Una Voz Unida of Odessa has scheduled a Community Assessment Presentation for the Catholic Churches of South Odessa on April 18th, 2010 at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall, at 1321 W Monahans. Time will be 4pm to 6pm. Flyer is attached. Please RSVP if you wish to attend.
This presentation will be delivered in Spanish. English translation will be available. This presentation will be open to anyone wishing to attend. Voter Registration table will be on hand for those wishing to vote in the November General Election. Snacks and Beverages will be provided.
Thank you.
Art Leal
Project Coordinator
Una Voz Unida of Odessa
Odessa Civic Engagement Project
Odessa, Texas
432.349.1280
DONATE NOW $5.00: http://www.unavozunida.org/contribute.htm
http://www.youtube.com/unavozunidapolitical
Event hosted by Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan
Conjunto legend Ruben Vela dead at 72
Bruce Lee Smith
2010-03-09 23:22:51
HARLINGEN — Conjunto legend Ruben Vela’s career stretched from his boyhood in dusty South Texas dance halls to the days of the powermix and the music video. The accordion mastery that kept people dancing for more than half a century has been forever silenced. Vela, 72, died Tuesday evening at Valley Baptist Medical Center.
Known as the "King of the Dance Hall Sound," Vela started recording in the 1950s but scored his biggest success at an age when most people start considering retirement. In the late 1990s, Vela’s hits "El Coco Rayado Powermix" and "La Papaya" brought the 60-year-old international fame and a whole new generation of fans.
Vela’s distinctive style kept dance hall crowds moving during a performing career that began when he was only 12. Whether it was a polka, ranchera or cumbia, the dance floor was always full when Vela started playing.
His wife, Molly Vela, said, "There will never be another Ruben."
"He was a wonderful, down-to-earth person. Everybody loved him because he was such a good person," she said.
"He never complained about anything. He was very happy with his music." This April, they would have been married 48 years.
Rey Avila, founder of the Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame and Museum in San Benito, said conjunto music will miss one of its finest artists. "It’s sad. He was one of the pioneers of real traditional conjunto music," Avila said.
Avila said Vela’s family called him Tuesday night to give him the news. "We all loved him," Avila said. "Conjunto music has really lost a true pioneer."
"He was one of the best, there’s no other way to describe it," he said.
Local conjunto accordionist and singer Frutoso Villareal called Vela more than just a great musician. Villareal said he’ll always remember Vela as a loving father, a strong family man and a trusted friend. "For me, he was like a friend, like a brother," Villareal said.
Villareal called Vela a mentor and teacher who showed him how to play conjunto music since the young age of 12. "I’m truly going to miss him," he said, adding, "I’ll always remember him whenever I play conjunto music."
Villareal said the Rio Valley should be proud of Vela, calling him one of the style’s greatest ambassadors.
"Right now, it’s a loss for conjunto music, but I know he’s in heaven playing conjunto music at the golden gates," he said.
Born May 10, 1937 in San Antonio, Mexico, Vela grew up in Relampago and Mercedes. The Velas were a musical family and Ruben’s nine brothers and one sister could all play instruments. When he turned 11, Vela’s mother spent the princely sum of $70 to buy Vela his first accordion.
Vela practiced day and night. At dances and quinceañeras, he would watch the playing of conjunto pioneers such as Narciso Martinez, Valerio Longoria, and in particular, Tony de la Rosa. By the next year he felt ready to start performing in public.
By the mid-1950s, Vela had become a regular on Martin Rosales’ live radio show on KGBT-AM. Impressed by Vela’s talent, Rosales introduced him to Arnaldo Ramirez Sr., the owner of McAllen’s Discos Falcon. Vela’s first single was an instrumental called "Adolorido," a tune based on two old traditional Mexican songs, "Adolorido" and "El Abandonado." It became an instant hit.
It was the first of many hits for Vela. Others included "Te Regalo El Corazon," "Mire Amigo," and "El Oso Negro." Two of his most beloved singles were "El Pajuelazo" and "El Tiroteo." Over the decades, Vela also recorded for labels such as Bego, Freddie, Dina, Joey and Hacienda, and most recently, Crown.
Vela’s years of performing and his influence on conjunto were recognized by countless awards and honors. He was inducted into the Halls of fame of the Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame and Museum, the South Texas Conjunto Association and the Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio.
The Vela musical tradition has been passed on: Ruben "Rabbit" Vela Jr. is the drummer in Vela’s conjunto band. His daughter, singer Marlissa Vela, has several CDs to her name and a musical career that has taken her all over the country.
____
Valley Morning Star reporter Michael Barajas contributed to this story.
Office of Communications & Outreach, Press Office
Oficina de Comunicaciones y Difusión, Oficina de Prensa
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
PARA LA DIVULGACIÓN: 10 de julio de 2009
ENLACE: John White, Secretario de Prensa
(202) 401-1576 o john.white
Juan Sepúlveda, Director, Iniciativa de la Casa Blanca para la Excelencia Educativa de los Hispanoamericanos
(202) 412-4839 o juan.sepulveda
INICIATIVA DE LA CASA BLANCA PARA LA EXCELENCIA EDUCATIVA DE LOS HISPANOAMERICANOS INICIA SERIE DE “CONVERSACIONES COMUNITARIAS”
El Secretario de Educación de los EE. UU. Arne Duncan anunció hoy que Juan Sepúlveda, el Director de la Iniciativa de la Casa Blanca para la Excelencia Educativa de los Hispanoamericanos, da inicio a una serie de conversaciones con la comunidad durante la próxima semana en Texas. Sepúlveda se ha puesto en contacto con comunidades hispanas de todo el país y continuará haciéndolo, al comenzar esta serie con visitas a varios estados y Puerto Rico desde principios de julio hasta fines de septiembre.
La Iniciativa de la Casa Blanca sobre la Excelencia Educativa de los Hispanoamericanos se creó mediante Orden Ejecutiva el 24 de septiembre de 1990, a fin de mejorar los esfuerzos del gobierno federal para promover la calidad educativa de los hispanoamericanos. El Sr. Sepúlveda visita comunidades hispanas para recibir recomendaciones antes de actualizar posteriormente durante el año en curso la Orden Ejecutiva.
“La educación ya no es simplemente un camino hacia la oportunidad y el éxito, es un requisito previo para el éxito. Necesitamos escuchar y responder a las necesidades de todos los estudiantes de todas las edades y eliminar las brechas en el rendimiento entre los niños y jóvenes de diferentes orígenes,” dijo el Secretario de Educación de los EE.UU. Arne Duncan. “Mi esperanza es que Juan Sepúlveda nos ayude a conectar más estrechamente con la comunidad hispana y comprender los retos que enfrentan las familias, para que tengamos mejor capacidad de brindar un camino claro hacia los estudios universitarios y las carreras profesionales.”
Sepúlveda visitará Laredo, San Antonio, Brownsville, Austin, El Paso, y Houston la semana entrante, antes de visitar Chicago a fines de este mes. Estas visitas incluirán encuentros con dirigentes comunitarios, funcionarios electivos, y educadores. También ofrecerá “Conversaciones Comunitarias”, coloquios al estilo de un cabildo abierto, para obtener las apreciaciones y los aportes del público sobre el estado de la educación de los hispanoamericanos. A continuación se presenta el calendario de las Conversaciones Comunitarias de la próxima semana:
Domingo, 12 de julio de 2009
Laredo, TX
Texas A&M International University
Student Center—5201 University Boulevard
Lunes 13 de julio de 2009
San Antonio, TX
University of Texas at San Antonio
Campus del Centro (Downtown Campus)—501 W. Durango Street, Southwest Room
Martes 14 de julio de 2009
Brownsville, TX
University of Texas at Brownsville
Salón Cassia, Education and Business Complex
Miércoles 15 de julio de 2009
Austin, TX
Austin Community College
Salón 1130—South Austin Campus, 1820 W. Stassney Lane
Jueves 16 de julio de 2009
El Paso, TX
El Paso Community College
Edificio A—Sala de juntas, Administrative Service Center
Viernes 17 de julio de 2009
Houston, TX
Houston Community College
3100 Main Street—Auditorio
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|
Office of Communications & Outreach, Press Office
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
FOR RELEASE: July 10, 2009
CONTACT: John White, Press Secretary
(202) 401-1576 or john.white
Juan Sepúlveda, Director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans
(202) 412-4839 or juan.sepulveda
WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR
HISPANIC AMERICANS BEGINS A SERIES OF “COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS”
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that Juan Sepulveda, Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, is beginning a series of community conversations next week in Texas. Sepulveda has contacted Hispanic communities nationwide and will continue to do so, as he begins this series with trips to several states and Puerto Rico between July and the end of September.
The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans was created by Executive Order on September 24, 1990 to improve Federal efforts to promote quality education for Hispanic Americans. Sepulveda is visiting Hispanic communities to gain input prior to updating the Executive Order later this year.
“Education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity and success, it is a prerequisite for success. We need to hear from and meet the needs of all students of all ages and eliminate the gaps in achievement between children of different backgrounds,” said U.S. Secretary of Education
Arne Duncan. “My hope is that Juan Sepulveda helps us connect more closely to the Hispanic community and understand the challenges families face, so we are better able to provide clear paths to college and careers.”
Sepulveda will travel to Laredo, San Antonio, Brownsville, Austin, El Paso, and Houston next week, before visiting Chicago later this month. These trips will include visits with community leaders, elected officials, and educators. He will also host town hall-style “Community Conversations” to gain public input on the status of Hispanic education. The following is the schedule of next week’s Community Conversations:
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Laredo, TX
Texas A&M International University
Student Center—5201 University Boulevard
Monday, July 13, 2009
San Antonio, TX
University of Texas at San Antonio
Downtown Campus—501 W. Durango Street, Southwest Room
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Brownsville, TX
University of Texas at Brownsville
Salon Cassia, Education and Business Complex
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Austin, TX
Austin Community College
Room 1130—South Austin Campus, 1820 W. Stassney Lane
Thursday, July 16, 2009
El Paso, TX
El Paso Community College
Building A—Board Room, Administrative Service Center
Friday, July 17, 2009
Houston, TX
Houston Community College
3100 Main Street—Auditorium
###
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TONATIERRA
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Date: Tuesday March 9, 2010
Contacts: Shannon Rivers (480) 220-6766; Tupac Enrique Acosta (602) 466-8367
Email: chantlaca
7th Annual
Nahn-coh-Mahss O’otham
Community Forum in Affirmation of the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Thursday March 11, 2010
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Memorial Hall – Phoenix Steele Indian School Park – 300 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ – Representatives of Nations, Pueblos, and organizations of Indigenous Peoples from Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Canada will join with the Native American Heritage Coalition at Indian School Park on Thursday March 11th to take collective action implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The event is the 7th Annual proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day – Nahn-coh-Mahss O’otham and is being hosted by the Nahuacalli Neigborhood Association, the Alianza Indigena Sin Fronteras, the Seventh Generation Fund and the ASU School of Law Indian Legal Program.
PRESS CONFERENCE
11:00 AM
MEMORIAL HALL
Steele Indian School Park
300 E. Indian School Road
The UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on September 13, 2007. The US government has yet to endorse the declaration, although the Obama administration has signaled through the state department that a new policy is being considered.
Taking up the message shared at the Native Nations Tribal Summit in Washington, DC last November by Mr. Joe Kennedy of the Timbisha Western Shoshone Nation, a national call to President Obama to take immediate action and endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will be made public at the press conference.
Links:
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 |
| For Immediate Release
March 9, 2010 Contact.: Arnoldo Garcia (510) 928-0685 agarcia Catherine Tactaquin (510) 459-4457 ctactaquin |
PfPJ Monthly Meeting
MARCH 10th, 2010
Wednesday
7PM
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hidalgo County Bldg.
1401 S. Nebraska Avenue
San Juan
Please send agenda items.
AGENDA ITEMS THUS FAR:
* March 20th – National Day Protest Against The Wars
* March 27th – Cesar Chavez Day March and Celebration
* Movie Night – Next Movie? Etc.
For more information, contact PfPJ at:
pfpjvalley
peoplepeacejustice.blogspot.com
(956) 467-0649
| Saturday
Night March 20th the S.A. based Saustex & Sauspop labels have their first stand-alone official SX showcase at Jaime’s Spanish Village ( 802 Red River St in Austin, TX, directly across from Stubb’s) The Alamo City is prominently repped at the event with locals the Sons of Hercules, Hickoids, Snowbyrd and Pinata Protest all on the bill. It should be a memorable night, even if the Lutz Brothers do behave. The cast of characters: 8pm Shellshag http://www.myspace.com/shellshag (extended Saustex family from Brooklyn on the Starcleaner label) 9pm Pinata Protest http://www.myspace.com/pinataprotest (PP’s debut album "Plethora" on Saustex will be out next month. Street date 4/20) 10pm The Summer Wardrobe http://www.myspace.com/thesummerwardrobe 11pm Snowbyrd http://www.myspace.com/snowbyrds (Check out the nice piece running on AOL Spinner http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/02/sxsw-2010-snowbyrd/ ) Midnight Hickoids http://www.myspace.com/hickoids 1amThe Sons Of Hercules http://www.myspace.com/sonsofhercules Official flyer link: Cover at this show is still to be determined, badges and wristbands receive first priority. Ages 21 and up. Bring your abuela. Álvaro Del Norte
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TODO Austin Presents: SXSW Tejano Music Showcase
Location:Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
Time:6:00PM Thursday, March 18th
TODO Austin is proud to be a co-sponsor of the SXSW Tejano Music Showcase!
We welcome families, area residents and music fans to this all ages showcase of Tejano and Latin music legends. SXSW has made a great effort to increase community wide participation in its music events and the March 18 date will be a historical occasion not to be missed.
Admission $10 without a badge/wristband. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – Austin Music Award winners Los Texas Wranglers bring you 10 years of experience performing traditional Conjunto with the best in Tejano, Blues, Jazz, R&B, and Country bands.
http://www.iconjunto.com/
8:00 p.m. – El Tule serves up a unique blend of Cumbia, Afro-Cuban, Rock, Merengue, Salsa and Reggae.
http://www.myspace.com/eltule
9:00 p.m. – Grammy Award-winning Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution take the stage to play the finest in traditional Tejano.
http://www.rubenramos.com/
10:00 p.m. – Grammy Award-winning Little Joe y La Familia, "King of the Brown Sound," brings it home with even more authentic Tejano.
http://www.littlejoeylafamilia.homestead.com/
Free parking is available throughout the East End 11th Street Jazz and Arts District, a historic, diverse, eclectic and rapidly growing area.
The showcase is also sponsored by Diverse Arts, the Austin Tejano Music Coalition and Bemba Entertainment
http://www.diversearts.org
http://www.austintejanomusic.com
http://www.bembaentertainment.com
