27 DE FEBRERO 2011 - La Prensa De San Antonio

The
27 DE FEBRERO 2011
Entertainer
REVELAN DETALLES DEL
GRAN DESFILE BATTLE OF FLOWERS
pág 7-E

2-E
La Prensa de San Antonio
1910 REVOLUTION ACROSS BORDERS
Through February 27 – Commemorate the centennial of the Mexican Revolution, the pivotal
political conflict that shaped our understanding of Mexico as a nation. This event will take
place at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. For more information call (210) 357-1910 or
visit wittemuseum.org.
ASL ON STAGE 2011
March 5, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. – San Antonio College American Sign Language and Interpreter
Training department will present the ASL On Stage 2011: Talent Show & Silent Auction.
This event will take place at SAC, 1300 San Pedro Ave. The cost is a $10 donation that will
benefit Rea & Barbara Hinrichs Scholarship Fund. For more information call (210) 486-
1119 or (210) 486-1112.
MUSCLE WALK 2011
March 5 – More than 400 walkers, as well as people using wheelchairs and scooters, will
participate in the first San Antonio Muscle Walk at Morgan’s Wonderland. The fun event is
expected to raise more than $70,000 to help area residents with muscular dystrophy, ALS
and related muscle diseases served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. For more information
call (210) 650-3181.
RUMMAGE SALE
March 5 – St. Patrick’s Catholic Church will host a community rummage sale at 1114 Willow
St., near 1801 and I35 North. Space is still available. For more information call (210)
337-6425.
¡EL SEGUNDO RETO ANNUAL DE LA PAELLA!
13 de marzo de 11 a.m. a 4 p.m. - Evento comunitario en donde se podrá disfrutar de la
Paella, gran platillo español. El evento se llevara a cabo en Pearl Brewery y participaran
varias organizaciones como la escuela culinaria CIA. Boletos $50 y $20 para edades 14 y
menores.
CONJUNTO FESTIVAL
May 13-15 – The 30th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival, featuring over 20 live bands of
conjunto music pioneers and emerging artists, is coming soon to San Antonio. This event
will take place at Rosedale Park, 303 Dartmouth. For more information call (210) 271-3151.
DON LIMON
Contents
febrero 27, 2011
DISEÑADORA LATINA VISTE A LAS ESTRELLAS
3-E
TEXAS DE BRAZIL IS WORTH THE STAKEOUT
6-E
REVELAN DETALLES DEL DESFILE BATTLE OF FLOWERS
7-E
INTERNATIONAL FEST HIGHLIGHTS S.A. CULTURAL DIVERSITY
11-E
MEXCIAN GOLFERS TELL THEIR STORY IN “MUSTANG MIRACLES”
12-E
S.A. HOLDS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MARCH
13-E
TEJANO MUSIC AWARDS FANFAIR PROMISES STAR STUDDED
SHOW
14-E
The sufferings that fate inflicts on us should
be borne with patience, what enemies inflict
with manly courage.
Thucydides
Cerdafied

febrero 27, 2011
In search of success
By Cristina Blackwell
cblackwell@laprensasa.com
Last weekend I had an invigorating
chat with an ex-boss turned good
friend.
Rarely do I have a conversation
with him that doesn’t leave me
energized and thinking of new possibilities.
I enjoy feeding off of his
passion and ideas.
On this particular day, he casually
threw in the middle of the conversation
a comment that instantly sparked
a “Cris n’ tell” topic in me.
He said: “I only surround myself
with positive people –those with
good energy.”
While he continued talking, I
couldn’t help but think to myself,
“Who have I been associating myself
with?”
Days later it suddenly hit me.
There two types of people in this
world: those you want to avoid, and
those whom you want to surround
yourself with.
The one’s to avoid enjoy sucking
energy out of you by complaining,
criticizing and making excuses.
The one’s you want to keep close
are those that you find intellectually
stimulating, the one’s that infuse your
imagination with fresh thinking,
interesting ideas, and a contagious
enthusiasm for what’s possible.
It is said that you are the sum of the
five people you spend the most time
with. I know I’ve experienced this
first hand, especially with the people I
work with. They have influenced me
and I have influenced them, hopefully
for the better.
We can’t always pick who we
work with, but we can choose who
we spend our time with. So, why not
make sure the people you associate
with on a regular basis are interesting,
talented and successful, because the
chances are you will be too. If they’re
not, chances are you won’t be either.
Cris n' tell
Exceptional people are not threatened
by other strong people; they
surround themselves with the best
and most talented people they can
find. If we don’t ask for advice from
those who know more we will never
learn from one another, which is a
true shame.
So, am I telling you to ditch the
friends who are at the same level of
success as you are? Heck, no. But you
surly need the right balance. If certain
people are bringing you down, then
you need to spend less time with them
and more time with people who will
help you stay “up.”
It’s not about the outside appearance
or how popular or cool someone
might be. No, it’s about who they are
as a person and could we be compatible.
Did they lie, cheat or steal? Did
they go out of their way to show me
kindness perhaps at me when they
didn’t have to? Did they have a good
heart and would they let me close
enough to see it?
Here’s an activity for ya’: Think
of the two to five people you spend
the most time with on a regular basis
(this includes friends, family, coworkers
and people you don’t even
particularly like). If you’re spending
the majority of your time on a regular
basis with these people (let’s say over
the last six months), then they belong
on this list.
Got them? Ok, good. Altogether,
how do you view these people? Are
they successful in the ways that you
want to be? Are they moving towards
that success in any way? Are they
positive people? Are they negative
people? What do they do on their
spare time?
Most importantly, is this group of
people heading in the same direction
you want to be heading?
Don’t be afraid of change. There
are six billion people on this planet
–life is here to be cherished. You
deserve to live it with people who
want to cherish that life with you,
who love you, respect you, and want
to see you succeed.
Surround yourself with high quality
people who inspire and challenge
you –not with bloodsucking losers
who do nothing more than contaminate
your soul with negativity. Love
yourself enough to walk away from
these people. Surround yourself with
people who challenge your beliefs,
challenge you to think bigger, raise
your consciousness and tell you what
you need to hear, not what you want
to hear.
Now let me ask you: Who injects
you with energy and ideas? By all
means, introduce us.
“Home sweet S.A.”
By Dennis M. Ayotte Jr.
dennisayottejr@gmail.com
I’ve lived in San Antonio for
eight years now (four years longer
than anticipated). My goal was to
graduate college and move back
to Houston to be with my family
and start a career.
However, several years later
I’m still here and San Antonio
has become my home. I’ve met
friends for life here, explored everything
the night-life has to offer
and had my fair share of real-life
MAN issues.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t until last
(EFE).- La diseñadora Johana
Hernández, cuyo interés por la
moda se despertó en su infancia
cuando acompañaba a sus padres
a trabajar a las fábricas de costura
de Los Ángeles, ha sacado su propia
línea de ropa después de haber
diseñado para conocidos artistas.
"Este mes estoy lanzando la colección
(de ropa) 'Glaudi by Johana
Hernández' y me da mucho gusto
presentarle esto al mundo, porque
es una colección súper única y
también porque ayudamos a los
necesitados con las ventas de los
vestidos", dijo Hernández.
La diseñadora señaló que su
colección representa "al latino que
es trabajador, al latino que somos
la nueva generación y que somos
muy orgullosos de nuestras raíces
y de dónde venimos".
Nacida el 21 de junio de 1986
en Los Ángeles, Hernández es
hija de inmigrantes salvadoreños
que al llegar a los Estados Unidos
a principios de la década de los
I have MAN[y] Issues
Friday when I realized that the
Alamo City is my home.
There is nothing for me back
in Houston anymore. My father
won’t speak to me and the relationship
with my brother becomes
more distant by the day. My
mother is the only constant I’ve
had in my life the past eight years,
yet our relationship is not what it
once was.
The friends I once had have
gotten married or moved on to
bigger and better things. Granted
I have few friends who are still
around that I can talk to and it’s
like we never skipped a beat, but
the majority have moved on.
Deep down it hurts that these
relationships have faded, but I
can’t dwell on the past. I eventually
needed to move on, or I’d be
forever consumed with the past
and how things once were.
I never thought I’d be a true San
Antonioan, but it’s become clear
this is home. I have a great job and
amazing friends—no girlfriend
(currently) but I’m working on it.
Granted S.A. is a large city but it
still has the feel of a small town.
I’m not exactly sure how long
I’ll be here, but I’ve recently em-
ochenta se dedicaron a trabajar en
fábricas de ropa.
Debido a que los sábados no
tenían a nadie quien les ayudara a
cuidar la pequeña pedían permiso
a sus jefes de la empresa Koos
Fashions para llevarla al trabajo
3-E
barked on a new journey with a
friend that could potentially alter
our lives forever, then who knows
where I’ll be.
Ultimately what I’m trying to
say is despite all the crappy things
that have happened and relationships
that have diminished since
I’ve been in S.A.—I’m happier
than I’ve ever been. As much as
I avoided accepting this as the
truth, it is.
I’m content with the fact that
my dad won’t speak to me, I
understand that I probably won’t
ever have the brotherly relationship
you only see in the movies
and that my old friends have taken
their own path—it's life.
I know this column sounds dark
and that I’ve given up all hope,
but deep down I’m an optimist
and have hope that one day I can
rekindle the relationships that
once were. For now I am okay
with it. It only took eight years but
sometimes you just have to realize
when it’s time to move on.
It’s bittersweet to accept but I
feel I’ve had a weight lifted.
S.A. is my home sweet home
(for now).
La diseñadora Johana Hernández dio sus primeros
pasos en fábricas y hoy viste a estrellas
La diseñadora Johana Hernández trabaja en el taller del Instituto
de Diseño de Modas y Mercadeo (FIDM), en Los Ángeles. (EFE)
en donde la niña jugaba con trozos
de tela.
"Toda esta historia siento que
regresa a lo que mi familia es,
ellos fueron humildes, trabajaron
en fábricas y ahora yo soy la que
vea Johana Hernández 15-E

4-E
La Prensa de San Antonio
febrero 27, 2011
Picks of the Week
“Bambi: Two-Disc Diamond
Edition” (G)
Disney’s 1942 tale of one
year in the life of an orphaned
fawn is not only one of the best
animated films from Disney’s
Golden Age, it is without a
doubt a timeless classic that has
enthralled audiences for generations
— and will continue to do
so for generations to come. Like
all children, Bambi is a bit gangly,
uncoordinated and innocent.
But following the tragic death
of his mother, the young fawn
must quickly learn to survive
in a forest fraught with peril.
Thankfully, he is befriended by
Thumper the bunny and Flower
the skunk. Together, they learn
valuable lessons (often with the
help of a wise old Owl) as they
take their first tentative steps
into young adulthood.
“127 Hours” (R)
Director Danny Boyle (“Slumdog
Millionaire,” “Trainspotting”)
pulls out all the stops
in this based-on-a-true-story
account of Aron Ralston (James
Franco, in his best performance
to date), a young canyoneer
trapped in the Utah desert. In
2003, while climbing a remote
canyon in Utah, Ralston tries
to cross a gap that is bridged
by a boulder. As he crosses, the
boulder comes loose and Ralson
— still holding onto the massive
stone — falls about 20 feet to
the canyon floor and finds that
his hand is inextricably wedged
between the boulder and the
canyon wall.
For five days, Ralston tries to
free himself from the rock, but to
no avail. He has flashbacks and
hallucinations. Severely dehydrated,
he drinks his own urine.
He uses the small blade from a
multi-tool to carve out his birth
and death dates into the canyon
wall. Finally, he summons the
courage to do the only thing he
James Franco
can if he wants to survive: use
the blunted, tiny knife to cut off
his arm, and muster what little
strength he has left to hike the
tens of miles to safety.
“Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde: 35th
Anniversary Edition” (R)
Awww yeah ... If you’re in the
mood for some funky, low-budget
‘70s blacksploitation, then
look no further, my little possums.
Bernie Casey stars as Dr.
Henry Pryde, a famous research
scientist developing a serum that
will reverse liver damage. When
he tests the potion on himself,
things get totally messed up:
Dr. Pryde becomes Mr. Hyde,
a white-skinned, hooker-killin’
psychopath!
Top 10 Video Rentals
1. Red ........................ (PG-13)
Bruce Willis
2. Secretariat ...................(PG)
Diane Lane
3. The Social
Network ..................... (PG-13)
Jesse Eisenberg
4. Takers .................... (PG-13)
Chris Brown
5. Dinner for
Schmucks ................... (PG-13)
Steve Carrell
6. Saw: The Final
Chapter .............................. (R)
Tobin Bell
7. The Town ...................... (R)
Ben Affleck
8. Buried ............................ (R)
Ryan Reynolds
9. Case 39 ........................... (R)
Renee Zellweger
10. Inception .............. (PG-13)
Leonardo Di Caprio
Top 10 DVD Sales
1. Takers ............. (PG-13)
(Sony)
2. The Social
Network .............. (PG-13)
(Sony)
3. Death Race 2 .......... (R)
(Universal)
4. Despicable Me ......(PG)
(Universal)
5. Alpha and
Omega .......................(PG)
(Lionsgate)
6. Stone ....................... (R)
(Anchor Bay)
7. The Twilight Saga:
Eclipse ................. (PG-13)
(Summit)
8. Salt .................. (PG-13)
(Sony)
9. Dinner for
Schmucks ............ (PG-13)
(DreamWorks)
10. Machete ................ (R)
(Fox)
Source: Rentrak Corp.
© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.
There are painters who
transform the sun to a yellow
spot, but there are others who
with the help of their art and
their intelligence, transform a
yellow spot into the sun.
Pablo Picasso

febrero 27, 2011
5-E

6-E
Por Ana Cristina González
acgonzalez@laprensasa.com
Al entrar al restaurante Casa
Grande Cantina & Grill, ubicado en
el 389 N Loop 1604 W, se puede
sentir la presencia de México y de
la calidad y autenticidad de sus
platillos.
Originado en Torreón, Coahuila,
Casa Grande Cantina & Grill, es un
concepto completamente distinto
a lo que cualquier restaurante de
carnes y platillos mexicanos puede
ofrecer. El menú, creado por el
Chef Juan Manuel Torres, quien
fue traído desde Torreón con el
fin de continuar el negocio en los
Estados Unidos, ofrece 55 platillos
entre los cuales se pueden disfrutar
ensaladas, auténticos chiles rellenos
mexicanos, y sus famosas
cazuelas.
Las 21 cazuelas con distintos
guisados de carne, pollo, y vegetales,
llevan nombres muy mexicanos,
basados en artistas del Cine
de Oro Mexicano.
Los totopos y las dos tipos de
salsa, roja y verde, son agradables
al paladar, pero no pierden el picosito
sazón mexicano que se pone
en la mesa mientras se esperan los
By Dennis M. Ayotte Jr.
dayotte@laprensasa.com
Texas de Brazil.
Finally, a Brazilian steakhouse
with a name we can pronounce and
something more than a fancy salad
bar, all the meat you can eat and
servers in gaucho pants or as I like
to refer them, “Hammer Time” pants.
Texas de Brazil has been in business
nearly two months in the Alamo
City after they spent $2.7 million to
renovate the historic Kress building
on Houston Street downtown.
Despite its prime location and the
millions of dollars in renovations
spent, what makes Texas de Brazil
really stand out (besides the 14 different
perfectly cooked meats to choose
from) is their impressive selection
of wine in which “Cirque-de-Soleil”
style aerialist retrieve your bottle
aperitivos o el plato principal.
El queso fundido con chorizo
para taquear, fue el aperitivo que
ordené para esperar el plato principal.
La consistencia del queso era
suave y el sabor era tan perfecto
que no necesitaba sal ni pimienta
para darle el “último toque”.
Con la gran variedad de cazuelas,
fue difícil seleccionar una, pero finalmente
escogí “El Cantinflesco”,
una exquisita combinación hecha a
base de carne a las brasas, cebollita
y chile morrón cocidos, cubiertos
en una capa de queso blanco derretido,
el cual no logré descifrar.
La cazuela, hecha a base de
of choice from the two-story glass
wine cellar.
I’m never a fan of salad bars, but
calling Texas de Brazil’s salad bar a
salad bar is an insult.
It’s more like a bar of amazingness.
They offer everything from
sushi to the most remarkable array
of aged French cheeses. In addition,
prosciutto, steamed asparagus with
strawberry sauce and the peppered
salami put it over the top.
During my visit I immediately
noticed the troops of “Gauchos”
coming around with so many cuts of
meat that I had a hard time controlling
myself. They were very polite and if
there was a particular cut I wanted
they made sure I got it.
To further complement my meal
were endless amounts of fresh Brazilian
cheese bread, garlic mashed
see Texas de Brazil pg 11-E
La Prensa de San Antonio
barro, es el plato en el cual se sirve
el guisado. Con una orden de tortillas
calientitas de maíz o harina,
se logran hacer entre 4 y 6 tacos,
lo cual indica que alcanza perfecto
para una persona.
El menú de postres es muy variado,
pues contiene pastel de zanahoria,
flan, pastel de chocolate, nieve,
entre otros. El pastel de chocolate,
conocido en el restaurante como,
“Black Cake”, contiene tres tipos
de chocolate con diferentes texturas,
y es cubierto con un betún de
chispas de chocolate frías.
El servicio es bueno, los meseros
son bilingües en inglés y
español, por lo que se puede pedir
la comida en el idioma que le sea
más cómodo. La cocina cierra a
las 10 p.m. de la noche, de lunes a
miércoles, y los fines de semana a
las 11:30 p.m.
La decoración fue inspirada en la
época del cine de oro mexicano, y
se pueden ver amplias fotografías
de personajes como, María Félix,
Pedro Infante, y Cantinflas. Las
mesas y las sillas son equipales,
originarios de Tonalá, Jalisco,
sin embargo la vajilla y el doble
mantel permiten que se mantenga
esa elegancia rústica y tradicional
de México.
febrero 27, 2011
Casa Grande Cantina & Grill, elegancia y tradición mexicana
Texas de Brazil:
worth the "steakout"
El menú ofrece 55 platillos, entre los cuales se pueden disfrutar ensaladas, chiles rellenos mexicanos, y
sus famosas cazuelas, que contienen guisados de carne, pollo y vegetales. (Foto Ana Cristina González)
Otro de los detalles importantes
es que “Casa Grande Cantina &
Grill” es un restaurante muy acogedor,
pues tiene una cava de vinos
con una variedad de 26 vinos y 4
champañas, con la exclusividad del
vino, Casa Grande Cabernet Sauvignon
(México, 2005), hecho por la
Gran Reserva de la Casa Madero,
ubicado en Parras, Coahuila.
Aparte de ofrecer una cena que
no pierde la tradición mexicana, el
restaurante consiente a sus clientes
con el agradable ambiente que
invita a que se queden a tomar una
copa, y a que continúen la plática
por horas en la sobremesa, como lo
hacen muchas familias mexicanas.
“Casa Grande Cantina & Grill”
tiene una cantina grande que se
presta para eventos nocturnos,
que dan comienzo a sus fines de
semana los miércoles con un karaoke,
el jueves con música en vivo,
viernes de mariachi, y sábados de
comediantes.
Son cinco dueños mexicanos
quienes controlan este comedor,
cuatro originarios de Monterrey,
Nuevo León, y uno de Torreón,
Coahuila, por lo que se puede experimentar
un nuevo sabor en San
Antonio, pero viejo y tradicional
en México.

febrero 27, 2011
Por Roberto J. Perez
El esperado desfile Battle of
Flowers Parade, que se inició
hace 120 años, está programado
este año para el 15 de abril teniendo
bajo el lema Bootin’ &
Scootin representado por carros
alegóricos de una veintena de
preparatorias locales arregladas
con temas alusivos a las canciones
de música de country identificadas
con George Strait.
Battle of Flowers Parade Association,
organizador del evento
invitó al senador John Cornyn
como Gran Marshal para el desfile
en el que participarán más
de cien unidades entre carrosas
alegóricas, bandas y conjuntos
musicales, enormes globos y
By Cristina Blackwell
cblackwell@laprensasa.com
Earlier this week, country music
star and longtime supporter of the
troops Tim McGraw teamed up with
Outback Steakhouse to kick off its
second annual Thanks for Giving
program by saying “thank you”
to troops with a special visit at the
Texas National Guard Armory in
San Antonio.
The “I Like it, I Love it” singer
along with Outback Steakhouse
President Jeff Smith announced their
commitment to donate $1 million
of proceeds from its “Red, White,
and Bloomin’” menu to Operation
Homefront, a San Antonio-based
national nonprofit providing emergency
financial help and other assistance
to the families of our service
members and wounded warriors.
“The sacrifices that our troops and
their families make so we can enjoy
the freedoms we have in the United
States are something Outback Steakhouse
has recognized and appreciated
since we opened our doors 23
years ago,” said Smith. “Outback’s
commitment to once again donate
$1 million to Operation Homefront,
along with our visit to the Texas
National Guard Armory is a token
of our thanks to those who give so
much.”
Smith and McGraw accompanied
Operation Homefront in fulfilling
grupos ecuestres sin faltar el
popular Coyote, mascota de San
Antonio Spurs.
Los detalles del evento fueron
dados a conocer el miércoles en
una conferencia de prensa en la
Plaza de El Álamo por Suzanne
Terry, presidente de Battle of
Flowers Association y Anne
Ballantyne, presidente del desfile
de referencia, con la asistencia de
Sam Bell Steves II, presidente de
San Antonio Fiesta Commision,
organizadores de Fiesta San
Antonio.
La banda Ocean of Soul de
Texas Southern University abrirá
la marcha en el recorrido que
se inicia en la calle Broadway
y Grayson St, pasando por la
Plaza de El Álamo, continuar
essential needs of several military
families. Through this effort,
Outback had the chance to personally
meet four of the families in San
Antonio who receive assistance as
a direct result of Operation Homefront’s
ongoing support. From housing
that allows wounded-warriors
to rehabilitate with their families to
school supplies and holiday toys for
military kids to funds to help cover
unexpected expenses, gifts from
Operation Homefront help military
families in their transitions back to
everyday life.
The charitable duo also visited on
of Operation Homefront’s residential
villages, surprising its residents
with a special trip to their local
Outback Steakhouse for dinner later
that evening. Finally, Outbackers
took the grills and prepared a plated
lunch for approximately 300 service
members.
“This really meant a lot,” said
Nate Canales, who came back from
Afghanistan last month. “I’ve been
in the military for 19 years now, and
have been stationed overseas for
three years, so it really feels great to
come back to something like this.”
Created especially for Thanks
for Giving 2011, the Red, White &
Bloomin’ menu will be available in
participating Outback restaurants
between now and April 5. Proceeds
from this menu will help to meet
Outback’s 2011 $1 million commitment
to Operation Homefront.
en Commerce y concluir en N.
Santa Rosa.
Suzan Terry agradeció la cooperación
de 400 voluntarios que
por meses de anticipación han
estado trabajando en la organización
del desfile.
El Senador John Cornyn está
plenamente identificado en San
Antonio. Graduado de St. Mary’s
Law School y de Trinity University
ha servido como Juez de
Distrito en el Estado de Texas y
antes de ocupar un lugar en el
senado, donde lleva 8 años de
servicio, fue Attorney General
de Texas.
Battle of Flowers Association
contribuye también a la programación
de Fiesta San Antonio con
el 73 Battle of Flowers Parade
Thanks for Giving allows restaurantgoers
to express their appreciation
for our country’s dedicated servicemen
and women while enjoying new
items such as a Chicken Artichoke
Flatbread, Hearts of Gold Mahi and
Strawberry Waffle Shortcake dessert,
in addition to Outback favorites.
“I continue to be impressed by
Outback Steakhouse’s longtime
support of the troops,” said McGraw.
“I am honored to be involved with
the ‘Thanks for Giving’ program
which not only satisfies major needs
of troops and their families, but also
helps raise awareness and funds to
support our selfless servicemen and
women.”
Honoring the U.S. troops has
Band Festival que tendrá lugar en
el Alamo Stadium con la participación
de unos 3 mil estudiantes
que integran 31 bandas de preparatorias
de los distritos escolares
del área de San Antonio.
La producción de este festival
de música estará a cargo de los
maestros de música Manuel
Flores, de Brackenridge High
School y James Miculka de
Northside Independent School
District, quienes con la asistencia
de un comité de 13 músicos profesionales,
preparan el programa
pleno de energía y espectacularidad
que concluirá con juegos
pirotécnicos. La mayoría de las
bandas participantes en este concurso
tomarán parte en el desfile
del 15 de abril.
always been a long standing priority
for Outback Steakhouse, and
since first opening in 1988, Outback
hosted military events and initiatives
all over the country and abroad.
Included in Outback’s supportive efforts,
along with Thanks for Giving,
is their Operation Feeding Freedom
initiative which sends teams of
Outbackers to the frontlines to feed
American troops stationed abroad.
Since 2002, more than 167,000
troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait
and Turkey have been given a taste
of home through this program.
“The outpouring of support from
Outback Steakhouse during the past
23 years has been tremendous,” said
Brigadier General John Joward,
7-E
Revelan últimos detalles del gran desfile Battle of Flowers
(Foto Roberto J. Perez)
Tim McGraw enjoys lunch with local troops
Country singer legend Tim McGraw teamed up with Outback Steakhouse to give back to the men and
women who serve our country for the second annual Thanks for Giving Program, which raises money
for Operation Homefront. (Photo Dennis Ayotte)
Opeartion Homefront Board Member.
“As a retired member of the U.S.
Military, it means to much to see the
fold from Outback helping our active
and retired servicemen.”
For more information about
Thanks for Giving, please visit
Outback.com. Supporters can also
join with Outback to say “thanks”
to the troops and all military heroes
on Outback’s Facebook page
(Facebook.com/Outback) by posting
notes and sharing photos of military
heroes. The page will also feature a
new website which allows viewers
to meet a few of the military families
who have benefited from Outback’s
2010 $1 million donation to Operation
Homefront.

La Prensa Te Ve
Ramón and Diana arrive at the Flamingo Club.
Rosalia Hernández-Scott, Ramon’s 90-year-old mother and
the lucky groom thanked everyone for attending.
Mr. and Mrs. Ramón Hernández.
Cindy Martínez, Nancy Campos, Diana, Ramón, Tino Durán,
Pastor Campos and René René (Ornelas).
Groom’s family gathers for a portrait.
The couple danced to “Always and Forever.”
Diana’s parents, Pastor Campos and Ramón’s mother.
Ramón and Diana exchange wedding vows. Sunny Ozuna serenaded the bride with “Mi Linda
Esposa.”

Photos by Tibisay Wong, Madeline Lozano and Joseph Campos
The newlyweds cut the wedding cake.
Cindy Braun, Kandi García and Madeline Lozano
were ready to catch the Bride’s bouquet.
The next to get married are Kandi and Gilbert Rodríguez, but to their
respective partners.
Ramón and Diana prepare to toast to their
happiness.
Ramón removes Diana’s garter.
René René and Ramón sang “Ángelito” and “Lo Mucho Que Te Quiere.”
Javier Galván sings “Lagrimas de
Alegria.”
Ramón was ready when Pastor Robert Campos said, “You
may kiss the Bride.”
La Prensa Te Ve
Tibisay Wong and Brandy were guests at
the jovial event.

10-E La Prensa de San Antonio
febrero 27, 2011

febrero 27, 2011
By Cristina Blackwell
cblackwell@laprensasa.com
Starting next month, Wonderland
of the Americas Mall,
formerly Crossroads Mall, is
proud to present their very first
annual Fats Tuesday – Martes
Gigante International Festival,
a four-day event filled with live
music, international food, fun
activities and lots of dancing.
“The diversity of the Hispanic
community goes further than the
Mexican-American,” said Michael
Arellano, partner in OLA
Marketing and co-producer for
the festival. “Ultimately, our
history was created by early
ethnic and generational shifts
from the southern countries and
it’s important to share that with
our current community.”
Starting March 4, the carnival-style
festival is expected to
attract more than 5,000 attendees
and will be showcasing free
concerts from local and regional
potatoes and fried bananas with
cinnamon.
After sampling every meat they
had to offer (twice, some three times)
I wasn’t sure if I was going to be
able to get up from the table. In my
attempt to rest and let my food settle
a tray of about 10 different desserts
caught my eye.
At this point, I couldn’t resist. I
went with the triple layer chocolate
mousse cake and my friend ordered
the classic pecan pie. After trying
each of the desserts I was ready to
ask the manager for a job so I could
bands and dance groups, including
Bombasta, Jai Roots, Salsa
Del Rio, Salsa Brava, Ronny
Tee, Grupo Pasion, and many
more.
Guests will also enjoy dance
performances by Zumba from
Studio Vida Dance Fusion, Lee
Rios and Semeneya Dance Studio,
KaZamba Drum and Dance
group, a Brazilian Capoeira
Batizado along with Tango
performance by Daniela Arcuri
and more!
“It’s about exposure,” added
Arellano. “In an effort to do
that, we’re combining multiple
countries showcasing and highlighting
their rich and cultural
ethnic history.”
Free and open to the public,
the family event will take place
at America’s Amphitheater
outside and the Palm Pavilion
inside, along with activities in
the Marketplace and main stage
in the mall.
Audiences of all ages can
participate in contests, karaoke,
Texas de Brazil... (continued from page 6-E)
eat there every day. Fortunately, my
guest provided a voice of reason and
instructed me otherwise.
Since my visit I’ve been back twice
and each time the thought of picking
up an application crosses my mind.
Not only because of the great food
served at Texas de Brazil but the
customer service and ambience of
the entire place.
In all, Texas de Brazil is priced
competitively with the other two
Brazilian steakhouses in town, but the
others can’t compare to the entire experience
you’ll get at Texas de Brazil.
dancing, face and body painting,
bead and mask-making during
the event. Children’s entertainment
includes Payaso Rolito y
Dulce Candy Super Show and
a special performance by “Fox
Tails.”
Additionally, Peruvian Chef
Waldo Castro from Divine Taste
Catering will showcase comida
Latina while local/regional
bands and talent will perform.
Participants can also have a taste
of the America’s International
Food Court, which represents 12
countries of the Americas.
“We want to give others an
opportunity to be exposed to
the richness of our culture and
we’re doing it on one place at
one time,” concluded Arellano.
Festival time and days are as
follow:
Friday, March 4: 5-9 p.m.
Saturday, March 5: 12-10 p.m.
Sunday, March 6: 12-10 p.m.
Tuesday, March 8: 6-10 p.m.
For more information please v
isit OLA-ME.com.
By Dennis M. Ayotte Jr.
dayotte@laprensasa.com
The original American Basketball
Association (ABA) was
founded in 1967 in an attempt
to compete with the heralded
NBA, until the ABA-NBA
merger in 1976. The freewheeling
style of the ABA eventually
caught on with fans, but the lack
of a national television exposure
and financial losses would
eventually lead to the demise
of the ABA as an independent
league.
The ABA distinguished itself
from the NBA with a more fastpaced,
flashy style of offensive
play, as well as differences
in rules like a 30-second shot
clock versus the NBA’s 24-second
clock. However, the ABA
switched to the 24-second shot
clock for the 1975-76 season,
added the three-point line and
pioneered the now popular slam
dunk at their all-star game in
Denver. Moreover, the ABA
used a colorful red, white and
blue ball as opposed to instead
the NBA’s traditional orange
ball.
Despite their efforts to provide
a unique product to fans
they couldn’t compete with
the NBA. Today, the ABA
has resurrected itself in small
markets such as San Antonio.
11-E
International festival to highlight S.A.’s ethnic diversity
Texas de Brazil has been in business nearly two months in the Alamo
City after they spent $2.7 million to renovate the historic Kress building
on Houston Street downtown. (Photo courtesy of Texas de Brazil)
The multi-day festival showcases music, foods, dance and free concerts
from local and regional bands and dance groups. (Courtesy photo)
The ABA in S.A.
The Fuel currently boast the
best record in the ABA’s Southwestern
division (15-4) and have
yet to lose a game their division.
(Courtesy photo)
The Alamo City is home to the
Texas Fuel and will play the
West Texas Whirlwinds at 6:30
p.m. at the St. George Maronite
Catholic Church Gymnasium.
Fans across San Antonio are
invited to come out early and
watch the team warm-up and
meet-and-greet the Fuel’s recently
selected ABA all-stars
Lamar Wright and Kenny Wilson.
The Fuel currently boasts
the best record in the ABA’s
Southwestern division (15-4)
and have yet to lose a game
their division.
Sunday’s game is the last
regular season game before the
Fuel play in the Western Division
semi-finals next weekend.
Currently the Fuel are one of
the most electrifying and highscoring
team in the ABA.
All fans are encouraged to
wear green and admission for
the game is $2 for adults and
free for children 16 and under.
For more information, email
info@abatexasfuel.com.

12-E La Prensa de San Antonio
febrero 27, 2011
This spring the McNay Art Museum’s
“GET REEL” takes us back
to the past with classic films from
the 1920s and 1930s—exposing
S.A. to the roots of independent
films written by avant-garde filmmakers.
By Dennis M. Ayotte Jr.
dayotte@laprensasa.com
The original version of Fritz
Lang’s legendary German-film
“Metropolis,” premiered in Berlin
in January 1927. At the time, “Metropolis”
was the most expensive
German film ever made (costing
over five million Reichsmarks)
and unfortunately one of the last
times the film was ever seen in its
entirety.
When the film made its way to
the states (Hollywood) the film
bombed with critics and audiences
alike. Consequently, executives at
Paramount significantly shortened
and edited the film. In their efforts
to fit the mainstream mold,
key scenes of the story plot were
cut and oversimplified ruining
“Metropolis” and Lang’s ultimate
vision.
However, in Lang's film the
combination of cinematography
and the architecture of the sets are
arguably the most famous demonstration
of German silent films.
If you’ve never seen a silent film,
it’s different, incredibly different.
Not a single spoken word. You get
the occasional lines that pop up on
the screen like a modern day indie
flick, very intense and emotional
expression from the characters, and
a loud musical score.
“Metropolis” follows the mold of
silent films, but differs in the fact
that; A) Its 153 minutes long and
B) For a film made in 1927, it was
way ahead of its time as far. Lang
was a James Cameron of his time.
The sci-fi based plot has more
than just robots and a crazy, wacked
Let’s “GET REEL”
out inventor. There are deeper messages
that are embedded in the
story. It’s a tale of two worlds—the
working class slave-type vs. those
who live the merry life above in
Metropolis.
Joh Fredersen, is the mastermind
behind both worlds. With his power
comes a stern heartless sense of
life. On the other hand, his son
Freder, is the polar opposite.
Freder is caring and compassionate
toward those who live
underground and partially due
to the fact he falls for a woman
(Maria). Eventually his father finds
out about their relationship and
immediately plots to destroy Maria
with the help of his former crazed
inventor, Rotwang.
The ending is a bit surprising
and Joh comes around to realize
how dark he is and his coldness
toward Maria and Freder vanishes.
Nonetheless, the absence of spoken
words doesn’t hinder Lang’s ability
to convey multiple messages and
“Mustang Miracle” relates victories,
tough defeats, and triumph over tragedy
The original version of Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis” could only be seen
in Berlin until May 1927. From then on it was considered to have
been lost forever until a lost copy surfaced in Argentina.
(Photo courtesy of IMDB.com)
emotion—it’s the visual rollercoaster
that makes the film what it
is and a testament to Lang’s legacy,
talent and ambition. “Metropolis”
is a compelling work of genius, and
must see for any sci-fi fan.
By Cristina Blackwell
cblackwell@laprensasa.com
Three of the four characters in Mustang Miracle: Felipe Del Rio, Gene
Vasquez, Joe Trevino and Author Humberto Garcia at the book signing
at the Central Library Gallery downtown. (Photo Cristina Blackwell)
Forging a plan to get from where
we are to where we want to go can
feel like a journey of a million miles.
Sometimes it helps to see the path
made by others to help us see the possibilities
on our own horizons. Take
for example, the varied journeys of
four young men who reach golfing
success with grand ambitions.
In 1957, a time when very few
Mexican-Americans were familiar
with the game of golf, and even
less actually played it, a group of
young caddies recruited to form the
San Felipe High School Golf Team
competed against all-white schools
for the Texas State High School
Golf Championship. Despite having
outdated and inferior equipment, no
professional lessons or instructions,
the four young golfers captured the
State title.
This story inspired San Antonio
Attorney Humberto Garcia, a San
Felipe student himself. Two years
of thorough research and writing,
“Mustang Miracle,” was created.
“When I first learned that San Felipe
High School had won a state golf
championship in 1957, I immediately
knew that this story needed to get
out beyond the borders of Del Rio,
Texas,” said Garcia. “I recognized
that Mexican-Americans in the 1950s
had very limited access to the game
of golf, largely known then as a white
man's sport. In fact, at that time many
Mexican Americans were shut out
from most sports activities. Little did
I know until I began my research that
the Mustang golf team faced bigger
hurdles than I imagined and their
feat was far more amazing than I had
envisioned.”
These four men were convinced
from very early in life that nothing
can beat unrelenting hard work and
practice. Today, now in their eighties,
they seem relaxed and unassuming,
yet their pleasant demeanor belies
the trials they had to endure to realize
their dream of playing professional
golf against the best.
“Mustang Miracles” is a book for
all the fans who live for the love of
the game, for the dreamers and doers
who make things happen, and for the
friends who help us walk through the
journey of life.

febrero 27, 2011
13-E
21st Annual San Antonio International Woman’s Day March & Rally
Sin Fronteras Mujeres
marcharán por paz, justicia y
solidaridad!
Special to La Prensa
The 2011 San Antonio International
Woman’s Day March and
Rally will be held at 10 a.m. on
Saturday, March 5th. The march
will begin at Travis Park and will
end in the historic Plaza del Zacate
(Milam Park) with a rally featuring
several speakers and performers,
including poet Tammy Gomez,
Houston hip-hop artist Kiawitl Xochitl,
Green Party vice-presidential
candidate Rosa Clemente, and
others.
The planning committee is actively
reaching out to Austin, Dallas,
Corpus Christi, Houston, and
South Texas women to participate
in the march, and organizers expect
(Courtesy photo)
the number of marchers to exceed
last year’s count of 3,000.
The International Woman’s Day
March in San Antonio, unlike any
other in the US, has historically
addressed a wide range of issues,
from violence against women and
reproductive rights to development
over the Edwards Aquifer, from
immigration to war and occupation.
By bringing together diverse
groups of women, including transgender
and genderqueer people, the
march helps to build understanding
of interconnected issues and their
effects on women and girls.
The theme for this year’s march,
“Sin Fronteras, Mujeres Marcharán
Por Paz, Justicia y Solidaridad”
(Without Borders, Women Will
March For Peace, Justice and
Solidarity) draws attention to the
issue of migration and US immigration
policy, as well as the issue
of violence – including domestic
violence, police brutality and US
wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
With racist laws similar to Arizona’s
SB1070 coming before
the Texas legislature in 2011, the
march will also build on the passionate
organizing done in San
Antonio and throughout the US
around immigration this year –
from demonstrations of solidarity
with the people of Arizona, to the
UTSA hunger strikers and their
community supporters advocating
for the DREAM ACT.
The S.A. Int’l Woman’s Day
March Committee, along with the
SA Free Speech Coalition, will
also continue to speak out against
the repressive 2007 Marching and
Parade Ordinance, which imposes
high fees for political marches
and cultural processions in public
streets, limiting the right to freedom
of speech and access to public
spaces in San Antonio.
For more information or to find
out how to get involved in this
year’s Int’l Woman’s Day March,
call (210) 228-0201 or visit www.
sawomenwillmarch.org. Community
members are also invited to
participate in a Banner & T-shirt
Making Day at Esperanza Peace
& Justice Center on Feb. 26 from
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“La Reina del Sur” llega a Telemundo
Por Ana Cristina González
acgonzalez@laprensasa.com
Basada en el Best-Seller del
escritor español, Arturo Pérez-
Reverte, “La Reina del Sur”, es
la telenovela que dará comienzo
a las 9 p.m., el 28 de febrero por
Telemundo, y narra la historia de
Teresa Mendoza, protagonizada
por Kate del Castillo, quien pasa
por tres continentes en un lapso
de 12 años. Teresa comienza
como una mujer inocente, pero las
situaciones que se le presentan la
convierten en una mujer poderosa
que conmueve al mundo al conquistar
un negocio que es solo para
hombres.
Teresa recibirá una llamada
que pone su vida en peligro y la
obliga a escapar a España, país en
donde vivirá una serie de eventos
que cambiarán su vida. Se muda
a Melilla, una ciudad española
al norte de África, en donde se
enamora de un apuesto narcotraficante,
Santiago López Fisterra,
interpretado por Iván Sánchez,
quien le enseña todos los secretos
sobre la navegación, las lanchas
rápidas y cómo sobrevivir en el
estrecho de Gibraltar.
“Me metí mucho en mi personaje
porque hay cosas que yo no
sabía sobre mi papel, sin embargo
si la historia hubiera sido exclusivamente
sobre Teresa, me hubiera
metido más a fondo”, expresó
Kate. “El internet fue el recurso
por el cual me enteré de muchas
de las historias de mi personaje”.
Teresa termina en una prisión
española, en donde su allegada
compañera de celda, Patricia
O’Farrell, interpretada por Cristina
Urgel, la transforma en una mujer
con clase y elegancia.
Al ser redimida, se alía con la
mafia rusa y se proyecta como
líder de un gran imperio de tráfico
de drogas.
Teresa pasa por muchas situaciones
difíciles, por lo que se verá
forzada a transformarse de una
mujer inocente a una mujer lo
suficientemente fuerte como para
sobrevivir en el oscuro mundo del
narcotráfico.
Lo que proyecta la nueva mujer
en la que Teresa se transforma,
sorprenderá a aquellos que no
conocen y hasta a los que conocen
la leyenda de “La Reina del Sur”.
La telenovela trata sobre una realidad
que se vive ahora en varios
países, ya que el narcotráfico es
uno de los problemas de inseguridad
más graves en la actualidad.
Según Iván, es un problema que
debe mostrarse para que la gente
tenga conocimiento sobre el tema.
“La telenovela trata sobre una
realidad y lo único que hacemos es
poder mostrar eso a la gente de la
calle, no hay por qué esconderlo,
este tema está y existe”, comentó
Iván. “Aparte, la telenovela también
es una historia de amor y de
supervivencia de una mujer que
vive en un mundo muy hostil, así
que es importante poner eso en
imágenes y que la gente acceda a
vea "La Reina del Sur" pág 15-E

14-E La Prensa de San Antonio
febrero 27, 2011
Tejano Music Awards presenta “Fan Fair” 2011
Por Ana Cristina González
acgonzalez@laprensasa.com
Fanáticos de Tejano Music
Awards de distintas partes del país
se reunirán en el Historic Market
Square en el centro de San Antonio
para celebrar “Tejano Family
Reunion”. El evento mejor conocido
como “Fan Fair”, tendrá una
duración de tres días, 18, 19, y 20
de marzo, en Downtown Historic
Market Square, y se exhibirán alrededor
de 100 bandas provenientes de
lugares como, Arizona, Michigan,
New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, y otros
lugares de los Estados Unidos.
El evento anual ha llegado a reunir
hasta 95,000 fanáticos, por lo
que se recomienda llegar a tiempo y
organizar su viaje con anticipación.
Aparte de ser un evento en donde
la convivencia familiar es la base,
“Fan Fair” es libre de costo, por
lo que usted y su familia tendrán
la oportunidad de llevar a cuantos
invitados desee.
“Fan Fair” ofrecerá un ambiente
tejano en el cual se podrá disfrutar
de música en vivo en seis distintos
escenarios. Habrá comida tradicional
de la región, bebidas y recuerdos.
Para aquellos interesados en
conocer a sus artistas favoritos, se
podrá disfrutar del acceso exclusivo
y la oportunidad de obtener un
autógrafo.
Dentro de los artistas participantes
se encuentran, Jimmy Gonzalez
y Grupo Mazz, Jay Perez, Da
Krazy Pimps, Sonidos del Barrio,
Verónica Flores, Son de Rey, Jorge
Moreno, Candace Vargas, Joe Garza
y Los Cali Boyz, Silverado Band,
y otros.
El evento será presentado por
Texas Talent Musicians Association
(TTMA), y por otros patrocinadores.
Para mayores informes, favor de ir a
www.tejanomusicawards.com.

febrero 27, 2011
"La Reina del Sur"... (viene de página 13-E)
estoy manejando las fábricas y
soy la líder de los diseños de muchas
compañías grandes", destacó
Hernández.
"He diseñado colecciones de
ropa para Hannah Montana, Jonas
Brothers, Bon Jovi y el grupo mexicano
RBD que se han vendido en
almacenes como Wal-Mart, Macy's
y Kohl's", resaltó la diseñadora.
Actualmente, Hernández es directora
de diseños en la compañía
Seven Jeans y dedica tiempo para
impartir seminarios en el Instituto
de Diseño de Modas y Mercadeo
(FIDM), donde estudió.
En ese taller, la diseñadora hace
ajustes finales a los vestidos Glaudi
de la modelo colombiana Esther
Anaya y la mexicoamericana
Monse Morales.
Esta semana entregó un vestido
valorado en 1,600 dólares para
la actriz María Conchita Alonso,
quien lucirá la prenda en la fiesta
de gala en la entrega de los premios
Oscar de Hollywood, el próximo
domingo.
"En el próximo vídeos de Anahí
(cantante de música pop), ex
miembro del grupo (mexicano)
RBD, yo hice el vestuario de todos
los participantes", comentó, y "para
la entrega de los premios Grammy
Latinos 2009, en Las Vegas, el
cantante español David Bisbal
llevó a su casa toda mi colección de
ropa que la pusimos en un puesto
llamado Hecho Latino", recordó.
La telenovela “La Reina del
Sur” dará comienzo a las 9 p.m.,
el lunes 28 de febrero por Telemundo.
(Foto cortesía)
saber que ocurre afuera”.
Para Kate, la telenovela fue un
reto, pues considera que ella no
hace cosas si no la apasionan y
retan.
“Puedo decir que ya no hago
cosas si no son un reto, un riesgo
o algo que me apasione”, aseguró
Kate. “Teresa ha sido un personaje
muy interesante para mi, y me ha
hecho despertar ese interés por regresar
a la pantalla chica, y durante
estos siete meses de trabajo me he
sentido muy completa”.
Kate es una de las más aclamadas
y reconocidas actrices mexicanas,
y hoy en día es una estrella
en Latinoamérica y en los Estados
Unidos. Kate se ha destacado en
inglés y español con mucho éxito
en el cine, teatro y televisión. La
actriz comenzó desde temprana
edad a lucir sus aptitudes en el
mundo del entretenimiento, comenzando
como protagonista de la
telenovela “Muchachitas” (1991).
Johana Hernández ... (viene de página 3-E)
En su libro de notas de las tallas
de celebridades, Hernández tiene
escritas las medidas de la actriz
Fernanda Romero ("Drag me to
Hell" y "The Burning Plain") y
Mónica Huarte ("Casi Divas" y
"Cansada de Besar Sapos").
"Para mí no ha sido fácil llegar a
trabajar para celebridades y nunca
olvido que siempre hay personas
que tienen más necesidades que
uno, por eso el año pasado creé
la fundación Latinos con Corazón
para invitar a mis amigos, los artistas,
a que cada año realicemos
una noche de presentaciones y el
dinero de las entradas lo donemos
a las personas que más lo necesitan",
indicó.
Hernández ha dispuesto donar
el 50 por ciento del precio de sus
vestidos Glaudi, modelados en
la pasarela "Estilo con Causa" el
pasado 5 de febrero en Los Ángeles,
para el hogar de niños con
discapacidades Padre Vito Guarato
en El Salvador.
Por su parte, Gladys Hernández,
de 52 años y madre de la diseñadora,
dijo a Efe que se siente
satisfecha de que los sueños que
ella siempre tuvo los haya podido
realizar Johana.
"Mi hija es un orgullo hispano
para demostrarle a los jóvenes
que 'sí se puede' y que estudiando,
luchando y con esfuerzo personal
los sueños en este país sí se pueden
realizar", finalizó.
15-E

febrero 27, 2011
16-E
By Nina Duran
I wanna be my mama’s
Christmas tree
Back in December, walking into my parent’s house made me
cringe.
It wasn’t the smell or the memories. Those are nice.
It was the god-awful, overstuffed, over-decorated, over-the-top
Christmas tree, staring at me the second I opened the door. With that
said, let me explain how their Christmas tree ended up this way.
My mom is a pleaser. She loves to make the people in her life
happy. However, above her husband (sorry daddy) and her children,
she will do anything for her grandchildren. And I mean ANY-
THING.
My mom’s Christmas tree started out pretty normal. It had lights,
ornaments, family decorations, tinsel and a few Christmas cards.
Then one day, my two-year-old son, Noah starting putting his
toys in the Christmas tree, between every available branch he could
reach. Did my mother stop him? Of course not. She encouraged him.
Within weeks, my mom’s tree went from “nice” to a complete
mess. Along with everything she already had on there, Noah added
bouncy balls, teddy bears, cars, Lego’s, crayons, magnets from the
fridge, Mickey Mouse characters, stickers, random pictures and
pretty much anything else he could find.
On top of that, my mom would hand him other crap (that didn’t
belong in the tree) for him to add. This became Noah’s “game” of
choice.
“Let’s see how much I can fit on grandma’s Christmas tree before
it topples over.”
Thankfully, after the holiday’s, my mother decided to take down
her tree. The reason I say “thankfully” is because this is the first
year, in a while, that she removes her tree. Usually, it stays up yearround.
I was so happy when I walked in after the New Year and saw the
empty, clean space. I even remember complimenting her courageous
act.
AND THEN IT HAPPENED.
One week later I arrived at my mom’s only to find the damn tree
back up. When I asked her why she did this she proudly said, “Because
Noah wanted it back up.”
I stood there, shaking my head. Then, something happened.
I looked at her Christmas tree and it actually looked pretty.
It wasn’t overstuffed or packed with things. It was simple, nice,
and elegant.
Then it hit me … I am last year’s Christmas tree.
Right now, I have so much going on in my life.
I’m literally busier than ever before. With my kids, my family,
work, personal issue on top of personal issue, I have a lot of “ornaments”
hanging off of me right now. And, it’s not all that pretty.
My mom removed unnecessary objects from her tree, allowing it
to breathe and look nice once again. Maybe that’s what I need to do
… maybe I need to remove the pointless junk from my life.
Maybe, if I do this, I too will be able to breathe again.
It may sound silly to compare my life with a Christmas tree, but if
you take a little time to think about it, it really does apply.
Sometimes we think the more we have on our plates, the better.
My mama’s Christmas tree proves that isn’t necessarily true.
Nina can be emailed at nina@laprensasa.com
Querida Nina,
I’ve always read your column and I enjoy it very much. I especially
like the fact you are now taking English questions because
although I am bilingual, I express myself better in English having
grown up here in San Antonio. I’m writing because my parents are
of Mexican descent and they are very traditional. They married
when my mother was 17 and my father 20. They quickly had children
and raised us well in a loving traditional Hispanic household.
The reason for my letter is that I am now 30 years old and have been
dating the same guy for five years. We are perfectly happy together
and have never once thought about marriage but we are thinking
about moving to Austin together and possibly moving in together. The problem I am
facing is that my parents are mortified that I would even think about moving in with a
man before getting married. They constantly harass me about it and feel I should ask
him to marry me before I go. We are both returning to school for masters and have
so-so jobs, so we are not ready to get married. Besides I think our relationship is perfect
the way it is and it works for us, but my parents never miss a chance to express their
constant disapproval. My boyfriend now refuses to go with me when I visit them and
he is becoming more detached from my family. I don’t want to alienate my parents
but I love this man and I don’t want to lose him. Please help!!
Stressing in S.A.
Dear Stressing,
The last thing you want to do is get married for the wrong reason. Your parents love you
and they want what’s best for you, however, you are old enough to know what is right for
you. You may want to have a straight talk sin pelos en la lengua with your parents concerning
the choices you make about marriage and starting a family. They might not like
it, but they will have to live with it. With time your familia will learn how to accept your
decision, and your man.
Querida Nina,
Le escribo por mi hermana que enfrenta un problema. Yo y ella somos muy unidas
y nos confiamos todo. Ella lleva doce años de estar felizmente casada con su marido,
a quien yo quiero y respeto mucho también. Tienen tres hijos y él le paga todo. Le
compró una casa, maneja un auto más o menos y siempre se ha ocupado de sus hijos.
Mi hermana hasta la fecha también ha sido muy buena esposa, ya que es muy atenta y
siempre se ocupa de su hogar y su familia. Los dos han luchado juntos por su familia y
yo siempre pensé que eran una pareja feliz. El problema es que mi hermana recientemente
me comentó que se ha sentido sola en su matrimonio y busca tener aventura con
otro hombre. La quiero y la verdad pienso que podrá a perder a su familia si se atreve
a cometer semejante tontera. Ya hablé con ella pero siempre terminamos peleando.
Quiero darle buenos consejos, pero tengo miedo de que otra pelea seria la final. Por
favor Nina, dime que puedo hacer. Gracias.
Hermana Preocupada
Querida Hermana Preocupada,
Tendrás que hablar con tu hermana sobre la razón en que está buscando algo fuera de
su matrimonio. Pregúntale porque ella siente que otro hombre le pueda dar algo que su
marido no. Hablando contigo sobre las razones de querer tener aventura tal vez la ayudara
a encontrar otra solución. Podrá ser algo tan sencillo como falta de comunicación entre ella
y su marido. Muchas veces la rutina de la vida matrimonial invade nuestras habitaciones
y no deja espacio para el amor. Los cuidados de los niños, el aseo y el tener la comida
preparada para el marido toman presidencia en nuestras vidas, y el romance se queda atrás.
Hazla ver la bendición que tiene en su familia y en un marido trabajador y responsable.
Una aventura parece ser una solución egoísta y tonta a un problema que se soluciona con
comunicación. ¡Suerte!
Escriba a Querida Nina, 230 N. Medina San Antonio, TX 78207 ó al correo electrónico: Qnina@laprensasa.com