Kudos to The Times for naming Earhart Laredoan of the Year;
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Congratulations to the Laredo Morning Times for naming Dr. Jim Earhart Laredoan of the Year. The immense and well-deserved gesture recognizes an individual who has an abiding love and respect for the natural world. We, too, salute his tenacity, and we salute The Times for recognizing this unordinary, courageous man.
Jessica Kent has joined State Senator Judith Zaffirini's office as Public Information Aide. Kent's duties include developing and implementing public strategies for keeping constituents informed. She'll work not only with local and statewide media, but also with media throughout Senate District 21.
Prior to her position with the Senator's office, Kent was the city reporter for the Laredo Morning Times. She is a 1998 graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, where she earned a B.A. in Speech Communication. She is currently working on her master's degree in Journalism from Regent University in Virginia through a distance learning program.
Kent was raised in various Texas cities such as Houston and Ft. Worth.
"I love this state and am extremely honored to be a part of Senator Zaffirini's team," said Kent.
Former Director of Communications for the Secretary of State Mindy Trust Casso has made her way home to join the marketing department at Doctors Hospital as Director of Community Education and Physician Relations. Welcome home, Mindy.
Eddie Zavala, also formerly of the communications office of the Secretary of State, is now at City Hall in the capacity of Customer Service Coordinator, a liaison between departments and the City Manager's office. "My job is to hear from the public what its concerns are about city services," said Zavala. "I make sure that all concerns and requests are answered in the shortest amount of time, including questions like, 'When is the pot hole on my street going to be fixed?'"
Best wishes to Robert García who has been named City Editor at the Laredo Morning Times. If ever a fellow had a knack for news, it's García, who has worked at The Times for the last four years and cumulatively for the seven years. "It's the highlight of my career," García said, adding, "It has rejuvenated my life in journalism."
Melissa Chavez has moved to the morning news spot on KGNS, replacing Laura Segura who has gone to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a master's degree.
One of the highlights of the political season, in a media sort of way, is watching the organizational skills and hearing the articulateness (sometimes the inarticulateness) of the candidates. And if not their skills and articulation, then that of the for-hire media organizations getting their messages out. In some cases you are looking at the creative efforts of Aldrete Communications, Graphitiks Advertising, the Davis Group, and others.
Manuel J. Rodriguez III has joined the marketing department of KLDO-Univision. Good company on both ends of the equation!
And speaking of the upcoming elections, KGNS will air a debate between the candidates for Webb County Judge on January 26 and a debate between the candidates for 49th District Court Judge on February 28. Both debates air at 6 p.m.
Click on AmericanLatino.net for big picture news about trends in Latino business, education, arts and entertainment, sports, culture, style, and more. The site is published by James E. García, former editor of the San Antonio Current.
According to García, "We have chosen the name 'American Latino' because we believe it helps defines a milestone in the advancement and status of Latinos in the United States. The Latino communities in this nation are vibrant and diverse. Yet despite our diversity we also share a common cultural insight that has been shaped in large part by the blending of our Latin and indigenous origins and the influences on our lives as Americans. The flaws of our society notwithstanding, there is something uniquely venerable about being an American. Explaining the essence of our national spirit is not always easy, but few can deny that we have seen it in action in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks."
He continued, "Over the centuries, a vast array of people and cultures have helped shape the verve and resiliency of American society. And within that array have been our nation's Latino communities. What is new today is not only the growing sense of empowerment among the nation's Latinos, but a force of spirit that is uniting us -- Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, and a multitude of native and immigrant Latino communities -- into a distinctly American subculture. This publication will document this unifying spirit and help articulate the vision of the 'American Latino' community."
García said that in 2002 his staff will be developing a national monthly magazine, also called American Latino.