RITA members convened at the Capitol to promote the security of all Texas families as well as the dignity & rights of immigrant families.

The video features excerpt of Tx.Senator – Jose Rodriguez (Dist.29 – El Paso) speech. His remarks start at 3:50min.

Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition

Tx. Senator - Jose Rodriguez explains about anti-immigration bills & $27 billion budget deficit in Texas

http://rrenteriaphotography.photoshelter.com/gallery/RITA-March-Rally/G0000tEA79GOKZ1Q/

More info can be found at:
RITA – www.reformimmigrationfortexas.org

Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition
http://www.austinirc.org/

My  neighbors and I haven’t had running water for over 35 hours. This evening, Austin Water Utility decided to replace a 200 foot section of street pipe. We were given 4 gallons of bottled water. Perhaps we’ll have a fix by 8am. Then…the City moves into phase 2, replace the whole water main on Ford. Best case scenario, 4-5 days of work; worst case, a few weeks

Austin Water Utility Media Spokesperson

Crew excavates street pipe

Water Bottles for Residents

Here is some footage from the Ford Street Geyser that occurred this afternoon. This water main rupture happened at the same location as the previous incident which took place 9 weeks ago. Unfortunately, the rupture turned into a geyser and sprayed the same house as on December 2010. The geyser continued for at least 20minutes. Neighbors tried to protect the home from rocks/gravel flying against  it. The resident reported broken glass windows and water damage. I suspect that the City of Austin will not pay for any damages to the property.

Pipe repair for rupture #3 which happened 02/16/11 10:30pm

Rotten pipe from pipe rupture #3

Dec 2010 Ford St. Geyser

Friday January 28, 2011 – The Indigenous Cultures Institute presented another community event in the ‘Noche de Cultura’ series (in conjunction with the Powwow in the Schools Program) with a performance & presentation by Mark Standing Eagle Baez

Here is a short video clip featuring scenes from the evening with Mark’s description of the importance of prayer, honor and healing for our communities and ourselves.  Music provided by Dr.Mario Garza from his CD release Mahtzo’s Lament. The selection is titled ‘Honor Song’.

Noche de Cultura - click image to see schedule of upcoming events

The Noche de Cultura, seven-month series was developed in conjunction with the Indigenous Cultures Institue ‘Powwow in the Schools Program’, to provided performances and educational presentations about the Hispanics’ indigenous identity.

Mark Standing Eagle Baez received his B.A. from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio & his Masters (Psychology) from North Central University in Prescott, Arizona. Currently he is working on his Ph.D in General Psychology where he will be trained in a variety of settings (i.e. research and field experience).  He believes in the importance of keeping a balance in life and living in harmony.

Here is a photographic recap of the exhibit and various programs offered to the community during the fall of 2010.

Curators of the exhibit wrote that “some of these stories are becoming lost or are lesser known because historical resources on the Mex-Amer population are limited.” This limitation creates and unbalanced & incomplete documentation of the Mex-Amer community. This project was an attempt to educate and promote the importance of preserving the untold history & memories of the local Mex-Amer community.

Here is a short slideshow featuring photos from the exhibit/programs and remarks of Dr.Emilio Zamora (Prof. of History – UT Austin) recorded at the exhibit reception (August 2010).

Mex Amer Trailblazers Closing Reception Program

MORE ABOUT THE CLOSING RECEPTION

The Pease Elementary community set up a lemonade stand in front of the Capitol as a way to spotlight their demands for funding public schools to the legislature’s doorstep. The lemonade stand also served as a kickoff action to a district-wide lemonade event  being planned for January 31st.

Here are some photos from the event:

Here is a short video featuring a field recording of Kristine Garana, a parent of student attending Pease Elementary School.

Here are photos from the event held prior to the AISD School Board Meeting.

Community members from various schools (including Sanchez, Zilker and Ortega Elementary Schools) spoke on the need to keep schools open and urged AISD  school board members to seek other options as they confront serious budget deficits.

The coalition of schools include: Barton Hills, Brooke, Joslin, Oak Springs, Ortega, Pease, Sanchez and Zilker elementary schools and Pearce Middle School.

Field recording of press conference:

Maurel Marette – spokesperson, Coalition to Save Austin Urban Schools

Mrs.Oliva – VP of Sanchez Elementary School PTA

Richard Marin – Zilker Elementary School parent

I contributed a photo series for a 30 second commercial highlighting the ‘Mentoring Matters’ program, a Communities in Schools of Central Texas mentoring project. Mentoring Matters allows mentor matches to meet both at school and in the community. The PSA is airing on the local Univision TV channel.

January is National Mentoring Month (NMM) an initiative created by the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR.  National Mentoring Month celebrates its 10 anniversary this year.  NMM seeks to focus national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us —individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors, to assure brighter futures for our young people.

More details can be found here:

Mentoring Matters – Communities in Schools of Central Texas

National Mentoring Month

Mentoring Matters - CISCT (Rene Renteria Photography)

Andrew Elder – ZNA President

Heather Way and Susan Soares

Raquel Izizarry

Sara Hickman – ‘Keep Our Schools Open‘

Ben Kweller – ‘Run’

Larger size images can be found on at Rene Renteria Photography

Here is slideshow featuring my stills of Lannaya’s performance at Auditorium Shores during Austin’s New Year 2011 event.

Lannaya West African Drum and Dance Ensemble is an extended family of talented drummers, led by Master Drummer Alseny Sylla and Abu Sylla (on Balaphone) and Jean-Claude Lessou (Master Dancer/Choreographer).  Lannaya performs intricate and intoxicating dances, songs, and rhythms from Guinea and the Ivory Coast, West Africa, with a fierce and beautiful energy. Their pieces celebrate the life and culture of West Africa.

In the Su Su language of Guinea, West Africa, Lannaya  means “confidence.” It’s what the Ensemble seeks to express in our work and to instill in their audiences. Through their performances, Lannaya strives to create an atmosphere of communal connection and support, encouraging and inspiring audiences and participants to join in the celebration!

Lannaya website