page 1 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
SUMMER FUNOn FALCON LAKEwith ChelseaMorgensenThe Valley’s FirstCommercial Harvest Blanc du Bois
Sharyland’sSabina Peñais Texas’s Best
Impact ofCongressionalSeat Redistrictingin South Texas
A Salute toValley Veterans
Top SummerFashion Shows
a premium content magazine June / July 2011
page 2 ContempoMag.com
page 3 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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page 5 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
SUMMER FUN ATFALCON LAKE
CHELSEAMORGENSENIN PROFILE
VALLEY’S LARGESTVINEYARD HARVEST
SABINA PENA TEXASAND SHARYLAND’S#1 TEEN GOLF
DOLLY ELIZONDOON REDISTRICTINGOF VALLEY SEATS
RUN FOR THE ROSESWOMEN’S COUNCILOF REALTORSFASHION AFFAIR
LULU’S BOUTIQUEGRAND OPENINGSOUTH SHARYLAND
A SALUTE TO VALLEYVETS IN FASHION
SHERIFF LUPE TREVINOANNOUNCES BIDFOR RE-ELECTION
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Contempo is a publication of Contempo Magazine Inc. All opin-ions represented are of the authors & not necessarily the views of the publisher. The publisher makes no representations regard-ing advertising content. Contempo Magazine is a trademark of Contempo Magazine Inc. All rights reserved. All content pub-lished and constructed by Contempo Magazine is the property of Contempo Magazine Inc. Permission for reprint shall be granted only upon written request and authorized release from Contempo Magazine Inc.
President / Ralph Magaña - 467-7880Business & Latin American Affairs / Tony Magaña
Guest Political Opinion / Dolly Elizondo
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ContempoMagazineonfb2210 Sabinal St. Mission, Tx 78572
Printed in Mexico
Chelsea Morgensen, our Cover Girl this issue, is a truly remarkable young lady in all aspects who grew up in Laredo, Texas, nearby Falcon Lake. As you shall see, she is a National champion in sports, the pride of Texas as a national beauty contestant, an ac-complished model, and a real joy to hang out with because, she projects a distinctly friendly and familiar border culture and upbringing that is much to be admired.
She, with a national pageant to focus on, energetically agreed to help us promote the Falcon Lake communities, during a busy weekend, for a lake side photo-shoot. She is all heart, big on smarts and a fabulous ambassador for our area. The most of many thanks, Chelsea and your Mom, Kelly.
Ralph MagañaPublisher
IN THIS ISSUE
SUMMER FUNOn FALCON LAKEwith ChelseaMorgensenThe Valley’sFirst Harvest ofBlanc du Bois
Impact ofCongressionalSeat Redistrictingin South Texas
A Salute toValley Veterans
Top SummerFashion Shows
a premium content magazine June / July 2011
On the Cover–Chelsea Morgensen at Falcon Lake State Park on the stump for Texas’s larg-est fresh water lake and the lake community.
page 6 ContempoMag.com
A FRESHWATERPARADISEwith host CHELSEA
MORGENSEN
SWIMMING FISHING HIKING SKIING DIVING
BIRDING CAMPING SUNNING
SITE SEEING DAM & PARK
GUIDES & MORE
DIS
CO
VER
SU
MM
ER F
UN FALCON LAKE
page 7 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
Although it has captured national attention because of the Hartley incident, Falcon Lake remains as the single reservoir source of fresh water for the entire Rio Grande Valley. As well, it has served as our region’s and the state’s largest body of fresh water for recre-ational purposes since 1965 when the lake and dam were first opened to the public. Probably the single most important development for infrastructure for our area, the lake project encompassed a 60 mile stretch of the Rio Grande River and offered the residents; water conservation, crop irrigation, electrical power, flood control and recreational opportunities. For the past forty years it has accomplished all of these objec-tives and more, taking into account what seems to be an endless draught.
Now that Mexico has ramped up Marine forces in the area who are equipped with advanced helicopters and watercraft, U.S. residents who live around the lake are feeling more comfortable and at ease. For campers, Falcon Lake State Park wardens have increased park patrols to deter illegal activity in the park which is a
short distance from the dam. As a result, businesses that are dependant on the lake are already seeing a return of tourists – particularly freshwater anglers who are bringing in extra large catches of bass and stripers.
FishingOver the last 40 years Falcon has become a freshwater angler ’s paradise. It has been stocked on a regular basis over decades with small and large mouth bass, and with stripers (a freshwater/saltwater hybrid) from fisheries ranging from Florida to east Texas by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. All three species have thrived on the lake because it offers the perfect habi-tat with an assortment of rock beds, timbered creeks, deep channels and points. Crappie, White Bass and Catfish are also in abundance under arroyo bridges.
According to recent entries on fishing report blogs and guides the lake is highly productive right now. Large catches of bass weighing in at 10 to 13 pounds are being commonly caught in U.S. waters where security has been beefed up. The county sheriff has installed
cameras and warnings at lake boat ramps to keep an-glers in U.S. waters, although many continue to fish in Mexico. Falcon Lake State Park wardens have in-creased park patrols to deter the potential for illegal activity in the park which is a short distance from the Falcon Dam.
Although Mexican fishing permits are still being issued to fishermen who claim to be fishing deep into Mexi-can territory, it is recommended to remain on the U.S. side for now, since the incidence of border violence is quite rare on the U.S. side of the lakeand shoreline.
Most bass fishing is done along feeder creeks that are all along the U.S. side of the lake like the Big Tiger, Little Tiger or the Arroyo Veleno whereas, Stripers are caught year round at various depths from 15 to 30 feet using down-riggers in open water.
Recently selected as one of the Top 20 Ultimate Fish-ing Towns by the World Fishing Network, Zapata is about an hour and a half drive from McAllen or about
page 8 ContempoMag.com
40 minutes from Laredo and 2 hours from San Anto-nio. It is the county seat of Zapata County, Texas and has a population of over 5000 permanent residents. This lake front community has banks, restaurants, ho-tels, bait/tackle shops, trailer parks, schools and a fire department like any other rural Texan fishing town. Be-fore the media blitz, Zapata and the lake experienced a growing reputation as a leading bass fishing destina-tion by veteran anglers all across the country.
Zapata, the county seat, is at a cool elevation of 404 feet above sea level, and is home to many of the area top fishing guides who have safely fished Falcon Lake for decades because it offers an ideal habitat for Small and Large Mouth Bass, Crappie, Stripers, and Cat-fish.
Falcon State ParkJust up the road from Roma, located 60 miles north-
west of Mission, Texas, on Highway 83, Falcon State Park projects mostly out into the lake as a point in sight of Falcon Dam. The 572 acre park has camping facili-ties with hook-ups and has ideal spots for swimming, fishing, bird watching, water skiing, trail hiking and for picnics. The shoreline at the park includes rocky, sandy, and wooded beaches with shaded areas for Barbecues.
At the park you will find a self-guided, one mile long nature trail that circumvents the park shoreline as well as bungalow styled camping facilities above the trail that feature great views of the lake. To get there take a left on Farm-to-Market 2098 that will lead you to the dam and park from Hwy. 83, the exit for Falcon Heights. From there its a five minute drive to the park entrance. A day permit for each person is only $2 if you want to just explore what the park offers.
HISTORY OF ZAPATA COUNTY
1520 – First exploration of area now know as Zapata County.
1700’s – Increased Spanish settlements forces Native Americans to migrate to other tribal areas.
1746 – Don Jose de Escandon, the Count of the Sierra Gorda, is commis-sioned to explore area then known as Nuevo Santander accompanied by Capt. Miguel de la Garza Falcon. Falcon explored the northern river bank from Eagle Pass to Boca Chica, near Brownsville, Texas.
1740’s to 1820’s – Porciones (Spanish Land Grants tracts) are granted to help establish colonies.
1821 – Area is now under the domain of Mexico following Mexican indepen-dence.
1840 – Col. Jose Antonio Zapata, a native of Guerrero, Mexico, attempts with others to establish the Republic of the Rio Grande.
1848 – The Treaty of Guadalupe is signed settling the boundaries between Texas and Mexico, and guarantees that all previous land grants as valid within the new Texas nation.
1800’s – Successful land grant ranches evolve into villages such as Escobas, Ramireño, Lopeño, San Ygnacio and Fal-con.
1913 – Mexican Revolution causes population of Guerrero to flee to Zapata for safely. Zapata population increases by 500.
1930’s – Petroleum is discovered pro-ducing both oil and natural gas activities.
1935 – Completion of (non-paved) Highway 83 is achieved connecting Lare-do with Brownsville, Texas.
1955 – Falcon Dam is finished and back to back hurricanes fill the lake to capacity.
page 9 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
Adjacent to Falcon Lake on the Rio Grande River, the Best Western Inn by the Lake offers nearby fishing, hunting, and bird watching.
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The Falcon lake community, based out of Zapata, Texas was recently selected as “One of the Top Fishing Cit-ies in the U.S.” by the World Fishing Network. An-glers are returning in good numbers to the lake because recent reports are full of big catches. The Lake also offers great surface water for jet skis, motor-boating, sailing, and tubing because there are greater depths in open water for calm water sports.
Bounded by Starr and Zapata counties on the U.S. side and the city of Nueva Ciudad Guerrero on the Mexican side of the border, this massive reservoir was formed by the construction of the Falcon Dam to pro-vide water conservation, irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectricity to the area. The dam was dedicated by Mexican President Cortines and US President Eisenhower in October 1953.
Zapata Chosen as One of Top 20 Fishing Towns in the U.S.
Chelsea boards to inspect a sleak new bass boat of owner, Jason Foret of Houston, Texas at the public boat ramp before taking a spin.
Falcon Lake has held national bass tournament including the Bassmaster Elite Series, FLW Outdoors Stren Series & Bass Champs. Falcon Lake attracts professional and amateur anglers from all over the US and the World with bass averaging over 2 inches larger than those found in other parts of the country.
page 11 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
to Mission / M
cAllen
to Laredo
to Hebro
nville
Gov.Cove
State Park
Cove
ArroyoTinajaca
Little Tiger
Big Ti
ger
Arroya
Loma
Bianca
Arroya C
lareno
Arroya L
eon
Arroya
Indio
ArroyaVeleno
Arroya
San B
artolo
Falcon Dam
Zapata, Texas
U.S.
Mexico
U.S.
Mexico
map rough to scale at:2-5/8” = 12 miles
( THIS MAP IS NOT TO SCALE )
U.S. Hwy 83
FalconLake
U.S. / Texas Border Zone
Mexico / Tamaulipas
Falcon State Park
City of Zapata
Boat Ramps Hotels
Restaurant Tackle
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Arroyo Burro
SunbridgeINN & SUITES
956-765-1221
Great View of Falcon Lake Boat access Full RestaurantBreakfast Lunch DinnerBar Wifi Swimming Pool
For Reservations Call (956)765-1501
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page 12 ContempoMag.com
Water & Jet SkiingRecreational water sports like water and jet skiing are popular on Falcon since many land structures inhibit wave action from the Southeast prevailing wind that dominate spring, summer and fall months. The reduced wind effect helps keep water chop down for really smooth surface water, perfect for all kinds of water sports free from rip currents, salt and sharks.
Boat RampsThere are a number of boat ramps between Zapata and Falcon State Park (as indicated on the map page). The Park boat ramp is long and made of brushed con-crete. The city ramp in Zapata is on a rocky beach front cove and there is another ramp on the County Road between these.
The local chamber has indicated “Now that the Mexi-can Military has increased it’s troop strength in the
area and the U.S. has a more greater presence on our side of the lake, tourists and tournaments are quickly returning.
I grew up fishing, camping and water skiing on Falcon Lake with my brother and dad. It was then, and it should still be, our freshwater paradise on the Up-per Valley’s back doorstep, just a bit upriver on Rio Grande.
For more information about Falcon Lake, Falcon Dam, Za-pata, Texas, or Falcon State Park, visit these popular site:–www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/parkguide–www.stateparks.com/falcon–www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Parks-and-Wildlife- Falcon-State-Park–or the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at www.zapatausa.com
Zapata, the lakeside head-quarters for Falcon Lake, is at your back-door step. Fal-con lake is a freshwater par-adise for world class fishing, water skiing, camping, bird-ing, hunting, and so much more only an hour and 20 minutes from the Upper Val-ley.
Zapata, with a population of over 5000 people, has great hotels, restaurants, boating facilities, parks and muse-ums that reflect our deep rooted culture. It is the coun-ty seat of Zapata County and has a long history dating back to the Spanish explor-ers of the early 1600’s.
Come experience family outdoor fun at the “Largest Freshwater Lake in Texas” just up the river a bit where it will be a few degrees cooler that the Island this summer!
Learn more at:www.zapatausa.com
VIVAZAPATATEXAS
page 13 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
Chelsea Nicole Morgensen, native of Laredo, Texas, is 16 years old and now resides in Katy. She is currently working on an acting and modeling career since win-ning Miss Texas Teen USA in 2010.
She plays the piano, violin, basketball, volleyball, tennis, runs track, pole vaults, enjoys dance, cheer-leading, and Girl Scouts. “Even though I was highly active, I was also shy and somewhat of a tom-boy. As a matter of fact, I competed in Florida on a boy’s basketball team in the USSSA 3 on 3 World Championships and brought home the Boys Basketball 3 on 3 World Champion title.” Chelsea was also selected to represent Laredo for the National Junior WNBA team and made it to the top 10 finalists of over 75,000 basketball players nationwide.
Chelsea feels its important to be a re-sponsible citizen so she devotes a lot of time to charity work for Habitat for Humanity, WINGS, Special Olympics and was a Volunteer Santa’s Elf for three years, taking gifts to the Head Start Pro-gram in Laredo. She started her own Girl Talk chapter in Laredo to help young women learn to set goals for themselves and achieve their dreams while adhering to their morals and values.
“At the suggestion of a friend of my mom’s in order to bring me out of my shell, I signed up to compete in the Miss Laredo Teen Pageant.” So she traded in her basketball shoes and baggy basket-ball shorts for a pair of heels and tons of dresses saying, “I was learning to speak in public and how to walk across a stage in a swimsuit and heels. For then it was Goodby Tomboy- Hello Glamour!”
“On June 19, 2009 I won the Miss Laredo Teen 2009 Pageant, and from that moment on, my life was forever changed.” She immediately started prep-
ping for the Miss Texas Teen USA pag-eant, and on November 29, 2009, she became the youngest ever Miss Texas Teen USA.”
“Later that year, in the Bahamas, I com-peted for the title of Miss Teen USA, an unforgettable trip that I will always remem-ber. And, while I didn’t win that title, I did win a title that means even more to me. I won the title of Miss Teen USA Photogenic People’s Choice Award with over 100,000 online votes, and was the first ever Miss Teen USA People’s Choice Award winner.” The Miss Universe Orga-nization sent her on an amazing trip to Los Angeles, CA to be part of the People’s Choice Awards on January 5, 2011. There, Chelsea sat among all the celebri-ties and was treated like royalty. About the experience she say, “It was one of the most exciting times of my life.”
Now Chelsea is in Katy so she can be closer to her modeling agent, Page 713. “I have been lining up shoots ever since with commercials for Francesca’s Collections, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Galleria Fashion Wars Fashion Show, Houston’s Luxury Car Show, Swimsuit modeling, and Runway and catalog modeling for the famous gown designer, Tony Bowls all over the United States.” Soon she will be going to Los Angeles and New York to meet with agents scheduled through the Page Parks Agent Review (an international model review agency).
June 27th - July 2nd Chelsea will be competing for the title of Miss Teen United States-World. “I am more excited than ever about being a part of this incredible pag-eant and having a chance to compete with 50 other young women from all over the country”.
Chelsea’s Best Advise:–Be drug and alcohol free. You will be very thankful that you are.–Nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes and we all fall down. Just be strong, pick yourself right back up, dust yourself off and work for perfection.–You are who you are. It’s better to be disliked for whom you are than liked for who you’re not.–Visit Falcon Lake for Summer Fun!
All Eyes On
CHELSEA MORGENSEN
Celebrity Spotlight
page 14 ContempoMag.com
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page 15 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
Area Attractions:Colonel AntonioZapata Museum
The Colonel Antonio Zapata Museum is named after Col. Za-pata, a Guerrero, Mexico native, who became a successful military man, rancher and lwand holder. Exhibits include relics and historic artifacts, nature topics, and history of a community that dates back to 1748. The museum was located at the corner of 6th St & Highway 83 in Zapata.
Frontier MuseumA home town museum with an eclectic collection of nature ex-hibits, Indian artifacts, and much more. Highway 496, just off Highway 83.
At IBC, our lending expertsoffer local experience and Competitive rates. Fast approvals. Personal service. Prompt decisions.
La Paz CountyHistorical Museum
Just 15 minutes north of Zapata, one of the most historic villages along the Rio Grande. It is housed in a near century old, hand cut limestone building, on the grounds of the Arturo L. Benavides Ele-mentary School. The museum fea-tures exhibits that include photos of old Zapata.
La Borde HouseRio Grande City
Designed in by French architects in Paris, La Borde House was com-pleted in 1899 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places and was the home of Fran-ciose LaBorde.
We Support the Falcon Lake Community.
Falcon Lake & Zapata
page 16 ContempoMag.com
Wine grape is grown all over Texas and represents an industry that is expanding rapidly as growers perfect their stock, and as public acceptability of Texas wines have grown.
Now the 5th largest in the country, The Tex-as wine industry is producing an economic impact of over 1.7 billion dollars, up over 30% in the last 10 years. The number of wineries has grown as well, to keep up with increased demand for Texas wine. Ten years ago there were only 40 producers. Texas now boasts over 220 producers who you will find in all regions of the state.
In South Texas, Jorge Jaber’s vineyard has become the largest vineyard based in the Rio Grande Valley, while yielding his first pro-duction harvest on Wednesday, June 22nd of Blanc du Bois grapes (a variety commonly used in white wine). Jaber first planted in February of 2009. And after just three years the vineyard harvest is ready for the press for the first time.
Jorge Jaber in the pressing shed with his first production harvest of Blanc du Bois white grapes
The Valley’s LargestVineyard CelebratesFirst ProductionHarvest
page 17 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
Picking at his “Ranch”, about 10 minutes south from Moore Field, started out around 7 O’clock a.m. and finished up close to 3 p.m. as dark rain clouds filled the skies for the first time in 9 months.
Pickers got wet but got the harvest in and readied the grapes for pressing as they lined up the colored baskets in the pressing shed. There, a 10 foot tall, stainless steal contrap-tion squeezes the ripe juices from the yield by using a centrifuge of compressed air.
Later, the grape juice is kept cool as they prepare the batch for fermentation, a process that could take from 5 to 36 months for this variety. During fermentation the wine will be tested for taste, appearance and bouquet as it is considered for the first bottling. Jaber has yet to name this yield but will soon, after he has a chance to see how it develops over time. The vineyard has high hopes for this, their first harvest, because of the great soils and ideal climate of our region.
According to the Texas A&M Extension Service, wine-making in Texas dates back to the early 1600’s when spanish explorers and missionaries brought grape cuttings from Europe for sacramental wine production. Later, as other european settlers arrived in Texas, they too, introduced their grapevines. Today’s harvests however, have virtually no resemblance to these older varieties, many of which, succumbed to local diseases.
Newer, French-American hybrids began to dominate in the 1970s but were found to be marginally palatable. Not until improved varieties of the V. ninfera plant were mature did the industry start to produce good tast-ing Texas wines.
Walking about the rows of grapevines out at the Jaber Ranch after the storm passed, I noted very little puddling, and almost no mud on my boots probably because of all the sand in the soil – good I hear for the grapes and good for me since the pavement was five miles to reach on my way out.
Jaber’s Black Spanish grapes will be ready for harvest in a week to ten days, and then pressed for red wine at this, the Valley’s only commercial facility.
page 18 ContempoMag.com
Interstate All Battery Center / 3317 W. Expressway 83McAllen, Tx 78503 / (956) 688-6060(across Exp. 83 from McAllen Convention Center)
The Professional Golfers Association of America promotes Junior golf throughout the United States with a highly competitive point system that ranks these tour hopefuls for skill during a tour of events at qualified courses. At these courses, including the Club at Cimarron, for over a period of months, these junior golfers go head-to-head with the best.
In the state of Texas, right now the best is Sabina Peña in the 13-15 year old category. In fact, Sabina has been turning in cards with scores well below the leaders in the category above her level! In her last tournament, at Harlingen Country Club, Sabina scored a 75 and beat the pack by several strokes in the final round. At the difficult South Padre Island Course last week She scored an amazing 74-78 in two days of play, taking on players who usually have
Sabina Peña is Texas’s Top TeenWoman
Golfer
page 19 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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an excess of home field advantage on a windy, sandy 18 like the Is-land’s.
Sabina’s achievements are attracting attention in the golfing world, and its no wonder. One can only imag-ine where her level of play will be some eight years from now when she qualifies for the LPGA.
Well, we can’t count before the hatch, but neither does Sabina. She plays at least 18 holes of golf a day, not including her time on the range. And, she plays in tournaments al-most every week around the state. It is, in any event, hard to not here the ground shake a bit as she, with Lorena like grace, marches up the fairway.
page 20 ContempoMag.com
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page 23 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
After all was said and done, after all the Redistricting hear-ings were over around the state and at the capital, the Rio Grande Valley still did not receive one of the four new con-gressional seats awarded to Texas as a result of the 2010 census count.
Texas secured four additional congressional seats due to its phenomenal growth over the past decade. Growth, due in large part, to the Latino community, who comprised 65% of the increased population of our area. Any reasonable mind can understand that we have been a leader in growth for Texas and the Nation and therefore our area deserved the additional anchor seat.
If, in the end, that does not occur, then clearly all Repub-licans, Democrats, and all of our citizens alike will lose out in a big way. To put it quite simply, an additional congressional seat here in the RGV would mean more representation and more funds. Funds for education, infrastructure, medical programs and community services flowing into the home districts of “our” congressional representatives. A legal challenge in federal court will likely argue that the GOP-drawn map violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This section says that if additional Latino or African American majority districts can be drawn and communities of interest exist, they should be.
Under the GOP-drawn plan that was passed by the Texas Senate only one of the four new congressional seats repre-sents a Latino majority. As it stands the plan also weakens Latino voting strength in Congressional Districts 20 and 23 in San Antonio. Corpus Christi is split from Browns-ville. This helps freshman U.S. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi by removing the more Democratic southern part of his district. Under the Seliger-Solomons plan, Cameron, Willacy, Kenedy and Kleberg counties are removed from District 27. Instead, the district threads north around the Coastal Bend to Matagorda County. District 15, currently represented by Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, extends all the way north to Guadalupe County under the new (Seliger-Solomons) plan. It includes the central part of Hidalgo County, including McAllen, Edin-burg, and most of Pharr, along with the counties of Brooks, Duval, Live Oak, Karnes, as well as parts of Gonzales and Guadalupe counties. I truly admire Congressman Hinojosa for stating publically that he is willing to give up portions of
his district in Hidalgo county to accommodate a new district in the Rio Grande Valley.District 28, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, is also reconfigured. The district has less of Hidalgo County than before but picks up Maverick County. The cities of Mission, La Joya, Peñitas and Sullivan City stay in District 28.
I believe the Valley deserves a congressional seat anchored out of Hidalgo County. Changing the number of the same seats doesn't count as getting a new seat. After all, it was our growth that made it possible and isn’t the essence of Democracy is fair representation?
The new map carves up Mercedes and Weslaco. It also forces people hundreds of miles away in San Antonio to be represented by someone in South Texas. More importantly, there is concern that the proposed map violates federal law by packing Hispanics into current districts when several maps presented by a variety of groups such as MALDEF show the ease of creating a district in the Upper Valley. Our population has grown by over 40 percent since 2000 and by over 30 percent since then! Currently, more than a mil-lion and a half people reside in the Rio Grande Valley. This is not the first time we have been passed up either. In the past two decade alone, Texas has received four new congressional seats with none going to the Valley.
The current map claiming to add another seat, clearly just renumbers former Congressman Ortiz's old district. It does not provide any additional representation to the people of the Rio Grande Valley. Nor does it add an additional minority district anywhere in Texas. And now, we can only assume that other districts will be formed in areas not worthy of the change who, also will be “stealing” our influence on state matters and budgets until the next census is taken and adjustments are made again. So far, we all got screwed.
I only hope that the federal courts not allow “elections to influence elections” for whatever reason. I also hope we, as citizens, reawaken to the idea that we are at our best when in balance, politically speaking.
We Earned It!Give the ValleyAn AnchoredCongressionalDistrictBy Dolly Elizondo
Political Commentary
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page 24 ContempoMag.com
On May 26th the Valley Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors presented their “Run for the Roses” Annual Fashion Dinner Show at The Club at Cimarron in the main ballroom. Over 300 realtors from all over the Upper Valley and their quests enjoyed a fantastic presentation of evening wear by Occasions Formal of McAllen, and a 3 course dinner prepared by Execu-tive Chef, Santiago De La Cruz.
The show also featured a dance/fashion arrangement by fashion models from Missy’s Modeling, wearing some stun-
McAllen ChapterWomen’sCouncil ofRealtorsRun ForThe RosesAnnualFashionShow
Where:Club at Cimarron
When:May 26th
Fashion Show Chair:RobbyValadez
Wardrobe by:Occasions
Choreography:Missy’sModeling
Hair & Make-Up:IllusionsHair Salon
Rosanna HenrichsonKeller-Williams Realty
Leni Cavazos / Pharr Realty
page 25 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
Dendea BalliFirst American Realty
Marisol MorrisPrudential Real Estate Professionals
Dick HenryHenry Realty Group
Jordan KingSierra Title Company
Sonia LongoriaValley Land Title Company
Alex MelchorStar Properties Real Estate
page 26 ContempoMag.com
201 S. 10th Street McAllen, Tx 78501 683-0003
Robby Valadez – Trendsetters RealtyFashion Show Chairman
ning new designs from Occasions. The Council selects a single shop each year for the women to make selections from that must have a variety of styles in the formal and evening wear catagories.
Robby Valadez of Trendsetters Realty served as Fashion Show Chair for a 3rd year in a row. Hair and Make-up were provided by Illusions Hair Salon. Proceeds for the event were, in part, donated to Mujeres Unidas of Hidalgo County.
page 27 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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page 29 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting, June 9th, at the Shoppes at the Grove in Mission, Texas. Owners Precilla & Lulu Villareal greeted guests with a peek at their summer and fall inventory (now in-stock in all sizes) and their impressive array of fashion jewelry at their boutique on South Shary Rd.
page 30 ContempoMag.com
MISSY’S Modeling ShowSalutes Valley Veterans
Missy’s Modeling Honors Past & Present Men & Women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces at their Spring Fashion Review in May. Over 200 girls from Missy’s wore brilliant, festive costumes. The girls are real charmers for special causes, and this year are showing, with IBC, their support for the FOOD BANK and OPERATION CARE DROP.
page 31 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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page 32 ContempoMag.com
Graduation Ceremonies!!!!for the 2011 Spring Class of RGV Careers at The Social Club in Edin-burg on May 13th.
RGV Careers is a regionally devel-oped, higher education institution that offers careers in a number of medical fields that are in demand.
The newly expanded campus is at 1200 W. Polk in Pharr.
page 33 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
A new Class of Oxygen UsersFreeStyle offers a uniquely efficient, ultra-compact, and flexible pulse-flow delivery system. Through this miniaturization into a wearable unit, a new class of oxygen users has emerged: Self-reliant individuals who are satisfied only when experiencing life to the fullest. For some that means travel across the country or travel around the world. For others, it’s doing the garden chores on the weekend, unrestricted by time. For still others, it is the exhilaration in attending a grandchild’s outdoor soccer match – carefree – or even trying your footwork at soccer yourself once again.
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The Only “Wearable” Oxygen ConcentratorFreeStyle is the world’s lightest, most compact, and only “wearable” portable oxygen concentrator (POC) available. A POC makes its own oxygen, as needed, everywhere you go. And because the portable oxygen concentrator enables you to be free of the need for oxygen refills and deliveries, you are never limited to where you go or how far you venture.
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A new Class of Oxygen UsersFreeStyle offers a uniquely efficient, ultra-compact, and flexible pulse-flow delivery system. Through this miniaturization into a wearable unit, a new class of oxygen users has emerged: Self-reliant individuals who are satisfied only when experiencing life to the fullest. For some that means travel across the country or travel around the world. For others, it’s doing the garden chores on the weekend, unrestricted by time. For still others, it is the exhilaration in attending a grandchild’s outdoor soccer match – carefree – or even trying your footwork at soccer yourself once again.
Now oxygen patients just like you are experiencing total freedom for the first time – all with the help of FreeStyle. And only AirSep Corporation, a leading
manufacturer of high-quality medical equipment for home, hospital, and clinical use, makes this pos-sible. AirSep is the most experienced oxygen manufacturer, including the devel-opment of the
industry’s first POC. AirSep POCs are permitted onboard commercial airlines*, which means your journey with oxygen is wherever you wish to go.
*FreeStyle has received the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) accep-tance for onboard, in-flight use by oxygen passengers on commercial airlines via a 2006 amendment to SFAR 106.For a list of airlines that accept passengers with FreeStyle POCs, reference www.airsep.com. Please check directly with the individual airlines with which you would like to travel for up-to-date information on their specific POC policies.
Oxygen with no BoundariesWhen you were initially diagnosed with having a need for oxygen therapy (perhaps your physician called it chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] or another ailment), it may have been hard to imagine at the time that you would ever live life to the fullest again. But through the use of the unique FreeStyle™ Portable Oxygen Concentrator by AirSep®, you truly can experience oxygen with no boundaries!
The Only “Wearable” Oxygen ConcentratorFreeStyle is the world’s lightest, most compact, and only “wearable” portable oxygen concentrator (POC) available. A POC makes its own oxygen, as needed, everywhere you go. And because the portable oxygen concentrator enables you to be free of the need for oxygen refills and deliveries, you are never limited to where you go or how far you venture.
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page 34 ContempoMag.com
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page 35 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
El goven empresario Antonio Naim Jr quien es tambien el Asst.Campaign.Coordinator del sheriff Lupe Treviño y el empresario Angel Gonzalez le orga-
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page 36 ContempoMag.com
page 37 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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nizaron un fundraiser/mixer en el restau-rant Barcelona a el sheriff para colectar fondos ,acudieron muchas personas en-tre ellos Jueces, Doctores, Abogados ,Constructores etc. Antonio Naim Jr. nos comento “El sheriff es una persona muy sencilla, dedicada a su trabajo que lo ah echo exelente mente, todas las personas que vienen de mexico y las que llevan toda su vida aqui estan muy contentas con su trabajo y van a votar por el. El Sheriff comento “I will continue to fight and prevent Drug Organization violence along side the FBI, DEA, and ICE as a trusted partner, from spilling onto Hidalgo County. Trust me to keep protecting you and your families.”
(continued from page 35)
page 39 ContempoMag.comthe Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
Sacred HeartCatholic Church306 So. 15th. McAllen
956-686-7711
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God
Blessed are they who are perse-cuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.”
The Word of the Lord
page 40 ContempoMag.com
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$499 for 39 month w/2000 due at signing, 4.0% APR. Allfees due at lease inception with FMC approval, 10,500 MI /YR $21,423 Residual. All prices plus TT&L. Vehicles subjectto prior sale. Not all customers will qualify. No securitydeposit required. All applicable state and local taxes apply.See dealer for details. Sale ends 6/30/20110% for 60mths = $16.60 per 1000 financed regardless of down payment.
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