Cinco De Mayo

Wednesday, May 5, HispanicOhio.com is celebrating Cinco de Mayo by bringing  you FREE access to both The-Chronicle-Telegram E-edition and the Medina-Gazette E-edition!

Both of these Award winning daily newspapers offer an innovative digital product called “E-edition” which allows users to view the daily newspaper online, just as they would in print.

A great feature these E-editions offer is the ability to translate the articles into Spanish, by selection Spanish from the display menu.  This allows many who are more comfortable with reading Spanish to keep up with current events.

To view the Chronicle Telegram E-edition, click here.

To view the Medina Gazette E-edition, click here.

We hope you check out the E-editions and have a great Cinco De Mayo!

Latinos fight BMV plan for registrations – Cincinnati.com

10TV

Latinos fight BMV plan for registrations Cincinnati.com CARTHAGE – Latino groups and business owners rallied to support a court action Tuesday to block … Latino group sues to stop state from canceling vehicle registrationsColumbus Dispatch Latino group sues Ohio, says new vehicle registration rules unfair to non …Plain Dealer Hispanic Groups Claim DiscriminationWKRC TV Cincinnati La Prensa -10TV all 20 news articles »

Mexican Day of the Dead event a way to remember loved ones – Columbus Dispatch

Columbus Dispatch

Mexican Day of the Dead event a way to remember loved ones Columbus Dispatch Leticia Vazquez-Smith of the Latino Arts for Humanity, sponsor of the event, lights a candle at an altar. A postcard reprint of the …

Latino Fest comes alive in Lorain

Lorain and Lorain County’s Hispanic community marked the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month with Latino Fest Sunday at Lakeview Park in Lorain.

Festival-goers enjoyed performances by Lorain dance troupes Alma de Mexico and Raices Latinas, several groups from the greater Cleveland area and feature performer soul singer Justo Saborit.

Food included pastelillos, rice and beans and pork sandwiches from the Lorain Puerto Rican Home and tacos and burritos from the Mexican Mutual Club.

2009 marked the second year for Lorain’s Latino Fest. Festival organizers last year planned for hundreds to attend and wound up with thousands. This year’s attendance looked on par to reach or surpass that mark.

Latino Fest Sunday in Lorain

Everyone knows when African American History Month is, according to Richard Romero. (In case you don’t, it’s February.)

Fewer people, though, are aware that the Hispanic community has a month all its own.

“I noticed that Lorain County doesn’t have a lot going on with regards to National Hispanic Heritage Month” Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Romero said.

Romero and some other members of the Latino community went about trying to change that last year when they held the first Latino Fest at Lorain’s Lakeview Park.

“We wanted to take the time to recognize our culture and the contributions we make,” said Romero, who is Puerto Rican.

The festival’s first year was extremely successful, Romero said.

“We were a little bit surprised with the tremendous turnout,” he said. “We thought maybe a few hundred people would come. We had thousands show up.”

He expects the same for this year’s festival, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Lakeview.

He says the festival is a celebration of Hispanic culture, music, food and art.

Latin soul singer Justo Saborit is the feature act, with performances at 3 and 6 p.m. Also performing are two of Lorain’s own dance troupes, Alma de Mexico and Raices Latinas, as well as La Isla del Encanto, Mariachi Mexico and Voices de la Calle from the Cleveland area.

Also on display will be photography by Joseph Carrion and examples of Mexican and Puerto Rican artwork.

Food — Puerto Rican pastelillos, rice and beans and roast pork sandwiches and Mexican tacos and burritos — will be available for purchase from the Puerto Rican Home and Mexican Mutual Club.

The festival is as much for non-Latinos as for Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and other Hispanic groups, Romero said. Besides food and entertainment, festival attendees can pick up a little information about the contributions Hispanics have made here in the United States.

“We put together a program booklet,” Romero said. “It’s a ‘Did you know?’ of highlights of Hispanic history.”

Among those highlights? Hispanics have won more congressional medals of honor than any other ethnic group, Romero said.

“There’s some famous movie stars people would have never guessed are Hispanic,” such as Rita Hayworth and Wonder Woman Lynda Carter, Romero said. “You tell people, and they say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that.’ ”

Cesar Chavez, one of the greatest labor leaders in the country, was Mexican American, Romero said. “He worked hard to make sure people were being treated fairly.”

Another big hero to a lot of Puerto Ricans is baseball player Roberto Clemente. He’s remembered, less for his playing than for what he did in the offseason, Romero said.

“He started baseball camps and sent food to people in poorer countries,” Romero said. Clemente died in an airplane accident as he was taking food to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua.

National Hispanic History Month itself has an interesting story, according to Romero.

The observance was first authorized as a week by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 and was changed to month-long celebration in 1988. It starts in the middle of the month because Sept. 15 marks the independence day for five Latin American countries, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence Sept. 16, and Chile, Sept. 18.

“We want to take the time to recognize our culture and the contributions we make,” said Romero, who wears a number of hats, most of them relating to his Puerto Rican culture. He’s vice president of the Ohio Commission on Hispanic-Latino Affairs, CEO of the Lorain County Multicul-tural Business Center and president of the Latino Media Network. He’s been to Puerto Rico more than a dozen times, most recently for his brother Robert’s wedding in July.

Joel Arrendondo, who’s Lorain City Council president as well as president of Mexican Mutual, called the festival “a long time coming.”

“We’ve had the Hispanic Heritage Month for a number of years, and thanks to Richard Romero and (festival coordinator) Mary Santiago, we were able to get this off the ground last year,” he said. “It was very well received. The performances and the venue were great, and the community at large came out, not just the Hispanic community.”

Romero agreed.

Attendance is “a big mix of people, and that’s how I want it,” he said. “It’s an event where Latinos and non-Latinos can enjoy each other’s company and share their pride.

Natalie Rodriquez, who was crowned queen of the 2008 International Festival, went to last year’s Latino Fest and is looking forward to Sunday.

“Having the opportunity to celebrate my Mexican culture is very important to me and my family,” she said. “The International Festival gives Lorain a chance to celebrate the multitude of cultures here, and the Latino Fest gives the Hispanic community of Lorain a chance to celebrate. It’s full of great entertainment and of course all the great food that comes from the Hispanic culture.”

“What I hope they walk away is a sense of what a beautiful culture the Hispanic community has to offer,” Romero said. “The music, the colors, the costumes — it’s good food, good music, good people, and it’s alive and well in Lorain County.”

Contact Rona Proudfoot at 329-7124 or rproudfoot@chroniclet.com.

Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15th – Oct. 15th

This year’s theme recognizes the fortitude and strength of Hispanic Americans.

Hispanic Americans have shaped society with our unique culture and our love of family and country.

About National Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

About This Year’s Theme:

On April 18, 2009, the membership of the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (HEPM) voted on the top five themes selected during the national theme voting period from March 19 to April 3. The winning theme was submitted by Jorge Ponce, Director of the Policy and Evaluation Division at the Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC. The National Council extends its congratulations and sincere thanks to Mr. Ponce for his participation and contribution of this year’s winning theme.

SOURCE:http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov

Advocacy group begins Census education project for Latinos

The Associated Press

A legal advocacy group is starting an education and awareness campaign encouraging Latinos in Ohio and 10 other midwestern states to participate in the 2010 Census.

A Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund spokeswoman in Chicago says it’s crucial for minorities to be accurately counted. But she says many challenges exist in getting the count, including a mistrust of government officials among some immigrants.

The campaign, to be launched Wednesday, includes fliers in English and Spanish.

Census data is used to decide how billions in federal funds are distributed. Forms asking questions on race, age and gender are mailed to each household next February and March.

The states involved in MALDEF’s program are Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Sacred Heart Festival this weekend

Sacred Heart Chapel, a Hispanic church in South Lorain, holds its annual festival this weekend — 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday, and from after noon Mass till 11 p.m. Sunday at the church, 4301 Pearl Ave., Lorain. The parade is noon Saturday. For more info, call the church office at (440) 277-7231.

Easter Seals still working toward 1 million penny goal

Easter Seals Northern Ohio, the 2009 Lorain International Festival spotlight industry, fell well short of its goal to collect 1 million pennies during the festival but hasn’t given up and will continue collecting pennies at its main office, 41641 North Ridge Road in Elyria Township, through Aug. 31.

A total of $410 (41,000 pennies) was collected, according to Easter Seals spokeswoman Denise Roe. That included a woman who brought $226 in rolled pennies to the festival bazaar at Black River Landing.

To collect 1 million pennies ($10,000) in one week “would be an amazing feat in our economy,” Sheila Dunn, Easter Seals president and CEO, had said. “The need for our services has greatly increased this year. Every penny raised will help make a difference in the lives of Easter Seals clients. Programs such as speech therapy homecare, equipment loan and camp scholarships help people with disabilities gain greater independence.”

A donation of 500 pennies ($5) provides craft materials for 10 children at one of Easter Seals’ summer programs. A gift of 2,500 pennies ($25) provides 15 minutes of speech therapy.

Easter Seals, which was founded in Elyria 90 years ago, provides services to help children and adults with disabilities live with equality, dignity and independence. Easter Seals Northern Ohio assists over 5,000 individuals annually.

Lorain International Festival Parade winners announced

Andrea Miceli, first-time chairwoman for the Lorain International Festival parade, called the 2009 parade a “memorable success.”

A rainy Sunday morning gave way to bright sunshine just as the parade stepped off at 11:30 a.m.

More 110 units from Lorain County and visiting royalty from all over Ohio, made their way down Broadway and past the grandstand at City Hall. There grand marshal Antonio Barrios and honorary grand marshal Joe Skodny waved the entrants on.

Lorain International Association President Terri Soto was the first woman to announce the parade.

Two judges from All American Judges evaluated the units based on criteria such as presentation, creativity and marching style.

The 2009 winners are:

Nationality float

1. Hungarian national float
2. St. Clements Macedonia dance group
3. Tatra Highlanders Polish Folklore Dancers

Commercial float

1. Lorain County Community College
2. Willow Rental LLC
3. Lorain County Metropolitan Housing Authority/Resident Assistance Watch Program

Noncommercial float

1. Lorain Palace Youth Theater
2. El Centro
3. Academy of Arts and Sciences and Lorain Preparatory Academy

Visiting royalty

1. Erie County Fair
2. Ohio Swiss Festival
3. Berlin Heights Basket Festival

Senior color corps

1. Lorain County sheriff’s auxiliary color guard

Juvenile baton Unit

1. The Deputies baton, flag and drum corps

Junior baton unit

1. The Deputies baton, flag and drum corps

Senior baton unit

1. The Deputies baton, flag and drum corps

Junior Drill Team

1. African Royalty drill team

Senior drill team

1. Royal Canadian Legion ladies drill team

Marching unit

1. Lorain Admiral King cheerleaders
2. Stone Sports Saints cheerleaders

Motorcycle unit

1. DWD Motor Sport bike club
2. Lorain County sheriff

Novelty

1. Al Koran Shriners and Lorain County Fire Brigade
2. Lorain Public Library System
3. Lorain Lions Club

Military

1. Ohio Army National Guard

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