The Pecina Clan meets every two years and this year—its 6^th—they met at Genoa Veterans Memorial Park in Genoa, Ohio. At its 6th, over 300 met on July 4, 2010. In 1950, Leopoldo Pecina, Sr. and his wife Refugia moved from Texas to Rocky Ridge, Ohio; they then moved to Woodville and finally to Genoa. They parented 12 children: Magdaleno, Andy, Esther, Robert, Lily, Frank, Marcos, Leo Jr., Rafaél, Cookie, Angelo, and Paul. Leo Sr. and sons often played conjunto music at Tejano gatherings—they were known as Trio Pecina.

Cierra Myers celebrates her Quinceañera
at Sacred Heart Church June 26, 2010

Reina Alicia Rosales celebrated her Quinceañera on June 26, 2010, having Mass at St. Aloysius Church and a reception at the BG Jr. Fairgrounds in Bowling Green, Ohio. Reina is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Rosales and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Freddy Gutiérrez.  

La Banda “Grupo Estello” of Bay City, Michigan performed on May 29, 2010, at Cookie Villarreal’s 60th birthday fiesta! Cookie is shown with her husband José. The party was at St. John’s Ukrainian Hall in Lorain. ¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Cookie!

Fifth Third Bank’s eBus made the rounds in northwest Ohio from May 18 to May 28, 2010, including stops at Adelante, Inc., the Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, and SS. Peter & Paul Church, providing a variety of community services.

Over 45 people, for example, stopped by at Adelante, Inc., to visit the eBus and obtained information about homebuyer/refinancing, options and foreclosure prevention, learned about spending habits, and obtained free credit reports. Many received free health screenings—blood pressure, diabetes, body mass index & pulse ox!

According to Claudia Annoni, Adelante’s Programs and Services Director, “This was a great and successful event!”

In the photo, the eBus is next to SS. Peter & Paul Church.

La Prensa’s Ofelia Cruz
with Diana Reyes
at Club International in Detroit
on May 22, 2010.

Connie and Jesse Rodríguez
celebrate
50 years of marriage
with family and friends
at the
Latins United/Latinos Unidos Hall
in Toledo.

Women of Color to host Women's Event for McGee Brown
Yvonne Harper, Laneta Goings, Wanda Brown, Doni Miller, Clara L. Petty, Lourdes Santiago, Liz Florney, Margarita De León, and Robin Stone meet to discuss plans for a special reception for Yvette McGee Brown. McGee Brown is running for Leiutenant Governor and would be the first African-American female to hold that post should she win. The event takes place at the Ramada Inn on Secor on May 25, 2010, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event is hosted by Toledo area women of color inviting all women to support McGee Brown.

April 21, 2010: Adrian High School students traveled with instructor Jonathon Tobar to the state capitol in Lansing to advocate for issues that affect the Latino community. Students met with Senators Cameron Brown and Dudley Spade to share their personal stories and how they are affected by the lack of immigration reform or education reform (DREAM Act). Visit: www.theadrianmaples.com.

El Corazón de México and Imagenes Mexicanas performed at the
Toledo Zoo’s Cinco de Mayo celebrations
on May 2, 2010.
 

In conjunction with the mural project, an art exhibit featuring art from Mario Torero and Ricardo Quiñonez will be held at La Galeria, 1222 South Broadway, on Saturday, May 1, 2010, from 2:00 to 5:00PM.  

Josh Flores, Beatriz Maya, and Linda Alvarado at FLOC’s April 17, 2010 seminar, entitled “Building Tolerance,” where students were educated on current draconian immigration policies and how these policies adversely affect Latino Youth.

April 17, 2010: ABLE paralegal Mariella M. Machen consults with a client at ABLE’s Second Citizenship Day at the Center for Equal Justice in downtown Toledo. Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. are very active in assisting clients that need help in finalizing their citizenship.   

Jessica Ford of Kevin L. Boyce’s Office (Ohio Treasurer ), Danielle Nameth (U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s Office), and Brenda Griffith of Jennifer Brunner’s Office (Ohio Secretary of State) speak at the monthly luncheon of the Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce concerning their respective office’s role in aiding members of the Chamber. The gathering was held April 5, 2010 at Zia’s Restaurant, Toledo. The next monthly meeting will be May 3, 2010, at 5PM. The public is invited to attend.

SMALL SMILES’ EASTER EGG HUNT

Toledo OH: Walbridge Park was the scene of over 300 children racing to find Easter Eggs at Small Smiles Dental Center of Toledo’s first Easter Egg Hunt. Besides the egg hunt, the Community Event had sack races and a bunny hop. The children had their faces painted and dipped fingers in the duck pond. A balloon artist made balloon hats and balloon animals.

After the egg hunt, everyone ate hot dogs and decorated cookies. The children went home with a gift bag full of food certificates, toys and a tooth brush. Small Smiles thanks everyone who came and made our community event a success, especially the kids.

Photo courtesy of Moto Photo, Toledo, 419-382-6686, www.motophoto.com

Adelante’s César Chávez Humanitarian Award Recipients, Sue Campos & Dolores Rodríguez. Who will be the 6th Award recipient on March 31, 2010, starting at 5:30PM?

April 16, 1971 - March 31, 1995

El Camino Real Restaurant celebrates its Grand Opening of its Maumee location on Dussel Drive on March 15, 2010.

 In the above photo are hostesses Betty Rios, Veronica Amezquita, and Annie Rocha.

The Spanish Club at St. John’s Jesuit HS brought forth many desserts to share with students on International Day, March 5, 2010. Instructor Cris Espinoza joins in the fun.

Felipe Martínez wins second championship
Winning his second state title, sophomore Felipe Martínez—a native of Genoa, Ohio—won 7 to 1 over senior Tucker Armstrong.

Love Tony, Mom, Lil Pops and Lorenzo

—Love your grandparents, mom, dad & family

Ms. Delgado (Toledo Service Office Manager of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation) and Ms. Schultz (Business Consultant for the Bureau) discussed changes in Ohio’s Workers’ Compensation.

March is Women’s History Month and Lourdes College is celebrating with the third annual W.A.V.E. Celebration of Women Festival. W.A.V.E., or Women Artists Visionaries and Entrepreneurs, will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010, in Franciscan Theatre & Conference Center from noon to 5 p.m. In the photo is Ann French.

Sr. y Sra. Reyes Zapata of Martin, Ohio celebrate their 50^th Wedding Anniversary on Feb. 14, 2010. ¡Felicidades!

February 6th

Lucas County Auditor Anita López performed the oaths of office on Jan. 17, 2010 to the new officers of Latins United/Latinos Unidos at its hall in Toledo. L-R: Auditor López, Carlos Carillo, Kacey Johnson, Monica Wachowiak, Chevo Torres, Zarro Lizcano, Jackie Urias, Nacole Buenrostro, Richard Atwater, Joe Carmona, Lupe Guzmán, Yolanda Sholl, and John Aguirre.

Grupo Tesoro performed at Tejano Tuesdays at Yeeha’s on January 19, 2010.
Visit Yeeha’s at 3150 Navarre for $2 Tuesdays.

Lorain’s Mexican Mutual Society
is looking for
niñas of Mexican descent
for its
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
on May 8.

Sign-up deadline is Jan. 31, 2010.

Call Marie at 440-288-0144.

IN MEMORIUM: LOUIS GARCÍA SR.
Oct. 11, 1934 – January 17, 2009

It’s Been One Year
God saw you getting tired,; He did what He thought best; He put His arms around you, and said, “Come and rest.” He opened up His golden gates on that heartbreaking day; And with his arms around you, You gently slipped away. It broke our hearts to lose you; you did not go alone; A part of us went with you, The day God called you home.

We Miss You!
Love from Nora, Mike, Carmen, Louis Jr., Virginia, and Kayla, your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the rest of your family. 

UPDATE: At the 7^th Annual Latino Scholarship Day with the Toledo Mud Hens (July 26, 2009), La Prensa announced that Bryan Salazar (a LASSO alumnus from St. Francis de Sales High School) was the recipient of a $500 scholarship. Mr. Salazar has completed his first semester at UT, majoring in Spanish and International Business. He is a member of LSU.