Volume XXX Number 18 May 5, 2006

FrontPage Stories

A battle that doesn’t end

Cinco de Mayo under the magnifying glass of San Diego’s Chicano artists and muralists

By Pablo Jaime Sainz

This Cinco de Mayo don’t expect Chicano muralist Victor Ochoa to go celebrate with beer in hand. On the contrary. It’s more likely that on this day you find him with his brushes in hand, painting a mural in honor of Mexican hero Benito Juarez.

Artist, Mario Torero, working on a mural depicting the recent student protests.

Just like Ochoa, other Chicano artists in the region distrust the American tradition of celebrating Cinco de Mayo drinking tequila and screaming ‘Viva il Cincuo di Maio.’

For these artists, the real meaning of the holiday goes further.

“Cinco de Mayo isn’t something that took place 150 years ago,” said Ochoa, who’s one of most recognized artists in San Diego. “It’s not only a historical event that’s long gone. For me, Cinco de Mayo represents a continuous fight from Mexicans of Indigenous descent against opression and abuse and discrimination from Europeans.”

For these muralists, the historical sense is the result of the Chicano Movement from the ‘60s and ‘70s, when young Chicanos were looking for better social and educational opportunities for the community.

“During the Chicano Movement we were able to learn about the importance of our history,” said Mario Torero, a Chicano muralist of Peruvian descent. “It was there that we saw Cinco de Mayo as a metaphor of the Indigenous struggle against the foreign invaders, against White men. That’s why Cinco de Mayo represents a historical continuation of ourselves.”

Ochoa added that the recent protests against unfair and unhumane immigration policies are part of the continuing battle against the oppression of Mexicanos.

Although in San Diego there’s no mural that depicts the events from the Battle of Puebla, Ochoa said that the philosophy of struggle and liberation that surrounds Cinco de Mayo can be seen through his art.

“Art is like a weapon and part of the solution to our problems. Through art we can learn about history and learn about ourselves,” Ochoa said.

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Una batalla que no termina
El Cinco de Mayo bajo la lupa de artistas y muralistas Chicanos de San Diego
Por Pablo Jaime Sainz
Este Cinco de Mayo no esperen que el muralista Chicano Victor Ochoa se vaya a celebrar con su cerveza en mano. Todo lo contrario. Es más probable que ese día lo encuentren con pinceles en mano, pintando algún mural en honor del héroe mexicano, Benito Juárez.


Chula Vista Council candidates promise to restore public’s trust
By José A. Álvarez
Five candidates vying for a seat in the City Council pledged to put the interests of Chula Vista residents above anyone else’s, restore the community’s trust in their elected officials, and make city government more open.


Los Conquistadores “conquer” Mexican dance!
Hilltop Elementary’s folklorico group will perform on Cinco de Mayo
By Pablo Jaime Sainz
Before becoming an elementary teacher, Danielle Franco used to dance folklorico in high school.


¡Los Conquistadores conquistan la danza mexicana!
Ballet folklórico estudiantil inicia en la Primaria Hilltop de Chula Vista
Por Pablo Jaime Sainz
Antes de convertirse en maestra de primaria, Danielle Franco estaba en el ballet folklórico de su High School.



Stories

Aqui Estamos, pero ¿A Dónde Vamos?
Immigrants can mobilize, but the direction remains to be seen
by Raymond R. Beltrán
Students, teachers, activists, and more importantly, working immigrants cheered and waved various South American flags Monday, May 1st, as organizers of the “Day Without An Immigrant” boycott spoke out against yet another legislative attack on immigrants in the form of House Resolution 4437.


La frontera unida por los derechos de los migrantes: Movilizaciones en Tijuana y San Diego paralizaron la frontera el primero de mayo
Por Luis Alonso Pérez
Mientras millones de personas marchaban por las calles de las principales ciudades del país el primero de mayo, los residentes fronterizos fueron protagonistas de un hecho histórico en la región, al convertir la frontera –un indudable símbolo de separación– en un enérgico punto de unidad y resistencia a las políticas que amenazan los derechos de los indocumentados viviendo en Estados Unidos.


Fecha Gloriosa Reminiscente el 5 de Mayo de 1862
“Las armas mexicanas se cubrieron de gloria ante el invasor suavo”
Por: Paco Zavala
Partiendo de 1810 fecha en que se dio la guerra de Independencia ya habían transcurrido 42 años, si, 42 años que el país no había estado en paz, ni le había dado tregua a las luchas intestinas, en este lapso de tiempo los norteamenricanos ya habían hecho lo suyo con la intervención y la adjudicación de parte del vasto territorio mexicano. El país debido como consecuencia de todos estos movimientos armados había adquirido deudas, impagables a esa fecha, que por supuesto se tenía la intención de pagarlas, pero, el nerviosismo del jugador europeo y norteamericano, trajo a México, el nefasto movimiento promovido por unos malos mexicanos, el de la pretendida invasión francesa que deseaba imponer una monarquía en el país azteca, acto que inició, pero que no logro consolidar ni estatisar.


Healthy food, healthy Latino children
By Pablo Jaime Sainz
Andy Padilla said it very clear: “Everybody up, let’s do some exercise!”


Alimentos saludables, niños latinos saludables
Por Pablo Jaime Sainz
Andy Padilla lo dijo muy claramente: “¡Todos arriba a hacer ejercicio!”


Doctor’s Corner:
Swollen feet, should you be worried?
By Eduardo Grunvald, M.D.
Three days after flying non-stop from Buenos Aires to San Diego, you notice that your foot is swollen, painful and red. Should you be worried? Maybe.


Doctor’s Corner:
Pies hinchados, ¿Debería usted preocuparse?
Por Eduardo Grunvald, M.D.
Tres días después de volar directo de Buenos Aires a San Diego, usted nota que su pie está hinchado, dolorido y rojo. ¿Debería usted preocuparse? Quizás.


The Designer Dog Debate
By Ana Hernandez-Bravo
With all of the media attention being paid to how dogs and puppies are being smuggled across the border, one has to wonder what exactly is creating the market for these animals.

El Día de las Madres en México es el momento perfecto para beneficiarse de SafeSend
Una de las prioridades más importantes al hablar de las necesidades financieras de los hispanos es el poder enviar dinero a sus seres queridos, a su propio país. Cuando apenas faltan unas semanas para que se celebre el Día de las Madres, Bank of America quiere asegurarse de que los hispanos conozcan todas las opciones existentes para ahorrar en comisiones por transferencia cuando envían remesas a sus seres queridos en México.


Editorials

Commentary:
CINCO DE MAYO, THE 5TH OF MAY
By Raoul Lowery Contreras
Agreat deal of blood drenched Mexico’s soil to uphold a political principle of the United States of America on the 5th of May, Cinco De Mayo, 1862, and none of it was American. It was mostly French, and it was the first defeat of the French Army in almost 50 years.


Comentario:
Para el Cinco de Mayo, Debemos Advertir a los Jóvenes de Nuestra Nación Sobre los Peligros de Convertir Esta Celebración Cultural en “Bebida de Mayo”
Por La Congresista Lucille Roybal-Allard
Esta semana, las celebraciones del Cinco de Mayo tomarán muchas formas, incluyendo programas educativos en nuestras escuelas, eventos comunitarios y fiestas. Muchas de las fiestas son maravillosas celebraciones de nuestra cultura mexicana que destacan las contribuciones que nosotros, los descendientes de mexicanos, hemos hecho por esta gran nación. Como madre, abuela y congresista, estoy orgullosa de la herencia mexicana de mi familia. Sin embargo, estoy profundamente preocupada por la manera en la cual el Cinco de Mayo es muchas veces transformado por la industria de bebidas alcohólicas en “Bebida de Mayo” - una festividad que sirve más como una excusa para tomar bebidas alcohólicas en vez de una expresión de orgullo étnico.


Comentario:
Una Asociación a Través de los Años
Por: Jaime Bonilla, Presidente, Consejo Directivo Otay Water District
Chula Vista ha sido mi hogar por muchos años y estoy orgulloso de vivir en una ciudad tan dinámica y próspera. La ciudad tiene una larga historia de planificación maestra de comunidades y vecindades ecológicamente sustentables y orientadas hacia la familia. A través de una asociación visionaria con Otay Water District, Chula Vista se ha convertido en líder en el uso de agua reciclada y es un ejemplo a seguir para otras ciudades.


Comentario:
¡Si se puede!
Por Humberto Caspa, Ph.D
La energía del espíritu de alrededor de un millón de personas apostadas en las calles adyacentes al centro de Los Ángeles todavía se siente. Otros también se unieron en diversas ciudades de la nación para poner en claro que 12 millones de inmigrantes indocumentados no van a dar marcha atrás a sus ilusiones, a sus proyectos de vida y sobre todo al abandono de sus familias.


TEZOZOMOC SPEAKS:
With National City’s Icon Charlie Vasquez leaving his home turf, what are the Local Folks going to do now??? Everybody from the Westside to the Eastside knows Charlie! Charlie has been involved in his community since time immemorial! Hijole, este Indio will miss all the Bar-B-Que’s, parties, and Get-Togethers that went on in his Eastside Digs! If you needed a Cuate, Charlie was there. National City’s loss will be Chula Vista’s gain as he moves to his new Palatial Digs on the Eastside! Don’t worry, he won’t forget you! (P.S.). He will still be working with the County Public Defenders Office!

Political Notes:
 Eminent Domain Forum
On Monday, May 8 the Northwest Civic Association will sponsor a community forum on Eminent Domain. Panelists will have a lively discussion, & answer questions from the public. Everyone is invited & encouraged to attend. To date, confirmed panelists include Congressman Bob Filner, Planning Commissioner Gary Nordstrom, & attorney Steve Haskins. Proposition C is the anti-eminent domain initiative that will be on the June ballot in Chula Vista. The forum will provide an opportunity for an exchange of differing views. Northwest Civic Association will not be advocating a specific position on the issue.

Etc. Etc. Etc.
Entertainment, Reviews, Sporting news, and other tid bits

A Short Story
 The Man and the Serpent
 By Heriberto Escamilla
This is a story of a man that lived many years ago. It came to me the other night in the form of a dream. The story repeated itself in my head several times and each time, another piece was added until it was complete, save for the name of the man. Perhaps if you pay attention to his actions and his words you can help me give him a name. You all have ear and eyes. You can see and can also decide for yourselves whether or not this story is true.


Érase una vez California: Las leyendas de las Californias cobran vida en los “cuenta cuentos” de Ursula Tania Cabeza de Vaca
Luis Alonso Pérez
Las Californias componen una región con una gran riqueza cultural. Por siglos las tribus indígenas nativas como los K’miai, Paipai y Kiliwas han preservado su legado cultural y sus tradiciones de forma oral, transmitiendo sus conocimientos de generación a generación.

California Heritage in Dance: The Legend of Josefa
In 1976, Maxine Mahon, CBC Director, inaugurated the California Heritage Project. The Project features California – its history, composers, artists, and its dancers, with ballet stories drawn from historical narratives of San Diego and California.

The Digital Art Guild of San Diego presents “Without Limits: A Latin American Slant”
The Expressions of Mexico Gallery provides a wealth of perspectives of what is Mexican and Latin American in art.


MACUILXOCHITL'S KIVA:
Sara Valenzuela redefines her music
 To perform at Chula Vista’s Over The Border
By Francisco Ciriza
In the nineties, Mexican singer Sara Valenzuela made a name for herself fronting the alternative rock pioneering group, La Dosis. The funk-based alternative outfit recorded a handful of albums for Sony, but, sensing a need for a change in direction, Valenzuela ultimately left the group. However, the ensuing hiatus was short lived and upon her return, Valenzuela sought not to rediscover her musical inclinations, but rather to redefine them.


“Walkout,” a film about Chicano/a student protests in 1968, will screen May 10 at USD as part of Chávez celebration
Walkout (2006), a film based on the true story of a walkout by Chicano/a students in Los Angeles schools in 1968 to protest unequal treatment, will be screened at 7 p.m. May 10 in Center Hall, Room 105, at the University of California, San Diego.


Regresarán 3 leyendas del rock
Por Alma Delia Martínez Cobián
Originalmente iba a estar el maestro de maestros Javier Bátiz —quien por cierto en este año cumple medio siglo de carrera artística—, pero un compromiso adquirido con anterioridad no se lo permitió


Casa de Salud Teen Center to be Renamed in Honor of Civic Leader Manuel Portillo
The Casa de Salud Teen Center will be rededicated on Saturday, May 6, 2006 as the Manuel Portillo Youth Center. The ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. at 1408 Harding Avenue in National City.


Zumaya in the Show with Tigers
By John Philip Wyllie
Four short years ago, Joel Zumaya was the star pitcher for his high school team, the Bonita Vista Barons. He is a bit bigger now, standing 6’3” and weighing in at 210 pounds and he is still pitching, but now he brings the heat on behalf of the Detroit Tigers.


Molina Part of the Montgomery Tradition
By John Philip Wyllie
Under the leadership of Manny Hermosillo, Montgomery High School’s baseball program has become one of the winningest teams in San Diego County. Players such as Sergio Mitre and Oscar Robles have advanced to the major leagues and several others are now plying their trade in the minors. Despite the fact that the Aztecs are in the midst of a rebuilding season and missing from this year’s elite Top Ten, Hermosillo is still producing quality players. One of them is senior Edgar Molina.