Laura Turner Concert Hall
Wednesday, February 3, at 7 p.m.

Ballet Folklórico de México

A treasure in their native land for more than 50 years, this internationally famed ensemble blends music, choreography and colorful costumes in spectacular stage shows that bring alive Mexico’s brilliant array of cultural traditions. Take a journey through the ages as dancers trace the evolution of Mexico’s rich history and capture the essence of this country’s breathtaking beauty.

Labels: arts, mexico

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Mack

Both parents were Mexican citizens, met in the U.S., served in World War II, returned to education after childhood, and were voracious readers

Yesterday, in a post titled "1145 Words about Chile", Middle Tennessee writer Mack of Coyote Chronicles reminisced about his "countless hours" eating taquitos growing up, which all began with mother's taco stand:

Half a century ago, my mother operated a successful taco stand located in East Los Angeles. Eventually, she sold it to her sister, who parlayed that small business into a high volume Mexican food restaurant on the edge of the San Gabriel Valley. It wasn’t really a “sit-down” kind of joint, as patrons were required to order at one window, and pick up their food at another. In fact, for most of my life, the place didn’t have tables. My Aunt built her business on three items; taquitos, (seasoned beef or chicken tightly rolled into corn tortillas and fried to order) and red or green burritos. I remember countless hours sitting at my aunt’s feet as she rolled taquito after taquito. In front of her was a stack of warm tortillas, and a stainless steel pan with chicken or beef. She would roll 20 or 30 of them, then reach down and hand me one, un-fried, of course, and I would quickly gobble it down. They were soft and flavorful and I ate thousands of them growing up. Lately, I have been making them for my family, and the kids love them.

(Read the whole post, about cooking with chile, here.)

Mack's parents, both of whom were Mexican citizens who served in World War II, are an intermittent subject on his blog. In a heartfelt 2007 Mother's Day post, Mack said, "If I could choose any set of parents for another go-around on this Earth, I would pick you and Dad every time."

More about Mack's mom from his Mother's Day 2007 post:

My mother arrived in this country in a shoe box, crossing over from Mexicali with her parents and older siblings. She grew up poor, worked as a migrant fruit picker, until she met and married my father, and started a small taco stand in East Los Angeles, after working in the factories during WW2. She had an 8th grade education, yet read voraciously. Eventually, she returned to school and became a vocational counselor to our growing Vietnamese community. She raised four children, lost one as a newborn.
...
[She] was the type of woman that, if you showed up at her door at 3:00 a.m., she would make you feel that your visit was the highlight of her day, because it was. My mother loved unconditionally, I think this fact alone made her the most Christian person I ever knew, yet I can’t recall her ever setting foot in a church. She loved everyone like family. I mean everyone. Our house was always full of people, friends, family, and strangers, even, though I believe no one ever felt like a stranger for long in my mother’s home. She would happily cook for 1 or 100, it really didn’t matter to her. When I came home from school, or later, when I would just drop by to visit, she would head to the stove, and warm tortillas with butter magically appeared on a plate.

In April of this year, Mack wrote about his father:

My father was not a happy person. Sure, he had his moments, and the rest of the family never really knew how to deal with him when he was uncharacteristically joyful. He was explosive, violent, moody and reclusive. Until he returned from WWII, he had little education. His father died when he was young, probably from a combination of hard work and alcohol consumption. Not much is known about my father’s youth, the few stories passed down (almost always from his brother) portrayed him as a serious young man, prone to brooding and violence. I’m pretty sure that he never knew how to show his love except by providing, which he did well. He was detached, yet controlling.

Almost all of my memories of my dad at home are of him sitting in his chair, reading. He read everything. He spent so much time in the local library that, when he passed, the library dedicated an entire bookcase to my father’s memory.

I have spent much of my adult life wondering what it is that drove him. It was, I’m sure, a source of great pride that he went to college after the war (The G.I. Bill was and is a beautiful thing) and earned a degree in accounting.

Some other Hispanic Nashvillians who could share memories of California are Conexion Americas' "Orgullo Hispano" award winner Miguel Gonzalez, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority President & CEO Raul Regalado, WLLC-Telefutura Channel 42 General Manager Eric Alvarez, Nissan Americas' Hispanic employees including Jaime Ortiz and Stephanie Valdez Streaty, one-time Nicaraguan prisoner Eric Volz, Vanderbilt professor Lorraine Lopez, former Metro Schools director Pedro Garcia and his wife Priscilla Partridge de Garcia, sheetrock hanger Jose Ramirez, and clothier Manuel.

Labels: California, family, food, mexico

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Fiesta Mexicana in Nashville
a Sones de México presentation

Saturday, December 5th 2009 @ 2:00 p.m.
James Polk Theater at TPAC
505 Deaderick Street, Nashville

Tickets: $11 & $14
Tickets available online and at the Theater
Nashville Scene preview here.

Labels: arts, events, mexico, music

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The Lampo Group unveils the new Spanish-speaking face of Dave Ramsey's financial education empire

The above invitation was sent out by the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce* to its membership, announcing today's "Financial Peace" seminar in Spanish at the Dave Ramsey headquarters in Brentwood. The seminar will be led by Andres Gutierrez, who is the new face of Dave Ramsey's financial education empire to the Spanish-speaking audience. As Gutierrez puts it, he's "the Hispanic Dave Ramsey."

According to Gutierrez, Ramsey's Lampo Group has had trouble getting market penetration with its Spanish-language DVDs, due largely to the fact that even though videos of Dave Ramsey dubbed into Spanish may be effective with the individual Hispanics who take the course, the product doesn't relate culturally to a wider a Hispanic audience. Going forward, Gutierrez will the face of the "Financial Peace" message in Spanish instead of Ramsey. Over the next year, the Spanish-language DVD course will be re-written to apply to a Hispanic cultural perspective, and they will subsequently be re-filmed with Gutierrez as the speaker. Seminars and live events will feature Gutierrez, as well.

The one-hour free event today, Wednesday, will be held at 6:30 p.m., but guests are encouraged to arrive early. The venue is Financial Peace Conference Center, 1749 Mallory Lane, Brentwood, Tennessee, 37027. For more information, call 800-781-8897 or jorge.hoyos@daveramsey.com

Dave Ramsey, on hiring Andres Gutierrez: "I've found the guy we're looking for"

"We came to Tennessee, prayed about it and felt it was a calling from God"

Andres Gutierrez joined the Dave Ramsey organization in 2009 after attending a "platinum ticket" breakfast prior to a Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover live event earlier this year, according to this recent interview with Gutierrez by his alma mater's magazine (coincidentally named Scene). Gutierrez told the Schreiner Scene how this breakfast, where he was in a room with Ramsey and only 100 other people, landed him the job:

"They were looking for someone to help reach the Hispanic community. His books had been translated, but they needed a more personal connection. I've been told he [Dave Ramsey] went back to the office after that event and said, 'I've found the guy we're looking for.'"
...
"They invited my wife and me to visit Nashville," he said. "We came to Tennessee, prayed about it and felt it was a calling from God. I hope to reach the Spanish-speaking community with this commonsense message so people can feel good about handling their finances."

Read the whole Schreiner Scene article here. It features a nice picture of Gutierrez with Dave Ramsey at the studio desk.

Prior to working for Dave Ramsey, Gutierrez was an owner at San Antonio-based Pax Financial Group, LLC, which still has this video featuring Gutierrez on YouTube. Prior to Pax, Gutierrez worked at MassMutual and John Hancock Insurance.

Gutierrez graduated from Schreiner University (Kerrville, Texas) in 1999 with a degree in chemistry. He played for the tennis team, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Gutierrez was born in Brownsville, Texas and grew up in Matamoros, Mexico. He moved back to Brownsville in high school and proceeded to Schreiner from there. Both Gutierrez and his wife still have family in Matamoros.

Gutierrez and his wife have been living in Nashville for four months, and he raves about how welcoming the city is, even telling the story of a neighbor bringing the couple a homemade pie, "like in the movies." The couple attends La Casa de Mi Padre church ("My Father's House") in Franklin.

The history section of the Dave Ramsey web site traces the organization's Spanish-language history back to the 2003 release of a Spanish translation of Financial Peace. In 2004, according to the same section, "Six FPU lessons are translated into Spanish, and more than 150 families go through the Spanish version of the program." A 2006 press release announces the translation of the full 13-week Financial Peace University DVD series into Spanish.

The company currently has two FPU Spanish advisors, Bengy del Villar and Jorge Hoyos.

Labels: business, education, events, mexico, spanish

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Miss Tennessee Latina Lilibeth Leon
The Miss Tennessee Latina Pageant will not take place in 2009, according to Marjorie Weller, state coordinator of the 2008 event. The national pageant, Miss Latina US, has also been pushed back from its originally scheduled September 2009 date and moved to May 25–30, 2010, with some details still yet to be finalized. The national Teen pageant for younger contestants, is on hiatus and will be separated from the main national competition going forward.

The Tennessee pageant was last held November 22, 2008, and the reigning Miss Tennessee Latina is Lilibeth Leon, a senior at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga who grew up in Jackson, Tennessee.

Interviewed by the Jackson Sun, Leon described the benefit of having a Miss Tennessee Latina pageant:

Sometimes I feel like we're overlooked. There are so many Hispanic girls out there who are bilingual and accomplished. It's so important for us to gather and do events like that. This just shows other Hispanics that they're not alone.

When asked to describe her greatest inspiration, Leon pointed to her mother:

She came here not knowing how to speak English. After she
learned how to speak English, she started helping other women who can't. She takes them to the doctor. She does a lot in the community, especially in Jackson.

Leon and Miss Teen Tennessee Latina Alexia Medina were also the focus of this photo-filled interview in eSpanglish Magazine.

Both Leon and Medina have roots in Mexico and in Georgia.

Photo used with permission of Miss Tennessee Latina Pageant and Lilibeth Leon. Photo by SamFotos.com. All rights reserved.

Labels: awards, english, events, mexico, spanish

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"San Miguel de Allende, as a city, possesses a texture, a tone, and time and place completely its own"

From The Arts Company comes the following announcement about photographs of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico by Nashville real estate agent Suzanne Elmer:

Opening Saturday, September 5, 2009
Reception 6:00pm-9:00pm
With a Salon Preview
During Art After Hours
Thursday, September 3
5-8 pm
A conversation with the artists begins at 6 pm
215 Fifth Avenue of the Arts, North
www.theartscompany.com

Find us on Facebook, Twitter and The Arts Company Blog

The Arts Company “September Showcase” presents new work by two artists — paintings by Bill Johnson and photographs of San Miguel by Suzanne Elmer - scheduled to open September 5, 6-9 pm during the popular First Saturday Art Crawl at 215 Fifth Avenue of the Arts, North.

For information, www.theartscompany.com or by phone 615 254 2040, and through daily Twitter updates.

About the September Exhibit

The Arts Company celebrates Labor Day, the last holiday of summer, with two new series of artwork—Bill Johnson’s paintings and Suzanne Elmer’s photographs. They will both headline the exhibit, but the gallery will also showcase other artists whose work will be coming soon to the gallery.

About the Artists

Bill Johnson, painter

Bill Johnson already had a successful career as an art director with Rolling Stone magazine and subsequently with CBS Records in NYC in the 1970s and 1980s before he moved to Nashville in the 1990s to become the V.P. for Creative Services for CBS (now Sony-BMG) Records. His iconic award-winning album covers for Sony have captured, among other accolades, two Grammy awards. After his retirement, he began his own work as an artist in a clean and precise style that suited him. This is the second series of new paintings he has presented at The Arts Company, the first over two years ago. The new series is titled New Paintings. New Palette, and shows a very different palette from his earlier work.

Suzanne Elmer, photographer

Suzanne Elmer also began in the music business--as a professional drummer--but shifted to real estate a few years ago because she got caught up in rehabbing old houses. That love of houses and real estate trumped her drumming career and led her into paying attention to photography related to buildings, especially the ones in San Miguel, Mexico, one of her favorite cities in the world. She has since developed a small series of selected photographs printed in large format designed as contemplative decoration for a home or office environment.

My path to photography has not been a direct one. I’m a native Texan and a Nashvillian since 1981. I began my career as a professional drummer in 1978, and I’ve had the privilege to work with many of entertainment’s most recognized and respected names. Early in my music career I began buying, selling, and renovating a small portfolio of real estate, so my transition in 2001 to full time real estate sales and consulting seemed a natural one. In the process of photographing homes for my real estate listings, I discovered a passion for sharing an experience through images.

A home was a living space, architecture was more than lines and styles, and I wanted to communicate the way that I felt about a home in the images I took of its rooms. I liked the feel of the camera in my hands, and I found a strong similarity between holding drumsticks and shaping a song and holding a camera and shaping an image. Holding my camera and capturing just the right moment, in a unique way, feels very much like live performance to me. And I hope for those occasional moments when the essence of my experience behind the camera is captured so honestly that people can share it with me.

This San Miguel series is one of my best examples of that shared experience. San Miguel de Allende, as a city, possesses a texture, a tone, and time and place completely its own. I have had the privilege to travel there a number of times, and while these are some of my earliest photographs, they continue to resonate with me. I hope that this is one of those occasional moments, and that you are able to share the experience of San Miguel with me.

More about The Arts Company

Established in December 1996, The Arts Company continues to be an arts cornerstone on Fifth Avenue in downtown Nashville and a prime destination for fresh, original, contemporary artwork in photography, painting, and sculpture, by artists from emerging to legendary. The gallery website, www.theartscompany.com, is available 24/7 for reviewing and previewing artist portfolios and gallery and outside exhibitions sponsored throughout the year by the gallery. Information on First Saturdays and Art After Hours is also available on the website, as well as regular entries on Facebook, Twitter, our Blog, and Flickr. Regular gallery hours are: 10:00am-5:00pm, Tuesday-Saturday.

The Arts Company
Anne Brown, Owner & Director
215 Fifth Avenue of the Arts, North
Nashville, TN 37219
615-254-2040 / www.theartscompany.com

Images of artwork used with permission. Copyrights reserved by the artists.

Labels: arts, events, mexico

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Gabe Garcia: "He grew up around a lot of Spanish speaking people and a lot of Spanish bands"

Pierce Greenberg writes at The 9513 that George Strait's new album Twang features a Spanish-language track, "El Rey," which means, "The King." Strait is popularly known as The King of Country.

The 9513 explores the history of "El Rey" and its songwriter Jose Alfredo Jimenez, and "the prevalence of Mexican culture in country music," citing country music historian Don Cusic:

The Mexican influence on country music extends from the clothing (colorful) to the music, via Texas. The image of the cowboy is strong in both–and George Strait is certainly part of that culture. The cattle culture, horses, saddles, lariats and all that is heavily influenced by Mexico.

The article also mentions Hispanic country musicians such as Freddy Fender, Rick Trevino, and Nashville Star runner-up Gabe Garcia. According to the story:

Garcia grew up 15 minutes from Strait’s hometown, in Pearsall, Texas, and knows the Hispanic influence is strong around those parts.

“He grew up around a lot of Spanish speaking people and a lot of Spanish bands,” said Garcia. “That’s part of being from South Texas. That’s the culture down there.”

The Straight cover of "El Rey" will be released with the full album Twang on August 11. There is a link to hear the entire song at the end of the article at The 9513.

There have been three Hispanic top finishers in the country music TV competition Nashville Star on USA/NBC: Gabe Garcia, Melanie Torres, and John Arthur Martinez. Julio Iglesias Jr. won the CMT show Gone Country. Read those stories, and learn about the country music industry's efforts to target the Hispanic audience, at hispanicnashville.com/labels/countrymusic.html

Labels: country music, mexico, spanish

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Daughter Morelia launches Rhinestone Cure diabetes foundation

Manuel, Nashville's tailor to the stars, was recently featured in two separate online multimedia pieces by Tennessean reporters.

The first is a Metromix slideshow of his recent birthday party, described by Heather Byrd like this:

The king of country couture, Manuel, celebrated his 70-somethingth birthday at his mountain cabin over the weekend, and hundreds of friends and loved ones came out to join the party.

And what better way to celebrate than with a day full of fabulous food and music? The impressive roster of musicians included Danny Salazar, Suzette Renee from Neon Angels, the Flick Peterson Trio, Brooks Brothers, Ben Cyluss, Love Life, Rosie Flores, Rockin’ Bones, Tullie Brae and The Medicine Man Revenue, Max Onion, R.B. Stone, Jimmy Charles, Corazon Musica, Miss Melba Toast, Music City Burlesque, The Naughty School Girls and many more.

Partiers came from as far away as London and Mexico to attend this party. After all, no one knows quite how to throw a fiesta better than Manuel!

The other feature is the video series "First Impressions" by Jessica Bliss and Jennifer Justus - about what makes Nashville Nashville. An excerpt from Manuel's video:

When I came here in 1988, I found Nashville kind of a rural city. Second Avenue, down Broadway, was kind of down a little bit. But then it started to pick up. ... And we have a lot of culture. Since I arrived here [from California], many, many people from Santa Fe, Los Angles, Arizona are moving to Nashville. ... Old Nashville or Tennessee is no longer a bunch of Americans, a bunch of hillbillies with one thinking in mind. And that black and white stuff is gone forever. I am so happy to see that.

The First Impressions video also features Manuel's daughter Morelia Cuevas, who has just launched Rhinestone Cure, a non-profit diabetes foundation.

Metromix H/T: Post Politics

Photo of Manuel by Cambridge Jones

Labels: business, California, country music, mexico, music

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This week's cover of the Nashville Scene describes what happened and is happening to 4-year-old Alessandra Villalobos as "a fate worse than life." In 2007, at about two years old, Alessandra fell ill and ultimately suffered from tragic medical complications. Not only was her body damaged beyond human repair, but since then, she has been separated from her parents as part of a multi-layered (and multi-lawyered) legal nightmare.

Excerpts from the Scene:

Alessandra doesn't speak. When she cries, she doesn't make a sound—there are only tears and a pained grimace. She has a tracheotomy. The hiss and click of the mechanical ventilator sounds beneath her shirt. She is on two medications for seizures, has cerebral palsy and severe brain damage. Her kidneys continue to fail her.
...
[Her mother Ingrid Diaz] slips her fingers into her daughter's limp hand. Alessandra's eyelids droop and her mouth is slack like the rest of her body, which is strapped to a wheelchair to prevent her from listing. Diaz is angry about the way the little girl's hair looks today. She'll weep for this and for a thousand other things when she returns home, once again, without her daughter.
...
Diaz just wants her daughter back. ... She wants to go back to Mexico, and to take her daughter with her.
...
There's another agreement to sign. This one would leave Alessandra in the group home for the time being, but allows her "liberal" visitation rights. They tell her she's not giving up any of her parental rights.

In a case sprawling across multiple courts—with millions of dollars potentially at stake—this small, soft-spoken woman from Mexico seems swept up in a current she can't resist.

Diaz's nurses watched as her attorneys spelled out the agreement through the translator.

"She's gonna cave," predicted Kristin Johnson, one of Alessandra's nurses who had come to the hearing. "Anytime she gets under pressure, she'll cave."

Diaz signed the document.

In court, Judge Kennedy read the agreement into the record. He asked Diaz if she understood and agreed with its provisions.

"Sí," she said, nearly inaudibly.

Read the entire cover story in the Scene here.

May God heal this girl's body and bring healing to her family, as well. As many adults are involved in Alessandra's story, one would hope that she is bathed in prayer both here in her native Tennessee and in her parents' native Mexico. If you have a prayer list, please keep Alessandra and her family on it.

Photo by Thomas Wollbeck. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: health, mexico

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"Mexican immigrants are used to working hard."

Salvador Guzman and his brother are acquiring WPFD-AM Fairview at a selling price of $100,000 plus "an additional amount at closing for seller’s inventory," according to RBR.com. Guzman already owns Nashville's Spanish-language radio station WHEW-AM, according to the report.

Guzman also owns two stores and six local restaurants in the Nashville area, according to a March report in the Tennessean. In a 2007 interview with CNN/Money/Fortune (with photo), Guzman describes his entry into the restaurant business and concludes, "Mexican immigrants are used to working hard."

Guzman has hosted fundraisers for the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Tennessee (TNRNHA) and for Howard Gentry's mayoral campaign.

In 2006, Guzman was elected to the board of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a national organization of 150 local Hispanic chambers.

Photo by Seven Morris. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: business, immigrants, mexico, spanish

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Nashville Scene: "Cantina Laredo is to Mexican as P.F. Chang's is to Chinese"

"Darn good ... pricey"

Gourmet Mexican restaurant chain Cantina Laredo opened its doors on the ground floor of the ICON in the Gulch in April. Celebrating the grand opening of CL's first Tennessee location were Mayor Karl Dean and several Metro Council members, including Sandra Moore, Walter Hunt and Erica Gilmore, according to a press release.

The reviews on Yelp are 4.5 stars out of 5, and 85% of the voters on UrbanSpoon like it. The Nashville Scene thought the food was "darn good" and "pricey" in its initial review, following up with high praise for the service, salads and desserts in its full-length review, calling Cantina Laredo the P.F. Chang's of Mexican food.

Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. In addition to a variety of authentic Mexican dishes, other offerings include a Sunday brunch with complimentary Bloody Marys and Mimosas, preparation of fresh guacamole at the customer’s table, and catering services for events such as holiday parties and business meetings. Entrées are priced between $14 and $26. The restaurant is located at 592 12th Avenue South, (615) 259-9282.

The Scene recommends calling ahead of time.

The restaurant's Nashville competition includes La Paz in Green Hills, and Rosario's in Edgehill Village, as pointed out by William Williams in his City Paper review.

Dana Grizzél of TheExaminer.com has a glowing review here, and GimmeYummy has an extensive review - with pictures - here.

Labels: business, food, mexico

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"A key ingredient to our nation’s greatness is the contribution of the Mexican American community"

From TNGOP.org (hat tip: Post Politics):

The Tennessee Republican Party joins Mexican Americans today in celebrating their heritage on Cinco de Mayo.

“A key ingredient to our nation’s greatness is the contribution of the Mexican American community. Our shared values of family, freedom to pursue opportunity and observance of our faith are the cornerstones of Hispanic citizens and all ethnicities,” noted Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party. “Today, we reaffirm the commitment of our Republican Party to the policies that work to provide jobs, educational opportunity, access to health care, the ownership of private property and all others that emphasize personal achievement, not government interference or entitlement.”

Tennessee enjoys the leadership of the TN Republican National Hispanic Assembly that continues to grow and represent key issues. The organization’s beliefs are clearly stated at their website, www.tnrnha.org/i_am_a_republican.htm.

Raul Lopez, Chairman of the TN Republican National Hispanic Assembly, declared, “We have all come to the greatest country in the world for the opportunity to worship without government restriction; for our families to pursue happiness without government bondage and domination; and to express ourselves freely without fear. We can’t take these blessings for granted and must fight as our forefathers to keep our citizens free.

Juan Borges, Vice Chairman of the TNRNHA, encourages interested citizens to get involved at www.tnrnha.org.

Labels: justice, mexico

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A documentary screening of A Class Apart tonight at Vanderbilt Law School just happens to take place on the first day of the 40th Nashville Film Festival.

The Festival has too many movies to review here, many of them tied to Hispanic subjects or filmmakers in one way or another, so I recommend you avoid the stress by skipping the Festival tonight and checking out A Cass Apart (5:30 pm, Vanderbilt Law School), about a historic Supreme Court case and Latino discrimination in the Southwest.

As for the Festival, support them fully the entire rest of the weekend, and see at least one of these two movies: No Boundaries (7pm Monday April 20), about a South American illegal immigrant in Philadelphia (and featuring former Nashvillian Mark McGraw), and I'm Gonna Explode (7:30 pm Tuesday April 21), from Mexican director Gerardo Naranjo.

Jim Ridley of the Scene uses the words "coolest movie ever" in his review of I'm Gonna Explode. No Boundaries is reviewed on the Scene's massive movie recap page here.

The screening of A Class Apart will be in the Renaissance Room of the Vanderbilt Law School tonight at 5:30pm and will feature a post-screening discussion featuring Gregg Ramos and Renata Soto. The event is free. The following synopsis was provided:

In the tiny town of Edna, Texas, in 1951, field hand Pete Hernandez murdered tenant farmer Joe Espinosa after exchanging words in a gritty cantina. From this unremarkable small-town murder emerged a landmark civil rights case that would forever change the lives and legal standing of tens of millions of Americans. "A Class Apart" tells the little-known story of a band of underdog Mexican-American lawyers who took their case, Hernandez v. Texas, all the way to the Supreme Court, where they successfully challenged Jim Crow-style discrimination against Mexican-Americans.

In the landmark case, defense lawyers forged a daring legal strategy, arguing that Mexican-Americans were "a class apart" and did not neatly fit into a legal structure that recognized only blacks and whites. As legal skirmishes unfolded, the lawyers emerged as brilliant, dedicated, humorous and at times terribly flawed men. This film dramatically interweaves the story of its central characters -- activists and lawyers, returning veterans and ordinary citizens, murderer, and victim -- within the broader history of Latinos in America during a time of extraordinary change.

The A Class Apart screening is presented by the Nashville Chapter and the Vanderbilt University Law School Student Chapter of the American Constitution Society, Active Voice, the American GI Forum of the United States, Equal Justice Society, Conexion Americas, the Hispanic National Bar Foundation, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, Latino Public Broadcasting, Public Broadcasting System and the Vanderbilt University Law School Chapter of the Latin American Law Students Association.

No Boundaries is summarized in this press release:

No Boundaries, LLC is thrilled to announce its official selection in the Nashville Film Festival which will take place from April 16th to the 23rd 2009, for its independent feature film, No Boundaries), directed by Jake Willing and Violet Mendoza. Nashville Film Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. With over 22,000 people attending the 2008 festival, it is one of the best-known arts events in Tennessee and is the biggest, most international film festival in the mid-South. “This is a festival built on 40 years of dedication to both the craft of filmmaking and the diverse interests of this community,” says Artistic Director, Brian Owens. No Boundaries, filmed in the beautifully diverse locations of the Greater Philadelphia Region, contains edgy and original cinematography. The film has an original score and features music from various talented independent musicians from the Philadelphia area. No Boundaries showcases the talent of former Nashville resident, Mark McGraw, who plays the male lead role of “Christopher Fox”, an immigration agent, who falls in love with “Isabel Moreno”, played by Dani Garza, who makes her feature film debut. Isabel makes a treacherous journey from her home in South America to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a desperate attempt to save her ailing mother. In one magical moment, Christopher’s eyes meet those of Isabel’s, changing their lives forever. Christopher’s unlikely love affair with Isabel puts them both at great risk. Isabel is forced to choose between true love and survival in her new country.

McGraw states, “I’m so excited. Nashville has been a special place for me to visit and live over the years. And now, I’m happy that the film No Boundaries will have the opportunity to visit Nashville as an official selection of the Nashville Film Festival. This city has always been full of such talented artists and I’m just thrilled to be invited to the party!”

Mendoza adds, “What an honor to be accepted into one of the top film showcases in the world, a dream come true! It is a great tribute to the cast and crew as well as the unseen heroes of this film: the musicians. ‘Music City’ here we come!”

Labels: entertainment, events, mexico

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2Divine, Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama, Little Mexico & Latin Folklore, Mariachi Band Zelaya

2Divine

Friday, April 17

6:00 pm Courthouse Stage
Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama
Panamanian performers dancing to folkloric music from Panama. Children ages 5 and up to adults.

7:30 pm Courthouse Stage
Little Mexico & Latin Folklore
Performances of International Folklore Dances from Mexico, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, Cuba and the U.S.

8:00 pm Courthouse Stage
Mariachi Band Zelaya

Saturday, April 18

12:30 pm Courthouse Stage
Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama
Panamanian performers dancing to folkloric music from Panama. Children ages 5 and up to adults.

2:00 pm International Streetfest Cooking Show
El Toro Mexican Restaurant
El Toro Mexican Restaurant will be cooking a Mexican dish.

4:00 pm International Streetfest Cooking Show
Torero's Fine Mexican Restaurant
Torero's Fine Mexican Restaurant will be cooking a Mexican dish.

5:15 pm Courthouse Stage
2Divine
2Divine's existing members portray the diverse countries; as well as their music. Their names are Yaneiry 18, Anabell 16, Steffy 20, Mayra 17, Estefany 16, and Marcy 16, which are part of this singular musical group. The countries Dominican Republic, Columbia, and Ecuador represent these young girls that are already causing a sensation in the music industry. All of these girls grew up and developed in the city of New York. Their music is a mixture of hip pop, reggaeton, pop balada, merengue, cumbia and rock. Although their first language is English for they grew up in the United States they still sing and speak Spanish perfectly. And this they demonstrate in their first musical Production "Canto a La Vida". On their first press kit 2Divine includes the songs "Canto a La Vida" and "Mentiras". Both composed by Ezequiel Saldana and musically arranged by the well known Dominican arranger Josias Pina. Next song "Confundido" was composed by Yaneiry Saldana and Anabell Garcia with musical arranged by DJ CHUCKY, a famous producer in New York City. Never the less "Quien va a Responder?" which was composed by Carlos Garcia an outstanding Puerto Rican singer/writer and musically arranged by G4L (Yan & Yon). 2Divine was created in the summer of 2005. Shortly before hand Yaneiry, Marcy, Anabell, and Mayra had to leave the kids group "Adonai Kids" (for age reasons). This was where they met and sang together since the year 1998 recording three musical productions for kids. The name 2Divine (which translated in Spanish means "Dos Divinas") is brought out of the fact that only two (Yaneiry and Anabell) play the lead role on stage. This group is meant to transfer their music to the youth's hearts with an elated and pleasant message. As well as give positive advices which will sink into their hearts and spirits; and help them enjoy life with no harm. This is the motivation of this project. 2Divine is the new image in the youth of the city that never sleeps, a youth that smiles, that fights and triumph, this is New York.

Labels: colombia, cuba, dance, dominican republic, ecuador, events, mexico, panama, puerto rico

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The Nashville Scene points us to a Belcourt run of Silent Light (Stellet Licht), a movie set in Mexico about adultery in a Mennonite community. The language of the film is "the medieval German dialect Plautdietsch."

German and Mexico and Nashville last intersected in the Hispanic Nashville Notebook when we were discussing how German immigrants changed both country music in the U.S. and norteño music in Mexico:

Polka, which originated from Bohemia, has also had a significant influence on norteño. Compared side-by-side, some styles of American polka may bear striking resemblance to norteño music. The polka beat is characteristic of norteño. At the turn of the 20th century, Bohemian immigrants flowed into Sinaloa, Mexico to farm the land and mine coal. German immigrants had also settled in large numbers in the cities of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon and Mazatlan, Sinaloa as early as the late 19th century. These German immigrants fueled the demand for a local brewing industry, and they also influenced the music scene by bringing the accordion and the polka rhythm, which were part of the popular music of their homeland.

According to this Wikipedia article, Silent Light won a number of film festival awards and also appeared on several critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2008:

• 2nd - A. O. Scott, The New York Times
• 4th - Scott Foundas, LA Weekly
• 5th - Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
• 6th - David Ansen, Newsweek
• 6th - J. Hoberman, The Village Voice

From the Belcourt's description of the film and its subjects:

During the sixteenth century, a Protestant group called the Anabaptists (or re-baptizers, because of their belief that their followers must chose baptism as consenting adults) was formed in Switzerland. Menno Simons (1496-1561), a Dutchman from Friseland, codified their doctrine by introducing radical pacifism. His followers were persecuted mercilessly for their anti-militarist stance. They fled from Holland to Prussia, and later to the Russian Empire, ruled by Catherine the Great. Europe’s relentless thirst for war drove most Mennonites to Canada, where they settled in 1873, and to the United States, where Amish and Mennonite communities had been living since 1683. After the First World War, a wave of anti-German feelings spread throughout Canada and it became increasingly difficult to teach Germanic languages. Many Mennonites emigrated to the north of Mexico in 1922. Today, almost 100,000 Mennonites live there in communities that have their own education system and unique regime of civil liberties. Those who are not content with progress and development emigrate to Bolivia, Belize, or other areas of Mexico, where they establish farming communities without electricity, modern medicine, telephone, internal combustion engines, mass media, etc., and live distant from the local population.

Some moderate groups do not reject progress, but those who are more conservative than our protagonists choose to live according to the standards of the sixteenth century. The Mennonite community depicted in the movie is an intermediate one, to the extent that they have slowly begun to modernise and have come to accept cars and the advances of scientific medicine, among other things, but still refusing modern communication channels such as telephone or the Internet Among them, Mennonites speak Plautdietsch, a German dialect that comes from Friesland and is strongly related to medieval Dutch and Flemish. With the population of Mexico they speak Spanish.

Labels: arts, events, german, immigrants, mexico

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Chief Ronal Serpas: "Our police department views the El Protector Program as a critical service"

On February 27, NewsChannel5 reported here that the Metro Nashville Police Department has won national recognition for its El Protector program, which engages the Hispanic/Latino community with communications in both English and Spanish. The Vera Institute of Justice recently recognized the Nashville program in this report of "best practices" by law enforcement officers addressing language-related challenges.

On the same day of that local story, NewsChannel5 also reported here that Vanderbilt students are canceling spring break trips to Monterrey, Mexico due to violence there. A Reuters report describing the Monterrey incidents mentioned by the Vanderbilt students is here. The report says that "[a]bout 300 protesters carried signs complaining about army operations in the northern city of Monterrey," and indicates that the protests were funded by drug cartels. It further says that "the army is disrupting drug gang operations, but is failing to cleanse Mexico's corrupt police forces that are working for the cartels."

The corruption of police in some Latin American countries is one reason for Nashville's El Protector program, according to one of the local officers interviewed by NewsChannel5. In the video accompanying the story, Officer Gilbert Ramirez said that one of the goals of the program is to communicate to natives of Spanish-speaking countries who are living in Nashville that they can trust the police here. The program's ability to effectively communicate by bridging language barriers is part of the reason it won recognition by the Vera Institute.

“Our police department views the El Protector Program as a critical service that reaches out to a segment of our community who may not be familiar with American, and particularly Nashville, law enforcement practices,” Chief Ronal Serpas said in a press release. “I am grateful that the Vera Institute of Justice believes that our program is one that can be considered for replication by other law enforcement agencies in the United States.”

Officer Rafael Fernandez and Officer Gilbert Ramirez are the current face of El Protector. Both appear on the program's bilingual home page on the MNPD web site.

Labels: awards, justice, mexico, spanish

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Sheyla Paz Hicks (of Paz Communications Inc. and SPANISH-TV) alerted me to this fundraiser to help stop human trafficking in Nashville. The event is 7-11pm tonight at the Tin Roof and features five artists - The Harters, The Lowry Sisters, Telephant, Jessica Brandhorst, and Sleep Til May. Cover is $5; suggested donation is $10. Proceeds will benefit Free for Life Ministries.

The Nashville City Paper reported here in July 2007 that there were "multiple brothels in Nashville with prostitutes that are exclusively foreign nationals of Latin American countries" that were at the time "the target of a statewide FBI investigation into possible sex slavery at the hands of an indicted Mexican national," and that more instances of trafficking were suspected but had not yet been uncovered. At the same time and in the same article, it was announced that Nashville was getting assistance from the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services to form a “Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking” coalition, "to arm local agencies with the tools necessary to help identify trafficking and slavery victims." That coalition can be found at nashvillerescueandrestore.org

In 2006, the FBI freed a 14-year-old Mexican girl from forced prostitution in Nashville. In 2008, two men were arrested for forcing a 22-year-old Mexico City woman into prostitution at a Nashville motel. More stories at nashvillerescueandrestore.org

Labels: justice, mexico

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Incoming Miss Tennessee Latina is in the Class of 2010 at UT-Chattanooga

One woman cried, “Viva Latinoamerica!” while others sang cheers for Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua and others

"It's good that there are events like this that unite us"

Photo and story courtesy of Latino News. Editing in English by Hispanic Nashville Notebook. More photos are here, and the original article in Spanish is here.

This year’s crowning of Miss Tennessee Latina was a true Latin American festival.

A Venezuelan man interviewed outside the event said, “It’s good that there are events like this that unite us among the different countries, and we can share some time with people of other nationalities.” And that is Miss Tennessee Latina, an event where all the Latin American nations cheer on the young women who highlight the personal and cultural attributes of the Hispanic heritage that they possess along with all young women of Hispanic descent.

Once again, the tenacity of organizer Marjorie Weller pulled her through at a time when it is not easy to get sponsors or resources. It was a simple and brilliantly elegant ceremony. Winners were chosen in three different categories to represent our state at nationals in Miami late next summer.

There was no lack of commentary among the cheering sections in the audience when the results were announced, possibly because Mexico swept the top spots in each of the three divisions of the competition: Miss Tennessee Latina, Miss Teen Tennessee Latina, and Miss Tennessee Latina Princesa. It might have gone unnoticed by some that the jurors had American, Mexican, and Cuban heritage, and in our opinion the decision was truly difficult but a good one for all three divisions.

The pageant was held in the comfortable venue of Salon de Fiestas El Sol in Madison on November 22, with about 300 people attending. Sponsors included the beauty product brand Rodan + Field, El Manjar Restaurant, La Ilusión Bridal Shop, El Sol bakery, beauty salon Dolce’s of Brentwood, and Latino newspaper.

Mariela Flores and Audrey Taveras, Miss Tennessee Latina 2007 and Miss Teen Tennessee Latina 2007, respectively, presented the crowns to the new reigning queens, who were as follows:

Miss Tennessee Latina 2008: Lilibeth Leon (Mexico)
First Runner-Up: Laura Gruber (Venezuela)

Miss Teen Tennessee Latina 2008: Alexia Medina (Mexico)
Miss Pre-Teen Tennessee Latina 2008: Elizabeth Lara (Mexico).

Other honors awarded:
Miss Ambassador: Gabriela Espinoza
Miss Photogenic: Michelle Muñoz
Miss Congeniality: Laura Gruber
Miss Community Service: Laura Gruber

Labels: awards, cuba, mexico, nicaragua, venezuela

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"A mixture of Latin, flamenco, rock, pop, with powerful and melodic vocals"

Chile, Mexico roots

Local band Martina Dreems is throwing its CD release party this Saturday, December 6, at 6:30pm in downtown Nashville. The venue is First Baptist Church, Room 370, 108 7th Ave S, 37203.

The concert is free, and the CD is 'Life Wind and Faith' - which can be previewed and purchased on CD Baby and DigStation.

From the notes on CD Baby:

A strong honest and melodic journey combining pop, rock, latin, and flamenco influences, all summed into two acoustic guitars and a deep and inspiring voice.

Cristina and Marcel O'Shee came from Chile (South America) to the United States seeking to share their music through a cross-cultural approach. In Nashville, TN, they met guitarist Ricardo Sanchez, from Mexico, who added his exceptional talent to the project. Ricardo recorded almost every guitar solo and he co-wrote along with Marcel all the guitar arrangements. The Result: A mixture of Latin, flamenco, rock, pop, with powerful and melodic vocals. Even though Martina Dreems consider themselves a Metal/Latin band, their first Album (Life Wind & Faith) has an Acoustical approach, combined with reflexive lyrics that meditate about the struggles in life and God's Love. Looking to take our heavy rock path in a near future, we strongly encourage you to check out our debut CD. You will enjoy it.

Labels: arts, chile, events, mexico, music

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"It's about celebrating your loved ones"

Cheekwood will host its 9th annual Family Fall Day - celebrating El Dia de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") - this Saturday, November 1, from 11am to 5pm.

The Tennessean reports here that "Cheekwood decided to start hosting the event, which draws about 3,000 people, when the Hispanic population began growing in Nashville." The paper quotes Hillary Steinwinder, event coordinator, as saying, "It's about celebrating your loved ones."

"It's a beautiful time of the year to celebrate and make others aware of the Mexican culture," Steinwinder told the Tennessean.

From Cheekwood:

Come Celebrate with us at our ninth annual Fall Family Day, El Dia de los Muertos. Join us for traditional music and dance, vibrant art activities and authentic Mexican food as we recognize and celebrate this Latin American holiday. Shop in our bustling Mexican marketplace, enjoy fine cuisine from local establishments, and explore tradition through our beautiful altar displays and other traditional arts.

From the full schedule of events:

ENTERTAINMENT

Botanic Hall

Massey Auditorium
11:00 – 11:15 Alma de Mexico Mariachis
11:15 – 12:00 Grupo Folklorico Hispanoamericano – Traditional Dance
12:00 – 1:30 Sabor Latino
1:30 – 3:00 San Rafael Trio
3:00 – 5:00 Serenatta

Potter Classroom
Ongoing Stories & History with Abuelita Irene
Ongoing Movie Screenings
Flickering Lights: Days of the Dead

Lot B
Marketplace Stage
11:15 – 11:30 Alma de Mexico Mariachis
11:30 – 12:30 La Colmena Flamenco Troupe - Traditional Dance
12:30 – 1:30 Destellos Culturales de Mexico – Traditional Dance
2:00 – 3:00 Alma de Mexico Mariachis

*Parade
1:30 Sing and Dance your way to Botanic Hall & the Marketplace from the Learning Center with the Alma de Mexico Mariachis

Frist Learning Center
11:30 – 1:30 Alma de Mexico Mariachis
2:00 Nashville Public Library presents Tomas & the Library Lady – en Espanol
3:00 Nashville Public Library presents Tomas & the Library – in English

CRAFTS and ACTIVITIES

Paint A Gourd
Papel Picado
Paper Marigolds
Family Journals
Calaveras Masks
Tombstone Factory
Scavenger Hunt
Spanish Bingo
*Sugar Skulls
*Tapete!

*NEW Activities

VENDORS

Food
La Hacienda
El Rocodo #2
Las Paletas
US Border Cantina

Art & Merchandise
HispanoAmerica
Jacky Almaguer
Mexican Curious
Elena Vargas
Ruben Torres
Cheekwood Gift Shop

ALTAR PARTICIPANTS

Cheekwood
Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee
Conexion Americas
Nashville Public Library
Metro Parks & Recreation
Catholic Charities
Rape & Sexual Abuse Center

Photo by Lisa B. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: arts, events, food, mexico, spanish

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From The Tennessean:

As a recording played traditional Andean music of flutes and recorders, Juan Canedo pointed out different cities and regions with Bolivia. "We want to show the diversity within our own country but also the diversity within our communities in Nashville," he said. "We are reaching out to our own Hispanic community in Nashville because of its diversity."

A performance by Danza Azteca La Guadalupe highlighted the afternoon. The dancers recreated a Mexican tradition of using Aztec costumes and steps to commemorate the Dec. 12 day of the Lady of Guadalupe, which celebrates the appearance of the Virgin Mary in 1531 near what is now Mexico City.

Through an interpreter, dancer Sergio Salazar said performing reminds him of his culture and his ancestors.

Photo by Kyle Jones. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: bolivia, mexico

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Negative tone has been rejected by some Christians, but continues nonetheless

Less than one month after the Hispanic Nashville Notebook called for evangelicals to get it right on Hispanics and immigration (see here), Bob DeMoss and Mark Whitlock, two well-known Christian writers from the Nashville suburb of Franklin, Tennessee, are selling a product they call "Obama Waffles," in which Barack Obama appears in caricature in a Mexican sombrero, and references are made in jest to multiculturalism, foreign languages, and "illegal aliens."

Also this month, advocates of the proposed English Only foreign language ban superimposed the faces of their perceived political enemies onto a poster of the movie The Three Amigos, in which the characters are wearing Mexican mariachi uniforms (story on the Nashville Scene blog here).

Why would these caricatures be of concern for a Christian? Here's what I said last time:

In an environment in which Hispanics and/or immigrants are the subject of politically generated suspicion and scorn, it certainly isn't right for Southern Baptists and other evangelicals to gin up more suspicion and scorn.

Put another way, you don't use in a political barb the imagery of Mexicans and/or immigrants (even unvisaed immigrants), when mere association with them is the joke, if you are a Christian hell-bent on loving your neighbor as yourself. The negativity of it is wrong, and good conservatives have both warned against this kind of tone in the past (see Leslie Sanchez quotes here) and also asked for forgiveness for it in Nashville's LP Field (see Sam Brownback quote here).

At the Values Voters Summit where the Obama Waffles were sold, the organizers eventually ejected DeMoss' and Whitlock's booth and condemned their product as having improper "tone and content" and having "crosse[d] the line into coarseness and bias":

Family Research Council Action executive director David Nammo released the following statement:

"We strongly condemn the tone and content of materials that were exhibited by one of the vendors at this weekend's Values Voter Summit. The materials represent an attempt at parody that crosses the line into coarseness and bias."

"The exhibitor contacted our reviewer just days before the Summit by email and described material that sounded like it was devoted to political flip-flops on policy issues. When the content of the materials was brought to the attention of FRC Action senior officials today, they were removed and the exhibit was dismantled by the vendor at our insistence. It is our responsibility to fully vet materials that are offered at any event we cosponsor, but we are deeply dismayed that this vendor violated the spirit, message and tone of our event in such an offensive manner."

"The Values Voter Summit represents a coming together of many long-established organizations that work across denominational and ethnic lines to celebrate and promote the family and a culture of life. We reject any communications that divide and distract us and frustrate these principles. Bishop Harry Jackson's High Impact Leadership Coalition, Gary Bauer's American Values, and Alliance Defense Fund join us in rejecting this material."

Source: Christianity Today

Explanation

When asked why Obama was pictured in a sombrero, DeMoss and Whitlock gave the following explanation to the American News Project (video here):

"Positions on the, the border... We're havin' th-, him, erase the line between the U.S. and Mex-"

As of September 25, neither DeMoss nor Whitlock had responded to a Tuesday, September 16 e-mail request for an interview (sent to interviewrequests@obamawaffles.com)

Apology to Lou Dobbs

DeMoss and Whitlock have repeatedly defended their Obama Waffles product as "humor." To the extent that they have apologized for anything, it has been not for the box itself but for something else: having posted a picture of Lou Dobbs on their web site without Dobbs' permission. According to the story on ObamaWaffles.com (here), "the caption of the [since removed] post read:

"Lou Dobbs: 'My Wife Will Love This!'"

Images of Obama Waffles box: American News Project; Image of "Three Amigos": Nashville Scene

Labels: business, english, faith, justice, mexico, negativity

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"We're all in this together"

Nashville attorney and advocate A. Gregory ("Gregg") Ramos is featured prominently in a brochure for the Nashville United Way's fundraising campaign entitled "Live United." Ramos' quote for the piece:

"Living united means raising awareness - and raising your voice - about our community's needs. I consider myself an advocate for United Way, not only by contributing personally to the campaign, but also by sharing the message of its mission. We're all in this together."

Ramos has lived out this message and mission most prominently in his efforts to steer Nashville away from foreign language-stifling rules (proposed both this year and last in different forms) and to find civil solutions for ordinary visaless immigrants instead of the one-size-fits-all 287(g) process currently in place, including for pregnant women such as Juana Villegas.

Ramos' causes are finding sympathetic ears, in that Nashvillians are increasingly recognizing the sinister side of the current incarnation of English Only, which looks like a foreign language blackout. Ramos also reports that Sheriff Daron Hall has recently indicated a willingness to ramp down the severity of its department's treatment of pregnant women in custody, which is a step forward in the context of the Villegas case.

Ramos often tells how he is inspired by his parents, who came to Arizona from Mexico, and by his father, who did not learn English until he served in World War II.

Ramos was recently named to the 33rd class of Leadership Nashville. His further accomplishments are summarized in his bio:

Ramos was President of the Nashville Bar Association in 2004. He is a member of North, Pursell, Ramos & Jameson PLC in Nashville, TN, where he maintains a general civil litigation practice with an emphasis in the areas of workers' compensation and employment law as well as personal injury. He received his J.D. degree from Arizona State University in 1980 and his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from the same university in 1977.

After practicing law in Arizona for four years as an Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Phoenix, Ramos moved to Tennessee in 1984 so his wife Sandy could pursue a songwriting career in Country Music. (Sandy’s songs have been recorded by the Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Anne Murray, Kenny Rogers, Lee Greenwood, Barbara Mandrell and a host of others). Sandy and Gregg have two children, Melody, age 25, and David, age 20. Mr. Ramos is a member of the Nashville, Tennessee, and American Bar Associations as well as the State Bar of Arizona.

Ramos is the immediate past president of Catholic Charities of Tennessee. In addition, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the following organizations: United Way of Metropolitan Nashville (Chair of the HR Committee), Board President of Conexion Americas (a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Hispanic families realize their aspirations for social and economic advancement by promoting their integration into the Middle Tennessee community), and the Tennessee Justice Center, whose mission is to advocate on behalf of poor Tennesseans. Ramos serves as well as a member of the Advisory Board of the American Constitution Society, an organization dedicated to ensuring that our country’s founding values of human dignity, individual rights and liberties, genuine equality and access to justice enjoy their rightful, central place in American law.

Governor Bredesen appointed Ramos in 2006 to serve on the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council. He also is a past member of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Committee on Public Trust and Confidence in the Courts. Finally, Ramos serves on the Tennessee Education Lottery’s Advisory Council on Minority Business Participation and is an Executive Committee member of the Metro Bar Caucus, an affiliate organization of the American Bar Association.

Labels: english, immigrants, mexico

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"Part of Delta's ongoing international expansion, of which Latin America is a key component"

Delta issued this press release announcing nonstop service from Nashville to Cancun:

Delta Air Lines plans to offer a nonstop flight between Nashville and Cancun beginning December 20.

According to a news release from the company, as an introductory offer the Saturday flights will cost $159 one-way.

Pam Elledge, senior vice president-Global Sales and Distribution, said Cancun is a favorite destination for U.S. travelers.

The new flight between Nashville and Cancun is part of Delta's ongoing international expansion, of which Latin America is a key component.

Delta currently serves Cancun from Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Hartford, Conn., Los Angeles, Orlando, Fla., Raleigh-Durham, N.C., Salt Lake City, and Washington, D.C.

Labels: business, mexico

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Beltran is two-time world title challenger

Promoter: "I believe there is a good market here, especially with a large Hispanic population"

The Tennessean reports here that Fernando Beltran Jr. of Mexico will be climbing into the boxing ring for the Sommet Center's first such event in 11 years. The August 22 event will be broadcast on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights.

From the Tennessean:

Two major titles will be up for grabs Friday at the Sommet Center as part of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.

The International Boxing Organization’s Featherweight World title and the International Boxing Federation’s North American Junior Middleweight championship will co-headline the first boxing event at the Sommet Center since January 1997.
..
“I believe there is a good market here, especially with a large Hispanic population and it’s going to take time to develop, but you have to do it right,” [Arthur] Pellullo [of Banner Promotions] said. “
...
That international audience will be particularly interested in the 12-round main event between Mexican southpaw Fernando Beltran Jr. and South Africa’s former IBO Featherweight champion Takalani Ndlovu.
...
Beltran Jr., who is 30-3-1 with 18 knockouts, didn’t seem shaken by the standard boxing press conference hype.

From the press release:

FERNANDO BELTRAN VS. TAKALANI NDLOVU

HEADLINES CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD ON AUGUST 22,

HARRY JOE YORGEY VS. JASON LeHOULLIER IN CO-FEATURE

AT SOMMET CENTER IN NASHVILLE, TENN.;

TELEVISED LIVE ON ESPN’S “FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS”

Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Rodney Berman/Golden Gloves will present a sensational world championship fight card on Friday, August 22, 2008, at the Sommet Center, located at 501 Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee. The main event and co-featured bout will be televised live on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights.”

In the 12 round main event for the vacant IBO featherweight world title, Fernando Beltran Jr., 30-3-1 with 18 knockouts, of Culiacan, Mexico, will fight Takalani Ndlovu, 28-4 with 18 knockouts, of Johannesburg, South Africa.

The extremely popular Beltran, now 26 years old, is a veteran contender and two-time world title challenger. In April, 2005, he challenged WBO jr. featherweight world champion Joan Guzman. Fernando finished the fight very strongly – he won the eighth and ninth rounds on two judges’ scorecards then swept the eleventh and twelfth on all three, but lost a competitive 12 round decision. He challenged IBF jr. featherweight world champion Steve Molitor in his last fight in April, 2008, and gave another strong effort, but lost by decision in that fight, as well. Fernando also has a win to his credit against former WBC bantamweight world champion Victor Rabanales in a nontitle fight.

30 year-old Ndlovu is a former IBO super bantamweight world champion with three successful title defenses, as well as a former South African featherweight champion. He is 7-1 in his last eight fights, with five wins by knockout. The only loss in that streak was by decision in an IBF featherweight world title challenge against Steve Molitor.

In the co-featured bout featuring two super undefeated prospects, Harry Joe Yorgey, 20-0-1 with 9 knockouts, of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, will face Jason LeHoullier, 21-0-1 with 8 knockouts, of Portland, Maine. The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds for the vacant IBF North American Junior Middleweight title.

More exciting bouts featuring the best in local boxing talent will complete the card. All bouts subject to change without notice.

Doors open at: 6:00 P.M. (All times Central time)

First bout: 7:00 P.M.

Tickets prices: starting at $27.50

Tickets available at Sommet Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at 615-255-9600, and online at sommetcenter.com

Labels: events, mexico, sports

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Charlemos Spanish, one of Nashville's Spanish chat groups, sent out this press release announcing its upcoming speakers:

Sister Cities of Nashville’s Spanish social conversation group, Charlemos Spanish, announces its speakers for the beginning of the 2008-2009 season. Each meeting begins with a presentation, in Spanish, followed by small group conversation, in Spanish.

Charlemos Spanish meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Palette Gallery and Cafe at 2119 Belcourt Avenue in Hillsboro Village. All levels of Spanish-speakers, from beginner to native, are invited. The event is free and open to the public.

The speakers are:

* Leticia Mason--originally from Guadalajara, México; a lawyer and certified Spanish court interpreter in the state of Tennessee; “Spanish court interpreters in Tennessee and main differences between the American justice system and the Mexican justice system”; 11 September
* Natalia Pelaz--Spanish professor at Belmont University; originally from Spain; “Until soccer united us--How the European Cup created a sense of Spanish unity”, 25 September
* Paulo Boero--Spanish professor at Belmont University; originally from Argentina; moved to Nashville at the age of twelve; will speak about Argentine film, 9 October

Charlemos Spanish was created in December 2006 by the Spanish Committee of Sister Cities of Nashville, a nonprofit organization, founded in 1990, dedicated to the promotion of global understanding through educational, professional and cultural exchanges.

Sister Cities of Nashville has one Spanish-speaking sister city--Mendoza in the wine country of Argentina. Nashville has developed a successful high school student exchange with Mendoza. Sister Cities is currently exploring a relationship with Chihuahua, Mexico. A formal International Friendship City relationship with El Port de la Selva, Catalonia, Spain is pending.

Mayor Karl Dean is the Honorary Chair for Sister Cities of Nashville.

Charlemos Spanish is for persons who wish to:

* Speak Spanish on a regular basis
* Make bilingual friends
* Learn more about Hispanic culture.

The founder and president of Charlemos Spanish is Elizabeth Worrell Braswell. Ms. Braswell is an online Spanish instructor for Austin Peay State University and a board member of Sister Cities of Nashville.

For directions and more information on the gallery go to: http://www.palettegallerycafe.com

Contact:

Elizabeth Worrell Braswell
615-202-0482
elizworrell@comcast.net

Monica Mackie
director@scnashville.org

Photo by Dragunsk Usf. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: argentina, education, justice, mexico, spain, spanish

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The Tennessean reports here that the Nashville Metros soccer team will host the Monarcas of Morelia, Mexico tonight at Ezell Park Stadium:

The Metros will play their third international match of the season Saturday night at Ezell Park Stadium, taking on Monarcas of Morelia...

The Metros-Mexican matches this season have come about in large part because of Martin Sanchez, who joined the team’s ownership group a couple of months ago. A businessman formerly based in Birmingham, Ala., Sanchez has many ties to Mexico and has been able to arrange the contests.

The Metros have long sought to make inroads in the area’s Hispanic community and believe games like this serve as significant steps in that direction.

“International matches tend to give people a little taste of home — they get people excited," [Metros Coach Rico] Laise said. “I think a large contingency of the Mexican population here is from the state (Michoacan) where Morelia is, so hopefully they’ll come out and take a look."

Photo by Julio Marquez. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: events, immigrants, mexico, sports

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