Dallas Morning News names "Texan of the Year" - - The Illegal Immigrant

It wasn't Tony Romo, nor Ron Paul, nor Jerry Jones,

the DALLAS MORNING NEWS TEXAN OF THE YEAR award goes to 

.... THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT

He breaks the law by his very presence. He hustles to do hard work many Americans won't, at least not at the low wages he accepts. The American consumer economy depends on him. America as we have known it for generations may not survive him.

We can't seem to live with him and his family, and if we can live without him, nobody's figured out how. He's the Illegal Immigrant, and he's the 2007 Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year – for better or for worse.
We can't seem to live with him and his family, and if we can live without him, nobody's figured out how.

He's the Illegal Immigrant, and he's the 2007 Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year – for better or for worse.

Read the Essay

NETWORK SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT TRACIE MORALES CHOSEN TO NY TIMES INTERNSHIP

Two -time Network scholarship recipient and UT Arlington journalism student Tracie Morales is one of 20 students nationwide who has been accepted into the 2008 New York Times Student Journalism Institute.

The 12-day intensive training program, held Jan. 2-13 at the University of Arizona Journalism School, is sponsored by the New York Times and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Morales is currently a copy editor and former writer for the student newspaper The Shorthorn. She also made the Dean's List in 2005. Tracie writes, "Being a journalist empowers me, because it validates my curiosity." Tracie Morales also covered the American Society of Newspaper Editors convention for Hispanic Link News Service and was awarded second place in In-Depth Reporting by the Region 8 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) in March 2007.

Aspiring journalism students will report, edit and cover real news events and be guided by NY Times editors and reporters. In a fully functioning newsroom, aspiring journalists will see how experienced professionals deal with a range of challenging activities and cover unexpected events.

During the Institute, students will also run a daily news Web site, and at the end of the program, a newspaper is published containing the best of the material created at the Institute. Copies are available to serve as clips. All travel expenses to and from Tucson are covered, and the Institute provides each student with a small stipend. Room and board, including three meals each day.

To qualify students had to complete a semester at a student newspaper or major newspaper, be in good academic standing and have written a 500-word essay about being a journalist and be a member of NAHJ. The Web site for live reporting is at http://www.nytimes-institute.com.

-- 10 years ago.. another network scholarship recipient had a similar story...

New Orleans Get's First Hispanic TV Station

Mix a little cajun shrimp soup with tortillas and you get the first Hispanic television station in the Big Easy - New Orleans. This Friday an estimated 75,000 to 135,000 Hispanic households in the New Orleans area will see their Novellas and Spanish-dubbed movies on KGLA-42, a Telemundo affiliate. Digital HDTV sets or Cable only, for now.

Hispanic Professionals Itching to Network Now Have Two Social Groups

The social gears are cranking again for Hispanic Professionals in the Dallas area as the formerly-defunct "Vida Social" comes back from the dead and resumes their monthly "First Friday" after-work socials aimed at Hispanic professionals.

But the great comeback also comes with another surprise - another Hispanic-based Social group - "The Social-List"

And both have events planned for Friday, December 7th.

Let the Hispanic Social Olympics begin!

OK first some background. Vida Social was first on the Dallas scene and for a while and the only game in town for starving Latino professionals with an itch to network and socialize. Sometime early this year, the group's officers had the "differences of opinion" chat on the future of the group, whereas several of them desired the group's mission should be to make stronger inroads into philanthropic projects. They viewed Hispanic professionals would welcome altruistic projects aimed at improve the Hispanic community - generally Hispanic education. But not all shared those ideas. Some believed the group should promote to other groups.

And so the group Vida Social went into temporary hibernation. During this siesta, some bolted and decided, 'hey lets redo this idea, but with some of our changes,'

With support from a Dallas corporations and law offices, "The Social-List" was launched this Fall.

"Our mission at The Social-List is to more of a gathering community but one where great minds and ideas meet to form a positive and proactive movement for and within our community."

Meanwhile the remaining members of Vida Social regrouped and relaunched their web site along with revising their mission statement;

"Vida Social is an active group of professionals that pursue success in their careers but at the same time care about the greater Dallas community."

So is Dallas big enough for the two Hispanic professional social groups? Will competition between the two groups generate stronger attendance, better events at classier venues?

More importantly, who will offer free parking valet service first?

Regardless of the group's similar identities, "competition amongst the groups" will not only provide incentives for improvements and continuous introductions of new ideas, but also promote the idea of "Hispanic Professional" to Dallasites. Perhaps these two groups can help create role models that can inspire and motivate young people (i.e. students) to dream, take action and aspire to one day, transform into a Hispanic professional.

-- Postmark
And what about Fort Worth, Irving, Arlington, North Dallas? It looks like the Meetups.com,  like this one, will quest the thirst for socializing and networking in those areas.


Here is the scoop on the upcoming events for
Friday, December 7th, 2007
Both groups are asking for donations of unwrapped toys (but not required for entrance)


The Social List
5:30pm-8:00pm
8 Lounge
1906 Greenville 

$10 admission
Dallas, Texas  75201
www.thesocial-list.com


Vida Social
Friday, December 7, 2007
6:00-9:00pm
at Clear
1313 Main St. - Dallas, TX 75202
(inside the Davis Building)
www.vidasocial.org

Novelas, Sports and Variety Shows Keep Univision #5 Network

The Univision Television Network reported its best November Sweep ever with a plus 14% growth in Adult 18-49 viewers and plus 12% growth among Adults 18-34 versus the same period last year. These increases bested FOX, the only other major network to show growth, while ABC, CBS, NBC, and CW all saw declines versus last year.

According to Nielsen Television Index (NTI), Univision once again maintained its position as the 5th largest broadcast network in the United States in primetime among key demographics. In addition, Univision outdelivered ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX on 16 out of 27 nights (or 59%) among Adults 18-34, and 5 out of 27 nights (or 19%) among Adults 18-49. Univision was also the #1 broadcast network in primetime among Adults 18-34 on five nights during the November 2007 Sweep.

"In a time when the other broadcast networks are experiencing significant viewer erosion, it's especially rewarding to see our audience growing so dramatically," said Alina Falcon, Executive Vice President and Operating Manager of the Univision Network. "Our ability to provide viewers with a first run, no repeat primetime lineup 52-weeks a year makes Univision the programming destination of choice for viewers and advertisers alike."