Cafe Magazine 02 - Dec08-Jan09

No02 HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

Latino Lifestyle Magazine

Incredible Shrinking Economy Latino Inspired Holiday Décor Elegant, Festive Fashion Conspicuous Consumption

Latinos bring ‘The Nutcracker’ to life

Holiday Classic

NewYearsEve Celebrate the year’s most glamorous holiday at Chicago’s most fashionable restaurant

401 North Wabash Avenue • Chicago • IL • Reservations 312-588-8030

Latino Lifestyle Magazine

No02 HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

FEATURES latino troika

Mauro Villanueva, Suzanne Lopez and Raúl Casasola in The Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” words Annette Gonzalez

MORE THAN A GAME

Latinos put their reputation and money at stake in fantasy football words Irene Tostado

big spenders

The slow economy may not stop Latinos from buying words Vanessa Bauzá

LONG NIGHTs

Elegant and chic looks for the season of festivities

39 44 48 50

| photo anthony tahlier |

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10

DEPARTMENTS

Editor’s Note Say What?!

Contributors

Café Espresso 13 Somos 14 Cultural Bites 15 The Buzz

16 The Buzz2 18 la plaza 20 TAKE QUOTE 21 Voices 22 COMUNIDAD 24 GET AHEAD 26 Spotlight

Café Filter 29 MI CASA/TU CASA 33 LA FAMILIA

Carlos and Marina Claudio Holiday cultural factoids Hot events around town Celebrity wish list Latino businesses and the economy What is change?

Rafael Romo’s Xmas tale Volunteer opportunities Financial aid and the recession Carmen Marron: dream girl

34 WORKWISE 36 Be Well 38 UPGRADE

Café Grande 46 Mi Gente 47 DIVERSIONS

Head to head with Roberto Garza Tailgating

CafÉ Blend MUST DO NightLife DINING Restaurant Guide Scene at me enseñaron

65 68 70 73 76 80

Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

Holiday décor Latino style Fun before the clock strikes twelve Gift giving at the office ‘Tis the season to watch those calories Digital cameras

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Alejandro Riera Readers’ Response

Affordable winter fun Out and about on New Year’s Eve The return of Geno Bahena A list of Latino eateries Latino social scene A lavar mis...

the art of fertility

vering.

always be disco

Tlaloc, the Aztec god of water and fertility, provided farmers with the rain they needed to cultivate crops. Come explore the most comprehensive collection of rare Aztec artifacts ever assembled outside of Mexico, only at The Field Museum.

October 26, 2008 - April 19, 2009 fieldmuseum.org

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities. © Michel Zabé / AZA. Reproduction authorized by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia

N o01

OCTO BER2008

N o01

Say what?!

LOv

Latin o Lif esty Le Ma gazin e

toCEhLetter iCagO

Freddy to his Rodriguez home town in pays tribu te his ne w film

reader responses

Response was overwhelmingly positive to our premiere issue. Whether it was the Freddy Rodriguez cover story, Rafael Romo’s first column or the restaurant listings, you found many ways to connect with our content. There is always room for improvement. So keep writing to us, whether by e-mail, snail-mail or through our Facebook page. Let us know what’s right, what’s not and which topics you want to see covered in future issues of Café.

Will th Vote M e latino atter ? anna F ong: Flair Fo r Fas hion aztecs take the F ield M oVer useu M day oF in styl the dead e

Alejandro Riera

editor’s note The economy weighed heavily as we planned the first Holiday/ Winter issue: How is this economic downturn affecting Latino business owners? What impact is it having on Latino students’ ability to secure financial aid for college? And, will it hamper some Latinos’ desire to show off their bling, bling?

Writers Michael Puente, Claire Curley and Vanessa Bauzá answer these questions and more in this edition. And if you want to know how you can protect your job in these difficult times, take a look at Angel Gomez’s career resolutions for the New Year at www.cafemagazine.com.

For many, Christmas is the time we seek the comfort and warmth of our loved ones. We seek strength in our culture and in traditions, whether it’s Los Reyes Magos or “The Nutcracker.” Our city and suburbs provide enough reasons to celebrate this wintry season with our family and friends, just take a look at our special calendar of holiday/winter events in Café Blend.

Christmas is also the season of giving. There are volunteer opportunities galore, and Annette Gonzalez showcases just two of them in this edition. Visit our Web site for a more complete list of volunteer opportunities.

Most of all, let’s all reflect on and relish the meaning of this festive season. There is no better asset than the smile of a child, the love of your relatives and the good company of friends and neighbors.

From all of us at Café, we wish you a very merry Christmas and the best for a prosperous New Year.

“I am in love with Café magazine! I think the articles are fun, interesting, educational and entertaining. I loved the article about Chicago artist Josué Pellot (‘Bodega Art’), whom I would have never learned about if it wasn’t for your magazine. This magazine will cater to others beyond the Latino community with its content and beautiful photography. I can’t wait to get my next issue!”

— Sonia Murphy-Garcia, Chicago “Chicago needs a Latino lifestyle magazine like Café. I’m excited about receiving future issues. I wish the Magazine much success. ¡Muy buena suerte!”

— Grant Vitale, Chicago “Congratulations on the tasteful magazine! I enjoyed the ‘Let’s Eat’ section. I’m always exploring new ethnic restaurants to expand my palate. Also, the home remedies section will remain a classic in my book. It seems like no one speaks of remedios anymore.”

— Mirella Campos, Chicago “Finally a magazine aimed at the Latino community that is written in English for Hispanic Americans. The content is fresh and covers a variety of topics. I hope your magazine stays in rhythm with the first issue.”

— Jeffery Martinez, Bolingbrook “The magazine was absolutely great, everyone in the family agrees. I was able to relate to Rafael Romo’s article (‘Rrrroll With It’) because it is also hard for me to introduce myself with my hard-to-pronounce name.”

— Anahi Garcia, Bolingbrook “Enjoying your website, very informative.”

— Javier Rios, Homewood “This magazine discussed mainstream topics that are actually important to Latinos, i.e. politics, education, cultura. Plus, it is about Chicago — not L.A., Miami, New York or Houston... ¡Gracias! Por fin alguien que entiende realmente quiénes somos.”

— Angelica Guerrero, Chicago Send your comments to readers@cafemagazine.com or write to Letters to the Editor, Café Magazine, 660 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654. Include your full name, address and daytime phone number. Submissions may be edited for length and clarity.

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Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

OCTOB ER2008

Publisher Julián G. Posada Café media Advisors

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor Copy Editors

Martin Castro, George De Lama, Pete kingwill,

Alejandro Riera Gina Santana Chris MALCOLM

DarHiana Mateo

CHRISTINA E. RODRíGUEZ

Editorial Intern

Kara Mireles

design

Art Director Graphic Designer

alberto treviÑo Lourdes Almazán

mars hall

Design Intern

Jessica Oregon

sales

Sales Director Sales Associates

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Marie Joyce Garcia

IAN LARKIN, Mike Malee

marilia t. gutiérrez

david murga Denise Carrasco

Anthony Pérez

Cruz Registered Investors & Advisors LLC

Executive Title

Gomez Consulting

Grainger

HACE

Harris Bank

Home State Bank

The LDI Group

Loyola University Chicago

Mesirow Financial

National City Bank

National Louis University

The Resurrection Project

UIC Lares Program

Angel Cruz Martha Tovias Angel Gomez katie porter Andrea Saenz Lilia Alvarado Magdalena Rivera Brian SOrge regina treviño Olga Camargo Bruce Lines Ana Maria Soto Raul Raymundo Leonard Ramirez

Norma Magaña, Francisco Menchaca

marketing

Marketing Director Marketing Analyst

Special Thanks

melissa m. martínez

Daniel Bleier, Michael Bleier, WILLIAM GRAHAM,

Rodrigo SaUza

Henry Kingwill, Pete kingwill, ADMINISTRATION

Office Manager

Ian Larkin, William Mckenna

JANET PEREZ Acknowledgements

contributing writers Gloria Elena Alicea, VANESSA BAUZÁ, CLARE CURLEY,

ISABEL RESENDIZ, RAFAEL ROMO, IRENE TOSTADO

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Elia Alamillo, Abel Arciniega, Ken carl, AKIN Girav,

danny rico, Mauricio Rubio, ANTHONY THALIER

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC DESIGNER ahmad yilmaz stock photos

Fashion contributors

agga b. raya at artists by

timothy priano

STOCK.XCHNG, ISTOCKPHOTO

Fashion Stylist Fashion Stylist Assistants

brandy flint

Cafe 28

ANNETTE GONZALEZ, DARHIANA MATEO, MICHAEL PUENTE,

Chicago Bears MIKE CORBO Chicago United Gloria Castillo DMT Communications yvonne davila e-Hispanics.com jose jara FORD Models Monica Diaz Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce omar duque Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Roberto Cornelio Kehoe Designs Tom Kehoe Maranon Capital Jana Gardella m?rk mark flores Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University Patti Wolter Spañglish RITA ABAD Spañglish JANET DOMINGUEZ Trump International Hotel and Tower Lauren larson

lauren roffle

Hair and Make-up Artist

joyce taft at artists by

timothy priano

Hendon Publishing henry Kingwill, pete kingwill, candy buster

robert prohaska

philipp posch

production

Berta navarro Juan josé Nieto

Univision Radio cesar canales Vocalo LLOYD KING Vocalo BIBIANA ADAMES V5 Frank Monroy

CAFé MEDIA llc office

NICK AGOSTO, JOHN ALFONZO, al Augaitis,

660 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60654 Office/Fax: (312) 226-0079

mona asra, GERARDO CARDENAS, james Cicenia, Lorena Gonzales, Michael Gray, Steven Groya, andrew hayes, FUZZ HOGAN, CHRISTINA LOPEZ-NUTZMAN,

place an ad sales@cafemagazine.com

JAIRO LOPEZ, DOLORES KUNDA, lupe madrid, Henry Moya,

subscribe www.cafemagazine.com

Vera Napoleon, MARIELA OROZCO, JUAN ORTA, Jorge Ortega,

contact an editor

readers@cafemagazine.com calendar@cafemagazine.com

submit calendar events

REGINA ORTEGA, RUBEN PALMERIN, Diana Palomar, victor peÑa, Lucas posada, sebastián posada, JUAN QUIZHPE, KATIE RISCH, Cesar Ruiz, ALISON SCHOLLY,

Los Cafeteros originales

ROUJAY VARGAS, sylvia M. zaldivar-sykes

Julián, Gina, Marilia, melissa, david y alberto

Please Recycle This Magazine. Remove inserts before recycling Café magazine is printed on paper sourced from companies that practice sustainable forest management.

cafemagazine.com

9

caféRecognizes

theCONTRIBUTORS

10 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

Vanessa Bauzá Born and raised in San Juan, P.R., Vanessa is a graduate of Yale University and a Fulbright Scholar.

She was the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s correspondent in Havana until 2005. Most recently Vanessa covered immigrant communities at the Chicago Tribune.

Irene Tostado Radio personality Irene Tostado is Café magazine’s blogger, as well as a producer for Univision Radio, where she produces the live show “Fo’ Real” on La Kalle 103.1 and 93.5 FM. She covers immigrant issues, local events and sports for various print and online publications in Chicago. Irene is the communication coordinator for the Neighborhoods Initiative at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Mauricio Rubio A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Mauricio Rubio has been involved in photography since, at the age of eight, he was given a camera by his uncle, AP photographer Pablo Martinez Monsivais, and began taking pictures of everything in sight. Mauricio has held internship positions at The Baltimore Sun and the Chicago Tribune.

Anthony Tahlier A Wisconsin native, Anthony Tahlier moved to Chicago seven years ago to pursue a freelance career in photography.

He started building a portfolio while bartending, and now shoots for national and international companies and publications. He has done projects for Kellogg’s, Kraft Foods and Crate & Barrel.

He recently shot a project with Colombian superstar Juanes.

Agga B. Raya Born in Poland, Agga put together her first fashion show at the age of 16. Agga entered the Polish University of Law in Lodz, but her studies were interrupted after only one year when she moved to Chicago. Here she pursued an education in computer science and started a career as a fashion designer and stylist. Agga’s clothes are available in boutiques in Chicago, New York and Europe under the brand name AGGA B.

Annette Gonzalez Annette Gonzalez earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2008.

As an undergrad, she was involved with several campus publications and has held internships at Time Out Chicago and Chicago magazine.

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caféESPRESSO

somos

The Pros

Need a doctor? Need a lawyer?

Meet the Claudios words

Christina E. Rodríguez photo alBerto Treviño

Carlos and Marina Claudio have been married for nine years.

Marina, 36, a native Russian, and Carlos, 39, a Chicago-born Puerto Rican, have a four-year-old daughter, Isabella, who if she has the sniffles or wants to sue a playmate for coloring outside the lines, is totally covered. Marina is a family doctor at the Advocate Health Center in Logan Square and Carlos has his own law practice, Vazquez & Claudio, in Humboldt Park.

What languages does Isabella speak?

Carlos: We’re trying to raise her with Spanish and English, although learning Spanish is more difficult because she’s more exposed to English.

Marina: She has [picked up] a few words, so she’s Spanglishspeaking. My parents try to infuse a little Russian here and there.

Why did you move back to the city from Evanston?

Marina: We wanted something youthful and urban, as opposed to eclectic, where you never know what you’re going to get from one block to another.

Carlos: Plus we wanted to be closer to a Latino feel, and we like being in the city.

Where do you get your Latina-ness from?

Marina: Living in Puerto Rico for a few years will do that to you.

I became really acculturated because I came [to the U.S.] so young and didn’t surround myself with people who are like me.

Carlos: And her arroz con gandules is excellent.

Marina: But it will never be as good as your mom’s...

How do you take your café?

Carlos: I start my day with four shots of espresso with a little bit of hot water.

Marina: I’m a Russian girl, so it’s all about the tea. I take it with lots of sugar.

cafemagazine.com 13

caféespresso | cultural bites

¿SabíasQUE? A look at the many ways Latin America celebrates the holiday season FLOWERING TRADITION Native to Mexico, the poinsettia plant is known as the Flor de Noche Buena.

Legend has it that a poor Mexican girl had nothing to offer Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. Embarrassed, she knelt at the side of a road to collect flowers as her gift. Upon entering the church and placing the flowers near the Nativity Scene, they burst into bright red and green flowers. The Aztec name for the flower is Cuetlaxochitl.

Poinsettias are named after Joel R. Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico.

CHRISTMAS A LA CUBANA In 1962, Cuba became officially atheist and all celebrations of Christmas stopped in 1969 when President Fidel Castro felt that they interfered with the sugar harvest. The festivity was reinstated in 1997 to honor Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Caribbean island. A large mass is celebrated each year in Havana’s Revolution Square.

RINGIN’ IN THE NEW Latinos don’t just kiss at midnight.

Many other traditions include eating 12 grapes at midnight, eating lentil soup or wearing yellow underwear, all said to bring good luck.

Running around the house with suitcases brings travel opportunities, while putting coins near the front door is said to bring monetary abundance.

CARIOCA SCENE As in many Christian cultures, the Nativity scene is one of the most important elements to the Christmas tradition.

In Latin America it is called a nacimiento or pesebre. In Brazil it is known as presepio and is popular in the northeastern region of Brazil.

Sources: About.com, MexConnect.com, The-North-Pole.com, TheHolidaySpot.com, NYSun.com, AlfaTravelGuide.com, MatchDoctor.com, OMPersonal.com, Answers.com, Nacnet.org, ElBoricua.com

14 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

BURNING DOWN THE OLD A fascinating custom in Ecuador and Colombia is the burning of the old year at midnight. People make dolls out of paper and other materials with a mask of a celebrity or of someone they know. Inside, representations of the old year are added. When midnight strikes, these dolls are set aflame--out with the old, in with the new.

ALL MIGHTY MEN Traditionally in Latin America, gifts are exchanged on Jan. 6, Three Kings Day. That day, Los Tres Reyes Magos came with offerings to Baby Jesus. On Jan. 5, children set out their shoes or shoe boxes awaing a gift from Los Reyes. In some countries, fresh cut grass is left inside the shoe for the camels to eat on their long journey.

LIVE NATIVITY Translated as “the lodgings,” las posadas are one of the season’s most popular events. In this Mexican and Guatemalan tradition, people dress up as Mary and Joseph to re-enact the night Jesus was born. Involving the community, the couple asks for lodging while singing holiday songs. After being rejected, they arrive at the house that gives them space and everyone celebrates with food and music.

thebuzz A Luis Guzmán triple bill

No matter what character he plays, Luis Guzmán always manages to add the word “papito” as well as other Puerto Rican colloquialisms in the dialogue. He is also, without a doubt, one of the busiest character actors in Hollywood. This month alone, you’ll see Luis on the big screen in two films: “Nothing Like the Holidays” about a Chicago Latino family’s dysfunctional Christmas (Dec. 12) and “Yes Man” (Dec. 19), where he joins forces with comedian Jim Carrey. You can even take Luis home with you: the Benicio Del Toro-produced “Maldeamores,” in which Luis has a starring role, has just been released on DVD. Winner of last year’s Audience Award at the Chicago International Film Festival, “Maldeamores” links three different stories about love and heartbreak in Puerto Rico.

Christmas with a Texas flavor

Crank up your iPod this holiday season. Los Lonely Boys have released their very first Christmas album titled, appropriately enough, “Christmas Spirit.”

The Garza brothers give a bluesy and rockabilly spin to Christmas classics such as “Run Run Rudolph,” “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”.

Go to www.loslonelyboys.com to listen to four of the 10 tracks.

Benicio’s dream project Two from Latin America

January tends to be a quiet month for new exhibits. That’s why we’re really thrilled about the two Latin American-themed exhibits opening at the DePaul Art Museum Jan. 15. “Colonial Andean Art from the Thoma Collection” features 40 pieces from The Marilynn and Carl Thoma Collection, which explores Catholic imagery in 16th century South American art. “Realism and Magic: Latin American Photography from the Collection of DePaul University,” on the other hand, showcases the evolution of Latin American photography since the 1860s. The DePaul Art Museum is located at 2350 N. Kenmore Ave., Chicago. For more information, go to http://museums.depaul.edu/artwebsite/.

“The Motorcycle Diaries” showed us a young Ernesto “Che” Guevara confronting injustice for the first time as he and his best friend, Alberto Granado, hitchhiked through South America. Benicio Del Toro’s and Steven Soderbergh’s long-gestating “Che” jumps ahead in time to the Che we all know: the Che who, alongside Fidel Castro, led a ragtag band of guerrillas to overthrow Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista and the one who died years later while leading a similar effort in Bolivia. Divided into two parts (“The Argentine” and “Guerrilla”), the 4-hour plus movie promises to be more than purely biographical: advance word suggests the film actually uses Che as a case study on how guerrilla movements can succeed and fail. “Che” is scheduled to hit Chicago theaters Jan. 16. Both parts will be available, separately, on Jan. 21 via IFC’s video-on-demand platform, “IFC In Theaters”.

cafemagazine.com 15

caféespresso

What is your wish for 2009?

From a stronger economy to immigration reform – and good health to enjoy it all! – some shining stars share their hopes for the New Year interviews

Christina E. Rodríguez

NADINE VELASQUEZ

Rita Moreno

Actress

Actress

Samy

Louis Verdad

Hair Stylist

Fashion Designer

I wish to open up my creative channels so that all my ideas get put into place.

I would love the New Year to bring tranquility to families who have been destroyed because of the economy.

People [are] losing their homes, and I’m very worried about that. I want to be Santa Claus!

A new proposition where we get rights not only for being Latino immigrants, but for being humans. We’re about to enter into one of the worst years in history...and bonding together as a community is very important.

Tsi-tsi-ki Felix

Iris Martinez

Telemundo news anchor

Illinois Senator 29th Dist.

Lisa Dean Niewolny

James de colÓn

Mrs. Illinois America 2008

Fashion Designer

I would wish for Latino immigrants to see their goals achieved and to be a step closer to fulfilling their dreams. And to enjoy the year the way it’s supposed to be enjoyed — with family and health.

I would like...health and happiness to be spread throughout.

16 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

Obama!

I want to see an end to our war in Iraq and I want to do great things for my community.

I wish that the country would get back in order with the right government, for it to be back to what it should be and what it was.

The next generation of Chicago’s business leaders will come, in large part, from the city’s Latino communities.

Become the leader you were born to be.

National-Louis University Access. Innovation. Excellence. Since 1886.

the next generation of Latinos has arrived The NLU MBA @ El Valor. The degree of choice for Chicago’s Latino leaders.

Chris Multhauf knows Chicago business. He was co-founder, CEO and chairman of the board of First Commonwealth Inc., the Midwest’s leading managed dental care organization— and today he is the executive dean of the College of Management and Business at National-Louis University. Ask him to look into the future and here’s what he’ll say. “In fifteen years or so, people like me will be retired. The fascinating question is who comes next?”

And Multhauf is pretty sure he knows the answer. “The next generation of Chicago’s business leaders will come, in large part, from the city’s Latino communities. They are the men and women who are earning their NLU MBA on-site right now in Pilsen at El Valor. That’s where you will find Chicago’s future CEOs and board chairmen.”

And that’s where you’ll find Ana Maria Soto, executive director of Latino Initiatives. Already recognized as a significant force in the city’s Latino community on issues ranging from higher education advocacy to civic empowerment, Soto is working on her MBA through the NLU partnership with El Valor.

According to Soto, “More and more Latinos are successful business owners and entrepreneurs. But frequently they achieve this without a strong education background. Now imagine the impact Latinos can have on the Chicago economy if class after class of Latino MBAs, education and healthcare professionals graduate and enter the job market.”

To learn more about the NLU MBA at El Valor go to www.nl.edu/elvalor.

Join the conversation: The NLU and El Valor connection.

Take a look at what Maribel Ireta, Ana Maria Soto, Maria Lopez and Herminia Alvarado have to say about NLU’s MBA program on-site at El Valor.

Go to www.nl.edu/elvalor and join the conversation.

National-Louis University Access. Innovation. Excellence. Since 1886.

caféespresso

the

Incredible shrinking

economy

Latino businesses want to grow, but this hard economy says “not yet”

words photo

Michael Puente Mauricio Rubio

18 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

As the owner of a successful wealth management company and a resourceful financial thinker with an eye toward building his firm’s future, Rey Cruz is ready to expand his company. The economy, however, is not.

LAPLAZA

OPPOSITE PAGE AND THIS PAGE: Two different views of small businesses along 26th St., in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.

According to Ald. Ricardo Muñoz, in terms of city retail sales tax revenues, 26th St. is second only to Michigan Ave.

Cruz is the managing director of Cruz Investments & Wealth Management in west suburban Aurora and the president of the Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. So he knows a little bit about money. But it’s not him.

It’s the economy. More specifically, banks aren’t Rey Cruz lending money these days to anyone, including those with perfect credit histories.

Newspaper headlines tout how the credit crush is affecting large corporations, but small businesses may be feeling a greater pinch.

“I want to expand right now. I want to bring on a couple of people full-time. I have great cash flow and I’m having a banner year, but I’m scared even to call the bank,” says Cruz, who has never been turned down for a loan.

But he’s had conversations with friends at local banks who tell him the market is bad and that he should wait to apply for a loan until things get better, maybe by early 2009 as recovery begins slowly from the government’s $700 billion economic bailout of banks in October.

It’s a story Cruz has heard from other owners of small businesses.

“We’re seeing it all over,” Cruz says.

Cruz isn’t alone in his ordeal. A poll in September by the New York-based research firm Harris Poll said 60 percent of more than 500 small-business owners nationwide reported that developing their business was their biggest challenge. Another 20 percent said access to cash was another major worry.

Fortunately for Cruz, he doesn’t have that problem. “I’m fortunate and blessed enough to say that our firm is doing well,” Cruz says.

“But when you want to expand and [hire] people, you have to borrow money from somebody.”

A VITAL SECTOR FOR LATINOS

Residential and commercial construction is one industry sector that’s reeling from the economy.

This year alone, projects have decreased by 30 percent in Chicago and surrounding suburbs, says Paul Cerpa, executive director of the Chicago-based Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. Established in 1979, HACIA offers its members a variety of services, from training seminars to professional development.

Construction plays a vital role for Latinos in Chicago, since nearly a third of all construction workers in the city are Latinos, according to a study by the University of Missouri.

“It’s the credit issues that have had an impact. I don’t think we’ve seen the full effects of it yet,” Cerpa says. “Credit appears to be tightening up in the contracting side and the supply side.”

In Chicago, Cerpa says, the developments that have seen the greatest impact are in residential housing, such as condominiums in the West Loop. Projects that are moving along are doing so at a slower pace, he says, with contractors “chasing the money, trying to get paid.”

Cerpa says his association is telling its members to be careful about what projects they get into. “We’re telling them, ‘Don’t take on any risky projects. Take a good look at your in-house staff and capitalize on those individuals,’ ” he says.

While Cerpa doesn’t know when things will get better, he says government-backed projects give the industry its best hope for recovery. “I don’t know if we’ve seen the bottom yet,” he says. “Hopefully, we’ve already seen the bottom.”

‘THEY’RE HURTING’

Adrian Soto has also heard troubling stories from Latino businesses.

“They are desperate, they’re hurting. The Hispanic community is definitely being affected,” says Soto, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center through the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Through the center, small-business owners have a variety of ways to learn what might be the best path for surviving this troubled economy.

Soto says small businesses must strictly monitor how they’re spending their money. “We’re telling businesses, ‘Look at your expenses, look at every single thing that’s coming out and try to be creative to minimize that,’ ” he says.

Cutting expenses, he says, could mean everything from reducing employee hours to spending less on advertising. “You have to be a bit more creative because in these times it’s important to keep your employees; it’s important to keep promoting your business,” Soto says.

He also advises small-business owners to focus on their market and what they do best. And, believe it or not, Soto says, this slowing economy could open doors for a small business.

“While other people are closing shop and competitors are kind of falling by the wayside, it’s a great time for you to focus on that and capture the lost market share,” Soto says. “We’re telling people that it’s a tough time, but it’s a great opportunity, too.” cafemagazine.com 19

caféespresso | Take Quote

| photo akin girav |

What does change mean to you?

INTERVIEWSAlejandro Riera and Christina E. Rodríguez

“Barack Obama’s message of change, along with his historic election, has inspired me to reanalyze my personal and professional goals. His message has moved me to do some selfreflection in an attempt to construct a plan to further maximize my strengths and minimize my weaknesses, so that I may use my skills to positively influence others. From now on, I will never again think that something is out of my or our reach!”

– Cesar Orozco, 30 “I hope we’ll be able to make the changes [Obama] was talking about in terms of finding jobs for people and lowering taxes. I just got out of college and I have a new job, and the thing for me is saving a lot of money, to have something in the bank in case I ever run into any kind of financial difficulties.”

– Melissa Rodriguez, 23 “I think it will come down to morale.

[George] Bush brought down the morale of the people. I think [Barack] Obama lifted it back up. I want to be positive, like I’ve always been. Positive outlook will bring positive outcome.”

– Jose Castrejon, 32

20 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

“Change starts with the individual.

In order for positive change to happen you need to analyze every aspect of your life and [see] how it affects others and how it affects you.

You need to have a more humane ideology in order to increase change around you in a profound way. It comes from the inner soul and spreads outward, and when people see that they cling onto it.”

– Luis Muñoz, 23 “[Change] was bound to happen. I’m glad that it’s happening in my lifetime. I want to do my part by being aware of everybody’s culture. I hope that out of that awareness comes less discrimination. I hope that more people have access to education and get an incentive to better themselves.”

– Yanira Valdez, 32 “Personally, President-elect Obama’s message of change and hope has reinforced my passion and dedication of working towards social justice for all. Being in law school can sometimes deter you from seeing the ‘righteous’ path, as everyone around you is concerned about test scores and six-figure salaries, but inspiring words and ideas keep me moving in the right direction.”

– Stephen Berrios, 23

VOICES

A MEXICAN CHRISTMAS STORY

RAFAEL ROMO

T’was the night before Christmas. The weather outside was frightful, and we were all bundled up inside our home. After being hit by a blizzard that downed power lines, we were left in darkness. But I didn’t care. I was 10 years old and thrilled about having a white Christmas.

My mom brought out candles and we placed several throughout the living room.

The light gave everything an ethereal look; even the Christmas tree looked better. As I walked to the kitchen, the smell of freshlymade tamales hit me. I was in heaven… and I was in Mexico.

Yes! It snows in northern Mexico, especially along the Sierra Madre region in the state of Sonora were my hometown, Cananea, is located. I grew up in the cold weather of northeastern Sonora believing that “Blanca Navidad,” the Spanish version of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” was a Mexican song.

That particular Christmas Mother Nature

1.2 million Mexicans went home for the holidays in 2007. This year many will be going home to stay. didn’t disappoint us. I sat down in front of the Christmas tree and the Nacimiento (Nativity scene) to enjoy a dinner of tamales, spicy beans, champurrado and pecan cookies. My 10-year-old mind was scheming about how to get the carrot for the nose of the snowman I planned to make the following morning.

Suddenly someone knocked on our door, interrupting my thoughts. It was a loud and desperate knock. Who could it be at that hour?

My father opened the door. Outside stood a bearded man, shivering and covered with snow. From inside the house, my mother recognized the stranger. “Beto!” she shouted and ran to the door to greet him.

Tío Beto was only in his early 20s, but he looked much older with a fully grown beard.

He had migrated to California four years earlier after deciding that the copper mine in Cananea, the town’s only source of stable employment, was not for him. Uncle Beto joined hundreds of thousands of Mexicans who decided to pursue the American dream after yet another economic crisis in the Mexico of the late 70s.

He left on a bus with only 50 U.S. dollars in his pocket and a backpack. Now, he was driving his own car, had a job that paid $12 per hour, and was about to purchase a house…all unthinkable when he left.

Nevertheless, it was Christmas Eve and, as a good Mexican, there was no other place in the world he would rather be than with his family.

He was not the only one who had come back. In my lower middle-class neighborhood, I saw other shiny cars with American plates the following morning while building my snowman. It was Christmas and the other migrant workers also wanted to be with their families.

To us kids they were like Santa Claus. They would bring American presents like calculator watches, Walkmans and remote-controlled toy cars that looked like they came straight from the North Pole. Cousins my age would visit wearing Levi’s jeans and Converse sneakers, carrying boom boxes, and speaking a funny language that would later be known as Spanglish.

In the United States they may have been considered “economically disadvantaged,” but they returned to provincial Mexico every Christmas like conquerors enjoying the spoils of their last battle.

This annual trip home for the holidays is a tradition for Mexican migrant workers who live in the U.S. According to Mexican officials, more than 1.2 million Mexicans went home for the holidays in 2007. This year many Mexican migrants will be going home to stay.

The economic crisis and strict enforcement of immigration laws have made life in the U.S. unbearable for some. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, the undocumented immigrant population has declined by more than 11 percent in the last 15 months. Mexican consulates across the nation, including the one in Chicago, report that an increasing number of Mexican nationals are requesting paperwork to go home for good, including documentation to enroll their children in Mexican schools.

Uncle Beto is again taking the trip this year. He has been a U.S. citizen for almost 20 years. He embraces and respects American values and speaks fluent English. His American dream became a reality in the form of small business ownership.

But there’s no place he’d rather be for Christmas than Mexico, eating tamales, drinking champurrado and singing “Blanca Navidad.”

cafemagazine.com 21

caféespresso | COMUNIDAD

Give some back

Jennifer Sontag, of the East Village Youth Program, far right, oversees a group of students gathered for tutoring at the EVYP offices on Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Donating your time or resources can be rewarding gifts words

Annette Gonzalez photos Ken Carl

This holiday season may bring limp stockings, but it doesn’t mean that you have to feel less fulfilled. One precious thing that can be given and fully appreciated without digging into your wallet is time.

Jim Lewis, senior program officer of basic human needs at the Chicago Community Trust, a foundation that provides grants to non-profit organizations, says that the holiday season is “a time when people try to reaffirm values of community and family and, to some degree, try to reach out beyond those in their immediate circle and think about the wider community. There’s really a lot of ways to do it.”

With thousands of non-profit organizations across Illinois, volunteer opportunities are abundant. A good example is the East Village Youth Program, an organization with more than 100 students at all grade levels specializing in preparing youth for college.

From the outside, the EVYP looks just like another apartment building, but inside you’ll find the after-school spot for many Latino students from across the Northwest Side of Chicago. On a fall afternoon, the first floor buzzed with the sound of teens chatting over textbooks and reaching out to adults for help. Conversations encompassed prime numbers, Latin and complex theories in physics.

“The youth we serve learn a lot from our volunteers,” says Jane Napoli, executive director of EVYP. “Having extra volunteers around the holidays becomes an opportunity for our students to hear from guest speakers and learn about the educational and career paths volunteers take.”

George Hernandez and his tutor, Robert Rodemeyer, sat at a round wooden table and peered over a geometry book. They were reviewing Hernandez’s homework problems.

Hernandez, 15, is one of about 65 high school students enrolled with 22 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

Opportunities To become a volunteer at East Village Youth Program call (312) 275-0440 or e-mail outreach@evyp.org for more information. A volunteer application form and interview is required for all potential volunteers.

The application is available for download at www.evyp.org To volunteer at events, assist with translation or donate to the food pantry at the Spanish Community Center, call (815) 727-3683. Anyone interested in giving the center a hand is welcome, and the ability to speak Spanish is a plus. To make a monetary donation, write a check or money order payable to the Spanish Community Center and send it to 309 N. Eastern Ave., Joliet IL 60432.

Everyone has confidence whe n Tutor Robert Rodemeyer, left, poses with EVYP director of high school and college Jennifer Sontag and George Hernandez, of Amundsen High School.

the EVYP. Hernandez, a sophomore at Amundsen High School, is interested in engineering. He would be the first in his immediate family to pursue higher education. “What I hope to get out of this program is to become prepared for college,” Hernandez says.

“Students sometimes don’t understand the importance of their futures, and that their performance in elementary school will help get them into a better high school that will then get them into a better college,” says Jennifer Sontag, director of high school and college programs at EVYP. High school students can even receive a $10,000 college scholarship by meeting all program requirements.

Napoli says the organization seeks volunteers with a college education available to tutor at least once a week, or become a mentor or guest speaker for outreach programs.

“Just as the number of students is growing in this community, the number of volunteers, unfortunately, is not,” Sontag adds. “Ideally we’d love to be able to pair one tutor or mentor per student and we’re struggling to do that right now.”

NEED FOR ASSISTANCE

The Spanish Community Center in Joliet is another agency that offers volunteer opportunities.

The center has been a part of Marge Franchini’s life since the early ‘70s. Her parents were members of the SCC’s board of directors at the time and encouraged her to lend a hand at an early age.

“The Spanish Community Center has always helped the community and there is always someone coming in for assistance,” Franchini, of Mexican descent, says. “The only change is that the need for assistance has increased.”

Josefina Angel, who works in the center’s social service department, says she has seen an increase in the amount of families visiting their food pantry program. The food pantry is open Tuesday mornings and serves about 50 families each week.

“A lot of them are unemployed,” Angel says of those who visit.

“The economy has really affected everyone one way or another.”

Community members and local businesses donate the food that stocks the shelves, which were pretty bare until 2007.

“It was very sad for me to see that the shelves were empty,” Franchini says. “There were a couple of gallons of barbecue sauce on the shelf, but nothing worth providing to a hungry family.”

Now the pantry carries everything from soup to canned vegetables, but still could use donations.

Lewis, of the Chicago Community Trust, says food pantry service is probably the top service sought out by those in need. It is the most popular service that the SCC provides to community members who come in from Joliet and nearby suburbs like Plainfield and Bolingbrook. Lewis says the SCC relies on funding from individuals to make their budgets each year and deliver their services.

“People across the community need to understand that we all have a responsibility for one another,” Lewis says. “Our society is only as strong as the people who need the most help.”

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Stop in, visit harrisbank.com or call 1-800-546-6101.

cafemagazine.com harrisbank.com 23

Harris® is a trade name used by Harris N.A. and its affiliates. Member FDIC

caféESPRESSO | GET AHEAD

Studentgroans Although harder to come by, student loans are still available words

Clare Curley

These days, college students don’t have to be finance majors to feel stressed by the ever-changing financial markets.

Jessica Flores, a freshman at DePaul University, is considering a major in psychology, but money is never far from her mind.

A South Sider from Chicago Lawn, she is the first member of her family to go to college.

Her Mexican parents never made it past the third grade. Yet Flores’ mother always emphasized the importance of education.

Her tuition is paid in part by a combination of a student loan and numerous grants, while her parents help out with expenses. Flores’ father works at a factory that is threatened with closure. If that happens, she fears she will have to transfer to a community college and help out her family instead.

Though this year’s financial aid was largely secure thanks to federally backed loans, the students who depend on it are feeling a mix of ambivalence and fear over their ability to secure future loans.

There are two types of loans. Some are known as alternative loans, which come from private institutions, but most are federally guaranteed loans.

Paul Radoy, a counselor at Northwestern University, urges students with credit scores below 500 to improve their scores by paying off whatever debt they can. “Before they even come to school, we’re telling them they may have a bill or two they should probably pay in order to move forward,” he says.

Northeastern Illinois University offers a mix of federal and state programs, as well as merit24 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

based financial awards. Alternative loans make up for about 1 percent of all loans.

“We have noticed some peculiarities,” says Northeastern Illinois’ financial aid director, Marshall Jennings. Some alternative loans that previously didn’t require co-signers are now doing so. Such loans are generally sought by students with financial disadvantages, poor credit or both.

This year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process starts Jan. 1, earlier than ever before, and counselors are urging students to apply for loans as early as they can.

Regardless of the market, there’s been a growing gap between the rising cost of college and the amount of financial aid available.

“As states’ budgets get hit by the economic downturn,” says Haley Chitty, a spokesman for the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators, “it’s likely we’re going to see state spending on higher education diminish or remain flat.”

Whatever the fallout from the credit crisis, he says students should explore all their options, like accumulating smaller scholarships and writing essays, a requirement that often deters applicants.

With so much else on their minds, students don’t communicate their worries often enough to financial aid counselors. If their financial situation changes for whatever reason, they might be eligible for free money.

For students in a crunch, the options are not always easy. They might have to forgo dorm life or some other expense. If they can’t attend their school of choice, they might have to attend a community college and transfer when the economy – or their budget – has stabilized.

Free Money Factors to determine whether you’re eligible for free government or state money.

- Loss of income, such as a parent losing a job - Loss of assets, such as a house being foreclosed - Change in dependency status: If you turn 24, serve in the military, get married or have a child Top online guides for students loans and scholarships www.finaid.org/loans/ studentloan.html This site outlines federal loan programs. www.college.gov This recently launched site has information about how to prepare for, get into and pay for college. www.studentaid.org Takes you to the scholarship information portion of the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators Web site. www.fastweb.com Explains all types of private scholarships, whether academic, political, religious or regional. www.collegezone.com The site of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission explains ways to make college more affordable. www.going2college.org Financial aid resources are listed by state.

Proyecto Comunidad It’s time to stop talking about what must be done and time to shape the future of education for the next generation of Latino students.

Become the leader you were born to be.

National-Louis University

Chicago’s next generation of Latino leaders: the difference makers

I

t is to Latino Chicago that businesses, neighborhoods, universities and government are now looking for leadership. Chicago’s growing Latino community is shaping our city’s economy and its quality of life. A new, highly educated generation of Latino men and women is moving in ever greater numbers from the classroom to the corporate board room—leading our largest multi-national corporations, using their entrepreneurial talents to build the Fortune 500 companies of the future and advocating for change in their children’s schools and their parents’ neighborhoods.

And it is to National-Louis University (NLU) that this new generation of Latino leaders is looking for the education they need to become difference makers—men and women who dream big and who do no small things.

Since its founding in 1886, NLU has been a university committed to access, excellence and innovation. Men and women, often the first in their families to get a college education, have been coming to NLU to get a degree—and come out transformed. They go back to their jobs with knowledge they can put to work immediately. They become advocates for better schools and safer neighborhoods. They make their families proud and their communities better places to live.

Listen to what Chicago’s next generation of Latino leaders has to say about the power of education. Join the conversation at www.nl.edu/getit and see why NLU is the university that is the place to find the Latino difference makers of today—and tomorrow.

To learn more go to www.nl.edu or call 888.nlu.today.

Join the conversation with the difference makers: Maribel Ireta Ana Maria Soto Javier Hernandez Mayra Hinojosa

National-Louis University Access. Innovation. Excellence. Since 1886.

caféEspresso

Carmen Marron gives instructions to the crew during the filming of the movie “Go For It!” in West Town, Chicago, in late October.

When Hollywood rejected her movie idea, Chicago writer/producer/director Carmen Marron used her can-do attitude to produce “Go For It!” herself.

DREAMGIRL Chicago native Carmen Marron followed her father’s advice and took a big chance. Now, she’s making her first movie, “Go For It!” words

Darhiana Mateo photos Mauricio Rubio

Carmen Marron is no longer the skinny, tough girl who skipped classes and battled other street dancers at shady nightclubs. On a mild October evening, Marron, 39, is only seven days from beginning production of “Go For It!”, an independent dance film — think “Saturday Night Fever” with an urban Latino twist — based loosely on her experiences growing up in Chicago’s West Side.

“It’s a woman-empowerment story,” the Mexican-American writer/producer/director explains. “[The lead character] is trying to find herself as a woman in the middle of a world of chaos. A lot of times she makes mistakes, but sometimes she finds the strength within to find her way.” Along the way, the film highlights how the lead character’s choices spill over and impact others in her life: “We are all role models for each other in one way or another,

26 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

SpotLight

even if we don’t want to be.”

Sitting inside Logan Square’s Caliente Cocina Latina, sampling the dishes that the restaurant will be catering to her set, the novice filmmaker gestures to the surrounding neighborhood — her old stomping grounds.

The cramped two-bedroom, one-bath apartment she grew up in with her parents, nine siblings and grandparents is just down the street. Next door to the restaurant is the laundromat her family frequented weekly.

That single block seemed endless, Carmen recalls vividly, on those days when they would haul heavy laundry bags step by step because the family couldn’t afford a car.

The self-described punk got an education, became a guidance counselor in South Phoenix, Ariz., wrote a screenplay and moved to Los Angeles in search of a dream. But, as her film proves, she never really left Chicago.

THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD

Conquering Hollywood was never on Marron’s to-do list. After graduating from DePaul University in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in business and a minor in philosophy, she worked for a couple of years as a program specialist with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, teaming up with schools and banks to teach kids “how to be smart with money.”

Eventually, she got a master’s degree in

educational psychology from the University of Arizona and became a guidance counselor, working with at-risk Latino kids in South Phoenix’s poorest neighborhoods. “Even as a kid, I always had this burning … How could I affect as many people as possible?” she says.

After witnessing the “accelerated downward spiral” a lot of her young Latina students were taking, Marron was inspired to write the “Go For It!” screenplay.

“I never wanted to be a filmmaker. I was trying to write a story for them,” she says.

“I connected with these girls. I literally saw myself in [them]. I knew how talented they were; they were tough and resourceful. They were using their street smarts to rebel as opposed to figuring out how to make their lives better.”

ALWAYS HUSTLING

However, when Marron took the plunge and moved to L.A. in 2002 — determined to turn her screenplay into a movie — Hollywood did not welcome her with open arms. “It was truly the world of rejection,” she says. Producers would roll their eyes and glance at their watches as she tried to sell her story.

So Marron decided to produce the film herself. It took her six years and plenty of hustle to raise $200,000 to fund the lowbudget film and assemble the right talent.

“To be honest, I can say it’s been an obses-

sion,” Marron says. “I didn’t think it would be anywhere this difficult, but now that I’m realizing how difficult it is, it’s another example of sí se puede.”

The decision to make it a dance film came naturally to Marron, who always loved that “liberating rush” that came with dancing. She hopes the dancing will serve as a hook to draw kids to the theater: “People are going to think they’re going to see this fun dance film, but [they’ll] walk away with an inspirational story.”

With a cast that includes Chicago native Aimee Garcia of “The George Lopez Show” in the lead; hot tracks by freestyle legends Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam; choreography by some of the industry’s leading talents; and a compelling message, Marron hopes “Go For It!” resonates across cultures, age groups and gender.

The title of the film echoes the mantra Marron has lived her life by — a mantra she hopes will inspire the young people who watch her film, tentatively set to debut in Chicago next summer.

“I’m telling the story of simple, everyday people who have complicated spirits. Part of the whole lesson is very simple: Just flip that switch in your head and say, ‘Screw it, I’m going to do it,’ ” she says. “My dad used to tell me, ‘querer es poder, mi’ja.’ Following your dreams starts right now by taking one step forward. Just go for it.” cafemagazine.com 27

ALL GREAT THINGS

START WITH A

human CONNECTION.

cafĂŠFilter

Fiestatime!

Elegant touches and practical tips to lighten up your holiday house party words

Clare Curley photos Anthony Tahlier

cafemagazine.com 29

caféFilter

Anyone who’s thrown a party knows what it feels like to be a waitress in their own home. You’re still chopping the veggies and haven’t even changed clothes when the doorbell rings. It’s that guy from work you hardly know, arriving 20 minutes early.

CENTER SPREAD: Bridget Johnson, of Kehoe Design, generates design ideas that infuse any interior space with a festive spirit.

UPPER FAR RIGHT: A photo of Los Reyes Magos exemplifies how cultural symbols add seasonal touches to home décor.

30 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

Somehow you never catch up, and by the end of the night your house is scattered with bottles, your cousin is blasting reggaetón and your famous Christmas ponche never made it out of the fridge.

As the creative director of Kehoe Designs, Bridget Johnson understands the stress of party-throwing. After all, she works for a company that transforms interiors for weddings as well as corporate and social events by adding furniture and accessories, and instills ambience with fabric and lighting.

Following a stint designing interiors for Nordstrom, Johnson joined Kehoe seven

MiCasa TuCasA

years ago, and today creates the vision behind high-end parties for clients ranging from Accenture to the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Still, much of her time is spent unearthing inexpensive treasures in area stores to provide whatever feel her clients request.

A native of Colombia, Johnson was the girl who did all her friends’ nails and hair.

Eventually, she began decorating the homes of family members each Christmas. At 45, not much has changed. “I change the colors and accessories in my home seasonally, from the glasses to the pillows and sheets,” she says.

Through the years, Johnson has traveled back to her native Colombia and picked up a number of ideas to make holiday décor truly unique. Following a visit last year, for example, she was struck by the mix of traditional craftwork with modern style that surrounded her. She believes the same balance should be achieved when decorating a holiday party.

On the other hand, having lived in a house where, at Christmastime, the entire neighborhood would show up — and never leave! — she knows a thing or two about how to create the right atmosphere when throwing a house party.

VISUAL TOUCHES To make your guests feel at home, she says, “create spaces where people can have a conversation.”

Start by removing 50 percent of your stuff from key entertaining areas. The couch can stay, but books and small pieces of furniture should go. Then, group chairs together in different areas, and keep table tops minimal with a centerpiece that sets the mood, like a wreath with a candle in the middle. “If you can’t have a conversation, your party’s pretty much dead,” she says.

To infuse your holiday festivity with a unique flavor, look for inspiration in the colors and art of countries south of the border. In your living room, add drama with a few inexpensive red pillows or a colorful sarape. Once an Aztec favorite, poinsettias placed on strategic places can brighten any room.

True to her belief of blending traditional with modern, Johnson suggests incorporating into the décor items such as a silkscreen candle depicting the Nativity scene or a pillow with a picture of The Three Kings. Place religious candles on one surface and stylish mercury candle holders on another.

Even in Chicago, it’s easy to find the right accessories to add a little tropical flavor. Molcajetes (traditional Mexican mortars) and hollowed-out bell peppers can be filled with greens and flowers.

Decorate the buffet table with multi-colored chiles and palm leaves, or fill glass vases with citrus fruit. Where there’s a surface, place small, decorative candles — add orange ones to the traditional green and red for visual punch.

Metallic accents, the latest trend, will add a bit of glam to the mix. “This year you’re going to see a lot of gold, silver and bronze,” says Johnson.

But keep it simple. Think: gold-rimmed glasses with gold candlesticks.

caféFilter

Clockwise from left: Empanadas, Congrí (black beans and rice) and Mini Rellenos de Papa

Coconut shrimp skewers (All food pictured courtesy of Café 28)

FOOD FOR ALL

To enjoy your party, Johnson suggests avoiding anything that requires utensils. No matter how great your caldo is, serving it will turn you into a waitress.

On a buffet table, fill trays with bite-sized servings. Be creative. Johnson recalls a party where plastic shot glasses were filled with rice and beans. Keep extra food trays in the kitchen to replenish. The day of the party, start setting up early. Empty shelves can be filled with food and plates.

From left: Tequila Mistle Mixer, Coquito and Canelazo

Tequila Mistletoe Mixer

1 ounce tequila blanco 1/2 ounce triple sec 1/2 ounce pomegranate juice chilled champagne pomegranate seeds for garnish In a cocktail shaker, mix the tequila, triple sec and pomegranate juice. Pour into a champagne flute. Top with chilled champagne and sprinkle in pomegranate seeds. Serves one COQUITO

Growing up, Johnson’s home was party central.

“Whenever we moved [to a new home], the first thing we decided was where to put the bar,” she says.

Stock the bar and include seasonal pre-made cocktails so people can serve themselves. Serve “anything that can be decantered,” says Johnson. For large parties, consider hiring a bartender for peak hours.

2 15-ounce cans cream of coconut 2 14-ounce cans condensed milk 6 ounces white rum (less if desired) 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon coconut (or vanilla) extract coconut flakes for garnish Mix all ingredients in a blender. Serve cold with sprinkled coconut flakes in small glasses. Serves 6-8

PARTY TUNES

Canelazo

DRINKS TO YOU

Create a dance space and load your MP3 player in advance with lengthy playlists. This will free you up to mingle later. Plan the music in stages, starting with Christmas tunes that both your teenage nephew and abuelita can enjoy.

When the party picks up, Johnson recommends something upbeat, like the latest CD by Los Lonely Boys. Once you’ve got a packed house, switch to dance tunes and let the salsa begin!

32 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

1 cup of aguardiente 3 cups of water 1 cup sugar (preferably brown sugar) 6 cinnamon sticks 1 teaspoon lemon juice Combine water, sugar and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour the aguardiente and simmer, do not boil. Once hot, remove from heat and add the lemon juice.

Serve hot in short thick glasses. Serves 4-6

LaFamilia

Beforemidnight words

Sing, dance and laugh through Nochebuena

Isabel Resendiz

It’s Christmas Eve. You’ve eaten the tamales, dug into the lechón, and the pastelitos are all gone. What to do now?

Tradition prevails in all families. But if you’re in the mood for something different, here are a few things you can try that may stray from tradition, but will still guarantee a good time with your loved ones. And isn’t that really what the holidays are all about? brainy game

Put a spin on your usual board games and try something new the whole family can enjoy. Far from your typical lotería game, Cranium Turbo Edition is a fast-paced, team-based game that will give both your brain and your body a workout. From the trivia questions to the clay molding and the charades, you’ll definitely be out of breath by the time your round is over. The game is available at most retail stores (Target, $19.99) and is tailored for children 13 and older. For the younger crowd, there is Cranium Cadoo with questions and activities suitable for younger children, which adults can also find entertaining. charades Away

Too tired to set up and explain the rules of Cranium? You can always try playing a simple game of charades, which coupled with a large crowd is a recipe for a good time. Simply cut out slips of paper, write down book and movie titles, phrases or regular object names and throw them in a bag.

For the artists in the family, you can also draw and have your team guess. All it takes is a dry erase board or a notebook. Split the family into teams and get the creative juices

flowing. Divide the teams up into men vs. women, and really watch the competitive sparks fly!

KEEP IT VOCAL Karaoke is always a good time, whether you are singing your heart out or watching others go at it. So, how about bringing some of the excitement of your favorite karaoke bar to your home? For less than $100, you can purchase a small karaoke machine to entertain your guests. The GPX CD+G Karaoke System (Best Buy, $74.99) includes a 5-inch screen, where you can read the lyrics as you sing your favorite tunes.

Unfortunately, the karaoke selection for salsa, cumbia, norteño or merengue songs is not that great. Why not make your own? Download your favorite song tracks onto a CD and pop them into your karaoke machine, along with a printed copy of the lyrics, and watch the older members of your family fight for that microphone.

A more budget-conscious alternative is to forgo the machine altogether, pop your CD into your regular CD player, pass out copies of the lyrics and watch them sing their hearts out. Don’t forget the camcorder because those are moments you will want to remember.

BOOGIE Battle

In the mood for a little “Dancing with the Stars,” without the stars? Have an impromptu dance contest, children and adults alike. Create scorecards and assign judges. The winner gets dessert first or — even better — gets to open a present early. This is also an activity you want to have your camcorder charged for.

cafemagazine.com 33

caféfilter | WORKWISE

GIFT-GIVINGpitfalls At the office, it may be best not to give at all than to give the wrong gift words

Gloria Elena Alicea

Nobody enjoys getting a tasteless and thoughtless holiday gift from a co-worker just as no one enjoys giving them either.

Just ask a psychologist. A recent survey by the American Psychological Association shows gift-giving is among the three top causes of holiday stress, next to lack of money and credit card debt.

To help you avoid the stress and pitfalls of buying gifts for bosses, colleagues and co-workers, we’ve got some helpful advice on holiday gift-giving.

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY

According to a 2007 American Express survey, nearly half of the people surveyed (47 percent) do not think it’s a good idea to give the boss a gift, because they see it as inappropriate, perceive it as “kissing up” or don’t think the boss wants to receive gifts from employees.

Business etiquette experts, like Hilka Klinkenberg, author of “At Ease… Professionally: An Etiquette Guide for the Business Arena,” say it is appropriate — and appreciated — to buy a boss, colleague or employee a gift as long as it is thoughtful and in good taste.

Give gifts based on the person’s hobbies, style and tastes, Klinkenberg says, but steer clear from gifts that are too personal. “Avoid anything that touches the skin: lingerie, fragrances, jewelry, clothing, and anything that requires size, style or color,” she advises.

If you have doubts about the gift-giving practices in your workplace, seek advice from a human resources professional in your company.

Grisela Rodriguez, director of human resources at the American Diabetes Association, offers this advice when choosing a gift: 34 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

1) Check whether your organization has policies on gift-giving, and ask colleagues what the general practices are in your company and your industry.

2) Give gifts that are small and nominal, not expensive or too personal, because you don’t want to cross any sensitive lines of being politically inappropriate.

Keep in mind that some people have different religious, cultural or dietary practices or restrictions. For example, a non-Christian may be offended if you give them a gift. Someone with food allergies will not want to receive a fruit and nut basket. And a member of Alcoholics Anonymous will not appreciate receiving a bottle of wine.

3) Give a “reflective” gift that reflects a person’s hobby or preference. For instance, a particular flavor or brand of coffee. A small donation to someone’s favorite charity can also be a safe gift.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

To avoid giving the wrong gift, many people opt for gift cards.

However, these have their shortcomings. A third of gift cards given in 2007 have not been redeemed nearly a year later, says Consumer Reports, because people don’t have the time to shop, forgot about the card or tried to redeem the card too late (sometimes after hidden fees had swallowed up the value of the card).

Whatever you decide to give, business etiquette coaches agree on this: Accompany your gift with a personal touch. Your gift will be appreciated more if you attach a note that says how much you value your boss, co-worker or employee for who they are and what they do.

And, whatever you do, do not give a gag gift. You may think your boss has a sense of humor and will get a laugh out of receiving a Donald Trump doll, but don’t bet your job on it!

By 2014 one in three workers will be over 50.

Are you prepared for the aging workforce?

AARP’s Workforce Assessment Tool can help you better understand how the aging workforce will impact your business. In addition to looking at labor and skill shortages, the Workforce Assessment Tool will help you evaluate your current employer practices and create an age-friendly workplace that appeals to workers of all ages.

Complete your free and confidential workforce assessment at aarp.org/workforceassessment.

caféFilter

Eat your heart out and keep trim This holiday season, who says you can’t have your bizcocho and eat it too? Just be smart about it WORDS Darhiana Mateo

Most of the year, Alexandra Galvan, 28, is pretty health-conscious. The second-grade bilingual teacher from Berwyn stays active – from tango classes to jogging – and is careful about her diet.

But once the holiday season approaches, Galvan can’t resist indulging in some of her Mexican family’s savory staples: tamales, enchiladas, chiles rellenos and “any type of salsa.”

“I have to make some room … unbutton pants a little bit,” Galvan jokes. “It’s good to spoil yourself once in a while.”

In Latino households, food often commands center stage during the holidays. It’s a celebration of our culture, a way to show our love and connect with family. After all, no Christmas Eve dinner would be complete without a second – or third – helping of abuelita’s irresistible lechón asado or tía’s famous empanadas.

Without realizing it, we can easily consume an entire day’s calorie intake in one sitting, resulting in weight gain and, if overindulgence becomes a habit, serious health risks.

But who says we can’t indulge in our legendary cuisine during the holiday season and keep the pounds from piling up? The trick lies in moderation according to Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, founder and nutrition consultant for Hispanic Food Communications, Inc. From healthy twists on traditional recipes to thinking twice before going back for that extra helping, we can have our cake and eat it too – as long as we’re smart about it.

“We Hispanics have this perception that a diet is a huge sacrifice,” Melendez-Klinger says. “[We say,] ‘¡Voy a romper la dieta!’ ” Instead of fried foods, opt for dishes that are baked or boiled. Or if you simply must have those tostones, adjust your portions accordingly.

“You can still eat un bizcocho; just be conscious of what you’re putting in your mouth,” MelendezKlinger says. “You can have that whole bizcocho with frosting, or just stop at half.”

36 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

For those who’ll be holding down the fort in the kitchen this holiday season, pay special attention to hidden fats in sauces that may add additional calories to meals, Melendez-Klinger says.

A single tablespoon of butter adds a whopping 100 calories; seasoning foods instead with lemons, herbs, vinegar, cilantro or chiles can cut a lot of calories without sacrificing the great flavors our food is famous for.

Being aware of exactly how many calories our favorite dishes contain is just the first step. If you’re serious about preventing weight gain during the holidays, you also have to get moving, says Sergio Rojas, fitness expert for NBC Chicago and personal training director for Lakeshore Athletic Clubs.

If hitting the gym sounds about as appetizing as sugar-free tres leches cake, there are plenty of fun and practical options to make sure you’re burning off those extra calories and kicking your metabolism into high gear.

Grab your friends for a night of salsa dancing (but stick to just one piña colada or you won’t be doing much good). Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible. Walk to the grocery store instead of driving the five blocks.

“You have to be conscientious,” Rojas says, suggesting that it all boils down to those small choices we make every day. Eat small portions throughout the day (every 3 or 3 1/2 hours); be mindful of the total caloric intake and nutritional values of your foods; cut back on sugar, sodium and saturated fat; and eat more natural foods like fruits and vegetables.

Engaging in physical activities with friends also “makes it more fun and increases your chances for succeeding,” he says.

A couple of weeks before the holidays, Galvan says, she tries to get on a “health track” and curb calories as much as possible. She also intensifies her workout regime and ensures that she’s regularly breaking a sweat, whether lifting weights at the gym or getting lost in pulsating house beats at the club.

It might require some extra effort, but those enchiladas “are definitely worth it,” Galvan says.

Healthy eating habits Tips to keep you from gaining weight during the holidays and beyond • Keep snacks to 100 calories or less and very little fat or no fat or sugar (i.e., sugarfree Popsicles, low-fat cottage cheese or fat-free yogurt).

• Don’t eat while you engage in other activities (especially sedentary activities like watching TV, reading, driving or talking on the phone).

• Eat slowly.

• Plan meals in advance.

• Think before you eat. Remember, every calorie counts toward your target, even a tiny bite!

• Plan a strategy to avoid uncontrolled eating and drinking at special events or when emotions urge you to binge.

• Serve all the food in the kitchen.

• Keep busy: Promise yourself that when you feel the urge to snack or eat more, you will engage in some activity that will distract you from food.

Source: Hispanic Food Communications, Inc

bewell

STASH AND BURN Ever wondered just how many calories are in some of our favorite holiday staples and — more importantly — exactly what to do to burn those calories off?

Enchiladas

Menudo

Tamales

Empanadas

Serving Size: 1

Serving Size: 1 cup

Serving Size: 1

Serving Size: 1

Nutritional Content*

Nutritional Content*

Nutritional Content*

Nutritional Content*

Activity**

Activity**

Activity**

Activity**

Pasteles de yuca

Arroz con pollo

Tostones

Lechón

Serving Size: 1

Serving Size: 1 cup

Serving Size: 3

Serving Size: 1/2 lb

Nutritional Content*

Nutritional Content*

Nutritional Content*

Nutritional Content*

Activity**

Activity**

943 calories, 80 gm fat, 175.1 mg cholesterol Shoot hoops for about an hour

368 calories, 25 grams of fat, 34.1 mg cholesterol Hit the dance floor and really shake it for an hour

278 calories, 12 gm fat, 177 mg cholesterol Play indoor soccer for 40 minutes

458 calories,19.5 grams of fat, 53.7 cholesterol Ride a bike on a flat surface for about an hour

253 calories, 17 gm fat, 23 mg cholesterol Play a 30-minute game of tennis

174 calories, 11.1 grams of fat, 0 cholesterol (if fried in olive oil or canola oil)

Activity**

168 calories, 13 gm fat, 34 mg cholesterol

Vacuum or mop vigorously for slightly over an hour

616 calories, 49.6 grams of fat, 161 mg cholesterol

Activity**

Swim laps for one hour

Take a brisk 30-45 min. walk

* Information based on traditional recipes. Nutritional content of each dish varies depending on specific ingredients and cooking methods used. ** Activities calculated for a 150-pound person. Each person burns calories differently, depending on weight, physical shape and level of intensity.

Sources: Hispanic Food Communications, Inc. and Sergio Rojas, personal trainer

cafemagazine.com 37

caféfilter | upgrade

IT’S A SNAP Cool cameras for everyone in the family words

Isabel Resendiz

Your tías’ kitchen drawers can’t hold any more undeveloped rolls of film. And that is good news because you’re tired of giving them nightgowns for Christmas. This year show your love with a new digital camera.

Here’s a selection of new, fun and dependable cameras that are user friendly and not overly complicated. Your tías will fall in love with how simple it is to take pictures and print/e-mail and share them, while being able to delete those not-so-flattering snapshots with one simple click. In fact, they’ll love their new camera so much, you’ll have to be prepared to look at hundreds of pictures at every family gathering.

Nikon Coolpix S60 The Nikon Coolpix S60 is one of the simplest high-end cameras on the market. Its touch screen technology is convenient, not overwhelming, and its 10.0 megapixels and 5.0x optical zoom ensure good quality prints, even at poster size. The Coolpix S60 includes a paint function, so you can personalize your photos with borders, stamps and more. It has a rechargeable battery and a 3.5” LCD touch screen. The S60 comes in white, black, pink and red.

(Retail $349.99)

Canon PowerShot A1000 IS Canon’s newest camera, the PowerShot A1000 IS, is designed with the casual photographer in mind. With a 10.0 megapixel resolution and the 4.0 optical zoom lens, the PowerShot takes great quality pictures. The print/share button allows for easy printing and downloading of pictures. It comes in four different two-tone colors: purple, gray, brown and blue. (Retail $199)

Fisher-Price Kid Tough Waterproof Camera The Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Waterproof Digital Camera is perfect for children ages three and up. It comes with large buttons and a dual viewfinder, making it easy for the little ones to take pictures. This camera’s tough exterior and ability to withstand up to half an hour in nearly 3 feet of water ensures durability in little hands. It includes auto-flash and enough memory to store 500 pictures, which can be downloaded to any computer. It comes in blue or pink colors. (Retail $59.99)

Casio EXILIM Card S-10 If you’re shopping for a teenager’s first digital camera, you know that the flashier it is, the better. The Casio EXILIM Card S-10 is a guaranteed attention grabber for the younger crowd. With its ultra slim design and YouTube and iTunes capabilities, this camera will be loved by any Internet-savvy user. It conveniently includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It comes in four fun colors to choose from: black, blue, red and silver. (Retail $299.99)

38 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

CoverStory cafĂŠGrande

Suzanne Lopez, RaĂşl Casasola and Mauro Villanueva followed different paths on their way to the Joffrey Ballet

Born to

words Annette Gonzalez photo Anthony Tahlier

dance

caféGrande

TOP (from left): Mauro Villanueva, Suzanne Lopez and Raúl Casasola, in costume, during a rehearsal of “The Nucracker” at the new Joffrey Tower, located at the Exelon Education Center, 10 E. Randolph St., Chicago. OPPOSITE PAGE (from left): Casasola, Villanueva and Lopez warm up with bar exercises.

words

Annette Gonzalez

The Nutcracker What: Robert Joffrey’s “The Nutcracker” When: Dec. 18-28 Where: Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Chicago Showtimes: Dec. 18 and 19, 7 p.m.; Dec. 20, 21, 23, 26 and 27, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 24 and 28, 2 p.m.

Admission: $25-$100 Telephone: (312) 902-1500 www.joffrey.com

40 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

| photo anthony tahlier |

igh above an ivory tower in State Street, a princess, a toy soldier and a Russian rehearse. This trio — a Cuban-American mother of two from New Jersey, a Mexican-American raised in Texas who attended an all boys school and a Spaniard working to improve his English — share an undying love for the art of ballet. Together, they are breaking the stereotypes most people hold of this exclusive world. Their dedication and talent has earned them a place in the coveted Joffrey Ballet, the fourth most prestigious ballet company in the country.

Suzanne Lopez, Mauro Villanueva and Raúl Casasola have been busy practicing for one of the most anticipated productions of the season, “The Nutcracker,” at the rehearsal studio of the Joffrey Tower, which opened in September on State Street in downtown Chicago.

Lopez stands in the center of the group in her rehearsal gear, a purple leotard and a thin, white romantic tutu, her feet in third position — right foot always

perpendicular to her left — even when just listening to directions.

The petite performer, standing somewhere around 5 feet, is one of the performers of “The Nutcracker.”

Meet The Sugar Plum Fairy.

“It’s a role I’ve always wanted to do,” Lopez says. “ ‘The Nutcracker’ is usually the only ballet a lot of people see and I just love being able to have that role and share it with people.”

CoverStory

A DIE-HARD FAN

Lopez, 37, was born and raised in Summit, N.J., by Cuban parents.

They were huge Suzanne Lopez ballet fans. At age 5, her parents took her to see “Swan Lake” — it was love at first sight. Her parents immediately signed her up for ballet lessons.

“I don’t think they had any idea I would be doing this for a living, but I’m sure they’re happy it ended up that way,” Lopez says.

She stumbled upon the Joffrey in New York after a performance of “Light Rain,” a ballet by Gerald Arpino, the troupe’s chief choreographer at the time. She was an instant fan of the company. She remembers thinking, “This is what I want to do; this is how I want to dance.”

Lopez, a self-proclaimed “die-hard Joffrey fan,” joined the Joffrey Ballet in New York in 1991 and moved to Chicago when the company relocated

here. Her first performance with the company was “The Nutcracker.”

“It’s a beautiful production and very well-crafted,” Lopez says. “It was the last thing Mr. Joffrey really created and worked on. It was a labor of love for him.”

After the performance, Lopez recalls Arpino, who passed away last month, walking up to her. She was in awe.

The man whose work she admired and sparked her love for the Joffrey Ballet, praised her performance with a simple “Good, baby.” It was a moment she’d never forget.

When not sporting a tutu, Lopez spends time at home in the North Mayfair neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago with husband Keith Prisco and daughters Lola, 3, and Olive, 1. Lopez says even though Lola is young, she understands her mother’s career.

“I have nothing to do with it, but

| photo mauricio rubio |

she dances around a lot and likes to say Mommy is a ballerina,” Lopez says.

“I think she knows that Mommy does something different than a lot of other mommies and enjoys that.”

Lopez says she continues to balance both jobs as ballerina and mommy. There have been days when she’s had to bring her daughters to rehearsals. “It’s tough, but I like to think that it’s the same for any other working mom,” Lopez says.

“Suzanne is the inspiration,” says Mauro Villanueva, who plays several roles in this year’s “The Nutcracker,” including The Nutcracker himself. “She just has a multitude of talent, so I always look to her for encouragement.”

cafemagazine.com 41

caféGrande

THE LUCKY ONE

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

During rehearsal, Villanueva stands with his partner a few rows behind Lopez.

He smoothly moves to the soft rhythms of the classical tune. Lopez makes her way to Villanueva, and he lifts her with ease. Even through all the complex leaps and turns, Mauro he knows he got it — the whole time it Villanueva looks as if he’s about to break into a smile.

Villanueva, 26, joined the Joffrey Ballet back in 2000 as an apprentice. After seeing “The Nutcracker” for the first time, Villanueva knew he wanted to dance. He told his parents at age 6, and they supported his decision. Under a tight budget, his parents sought out affordable dance classes in San Antonio, where the dancer of Mexican descent was raised.

“I was one of the lucky ones,” Villanueva says. “A lot of parents, especially dads, aren’t usually very supportive of their sons being dancers.”

Villanueva was part of Joffrey’s San Antonio summer workshop, a program for young, promising dancers. He went to an all-male college prep high school and had enough flexibility in his schedule that he never had to tell anyone but his close friends that he was a dancer, he says.

“Kids are not nice in general and being a dancer doesn’t really help,” Villanueva says, “but as I got older I realized that I really wanted to do this, so my focus really narrowed onto the goal.”

His parents always encouraged him to follow his dreams no matter the hardship, even if it meant leaving home and following those dreams all the way to the East Coast.

The summer after his sophomore year in high school, his ballet teachers in San Antonio and the directors of the Nutmeg Conservatory in Torrington, Conn., decided to have a student swap. Villanueva’s parents weren’t exactly thrilled at the prospect of their son leaving home, he says. They spoke to the program director and realized there would be more opportunities for their son in Connecticut because of its proximity to New York. Still, they encouraged that he weigh his options.

“My mom always told me to do pro and con lists. [She’d say,] ‘Write everything down that you would and wouldn’t like,’ ” Villanueva says. “I did that and I guess there were more pros for Connecticut.”

He made the move to the East Coast and later decided to finish high school in Connecticut. After the program, Villanueva auditioned for the Joffrey Ballet in New York when it was restarting its apprentice program and joined the full company in Chicago. He now lives in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.

Villanueva says he is grateful for the many opportunities given to him by the dance community. He tries to bring that same generosity on stage, giving performances that people can take something away from. The same generosity that he says is a big part of Latino culture and was a big part of his upbringing.

“My family gave me opportunities to go beyond what I would’ve done on my own, and that’s something I can’t neglect,” Villanueva says.

Like Lopez and Villanueva, another performer in from the East Coast is the new kid on the Joffrey block. Raúl Casasola joined the company this year from the Boston Ballet and also has multiple roles Raúl Casasola in “The Nutcracker.”

Casasola stands a few rows to the left of Lopez in the rehearsal studio. Following the routine step by step, he moves with a Spanish flair. His brown curly hair bounces against his fair skin as he leaps across the floor. He makes it look easy.

He didn’t even like ballet growing up.

Casasola, 27, began practicing ballet back in Madrid at age 6 with his younger sister only because his mother wanted them both to participate in the same activity. While other boys his age were taking karate lessons, he was learning the art of dance. “I used to come home crying because I didn’t like it and would tell my mother that I didn’t want to go,” Casasola says.

It wasn’t until he understood the discipline and athleticism involved in dance that he started enjoying ballet.

After class he would show off what he learned in a “look what I can do” sort of way at home.

There are times, he says, where —Raúl Casasola the amount of work he puts in does not match up with the end result, but that does not stop him. “I am a very positive person so I always try to give the best I’ve got,” he says. “If there’s some sort of obstacle I always try to get through it.”

Another obstacle Casasola faces is not physical, it’s language. He says that although he studied English back in Spain, he still has much to learn.

“I know that I have to improve my English because it’s important to speak the language of the country you’re living in,” he says.

Even as the company newbie, he says the other dancers have been nothing short of welcoming, and are people he can easily talk to and turn to for advice. It is also comforting, he says, to have other Latinos in the troupe to speak to in his native language. Now working with Lopez and Villanueva, he says he can talk to them about anything. They even joke around together.

“I think the dance world is mixed and is a comfortable place to be no matter what race or sexuality, or wherever you’re from, or whatever you believe in,” Lopez says. “You can be yourself in this world.”

Or you can be the Sugar Plum Fairy, The Nutcracker or any number of other roles in a highly anticipated holiday performance.

THE DANCE WORLD IS...

A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO BE

42 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

cafégrande

SO YOU WANT TO BE

DA COACH?

Latinos put their reputations and some hard-earned cash at stake in fantasy football words

Irene Tostado

With 11 seconds remaining in a nail-biting game, your NFL team miraculously scores and is inches away from winning.

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for until you stop in your tracks, mesmerized by the crawl at the bottom of your TV screen. You’re consumed not by the scores from the other games going on, but by the NFL players’ names and, more importantly, their stats.

When you regain consciousness, the game you were watching is over, and your NFL team has lost. You’re overcome with grief, but only for a moment because the running back from your team and the opposing quarterback are both members of your fantasy football team.

Both players scored enough points to position your fantasy team, where you’re the owner, at the top of your league, at least until the Monday night game is over.

Sunday mornings are traditionally religious for Latinos like Melrose Park resident Fernando Villa, 28, who owns four fantasy football teams. Villa faithfully watches Da Bears on television, then joins the millions of fantasy football owners on the Web to manage teams of their own.

“I like football,” says Villa, “but being able to have a say in the outcome of a game is the reason why I like fantasy football.”

Fantasy football originated in the 1960s, but has become extremely popular in the last decade or so, especially since the advent of the Internet. The Fantasy Sports Trade Association reports more than 27 million people participate in fantasy football, up from 18 million in 2006, on sites such as NFL.com, Yahoo.com, CBSSports.com and ESPN.com, among others.

Every Sunday morning, even before his eyes adjust to the sunlight through the blinds of his home, Villa turns on his computer, squints as he moves the cursor around and reaches for his white, orange and blue Bears jersey and matching pajama pants — all while he waits for his fantasy football page to load.

“It’s fantasy, but it’s also reality,” says Villa as he explains the ins and outs of fantasy football on a crisp fall Sunday morning. He describes how New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s season-ending knee injury hurt almost everyone’s fantasy football teams that week.

44 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

FantasyFootball

OPPOSITE PAGE: Fernando Villa, fantasy football aficionado owns and manages four virtual teams.

THIS PAGE: Scorecards and stats used by Villa to keep track of his teams.

NOT JUST A GAME Widespread appeal among football fanatics has transformed the leisure activity, created by members of the Oakland Raiders team back in 1968, into a lucrative industry, generating an estimated $1.65 billion in revenue a year. Everything — tangible money, reputations and, of course, bragging rights — are at stake.

Vision, Villa’s winning team in 2007, is part of this phenomenon driven by passionate enthusiasts who perform the borderline obsessive weekly follow-up steps required to graduate to the level of a coveted coach.

Entire Web sites are dedicated to guiding team owners.

Magazines and TV shows also help. So do video games, like the Madden NFL series by EA Sports, that allow fantasy team owners to assemble their teams on screen.

“Fantasy football lets you be more actively involved in the game,” says Villa’s cousin Edward Gomez, 30, who admits he plays for fun and not for money. “I’m loyal to my Bears, and you don’t do well in fantasy football when you commit to an entire ‘real’ team.”

PLAYING BY THE RULES The Web site Latin Fantasy Football (www.latinff.com) was created in 2007 to cater to team owners like Villa who are part of a growing demographic of Latino fantasy football participants. It’s the first fantasy football site in Spanish.

According to Villa, several steps stand between the everyday football enthusiast and the astute puppeteer behind sophisticated player transactions.

First, decide whether you want to start a league of your own or be part of one. If you start a league, as the commissioner, you should have between eight and 12 teams. More participants means the league is more competitive; it also means a larger pot of money for the winner at the end of the season.

“One of my leagues is significantly paid because there is a $400 buy-in, but that varies from free to sometimes over $2,000,” says Villa, whose make-believe team made him almost $5,000 last year.

Members of a newly formed league choose an online service provider. Some leagues prefer to pay for premium packages with statistical tracking information and team comparison capabilities.

League members are usually people who know each other, like friends or coworkers, or people who can be vouched for by another league participant. Each virtual league creates rules and develops a scoring system that depends on how a player performed on the field during a real game.

“Players should get points for busting themselves every week on the field, and if they do a good job they should get rewarded for it in fantasy football,” Villa explains. In other words, he says, yards gained, touchdowns, sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries should all count in a well-organized league.

Once the setup is done, it’s time for the coaches to draft their players from the NFL. “You’re building your own teams like a real NFL team, but you get to pick from all the NFL teams,” says Villa, who didn’t get his first choice of player this year.

Every week, team owners design their lineup. There is usually only 14 to 15 weeks in fantasy football because good players get rested in preparation for the playoffs. Those players won’t score any points on the field or in virtual teams in the final two weeks of the NFL season.

COACHING DECISIONS “I spend at least five to 10 minutes every day on my site checking my team [to find out] if there are any injuries and if there are any changes, like drops or pick-ups, that need to be made before Sunday,” says Villa.

“Every move you make cost you money,” adds Villa, as he debates whether to pick up a player and pay $5 or risk losing the game and pay $20.

Villa explains that there are leagues that base their scoring systems on just touchdowns, and these teams completely disregard the players’ overall performance during a game.

After 30 minutes, Villa logs off his computer and slouches in his office chair, as if tired after playing on the virtual field. “In fantasy [football], you have to talk about what’s hot and what’s not, because you know who is hot,” he says.

The final step takes fanatics full circle and back to reality: keeping track of the players during the games and listening to the experts’ predictions for the week.

“I’m in it for the money because it’s great to win and [you] get dividends at the end,” Villa says. “It also makes me more knowledgeable about the game of football and the players’ capabilities.”

cafemagazine.com 45

cafégrande

Screen grab of the new EA Sports “Madden en Español”.

Doubleplay

Chicago Bears guard Roberto Garza talks about playing on the field and on the screen

WORDS Christina E. Rodríguez

After being told that Mexicans don’t play football by a military recruiter while at Rio Hondo High School in Texas, Roberto Garza worked that much harder to prove to him and others that he could have an NFL career. His efforts finally paid off in 2001 as a fourthround draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons. In 2005, he was signed on to the Chicago Bears offensive line.

In addition to his job as a right guard, Garza is known for working with Latino youth in the Chicago area. He is also the second Latino player to grace the cover of EA Sports “Madden en Español” after Luis Castillo of the San Diego Chargers. In a phone conversation with Café, Garza talks about Latinos in the NFL, as well as his skepticism regarding the Madden curse.

What do you say now to those people who said you couldn’t make it in the professional world?

I’ve been in the NFL for eight years. I’ve met the presidents of the United States and Mexico. I’ve had the opportunity to follow my dreams and believe in myself. I worked hard and I had big dreams for playing in the NFL. I never took ‘no’ for an answer.

How does it feel to be on the cover of “Madden en Español”?

It’s a great opportunity that you [can] only dream about.

How did your friends react to you being on the cover?

They were all excited. They were more excited about me being on the cover than me playing football.

What team do you play when you play Madden?

The Chicago Bears. Usually I have our team play the other team we’re playing that week. We’re not ranked too high in the game since we didn’t have a great record last year.

46 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

Other than the Bears, who else do you play?

The Dallas Cowboys. I grew up a Cowboys fan.

Legend has it that by gracing the cover of Madden, the player and team underperform the upcoming season. What do you think about the Madden curse?

I don’t read into it. It’s español, so hopefully it’s different.

What’s your motivation to work with children in the Latino community?

People try to hold you down. I try to tell the kids that I was like them. Look at what I’ve been able to accomplish. I tell them, ‘I was in your shoes. I stayed in school, I stayed off the streets, stayed away from drugs and look at what I was able to do.’ I want to be able to share my story.

What communities do you work with in Chicago?

I work with the YMCA in [Little Village] and in Cicero. This year I haven’t done as much as I’d like to. I like to reach out to the kids.

What do you do for the holidays?

Since we’re playing on both Christmas and New Year’s Day, it’s usually just me and my wife hanging out. My whole family is in Texas and they come up during the season.

What do you think about the future of Latinos in the NFL?

Each year, more and more Latinos come in to the NFL. For example, Tony Romo, Anthony Gonzalez and Anthony Muñoz have paved the road. They’ve played other positions other than kickers. It’s good for the sport and it’s good for the Latino community.

diversions

Die-hard Bears fans Art Estrada, of Oak Park, left, and Juan Orta, of Chicago, get together at least once a year to tailgate at the Soldier Field parking lot.

Troca, TEQUILA, tAILGATE

A well stocked Latino tailgater can’t go without such important staples as tortillas, well-seasoned costillas and arrachera steaks, Mexican beer and time-honored tequila to keep the cold at bay.

With a flavor all their own, Latino tailgaters are joining the game words

Irene Tostado photos Abel Arciniega

If the Bears game starts at noon, but you’re up at the crack of dawn meticulously drawing your favorite team’s emblem on your face with vibrant, glistening oil paint; stuffing 10 packs of tortillas into a plastic bag; defrosting 20 pounds of arracheras; loading an assortment of chips, nachos, searing salsa tequila and some Tecate into the back of your truck, and purposely matching the decal on your hat to your face, jersey, and even shoes, then you’re a Latino tailgater.

Tailgaters are devoted, diehard fans that embrace all weather conditions to engage in a weekly bonding ritual outside the margins of their favorite team’s stadium. Parking lots transform into jovial social gatherings where the core focus is the barbecued cuisine, a

mishmash of side dishes, a kaleidoscope of bean bags and plenty of footballs.

A sudden whiff of charred meat, accompanied by loud play-by-play chatter, boisterous laughs and the occasional grunt, topped off by roaring music emanating from the makeshift kitchen set-ups spilling out from the back of spacious SUVs and roomy pick-up trucks spontaneously stimulate all of the senses of any passer-by.

New to the pre-game ambience, Latino tailgaters are marrying traditions by injecting flavor to the pastime and diversifying the choices of food, drinks and activities, while maintaining a tradition of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

cafemagazine.com 47

caféGrande

BEST IN SHOW The economy may have slowed to a crawl, but some Latinos still scoop shiny status symbols like there’s no tomorrow

48 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

words

Vanessa Bauza photos Mauricio Rubio

On a recent morning, Roberto Calderon drove away from Arandas rim shop on Ashland Avenue feeling like a million bucks. He had bought himself an early Christmas present —­ a silver MercedesBenz 500 — and indulged in the ultimate car guy accessory: a $4,000 set of polished rims that sparkled in the sun.

Calderon lives on Chicago’s West Side and works as a butcher at a family-run grocery store.

He earns $400 a week, but says he can easily spend that much on a designer outfit for a night on the town. And his wheels? Well, he’s not cutting any corners there. Looking sharp is a priority.

“You wouldn’t want to have no expensive car and put no cheap rims on it (sic),” says Calderon, 26. “It’s like when you dress. You don’t want to put on nice clothes with broke-down gym shoes.”

Recession be damned. Calderon isn’t letting the economic downturn cramp his style. After all, he says, prosperity is more than the sum on your bank statement — it’s what you project with your purchases.

“No one knows when your bill isn’t paid,” he says, “but they do know when you have nice rims.”

Frozen credit markets, yo-yoing investment

accounts and the skyrocketing number of home foreclosures have many shoppers rethinking extravagance. Consumer spending on luxury goods has dropped sharply. For some, “frugality chic” is the new “in” thing. So long fashionistas, hello recessionistas.

But not all are heeding the words of the Roman philosopher Seneca: “Thrift comes too late when you find it at the bottom of your purse.”

Conspicuous consumption has long been a feature of Latino and African-American communities where flashy cars, diamond-crusted jewelry and sharp clothes signal success on the street. A recent study suggests that spending for status is more than a stereotype.

University of Pennsylvania finance professor Nikolai Roussanov and two colleagues at the University of Chicago began analyzing consumption patterns in an attempt to explain why minorities accumulate wealth more slowly than whites even when they earn the same income.

They found that blacks and Latinos spend 30 percent more on “visible consumption” goods than whites. However, they spend less on education, health care, retirement accounts and other goods that are not “observable.” In relatively poor

ConspicuousConsumption

Shiny rims line the shelves at Aranda’s Rim Shop on Ashland Ave., Chicago.

communities, shoppers bought visible goods to “signal that within their peer group they are doing relatively well,” Roussanov says.

By displaying pricey goods, low-income consumers set themselves apart from their peers, “which potentially is important to how people relate to them, their job opportunities, their children’s marriage opportunities,” Roussanov says. “If you want to signal to others that you are a successful person, it’s worth it to you to spend a lot of money.”

The September 2007 study found that visible consumption declines as a community’s income level rises. In more affluent communities buyers feel less of a need to show others they are well-off.

“If you live in a posh neighborhood, you don’t really need to prove anything beyond that,” says Roussanov.

Roussanov and his colleagues concluded that spending was tied to an individual’s socioeconomic status, not race or culture preferences. Latino and African-American shoppers tend to spend more on visible goods because they are more likely to live in lowerincome communities, he says.

Will the economic downturn be enough to stem spending on luxury goods in some lower-income communities? Roussanov predicts it may slow spending, but the gap in visible consumption will persist. He recalls his native Russia in the lean 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. “Economic conditions weren’t great,” he says, “but conspicuous consumption was rampant even though a lot of people were struggling to put food on the table and pay the bills.”

Ernesto Lopez, the 36-year-old owner of Arandas, says he hasn’t seen much of a drop in business. Rims are purely decorative, but a set can run anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 — and beyond.

Lopez says he often comes across couples in his showroom who argue over whether they can afford the pricey accessories. Not long ago he overheard a conversation between a husband and wife.

“The woman is telling her husband, ‘If you pay for the rims you’re not going to be able to pay the rent,’ ” Lopez recalled. “I said to the customer, ‘The truth is you got to pay the rent first. I’m not going anywhere, the rims aren’t going anywhere.’ ” Despite Lopez’s soft sell, the client seemed determined to buy

the rims. “In the end, he purchased them,” Lopez said. “He said, ‘I’ll figure something out.’

“A lot of guys buy for the bragging rights,” he explains. “Some people are trying to show off what they don’t got (sic). As long as it looks good on the outside, it doesn’t matter what the inside is.”

Lopez, who drives a candy-apple red Lamborghini with the license plate “RIM KING,” says he understands the impulse to project status through possessions.

“I came from the bottom. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth,” he says. “My first job was selling paletas on the street. I want to show people my cars, I want them to see [what I’ve become].”

At the Resurrection Project in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, financial counselors offer workshops that teach residents how to budget, build good credit and save for their first home.

Financial counselor Robert Rivera says he is frustrated by the marketing of luxury lifestyles in poor communities. “You watch these music videos and [the performers are] flashing around their jewelry. All they talk about is we have to do it big: big rings, big —Ernesto Lopez cars, a big house,” Rivera says. “I’ve yet to see a video that says, ‘Do it big and this is how to finance it.’ ” Rivera and other counselors teach families to think about future expenses, such as paying for college, and make a backup plan for emergencies. They tell families preparing to buy a home that they should have at least three months’ worth of mortgage payments in a savings account.

“You have to have that emergency savings because otherwise you’ll be no better off than all the folks in foreclosure counseling,” says Kristen Komara, director of financial services and policy at the Resurrection Project. “They’re living on the edge.”

Despite the economic downturn, Komara says she has not noticed a new austerity among her clients. “They are still spending as much,” she says, “but now they are not as likely to say ‘I want to be a homeowner.’ ”

A LOT OF GUYS BUY [RIMS] FOR THE BRAGGING RIGHTS.

cafemagazine.com 49

cafĂŠGRANDE | FASHION

Couture Dress by Oscar De La Renta Neiman Marcus Jewelry by Badgley Mischka Bloomingdales

The night has a thousand eyes, and the day but one

Photographer akin girav

Stylist Agga b. raya at artists by timothy priano Hair and Make-up Artist joyce taft at artists by timothy priano

Models michelle hicks, ford Models miguel Orjuela, chosen Management

Photo Location Sixteen, Trump International Hotel and Tower

Poem Francis William Bourdillon (1852-1921)

caféGRANDE | FASHION

Yet the light of the bright world dies

Fallen Angel Dress by Agga B. Available at select boutiques Earrings by Badgley Mischka Bloomingdales Tuxedo Jacket by Jones New York Bloomingdales Shirt by Ike Behar New York Bloomingdales Pants by Alfani Macy’s Silk Tie by Hugo Boss Hugo Boss

With the dying sun

Dress by Nicole Miller Nicole Miller Jewelry by Lora Paolo Macy’s Faux Fur Jacket by H&M H&M Shoes by Stella McCartney Neiman Marcus Pants by Alfani Macy’s Shirt by Geoffrey Beene Bloomingdales Velvet Jacket by Calvin Klein Macy’s Silk Tie by Burma Bibas Macy’s

caféGRANDE | FASHION

The mind has a thousand eyes, and the heart but one

Couture Dress by Maria Pinto Maria Pinto Jewelry by Monet Macy’s

cafĂŠGRANDE | FASHION

Yet the light of a whole life dies When love is done

Cocktail dress by Serpico Serpico Earrings by Badgley Mischka Bloomingdales

Beauty

SPARKLE AND SHINE Craft the stare of the season with shimmering shadows and make mistletoe magic with spice-licious lips. YSL has everything you need to get the look.

Ombres 5 Lumieres #3 Tawny, Everlong Mascara in Black, Lisse Gloss Smoothing Lip Gloss #4 Spice Available at Nordstrom

cafemagazine.com 57

Experience the civilized pleasure of a vibrant, affordable Euro-chic café in Chicago’s Gold Coast.

Sip unique espresso creations. Savor fresh, made-to-order menu delights featuring the artistry of celebrity chefs Ferran Adrià and Moreno Cedroni.

And if only for a moment, surrender to your senses.

At The Drake Hotel

120 E. Walton Place at Michigan Avenue - Chicago 312.640.2440

www.espression.com

HOLIDAYGIFTGUIDE IF CHOCOLATE IS YOUR RELIGION

Nothing says “I love you” like chocolate. Hayward Simoneaux’s chocolatier Todos Santos in Santa Fe, New Mexico crafts Chocolate Milagros – candied versions of Catholic spiritual symbols. To top it off, these chocolate milagros have a thin veneer of gold leaf to make these signature pieces just as divine as they are exquisite. To order call (505) 982-3855

GI FT GU ID E

TODOS SANTOS CHOCOLATES AND CONFECTIONS

cafemagazine.com 59

GI FT GU ID E

Holiday Classical Tradition

Give the gift of an experience with the magical story of “The Nutcracker” – complete with a prince, sword fights, snowflakes, and waltzing flowers all wrapped up in the timeless music of Tchaikovsky. Show dates: Dec. 18 to Dec. 28 at the Auditorium Theatre. Tickets start at $25. Order early for the best seats.

ROBERT JOFFREY’S

GI FT GU ID E

THE NUTCRACKER

We love discounts!

Wrap them up in AKIRA this holiday season! Get the hottest holiday attire and sure-to-be-appreciated gifts for your friends and loved ones at AKIRA Chicago! Café readers get a 10% discount at shop.akirachicago.com by entering promo code CAFE10 at checkout.

60 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

EL CHUPACABRA

GI FT GU ID E

stocking stuffer surprise

Be one of the only people on your block to own this version of the mythical creature. Illustrator Sara Antoinette Martin’s created these seven-inch flocked vinyl versions of El Chupacabra, which believed to live off goats’ blood.

Don’t worry these toy versions don’t bite. Or do they?! www.kidrobot.com

GI FT GU ID E

OMD

OMDCHICAGO.COM

FIND US THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AT CHICAGO RIDGE MALL | 444 Chicago Ridge Mall | Chicago Ridge, IL 60415

No Manches, inc. A Web-based urban apparel company featuring products that are provocative, socially satirical and relevant to bicultural/bilingual Latinos. Our original t-shirt designs give a voice to Latinos who want to express themselves culturally and meaningfully. www.no-manches.com

GI FT GU ID E ID E

GI FT GU GI ID FT GU E

Music Under The Stars

Score a piece of the famous outdoor concert theater’s magic from Ravinia’s online store. Buy picnic gear, apparel, CDs and plenty of other cool items and a keep a reminder of Ravinia’s pleasurable nights. www.shop.ravinia.org

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NUVO

GI FT GU ID E

Nuvo

First there was “Think pink.” Now there’s, “Drink pink.” If you’re searching for the perfect gift for that adventurous fine spirits fan in your life, check out Nuvo, a delicate, fruity pink sparkling vodka liqueur which tastes like a carbonated Cosmopolitan. “It has the sophistication and elegance of champagne,” says creator Raphael Yakoby, “and the practicality and enjoyability of a spirit.”

And the pink spirit comes in a clear rectangular bottle so it looks exotic on your liquor shelf, too.

GI FT GU ID E

women’s bare essentials

Model: Yohanna Pruitt Make-up: Joyce Hrdlicka Photography: Carlo Serran

shoes . handbags . accessories . zapatillas 1421 W. 18th Street Chicago. 312.226.4040 zapatillasinc.com . 20% discount

cafĂŠblend

Winterwonderland Embrace the beauty and adventure of the season words

Marilia GutiĂŠrrez and Kara Mireles

In Chicago, December and January are the height of the winter season.

The temperatures, the wind, the snow, coupled with shorter days and the craziness of the holidays, can sometimes conspire to keep even the most daring and determined of fun-seekers at home.

Our diverse list of wintertime favorites encourages you to make the most of the season.

From skating rinks to model trains, lights festivals to photo exhibits, there are plenty of affordable, family-friendly activities to enjoy.

Bundle up, then go out and enjoy the magic of winter!

cafemagazine.com 65

caféBLEND

TWINKLE, TWINKLE

This holiday season the Cuneo Museum (1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills) holds its traditional feast of lights. Visitors are invited to drive through the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show to view this 1914 Vernon Hills mansion and its grounds aglow with thousands of lights, animated displays and holiday decorations. In what has become a Lake County holiday tradition, the interior of the mansion gets equally decorated with holiday lights, garlands, trees and flowers to celebrate the season. Through Jan. 3. Information: www.cuneomuseum.org or (847) 362-3042

Celebrate the coldest and most magical season of all at the Brookfield Zoo’s (First Ave., Brookfield) annual Holiday Magic festival, a winter wonderland illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights.

There will be new displays and a laser light show to delight the whole family. Plus traditional favorites like costumed characters, choirs, carolers and hundreds of decorated trees. Through Dec. 31.

Information: www.brookfieldzoo.org

GARDENS AND TINY TRAINS

Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe) to enjoy Wonderland Express, a magical trip through a winter wonderland of sparkling lights. Stop at the Regenstein Center to view a spectacular exhibit of miniature trains winding through a decorated landscape with replicas of Chicago’s favorite landmarks. There will be special holiday events throughout the season. Through Jan. 4. Information: www.chicagobotanic.org or (847) 835-5440

In a season in which plants go into hibernation and no leaves are in sight, what could be more exciting than going inside them to learn how they use sunlight to build life and grow. A walk through Sugar from the Sun, the newest permanent exhibit at the Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago) details the process by which plants take in sunlight, air and water and use it to produce energy. Ongoing. Information: www.garfield-conservatory. org or (312) 746-5100

In a city known for its blustery weather and gray winter skies, the Winter Flower and Train Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory (2391 N. Stockton Dr., Chicago) is said to be an oasis of color.

Model trains travel through a miniature lush landscape of hills, villages and bridges. This free indoor flower show is the perfect remedy to the gloomy days ahead. Through Jan. 4. Information: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or (312) 742-7529

66 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

HOLIDAY ON ICE

With the city of Chicago as a back-drop, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park (55 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago) ranks at the top among Chicago’s favorite family destinations during the winter. The ice rink is free, and skate rentals are available for $10. Through mid-March (weather permitting). Information: www.millenniumpark.org or (312) 742-1168

Another option in the city is the Chicago Blackhawks Skating Rink at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago). Families from all over Chicagoland like to trade their winter chills for thrills in this popular indoor ice skating rink. Skate rental available. Through Jan. 4. Information: www.navypier.com or (312) 595-PIER

The Deerfield Park District (836 Jewett Park Dr., Deerfield) has neighborhood ice skating rinks free and open to the public.

These outdoor family ice rinks are located at Briarwood Park, Pine Street Park, Jewett Park and Jaycee Park. Through Jan. 2 (weather permitting). Information: www.deerfieldparkdistrict.org or (847) 945-0650

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Now in its eighth season, Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier has attractions for every member of the family. New this year are the Ferris Wheel Jr., Ice Dragons and the Winter Wind Gliders.

Decorations include thousands of sparkling lights and holiday ornaments, as well as hundreds of beautifully decorated holiday trees. Non-stop holiday entertainment includes music, rides, games and live entertainment for guests of all ages. Through Jan. 4.

Information: www.winterwonderfest.com or (312) 595-PIER

The Morton Arboretum (4100 Illinois Rt. 53, Lisle) offers a full array of indoor and outdoor activities this winter, including the Holiday Railroad, an indoor model railroad that traverses through holiday scenes and the Holiday Trees display of holiday decorated trees, both running until Jan. 4. In addition, weather permitting, the weekend Acorn Express Tram Tour offers a unique

MUSTdO

MUSEUMS

In a time when relatives and friends in active duty are ever present in our minds, a walk through The American Soldier, a national touring exhibition in display for the first time in the Chicago area, is the perfect way to pay tribute to the men and women in the Armed Services. This photographic exhibit is in display at the Lake County Discovery Museum (27277 N. Forest Preserve Rd., Wauconda). Through Feb. 15. Information: www.lcfpd.org/ americansoldier or (847) 968-3247

Comic enthusiasts big and small don’t mind going out of town to fulfill their cravings. A trip to the Comic Books Heroes exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Ind.) will introduce families to the amazing world of comic books. It includes nearly 20,000 comics from the Max Simon Comic Book Collection. Through May 2009. Information: www.childrensmuseum.org or (317) 334-3322 opportunity to witness the winter landscape of northern Illinois at its best. And if you’ve ever wanted to see dogsleds in action, visit the Arboretum Jan. 24 and 25 for Husky Heroes, a weekend filled with demonstrations and even a movie. Don’t miss the opportunity to sign up to adopt or foster a husky. Information: www.mortonarb. org or (630) 968-0074

Frosty & Friends Night Parade kicks off the annual Westmont Holly Days Winter Festival. Holly Days welcomes the magic of the holiday season. Experience a sparkling wonderland of animated light displays, dazzling tree walk, character breakfast, Polar Express train ride, Frosty and friends parade, and other holiday activities.

Information: www.wpd4fun.org/Hollydays.htm

ON STAGE

If the weather outside gets too nasty for your taste, why not celebrate the season watching your majesty The Snow Queen on stage? The Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre (2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago) presents “The Snow Queen” for the third year in a row, with its combination of puppetry, music and storytelling. Through Dec. 28. Information: victorygardens.org or (773) 549-5788

Chicago Playworks at DePaul University, Chicago’s leading children’s theatre, brings to the stage the musical version of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. This version of the classic book will surely entertain theatregoers of all ages. Runs Jan. 13 to March 3. Information: theatreschool.depaul.edu or (312) 922-1999

Learn what happens when a young princess needs to prove herself by feeling a pea through twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds in this story by Hans Christian Andersen. “The Princess and the Pea” comes to life in this performance by the Chicago Kids Company at the The Stahl Family Theater (St. Patrick Performing Arts Center, 5900 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago). Runs Jan. 14 to March 11. Information: www.chicagokidscompany.com or (773) 205-9600

EXHIBITS

Artifacts of Childhood explores the similarities and changes in children’s games and books over the last 700 years. In this exhibit, The Newberry Library (60 W. Walton St., Chicago) showcases 65 beautiful children’s books, while the public program series includes lectures, performances and public discussions of children’s literature. Through Jan. 17. Information: www.newberry.org or (312) 255-3506 State Street, THE shopping destination in Chicago during the 1900s, is the topic of a new exhibit at the Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State St., Chicago). Through newspaper clips, photographs, books and memorabilia, “State Street: That Great Street!” explores the attractions that made State Street famous, as well as a history that spans 150 years. Through June 2009. Information: www.chipublib.org or (312) 747-4300

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caféBLEND | nightLIFE

Welcome 2009!

Where will you ring in the New Year?

A number of Chicago venues are gearing up to offer music, live entertainment, food and the traditional bubbly to partygoers looking to dance until the break of dawn or sit down for a traditional dinner.

Whatever your party style, there are many New Year’s bashes happening Dec. 31st around the city.

Nacional 27 325 W. Huron St., Chicago (312) 664-2727 www.nacional27.net

Drake Hotel 140 E. Walton Place, Chicago (312) 787-2200 www.thedrakehotel.com

Dine and dance the year away at Nacional 27 with a three-course tasting menu, including a toast at midnight for $75 a person. If there’s another place you’d rather be, you can still taste the food here from 6:45 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. for $40 per person. Or try the Late Latin Lunch for $30 before 6:15 p.m.

Ring in 2009 at the historic Drake Hotel, in the heart of the Gold Coast, with DJs and live bands performing throughout the hotel’s ballrooms from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Rumba 351 W. Hubbard St., Chicago (312) 222-0770 www.rumbainchicago.com

With live Latin entertainment, professional dance performers and a champagne toast at midnight, Rumba offers a five-course meal ranging from $90 to $125, based on seating.

Hilton Chicago 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago (312) 226-6990 www.newyears09.com

Dance Las Vegas style with musical guests Sugar Ray and C+C Music Factory at the Hilton Chicago. Includes a four-hour open bar and buffet, video countdown and champagne toast at mignight. Tickets start at $155 per person. Overnight packages available.

68 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

Trump International Hotel and tower 401 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago (312) 588-8030 www.trumpchicago.com

Celebrate the New Year at the new Trump International Hotel and Tower with tasting menus and wine pairings starting at $230 per person. Seating times are 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Odyssey Cruises (866) 305-2469 www.odysseycruises.com

Enjoy a classy New Year’s Eve cruising Lake Michigan. Odyssey Cruises offer a package that includes a chocolate fountain, champagne toast at midnight, live band and plated menu for $219.90 per adult.

caféblend

The baby rack of lamb in mole negro is served with black bean tostadas at Geno Bahena’s new restaurant Real Tenochtitlan, 2451 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

MOLEMASTER

NEXT PAGE: The Xilonen sopes (or corn masa boats) with chicken filling in red mole are served as an appetizer.

Geno Bahena has opened and closed restaurants at the speed of light; he is now ready to settle down with his new venture, Real Tenochtitlan words

Gloria Elena Alicea photo Mauricio Rubio

Chicagoans who love fine Mexican cuisine owe a debt of gratitude to the 19-year-old girl who broke Geno Bahena’s heart when he was 15.

Real Tenochtitlan

Widely known as “the master of the mole,” Bahena, who in the fall opened his new restaurant, Real Tenochtitlan, in Logan Square, fled his native state of Guerrero, Mexico and came to the United States at a young age to forget his first love when she left him for another.

www.realtenochtitlan.com

2451 N. Milwaukee Ave. (Logan Square) (773) 227-1050 Average main course: $20 Major credit cards; BYOB, corkage fee

Bahena

It’s hard not to think of the lovesick protagonist of the Mexican novel “Like Water for Chocolate,” who infuses her fiery emotions into magical meals, when one imagines a young, heartbroken Bahena pouring his passion and youthful energy into developing magnificent moles and meals.

ing chef for 12 years — it would be hard to find a man more obsessed than Bahena with recreating the authentic tastes of regional Mexican cooking in original and creative combinations. It’s an obsession Bahena has carried with him through the string of restaurants he has opened and closed prematurely in his zeal to grow his business.

Other than Rick Bayless, who has won virtually every possible award as chef of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo — where Bahena’s talents flourished as sous chef and then as manag-

Bahena, 42, has always been in a hurry. He has been in a hurry since the age of 8, when he wanted to learn how to cook the wonderful meals he saw his mother lovingly prepare in a home

70 Café HOLIDAY08 | WINTER09

dining

HOLIDAY DELIGHTS Geno Bahena creates holiday magic by combining fresh, seasonal crops, chiles, nuts and spices into exquisite moles and sauces that take him up to four hours to make with an assistant, then pairing them with rustic and exotic meats. His desserts fit for Aztec royalty will have you whispering to yourself, “Thank heaven for the girl who broke his heart.”

HOLIDAY SEASON FAVORITES Mexican squash pumpkin soup: A hearty, rustic cream soup with a delicate, silky finish, made from Mexican tatume squash (similar to butternut squash), nutmeg, chipotle, milk and sweet grilled corn, drizzled with guajillo sauce and topped with sour cream made in-house.

where the kitchen was the most important room in the house. At an early age, he helped pick and cook the organic fruits and vegetables that grew in his family’s lush vegetable fields and sun-drenched orchard. And he learned all about fresh dairy products and meats on his father’s ranch, where the high-quality beef fetched premium prices.

After the failed romance, the young Bahena was in a hurry to leave Mexico and the comforts of his father’s farm estate to test his mettle in the United States, making Chicago his new home.

“In Mexico, cooking schools at the time were only for women,” he says. Here, he says, he worked in low-rent restaurants making $2 an hour under “abusive” conditions. After attending high school here, he enrolled in the culinary arts program of Joliet Junior College and in the professional cooking program at St. Augustine College in Chicago.

Just before he graduated from St. Augustine in 1986, Bayless hired him to work at the Mexican restaurant he was about to open, Frontera Grill, where he started as a line cook and was promoted to sous chef in two months. Six months later he became the managing chef of Frontera and Bayless’s new, more upscale Topolobampo.

After 12 years with his mentor, Bahena opened his own restaurant: Ixcapuzalco, named after his hometown, where his rotating menu of amazing moles and sauces soon earned him a reputation in Chicago as the “master of the mole.”

A year later, he opened Chilpancingo. Then came Tepatulco, then other restaurant ventures. Bahena’s flirtation with new locations, his rush to expand and his experimentation with new partnerships — the latest of which took him to Los Angeles for a stint — has his admirers questioning how long his new restaurant, Real Tenochtitlan, will stay in Logan Square.

But Bahena says Real Tenochtitlan is the real deal. “I’m ready to settle down here until I retire,” he assures his devoted followers.

Duck breast in mole blanco: The white mole sauce is made with pine nuts, ixcatic chile (a yellow pepper with an earthy, sweet flavor), Godiva white chocolate and white raisins. Accompaniment: Garlic mashed potatoes, made with Yukon Gold potatoes that have a naturally buttery flavor and texture, and añejo cheese.

Grilled rack of lamb in mole negro: Made with 28 ingredients, including four different dried chiles, peanuts, pumpkin seeds and cinnamon, this black mole is a magnum opus of fruitiness and spice.

FOR DESSERT Pastelito de calabaza en tacha: Pumpkin cake made from winter squash in a molasses-style syrup made from piloncillo (raw brown sugar), cinnamon and red wine.

Crepas con Cajeta: Delicate, paper-thin crepes served with cajeta (sweetened caramelized goat milk imported from Celaya in Mexico’s state of Guanajuato), fried plantains and pecans.

P.S.: Don’t forget to ask about the special Christmas menu and, of course, the “Like Water for Chocolate” menu on Valentine’s Day.

TASTE OF ELEGANCE Real Tenochtitlan is named after the capital of the Aztec civilization, which is now Mexico City. Asked whether his restaurant names are too hard for non-Mexicans to pronounce, Bahena says: “If they can pronounce Arnold Schwarzenegger, they can pronounce [the name of] my restaurants.”

Emblazoned on the front windows is the colorful figure of Cinteotl, the Aztec god of corn. Inside, citrus yellow and lime green walls, tangerine orange curtains, fiery pomegranate red masks, imported handcrafted cabinets, and mural-size paintings of food and Aztec life create an authentic, colorful and rustic Mexican ambiance.

And the food? “Everything is made from scratch and almost everything is 100 percent organic,” says Bahena. “We’re so careful how we choose our ingredients, I even care how the animal dies.”

He says he only buys free-range ducks raised on natural grain diets. He even takes his sous chefs to the cattle ranches and poultry farms to see how the animals are fed and how they die.

Real Tenochtitlan provides authenticity and quality in an upscale whitetablecloth dining experience. Along with the three principal moles always on the menu, a different specialty mole is offered daily.

Bahena’s fresh, organic artisanal meals at times are small masterpieces of flavor. The mid-price menu is affordable; you’d pay twice as much for this kind of gourmet cuisine in a more posh zip code.

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restaurantGuide

Dig in!

For this edition we’ve sprinkled in a few new restaurants. If you’ve never eaten — or heard of — chorizo a la plancha, Mayaninfluenced cuisine or Perú’s unique spin on potatoes, our growing list of restaurants points the way for you to explore and indulge. ¡Como siempre, buen provecho!

Note: This section does not include every Latin American or Spanish restaurant in Chicago or the suburbs. It contains a selection of Café magazine’s favorites. We invite you to submit your favorites to readers@cafemagazine.com.

CENTRAL AMERICAN Irazú 1865 N. Milwaukee Ave. (773) 252-5687, www. irazuchicago.com Try the chicken casado, served with gallo pinto (rice and beans), sweet plantains, an over-easy egg and a cabbage salad. Big and delicious burritos and sandwiches also served.

People swear by the oatmeal shakes. Cash only; ATM inside, wheelchair accesible.

Pupuseria Las Delicias 3300 W. Montrose Ave. (773) 267-5346 Variety of pupusas (stuffed cornmeal cakes and toasted, not fried, on a flat griddle); the zucchini and cheese with tomatoes and onions is popular.

Other flavors include chipilin (herb particular to El Salvador) and cheese, pescado (tilapia) and la revuelta (pork, chicken, cheese and beans). The combination platter comes with two pupusas, black beans, rice and plátano maduro (sweet fried plantains). All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible, music.

Restaurante El Salvador 4125 S. Archer Ave. (773) 579-0405 Delicious variety of pupusas: cheese and jalapeños, frijoles (beans) and tres leches. Enjoy them with the curtido salad (pickled vegetables), served on top, and hot sauce. Cash only, wheelchair accessible.

CUBAN Cafe 28 1800 W. Irving Park Rd. (773) 528-2883 www.cafe28.org Great mojitos and caipirinhas. Go for the “Taste of Cuba” appetizer. Try the ropa vieja, arroz con pollo, grilled shrimp quesadillas or the chipotle grilled chicken and green tamales in this intimate cafe. Wash it all down with the traditional café cubano. Wheelchair accessible, all major credit cards, music.

Con Sabor Cubano 2739 W. Lawrence Ave. (773) 728-2226, www. consaborcubano.com Tasty ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato sauce), as well as arroz con pollo served with fried plaintains and the tradicional Cuban sandwich are part of the fare in this cozy restaurant.

BYOB, all major credit cards accepted.

Habana Libre 1440 W. Chicago Ave. (312) 243-3303 A popular choice is the combination appetizer, which includes croquetas (ham and cheese fried dumplings), yucca, tostones (twice-fried smashed green plantains), empanadas (meat-filled pastry) and papa rellena (potato filled with ground beef). For dessert, check out the flan de coco.

BYOB, all major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accesible.

MEXICAN La Casa de Isaac 431 Temple Ave., Highland Park (847) 433-5550, www. lacasadeisaac.com Family-owned kosher (but not strictly kosher), Mexican restaurant that serves warm homemade chips and chipotle salsa and delicious guacamole served in a lava-rock bowl. Try Isaac’s mother’s favorite: a large portion of chicken enchiladas with green sauce and an artful drizzle of sour cream. A flavorful and light flan with a mug of freshly made Mexican coffee ends a meal perfectly. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accesible

La Cocina de Frida 5403 N. Clark St. (773) 271-1907, www. lacocinadefrida.com Good tortilla soup, nice chicken quesadillas. Good tamales. Try the chicken in mole negro.

Interesting pork chops with mole mancha manteles. Unique Kahlúa-spiked flan. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accesible.

Fuego Mexican Grill 17 W Campbell St., Arlington Heights (847) 590-1122, www. fuegomexgrill.com Gourmet-style Mexican fare.

Menu favorites include rollitos de pollo (spicy chicken rolledup like an egg roll with black beans, corn, onions, peppers and cilantro, melted cheese with an avocado-lemon cream sauce) and huachinango al mojo de ajo (red snapper with olives, capers, cilantro in tomato sauce). Good vegetarian and dessert options. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible, music.

Maiz 1041 N. California Ave. (773) 276-3149

Authentic Mexican street food in a trendy but relaxed atmosphere.

Go for the mouth-watering corn tortillas and the succulently seasoned meat on the tacos al pastor. Cash only, wheelchair accesible.

Pancho Pistolas 700 W. 31st St. (312) 225-8808, www. panchopistolas.com Good place to go before or after a White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field. Go for the chicken flautas and tacos; excellent margaritas. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible.

Sergio’s Cantina 30 W. State. St., Geneva (630) 845-9200 www. sergioscantina.com Enjoy authentic Mexican dishes like enchiladas, fajitas, chile rellenos, camarones a la diabla and pollo con mole as well as their margaritas and signature mojito in a warm environment.

All major credit cards accepted.

Tamalli 2459 W. Armitage Ave. (773) 276-1441 The name says it all: tamale is king in this new restaurant property of Carlos Reyna, the man behind Maiz. Don’t limit yourself to the chorizo, pork and veggie tamales. You can also try their enchiladas rojas with zucchini and corn. BYOB, Cash only.

Xni-Pec 5135 W. 25th, Cicero (708) 652-8680, www.xnipec.us Enjoy the flavors of the Yucatan peninsula in this restaurant.

Besides the traditional cochinita pibil, Xni-Pec’s menu also includes the poc shuc (sliced pork marinated in sour orange juice) and huevos motuleños (eggs served on tortillas with black beans and cheese). All major credir cards accepted, music.

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NUEVO LATINO LATIN FUSION Cafe Con Leche Bucktown 1732 N. Milwaukee Ave. (773) 342-2233, www. cafeconlechebucktown.com Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba come together in this tiny Bucktown café. Dig into the chilaquiles for breakfast, the Cuban or jibaritos sandwiches for lunch and a wide variety of Mexican dishes for dinner.

Parking. All major credit cards accepted, BYOB, wheelchair accesible.

Dorado 2301 W. Foster Ave. (773) 561-3780 Mexican-French cuisine with interesting pairings: nachos with smoked duck; seafood-stuffed poblano chiles with green rice, vegetable ragout and lobster shrimp sauce; crabmeat-stuffed pan-seared salmon over chipotle mashed potatoes with fresh

basil, tomatoes, capers and a citrus beurre blanc. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible, BYOB.

La Pinta 25 Calendar Court, La Grange (708) 354-8100, www.la-pinta. com Offers a variety of ceviches: shrimp, tilapia and salmon. Good chile relleno: poblano pepper stuffed with shrimp, scallops and gouda cheese on top of a bed of refried black beans covered in a chipotle coconut sauce. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accesible.

Mexique 1529 W. Chicago Ave. (312) 850-0288, www. mexiquechicago.com Offers a blend of Mexican ingredients using French cooking techniques. Try the sweet and savory pato al tamarindo (duck leg with tamarind sauce) or

the asada (steak). For a unique treat, check out the chocolate enchilada. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible.

SushiSamba Rio 504 N. Wells St. (312) 595-2300, www. sushisamba.com International fusion of Japanese, American, Nuevo Latino and South American all rolled into one! El Topo, Samba Rio and Rainbow Dragon sushi rolls are crowd pleasers. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible, music.

PUerto rican La Bruquena 2726 W. Division St. (773) 276-2915 Try the popular mofongo con carne frita (mashed green plantain with fried pork).

All major credit cards accepted, music.

Delicia Tropical Cafe 780 Villa St., Elgin (847) 695 6207 Savory arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), steak with sautéed onions and beef stew.

Cash only.

El Vigia Restaurant 3612 W. North Ave. (773) 252-1799 Mofongo (mashed green plantains with garlic and pork rinds) and jibarito sandwiches (fried green plantains with meat, lettuce and tomato). All major credit cards accepted.

SOUTH AMERICAN El Llano 3941 N. Lincoln Ave. (773) 327-1659, www. elllanorestaurant.com If you’re hungry go for the bandeja paisa: a huge plate of rice, beans, chicharrones, avocado, plátano maduro (sweet plantain), arepa (thick cornmeal

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restaurantGuide

tortilla), yuca fries, a fried egg and steak. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible, BYOB.

El Ñandú 2731 W. Fullerton Ave. (773) 278-0900 The place to go for a delicious variety of Argentine empanadas: traditional (ground beef with raisins and egg), shrimp and spinach. The chimichurri is great on anything they serve.

All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible, music.

Rosa de Lima 2013-15 N. Western (773) 342-4557, www. rosadelima.com Blink and you might miss this new spot as you drive up Western Ave. Potato is the signature ingredient in this Peruvian restaurant and you’ll find it in dishes like the causa de camarones (mashed potatoes stuffed with shrimp and served with a yellow pepper sauce). The pollo a la brasa (broiled chicken) is their key specialty, served with two sides one of them being, of course, mashed potatoes.

All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible.

Tango Sur 3763 N. Southport Ave. (773) 477-5466 The parrillada for two comes with short ribs, flank steak, chorizo, blood sausage, sweetbreads and chimichurri sauce. Also notable are the lengua, filete, ribs, T-bone steak and veal. BYOB, All major credit cards accepted, music.

Taste of Peru 6545 N. Clark St., Chicago (773) 381-4540, www. tasteofperu.com Order the arroz con mariscos for lots of seafood mixed with warm, fluffy, yellow rice. While you wait, be careful not to fill up on the bread served with a spicy green sauce made with jalapeño and huacatay (an herb found in Peru).

All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible; BYOB; music.

SPANISH Arco de Cuchilleros 3445 N. Halsted St., Chicago (773) 296-6046 Great tapas that arrive at your table with perfect timing. Favorites include bacon-wrapped dates, smoked salmon with capers, fried eggplant with Spanish sausage, and mejillones en salsa verde (mussels in a white wine and cream sauce). Hold on to some bread for dipping! The sangria will help wash it all down. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible.

Café Ibérico 739 N. La Salle St., Chicago (312) 573-1510, www. cafeiberico.com Famous for the queso de cabra (baked goat cheese), pulpo a la plancha (grilled octopus), ensalada de pimentos asados (fire-roasted peppers in olive oil) and toasted bread. Spanish wines, brandies and beers. All major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible La Española Tapas Bar 6543 Cermak Road, Berwyn (708) 788-7400 Delicious scallops, potato salad and empanadas. The flan has a unique mix of flavors (lavender, espresso and vanilla). All major credit cards accepted, music.

Mercat a la Planxa 638 South Michigan Ave. (312) 765-0524, www. mercatchicago.com Enjoy Spanish tapas Barcelonastyle in this restaurant located within the Loop’s Blackstone Hotel. You can try the more traditional fare like gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) or the items cooked grilled-to-order (or a la planxa) such as their meats. All major credit cards accepted.

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HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR CAFÉ?

Omar Ramos from La Kalle took a few minutes from his busy radio schedule to let us know what makes him tick –and ticked off.

What is your passion?

To feel that I am doing my best or achieving the most I can in my personal and professional life.

What is your favorite word?

Quixotic: Caught up in the romance of noble deeds and the pursuit of unreachable goals; idealistic without regard to practicality. Capricious; impulsive

What is your least favorite word?

Depression.

What are your pet peeves?

People who find a way to irritate you without making it obvious they are trying to irritate you.

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

What they are wearing.

What’s your favorite intersection in the world?

Ohio St and Michigan Ave...it seems like you can get a good taste of what the Chicago downtown vibe is like from that point, nonetheless it reflects a lot of my career and unforgetable memories in this great city.

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

I love sports, documentaries, and special feature shows. It’s a fact that they have not created an all spanish show similar to “blind date” so, I would love to take my communication skills and apply them to future sports anchoring, special show host, or dj career!

If you could re-live one day in your life, what day would it be?

The day my daughter was born...it was a sensation like no other... I felt what pure love was all about.

What song best describes you?

“Summer Nights” -Lil Rob

How do like your café?

From Dunkin Donuts. Medium with 3 Splenda and lowfat milk, please!

Omar Ramos - DJ

caféblend

Luminous

Mireya Rivera, Marcus Taylor and Mónica Díaz | photos abel arciniega|

Bibiana Adames

launch We laughed, we cried tears of joy and we celebrated well into the night with more than 300 friends and supporters at our launch party at Lumen Oct. 8. Eclectic Latin tunes, exotic flowers, delicious drinks and mouthwatering cuisine made the bash a “See and Be Seen” affair. Who did we see? Soccer star Cuauhtémoc Blanco, fashion designer Anna Fong and movers and shakers from all over the city and the suburbs. Want to see who else hung out with Café? Check out cafemagazine.com.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco

Liliana Fernández, Israel Lugo and Leonardo Lorenzo

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sociales

| photo abel arciniega |

Elisa Vizcarra, Kristin Howard and Paul Stringer | photo elia alamillo |

Diana Palomar and Michael Scott | photo

abel arciniega

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alBerto Treviño and Vera Napoleon | photo

abel arciniega

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Martha Tovias and Ed Fernández | photo Silvana Tabares |

Julián Posada, Pat Pulido and Manny Sánchez | photo elia alamillo |

Maria Ramos and Yvonne Davila | photo chino ramos |

Elio Montenegro and Rafael Romo | photo chino ramos |

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MEXICO ON FILM

Juan Pablo De Santiago, Gerardo Naranjo and Maria Deschamps | photos Danny Rico |

Mexican cinema shined brightly at this year’s Chicago International Film Festival held Oct. 16-29 at the AMC River East and the AMC 600 N. Michigan. Of the 11 films in its “Cinema of the Americas” program, three came from Mexico and two were Mexican co-productions with Chile and the United States. As part of the celebration, Tres Generaciones Tequila held a screening Oct. 23 for “Voy A Explotar” at Hub 51, 51 W. Hubbard St., with director Gerardo Naranjo, his cast and representatives of the Mexican Tourism Board.

Rodrigo Esponda and Michael Kutza

FASHION showcase The Chicago Latino Fashion Week wrapped up a full week of events with a grand finale at The Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Place, followed by a V.I.P. Party at Macy’s on State Street Nov. 2. The fashion gala featured six of Chicago’s most recognized Latino designers: James de Colón, Orlando Espinoza, Anna Fong, Horacio Nieto, Elda de la Rosa and Carol Pineiro. Legendary actress and singer Rita Moreno was honored with the Hollywood Icon Award.

Model wearing designer James de Colón’s dress tribute to Rita Moreno

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Horacio Nieto and Carol Guinto

Rita Moreno

caféBlend When I wa pulled m s about 7 years o e convers aside for my f ld, my father irst big ation. He father-s every tim told me o , chones e you take a bath“From this day o n (wash yo , pl e a s e lava tu n, stubbo ur unde rnly snapp s rwear).” someon ing at him, “D I remember e that d o n’t I hav oes that that I wa e f s respon not happy abo or me?” I made it ut this n sibility clear by e I got th e chancla refusing to d w domestic o it, for a coupl which e of tim In retro es. s wash his pect, I know my d me to do underwear as ad also had to a th kid. By in e same maintain structing the fam , he not only want a valuabl ily trad ed to it myself. e lesson: to be ion, he taught m The cho r e espon re I onc become e hated sible for a helped adult wh self-reliant an me d o knows how to responsible manage Gracias his life. papá, sie mpre lle vo chon es limpio —Rodrigo s.

Zamudio Sauza, G lenview

A Mí Me

Enseña ron photo

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eviño