Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Thomas Nelson reworks growing Spanish-language division

The Nashville City Paper reports in this article that the Nashville-based Christian publisher Thomas Nelson is renaming and beefing up its Spanish-language division:

"Nashville-based Thomas Nelson Publishers announced Thursday the formation of Grupo Nelson, a Spanish-language division."

"Five Spanish-language book imprints have been created, each falling under the umbrella of Grupo."

"Formerly named Caribe-Betania, Grupo plans to double its staff within the next year and increase the number of published titles from 65 to 80."

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

GOP weighs weaponized immigration issue in 2006 governor's race

Facing a strong Democratic governor, Tennessee Republicans are considering an immigration attack. Talk show host Steve Gill said in this Tennessean article that immigration is a "vibrant issue" that could be used against Governor Phil Bredesen for his reelection bid in 2006.

"Gill said a Republican candidate could hammer Bredesen with questions about illegal immigration."

"'There's not a more vibrant issue' than illegal immigration, Gill said. 'But Bredesen is not tuned in to the animosity.'"

Memphis-to-Nashville Republican Representative Marsha Blackburn, who successfully used the immigration issue to capture her seat in Washington, was quoted yesterday in this MSNBC article as saying that Americans "are tired of talk and ready for action” on immigration.

As the MSNBC article indicates, the Republican Party is generally split about how to address immigration, and some Republicans fear that divisive immigration rhetoric is counterproductive. In this recent column published in the Washington Post, former Bush White House official Leslie Sanchez points to the recent Virginia gubernatorial race as a warning against "ham-fisted attacks":

"Republicans nationally should draw a number of lessons from the party's unsuccessful effort to take back the Virginia governor's mansion this month."

"When it comes to immigration, dropping the word 'illegal' into any anti-immigration proposal is not likely to work electoral magic."

"In his stump speeches and in his television ads, Kilgore hit his Democratic opponent, Tim Kaine, on the immigration issue but was careful to use the word 'illegal' in his rhetoric at every turn, as if that alone were some kind of magic bullet."

"This is the stuff of GOP consultants and pollsters, who advise that even legal immigrants are opposed to 'illegal' immigration. That's true, of course: Nobody defends those who flout the law, and resentment is especially acute among those who have gone to extreme lengths to comply. What these advisers miss, however, is the question of intensity: Substantial numbers of immigrants (not to mention their children and grandchildren, too) hear attacks on 'illegal' immigration as attacks on them -- so that a discussion of, say, day laborers can quickly turn into an anti-Hispanic free-for-all."

"Republicans would do well to recognize the folly in the approach used by Kilgore before recommending it to other candidates. Rather than a comprehensive approach to the problem broadly defined as immigration, they would do well to break it down into its constituent parts: border security, public policies that inhibit assimilation, the issue of guest workers and the problem of illegal immigration itself. It is time to recognize that the problem may be too big and too complex to approach with one big bill."

"Ham-fisted attacks by Kilgore and others on illegal immigrants, while political red meat for some, cause many in our coalition -- particularly Hispanics and suburban women -- to recoil. For them, such attacks run counter to the Reaganite image of America as a welcoming land of opportunity, a place where anyone can -- through hard work, smarts and a little luck -- pursue happiness as the Founding Fathers intended. Immigrants from around the world made this country, and immigrants will continue to make this country a better place, a fact that no great political party can ignore for long."

As reported here on HispanicNashville.com, Leslie Sanches was the keynote speaker for the Franklin County Republican Club’s Reagan Day Dinner on October 22, 2005.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Sumner County high school seniors translate student handbook for Spanish-speaking peers

The Tennessean reports in this article that two seniors at Station Camp High School in Sumner County have translated the school's student handbook into Spanish:



"Seniors Kiran Patel and Vikki Trumbo recently finished translating Station Camp's student handbook into Spanish."



"'We've had students come in dressed inappropriately or just showing up to classes late, which normally aren't problems in their home countries,' Spanish teacher Becky Gipson said. 'But it doesn't seem fair to expect them to abide by rules that they don't even know about.'"

Half of Hispanics living in South consider themselves Southerners

The Charlotte Observer reports in this article that language, ethnicity, religion, politics, and the lack of a warm welcome keep Hispanics from integrating into Southern culture. Barely half of Hispanics in the South consider themselves Southerners:

"A recent Associated Press/Ipsos poll was consistent with an analysis of 10 years worth of surveys by UNC Chapel Hill, both finding that barely half of Hispanics living in the region identified culturally with it. In fact, in the UNC studies there was a 20-point drop in the percentage of Hispanics who identified themselves as 'Southern' from 1991 to 2001 -- the largest of any ethnic group in the region."

"'They're arriving in the United States and in the Southern United States at a time of declining regional identity,' said Tulane University professor Carl Bankston, who has studied migration patterns in the South. 'Much of Southern regional identity is an identification with the past that Latinos simply don't have. They're much more likely to develop an American identity than a Southern identity.'"

"Aside from language and folkways, another factor working against Hispanics embracing a Southern regional identity is that the vast majority are Roman Catholics. Only about half of the region's Catholics (Hispanic or otherwise) consider themselves Southern, UNC sociologist Larry Griffin said in a recently published study."

"Griffin found that both ethnicity and religion 'independently dampen' identity rates. And he suggests that racial and religious minorities, in general, may feel unwelcome by whites and Protestants, the so-called 'authentic Southerners.'"

"'Hispanics are going to change the very meaning of being a Southerner,' he said. 'And the only way that wouldn't happen, I think ... is if those of us in the South and those of us who embrace its identity now, if we do not permit these folks to be Southerners.'"

"Angeles Ortega, a leading advocate for the Hispanic community in Charlotte, said a political atmosphere that's often hostile to immigrants makes questions of Southern identity relatively unimportant to most newcomers."

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Taco stand ban sparked by competing restaurants, but recent survey shows high scores

The Nashville Scene reports in this story that restaurants who compete with taco stands and other mobile food vendors are behind the Metro Council's proposal to ban the stands. The reason for the proposal is said to be the mobile vendors' lower health scores. Nashville Is Talking, however, compares the scores of sixteen mobile food vendors to those of more traditional restaurants, and the mobile food vendors scored better.

The ban is not supported by the Tennessee Restaurant Association.

"Council member Tommy Bradley, who represents an area in southwest Davidson County, and Amanda McClendon, whose district is centered at Thompson Lane and Nolensville Pike, where many mobile food vendors are located, both say that restaurateurs called them, complaining about a variety of problems, like customers parking on the sidewalk."

"The bill would limit the operation of mobile food vendors to no more than two weeks at special events permitted by Metro government. Vendors would have to notify the Health Department which events they would attend."

"The trouble with the legislation is that, intentionally or not, it hits minority-owned businesses the hardest because non-whites, especially Latinos, own most mobile food trailers in Davidson County, if not across the country."

In the Nashville Is Talking survey of recent Metro Health inspection scores, all the mobile trailer scores were between 85 and 100. In contrast, the following more traditional restaurants scored below 85:

BELLE MEADE BUFFET
BISTRO 215
CAFFE NONNA
CHILIS GRILL & BAR, WEST END
CRACKER BARREL, PERCY PRIEST
JUDGE BEANS BBQ
KRYSTAL CHARLOTTE AVE.
LONGHORN STEAK LYLE AVENUE
MCDONALDS DONELSON PK
MRS. WINNERS JEFFERSON ST.
RAND DINING HALL, VANDERBILT CAMPUS
SHONEY'S HWY 70 SOUTH
SHONEYS HARDING PLACE
STAR BAGEL

The mobile scores in the Nashville Is Talking survey were those available from the health department's web site. There are many more mobile food stands in Nashville, some that have serious health violations and low scores. The Scene article points out that some mobile vendors have scored so low as to be closed by the health department, but that the closings show that the current system is working.

"Those not meeting minimum standards are shut down. So why close them all? Even some restaurateurs don’t see the need to close all mobile food vendors—even if a majority are having a problem conforming to health codes. 'The state of Tennessee has very thorough inspection laws,' says Mike Kelly of Jimmy Kelly’s Steakhouse, who is chairman of the Tennessee Restaurant Association. 'If they adhere to the guidelines, they should be able to do business.'"

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Nashville Ballet returns from Argentina and Uruguay tour

The Tennessean reports in this story that the Nashville Ballet recently returned from a 17-day tour through Argentina and Uruguay. The dance group included country music ballet among its repertoire. The effort was announced in April and arises from director Paul Vasterling's three-month Fulbright-sponsored stay in Argentina last year.

Report from Argentina/Uruguay tour
Announcement of Argentina/Uruguay tour
Announcement of Nashville/Argentina cultural exchange

Monday, November 21, 2005

Christians integrated in multicultural worship at Ryman

The Tennessean reports in this article that the Ryman played host to a diverse crowd of Christians in Thanksgiving worship:

"A joyful noise rose through the Ryman Auditorium last night, as two distinctively different choirs melded into one."

"In a pre-Thanksgiving service designed to bring congregations from different denominations, cultures and backgrounds together, a Baptist minister shared the microphone with a Nazarene minister, and a Church of Christ choir and a Baptist choir sang together."

"And worshippers embraced the mixed service and congregation.
The event, 'Thankful We Stand,' was a collaboration between The Operation Andrew Group, a nondenominational outreach association that partners with churches from varying denominations, and the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. Both organizations want to erode racial barriers and foster greater diversity among congregations, organizers said."

"'We tend to live in our comfort areas - black, white, Hispanic,' said OAG president Charles E. McGowan. 'We can walk away from this feeling how big God's church is and give expression to our unity.'"

Friday, November 18, 2005

Nashville Opera brings tenor Hugo Vera for innovative debut

Surrender RoadAmong this week's Nashville Scene Critics Picks is the opera Surrender Road, a genre-defying new opera about a modern-day New York boxer named Manuel ("Manny"). Tenor Hugo Vera stars in the lead role and makes his Nashville debut.

The opera was written by Nashville's Marcus Hummon, who has a number of commercial pop and country successes under his belt. Surrender Road runs tonight through Sunday at the Ingram Hall at Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music. The event is being promoted separately by the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Nashville Scene article
Tennessean article
Nashville Opera information

Thursday, November 17, 2005

One in five Hispanic Nashville home loans was high-interest in 2004

The Tennessean reports in this article that 21% of Hispanic Nashville homebuyers om 2004 signed up for a high-interest mortgage:



"In the Metro Nashville area, an analysis of the home mortgage data showed 38% of conventional home loans to African-Americans in 2004 were high-cost. For Hispanics, 21% were."



"In contrast, only 11.8% of such loans to white home buyers in the Nashville area were considered high-cost. And even fewer higher-priced loans, 6%, were written to Asians, which some experts attribute to cultural factors such as the practice of avoiding debt."

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

St Thomas debuts health clinic expecting 90% Hispanic client base

The Nashville City Paper reports in this article that Saint Thomas has opened a health clinic targeted to serve Hispanic Nashville:

"Saint Thomas Health Services has opened the $2 million Health Center South Clinic to serve Nashville’s growing Hispanic population."

"The new clinic, located at 4928 Edmondson Pike, replaces a Harding Place facility that had accommodated patients since 2001."

"Approximately 90 percent of the patients are expected to be Hispanics, representing about 30 countries in Central and South America, according to Anness. Of that number, about 40 to 50 percent could have undocumented residency status, she added."

"The 12 staff members include nurse practitioners, a physician assistant, medical assistants and social workers."

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Legal taco stands would close in proposed ban

The Tennessean reports in this article that legal, licensed taco stands with good health scores may have to close as a result of a Metro council proposal to ban some kinds of mobile food carts.

"Dozens of wheeled taco stands, barbecue trucks and other mobile food vendors would have to fold up the awnings under a proposed new Metro law intended to combat rats, water problems and other health issues."

"Three Metro Council members say the businesses pose health hazards and consistently get low inspection marks from the city. More than 70 vendors would have to close up shop, a review of city health records shows."

"'Proportionally we're having more problems with our mobile kitchens' than sit-down restaurants, said Jerry Rowland, director of food protection services for the Metro Health Department. 'That's not to say that we don't have some really good mobile kitchen operators.'"

"The proposed rules would allow mobile vendors at temporary special events, nonprofit functions and events on public property such as parks. Smaller hot dog stands, common downtown, can also continue to operate. And ice cream trucks aren't affected."

The Nashville City Paper wrote in this editorial that existing food safety regulations should be enforced against the problem kitchens, instead of shutting down the good along with the bad.

Concerns are raised in both the Tennessean article and the City Paper editorial that the ban would have a disproportionate impact on Hispanic and other minority business owners.

Monday, November 14, 2005

Star Transportation hires Hispanic driver recruiter

In an interview with the Nashville City Paper, Star Transportation CEO Beth Franklin described her company's efforts to recruit more Hispanic drivers:



"Beth Franklin is chief executive officer of Nashville-based trucking company Star Transportation Inc. She oversees about 800 employees, including 600 drivers, and a fleet of 600 tractors and 1,700 trailers."



"How is Star working to increase its Hispanic presence?"



"Star is very excited about the addition of a Hispanic driver recruiter. This recruiter and fleet manager is bilingual and will work from the Orlando office. We are recruiting Hispanic drivers, mechanics and administrators throughout our system, but the largest pool of Hispanic drivers who will meet Star's qualifications live in Florida."

Friday, November 11, 2005

Local classifieds join TeleFutura Channel 42 lineup

Channel 42, Nashville's Spanish-language affiliate of the TeleFutura television network, announced a new classified advertising program in which local listings will appear on the air:

TeleFutura, Ch.42 is pleased to announce that it will debut a classified advertising program starting November 2nd. '¿Qué busca?' (What Are You Looking For?) will air two times a day Monday to Sunday, during daytime and in primetime during Channel 42's nightly news program, "En Vivo y Directo" (Live and Direct) and will feature five, 10 second advertisement segments.

TeleFutura, Channel 42's General Sales Manager Inga Chamberlain is excited to be able to respond to a consumer demand for a classified advertisement section.

"We pride ourselves in responding to the community. We have had requests from viewers and advertisers enquiring about a classifieds section and we are now able to bring them just that. '¿Qué busca?' is perfect for job listings especially if a company is looking for bi-lingual employees. If you have an item for sale or you want to announce an event to the Hispanic community then '¿Qué busca?' is the perfect place. And, it is a very effective and affordable way to reach over 50.000 Hispanic viewers." said Chamberlain.

Susana Pae, General Manager of Telefutura, Channel 42, said: 'We have already had a great response to our new nightly news and information program, 'En Vivo y Directo' (Live and Direct) and broadcasting the '¿Qué busca?' classifieds in that hour will give even more impact to the 6-7pm time slot.'

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Sidewalk bill withdrawn; day laborers address councilman's concerns

NewsChannel5 reports in this story that the sidewalk bill that was aimed at day laborers has been shelved by its sponsor after his concerns were addressed.

"On some mornings, as many as 100 workers gather near Murfreesboro Road and Thompson Lane waiting for contractors who need temporary help. But area businesses and residents complained about the crowds, and police worried about traffic issues."

"At this neighborhood meeting Thursday night, District 13 Councilman Carl Burch explained a bill he proposed to prohibit the day-labor solicitation."

"...Councilman Burch decided to shelve the bill. He said community members worked together to reach a compromise."

"The Metro Human Relations Commission helped facilitate the compromise. They used translators to communicate with the workers, who now say they'll work to stay as far away from the road as possible, and they say they'll respect local business owners by keeping the area clean and moving out of the area after a specific amount of time."

Full article here

Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Free concert by Sones de Mexico Ensemble this Sunday at TPAC

The musical group Sones de Mexico Ensemble will perform Sunday at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.

Sones de México: Free Family Field Trip
11/13/2005
2:00 p.m.
Andrew Jackson Hall
Tickets: Free

With lively rhythms, powerful melodies and colorful dancing, Sones de México Ensemble takes you on a journey through Mexico’s colorful history in a performance entitled Fiesta Mexicana. The Sones de México ensemble specializes in son, a rich music tradition with regional styles, including huapango, gustos, chilenas, son jarocho and the roots of mariachi music. The talented Chicago-based group of six musicians works its way through a collection of over 25 folk string, percussion, and wind instruments with four-part vocal arrangements and dance, recreating the atmosphere of a traditional fandango.

Dickson County picks up Latin American drug traffic

WREG reports in this story that a drug task force is picking up increased trafficking of South American and Mexican drugs along I-40:

"Authorities in Dickson County say they confiscated cocaine with a street value of more than a (M) million dollars."

"Task Force officials say most of the drugs they confiscate seem to originate from either South America or Mexico before making their way to Tennessee."

Full story here

Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Third annual immigration coalition convention and cultural celebration this Saturday

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition is holding its Third Annual Convention this Saturday, to be followed by a Cultural Celebration:

3rd Annual Convention
November 12, 2005
(10: 00 am - 5:00 pm)

REGISTER NOW
The Annual Convention is FREE for Members!

Don't Stand on the Sidelines. Get Involved!!
Come Together with Immigrants, Refugees and Their Allies
from Across the State

Antioch United Methodist Church
41 Tusculum Rd, Antioch (just south of Nashville), Tennessee

In 2006, the rights of foreign-born Tennesseans will be in more danger than ever before. Anti-immigrant/refugee sentiment in our state has never been higher.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO TURN THE TIDE, AND TO KEEP TENNESSEE MOVING FORWARD!

TIRRC's convention is the only opportunity you will have all year to come together with immigrants, refugees and their supporters from across the state to identify the most pressing issues affecting Tennessee's foreign-born population, and to develop comprehensive strategies to address these issues. During the day we will also be developing a statewide plan to counter the alarming rise of anti-immigrant/refugee sentiment within our state. Why Should I Attend TIRRC's Annual Convention?

If you value Tennessee's growing diversity, then please become a TIRRC member, and REGISTER for the annual membership convention TODAY!

Membership dues include registration, attendance at all sessions and breakouts, all materials and lunch. Children under 12 attend the Convention and Cultural Celebration free. Childcare will be provided.

2005 Cultural Celebration

Also, don't miss our Cultural Celebration immediately following the Convention. Celebrate Tennessee's growing cultural diversity with food, music and dance from around the world! Also featuring a silent auction!

This year's Cultural Celebration promises to be the best yet!
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Antioch United Methodist Church
6:00 - 9:00pm

Members & Affiliates - $10
All Others - $15
Children under 12 attend free!

Monday, November 7, 2005

Bass, Berry & Sims takes Ecuadorean torture claims to federal trial

CNN.com reports in this story that Nashville-based law firm Bass, Berry & Sims is plaintiffs' counsel in a federal trial in Memphis against an El Salvador official accused of torture:

"A former Salvadoran Army colonel was in a U.S. court Monday to defend himself against accusations that his soldiers tortured and killed civilians during El Salvador's civil war in the 1980s."

"A civil lawsuit against Nicolas Carranza, 72, accuses him of crimes against humanity. A 10-member jury was seated Monday afternoon, and testimony begins Tuesday."

"'This is a first opportunity for our clients to finally have a chance to say what happened to them, to explain to a jury and to the world,' said Matthew Eisenbrandt, a lawyer for the Center for Justice and Accountability."

"The lawsuit, also handled by the Nashville law firm of Bass Berry & Sims, was filed under federal laws, inlcuding the Alien Tort Claims Act, which allow U.S. courts to assess damages in human rights violations abroad. The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages."

Full story here

Related Tennessean story here

Friday, November 4, 2005

SunTrust and Nashville Hispanic Chamber offer Spanish-language financial literacy class

The Tennessean reports in this article that SunTrust and the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce* will be presenting free financial education classes in Spanish:

"The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and SunTrust Bank are teaming up to offer a series of financial literacy courses to members of Nashville's Hispanic community."

"The first class on basic banking will be Nov. 8, with three additional classes on other financial literacy topics on
Nov. 15, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. All classes will be at the SunTrust Bank branch location at 4310 Nolensville Pike and will run from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m."

For more information contact Tatia Cummings, at SunTrust Bank Tel. 615.748.4847

Thursday, November 3, 2005

Metro Human Relations hears day laborer discussion tonight

The Tennessee Immigration and Refugee Rights Coalition announced that the Nashville Metro Human Relations Commission will host a listening forum tonight on the issue of immigrant day laborers:

Nashville Metro Human Relations Listening Forum:
Day Laborers in Nashville

Thursday, November 3rd, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Arlington United Methodist Church: 1360 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville
Open to the public.
Several community groups, including TIRRC, have asked Metro Human Relations to host this forum to address tensions felt in the Nashville community resulting from the growth in the number of immigrant day laborers, particularly in Southeast Nashville. Please attend, and show your support for hard working day laborers of all races and ethnicities.
English/Spanish interpreters will be available

Tango Nashville's 2nd Anniversary at the Frist tonight

The Nashville Downtown Partnership announced tonight's Second Anniversary of Tango Nashville at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts:

Tango Nashville at the Frist
Thurs, Nov 3. Frist Center for the Visual Arts. Auditorium. 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Free. Celebrate Tango Nashville's 2nd Anniversary at the Frist. The evening will feature a 30-minute "Essentials Tango Twists" class, live Tango dance and music performances, and a special visit from Nashville Ballet representatives who will share their experience dancing in Argentina.


TangoNashville.com has these further details:
FREE admission to art galleries and FREE parking IN FRIST CENTER PARKING LOTS for Tango Nashville Members.
FREE admission to galleries for Frist Center Members.
$8.50 admission to galleries for non-Members.
For more information, contact: connect@tangonashville.com, or call 615-889-3390.

Subsidiary of Nashville health insurer accused of wrongdoing in Rio Grande Valley

The Brownsville Herald reports in this article that across Texas' Rio Grande Valley new customers of Texas HealthSpring, a subsidiary of Nashville-based NewQuest Health Solutions LLC, are alleging that they were fraudulently enticed away from Medicare and to the private insurer. Texas HealthSpring has temporarily suspended the issuance of new policies there.

"The program serves primarily senior citizens and the disabled, Texas HealthSpring documents show."

"[Dr. Lorenzo] Pelly and some of his patients reported that Texas HealthSpring representatives visited several senior centers here to recruit clients. He said he plans on signing off of the company’s network."

"Pelly believes Texas HealthSpring representatives told some of his patients that they were Medicare officials, and the papers they were signing were related to their Medicare not to a private insurance company."

"Maribel Benavides found out her elderly father, who she said does not possess the capacity to make decisions about his health insurance since suffering a stroke, changed to Texas HealthSpring."

"Suddenly, his usual doctor was not covered under his new insurance, and neither was the cost of his treatment for liver cancer."

"The company told employees Friday to no longer sell policies in the Valley until further notice."

"The primary problem, according to some local health providers, is not the company, rather that patients seem unaware of changes brought by their new plan. Some can no longer see their usual doctor and must select a provider from a new list."

Full article here

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

5% of Clarksville students and 1% of teachers are Hispanic

The The Clarksville Leaf Chronicle reports that 5% of Clarksville public school students are Hispanic, and 1% of the teachers are Hispanic. The article discusses a recent state report regarding the relative diversities of the student and teacher populations.

"A recent report from the state Department of Education has found that school systems across Tennessee do not reflect the diversity of their student populations."

"In Clarksville-Montgomery County schools ... Hispanics make up about 5 percent of the student population, but less than 1 percent of teachers are Hispanic — 15 systemwide."

Full Leaf Chronicle article

Nashville Hispanic Chamber participates in regional multi-chamber mixer November 3

The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce* will participate in this Thursday's Regional Business After Hours Mixer, hosted by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. The NAHCC sent out this notice regarding the event:

Our November Regional Business After Hours Mixer will take place at the Gaylord Entertainment Center, Thursday, November 3rd from 5 p.m to 8 pm.

Please come by and say hello to your NAHCC friends and also give yourself an opportunity to make new friends.

We are hoping to promote a strong presence at this mixer as it will send a positive message to everyone in our Hispanic as well as mainstream business community that we are united and are committed to playing a large role in Nashville's future.


Nashville Chamber event information

Tuesday, November 1, 2005

"Best of Nashville" is part Hispanic

The Nashville Scene published its Annual Best of Nashville issue, and Hispanic restaurants were among the winners:

"BEST PUPUSAS: SURTIDORA LA PAZ"

"BEST INTERNATIONAL DESSERT OPTIONS: (TIE) ISTANBUL/BACK TO CUBA"

"BEST ETHNIC SANDWICH: BACK TO CUBA'S CUBANO"

Full article here

TIRRC reaches out to East Tennessee

The Maryville Daily Times reports that the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition met in East Tennessee and encouraged people to look beyond rhetoric and embrace their foreign-born neighbors.

"About 50 members of TIRRC attended a regional meeting at Pellissippi State Technical Community College's Blount Campus Saturday afternoon to train local immigrants and discuss immigration issues."

"'Immigration is now a platform for politicians,' said Juan Canedo, organizing director for Nashville-based TIRRC. 'The anti-immigration movement has worked its way into the federal, state and local governments.'"

"Fran Ansley, a law professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law, said, 'There are some dangerous things going on right now in our state and here in our community. People are taking advantage of other people's fears.'"

"Ansley has worked on immigration issues for 10 years as a law professor at UT, and noted: 'Blount County should be proud of itself for starting this conversation on race and immigration. It's a relatively new issue for this part of the country, but we're starting to see people from all walks of life getting involved.'"
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