News (Noticias) Tagged ‘San Bernardino’

To All Latino Community Leaders:

After registering more than 25,000 voters in warm-up activities over the last period, it is time for SVREP to ramp up massive community mobilization. We invite all forces in the Latino community (and its allies) to unite and organize nonpartisan voter registration drives that mobilize the Latino vote in the fall elections.

In ten days, organizations and elected officials from 36 states and 13 countries will gather at the 3 rd Annual National Latino Congreso (www.latinocongreso.org) in Los Angeles on July 18-20. At the Congreso, they will launch “Movimiento 10-12” to help raise Latino registration to 12 million, and drive 10 million voters to the polls in November. A successful mobilization will send a powerful message in favor of justice for immigrants, federal action to reactivate the economy, fixing our broken educational system, extending health care to all, and ending the war in Iraq (the top five Latino issues).

SVREP (www.svrep.org) has joined together with LULAC, Hispanic Federation, NALACC, LCLAA, HMLA, MAPA, and hundreds of local organizations and elected officials to launch a coordinated national nonpartisan campaign in more than 20 states to register and turnout 250,000 new voters during summer and fall.

All “Congreso” attendees, as well as all others willing to unite, are invited to join this nonpartisan effort. Below is list of SVREP targeted counties, in which SVREP will provide training, financing, data, media support, materials, and other technical support to community-based coalitions that pledge to mobilize their memberships and volunteers to do neighborhood-based voter registration (and turnout) during August-November. SVREP will invest $3 million towards its portion of the goals (registering and turning out 150,000 voters).

If you are interested in joining this effort, nominating candidates for paid voter registration coordinator positions, want to launch a local coalition, or otherwise help please attend the Latino Congreso (www.latinocongreso.org) or contact us one of our field representatives:

TX/WA/OR:       Veronica Hawkins, vhawkins@svrep.org, 800-404-VOTE

Jacquelyn Longoria, jlongoria@svrep.org 800-404-VOTE

NM/CO:              Jaime Chavez, jchavez@svrep.org, 505-730-7555

CA/NV:               Martin Rodríguez, mrodriguez@svrep.org, 800-222-5654

Ruben Villareal, rvillarreal@svrep.org 800-222-5654

AZ:                      Adelita Villegas, avillegas@svrep.org, 602-367-1554

FL/GA/NC/VA:  Alvaro Fernandez, alfernandez@the-beach.net, 305-308-6079

124 SVREP Target Counties/Regions

(# projects indicated in parenthesis, coalition partners priority communities coming soon)

Arizona (20): Maricopa (11), Pima (3), Pinal (1), Santa Cruz (1), Yuma (1), Cochise (1), Coconino (1), Globe (1)

California (34): Los Angeles (18), Orange (1), San Bernardino (3), Riverside (2), Santa Barbara (2), Ventura (1), Fresno (1), Kern (1), San Diego (2), Imperial (1), San Joaquin (2)

Colorado (11): Pueblo (2), Adams (1), Arapahoe (1), Denver (2), Larrimer (1), Weld (1), San Luis Valley (2), Boulder (1)

New Mexico (14): Bernalillo (2), Dona Ana (2), Santa Fe (1), Taos (1), McKinley (2), Rio Arriba (1), Valencia (1), Chaves (1), Sandoval (1), Eddy (1), Grant (1)

Texas (24): Cameron (5), Hidalgo (10), Dallas (4), Harris (2), Nueces (1), El Paso (1), Bexar (1)

Florida (13): Miami-Dade (10), Hillsborough (1), Orange (2)

North Carolina (1): Eastern NC (1)

Georgia (1): Fulton (1)

Washington (3): Yakima Valley (3)

Oregon (1): Salem-Woodburn area (1)

Nevada (1): Clark (1)

Virginia (1): Northern Virginia (1)

Area Latino leaders Friday launched a grass-roots effort to help put Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in the White House.

About 20 activists gathered in front of San Bernardino City Hall to announce plans for “Viva Obama Clubs” - a series of voter-mobilization events scheduled from July to the November election. “*

In an updated analysis of radio and television market revenues, SNL Kagan (www.snlkagan.com) identifies small-to-midsize markets in the Pacific region, especially in metro areas with large Hispanic populations, as having the greatest growth potential. The report, “Radio/TV Station Annual Outlook: Market-by-Market Revenue Projections,” published annually by SNL Kagan for over 20 years, takes into account overall broadcast revenue trends, market demographics and expected ad revenues from the presidential election in determining a market’s growth potential.

Radio Market Revenues by CAGR Rank

CAGR Rank, Market, ‘07 Market Rank, CAGR ‘07-‘12, Retail Growth ‘07-‘12

1. San Diego, CA, 17, 2.0%, 11.9%

2. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, 26, 1.9%, 10.1%

3. Stockton, CA, 79, 1.9%, 11.9%

4. San Jose, CA, 35, 1.9%, 8.9%

5. Fresno, CA, 66, 1.9%, 10.7%

SNL Kagan estimates five-year annual revenue growth of 1.1% for radio markets, despite a 2.5% drop in total radio revenue in 2007. San Diego tops the list of fastest-growing markets, largely due to a substantial Hispanic population, the shifting economic focus to high-tech jobs and a five-year retail growth rate of 11.9% (well above the national average of 6.5%). Overall, radio revenues in the Pacific region are expected to grow rapidly, with 13 of the top 20 markets by revenue residing in California.

Television Market Revenues by CAGR Rank

CAGR Rank, Market, ‘07 Market Rank, CAGR ‘07-‘12, Retail Growth ‘07-‘12

1. Las Vegas, NV, 43, 6.2%, 7.9%

2. San Diego, CA, 27, 6.1%, 11.9%

3. Los Angeles, CA, 2, 5.7%, 7.7%

4. Phoenix, AZ, 12, 5.6%, 6.4%

5. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA, 6, 5.6%, 7.3%

Likewise, SNL Kagan projects growth in TV revenues (3.9% over the next five years) despite a 2007 decline of 8.5% generated by the writers’ strike and advertising migration to the Internet. TV ad revenues are expected to rise 8.8% in 2008 from TV ad buys connected with the presidential election. The largest growth will likely be in the Pacific and Mountain regions, with Las Vegas and San Diego at the top of the list.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Great Lakes and Central South regions rank lowest for both radio and TV revenue projections. Slow retail growth and auto industry layoffs are the main factors for the depressed outlook in the Great Lakes, where revenue is projected to grow 2.7% for TV and 0.9% for radio. The Central South, particularly the Mississippi markets still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, faces tough times ahead, with projected revenue growth of 2.8% for TV and 0.8% for radio.

Reports such as “Radio/TV Station Annual Outlook” are available exclusively as part of the SNL Kagan Information Service. For more information on this report and other media and communications data within the SNL Kagan Information Service, call 866.296.3743 or email SNLKaganSales @ snl.com.”*

Noelia Vela, president/superintendent of Cerritos College, will replace Donald F. Averill as chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District on July 21.

Vela is the first Latina and first female chancellor for the community college district.

Vela was chosen because she has many of the same attributes as her predecessor, said Community College board President Charles S. Terrell Jr.”*

U.S. Representative Joe Baca of California, chair of the House Hispanic caucus, is telling the Democratic House leadership to address immigration issues in a meaningful way, or risk alienating Hispanic voters.

The Houston Chronicle story suggests that this sentiment is echoed by other House Hispanics and by Hispanic leaders outside of elected office.

Congressman Baca represents San Bernardino and surrounding areas.”*

Educators and business professionals hope to use their own stories of struggle and success to motivate male Latino students at Rialto Unified School District’s inaugural Latino Male Youth Summit.

The Saturday event, to be held at Wilmer Amina Carter High School, will include workshops and panel discussions on navigating high school and preparing for college.

Speakers will include Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto; state Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Anthony Monreal; and San Bernardino City Unified School District Superintendent Arturo Delgado. The keynote speaker will be Manny Medrano, journalist and legal correspondent for ABC News.”*

But Costa Chicans — many dark in complexion with puchunco (curly or kinky) hair — are Mexicans with cultural and racial histories going back hundreds of years to the Spanish conquistadors and the African slave trade.

As part of the massive wave of Mexican immigrants who began fleeing the economic hardships of their homeland in the 1980s, black Mexicans from the coast settled in communities throughout the United States, in Winston Salem, N.C., Joliet, Ill., and Salt Lake City, among other places.

Some 300 Costa Chicans live in Pasadena, and thousands more can be found in San Bernardino, South Los Angeles, San Juan Capistrano and Santa Ana, all enclaves characterized by close family and community ties.”*

*From: http://www.latimes.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Local established and burgeoning small business owners from across Southern California gathered at the Embassy Suites in Downey, CA to receive free business advice and training in Spanish at El Clasificado’s “Su Socio de Negocios” small business expo, part of an ongoing series designed to help Latino small businesses thrive. The March 12th expo was the second event of the annual workshop series, now entering its third year in operation.

With the nation currently facing a weak economy and a majority of CFO’s nationwide believing that the US is on the brink of a recession, according to Reuters, this “Su Socio de Negocios” expo featured a critical presentation in Spanish that explained how a small business owner can survive in a struggling economy. Approximately 150 Latino entrepreneurs attended the event, and dozens took copious notes during this presentation by Micro business financing experts Confianza Inc.

“We feel a responsibility to present these expos to members of our community at such an important time, when it can only benefit Latino small business owners who find themselves struggling,” commented Martha de la Torre, Founder and CEO of El Clasificado. “Many Latino entrepreneurs often lack access to basic information and tools in their language that help them operate their businesses more effectively, and we are proud to continue serving as that platform with Su Socio de Negocios.”

New and emerging Hispanic entrepreneurs were appreciative of the expo. “This is a good source for us Latinos. It is a good way to learn how to get a business established and what resources there exist for us,” affirmed Herman Mancera, a small business owner from Gardena, CA.

The event featured an additional presentation “Your Business Plan and P&L (Profit and Loss) Statements” given by Wells Fargo, as well as dozens of information booths, and kiosks to provide hands-on training. Event sponsors for Su Socio de Negocios included businesses that target Hispanic microenterprises such as Wells Fargo, State Farm Insurance, Comerica, Aetna, and Sprint. The next Su Socio de Negocios small business event is scheduled for July 28, 2008.

“Su Socio de Negocios” is a free series of small business training workshops in Spanish held in different Hispanic grassroots communities throughout the year. The expo series is presented by El Clasificado, a multi-media print, online and grassroots event marketing solutions company targeting the Hispanic community. El Clasificado is the weekly source of information for more than 1 million Latinos on everything from health and education to consumer alerts and real estate. El Clasificado is a verified publication with a weekly circulation of over 310,000, and is distributed in over 160 cities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Luz Maria Ayala has a message for Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Work harder to stop Mexicans from coming to the United States illegally.

“He needs to focus on helping the workers in the rural areas who are really struggling,” said Ayala, who runs a community organization that aids Latino immigrants in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. “He needs to raise wages a lot. If people earned more money in Mexico, they wouldn’t have to risk their lives to cross the border to come here to work.”"*

*From: http://www.sbsun.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Jose and Maria Becerra were out of space at their 1,034-square-foot home in La Puente in Los Angeles County. They couldn’t host large family gatherings. Their son, Gabriel, shared a bedroom with his grandmother, Maria. The cramped kitchen limited Jose’s cooking.

A month ago, the Becerras moved into a new 3,068-square-foot home in Rialto in San Bernardino County. They have hosted Maria’s seven sisters. Gabriel has his own room. His grandmother will eventually move into a first-floor bedroom. Jose cooks every night.”*

*From: http://www.pe.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

The Los Angeles Business Journal one of the leading business publications in Los Angeles, recently revealed its list of the 100 fastest-growing privately held companies, and 90th on the list was El Clasificado — one of the few Hispanic-owned businesses recognized on the list.

Almost 20 years since the Spanish-language classifieds weekly publication was established, the organization continues to experience an increase in circulation and revenue, despite the trend of declining revenues faced by major newspapers and other Spanish print media nationwide. Associated Press recently revealed that total advertising revenue for newspapers in the third quarter of 2007 slid 7.4% from the previous year, while revenues for El Clasificado increased by almost 24% during the same period, following what seems to be now a regular pattern.

“We are very proud that our efforts have been so notably recognized this year by such premier organizations as the Los Angeles Business Journal,” exclaimed Martha de la Torre, founder and publisher of El Clasificado. “These honors, more than anything, are a testament to the hard work demonstrated daily by our wonderful team of employees. They are truly positioning El Clasificado as a leading multiplatform organization that in addition to print advertising solutions also offers grassroots community events, free classifieds online and mobile downloads.”

The Los Angeles Business Journal is not the first organization to honor El Clasificado’s growth. The publication was also included this year in the Inc 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America, and El Clasificado has been on the Hispanic Business 500 list each consecutive year since 2004. Moreover, in 2007 El Clasificado’s founders were recognized by Ernst & Young as finalists in the Greater Los Angeles area for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

The Los Angeles Business Journal is one of Los Angeles’s premier weekly business publications examining the many ways that the L.A. economy operates, and has published the list of 100 Fastest Growing private companies in Los Angeles for 11 years.

El Clasificado is a multi-media publication and advertising solutions company with solid advertising platforms in print, online and grassroots events. More than 1 million readers utilize the free Spanish-language publication every week as a source of information on everything from health and education to consumer alerts and real estate. El Clasificado is a verified publication with a weekly circulation of over 310,000, and is distributed in over 150 cities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.”*

TransPerfect, a leading provider of language and business services worldwide, today announced that it has partnered with Morrison & Foerster to create a Spanish-language version of a comprehensive resource guide for people affected by the Southern California wildfires.

The Helping Handbook, which contains information about legal issues that people may face as well as contact information for organizations offering assistance, was originally created as a legal guide for individuals, victims’ families, and small businesses affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Since then, M&F has continued to work with state and local bars to create versions of the Helping Handbook for people displaced by natural disasters such as the Southern California wildfires of 2003, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the New York flooding in 2006.

According to TransPerfect Founder Phil Shawe, “These wildfires have had a profound impact on the Southern California community, including those residents whose primary language is Spanish. By partnering with Morrison & Forester on this project, we hope to provide Spanish speakers with accessible, accurate information about the resources available to help them.”

Kathi Pugh, firmwide pro bono counsel at Morrison & Foerster who led the Helping Handbook initiative, added, “This has been a truly collaborative effort – among Morrison & Foerster lawyers in California and New York, and with the active support of county bar associations across Southern California, as well as the California State Bar.” Ms. Pugh, who works out of Morrison & Foerster’s San Francisco office, also notes, “Each of the seven county bars as well as the California State Bar and the American Bar Association will also post links on their respective web sites directing visitors to the Handbook.”

The 109-page Handbook covers critical post-disaster topics such as finding temporary housing, insurance, unemployment, dealing with government agencies such as FEMA and the Small Business Administration, replacing lost documents, and more. It will be available at neighborhood legal aid centers, the FEMA local assistance centers that are currently being set up across the region, the California State Bar and at the bar associations of San Diego County, North County, San Bernardino County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County and the San Fernando Valley.

Both editions can also be downloaded from the Morrison & Foerster’s website at http://www.mofo.com/about/socalfire2007/index.html.”*

El Clasificadohas returned to the birthplace of its blossoming Su Socio de Negocios small business expo by hosting its fifth event at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA. Two hundred micro business owners came from across the Southland to obtain information in Spanish, and tools designed to help maximize efficiency and productivity in order to help their small businesses thrive.

Since the inaugural Su Socio de Negocios of February 2006, every seminar thereafter has been an improvement on the last, making sure to cover information that Latino small business owners cannot easily find in their language. Past seminars have touched on topics ranging from the basic principles of starting a small business to information technology innovations that increase productivity.

For the October expo, El Clasificado invited distinguished panelists from the IRS, The Gas Co, and Confianza USA to deliver brief presentations on “The Tax Gap”, “Energy Efficiency Programs for Small Business Owners”, and “Permits for Your Business,” respectively. Guests also had the opportunity to network and learn about the benefits offered for small businesses by such corporate giants as AT&T Wireless, IKEA, and Union Bank of California

According to the US Census, there are 1.5 million Hispanic-Owned firms across the US, and close to 300,000 of these are located in Los Angeles County alone. Su Socio de Negocios by now has become the leading platform for many Spanish-speaking micro business owners in Los Angeles who, due to the language barrier, sometimes lack the resources to help make their businesses more efficient. “El Clasificado is always looking for ways to increase our community outreach efforts, and the breakaway success we’ve had with Su Socio de Negocios has demonstrated that this is the type of free service the Spanish-speaking business community needed,” stated Martha de la Torre, founder and CEO of El Clasificado.

Sponsors for “Su Socio de Negocios” small business expo on October 24 included IKEA, State Farm, Bulova, AT&T Wireless, Certified Credit Union and Union Bank among more than fifteen other sponsors. The next event is tentatively scheduled for June 2008. That same year, El Clasificado also plans to launch a “Su Socio de Negocios” entrepreneur breakfast series that will allow the organizations to provide ongoing support and connect intimately with Spanish-speaking small business owners throughout the year.

El Clasificado’s “Su Socio de Negocios” is a series of free workshops held in grass roots Latino communities in Southern California throughout the year. The seminars are designed to offer new Hispanic micro-businesses the tools they need to grow. El Clasificado is a free Spanish-language classified publication, which more than 1 million readers utilize every week as a source of information on everything from health and education to consumer alerts and real estate. El Clasificado is distributed in over 140 cities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and has a verified weekly circulation of over 300,000. “*

“Low-income, Hispanic students who are studying science and certain languages at Cal State San Bernardino will benefit from a $2.4 million grant the university received from the federal Department of Education.

The five-year grant will provide tutoring services on campus within specific disciplines, additional career education and will tap alumni to provide mentoring and internship opportunities, said Carol Dixon, interim director of the Career Development Center.”*

“Attending Cal State Long Beach was traumatic for Anna Nieto-Gomez.

The 20-year-old transferred to the university in February 1967 as a junior from San Bernardino Junior College and immediately felt uncomfortable.

In the sea of 20,000 students, Nieto-Gomez didn’t know anyone and fewer than 100 of her classmates were Latino.”

“U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced the award of 30 new grants totaling $17.2 million to benefit colleges and other postsecondary schools that enroll a high percentage of Hispanic students.

“Thanks to No Child Left Behind, the achievement gap is closing for Hispanic students and academic progress is on the rise,” Spellings said. “At the higher education level it’s a different story where Hispanic students still lag behind their peers in earning a post-secondary credential. This program will ensure that Hispanic students have access to quality programs at the higher education level to improve their opportunities for success beyond school.”

Grants are awarded under the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions program to expand educational opportunities and improve the educational attainment of Hispanic students. The purpose of the grants is to improve the academic quality, institutional stability, management, and fiscal capabilities of eligible institutions. Funds may be used for a variety of activities, such as: faculty development, curriculum development, scientific or laboratory equipment, construction and renovation of instructional facilities, academic tutoring, counseling and student support services.

There are two types of grants awarded under the program. An Individual Development Grant is awarded to a single, eligible institution. A Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant is awarded to an institution and its partners. A Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) is defined as a non-profit institution that has at least 25 percent Hispanic full-time equivalent enrollment. Additional information on these grants is available at: www.ed.gov/programs/idueshsi/index.html.

Note to Editors: Attached is a list of grantees, by state and type of grant. The amount listed is for the first year of a five-year grant.

Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program Awards
FY 2007

Individual Development Grants
AZ ”” Coolidge, Pinal County Community College, $574,871.
CA ”” La Verne, University of LaVerne, $483,500.
CA ”” San Bernardino, California State University of San Bernardino, $499,994.
CA ”” Santa Maria, Allan Hancock Joint Community College District, $574,177.
CA ”” Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College, $570,693.
CA ”” Ventura, Ventura College, $574,011.
FL ”” Hialeah, Miami Dade College””Hialeah Campus, $554,999.
FL ”” North Miami Beach, Nova Southeastern University””North Miami Beach Campus, $564,700.
IL ”” Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, $573,453.
KS ”” Dodge City, Dodge City Community College, $572,585.
KS ”” Garden City, Garden City Community College, $574,922.
KS ”” Kansas City, Donnelly College, $561,768.
NJ ”” Paterson, Passaic County Community College, $511,264.
NM ”” Clovis, Clovis Community College, $574,446.
NM ”” Las Vegas, Luna Community College, $574,445.
NM ”” Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University””Roswell, $573,553.
NY ”” New York, LaGuardia Community College, $574,930.
NY ”” Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College, $574,854.
PR ”” Bayamon, Bayamon Central University, $574,927.
PR ”” San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana, $574,800.
PR ”” San Juan, Escuela de Artes Plasticas de Puerto Rico, $489,540.
TX ”” Corpus Christi, Del Mar College, $360,864.
TX ”” Harlingen, Texas State Technical College””Harlingen, $417,690.
TX ”” Uvalde, Sul Ross State University””Rio Grande, $574,708.
WA ”” Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College, $575,000.

Cooperative Development Grants
CA ”” Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College, $712,999.
CA ”” Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College, $713,000.
CA ”” Salinas, Hartnell College, $713,000.
TX ”” Laredo, Laredo Community College, $713,000.
TX ”” Snyder, Western Texas College, $698,817.”

“To meet the need of the Spanish-speaking soccer coaches working with under 18-players, the LA84 Foundation is making available on its website two free coaching manuals in Spanish.

Fuerzas Basicas was authored by Efrain Flores and Joe Supe. Flores has vast experience in developing training programs that have taken young Mexican players to the elite level in soccer. Among Flores’ protégés are Rafael Márquez, Carlos Vela and Patricio Araujo.

Fuerzas Basicas was made possible through a grant from the LA84 Foundation to the Southern California Youth Soccer Organization. Many coaches contributed to Manual de entrenamiento de fÚtbol, including Sigi Schmidt, former UCLA and LA Galaxy head coach and now the head coach with the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer. This manual originally was published in English. The manuals are available for free download on the LA84 Foundation website at http://www.la84foundation.org/3ce/CoachingManuals/LA84soccer.pdf

“Investing in the education of coaches is crucial to ensure that youngsters are properly taught the skills and ethics of the sport,” said Patrick Escobar, Vice President, Grants and Programs, LA84 Foundation. “In a diverse community such as Los Angeles, it is imperative that coaches have access to these training materials in Spanish.”

About LA84 Foundation:
The LA84 Foundation was established to manage Southern California’s share of the surplus from the highly successful 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The Foundation received $93 million at its inception and, since then, has invested more than $164 million in serving more than two million youth in the eight Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura. Its headquarters is located in the historic Britt House near downtown Los Angeles where it houses the world’s premier sports library and meeting facilities. The Foundation convenes numerous forums for the exploration of the most pressing issues in sport. For additional information, please visit www.LA84Foundation.org. “

“Gaeta joined the Felician Franciscan order as a novice in Chicago on Sept. 8, 1951, took her first vows two years later, and made a final commitment to religious life six years later, said Sister Carol Marie Wiatrek, who cared for Gaeta the last years of her life.

Gaeta had been named Carmen by her parents, but a year after arriving in Chicago she was given the name Mary Grace, according to information from the order.

As a member of the order, she made history by being the first Latina and the first Californian to join the order, Wiatrek said.”

“The Hispanic Public Relations Association(R) (HPRA), a non-profit organization founded to advance the careers of Hispanics in the field of Communications, will be celebrating a night of excellence at its annual PRemio Awards & Scholarship Dinner on Wednesday, October 3, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The theme for the evening is “Adelante con Pasión,” in honor of those who strengthen our foundation and those who move the message forward.

During the event, HPRA will recognize the following outstanding Hispanic communications professionals: Patricia Perez from Valencia, Perez and Echeveste Public Relations with the Public Relations Award; Steve Lopez from the Los Angeles Times with the Journalism Award; Sara Ramirez from ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” with the Arts & Entertainment Award and Toyota with the Corporation of the Year Award.

“PRemios “Adelante con Pasión” is an event that showcases the essence of HPRA. It celebrates the advancement of the public relations field, helps build future talent and honors Hispanic professionals who have exhibited excellence in their respective practices,” said Romina Bongiovanni, HPRA president and vice president at Edelman Multicultural. “We invite the industry to join us in an effort to continue moving the message forward.”

In addition, the organization will grant scholarships to the following deserving Hispanic undergraduate students pursuing a communications degree at local universities or a career in the field:

1. Mary Lou Pinedo – California State University, Fullerton
2. Cecilia Chavez – California State University, Fullerton
3. Gabriel Lobato – California State University, San Bernardino
4. Laura Cruz-Atrian – California State University, Los Angeles
5. Lizbeth Gonzalez – California State University, Los Angeles
6. Irene Ramirez – University of Southern California
7. Jacqueline Guzman – California State University, Northridge
8. Melissa Vasquez – University of California, Los Angeles
9. Giovanna LaRussa – University of California, Los Angeles
10. Noel Viramontes – University of Southern California

“It is a great honor to be recognized by HPRA for my educational achievements. This scholarship will help me reach my dreams of earning a degree that will be useful in serving the community and becoming a role model for others,” said Mary Lou Pinedo, student recipient of the HPRA’s top scholarship. “I feel especially proud because, being the first in my family to earn a college degree and as a single mother, this award only confirms the power and rewards of education.”

In the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month and to support and highlight the works of Latin American artists, this year’s PRemio dinner will take place during LACMA’s special exhibition featuring richly diverse objects of Latin America. The exhibition, titled “The Arts in Latin America, 1492–1820” highlights more than 200 works of art created in the Spanish viceroyalties of New Spain.

Serving as emcee for the evening is Gustavo Arrellano, author of “Ñ–Ask a Mexican!” and contributing editor to The Los Angeles Times. Additionally all PRemio attendees will receive a complimentary one-year membership to HPRA at the dinner.

Sponsors for the event to date include CA Wellness, Edelman Multicultural, Farmers Insurance Group, Microsoft, PR Newswire, RL Public Relations & Marketing, Taylor PRimero, Toyota, Valencia, Perez and Echeveste Public Relations, Verizon Communications, The Walt Disney Company, Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo.

For additional information about the HPRA PRemio Dinner and/or to schedule an interview, please contact Edna Silva at (213) 253-3733 or edna.m.silva@wellsfargo.com.

About Hispanic Public Relations Association(R) (HPRA):
HPRA was founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization to establish a network of Hispanics employed in the public relations profession in the Southern California area. HPRA has more than 150 members representing public relations, marketing and advertising professionals from agencies, government, non-profit and corporate companies. HPRA is dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic professionals and provides educational seminars and workshops throughout the year. The organization has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to Latino students pursuing a career in communications during the last 10 years. HPRA strives to be a resource for communications professionals and for those seeking insights into the Hispanic market. For more information please visit

“Latino Issues Forum (LIF) names Nora E. Vargas as the organization’s new Executive Director. Ms. Vargas brings a wealth of experience spanning more than 14 years in the areas of public affairs, politics and advocacy.

As a legislative and political operative dedicated to advancing the needs of the Latino community, Ms Vargas will lead the organization’s public policy agenda and programs to advance Latino-focused policy solutions in the areas of health access, telecommunications consumer protection, education, sustainable communities and the environment. Since its inception, LIF has been a strong advocate of increased consumer protections both from regulatory agencies and through its active legislative efforts.

Ms. Vargas’ extensive leadership and management experience makes her poised to assume this new role. An accomplished public affairs leader and policy advocate in California and Washington, D.C. Ms. Vargas has a record of organizational and leadership development; as founding Director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs for Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn, she effectively advanced and advocated for inclusion of immigrants and refugees. Ms. Vargas’ experience proved invaluable to Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties where she served as the Vice President for Government and Political Affairs and to San Diego State University where she served as the first manager of the Office of Legislative Relations.

“Nora’s legislative and advocacy experience will allow LIF not only to achieve its legislative goals but ensure that the policy agenda for California reflects the needs of its growing Latino consumers,” stated Chairman of the Board, Gaspar Laca. “We are now poised to make significant legislative advances on par with our increasing influence reflected in our demographics and representation of elected officials.”

As an accomplished non-profit manager and political consultant for numerous elected officials, Ms. Vargas has a proven legislative and political track record.

“Latinos now hold 3,251 elected positions in California,” stated, Ms. Vargas. “Clearly, our community and LIF, are positively positioned to influence public policy. My immediate goal is to inject LIF’s priority of expanding and improving Latino consumer protections into key consumer legislative initiatives precisely at the time our community becomes the general market.”

Highlights of Ms. Vargas professional accomplishments and accolades include:
– Presidential Appointee under the Clinton Administration to the United States Selective Service
– Recipient of the John F. Kennedy Jr. Award for Public Service
– California Senate recognition as “Women Who Make a Difference’
– California Senate Pro Temp Appointee to statewide commissions including the California Dental Board and the Physician Assistant Commission

Invited by the National Democratic Institute to train candidates, elected officials, advocates and NGO’s in Latin America on civic engagement, elections and the political process, political party development and women’s participation

About the Latino Issues Forum
Latino Issues Forum (LIF) is a non-profit public policy and advocacy institute dedicated to advancing new and innovative public policy solutions for a better, more equitable and prosperous society. Established in 1987, LIF’s primary focus is on the broader issues of education, health care, the environment, telecommunications, and civic participation. LIF also serves as a clearinghouse to assist and provide the news media with accurate information and sources in the Latino community for fair and effective coverage of issues. LIF addresses public policy issues from the perspective of how they will affect the social and economic future of the Latino community. “

“Selling auto racing to Southern California’s Spanish-speaking community is no easy task.

Soccer dominates the sports roundups on Univision and Telemundo, on radio, and the sports pages of La Opinion and Hoy. Boxing comes second and auto racing lags somewhere toward the rear of the pack.

“Its somewhere we dont really want to be right now,” Josh Avila said.”