Education

Centro's latest Policy Brief is now available on the website at www.centropr.org. "The Economic Consequences of Inadequate Education for the Puerto Rican Population in the United States" was conducted by Dr. Clive R. Belfield of the Economics Department of Queens College, CUNY.
Belfield uses demographic data to calculate the economic costs to the individual, state, and community of each Puerto Rican in the United States who does not graduate from high school. He shows that increasing funding for programs that would increase high school graduation rates in Puerto Rican communities would be far cheaper and more efficient than allowing so many young people to leave high school early. The report is available for downloading.
Check it out.

source: Centro

On the Puerto Rico Quarter

Que cool. La Isla del Encanto will soon have a U.S. Mint commemorative quarter. The U.S. Treasury earlier this week approved the design of the coin, which will be part of the popular U.S. states' series and will feature a little Spanish. I like that!

I can't wait to get my peseta, which also will feature a garita looking out to the sea and Puerto Rico's official "state" flower, the hibiscus.

The coin will begin circulating in March.

One of the biggest movers and shakers to get the Puerto Rico quarter approved was boricua Congressman Jose Serrano who represents the South Bronx.

At his Facebook site, Serrano states that he is "happy that, as a result of his law, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and all the territories will now be included in the quarters program."

For more information about the Puerto Rico quarter, go to
http://coins.coinupdate.com/puerto-rico-quarter/ -- Clarisel Gonzalez

Editor's Note: Here's a link to a report I wrote on this topic last year:
http://puerto-rico.suite101.com/article.cfm/puerto_rico_to_get_a_quarter

Cemi Cinema kicks off with Corretjer film

Cemi Underground, the boricua/Latino shop in NYC's El Barrio, is launching its Cemi Cinema with Yo, Juan Antonio Corretjer Montes, a short Spanish film about Puerto Rico's national poet. Cemi Cinema will showcase independent films.
3 p.m., Saturday, December 20
Admission: $7

For more information on this and other events going on at Cemi Underground, go to
www.cemiunderground.com.

Welcome to PR

Welcome to PR
Originally uploaded by cintron22.

Today's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by cintron22.

In the Mailbox

Saludos from our friends at the National Institute for Latino Policy

Why I Cherish the Parranda en El Barrio

Navidad Criolla

Last weekend I went to the Parranda en El Barrio and had a great time. For those that missed this year's Traditional Puerto Rican Christmas celebration in East Harlem, mark your calendars for next year. Once again the Parranda met and exceeded my expectations. The place was beautiful, the food was plentiful (and good!!) and the songs timeless! The band Cholo Rivera y Salsa typica (which sometimes goes by the name Charanga Blues) was exceptional.

We were greeted with coquito and bowls of candy from Puerto Rico. The host, Dr. Anna Villafane, made everyone feel at home. This year guests were also given beautiful maracas, which I will cherish forever!

Because of the Parranda's growing popularity, organizers might have to move the event next year to accommodate the increasing crowds. It will be great to keep the Parranda in El Barrio though.



Despite the Parranda's growth, the key ingredient that must remain the same is the welcoming and giving environment that Villafane offers. As my home body Aunt Lucy who shocked us by joining us to the Parranda said, “I’m coming next year!”

It was a difficult decision for my family to go to this year's Parranda due to my brother's death. But I’m glad we went because we need to celebrate life and the things that bring us joy.

It was great to see good friends from Jersey City. Sonia, it was especially wonderful to see you. Thanks for the beer girl. I really needed it!

Last year, I met Iris Barreto at the Parranda and am honored to now have her as a friend. She sat at my family's table this year.

My friends, I hope to see more of you at this wonderful traditional event next year. You too might make a great friend or get the chance to reconnect with old friends.


Merry Christmas! -- Rosa Valentin


Rosa Valentin contributed this article to Puerto Rico Sun.


Editor's note: Organizers say that proceeds from this year's Parranda will go to Escuela Dr. Jose Ramos Lebron Sector de la Playa de Fajardo, Puerto Rico. See related November 19 entry in this blog.

(Photos by Clarence Elie-Rivera)

Boricuation Honors PRSUN Communications

IMG_2350
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

Boricuation honors me with a certificate of appreciation for my work with the Puerto Rican community as part of Puerto Rico Sun Communications. I was a guest on Boricuation's Cultural Afternoon radio show last Sunday and was given this nice surprise. I was interviewed as part of Boricuation's Boricua Entrepreneur Series at the radio station located on Avenida Puerto Rico (aka Graham Avenue) in Brooklyn. Boricuation says I am the first guest they have honored with this certificate. Que honor. Gracias.
From left, Jose Medina, founder and CEO, Boricuation Cultural Foundation and www.boricuation.com, me, and painter and Boricuation radio co-host Aguilar Marrero.
Thank you Boricuation for your support of Puerto Rico Sun Communications, a community-minded independent multimedia social entrepreneurship. -- Clarisel

(photo by G-Positive)

Featured PRSUN Video: A day at the beach

Today's featured video is by NeitherFanBoy of the PRSUN Video group at flickr. This was shot at a beach in Manati, Puerto Rico.

Yomo

IMG_2338
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

Yomo Toro plays the cuatro @ the Mis Banderas (Puerto Rico and Cuba) concert, Hostos Community College.
For more photos of Saturday's concert, go to
www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel. Click on the Bronx '08 set.

Michael Reyes of 'Crime Against Humanity'

IMG_2239
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

Michael Reyes, who co-wrote and acts in "Crime Against Humanity" at Hostos Community College in the Bronx, talks with audience members after the New York premiere of his play about Puerto Rico's political prisoners last Friday.

Check out an interview with Michael Reyes right here at www.prsun.blogspot.com. (December 10 entry)

Reyes says he hopes to add more NY performances at smaller, more intimate venues.

For more photos from the New York premiere of "Crime Against Humanity," go to www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel. Click on the Bronx '08 set.

Cerro de Punta

Cerro de Punta
Originally uploaded by brendon.m.

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

PRSUN @ Boricuation Radio

PRSUN @ Boricuation Radio
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

I will be a guest on Boricuation Cultural Afternoon Internet Radio Show at 4 p.m. tomorrow. I will be speaking about Puerto Rico Sun Communications, a community-minded independent multimedia social entrepreneurship. This is part of Boricuation's Boricua Entrepreneur Series.

Tune or call in.

For more information, go to www.boricuation.ning.com or www.boricuation.com.

Support community media.

Noches de Invierno Caribeño

Noches de Invierno Caribeño
Originally uploaded by haymaco.

Today's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by haymaco. Photo depicts a winter night on the island.