LP Journal

LATINO TOWN HALLS

There are two important Latino town halls coming up. On Sept. 16 and 17, the Arizona Research Enterprise group will host its first town hall. About 200 leaders have been invited to address challenges facing Latinos in Arizona. The confab will focus on action plans for two pressing needs: Political unification and making the state’s education system Latino friendly. Participants will meet at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center. On Oct. 29, the Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens will present its Mesa Latino Town Hall. The theme is “Mesa: A Changing Community.”

MANNY MOVES

 Manuel Romero has resigned as director of Hispanic media with the Office of Media Relations at Arizona State University. He held that position for more than seven years. He starts his new job on Sept. 12 as public relations manager for Snell & Wilmer law firm.

EXCELLENT!

 The UA’s Arizona Hispanic Center of Excellence launched a new Web site, www.azhcoe.medicine.arizona.edu. The center’s goal is to increase the number of Latino physicians, give students info, research Hispanic health issues and improve cultural competence in the health field. Check it out.

CITY LATINAS

 The Phoenix Hispanic Network, which represents City of Phoenix Latino employees, held a well attended 2005 Latina breakfast Aug. 11 at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix. The event recognizes the city’s outstanding Latinas. More than 400 employees participated, which pleased Adriana Martinez, breakfast chair.

LEAD ON

Valle de Sol, Inc. continues to expand its Latino leadership mission. The Hispanic Leadership Institute the agency founded will take root in Pinal County through a partnership with Central Arizona College. The 10-week program will be held on the CAC campus as well as in the booming communities of Florence, Coolidge and Casa Grande. In addition, class member will earn college credits. Application deadline for the class of 2005 is Sept. 9.

ELITE MUJER

Hispanic Business magazine named Margaret Serrano-Foster, exec VP at LandAmerica Financial Group in Phoenix, as a 2005 Elite Woman of the Year.

ALMA TRAINING

The Arizona Latino Media Association will present a bilingual workshop for working journalists (is there any other kind?) on Oct. 1. Topics include writing, video shooting and editing, and what journalists love, critiques. For more info, visit www.almaweb.org.

CLUB MED

Congratulations to the winners of the 2005 MED Week small business awards. Eight business leaders were honored at the Minority Enterprise Development Center breakfast at the Civic Plaza on Aug. 3. Winners are: Martin Alvarez, Sr., Sun Eagle ‘Corporation; Luther Patton, compactDesign Electronics; Clarence McAllister, Fortis Networks; Raul Gomez, Southwest Business Essentials; Christopher Payne, Pass the Popcorn; Elizabeth Treviño, Skin Frenzy Day Spa; Lydia Aranda, Arizona Department of Commerce; and Wells Fargo Bank.

BYOT

Bob Murrillo of Mi Ranchito Mexican food products brought his own corn tortillas to the MED breakfast. “If this is a minority business breakfast, they should serve tortillas,” he explained. “I’d bring salsa too, but I’m afraid the jar would break in my pocket.”

JP QUITS

Jesse Miranda, West Phoenix justice of the peace, resigned from his post in early August. The state Commission on Judicial Conduct had suspended Miranda since May while it investigated complaints against Miranda in his legal practice.

 MUSIC NOTES

Tucson’s renowned youth mariachis Los Changuitos Feos will celebrate their 40th anniversary at Casino de Sol’s arena on Oct. 9. Changuitos alumni will join in. On another musical note, Pio Decimo’s annual Norteño Festival moves from August to the first week in October to sidestep summer’s heat.

ROC ON

Director Israel Torres of The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) tells us the agency’s Industry Advisory Council recently named its Building Blocks of the Community award recipients for community service. Honorees are: Hardison/Downey Construction Inc.; HomCo Ace Home Centers in Flagstaff; US Home Corp./Lennar in Tucson; Sturgeon Electric Company Inc. in Tempe ; Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Arizona Chapter; iMiX Group LLC in Buckeye; KGUN Channel 9 TV station in Tucson; Mohave Valley Contractors Association in Fort Mohave; and the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.

GIFT OF LIFE

The National Marrow Donor Program reminds all Latinos that there’s a desperate need for marrow donors. Those on a waiting list for matches include Guadalupe Saavedra, a Phoenix city employee, and Sal Martinez, who was profiled in this magazine. Drop in and sign up anytime at the offices of United Blood Services. For more info call (480) 344-5901.