All this talk about SB 1070 and its potential impact on Mexican and/or Hispanic/Latino Americans has made me research the history of Arizona. Here’s some information from wikipedia about the Mexican period of Arizona:

In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain after a decade of war. The revolution had destroyed the colonial silver mining industry and had bankrupted the national treasury. Along the northern frontier, funds that had supported missions, presidios and trading routes were reduced. As missions began to wither without military protection, Mexico began auctioning off more land (land grants). The revolution also impacted the relationship between the Europeans, Pueblos and non-pueblo natives such as the Apache and Navajo.

The Mexican period came to a close with the influx of Americans. In 1846, the annexation of Texas led to the Mexican-American War, ultimately resulting in the Mexican Cession, in which the United States acquired the region of Arizona north of the Gila River in 1848. The California gold rush brought more Americans through Arizona. The Mexican period closed with the Gadsden Purchase in 1854 and the last of the Mexican army leaving Tucson in 1856.

Arizona officially became the U.S. Territory of Arizona from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state.
That was almost 100 years ago.

Arizona state flag

Currently about 30.8% (2009 estimate) of the State of Arizona has individuals claiming to be of Hispanic origin, but we are awaiting the official 2010 Census results. Many local Mexican-American families here in Tucson are 5th generation Americans, like District 5 Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias‘ familia.

Blogger Hugh Holub has a recent report on Arizona’s 6.4 million population. “Hispanics are the fastest-growing demographic group in the state, as well as in the country.”

Other Hispanic politicians in Southern Arizona: Congressman Raul Grijalva (CD 7), Pima County Supervisor Chair Ramon Valadez (District 2), Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez, Tucson Councilmembers Regina Romero (Ward 1) and Richard Fimbres (Ward 5), LD 27 Senator-elect Olivia Cajero Bedford, LD 27 House Rep.-elect Dr. Macario Saldate, TUSD Governing Board members Adelita Grijalva (Raul’s daughter), & Miguel Cuevas.

So therefore, based on Arizona’s history as having been once Spanish-speaking Mexico and the current increasing ethnic population figures, my Christmas message this year is “Feliz Navidad”. I always sing along when I hear Jose Feliciano‘s popular song with that title (written by him in 1970) on the radio.

Happy holidays everyone.

Feliz Navidad, prospero año y felicidad.

It was “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and all through the house, creatures were stirring…

Showing at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway foe 2 nights and one day only:

Friday, December 24th
and Saturday, December 25th at 10:00 p.m.

BONUS HOLIDAY SHOWING!
Sunday, December 26th at 12:00 p.m.

Admission: $6.00 general; $5.00 Loft members

LATE NIGHT CULT CLASSIC PRESENTED BY BOOKMANS
http://www.bookmans.com
THE GREATEST CULT MOVIES OF ALL-TIME ARE BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN!

“The hippest of all holiday classics … A postmodern three-ring circus of morbid humor, eye-popping puppet animation and show-stopping songs.” – Colin Covert, MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE

For those who never thought Disney would release a film in which Santa Claus is kidnapped and tortured, well, here it is! The full title is Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, which should give you an idea of the tone of this ghoulishly clever, stop-motion animated musical/fantasy/horror/comedy. The film, an offbeat holiday favorite, is based on characters created by Burton, the former Disney animator who went on to create a distinctly kooky cinematic universe inhabited by Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Alice in Wonderland and many more. His benignly gothic, scary/funny sensibility propels the story of Halloweentown resident Jack Skellington (voiced by Danny Elfman, who also wrote the catchy songs), who stumbles on a bizarre and fascinating alternative universe called … Christmastown! Directed by Henry Selick (who later made the great animated features James and the Giant Peach and Coraline), this PG-rated fantasy has a refreshingly light touch, creepy creatures galore and a compelling, subversive energy that makes it the kind of children’s film that can be enjoyed by adults as much their pint-sized counterparts.

Merry Christmas to all, and pleasant dreams.

Press release from Secretary of State Ken Bennett:

Proposition 112 recount certified; results confirm ballot measure’s defeat

More than 1.75 million ballots recounted as required by Arizona law

PHOENIX – The statewide recount of Proposition 112 has been successfully completed, with the results certified today by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Robert Oberbillig.

Those results confirm the defeat of Prop 112, which would have moved up by 60 days the deadline for citizens’ initiative campaigns to submit signature petitions to qualify for the ballot.

Following the state’s Nov. 2 General Election, “no” votes on Prop 112 exceeded “yes” votes by 128. The closeness of the vote total triggered an automatic recount under the guidelines of Arizona law. (ARS 16-661)

Following today’s certification of that recount, the proposition was defeated by a margin of 194 votes out of 1,750,932 ballots cast. The recount found that 792,858 votes were cast against Prop 112; 792,664 were cast in favor. The remaining 200,000 or so state ballots didn’t include a vote on the Prop 112 issue.

“This statewide recount was a massive endeavor,” said Secretary of State Ken Bennett. “The efficient and accurate manner in which it was conducted is testimony to the collective efforts of state and county elections staff.”

The Prop 112 recount was the first of its kind for a statewide ballot proposition in Arizona . Every state ballot was recounted in the same manner it was tabulated following the General Election, as mandated under state law. The recount WAS NOT administered by hand.

A slight shift in vote totals was inevitable in light of the large number of ballots being re-tabulated. But the Secretary of State’s Office was pleased that the re-counted result for Prop 112 was within 99.996 percent of the vote total tabulated immediately following the General Election.

“The historic nature and sheer scale of this recount made it a learning experience for all of us,” Secretary Bennett said. “But this exercise confirmed the accuracy of our voting system, and should give voters confidence in the integrity of Arizona elections.”

Proposition 112 was losing by 128 votes after all the early & provisional ballots were counted days after the November 2nd General Election, and now this recount certified its defeat by 194 votes.