Oct. 4, 2008: Rosie Pérez and Puerto Rican Home President Juan Silva with the U.S. Congresswoman N.Y. Nydia Velázquez in Lorain, Ohio, campaigning for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Oct. 3, 2008: Lourdes Santiago, Martha Delgado, Candelaria Flores, and Olivia Flores attend the annual Toledo Museum of Art celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo by La Prensa’s Carla Soto. 

Toledo Diocese announces new Deacons

Sept. 24, 2008: Most Reverend Leonard Paul Blair, Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo announces the following personnel appointment in the diocese effective September 20, 2008—the day the following men were ordained as Permanent Deacons: Deacon Phillip F. Avina, as a Deacon at St. Aloysius Parish in Bowling Green; Deacon Michael F. Eier, as a Deacon at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Findlay; Deacon Trevor N. Fernándes, as a Deacon at St. Joseph Parish in Toledo; and Deacon Joseph N. Malenfant, as a Deacon at St. Joseph Parish in Maumee.

Latinos for Obama hosted a phone bank on
Sept. 24, 2008 in downtown Toledo. On Sunday, Oct. 5, there will be a
Latinos for Obama Fiesta
at Teamsters Local 20 Union Hall, 4
35 S. Hawley St., Toledo, from 3 to 6PM with music, baile, comida, and guest speaker,
New York Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez,
 who will make stops on Oct. 4 in
Lorain (8:30AM at Laborers Local 758, 2089 N. Ridge Rd.)
Cleveland (10:30AM at UFCW Hall, 2828 Euclid Ave.), and Columbus (2PM at Genoa Park, 300 West Broad St.).

Sept. 23, 2008: Participants in Convención 2007 met at the West Tech Lofts in Cleveland; many of the activities and findings were reviewed and discussed by over 100 in attendance. For a review of Convención 2007, see “Cleveland’s Convención 2007 on track to become premier Ohio event,” by Alan Abrams, La Prensa Senior Correspondent, at: http://www.laprensatoledo.com/Stories/2007/
061507/Convencion.htm

In the photo by Antonio Barrio, those in attendance included, L-R: Ezra C. Escudero (Exec. Dir. of Ohio Latino Affairs Commission), Roberto Torres (Dir. of Community/Economic Development & Planning, Canton), Berea Councilman Adrian Maldonado and President of Logic Construction Services), attorney José Feliciano, Sonia Troche (Exec. Dir. of Adelante, Inc.), Gus A. Hoyas (Chair of HBA, or Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Ohio), and attorney Murray Bilfield (Trustee of HBA).

Happy Birthday Paula Alicia Flores, Sept. 28

Sept. 28, 2008: Over 18,000 individuals sojourned to downtown Toledo for the 15th Annual Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio Race for the Cure, an event expected to raise $750,000.

About 25 percent of the donations go towards national breast cancer research, while the balance remain in the 18-county area for breast health-education, screening, and treatment.

Participants honored breast cancer survivors at the Sunday event, which included a competitive 5k race and several walking routes.

In the photo, Lucas County Auditor Anita López
is shown with staffers.

Oct. 1

at WBGU, 88.1FM, at Bowling Green State University. Gutiérrez has been DJing at BGSU since the early ‘90s.

George Lopez at Armando's Restaurant, Detroit, on Saturday afternoon 9-20-08 with Cecilia Benedict (Manager of Armando's) and Susi Cruz of (Cruz Creative Studio)

Bridget Ericka Buckley-Dantes celebrated her Quinceañera on August 31, 2008 with Mass at Christ the King Church in Toledo, followed by a reception at Stone Oakes Country Club. Bridget is a freshman at St. Ursula Academy and is the daughter of Brendan and Monica Dantes Buckley. Her maternal grandparents are from Monterrey, México. In the photo, Bridget is dancing with her older sister. 

Toledo School for the Arts (TSA) is taking art, music, and academics to the streets of downtown Toledo, September 23, 2008, from 11:30am to 1:00pm,
with “Art Attack.”

Love, Abuelitos García

Love, Abuelitos García

Toledo’s Club Taino hosts an annual Constitution Day Picnic for its members and the public. In this 2008 Chico Calderón photo picturing its president, María González with her 8-year old nieta Leilani Pérez, Club Taino celebrates this important Puerto Rican event (July 26). Interested in joining Club Taino? Attend its next meeting on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 at 7:00PM, at the home of Chico & Linda, 4433 Copper Creek, Toledo, OH, or call Carmen Vega at 419-930-2515. Club Taino will be hosting a Halloween Party on Oct. 31, 2008, and a Three Kings Day Celebration on January 10, 2009.

El Grito Mexican Independence Celebration hosted by the Detroit Mexican Consul, 9-15-08.  

Happy Birthday! ¡Feliz Cumpleaños! Rutila Castilleja

Con cariño de parte de tu familia y amigos

Pecina Reunion in Genoa, Ohio on July 19, 2008

Toledo

Felicideades to "Mr. Mrs. Ayala" newlyweds on
August 23,2008!

Happy Birthday Becky (August 30)
with love from your family!

¡El Camino Real (Oeste Toledo) con comida muy buena!

The Spanish American Organization and La Prensa sold 762 tickets for the 6^th Latino Scholarship Day with the Toledo Mud Hens, held on July 27, 2008. Adelante, Inc. purchased over 150 tickets for the event, with the majority being awarded to deserving students. John Orozco, coordinator of LASSO at St. Francis de Sales High School, sold almost 80 tickets. Other big buyers included la Familia Salazar. SAO and La Prensa thank the many supporters of this event, including: the Toledo Mud Hens and staff, El Camino Real Restaurant, Buckeye CableSystem, and the participants, including: Imagenes Mexicanas, Mariachi Zelaya, and Yvonne Ramos. The many supporters included Rick Keel, a hairstylist at Dillard’s, with his daughters Serenity Pello and Adrianne Chasteen II.

Tom González (Ohio President of the National Latino Police Officer Association, or NLPOA) and Jeff Sabo (Toledo Chapter President of NLPOA) congratulate Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, who was endorsed by NLPOA. Sheriff Wasylyshyn  is seeking re-election this November.

The Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus is expanding the John F. Wolfe Palm House. As the first step of the Conservatory’s $21 million multi-faceted Master Plan to transform Franklin Park and the Conservatory, this expansion includes two rooftop gardens, a brides garden, a new event venue and event support facilities.

Toledo’s Spanish American Organization (SAO) members Frances Martínez, Bob Salazar, Sue Salazar, and Carmen Barbosa attended the Owens Community College’s Foundation Scholarship Ceremony on August 13, 2008, honoring all 2008 Foundation scholarship donors and recipients.
 SAO scholarships in the sum of $1,000 each were awarded to: Henry Casiano and Sandy Villanueva. Diamante Latino Scholarships were also awarded to: Jennifer Clark, Anea Escamilla, Sandy Villanueva, AnaAlicia Muñoz, Elyssia Yado, Casey Arroyo, and Henry Casiano. 

August 14, 2008: Ezra Escudero (Dir. Of Ohio Latino Affairs), David A. Gonzáles (Senior Vice President, State Farm Insurance), Henry Cisneros (Exec. Chair, CityView), Clara Padilla Andrews (Publisher, El Hispanic News), and Richard Romero (Chair of the OLA Board) participate in the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute Annual Dinner in Chicago.

Lupe Flores un barbero local con Maria de La Luz, el 3 de agosto del 2008 en el festival de la iglesia de SS. Peter and Paul o San Pedro y San Pablo.
 El festival fue todo un exito gracias a la gente de la comunidad y voluntarios. Pero en especial a el padre Richard Notter que se retirará este año.  El padre dijo que aunque se retirará de la iglesia el seguira viniendo a los  festivales.

Sonia Troche, Director of Adelante, Inc., thanks the City of Toledo Board of Community Relations for its receipt of a 2008 Youth Empowerment Award on August 8, 2008 at One Government Center. In the background is Josh Flores, President of Adelante’s Board.

¡Felicidades!

Happy Birthday Marisol Ibarra!
August 3rd

 This year's SS Peter and Paul Festival will be August 2-3 with the performance of El Futuro on August 3.

The 7^th Annual Partners In Education Great Maumee River Dragon Boat Festival took place on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at International Park, downtown Toledo.

Artist Hector Castellanos paints a mural which will be displayed at Passport Project's Community Garden

Click to enlarge

This photo was taken on July 4, 2008, celebrating the 5^th Annual Pecina and San Miguel Reunion at Ludington, Michigan. A second reunion is planned for Saturday, July 19th, 2008 at the Genoa Veterans Park, Genoa, Ohio, from 12 noon till 6pm, where pictures will be taken at 3pm. Photo submitted by Refugia Pecina of Toledo.

Adelante, Inc. hosted a Latino Community Leadership Meeting on June 27, 2008 at the Fifth Third headquarters in Toledo. Josh Flores, Adelante’s board chair and Sonia Troche, its executive director, updated the leaders concerning:  “¿Que Pasa Latino?”

Latino artists Robert García and Emanuel Enriquez at the Schedel Arboretum & Gardens in Elmore, Ohio on June 29, 2008. Both have several sculptures at the gardens.

Lico Tejarina is moving to San Luis Potosí, México in July to live with his son. In the 1991 photo, Lico is shown with his beloved wife Connie. Both were avid supporters of música tejana.

Ruth and Marcelino Castilleja of Genoa, Ohio with two of their great-grand-children Serenity Pello and Adrianne “Rikki” Chasteen II.

Enrique Carrillo of Chevy Chase Bank in Bethesda, Maryland hosts his annual Pachanga Cubana on May 18, 2008. In the photo, el Señor Carrillo (el Director de Asuntos Bancarios Hispanos de Chevy Chase) is shown with Scott McSween (Vice Presidente Executivo) and the Chevy Chase Check Card.  

Tejano Marcelino Castilleja celebrates his 80^th birthday (June 2) with six members of Imagenes Mexicanas, who are also members of his family.

Happy 13th Birthday Cierra Myers (June 8)!

Happy Birthday Sonya Oviedo!
Sonya is shown with her niece Isabella.

Ahisa/Chulita and Itzi Cruz enjoy the soccer games

Don’t miss Latino Scholarship Day with the Toledo Mud Hens on July 27, 2008. In the photo,
DJ Tony Rios and his wife Maryori enjoyed last year’s victory by the Mud Hens.

Tickets on sale for the
6th Latino Scholarship Day with the Toledo Mud Hens
on Sunday, July 27, 2008.

Call Rico at 419-870-6565 or Bob Salazar
at 419-893-6227 ext. 7160.

Ram Herrera fans taking photos of him on May 25 near
Toledo, Ohio.

Latins United/Latinos Unidos takes 3rd place in the City of Toledo Billards Tournaments. L-R (front row) are: John Johnson, Andy Becerra, Kelly Espinoza (Co-Captain), Joe Carmona, & Monica Wachowiak (Scorekeeper); (back row) are: Kevin Ullery, Butch Lesinszki, and Kevin Ullery Jr. Note present: Omar Burciaga (Captain), Marty Salas, Beau McCarthy, and Shawn Engelhardt.

Carissa Romero will attend Stanford University

LORAIN, Ohio - Carissa Lauren Romero graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, High Honors and Phi Beta Kappa, from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia on May 12, 2008.

Carissa was accepted to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California and will pursue her Ph.D. in developmental psychology under Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

Carissa is an elected member of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. Carissa wrote an Honors Thesis on mental rotation for 2 year olds while at the Child Study Center of the Spatial Cognition Laboratory at Emory University.

Carissa graduated in 2004 as Valedictorian of Lorain Catholic High School. She is the daughter of Joanette and Richard Romero of Lorain, Ohio.

Indianapolis, el 6 de mayo de 2008: Mario Domínguez, piloto del auto IndyCar #96 Visit Mexico City conoció a la Senadora Hillary Clinton. La Senadora Clinton es candidata a la nominación presidencial por el partido Demócrata para la elección de 2008.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has selected FLOC President Baldemar Velásquez of Toledo and Lupe Williams of Wooster to be additional commissioners of the Ohio Commission of Hispanic/Latino Affairs. Their terms will expire on October 7, 2010. Richard Romero, Chair of the OCHLA, welcomed the new commissioners—“Both (Baldemar and Lupe) will make excellent commissioners because of their passion and dedication to the Latino community.”

Happy 1st Birthday
Logan Retholtz!
May 27

The Latino community lost a good friend with the passage of Hermano Emilio Costilla on Cinco de Mayo—the 5th of May, 2008. This Tejano was actively involved in all aspects of the community. Shown above is Emilio with his lovely wife of 56 years, Alvina, supporting Latino Scholarship Day with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2006. God Bless you Emilio, Alvina, and your loved ones. La comunidad Latina perdió a un buen amigo con la muerte del hermano Emilio Costilla que falleció el pasado Cinco de Mayo del 2008.  Este orgulloso texano era  activo en todos los aspecto  en la comunidad. En la foto de arriba esta Emilio con su amada esposa de 56 años Alvina, apoyando las becas de latinos en el juego de los Mud Hens de Toledo en 2006. Dios bendiga a Emilio, Alvina y a todos sus amados.

Happy 10th Birthday

Kayla McQueen

May 16!

Sigma Lambda Beta-Epsilon Alpha Chapter’s (The University of Toledo) newest members are, L to R, Carlos Ruiz, Nick Abalos, and Brandon Wilson. Carlos and Nick will be juniors majoring in finance and Brandon will be a sophomore, majoring in communications. 

Taylor Balderas & Isaiah Burciaga

announce their Nuptials on

May 17, 2008 @ the Valentine Theatre

Monica, Memo Jr, e Itzi se celebrarón y se
divertierón con un mimo.

En Mayo 4 del 2008 la ciudad de Detroit celebró el Cinco de Mayo con un desfile en Mexican town.

2008 Detroit Cinco de Mayo

2008 Detroit Cinco de Mayo

There were numerous Cinco de Mayo activities between May 2 thru May 5, 2008. Toledo’s Imagenes Mexicanas and El Corazón de México both performed at the Toledo Zoo. Performances were also presented at: Rodgers High School, Woodward High School, Old West End Academy, Playmakers Sports Eatery (Izzy’s annual bash), Carlita’s Restaurant, Toledo Hospital, the City of Toledo, and the East Toledo Senior Center.

In the photograph, Cierra Myers and Miguel Martínez II of Imagenes Mexicanas perform at the Toledo Zoo during Cinco de Mayo festivities on May 4, 2008.
La Prensa Photo.
 

Alondra Rosario Flores will be crowned queen this May 3rd in Lorain by the Mexican Mutual Society. Also honored will be Natalia Elena Moreno, Oriana Figueroa, Selina Amador, and Angelissa Pardo.

Adelante, Inc. attended the 13th Annual Hispanic Leadership Conference on April 26, 2008 at the Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio, hosted by the Coalition for Hispanic/Latino Issues & Progress (CHIP). In the photograph is comedian Bill Santiago with Sonia Troche, Executive Director of Adelante, and students that are part of various Adelante youth programs.

Maestro John Orozco of  St. Francis de Sales with some parents and students of LASSO, in preparation of LASSO’s annual Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser on April 27, 2008 in the cafeteria of the high school.

2007 Mexican Mutual Princess Nyana Espitia with escort Xavier Purdo participating in the Cinco De Mayo Parade in Lorain. This year, 5 little girls are vying for Little Queen of the Cinco de Mayo Celebration, May 3, 2008 – Natalia Elena Moreno, Oriana Figueroa, Selina Amador, Alondra Rosario Flores, and Angelissa Pardo. The winners will be announced in La Prensa next week.

La Prensa’s Carla Soto with Lazo Cultural’s publisher Luis García, Detroit Cónsul of México Vicente Sánchez, with president of APROMEX Rafaél García on April 18, at the SAE World Congress Convention Reception in Detroit.

El Consulado de México en Detroit, Michigan se complació en tener la visita del Sr. Gino Demenechi, Director Adjunto de Asuntos Internacionales. Durante su visita el señor  Demenechi informó a la gente de la comunidad en Detroit y Ann Anbor acerca de los servicios que la oficina del gobierno del estado de México en Houston ofrece. Por ejemplo actas de nacimiento, translados de cuerpos, cartillas militares, mas.

Durante la presentación la señora Jacqueline Morán,Cónsul para Asuntos Comunitarios y Culturales en Detroit tomó la oportunidad de hablar acerca de los servicios que el consulado de México en Detroit ofrece como:   Pasaportes,  Matricula Consular de Alta Seguridad (MCAS), Cartilla del Servicio Militar,  Actos del Registro civil,  Declaratorias de Nacionalidad Mexicana, Menajes de casa,  Otorgamiento de Poderes Generales y Especiales, Legalización de Documentos y  Pagos de derecho de  Pensiones. El consulado también tiene servicio de cónsul móvil en Toledo sera en 31 de Mayo sigue leyendo la prensa porque pronto te diremos las fechas y los lugares donde estará el cónsul móvil.

María and TPS José Luna cook Mexican food for Special Kids at the Leverette Middle School on April 3, 2008. María and José want the TPS students to learn about the Mexican culture and how to mix different spices.

Richard Lange plays the best in jazz every Wednesday, 6-9PM, at Manhattans Restaurant, 1516 Adams Street, Toledo. Call (419) 243-6675

Lewis Huerta with Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak

On March 28, 2008, Job Fair 2008 took place at the Lucas County Recreation Center.

According to Lewis Huerta, account representative for the Lucas County Workforce Development Agency, “We had approximately 3,000 individuals attend the job fair. Special thanks to our spotlight sponsors: OMMC, Lucas County Commissioners, and Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Services.

“This was our biggest Job Fair to date. The diverse range of employers/vendors certaintly gave job seekers, a reason to be excited.”

Laura Saavedra, president of the Latino Student Union at Bowling Green State University, with Victor Temblador, honoring César E. Chávez, on March 31, 2008 in Bowling Green, Ohio. Photo by NC Abrams.

On March 27, 2008, Rebekah Maldonado Nofziger, a senior at Pettisville HS, received Adelante’s 2008 César Chávez Student Achievement Award (far left). Additional students were recognized: María del Carmen Cárdenas Trujillo (Bronson Jr./Sr. HS), Brenda Urias (Waite HS), Blanca C. Pecina (Waite HS), Lauren Kowalik (St. Ursula), Nataly Gutiérrez (St. Ursula HS), Jessica Shepherd (Toledo School for the Arts), and Elijah Santiago (Southview HS). Toledo’s Adelante, Inc. also presented Amigo Awards to: The Toledo Museum of Art and Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE).

Venues throughout the world, including the Lucas County Courthouse, were the scenes of a burst of protests against the Bush/Cheney war in Iraq, commenced on March 19, 2003. In the photo above, 4,000 tombstones are on display, depicting the U.S. war dead and countless others. Visit: www.antiwar.com 

Cinco de Mayo restaurant opened on March 16, 2008,...in time for St. Patrick’s Day. ¡Felicidades! Cinco de Mayo is located at 304 Alexis Road, Toledo OH.

Elida con hermanos Izzi & Homero Ortiz

Lucy Perales Rios con hijas

March 14, 2008: Baldemar Velásquez, President of FLOC, was the recipient of the City of Toledo’s Citizen of the Month Award (January); also honored were Dr. Xunming Deng of Xunlight Corp. (Dec. 2007) and Henry Clark (Owner of Clark’s Barber and Barber Salon, February 2008).

On March 2, 2008, seven-years old Johnny “Rocket” Orozco of Tiffin, Ohio, won first place in the Tiffin Columbian Biddy Wrestling Program’s Arnold Classic. ¡Felicidades!

The artwork of a pair of Common Goldeneye by Hudson native Joel Rogers won first place in this year’s Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp Design Competition, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Rogers’ painting will appear on the Ohio wetlands stamp issued in fall of 2009.
Visit: www. Ohiodnr.com

Molly Thomas in DOUBT by John Patrick Shanley at Performance Network Theatre through April 6, 2008.
Photo by Peter Smith. 734-663-0696 www.performancenetwork.org

Rick Keel was feted to a graduation party on
March 7, 2008, hosted by the Castilleja family.
Rick graduated from cosmetology school and
works at Dillard’s at Westfield.

Happy Birthday Ofelia Cruz!

March 4th
Love your daughters, Carla & Itzi

Feliz Cumpleaños Lolo!—
de parte de tu familia, te queremos mucho!

Luis García (Publisher of Lazo Cultural), Conductor Enrique Bátiz, and Mexican Cónsul Vicente Sánchez (Detroit) prior to the performance by the State Symphony of México, in Toledo, Ohio on Feb. 27, 2008.

U.S. Congresswomen Nydia Velázquez and Betty Sutton at a Fundraiser in Lorain on March 1, 2008, with Congressman John P. Sarbanes (Maryland) & Mike Velázquez (Sutton staff member) at the Puerto Rican Home Club.

VOTE 2008!!

The Torres clan gathered together in Toledo on Feb. 20, 2008 to wish Roberto Torres well in Canton. L-R: brother Alfonso Torres, son Mike Rodríguez, hermano David Torres, hermano Usevio Torres, son Juan Rodríguez, brother Gabriel Torres, brother George Torres. Not pictured are Roy Torres, Felipe Torres, Vincenta Fres, Juan Torres Jr., Homer Torres, and Irma Torres.

Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama campaigning at the University of Toledo before an audience of over 10,000 supporters (Feb. 24, 2008). La Prensa’s Marisol Ibarra Photo.

Toledo tiene un nuevo equipo de hockey con dos logos alternantes. El equipo se llamara Walleye Hockey y empezaran a jugan en el 2009, despúes de que se termine de hacer el nuevo estadio en Toledo.

Sonia Troche of Adelante, Inc. and Robert Torres of Canton with Joan

Dora López and Hernán Vásquez at the Sofia Quintero Arts & Cultural Center’s Scholarship Fundraiser on Feb. 25, 2008 at Mi Hacienda Restaurant.

Lucas County Auditor Anita López and staff at the Sofia Quintero Arts & Cultural Center’s Scholarship Fundraiser at Mi Hacienda on Feb. 25, 2008.

Love, the Pecinas and Castillejas

Frances Strickland (right) at Hillary Clinton for President campaign function in Findlay, Ohio on Feb. 16, 2008. Traveling with the Ohio’s First Lady was Judy Newman, Director, Projects & Outreach, Office of the First Lady of Ohio. Photo by NC Abrams

Tony and Marjorie Rios playing the best in Latin music at Mi Hacienda on Feb. 16, 2008

L-R: Juan Dominguez, India Montez, Juan Sandoval Hernández,
Mr. Luna, Christal Montez, Ms. Weaver, & Savannah López.

Toledo: Notre Dame Academy Senior Athena Smolka (Petersburg, MI) signing her full-ride golf scholarship to Rend Lake College in Ina, Illinois. While on the Notre Dame Academy golf team, Athena has accomplished: first team all city - 3 years in a row; first team all District Senior year; co-MVP for NDA her Senior Year; Captain her Senior year; NDA finished 6th in the State Championship for 2007; and was NDA’s top golf at State, scoring a 164 for the two day tournament

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Aaliyah Granger

 Feb 12th

Demonstrations, such as the one above at the University of Toledo, were held worldwi