This grass roots publication is the life source for a community that is not easily afforded viable access to diverse and accessible media. San Antonio and the surrounding counties have become accustomed to relevant news brought to them in both English and Spanish since 1913.
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Let’s Talk About It Will the Strike on Iran Affect the United States
By Yvette Tello
As tensions rise in the Middle East, it’s hard not to wonder how the strike on Iran will affect the United States. For many, it's a moment of anxiety— raising fears about escalating conflict and global instability. Could it lead to higher gas prices, more military involvement, or ripple effects in our economy and national security? And what about you personally—do you think this will affect your daily life? It might feel distant now, but global conflict has a way of finding its way home, whether through policy, markets, or the emotional weight of watching the world become more divided. How do you feel about the strike on Iran? Let’s talk about it…
Raymond Torres: “ From a 1979 standpoint, I like it. A little late, but 1979 left a bad taste in my mouth. Stocks will plummet. It affects me from the standpoint that we humans suck. We've become trivial, mean, selfserving and ugly. There I talked about it. I hope others do too.”
Kenneth Raymond: “ Iran needs to be dealt with now before they can make nuclear weapons. Iran advertising when they do they will destroy Israel, America and our other allies. That means they want to kill our children. Simple as that. Obama and Biden gave them billions of dollars to do that!”
Christopher Mora: “This is beginning to look A LOT like the first and second Gulf Wars. We're preemptively bombing a country so they don't acquire nuclear weapons and while we're there we're doing a regime change. It's almost exactly the same book that was played last time we were in Iraq and it took us DECADES to finally get out. I had a lot
of friends who pointlessly died in those messes for no gain.”
JC El Leon: “The USA needs to fix its own problems, let Israel and the world fix theirs and Trump needs to act like a 80 year old, not like a 5 year old child.”
Henry Shamdas: “I am not a Trumpy but that country has killed and maimed service members and sponsored terrorism on Americans. They did it on October 7, when they sponsored Hamas’ plan to attack Israel and Americans there. Plus, always changing death to America. It was enough.”
Robert Vasquez: “I do not agree. This is Israel’s geo politics and geo destabilization using American tax dollars. When you invade the Middle East, do you seriously think that the population is going to be happy with someone invading and stealing their resources? When someone stands up for their country, Americans are quick to label a freedom fighter as a terrorist. But let’s try to be honest; Who are the real savages, the real terrorists? God is not in the real estate business nor is he a racist but he will get used and abused to justify an illegal occupation and a genocide.”
Herb Rockman: “Gas will fluctuate for sure. The wild card is China, but all we can do is wait and see. My larger concern is it will distract Americans from opposing our current unconstitutional government actions against our country and citizens.”
Ram Dls: “I love the strike, it will not affect the United States, end of story.”
Jeff Romero: “When sleeper cells start attacking cities, towns, people then we
shall see what Texas says afterwards. Iran will not strike military bases, their target is mass death of American people, that's what they are gonna get.”
Bill Bobadilla-Broker: “Trump is still the ONLY US President in the last 45 years to NOT get the US into a new war/conflict. Iranian Houthis were firing ballistic missiles at our Navy ships during the Biden administration after Biden got us into four new wars/ conflicts. 100% guarantee, US had intel that Iranian’s nuclear development passed the point of our security safety zone. Plus, Iran this past week launched ballistic cluster bombs that hit Israel. The world cannot afford nuclear tipped cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, cluster bombs or dirty bombTexas Rep Wesley Hunt on Trump's Strength that keeps us out of wars vs weakness that gets us into new wars/conflict.”
Penelope Perez: “ The military industrial complex is alive and well. The military industry can only make money if there is war, so these recent events seem like a cash flow operation to me. America sends billions in military aid to Israel annually. I thought this was our country, but it’s actually owned by Israel through lobbyists like AIPAC. It’s really not the right vs. the left anymore, it is about who is making decisions that are good for our country vs. those that make decisions that benefit other countries. All we can do is take care of eachother. Praying for the families that will be bombed endlessly in the next decade. These War Pig, NeoCons are so ugly and no one should be excited about war, it’s disgusting.”
Courtesy of Ruiz-Healy Art
Audrey Rodríguez is a fine artist who lives in Brooklyn, New York, and was born and raised in Brownsville, TX.
Rodriguez's Mexican and Honduran heritage is reflected in her work throughout her paintings set in the streets of New York.
Rodríguez captures the essence of everyday
About the Cover Artist: Audrey Rodríguez
intimate New York street vendor scenes through dramatically lit still-life compositions, showcasing the connection between food and the people behind it. “At the heart of Rodríguez’s work is food and the people who contend with cruel landscapes and build beautiful, joyous lives despite them. Trained in the traditions of still life and nineteenth-century French realism, her practice encompasses drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and poetry.”Orlando Ochoa, “Food, Migration & Aesthetics: On Latinx Street Vendors and The Critical Intimacy of Audrey Rodriguez.” The Latinx Project, 2023.
Rodríguez earned her MFA from the New York Academy of Art in 2022 and was awarded the 2023 Chubb PostGraduate Fellowship. Her painting Corona Plaza (2021) was featured in the Museum of the City of New York’s exhibition, Food in New York: Bigger Than the Plate.
Rodríguez’s work has also been included in
the Peto Biennial at the John F. Peto Studio Museum and the 47th International Art Show at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art. In 2023, she exhibited in Friends & Lovers at the FLAG Art Foundation, New York, NY. In 2025, she was named a finalist for The Bennett Prize, which recognizes women figurative painters.
By Hot Henrietta
Summer is officially here
— and you know what that means: sun, swimsuits, and cinematic showdowns!
The 2025 summer movie season is locked, loaded, and ready to light up the big screen with high-octane action, emotional drama, hilarious comedies, and larger-than-life sequels. Whether you're a fan of superheroes, heartwarming stories, or edge-of-your-seat thrillers, there's something for everyone at the box office this season.
Here’s your ultimate guide to the hottest movies heating up theaters this summer:
1. Avengers: Legacy Wars
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Why Watch: The Marvel Cinematic Universe returns in full force with new heroes, time travel twists, and an epic face-off against a new galactic threat. Expect surprises, cameos, and crowd-pleasing moments in this next-gen Avengers saga.
2. Jurassic Earth
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Why Watch: Dinosaurs. In cities. Again. But this time, Earth isn’t just trying to survive — it's fighting back. With new tech, old characters returning, and mind-blowing visuals, this dino-fueled ride is a must-
Summer Blockbuster Movies 2025: What to Watch When the Heat Hits!
see on the biggest screen possible.
3. The Lion King: Circle Renewed
Release Date: July 4, 2025
Why Watch: Disney brings back Simba in a stunning new animated sequel with all-new music, deeper storytelling, and breathtaking visuals. Perfect for families and fans of the original.
4. Men in Black: Galactic Protocol
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Why Watch: A rebootsequel with a diverse new cast, incredible effects, and that signature MIB humor. Aliens, conspiracies, and cool black suits? Say less.
5. Fast X: Final Lap
Release Date: June 14, 2025
Why Watch: Dom and the crew return for the final (for real this time) chapter in the Fast & Furious saga. Expect gravity-defying stunts, heartfelt goodbyes, and an action-packed finish.
6. Summer School Dropouts
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Why Watch: This raunchy, hilarious high school comedy is bringing the teen movie genre back. Think Superbad meets 21 Jump Street — summer’s funniest flick.
7. Rhythm & Soul: The Whitney Houston Story
Release Date: August 9, 2025
Why Watch: This highly anticipated biopic dives into the music, love, and legacy of Whitney Houston with award-worthy performances and a soundtrack that will give you chills.
BONUS: Movie Marathon Musts
Not in the mood for theaters? Plan a blockbuster binge at home:
Top Gun: Maverick
Dune: Part Two
The Batman
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Hot Tips for a Cool Movie Night: Hit matinees for cheaper tickets and shorter lines. Bring a cozy jacket — theaters are freezing in the summer!
Sign up for rewards programs at AMC, Regal, or Cinemark for free snacks and discounts.
This summer, skip the drama in real life and get it on screen instead. Whether you’re team superheroes, team sci-fi, or just looking for something to cool off with, Summer 2025 is delivering cinematic fire. Now grab that popcorn and let the blockbusters roll!
Snowden Living to begin accepting HUD waitlist* applications Dec. 26.
HUD Waitlist* Applications for the for the newly opened Snowden Living (7223 Snowden Rd.) two-bedroom units will be accepted starting Dec. 26. Eligibility screening for applicants selected from the HUD waitlist* will begin next month.
To qualify, applicants and their household members must meet the following criteria:
▪ All members of the household must be 62 years of age or older
▪ Meet HUD requirements for citizenship or immigration status
▪ Meet the applicant selection criteria and complete an application appointment.
▪ Pass screening for criminal activity and demonstrate acceptable rental history.
▪ Ensure no household family members are involved in drugrelated or criminal activity that poses a threat to the life, health, safety or peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.
▪ Have an annual income that does not exceed HUD’s income limits (no more than 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) based on household size).
▪ Not owe debts to Opportunity Home or any other federally assisted housing program.
*HUD Waitlist guidelines for 62+ property.
LEGAL NOTICE
Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) by Renteria Restaurants LLC, doing business as Plantaquería to sell beer for on-premise consumption by Iron Wolf Games and Hobbies LLC to be located at
124 Broadway St, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas 78205
Harrison And Brittany Barnes Community Fund, En Saltillo Inauguran Dos Canchas
Por Franco
Harrison Barnes, delantero de los Spurs de San Antonio, y su esposa Brittany, mediante su fundación con el éxito deseado inauguraron dos canchas de baloncesto en la ciudad de Saltillo, Coahuila. México.
El proyecto por abrir espacios de libre acceso al público, se realizó con la renovación de la Plaza Mirasierra Spurs, donde se les dio emotivo recibimiento por parte del gobernador Manolo Jiménez y el alcalde Javier Díaz, quienes se unieron al corte de listón y a la vez agradecieron la conclusión de este maravilloso proyecto deportivo.
Al concluir la concurrida ceremonia con lo que tan bien a futuro ayudará al paso de crecimiento económico y deportivo de esa región, la actuación de
Spurs Sports Academy, organizó interesantes clínicas de baloncesto con la participación dé niños y niñas que se encuentran participando entre los mejores equipos de Saltillo, ellos a la vez aplaudieron la espectacular actuación de la porra de los Spurs (Spurs Hype Squad). En boletín oficial de los Spurs, se dijo lo siguiente. “Saltillo personalmente fue seleccionado dentro del programa de renovación como la tercera localidad por la fundación Harrison and Brittany Barnes, como resultado de su profunda admiración para la gente de Mexico y dicha región. Debido a su largo respaldo al equipo San Antonio Spurs. Por lo cual desde que Harrison se unió a los Spurs, él y su familia han apoyado programas deportivos en la comunidad mexicana de San Antonio”. El gobernador Jiménez, dijo lo siguiente. “Los mejores
proyectos son cuando se unen en equipo. Cuando el gobierno, el sector privado y la sociedad civil unen esfuerzos. Muchas buenas cosas se logran ver cumplidas en beneficio de nuestras comunidades”.
(Fotos de cortesía SS&E).
Los negocios de San Antonio son la base de nuestra comunidad y de nuestra economía. Bank of America está junto a usted y cerca de usted, con soluciones y perspectivas líderes en la industria para ayudar a nuestros negocios locales a prosperar.
Ventura Perez III Presidente de Bank of America en San Antonio
$1,900 en préstamos para negocios en San Antonio
Es posible que los materiales relacionados con la cuenta solo estén disponibles en inglés, lo que incluye, entre otros, solicitudes, divulgaciones, contenido en línea y móvil y otras comunicaciones relacionadas con el producto. especialistas en negocios en San Antonio 25+ prestamista comercial en EE. UU. #1 millones
Conozca más sobre nuestras soluciones comerciales y comuníquese con uno de nuestros especialistas en negocios en San Antonio en bankofamerica.com/localbusiness
By J. Gilberto Quezada
There comes a time in life when memory becomes fragile, slipping through fingers like grains of sand. My father, Pedro, once a strong and steady presence, gradually lost himself to the relentless grip of Alzheimer's disease. And most recently, my older sister Lupe followed a similar path, her mind fading as dementia confined her to a nursing home until she, too, passed away. This story is not just about loss, but about love, resilience, and the quiet sacrifices made by those who care for their suffering loved ones. It is about my mother, who carried the keys—both literally and metaphorically—holding together our family while safeguarding my father from a world he no longer recognized.
My older sister Lupe, was only two years older than I am, sadly passed away after living in a nursing home and suffering from dementia. She died on December 9th, just shy a few years from celebrating her birthday on December 12th, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If you have a family member or a friend in a similar state of mind, I have you in my thoughts and prayers all your efforts because I can sympathize and empathize with what you went through or are going through. My
My Mother Carried the Keys in Her Apron
paternal grandmother died from complications related to her dementia.
And my father also died from complications related to Alzheimer's disease. With him, I did take notes as to how his behavior was deteriorating from day to day. I first noticed that he was getting forgetful when he drove, within a ten-mile radius, to take my nephew and niece to a Catholic private school in San Antonio. He did not get lost but if he needed to make a stop at the bank or at the grocery store along the way, he would forget where he left the car keys. After his behavior started getting progressively worse, my mother had to go with him to make sure he didn't get lost. My mother never learned how to drive, but she was a good observant and knew the route to take from the house to the school and vice-versa. Eventually, I told my mother to hide the car keys. He was prohibited from ever driving his 1962 red Ford Galaxie. My father was not allowed to be outdoors for fear of him wondering around and getting lost. My mother had to keep all the doors locked and she carried the keys in her apron.
One behavior that I noticed while my father was confined to the inside of the house was when he would stand in front
of the big mirror in the dining room and point to himself and repeat the fact that the person in the mirror was indeed him. He repeated the phrase many times, "Yo soy Pedro Quezada," as a way of reassuring himself that he did not want to forget who he was. In other words, he knew that he was getting very forgetful and was afraid of losing his identity as a person and as a human being. My mother took care of him 24/7 with some help from a home health provider. However, in 1995, my mother had to have emergency open heart surgery and before she was sent home to recuperate, I had to make the dreadful decision of my life by placing Dad in a nursing facility. By then, he had forgotten who I was, who my mother was, and who were the rest of the family members. He passed away two years later.
Yes, you and I can concur that dementia and Alzheimer's are terrible mind destroying diseases that rob the person of their dignity, their well-being, their independence, and most importantly, of who they are. May God bless all those who are struggling and coping with family members or friends who are suffering from one of the seven types of dementia.
Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are thieves, stealing
memories, independence, and identity. They do not discriminate, touching countless lives across the world. But amid the heartbreak, there is love— the unwavering devotion of caregivers, the small moments of clarity, and the profound bond that endures even when words and recognition fade. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who walk this difficult road, carrying the
weight of love and loss. May they find comfort in knowing they are not alone, and may our collective hope lead to greater understanding, care, and someday, a cure.
And may our loving Lord continue to bless all of you with the gift of a healthy mind.
My sister Lupe and I enjoying life to the fullest.
Latino Sculptor Jesús Moroles Remembered
By Ricardo Romo PhD.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1950, Jesús Bautista Moroles, the renowned Mexican American artist and sculptor, created a name for himself through his brilliant monumental abstract granite works. At the time of his sudden and tragic death in 2014, Moroles had completed more than 2,000 granite sculptures worldwide which have been included in over three hundred museum and gallery exhibitions.
Moroles was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush in 2008. He was one of the first Mexican American artists to receive this prestigious award.
Moroles, the eldest child in a family of six children, was just ten years old when his father José Moroles first recognized the spark of creativity in his son and enrolled young Jesús in art classes at the local YMCA. His father was a Mexican immigrant who worked in the cotton fields of South Texas, but he knew his son had talent.
The family moved to Dallas in the late 1950s. Moroles grew up in the Dallas Oak Cliff neighborhood and attended the Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard School in that city. In high school, he learned silk screening. He impressed his teachers with his work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit after he began to produce spirit items with his school logo. Moroles told an interviewer with the Smithsonian Museum of American Art that by the time he was in high school his fellow students were already buying his art.
Moroles’s summers were spent working with his uncle Julian Tapia on the construction of the Corpus Christi seawall. There the budding
artist learned the rough language and tools of concrete work, laying the foundation to become a future sculptor. Then came the Vietnam War. Drafted by the U.S. Army, he decided to join the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years.
When Moroles returned home, he enrolled in art classes at El Centro College using his G.I. Bill benefits. He earned an associate’s degree from El Centro College and transferred to North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) where he studied sculpture. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1978.
During an internship in 1978 with the celebrated Chicano artist Luis Jiménez, Moroles’s artistic path truly crystallized. Jiménez, known for his large colorful fiberglass sculptures, introduced Moroles to the idea that sculpture could be both monumental and intimate. Although Jiménez worked with synthetic materials, the lessons of form, dimension, and daring that he learned from Jiménez stayed with Moroles.
In 1979, Moroles traveled to Tuscany, Italy, lured by the legends of Michelangelo and
the Pietrasanta marble quarries. He hoped to connect with the Renaissance spirit and soul of stone carving. Instead, he found disappointment. Moroles discovered that Michelangelo’s muse–the famous Carrara marble–was too soft for the large sculptures he envisioned. Moroles craved something tougher, something that pushed back.
Upon his return from Italy, Moroles moved to Waxahachie, Texas where he rented space in a stone carver’s factory. He moved to Rockport in 1983 to live near his family and built a massive studio on a three-acre lot in Rockport, not far from his hometown of Corpus Christi.
Moroles acquired red granite from central Texas and transported it to Rockport by railroad cars and 18-wheeler trucks. In his large outdoor studio, Moroles created masterpieces from one of the hardest stones on the planet. Using diamond saws and power tools, Moroles shaped his first granite piece, Fountain, blending water and stone in a powerful dialogue of natural elements.
Moroles’s commission for the
CBS Plaza in New York City— Lapstrake, a 64-ton, 22-foot tall sculpture—placed him on the national map. The sculpture’s layered, overlapping slabs evoked the ancient boat-building methods of the Vikings and Tang Chinese. Photographer Wally Gobetz commented, “Moroles's sculpture is made of perfectly rectangular slats that bisect two formless columns–geometry meeting amorphousness.”
Among Moroles’s best known work is Granite Weaving (1988), a majestic piece that mimics the texture of Mexican or Native American textiles, carved from unyielding Georgia gray granite. The sculpture, completed in 1988, is a spectacular work of cut stone measuring over six feet high and nine feet wide.
Upon seeing the Granite Weaving sculpture in Washington, D.C. several years ago, I was amazed at this extraordinary creation. Moroles succeeded in making stone look like Mexican or Native American weaving. A description in the gallery label for the work reads, “Although he [Moroles] spoke in terms of fabric, Granite Weaving also reads as the wall of a stepped pyramid in which horizontal stone slabs support, and in turn are buttressed by small blocks of granite.” The Smithsonian American Art Museum acquired Granite Weaving in 1996.
Nowhere is Moroles’s imagination and skill more evident than in his 1990 masterpiece, the Houston Police Officers Memorial. Designed as a granite pyramid rising from the earth and
Jesús Bautista Moroles, San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Photo by Ricardo Romo.
Jesús Bautista Moroles with his father José Moroles at his Rockport studio. Photo by Ricardo Romo.
sculptures seem as though they are descended from the works of ancient mound builders, sawed and carved and blasted from the earth.” The Police Memorial is regarded as one of Houston’s most important landmarks. Today, this memorial has become a popular gathering place for residents from the nearby Buffalo Bayou neighborhoods.
By the early 2000s, Moroles’s reputation as an extraordinary sculptor had spread far beyond Texas. His works are displayed in major museums across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. From Washington D.C. to the Middle East, his granite sculptures stand as monuments not just to artistic prowess, but to cultural memory. His art combines North American abstraction with the architectural spirit of ancient Mesoamerica, forging a dialogue between past and present.
surrounded by inverted pyramids carved into the ground, the Police Memorial is at once solemn and transcendent. The memorial is laid out in the form of a 120-foot by 120-foot Greek cross, with a central stepped pyramid rising high at its center. Surrounding this central structure are four inverted
stepped pyramids. Moroles’ design integrates natural elements, such as grass and water, into the geometric pattern, creating a serene and contemplative space within the city.
Peter C. Marzio of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts noted, “More often than not, Moroles’s
In Moroles’s Rockport studio, surrounded by large cranes, huge slabs of granite, and the whirr of stone-cutting machines, Harriett and I had the pleasure of seeing this artist at work. The huge rustic studio was nearly all outdoors. We were amazed at the collection of large uncut granite rock scattered all about the studio. At the studio, we met Moroles’s
father, a sister, a brother and a brother-in-law–his management team at the studio. At the time, Moroles had been commissioned to complete sculptures in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Moroles’s death in 2014 was a huge loss for the art community
in Texas and beyond. His stone sculptures recognized across the globe continue the Moroles legacy, and celebrate his commitment to cultural memory and Latino and Indigenous persistence.
Jesús Bautista Moroles, San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Photo by Ricardo Romo.
Jesús Bautista Moroles, San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Photo by Ricardo Romo.
Jesús Bautista Moroles in his Rockport studio. Photo by Ricardo Romo.
Jesús Bautista Moroles, Art Museum of South Texas. Corpus Christi, Texas. Photo by Ricardo Romo.
Happy Birthday Ernie Olivares
By Rebecca Barrera
Today June 26, is Ernie Olivares’ birthday. Young people probably don’t know who he was, for he died in 1988 in a tragic car crash between Matehuala and Saltillo, MEX. But the residents of the barrio surrounding Plaza Guadalupe remember that he built that plaza and Pope John Paul
blessed that space across the street from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with a community mass.
It is both heartwarming and painful that I find myself involved in so much of the activity at the Plaza Guadalupe and buying pan dulce at La Popular at least once a week. I never expected to be so connected to
the neighborhood that Ernie loved so much. My bilingual preschool served the Medical Center on the other side of San Antonio, so my time with Ernie was purely personal. He shared his dreams and the hard work of running a non-profit organization, trying to match public and private dollars to build community spaces that would transform an economically redlined district into the thriving Zona Cultural it is today. I suspect that he would consider it a grand birthday gift that his dreams were realized and have exceeded his expectation. Today, his little office is just a storeroom, for his plans have continued to be realized by the talented staff of Avenida Guadalupe. Hopefully, as people drive by the Ernesto C. Olivares Senior Community Residence, they will wonder who you were and say your name. Feliz cumpleaños, my love. Your legacy is everlasting and you will always be remembered.
From the System to Significance: How Jaydan Is Rewriting the Future
By Cyndi Dominguez
In a world where statistics are too often seen as destiny, Jaydan is a living, breathing contradiction and a beacon of hope for generations to come. A 2025 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School, Jaydan has overcome more than just the usual challenges of adolescence. He has risen above a system that told him he wouldn’t make it, beyond stereotypes that tried to define him, and out of a cycle that was never designed for him to succeed.
Born in Denton, Texas into hardship and placed in foster care at a young age, Jaydan grew up with the kind of odds that leave most young men feeling forgotten and defeated. Society has a cruel way of labeling youth.
Zip codes like 78207 are described as the “pipelines to prison.” In these areas, the future often feels prewritten, adults have third-grade reading level that predicts incarceration more accurately than success. But Jaydan is living proof that those predictions and statistics can be shattered.
Statistics have previously shown that “50.8% graduated high school while 40.1 % dropped out. The graduation rate is 34.3% below youth “atrisk” who graduate from the same region.” Quoting Bexar County Fostering Educational Success.
He has not only survived! he has flourished!
Jaydan carries himself with grace and grit. Polished in his manner, eloquent in his speech, and firm in his purpose, he exemplifies what happens when resilience meets opportunity. Through mentorship programs targeting at-risk youth — particularly young men like himself who have been written off by systems that should have supported them, he’s not just participating, he’s leading.
He’s become a fearless advocate for foster youth, inspiring others not just by what he says, but by how he lives. Jaydan walks into rooms that weren’t built for him and commands them with quiet strength. He reminds us that it’s not where you come from, but where you’re going that matters. For him, that path points toward leadership, community service, and continued education.
Jaydan is focused on higher education, radio television and film, and is a model in the upcoming Fashion for Life bringing awareness on domestic violence.
He has multiple certifications including level 2 non commissioned security officer, and is a basic life supporter.
This young man, once seen as a statistic, is now shaping
the narrative for an entire community. He’s showing us all that hardship doesn’t have to define us. That with the right mindset, mentorship, and heart, anyone can overcome.
Jaydan’s story reminds us: the cards you’re dealt don’t determine the game. It’s how you play them that counts.
And if Jaydan can rise from foster care, from poverty, from a stacked deck, then so can others.
He is not just a success story. He is a call to action. Let’s invest in more young leaders like Jaydan. Let’s amplify their voices. Because in doing so, we’re not just changing their futures we’re transforming our own.
¡Adelante, Jaydan! You are the promise of a better tomorrow.
FLAG DAY 2025
Ramon.Chapa Jr.
The San Antonio Association of Black Veterans received a Bexar County Proclamation proclaiming June 13, 2025 National Flag Day.
Un Proyecto De Mentiras Y Engaños
Por Julián Villarreal, Phd
La semana pasada el gobierno municipal de San Antonio inició una serie de juntas públicas sobre el llamado "Project Marvel" — una iniciativa impulsada por intereses privados en particular los Spurs y su multimillonario dueño Peter Holt que busca construir un nuevo estadio en el parque Hemisfair en el centro de la ciudad. Estas reuniones han sido presentadas engañosamente como "talleres comunitarios" en donde los residentes podrán "trabajar en conjunto" para expresar sus opiniones acerca del proyecto y hacer sugerencias en cuanto a los elementos del diseño del "nuevo distrito deportivo y de entretenimiento". Sin embargo, lo que los funcionarios del gobierno municipal han omitido es que ya se han concretado los planes para este mega-proyecto después de haberse consultado (y coludido) con los dueños de los Spurs durante más de un año en sesiones dirigidas en secreto por el gerente municipal Erik Walsh y el ex-alcalde Nirenberg. Ni siquiera nuestros propios concejales estaban enterados de lo que se estaba conjurando hasta que los planes fueran publicados a finales del año pasado. Ahora solo falta darle un toque de "participación ciudadana" a este proyecto multimillonario para que después el gobierno municipal pueda decir que se hicieron las debidas consultas públicas. En estos "talleres", sin embargo, ni siquiera hemos podido hacer preguntas directamente a los funcionarios públicos porque
estas sesiones han sido dirigidas por una consultoría privada llamada AbleCity contratada por el municipio para este fin (o sea, estamos pagando con fondos públicos para que esta consultoría haga el trabajo que debería hacer nuestros funcionarios públicos).
Para darles una idea, les contaré de mi experiencia en la segunda jornada de "talleres" para el distrito 5. A la una y media de la tarde del miércoles pasado tuvo lugar una de estas reuniones en el Salón Progreso de la avenida Guadalupe. Entré al salón tenuemente iluminado—un lugar que parecía cavernoso por la poca asistencia de personas pues había poco más de 20 personas, entre ellas los empleados de la consultoría AbleCity. Al fondo había una pantalla que mostraba imágenes del parque Hemisfair, parte de la ponencia que se estaba presentando a la gente ahí reunida. Yo apenas podía entender lo que decían la presentadora y los asistentes pues no usaban micrófono y los ecos resonaban dentro del salón medio vacío. La conversación giraba en torno al tema del espacio público en Hemisfair, un tema que me pareció redundante y pleonástico ya que el parque es un espacio público. Pero ahí está el engaño: el Proyecto Marvel—que se nos vende como un beneficio para el público en general—de hecho contempla reducir aun más el espacio público para así encerrar gran parte del parque bajo el control de intereses privados o semi-privados, lo
cual ya se ha hecho en los últimos años con la reciente "renovación" del parque. Es decir, este proyecto es otro empujón hacia la privatización del parque y del espacio público colindante, y además de reducir los espacios, tiempos, y usos de acceso público, también se pide a los residentes que subvencionemos los costos de este despojo. De ahí surge otra mentira que el gobierno municipal ha estado repitiendo acerca de los costos del proyecto y de quién los pagará. Según una hoja informativa que se repartió en la reunión, "el distrito será financiado por los visitantes, no por residentes," ya que, "los impuestos a la propiedad solo se usarán—si los votantes lo aprueben— para infraestructura como calles y aceras mejoradas." O sea que los residentes no vamos a pagar pero sí vamos a pagar. Qué ridiculez. Al decir que "los visitantes" van a pagar los impuestos que serán destinados a este proyecto, se refiere a los impuestos sobre la ocupación hotelera. Cuando el gobierno municipal dice que los residentes no van a pagar por este proyecto con sus impuestos, buscan hacer una distinción entre los ingresos públicos según su procedencia. Pero resulta engañosa esta afirmación ya que los impuestos hoteleros se recaudan precisamente para financiar la obra pública de la ciudad. Todos los impuestos que recibe el municipio forman parte del erario público y deben destinarse a obras y gastos
que sirvan el bien común y no los intereses privados. Sin importar su procedencia, sea de impuestos que paguen los turistas o que paguemos los residentes—cada centavo del erario que se destine a este proyecto es un centavo desviado de los gastos públicos generales y será un centavo menos para financiar obras en nuestros vecindarios (que, en muchos casos, sufren de una negligencia y carencia tremendas). De hecho gastar en "deportes y entretenimiento" mientras no se atienden asuntos de necesidades básicas, es la característica de una sociedad en decadencia. Es la definición de "pan y circo". Hace pocas semanas el concejo aprobó el uso de impuestos hoteleros estatales para este proyecto y además se creó una zona de reinversión de impuestos (TIRZ por sus siglas en inglés) que destinará los impuestos recaudados en esta zona del centro a proyectos e infraestructura dentro de la misma zona. Ambos mecanismos financieros implican una desviación de millones de dólares de ingresos públicos. En vez de usar esos ingresos para el bien común, se usarán para subvencionar la generación de ganancias (por no decir la avaricia) de intereses privados como los Spurs y las empresas de construcción inmobiliaria que recibirán los millonarios contratos públicos surgidos de este proyecto. Al concluir la reunión, me sentía pesimista y resignado. Me imaginé que con la poca participación ciudadana sería
bastante difícil detener este proyecto tan mal habido. Pero justo cuando estaba a punto de abandonar el salón, vi sobre la mesa varias hojas de papel con el título de "Tus ideas para Project Marvel" y cada hoja tenía la misma frase escrita repetidas veces: "No Project Marvel". En otro letrero alguien había escrito: "Deberían llamarlo 'proyecto oligarquía'". Luego me fijé en una serie de mapas del parque Hemisfair pegados a la pared en donde la gente había escrito sus comentarios: "Esto podría haber sido vivienda asequible" y "El tráfico ya es una pesadilla, ¿por qué no mejoran el transporte público?". Y en ese momento sentí un leve atisbo de esperanza porque me había dado cuenta de que muchos de los asistentes a las reuniones habían manifestado su oposición a la privatización y el despojo que significa este proyecto. Quienes se oponen a Marvel son la mayoría, pero los intereses pudientes que han logrado controlar la agenda municipal quieren hacernos creer otra mentira—que somos una minoría. Y por eso nos urge a todos tomar cartas en el asunto, alzar la voz, y no dejar que nos pisoteen. Así que les pido a ustedes las y los lectores que asistan a estas reuniones y manifiesten su oposición. Hablen con su concejal y exijan una pausa a este proyecto. Hablen con sus vecinos para que se informen y se organicen. En verdad, quienes queremos una mejor ciudad para toda la ciudadanía y no solo para los ricos, somos la mayoría. Solo hace falta organizarnos.
Vamos a Vacunarnos
Cuando se trata de las vacunas, es importante reconocer los datos. El Distrito de Salud Metropolitano de la Ciudad de San Antonio sabe que la vida no se detiene, y nadie quiere perderse un evento por estar enfermo. Las vacunas son seguras y ayudan al sistema inmunitario evitar enfermedades graves que pueden detener o cambiar sus planes.
Vamos a vacunarnos, porque cuando se trata de su salud, es tiempo de informarse sobre las vacunas y conocer los datos.
Para más información, visite SA.gov/Health
Escanee el código QR para encontrar la clínica emergente más cerca de ti.
Papo Garza MVP De Rieleros Yankees Invictos En Masters 50+
Por Sendero Deportivo
Las acciones beisboleras en la tercera fecha segunda vuelta de categoría Masters 50+ Liga Potranco cuya temporada se está jugando en honor de Juan Sánchez “El Rielero Mayor”, manager y jugador al lado del coach y jugador Servando Hernández, se tornaron emocionantes en el campo dos de Potranco Baseball Field propiedad del
artista Eloy Rocha, liga que es presidida por Simón Sánchez y coordinada por su hijo José Sánchez (compilador y narrador de jugada-tras-jugada).
El Tetracampeon Yankees de Luis Velázquez tras derrotar a Rangers con pitcheo combinado por Pat Hernández y Jaime Guerrero, con derrota para el abridor Hugo Méndez quien tuvo relevos de Ruperto Ortega,
Ervey Vela y Macario Rosas, continúa invicto. Rangers hizo dos anotaciones en las primeras entradas. Dejo dos bases llenas, lo cual ante Yankees es un buen promedio de juego.
El ex campeón Rieleros de Juan Sánchez y Servando Hernández, con su lanzador derecho José Cardona “El Che”, sudaron la gota gorda para derrotar a los Astros de
Pedro Espinoza, también ex campeones. Con pizarra de 3-1 carreras.
El Che, superó al rival lanzador Alfredo Obregón, gracias al apoyo ofensivo y defensivo de sus compañeros quienes tanto en el cuadro como en el diamante respondieron sobresaliendo el bateo del jardinero derecho Papo Garza, quien con elevado de sacrificio
puso la pizarra 1-1. En el quinto episodio Garza, con las bases llenas y cuenta completa, pegó línea por segunda base que no logró capturar el antesalista y ello permitió que dos corredores fueran enviados a la registradora por el timonel Sánchez, quien celebró la pizarra a favor de 3-1. Astros en las restantes dos entradas nada lograron hacer ante el pitcheo de Cardona y la estrategia de su receptor Francisco Nájera. Al final Papo Garza, fue distinguido como el MVP por sus tres carreras producidas, lo cual compartió con El Che y sus compañeros. Pasando a saborear deliciosos bocadillos en la estación de Rieleros.
Astros hizo lo mismo, como siempre ha sido su tradición, se gane o se pierda. Todo bajo un excelente ambiente deportivo y familiar.
Rol de juegos domingo 29 de junio campo 2 Potranco Baseball Field.
11am Rieleros vs Reds. 2pm Rangers vs Astros. Yankees descansa.
En las fotos aparecen; Papo Garza de Rieleros. Javier García bateador de Astros quien pegó hit contra El Che y Francisco Nájera de Rieleros al bate con su compañero Alfredo Rodríguez en tercera base. (Fotos de Franco).
By James Poindexter
Pride Week San Antonio 2025
Friday June 20-Saturday June 28
Pride Week
Pride Week
2025-Event Teasers
Pride Week 2025 offers a whole host of events from various organizations. These events are OF and FOR the community. Events range from Pride Pet Adoptions to dance events, events of a religious nature, community development, personal development and community enrichment events. A few things to look forward to are-
• Friday, June 27-Pride Bigger Than Texas Grand Marshal Meet and Greet; The Bonham Exchange (411 Bonham St); 630PM-930PM; Featuring Nyasia, Latin Grammy Winner
San Antonio is a gathering of the equality-minded San Antonio metropolitan community to celebrate and promote hope and awareness of equality and diversity through a cavalcade of events designed to recognize, accept, and celebrate the differences and contributions of the LGBTQIA community. The mission of Pride Week San Antonio is to harness the PROUD spirit of equality-minded residents of the San Antonio metropolitan area collaboratively to facilitate the needs of individuals so that individuals can facilitate the needs of a community in an effort to commemorate Pride Bigger Than Texas-the San Antonio Official First Amendment PRIDE celebration. www. prideweeksanantonio. org
Liz Garcia, and Pride Bigger Than Texas
2025 Grand Marshal Flavio Benavidez. Presented by Pride San Antonio, The Bonham Exchange, and La’ Entertainment and Latif Mercado
• Saturday, June
28-Pride Bigger Than Texas Festival and Parade; Festival (11AM-7PM, Crockett Park); Krystal Kelly Running Of The Queens High Heel Race (830PM-Pride Parade Route); Pride Bigger Than
Texas Parade (North Main Avenue-9PM) featuring Nyasia, Liz Garcia, Jenny B, and Rev Ray. Presented by Pride San Antonio, City Of San Antonio Parks and Recreation, La’ Entertainment, and Shell Shock Records
Bobby Pulido WOWS Seguin
By Ramon Chapa. Jr.
La Prensa Texas represented by Community Liaison
Ramon Chapa Jr was at an incredible event at the City of Seguin Central Park Concert Series featuring Tejano Super Star Bobby Pulido! Look at the huge crowd for this free concert! Roberto Pulido also sang with Bobby!
