Help our children

In this time of giving, I have chosen to support our children's education. There is a great site called Donors Choose, where teachers can post projects that they are trying to fund. You can see a link on the left column of this page.

Most of the projects are very low cost, sometimes less than $100.00 can provide classroom supplies that should be a right for any student.

Here in the U.S. education seems to be left behind when budget cuts are considered. It is a testament to the true heroes in our society, the teachers that commit themselves in spite of the lack of support.

I have created a donors page that can be accessed through the link above. In here I have posted some projects that will be expiring soon and need very little money to complete.

Please help in any way you can and be proud of the fact that you are doing some good in a child's life.

A Taste of Puerto Rico in Cities Across the Land - NYTimes.com

Nothing says the holidays to a Puerto Rican like pasteles! Memories of the kitchen full of people working together to make dozens of pasteles to distribute among the family. A few months ago, I got together with a friend and her mother to make pasteles and there is something in working together to make a meal that reminds me of my childhood. As our parents get older or die, people tend to rely on people who make them for sale.

This article from the NYT highlights one woman who maintains the tradition.


A Taste of Puerto Rico in Cities Across the Land - NYTimes.com

December 1st is World AIDS Day

This Monday, December 1 is World AIDS Day, I joined Bloggers United as a way of spreading the word that AIDS crisis is unfortunately still with us. This is a very personal issue with me since I have lost so many friends to this disease. Having been around before the advent of AIDS, I saw the crisis come into being and have been a witness to the suffering it has caused to those infected and their family and friends. On the other hand, I know a few who have been able to survive and live a full life in spite of their HIV status. We must remember that getting diagnosed as HIV positive is not a death sentence. The advances in medicine are able to keep people healthy for many years.

The important thing is to get tested and take care of yourself. Unfortunately, this is not an option for many people. In many countries, including here in the United States, many people don’t have access to information and health care. There are so many great organizations trying to close the gap but with the economy the way it is, donations to charitable organizations are becoming scarcer everyday. Donations are only one way to help, volunteering and spreading the word are other ways to help.
In preparing this post, I came across an organization based here in New York called Aid for AIDS . They recycle medicine no longer needed and distribute them to people in Latin America and the Caribbean who can’t afford them. This seemed like a weird concept to me but in the United States medicines can’t be shared and for many people with HIV/AIDS they often have to change medicine leaving medicine unused. Unfortunately with Puerto Rico being part of the U.S. they can’t benefit from this program to deal with their crisis.

The video below explains more about the organization. Please support whatever organization you feel does the work that needs to be done. Let’s not forget others especially during this holiday time.

About AID FOR AIDS from Ian Jopson on Vimeo.

Teatro La Tea "Asi Somos" Bi-lingual Playwrights Festival

You can click on the images for a larger view.

The festival runs from December 5th- December 14th. All plays will be performed first in English, then in Spanish. The theater is located at 107 Suffolk St. New York, NY 10002. Tickets can be bought at Smarttix.com

I conducted an interview with one of the playwrights, A.B. Lugo, writer of Geneva. You can listen to the interview here Cumba Media Presents Podcast Episode 1 - A.B. Lugo

In the meantime, support Latino theater!

Who is Albizu Campos Documentary Trailer

As per a request, here is a trailer for a documentary on Puerto Rican Patriot Don Pedro Albizu Campos.

The website for the documentary is www.whoisalbizu.com

Borimix: Puerto Rico Fest 2008

The third Borimix: Puerto Rico Fest, celebrating Puerto Rican heritage, art and culture is currently under way in New York City. With a mixture of events including theater, music, movies and art, it is a great way to see the great contribution of Puerto Ricans to the current art scene.

For more information check out their website www.puertoricofest.org

If you attend and would like to post some reviews, please let me know.