October 2018
Volume 14 No. 11
Un Peri贸dico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper
Un Peri贸dico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper
Un Peri贸dico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper
Springfield Puerto Rican Parade 2018 Un Peri贸dico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper
contents
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Foto del Mes/Photo of the Month
Holyoke Public Library - 21 de septiembre de 2018
3 Portada / Front Page Parada Puertorriqueña de Springfield 2018 6 Springfield Puerto Rican Flag Raising Ceremony 2018 7 3rd Annual Taste of South Holyoke Festival 2018 8 MIFA Announces Progress on Victory Theatre Project 9 Nueva Esperanza and Wistariahurst Collaborate to Archive Historical Records 10 Opinión / Opinion Voting suppression of poor people
Juan Falcón, fundador del evento annual de El Grito de Lares, José Ramón García, co- productor del documental Puerto Rico - The Last American Colony, y Marcy de León
2 Música / Music 1 Young@Heart In Mashup VI With Jesús Pagán y Su Orquesta 13 Ciencia / Science What is basic scientific research? 14 New Center for Life Sciences at HCC opened in September 15 STCC awarded $1.15 million in grants from the National Science Foundation
Founded in 2004
José Ramón García y aistentes al evento de la conmemoracion del 150 aniversario del Grito de Lares y el pre-estreno del documental Puerto Rico - The Last American Colony.
Cita del Mes/ Quote of the Month “…I don’t remember as much as I would like to. But the details about that night that bring me here today are ones I will never forget. They have been seared into my memory and have haunted me...” Dr. Christine Blasey Ford during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings on September 27, 2018.
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Volume 14, No. 11 n October 2018
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 October 2018
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Parada Puertorriqueña de Springfield 2018 por MANUEL FRAU RAMOS La edición número 28 de la Parada Puertorriqueña de Springfield se celebró el 16 de septiembre a largo de la calle Main. La parada dio comienzo en la intersección de la calle Main y la avenida Wason en el vecindario del North End y terminó en Boland Way en la zona hotelera del centro de la ciudad. Este año el comité organizador del desfile eligió apropiadamente la consigna ¡Puerto Rico Vive! en honor a aquellos que perdieron la vida y a los sobrevivientes del huracán María que devastó la isla el 20 de septiembre de 2017. Este año la Parada Puertorriqueña de Springfield parece haber sobrepasado el número de participantes y de espectadores a la del año pasado. Esta edición, junto a la del pasado año, podría estar entre las más exitosas de las últimas dos décadas. Se han convertido en el nuevo estándar organizativo de este tipo de evento cultural en la región. Además de la gran participación y concurrencia, el comité organizador de la parada que tomó las riendas del evento en el 2014 parece haber superado las crisis y controversias que plagaron este evento durante la última década. Problemas financieros y organizativos pusieron en peligro la existencia del evento en varias ocasiones. Este año el comité organizador reconoció a un grupo de residentes de la región que se han destacado en diferentes áreas. El Gran Mariscal, reconocimiento otorgado a una persona por la excelencia en el liderazgo y la contribución a la comunidad, de este año recayó sobre el activista comunitario por más de 40 años Armando Feliciano. Al presente, Feliciano es director del Centro de Educación para Adultos de las Escuelas Públicas de Springfield, presidente de Springfield Redevelopment Authority y miembro de la junta directiva de Develop Springfield. También es profesor en Cambridge College y Springfield College. Feliciano fue director de actividades del Centro Cultural Puertorriqueño, donde fue el organizador principal del Desfile y del Festival Puertorriqueño durante los años 90, miembro fundador del North End Youth Center y miembro del Latino Breakfast Club Steering Committee. Haydee Lamberty-Rodríguez fue reconocida como La Madrina del Desfile Puertorriqueño de Springfield 2018. Lamberty-Rodríguez actualmente se desempeña como Presidenta de la Junta Directiva del Women’s Fund of Western Mass y es miembro de la Junta del Western Massachusetts Training Consortium. Fue miembro fundador del comité organizador de United Way of Pioneer Valley’s Women’s Leadership Council, ahora el Women United, y actualmente es la Co-directora. Lamberty-Rodríguez se ha destacado por sus servicios voluntarios y sus roles de liderazgo en las áreas de educación, desarrollo y comunidad, especialmente de mujeres y niñas. Fue Co-fundadora de la primera tropa de Girls Scouts en el vecindario del North End en Springfield, fundadora del Girls Scouts Latina Leadership Conference, miembro de la Junta Directiva y Directora de la Junta de las Girl Scouts del Centro y el Oeste de Massacusetts, miembro voluntario de la Junta Directiva del Puerto Rican Cultural Center de Springfield, y Co-directora del comité del Springfield Puerto Rican Day Parade, entre otros. Ed Caisse, Padrino de la Parada, ha sido un líder en la comunidad por muchos años. Desde el 2006, ha sido el administrador del Hampden County Sheriff’s Department’s High-Risk Re-Entry Program. También ha sido el portavoz del Hampden County text-a-tip program, diseñado para ayudar a mantener seguras las calles permitiéndole a los residentes a reportar anónimamente a
Foto MFR. Armando Feliciano, El Gran Mariscal.
las autoridade locales crímenes en sus vecindarios. Caisse ha sido la fuerza motriz detrás del South Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Ed ha ayudado a revivir el programa de boxeo aficionado del Holyoke Boys and Girls Club. Todos los años hace una celebración de back to school donde reparte cientos de mochilas a los jóvenes. El honor de Embajador Cultural recayó sobre la reconocida cantante y compositora Raquel Maldonado Ramos, conocida como la “La Dama De La Voz De Oro”. Nacida dentro de una familia de músicos, Raquel comenzó su carrera artística a los 3 años de edad. Fue expuesta a a una variedad de géneros musicales tales como bolero, danza, plena, salsa, merengue y mas. Entre sus influencias musicales se encuentran Rocío Durcal , Isabel Pantojas, Ednita Nazario, Milly Quezada, y la “Mujer de Fuego” Olga Tañon. Durante su larga carrera artística, inicialmente como bailarina y luego como cantante, Raquel ha participado en muchos de los populares programas musicales de Puerto Rico transmitidos por los dos canales principales de la isla, Telemundo TV y Wapa TV. Entre estos, el show de Miguel Class, El Gallito de Manati” y el Show del Mediodía de Wapa TV. También fue vocalista de destacados cantantes tales como Felipe Rodríguez “ La Voz.” Actualmente, es la vocalista principal de su propia banda, Raquel y Su Nuevo Impacto. La Embajadora Juvenil fue Lisha Lee López, quien es estudiante de 4.0 GPA en la Roger L. Punam Vocational Technical Academy. Pertenece al Nursing Allied Health Program de la Putnam. En adición a sus destacado record académico, Lisha es una excelente pianista y violinista. Ha usado su talento para hacer presentaciones a niños con autismo, inspirada por su hermana menor, que tiene autismo. El título de Embajador de la Comunidad recayó en Jafet Robles (reconocimiento póstumo). Robles fue un activista comunitario que luchó a favor de un aumento en el salario mínimo, la solución de problemas del vecindario del North End, y la reforma de justicia criminal. Trabajó incansablemente para eliminar las sentencias mandatorias mínimas y para que se invirtiera en empleos en vez de encarcelación. Robles organizó el Capítulo de Springfield del Western Massachusetts Neighbor to Neighbor. Robles falleció el 11 de septiembre de 2017 pero su legado sigue vivo. Angel “Macho” Caquias fue nombrado como Embajador del Servicio Civil. Ha sido bombero en la ciudad de Springfield por 21 años. En el 2002, mientras estaba en el trabajo, sufrió quemaduras en el 26% de su cuerpo. Aún con las limitaciones físicas y los daños causados por las quemaduras, Angel luchó y logró recuperarse, pudiendo retornar a su trabajo como bombero. En el 2008 fue promovido a Teniente. Ha servido como Vice-Presidente del Springfield Firefighter Private Club. Contribuye, dirige y ayuda a organizar numerosas actividades en la ciudad para los bomberos fallecidos. También es voluntario en el Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Los Embajadores del Deporte fueron Eli Emmanuelle, Alexandra y Eli Gabriel Irizarry Parés. Estos hermanos y estrellas del voleibol han sido un orgullo para Springfield ya que el año pasado ganaron el campeonato nacional de voleibol. Son estudiantes de Springfield College, que cuenta con uno de los mejores programas de voleibol de la nación.
Foto MFR. Haydee LambertyRodríguez, Madrina, en el Jeep.
Foto MFR. Ed Caisse, Padrino
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Portada / Front Page
El Sol Latino October 2018
a ñ e u q i r or t r e u P a d Para de Springfield Bay Path Univesity
2018
Estudiante de la Escuela Springfield Conservatory of the Arts bailando Bomba
Raquel Maldonado – Embajadora Cultural
Delmarina López - Embajadora Juvenil 2015
Eli Emmanuelle, Alexandra, Eli Gabril Irrizary Peréz – Embajadores de Deportes Amigos y Familiares de Jafet Robles
Portada / Front Page
Holyoke Community College
El Sol Latino October 2018
Parada PuertorriqueĂąa de Springfield
2018
Hispanic American Library
WGBY 57
Springfield Public Schools
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Nueva Esperanza
Springfield Technical Community College
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Portada / Front Page
El Sol Latino October 2018
Springfield Puerto Rican Flag Raising Ceremony 2018 Ward 1 Springfield City Councilor Adam Gómez hosted the 2nd Annual Jafet Robles Puerto Rican Flag Raising Ceremony on September 14, 2018. The Puerto Rican flag was raised at Memorial Square - Linda Park on Main Street, Springfield, and honored those impacted by Hurricane María in Puerto Rico who are now living in the region. It also recognized those who have volunteered their time to help and assist the newcomers in their transition to Western Massachusetts.
Jafet Robles, a beloved community leader, passed away on Sept. 11, 2017. Grisel Delgado – Juventud Hacia Adelante
Women on the Vanguard
Haydee Lamberty-Rodríguez, Analee Dalmau, Wesley, Dailerys Dalmau, Mathias, Armando Feliciano, Noemí Arguinzoni and Raquel Maldonado
The following organizations and individuals were recognized during the event - Women on the Vanguard, Pioneer Valley Project, Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico, Gándara Health Center, New North Citizens’ Council, Grisel Delgado – Juventud Hacia Adelante, and Zeva Rae Joyner.
Zeva Rae Joyner.
Adam Gómez, center. with honorees and public officials
Nelson Zayas, Jorge L. Colón, Adam Gómez, Edward Nuñez, José Delgado and Wilfredo López
Portada / Front Page
El Sol Latino October 2018
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3rd Annual Taste of South Holyoke Festival 2018 The South Holyoke Neighborhood Association
Sindy Mojica, Homar Gómez, Agma Sweeney y Natalia Muñoz
Agma Sweeney y Carlos Peña Paper City Clothing Company
Artesano Sammy Rodríguez
Homar Gómez, Chef Steve Kantrowitz – Dean Technical High School y Sindy Mojica
Choco Band
Richard Purcell y Carmen Ocasio
Davis Yos – Holyoke Tax Service
Choco Band
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Portada / Front Page
El Sol Latino October 2018
MIFA Announces Progress on Victory Theatre Project by MANUEL FRAU RAMOS On Sept. 17 the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts (MIFA), owners of the Victory Theater, shared their plans for the renovation and reopening of the historic Holyoke theater. They are looking to reopen the theater in December 2020 as a regional performing arts center. Architect Mark Vivieros and construction manager Bill Aquadro spoke at the press conference about the upcoming project. Approximately $13 million in state bond funding has been authorized for the restoration of the theater.
renovation of the theater, and the State authorized the $13 million in bond funds in support of the project. “This is sensational news. The Commonwealth’s support is a pivotal piece in the theater’s opening. Our Sleeping Beauty, the Victory Theatre, is stirring and beginning to think about what she’ll wear for Opening Night. So should we!” says Don Sanders.
Don Sanders, Executive Artistic Director of the Massachusetts International Festival for the Arts and Victory Theatre (MIFA), provided details of project progress including the removal and restoration of the theater’s seats by the Hampden County Sheriff Department’s York Street Industries.
Tenor Charlie Berrios and Don Sanders, Executive Artistic Director of MIFA
“Our deepest thanks to the Governor, the Legislature, Holyoke’s mayor and legislative delegation and to neighboring mayors and delegations. This would not have been possible without the support we have received from across the Pioneer Valley,” Sanders said. “Since I first toured the Victory Theatre after becoming Holyoke’s State Senator, I was convinced this gem should be saved, restored, and polished bright,” Humason said. “I’m glad Representative Vega and I were able to secure the funding in the Economic Development Bond bill. The impact on our economy once the Victory opens will be profound.”
Don Sanders, Executive Artistic Director of MIFA
Sen. Eric Lesser, Sen. Don Humason, and Rep. Aaron Vega talked about the importance of the project to the greater Holyoke area and the region, and what steps are needed to secure the release of the funds to complete the project. The mayors of Holyoke and Easthampton – Alex Morse and Nicole LaChapelle – were present at the press conference. They stressed the importance of city partnerships in the development of unique art offerings in both cities. Tenor Charlie Berríos sang “There’s No Business Like Show Business” accompanied by pianist Trevin Bond. Months earlier, Governor Baker signed into law the 2018 Economic Development Bond bill that provided $11 million to advance the
“Revitalizing and redeveloping downtown Holyoke are about job creation, workforce training, enhancing the quality of life and opportunity across the region. The MIFA Victory Theatre rehab project encompasses all of those key elements and will be a catalyst for future investments in downtown Holyoke,” said Representative Vega. According to Senator Humason, “The revitalization of the Victory Theatre is a tremendous opportunity for the entire Pioneer Valley,” and “This project will not only create jobs and bring new spending to the region but will help provide a new epicenter of cultural enrichment for those living and working in Holyoke and throughout the Commonwealth alike.” The Victory Theater, a 1,600-seat Broadway-style theatre, opened in 1920. The iconic theater will be returned to its role as a major live theatre for the City of Holyoke, its surrounding communities and the complete Connecticut River Valley.
Portada / Front Page
El Sol Latino October 2018
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Nueva Esperanza and Wistariahurst Collaborate to Archive Historical Records HOLYOKE, MA | WISTARIAHURST | September 5, 2018 - Nueva Esperanza and Wistariahurst are pleased to announce a collaboration to archive, house and provide access to the historical records of Nueva Esperanza, Inc. As one of Holyoke’s respected community development centers, Nueva Esperanza has worked to build a stronger community in partnership with a wide array of city leaders and supporters. From housing rights and education to Latino cultural celebrations and economic development, NE has championed the needs of the Latino community in Holyoke. Founded in 1982 by the residents of landlord-neglected apartment buildings in South Holyoke, the founders, mobilized residents, collaboratively assisted by three other social organizations, and on their behalf secured the needed financing to rehabilitate the properties to provide safe and affordable housing. With great success, the organization incorporated as a community development corporation (CDC) and expanded its mission to include social and community services for all the neighborhood residents.
Martorell, Wistariahurst Curator and Holyoke’s City Historian. “It is commendable that an organization that has been around for close to 4 decades recognizes the importance of preserving its history for others to access for research. So often the historical documents of an organization get tossed out or lost to basements and attics.” According to Nelson Rafael Roman, Executive Director of Nueva Esperanza Inc. “Nueva Esperanza is honored to house our archives alongside our beloved former Executive Director Carlos Vega’s archives. The historical news articles, photos, blue prints and art present a complimentary collection of the Puerto Rican/Latinx experiences and histories in Holyoke. There are powerful, sad and uplifting items that will shed light on the Holyoke’s past and hopefully empower/excite the future. Wistariahurst has shown such care and attention to detail in preserving and opening archives to the entire community that will continue Nueva Esperanza legacy for generations to come. We look forward to the official opening and for the world to see all that Nueva Esperanza has done to improve the City of Holyoke, the State of Massachusetts and the nation.”
Today, Nueva Esperanza, Inc. is regarded as a pioneer for community-based programs in Holyoke that celebrate and highlight the Puerto Rican/Afro Caribbean Culture with its mission to be a catalyst and partner for a vibrant, sustainable and powerful Puerto Rican/Afro-Caribbean community in Holyoke.
Once the collection of materials is cataloged, there will be an official opening, and it is the hope of Nueva Esperanza and Wistariahurst Museum, that these materials will be used for research by writers; researchers; genealogists; local historians; college and university students; Holyoke educators and students; and the community at large.
Wistariahurst recognized this collection to be in line with their mission to preserve the history of Holyoke and inspire an appreciation of history & culture through educational programs, exhibits & special events. “I had no hesitation about collaborating with Nueva Esperanza regarding archiving their historical papers,” says Penni
The variety of materials (photographs, documents, scrapbooks, and artwork) will provide educators and researchers with a foundation of local material for use in drawing comparisons to the traditional notions of the immigrant/migrant experience and to consider how racial identity, gender and class affected that experience over time.
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Opinión / Opinion
El Sol Latino October 2018
Voting suppression of poor people by MIGUEL ARCE and WALTER MULLIN Of course, everyone, regardless of income has a right to favor one candidate or political party over the other. Personalities aside, however, one driving idea about not voting is that “my vote will not count” or “everybody knows who is going to win anyway”. The 2016 presidential race proved that to be wrong. With Donald Trump running behind in the polls before the election, he was still able to win it. While there are theories about how that happened, one theory is that poor people did not vote. Voting involvement and participation is key to promotion of democratic processes. It’s generally known that people in the United States who live in poverty feel left out of the political process. Their daily struggles to live satisfying lives never appear to be appreciated by policy makers who wrangle about the details of “entitlement” benefits, the costs to the taxpayers of these benefits and the politicians own electability. In the process of making decisions, the political discourse often evolves to negative attributions about personality characteristics of people who live in poverty. This includes such things as “why don’t they get a job?, “why do they have so many kids?” and “why do they want to rely on the government for things they should buy themselves?” All of this occurs in the midst of the reality that there are real barriers set by government officials that people in poverty must overcome to participate in the political process. In the political arena, the question emerges “If people in poverty are unhappy with the government, why don’t they do something about it? – change the government.” This is a good question that benefits exploration. In the United States, changing a political process requires voting. To represent one’s preferences and interests, one must vote!! This was clear in the last presidential election. The preferences of those people with more financial resources compared with those with few financial resources won. In several important states where Donald Trump won, the voter turnout among people with low income was dramatically lower in 2016 as compared with 2012 when Barak Obama won. Regardless of a one’s race, religion, gender, social situation or other personal characteristic, a strong democracy depends on a guarantee that all Americans deserve and have the right to vote. In order to truly embody this idea, government policies must support it and to accomplish this, over the past twenty-five years, many states have implemented significant improvements in voting that include such things as early voting, and on-the-spot registration. These ideas, all aimed at opening doors for all people to vote, have recently been undermined. Recently, government efforts to suppress voting are occurring more. Historically, voting suppression has involved tactics such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and disinformation. These are still happening, but now, suppression tactics, many that have emerged from Jim Crow and the post-Civil War era, include photo identification
laws, limiting early voting, felon disenfranchisement, gerrymandering, and limited voting locations/times. In some states, citizens can challenge other people on their eligibility to vote. Puerto Ricans on the island cannot vote in presidential elections and don’t vote in congressional elections. Puerto Ricans on the island do vote for a resident commissioner who represents the island’s interests in Washington, D.C., but is not a voting member of Congress. Their right to vote has been suppressed. The efficiency of the voting system is a social justice issue and all the branches of the federal government have the responsibility to make sure that it works correctly. The Leadership Conference, a premier civil rights advocacy group, counted at least 95 instances in which the current administration has taken a stance antithetical to longstanding views on civil rights and civil liberties. Those efforts include chipping away at the rights of immigrants and disadvantaged populations, including prisoners. According to the America Civil Liberty Union from 2011 to 2012, 27 measures were passed or implemented in 19 states that make it harder to vote. In 2013, the United States Supreme Court struck down what had been called the “heart” of the Voting Rights Act. The New York Times indicates that since its founding six decades ago, the Justice Department’s civil rights division has used the Constitution and federal law to expand protections and increase voter participation. Deplorably, under Attorney General Jeff Sessions who is an appointee of President Trump, the Department has supported state voting laws that could wind up removing thousands of people from voter rolls. “Critics say the Justice Department is picking and choosing the statutes that it wants to vigorously defend, and letting others go. Those choices have created a new overall position on civil rights that deviates sharply from years past. In offering civil rights protections to a new set of groups, the department has lifted protections for others, especially gay, lesbian and transgender people and African-Americans.” In one example, in August 2018, the Justice Department also withdrew its objection to a Texas voting law that judges ruled discriminatory against Hispanic and African-American voters. The law requires Texas voters to present photo identification to vote, a law first challenged in 2011 as discriminatory against voters of color. The Texas law is a way to prevent low income racial groups from voting. The legislative branch, the Congress, has added to the voter suppression. According to the League of Women Voters, “… politicians in dozens of states have erected intentional barriers to our right to vote, including forcing discriminatory voter ID and proof-ofcitizenship restrictions on eligible voters, reducing polling place hours in communities of color, cutting early voting opportunities and illegally
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El Sol Latino October 2018
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Voting suppression of poor people continued from previous page purging voters from the rolls”. Regrettably, the United States Supreme Court has joined the Justice Department in promoting further disenfranchisement. The Supreme Court is allowing Ohio to purge its voter rolls. In 2002, Congress said that a state cannot remove someone from the voter rolls “solely” for failing to vote. The Court held that Ohio was not removing people “solely” for failing to vote because these individuals also failed to respond to the state’s mailer. The Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches show that they care more about protecting state authority over individuals’ rights to vote. They are implicitly saying that race discrimination simply does not carry the weight of earlier eras. They are dismantling much of the progress made over the past decades with the passage of the 1964 and 1965 Civil and Voter Rights laws. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a breakthrough law in the United States that criminalizes discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It bans unequal application of voter registration requirements. Voting Rights Act of 1965 is milestone federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It was signed into law during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. It was to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. Democracy promotes inclusive elections where unnecessary hurdles are removed and make it easy to vote. Barriers need to be removed to enhance voter inclusion and participation. Innovative strategies to improve voter participation need to collaborative. Federal, state and local governments can build partnership with groups to support inclusion. Inclusion can back increase public education and awareness. Voting matters. Social action makes a difference and voting is social action. Efforts to suppress people in poverty from voting must be changed. Voting for one’s own and collective interests is empowerment. When the collective group of people who live in poverty know their vote matters, they vote and their own lives have the power of change.
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Dr. Walter Mullin (wmullin@springfieldcollege.edu), Professor of Social Work and Miguel Arce (marce@springfieldcollege.edu), Associate Professor of Social Work at Springfield College.
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Música/ Music
El Sol Latino October 2018
Young@Heart In Mashup VI With Jesús Pagán y Su Orquesta York City to Puerto Rican parents. He grew up in a musical family playing aquinaldos, bomba, plenas, boleros and his first love -- salsa. He has since shared the stage with such Latin music legends as Cheo Feliciano, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Larry Harlow, and Tito Nieves, among others. He’s released 5 albums, received accolades at the Grammys and Latin Grammys, numerous Artist-of-the-Year awards and was the Grand Marshall of the Puerto Rican parade in Holyoke in 2016. Some of his greatest musical moments include singing with salsa superstar Gilberto Santa Rosa at a soldout Carnegie Hall in 2013 and singing lead with Orquesta Dicupe at the Macarena Arena in Medellin, Colombia in front of 20,000 salsa fans. Sprouting from a small farm in rural Massachusetts, the Green Sisters Young@Heart’s Norm Moreau, Rosalie Moreau, Anita Shumway and Byron Ricketts Jr. talk shop with Jesús Pagán. Photo have had a deep love of music from by Lynne Graves birth. They’ve been playing venues in Massachusetts and New Hampshire regularly for three years NORTHAMPTON | YOUNG@HEART CHORUS | September 25, 2018 and have garnered quite a following. Their debut album, “Endless On October 21st at 3 pm, the Young@Heart Chorus will present its Blue” was released in June 2018 and has been called “a familial 6th annual Mashup Concert at the Academy of Music Theater in gem” (the Valley Advocate), while Sheryl Hunter of the Greenfield Northampton. They will be joined on-stage by special guests Jesús Recorder wrote: “As soon as the disc opens…we are already won Pagán y Su Orquesta, and the Green Sisters. Tickets on sale now at over; instantly captivated by the sisters’ gorgeous vocals.” The four aomtheatre.com or call the box office 413-584-9032 x105 gals jump easily from bluegrass to barbershop to blues to Celtic to From Woodstock to Old San Juan this Mashup will have you dancing originals of all styles. in the aisles! That afternoon we will also hold a Cold-weather Clothing/Toy Drive to benefit displaced families from Puerto Rico and elsewhere. In preparation for the 50th anniversary of Woodstock (2019), Young@ Heart will do an opening set of music from the iconic Woodstock album, but set in a very different context from hippies in the Catskills. Young@Heart has built our reputation on surprising audiences with unexpected work. Our extensive international touring continued in May with a tour of Holland. We were the singers in E*Trade’s popular “This is Getting Old” ad from this past season›s Super Bowl. Since 2014, we’ve conducted weekly rehearsals with the incarcerated in our local prisons. And we were the subjects of the Fox Searchlight indie film Young@Heart, which to this day ranks as one of the Top 50 most viewed documentaries of all time. This year Young@Heart is honored to share the stage with Jesús Pagán y Su Orquesta, a fabulous 12-piece salsa band of all-star Latin musicians from Puerto Rico, New York, and New England, who will perform a second set of all original material. Jesús, some of his musicians, and the Green Sisters will join in on Young@Heart›s take of Woodstock while Young@Heart will accompany Jesús and his orchestra on a few of their tunes in the second set. The orchestra›s leader and vocalist, Jesús Pagán, was born in New
Clothing and Toy Drive - As an arts organization, Young@Heart wants to do more than provide entertainment. We are committed to improving and enriching the lives of our community’s most vulnerable members. The one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria’s devastation of Puerto Rico was Sept. 20. We are constantly reminded of how dire the situation in Puerto Rico has been and continues to be, and we are aware that the Pioneer Valley is a major destination for recently displaced families from the island. In concert with community partners, Young@Heart will be collecting donated cold-weather jackets, gloves, hats, scarves, and kids toys from our fans for these families at our Mashup Concert on October 21st at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton. Donated items should be unwrapped and in very good or “like new” condition. All sizes, male and female, are appreciated. Those not attending the concert are still urged to drop off their donations at the Academy of Music Theatre at 274 Main St, Northampton on the afternoon of the show in the large donation boxes at the entrances. Donations can also be dropped off at The Northampton Senior Center at 67 Conz St, Northampton between 8-5pm Mon-Fri.
Ciencia / Science
El Sol Latino October 2018
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What is basic scientific research? by ANA PAMELA TORRES OCAMPO Sometimes, when we scroll through the paper or hear in the news: “funding cuts to governmental agencies for scientific basic research”. What the news outlets do not explain is the big importance of this kind of research for our everyday lives. Most of our tools or technologies available, have been developed because somebody was inquisitive to investigate why or/and how things happen. And most likely, they will try to find a way to improve it. It is within human spirit to be curious and learn how to improve something.
suffering from the disease. Whenever you vote for representatives for government, from the senate to who our next president might be, make sure that their goals are to keep scientific research funded as we work very hard to generate knowledge that could potentially help someone in the future. I study memory and learning, but there are countless of other research topics that have in mind to develop technologies that can be used for the good of humans.
However, what does basic scientific research mean? Let’s use the primary colors as an example. There are 3 colors: red, blue and green. We know that if we mix those colors, we get can get a myriad of colors. One could spend hours mixing them to get the right shade. Therefore, we know that all the colors that we see build off those three primary colors. By careful experimentation, somebody figured that out. Most likely, it was someone who was trained as a scientist which means that they have acquired enough knowledge to advance a field. Yet, you do not have to a scientist to be foster your curiosity. As a scientist myself, I can tell you that there are a lot of questions that I want to investigate. I have a passion for answering questions. I am currently a graduate student at the University of MassachusettsAmherst and I am studying a protein called CaMKII, which is short for Calcium/Calmodulin protein kinase II. A protein is like a mini machine that can do various things in your body. For example, keratin is a protein that is found in your hair and nails. Collagen is another example; this protein is found in your skin and helps give it structure. A group of scientists did an experiment where they took out the CaMKII protein in mice brains (so that the protein could not do its job) and they observed that it had trouble remembering. Thus, we know that CaMKII is somehow linked to memory formation and learning. This is an example of basic research. A group of scientists wanted to know how is it that we can test memory in mice. Because using humans for certain experiments is not ethical or moral. Consequently, an assay had to be designed so that another group of scientist could use it to test memory under certain conditions. Science is like a puzzle that various people add to it and it keeps growing. Or like the primary colors, we had to understand the basic colors in order to mix them and create new colors. Sometimes scientists do not make the best communicators, thus the general public is not aware of what we are doing. However, it is important to fund this research. With my project, I want to understand more thoroughly what happens when a memory is formed. My contribution maybe will help somebody, another scientist, who designs drugs and may give a clue onto how design a more powerful therapy for Alzheimer’s, which is still a big problem because remains poorly understood and there is a high incidence of people
Credit: nothinginbiology.org.
Ana Pamela Torres Ocampo (a.torres.ocampo@gmail.com) is a PhD student at the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) Program UMass Amherst.
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Ciencia / Science
El Sol Latino October 2018
New Center for Life Sciences at HCC opened in September HOLYOKE, MA | HCC | September 4, 2018 -Students at Holyoke Community College are the beneficiaries of the school’s new Center for Life Sciences, which opened Sept. 4 with the start of the Fall 2018 semester. The 13,000-square-foot facility, on the first floor of HCC’s Marieb Building, features a suite of new biotechnology classrooms and labs and what is believed to be the only ISO certified instructional cleanroom at any Massachusetts community college and one of very few at any college or university in western Massachusetts. “These state-of-the-art facilities and new equipment will allow us to train our students in laboratory settings similar to what they will experience in industry, making them more competitive for the biotech job market,” said HCC professor Emily Rabinsky, biotechnology program coordinator. The cost of the $4.55 million project, including new equipment, was covered by a $3.8 million grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, supplemented by $750,000 from the HCC Foundation’s Building Healthy Communities Campaign, which also paid for the construction of the college’s Center for Health Education on Jarvis Avenue. The Center for Health Education, home to HCC’s nursing, radiologic technology programs and SIM medical simulation center, opened in 2016. Those programs were relocated to the CHE from the first floor of Marieb, clearing space for the construction of the Center for Life Sciences.
PHOTO by CHRIS YURKO: One of two state-of-the-art labs in the new Center for Life Sciences.
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The new labs will be used primarily for biotechnology, genetics and microbiology classes and as needed for other biology courses. Once it’s fully operational, the cleanroom will have a certification rating of ISO 8, which means air quality of no more than 100,000 particles per cubic foot. Inside the cleanroom there will be a hooded biosafety cabinet where the sterility will increase to ISO 7, or no more than 10,000 particles per cubic foot. Rabinsky plans to incorporate the cleanroom into her Introduction to Biotechnology class this fall as a way to teach students how to put on cleanroom gowns while maintaining sterility. “Clean rooms are commonly used in the biotech industry and this is an essential first step before anyone can be allowed in one since contamination could be disastrous,” she said. Grant funds and donations also paid for new equipment including a high-end, research grade fluorescent microscope, like those used in the pharmaceutical industry; a micro volume spectrophotometer (used to measure small amounts of genetic material); and an electroporator (for genetic engineering). Starting this fall, HCC will be offering a non-credit, professional development course called “Introduction to Cleanroom Technology” in the Center for Life Sciences; Rabinsky said she is developing a new credit course for a future semester called “Cell Culture and Protein Purification” that will also take advantage of the new facility. “In this course, students will learn how to maintain a mammalian cell culture, in addition to learning how to work in a cleanroom,” she said.
Join Us at STCC’s Open House Wednesday, October 17 Drop in between 4pm–6:30pm Building 2/ Scibelli hall/ 7th Floor
Get ted for cep 9! y Ac Fall 201 l t n a h Inst 2019 or l Hig a i g c n i fi Of ript(s) Spr our c ns gy Brin ool Tra r HiSET. Sch GED o or
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A grand opening celebration will be held at the Center for Life Sciences sometime during the fall semester.
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Ciencia / Science
El Sol Latino October 2018
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STCC awarded $1.15 million in grants from the National Science Foundation SPRINGFIELD, MA | STCC | Sept. 24, 2018 – The National Science Foundation awarded two separate grants to Springfield Technical Community College to enhance education in cutting-edge internet technology and advanced photonics, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, announced today. The college received $599,388 to develop “The Internet of Things Education Project” and $551,202 to develop “Problem-Based Learning in Advanced Photonics Manufacturing Education.”
From left to right: Gary J. Mullett, Co-Chair of the Electronic Systems Engineering Technology Department, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, and Nicholas M. Massa, Department Chair for Optics and Photonics Technology.
Both grants are designed to support three-year projects that will prepare and inspire students to enter careers in growing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. STCC has degree and certificate programs that prepare students for these careers. “Congratulations to Springfield Technical Community College for these two impressive grants from the National Science Foundation,” Neal said. “I have worked hard throughout my career to protect these funding sources because I see how they are used right here in our community. STCC will be able to use this allocation to enhance their already impressive course offerings in the science, technology, engineering and math fields and attract high school students to these fields. I look forward to future success stories from these programs.” The Internet of Things Education Project Gary J. Mullett, co-chair of the Electronic Systems Engineering Technology Department, said the “internet of things” (IoT) can be described as machines connecting to other machines and exchanging data. Machines with this type of technology include automobiles, heating and cooling systems in buildings and home appliances. “The technology of the IoT has the very genuine potential to significantly impact almost every aspect of human endeavor and commerce,” Mullett wrote in a description of the project to the National Science Foundation. “It is vitally important that the United States be at the forefront of the development of this technology and the creation of a workforce that can deal with the installation, maintenance and updating of this emerging technology. This project will strive to provide curricula and training to those that would teach the material to ensure an adequate workforce of IoT technicians.” Mullett said the final goal of the project is to create an Internet of Things Systems Field Technician certificate that would prepare students to enter the workforce. The certificate would be offered as part of one of the existing electronics, computer or networking programs at STCC. Problem-Based Learning in Advanced Photonics Manufacturing Education The second project aims to increase the STEM pipeline of high school and community college students prepared and motivated to pursue careers in photonics technology. Students will use problem-based learning methods focused on advanced photonics manufacturing. Photonics is the science of generating, detecting and manipulating particles of light. Applications include lasers, optics, fiber-optics and electro-optical devices.The grant
supports curriculum development and the training of high school and college-level STEM teachers in the Northeast. “We will do a series of professional development workshops to teach the faculty how to teach using problem-based methods,” said Dr. Nicholas M. Massa, department chair for Optics and Photonics Technology and principal investigator of the grant. “It’s all about structured problem solving. It’s about teaching what to do when you don’t know what to do.” Massa and his team will create a series of eight multimedia problem-based learning modules focused on real-world issues in advanced photonics manufacturing. STCC has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AIM Photonics Academy, the New England Board of Higher Education and the NSF-ATE Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. Massa said companies will be asked to describe actual problems they have faced. Massa said the companies’ processes will be captured on video that will be presented to students along with problem-solving strategies and resources used to solve the problems. Dr. John B. Cook, STCC president, thanked Mullett and Massa for their efforts in securing the grants. “Dr. Massa and Professor Mullett are passionate about their work inside and outside of the classroom. They both have a long history of successfully securing important grants for their programs at STCC,” Cook said. “I’m grateful that they both have a keen understanding of the needs of our industry partners and a commitment to ensuring our students are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.” Interested in applying for a STEM program at STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call 413-755-3333 to speak with an admissions counselor.
Acompáñenos a la Recepción General de STCC! Miercoles 17 de Octubre Ven a vernos entre 4pm–6:30pm Edificio# 2/ Scibelli hall/ séptimo piso
do epta a las c a a Se e par vera t n a t a s al in de prim 9. 1 s clase otoño 20 ón de la y ripci nsc ia u tra ecundar s a g i s a T a r l E. T escue ED o HiS oG
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artists
CHINESE WARRIORS OF PEKING Jueves, Octubre 25, 7:30 pm, Fine Arts Center Concert Hall Lleno de artes marciales de alta energía, malabarismo, combates en escena y asombrosas acrobacias, esta producción cuenta la historia de dos
THEATRE RE PRESENTS: THE NATURE OF FORGETTING Concebido y Dirigido por Guillaumo Pigé Viernes, Noviembre 2, 8 pm, Bowker Auditorium
The Nature of Forgetting bursts with creativity, joy, and heartache. Through movement of great physicality (no words are spoken) and compelling live music, The Nature of Forgetting
El Sol Latino October 2018
Fine Arts Center
rivales de las disciplinas de las artes marciales en Pekín, la antigua capital de China, durante la Dinastía Ming. Filled with high-intensity martial arts, juggling, live stage combat and breathtaking acrobatics, this production recounts the tale of two rival martial
is the story of Tom, a middle aged father struggling in the early stages of dementia. The piece, and Tom’s memories, are a life-affirming journey into a weakened mind, where broken does not have to mean defeated. A journey of shining humanity and celebration of a life well lived. / fineartscenter.com/TheaterRe The Nature of Forgetting explota con creatividad, gozo, y sufrimiento. A través de movimiento de gran
arts disciplines competing in the ancient Chinese capital of Peking set during the Ming Dynasty. / fineartscenter.com/Warriors
Auspiciado por:
fisicalidad (no se habla) y música en vivo, The Nature of Forgetting es la historia de Tom, un padre de mediana edad que está luchando con las primeras etapas de la demencia. La pieza, y las memorias de Tom, son un viaje afirmativo hacia el interior de una mente debilitada, donde el estar destrozado no tiene que significar estar derrotado. Un viaje de humanidad y celebración de una vida bien vivida.
Auspiciado por:
Boletos: Llamar 413-545-2511 o 800-999-UMAS o en línea al fineartscenter.com