Crime
Weapons that fuel island's drug war often from Florida
More than 200 Puerto Rico police officers and federal agents with assault rifles and sidearms swarm out of a station near San Juan in the middle of the night.
For more,
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/orl-asecprguns19031907mar19,0,4243914.story?track=rss
Monday, March 19, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Velazquez tries to solve Puerto Rico status limbo
By Julie Shapiro
Congressmember Nydia Velazquez wants to put decisions about Puerto Rico’s future back in the hands of Puerto Ricans. A commonwealth — neither a state nor an independent country — Puerto Rico is often caught in the middle of a heated debate about its identity.
At the end of last month, Velazquez introduced the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2007. The bill, with 25 co-sponsors, describes a process for Puerto Ricans to decide the status of their home.
“Any proposal regarding the future of Puerto Rico must first come from Puerto Ricans,” said Velazquez, who was born on the island. “Self-determination needs to come from the people of the island — to do otherwise would be tampering with their free will.”
A Democrat, Velazquez represents most of the Lower East Side, much of the East Village and parts of Brooklyn, including Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights and Gowanus. Her 12th Congressional District has a large Puerto Rican constituency.
To read the complete article, go to www.thevillager.com.
By Julie Shapiro
Congressmember Nydia Velazquez wants to put decisions about Puerto Rico’s future back in the hands of Puerto Ricans. A commonwealth — neither a state nor an independent country — Puerto Rico is often caught in the middle of a heated debate about its identity.
At the end of last month, Velazquez introduced the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2007. The bill, with 25 co-sponsors, describes a process for Puerto Ricans to decide the status of their home.
“Any proposal regarding the future of Puerto Rico must first come from Puerto Ricans,” said Velazquez, who was born on the island. “Self-determination needs to come from the people of the island — to do otherwise would be tampering with their free will.”
A Democrat, Velazquez represents most of the Lower East Side, much of the East Village and parts of Brooklyn, including Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights and Gowanus. Her 12th Congressional District has a large Puerto Rican constituency.
To read the complete article, go to www.thevillager.com.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
In and Out in the Bronx
By: CHRISTOPHER MURRAY
José Orlando Serrano was born in Puerto Rico 41 years ago in a valley surrounded by mountains called Las Tetas des Cayey - the tits of Cayey- named for the little town that acted as a center of agricultural commerce for the region between San Juan and the south.
The son of a mechanic and a devoutly religious mother who sewed in a factory, Serrano was young when his parents divorced. He became a Catholic priest and spent the last 20 years as part of the Church's efforts to help rural communities in the Dominican Republic. A significant commitment for someone who spent but a month as an altar boy, having been kicked out for making too many jokes with the other youths.
In mid-2005, after much thought, Serrano insisted to his superiors in the Church that he be given a sabbatical to consider his vocation. He came to New York speaking only very limited English and lived in a rectory in the Bronx. This past October, he made the decision to leave the priesthood and live life openly as a gay man.
source: Gay City News
For the complete article, go to
http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18084704&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=569341&rfi=6
By: CHRISTOPHER MURRAY
José Orlando Serrano was born in Puerto Rico 41 years ago in a valley surrounded by mountains called Las Tetas des Cayey - the tits of Cayey- named for the little town that acted as a center of agricultural commerce for the region between San Juan and the south.
The son of a mechanic and a devoutly religious mother who sewed in a factory, Serrano was young when his parents divorced. He became a Catholic priest and spent the last 20 years as part of the Church's efforts to help rural communities in the Dominican Republic. A significant commitment for someone who spent but a month as an altar boy, having been kicked out for making too many jokes with the other youths.
In mid-2005, after much thought, Serrano insisted to his superiors in the Church that he be given a sabbatical to consider his vocation. He came to New York speaking only very limited English and lived in a rectory in the Bronx. This past October, he made the decision to leave the priesthood and live life openly as a gay man.
source: Gay City News
For the complete article, go to
http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18084704&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=569341&rfi=6
Monday, March 12, 2007
Community Calendar
Two Events Honoring Julia de Burgos in El Barrio
Friday, March 16
Official Street Naming Ceremony in Honor of Julia de Burgos (Julia de Burgos Boulevard)
11 a.m. - South East corner of 106th Street and Lexington Avenue
Born in 1914, de Burgos was one of the foremost poets to come out of Puerto Rico in the first half of the twentieth century. Modern critics have noted that her poetry anticipated the work of feminist writers and poets as well as that of other Hispanic authors. A resident of El Barrio, Julia de Burgos died here on July 6, 1953 at the age of 39, and she continues to represent the rich artistic and cultural contributions of Latinos in New York City. This ceremony also complements the newly installed mosaic portrait of the poet on the corner of 106th Street and Lexington Avenue by artist Manny Vega. The event is organized by NYC Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and El Museo del Barrio, and co-sponsored by Hope Community and the East Harlem Preservation Organization. Admission: Free.
An Evening of Readings in Honor of Julia de Burgos
Friday, March 16, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Celebrate the work of Julia de Burgos at this special evening of readings at El Museo's Teatro Heckscher. Her poetry will be presented in Spanish and English by poets Carmen D. Lucca and Alma Villegas. Light refreshments will be served. Admission: Free. For advance registration, e-mail public_programs@elmuseo.org.
source: El Museo del Barrio
Two Events Honoring Julia de Burgos in El Barrio
Friday, March 16
Official Street Naming Ceremony in Honor of Julia de Burgos (Julia de Burgos Boulevard)
11 a.m. - South East corner of 106th Street and Lexington Avenue
Born in 1914, de Burgos was one of the foremost poets to come out of Puerto Rico in the first half of the twentieth century. Modern critics have noted that her poetry anticipated the work of feminist writers and poets as well as that of other Hispanic authors. A resident of El Barrio, Julia de Burgos died here on July 6, 1953 at the age of 39, and she continues to represent the rich artistic and cultural contributions of Latinos in New York City. This ceremony also complements the newly installed mosaic portrait of the poet on the corner of 106th Street and Lexington Avenue by artist Manny Vega. The event is organized by NYC Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and El Museo del Barrio, and co-sponsored by Hope Community and the East Harlem Preservation Organization. Admission: Free.
An Evening of Readings in Honor of Julia de Burgos
Friday, March 16, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Celebrate the work of Julia de Burgos at this special evening of readings at El Museo's Teatro Heckscher. Her poetry will be presented in Spanish and English by poets Carmen D. Lucca and Alma Villegas. Light refreshments will be served. Admission: Free. For advance registration, e-mail public_programs@elmuseo.org.
source: El Museo del Barrio
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Community calendar
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary--
EL TEATRO RODANTE PUERTORRIQUEÑO/THE PUERTO RICAN TRAVELING THEATRE
PRESENTS LATINA POETS FESTIVAL
Come and join some of the hottest, cutting edge Latina poets and performers
in an exciting festival in the heart of Broadway
with…
Sandra María Esteves, Mariposa, La Bruja,
Prisionera, Linda Nieves Powell, Patty Dukes,
Carmen de Lucca, Dra. Myrna Nieves, Rhina Valentín,
Carmen Valle and Lourdes Vazquez,
with special performances by
Soledad Romero and Jazmin Caratini
MARCH 8TH to 18TH 2007
THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS at 8:00PM
SUNDAYS at 3:00PM
Directed and Produced by Miriam Colón
Co-produced by Jack Ladrón
Tickets: 212-354-1293
Tickets also available through www.
Puerto Rican Traveling Theater is located at
304 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues
New York, NY 10036
www.prtt.org
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary--
EL TEATRO RODANTE PUERTORRIQUEÑO/THE PUERTO RICAN TRAVELING THEATRE
PRESENTS LATINA POETS FESTIVAL
Come and join some of the hottest, cutting edge Latina poets and performers
in an exciting festival in the heart of Broadway
with…
Sandra María Esteves, Mariposa, La Bruja,
Prisionera, Linda Nieves Powell, Patty Dukes,
Carmen de Lucca, Dra. Myrna Nieves, Rhina Valentín,
Carmen Valle and Lourdes Vazquez,
with special performances by
Soledad Romero and Jazmin Caratini
MARCH 8TH to 18TH 2007
THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS at 8:00PM
SUNDAYS at 3:00PM
Directed and Produced by Miriam Colón
Co-produced by Jack Ladrón
Tickets: 212-354-1293
Tickets also available through www.
Puerto Rican Traveling Theater is located at
304 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues
New York, NY 10036
www.prtt.org
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Puerto Rican lawmakers urge decision on island's status
Puerto Ricans living on the mainland as well as on the island should have the right to participate in a constitutional convention that would help decide the political status of the territory, several lawmakers and Puerto Rico Gov. Anibal Acevedo-Vila¡ said Tuesday.
For more, go to
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/orl-bk-puertorico-022707,0,3010318.story?track=rss
source: Orlando Sentinel
Puerto Ricans living on the mainland as well as on the island should have the right to participate in a constitutional convention that would help decide the political status of the territory, several lawmakers and Puerto Rico Gov. Anibal Acevedo-Vila¡ said Tuesday.
For more, go to
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/orl-bk-puertorico-022707,0,3010318.story?track=rss
source: Orlando Sentinel
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Looking for Puerto Rican Artists
The Institute for Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (IPRAC) is building its permanent home in the historic Humboldt Park Stables, a building culturally significant to Chicago and embraced by the people of Puerto Rican descent who have settled in the Humboldt Park community. The restoration of this architectural and historic treasure will serve as a stimulating setting for IPRAC's exhibitions and cultural activities and will open this fall. Upon completion, IPRAC will represent the only institution on the continental U.S. devoted solely to Puerto Rican arts and culture. As part of the Institute's permanent exhibitions, IPRAC is seeking an artist to design and create a map of Puerto Rico for the Stable's outdoor courtyard. This map will be featured at the grand opening this fall and will be located in the center of the courtyard within a circle of commemorative bricks measuring approximately 19 feet in diameter.
For more info., go to www.virtualboricua.org.
The Institute for Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (IPRAC) is building its permanent home in the historic Humboldt Park Stables, a building culturally significant to Chicago and embraced by the people of Puerto Rican descent who have settled in the Humboldt Park community. The restoration of this architectural and historic treasure will serve as a stimulating setting for IPRAC's exhibitions and cultural activities and will open this fall. Upon completion, IPRAC will represent the only institution on the continental U.S. devoted solely to Puerto Rican arts and culture. As part of the Institute's permanent exhibitions, IPRAC is seeking an artist to design and create a map of Puerto Rico for the Stable's outdoor courtyard. This map will be featured at the grand opening this fall and will be located in the center of the courtyard within a circle of commemorative bricks measuring approximately 19 feet in diameter.
For more info., go to www.virtualboricua.org.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Education
New Latino Youth Programs Comes to East Harlem
Taking Steps to Success Program for Hispanic High School Students
Washington, DC –The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., will join with one of its Affiliates, PROMESA: East Harlem Council for Community Improvement, Inc. (PROMESA/EHCCI), and the PepsiCo Foundation to launch a new program that encourages and helps Latino youth to graduate from high school, prepare for college, and explore career opportunities. PROMESA/EHCCI will be the site of the first Escalera: Taking Steps to Success program in New York. The program launch will take place on Thursday, February 22, at PROMESA: EHCCI, located at 413 East 120th Street in New York, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
The pilot program for Escalera was launched in 2002 by NCLR with support from the PepsiCo Foundation and PepsiCo Inc as one strategy to increase the number of Latino students who graduate from high school. The program provides support and services that improve opportunities for Hispanic youth to attend college and attain the skills needed for high-paying jobs. To date, 98% of students enrolled in the initial Escalera pilot in Los Angeles and in a similar program in Chicago have completed the program, and 96% of those who completed it have been accepted into college.
Speakers at the Escalera launch include: Ruben Medina, CEO, PROMESA; Raul Rodriguez, Executive Director, EHCCI; Claire Lyons, Global Grant Program Manager, PepsiCo Foundation; Michelle Jordan, Senior Manager of Strategic Community Partnerships, PepsiCo, Inc.; Sonia M. Pérez, Vice President, Affiliate Member Services, NCLR; and a high school student enrolled in the new Escalera program in East Harlem.
New Latino Youth Programs Comes to East Harlem
Taking Steps to Success Program for Hispanic High School Students
Washington, DC –The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., will join with one of its Affiliates, PROMESA: East Harlem Council for Community Improvement, Inc. (PROMESA/EHCCI), and the PepsiCo Foundation to launch a new program that encourages and helps Latino youth to graduate from high school, prepare for college, and explore career opportunities. PROMESA/EHCCI will be the site of the first Escalera: Taking Steps to Success program in New York. The program launch will take place on Thursday, February 22, at PROMESA: EHCCI, located at 413 East 120th Street in New York, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
The pilot program for Escalera was launched in 2002 by NCLR with support from the PepsiCo Foundation and PepsiCo Inc as one strategy to increase the number of Latino students who graduate from high school. The program provides support and services that improve opportunities for Hispanic youth to attend college and attain the skills needed for high-paying jobs. To date, 98% of students enrolled in the initial Escalera pilot in Los Angeles and in a similar program in Chicago have completed the program, and 96% of those who completed it have been accepted into college.
Speakers at the Escalera launch include: Ruben Medina, CEO, PROMESA; Raul Rodriguez, Executive Director, EHCCI; Claire Lyons, Global Grant Program Manager, PepsiCo Foundation; Michelle Jordan, Senior Manager of Strategic Community Partnerships, PepsiCo, Inc.; Sonia M. Pérez, Vice President, Affiliate Member Services, NCLR; and a high school student enrolled in the new Escalera program in East Harlem.
Community Calendar
The CUNY Puerto Rican/Latino Studies Council
The Department of Puerto Rican and Latin American Studies
at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
National Institute for Latino Policy
PRESENT A FORUM ON THE FUTURE OF LATINO/A STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Suzanne Oboler
Associate Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies,
University of Illinois, Chicago
and Editor of the Latino Studies Journal (Palgrave)
Raymond Rocco
Associate Professor of Political Science,
University of California at Los Angeles
and Associate Editor of the Latino Studies Journal
Introductions
Gabriel Haslip-Viera
Chair, Department of Sociology,
The City College of CUNY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2007
3:30 to 5 p.m.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
899 Tenth Avenue, Room 431 (4th Floor)
(and 59th Street in Mnahattan)
Admission: Free
source: National Institute for Latino Policy
The CUNY Puerto Rican/Latino Studies Council
The Department of Puerto Rican and Latin American Studies
at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
National Institute for Latino Policy
PRESENT A FORUM ON THE FUTURE OF LATINO/A STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Suzanne Oboler
Associate Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies,
University of Illinois, Chicago
and Editor of the Latino Studies Journal (Palgrave)
Raymond Rocco
Associate Professor of Political Science,
University of California at Los Angeles
and Associate Editor of the Latino Studies Journal
Introductions
Gabriel Haslip-Viera
Chair, Department of Sociology,
The City College of CUNY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2007
3:30 to 5 p.m.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
899 Tenth Avenue, Room 431 (4th Floor)
(and 59th Street in Mnahattan)
Admission: Free
source: National Institute for Latino Policy
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