Laredo Public Library welcomes Victor Villasenor

If you have a chance, stop by the Laredo Public Library HEB Multi-Purpose this Friday, December 12 at 6pm to meet and listen to Victor Villasenor, who will be reading excerpts from his latest book, “Crazy Loco Love.” He will be signing copies of his book too, so if you haven’t bought one yet, get to it.

You can read Chapter 1 and 2 of the book here. Here’s a little background on the book itself.

From Victor Villaseñor, one of America’s most beloved writers, author of Rain of Gold and Burro Genius, comes Crazy Loco Love (Arte Público Press, September 2008, $26.95, 416 pages, clothbound, ISBN-13: 978-1-55885-315-7), a compelling memoir of his adolescent search for meaning and identity. In this new work, Villaseñor deftly undermines the macho stereotype so often associated with Latinos, while exposing the tender vulnerability and naiveté of a young man grappling with his own sexuality and spirituality. Kirkus Reviews says, “Readers will find Crazy Loco Love a departure in a new direction, for now the author, revisiting his late-adolescent self, becomes exceedingly interested in matters of the flesh.”

Check out the author’s website here. If you plan to attend, make sure you take lots and lots of pictures and share them with us.

Watch an interview with Villasenor here.

Santa Elves Wanted for Navidad en el Barrio

Want to do something good for the community? Become a volunteer and help the Navidad en el Barrio organization wrap gifts. This year, 1,000 students from throughout Webb County will each receive five gifts this Christmas from Santa’s stand-ins.  But before all this magic takes place, Navidad en el Barrio needs help wrapping all 5,000 gifts which will be distributed to students next Tuesday December 16 at the Laredo Entertainment Center from 9am to 1pm.

Volunteers will be provided with gift-wrap, scissors, tape and bows, as well as snacks throughout the day until all the presents are wrapped. If you want to be part of this Santa’s Workshop, please contact Cm. Narvaez at 286-7201 or Const. Rodriguez at 523-4316.

Drug gangs resort to random shootings in Mexico to instill fear

This is definitely not the type of stuff I like posting on this site, but I just came across this article on Reuters about the new scare tactic drug gangs are using in Tijuana.  Apparently, masked gunmen are randomly shooting innocent people at bars, restaurants, and shopping malls in Tijuana and so far they have killed at least 50 people, including 10 children. These so-called “hit squads” are part of the Arellano Felix cartel who’s using violence to show security forces and rival gangs it is still a force to be reckoned with. It’s sad to see what’s happening in Mexico during these drug wars.

Anyway, just wanted to give you guys a heads up in case you hadn’t heard about this new low in the bordertown drug war. Here’s a excerpt from the article:

In one recent attack, gunmen in body armor and armed with assault rifles stormed into Tijuana’s popular Crazy Banana pool hall and opened fire on customers, killing four men and a woman.

“We were playing pool and these masked men came in shouting and started firing at everyone,” said day laborer Juan Miguel at the scene, wiping blood from his head after the attack. He declined to give his surname.

“Anyone close to them was immediately killed,” he said.

Via Reuters

Photo via Flickr

Sonora Dinamita da Patadita a Nuevo Salon en Laredo

Antes de finalizar el ano, la Familia Perez da la gran noticia de su nuevo salon de fiestas en Laredo, se trata de Salon La Hacienda Receptions. Tremenda fiesta ignaural que se armo la noche del Lunes 8 de Diciembre 2008, con una fiesta privada para asi dar a conocer el nuevo salon en Laredo. La musica y el ambiente estubo a cargo de La Sonora Dinamita quien fue la que se encargo de dar la patadita inicial de este nuevo salon. En el evento hubo grandes personalidades como el mayor de la ciudad, el Sr. Raul Salinas, gente de la politica, medios de comunicacion, asi como familiares y amigos de el Sr. Pepe Perez y su distinguida esposa. Vaya noche que se vivio en Salon La Hacienda con buena cena, musica, y sobre todo buen trato de los meseros, sin duda alguna un lugar comodo y agradable para tu proxima fiesta. Salon La  Hacienda esta ubicado en el 11092 Mines Rd FM 1472  Laredo, Tx 78045 con Telefono ( 956 ) 728-7875.  Vivalaredo.net agradece la invitacion que nos hizo la Familia Perez y aqui en la pagina puede ver las fotografias que se tomaron el dia que Salon La Hacienda abrio sus puertas…

www.flickr.com vivalaredophotos’ Salon La Hacienda photoset