Adelante Newsletter - April 2009

RIBBON CUTTINGS & AFTER 5 MIXERS

A ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling was held on February 24, 2009 for the new community garden at LeMoyne Gardens public housing project. With the combined efforts of the TSTC Student Government Association, civic organizations and local businesses, a beautiful garden was created for the neighborhood residents of LeMoyne Gardens. The TSTC Student Government Association alongwith other volunteers planted flowers, trees, benches and birdhouses. The ribbon cutting was co-hosted by the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber and Harlingen Area Chamber.

In collaboration with the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber, Harlingen Area Chamber, San Benito Chamber and the Los Fresnos Chamber, the Junior League of Harlingen hosted its "Get Involved, Get Results" networking mixer on March 5, 2009 at La Cantera Event Center in Harlingen. Over 200 guests enjoyed food, great music, door prizes, and networking with local non-profit organizations and businesses. Some of the organizations that participated were: Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen, Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum, American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House, Harlingen Proud, MDA, and United Way.

A ribbon cutting celebration was held for the Valley International Community Development Corporation and the Fuel7 Student Center on March 12, 2009 in San Benito. The ribbon cutting was hosted by the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber, Harlingen Area Chamber, and the San Benito Chamber. Guests enjoyed food, refreshments, silent auction, presentations and tours of the center. The ribbon cutting kicked off their 2nd Annual Benefit Night. In the second year of its existence, literally hundreds of young students from throughout Cameron County have found the Center to be the best option to spend their evenings several times a week. The Fuel7 Student Center is located at 174 N. Sam Houston in downtown San Benito. For more information on the VICDC and the Fuel7 Student Center, call Pastors Abram Gomez or Jaime Loya at (956) 399-3777.

Taj Bar & Restaurant held a soft opening on February 26 for their new Indian Restaurant. The restaurant is inside the Harlingen Hotel & Event Center (formerly Howard Johnson), located at 6779 W. Exp. 83 in Harlingen. Guests had the chance to tast great Indian food with a relaxing atmosphere. For more info, call (956) 425-7070.

HISPANIC CHAMBER PRESIDENT NAMED TO UT PAN AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

AUSTIN - The appointment of members of a presidential search advisory committee to advise The University of Texas System Board of Regents on the selection of a president for UT Pan American was announced February 16 by Regents' Chairman H. Scott Caven, Jr.

The commitee will make recommendations on possible successors to former President Blandina Cardenas, who stepped down January 30 as the institution's president. The UT System appointed Charles A. Sorber as interim president last month. Sorber assumes the interim presidency today.

The advisory committee will be asked to present the names of no more than 10 candidates unranked to the board, which will make the final decision.

"UT Pan American is a beacon for higher education opportunity in the Rio Grande Valley and plays a crucial role in the economic development of that region and in the lives of so many South Texans, which makes the selection of a new leader for that institution a top priority for the Board of Regents", Caven said. "The people who have agreed to serve on this search committee are well qualified for the task brining a broad perspective, experience and sound judgement to this important selelction process. The Board is grateful for their service and looks forward to receiving their recommendations."

Committee members were selected in accordance with the Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations, which includes a provision for representation on such committees by various constitutencies of the institution.

David B. Prior, executive chancellor of academic affairs at the UT System, will chair the search committee.

Representing the Board of Regents on the committee will be Regent Paul Foster of El Paso and Regent Janice Longoria of Houston.

Representing presidents of other UT System institutions are Juliet Garcia, Ph.D., president of UT Brownsville, and Rodney H. Mabry, Ph. D., president of UT Tyler.

Representing the campus deans' council will be Bruce Reed, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services.

Danika M. Brown, Ph.D., chair of the Faculty Senate and assistant professor in the Department of English, Arturo Fuentes, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering; and Jerry Polinard, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Political Science, will serve on the committee as faculty representatives.

Representing the UT Pan American staff is Mary Lou Cano, an administrative assistant in the university advancement division.

John-Robert Iruegas, a junior psychology major, will represent the student body on the committee.

Roland Arriola, Ph.D., will serve the committee by virtue of his position as president of UT Pan American's alumni organization.

The external community representatives are:

• Marla Guerra, Ph.D., superintendent, South Texas Independent School District
• R. David Guerra, president, International Bank of Commerce
• Nat Lopez, president, Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, former regent & chairman Pan American University
• Margaret McAllen, former regent, Pan American University
• Jaime Ramon, chairman, University Foundation & partner, K&L Gates
• Anne Shepard, former CEO, Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce

Storveck/Pimental & Associates, an executive search firm, is assisting the UT System in the national search and advertisements for the position will be place in various publications so the committee can carry out its search as expeditiously as possible. Press release provided by: The University of Texas System, Office of Public Affairs

WAL-MART TO OPEN TWO HISPANIC-TARGETED STORES

Wal-Mart is opening two pilot supermarket stores later this year that will specifically target Hispanic customers, one in Phoenix, the other in Houston.

The stores will be located in neighborhoods that are predominantely Hispanic, and will be staffed by people who speak both English and Spanish, according th Media Buy Planner. The products and store signage will be geared for Hispanic customers.

Wal-Mart's foray is the latest sign that retailers are on the move to capture a share of the burgeoning Hispanic market. According to Experian Consumer Research, the U.S. Hispanic population grew 20% between 2004 and 2008. Experian concluded that Hispanic customers are more likely than others to shop frequently and pay more for brand names.

In addition to the new stores, which will open in the third quarter of this year, Wal-Mart subsidiary Sam's Club will open a store geared toward Hispanics called Mas Club later this year.

The plan dovetails with Wal-Mart's designs on ramping up its presence in the grocery business, Media Buy Planner reported. Bucking an industry trend, the big-box retailer this year has beefed up its advertising budget by 56%, to $835 million, moving it from the ninth largest advertiser in the category to second - after Macy's, according to TNS Media Intelligence data. Source: HISPANICBUSINESS.COM

HARLINGEN POLLING LOCATIONS FOR CITY GENERAL ELECTION - MAY 9, 2009

The polling locations for the upcoming election have been approved. Visit the Hispanic Chamber website at www.harlingenchamber.com or visit www.myharlingen.us for a listing of those locations along with early voting schedule, and city candidates for the May 9, 2009 general elections. For more info call City Hall at (956) 216-5000.