June / July Issue

Dayana Perez

A Dominican Girl from Queens A Pride for our community

La Sal, nuestro Enemigo Secreto

USA: Es tiempo

de Unirnos, no de Dividirnos

Black & Latino Achievers 2010 Recognition Awards

DELAYED CANCER DIAGNOSIS CLAIMS

CAN’T WAIT

Educational Success: A Home/School Partnership LATINO NEW YORK

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Dear readers:

Queridos Lectores:

In this edition of our magazine we celebrate those in our community who achieved much despite countless barriers in their daily lives.

People like Miss Dayana Perez, who because of her skills, intelligence and professionalism stands out as a reporter at local television station YNN.

En esta edición de nuestra revista celebramos a aquellas personas de nuestra comunidad que han triunfado a pesar de un sin numero de barreras que encuentran en su diario caminar. Personas como la señorita Dayana Pérez quién por su habilidad, inteligencia y profesionalismo se ha destacado como reportera en el canal local de televisión YNN.

We celebrate those young people and adults who were honored at the annual YMCA Black & Latino Achievers dinner for their vision, determination, dedication and service to the community.

I’d also like to recognize my brother José Manuel for his excellent work as a bus driver for over forty years and for receiving third place in the Bus Rodeo, which was held recently here in Albany with over 45 drivers participating.

We give special thanks to those who joined us on walks to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation and The Community Hospice. The annual events give these agencies the ability to provide vital programs to our community.

Queremos también expresar nuestra gratitud a todas aquellas personas que nos acompañaron en las caminatas de recaudación de fondos para el National Kidney Foundation y Community Hospice. Estos programas proveen servicios vitales a nuestra comunidad.

Felicitamos también a nuestro Asambleísta de Manhattan Adam Clayton Powell IV, quién es candidato al Congreso Federal, representando el Distrito 15 de Manhattan.

También queremos exaltar a todas las personas, jóvenes y adultos, los cuales recibieron un reconocimiento en la cena anual del YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Program.

En esta se premia a aquellas personas que por creer en si mismo, por su visión, determinación, dedicación y por su servicio a la comunidad son un orgullo nuestro.

Juan J. George Editor

En particular, quiero reconocer a mi hermano José Manuel, por su excelente labor como conductor de autobús público por más de cuarenta años y por recibir el tercer lugar en el Rodeo de Autobuses, el cual se efectúo recientemente en Albany.

We also congratulate our Assemblyman from Manhattan, Adam Clayton Powell IV, on his bid for U.S. Congress representing Manhattan’s 15th District.

Juan J. George Publisher

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EN ESTA EDICION 6

EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS: A HOME/ SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP •MARÍA NEIRA El Exito Educativo: Colaboración entre el Hogar y el Colegio

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COVER: DAYANA PEREZ. A Dominican Girl from Queens. A Pride for our community

• LICELOT CRUZ-ALTAGRACIA Una chica dominicana de Queens, un orgullo para nuestra comunidad.

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DELAYED CANCER DIAGNOSIS CLAIMS CAN’T WAIT •MARGIE A. SOEHL, Esq Los casos de mala practica medica por retraso en el diagnostico de cancer, NO PUEDEN ESPERAR

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BLACK & LATINO ACHIEVERS 2010 RECOGNITION AWARDS

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Salt, Our Secret Addictive Enemy • INGRID BERMUDEZ M.D. Sal, Nuestro Enemigo Secreto

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USA: A TIME TO UNITE, NOT DIVIDE • RICHARD O’RILEY MS Ed USA : Es tiempo de unirnos, no de dividirnos

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ASK LISA

• LISA CORTÉS Pregúntale a Lisa

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EMPLOYMENT SCAM IS NO MYSTERY! • NYS CONSUMER PROTECTION BOARD ! Ahora ya no es un secreto! Cuidado con las estafas de ofertas de trabajo como “comprador secreto” o “mystery shopper”

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FROM THE DESK OF MIKE FONDACARO SOCIAL EVENTS

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ANNUAL KIDNEY WALK • DIANNA RIOS

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Welcome to PAULA RODRIGUEZ, Dominican interior designer

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If have any comments or suggestion please send them to jgeorge@latinonewyorkmagazine.com or by calling at: (518) 438-2875 Si desea enviarnos sus comentarios o sugerencias, por favor envíelos a jgeorge@latinonewyorkmagazine.com o llamando al telefono (518) 438-2875

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Educational Success:

A HOME/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

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ducator Jaime Escalante died in March.

While you may not be familiar with his name, I’m sure you’ve heard of his legacy. A Bolivian native, Escalante was the inspiration for the 1988 movie “Stand and Deliver,” which detailed his success in helping inner city students master calculus.

After arriving at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles in 1974, Escalante encountered a culture of low expectations, gang activity and administrative apathy. However, he rejected the notion that inner city students weren’t capable of learning advanced mathematics. And the result was one for the history books, and the big screen.

We can all learn a lot from Jaime Escalante. As educators, we know that all students are capable of success with effective instruction and unwavering support and guidance — ingredients that come both from home and the classroom.

That’s why it’s important that we maintain fair funding levels for school programs and services — we don’t want to run the risk of compromising student achievement due to dwindling resources.

A particularly vital way for families to be part of the partnership is to help youths understand the value of doing well in school. Students need to hear the message at home that education is a priority. Tell your children why you value education and what you expect them to accomplish. We must ensure children are striving to achieve high expectations.

When they do, they generally work hard to meet them.

As I said before, family support is vitally important.

Parents are a child’s first teachers. And no one is better prepared to help educators help students than parents or guardians. Educating students is a partnership — educators impart knowledge at school, and nurturing adults provide reinforcement and a supportive environment at home.

As Jamie Escalante proved, all students can succeed — but they can’t do it alone. They need caring adults in their corner, setting boundaries and making sure they stay within them; celebrating their achievements; and offering a helping hand when they stumble.

And believe me, your child’s teacher values your support.

We know that it takes all of us — parents and educators working together — to help students do well. We cannot, and should not, do it alone.

Let’s work together to ensure that all our students have a chance for success in school and our communities.

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El Exito Educativo:

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l educador Jaime Escalante, murió en marzo.

Mientras que muchos de ustedes no están familiarizados con su nombre, estoy segura de que han oído hablar de su legado. Nacido en Bolivia, Escalante fue la inspiración para la película de 1988 “Stand and Deliver”, que mostró en detalle su éxito en enseñar a estudiantes del centro de la ciudad, el dominio del Cálculo.

Después de llegar a Garfield High School en el Este de Los Angeles en 1974, Escalante encontró una cultura de bajas expectativas, gran actividad de pandillas y apatía administrativa. Sin embargo, rechazó la idea de que los estudiantes de barrios pobres no eran capaces de aprender matemáticas avanzadas. Y el resultado fue algo como para pasar a la historia, y a la gran pantalla.

Todos podemos aprender mucho de Jaime Escalante.

Como educadores, sabemos que todos los estudiantes son capaces del éxito con una instrucción efectiva y apoyo y orientación firmes - los ingredientes que vienen tanto del hogar como del aula. Es por eso que es importante que mantengamos niveles equitativos de financiación para los programas y servicios escolares - no queremos correr el riesgo de poner en peligro el logro del estudiante debido a la disminución de los recursos.

Como he dicho antes, el apoyo familiar es de vital importancia. Los padres son los primeros maestros de un niño. Y nadie está mejor preparado para apoyar a los educadores en ayudar a los estudiantes, que los mismos padres o tutores. La educación de los estudiantes es una asociación - los educadores imparten conocimiento en la escuela y los adultos que los crían, proporcionan un refuerzo y un ambiente de apoyo en el hogar.

COLABORACIÓN ENTRE EL HOGAR Y EL COLEGIO

Y créanme, el profesor de su hijo valora el apoyo de los padres. Sabemos que se necesita de todos nosotros - padres y educadores que trabajen juntos - para ayudar a los estudiantes hacer el bien. No podemos, ni debemos hacerlo solos.

Una forma particularmente importante de que las familias sean parte de la asociación, es ayudar a los jóvenes a entender el valor de cumplir

en el colegio. Los estudiantes necesitan escuchar el mensaje en casa, de que la educación es una prioridad. Díganle a sus hijos por qué ustedes valoran la educación y lo que ustedes esperan que ellos logren. Debemos asegurar que los niños se esfuercen por alcanzar altas metas. Cuando lo hacen, por lo general, han trabajado duro para cumplirlas.

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Como Jamie Escalante demostró, todos los estudiantes pueden tener éxito - pero no pueden hacerlo solos. Ellos necesitan adultos que se preocupan, que establecen límites y se aseguren de que permanezcan en ellos; que celebren sus logros, y que ofrezcan una mano amiga cuando tropiezan.

Vamos a trabajar juntos para asegurar que todos nuestros estudiantes tengan oportunidad de éxito en la escuela y nuestras comunidades.

Maria Neira, a former bilingual elementary school teacher, is Vice President of the 600,000-member New York State United Teachers NYSUT.

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DELAYED CANCER DIAGNOSIS CLAIMS

CAN’T WAIT By: Margie A. Soehl , Esq

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reast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American women. Regular use of screening mammograms, followed by timely treatment when breast cancer is diagnosed can help reduce the chances of dying from breast cancer. But what happens when your physician fails to timely diagnose breast cancer. This article explores some of the common delayed diagnosis causes and, legally speaking, what to do if you have been harmed by a delayed diagnosis of cancer.

COMMON DELAYED DIAGNOSIS CAUSES

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Treating the symptoms as the disease (e.g., treating anemia as the whole problem rather than exploring the possibility that the anemia is being caused by something else).

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Relying on a less than definitive means of diagnosis such as a mammogram for breast cancer when in fact, a definitive diagnosis can only be made with a biopsy.

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A substantial percentage of chest x-rays, mammograms, PAP smears and similar tests are interpreted incorrectly each year. At the same time, accepting a negative test result as correct without following up to determine the actual cause of the condition is an unacceptable practice.

(This is not an all-inclusive list of causes for the delayed diagnosis of cancer.)

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Initial physical examinations don’t always reveal cancer.

However, this does not give the doctor cause to ignore or minimize your complaints.

DELAYED CANCER DIAGNOSIS CLAIMS CAN’T WAIT

National Cancer Institute, Lifetime probability of Breast Cancer in American Women, at cis.nci.nih.gov; Imaginis Corp., Breast cancer: Statistics on Incidence , Survival, and Screening, at www.imaginis. com/breast-health/breast-cancer-statisticson-incidence-survival-and screening-1 ; Imaginis Corp, at www.imaginis.com/breastcancer-resource-center.

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Trends Progress Report- 2009/2010 Update, at http://progressreport.cancer.gov (last visited April 17, 2010)

New York State’s general rule is that a medical malpractice lawsuit, filed by or on behalf of an adult patient, must be brought within two and a half years from the act or omission constituting the malpractice. Exceptions to this general rule include cases involving children, insanity and claims against the government. There are other exceptions as well.

The problem with this time limitation in cases of a delayed diagnosis of cancer is that by the time the cancer is finally diagnosed-it may already be too late. For example, a 40-year-old woman feels a minor lump, the doctor

dismisses the need for a biopsy, and the patient is advised to schedule another mammogram in two years. Maybe she doesn’t experience any symptoms over the next year. Then, the following year, she is diagnosed with a late stage cancer- a disease that could have been discovered two or more years prior had the proper tests been done or the results interpreted correctly.

At this point, she probably has no more than six months in which to file a lawsuit.

If the reasons you’ve been given for your illness don’t seem to make sense, you might be right. The real cause might have been the doctor’s own negligence or the shortcomings of the system itself.

Whatever the cause, the harm you’ve suffered as a result is real and may be legally compensable.

The bottom line: Don’t let time run out. Talk to a lawyer about what has happened to you and your family sooner rather than later.

Versión en Español Pag. 10

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LOS CASOS DE MALA PRACTICA MEDICA POR RETRASO EN EL DIAGNOSTICO DE CANCER NO PUEDEN ESPERAR Por: Margie A. Soehl, Esq.

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l cáncer de seno (mama) es la segunda causa de muertes por cáncer en las mujeres americanas. El uso regular de mamogramas seguido de un tratamiento a tiempo cuando el cáncer de seno es diagnosticado, puede ayudar a reducir la posibilidad de una muerte por cáncer de seno. ¿Pero qué sucede cuando su doctor falla en diagnosticar a tiempo el cáncer de seno? Este artículo explora algunas de las causas comunes para el retraso en el diagnóstico de cáncer y legalmente hablando, que hacer si usted ha sido perjudicado por un retraso en el diagnóstico de cáncer.

CAUSAS COMUNES EN EL RETRASO DE DIAGNOSTICO DE CANCER (Esta no es una lista completa de las causas de retraso en el diagnóstico de cáncer) -

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El examen físico inicial no siempre revela cáncer. Sin embargo, esto no le provee al doctor una justificación para ignorar o minimizar sus dolencias.

Tratando los síntomas como la enfermedad. Por ejemplo, tratar la anemia como si fuese todo el problema en vez de explorar la posibilidad de que la anemia sea causada por otra cosa.

Instituto Nacional de Cancer, Lifetime probability of Breast Cancer in American Women, at cis.nci.nih.gov; Imaginis Corp., Breast cancer: Statistics on Incidence , Survival, and Screening, at www.imaginis. com/breast-health/breast-cancer-statisticson-incidence-survival-and screening-1 ; Imaginis Corp, at www.imaginis.com/breastcancer-resource-center.

Instituto Nacional de Cancer, Cancer Trends Progress Report- 2009/2010 Update, at http://progressreport.cancer.gov (last visited April 17, 2010)

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Basándose en el uso de medios mucho menos definitivos para el diagnóstico. Por ejemplo, el mamograma en el caso de cáncer de seno cuando en realidad un diagnóstico definitivo solo puede ser dado por una biopsia.

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Un porcentaje substancial de radiografías de pecho, mamogramas, ultrasonidos y otros exámenes de diagnóstico similares son interpretados incorrectamente cada año.

Al mismo tiempo, aceptar un resultado negativo como correcto sin ningún seguimiento para determinar la causa actual de la condición es una práctica no aceptada.

Margie A. Soehl is a uniquely talented attorney at the law firm of Powers & Santola, LLP, specializing in representing those who have been seriously injured.

She is accomplished beyond her years having been admitted to the practice of law in her native country, Ecuador, at age 22. After spending a term abroad in Japan which included, an internship position at Yamaguchi International Law Offices in Osaka, Japan, she returned to Ecuador and accepted a position on the legal advisory team of Ecuadorian President Gustavo Noboa in Quito, Ecuador. After marriage to her husband, they moved to Rotterdam, New York. Margie obtained a Masters Degree in Law from Albany Law School, is admitted to pratice law in both the State and Federal Courts of New York. She is the mother of two young children and is proficient in four languages.

LOS CASOS DE RETRASO EN EL DIAGNOSTICO DE CANCER NO PUEDEN ESPERAR

La regla general en el estado de Nueva York es que una demanda de mala practica médica, presentada por o en representación de un paciente adulto, debe ser iniciada dentro de los 2 años y medio a partir de el acto u omisión que constituyó la mala práctica.

Excepciones a esta regla general incluyen casos que involucran menores de edad, insanidad y demandas en contra del gobierno. Existen otras excepciones.

con un cáncer de seno avanzadouna condición que podía haberse descubierto dos o más años antes si es que los exámenes apropiados se hubieran ordenado o los resultados se hubieran interpretado correctamente.

El problema con este límite en el tiempo para comenzar una demanda es que en los casos de retraso en el diagnóstico de cáncer hasta que el cáncer finalmente se diagnostica puede ser que sea muy tarde. Por ejemplo, una mujer de 40 años siente un pequeño bulto en el seno, el doctor determina que no es necesaria una biopsia, y a la paciente se le recomienda hacer una cita para un mamograma luego de dos años. Puede ser que ella no sienta síntomas por un año. De ahí, al siguiente año, ella es diagnosticada

En este momento, probablemente ella no tiene más de seis meses para comenzar una demanda.

En conclusión: No deje pasar el tiempo. Hable con un abogado sobre lo que le ha pasado a usted y a su familia antes que mañana sea demasiado tarde.

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Our Secret Addictive Enemy

ig food companies try to addict us to “taste” by loading their processed foods with ingredients detrimental to our health. While fat and sugar get most of the attention from critics, let’s not ignore an equally insidious enemy: salt.

The main sources of salt in a regular American diet

Salt container Photo courtesy of Leonor M. Edman www.evilmadscientist.com•Meat Photo courtesy of Kokrobin.wordpress.com

The New York Times had a great article in May about the dangers of salt and how the food industry is delaying a push by critics to reduce salt content in foods. We are constantly deceived by food labels that promote “low salt.” Even though our daily need for sodium is quite small, salt is found in every food we put in our mouth, even in fresh fruit. The biggest offender is processed foods that, in order to taste better, are laden with it.

Salt is even in chocolate chips cookies. Then we wonder why more and more people – even kids – are suffering from high blood pressure and its related disorders.

77% from processed and prepared foods: these foods are loaded with salt with the only goal to enhance taste and increase sales. You would never think that a bagel tastes salty, but each one contains as much as 500 milligrams of salt.

And remember salt can be in ingredients that are not necessarily called sodium, like Monosodium Glutamate, baking soda, baking power, disodium phosphate, sodium alginate, nitrates. That is why it is very important to read food labels.

Avoid any food that contains more than 200 milligrams of sodium per serving.

The food industry has a good excuse to continue using salt in every single product: it’s a low-cost way to create taste and texture. Without it, companies would need to use fresh spices and better quality ingredients, which would drive up ingredient prices and hurt profits.

Let’s talk about facts

11% of sodium is added while cooking and eating: most recipes call for salt and it’s common to add a little bit more in the table.

Some cooking ingredients are high in salt, such as soy sauce.

We use salt every day, even if it’s just a dash. But remember that the salt required by a healthy person each day is less than 2,300 milligrams, equal to 1 teaspoon.

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12% from natural sources: we can find salt in dairy products (a glass of low-fat milk = 107 milligrams salt), vegetables like celery and foods like meat and shellfish -- not counting meats that are injected with salt to be preserved, sharply driving up sodium content.

Remember that salt helps to maintain the right balance of fluids in your body, transmit nerve impulses and influence the contraction and relaxation of muscles. Our kidneys naturally balance the amount of sodium stored in your body for optimal health. When your sodium levels are low, your kidneys essentially hold on to the sodium. When sodium levels are high, your kidneys excrete the excess in urine. But if for some reason your kidneys can’t eliminate enough, the sodium starts to accumulate in your blood. Because sodium attracts and holds water, your blood volume increases.

Increased blood volume makes your heart work harder to move more blood through your blood vessels, which increases pressure in your arteries. Such diseases as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease can make it hard for your kidneys to keep sodium levels balanced.

Remember, some people are more sensitive to sodium, and

By: Ingrid Bermudez M.D.

that’s why they may retain water easily, pushing up their blood pressure. Adding extra sodium to their diets can boost blood pressure even more, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and congestive heart failure.

So, don’t consume more than 2,300 milligrams of salt a day if you are a healthy adult and no more than 1,500 milligrams if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease or if you are black.

How do we limit consumption?

Eat fresh, eat low-sodium if you cannot cook, remove salt from recipes and learn how to use herbs, spices and other flavorings to enhance the taste of food. And be careful using salt substitutes. Because these substitutes don’t have much taste, people tend to use more of them, which results in a lot of sodium in your plate.

Remember that as with any other habit or addiction, this one is not easy. We cannot stop eating salt overnight but we can gradually reduce our consumption to give time for our taste buds and our brains to get used to a new taste -- the real taste.

Ingrid Bermudez MD is a full-time family practitioner and owner of Family Medicine of Mechanicville. In addition to offering a wide range of medical services to all age groups, she coaches patients through weight loss and life style changes. She believes in treating the whole patient – physically and emotionally.

For appointments: 518-664-4185. www.drbfamilymedicine.com Versión en Español Pag. 14

Nuestro Enemigo Secreto By: Ingrid Bermudez M.D.

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as grandes compañías de comida tratan de hacernos adictos al sabor de las comidas procesadas agregando toneladas de ingredientes que atentan contra nuestra salud. Mientras que nos hemos enfocado a criticar el azúcar y la grasa, nos podemos ignorar la igualmente dañina sal.

En Mayo, el periódico The New York Times publico un gran articulo acerca de la sal, los daños para la salud y como las grandes compañías productoras de comidas procesadas han hecho oído sordo a las criticas y la necesidad de reducir el contenido de sal en dichas comidas.

A pesar que nuestras necesidades de sal diaria son muy pequeñas, encontramos sal en todos los alimentos, incluyendo los alimentos frescos. El peor de todos, son las comidas procesadas que viene con mucha sal para darles un buen sabor y consistencia.

Hasta una inocente galleta con pedacitos de chocolate trae sal.

Luego nos preguntamos porque mas y mas gente, incluyendo nuestros niños están sufriendo de presión alta.

Y es que la industria de las comidas tiene una gran excusa para agregar mas sal: esta es una forma barata de agregar sabor y textura a las comidas. Así no tendrán que usar hierbas frescas, condimentos puros y frescos y productos de buena calidad, que incrementaría el precio de las comidas y disminuiría las ganancias para dichas compañías.

Hablemos con hechos Nosotros usamos sal todos los días, así sea un poco.

Pero también recordemos que una persona saludable necesita menos de 2300 miligramos de sal/dia que equivale a una cucharadita de sal.

Estas son las mayores fuentes de sal en la dieta Americana -77% viene de comidas preparadas y procesadas(del supermercado). Como dije antes, estas tiene toneladas de sal para darle sabor, textura y así poderlas vender a mejor precio y hacer muchas ganancias. Ud. cuando se come un bagel no le sabe salado, pero este puede contener hasta 500 miligramos de sal. también recuerde que el sodio, principal contenido de la sal viene con diferentes nombres: Monosodium Glutamate(MSG), baking soda, baking power, disodium phosphate, sodium alginate y nitrate. Por ello es muy importante saber como leer las etiquetas de la comida.

Y trate de no comer alimentos que contengan mas de 200 mgs por porción.

-11% de la sal la ponemos mientras cocinamos y en la mesa. La mayoría de las recetas requieren sal y casi siempre ponemos otro poquito en la mesa. también usamos ingredientes como salsa de soya que tiene mucha sal.

-12% viene de los alimentos frescos.

Quien creyera que el apio o ”celery” tiene sal, así como la carne, camarones y la leche( un vaso de leche descremada tiene 107 mgs de sal). Y aun mas las carnes que viene con sal inyectada para conservarlas mas tiempo. Por eso siempre compre fresco.

Recuerde que la sal es importante para mantener el equilibrio de los fluidos en el cuerpo, para la transmisión de los impulsos nerviosos y para la contracción y relajación de los músculos. Los riñones mantiene el equilibrio del sodio en el cuerpo para una buena salud.. Cuando el sodio es bajo, el riñón simplemente deja de excretar sal y si tenemos mucha sal, el riñón aumenta la excreción de este. Pero si por alguna razón el riñón no puede eliminar la sal, esta se acumula en la sangre y el riñón comienza a retener agua . Esto aumenta el trabajo del corazón tratando de bombear mas flujo de sangre contra las arterias y así se produce la presión alta o hipertensión. Enfermedades como falla cardiaca, cirrosis y falla renal hacen mas complicado el trabajo del riñón y su capacidad para balancear la sal en el cuerpo. Recuerde también que hay gente que es mas sensible a la sal y retienen agua mas fácilmente, y por ende tendrán hipertensión.

Agregando sal a sus dietas hará que estas personas incrementen sus presiones arteriales aun mas, lo que conlleva a mayor riesgo de un ataque cardiaco, un derrame cerebral o “stroke” in ingles, falla renal o falla cardiaca.

Así que no consuma mas de 2300 mgs si usted es un adulto saludable o no mas de 1500 mgs si ud. tiene diabetes, presión alta, daño renal o si es de la raza negra.

Y que hacer?

Prepare sus comidas con ingredientes frescos, pero si no puede cocinar, al menos coma los bajos en sodio y todo lo que sea relacionado con sodio, quite la sal de su recetas, aprenda a cocinar con hierbas y condimentos frescos que mejoraran el sabor de sus comidas. Y cuidado con los sustitutos de la sal que ud. encuentra en el mercado. Estos tiene poco sabor y por ende las personas tienden a agregar mas de lo normal, agregando mas sodio de lo necesario.

Recuerde que como todo mal habito o adicción, esto no es fácil. Toma tiempo acostumbrase a comer bajo de o sin sal, pues tenemos que entrenar las papilas del gusto y nuestro cerebro a un nuevo sabor, el sabor real.

Food and spices Photos courtesy of Kokrobin.wordpress.com

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EMPLOYMENT SCAM IS NO MYSTERY! MYSTERY SHOPPING IS A LEGITIMATE TOOL USED BY COMPANIES TO MEASURE THE QUALITY OF RETAIL SERVICE. Companies hire mystery shoppers to pose as customers and then provide detailed reports and feedback about their experiences.

Individuals might be asked to visit a particular business, purchase a product, ask questions or register a complaint. After a mystery shopper submits their findings, the employer mails a payment to the mystery shopper for the work performed.

WE OFFER THESE TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM: • Do not cash or deposit a check if you don’t know its origin.

Forgeries can take weeks to be discovered and untangled.

• Verify that the business that offers you a mystery shopper job is legitimate by contacting the authorities, including the NY State Department of Labor at www. labor.ny.gov and the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org • Do not be lulled into a false sense of security by officialsounding corporate names.

Scam artists are using mystery shopping as a way to perpetrate fraud and steal money from innocent victims. People who are interested in earning additional income might be lured by a letter from a company stating they have been selected as a mystery shopper. The letter includes a list of assignments and a check made out to the individual for several thousand dollars.

The mystery shopper is instructed to deposit the check in their bank account, take their fee out of the check plus the cost of the merchandise they are buying, , and wire the rest of the money back to the company. The supposed “job” is to report on the customer experience at the retail establishment.

• Don’t pay a company to hire you. It is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopping business.

• Be wary of companies that ask you to disburse money from your own pocket for the goods you buy as their secret shopper.

• Do not wire money to strangers or to firms that have supposedly hired you.

Please be aware that legitimate companies will never send their mystery shoppers a check to cash prior to work being completed.

Checks received from mystery shopping companies should only be in payment for work performed.

If you believe you have been targeted by a mystery shopper scam involving a counterfeit check, report it to the following agencies: The Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357; the US Postal Inspection Service at www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov or 1-877-876-2455; the NYS Consumer Protection Board at www.nysconsumer.gov or 1-800-697-1220.

Unfortunately, the check will eventually bounce and the mystery shopper will be out any funds they spent on merchandise and sent back to the company.

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El trabajo de “comprador secreto,” conocido en Ingles como “Mystery Shopper,” es un oficio legitimo utilizado por algunas compañias que contratan a personas para que inspeccionen la calidad de servicio al cliente de sus tiendas y negocios. Estas compañias instruyen a los compradores secretos que visiten varios locales, se hagan pasar como clientes, compren algun articulo, pidan información o registren una queja. Despues de que el comprador secreto envie su reporte a la compañia, este recibe una compensación o pago por el trabajo hecho.

Durante esta temporada de economia floja y escases de empleos, muchas personas buscan diferentes formas de ganarse el dinero. Los estafadores se aprovechan de esta situación y utilizan los trabajos falsos de “comprador secreto” como carnada para engañar y robar el dinero de víctimas inocentes. Las personas pueden caer en una trampa cuando reciben una carta indicando que han sido contratados como “comprador secreto.” La carta trae una lista de instrucciones y un cheque girado al nombre de la persona por algunos miles de dolares. Le piden al comprador secreto que deposite el cheque en su banco, se quede con una cantidad de dinero por su trabajo y gastos y envíe el resto por medio de una agencia de envío de dinero. La supuesta “tarea” del comprador secreto es de documentar el servicio al cliente de la agencia de envíos.

Para muchas personas este trabajo viene como caído del cielo, depositan el cheque en su banco, retiran el dinero y siguen las intrucciones al pie de la letra. Desafortunadamente, tarde o temprano el banco descubre que el cheque es falso o sin fondos y el “comprador secreto” se queda endeudado con el banco por la cantidad que retiró.

LE OFRECEMOS ESTOS CONSEJOS PARA QUE EVITE CAER EN ESTA ESTAFA: • No cambie o deposite un cheque si usted no conoce su origen. Los cheques falsificados pueden tomar hasta varias semanas para ser descubiertos.

• No envie dinero por las agencias de giros de dinero a personas desconocidas o compañias que están contratandolo a usted.

• Nunca le pague a una compañia para que lo contraten. No es necesario pagar dinero para participar o trabajar como un comprador secreto.

• Verifique si el negocio que le ofrece un trabajo de “comprador secreto” es veridico poniendose en contacto con las autoridades, incluyendo el Departamento de Labores del Estado de Nueva York al www. labor.ny.gov y el Better Business Bureau al www.bbb.org • No se deje engatuzar por el nombre de una compañia que suene profesional o legitima.

• Cuidado con las compañias que le piden que utilize dinero de su propio bolsillo para las compras secretas.

Si usted piensa que ha sido víctima de una estafa de comprador secreto que incluya un cheque falso, reportelo a estas agencias: La Camara Federal de Comercio al www.ftc.gov o al 1-877-382-5357; El Servicio de Inspección Postal al www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov o al 1-877876-2455; La Junta de Protección al Consumidor del Estado de Nueva York al www.nysconsumer. gov o al 1-800-697-1220.

Damos la bienvenida a nuestra comunidad a:

Photo by Wonderlane

Decoradora de interiores dominicana,

PAULA RODRIGUEZ

Paula Rodríguez is an interior designer

llega a la ciudad de Albany para

of Dominican origin, who has come to

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the city of Albany to demonstrate her

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talent. She graduated from the Mercy

su propio negocio con el nombre de

Jacquez Art Institute with a degree in

Decorinter en la República Domini-

interior design. Later she initiated her

cana, en el cual desarrolló el potencial

own business by the name of Decorinter

y conocimientos que hoy en dia posee.

in the Dominican Republic, in which she developed the potential and knowledge

Paula cuenta con la habilidad de

that’s she demonstrates nowadays.

decorar su hogar, oficina o evento con

She has the ability to decorate your

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home, office or event with outstanding

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elegance. For more information call

al teléfono 518-729-2586

518-729-2586

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Photo by JAGwired

Photo: onstagelighting.co.uk

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Dayana Perez

A Dominican Girl from Queens A Pride for our community By: Licelot Cruz-Altagracia

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Reporters play a vital role in our society, seeking out the news and presenting stories that make a difference. Dayana Perez is one of the few Latina reporters in the Capital District.

Ms. Perez, a video journalist for YNN news (formerly Capital 9 News), gave Latino New York magazine the privilege of an exclusive interview. We met at the Amsterdam office, where she does her editing and writes scripts for the anchor and print versions of her stories. After settling in she confessed her anxiousness about being interviewed. “I am not used to this,” Ms. Perez said. “I’m used to being on the other side.” The office was filled with recording and editing equipment. She demonstrated how she uses her camera and her tripod for recording interviews in the field. As a journalist she is a one-person operation, doing everything from finding stories, shooting and editing them, writing scripts and print versions of stories -- all before a five o’clock deadline.

BEGINING HER CAREER As a self-described “Dominican girl from Queens” who lived in New York City until three years ago, Ms. Perez never forgot her Dominican roots. She received her Bachelor’s in Journalism from St. Johns University and speaks fluent Spanish, which enables her to translate interviews and, when needed, overlay them with voiceovers in English. She began her career at ABC 7 news in New York City. As a production assistant, her primary responsibilities were writing scripts and getting anchors their coffee. “It wasn’t part of my job description pero para caerles bien a ellos, I kept thinking it’s going to pay off in the end. I am taking this LATINO NEW NEW YORK YORK LATINO

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job to learn the business and just become a journalist,” said Ms. Perez. Leaving the Big Apple for the first time for a job, she moved to the Capital region for a career opportunity that let her progress in her field. Three years ago she was hired as an associate producer for Capital News 9. She continued to work in this position until a year and a half ago when she was encouraged by her colleagues to apply for a reporter job in the Amsterdam/Mohawk Valley area, which is one-quarter Hispanic. This position never had a bilingual reporter, who could potentially reach an untapped audience. She’s worked there since.

PIONEERING LATINO JOURNALISM Ms. Perez, who is in her 20s, never thought she’d be a reporter on camera, but was motivated to take on the challenge by the lack of the Latino reporters in the area.

“I love telling stories,” she said -- and she relished writing and telling stories about and for this niche audience.

She has immersed herself in this small, tight-knit community, getting to know the inner workings of media and businesses in the region and keeping up with important events.

MAKING CONNECTIONS Compared to the Big Apple’s frenetic pace, Ms. Perez finds the slower upstate pace a challenge.

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and make connections with the locals. Getting accustomed to living near farms vs. high rises was a hurdle of its own.

Ms. Perez does it all, shooting stories herself without photographers or camera crew. Working with thirty pounds of equipment, she installs the camera on a tripod and focuses on herself, shooting her story introduction.

Later she edits in camera shots, adding pictures and interviews related to the story. After that she writes the scripts and the print version of her stories.

“I love my job. It’s fulfilling … there are no weekends or holidays,” Ms. Perez said. She explained that her job was not about being famous -- anyone pursuing a career in journalism thinking otherwise “should get out now because it is not for you.”

Her advice to young Latinas: “Whatever it is that they want to

do, go for it. There are so many opportunities. You can do whatever you want to do -- you have to be strong and move forward.”

“I see myself in five years from now back in New York City.”

She misses her family and her first home. She plans to return, though currently is planning to get married in the Dominican Republic.

GETTING TO KNOW MORE..

FAMILY DYNAMICS My family is a very close tight knit Dominican family. I’m the youngest of 4. I have two older sisters and a brother. They are my best friends. I can tell them anything.

WORK/LIFE BALANCE As much as I love my job, my family comes first. During the week my Blackberry is literally

Dayana does it all, shooting stories herself without photographers or camera crew. Working with thirty pounds of equipment, she installs the camera on a tripod and focuses on herself, shooting her story introduction. Later she edits in camera shots, adding pictures and interviews related to the story. After that she writes the scripts and the print version of her stories.

stuck to my hand and I look at all the news channels and read all the papers but on my days off -though I make sure I know what’s going on in the world -- I put my full attention towards my family.

PEOPLE YOU ADMIRE I don’t have one person I admire I have a lot of people. From family members to the people I work with.

FAVORITE HOBBY My favorite hobby is dancing. I love dancing. I don’t have to be at a nightclub, I could just be at home with friends and family.

If I hear a Celia Cruz, Juan Luis Guerra or Gilberto Santa Rosa song, I’m on the floor.

FAVORITE BOOK My favorite book of all time is “In the Time of the Butterflies” (by Julia Alvarez). I love this book because it centers on the tragic yet inspiring story of the Mirabal sisters who were admirable strong Dominican women who fought for their rights during the Trujillo era.

WHAT KEEPS YOU HERE? What keeps me in the capital region is the love for my job and finding stories that will hopefully make a difference.

WHAT DOES THE AREA NEED? More media outlets that focus on the Latino community.

There are no Spanish radio stations that play our favorite Latin music. We don’t have any Spanish local news stations that cover stories that impact the Latino community. People have to turn to the national news like Univision and Telemundo when there are plenty of things going on in their backyards. It’s just sad to see, especially in an area that has a growing Latino population.

After Ms. Perez gave us her insights as a pioneer for Latinas in her field, we felt proud of meeting a strong young Latina who has come this far to achieve her dreams and follow her passion.

Los reporteros desempeñan un papel vital en nuestra sociedad, buscando la noticia y presentando historias que marcan la diferencia. Dayana Pérez es una de las pocas periodistas latinas en el Distrito Capital.

Dayana Pérez, periodista de noticias de vídeo ynn (antes Capital Noticias 9), dio a la revista New York Latino el privilegio de una entrevista exclusiva.

Nos conocimos en la oficina de Ámsterdam, donde ella hace su edición y escribe guiones para el ancla e imprimir versiones de sus historias. Después de acomodarse, confesó su ansiedad acerca de ser entrevistada. “No estoy acostumbrada a esto”, dijo. “Estoy acostumbrada a estar en el otro lado.” La oficina estaba llena de equipos de grabación y edición.

Ella demostró cómo utiliza su cámara y su trípode para grabar

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entrevistas en campo. Como periodista que es una operación de una sola persona, haciendo todo, desde encontrar historias, el rodaje y la edición, escribir guiones y versiones impresas de las historias – todo debe estar hecho antes de las cinco de la tarde.

COMENZANDO SU CARRERA Se auto denomina como “una chica dominicana de Queens” quien vivió en Nueva York hasta hace tres años, Perez nunca olvidó sus raíces dominicanas. Ella recibió su Licenciatura en Periodismo de la Universidad de St. Johns y habla español con fluidez, lo que le permite traducir entrevistas y, cuando sea necesario, realiza la voz en off en Inglés.

Comenzó su carrera en ABC 7 noticias en la ciudad de Nueva York. Como asistente de produc-

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Dayana Pérez: Una chica Dominicana de Queens, Orgullo de Nuestra Comunidad PERSONA QUE ADMIRA ción, sus principales responsabilidades eran escribir guiones y conseguir su café a los presentadores. “No era parte de mi trabajo pero para caerles bien una ellos, no dejaba de pensar esto iba a dar sus frutos al final. Ese trabajo me sirvió para aprender del negocio y poder convertirme en una periodista”, dijo Pérez.

Saliendo de la Gran Manzana por primera vez por trabajo, se trasladó a la región capital para una oportunidad profesional que le permitió avanzar en su campo.

Hace tres años fue contratada como productora asociada para las Capital News 9. Ella continuó trabajando en esa posición hasta hace un año y medio, cuando ella alentada por sus colegas aplicó para un empleo reportera en el área de Amsterdam / Mohawk Valley, que es una cuarta parte hispana. Esta posición nunca había habido un periodista bilingüe, que podría llegar a una audiencia sin explotar. Ha trabajado allí desde entonces.

PIONERA DEL PERIODISMO LATINO Pérez, que está en los 20’s, nunca pensó que pudiera ser una reportera al frente de la cámara, pero estaba motivada para asumir el reto por la falta de periodistas latinos en el área.

“Me encanta contar historias”, dijo - y le encantaba escribir y contar historias sobre y para este nicho de audiencia.

Ella se ha inmerso en esta pequeña comunidad, unida, donde se ha dado a la tarea de conocer el funcionamiento interno de los medios de comunicación y empresas de la región así como de mantenerse en el ámbito de acontecimientos importantes.

CONEXIONES En comparación con el ritmo frenético de la Gran Manzana, la Sra. Pérez considera que el ritmo más lento del norte del estado de un desafío. Un ritmo más lento significaba que tenía que conocer LATINO NEW NEW YORK YORK LATINO

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No tengo una persona en especial, que admiro a un montón de gente, desde miembros de la familia hasta gente con quien trabajo.

PASATIEMPO FAVORITO Mi pasatiempo favorito es bailar.

Me encanta bailar. No tengo que estar en un club nocturno, yo puedo estar en casa con amigos y familiares. Si escucho una canción de Celia Cruz, Juan Luis Guerra o Gilberto Santa Rosa, ya estoy bailando.

LIBRO PREFERIDO En el tiempo de las mariposas” (por Julia Álvarez). Me encanta este libro porque se centra en la historia trágica pero inspiradora de las hermanas Mirabal que fueron admirables mujeres dominicanas que luchaban por sus derechos durante la era de Trujillo.

la comunidad y hacer conexiones con los lugareños. Acostumbrarse a vivir cerca de las granjas versus vivir entre rascacielos, fue un obstáculo en sí mismo.

Dayana Pérez lo hace todo, grabar las historias por sí misma sin fotógrafos o camarógrafos. Trabaja con treinta libras de equipo, se instala la cámara en un trípode y lo enfoca en sí misma, y graba la introducción de su historia. Más tarde edita las tomas de cámara, añade imágenes y entrevistas relacionadas con la historia.

Después escribe los guiones y la versión impresa de sus historias.

“Me encanta mi trabajo. Es lleno de trabajo ... no hay fines de semana o días festivos”, dice.

Explicó que su trabajo no es para volverse famosa - cualquier persona que piense seguir una carrera en el periodismo que pensar de otra manera “debe salirse ya porque no es para ti.”

Su consejo para las jóvenes latinas: “Se lo que sea que quieres hacer, ir para ello. Hay tantas P. 25 25 JUNE JUNE // JULY JULY 2010 2010 P.

oportunidades. Ustedes pueden hacer lo que quieran - tienes que ser fuertes y seguir adelante. “ “ Me veo dentro de cinco años de vuelta en Nueva York.” Ella extraña a su familia y su primera casa. Ella planea regresar, aunque actualmente está planeando casarse en la República Dominicana.

CONOCIENDOLA MAS..

DINAMICA DE FAMILIA Mi familia es una muy unida familia dominicana. Soy la menor de 4 hijos. Tengo dos hermanas mayores y un hermano. Ellos son mis mejores amigos. Les cuento de todo.

EQUILIBRIO TRABAJO/VIDA Por mucho que me gusta mi trabajo, mi familia es primero.

Durante la semana, mi Blackberry está literalmente pegado a mi mano y miro todos los canales de noticias y leo todos los periódicos pero en mis días libres - aunque yo me aseguro de saber qué está pasando del mundo - pongo toda mi atención hacia mi familia.

QUE TE MANTIENE EN ESTA REGION? Lo que me mantiene en la región capital es el amor a mi trabajo y a encontrar historias que marquen la diferencia.

QUE NECESITA ESTA AREA? Más medios de comunicación enfocados en la comunidad latina. No hay estaciones de radio en español en que se pueda escuchar nuestra música latina favorita. No tenemos ninguna estación de noticias locales en español que cubra historias que impacten a la comunidad latina.

La gente tiene que recurrir a las noticias nacionales de televisión como Univisión y Telemundo, cuando hay un montón de cosas que pasan en los patios traseros de sus casas. Es triste ver esto, sobre todo en un área que tiene una creciente población latina.

Después de que Dayana nos dio su visión como pionera de la mujer latina en su campo, nos sentimos orgullosos de conocer a una joven y fuerte latina que ha llegado donde está para conseguir sus sueños y seguir su verdadera pasión.

Black & Latino Achievers 2010 Recognition Awards

J. David Brown, President and CEO Capital District YMCA

The College of Saint Rose Scholarship Awardees: Alyssa Ventrano, Kurticiah Niles, Arianna Gaddy-Collington and Brandon Everett

Lisa A. Austin, Banquet Committee Chair and YNN News Anchor Jo Dee Kenney

Latino Youth Achiever Travon Jackson addressing the audience

David Brown , Jocelyn Girigorie, Lisa A. Austin and Dr. L. Oliver Robinson

Latino Youth Achiever Miriam Diamonde receiving her award

David Brown , Kathryn Ramsey, Lisa A. Austin and Dr. L. Oliver Robinson

Participant on the event

David Brown , Rebecca Edick, Lisa A. Austin and Dr. L. Oliver Robinson

David Brown , Rev. Dr. Damone Paul Johnson, Lisa A. Austin and Dr. L. Oliver Robinson

Participants on the event

Latino Youth Achiever Simone Arrington addressing the audience

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Matthew Adeleke GE Wind Energy Division

Michael Barber City of Albany

Louis Coplin II Hudson Valley Community College

Shana Davis NYS Dept. of Taxation & Finance

William Hill NYS Office of General Services

Nelson Flores Hispanic Outreach Services

D. Ekow King University at Albany

Ricky Romero Empire Education Corp.

Shai L. Butler College of Saint Rose

Hon. William A. Carter Albany City Court

Willie M. Dean, Sr. Ain’t No Competition, LLC

Rev. Dr. Damone Paul Johnson Metropolitan New Testament Mission Baptist Church

Maria Neira NYS United Teachers

Donald Depass New York State Troopers

Donovan S. Kenney Chartwells

Carl A. Patterson Sr. MSgt. USMC (RET) Golub Corporation

Samuel Perkins The Century House Banquet House

YMCA Black & Latino Adult Achievers Kathryn Ramsey Siena College LATINO NEW YORK

Derek Westbrook Sage College - Troy

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Black & Latino Achievers 2010 Recognition Awards

YMCA Black & Latino Youth Achievers

Omari Moyenda Weslley Allen

Catholic Central

Simone Arrington Bethlehem Central

Leila AtallahBenson Albany HS

Dean Bilpuh Rensselaer HS

Nekeita Amoy Bowlin Schenectady HS

JonPaul Brown Mohonasen HS

Jasmine Day Guilderland HS

Teon A. Desir Albany HS

Myriam Monik Diamande

Bethlehem Central

Rebecca Edick Ravena-CoeymansSelkirk

Kenneth Kristopher Sill Rensselaer HS

Jocelyn Girigorie Niskayuna HS

Natalie Graham Scotia-Glenville

Aleah-Shannece E. Hunter

Star-Quana Jackson Albany HS

Travon Jackson Troy HS

Marlin Solano Shenendehowa HS

Keela Joels Catholic Central

Alphonso Kipniss Schenectady HS

Tomasilienne Lewis-Jones

George Lopez Troy HS

Keva Luke Albany HS

Sade Thompson Schenectady HS

Ambre McNeal Guilderland HS

Daundra Murray Shenendehowa HS

Kurticiah Niles Schenectady HS

Taqua Osman

Kasheem Ward

Catholic Central

Albany Academies

Dudley Okongo Albany HS P. 28

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USA:

A time to unite, not divide IT’S OFTEN SAID THAT THE PRIDE ONE FEELS FOR THEIR COUNTRY SHOULD BE WORN ON THEIR SLEEVE. The land in which you are born is forever a sacred thing in your heart and mind. In a time of great change, it’s time to come together as one people, one nation. As an educator in both public school and at the college level, I see every day how we are all products of this country and its customs. To say otherwise, would be false. To have better unity in our country, we must change some things.

All due respect to the Census Bureau, but I feel that it’s wrong to continue separating citizens every ten years into small boxes and therefore define ourselves in this way. I’m from the United States, period! When I hear people say that they are a particular nationality and add the suffix “American”, it doesn’t help us to unite as one people. If I tell people I’m Irish, that’s a lie. The same occurs when I hear people who are born in this country saying that they are 100% Puerto Rican, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, LATINO NEW YORK LATINO NEW YORK

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How can one fully understand the economical, political and social realities of living in another country if they are not born and raised there? We are from the United States!

For a Spanish speaking person from Latin-America, the word “estadounidense” implies that someone is from the US. An American is anyone from the Americas, North or South. So, how do I propose we all come together? Well, for one let’s stop taking one month to celebrate Hispanic heritage, AfricanAmerican heritage and celebrate these ethnicities all year long.

We’re all from the same country and should recognize accomplishments and contributions from these ethnic groups every day.

and culture. This cannot happen until we have greater unity with each other. I have often heard people come together at rallies and other events very prideful of their ethnicity as Latinos.

However, when push comes to shove, there is a big disunity and lack of solidarity within this particular community. Lack of respect, ignorant comments about other countries and superiority complexes have impeded unity from growing among Latinos, especially in Albany. I am particularly discouraged about the lack of local Latino leadership in speaking out about in defense of the Mexican immigrant who was killed in March in Colonie in a show of excessive police force. It seemed that almost every friend I know had heard nothing about this tragedy despite it coming out in the newspapers and television for several days. The only formal reaction was conducted by a Times Union non-Latino writer.

For Latinos born and raised in the United States, my vision is to see this culture interwoven with the dominant culture that exists, both through language

Mexicans make up almost 70% of all Latinos in this country and have the longest history of any Latino people in the United States, this is a fact.

etcetera. If you go to those places, you quickly will find out that the people will see you as a person from the United States and not from their country.

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The law that was just signed in Arizona is in fact unconstitutional and racist in nature.

It singles out people who fit a certain profile and seeks to belittle abuse and undignify a person who physically fits as a Latino prototype. Are we willing to stand up and express what we feel about this situation? If you know in your heart this is wrong, then speak up! It doesn’t matter who you are, rather the character you have to voice your opinion.

Unity to me means that we all put aside our few differences and come together as one people. In the end, we are and will forever be from this country and can learn a lot from each other, despite from which part we come from. Stand up citizens and support your brothers and sisters. Long live the USA!

By: Richard O’Riley M.S. Ed Versión en Español P. 32

SE DICE MUCHO QUE EL ORGULLO QUE UNO SIENTE POR SU PATRIA SE LLEVA EN LA CAMISETA. LA TIERRA EN DONDE NACISTE ES ALGO SAGRADO EN EL CORAZÓN Y EN LA MENTE.

En un tiempo de gran cambio, ya es hora de unirnos como un pueblo, una nación. Como educador de escuela pública y de universidad, veo todos los días como todos somos productos de este país y de sus costumbres. Decir otra cosa sería falso. Para tener mejor unidad en nuestro país, hay que cambiar algunas cosas.

Con todo respeto al Censo, pero siento que no es correcto seguir separando a las personas que viven en los Estados Unidos cada diez años marcando una casilla en un formulario y entonces definirnos así de esta manera. ¡Soy de los Estados Unidos y punto final! Cuando la gente dice que es de una nacionalidad en particular y agregan el sufijo “Americano”, no nos une como un pueblo. Lo mismo ocurre cuando escucho a gente que son nacidos en este país diciendo que son cien por ciento Borícua, italiano, mexicano, chino, etcetera. Si viajas a esos paises, te das cuenta rapidamente que te ven como extranjero de los Estados Unidos. ¿Como puede uno comprender muy bien las realidades económicas,

políticas y sociales de vivir en otro país si no nace allá?

Si naciste en otro país, tienes derecho a decir que eres de allá, si naciste acá eres de acá.

Para un hispanohablante, la palabra “estadounidense” impica que alguien es de los Estados Unidos, no importa la etnicidad.

Decir que somtos americanos es falso porque un americano puede ser de cualquier país si sea de América de Norte o de Sur. Entonces, ¿cómo propongo que nos unamos más? Bueno, dejemos de celebrar el mes de herencia Hispana, de herencia Afro-Americana por solo un mes.

Todos somos del mismo pais y debemos reconocer los logros y contribuciones de estos grupos étnicos durante todo el año.

Para latinos nacidos y criados en los Estados Unidos, mi vision es ver esta cultura interconectada con la cultura dominante que ya existe, en términos de idioma y cultura. Esto no puede pasar hasta que exista mayor unidad

entre todos. He escuchado mucho cuando la gente latina se reune en conferencias y eventos políticos, del orgullo que se siente por ser latino y que en la unidad hay fuerza. En mis quince años en Albany, no he visto esto en realidad. Digo que hay desunidad y una falta de solidaridad dentro de esta comunidad particular. Falta de respeto, comentarios ignorantes de otros paises para sentirse mejor y complejos de superioridad han impedido que haya más unidad entre los latinos, especialmente en Albany. Estoy desanimando en particular de la falta de liderazgo latino en defensa del inmigrante mexicano que fue asesinado en marzo. Fue asesinado en Colonie por fuerza excesiva policial.

Parecía que casi toda la gente que conozco no sabían nada de esta tragedia, a pesar que salió en la televisión y en el periódico.

La única reacción fue expresado por un escritor no-latino del Timos Union.

USA : Es tiempo

Los mexicanos constituyen casi 70% de la población latina en este país, es un hecho. Ellos tienen la historia y presencia mas larga también de los Estados Unidos. La ley que fue aprobada en Arizona es inconstitucional y racista.

Permite que las personas con aparencia latina sean seleccionadas como un prototipo. Estas personas serán molestados e indignados hasta ser abusados físicamente si resisten la policia. ¿Estamos dispuestos a ponernos de pie y expresar que sentimos como un pueblo estadounidense de estas injusticias? ¡Si el corazón te dice que esta legislación es mala, pues levanta la voz! No importa quien eres, solo el carácter que demuestras para vocear tu opinión. La unidad para mi significa que dejamos al lado nuestras diferencias, que son pocas y unirnos como un pueblo. En final, somos y siempre seremos de este país y podemos aprender mucho del uno al otro. Levántense paisanos y apóyense a sus hermanos y hermanas. ¡Qué vivan los Estados Unidos!

de unirnos, no de dividirnos

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The month of July brings the celebration of Independence Day which is July 4th. On the fourth of July we get to experience the beautiful colors of the fireworks in the sky and the other activities we can enjoy on that special day. Our country may not be perfect, but when you really take a good look you can see we are truly blessed because we have something many other countries still do not have which is our independence and above all our Freedom.

June 21st to July 22nd Stone: Pearl, Opal Element: Water Ruler: Moon Color: White, Yellow Anatomy: Breasts, Stomach Season: Summer Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac and Cancer people are very protective of those they care about as well as themselves. They are sensitive people who do not like change and need to feel secure and safe in everything they do. Although some Cancers have developed the ability to manipulate others to get what they want, they always try to avoid confrontations with others and people who tend to be outspoken and direct. Cancer people have a strong attachment to memorabilia and memories from their past.

Despite their occasional mood swings, these people are dependable caring souls.

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Dear Lisa: My boyfriend and I broke up this year and decided to stay single, but now I feel it was time to get back into dating game once again. Because of my work schedule it is very difficult for me to go out to meet eligible bachelors, so I tried one of the internet dating sites instead. I found a guy who I like and have a lot in common with. Now we talk almost every day and he always makes me feel good about myself. I was so excited about finally meeting someone I like that I decided to tell a coworker of mine and thought she would be happy for me. Instead she told me internet dating never works out, it’s not safe and she would never go an internet site to find a date because it’s embarrassing and makes it seem like you can’t get a man on your own. Lisa after she said those things I felt really embarrassed also humiliated, and now I regret telling her anything. To makes matters worse I just found out she’s told another co-worker about it, and now sometimes I feel them staring when I walk by. Lisa I really like this guy I met on the internet, should I stop talking to him and try to go out to meet someone?

Denise – Latham, New York Dear Denise: If this gentleman makes you feel happy and hasn’t done anything to make you feel uncomfortable in any way, then I wouldn’t stop2010 talking to him. Also P. 33 JUNE / JULY there are many people

today who don’t have time to go out especially due to their work schedule, very long hours or even having to work two jobs just to survive, so they are now using the internet to find that right person.

There are some who still prefer the traditional way of finding a date but in the end what really counts is you find the right person for you.

Your co-worker is a gossiper and a closed minded person. I know people who had found their future wife or husband via the internet, so when she said that it never works she is wrong. As for safety, you take a chance whenever you meet someone new, whether it’s the traditional way or through the internet because you don’t know them, but one good thing about the internet is you can press that delete button and send them on their way without a hassle. It’s also never good to share your personal life with your co-workers as you can see. Your co-worker is a senseless person who can be very hurtful. Soon you will be old news and she will begin talking about someone else. Just remember while she is gossiping about you and others, there is also someone gossiping about her because ‘What you do unto others will be done unto you’.

Querida Lisa: Mi novio y yo nos separamos de este año y decidí quedarse sola, pero ahora siento que era hora de volver a las citas amorosas, una vez más. Debido a mi horario de trabajo es muy difícil para mí conocer solteros, así que traté de uno de los sitios web de citas. Me encontré con un chico que me gusta y tenemos mucho en común. Ahora hablamos casi todos los días y siempre me hace sentir bien conmigo misma.

Yo estaba tan entusiasmada de por fin conocer a alguien que me gusta, que me decidí contarle a una compañero de trabajo, y pensé que se pondría feliz por mí. En lugar de eso me dijo que las citas por Internet no funcionan, no son seguras y nunca iría un sitio en Internet

para hacer una cita, porque es vergonzoso y es como si uno no puede conseguir a un hombre por su cuenta. Lisa después de lo que ella dijo, me sentí muy avergonzada y humillado, y ahora lamento haberle contado.

Para empeorar las cosas, me acabo de enterar que ella le dijo a otra compañera de trabajo al respecto, y ahora a veces los siento mirándome cuando paso por ahí. Lisa me gusta mucho este muchacho que conocí en Internet, debería dejar de hablar con él y tratar de salir al encuentro de alguien?

Denise - Latham, Nueva York Estimada Denise: Si este señor le hace sentir feliz y no ha hecho nada para que se sienta incómoda, yo no dejaría de hablar con él. Hay mucha gente que no tiene tiempo para salir, debido a su horario de trabajo, o por tener que trabajar en dos empleos, por lo que ahora están utilizando el Internet para encontrar que la persona correcta. Hay algunos que todavía prefieren la forma tradicional de encontrar una pareja, pero al final lo que cuenta es encontrar la persona adecuada. Su compañera de trabajo es chismosa con una mente cerrada.

Hay personas que han encontrado a su futura esposa/o a través de Internet, así que cuando ella dice que nunca funciona, está equivocada. En materia de seguridad, usted corre un riesgo cada vez que conoce a alguien nuevo también, ya sea de forma tradicional o a través de Internet, lo bueno de Internet, es que se puede pulsar el botón “eliminar” y sacarlos sin problemas. Tampoco es bueno para compartir su vida personal con compañeros de trabajo. Para su compañera esto pronto será noticia vieja y ella comenzará a hablar de otra persona. Recuerde, mientras está chismeando de usted y los demás, hay alguien que hablará de ella, porque “Lo que se hace a los demás se hará a vosotros”.

If you want advise from Lisa, please email your letters to info@Laafenany.com

> social events Opening of Extreme Looks Salon in Amsterdam Amsterdam resident Jennifer Schwantes opened her new business at 12 Chestnut Street, and was assisted by a $25,000 loan from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. At her opening, she was joined her husband Ryan, by officials from the Chamber and the City of Amsterdam, representatives of Sen. High Farley and Assem. George Amedore, Ladan Alomar and other representatives of Centro Civico of Amsterdam, and Ana Lorena Diana. Working with Schwantes are stylists Margie Grandshaw and Julinet Cortes, licensed massage therapist Lynn Viscosi, and esthetician Kimberly Christiana. For more information on the salon, call 212-5175.

Immigrant workers in the Berkshires >

Diane Portnoy, Director of the Immigrant Learning Center in Malden, MA

Community officials through the Berkshires gathered in Stockbridge June 10 for the release of a report noting that immigrants make up 25 percent of the region’s hospitality workers. (Photos courtesy of the Berkshire Immigrant Center.)

Dr. James Jennings, Tufts University, Boston

Researchers Dr. C. Eduardo Siqueira of UMass-Lowell; Jennifer Lawrence of Goundworks Somerville and Dr. Julia Jordan-Zachery of Providence College

Panelists Ann Nardi, Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge; Bill Pottle, Southern Berkshire Educational Cooperative, Great Barrington and Williamstown Businessowner Tarun Narula

Hillary Greene and Brooke Mead of the Berkshire Immigrant Center in Pittsfield

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> social events

The Annual Summer Solstice-Inti Raymi celebration at Hudson’s Waterfront Park Residents from through Columbia County gathered June 18 for the annual event, which featured a parade through the city, a ceremony welcoming summer and performances by Boston’s Yarina (1) and by local residents Juan Basilio Sanchez and Stephen Walsh (2). Following the event, Yarina’s Robert Cachimuel (far right) was joined by the Gallardo family (from left, Ana, David, Joyce and Damian), who took the lead in the organization of the event (3).

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World Refugee Day Picnic

Brazilians Celebrating the World Cup Members of the Capital District’s Brazilian Community in Bomber’s Restaurant in Schenectady at the moment their team’s World Cup match against Ivory Coast ended on June 20. Brazil won, 3-1.

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3 Washington Park in Albany was the site of the annual picnic sponsored by the United States Committee on refugees and immigrants on June 19. Attendees were from Burma, Iraq, Bahrain and other countries.

> social events Latino Presence at St. Anthony’s Annual Fiesta

The Annual Festa at St. Anthony’s Church in Schenectady has for some time been one of the area’s best known Italian festivals. This year’s Fiesta took place June 25-27. The Latino community, which celebrates mass there Sundays at noon, had a booth for the first time at the event.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Partick in the Berkshires for Luncheon and Awards Ceremony

Governor Patrick came to the Shakespeare and Company Theatre in Lenox to attend Multicultural BRIDGE’s Cultural Competency Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on July 5.

Several well-known members of the Berkshires’ Latino Community joined BRIDGE Executive Director Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant.

Office for Refugees and Immigrants Director Richard Chacon also discussed the State’s New Americans Agenda to improve the quality of life for Massachusetts residents who were born in other countries.

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ANNUAL KIDNEY WALK national kidney Foundation By: Dianna Rios Office of Development NKF The National Kidney Foundation had its annual walk on June 6, 2010. What a wonderful, terrific, rainy walk day! Hundreds of families supporting those affected by kidney disease came out with umbrellas in hand and enjoyed a family fun day at the University at Albany. How great was it to see so many people, regardless of weather, supporting the NKF!

Photo T. Joan Heffler

On hand for the day’s activities, were Chuck E. Cheese, Southpaw of the Tri-City Valley Cats and Kismet the Clown. The rain that fell didn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance, rather those that braved the elements, walked with umbrellas in hand, kids in covered wagons, and even wheelchairs under cover!

“All Star” recognitions were sent out to Kathy Daniels, Valerie Zakrzaewski, Cathy Vollman, Joellen & Jeff Pepper, Erin Veltman, Bryan Sigler, Meryl Brown, Jim & Kelly Healy, Sandra Callahan, Patrick Emery, Jackie Bellinger, Celeste Boucher and Katerina Fagan-Solis. These walk “All-Star’s” reached their individual walker goals of $1,000 or more and we celebrate their successes!

Photo T. Joan Heffler

The National Kidney Foundation of Northeast New York thanks all of it’s supporters for the efforts placed in setting and reaching their fundraising goals. Our successes each year are credited to the efforts they put forth in educating our communities about the impact of kidney disease. Their stories are the stories that keep the National Kidney Foundation alive in our communities. We thank them for being part of our organization and allowing us to be a part of their families!!

Photo T. Joan Heffler

The winner of the 2010 “Melissa Daniels Team Spirit Award” was presented to Elijah Fagan-Solis and his team, the “Rolling Kidney Stones”. Elijah will be honored and will receive his award at the NKF family celebration at the Tri-City ValleyCats on July 5. Elijah was presented his award at the game after throwing out the ceremonial “first pitch”! NKF family and friends will enjoy a summer picnic at the picnic pavilion and watch the game from great seats for the holiday weekend fireworks!

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100 Hispanic Women

Annual Membership Meeting The capital district 100 Hispanic Women had their annual meeting on Saturday, June 19, 2010 from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm at NYSUT. The event was full of informative speeches and workshops to help motivate Latinas in both the professional and personal aspects. The event has Denise Fernandez Pallozzi as moderator and had a networking Luncheon filled with Latin cuisine. The Keynote speaker was Nancy Hernandez, Councilwoman and Deputy Supervisor, who provided the audience with an inspirational speech of her own life experiences as an example of leadership and perseverance. Some of the workshops were Change Management presented by Dr. Schweiter, Financial Literacy by TD Bank and Are you the woman you to be? Presented by Dr. Hernandez, Dr. Matinez, and Amelia Powers.

Las 100 Mujeres Hispanas del Distrito Capital tuvieron su reunión anual el sábado 19 de junio del 2010 de las 8:30 am a las 2:30 pm en NYSUT. El evento estuvo lleno de discursos informativos y talleres para ayudar motivar Latinas tanto en lo profesional y personal. El evento que tuvo como moderadora a Denise Fernandez Pallozzi y tuvo un almuerzo con comida latina, para establecer contactos. La ponente principal fue Nancy Hernandez, Concejal y Supervisora Delegada, quien ofreció a la audiencia un discurso de inspiraciones en su propia vida como un ejemplo de liderazgo y perseverancia. Algunos de los talleres fueron Manejo de Cambios presentado por Dra Schweiter, Alfabetización Financiara por TD Bank, y Eres la mujer que quieres ser? Presentado por Dra. Hernandaz, Dr. Martinez, y Amelia Powers.

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Walk For Community Hospice On June 19, some 1200 people gathered at the UAlbany campus to “Walk for Hospice” and raise funds to provide services to everyone in the community, including free bereavement support for people grieving a personal loss even if they were not on Hospice. More than $155,000 was raised that will be used for the benefit of young and old throughout the capital region.

It was a perfect summer day, and the crowd gathered for a refreshing walk, many wearing shirts bearing the names of loved ones they had lost, others carrying signs with names and photos--all in the spirit of celebrating and remembering their lives and the compassion of Hospice care.

At the end of the walk, lunch was provided by L.T.Grill of Niskayuna, and the rock music of The Refrigerators accompanied the mealtime festivities. Activities for children included a Bouncy-Bounce, clowns and balloon sculptor. A raffle for baskets of food and drink and sale of jewelry raised additional funds in support of Hospice services. “Dunk the CEO” was a special hit, as Ron Watson and other notables good-naturedly splashed in the water when accurate throws by spectators hit the button. It was a fun day of remembering and rejoicing to benefit the cause of The Community Hospice.

Capital District Transit Authority held their annual Roadeo The Capital District Transit Authority held their annual Roadeo championship June 16th. at the University at Albany with more than 45 drivers participating. Keith Strait of the Schenectady division took first place. Mark Hichman also of Schenectady came in second while Jose George of the Troy division was third.

They will be representing CDTA at the New York State Roadeo to be held in Ithaca, New York in September 2010. Congratulations!

Supervisor of Training David Douglas on the left and Manager of Safety and Training Tom McKie on the right among the participants.

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Jose George won third place

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