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SPRING
REGISTRATION
IS NOW OPEN
Click calendar to view schedule
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Several months ago I made a decision to resign as Executive Director of BCA, effective May 31, 2020. I made that decision based on assessing what I needed (more time for family and myself) and on what I felt BCA needed (new leadership for the future). BCA has grown dramatically in these last five years, from a very small operation with only one tour, no office and no staff, to a dynamic young organization with many program offerings, an office and small but very committed staff. It was not easy to share my decision with BCA’s Board of Directors – why leave when we’re having so much fun! – but I realized letting them know what was going on with me would help them to plan for a smooth transition. Fortunately, Alex is not leaving and will continue as Director of Program -- we hope for a very long time. Of course, we know that he is a big reason why we’ve grown as much as we have! We are also fortunate in that BCA’s outstanding Board of Directors is working hard on developing plans and staffing for a sustainable future. A new person will be hired as Director of Operations to take over a lot of the responsibilities I’m currently doing as a full-time volunteer. And I’m not really leaving either. My new role will be Senior Advisor, offering support and encouragement and raising funds to support the mission and values of BCA. I feel very positive about BCA as I write this. BCA has a wonderful culture of respect and learning, with many gifted volunteers, great teachers and partners like Alma Cota de Yanez, the US and Mexican Consulate staff and many friends in the community and in other organizations. What’s our biggest challenge? Going from a volunteer executive director (me) to paid staff requires additional funds, about $30,000 more this year. Everybody can help us reach our goal: by making a recurring gift of $20, $50 or $100 a month; by making an annual donation of $100, $500 or $1000; or signing a three-year pledge to our
FORESIGHT 2020
campaign. Donations can be processed online with a credit card or by mailing your check to BCA, PO Box 1863, Tubac, AZ. 85646. Meanwhile, join us for our very special
SPRING CELEBRATION on Saturday, March 21
. The Holler-Saunders home is a virtual museum of Spanish Colonial art and our gathering will include great food from Elvira’s Restaurant along with great music. See the details below.
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Border Community Alliance
invites you to join us in celebrating the first day of Spring as we raise funds for our summer intern program!
This year’s event will be at the
Holler-Saunders home
, an exclusive private residence tucked into a secluded spot in Nogales, Arizona. For more than forty years, art dealers Eddie Holler and Sam Saunders collected artifacts from all over Mexico and Latin America as well as other regions of the world. Their extravagant, good-taste can be seen locally at La Roca Restaurant in Nogales, Mexico and at Elvira’s Restaurant in Tubac, Arizona (www.holler-saunders.com). The Holler-Saunders estate in Nogales displays a vast number of items from their Spanish Colonial collection, including many which are available for purchase. We are extremely grateful to Sam Saunders who is opening the property for our event, including his home and art warehouse.
Our evening will begin at 4:00 pm with music from the award-winning
Nogales High School Mariachi Apache band
, followed by the incredibly talented
David Carranza duo
(Extend Music also known as Amanera de Café) often heard at Elvira’s Restaurant on Saturday nights. Appetizers and buffet dinner with dessert catered by
Elvira’s Restaurant
; beer, wine, margaritas and non-alcoholic drinks available. Tours and commentary will be offered by owner Sam Saunders, and a silent auction will be held throughout the evening.
BCA’s Intern Program:
For the last eight years, BCA has offered a summer internship program for college and university students from around the world. Proceeds from this event will help support that endeavor.
What is BCA Foresight 2020?
Border Community Alliance, a nonprofit based in Tubac, Arizona, is involved in a visioning process to fulfill its mission of “bridging the border and fostering community through education, collaboration and cultural exchange.” Ask for information about how we are moving ahead into the new decade with commitment and hope.
Moments in History:
Besides great music, food and an amazing house full of art, our evening will include Moments in History by our own Alex La Pierre. The Holler family purchased this property in the 1880’s but didn’t build on it for years because of continuing Apache raids! In 1918 there were three Battles of Nogales and visits to the area by people like Pancho Villa, Dwight Eisenhower and General Pershing. One other historical note: March 21 is the birthday of Benito Juarez, a Zapotec Indian who became President of Mexico. Alex will delight us with great stories about all of these Moments in History.
Parking for this event:
guest parking at Burger King or other paid lots or along International Street next to the border wall. Shuttle service will be provided. We encourage guests to carpool to reduce congestion.
Ticket prices:
Individual prices: $125 (BCA members); $150 (non-members).
Group sales: $450 for four tickets (members & non-members); $800 for a table of eight (members & non-members).
You can purchase your ticket online and pick it up at the BCA office ahead of time; or, tickets will be on call when you arrive at the Holler-Saunders event.
NOTE: Tickets sales are limited so get your tickets now!
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Director of Operations at BCA
Next week we will begin actively searching for a Director of Operations who will work out of our Tubac, Arizona office. This person will oversee the internal operations of BCA to ensure organizational effectiveness and efficiency. BCA’s Board of Directors is working out the details of the job description now and will post the position on our website when complete.
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OAXACA TOURS:
Three new tours for next season!
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BCA
has had a very positive relationship with
Porfirio Gutierrez
this year as three tour groups traveled to his native Oaxaca, touring his natural dye rug making studio and many other locations. We are very pleased to offer three more tours to Oaxaca next season:
January 15-22, 2021 (FULL)
Registration is now open to the public for these dates; hurry, the January tour is already full and taking names for the wait list!
Jerry Haas, Alex La Pierre and Cecilia Quade
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As a new addition to the well-received
"Let’s Speak Spanish!"
program, BCA is offering a
one-week program
for Spanish learners to increase their “hands-on” experience with the language.
This five-night, six-day program will be held in the town of
Banámichi
located along Sonora River, which bestowed its name to our neighboring Mexican state of Sonora. Staying at the historic boutique Hotel La Posada del Río Sonora, we will meet each morning for four hours of structured language practice with an experienced teacher and capable facilitators. Afternoons can then be spent exploring the town of Banámichi, meeting and conversing with native speakers, and exploring Sonoran culture. As a special treat, we also will participate in a cooking class to learn more about the unique features of Sonoran cuisine. We will also provide several afternoon excursions to interesting sites along the Rio Sonora. Each evening we will meet as a group for dinner and have the opportunity to share our experiences.
This program is designed for established beginners and intermediate speakers of Spanish – learners who are familiar with the basics of Spanish pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, but need help in building confidence to converse in Spanish. A good prerequisite for the program would be the completion of one or two basic Spanish courses, including BCA’s six-week Lets Speak Spanish program. It should be noted that all teachers and facilitators in the program will be bi-lingual in Spanish and English in order to provide the best assistance for beginning and intermediate learners.
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Nogales Cross Border Tour
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Confronting the Myths & Mysteries of U.S. Immigration
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With Jim Hoff
Join us for
three sessions
at the Tubac Community Center to learn the ins and outs of US immigration policy. Get a sense of the political, economic and cultural forces at work in shaping this important aspect of our nation’s story. Time: 10:00 to 11:30. Fee: $30 BCA members; $40 nonmembers. The Center is at 50 Bridge Road in Tubac.
10:00-11:30 AM
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Birds of the Borderlands
with Jennie McFarland from the Tucson Audubon Society
This popular presenter will give a talk with slides at 10:00 am at the Tubac Community Center (50 Bridge Road) at 10:00 am. Then after a break for lunch, you will have a chance to
see
the birds she talked about with a walk along the Santa Cruz River at noon. The talk is free with a suggested donation of $10. The walk with a guide is $15 BCA members; $20 nonmembers.
10:00-11:30 AM / 12:00-2:00 PM
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BCA at Tucson’s Festival of Books
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Stop by our table and say “hello!” The Festival is the third largest book event in the U.S.! Hours are
9:30 to 5:00
and the location is the Mall at the University of Arizona. Admission is free.
March 14 & 15
University of Arizona
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Where Jaguars Roam: The Northern Jaguar Project and the Return of a Legend
The fascinating story deserves to be heard and understood. Location: United Methodist Church of Green Valley, 300 W Esperanza. Time: 10:00 – 11:30. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $10.
10:00 - 11:30 PM
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The Migrant Trail
by Magda Mankel
Learn about the Migrant Trail — a 75 mile, 7 day march that is led by a multicultural and multifaith community dedicated to commemorating the migrants who have died in their attempt to cross the US-Mexico border through clandestine means. Since the year 2000, more than 3,000 migrant remains have been recovered from the Sonoran Desert and processed by the Pima County Coroner’s office.
2:00 - 3:30 PM
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Pilgrimage to Magdalena: A Video Odyssey
by Mike Foster
For over 300 years, thousands of people have journeyed to
Magdalena de Kino
, a small city in Sonora that serves as the final resting place of the missionary priest, Padre Kino. The pilgrimage ends with a fiesta, celebrating the practices of many indigenous groups and religious traditions. You’ll be amazed at the cultural and ethnic diversity, just 60 miles south of the US Border. Join us for an extraordinary video experience! Tubac Community Center, 50 Bridge Rd. Time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Admission free with a suggested donation of $10.
2:00 - 3:30 PM
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A group photo at the historic Plaza de toros / Bullfighting ring
in Nogales, Sonora.
Gastronomic Tour
Feb 21, 2020.
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Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00 am -12:00 pm
Additional hours by appointment.
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I-19 2221 E. Frontage Rd.
Bldg F Suite 201-202
P.O. Box 1863
Tubac, AZ 85646
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Membership/Events:
520-398-3229
Office:
520-419-1960
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