Sunday, August 31, 2008

PRSUN for the ASPCA

Puerto Rico Sun is now raising money to help support the ASPCA through change.org. PRSUN's goal is to raise $500.

Help fight animal cruelty. As the ASPCA states, "We are their voice."

Click on the widget posted right here featuring a photo of Sol, the mascot of Puerto Rico Sun. It will take you to my fundraising site at www.change.org.

The link to PRSUN's site at change: http://www.change.org/myfundraising/prsun.

Change.org aims to transform social activism by serving as the central platform that connects likeminded people, whatever their interests, and enables them to exchange information, share ideas, and collectively act to address the issues they care about.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Survival in Contemporary PR

Community calendar



Cultural Survival, Political Resistance and

Sustainable Development in Contemporary Puerto Rico

…is a bilingual (English-Spanish) one-day seminar on the effects of development and globalization on traditional cultures in Puerto Rico focusing on the recent history of the coastal communities of Loíza and Piñones and the island of Vieques . The participants represent a cross section of leaders in the struggle for cultural and environmental survival: educators, cultural activists and advocates of alternative strategies for development.
The seminar serves as an introduction to BomPlenazo 2008, the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture’s biennial celebration of Afro-Puerto Rican culture. This year, the festival will focus on the bomba and plena music and dance traditions as they are practiced in the communities of Loíza and Piñones, two of the principal centers of Afro-Puerto Rican culture.
Founded by runaway slaves and freedmen in the 19th century, Loíza and its neighborhood of Piñones, with their beautiful coastline and coconut groves, have become a symbol of cultural tenacity as many loiceños have bravely resisted development efforts that threaten their cultural traditions and the beauty of their communities.
This seminar will also focus on the recent history of Vieques, the struggle to end naval bombing of the island and the implementation of a strategy for sustainable development. The island’s recent history, characterized by military and economic assaults, mirrors that of Loiza and Piñones.
The presenters are:

Juan Giusti, Ph.D., professor, University of Puerto Rico

Maricruz Rivera Clemente, president, Corporación Piñones se Integra

Robert Rabin, director, Museo Fuerte Conde Mirasol, Vieques

Alberto de Jesús (Tito Kayak), environmental activist

Nilda Medina, director, Incubadora de Microempresas Bieke

Moderator:

Juan Flores, Ph.D., professor, Black and Puerto Rican Studies, NYU

This is part of the BomPlenazo program at Hostos.

For more information on this and other BomPlenazo events, www.hostos.cuny.edu/culturearts/events.html.
The San Juan Star, Puerto Rico's main English daily, closed down.

Here's a link to an E&P story:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003844481

Pueblo Caps


IMG_0108
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
From the Puerto Rico Sun photo group, Puerto Rican town hats (photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

Thursday, August 28, 2008

A New Dream


IMG_0184
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
Barack Obama makes history, becoming the first African American to run as the Democratic Party candidate for president of the United States.

Obama's acceptance speech falls on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream," one of my favorite speeches of all time.

Here's an excerpt from Obama's acceptance speech tonight, which had hints of inspiration from MLK:

It is that promise that's always set this country apart, that through hard work and sacrifice each of us can pursue our individual dreams, but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams, as well. That's why I stand here tonight. Because for 232 years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women -- students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- found the courage to keep it alive.

We meet at one of those defining moments, a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more.
-- Barack Obama

For the complete transcript of Obama's acceptance speech, go to http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/us/politics/28text-obama.html

La Fiesta PR @ Central Park


IMG_0116
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
Today's featured shot of the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is of a boricua on his way to La Fiesta Folklorica PR in Central Park.

For more of my photos from La Fiesta, visit my photo site at www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

'Shadow of the Fathers'

The Reading Corner

Join Journalist Robert Friedman this Sunday for a reading and discussion of his novel "Shadow of the Fathers" at a bookstore in NYC's Lower East Side.



Friedman's novel is set in Puerto Rico and is based on a true story that happened in PR. Friedman lived in Puerto Rico for over 20 years, and has been reporting on Puerto Rico for the San Juan Star for over two decades.

Here is a blurb about the book:

In the 1930s an American doctor sent by the Rockefeller Institute to do research in Puerto Rico wrote a letter claiming he had purposely killed eight of his patients. Dr. Cornelius Rhoads said he was doing his part to exterminate the island's 'degenerate' population. He later said the letter was just 'a joke,' but doubts remain. San Juan Star Washington correspondent Robert Friedman uses this factual incident as an inspiration for his fictional account of the aftermath of the event. "Shadow of the Fathers," a suspense mystery, explores the United States-Puerto Rico relationship and U.S. colonialism, from the Cold War to Vietnam to Vieques.




Robert Friedman reads from and discusses his novel Sunday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m., at a free event at Bluestockings, 172 Allen St.

Editor's Note: You can also purchase book at:
Opportunity

If you are an artist, business or corporation interested in Comité Noviembre's Third Annual Puerto Rican Artisans Exhibition and Fair in New York City in November for Puerto Rican Heritage Month, go to www.comitenoviembre.org for more information.

PRSUN plans to be there.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Alegría bomba e'

Community Calendar



Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños at Hunter College, NYC
presents Alegría bomba e'

Carmen Ayala Exhibit at Centro

Opening reception, 6 p.m., September 4

On view to Friday, October 17

Free

For more information, www.centropr.org.
Quote from last night's Democratic National Convention:

Your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do. -- Michelle Obama

Monday, August 25, 2008

Featured video

Things that make you say hmmm.....



Daddy Yankee backs Senator John McCain for president of the United States.

But does that really matter?
Featured report

Migración y Patrones de Asentamiento en Puerto Rico: 1985-2005
by Carlos Vargas-Ramos

(in Spanish)

http://centropr.org/news.html?news=53

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Friday, August 22, 2008

Thursday, August 21, 2008

BomPlenazo '08 in the Bronx

Save the date



For more information,
http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/culturearts/

To get a glimpse of BomPlenazo, check out the following video featuring scenes of the last Bomplenazo in 2006.

BomPlenazo '06

From the PRSUN TV archives



This is an edited version of a PRSUN TV show that originally aired on Bronxnet, featuring BomPlenazo '06 in the Bronx. That show was nominated for a BETA (Bronx Excellence in Television Access award, Bronxnet's awards) in the best foreign culture category.

Community

The National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, NYC Chapter, is honoring key community leaders tonight at its 35th anniversary gala dinner dance and college awards presentation at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

This year's honorees are:

Woman of the Year: Dr. Aida Rosa, Retired Principal
Man of the Year: Richard Arroyo Izquierdo, Founder/President So. Bronx Charter School for Intl. Cultures and Arts Lifetime Achievement: journalist Denisse Oller
Educational Achievement: Luis E. Torres, Principal, PS 55X
Woman In Entertainment: Choco Orta
Community Service: Luis W. Osorio

Women In Education:
Amy Andino, Founder and Principal of Academy of Public Relations
Roxanne Cardona, Principal P.S. 48, Bronx
Jacqueline Gonzalez, Exec. Officer for Instruction , ICILSO
Linda Amill Irizarry, Superintendent Dist. 8, Bronx
Carmen Jimenez, Retired Principal
Mary M. Padilla, Principal P. S. 5, Bronx
Yolanda Torres, Superintendent Dist. 7, Bronx
Yvonne Torres, Retired Superintendent Region 1

For price and more information, visit
http://www.nacoprwnyc.org/

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

'On The Path'

On the Reading Corner



Tonight at NYC's Cemi Underground

For more information
http://puertoricosun.ning.com/events/event/show?id=2083194:Event:362 or www.cemiunderground.com
Opportunity for Poets

PUNTO! Exclamations from Generations of Latina/o Poets

Calling ¡You!
the spoken word artist, the poeta, the crazy performance poet, the storyteller of metaphors, the subtle experimental poet, all of yous, from the casa to the raza cosmica and everywhere in between the transglobal barrio, yes tú, are invited to submit your original poems, slam poems, performance poems, spoken word pieces to ¡PUNTO!: Exclamations from Generations of Latina/o Poets, edited by critically acclaimed, award winning poets, Jaime “Shaggy” Flores & Robert Farid Karimi.

We seek original work by Latina/o, Chicana/o, Nuyorican writers, performance poets, and spoken word performers for a new intergenerational anthology of Latina& Latino spoken word, performance poetry.


For more information,
http://puntopoetry.ning.com/

Editor's Note: PRSUN is a member of this social network.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

FYI

WAPA TV in Puerto Rico is reporting that Puerto Rico's Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila is facing more federal charges.

Go to www.wapa.tv.

:-)


:-)
Originally uploaded by #(J).
Today's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by #(J). Interesting colors.

Monday, August 18, 2008

La Fiesta


IMG_2359
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
Fiesta Folklórica Puertorriqueña welcomes Frankie Morales

La Fiesta Folklórica Puertorriqueña, an institution dedicated to
preserving the musical traditions and cultural identity of a community that has been a part of the colorful New York mosaic for many decades, celebrates its 44th anniversary at Remsey Field, in Central Park on Sunday, August 24th.
Every year, "Fiesta" presents talented Puerto Rican artists in an open-air concert, free to the public.
Today it continues to share its proud, thriving culture, with all its fellow citizens of Hispanic and non-Hispanic backgrounds. This year’s “Fiesta” is dedicated to and will honor Mr. Jimmy Horacio, and Mr. Rafael Morales, for their considerable contributions to the Puerto Rican and Latino community.
This year’s program will begin with a religious opening ceremony, typical to Catholic Sunday Masses held all over Puerto Rico, followed by the popular Spanish language television personality Malin Falu, as master of ceremony, who will introduce a lineup of talented traditional artists and groups, including the sensational “DANZA FIESTA”, a dance troupe that delights crowds everywhere they go. This year’s all-day event culminates with one-and-only Frankie Morales and Mambo of the Times Orchestra, who’ll bring his style of salsa to the “Fiesta” stage, joining legendary artists who include José Feliciano, Yomo Toro, Chucho Avellanet, and others among them.
For 44 straight years, "La Fiesta" has successfully presented the best of the best to thousands who enjoy culture through music, dance, art and typical Latino cuisine, as vendors and artisans add to
the sights and sounds of this successful annual event.
On August 24th , we will continue the tradition...

source: La Fiesta press release

(photo by Clarisel Gonzalez of a scene at last year's festival.)

dominó


dominó
Originally uploaded by Shulamith.
Today's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun pool is by Shulamith.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

aguacate


aguacate
Originally uploaded by Shulamith.
Today's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Shulamith.

"Avocado is a fruit." -- Shulamith writes as the caption for this photo.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Maunabo, Puerto Rico


Maunabo, Puerto Rico
Originally uploaded by Oquendo.

Today's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun group is by Oquendo.

El Gran Combo, La India & Rakim y Ken-Y Perform Tonight at Coney Island



The 30th Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series performances are held Thursday nights
7:30 p.m.
Asser Levy/Seaside Park
at West 5th Street and Surf Avenue, Coney Island/Brighton Beach,
across the street from the New York Aquarium, Brooklyn.
FREE

For more information, (718) 222-0600 or visit http://www.brooklynconcerts.com/seaside.html

Thanks to PRCulture Meetup for the information.
Featured story

Recession drives educated Puerto Ricans to South Florida

CAGUAS -- As a salesman for a health club in a suburb outside Puerto Rico's capital, Frank Oquendo saw up close how his earnings and the gym's membership base tanked along with Puerto Rico's economy.

Earlier this year, Oquendo's bosses cut his pay by 25 percent as a third of the Caguas club's members canceled their contracts because they were leaving Puerto Rico. After two years of soaring inflation and desperation, Oquendo finally packed up and joined his former clients, moving his family to Miami in July.

He joined thousands of middle-class professionals who have fled Puerto Rico in the past two years, becoming what some people are calling "FloRicans.'' For the full report, go to
http://www.miamiherald.com/457/story/639679.html


Editor's Note: I hope these Puerto Ricans who are giving up the island are doing their research before packing and up and moving to Florida in search of their American dream. I have heard stories from boricuas in Florida who are regretting the move from Puerto Rico. It is very sad to see the brain drain that is going on in the island. I really don't believe all the Florida hype.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Featured story

Puerto Rican statehood party seeks English ballots

SAN JUAN -- A political party that favors making Puerto Rico the 51st U.S. state said Tuesday it will demand an English translation of a November ballot.
A Spanish-only ballot discriminates against 14 percent of 4 million islanders whose first language is English, said Edwin Mundo, an official with the New Progressive Party.
For the AP report, go to
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jUPrXKkMvwJSguOFl4axm8d9b1kQD92H0IK80

'Borinquen' in the Bronx


IMG_9609
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
A scene from a free performance of the bilingual play "Borinquen Vive en el Barrio/Borinquen Lives in the Barrio" at St. Mary's Park, the Bronx.

You still have an opportunity to see "Borinquen" at St. Mary's for free. There will be two more free performances at 8 p.m. this Thursday and Sunday.

For anyone interested in boricua culture and the relationship of Puerto Ricans on the island and Puerto Ricans in New York, this is a play worth seeing.

For more photos of last night's performance at St. Mary's, visit my site at www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel. For more information about the play, see the July 18 entry in this blog and/or visit
www.teatrostagefest.org.


(photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)
Health

Quarter of Latinos Get No Health Information from Medical Professionals, New Survey Finds


WASHINGTON - More than one in four Hispanic adults in the United States lack a usual health care provider and a similar proportion report obtaining no health care information from medical professionals in the past year, according to a report released today by the Pew Hispanic Center and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

At the same time, the report finds that more than eight in 10 receive health information from alternative sources, such as television and radio. This includes most of those who get no information from doctors or other medical professionals.

"Nearly as many Hispanics get health information from television as from doctors and medical professionals," said Susan Minushkin, Pew Hispanic Center deputy director and one of the report's authors. "What's more, Hispanics who don't have a usual health care provider are more likely to get health information from television than they are from medical professionals."

The report is based on a nationally representative bilingual survey of 4,013 Hispanic adults. It is unique in the breadth and depth at which it questions Hispanics on health care access and information issues. It also examines Hispanics' knowledge of diabetes - a serious chronic disease that is more prevalent among Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites.

Unlike previous research, this survey examines how different sub-groups within the U.S. Hispanic population access health services and information.

"When it comes to meeting the health needs of Hispanics in America, one size does not fit all," said Debra Joy Perez, senior program officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "National and community health experts need to factor in differences between sub-groups, such as language spoken, assimilation and country of origin, and develop innovative solutions that meet the diverse needs of the Latino community."

Among its key findings:

As with the general population, Hispanics who are male, young, less educated and without health insurance are least likely to have a usual health care provider.
Foreign-born and less-assimilated Latinos - those who mainly speak Spanish, lack U.S. citizenship, or have been in the United States for a short time - are less likely than other Latinos to report that they have a usual place to go for medical treatment or advice.
But a significant share of Hispanics with no usual place to go for medical care are high school graduates (50 percent), were born in the United States (30 percent) and have health insurance (45 percent).
When asked about why they lack a usual provider, a plurality of respondents (41 percent) say the principal reason is that they are seldom sick.
The report is available at the Pew Hispanic Center's website, www.pewhispanic.org, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's website, www.rwjf.org.

source: Pew Hispanic Center press release

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Vieques, PR, 2008


Vieques, PR, 2008
Originally uploaded by Lora Owens.
Today's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Lora Owens. Beautiful portrait of this Vieques horse.
Support PRSUN.

Remember to stop by my online photo shop at Zazzle. Shopping at PRSUN shops is a way of keeping this independent community media project going.


make custom gifts at Zazzle

Monday, August 11, 2008

Featured story

Puerto Rico Will Create Task Force to Improve Wetlands

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Puerto Rico Land Authority have reached a settlement that requires the creation of a task force to identify, monitor and protect wetlands in Puerto Rico in order to resolve a 2007 EPA complaint over Clean Water Act violations.
According to the settlement, the Puerto Rico Land Authority will pay a $25,000 penalty and set up a $100,000 interest-bearing account, which will be used to establish a wetlands management program.
For the complete report, go to
http://www.stormwaterauthority.org/library/view_article.aspx?id=1205
Community Calendar

The Latino American Poetic Short Film Festival is coming up at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in NYC.

(Click on image to see larger text.)

Sunset Love


Sunset Love
Originally uploaded by Jetpics.
Today's featured image from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Jetpics.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

From the PRSUN TV archives

Music



"A Closer Look @ Reggaeton," Hunter College, NYC, 2006
This is a shorter version of a PRSUN TV show that originally aired on Bronxnet, Bronx, NY

Friday, August 08, 2008

Photo Op



The New Jersey Saints are this year’s champs of The Stickball Championship of East Harlem, which took place July 27 in NYC’s East Harlem. They defeated the Sugar hill team. (photo by Ismael Nunez)
Community Calendar


7 p.m. Tonight
August 8, at
El Boogie Down Comedy Show - Hosted by Arnold Acevedo
Cemi Underground, NYC's East Harlem
Admission: $8
For more information, www.cemiunderground.com.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Obama!!! Obama!!!...Obama???


Obama!!! Obama!!!...Obama???
Originally uploaded by Moliniano.
Today's featured image from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Moliniano who lives in Puerto Rico.


Commentary

Obama!!! Obama!!!...Obama???

-Obama!!!! Obama!!!... ¿¿¿Obama???
-Perate un momento...¿¿¿Tenemos voto presidencial???
-No
- Y entonces pa que car@$!o estamos aqui perdiendo el tiempo.
-¿No sé?...¡Ah! Pero el habló en español.
- Es cierto.
-Obama!!! Obama!!! Obama!!!! -- Moliniano

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

'Los Jibaros Progresistas'

Theater

August 7 through 31

The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater brings back its acclaimed production of Ramón Méndez-Quiñones 19th century Folk Opera about a family of peasants preparing for a trip to a city fair. All free performances. For performance locations and schedule, call (212) 354-1293.

Tomorrow's performance is at the Point in the South Bronx. For more information and a description of this comedy, go to
http://www.thepoint.org/what/what_main.html#prtt

Theater

Borinquen Vive en El Barrio
(Borinquen Lives in El Barrio)

A Bilingual Play Written by Tere Martinez
Directed by Angel Morales

Sunday, August 10 @ 8 p.m.
East Side Amphitheater East River Park FDR at Grand Street, Manhattan

Tuesday, August 12; Thursday, August 14; Sunday, August 17 @ 8 p.m.
St. Mary's Park, St. Ann's Avenue at East 146th Street, Bronx

FREE

For more information, see the July 18 entry in this blog and/or visit
www.teatrostagefest.org.

Crab in Puerto Rico



Featured video by eedanjo from the PRSUN Video group at flickr. I thought it would be nice to highlight the crab today.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Gente, see the cool people who have joined the new Puerto Rico Sun social network so far.

www.puertoricosun.ning.com

'We have pueblos'

Pensamientos

We have pueblos
the lower east
side is the capital
East harlem
South bronx
the south side
The hill
We have pueblos
like puerto rico
-- Samaris Ayala

Samaris Ayala of NYC's Lower East Side contributes her pensamientos to Puerto Rico Sun.

Monday, August 04, 2008


ON TV

Nueva York on CUNY TV

Nueva York is a series about Latino culture and public affairs in New York. The 30-minute show explores the rich textures of Latino society in the city, focusing on politics, art, culture, and the traditions of Spanish-speaking populations across the metropolitan area.

Each episode features leaders from the tri-state area's public and cultural spheres sharing their thoughts and accomplishments with viewers. Interviews are hosted by Mexican novelist and critic Carmen Boullosa and Chilean journalist and writer Patricio Lerzundi.

Episodio 33: Escuela Internacional de Brooklyn, Grupo Folklórico y Experimental Nuevayorquino, Juanes, Antonio Skármeta, Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos, del Caribe y Latinos de CUNY-GC, Miriam Colón of the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater

Nueva York airs the first and second Thursdays of the month at 10 a.m., 4 p.m., and 10 p.m. It is repeated on the following Saturdays at 2 p.m. Airing weekly this fall.

CUNY TV is on channel 75 in NYC.

For more information, go to www.cuny.tv.

source: CUNY TV

Unique archaeological discovery in Luquillo

Featured story




Have you ever been to the beach at Luquillo? You know Balneario de Luquillo - La Monserrate, ya that one. Well did you ever imagine that you were swimming over a possible sunken ship? No, what about the the partial remains of a human being? If you're like me you are like no way, not at Luquillo, I've been there hundreds of times. Well, yes way.

Called in to investigate a report of human remains, Wednesday police divers may have made an archaeological discovery in Luquillo: bones and possible artifacts from a colonial-era ship. The divers found a cannon, pieces of a ship, human bones, a sword and a medal engraved with the name Isabel II, said Sgt. Angel Rivera Rodriguez, a spokesman for Puerto Rico's police department.

Divers were dispatched to Playa Monserrate after a fisherman reported finding what he thought were human remains, Rivera said. The artifacts turned up in six different spots across the sea floor, said Laura del Olmo, director of archaeology at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, which sent a team of experts to the site.

According to archeologists, the pieces appear to be from the 17th or 18th century but further analysis is required before their exact age can be confirmed, she said. Divers planned to continue exploring the area for more artifacts, Sgt. Rivera said. -- Mc Don Dees

This article by Mc Don Dees was originally published July 31 in Dondequiera at http://blog.dondees.com.

(photo by wallyg)

Adjuntas, Puerto Rico / Gigante Dormido

Today's featured image from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Oquendo.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Another cute one!


Another cute one!
Originally uploaded by Life Interrupted.
Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Life Interrupted. It was shot at the Fiesta de Santiago Apóstol in Loiza, Puerto Rico.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

@ Rincon Criollo


IMG_9436
Originally uploaded by clarisel.
Pregones Theater performs "Migrants!" at Rincon Criollo in the South Bronx as part of its summer tour. (photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)
Activism




Movement against the federal prosecution of Puerto Rican political prisoners. Video features a recent rally in Brooklyn, NY, protesting the use of a federal grand jury in a current case. See video for details.

For more information on the PR Freedom Project movement, go to http://www.myspace.com/freeourpoliticalprisoners or http://prfreedomproject.org/

sources: PR Freedom Project and DennisFlores.com

Friday, August 01, 2008

Featured story

TKO of Comcast Sets Stage for a Better Internet

Today the FCC delivered a technical knock-out to Comcast. In a landmark decision, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein approved an “enforcement order” that would require Comcast to stop interfering with the use of popular peer-to-peer applications by people on its network.
Today’s FCC move is precedent-setting. It sends a powerful message to phone and cable companies that blocking access to the Internet will not be tolerated. To read the complete blog entry, go to
http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/
In the Mailbox

The board of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights will meet tomorrow in Boston. All board meetings are open to the public.

Here's an excerpt of an e-mail to PRSUN from Victor Vasquez:

We will be addressing strategic issues at our meeting such as the development of a Business Plan to put the organization on more solid financial and organizational foundation. Also, we determined at our Philadelphia meeting in June that this phase of reorganizing the NCPRR would culminate with a National Puerto Rican Convention to be held next year, possibly in Miami, Fl. In addition, we will discuss a draft of a letter that we plan to send to both presidential candidates: John McCain and Barack Obama requesting a meeting between each one of them and a grouping of Puerto Rican national leaders from around the country so that they can specifically address what each will do, if elected, about the needs of Puerto Ricans in the U.S. We do this because there has been virtually no outreach to our community by either candidate.

That is the gist of what we will be discussing tomorrow.


Here's the agenda for anyone interested in attending:

National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
(NCPRR)
National Board

Meeting
August 2

University of Massachusetts
Chancellor’s Conference Room
Boston, Massachusetts


AGENDA


1. Introduction and Welcoming Remarks


2. Review Agenda


3. Updates


4. Work/Business Plan Draft


5. Letters to Presidential Candidates-Draft


6. Next Meetings: October 11, Bronx, New York; January, 17, Miami, Florida

Editor's Note: I, representing Puerto Rico Sun, plan to attend the Bronx meeting.

For more information on the NCPRR, e-mail veteran712004@yahoo.com.

First Dawn


First Dawn
Originally uploaded by Rigglord.
Today's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Ricky "Rigglord" Flores.


First dawn for me at Old San Juan. -- Ricky Flores