THE BORDER LINE
by Jerry Haas
|
|
The word most often used for
border
in Spanish is “la frontera”. The same Latin root gives us the word
frontier
in English. When I think of the word
border,
I imagine boundaries, restrictions, limits, laws and now of course the controversial Border Wall. When I think of the word “frontier,” however, my mind goes in a completely different direction.
Frontier
suggests adventure, new territory, vast horizons and the excitement of exploring worlds unknown. Back in the ‘60’s, President Kennedy proclaimed “The New Frontier” the agenda for our country and went on to launch the Peace Corps and promote explorations into outer space. Kennedy wanted us to dream and imagine possibilities. I share a similar hope as I look at BCA’s calendar of events for these coming months. I sense the spirit of
frontier
in so many of our offerings: new tours to Bisbee/Cananea and Kino Bay; new regions in Mexico to learn about, beginning with “The Magic of Oaxaca” on January 15; and more to learn from our inspiring presenters like Alex, Russ, Blyth, Minerva, Jennie, Bill, Mike, Jim, Richard, Virginia, Dean, Rick and others. The adventures are out there; don’t let border fears hold you back! And we’re just beginning to scratch the surface!
Jerry Haas
|
|
BCA Presents
“The Magic of Oaxaca” January 15
th
– Jim Hoff
|
|
The Border Community Alliance (BCA) is pleased to kick off its 2019 season of Borderland Forums with a celebration of the “Magic of Oaxaca,” a free event to be held at the Green Valley West Recreation Center, 9:30 am to 11:30 am on Tuesday, January 15th.
|
The presenter, Porfirio Gutiérrez, is a proud descendant of many generations of Zapotec weavers from Teotitlán del Valle in Oaxaca, Mexico. For over 2000 years, this town has been a wellspring of Zapotec textile arts and culture.
As a child, Gutiérrez showed exceptional talent for color and design. At age 12, His father, who was already a master weaver, saw his potential and took every opportunity to help him develop and refine his artistic skills as a weaver. As Porfirio’s talent grew, his appreciation for his Zapotec heritage and traditional arts deepened. Stories told by his elders about cultural rituals, ceremonies and the Zapotec way of life in the past, have all given a more profound understanding of his identity, and have influenced his personal expression through art.
Read More
|
|
Babies, Blankets & Borders
|
This baby was born in Nogales Mexico last month. The parents are migrants from Guatemala. The blanket was provided by a Green Valley/Sahuarita organization called “Babies, Blankets and Borders.” Central Americans from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have been coming to Nogales in increasing numbers these last few years, often staying at the San Juan Bosco Shelter. Some find work in Nogales; others apply for asylum to the United States; still others attempt to cross into the US without documents. They leave their homeland due to the poverty and violence there. On February 19, US Consul General Virginia Staab will speak about Central America from her experience on the Consulate staff in Guatemala at the next “Breakfast & the Border” gathering.
|
|
The Story of the Sopaipilla
An article by BCA Program Director, Alex La Pierre, featured in the winter edition of the State of New Mexico's Cultural Affairs magazine.
|
By Alex La Pierre
Indulging in piping hot and hollow pillows of fried dough with sweet amber honey is a requisite to finishing a chile-rich traditional New Mexican meal. The sopaipilla exists as a veritable culinary touchstone of Southwestern cuisine, remarkable for its dual functionality as both a meal-accompanying form of bread (that is even stuffable) and as a staple dessert. Beneath the gastronomic surface of sopaipillas satisfying simplicity is a fascinating history reflective of the diverse peoples who came to leave significant cultural imprints upon this American region.
Read More
|
|
2019 TOUR & EVENT SCHEDULE
|
|
Mark your calendars and register here....
|
|
with US Consul General Virginia Staab (Nogales, Mexico) presenting on Central America
|
|
TOURS
click date to sign up
|
|
|
|
Cross Border Tour Nogales
|
|
Magdalena
Here & Now Tour
|
|
|
|
Beautiful Rio Sonora Tour
|
|
Madrid - Caceres - Merida, - Sevilla - Cadiz - Cordoba - Castilla La Mancha
Extremadura and Andalucia
|
|
Let's Go to Spain
Are you interested in learning more about BCA’s trip to Spain?
Jan 16, 2019 @ 10:00 am
~~~~~~~~~~
May 27-June 8 2019 “Gateway to a New World: Extremadura and Andalucia"
What does Spain have to do with the border Alex La Pierre will talk about the cultural and gastronomic connections between Spain and the Arizona/Sonoran borderlands.
BCA Office 2221 E. Frontage Rd. Suite 201
|
|
JANUARY
BORDERLAND FORUMS
Click date to sign up.
|
|
For more information on our tour schedule and Borderland Forums
|
|
|
|
|
JANUARY 23
Reservations for this event must be made through the Tubac Presidio (520) 398-2252
|
|
Travel as a Political Act
2:00-3:30
BCA Office- Tubac
Suggested Donation $ 10.00
|
|
Brilliant Bones: Calavera Art
Jan 30 2:00-3:30
Reservations for this event must be made
through the Tubac Presidio
(520) 398-2252
|
|
DONATING TO BCA using a Qualified Charitable Distribution
Jim Hoff
|
|
Although the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 will benefit many individuals by reducing their federal income tax, it also may have a significant and negative impact on charitable giving in the United States. Because more and more taxpayers may choose to take the standard deduction rather than itemizing staring this year, they will not be eligible for tax savings from donations to churches or other eligible nonprofit organizations. As a result, these organizations may see a significant drop in charitable contributions.
However, if you are over age 70 ½ and have retirement funds invested in an IRA, there is a way you can take advantage of the higher standard deduction and still receive a direct tax benefit for charitable contributions.
This can be accomplished by using some of the funds in your IRA to make a Qualified Charitable Contribution (QCD) directly from to a qualified charity.
read more
|
|
Volunteer Orientation January 9 - 2:00 pm
|
|
VOLUNTEERING FOR BCA -
The Border Community Alliance values its volunteers! In fact, we are a volunteer organization, with only two staff people, so we really need your help in order to fulfill our mission “bridging the border and fostering community.” If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out an application and return it to Cecilia Quade, BCA’s President and Volunteer Coordinator (
csquade@comcast.net
). She’ll follow through with a phone call and face-to-face interview to find the best spot for you. The next Volunteer Orientation is
Wednesday, January 9 at 2:00 pm in the BCA office (2221 E Frontage Road, Suite F-201/202.
Come, join us in this valuable way!
|
|
Border Community Alliance
2019 Internship Program
Welcome to 2019 and the beginning of planning for our 2019 Internship Program! We are looking forward to another exciting six weeks this summer with the new group of interns. The Internship Program is an important part of helping BCA accomplish its mission. Since 2011, the intensive six-week program has exposed participants to the economic, social, and cultural aspects of border life and provided them the opportunity to become engaged in cross- border activities while living on the border in Nogales, AZ.
It is a life-changing experience for the participants – career paths are chosen, attitudes are changed, horizons are broadened. Participants share their experiences and increased knowledge of border life with family and colleagues. The BYTE Program was an outgrowth of Charlie Cutler’s internship with BCA in 2015. Other participants have joined the Peace Corps, worked with AmeriCorps, become interns with the IRC, entered law school, and become engaged in leadership activities wherever their lives lead.
Our participants are intelligent young adults and a joy to interact with while they are here. I would encourage any of you who are interested to volunteer in our program. There are opportunities to provide transportation, help process applications, act as escorts for scheduled activities, and just generally provide support to our interns and program.
Diane Brooks, BCA Internship Program Coordinator
|
|
BCA POLICY: REQUIRED BORDER CROSSING DOCUMENTS
All travelers on BCA tours to Nogales Mexico must have a valid (not expired) passport, passport card, Sentri or Global Entry card. All travelers on BCA tours to destinations beyond Nogales (e.g. Magdalena, Hermosillo, Rio Sonora, Kino Bay, Cananea, etc) must have a valid (not expired)
passport.
(NOTE: passport cards, Sentri or Global entry cards are not accepted at the immigration checkpoint KM 21. Also note that regular or “enhanced” driver’s licenses [good for Canada] are not accepted at the US-Mexico Border.)
|
|
Tubac Office now open!
Regular Office Hours
Tuesday & Wednesday
9:00 am -12:00 pm.
Additional hours by appointment.
|
|
I-19 2221 E. Frontage Rd.
Bldg H Suite 201-202
PO Box 1863
Tubac, AZ 85646
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
