latinopm.com
Keeping up with Henry
Chillax to the max
“Slack-tivities” for the torpor-inducing July weather
July 2013
ARIZONA EDITION
Adventures in legend and celebrity with the kid from Maryvale
My Perspective It CAN happen to you
a feast awaits THE FORT @
MIM presents
THE RECYCLED ORCHESTRA Stars of the upcoming documentary, Landfill Harmonic, make their US debut
Founded in 2008, La Orquesta de Instrumentos Reciclados de Cateura (The Recycled Orchestra) is already inspiring people around the world with its life-changing story, astonishing musical instruments made from landfill trash, and heartwarming performances. Never before seen in the United States, this youth orchestra from Paraguay will make its US debut with two concerts at the MIM Music Theater and will participate in Family Day as part of a weeklong artist residency at the Musical Instrument Museum. For more information, visit MIM.org/all-events/recycled-orchestra.
ConCerts
FAMILY DAY
La Orquesta de Instrumentos Reciclados de Cateura (The Recycled Orchestra) Friday, August 9 | 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 10 | 7:30 p.m.
Family Day with the Recycled Orchestra at MIM Saturday, August 10 | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
In a concert without parallel, members of the phenomenal Recycled Orchestra will share their incredible stories, their passion, and their joyful music. Tickets: $22.50, $32.50, $42.50
Adults and kids of all ages can hear the remarkable instruments and stories of the Recycled Orchestra youth, make their own instruments from recycled materials, meet with local sonicsculpture artist Joe Willie Smith, participate in an exhibit dedication in honor of the Paraguayan youth group, and more! Free with museum admission For schedule of events, visit MIM.org.
To purchase tickets, visit MIM.org.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM Join MIMphx
MIM.org | 480.478.6000 | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050 (Corner of Tatum & Mayo Blvds., just south of Loop 101)
Journal of the American Latino Dream
Volume 9
{July 2013}
Issue 11
20
39
Story behind the glory
Slack-tivity:
Professor-playwright probes roots of an Olympian’s success
7 8
From the publisher Living the American Dream
¿Será posible?
Scowl play – or, it’s not easy being mean
12 LP journal Two Latino politicians, Laura Pastor and David Lujan, face-off to gain council seat in Phoenix District 4; untimely passing of two notable Latino community leaders: Jessica Florez and Jose Robles
14 Amazing Vibe mid-summer musical events: Rodrigo y Gabriela, Carmela y mas, and 1980s New Wave acts revived; AZ Biltmore’s plan to keep downtown Phoenix rocking and rolling in fun
15 AAnaya says small effort can yield a huge payoff
An approach to doing something by doing nothing
17 Latina still standing
Rebecca Villalando typifies warrior spirit of Latina veterans
19 Rincón del arte Singer-songwriter Rebecca de la Torre determined to perform her own “stuff”
25 Movin’ up Steven Gonzalez appointed new president of GWCC; Sky Train floors win design prize; Tucson councilman Richard Fimbres recognized by JobPath for support of job training; Children’s Action Alliance gets five new board members; Juan Miguel Moran promoted to community relations officer for USCIS District 25
29 Entrepreneur Taqueria titans, America Corrales and Terry Bortin, see franchises as way to share their gifts
31 Briefcase Campaign contributions best viewed as investments in our communities
34 City Those who serve of Peoria’s new Fire Chief, Bobby Ruiz, continued career climb after retirement
35 AEducation personal account of the rewarding adventures of a volunteer reading tutor
40 P.S. What does it mean to be “American enough”? 41 My perspective ... on child water safety: Red Cross professional advises multiple layers of poolside protection
Coming in August: Fall arts preview latinopm.com
¡ July 2013!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
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¡! Publisher’s letter
July 2013 Publisher/CEO Ricardo Torres Executive Editor/COO Cecilia Rosales, Ph.D. Copy Editor Virginia Betz Art Director Jorge Quintero Contributing Writers Catherine Anaya, Vicente Baamonde, Diana Bejarano, Virginia Betz, Erica Cardenas, George Diaz, Ruben Hernandez, Robrt L. Pela, Stella Pope Duarte, Guillermo Reyes, Brett M. Young Director of Sales and Marketing Carlos Jose Cuervo Advertising Account Executives Grace Alvarez and Barry Farber Webmaster QBCS Inc.
Contact Us
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
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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.
Livin’ the dream It’s been almost five years since Phoenix resident, Henry Cejudo, became
the youngest American wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal in the freestyle wrestling category. After retiring from the sport in 2012, the “kid from Maryvale” made his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debut earlier this year and, in addition to training to stay in top shape, he keeps busy studying for college (he’s a History major at Grand Canyon University) and making media appearances to support the campaign to keep wrestling on the roster of Olympic sports. In this month’s cover story, Guillermo Reyes shares his experience as Henry Cejudo’s embedded “entourager.” ASU professor and playwright, Guillermo Reyes, was instrumental in bringing together Cejudo, his management and dramatist José Zárate, who transformed Cejudo’s autobiography into the play, American Victory. This thoughtful essay explores the themes of “victory,” “freedom” and “patriotism” in the context of Cejudo’s inspiring journey. Also livin’ the American Dream are America Corrales and Terry Bortin, whose America’s Taco Shop was highlighted in an LPM Entrepreneur profile three years ago. This month, we re-visit the restauranteurs because the fortunes of America’s Taco Shop have skyrocketed since that first interview. Their story bolsters our confidence in the belief that hard work, integrity and honest business practices are the bedrock of success. The experts tell us often enough that another key to success in the business world and beyond is educational parity for low-income and other marginalized populations ‑ a persistent problem in our state. We were delighted, therefore, to publish the Brett Young’s account of his remarkable experience as a volunteer reading tutor. Recently published research findings from a three-year study conducted by ASU Prof. Carol Connor confirmed that students in the first to third grades who received individualized student instruction (ISI) achieved reading proficiency levels in greater numbers than students who didn’t, and were more likely to exceed gradelevel proficiency with longer-term ISI. Reading skills, Connor emphasizes, are the most substantive determinant of educational success in higher grades. Young’s story reveals that huge strides can be obtained for all Arizona’s children by investing in low-cost, highly effective reading programs like All-Star Kids Tutoring. Holidays and vacations are times to kick back, let loose and de-stress. However, safety, especially that of our children, is one worry we can never afford to put on the shelf. Contributor Vicente Baamonde of the Red Cross’ Grand Canyon Chapter offers valuable advice on how thinking ahead and formulating a water safety plan can minimize the likelihood of pool accidents and, so, maximize our enjoyment of family recreational activities.
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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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
¡ July 2013!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
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¡! ¿Será posible?
Righteous rage By Robrt Pela
The world, it would seem, is getting
increasingly angrier. A 22-year-old Connecticut man was arrested recently after writing obscenities and the word “tyranny” on a speeding ticket he received from a New York police officer. The disgruntled fellow claims, in a recently filed federal lawsuit, that his free speech rights were violated when he was arrested. William Barboza is suing two police officers in the Catskill-area village of Liberty, New York, over the arrest. Barboza had, it’s been widely reported, scrawled “Tyranny!” over the word “Liberty” on the payment form issued with a speeding ticket last August. He added an obscenity-laced insult, and then took off on a rant that led to his
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being dragged to court where he was handcuffed and arrested for aggravated harassment. Barboza posted bail that day, but hasn’t stopped bellyaching since. The lawsuit, filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, argues that Barboza’s naughty language should be considered “protected speech” and, therefore, Barboza is being discriminated against just for losing his temper. He’s not the only one who’s grumpy. According to a recent study from researchers in New Zealand, Legos are madder than heck these days, too. The little, plastic, yellow-faced people who are a snap-together part of the famous children’s building block set, appear proportionately more angry, the study found.
In recent years, according to the New Zealanders, Lego has released more little yellow guys with angry scowls than ever before. This spike in plasticine ire, the study suggests, is related to the release of more aggressively-themed Lego sets: pirates, space invaders and Harry Potter villains, all carrying weaponry and grouchy frowns on their wee faces. “It is our impression that the themes have been increasingly based on conflicts,” wrote researchers Christoph Bartneck and Mohammad Obaid, who work for the University of Canterbury; the third author, Karolina Zawieska, is from the Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements. The researchers arrived at their conclusion after cataloguing and photographing
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the 3,655 Lego characters released between 1975 and 2010, then asking 264 American adults to characterize the figures’ expressions as angry, happy, sad, disgusted, surprised or fearful. “We discovered a proportional growth of angry faces since the early ‘90s,” Bartneck says. “Variables, such as skin color and whether the figure’s head is attached to a body, didn’t substantially throw off our conclusions.” The report has led, in one Ohio community, to a ban on the purchase of Lego sets that include angry or otherwise unhappy little plastic men. Which really pisses us off.
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8/22/12 2:50 PM
Conversation starters from the world around us
14 Vibe
AZ Biltmore offerings to rock your summer; blast from the New Wave past
15 Anaya says
Networking gets the message to the right ears
Still 17 Latina Standing Honoring Latina vets
i say... Devious or not? Critics and supporters of Devious Maids (the new TV show produced by Eva Longoria about five beautiful, sexy Latina maids) took to cyberspace to share their take on the topic. Longoria and the editorin-chief for Cosmopolitan for Latinas exchanged views in The Huffington Post:
Are Latinas teachers, and doctors and lawyers in America today? Yes. Should their stories be told as well? Absolutely. But, this show is called Devious Maids, not ‘Latinas in America’
photo by Tina Korhonen
Actor and producer, Eva Longoria
page
14
Mesmerizing guitar work of Mexico’s Rodrigo y Gabriela a highlight of Mesa Art Center’s Performing Live Series
Well, Eva, I’ve watched the show, and I’m genuinely sad to say that I disagree. It’s not a complex portrait; it’s an insulting disgrace. I believe it does a tremendous disservice to the 20 million-plus Latina female population living in the United States Michelle Herrera Mulligan, Editor in Chief, Cosmopolitan for Latinas
latinopm.com
¡ July 2013!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
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¡!
LP journal
Friendly competitors, Laura Pastor and David Lujan, both seek seat on the Phoenix City Council for District 4 in upcoming August election
District 4 election may be historic The Phoenix City Council District 4 race has seven candidates vying to represent the central city area. Two of the six are Latinos who have lived most their lives in the District: Laura Pastor and David Lujan. Both Pastor and Lujan are trying to bounce back from previous election defeats: Pastor from a defeat by current councilmember Michael Nowakowski in City Council District 7 in 2007, and Lujan from a defeat in the Democratic primary for Arizona attorney general in 2009. If either Pastor or Lujan wins, the result is a scenario in which three Latinos sit on the Phoenix City Council, a historic first since the Council was created in 1881. A Latino winner will join Nowakowski and Daniel Valenzuela in District 5. Political experts say that Phoenix continues to shift political power from non-Latinos to a more diverse leadership, as have other cities with high Latino populations, such as San Antonio, where Julian Castro is mayor and seven of ten districts have elected Latinos. However, the two Latinos could split the vote, allowing a non-Latino candidate to take the election. 12
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The city election is August 27, and both Pastor and Lujan shared their ideas for prevailing in this election with LP Journal. Pastor says she decided to run again because “… my passion for our great city has never changed. I have lived in Encanto Manor since the 3rd grade and, today, my family and I live right next door to the house I grew up in. I know the people of our community, and know the challenges we face together.” Should she win, her goal will be “to ‘Put Phoenix First.’” She explains that the city needs to give top priorities to public safety, high-wage job creation and education. Pastor, an education administrator and local school board member, says she learned valuable lessons from her door-to-door campaigning in 2007 and now. “Traveling the city and talking to residents, you see how vitally important our city government is in our everyday lives. I learn something new every day, from every resident whose door I knock on or who I meet along the way, and that experience as a candidate – both in the past and now ‑ will make me a better city councilmember if elected.” Lujan is an education administrator who has served on the local school board and in the state legislature. He says the
lesson he learned from losing his bid for attorney general was that personal interaction with voters is crucial for winning. “I never lost in a local race. I’ve won before by going door-to-door. You can’t do that when running for a statewide office. It’s a different way of campaigning. And that’s what’s going to help get me elected this time.” He listed as his top three priorities, if elected, as education, public safety, and social services to address domestic violence and child abuse. Ironically, Lujan supported Laura Pastor in the past. He describes running against her now as a friendly rivalry. “It’s always challenging when running against someone you consider a friend in an election,” he says. “I think I’m the more experienced candidate. I like Laura and have extreme respect for her.”
The lasting legacy of Jessica Florez Jessica Florez died in her sleep one month before her fortieth birthday, and the news shocked and saddened friends of this former Phoenix City councilwoman. Florez was one of the two self-identified Latinas to ever serve
LP journal on the Phoenix City Council. She was appointed in 2003. Paul Lopez, a close friend of 15 years, recalled the dogged intensity and determination with which she approached any project she was working on in her high-level circles of politics and marketing. “She had a total commitment to what she was working on at the time,” says Lopez, a principal with the public-affairs company, The Endeavor Agency. “Once she set a goal, she would work hard and not stop until she was successful in achieving it.” Florez moved to Phoenix from Carlsbad, New Mexico, in the late 1990s. Latino community leaders remember her meteoric rise to the top echelon of the Phoenix political world. By the time she was 30 years old, she had landed a job with Councilmember Paul Johnson after only three weeks in Phoenix, and later served on the staff of former mayor Skip Rimza. She was appointed to the City Council to fill the seat vacated by Phil Gordon, who ran successfully for mayor. She served almost a year before she lost the seat in a close election to Councilmember Tom Simplot. Florez learned about politics from her mother, who was on the staff of
Jessica Florez
three New Mexican governors. Florez related how her mother would drag her to weekly campaign rallies. She was waving a campaign sign for Bill Richardson at the age of six. Outside of politics, she experienced success as co-owner of one of the largest Hispanic-owned marketing agencies in Phoenix, Grupo ñ. Florez formed the agency after she left Arvizu Advertising. Those in the Valley marketing world remember her as a tough and highly creative competitor. Florez died in Scottsdale on June 1st. Lopez and other friends were surprised by her death at such an early age, and saddened by “so much lost potential,” as Lopez put it. “She had achieved so much so young, and she could have achieved even more in her life.” Lopez points out that Florez can serve as an inspiring role model to young Latinos interested in politics. The message she leaves behind is that being young is no barrier to serving your community. “She stepped up to serve, and for that she will always be etched in Phoenix history,” Lopez says.
Jose Robles: A life of service Jose Robles left us at age 67 on May 26, taken away by cancer just as Congress started the debate on the most comprehensive overhaul of immigration law in almost 30 years. Robles served as director of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix’ Office of Hispanic Ministry for 16 years and was an advocate of humane immigration reform. For years he guided parishes and Catholic service organizations to help migrants integrate into Arizona communities though English classes and job training. In his position, he led outreach to the Valley’s 800,000 Hispanic Catholics, about half of all diocesan Roman Catholics. According to Mesa attorney Phil Austin, a long-time friend of Robles, he “was a strong force for change, but his
¡!
Jose Robles
wasn’t a fiery kind of advocacy.” Other community leaders remember Robles as the main organizer of the 2006 march for immigration reform through downtown Phoenix. Austin recalls that the march attracted more than 100,000 people. “I think that march was a big wakeup call, so that many people in Arizona supported immigration reform, and Jose was a big part of it,” Austin said. Austin said Jose Robles will be remembered by many young DREAMers – undocumented immigrants brought to the United States by their immigrant parents – for helping to create a private scholarship fund that allowed them to pay their way through higher education. The fund has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships since 2011, when the state legislature passed SB 1070, a law that prohibits undocumented students from paying in-state tuition at Arizona community colleges and universities. The fund is managed by the Catholic Community Foundation, which has renamed it the Jose Robles Dream Scholarship Fund. It was befitting his lasting concerns for immigrants that Robles’ obituary in the local newspaper called for donations to this scholarship fund instead of sending flowers to his funeral services. latinopm.com
¡ July 2013!
Latino Perspectives Magazine
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¡!
vibe
Carmela y Mas
The Go-Go’s and The B-52s
Put this on your schedule: Carmela y Mas will
If you are in the mood for some awesome “oldies
perform at The Nash on July 18 and August 15, 2013, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Carmela’s Latin jazz and salsa band features Rebecca Kennell (trumpet), Steven Von Wald (sax), Claudia Bloom (piano), Haijung Choi (bass), and Mark Winnans (percussion). Percussionist Joe Goglia will join the ensemble as a guest artist and, as a special treat, Abel Valentino “El Rey del Timbale” will also perform with the troupe. Admission is $10. Advance tickets can be purchased online at TheNash.org (click on calendar). The Nash, located at 110 E. Roosevelt St. in downtown Phoenix, has a B.Y.O.B. policy for wine and beer only: 1 bottle of wine for two people; 2 beers per person. There is a $5 corkage fee per wine bottle; $1 per beer.
but goodies,” this adults-only concert is for you. Believe it or not, it’s been 32 years since Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine and Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Go’s) released “We Got the Beat,” and 35 years since The B-52s released “Rock Lobster.” Ubi sunt, right? The bands will be performing live at the Talking Stick Resort and Casino showroom on July 12, 2013. The doors open at 7 p.m; tickets start at $40 and are available at Ticketmaster. For more information and VIP packages, contact the Talking Stick’s box office at 480-850-7734.
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Rodrigo y Gabriela Get your “Rs” rolling (say
Rodrigo y Gabriela, five times, rápido). The internationallyacclaimed guitar virtuosi will be in town performing at the Ikeda Theater on July 16, 2013, as part of the Mesa Arts Center Performing Live Series. The concert is at 7:30 p.m.; tickets ($39.50-$49.50) are available on-line at MesaArtsCenter. com or by phone at 480-644-6500. If you’ve never seen them perform, be prepared to be amazed by their fast, rhythmic acoustic guitars. You can sample their highenergy, talent and charisma at Rodgab.com 14
Latino Perspectives Magazine
¡ July 2013!
latinopm.com
vibe
¡!
Anaya says Goad it through the grapevine By Catherine Anaya
How many times have you heard
AZ Biltmore’s cure for the summer doldrums
Rockin’ it at the Biltmore It is scorching hot outside. It’s the
middle of the summer and the kids are bored; the adults are too. What is one to do? The Arizona Biltmore, “The Jewel of the Desert,” is offering great deals on its rock ‘n’ roll-themed summer specials. To set the stage, the resort is hosting Rock On! The Exhibit, a retro photo exhibit by photographer John Robert Rowlands, which traces the history of rock ’n’ roll. If you are game for a staycation, the Waldorf Astoria Resort’s special seasonal rate starts at $109 (through September 2, 2013). Other great deals include: Sunday Funday package: rock out with the DJ from 6-9 p.m. and enjoy two complimentary cocktails poolside with the $109 per night seasonal rate. Splash Cinema: The entire family can watch movies while floating in the Paradise Pool on Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. Among the films will be Toy Story 1 and 2, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, The Incredibles and Monsters vs. Aliens. Did we mention the Paradise Pool features an amazing 92-foot waterslide? Fun. Rockin’ fiesta: Holiday weekends will be party time on Squaw Peak Lawn with an extensive buffet of favorite Mexican dishes and live music (5-9 p.m. on July 4 and August 31, Labor Day weekend). Cost is $21
about someone having a tough time and thought, “Wish I could do something to help?” A few months ago, my CBS 5 News colleague, Pat McReynolds, aired a “Pay It Forward” story about a woman inspired by another woman on Facebook. Stephanie uses a wheelchair as a result of her multiple sclerosis and started following Jennifer Longdon, who also uses a wheelchair after a shooting left her paralyzed. The two had never met but a post Jennifer made about her service van’s lack of air conditioning caught Stephanie’s attention. She knows an elevated body temperature could be lifethreatening for someone in Jennifer’s condition. So, she asked CBS 5 for $500 to help pay it forward to Jennifer to fix her van’s A/C. I was surprised when the story aired because I consider Jen a friend and even I didn’t know she had these van issues. Pat, having learned of my relationship with her, pulled me aside a few days later to tell me her van was far worse than it looked. I knew I had to do something and do it before the Arizona heat intensified. I rallied as many people as I could and, in a matter of weeks, pulled together a fundraising luncheon to help Jen fix her van. We raised $3,000 but I knew it would only scratch the surface. What she really needed was a NEW VAN. So, I started to spread the word. You remember that shampoo commercial back in the day that went something like “and she told two friends, and he told two friends, and so on and
so on?” Well, that’s essentially what happened next. I told a friend, who told her husband, who called a friend he knew at a dealership, who told me I needed to talk to the general manager at Sanderson Ford in Glendale. Jen already had a Ford so it made sense. I sent Tom Collins the clips of Pat’s story and one I had done on Jennifer’s amazing courage several years back and he told me the person I really needed to speak to was Sanderson’s CEO, David Kimmerle. Two days later, Mr. Kimmerle called. He had seen the stories and wanted to know more. I told him about the amazing things Jennifer does in the community to raise disability awareness and raise funds for spinal cord injury research. Then, I went down the laundry list of things wrong with her van. He stopped me half way through and said, “I’ve heard enough. She needs a new van.” Less than a week later I watched as Mr. Kimmerle and Jen met and hugged when he presented her with the keys to a new, 2012 Ford Transit Connect Premium mobility van. Their smiles told me David was probably as grateful to be in a position to give as Jen was to receive. Even the smallest gesture is worth the effort. You just never know what big things can come from it. Catherine Anaya anchors CBS 5 News weeknights at 5, 5:30, 6 and 10 p.m. She is a mother of two, marathon runner and motivational speaker. Reach her at catherine.anaya@cbs5az.com; connect with her on Facebook, twitter and at CatherineAnaya.com.
Continues on page 17 latinopm.com
¡ July 2013!
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“Through my experience at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, my family and I learned that super heroes don’t always wear capes.”
~Sara
Cancer Patient
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No case is typical. You should not expect to experience these results.
© 2013 Rising Tide
vibe
Latina still standing
¡!
An independent spirit By Diana Bejarano
As we celebrate Independence Day
Affordable luxuries at the “Jewel of the Desert” Continued from page 15
for adults and $10.50 for children; alcoholic beverages not included. Wine tastings: Complimentary wine tastings in the lobby on Fridays from 5-7 p.m. and nightly live music at the Wright Bar, Thursday through Saturday. Rock ‘n’ roll fireworks: Every Saturday night throughout the summer at 9 p.m., the sky above the Arizona Biltmore will light up with a fireworks show set to, what else … rock ‘n’ roll music. Spa treatments: Options abound. We are impressed with the rates for the Cool Rock Massage. The 80-minute Rockin’ Body Package combines a refreshing cucumber mint body polish and a hydrating bodywrap with a 50-minute full body massage with added-in cool stones, plus an aloe facial massage, all for $175. Drop off the kids at the tennis camp or cooking class. Summer tennis camps are conducted by the Arizona Biltmore’s head pro. Half-day sessions are $50 and full-day sessions are $75. The “Inside the Chef’s Studio: Kids’ Style” classes are held on Saturdays, noon to 2 p.m. in the main kitchen. The classes are $20, limited to ten participants – and the kids eat what they make. Ahh … suddenly, contemplating a staycation at the Biltmore, summer in Arizona doesn’t seem so brutal! For more information and reservations, call 800-950-0086 or check on-line at arizonabiltmore.com.
this month, I think about the sacrifices many have made for our freedom, including Latinas who have served and fought in the armed forces. Latinas have a proud history of serving their country. Today, Latinas are a significant percentage of the 1.6 million women veterans and 1.2 million Hispanic veterans. Most have not engaged directly in combat, but played important support roles. Rebecca Villalpando is just one of many brave Latinas who saw the military as a path to enhancing their lives. The 53-year-old, single mother of two joined the Navy when she was just 19 years old, served four years on active duty and another eight years in the Reserves. Rebecca, a native of Arizona, has traveled the world with the military. Her love for her country also led to her a Fellowship with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington D.C. in 2004-2006. She said she joined the military despite her family’s lack of understanding and support. They didn’t understand why she wanted to enlist in the armed forces and leave Arizona. Rebecca was a pioneer who says she doesn’t regret any of it, because it helped her grow, stretch and learn. I, for one, am thankful for her bravery and service. She and many other Latinas have kept our nation safe. She is a military veteran. She is a mother. She has also survived divorce and single parenthood. She has worked during the day and has taken one or two classes at a time, year after year, and is now a few credits away from receiving a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in political science from ASU. When asked what she was most proud of, she said, “I was a single mother, who
refused to be a statistic. I was raised to not rely on government assistance and to not be a quitter.” Rebecca’s advice to single mothers: “Follow your dreams ... and take your kids with you!” She exposed her two sons to education and exploring the U.S. Both are pursuing college degrees as well. Latinas are smart, she says; they know how to make things work and keep everything together for their families. Rebecca makes us all believe that we can do just about anything. Rebecca’s faith kept her going during tough times. Her advice is to keep focused on your goals and don’t be afraid to be the first in your family to do something. “Our ancestors moved to a new country and made it,” Rebecca said, “Don’t let anyone’s lack of support stop you from accomplishing your dreams.” Recently, Rebecca helped start a Veteran Women’s Shelter in Phoenix (MANA), a transitional residential program for women vets who served in the Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force. This is the first homeless shelter of its kind in the Phoenix area (perhaps, onequarter of all veterans are homeless). Rebecca is a proud veteran and a Latina Still Standing. Today and every day, let’s not forget our country’s best kept secret: Latina women in the military. We all need to support and honor them. God bless all Latinas serving in the military and all soldiers who have given their lives for our freedom. Diana Bejarano is an Arizona native and a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Reach her at latinastillstanding@yahoo.com or latinastillstanding.blogspot.com latinopm.com
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rincón del arte
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Not looking, but ready for fame Rebecca de la Torre, singer-songwriter When did you start composing? I have always been musical. I played several instruments growing up. I had a successful career as an engineer, but I decided that I wanted to be a musician, so I left engineering. Then, I decided that I just couldn’t do cover songs all the time because I’d lose my mind. I have to record my own stuff. Now, it’ll be two years in June since I finally released my own material.
Tell us about your latest LP, Incognito: This album means a lot to me; I
Future plans and professional goals? I want to be able to just do my own music. I want to be able to play and tour around and grow enough of a fan base to make a living playing my own music. But, I also have Christian music that I’ve written and hasn’t been released yet. My goal is to get as much of my own music out there as possible and continue to compose, to be able to see the world, to travel and have my music pay for that. Is my goal to be famous? No! I just want to keep composing and market my compositions in various ways,
Photo courtesy of the artist
really found my voice as a singer and a songwriter. This particular album is a collaboration. The inspiration would come from the agreed on direction for each song. I wrote all the music. The inspiration – in the case of the lyrics – comes from T. Siering. They’re his lyrics, and his inspiration comes from different life experiences or imagined experiences. He would tell me, “I think it should sound like this song or that artist.” I would listen to the artist and try to get a feel for the lyrics with that kind of energy. It is a somewhat engineered, somewhat inspired collaboration, but the one thing that I always originated were the vocal lines. There isn’t one particular era that I feel defines the vocal or instrumental style of this album. One song was kind of jazz-influenced pop and the most recent influences would be artists like Adele or the Black Keys. such as use for TV shows or commercials or whatever and make money from that. That’d be great; I don’t need to be famous. Fame comes with a price. If it happens, it happens and I would accept it. At the same time, I just want to do my music, and be able to connect with people. If that means that somebody else sings my songs, that’s fine with me.
Website:
rebeccadelatorre.com; for a full schedule of performances, see rebeccadelatorre.com/tour/
Help us highlight the local arts Send information to editor@latinopm.com.
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Keeping with Hen By Guillermo Reyes
Adventures in legend and celebrity with the kid from Maryvale
O
ver the course of several weeks in March, 2013, I tried following Henry Cejudo like an embedded “entourager,” my word for this ceaseless activity of keeping up with the Phoenix-based Olympian, a restless and unstoppable 26-year-old athlete who tears through the desert like a speed racer. I missed his debut in Tucson with the MMA (mixed martial arts) in which he, not too surprisingly, kicked posterior and won his match in a few minutes against a local fighter, but I had an excuse. I was in Phoenix directing Henry’s life story in the manner of a play, a dramatization of his autobiography, American Victory, adapted to the stage by playwright José Zárate, a
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former ASU student now pursuing his ambitions of a screenwriting career in Los Angeles. In three fast-paced weeks in March, Henry prepared for, fought and won his match, trained my actors in wrestling techniques, faced an audience that posed engaging questions after the play, hosted the after-party in his Phoenix home, then he flew to Burbank to trade barbs with Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. Henry’s also an undergraduate student at Grand Canyon University, so, it’s safe to say he’s got a full plate. When I finally pinned Henry down to a brief interview, I was more interested in talking about Izzy, the scrawny teenage boy living in a homeless shelter in Florida. Henry posted the encounter on his Facebook: “I met a kid named Izzy today and he was telling me how my autobiography, American Victory, changed his life forever. By the look of the book, it never leaves his sight. He told me he’s read it seven times and the book gave him hope to get out of the homeless shelter where he was staying.” “Why was the kid even there?” I asked him, “What happened in his family life?” “I didn’t get all the details,” said Henry, “it’s just that I meet kids like him every time I go out there to meet young wrestlers. Sometimes, I also get letters from inmates writing about where they’ve gone wrong. And, if my story gives them comfort …”
up nry
Inspiration, comfort, a salve for the great failures and tragedies of broken lives. Henry’s book highlights the tumultuous process of growing up in L.A., Las Cruces, N.M., and finally Phoenix as the son of impoverished and undocumented immigrants; it also charts the discipline the young athlete summoned to develop his talents and rise from a troubled past to compete at the Beijing Olympics as a wrestler. Henry’s story chronicles the grand historical irony of bringing home the gold to the country that gave him citizenship but threatened to deport his parents. Finally, the book’s also a paean to an indomitable woman, Nelly Rico (Henry’s mother), who raises six children alone after her husband becomes a substance addict and abandons the family. Anyone who hasn’t read the book or seen the play might think this is a story of tough male bluster, but the story features the equally compelling image of an immigrant mother raising children on her own. Then, in a comic twist, the Olympic trainers assign the height-challenged hero to wrestle with women to supplement their training, but the decision allows Henry to learn to treat women as equal partners in the sport. When he ends up fighting one of them in a lovers’ quarrel, the fight almost becomes physical and he has to pull back, and avoid his father’s tragic mistakes, though he himself admits that he came close to battery and feels terrible for it. Henry’s narrative is supported by a chorus of women. His sister Gloria takes over the care of the children when Nelly needs to work, and she becomes a second mother to them. American
Victory, one might be surprised to discover, depends on the survival instincts of the women, which gives the story its balance, its depth and appeal. Henry’s brother, Angel, also became a wrestling champion in this environment; he provides the initial inspiration that leads Henry to start training at Maryvale. As a director, I wasn’t interested in a simplistic glorification of a hero, but about the family struggle that helped him rise from poverty – hence the true “victory” in the title. We dramatized it, played it out with a lively cast of ASU actors and, in many ways, lived it the way Izzy did at his shelter, drawing inspiration from the tale.
The
search for an Arizona story The meeting between playwright Zárate, Henry Cejudo and me took place at the University Club at Arizona State University in September, 2010. I was urging both young men to collaborate on a play version of American Victory. At the School of Theatre and Film, we had determined to find or originate plays that celebrated the Arizona Centennial. We were already developing two other plays that dramatized Arizona history, but now I needed to find one that would be emblematic of our times. I found Henry’s book, read it in one sitting and knew that I’d found such a story. I admit I had a conspiratorial demeanor, as if we were doing something slightly off-kilter, even subversive. Cejudo’s was a thoroughly American journey, but something awry had taken over the politics of the state which gave the story an added layer of complexity. During the 2008 Olympics, the headlines in major newspapers read, latinopm.com
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“Son of Illegal Immigrants Wins Gold.” I immediately read drama into the headline itself. Googling the headline today, we might still find a share of posts from readers blatantly calling for Cejudo’s deportation. They were next to others congratulating him on his win, to be sure, but, that some people in Arizona were – or are – still debating the constitutionality of birthright citizenship, seemed symptomatic of a greater social affliction of our times. Who belongs in the U.S.? Who gets to decide? The state or the federal government? So, what exactly were we celebrating with this Centennial? Drama, in my opinion, has a responsibility to prod and question, as well as celebrate, the culture of our state and our times. U.S. Latino theater in particular, developed in the midst of the farm workers’ strikes led by César Chávez in the 1960s, has maintained a strong connection to the communities it serves throughout the country, especially when issues flare up into political battles. It is within this political climate that American Victory seemed like the right optimistic tale of a young man who defies the odds to reach the Olympics. Young people growing up in the state – often as the children of undocumented immigrants – deserve to see a positive tale of someone growing up in their state and managing to achieve a goal in an international forum. Following the book, the play expounds on the extreme poverty of Henry’s life, the abandonment by his father, and the dysfunctional teenage 22
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years in which he began to win junior varsity championships but had to go to a home where he had to share a blanket, a bed and a pillow with his siblings. The Olympic trainers and recruiters noticed his talent and made an unusual move; they plucked him out of high school to train for the 2008 Olympics. By the time he went to Beijing, he was 21 years old and became the youngest wrestler to win gold in wrestling. Zárate, also in his twenties, delivered a first draft in the spring of 2011, and continued to whittle away at the heavy narration borrowed from the book until most of the plot points became fully dramatized. Gradually, a script took shape that allowed this timely story to reveal something painfully true about the state and, yet, something celebratory for Henry, his family and the entire population of Americans he represents. The American victory in the title is ironic and yet genuine; it commemorates achievement, but it also celebrates citizenship. When the Mexican Olympic team made Cejudo an offer to wrestle on behalf of his father’s country, Henry politely turned it down. He is an American citizen, he reminded them, and he would fight for the United States. The most difficult scene in Cejudo’s story is an ill-fated Christmas when Henry’s mother, Nelly Rico, struggling to sustain a family, discovers that the father, Jorge Cejudo, has succumbed to alcoholism and drugs and has stolen the children’s Christmas gifts to buy drugs.
Henry’s sister, Gloria, shared with me on opening night in 2012, “I consider myself pretty tough, but watching that scene on stage left me shook up.” Her mother, Nelly, also chose an avoidance strategy in watching that scene in the play. Henry held her hand until that disturbing memory passed like a recurring nightmare. Father steals the Christmas gifts – that’s the toughest memory of them all. Zárate’s script deftly captured a certain effusive energy of hope, triumph against adversity and, yes, patriotism, making it that most unfashionable of scripts, a sincere one without bitterness or alienation. The customary raising of the American flag, which the real Henry Cejudo unfurled in Beijing and which we re-created on stage with actor Alberto Ley, touched upon a simple need to achieve and to claim glory. It wasn’t quite as epic as Iwo Jima but, still, all of us managed to plant that flag straight in the heart of a state ruled by certain politicians describing young immigrants as “drug mules.” We said otherwise.
The
aftermath The end of the performances left me with a sudden sense of loss, but that was a good reason to bring it back in the spring of 2013 – to relive its highs and lows. The Cejudo Family saga has become part of me as an artist. I share in its unique narrative as a living documentary. I am grateful that Henry’s manager, William McFarlane, granted us the rights to
dramatize the book, but the story has a personal hold. There is a strange intensity to it. McFarlane has been promoting a film version with prominent studios in Hollywood and two of them are currently considering it. But the live theater brought it to life first; we’ve earned a few bragging rights for immediacy and purpose. What next for Henry? He’s now successfully fighting off opponents in the MMA. But, a new struggle lies ahead for wrestlers at the Olympics: they might be excluded from it. The International Olympic Committee Executive Board recently proposed dropping wrestling from the Olympics in 2020. The wrestlers have formed an advocacy group to prevent that decision from taking hold. Henry’s March appearance on Leno’s show, his first since 2008, became part of this effort.
In Burbank, California
I rode with José Zárate in his crowded vehicle for the observers and hangerson like myself – six people in a small car. The studio security guards pointed towards the parking lot where we left the car and then we were led into the green room at NBC’s Burbank studios where The Tonight Show tapes. We gathered to wait for the taping in the small room, furnished with customary leather chairs, a television screen on the wall tuned in to NBC, and a stand of appetizers, water and coffee. When the time came, Henry was summoned into Leno’s inner sanctum.
The rest of us were led into the studio where we sat in the audience. Henry is preceded by Oscar-winning actor, Morgan Freeman, promoting his latest film, the thriller, Olympus Has Fallen. Henry enters later with Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner (gold medalist in Sydney, Australia, in 2000). The massive Gardner lifts Henry like a kid brother and thrusts him in the air as the audience laughs. Henry does the victory sign in the air. The kid from Maryvale has arrived – again, I should add; in the first appearance with Leno in 2008 he brought Nelly. I find it a relief, really. I get to feel what Izzy must have felt in his homeless shelter reading the book, a certain pain relieved by the lightness of comedy, and who’s the most appropriate messenger but Henry himself treated to the hallmark of American comedic relief in the guise of Jay Leno, who supports the effort of the wrestlers to salvage the sport and keep it in the Olympics. “I had no choice but to wrestle,” Henry tells Jay. “The only thing I needed was some wrestling shoes and a singlet ... and guts and a dream.” He adds that wrestling doesn’t require expensive equipment; it is a sport wellsuited to the dreams of underprivileged kids who simply need to maneuver their way into the sport, be fast, agile and brave. Henry has become a willing ambassador for the sport, as he is also a spokesman for the various communities he represents: athletes; immigrants; a new
demographic generation of multicultural youth; the Latino communities of the Southwest where he grew up, of course; and, now, the promoter of wrestling as an Olympic sport. I watch the taping with, among others, Henry’s older sister, Gloria. After the taping, Gloria maneuvers her way into the parking lot and catches Jay Leno by surprise. “I’m Henry’s sister,” she says. “Let me take a picture with you!” Gloria poses with her boyfriend and Jay politely obliges. As usual, it’s hard to separate the man from the family. Henry’s American Victory is truly a family story, a unique family of Phoenix. Gloria posing with Leno is par for the course. It is just the new normal for a working class, immigrant family that somehow managed to thrive in the American landscape of personal struggles and claim a piece of that victory. Yes, an American victory. Guillermo Reyes is a professor in the School of Theatre and Film at Arizona State University, where he directed the premiere of American Victory in 2012 and then the encore performance for Teatro Bravo in 2013. A playwright, he has also produced and published a variety of his plays, including the comedies Men on the Verge of a His-Panic Breakdown and Mother Lolita as off-Broadway productions, and, in 2010, he published Madre and I: A Memoir of Our Immigrant Lives with the University of Wisconsin Press. latinopm.com
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29Entrepreneur America’s Taco Shop, a franchise holding on to homestyle virtues
31 Briefcase
Campaign contributions as investments in the community
Movin’ Up ASU Hispanic Convocation
The Ed Pastor Outstanding Graduate Award presented to William Knight at ASU’s 2013 Spring Hispanic Convocation
More than 300 Arizona State University graduates participated in this year’s Spring Hispanic Convocation on May 11, 2013, at the Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. Congressman Ed Pastor, who has supported the Convocation since 1984, presented the Ed Pastor Outstanding Graduate Award to William Knight, a graduate of the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law. Rudy Calderon, an Asian Languages and Global Studies major, received the Jose Ronstadt Undergraduate Award. latinopm.com
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movin’ up of the Pima Community College Governing Board and an inductee of the Pima Community College Hall of Fame.
Herman Gonzalez
Juan Miguel Moran
Gonzalez joins PVCC
District 25, which includes the states of Arizona and Nevada. Moran had previously served in this capacity on an interim basis; his permanent appointment became effective May 6, 2013. Moran, a reservist and decorated veteran, is a graduate of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy Class 5 and Valley Leadership Class 34. He was recently accepted into the Executive MBA program at the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Herman Gonzalez, a veteran administrator of the Maricopa Community Colleges system, has joined Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) as vice president of Administrative Services. Prior to joining PVCC, Gonzalez was Glendale Community College’s director of Business Services. He graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and from Northern Arizona University with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
Tania Torres Marquez
CAA taps new board members
Fimbres receives VIP Award Tucson Ward 5 councilmember, Richard Fimbres, received the Jim Haag Vision, Initiative and Perseverance (VIP) Award from JobPath, a nonprofit workforce development organization, for his support of job training initiatives. Prior to serving on the Tucson City Council, Fimbres served as director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. He’s a former member
The non-profit children’s advocacy organization, Children’s Action Alliance (CAA), announced the appointment of five new board members: René X. Diaz, executive director of the Arizona Hispanic School Administrators Association; Joseph Garcia, director of the Morrison Institute Latino Public Policy Center at Arizona State University; Tania Torres Marquez, founder and principal of Torres Marquez Communications; Brint Milward, director of the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona; and Elizabeth Reich, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona.
Moran moves up at USCIS Juan Miguel Moran has been named community relations officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Steven R. Gonzales
Gonzales at the helm of GWCC After conducting a national search, the Maricopa Community Colleges District announced
Movin’ Up Know someone who has been promoted, elected or honored? Send us the news of their achievements! Email movinup@latinopm.com 26
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the appointment of Steven R. Gonzales as president of GateWay Community College (GWCC). Until recently, Gonzales served as dean of communications, mathematics and learning support at Central Arizona College. He holds a doctoral degree in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mathematics education.
Fausto Fernandez
NTMA “Job of the Year” The National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association (NTMA) selected the terrazo floors designed by four artists for the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Sky Train as the “2013 Job of the Year.” The large-scale public art project, commissioned through the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, was designed by Anne Coe, Daniel Martin Diaz, Daniel Meyer and Fausto Fernandez. The project was recognized for its “spectacular designs and graphics” and “intricate patterns and vibrant colors.” It involved over 39,000 hours of skilled labor by workers from Advance Terrazzo.
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entrepreneur
¡!
Catching up with America Authenticity and history fuel the future of America’s Taco Shop franchise It’s been three years since America first shared the
story behind her taco shop with LPM. Lots of tacos later, the entrepreneur is taking her business to the next level.
Tell us what you and Terry are up to these days? Employees from Kahala (one of the fastest growing franchise companies in the world) were eating at our stores on their lunch break, word spread around the company and the rest is history! The best part about working with Kahala is that Terry and I are excited to offer my family’s amazing and delicious recipes to customers worldwide. It’s an honor and humbling to be able to serve recipes so dear to my family to people around the country.
What is the key to America’s success? I think the key to the brand’s success is our passion for the food and the history behind these recipes. We are bringing the flavors of an authentic taquería experience to a new generation of diners. Our menu features family recipes straight from Culiacán, Sinaloa, in Central Mexico (my hometown) and our products are prepared daily using only authentic spices, fresh ingredients and premium products. We bring something unique to the marketplace.
How are you handling the growing pains? We are very passionate about the food and how it all comes together and we want to make sure that, no matter where the brand opens, that the same passion and quality we have had since our first store, exist in the new locations. As for Analis and Alexa, our daughters, they are little entrepreneurs and continue to build their bubblegum business at our locations and have taken on a real love for their community. They wanted to help the children of Phoenix Children’s Hospital, so now we do “Carne for a Cause,” an annual event that raises money for the Hospital.
New menu items? Our menu originated with only carne asada and al pastor items but we’re excited about the recent addition of citrus-marinated chicken. What’s next? We are growing through new franchisee relationships and we are excited! Terry and I have been so honored to see the food and the concept so well received. We
America Corrales and Terry Bortin, owners
are now open in Maryland, with more stores coming in Arizona, Texas and California. Honestly, we see each restaurant as an extension of our home. When you come in and eat at America’s Taco Shop, we want you to feel like you are a guest at our house – an extension of our dining room table. I know my mother would be so proud of her food and how so many people have come to love it. We have worked very hard over the years in our restaurants, but the recipes are a gift – a gift we will have in our family forever and a gift we get to share with our guests. We couldn’t ask for anything more.
Website: americastacoshop.net Valley locations: ASU: 735 E. University Drive, Tempe 85281; 480-751-6250 Melrose District: 4447 N. 7th Av., Phoenix 85013; 602-515-0856 Coronado District: 2041 N. 7th St., Phoenix 85006; 602-682-5627 Old Town: 7001 E. First Av., Scottsdale 85251; 480-278-7070
Suggest an entrepreneur
Send your information to editor@latinopm.com. latinopm.com
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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
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Funding conundrum How do campaign contributions benefit you? By George Diaz
Occasionally, I’ll eat something I shouldn’t, like
junk food or fast food. At the time, I’m thinking, “It’s cheap, quick, and I’m in a hurry.” Then, afterwards, regret sinks in and I remember the importance of eating well and the consequences of not investing time and perhaps money into what I’m eating. I may complain about the poor quality of the food, and that it shouldn’t even be sold, but, eventually, I have to admit that, if I’m not responsible for my health, who is? Our communities are much like our own bodies. Consider the impact that our elected leadership has on our community. Few people are interested in investing a lot of time or resources in knowing about our elected leaders. The electorate complains, but it has largely grown apathetic about “politicians.” Again, however, we’re the ones responsible for our choices. We say leadership is important. We create institutes, seminars, degrees and certificates all intended to develop leadership. There are libraries full of books, articles and dissertations related to leadership. Some people even compliment others by calling them “leaders.” So, there is certainly the appearance of our being interested in elected leaders, but my experience tells me different. Some of our elected leaders make tremendous sacrifices of time, income and opportunity but, when they ask someone for a campaign contribution, the reaction they frequently receive is one of surprise or repulsion. Most people prefer to ignore investing in our community’s leadership ‑ those same folks who make critical decisions about education, safety and infrastructure ‑ and assume that someone else will take responsibility. Wouldn’t our disposable income be better spent on happy hour or at the mall? But these are hardly choices that reap returns on the investment. There are two methods of financing campaigns in Arizona. The most common form can be called “traditional” ‑ campaign contributions are received from individuals and political action committees (also known as PACs). Political action committees are formed by business, labor or other special-interest groups to raise money and make contributions to the campaigns of political candidates whom they support.
The other, less popular, method is funding from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission in which a candidate agrees to not accept special-interest money and opts to receive public funds. Candidates qualify for pubic funding by collecting the requisite number (250 for legislative campaigns) of five-dollar contributions. There are limits on the amount of a contribution that can be made in the “traditional” campaign finance system. In the current legislative session, those limits were dramatically increased by House Bill 2593. For legislative office, individuals and PACs may now contribute up to $2,500 per candidate compared with the previous limit of $488 for both. House Bill 2593 also eliminated the aggregate limits that a campaign can receive from PACs and superPACs (those with over 500 contributors). Legislative candidates can now receive up to $5,000 per candidate from a superPAC compared with the previous cap of $2,000. The Clean Elections Commission derives its funding from the 10 percent surcharge on all civil penalties, civil penalties paid by candidates and the five-dollar qualifying contributions collected from participating candidates. latinopm.com
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Be a Mentor
briefcase
Why don’t more candidates run “clean?” Those 250 five-dollar qualifying contributions must come from within the candidate’s district and, I’m told, the first 100 come fairly easy, but the next 150 are very difficult to get. The next time you are asked for either a traditional or a five-dollar qualifying contribution, I suggest you ask the following three questions before you automatically say “No”:
1. “What is your platform?” Look for depth of knowledge about issues besides the “hot button” topics.
2. “What makes you different from your opponent?” Does the candidate give the thoughtful critique of a diplomat, or the hostile description of a hothead?
3. “What are you going to do with my money?” Will the candidate be a good steward of your investment and use it efficiently and strategically, or, will they be underwriting their lifestyle? The candidate should have a clear plan.
602.258.1012 www.PhoenixYouthAtRisk.org
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Campaign expenses for the legislature can range from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000, but the majority cost less than $40,000. Those people who invest in candidates understand that when you invest in a campaign, whether it is $25 or $2,500, you can expect to have the ear of that elected official. Notice that I haven’t used the words “donate” or “buy.” This is because I’m not suggesting that you invest a nickel in anyone who can’t answer the above three questions and that you expect anything in return besides what they stand for. In fact, it is no different from any other situation where you are accountable to those who invest in you, such as receiving a scholarship or venture capital. You may be wondering, “Well, if one person can contribute $2,500, what difference will my $25 make?” My answer is, “If you could find 99 more people to invest $25, you wouldn’t be asking that question.” Large contributors are networked and organized to raise money for policy-makers
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Where people like you find people like you.
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Experiences are so much more who support their goals. Combine that with the increases in contribution limits and efforts to constrict grassroots campaign efforts, such as “ballot chasing” (the delivery of early voting ballots to the polls by a third party) and prematurely culling Permanent Early Voter Lists, and you could very well see a shift in the recent momentum gained by our community’s candidates. Your investment is needed now more than ever. I am well aware that our economy is still recovering and that every choice we make with our money has an opportunity cost, but the number and amount of contributions from our community is very small ‑ too small. We need to invest in, and be responsible for, our leaders in the same way we invest in, and are responsible for, our health. Keeping with the nutrition analogy
(unless we’re talking about my favorite, Vietnamese food), you get what you pay for. Consider investing in qualified candidates as the “healthy choice” equivalent for our community. After all, when you want a healthy meal, you don’t order from the dollar menu. George Díaz is the founder of West Washington Strategies (westwashingtonstrategies.com), a government and media relations firm. A native of Phoenix, George earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees from Arizona State University. He recently completed his first book, How Does this Nightmare End? The True Life Story of Heroes, Villains and SlackJawed Gawkers. He can be contacted at george@westwash.com.
rewarding when you have someone 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. 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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Bombero completo Bobby Ruiz, Fire Chief, City of Peoria Fire Department Years of service: One year serving as Fire Chief for the City of Peoria. I retired from the City of Phoenix Fire Department as an Assistant Fire Chief with 37 years of service. Duties: I am responsible for leading a Fire Department of 175 members with a $21 million operational budget that covers fire, medical, hazardous material, mountain and water rescue, along with safety education to the citizens of the City of Peoria and surrounding communities. Professional background: I started my career with the Phoenix Fire Department as a firefighter, 38 years ago. I was promoted quickly through the ranks. I began as one of the Arizona Fire Department’s first paramedics, followed by promotions to Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, and ended my career with the City of Phoenix as the Assistant Chief. After a short retirement of seven months, I was hired by the City of Peoria as the Fire Chief. I hold a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona State University and am a graduate of Valley Leadership Class XV. I also served as an Associate Professor at Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus, for 13 years, teaching various Fire Science and Management courses. Career highlights: My career highlights include being a founding member of the Valley Hispanic Bomberos Association. Established in 1985, the organization was created to impact the community through service. I also helped create the Spanish Language Immersion Program that allows firefighters to better serve our community through language acquisition. Another highlight was serving under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a Task Force Leader for the Arizona Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue team. I was deployed to several national disasters including the North Ridge earthquake in 1994, the Oklahoma Federal Building bombing in 1995, the 9/11
World Trade Center terrorist attack in New York in 2001, and hurricanes Gustav and Ike along the Golf Coast in 2008.
Proudest moment:
My proudest moment was having my wife and three daughters present during the Peoria City Council confirmation hearing to install me as Fire Chief.
On-the-job valuable learning experience: During the worst of times and events (disasters), the best in people triumphs over all evil.
Advice to others considering serving our community: Every human encounter is an opportunity to learn and to make a positive impact on someone’s life.
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Reading mastery key to scholastic success
A volunteer revels in the transformation of an at-risk student through tutoring partnership By Brett M. Young
One could easily dismiss volunteer service as a
personal quest to fulfill an altruistic need, fodder for a resume, or a checkmark on some charity bucket list. For me, when I volunteered to become a reading tutor, it was simply a desire to share a love of reading with a child who, at the very outset, needed some instructive help but, more importantly, needed inspiration, confidence and valuable one-on-one time. The first time I met Luciano, he was a quiet, shy and elusive in attention. Physically, he was smaller than most of his classmates. He walked with shoulders slumped, dragged his feet and had a perpetual frown on his face. When we cracked open our first book together, The Five Chinese Brothers, the words intimidated him. He only made it through the first two pages, stumbling over two and three syllable words, stammering on various consonants and getting altogether tongue-tied with rather routine vocabulary words before quickly losing interest. A favorite story of mine as a child, I read the rest of the book to him with delight, careful to enunciate impact words, pausing for dramatic effect and reading in a colorful, vibrant tone. Luciano gave me a look of defeat and my dalliance with childhood was erased in a flash. Our first tutoring session had ended rather uncomfortably for both of us and, walking out to my car that night, I felt uneasy about my decision to become a tutor. I had no formal teaching experience and I had doubts if I could make any measurable progress with this child. I thought about the commitment I was making to Luciano, and for myself, as well as the time I would be spending away from my family. After our first Thursday night together, it was a sacrifice that I wasn’t sure I was prepared to make. I first learned about All-Star Kids Tutoring through a search of local volunteer opportunities. All-Star is a one-
on-one volunteer tutoring program that helps elementary school-aged children master basic reading skills. The program is designed for children in Title I schools, which are schools with a high percentage of students from lowincome families. The schools are granted funds which help pay for lunches, books and instructional services. I volunteered at Hartford-Sylvia Encinas Elementary, a K-6 school located near downtown Chandler. Each of the children I came in contact with at Hartford had their own special challenge, their own story. Some of these kids came from single-parent families or broken homes, latinopm.com
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A child can’t wait. There are more than 14,000 children in care in Arizona. Many are forced to leave their homes with just the clothes on their backs. “Just for Me” bags are given to our foster families for the children who have just come into their care. The bags include essential items, along with items that can provide comfort in a scary situation, such as blankets, stuffed animals and journals.
DONATE Today! Visit us online at
ArizonasChildren.org/JFM to put a smile on a child’s face.
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Despite the setbacks I encountered in our first week together, I wouldn’t allow myself to quit, nor would I want to give up on Luciano, a boy who desperately needed some guidance usually at, or near, poverty level. However, I didn’t consider them disadvantaged or underprivileged; I just thought of them as kids who might need a stable presence in their lives, someone they could count on each week to show up and read to them. Luciano was no different. A child of divorce, he lived a somewhat nomadic life, often staying with a different family member more than once a week. With no access to a computer at night and with guardians who often worked odd hours, his resources were limited and I understood his need for attention and guidance, especially with his reading and other schoolwork. Despite the setbacks I encountered in our first week together, I wouldn’t allow myself to quit, nor would I want to give up on Luciano, a boy who desperately needed some guidance. Too often in today’s society, we toss around the expression, “role model.” It has become a habit to attach it to anyone of suitable character, athletic talent or repute (so often undeserved) so that, in common parlance, it loses all luster. To Luciano, I was not reaching for this idiom, but rather, I was just trying to be someone he could count on and who was going to provide some stability in his life, at least every Thursday night. Luciano’s principle challenge was reading with fluidity. He would race through a sentence, skipping the small building-block words like “if,” “then,” “when,” “that” and “what.” He would
ignore punctuation and slur through readable three and four-syllable words in a lethargic manner, not bothering to try to sound out the word. Picking up on this word butchering, my first lesson to him was to “chop up” the word into smaller words and sounds, illustrating my point by using a karate-chop type of motion with my hand. “Gymnasium” became “gym-nas-i-um” and “triceratops” became “tri-cera-tops.” This trick seemed to resonate with him and he began to use it as the weeks progressed. To keep him from skipping sentences and missing punctuation marks, I gave him a ruler. I told him to use the ruler for balance and to hide succeeding sentences on the page so that he could focus on the one that he was currently reading. Luciano loved to draw, so, to get him to use the ruler every time, I told him to fold a piece of paper into a rectangle and encouraged him to draw pictures of his favorite cartoon characters on the ruler. Sometimes we would use a bookmark. This trick worked like a charm. Every week we would design a new ruler or find a new bookmark to insert in our latest tome. By the time the second semester rolled around, Luciano’s mother had found a job preparing taxes. Although the job was seasonal, it provided an emotional lift for her and it was evident that Luciano was more relaxed. He was living with her fulltime now and I got a sense that some of the pressures I noticed when I first met him were easing a little. He seemed more eager to read now. I told him he should be reading a new book each week and I would ask him to give me a synopsis of it. I shared with him the fact that I was building a home library and that, one day, my sons would get all of my books. He chuckled and asked me why they would want them. By the end of the school year, he told me he had two shelves filled with books in his room. Luciano improved academically and, with his confidence emboldened, his grades improved, too. We agreed that I would continue to tutor him the following
year and, when we met again in the fall, he told me he had received the school’s “Most Improved Reader” award. I was truly proud of him and what he had accomplished. He had matured physically over the past year, as well. He was taller and his shoulders a little broader. His pallid complexion had become a healthy tan. He spoke to me more confidently, with a child-like cockiness. I set lofty reading goals for him for the year and he achieved every one of them. By the spring, Luciano had received his first “A.R.” (accelerated reader) tag. He wore it proudly to school every day. He was awarded his second A.R. tag with just two weeks left of school. We read The Five Chinese Brothers again, only this time, he read it to me. He made no mistakes. On the evening of our final tutoring session, the school organized a “Family Literacy Night” in which parents and family members could share in the celebration of the end of the tutoring program. Luciano was asked to read a book aloud to the audience as part of a program showcasing the progress the children had made. A natural “ham,” he had no problem reading in front of everyone. He stood tall, almost beaming, and the words spilled from his mouth with ease. At the end of the children’s
presentation, we enjoyed a potluck of desserts and assorted snacks. My wife and I chatted with Luciano’s mother, recounting stories about the past year and sharing in the pride we all felt for Luciano and how far he had come in not only his reading, but his maturity. My four-year-old son had accompanied us to the program that night and I watched him interacting with Luciano. The two seemed to be getting along famously, despite their five-year age difference. Shortly before we readied to leave, I saw him follow the older boy, puppy-like, to the back of the library where the two found seats on a reading couch. Luciano selected a book from a nearby shelf and sat down next to him. As my son listened with rapt attention, Luciano read the book to my son. Editor’s note: “Luciano” is a pseudonym used to protect the real child’s privacy. Brett M. Young is a health care administrator and freelance writer from Gilbert, Arizona. He was a reading tutor at Hartford SylviaEncinas Elementary School in Chandler for two years and his experience is documented in this story. He can be reached at brettmyoung0@gmail.com
Have an education story idea? Send your information to editor@latinopm.com.
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6/25/13 10:43 PM
Chillax to the max “Slack-tivities” for the torpor-inducing July weather
The Timeout feature usually highlights events and
recreations that appeal to persons pursuing an active lifestyle. This, we recognize, could be construed as a form of discrimination. To atone for this bias, this month’s theme addresses the interests of the less physically ambitious among us. When the mercury hovers habitually over 100 and then some, this group probably includes almost everyone.
True REST Float Spa 1860 E. Warner Rd., Suite 101, Tempe; 480-389-0853 truerest.com This is what you’ve been waiting to hear – doing absolutely nothing is really really good for you! However, it’s unlikely that you can attain a state of total inactivity without some technological assistance. Time in the flotation tanks at True REST promises a feeling of total reinvigoration after a period of complete sensory meltdown. Flotation not only brings relief from the stresses of an overly active life, but often proves highly beneficial to people experiencing chronic pain from muscle and joint injury. Sessions are arranged by appointment only; you can make reservations by phone or on-line. A one-hour session costs $79, but if you are a first-time floater, you can receive a one-time-only introductory price of $59, which also includes 10 minutes at the spa’s oxygen bar. Special membership prices can be negotiated based on the frequency of 38
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planned future sessions. LPM was amazed to learned that many users stay in the tank for two or three hours at a time. Brittany, a True REST associate, assured us that once clients get used to the longer float times, “they can’t go back to just one hour.” A slacktivity optimally enjoyed au naturel, each tank room has a private dressing room and shower.
The Ultimate Dark Knight Marathon Each of the Batman movies clocks in at over two hours, so, imagine seven hours of pure, relentless, and sedentary, escapism. The event is hosted by Harkins Theatres and will run at a number of their Valley cinemas on Thursday, July 19th. It’s back-to-back Batman in chronological order: 6 p.m., Batman Begins; 8:45 p.m., The Dark Knight; and at 12:01 a.m., The Dark Knight Rises. With all that sitting, you should still be ready to show up for work on Friday. The entire package costs $20 and that includes two free small popcorns and a commemorative lanyard. For a listing of participating theaters and to purchase tickets, go to: harkinstheatres.com/darkknight.aspx
lots of swag from Series sponsors. After the intro, the certificate also entitles you to a day visit within 30 days and your choice of a spa treatment (massage, pedicure, body polish, etc.). Men are also welcome to participate! A portion of the proceeds from every ticket goes to the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, a Phoenixbased organization dedicated to helping women transform their lives. How else can you accomplish so much with so little effort? See the full Spaaah Series listing at summerspaseries.com; here are the venues/prices for upcoming events: Friday, July 12 (6-9 p.m.) at: Agave, The Arizona Spa at The Westin Kierland Resort 6902 East Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale 85254 480-624-1500; kierlandresort.com Tickets: $125 Friday, July 26 (6-9 p.m.) at: Joya Spa at Montelucia Resort 4949 East Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley 85253 480-677-3020; joyaspa.com Tickets: $130
Silent retreat at Spirit Falls 3701 Hopi Lane, Pine, AZ 85544; 928-476-6584 If all of the above sounds too cosmopolitan for your taste in relaxation, then a commune with nature seems called for ‑ an extended rendezvous with peace and quiet. The Spirit Falls Retreat Center provides facilities for individuals interested in personal down-time and meditation in a tranquil environment ‑ no instruction, no lectures, no interaction of any kind required. Solitude is guaranteed in rustic, self-contained retreat cabins nestled in a mountain woodland setting (ceiling fans and no A/C). Prices for a cabin with a single bed start at $45 per night (three night minimum) and weekly rates are available. Double occupancy is is an additional $20 per night. To inquire about cabin availability, e-mail spiritfalls@gmail.com or call the number above.
Friday, August 9 (6-9 p.m.) at: The Spa at Talking Stick Resort 9800 East Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale 85256 480-850-4065; talkingstickresort.com/spa.aspx Tickets: $110
Summer Spaaah Series Being pampered by others while you do as little possible is what a spa visit is all about. There are many spa options in the Phoenix metro area, but the AZ Spa Girls Summer Spaaah Series caught LPM’s attention because these events offer fabulous opportunities to get acquainted with some of the swankiest full-service spas in the Valley, take advantage of some great deals, and contribute to a very worthy non-profit. Certificate purchasers attend a special open house on a selected Friday evening that includes a cocktail reception, tours of the spa facilities, meet-and-greets with wellness and beauty professionals, demos, mini-workshops and latinopm.com
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P.S.
Stella Pope Duarte
Who are the “real Americans?” By Stella Pope Duarte
Fireworks and the Fourth of July
always remind me of everything we hold near and dear to our hearts in America. Patriotism runs deep in Latinos, as it does among so many other ethnic groups who have immigrated to this country from the four corners of the world. Yet, just recently, I heard a disturbing discussion as I watched a conservative political conference on C-SPAN that cast a dark shadow on the history of America. “Some Native Americans have had success in learning to be American, while others have not,” said the keynote speaker, a professor and historian, who appeared to be admired by the crowd of conservative students and faculty. He went on to talk at length about immigration and related that “Not all people can hope to be American, as some do not understand the concept of what it means to be American.” I watched the audience for reactions to this preposterous analysis of what it takes to become “American,” and there was none. The conservative audience accepted the professor’s words as gospel truth, and no one raised an eyebrow about this nonsensical view of Native Americans, who were the first people to inhabit the
Western Hemisphere, and are, indeed, the FIRST Americans. In fact, early Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the 14th century had heard native peoples use the term, Amérique, to indicate the land they traversed, moving from South America through Central America and into what would become known as Mexico and the United States. The tribes moved freely, trading with other tribes and building cities and complex communities that Europeans, seeking land and riches, would consider obstacles on the way to conquest. Over 60 million years ago, Central America, through the dynamics of plate tectonics, formed a land bridge that connected North and South America. Scientists attribute the movement of tectonic plates to layers of molten rock under the Earth’s surface. Native peoples colonized the lands we call America and organized themselves into thousands of tribes each with distinct languages, customs and beliefs. I would have challenged the professor to tell me why he considered Native Americans immigrants, since they had inhabited and civilized the “New World” long before any European had ever laid eyes on it. To “immigrate” would indicate that people were coming from a foreign country to a new country
to settle permanently. This was not true of our ancestors, the Native tribes who would suffer brutality at the hands of the Europeans and eventually be transformed into los mestizos, those of mixed blood: Mejicanos, Chicanos, Latinos. The professor had better clarify his terms: Native Americans were migratory, but not immigrants; there’s a huge difference between those terms! The Fourth of July should remind us of the independence of our great nation. Yet, as we watch the fireworks rise into the sky and feel pride and joy, let us not forget that there are millions today who are still judged as not being “American enough.” If being the first to travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Gulf coasts to the farthest reaches of the Northwest and into Canada does not qualify certain groups to be Americans, then I don’t know what does. If America is only seen as a system of rules and laws, while discounting the great contributions of culture, tradition and faith that have been the hallmarks of our Native American tribes, then we have all misunderstood what it means to be “American.”
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. 40
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my perspective on: child water safety
No child is waterproof By Vicente Baamonde
More perspectives
Send us your perspective on whatever moves you. Email editor@latinopm.com.
We hear it every day:
“Watch your kids around water;” “Make sure they know how to swim;” “Two seconds is too long.” Sadly, we don’t hear it enough, because we also read: “Child drowns in backyard pool;” “Propped-open pool gate leads to child drowning;” “Tragedy strikes backyard pool party when child drowns.” My daughter is three years old. She has taken swimming lessons since she was a toddler, and my wife and I are careful with her when she’s around water. I work for the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter. We know about water safety. Yet we nearly experienced a backyard pool tragedy. Two seconds is too long to take your eyes off a child around water. It was a summer day in Phoenix. Victoria was in the backyard with my wife and I lounged as my wife cleaned the pool. We had talked to Victoria about staying out of the water until we were ready to swim with her. She said she understood, however, we still watched her. We were enjoying a beautiful Saturday with our little one. Then it happened. Victoria jumped into the water. She almost knew how to swim. We were there, within a few feet. But we didn’t hear anything, and when we saw her head under the water, we plowed into the pool to pull her to safety. Even if you’re with your children, there’s often no splash or cry for help when they get into trouble in the water. They may slip under silently, unnoticed. That’s why two seconds is too long. Keep your eyes on your child every second. Here’s a common scenario: Several adults are in the pool area with children. All have a
false sense of safety because there are multiple responsible adults “watching” the kids. But who is watching them every second? Whose eyes are on those children? Red Cross water safety experts recommend designating a child watcher. Use a hat or another item to mark that person as the child watcher. That symbol reminds him and others that his job is to keep his eyes on the children in the water until another responsible adult takes over. The only effective way to watch them is to stand, so you can view all the water, especially water next to the pool’s edge – that’s latinopm.com
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my perspective on: child water safety
where a child may get into difficulty as he struggles to reach the side of the pool. Some kids forget how to swim between seasons. A friend tells me this about her nephew: He forgot how to swim between his fourth and fifth summers. He jumped into the pool with confidence, then panicked. Even if your child is a good swimmer at the end of this season, be sure he’s still a good swimmer at the beginning of next season. Do you know CPR? If not, learn it. There are classes available throughout our community. To register for a Red Cross class, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcross.org/takeaclass. Do you and your kids know how to swim? Swimming lessons for all ages are available across the Valley. Find classes that fit your budget and your schedule. If you have a backyard pool, keep it secure. Contact your local fire department and ask them for advice
on how to ensure that it’s safe. Proper fencing and gates are essential. Propping a gate open is never acceptable. Secure chairs and other things kids might use to climb over fences. Remember that kids are always growing and learning. What is out of their reach today won’t be next month. They might not be strong enough to move a chair this week but, next week, they may decide to give it a try. Folks tell us that kids are never waterproof and that no backyard pool is ever totally safe. The best way to increase safety is to have multiple layers of protection. Fence your pool. Use selflatching gates. Be sure everyone in your household knows how to swim. When you have visitors, find out whether they can swim. Watch them closely. Take CPR lessons. Do you have a doggie door? If so, secure it. Kids love to crawl out to the backyard through doggie doors. Have a cell phone near the pool when children
are around water so you can call 911 if needed. Have water-rescue tools poolside. Purchase a life ring, and don’t use it as a toy. Hang it on the fence beside the pool and keep it there. Victoria could have drowned. We were lucky. Other families aren’t as fortunate. Phoenix resident, Vicente Baamonde, has served as Recovery Supervisor for the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter for the past one and a half years, and he previously was a Grand Canyon Chapter volunteer for a year. He works with Arizonans who are displaced by home fires, helping them take the initial steps on the road to recovery. He also runs the Grand Canyon Chapter’s international services department, educating people about international humanitarian law and helping people who are separated by armed conflict or civil unrest reconnect with loved ones.
Meet Gonzalo de la Melena
CEO, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and alumni of a Maricopa Community College
Which of the Maricopa Community Colleges did you attend? I attended Mesa and South Mountain, transferred to ASU to complete my bachelor’s degree, then attended Thunderbird School of Global Management for my MBA. Most valued experience? Having the opportunity to do business in more than 30 countries before the age of 30 was incredible, especially considering the only international travel that my family had done was when my father immigrated to this country. What is your strongest personal characteristic? Optimism. Most influential person? My mother, because of her dedication and encouragement to our family. Of what are you most proud in your career? Graduating from college at the same time as my mother. We were the first in our family to finish. What is your favorite thing about your career? Helping small businesses succeed. It’s gratifying.
You make a difference in your Community. We make a difference in you. Chandler-Gilbert | Estrella Mountain | GateWay | Glendale | Mesa | Paradise Valley Phoenix | Rio Salado | Scottsdale | South Mountain | Skill Centers The Maricopa Community Colleges are EEO/AA Institutions
www.maricopa.edu
MCCCD is an EEO/AA Institution.
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maricopa.edu @mcccd
august 2012:
Tracy Machajewski, owner, The Views at Superstition
December 2012:
Trinidad Fragozo, Volr Salon
March 2013:
Erica Cardenas, owner, Cardenas Marketing
June 2013: Humberto Valle, owner, OppenUp
September 2012:
Betty Alatorre de Hong, owner, Paletas Betty
January 2013:
Guillermo Quintero, owner, Suitcases & More
april 2013:
Steven Vincent Lopez, owner, Clean Air Cab
July 2013:
october 2012:
Tim Valencia, owner, Humble Pie
February 2013:
Cindy Y. Morales, owner, AZ Paralegal Alliance
May 2013: Alicia Quihuis, owner, Flavor
EntrEprEnEur
ShowcaSE they’ve got talent & drive
Come meet and mingle with the entrepreneurs profiled in Latino Perspectives Magazine over the past 12 months. July 25, 2013 5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Wells Fargo Conference Center 145 W. Adams St. in Phoenix. Free and open to the public. Join us! Live music, appetizers and a no-host bar.
click here to rSVp
America Corrales and Terry Bortin, owners
Sponsored by