GearWire interviews DJ Nicci C

Technics 1200s--Chatting With DJ Nicci C
September 06, 2007


Chicago-based DJ Nicci C hosts an online show Nic@Nine on Myspace every Wednesday and Friday nights at 9 p.m. Her focus is Latin music and the aim is to promote up and coming artists as well has have remixes from hot DJs from around the globe.

Nicci C started spinning in much the same way many DJs do--at friends' parties and houses.

"I love music--its huge in my family, and I was looking to make my way," she says. "One thing lead to another and since at the time there were only a couple females doing it , it helped me get gigs. My focus is old skool house music with latin beats."

She is also a proponent of turntables and says it is more than just sound--it is look and vibe.

"Some events want that look--you spinning you know?" says C "Personally I enjoy it-- I LOVE VINYL. As far as drawbacks of vinyl, the beats of both records need to be heard as one so its all in the technique and balance and if you don't master that the end product is going to be...well, not good..it takes skill...perhaps that's why not as many do it today as they did 20 years ago."

She is partial to Technics 1200 turntables.

These are, of course, the turntables (first released in 1972 and intended for the home stereo) that DJs everywhere revere. There have been numerous versions of 1200s including the SL-1200MK2. If you talk to DJs one thing you always hear about these tables is "they don't break."

You can also control the pitch and have a magnetic direct drive. You can scratch like a mother on these.

You can find out the whole history of the 1200 at SL-1200.com. [5].It is a comprehensive history. For more on where to find parts for the turntables go to 1200s.com [6].

When it comes to DJ software you cannot have much of a conversation with Nicci C--She doesn't use any.

"I prefer doing without," she says "To me if it ain't broke don't try to fix it."

Upcoming plans include working on a show for her sister, a fashion designer, and is in talks about having an big event with DJs, poets, designers and others.


Link to interview with GearWire.com

http://www.gearwire.com/djniccic-turntables.html

DJ Nicci C on Myspace.com/livewithnicci

What do you want your life to be?

I don't want to get all mushy on everyone, its a good question though.



What do you want YOUR life to be?

Do you want your life to be different?


I'm 34, not married , rent an apartment and have no children. To some it may look as though the sound of sad violin playing should be in the background.

I don't think so!

Don't feel sorry for this chica, I'm happy....could always get better...I could strike it rich!!! LOL

I have great friends...my family is there for me, I love to have fun!

Now, as for the question. Well, I do know that I want to live a healthy and happy life, someday have children (yeah,yeah,yeah...I still have time) , I'd like to run my own business and traveling sounds good....oh wait, thats not really answering the question...those are just wants and goals.

Oh ok, What do I want MY life to be?

...I want it to be filled with as much love and joy as I can possibly muster, I want my life to have some meaning.

I want to be able to say that I made a contribution to this planet.

What do you want your life to be?

Latina Entrepreneurs

Latina businesses increasingly make their mark


Latina businesses are on fire. The number of businesses owned by Hispanic women grew by 39 percent nationwide, to an estimated 470,344, in the five-year period that ended in 2002. That compares with about 9 percent growth for other businesses, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research, which draws its estimates from U.S. Census data.

In Arizona alone, the number of Latina-owned companies grew by 58.3 percent during that same time, to 14,538. And they generated nearly $726.9 million in sales from 1997 to 2002, up 10.6 percent.

The non-Latinas are no smarter than Latina entrepreneurs. They’ve only been at it longer.

Hispanic women have always been entrepreneurial, even as they traditionally managed the household. Many also would keep small businesses on the side.

But now access to capital is opening up and Hispanic women are increasingly pursuing degrees in business. That’s giving Latina entrepreneurs a greater chance at growing their companies.

The fact is that the Latino businesses and corporate leaders are more accepting today of them than ever before.

Traditionally, one of the biggest obstacles for Latina entrepreneurs was family structure. Many women were raised with an emphasis on becoming wives and mothers.

For years Latino families held back their daughters from getting an education. ... Parents had a hard time of letting go, and it crippled the development of Latinas in our community.

But white women have demonstrated that doesn’t have to be the way.

Education has been key to Latina advancement.

The more you know, the more you do.

Playing sports is one way to develop Latinas as entrepreneurs.

It teaches discipline, it teaches endurance, and it makes you a fighter.

But success is dependent on making good choices, such as writing and following a business plan and hiring a team that knows more than you do.

Mentors, offer support and build self-confidence. Trusting one’s instincts and a willingness to take risks also are important.

The rest will flow naturally as you work through the challenges and the incredible opportunities.

When friends and family move away

I'm all for change, new home,new job, new friends, new car...new hair color.



There's one change I don't like, one I have to say I hate the most. The change that occurs when a dear friend or a close relative, sister...parents....cousins move away.



It hurts like nothing else, not as heart wrenching and difficult as someone passing away, another kind of hurt. One of my sister told me yesterday that she's moving to Atlanta, she lives in Chicago currently...as do I and a good amount of other relatives...my other sister and her family as well( I also have a step sister and brother ). My mother and step dad live in Missouri, it hurt when they left too.


I'm a grown adult, I should deal with such things better, right? I'm not a kid who's having to move away with other relatives or even going to college and leaving home for the first time, I left home years ago.


Yet, it hurts just as much as anything else that deals with the matters of the heart. This is the kind of change I don't welcome, I start feeling as if I'm going to be all alone,even though I still have relatives here. It's hard to explain.


I start wishing things like...I wish I was rich, won the lottery (ok, so I don't play it...just wishful thinking) so I could keep everyone together.


I always did have a problem saying goodbye, especially as a kid, never liked it.


I know things will always change, so I make it a point to spend time with those I love, call relatives I can't always visit, let my grandparents know I love them, same goes for my friends.



I guess this is just life.


Check out the spoken version of my thoughts on my show Nic@Nine !

"Ocean's Thirteen" cast attends Chicago premiere

June 7, 2007 - Chicago fans lined up outside a AMCmovie theater in hopes of catching a glimpse of the cast of "Ocean's Thirteen." The Hollywood stars walked the red carpet Thursday for the city's premiere of the movie.
Stars walking the red carpet included George Clooney, Matt Damon, Ellen Barkin, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle and producer Jerry Weintraub. Brad Pitt had to bow out at the last moment.

Red carpet arrivals outside the AMC River East in Chicago started just after 6:00 PM to the joy of hundreds of fans who scrambled for pictures or autographs.

"Ocean's Thirteen" is the third installment of the casino-heist franchise that started with a remake of Frank Sinatra's original "Ocean's Eleven." The third movie in the series follows Danny Ocean, played by Clooney, and his partners in crime as they try to pull off yet another scheme.

New to the cast this time around are Barkin and Al Pacino.

It was an amazing thing to see the cast in person right in my hometown, I hope one day to interview them on my own show....we can always dream right!

Interesting......Should Military Recruiters Target Minority Gang-Risk Teens?.

I found this a little interesting......


The answer to the title of this post sounds like it should be a no-brainer but with the Army under pressure to meet its quota to help with the additional troops President Bush has decided is needed in Iraq, a second look must be given as to whether the Army, and possibly other branches of the military, are making promises to at-risk kids that either don't live up to the hype or are just not the only available option.



What do you think?

Latino Versus Hispanic?

Hola my friends, I wanted to post this up and get your opinion....tell me what do you think and does it really matter???


According to a survey that was conducted there still is no right answer to all the titles given to us or created from our own, or, more precisely, no one answer.

Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, Xicano, Mexican or Mexican American?

According to a survey, "most of the 8,600 respondents identified with multiple identities."

Here are few respondents who shared their thoughts:

Pepe Carrillo, 50, a naturalized citizen who came to the U.S. at 11, said he describes himself as Cuban, American, Hispanic, and then Latino — usually in that order.

Lorenzo Barcelo, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, said he uses the terms Hispanic and Latino interchangeably. "To me, they are the same."

Louis Hollingsworth, an attorney, also said the way he identifies himself varies with the situation. "If I'm talking to people of Mexican or Latino descent, I identify myself as a Latino. If I'm talking to an Anglo I tend to say I'm Hispanic. If I'm asked what kind of Hispanic I am, I'll say I'm of Mexican descent.

So it looks like we're going to be doing the Hispanic/Latino two-step for the time being, although it does appear that Hispanic is gaining ground as the preferred term in business settings. I'm seeing a lot more job titles along the lines of "Director of Hispanic Marketing."



What do you think?

THE BORINQUENEERS

PBS BROADCAST PREMIERE: JUNE 7 th, 2007 – 8-9:30 PM
ON WMFE – CHANNEL 24 IN ORLANDO , FLORIDA

"THE BORINQUENEERS " a documentary on the history of the all-Puerto Rican 65 th Infantry Regiment

TO BE BROADCAST ON MOST PBS STATIONS BEGINNING AUGUST, 2007

Written, produced and directed by NALIP Member Noemi Figueroa Soulet
Co-Producer/Director - NALIP Member Raquel Ortiz
Editor/Composer - NALIP Member Miguel Picker
Consulting Producer - Patricia Garcia-Rios

This compelling film chronicles the never-before-told story of the Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment, the only all-Hispanic unit in U.S. Army history. Through the vivid testimony of the regiment's veterans and rare archival footage, the film traces the unique experience of the Borinqueneers, culminating with their impressive performance during the Korean War. In the fall of 1952, though, the fate of the regiment would take a dramatic turn when more than 100 of its soldiers were arrested.


Narrated by Hector Elizondo

We ARE a diverse group....

Hispanics (Or Latinos for those who prefer it ) are a diverse group, indeed we are, uniting people from numerous ethnicities and races all under a single language: Spanish. Ever since we first colonized the Americas during the Age of Discovery, the beauty of our culture has deluged nations everywhere. Our culture is a culture rooted deep in tradition but constantly open to new ideas. Hispanic heritage is important to everyone, regardless of whether or not a person is hispanic, because hispanics have made - -and will continue to make - -numerous contributions to our society.

One of the reasons why hispanics are so significant is because we increase ethnic diversity within the United States. Hispanics are the largest minority group in America, constituting 17.6% of the total US population (US CENSUS: 2000). From coast to coast, we add something special to neighborhoods everywhere with our music, food, and tongue. Without us, many communities would lack the richness that hispanics, we, have worked so hard to instill.

Historically, hispanics have contributed much to the world. Famous hispanics include Severo Ochoa, Nobel Prize winner in 1959 for medicine; Tito Puente, one of the most beloved musicians of all time; Pablo Picasso, talented sculptor and painter; María Irene Fornés, a Cuban American playwright; Salvador Dalí, pioneer painter; Puerto Rican baseball player, Roberto Clemente; Celia Cruz, renowned salsa singer; and many, many, many more famous Hispanics. Without hispanics, there would be less of the poets, scientists, explorers, thinkers, and politicians that humanity needs to function.

Hispanic heritage should be important to everyone because hispanics have enriched our country and contributed so much. Hispanic heritage is important to all of us because it has helped establish the beautiful country that we live in today.

I dare someone to disagree!

Just thinking ...............Life.

It's been a busy week, but I'm getting a chance to relax later so its all good.

There is still a lot to do today.

Ok...perhaps a little relaxation now.....AAAAAAAAAAAH....

....I just took 15 minutes to step away from it all and relax. Life is so short. It doesn't hurt to take a moment to appreciate it. Doesn't hurt at all. A moment to look at how far you've come and where you're heading.


I feel great.

I sat at my desk in my office at home and gazed out the window. The afternoon light is fading just a little .I watched a little girl run down the street to get some helado de coco and run back into the house laughing because she was in her pajamas in public. I listened to the sound of my grandfathers voice as he sang along to some salsa music playing on TV in the livingroom. I enjoyed the taste of my tea as I sipped it from my favorite cup.


I'm happy. I have good friends and a loving family, my ventures are starting to reap some rewards, life is good. I know, spend wisely, invest well. I am.

My friends and family, I'm so grateful for them, for everything.

**If you're reading this right now, take a moment to appreciate what you have.

My cup of tea is empty now. Time to get back to work.

Think on this if you will.....

How can you be you and get what you want in life?



Being you….. isn't always as easy as it should be. People always say "just be yourself" but in Many instances, as you get older and your thoughts, ideas and preferences get more polarized, that isn't as easy as it sounds! You can't just do or say anything in life , so I think that phrase is overrated and overused! LOL...um...just like ...LOL ...

We often have to make concessions, and sacrifices for who or what we know or think is right or what we "think" is who/where we want to be. But when is it too much and when do we begin to sacrifice what makes you, "you"?
Self-awareness is a never-ending journey and you can get caught up in a tailspin of being something other than "you". I ,personally, am still evolving and still learning new things about myself and have gotten caught in that tailspin before. I use to try to in some way (self-talk, meditation, talking to friends) trying to get a better handle on being who I am and compromising for my overall happiness. So how can you get what you want and be yourself when the two ideas are not in sync? You have to understand what you need at the core of who you are. And if that means giving up other ideas of what society thinks you should be doing and who you should be maybe that is the right road for you…maybe not. Only you can decide that foryourself.

But one thing I have learned is that you can't hide from yourself…. You can but not (as I often say) without consequences and repercussions.

And you probably won't end up being the "happiest" that you would have been had you just waited and evaluated the situation before acting on something . You can lie to everyone around you (maybe even convinced yourself that this is what you want), but deep down, in the depths of your heart and mind….. you are there and there is where you will find …. you and you know the truth.

There have been times in my life where I knew that I should not have done certain things, made certain moves, had WARNING BELLS going off and felt a little "off" about something…but kept on full-steam ahead and came to regret it.

Now, I try to be as true to myself as I can. Life is too short not to be. Your life is not textbook and I am coming to realize that there are no set guidelines on "when such-and-such" should be accomplished or successes attained. Societal "norms" often make this harder to see…...

I believe that as we get older we seek different things and out of those "different needs" sometimes comes "giving up this…to get that". I get it. I do. I simply believe that you should not have to change the whole of who you are or what you like or what you are ready for at a certain point in your life…unless you are really ready to embrace (not just accept) the changes that you are making if you are not making them whole heartedly.

Are we always happy? They say happiness is a choice. Do we make certain sacrifices in life? Yes. Are sacrifices a part of life? Yes. But the thing to remember is…..In the words of an old song by Teddy Pendergrass you can't hide from yourself…. No matter where you go… there you are.

Think about it.

Whatever happened to....Saturday morning cartoons....by DJ Nicci C

...I was just thinking...whatever happened to .....






.... Saturday morning cartoons I grew up with? Now most of the female characters look like little hoochie mama's!...I miss the Smurfs, Woody Wood Pecker and the other OLd school cartoons you know.



.... getting up during the weekends and just riding your bike all day long as entertainment...now we have $400 game players? WTF happened to yo-yo's and freakin water pistols???



.....playing 7UP in school?



................hanging out with your friends at the local Mom and Pop joints....now we have Starbucks Cafe's and tooty fruity places popping up everywhere...less and less of the old hang out joints are around....where getting a slice of pizza and a coke was just a couple dollars....now lunch can cost you $10 or more ...and thats for just a sandwich and chips!



...........block parties?



...........All the cool drive in's?



.....Movies I grew up on like the Breakfast club, Weird Science, Gremlins and such?


.....penny candies?


......Just kissing on the first date?



...After school specials....I miss those!!!




.....Saying hi to your neighbor.


...............just 40 hour work weeks....everyone is trying to top everyone else ...no one is enjoying life anymore.....



.........Whatever happened to freedom of speech???




.............Whatever happened to online etiquette?




....I was just wondering....



Don't forget to tune into Nic @ Nine every Wed/Fri night at 9pm central right here on my profile!



Keep it real...



DJ Nicci C!

Latinos: Making Your Mark: How to Stand Out in Life & Business

Imagine walking into the reception area of the company you've dreamed of working for to interview with executives. You look around and find 20 other candidates already sitting there, dressed like you, as qualified as you, and are there for the same purpose. The competition is fierce, and you know it. How will you be different from everybody else? This is a question everyone must face.


There are hundreds of people out there who do what you do and want the job you want. So, how do you stand out? No doubt, you've heard typical advice, things like "look people in the eye when you speak to them," or "have a firm handshake." And while all that is true, I'm about to share with you ways you can change the game, bring more of yourself to the table, and use your humanity to take you further in your profession.


Early in my career in indie filmmaking I quickly figured out that it's not always who you know, but how you treat people-a concept I like to call "people relations." It paid off for me in several ways.


I can tell you that, in my 1o-plus years of experience as an entrepreneur, I've worked hard to cultivate a successful business and strong reputation. I accomplished this by consistently treating everyone well, nurturing relationships, and of course delivering excellence in my field. It's because I extend respect and courtesy that I have landed opportunities.


Along the way I have also recognized several key qualities that I personally practice and that never fail to grab my attention. Here are five of my favorites that can nudge you a few steps closer than the rest to nailing that new job.


1. Understand That Everyone Wears a Game Face


People have a lot going on, at work, at home, and constantly in their minds. So many of us are stressed out, overloaded, and juggling a million things at once. And sometimes, to be honest, we don't always handle that too well. Just as you may have a lot on your mind that is difficult to deal with, the people you work with might be struggling with some emotional challenge. Set yourself apart by being mindful and sensitive to that, and try to be as helpful as possible as you move throughout your days.


2. Develop Your Relationships


If you meet, or want to meet people that you would like to work with, reach out to them and maintain that relationship by adding a personal touch. Pass along articles that may be of interest to them along with the message "I thought you might find the enclosed of interest" and include your name, mailing and email addresses, and phone number; send them notes to say "hello," "congratulations," or to compliment them on a recent activity you may have heard or saw that they did. This kind of extra effort goes a long way toward distinguishing yourself in a positive way. Do Not -- I repeat -- do not reach out to people only when you want or need something.


3. Take Notice of an Interest and Address It


When you are engaged in a conversation with someone, pay close attention to them. Try to pick up on little details such as whether or not they seem to be an organized person, if their office shows signs that they are a fan of a particular sports team, if they prefer a specific type of music, or maybe they're interested a certain kind of art, and remember it. Some time after your first meeting, you can get your other foot in their door by finding a thoughtful way to address their interest. There are so many little things you can do that give you a big opportunity to stand out.


4. Remember That Everyone Is Somebody


A person's position in life should have nothing to do with how you treat them. What goes around comes around. It's the law of the universe. If you acknowledge and show the same level courtesy and respect to everyone you encounter-from the janitor to the receptionist to the CEO-you will develop a reputation as a solid person to work with and build a loyal following of all kinds of people. They won't hesitate to assist you in gaining access to people and resources that can further advance your professional endeavors.


5. Show 'Em What You've Got


Once you get the chance to make an impression and your mark, make it wonderful. Part of one of my favorite quotes by Nelson Mandela says "Who am I to be brilliant, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small doesn't serve the world." And serve you must. You've come a long way, put in your study time, and begin honing your craft. Now is the time to strut your stuff. Don't be afraid to lead and succeed. Boldly show your colleagues why you're worthy of their time and investment. That's what businesses are looking for: someone who is not only qualified, but real and has the confidence and willingness to work hard, go the extra mile, and bring their best to the company.


So there you have it: empowering information that can give you an edge in life and business. And now that you know, I trust that you will actually put it to regular use. Because that's the key-being consistent. I know you will. Just remember that the little things can and do make a big difference in your life, career and goals!


Know that all the positive energy you put out there will find its way back to you. Now, step into your great name, go get that job, and build your career. It's your time to shine! Stay strong.





Oh.....


How to Full in the gap in Employment?

Workers who have been out of the work force for a while -- especially those who have been caring for children or parents -- worry about how to explain their job history gaps.

They're right to be concerned if they have done nothing except tend to their families.

Caregiving is certainly noble and needed labor (and let's pause on Mother's Day to say thanks for mothers' work, particularly), but the reality is that prospective employers may want to see more measurable accomplishments.

A long employment gap, whatever the family-oriented reason, won't be as worrisome if:

--You've taken a computer class or earned a certification update in your field.

--You have kept alive a network of business contacts from your previous places of employment. Perhaps you've even continued to attend professional association meetings in your field.

--You have done notable volunteer work that has produced "deliverables," such as managing a PTA fundraising project.

--Your resume clearly shows how your volunteer work translates into needed workplace skills, such as showing your leadership or conflict resolution abilities drawn upon while president of that PTA.

--You have a marketable skill and you know how to target your applications to reach employers who need that skill.

--You've kept up to date with current affairs and you can hold a good conversation in an interview.

--Your resume shows a pre-work-break progression of responsibilities and advancements in a field that's still growing and needs workers.

--You have friends, relatives, neighbors and acquaintances who will advocate for you in their workplaces.

--You can pull off an updated and energetic appearance (hair, makeup, clothing and posture) in your interviews.

--You project a positive, enthusiastic attitude.

Scholarships For Latinos

Scholarships For Latinos

Here's a partial list of scholarships available to Latinos y Latinas. Scholarship criteria can vary wildly, so please contact each organization directly for more details on each program.


¡Adelante! Fund Scholarship Program
Phone: (210) 692-1971
Web: n/a
E-mail: rubeng@dcci.com
For: Hispanic students enrolled in Hispanic Serving Institutions

American Chemical Society Scholars Program
Phone: (202) 872-6250
Web: www.acs.org/scholars
E-mail: scholars@acs.org
For: Underrepresented minority students with a strong interest in chemistry and a desire to pursue a career in chemistry-related science

American Dental Hygienists' Association Insititute Minority Scholarship
Phone: (312) 440-8944
Web: www.adha.org
E-mail: institute@adha.net
For: Minority students enrolled in certificate/associate programs in dental hygiene

Anheuser-Busch Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (773) 451-3567
Web: www.cul-chicago.org
E-mail: info@cul-chicago.org
For: Illinois residents of color interested in full-time study at a 4-year college or university

Association of Cuban Engineers Scholarships
Phone: (305) 649-7429
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Undergraduate and graduate students of Cuban American heritage and others who are interested in preparing for a career in engineering

Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting Scholarships
Phone: (213) 243-0004
Web: www.alpfa.org
E-mail: scholarships.national@alpfa.org
For: Undergraduate and graduate students of Hispanic heritage who are preparing for a career in a field related to finance or accounting

Avon Grant Scholarhips
Phone: (773) 451-3567
Web: www.cul-chicago.org
E-mail: info@cul-chicago.org
For: Illinois residents who are women of color interested in full-time study at a 4-year college or university

Breakthrough To Nursing Scholarships for Ethnic People of Color
Phone: (212) 581-2215
Web: www.nsna.org
E-mail: nsna@nsna.org
For: Minority undergraduate and graduate students who wish to prepare for careers in nursing

California Table Grape Workers' Scholarship Program
Phone: (559) 447-8350
Web: www.tablegrape.com
E-mail: adrienne@tablegrape.com
For: Children of California table grape field workers who are interested in attending a branch of the California State University system

College Assistant Migrant Program Scholarships
Phone: (208) 792-2101
Web: www.campaa.org/scholarships.html
E-mail: ggalindo@campaa.org
For: College and high school students from migrant or seasonal farmworker families

Cesar Chavez Memorial Leadership Award
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Outstanding Latino students in the Los Angeles area

Coors Hispanic Employee Network Scholarship
Phone: (303) 277-5258
Web: n/a
E-mail: paulandchris@prodigy.net
For: High school seniors in Colorado who are of Hispanic descent

Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship Competition
Phone: (510) 526-5681
Web: www.chicanalatina.org/scholarship.html
E-mail: info@chicanalatina.org
For: Latina women in the San Francisco Bay Area

College Scholarship Program of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American students

Comision Femenil de Los Angeles Scholarship
Phone: (818) 549-9530
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Latinas in Southern California interested in working on an undergraduate or graduate degree

Community College Transfer Program of The Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American students who are attending a community college and are interested in transferring to a 4-year institution

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship Awards
Phone: (202) 543-1771, (800) EXCEL-DC
Web: www.chci.org
E-mail: chci@chci.org
For: Students of Hispanic descent

Connecticut Association of Latin Americans in Higher Education Scholarships
Phone: (860) 548-1888
Web: www.hfpg.org
E-mail: hfpg2@hfpg.org
For: Latino residents of Connecticut

Coors Light Academic Success in Education Scholarship Award
Phone: (210) 692-3805
Web: www.hacu.net
E-mail: hacu@hacu.net
For: Undergraduate and graduate students at institutions in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico that are members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

Cristina Saralegui Scholarship Program
Phone: (202) 662-7145
Web: www.nahj.org/scholarship.html
E-mail: nahj@nahj.org
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students interested in preparing for careers in media

Cuban American Scholarship Program
Phone: (714) 835-7676
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Cuban American students in California

Cuban-American Teachers Association Scholarships
Phone: (562) 923-0204
Web: n/a
E-mail: cubacata@aol.com
For: High school seniors of Cuban heritage in Southern California who are interested in attending college

Daniel Gutierrez Memorial General Scholarship
Phone: (760) 741-8246
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Latino high school students in the San Diego area who plan to attend college

Denny's Grand Slam Scholars
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in business, computer science, or engineering

Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders
Phone: (312) 427-8683
Web: www.ushli.com/aScholarship.html
E-mail: ushli@aol.com
For: Hispanic students in the United States

Dr. Juan D. Villareal HDA Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (312) 577-0052
Web: www.hdassoc.org
E-mail: hdassoc1@qwest.net
For: Hispanic dental hygiene and dental students in Texas

Eaton Multicultural Engineering Scholars Program
Phone: (216) 623-1010
Web: www.eaton.com
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority college students interested in a career as an engineer

Edison International Scholarships
Phone: (323) 731-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latinos in Southern California who wish to pursue careers in teaching

Eishenhower Hispanic-Serving Institutions Fellowships
Phone: (703) 235-0538
Web: www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/fellowships.html
E-mail: Ilene.payne@fhwa.dot.gov
For: Students at Hispanic Serving Institutions studying transportation-related fields

Environmental Management Scholarship
Phone: (202) 296-0009
Web: www.hsfi.org/sch_energy.html
E-mail: info@hsfi.org
For: Hispanic undergraduate students majoring in designated business, engineering, and science fields related to the U.S. Department of Energy goal of environmental and waste management

Esperanza Scholarship Fund
Phone: (216) 651-7178
Web: www.esperanza.org
E-mail: hope4edu@aol.com
For: Students of Hispanic descent in the Cleveland area

Falú Foundation Scholarship
Phone: (212) 360-1210
Web: www.ubms.edu/FaluFoundation.html
E-mail: falu@ubms.edu
For: Hispanic students interested in preparing for a career in technology

First In My Family Scholarship Program
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are the first in their family to attend college and are majoring in business, computer science, or engineering

Fleming/Blaszcak Scholarship
Phone: (203) 740-5434
Web: www.4spe.org
E-mail: foundation@4spe.org
For: Mexican American undergraduate and graduate students who have a career interest in the plastics industry

Florida Nicaraguan and Haitian Scholarships
Phone: (850) 410-5185
Web: www.firn.edu/doe/osfa
E-mail: osfa@mail.doe.state.fl.us
For: Undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Florida but were born in Nicaragua or Haiti

Ford/HENAAC Scholars Program
Phone: (323) 262-0997
Web: www.henaac.org/scholarships.html
E-mail: info@henaac.org
For: Hispanic undergraduate students majoring in engineering and related fields

Founders Scholarship
Phone: n/a
Web: www.maes-natl.org
E-mail: maes@tamu.edu
For: Undergraduate and graduate student members of the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES)

Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship Program
Phone: (213) 480-1052
Web: www.salef.org
E-mail: info@salef.org
For: Salvadoran Americans and other Americans of Hispanic descent

Future Leaders of America Scholarship
Phone: (949) 553-4202, ext. 22
Web: www.oc-communityfoundation.org
E-mail: occf@oc-communityfoundation.org
For: Hispanic students from Orange County, California who have demonstrated outstanding community service

General Electric/LULAC Scholarships
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Minority students who are studying engineering or business in college

Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement National Scholarship Program
Phone: (312) 435-0498, ext. 21
Web: www.hace-usa.org/programs/scholar.htm
E-mail: haceorg@enteract.com
For: Hispanic students working on an undergraduate or graduate degree

HENAAC Student Leadership Awards
Phone: (323) 262-0997
Web: www.henaac.org/scholarships.htm
E-mail: info@henaac.org
For: Hispanic undegraduate and graduate students majoring in engineering and related fields

High School Scholarship Programs of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American high school seniors who are interested in attending college

HIS Scholars Program
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in telecommunications

Hispanic College Fund Scholarships
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in business, computer science or engineering

Hispanic Designers Founders Scholarships
Phone: (202) 337-9636
Web: www.hispanicdesigners.org
E-mail: HispDesign@aol.com
For: Hispanic students enrolled in fashion design schools

Hispanic Outlook Scholarship Fund
Phone: (201) 587-8800
Web: www.hispanicoutlook.com/scholar.html
E-mail: n/a
For: High school seniors of Hispanic descent

Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Ford Motor Company Corporate Scholarship Program
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net/scholarship/Special.htm
E-mail: specialprograms@hsf.net
For: Hispanic college juniors who are majoring in business, computer science, or engineering

Hispanic Scholarship Fund/South Texas Scholarship Program
Phone: (956) 687-7751
Web: www.hsf.net/scholarships/Special.htm
E-mail: specialprograms@hsf.net
For: Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students from designated counties in South Texas

HORISONS Scholarships
Phone: (719) 546-2563
Web: www.pphef.net
E-mail: pphef@aol.com
For: Hispanic undergraduate students from Colorado

Ibero American Action League Hispanic Scholarship Endowment
Phone: (585) 271-4100
Web: www.racf.org/scholarships
E-mail: brainey@racf.org
For: Hispanic students in upstate New York who are interested in pursuing postsecondary education

Idaho Migrant Council Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (208) 454-1652
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic high school seniors in Idaho

IMA Diversity Scholarship Program
Phone: (201) 573-8438
Web: www.imanet.org
E-mail: students@imanet.org
For: Minority and disabled student members of the Institute of Management Accountants who are interested in working on an undergraduate or graduate degree in management accounting or financial manangement

Jean Marshall Minority Scholarships
Phone: (609) 883-5335, ext. 21
Web: www.njsna.org/institute/institute.htm
E-mail: ita@njsna.org
For: Minority undergraduates in New Jersey who are preparing for a career as a nurse

Joel Atlas Skirble Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (703) 237-8486
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic immigrants in the Baltimore, MD and Washington DC area who are interested in postsecondary studies

Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarships
Phone: (213) 743-4960
Web: www.ccnma.org
E-mail: info@ccnma.org
For: Deserving young Latino Americans in California interested in preparing for a career in journalism

Jose Martí Scholarship Grant Fund
Phone: (850) 410-5185
Web: www.firn.edu/doe/osfa
E-mail: osfa@mail.doe.state.fl.us
For: Hispanic American high school seniors and graduate students in Florida

Juan Eugene Ramos Scholarship
Phone: (202) 337-9636
Web: www.hispanicdesigners.org
E-mail: HispDesign@aol.com
For: Hispanic students enrolled in a fashion design school

Justicia En Diversidad Scholarship
Phone: n/a
Web: www.jdfoundation.org/scholarship
E-mail: scholarship@jdfoundatioin.org
For: Latino high school seniors who are planning to attend college to prepare for a career in a field related to law

Knight Ridder Minority Scholars Program
Phone: (408) 938-7734
Web: www.kri.com/working/interns.html
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority high school seniors who are interested in going to college to prepare for a career in journalism

Lagrant Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (323) 469-8680
Web: www.lagrantfoundation.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority high school seniors or college students who are interested in majoring in advertising, public relations, or marketing

LASO Scholarship
Phone: (303) 628-6810
Web: n/a
E-mail: bar.maccoy@denverwater.org
For: Colorado residents who are Hispanic Americans and relatives of members of the Latin American Support Organization (LASO)

Latin American Educational Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (303) 446-0541
Web: www.laef.org
E-mail: laefaa@uswest.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students in Colorado

LatinGirl Scholarship
Phone: (201) 876-9640
Web: www.latingirlmag.com
E-mail: editor@latingirlmagl.com
For: Hispanic women graduating from high school

Latino College Expo Scholarship Award
Phone: (202) 546-4400
Web: www.latinocollegeexpo.org
E-mail: LatinoExpo@aol.com
For: Latino high school seniors in the New York tri-state area

Latino Initiatives for the Next Century Scholarships
Phone: (773) 762-8970
Web: www.linc-usa.org/ed/overv.html
E-mail: admin@linc-usa.org
For: Latino undergraduate students from California, Ilinois, New York or Texas

Lowrider Magazine Scholarship Fund
Phone: (714) 213-1000
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Chicano/Latino students who are interested in finishing their college education

LULAC General Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students

LULAC Honors Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students with 3.25 or higher GPA, or 840 SAT score for incoming freshmen

LULAC National Scholastic Achievement Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students with 3.5 or higher GPA, or 970 SAT score for incoming freshmen

Mas Family Scholarship Program
Phone: (305) 592-7768
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Students of Cuban descent working on an undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, business, international relations, economics, communications, or journalism

Mayor Joe Serna, Jr. Scholarship Program
Phone: (916) 488-7700
Web: www.sachcc.org/htmls/events/scholarship/index.htm
E-mail: valentin@sachcc.org
For: Hispanic high school seniors in selected Northern California counties

Mexican American Grocers Association Scholarship Program
Phone: (323) 227-1565
Web: www.maga.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Latino/Hispanic students interested in preparing for a business career

Mexican Fiesta Scholarships
Phone: (414) 383-7066
Web: www.mexicanfiesta.org
E-mail: mexicanf@aol.com
For: Hispanic American students in Wisconsin who are interested in attending college or graduate school

Microsoft National Scholarships
Phone: (425) 882-8080
Web: www.microsoft.com/college/scholarships/general.asp
E-mail: scholars@microsoft.com
For: Underrepresented minorities and women interested in preparing for a career in computer science or other related technical fields

Microsoft Scholarship Program of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American high school seniors who are interested in majoring in computer science, computer engineering or mathematics

LULAC General Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students

Mike Carana Foundation Law Enforcement Scholarships
Phone: (949) 553-4202
Web: www.oc-communityfoundation.org
E-mail: occf@oc-communityfoundation.org
For: Hispanic high school seniors from Orange County, California who are interested in preparing for a career in law enforcement

Minority Community College Transfer Scholarships
Phone: (850) 201-7216
Web: www.borfl.org
E-mail: lpage@borfl.org
For: Minority community college students who are interested in transferring to a school within the State University System of Florida (SUS)

National Association of Hispanic Journalists Scholarships
Phone: (202) 662-7145
Web: www.nahj.org/scholarship/html
E-mail: nahj@nahj.org
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students interested in preparing for careers in media

National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives Scholarship
Phone: (703) 787-0291
Web: www.nahfe.org/scholars.htm
E-mail: NAHFE@cs.com
For: Hispanic American high school seniors

National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships
Phone: (202) 387-2477
Web: www.thehispanicnurses.org
E-mail: thehispanicnurses@earthlink.net
For: Members of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses

National Hispanic Explorers Scholarship Program
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in a field of interest to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

New Horizons Scholarship
Phone: (866) 3-HORIZON
Web: www.hsf.net/DOC-PDF/NewHorizons.pdf
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic and African-American high school seniors who are infected with Hepatitis C or who are dependents of someone with Hepatitis C

Newhouse Scholarship Program
Phone: (202) 662-7145
Web: www.nahj.org/scholarship.html
E-mail: nahj@nahj.org
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students interested in preparing for careers in media

Next Generation of Public Servants Scholarship
Phone: (202) 296-0009
Web: www.hsfi.org/sch_nextgen.html
E-mail: info@hsfi.org
For: Hispanic and other students majoring in designated business, engineering, social science, and science fields, and interested in employment with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Nosotros Scholarship Program
Phone: (323) 466-8566
Web: www.nosotros.org
E-mail: nosotrosnews@nosotros.org
For: Adult Hispanic students in California who would like to pursue postsecondary education in the performing arts

Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce Raul Julia Memorial Scholarship Fund
Phone: (305) 371-2711
Web: n/a
E-mail: Dadecomfnd@aol.com
For: Puerto Rican high school seniors in South Florida

RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program
Phone: (800) 736-5219
Web: www.rmhc.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic students in specifies geographic areas

RMHC/HACER Scholarships
Phone: (858) 467-4750, ext. 22
Web: www.sdmcdonalds.com/rmhc_scholarships.lasso
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic high school seniors in San Diego County, California

Ronald H. Brown Memorial Scholarship
Phone: (202) 408-8422
Web: www.tia.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority undergraduate students interested in studying travel and tourism

SALEF Health Scholarship Program
Phone: (213) 480-1052
Web: www.salef.org
E-mail: info@salef.org
For: Undergraduate and graduate students of Central American ancestry interested in a health-related career

Sprint Scholarship Program
Phone: (919) 733-7051
Web: www.ncccs.cc.nc.us
E-mail: n/a
For: North Carolina residents studying at publicly-supported technical or vocational schools in the state

TELACU Arts AwardM
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latino students in the Los Angeles area who are interested in studying the arts in college

TELACU Engineering Award
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latino students in the Los Angeles area who are interested in majoring in selected science or business fields

TELACU Scholarships
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latino students in the Los Angeles area who are interested in furthering their formal education at the undergraduate levels

Texas Broadcast Education Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (512) 322-9944
Web: www.tab.org/scholarships.html
E-mail: tab@tab.org
For: Undergraduates in Texas who are interested in preparing for a career in broadcasting

Vicky Carr Scholarship Awards
Phone: (210) 699-0205
Web: www.vcsf.net
E-mail: info@vcsf.net
For: Latino residents of Texas

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Scholarship and Incentive Awards
Phone: (212) 926-8000
Web: www.nyul.org/scholwhi.htm
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority students graduation from high schools in New York City

Worldstudio Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (212) 366-1317, ext. 18
Web: www.worldstudio.org/scholar/intro.html
E-mail: scholarships@worldstudio.org
For: Disadvantaged and ethnic minority undergraduate and graduate students who wish to study fine or commercial arts, design, or architecture

Worldstudio Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (212) 366-1317, ext. 18
Web: www.worldstudio.org/scholar/intro.html
E-mail: scholarships@worldstudio.org
For: Members of disadvantaged and ethnic minority groups who wish to study illustration, animation, or cartooning in college

Source:Latina Magazine

Famous Latinas...Barbara Garcia ,Lorena Ochoa, Erica Ortiz,Kathy Martinez,Victoria Recaño !

Meet the Latina who helped rebuild the levees in New Orleans

.. Article Title ENDS AND Article Subtitle ENDS -->.. Article Text Begins -->

After Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans in pieces, Barbara Garcia helped rebuild its levees.

Imagine a job so potentially dangerous that your boss tells you not to wear your uniform for fear that you´ll be beaten or killed. Think we´re referring to police work in Iraq? Think closer to home: As one of only two Latina structural engineers in the Army Corps of Engineers´ Task Force Guardian, Barbara Garcia and a team of approximately 100 colleagues spent nine months restoring the levees that were all but destroyed when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, all while workers received death threats from people who blamed the Corps for not properly maintaining them in the first place. "It was so upsetting," says Barbara, 31, a Guatemalan-Honduran New Orleans native who blames the lack of adequate federal funding for the levees´ collapse and says she and colleagues did everything they could within budgetary constraints to keep the city safe. "I would get up in the morning, and we would always be on the front page of the newspaper. Meanwhile, you´re trying to do your best, working seven days a week."

Rather than getting angry at distraught residents, Barbara attacked the project—which included designing secondary concrete walls and new drains—with the same determination with which she tackled tough math and science courses as a teenager in order to follow her older sister into the male-dominated field of engineering. "I challenged myself," says Barbara, who learned a love of figuring out how things work from her dad, a mechanic. "I told myself, I´m going to work hard at this. That is what got me through."

___________



Lorena Ochoa, Top-Ranked Golf Superstar

LPGA star Lorena Ochoa drives toward first place in the world rankings.

Mexican star golfer Lorena Ochoa, world-renowned for her sweet temperament—and for quietly and politely crushing opponents—has been a fierce competitor, oh, since the sandbox. At 9, she scored better than the teenage boys in a golf competition and won a spot in a Japanese tournament. By 12, she had climbed the 17,343-foot volcano Iztacc?huatl. As an adult, Lorena has run in marathons and triathlons and participated in adventure racing—a physically brutal competition sport that includes mountain biking, swimming and kayaking. Today, when it comes to her daily golf-training routine, she's no less driven: Lorena hits the links before most of us hit the snooze button, and then follows up with meditation, yoga and a gym workout, pausing only for an almuerzo at home with her parents and brother in her native Guadalajara.

That dedication has paid off big-time: Not only did Lorena, now 25, become the second female golfer in LPGA history (after Annika Sorenstam) to earn more than $2 million in one season, but she'll also likely overtake Annika, 36, this year for the top ranking. (Watch the two face off at the Kraft Nabisco Championship Tournament on CBS, April 1.) "Annika has dominated for many years, but she knows I'm close to beating her," Lorena says bluntly. And her odds are excellent: Last December, Lorena, who was a star college player at the University of Arizona, won the LPGA's Vare Trophy after ending the 2006 season with the lowest scoring average.

A number one ranking this year, five years after joining the LPGA, would mean a big boost toward her ultimate goal: playing at the pro level for 10 years—and then quitting at the top of her game, so she can get married and have kids. "I've had to make a lot of sacrifices, missed a lot of birthdays and weddings because I was always traveling and missed out on high school because I studied at home," says Lorena, currently single but clearly hoping to change that. "It's a tough life, but it's been worthwhile."

It's also earned her hero status in Mexico, where she is idolized by kids—especially girls. "When I started playing at age 5, I was the only girl," she recalls. "It's a clean, healthy career for kids, and I feel fortunate to be an example for Mexicans."

______________________________




Erica Ortiz, professional drag racer

The girl loves to go fast. Really, really fast. Professional drag racer Erica Ortiz sets records and usually leaves competition in the dust.

Here's what it's like to go from 0 to 200 miles per hour in just over six seconds in a 2,700-horsepower car: "I'm wearing a fire suit, helmet and neck restraint, and I'm strapped in the car with a five-point harness," says Erica Ortiz, one of only a handful of female professional drag racers in the country. "When the green light hits, I floor the gas pedal and brace myself because when the car leaves, it snaps your whole body back into the seat so hard you wouldn't be able to bring your head forward under your own power. And then I'm going down the quarter-mile track, shifting gears, pulling a parachute lever and trying to keep the car straight, because at 2,700 horsepower, it wants to go in every direction but forward."

Scary? Not for the first woman to reach 200 mph in less than 7 seconds in the history of the Fun Ford Weekend, a series she'll return to this month when she races at the 17th Annual Peach State Nationals in Commerce, Georgia. "It's an incredible rush," says the Puerto Rican and Cuban 27-year-old, who races in a souped-up Ford Mustang. Erica fronts an all-woman team called Horsepower and Heels in Columbus, Georgia, and has been hooked on adrenaline ever since she was a teen racing her pickup truck for fun around Orlando, where she grew up. Soon she was working at an auto shop, building her own engines and racing at a local, legal drag strip. "It's funny, because no one in my family can change a tire," she says.

Now even her abuela, who raised her, is into racing. "Early on, she was constantly asking me, 'When are you going to sell all this stuff [Erica's car and equipment] and buy a house?'" Erica says. "Now she's very supportive. But she still lights a candle for her little daredevil."

_________________





Mujer On the Move: Kathy Martinez, activist for the disabled

Activist Kathy Martinez's mission: to make sure the disabled are treated with dignity.

Anyone who grew up in an extra-large family can tell you that when you get mercilessly teased by your brothers and sisters practically from birth, you emerge with a force field of thick skin that stays with you for life. Disability-rights advocate Kathy Martinez is no exception: Even as one of two blind sisters in a Mexican American family of six siblings, "my sister and I would walk into the living room after dressing ourselves," she recalls with a laugh, "and if something didn't match, we would hear about it!" That brutally honest upbringing—coupled with her parents' insistence that she attend a regular school while growing up in Orange County, California—is exactly what prepared Kathy, 48, for a career persuading people to treat the disabled with dignity and respect.

Kathy, who first became involved in disability activism in 1977 after participating in a demonstration in San Francisco, leads diversity workshops at Fortune 500 companies, has trained rehabilitation professionals in Honduras and El Salvador and was appointed by President Bush to the National Council on Disability in 2002. Today, as the executive director of the World Institute on Disability, she also oversees Proyecto Visión, which seeks to increase job opportunities for Latinos with disabilities. It will host its annual conference June 13 to 15 in Miami. "Growing up, when my sister and I would visit our t?os, we would always hear '¡Ay, pobrecitas!' but my parents expected us to do what other kids did," Kathy says. "That's really what it's all about for me: If someone expects you to do well, you will."

__________________





Leading Lady: Meet The Insider's Victoria Recaño

Victoria Recaño is The Insider´s ace reporter, but what she loves most is helping those in need.

Victoria Recaño, the glamorous correspondent for the syndicated newsmagazine show The Insider, may look like she spends her days at the spa, but actually, she devotes much of her spare time to giving out food and supplies to the homeless through her church. "It´s important to do," Victoria says, "because I´m so lucky." Actually, luck played only a small role in her success (she´s interviewed everyone from Martha Stewart to Senator John Kerry). Growing up in St. Louis, Victoria—whose father is Spanish and Filipino—dreamed of becoming either a surgeon or a psychologist until she landed a gig as a teen reporter, covering topics like anorexia and divorce for local TV station KPLR. "That put the reporting bug in me," says Victoria, 29. It also lead to a job hosting the cartoon block The Disney Afternoon, for which she won two Emmys. After graduating magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, she spent the next few years as a TV reporter in Chicago and San Francisco before joining the entertainment show Inside Edition. In 2004, she started working at The Insider in Los Angeles, where she now lives with her husband. Though she enjoys helping the homeless, she admits to also liking the perks her high-profile job has afforded her—like interviewing handsome men. "Enrique Iglesias," she says with a laugh, "sure is a cute one.

Source:Latina Magazine

Food Network to Air Show Hosted by Spanish Celebrity

Ingrid Hoffmann has been tempting Spanish-language audiences by cooking traditional food with a modern twist and offering common-sense tips for entertaining. Now she wants to translate that recipe into English.

With her new show "Simply Delicioso," airing Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. beginning July 14, the Colombian-born Miami resident becomes the Food Network's first Latina host. Already known to Spanish TV watchers through her cable show Delicioso on Galavision and segments on Univision's Despierta America, Hoffman will join the ranks of other Spanish-language stars who have tried to cross over to English - not always successfully.

But media experts think Hoffmann, 42, has a shot. For starters, food is common ground for all cultures.

"I don't see it as a Hispanic vs. rest of the market issue," said Mercedes Vigon, associate director of Florida International University's International Media Center. "Both groups need food that can be done simply."

And simple is the theme of "Simply Delicioso," which is based on Hoffmann's life as a single woman (and mom to Salsita, a 6-year-old Yorkie) who likes to host dinners for family and friends. It stresses quick meals ("If it takes more than 29 minutes, I'm not interested," she said) and easy decorative touches (think napkin rings made out of pipe cleaners).

A former restaurateur and boutique owner, Hoffmann got her own half-hour show on DirecTV, Delicioso with Ingrid Hoffmann, in 2005. She moved on to cable's Galavision last year and plans to stay after she debuts on the Food Network. In February, Galavision announced the strongest sweep performance in its 28 years and gave some of the credit to Hoffmann's show. Both Galavision and the Food Network can be seen on cable or satellite TV in some areas.

According to Bob Tuschman, the Food Network's senior vice-president for programming and production, Hoffmann's success in Spanish underscores her appeal. He said the network was impressed by her take on Latin food. "Ingrid has a sparkling personality, a breezy way of making cooking approachable and a passion to take classics and give them a Latin twist," he wrote in an e-mail.

Hoffmann already has tested the waters in English, appearing as a guest on "The Martha Stewart Show," "Today" and "Live with Regis and Kelly."

Lilliam Martinez-Bustos, a professor in FIU's journalism and broadcasting department, said viewers tend to be pickier when it comes to serious news or talk shows. Issues such as language and culture could hold back Spanish speakers trying to cross over in those areas, she said, but lifestyle shows like Hoffmann's are different.

"Cooking is just something that everybody enjoys," Martinez-Bustos said. "Eating - everybody wants to eat."

Also, while some Spanish-speaking stars have trouble speaking English without an accent - a potential turn-off to English-speaking viewers, Martinez-Bustos and Vigon said - Hoffmann has lived in the United States for more than 20 years and switches between the two languages effortlessly.

Even her food is cross-cultural. Dishes Hoffmann showcases on the air and in a cookbook that will be published next year include tamarind baby-back ribs with mango slaw, salmon with guava barbecue sauce and chipotle tamale pie, which she describes as a cross between corn bread and a tamale.

"I don't eat like I used to eat as a kid in Latin America," Hoffmann said. "I mix the burgers and the beans. I always say my food is Spanglish."

Spanglish is also the language on her new set, a Miami Beach home rented for the taping. On a recent afternoon, she was cooking comfort food with her mother, Yolanda. The episode's premise was that Hoffmann was feeling nostalgic and called her mother, a cordon bleu chef who introduced Hoffman to cooking when she still needed a stool to reach the stove.

A crewmember gave Yolanda Hoffmann directions in Spanish. Ingrid Hoffmann bantered with a cameraman in Spanish between takes, switched back to English as the cameras rolled, and returned to Spanish to ask if there was sugar in the Cuban coffee on the set. There wasn't.

At the center of it all was the traditional meal the mother and daughter were making: sancocho, a stew from their native Colombia, accompanied by patacones, fried plantains, and arroz con leche, rice pudding.

"Food is a great equalizer," Hoffmann said. "I think it is a great way to be able to show all the different facets of our culture."


Source: Hispanic Trending

Nic@Nine with DJ Nicci C

Check out her profile at Myspace.com/livewithnicci

I get high on Life ... by DJ Nicci C

I get high on LIFE!

Why? ...its safer..last longer ...and no deadly side affects!...I love it!!!

Years ago as a young woman entering this world on her own I pondered on a lot of things..like, why did people drink themselves drunk to feel good , use other alternatives to get high.

Just don't get it, I thank God for looking out for me though, I too could have easily fallen into the abyss of "synthetic highs syndrome", I enjoy life...I enjoy feeling good about life, waking up knowing I have another day to accomplish my goals, see my friends and family, dance to Celia Cruz, look at a sunrise, smell the flowers...life is good!...Why would I want to alter that? Why would anyone?

Unfortunately a lot of that distructive lifestyle is still in the Latino communities as well as other minority communities.

You're probably wondering why I am talking on this. Well, just pondering ...with all the news and chaos in the world its easy to see why so many fall into that hole, not the best choice to follow that road of course, yet, is it really that chaotic that one cannot keep their heads on straight? Sure we have the war, crimes, drugs,etc. However,I decided long ago that whatever tries to penetrate my "happy world" I keep out, enough in to see whats going on , enough out to not absorb the damage, intiendes?

I'd rather get high on life than get high on anything else....I want that clarity to truly feel the good that life really does have to offer.

I also say this because it is our responsibility to look out for one another, to help rise our Latino sisters and brothers, oru communities.

We have been associated with drugs, violence, young parents having children, lack of enough college graduates for far too long. We need to start making strides to better prepare ourselves to reaching higher, start reacher higher, in education, health, success, and money.

...certainly there are many who do have the degrees and waited to have children, not enough though. We need to increase those successes, and this doesnt mean that those who had children young have no future, the future is still yours. This doesn't mean that those who left high school 5 or more years ago cannot change their life around and return to school and get a college degree.

If your in a gang, just know that your life will not reach its potential living that life of crime and disrespect to yourself and others. There are organizations and places you can seek out to get your life on track again, don't become another statistic or young grave. You too deserve a more positive life filled with joy and happiness, great accomplishments and lots of love. The love recieve from your fellow gang "family" may be love, however, the life that comes along with it is very negative.

We are making strides in this country, in this world. We need to continue on and make more strides. Go ahead, take one class at a college, get into that mental mode of learning and growing, you dont have to take huge steps, just make sure you are taking steps in the right direction, you are so worth it.

Make today the day you turn your life around.


For more on Latino issues check out my show Nic at Nine.

Nic at Nine, featuring radio personality DJ Nicci C , is an online radio show that airs right on myspace.com/livewithnicci every Wednesday and Friday nights at 9pm central. The show airs up and coming musical artist from all over the world, her Listen Up! segments are mostly dedicated to Latino issues that affects its communities. Get LIVE interviews and the latest info on local and national events. The sounds of Alternative music to Reggaeton. See why so many are tuning in every week to listen to DJ Nicci C.

Written by: DJ Nicci C