FrontPage Stories

Contaminated Beauty

By: Katia Lopez-Hodoyan

Series: First of Two

It was twenty-four hours after Serge Dedina swam in sewage-contaminated water that he realized he had done so. He along with his seven and nine year old sons had taken advantage of what seemed to be a fitting morning to enjoy what has become part of their life: surfing. Nonetheless, the next day, postings of yellow signs alerting beach goers of sewage-contaminated waters quickly made them think twice about their wave breaking surfs, not to mention their health. As life-long residents of Imperial Beach though, the warning of contamination came as no surprise.

An all too frequent sign on South San Diego beaches

For years, San Diego County’s beaches have been an ending point for raw and treated sewage from the neighboring city of Tijuana. Unlike most border terrain, the ocean cannot be divided. It knows no borders, so it drifts and sways freely from one country to another with no limits or restraints. For many Imperial Beach and Coronado residents, dealing with sewage spills is not a new problem. It is a serious concern that for decades has merely changed shape and expanded into the realm of the region’s economy, tourism industry and health standards. Dedina, Ph.D. Executive Director of Wildcoast Conservation Team, can speak of this plight first hand. Amongst the many files in his desk, lay several folded, worn out, yellowish newspapers that show how 25 years ago, protests dealing with sewage-contaminated water made the front page. Although years have passed since then, the concern has persisted, yet a solution still awaits.

“We have been fighting this for years,” says Dedina. “People feel comfortable here in Imperial Beach because there is a relaxed ambiance that attracts families, teens and surfers. The problem is, that it’s really hard to enjoy when the ocean is contaminated with waste.”

Roughly half of Tijuana’s residents are connected to the municipal sewage system in that city which treats and breaks down the millions of gallons of raw sewage every day. The problem, however, emerges with the treatment plant for the other half of the population.

In a city of over 2 million people, half of those not hooked up to the sewage system plant, depend on the Tijuana River Estuary to dispose of their waste. The latter is part of the result of a 1990 bi-national accord between Mexico and the U.S to treat surplus sewage from Tijuana in North American soil.

It involves a concrete channel that receives all the uncollected sewage flows in Tijuana. Millions of gallons drift into the International Wastewater Treatment Plant where the sewage receives primary detoxification treatment. When this phase is completed, the impure water (at this point, no longer sewage water) is disposed-of in the Pacific Ocean where the bacteria will eventually die off. This is under the hope and assumption that all will go as planned. Nonetheless, for years it hasn’t.

‘Encanto Azul’ strives for Latino representation
By Pablo Jaime Sainz
Greg Morales has lived in Encanto for the past 10 years, and he said that during that time, he has felt as an outsider.

‘Encanto Azul’ busca representación latina
Por Pablo Jaime Sainz
Greg Morales ha vivido en Encanto por los últimos 10 años, y afirmó que durante ese tiempo, se ha sentido como un intruso.

La enfermedad mental es un grave problema entre los latinos
La Alianza Nacional para los Enfermos Mentales ofrece servicios en español.
Por Pablo Jaime Sainz
Cuando se trata de enfermedades mentales, la población latina de San Diego tiene necesidades especiales que raramente son abordados, debido a varios factores, indicó Sally Sheperd, directora de la Alianza Nacional para los Enfermos Mentales (NAMI, por sus siglas en inglés) de San Diego.

Mental illness is a major problem among Latinos
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of San Diego offers programs in Spanish.
By Pablo Jaime Sainz
When it comes to mental illness, the Latino population of San Diego has special needs that are rarely addressed, due to several factors, said Sally Shepherd, director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), San Diego chapter.

Stories

Reportaje:
La Bandera Nacional Mexicana, Símbolo Patrio Representativo de la Mexicanidad
“Se le ama, se le venera y se le respeta”
Por: Paco Zavala
Desde el año de 1937, fecha en que se designó al día 24 de febrero como “Día de la Bandera” en México, día que también es el Aniversario del Plan de Iguala. En éste día se le rinden honores al lábaro patrio, izándola a toda asta en toda la República Mexicana. Esta gloriosa representación compuesta de tres franjas de colores, el verde, blanco y rojo, estampando en el blanco el escudo nacional, representado por un águila, parada en un nopal y devorando a una serpiente.

Under-Representation of Latino Students in Colleges and Universities Topic of Discussion at State-wide Conference
First time leaders meet in more than a decade; focused on the call for restructure of the Master Plan for Education
SAN FRANCISCO — In an effort to reverse the continuing trend of Latino under-representation in state colleges and universities, leaders of the Hispanic community held a special convocation at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport Hotel.

HACU praises introduction of two Hispanic graduate education bills
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) praised the introduction in Congress this week of two Hispanic graduate education bills to meet the advanced education needs of the nation’s youngest and largest ethnic population.

Techno-Chic: Youths Gotta Be Up On The Upgrade
By Hector Gonzalez
Technology has been so woven into young people’s lives that even the middle school students I tutor have cell phones with cameras on them. In fact, a new cultural trend has emerged: “techno-chic,” a standard of coolness based on your ability to keep up with new technologies.

First Person
Mi Jefe
By Heriberto Escamilla
Some people see their elders as bridges to the past; people that impose on us customs and ways of being that often seem out of touch with today’s realities. As I journey through this life, with each day closer to joining those that have come before me, I’ve learned to see my elders differently. Our fathers are in fact our personal windows to the future. My father’s face is mine in 25 years, perhaps a little worn and wrinkled by the woes that await me. My grandfather’s eyes, also mine, maybe dimmed a little, by the shadows of unlived dreams. Our elders, they are imperfect ideals, blemished images, but nonetheless real people that guide our path and fuel our hope.

Sharing Tears of Sadness and Joy
By Ernie McCray
There was a moment the other day when my eyes were so flooded with tears I could barely see. Sadness filled every inch of me.

¿Qué Tan Lejos Está el Cielo?
Por Pastor Luis A. Garcia
Creo que uno de los pasajes de la Biblia más conocido en el mundo cristiano es la oración del Padre Nuestro. En una ocasión los discípulos de Jesús le pidieron que les enseñara a orar. Jesus le dijo, sean sinceros, sean discretos y sean geniunos.

LA COLUMNA VERTEBRAL
Por Karina Flores-Hurley
Las Leyendas del Oscar
Potentes reflectores, una gran alfombra roja y los artistas más codiciados pueden no describir un día común y corriente en nuestra vida diaria. Sin embargo, cada año, nos introducimos en este mundo a través de un evento muy importante: la noche de la entrega de los Oscares.

Wright’s serves food right: Hormone-Free
By J.D. Hawk
Long ago The Knights Templar, a religious order rumored to be the keepers of the legendary Holy Grail, swore an oath of poverty and protect pilgrims on their journey to the holy land. Their altruistic devotion was fueled by a desire to keep Christendom pure.

San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center Provides Assistance and Guidance to Small Businesses Through Mentor Protégé Assistance Academy
Chula Vista – Southwestern College’s San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center (SDCOC) and its Mentor Protégé Assistance Academy is launching a series of workshops designed to help small businesses establish relationships with prime contractors and local, state, and federal government agencies. The first workshop—Accessing Capital—will take place Friday, March 4, 2005.

Editorials

Editorial:
Our Strong Mayor Has Solution to Pension Fiasco: Blame the Workers!
We can’t help but be skeptical whenever our political leaders gather and propose their answer to problems created by them. Their solution always seems to depend on the workingman having to bear the brunt of the solution. This is once again evident in San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy’s new get-tough stance with the Unions as one solution to the Pension Fund fiasco.

Commentary
Black History, Bush-Style
By Maya Rockeymoore, Ph.D
Just in time for Black History Month, the nation enters a dialogue about race that could have important socioeconomic implications for generations of African Americans. At issue is President Bush’s charge that the Social Security system is unfair to African Americans because they do not live as long as whites and cannot draw down on retirement benefits and that they would do better financially if the nation embraced a privatized system of individual accounts that can be invested in the stock market.

Commentary
Another Delightful Crisis: Social Security
By Ronald L. DeLegge Rodriguez
Life before Social Security was so much easier.

Comentario:
El Nuevo Plan Demócrata
Por Humberto Caspa, Ph.D
La llegada de Howard Dean a la jefatura del Comité Nacional de los Demócratas sorprendió a todos menos al cordón umbilical de su partido. A Newt Gingrich, ex dirigente parlamentario de los republicanos, casi se le cae la baba de incredulidad. “Los demócratas buscan su muerte”, dijo. Lo que no sabe él y sus correligionarios conservadores es que los demócratas –con la elección de Dean— ya están apostando por una vanguardia renovadora para las próximas elecciones presidenciales. Por supuesto, la figura carismática de la izquierda de la Senadora Hilary Rhodam Clinton u otro gobernador o senador izquierdista está al frente de esa consigna.

Tezozomoc Speaks
Q-V0 Gente, I was thinking, what a status symbol it is to have a cell phone clipped on your belt or pockets. Pues, I am so pobre I can’t afford one. So, para que Las chabalas don’t think I am poor, me pongo my garage door opener en mi cinto! A todo dar! Qué, no?

Etc. Etc. Etc.
Entertainment, Reviews, Sporting news, and other tid bits

Afro-Mexicans: Mexico’s forgotten roots
Bob Marley Day Festival in Tijuana will celebrate Mexico’s black history
By Pablo Jaime Sainz
Mexico has a rich African heritage that needs to be recognized by its people, according to Makeda Dread, director of the World Beat Center, a cultural organization located at Balboa Park.

Afro-Mexicanos: las raíces olvidadas de México
El Festival del Día de Bob Marley en Tijuana celebrará la historia negra de México
Por Pablo Jaime Sainz
México tiene una rica herencia africana que necesita ser reconocida por su gente, de acuerdo a Makeda Dread directora del World Beat Center, una organización cultural ubicada en el Parque Balboa.

Bar Moments: Local independent filmmakers turn a funny idea into a very promising short film
By Luis Alonso Pérez
One simple rule in cinematography production says that if you want to make a movie you need three things: Money, money and more money. But for a group of local independent filmmakers an original idea, a talented crew and a group of gorgeous women where all it took to turn a hilarious script into a 15 minute short film sure to turn a lot of heads.

Bar Moments: Cineastas independientes locales transforman una idea graciosa en un cortometraje muy prometedor
Por Luis Alonso Pérez
Existe una regla muy sencilla en la producción cinematográfica que dice que si deseas hacer una película necesitas tres cosas: Dinero, dinero y más dinero. Pero para un grupo de cineastas independientes locales una idea original, un equipo de trabajo muy talentoso y un grupo de mujeres hermosas fue todo lo que necesitaron para transformar un guión cómico en un cortometraje de 15 minutos que de seguro estará dando mucho de que hablar.

Reseña
Espera un Milagro Cada Día
Por: Paco Zavala
La vida nos depara los más maravillosos momentos que compartimos con nuestros congéneres momento a momento, día a día, mes a mes, año con año: si sabemos o tenemos la intención de vivirla plenamente, fuera de mezquindades, materialismos, egoísmos y demás complicaciones en la vida cotidiana de cada individuo.

El Museo de las Californias Celebra su 5to Aniversario
Por: Paco Zavala
Parece que fue ayer, pero ya transcurrieron cinco años de la fecha en que el Museo de las Californias abrió sus puertas al público y desde entonces han desfilado por sus amplias instalaciones miles y miles de ciudadanos para admirar las piezas de colección que en ese espacio se exhiben.

VAMOS AL CINE
De Mesías a Renegado
Keanu Reeves ha explorado toda la gama de personajes metafísicos
Por Jose Daniel Bort
Su carrera se fue por las nubes cuando The Matrix demostró que Neo era el “elegido” en la apocalíptica historia futurística de acción que cautivó al mundo entero. Ahora Keanu Reeves enfrenta un personaje diametralmente opuesto en “Constantine”.

Gloria Trevi regresa con Látigo y espuela
La cantante prepara una gira de conciertos por toda América, México y Puerto Rico
Por Jose Daniel Bort
Como siempre lo ha hecho, sin ningún miedo al que dirán. Así llego Gloria Trevi vestida como Dominatrix de sadomasoquismo, con un atuendo negro y rojo con suficientes plumas en el cuello como para desgansar una granja, y un látigo que prometió usar al periodista que le hiciera una pregunta pendeja.

25th Annual Tejano Music Awards Show Highlights Unveiled
Silver Anniversary Show to celebrate the legacy and history of Tejano Music
San Antonio, TX — Texas Talent Musicians Association (TTMA) founders and producers of the annual Tejano Music Awards, formally unveiled details for the upcoming and exciting Silver Anniversary 25th Awards show and schedule of events. The details were unveiled at a Press Conference held recently at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Texas. The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino is the new Presenting Sponsor for the Tejano Music Awards.

Martinez a Quick Study in the Mustang Midfield
By John Philip Wyllie
There was great confidence and optimism at the start of this season for the Otay Ranch Mustangs Girl’s Soccer Team. Coach Ron Pietila expected star midfielder Veronica Valderrama to lead the young Mustangs to the top of the South Bay table. Then Valderrama went down with a hyper-extended knee. She was quickly joined on the sidelines by several other key players. Still others were disqualified for failing to maintain the CIF required 2.0 G.P.A.

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