Narciso “Chicho” Martinez was born with a gift only given to few. He was a musician who could not read a note, but his innate love for music made him one of the most favorite musicians in Latin America.
In the 1930s, his tunes dominated the radio waves. When the people of the era dialed in any Mexican, Cuban or Latin American station —there was no escape from his brand of music.

The sound of his accordion traveled faster than the spoken word, aided by the radio and the jukebox. More than ever, his music attracted a larger audience beyond the radio.

The popular “music machine” found in every tavern carried Chicho’s music throughout the streets, alleys and roof tops that lined the local “cantinas,” adding flavor to the ambience of hardship.

According to Chicho, among the cantina favorites were—Muchacha Bonita, El Jilguero, Cubanita, La Chinita and Carrejo. And just like Beethoven, his music, “Struck fire from the heart of man, and brought tears to the eyes of woman.”

It was late during the “Depression Era,” between 1937 and 1939 that the man and his music reached the pinnacle of success—cutting about 50 records, everyone of them original compositions born from the land and folklore of the Rio Grande Valley.

Speaking in the 1940s from his La Paloma, Texas ranch house, Chicho commented, “I don’t wish to take all the credit. “There is a guitar player from Brownsville name Santiago Almeida who teams up with me on polishing the songs.”

Although Narciso was a brilliant musician, neither he nor his partner ever attempted to write lyrics or words for his tunes. “Neither I nor Santiago know a note,” the 31-year-old Chicho explained, “but somehow the songs just come from the heart.”

In 1944, a Brownsville journalist wrote, “Chicho’s songs have a basic simplicity and warm charm that comes only with genuine music of the soil — music of the people. That’s exactly why this brush country vaquero is piercing together music that’s bound to click with his people and with folks that appreciate Mexican music.”

Narciso’s musical recordings hit a dry spell during the war years forcing him to work from sun-up to sun-down producing cotton and not music.
World War II interrupted the daily lives of all Americans, including Chicho’s ability to record new songs —especially because of the scarcity of good accordions.

“I used to play for barn dances in the Valley, but cut that out to preserve my accordion as long as possible. Without it I’m lost. There are many accordions, but only one Hohner,” said Chicho.

Unfortunately, because Chicho and Santiago lacked business sense and bargaining power, his ability to make money suffered. From his 50 recordings he and Almeida recorded, they only realized $500 — $250 each.

The musical movement he created survived through the decades — producing songs not as they were, but as he saw them. During the Depression his music perhaps for a short time, erased the pains of the era.

His music also had an impact during WW II—through the use of short-wave radio that played his valses rancheros and polkas, he brought smiles and created new fans overseas.

In the beginning, he was described as a brush country troubadour, later he became a legend and today, he’s an institution. Narciso is no longer with us, but his music will live forever.

Visit the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center in San Benito and catch a glimpse of the man and his music.

By Carlos Robledo
www.956sports.com

Omar Figueroa has signed with Al Hayman one of the top names in boxing.  Hayman will manage Figueroa’s career helping him with endorsements, training, public relations and placing him in boxing cards.  Hayman has already worked his magic getting Figueroa a spot on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto fight taking place in Las Vegas on May 5th.  “Panterita’s” opponent has yet to be announced.
Al Hayman, who graduated from Harvard with a degree in economics, at one time was one of the top concert promoters in the country working with artist such as Whitney Houston, M.C. Hammer, Mary J, Blige he also co-promoted Eddie Murphy’s “Raw” tour.

Hayman’s stable of boxers includes the biggest name in boxing over the past 10 year Mayweather.  He also manages the careers of other boxers including Andre Berto, Paul Williams, Jermian Taylor, Adrien Broner and Gary Russell Jr.

Hayman contacted Omar Figueroa Sr. after watching his son defeat two top prospects in dominating fashion on Showtime over a three-month period.  On January 6th Omar defeated Michael Perez who was previously unbeaten at 15-0-1 and favored to beat Omar.  Perez took some brutal body blows from Omar and could not answer the bell after the 6th.  On March 16th Omar beat Ramon Ayala who was 23-2-1, Omar won the fight in a 2nd round KO.

Omar’s father Omar Sr. will continue to co-manage. He will also train his son along with Joel Diaz who is out of Southern California. Right now Omar is in California training for his May 5th fight. Omar is still being promoted by Golden Boy promotions.

By Juan Montoya
rrunrrun.blogspot.com

With all the hoopla surrounding the potential construction of a launch port for space missions in Boca Chica Beach, it might serve us well to remember history lest we repeat the same mistakes.

The media frenzy surrounding the possible launch site by SpaceX in Brownsville using Falcon 9 commercial space vehicles has overlooked the fact that the U.S. Government – through the National Aeronautics Space Administration and the Department of Defense – considered doing just that when they were searching for a possible launch site for the manned lunar missions back in 1961.
In a document titled numbered MT 61-109546 and tittled “Joint Report on Facilities and Resources Required at Launch Site to Support NASA Manned Lunar Program” authored by personnel of both entities, Brownsville was one of eight sites being considered for the launches.
Other sites included the White sands Missile range, Cape Canaveral (on-shore), Cumberland Island (Ga.), Brownsville, Cape Canaveral (off-shore), Hawaii, Mayaguana and Christmas Island.

Granted, that the size of the lunar mission operation would have to be much bigger than the commercial launch zone envisioned by the promoters of the SpaceX site, yet there are some issues assocaiated that have not changed much in the past 51 years since the initial search was being conducted.

One of the criteria was cost to the government. At Canaveral, for example, they were looking at an approximate cost of $75 million for 81,000 acres, a quotation that eliminated the Christmas Island, Mayaguana and Hawaii, all of which were over 100 million. Additional costs (systems procurement, etc.) proved prohibitive ranging from $435 million at Christmas island, $251 million at Hawaii and $205 in Mayaguana.

Brownsville, however, made the cut with the real estate estimated at $14 million, and additional long-range cost pegging the price at $125 million, competitive with the remaining sites.

However, there were some problems with establishing the launch site in Brownsville, the planners concluded. For one, Both the Georgia site and the one in Brownsville would require the intermittent closing of the Intercoastal Waterway that “could cause political problems,” according to the report.

Further, under the section titled “Launch Vehicle Impact and Overflight Hazards,” the report stated that the launch azimuth would be limited to approximately 80 to 90 degrees to minimize land impact of first and second stages hitting populated areas. Today, if a commercial launch to supply the International Space Station were to be launched from Brownsville, it would have to be directed to a 60 degree azimuth which would take the stages dropping over populated areas like Corpus Christi, Houston and other U.S. cities to the interior.

Related to the issue of overflight hazard, the planners then found that “large portions of U.S, and possibly Cuba, would have to be overflown through second-stage burnout. With the possibility of abort during first and second stage burning, especially during the early phases of the program, some sizable population centers such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Palm Beach and Miami, Fla., would be endangered.”
Taking into consideration “maximum economy” and existing national resources, the planners then concluded that “it would be more advantageous to expand existing physical plants and the technical organizations than to build new ones. Accordingly, this consideration would favor White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, and Cape Canaveral, Fla.”

There were other more critical considerations besides cost and overflight hazards. In everyone of the sites studied, the government requires huge amounts of water be available for safety and health considerations. The use of liquid and solid fuels to achieve an escape trajectory and reach orbital velocity.

With all the highly-toxic and flammable materials being used and the very possible potential for a fire emergency or explosion, water was a critical component of the launch site considerations. There is no water available at Boca Chica Beach or along Highway 4. Ask the residents of Koepernick Shores when was the last time they had running water.
The lone existing water plant there was in the early 80s when the Texas Department of Health shut it down because of unsatisfactory coliform levels and dense concentrations of other heavy metals.

The SpaceX proponents have suggested that they will use “gray water,” whatever that means.

A Wikipedia definition indicates that it “gets its name from its cloudy appearance and from its status as being between fresh, potable water (known as “white water”) and sewage water (black water). In a household context, greywater is the leftover water from baths, showers, hand basins and washing machines only. Some definitions of greywater include water from the kitchen sink. Any water containing human waste is considered black water.

Now, given that, where are they going to acquire the white water that would make the “grey water” available?” If you remember, the only reason that the Playa del Rio Resort project died on the books was because (aside from the scamming of Polish residents from Chicago) of the lack of drinking water out at the same site being considered for the launch site by SpaceX.
Lest you think that this blog is a nay-sayer to anything progressive for our area, let us assure you that we wish these private enterprise commercial launches the best and hope they succeed.

The planners of the 1961 study were not only motivated by dollar costs and related matters. In a telling quote in the DOD facet of the report, they state unequivocally that among one of its goals is “the restoration of a measure of prestige lost to the USSR….the United States has the scientific manpower, the engineering data, know-how, the industrial base, and more than sufficient experience with missile and space operations to do the task. If the Nation decides to authorize and fund the project – and if we fail to achieve our goals, it will be because of failure to organize our efforts and discipline our operations in an efficient manner.”

The price for that failure, the DOD planners concluded “will be the cause of our loss of scientific and industrial leadership in world affairs.”

There were back then, obviously, other considerations besides money. That’s about the major difference between that effort and the current push for a launch site.

But we have learned to be more careful and to beware of not being led down the primrose path when we ended up holding the bag for enterprises and corporations that squeezed us until they couldn’t get anymore blood from the turnip and then simply left.

H-E-B and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce will host the first annual “Sizzling in the Tropics” BBQ Cook-off on Saturday, April 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce.

The cook-off is by invitation only to 15 cooking teams who will be judged in the following categories: pulled pork, beef brisket, pork spare ribs, chicken and showmanship. There is no competition entry fee. Meat will be provided by event title sponsor, H-E-B. Famous for their steaks, H-E-B is known for providing the best cuts of 100% pure beef in all of South Texas. No other store brings you better, fresher meat.

Tickets to attend will cost $15.00 per person for a wristband, which will allow attendees to sample BBQ from all cooking teams. The event will include live musical performances throughout the evening by various local bands.

“Sizzling in the Tropics” is also sponsored by the Anzalduas International Bridge, AEP Texas, First National Bank and L&F Distributors. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Chamber at 682-2871.

By: Raul Garcia Jr.
Valleywood Magazine

You can expect your voters registration card in the mail as Texas’ new Super Tuesday has been reset for May 29.

The Texas Primary was thrown into limbo when minority groups sued the state contending that the proposed Republican Gerrymandering maps discriminated against Black and Hispanic voters. Then the Texas Attorney General asked the United States Supreme Court to intervene and they sent the maps back to the federal judges in San Antonio.

Congressional District 15 Congressman Ruben Hinojosa said he feels the maps do not represent the 2012 census results and are unfair to the county of Hidalgo as it has been split three ways.

“I am completely disappointed in the new U.S. Congressional maps agreed to by the San Antonio Federal Court,” said Hinojosa.  “This map is nearly identical to the map initially formed by Texas State Republicans which did not create a new Congressional District anchored in Hidalgo County.”
The Democrat from Mercedes said Hidalgo County’s population has grown 38% in the 2010 Census and instead of creating a second and well deserved Congressional district Republicans split Hidalgo County three ways.

“This hurts Hidalgo County residents because there are now three Congressional districts and only one, District 15, is anchored in Hidalgo County,” Hinojosa said. “The other two Congressional districts are anchored in Laredo and Brownsville where the largest population for those districts lie. This is blatantly unfair to the residents of Hidalgo County and to all of Deep South Texas. It is gerrymandering at its worst.”

By: Narciso Aleman
Valleywood Magazine

The regular meeting of the Willacy County took place in Raymondville, Texas on Thursday March 8.  The County Judge, Honorable John F. Gonzáles called the meeting to order to a full court.  The Willacy County Commissioners are the Honorable Eliberto “Beto” Guerra, representing Precinct 1, Honorable Noe Loya, representing Precinct 2, Honorable Fred Serrato, representing Precinct 3, and Honorable Dora Pérez, representing Precinct 4.

The composition, duties and responsibilities of the County Judge and the County Commissioners are delineated in the Texas Constitution. The Texas Association of Counties maintains a web page to provide the background, history, and functions of County governments in Texas.

The County Judge is the chief executive of the County and he has broad judicial and administrative powers.  It is a uniquely Texas political phenomenon.  The Texas County Judge presides over (the legislative process) the Commissioners’ Court and executes the policies decided by the Court and s/he is also a Judge in civil and some criminal matters (it varies by the particular County’s size, rules and regulations).  The County Judge presides over the Commissioners’ Court which, in Willacy County, consists of the previously named Commissioners.  The Commissioners’ Court has budgetary and administrative authority over county government operations.  Texas County Commissioners have the similar legislative/administrative powers as the County Judges.  The County Commissioners are a direct service delivery official to the residents in her/his precinct.  In addition, they have the authority to make policies that affect the County residents.  Based upon the services the County provides and the costs of such services, the Commissioners set the tax rate.  The Commissioners’ Court sets the election boundaries for their precincts, as well as the boundaries for the Justices of the Peace in the County.  County Commissioners also hire the County employees and determine their salaries.  Personnel changes need to be considered by the County Commissioners’ Court.  They also acquire property for the County and they are the sole contracting authority for the County.

The agenda for Thursday, 8th of March 2012, consisted of 29 items and they covered the gamut of their legal authority, both legislative and administrative.  During the public comments section, which takes place at the beginning of the Commissioners’ Court agenda, Mr. Ben Armendáriz, representing the 20 plus members of the Raymondville Truckers Association, requested that the Commissioners’ Court use its power to require the corporations from outside Willacy County contact local truckers to transport some of the materiél being brought in for the road maintenance and repair, as well as the major construction projects.

Willacy County and the District Attorney’s office requested and received approval to pursue a State Criminal Justice Planning 421 Fund with the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor’s Office.  The grant will enable Willacy County to reach the 90% reporting benchmark on crimes, arrests, and incidents of law enforcement.

Justice of the Peace, Honorable George Solis requested that the Court authorize a contract with Lubbock County to institute mediation procedures with civil cases so that the Justice of the Peace dockets would not be so burdened.

Mediation is a process in which persons, having a dispute, come together before a neutral third party and the neutral party helps them attempt to reach a resolution of the dispute without having to rely upon a judicial process.  The item was tabled so that the County Attorney could look into the legal implications of the County entering into a contract with Lubbock County on the mediation procedures.

VALLEYWOOD MAGAZINE will be reporting the meetings, discussions, resolutions and programs of governing entities in Willacy County over the next weeks, months and years.

Willacy County Pct. 1 Commissioner Eliberto Guerra

By: Raul Garcia Jr.
Valleywood Magazine

Willacy County Precinct One County Commissioner Eliberto Guerra has been working hard and he has the projects to prove it.

The 51-year-old public official previously worked as a electrical contractor before he decided to run for public office to help the community that he loves.
“I have about five or six projects going at the same time,” Guerra said. “We have the FEMA project, the drainage projects, the generator project and the paving projects.”

Guerra says he has been working on paving the roads in his precinct from day one when he was newly elected in 2008. In La Sara he paved several streets with monies that were available through the LVG development council.

“The Willacy county Sub Station is very important because we can leave our equipment in a central location between precincts,” Guerra said.

About two years ago with funding from a block grant the commissioner led the way to paving some streets in the Los Angeles colonia.

“In Raymondville’s First Street we put up a rail on a big drain ditch that is in the back of precinct one,” he said.

The commissioner is in a re-election campaign and is proud of the work that he has accomplished for the community.
Guerra’s vision extends beyond his own district and he sees improvements, not only helping and enhancing his own precinct but the county of Willacy, as a whole.

“We just finished this project for the Raymondville school cafeteria that can serve as a shelter in case of an emergency,” the commissioner said. “So that will help out anybody that needs electricity.

Lieutenant Abel Morales, an American Air Force fighter pilot who died in battle on Feb. 5, 1944 during World War II.

By: Raul Garcia Jr.
Valleywood Magazine

World War II veterans are passing away every day.  One local hero who never made it back from the Great War also never had a funeral.

All his family knew was that he had died in battle somewhere over the Pacific as an American Air Force pilot.

Morales’ brother, Luis, would later name his son Abel Morales in honor of his fallen brother. His family now lives in Brownsville.

“He was a pilot and in his time that was an accomplishment in itself,” said the Brownsville native. “What was unheard of was he was a Hispanic bomber pilot.”

Abel Morales joined the Armed Forces during a time when racial discrimination was so great, but he was able to excel as he had always done when he was growing up. He would overcome adversity and earn Silver Wings to fly an American Banshee A-21 fighter jet.

Sixty-eight years after receiving the message that he was lost at war,  his family finally was presented with an American flag and a proclamation for Lieutenant Morales’ valor and his long awaited 21-gun salute.

An American hero L-R Gloria Flores, Teresa Morales Valadez and Fay Crammond Valadez stand in Weslaco as an American Flag is being raised to half staff in honor of their family member,

The Weslaco High standout athlete had his day in his hometown outside the AC Cuellar campaign headquarters where family members from around the country and his only surviving sister attended the ceremony.

“He felt the call to duty and he answered it; unfortunately he just never came back,” said the nephew. “Becoming a pilot was kind of an elite force and unheard of in that day for a Mexican American.”

First Lieutenant Abel Morales was honored by community leaders and members of the Weslaco Catholic War Veterans, State Representative Armando Martinez (D-Weslaco), American Legion members and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7473 began the ceremony with the military funeral protocol.

On Feb. 5, 1944 Morales’ A-21 Banshee bomber plane was struck down.

Nereyda Morales-Martinez and her supporters have been working the Hidalgo County Court 7 campaign trail and are looking for vicotry.

The one time migrant farm worker decided in the agricultural fields at a young age never to drop out of school so she could have a better life and to help her community.
Today Nereyda Morales-Martinez is a practicing attorney at her own law firm in Edinburg, Texas. She is one of three candidates for the newly-created county court of law branch seven.

Martinez-Morales states  it’s her first time on the campaign trail but not her first time in a court room. She has been a practicing attorney for 22-years. She worked four years with the Hidalgo District Attorney’s office and has 17-years practicing as a criminal defense attorney.
“I felt it was important to give back to my community in my profession,” the candidate said. “ I love being an attorney and I know I can do a good job as a judge.”

Nereyda Morales Martinez Candidate for Hidalgo County Court Seven

She said her vision is to provide a fair and impartial court room where people in Hidalgo County can come in and feel comfortable and be treated equally and fairly by the law.

The extra-long campaign trail that was supposed to end on her birthday, March 6, has extended her opportunity to continue meeting voters and to tell them her story and experience which has prepared her for the bench.

“ I come from a large family and I’m the youngest of nine and the first one to go to college.” Martinez said. “I think my experience will serve me. Coming from a large family teaches you to see all sides and present your case and certainly how to understand others that come before you, as a judge.”

The Hidalgo County Court Seven was created in 2011 to alleviate the backlog of cases that has built up among the other six court branches.

Judge Reynaldo Cantu was appointed to sit on the branch 7  bench after the Hidalgo County Commissioners decided to create the new branch. His appointment mandated that he could not be a candidate for the position in the next election cycle.

Other candidates for the position are attorney’s David Saenz and Sergio Valdez.

“ I want voters to know that I am an honest person who will speak to people with the truth,” Martinez-Morales said. “I am very proud of what I have been able to accomplish in my life with my education and I want to share that.”

Edgar Villasano Jr. with his father Edgar Villasano Sr and Joe Rios at the South Texas Agricultrual Roundup compititon in Edinburg.

By: Edgar Villasano Sr.
Valleywood Magazine

Edgar Villasano Jr. is a 10 year old who is a member of Economedes Jr. Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Edinburg. Edgar showed the Charolais Breed Champion steer at the South Texas Agricultural Roundup in Edinburg, better known as STAR.

Edgar’s steer, “Bullet”, weighed in at 1120 pounds. Edgar has won Reserve Supreme Champion, numerous Breed Champions and Reserve Breed Champions with his heifer, “Simmie”, as well.

Edgar says that even though it is hard work he really enjoys his animals.
With his father working away from home during the week, it is Edgar’s sole responsibility to tend to the animals. Based on his accomplishments he seems to do a good job.

Edgar Villasano Jr.

Edgar’s day starts at 6:00 a.m. to begin feeding his steer and heifer, and by 7:45 he is ready to board the school bus. After school, Edgar cleans the pens and cleans the water and feed troughs for his animals. If at any time Edgar needs help, his neighbor, Mr. Joe Rios, a retired FFA instructor, is always there to lend him a hand.

Edgar attends Brewster elementary where he is also a straight “A” student. Edgar is already anxious awaiting his new steer for next year, and his heifer has given birth to a calf, which will belong to Brianna, Edgar’s sister’s project for the 2012 season. Edgar’s advice to other showmen is, “feeding and watering is crucial as well as spending a lot of time with the animals. Animals need to be very comfortable with the showmen in order to give the best performance.”

Edgar seems to know a thing or two about showmanship since he was Champion Showman in STAR for 2011 and 2012. He also won numerous champion showmanship and reserve champion showmanship throughout the 2011 run. Edgar’s parents are very proud of his accomplishments and wish him continued success in the future.