By Yvette tenBerge
Until my late teens, I traveled
to Disneyland at least once each year. Like most park visitors,
I didn't mind that admission prices were always rising, or that
entering the park was equal to stepping into one of this century's
biggest piles of propaganda since the Cold War. I was happy to
spend $50 on a tiny stuffed Pooh Bear, and even happier to push
my way along the crowded walkways wearing a $40 Mickey Mouse T-shirt
while eating a $5 churro. But with age comes wisdom, and those
years of excitement and wonder have long since passed - or so
I thought.
A few months ago, a nicely packaged invitation landed on my
desk. The Walt Disney World Resort was inviting members of the
media to their "100 Years of Magic" celebration, an
event that would mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of founder
Walt Disney. Even though the pages promised an "all-expense
paid" trip, the thought of facing beefed-up airport security
measures was too much to stand, so I tossed the invitation. Who
would want to be micro-managed at a theme park after having to
wade through the airports of today anyway?
Apparently, my editor thought otherwise. So, after digging the invitation out of the trash, I called Disney and booked my flight. Surprisingly enough, other than having my bags searched in San Diego due to a tiny pair of scissors in my cosmetic case and aside from biting into a rock-hard bagel at the Denver airport, the trip was smooth sailing.
Follow this link for the full story
In the Mexican Desert, A Sanctuary for Border-Crossers
By David Bacon
ALTAR, SONORA, MEXICO — Thousands of migrants along the
U.S.-Mexico border are caught between desperate times behind and
a dangerous future ahead.
Sewing is for China? Worker-Owned Sewing Companies
in Sonora and Arizona
by Greg Bloom
If you have been following US-Mexico border news or sweatshop
news for any period of time, you have read economists' statements
that labor markets in Mexico are "maturing" and "becoming
to expensive" for garment work. US$4 a day to sew? Outrageous!
These jobs should naturally go to China and other nations where
people work for a few cents an hour. The Mexicans? They are going
to make products like cars and high-tech goods, the economists
tell us.
Marines regroup for Christmas in Kabul; Former
infantry officer spends evening with 26th MEU warriors
By Sgt. Andrew D. Pomykal
KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 26, 2001) — "Being here
now is like a throw back to when I was a U.S. Marine," said
Christopher J. Chivers.
Reflexión....
Después de la Navidad
Por Paco Zavala
¿Qué es lo que pasa después de esta fecha
tan memorable para la grey católica de todo el mundo?
LA
COLUMNA VERTEBRAL
Por Diego Alvarez
Nuevo año, viejas preocupaciones
Otro año que termina. La alegría de la Navidad
se confunde ahora con la nostalgia del pasado; de lo que fue y
lo que no fue; de lo que hicimos y de lo que dejamos de hacer,
del beso no dado, de la palabra callada, de no haber pensado a
tiempo antes de hablar, y todas esas cosas que suceden durante
un año, y que se repetirán en el siguiente.
Handling a Crisis Teaches Students Important
Lessons
by California Attorney General Bill Lockyer
A crisis such as occurred in America on September 11 can divide
us, or draw us together and make us stronger.
En Aumento La Frecuencia y Dificultades de
Abuelos Que Crían a Sus Nietos
La crianza de los niños por los abuelos no es fenómeno
nuevo. Sin embargo, la frecuencia y las condiciones bajo las cuales
algunos asumen tal responsabilidad preocupa a agencias estatales
y nacionales. Los abuelos en cuestión pueden tener problemas
de salud y experimentar niveles muy altos de tensión al
enfrentarse a los gastos y responsabilidades resultantes. Sus
nietos con frecuencia sufren de problemas emocionales, físicos
y del aprendizaje. Las ciudades, condados y estados se esfuerzan
por desarrollar programas que suplan las necesidades de los niños
y los abuelos que los crían.
Scientists Say Mexican Biodiversity Is Safe; Concerns
About Cross-Pollination Unfounded
AUBURN, Ala. — Following allegations that genes from
biotechnology-improved crops have been found in varieties of corn
grown in Mexico, scientists around the world are re-affirming
that Mexico's biological heritage is safe and that biotechnology
will actually protect biodiversity, not harm it. "Organizations
with a vested interest have used these tenuous claims and a campaign
of hysteria to discredit modern biotechnology," said C.S.
Prakash, a professor of plant genetics at Tuskegee University
and president of the AgBioWorld Foundation.
Consejos para evitar la tristeza durante la época
de los días festivos
Escrito por Jodi Aronson, Ph.D. LMFT
Según una encuesta reciente encargada por CIGNA Health-Care,
casi la mitad de los estadounidenses esperan que esta época
de días festivos sea más estresante que la última.
Quizás eso no sorprende, dado que los estadounidenses este
año enfrentan una economía incierta y preocupaciones
sobre su seguridad. Y esas cosas sólo se agregan al estrés
usual que viene con la celebración de las festividades
durante época más "normales".
Atrapamos: A las Compañías de
Tabaco con las Manos en la Masa
Los éxitos del control de tabaco en California y
los continuos desafíos
En un juego por tres años entre el ratón
y el gato, dedicados voluntarios han trabajado con el Procurador
General de California Bill Lockyer para seguir el rastro de violaciones
por parte de las compañías grandes tabacaleras con
el Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), Smokeless Tobacco Master
Settlement Agreement (STMSA), y la ley del estado. Utilizando
ojos y oídos de cientos de Californianos, la oficina del
Procurador General tiene documentos que demuestran las violaciones
de las compañías de tabaco y usó esa información
para iniciar un juicio contra la industria tabacalera y negociar
pagos adicionales.
Enlace Computarizado Gratis sobre Estadísticas
de California
Un nuevo servicio computa-rizado ofrece acceso fácil
a información social, demo-gráfica y económica
sobre el estado de California. Llamado Counting California (California
en cifras), fue desarrollado y patrocinado por la Biblioteca Digital
de la Universidad de California en colaboración con expertos
de otras universidades y de agencias gubernamentales, con el apoyo
de subvenciones estatales y federales. Este servicio cuenta con
informa-ción de casi una docena de fuentes estatales y
federales.
Free "Smart Money Financial Series"
Highlights
Wealth-Building Strategies and Practices in Conversations
Hosted by Local Finance Professionals
With the start of the new year, the free Smart Money Financial
Series, sponsored by the Jacobs Center for NonProfit Innovation
(JCNI), will kick-off a new series of personal financial empowerment
classes for residents in the communities it serves.
Members Sought For General Obligation Bond Independent
Citizens Oversight Committee
The Chula Vista Elementary School District is seeking
interested community members for service on the General Obligation
Bond Independent Citizens Oversight Committee. Committee members
serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Education to review
General Obligation Bond sales and expenditures as they relate
to the modernization and new school construction program.
An Open Letter
Dear Community:
I am writing you to solicit your help to attract more underrepresented
students to NASA's Summer High School Apprenticeship Research
Program (SHARP). (http://education.nasa.gov/sharp)
Governor Davis Announces Increase in Cal Grant
Awards
SACRAMENTO — Governor Gray Davis announced a 54.6
percent increased in Cal Grant awards in 2001, the first year
of a program to guarantee financial aid to all students who meet
minimum grade requirements and demonstrate financial need.
Partnership With SDG&E Makes New Habitat
For Humanity Homes Energy Efficient
Theresa Sison, her two children and her elderly father
will enjoy the holidays in a warm, new home, thanks to the San
Diego Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and San Diego Gas &
Electric (SDG&E).
Oscar De La Hoya Forms Golden Boy Promotions
While continuing his quest in the ring, six-time world
champion Oscar De La Hoya will utilize his vast knowledge of boxing
to expand into the business side of the sport with the formation
of Golden Boy Promotions LLC, it was announced.
Encienda
Una Vela
Mons. Jim Lisante
Haciendo las tareas de Dios
"¿Qué tal? ¿Cómo anda
el trabajo?"
Imitemos a Esther
Por Sergio Nogues
Esther es una empleada de un banco, la cual conocí
hace muchos años cuando yo era contador de una compañía.
Durante todo ese tiempo, siempre que me comunicaba con ella por
alguna situación, su respuesta era la mejor y mostraba
un gran deseo no solo por resolver la situación, sino por
buscarle la mejor solución. Yo abrí mi cuenta personal
con ese banco y a través de los años su servicio
ha sido el mejor. Cuando he ido a verla personalmente, siempre
está ocupada pero en todo momento ha tratado de darle el
mejor servicio, tanto al cliente que tiene en el teléfono
como al que ha estado presente.
Beer Industry Helps Make Holiday Celebrations
Safe
Brewers are urging those celebrating this holiday season
to do so responsibly and utilize some of the many programs designed
by the brewing industry to help make holiday celebrations safe.
Green' Holidays Guide Offers New Year's Resolution
Tips
Focus is on commitments that make a difference for
the environment
It's the season for New Year's resolutions, and the California
Department of Conservation has a few suggestions about small changes
that can make huge impacts on the health of the environment. The
department has published "Green Holidays Guide: Simple Ways
to Protect Our Planet." The guide includes a wealth of information
about how to be "green" during 2002. By committing to
even a few of these resolutions, Californians can have a positive
impact on the environment in 2002.
City of San Diego Hosts Annual Christmas Tree
Recycling Program
The City of San Diego Environmental Services Department
will host the 28th Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program beginning
December 26, 2001 through January 18, 2002. This year the program
will offer 26 drop-off locations throughout the City of San Diego
and is co-sponsored by the City, I Love A Clean San Diego and
the San Diego Association of Realtors.
Editorial
Feliz Año Nuevo 2002!
Praise the Lord (Gracias a Dios)!
We lived through another year
(Sobrevivimos Otro Año)!
Most of us felt troubled throughout the past year. Financially,
it was not the best of times for most businesses, and we often
felt the heat from the furnace of depression. It was painful to
see friends, who had struggled for so many years, having to suddenly
close their doors to escape their financial misery. Some survived,
but many didn't, especially those who sought their fortunes in
the dot.com industry. The stock market took a dive and, in the
process, many workers who had placed their family's future in
their company's stocks, suddenly discovered that they didn't have
a penny —not one red centavo — with which to provide
for their loved ones.
Commentary
Fake Accountability in Government Debt
By Jon Coupal
Here's a tough question: What's worse than government spending
with no accountability? Answer: Government spending with fake
accountability. At least when there is no pretense of accountability,
citizens can simply assume they're being ripped off and go their
merry way. Fake accountability is fraud - we are specifically
told that our money is being spent wisely when it is not.
Calendar of Events...
by Berenice Cisneros
Hip Hop Jam
A Hip Hop Jam Session for youth will be held on December
29th at 6:30 p.m. at the Otay Recreation Center, 3554
Main Street in Chula Vista. Featuring some of the most talented
DJ's, the event will be an open dance session that will fuse elements
of hip hop, break dancing, and non-conventional art as a means
of positive expression and promoting a safe and drug free environment.
Pre-sale tickets of $5 can be purchased at Kafe, 2511 Coronado
Ave., Ste. G. San Diego, or at the door for $8. For more information,
call 476-5325.
Mosaico...
de Actividades Culturales en Tijuana
Por Paco Zavala
Por estas fechas navideñas las actividades culturales
en los centros en los que se proyecta esta vivencia, se ausentan,
tanto de asistentes, estudiantes y maestros, únicamente
queda el personal administrativo que se encarga de coordinar las
propias actividades de cada centro para el próximo año.
Disney's "Armed Forces Salute"
ANAHEIM, Calif. — To honor members of the U.S. Armed
Forces, the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort
recently extended to active-duty military personnel, complimentary
admission into Disney theme parks. This includes ticket discounts
for family members and friends. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute"
will be offered from Jan. 1 through April 30, 2002, by the Disneyland
Resort in California and the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Empieza la Cuenta Regresiva Hacia el Desfile de
las Rosas 2002 en KMEX-TV, Canal 34
Con menos de tres días para que empiece el año
2002, KMEX-TV, Canal 34 se está preparando para la edición
número 113 del Desfile de las Rosas 2002 en vivo desde
Pasadena, California el primero de enero del próximo año.
KMEX-TV estará a la vanguardia de la emisión de
este evento. Televidentes en Los Angeles y en todo el país
podrán disfrutar desde sus hogares de la cobertura de KMEX-TV
que incluirá la única vista invertida del Desfile
desde el Bulevar Colorado además de una multitud de posiciones
de cámara originales, sin interrupciones comerciales.
San Diego, Chula Vista and Coronado Announce
Local Olympic Torch Relay Celebrations
San Diego, Chula Vista and Coronado have announced a number
of local events to be held on Jan. 14, celebrating the passage
of the Olympic Torch Relay through San Diego County. On that date,
the Olympic Flame will make stops in Chula Vista, Coronado and
San Diego as part of its 13,500-mile journey to Salt Lake City
for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. The Olympic Flame will travel
portions of its route through the San Diego region in a specially
designed "cauldron truck," and will be hand-carried
through the remainder of the route by more than 60 Torchbearers
who were selected through a local nomination process in mid-2001.
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