The comforts of home and ways to share them

LOVE WATCHING THOSE INTERIOR DESIGNER SHOWS ON TELEVISION, only to wonder if your home will ever look that good?

We’re happy to prove there are residences in the Valley that do look that good in this, our October home and food issue. This issue also kicks off a regular décor and garden section that will be seen monthly in Latino Perspectives Magazine. As always, readers will often see cultural touches in the stories we run, pieces that will relate to your American Latino lifestyle.

Speaking of a cultural lifestyle, the homes in this issue were chosen because owners are enthusiastic collectors of art. Both Luis Corona and Steve Davis are members of the Latin American Art Alliance (LAAA), an auxiliary of the Phoenix Art Museum. The group helps to raise funds for the acquisition of Latin American art, as well as for programs and exhibitions centered on this genre.

Georgia Wolfe, president of LAAA, says it is actively seeking out Latinos to participate in its evening lecture programs, to accompany them to art sale/auction events and for advice on organizing local events. (Check out the group’ at the Museum’s site, www.phxart.org)

That includes signing on as a member of LAAA’s board of directors “for the very obvious reason that this fabulous and creative art is of, and from, Latinos, so it should be for Latinos as well,” Wolfe says, adding, “Why should Gringos have all the fun?”

The simplest way to support Latino artists is to buy their works, and display them at home. Figuring out how to do that may be easier than you think, say the homes and experts in this issue. Collecting Latino art and using it as a focal point in the home is a great way to begin a cultural conversation with your guests.

Of course, food always makes for good table talk, and writer Georgann Yara’s profile of Chef Carlos Manriquez shows why his “Twisted” approach has caused a buzz. Plus, Arizona’s longer fall offers plenty of time for cooks to explore the season’s top two vegetables: green chile and pumpkin. Both are indigenous to the region and play a delicious part in our culture.

There are also other ways in which to share our culture’s culinary richness.

The Valley’s food bank system is in need of more supplies. This past summer, three economic factors caused more Valley poor families to turn to food banks for help: soaring electricity bills, higher gasoline prices, and increasing costs for groceries.

If this trio was an annoyance for your family, imagine what it was like for the needy.

So what can you do? You can donate on several different levels. A monetary donation may be the easiest, but the food banks can also use non-perishable donations given by individuals, as well as pallets, cases and pounds of products from the food industry.

There are ongoing food drives available throughout the Valley (check the site nearest you at www.firstfoodbank.org) or you can start a food drive on your own at your place of employment, school or church. Or, save up to attend when the Taste of the NFL Seventeen, which benefits the food bank system, comes to the Phoenix Convention Center. Individual tickets are $500; VIP tickets are $600, and corporate tables are $6,000. For more info, visit www.tasteofthenfl.com.

Finally, you can offer your time to help sort and pack food boxes for poor families who need the balanced nutrition the donated items provide. It’s never too early to volunteer or donate, as the traditional season of sharing one’s home and table for the holidays is just around the corner.

Have a great October!