no other family has to endure its wretched effects. In just a matter of days, our family seemed to become ALS experts. Word quickly spread about my Auntie Penny’s wish to fundraise for a cure, beginning with the “Walk to Defeat ALS” in California, where my extended family live. The Walk would take place in mid-October and my cousins formed a team they called “Pacing for Penny.” The fundraising began immediately. I soon found out that the same Walk would be held in Scottsdale, and I pledged to put my own team together and walk in my aunt’s honor. I called our team “Pacing for Penny AZ.” As my cousins created “Pacing for Penny” bracelets and T-shirts, I started

posting about the Walk and my team via social media. It caught the attention of the ALS Association Arizona Chapter and soon I was taking a bigger role in helping to spread the word about the Walk and helping to raise awareness about the disease. Patients like my Auntie Penny know that there’s currently no cure for the disease, but they find hope in the number of people who are willing to donate to help scientists one day find a way to beat it for good. Pictures from the “Walk to Defeat ALS” in Irvine show my Auntie Penny beaming with pride, surrounded by her “Pacing for Penny” team of about 75 people who raised nearly $5,000. A week later, when I took the stage to rally the 3,500 people who showed up to “Walk to Defeat ALS” in Scottsdale, I choked up looking at my “Pacing for Penny AZ” team of not only of my husband, children and close friends but also my mom, her sister Debbie, my two cousins Candace and Selena and their mom (my sweet Auntie Penny) who all drove out from California to be there. Her battle is our battle. Because in this family, no one walks alone. Catherine Anaya anchors CBS 5 News weeknights at 5, 5:30, 6 and 10 p.m. She is a mother of two, wife and motivational speaker. Reach her at catherine.anaya@cbs5az.com; connect with her on Facebook, twitter and at CatherineAnaya.com.

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“We found a place to fight cancer together, at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.” Mary Ellen & Martin Flores

Breast Cancer & Prostate Cancer Patients

Encontrando Esperanza Cancer hits a marriage hard. It’s even more difficult when cancer strikes twice. After losing her father to cancer, Mary Ellen, received a diagnosis of breast cancer. Throughout her treatment, her husband Martin was by her side. Then, after three years, they received another blow: Martin was diagnosed with prostate cancer. “He’s a strong cowboy, a champion roper,” said Mary Ellen. “But after hearing this news, he almost lost hope.” Mary Ellen needed to find strength for both of them. She found Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA). “I called and within a short time, we were at CTCA®. A dedicated team of clinicians took the time to understand our diagnoses and developed an integrated cancer treatment plan for each of us.” Surrounded by their CTCA family, they did not have to fight alone. “This is what health care should be like,” said Martin. “Having everything in one place allows us to focus on healing so we can get back to our active family life and time with each other. Encontramos un lugar par luchar el cancer juntos, en Cancer Treatment Centers of America.” Call now to speak with one of our Oncology Information Specialists and learn how we fight cancer like no one else. Call 888-214-9488 or go to cancercenter.com.

vibe

Latina still standing

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The gift of giving By Diana Bejarano

THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US AND, FOR

Neoclassic margarita ON NOVEMBER 23 THE 2013 CAMARENA

Margarita Challenge took place at the 5th Annual Phoenix Tequila Fest and LPM was there to check out the results. The official panel of judges gave first prize to an exotic concoction of pomegranate and blueberry, pepper and volcanic salt prepared by mixologist Richie Moe of Citizen Public House in Scottsdale. However, the LPM contingent unanimously favored the subtler taste of the second place winner, invented by Rich Rush of Modern Margarita in Phoenix: Watermelon Honey Margarita 2 oz. blanco tequila 2 oz. watermelon juice (prepare with a juicer or by just mashing the fruit in a bowl and then straining) 1 oz. honey syrup (1:1 honey to water; recommended: Crockett Arizona mesquite raw honey) Juice of half a lime Shake very well over ice and strain up or over ice. Rush is the general manager of Modern Margarita as well as an amazing cocktail artist. The restaurant, located at 5410 E. High St. (#115), offers an array of tantalizing margarita variations seven days a week, Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Margaritas are priced at $3-10 during happy hour, which lasts from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Learn more at modernmargarita.com; 602-795-8111.

many of our families, this means tamales, champurrado, buñuelos and Christmas dinner parties with family and friends. Every child wants to have that storybook Christmas with the hot chocolate, a warm meal and a big beautiful Christmas tree with lots of gifts underneath. The reality is that many families in the city that we live in are not so fortunate, and many of them go without Christmas gifts and sometimes without adequate amounts of food. According to the local St. Mary’s Food Bank website, one in four children are living in poverty. As Latinas, it is in our nature to give and, this holiday season, I would like to challenge all of us to give even more. Whether it’s donating a turkey dinner to St. Mary’s Food Bank, volunteering at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s dining hall in South Phoenix, or spending time with women at a domestic violence shelter, collectively, we can make a tremendous impact within our community – regardless of the size of any individual contribution. The saying goes, “It is better to give than to receive.” I have personally experienced both giving and receiving and I concur that it is always more rewarding to be on the giving side. It’s a tremendous blessing to be a blessing to others. As a young child, my mother and I had to flee domestic violence and we found refuge at a local women’s shelter, the Faith House in Glendale, Arizona. That was an experience that neither of us will ever forget. Because generous people donated to that organization, we had a safe place to go and we are forever grateful.

Our giving doesn’t have to be huge to have a significant impact. More than 30 years later, I still remember staying those few nights at that women’s shelter. Unfortunately, in today’s society too many Latinas and their children continue to experience similar situations of domestic violence, just as we did so many years ago. I am convinced that every good deed has a ripple effect on the community, acts as simple as donating to your favorite charity, making a tax credit donation to an inner-city school like ASU Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, or volunteering at a local women’s shelter like Chicano por la Causa’s De Colores Women’s Shelter. Several churches and organizations, including the Salvation Army, also have holiday adopt-a-family programs. There are also organizations that help children of incarcerated parents, such as prisonfellowship.org’s Christmas Angel program. I believe our acts of kindness and generosity can have a positive effect on those in need this holiday season. This holiday season, I am thankful for so much including my health, my family, my occupation and my home. As we celebrate this year, my family’s focus will be on helping those less fortunate. I hope you will join me in impacting the lives of Arizona Latinas and their familias. ¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año! An Arizona native, Diana Bejarano, is a blogger, columnist, motivational speaker, marketing professional and a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Reach her on her website at latinastillstanding1.com or e-mail her at latinastillstanding@yahoo.com.

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Meet Estrella Soto Full-time student at South Mountain Community College, a Maricopa Community College

For Students Interested in a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree Start your college education at a Maricopa Community College, then transfer to a university to build on your success. We have transfer partnerships with nearly 50 institutions, including ASU, NAU, and UA.

www.maricopa.edu/transfer/partners You make a difference in your Community. We make a difference in you. The Maricopa Community Colleges are EEO/AA Institutions

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Adventures in flamenco Misael Barraza Diaz, guitarist/composer AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN, BARRAZA DIAZ BEGAN LEARNING classical guitar and initiated a stunning career as a performer, scholar and winner of many prestigious competitions. Despite his success in the classical genre, he also discovered and became enamored of flamenco. In this interview, he tells LPM about the allure and challenges of flamenco.

Background: I am originally from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, and have been in the U.S. since 2008. I am currently working on a master’s degree in Guitar Performance at the University of Arizona.

What was your introduction to flamenco? I can’t remember exactly what I learned first

PHOTO BY JORGE QUINTERO

but I do remember going through all the music I could get from Paco de Lucía, Vicente Amigo, Tomatito and Oscar Herrero. Initially, I had to teach myself. I didn’t have access to a lot of scores or recordings, so, I largely learned by ear, which I now realize made me a better musician in many ways. I don’t like to say that I didn’t have a teacher, rather that flamenco was my teacher and those four guitarists were my guides as I adventured through the music. Eventually, I got to study in person with Oscar Herrero, who is now my teacher and great friend.

What is the fascination of flamenco for you? It is an art that allows you to express yourself in unique ways, but it also demands respect and devotion to its foundations. As a guitarist, it is expected that you play the maestros’ music as a formative process (the maestros are all the great guitarists since Ramon Montoya). However, once the guitarist is able to play at a high level, he or she is fully expected to perform their own pieces; using somebody else’s music would be unacceptable. Once I felt I was at the right level, I came up with my own set of pieces, a few of which have won competitions, such as Cajita de Madera (Granaína style), winner of the 2010 Concurso Nacional de Flamenco in Albuquerque. One of the nice things about flamenco is that you can perform with a lot of different people without necessarily

having to know them very long. This allows for a certain kind of relationship to develop on stage, some sort of complicity that is born there and dies when the show is over. To fully understand the nuances of the music and its behavior would take more than a life time, considering all the branches of art that exist within flamenco. I admire dancers and singers, so I hope that, in the future, I am able to perform on stages that include people from those two branches of flamenco.

Current Projects: I am in the process of recording a CD entitled Luz de Día. I perform often at the University of Arizona, and in other venues in Tucson, Phoenix and Mexico.

Help us highlight the local arts Send information to editor@latinopm.com. latinopm.com

¡ December 2013!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

Congratulations Priscilla Giguere - Mrs. Sonoran Desert

We are proud to have you as a friend to the Estetica family. We wish you the best of luck in the Mrs. Arizona America Pageant. Mrs. America State Pageant will take place April 5 & 6, 2013 at the Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ. Tickets available for this event at the box office and online. To learn more about the Mrs. Arizona America Pageant, find us on Facebook or at: www.MrsArizonaAmerica.com Mrs. Arizona America Pageant

Priscilla Giguere Mrs. Sonoran Desert

Mrs. Arizona America Contestant 2013

Dr. Corwin D. Martin

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he American Retail Federation reports that although Black Friday weekend sales decreased slightly from last year’s, 2013 total holiday sales are expected to increase 3.9 percent over last year, to $602 billion. Instead of battling frenzied shoppers at big box retailers in search of the latest gadgets, LPM invites you to check your list twice and consider thinking out of the box, and the gift wrapping paper. Instead of stretching your budget and buying presents your loved ones may not really need, or want, give a gift that keeps on giving. It’s simple. Ask yourself, what’s your loved one passionate about? Whether it is education, social services or the arts, there are numerous valley non-profits that could use a helping hand. Call them up or go on-line, and consider making a donation in the name of your loved one. Then, send them a card sharing the good news about your donation on their behalf. Giving is contagious, and every little bit counts! Maybe they’ll respond in kind. If there are children on your list, or in your brood, consider spending uninterrupted, old-fashioned, quality time together. Valley resident and composer, Ira Weitz, shares his take on how to foster ingenuity and creativity with “The Imagination Starter Kit.”

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¡ December 2013!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

UR BA N

There is no greater reward than working from your heart and making a difference in the world. – Carlos Santana

very morning when I wake up, I have a cup of espresso sweetened with two “Santanas” – a Carlos Santana quote (I recite the one above which starts this article) and then I play my Latin hand drum along with the recording of my favorite Santana song, Try a Little Harder, from the Festival CD. That song has become my mantra as I devote the rest of my day as both a creator and performer of educational children’s music to making a positive contribution to the lives of our youth. I help them connect with their imaginations, to find solutions that will help them to live a happy, community-connected, meaningful life. I call my discovery “The Imagination

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BE AT SB EC OM E

LV ING

The Imagination Starter Kit

O -S M E BL O PR A PL AL T AYGRO N UND FOR ME

Starter Kit” and it doesn’t have to cost you any money since the materials you will need may already be in your house and on your computer. Your only investment will be the time it takes to work with your children. But, before I tell you what materials you’ll need to get started, I will relate to you my “Aha!” moments, those insights which led me to the creation of The Imagination Starter Kit. As a former elementary school teacher and guidance counselor, I worked with small groups of six, and I was encouraged to develop some techniques that would motivate our students to overcome their academic challenges and their pessimistic attitudes. My group discussions were fine, but occasionally I noticed that some children remained detached, isolated and oppositional, and never joined our talks. They preferred, instead, to look out of my classroom window and sing songs they heard on the radio. When I asked them what tunes they were singing and what the lyrics were about, they would tell me. My questions engaged their interest and, afterwards, they participated in our group chat with a renewed focus and an increased attention span. I was not judgmental about their music, and they appreciated that. When I arrived home, I would listen to the songs they named and, in doing so, I

By Ira Weitz

noticed a common thread – each tune was percussion-heavy, with either a strong hiphop or reggae beat. I then decided to take the initiative and create my own compelling educational music. So, I went to a store and bought a few CDs of instrumental reggae and hip-hop beats without the clutter of vocals and melody. Minimalist beats, without singing and melodic instruments, leave lots of empty space in-between for the students to participate in, to create their own word/lyric/rap solutions. I call this teachable moment, offered by the empty spaces between drum beats, a window of imagination opportunity for our youth. It is a time when they can be intuitive and evaluate both their experiences and the wisdom offered by the experiences of others to determine the best course of action to overcome their challenges and rise to the occasion. One day, after a few listens to get the flow and feel of the beats, I composed some rhymes dealing with the topics for the next day’s scheduled group sessions. These topics were: self-esteem, consequences, conflict resolution and imagination. With thick black markers I wrote the rhymes onto big charts, played my beat CDs through a boom box, and practiced “rapping” my original rhymes. I have to admit, I was really “rocking the mic.”

On the very next day in school, my students were fascinated by the educational percussion-dominated sounds that surrounded them, which I used as starting points for our interactions. The atmosphere was electric as the children read and rapped my concept-specific sample rhymes, and as they recited their own original spoken poetry. Their enthusiasm was contagious as they co-created (with me) the solutions they were in search of. By introducing the street sounds they loved, I created a learning environment which was playful, participatory and profound. I presented to the children a joyful “possibility party.” Because what emanated from my boom-box speakers came from their media influences, they were motivated to use them to access their imaginations, to create potentially winning plans. They were enticed into joining an on-going process of selfimprovement. Those reggae and hip-hop beats built bridges to their imagination. Children love to make stuff up. As much as they like to consume, they really love to create. And that is my discovery, what I call “The Imagination Starter Kit.” All you need to assemble your “Kit” are: 1 - some beats, thousands of which can be found on the internet; 2 - a music player; 3 - paper, notebooks, pens and markers for “our precious ones” to write on; 4 - a large piece of cardboard and tape to fasten both your sample starter rhymes and the children’s original creations; 5 - a shoe box or plastic container for the collection and storage of all of the written ideas produced by their fertile imaginations for future use. The welcomed, although unintended, consequence of this method is that children will get more practice in skills

such as reading, writing and interpersonal communication, and their skills in these areas may improve … as their pens move … to the groove. Furthermore, the faceto-face interactions with others at the “possibility party” will move them away from an isolated existence and reinforce the “positive vibrational fact” of the joy of human contact. Let’s be honest here. Their lives are becoming technologically imbalanced, overly dependent on, and addicted to, screens. Our youngsters need to “get out of their screens and into their lives.” If they do not break away from what I call F.I.S.S. (Face in Screen Syndrome), they run the risk of living make-believe lives with makebelieve relationships. We don’t have to be reminded where such disconnection leads to; unfortunately, we read about it all too often in our national headlines. As a former freelance writer for Marvel Comics, I learned that everyone loves to laugh and values a sense of humor. By translating that to the work I do with children, I have learned to: Go for the giggle, go for the fun, or you’ll send your children’s focus and attention on the run. When they are in a good mood and smiling, we can lead them more easily into the land of critical thinking, where they can take daily “consequence walk-throughs.” And, when we “go for the giggle,” and throw “drum-based ear candy” into the mix, it’s possible that we can persuade our children to become “imaginationistas.” How cool and healing that would be – a “Nation of Imaginationistas?” When children are surrounded by mid-tempo, meditative drum sounds which, I have discovered, command their

focus and increase their attention span, they might just do as I do at the start of each day and go to that Carlos Santana song and Try a Little Harder to involve their imaginations in overcoming every obstacle life throws at them. If you love Carlos Santana, raise your hand. I can’t put mine down.

You Read, You Write, You Rock You Read, You Write, You Rock is an album of fifteen essential songs for children 5 through 12 years old. All songs were created and performed by Ira Weitz, a resident of Cave Creek, Arizona. These percussion-heavy, bigbeat, deep-groove tunes fall into the categories of: Academic Motivation; Communication Skills; Character Development; Financial Literacy; and Job/Career Opportunities. Specific topics include: Reading; Writing; Saying No to the Bully; SelfConfidence; Making Friends; Listening Skills; Peace; Animal Kindness; Goals; Careers; Creating a Resumé; Ecology; Sustainability; and Imagination. The CD or mp3 download can be purchased directly from Ira’s website, youreadyouwriteyourock.com, or from CD Baby or iTunes.

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Latino Perspectives Magazine

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Socially Responsible Giving It takes just one person to change one life Established in 1970, Valle del Sol has grown to be one of Arizona’s largest nonprofit organizations helping men, women, children, families and the elderly each year through healthcare, human service, and leadership development programs. Valle del Sol’s culturally diverse, bilingual staff provides a wide range of programs and services for the entire family. Our mission is “Valle del Sol inspires positive change by investing in human services to strengthen families with tools and skills for self-sufficiency and by building the next generation of Latino and diverse leaders”. valledelsol.com 602-258-6797 24

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Valley of the Sun United Way has been changing lives and strengthening communities in Maricopa County since 1925. With your support we will achieve three vital Community Objectives: • Ensure children and youth succeed • End hunger and homelessness • Increase the financial stability of families and individuals Your contribution to United Way can help a child do better in school. Or provide a meal to someone who might not otherwise eat today. Or get a struggling family back on its feet. Be the one. ¡Gracias por su apoyo! Give — and Receive! A gift to our Helping the Working Poor fund is eligible for an Arizona state tax credit. Learn more at vsuw.org

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Since 1988, Children’s Action Alliance (CAA) has been a respected voice for Arizona children and families at the state legislature and in the community. Because children can’t speak for themselves, they need a voice in the halls of power to speak on their behalf. For 25 years, CAA has successfully advanced public policy to help children, and has beat back harmful proposals that weaken our families. CAA fights for all kids and teens to have safe places to live and play, quality education, healthy bodies and minds, and opportunities to fulfill their potential. Thanks to donor support, CAA is vigilant and prepared to take on the next threats and opportunities. Please make a tax-deductible donation today so together we can continue to do what’s best for Arizona children and families. azchildren.org 602-266-0707

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Founded in 1952, United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona (UCP) provides comprehensive services to over 7,000 children and adults with disabilities and their families on an annual basis. Those served have disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. Our programs include an Early Learning Center, Home and Community Based Services, Day Treatment and Training for Children and Adults, Early Intervention, and Therapy programs. Since its inception, UCP has been committed to change and progress for people with disabilities and strives to ensure their inclusion into every facet of society, to ensure a life without limits for people with disabilities.

A Stepping Stone is Transformational Education for Two Generations Together When you begin life with parents who love you but have few resources to support you, your community should be there to help. A Stepping Stone helps by providing quality early education, parent and adult education and home visiting to local families. YOU can help us support our Stepping Stone families by attending our annual Cena y Serenata 2014 on March 15 at the Tempe Marriott Buttes. Or donate online now! See our website for more information call the office. asteppingstone.org 602-843-8281

Engaging the community in increasing resources that will bring significant and positive change to communities using various disciplines such as micro grants, nonprofit incubators, and donor-advised funds. The Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth is focused on engaging all segments of the community and promoting their contribution, as The Foundation takes on a more prominent role in the structure of Phoenix and Arizona. The Victoria Foundation believes that it can make a positive difference for neighborhoods and families in Arizona. â&#x20AC;&#x2039; Regard The Victoria Foundation among the vanguards for change. Your investment in The Victoria Foundation will ensure the future of much needed programs in the areas of affordable housing/community economic development, education programs/scholarships, arts/culture, and international exchange/faith based activities. Your support will bring new ideas to the emerging field of philanthropy.

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Financial options for e ve ry phase of your life

Whether you want to savefor thefuture, securea personal loan, utilizeexclusiveonlineand telephonebanking services, or enjoy theconvenienceof our ATMs and many locations, weare herefor you. Call, click, or stop by and talk with a banker. If you would liketo open an account ove r thephone , call 1-800-932-6736 any time(or 1-800-311-9311 for se rvicein Spanish).

29Entrepreneur Wheelchair design wins students an Edson grant

31 Briefcase

Fusion news targets young Latinos; job creation through casinos and cures

Movin’ Up Praise and promotions for MCCCD educators Recently, several of the Maricopa Community College District’s (MCCCD) valued employees have received recognition for their hard work and service to the community. Phoenix College president, Dr. Anna Solley, was inducted into the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Hall of Champions on October 28, 2013, at the Association’s 27th annual conference in Chicago. In her 37 years with MCCCD, Solley has exhibited determination

Phoenix College Alumni Association Hall of Fame inductee and Heritage Award recipient, Delia Escalante

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movin’ up

and creativity in broadening the avenues for Hispanic success in higher education. The Phoenix College (PC) Alumni Association elected 11 new members of the PC community to their Hall of Fame. The inductees were honored at the Association’s 15th Annual Alumni Gala on November 7. Among the new hall-of-famers is Delia Escalante, recipient of the Heritage Award, who has done much to instill the desire for foreign-language learning as head of World Languages at PC and as organizer of the annual High School Foreign Language Competition. Arthur Othon (Class of ’77), who received the Signature Award, has been the driving force behind many economic and community development projects in the Phoenix metro area and formerly served as president of Chicanos por la Causa. After a national search, Estrella Mountain Community College announced their choice of Dr. Patricia Cardenas-Adame as the new Vice President of Student Affairs. Her commitment to promote active and creative learning environments is backed by 20-plus years’ experience as a college instructor and administrator. At Glendale Community College (GCC), Monica Castaneda, former Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at GCC North, has been appointed interim Dean of Instruction.

Dr. Patricia Cardenas-Adame

totaling nearly $90 million, is a multi-faceted philanthropic initiative to enhance the quality of education across the state. Yanez has served on the AZ State Board of Education since 1997 and has been its executive director since 2004. On the Board, and as an advisor on numerous councils and committees, he has aggressively pursued core improvements in AZ’s K-12 education system.

Latino teachers honored Chicanos por la Causa (CPLC) announced the winners of the 2013 Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards at their 15th annual award ceremony in October. The recipients were: Graciela Jáuregui, Getz School-Tempe; Guillermina Lorona, Villago Middle School-Casa Grande; Rich Mayorga, Sunnyside High School-Tucson; and Jeanette Scott, Cesar Chavez High School-Laveen. All were peernominated and will receive a $5,000 cash stipend, $2,500 donation for their school, and a half-scholarship to Grand Canyon University.

Yanez to lead ACF Venture Fund The Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) announced that Vince Yanez will take on the duties of the executive director for the Arizona Venture Fund for Quality Education this month. In this role, Yanez will be engaged in addressing public education reform, as well as supervising research, grant development and promoting collaboration among education agencies. The Venture Fund, with charitable assets

Cox welcomes Caballero to AZ

Juan Pablo G. Zaragoza

Zaragoza new associate at Polsinelli Juan Pablo G. Zaragoza has joined the Phoenix office of the national law firm Polsinelli PC. Zaragoza brings very unique skills to the Polsinelli team, particularly his experience in international estate planning. Zaragoza received his Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona’s Rogers College of Law and a Master’s in Tax Law from the University of Washington School of Law. He is active in many professional organizations related to both law and business and is a recipient of the Cesar Chavez Community Leadership Award.

Movin’ Up Know someone who has been promoted, elected or honored? Send us the news of their achievements! Email movinup@latinopm.com 28

Latino Perspectives Magazine

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Luis F. W. Caballero

Cox Communications Hispanic Marketing Center of Excellence, based in Phoenix, has a new executive director in Luis F.W. Caballero. He will be responsible for developing national Hispanic consumer marketing strategies. Prior to joining Cox, Caballero was a marketing strategist for the Radio Shack Corporation focussing on the U.S. Hispanic and Latin American customer base.

THCC’s Noche de Éxitos The Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (THCC) recognized business and cultural leaders focused on improving cooperation across the U.S.-Mexico border with Bi-National Awards announced at their 19th annual Noche de Éxitos Gala at the Casino del Sol Resort on October 26, 2013. Cecilia Mata, owner of AllSource Global Management,was named Hispanic Businesswoman of the Year, and Ricardo Cazares, owner of Los Portales restaurant and Alejandro’s Tortillería, was named Hispanic Businessman of the Year.

entrepreneur

¡!

UPstarts’ start-up

Christopher Miranda, head engineer and co-founder, UP: The Elevating Wheelchair Founded: 2013 Number of employees: 4

Professional background: I am a recent graduate of the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at ASU with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering. In addition to working towards the development of UP, I am also currently pursuing a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. Back-story: UP began as part of a year-long product development course at Arizona State University called InnovationSpace. InnovationSpace brings together faculty and students from the schools of design, engineering, and business to work together in an effort to make a positive impact on the world through innovative products. With the help of the amazing faculty and sponsors, we got a glimpse into what life in a wheelchair is really like and discovered many unsolved problems in the wheelchair community. My team and I realized that the lack of height and reach afforded to wheelchair users is an issue that has been largely underestimated. We decided to focus on this issue in order to create a positive impact on these people’s lives. After many months of hard work, budgeting and building a prototype, we noticed that UP was truly unique. We had wheelchair users assure us that it would help improve their lives. It was a relatively easy process for us to transition UP into an actual start-up company because we had already treated the development of the product as a potential startup through our coursework in the InnovationSpace program.

Important business milestones: The invention of UP and the advances we have made in its development. When we built our prototype, I was in awe of the

PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER MIRANDA

Elevator pitch: UP seeks to re-establish normalcy and social equity for manual wheelchair users who are burdened with less height in a society designed to accommodate their ablebodied counterparts. UP is a unique elevating manual wheelchair that functions on the same principle as the common office chair. It will be available for sale to paraplegic manual wheelchair users who desire extra height in order to speak with others at eye level and reach items that would typically be beyond arm length.

UP co-founders (left to right): Christopher Miranda, Andrew Lai (at standing height although he is sitting in the prototype of the UP wheelchair), Peter Georgiou and Rachel Bone

fact that there was nothing else on the planet like it. Earlier this year, we submitted a patent application for UP; as a young engineer, it is motivating and thrilling to be on the verge of receiving a patent for something I helped create.

Next business goal: We are in the process of designing the second prototype of our elevating wheelchair with the guidance of actual wheelchair users. Our goal is to incorporate the same functionality and convenience users get from conventional wheelchairs with UP’s unique elevating function. Once we have designed the new prototype, we will build a few full-size chairs for beta testing. We plan to ask potential users of our product to test it and provide feedback. In June, we received a generous grant from the highly competitive Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative at Arizona State University. The Edson program is also providing us with mentorship in areas vital to developing our product, including incorporation, manufacturing, and insurance coverage and certification. Moreover, they have also provided us with free office space that is currently serving as our headquarters, where all the development of our invention takes place. Company website: upwheelchair.com

Suggest an entrepreneur Send your information to editor@latinopm.com.

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¡ December 2013!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

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News with an accent

Fusion news channel finesses fit between delivery style and target audience By Jonathan Higuera

UNIVISION, THE NATION’S LARGEST SPANISH-LANGUAGE

television network, and The Walt Disney Company’s ABC Television Group have launched a cable news channel, called Fusion, aimed at attracting 20-something Hispanic and other young viewers referred to as “millennials.” Fusion programming includes a new, one-hour show called América with Jorge Ramos, which is hosted by the well-known anchor for Univision’s Spanish-language network news. The program offers a traditional news format with an emphasis on Latin America and domestic themes of interest to Hispanics. Ramos said his English-language news show offers “news with an accent.” “Young people are more into this global economy,” he was quoted as saying. “Millennials are really engaged with issues such as the environment and technology.” The show also injects humor into its programming. With a blend of hard news, satire and pop culture, it hopes to capture the attention of the 18- to 34-year-old viewer. The business model has been built around growth and experimentation, said ABC News president, Ben Sherwood. The joint venture recognizes the coming demographic changes in which one out of three Americans will be Hispanic and gives the partners overseeing Fusion the “first-mover advantage in this space.” While Fusion aims programming at young Latinos, the plan is to appeal to a broad swath of millennials. Some

of its programming will feature a heavy dose of humor, a bid for viewers who keep up with current events through shows like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Alongside newscasts with more traditional formats will be programs like Sports Talkers, a satirical show hosted by members of the Harvard Sailing Team, a comedy troupe. “News doesn’t necessarily have to be boring,” Fusion’s chief executive officer, Isaac Lee, said in an interview with Reuters.

Casino plans garner support THE GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL IS GOING

to allow its staff to enter into talks with the Tohono O’odham Nation as part of a fact-finding mission on the tribe’s proposed plans to open a new casino and resort near the Westgate Entertainment District. The move marks a change in direction for the Council,

which had previously voted against the project in 2009. At an October 15 workshop, Council members agreed to the formal discussions. For the past several years, the tribe and the Council have been involved in legal maneuvers. Glendale has spent nearly $3.5 million to stop the

creation of a reservation and casino near 95th and Northern Avenues. However, the tribe has been mounting its own legal challenges and, recently, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals closed one case, which Glendale filed when the U.S. Department of Interior agreed to declare the tribe’s land in the West latinopm.com

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briefcase

Valley as a reservation, a necessary step to allow gaming on the property. At least three members on the five-person Council are backing the project. Norma Alvarez, Sam Chavira and Ian Hugh say that they support the project because it brings jobs and economic benefits to the city. In an open letter to The Arizona Republic published on October 25, Tolleson mayor Adolfo Gamez, Peoria mayor Bob Barrett and Surprise mayor Sharon Walcott expressed their support for the development: “As mayors of our respective cities, we work every day to help create the best possible environment for our residents to succeed. We also recognize that, as neighbors, there are unique opportunities in which our cities can work together for the benefit of the entire West Valley ... The Tohono O’odham Nation’s planned West Valley Resort and Casino is an excellent example of one of these opportunities.” In their letter, the mayors cited well-funded opposition to the casino and resort coming from other Indian tribes that have gaming operations in the East Valley as part of the reason for the project’s long delayed status.

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“Cure Corridor” CITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

officials are fond of saying that a diversified economy is a healthy economy. When an economy is not reliant on a single industry, it can ride out the boom and bust cycles with less harm to its job base. In Scottsdale, health care may be fulfilling the diversification mantra. It has become the city’s largest industry sector, making up 19 percent of its employment base, according to city economic development officials. Touted as the “Cure Corridor,” the industry includes a workforce of about 27,700 people with an average salary of $52,259, according to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. Annual personal income totals $1.4 billion, while direct economic output totals $2.5 billion and indirect output totals $3.5 billion, it said. Direct output is medical and non-medical sales revenue in the industry, while indirect output is revenue generated by other businesses generated by the medical industry. “What it means to Scottsdale residents is something we’ve been working on for quite a long time, and that’s to diversify our economic base,” says Scottsdale mayor Jim Lane, who noted that the city traditionally relied mainly on tourism.

The “Corridor” includes 36 key businesses, such as Arizona Oncology Associates, Brain State Technologies, Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute, Translational Drug Development (TD2) and the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare. The Mayo Clinic has 5,000 employees, including 450 physicians and scientists between its two campuses, in the Corridor on Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale and in northeast Phoenix. In addition, Mayo Medical School-Arizona Campus, a $266 million medical-school branch, will be opening in the Scottsdale Corridor. “The presence of health care research benefits local patients first,” said Dr. Keith Stewart, hematologist and dean for research at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. “Also, it’s an economic driver, bringing highly qualified professionals into the region, creating jobs and hopefully improving health care.” Rachel Pearson, vice president of community and government affairs for the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the high caliber of health care in Scottsdale is “certainly a draw for patients looking for the best in care.”

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Latina to lead OPM COLORADO NATIVE KATHERINE ARCHULETA HAS BECOME THE FIRST HISPANIC TO

hold the position of Chief of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which is akin to running the human resources department for the federal government. On October 30, the Senate confirmed her in a 62-35 vote. It was the first time the nominee had to be installed by a recorded vote. For months, her nomination had been impeded by a partisan dispute, with Republicans tying their opposition to her nomination with their objections to aspects of the Affordable Care Act. The 64-year-old Archuleta, who was the national political director for Obama’s re-election campaign, will rank among his administration’s most prominent Latinas. She served as chief-of-staff to former labor secretary Hilda Solis and held positions in the Energy and Transportation Departments. She has long been a force in Colorado’s Hispanic community. Archuleta replaces John Berry, whose term expired in April and who is now U.S. ambassador to Australia. OPM oversees the health care system for federal workers. Some Republicans who opposed her nomination linked it to how the agency ruled on whether to continue to contribute to premiums for lawmakers and their staffs, even those that are covered by plans offered through the health insurance exchanges established on October 1. In an interview last year with the news site Politic365.com, Archuleta said that her foray into politics was rooted in a desire to improve conditions and life for women and Latinos. “You do it because you have a deep passion for public good, for civic engagement,” she said. “For me, I was passionate about women’s issues and Latina issues in particular. I never imagined that I would be in this position, but I always knew that I would speak out on behalf of Latinas.”

Think outside the mailbox.

PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

LPM, sent to your Inbox. For nine years, LPM has been the only Arizona magazine focused on the local Latino community. Sign up for the free digital edition: www.latinopm.com/digital

Katherine Archuleta appointed as new Chief of the Office of Personnel Management for the federal government

Send us your briefcase items

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Doing what matters

Dave Fernandez, School Resource Officer, City of Peoria Police Department Years of service: Nine and a half years Professional honors: I was honored with the Life Saving Award for assisting a woman who was having a heart attack. Brief description of your duties: As a school resource officer, I work to promote a safe environment for the school and the surrounding community. Effective security requires working closely with school staff, teachers and students. I am also able to serve as an educator to the students and act as a mentor to those who request guidance.

What inspired you to pursue this career? I wanted a career that allowed me to feel that, at the end of the day, what I did mattered. I wanted to have the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Inherent dangers you face: Because a dangerous situation can always be right around the corner, an officer has to remain vigilant and alert at all times. As we are all sadly aware, being on duty at a school is no less dangerous than most other assignments.

Proudest moment: I was able to intervene in a situation in which a student was being bullied at school. The effects of the bullying could have ended in a horrible tragedy; luckily, it did not. As each school year passes, I have the joy of watching this student thrive and become successful.

What do you like most about your work? Every day is different. My job allows me to interact with a great variety of people and to help people.

What do you do to “come down” from your job? I am a runner and greatly enjoy going on long bike rides with my wife.

amazing people; plus, my own family has supplied me with a great many strong role models.

Balancing service with your personal life: I am very lucky to have a supportive family that is patient and understanding about the challenges that my career presents. I make sure to spend a lot of time with my family and engage in a lot of activities with them; this helps us stay close.

If you hadn’t pursued this career, what would you have done instead? Before I became an officer, I had a business working on vehicles, so, I would probably still be doing that if I had not decided to become an officer.

Next professional goal: I want to become more involved in the charitable work organized by our officers’ union in order to have an even greater positive impact on the community.

Do you have a role model? It’s really

Advice to others considering serving their community: Make sure you

impossible to pick just one. I feel as though I am surrounded by heroic people. I have met and worked with so many

know what is truly involved; it is not something that you can do in a half-hearted way.

Nominate a candidate

Help us acknowledge those who serve. Men and women currently in the military or first responders. Send your info to editor@latinopm.com. 34

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Bully-proof your child Smart strategies parents can use to educate and protect their children By Erica Cardenas

BULLYING: IT’S NOT ONLY POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS

to a child’s physical well-being, but it can potentially damage his or her mental health. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, bullying directly involves about 30 percent of students in any given semester, with elementary school students being the most frequent targets. For some, bullying may be considered simply a form of childhood misbehavior or a “rite of passage” that all children go through but, the truth is, bullying is no joking matter. In some instances, bullying can result in very serious consequences, as seen in some extreme cases that have made headlines in recent years. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the HRSA offer some tips to parents to help children steer clear of, and deal with, bullying: Talk about bullying – early and often Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about why bullying is wrong and address the various forms bullying can take (i.e., spreading rumors, teasing, shoving, etc.). Parents are encouraged to teach their children at an early age to avoid bullying behavior, at both the giving and receiving ends. Encourage friendships Encourage the child to invite friends over for face-toface interactions, instead of just on-line communication. This will build their social skills and strengthen friendships. Encouraging children to establish a solid core group of friends will boost a child’s confidence and may help to keep him or her from being singled out. Know school policies Being familiar with the child’s school policies on bullying is also encouraged. This includes parents

talking with their child’s teacher about how bullying is handled in the classroom. In fact, the HRSA created a campaign against school bullying called “Stop Bullying Now.” Parents and teachers can access a full list of resources and anti-bullying materials via the campaign website at stopbullying.gov. Walk away with confidence Learning to walk away from a bully with confidence takes courage. Parents are encouraged to teach a child to be assertive rather than aggressive or violent when confronted by a bully, and get help from an adult if the situation becomes dangerous. Practicing this tactic at home is helpful; parents and children can practice latinopm.com

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This child can’t wait.

various bullying situations through role-playing. Using a line, such as “I don’t care what you’re saying about me, I have better things to do with my time,” is a good way to help convey your message to the bully. Be available If a situation gets out of hand and becomes more than a child can handle, it’s essential that the child knows that he or she can go to a parent or other adult for help. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about to whom they can turn before a situation arises. Again, role-playing about what he or she can say to an adult is helpful. Practicing such tactics at home will most likely help the child feel more comfortable asking for help.

You can change the fate of a child. A safe, stable environment now makes a bright future.

Conversely, what if your child is the bully? Although the consequences of bullying are not always identified in many school policies, some punishments include suspension, expulsion and, in extreme cases, criminal charges. And, in extreme cases of bullying, parents of victims may have legal recourse via civil lawsuits. If parents suspect their child is a bully, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology suggests the following ways to help him or her: Seek help for the child as soon as possible. Without intervention, bullying can lead to bigger problems, such as academic, legal, emotional and social difficulties. Talk to the child’s school principal, teacher or guidance counselor about his or her behavior. Arrange an evaluation with a child psychiatrist or other mental health professional if the bullying continues after intervention. This may help the parent and the child understand what is causing the bullying.

Bio Buzz family series THE ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER IS

If you’re thinking of becoming a foster parent, don’t wait. Call us to learn more.

(602) 253-1620 www.ArizonasChildren.org

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offering a series of 20-minute lectures designed to stimulate conversation and inquiry on a variety of topics within the field of bioscience in a “kid friendly” format. Known as their Bio Buzz Series, these presentations are free with general admission and are held every third Saturday from 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. at the Science Center. The series aims to provide students and the general public a glimpse into the human body, its parts and processes, and new advances in biomedical research and technology. The program was made possible through a five-year Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health.

The next presentation on Friday, January 18, 2014, features Dr. Justin Ryan of ASU’s School of Biology and Health Systems Engineering whose lecture is entitled “Art and Science in Medicine? A Virtual and Physical Tour of the Heart.” Dr. Ryan’s talk will focus on how the disciplines of art and bioengineering can be combined to improve methods of medical imaging. Other upcoming lecture topics include the application of the principles of biomimicry to manufacturing processes, the relationship between magic and neuroscience, and the incredible variety of products that can be made from algae. Visit azscience.org for more information and to register.

SAT and ACT test-taking tips PREPARING FOR THE SATS AND ACTS DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A NIGHTMARE. IN FACT,

the American School Counselor Association reminds parents and teens of some practical and helpful ideas to help prepare for the big test day. Look into test preparation! Some high schools offer this, and there are private options as well. A good test-prep course can help students, not only with the material, but with test-taking strategies as well. Be equipped! Students should gather everything they need the night before the test rather than waiting until the morning of the test. Items might include their testing admission ticket, a valid form of photo identification, several number-2 pencils, a calculator with fresh batteries (for the SAT only), a watch and a high-energy snack, or two. Arrive early and dress in layers! The climate in test centers can vary, so students should be prepared and layer up or bring a jacket, just to be safe. Parents and students may also want to scope out the test location prior to test day to ensure they know exactly where they’re going. Visit actstudent.org or sat.collegeboard.org for U.S. test center locations and test registration. Don’t spend too much time on one question! Each question is worth the same number of points. If a question is confusing or too timeconsuming, move on and return to the more challenging questions at the end of the section. Don’t look for unscored questions/sections! The experimental section on the SAT is well-camouflaged. Sometimes the ACT contains experimental questions that are scattered throughout the sections. Students are always encouraged to do their best on every question. Tentatively plan to take the test more than once! Each point can make a difference. This is especially important if students are relying on a good test score for a competitive admission or academic scholarship.

G O FA R , CL OSE T O H O M E .

Call 602.285.7800

Have an education story idea?

Phoenix College and the Maricopa County Community College District are EEO/AA Institutions.

Send your information to editor@latinopm.com.

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Exceptionally smooth, remar k abl y refreshing, with only 95 calories and 2.6 carbs. G ood taste that doesn’t compromise.

Courting wellness The Affordable Healthcare Act needn’t make you sick by Robrt L.. Pela

MILLIONS OF UNINSURED ARIZONANS BEGAN TROLLING

the internet two months ago, looking for bargains on health insurance offered through the Affordable Care Act, the just-launched federal health-care law. Popularly known as “Obama-care,” the healthcare law extends coverage to most all Americans. The new insurance plans won’t commence until January 1, and although Arizonans have until March 31 to sign up for new policies, some despair of having to navigate the ever-crashing government website offering those policies by then – or of ever understanding what “Obama-care” means for them. “People are nervous about applying, or applying incorrectly,” says Edny Gonzalez, co-executive director of Helping Families in Need, a non-profit Medicare assistance agency that was recently funded to help navigate Affordable Care Act applications. “We try to reassure people that most of them don’t have to do anything at all, so long as their current health plan qualifies under the Act and, of course, if they’re happy with their current insurance. Particularly if they have Medicare, they’re all set.” The new health-care law mandates that insurers can no longer deny coverage to the sick, nor charge the elderly significantly higher rates for coverage. Insurance agencies must also provide benefits in ten health care categories, including mental health, overnight hospital stays and maternity care. Those without health insurance who earn up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level (that’s about $46,000 for an individual or $94,000 for a family of up to four people) will be eligible for new, sliding-scale subsidies. State and federal health care marketplaces are available at healthcare.gov, which allows users to input basic information – age, state of residence, health conditions – to determine eligibility. Those

whose income is low enough will be directed by the site to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, our state’s answer to Medicaid. Gonzalez recommends looking into new tax credit programs that can augment insurance premiums, besides. “If you qualify for these programs, your income will be averaged, based on your tax records,” latinopm.com

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T:2.3681”

Where people like you find people like you.

she explains, “and you may be issued a tax credit that will be paid directly to your insurance company of choice. You pay the remainder.” This potentially deep discount is designed to help lower-income families and individuals afford mandatory insurance, Gonzalez says. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that even

those people who can’t afford health insurance have to go buy some, now,” she says. “What’s true is there’s help available that will let you afford it.” Another misconception is that you have to switch your health coverage to another company. “If you’re happy with your policy, and it qualifies,” she says, “stay put!”

Who can help? Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP.

to share them with. That’s why AARP is committed to helping you connect with others who share your interests. Whether you want to volunteer, mentor or just learn something new, AARP has the resources to help you tap into a community of people like you.

B:10.0625”

rewarding when you have someone

T:9.8125”

Experiences are so much more

Several Arizona agencies have been awarded federal funding to help provide outreach and enrollment assistance to those shopping for new health insurance policies. Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBSAZ) and Chicanos por la Causa have partnered up to educate Arizonans about the health-care reform law. Their focus is on persons who likely haven’t had insurance in the past and may not understand how the law will benefit them. The team will make bilingual health care advisors available and host information events. azblue.com (English); salud.azblue.com (Spanish); 977-874-9958 (BCBAZ)

Discover all the ways AARP creates real possibilities by connecting you with others. Find your connection today at aarp.org/possibilities

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Campesinos sin Fronteras, Inc. This agency, which serves Hispanic communities statewide, provides services to farm workers and lowincome individuals. Its Campesinos Navigator program also provides enrollment assistance to uninsured individuals in Yuma County and beyond. 928-627-7426; campesinossinfronteras. org

The Greater Phoenix Urban League, Inc. This agency, designed to provide the disadvantaged with tools to achieve economic and social equality, offers a comprehensive, statewide, public awareness campaign aimed at identifying and assisting uninsured individuals across Arizona to access and navigate the Health Exchange Marketplace. 602-254-5611; gphxul.org Arizona Alliance of Community Health Centers With a grant of more than a million dollars, the Alliance, which has promoted the development of, and access to, affordable health care, coordinates a statewide outreach program to assist people in finding insurance providers based on their annual income. 602-253-0090; aachc.org

Frequently asked questions about the new insurance law What is a life insurance exchange, and must I buy my insurance from one? Exchanges are on-line marketplaces designed to help individuals and businesses to purchase health insurance coverage under the new law. Beginning in January, Arizona and all other states will each establish an exchange to help us compare and purchase health insurance. Although no one will be required to purchase health insurance through the exchange, subsidies will only be available for plans sold through the exchange. Must I cancel my current insurance policy? No. All coverage plans purchased after March of 2010 will be considered qualified coverage. What happens if I don’t buy health insurance by the new deadline? Those of us who haven’t obtained qualifying coverage by January 1, 2014, will be issued a tax penalty. If I have a pre-existing condition, will I qualify for lower-priced policies? You may. Arizona residents who meet the federal criteria specified can apply for the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) at pcip.gov.

Can I include my child, who has a pre-existing condition, on my health insurance policy? For now, the law prevents insurance companies from excluding children’s pre-existing conditions for plan years beginning after September of 2010. They must therefore provide coverage without pre-existing condition exclusions to children if the same company is offering coverage to parents. Can my adult child be included on my new policy? Yes. The new health reform law mandates that both insurance companies and employers provide coverage to adult children of enrollees, up to 26 years of age. The exception would be if your adult child has been offered coverage from his or her employer. And, beginning next year, dependent children up to age 26 can remain on their parent’s employer plan even if the grown child has an offer of coverage through their own employer. Can my health care plan drop or revoke my coverage? Not unless you commit fraud or intentionally misrepresent any medical information on your application.

of Central Arizona

UCP of Central Arizona assists individuals with disabilities and their families. Those served have disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, developmental delays, and learning disabilities.

Our Services: • • • •

Early Intervention Early Learning Center Day Treatment & Training Home & Community Based Services • Therapy Services • Information and Referral Learn more about our services and how you can help at www.UCPofCentralAZ.org 1802 West Parkside Lane Phoenix, AZ 85027 1-888-943-5472

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Adopt-an-adaptive sport By Virginia Betz

IN KEEPING WITH THE DECEMBER THEME OF CHARITABLE GIVING, TIMEOUT HAS TRADITIONALLY FEATURED WAYS IN WHICH READERS

can channel their athleticism into fund-raising for worthy causes. Giving-through-sport can be made even more personal and meaningful when an able-bodied athlete contributes his or her expertise to helping a disabled person achieve the same feelings of joy and accomplishment that meeting physical challenges brings. The profile of adaptive sports has been heightened in recent years, not only by the phenomenal performances witnessed at recent International Paralympic Games, but also at the local level with the expanding investment in adaptive sports facilities in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas. Several organizations that promote adaptive sports are described below to give an idea of the broad range of opportunities available to help people access the world of recreational sports who could not do so without the enthusiastic support of others. River of Dreams info@river-of-dreams.org In partnership with the Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center, Phoenix (SpoFit), River of Dreams is a volunteer-driven non-profit that works to provide adaptive outdoor recreation opportunities to youth and adults with disabilities living in the Phoenix metro area. River of Dreams has a number of programs to bring nature-based activities to people with significant disabilities. The River Rampage program conducts week-long rafting and camping expeditions for teens between the ages of 14 and 20 with and without disabilities. Daring Adventures is a series of eight challenging programs offered throughout the calendar year for youth and adults with disabilities covering a range of activities: kayaking, cross-country skiing, sled ice hockey and skating, cycling, indoor rock climbing, hiking, backpacking and wilderness camping. All equipment and training is provided by the program; 42

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program fees vary by activity but scholarships are available for participants who need financial aid. Most recently, River of Dreams has been chosen to provide the outdoor recreational programming for the Wounded Warriors Project’s Physical Health and Wellness Initiative, established to aid injured service members recover and return to normalcy. Those interested in volunteering should go to wwp@river-of-dreams.org. Monetary donations can be made to River of Dreams through their website. Southwest Slammers Beep Baseball Team c/o Olivia Duron, 1811 W. Prince Rd., Space #23, Tucson 85705 Beep Baseball is a version of America’s favorite pastime for the visually impaired, and the Southwest Slammers is a coed Beep team organized in Tucson. The Slammers have been very successful in enabling their players to compete with other teams in the National Beep Baseball Association due to their creative

fundraising and dedicated volunteers. The game requires the purchase of some very specialized equipment, such as padded, horizontal “bases” and oversized balls that emit sound so that players can locate them in space. Volunteers ballplayers are just as critical because the positions of pitcher, catcher and spotter must all be filled by sighted persons. Get inspired by seeing how the game is played at youtube.com/watch?v=yJjxI04NVI4. To discuss your sponsorship/donation or interest in volunteering, please contact Olivia Duron at 520-429-5191 or 480-560-6137, or by e-mail to oduron25@me.com or h20wife@yahoo.com. One hundred percent of the donations will go to financing the team’s travel and training for the 2014 National Beep Baseball Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota.

Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship 23623 N. Scottsdale Rd., D3-259, Scottsdale 85255; 480-515-1542; camelotaz.org Founded in 1980, Camelot provides comprehensive one-on-one horsemanship instruction and services to children and adults with disabilities at no cost. Their facility consists of 14.25 acres in the Pinnacle Peak area of north Scottsdale and includes a covered riding arena as well as open trails. One-time monetary donations or recurring monthly donations can be made through the website. But, volunteers are essential to the success of Camelot’s programs; they need ranch hands, groundskeepers and instructor assistants. Due to the responsibilities involved, volunteers are asked to complete an on-line application, undergo a background check and make a minimum six-month commitment to work 2-4 hours once or twice a week.

sports training and competitions for the entire state. Team Mesa is designed specifically for students and adults with developmental disabilities, but the program also provides sports and events for athletes who are both intellectually and physically disabled. There are adaptive programs for individuals ages 8 through adulthood and include aquatics, bocce ball, bowling, basketball, golf, floor hockey, cheerleading, tennis, and track and field. Donations can be made on-line and to learn about volunteer opportunities contact the volunteer coordinator at 480-644-4345 or e-mail beverlee. nielsen@mesaaz.gov. Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped 1550 West Colter Street, Phoenix 85015; 602-230-2220; archaz.org The “drop-in” recreation center has scheduled events daily, Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., including swimming, weight-lifting, bowling and pool. The Center also runs a summer camp for children. Volunteers are needed as daily activity assistants and Special Olympics coaches. Junior Handcycling Program azliftandcare.com/junior_cycling_program.php; 520-401-4411 Developed in the 1980s, handcycling enables persons with no or limited use of their legs to enjoy the liberating mobility and excitement of outdoor cycling. The biggest barrier to participation in the sport is the high cost of the machines. Former Paralympian and winner of many national and international handcycling competitions, Greg Hockensmith, has tried to ameliorate the situation by offering cycles at much lower-than-usual cost through his company, AZ Lift and Care, in Tucson. Additionally, through his Junior Handcycling Program in partnership with the JAWS (Juniors Active in Wheelchair Sports) program at the University of Arizona’s Disability Resource Center, bikes are loaned to participants between 5 and 18, so they can receive coaching and an introduction to competitive events. The program accepts donations for the purchase of handcycles for kids unable to afford them through Perimeter Bicycling, 2609 E Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85716.

Team Mesa Adaptive Sports Broadway Recreation Center, 59 East Broadway Rd., Mesa 85210; arizonadisabledsports.com/Team_Mesa.html The Team Mesa Adaptive Sports programs represent a cooperative effort of the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities, the Mesa Public Schools and the Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled. The collaboration also serves as the Mesa delegation of Special Olympics Arizona, offering year-round latinopm.com

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When it comes to health insurance, we’re changing everything.

The ins and outs of business credit scores

Starting with a focus on small business.

A business credit score is separate from your personal score. Learn the differences and similarities, and why it’s important to maintain both.

As Arizona’s only healthcare cooperative, and as a local business, we work hard to make a difference. Which is why we use profits to control premiums and offer more choices and benefits – like $0 primary care co-pay. We’re putting healthcare back into health insurance. Learn more at meritusaz.com or call 855-755-2700. ©2013 Meritus. Meritus products and services are provided through Meritus Mutual Health Partners – PPO and Meritus Health Partners – HMO. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, but not a comprehensive description of available benefits. Additional information about benefits is available to assist you in making a decision about your coverage. This is an advertisement. For more information contact Meritus. A licensed insurance broker may contact you to discuss enrollment in a Meritus health plan. 2013MER00044LPM

Take the next step Rio Salado College serves local, national and international students through:

A personal score looks at your personal credit history – whether you pay your bills on time, how much credit you have in loans and credit cards, whether you defaulted on any loans, etc. A business score looks at similar information, but only as it relates to your business. Even though there are two different scores, sometimes lenders use blended scores to predict the likelihood that you’ll pay your debts.

• College Bridge Pathways - Adult Basic Education • Corporate and Government Partnerships • Early College Initiatives • Online Learning “Since 1978, Rio Salado College has embraced the concepts of learning, innovating and partnering to prepare today’s students for the jobs of tomorrow. We believe that knowledge helps open the doors to a successful future. We invite you to join us at Rio Salado College.”

It’s important to actively manage your personal and business credit profiles. Negative profiles on either side may have unexpected consequences.

For more information: • Visit wellsfargo.com/biz • Call 1-800-545-0670 • Stop by a Wells Fargo office and talk with a banker

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RioSaladoOnline.com 480-384-9958

Dr. Chris Bustamante

Rio Salado College President

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡ December 2013!

latinopm.com

Q: Why is a business credit score important? A business credit score functions like a personal credit score, and a business can initiate a business credit score by establishing credit with a financial institution or supplier that reports to one of the commercial credit reporting agencies. Banks use a business credit score when making lending decisions, and a good score can help a business secure bank loans with favorable interest rates and better payment terms from large vendors. A poor score can make it more difficult to obtain even the most basic funds to support business growth.

P.S.

Stella Pope Duarte

Sacred gifts By Stella Pope Duarte

LOS TRES REYES MAGOS (THE THREE

Kings, Wise Men, or Magi) celebrated the birth of Christ by bringing gifts. Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, representing Europe, Arabia and Africa, respectively, followed the North Star for twelve days to get to Bethlehem. Travelling by horse, camel and elephant through the rough, desolate terrain, they finally reached their destination by asking directions of the local shepherds who directed them to the rural countryside outside of Bethlehem. Beginning with his birth, Christ was one who would challenge and push humanity to new heights. Even before he left the lowly manger, his life had already been threatened by the “powers that be,” in this case, King Herod. Los Tres Reyes offered the Baby Jesus three gifts: gold, to symbolize His kingship over humanity; frankincense, to signify His divine nature; and myrrh, which was used to embalm corpses, referencing Christ’s humanity and eventual death for his people. The gifts were not only costly, but also represented who Christ was – the Messiah, as many acclaimed him. The gifts of los Tres Reyes magos made

up for the dismal surroundings of the place where Christ was born, a most primitive lodge indeed. In Mexico and many other countries, El Día de los Tres Reyes is celebrated on January 6. Often, children write letters to the Magi, telling them what well-behaved children they have been, and, of course, asking them for gifts. Traditionally, they also put out their shoes with a bit of hay by the door to feed the Magi’s animals. The hope is that their behavior has pleased los Tres Reyes, who will respond by leaving gifts in the shoes or under the Christmas tree. Rosca de Reyes, a tantalizing sweet bread shaped like a wreath, is baked for the celebration and decorated with candied fruit. Somewhere within is hidden a small figurine of the Baby Jesus. The person who finds the figurine, hopefully not by breaking a tooth on it, will host a party for El Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day) on February 2. This person is also supposed to pay for, or prepare, the tamales and atole that will be eaten at the party. With this in mind, I am not sure if discovery of the Baby Jesus figurine will bring joy or an, “Oh, no! Now I have to pay for the next party!”

Gifts, costly and elaborate or simple and inexpensive, signify so many things. I cannot think of the gifts I have received without thinking of the persons who gave them to me. Christmas and El Día de los Tres Reyes magos are often not the times when I have received the most significant gifts of my life. Gifts that count come unexpectedly and surprise us by what they symbolize: love, hope, peace, trust, faith – the list goes on and on. Often they come silently, humbly, as if seeking a place in our hearts. I am looking now at an angel sitting on my desk that my sister, Rosie, gave me. The angel is reading a small book. Rosie made sure that all the angels she gave me to “take care of me” were either reading or writing. Her words, “Keep writing,” live on in my mind. As I type this essay, I am looking at the silver-onyx ring I wear on my left hand, a gift from my mother before her death. Between the angels and the ring, I find that I have been loved for who I am. And, as los Tres Reyes discovered, love is, by far, the greatest gift of all.

Stella Pope Duarte was born and raised in South Phoenix. She began her award-winning career in 1995 after she had a dream in which her deceased father told her that her destiny was to become a writer. Contact her at stellapopeduarte.com. latinopm.com

¡ December 2013!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡!

my perspective on: A life well lived

Celebrating the life of Ruben Hernandez, Jr.

More perspectives

Send us your perspective on whatever moves you. Email editor@latinopm.com.

By LPM

LATINO PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE MOURNS THE PASSING of Ruben Hernandez, Jr. who died on November 9, 2013, of stroke complications. He is survived by his partner Linda J. Moser, sons Damian (Joey) and Marco (Rachel), his four grandchildren: Dalylah, Caleb, Carmela and Garrett; and his siblings Alice (Tony), Barbara, Patsy, Nora and Tom (Casey). Hernandez was born to Ruben and Stella Hernandez in Los Angeles, California, on April 5, 1951, and relocated to Phoenix in the 1960s. A member of the Pascua Yaqui tribe, Ruben was a man of many talents. He will be remembered for his advocacy endeavors in support of the arts and education. For over four decades, he created synergies, fostered collaborations, and was instrumental in the creation of El Movimiento Artístico del Rio Salado (MARS), Ariztlán, an interdisciplinary collaborative of Chicano artists, and was a founding board member of the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC) and member of the Arizona Latino Media Association (ALMA). His industrious and entrepreneurial spirit led him to work with several social services agencies, such as Valle del Sol and Chicanos por la Causa. As a journalist, he wrote for numerous media outlets including Phoenix New Times, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Business Journal and Naples Daily News. In 2007, he was selected as a Political Leader Fellow at the Center for Progressive Leadership. In 2011, he founded FACIL Marketing & PR. At LPM, over the course of nine years, he served as editor, staff writer and as a freelance contributor. We fondly remember Ruben’s kind and gentle demeanor – his pacing around the office in his socks, allowing for his ideas to “percolate.” Ruben’s passing last month coincided with his two favorite holidays, Día de los Muertos and Thanksgiving. Fittingly, his family celebrated his life with a memorial service and a potluck on November 27, a day before Thanksgiving. In the October 2008

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡ December 2013!

latinopm.com

Ruben Hernandez, Jr.

issue of LPM, a propos of his mother’s passing, Ruben wrote: “There was the family gathering after, the abundant food, the reunions with relatives who lived far away, the Mexican and American music, hugging Valley old friends. Latino family funeral parties are not for grieving. Don’t even try. That can only be done alone, in private. With the Creator. […] My spirit is tied to this desert where my mother was born. Where, as young man, I aspired to be a writer. Where I was taught community traditions like Día de los Muertos by my Chicano artist amigos. Because of death, I journeyed home. Because of death, I will die here.” ¡Buen viaje, amigo!

Our Community Depends on Us A strong public teaching hospital and public healthcare system are as much a mark of a healthy community as quality universities, modern transportation systems, and thriving arts organizations. Through the Maricopa County Special Health Care District, you are supporting our vital work in preventing disease, training the next generation of physicians, and providing care that touches nearly every corner of our community.

• Arizona Burn Center

• Maricopa Medical Center

• Arizona Children’s Center

• Neighborhood Health Centers

• HIV/AIDS Clinic

• Behavioral Health Hospitals

• Comprehensive Health Center

• Level I Trauma Center

www.mihs.org

Loved Ones Depend on You The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you with your Medicare questions. Trained SHIP Counselors provide free personalized benefits counseling for Medicare Beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. Ask how the Medicare Savings Program can help pay for Medicare premiums and prescription drug costs if you meet certain conditions. Se habla español.

To speak with a counselor

call 1-800-432-4040

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program • Under Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI & VII), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008; the Department prohibits discrimination in admissions, programs, services, activities, or employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics and retaliation. The Department must make a reasonable accommodation to allow a person with a disability to take part in a program, service or activity. For example, this means if necessary, the Department must provide sign language interpreters for people who are deaf, a wheelchair accessible location, or enlarged print materials. It also means that the Department will take any other reasonable action that allows you to take part in and understand a program or activity, including making reasonable changes to an activity. If you believe that you will not be able to understand or take part in a program or activity because of your disability, please let us know of your disability needs in advance if at all possible. To request this document in alternative format or for further information about this policy, contact 602-5424446; TTY/TDD Services: 7-1-1. • Free language assistance for DES services is available upon request. This publication has been produced by Arizona with financial assistance, in whole or in part, through a grant from the AoA and the CMS. These contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the grantee should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.