May 8 / 8 de mayo 2009Free/gratis www.elindenews.com

1976 ~ 33 Years of Service ~ 2009EL

INDEPENDIENTEFronteras, Mexico,Women’s GroupFights for JobsWhen the town’s only indus-try, a Levelor window blindsfactory, closed in 2002, itspeople were left praying foranswers. But in Fronteras,divine intervention only fol-lows human sweat – and tears.

INSIDEMore Women, Children Homeless

South Side Neighborhoods More Stable,Experience Fewer Foreclosure Problems

...see pages 4 and 5

By Jessica Marinucci

A car accident put Jeanne Cote outof work for several months, andwhen she was finally ready toreturn to her job, it was no longeravailable.

Now she is forced to turn toCasa Maria’s soup kitchen whenshe runs out of food stamps.

“I have a variety of experiencesand I’ve been out looking for jobs,but there is nothing,” Cote said.“There are a lot of people out herewith skills, but they are hittingclosed doors left and right.”

Cote has a 1-year-old daughterand her husband, MichaelSchoeneck, is on disability. Theyare not homeless yet, butSchoeneck’s entire monthly SocialSecurity check goes toward rent.

Across Tucson, people have losttheir jobs and are struggling to stayin their homes and feed their fami-lies, but more and more familiesare becoming homeless and livingon the streets.

“Because they are not sitting onstreet corners, begging with theirkids in tow, people underestimatethe number of families that arehomeless,” said Jennifer Anderson,director of programs for New

Beginnings for Women andChildren, an organization dedicat-ed to helping homeless women andchildren in Tucson.

Anderson added that before theeconomy crashed, they were at fullcapacity, but the number of peopleneeding assistance has been

“steady or increasing for about ayear.”

The Tucson Planning Council

PHOTO BY COLLEEN KEEFE

Cheryl Rada and her 16-year-old daughter Katie Rada have been living at a Primavera shelter since May 1 and can stayin the transitional housing for up to 90 days. Cheryl lost her job at Circle K and child support stopped several weeksago, leaving the pair homeless. She begins chemotherapy for colon cancer on the 11th.

‘Homeless Families’/see page 6

Border Patrol’s New ScannerNabs Drugs, Human Contraband

By Lourdes VillarrealThe U.S. Border Patrol has aninnovative new tool to catch smug-glers – X-ray vision.

The agency has implemented X-ray technology at the Interstate 19checkpoint south of Tucson todetect contraband.

The Border Patrol inspectsvehicles for hidden drugs, humansand other contraband with amobile device loaded on a Ford F-550 chasse called the ZBackscatter Van.

The van looks like a horse trail-er stalled on the side of the road. Ascanner mounted inside providesbetter shape and accuracy of whatis inside the vehicle they want toinspect.

“It finds the exact location, itsquicker, it's more assertive in whatwe are looking for,” said MarioEscalante, public information offi-cer for the Border Patrol’s TucsonSector.

The Backscatter radiation vandrives around a vehicle emitting abeam of an X-ray, which bouncesback to the system. Once the infor-mation is gathered, it is transmittedand displayed on a laptop locatedinside the van.

“It scans and bounces off theorganic material and gives itshape,” Escalante said.

The radiation emitted from thevan is minimal, equivalent to onechest X-ray.

Still, for safety purposes, pas-sengers are told to leave their vehi-cles while the scan is in progress.

Since the device was deployedin February, it has detected 2,969pounds of marijuana, 31 pounds ofcocaine and 17 pounds of heroinand seven concealed illegal immi-grants.

The Border Patrol currently hasfour of these devices — one inArizona, one in California and twoin Texas.

PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. BORDER PATROL

Backscatter radiation shows 1,321 pounds of marijuana.

By Michael Luke

Manny Grijalva chuckles at hiscurrent situation. He struggles tomake money as a busboy at OldPueblo Grille and is a self-pro-claimed “nervous wreck” when billdue dates approach.

But one bill he doesn’t have toworry about is a mortgage on hishouse.

His south side home was paidfor by his grandparents more than50 years ago. He notes that some ofthe people he grew up with havemuch higher paying jobs, but strug-gle to make their house payments.

Like other areas of Tucson, thesouth side has forclosures, but theimpact is less than might be expect-ed because of the greater number ofolder homes in the area.

The older neighborhoods insouth side Tucson are more stable.Homes are often in families forgenerations. Fewer new houseshave been built, and as a result,fewer mortgages and fewer forclo-sures.

In contrast, the newly developedareas in the northwest and south-east have high foreclosure rateslargely because they had so manynew home mortgages.

“Parts of town that expandedthe most are the ones that are reallybeing affected right now,” said JeriSzach, of Szach Realty.

As of January 2009, Arizonaand Nevada had two of the highestforeclosure rates in the country.According to Szach, both stateswere hot migration points and theyexperienced rapidly expanding newhousing projects.

Phoenix and Tucson grew over

the past decade causing the needfor new housing construction.From 2000 to 2007 alone, Tucson’spopulation increased by nearly40,000 while Phoenix increased bymore than 230,000.

Currently, 50 percent of allhouses on the market in Phoenixand 15 percent in Tucson are fore-closed, according to data from theNational Realtors Association.

Szach points out that manypeople in Tucson who received ill-advised loans were looking tomove into the rapidly developingsoutheast and northwest sides ofTucson. The south side of Tucsondidn’t undergo nearly as muchdevelopment.

“There are many people on thesouth side of Tucson who are

absolutely benefiting from thelarge amount of older houses in thatarea,” Szach said. “Many olderhouses are especially prevalent inthe south part of Tucson, and a lotof those homes tend to have been inthe family for along time.”

Grijalva feels blessed to be liv-ing in his south side home. He hasa tremendous bond with many ofthe people in his neighborhood.

“I love this area,” Grijalva said.“It may look a little run down tosome, but a lot of people are happythey have an older house becausethat’s one less bill to pay.”

In fact, Grijalva realizes howmuch more difficult his life wouldbe if he faced a monthly mortgage,“I have no clue where I would liveor if I would be on the street.”

PHOTO BY MIKE LUKE

Manny Grijalva talks with his neighbor over the back yard fence. Like manysouth siders, Grijalva’s home has been in his family for decades.

Page 2 / Página 2 May 8 / 8 de Mayo 2009EL INDEPENDIENTE

El Independiente encourages letters from all its readers, but reserves the

right to edit correspondence for grammar, style, clarity and length.

wwwwww..eelliinnddeenneewwss..ccoommUA Journalism

P.O. Box 210158BTucson, AZ 85721Phone: 621-3618

elindy.ua@gmail.com

AdvisorMaggy Zanger

Student AdvisorColleen Keefe

Graphics and Layout AdvisorJohn deDios

South Tucson’s Bilingual Newspaper

Managing EditorTaylor Avey

News EditorDan Sullivan

Spanish EditorLourdes Villarreal

Design Chief Sara Santana

Photo EditorJessica Jaco

Community Events EditorAli Vieth

News Room ManagerKathleen Stevens

Copy ChiefVeronica Cruz

Copy EditorsTaylor Avey

Lindsey TurnerJessica Marinucci

PhotographersNyssa Baca

DesignersAlex Dalenberg

Melisa TeránMax Voege

ReportersMike Luke

Ryan Timothy Greer

TranslatorsLiliana GraciaNabil HouriehDiana Núñez

Amanda Campos Arenas

Translation and Interpretation Department

of Spanish and Portugueseand Mexican American Studies

EL

INDEPENDIENTE

Community events for the fall can be submitted to ElIndependiente at elindy.ua@gmail.com. The next issue will be in

September 2009.

By Dan Sullivan

Richard Robles Garcia, a formerSouth Tucson Police Departmentlieutenant, was sentenced to 33months in federal prison April 10for embezzling more than $560,000from the police department and thecity, court documents show.

Garcia was also ordered by theU.S. District Court to pay$454,963.45 in $200 monthlyinstallments for his crimes.

It will take many lifetimes forGarcia to repay the city, saidEnrique Serna, South Tucson citymanager.

“We were victimized again,” hesaid. “There’s no real restitution.”

Garcia’s actions may haveadded to the burden the city is fac-ing, he said. Half of the more than$560,000 Garcia stole would havegone to South Tucson’s generalfund.

Garcia pleaded guilty Jan. 26 tothe U.S. District Court. He was sen-tenced to the minimum sentencearranged in his plea agreement.

Garcia, 47, who was the policedepartment’s second in command,ran the STPD’s asset-forfeitureprogram. He was the sole custodi-an of its evidence room and courtdocuments show he embezzledmoney between February 2004 andMay 2008.

Garcia was a 13-year veteran ofthe STPD, but was fired in Junefollowing an investigation in Mayby the FBI and the InternalRevenue Service.

The investigation revealedGarcia received STPD checksfrom vehicle impounds and assetforfeitures then deposited theminto his own checking account orwithdrew money from the depart-ment’s account.

Garcia said he stole because ofhis gambling habit, but said hetried to pay the city back with hisgambling winnings, according tocourt documents.

“We won’t ever put this behindus,” Serna said. “Garcia’s actionswill always have an impact on thecity, especially its police.”

Garcia Sentenced; 33 Months in Prison By Kelly Grove

At risk of closing last fall becauseof a lack of funding, the House ofNeighborly Service has foundrenewed life through the financialand operational support from OurFamily Services.

Today, the House of NeighborlyService serves more than 1,000low-income children, young adultsand seniors throughout SouthTucson with a variety of programsdesigned to enhance their educa-tion, life skills, local culture andquality of life.

The House of NeighborlyService (HNS), 243 W 33 St., has along legacy of serving the SouthTucson area.

Founded in 1948, the organiza-tion operated successfully throughdonations until 2008 when a$50,000 budget shortfall forced itto close in September.

The organization reopenedearly this year after Our FamilyService moved quickly to handleits operations and keep their pro-grams running.

“Our Family shares a like visionwith The House of NeighborlyService, striving to make SouthTucson a better place to grow upand grow old,” said Arlene Lopez,HNS board member.

Lopez added that Our FamilyServices is running the programswith grants received from PimaCounty, but allows the HNS toretain control of its board and over-all direction.

In 2008, even with its fundingissues, the HNS provided morethan 200 hours of tutoring for morethan 50 South Tucson children, 21tattoo removal treatments and1,259 hours of prevention, fitnessand recreation services for hun-dreds of children.

They also provided 3,526meals, a dozen field trips and thou-

sands of bags of groceries for morethan 150 seniors.

The HNS offers a number ofregular programs that focus onimproving socialization andenhancing quality of life.

Among these is a seniors’ pro-gram which consists of providingwell-balanced meals for seniors togather and socialize several times aweek.

Currently, more than 30 seniorsparticipate.

“The senior program is wonder-ful,” Lopez said. “I sometimes joinin their activities and I always havea great time.”

The HNS also offers a popularafter school program for elemen-tary-aged kids focused on improv-ing literacy and socialization skills.

A computer literacy programfor teenagers meets every after-noon.

“I’ve been coming to the Houseof Neighborly Service for threeyears now, and I really like it,” said13-year-old, Ricardo Martinez.

“The computer and reading pro-grams are fun and help me do bet-ter in school.”

Prevention specialist, VickyBuelna, who works with elemen-tary children for the HNS said,“It’s been a pleasure working withthe children. I enjoy it because Ifeel I am making a positive differ-ence in their lives by helping themprepare for the future.”

The HNS also has a youth pro-gram that teaches kids how to buildself-esteem, teamwork and social-ization skills all through jump-rop-ing and other activities said VictorQuiros, program manager of com-munity services for Our Family.

“I attended The House ofNeighborly Service as a child, andremember being a teenager clean-ing yards and painting housesthrough their programs,” Lopezsaid. “The House of NeighborlyService is wonderful and hasalways been in my life, I can’timagine what it would be like with-out it.”

HNS Back From the Brink

PHOTO BY KELLY GROVE

Kids work on computers at the House of Neighborly Service which offers afterschool programs to students.

Por Kelly GroveTraducido por Amanda

Campos Aravena

La Cámara Hispana de Comerciocelebrará 20 años de servicio a laciudad de Tucsón en su baile degala anual que tomará lugar el 19de septiembre en el SkylineCountry Club.

“El baile de gala anual será unagran manera de celebrar nuestroaniversario y numerosas contribu-ciones a la comunidad de Tucsón”,dijo Carmen Noriega, coordinadorade programas de la CámaraHispana de Comercio. Durante elevento, también nombrarán a elempresario y la empresaria del año.

Desde el 18 de mayo de 1989 laCámara Hispana de Comercio con-tinúa su misión de impulsar eldesarrollo económico, mejorar elcomercio hispano, y proveer accesoal mercado hispano.

Hoy, la organización cuenta concientos de miembros entre losnegocios locales y se considera unade las cámaras de comercio de más

rápido crecimiento en el país.“La Cámara Hispana de Comercio

es distinta a otras organizacionessemejantes en Tucsón porque estátratando de ofrecer a las compañías,que pertencen a ella la capacidad deconectarse con el floreciente mer-cado hispano”, dijo Noriega.“Todos nuestros eventos y activi-dades están diseñados para darles alos miembros la oportunidad deconectarse con clientes potencialesy de formar sociedades mercantilesentre sí”.

La organización también con-tribuye a la educación de los estu-diantes hispanos necesitados alotorgar becas anuales a estudiantes,en su último año de bachilleratoque cumplan los requisitos.

Estos estudiantes asistirán a unauniversidad o escuela vocacionalacreditada.“El próximo baile de gala anual

nos dará la oportunidad de celebrartodos nuestros logros de no tan sóloeste año, sino de los últimos 20años”, dijo Noriega.

La Cámara Hispana de Comercio celebra su 20 aniversario

Por Michael LukeTraducido por Nabil Hourieh, Jr.

Cada lunes, la Clínica Amistadofrece cuidado médico primario ypreventivo gratis a los que notienen seguro, en la oficina de WICcerca de la iglesia SouthsidePresbyterian.

La clínica, localizada en 1631 S.10th Ave., ofrece varios servicios,incluyendo cuidado de urgencia ymedicamentos junto con fisioter-apia y acupuntura.

También hay médicos y enfer-meras disponibles para aconsejarsobre nutrición y estilos de vidasaludables.

El equipo de voluntarios incluyemédicos, asistentes médicos, enfer-meras e intérpretes de español,todos trabajando como voluntarios.Varios estudiantes de laUniversidad de Arizona y de PimaCommunity College trabajan comointérpretes en la clínica.

La clínica siempre busca a intér-pretes porque la mayoría de laspersonas que van a las clínicas sonhispanohablantes.

Todos los días excepto el lunespor la tarde, la clínica es la sede dela oficina de Mujeres, Bebés yNiños (WIC, por sus siglas eninglés).

Para más información llame al520-237-5434.

Clínica ofrececuidado médicogratis los lunes

www.elindenews.com

Por Dan SullivanTraducido por Liliana Gracia

La ciudad del Sur de Tucsónrealizará una elección para elConsejo de la Ciudad el 19 demayo.El titular Ildefonso Green seenfrentará al oponente John Felixpara el escaño en el Consejo de la

Ciudad.Los candidatos ganadores necesi-tan el 50% de los votos más uno.El ganador acompañará a PeteTadeo y a Carlos Salaz en elConsejo de la Ciudad del Sur de Tucsón.Si desea información sobre los cen-tros de votación, llame al 792-2424.

Elecciónes en el Sur de Tucsón

Page 3 / Página 3May 8 / 8 de Mayo 2009 EL INDEPENDIENTE

By Max Voege

The Olympics may have ended thispast summer, but the SunnysideUnified School District is still par-ticipating in their own SpecialOlympics.

The Special Olympics ofArizona takes place year-round. OnMarch 27 and 28 SUSD had partic-ipants in the basketball and cheer-leading events, which took place inMesa, Ariz.

For SUSD, the three basketballteams that partici-pated received agold medal, silvermedal and fifthplace.

The gold medalcame from the ele-mentary-middleschool division.

SUSD’s cheer-leading squad alsocaptured the gold inthe same division.

Barb Zuniga, aspecial educationteacher at Ocotillo Elementary forthird through fifth grade, is one ofthree coaches from the SUSD pro-gram.

The other two coaches are LoriChrisman of Esperanza Elementaryand Harry Parks, also of Ocotillo.

Combined they have over 75years of coaching experience.

Participants in the SpecialOlympics range from kids to youngadults.

They are then separated intodivisions ranging from “elemen-

tary groups” to “young adultgroups,” Zuniga said.

“We had 55 athletes compete inMarch in Mesa,” Zuniga said. “AtSunnyside we have around 200 ath-letes and it is the largest program inArizona.”

The 200 athletes at SUSD playa variety of sports including bowling,floor hockey, and track and field.

The athletes range in age andability levels, but one ofSunnyside’s basketball teams is“almost high school caliber,”

Zuniga said.“It’s different

with SpecialOlympics sports,”Chrisman said.“They have a goodtime, win or lose.They do want towin, but winningisn’t everything.It’s the competi-tion.”

Along with thecoaches, theSunnyside pro-

gram also relies on the help of vol-unteers and former participants whostay with the program.

“Lots of participants stay afterthey graduate and become peercoaches here,” Zuniga said.

Zuniga said the SpecialOlympics is a “costly event”because of its size.

However, Sunnyside receivesa lot of money from fundraisingand a small percentage from thedistrict.

The funding is used for

expenses like transportation andhotel rooms.

“We go to Flagstaff every win-ter and we take a charter bus,”Zuniga said. “We also take a tripthere in September for some train-ing, camaraderie and to learn howto play as a team. It is a lot of helpwith life skills.”

There are many divisions withinSpecial Olympics beginning withthe school district division.

Next is county, then state, nation-al and ultimately international.

“These kids just excel overand above what we sometimes

think they can do,” Parks said.“Ninety percent of the time itsover and above what I think theycan do.”

Perhaps under the tutelage ofZuniga, Chrisman and Parks,Sunnyside may have an interna-tional Special Olympics con-tender and possibly a winner inthe years to come.

“It’s a great achievement towatch them grow,” Parks said.“They succeed in the SpecialOlympics and their personal livesas well.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNE HILLMAN

The Sunnyside Unified School District Special Olympic cheerleading teamposed for a photo at the 2009 Special Oympics where they won a gold medal.The team is coached by Barb Zuniga, Lori Chrisman and Harry Parks.

SUSD Wins Multiple Medals in Special Olympics Games

By Kathleen Stevens

The Pueblo High School RoboticsClub placed 88th out of 300 withtheir robot, Flavor of the Month inthis year’s VEX Robotics WorldChampionship.

Their other robot, El Diablo,placed 105th.

The 15-member club, whichsome members refer to as“Robotics Asylum,” spent the lastseveral months creating and sculpt-ing unique robots for their first evercompetition.

The robots, creatively named,Flavor of the Month, and ElDiablo traveled along with sevenclub members to compete at theVEX Robotics World Champion-ship in Dallas, Texas, along sidecompetitors hailing from 12 coun-tries including Brazil, China andChile.

Daniel Carrillo, president of therobotics club, hopes to one daybecome a mechanical engineerafter he graduates high school.

The students came up with theunique names for each robot at thelast minute at one of their earlycompetitions.

The VEX Robotics WorldChampionship poses differentchallenges for the teams eachyear.

This year teams had to liftfoam blocks with their robots andplace them in structures rangingin height from nine to 21 inchestall while racing against a three-minute time limit.

“It’s demanding…we all havefun in this class,” said JuanAlmeida another senior member of

the team. Almeida hopes to attend Pima

Community College and work forTucson Electric Power as anapprentice.

In order to qualify for the worldchampionship the team attended aqualifying match at Sahuarita HighSchool on January 17.

We looked at the competitionand what would be more efficient,said Carrillo.

Students worked along sidetheir teacher and club advisorHerman Lathrop, a retired AirForce master sergeant who workedin the aviation electronics field.

“Our first design only tookabout two weeks,” said Carrillo.“I would stay after school, andwork during class, 10 to 15 hours

a week.”The students did very

respectable and made their instruc-tor proud, Lathrop said.

Texas Instruments sponsoredthe robotics club to help offset thecost of the $5,000 trip. The spon-sorship also helped pay for parts,kits and shirts.

This club has become like fami-ly, said Carrillo.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PUEBLO HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS CLUB

Members of the Pueblo High School robotics club showcase their robots at theVEX Robotics World Championship. The oporators of Flavor of the Monthplaced 88, while the oporators of El Diablo placed 105 out of 300.

Pueblo High School Club Attends Robotics World Championship

These kids justexcel over andabove what wesometimes thinkthey can do.

–Harry ParksSUSD Special

Olympics Coach

“

”

By Mike Luke

Every Monday, Clinica Amistadoffers free primary and preventivehealthcare to those without insur-ance at the WIC office nearSouthside Presbyterian Church.

The clinic, located at 1631 S.10th Ave., offers a variety of serv-ices, including urgent care andmedications along with physicaltherapy and acupuncture.

Doctors and nurses are alsoavailable to give nutritional andhealthy-living advice.

The staff of volunteers includesdoctors, physician’s assistants,nurses and Spanish interpreters allworking on a volunteer basis.

Many college students from theUniversity of Arizona and PimaCommunity College work as inter-preters at the clinic. The clinic isalways looking for interpreters.

Every day except Mondayafternoons, the clinic is known asthe Women, Infant and Childrenoffice.

For more information call 520-237-5434.

Free Health Care Offered Mondays

By Dan Sullivan

The City of South Tucson will holda city council election May 19.

Incumbent Ildefonso Green willface challenger John Felix for aseat on the city council.

The winner will join Pete Tadeoand Carlos Salaz on the SouthTucson City Council.

For information on polling sta-tions, call 792-2424.

Election Time

Por Lourdes VillarealTraducido por Nabil Hourieh, Jr.

La patrulla fronteriza de los EE.UUtiene una nueva herramienta inno-vadora para capturar a los contra-bandistas – visión de rayos X.

La agencia ha implementado latecnología de rayos X en el punto deinspección de la Interstate-19(Carretera interestatal 19) en el sur deTucsón para detectar el contrabando.

La patrulla fronteriza inspec-ciona los vehículos para detectardrogas escondidas, seres humanosu otras clases de contrabando conun aparato móvil llamado ZBackscatter Van, colocado en elchasis de una camioneta Ford F-550.

El Z Backscatter Van parece sersimplemente un tráiler para trans-portar caballos que esta atascado allado de la carretera, pero el escánerinstalado dentro de esta furgonetapuede detectar mejor la forma de loque hay dentro del vehículo quedesean inspeccionar, y con másprecisión.

“Encuentra el lugar exacto, esmás rápido y más específico con loque estamos buscando”, dice

Mario Escalante, el agente deinformación pública para la patrul-la fronteriza del sector de Tucsón.

La furgoneta con radiaciónretrodispersiva se desplaza alrede-dor de un vehículo y emite un rayoX, que rebota de regreso al sistema.Al recopilar la información, setransmite y se presenta en uncoomputador portátil localizadodentro de la furgoneta.

“Escanea el material orgánico,rebota y le da forma”, dijoEscalante.

La radiación que emite la fur-goneta es mínima, el equivalente aun examen de rayos X del pecho.

Pero todavía, por razones deseguridad, se les instruye a lospasajeros que abandonen el vehícu-lo mientras se lleva a cabo el exam-en.

Desde su introducción enfebrero, este aparato ha detectado2.969 libras de mariguana, 31libras de cocaína, 17 libras deheroína y 7 inmigrantes ilegalesocultados.

La patrulla fronteriza tiene cua-tro de estos aparatos en su pos-esión: uno en Arizona, dos enTexas y uno en California.

Patrulla Fronteriza adapta lainspección de alta tecnología

Un agente de la PatrullaFronteriza observa el

vehículo siendo escan-deado dentro del Z

Backscatter Van.

La mayor parte del tiem-po, encuentran drogashasta seres humanos.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U.S BORDER PATROL

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CChhaammppiioonnsshhiipp CCoommppeettiittiioonnvviissiitt::

www.vexrobtics.com/championship/2009/results.php

Page / Página 4 May 8 / 8 de mayo 2009EL INDEPENDIENTE

By Alex Dalenbergand Taylor Avey

FRONTERAS, Sonora – Thiscountry demands patience.

“In Mexico, you never get any-thing done on the first trip, there’salways a suprise,” Alice Valenzuelaoften says of her adopted home-land.

It also requires faith. “Whenever there’s a problem,

we all sink to our knees and waitfor the next miracle,” she says.“That’s the best thing to do. Youcan’t rely on flawed humanbeings.”

In Fronteras, a small town about40 miles south of the U.S. border atDouglas, Ariz., the long-awaitedmiracle is jobs. When the town’sonly industry, a Levolor windowblinds factory, that employed 435people, closed in 2002, its peoplewere left praying for answers.

Three years later, some of thoseprayers have been answered. But inFronteras, divine intervention onlyfollows human sweat – and tears.

The ValenzuelasAlice Valenzuela, 55, easily refersto herself as a gringa, “I’m the onlyone around, usually,” she says.

She has broken down on lonelyroads in the Sonora countrysideand been recognized by passersbywhose faces she herself can’tremember. The sort-of strangersalways stop to offer her a lift. Inthese parts, it’s hard to forget AliceValenzuela.

Even though she may not looklike her neighbors, she callsFronteras home.

“I’m Mexican now,” she says. “Ilove where I live. I want to diehere.”

Valenzuela and her husband,Roberto, 58, live an hour outsideFronteras on the ranch Robertoinherited from his father. In thisrural part of the country, the spacesare wide-open; things are far apart.With only 1,500 people, Fronterasis the seat of a municipality of only7,000; it’s the biggest thing around.

The Valenzuelas met as studentsat the University of Arizona. Aftermore than a decade working inNorthern California – Roberto asan executive for Hewlett-Packard,Alice as a newspaper publisher –the couple returned to Mexico toraise a family. They planned to liveon the ranch for a few years andthen maybe move back to theUnited States where their childrencould go to school. Instead, theynever left.

In their second career, the newlyminted ranchers won a reputation

for their charity efforts and volun-teer work in the state. The womenof Fronteras naturally turned to theValenzuelas when the few jobsvanished with Levolor and peoplewere left hungry.

When trouble hit Fronteras,when the few jobs vanished andpeople were left hungry, thewomen of the town turned to theValenzuelas.

Alice Valenzuela balked at first.The ranch was already strugglingthrough an extended drought. Sheand Roberto had their own prob-lems to deal with, she said, withouttaking on the crushing problemsfacing Fronteras.

“I said, we’re going out of busi-ness and you want us to createjobs?”

She told them, Fronteras doesn’thave enough paved roads, that itdoesn’t have restaurants, that itwould take three years, maybe five,to find any company willing toinvest in the town.

“You don’t have anything,” shesaid. But, even saying those things,Alice Valenzuela said she knew shehad to help in whatever way shecould. It wasn’t a choice.

She tells a story about a phonecall she once received from aneighbor.

“Alicia, what do you think ofthe pueblo?”

“What about it?”“The pueblo, how do you think

things are going?”“About the same I guess.”“Yes. It has never changed. I

haven’t seen any change in mywhole life. Things have never got-ten better. Only worse.”

And the woman, her friend,started crying.

“That really hit me,” AliceValenzuela said.

She agreed to help the womenof the town in whatever way shecould.

“You don’t know how toughthis is going to be,” she told them.

Retroworks de MéxicoIn Middlebury, Vt, more than 2,500miles away, Robin Ingenthronreceived a very strange phone callfrom a friend in faraway Bisbee,Ariz.

“I found this place inFronteras,” the friend said.

“Where?”Ingenthron is the president of

American Retroworks Inc., a recy-cling management and consultingcompany. He’s made a 20-yearcareer in the industry in both thepublic and private sectors. His spe-cialty is electronics recycling andhe is a recognized expert in thefield.

The friend, Mike Rohrbach, aBisbee philanthropist, toldIngenthron that he had found theperfect place for Ingenthron toexpand his electronics recyclingbusiness. Rohrbach told Ingenthronabout a group of women in thetown who had formed a collectivethat was trying to bring jobs to thearea.

It was the same group of womenwho had met with the Valenzuelas.

Ingenthron had toyed with theidea of recycling in Mexico in thepast, but he wasn’t interested.

“It just sounded like a crazy far-fetched idea,” Ingenthron said, “Itold him no.”

Ingenthron visited Fronteras,but he wasn’t sold. He toldRohrbach and the Valenzuelas thatthey would have to hire him as aconsultant. If they wanted his help,they’d have to pay him a $5,000retainer check.

“I honestly thought they wouldgo away, ” Ingenthron said.

A few days later, Ingenthronfound a check in the mail. He wasfloored. These women were seri-ous.

He flew to Mexico to give themtheir check back – and go into busi-ness.

“I don’t know if it was theirprayers or what – but I had to try,”he said.

Miracle Number 18After meeting with theValenzuelas, the women ofFronteras formed a non-profit col-lective. The Valenzuelas laid outtwo conditions – everyone does

their fair share and not one pennybe paid in bribes.

“No one has any expectation ofclean government here,” AliceValenzuela says, “That’s why wehave to do things clean.”

The women tried first with arestaurant. The Valenzuelasthought the cooperative might beable to promote tourism inFronteras. They won a $40,000grant from the government’s agri-cultural extension for economicdevelopment in the town. Theysold tamales to a Soroptimist Clubin Phoenix. It wasn’t enough.

When Ingenthron came toFronteras, it seemed like a prayerhad been answered.

“Miracle number 18,” AliceValenzuela calls it, though sheadmits she’s long lost count.

The women would moveIngenthron’s recycling businessinto the old Levolor plant, whichthey’d taken over. The Levolor fac-tory itself sat in an abandonedschool – the building is used tobeing recycled. The women woulddisassemble computers, televisionsand other electronics imported intoMexico, break them down intotheir usable parts, salvaging valu-ables like copper and plastic, andthen sell that scrap.

But there was a catch. Everysingle piece of every computerimported into Mexico had to bedocumented and logged for makeand model – an impossible amountof paperwork.

The only way out of the prob-lem was to change federal law,Alice Valenzuela said.

They did.

Red TapeMembers of the collective met withSonora’s freshman senator –Alfonso Elias Serrano – who hadbeen a friend and acquaintance ofthe Valenzuelas.

They asked him to help changethe law.

Serrano said it would be easierto get $1 million for an industrialpark. Appropriations are one thing– bureaucracy is another, he said.

But he promised to try.A year and a half later, the

phone rang.“Get to Mexico City. I’m sorry

it’s taken this long,” Serrano said.The Valenzuelas met with repre-

sentatives of the treasury and theeconomic development ministry.Officials told them that the min-istries had signatory power tochange the law, but that it wouldtake time – and more meetings.They would have to come back.

On another trip, another meet-ing – this time in the boardroom ofa 40-story office building - assem-bled government officials preparedto lay down their verdict. A tremen-dous clutch of men in suits and tieswere laying down business cards.

Valenzuela had a bad feeling.“I thought, ‘No, no. The more

‘Fronteras’/see page 5

Women’s Collective in Fronteras, Mex.Braves Bureaucracy to Create Jobs

PHOTO BY TAYLOR AVEY

Retroworks de México occupies the same abandoned schoolhouse left behind by a Levolor window blinds factory. Whenthe Levolor maquiladora closed, more than 400 people in the town of Fronteras were left unemployed.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR AVEY

Employees at Retroworks de México wear long-sleeved work clothes, safetygoggles and heavy gloves, even during the hot summer months.

Alice Valenzuela

PHOTO BY TAYLOR AVEY

An employee at Retroworks de México disassembles a computer. Much of thelabor in electronics recycling is devoted to breaking down equipment intoreusable parts, said Robin Ingenthron, president of Retroworks.

Page / Página 5May 8 / 8 de mayo 2009 EL INDEPENDIENTE

‘Fronteras’ continued from pg. 4

people involved, the worse.’ … It’s an over-whelming bureaucracy.”

“We don’t want Mexico to become adumping ground,” they told Valenzuela.

“How do we know you won’t just resellthese computers, in violation of the law?,”they asked.

Valenzuela almost broke down, thinking itwas a lost cause.

“I’m a tough broad. My husband has onlyseen me cry about three times in 33 years ofmarriage”

She told them: “At this minute, the peoplein Fronteras are praying. Can I go home andtell my neighbors that this is their Christmaspresent?”

They said, “How about sooner? How aboutSeptember, Independence Day?”

The deed was done.“In Mexico, you never get anything done

on the first trip,” Valenzuela says.

Las Chicas BravasNow there is a factory. For the eight womenand two men who make up the collective,there are jobs.

But no electricity – the mayor pulled theplug. The state owns the utilities here and he’sjealous of the collective, and suspicious of the

women’s motives, Valenzuela said. And the women have stood up to him in

the past. At a town meeting, the womendemanded that he create more jobs because somany people in town were unemployed.

“One of the people in the audience told usto be bravas (fierce),” said Virginia PonceMercado who works in the recycling plant.“Because we didn’t give a damn. What wewanted were jobs for Fronteras, to lead digni-fied lives.”

The name stuck. The women are nowknown in Fronteras as Las Chicas Bravas.

The power may be off, but the womenhave cleared the pigeon nests out of the for-merly abandoned building. It took three tripsto Nogales, Sonora, to secure the proper taxnumbers, but the Chicas keep going. Theyhave no other choice.

“We all have to keep going for the samereason,” said Myrta Rico Armenta, who alsoworks in the factory, “So that everythingwe’ve done is worth it all.”

Looking to the FutureAmericans ought to care about what happensin Fronteras, Alice Valenzuela says, it’s on itsdoorstep. Times are better for the Chicas, buttimes are still hard. For most of Fronteras, it’san uphill struggle, she says.

“If you want a job in Fronteras, you can

work for a local drug dealer, or jump the bor-der and work illegally,” Alice Valenzuelasays.

Many of the Chicas, including Mercadoand Armenta, have worked illegally in theUnited States.

“We needed something to motivate us tostay here in Fronteras,” Mercado said.

Ingenthron hopes to expand the relativelysmall recycling operation in Fronteras. Fornow, the plant employs only the Chicas.

“But that’s the way it started up here (inVermont), five years ago – with me and atruck,” Ingenthron said.

He said he hopes to employ at least 1,000people, at Fronteras and elsewhere, in the nextfive years.

“We’re just getting started,” he said.Even better, the Chicas are 50 percent

shareholders in the new company, Retroworksde México.

“I tell them I want them to become execu-tives some day,” Alice Valenzuela says.

But for the Chicas, a steady job is a prayeranswered.

“I know I will wake up every morning andI will have enough money to get by,” Armentasaid.

“We really didn’t have anything before… Ihope in other towns there are chicas bravaslike us.”

By Taylor Avey

The small pueblos that splinter theUS-Mexico border are hot spots fordrug traffickers and coyotes butone adventurous professor and sev-eral of his students have designednew plans that will offer the peopleof Fronteras, Mexico a town theycan proudly call home.

The tiny pueblo of Fronterasrests 40 miles south of Douglas,Ariz., along Highway 80 andacross from old railroad tracks. Thetown of modest homes and a fewstruggling shops sits on a riverbedsurrounded by acres of lush, greenfarmland.

Fronteras has been plagued by adeclining economy and corruptpolitics, prompting business own-ers, Alice and Roberto Valenzuela,to contact Mark Frederickson, aprofessor in the School ofLandscape Architecture at theUniversity of Arizona, to helpdesign a renovation plan for thefloundering community.

I knew the town needed a lot ofwork so I started sending out e-mails trying to find someone whocould help us create a plan, saidAlice Valenzuela who owns a recy-cling factory with her husband inFronteras.

Frederickson and eight of his

students who refer to themselves asthe Tejido group, embraced the taskof designing plans to renovate thehumble town to attract tourists,while preserving its history andtaking advantage of the land that isavailable.

“We have been developing aconceptual master plan and givingideas for what the town could be,”said Olivia Alicea, a second-yearlandscape architect student.

“We wanted to create a place

where people will come into thetown, stay in the town and invigor-ate their [economic] situation,”Alicea said.

Alicea is referring to the town’sgrave economic situation, whichFrederickson and his team hope tocounter by designing more of apedestrian-friendly atmospherewith sidewalks and pagodas so thetown can host markets and festivalsand eventually build restaurants toattract tourist.

The Valenzuelas hope to applyfor grant money with the newdesign plans to help make theTejido group’s vision a reality.

“If you have a plan, you canpropose it and get funding,” AliceValenzuela said.

The new plans also includeideas for an agriculture researchfacility and aim to promote betterwaste and water management.

“In our business,” Fredericksonsaid. “Where poop goes is alwaysimportant.”

One of the things we did is goaround the town looking at theappropriate locations for [trash]and drainage patterns, said MattBossler, a landscape architecturegraduate student.

Although everyone on the teamwould agree the town is in direneed of a facelift, the most impor-tant thing is to stimulate job oppor-tunities so families don’t have to beseparated.

“If you want dad around, youhave to create jobs,” Fredericksonsaid. “We’re working on diversify-ing the economy so dad can comehome.”

The team hopes to provide thepeople and the town of Fronteraswith the tools they need to createopportunities for themselves.

“Socially we think in a simplis-

tic way…if we put in a Holiday Innthen all the money goes toMemphis,” Frederickson said, “butif we can get them to generate asystem of bed and breakfast places,then the whole family benefits.”

He has made a career out ofhelping struggling, small townsprosper by using natural resourcesand adding a few simple solutions.But he admits it’s rare that he eversees his plans come to fruition.

“In this business you’re lucky if10 to 20 percent of your work getsdone,” he says.

“I have to tell my students,‘look guys we’re just opening thedoors for possibilities.’”

In early May the project willcome to a close when Fredericksonand his students present Alice andRoberto Valenzuela with a book ofall the potential renovations. Theresponsibility will then fall on thepeople of Fronteras to use the plansand create a better future for thetown.

“It’s going to go somewhere,”Valenzuela said. “Tejido group isjust one piece.”

PHOTOS BY TAYLOR AVEY

Employees at Retroworks de México, including Myrta Rico Armenta (left), disassemble computers into their component parts to be recycled.

University Architecture Students Design Plan for Fronteras

PHOTO BY TAYLOR AVEY

Much of Fronteras remains underdeveloped. The Tejido group aims to providethe town with a sustainable plan for future development.

PHOTOS BY TAYLOR AVEY

(Top to bottom) Alice Valenzuela demon-strates which parts of a computer can be sal-vaged. (2) Rows of computer monitors awaitrecycling in the factory. (3) Myrta RicoArmenta dismantles a computer. (4) Tons ofcomputer parts await recycling by the facto-ry’s 10 workers. (5) Roberto Valenzuela, whohas poured much of his own money into thefactory, poses for a picture outside.

For more reporting fromFronteras, go online towww.elindenews.com

‘Homeless Families’ Continued from page 1

Page / Página 6May 8/ 8 de mayo 2009 EL INDEPENDIENTE

for the Homeless counts all visiblehomeless people and those in shel-ters every January, and the numberhas been increasing each year. In2008, there were approximately3,100 homeless counted. In 2009,the number increased to 3,652.

The current number is estimatedto be closer to 5,000 in the metroarea, according to Leslie Carlson,coordinator for the Plan to EndHomelessness for Tucson and PimaCounty. Some people aren’t seenbecause they are hiding in washesor in cars for protection and othersare temporarily staying withfriends or family.

“When I talk to people whowork every day with the homeless,everyone says there are more peo-ple,” Carlson said. “And they aresaying that some of the increase isnewly homeless and families.”

Shelters around Tucson reportthat the number of homeless fami-lies is on the rise, even though sin-gle men are still the highest per-centage of homeless.

Tamara McElwee, public rela-tions director for the SalvationArmy, said they have seen almost a70 percent increase in people need-ing assistance since the beginningof the fall. She said many peopleneed help because they have lostjobs in construction, real estate orwith car companies.

“The number of families need-ing our help has probably grown by10 or 20 percent, I’d say,” saidBrian Flagg, coordinator for CasaMaria, which operates Guadalupe’skitchen. “And it’s mainly that peo-ple can’t find work. They’ve losttheir jobs or had their hours cutback. ”

When parents lose jobs, chil-dren suffer.

In the 2007 to 2008 school year,there were 3,561 homeless children

in Pima County, Carlson said.Each school district is required

by the U.S. Department ofEducation to have a homeless liai-son to work with and track thehomeless students and providetransportation and money for foodand supplies.

In the Sunnyside School Districtthere are 666 students consideredhomeless so far this year, saidAndrea Foster, the homeless liai-son. Of those 666 students, 531have temporarily moved in withfamily members or friends, 101 arein shelters, 14 live in motels and 20are unsheltered.

Unlike other districts in Tucson,Sunnyside has about the samenumber of homeless students aslast year, Foster said.

She said it is possible that thenumbers haven’t increased becausefamilies with foreclosures don’talways identify as being homelessand don’t get help, or they pick up

and move to a completely differentplace when they lose their home.

Typically, people only considerthemselves homeless once theyhave to go to shelters because theyhave exhausted their social networkand have run out of relatives orfriends to stay with, Anderson said.

The Tucson Unified SchoolDistrict and the Marana Districthave both seen an increase inhomeless children in the last year,Foster said.

During the last school year,there were 1,387 students consid-ered homeless in TUSD andalready this school year there are1,441.

As more people lose their jobsand homes, the face of homeless-ness is beginning to change.

“When we say ‘homeless,’ peo-ple usually think of a man on thestreet or someone that smells,”Foster said. “But that’s not the sit-uation anymore.”

PHOTO BY COLLEEN KEEFE

Katie Rada and her mother, Cheryl Rada, who are living in a Primavera shelter,look over a list of soup kitchens and food banks for their next meal. The list wasprovided by a local church.

Economy Creates Homeless Families

City Cuts Budget; Peace Garden’s Youth Employees Laid OffBy Veronica Cruz

The desert landscape of the MannyHerrera Jr. Park is an expanse ofwashed out greens and dullbrowns. But one corner of the parkis bursting with blossoming rosesand snap dragons shaded by largetrees, providing a welcomingatmosphere.

In the Sunnyside Peace Garden,5901 S. Fiesta Ave., blooms of yel-low, purple and pink flowers dotthe desert landscape, surroundinghand-painted blue and whitebenches.

Since 2003, Beki Quintero pres-ident of the SunnysideNeighborhood Association hastended to the garden, enlisting thehelp of neighborhood youthemployed to clean, plant flowersand trees, and assist with bi-week-ly craft projects for kids.

Like other youth employmentprograms supported by the city,however, the peace garden will loseits funding beginning in July.

In February, the Tucson CityCouncil voted to suspend fundingfor youth employment programs tokeep $240,000 in the general fund,which is currently in deficit of $80million, said Diana Rhodes a coun-cil aide for Ward 1 council memberRegina Romero.

“We always end up with a bal-anced budget,” Rhodes said. “Thisis the worst budget deficit in 30years.”

The majority of the money inthe general fund comes from cityand state sales taxes, but peoplearen’t spending as much money asthey used to, Rhodes said.

“Nobody is buyinganything expensive andit all adds up,” Rhodesadded.

In the past, eachward was allocated$40,000 to use for dif-ferent projects thatemploy 14-to-18 year-olds in their neighbor-hoods. But starting thisfiscal year funds willno longer be available,Rhodes said.

Rhodes saidRomero is a strong sup-porter of the youthemployment programsand feels terrible abouthaving to cut such proj-ects. However, the goalof the mayor and coun-cil is to help keep citystaff jobs intact andavoid having to lay offcity employees.

Quintero says theSunnyside PeaceGarden has relied onthe $12,000 it receivesfrom the city to pay workers andpurchase canvasses, paints, tilesand other materials needed to con-tinue activities for neighborhoodchildren.

Five teens, including Luis DeLuna, 18, Omar Galindo, 16, andFelipe Moreno, 15, work six hoursevery other Saturday in the garden,earning $40, Quintero said. But theskills they learn are worth far morethan a paycheck.

Quintero teaches the teens whatit’s like to be part of the work force,

from filling out a job application topreparing for an interview andshowing up for work on time.

The teens learn “how to budget,how to have responsibility andwork ethic,” Quintero said. “Wealso do some self-esteem buildingso they will know how to sell them-selves, how to dress and how topresent themselves.”

The teen employees are learningthe importance of saving theirwages to buy things that are impor-tant to them, like De Luna who is

saving to buy his first car, Galindowho likes buying the latest videogames and Moreno who buys partsto restore his 1964 ChevroletImpala.

One of the teens who works in thegarden makes sure to ask his mom ifshe needs help, before spending hispaycheck, Quintero said.

“He asks his mom if she needsto pay any bills, if there’s anythingthe household needs first,”Quintero said. “He’s very consci-entious about it.”

Quintero will soon run out offunds and without this money, sheis unsure how the garden will con-tinue to flourish.

“We’ll do what we can,” saidQuintero, who remains hopeful andhas set aside some money to con-tinue planned activities for Father’sDay and 4th of July.

Quintero also receives helpfrom about 20 volunteers rangingin ages from 5 to senior citizens,who help her maintain the garden.She has also received donations ofsupplies from members of theneighborhood.

“There’s a lot of communitysupport,” Quintero said. “I justhope it will continue.”

Quintero came up with the ideafor the peace garden in 2002 whenkids from the neighborhood beganto help her clean up Manny HerreraJr. Park over their summer break.

At the time Quintero workedwith the city’s graffiti abatementprogram and adopted the park tokeep it graffiti-free.

“We were seeing destruction onthe boulders, and on cactuses,”

Quintero said. “We thought ‘howdo we reach these kids?’”

She had been thinking aboutgardening as a way to help the kidsand her ideas were confirmed whenthe students began to take an activerole in keeping the park clean.

“We wanted to reach kids whohad no direction, who don’t knowabout respect,” Quintero said.

Quintero received a lot of helpclearing a small area of the parkand preparing it for planting.Community members offeredwhat they could, such as lightsand a table made by a student inhis welding class, to help start thegarden.

Since then, the garden hasbecome home to a variety of flow-ers and vegetables including straw-berries, peas, peppers, tomatoesand eggplants. The kids who cometo the garden are welcome to pickand take home any of the food thatgrows there, Quintero said.

“Kids love to go in therebecause it’s a safe place,” Quinterosaid. “I want it to be the place theycan go to for peace.”

Two years ago Quintero wrote achildren’s book, “In the PeaceGarden” and all of the proceedsfrom the book sales will go to helpcontinue her work.

The book is available atBookmans and Antigone bookstores and can be purchased athttp://projectrestore.us.

“I’m hoping that the book willtake off in some places,” saidQuintero who is also applying for agrant to help cover the costs of thekid’s activities.

PHOTO BY VERONICA CRUZ

Employee Felipe Moreno, 15, checks on straw-berry plants at the Sunnyside Peace Garden.

Por Michael LukeTraducido por Nabil Hourieh, Jr.

Manny Grijalva se ríe de susituación actual. Se esfuerza paraganar dinero como ayudante decamarero en el Old Pueblo Grille yse autoproclama un “manojo denervios” cuando se acerca la fechade pagar las cuentas.

Pero la única cuenta que no setiene que preocupar de pagar es lacuenta hipotecaria. Esto ocurreporque sus abuelos que vivían enesa misma casa en el sur deTucsón, la pagaron al contado hace50 años. Grijalva menciona que amuchos de sus contemporáneos lespagan mucho más en sus trabajos,pero se les hace difícil hacer lospagos hipotecarios.

Como en cada parte de la ciu-dad, el sur de Tucsón sufre losefectos de las ejecuciones hipote-carias, pero el impacto fue menosde lo anticipado por causa de lagran cantidad de casas en el áreaque ya tienen muchos años.

Los vecindarios más viejos delsur de Tucsón son más establesporque han pertenecido a las mis-mas familias por generaciones. Sehan construido menos casasnuevas, resultando en menoshipotecas.

Por otra parte, en las recientesurbanizaciones nuevas en las áreasdel noroeste y suroeste hay un grannúmero de ejecuciones hipote-carias porque existen muchashipotecas para casas nuevas.

“Las partes de la ciudad quemás se han expandido son las queestán más afectadas ahora”, dijoJeri Szach, el agente inmobiliarioprincipal de Szach Realty.

Desde enero del 2009, Arizonay Nevada han tenido los porcenta-jes más altos de ejecucioneshipotecarias del país por dos

razones principales. Según Szach,los dos estados recibieron grandescantidades de migración y experi-mentaron nuevas urbanizacionesde expansión rápida.

Entre los años 2000 y 2007 lapoblación de Tucsón ha aumentadoen casi 40.000 habitantes, mientrasque la de Phoenix aumento en másde 230.000.

En la actualidad, el 50% detodas las casas en el mercado enPhoenix y el 15% en Tucsón sonejecuciones hipotecarias, según losdatos de National RealtorsAssociation (La Asociación Nacional de Agentes Inmobiliarios).

Szach indica que muchas de laspersonas que recibieron malos con-sejos en sus préstamos estaban bus-cando cómo mudarse a las áreas deurbanización rápida en el sureste ynoroeste de Tucsón. El sur deTucsón no experimentó tantaurbanización como en esas áreas.

“Hay muchas personas en el surde Tucsón que se están benefician-do de la gran cantidad de casas vie-jas en esa área”, dijo Szach. “Sonmás comunes las casas viejas en elsur de Tucsón, y muchas de estascasas suelen permanecer en lasfamilias por mucho tiempo”,

Grijalva se siente bendecido porvivir en su hogar en el sur deTucsón. Tiene un vínculo fuertecon muchas personas en su vecin-dario.

“Me encanta esta área”, dijoGrijalva. “Parece estar en malascondiciones un poco, pero muchosaquí están contentos de tener suscasas viejas porque tienen unacuenta menos que pagar”.

De hecho, Grijalva se da cuentade lo difícil que sería su vida situviera pagos hipotecarios cadames, “No tengo la mínima ideadónde viviría o si estaría en lacalle”, dijo Grijalva.

Residentes del sur tienenun sentido comunitario

Page / Página 7May 8 / 8 de mayo 2009 EL INDEPENDIENTE

LULAC Award Honors Tucson EducatorBy Ryan Timothy Greer

Suzanne Miles realized the impor-tance of a good education when shesaw her mother, widowed at 32 andraising three daughters, go back toschool to get her library sciencedegree.

“It was tough, but we didn’tknow that we were being raised bya single parent,” Miles said. “Weweren’t identified as victims oranything.”

Miles got her bachelor’s degreein speech, and a master’s in com-munication. Finally she went on tothe University of Arizona to com-plete a doctorate in philosophywith a minor in higher education.

Now, the League of UnitedLatin American Citizens has hon-ored her for her exceptional com-munity leadership.

In March Miles, 56, receivedthe National PresidentialCommunity Service Award,LULAC’s most prestigious honor,along side Nicholas I. Clement,Manuel L. Isquierdo, LouisHollingsworth, Armando de Leon,Thomas W. Warne and Steve Leal.

Before starting her graduate

studies in Arizona, Miles was eagerto pursue a career in radio or televi-sion.

“I knew I needed to start out ina small market in order to moveup,” she said.

She moved to Anchorage andFairbanks, Ala., to take jobs withABC and CBS. Miles said sheenjoyed her time in Alaska butwhen she married, she decided tomove to Arizona to go back toschool.

While attending the Universityof Arizona, Miles was mentored byDr. Kristen Valentine, who empha-sized education and helped Milesrefocus her goals.

“She said, you can go intoradio and television, but heads up,there aren’t many women who gettheir doctorates and have leader-ship positions in the media,” Milessaid.

At that point she shifted herfocus on education.

Miles began teaching speechand communication at PimaCommunity College in 1988.She’s spent the last 24 years work-ing her way from adjunct profes-sor to provost and vice chancellor

for PCC. Miles also noted that pursuing

high-level degrees helped her gainground in her career. She pointedout that the generation of her chil-dren, Miles Mason, 28, andMaraka Mason, 26, are not seek-ing the higher-level degrees thatMile’s generation aspired to gain.

“Unfortunately, we have statelegislators who don’t value educa-tion,” she said. “If that message is[felt] state and nationwide then wewon’t value education as much aswe should.”

Miles also said that the messageportrayed by state legislators is thereason why other countries arebeginning to move ahead of theU.S. in terms of education.

Miles studied JeaneKirkpatrick, the first official femaleU.S. ambassador to the UnitedNations, while completing her doc-toral dissertation, and was influ-enced by her success.

“[Kirkpatrick] had to play bothsides of working in a man’s worldwhen it was a difficult thing to do,”she said.

According to Miles, Kirkpatrickhad to structure public presenta-

tions in the manner males did, inorder to be respected. AlthoughKirkpatrick had her Ph.D. she wasnever introduced as Dr.Kirkpatrick, but was alwaysreferred to as Mrs. Kirkpatrick.

“She walked that balancebetween grace and strong leader-ship,” Miles said.

Miles married Robert Mason34 years ago and they have two

children. Looking back, Miles saidshe wishes she had taken moretime from work to focus on familyand the arts.

“You just get so immersed inyour job sometimes that you kind ofmove those things aside,” she said.

Miles plans to take more timein retirement to be an advocate forthe arts.

Carrillo Students Promote History of El Tiradito

El Tiradito has become a landmark forTucsonans and has an especially rich tra-dition in the neighborhood.

Locals believe it is a place of mira-cles. A non-profit organization, formed10 years ago, founded La PilitaMuseum, which is next door to ElTiridito.

The organization's mission is to“maintain the integrity of the site and topromote regional history of the area.” LaPilita is a seasonal museum and will beclosed during the summer.

La Pilita's after-school programteaches children about the history of thebarrio and allows them to give tours of ElTiradito.

The young tour guides tell people to“speak in a quiet voice” as El Tiradito isa “very sacred place.”

Carol Cribbet-Bell helped who created a non-profit organization 10 years agothat founded La Pilita Museum, next to El Tiradito.

“If you light a candle and it stays lit all night, the wish you made comes true,"said Gabriel Lujan, a participant in La Pilita's after-school program, while giv-ing a tour of El Tiradito.

The current site of El Tiradito is its third location. The story says that the young lover was killed in the middle of the streetand that the women of the barrio put flowers and candles on the spot where he died. This caused traffic problems andthe site has been moved twice since then.

Gabriel Lujan, 11, a student from Carrillo Elementary School, participates in anafter-school program at La Pilita Museum where he and other students learnthe history of the neighborhood and give tours of El Tiradito.

The story of El Tiradito has many versions. The students participating inthe after school program at La Pilita Museum like Gabriel Lujan tell a "PG"version of the original story during their tours.

PHOTOS BY NYSSA BACA

Go to www.elindenews.com for amultimedia slideshow

about El Tiridito accompanied by the children’s

version of the story.

PHOTO BY NYSSA BACA

Suzanne Miles received the National Presidential Community Service Awardthe League of United Latin American Citizens this year.

By Ali Vieth

May - AugustSummer SwimmingTired of the summer heat? Cooloff at one of the City of TucsonParks and Recreations 27 pools.General admission is 25 cents forchildren and $1 for adults.Summer programs include swim-ming and diving lessons, waterpolo and a variety of fitness class-es for adults. Tucson Parks andRec also offers junior lifeguardand water safety instructors andemploys nearly 300 lifeguards,instructor and pool supervisorseach year. To find a pool closest toyou, call 791-4245 or visit ci.tuc-son.az.us/parks-andrec/aquatics.php.

May 26 - August 3Lohse Family YMCAThe Lohse Family YMCA willoffer a summer day camp for chil-dren 5 to 12 years old at JacobsYMCA, 1010 W. Lind St. Thedays will be filled with arts andcrafts, sports, games, swimmingand field trips. The Lohse FamilyYMCA will also offer a “Leadersin Training" summer day camp tochildren ages 12 to 14. Campcounselors will help children learnthe importance of leadership,respect and good choices.Campers will also participate infield trips, swimming, serviceprojects, art, music and groupteamwork. Camp costs range from$100 to $135 per week and camphours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.For more information, call 623-5200 or visit tucsonymca.org/-index.php.

June 1 - August 7

Camp WannagoCamp Wannago is a great placefor children to spend their sum-mer days. Campers at theMulcahy YMCA, 5085 S.Nogales Hwy., will participate inswimming, sports, educationalprograms and field trips.Campers will be provided break-fast, lunch and a snack. Thecamp is open for kindergartenchildren to 12 year olds, Mondaythrough Friday from 6 a.m. to 6p.m. Cost is $112 per week. Formore information, call 294-1449or visit tucsonymca.org/index.php.

June 1 - 26

Arts Express Inc.Children in fourth through eighthgrade can participate in JuniorMusical Theatre. They will learnabout auditioning, memorizing,singing, dancing, acting, and setand prop design. At the end of theprogram, the students will performon June 24 and 25 at NaylorMiddle School, 1701 S. ColumbusBlvd. The Fine Arts YouthAcademy is a summer arts pro-gram for children entering fourthgrade through eighth grade.Participants will attend two classeseach day in band, choir, ceramicsor visual arts. The academy pro-vides children the opportunity toexplore and be immersed in finearts. Classes are Monday throughFriday from 1 to 5 p.m. Costs forthe camps are $225. Registeronline for the Junior MusicalTheatre or the Fine Arts YouthAcademy at arts-express.org.

July 1 - 31Santa Rosa Schoolz Out Camp will be heldduring summer break for childrenages 5 to 11, Monday throughFriday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.Registration Fees are $75 for halfday and $150 for a full day. Call573-3933 to register or visitezeereg.com. Double Digits TeenClub is for pre-teens ages 10 to 13on Tuesdays and Thursdays from5:00 to 7 p.m. The club is free andparticipants will take part insports, crafts, trips and cooking.For more information, call 791-4589 or visit tucsonaz.gov/park-sandrec/santarosa.pdf.

August 3 - 14Quincie Douglas Schoolz Out Camp is for childrenages 5 to 11, Monday throughFriday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. atthe Quincie Douglas NeighborhoodCenter, 1575 E. 36th St. Childrenwill be able to enjoy various safesummer activities. Registrationbegins on July 20 and costs $2 perday. For more information, call791-2507 or visit tucsonaz.gov/-parksandrec/qd.pdf.

Traducido por Diana Núñez

Mayo - Agosto Cursos de natacióndurante el verano¿Está cansado del calor del verano?Refrésquese en las 27 albercas delDepartamento de Parques yJardines de la ciudad de Tucsón(City of Tucson Parks andRecreation). La entrada general esde 25 centavos para menores y $1para adultos. Los programas de ver-ano incluyen clases de natación yclavados, polo acuático y variedadde clases de acondicionamiento físi-co para adultos. El Departamentode Parques de Tucsón dispone depersonal salvavidas e instructorespara realizar las actividades acuáti-cas con seguridad, y emplea a casi300 salvavidas, instructores y super-visores del albercas cada año. Paraencontrar una alberca cercana,llame al 791-4245 o visite ci.tuc-són.az.us/parksandrec/aquatics.php.

Del 26 de mayo al 3 de agostoLohse Family YMCAEl YMCA de la familia Lohse ofre-cerá un campamento de veranopara menores de 5 a 12 años de

edad en YMCA Jacobs, 101 W.Lind St. Durante el día se ofreceránactividades artísticas, deportes, jue-gos educativos, natación y viajesinstructivos. El YMCA de la famil-ia Lohse también ofrecerá un cam-pamento de verano de día,“Capacitación de líderes” (Leadersin Training) a menores de 12 a 14años de edad. Los consejeros delcampamento ayudaran a los niños aaprender sobre la importancia delliderazgo, el respeto y las buenasdecisiones. Los campistas tambiénparticiparán en viajes educa-cionales, natación, proyectos deservicio, arte, música y trabajo enequipo. El campamento cuesta de$100 a $135 semanales y las horasde campamento son de 7 a.m. a 6p.m. Si desea más informaciónllame al 623-5200 o visite tuc-sónymca.org/index.php.

Del 1 de junio al 7 de agostoCampamento WannagoEl Campamento Wannago es unlugar estupendo para que los niñosdisfruten de sus días de verano.Los campistas en el YMCAMulcahy, 5085 S. Nogales Hwy.,participarán en natación, deportes,programas educacionales y viajeseducacionales. A los campistas se

les proveerá de desayuno, almuer-zo y un bocado. El campamentoestá abierto a niños de preescolarhasta menores de 12 años, delunes a viernes, de 6 a.m. a 6 p.m.El costo es de $112 semanales. Sidesea más información, llame al294-1449 o visite tucsónymca.org/-index.php.

Del 1 al 26 de junioArts Express Inc.Los menores de cuarto a octavogrado pueden participar en elteatro musical juvenil. Aprenderánsobre las audiciones, a memorizar,cantar, bailar, actuar, trabajo engrupo y diseño de escenarios yaccesorios. Al final del programa,los estudiantes actuarán el 24 y el25 de junio en Naylor MiddleSchool, 1701 S. Columbus Blvd.El costo del campamento es $225. La Academia de Bellas Artes paraJóvenes (Fine Arts YouthAcademy) es un programa de ver-ano de artes para menores desdecuarto hasta octavo grados. Losparticipantes asistirán a dos clasesdiarias de banda, coro, cerámica oartes visuales. La academia ofrecela oportunidad de explorar ysumergirse en las bellas artes. Lasclases son de lunes a viernes, de 1a 5 p.m. El costo es de $225.Inscríbase en la red para el TeatroMusical Juvenil o la Academia deBellas Artes para Jóvenes en arts-express.org.

Del 1 al 31 de julioSanta Rosa El Campamento Schoolz Out(Schoolz Out Camp), paramenores de 5 a 11 años de edad,se llevará a cabo durante las vaca-ciones de verano, de lunes aviernes, de 7:30 a.m. a 6 p.m. Loscobros de inscripción son $75 pormedio día y $150 por un día com-pleto. Llame al 573-3933 parainscribirse o visite ezeereg.com. El Club de Adolescentes DoubleDigits es para pre-adolescentes de10 a 13 años de edad, de martes ajueves, de 5:30 a 7 p.m. El club esgratuito y los participantes partici-parán en deportes, artesanía, viajesy cocina. Si desea más informa-ción llame al 791-4589 o visitetucsonaz.gov/parksandrec/san-tarosa.pdf.

Del 3 al 14 de agosto Quincie Douglas El Campamento Schoolz Out(Schoolz Out Camp) es paramenores de 5 a 11 años de edad,de lunes a viernes, de 7:30 a.m. a6 p.m. en el Quincie DouglasNeighborhood Center, 1575 E.36th St. Los niños podrán disfrutarde varias actividades veraniegasseguras. Las inscripciones comen-zarán el 20 de julio y el costo esde $2 diarios. Si desea más infor-

Page / Página 8 May 8 / 8 de mayo 2009EL INDEPENDIENTE

QUÉ PASA?

?Upcoming community

events can be submitted to

El Independiente atelindy.ua@gmail.com.

Events must bereceived at least twoweeks in advance.

Photos By Jessica Jaco

Top: Legion Riders of Tucson, post59, led the Grande Ave. Street FairParade. Legion Riders are veteranswho share a love of motorcycles andhelping the community.

Left, middle left: Girls from the El RioNeighborhood Center display theirdancing garb in the parade.

Middle right: The Tucson HighSchool marching band made itsdebut in this year's Fiesta Grande.