Sunday, November 18, 2007
Reflections and advice
As I finish up this class I am actually quite glad I didn't make it into CatScan (my secret hope at the beginning of the semester). Border Beat is a site that I am proud to have been a part of, and I enjoyed searching for border-related stories. So my advice for new Border Beat students is...
Enjoy the class! Be stretched as a journalist, and get some good interviews. I have found that people you may be intimidated to talk to are often willing to do an interview. Start learning soundslides and audacity right away so that when it comes time for you to use them, it won't be so stressful, and you can do your project well.
Do work that you are proud of, and think like a journalist. I think the key to finding great stories is always being on the lookout. Bring a journal, a pen and a camera with you wherever you go (when possible). I hate when I see a great story right in front of me, and I don't have the tools to get an interview or photo. When you are always on the lookout, finding good stories will be easier than you think.
Don't complain. You are paying to be here (or someone else is paying for you to be here), so when things seem too hard or you feel you aren't getting anywhere, ask questions and figure out what you can do to change that. Don't waste this class because it is such a great opportunity to be creative, challenge yourself, and publish really great work that you can hopefully use on your resume.
Border Beat was a wonderful class, and I hope that next semester's class adds even more great content and media, and maybe you guys can win another award.
Signing out for my final blog,
Ashley Donde
Christmas Tamales and other great Tucson holiday traditions
One Tucson tradition, held for the last 30 years, is the El Nacimiento display at the Tucson Museum of Art. This display, created by Maria Luisa Tena, features hundreds of figurines arranged to tell stories from the Bible out of the Old and New Testaments, including an arrangement of the birth of Jesus. This display runs from November 10 - March 30.
If you are interested in finding unique Mexican Christmas decorations or nativity scenes to purchase, then the Feria Navidena (Christmas Market) is a great place to go. This market runs the whole month of December. Bring your children on the weekend to take pictures with "Pancho Claus." The market is run by El Centro Cultural de Las Americas. Call (520) 629-9536 for more details.
Of course, tamales are a great Mexican Christmas tradition, as I mentioned earlier. You can be a part of this tradition too at the Tucson Tamale & Heritage Festival on December 1st. In addition to great food, there will also be live entertainment and a tamale competition. The free event is from 10am-6pm.
The Southwestern Nutcracker isn't necessarily a "Mexican" tradition, but it is a uniquely Tucson tradition. The ballet runs from December 7-9, and brings the traditional Nutcracker to Tucson in the late 1800's, including coyotes and rattlesnakes!
To add to your holiday cultural experience, check out A Tucson Pastorela December 14-23 at the Leo Rich Theater. The performance is put on by Borderlands Theater, and tells the story of Jesus in a unique way. Ballet Folklorico Tapatio will be performing at the theater as well, on Sunday the 16th, and Sunday the 23rd. AND, every night there will be pinatas.
So decorate your Christmas cookies, and make your gingerbread houses, but don't forget to check out a few of these exciting events and maybe you can create some new holiday traditions.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Puerto Penasco
Inez, me, my husband Sean, and Inez's husband Pasqual
She was amazed that our group cared enough about her and her family to come and build a home for them, and spend time getting to know them. She explained that most Americans come to Rocky Point to drink and party.
I was amazed at everything she told me. Her life had been extremely difficult, she had been treated horrificly by her mother and brothers, and her attitude was that of forgiveness, perserverance and gratitude. She said she and her husband spend time in prayer every night and every morning thanking God they have a place to sleep, a blessed marriage and a God that loves them and has not forgotten them. She told everyone who had helped build her new home that we were invited to stay there anytime we wanted, and to bring our families, even if it's crowded. She told me to say hello to my family, even though she didn't know them. She told me to be an encouragement and support to my family as we struggle through rough times. She told me to always remember the things that God does for me. Her wisdom was astounding. The other women I was with as she spoke to us were amazed. Our jaws were dropped and our eyes were wet with tears as she told us things about her life that she had never told another person, aside from her husband. She told us that we were all sisters. We were - and still are.I wish that every person could meet someone like Inez. Someone with that amount of wisdom, humility, gratitude and love. What an incredible weekend in Rocky Point. While motorcycle bikers from all across the U.S. were there for a massive rally, partying and drinking like most Americans do, I was in the process of having my life changed. What a shame that they finished their weekend with empty beer bottles. I ended my weekend with a full heart and a bigger family.
Just a note: ANYONE can be part of Casa De Amor. You do not have to be part of a certain church to participate. PLEASE get involved. I promise you it will change your life, and will give you a better weekend than a beer on the beach.
Monday, October 29, 2007
The chimichanga debate
Tucson likes to claim this delicious fried-burrito sensation originated within her lovely desert valley. In fact, as I did some quick research, I found debates about various myths explaining how it came about.
Wikipedia, for example, states in the first sentence of the chimichaga entry that it hails from the Old Pueblo; but the final sentence of the entry mentions a Phoenix restaurant owner may have come up with the dish.
The most common story I found, after looking at several sources, was that a burrito was accidentally dropped into a deep-fryer at El Charro Cafe (an historic Tucson restaurant dating back to 1922) by founder Monica Flin. As she was about to say a curse-word in Spanish she quickly changed her utterance to "chimichanga" (translates roughly to "thingamajig") to gaurd the ears of little ones in the kitchen with her.
Sugar Skulls
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Dia De Los Muertos - Tucson Style
I have to admit that attending the parade was not my idea (it was a class assignment). However, it turned out to be such an incredibly fun night, and I was amazed by a lot of things I saw. This blog is going to recap the 2006 All Soul's Procession through my eyes, focusing on some of the most intriguing parts, and hopefully it will inspire the reader to come out for this year's processional on Novemeber 4th, and share in the fun!
Note to the reader: All photos in this blog were taken by Ashley Donde.
Talavera Pottery
What is it?
Talavera is a glazed ceramic pottery that has been created in Mexico since the 16th century. It remains a beautiful artform today, coming to us from Puebla, Mexico. Photo to the left thanks to bigbadbob1, flickr.com
What's the history?
It is most likely that soon after its establishment in 1531, the people of Puebla hired artisans from Talavera de la Reina, Spain to come and teach them the art of ceramic pottery making, mainly for the purpose of decorating monasteries with tiles of religious figures and symbols.
Below is a Talavera bowl feauturing the image of the Virgin of Gaudalupe, thanks to teyacapan, flickr.com
How is it made?
Talavera begins with the selection of two different types of clay. These clays are kneaded together, and then left to dry in a mold or shape formed by the artist. The piece is then fired in a kiln at 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. After this it is glazed, and painted, usually with a floral or geometrical pattern. It can only be painted with 6 different colors: blue, green, yellow, red, brown and black. When the painting is finished, the piece is put in a kiln and fired at 1900 degrees Fahrenheit. There are is a small number of factories making Talavera pottery. Here is a picture of one factory in Puebla, Mexico (photo below thanks to shutzele, flickr.com)
But how do I know it's a real Talavera?
"To avoid confusion, the Mexican Government has decreed that the use of the name ‘Talavera’ be protected and limited to a geographical area in and around the city of Puebla. In 1997 the State of Puebla obtained the Denomination of Origin stating that only the pottery produced in the geographical region of the State of Puebla or Zona de Talavera (Talavera Zone), including Atlixco, Cholula, Puebla and Tecali, and that follows the standards set by the Consejo Regulador de la Talavera (Regulating Council of Talavera) can be called ‘Talavera’. In order to be certified these workshops have to pass an inspection and verification process every six months. So, just as Champagne is only produced in Champagne, France, Talavera can only be produced in Puebla, Mexico." Information from http://www.loscabosguide.com/necri/talavera-pottery.htm
I pasted this info from another site because it was too great to paraphrase. Talavera is such a unique and beautiful artform that the Mexican government has gone to great lengths to protect it. If the piece does not have a signature from the shop that created it at the base, and does not say that it is from Puebla, it is not authentic.
Where in town can I get it?
Here are just a few locations in Tucson where you can purchase authentic Talavera products:
Rustica: Exquisite Mexican Folk art and Furniture
200 S. Park Ave. / Phone: (520) 623-4435
6544 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Suite 14o / Phone: (520) 733-2499
Zocalo
3016 E. Broadway Blvd. / (520) 320-1236