Bilingual Weekly
Archive for February 2012
Masked Warriors live tour
Lucha Libre USA announced it was embarking on a nationwide tour in major Latino markets throughout the U.S. Among the first dates confirmed is the Stockton Arena on Sunday, March 25, 2012.
The tour, “Masked Warriors Live”, will feature Luchastars such as Lizmark Jr., Super Nova, Pequeño Halloween, Marco Corleone, RJ Brewer, Shane “Hurricane” Helms and special guests appearances of former WWE/WCW star, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Latin Lover, Melina and Mexican legends, LA Parka and Blue Demon Jr.
Often referred to as the second most popular sport in Mexico, Lucha Libre has provided over 70 years of family entertainment.
For Blue Demon Jr., Lucha Libre is beyond a tradition; this sport is part of Mexican Culture. Blue Demond Jr. carries on the legend from his father, Blue Demond — one of the greatest Mexican masked wrestlers.
“The difference between American wrestling and Mexican Lucha Libre is that we are a sport,” said Blue Demond Jr.
“Fan experience and audience participation are very important to us, which is something we incorporate into all our shows. Whether its fans coming [sic] dressed as their favorite Lucha-star, creating signs, or attending our pre-show party, we encourage our audiences to take part in the action,” says Lucha Libre USA’s CEO, Steven Ship
March along US-Mexico border reaches Stockton
Border Angels started its VII Migrant March in San Diego, along US-Mexico Border, stopping at The Council for the Spanish Speaking of the Stockton Dioscese (El Concilio) in Stockton on February 8th on their way to Sacramento to advocate for migrants rights.
Annual Water System Flushing
(Stockton, CA) – The City of Stockton Municipal Utilities Department will conduct annual flushing of the City’s water systems, February 20, 2012 through mid-March.
Water distribution systems require regular flushing to remove sand and mineral deposits that accumulate in the pipelines over time. During the course of flushing, customers may experience slight discoloration of water if a faucet is turned on during or shortly after the pipelines are flushed. If this occurs, customers are asked to turn a faucet on outside the house for a few minutes until the water clears.
Flushing activities will occur between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Flushing in the areas north of Hammer Lane from Lower Sacramento east to State Highway 99 will take place the week of February 20 through February 24. The areas north of Hammer Lane and south of Estate Drive, between Lower Sacramento and Interstate 5, will take place the week of February 27 through March 2. Consumnes, Scott Creek, Trinity Parkway, Mokelumne, Whistler, A. G. Spanos, Iron Canyon and Lonnie Beck will take place the week of March 5 through March 9. Areas south of Hammer Lane will not be affected. All flushing dates are approximate based on actual time it takes to flush each area.
For questions concerning this maintenance process or to report discoloration that persists, please contact the City of Stockton Water Utility at (209) 937-7031.
Sara Cazares starts journey to recovery
Stockton, CA — As the parking behind Stockton Unified School District’s (SUSD) administration building darkened on the evening of Thursday, February 8, 2012, community members gathered in a prayer vigil in support of SUSD’s Board President Sara Cazares. Cazares was hospitalized after suffering a stroke and a subsequent aneurism on Friday, February 3rd.
DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
Stockton,CA- It seems as though everyone I talk to says they are watching the republican debates. Some wonder: why? While almost everyone was watching the democratic debates a few years ago, they said if the president had not debated, he would not have received the nomination, nor won the election.
“I Make People Laugh”
“My dream is to fill the Stockton Arena… better yet to have the Astrodome in Huston Texas full,” shared Thuggdork, also known as Reggie Galindo, Stockton based comedian.
300 Kids Receive Free Dental Care
Dentists, students and volunteers teamed-up to give kids a healthy smile at the “Give Kids a Smile” event held on February 4th at University of the Pacific’s Stockton dental clinic.
Mexican legends of romantic music to support Jose Hernandez’s U.S. Congressional candidacy
Modesto, CA — Mexican romantic group Los Dandys, along with La Sonora Santanera, will rally support for Jose Hernandez’s congressional race the evening of April 14th at the Modesto Banquet Hall.
2012 Urban Land Institute findings
STOCKTON, CA – After fifteen years, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) once again visited Stockton to provide recommendations for the city to revitalize its downtown.
Nine panelists spent the week of February 9, 2012 analyzing the city, conducting over one hundred individual interviews to frame a report that was recently presented to the city’s residents.
Mobile Clinic seeks to increase cancer screening rates among Latinas
The St. Joseph’s Mobile Mammography Unit visited Stockton on Friday, January 3rd, as part of a program to provide digital screening mammography services to women living in San Joaquin County.
Stockton Kaiser employees participate in a regional one-day strike
Kaiser Permanente employees and union leaders circled outside the Kaiser facilities in Stockton on Tuesday, January 31st as part as a one-day strike throughout Northern California, battling over contract negotiations with Kaiser.
Stockton’s Marshall Plan unveils committee
Stockton, CA- Stockton’s City Council met on Tuesday, January 31st in a study session of the Marshall Plan — a plan to combat the city`s escalating crime.
NOMINATIONS WANTED FOR STOCKTON ARTS AWARDS
STOCKTON, CA – Plans are underway for the 2012 Arts Awards Celebration, an annual event
presented by the Stockton Arts Commission honoring Stockton-area artists, arts
organizations and contributors to the arts.
Nominations for the awards will be taken until the 5 p.m. March 22nd
deadline, according to event Chair and Arts Commissioner Judy Caruso Williamson.
A packet of materials, which includes the nomination form and instructions, is
available on the Commission’s website,
http://www.stocktongov.com/arts.
The packet details categories of awards, such as the STAR (Stockton’s Top
Arts Recognition), where the nominee should “be of notable reputation, having
exhibited long-time dedication, and having made a measureable impact on the
cultural community.”
The Commission gives awards for Patrons of the Arts, Volunteers, Career
Achievement, Arts Education, the Mayor’s Award and the new Comet, which
recognizes an individual, business or organization demonstrating inspiring,
enthusiastic and innovative promotion of the arts in a relatively short term with
lasting effect. Not every category may be awarded each year.
“We want to celebrate Stockton’s artists and arts groups in as many ways as
we can,” Caruso Williamson said, “and we’d like to note those organizations and
individuals that achieve anniversary milestones this year. Please include a page or
two of major accomplishments and historic information, and we’d like for you to
submit a photograph or logo, too.”
Submissions must be made in the Community Services office of the Cesar
Chavez Library to the Stockton Arts Commission, 605 N. El Dorado St., Stockton
95202 on or before Thursday, March 22 at 5 p.m. Nomination and anniversary
packets will not be accepted after this date.
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information provided by the City of Stockton Arts Commission
Stockton Police Department Grants addressing Violence Against Women and Gang and Gun Violence
STOCKTON, CA – The Stockton City Council approved the acceptance of two critical grants this evening for the Stockton Police Department: Violence Against Women Act Program and Project Safe Neighborhoods Program. Funding for both grants has been provided through the California Emergency Management Agency.
“These are grants that we have received in the past,” said Assistant Chief Eric Jones. “With grant funding there are no guarantees. We must apply every year, and funding may not be available every year. We are so pleased to receive this funding, because it provides for such critical needs within our department and our community.”
The Violence Against Women Act Program grant is for $178,978 and requires at 25 percent match from the City. The total program is $238,637, which funds a full-time Police Officer and a part-time Community Service Officer from the Police Department to investigate domestic violence and sexual assault cases, as well as a full-time Women’s Center of San Joaquin County Domestic Violence Prevention Coordinator to help with training Police Department and medical professionals.
Project Safe Neighborhoods Program grant funds of $132,550 will provide one year of funding for one full-time Police Officer assigned to the Alcohol Tobacco Firearms (ATF) Anti-Gang/Gun Task Force and FBI Task Force. Participating in multi-agency task forces helps the Stockton Police Department with response to gang and gun violence. There is no match required for this grant.
“Funding to address this violence in our community allows us to remain current in our training and awareness of these issues and to keep the pressure on those who are committing these crimes or may consider such violence,” said Mayor Ann Johnston. “We are grateful to CalEMA and the agencies who work with us each and every day to help stop violence.”
For additional information, please contact the Officer Pete Smith, Stockton Police Department, at (209) 937-8209.
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All News Releases can be found on the City of Stockton website. www.stocktongov.com/news
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INTERVIEW: Veronica Ramos
Veronica Ramos is the new Director III of the Region 23 Migrant Education Program, a program that provides supplementary programs and services to children of migrant farm workers within San Joaquin and Contra Costa Counties
(VR) Veronica Ramos
(BW) Bilingual Weekly
(BW) You have been in the education field for a number of years, when did you decide that you wanted a career in the field of education?
(VR) I have been in education for 16 years. I come from a long line of educators, and I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, even when I was a little girl I would play “school” with my little sister. Working with underprivileged students while in college showed me a path to serve students who needed the extra push and encouragement that I could give them.
(BW) How has it been for you, working for the Migrant Education Program?
(VR) MEP has been the most rewarding job I have ever had. I’d say this experience of working with MEP is one that most people dream about, and I’ve been able to make it my reality.
(BW) What challenges have you have along your career?
(VR) My biggest challenge was the budget cuts we had last year in Migrant Education. The decision to not bump another manager was very difficult and led me to ultimately being laid off and having to rebuild many aspects of my life. It was the most challenging, humbling, and strangely enough, the most rewarding experience. I was forced to take time off and learn a lot about myself and learn what I valued most, and that was my friends and family who stood by me in a very difficult time.
(BW) How do you feel as you take on a new challenge as the Director of Migrant Education Program? When would you start your new position?
(VR) I started this new position Jan 9, 2012. Although this is a new challenge for me, I am comforted by coming back to familiar surroundings and know that we have great people in Migrant Education and here at SJCOE. I have great support and although this is clearly the most challenging position in my career to date, I work with a great team and I know we will do our best to serve our students
(BW) As an experienced educator, what are your views on Latinos (a) and education? Do we have a problem with getting Latino students to college?
(VR) I think that our problem of getting Latinos to college is still an issue today, but thanks to programs like ours, we are breaking through; students and families are understanding the power and importance of a higher education for our students. I wish that more areas had strong programs that really reach out and make a difference for our Latino youth. I love that our staff serve as great examples of what can happen with a little effort and perseverance. My motto has always been: Si Se Puede, and I’m sticking to that!
(BW) Lastly, how do you see yourself in the upcoming years? Perhaps going back to the classrooms as a teacher?
(VR) If you would have asked me that a year ago I would rattle off a list of things I’d like to do, but not anymore.
Being laid off for 6 months and struggling to find a job has given me a new sense of who I am and my purpose in this world. I know that I am dedicated to serving students, but I am not sure what the plan for me is. I know that as soon as you try and plan something—and think you have it all figured out—God, fate, whatever you want to call it, comes in and creates a new plan for you.
THANK YOU
