By Lourdes Vázquez

A Bolingbrook High School freshman was accidentally shot and killed while playing Russian roulette. The victim, Tatiana Cannon, believed the gun wasn’t loaded.

“Unfortunately it was loaded and when he aimed it at Tatiana and fired, it struck her,” J.R. Strickland, a friend of Cannon said. “It was just something that should have been avoided all together.”

Cannon died a week before her 14th birthday.

In remembrance of those Chicago Public School (CPS) students killed by violence, students from Mitchell Elementary School created an ofrenda or an alter during the Day of The Dead.
(Photo courtesy of CPS)

According to the Chicago Police Department, there have been 256 homicides this year. Homicide rates are up and youth violence has increased. In this school year alone, 13 Chicago Public School students have been killed, said CPS spokesperson, Michael Vaughn.

According to Francisco Pérez, director of outreach services for CeaseFire – an evidence-based public health approach to reducing shootings and killings – the surge of violence is a result of the failed economy and the budget cuts throughout various agencies.

“All of these are sociable issues contributing to the spike in violence,” Pérez said. “I have no doubt that if we had the man power, we would be able to have an impact in the city of Chicago.”

Chicago Police Department Juvenile Division officer Sgt. Burke attributes the increase to drugs and gangs, but also the home life of students.

“Some [students] come from single family homes,” said Sgt. Burke “[They] don’t have the nuclear family.”
Strickland worked alongside Chris Porter, Nailah Simms, Alijah Villian and Jerry Strickland on a Ceasefire documentary, produced by Four-Sixteen, Strickland’s production company. The group went to a West Side neighborhood block party to take back the streets for one day and rid it of drugs and gangs.

“It was a block party for kids and families that barely even see their own street,” Strickland said. “If we just stop glorifying these weapons then we can start to see that decrease in violence we desperately need.”

Although Strickland believes parents are not the only ones responsible for the violence, he said that everyone has an obligation to speak out against guns whenever they have the chance.

In remembrance of those CPS students killed by violence, teacher Julie Toole and students from Mitchell Elementary School created an ofrenda or an alter during the Day of the Dead.

“[Mitchell] wanted to honor students whose lives had been cut too short due to gun violence,” Anitra Schulte, CPS spokesperson said.

Students became inspired after visiting the Mexican Fine Arts Museum exhibit on the Day of the Dead.

Although school could appear to be a safe haven from violence, that is not always the case.

Continue reading Youth Violence Continues to Increase

Filed 6 de Diciembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By Silvana Tabares

The Mexican Civic Society of Illinois celebrated the 98th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution with the only surviving son of Pancho Villa, Don Ernesto Nava Villa, during a reception at the National Museum of Mexican Art on Nov. 19.

Don Ernesto Nava Villa, 93 and his son Raul Nava 51, said they were both honored to commemorate Mexican history with Chicago residents.

The Mexican Civic Society of Illinois commemorated the 98th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution with Don Ernesto Nava Villa, Pancho Villa's only surviving son.
Photo: Silvana Tabares / EXTRA

“It was a great pleasure to be representing my father tonight,” Don Ernesto Nava Villa said. “I would like to thank and extend my gratitude to those that continue to hold my father in [their] memory.”
Susana Nava was one among those that attended the reception to learn more about the life of the revolutionary icon.

“Pancho Villa was a hero for the Mexican people,” she said.
Villa, a Mexican revolutionary leader, was an iconic figure that stole from the rich to help the poor. Eduardo Rodríguez, president of the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois, said it is important to remember the history of the Mexican Revolution.

“Our children [need] know where they come from and understand the history of both countries, [the U.S. and México],” Rodríguez said.

When Don Ernesto Nava Villa was a young boy, his mother told him never to tell anyone he was the son of Villa, due to fear of retaliation.

Finish reading The Son of Pancho Villa: Legacy of a Mexican revolutionary general

Filed 1 de Diciembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

by Silvana Tabares

For the Álvarez family, this Thanksgiving Day will be a much brighter one. The current economic situation has affected them – like so many families in the city – and they were unable to afford a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year.

But thanks to an effort by Jewel-Osco to raise awareness about the growing need for hunger relief among Latinos, thousands of turkey meals will be donated throughout the holiday season to eight nonprofit organizations including Association House, Christopher House, El Hogar del Niño, El Valor, Erie Neighborhood House, Instituto del Progresso Latino, Mujeres Latinas en Accion and Casa Central. The initiative will feed about 5,500 people on Thanksgiving Day.

The Álvarez family is one out of 200 families from Casa Central that received a turkey dinner meal on Nov. 19. Armen Álvarez, a mother of four children, said she could relate to other mothers who are struggling in the current economic situation.

As a volunteer of the afternoon school programs at Casa Central, she noticed more families were under economic pressure.

“Many families are losing their jobs and cannot bring food to the table,” Álvarez said.

Álvarez arrived two years ago from Puerto Rico when the company she worked for relocated her to Chicago. She came here with a vision and to make a difference and saw the move as a good opportunity, but noticed the economic situation getting worse. She never visualized Chicago to be an expensive city to live in.
“It is a city with opportunity, but with a lot of expenses,” Álvarez said. “It is really expensive for any family. [This] financial situation is everywhere.”

She added that the cost of living is especially high in the Humboldt Park community and not all families in Casa Central can afford to buy a turkey. Even though she works as a community development specialist for the National PTA, she would like to teach families how to survive in the struggling economy.

Finish reading A joyous Thanksgiving celebration for a Latino family

Filed 21 de Noviembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

Over 100 protesters marched on Chicago’s South Side to raise awareness of abused women and domestic violence on Oct. 31.

Marlen Torres, one of the marchers that wore skeleton makeup, walked at the head of the procession holding a pot of incense. The procession called for an end to domestic violence.

Since 1994, the “Silent too Long, Silent No More” rally has been held to break the stigma of silence that domestic violence has in communities. It creates dialogue about the issue to make positive changes to help women.

“I actually started working with victims of domestic violence in 2005 and since then, I’ve participated in the march,” said Guadalupe Miranda, a domestic violence counselor who works with Mujeres Latinas en Accion. “It’s [time] to make the public aware that domestic violence exists in our homes. People don’t know how to define it because it is [not only] physical, but also verbal and emotional.”

After a slight delay and the performance of an Aztec ceremony, the protesters began the mile long march through the Pilsen neighborhood. They held signs that read, “Stop the violence” and “Stop abusing mothers” in both English and Spanish. Marchers had pots and pans and banged them as they chanted, “No more violence, break the silence.”

“I’m here [protesting] drugs and violence at the same time. We’re supporting the people from Pilsen and Little Village. We want to stop the violence…this is all about no violence,” said Edward Campos, a construction worker.

Continue reading 'Silent too Long, Silent No More' March

Filed 7 de Noviembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

by Katherine Ellis
trans. Víctor Flores

Opinion Piece

The Nov. 4 elections will make history not only in this country, but also all around the world. These elections are also important for our state, since we will be voting for a constitutional convention.

This year, I became a U.S. citizen and I feel it’s a great honor to be able to participate in this election and, thus, comply with this right and responsibility. It’s necessary, regardless of what our ethnic background is, to be an active part of the country that has housed us as its citizens and even more now, with the situation this country is current in.

We must commit ourselves to give a conscious vote, to recognize what needs to be done to change this country and move towards a better future. With all the existing informative tools nowadays – newspapers, Internet, TV and others – it’s indispensable that we know all the alternatives before choosing our preferences.

In the country that I was born in voting is voluntary. Nevertheless, when you vote, a voting card is issued. This document is needed for every type of legal proceeding and even to travel overseas, turning voting into an obligation.

In the U.S., we are free to choose whether we vote or not, but we are not taking the time to vote in a prepared and conscious way. When we do this, we are turning our back on a country that has given us so much.

Finish reading Voting is Our Voice

Filed 2 de Noviembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

by Carlos Acevedo

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has increased in popularity the last couple of years with the help of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the Ultimate Fighter. Although most of these shows and organizations are broadcasted at a national level, there are some with a local twist.

Black Rooster- Guillermo El Gallo Negro Serment, 25, is a Latino mixed martial arts fighter from the Little Village community who is also a FCE Lightweight Champion. Serment says his journey to championship was not always easy.
(Source: ExtraNews.com)

Fightcard Entertainment (FCE), a local mixed martial arts organization, hosts a variety of shows once a month at different venues throughout Chicago, Cicero and most recently in Gary, Ind. FCE has a variety of local fighters at the amateur or pro level.

Guillermo “El Gallo Negro” Serment, 25, is a Latino mixed martial arts fighter from the Little Village community who is also a FCE Lightweight Champion. Serment says his journey to championship wasn’t always easy – he suffered a few struggles along the way.

In his freshman year of high school, he was challenged to a wrestling match by one of his friends.

“It all started in history class. One of my friends called me out to a wrestling match. I’d never wrestled in my life before. I went to one practice and I fell in love with it,” Serment said.

Shortly before his friend challenged him, Serment had been up to no good, hanging out with the wrong crowd. He noticed that his younger brother Ricardo looked up to him and realized the influence he had on his brother.
“[Ricardo] was going through that same bad route I was in – then I decided to get into wrestling. He got involved into wrestling too. He actually became a better wrestler than I am,” Serment said.

Exercise and discipline were two main factors that attracted Serment to wrestling. His wrestling skills would later develop him into a well-rounded mixed martial arts fighter.

For Serment, wrestling became a way out from the daily gang related troubles and street encounters that many of today’s youth face in their neighborhoods.

Continue reading Wrestling Changed Life of Local Champion

Filed 24 de Octubre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

by Silvana Tabares

atino children in Chicago are facing staggering rates of obesity. Genetics and socioeconomics are two contributing factors that increase a child’s risk of becoming overweight. However, there are resources available to bring about change in food and fitness. More programs are being developed in schools and organizations as well as in local churches to empower children and their parents to get involve and change the lack of physical activity.

Chicago Run is among those resources working toward fighting childhood obesity in underserved communities. In the spring of 2008, the nonprofit organization launched Chicago Runners, a running program helping schoolchildren improve their health habits, fitness and self-esteem. The program has served 2,350 elementary school students with a daily running/walking program. Of the children in the program, 45 percent are Latino and 85 percent come from low-income households. This fall, the organization is expanding the program to serve 4,000 elementary students in 18 schools.

“If you don’t see [a culture] that is promoting physical fitness, unless you have some drive to be active, you know it’s not going to happen,” said Alicia González, executive director for Chicago Run. “A lot of teachers and coaches are encouraging students to be active in school.”

Approximately 150 teachers concerned about childhood obesity are involved in the Chicago Runners program, González said.

A site coordinator, who is assigned to each school and recruits teachers to participate, designates an indoor and outdoor running course and supervises the runs. Since the program was initiated, elementary school children have run more than 60,000 miles. The child’s mileage is logged into a database; children are awarded incentives for reaching their goals. One of the leading schools in miles run is Walsh Elementary School in Pilsen. About 440 runners have run more than 13,000 miles.

Finish reading Combating Childhood Obesity

Filed 20 de Octubre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

by Mónica Serrano and Silvana Tabares

Bartending comes naturally for Moisés González. With no former training and more than seven years of experience, his expertise is incomparable. He knows exactly how to serve up the finest drinks at Zócalo Restaurant and Tequila Bar, 358 W. Ontario. The Mexican restaurant not only serves authentic cuisine, but also a wide variety of alcoholic beverages from México, Spain and Latin America.

González, 30, keeps current with the latest trends in cocktails and has even invented his own mixed drinks, including one with ginger infused tequila mixed in with basil, brown sugar and club soda, which he calls fresca. His mixed drink of choice, a prickly pear margarita.

In commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month, González shared his knowledge on some of the classic mixed drinks found within our culture.

Country of orgin: Chile

Mixed Drink: Pisco Sour

Description/Ingredients: The deviationof a Pisco Sour is often debated between Chile and Perú. Pisco (a type of brandy) is made out of grapes and is a bit stronger than the brandy from Spain or México. A Pisco Sour contains Pisco, lime/lemon juice, egg whites, sugar and crushed ice.
Country of orgin: Spain

Mixed Drink: Sangría

Description/Ingredients: Sangría is a wine punch from Spain. It consists of a small amount of brandy, orange juice/mango puree, orange liquor and sliced fruit such as cantaloupe, apples and oranges. The fruit is typically marinated in white or red wine and refrigerated for 24 hours before serving.

Country of orgin: México

Mixed Drink: Margarita

Description/Ingredients: The Margarita is the most common tequila based cocktail. It can be made with tequila blanco, reposado or añejo. The classic drink is made with tequila blanco, orange liquor and limejuice although there are a wide range of variations including raspberry, strawberry and mango.

Country of orgin: Brazil

Mixed Drink: Caipirinha

Description/Ingredients: Cachaça (a type of rum) is made from …

To find out how to make a Caipirinha and other popular drinks, read more of Tragitos Con Sabor Hispano

Filed 13 de Octubre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

by Adriana Gallardo
adriana.gallardo@extranews.net

The Festival of Latin Electronic Music (FMEL) will take over Pilsen in a two-day event looking to expose the latest in electronic music production from local and international artist. In addition to the main stage, the festival – now in its second year – includes free digital sound production, art workshops and a symposium on global digital music. Event organizers, Brenda Hernández and Charlie García would like to educate people about this genre and make Chicago the U.S. Mecca for Latin electronic music.

“Electronic music is hard to understand if you’re not a fan. When people hear [the word] electronic they think of techno, raves and drugs,” Hernández said. “All music nowadays is digital and digital music culture is everywhere even if we don’t realize this.”

The symposium titled, “The Contemporary State of Latin Digital Music and Culture” mediated by Catalina María Johnson (former host of Encanto Latino on NPR) will feature Ricardo Guzmn (Interface Festival Puebla), Enrique Guzman Ejival (Founder Static Discos) and musician, Carlos Icaza. They symposium will be followed by DJ sets.

Hernandez wants listeners to understand electronic music and that it is as complex as any other genre.

Continue reading "Festival de Musica Electronica Latino: More to it than the laptop"

Filed 19 de Septiembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

by Victor M. Montañez

Esther López is a feminist, activist and educator. She is director of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department of the United Food and Commercial Workers, the fifth largest private sector union in the U.S. representing 1.3 million U.S. workers and 300,000 retail meatpacking and Canadian farm workers.

Working class feminist — Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich named Esther Lopez Deputy Chief of Staff of Labor and Professional Regulation making her the highest ranking appointed Latina in Illinois.
(Source: ExtraNews)

Born in Las Nutrias, sixty miles south of Albuquerque, N.M., López’s family traces back to the mid 1600s and the Spanish “La Joya” land grant. Her community and political involvement is deeply rooted and parallels some of the most significant periods for immigrant and labor issues.

In 2003, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich named López the Deputy Chief of Staff of Labor and Professional Regulation making her the highest ranking appointed Latina in Illinois. López managed the Illinois Department of Labor, the Department of Employment Security and the consolidation of four regulatory state agencies into one new department – the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Most importantly, López directed outreach efforts to communities and local governmental entities raising awareness on workers rights and employment safety. Her ability to merge skills in administration, policy and organizing makes her nothing less than a powerhouse in labor politics.

“Esther Lópezis a tireless advocate for Illinois working families. Her creativity and determination helped make the Department of Labor more efficient and more responsive to the needs of the people,” said Blagojevich while naming her to the post.
For López, it was a long journey to Springfield and now Washington, D.C. Shortly after graduating college with a degree in special education from the University of New México, she came to South Chicago, where she became one of the few Latina steel mill workers.

“For seven years I watched the collapse of the U.S. steel industry.”

It was an experience that made a great impact on her political outlook.

“[Once the mills closed] I had to dust off my degree.”

She found work at Travelers and Immigrants Aid directing the effort to get immigrants legalized under IRCA, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Her organizer’s mentality and innovation helped process more than 100,000 cases.

“We were creative. In one case, we had a mariachi band document their uninterrupted residence in the U.S. with the CDs they released,” she recalls.

(Continue reading Esther López: Powerhouse of Labor Politics)

Filed 15 de Septiembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

8/06/08

I write to humbly request your assistance for a humanitarian relief effort for the families severely devastated by the largest immigration raid in Postville, Iowa. This effort is being sponsored by New Life Covenant Ministries of Chicago.

Nine hundred federal immigration agents raided Agriprocessors, a meatpacking plant in Postville, on May 12. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) charged 389 Agriprocessors workers (40 percent of the plant’s workforce) with violating civil immigration laws and turned 306 of them over to the U.S. Attorney’s office to face criminal charges for working with false documents, which were allegedly provided to the workers by Agriprocessors plant.

The stories of the families separated and left without support, resources or adequate legal representation illustrates the profound and tragic example of our badly broken immigration system. The current situation in Postville is dire; there are families solely surviving on the generosity of donations given by the local church, St. Bridget’s Catholic Church.

St. Bridget’s Church is strained by the overwhelming demand for food, diapers and toiletries to support these families who would go hungry if it wouldn’t be for the valiant work of this congregation and charitable donations. Because of your advocacy for human rights and social justice, I am asking for your support to replenish the church’s pantry by providing donations to New Life Covenant Ministries for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the distressed families.

Donations needed are food such as rice, beans, cereal and pasta. Toiletries needed are diapers, shampoo, conditioner, soap, baby shampoo/wash and toothpaste. Clothing donationsare also accepted such as new or gently used children and women’s clothing New Life Covenant ministries along with volunteers will deliver and distribute the humanitarian relief from Aug. 8 to 9.

Arrangements can be made to pick up donations. Our office will serve as a drop-off center Aug. 4 to the 7th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deliver donations no later than Aug. 7. If you need additional information please call my executive assistant, Veronica Ocasio for more information at (773) 342-0774 or e-mail veronica.ocasio@mail.house.gov. Your generosity and support is greatly appreciated.

Luis V. Gutierrez

Member of Congress

Filed 9 de Agosto, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

The event focused on non-violence and HIV/AIDS education

More than 350 teens from organizations throughout the Chicago area pledged “Not One More Life to Lose” during a Stand Up, Speak Up, Stay Healthy Rally at the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church, 5141 S. State St., on June 21. The event, sponsored by the Greater Roseland Community Committee in collaboration with Chicago Area Project (CAP) and Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church, focused on how youth ages 12 and up can stay safe and healthy this summer.

Teens attending Stand Up, Speak Up, Stay Healthy rally hold up t-shirts affirming their pledges to stay healthy.
(Source: Extra News)

The “Not One More Life to Lose” pledge was created by Youth Voices Against Violence, a teen advocacy group from CAP affiliate, the Greater Roseland Community Committee. Members from the group screened their video, which is a finalist in the AFL-CIO’s Turn Around America video contest, and stated: “I pledge to be a non-violent person and to use my influences to promote my home, my school, my community and my world.”

The pledge included statements like: “I pledge to be respectful to myself, my peers and to my elders,” “I pledge to think before I act,” and “I pledge to get involved with the campaign to end the senseless killings amongst our peers.” The “Not One More Life to Lose” pledge is being taken by youth and adults throughout Illinois.

Event highlights included rousing speakers like Dr. Felicia Blasingame, executive director of South Central Community Center, who advised youth to always feed their minds with powerful, inspirational and positive messages.

“Watch your conversations with other people,” Blasingame said. “If people have a negative visions of themselves, how can they have a larger vision for you?”

CAP Associate Executive Director Howard Lathan told teens, “You are going to be the ambassadors who take today’s message to your community.”

(Finish reading "Hundreds of Teens Pledge 'Not One More Life to Lose' at Rally")

Filed 12 de Julio, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)