Rodeo Artist, Jerry Culver

Among many talented artists displaying their work at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros this weekend, was artist Jerry Culver of Three Points, Arizona.

His art work ranges from a $5 to $300 range, depending on the detail, intricacy, and time spent on each piece. He uses premade templates from Creative Woodworks and Crafts magazine and a scroll saw to complete his projects. It is very labor intensive but he sincerely enjoys doing each piece.

Culver started doing his serious scroll saw work in 1991 when he retired fro his job at Fry's but he has been doing wood work his whole life.

"The last few years I have become interested in doing portraits and scenic things," he said.

For his next project he plans on making a butterfly that is made up many detailed images of various tigers. He said that it will probably take him about six months to finish.

After he finishes this project, he will mount it as he has mounted the rest of his projects, in a frame against black felt, to create contrast between the foreground and background.

Culver puts in the time, so that he and his customers will be completely satisfied with the finished product.

"I've gone as much as 50 hours on one," he said.

The art that tends to be most popular among customers are the pieces between $30 and $40. The wood work that falls above this price range tends to not be within the customers spending budget. His beautiful work is well worth it though. Culver spends many labor intensive hours perfecting each project to satisfy his clients.

"I tell my customers, when they're looking at my projects, I sell patience," he said.

Artist Speaking with Mike about his work

Video of Talented Artist at Rodeo

Rodeo Adventure

Sunday, me and my fellow Border Beat classmate, Mike Ritter, went to the Tucson Rodeo to experience the excitement of the 83rd annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros first hand.

We walked around and spoke with various vendors and artists displaying their work at the event. We met many kind and helpful individuals, and took photographs and video clips of various things at the rodeo.

The Tortilla Curtain

While attending the Bridging the Borders Information Fair last Sunday I overheard a man and woman discussing a book that they claimed to be life-changing, regarding illegal immigration.

The novel is titled The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle. I quickly jotted down the information on the margin of my notes. It not only sounded like an interesting read but I thought it would be a great reference and source for my journalism capstone course, Border Beat.

I just began reading the novel this weekend but so far I really am enjoying it. It is not too long of read so it should not take me too long to finish, but the plot line is slightly complex and the story begins quite abruptly.

I have never read a story that begins with the word afterward, but Boyle does in fact do this in his novel. It first throws you off but he quickly back tracks to explain his train of thought.

The novel is focused around the lives of two couples that live in Topanga Canyon and lead very different lives. According to the summary on the back cover of the book, "Los Angeles liberals Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher lead an orderd sushi-and-recycling existence in a newly gated hilltop community: he a sensitive nature writer, she an obsessive realtor. Mexican illegals Candido and America Rincon desperately cling to their vision of the American Dream as they fight off starvation in a makeshift camp deep in the ravine. And from the moment a freak accident brings Candido and Delaney into intimate contact, these four and their opposing worlds gradually intersect in what becomes a tragicomedy of error and misunderstanding."

Although this is the main theme and plot line for the book, Boyle leaves the rest up to the reader's interpretation

In a conversation with Boyle, that can be found on the Penguin Reading Group website the author said, "Readers certainly have the right to query a writer about his/her work, but they must understand that interpretation is individual and that the author should never seek to impose any interpretation of his own book."

In conclusion, I am anxious to finish the novel and sum up a my own interpretation and understanding of the text!

Bridging the Borders Information Fair

On Sunday, February 3 Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Tucson, Ariz. held an Information Fair from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. concerning border issues.



Denise Mulloy, a member of the church's vestry board and committee for Bridging the Borders, presented a PowerPoint presentation to a room of about 20 people. She discussed her own personal experiences of traveling across the border with the non-profit organization, BorderLinks, a few years back.



Along her journey she spoke with many individuals who had illegally crossed the border, or whom attempted to do so many times. She heard stories of families who did not make it across and/or lost loved ones along the way.

Nonetheless, these people continue(d) to fight and struggle to do what is best for their families, not necessarily just to live the so called American Dream.

"Because there are not nearly enough jobs to support families in the interior and south of Mexico, the populace has been moving north in a desperate attempt to support their families. Their one desire is to obtain enough money to feed, clothe and house their family in their own land," she said. "For most, it is not to permanently settle in the United States."

Mulloy's presentation lasted for about an hour and then everyone continued to the chapel for 10 a.m. service where Rev. Delle McCormick of BorderLinks gave a powerful sermon addressing the same issues that were previously discussed, but in greater detail.



Rev. McCormick discussed the mission/purpose of the organization and why immigration is an important topic to recognize.



"BorderLinks is an international leader," she said. "Through our many educational facilities on both sides of the border we train people to become leaders."



She explained that it is important to recognize illegal immigrants, because although some of us may not morally agree with their decision and action in crossing the border, they are a crucial part of our society.



"The topic of immigration dominates our headlines," McCormick said. Immigrants are "building our houses, carrying for our children...they are our neighbors, friends, our families...Their lives and well being is intricately connected to ours."



After the service an Information Fair was held until 12 p.m. Present at the fair were the organizations No More Deaths (No Mas Muertes), Samaritan Patrol, St. Michael's Guatemala Project, and Humane Borders.