(San Diego - March 30, 2009) Hispanic DJ Legend Procopio "El Coco" Marquez is scheduled to arrive in San Diego tomorrow morning to record some promo spots for Monkey Fingers' Studioworks. Coco, as he was affectionately known to thousands of radio listeners in central California, was a pioneer in promoting Hispanic concerts to farm workers throughout the golden state in the late fifties and sixties in Fresno, Bakersfield and many other communities throughout California.
Classic mega stars from Mexico, such as Javier Solis, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Lola Beltran, Los Tres Aces, and many others, performed for the first time in the USA thanks to Coco and his partners. While today it is very common for Hispanic artists to perform in the USA, back in the late fifties it was not as common. Coco, through his radio show was able to persuade top performers from Mexico to perform in live concerts for field workers from throughout the golden state.
After successfully executing hundreds of concerts, other performers from south of the border began to explore venues in the USA. Though on dialysis three times a week, Coco is making the trip to San Diego to record some promotional spots for Monkey Fingers' Studioworks located in south San Diego county. Most recent ly, Coco has retired as a city councilman for the town of Superior, Arizona. The former mining town is a small community located a few hours from Phoenix - Arizona (http://www.superior-arizona.com/). Coco will be in town from Tuesday through Friday; beyond his recordings he will also use the time to visit with family and friends in both San Diego and Tijuana.
Monkey Fingers' Studioworks is a multi-faceted studio operation that handles video, audio, Internet, film production and commercial photography. The founding partners have over 30 years experience in international marketing and media production. They have won multiple industry awards including an Emmy.
Monkey Fingers' integrates video production with Internet site development. Besides hosting multiple sites for many different companies and organizations, Monkey Fingers' is at the forefront of developing new technologies for multiple production platforms.
WHY MONKEY FINGERS?
The reason for the name: Monkey Fingers is our love for The Beatles. The term is used in their song: Come Together. The song title essentially describes our mission statement as a firm: To come together with all sorts of enterprises and deliver optimum quality in audio, video and Internet production:
With Our Apologies to THE BEATLES:
He wear no shoeshine - he got toe-jam football
He got monkey fingers - he shoot coca-cola
He say: "I know you, you know me"
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free
Come together right now over me...
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
SOS Call Came Through
Alright, tough weekend; and I am glad that it is over. I pulled a ligament on my right ankle so taking care of pop was very difficult (and very painful). I had to call in my reserves; within an hour of my call, I had Aunt Elsa over cooking up food, then my uncle Jorge came over to bring me some anti-inflammatory medicine. Soaked my foot in warm salt water; and my uncle Alfredo took my dad off to spend the rest of the day with my (103 year-old) grandmother and other extended family members. My aunt Vicky was kind enough to bring him home around six in the afternoon. She even brought home dinner.
It was very kind for all of their help. It is good to know that - in case of an emergency, I have them in my and my father's life.
I still cannot drive, but I can walk well enough to do the basic things. This weekend proved that it can be very, very good to be from a large family.
It was very kind for all of their help. It is good to know that - in case of an emergency, I have them in my and my father's life.
I still cannot drive, but I can walk well enough to do the basic things. This weekend proved that it can be very, very good to be from a large family.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
To CA First Lady Maria Shriver
Letter Sent to California First Lady Maria Shriver
This is actually directed for our First Lady, Ms. Maria Shriver. I know that you have been impacted by Alzheimer's Disease. My mother, passed away in August 2007 of breast cancer. At that time, I gave up my job at Univision Television in Palm Springs, to take care of my dad, who has Alzheimer's. It has been almost 21 months since then. My father, who is a Korean War Vet, does not qualify for Medical since he earns just slightly above the amount to qualify from his federal employee retirement (he worked for 35 years at the Naval Supply Center in San Diego). Anyway, since I am NOT the spouse, but rather the adult child of an Alzheimer's patient, as a full time caregiver I do not qualify for any assistance. I have utilized all of my savings, what is left is scant.
My father and I were featured on a PBS documentary about the cost of Alzheimer's. You can see that and an extended interview with me at YouTube if you enter my name (Ric Gomez) on the YouTube Search machine. In any case, Alzheimer's is reaching epidemic proportions. Since I do not qualify for Medical, I cannot place my dad into daytime day care for seniors. The cost at almost $100.00 per day is prohibitive. Medicare does not cover it, nor does his health insurance. I am running out of options. Moreover, out of money. I keep a blog about my experiences at www.thetroublewithjesus.blogspot.com --- Since you will be speaking to the Alzheimer's Association in the coming future, I do hope that you communicate to your husband the sad realities that we all face in taking care of our parents. We need help, I myself, after 21 months of this, I need a day off.
Thank you, and know that we know that you both are trying your best.
Ric
This is actually directed for our First Lady, Ms. Maria Shriver. I know that you have been impacted by Alzheimer's Disease. My mother, passed away in August 2007 of breast cancer. At that time, I gave up my job at Univision Television in Palm Springs, to take care of my dad, who has Alzheimer's. It has been almost 21 months since then. My father, who is a Korean War Vet, does not qualify for Medical since he earns just slightly above the amount to qualify from his federal employee retirement (he worked for 35 years at the Naval Supply Center in San Diego). Anyway, since I am NOT the spouse, but rather the adult child of an Alzheimer's patient, as a full time caregiver I do not qualify for any assistance. I have utilized all of my savings, what is left is scant.
My father and I were featured on a PBS documentary about the cost of Alzheimer's. You can see that and an extended interview with me at YouTube if you enter my name (Ric Gomez) on the YouTube Search machine. In any case, Alzheimer's is reaching epidemic proportions. Since I do not qualify for Medical, I cannot place my dad into daytime day care for seniors. The cost at almost $100.00 per day is prohibitive. Medicare does not cover it, nor does his health insurance. I am running out of options. Moreover, out of money. I keep a blog about my experiences at www.thetroublewithjesus.blogspot.com --- Since you will be speaking to the Alzheimer's Association in the coming future, I do hope that you communicate to your husband the sad realities that we all face in taking care of our parents. We need help, I myself, after 21 months of this, I need a day off.
Thank you, and know that we know that you both are trying your best.
Ric
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
It Is Progressing
Unfortunately, my father's symptoms of AD are increasing. I now have to assist him in more ways than before. It is more difficult for him to shower, to dress himself, to brush his teeth. I discovered that he was brushing without the toothpaste; so now I have to be there more than not, but I have to balance being there for him without being overbearing. That is a difficult task.
The one thing that still amazes me is how everyone tells me, "Oh your father looks great." "He is just getting older." "You are overreacting."
Sometimes I feel like just crying out: "Why don't you live with him and then tell me what you observe."
Look, I am very fortunate that my father is doing just great physically; he has a great sense of humor and he is a snappy dresser. Nevertheless, he has AD; which can affect his memory, his balance and his overall judgement.
AD is a terrible disease, and most people do not realize the symptoms nor just how seriously it impacts the patient as well as the family.
The one thing that still amazes me is how everyone tells me, "Oh your father looks great." "He is just getting older." "You are overreacting."
Sometimes I feel like just crying out: "Why don't you live with him and then tell me what you observe."
Look, I am very fortunate that my father is doing just great physically; he has a great sense of humor and he is a snappy dresser. Nevertheless, he has AD; which can affect his memory, his balance and his overall judgement.
AD is a terrible disease, and most people do not realize the symptoms nor just how seriously it impacts the patient as well as the family.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Tremendously Crazy Weekend
This weekend consisted of my cousin Mike's birthday party, a graveside funeral for one of my dad's longtime neighbors, visits from no less than ten family members and friends, pizza (lot's of pizza), lemons (lot's of lemons), sleepless nights, confusion, and so much more.
My dad enjoyed being at Mike's party Saturday night, his sisters and respective husbands were present and accounted for; the food was sensational, and Mike's daughter produced an outstanding video/slide show profiling Mike's life as a dad to six kids. We gave Mike a guitar for his day; not that he knows how to play the guitar, but my father does and he thought that it would make a nice gift to remind him of his godfather.
We did not attend Earl's funeral. We loved him dearly, but I do not think it appropriate to take my father to funerals and such. Funerals make him sad and at 81, I believe he has earned the right to mourn from home. Nevertheless, we took a couple of pizzas to his family last night to help explain our absence. They seemed very understanding and cool with the situation.
In regards to the visits, we had nonstop visits from different friends and family members, which always makes my dad laugh and happy inside.
At the end of the day, it makes me happy too. Although a disportunate amount of our acquaintances own lemon trees. Apparently, I deduct that from all the bags of lemons we received this weekend. Lemonade anyone?
Unfortunately, I had very little sleep for the last couple of nights. My dad's nighttime restlessness affects me very directly. Thank GOD for baby monitors; at least I can sleep in my own bedroom.
My dad enjoyed being at Mike's party Saturday night, his sisters and respective husbands were present and accounted for; the food was sensational, and Mike's daughter produced an outstanding video/slide show profiling Mike's life as a dad to six kids. We gave Mike a guitar for his day; not that he knows how to play the guitar, but my father does and he thought that it would make a nice gift to remind him of his godfather.
We did not attend Earl's funeral. We loved him dearly, but I do not think it appropriate to take my father to funerals and such. Funerals make him sad and at 81, I believe he has earned the right to mourn from home. Nevertheless, we took a couple of pizzas to his family last night to help explain our absence. They seemed very understanding and cool with the situation.
In regards to the visits, we had nonstop visits from different friends and family members, which always makes my dad laugh and happy inside.
At the end of the day, it makes me happy too. Although a disportunate amount of our acquaintances own lemon trees. Apparently, I deduct that from all the bags of lemons we received this weekend. Lemonade anyone?
Unfortunately, I had very little sleep for the last couple of nights. My dad's nighttime restlessness affects me very directly. Thank GOD for baby monitors; at least I can sleep in my own bedroom.
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