linda ronstadt brings ‘canciones de mi padre’ … · concierto de linda ronstadt traerá...
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• 2918 Southwest Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64108 • PHONE:(816)472.KCHN • FAX: (816) 931.NEWS • E-MAIL: [email protected] VOL.13 NO.07
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Nascar and Army draw Recruits to Day at the Races
Concierto de Linda Ronstadt traerá “Canciones de mi Padre” a Kansas City
El Ejército de hoy es diferente que el servicio de nuestros padres. El Ejército ha reinventado cómo llegarle a los posibles reclutas mediante un programa publicitario de deportes que le muestra a los futuros soldados que su servicio militar los puede ayudar a mudarse a la carrera de sus sueños.
NASCAR y el Ejército de los Estados Unidos pudieran no ser dos nombres los cuales la gente asocia, pero dos hombres re-clutados recientemente junto a líderes comunales fueron trata-dos como huéspedes VIP en el Autódromo de Kansas por el Ejército de EE.UU. en su pro-moción del Price Chopper 400 a comienzos de octubre.
El tratamiento VIP no es algo que Jerome Spearman olvidará
BigCombatvoteloomsinNovember
LINDA RONSTADT BRINGS ‘CANCIONES DE MI PADRE’ TO KANSAS CITY
Today’s Army is different than our forefathers’ service. The Army has reinvented how they reach out to potential recruits through a sports marketing program that shows future soldiers that their military service can help them move into a career of their dreams.
NASCAR and the United States Army may not be two names that people would connect together, but two recent enlisted men along with community leaders were treated as VIP guests at the Kansas Speedway for the U.S. Army Racing promotion in the Price Chopper 400 in early October.
The VIP treatment is not something that Jerome Spearman will soon forget. Even though he has grown up in Kansas City, Missouri this was his first trip to the race track and he was not only impressed with the size of the track but with the red carpet treatment the Army rolled out for him and others.
“This is pretty exciting. I have never been to a racing event
Nascar y Ejército atraen reclutas a un día en las carreras
Race fans get excited when their favorite car hits the track at the Kansas Speedway. Army Lt. Col. Ron Tucker proudly introduces Army Race car driver Ryan Newman (right) to young recruits and to community leaders from both Kansas and Missouri. Tucker’s message is that there’s more to the Army today than in years past and this is only on example of building relationships and trust for all patriotic individuals.
Los fanáticos de las carreras se emocionaron cuando su auto favorito entró a la pista del Autódromo de Kansas. El Teniente Coronel Ron introdujo con orgullo al piloto del Auto de Carreras del Ejército Ryan Newman (A la derecha) a los jóvenes reclutas y a líderes comunales tanto de Kansas como de Missouri. El mensaje de Tucker que allí hay más en el Ejército de hoy que lo que había en los años del pasado y éste es solamente un ejemplo de construir relaciones y confianza para todas las personas patriotas.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KANSAS CITY HISPANIC NEWS
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Supporters of the COMBAT tax hope that the recession will not play a role in whether Jackson County voters renew the Com-munity Backed Anti-Drug Tax (COMBAT) when it appears on the ballot on November 3. Sup-porters such as Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and 1st District at Large Commis-sioner Theresa Garza-Ruiz are
campaigning to keep the COM-BAT tax in Jackson County by letting the community know how COMBAT works within the greater metropolitan area to fight drugs and fund community based programs. They also point out the tax is a continuation of an existing tax not a tax increase.
The COMBAT program was enacted in 1989 with the mission of distributing funds generated
It will be a night of unforgettable music when Linda Ronstadt takes the Midland Stage with Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano in a benefit performance for Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 5.
Ronstadt will perform Canciones De Mi Pa-dre --Songs of My Father. The songs were passed down to her by her father and are the folk songs of his home in Sonora, Mexico. She said the songs are the background stories for many of the immigrants who traveled across the border into a new land seeking a new life. It is the stories, the music and the traditions that she hopes to pass onto the children to give them a passion for their Mexican roots.
“Mariachi is about celebrating joy, sor-row, who you are, where you come from, where you are going, it is a much more com-plex emotional experience,” said Ronstadt. “The people coming across the borders, they are the sturdiest, the smartest and the best equipped because it is a harrowing journey to try to get here and only the strongest sur-vive. Immigrants that come here are utterly treated like used Kleenex. They are abused and thrown away if they are not useful. It is unfair because these people come with so many contributions to make, we should be figuring out ways that we can absorb these people who have so much to offer us here.”
The benefit concert will take place Thurs-day, Nov. 5 with a portion of the proceeds set aside to start a pilot program to teach Mariachi
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Será una inolvidable noche de música cuando Linda Ronstadt se suba al Escenario del Midland junto al Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano en una presentación a beneficio de la Escuela de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Kansas City,
Missouri el 5 de noviembre.
Ronstadt cantará canciones de su álbum Canciones De Mi Padre.
Las canciones fueron un lega-do de su padre y son canciones de su hogar en Sonora, México. Las canciones hablan de las historias tras muchos de los in-
Linda Ronstadt takes the Midland Stage with Mariachi Los Camperos on Nov. 5 | Linda Rondstat toma el escenario junto a Mariachi Los Camperos el 5 de Noviembre
Nationally renown musical artist Linda Ronstadt accompanied by Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano will warm the hearts and fuel the souls Mariachi music lovers. Organizers said her show will be unforgettable.
La nacionalmente reconocida artista musical Linda Ronstadt acompañada por el Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano calentarán los corazónes e inflamarán las almas de los que adoran la música mariachi. Los organizadores dice que su show será inolvidable.
(Left to right) Mike Sharp, jackson County Sheriff; Mike Sanders, jackson County Executive; jim Kanatzer, jackson County Prosecutor; and COMBAT executive director Stacy Daniels-young spend almost 2 hours answering questions from the media panel. During the debate, the estimated 200 residents who attended were given reasons the COMBAT tax should pass.
El Sheriff del Condado de jackson Mike Sharp, Mike Sanders, Ejecutivo del Condado de jackson, jim Kanatzer, Fiscal del Condado de jackson y la Directora Ejecutiva de COMBAT Stacy Daniels-young se pasaron casi dos horas respondiendo a preguntas de parte del panel de prensa. Durante el debate, a una cantidad estimada de 200 residentes que asistieron se les dieron razónes del porqué el impuesto de COMBAT debe pasar.
Quienes apoyan el impuesto para COMBAT esperan que esta recesión no tenga injerencia en decidir si los votantes del Condado de Jackson renovarán el Impuesto Anti-Drogas Respaldado por la Comunidad (COMBAT) cuando aparezca en la papeleta del voto del 3 de noviembre. Sus partidarios tales
como el Ejecutivo del Condado de Jackson Mike Sanders y la Comisionada del Primer Distrito General Theresa Garza-Ruiz están haciendo campaña para mantener el impuesto de COMBAT en el Condado de Jackson haciéndole saber a la comunidad cómo COMBAT trabaja dentro de la gran área metropolitana para combatir las drogas y financiar programas
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migrantes que viajaron a través de la frontera hacia una nueva tierra buscando una vida mejor. Son las historias, la música y las tradiciones lo que ella espera pasarle a los niños para desper-tarles la pasión por sus raíces mexicanas.
“Mariachi se trata de celebrar la alegría, la pena de quién uno es, de dónde uno viene, dónde uno va, es una experiencia emo-cional mucho más compleja”, dijo Ronstadt. “La gente que cruza las fronteras, ellos son los más fuertes, los más inteligentes y los mejores equipados, ya que el llegar hasta acá es un viaje tormentoso y solamente los más fuertes lo sobreviven. Los in-migrantes que vienen acá son tratados completamente como si fueran toallas desechables. Ellos son abusados y arrojados si ya no son útiles. Es injusto porque estas personas traen tan-tas contribuciones que nosotros deberíamos estar pensando en maneras cómo absorber a estas personas que tienen tanto que ofrecernos aquí”.
El concierto a beneficio se
llevará a cabo en jueves 5 de noviembre con una porción de los ingresos que será apartada para comenzar un programa piloto para enseñarle música mariachi a los estudiantes de la Escuela de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en el Westside de Kansas City. El cuerpo estu-diantil de la escuela está com-puesto de varias primeras gen-eraciones de Estadounidenses de descendencia mexicana.
Kathy Quinn, reportera de la estación televisiva FOX 4 y or-ganizadora del evento tiene una fuerte conexión familiar con la escuela. Su abuela, Guadalupe García, fue una de los miem-bros fundadores del centro de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Su propia familia posee una rica historia musical – su es-poso e hijo tienen sus propias bandas y ella sabe por experi-encia propia cómo el amor por la música también hace que los niños adoren el educarse.
“Sentí que ellos [Los niños] necesitaban ayuda y yo quería que la escuela se mantuviera abierta y prosperando. Sentí que ellos necesitaban algo y teniendo un historial musical
sentí que necesitaban un mari-achi aquí. Salí con esta idea de hacer que Linda Ronstadt par-ticipara en ello y no fue fácil al principio puesto que su agente me dijo que ella no participaba en beneficencias”, dijo Quinn.
Una conexión con Pat O’Neill, forjada durante el Festival Irlandés le ofreció la apertura que ella necesitaba. O’Neill conocía al consultante de Ronstandt, Whitten Pell, quien hizo los arreglos para que Ronstandt y Quinn se reu-nieran y platicaran sobre un concierto a beneficio.
Fue el sueño de toda una vida convirtiéndose en realidad el que Quinn se reuniera con su largamente admirado ídolo mu-sical. Quinn se emocionó y en-contró que ella era una persona con los pies bien puestos sobre la tierra y deseosa de ayudar a los niños. “Cuando fui a hablar con ella simplemente le dije que esta escuela necesitaba ayuda y que si pudiéramos comenzar el programa piloto allí, podría-mos hacer participar a las otras escuelas. Esto no es algo que solamente queremos que suce-da allí, quiero que todos par-ticipen. Creo que con cualquier tipo de música los niños se pueden sentir bien a sí mismos y estudios demuestran que la música ayuda en otros campos académicos”, dijo Quinn.
A Marcos Mora, director del Mariachi Luna y Sol, se le ha pedido que enseñe música mari-achi en la Escuela de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. “Es muy emocionante comenzar este programa. Es emocionante en-señarle música a nuestros niños y enseñarles sobre nuestra cul-tura y tradiciones”, dijo él.
En el 2006 y el 2007, el Mari-achi Luna y Sol fue uno de los únicos grupos latinos en ser nominados a los Premios de En-tretenimiento de Omaha en la Categoría de Música en Vivo. Ellos son reconocidos como el único mariachi en el Me-dio-Oeste que tiene una com-binación de intérpretes adultos y jóvenes que pueden ir desde un grupo de dos hasta uno de trece. El Mariachi Luna y Sol tiene un completo ensamble de violines, guitarras, vihuelas, guitarrones, trompetas y vocales.
“Cuando visité la Escuela de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, los muchachos se mostraron tan entusiasmados y les pregunta-
mos sobre cuáles instrumentos ellos querían aprender y ellos dijeron que el violín y la guitar-ra. Creo que allí hay un mundo de oportunidades para que el-los preserven su cultura y con-tinúen con las tradiciones de su tierra natal, México. Es algo que entusiasma mucho el que estos muchachos tendrán esta opor-tunidad puesto que con mucha frecuencia estos programas no existen en el Medio-Oeste y ello es desafortunado para los muchachos”, dijo Mora.
Connie Bowman, directora de Nuestra Señora de Guada-lupe, le dijo a Hispanic News que ha habido mucho entusiasmo en todo el edificio desde que se escuchó la noticia del con-cierto a beneficio de la escuela. “Es una noticia que entusiasma mucho el tener a una gran es-trella como el acto principal, una gran estrella para nuestra pequeña escuela. Es verdad-
eramente increíble”, dijo Bow-man.
Los miembros de la comuni-dad de la escuela se refieren a Quinn como su “ángel”. “Esta es su visión. Ella ha sido instru-mental en todo esto. La música ha sido una parte importante en las vidas de nuestras familias y de nuestros niños. Para ella, esta es una manera perfecta de participar con la escuela y hac-er que esto funcione y esperar que ello afecte a nuestros estu-diantes por muchos años más”, explicó Bowman.
En abril del 2009, Rons-tadt testificó en apoyo de la educación de las artes ante miembros del Congreso de los EE.UU. “En los Estados Uni-dos, nosotros gastamos millones de dólares en deportes porque promueven el trabajo en equipo, la disciplina y la experiencia del aprendizaje para hacer grandes progresos en pequeños incre-
mentos. El aprender a tocar música en compañía de otros hace esto y más”, dijo ella.
Ella le dijo a Hispanic News que el haber crecido como mex-icana, cada vez que una banda comenzaba a tocar aparecía tu postura, aparecía tu orgullo y uno se convertía en más de lo que uno es. “Me puse más mexicana tan pronto como es-cuché música mariachi. Estoy haciendo esta música porque soy muy apasionada por ella. Sigo mi pasión cuando estoy en el escenario con la orquesta mariachi”, dijo ella.
Los boletos para la actuación tendrán un valor que irá desde los $27,75 hasta los $99,75 y estarán disponibles en los centros de ventas de boletos The Midland Box Office y Ticketmaster o podrán ser comprados por teléfono en el (800) 745-3000. Para hacer arreglos para grupos, llamar a Cosmo Productions al (816) 729-6001.
music to students at Our Lady of Guadalupe School, on Kan-sas City’s Westside. The student body of the school is made up of many first generation Americans of Mexican decent.
Kathy Quinn, FOX 4 news re-porter and organizer of the event has a strong family connection to the school. Her grandmother, Guadalupe Garcia, was one of the founding members of the Our Lady of Guadalupe center. Her own family has a rich mu-sical history - her husband and son have their own bands, and she knows firsthand how a love of music also leads children to a love of learning.
“I felt that they [children] needed help and I want the school to stay open and thrive. I felt like they needed some-thing and being from a mu-
sical background I felt they needed a Mariachi there. I came up with this idea to get Linda Ronstadt involved and it wasn’t easy at first as her agent told me she didn’t do fundraisers,” said Quinn.
A connection with Pat O’Neill, fostered during the Irish Fest led to the opening she needed. O’Neill knows Ronstadt’s consultant Whitten Pell, who arranged for Ronstadt and Quinn to meet and discuss a benefit concert.
It was a lifelong dream come true for Quinn to meet her long time music idol. Quinn was thrilled and found her to be down to earth and willing to help the children. “When I got to talk to her I just told her that this school needs help, and if we can get the pilot program started there, we can get the other schools involved. This is not something that we just want there, I want everyone to get involved. I believe with any music, children can feel better about themselves and studies show that music helps in other academic fields,” said Quinn.
Marcos Mora, director of Mariachi Luna y Sol, has been asked to teach Mariachi mu-sic at Our Lady of Guadalupe School. “It is very exciting to start this program. It is exciting to teach music to our kids and teach them about our culture and traditions,” he said.
In 2006 and 2007, Mariachi Luna y Sol was one of the only Latino groups to be nominated by the Omaha Entertainment
Awards in the Live Music Cat-egory. They are recognized as the only mariachi in the Mid-west to have a combination of adult and youth performers that can range from a two to thirteen piece group. Mariachi Luna y Sol has a full ensemble of vio-lins, guitars, vihuela, guitarron, trumpets and vocals
“When I visited the school Our Lady of Guadalupe, the kids were so enthusiastic and we asked them what some of the instruments were that they wanted to learn and they said the violin and guitar. I think it is a world of opportunity for them to preserve their culture and continue the traditions of their motherland, Mexico. It is very exciting that these kids will have this opportunity be-cause all too often these pro-grams do not exist in the Mid-west and that is unfortunate for the kids,” said Mora.
Connie Bowman, principal of Our Lady of Guadalupe, told Hispanic News that it has been exciting around the building since news got out about the benefit concert. “It is such ex-citing news to have a big star as the headliner, a big star for our little school. It is really amaz-ing,” said Bowman.
Members of the school com-munity refer to Quinn as their “angel.” “This is her vision. She has been instrumental in all of this. Music has been an impor-tant part of the lives of our fami-lies and our kids. This is a per-fect way for her to be involved
with the school and get this up and running and hopefully af-fect our students for years to come,” explained Bowman.
In April 2009, Ronstadt testified in support of arts education to members of the U.S. Congress. “In the United States, we spend millions of dollars on sports because it promotes teamwork, discipline and the experience of learn-
ing to make great progress in small increments. Learning to play music together does all this and more,” she said.
She told Hispanic News that growing up Mexican means that anytime a band begins to play, your posture comes up, your pride comes up and you become more of who you are. “I become more Mexican the minute I hear Mariachi. I am
doing this music because I am so very passionate about it. I am following my passion when I am up on stage with the Mari-achi orchestra,” she said.
Tickets for the performance are $27.75 to $99.75 and are available at The Midland Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at (800) 745-3000. To arrange group rates, call Cosmo Productions at (816) 729-6001.
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Concert will assist Our Lady of Guadalupe School
Concierto ayudará a la Escuela Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Latino Productions & Management • PO Box 7350 • Omaha, NE 68107• (402) 215-5106
Mariachi Luna y Sol
PO Box 7350 • Omaha, NE 68107 • (C) 402.215.5106 (W) 402.734.3240 • [email protected]
•www.SouthOmahaArts.com www.myspace.com/mariachilunaysol
Omaha Entertainment Awards ‘Best Ethnic’ Group 2007
As Mariachi Luna y Sol (MLS) finished off 2008 with a special requested performance for the
former President and First Lady of Mexico, Mr. & Mrs. Vincente Fox—It was a grand event that
ended with a big hug from Martha Fox saying, “Such talented musicians…please continue to
treasure your culture by continuing to foster your music…”
In 2007, Mariachi Luna y Sol was voted by the Omaha Entertainment Awards under the Live
Music category as ‘Best Ethnic Group’ along with assisting Mannheim Steamroller at the Qwest
concert in Omaha, NE. Recognized as the premier mariachi in the Midwest—it’s the only
complete mariachi in the region that has a full ensemble of violins, guitars, vihuela, guitarron,
trumpets and vocals—with their beautiful harmonies and soloists they have stunned crowds with
unforgettable performances across the country from concerts to private events.
What sets this mariachi above all the rest is that it takes the music serious, says director Marcos
Mora. “We do it because it’s our passion but at the same time we want to take the music to the
next level—we’ve yet to see a mariachi do that here in the Midwest…”
For the past years, they have studied with maestros from across the country as well as México to
improve their repertoire to become better musicians. The group is housed at the South Omaha
Arts Institute (SOAI) where they practice they perfect the mariachi sound.
"The South Omaha Arts Institute is doing important work in training young Omahans in the
musical and dance arts of Latino Cultures. I am a fan and great admirer of their contributions and
love the music that's coming from SOAI," says Hal France.
Kathy Quinn, FOX 4 news reporter and organizer of the event
Kathy Quinn, FOX 4 reportera y organizadora del evento.
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Kathy Quinn said connecting students to Mariachi music is like connecting them to their family roots. These students at Our Lady of Guadalupe School’s music class one day may learn to play an instrument and learn Mariachi music along the way.
Kathy Quinn dijo que el conectar a los estudiantes con la música mariachi es como conectarlos con sus raíces familiares. Estos estudiantes de la clase de música de la Escuela de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe un día ellos también podrían aprender a tocar un instrumento y aprender música mariachi al mismo tiempo.
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basados en la comunidad. Ellos también indican que el impuesto es una continuación de un impuesto existente, no un incremento de impuestos.
El programa COMBAT fue implementado en 1989 con la misión de distribuirle fondos generados por el impuesto a agencias que proveen servicios de prevención, intervención y tratamientos para las drogas. El impuesto le permite al Condado de Jackson operar un programa contra las drogas que es diferente al de otras agencias estatales. En vez de poner a las personas en la cárcel, el programa ofrece opciones de tratamientos contra la adicción a las drogas ofreciendo una alternativa en lugar de enviar a la cárcel a los perpetradores que no actúan con violencia. El objetivo es el de ayudarlos a cambiar sus vidas para que se conviertan en ciudadanos productivos y con empleos que también pagan impuestos y hacen contribuciones positivas a la comunidad.
“Este es nuestro propio programa contra las drogas. Es nuestro propio programa individual. Nosotros ponemos más dinero en ello y ponemos más énfasis en ello y es ciertamente más largo, más intensivo y le seguimos la pista a nuestras cifras. Tenemos más de
1.600 graduados y nos estamos acercando rápidamente a los 1.700 graduados. De aquellos procesados, el 94 por ciento nunca regresa a la cárcel. Ellos no regresan a la prisión, punto. Eso ha sucedido a lo largo de los pasados 19 años. Por lo que hemos tenido mejores cifras a través de un largo periodo de tiempo y un mejor promedio de suceso”, dijo Sanders.
Durante un foro reciente, los votantes tuvieron la oportunidad de escuchar de parte de los oficiales electos y de la directora de COMBAT Stacey Daniels-Young cómo los dólares de sus impuestos son gastados para prevenir el uso de la droga y los crímenes relacionados a las drogas en el Condado de Jackson.
Sherwood Smith quien vive en la parte este del Condado de Jackson asistió al fórum de COMBAT el 13 de octubre en la Escuela de Leyes de UMKC y escuchó con atención las preguntas y respuestas entregadas por el panel. Más tarde él le dijo a Hispanic News, “Yo siempre pensé que (COMBAT) era un buen concepto, pero esta noche respondió a muchas preguntas y me hizo sentir de manera más positiva”.
Si la renovación del impuesto de COMBAT no es aprobada, Smith agregó que él y otros residentes deberían preocuparse. “Creo que no solamente a mí me preocupa, sino que
también le preocupa a todos los demás porque éste es uno de los programas del gobierno que sí funciona”.
El impuesto ha estado marcando la diferencia en el Condado de Jackson por los pasados 20 años. El Condado de Jackson fue una vez conocido como la ‘capital mundial de la metanfetamina’. Ese título ya no es verdad hoy en día.
“Independence era la zona cero. Me recuerdo cerrando grandes cantidades de laboratorios de metanfetamina. Allí había un enorme mercado para la metanfetamina. Era la tierra de la leche y de la miel. Era la tierra de las oportunidades. Si usted era una persona que quería vender anfetamina, allí había una gran demanda en el Condado de Jackson y por ese entonces era difícil para el resguardo de la ley ponerse al día con el crimen de la manufactura de laboratorios de metanfetamina”, dijo Sanders.
Los partidarios del impuesto aducen que el programa está poniendo un énfasis en tratar a los violadores de la ley anti drogas en lugar de enviarlos a la prisión. Pero no todos están de acuerdo con los partidarios.
En una declaración por escrito, Richard Tolbert dijo, “el renovar repetidamente un impuesto que no ha funcionado no es una política pública sana y no es la mejor manera de resolver los verdaderos problemas del abuso de las drogas. Nosotros no deberíamos seguir votando por un impuesto para combatir una guerra que no podemos ganar, en un momento en que una gran recesión nos está lastimando a todos, en un momento en que los recortes al presupuesto están afectando a las escuelas, al cuidado médico y a los servicios gubernamentales”.
Tolbert imputó que “demasiado del dinero del impuesto anti-drogas aún va hacia la policía y las cortes, en lugar de ir hacia tratamientos. Este problema surgió hace siete años y hace 14 años, cuando el impuesto se encontraba a la espera de renovaciones tempranas. En esos tiempos, oficiales del condado prometieron que más dinero iría a los tratamientos. Pero a pesar de sus promesas, la mayor tajada de dinero todavía va hacia la policía, las cortes y las Administraciones
del Condado de Jackson”.
El impuesto colecta $19,5 millones al año y financia programas para los estudiantes. El programa de Educación para la Resistencia Contra el Uso de las Drogas (D.A.R.E) le ha llegado a más de 200.000 niños de los quintos y sextos grados a lo largo de los últimos 19 años. El dinero del impuesto financia un innovador programa para las cortes de las drogas que ha logrado una positiva reputación nacional. COMBAT también financia centros de prevención contra el abuso a menores, asilos contra la violencia doméstica y principales servicios para el resguardo de la ley. Mediante el financiamiento de COMBAT, las autoridades han podido cerrar 12.091 casas de droga en la ciudad desde 1991.
“La realidad es que COMBAT se ha convertido en algo básico que nuestras cárceles necesitan, para lo que hacen nuestros departamentos de policía, para lo que hacen nuestros procuradores y para nuestras cortes de la droga. Se ha convertido en algo
fundamental para esta comunidad. Si lo perdemos, tendrá un enorme impacto en nuestra habilidad para ofrecerle seguridad pública a esta comunidad”, dijo Sanders.
Como ex oficial de probación antes de desempeñarse como Legisladora del Condado de Jackson y ahora Comisionada General por el Primer Distrito, Theresa Garza-Ruiz ha visto el impuesto de COMBAT en acción. “Vi por experiencia propia lo que COMBAT puede hacer por las personas que están pasando por el programa de probación que de otra manera no tendrían acceso a los servicios y tratamientos que necesitan”, dijo ella.
Garza-Ruiz siente que el programa ha sido un cambio de vida para ex convictos por drogas. Ella le dijo a Hispanic News que muchos de ellos han perdido contacto con sus familias debido al descendente espiral creado por el abuso a las drogas. “Muchos de ellos se reconectan con familias, con sus hijos, sus padres… ahora, al pasar por el programa ellos se han reconectado. Ellos no se dieron
cuenta que necesitaban de ese sistema de apoyo el cual les pudiera ser dado por sus familias”, dijo ella.
El abuso de las drogas no es solamente un problema en el Condado de Jackson, es un problema en cada ciudad de EE.UU. El abuso de la droga golpea a personas de bajos recursos, de clase media y a profesionales de cuello y corbata. El abuso de la droga no diferencia edad o religión y se esparce a menos que un sistema de revisiones y balances sea implementado.
Cada siete años los partidarios del impuesto rodean los vagones y le muestran a la comunidad cómo el impuesto de COMBAT ha continuado trabajando dentro de su comunidad. Sin el impuesto, el temor es que ellos darán varios pasos en reversa.
“La realidad es que nosotros todavía tenemos crímenes, aún tenemos violentas personas acusadas por drogas, aún tenemos pandillas, aún tenemos drogas por lo que tenemos dos opciones, tenemos COMBAT y lucharemos en contra de las drogas o lo entregaremos al caos”, explicó Sanders.
COMBAT: UN PROGRAMA QUE FUNCIONA
by the tax to agencies that provide drug prevention, intervention and treatment services. The tax enables Jackson County to run a drug pro-gram different than other state agen-cies. Instead of putting people in jail, the program offers drug addiction treatment options providing an al-ternative to jail time for non-violent offenders. The goal is to help them turn their lives around to becoming employed, productive citizens who also pay taxes and make positive con-tributions to the community.
“This is our own drug program. It is our own individual program. We put more money into it and we put more emphasis on it and it is cer-tainly longer, more intensive and we track our numbers. We have over 1,600 graduates and we are fast ap-proaching 1700 graduates. Out of those defendants, 94 percent never go back to jail. They don’t go back to prison, period. That has been over the past 19 years. So we have had better numbers over a longer period of time and a better success ratio,” said Sanders.
At a recent forum, voters had the opportunity to hear from elected officials and the director of COMBAT Stacey Daniels-Young how their tax dollars are spent to prevent drug use and drug related crime in Jackson County.
Sherwood Smith who lives in Eastern Jackson County attended the Combat forum on October 13, at UMKC School of Law and lis-tened closely to the questions and answers given by the panel. Af-terward he told Hispanic News, “I always thought it (Combat) was a good concept but tonight it answers a lot of questions and it made me more positive.”
If the renewal of the combat tax is not passed, Smith added he and other residents should be con-cerned. “I think it not only worries me but it should worry everybody because this is one of the govern-ment (programs) that works.”
The tax has been making a dif-ference in Jackson County for the past 20 years. Jackson County was once known as the ‘ methampheta-mine capital of the world.’ That statement is no longer true today.
“Independence was ground zero. I remember shutting down huge numbers of meth labs. There was a huge market for meth. It was the land of milk and honey. It was the land of opportunity. If you are someone who wanted to sell meth there was a huge demand in Jackson County and at the time it was dif-ficult for law enforcement to catch up with the crime of manufacturing meth labs,” said Sanders.
Supporters of the tax claim that the COMBAT program is putting an emphasis on treating the drug violators instead of putting them in prison. But not everyone is in agreement with the supporters.
Richard Tolbert, in a written statement said “repeatedly renew-ing a tax that hasn’t worked is not sane public policy, and is not the best way to solve the real problems of drug abuse. We should not keep voting for a tax to fight a war we can’t win, at a time when the great recession is hurting most of us, at a time when budget shortfalls are hurting schools, medical care, and government services.”
Tolbert charged that the “too much of the anti-drug tax money still goes to cops and courts, in-stead of to treatment. This issue was raised seven years ago, and 14 years ago, when the tax was up for earlier renewals. At those times, County officials promised more money would go for treatment. In spite of their promises, the lion’s shares of the proceeds still go to cops, the courts and to Jackson County Administrations.”
The tax raises $19.5 million a year and it funds programs for stu-
dents. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program (D.A.R.E) has reached over 200,000 children in the fifth and sixth grades over the last 19 years. The tax money funds an innovative drug court program that has achieved a positive national reputation. Combat also funds child abuse prevention centers, domestic violence shelters and core services for law enforcement. Through the COMBAT funding, authorities have been able to close 12, 091 drug houses in the city since 1991.
“The reality is that COMBAT has become basic to what our jails need, to what our police depart-ments do, to what our prosecutors do and to our drug court. It has become fundamental to this com-munity. If we lose it, it would have a huge impact on our ability to
provide for the public safety of this community,” said Sanders.
As a former probation officer prior to serving as a Jackson County Legislator and now 1st District at Large Commissioner, Theresa Garza-Ruiz has seen the COMBAT tax at work. “I got to see firsthand what COMBAT can do for the individuals that are go-ing through the probation program that wouldn’t otherwise have ac-cess to the services and treatment that they need,” she said.
Garza-Ruiz feels that the program has been life changing for former drug offenders. She told Hispanic
News that many of them had lost con-tact with their families because of the downward spiral created by drug abuse. “Many of them reconnected with families, their children, their parents … now by going through the program they have reconnected. They didn’t realize they needed that support system that their family could give them,” she said.
Drug abuse is not just a problem in Jackson County it is a problem in every city across the United States. Drug abuse hits low in-come, middle class and white collar professionals. Drug abuse does not differentiate by age or religion. It
can creep into any part of a society and spread unless a check and bal-ance system is in place.
Every seven years the supporters of the tax circle the wagons and show the community how the COMBAT tax has continued to work within their community. Without the tax, the fear is that they would be taking several steps back.
“The reality is that we still have crime, we still have violent offend-ers, we still have gangs, we still have drugs so we have two options, we have Combat and fight it or give in to the chaos,” explained Sanders.
COMBAT: A PROGRAM THAT WORKS
Sherwood Smith, who lives in Eastern jackson County, is set to place a support sign in his front yard. He hopes that people will vote yes on COMBAT on Nov. 3.
Sherwood Smith, quien vive en el Este del Condado de jackson, está supuesto a poner una pancarta de apoyo en su patio frontal. Él espera que la gente vote Sí para COMBAT el 3 de noviembre.
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Nearly 200 people came out for the Combat debate. Most in the room at UMKC School of Law supported renewing the COMBAT tax this coming Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Casi 200 personas salieron a participar en el debate de COMBAT. La mayoría de quienes se encontraban en el salón de la Escuela de Leyes de UMKC respaldaban la renovación del impuesto de COMBAT que aparecerá en el voto de este martes 3 de noviembre.
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con facilidad. Aunque él creció en Kansas City, Missouri éste fue su primer viaje a la pista de carreras y no solamente quedó impresionado con el tamaño de la pista, sino que también con el tratamiento de alfombra roja que el Ejército desplegó para él y para otros,
“Esto es muy emocionante. Nunca antes había ido a un evento de carreras. No es algo con lo que crecí por lo que nunca he pensado en ello. Re-cibí una llamada de mi oficial de reclutamiento pidiéndome si quería ir y yo le dije que sería una experiencia de toda una vida para mí”, dijo Spearman.
El Teniente Coronel Ron Tucker le dijo a Hispanic News que el propósito de realizar un evento en el Autódromo es el de demostrarle a los posibles reclutas que el Ejército ha con-struido relaciones con merca-dos de trabajo fuera del servi-cio militar para sus soldados hombres y mujeres.
“El evento es NASCAR y to-dos quieren ver la carrera. La semana previa a NASCAR no-sotros trajimos lo que llamamos líderes Comunales COI (Cen-tros de Influencia) para ayudar-nos a inspirar a estos jóvenes y jovencitas en futuras oportuni-dades de carreras”, explicó el Teniente Coronel Tucker.
Aparte del posible entreten-imiento, NASCAR ofrece dif-erentes avenidas para posibles oportunidades de trabajo para que los jóvenes las consideren. “En realidad queremos llevar a futuros soldados a estos eventos. Queremos que vean que la vida del Ejército no se trata de ser soldados todo el tiempo. Quer-emos que disfruten y queremos presentar a estos jóvenes con fu-turos empleadores”, dijo él.
El piloto de Carreras del Ejér-cito Ryan Newman se graduó en el 2001 de la Universidad Purdue con un título de Bachil-ler en Ingeniería de estructuras vehiculares. Él comenzó su car-rera en carreras de autos en el 2002 y su record de NASCAR en la nación es de 40 carreras
con siete triunfos. Antes de la carrera, Newman respondió a preguntas sobre cómo su título de Ingeniero y su personal de mecánicos, quienes también tienen títulos de ingenieros, lo ayudan a mantener el auto en la pista, dándole a futuros soldados una innovadora idea de cómo la ciencia y la física pueden influ-enciar sus carreras.
“Es grato para mí abrir mis ojos y ver todas las cosas que nunca había considerado o sabía que eran parte del Ejér-cito. Cada vez que me encuen-tro con un soldado, aprendo más cosas sobre el Ejército de Los EE.UU. que antes no las sabía. Creo que soy como mu-chas personas en Los EE.UU., tomamos muchas cosas como algo seguro y nuestra libertad es algunas veces una de ellas. Es un honor representar a más de un millón de soldados que están combatiendo por nuestra libertad cuando conduzco el auto del Ejército por la pista de carreras”, dijo Newman.
John Taylor (JT) Davis de Kansas City, Kansas se pro-puso la meta de reclutarse en el Ejército cuando tenía 13 años. Hoy, él es un graduado de la Se-cundaria Turner quien tiene 18 años y está listo a comenzar una carrera con el Ejército. Él tuvo la oportunidad de asistir a la universidad, pero no sintió estar preparado para la universidad en este momento de su vida.
“Esta es la única cosa que he querido hacer por los pasa-dos cinco años”, dijo él. JT no está seguro que objetivos de carreras él tendrá en el futuro, pero él sabe que necesitará de la disciplina y de la motivación que el Ejército le ofrecerá para realizar el objetivo que él se ha puesto en su vida.
“Quiero que el Ejército me convierta en un hombre. Qui-ero aprender a respetarme a mí mismo y a otros y sé que neces-ito mucha disciplina para lograr esos objetivos”, dijo él.
Davis será desplegado el 13 de enero del 2010 y el joven de 20 años Spearman saldrá el 4 de noviembre del 2009 rumbo a su entrenamiento básico. Allí siem-pre existe ese pequeño temor
que una vez que uno se reclute, uno podría ser enviado al frente de combate, pero Spearman siente que estará preparado si es que fuera desplegado.
“Mi reclutador fue muy honesto conmigo. Él fue sincero conmigo y respondió a todas mis preguntas. Él me dejó saber que pase lo que pase, allí ex-iste la eventualidad de que uno pueda ser desplegado al frente, sin importar qué haga uno en el Ejército. La honestidad es una gran cosa para mí y él fue honesto con todas las cosas”, dijo Spearman.
Él sabe que si es enviado a Irak, causará que su ma-dre se preocupe por él, pero él le dijo a Hispanic News que él ha crecido en uno de los vecindarios más rudos de Kansas City y las presentes estadísticas demuestran que allí es más posible de que un joven muera en las calles que en el frente de combate.
Los reclutas en la pista de carreras son unos pocos entre una elite de hombres y mujeres escogidos para servir en el Ejér-cito. El Ejército no toma a cada persona que postula, según el Teniente Coronel Tucker, el-los solamente aceptan a tres de cada diez jóvenes que postulan. Ellos buscan a los mejores entre los mejores para que se convi-ertan en futuros líderes. El Ejér-cito de hoy recalca la educación superior cono algo que juega un importante rol en las vidas de los candidatos.
“Es de importancia crítica que los estudiantes obtengan su educación para que se enrolen. Ellos tienen que tener un diplo-ma o el diploma de equivalencia GED o incluso sus títulos uni-versitarios para poder postular. La educación es muy impor-tante. Incluso cuando visitamos al equipo de mecánicos, los vi-mos practicando sacar llantas, ponerlas de regreso, pasando por cada procedimiento que necesitan para preparar la car-rera de hoy, cuando se trata ganar tiempo, ellos están listos, eso es lo mismo con el Ejército. Nosotros nos aseguramos que nuestros soldados estén entre-nados lo mejor posible”, dijo el
Mayor Teddy Culbertson.
Reginald May, Director de Música Instrumental en la Se-cundaria F.L. Schlagle, disfrutó de la carrera. Como maestro él ha exhortado a sus estudiantes a ver la vida más allá de Kansas City. Como director musical en F.L. Schlagle, él expone a sus estudiantes a niveles locales y nacionales con su música cuan-do viajan a competencias por
todos los EE.UU.
“Adoro entregarles esa ex-posición y ciertamente el ejér-cito les dará esa opción de ver otras partes del mundo. Qui-ero que ellos tengan las mejores oportunidades posibles y cierta-mente que si la universidad no está al alcance de sus bolsillos, ésta sería una gran oportunidad para ellos”, dijo May.
El año pasado, un ex estudi-
ante suyo de banda realizó una audición para la Banda del Cu-erpo de Infantería de Marina de EE.UU. El momento más orgul-loso de May llegó cuando le lle-garon noticias de que el estudi-ante había pasado la audición y sería un miembro de la banda militar. “Estoy simplemente tan orgulloso y él le abrió la puerta a otros estudiantes bajo él para que signa en sus pasos”, dijo él.
before. It is not something that I grew up on so I just never even thought about it. I received a call from my recruiting officer asking me if I wanted to go and I said it would be a lifetime experience for me,” said Spearman.
Lt. Colonel Ron Tucker told Hispanic News that the purpose of hosting an event at the Speedway is to show potential recruits that the Army has built relationships with job markets outside of the military service for their servicemen and women.
“The event is NASCAR and everyone wants to see the race. The week prior to NASCAR we bring what we call COI (Centers of Influence) community leaders to help us inspire these young men and women on future career opportunities,” explained Lt. Colonel Tucker.
Besides the entertainment potential, NASCAR offers a slew of potential job opportunities for young people to consider. “We really like to get the future soldiers out to
these events. We want them to see that the Army life is not just about soldiering all the time. We want them to enjoy themselves and we want to introduce these young folks to future employers out here,” he said.
Army Race car driver Ryan Newman graduated in 2001 from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in vehicular structural engineering. He began his racing career in 2002 and his NASCAR Nationwide record is 40 career starts with 7 wins. Before the race, Newman answered questions on how his engineering degree and his pit crew, who also have engineering degrees, help him to work the car on the track, giving the future soldiers an innovative idea on how science and physics can influence your career.
“It is neat for me to open my eyes and see all the things that I never even considered or knew were a part of the Army. Every time I meet with a soldier I get to learn more things about the U.S. Army that I never knew. I guess I am like a lot of people around the United States, we
take a lot of things for granted and our freedom is sometimes one of them. It is an honor to represent over a million soldiers who are fighting for our freedom as I drive the Army’s car around the race track,” said Newman.
John Taylor (JT) Davis of Kansas City, Kansas set a goal to enlist in the Army since he was 13 years old. Today at 18 years old and a graduate of Turner High School, he is ready to begin a career with the military. He had the opportunity to attend college but doesn’t feel that he is suited for college at this point in his life.
“This is the only thing that I have wanted to do for the past five years,” he said. JT is unsure what career goals he will have in the future, but he knows that he needs the discipline and motivation that the Army will offer him to achieve the one goal that he wants out of life.
“I want the Army to make a man out of me. I want to learn to respect myself and others and I know that I need a lot of discipline to make me achieve those goals,” he said.
Davis will ship out on January 13, 2010 and 20-year-old Spearman leaves on November 4, 2009 for his basic training. There is always that small thread of fear that once you enlist, you could be sent over to the war front, but Spearman feels that he will be prepared if he should be deployed.
“My recruiter was very honest with me. He was upfront with me and he answered any of my questions. He let me know no matter what, there is a chance you can be deployed, no matter what you do in the Army. Honesty is a big thing with me and he was honest about everything,” said Spearman.
He knows that if he is sent over to Iraq, it will cause his mother to worry about him, but
he told Hispanic News that he has grown up in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Kansas City, and current statistics show that there is a greater chance of a young man dying in the streets here than on the war front.
The enlistees at the racetrack are a few of the elite men and women chosen to serve in the Army. The Army does not take every person that applies, according to Lt. Col. Tucker, they only accept every three out of ten who apply. They are looking for the best of the best to become the future leaders. The Army today stresses higher education as a major role in the candidates’ lives.
“It is critical that the students must get their education to enlist. They must have a high school diploma or GED or even their college degree to apply. Education is very important. Even as we visited the pit crew, we saw them practicing taking off tires, putting them on, going over every procedure that they needed to have down to work today’s race. When it comes to crunch time they are ready, that is the same with the Army. We make sure that our soldiers are trained
to the best of their ability,” said Major Teddy Culbertson.
Reginald May, Music Instrumental Director at F.L. Schlagle High School, enjoyed
the race. As a teacher he has encouraged his students to see life outside of Kansas City, Kansas. As the music director at Schlagle, he exposes his students on the local and national levels with their music as they travel to competitions around the United States.
“I love giving them that exposure and certainly the military would give them that option to see other parts of the world. I want them to have the best opportunity they can have and certainly if college isn’t affordable then this would be a great opportunity for them,” said May.
Last year, a former band student of May’s auditioned for the U.S. Marine Band. May’s proudest moment came when news reached him that the student passed the audition and would be a member of the military band. “I am just so very proud and he opened the door for other students under him to follow in his footsteps,” he said.
VIP TREATMENT FOR A DAY
TRATAMIENTO VIP POR UN DIACONT./PÁGINA �
CONT./PAGE �
NASCAR enthusiasts enjoy a good race on the track, but for the men and woman who were guests of the Army, it was a time to have a one more slice of civilian life before departing for military training.
Los entusiastas de NASCAR disfrutan de una buena carrera en la pista, pero para los hombres y mujeres que fueron invitados del Ejército, fue un momento para tomar una rebanada más de la vida civíl antes de partir rumbo al entrenamiento militar.
These two recruits, john Taylor Davis (left) and jerome Spearman, already had enlisted in the military before attending the NASCAR race at the Kansas Speedway. They said the event was a nice treat but they both realize that the country is at war and they are willing to do their patriotic duty to serve.
Estos dos reclutas, john Taylor Davis (A la izquierda) y jerome Spearman, ya se habían reclutado en las fuerzas armadas antes de asistir a la carrera de NASCAR en el Autódromo de Kansas. Ellos dijeron que el evento fue una bonita atención, pero ambos se dan cuenta de que el país está en guerra y ellos están dispuestos a ejercer el deber patriótico de servir.
Maj. Teddy Culbertson points out to community leaders that education in the Army is a priority
El Mayor Teddy Culbertson le indica a líderes comunales que la educación en el Ejército es una prioridad.
Reginald May was among the community leaders who were invited by the Army to the Kansas Speedway. He will take back to his classroom what he learned from the Army about educational opportunities.
Reginald May estuvo entre los líderes comunales que fueron invitados por el Ejército al Autódromo de Kansas. Él llevará de regreso a su clase lo que aprendió de parte del Ejército respecto a oportunidades educacionales.
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Act now on expiring 2009 tax break
Actúe ahora con las deducciones fiscales que vencen en el 2009
SPORTS •
JOHN SILVAHIspANICNewsspORTs
DEPORTES
TIGERS FANS NEEDN’T GET TAILS TWISTED
STRAIGHT TALK WITH THE MAYOR
In the depths of the recession, the government passed the 2009 economic stimulus bill and tweaked the federal tax code to help boost consumer spending and assist people who were losing their jobs, homes and benefits. Now, several of those tax breaks, rebates and other incentives are due to expire at year’s end.
Congress and the Obama Ad-ministration may ultimately de-cide to retain some or all of these benefits. But just to be safe, here are a few you may want to tap now, if they make sense for your individual situation:
Homebuyer tax credit. If you have not owned a home in the past three years and meet cer-tain income guidelines, you may qualify for a tax credit of up to $8,000 on homes purchased before December 1, 2009. This is a tax credit, not a deduc-tion, which means your tax-able income is reduced by the credit amount. For more de-tails, search for the First-Time
Homebuyer Question and An-swers document posted on the IRS website (www.irs.gov).
Property tax standard deduc-tion. If you do not qualify to itemized deductions on your fed-eral income tax but do pay state or local real estate taxes, you may qualify to add up to $500 ($1,000 for joint filers) in prop-erty taxes paid this year to your standard tax deduction. Rules and filing instructions are com-plex, so read IRS Tax Tip 2009-47 at www.irs.gov for details.
Sales tax deduction for new cars. If you buy a new car, light truck, RV or motorcycle before December 31, 2009, you may be able to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes on up to the first $49,500 of the purchase price, even if you do not item-ize deductions. The deduction gradually phases out for those whose adjusted gross income is over $125,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly). Please note that this is differ-ent from last summer’s expired “Cash for Clunkers” program.
Health insurance. If you are laid off before December 31, 2009, and your employer has 20 or more employees and of-fers health insurance, you may
qualify for a 65 percent subsidy of the cost to continue coverage through COBRA, the federal law that allows many people to retain such coverage at their own ex-pense. Check with your human resources department and visit the Department of Labor’s web-site for more details (http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html).
Deduction for education ex-penses. Through 2009, parents or students may deduct up to $4,000 for college or other post-secondary education tuition and other qualifying fees, even if they do not itemize deductions. There are certain restrictions and income limits, so refer to the IRS’ “Top Ten Facts About the Tuition and Fees Deduc-tion” for more details.
Educator expenses. Teachers and other educators who work at least 900 hours during a school year may deduct up to $250 for eligible unreimbursed expenses they paid for out of pocket, in-cluding books, supplies, equip-ment and software used in the classroom. They may do so even if they do not itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A. Read Topic 458 at www.irs.gov for details.
You may want to confer with your tax preparer or financial ad-visor to make sure you qualify be-fore acting on these tax benefits.
Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. Sign up for his free monthly e-Newsletter at www.practicalmoneyskills.com/newsletter.
En las profundidades de la recesión, el gobierno aprobó el proyecto de ley de estímulos económicos para el 2009 y ajustó el código fiscal federal para ayudar a estimular el gasto del consumidor y de igual forma ayudar a las personas que están perdiendo sus empleos, sus casas y sus beneficios. Ahora, varios de esas deducciones fiscales, reembolsos y otros incentivos están a punto de vencer a finales del año.
El Congreso y la Administración de Obama pueden finalmente decidir retener alguno o todos estos beneficios. Pero sólo para estar seguros, aquí hay algunos que a lo mejor usted quisiera aprovechar en caso de que alguno le sirva en su situación personal:
Crédito fiscal para compradores de casas. Si usted no ha sido propietario de una casa en los últimos tres años y cumple ciertos lineamientos de ingresos, usted puede calificar para un crédito fiscal por hasta $8,000 en compra de casas antes del 1 de diciembre de 2009. Este es un crédito fiscal, no es una deducción, lo que significa que su ingreso gravable es reducido por la cantidad del crédito. Para más detalles, busque Preguntas y Respuestas para Compradores de Casas de Primera Vez, documento publicado por el sitio Web del IRS (www.irs.gov).
Deducción de impuestos estándar sobre la Propiedad. Si usted no califica para las deducciones personalizadas de su impuesto federal sobre la renta, pero paga impuestos estatales o impuestos locales sobre bienes raíces, usted puede
calificar para agregar hasta $500 ($1,000 para presentaciones de impuestos conjuntas) en impuestos sobre propiedad pagados este año a su deducción de impuestos estándar. Las reglas y las instrucciones de llenado son complejas, por favor lea Consejo sobre Impuestos del IRS 2009-47 en www.irs.gov para más detalles.
Deducción de impuestos sobre la venta de nuevos automóviles. Si usted compra un automóvil nuevo, camioneta, RV (Vehículo Recreativo) o motocicletas antes del 31 de diciembre de 2009, usted podría deducir impuestos locales y estatales por ventas e impuestos específicos sobre el consumo sobre hasta los primeros $49,500 del precio de la compra, aún si usted no tiene deducciones personalizadas. La deducción gradualmente se reduce para aquellos cuyo ingreso bruto ajustado es de $125,000 ($250,000 para parejas casadas que presentan impuestos conjuntamente). Por favor tome en cuenta que éste es diferente del programa que venció el verano pasado “Dinero por su Auto Viejo”.
Seguro de salud. Si usted es despedido antes del 31 de diciembre del 2009, y si su empleador tiene 20 o más empleados y ofrece seguro de salud, usted puede calificar para un 65 por ciento de subsidio del costo para continuar con la cobertura a través de COBRA, la ley federal que permite a muchas personas mantener tal cobertura a su propio costo. Verifique con su Departamento de Recursos Humanos y visite la página web
del Departamento del Trabajo para más detalles. (http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html).
Deducción por gastos de educación. Hasta el final de 2009, los padres o estudiantes pueden deducir hasta $4,000 para la universidad u otras colegiaturas por educación secundaria y otros cargos que califiquen, aún si no tiene deducciones personalizadas. Existen ciertas restricciones y límites de ingresos, para más detalles vaya a “Diez Hechos Sobresalientes sobre las Colegiaturas y Deducción de Cuotas” del IRS (www.irs .gov/newsroom/art ic le /0,,id=205361,00.html).
Gastos del educador. Los maestros y otros educadores que trabajan por lo menos 900 horas durante un año escolar pueden deducir hasta $250 por gastos elegibles no reembolsados que pagaron de su bolsillo, incluyendo libros, materiales, equipo y programas de cómputo usados en el salón de clases. Pueden hacerlo aún si no tienen deducciones personalizadas en el Plan A del IRS. Lea sobre el tema 458 en www.irs.gov para más detalles.
Usted puede consultar a su preparador de impuestos o asesor financiero para que se asegure de que usted califica antes de actuar con relación a estos beneficios tributarios.
Jason Alderman dirige los programas de educación financiera de Visa. Para inscribirse y recibir un Boletín de Noticias Electrónico financiero personal gratuito mensualmente, vaya a www.practicalmoneyskills.com/newsletter.
jASON ALDERMAN
In Town Hall meetings across the city, I am often asked about the “Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP),” commonly called “Section 8 Housing.” The following information may be of assistance to residents who are seeking to understand how this system works. Given the variety of oversight agencies involved, it is often difficult to know where to look.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal govern-ment’s major program for help-ing very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled pay for decent, safe, and sanitary hous-ing in the private market.
The HCVP is administered locally by the Housing Author-ity of Kansas City (HAKC), a federally funded agency that is chartered under Missouri state law. It receives most of its fund-ing from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Devel-opment (HUD). The Housing Authority is separate and dis-
tinct from the City’s Housing Department, which operates as part of city government. How-ever, the agencies work coop-eratively to provide housing.
While HAKC is not a city department, the city does main-tain oversight through a seven-member Housing Authority Commission, to which the may-or appoints six members who must be approved by the state.
Eligibility for the HCVP is based primarily on family in-come. The income limit for a family of four is $56,300. Once approved for the program, par-ticipants are issued a housing voucher; then they must locate a housing unit in the private housing market. If the unit meets HUD standards for “fair market rent,” and for health and safety, a rental agreement can be signed. If the rent exceeds the amount of the housing voucher, tenants are required to pay the difference, but by law, are not allowed to pay more than 40
percent of their gross income. The average rent paid by a par-ticipant in the voucher program is $245 per month.
HAKC established the pay-ment standard at 100 percent of the fair market rent fixed by HUD, which, for a two-bed-room unit, is $791 per month. HAKC administers 7,510 hous-ing choice vouchers, of which 42 percent are issued to partici-pants who receive social securi-ty, pensions or similar benefits. Currently, approximately 8,800 families are on HAKC’s waiting list for Housing Choice Vouch-ers. According to HAKC, if a family applied today, it would be at least two years before it would come to the top of the list for eligibility screening.
For more information about the voucher program, call HAKC at 816-968-4100. You may also send comments to me at [email protected]
When the 2009-10 Big XII Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll was released an outcry came from Columbia. Last year’s Elite Eight representatives find themselves in the same pre-season spot as last year, seventh in the league.
The Big XII tournament champions outplayed the pre-dictions in the league last year and based on that their faith-ful thought they’d easily be top five this season. It was no shocker to see national pre-season number one Kansas in the catbird seat. Final Four-contender Texas, with two of the top incoming players in the league, was also a common sense choice for second place.
Beyond that, Mizzou figured with their frenetic style of play and entire backcourt return-ing that they could go as high as third. Starting guards Za-ire Taylor and J.T. Tiller will pester opponents all year long. One of the top defending guard tandems in the Big XII will use their length to take balls away and get easy baskets. Taylor also proved he had a knack for winning big games at crunch time with big shots.
In Head Coach Mike Ander-son’s system a swarm of play-ers are needed to keep up the pressure. Kim English, Mar-cus Denmon, and Steve Moore all got valuable time as young players last year and provide Anderson with the depth need-ed to keep coming at teams and wear them down by the end of 40 minutes.
So why wouldn’t the Tigers be one of the favorites in confer-ence? There are reasons within the team and outside of it.
While Mizzou has so many returning parts, there is a key element they will have to re-place. Last year’s senior leaders are gone. Forwards Demarre Carroll and Leo Lyons along with guard Matt Lawrence ac-counted for 49.5% of the team’s scoring last year.
Lawrence provided the long range shooting touch which helped MU get back into games quickly or at least provided a threat to respect when he had an off-night. Lyons was an en-igmatic player prior to his sen-ior season and while he wasn’t the most consistent player on the team last year he was nearly unstoppable when focused.
The most difficult player to replace will be Carroll. Mike Anderson’s kin was tailor made for the Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball. His motor ran for every second of the 28 minutes a game he played. A versatile big man, he could score inside and outside, played rugged defense against players significantly bigger and never, ever took a possession off. Hopes are high that Justin Safford can bring the intangible and tangibles to the table with more minutes on the court. Laurence Bowers is also being counted on to make the frontcourt strong.
What folks in Columbia may not be seeing is how stacked the Big XII looks this year. With KU and Texas looking like the cream of the crop, last year’s team to beat looks strong again. Oklahoma lost the number one overall draft pick but still re-turns scoring force Willie War-ren in the backcourt and add McDonald’s All-American Tiny Gallon to replace Blake Griffin.
Perhaps the news with the most sting for MU fans is the hype that K-State is getting.
Kansas State was chosen fourth by the coaches. Frank Mar-tin’s third team is his strongest from top to bottom. Point guard Denis Clemente returns as one of the top scorers in the league. Joining him this year is UConn transfer Curtis Kelly. The former Huskies forward sat out last year but had the opportuni-ty to practice all season meaning he should be able to contribute his considerable scoring skills immediately. To go along up front is McDonald’s All-Ameri-can freshman Wally Judge. The power forward promises to clean a lot of glass returning an element missing in Manhattan last year. This talent could vault K-State into a top 10 ranking at some point this year.
The fifth and sixth positions in the poll belong to Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. The Ag-gies lost a couple of players but bring back burly Bryan Davis. The power forward is a premier post player in the conference who will be part of a big front-court. James Blasczyk, 7 foot and 235 pounds from Houston, is yet another freshman looking to make a big impact in the con-ference and allow Texas A&M to play a rugged half-court game against the high flying programs they are looking up at. Okie State gets a nod due to Travis Ford’s ability to hold on to First Team Conference Star James Anderson and three other returning starters on an NCAA tourney club.
All of this will mean very little in March, but right now it gives the Tigers some fuel to add to their fire as they practice for their first game of the season just a couple of weeks away. Mizzou fans might want to thank opposing league coaches when they come to the Zoo in early 2010. It could lead Mis-souri to once again be the feel good story of the conference.
Dolores “Lola” j. Cervantes, 76, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, was called to heaven by her Lord and Savior jesus Christ on October 21, 2009. jesus and her husband Mariano Cervantes and other family members who preceded her in death will welcome Lola with open arms into the gates of heaven. At the time of her passing she was surrounded by her family. Visitation was held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at McGilley Midtown Chapel, 20 W. Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri, a rosary was recited. A mass honoring her life was held Thursday, October 22, 2009, at Sacred Heart/ Guadalupe
Church, 2544 Madison, Kansas City, Missouri.Dolores was born on April 20, 1933 and was married to her husband Mariano Cervantes for 60 years. She worked as a laundress, a cook
for Los Corrales Restaurant and in the housekeeping department at St. Mary’s, Trinity Lutheran and Children’s Mercy Hospitals until she retired in 2001. Dolores loved cooking for her family and spent time with her kids and grandkids. She loved to travel and enjoyed many fun family vacations. Dolores was a life-long Kansas City resident and was a member of the Sacred Heart parish for 55 years.She is survived by her children: Olivia Oswald and husband Matthew, Peter Cervantes and wife Diana, Julie White and husband Gary, Kathy Tinoco and husband John, Jr., Stephanie Gallegos and husband Ralph, youngest son, Rafael F. Cervantes, 16 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, one brother and five sisters, many nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved family members from the Mexico City, Mexico, and Kansas City, Missouri areas. She was preceded in death by her husband Mariano Cervantes, her parents, a daughter, Graciela, and two sons, Jesus and Mario Benito.The Cervantes family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Crossroads Hospice and her nurse, Mrs. Bobbi Garnica for providing her with loving care during the last days of her life. Dolores will be truly missed and forever remembered in the hearts of her family for all the heartfelt gifts and life lessons she lovingly bestowed. We love you and we will all miss you Mom! Arrangements by McGilley Midtown Chapel, 816-753-6200
In loving Memory
DOLORES j. “LOLA” CERVANTES
PAUL R. ORTIZPaul R. Ortiz, Sr., 88, of Kansas City, MO, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at KU Medical Center surrounded by his family. Paul was born August 20, 1921 in Kansas City, KS to Refugia Reyes and Refugio Ortiz. In 1941 he married Theresa Castillo and together they raised 15 children who survive him. He was preceded
in death by his beloved wife, both parents, two infant children, Mary and Robert, sisters, Genevieve Ortiz, Soledad Ortiz, brother, Charles Ortiz, and granddaughter, Stephanie Orozco. Paul will always be remembered for his endless stories, selflessness, love of life, and those handsome green eyes. He worked at Swift and Co. for 44 years until he retired in 1985. Paul is survived by his 15 children: daughters, Delores Marcase, Rita Hernandez (Manuel), Theresa Soltero (Gary), Linda Garcia (Arthur), Christine Padilla, Carol Miller (Joseph), Deborah Ortiz (Robert), sons, Paul Ortiz, Jr. (Rita), Robert Ortiz, Sr. (Marie), Joseph Ortiz, Sr. (Laurie), Henry Ortiz, Michael Ortiz (Marilyn), John Ortiz, Andrew Ortiz (Cathy), Charlie Ortiz (Terrie); 38 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in Paul’s memory to the Guadalupe Shrine. Visitation will be held 5-8 pm on Friday, Oct 23 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, 901 Cesar Chavez, where the rosary will be prayed at 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 am on Saturday at the Guadalupe Shrine, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. (arr: McGilley Midtown Chapel, 816-753-6200)
In loving Memory
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You have given them the basics. The Army will encourage all the strong character, discipline and leadership.
The Army will also provide them a choice of more than 150 careers and money for tuition payments.
If your son or daughter wants to talk about joining the Army, listen to them.Find more information at goarmy.com/for_parents
THEY ARE TRAINING TO BE SOLDIERS. THEY ARE TRAINING FOR LIFE.