FROM:Ben Chin

What a year it has been!  There has been amazing organizing happening in immigrant communities all over the state, all year long. 

Here are some of the amazing, inspiring things that people have done so far this year.  If all this could be done since last October, let’s imagine together what 2012 could be like!

Thanks!

Ben Chin

Political Engagement Director

Maine People’s Alliance

Cell: 344-7888

PS— Here are some of the inspiring things that groups did since last October that I’m remembering:

• Hundreds from the Sudanese community taking part in an international “Get Out the Vote” effort for Southern Sudan’s independence!
• Selvin, after being released from detention, graduated from High School and can now qualify for the DREAM Act!
• We blocked the “show me your papers” style Arizona-copycat legislation!  The immigrant Legal Advocacy Project lined up lots of powerful businesses allies to slam this bill.
• Mano en Mano is going full steam ahead with their affordable housing for their workers in Millbridge!
• Labor unions, like the Maine AFL-CIO, stopped a bill that would have taken away collective bargaining rights and overtime pay for Decoster egg farm workers
• The state commission working on racial profiling finally landed a grant to move its work forward.  Already, all new law enforcement officers will have new training to help prevent racial profiling in the state.  This is thanks in large part to the tireless work of the NAACP, Tengo Voz, and the MCLU.
• The Maine Center for Economic Policy released their report on the contributions of Asians in the Maine Economy.
• The League of Young Voters led a referendum to grant legal residents of Portland municipal voting rights.  By getting 48% of the vote, they established this issue as a credible, mainstream idea.
• Maine Equal Justice Partners beat back countless, discriminatory, anti-immigrant bills around health and human services. Although we weren’t able to stop all of the Governor’s budget cuts, they were made far less bad than what they could have been thanks to their work.
• Maine People’s Resource Center released the “Maine Racial Justice Policy Guide” that was the first policy resource Maine legislators have had that looked at dozens of bills from the perspective of how they’d impact Maine’s communities of color.

And let’s not forget all the folks that are working every day just to make sure that basic needs are met.  The list goes on and on.  Let’s get together to figure out how we can work even more powerfully together next year to keep moving forward.  Thanks!

LATIN FOOD AND DANCE TO CELEBRATE CUBA

The 22^nd annual Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan has just returned from successfully bringing 100 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba. Three caravanistas from Portland – Maria, Heather & Crystal – will be sharing their experience & talking about the Latin American School of Medicine where Crystal plans to go next year. The evening will begin with meal, followed by a discussion & film, and then DANCING! If you are interested in learning more about US/Cuba relations, the pastors for peace caravan, and/or how Cuba is providing a free medical education for students all around the world, please join us

Sacred Heart & St. Dominic Parish

80 Sherman St (corner of Sherman & Mellen)

Saturday, October 8^th

Dinner @ 5:30, Dancing with DJ Johnny Mambo @ 7:30

Pay what you can, suggested donation: $10

Let Cuba Live of Maine (www.letcubalive.org) sponsors the proceeding

(Proceeds will go towards Crystal’s travel & living expenses while she is attending school in Havana)

 ¡El Centro Latino Maine inauguró sus nuevas oficinas el viernes 16 de setiembre con tremenda fiesta! Más de 200 personas se unieron a nuestra celebración. Fotografías aquí: https://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Centro-Latino-de-Maine/150490504094

Esto no habría sido posible sin la ayuda de nuestros voluntarios. Agradecemos de todo corazón a: 

• Yann Coyac, que pasó varios días instalando nuestra nueva pista de baile.
• El DJ,  Johnny Mambo, que donó sus servicios. Sin Johnny no hubiera habido fiesta. (Para fiestas, llamarlo directamente al (207) 883 2625).
• Ilonka Dragicevich y Grace Braley que decoraron el local con fotografías, afiches y banderas de Victoria Chicón, y fotografías de Grace.
• Julio García, por traernos sus pinturas y servir como nuestro bartender.
• Doña Norma Martínez y doña Ana Almanzar que pasaron horas cocinando para asegurarse que nuestra mesa estuviera bien provista.
• Fernando Soriano por demostrarnos en tres canciones la calidad a que pueden aspirar sus estudiantes del Conservatorio de Música Latina que se efectúan los sábados en nuestro local.

 También queremos agradecer a los siguientes restaurantes:

• José Nieves, del Restaurante El Gaucho, por donar 20 sillas.
• Tu Casa Salvadoreña por donarnos comida.
• Fajita Grill por su ayuda y sugerencias.
• Restaurante La Familia.

 Gracias a todos los que nos trajeron sillas, papel, lápices y otros implementos de Oficina. Los pondremos a buen uso.

 A los que donaron dinero, también, gracias.

 Nuestro calendario de actividades se está empezando a llenar, con clases de guitarra, clases de Yoga, clases de Ingles y más, así que por favor separen en su agenda el Jueves 6 de Octubre 5:30 pm para nuestra próxima reunión mensual general.

 ¡Venga a ayudarnos a visualizar el futuro de nuestra organización!

 El Centro Latino Maine inaugurated its new offices on Friday, September 16th with a great party.  More than two hundred persons joined us in celebration.  Pictures at https://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Centro-Latino-de-Maine/150490504094

 We would not have been able to make this possible without the help of our volunteers.  Our heart felt thank you to: 

• Yann Coyac spent several days installing our new and improved dance floor.
• DJ Johnny Mambo who donated his services. Without him there would have been no party! (For your parties call him directly at (207) 883 2625)
• Ilonka Dragicevich and Grace Braley decorated our new space with our personal things along with other photographs and flags loaned to us by Grace herself and Victoria Chicón.
• Julio Garcia for bringing us his paintings and serving as our bartender.
• Doña Norma Martinez and doña Ana Almanzar who spent hours cooking and for making sure our food table was well stocked.
• Fernando Soriano for showing us with three songs the quality his Latin Music Conservatory students can aspire to (Saturdays at the Centro offices).

 We also would like to thank the following restaurants: 

• Tu Casa Salvadoreña Restaurant for donating food.
• Fajita Grill for their help and advice.
• La Familia Restaurant.
• Jose Nieves, from El Gaucho Restaurant, for donating twenty chairs.

 Thank you to all of you who brought us paper, pencils and other officer supplies. They will come to good use.

 For those who donated money, thank you.

 Our calendar of activities is beginning to fill up with guitar lessons, Yoga, ESL and more, so reserve Thursday October 6^th, 5:30 pm for our next monthly general meeting.

 Come help us visualize the future of our organization!

At Centro Latino Maine, we are struggling to get a few direct service programs off the ground.
El Centro Latino Maine Está tratando de empezar unos cuantos programas de servicio directo a nuestra comunidad.

A promotores training program will enable us to identify and mentor new leaders who will reach out to this underserved community, improve health literacy and reduce cancer-related deaths.

El programa de entrenamiento “Promotores” nos ayudará a identificar y entrenar nuevos líderes que se desplegarán a ayudar a nuestra comunidad, mejorar el conocimiento medico y reducir las muertes por motivo de cáncer.

Today, you can help us in our efforts.
Hoy, nos puedes ayudar en nuestro esfuerzo.

We’ve applied for funding from LIVESTRONG to implement a program proven to support those fighting cancer. And we’re excited to let you know that our application has been selected to advance to the final stage — a vote by the broader community. The organizations receiving the most votes within their regions will be awarded funds, materials and training.

Estamos solicitando fondos de LIVESTRONG para implementar un programa ya probado, que apoya a aquellos que están luchando contra un cáncer. Estamos muy entusiasmados de informarles que nuestra solicitud ha sido escogida para avanzar a la etapa final: una votación por parte de la comunidad en general. La organización que reciba más votos dentro de su región recibirá los fondos, materiales y entrenamiento.

Please vote for our program and share it with your family and friends:
Favor votar por nuestro programa, y compartirlo con su familia y amigos:

http://vote.livestrong.org/applicants/128-el-centro-latino/

The deadline to vote is May 31 and we hope you can help us show the support our community has for this program.

El fin de la votación es el 31 de Mayo. Esperamos que nos ayude a mostrar el apoyo que nuestra comunidad puede darle a este programa.

Sincerely/Sinceramente,

Arlene, Malvina,Ricardo, Susan
Fundraising Committe/Comite Recaudador de fondos
Centro Latino Maine

P.S. Please make sure to share this to help spread the word (use the share buttons below). There is not much time left.
P.D. Favor hacer corer la voz. Queda poco tiempo.

The Band: Manolo Mairena is New England based vocalist and percussionist who hails originally from Costa Rica. He and his group Curubande bring a fresh energy to salsa music with new compositions written by Manolo himself, included on his first CD “Mi Oportunidad.” Mairena is active on the Boston scene, having played with La Clave Secreta, Mango Blue,Balaton and others. He will be joined in Portland by an all star cast of the East Coast’s most talented musicians in the style. These performers have accompanied Celia Cruz, Jose “Cheo” Feliciano, Eliades Ochoa(of Buena Vista Social Club fame), Isaac Delgado, and the AfroCuban Allstars. Mairena and his group will present a performance at the Empire Dine and Dance that will have everyone up and dancing to the latin rhythms of Son Montuno, Bolero and Salsa with the influence of contemporary Cuban music. Come hear the music and celebrate spring and this great CD!

Dylan Blanchard is a Portland-based percussionist who has been studying and sharing Afro-Caribbean rhythms and culture with New England communities for 8 years. Along with performing with many local groups, including Olas and Grupo Esperanza, and presenting percussion workshops, he is endeavoring to artistically link our Maine community with his passion, Afro-Caribbean music and culture. Beginning with our neighbors in the Boston region, Manolo Mairena and Curubande will be the second in a series that began with Afro-Latin-Funk group Mango Blue. Look for more wonderful presentations of this beautiful music in our area!

Afro-Cuban Art Show : The Orisha Paintings of Elio Vilva Art Show opening at Frontier Café, 5-6:30pm Gallery Talk by Pilar Tirado Ph.D. on Cuban Santeria and the Art of Vilva at 5:30. Show runs March 21 to May 8. Free

Wednesday, April 13

East of Havana Film on the emerging hip-hop scene in Cuba at Frontier Café, showings at 5 and 7 pm. Donations welcome.

Friday, April 15

Cuban Dance with live music by Olas at Frontier Café 7:30pm, $10

Saturday, April 1

Afro-Cuban Drumming Workshop with Professor Michael Quintero and Dylan Blanchard, Cram Alumni House, 83 Federal St, 3-5pm. Participants limited to first 20, others welcome to attend. Free

All donations will support the Trinidad Library Fund.

Sponsored by the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association

For more info: www.brunswicktrinidad.org

BRUNSWICK CELEBRATES SISTER CITY WITH CUBA WEEK

BRUNSWICK, ME – Cuba Week, the annual celebration of Brunswick’s sister city with Trinidad, Cuba takes place Friday April 8 to Sunday April 17. In its 9th year, Cuba Week features films, music and dance, food, and an art show to celebrate the ongoing friendship and cultural exchange with Trinidad and to enrich our understanding about Cuba through lively, engaging events.

Presented by The Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association (BTSCA) with generous support from the Frontier Café, Cuba Week begins with an art show opening from 5-6:30 pm at Frontier Café on Monday, April 11, featuring the Orisha paintings of Elio Vilva. A gallery talk on Santeria by Pilar Tirado, PhD will be held at 5:30 pm. The event is free and open to all ages. These paintings, as well as the photographs of Carl Elsaesser taken during his semester in Cuba last year will be on display from March 21 through May 5.

On Wednesday, April 13, the film East of Havana on the emerging hip-hop scene in Cuba will be shown at the Frontier Café at 5 and 7 pm. Donations are welcome.

On Thursday, April 14, Cuban food will be served and a Cuban film will be shown at Brunswick High School, for students and staff only.

On Friday, April 15, the Frontier Café will host a Cuban Dance featuring live music by the band ‘Olas’ starting at 7:30 pm. $10 admission.

On Saturday, April 16, Bowdoin Professor Michael Quintero and Dylan Blanchard will conduct an Afro-Cuban Drumming Workshop from 3-5 pm. at Cram Alumni House, 83 Federal St. Free admission. Participation is limited to 20 but all are welcome to observe.

During the entire week of April 8-17 Cuban books will be on display at the Curtis Memorial Library and area restaurants and cafes will feature special Cuban dishes and refreshments on their menus. Participating businesses include: Frontier Café, Henry & Marty, Wild Oats Bakery, Back Street Bistro, Broadway Deli, Flip Side, Big Top Deli, bacari, Benchwarmers, Scarlet Begonias, Little Dog Coffee Shop, Gelato Fiasco, Wildflours, El Camino, Provisions, Lillee’s, 10 Water St, and Pedro O’Hara’s.

Dates, times, and locations of events are subject to change. For more detailed information on Cuba Week events, to volunteer, or to learn more about BTSCA, visit brunswicktrinidad.org.

The vision of the Brunswick Trinidad Sister City Association is to foster a spirit of friendship and cooperation between the citizens of Trinidad, Cuba and the Brunswick area, and to promote creative and constructive interactions with the people of our sister community in Cuba. The Association is non-political. We share our cultures with each other, recognizing and appreciating both the differences and similarities.

Selvin

Selvin is an immigrant from Guatemala who came to the US at the age of 14.
He works hard, pays taxes and wants to go to college. But he’s about to be deported back to Guatemala because of his undocumented immigrant status.

The DREAM Act is a bi-partisan bill in Congress that helps young people like Selvin stay home by rewarding hard work and gives an earned path to legal status. Only by passing the DREAM Act can Selvin stay home and continue to contribute to the American economy and achieve the American Dream.

The DREAM Act is expected to come up for a vote next week.

WHAT:    Rally in Lewiston & ONGOING Interfaith Vigil in Portland

WHEN:
Friday @3:30PM: RALLY in Lewiston, Maine
(Lewiston/Auburn Bridge)
@9:00PM:    Interfaith VIGIL in Portland, Maine
(837 Brighton Ave.)

For more information, please contact Kyle de Beausset at kyledeb@gmail.com 339-226-0761

Consulado móvil de Mexico en Portland, ME dic 2010

Sábado 4 de diciembre en Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)

309 Cumberland Av., Suite 201, Portland, ME 04101 (mapa)

Se podrán tramitar los siguientes doumentos:

Pasaportes de 3 años ($74 USD) o 6 años ($101 USD)

Come hear German Gonzales, originally a youth activist in El Salvador now on the national council of the Salvadoran Grassroots movement!

• Why won’t more troops, higher fences or mass deportations help?
• What has happened in Latin America that impels migration to the U.S.?
• How can strong communities uphold the “right to not emigrate”?

Please join us:

When:  Wednesday, October 13, at 7:00 PM
Where:  PICA, 170 Park Street, Bangor, ME

Sponsored jointly by:  Power in Community Alliances, Sister City and kNOw US & THEM projects

For more information call PICA at 947-4203

Corrections, Community and Reentry: The Pathway Toward A More Effective System
8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast & Registration
9:00 a.m. Symposium
$35 registration fee (working to get scholarship money available)

Gubernatorial Candidates Forum
6:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Exhibit tables available to organizations at no cost

Feel free to contact me at (207) 210-1052 if questions or the need for more information should arise.

I hope you can join us and can help spread the word.

Sincerely,
Rachel