La Voz Latina Central
Celebrate Spring
At the Center of Your Community / Al Centro de Su Comunidad
MARCH 2013
What’s Inside: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness p. 7 Achieving Happiness p. 12 Pillars of the Community Awards Gala p. 17 How to do Your Taxes for Free p. 18
Page 18
Page 20
Luminaria Festival/ Arts San Antonio p. 20
Page 17
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A Note From The Publisher
arzo está absolutamente lleno de fiestas y notables celebraciones. En primer lugar tenemos el horario de verano que comienza el 10 de Marzo. Luego, una semana más tarde, vacaciones por el día favorito de todos los irlandeses el “Día de San Patricio” 17 de Marzo. El siguiente es el equinoccio de primavera (20 de Marzo) para marcar oficialmente el inicio de los meses más cálidos a seguir. La pascua también se inicia a partir del 25 de Marzo. Por último, la combinación de las festividades del Domingo de Ramos (24 de Marzo), y el Viernes Santo (29 de Marzo) y la Pascua (31 de Marzo) completan este mes de celebraciones y conmemoraciones. Sin embargo, Marzo trae muchas oportunidades para regocijarse con la familia y los amigos, después de un invierno relativamente suave aunque frío. Además de los días mencionados en la nota, Marzo es también un mes importante para nosotros aquí en La Voz Latina Central, ya que está llena de grandes artículos y fotos. Asegúrese de revisar el perfil de Colaborador en la escritura de Chelsea Hess-Moore, de Alexandra Oles, Gerente de Personal y Diversidad de las tiendas Giant Food, LLC en la página 14. Además, asegúrese de leer nuestra función en sólidos consejos financieros (página 18) y un buen artículo de viajes elaborado por el escritor de viajes Gleeson Jill en su aventura a San Antonio para una exploración del centro de las artes en texas (20 página). También encontrará nuestras columnas mensuales escritas por nuestros columnistas a lo largo de este y cada mes. Así que tome un momento, dentro de todas las celebraciones del mes de Marzo, y relájese con algunos de nuestros grandes artículos que llenan las páginas de esta edición de La Voz Latina Central.
Graham and Esmerelda Hetrick.
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arch 2013 is absolutely filled with holidays and notable observances. First is Daylight Saving Time on March 10. Then, a week later, everyone’s favorite Irish holiday of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. Next is the Spring Equinox (March 20) to officially mark the beginning of the warmer months to follow. Passover also starts on March 25. Finally, the holiday combination of Palm Sunday (March 24), Good Friday (March 29) and Easter (March 31) round out this month of celebrations and observances. So, after a relatively mild, yet cold nonetheless, winter, March brings many opportunities to rejoice with family and friends. In addition to the above-mentioned days of note, March is also a big month for us here at La Voz Latina Central filled with many great articles and photos. Be sure to check out Contributing Writer Chelsea Hess-Moore’s profile of Alexandra Oles, manager of staffing and diversity for Giant Food Stores, LLC on page 14. Additionally, be sure to read our feature on sound financial tips (page 18) and a fine travel article by travel writer Jill Gleeson on her adventure to San Antonio for a exploration of this hub of the arts in Texas (page 20). You'll also find our monthly columns written by our columnists throughout this and every month's issues. So take a moment, in between all of March’s many celebrations, and relax with a few great articles that fill the pages of this installment of La Voz Latina Central.
Graham S. Hetrick Publisher
MARCH 2013 3
March 2013 • Volume 3 No. 3
La Voz Latina Central PUBLISHER
Graham Hetrick . ghetrick@lavozlatinacentral.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Patti Hill-Boccassini . pboccassini@harrisburgmagazine.com MANAGING EDITOR
Jadrian Klinger . jklinger@benchmarkgroupmedia.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Austin Fitz . afitz@benchmarkgroupmedia.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Chelsea Hess-Moore . chessmoore@benchmarkgroupmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Oralia Garcia Dominic, Ph.D., M.A., M.S. | Mark Kogan, Esq. Dr. Hector Richard Ortiz | Dr. Rhonda Johnson Monica Moore | Scott Weaver | Angelique H. Chaffrey CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Jadrian Klinger EDITORIAL INTERN
Kristen Lacaillade ACCOUNT SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Leé Colaguori (717) 233-0109–ext. 133 Jim Laverty (717) 233-0109–ext. 122 TRANSLATOR
Marisol Aviles 3400 N. 6th Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 717.233.0109 717.232.6010 fax benchmarkgroupmedia.com
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Davy H. Goldsmith–ext. 114
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PUBLISHER
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CIRCULATION MANAGER / DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS FINANCE Violetta Chlaifer–ext. 124
4 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM
MARCH 2013 5
¿Cuáles son los derechos de un ciudadano de los EE.UU.? Por el Mark J. Kogan, Esq.
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Te has preguntado alguna vez cuáles son los derechos y deberes de un ciudadano nacido en los Estados Unidos? Usted tiene muchos derechos como ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, entre ellos el derecho a la vida, la libertad y la búsqueda de la felicidad. Deberes y derechos ciudadanos deben obedecer las leyes en la Constitución, apoyar y defender la Constitución. Servir a nuestro país cuando sea necesario, participar en el proceso democrático, respetar los derechos, creencias y opiniones de los demás y participar en su comunidad local. Usted tiene el derecho de voto para el político de su elección, servir en un jurado, traer a los miembros de la familia a los Estados Unidos, obtener la ciudadanía a de hijos nacidos en el extranjero, viajar con un pasaporte de EE.UU. y ser elegibles para subvenciones federales y becas. Como ciudadano de los EE.UU., usted es elegible para todos los puestos de trabajo estatales y federales y otros trabajos donde se requiere la ciudadanía de EE.UU. Muchas personas no piensan en estas tareas como necesarias para su estado de ciudadanía en los Estados Unidos, en algunos casos, si no se respetan estos derechos y responsabilidades puede resultar en una acción legal. Es responsabilidad de todos los ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos de pagar impuestos. El dinero es utilizado por los funcionarios electos del gobierno democrático para proteger y realzar los Estados Unidos. El dinero se destina para las escuelas, carreteras y la defensa nacional. El gobierno no es un negocio, que es ejecutado para el pueblo y por el pueblo con dinero de los impuestos de los ciudadanos. Las leyes relativas a la educación obligatoria, esto varían según el estado. Cada estado y territorio de los Estados Unidos tiene una ley de educación obligatoria. Los niños que están por debajo de una determinada edad, que puede ser 16, 17 o 18, dependiendo del estado, están obligados a asistir a una escuela pública, privada o en el hogar. La edad para entrar a la escuela varían, por lo general es de alrededor de 5 o 6, pero se espera que los niños reciban una educación. Las libertades personales, “La Carta de Derechos” fue escrito por James Madison y la primera enmienda da derecho a todos los ciudadanos estadounidenses a la libertad de expresión, libertad de prensa, la libertad de religión, la libertad de reunión y el derecho de petición ante el gobierno para quejas. Además de las grandes libertades personales, los estadounidenses se les concede protección legal considerable contra el propio gobierno. Estos incluyen el derecho a un abogado si es detenido, la protección contra los registros e incautaciones irrazonables, el derecho a un juicio rápido y hacer frente a sus acusadores y la protección contra el “castigo cruel e inusual.” 6 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM
La mayoría de los derechos que hemos caen en una de tres categorías generales: la seguridad, la igualdad y la libertad. Seguridad significa protección contra las acciones injustas y poco razonables por parte del gobierno. Por ejemplo, el gobierno no puede detener, encarcelar o castigar a las personas o la búsqueda o la incautación de sus bienes sin una buena razón y sin seguir ciertas reglas. El principio de la “cláusula de debido proceso,” protege estos derechos para todos los estadounidenses. La cláusula del debido proceso, que se encuentra en las Enmiendas V y XIV, establece que ninguna persona podrá ser privada de “la vida, la libertad o la propiedad sin el debido proceso de la ley” El debido proceso significa que las leyes deben ser justas y razonables, debe estar en conformidad con la Constitución, y debe aplicarse a todos por igual. El debido proceso se aplica también a los derechos de propiedad. La igualdad, el derecho a la igualdad significa que todos tienen derecho a igual protección de las leyes en los Estados Unidos. Es decir, todas las personas tienen derecho a recibir el mismo trato, independientemente de su raza, religión o creencias políticas. Este derecho se encuentra en la Decimocuarta Enmienda. Libertad, el significado del diccionario, el poder de elegir, pensar y actuar por sí mismo, libre de control o restricción, la libertad, el derecho o el privilegio de acceder a un lugar en particular. Los derechos y deberes de los ciudadanos de EE.UU. “implica responsabilidades legales” en respuesta a los derechos garantizados por la Constitución. Las obligaciones implica responsabilidad moral para el país y conciudadanos a raíz de tener los privilegios de la ciudadanía. De acuerdo con la tradición familiar de negocios americanos, esas obligaciones incluyen el ser un voluntario y atender las necesidades especiales de nuestras comunidades, ser un buen vecino y garantizar la seguridad y la limpieza tanto de nuestros barrios como de nuestros lugares de trabajo y ser un buen americano por vivir los principios y valores coherentes con los implicados en la Constitución: la integridad, la autodisciplina, de forma proactiva, la humildad y la empatía. Si usted siente que sus derechos como ciudadano de los EE.UU. se han quitado de vosotros, por favor no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo en hgsklawyers.com.
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness By Mark J. Kogan, Esq.
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ights – we all have them. Of all nations in the world, the United States is one of the most standout countries when it comes to awarding it’s citizens with the freedoms we enjoy each and every day. As a United States citizen, each and every one of us has rights, the most prominent and well known being the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our governing document that makes up the core of our great nation, the Constitution, is on what we are able to base these. Serve our country when required, participate in the democratic process, respect the rights, beliefs and opinions of others and participate in your local community. You have the right to vote for the politician of your choice, serve on a jury, bring family members to the United States, obtain citizenship for children born abroad, travel with a U.S. passport and become eligible for federal grants and scholarships. As a U.S. citizen, you are eligible for all state and federal jobs, and other jobs where U.S. citizenship is required. Many people do not think about these tasks as being necessary to their citizenship status in the United States. In some cases, failure to uphold these duties and responsibilities can result in legal action. It is the responsibility of all United States citizens to pay taxes. The money is used by the elected officials of the democratic government to protect and enhance the United States. The money goes towards school, roads and national defense. The government is not a business; it is run for the people and by the people with citizens’ tax money. The laws regarding mandatory education varies by state. Every state and territory of the United States has a compulsory education law. Children who are below a certain age, which is either 16, 17 or 18, depending on the state, are required to attend a public, private or home school. Ages for entering school vary, usually around 5 or 6, but children are expected to obtain an education. The Bill of Rights was written by James Madison, and the first amendment entitles all U.S. citizens to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and the right to petition the government for grievances. In addition to great personal freedoms, Americans are granted considerable
legal protection against the government itself. These include the right to an attorney if arrested, protection against unreasonable search and seizure, the right to a speedy trial and to confront their accusers and protection against “cruel and unusual punishment.” Most rights we have fall into one of three general categories: security, equality and liberty. Security means protection from unfair and unreasonable actions by the government. For example, the government cannot arrest, imprison or punish people or search or seize their property without good reason and without following certain rules. The principle of “due process clause,” protects these rights for all Americans. The due process clause, which is found in the Fifth and 14th Amendments, states that no person shall be deprived of “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” Due process means that the laws must be fair and reasonable, must be in accordance with the Constitution and must apply to everyone equally. Due process also applies to property rights. The right of equality means that everyone is entitled to the equal protection of all the laws in the United States. That is, all people have a right to be treated the same, regardless of race, religion or political beliefs. This right is found in the 14th Amendment. Liberty is the power of choosing, thinking and acting for oneself; freedom from control or restriction; the right or privilege of access to a particular place; freedom. Rights and duties of U.S. citizens “imply legal responsibilities” in response to the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Obligations imply moral responsibilities to the country and fellow citizens in response to having the privileges of citizenship. According to the American Family Traditions, those obligations include being a volunteer and addressing the special needs of our communities; being a good neighbor and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of both our neighborhoods and our workplaces; and being a good American by living the principles and values consistent with those implied in the Constitution: integrity, self-discipline, proactively, humility and empathy. If you feel your rights as a U.S. citizen have been taken away from you, please do not hesitate to contact me at hgsklawyers.com.
MARCH 2013 7
Como Yo Lo Veo Por el Graham Hetrick
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arzo! Para algunos es sólo uno de los doce meses del año pero para Pensilvania es mucho más. Todos somos ciudadanos de cuatro temporadas. Invierno, primavera, verano y otoño no sólo son los meses del año, son desafíos. Cambio de ropa de temporada a temporada, el hombre va de la adoración del sol hasta el modo de hibernación por el fuego. Es algo difícil para quienes, como mi esposa, quien llegó procedente de un clima cálido moderado entienda nuestra exaltación de la primavera, y a la vez nuestra frustración con marzo y sus falsas promesas de buen tiempo. Quien dice que Marzo viene como un león y nos deja como un cordero no viven en Florida. Esta persona no ha luchado a través de esas desoladas semanas después de la Navidad en la que ya no se espera una Navidad blanca. Esto a veces lluvias, a veces heladas pero siempre se debe
soportar el frio para llegar a sus trabajos. Jalando del cuello del abrigo y apretando alrededor de la nuca, e inclinándose en el mordisco del viento frío. Este es el período de invierno desolado cuando se lleva un abrigo ya no tan nuevo, la mayoría de los guantes se han perdido y no tenemos ningún deseo de comprar otro par. Corremos desde la casa a la oficina, de un edificio a otro, vestidos para la condiciones del tiempo porque falsamente nos hacen creer que este día no será tan frío como el día anterior, quizás sea un día ligeramente soleado y o los vientos del norte no cortara nuestra ropa como el cuchillo del invierno. Este es el diabólico mes de Marzo. Un día usted ve la promesa de encontrar el sol y al día siguiente se despierta con lluvia helada y carreteras saladas. Es como la promesa de un falso amante pero usted todavía cree, y aun espera, busca la primera inserción de flores que salga de la tierra congelada.
Mi esposa dice que ella y su hija cuando llegaron por primera vez a Pennsylvania de Galveston-Texas se quedaron tan asombradas de ver tanta gente constantemente fuer, en sus yardas. Las personas estaban corriendo y caminando por todas partes, simplemente por la pura alegría de estar bajo un cielo azul y tener el sol besando su piel con calidez. Ella también fue llevado de nuevo por la forma en cómo la tierra revivió en sí misma sus colores. Esos verdes intensos, y el arco iris de colores de las flores, dio belleza a cada vista. El pueblo parecía animado como si hubieran simplemente despertado de un sueño o llegado de una dura jornada. Los pensilvanences no tienen solo primavera ganaron primavera soportando los meses de invierno. Al igual que alguien que nunca ha sentido dolor nunca podrá apreciar el placer verdadero, cualquiera que nunca haya sentido hambre nunca podría apreciar
la satisfacción después de una gran comida, alguien que no haya sufrido el invierno de Pennsylvania nunca puede comprender la alegría de un clima templado y un día de sol en primavera. Para nosotros en Pennsylvania, Marzo es una tomadura de pelo, cuatro semanas más que debemos soportar, promesas no cumplidas pero creemos en abril. Para nosotros Abril no es tan sólo un mes es una resurrección, es la vida renovada, es el tiempo en que la tierra misma nos dice que vivimos en ciclos. A veces los ciclos son difíciles y duros, pero luego viene la resurrección, los colores de la primavera, la que brota una vida y una vez más Pennsylvania se pinta asimismo de color y actividad. La espera de Marzo es de cuatro semanas de duración al igual que todos los demás meses del ano. Pronto usted bajara las camisetas de mangas cortas del estante superior de su armario.
This is the devilishness of March. One day you see the promise of finding the sun, and the next day you awaken to freezing rain and salted highways.
The people seemed animated as though they had just awakened from a sleep or arrived after a hard journey. Pennsylvanians don’t just have spring, they earn spring by enduring the winter months. Just like one who has never had pain can never appreciate true pleasure, one who has never been hungry can never appreciate the satisfaction after a large meal, one who has not endured a Pennsylvania winter can never understand the joy of a temperate, sunny spring day. To us in Pennsylvania, March is a tease, four more weeks that we must endure, promises not kept, but we believe in April. To us, April is not just a month it is a resurrection, life renewed, the time when earth itself tells us that we live in cycles. Sometimes the cycles are hard and harsh but then comes the resurrection, the colors of spring, the bursting forth a life, and Pennsylvania again paints itself with activity and color. On March is four weeks long just like all other months. Soon you can take down the short sleeve shirts from the top shelf of the closet.
As I See It By Graham Hetrick
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arch! To some it is only one of 12 months, but to Pennsylvanians, it is so much more. We are the citizens of four seasons. Winter, spring, summer and fall are not just months of the year; they are challenges. Clothing changes from season to season, man goes from the worship of the sun to hibernation by the fire. It is somewhat hard for those, like my wife, who came from a moderate to warm climate to understand our exaltation of spring and our frustration with March and its false promises of good weather. Whoever said that March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb did not live in Florida. This person did not struggle through those desolate weeks just after Christmas when we are no longer hoping for a white Christmas. This sometimes rainy, sometimes icy, but always cold, time of commutes to work must be endured by pulling the coat collar tight around the neck and leaning into the biting cold wind. This is the desolate period of winter when wearing a topcoat is no longer new, most of our gloves have been lost and we have no desire to buy another pair. We scurry from office to house, building to building, under dressed for the weather because we falsely believe that, on this day, it won’t be quite as cold as the day before, that it might be slightly sunny and the north winds won’t cut through our clothing like a winter’s knife. This is the devilishness of March. One day you see the promise of finding the sun and the next day you awaken to freezing rain and salted highways. It is like the promise of a false lover but you still believe, you still hope, you look for the first push of flowers bursting out of the frozen earth. My wife said, as she and her daughter first arrived in Pennsylvania from Galveston, Texas, they were so stunned to see so many people constantly outside in their yards. People were jogging and walking everywhere simply for the pure joy of being under a blue sky and having the sun kiss their skin with warmth. She also was taken back by how the earth itself became alive with color, with deep greens and the rainbow of colors the flowers gave beauty to every view. 8 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – Free CRC Screening Opportunities By Oralia Garcia Dominic, Ph.D., M.A., M.S.
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n honor of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness Month, many of us are observing this time by presenting and reporting on cancer prevention, treatment and control. In this article, I will provide you with general information about CRC and ways to prevent it. Information about a free CRC screening opportunity will also be shared.
Can CRC be Prevented? Yes – CRC is one of the most preventable cancers. Detection and removal of adenomatous polyps has been shown through randomized clinical trials to reduce CRC incidence and mortality rates. Testing (screening) can stop CRC before it starts, or find it early, when it is likely to be easier to treat. Diet and exercise play an important role in CRC prevention. CRC Risk Factors Modifiable risk factors (things you CAN change): • High red/processed meat intake • Cooking meats in high temps • Low dietary fiber intake • Low physical fitness levels • Overweight/obesity • Smoking • Diabetes Non-Modifiable risk factors (things you cannot change): • Age • Genetics • Family history of CRC • Having had polyps or CRC • Having a history of bowel disease Underutilization of CRC Screening CRC screening can save lives. Unfortunately, CRC screening rates remain low for Latinos in the United States, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, in 2006, only 46 percent of Latinos, over the age of 50, reported that they have had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy screening in the past five years. Only 25 percent of Latinos (compared to 52 percent of White, non-Latinos) in Pennsylvania reported having a home blood stool test in the past two years. This may be due to existing or perceived barriers to CRC screenings. Barriers to CRC Barriers reported to CRC screening among Latinos in the United States include: lack of health care coverage and low levels of education, fatalism, lack of knowledge about or awareness of CRC, language barriers, lack of insurance, undocumented 10 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM
legal status, seeking health care only when sick, fear, denial, other needs more pressing than preventive care, use of home remedies rather than biomedical care, lack of communication skills and self-efficacy skills to act on motivation, unavailability and inaccessibility of fecal occult blood test kits, perceived lack of social support and physician recommendation. Barriers to CRC among Latinos in Pennsylvania In 2012, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center cancer investigators (Drs. Oralia Dominic and Eugene Lengerich) published results of a first ever research study in Pennsylvanian comparing CRC screening behaviors of Latinos by geography (urban and rural) and sex (male and female) status. They also examined barriers to CRC screening among this population. In this study, they found substantial barriers by sex and geography, including urban residents received screenings during annual check-ups, while rural residents received screenings in response to symptoms. Low levels of health literacy, knowledge and awareness of CRC risk and screening were reported barriers across groups. The family unit and strong social support were also factors reported as influencing their CRC screening behavior. Participants identified 57 barriers to CRC screening that fit into five categories: physical environment, structural factors, sociocultural factors, individual factors and physician-related barriers. Latino participants also identified potential strategies to overcome each reported barrier. These finding suggest that a targeted CRC screening intervention utilizing a physician-recommended home fecal immunochemical test with instructions is preferred among Latinos over a non-targeted approach. Free CRC Screening Opportunity Offered in March 2013 All men and women (Latinos, African Americans, Asians, White/non-minorities) at average-age, of the recommended screening age of 50 or older that do not have insurance (uninsured) or underinsured are invited to participate. Participation includes: a one-time short questionnaire and a brief 30-minute education session with compensation held at local community centers (located in Dauphin, York, Lancaster, Lehigh Valley, Berks and Lebanon counties). For more information, call (717) 5315598 and ask for Dr. Oralia. General public is welcomed. To learn about specific locations, date and times that offer free CRC screening in Pennsylvania, please contact Dr. Oralia at (717) 531-5598 or (717) 531-7178. OK, my friends, take care. Please take very good care of yourself. Remember, you can protect yourself from colorectal cancer. You can also send me your health questions to ¡Hola, Oralia! at email dr.oraliagarciadominic@gmail.com. Together we can help keep Pennsylvania residents healthy. ¡Salud!
Marzo es el Mes Concientización sobre el Cáncer – Una gratis prueba de detección del CRC ofrecida Por el Oralia Garcia Dominic, Ph.D., M.A., M.S.
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n honor del Mes de la Concientización sobre el cáncer colorrectal (CRC), muchos de nosotros estamos observando en esta ocasión con la presentación y elaboración de informes sobre la prevención, tratamiento y control. Yo le proporcionará información general sobre CRC y las maneras de prevenirlo. Una gratis prueba de detección del CRC ofrecida en la comunidad para los latinos en Pennsylvania también será compartida en este artículo. CRC puede ser prevenida? El cáncer colorrectal (CRC) es uno de los cánceres más prevenibles. La detección y extirpación de pólipos adenomatosos se ha demostrado en ensayos clínicos aleatorios para reducir la incidencia de CRC y las tasas de mortalidad. Las pruebas pueden impedir que el cáncer colorrectal antes de que comience, o detectarlo en forma temprana, cuando es probable que sea más fácil de tratar. La dieta y el ejercicio son muy importantes en la prevención del CRC. Factores de Riesgo del CRC Factores de riesgo modificables (cosas que usted puede cambiar): • Alta consumo de carne roja y procesada • Las carnes cocidas en altas temperaturas • El bajo consumo de fibra dietética • La inactividad física • El sobrepeso / obesidad • Fumar • Diabetes Factores de riesgo que no son modificables (cosas que usted no pueden cambiar): • Edad • Genética • Historia familiar de CRC • Haber tenido pólipos o CRC • Tener un historial de enfermedad intestinal Subutilización de cribado de CRC El cribado del CRC puede salvar vidas. Desafortunadamente, las tasas de CRC de detección siguen siendo bajos para los latinos en los Estados Unidos, incluyendo el estado de Pennsylvania. En Pennsylvania, en 2006, sólo el 46% de los latinos, a lo largo de los 50 años, informó que han tenido una sigmoidoscopia o colonoscopia en los últimos cinco años. Sólo el 25% de los Latinos (en comparación con el 52% de blancos, no latinos) en Pennsylvania reportaron tener un análisis de materia fecal de sangre (FOBT) en casa en los últimos dos años. Esto puede ser debido a las barreras existentes o percibidas a los exámenes de CRC. Barreras a la CRC Barreras informó que el cribado del CRC entre los Latinos en los Estados Unidos son: la falta de cobertura de salud y bajos niveles de educación, el fatalismo, la falta de
conocimientos o el conocimiento de la cancer, las barreras lingüísticas, la falta de seguro, situación jurídica indocumentados, en busca de atención médica sólo cuando el miedo enferma, la negación, otras necesidades más urgentes que la atención preventiva, el uso de remedios caseros en vez de la atención biomédica, la falta de habilidades de comunicación y las habilidades de auto-eficacia para actuar en motivación, la falta de disponibilidad y la inaccesibilidad de los kits de prueba de sangre oculta en las heces, falta de apoyo social, y la recomendación del médico. Barreras a la CRC entre los latinos en Pennsylvania En 2012, los investigadores de cáncer (la Dra. Oralia Dominic y el Dr. Eugene Lengerich) de Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical realizaron el primer estudio de investigación en Pensylvania que compara comportamientos CRC de detección de los Latinos por la geografía (urbana y rural) y el sexo (hombres y mujeres). También examinaron las barreras a cribado de CRC entre en los Latinos. En este estudio, se encontraron con obstáculos importantes por sexo y la geografía, incluyendo a los residentes urbanos recibieron pruebas de detección durante chequeos anuales, mientras que los residentes rurales recibieron exámenes en respuesta a los síntomas. Los bajos niveles de educación para la salud, el conocimiento y la conciencia de riesgo de CRC y la detección se registraron las barreras entre los grupos. La unidad familiar y apoyo social también fueron reportados como factores que influyen en su comportamiento de cribado de CRC. Estos participantes identificaron 57 barreras para el cribado del CRC que se ajustan en cinco categorías: el entorno físico, los factores estructurales, los factores socioculturales, los factores individuales y de los médicos relacionados con las barreras. Estos Latinos también identificó las posibles estrategias para superar cada barrera informó. Estos hallazgos sugieren que una dirigida intervención para CRC de detección que utilizan un examen de detección para CRC como el inmunoquímica fecal (FIT test) con las instrucciones para llevar a casa se prefiere entre los latinos. Una gratis prueba de detección del CRC ofrecida en la comunidad en Marzo 2013 ¿Quién? Todos (mujeres y hombres) de al menos 50 años a participar. Participación incluye: Un breve cuestionario y media hora sobre una sesión educativas en centros de la comunidad con compensación. Centros situado en Dauphin, York, Lancaster, Lehigh Valley, Berks, and Lebanon counties. Para más información llame: (717) 531-5598 y pregunte por la Dra. Oralia. Público en general bienvenidos. Para obtener información sobre los lugares, fechas, y tiempos que ofrecen una gratis prueba de detección del CRC ofrecida en la comunidad, por favor llame a la Dra. Oralia a (717) 531-5598 o (717) 531-7178. Bueno, mis amigos, por favor haga todo lo posible para protegerse del cáncer colorrectal. Me puede enviar sus preguntas de salud a ¡Hola, Oralia! Correo electrónico: dr.oraliagarciadominic@gmail.com. Juntos podemos ayudar a mantener saludables los residentes de Pennsylvania. ¡Salud! MARCH 2013 11
El Logro de la Felicidad Por el Dr. Hector Richard Ortiz
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a felicidad es subjetiva. Todos la experimentamos de manera diferente. Sin embargo, hay algo sobre la felicidad con la que todos podríamos estar de acuerdo – la felicidad no es un destino, sino un viaje. Incluso cuando uno cree que ha adquirido felicidad, uno tiene que aceptar que esta es sólo una condición temporal, la que por lo tanto puede cambiar de un día para otro. La felicidad no es una condición permanente, pero tampoco lo es la tristeza. La felicidad es una actitud situacional que se la puede experimentar en las cosas más sencillas o haciéndole frente a una tarea difícil. La felicidad se la puede medir desde diferentes perspectivas y a través de diferentes ópticas, independientemente de los recursos que se poseen o las horas agradables que se pase al conseguirla. La felicidad depende de solo y única La búsqueda de la felicidad es un trayecto, un viaje continuo e imperecedero. El logro le puede proporcionar un momento de satisfacción instantánea, pero su duración y efecto depende de la persona que la experimenta. La adquisición de la felicidad no necesariamente sucede o se la observa en la conquista de los triunfos grandes; a veces la felicidad también se oculta en los pequeños detalles. Por lo tanto, debe disfrutar cada momento del presente sin perder de vista su próxima aventura, plan o compromiso durante su viaje temporal en la tierra.
La capacidad para generar y lograr la alegría está dentro de nosotros. Es una sensación que generalmente la tomamos desde nuestro ser interior y cuando la logramos, tendemos a exponerla libremente con el mundo exterior. Por ejemplo, creamos placer cuando permitimos que nuestro espíritu tome conciencia del potencial infinito de nuestra naturaleza. "Vamos tras de las cosas externas pensando que ellas nos van a traer felicidad, pero es lo contrario," dice Marci Shimoff. “Uno necesita ir primero tras el logro de la alegría interior, la paz interior, la visión interior y luego todas las cosas exteriores se aparecerán.” Cualquier momento que usted experimente la manifestación de su espíritu y el compromiso sincero de sus propias emociones, uno puede descubrir lo que Tom Jablonski llama la capacidad de elevarse por encima de sí mismo y trascender nuestra naturaleza común. Como he dicho antes, el secreto de la felicidad es seguir sus sueños sin perder la perspectiva del presente disfrutando de su viaje hacia su futuro deseado. Recuerde, la felicidad no es un destino, es un trayecto. Lógrela, disfrútela, vuelva a conseguirla y vuelva a disfrutarla. La felicidad solo depende de nosotros.
Achieving Happiness By Dr. Hector Richard Ortiz
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Happiness is subjective. We all experience it differently. However, there is something about happiness with which we must all agree – happiness is not a destiny, but a journey. Even when you think you’ve acquired happiness, it’s just a temporary condition, one that can change from day to day. Happiness is not a permanent condition, but neither is sadness. Happiness is a situational attitude that you can experience in the simplest things or by tackling a difficult task. You can measure happiness from different perspectives and through different lenses, regardless of the resources you possess or the enjoyable hours you spend. Happiness depends on you. The pursuit of happiness is a journey. The attainment of it provides a moment of instantaneous satisfaction, but its duration and effect depends on the person experiencing it. The fulfillment of happiness does not necessarily happen in great triumphs; sometimes it is hidden in tiny details. Thus, you should enjoy every single moment of the present without losing sight of your next adventure, plan or commitment during your temporary journey on earth. 12 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM
The capacity for joy is inside us. It is a sensation we take from our inner self and freely expose to the outside world. For instance, we create pleasure when we allow our spirit to become aware of our nature’s infinite potential. “We go for the outer things thinking they’re going to bring us happiness, but it’s backward,” says Marci Shimoff. “You need to go for the inner joy, the inner peace, the inner vision first, and then all of the outer things appear.” Any time that you experience a manifestation of your spirit and a commitment from your emotions, you may discover what Tom Jablonski calls the ability to rise above self and transcend our common nature. As I’ve said before, the secret to happiness is to follow your dreams without losing perspective of the present while enjoying your journey to your desired future. Remember, happiness is not a destiny, it is a journey. Get it, enjoy; try to get it again and benefit from it. Happiness depends just on us.
Impacting Her Community and Workplace By Chelsea Hess-Moore
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or Giant Food Stores, when it comes to the community, its two main focuses are eradicating hunger and helping children. For Alexander Oles, that is a company goal as well as a personal passion that she has for helping others in need. Oles is the manager of staffing and diversity at Giant Food Stores. Her biggest role is driving diversity and inclusion efforts within the organization, representing Giant in community outreach activities and managing the entire associate life cycle process from recruitment to on-boarding. From her previous work as a social worker, she has a passion for helping the community and reaching out to those who are underrepresented. “I also serve on the board at the YMCA of Harrisburg, and their mission is eliminating racism and helping women,” says Oles. “That’s what we want to achieve as well: helping our communities and representing Giant.” One thing that Oles is especially proud of is the Women Adding Value (WAVE) group that is organized each year. This year, the event will be held in September marking the fifth annual women’s conference. She enjoys this event because it gives the store managers a chance to attend a conference, something they can’t always do. “Because of our industry, 24/7, customers, retail, they don’t get the opportunity to go to conferences and really focus on their development,” explains Oles. “The annual women’s conference is a way for us to bring the event to them.” The conference is a day-long event featuring guest speakers and women in positions with Giant and their partner company – Ahold, located in Carlisle. All women from store managers to top executives are invited to attend. This year, the event is expected to host nearly 400 guests. For Giant Food Stores, Oles sees the importance of not only the executives in the company, but even more so the hard-working store associates. Through a training process, she was able to see the back ends of working as a retail associate. And she has truly grown an appreciation for each person in that position. “Our business is selling groceries and interacting with customers,” says Oles. 14 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM
“Seeing what our store managers do at the stores certainly helped me grow in my career because now, when I look at things, I try to look at it through their eyes. So when we implement a program or we ask them to do something, to us it may be like ‘Oh, it’s just five minutes,’ or ‘It’s just 10 minutes of their time,’ but it’s 10 minutes more that they have to worry about that they’re not out servicing our customers.” Through working for Giant, she has been able to expand her abilities on a professional level. Coming in as entry level in human resources, she worked her way through working with compensation and benefits, recruitment and now working with diversity and inclusion. “I think I’ve really been able to grow as a professional in all the different jobs that I’ve done,” says Oles. “I attribute that not only to Giant’s opportunities and embracing me, but also my ability to build relationships. I truly believe that if you are genuine, caring and you build great relationships, you’ll be able to achieve whatever you want.” Aside from work, Oles has a husband of 13 years and two sons, Benjamin and Brandon. They currently resident in Boiling Springs and enjoy living in the central Pennsylvania area. Occasionally, they travel to New York to visit family. This summer, she was excited to share that her family will be going back to Colombia for the first time since 2005. Oles was born in Colombia where she spent a few of her years as a child. Although she moved to the United States with her family, every summer through her grade school and high school years, she traveled back to Colombia to spend time with her grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. By spending her early years in Colombia, her first language is Spanish. To her, it is imperative to be bilingual and can be beneficial to many people, especially on a professional level. “I think in today’s world as we continue to dwell and the Latino and Hispanic population continues to grow, in any field being bilingual would set you above someone else,” states Oles. Through her skills of building relationships, her ability to speak two dominant languages and her passion for her job, Oles will continue to make an impact not only in her community, but for the Giant Food Stores company as a whole.
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ENSEÑAR A LOS NIÑOS A AHORRAR Aprender a ahorrar dinero requiere práctica. Ahorrar dinero puede ayudar a su niño a aprender nuevas técnicas financieras importantes durante toda su vida. Comience por establecer metas apropiadas para su edad, para que puedan aprender a poner dinero para cualquier cosa que sea importante para ellos como: Un nuevo video juego, una salida al cine o incluso una educación universitaria. Escuela primaria - Abrir una cuenta de ahorros en la cooperativa de crédito en nombre de su hijo con un padre como copropietario ayuda a mantener un registro de control de cuánto dinero se guarda y cuanto se saca para seguir manteniendo el objetivo del ahorro. - Si el niño está ahorrando para algo especial, como una bicicleta o un juguete nuevo, cuelgue una foto de ella en la pared. Esto les recordará su meta de ahorro todos los días hasta que lleguen a él. Escuela intermedia - Haga que ellos planeen un evento familiar, como un viaje al zoológico o una tarde en un parque acuático. Enumere todas las cosas que le cuestan dinero: Como, entradas, comida y recuerdos. Establezca un presupuesto, y aliente a todos a adherirse a él para cuando llegue el gran día.
- Elabore detalladamente junto a ellos la forma en la que gastarían el dinero. Ponga la lista en orden, empezando por las cosas que más quieren. Esto le ayudará a entender cuanto el joven realmente quiere ahorrar. Escuela secundaria - Anímelos a considerar a adquirir un trabajo de tiempo parcial. Al ganar su propio dinero, pueden ayudar a ahorrar para las grandes metas, al igual que para los gastos universitarios. - Abra una cuenta corriente en la unión de crédito. Enséñele cómo usar responsablemente una tarjeta de débito y llevar el balance de su chequera, es una buena práctica de administrar el dinero. Para obtener ideas de ahorro, consulte con su cooperativa de crédito local, muchos clubes ofrecen a los niños u otras herramientas educativas para la enseñanza de las finanzas a la juventud. Encuentre una cooperativa de crédito visitando: www.iBelong.org
TEACHING KIDS TO SAVE Learning to save money takes practice. Saving money can help your child learn valuable financial skills important throughout their lives. Start by setting age appropriate goals, so that they can learn to put money toward whatever is important to them —whether that's a new video game, a trip to the movies, or even a college education. Elementary school - Open a savings account at the credit union in child’s name with a parent as a joint owner. Help them to keep track of how much money is put in and taken out to track savings goals - If child is saving for something special, like a new bike or toy, hang a picture of it on the wall. This will remind them of their savings goal every day until they reach it. Middle school - Have them plan a family event, like a trip to the zoo or an afternoon at a waterpark. List all the things that will cost money, like tickets, food, and souvenirs. Set a budget, and encourage everyone to stick to it when the big day arrives.
- Create a list together of the things the youngster wants to spend money on. Put the list in order, starting with the things they want the most. This will help to figure out what the youngster really wants to save for. High school - Encourage them to consider taking a part-time job. By earning their own money, they can help save for big goals, like college expenses. - Open up a checking account at the credit union. Teach them how to use a debit card responsibly and balance their checkbook is good moneymanagement practice. For other savings ideas, check with your local credit union, many offer kids clubs or other educational tools for teaching finances to youth. Find a credit union to join, visit www.iBelong.org
Pillars of the Community Awards Gala Mayor Linda D. Thompson highlighted the contributions of local citizens during the second annual Pillars of the Community Awards Gala held February 23 at the Crowne Plaza in Harrisburg. This year’s award recipients are: Key to the City, Yvonne Hollins, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club; Key to the City, Norm Lacasse, retired chief of DCNR’s urban forestry section, long-time volunteer and past president of the Capital Area Greenbelt; Large Business Award, PP&L, James Nulton; Large Business Award, Harrisburg Area Community College, John J. Sygielski; Small Business Award, WCI, Alex Hartzler and Dave Butcher; Small Business Award, GreenWorks Development, Doug Neidich; Non-Profit Organization Award, African American Chamber of Commerce, Leland Nelson; and Nonprofit Organization Award, Estamos Unidos de Pennsylvania, Oralia Dominic.
(l-r) Dr. Anthony Cortes, Julita Young, Mayor Linda Thompson and Dr. Oralia Dominic
¿Tienes mas de 50 años? ¿Te gusta aprender? ¿Disfrutas convivir con los demás? Ven y conoce el nuevo proyecto para adultos mayores que LHAAC ha preparado para ti:
“Compartiendo sabiduría” Te esperamos el próximo Cada miércoles de marzo de 2013 9 am a 12 pm Latino Hispanic American Community Center 1319 Derry Street Harrisburg, PA, 17104 ¡No te lo puedes perder! Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame a LHACC al (717) 232 8302.
(l-r) John J. Sygielski, president of HACC, Julita Young and Dr. Oralia Dominic
(l-r) Marisol Aviles, Dr. Anthony Cortes, Dr. Oralia Dominic, Mayor Linda Thompson, Esmerelda Hetrick and Ayesha Hernandez
Want to work in the fun, fast-paced world of advertising sales? We have a position open for a dynamic account representative to work with La Voz Latina Central clients. If you have ambition and the drive to help connect different cultures, please give us a call. Bilingual preferred. Contact our Sales Manager, Chad Overbaugh at (717) 233-0109–ext. 128, or send your resume to coverbaugh@harrisburgmagazine.com. ¡Llame ahora! Gracias.
MARCH 2013 17
Cómo Liquidar Impuestos En Forma Gratuita Family Features
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r a la universidad, obtener su primer empleo, vivir solo... A estos rituales de cambios, deberá agregar uno más: liquidar sus propios impuestos. Y no es tan terrible como usted cree, porque hay ayuda disponible. El servicio se denomina Free File y se ofrece exclusivamente a través del IRS en asociación con casi 15 empresas líderes de software para impuestos. Aproximadamente 3 millones de personas utilizan este servicio todos los años. Free File le permite elegir un software de marca que hace el trabajo difícil por usted, y gratis. Ofrece una opción rápida, segura y gratuita para todos. Este software impositivo está disponible para quienes ganaron USD 57.000 o menos en 2012 (el 70 % de la población de los Estados Unidos). ¿Ganó más dinero? Conozca los formularios de Free File que se pueden completar en línea. Son la alternativa electrónica a los formularios de papel del IRS. 18 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM
Comience en tres simples pasos Paso 1: recopile la información impositiva • Recopile la información impositiva e inicie sesión en Free File en irs.gov/freefile. Paso 2: elija una opción • La opción Help Me Choose A Company (Elegir una empresa) le ayuda a elegir el software que lo guiará por el proceso impositivo. • Los formularios en línea de Free File son documentos electrónicos que realizan cálculos matemáticos básicos y han sido diseñados para personas que prefieren preparar sus propias declaraciones juradas impositivas. Paso 3: prepare y presente su declaración jurada de manera electrónica • Presente su declaración jurada de manera electrónica sin cargo alguno. Independientemente de la opción que elija, los proveedores del software y el IRS utilizan la tecnología más actualizada para que la información fiscal esté encriptada.
Por lo tanto, estará segura y protegida al momento de la transmisión. Además Free File está disponible en línea las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana y le brinda la libertad de elegir el momento y la manera de calcular sus impuestos. Lista de los documentos necesarios para calcular sus impuestos Guarde esta lista para controlar los documentos que necesitará para calcular sus impuestos. El IRS recomienda guardar todos los documentos impositivos durante tres años, en caso de auditoría. El seguimiento de los documentos relacionados con los ingresos puede ayudarle a aprovechar plenamente las deducciones. • Copia de la declaración impositiva del año anterior • Números válidos del Seguro Social suyo, de su cónyuge e hijos • Todas las declaraciones de ingresos (formularios W-2) de sus empleadores • Declaraciones de intereses/dividendos (formularios 1099) • Formulario 1099-G de devoluciones del estado • Importe de indemnización por desempleo • Beneficios de Seguridad Social • Recibos de gastos para deducciones • Número de identificación de la niñera El crédito fiscal por ingresos del trabajo (EITC) le ayuda a tener más dinero del que usted gana. Ningún beneficio fiscal ofrece un mayor sustento que EITC para las familias que trabajan. No obstante, uno de cada cinco contribuyentes que califican no lo reclama, según el IRS. Debido a los cambios en los ingresos, es posible que califiquen más personas. Recuerde lo siguiente: • El crédito máximo de declaraciones impositivas para 2012 es de USD 5.891 para aquellos trabajadores con tres o más hijos que cumplan los requisitos. • El beneficio de EITC se determina según diversos factores, incluidos los ingresos, la categoría del contribuyente y los hijos que califican. Aquellos trabajadores sin hijos que califiquen podrán obtener un menor crédito. Para consultar más información, ingrese a irs.gov/eitc, utilice el Asistente de EITC o consulte a un profesional impositivo. Si reúne los requisitos para el EITC, también recibirá ayuda gratuita para el cálculo de impuestos en los sitios VITA de todo el país o mediante el servicio Free File: irs.gov/freefile. EITC: ¿reúne los requisitos? • Debe haber percibido ingresos. • Sus ingresos brutos ajustados no pueden superar el límite.
• Su categoría para la declaración no podrá ser “Casado, con presentación por separado”. • Debe tener un número válido de Seguro Social. • Debe haber sido residente o ciudadano de los Estados Unidos durante todo el año. • No puede presentar los formularios 2555 ni 2555-EZ. • Sus ingresos por inversiones no deben superar los USD 3.200. ¿Sabía usted esto? • La mayoría de las devoluciones se realizan en menos de 21 días. • La combinación de presentaciones electrónicas y depósito directo sigue siendo la manera más rápida de recibir un reembolso. • Utilice el servicio Where’s My Refund? (¿Dónde está mi reembolso?) para obtener información personalizada sobre reembolsos basada en declaraciones impositivas. • Además puede utilizar la aplicación de IRS denominada IRS2Go, para verificar el estado de su reembolso. • ¿No llega a la fecha de vencimiento del 15 de abril? Utilice el servicio Free File para obtener una prórroga gratuita. Luego vuelva a utilizar este servicio para calcular sus impuestos antes del 15 de octubre. Asistencia voluntaria para el impuesto sobre la renta Existen miles de sitios de Asistencia Voluntaria para el Impuesto sobre la Renta (VITA, por sus siglas en inglés) que ofrecen ayuda gratuita a quienes ganan hasta USD 51.000. Para encontrar la oficina VITA más cercana, busque “VITA” en irs.gov. El Programa de Asesoramiento Impositivo para Personas Mayores (TCE, por sus siglas en inglés), respaldado por AARP, ofrece ayuda impositiva gratuita para personas mayores de 60 años. Para encontrar la oficina AARP más cercana, ingrese al sitio: aarp.org o llame al (888)227-7669. Algunas oficinas de VITA/ TCE incluso ofrecen el servicio Free File. Puede liquidar impuestos usted mismo en sus computadoras.
Para ver un video sobre Free File, utilice el escáner de su teléfono inteligente para leer este código QR.
How To Do Your Taxes For Free Family Features
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oing to college; getting your first job; moving into your own place. To these rites of passage add one more: doing your own taxes. And, it’s not as scary as you might think. It’s not scary because there’s help available. It’s called Free File, and it’s offered exclusively from the IRS in partnership with nearly 15 leading tax software companies. About 3 million people use it every year. Free File lets you choose brand-name software that does the hard work for you – all for free. And, it offers a fast, safe and free option for everyone. Brand-name tax software is available to those who made $57,000 or less in 2012, which is about 70 percent of us. Earned more? Try Free File’s online fillable forms, the electronic alternative to IRS paper forms.
Three simple steps to getting started Step 1: Gather Your Tax Information • Collect your tax information and log on to Free File through the IRS website, irs.gov/freefile. Step 2: Choose an Option • The “Help Me Choose A Company” option helps you pick the brand-name software that will guide you through the tax process. • Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic documents, perform basic math calculations and are for people who are comfortable preparing their own paper tax returns. 3: Prepare and e-file Your Return • E-file your return for free. No matter what option you choose, IRS and brand-name software providers use the most current technology to ensure tax information is encrypted, so it’s safe and secure when it’s transmitted. Free File is also available online 24/7, giving you the freedom to choose when and how you do your taxes. Checklist of materials to do your taxes Keep this list as a checklist of the items you will need to do your taxes. The IRS recommends keeping all tax-related documents for three years, in case of an audit. Tracking income-related documents can help you take full advantage of deductions available to you. • A copy of last year’s tax return • Valid Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse and children • All income statements, i.e. W-2 forms, from all employers • Interest/dividend statements, i.e. 1099 forms • Form 1099-G showing any state refunds • Unemployment compensation amount • Social Security benefits • Expense receipts for deductions • Day care provider’s identifying number Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps you keep more of what you earned No tax benefit offers a greater lifeline to working families than EITC. Yet, one out of every five eligible taxpayers fails to claim it, according to the IRS. Because of the economy, even more people may be eligible if they have had changes in their earned income. Here are a few things to keep in mind: • The maximum credit for 2012 tax returns is $5,891 for workers with three or more qualifying children. • Eligibility for the EITC is determined based on a number of factors, including earnings, filing status and eligible children.
Workers without qualifying children may be eligible for a smaller credit amount. Learn more at irs.gov/eitc and use the EITC Assistant, or ask your tax professional. If you are eligible for EITC, you also are eligible for free tax help at VITA sites nationwide or to use Free File at irs.gov/freefile. EITC: Are you eligible? • You must have earned income. • Your adjusted gross income cannot be more than the limit. • Your filing status cannot be “Married filing separately.” • You must have a valid Social Security number. • You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year. • You cannot file Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ. • Your investment income must be $3,200 or less. Did you know? • Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days. • Combining e-file with direct deposit is still the fastest way to get your refund. • Use “Where's My Refund?” to get personalized refund information based on the processing of your tax return. • You can also use the IRS app, IRS2Go, to check the status of your refund. • Can’t meet April 15 deadline? Use Free File for a free extension; then use Free File to do your taxes by October 15. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance There are thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites nationwide that offer free help to those earning around $51,000 or less. To locate the nearest VITA site, search for “VITA” on irs.gov. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), which is supported by AARP, offers free tax help to people who are age 60 and older. Locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site at aarp.org or call (888)-227-7669. Some VITA/TCE sites even offer Free File. You can do it yourself on their computers.
To view a video about Free File, use a scanner app on your smart phone to read this QR code. MARCH 2013 19
Luminaria Festival/Arts – San Antonio
By Jill Gleeson / Photography courtesy of the SAVB
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an Antonio loves living with art!!” declares Franco Mondini-Ruiz with no little flair – and he ought to know. Of Italian and Mexican descent, Mondini-Ruiz was raised in the Texas city. Once an attorney, he now is a highly successful artist whose Warholinfused aesthetic has landed him at New York’s Whitney Museum and can command upwards of $50,000 per painting. He calls his tiny home in the barrio, where he welcomes fascinated tourists as well as friends, “an art piece itself – it’s a sculpture!” Stuffed floor to ceiling with books, paintings, candles, mirrors and all manner of funky found treasures, it is a not-to-be-missed wonderland for the eyes. Though he may be San Antonio’s flashiest, pop-iest and most purely fun-loving artist, Mondini-Ruiz is just one very compelling
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element in a scene that, by most everyone’s estimate, is blowing up, and blowing up big. According to Andy Benavides, the visionary behind the 17,000-square-foot gallery and studio space ONE9ZERO6 (1906.com, 210227-5718), “San Antonio is being looked at seriously as the next big art city. We have so many international artists living here.” ONE9ZERO6 itself imports artists from around the world, giving them the studio space and time to create during residencies funded through their nonprofit arm, S.M.A.R.T (smartsa.org, 210-227-5718). S.M.A.R.T. also produces community outreach events, such as art walks and Pie to the People. Held every March at the charming historic arts neighborhood La Villita, Pie to the People features a parade, music, art, a student design competition and, yes, apple pie for everyone. San Antonio is a Mecca for art aficionados
year round, but this month things really kick up a notch. For nearly three decades, March has been feted as Contemporary Art Month in the city, and other doings typically include the Clogged Caps International Aerosol Arts Festival (cloggedcaps.com), a three-day celebration of graffiti art in which nearly 100 “writers” come from across the globe to create massive, colorful murals at designated sites around town. And then there’s Luminaria (luminariasa.org, 210212-4999), perhaps the most magical evening in San Antonio – or just about anywhere else – of the year. This one-night festival, on March 9, attracts upwards of 300,000 people to downtown’s HemisFair park. According to Richard Rosen, Luminaria’s artistic director, “Our goal is to bring back the ‘wow factor’ each year. …We feature all the arts, that’s what makes us different. We combine every
art form. That was a goal from the beginning, and by doing that, we hope to raise the bar for San Antonio artists.” With a dozen stages in addition to galleries and art installations sprinkled through the festival grounds, Luminaria offers not just superb visual art, but also everything from Irish step dancing to ballet; the blues to classical music; children’s choirs to performers from the further reaches of Asia and beyond. It’s a spectacular night, made just that much more stunning by the fact that it’s free to attend. And those hundreds of sky lanterns released at the close of the evening only add to the enchantment, increasing that “wow factor” exponentially. If Contemporary Art Month owes its existence to one organization, that organization would be Blue Star Contemporary Art Center (bluestarart.org, continued on page 24
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Belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream
Veteran Chef Honors the Fundamentals of His Profession By Scott Campbell, Photography By Ali Waxman
Y
ou cannot always tell a book by its cover. However, in this case, the unadorned façade of the Hershey Road Family Restaurant betrays the nature of the food that is served within and the people responsible for it. That would be the Levy family, headed by owner and chef Scott Levy. “Consistency is the key to success in the culinary business,” says Levy. “Good food is hot, moist and well-seasoned.” The 50-yearold Brooklyn native knows very well of what he speaks. The white livery that he wears is not just for appearances. It represents years of education and experience in haute cuisine, as well as diner fare. “I came to the profession a little late,” he says. “While working for a steakhouse in Vail, Col., I developed a passion for cooking and wanted to obtain the proper instruction. I trained at the Dolder Grand in Zurich, Switzerland, The Williamsburg Inn and Jenny Lake Lodge in Grand Teton, Wyo. After that, I pursued an apprenticeship that led me to Hotel Hershey. At 27, I was accepted into the program, which entailed three years and 6,000 hours. There were about 500 applicants and only seven were selected. Eighteen-hour days were common. But I loved the professional environment. Everything had to be done properly.” Levy met his wife, Jackie, at the hotel, where she was also employed. She is a valuable partner in the restaurant, along with their son, Jack. “I bounce ideas off Jackie and listen to her suggestions for the food and other facets of the business,” he says. “My son is in the hospitality curriculum at HACC and is our IT person.” Levy points to several flat-screen monitors on the walls that display rolling photos of menu dishes. “Jack is responsible for that.” 22 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM
Like most professions, the culinary one demands that its practitioners stay current. Levy’s initial training was conducive to five-star hotels like Hershey. But cooking for a family restaurant involved retraining. To that end, Levy spent five years at the iconic Baker’s Diner in Dillsburg. It was good preparation, and it is reflected in the entrée choices at his Hershey Road Restaurant. “The focus is on local,” says Levy. “Our location, just off the Route 39 exit of I-81, means that we get a lot of tourists going to Hershey. But they come and go. The local patrons are our main business. The menu needs to accommodate them.” And it does. Included are such Pennsylvania favorites as ham loaf, chicken croquettes, roast turkey, pork and sauerkraut over mashed potatoes, shepherd’s pie and stuffed peppers. And for breakfast, sausage gravy over biscuits and creamed chipped beef on toast. “Good food is a big part of the business,” says Levy. “But the patrons’ dining experience is important, too. The service and the atmosphere count for a lot.” The soft lighting and muted earth tones of the interior and the staff ’s garb all help to meet that objective. “I want to see the same people in here,” says Levy. “I want them to say, ‘Hey, let’s go to Scott and Jackie’s for dinner.’ If I’m not in the kitchen, I’m out front talking with the patrons. Training other people allows me to do that, to work more on the business and not in it.” Levy is a Certified Executive Chef. He is past president of the Harrisburg Chapter, American Culinary Federation. Learn more at hersheyrdfamilyrestaurant.com Scott Levy
SENADORES TOOMEY Y CASEY PRESENTAN PROYECTO DE LEY Para cambiar nombre a hospital de veteranos de filadelfia por el de un héroe de medalla de honor. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Los senadores de Estados Unidos Pat Toomey, Republicano por Pensilvania, y Bob Casey, Demócrata por Pensilvania, presentaron hoy un proyecto de ley para cambiar el nombre del Centro Médico de Asuntos de Veteranos de Woodland Avenue en Filadelfia por el del Cabo Michael J. Crescenz, Estados Unidos, un veterano de la guerra de Vietnam y galardonado con la Medalla de Honor. Al Cabo Crescenz le fue concedida póstumamente la condecoración militar más alta de la nación por el servicio heroico en Vietnam. Él es el único de Filadelfia galardonado con la Medalla de Honor de Vietnam. El proyecto de ley se titula el Acto Cabo Michael J. Crescenz de 2013. Al Cabo Crescenz le fue concedida la Medalla de Honor por las acciones que tomó el 20 de noviembre de 1968, en el Valle de Hiep Duc en Vietnam. La citación de su Medalla de Honor afirma que el Cabo Crescenz dio su vida cuando él, “dejó la relativa seguridad de su propia posición, agarró una ametralladora cercana y, con total desatención por su seguridad, corrió 100 metros por una ladera hacia los refugios subterráneos del enemigo que él efectivamente silenció... Como consecuencia directa de sus acciones heroicas, su compañía pudo maniobrar libremente con mínimo peligro y completar su misión, derrotando al enemigo.” La citación completa de su Medalla de Honor puede encontrarse aquí. “Es un pequeño gesto de nuestra parte, dada la naturaleza del heroísmo del Cabo Michael Crescenz,” dijo el senador Toomey. “Lo hacemos con profundo respeto y la más profunda gratitud por su sacrificio. Que el cambio de nombre de este edificio sirva como un recordatorio permanente de los sacrificios de todos los veteranos de Vietnam de Pensilvania”. “Este es un homenaje al heroísmo del Cabo Michael Crescenz, así como a los miembros del servicio en todo el país y a lo largo de nuestra historia que han hecho el último sacrificio para mantener seguro a Estados Unidos,” dijo el senador Casey. “Que la dedicación de este edificio sea un recordatorio para todos nosotros de la deuda de gratitud que tenemos con estos hombres y mujeres valientes.” Los hermanos de armas del Cabo Crescenz y otros defensores de los veteranos elogiaron los esfuerzos de los senadores para presentar el proyecto de ley. “Yo estaba con Michael cuando dio su vida por sus compañeros, por mí y por su país. Estoy agradecido de que él no será olvidado. Michael siempre tendrá un lugar en mi mente y en mi corazón. Dios bendiga a Estados Unidos,” dijo Bill Stafford, EE.UU., Jubilado. “En diciembre de 2010, colocando coronas de flores en las tumbas en el Cementerio Nacional de Arlington, pregunté al hermano menor de Michael, Joe Crescenz, si podría tener permiso de su familia para seguir tratando de cambiar el nombre del Centro Médico de Asuntos de Veteranos de Filadelfia (VAMC) en honor de Michael. Hoy en día, toda la gente sabrá del héroe estadounidense de Filadelfia, Cabo Michael J. Crescenz y su Medalla de Honor. Todos digamos a Mike, ‘Bienvenido a casa, Hermano,’ ” dijo Francis Tacey, clase de Vietnam de 1967 – 1968, miembro de por vida de DAV. “Después de más de cuarenta años, es hora de que Filadelfia rinda homenaje a este intrépido héroe estadounidense que dio su vida por su país. El Cabo Michael Crescenz merece al menos un hospital que lleve su nombre en honor a ese sacrificio y la extraordinaria gallardía que conllevó,” dijo David Kamioner, Director Ejecutivo, de Veterans Confort House, de Filadelfia, Ejército de Estados Unidos 1980-1990. “Creo que sólo es apropiado y adecuado que las instalaciones de Asuntos de Veteranos de Filadelfia, sea renombrado en honor del Cabo Michael Crescenz, un nativo de Filadelfia y ganador de la Medalla de Honor. Será un recordatorio permanente de y merecido homenaje a, un verdadero héroe estadounidense y soldado dedicado que desinteresadamente hizo el último sacrificio para que otros pudieran vivir. Agradezco a los senadores Toomey y Casey por esta legislación.” dijo Joe Eastman, United States Navy (Jubilado) y Director de Servicios a Veteranos en Broad Street Ministry. Elizabeth “E.R.” Anderson Directora de Comunicaciones Pat Toomey, Senador de Estados Unidos 502 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 twitter.com/SenToomey facebook.com/SenatorToomey MARCH 2013 23
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210-227-6960); the 1986 fundraising event that gave birth to it would eventually evolve into the month-long celebration. Now housed in a massive complex of warehouses remade into a warren of galleries, lofts and exhibit spaces, Blue Star, explains Emily Barker, membership and community outreach coordinator, “is San Antonio’s acting contemporary art museum. We are nonprofit and non-collecting. All told, we curate 30 exhibitions a year here in our four galleries, as well as our annex gallery.” Equally inventive and influential – though by different means – is Artpace San Antonio (artpace.org, 210-212-4900). According to Mary Heathcott, deputy director of Artpace, her organization is “a creative lab. We encourage artists to experiment, to step outside the box.” To that end, thrice yearly, Artpace begins with three artists, one from Texas, one from elsewhere in the U.S. and one from abroad, who spend eight weeks living and working in the organization’s downtown building. The results of their efforts are then exhibited for two months. The public is also welcome to browse Artpace’s fascinating archives, which offer biographies of every artist in residence since the program began, as well as details of their work.
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No city could truly be deemed an art superstar without topnotch museums, and in this arena, San Antonio also does not disappoint. The jaw-dropping McNay (mcnayart.com, 210-8245368), which opened in 1954, now features 20,000 works from artists such Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, Monet, O’Keefe, Hopper, Rousseau, Rodin and van Gogh. Located in the sprawling former site of the Lone Star Brewery, the San Antonio Museum of Art (samuseum.org, 210978-8100) houses everything from a delightful Latin American folk art exhibit to a Greek and Roman antiquities collection that rivals anything found on either coast. With innovative festivals, forward-thinking galleries and museums grand enough to make New York and Los Angeles cast envious eyes southward, San Antonio appears to have arrived as an arts destination. Perhaps the rest of the world is only now catching on to what residents have long known: the city has always been art smart. “Yes, there is a big, big art scene here,” Blue Star’s Barker confirms with a smile. “But, you see, San Antonio has always been very culturally driven.” For more information about San Antonio, visit visitsanantonio.com or call (800) 447-3372.
Maryanne Knaub, H.I.S. • Donald Shriner, H.I.S. Want to boost your income? Get hearing aids
According to conventional wisdom, to get ahead in today’s economy it’s wise to work long hours, do a lot of networking and find ways to make your boss look good. But new research reveals that there is a much less obvious way to boost earnings: get your hearing checked, and get hearing aids if it’s necessary. A new survey by the Better Hearing Institute shows that working Americans who ignore their hearing problems lose on average from $1000(mild loss) to $12,000(profound loss) a year. Getting hearing aids at a younger age reduces the chance of losing income. You might think of hearing loss as something that happens mainly to older people. But most people with this problem are in the prime of life, including 1 out of 6 baby boomers (ages 41-59) and 1 out of 12 “Gen-exers” (ages 2940). Yet, right now, only 1 out of 4 Americans with hearing problems are getting treatment. Some people are embarrassed to admit they need help because they feel it makes them look old. But if you seem out of touch or just plain stupid because you can’t hear well, that will be much more noticeable than a modern hearing aid. Once you try a hearing aid, you’ll like them. More than nine out of ten users feel their lives have improved. Wearers cited a number of improvements including: better communication (71%), better social life (56%), home relationships (55%), work environment (48%), emotional health (40%), mental/cognitive ability (35%), and physical health (24%). We need to stop ignoring hearing loss. When left untreated, it disrupts family life, hampers emotional and sexual intimacy and increases the likelihood of depression and other psychological problems. If that doesn’t convince you to take hearing loss seriously, I hope the prospect of making less money will. CALL TODAY to schedule your FREE hearing test.
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