El Sol Latino | August 2017 | 13.10

August 2017

Volume 13 No. 10

Un Periรณdico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Festival de la Familia Hispana 2017

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Editorial / Editorial

contents

Cierre de Salsarengue Restaurant deja un Vacío Político-Cultural El cierre repentino de Salsarengue Restaurant en Holyoke deja un gran vacío cultural y político en la región. Desde su establecimiento en el 2005, Salsarengue se convirtió en un centro político y cultural para los puertorriqueños y otros latinos.

Un año después de su inauguración, en junio de 2006, el restaurant se convierte en la sede del Primer Encuentro de Poetas auspiciado por el Sol Latino, la Revista Elite y el Pac Bilingüe. Este evento se celebró exitosamente todos los meses, por mas de una década, en este establecimiento.

En Salsarengue también nacieron otros eventos culturales tales como los Plenazos Callejeros, el Encuentro de Pleneros, los Festivales de Dominó, y varios eventos musicales y fiestas navideñas.

Uno de los grupos musicales que dieron sus primeros pasos en Salsarengue fue Jay Borges y su grupo Kultura Boricua. En el restaurant se organizó la Casa Cultural Puertorriqueña de Holyoke además de varios viajes anuales al Desfile Puertorriqueño de la Ciudad de Nueva York.

Varios artistas locales e internacionales se presentaron en Salsarengue. Entre ellos, Miguel Zenón, Jesús Pagán y el Conjunto Barrio, Ray González, Fernandito Ferrer, Sabor a Timba, José González, Trío Los Monarcas, La Familia Cepeda, Luis Morales, Trio los Liberales, Eddie Montalvo, Ray Castro y el Conjunto Clásico, y el Conjunto Güajiba y Shanita “La Reinita que Canta,” entre otros.

En el área socio-política, Salsarengue fue el foco principal de varias actividades relacionadas con issues locales y nacionales de interés para la comunidad puertorriqueña. Aquí se realizaron reuniones de grupos tales como el Comité Organizador en contra de la demolición de Lyman Terrace, y el Comité o movimiento en contra del takeover por parte del estado de las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke.

Uno de los eventos mas importantes en la historia de Salsarengue fue la visita, en marzo de 2010, de los expresos políticos puertorriqueños Alicia Rodríguez, Adolfo Matos y Ricardo Jiménez Jiménez como parte de la campaña nacional Dissent is not a Crime. Esta campaña buscaba la liberación de los restantes presos políticos puertorriqueños Oscar López Rivera y Carlos Alberto Torres, quienes para ese entonces estaban encarcelados en prisiones federales.

Con esta visita, El Sol Latino y Salsarengue toman la iniciativa de comenzar la campaña regional a favor de la liberación incondicional de Oscar y Carlos Alberto. Salsarengue Restaurant, junto al periódico, fueron las únicas voces en la región en advocar consistentemente por la liberación de Oscar.

Recientemente, Salsarengue había tomado la iniciativa de abogar por la situación colonial de Puerto Rico y su actual crisis fiscal y humanitaria.

El vacío que deja Salsarengue va a ser difícil de llenar.

Cita del Mes/Quote of the Month “The media is absolutely essential to the functioning of a democracy.

It’s not our job to cozy up to power. We’re supposed to be the check and balance on government.”

2 Editorial / Editorial Cierre de Salsarengue Restaurant deja un Vacío Político-Cultural 3 Portada / Front Page 30vo Festival de la Familia Hispana 4 Parada Puertorriqueña del Oeste de Massachusetts 5 Galería Fotográfica 6 Honoring Villa Victoria 7 Tinta Caliente / Hot Ink 8 Fiscal Plan for Puerto Rico “Cannot Lead to an Economic Recovery,” New Report Finds 9 Política / Politics Por qué Necesitamos que el Museo de Dr. Seuss sea Bilingüe Victor Dávila for Springfield City Council 10 Opinión / Opinion Summer lives of children living in poverty 11 Where Are the National Latino Voices?

12 No-shows at Holyoke School Committee meetings Arte / Art Maricella Obando Moya will create a mural for the Center for New Americans 13 Libros / Books Las cosas que perdimos en el fuego Literatura / Literature Jueya Entre la Ola y La Arena 14 The Care Center Celebrated Release Of New Anthology - NAUTILUS II VOL. 15 Ciencias / Science Dr. Juan Jiménez studies biofluids as a career 15 Deportes / Sports Holyoke Old Timers Softball League 2017

Amy Goodman, Award-winning journalist, author, and host of Democracy Now!

Foto del Mes/Photo of the Month

Cielito Rosado en la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke • 14 de julio de 2017 Al centro, la reconocida chef y empresaria puertorriqueña Cielito Rosado, junto al público asistente a su presentación en la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke.

Founded in 2004 ! Volume 13, No. 10 ! August 2017 Editor

Manuel Frau Ramos manuelfrau@gmail.com 413-320-3826 Assistant Editor Ingrid Estrany-Frau Managing Editor Diosdado López Art Director Tennessee Media Design Business Address El Sol Latino P.O Box 572 Amherst, MA 01004-0572

Editorial Policy El Sol Latino acepta colaboraciones tanto en español como en inglés.

Nos comprometemos a examinarlas, pero no necesariamente a publicarlas. Nos reservamos el derecho de editar los textos y hacer correcciones por razones de espacio y/o estilo. Las colaboraciones pueden ser enviadas a nuestra dirección postal o a través de correo electrónico a: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino welcomes submissions in either English or Spanish.

We consider and review all submissions but reserve the right to not publish them. We reserve the right to edit texts and make corrections for reasons of space and/or style. Submissions may be sent to our postal address or via electronic mail to: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino is published monthly by Coquí Media Group.

El Sol Latino es publicado mensualmente por Coquí Media Group, P.O Box 572, Amherst, MA 01004-0572.

Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino August 2017

16 de jujio de 2017

30vo Festival de la Familia Hispana

Representación del Holyoke Senior Center

Malvin Romero y Emil Imo Morales

Conjunto Güajiba y Shanira “La Reinita que Canta”

Armando Cumba, Mariachi Son de mi Tierra y Diosdado López

Holyoke

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Daniel Choco Galarza del Galarza y su Choco Band y Norberto López del Conjunto Güajiba

Nelson Bello de la Orquesta de Héctor Tricoche

Marikler Giron Toensmeier y Julio Cordero Seise

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino August 2017

15 de julio de 2017

Parada Puertorriqueña del Oeste de Massachusetts

Holyoke

Representantes del Springfield Puerto Rican Parade No Caption for this photo

Representación de Holyoke Community College

Fortuna Auto Sales Representación de las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke

Miembros de La Familia Hispana, Inc. y el Color Guard

Miembros del Hispanic-American Library de Springfield

Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino August 2017

La Familia Hispana, Inc. Annual Breakfast 15 de julio de 2017

(ONORING /UTSTANDING (ISPANICS s (OLYOKE #OMMUNITY #HARTER 3CHOOL

Carlos González , Rina M. Lavoie, Aurie Pérez Irizarry, Dr. José H. Irizarry, Padrino de la Parada, y Diosdado López

Rosa Ramírez-Rodríguez, Invitada de Honor, junto a familiares, el Representante Estatal y Maestro de Ceremonias Carlos González, y Diosdado López de La Familia Hispana, Inc.

Jeroton Clown

Music, Games, Balloons and Much More...

For More information call: Jerry & Brenda s jero4817@yahoo.com

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Holyoke

Sonia Batlle, junto a familiaes y amigos, Diosdado López y Carlos González

Carlos González, Jocelyn Rivera, Zachary Torres, Grand Marshall de la Parada, y Diosdado López

Charlie Díaz, Cielito Rosado, Invitada de Honor de Puerto Rico, Diosdado López y Carlos González

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino August 2017

Honoring Villa Victoria by OMAR DAUHAJRE There I was, walking through the South End of Boston. It was a sunny summer day and my spirit was filled with a triumphant joy. It was the joy of a homecoming. As I neared my destination, the street sign announced the entrance into territorio Boricua. Pass the crossing of Tremont and West Dedham streets, and you find yourself in Paseo Borinquen. As I walked closer to Plaza Betances, I looked at the sign that welcomes you to this Puerto Rican barrio. Its engraved greeting claims the space with the war cry that guided the founding of this neighborhood in the late ‘60s: “no nos mudaremos de la parcela 19.” My spirit lifted with pride and great memories. Humbling memories of love for a community who bid me farewell almost a year to the day with a joyful pari of music (combito and all) and food planned and prepared by its residents on my last day working in the community before moving to New York. This was my second home for three years, its triumphant name says it all,

community activists, groups and churches, these Puerto Rican leaders stared down Boston’s urban renewal bulldozers as they rallied to the cry, “No nos mudaremos de la Parcela 19!” With the support of architect John Sharatt, the group crafted a proposal and plans that became Villa Victoria. In an effort to capture the Puerto Rican voice of the area’s residents, Sharatt traveled to Puerto Rico. “The architecture of the resulting Villa Victoria achieved the goal, with its plaza and parks and casitas facing one another.”

The unselfish acts of the early residents of Villa Victoria forged the future of the home of all Puerto Ricans living in Boston and remain a source of pride and inspiration to the community. Where the late 60s and 70s saw the development of the Villa itself, the community came together in the 80s to usher programming and initiatives like the “Keylatch Program of the Phillips Brooks House Association, offering free tutoring, big brother/big sister and summer programs for neighborhood children.” Today, 435 units of affordable housing form a community that is diverse and proud of its history. Over 1,000 residents call this 4 block oasis of culture and Puerto Rican identity their home. Almost half a century later, Villa Victoria bears witness to the history of our people that remains largely untold.

Villa Victoria. (ibaboston.org) de voluntarios Vanguarda familiar place for me and In the 1960s what is today aGrupo beautiful community, many other Boricuas, whether transient or not, was then known as the thirteen acre block of run down tenements and empty houses denominated Parcel 19.

The spaces were anything but empty, though. In fact, over 1,500 residents, many Puerto Ricans, lived in the blighted area of this Boston’s South End neighborhood. Increasingly, Puerto Ricans moved to the neighborhood, forging a barrio away from the island. During this time, the Boston Redevelopment Authority sought to tear down their homes and replace them with luxury housing. Parcel 19 was, thus, destined to disappear under urban renewal plans.

Determined to stay put, a group of predominantly Puerto Rican residents, led by Israel Feliciano and Reverend William Dwyer (amongst others), came together to launch a campaign to prevent the residents’ displacement. The grassroots movement then (and today) known as Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción incorporated under a new organization—the Emergency Tenants Council— intent on having a say in the community’s redevelopment. Their commitment was best summarized in a letter by Israel Feliciano in which he wrote, “It is our desire to work with the Boston Development Authority and the city of Boston….

Your action will determine whether we will be able to do this or not. The responsibility is on you. If we are designated ‘Sponsor Redeveloper’ the responsibility will be ours. We have acquired competent technical and ample financial sources to guarantee success. We want responsibility to determine our destiny.

We are tired of other people making our decisions.” Building coalitions with other Plaza Betances, Villa Victoria. (Image: flickr user Gig Harmon)

This reenactment of what took place filmed years after the founding of Villa Victoria, featuring the activists themselves, was produced for the programming of a close circuit TV channel housed in the community.

I returned to Villa Victoria on a mission. I was back on that day representing the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at an event to honor local leaders as part of its 100 Puerto Ricans Preserving our History Campaign. During the three years I worked in this community, I was fortunate to know and learn from the stories and examples set by these honorees. Many of them were involved in shaping la villa into what it is today. There couldn’t have been a better location for this event than Villa Victoria Center for the Arts. This magnificent cultural center is the base for Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción’s (IBA) community arts program.

Through the years, IBA has served as model for community development taught to urban planners nationwide and recognized internationally.

Visiting La Galeria, at the Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, was always a great experience, especially on opening nights. I saw many great works of art from Puerto Rican, Latino, and other members of the community. One of the shows that I enjoyed the most, was the one by Rafael Carrasco, a community artist whose prolific work never ceased to amaze anyone who meets him. On his opening, the community attended in support, and as customary in Puerto Rican gatherings, they danced and sang providing a sonic complement to a visual

continued on next page

Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino August 2017

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Honoring Villa Victoria continued from previous page feast of both traditional and abstract visual representations painted and built by Rafa. It’s been a few years since his show, but it remains to me a great example of the ways Villa Victoria builds bridges between the community, the program, and outside visitors whose only point of reference to the Villa and its history is a beautiful gallery space.

The cultural center in itself is an inspiring space. Formerly a Lutheran Church, it still features the stained glass art depicting anchors and nordic looking symbols that point to the church’s origins. The center provides the community with a stage for plays, music, cultural, and community activities. It housed cultural projects and initiatives that are well known in Boston such as Cafe Teatro, Cultura Viva, Soul Revival; its stage has been graced by legendary performers like Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colon, Esperanza Spalding, and bassist Eddie Gomez, among many others. It was also the space for the traditional 3 Kings Day Celebration, of which I am a proud alumni of the Wise Men impersonators.

Every year around January 6th, families from the area will come with their children to receive donated gifts and take pictures with the Kings. For me that celebration was not only about the toys; it was also an expression of the ultimate goal that IBA and Villa Victoria represent, which is uniting community of all backgrounds through a Puerto Rican tradition of selfless giving for the common good, and solidarity.

One of the things that I enjoyed and admired the most about Villa Victoria was how the arts permeate every day life, inspires the sense of community pride and activism, and serves as a historical reminder of the community’s roots. Murals that decorate the Villa, like the center piece of Plaza Betances, featuring a tile and ceramic collage of images that depict “el Padre de la Patria” Ramón Emeterio Betances and his words, combined with a tile collage of images designed by children and adults in the community. This and other murals in the neighborhood were constructed to show visitors and younger generations the revolutionary aspirations of the Villa’s founders combined with a vision of community from those growing up in this new community.

As a student of history, I felt privileged to know and befriend many of these extraordinary residents, some which we honored that night for their unselfish deeds towards the benefit of all in the community. Don Jaime Rodriguez, Jovita Fontanez, Tony Molina, Maria Sanchez, José Massó, Reinelda Chiqui Rivera (a leader on her own whom that night was representing her late mother Felita Oyola), Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez-Martinez, Felix Arroyo and Miguel Fuentes are just a few of our outstanding community builders in Boston. But equally important are the residents of Villa Victoria who care for their elderly neighbors, who cook lunches for the community room on Fridays, or sing a decima, a guaracha or a plena, comfort their young when tragedy strikes, make limbers for the children during the summer and beautify the community with their gardens. All of them keep this great barrio vivito y coleando. Villa Victoria was my home away from mi bella isla.

VIDEO Centro’s Affinity Event, Puerto Rican Community Leaders of Boston The night of my recent visit, I crossed Aguadilla Street to the venue for the celebration. I stared at the Center’s entrance mural depicting the history of the community, as I used to do each time I passed by during my stint at IBA. As on every occasion, looking at the faces of the Villa Victoria founders and activists immortalized in this glorious piece fills anyone with inspiration of what we can accomplish as a people.

Their faces are next to the drawing of the Palo Enceba’o that symbolizes the heights that an organized empowered community can reach. Their biggest accomplishment was making this community the property of its residents and with that ensuring its future and legacy.

Betances Mural. (Image flickr use, Angel Flores de Santiago)

_______________________________________________________________ © Omar Dauhajre. Published by permission in Centro Voices on 25 February 2015. Omar A. Dauhajre is the Assistant Director at New York University’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), where he manages administration, communications strategies, and institutional affairs. He holds an MS in Mass Communication from Florida International University (FIU), and a BA in History of the Americas from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR-RP). Omar was a founding co-editor of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College magazine, Centro Voices. Prior to that, he worked as Executive Assistant to the CEO of Boston’s historic community development organization Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA).

OT TINTNATE H INK

Las Pleneras de la Villa. (Image flickr user inquiboric)

Residents on their own live the arts. Take for example, Don Paco, whom since the day I started at IBA always greeted me with a Decima. His melodies and improvisational abilities, still sharp at his advanced age, made days better for everyone, and the tradition he carries in song and lyrical memory are a living treasure. Doña Maria Flores, a lady who speaks with a dramatic tone has a quick wit, and is a greatly talented artist. On her own, she ran a community sewing workshop, and created a group of elderly ladies from the community who sang and danced in beautiful costumes, that she also created, called Las Pleneras de la Villa. These ladies were a huge hit on the Villa and city wide. I became a fan of theirs as their shows were fun to watch and a truly inspirational project. Of course, these are all but a few examples of the many talented people whom either with song, instrument playing, craft making, and bicycling fixing make the lives of all around them a more pleasant and lively one.

En Holyoke…

hubo una pobre representación y participación del liderato E I LGRID ESTRANY-FRAU CA político y empresarial en las por IN celebraciones organizadas por la Familia Hispana, Inc. que se llevaron a cabo en julio. Tomando en cuenta que muchos de ellos participan orgullosamente en el Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, esperaríamos que ese mismo compromiso cívico lo tuvieran con los eventos culturales puertorriqueños.

In Holyoke... there was poor representation and participation

of the political and business leadership in the celebrations organized by La Familia Hispana, Inc. that were held in July. Considering that many of them proudly participate in Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, we would expect them to have the same civic commitment with Puerto Rican cultural events.

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino August 2017

Fiscal Plan for Puerto Rico “Cannot Lead to an Economic Recovery,” New Report Finds

by CENTER FOR ECONOMIC AND POLICY RESEARCH (CEPR) | July 18, 2017 Washington, DC. A new paper from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) examines Puerto Rico’s economy and ongoing debt problems and finds that an Oversight Board-approved fiscal plan not only does not satisfy creditors, it cannot lead to an economic recovery. This is also the case with the current bankruptcy-like legal proceedings, which introduce additional problems, including the threat of privatizing public assets. The Oversight Board’s plan does not adequately address the underlying causes and consequences of Puerto Rico’s crisis, some of which are unique to the island due to its special political status.

“Puerto Rico has already suffered a ‘lost decade’ with negative growth, and the people who designed its ‘bailout’ forecast another lost decade if things go as planned,” CEPR Co-Director and paper coauthor Mark Weisbrot said.

“But even that forecast is unfortunately over-optimistic.

“No country, or people, should have to face a future of multiple decades with no economic progress. This is only possible because the Puerto Rican people have no democratic input into these economic decisions.”

El Sol Latino 9 1/8 x 5 3/8

The paper notes that a number of the negative economic shocks experienced by Puerto Rico since the 1990s resulted from decisions made in Washington, DC and outside of its control. These include the signing of NAFTA, and China’s entry into the WTO, which created more competition for its manufacturing sector, and the phasing out of tax incentives for companies operating in Puerto Rico. US laws on shipping that prevent foreign vessels from docking at two US ports have also constrained the May 2014 island’s commerce and therefore its economic development.

The report reviews key economic indicators, including Puerto Rico’s economic growth, its debt burden, its revenue and expenditures, and its fiscal plan.

Puerto Rico has a poverty rate of 46 percent, and only 42.5 percent of the labor force is employed, as compared with more than 60 percent in the US. It has lost almost 10 percent of its population over the last decade, investment has plummeted, and the economy is caught in a downward spiral that continued austerity will perpetuate.

The paper notes that Puerto Rico faces “harmful restrictions on its commerce while not [being] eligible for the full benefits of federal aid that US states receive. For example, its federal payments for Medicaid and Medicare are at a lower percentage than for most US states and unlike in US states, these payments are capped. These limited payments alone, as compared to those for US states, account for billions of dollars of Puerto Rico’s debt.”

For all of these reasons and more, there is a substantial case for federal aid to Puerto Rico, as well as sufficient debt cancellation, to allow for a speedy economic recovery.

The island has also been victimized by hedge funds who bought government bonds, and then lobbied for austerity and against reasonable bankruptcy procedures that would allow for economic recovery. The paper notes that since the proposed agreement will not satisfy the creditors, there is even more risk that their lawsuits, including those from vulture funds, will put further large obstacles in the path of recovery.

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El Sol Latino August 2017

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Opinión / Opinion

Summer lives of children living in poverty

by MIGUEL ARCE and WALTER MULLIN

Envision children in the summertime and numerous people will bring up images of carefree days, outdoor play and spontaneous fun with friends.

Enrichment activities contribute positively to a child’s development and later life success. There are questions that need to be asked about the summer lives of children living in poverty. What happens during the summer, when children from families with few economic resources have nothing to do? Are learning activities available? What happens when countless hours go unsupervised or are unproductive? Do children lose skills and fall behind their peers if they have too little to do during the summer? Can a two month summer vacation cause a setback that is difficult to overcome? Will they be ready to hit the ground running when they return to school in the fall?

Children who come from middle and upper middle classes frequently include a camp experience as part of their summer plan. The data on summer program participation, collected in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study— Kindergarten Cohort 1998-99 study indicates that children with a high socioeconomic status were about eight times more likely to participate in enriching activities as compared to children with a low socioeconomic status background. Children from families who have resources have the opportunity to attend camps where they learn to swim, shoot an arrow, play sports and spend nights in cabins “fighting off the mosquitos”, all the while developing their self-confidence and competence. These experiences are costly.

Summer for low income youth is different and difficult. With limited financial resources to obtain high quality summertime activities and crowded, neglected neighborhoods, safe places for play may not be available. Support and guidance become a greater challenge to find during the summer. While during the school year, children have access to teachers and educational programming that help them toward achievement, motivation, and positive goal setting, during the summer this support disappears. In school, children have a safe place to play and learn and once again, during the summer this also disappears. Finally, once classes let out, for children from families in poverty, the school breakfasts and lunches are not available as a predictable service at school.

From the perspective of parents, policy makers and youth developers (such as teachers and social workers), summer programming for children from families in poverty is essential to keep these children on equal footing. A RAND Corporation finding from the largest study ever conducted on summer learning indicates that summer is a time when low income students lose ground relative to their wealthier peers. On the other hand, the Wallace Foundation who funded $50 million National Summer Learning Project found “that high-quality summer learning programs are capable of helping disadvantaged students succeed in school and that high attendance is crucial to delivering these benefits.” A Slate Magazine article from July, 2013, concluded that the average student loses one month of schooling during the summertime, but “low-income” students lose more ground. The article concludes that the majority of differences in achievement between high and low socio-economic children are attributable to differences in summertime activities with major life long implications.

Instead of summer months of boredom, unstructured activity and seclusion, it is clear that summer vacation time has a strong and lasting impact on children. Knowing this, communities are called to ensure that children from families in poverty have enrichment activities that include physical, recreational, and cultural development. The creation of a safe place to explore and grow is critical for all children whose parents may not be available to employment or other obligations. Safe environments with caring adults who can form positive relationships with children are essential for children. Community partnerships for summer learning programs connect libraries, parks, colleges, museums and sports facilities with children. Positive, summer out of school activities predict academic success. Summer programming enhances personal social skills, positive social behaviors and reductions in problems behaviors.

El Sol Latino August 2017

The creation of community learning centers that provides academic enrichment opportunities during nonschool hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools are indispensable. The programs might be located in traditional school setting or in community Malter Mullin and Miguel Arce based organizations. In the summer, programs help students meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

At the national, state and local level, educators need to redesign notions of summer programming. Teachers, administrators, parents and activists need to collaborative envision successful summer school models for children from poor communities which engage students in hands-on learning opportunities. While English and math skills are improved in fun and exciting ways, “innovative” program should consider providing breakfast and lunch and transportation to offsite resources, such as college campus, museums, and similar transformative opportunities.

There are two federal policies that might accomplish enhanced educational summer learning that might accomplish this. Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA) provides financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. Actions, based on Title 1, need to provide resources to reduce these summer losses. Financial resources for summer programs from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers need to support the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

How children use their time during the summer has increasingly been found to be critical by the National Education Association. The long period of summer is associated with a loss of academic skills. A federal initiative to bolster youth during the summer will positively impact low income students.

This guest opinion is one in a series on living in poverty submitted by Dr. Walter Mullin (wmullin@springfieldcollege.edu), Professor of Social Work and Miguel Arce (marce@ springfieldcollege.edu), Associate Professor of Social Work at Springfield College

Desde Puerto Rico para el mundo— "la primera y única emisora de tv con licencia para la historia"

Opinión / Opinion

El Sol Latino August 2017

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Where Are the National Latino Voices?

by ANGELO FALCÓN

The NiLP Report (July 23, 2017) NILP Commentary

As the Trump agenda becomes increasingly concrete and despicable, the response by the national Latino political leadership has been, well, tepid. I say specifically “national” because every day we document valiant local community struggles to oppose ICE, fight gentrification, oppose colonial austerity measures in Puerto Rico, defend sanctuary cities in California, Texas and other states, and on and on. Plenty of great, creative and dedicated leadership in local Latino communities. However, this is clearly having trouble making it to the national level of policy and political discussions. Hence what we have called the “National Latino Leadership Vacuum.”

As some react to this by calling for A Great National Latino Leader to emerge (aka a Latino Al Sharpton), where such a messianic figure is supposed to come from is not at all clear. While, upon a little reflection, this is not a realistic or even desirable solution, it leaves us with the question of how do we develop a strong national Latino voice or voices for our issues?

How do we fully participate as a community in the national discourses on the future of democracy and healthcare, proposed changes in the tax code, addressing climate change, trade policy toward Mexico and Latin America and, of course, confronting current efforts at immigration deform and terrorism?

As the National Council of La Raza’s rebranding to “UnidosUS” recently revealed, there seems to be considerable concern that our existing national Latino organizations like UnidosUS, LULAC and the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) are not successfully projecting themselves effectively at the national level on issues of greatest concern to our community. Even those that are viewed by Latino leaders as the most effective Latino organizations, MALDEF and LatinoJustice PRLDEF, both legal defense funds, have their hands full addressing local issues, mostly on immigration. If we asked regular Latino people about these organizations and who heads them up, I’m sure you would just get blank stares back from most and you might also get a “Lo conocen en su casa” or two.

One problem these organizations face is that they haven’t been able to keep up with the dramatic growth of the Latino population. Most of these organizations are small and many struggle to generate the growth they so dearly need to maintain their core operations and keep meeting the demands of an ever expanding Latino community.

Most of the heads of these organizations are overloaded in running what are essentially momand-pop operations relative to the size of the Latino community in having to simultaneously deal with day-by-day operations, fundraising, maintaining board relations, meeting payroll, filling out endless government forms and other mundane aspects of keeping a nonprofit or voluntary group in operation.

The very few very large Latino organizations we have also have these problems magnified that keep their leaders more focused on organizational maintenance

than on the type of outspoken advocacy that many in our community would like to see in the Trump Era. A Latino Al Sharpton, like the real one, would have to be available to fly all over the place on a moment’s notice to give speeches and raise hell, something that we do not see much from our national Latino leaders who project more like corporate managers than fiery spokesperson and organizers.

One underlying problem is resources. We have all seen study after study documenting the scandalous almost nonexistent corporate and foundation support of our Latino organizations. This has serious consequences that we are currently experiencing.

Yet there has been no movement to aggressively hold philanthropy accountable on this score. Why haven’t the national Latino organizations through coalitions like the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda taken on this issue on behalf of the entire Latino community? Why is it that while our Latino advocacy groups continue to struggle for basic resources, an organization that is supposed to be addressing this problem, Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), is itself using its foundation connections to raise millions for itself, giving the impression through their limited efforts that they have somehow been effective in holding foundations accountable to our community? They have a new president coming on board next year, maybe this person will . . .

Another area where resources have become scarcer for Latino organizations is the result of a foundation’s initiative some years ago, the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Their creation of the “nonadvocacy” Pew Hispanic enter in 2001, now absorbed into their larger corporate body as the “Pew Research Center’s Hispanic Trends Project,” has had a deleterious impact on the ability of Latino advocacy groups to raise money for the research they used to do regularly and has moved the focus away from the Latino community in conducting such research, developing the capacity to produce surveys and analyze Census data and promote its work in the media all funneled largely through the body of the terrific data whiz, Mark Hugo Lopez, within a larger alien starship called the Pew Research Center. I love their research and adore Mark (you know, in a manly way), but their organization has had the unfortunte and, I’m sure, unintended consequence of weakening indigenous Latino community research capacity. Nobdy talks about this openly, but many voice this problem in hushed tones.

Then there is our absence from the national news media where most of the Trump atrocities are being litigated. The best barometer of this problem is the so-called liberal MSNBC. Where are the Latino commentators on their panels, not to mention their staff? Morning Joe, Hard Copy, Meet The Press, and the rest of the schedule seem to be all Latino-free zones (¡Que mucha gente blanca!). Whatever became of the silver-tongued Maria Teresa Peterson and that other Latina political scientist from Texas

(you see, I already foegot her name!), who were regulars on MSNBC for a while? Did they dump them in the Disposable Latino Commentator Dustbin while we weren’t looking? Similar things can be said of CNN and other news outlets, but they’re not projecting themselves as “progressive.” When MSNBC was once presenting themselves as “leaning forward,” did that really mean MSNBC would do so with their backs to the Latino community?

As the saying goes, “El que se dobla mucho se le ve el culo.” All we get when we tune in to MSNBC these days is a lot of white butt posing a repetitive pundits and such. I know, this is a disgusting image.

So, how can organizations like the National Hispanic Media Coalition and others that focus on media address this problem? They’ve tried Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the networks, boycotts, legal actions through the Federal Communications Commission, pickets, you know, all those tactics from Organizing 101. While we have seen some real results in the entertainment world (there are now Latino actors all over Netflix productions and even on NBC, ABC and Crackle,, except for CBS), but in the national English-language news media Latinos are hard to find.

What is troubling is that the few Latino commentaters on the seem to be overrepresented

by Republicans and conservatives who are not at all reflective of mainstream Latino opinion. Ana Navarro, for example, is an excellent television personality, but the Bush supporter she is makes her a fringe political figure in the Latino community. And in terms of all of the Latino elected officials we have, why do Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz get all the media attention?

Can the Latino media groups move their focus from the entertainment to a news media that affects the direction of social policy priorities so critical to the well-being of the Latino community? They have helped us with our positive self-image in the entertainment field, now let’s do something with it.

I can go on and on (does this commentary come off more as a rant?), but the bottom line is that we need to be thinking much differently about these issues that impede our ability to develop effective national Latino voices that can accurately reflect the needs and aspirations of our people. We need some visionary leadership that can step back and come to understand The Big Picture within which we find ourselves and develop creative plans of action to address it. This is probably too much to ask of our Millennials so it may have to be up to our adults and even old folks to step up and lead the way. President Trump, after all, poses one of the greatest threats to our community. We need, I think, to act like it.

Angelo Falcón is President of the National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP). He can be reached at afalcon@latinopolicy.org. The NiLP Report on Latino Policy & Politics is an online information service provided by the National Institute for Latino Policy.

For further information, visit www.latinopolicy. org.

Send comments to editor@latinopolicy.org.

12

Opinión / Opinion

No-shows at Holyoke School Committee meetings

by JACKIE YOS

Letter to the editor In the July 2017 edition of El Sol Latino, in the area of “Tinta Caliente”, there was a message that has been made public that was written by John Brunelle. This is about a message that he had posted on his Facebook page on June 19, 2017. The message states, “It’s amazing to me that how people can still serve, collect a check and never come to the meetings.”

This is something that I have spoken to different people about. It is good to clear up that since the state took over the Holyoke Pubic Schools the Holyoke School Committee has no power. They meet with Dr. Zrike and give their opinions but they cannot vote.

It is sad that they are getting paid a check and they are getting health insurance but the saddest part is that they are getting paid by the city’s taxpayers. That is taking advantage of benefits for something that the majority of them aren’t doing.

Of course, that is not to generalize, because there are some members that are still involved with the schools. There are other members that are not involved with the schools, they do not even attend the meetings but they are happy to receive the check when they aren’t doing anything.

I would like to ask, are there public documents as to who a attending the meetings and who is not attending the meetings? It is not fair that the taxpayers in Holyoke continue to pay a check and health insurance for people that have not earned them.

EMPIEZA UNA CARRERA DE ARTES CULINARIAS

El Sol Latino August 2017

EMPIEZA UNA CARRERA DE ARTES CULINARIAS V I S I TA H C C . E D U / C U L I N A R Y

On another note, if the state wants the School Committee members to continue to get paid, why doesn’t the state pay them? That money can be used for something that can help the students in Holyoke.

Jackie Yos is a Holyoke resident.

Arte / Art

Maricella Obando Moya will create a mural for the Center for New Americans Center for New Americans is pleased to announce it has received a grant from The Downtown Northampton branch of the Awesome Foundation, whose stated mission is to “make Downtown Northampton an even more awesome place to be!” The grant will fund Maricella Obando Moya, a Center for New Americans alumna, to translate her artistic vision into a dynamic and color-rich mural in the stairway leading to Center for New Americans’ Northampton classrooms and offices.

project. Amy Cahillane, of the Awesome Foundation said, “We are thrilled to support a local artist in creating a beautiful artistic addition to the downtown community, and delighted that Center for New Americans reached out to us with this proposal!”

When the work is completed, Center for New Americans will host an open house and welcome the public to view the mural, meet the artist, and learn more about its programs welcoming and serving immigrants.

Maricella has designed the mural with a series of sketches depicting the immigrants who learn English, seek career coaching, and apply for citizenship at Center for New Americans. When complete, the mural will welcome students, teachers, staff, and volunteers at the James House Community Learning Center where Center for New Americans serves immigrants. Commenting on the project, Center for New Americans Executive Director, Laurie Millman, said, “We are grateful to the Awesome Foundation for this opportunity to showcase our students’ talents, the important work that takes place in our building, and the remarkable community of immigrants who enter this space in pursuit of their version of the American dream.”

The James House Community Learning Center is a city-owned building which also hosts The Literacy Project and the City of Northampton’s IT department. One of the reasons the City approved this project that as Mayor David Narkewicz observed at Center for New Americans’ 9th annual July 4th Naturalization Ceremony, “I am proud to be the mayor of a city which welcomes immigrants, which welcomes refugees and opens its arms to you and anyone else from around the globe and join our community.”

The Awesome Foundation, comprised of representatives from 10 downtown businesses and organizations, was unanimous in its support of the mural

Center for New Americans has been welcoming and serving immigrants in Western Massachusetts for 25 years. Center for New Americans teaches English, computer, and literacy classes; supports students in preparing for living wage jobs; and offers citizenship and immigration legal services.

Center for New Americans has program sites in Amherst, Northampton, Greenfield, and Turners Falls.

Libros / Books

El Sol Latino August 2017

13

Todo Esto Te DarĂŠ por DOLORES REDONDO

%DITORIAL 0LANETA "ARCELONA PĂˆGINAS s RESEĂ—A POR CATHLEEN C. ROBINSON

Manuel Ortigosa, conocido autor popular de novelas, se entera de que su esposo à lvaro Muùoz de Dåvila murió súbitamente en un supuesto accidente de coche. Ésta no es la única cosa que le choca a Manuel. El accidente ocurrió en la Ribeira Sacra, en Galicia, un sitio desconocido por Manuel. Él pensaba que su marido iba por Barcelona. Empiezan las preguntas. Y las respuestas le desconciertan. Descubre que su marido venía de una familia rica de la aristocracia y, en su testamento, le dejó toda su herencia a Manuel.

Resulta que el accidente no fue accidente; que alguien habĂ­a apuĂąalado a Ă lvaro.

Empieza a investigar y cada cosa que descubre de la vida de su marido le desconcierta aún mås. Sin embargo se juntan dos otros en la búsqueda del asesino de à lvaro: un cura, Lucas, amigo de toda la vida del asesinado; y AndrÊs Nogueira, un investigador policial jubilado que tiene sus propios motivos por encontrar la verdad del asesinato. Ésta es la trama de Todo Esto Te DarÊ de Dolores Redondo, novela que le ganó el prestigioso, y cuantioso, Premio Planeta de 2016.

Parece que los crĂ­ticos no estĂĄn por nada de acuerdo con los elogios que generalmente acompaĂąan tal premio. AĂşn en un caso, se burla de la novela. Natalia Calvo en su reseĂąa para FantasyMundo , el 23 de febrero de 2017, que se titula Dolores Redondo ha demostrado que es mejor que esta novela, por muchos Planetas que gane, se burla de la novela diciendo que “Y los personajes buenos, buenos de verdad, como Herminia, Elisa, Ofelia, Laura, etc. son tan, tan buenos, que parece mentira que no baje un ĂĄngel del cielo a buscarlos y llevĂĄrselos donde deben estar. Junto al trĂ­o protagonista, Lucas, Nogueira y Manuel forman una cohorte de personajes sin ningĂşn tipo de atractivo que provocan sonoros bostezos a lo largo y ancho de la Ribeira Sacra.â€?

Una cosa que le critican algunos es que la autora mete otras sub-tramas que en realidad contribuyen poco o nada a la trama principal. Por ejemplo, mientras Manuel y Nogueira investigan, Manuel empieza a conocer al ex-policĂ­a mĂĄs al fondo y llega a saber de sus problemas con la esposa y con sus hijas. SĂ­, de veras nada tiene que ver con descubrir quiĂŠn matĂł a Ă lvaro, pero para mĂ­ el personaje de Nogueira es interesante, aun atrayente, y me gustĂł saber mĂĄs de ĂŠl. Sobre todo por quĂŠ un detective jubilado se dedica sin reservas a la investigaciĂłn. Redondo le hizo convertirse en un personaje mĂĄs completo, mĂĄs realista, por dibujarlo en sus tres

Literatura / Literature

Jueya Entre la Ola y La Arena

dimensiones. Por eso no estoy de acuerdo con Calvo cuando dice que provoca “sonoros bostezos.�

Otra cosa que critican es que la trama--ÂżQuiĂŠn matĂł a Ă lvaro y por quĂŠ?--no se engancha en serio hasta pasar 400 pĂĄginas. Es verdad. Redondo toma su tiempo con lujo de descripciones y detalles que aunque no tratan especĂ­ficamente de la trama, sin embargo meten al lector en el ambiente. Y poco a poco se va desarrollando la trama.

Lo que yo encuentro de criticar es que a veces las oraciones se escapan del control de Redondo y el lector puede confundirse sobre lo que de veras se quiere comunicar. Por ejemplo, al describir “el pazo de As Grileiras, la casa donde naciĂł su marido [Ă lvaro ]y residencia de los marqueses de Santo TomĂŠ desde el siglo xviiâ€?, escribe que “Quedaba elevada sobre una leve loma que dominaba toda la propiedad y que contrastaba con la profunda hondonada que se extendĂ­a en la parte trasera y la planicie del terreno frontal falsamente limitado por un tupido bosquecillo de olivos viejos que impedĂ­a ver mĂĄs allĂĄ a nivel del suelo, y que, estuvo seguro, no estorbarĂ­a la vista desde la planta superior del palacio.â€? “que, que, que, que, queâ€?

Bueno, si algunos crĂ­ticos no ven mucho mĂŠrito en Todo Esto Te DarĂŠ, Âżpor quĂŠ la escogieron los jueces como ganadora del Premio Planeta (2016)?

Por algo los jueces del Premio Planeta la escogieron entre los 552 concursantes. ÂżLa recomiendo o no? Depende. Si te gusta una novela que se lee rĂĄpidamente, en la que envuelve inmediatamente al lector en la tensiĂłn de la trama, pues no, no es para ti.

Pero si te gusta una novela que toma su tiempo al desarrollar el tema, que enriquece el lugar, el ambiente y los personajes con lujo de detalles, que te mete en otra cultura como de la aristocracia espaĂąola en donde todo lo desagradable, hasta lo criminal, se esconde, hasta aĂşn que se haga desaparecer, entonces Todo Esto Te DarĂŠ te encantarĂĄ. *ReseĂąa de Cathleen C. Robinson, profesora jubilada del espaĂąol y de la historia de la AmĂŠrica Latina quien ahora se dedica a escribir.

que era hembra al verle la tapa ancha donde las jueyas cargan sus huevos.

por AGMA PARRILLA SWEENEY Carolina, Puerto Rico. Camino en la arena donde las olas suaves mojan la arena, en busca de yo no sĂŠ quĂŠ.

Me encuentro de frente con una jueya (cangreja). No me muevo, ni ella tampoco. Algo anda mal. Estoy demasiado cerca. Era para que ella saliera a todo dar hacia su hoyo.

Me sentĂŠ a mirarla. Ella a penas se movĂ­a. Lentamente se dirigiĂł hacia el vaivĂŠn de las olas. De pronto una ola la cubre. Ella entierra las patas y deja que la ola le pase por encima. Cuando la ola se retira, saca las patas de la tierra y da varios pasos. Parece flotar sobre la arena con sus patas finas. Admiro sus movimientos lentos y precisos. Entierra las pata a gusto o flota sobre la arena en el vaivĂŠn de las olas, con la agilidad y familiaridad de los dedos del pianista en su teclado.

Quise levantarla por detrås del cascarón. Ella pegó sus ocho patas al cascarón de tal manera que no pude meter mis dedos entre el cascarón y las patas para levantarla. Ella usó mucha fuerza. No quise imponer mås fuerza para dominarla pues se defendía de mí y yo no intentaba herirla. Me apartÊ un poco. Ella se quedó inmóvil como exhausta por usar todas sus fuerzas para no dejarse levantar. Estaba aún inmóvil cuando otra ola mås fuerte la sobrellevó. Dio volteretas – boca arriba, boca abajo, boca arriba, boca abajo. Fue cuando supe

a tocar como un perro o un gato le pide al humano que lo toque. Le sobĂŠ el cascarĂłn con el dedo por buen rato. Se quedĂł quietecita.

La jueya era verdaderamente hermosa con el cascarĂłn negro y anaranjado. Sus dos palancas pequeĂąas eran color frambuesa y rosadas. Las patas anaranjadas se tornaban amarillas cerca del cascarĂłn. Estaba enterita con sus dos ojos, dos palancas, y ocho patas. No sĂŠ por quĂŠ tan letĂĄrgica. ÂżHabrĂ­a parido? La tapa posterior donde las hembras cargan sus huevos estaba cerrada.

Era pequeĂąa, quizĂĄs muy joven para parir.

Foto por Agma Parrilla Sweeney

CayĂł rendida sobre la arena. La observĂŠ un largo rato.

Me di cuenta que moría. Me sentÊ de forma tal que la protegí del sol con mi sombra. Sus lentos movimientos ya no eran fluidos como antes. Tenía un ojo abierto, otro cerrado, o los dos cerrados. Sus patas – antes erguidas y con movimientos en armonía – se movían descoordinadas. Se le trincaba extendida una pata, luego otra, y mås tarde las dos a la vez.

SubiĂł la palanca hacia el cielo, luego hacia mĂ­ por largo rato Me atrevĂ­ tocarle la palanca. Mientras la toquĂŠ ella no se moviĂł. Luego caminĂł de lado ÂĄhacia mĂ­! Me alejĂŠ poco a poco pero dejĂĄndola en mi sombra. Entonces comprendĂ­. Ella pedĂ­a que la volviera

Sus movimientos ya no parecĂ­an ser voluntarios.

Arrastraba su palanca mojada que se llenaba de arena.

Sin pensarlo mucho y para terminar su agonĂ­a, le di un empujoncito hacia una ola que se acercĂł. Dio tantas volteretas que yo sĂŠ ella jamĂĄs hubiese escogido morir asĂ­. La saquĂŠ de la ola. Me dio vergĂźenza.

La observĂŠ por mucho rato. SeguĂ­a viva. Me fui de allĂ­ corriendo para buscar mi cĂĄmara y regresĂŠ a tomarle una foto.

ComprendĂ­. La muerte es la otra cara de la vida. El proceso lento, doloroso y digno de morir es universal.

Nadie quiere estar solo en ese momento. Yo deseo estar junto a mis seres queridos. Y estarĂŠ a su merced.

DejĂŠ a la jueya tal y como la encontrĂŠ. Entre la ola y la arena, entre la vida y la muerte. Me tocĂł el corazĂłn y todavĂ­a le pido perdĂłn.

14

Literatura / Literature

El Sol Latino August 2017

The Care Center Celebrated Release Of New Anthology - NAUTILUS II VOL. 15 The Care Center, an educational resource center for young women who are pregnant and parenting, invited the community to celebrate the release of Nautilus II, a journal of students’ writing and art, at a reading on Friday, June 23 at the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley, MA. Each year, a team of student editors works in conjunction with staff editors Liza Birnbaum and Dan Battat to select the writing and visual art that best represents The Care Center’s high standards and its students’ singular perspectives. Students edit work, write supporting materials, and collaborate with designer Craig Malone to bring the volume together. Nautilus II is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s YouthReach Program and individual donors from around the country.

Of this year’s edition, National Book Award finalist Ross Gay writes, “The poems in Nautilus II are reminders that the best poetry is made, always, of love. And it is made of the inquiries, curiosities, wanderings, and musics made by that love. And love, as you know, makes space. Love pries open the world, it makes the world better for all of us. And so imagine our good fortune to be holding all this love in our hands! We are so lucky for this book, this brilliant book of love, in the world!�

Members of the editorial team of Nautilus II

Esteemed poet Marilyn Chin adds, “These young women’s voices sing and shout at me and touch and startle my heart. They celebrate small moments of tenderness as well as shout out for selflove and resilience. They color this difficult world with momentary beauty and justice. I feel nourished by these remarkable poems. “

Each year more than 100 pregnant and parenting teens use The Care Center services, including academic classes in preparation for the HiSet, college courses, on-site daycare, health care, counseling, assistance with the transition to higher education, and door-to-door transportation. Founded in 1986, The Care Center’s approach has led to regional and national recognition as a model of effective programming for young families. In 2012 The Care Center was selected as one of twelve in the country to receive the Presidential Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award – the highest honor a program like this can receive.

Poems from Nautilus II -

For Women Who Are Hard to Understand AFTER 7ARSAN 3HIRE S h&OR 7OMEN 7HO !RE @$IFFICULT TO ,OVEv

BY &!)4( -!4/3

You Are Human

BY 02)-! ,9.. /5.

9OU ARE A RUNNING BRIDE WITH A tumbling veil.

9OU ARE HURT INSIDE BUT YOU ARE strong.

0EOPLE CRITICIZE YOUR CULTURE BUT YOU SHOW YOUR PRIDE HIGHER 9OU CAN DO THINGS YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD never do.

9OU PICK YOURSELF UP AND WIPE

YOUR TEARS 9OU HAVE DOUBTS THAT YOU LL NEVER make it.

"UT LOOK AT HOW FAR YOU VE GOT %VERYONE HAS THEIR PROBLEMS NO ONE IS perfect.

9OU STRUGGLE TO KEEP A SMILE ON YOUR FACE BUT INSIDE YOU RE FROWNING 9OU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND BRAVE .EVER GIVE UPx Prima-Lynn Oun WAS BORN IN ,ONG "EACH #!

AND MOVED TO (OLYOKE FROM &LORIDA 3HE HAS ONE SON AND IS PROUD TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL 3HE IS A #LEMENTE #OURSE PARTICIPANT AND PLANS TO GRADUATE FROM THE #ARE #ENTER AND BE successful.

9OU TRY TO EXPLAIN TO EXPRESS YOURSELF

BY YOUR TASTE YOUR FASHION YOUR STYLE YOUR WORDS YOUR ATTITUDE DEFIES HIM AND HE STATES THE UNKNOWN He sits there confused REWORDING THE WORDS THAT ROLLED OFF YOUR TONGUE (IS FACE IN DISTRESS NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT FLOWS THROUGH YOU (E LOOKS AT YOU AS YOU PUT YOUR FACE ON THE WAY HE LOOKS AT YOUR CLOTHES 9OU RIPPED THINGS UP AND YOU SEW THINGS TOGETHER 9ET HE STILL DOESN T UNDERSTAND (E S A MAN THAT LOVES WOMEN WHO HAS A DARK PAST BUT CAN T BEAR TO UNDERSTAND THE STORY THAT ROLLS OFF YOUR TONGUE (E SITS THERE AS A CHILD SEEING A FLOWER BLOOM BEFORE HIS EYES WITH SUCH AMAZEMENT BUT WITH CONFUSION ON HOW IT HAPPENS 4EACH HIM HOW YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO THE EFFORT HE WOULD PUT IN IS WHAT HE WILL UNDERSTAND OF YOU if he refuses let him sit there until HIS AGONY BREAKS IN AND THE FACTS become unbearable LET HIM LEARN THE HARD WAY AND SEE WHAT HE GETS OUT OF IT Let him be AS YOU CONTINUE TO BE FREE Faith Matos IS FROM 3PRINGFIELD (ER DAUGHTER IS HER PRIDE AND JOY AND WHAT KEEPS HER WRITING )N THE FUTURE SHE WANTS TO KEEP BEING OUTSPOKEN AND WRITING POETRY

and also to attend college to create a better future for her daughter.

Ciencias / Science

Dr. Juan JimÊnez studies biofluids as a career by BRYAN SALAS-SANTIAGO s BRYANSALAS Fluids, like gases and liquids, are substances that have no fixed shape and yield easily to external forces; for example air and water. Fluids, especially liquids like water, are an important field to study, since 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water and water is the most common substance in the human body.

Understanding how fluids behave can help us understand a variety of important problems in society, from climate change to human diseases and health.

Dr. Juan JimĂŠnez, a native from Puerto Rico, is a faculty member at UMass Amherst in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering studying biofluids. He obtained his bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University in Mechanical Engineering. After a few summer internships in industry, he realized an industrial career was not the path he wanted to pursue. He decided to enroll in graduate school at Princeton University in the area of fluid mechanics focusing on turbulence. A course he took during his undergraduate degree drew him to the field of fluid dynamics. “It was a very complicated course. At the same time it was almost poetic how mathematical equations could explain very complex problems. At that point I realized I wanted to study fluids as a career for the rest of my life.â€?- Dr. JimĂŠnez.

GMAIL COM

During an annual fluid dynamics conference, he attended a lecture on the effects of fluid flow in the body and its effects on human disease. This raised his curiosity to understand the effects of fluid dynamics in the human body, and after finishing his PhD, he started a postdoctoral fellowship in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where he worked with one of the world leaders in the research area of vascular biology, Dr. Juan JimĂŠnez atherosclerosis and blood flow. He received a (Credit: mie.umass.edu) prestigious National Institutes of Health Career Award which allowed Dr. JimĂŠnez to train in the area of biomedical sciences in addition to his engineering training. This places Dr. JimĂŠnez in a unique position to conduct one of a kind research.

Dr. JimĂŠnez combines fundamentals of engineering and biomedical sciences, a unique and interdisciplinary approach, to study the role of blood flow in

continued on next page

Deportes / Sports

El Sol Latino August 2017

15

Holyoke Old Timers Softball League 2017 ȯȽɊɐȽ ȥɏȽȾɁɈ ɒɏ ȪɋɊ ȯɐȽɎɏ ͖ ȎȒ ɀɁ ɆɑɊɅɋ ɀɁ ȎȌȍȓ

Dr. Juan Jiménez studies biofluids as a career diseases, such as heart disease and stroke. Differences in the flow of blood through vessels promote the development of atherosclerosis and may contribute to aneurysms in the brain, which is one of the main causes of stroke. In arteries, atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits clog and block arteries (plaque). The plaques consist of cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium and fibrin (clotting material in the blood) that accumulate in these blood vessels.

The accumulation of these can be compared to a plumbing problem, specifically when sludge accumulates inside of pipes, affecting and often decreasing water flow. When plaque builds up, the artery wall gets thicker narrowing the space inside the affected blood vessel and reducing blood flow and the supply of oxygen to cells. Without oxygen, the cells die and eventually lead to a heart attack, if this happens in blood vessels in the heart.

Another disease the Jimenez’s laboratory focuses on is brain aneurysms.

Brain aneurysms are balloon-like, weak areas in the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. In most cases, a brain aneurysm causes no symptoms and goes unnoticed, but occasionally ruptures, releasing blood into the brain causing a hemorrhagic stroke. Depending on the severity of the

continued from previous page hemorrhage, it can cause brain damage or death. In contrast to other blood vessels, certain areas of the brain experience unique blood flow patterns that potentially make the brain blood vessels more susceptible to aneurysms.

Dr. Jimenez’s laboratory hypothesizes that understanding the blood flow in the brain can lead to a better understanding of the cause of aneurysms.

Dr. Jiménez’s research is unique since many problems are not just dictated by biology, but also by physics. Therefore, the laboratory is composed of a combination of biology and engineering students, since many problems involve multiple fields and only few people have this type of integrated training. The research conducted in the laboratory sometimes emphasizes more engineering or biological aspects depending on the problem being addressed. Furthermore, his laboratory not only studies fundamentals of these problems isolated in the laboratory setting, but also collaborates with physicians in issues relevant to patients in the clinics.

“People think science is an unreachable world, but I say it is reachable. It requires hard work and you may make sacrifices, but in the long run it pays off, because you will be using your skills and knowledge to positively impact humanity.” - Juan Jiménez

16

Deportes / Sports

El Sol Latino August 2017

Holyoke Old Timers Softball League 2017 ȯȽɊɐȽ ȥɏȽȾɁɈ ɒɏ ȪɋɊ ȯɐȽɎɏ ͖ ȎȒ ɀɁ ɆɑɊɅɋ ɀɁ ȎȌȍȓ