March 4, 2010 | Courtesy The Texas Tribune, by Ross Ramsey

by Sarai Bejarano, OLLU Lake Front News Editor

Recently, the University was recognized as one of the top 25 universities in the nation in graduating Hispanic students with bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). 

“As a professor here I feel honored by the recognition, (as) it shows that we are doing a good job,” said Alfredo Vaquiax, department chair and associate professor of mathematics.

The results were from a study done by the Center for Urban Education. The center took into account the number of students enrolled in the University, the institution type, if it was a four-year college, and the number of STEM majors.

The study, which was called “Benchmarking the Success of Latina and Latino Students in STEM to Achieve National Graduation Goals,” focused on six states with the highest Hispanic populations: Texas, Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico and New York.
When studying these states and their universities, members of...

Tsunami Warning for Hawaii Live Coverage, ABC Hawaii plus various TV stations

Live TV : Ustream

This is a CBS live Tsunami Reports, CBS Hawaii-KGMB-TVfeed provided via Ustream. Coastal areas evacuated.  Below ABC, Hawaii and other TV Live Reports. First Tsunami wave expected 4:05 p.m. ET

Courtesy CBS Ustream

UPDATE (2/21/2010): The Austin Chronicle helped validate this story somewhat by forwarding me the following link to a separate, and much less detailed, account of Stack from another schoolmate: http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-02182010-stackties,0,2044061.story

TheFBM.com Editor's Note: All content is presented as it was received in my inbox. Hopefully this will shed some new light on the tragedy that occurred in Austin. -Kerry Martin

" Remembering Andy - Joe Stack

This piece is submitted with the expressed written agreement that TheFBM.com is providing me complete anonymity. At no time will TheFBM.com or its associates make my identity known to your readers, staff, or any other interested parties.

I am shocked and saddened beyond words to hear about what has happened. I would like to express my sincere sorrow for those killed and injured by this horrific crime.

I have cried all day trying to understand why Joe, or as I knew him, Andy did this. I read the articles in the paper and on the net describing the letter...

Hello everyone,

First the good news... ACTimes is almost 1 year-old, and we are happy to report that our humble effort of the heart powered by you, our volunteer contributors, supporters and readers has delivered thus far 25,000 monthly pages views, almost 100 registered community contributors, and at least a dozen of you actively submitting daily stories.  Plus what we now now us our pioneering ACT-Now Camps  in collaboration with OLLU to train Community Contributors in the story telling and the use of today's digital tools to generate conent for AlamoCityTimes.com "Your Community News Blog"

Among you and our top contributors... Project Spurs, Laura Carter, 210TV.com, MariachiMusic.com, OLLU, UTSA, The San Antonio Humane Society, TV4SA, Fiesta San Antonio, SAAFDN, The Springtime 65 Show, and more.

We thank you for your support and contribution to San Antonio's number one Community Journalism Hyperlocal effort in the public interest, no red tape, no politics, no third party interests.  Just stories...

Mayor Julián Castro 2010 State of The City speech.

Read the Mayor's speech. Source: http://www.sanantonio.gov/mayor/StateoftheCitya.aspx

On Jobs:
"The top priority for 2010 is creating jobs for San Antonians. Our city has fared better than most American communities during this downturn, but we must work to fare better. 20,000 net new jobs in 2010 is the goal."

Green Economy:
"We must embrace new economic opportunities. San Antonio can and should become a leader in the green economy by investing in green job training, incentivizing green manufacturing and leading the way in the use of renewables to meet our energy needs."

State of the City Address
The Decade of San Antonio: A Big City transforming into a Great City

Mayor Julián Castro presented his first State of the City Address on Thursday, January 28, 2010, and proclaimed San Antonio as a city on the move that will vault forward economically in the coming decade.

http://www....

City of San Antonio authorities are asking everyone to STOP and TURN AROUND at High Water Closures.   Last night almost 2" of rain continued to pour over The Alamo City, and a great number of streets have been closed due to high water.  Here's a LIVE feed from SA Public Works webpage:

KEEP COMING BACK, THIS PAGE WILL UPDATE LIVE AS CLOSURES HAPPEN:

Forty five years ago today, four black university students entered a Woolworths in Greensboro, North Carolina, sat down at the "whites only" lunch counter, and refused to budge. 

These sit-ins continued for six months, and were a major part of non-violent protest campaigns that led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act.  

Here in San Antonio, one of the ways we celebrate the Civil Rights Movement is walking in the Martin Luther King March, known as the largest as such in the country.  MLK's San Antonio march took place last month.

VIDEO: In one remarkable day, four college freshmen changed the course of American history. February One tells the inspiring story surrounding the 1960 Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins that revitalized the Civil Rights Movement and set an example for student militancy of the coming decade.

( THE FILMARCHIVE ) " On February 1, 1960, four African American students Ezell A. Blair Jr. , David Richmond, Joseph McNeil, and Franklin McCain from Agricultural and Technical College...

State of The Union Address 01.27.10, Highlights Videos YouTube Associated Press

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 27, 2010
Excerpts of the President's State of the Union Address

We face big and difficult challenges.  And what the American people hope – what they deserve – is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics.  For while the people who sent us here have different backgrounds and different stories and different beliefs, the anxieties they face are the same.  The aspirations they hold are shared.  A job that pays the bill.  A chance to get ahead.  Most of all, the ability to give their children a better life. 

You know what else they share?  They share a stubborn resilience in the face of adversity.  After one of the most difficult years in our history, they remain busy building cars and teaching kids; starting businesses and going back to...

(Press Release, 01/21/10) SVREP Launches LatinoVote 2010 Effort for Texas Primaries, adding Latinos voters in anticipation of redistricting.

  Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP), the country's leading Latino voter registration organization, announced today that it is registering voters in Texas in a statewide nonpartisan effort to increase the number of Latino voters in preparation for the March 2nd primaries.

In advance of the February 1st voter registration deadline for the March primaries, SVREP is actively conducting nonpartisan registration campaigns throughout Texas. SVREP conducts nonpartisan efforts with participation from community-based organizations and networks, local businesses, colleges and high schools, churches and unions.

"This is an historic moment for Latinos," said Antonio González, SVREP President. "We want to reactivate the economy, halt home foreclosures, legalize the undocumented, increase access to health care, improve public education and end...

Sky News Online Video: Alive! Boy's Quake Rescue A Symbol Of Hope

Amid the despair and suffering of the Haiti earthquake, the rescue of one little boy symbolizes the importance of never giving up hope. Andy Jack, Sky News Online

New York Post photographer Matthew McDermott described how he captured the moment.

"I spent seven grueling days surrounded by endless images of despair and destruction,"

"Then I witnessed a miracle." "Walking through the ruins of a neighborhood, I stumbled on a crew of New York City cops and firefighters...

The President speaks about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the importance of persistence in achieving broader goals in remarks at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. January 17, 2010. (Source: WhiteHouse.gov)

TRANSCRIPT CNN:

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Praise be to God. Let me begin by thanking the entire Vermont Avenue Baptist Church family for welcoming our family here today. It feels like a family. Thank you for making us feel that way. (Applause.) To Pastor Wheeler, first lady Wheeler, thank you so much for welcoming us here today. Congratulations on Jordan Denice -- aka Cornelia. (Laughter.)

www.whitehouse.gov

Michelle and Malia and Sasha and I are thrilled to be here today. And I know that sometimes...

celebratesa.org

Happy New Year!!

¡Feliz Año Nuevo San Antonio!

By Robby Lim, Staff Writer Project Spurs

After a summer of retooling the roster heading into this 2009-2010 NBA season, the Spurs assembled a team that is arguably the most talented and deepest in recent years. It's no secret any team with championship aspirations has to have a strong supporting cast.

During their previous title runs, the Spurs had players that fit their roles and provided a spark off the bench to get it done.

The 2003 championship team had what some Spurs fans would call the deepest bench in the Tim Duncan era, and who can blame them.  The bench consisted of players such as Speedy Claxton, Steve Kerr, Steve Smith, and Malik Rose.  That bench played a significant role in helping the franchise win their second title.

However this 2009-2010 bench has the potential to be better than the bench of 2003. With players such as DeJuan Blair, Manu Ginobili, Roger Mason, George Hill, and Michael Finely coming off the bench, let's see how they would stack up against a proven championship bench.

Check...

"If I did not think that the security of the United States and the safety of the American people were at stake in Afghanistan, I would gladly order every single one of our troops home tomorrow."

President Obama outlines his strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. 

"I do not make this decision lightly.  I opposed the war in Iraq precisely because I believe that we must exercise restraint in the use of military force, and always consider the long-term consequences of our actions."

"So, no, I do not make this decision lightly.  I make this decision because I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan." 

"This is the epicenter of violent extremism practiced by al Qaeda.  It is from here that we were attacked on 9/11, and it is from here that new attacks are being plotted as I speak.  This is no idle danger; no hypothetical threat.  In the last few months alone, we have apprehended extremists...

Learn how to find out more about already existing nuclear plants.

Antonio Diaz from the Mestizo Experience Show on San Antonio Public Access TV speaks to protesters at City Hall about the CPS Energy Nuclear Power plant Expansion.

San Antonio is deciding whether to stay invested in the project or reduce it's stake.

Mestizo Experience show airs Wed 8:30pm, Thurs 4:30 pm.

AP-YouTube ch.- Sweeping health care legislation has cleared its first hurdle with a 60-39 vote in the Senate. The measure is designed to extend coverage to roughly 31 million who lack it. (Nov. 21)

Hasan's Attorney, ret. Col. John Galligan near BAMC 11/21/09

"I don't know when or where" said Galligan.  The defense position is to make sure his client receives proper and full medical attention before he is move, and that the ability to defend his client won't change he added.

>>Video shows Galligan driving away after talking to local and national media in San Antonio, Texas. >>

Galligan expressed his concern and disappointment and labeled the hearing and...

UPDATES: 11/22/09 Drove by the the location today and STILL many of the documents and photos still there.  11/20/09 KSAT called interested in the story. 11/18/09 Video & Interview - See below

Hundreds of documents from property claims, and at least one hospital system including reports, photos and more labeled "Company Confidential" were just literally "flying around" I-10W near Downtown San Antonio Wednesday before noon. 

USSA, Farmers, Nationwide, AllState documents and photos 35 & I-10W, Photo AlamoCityTimes.com

Apparently several boxes with documents fell off a transport vehicle at the intersection of 35 & I-10West on the turn right over the Finesilver Bldg. sometime around 11am

In addition to documents, reports, photos, ACTimes also noticed many plastic holders with 35mm negatives of property pictures including residences interiors.  A great majority of the documents debris we found,  bear the name of RIMKUS Consulting.

ACTimes contacted RIMKUS this afternoon for a reaction,...

More than 70,000 have already signed the "BastaDobbs.com" petition demanding CNN fires Lou Dobbs.  This, while the "most trusted name in news", promotes their upcoming Soledad O'Brien series "Latino In America", yet at the same time one of their own, according to Latino organizations, scholars and some journalists covering the controversy, Dobbs has clearly become "the face and voice" of a far right anti-immigrant movement, considered by many nothing else but hate speech.

WATCH: The Video CNN won't run next to "Latino In America" [ click ]

"It is also about raising awareness that by watching CNN, Latinos are disrespecting ourselves." Present.org

CNN's ramping it's 'Latino in America,' but it's getting ruined by Lou Dobbs

by Albor Ruiz - NY Local

 

Daily News (New York) (October 18th 2009)

In a few days CNN will launch its ambitious "Latino in America" series. Hosted by the popular Soledad O'Brien,...

bastadobbs.com

BastaDobbs.com video as part of their campaign to have CNN's Lou Dobbs fired and boycott CNN's "Latino In America" with Soledad O'Brien. More than 70,000 have already signed the petition.

"Lou Dobbs uses his platform on CNN to spread myths and misinformation about Latinos and immigrants, even as his network is wooing Latino viewers. "It’s time we said enough" bastadobbs.com

ENGLISH:

ESPAÑOL

An 'illegal alien' Halloween costume, alien mask, and a fake green card has many Latino organizations around the country up in arms.  The controversial $39.99 costume is also available at several online stores, including Buy.com, Amazon, Target, and Walgreens.

"The overwhelming message sent through this particular costume is that 'illegal aliens' are subhuman, which legitimizes their detention in orange jumpsuits. Gitmo anyone?" immigration.change.org

Update: According to Target the store is pulling the costume off its shelves

 

"This is not in keeping with our brand," Target spokesman Joshua Thomas.

It may not be, but as of tonight Target.com is still offering the "Illegal Alien" Halloween costume line.

"Look: It's just for fun," said Stephanie Lewis, Halloween Costume World. "We sell pregnant nuns and all sorts of things. It's just like a joke, no one's trying to make fun of anyone." (insidebayarea.com)