Louisiana

“Since Hurricane Katrina, mobile taquerias catering to the mostly Mexican recovery workers have become a feature of the New Orleans area landscape. Except in white-bread Republican Jefferson Parish, whose council recently voted to effectively ban the taco trucks while leaving similar businesses untouched”

“New Orleans first full-power Spanish-language TV station is on the air, but not all TVs can pick up the signal, and none of the local cable lineups currently carries the channel.

Spearheaded by KGLA AM-1540 owner Ernesto Schweikert, WHMM is digital-only. So unless you have a new set equipped to receive and display over-the-air digital signals, you wont get it. If youve got the gear, its at Channel 42.”

“When local businesses needed help communicating with Spanish-speaking employees theyd sometimes call the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerces Hispanic Business Council looking for assistance.

Now the council has something to offer.

The council is partnering with the Learning Guide LLC, a new education and consulting company run by Vincent Perez, to bridge the gap between English and Spanish speakers in response to the growing demand for Spanish language services in the area.”

“In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has seen a rising influx of Hispanic immigrants willing to take on the task of cleaning up the flooded city.

NBC Us Telemundo has followed by expanding its coverage through a deal with affiliate WHMM New Orleans. Its signed a similar deal with KKIC Boise, Idaho.”

“In response to the growing Spanish-speaking population in Acadiana, Louisiana Technical College and South Louisiana Community College will offer Spanish language training courses.

The programs do not focus on grammar but teach occupation-specific phrases.”

“Some businesses are shifting gears for what they see as a growing Hispanic and Latino population in Lafayette, even if population estimates show a minimal increase.

Within the past six months, Cingular Wireless has bought space for two Spanish-language advertisements on Lamar billboards, and two more are expected soon, said Lamar Sales Manager Brad Posch.”

“The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce USHCC Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU with Southeastern Louisiana University during the USHCC 17th Annual Legislative Conference.

Through this collaboration, the USHCC Foundation and Southeastern Louisiana University will work together over the next five years to develop and implement programs and initiatives that will lead to the growth of the Hispanic business community. These programs will include:

— The creation of the Latino Virtual National Business and Training Institute that will assist Hispanic chambers and small business start-ups with e-learning tools and resources.

– A student internship program centered on business, communication and technology training.

– The establishment of a satellite video production studio in Washington, DC that will focus on establishing a dynamic set of educational video programs.

– The creation of 5 business incubator centers throughout the state of Louisiana which will provide technology infrastructure resources.

“We are proud to partner with Southeastern Louisiana University on this initiative,” said USHCC Foundation Chairman Massey Villarreal. “This partnership will enable us to provide the Latino business community with the proper resources to excel and prosper.”

“Hispanic entrepreneurs are key players in the U.S. economy and I am delighted to partner with our dear friends at Southeastern Louisiana University to create and implement programs which will positively enhance the Hispanic business community,” said USHCC Foundation President & CEO Frank Lopez. “

“It is difficult to miss the new television commercials ending with “Se habla espanol.” Familiar stores in Baton Rouge are printing their logos in both Spanish and English.

According to the United States Census Bureau, there are 31 million people currently residing in the United States who speak Spanish in their homes. Companies are scrambling to cater to their needs.”

“A Louisiana law that allows police to arrest suspected illegal immigrants during traffic stops is under fire from lawyers representing some of the thousands of Hispanics who have come to the city since Hurricane Katrina.

The Louisiana statute, enacted in 2002, makes it a felony for “alien students” and “nonresident aliens” to drive a vehicle without documentation proving that they are in the country legally.”

“An obstetrician-gynecologist, Work dedicates much of his practice to the influx of Hispanic workers who arrived after Hurricane Katrina. Along with other health care professionals in the New Orleans area, he reports the immigrants are creating unprecedented demand for prenatal and maternity care.

And the newcomers bring extra challenges, including the language barrier, immigration issues and limited financial means. Some of them, lacking money and insurance and worried the health care system will expose them to immigration enforcement, wait too long to seek care, doctors said.”

“There has been a large influx of Hispanic children into the Jefferson Parish School System since Hurricane Katrina.

Caroline Roques, school principal at Audubon Elementary, has 382 students. Since Hurricane Katrina, that number has become 46 percent of them are Hispanic. This is a spike from years past.”

“Addressing the health concerns of New Orleans’ growing Latino community will be the subject of a roundtable with national and local health experts on Friday, January 19, 2007 at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, hosted by the National Council of La Raza NCLR, the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. The event, entitled Latino Health Status in the Wake of Katrina: A Roundtable Discussion, will take place from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Diboll Auditorium, located on the first floor of the Tidewater Building, 1440 Canal Street.

The failure of the emergency response system to address the needs of the estimated 200,000 Latinos in the region before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina has been well-documented, and perhaps the single most important failure involves potential threats to public health. Among the issues to be discussed will be the extent to which Katrina exposed preexisting holes in the health safety net for Latinos, new health issues that have arisen post-Katrina, and steps that should be taken to address preexisting and new health issues that disproportionately affect the region’s growing Latino population.

Dr. Garth Graham, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Janet Murguí, NCLR President and CEO, will also announce a new initiative that will apply lessons learned from Katrina to future national emergencies. Also participating in the roundtable, which will be moderated by Andrea Bazán-Manson, President of the Triangle Community Foundation, are Dr. Pierre Buekens, Dean, Tulane University – School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; Dr. Frederique Jacquerioz, Clinical Assistant Professor of Public Health, Tulane University; Shaula Lovera, MPH, Director, Latino Health Access Network, Catholic Social Services; and Gina Lutz, Coordinator, Latino Health Outreach Project, Common Ground Health Clinic.

The event is free and open to the public.”

“The Original Krewe of Orpheus is proud to announce Otto Cesar Mehrgut as its 2007 Mardi Gras King. This 20th year celebration of the Krewe also marks the first ever Hispanic King crowned in Mardi Gras history.

As a member of the Original Krewe of Orpheus, Mehrgut has been a lieutenant for four years, working tirelessly to increase Krewe membership and the crowd appeal of its floats.

The Cuban-born Mehrgut immigrated to the United States in 1966 and has resided in the New Orleans area ever since. With his wife Diane of 25 years, The Mehrguts are the proud parents of Jennifer 24, Kristin 21, and Brandon 19. The family has lived in Mandeville since 1992.

A graduate of Archbishop Rummel High School 1973 and the University of New Orleans 1978, Mehrgut currently works as President of Profit-On-Hold, a successful New Orleans-based on-hold marketing and advertising firm. As a minority businessman, Mr. Mehrgut’s organization focuses on strengthening New Orleans’ minority and Hispanic business community.

He is also actively involved in the community by serving on the board of directors of St. Paul’s High School Renaissance Board. He is past Chairman of the International On-Hold Messaging Association, and currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer. Mr. Mehrgut is President of the Meadowbrook Homeowners Association and is a member of the Louisiana Minority Business Council LAMBC.

As one of six members nominated for this special 20th anniversary Mardi Gras celebration, Mehrgut looks forward to his new found royalty. “As King of the Original Krewe of Orpheus, I will continue to work toward the growth of our organization,” he said. “I feel privileged to work with such a wonderful Krewe and represent our 700 riders. It is an honor to be a part of Mardi Gras history.” “

“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.”

“First came the storm. Then came the workers. Now comes the baby boom.

In the latest twist to the demographic transformation of New Orleans since it was swamped by Hurricane Katrina last year, hundreds of babies are being born to Latino immigrant workers, both legal and illegal, who flocked to the city to toil on its reconstruction.”