COMING SOON: Plenty of art (photo right), culture, and surprises, in addition to the magnificent comida mexicana, with the forthcoming opening of El Camino Sky Restaurant on Woodville Road in Oregon, Ohio.

Columbus Latino community activist Dean Hernández expresses a point at the historic Dec. 16, 2006 Lorain meeting of Ohio Latino leaders, coordinated by Rubén Castilla Herrera of Columbus. A record (in pdf format) of the Ohio Latina/o in Strategic Dialogue and a list of the attendees can be found with the article at www.laprensa1.com and in the Dec. 20, 2006 edition of La Prensa. 

Izzy Ortiz partied hardy for his 60th birthday last week in Toledo. Izzy is shown above with Judge Charles Doneghy (Lucas County Common Pleas Court) at a fundraiser for Anita López, who successfully was elected as the Lucas County Auditor on Nov. 7, 2006. ¡Feliz Cumpleaños Izzy!

Miguelito Un Hombre de Las Sombras: This former Hoosier now says show me in the Show Me state, but don't goat him

El Corazón de México of Toledo participated in Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations on December 10 at St. Martin de Porres at 10:30AM Mass and will be participating on December 12, 2006 at SS. Peter & Paul Church at 7:00PM. The group will be showcased on December 19 at Newbury School’s Holiday Pageant at Southwyck Mall, at 6:00PM. El Corazón de México was established in 1996 by Director Elaina Hernández and has 29 active members.
 

Feliz Navidad de parte de Julian y Rosie

Dr. Tammy Ramírez (center) is the Board Chair of the Multicultural Business Center in Lorain, Ohio. On Nov. 30th, she was the recipient of the “Minority Business Development Leadership Award,” presented to her at the Lorain County/Northeast Ohio Minority Business-to-Business Expo, for Dr. Ramírez’s hard work and dedication in supporting and inspiring minority business development.

With Dr. Ramírez, L-R, are: Mike Ferrer (Expo Coordinator, Lorain County Urban League), José Ramírez (LITE, Lorain Industrial and Technology Enterprise), and Ken Wiley (IGM, Innovative Graphics & Marketing).

This successful, annual event was held at LCCC’s Spitzer Conference Center and was sponsored by LCCC, the Lorain County Urban League, and the Multicultural Business Center. 

Grammy Award winning Le Mystére des Voix Bulgares to perform Dec. 10, 2006, 4:00PM, at the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, 3649 E. 65th St., Cleveland.

Rachel Velez, La Prensa’s Rubén Torres, and Jen Santiago (First American Title Insurance) attending the Minority Business Expo at LCCC Spitzer Center, held last week in Elyria.

Last Friday, La Familia Vásquez celebrated the 80th birthday of its matriarch Paula Vásquez (seated in center; Paula was born on Nov. 17, 1926). This Tejana was raised near San Antonio and moved to Ohio after being married to José Vásquez at the age of 14. In the photo, seats Paula with her 12 children: L-R, Carol, Sally, Jimmy, Raúl, Angie, Toni, Alicia, José, Lupe (back row) with Fammy, Simón, and Jesse Vásquez (front row).

Carla Soto just received her wings from Northwest Airlines so she welcomed the opening of The Wings Station in Downtown Toledo, 614 Adams St.

On Nov. 4, 2006, the East Toledo Family Center hosted its Fútbol Tournament at the Waite High School field, Toledo. The teams consisted of grade-school-age students called: Wolverines, Strike Force, Lions, and Tornados.
 

Shown above is a photo of the Tornados, coached by Elmer and Antonio Aguilar. Members include: Captain Saeed Shammout; Goalie Alexis Cuellar; Defenders Jasmine Ponce, Delicia Johnson, Lindsay Gaynor, & Jessica Shape; Centers Bradley and Candace Clark, Jodicy Heiley, Olivia and Brianna Carbe; and Forwards Michaela Steward, Alec Aranda, Alfonso Zapata, and Gretel Ramírez. 

Former Toledo City Council President Louis Escobar urging voters to vote for Bob Vásquez for Toledo City Council. In the background is Vásquez and Toledo City Councilman Mike Ashford.

Deacon Dzierzawski, CEO of The Community Partnership, presents Marc Jacobs of Adams Street Publishing with the Leadership in Prevention Award on October 10 during a gala at The Stranahan Theater celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Partnership. Adams Street Publishing was named Outstanding Business Partner.  Photo courtesy of The Community Partnership.

Artist Emanuel H. Enriquez from Bowling Green, Ohio celebrates El Día de Los Muertos at the Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, held last Saturday.

David Arredondo and Richard Romero of CHIPS welcome and introduce Lorain Mayor Craig Foltin and attorney Betty Sutton. Foltin and Sutton are running for the seat of Sherrod Brown (U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio-District 13). Brown is a candidate for the U.S. Senate against Senator Mike De Wine.

Nov. 10, 7:30PM: Mariachi Especial ‘Alma de México” returns to Oakland Community College; Orchard Ridge Campus, 27055 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, Smith Theatre; Pre-event tickets: $10 students, $12 seniors; 248-341-2270.

Last Saturday, Rhonda B. Sewell, Media Relations Coordinator for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, celebrates HHM at the downtown branch of the library with Mariachi Zelaya of Indianapolis.

James Nusbaum, upper left, endorsed Democrat for Lucas County Common Pleas Court with parents, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Nusbaum, and attorney Gordon Barry at recent fundraiser. (Mel is an avid baseball fan and maven.)

Indian Hills 4th-grade students Alexandria, Natalia, & Lindsee enjoy the music of ALMA Drum & Dance, which performed last Friday at Downtown Latte in Toledo, at an event sponsored by Adelante, Inc.

According to Adelante’s Mental Health & Domestic Violence Prevention Educator, Claudia Annoni (shown with Melissa Avalos), Adelante has the staff and resources to deal with victims of domestic violence. Call Claudia at 419-244-8440 for an anonymous referral.

Gabe De Hoyos (right) is the recipient of La Prensa’s $500 scholarship, awarded on July 23, 2006 at Latino Scholarhship Day, Fifth Third Field. De Hoyos is a graduate of St. Francis de Sales HS and is an electrical engineering major at UT. He is with John Orozco of St. Francis HS and Lucas County Recorder Anita López. 

BUSINESS: Dave Sánchez commencing his first day at Dave White’s car dealership at Alexis & Monroe, Toledo, where old and new stock are avaialble. No Credit?,..No Problemo! Se Habla Español!

Shown above is Jessica Shepard (student at the Toledo School of the Arts) with Oriana Orozco (freshman at Lourdes College) in the background, at Adelante’s Quinceañera Fashion & Talent Show held at Westfield Park Mall last Saturday, September 30, 2006, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo courtesy of El Tiempo Newspaper.

Emma from Spanish American Committee during the Hard Hat Women’s Construction Forum at El Barrio in Cleveland, taken by Rubén Torres last week.

Toledo, Spain Mayor José Manuel Molina García with two Notre Dame Academy (Toledo) students at last week’s flag raising ceremony at International Park, during a 75^th Anniversary celebration of the Sister Cities Toledo, Ohio and Toledo, Spain. Photo by Carla Soto of La Prensa.

Esperanza’s Trudy Ramos with Ruben Torres of La Prensa and Mari Marrtes of Metro Health Center during the Career Day College Fair at the Metro Health Center in Cleveland for HHM.

A Tejano mingles with members of the Amalia Hernández’s Ballet Folklórico de México, from México D.F., which performed last week in Ann Arbor. 

     University of Toledo Law Professor Ben Konop (center) with his parents Barbara and Alan Konop, who hosted a fundraiser  at their home in Ottawa Hills, Ohio on behalf of Ben, who is a candidate for Lucas County Commissioner this November. Konop is a native of Toledo, a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School; he is endorsed by the Lucas County Democratic Party and numerous other  organizations.

Celebrating El Grito in Detroit with 1480AM

Alma de Mexico performs at Lorain’s Mexican Mutual Society’s HHM festivities

Shown above are Univision’s José Godure and Rolo Duartes with Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Hola’s Diego López at last Friday’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet in Cleveland. 

Angel Guzmán, Murray Bilfield, Peggy & Sean Kersay at SAC Bash

Labor Day Parades were conducted throughout the Midwest this past weekend, including the one in downtown Toledo on Monday.

OCHLA commissioner Richard Romero with La Prensa Lorain/Cleveland staff; L-R: Milagros Santiago, Comm. Romero, Denise Santiago, and Rubén Torres.

There were all kinds of entertainment at this year’s annual Labor Day Family Celebration, hosted by a coalition  of unions at Lakeview Park in Lorain last Sunday.

Rosa Isela Delgado celebrated her quinceañera last Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006, with a mass at SS. Peter and Paul Church, Toledo, followed by dinner and reception. Rosa is the daughter of Javier and Rosa Delgado. El corte de honor: Chambelanes Antonio Delgado, Oscar Delgado, Shawn Reyna, y Francisco Pérez.

Cassandra Cardenas of Perrysburg OH celebrates her recent graduation from the School of Arts with her family and friends, including tia Angie Alvarado, as shown above. Cassandra plans on attending Otterbein College in the fall, majoring in Journalism and minoring in Dance. She will also be playing the piano and cello for the orchestra. Cassandra is the daughter of José and Ida Cardenas and has a sister Alexandra, who attends St. Ursula Academy; both are the granddaughters of the late Amanda Ruíz. Felicidades de parte de la familia y La Prensa.

Sculptor Emanuel H. Enríquez of Bowling Green, Ohio is caught creating his second masterpiece marble sculpture at Schedel Arboretum and Gardens in Elmore, Ohio last Saturday—Las Bailadores Flamenco.

Ribbon cutting ceremonies at the new location for Lorain’s El Centro de Servicios Sociales, Inc. El Centro moved into the former Lincoln Elementary School on 31^st and Vine Streets, across from Principe De Paz Lutheran Church. L-R are: Victor LeAndry (Director of El Centro), Cynthia Miller (Lorain City School Board member), Lorain Mayor Craig Foltin, Father William Thaden (Sacred Heart Chapel), and Dr. Dee Morgan (Superintendent, Lorain City Schools). 

Protests continue

Numerous rallies were held across the United States within the past several weeks, protesting the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, where over 500 Lebanese—the majority being women and children—have died from bomb blasts. The invasion continues at publication time, with the United States preventing an immediate cessation resolution in the United Nations.

Above is one such protest in downtown Cleveland; below is a protest outside of Westfield Franklin Park Mall in West Toledo. 

Bob Vásquez campaigning at last Saturday’s Viva South’s Mexican-American festival. Vásquez is a candidate for an At-Large seat to Toledo City Council.

Councilwoman Lourdes Santiago (right) with members of her law firm—Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A.—at a recent fundraiser at El Camino Real restaurant. Santiago is a candidate for an At-Large seat to Toledo City Council.

BP Toledo Refinery was the presenting sponsor of this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, which raises funds to provide children in the Toledo area with tutors, mentors and incentives to achieve academic proficiency, according to event director Marilyn Levine. The event, which was negotiated along the banks of the Maumee River last Saturday, is assisted by the Toledo Rowing Foundation. Rowing teams included the Toledo Public Schools-Parents and the TPS Principals/Administration.  
 

Pastor David Martínez of Cornerstone Church in attendance at Viva South’s festival last Saturday, in discussion with Councilwoman Lourdes Santiago.

Artist Silvio Jimenez displays one of his many murals. Jimenez is from Chiapas and is working on murals for El Camino Real Sky restaurant.

Ryanico Reyna was the recipient of the 2006 ACAP-OHIO “MVP” Award held the last week of June at The Ohio State University in Columbus. Ryanico was also awarded an Academic Scholarship toward his college education sponsored by Honda Corp. Shown is Ryanico with his mother, Petra Reyna, and a Honda representative.

Janet García celebrates her grand opening of her Nationwide Office in Cleveland

Trinidad Serrato of Weston, Ohio celebrates his 88^th birthday with his wife Candelaria and sons/daughters: Trini, Richard, Lucy, Dolores, Carlos, and Zeke. Not shown are his children John, Reynaldo, Chris, and Janie.  He and his wife have over 150 grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is originally from Laredo, Texas and has been married for over 62 years.

Rico Neller, Dennis Abdoo, Richard Parish, Claudia Annoni, Lloyd Grant, and Juan Parisca met last week to discuss forming a committee to organize a soccer tournament during Hispanic Heritage Month to benefit Adelante, Inc. Manuel Zapata and La Liga de Las Américas (soccer, Michigan and Ohio) will also be involved.  

      It is anticipated that the event will last two days and may involve several divisions and age groupings, but details are still being discussed. Adelante, Inc. is a nonprofit organization  serving the needs of a variety of community citizens, including Latinos.

                Any interested party should contact Richard Parish at 419-259-1901 or Claudia Annoni of Adelante at 419-244-8440. The next meeting is scheduled for El Camino Real restaurant, Sylvania and Douglas Streets, Toledo, on Friday, July 7 at noon.

Cónsul Sánchez welcomed at Detroit reception.

L-R: John W. Carroll, Jr. (Senior Vice Pres. of Business Development, Detroit Regional Chamber), Cónsul Sánchez, Jessica Salinas-Pellegrino (Dir., Community Affairs, Univision Detroit WUDT 23), and José Ruiz (Vice Pres of the HBA).    

Isabel Flores, and Carla Soto Cruz,

Luis Garcia, Nancy Walker, Marylou Olivarez-Mason, and  Dolores Sanchez at Detroit's reception for Mexican Cónsul Vicente Sánchez

The Hispanic Community of Greater Cleveland has been part of the Cleveland Clean Indoor Air Partnership and its members include: The Spanish American Committee and Club Alma Yaucano.  In the photo above is Lydia Cardona, president of Club Yaucano, and Ruth Gray, director of the Clean Air Initiative.

Shown above is Bob Gay of Nationwide with the marketing director of Titian Auto Insurance, Torri Aprile, at Titian’s grand opening last week of its North Olmstead office.

Veteran Lupe Flores along with attorney Jim Morgan attend last Sunday’s fundraiser for Lucas County Recorder Anita López, who is the endorsed Democratic candidate for Lucas County Auditor.