News (Noticias) for New Mexico

There has been some discussion within the community recently regarding the development of the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Some have asked, “Why start another chamber of commerce? Aren’t there existing entities that address the issue of business development?” Some will see this as a divisive action. As the incorporating board of directors of this organization, we felt it appropriate to respond to those who will question the pursuit of such a chamber.

The primary objective of those working to establish a Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber is to actively promote the establishment and development of Hispanic-owned businesses within the greater Santa Fe area. More specifically, the goal is to promote more Hispanic ownership and to support the development of existing Hispanic-owned businesses. Why? “*

Veteran comedian Paul Rodriguez brings his show “Paul Rodriguez and Friends” to the Roswell Convention and Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 17, with doors opening at 9 p.m.

Carlsbad-based comedian/promoter Rob Jenkins is set to open the show.”*

“Civil rights groups sued the Otero County Sheriff’s Department today for civil rights violations committed during immigration sweeps last September in the southern New Mexico town of Chaparral. On behalf of five Latino families, the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico charged sheriff’s deputies with raiding homes without search warrants, interrogating families without evidence of criminal activity, and targeting households on the basis of race and ethnicity. The groups seek monetary damages and guarantees that the sheriff’s department will refrain from such raids in the future.

“Otero County Sheriffs broke a basic bond of trust with the community of Chaparral,” said ACLU Executive Director Peter Simonson. “When the police treat you like a criminal because of the language you speak and the color of your skin, they cease being a source of help when you are a victim of or witness to a crime. We need to restore policing to its proper mission in Chaparral so citizens and immigrants alike can trust that someone is watching out for their safety.”

Legal papers filed by the two groups describe an incident in which sheriff’s deputies ousted a family from its home by banging loudly on the home’s walls in the pre-dawn hours of September 10, 2007. Without a warrant, one sheriff’s deputy attempted to enter through an open bedroom window where the mother had been asleep, while another shouted from the front door, “Delivery! Mia’s Pizza.”

Five of the family members are named plaintiffs in the lawsuit, two of whom are U.S citizens.

MALDEF Staff Attorney David Urias said, “The enforcement of immigration laws is strictly a responsibility of the federal government. Sheriff’s deputies are not immigration officers and do not have the authority or the training to investigate or arrest people because they suspect them of being undocumented. In Otero County, Sheriff’s deputies are taking federal law into their own hands and violating the rights of Latinos, including citizens and legal permanent residents. These raids are simply illegal and un-American.” “*

“Four civil rights groups sued a county near the Mexican border Wednesday alleging sheriff’s deputies forced their way into homes without warrants and illegally detained residents during impromptu immigration raids.

The suits claim the deputies sought out Hispanic immigrants under a federally funded effort aimed at curbing crime in border communities, including this Otero County town, which is outside El Paso, Texas, about 30 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Associated Press reported in September that deputies were routinely demanding proof of citizenship from residents either in traffic stops or at their homes. More than a dozen people had been arrested and turned over to the Border Patrol in August and September. Some were turned over right away; others were stopped for traffic violations the next day and “*

“Check out KUNM 89.9FM tonight, Monday, October 15th, 2007, at 8:00 PM for a half-hour live interview with several UNM students about the recent weeks of deliberation, both on campus and nationally, following the tearing down of a Mexican flag on the UNM campus one month ago. Reportedly, a student tore down the Mexican flag, which was flying in celebration of Mexican Independence day, because it wasn’t accompanied by an American flag. Last Sunday, local bikers held a rally to raise money for that student’s legal defense fund.

Concurrently, subsequent discussions have surfaced deeper questions about acts of hatred and Anglo-American superiority over people of color. Many students on campus are demanding further action from the University to address and prevent such actions of hate and to talk about the diguising of racism as patriotism. Tonight’s Espejos de Aztlan discussion will focus on the latter.”*

“Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez said Tuesday he will run for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici.

Chavez, the highest-profile Democrat to enter the 2008 race so far, announced in a race that was thrown wide open last week by Domenici’s announcement that he would not seek re-election because of his health.

Chavez said that as senator, he would vote to end the war in Iraq.”*

“Anna Cabral will be the keynote speaker at the Seventh Annual Danny Villanueva Scholarship Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Oct. 18 in the ballrooms of New Mexico State University’s Corbett Center.

Cabral, a California native, served as director of the Smithsonian Institutions Center for Latino Initiatives, where she led an effort to improve Latino representation in the Smithsonian’s exhibits and public programming. From 1999 to 2003, Cabral served as president and CEO of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C., which partners with Fortune 500 companies to increase Hispanic representation in employment, procurement, philanthropy and governance.”*

“A University of New Mexico student charged with criminal damage to property after tearing up a Mexican flag last month pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning.

Peter Lynch, 30, has said that he tore the Mexican flag, which was flying in celebration of Mexican Independence day, because it wasn’t accompanied by an American flag.”

“Health officials in New Mexico and Chihuahua have signed an agreement to share weekly reports about flu activity in the two border states.”

“# Provide Latino students and other members of the community with knowledge of social, political and cultural issues that affect the Latino community
# Equip Latino students and other members of the community with the skills necessary to address the issues affecting the Latino community
# Facilitate an open forum for debating present-day issues as well as information sharing, leadership and educational training
# Discuss emerging trends in higher education affecting
Latinos.
# Unite Latino students in an atmosphere of networking to build effective and efficient coalitions across Latino communities.”

“On Friday, Sept. 28, as part of UNM Homecoming festivities, the School of Architecture and Planning Alumni Chapter will present the Maureen Walter Alumni of the Year Award to Regina Chavez. Chavez graduated with her master’s in Community and Regional Planning in 1999 and served on the alumni board from 2003-07.

A long time City of Albuquerque employee, she recently left to form her own consulting business, Cultural Econ.

This is the third time the award has been given. It is named in memory of Maureen Walter, alum and one of the four founders of the chapter, who passed away in 2005. It is based on service to the school and the community.

In her work with the City of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department, Chavez worked with community partners to recruit, retain and expand desirable economic-based companies. Project focus is on small business, arts and culture, downtown revitalization, sustainable/green economic development, incentives and industrial revenue bonds program.

In the Aviation Department, she worked with the director of Aviation, Airport Advisory Board, Albuquerque Arts Board, Aviation Arts Planning Committee and the City’s Public Art Program to develop and manage the Arts Program of the Albuquerque International Sunport.

She maintained the airport’s 112-piece permanent art collection, coordinating airport public art acquisitions, working with local museums and non-profit organizations to develop permanent and temporary exhibits, establishing the airport’s art master plan and policies, producing the Sunport Serenades year-round musical performance series, and serving as the Sunport’s liaison with local arts organizations and the public.

With the Hispanic Culture Foundation, she served as executive director and director of finance and personnel. She reported to a 15-member board of trustees to develop and administer arts, cultural, and educational programs, promotional material, fundraising activities, financial management, the foundation newsletter, staff and board development and community relations.”

“A student took down a Mexican flag from a flagpole outside Scholes Hall Monday, tore it and took it to the Air Force ROTC office, police said.

A summons was issued for Peter Lynch, 30, by the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court for criminal damage to property, said Lt. Pat Davis, spokesman for UNM Police.

Davis said Lynch is not a member of ROTC, and it is unclear why he took the flag to that office.”

“The Legacy of Letters Project seeks to find letters, e-mails and notes sent home by New Mexicans who have served in every war. The five-minute pilot for the project, which features the stories of three New Mexico veterans and their families, will be shown today at a film tribute to Hispanic veterans.

The event, organized by the department and the National Hispanic Cultural Center, is a response to Ken Burns’ 14-hour PBS documentary, The War, about World War II, which will air later this month. Many people criticized Burns for the lack of attention his documentary gave to the contributions of Hispanics. All of the films that will be shown at the tribute focus on the experience of New Mexicans in war, including another of Martinez’s films, Colors of Courage: Sons of New Mexico, Prisoners of Japan, and Mario Barrera’s film, Latino Stories of World War II.”

“The University of New Mexico School of Law has been ranked first in a list of the top 10 law schools for Hispanics.

The September issue of Hispanic Business magazine published top 10 lists for law, business, engineering and medical schools. The rankings are for schools that promote and encourage “a diverse community where Hispanic students can thrive,” according to a release issued by the magazine.”

“A Mexican consulate in Las Cruces is not likely in the near future but more “mobile consulates” in New Mexico’s second largest city are possible, a Mexican official said.

A delegation of representatives from the Mexican consulate in El Paso were presented with about 1,000 signatures by ACORN ”” the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now of Las Cruces ”” during a forum Monday, petitioning the Mexican government for a satellite office or a full-fledged consulate in Las Cruces.”

Sponsored by Mayor Martin J. Chávez, The City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department, Lo Maduro de La Cultura and Eurovision Channel 16, the performance piece is presented by Las Meganenas, an outreach program of Teatro Nuevo Mexico.

Five women will tell the story of the Meso-American “Eve” and her journey from the colonization of Mexico to the present day. Her path begins in Mexico as La Malinche, who takes on the suffering of her people, and winds north along today’s Rio Grande, where she discovers hundreds of women working in factories on the El Paso/Juarez border. Along the way she is transformed and becomes the mythic figure of La Llorona. In an ultimate sacrifice, she becomes a factory worker herself to learn the painful reality of the present day mestizo woman.

The performance piece is trilingual, in English, Spanish and Nahutal””an official language in Mexico””with corresponding subtitles. Nahutal is spoken by more than 1/5 mllion people in Mexico, and many speakers of Nahutal are bilingual. Nahutal literature is extensive””probably the most extensive of all Indigenous languages of the Americas””and includes a relatively large corpus of poetry. Many words in modern-day English and Spanish are derivatives of the Nahutal language, such as “chocolate,” “coyote,” “tomato,” “tequila,” “posole,” “ocelot,” “chile,” “guacamole” and others.

Written by Soledad Marjon Hindi, directed by Sabina Zuniga-Varela and scored by Vivian Fernandez, Rio de Lagrimas will feature the following Las Meganenas repertory troupe members: Soledad Marjon Hindi, Vivian Fernandez, Apryl Sandoval, Valerie Borrego, Sabina Zuniga-Varela and Michelle Otero.

The performance will benefit two organizations working on behalf of the Maquiladora workers: Nuesras Hijas de Regreso a Casa, and Justicia Para Nuestras Hijas. The two organizations were founded and are run by the mothers of young women who have disappeared without a trace. The two organizations continue to push for investigations and to keep their story in the news.

According to Soledad Majon Hindi, playwright of the performance piece, “Over 3500 women who worked at manufacturing plants on the border, or Maquiladoras, have disappeared without a trace, with between 450 and 500 brutally slain bodies being found in the desert. Tragically, little has been done to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators, and there is some speculation that some of those involved include the authorities, either actively or in a cover-up. Whether or not that is true, the fact remains that these women’s lives seem to have little value in their world. Questions still go unanswered, and the disappearances and grisly discoveries go on.” She added, “The brave women who seek answers and justice for their daughters deserve our strongest support, and those who are abducting and killing the young women deserve our rage. We cannot continue to simply shrug our shoulders and walk away.”

Tickets will be available at the door: $8.00 Adults/$5.00 Seniors and Students. NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13. For more information, visit www.cabq.gov/crs or call 311. For accessibility, call NM Voice Relay 1-800-659-8331 or 711.

“As a boy in a tiny village long known for its weaving, Irvin Trujillo remembers being surrounded by the traditional art - and sometimes nearly smothered by it.

He and his cousins would spend cold winter nights at the little adobe house of their grandmother huddled on a mattress on the floor. His aunt would head to a crib in the back room stacked full of heavy, hand-spun ““frazadas’’ made by his grandparents, he recalls.”

“The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services and National Hispanic Cultural Center are presenting two Film Tributes to Hispanic Veterans in solidarity with Defend the Honor, a project dedicated to supporting efforts of individuals and organizations to ensure that WWII-era Latinos and Latinas are included in todays general historical narratives. The story of World War II is incomplete without the inclusion of Hispanics.”

“The National Hispanic Cultural Center will host three shows this fall on Maya textiles from Latin America.

“Maya Textile Art: Collections of the Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya” opens Sept. 28. It will showcase contemporary Maya textiles and include 20th century works designed by some of the leading artists of Mexico and Guatemala. There will be dozens of huipiles embroidered womens blouses and paintings by artists such as Carlos Merida and Rufino Tamayo, as well as others inspired by Maya textiles.”

“Students from the University of New Mexico and Fray Luca Paccioli University recently returned from a summer seminar where they studied transborder issues for journalists. Taught by Richard Schaefer, professor, Communication and Journalism, the students were in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico exploring immigration, with a goal to produce radio programs for KUNM.

“We think we know a lot about immigration by living relatively close to the border in Albuquerque, but there are issues about immigration that can only be explored by talking to rural and city-dwelling Mexicans as well as by listening to government officials, policy makers and media representatives who have been covering the issue,” Schaefer said.”

“The nations largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights group is bringing its annual convention to Albuquerque in 2010.”

“At least 10 illegal immigrants from Colorado will get to attend classes at the University of New Mexico this fall, with many not having to pay for tuition or books.

A new Colorado law prohibits state colleges from providing in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.

In New Mexico, the state is barred from denying education benefits based on immigration status, said Terry Babbitt, director of admissions for the University of New Mexico.”

“Thomas Mestas, a lifelong Albuquerque resident has been quietly helping his community achieve the American dream of homeownership since he began his real estate career five years ago. Now, the 32 year old real estate broker is preparing to let the floodgates open. Mr. Mestas is opening New Mexico’s first office of Casa Latino Real Estate, America’s leading Latino real estate brand.

“Thomas Mestas embodies exactly what we look for when deciding upon who will join our family of franchise owners and partners,” said Robb Heering, Casa Latino’s founder and current CEO.

Reached at his Albuquerque office this week, Mr. Mestas said, “I like the Casa Latino business model because of their focus on community and family and the emphasis on making sure that every family is treated honestly and fairly.” He also said that he wants to, “be part of a paradigm shift in the industry and help make the American Dream come true for more people in the Hispanic community.”

Heering stated that, “the industry is slowly and somewhat hesitantly beginning to see the power and value of Latinos in America, and it’s about time. Some of the value of Casa Latino is that we didn’t take an American real estate agency and translate a few ads to attempt to gain Hispanic market share. We understand the culture, we understand the business, we understand the needs, the dreams, the desires, the hardships, the discrimination”¦ because most of us have lived it. Our company was built upon the reality that the existing national real estate brands do not effectively serve America’s Latinos. That’s not a jab at the obvious success of competitive brands, it’s just reality. Nobody knows our market better than we do. We know that Thomas Mestas and the team he’s assembling in Albuquerque are well equipped to deliver high quality real estate services to Greater Albuquerque and we’re very pleased to have welcomed him into the Casa Latino family.”

About Casa Latino Franchise Corporation

Casa Latino was created in 2005 based upon the premise that Hispanic home buyers and sellers have unique needs based upon cultural differences and lifestyles, bolstered by the fact that those needs are not being effectively served by any other national brand. The company offers franchisees unprecedented culturally specific and significant back office support, training, marketing tools, advertising, coaching, and much more to ensure their success. The franchise model encourages a variety of agent compensation programs which dramatically enhance a brokers ability to recruit agents. The low franchise fee and an exceptionally low transaction based royalty structure make Casa Latino an extremely attractive opportunity. Casa Latino has awarded franchises in 10 states and is executing an aggressive growth plan in the USA and many other countries.”

“To see a copy of the report, along with other publications such as Hispanic Children in New Mexico, Minority/Majority: A profile of New Mexicos Children and others, click here.

LAS CRUCES ”” Hispanic children in Doña Ana County and other border regions in the state are more likely to live in poverty than white children, according to a report released Thursday by a childrens advocacy organization.

Some 40 percent of Hispanic children in Doña Ana County live in poverty, compared to 16 percent of white children. Both rates, however, are higher than averages for the state as a whole.”

“In partnership with the Comcast Foundation, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., today announced a $75,000 capacity-building grant to the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) and Youth Development, Inc. (YDI) for a joint workforce development initiative. Eight NCLR/Comcast grants were awarded to community-based organizations chosen from NCLR’s Affiliate Network of nearly 300 organizations throughout the nation.

This workforce development project will offer participants high-quality occupational training in basic computer skills and customer service and also will enhance the overall employability of job-seekers though job readiness preparation and the acquisition of portable skills.

“At Comcast, we have a deep commitment to serving the communities where we live and work. This commitment to our communities goes well beyond bringing the best cable, video-on-demand, high-speed Internet and later this summer - digital phone services - into our customers’ homes,” said Scott Westerman, Southwest Area Vice President, Comcast. “We believe that one of the most important investments we can make as citizens is to support our community through local partnerships. The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and Youth Development, Inc. are two outstanding Latino organizations helping advance our workforce here in Albuquerque and Comcast is thrilled to provide this capacity-building grant.”

“Comcast’s support of the Workforce Development Initiative Pilot Project is critical in providing opportunities for our residents and the growing West Side business community,” said Martin Chavez, Albuquerque Mayor. “It is through these types of partnerships that it improves Albuquerque’s economic development and makes our city a great place to live, work and do business.”

The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest and largest Hispanic Chambers in the United States, with a mission to promote economic development and enhance opportunities for the Hispanic/Latino communities in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Youth Development, Inc. is a nationally recognized youth service organization that provides educational, developmental, and humanitarian assistance to children, youth, and families in central and northern New Mexico.

“We are so pleased that NCLR and Comcast have recognized the work we do together to increase employment opportunities for Latino workers and their families,” noted Augustine (Chris) Baca, President & CEO, Youth Development, Inc.

“In particular, I’d like to commend Comcast for providing this type of funding that will help Latino community organizations become even better at what they do well. It’s not only good for our community, it’s good for Albuquerque and New Mexico,” noted Alex Romero, Executive Director of AHCC.

NCLR/Comcast capacity-building grants were awarded in the categories of community development, education, health, workforce development, and advocacy. One grant also was given in the “Next Generation” category, to recognize young or newly established organizations in communities that have experienced the emergence of new Latino populations. The other awardees include: Association House of Chicago, IL; Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corporation, Denver, CO; Latino Memphis, Inc., Memphis, TN; Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc., Philadelphia, PA; Mujeres Latinas en Acción, Chicago, IL; Spanish American Civic Association, Lancaster, PA; and Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, Union City, CA.

“The NCLR/Comcast grant will allow these NCLR Affiliates to expand the important work they do in their communities to advance opportunities for all Latinos,” said Janet Murguí, NCLR President and CEO. “We commend Comcast for working with us to offer this unique opportunity and for its continued support of organizations that strengthen and serve the Latino community.”

Supporting NCLR and its Affiliate Network further exemplifies one of Comcast’s key diversity initiatives to create opportunities for the Hispanic community. Comcast’s commitment to diversity is focused on four key areas: attracting and retaining a multicultural workforce, developing a diverse supplier group, offering a wide selection of multicultural programming and pledging significant community investments.

For more information on the NCLR/Comcast Capacity-Building Grant Program, please contact Affiliate Member Services at (202) 785-1670 or visit www.nclr.org.

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About Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
One of the oldest and largest Hispanic Chambers in the United States, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) was established in 1975. The mission of the AHCC is to promote economic development and to enhance opportunities for the Hispanic community in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. One way the AHCC accomplishes this mission is through the Barelas Job Opportunity Center (BJOC) which provides a complete array of educational services and programs designed to improve the educational opportunity and experience of Hispanic students in order to create a job ready and well trained employee base for both small and large companies in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. About Youth Development Inc.
Youth Development, Inc. (YDI), founded in 1971, is a nationally-recognized youth service organization that provides educational, developmental, and humanitarian assistance to children, youth and families in central and northern New Mexico. As a 501 ( c ) 3, non-profit charitable organization, The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and Youth Development, Inc., YDI is eligible to receive tax-deductible cash and in-kind donations. YDI’s programs include tutoring, after-school activities, gang intervention, drop-out prevention, family counseling services, emergency teen shelter, youth sports, internships, scholarships, parenting skills, leadership development, public housing assistance, community corrections, GED studies and testing, early childhood education via Head Start centers, substance abuse and AIDS education and many others. Through these programs, YDI serves more than 12,250 clients each year through direct services and an additional 30,000 clients through related outreach programs. About NCLR
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States – works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs), NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas – assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families. Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCLR serves all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country and has operations in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is the nation’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 24.2 million cable customers, 11.5 million high-speed Internet customers, and 2.5 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One , four regional Comcast SportsNets and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast’s Internet business. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

Comcast serves more than 300,000 customers in New Mexico and Tucson and employs nearly 700 people in this region.”