March/Marzo 2006Free/gratis South Tucson’s Bilingual Newspaper

INDEPENDIENTEEL

1976~30 Years of Service~2006

Air pollution causeshealth problemsnear border

TUSD food service employees serve hot lunches to waiting students at Wakefield Middle School. The district tries to servebalanced lunches, incorporating fruit and milk as well as salads into a typical meal with an entree and side dish.

By Sarah Stanton

Driving south on Interstate 19 toward Mexico, onefeature of the landscape is impossible to miss—thecloud of haze surrounding Nogales on both sides ofthe border.

Air pollution near the border has been a source ofconcern for both Arizona and Mexican governmentofficials for the past 20 years. Government agencieson both sides of the border are now working togetherto decrease air pollution and the negative healtheffects it brings.

Stephen Owens, director of the ArizonaDepartment of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), saidhe is working with the Environmental ProtectionAgency and its Mexican equivalent to develop a strat-egy to fight the main sources of air pollution in theborder area, which are unpaved roads, parking lotsand vehicle emissions.

“Our work with Mexico on these issues is a realexample of international cooperation,” Owens said.

Owens said decreasing pollution is not just anenvironmental issue, but a public health issue.

“Asthma is the biggest health problem we seealong the border,” he said.

Dr. Mark Brown, a pediatric pulmonologist withthe Arizona Respiratory Center, said air pollution cansignificantly worsen asthma symptoms, especially inchildren.

“It can cause coughing, wheezing and more severeillness if a child with asthma catches a virus,” Brownsaid.

A study done by the Arizona Department of HealthServices determined that the prevalence of asthmaamong fifth grade students in Nogales was 7.6 per-cent on the Arizona side and 6.9 percent on theSonora side, both of which are higher than the 4 per-cent to 6 percent U.S. national average.

Even in children without asthma, Brown said airpollution can cause sinus disease, increased ear infec-tions and coughing.

Air pollution has also been linked to cardiovascu-lar disease and lung damage after long periods ofexposure, according to studies done by the ArizonaDepartment of Health Services.

For ADEQ, these health problems mean they mustwork hard to develop an effective plan to reduce airpollution.

“We take this very seriously, and we’re putting a

By Kristen Connors

South Tucson is home to Arizona’s first rent-to-own complex, one of just a handful in thecountry.

Valle Del Sur Condominiums are uniquebecause they offer families with incomesranging from $21,180 to the mid $30,000’s,depending on family’s size they then havethe option to purchase their condo at today’smarket price after renting them for 15 years,said Candy Mejia, property manager.

The complex, which broke ground inOctober 2004, was just completed and is cur-rently accepting applications for potentialresidents, said Scott Davey from the non-

profit Design Development Group. He saidthere are only two families currently residingthere.

Valle Del Sur, 251 W. 38th Street, offerstwo, three, and four bedroom units with twobathrooms and comes equipped with wash-ers, dryers, microwaves, and refrigerators.

Residents will also have access to twocommunity rooms and a pool.

There has been some talk about turningone of the community rooms into a child-care facility, Davey said, and would requiresubcontracting a service provider.

Residency and rent depends on householdincome, said Davey, and is a great opportuni-ty for South Tucson residents. The leasingoffice number is 792-1448.

By Laura Paull

The Arizona Department of Educationhas altered nutrition standards for foodserved in elementary and middle schoolsto ensure children get healthier foods dur-ing the school day.

The Department released new nutri-

tion guidelines in January specifying newfood requirements. They will go intoeffect in July. The guidelines include thepercentage of fat contained in food servedin schools, and limit the size of portionsof desserts and pastries.

“We’ll be evaluating what else needsto be changed and offering suggestionsfor alternatives,” said Pam Palmo, direc-tor of food services for TUSD

Cafeterias are trying to serve fruit withevery meal and are planning to serve morerice and pretzels, in lieu of candy bars andchips, which were previously allowed,said Caroline Navarrette, Wakefield

Middle School food service manager.The Arizona Department of Education

is implementing these new standardsbecause of increased child obesity,increased diabetes among children andbecause children were not receiving theproper nutrition necessary for their agegroup, according to the ArizonaDepartment of Education Web site.

The food served must meet the DietaryGuidelines for Americans, which meansthey must have 30 percent or less caloriesfrom fat, 10 percent or less calories fromsaturated fat, and a decrease in sodiumand cholesterol. An increase in fiber and

First rent-to-own complex to offerlow-income families housing options

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‘Border’ see page 6

The Valle Del Sur Condiminimums is the first rent-to-own complex in Arizona, and one ofonly a few in the entire nation. Two, three and four bedroom units are available.

New nutrition guidelines key tomaking Arizona schools healthy

‘Nutrition’ see page 6

The Arizona Departmentof Education revisedfood regulations to takeeffect in July

Voluntarios ayudan a miembros de la comunidada declarar gratuitamente sus impuestos

Page / Página 2 March/Marzo 2006EL INDEPENDIENTE

EL

INDEPENDIENTE

UA Journalism P.O. Box 210080Phone: 621-3618Fax: 621-7557

Managing EditorAdam Gaub

News EditorJesse Lewis

Spanish/BorderEditorMonica Warren

Design Editor Erin Haskell

Photo EditorSeth Stuart

CommunityEvents EditorStephanie Plapp

Copy ChiefAngie Lines

Copy EditorsKevin Stamler

Lexi Bush

ReportersLaura Paull

Zach Colick

Kate Kemerer

Kristen Connors

Elise Jackman

Sarah Stanton

DesignersAndrew Fredricks

Alexis Ewers

PhotographersJessica Mandel

Joshua Dryer

Angel Lopez

TranslatorsTeresa Lorenz

Melissa Jeffries

Angelica Rodenbeck

AdvisorMaggy Zanger

Alternative to day labor offers promiseBy Kristen Connors

South Tucson programs and help centers,like Primavera Works, are located throughoutthe city and aimed at getting people off thestreet and into the work force.

According to the Labor Department, thenational unemployment rate for the Hispaniccommunity has decreased to a five-monthlow of 5.8 percent, but South Tucson is stilldealing with labor issues.

South Tucson had an unemployment rateof 9.5 percent in 2004, about four percenthigher than the national rate, according to the2004 Special Unemployment Report by theArizona Department of Economic Security.

Since 1996, Primavera Works has givenday laborers in South Tucson more optionsand opportunities, and through its initiativeshas seen an increase in employment through-out the area.

South Tucson has a high rate of foreignworkers, approximately 34 percent of the popu-lation, a group that statistically displays higherunemployment rates, according to the Bureau ofLabor Statistics and the 2000 Census.

Karen Caldwell, director of employmentand support services for Primavera Works,said in 2005 alone, the program found tem-porary work for 653 people.

The program is different from other day laborprograms, like Labor Ready, Caldwell said.

The Arizona Attorney General’s officeprosecuted Labor Ready in 2004 for cheatingday laborers out of some of their wages, aviolation of the Consumer Fraud Act and theCheck Cashing Act.

Labor Ready was charging laborers a dol-lar plus the change in order to cash their pay-checks from a cash-dispensing machine.

According to the Southwest Center forEconomic Integrity’s Web site, a case from the

lawsuit said a worker had to pay $1.31 in orderto cash her paycheck of $34.31, which resultedin a reduction of her pay by almost 4 percent.

It was decided in February 2004 that LaborReady had to pay restitution damages of$150,000 to return the money that was illegal-ly deducted from employees’ paychecks, anddonate the remainder of the money to eitherHabitat for Humanity or the PrimaveraFoundation, according to the court decision.

Primavera Works offers an alternative tothis type of day labor hall, said Caldwell.

Last year, over 50 landscaping and con-struction businesses collaborated with theprogram to provide temporary jobs to clients,said Adam Ragsdale, operations manager forPrimavera Works.

Since the labor requires a lot of physicalactivity, only 3 percent of users last yearwere women, Caldwell said.

Primavera Works, whose primary focus ishelping the homeless, finds most of itsclients from the Primavera Shelter and otherlocal shelters, Ragsdale said.

A recent change is an increase in clientswho have their own housing, Caldwell said.

According to Ragsdale, this may be due inpart to an increase in marketing efforts, likeads placed on the Sun Tran buses for peoplelooking for work.

Another changing trend is the age distri-bution of clients.

“When I first started nearly five yearsago, our population seemed older. We areseeing more and more younger people com-ing in looking for work,” Ragsdale said.

The major difference between PrimaveraWorks and other labor halls is the resourcesprovided, Caldwell said.

“With our full support, case manage-ment, sack lunches, and extensions at themen’s shelters, we have helped people suc-

ceed,” Caldwell said.Clients are paid a minimum of $6 per

hour and are provided free lunches, trans-portation to jobs, free use of safety equip-ment, and free access to employment special-ists to help with the job finding process, saidCaldwell.

Another difference, said Ragsdale, is thatclients are paid weekly and not daily. Thishas its advantages because it helps workersget in the habit of managing their money, hesaid. They also set aside $25 from each pay-check as part of a savings program, and whenthey are ready to leave the program, they willhopefully have enough money set aside toput toward housing or other needs.

The employment specialists provideassistance in resume writing, housing,employment, food, clothing, and substanceabuse referrals, Ragsdale said.

“Basically, if a client comes to our officeand needs help with anything, we will eitherhelp them ourselves or find someone whocan,” Ragsdale said.

The efforts have paid off, about 48 per-cent of the people who used the program lastyear found permanent jobs with the help ofthe employment services, Caldwell said.

Ragsdale said there have been a lot ofsuccess stories through the program, but onethat comes to mind is about a young manwho moved to Tucson from the East Coastwith an engineering background. He startedusing the resources offered by Primaveraafter he had trouble finding a job, and withassistance from the program was eventuallyhired full-time by a construction company.

“The last I heard from him was that heobtained a job in engineering again and wasmaking nearly $70,000 a year.”

Por Angel LopezTraducido por Teresa Lorenz

Voluntarios les ayudan a los miembrosde la comunidad entablar gratuitamentesus impuestos

Preparación gratuita de losimpuestos para los ciudadanos deTucson

“Entable y sonría” con lapreparación gratuita de los impuestos

Los ciudadanos de Tucson tienenhasta el 15 de abril para entablar susimpuestos federales y estatales y recla-mar algunos posibles reembolsos.

La organización United Way ofTucson and Southern Arizona estáfacilitando sitios de VolunteerIncome Tax Assistance donde losque necesitan ayuda con laentablación de impuestos puedenrecibir asistencia gratuita con laayuda de especialistas. El programaVITA se estableció hace más de 30años para proveerles la asistenciagratuita a los trabajadores de bajos ymoderados ingresos y asegurarseque ellos reclamen todos los crédi-tos de impuestos que les pertenez-can inclusive el Earned Income TaxCredit y el Child Tax Credit, dijoPatti Dougherty, la gerente del pro-grama iniciativo EITC.

“El programa EITC les da crédito alas familias trabajadoras,” dijoDougherty.

Todos los voluntarios de VITA hanestudiado por tres semanas las leyes deimpuestos y del software TaxWise,todo patrocinado por el IRS, para ayu-

darle a la gente entablar electrónica-mente los impuestos.

Jon Blumenfield, el líder deAmericorps Nacional CivilianCommunity Corps, dijo que laentablación electrónica es más rápida porno tener que implicar el correo y es másfácil de corregir sin tener que empezar denuevo el proceso. La entablación elec-trónica también provee a la persona laopción del depósito directo de sudeclaración de impuestos en su cuenta deahorros o su cuenta corriente.

El año pasado el programa VITA abrióocho sitios y entabló 2,400 declaracionesde impuestos. Este año el programa hacontratado a 120 voluntarios y ha aumen-tado el número de hablantes bilingües,dijo Dougherty.

Dougherty predice que los voluntariosayudarán a más de 5,000 familias duranteesta temporada de la entablación deimpuestos.

A los que visitan a un sitio VITA,primero se les investigará para determinarsi cumplen con los requisitos antes de quepuedan inscribirse para poder hablar conun especialista. El proceso de entablaciónse hace mediante una entrevista que duraaproximadamente entre una media hora auna hora para llevarse a cabo, según lacomplejidad del proceso.

Los candidatos deben tener identifi-cación de foto, todos los formularios detipo W2 y tarjetas de Seguridad Socialpara cada miembro de la familia. La pare-ja debe de estar presente para laentablación conjunta.

Al terminar el proceso deentablación, un voluntario de Wealth

Coach, patrocinado por Arizona Saves,habla con el individuo acerca de lasopciones que tienen para invertir susimpuestos.

Frances Salcido, oficial de préstamos debienes raíces y voluntario de Wealth Coach,educa a la gente en cómo abrir una cuenta deahorros en uno de los varios bancos, deposi-tando lo menos posible.

Salcido dijo que otra opción es unIndividual Development Account.Chicanos por la Causa, o CPLC, ofreceun programa de IDA para ayudarles alas familias comprar una casa. Paracada cuatro dólares invertidos, elCPLC contribuirá un dólar a la cuentaal no pasar $1,000.

“Muchas personas no saben quepueden comprar una casa con $1,000 deenganche,” dijo Salcido.

Corina Lespron dijo que durante los últi-mos tres años ha entablado sus impuestoscon la ayuda del programa VITA.

“La gente de aquí es estupenda,respetuosa y generosa,” dijo Lespron.

Lespron, una antigua gerente deapartamentos ha estado incapacitadadurante los últimos tres meses debido auna herida sufrida en un accidente auto-movilístico que ocurrió hace cuatroaños. Ella dijo que le recomendó el ser-vicio gratuito a su amigo Hank Armenta.

Armenta, un conserje de VelanciaMiddle School, estaba pagando de $150a $200 al año para que una empresa pri-vada prepare sus impuestos. Este añopor primera vez visitó un sitio de VITA.Armenta dijo que tenía los requisitospara el EITC y descubrió que se ledeben $1,800 en una declaración de

impuestos federales, algo que no havisto en cuatro años.

“Se siente fantástico,” dijo Armentasobre su próxima declaración deimpuestos.

Armenta dijo que la interacción conel voluntario de la comunidad le hizosentirse más involucrado en el proceso.Mientras que Charles Rood, un volun-tario, apuntaba su información en lacomputadora, Armenta dijo que mirabadesde la silla los misterios de laentablación de impuestos.

Blumenfield dijo que uno de lospropósitos del programa VITA es deayudarles a los trabajadores comoArmenta entablar sus impuestos sintener que sacar préstamos o pagar porlos servicios.

“Estos reembolsos son el dinero deellos,” dijo Blumenfield. “¿Por quédeberían pagar para que se les devuelvasu propio dinero?”

Since 1996, Primavera Works has provided day laborers with construction and landscaping work.Forty-eight percent of workers who went to Primavera found permanent jobs in 2005.

El voluntario Charles Rood ayuda a un visi-tante a llenar su declaración de impuestos.

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Page / Página 3March/Marzo 2006 EL INDEPENDIENTE

By Kate Kemerer

One must be brave to sing in front of thenotoriously cruelSimon Cowell, thefeared judge of thehit televisionshow,“American Idol.”

“If you wouldbe singing like thistwo thousandyears ago, peoplewould have stonedyou,” said Cowellto a daring butunlucky contestant. Fortunately, he was lessharsh on Yvette Gonzalez, 28, of Nogales,Ariz. when it was her moment to shine on theprimetime show.

Although she only made it through thefirst round, Gonzalez, a legal secretary, saidher time in Los Angeles was worth it becauseshe followed her dream.

“It was a really good experience,”Gonzalez said. “I did it and I didn’t sit athome wondering.”

Gonzalez started singing at the age ofthree, but her American Idol adventurebegan when she won the ‘Radio Star’ com-petition hosted by KRQ 93.7’s John Jay andRich Show last year. John Jay toldGonzalez’s mother, Connie SerinoGonzalez, that her daughter should try outfor American Idol.

So when Yvette Gonzalez’s Mariachidirector asked her to go with him and his twodaughters to tryout for the show in Las Vegas,she thought, “maybe God wants me to go.”

Yvette Gonzalez’s mother has alwayshad an influence on her life, which helpedpush her to tryout for the TV competition. Asinger herself, Connie Serino Gonzalezencouraged her daughter to not only sing,but play the violin and piano by age seven,and try her hand at ballet, tap dancing,school plays, and modeling.

With the help of her mother, who said she is

more than proud of her daughter, Yvette Gonzalezdecided she had nothing to lose by shooting for theAmerican Idol dream.

When she arrived in Las Vegas she esti-mated that she was one of about 5,000 peo-ple, all with the same dream.

After a process of elimination, she was one ofthe 10 chosen to go to Los Angeles to film the firstepisode of this season’s show.

Gonzalez enjoyed being in the spotlightand on national television, it felt normal andfun, she said. But she worried about what thejudges might say in front of a nationwideaudience, she said.

However, “they were very nice,” Gonzalezsaid. “Even Simon is nicer in person.”

After being reassured that the judgeswere nothing to worry about, Gonzalez saidshe could concentrate more on the AmericanIdol dream, a goal that was supported by herfamily, friends, boss and co-workers.

“(Everyone has) given me a lot of sup-port, even my boss at work,” she said.

As the winners of the first round wereannounced, Gonzalez said she was prayingto God, saying “if it’s meant to happen, let ithappen; and if it’s not, let it go now.”

Although being cut was a disappointment,Gonzalez said she is proud of how far she didmake it and is hopeful this is just the begin-

ning of a successful future music career.“I will continue doing what I am doing

and hopefully land a record deal,” she said. Until then, she said she will continue to

perform for special events, such as singingthe national anthem at sporting events, andwill get back to working with her Mariachigroup. And she will always have hermoment on national television to treasure.

“I will always be a part of American Idol.”

Nogales Native takes a shot at American Idol fame

By Angel Lopez

Tucsonans have until April 15 to file their federal andstate taxes. For residents whose eyes are already glazingover, help is on the way.

A special program offers assistance by trained taxpreparers to low- and moderate-income families tomake sure they claim all the benefits they are entitledto. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) pro-gram was developed over 30 years ago to make sureeveryone gets all the tax credits they’re entitled to,including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child TaxCredit, said Patti Dougherty, site program manager.

“The EITC [Earned Income Tax Credit] is a creditfor working families,” said Dougherty.

All VITA volunteers have undergone three weeks ofInternal Revenue Service-sponsored training in tax lawand in TaxWise software to help people file electronical-ly.

Electronic filing is faster because no mailing isinvolved and it is easier to correct without having to startthe process all over again, said Jon Blumenfield,AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps teamleader. Electronic filing also gives the person the optionto have their return directly deposited into their savingsor checking account.

Last year the VITA program opened eight sites in theTucson area and filed 2,400 returns. This year the pro-gram has recruited 120 volunteers and increased thenumber of bilingual speakers, said Dougherty.

She predicts volunteers will help more than 5,000families this tax season.

People visiting a VITA site are first screened foreligibility before they can sign in to be called by a taxpreparer. The filing process is conducted in an inter-view style and takes about half an hour to an hour tocomplete, depending on the complexity of the process.

Applicants should have photo identification, all W2forms and Social Security cards for each member of thefamily. Both parties must be present for joint filing.

Once the filing process is complete, a volunteersponsored by ArizonaSaves sits down with the individ-ual to talk about options for investing their tax return.

Frances Salcido, real estate loan officer and “wealthcoach” volunteer, educates people on how they can opena savings account with a small deposit at one of numer-ous participating banks.

Another option, Salcido said, is an IndividualDevelopment Account. Chicanos Por La Causa, offers aprogram to help families purchase a home. For every $4invested, the organization will contribute $1 to theaccount, matching up to $1,000.

“A lot of people don’t know they can get into a housefor $1,000,” said Salcido.

Corina Lespron said she has been filing her taxes withhelp from the VITA program for the past three years.

“The people here are really great; respectful and gen-erous,” she said.

Lespron is a former apartment manager and has beenon disability for the last three months due to an injury.She said she recommended the free service to her friendHank Armenta.

Armenta, a maintenance worker at Valencia MiddleSchool, was paying $150 to $200 each year to have histaxes prepared by a private business. This year was hisfirst visit to a VITA site. Armenta said he qualified for anearned income tax credit and discovered he is due $1,800in a federal return, something he hasn’t seen in fouryears.

“It feels great,” Armenta said. The side-by-side interaction with the community

volunteer made him feel more involved in the process, hesaid. As Charles Rood, a volunteer, entered his informa-tion into the computer, Armenta said he looked on fromthe seat next to him and watched the mysteries of tax fil-ing unfold.

Blumenfield said that one of the purposes of theVITA program, which is facilitated by United Way ofTucson and Southern Arizona, is to help workers likeArmenta file without having to take out loans or pay forservices.

“These tax refunds are their money,” Blumenfieldsaid. “Why should people have to pay money to get theirown money back?”

Volunteers help community members file taxes for free

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Yvette Gonzalez

Local legal secretary bravesCowell and company for a shot at stardom

Chicanos Por La Causa200 N. Stone Ave.Tues. & Thurs. 9 a.m. – noonBY APPOINTMENT ONLY882-0018

Toltecalli Academy251 W. Irvington RoadSaturday, April 8, 9 a.m–1 p.m.

Pio Decimo Center848 S. 7th Ave.Mondays 3–5 p.m.Wednesdays 3–5 p.m.Saturdays 9 a.m.–noon.

El Pueblo NeighborhoodCenter101 W. Irvington RoadFridays & Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon

El Rio Neighborhood Center1390 W. Speedway Blvd.Tuesdays 3:30–7:30 p.m.Wednesdays 3:30–5:30 p.m.

Pima College CommunityCampus401 N. Bonita Ave.Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon

Pima College West CampusC-2132202 W. Anklam RoadTuesdays & Thursdays 3–5 p.m.

For more informationCall 881-1794

Hank Armenta and Corina Lespron sit alongside tax assistant voulenteer Charles Rood as he explains the often confusingprocess of federal and state filing taxes.

Mailbox

El Independiente encourages lettersfrom all its readers, but reserves theright to edit correspondence forgrammar, style, clarity, and length.

Submissions can be sent to themanaging editor, Adam Gaub. agaub@email.arizona.eduor write to:UA Journalism P.O. Box 210080Tucson, AZ 85721Fax: 621-7557Phone 621-3618

VITA sites near South Tucson

March/Marzo 2006Page / Página 4 EL INDEPENDIENTE

Computer classesoffered in Spanish By Angie Lines

The Santa Rosa Learning Center Library offers comput-ers for public use and will begin teaching computerclasses in Spanish this month.

The library opened in April 2002, and currently has23 computers that offer Internet access, word processingprograms like Microsoft Word, and the Mavis-Beaconkeyboarding program, which teaches typing skills, aswell as many other programs.

Librarians are on-hand to help patrons with any ques-tions or problems they may encounter while using thecomputers at the library, said Sol Gomez, a librarian atSanta Rosa.

The library also has resources on computers, includingpicture books. Santa Rosa librarians are writing a proposalto fund the purchase of general interest books and DVDs,which will be a welcomed addition to the library, Gomezsaid.

Computer classes in Spanish are also taught at thelibrary. The next program will be offered throughTecnologico de Monterrey, a Mexican university, whichGomez likens to Harvard University.

The free 21-week Tecnologico de Monterrey coursewill be taught online so students can participate from thelibrary computers or from home. Participants will learnhow to use e-mail and programs such as Microsoft Word,PowerPoint, and Excel. A certificate of completion will beawarded to participants when they successfully completethe course, Gomez said.

To prepare participants for the on-line course, SantaRosa will offer a free orientation class.

The class will teach basic skills such as using a com-puter mouse, e-mailing, computer terminology, and anintroduction to Microsoft Word. The skills that partici-pants learn through these classes will not only preparethem for the more in-depth course, but will give themvaluable skills for the work place, Gomez said.

The date for the orientation class has not been decid-ed yet. For more information or to register for the orien-tation course and the Tecnologico de Monterrey course,call (520) 879-8019.

The Santa Rosa Learning Center Library is locatedat 1075 S. 10th Ave. and is open Tuesday and Wednesday10-8, Thursday 9-6, Friday 10-5, and Saturday 9-5.

Por Erin HaskellTraducido Por Angelica Rodenbeck

Carmen Kemery, directora de la escuelaprimaria “Wakefield”, quiere mejorar lacalidad de vida de sus estudiantes educan-do a sus padres.

Kemery, en conjunto con maestros vol-untarios y del resto de la comunidad, estáen el proceso de crean un programa el cualeduque a los padres de los niños, enseñán-doles un oficio para que puedan mejorar oconseguir un mejor empleo.

El programa tendrá los mismos lin-eamientos que el actual programa“Empleos de vida”, que dirige la esposadel Alcalde de Tucson, Beth Walkup, y queha tenido mucho éxito en los últimos cua-tro años, Kemery indicó.

El programa será impartido medianteejercicios prácticos; estos con el propósitode enseñar a los padres a tener confianza enellos mismos y ayudarlos a tener másfacilidad de palabra, señaló John Henning,voluntario de Wakefield.

Henning y James Oviedo, otro volun-tario, se han comprometido con Kemery,en organizar las fases del programa yempezarlo lo mas pronto posible. Durantela última junta de padres y maestros afinales del año pasado, más de 80 padres defamilia se interesaron en el programa. Lasganas de participar por parte de los padresde familia era muy positiva, dijo Kemery.

Aunque no es un requisito, Kemery sug-iere que los padres de familia se inscriban enla preparatoria (GED) y en el programa deIngles (ESL), antes de iniciar el programa.Wakefield imparte estas clases pero el cupo eslimitado. Estas clases también se imparten enel centro de atención para la familia de la pri-maria “C.E. Rose,” ubicada en el 710 W.Michigan Drive.

Henning señaló que los padres defamilia tienen que tener las bases funda-mentales del idioma ingles antes de que seinscriban al programa que Wakefieldofrece.

El programa ha tardado en arrancar ya

que todavía no tenemos el salón apropiadopara impartir las clases y no tenemos mate-riales en español, Kemery indicó. A pesarde todo, “Tengo la esperanza de arrancareste programa dentro de los primeros seismeses de este año, estoy segura de que esteprograma dará mas oportunidades a toda lacomunidad,” dijo,”pero aún tenemosmucho que planear.”

Los padres de familia que tengan hijosen la escuela Wakefield y que estén intere-sados pueden pedir mas información en laescuela. Kemery dará mas informaciónacerca del programa cuando éste se pongaen marcha.

Padres de familia puedenmejorar calidad de empleo

La Escuela Wakefield, localizada en el 101. W. de la calle 44 y la Avenida Stone,

planea empezar el Programma Empleos de Vida esta primavera.

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By Alexis Ewers

Gilbert Barrios’ hand is steady as he slowlypulls his comb toward him. He glides wispsof salt and pepper hair to the comb’s tip.Delicately, he raises his other hand and thefingers that are clenched around his scissorsopen gradually.

Snip.In one swift motion the scissors sprinkle

the floor with of the speckled hair.Barrios has worked as a barber at

George’s Barbershop, 1941 S. Sixth Ave., foralmost 36 years, and at one point, evenowned store. George’s has a long standinghistory in South Tucson.

“I just feel comfortable here,” Barriossaid. “I enjoy working here. People arefriendly.”

Barrios said he is the third owner ofGeorge’s after being originally opened in1968 by George Celay, at 2811 S. Sixth Ave.,where Food City is now located. Barriosbought the shop in 1992. In 1994, Barriosand those leasing stations from him weregiven an eviction notice of 30 days because agrocery store was being built, forcing themto move from a location that had been theirsecond home.

Jerry Marbury, a father of three, was leas-ing a station in the shop from Barrios at thetime. He was working two jobs and trying tosupport his family while making only $200 aday. Marbury said he refused to see George’sclose. In 1994 he took out a loan and boughtthe shop from Barrios.

“We’ve had people like the (SouthTucson) city director, (South Tucson) firechief, (South Tucson) police chief, get theirhair cut here,” said Marbury. “When I ask

them why they say, ‘We don’t want to get ourhair cut where there’s drugs and gang-bangers.’ It means a lot to have that reputa-tion,” Marbury said.

Marbury found the new location and pur-chased the entire bottom portion of the build-ing. Slowly he began to sublease portions ofthe center to other businesses. Finding thatreal estate interested him, Marbury enrolledhimself into real estate night classes in anattempt to learn all he could about real estatelaw.

He eventually obtained his real estatelicense, and set up a fax machine in the cor-ner of his station at George’s in order to fur-ther his real estate career while still fulfillinghis passion for cutting hair.

In one year he sold 30 homes and wasoffered a position as a real estate broker atColdwell Banker Residential Brokerage.However, his sudden success in real estatedid not sway his attention away fromGeorge’s.

Marbury said he aims to use the shop asa means to help others gain financial success.He believes too many people look to the gov-ernment for answers regarding jobs andfinances, when they should look within theirown community.

“My vision is to have everyone I’veworked with, including customers, move to alevel of (financial) independence,” saidMarbury. “I want to help people achieve the‘American Dream.’”

Marbury said he is proud of the shop andits reputation.

“We bring a lot of history and a lot ofculture that’s not limited to hip-hop,”Marbury said. “We’re not the ‘cut and fads.’We’re just an old fashion barbershop.”

Both J.W. Marsh Walls and KathleenWimberly are proud to say they work atGeorge’s.

“It’s steady work,” said Walls, who hasworked at George’s for nine years. “Theycome back and I try to keep it fresh for them(customers). I give them a decent haircut sothey can walk away satisfied.”

Wimberly said she quit her job 10 yearsago at an east-side salon to work at George’s.She said she was reluctant to work in SouthTucson in the beginning because of thestereotypes that affiliated the city with gangsand drugs. After working at George’s she-said she found those stereotypes to be false.

“The people around here are wonderful,”Wimberly said.

Although she is the only female hair-dresser, Wimberly said she likes being theonly girl because the guys spoil her.

“We’re like a family because we’re heremore than (we’re) at home. That’s what keptme here. We’re so close,” Wimberly said.

Marbury has no intentions of movingGeorge’s to the city of Tucson because it is aSouth Tucson shop.

“It’s easier to work with South Tucsonthan the city,” Marbury said. “South Tucsonis a city that gives opportunity.”

A “snip” of South Tucson; a cut above the rest

A South Tucson man gets a trim from Gilbert Barrios at George’s Barbershop. Customershave trusted Barrios with their haircuts and fades for almost 36 years.

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Wakefield ofreceentrenamientolaboral parapadres de familia

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Feature Photo: Local muralist David Tineo colllaborated with Antonio Passos on “Raices,” an expansivemural on the north wall of Tucson Museum of Art. The mural remains 13 years after its creation.

Wakefield to offer job trainingfor their student’s parentsBy Erin Haskell

Wakefield Middle School PrincipalCarmen Kemery wants to better thelives of her students by teachingtheir parents.

Kemery, along with communityvolunteers and teachers, is in theprocess of creating a job-skillstraining program to assistWakefield parents in securing andkeeping jobs.

The program is designed tomirror the “Jobs for Life” program,which is headed by the Tucsonmayor’s wife, Beth Walkup, andhas been successful for the last fouryears, Kemery said.

Building confidence and publicspeaking will be taught through role-play, mock interviews, self-evalua-tion and other exercises, said JohnHenning, a Wakefield volunteer.

Henning and fellow volunteer,James Oviedo, have committed towork with Kemery to organizethe program and work with thecommunity to launch it as soon aspossible. During a parent/teacherconference held last fall, morethan 80 parents expressed interestin the program. The mood afterthat night from the parents thatattended was very positive,Kemery said.

Although not a requirement,Kemery suggests that parentsshould first enroll in General

Education Development (GED)and English as a SecondLanguage (ESL) classes beforestarting the program.

Wakefield provides theseclasses for parents at the schoolbut enrollment is limited, shesaid. Additional classes are avail-able at the C.E. Rose ElementarySchool Family Resource Center,710 W. Michigan Drive.

Henning said that parentsshould have a good grasp of theEnglish language before enrollingin the job-training program.

The training program has been

delayed to locate an appropriateclassroom and to produce Spanishlanguage materials, Kemery said.

“I am hoping to get going onthis project this spring and I feelconfident this program will open alot more possibilities for the entirecommunity,” she said.

“We still have a lot of planningleft for the program.”

Wakefield parents who areinterested in the programshould inquire at the school.Kemery will update the commu-nity once the program is in fullswing, she said.

South Tucson charter school partners with UA to focus on mathematics, science By Zach Colick

With the help of the University ofArizona, a new preparatory schoolwill open in the fall focusing its cur-riculum on mathematics and science,which organizers believe is centralto all students’ future collegiate andemployment opportunities.

Organizers like Jaimie Leopold,the Wildcat School project manag-er, said students lack the necessaryskills in math and science, and hopefaculty at the school will changethat downward spiral.

“Our state and nation as awhole is lacking in education com-pared to other developed nations,”Leopold said. “We’re not perform-ing at top capacity.”

Though a location has not beendecided upon, the Wildcat School isplanned to open in August withgrades 6 and 7. After that, the schoolplans to add a gradeeach subsequent yearuntil reaching thehigh school level, hesaid.

The faculty’sultimate goal is toprovide an opportu-nity to its students toattend college bycentering on the“nitty gritty” mathand science courses,which are corner-stones of the UA’splan of “focusedexcellence,” Leopold said.

“Currently, employers are notable to recruit and employ studentsafter they graduate from high schoolor college,” Leopold said.

Other organizers disagreed say-ing it isn’t that students in SouthTucson lack fundamentals in learn-ing, but rather the UA’s partnershipwith the Wildcat School will allowthe eight full-time faculty memberstaff and UA volunteer students toshowcase their talents in these fields.

“The schools aren’t fallingbehind in these areas, it’s just that theUA may be better able to providethese resources,” said Walter Doyle,UA education professor, who serveson the project’s three-member vol-untary corporate board.

Joaquin Ruiz, dean of theCollege of Science who is on thefive-member Wildcat School board,agreed, saying he got involved in theproject because it’s a great way ofhelping underrepresented groupsexcel in science.

Ruiz said the science and mathe-matics expertise taught at theWildcat School will prepare studentsto attend the UA upon graduation.

“It’s not that these areas ofstudy are missing in the general cur-riculum,” Ruiz said in an e-mail.“But we think that we can bringnovel ways of engaging students inthe sciences and math so that theysee just how much fun it is to be ascientist.”

Like other charter schools, theWildcat School will receive statefunding, but won’t receive any out-side funding from the UA. Theschool will receive an average of$5,355 for every high school studentand $4,805 for each elementary

school student from the state,Leopold said.

Students will attend the WildcatSchool an hour longer than a typicalpublic school day, from 8 a.m. to 4p.m., and the school year will run200 days, 20 days longer than a typ-ical Arizona school year, Doyle said.

The extra days will include fiveSaturdays devoted to exhibitingclassroom projects and three weeksin the summer attending UA work-shops or serving in internships at theUA or in the community, Doyle said.

“We’re hoping to have a groupof dedicated students attend ourschool,” Doyle said. “Students areless likely to leave school if they’rededicated and are offered enrichedlearning that they like and enjoy.”

While the Wildcat School knowshow many faculty members will beserving the school come fall, thenumber and type of students whowould be interested in attending the

school has yet to bedetermined.

This month,focus groups willsend out informationto homes in SouthTucson to get a senseof how many stu-dents would be inter-ested in the venture.

The school ishoping to recruit 80students per gradelevel with smallerclass sizes rangingfrom 20 to 25 stu-

dents, Leopold said. Doyle said his hope is to recruit

motivated undergraduate and grad-uate students from the UA to visitthe school once or twice a week totutor and mentor the students withthe expertise they have obtainedfrom their education. These stu-dent volunteers may be able toreceived credit or internship creditfor their help.

“We hope this is a resource forthe entire community,” he said.

Leopold said the idea for theschool was thought of a few yearsago and studies deciding if the ideawould work and how it could befunded were conducted.

With enthusiasm peaking and asubstantial number of people inter-ested, the project got off theground last spring, and a charterwas established by the end of July,he said.

The project was made possiblethrough Arizona’s Initiative forDeveloping Educational Successeswhich is a research and serviceproject that applies both universityand community resources frompreschool to grade 12 education,and is part of the UA’s effort as a“land grant institution,” Leopoldsaid.

The faculty hopes studentsgraduate from the Wildcat Schooland a four-year university. Theywould like to see students stay inthe community to make it prosperand and impress the value of edu-cation upon their children.

“There are many, many treas-ures in our colleges and we want toensure that excellence is developedthrough outreach programs like theWildcat School,” Leopold said.

Principal Carmen Kemery, right, discusses with co-principal DanGastellum on setting up programs for volunteers.

“We hopethis is a

resource forthe entire

community”Walter Doyle,

UA education professor

Santa Rosa ofrecer clases de computadorasPor Angie LinesTraducido por Teresa Lorenz

La biblioteca Santa Rosa LearningCenter Library es una biblioteca decomputadoras que ofrece el uso decomputadoras al público y ofrececlases de computación en español.

La biblioteca se abrió en abrilde 2002 y actualmente tiene 23computadoras que ofrecen acceso aInternet, programas de proce-samiento de texto como MicrosoftWord y el programa de tecladoMavis-Beacon que enseña la técni-ca de mecanografía y muchos otrosprogramas.

Los bibliotecarios están dis-puestos a ayudarles a los usuarioscon cualquier pregunta o proble-ma que encuentren al usar lascomputadoras en la biblioteca,dijo Sol Gómez, bibliotecario deSanta Rosa.

Además de las computadoras, labiblioteca también ofrece librossobre temas de computacion. Losbibliotecarios de Santa Rosa estánredactando una propuesta para finan-ciar la compra de libros y DVDs, loscuales serán bien recibidos en la bib-lioteca, dijo Gómez.

También se enseñan clases decomputacion en español en la bib-lioteca. El próximo programa se ofre-cerá a través del Tecnológico deMonterrey.

Las clases de computacion através del Tecnológico de Monterreyestán en línea y los participantesrecibirán un certificado cuando termi-nen con éxito el curso, dijo Gómez.El curso es gratuito y se puede hacerdesde la biblioteca o en casa.

Santa Rosa Learning CenterLibrary ofrecerá una clase de ori-entación para preparar a los partic-ipantes para el curso de Internet.

Este curso también será gratuito.La clase de orientación les

enseñará a los participantes taleshabilidades como la utilización delratón, del correo electrónico, deMicrosoft Word e incluirá tambiénla enseñanza de la terminología encomputación. Los conocimientosque los participantes aprenderán através de estas clases les ayudarána ser más valiosos en el trabajo,dijo Gómez.

Todavía no se ha decidido la fechapara la clase de orientación. Paramayor información o para inscribirseal curso de orientación y para sabermás del Tecnológico de Monterrey,favor de llamar al 879-8019.

La biblioteca Santa RosaLearning Center Library se localizaen el 1075 S. 10th Ave. y está abier-to los martes y miércoles de 10 a 8,los jueves de 9 a 6, los viernes de10 a 5 y los sábados de 9 a 5.

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Page / Página 6 March/Marzo 2006EL INDEPENDIENTE

lot of energy and resources into the bor-der area,” Owens said.

The multi-pronged approach they havedeveloped addresses each of the majorsources of air pollution.

Although there are unpaved roads onboth sides of the border, the majority ofthem are on the Mexico side of Nogales,and the Mexican government is planningto allocate funds to pave some of thesethoroughfares, according to an ADEQreport.

Another major source of dust, saidOwens, is agricultural activity. He saidADEQ works with farmers in the area topromote dust-reducing tilling techniquesand raise awareness about the severity ofair pollution in the area.

“The farmers are willing to helpbecause they are aware that everyoneneeds to play their part,” Owens said.

Besides dust, air pollution from vehi-cle emissions is a major issue along the

border. Owens said diesel fuel from com-mercial trucks, as well as exhaust fromcars waiting to cross the border, con-tribute to the problem.

An ADEQ report stated that diesel fuelhas been linked to multiple health prob-lems, including heart disease, impairedlung and immune function, decreasedresistance to infection, lung cancer andpossibly bladder cancer.

Furthermore, Owens said the dieselfuel in Mexican commercial trucks hashigher levels of sulfur than Americanfuel.

ADEQ has been trying to convincePemex, the largest oil company inMexico, to lower sulfur concentrations inits fuel, but has so far been unsuccessful.

“We’re still hopeful that Mexico willrequire all diesel along the border to becloser to U.S. standards,” Owens said.

ADEQ’s plan recommends creating acommuter lane at the Nogales port ofentry, open only to frequent commuterswho have passed a background check.

Similar lanes, in which vehicles are notsubject to individual inspection, alreadyexist at the San Diego and El Paso portsof entry.

Other suggested border changesinclude additional truck inspection lanes,a possible new port of entry on the westside of Nogales and a park-and-ride pro-gram in which border crossers could parktheir cars farther from the border and takea bus to the pedestrian port of entry.

Owens said he is worried that a deci-sion by the Bush administration to allowMexican trucks to travel throughout theUnited States will make the problemworse. Currently, Mexican commercialtrucks are only allowed to travel 20 milesinside the United States before transfer-ring their goods to a U.S. truck.

Overall, Owens said pollution isincreasing despite the efforts of ADEQand other agencies.

“Sometimes it takes all you have justto maintain and keep the situation fromgetting worse,” he said.

Officials try to reduce border pollution‘Border’ continued from page 1

High winds at Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge illus-trates the weather conditions that degrade air qual-ity along the Arizona border.

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carbohydrates are also required, according tothe guidance manual for the national schoollunch program.

Even though the guidelines promotehealthier eating in schools, school adminis-trators school administrators say it is difficultto make children enjoy the healthier food.

“If there’s veggies with pizza, they’ll eatthe pizza but not the veggies,” said LydiaSellers, a cafeteria worker at Sam HughesElementary.

Some of the kids’ favorite meals at schoolare pizza, chicken nuggets and spaghetti,Sellers said. The new guidelines are stricteron elementary schools than on middleschools and junior high schools. The newguidelines prohibit soda from being served atelementary and middle schools. Howevermiddle schools and junior high schools arepermitted to serve sports drinks as long asthey are not larger than 12 ounces. Sports

drinks are completely prohibited in elemen-tary schools.

Some middle schools in TUSD havebeverage vending machines, and eachschool will decide what beverages theysell, but they all must meet the minimumstandards, Palmo said

“The biggest change that I think the nutri-tion standards placed for schools, is that theyoccur bell to bell,” Palmo said. “So it’s notjust what is occurring during the meal time orwhat the districts’ meals program is offering,it’s what is offered during the school day.”

The nutrition standards also apply to stu-dent groups who sell candy or other treats forfundraisers. The types of food students sellmust follow the nutrition standards outlinedby the Department of Education.

Although many kids stay on campus for

after-school programs, the new food stan-dards do not apply to snacks that kids eatafter school. The Arizona Department ofAgriculture sets the standards for food servedat after-school programs, said Lisa Rice,director of Happy Hours, an after-school pro-gram at 10 TUSD elementary schools.

“We’re limited in storage, time and theability to prepare the food, so TUSD decides(on) the food that is served,” Rice said.

Rice said most of the food served afterschool is not healthy.

Sellers said that the menus at TUSDschools are planned by a group of food man-agers from different sites and differentkitchens in TUSD. The managers try newfoods out by doing taste tests and rating thefood to figure out which foods they think thekids will like best.

The school lunches not only have to tastegood to the students, but they must also meeta third of the Recommended DietaryAllowance for protein, vitamins A and C, cal-cium and iron, according to the guidancemanual.

‘Nutrition’ continue from page 1

Arizona schools to offer healthier food options

Top, Arizona schools are limiting junk food come next fall.Middle, food service workers are adding fruit with every

lunch combo meals. Bottom, TUSD Food service managerCaroline Navarette assists a student purchasing Wakefield

Middle School’s new healithier lunches.Photos by Adam Gaub.

“If there’s veggies

with pizza,

they’ll eat the pizza

but not the veggies.”

-Lydia Sellers, a cafeteria worker at Sam Hughes Elementary

Page / Página 7March/Marzo 2006 EL INDEPENDIENTE

By Stephanie Plapp

The crowd roars as two husky 220-lb. men,stuffed in spandex and stretchy masks engagein a series of rapid wrestling moves reminisc-ing that of a gymnast or acrobat.

A unique original Mexican form ofwrestling meaning “free-style fighting” or“poorman’s theatre,” has become one of themost watched sports in Mexico only secondto soccer.

It hasn’t stopped there.The sport, dating back tothe 1930s, has attractedAmericans too. Lucha Librehas sold out crowds inMiami, Chicago and LosAngeles.

Xavier Garza has been afan of the alluring sportsince childhood and hassince written the book LasSuper Luchas that he sayscaptures the wondermentand excitement he felt whenfirst encountering LuchaLibre as a child.

Garza describes the sport as “PoormansTheater” that comes with real people, fleshand blood. According to the author, the sportportrays real protagonists and antagoniststhat are cast in leading roles.

“It is the play of good vs. evil, with evilholding the upper hand until somehow goodmanages to pull victory from certain defeatand emerges triumphant,” he said.

Comparable to theater, the Lucha Librawear colorful costumes, capes, tights, bootsand masks that add to the overall allure of thesport.

In fact, taking on the disguise of a livingembodiment of a belief or cultural stereo-type, the Luchadora’s mask and costume areas important as the wrestling moves them-

selves. The masks evoke images of animals,gods and heroes, of which the Luchadortakes on the identity of while competing.

“The fascination and allure we all feel forthe mask and the mystery that it evokes isbigger than life,” said Garza.

If a Luchador loses a match or retires, anunmasking ceremony takes place signifyingtheir “loss of identity.” El Santo, the favoriteof many fans including Garza, wore his maskuntil retirement keeping his identity a secret

until just before his death. “People don’t know

just how much these guyshave to sacrifice to be partof the spectacular thingthat is Lucha Libre,” Garzasaid.

Ruled by their ownform of World WrestlingEntertainment’s brand ofsports entertainment calledthe Asistenaa Asesoria yAdministracion (AAA),Lucha Libre even has itsown series of cheerleaders

called Luchadoras. The sport has become a staple of

Mexican pop culture and increasingly popu-lar among children. For example, it hasbecome a symbol of Mucha Lucha, a popularcartoon among Mexican youngsters whohave their own versions of silver spandexmasks with eyeholes.

Garza will be at the University ofArizona to display his works on April 7 at7 pm at The Center for English as a SecondLanguage (CESL), Auditorium. Call theArizona State Museum for more informa-tion at 621-6302.

Lucha Libre exhibition slams into the Old Pueblo

“It is the playof good andevil with evilholding the

upper hand.”

Calendario del comunidad:31 de marzo - 30 de abril

Mensajes MezcladosMensajes Mezclados en el Teatro BeawulfAlley, en 11 S. de la Sexta Avenida. Obrade Teatro que trata sobre personas deraíces mezcladas quienes están pasandouna crisis de identidad.

El precio de los boletos varia de 10.75hasta 18.75 con varios descuentos. Laspresentaciones serán durante Abril deJueves a Sábado, a las 7:30 p.m. y losDomingos a las 2 p.m. Para mayor infor-mación llamar al 792 3715.

El NacimientoEl Nacimiento, en la casa Córdova, 175

N. de la Avenida Meyer. Los objetos enexhibición muestran figuras pintadas enterracota, cascadas y luces. La exhibicióndurará hasta el 31 de Marzo; para mayorinformación llamar al 624 2333.

Río Viejo/Río Nuevo Descubriendo el pasado de Tucson en “TheArizona Historical Society,” en el 949 E. deSecond St. La exhibición contempla la histo-ria de Tucson, enfocándose en el periodo his-pano-mexicano de 1691 a 1854, el presidiode Tucson y la arqueología.

La exhibición durara hasta Mayo 26 y elcosto de entrada es de $5. Para mayor infor-mación llamar al 628-5774

El Festival del renacimiento El Festival del renacimiento en el cruceApache, Arizona. Este festival anual ymercado de arte durará hasta Abril 2,

abierto Sábados y Domingos de 10 a.m. a6 p.m. Para mayor información favor dellamar al 463-2700

Maravillas Enmascaradas La Súper Luchas en el Museo Estatal deArizona, en el 1031 E. University Blvd. Elautor y artista Xavier Garza dará una confer-encia sobre las luchas libres el 7 de Abril alas 7 p.m. en el auditorio del Centro deIngles como Segunda Lengua (CESL).

Garza leerá acerca de su libro:” LuchaLibre: El Hombre Enmascarado de Plata” .Después de la conferencia habrá una recep-ción para firma de autógrafos y compartir laopinión personal de Garza sobre la LuchaLibre.

Festival Internacional deMariachi Los boletos están a la venta para este festi-

val anual que se llevara acabo del 24 deAbril al 29. Los eventos se llevaran acaboprincipalmente en el Centro deConvenciones de Tucson. Mariachis inclui-dos: Los Camperos de Nati Cano y elMariachi Los Arreros. Para mayor informa-ción visite la paginawww.tucsonmariachi.org

Festival de Poesía en Tucson La apertura nocturna de éste festival único

es el día primero de abril a las 7 p.m. en elhotel Clarion. Disfrázate de tu poetafavorito, gana premios y escucha lecturas depoesía bilingüe.

Carrera por la Cura del CáncerSe localiza en Reid Park,1100 S. RandolphWay el día 2 de Abril. Las ceremonias deapertura comenzaran a las 6:45 AM . Estacarrera anual recauda ingresos para lainvestigación del cáncer de seno y creaconciencia en la comunidad.

Derribando los muros Derribando los muros una serie de eventosque comenzarán el dia 2 de Abril paraprotestar acerca de las estrictas leyes deinmigración y brindar apoyo por toda lafrontera entre México y Estados Unidos.

Para mayor información visite la pagi-na www.derechoshumanosaz.net/apriluni-ty2005.htm

Las actividades incluyen:

• Mujeres en velos negros Camino “Naco”, al norte de las vías

del tren a la 1 p.m. el 2 de Abril.

• Poesía FronterizaAl Oeste del muro fronterizo“Naco/Naco” a la 4 p.m. el día 9 deAbril.

• Servicios de VigiliaAl Oeste del muro fronterizo“Naco/Naco” a las 4:30 p.m. el día 17de abril.

Volleyball En la Frontera al Oeste del muro fronteri-zo “Naco/Naco” a la 4 p.m. el día 24 deAbril.

Celebremos Juntos Celebremos Juntos en el lado norteameri-cano del la frontera, caminata que cruzarála frontera a las 2:30 p.m. el día 30 deAbril.

Entrenamiento de Primavera “Tucson Electric Park”, localizado en el

2500 E. de la Avenida Ajo. Siga el entre-namiento de los Arizona Diamonds Backs,White Sox y Colorado Rockies de Marzo aAbril.

Una cana al aire Rillito Park, localizado en el N. First Ave

y River Road. El carnaval anual estudi-antil se lleva acabo del 6 al 9 de Abril. Laentrada es de $5. Favor de llamar al 621-5610 para mayor información.

El Festival Internacional deCine El Festival Internacional de Cine deArizona se llevara acabo en varios lugaresdel 3 al 13 de Abril. El festival dura 10días en los cuales se muestran películas ydocumentales. Para mayor informaciónsobre los lugares dónde se exhibirá lamuestra visítenos al:

www.azmac.org/festival/index2.html

From top left, photos of Garza and one ofhis illustrations. Courtesy of the Arizona

State Museum.

- Xavier Garza“ Las Super Luchas” Author

Page / Página 8 March/Marzo 2006EL INDEPENDIENTE

Story and Photos by Monica Warren

In a dusty corner of the Southside’s Manuel Herrera Jr.Park, a dedicated group of volunteers teach neighbor-hood children to care for themselves while caring for thenatural world around them.

Colorful signs adorn the gate surrounding the PeaceGarden, 5901 S. Fiesta Ave., and handmade wind chimesdangle from the largest shade tree. Though the land isstill mostly dirt, patches of green are everywhere. Thegarden is meant to bring peace and relaxation to thosewho visit it, said Beki Quintero, secretary of theSunnyside Neighborhood Association, which operatesthe garden.

The garden intends to provide a safe haven for chil-dren to learn about plants and animals, as well as respectfor others and responsibility for their actions.

Every other Saturday morning, as many as 20 childrenand teenagers gather there to plant, weed, water and pickup trash. They tend to peas, beans and tomatoes, as wellas blooming wildflowers. After their assigned duties areperformed, volunteers lead the students in the lesson forthe day, Quintero said.

Lessons teach the children about the role of worms ingardening, how hummingbirds fly, and other nature-relat-ed topics. Other lessons focus on personal health andusing all five senses, Quintero said.

“We try to do what we can to give these childrenopportunities they would never experience,” saidYolanda Herrera, president of the SunnysideNeighborhood Association.

Scientists from the Flandrau Science Center have vis-ited the garden twice to give children nighttime lessonsabout space and the constellations, Herrera said.

The park, which is named after Herrera andQuintero’s late father, also hosts special events. AnEaster egg hunt is scheduled for April 8, Quintero said,and a Mother’s Day tea is also planned for May.

Work began on the garden in February 2004, Quinterosaid. Since that time, adults involved with the neighbor-hood association and children looking for a way to con-nect with each other and their community have cometogether to care for the plants.

“It’s a beautiful place,” Herrera said.Zuleima Villegas, a 16-year-old sophomore at

Sunnyside High School, has visited the garden for abouttwo months. She said she enjoys visiting and helping outbecause it’s fun and relaxing.

“Everyone here is so nice,” Villegas said, painting awooden sign for the garden. “You meet new peopleeveryday...and you learn a lot of stuff.”

Herrera said she has taken various groups to visit thegarden to show them “that there are wonderful things that

go on on the Southside. The media wants to point fingersand give us a black eye,” Herrera said. “They don’t real-ize they’re hurting the kids’ self-esteem. Kids are embar-rassed to say where they’re growing up.”

The garden is expected to be complete in November,Quintero said. But even when work on it is done, neigh-borhood kids will still have a place to reflect, to learn andto care for the plants, she said.

“The garden will never be over, even when it’s com-pleted, Quintero said.

For more information about the Peace Garden atHerrera Park, visit www.onegarden.info.

Clockwise from top left: Claudia Flores, 16, andArturo Acosta, 14, paint decorations for the Peace

Garden, which continues to grow with love and carethanks to volunteers. Beki Quintero encourages

young volunteers as they work to beautify the gar-den. Acosta helps garden volunteer Dolores Carrillo

tend to the garden.

South Side garden encouages kidsto respect themselves and nature

Community Calendar - Events to watch for“Mixed Messages”

Beowulf Alley Theatre, 11 S. Sixth Ave. Playabout people of mixed heritage who are con-fronting identity crisis. Tickets are $10.75 to$18.75 with various discounts. Performancesthrough April are on Thursdays throughSaturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m.Call 792-3715 for more information.

El Nacimiento El Nacimiento at La Casa Cordova, 175 N.Meyer Ave. The display showcases paintedterra-cotta figures, waterfalls, and lights. On dis-play through March 31. Call 624-2333 for moreinformation.

Rio Viejo/Rio NuevoUncovering Tucson’s Past at the ArizonaHistorical Society, 949 E. Second St. The exhib-it looks at Tucson history, focusing on theMexican and Spanish period from 1691-1854,the Tucson Presidio, and archeology. The exhib-it runs through May 26 and admission is $5.Call 628-5774 for more information.

The Renaissance FestivalApache Junction, Arizona. This annual festivaland artisan marketplace will take place throughApril 2. Open Saturdays and Sundays from10am-6pm. For more information call 463-2700.

Masked Marvels: La Super LuchaAt the Arizona State Museum, 1013 E.University Blvd. Author and artist Xavier Garzawill lecture on Mexico’s masked wrestling onApril 7 at 7 p.m. at the Center for EnglishSecond English (CESL) auditorium. Garza willread from his book: “Lucha Libre: The Man inthe Silver Mask.” There will be a post-lecturebook signing and viewing of Garza’s own paint-ings of luchadores.

Tucson International Mariachi Festival Tickets are now on sale for this annual festi-val that will take place April 24 to 29, withevents taking place primarily at the TucsonConvention Center. Starring acts include: LosCamperos de Nati Cano and Mariachi LosArrieros. For more information visit

www.tucsonmariachi.org.

Tucson Poetry FestivalOpening night of this unique festival is April 1at 7 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel. Dress as your

favorite poet, win prizes and listen to bilingualpoetry readings.

Race for The CureLocated at Reid Park, 1100 S. Randolph Way onApril 2. Opening ceremonies begin at 6:45 a.m.This annual race raises funds for breast cancerresearch and raises awareness.

Bringing Down the WallsSeries of events beginning April 2 to proteststrict immigration laws and bring unity acrossthe US-Mexico border. For more informationvisit www.derechoshumanosaz.net/apriluni-ty2005.htm. Activities include:

• Women in Black Vigil at Naco Highway,just north of the railroad tracks at 1 p.m.on April 2.

• Borderlands Poetry at the west end of theNaco, Ariz., Naco, Mex. border wall at 4p.m. on April 9.

• Interfaith Vigil Service at the West end ofthe Naco/Naco border wall at 4:30 p.m. onApril 17.

Spring TrainingAt Tucson Electric Park, 2500 E. Ajo Way.Catch the Arizona Diamondbacks, ChicagoWhite Sox and Colorado Rockies throughoutMarch and April.

Spring FlingAt Rillito Park, N. First Ave. and River Road.Annual UA student-run carnival from April 6 to9. Admission is $5. Call 621-5610 for moreinformation.

Arizona International Film FestivalAt various locations from April 3 to 13. The fes-tival provides 10 days of original films and doc-umentaries. For more information and locationsvisit www.azmac.org/festival/index2.html.