Centro Cultural Nicaragüense Norteamericano
www.ccnn.org.ni
January, 2009
Days of January I think of the old Bob Dylan song “The Times They Are A’ Changin’” this January. The US’s first African American president is about to be inaugurated, which will obviously make for a historical Dr. Martin Luther King Day. As well as a new chapter for American and world history. Nicaragua has a few challenges of it’s own: on going political turmoil and a bleak economic horizon ahead. Times of crisis, however, are the greatest creators of innovation and decisive in testing a person’s resolve; CCNN is more than happy to continue its good work through empowering Nicaraguans who are willing to fight for their own well-being.
Summer Camp Every January and February CCNN has Summer Camp to imbed learning within socialization. Campers have an optimal atmosphere for relating English Language learning experience from the classroom to common day-to-day activities. The English Language learning experience is a fun way to make good friends and enjoy English Language music and media.
Personally, for 2009 I’ve set out to be more organized as a goal. A good many Nicaraguans have positively resolved to advance in learning English or to take the giant leap of beginning. Those who are commited and persevere will undoubtedly cultivate a skill that has the power to change their lives forever. CCNN has taken the lemons of our immediate here and now and continues to come up with new lemonade recipes; venturing into the uncharted waters of the digital revolutions to enrich the English Language learning process through the use of multimedia and adittional online resources. Every day has exciting opportunities and reasons to serve our student population with pride and excellence, 2009 is definitely our year. The Editor.
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New Challenges for 2009
www.ccnn.org.ni
January, 2009
Children’s
Prep Programs Children learn through their own curiosity 2
CCNN’s prep programs for Children have been developed with the main goal of setting a strong foundation in the student’s process. This will be the base of learning more, at a greater pace later, in more demanding levels. Programs in CCNN have been carefully designed with the purpose of integrating activities that encourage, and make the learning of a new language an entertaining experience. Students are instructed through methods based on experimentalism and an integral approach to the English Language through reading, listening, speaking and writing. The Experimental Method encourages children to make thier own discoveries and to advance at an individual pace, through fun class projects.
President Elect Obama’s “Nicaraguan Son” In Facebook’s Nicaragua Network and all over Nicaraguan-kept blogs, this picture has been published because of the uncanny resemblence between US President-Elect Barack Obama and this young Esso “On the Run” convenience store worker who’s allegedly at the store near Metrocentro in Managua. Other Blogs question wether “Obama’s Son” is from Guayaquil, Dominican Republic, or Nicaragua. If the young man should decide to strive for greatness he might run in the Nicaraguan Presidential Elections and be the first costeño (Nicaraguan from the Caribbean Coast) to govern.
www.ccnn.org.ni
January, 2009
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The Nicaraguan Quesillo The Nicaraguan quesillo //kéi-see-yo// is a thick corn tortilla wrapped around a braided or flat piece of creamy, mozzarella-like cheese, pickled onions, a touch of salt and a sauce made with sour cream and liquid cheese, usually confined by a thin plastic sheath or served on a plate. The quesillo is one of Nicaragua’s most sublime and simple pleasures of life. The dispute over who invented and makes the best quesillo is a bitter battle between the towns of Nagarote and La Paz Centro.
Delgado, had a farm with plenty of milk for cheese and sour cream. Both of these sweet ladies take pride that their towns are the quesillo pioneers.
Personally, I am biased in this fight for quesillo supremacy; one of my fondest childhood memories has always been when my grandfather would take me to Quesillos El Güiligüiste in La Paz Centro. The place now is almost identical to when I’d go as a toddler, the people who serve this Nica delicacy are the same but older and the place is always packed. Recently I was there with my wife and baby son and talked a bit to Doña Olivia Delgado de Ocampo.
Doña Olivia’s legacy has extended beyond Nicaragua: for the last 18 years her son has set up a quesillo shop in Miami, to the delight of many a nostalgic Nicaraguan and American enthusiasts.
Doña Olivia bought the place from Doña Juana Dalila Lara, owner of Quesillos Acacia in Nagarote and nemesis to El Güiligüiste. Doña Olivia remembers enjoying homemade quesillos back in the day when her father, don Nicolás
It is estimated that around 500 women from both towns set out to sell quesillos on buses that drive between Leon and Managua. There’s even an old saying: “Shut up Nagarote, La Paz Centro’s gonna speak” which refers to when two people (who are exactly the same) are arguing.
Quesillo El Guiliguiste has pink pickled onions and a richer sauce than Acacia, as well as a larger seating and service area where quesillos are made in front of your very eyes. Visitors can walk around the back and see how the different ingredients are processed. In El Güiligüiste there are many other local delicacies available through partnerships with local vendors, and next door you can find locally crafted souvenirs.
www.ccnn.org.ni
January, 2009
Activities for January Special Presentation of the Film “Boycott” in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King. Centro Cultural Nicaraguense Norteamericano Wednesday January 21st, 6:15PM
Workshop for ESL Teachers in Nicaraguan Public Schools
Children’s Story Reading Library Centro Cultural Nicaraguense Norteamericano Saturday, January 31st, 10:00 AM
American Corner In the Central Bank of Nicaragua’s library, AMERICAN CORNER has a small collection of audiovisual resources on topics like: American Music, American History, and Biographies. AMERICAN CORNER has three computers with Internet access. Located on the second floor in the Library’s reading area. AMERICAN CORNER schedules movie presentations every week, or by visitor’s request. All our services are free of charge. Visit Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tel. 255-7171 ext 238 americancorner@cablenet.com.ni Second Floor Biblioteca Roberto Incer Barquero Central Bank of Nicaragua Library By Pass 7 sur, Managua, Nicaragua
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Centro Cultural Nicaraguense Norteamericano Friday, January 30th, 2:00 PM
www.ccnn.org.ni
January, 2009
Nicaragua Online
www.alvaro-vergara. blogspot.com (English and
www.nicatimes.net
NicaTimes is Nicaragua’s best known English-Language Newspaper
Spanish) Soul Lotus is a collection of political articles, literary criticism, design and original videos authored by a Nicaraguan artist from the new generation.
www.emilapersola.
www.nicaraguanpost.com
The Nicaraguan Post is the latest pioneer in Nicaraguan English-Language Newspapers.
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blogspot.com (Spanish)
is Martin Mulligan’s blog this project in Mulligan’s writing is done with the pen name Emila Persola. Often making ironic critiques on morality and Nicaragua’s history.
w w w. p e n a l b a .
wordpress.com (Spanish)
www.TheRealNicaragua.com Get in on the buzz of the American Community in NIcaragua and post your comments in this fun inteactive forum.
The Educational Advisor’s Office, as part of the EducationUSA team, has as a mission to provide the general public with appropriate, objective and up-to-date information regarding opportunities to study in the United States of America. We do not favor any company or organization in the areas of Standardized Testo or Admissions Test to any particular Englishlearning institution nor do we grant visas of any kind.
Young Nicaraguan Muldisciplinary Artist and webmaster Rodrigo Peñalba’s Blog.
CCNN’s Newsletter General Director..............Diego Elgadillo Academic Director...........Jorge Moreno Children’s Program.........Asdrúbal Canelo Adult’s Program.................Franklin Tèllez Librarian............................Maria Victoria American Corner.......... Nubia Manzanares Advisor........................Alejandra Alemán Comments: AlvaroAVergara@gmail.com