PUERTO RICO SUN

The Reading Life By Vivian Lake Puerto Rico Sun Book Editor The Noise of Infinite Longing by Luisita Lopez Torregrosa (Rayo, $24.95, 286 pp) Moving between past and present, Torregrosa begins her recounting when she and her five siblings meet for the first time in 10 years in Texas, after the death of their mother. As the siblings get reacquainted, old conflicts and resentments begin to reappear, old patterns emerge. Torregrosa, the oldest, casts her memory back to Puerto Rico where they were all born, where their parents met and married, where conflicts and the pain they caused originated. As the oldest, she wants to set down the family history and the story of their parents' turbulent marriage for her younger siblings, who have accused her of distancing herself from them. There are other reasons for this which become clear later. At first glance, they seemed like the perfect family. Their mother was an attorney who had been a cheerleader, an equestrienne and st...

source: National Council of La Raza press release Troubling Indicators Signal Need for Initiatives to Reduce Teenage Births and Youth Violence San Juan -- Findings of an 18-month study on the status of children in Puerto Rico, released this week by the National Council of La Raza as part of its KIDS COUNT Puerto Rico Project, underscore the need for the island to reduce teenage births and curb violence against youth. These findings are highlighted in a new report, 2004 KIDS COUNT Puerto Rico Data Book, which offers the first-ever and most comprehensive view to date of children in Puerto Rico and links their overall status to the island's future well-being. "We can share both good and not-so-good news about children and youth in Puerto Rico. Indeed, the book's findings show that there are signs that key health trends are moving in the right direction," noted NCLR President Raul Yzaguirre. Specifically, highlights of the study show that the percentage of low ...

our culture, our history Interesting site to visit: http://www.boricuazo.com/ (a site in Spanish) It has interesting features including: * a cool section called "Reto Borincano" which challenges your knowledge. Take the test -- let's see how good you do. * a photo gallery called "Encantos del Paraiso" featuring different towns. * historical information and interesting research on stuff you probably didn't know about boricuas.

Education Corner Taking Latino Generations to a Supernatural Dimension By Manuel Hernández In a universal world where the “natural world” governs many of our educational outcomes, it is necessary that we Latino leaders take the present and up and coming generations to live within a supernatural dimension. For American Latinos to have a leadership role in the world of American politics, education, higher education, science, computers, cyber-space, high-tech and global enterprise, the American educational system must produce supernatural leaders who can become pro-active visionaries in all institutions in the United States. Although Latinos have gained ground in sports, fashion, music and entertainment, they continue to lag behind in education. Thus, a transition from the naturalto the supernatural dimension is essential. Only then will we obtain results and take the Latino generations into a supernatural dimension where academic results become part of our every day lives. In...

pr politics Want to know more about the three major political parties in Puerto Rico? Want to know more about the candidates running for governor? Take a look at the following sites: The pro-commonwealth Popular Democratic Party (gubernatorial candidate is Resident Commissioner Anibal Acevedo Vila): www.ppdpr.net (site features surveys and questions, videoclips, news and party information) The pro-statehood New Progressive Party (gubernatorial candidate is former Gov. Pedro Rossello): www.rossello.com (site features a mailbox to write to Rossello, a virtual chat, photo gallery and information.) The Puerto Rican Independence Party (gubernatorial candidate is the PIP's Ruben Berrios Martinez): www.independencia.net (site features news and columns, party information and photos. Information is available in English and Spanish at this site. Worth visiting all the sites. The elections in Puerto Rico are in November.