Abstract
This paper discusses Modesto, California. It discusses the general geography and make-up of the San Joaquin Plain or Valley, which is home to the cities of Fresno, Bakersfield, Stockton, Modesto and Visalia. The paper provides a general history of the settlement of California and of the San Joaquin Plain, in particular. It then goes on to describe the current make-up of the area and some of the politics that surrounds it.

From the Paper
"Migrants during the Depression era in the early 1900s from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Kansas abandoned the nearly unviable southern Great Plain and moved Chicago, Kansas City, Detroit and then fast-growing Los Angeles (Wikipedia 2006). Those who remained had to bear the drought of the late 1920s and the Dust Bowl. Those who fled took Route 66 to Barstow or Los Angeles and there began new lives as fruit and vegetable pickers in truck farms in San Joaquin Valley. There they exchanged relative independence for peasantry. Many of them lived in dirty agricultural camps, in economic distress, domestic disputes, crime, riots and even suicides. The majority of the Okies and Arkies left San Joaquin during World War II, mostly for Los Angeles and San Diego to work in war businesses. Those who remained eventually ended up in Bakersfield, noted as an oil production center when major Southern California wells, like Signal Hill, began drying up (Wikipedia)."

Tags:Okies, Arkies, Sacramento

Abstract
This paper explains that Modesto, California, is changing quickly from a primarily white community to one that is more heavily Latino populated. The writer is concerned that political issues regarding the city's government will continue to be raised by this new population concentration. The paper stresses that the people of all backgrounds who have lived in the city for all their lives do not want to see it fractionalized. The writer describes the proactive initiatives the community is undertaking to encourage Latino voters, political participation and better police relations.

From the Paper
"Modesto is also being asked by the NAACP to begin a discussion with police agencies around Modesto concerning complaints of brutality. The organization did not say how many complaints were received, but name an incident last September when 17 people were arrested following a riot outside a concert in Modesto. This indicates that there is also friction between the city police and the smaller black population, as well."

Tags:white, city council, voter, civic excellence, proactive

Abstract
En La prodigiosa tarde de Baltazar se cuenta la historia del carpintero Baltazar, un joven de origen modesto que decide cumplir el encargo de Pepe Montiel, un nino de 12 anos hijo de una de las familias mas ricas de la zona, de construir una jaula para pajaros. Tras dos semanas de trabajo, Chepe Montiel, el padre de Pepe, se niega a pagar por el trabajo hecho, incluso a pesar de la rabieta y falsas lagrimas de Pepe. Baltazar acaba regalando la jaula al pequeno Pepe, para que este se tranquilice. Al salir de la casa, Baltazar es interrogado por la multitud y miente al decir que ha vendido la jaula por sesenta pesos. La historia concluye con la celebracion de la supuesta venta, lo que resulta en su primera borrachera.

From the Paper
La prodigiosa tarde de Baltazar (Por Gabriel GarcAfAa MAfA!rquez) "La jaula estaba terminada.A'A Baltazar la colgAfA3 en el alero, por la fuerza de costumbre, y cuando acabAfA3 de almorzar ya se decAfAa por todos lados que era la jaula mAfA!s bella del mundo." AsAfA comienza La prodigiosa tarde de Baltazar, un cuento corto escrito por GabrielA'A GarcAfAa MAfA!rquez e incluido en la colecciAfA3n Los Funerales de la MamAfA! Grande. En La prodigiosa tarde de Baltazar se cuenta la historia del carpintero Baltazar, un joven de origen modesto que decide cumplir el encargo de Pepe Montiel, un niAfA+/-o de 12 aAfA+/-os hijo de una de las familias mAfA!s ricas de la

Tags:baltazar, garcaa, ma!rquez

Abstract
This paper describes the Scott Peterson case, who has been found guilty of murdering his 8-months pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son Conner in Modesto, California, on December, 2002. Based on the book "Presumed Guilty" written by Peterson's defense attorney, the author reports the prosecution and defense evidence in this case. The paper concludes that, although the book contends that the Peterson's trial was based solely on circumstantial evidence, the author still believes that Peterson is guilty.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Facts of the Case
Prosecution Evidence
Defense Evidence
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Laci's and Conner's bodies were discovered on different days five kilometers from the place where Peterson claimed that he was fishing on the day of Laci's disappearance. Conner's body, a full-term fetus, was found on April 13; Laci's body was found on April 14. Peterson was not initially regarded as the prime suspect by the police. Contradictions in Peterson's statements later led police to become suspicious of him. Laci's 5th, 6th and 9th ribs had been broken before death, rather than resulting from dragging of the body along the bay rocks. It was assumed that Laci had been strangled or suffocated in the Modesto home."

Tags:disappearance girlfriend circumstantial, suspicious incidents, incarcerated