Un hogar para los rockeros

Este pasado Sabado 24 de Mayo, en el periodico de Los Angeles Times salio un articulo sobre un programa de rock en espanol que ha estado en circuito desde 1995. Como puede ser que todo este tiempo la audiencia latina ha estado sin dicho lugar para salirse de la monotonia de Reik, Juanes,La 5ta Estacion, y los demas estrellas de pop rock que ofrecen las estaciones en espanol a diario. Localizado en 90.7 FM, el programa llamado "Travel Tips for Aztlan, ofrece musica de grupos de todo latino america, ademas de los locales. 

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-latinradio24-2009may24,0,4718742.story

"Loncheras" get grilled

One of the most popular ways that the Latino community obtains food is being labeled a burden by different cities nationwide. Restrictions are being established by lawmakers, because they are, according to citizens, "disruptive," "a gypsy fication" echoing "Third world" tendencies, attracts "crowds and crimes."

Professor of law and Chicano studies at UC Davis says it is a perfect example of "the continuing culture clash in the U.S," for the trucks are being run by recently arrrived immigrants. Let's not forget to mention that the trucks cost the owners a pretty $150,000.

For more details, read Jeff Gottlieb's article in the Los Angeles Times.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-tacotrucks20-2009may20,0,2209904.story

Artiaga Family Receives Some Help

This family in Winnetka, which is near Canoga Park, is left homeless after trusting a man who they met at their church. They thought he would help them with their loan modification on their mortgage. The money never got to where it needed to be paid off. The Artiagas payed thousands up front, which came mostly from the father who is a busboy. They met the modification agent at their church and trusted him. So much for love thy neighbor.




The Artiaga family, which includes 6 children is living in front of their home. The parents do not speak English. Another case of immigrants betraying their own. It should be the other way,one helping another to achieve their dreams. Luckily, there are good people out there lending what they can.

"Sin Nombre" gives identity

Latinos. The movie that is crucial for perspective and universal tolerance toward one another is Sin Nombre directed by Cary Fukunaga and its more well known indie actors now executive producers Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. I do not mean to exclude anyone but if you yourself, parents, grandparents, tios/tias, or anyone near and dear escaped a struggle, whether it be social, economic,political or (the one that ties both together) emotional, this film will answer the why and why nots that come along with immigrating over here.

In Sin Nombre, a meeting of opposing worlds tales place when a reformed Mara Salvatrucha member is hero to a Honduran girl Sayra, not certain what her definition of family is for she hardly knows her own. Both with their own ghosts, strengths and at time weaknesses, they help each other to eventually hope for the prize of el norte. Edgar Flores' performance as Willy (also known as Casper,) will shake you to the core, for he is as lost as any of us have found ourselves, and portrays a familiar courage as we know those who have decided to cross from their lands have. He and the film itself does an excellent job of portraying the multiple reasons and inner conflicting reasons of why they had to flee wherever they came from.

The grittiness of the scenery brings the reality to the screen, from the tattoos on the many gangsters that no one would think twice to run from, to color of the dirty roads and impoverished neighborhoods that portray devastating reality. The beauty of the three locations, (Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras) are never masked, for its people are portrayed all natural onscreen, without typical Hollywood glam effect. Also, the dialogue is so authentically Central American which is important when it comes to having an audience lured in more,because many who are watching are experts and have maintained their language in tact. Sin Nombre has definitely earned the title of most intense and emotionally gripping drama.