Alabama

“A former Clemson University Spanish professor has sued the school in federal court, alleging a pattern of discrimination and harassment taken against Hispanic members of the schools Languages Department.

Gloria Bautista, now living in New York, lost her tenured full professorship in November 2006. That decision “constitutes illegal discrimination against the plaintiff on the basis of her race and national origin,” according to the suit.”

“A group of Hispanic contractors and business professionals has formed an organization that aims to improve safety among the growing number of Hispanics working in the Birmingham construction industry.

Asociacion Contratistas Hispanos, or the Association of Hispanic Contractors, was founded by Jose Martinez, owner of Martinez Masonry Art, and Vicenta B. Smith, a Homewood lawyer who has represented several Hispanic construction workers injured on the job.”

“Five members of a self-styled Alabama militia were denied bond Tuesday after a federal agent testified they planned a machine-gun attack on Mexicans. A sixth man accused of having weapons and explosives components in his home was approved for release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Armstrong said he could not grant bond because of the agents testimony and the large number of weapons ”” including about 200 homemade hand grenades and a launcher ”” that were seized in raids last Friday.”

“Living the American dream since 1978. Ortiz wishes her fellow immigrants could do the same. Ortiz joined the American Coalition for Immigrant Justice on the Alabama State House steps, an advocacy group urging Governor Bob Riley to support national immigration reform. The coalition believes the immigration reform proposals in the state house are a waste of time, misguided, mean-spirited, proposals they believe target undocumented Hispanic and Latino residents.

“Were here to call on Governor Riley to stop piece-mealing, ill-considered legislation but instead support national immigration reform through Congress,” said John Pickens, one of the organizers of the group.”

“A group of more than 26 agencies, schools, colleges and services sponsor the fair, referred to as the festival of Brazos Abiertos, or Open Arms in English.

Fleenor said that most of the 120 children who took part in the fire safety demonstrations understand English but the adults who came appreciated the interpreters at the fair.”

“The ribbon-cutting and Grand Opening Celebration of Latino Mix 1480 AM Radio Station, WRLM, will take place on Friday, April 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Post-ceremony refreshments will be served.

With Jefferson and surrounding counties home to most of the state’s Latin community - numbered at more than a quarter of a million people in 2005 according to a University of Alabama study - Latino Mix 1480 AM broadcasting by long-time area residents and newspaper publisher, the Vargas family, serves the largest Hispanic population in Alabama.

From studios in Trussville, the radio station’s live, 24-hour on-air personalities mix a variety of music formats - from Mexican regional to contemporary, oldies, tropical and Tejano, covers popular artists such as Shakira, Nelly Hurtado, Alejandro Saenz, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. A Spanish version of CNN Headline News is complemented by Latino Mix’s own local news, weather and traffic.

Each morning, Latino Mix 1480 kicks off with the team of El Pelón (Luis Ramirez) and La Comadre (Cristina González). Other personalities include Orlando Mix, Diana Carolina Suarez, Diego Chacón, Jaime Andrade (known on the air as El Lobito) and Fernando Rivadeneira.

Jairo Vargas began publishing Latino News ten years ago, from a desire to serve his church community. He opened in Gadsden with a monthly issue and moved the company to Birmingham two years ago, increasing frequency to weekly circulation in the summer of 2004. Vargas said: “I wanted to provide responsible news and information, to help create a healthy environment among the community and deliver positive messages to residents.”

Each Friday, 16,000 copies are distributed from Florence to Mobile.

The radio station kickoff expands the Vargas family’s ability to serve a growing market. “We have invested in the best technology in the industry, including equipment to broadcast remotely from advertisers’ locations,” commented Vargas. “We have established the only Hispanic radio station Web site in the area.”

Visit Latino Mix 1480 AM on the Web at ‘http://www.latinomix1480.com’ or contact Brunilda Fernandez at 205.419.5753. “

“The bill would create a 20-member commission representing all sides of the issue. The governor would name seven members, including at least two representatives of the Hispanic community, and the rest of the panel would include the usual suspects representing schools, law enforcement, health care providers and so forth.

The idea is to get everyone at the table and come up with a comprehensive approach. Thats about as likely as a press conference to announce the discovery of flying pigs, but at least theyd be talking.”

“Muscle Shoals Municipal Judge Bill Marthaler expects requests to attend defensive driving school to increase now that a course has been created for Spanish-speaking residents.

Defensive driving classes are offered to people who have been ticketed for traffic-related violations such as speeding, reckless driving, running a red light or running a stop sign, Marthaler said.”

“National Hispanic Scholars will now have to meet higher requirements to receive the University’s Hispanic scholar package.

As of 2007, Hispanic scholars are required to have a 32 on their ACT or an equivalent SAT score as well as a 3.7 high school GPA. In 2007, they only had to be declared scholars by the College Board, whose standards were a student identifying his or herself as at least one-quarter Hispanic and have a 3.5 GPA to receive the scholarship.”

“Hundreds of Hispanic children have walked into a Cahaba Valley Health Cares free dental screening and sat in a dentists chair for the first time in their lives.

Some of their parents have done the same, said Edwina Taylor, the nonprofits executive director.”

“Padilla-Madden said the state probably has fewer than 20 lawyers who speak Spanish fluently, and certainly no more than 50. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 4.2 percent of Alabama residents — some 170,000 people — speak a language other than English at home, mostly Spanish. But many experts believe official counts vastly understate the true number of Latinos in the state.

A Spanish-language radio station recently began broadcasting in Birmingham, joining ones in other cities like Alabaster and Bessemer.”

“A new Spanish language radio station is on the air in Birmingham. Its one of many new businesses or services, aimed at accomodating the growing Latino community. Its a growing population with buying power, and businesses are taking notice.

Radio Centro 1320 AM went on the air Thursday morning. DJs describe the format as Mexican country music. It is the areas fourth Spanish language station, but owners of WPSB plan on providing much more than tunes. “

“The influx of Hispanic immigrants into Alabama communities is expected to be a major issue in the upcoming session of the Alabama Legislature, with a number of measures being drafted to curb it.

Republican Gov. Bob Riley said he expects to mention immigration reform as one of his priorities when he gives his “State of the State” speech on March 6 at the start of the 2007 session. Republicans and Democrats both made the issue a priority during last years election campaigns.”

“The Huntsville school board approved an agreement Thursday night for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntsville-Madison County to start a club at the school. It will be the first local school-based club and has the aim of helping the McDonnell school community, which has a large percentage of Hispanics.”

“Help wanted: Receptionist for growing school. Ability to speak English and Spanish preferred.

Thats basically the job description devised by Foley Elementary Principal Bill Lawrence last summer. He found the perfect candidate — Nancy Quezada Hunter, who speaks Spanish and English — to help bridge the communication gap between English-speaking staff and Spanish-speaking parents.”

“A hint that the 11 a.m. mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church would be a bit more colorful than usual Sunday came in trucks emblazoned with Mexican and American flags and dancers in bright headdresses.

They processed into the parking lot of Holy Spirit Catholic Church shortly before the bilingual mass to celebrate the annual festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe.”

“A stylish shopping center catering to Hispanics in Hoover is ready for business.

Owners of the 17,000-square-foot Plaza Fiesta - designed by Williams-Blackstock Architects, with bright colors and artistic decors - were hoping to open the grocery store and shop selling boots as early as this weekend. A restaurant whose striking looks were crafted by one of Mexico’s most celebrated designers will open at the center off Lorna Road later this month.”

The communication is sometimes rudimentary between local real estate broker H TC Harris and his Hispanic clients. While showing a home Wednesday in east Montgomery, Harris’ repeated selling point was “bonita casa,” which means “pretty house.”

“Over the period of a month, I might talk to three to 10 families of a Hispanic background,” Harris said. “Over the last four years, it’s grown leaps and bounds. Ten years ago, I didn’t know any Hispanic families here in Montgomery. Now I know Hispanic families from Montgomery to Union Springs.”

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