Sunday, July 24, 2005

Girl Mireles Photos...





Hailey Mireles




Betsy Mireles














Cathy Mireles








Monica Mireles

Which one of these women would you say we are related too?

Which one of these Mireles's could we be related to?

Hector Mireles










Dr. Jose Mireles








Chris Mireles




Dr. Jessie Mireles









David Jose Mireles Morales




I was looking through some google photo search and came up with what I think are the faces that most resemble the Mireles look...Let me know what you think?

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Tuesday's Cookouts At Tony Castaneda's

Every Tuesday night, Tony cooks out at his house on Sommers street. Barb & Oscar went and Diego dropped off Javier later. There was Tony's sister, Patti Tucker and her husband Micheal and children, Dave Stoler, Sergio Nute and wife Naomi Smith, Sylvia Almanza and a couple of other people I did not know.



Here is a picture of Sergio Nute and Naomi Smith











Here is a picture of Feliz, Tony's Daughter.











Sylvia Almanza and Micheal Tucker

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Barb and Oscar Mireles are fixing things around the house this summer.

This is our little house in Deforest, Wisconsin (about 5 miles north of Madison) on Highway 51.
We got a couple of truck loads of mulch and redid the pathway around the front of the house.
This is the left front of the house where we put more mulch and cut back on some of the foliage.
Along the side of the house we re-created the path and have some ferns and other flowers on the sides.
This is our first tomato (it is really red in real life) from our garden (just for your information he might be joined by three little brother tomatoes...)

Alyse Siepler and Felix Mireles at home in the gym: For comfort, convenience, home gyms offer perfect workout

By Mark Feldman April 11, 2004
RACINE JOURNAL TIMES- When Alyse Siepler wants to get in shape, she goes to the basement.

There are no lines for exercise machines down there. No blaring music. There's no high-tech equipment, but she has more than enough gear to get a good workout right at the bottom of the stairs. When she's done, she doesn't have to take a shower in a strange place - she simply goes back upstairs. And at the end of the month, she doesn't have to shell out money for membership fees.

"I would love to go to a gym, but I really don't have time for it," Siepler said. "There is too much craziness in my life right now."

Siepler beats the craziness with home-style health and fitness, and it's a route many people who are too busy to join a health club or go to the gym are taking to get in shape and stay in shape.

Americans spent $4.3 billion on exercise equipment in 2002 (the latest figures available), up from $3.9 billion the previous year, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. Treadmills traditionally have been the most popular items sold, with $2.5 billion purchased in 2002.

In 1987, about 500,000 people said they used a treadmill at least 100 times that year. By 1997, that number had grown to eight million, according to the Fitness Products Council.

"There's the ever-growing message for how important it is for people to find some time to exercise on a regular basis," said Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. "I think the convenience of home offers people a very time-efficient solution."

Creating a mini-health club at home isn't as hard as it sounds. After finding a suitable space - a basement, office, or den - start looking at the equipment available. Home fitness equipment runs the gamut, from treadmills and step machines, to rowing machines, bench presses, free weights and resistance machines. You also can spend varying amounts. A Tulsa, Okla., couple spent more than $12,000 to build a 15-station gym in their home.

"You don't really need to establish that nice of a system," Bryant said. He suggested that people interested in having equipment at home should choose items that simulate real-life activities, like treadmills, stair climbers and exercise bikes. People investing in arcane, unusual equipment - like the stuff seen on late night televisions ads - often get bored with it, then don't use it, he said.

"The simplicity of these other pieces make them likely to be safer and used more often," he said. "And isn't that the point? I would do it in baby steps. I think people go out and buy a lot of things they don't use because they don't know what they want."

Siepler and her boyfriend, Felix Mireles, have assembled their own little gym that that can use whenever they want. In their northside Racine home, the couple has a treadmill in their office, a bench and free weights in the basement, a punching bag and gloves, Pilates balls and rings and various mats and pads.

They just have to get themselves revved up and use the stuff.

"It is hard to get motivated sometimes because it's just so easy to flop down on the couch," Siepler said. "But we manage to get it done."

The couple tries to work out together, usually early in the morning. They take turns on the equipment so they can monitor each other, and not let the other one take any extended breaks.

Siepler starts on the treadmill, which is conveniently located near a television. She walks slowly to warm up, builds to a fast walk for about 30 minutes, then cools down. After that, she dons a pair of boxing gloves to smack and kick a heavy bag.

"I bought the bag last Christmas as a present for Felix," she said. "But I started to do it and I found out that I really liked it. It can be quite a workout."

Siepler unloads for 10 minutes at a time, taking a break between sets. "It's a lot harder than it looks," she said. "A lot of people think it's easy, but they need to give it a try."

Mireles uses the free weights more than Siepler, but Siepler makes extensive use of the Pilates equipment. A large ball and rings are used to increase strength, develop muscle tone and provide flexibility.

"You really have to work to stay focused on what you're doing and what you want to do," she said. "It's not perfect, but I'm getting as much out of it as I can."

To create a well-rounded fitness area at home, home athletes should look for items that provide a total workout - cardiovascular, flexibility and strength, Bryant said. Treadmills can provide a good cardiovascular workout because they can be used for running, walking and even leg strength exercises with incline capability.

A set of free weights can provide strength training. These are less expensive than specialty machines and can provide better flexibility and variety in workouts.

And don't forget what can be done without any equipment, Bryant said: Push-ups, sit-ups, squats and calf raises. Having a gym at home can provide motivation as people have to walk past the equipment every day. Plus, there are no expensive membership fees and the gym is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"The main thing to remember about fitness equipment at home is to use it," Bryant said. "There is a wasteland of unused, dusty equipment out there being used as coat racks and storage space. You can have the best home gym in the world, but if you don't have the self-discipline to use it, it won't do you any good."

Felix Mireles III & friends embarked on whirlwind major league baseball stadium tour in 2002


Reprint Journal Times, 7/8/2002

Trey Mireles, left, Eric Dyer, Nick Postorino,
Gino Infusino, Neil Staeck at PNC Park in
Pittsburgh May 29, 2002 when they watched
the Cubs lose to the Pirates during their
12 day tour of 11 Major League Baseball stadiums

Nick Postorino, 19, drove the Ford Expedition out of Racine around 11:30 a.m. May 21. It was a Tuesday. The Tigers played the Indians at 7 that night in Detroit. In the SUV with Postorino were four friends: Egidio "Gino" Infusino, Neil Staeck, Felix "Trey" Mireles and Eric Dyer, all 20. All but Dyer were graduates of St. Catherine's High School -- he graduated from Case High School. They were all in college: Postorino at Purdue University; Dyer at the University of Minnesota; Staeck, Mireles and Infusino at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. They were all baseball fans -- huge baseball fans -- embarking on their dream trip.

The trip would take them to 11 Major League stadiums in 12 days, starting in Detroit. The drive there would take six hours, including a gas stop in Ann Arbor, Mich. They still had to buy game tickets at the Tigers' box office.

Postorino kept a journal of the trip.

Day One, May 21:

Comerica Park -- Tigers.

-- Lots of ... seagulls.

-- Stadium is really cool.

-- Relatively cold -- 50s.

-- No tailgating -- horrible.

The idea for this trip started to grow in Infusino's and Mireles' minds about a year ago. Those seeds were planted by a Mastercard commercial -- you know, the one with the two guys visiting every Major League ballpark. Priceless.

They mentioned it to the others. Everybody liked it, so they started planning.

Postorino logged onto Major League Baseball's Web site (www.MLB.com) for the daily schedules. He drafted an itinerary that fit with everyone's schedule and got maps of all the cities.

That itinerary included games in Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York (Mets), Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and back to New York (Yankees).

Then they stocked the SUV. They borrowed a TV and loaded a portable propane grill. They bought $100 worth of food -- hot dogs, brats, Italian sausages, chips, pretzels and candy -- at Sam's Club for the trip.

For most games, they either bought tickets at the box office on game day or from scalpers on the street. They ordered tickets for three games ahead of time -- Yankees at Boston Red Sox, Red Sox at Yankees, and Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians. They worried those games might be sold out if they waited.

Actually, the Yankees-Red Sox game in Boston had already sold out. They bought tickets on eBay instead, but there was a glitch. While Postorino and Staeck got their tickets, the others' tickets were sent to the wrong place and didn't arrive until three days after the game.

Day Five, May 25:

Fenway Park

-- Only Posti and Neil able to get in.

-- Packed crowd (played Yankees).

-- Fights every 1/2 inning.

-- Got to touch the Green Monster.

-- Very hostile crowd.

There's something special about a day at the ballpark for Postorino and friends. There's usually something special about the ballpark itself.

Fenway Park in Boston has the Green Monster. Cinergy Field in Cincinnati has a family-friendly atmosphere. Cinergy Field also allowed tailgating. The Vet, in Philadelphia, did not. Shea Stadium, home of the Mets, had the best fans; Jacobs Field in Cleveland had the worst/least enthusiastic. The Skydome in Toronto had the best hot dogs. Yankee Stadium, well, it's Yankee Stadium.

They appeared on stadium JumboTrons twice, in Montreal and Toronto. "Canada loves us," Staeck said. They met people at every stadium, and talked to them about how they felt about their teams. Everybody they met wanted to know about their trip.

"My favorite part was probably all the people we met at the games, and all the interesting people we talked to at the games," Mireles said.

Postorino, Staeck, Dyer, Infusino and Mireles wanted to see the historic ballparks, like Fenway and Yankee Stadium. They wanted to see some of the new stadiums, like PNC Stadium in Pittsburgh and Comerica Park. They wanted to see the Montreal Expos play because, if the League contracts, the team may not be around next year.

The Yankees vs. Red Sox is one of the all-time great rivalries in baseball, Postorino and the others agreed. They got to see the teams play each other twice.

Day 12, June 1:

Yankee Stadium

-- Each sat apart from each other.

-- 4 home runs: Jeter (1st pitch to the Yankees), White, Wilson (grand slam), Giambi (2-run shot).

-- Yanks won, 10-2.

-- James Gandolfini from The Sopranos read Lou Gehrig's "Luckiest Man Alive" speech.

Yankee Stadium was a sell-out. More than 55,000 fired-up fans filled the seats. Gandolfini read Gehrig's famous "Luckiest Man Alive" speech. Staeck sat next to an old man who was there 60 years earlier, when Gehrig gave the speech.

"I just love the old ballparks," Infusino said. "I sound like an old man. I just love the history stuff about baseball."

The five have already started talking about their next ballpark expedition. Maybe they'll head west. Maybe they'll swing through the South.

"Hopefully, we'll get to do them all," Postorino said. "That would be my dream."

Katy Mireles and Todd Coello's 2003 Wedding Notice



Mireles-Coello Wedding

The Interlaken Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva was the setting Sept. 6 when Katherine Micaela Mireles and Todd Edwin Coello were married. Judge Marvin Daniel officiated during the 4 p.m. ceremony. Patricia Peters (bride's aunt) was the reader. Music was performed by Dean Lukaszewski.

The bride's parents are Carlos R. and Mary M. Mireles of Kansasville. The bride is the granddaughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Peters of Franklin and the late Felix and Micaela Mireles.

Parents of the groom are Jean Anderson of Elkhorn, Terrance Vinz of Rochester and Brian Holst of Boone. The groom is the grandson of Dorothy Coello of Elkhorn, Hilda Vinz of Waterford, Dean and Yvonne Holst of Franksville, the late Peter Coello and the late Edwin Vinz.

Maid of honor was Genevieve Mireles, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Alicia Mireles (bride's sister), Wendy Dueling (bride's cousin), Jennifer Priebe and Tammy Stollings. Flower girl was Makenzie Coello, daughter of bride and groom.

Best man was Travis Rausch. Groomsmen were Carlos Mireles (bride's brother), Eric Sobczak, Anthony Metzger and Brian Holst (groom's brother). Ring bearer was Trenton Boschke, cousin of the bride.

Bradley May and Timothy Skiles were the ushers.

The reception was held at Interlaken Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva.

The Coellos are living in Burlington. Katherine, 27, is a panner at Nestle Chocolate & Confection in Burlington. Todd, 27, is a mill technician at Trent Tube in East Troy.

No reward in firecracker suit

Wisconsin State Journal 7/14/2005

A cleaning woman who lost much of her right hand after she mistook a firecracker she found in a Downtown apartment for a candle will not get any money from the apartment's owner or its property management firm, a Dane County jury decided Tuesday night.

After about five hours of deliberations, the jury found that Dora Alvarado suffered $1.25 million in damages and medical bills. But it also found that she was 50 percent negligent for lighting the firecracker, while the maker of the firecracker, who is unknown and was not a defendant in the lawsuit, was also 50 percent negligent.

The bottom line, said Alvarado's attorney, Donald Murphy, is that she will get nothing.

"She was very upset and I think she was distraught and beside herself," Murphy said. "But she pulled together. She got her day in court after seven long years."

The case, originally filed in 1999, had been dismissed by a Dane County judge and by the 4th District Court of Appeals but was revived by the state Supreme Court in 2003.

Alvarado, of Racine, was cleaning an apartment at 325 W. Main St., owned by Meriter Retirement Services, on Aug. 14, 1998. She needed to vacuum the inside of a gas range, but had no matches to re-light the pilot, so she picked up what she thought was a candle from a window sill. It exploded in her hand after she lit it.

The firecracker had been left on the sill by painters, who had found it in a kitchen cupboard. Murphy contended that Meriter's property manager, Oakbrook Corp., should have found and disposed of the firecracker as part of an inspection of the apartment.

Alvarado previously settled with the painters for an undisclosed sum, Murphy said.

Sunday, July 17, 2005

I found this old picture of Lorena Barbosa-Mireles


It was on my old computer files and was taken about four years ago. Lorena was visiting Omega School and was playing on the computer with Cynthia, the daughter of one of our GED/HSED students.

Diego Mireles enjoying his summer



He recently moved to Cottage Grove (six miles south of Madison, take Highway "N" of I-94, the last exit before you get to Madison) to live with Josh a wrestler from Milwaukee Custer High School. His address is 208 North Main Street Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Lorena Barbosa-Mireles in Quincenera in Waukesha

Here is a picture of Lorena's friend from Milwaukee.


Lorena is visiting her friend Stephanie, who is celebrating her 15th Birthday.


She is staying with her uncle Jesse & Pattie Mireles and will join us for our second trip to Noah's Ark with friends Jordan and Christine.

Sergio Barbosa-Mireles scores a "5" on Advanced Placement (AP) test

He took the test this past May 2006 and scored a "5" in Physics C-Mechanical and a 4 in Calculus AB.

AP Exam
grades are reported on a 5-point scales as follows:

5 Extremely well qualified*
4 Well Qualified*
3 Qualified*
2 Possibly qualified*
1 No recommendation**

*Qualified to receive college credit or advanced placement
**No recommendation to receive college credit

According to the College Entrance Examination Board, only 14 High School Juniors in the State of Wisconsin scored a "5", out of the 60 Juniors that took the test.

El Cine Mireles will host Atlanta premier of "Tijuana Jews'

July 7, 2005

Atlanta, GA El Cine Mireles has been chosen to host the Atlanta premier of Issac Artenstein’s documentary "Tijuana Jews" on Friday, August 26th 2005. Artenstein, who directed "Ballad of an Unsung Hero" (1984) and "Break of Dawn" (1988), and produced "Love Always" (1996) and "A Day Without a Mexican" (2004), and producer Jude Artenstein are scheduled to attend the Atlanta premier and a reception in their honor. The reception is scheduled to begin at 7:00 in the evening followed by the screening of the documentary. The Artensteins will be available for a discussion about the documentary following the screening.

This documentary is valuable in that it casts light on a group of people that are relatively unknown. According to the filmmaker, there are some 600 to 800 Latino Jewish families in the San Diego/Tijuana region who can trace their roots to different countries in Europe and the Middle East.

Tijuana Jews, which took five years to produce, had its worldwide premiere at the San Diego Jewish Film Festival. It will also run during the San Diego Latino Film Festival and from there will travel to Los Angeles; Tucson, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Barcelona, Spain. It will also likely be aired by San Diego public television station KPBS.

Growing up Jewish in Mexico, director Isaac Artenstein found reactions of surprise, even disbelief, from many people north of the border: they had no idea there were Jews in Mexico, and especially in Tijuana. Tijuana's dark legend continues to fire up the imagination with stories of free-flowing liquor, cheap narcotics, beautiful senoritas and black velvet paintings. Tijuana Jews is an authentic and living testimony set against conceptions and misconceptions of this near-mythic border city.

The director is working on two new projects, a film based on the lives of photographers Edward Weston and Tina Modotti, and another that takes place in Tijuana and was inspired by Josef Von Stenberg's 1930 film "The Blue Angel."

For additional information about this cultural event, please contact Laura Mireles at 404-281-8257. El Cine Mireles is located at 3378 Canton Road in Marietta, Georgia.

Diego Mireles gets a promotion

He is now working Monday through Fridays from 11 am to 5 pm at the "Buckle' at Eastowne Mall in Madison. he will be working 30 hours a week and be able to pick up other shifts as needed.

Friday, July 15, 2005

Gary, Rosa, Gerardo Jr. and Crystal Vargas in Philly....

They are working volunteers at the National Council of La Raza National Conference in Philadelphia.

This is the second time the NCLR conference has been held in Philly during the past decade. Gary and Gerardo Jr. and Oscar were there last time. We played basketball at Temple University and went to a Latin Fiesta on the river.

Barb and Oscar went to Minneapolis for a couple of days...


We went to see her son Brad Berling who works in Los Angeles as a computer designer. His company did some of the opening titles for just released movie War of the Worlds. Check out his personal website at bradberling.com.

Brad was teaching some classes for two weeks at his alma mater Minnesota College of Art and Design. He will teach a two day class called Designing for the Screen . Here is a photo Oscar took of Brad and Barb at the Spyworld Coffeeshop yesterday.

Duane Mireles starts new job back in Racine

Heyas,

I started my new job Monday and lasted a whole week!

My new email is: dmireles@haloinc.org

My official title is Shelter Services Manager

We are located, for now, in the Homeward Bound building, off of
Marquette St. close to the old Mireles' Household.

We will be moving into the old Massey Ferguson factory. It is amazing how things circle back; working near grandma and grandpa Mireles's house, and then working in the same place where my dad Julian (Massey Feguson) worked for all those years.

Amazing.

Monday, July 11, 2005

We are going to Noah's Ark Waterpark today

90 degrees and sunny! Noah's Ark has a season pass three for the price of four and Barb and I are taking Lorena and Javier and two friends David and Cassie. We had a wonderful time. Javier, David and I went on the new water roller coaster ride Black Anaconda, after waiting for an hour and a half to get on the ride. We played miniature golf and on the 18 hole par 41 course, I had a 43, David was second with a score of 51, Javier and Barb were tied at 56. We also went down the Flash Flood several times.

Lorena Pilar Barbosa-Mireles graduates from the Summer PEOPLE Program

Lorena spent three weeks in the Ogg Dormitory on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus. She took math and writing classes and her fine arts class was Yoga. The students in her class gave a Yoga demonstration last Saturday in the PEOPLE Recognition Program.

Friday, July 08, 2005

Eddie Butts tonight at St. Lucy's Festival

Juanita Ayala, Victor & Bertha Mireles will be at the ST. Lucy's Festival tonight to see the Eddie Butts Band.

I went two years ago to the St. Lucy Festival and it was a fun time... Hope to see you there.

This is Tia Maria Bocanegra. She is 98 years old. She is the Widow of Erasmo Bocanegra. Tio Erasmo was the brother of our grandmother Aurelia Bocanegra who married Marjil Mireles.
 Posted by Picasa

Thursday, July 07, 2005


Christian Albouras at South Division High School Gradution Ceremony. Christian is the son of Juan Raymond Mireles and Nicole Albouras Posted by Picasa

Elena Mireles (Victor Mireles' daughter) on the cell phone over the 2005 4th of July weekend, picture taken by Lorena Barbosa-Mireles. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Guitar of Flowers


One of the twins remembered that in the movie "La Bamba", they had a "guitar of flowers" for Richie Valens at his funeral, so because of her mothers love of the guitar and music she had the florist make a Guitar of Flowers for Elisa Patena funeral in Uvalde, Texas. Posted by Picasa

Dora O. Alvarado in trial today for compensation for injuries ...

suffered when she was cleaning apartment in Madison, August 14, 1998.

The jury trial should last until next week. To review the court records of this trial which has already gone to the Wisconsin Supreme Court already please link here.

Here are two articles on the initial trial and the Supreme Court ruling.

There was an article in today's Wisconsin State Journal that I will post tommorrow when it is released on-line. I will also try to stop by the trial to express my support for this long and hard journey Dora has endured with a lot of dignity and class.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Background information on the Mirelez names

I have done informal research on the surname Mirelez over the years. I believe it to be a New World spelling of Mireles, which is the only way I have seen it spelled in records preceding the 1700s. I have found the Mirelez spelling in Texas, Northern Mexico, and Peru. The majority of records I found with the Mireles spelling, I traced back to Valladodid, Spain, circa 1600. The oldest record I found dated to 1519 and was from the Canary Islands. (written by Linda Mirelez)

Benito Patena in his backyard garden in Uvalde, Texas Posted by Picasa

Diego's name in the Deforest High School Graduation Program. Photo taken by Javier Oscar Barbosa-Mireles Posted by Picasa

Laura Mireles's picture as it appears in Mundo Hispanico newspaper Posted by Picasa

Javier Barbosa-Mireles and his PEOPLE Architecture Class Instructor UWM Professor Joseph Stagg Posted by Picasa

Oscar Mireles at work on Computer Posted by Picasa

Anthony Ayala wins Beaver dam Wrestling Tournament


I found this old picture of Anthony Ayala posing with the Beaver Dam Tournament Wrestling Champions on my computer. I used PICASA software and I have no idea how I got this picture and about 10 other photos on my computer. For those wrestling fans, there are at least three State Champions in the picture, 2005 WIAA Division 1, 189 lb. Champion Max Askren of Hartland Arrowhead, 2005 WIAA Division 1, 119 Lb. State Champion Justin Wickersham and 2004 WIA Division 1, 103 lb. State Champion Richie Dunn. Posted by Picasa

Juan Mireles celebrates his 69th Birthday

Despite the rain, there was a large crowd at his home celebrating.

Benito Patena came up from Texas, Fela and Joe Salinas came down from Milwaukee along with their son Micheal and daughter Vanessa and friends. Elsa Gomez arrived later with some tasty (home-grown)tamales. Jeannie, Joe and Amanda Domer were expected a little later.

Carlos and Mary Mireles came down Hwy 11 from Kansasville. Gloria Podhola, Julian & Pat Mireles and Duane & Denise Mireles, Victor and Bertha Mireles and kids drove from Racine after watching the 4th of July Parade. Oscar Mireles, Barb Berling and
Lorena (who everyone said looked like Raquel(Locky)Mireles) and Javier came down from Madison. Juanita Ayala and Ryan Smith tried to stop by before leaving back to Madison.

All Juan & Cole Mireles children (Gracie, Jeannie, Mary, Sheady, Welly and Juan)were there along with grandchildren (Juan Gomez) and great granchildren. Adeline made some excellent Arroz Mexciano and the chicken was great.

As soon as I figure out how to download pictures from my new camera, i will post some pictures on the site...Happy Birthday Tio Juan!

Saturday, July 02, 2005

Mireles Family Crest

http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp.fc/qx/mireles-family-crest.htm

Cine Mireles in the news

See a picture of Laura Mireles and an article in the Mundo Hispanico about the opening of CineMireles.

Diego Mireles buys his first car....a Chevy

He saved $2500 from his three jobs at Operation Fresh Start where he was an Americorps member and worked a total of 300 hours over the past two summers and earned $1,000 for college. He was also paid $5.35 hour for his work building low-income housing, where he learned rough carpentry, drywall and roofing. He is also working as a salesperson at the Buckle at the East Towner Mall. His third job this year was selling lawn care products for Weedman .

Thursday, June 30, 2005

See you at the 4th of July parade

Here is the Fourthfest website

Uncle John Mireles invites you to celebrate with him

We will be celebrating his birthday after the Racine 4th of July Parade. He is asking everyone to bring a dish to pass. The party will start around 12:30ish.

His address is 8512 Westbrook, Sturtevant Wi 53177 RSVP 262-886-0225

Dallas Cowboy player Ramiro Romo a hero

Focus on Football: To those who know him best, Romo is driven
By Pete Jackel

One of the hottest summers in recorded history was a distant memory the evening of Dec. 8, 1995. The Burlington High School boys' basketball team was preparing to depart for a road trip to East Troy as shivering players boarded the bus.

Wet snow was coating the area and it was going to be a treacherous 20-mile trip to East Troy. On the back end of this early winter snowfall was a cold front that was expected to plunge the wind-chill factor anywhere from 30- to 60-below zero.

As first-year Burlington coach Steve Berezowitz accounted for his players, it became obvious that Tony Romo, his star sophomore point guard, was nowhere to be seen. Minutes passed and Berezowitz, glancing at his watch, decided he could wait no longer.

He ordered the bus to pull out onto Robert Street and head to East Troy for that night's Southern Lakes Conference game.

"The bus was ready to take off and, no Tony,'' Berezowitz said. "So, I'm thinking, `Oh boy, he's our point guard. What are we going to do?' There was a snowstorm, so we waited for a little while. We had no way of getting a hold of him - nobody was home - so I said, `You know what? We're out of here.' " What Berezowitz had no way of knowing was that Ramiro Romo, Tony's father, was having problems making it back to Burlington from Racine in the snow. And since Tony, who did not yet have his driver's license, was depending on his father for a ride to the team bus, he was stranded at home.

So why didn't Tony answer when Berezowitz placed a call to the Romo home? Because Tony, realizing his father would not make it home on time, decided to hop on his bike and frantically pedal over to the school.

And when Romo saw that the bus had already departed, he decided there was no choice. He started pedaling to East Troy.

All 20 miles. In the dead of night. In the snow. In the plummeting temperatures.

"Hey, I just wanted to play basketball,'' Romo said. "I wasn't going to miss the game.'' He didn't have to. Ramiro Romo, finally making it back to Burlington, encountered his son as he furiously pedaled out of Burlington. Father and son drove to East Troy, creating a happy ending to this story.

Burlington won 54-52 in double overtime that night. And Romo was instrumental in that victory, scoring 12 points and setting up his team with the commanding presence of someone far older and more experienced than himself.

"He got there halfway through the sophomore game with that smile that only Tony could give you,'' Berezowitz said. "And it was a great game. We ended up winning in overtime and I think Tony had 12 or 14 points that night.

"That was Tony for you. He was going to do whatever it took to get there.'' That last line explains better than anything how Romo became an All-State quarterback for Burlington as a senior after never having played a down of organized football prior to his junior season.

It explains how Romo developed into the Walter Payton Award Winner (given to the top football player at the NCAA Division I-AA level) as a quarterback for Eastern Illinois University in 2002.

It explains how Romo progressed from an undrafted free agent in 2003 to become Vinny Testaverde's backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys this season.

And it explains how Romo, whose golf clubs are left untouched for months at a time, was able to rally to win this year's Racine Tri-Course championship this summer just before he reported to the Cowboys' training camp.

Here is a closer look inside a young man who has succeeded in such a big way by the coaches, teammates and friends who have gotten to know him well: * n n John Staehler, a 1988 Case High School graduate who tied for fifth in the Racine County Open in August, became acquainted with Romo and his father on the golf links. Frequently golfing with the Romos at Ives Grove during the summer the last several years, Staehler became aware of the competitive drive that defines the younger Romo.

"The 18th hole at Ives Grove is somewhat of a difficult hole,'' Staehler said. "It's a hole where a lot of the players lay up. There's a couple of ponds out there and you lay in between them with like a 2-iron off the tee.

"Every time we would go up there, Tony would pull out his driver. Tony's dad would always say, `Tony, you should really lay up and hit a 2-iron here.' Tony would always shake him off, pull his driver out and try and blow it over the ponds and try and knock it up right in front of the greens.

"I can think of lots of times when he was unsuccessful doing that. One day we were out there and I think he had his low round ever going. He was one or two under par. He stepped up to the tee and Tony's dad said, `You should really hit your 2-iron.' I can't even count how many times he's heard this and he shakes him off again and grabs his driver and hits it right in front of the green. I think he might have even made birdie.

"He just turned around and looked as his dad with a big smile on his face, like, `I told you I knew what I was doing, dad.' "I think that says something about his go-for-broke style, where he's going to try for the home run every time out. He's not going to lay up and play conservative.'' * n n Tommy Brewer lived on the same floor as Romo in Douglas Hall on the Eastern Illinois campus when the two were freshmen in the fall of 1998. The two became such good friends that Brewer and two other roommates now share a house with Romo in Dallas.

The 25-year-old Brewer, a native of Mount Vernon, Ill., also became acquainted with Romo's competitive spirit during their friendship. Only this time, that desire surfaced not with golf clubs, but with a PlayStation football game.

"Back when we were freshmen in college, we played a college football video game,'' Brewer said. "I had beaten him probably 50 straight times in that game. It was never close. One time, he finally got good enough to play me in the national title game in one of the seasons we were playing. He really had no shot at beating me.

"Anyway, he decided one night to stay up the entire night and he scripted a notebook full of plays for each down and distance and for each possible situation that we would run into in the game.

"The next day he came in and, when we started playing our game, he breaks out this notebook and ends up beating me by like 20 because he had everything scripted out and had prepared so well for that one game.

"From that point on, I've had trouble beating him in any game that we played like that because he's done so much to prepare every time we played each other. He just worked all night long trying out different plays.

"Now that he's gotten to know so much more about football, he's virtually impossible to beat."

* n n Away from the field of competition, Romo is polite, courteous and has an endearing sense of humor. He also is extraordinarily generous, as both Steve Gerber, Romo's football coach at Burlington, and Brewer can attest.

"Last Christmas, Tony was in town for maybe three weeks before he went back down to Dallas to train,'' said Gerber, Burlington's coach from 1996 through 2001. "My youngest son (Eric) and I go out and visit him at his parents. Tony doesn't really know my youngest son well. He knew Buck and Tim, my older twins.

"I take a 12-pack of Hacker-Pschorr out there and we sit down at the kitchen table and talk about what it's like being a Cowboy, pass patterns and things like that. We just kind of catch up on a lot of stuff. We probably talk for 35 or 40 minutes and Tony says, `Coach, excuse me. I'll be right back.' "So I continue talking with Ramiro and Eric, my 10-year-old, is sitting at the table with us. Tony comes back upstairs and he's got a Dallas Cowboys jersey. It was his actual jersey and he gives it to Eric for a Christmas present.

"Eric almost passed out. He gave Tony a big hug. It was so cool of Tony to do that. You have to understand it was around Christmas time and he had all these relatives running around the house and a lot of young kids there.

"For him to think of my son, who he didn't really have a relationship with, I was really impressed with that."

Brewer has witnessed that same generosity.

"He's a very generous guy,'' Brewer said. "When I moved down here, he offered to pay for that. I wasn't comfortable with that, but he's always made it understood that if I ever needed anything from him, that it's there.

"And he's done things for people. I remember he went back to Eastern (Illinois) last January or February and there was a guy who came up and talked to him at a basketball game. I guess he was a huge Cowboys fan and I guess he asked Tony to go back to his house to see his `Cowboy Room,' a room dedicated to Cowboys stuff.

"I don't think Tony was terribly interested in doing that, but he did because he wanted to make this guy feel good. It's something that I know I wouldn't have done, but he certainly did.

"The other thing is, I guess this guy brought several things to autograph because there was an announcement or something that Tony was going to be at the game. He had tons of Cowboys apparel that he wanted Tony to sign, so Tony did that.'' * n n Roy Wittke, a 1977 Horlick High School graduate, was Eastern Illinois' offensive coordinator during Romo's years at the school before leaving after Romo's senior season to become passing game coordinator at Arkansas.

What struck Wittke was a profound sense of love between Romo and his parents, Ramiro and Joan. Wittke personally witnessed that in December 2002 when he accompanied the Romos on an eight-hour van ride from Charleston, Ill., to Chattanooga, Tenn., for the Walter Payton Award ceremonies.

Romo won the award - which is the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy for NCAA Division I-AA football.

"I just remember how family-oriented the guy is and how close he is to his mom and dad along with how little he thinks of the notoriety he's gotten,'' Wittke said. "On the trip we took to Chattanooga, Tenn., for the Walter Payton Award banquet, it was myself, coach (Bob) Spoo, Dave Kidwell, our sports information director, and then Tony and his mom and his dad.

"It could be said that was the biggest moment in his life, but you would never know that on the way down. Being in a van with them for seven or eight hours, you could really see the deep feelings that they have for each other. There was really a deep sense of family and a tremendous amount of warmth between the three of them.'' * n n While Ramiro Romo has always had an extremely close relationship with his only son, that doesn't mean he was afraid to admonish Tony. That became evident to Wittke early in Romo's senior season, when Eastern Illinois opened its season by playing Hawaii and Kansas State, both Division I-A schools.

"You could also tell his dad was in charge there,'' Wittke said. "In Tony's senior year, we opened up against Hawaii and Tony threw two or three interceptions, I think one or two of which were returned for touchdowns. He threw another one or two interceptions against Kansas State, one or two of which had been returned for a touchdown. We were outmatched talent-wise.

"His mom and dad had flown on our charter flight to Kansas State and his dad comes up to me before we get on the plane (for the return flight) and says, `Hey, I need to talk to you when we get back. Will you have a few minutes?' "I'm thinking, `Is he mad? Is he upset because we left Tony in for too long or took him out too soon? Is he upset that we're playing this level of competition?' "I'm not necessarily nervous, but just a little concerned that there might be something wrong. We get off the plane in Charleston, he catches me in the airport parking lot and he says, `Hey, can I have your permission to rip the son of a gun? He's throwing the ball all over the damn field and he's trying to do too much and I want to get after him, but I want to make sure I have your permission before I do that.' "That just floored me, because you hear so many stories about moms and dads interfering and demanding this for their son. And here's a guy asking my permission to get after his son because he thought his son was being selfish and trying to do too much when it was actually just the opposite.'' * n n During the 1996 season at Burlington, Romo's favorite target was Steve Tenhagen, who earned second-team All-State honors after catching 56 passes for 933 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Considering Romo had never played a down of organized football prior to that season, it was remarkable how rapidly he was able to create chemistry between himself and Tenhagen. But there was a reason for that instant success, Tenhagen said.

"His dedication and attitude about winning and being the best is far and above beyond anyone I have ever been around,'' Tenhagen said. "And it's with everything, not just football. It's in golf and basketball and even tennis. It just didn't matter.

"In high school during the basketball season, he would come in and play morning basketball in open gym - during basketball season. We'd practice for two hours after school and he would be in playing an hour and a half before school three days a week.

"And in football, he would always want to throw after practice. Always. And even when he would be home from Eastern and I would be home as well, he would always want to throw. And I think that's what separated him - obviously separated him. It was never-ending with him. He just wanted to be the best."

What's perhaps most remarkable is that eight years later, after Romo became one of the select few players to make an NFL team, that work ethic only intensified.

"The thing that's great about Tony is when you see your quarterback put in extra hours in the summer and you see him begging you to come throw with him just because he wanted to have someone to throw with,'' Witten said. "He does such a great job of setting himself apart because he puts himself in a position where nobody is going to outwork him.

"When you do that, you get respect not just from the coaches, but your teammates as well and that's exactly what he's done.'' * n n Carlos Mireles, perhaps best known in Racine County as coach of the South Shore Breakers wheelchair basketball team, saw Romo's strong competitive desire emerge against Mireles' son, Carlos.

"He would always come over challenge my son,'' Mireles said. "My son is two years older than him. My son is really good in basketball and Tony, even though he was younger and smaller, would always be challenging him.

"Even though Carlos would beat him, he would come back again and again until he got bigger than my son. Then he got my son pretty good.'' Let it never be said that Romo won't help out a friend. In this case it was Gerber, the man who was the first to recognize Romo as an exceptional talent eight years ago.

"In 2003 I finally hooked up with a friend I graduated from high school with (Marge Mytych, at Lake Geneva Badger in 1972),'' Gerber said. "We talked on the phone a couple of times and once it came up in our conversation that I was fortunate enough while coaching in Burlington to coach a current member of the Dallas Cowboys. She didn't believe me.'' "I call up Tony and tell him, `There is this female friend of mine, working as a para-legal for a law firm in San Francisco ( for Townsend, Townsend and Crew) who doesn't believe I know you or coached you in high school.'

"I said to Tony, `Call her for me and introduce yourself and tell her some real good stuff about me.'

"He calls her cell and gets her as her law firm is in the middle of a rather significant meeting in Washington D.C. She has to excuse herself from the meeting to talk. And obviously, she was very surprised about my claim.

"That was very cool of him to do this. And Marge and I met at Miller Park this summer after not seeing one another for 30 some years.

"I never thought one of my former players would assist me in my social life, so to speak.''

Alicia Mireles makes the Dean's list at Whitewater

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

WHITEWATER - The following Racine County students have been named to the fall dean's list:

KANSASVILLE: Stephanie L. Gaal, Jeremy J. Jinks, Justin T. Kubera and Alicia M. Mireles.

Esteban Mireles makes Honor Roll

Honor rolls - Roosevelt Elementary
By Journal Times staff

Roosevelt Elementary

RACINE - These Roosevelt Elementary School students were named to the second-quarter honor roll for 2004-05 school year: FIFTH GRADE: Barlow, Chelsea; Bissen, Jake; Bolter, Annika; Daniels, Allix; Eaton, Thomas; Evans, Shonesha; France, Jessica; Kroes, Amanda; Larsen, Jessica; Pope, Kyle, and Radwill, Abigail.

FOURTH GRADE: Baker, Adam; Baker, Robert; Casper, Lucas; Cook, Chelsea; Gandee, Austin; Hamilton, Kara; Harrison, Madaline; Jackson, Ashley; Kroll, Samantha; LaFaive, Brenden; Larson, Kyle; Linders, Shelby; Madrigal, Abel; Molitor, Aja; Peterson, John; Shields, Kyler; Stackman, Mikayla; Treiber, Bradley; Verborg, Lilith, and Watson, Dartavian.

THIRD GRADE: Anderson, Mackenzie; Baretto, David; Congrove, Devin; Craddock, Ashley; Daniels, Vincent; Gails, Byron; Gandy, Krystina; Hammond, William; Lawrence, Niana; Lemke, Samantha; Mireles, Esteban; Molbeck, Andrew; Musurlian, Conner; Nelson, Zachary; Niesen, Becca; Peterson, Patricia; Piehler, Andrew; Pihart, Nolan; Radwill, Emmit; Ramos, Savannah; Sandoval, Alonzo; Scoon, Kalvin; Shain, Jessica; Stauss, Kevin; Tristano, Brandon; Uran, Marley; Ventura, Lily; Warf, Ryon; Wood, Emily, and Woolrage, Allegra.

Racine Police Department bestows honors on Juan Mireles

By Journal Times staff

RACINE - Several Racine police officers and civilian employees were honored last week during the Police Department's annual awards banquet.

The following people received awards:

Lifesaving Award Officer Christine Cronin Officer Kevin Klinkhammer Officer Keith Liertz Officer Juan Mireles Officer Gasper Munoz Officer David Rybarik

Distinguished Master Shooter Award Sgt. Charles Ashbeck Officer Michael Mahnke Sgt. Richard Rivers Officer Adam Meyers Sgt. Charles Weitzel Officer Donald Prudhom Investigator Bruce Larrabee Officer Chad Stillman Investigator William Warmington Officer Daniel Tredo Officer Christine Cronin Officer Joe Villalobos Officer Paul Garchek

Outstanding Police

Service Sgt. Steven Madsen

Award of Excellence Sgt. Pablo Guardiola Officer Scott Leslie Sgt. David Wohlgemuth Officer Damen Lowe Investigator Douglas Koykkari Officer Juan Mireles Officer Steven Fish Officer Gary Neubauer Officer Hanns Freidel Officer John Pomeroy Officer Todd Hoover Officer Andre Steward Officer Larry Ivy Officer Todd Yde

Civilian Employee Police Service Award Connie Mellem

Chief's Leadership

Commendation Investigator Randal Kuzia

Exemplary Officer Award Sgt. John Scharping Officer Jorge Garcia Investigator David Derks Officer Scott Keland Investigator Steven Diener Officer Todd Morschhauser Investigator David Shortess Officer Joseph Spaulding Investigator Mark Sorensen Officer Joe Villalobos Investigator William Warmington

Unit Citation - Special Investigations Unit Sgt. David Boldus Investigator William Chesen Investigator David Derks Investigator Phillip Eberle Investigator Douglas Koykkari Investigator Randal Kuzia Investigator Bruce Larrabee Investigator David Shortess

Unit Citation - Second Shift Patrol - Squad 2 Sgt. Todd Schulz Officer Scott Keland Sgt. Richard Toeller Officer Daniel Langendorf Investigator Jody Rogers Officer Michael Mahnke Traffic Investigator David Kelly Officer Adam Malacara Officer Michael Ditscheit Officer Jon Principe Officer Donna Hanke Officer Daniel Tredo Officer Mindy Keland

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Mireles brother have dinner together

After the Memorial Service at Holy Trainity Guadalupe Catholic church for Elisa Patena, we went to a mexican resturant on the southside of Milwaukee.

Julian and Pat Mireles, Denise & Duane Mireles, Carlos Mireles, Jesse Mireles, Victor and Bertha Mireles, Clara Barbosa, Oscar Mireles and Diego, Sergio, Lorena and Javier.

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Mireles family goes to A Taste of Summer

Victor, Bertha, Elena, Esteban Mireles, Jesse & Natalie Mireles, Felix Mireles Jr. and Oscar Mireles and Barb Berling went to "A Taste of Summer Festival" in Waukesha.

We went to hear former members of Sly and the Family Stone (now call Phunk Phamily Affair)perform and the show was high powered and they sung all the hits from the sixties and early seventies.

We went to Jessie house for some outdoor grilling and listening to George Lopez CD and headed back for the 10:30 show featuring former Santana keyboardist Greg Rolie Band. But the weather changed and it started raining which scattered the Mireles family back to Racine, Madison and Waukesha.

We plan on going to Summerfest to see Carlos Santana on July 3rd

Elisa M. Patena Memorial Monday June 27th at 6 pm

Elisa M. Patena
Age 76, of Uvalde, Texas, died June 18, 2005, in San Antonio, with her daughters at her side. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Benito Patena of Uvalde; five daughters, Fela (Jose) Salinas, Jeannie (Joe) Domer, Elsa Gomez, Marissa (Mark) Heili, and Marisol Patena; one brother, Juan Mireles; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. A memorial Mass is set for June 27 at 6 p.m. at Holy Trinity Guadalupe Church, 613 S. 4th St., Milwaukee.

Published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from 6/23/2005 - 6/24/2005.
Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities

Stacy Podhola enjoys her vacation

She took a week off, according to her mother and had a good time...

Felix (Trey) Mireles goes to Phoenix

I'm in Arizona for 2 weeks for a graduate school related colloquia and
visited with John Raymond Mireles yesterday (He showed me around Phoenix area, went
out to dinner and visited at his home in El Mirage) and plan to see
him more during the two weeks I'm here.

We're planning on getting together Sunday the 26th when I have a free day.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Christian Albouras makes All Conference team

He played outfield for the South Division Cardinals and made the Milwaukee City Conference 2005 Blue Division All Conference team.

Here are some of the season highlights.

4/11/05 South 5 Marshall 3 (W) P. Cardona 1-0
Pedro Cardona pitched 7 solid innings highlighted by 13 strike outs to pick up his first Varsity Win. Solid coaching on the base paths helped South squeeze out it's first win as Marshall made costly errors at the wrong times.

4/13/05 South 5 Milwaukee Marshall 3
Milwaukee South's Pedro Cardona struck out 13 batters Monday in a 5-3 victory over Milwaukee Marshall. . . .

4/18/05 South 9 Pulaski 6
(W) P. Cardona 2-0 --- Pedro Cardona pitched another solid 7 innings, with one walk and seven strikeouts, and Luis Vargas(HBP) and Christian Albouras(2-run Home Run) sparked two very important late inning rallies as South held off a pesky Pulaski team. Jose Bastardo had a crucial 2-out, 2-run single in the bottom of the fourth, Kenny Montanez had two bunt singles, and Ramon Lopez played solid defense at third base.

4/25/05 South 13 Vincent 0 (W) P. Cardona 3-0
The Cardinals dominated this game with good overall play on the offensive and defensive end. Omar Rodriguez, Jose Bastardo, Christian Albouras, and Juan Chico led the hit parade as the Cards controlled the game from the get-go.

South Division pitcher strikes out 13 to hold off Milwaukee Custer's charge

4/27/05 Milwaukee Hamilton 17, Milwaukee South 0:
Hamilton's Matt Lay threw a no-hitter with six strikeouts over five innings for Hamilton (7-1, 5-0 City).

5/2/05 Bradley Tech 9, Milwaukee South 7:
Josh Fleischman and Zach Gelmvin homered to lead Tech over South Division.

5/18/05 Milwaukee South 7 Custer 6
Milwaukee South pitcher Luis Vargas struck out 13 batters as the Cardinals edged visiting Milwaukee Custer, 7-6, Wednesday in a City Conference baseball matchup.

South opened a 5-3 lead after five innings before Custer stormed back with a run in the sixth and two more in the top of the seventh.

Christian Albouras
, who was 2 for 3 at the plate, drove in the Cardinals' winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Ramon Lopez scored three runs for South.

The Cougars were led by Leon Richardson, who struck out eight in five innings and went 2 for 4 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Javier starts the PEOPLE Program

Javier is embarking on a six year journey that will result in 5 years of free tuition at UW-Madison when he graduates from high school in 2011. The People Program provides summer school and afterschool activities to support students interested in going to college.

Diego Mireles Speaks at OFS ceremony

Diego is completing his 300 work hours this week at Operation Fresh Start (OFS) in which he will earn a $1,000 stipend for college expenses. He worked last summer and needed to complete his last 70 hours to earn the stipend. Operation Fresh Start

Diego gave a speech at the OFS Open House held last week to celebrate the building of three homes in McFarland.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Classmates Mourn East High Teen's Death

Updated: 6:21 AM Jun 14, 2005

Madison East High School students are mourning after the death of a classmate.

Even though school is out for the summer, counselors were on hand Monday to talk to students after the death of Trevor Knight. The 17-year-old died Sunday from injuries he received in a boating accident on Lake Mendota.

According to investigators, Trevor did not pull up the anchor on his boat before hitting the throttle, and the anchor flew out of the water and hit him in the head.

Trevor's guidance counselor says he was well-liked, and word of the accident spread during the weekend's graduation parties.

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Send a postcard to Licha (Elisa) Patena

Here is her address:

Elisa Patena
116 Ruth Street
Uvalde, TX 78801
(830) 278-1848

Javier, Lorena, Barb and I went to the Airshow

The Southern Wisconsin Airshow was a lot of fun to experience.

There were over 15,000 people in attendance. It was a hot day (almost 90 degrees) but we found shade under a airport canopy and this made the heat bearable.

The Blue Angels Jets were amazing, the four jets took off at the same time, in formation less the ten feet apart, they flew in precision, as if they were one plane. The Jet Powered Semi-truck was loud and had amazing flames and noise.

A friend of mine who works in the GED testing center had her son perform in the Thunderbolt A-10 Jet.

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Oscar Mireles and Barb Berling on Memorial Day Weekend

Barb's son Brad Berling took this picture.

Graduation party for Christian Albouras

Carlos and Mary Mireles are hosting a Graduation Party at my house for Christian Albouras on Saturday
June 18th at 1pm- 6pm. Carlos and Mary's home address is 27418 Adams Street, Kansaville, Wi 53139. For directions to Carlos's house use mapquest.com

Call Carlos at (608) 878-3662 for dishes to pass.

Mireles second cousins become neighbors...

When Victor Mireles decide to build a house in a new housing subdivision off Highway C (Spring Street) in Racine, he knew that there were going to be some changes in his life. New house, new furniture, new bills, but what he did not anticipate was that his next door neighbor would be Juan Gomez his second cousin, son of Adeline (Sheady) Gomez and grandson of Juan and Colletta Mireles, Victor's uncle.

Victor just moved in last month and Juan moved in earlier this year to the area. They are both still putting in the final touches on their homes (landscaping, driveways and patios...) . A housewarming party is coming soon...I will post the details.

Gracie Mireles attends Omega School graduation

My cousin Gracie Mireles went with her husband Steven to the GED/HSED graduation ceremony to watch her step-son Joshua Schott earn his HSED Diploma Thursday night. It was nice to see her and how proud they were of Josh and what he had to overcome to complete his credential.

Omega School Grads Overcame Barriers

Wisconsin State Journal
Friday, June 10, 2005
Danielle Corcoran Wisconsin State Journal


Susan Krieger said she left school in 11th grade after a teacher told her that she "wouldn't amount to a hill of beans."

But at a ceremony Thursday night, she got the last word.

"I'm 56 years old and I'm proud to be a graduate today," Krieger said as she accepted her GED from the Omega School, a private, nonprofit organization that provides basic education to returning adults and, on a contract basis with area school districts, to credit-deficient seniors who aren't on schedule to get a high school diploma.

Each Omega School graduate knows a thing or two about obstacles; many overcome learning disabilities, drug or alcohol problems or homelessness in order to complete their educations.

"The next time you face something in your life that looks hard, think back to when you sat here tonight in your cap and gowns," Omega School Board President William Thielmann told the approximately 35 students in attendance, who represented a graduating class of more than 80.

Although the journey to the graduation stage was a long one for some students, Omega Principal Oscar Mireles said the average person who earns a degree at Omega fulfills all the necessary requirements within three months.

A high school education took far less than the traditional four years for Joshalynn Campbell, whose list of recent accomplishments includes regaining custody of her son, remaining drug-free for two years, and passing all of her tests without much preparation. "If you don't got the patience to study and go to class, believe in yourself and wing it," she joked.

"This is like church. I'm asking you to come to the altar," Mireles said. "If some of these people haven't inspired you, nothing will."

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Genevieve Elizabeth Mireles Wedding

The wedding will be at the Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort on March 16, 2006 in Riviera Maya. (www.palaceresorts.com)

Javier Barbosa-Mireles handles the high ropes course

His 6th grade class went to the Madison School Forest yesterday.
He was able to do the Centipede, The freestanding log, the Hourglass,
and tightrope and the longest obstacle which was 40 ft. in the air
and 40 ft long.

I will try to post photos that I took on my new cell phone.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Licha Patena is doing better

Elisa Patena had an aneurysm and was operated 
last week Thursday (6/2)

Tio Juan, Tia Cole, Fela, Marissa and Marisol flew
there that afternoon. She's slowly getting better
but might be in the hospital for about two weeks.
There's about 37 staples from the front of her
forehead all the way back behind her right ear.

The family have made arrangements to stay in
San Antonio to take care of Elisa and Benito Patena.

Fela Salinas flies back home tomorrow.

Marissa Patena will be there till Sunday.

Elisa (Fela's daughter) and Jeannie Domer
are supposedly going all next week.

Then Elsa Gomez the following week.

Fela, Joe and Laurissa Salinas(younger daughter)
will drive there around the 1st week of July.

Marisol Patena will be taking a few months off
to care for them both.


Call Fela Salinas at 414-403-7860 for more information.

Dennis Buttenhoff is resting at home

He was released from the hospital yesterday after surgery last week.

Dennis has started walking again and his exercise routine for the past three months has helped him get situated a little faster then expected.

His home phone number is 757-531-1345 and cell phone number is 757-241-0604.

Monday, June 06, 2005

I went to the Mallards game with Trey Mireles

We ended up meeting in the parking lot and had a chance to see the Mallard win their third game in a row.

Friday, June 03, 2005

Juan Mireles's grandchildren getting ready to start school.

Micaela Champagne Mireles - age 6 - completes first grade on June 6, 2005 at Thompson Ranch Elementary School in El Mirage, Arizona.

Jada Bribiescas Mireles- Age 4 starts- Headstart in Mesa, Arizona in September 2005.

Jonathan Harvey-Mireles graduates from college.

Jonathan Phillip Rolan Harvey-Mireles graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Texas College (a Historically Black College and University) in Tyler, Texas on May 7, 2005.

Jonathan will return to live in Milwaukee in the summer of 2005. Any job prospects leads e-mail Juan Mireles juanmireles50@hotmail.com .

Christian Ariel Albouras-Mireles graduates from high school.


Christian Ariel Albouras-Mireles graduates with his High School Diploma from South Division High School on June 16, 2005.


He has been accepted to attend UW-Milwaukee, UW-Whitewater, UW-Parkside,UW-Platteville, and UW-LaCrosse. He has not yet decided what college to attend.

Some in his family are encouraging him to stay close to home...so Parkside and Whitewater are the leading contenders.


Either way he looks pretty happy.

Jesse Ayala running for Student Representative on Madison School Board

Student Senate Alternate Representative to Board of Education:

Jesse Ayala, 11th Grade, Memorial High School

Platform: My name is Jesse Ayala and I'm running for the position of the Alternate Liaison to the Board of Education. As a junior at Madison Memorial High School I am involved in several aspects of school life, including Varsity Athletics, Drama, Student Government and Clubs, and I see how board decisions affect so many people in so many various ways. With all my experience, I feel I am qualified to assist in voicing the concerns of all these various groups to the board. Students engage in classes and activities that reflect them, and maintaining these will maintain student individualism and diversity. These unique activities are what make high school bearable, and without them things wouldn't' be the same.

Upon election, I would also become the President of the Student Senate. Being an active Senator for the past two years, I have seen how the Senate functions, and I feel that some reconstruction is necessary. The Senate needs to focus more on district wide issues, uniting the schools in the district and assisting the Liaison with important decisions. Upon my election I plan on working with the Senate Leaders and Advisors to devise a more effective and sensible structure for the Senate.

Crystal Rose Vargas graduates next week

She is the daughter of Gary and Rosa (Alvarado) Vargas. She will be having a graduation party on Saturday June 4, 2005 at Brighton Dale Park 830 248th Avenue near Paddock Lake in Kenosha County.

Elisa (Licha) Patena is recovering from surgery

She had surgery yesterday for an aneurysm in her brain. The surgery went well.

Fela and Joe Salinas and Juan and Cole Mireles drove down to Texas to be at her bedside.

I will try to get a phone number and address to send cards.

Dennis Buttenhoff is recovering from surgery

He is just off the ventilator and starting to drink water and will begin trying to walk today. He has been returned from Intensive Care and has his own room. He can be reached at 757-668-3004 and you will reach the nurses station and they will direct you to the room.

I have spoken with him several times in the past several days and although it has been many years since we spoke, we jumped back into things very easily. He would appreciate hearing from family and friends.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Oscar Mireles has poems on Poemhunter.com

Poemhunter.com is a website that provides an opportunity for poets to post their works on-line. It is also a site that features many poets from throughout history and a great place to search for a poem or famous poet. Poemhunter.com also has a place to find lyric for songs. Check out Oscar's poems at Poemhunter.com

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Diego Mireles graduates on Saturday night



Copy of the Deforest Area High School 2005 Graduation Program




Diego is with fellow Deforest High School graduate Sara Longfeld.







The ceremony will be at 7 pm at Deforest High School.

The school is sponsoring an all night lock -in party at the high school which will include a casino night, basketball and swimming and over $3000 in prizes.


He has been accepted by UW-Parkside and Madison Area Technical College.