Spot Light on Local Latinos

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MEET TOUCHABLE DINOSAURS
EXPERIENCE PREHISTORIC ENVIRONMENTS
DIG FOR FOSSILS & MORE!
GLAZERMUSEUM.ORG
Jolie R. Gonzalez
Publisher / Editor In Chief
Victor Padilla
VP/ Operations manager
Misha Wong
Creative Director
nikko gonzalez
Publishing assistant
Editorial team
Alexandra Posada
Staff Writer – La Teen Knows
HART
Staff Writer – Ask El Transportation
Professional
Pastor David Murphy
Staff Writer – Ask El Pastor
CENTRAL
Florida
Letter from
La Editora in Chief
By: Jolie Gonzalez
Pg 6
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
with Jaci Velasquez
By: Victor and Jolie
Pg 7
Health & Fitness:
ObamaCare Pg 8,9
By: Jeffrey Mercado
SOUTH &
SOUTH
West Florida (Flip It
to find these features!)
Meet the South & South West
Florida Team!
Claribel Levinson, New Regional
Marketing Director for South
West, Florida
Gabriela Guerrero, New
Regional Marketing Director for
South Florida
Pg 4
Marketing & Advertising Consultants
Health & Fitness:
Claribel Levinson – South West Florida
Regional Marketing Director
Where did I go?
Gabriela Guerrero – South Florida
Regional Marketing Director
2013 Latino Movers N
Shakers – Central Florida
Pg 6, 7, 8
Pg 12, 13
Bochinche Blvd Pg
Susan Price – Tampa Bay
Business Development Manager
Carmen Santiago – Orange & Osceola Counties
Business Development Specialist/Special Reporter
Sergio Sodre – Tampa Bay
Hispanic Liaison / Business Development Specialist
Other Florida Counties: (813) 407-6866 Office
or Jolie@Latin-Times.com
Photography / Video
Juan Ruiz of Ziur Photography
Special Events Reporter/Photographer
Pg 11
La Teen Knows…
By Alexandra Posada
Pg14
On The Cover
Valery Ortiz – Central Florida
Pg 16
Luigi Martinelli – Special Events Photographer /
Videographer
Cover
4th Quarter 2013 Cover:
Designed by Misha Wong
Diana Laura – South Florida
Cover
Pg 17
2013 Latino Movers N
Shakers – Central Florida
Esperanza Road Pg
9
10, 11
Hispanic Jews…… who are they?
Are you one?
Restaurant Section Pg 12,13
Restaurant Reviews, Restaurant
Directory and Recipes
As you know Latin Times
Magazine is now a print,
web AND mobile friendly
publication!
Latin Times Magazine QR Code Reference
Directory. 4th Quarter 2013
That’s right… Latin Times is
Green Friendly!
Main Office: (813) 407-6866 or (813) 407-7191 | Fax: (813) 489-2422
Latin Times Media Website: www.Latin-Times.com | Other Websites: www.TheCubanSandwichFestival.com
or www.Latin-Restaurants.com, www.LiveHealthyLatino.com, www.joliegonzalezpadilla.bodybyvi.com/
Proud Members of the following Organizations:
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay
• United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the expressed written consent from Latin Times Media, Inc.,
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
For a one (1) year subscription (4 issues), please sign on to our website: Latin-Times.com to order!
Special ThanX to God. Thank you to GOD for the many blessings you have placed in my life! Thank you to my church family, Shoresh David Messianic Jewish
Synagogue. Thank you to Carmen Santiago for being a great mom, Orlando & Josefina Rodriguez for being great parents. To my big brother –I love you. Nikko
Gonzalez for being the best son in the world, step forward your future awaits you. Thank you to my husband Victor, you are my hero, I love you! Thank you to
Zion & Victoria you are the sweetest and most beautiful little girls in the world, and to all my wonderful friends.
DANAHY&MURRAY
TRIAL LAWYERS
TOLL FREE: 1-877-258-0999
Danahy & Murray, P.A. es un bufete de abogados
que sólo representa los asegurados en contra su
propia compañía de seguros.
Nuestro Campo Profesional Incluye Reclamos Sobre:
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propiedad (su casa o negocio)
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901 West Swann Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606
T (813) 258-3600 • F (813) 258-3321
www.danahyandmurray.com
* Hablamos Español
Hola Mi Gente Bonita
de la Florida!
Welcome to the new and exciting edition
of Latin Times Magazine!
Amigos y amigas
there is lots going on
this time of year!
Ya pasamos el mes de herencia
hispana (Hispanic Heritage Month September 15th Thru October 15th)
pero (but) we hispanos stretch that
until the end of October, which of
course brings us into Thanksgiving,
one of my favorite holidays
because it’s a time when we get
to gather with loved ones and
share with each other what we are
most thankful for. (Although I do
maintain that every day is a day for
giving thanks!) Thanksgiving takes
us into Las Navidades and to the
fun Latino tradition of Parrandas,
which takes us to New Years!
Another favorite for me because
it’s a day of reflection…again
another day of being thankful, and
of course it’s a day of planning….
Saying good bye to yesterday
and to whatever you want to
leave behind…and saying hello to
tomorrow, to the next year of your
life, to the next opportunity and to
the chance to improve.
During this time of year you will find
people saying goodbye to one vice
or other…. For some it’s smoking,
and for others it’s drinking and for
others it’s overeating, etc… all of
these are great things to say Good
bye too!
Every year during the last week
of the year I think of how the New
Year will be so much better, and for
me 2014 will mean a NEW ME…..
one that is more conscious of
health and weight, one that strives
to be a better daughter, mother,
wife, friend, community leader and
business person. I believe 2014
will be the best year of my life – I
just know it! Why? Because in the
last few months I have been finding
myself again, losing the weight I
had put on these last few years,
and I have learned to value my
health again. I am sure most of you
can relate (at one point or other)
to feeling like a stranger trapped
inside of an overweight body and
asking yourself where did I go? It
had been years since I recognized
myself in that mirror, but thanks to
my 90 Day Body By Vi Challenge
and my Challenge Bootcamp
weekly sessions, as of this issue
going to press I have managed
to lose over 20 Lbs. and Victor
has lost over 25 Lbs! I still can’t
recognize myself but at least now
I know that I will be back soon and
Christmas day is my goal!
If you know someone that needs
to lose weight, and get healthy...
please encourage them to call
me right away, I love the Body
By Vi Challenge so much that
Victor and I have decided to
represent the product to the
Hispanic/Latino community! Visit
my website for more info: http://
joliegonzalezpadilla.bodybyvi.com/
or our new Latino Health Website:
www.LiveHealthyLatino.com
Don’t Miss the 3rd Annual Cuban
Sanwich Festival is Saturday,
March 22nd, 2014!
Until the next time…
May God Bless You ALL!
Jolie Gonzalez
Jaci Velasquez
Latin Times Media and Magazine recently
had the incredible opportunity to interview,
in an exclusive interview Jaci Velasquez.
To the both of us (Victor and I) having the
opportunity to meet this extremely anointed
Christian singer and performer, was a dream
come true because at one point or another,
Jaci Velasquez’s music had deeply touched us
and had helped us to get past those difficult
and impossible moments by reminding us of
that we are God’s children by encouraging us
to have faith…
by reminding us of God’s promises. From
telling us to “Lay it down” at God’s feet, and by
encouraging us to get on our knees before our
father and to trust him.
There’s nothing like life experience to take an
award-winning artist to a whole new level of
creativity. Just ask Jaci Velasquez. Much has
happened since she first burst on the scene
as a fresh-faced teenager possessing an
emotionally-charged voice that breathed life
into such hits as “Every Time I Fall” and “On
My Knees.”
Although still in her early 30’s, her career
spans over a decade, her songs, and lyrics
always saying exactly what we needed to hear
–when we needed to hear it. With sixteen #1
radio hits, 17 albums, 7 Dove Awards, 3 RIAA
Gold Records and 3 RIAA Platinum records
under her belt, is just the tip of the iceberg
when it comes to the accredited recording
artist, Jaci Velasquez.
The title track of her most recent solo
collection, Diamond, is appropriate for
Velasquez. Just as pressure, depth and
intense heat lead to the formation of the
world’s most precious gem, Velasquez’s
artistry has been shaped by pressures of
early success, the unrelenting glare of the
spotlight and her unyielding desire to serve
God even as He was shaping the young
artist. “It’s interesting how things evolve,”
Velasquez says. “You evolve as a person, and
all the stories that happened when you were
younger, you still could tell them, but you view
them differently. I look at everything differently
now.’
On Diamond, Velasquez reveals her
considerable gifts as a songwriter, writing
or co-writing on nine of the album’s 11
tracks. She found the songwriting process
exhilarating. “It’s like a rebirth,” she sighs. “I
don’t think I ever lived until now.”
The title track encapsulates where Velasquez
is at this point in her life. “I wrote that after
my kids were born,” she says. “I look back
at the past and I look at the future and I
say, this is what life is about! God can make
anything!” she says. “He can take a stone that
nobody cares about, chip, chip, chip away
and find something beautiful in all the rubble.
Sometimes the flaws in the diamond are what
make it sparkle the brightest.”
This is a frantically busy, yet extremely
sweet time in the life of a gifted artist that has
grown up under the gaze of her audience.
“I’ve learned that I know absolutely nothing,
and yet I’ve learned so much,” Velasquez
smiles when thinking about the past few
years. “I’ve learned that my marriage is
key. . . and also the love that I have for my
children. It bubbles up inside of me and
it overflows like crazy, like a waterfall. I
imagine if I love them this much, then how
much does Jesus? And God? How much do
they love us? We get a small picture of it
on this earth. That’s really what I’ve learned
from my family.”
For Jaci Velasquez, it’s been an incredible
journey that coalesces in the music on
“Diamond”. Like that of most precious
of stones, Velasquez continues to shine,
reflecting God’s grace and mercy through her
music and her life.
Here is a taste of our one on one
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Jaci
Velasquez!
To get the full affect and listen or view
our FULL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW –visit
our website www.latin-times.com/page/
exclusive-interview-with-jaci-velasquez
Or use your QR Scanner to visit
the page now!
Health & Fitness
Obamacare finally underway!
federal governments’ way of directly helping
you pay for your private insurance) and
the companies offering Qualified Health
Plans (QHP). To be considered a QHP
the policy must include the ten essential
benefits the complete list can be found
at www.obamacaresolutions.us but the
most important is preventative office visits,
lab tests, X-rays, child immunizations, flu
and more are included without any copays or deductibles. The bottom line is
Obamacare really does help millions of
Americans who previously couldn’t qualify
or couldn’t afford health coverage. As your
local insurance agent we strive to deliver
the highest quality, unbiased information
100% free of charge. With services in
English and Spanish and access to over
113 companies nationwide we’re sure to
have an affordable product that fits your
unique needs.
By: Jeffrey Mercado
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act aka Obamacare is finally underway
despite a lengthy government shutdown
and over 40 attempts to stop the new law
from going into effect it’s here to stay.
What Obamacare does is it gives millions
of Americans access to Affordable Health
Care millions of doctors, hospitals and
some urgent care clinics nationwide. Some
of the highlights in the new law that many
people don’t know about is you can choose
from over ten private health insurance
companies here in Florida that are offering
an average of 15 plans each on the
Healthcare Exchange. The main objective the
exchange is to provide a one stop resource
for consumers to apply for a subsidy (the
En Español: La Ley de Protección al
Paciente y Cuidado de Salud Asequible u
OBAMACARE está finalmente en marcha
a pesar de un largo cierre del gobierno y
más de 40 intentos de detenerla, pero ya
está aquí para quedarse. Obamacare da
el acceso a millones de estadounidenses
a poseer protección a nivel de cuidado
de la salud y atención de urgencias en
todo el país. Algunos de los aspectos más
destacados que mucha gente no sabe,
es que usted puede elegir entre más de
10 compañías privadas de seguros de
salud en Florida, ofreciendo un promedio
de 15 planes en el intercambio de
cuidados de la salud con OBAMACARE.
El principal objetivo del intercambio
es proporcionar un subsidio para los
consumidores (El gobierno le ayudará
pagando un porcentaje de su seguro
privado) y para las empresas que ofrecen
planes de salud Calificados (PLC). Para
ser considerado en un PLC, la póliza
debe incluir los 10 beneficios esenciales
que ofrece el programa (véalos en www.
espanolobamacare.us) adicional de
las visitas preventivas, exámenes de
laboratorio, rayos X, vacunas para los
niños, gripe, etc., esto y más están
incluidos sin ningún copago o deducibles.
Lo más importante de OBAMACARE
es que realmente ayuda a millones de
estadounidenses que antes no podían
calificar o no podían pagar la cobertura
de salud. Como “Su Agente Local de
Seguros” nos esforzamos por ofrecer la
más alta calidad, información imparcial
100% gratuita, con los servicios en
inglés y español, y el acceso a más de
113 empresas a nivel nacional. Estamos
seguros de tener la mejor opción que
mejor se adapte a usted y su familia.
To contact Your Local Insurance Agent
in English call Jeff direct 727-417-5534
or jeff@ocsolutions.us.
For Spanish call Jurany Andrea direct
407-221-1622 or jurany@ocsolutions.us
For information and to apply online
visit www.obamacaresolutions.us para
espanol www.espanolobamacare.us
Health & Fitness
Where
did
I go?
By Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla
I looked in the mirror every day, and
there she was, this stranger that was
always staring back at me, she looked
a little like me – in a distorted way, but
it wasn’t me, of that I was sure of. I
never questioned who she was, or
why she was there, or how long she
intended to stay--- I just let her stay. The longer she stayed, the further away
I felt, until one day –I realized that she
was more real than I was! I had been gone for years before I
suddenly began to snap out of it, every
morning when I saw her staring back at
me, it made me mad! I began to get
angry, she had been here long enough,
it was time for her to go. I was sick
of missing me… and sick of not being
able to wear my nice cloths, sick of her
getting bigger and bigger, and sick of
me being gone. It had been years since I recognized
myself in that mirror, but this time I was
determined to change that. It’s been a
few weeks since I made that decision
and in that time I had managed to lose
15 Lbs., I still can’t recognize myself,
still have such a long way to go, but at
least now I know that I am on the way
back and that I will be back soon, my
goal is to be brand new by New Years…
I don’t want to make a resolution to lose
weight AFTER the new year, as I had
done the year before…. NO this years
New Years’ will be celebrated with me
looking fabulosooooo! The Diet: The Body By Vi (Visalus) 90
Day Challenge! My husband and I are
currently using the Transformation Kit,
which is their best weight loss package!
We have a group of team mates and
friends, who are also trying to lose
weight and who have joined us on this
journey. My husband Victor and I joined
the 90 Day Challenge by Visalus. We
love the diet so much and even though
we admit to cheating a little (lot) we are
thrilled to report that the diet is working.
I want to encourage you,
if you need to lose weight,
join us on our diet!
Visit my diet Body Bi
Vi – I am now officially
a Rising Star Director,
and I can help you get on
the diet. Visit my site:
joliegonzalezpadilla.
bodybyvi.com/
About Visalus: ViSalus, is
a company that has helped
millions of people in the United
States, Canada and the United
Kingdom transform their health
and fitness through the Body
By Vi Challenge™. The Latino
community is more likely to be
overweight or obese. Visalus
is improving and expanding its
reach to the more than 50 million
U.S. citizens of Hispanic descent
in a crucial step in ViSalus’s
global expansion and, most
importantly, in its mission to help
people lose weight.
“Hispanics are 1.2 times more likely to
become obese than non-Hispanics,”
said Nick Sarnicola, Co-Founder and
Global Ambassador of ViSalus. “This
is an important constituency for us and
we are excited to bring the Body By
Vi Challenge to them to change more
lives that are truly at-risk.” There are
more than 5,000 independent ViSalus
promoters of Latino heritage.
If you want to lose weight, and
get healthy... join us on our
challenge TODAY! Visit my site: joliegonzalezpadilla.
bodybyvi.com/
Attend our NEXT Challenge Party
and try it for yourself!
Email me at Jolie@Latin-Times.com
for more information!
Spot Light on Local Latinos
have high insurance copays or some don’t
want certain tests on their insurance. We
get children testing for allergies all the way
to senior citizens testing their arthritis or
glucose levels.
Latin Times: What is your favorite Latin
Dish?
Carlos: That’s a tough one. I love peruvian
ceviche, but being Colombian, I have to
have bandeja paisa and sancocho.
Carlos Roldan
Name: Carlos Roldan
What is your Profession? Phlebotomist
Your Pais: Colombia
Hometown: Cali
Latin Times: How did you get started in
your career?
Carlos: After going through years of
immigration red tape, I really wanted a
career to further myself for my family. I took
some classes and got certified and was
lucky enough to find a job in my career path
very quickly as an intern first, then grew to
run the office within 2 years.
Latin Times: Tell us about your family
Carlos: My mother and brother are here
with me in Tampa. They are my lifeline. I
am also now lucky enough to have the
most incredible son imaginable. He is my
heart.
Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model that
you admire (Living or deceased) and why
do you admire them?
Carlos: Stephen Hawkins. I could sit and
watch, read or listen to his ideas on the
universe and life every day. I admire him
for not just accepting what he’s told, but
pushing the limits and deciding for himself
to investigate what most are afraid to
question.
Latin Times: What type of people can you
help with the services you offer in your job?
Carlos: Anyone really. Most of the people
that come to me do not have insurance or
Latin Times: How did you get started in your
career?
Patricia: As a 16 year-old high school graduate, in
Colombia, I had to decide what career to pursue. I
really wanted to become an artist but this was not
an option. Thus, I opted for law school not really
knowing what I was getting into. Luckily, I truly
enjoyed studying and then practicing law. Upon
relocating to Tampa I had to make a career choice
once more. This time, however, I went back to school
and became a US lawyer without thinking about it
twice.
Latin Times: Please tell us about your biggest
obstacles, and how you have overcome them.
Patricia:. As an immigrant I quickly learned that I
had to reinvent myself in the U.S. Back home I was
a “doctora” while here my Colombian law degree
was useless. At the age of 40, with English as a
second language and young children at home, going
back to law school was a daunting idea. However,
with my kids and husband’s support I was able to do
it. I encourage all foreign lawyers to do the same.
Studying hard paid off. I graduated with honors from
Stetson College of Law and passed the Florida Bar
on the first try. I got my professional life back!
Latin Times: Tell us about your family
Patricia: When we got married, my husband of 15
years, Mark, had 4 children. I had 2. Our house is
like an accordion that can stretch to fit them all and
shrink back when the two of us are alone. Right
now we have 4 living out of state, one back with us
temporarily between schools, and the youngest still
in high school. With these many kids there’s a lot of
cooking and cleaning and life is never boring. I love
it!
Latin Times: What do you enjoy most
about you what you do?
Carlos: The people. I love just interacting
with people. I make them laugh in an
environment that most find scary (getting
their blood drawn).
Latin Times: Please tell us about your
biggest obstacles, and how you have
overcome them. Carlos: Getting my
green card 5 years ago after being here
since I was a child. That was a big one. I
grew from that experience though and it
gave me focus to get me where I am today.
Name: Patricia Gomez
What is your Profession? Attorney at Law
Your Pais: Colombia
Hometown: Barranquilla
Patricia
gomez
Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model that you
admire (Living or deceased) and why do you admire
them?
Patricia: My parents, both deceased, continue to
inspire me because of the coherence with which
they lived their lives. They were not perfect but
they had clear values and were true to them. They
were loving and respectful to everybody. They were
unpretentious, grateful people, with big hearts. They
taught by their actions and not just their words. The
older I get the more I value the wonderful example
they gave us and hope that I may also live a fruitful
life and give back to others as much as they did.
Spot Light on Local Latinos
Gretchien
G. Pujals
Station in Tampa, FL has given me the
opportunity to represent our Hispanic
Community, the fastest growing
segment of the US Population.
Diane Agudelo-Vega
& Hector Vega
Name: Diane Agudelo-Vega and Hector Vega
What is your Profession? Owners of Dulce Cafe
Your Pais: Colombia and Puerto Rico
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Latin Times: How did you get started in your career/business?
Diane and Hector: We have always been fans of good food
and pleasant dining experiences. One day we started talking
about a bakery/cafe concept, where you could go read a book
while drinking cafe con leche or enjoy a good Latin pastry in a
relaxing atmosphere and realized there was no place like that
around. A few months passed and we decided to take on the
task of bringing our idea to life. After 7 long months of actively
working on getting started, Dulce Cafe Bakery opened its doors
in South Tampa.
Latin Times: Please tell us about your biggest obstacles, and
how you have overcome them.
Diane and Hector: Being new in the industry was a big
obstacle. We had to learn everything through trial and error.
Things like purchasing equipment to hiring the right team of
people to work with were very difficult. We are still working
through this on a daily basis, but we have learned many things
by being patient and persistent.
Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model that you admire (Living
or deceased) and why do you admire them?
Diane and Hector: Diane-somebody that I admire greatly is
my father. He has taught me a lot about being business minded,
hardworking and persistent. Not only is he a role model for
my entrepreneurial skills, but more for his kind and generous
personality. The number one thing he has taught me overall is to
always put God first and thrust him with everything. Hector-My
mother. She was a single mother of 3 and always worked very
hard for us to have everything.
Name: Gretchien G. Pujals
What is your Profession? Local
Sales Manager @ WYUU-92.5
MAXIMA FM / CBS Radio Tampa Bay
Your Pais: Puerto Rico
Hometown: Guaynabo
Latin Times: What do you enjoy most
about you what you do?
Gretchien: I enjoy everything about
what I do! It is one of my passions!
I enjoy meeting people and helping
them! Working in Media/Radio allows
me to reach/meet a lot of people
from different Cultures, interests,
Professional and social levels, from
different Companies and help them
promote their business’, events
and their growth. We offer plenty of
opportunities, WYUU-92.5 MAXIMA
FM and CBS Radio also offers Digital
opportunities such as streaming
spots, hyperlinked banners, audio/
video pre-rolls, home page takeovers
and e-marketing among others;
and events such as our “MAXIMA
Concierto Herencia Hispana” which
has been successful for eight years
in a row since 2006. Also, being
a Latin Woman (“Puertorriqueña”)
working in Hispanic Media/Radio,
leading the strongest Latin FM Radio
Latin Times: Tell us about your family
Gretchien: God has blessed me with
a beautiful Family!! My Family is my
Life, my everything!! My gorgeous
daughter is studying Special Education
at USF St. Pete, FL and it is part of the
National Dean’s list. She’s doing her
internship and just got certified/started
working as a Substitute Teacher in
Hillsborough County Public Schools;
My handsome son in eighth Grade, is
a Scout, football player, plays the Tuba,
loves to workout, play video games;
and my handsome Husband/Father of
my “Kids” who just opened his owned
Co., loves Sports is a Scout Master
and is being very supportive with my
career.
Latin Times: Who is a hero/role model
that you admire (Living or deceased)
and why do you admire them?
Gretchien: My Heroes and Role
Models are My Parents! They raised
me and my three Sisters with a lot
of love, respect and values. They
taught us to be strong, humbles,
honest, believe in ourselves, to have
courage, to always be ourselves, to
always respect and help others and to
never give up as we could accomplish
everything we wanted in life. They’ve
been married for 47 years, are retired
now but they were both admirable
professionals, are wonderful Human
beings and they’re both Cancer
Survivors. They are the reason I am
who I am. I love them and admire
them with all my heart!! God bless my
Family!!
ANYTIME
by
Freedom Healthcare, LLC
Carlos Roldan
Office Manager/Technician
p: (813) 932-3741
f: (813) 932-5641
7819 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 106
Tampa, FL 33614
anytimelab@yahoo.com
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“ He visto el proceso democrático en acción.”
Patrick Brathwaite, estudiante del Instituto de Honores de HCC e interino del Centro Washington
A través de la asociación académica de Hillsborough Community College con el Centro Washington,
Patrick hizo un internado con CNN en ambas convenciones nacionales de los republicanos y
demócratas. HCC ha sido el único colegio comunitario seleccionado para esta prestigiosa asociación—
esta es una de las tantas oportunidades que ofrecemos a nuestros estudiantes con una atractiva
experiencia de aprendizaje. Con clases pequeñas, matrícula factible y transferibilidad garantizada a
las universidades estatales, es fácil ver por qué más de 47,000 estudiantes eligen HCC.
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LaTeen Knows
Youth Perspective: Immigration
reform and The Dream Act
By Alexandra Posada
I was stunned and frankly I had chills racing
through me when I received the news that
immigration reform had passed in senate, real
change is on the horizon.
For many of our fellow Latinos this comes
after many years of struggling to see this
legislation finally come to fulfillment. Thanks
to the bipartisan “gang of eight” consisting
of Marco Rubio (R-FL) , Chuck Schumer
(D-NY), Bob Mendez (D-NJ), John McCain
(R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jeff Flake
(R-AZ), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) and Michael
Bennet (D-CO). Their immigration reform calls
for the use of e-verify, a program that allows
employers to verify that they are promoting
a legal workforce. Moreover, the reform also
calls for tighter border security.
Don’t fret; there is an upside to all of this. As
a result of the legislation being passed this
shows that there is in fact a bipartisan effort
being put forth on the Hill, potentially serving
as the springboard for a stronger bipartisan
effort on the issues rather than the differences.
Okay, so what does this mean for us?
You know the “Kids”. Well youngsters let’s all
gather around the article and learn something.
What this means for us (and others like us)
is that we’ll be climbing the ladder alongside
a strong immigrant workforce. This workforce
will serve as the backbone and truthfully
the engine of the blood, sweat and tears
machine that will revive our country from its
economic rut. We will be the ones to step
up and fill the “shoes” aka jobs, homes, and
ever expanding tax dollars needed to fund the
aging generation.
In the words of a Christina Matos “It’s all about
tweaking the legislation to work for the working
class, not the other way around.”
Latin Times Media Exclusive Interview
with
Actress Valery Ortiz
Latin Times Media: Valery, please tell us
about your family history and background?
Valery Ortiz: Soy 100% Puertorriqueña!
Mami, Papi, my brother and I were all born en
nuestra isla del encanto. A lot of my family is
still in Puerto Rico and the rest reside on the
East Coast of the United States! Latin Times Media: What made you decide to
become an actress?
Valery Ortiz: My first dream was to be a
ballerina. But really, my big brother Hector was
my inspiration. He always had our home video
camera and we’d do little mini movies and fun
shows growing up. It’s just him and I, so we
really kept ourselves entertained. My mom
had a huge part in getting us involved in things
too. She found a place in Orlando, FL called
Extras Express where Hector, my cousins and
I got our first taste of real movie magic on the
Universal Studios back lot. We also have a
childhood family friend, Rodney, to thank for
telling us about the Dr. Phillips High School
Theatre Magnet Program. And again, Hector
auditioned and got in so I was inspired (and a
big fan of their productions) so I followed in his
footsteps! Latin Times Media: Coming from a Latino
household have you ever struggled with weight
and being fit? How does being healthy play a
part in your life now?
Valery Ortiz: Yes and yes! You know what
and how much Latinos LOVE to eat! I’ll just
speak for myself. There’s something about our
traditional foods and celebrating around the
dinner table or just straight up standing around
the kitchen that just feels like ‘home’. It was
hard moving to L.A. and being called “chunky”.
It took me a bit to find who I was outside of
my cultural traditions and who “Hollywood”
accepted. More importantly who I accepted.
And honestly, I look at some pictures of back
in the day and although I wouldn’t say I was
‘chunky’ by any means, I could’ve had fewer
plates of arroz con salchichas! Ha Ha!
Being healthy plays a HUGE part in my life
now. I have found what works for my body type
and even blood type (from a book called: Eat
Right for your Blood Type)! I eat a lot less meat
than I used to and I LOVE to work out! I love
Jillian Michaels (a huge fan of ‘The Biggest
Loser’), hiking, taking Zumba, and I just FEEL
better when I am active! The difference is
crazy! Now, it’s REALLY hard to say no to my
dad’s bistec encebollado but everything in
moderation, right?!
Latin Times Media: Who past or present has
been an inspiration and hero in your life? Valery Ortiz: There are a lot of people who
have and still inspire me every single day.
My husband (he’s an amazing singer and
performer!) is a reminder every day of what a
fighter and dreamer truly is. My dad has always
inspired me to take big risks and do things that
scare me and my mom, my hero, has always
dared me to dream really, REALLY big. She’s
inspired a lot of my creativity and has taught
me a lot about true love and forgiveness. Honestly, I can write a whole book about the
close people in my life (family AND friends) and
how they each inspire me. I like to keep people
close to me that inspire and challenge me (and
themselves!) to keep dreaming. Latin Times Media Exclusive Interview
withDiana Laura Noris
Name: Diana Laura Noris
My Profession: Artist, Actress, Model,
Spokesperson, Animal Activist, President
of Women in the Arts Miami and a very
active Philanthropist.
Pais: I was born in Puerto Rico and raised
between Argentina and Puerto Rico. My
parents are from Mendoza, Argentina and
Germany.
Hometown: Santurce, Puerto Rico.
Latin Times: How did you get started in
your career?
Diana Laura: Diana Laura discovered a
keen interest in performance dance and
began her training at the prestigious Ballet
of San Juan in Puerto Rico where she
was a Prima ballerina, Not only did her
training provide an excellent outlet for the
enthusiastic and energetic person, it would
also prove to be a fortunate precursor for
the start of her professional acting career.
After receiving an offer to become a part of
the “Mendoza National Ballet” in Argentina
which she rejected, Diana Laura landed a
role in the Spanish soap opera “Tiempo de
Vivir” in Puerto Rico. This took her career
to another level and she began performing
in many Soap Operas, talk shows and
Game shows in her native Puerto Rico.
In 1996 she finally did the crossover and
Debut to American TV she moved to New
York where she began her studies at the
prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology
and completed her major in Fine Arts. She
decided short after graduating to pursue
her passion and enrolled herself at the
“Stella Adler Acting Studio” in NYC.
Latin Times: What have been some of
your biggest obstacles and how have you
overcome them?
Diana Laura: “What makes this Industry
frustrating is when a director or a studio
head doesn’t see me for the same part that
they’ll see, let’s say, an American actress
for,” she said. It’s like, ‘No, we want more
of an American type of girl.’ And it’s like,
America has opened up. I’m an American
girl, born and raised.” I can play with my
accent and make it work and my looks are
not the typical Latina looks but still, being
Puertorrican/Argentinean is “not as difficult
as it is being an Asian girl.” Basically
the biggest obstacle is dealing with my
industry in Florida and Los Angeles which
are completely different markets, it’s
hard to separate the latina from me and
get ready for an American role. How do i
overcome all the obstacles: I never give
up. I don’t listen to negativity and i don’t
envy anybody. I send everyone great and
positive vibes and if one door closes, trust
me the next will open!
My latest films: All my Films and
interviews can be seen at www.
DianaLauraOnline.com
Latest films:
Por el Corazon – Lorena -Tuscany
One Moment - Series Dotty
Repulsive – Alexandria
The Ticket Box – Sofia
Runner Runner –Detective Sandra Leon
Krissy Belle – Celina
Pain and Gain
Holiday Spin
Rogue Space:
The Adventures of Saber Raine –Louise
Caught in the Middle- Dianna
The Client List – Deidra (Episode 8
)”Games People Play”2012)
Spilt – Susana Martinez
Iron Sky- Katrina
La Noche Anuncia la Aurora – Leonor
Many more can be seen on IMDB
Latin Times: Who is your role model?
Diana Laura: My role Model is Sophia
Loren. I consider her an amazing actress
and the epitome of sexiness. She is
stylish, elegant, classy and sophisticated.
She is so respected in the industry, she is
a true lady! But my biggest role model is
any strong woman and life itself. I grew
up in a very lonely household with just a
mother and no family other than her so I
was always admiring actresses, models,
politicians and it was my escape. I believe
women can do anything they want. We
are strong and we can do it all! What
better inspiration than that?