El Sol Latino | December 2012 | 9.1

December 2012

Volume 9 No. 1

Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

From la Montaña to Main Street The Cuatro Concert Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

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Editorial / Editorial

contents

¡Felicidades!

Happy Holidays!

¡El Sol Latino les desea a todos un alegre período Navideño y un Próspero Año Nuevo!

El Sol Latino wishes everyone a happy holiday season and a happy new year!

Quiero extenderle a nuestras amigas y amigos un sincero agradecimiento por su continuo apoyo.

Como siempre, muchas gracias a todos los que por muchos años han colaborado estrechamente con nosotros: Salsarengue Restaurant, Gaddier Rosario y el grupo de Poetas.

A heart felt thanks to all of our friends for their continued support. As always, thanks to all of you who have worked closely with us for many years: Salsarengue Restaurant, Gaddier Rosario, and the poets.

En estos últimos meses hemos podidos comenzar proyectos nuevos tales como los Juntes de Pleneros y El Proyecto Cultural Puertorriqueño. Ambos proyectos tienen como meta el fomentar y resaltar la aportación cultural de los puertorriqueños al quehacer cultural de la región.

During these past months we have been able to embark on new undertakings such as Juntes de Pleneros and El Proyecto Cultural Puertorriqueño.

These two endeavors aim to promote and highlight the cultural contribution of Puerto Ricans in the region.

Estos dos proyectos no hubiesen sido posible sin la cooperación y la alianza que se ha establecido con otras organizaciones comunitarias, músicos y profesionales puertorriqueños del área.

These two projects would not have been made possible without the support and the alliances that have been established with other community organizations, musicians and Puerto Rican area professionals.

El Encuentro de Pleneros, ahora Junte de Pleneros, despegó gracias al esfuerzo de talentosos músicos locales - Papote Vélez y Jay Borges. Mil gracias a ambos.

The Encuentro de Pleneros, now called El Junte de Pleneros, was launched thanks to the efforts of talented local musicians – Papote Vélez and Jay Borges. Thanks to both of them.

El Proyecto Cultural Puertorriqueño, a menos de 4 meses de ser organizado, ha producido dos exitosos eventos culturales-educativos. Primero, presentamos Música de Puerto Rico, una seria de videos documentales acerca de la música folclórica puertorriqueña a los dos lados del charco. Este primer evento fue producido en colaboración con el Proyecto del Cuatro, la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke, y el Holyoke Housing Authority , con la ayuda de Joshua García y Joseph Krupczynski.

The Puerto Rican Cultural Project, barely 4 months since it was organized, has already produced two successful cultural-educational events. First, we presented The Music of Puerto Rico, a series of documental videos about Puerto Rican folkloric music a los dos lados del charco.

This first event was produced in collaboration with El Proyecto del Cuatro, the Holyoke Public Library, and the Holyoke Housing Authority, with the help of Joshua García and Joseph Krupczynski.

Segundo, ahora presentamos El Concierto del Cuatro con Jeff Kust y José González. Este evento cultural, bilingüe From la Montaña to Main Street: The Cuatro Concert, aúna los esfuerzos de la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke y del Proyecto Cultural Puertorriqueño.

Second, we now present El Concierto del Cuatro with Jeff Kust y José González. This cultural, bilingual event, From la Montaña to Main Street: The Cuatro Concert, joined the efforts of the Holyoke Public Llibrary and the Puerto Rican Cultural Project.

Este concierto único ha sido el producto del trabajo en equipo de El Proyecto del Cuatro Puertorriqueño, El Sol Latino, Producciones Yerbamora, Gaddier Fine Arts Studio, Lucila J. Santana, La Esperanza-The Hope of the Pioneer Valley, Catherine Dower-Gold, y La Prensa del Oeste de Massachusetts, en colaboración con la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke.

This unique concert has been the product of close teamwork - El Proyecto del Cuatro Puertorriqueño, El Sol Latino, Producciones Yerbamora, Gaddier Fine Arts Studio, Lucila J. Santana, La Esperanza-The Hope of the Pioneer Valley, Catherine Dower-Gold, and La Prensa del Oeste de Massachusetts, in collaboration with the Holyoke Public Library.

Citando al triunfante Presidente Barack Obama en su discurso del 6 de noviembre, “The best is yet to come.”

Citing President Barack Obama in his victory speech, “The best is yet to come.”

Manuel

Manuel

2 Editorial / Editorial ¡Felicidades!

3 Portada / Front Page Exitoso Concierto del Cuatro Puertorriqueño 4 Successful Puerto Rican Cuatro Concert 5 Celebrating the Leadership of Betty Medina Lichtenstein 6 Nuestras Raíces Celebra 20 Años de Logros 7 Izan la bandera de Puerto Rico en Westfield 8 Política / Politics Puerto Rico’s Historic Status Plebiscite Results 9 Opinión / Opinion Riding the Political Roller Coaster 11 ¿Qué Pasa en...?

14 Medios / Media NLMC blasted FOX Network Groups for Lack of Diversity 15 Salud / Health Baystate Medical Center Working to Reduce Preterm Births 16 Mosaico Gráfico 8º Aniversario de El Sol Latino 7º Aniversario de Salsarengue Restaurant con El Conjunto Barrio y Eddie Montalvo

Founded in 2004 n Volume 9, No. 1 n December 2012

Editor

Assistant Editor Managing Editor

Art Director Business Address

Manuel Frau Ramos manuelfrau@gmail.com 413-320-3826 Ingrid Estrany-Frau Diosdado López Tennessee Media Design El Sol Latino P.O Box 572 Amherst, MA 01004-0572

Editorial Policy El Sol Latino acepta colaboraciones tanto en español como en inglés.

Nos comprometemos a examinarlas, pero no necesariamente a publicarlas. Nos reservamos el derecho de editar los textos y hacer correcciones por razones de espacio y/o estilo. Las colaboraciones pueden ser enviadas a nuestra dirección postal o a través de correo electrónico a: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino welcomes submissions in either English or Spanish.

We consider and review all submissions but reserve the right to not publish them. We reserve the right to edit texts and make corrections for reasons of space and/or style. Submissions may be sent to our postal address or via electronic mail to: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino is published monthly by Coquí Media Group.

El Sol Latino es publicado mensualmente por Coquí Media Group, P.O Box 572, Amherst, MA 01004-0572.

Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2012

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Exitoso Concierto del Cuatro Puertorriqueño por MANUEL FRAU RAMOS Ante casa llena, el recientemente creado grupo Proyecto Cultural Puertorriqueño, conjuntamente con la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke, culminó sus actividades para este año con el novedoso evento musical bilingüe-multicultural From la Montaña to Main Street: The Cuatro Concert.

El concierto, celebrado el primero de diciembre en Our Lady of the Cross Parish Hall en Holyoke, atrajo alrededor de 150 asistentes que tuvieron el placer de escuchar a dos destacados músicos provenientes de culturas y géneros musicales muy diferentes. Estos son Jeff Kust y José González, quienes tienen algo en común - la pasión por el cuatro puertorriqueño.

William Cumpiano, miembro de PCP y co-fundador del Proyecto del Cuatro, logró que ambos aceptaran la invitación de participar en un concierto donde el cuatro puertorriqueño iba a ser la estrella principal.

Los dos músicos no se conocían y solo tuvieron oportunidad de ensayar juntos menos de dos días previo al concierto.

José González estuvo acompañado de sus hijos Ahmed y René, quienes forman Criollo Clásico.

María Pagán, directora de la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke, abrió el programa agradeciendo el apoyo que le había brindado la Junta de Directores de la Biblioteca a esta iniciativa.

Pagán explicó que la colaboración entre la Biblioteca y el PCP tiene como meta “llevar a la comunidad puertorriqueña y latina de nuestra ciudad una programación cultural educativa de calidad.”

Foto por CMP. María Pagán

El alcalde de Holyoke, Alex Morse, felicitó el esfuerzo cultural de este grupo y lo asoció con la visión de desarrollo cultural que su administración tiene para Holyoke.

Manuel Frau Ramos y William Cumpiano, ambos miembros de PCP, describieron la historia del grupo y las previas actividades realizadas. La primera actividad fue la presentación de una serie de videos documentales sobre música folclórica puertorriqueña.

La primera parte del concierto estuvo a cargo de Jeft Kust. Residente en Chicago de ascendencia alemana, Kust ha sido un guitarrista desde los 9 años. Kust se enamoró del cuatro puertorriqueño después de comprar uno por sólo $50 en una tienda de instrumentos musicales usados. Kust quedó enamorado de la versatilidad musical del instrumento.

Kust interpretó una variedad de géneros musicales, algunos con el cuatro y otros con la guitarra, entre los cuales incluyó Carol of the Bells, Silent Night de Franz Gruber, The Skater’ s Waltz de Emile Waldteufel y un arreglo hecho al Arabian Fantasy de Tchaikovsky.

Para cerrar su parte, Kust tocó la canción navideña hecha popular por José Feliciano, Feliz Navidad. El público espontánemente le hizo coro.

Muchos de estos números musicales están incluídos en su nuevo cd Illumination and the Cuatro Christmas.

Durante el intermedio, Santana y López narraron brevemente la historia del origen del cuatro en Puerto Rico y como éste llega a New York y al oeste de Massachusetts. Con la diáspora puertorriqueña a principios del Siglo XX, ocurre un cambio no solamente en el cuatro si no también en quienes lo tocaban. Es durante este periodo donde el cuatro comienza a tener cinco pares de cuerdas. También se convierte en un instrumento musical mas versátil al ahora poder usarse para interpretar otros géneros mas allá de la música típica o de campo.

José Gónzalez abrió la segunda parte del concierto. Este artista es parte de la generación que transformó la trayectoria del cuatro. González formó parte de un movimento que abrazó una corriente musical que popularizó la música tradicional puertorriqueña combinada con un mensaje sociopolítico. El cuatro fue adoptado como símbolo patrio de ese movimiento musical.

José González y Criollo Clásico interpretaron canciones conocidas del folclor puertorriqueño, entre ellas, Aguinaldo de Agua Buenas, Descarga Maso, Agulnaldo Jíbaro y un Seis Chorreao. En varias ocasiones, Kust y Cumpiano, en los bongoses, se unieron al grupo para interpretar varios números que no estaban en el programa. Nadie se quejó de estas maravillosas ñapas.

Los González cerraron la noche con broche de oro, tocando una plena que hizo bailar a todos.

Foto MFR | Myriam Fuentes, Lucila J. Santana, Delmarina López y Jeanette Rodríguez

El arte escénico fue obra del artista Gaddier Rosario. Myriam Fuentes, Jeanette Rodríguez, Catherine Dower-Gold y Andrew Parker trabajaron tras bastidores para el éxito de este concierto.

Foto por Eduardo Meléndez Cacho | Manuel Frau Ramos, William Cumpiano y Alex Morse

Lucila Santana, miembro de PCP, y su hermana Delmarina López fungieron como maestras de ceremonia. Santana y López hicieron maravillas como anfitrionas al enfrentase a numerosas, pero muy agradables, sorpresas musicales que no estaba en el “guión oficial.”

PCP agradece inmensamente a David Morales, Telemundo y a Baystate Health por su valioso apoyo.

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Call us today at (413) 320-3826

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2012

Successful Puerto Rican Cuatro Concert by MANUEL FRAU RAMOS Before a full house, the newly created group Puerto Rican Cultural Project, together with the Holyoke Public Library, concluded this year’s activities with the bilingual-multicultural music event From la Montaña to Main Street: The Cuatro Concert.

The concert, held on December 1st at Our Lady of the Cross Parish Hall in Holyoke, attracted approximately 150 attendees that had the pleasure of listening to two outstanding musicians who come from very different cultures and musical genres. They are Jeff Kust and José González, who have something in common - a passion for the Puerto Rican cuatro.

William Cumpiano, PRCP member and co-founder of the Cuatro Project, managed to connect Jeff Kust and José González. Both accepted the invitation to participate in a concert where the Puerto Rican cuatro would be the main star.

Kust played a variety of musical genres, some with the cuatro and others with the guitar, including Carol of the Bells, Silent Night by Franz Gruber, The Skater ‘s Waltz

by Emile Waldteufel, and an arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Arabian Fantasy.

Kust concluded his part with a Christmas song made popular by José Feliciano, Feliz Navidad. The public spontaneously joined in.

Many of the musical numbers are included in his new cd Illumination and the Cuatro Christmas.

Photo MFR | Delmarina López and Lucila J. Santana

During the intermission, Santana and López and briefly narrated the story about the origin of the cuatro in Puerto Rico and how it came to New York and to Western Massachusetts. The Puerto Rican diaspora that happened at the beginning of the 20th Century, brought about changes not only in the cuatro but also in who played it. It is during this period when the cuatro begins to have five pairs of strings. It also becomes a more versatile musical instrument that can now be used to interpret other musical genres beyond music from the mountains.

José González opened the second part of the concert. This artist is part of the generation that changed the trajectory of the cuatro. González was part of a movement that embraced a musical trend that involved the popularization of Puerto Rican traditional music welded with socio-political lyrics. The cuatro was adopted as a national symbol of this new musical movement.

Photo by Eduardo Meléndez Cacho | José González, William Cumpiano, Jeff Kuts and Gaddier Rosario

Prior to this concert, the two musicians had never met each other, and only had the chance to rehearse together less than two days prior to the event.

José González was accompanied by his sons, Ahmed and René, who all constitute Criollo Clásico.

María Pagán, director of the Holyoke Public Library, opened the program by thanking the Board of Directors of the Library for the support they had given to this initiative.

Pagán explained that this collaboration between the Library and the PRCP aims to “bring the Puerto Rican and Latino community in our city quality cultural educational programming.”

Holyoke Mayor, Alex Morse, congratulated the cultural effort of this group and associated it with the vision of cultural development that his administration has for Holyoke.

Manuel Frau Ramos and William Cumpiano, both members of PRCP, described the group’s history and previous activities. The first activity was a series of documentary videos on Puerto Rican folk music.

Lucila Santana, member of PCP, and her sister Delmarina López served as masters of ceremonies. Santana and López did wonders as hosts when dealing with numerous, but very pleasant, musical surprises that were not part of the “official script.”

The first part of the concert belonged to Jeft Kust. A resident of Chicago of German ascent, Kust has been a guitarist since age 9. Kust fell in love with the cuatro after buying a used one for only $50 in a music shop. Kust mentioned that he loved the instrument’s musical versatility.

Photo MFR | Ahmed González, René Gonzalez, José González, Jeff Kutz and William Cumpiano.

José González and Criollo Clásico interpreted well-known Puerto Rican folkloric songs, including Aguinaldo de Agua Buenas, Descarga Maso, Aguinaldo Jíbaro, and a Seis Chorreao.

Kust and Cumpiano, playing the bongos, joined the group to interpret several numbers that were not in the program. Nobody complained of these wonderful “extras.”

González closed the night with a flourish, performing a plena that the audience danced to.

The scenic art was the work of artist Gaddier Rosario. Myriam Fuentes, Jeanette Rodríguez, Catherine Dower-Gold, and Andrew Parker worked behind the scenes to make this a successful concert.

PRCP is immensely grateful to David Morales, Telemundo, and Baystate Health for their valuable support.

Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2012

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Celebrating the Leadership of Betty Medina Lichtenstein by MANUEL FRAU RAMOS Community leaders, friends and family members of Betty Medina Lichtenstein gathered at Wycoff Country Club last November to celebrate her 60th birthday and recognize her life and her work.

Betty Medina Lichtenstein, currently the Executive Director of Enlace de Familias, together with the late Carlos Vega, have been praised as two of the most important and recognizable Latino political and community leaders in Holyoke.

Nueva Esperanza, Inc. Miguel Arce, the first executive director of Nueva Esperanza, described the important role of Betty during the first days of this organization…. “In what was formerly the Epstein Furniture Store, Betty sat in a half empty building in the coldest months of the winter of 1982-1983 during the evenings trying to select the first director of Nueva Esperanza, Inc. Peerless, unequalled. Imagine, if you can, the vision required to see the organization that, one day, has resulted in the renovation of over 400 units of decent, affordable, secure housing. While people had thrown in the towel on South Holyoke, Betty took her experiences gained at South Holyoke Development Corporation and Housing Allowance Project, and engaged confidently residents and city officials.”

In 1985 Betty made political history in Holyoke as well as in Massachusetts. She was the first Puerto Rican woman to attain an elected position in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to a seat on the Holyoke School Committee representing Ward 2.

She served as School Committee member for the next eleven and a half years.

Photo MFR. Betty Medina Lichtenstein

Speakers – María Cartagena, Bill Breitbart, Roy Lichtenstein, Ginetta Candelario, and Myriam Quiñones – friends, and family members provided the audience with numerous examples of what makes Betty an outstanding and unique community leader.

However, it was Miguel Arce’s testimonial titled, Betty Lichtenstein: Characteristics of a Leader, that drew the attention of most of the attendees.

He chose peerless, as in unmatched, unequal, unique and unsurpassed, as the best attribute to describe Betty as a leader. The historical facts about Betty’s community work in Holyoke for the last forty years agree with Miguel.

In the 1980s, the so-called Hispanic decade, Betty became one of only four Hispanic elected office-holders in the Commonwealth- Marta Rosa of the Chelsea School Committee, Doris Cruz of the Amherst School Committee, and Nelson Merced, a State House Representative of the Fifth Suffolk District – all Puerto Ricans.

In1995, Betty became the Executive Director of Enlace de Familias, established to build a healthier, safer community for children through its Managing & Parenting Program, leadership development programs, community organizing efforts, and the promotion of cooperation among community institutions.

Betty’s family migrated from Ponce, Puerto Rico to New York, where Betty was born and raised.

Betty married Sam Lichtenstein and had three sons. When one of her sister passed on, Betty also raised her two nephews.

Betty and her family came to Massachusetts 35 years ago.

In 1982, she became one of a group of Latino activists that organized the first minority community development corporation in Holyoke,

Photo MFR. Betty Medina Lichtenstein and her family.

Since then, Enlace has become one of the leading community organizations in the area, partnering with some of the most progressive educational initiatives in the region.

Betty was the contact person of Governor William Weld when he started to talk about establishing a charter school in Holyoke. The Holyoke Community Charter School (HCCS) received a charter from the Massachusetts Board of Education in 2000 and opened its doors as a tuition-free public charter school in 2005.

In 2007, she formed Holyoke Unites/Holyoke Se Une, an umbrella organization to “build bridges between providers, institutions and residents, coordinate community wide efforts where community service providers and residents will work together for the well being of families and children; provide services to families both directly and indirectly that will impact the well being of their children in a positive manner.”

Enlace leads and manages the efforts of Holyoke Unites as it continues to create citywide system changes to reach 100% graduation rate.

Most recently, the Nurturing Fathers Program, has become one of Enlace de Familias/Holyoke Family Network’s signature and state-wide recognized programs. It arrived in Holyoke in response to a critical community need to address pressing educational, social, family, and health issues such as high dropout rates, high adolescent pregnancy rates, high unemployment, language barriers, and high youth incarceration rates that impact family configuration and well being.

In the words of Maritza Smidy, President of the Board of Directors of Enlace de Familias, “Betty’s compassion and dedication to the citizens of the city of Holyoke is seen in her unwavering leadership – building collaboration amongst community organizations throughout Holyoke for more than 30 years…As you undoubtedly know, Betty has this wonderful way of addressing community needs. It’s a special way that empowers the folks she works with by revealing the tools they have to make improvements in their own, their families’, and their communities’ lives.”

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2012

Nuestras Raíces Celebra 20 Años de Logros por MANUEL FRAU RAMOS Nuestras Raíces celebró con gran entusiasmo su 20º Aniversario con una Gala y Exhibición Fotográfica el pasado 15 de noviembre. La exhibición fotográfica, la cual incluyó fotos de Jeffrey Byrnes y de los archivos de Nuestras Raíces, recogió la trayectoria de la gente y de los proyectos mas sobresalientes de esta organización comunitaria.

Jonathan Lash, presidente de Hampshire College, fue el orador principal. Lash, quien se casóen Puerto Rico y vivió en Ponce y Arecibo, habló sobre su relación de muchos años con los puertorriqueños y resaltó la conexión que ha tenido Hampshire College con Nuestras Raíces desde sus orígenes.

Foto MFR. Jonathan Lash

De 1993 a 1999, Lash fue co-presidente del Consejo del Presidente sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible, un grupo compuesto de funcionarios gubernamentales, empresarios, uniones obreras,

organizaciones de derechos civiles, y líderes ambientales designados por el entonces presidente Clinton con la misión de desarrollar estrategias para promover el desarrollo sostenible.

Alex Morse, alcalde de Holyoke, Daniel Ross e Hilda Colón, pasado y presente director ejecutivo de Nuestras Raíces, respectivamente, también fueron oradores en el evento.

Esta celebración ocurre casi un año después de que una crisis interna dentro de Nuestras Raíces llevara a esta organización a experimentar uno de los mayores y mas drámaticos cambios en la historia de la misma.

Los cambios fueron no solo en la estructura administrativa si no también a nivel filosófico.

Foto MFR. Segunda fila, Diego Angarita, Jesús Espinosa, Tom Trepanier, Félix Machuca y Juan Vélez. Primera fila, Jazmín Colón, Hilda Colón, Julia Rivera, Cynthia Espinosa, Kendy Capois y Anita Krassler

En un evento celebrado en julio de 2011, bajo el lema “Nuestras Raíces vuelve a sus aíces folclóricas,” Hilda Colón, para aquel entonces Directora Ejecutiva interina, manifestó su deseo de que la organización regresara a sus “raíces” para así fortalecer los proyectos originales por los cuales eran reconocidos: los jardines comunitarios, la finca, los programas juveniles y la celebración de nuestra herencia latina.

Julia Rivera, pasada y actual Presidenta de la Junta de Directores, manisfestó en aquella ocasión que la organización venía alejándose de su visión original y que este proceso se habia

acelerado durante la administracion del anterior director ejecutivo.

Con la celebración de sus veinte años, Nuetras Raíces parece haber dejado atrás ese “turbulento” período y regresado a sus raices como una organizacion agrícola. De esta manera, reconociendo el trabajo y la ilusión de sus fundadores de crear “un pequeño Puerto Rico” en Holyoke.

“En estos momentos que Nuestras Raíces mira hacia el futuro, con programas agrícolas para la juventud, le damos la bienvenida a la oportunidad de volver a considerar los esfuerzos de nuestros miembros fundadores para fortalecer y celebrar nuestras raíces,” dice la directora ejecutiva Hilda Colón.

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2012

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Izan la bandera de Puerto Rico en Westfield por MANUEL FRAU RAMOS La Asociación Hispano-Americana de Westfield (WSAA, por sus siglas en inglés) celebró el décimo séptimo izamiento de la bandera puertorriqueña el 11 de noviembre frente a la alcaldía de la ciudad de Westfield.

Cada año, durante esta celebración, WSAA reconoce a los pioneros puertorriqueños quienes salieron de la isla para establecerse en esta área buscando una vida mejor. De acuerdo a la concejal de esta ciudad y miembro de WSAA Agma María Sweeney, estos “Son nuestros lideres quienes establecieron cimientos para que todos tengamos sueños y metas y las alcancemos.”

El izamiento de la bandera estuvo dedicada a Nicolás y Josefina Sanabria quienes se establecieron en Westfield en el 1971. Nicolás y Josefina tienen cinco hijos/as y 15 nietos/as.

Foto MFR. Nicolás y Josefina Sanabria

Desde que llegaron a Westfield, Nicolás y Josefina se incorporaron a la visa social de esta cuidad. En el 1973, formaron parte de las actividades del movimiento carismático Renovación dentro de la Diócesis de Springfield. También forman parte de la Alianza Cristiana y están activos en la organización de retiros matrimoniales y familiares.

Después del izamiento se llevó a cabo un fiesta con música y comida en la YMCA. La celebración giró alrededor de tres temas: Opening doors, Connecting, and Sound. De acuerdo a Agma Sweeney, Daniel Knapik, alcalde de Westfield, abrió las puertas de la alcaldía, en medio de la reconstrucción de la misma para que tuviéramos tener las conexiones del equipo de sonido usado durante el evento. WSAA abrió una puerta mas para dejar entrar los sonidos de Puerto Rico.

Foto MFR. Charlie, Papote Vélez y Junito Santiago y Gloria López de Cepeda

Sweeney añadió, Es un placer conectarnos a través de nuestras sabrosas comidas y ritmos musicales puertorriqueños. La comunidad de Westfield le da la bienvenida con nuestros platos tradicionales a los músicos y cantantes de bomba y plena de los pueblos de Holyoke, Springfield y de New Bedford.

Algunos de los músicos participantes son integrantes de los Encuentros de Pleneros que se celebran en Holyoke junto a Roberto Cepeda, el Maestro de la Bomba, y su esposa Gloria López de Cepeda, la Dama del baile y del canto de Bomba.

Desde el 1995 WSAA ha fomentado la unión de la comunidad Latina del área de Westfield y la ha hecho mas visible dentro de la comunidad local.

La presencia latina en Westfield ha enriquecido a toda la comunidad a través de su cultura, el arte, el lenguaje, la música, y su historia.

HCC tiene lo que ¡ tú necesitas!

• Cursos de crédito — días, noches y por internet • Opción de sesiones en verano, de 4 semanas ó 7 • Programas de educación para adultos, y GED • Cursos de enriquecimiento personal • Programas para jóvenes y talleres deportivos

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Política / Politics

Puerto Rico’s Historic Status Plebiscite Results SAN JUAN, PR [CapitalWirePR] November 14, 2012. Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño urged President Obama and the U.S. Congress to implement the results of the historic status plebiscite in which the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico voted to become a State of the Union and end the current, unequal status that has been in place since the Island became a U.S. territory in 1898.

“I write to convey to you the official results of the Puerto Rico political status plebiscite, held in accordance with local law on November 6, 2012, and to urge you to fulfill your commitment to actively seek implementation of this choice by the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico,” Gov. Fortuño wrote the President, indicating that a record 77% of Puerto Rico’s eligible voters participated in the historic plebiscite.

The status plebiscite was called by the elected representatives of the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico to present voters with the options for the Island’s political status recognized by the federal government. The structure of the plebiscite followed the findings and recommendations from the March 2011 report of the President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status.

The plebiscite ballot first asked voters if they agree with maintaining the current status as a U.S. territory, to which they could answer either yes or no. Voters were next asked their preference for one of the three nonterritorial status options recognized by the federal government: Statehood, Independence, or Sovereign Free Associated State.

The results reported by the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission, the institution that oversees all official electoral processes in Puerto Rico and that is composed of representatives from each of Puerto Rico’s registered parties, indicate that 943,238 ballots (53.99%) were cast against the continuation of the present form of territorial status, while 796,007 (46.01%) voted to maintain it. In the second question, Statehood received 802,179 votes (61.15%), Sovereign Free Associated State received 436,997 votes (33.31%) and Independence received 72,551 votes (5.53%).

“The plebiscite’s results constitute the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico’s clear rejection of the continuation of the current territory status. The U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico have also clearly voted, among the available non-territorial status options, for Puerto Rico’s admission as a state of the Union so that all United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico may have the rights, benefits, and responsibilities equal to those enjoyed by all other citizens of the states of the Union, and be entitled to full representation in Congress and to participate in presidential elections,” Gov. Fortuño wrote the President.

El Sol Latino December 2012

Mercy Women’s Health Services Proveyendo Servicios Prenatales, Maternidad y Cuidados Especializados Para la Mujer

Carmen Smidy, CNM

Los servicios incluyen: • Examen físico anual y Papanicolau (PAP) • Programa cada dos semanas para adolescentes embarazadas • Consejería, examen y tratamiento de infeciones y enfermedades de transmisíon sexual (STD) • Cuidado prenatal y post-parto • Ultrasonido y pruebas de laboratorio • Prueba de embarazo • Educación peri-menopausia y menopausia, tratamiento y consejería

“In endorsing the March 2011 report of your Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status, you wrote that you were ‘firmly committed to the principle that the question of the political status is a matter of self-determination of the people of Puerto Rico.’ In the report, the Task Force concluded that it would be ‘best…for the people of Puerto Rico to speak first, with swift congressional action vindicating their will to follow,” the Governor wrote.

In 1898, the treaty that ended the Spanish-American War made Puerto Rico a territory of the United States. The Jones Act of 1917 granted U.S. citizenship to individuals born in Puerto Rico. As a territory of the United States, all federal laws apply in Puerto Rico.

The 3.7 million people of the territory are represented in the federal government by a sole Resident Commissioner in the U.S. House of Representatives who can vote in committees but not in the full House; the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico do not have representation in the U.S. Senate.

Puerto Rico residents can vote in the presidential primaries but cannot vote for President in the general election.

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Nacimientos en el Mercy Medical Center’s Family Life Center for Maternity Para mas información o para hacer una cita para el tour, favor de llamar al 413-748-7295.

Aceptamos la mayoría de los planes médicos o le ayudamos a obtener cobertura.

Más información en mercycares.com A member of the Sisters of Providence Health System and Catholic Health East, sponsored by the Sisters of Providence.

Opinión / Opinion

El Sol Latino December 2012

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Riding the Political Roller Coaster by DAVID YOS The latest turn the casino issue has taken has surely thrown just about everyone for a loop.

Proponents, as well as those who simply want the people to be allowed to have their say, although heartened by what appears to be a newfound openness and appreciation of economic reality, still cannot avoid having serious reservations, based on the rather questionable motivations and circumstances behind this seemingly abrupt change, while opponents, a number of whom had put all common sense aside for the sake of defeating a single issue, now feel utterly betrayed.

Meanwhile, our hero-worshiping youth, and even some who are not so young, have been caused much bewilderment.

It must be reiterated that last year’s election was in no way a casino referendum, therefore, in fairness to the new administration, it was never under any formal obligation to hold its position unwaveringly, although quite arguably there may be a moral one. One must also recall that earlier in the campaign it was much more ambivalent toward the issue, only firming its

stance when seeing the political advantages of doing so, thus we shouldn’t be all that surprised that it’s changing course again. All of that notwithstanding, however, up until a few days ago the administration, even by its own admission, vehemently opposed a casino, but now, despite its protestations to the contrary – somehow it would be defending us from casinos by having one here – it has undeniably committed its second major flip-flop, which leads one irresistibly to the conclusion that whatever credibility it may have had left has now gone right down the sewer.

This time around, what ought to be a satisfying victory for those favoring a casino instead has a distinctly bitter taste to it, since, while the reversal on Lyman Terrace put a stop to a political payback, this one is going in just the other direction, as evinced by what appears to be some shady dealing between two renowned masters of labor relations, especially in light of the infamous cold shoulder given to a previous potential developer; where were the words: “... when a business plan is presented to me, it is

my responsibility to consider it” last February? It remains to be seen whether the administration will follow through on its latest pledge to now give that entity a fair hearing; and it is almost certainly too late for any additional proposals, such as one exploring the possibilities of the three ninety-one corridor.

There are several ironies here; first, all this turmoil and controversy has been caused by behavior that we would consider quite normal and forgivable for any ordinary person in his early twenties who is still finding his way in life. Another is that all the divisiveness that same young man has unleashed, which until this juncture has proven a useful tool for him, may now end up devouring him; this also points to the shallowness of his support.

Lastly, given the direction these flip-flops are trending, could it be that we are riding on a long and tortuous detour that will in the end land us at best no further than where we broke off from the prior administration.

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El Sol Latino December 2012 Glicee Prints of this original charcoal painting with, or without, this quote.

“Listening to your heart finding out who you are, is not easy.

It takes time for the chatter to quiet down.

In the silence of “not doing” we begin to know what we feel.

If we listen and hear what is being offered, then anything in life can be our guide.

Listen.”

Call Alvilda Sophia Anaya-Alegría at her new studio.413-885-9250 to get it!

Studio: 25 New South Street, Suite 100 Northampton, MA 01060 In the same building as the Northampton Center for the Arts, Next to the Academy of Music, except that you take a left at main entrance (from the front door).

Many other works, Bold Colors and Geometric Designs are Available! If you like Pier I, you’ll like my work. Guaranteed.

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El Sol Latino December 2012

Springfield Capitán Colón Nuevo Jefe de Distrito en Springfield El Departamento de Bomberos de Springfield llevó a cabo una ceremonia de promoción para el capitán David Colón, quien fue ascendido al rango de Jefe de Distrito. El evento se celebró el 21 de noviembre en el salón comunitario del Raymond Sullivan Safety Complex y contó con la presencia del alcalde Dominic Sarno y del Comisionado Joseph Conant.

David se dió cuenta de que era uno de un pequeño número de hombres minoritarios en el departamento y que no habían oficiales minoritarios. Esta fue uno de las razones que lo inspiraron a seguir una carrera dentro del departamento de bomberos.

David tomó y aprobró el examen de teniente civil, convirtiéndose en un teniente en julio de 2001.

Tras sobrevivir un traumático accidente automovilístico, David logró obtener la posición de Capitán en 2008.

El Capitán Colón será el primer Jefe de Distrito de origen Latino en la ciudad de Springfield.

Nacido en Nueva York de padres puertorriqueños, se crió en los proyectos del sur del Bronx. David creció fuerte, superando las circunstancias que le rodeaban en un barrio difícil. Fue uno de los pocos hombres jóvenes latinos en su comunidad en ir a la universidad y uno de los primeros en graduarse. David estudió en Lehman College y se graduó en 1987 con un bachillerato en Ciencias de la Computación.

David se mudó a Springfield en 1989. Persuadido por un buen amigo de que solicitara “el mejor trabajo del mundo”, David tomó el examen de bomberos y se unió al cuerpo de bomberos de esta ciudad en el 1995.

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Para esta nueva promoción, David obtuvo el puntaje más alto en el examen de servicio civil para Jefe de Distrito.

Como el nuevo Jefe de Distrito del Departamento de Bomberos de Springfield, David sigue comprometido a realizar de manera excelente lo que él llama “su trabajo, ayudar a proteger a los ciudadanos de Springfield, ayudar a mantener la seguridad de sus compañeros bomberos y servir de inspiración a otros latinos y afro-americanos en el departamento de bomberos.”

Foto suministrada. Jefe de Distrito, David Colón

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¡NO CONDUZCA BORRACHO! ¿Ha Resultado Herido en un Choque Causado por Alguien Conduciendo bajo la Influencia del Alcohol o las Drogas? ¿No puede usted dejar de pensar/ revivir lo que pasó? ¿Padece de ataques de ansiedad/ pánico que no había experimentado antes? ¿Padece de pesadillas o problemas durmiendo?

Hay ayuda disponible. ¡Es GRATIS! Llame al

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El Sol Latino December 2012

Holyoke HCC completes purchase of Grynn & Barrett property HOLYOKE – Holyoke Community College, working through the state Division of Asset Management (DCAM), has completed the purchase of a photography studio on Jarvis Avenue that will be the future home of its nursing and radiologic technology programs.

HCC was notified last week that the purchase and sale agreement for 404 Jarvis Ave. had been signed and recorded. The closing includes $7 million in bonds that will finance the purchase and renovation of the 22,000-squarefoot building, now the home of the Grynn & Barrett photography studio. The sale price of the property was $1.925 million.

HCC plans to turn the building into a high-tech health science center for its nursing and radiologic technology programs.

HCC to offer free college preparation classes HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College is offering free non-credit college preparation courses during the Spring to people who want to go to college but may be worried they are not quite ready.

The ABE Transitions to College and Careers Program (ABE TCC), a collaboration between HCC and the Community Education Project (CEP), helps prospective students build college level proficiency in math, reading and writing, study strategies and computers in a supportive community learning environment. Participants also receive support identifying possible career paths and navigating the college admissions process.

Courses will be offered both during the day on the main campus, 303 Homestead Ave., Holyoke, and in the evenings in downtown Holyoke at the Picknelly Adult and Family Education Center (PAFEC), 206 Maple St.: SPRING ABE TCC Day/Dia classes at Holyoke Community College: Feb. 4 to May 17, 2013, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Bridge to ABE TCC Evening/Noche classes at PAFEC: Jan. 22 to May 16, 2013, Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a GED (from anytime) or high school diploma from at least four years ago, be proficient in English (ESL learners are welcome) and must intend to pursue a college certificate or degree program as either a part-time or full-time student after the prep class ends. Enrollment will continue until the classes are full.

For more information or to apply, please contact: Elia Dreyfuss, coordinator, ABE Transition to College and Careers, Holyoke Community College, (413) 552-2852, edreyfuss@hcc.edu

Photo supplied. Grynn & Barrett photography studio.

“We’re delighted we’ve been able to acquire this very attractive piece of property, which will be a major addition to the college campus,” said HCC President William Messner. “It will provide us with a first-class education facility, which will be a significant benefit to our health-care students.”

The renovations will be supplemented by grants and fundraising through the HCC Foundation’s “Building Healthy Communities” campaign. The eventual move will open up space in HCC’s Marieb building, which will then undergo its own renovation of classroom and laboratory space.

Cita del Mes / Quote of the Month A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. ~ Marcus Garvey

The purchase has been nearly a year in the making and required special legislation to approve the borrowing, the signature of the governor, the Mass.

Development Finance Agency to issue bonds on HCC’s behalf, and approval of the HCC Board of Trustees and state Board of Higher Education.

“It’s been a long process,” said Fogarty. “We have a lot of people to thank for moving this through, especially Senator Mike Knapik, who really spearheaded the special legislation.”

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Al compás de la Bomba Foto MFR. Maribel Quiñones enseñado a una futura bailarina los pasos de la Bomba.

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El Sol Latino December 2012

Springfield Conmemoran el Descubrimiento de Puerto Rico

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Gala Anual del Centro Cultural Puertorriqueño

SPRINGFIELD – Vestidas con trajes típicos de Puerto Rico, las estudiantes de la High School of Commerce, Zullyram Vargas y Lía Díaz, bailaron con orgullo al son de las congas. Ondeando sus faldas rojas, bailaban plena, un género folklórico nativo de Puerto Rico. Los estudiantes de esta escuela superior celebraron la presentación para crear conciencia sobre la cultura puertorriqueña en el aniversario del descubrimiento de la isla.

Díaz dijo que estaba agradecida por la oportunidad de celebrar la diversidad. “Eventos como éste celebran nuestras raíces y nuestra cultura, algo me hace sentir orgullosa de ser quien soy.”

La presentación es una fiesta anual organizada por la facultad y el personal de la Academia de Estudiantes de Inglés como Segundo Idioma (English Language Learners Academy) en la escuela superior.

Los estudiantes mostraron sus talentos, compartieron información y aprendieron sobre la historia de Puerto Rico. Martín De León, un alumno de la Academia, tomó el micrófono como un trovador, los poetas líricos cuyas raíces se remontan al Siglo 11 en España, Francia e Italia. “Heredé esta forma de arte por parte de mi familia, los Sanabria, quienes son unos trovadores bien conocidos en Puerto Rico. Es una forma poética de cántico llena de emoción,” dijo De León.

En Puerto Rico el 19 de noviembre es un día feriado en conmemoración al día en que Cristóbal Colón llegó a las costas de la isla en el año1493.

El pasado 9 de noviembre el Centro Cultural Puertorriqueño (PRCC, por sus siglas en inglés) celebró su Gala Anual 2012.

Durante la Gala se reconocieron a tres personalidades que se han destacado por “su contribuición a la cultura puertorriqueña, exaltando no solamente a los puertorriqueños si no a toda la comunidad” a través de calidad de vida, trabajo y liderato.

Estos son el líder de los derechos civiles y activista comunitario, el presidente del capítulo de Springfield del NAACP, Reverendo Talbert W. Swan II, el educador José H. Irizarry y David Silva de Health New England (HNE, por sus siglas en inglés).

Los oradores invitados fueron Michael Mathis de MGM, Zaida Luna, Concejal del Barrio 1 y el presidente del Concejo de la Ciudad de Springfield, James Ferrara. Este último señaló, para sorpresa de muchos de los presentes, que el Festival Puertorriqueño era parte de la historia y la comunidad de Springfield y que el mismo debería regresar a la ciudad.

Hace dos años atrás, este festival fue relocalizado en West Springfield.

Foto MFR. El educador Jose H. Irizarry, Ed.D junto a Ivette Cruz y Luis A. Rodríguez.

Foto suministrada. Estudiantes de la High School of Commerce. De izquierda a derecha Reyna Morán, Carol Mateo, Lía Díaz y Zullyram Vargas

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Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

LOS DERECHOS CIVILES Y LA UPR

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Foto MFR. Ivette Cruz y Luis A. Rodríguez, Directora Ejecutiva y Presidente de la Junta de Directores del PRCC, respectivamente.

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Medios / Media

El Sol Latino December 2012

NLMC blasted FOX Network Groups for lack of Diversity PASADENA, CA. The National Latino Media Council (NLMC) released the annual Television Network Report Cards. NLMC blasted FOX Network Groups for its non-performance. The network received an overall “F” in its diversity commitment and performance. The annual report states:

The main complaint that NLMC has had and still has with ABC is that the network has no Latino Creative Executives on its creative team. Alex Nogales, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, the Secretariat for the National Latino Media Council stated: “After thirteen years of working with the networks through the Memoranda of Understanding, we are at a collaborative stage with all of the networks, except for FOX.

For years, NLMC has highlighted FOX’s lack of transparency in providing clear and complete information to evaluate diversity performance. Two years ago when a new diversity team was created at the network we were hopeful for positive change. To our surprise there was change, but only for the worse. For the last couple of years the FOX Diversity team has been unresponsive to NLMC’s request for timely and complete data. They seem not to care about our timeline nor the years of collaboration and work accomplished through the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) signed thirteen years ago. We have known and collaborated with FOX’s Chairman of Entertainment, Kevin Reilly, for years, ever since he was at NBC and he has been a man committed to diversity. We are now hopeful that Reilly will address this unacceptable situation immediately.

The Networks ABC, CBS and NBC are finally paying attention to the Latino audience, especially now that it represents $1 trillion in purchasing power, projected to increase to $1.5 trillion by 2015, and because it represents 16.7% of the nation’s population. We see positive internal changes taking place at the three networks and expect that these changes will translate into an accelerated hiring of Latinos in all areas.”

It’s been thirteen years since the historic Memoranda of Understanding were signed between the Multi-Ethnic Media Coalition (a group comprised of the National Latino Media Council, the Asian Pacific American Media Council, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Indians in Film and Television), and the top television broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. This long partnership has produced tangible but incremental results. With the recent changes taking place at the networks, NLMC now expects accelerated diversity results.

NBC received the best overall grade given by NLMC with an “A-.” NBC’s diversity strength comes from their behind the camera talent, and although it lacks in the key area of in front of camera actors, they have pulled forward as leader of the diversity network pack.

CBS earned an overall “B+” grade for Latino diversity during the 2011-2012 television season. CBS’s opportunity for improvement lies in increasing its number of Latino scripted regulars and to have more consistency in the number of Latino Writers/Producers. For years ABC has been the model network in terms of providing opportunities for Latinos. Although it still dominates in a few categories, the other networks are catching up. This year ABC earned an overall “B” grade.

Lastly, for over a year now, NLMC has attempted to sign an MOU with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) to assess diversity and inclusion within the public broadcasting outlet. Disappointingly, PBS has failed to agree to this. It is our hope that PBS will commit to an MOU and greater transparency in the new year.

Source: The National Latino Media Council

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Salud / Health

El Sol Latino December 2012

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Baystate Medical Center Working to Reduce Preterm Births SPRINGFIELD, MA. The March of Dimes released its 2012 Premature Birth Report Card in November, and while the U.S. preterm birth rate dropped for the fifth consecutive year in 2011 to 11.7 percent - the lowest in a decade the country still earned a disappointing “C” grade.

The March of Dimes grades states by comparing their rate of premature births to their 2020 goal of 9.6 percent. Three states and Puerto Rico earned an “F,” and only four states – Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont – were graded an “A.” Twenty-two states, including Massachusetts, received a “B” grade and are one-step away from achieving the goal.

“We still have a long way to go,” said Dr. Glenn Markenson, chief, Maternal Fetal Medicine at Baystate Medical Center.

More than 500,000 infants are born prematurely in the United States each year, and about 10 percent of all deliveries are scheduled before 39 weeks, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Furthermore, a recent study by The Leapfrog Group, a hospital quality watchdog, showed U.S. hospitals varied widely in their rates of elective preterm deliveries, ranging from less than 5 percent to more than 40 percent.

“Early deliveries should only be an option for medical reasons, when the life or health of mother or baby is in jeopardy,” said Dr. Markenson. Under his leadership, Medical Center has been working to establish strong guidelines to prevent unnecessary preterm deliveries by induction or Caesarean section, and last year the hospital

instituted a “hard stop” for any non-medically required elective delivery prior to 39 weeks, and all elective inductions in first-time mothers.

Dr. Markenson said the practice of elective preterm birth finally caught many healthcare quality officials’ attention when more and more studies began to be published showing its potential harm, including a recent March of Dimes report showing that babies born in the 37th or 38th week have a higher risk of dying in their first year than a baby born after 39 weeks. Fetal development is not complete until 39 weeks and a baby’s brain and lungs are still growing in the last weeks of pregnancy.

As a result, babies born just a few weeks early are more likely to develop breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual and developmental disabilities or other health challenges. I “We have been carefully looking at early elective deliveries for the past couple of years at the hospital,” said Dr. Andrew Healy, medical director of Obstetrics at Baystate Medical Center. “In fact, we began seeing a decrease in the number of early term babies (37-38 weeks) being admitted to our Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for complications even before introducing a formal policy with a hard stop.”

Molly Gray, RN, MS, director of Baystate Children’s Hospital and Women’s Services, also confirmed the hospital is seeing fewer admissions to its NICU, which she attributed directly to the hospital’s new policy and efforts to educate caregivers and families alike. “Our nurses have been very involved in this important team effort to reduce the number of preterm births at Baystate and are working closely to help families understand that our new policy is in their best interest, especially for their baby,” she said. “We understand that people live very complicated lives today and feel the need to schedule everything, but some things such as childbirth – a natural physiological process – are best left unscheduled.”

According to Dr. Markenson, some obstetricians and gynecologists became complacent before the new efforts got underway, with their skill in successful inductions and Caesareans. “For women asking, it was simply a matter of convenience, such as wanting relief from the discomforts of pregnancy during a hot summer. And, it became convenient for physicians, too, who might have been going on vacation and wanted to fit the birth in before leaving,” he said.

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El Sol Latino December 2012

Mosaico Gráfico

8º Aniversario de El Sol Latino 7º Aniversario de Salsarengue Restaurant con El Conjunto Barrio y Eddie Montalvo

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3 photo 1 Jesús Pagán, Eddie Montalvo y Manuel Frau Ramos photo 2 José Bou y Jesús Pagán photo 3 Jesús Pagán y Ahmed González photo 4 Delmarina López y Elizabeth Román

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photo 5 Gilberto Rivera Rivera, Eddie Montalvo y Magaly Quiñones photo 6 Eddie Montalvo, Jesse Pérez y Roberto Piñeiro Jr. photo 7 Gloria y Víctor Guevara

8 photo 8 Bobby Torres photo 9 Rubén Palacio y Nathalie Vicencio photo 10 Wilber Rivera, Christabell Ibarra, Yacky Yos y David Yos

Gracias a los auspiciadores; Los Masters Social Club, Vélez Refrigeration, Roque Neighborhood Tax Services, Inc., Los Jibaritos Social Club, La Hora del Artista por la Popular WACM 1490 AM y Víctor Cueto de Lia Toyota of Northampton