Latin Times Magazine 4th Quarter 2010

JOlie R. GOnzalez PubLisHer / ediTOr in CHief Misha WOnG CreaTive direCTOr VictOR Padilla OPeraTiOns Manager caRMen l ROdRiGuez ediTOr & OPeraTiOns direCTOr nikkO GOnzalez PubLisHing assisTanT seRGiO sOdRe HisPaniC/LaTinO MarkeT LiaisOn al Piña sTaff WriTer - aL’s desk ask the PROfessiOnals dR. bRian caez sTaff WriTer – ask eL CHirO Man Rafael e. fuentes, M.s., P.a. sTaff WriTer – ask eL COunseLOr PedRO G. Velez, JR. sTaff WriTer – ask eL abOgadO MaRketinG & adVeRtisinG cOnsultants JuliO aViles Orange & Osceola Counties business development specialist/special reporter cOnchita buRPee Central florida - business development specialist “intermixx Marketing” itaMaR MaRtinez Orange, Osceola, Pinellas & Hillsborough Counties business development specialist/special reporter zanibel MelO Orange, Osceola, Pinellas & Hillsborough Counties business development specialist/special reporter MaRitza Ruiz Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties business development specialist/special reporter caRMen santiaGO Orange & Osceola Counties business development specialist/special reporter Other florida counties: (813) 901-5292 Offce or [email protected] Photography / Video Juan Ruiz of ziur Photography special events reporter/Photographer al frederick, business Photography zanibel Melo of Higher dreams Productions. 4th Quarter 2010 Cover: designed by Misha Wong Proud MeMbers of the following organizations: • Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce • Hispanic Professional Women’s Association Main Office: 813.901-5292 • Pasco / Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Websites: www.Latin-Times.com | neW: www.MyCityOfHope.Org No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the expressed written • Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central consent from Latin Times, LLC., 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. florida For a one (1) year subscription (4 issues), please send a check or money order in the amount of $15.00 to: P.O. Box 262574, Tampa, FL 33685-2574 • Tampa Latin Chamber of Commerce Special ThanX to God. Thank you to GOD for the many blessings you have placed in my life! Thank you to Carmen Santiago for being a great mom, Orlando • United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Rodriguez for being a great dad, Carmen Lourdes & Minerva for being great sisters –let’s get close again! To my big brother –I love you, all! Nikko Gonzalez • Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce for being the best son in the world. Thank you to my “victor”, you are my hero! Thank you to Zion and Victoria you are the sweetest and most beautiful little girls in the world! To all my wonderful friends, who always seem to be there when I need them the most!



Cómo Están Mi Gente!? Por ahí vienen las Navidades!! It’s an exciting time of year in Florida! this is the stuff beheading people and leaving them in The end of summer, back to school, the desserts. followed by Hispanic Heritage Month! dreaMs are Made of! Caught in this lie, the Gov. is now backtracking and claiming she made a Hispanic Heritage month officially the Primaries are coming and mistake! begins September 15 and ends i want to urge you all to get th on October 15 , but in reality we when is enough –enough? Our country th “Latinos” will manage to stretch that educated on the candidates! needs to stand together, and not allow month out to a 2-3 month period and itself to be divided by special interest typically roll it into “Las Navidades”, Every election is important, but these in other words, it’s going to be a very upcoming elections are crucial! Who or “patriot” groups with an agenda of busy next few months filled with lots of is running? Please see our “Meet the “purifying” their nation. celebrations! Be sure and check out Candidates” section of Latin Times our Action Avenue calendar of events! Magazine, where you can find out! This law is an insult for ALL immigrants AND ALL Hispanics; Puerto Rican, i aM so ready to I would however like to draw special South American’s, Central American’s, Mexican’s, Haitians all of us, who can celebrate 10 years in attention to an issue that affects not now be harassed for looking Hispanic only all Hispanics/Latinos living in Publishing! Florida, but all minorities. Many of –or rather, for looking “reasonably Alright, its official, we will be 10 years you may have heard of the “Arizona suspicious”. All AMERICANS should be insulted! We need to stand together, old with our next issue! I remember Immigration” law. Along with its many against this threat, and we must let our those early years in publishing and the unconstitutional flaws, it is also a legal challenges that went along with them, form of illegal discrimination and voice be heard thru our voting power! looking back –I think it’s amazing how racial profiling. Many large minority God brought me through all of that, to organizations have already banned In closing, I want to thank you all, be here today, STILL dealing with life’s together in protest of it, and have even my querido amigos, my familia and challenges, but so much more evolved taken steps toward boycotting the state especially GOD. Thanks so much for than I was 10 years ago. of Arizona. the many years of support that you have given us. I hope that we will have A lot has changed in those 10 years! There are politicians in Florida that would many, many more years of sharing with We have gone through two name like to bring this same law to Florida! you! changes, one size change, and 3 Florida has a very rich Hispanic makeovers, including the one we are heritage and history, dating back to the May God Bless You ALL! presenting to you with this issue! Yes, early 1500’s. Puerto Rico Explorer and we have had big changes along the Governor “Ponce de Leon” claimed the Jolie Gonzalez way, and as of this issue, we have area in 1513 for the Spanish Crown, grown by 8 new pages, and will grow now families that have been here for an additional 8 in January 2011. generations are going to be subjected Check out our NEWLY to this type of treatment!? Children of redesigned website: Latin- Big changes and BIG ideas! Not only undocumented immigrants are being Times.com where you can have we grown, but we are very excited called “anchor” babies!? And laws view our fully interactive to announce that we are now on the are being proposed to strip children e-Magazine, our previous verge of going statewide with our born in the U.S. to undocumented issues, expanded articles distribution, which will take place in immigrants, of their citizenship! How and interviews! January 2011. did this all start? I suggest we read on what’s been happening in Arizona. The also proposed for 2011 is our Governor of Arizona, Gov. Jan Brewer growth into the Washington claimed that one of the main reasons dc Metro area with latin this law was drafted in the first place is times Magazine and the 1 st because of the violence going on there. friday networking socials! She claimed that the “illegal’s” were ” Step up to the plate and dare ” to be the Elite Latino!



as hard as it is to imagine, The arizona Law sb1070 or a closely related version of the law could be headed to florida. if our voice ever needed to be heard-it needs to be heard now! This is not only a LaTinO issue ---this is a minority issue, and affects us all, Hispanics, african americans, asians, Middle eastern, everyone! use your Vote wisely! i have always felt that we should vote for the right person…. not the right party, therefore Latin Times is a non-partisan media entity that wants only to educate you as to some of the candidates out there. after meeting with several of the candidates that democratic candidate democratic candidate democratic candidate are in the general election, we for florida house for florida house for senator of florida decided to post their answers of representatives, of representatives, here on the print edition of Latin district 56 district 58 Times Magazine as well as in We need common sense im- migration reform. The kind of the newly redesigned website: Our government and private The arizona immigration measure signed into law in ari- Latin-Times.com! industry have failed the gen- zona is neither fair nor practical. it encourages police to question eral population through mis- law and its counterpart people who have done nothing This is a pivotal year for all of us! management, and our econ- in florida are misguid- wrong, and it does a disservice omy has suffered. Those in ed and poorly planned. to people in this country who are power created the economic employed, paying their taxes Visit us online for collapse and have now tar- They both are caused and are good citizens of their more coverage: geted the undocumented by an emotional reaction communities. That is not fair. Hispanic workers as their to a very real problem in latin-times.com scapegoats, as they are the some states. Legisla- as a former Trooper in the flor- ida Highway Patrol, i know laws least economically and politi- cally empowered individuals tors need to discuss the like these will also hamper law enforcement efforts and make The all new Latin-Times. in today‘s american society. proposed immigration it harder to fnd people who com features more up to date it is not based on facts, but law at length during our will speak out as witnesses to crimes. This law is impractical candidate coverage, where we zeroes in on xenophobia, next session. immigra- and will not make anyone safer. will share our top picks based causing racial and cultural tion is a federal issue on one on one interviews with hatred and violence. and should not be a While new immigration laws should be tough, they should be the different candidates and The solution: cut of the de- enforceable and not driven by a highlighting the candidates we mand and you will cut off the patchwork of state laws. philosophical agenda.” felt were genuinely good honest supply. We don’t need new My constituents can be as you can infer from the state- people, that truly cared about our draconian laws we need to assured that i will be op- ment, kendrick does not support enforce our existing laws by community and were committed punishing employers who posed to this law as it is the law coming to florida. kendrick Meek Website: kend- to working for a better tomorrow. violate the law. currently written. rickMeek.com as we are non-partisan, candidates are chosen in an unbiased format regardless of which political party they represent!

republican candidate independent candidate democratic candidate republican candidate for u.s. congress, for senator of florida for governor of florida for senator of florida district 11 Charlie Crist supports im- “states are passing tougher immi- “states certainly have the right i support arizona’s right to pass migration reform that pro- gration laws because the federal to enact policies to protect their laws aimed at protecting its citi- vides an earned path to government has failed to secure citizens, but arizona’s policy zens. If our state’s offcials and citizenship. Today there are our borders and crack down on shows the diffculty and limita- our citizens in florida deem it as many as 14 million ille- illegal immigration. While it is the tions of states trying to act piece- responsibility of our federal gov- necessary to pass a similar law gal immigrants in america ernment to enforce immigration meal to solve what is a serious to protect our citizens, i would as part of an underground laws, it is clear that Washington federal problem. from what i support it. economy. Congress needs has dropped the ball for decades. have read in news reports, i do to provide an earned path and in recent years, many states, have concerns about this leg- One of the underlying prob- to citizenship to those seek- like arizona, have taken matters islation. While i don’t believe lems with illegal immigration is ing to stay in the country. into their own hands to address arizona’s policy was based on the reality that some people’s by doing so, they would be a serious and growing problem. anything other than trying to get perceptions of us citizens from required to seek citizenship One thing, however, is clear: il- a handle on our broken borders, Puerto rico are illegal aliens legal immigrants that break our i think aspects of the law, espe- based solely on the language and all that implies with the state’s laws should be held ac- cially that dealing with ‘reason- they speak. until we eliminate result being an end to the countable both by the state of able suspicion,’ are going to put the problem of “illegal” in our underground system which florida and by the federal gov- our law enforcement offcers in immigration policy that percep- exists today and is actually a ernment for being in this country an incredibly diffcult position. It illegally by being deported.” tion will never change. Our His- form of fraud which costs ev- could also unreasonably single panic culture is as much a part eryone. Just imagine if these “My plan for florida is to ensure out people who are here le- of our rich american cultural 14 million illegal immigrants that illegal immigrants don’t take gally, including many american heritage as any other ethnic became law abiding, tax- jobs away from floridians or get a citizens. Throughout american group. paying citizens and paid into free ride off the state welfare sys- history and throughout this ad- the social security system tem when they don’t pay taxes ministration we have seen that Mike Prendergast website: how much better off america and don’t play by the same rules when government is given an www.pickprendergast.com would be. as everybody else.” inch it takes a mile.” I will not support immigration latin times: As a State law that doesn’t punish Representative what are your goals American employers severely and what changes do you want to make? for hiring undocumented Joe redner: I want to make workers, doesn’t have a process education available to everyone. to bring legal workers in when Protect the environment from sprawl. needed and doesn’t have a way We have enough permitted land for development for the next 20 years. to assimilate undocumented We don’t need any more sprawl. workers that are already here, To balance the budget we must tax paying taxes that have been out of state Internet sales. People good citizens. who would buy products from local businesses take that 7% sales tax into consideration and sometimes latin times: What inspired you to don’t buy locally because of it. So run for State Representative? not taxing Internet sales hurts in two Joe redner: The mess in Tallahassee. ways. One we lose revenue because With all the corruption, backstabbing, we don’t get the tax money from lies, compromises, etc. It’s a wonder those sales, and the businesses they get anything done. aren’t getting the business. We need to review our sales tax exemptions. latin times: What is the most We could raise $1 billion by important issue in your campaign? eliminating 15% of what’s exempt Joe redner: There is no one from the tax. I would get more money Joe redner, important issue. Education, jobs, the from the Indians for their exclusive environment, balancing the budget gambling rights. It’s worth more. And independent candidate for florida and transportation. In order for of course, we must stop wasteful our state to operate efficiently the house of representatives, district 58 problems with all must be solved. spending and stop gambling with pension money.

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ask the professionals PREGNANcy & LOWER BAck PAIN ARRESTING ILLEGAL ALIENS / WHO’S TO BLAME? ou’re pregnant! Congratulations! Your body’s changing—wondrously, Ymarvelously. One unexpected and unwelcome change may be lower back pain. f all of the clients I have represented in my practice, the most heart Recent studies suggest that two-thirds of pregnant women experience lower back pain. Obreaking cases are the clients that are arrested for driving offenses and they are illegal Aliens. The Arizona immigration law has brought to light the These statistics seem reasonable. The weight of the growing baby plus the weight of the placenta and amniotic fluid, create an unbalanced dilemma that our Latino people who are in this country illegally face. For the load in front of the lower back. The result is irritation of spinal ligaments, most part they are hard working, respectful and God-fearing people who are muscles, and tendons, causing pain, muscle spasm, and loss of mobility. just trying to make a living for their families. Usually, their intentions are to work in this country for a certain amount of time and return to their country. Of course, some cases of pregnancy-related back pain have specific medical causes. Uncommon conditions such as pregnancy-associated osteoporosis, While they are here, many of them start driving without a license or they obtain septic arthritis, and inflammatory arthritis may need to be considered. a valid Driver’s License from another state. The latter group who originally obtain a valid Driver’s License cannot renew them because they do not have That said, the vast majority of cases of back pain in pregnancy are mechanical in the proper documentation to establish that they are legally in this country. origin. The former do not even try to obtain a license at all. There is no question that This past month, my wife gave birth to a healthy 8-lb baby boy. She experienced their actions of driving without a valid Driver’s license are illegal. However, the minimal discomfort throughout her pregnancy while undergoing regular Chiropractic penalties they face are extremely harsh. care. Additionally, she was able to quickly recover and return to her regular What occurs to many of these people is that once they are detained for a activities. simple driving infraction the arresting agency contacts the Immigration Adjusting women throughout pregnancy is one of the most rewarding department which holds them indefinitely until they are deported. parts of our work, because a healthier pregnancy means an easier labor and delivery, and a better transition for the baby into this life. I have been able to help many of these people stay out of jail with the help of compassionate State Attorneys and Judges. But the fact of the matter is the Your chiropractic doctor will perform a complete examination and determine the correct majority of these people who are arrested will be deported. At that time, they course of treatment, if appropriate. Once you’re feeling better, you can begin stretching and doing safe, gentle exercises that will help prevent recurrences of lower back pain. The are separated from their wives and children and the dream of sending money goal is to strengthen your lower back and minimize the mechanical effects of pregnancy. back home to their families is over. It is important that we as Latinos unite to force Washington, state and local agencies to reform these immigration laws. The best method of preventing back pain in the first place is being fit. This includes healthy nutrition, gaining a moderate amount of weight, and regular exercise. Your obstetrician will likely recommend vitamin and iron supplements and will monitor your weight. The I saw a great movie that was released in 2004 called “A day without a average healthy woman gains between 25 and 35 lbs during the course of her pregnancy. Mexican”. This movie alarmed me as well as educated me. The economic impact that illegal aliens have in this country is astounding. Vocations such as Let’s fast forward a few years. Your newborn is now a toddler. Parents know agriculture, construction, restaurants, domestic servants and other assorted that if you have kids, stuff happens. You bend over to place a bulky car seat in industries could not efficiently run without these people. We owe illegal aliens your car. Then you place your child in it. And then, you bend over to remove the car seat from your car. If you’ve gone to the mall, kids want Daddy or a great debt. Mommy to carry them. Pick them up, cart them around put them down again. For the most part they have contributed greatly to our society. If you know What’s a parent to do? It’s not like you can avoid any of these activities. Your kids any illegal aliens that have gotten into trouble with the law please call me. are kids - it’s up to you to do stuff for them. The answer lies in regular exercise. “But These people deserve excellent legal representation despite the fact that they how will I find time to exercise, when it’s hard enough to find the time to do the things I need to do?” are here illegally. I was born in Cuba and I am a refugee to this country. I know what chasing the “American Dream” means. I have been very fortunate. This country has given me and my family a lot and for that I am grateful. That’s a tough question, but if you recognize the benefits, you’ll make the effort to make the time. Forty-five minutes or an hour per workout, three or four times However, those people who have come to this country seeking the same a week, will be plenty. And, once you’re in the habit of exercising, you’ll notice it’s “American Dream” that I was granted, deserve that our government reform easier to lift your kids, easier to bend over, easier to carry them. It’s easier because its immigration laws. you’re fitter, stronger and healthier. And, surprisingly, you’re having more fun! In Good Health, Contact me. I can help you with your criminal and personal injuries problems regardless of your immigration status in this country. Dr. Brian Caez Attorney Pedro G. Velez, Jr. *For more information on how to reduce stress and live well through Chiropractic. Law Office of Pedro G. Velez, JR. Please contact Dr. Brian Caez: 813.872.4455 or [email protected] 314 E. Harrison Street. Tampa, Florida 33602 | Or visit www.drcaez.com and sign up for Award Winning Newsletter! Phone: (813) 209-9800 Preguntas: [email protected]

ask the professionalscontinuación ¿DEPRESIóN . . . qué ES? ur community faces a defining moment. Reeling from an economic downturn unprecedented in our time, we have within our grasp Oan historic opportunity to invest in our community by funding and ¡Hola a todos mis lectores! Es un placer el poder hablarles esta vez de un problema developing a state-of-the art transit system in Hillsborough County – a system que es bastante común en nuestras vidas: La Depresión. La palabra depresión se ha puesto muy de moda en nuestra última década y lamentablemente algunas connecting our citizens to friends, family, jobs, education, healthcare, cultural veces la usamos en el término incorrecto. La depresión ha existido por muchos años, resources, retail, restaurants, and entertainment not only in Hillsborough inclusive antes de Cristo. Hace muchos años atrás a la depresión se le llamaba County but throughout the region. melancolía. Desde el pasado milenio la Asociación Americana de Psiquiatría ha podido estudiar más a fondo la depresión y educarnos al respecto detalladamente. We can no longer afford the cost of doing nothing.- Gary Sasso, Chair Moving Los síntomas de la depresión son: insomnio, despertar muy temprano, o dormir demasiado, sentimientos persistentes de tristeza, ansiedad, o vacío, sentimientos Hillsborough Forward de desesperanza y/o pesimismo, sentimientos de culpa, inutilidad, y/o impotencia, irritabilidad, inquietud, pérdida de interés en las actividades o pasatiempos que antes Taking on this initiative will not be a cure-all. But it will be a step in the right disfrutaba, incluso las relaciones sexuales, fatiga y/o falta de energía, dificultad para direction: A step that tells our young people they do not need to relocate to concentrarse, recordar detalles, y para tomar decisiones, comer excesivamente o perder el apetito, pensamientos suicidas o intentos de suicidio, dolores y malestares more progressive communities to find work and build a future; a step that tells persistentes, dolores de cabeza, cólicos, o problemas digestivos que no se alivian businesses that we are building infrastructure to connect people and places incluso con tratamiento. and that we are going to fight to keep and multiply jobs in our community; a step that tells the rest of the state and the world that we aim to lead our way Una persona que tiene depresión no tiene que necesariamente tener todos estos out of these economic doldrums, rather than wait for others to do the work síntomas. La persona con depresión lleva experimentando constantemente los síntomas por varios meses; el tiempo de duración varía según el diagnóstico. for us. Los tipos de depresión son tales como el trastorno depresivo grave, el trastorno distímico, depresión psicótica, depresión posparto, el trastorno afectivo estacional y We can no longer afford the cost of doing nothing. Forbes magazine recently el trastorno bipolar. No todos sufren la misma magnitud. Algunos son situacionales, ranked the Tampa Bay the nation’s worst city for commuters among the top otros temporeros, pero otros son permanentes ya que son más severos. Existe 60 major metro areas. Our region is losing out economically to competitor el problema que algunas veces hay personas, especialmente en los hombres, que trabajan largas horas de trabajo, como algunas setenta a noventa horas a la regions such as Charlotte, Dallas, and Phoenix, which have invested in their semana. Este tipo de personas tratan de evadir el problema y les cuesta mucho transportation systems and are now not only combating sprawl but boosting aceptarlo. Hay personas que se lo tratan por medio del alcohol, drogas, obsesión al economic development. juego, largas horas en el internet (más de seis u ocho horas), entre otras. Responding to these concerns, a grassroots coalition of Hillsborough Alguna de las maneras que se puede manejar la depresión es haciendo actividades que a usted le agrade, tales como actividades físicas (correr, levantamiento de County residents, neighborhoods, businesses, civic groups, and community pesas, aeróbicos, caminar, etc.), yoga, meditar, hablar con un confidente, escribir leaders has come together to form Moving Hillsborough Forward, http:// todos los días ¿cómo se siente? (diario) y leer libros de auto-ayuda (self-help www.MovingHillsboroughForward.com, which will support the passage this books). Si el problema no mejora en unas semanas es importante buscar ayuda November of a referendum that will help Hillsborough County build a world- profesional. class transportation system. Tenga mucho cuidado con el interpretar estos síntomas, ya que soy muy similar al estrés, ansiedad y el problema de la tiroides. Por ende es muy importante el poder The countywide transportation improvements plan benefits all residents in buscar asistencia médica y/o profesional que trabaje en el área de la salud mental Hillsborough County. The one percent transportation sales surtax will have para que le ayuden y tal vez tratarle su problema a tiempo. Nunca es tarde y todos 75% dedicated to transit, including an expanded bus system (consisting of hemos experimentado la depresión una que otra vez. El dolor es universal y nadie está exento a ello. Lamentablemente la salud mental es la enfermedad número uno Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), express, local and neighborhood service) and a a nivel mundial. Es de sabios reconocer nuestros errores o problemas . . . new light rail system, and 25% dedicated to improving roads, intersections, and pedestrian walkways. All funds will be deposited into a trust fund and all ¡Qué Papa Dios me los bendiga! spending reviewed by an independent oversight committee of citizens and Un fuerte abrazo, experts. Rafael E. Fuentes, M.S., P.A. Most importantly, join us! Together, we can accomplish great things. On behalf Rafael E. Fuentes, M.S., P.A. of Moving Hillsborough Forward, I look forward to working with you. Thank Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern I.M.C. #5865 you in advance for all of your much appreciated efforts. Moving Hillsborough 8019 North Himes Ave, Suite 311, Tampa, FL 33614 Forward is a countywide coalition of community, business, civic and political Phone: (813)732-6876 groups and leaders who are working together to support the transportation www.rafaelthecounselor.com Preguntas: [email protected] referendum on the November 2010 Ballot.

Pastor Mike Salas atin times/Victor Padilla: be with the lord over eight years Tell us about the passion ago, even to this day my father has and calling on your life and an impression on my life to where in this ministry? I understand that I am called. My uNfAILING TRuST lPastor Mike salas: The dad gave me such solid advice, I passion and the drive here is that remember him telling me By: Victor Padilla we do not want to be just another things that our Pastors taught us in “Mike The other day I was at the beach with my familia Hispanic/Latino church. One of the the last ten years is that we have to and I found myself going through memories of my father who was a pastor and evangelist most think outside of the box. always be of my life, until God called him home in 2006. We do not want to be a religious My father would often take us to the beach when we were kids, and I remember that after Latino church full of traditions. Our real and we played in the water, my father would grab passion is to connect the Latino one of the inner tubes, lay back in it, and just People with a relationship, not with always be let the waves carry him off into the deep waters a religion, a relationship with God until you could hardly see him in the horizon. I and to where they can experience remember, I would watch him with tremendous a one on one relationship with transparent concern thinking to myself ”What if the sharks Jesus Christ, and be able to build get him, what if he drowns, what if something their own spiritual life through that terrible happens and he never comes back?” Finally, after my worries began to mount for relationship. with the him, he would suddenly re-appear and there he was paddling back, doing the backstroke in the latin times/Victor Padilla: Tell us people. intertube as if he had gone for a stroll in the about your family and your church park, and he always had a huge smile on his family and the kind of relationship ” face. you have with them? Pastor Mike salas: Wow, we have My father would get to shore and look at me, and say, “What’s wrong Papa?” and I would just four children, four beautiful children. keep my worries to myself. Finally after many We have one daughter and three of these care-free trips, I was so upset that I boys. My daughter is 26, my oldest said...” Papi why do you go so far out in the boy is 23 then we have a 19 year water, don’t you know that you could die out old and the youngest who is 16. It’s there, get eaten by sharks, killed or something?” interesting because we have our two My father bent down, grabbed my face looking youngest at home and I am so proud into my eyes, and said the words that seared into my heart and gave me more respect for to say that they are very involved in him as a man of God than ever. He said...” the ministry they actually run the Son, sometimes to get close to God we have to media here in the church for the meet Him in the places that are very scary and Spanish ministry. One of them (the dangerous but, we have to trust Him completely oldest) is the director and the other with our lives and for me that is in the deep one is a camera person. waters, so He has control and not me.” And of course one of my greatest As far as the church family, what can hero’s is Pastor Paula White, as That was the most profound thing my father ever said to me, I knew then, that when we are going I say, it is the best family that you she is my personal mentor, and my through the storms, trials, suffering, and pain in can have, a spiritual family. We are example. Paula is impacting millions our lives, through it all, God is there, He alone truly loved by the congregation, one and millions of people throughout is in control. It is up to us whether to trust him of things that I have noticed about the world, and that is our desire to or not. the Latin connections group is that impact all of Latin America, all the they feed us, it’s reciprocal, I as their Spanish speaking countries, not just I want to encourage you to trust in God no pastor, I preach the word, lead them, in Tampa, FL or the US, our vision is matter what trial or tribulation you are going but their love and their support to impact the Latin world as a whole. through or what circumstance is happening in your life right now, just close your eyes, relax, actually gives us the stamina and and say…” God I am here in the deep waters of gives us the desire to move on and my life, meet me and draw me into your peace, to continue to grow of the Latin There are no limits to what you can give me your strength to endure and the faith to Connections where it would be the do when you believe in God. withstand, knowing that I will make it through largest Latino Church in Tampa. this and that victory is coming!” To view the complete interview, please visit latin times/Victor Padilla: Who is our website today at: Latin-Times.com Jesus spent the last moments of His life on earth knowing everything that He would have to go Or to view the LIVE video of this interview, your greatest hero and what kind of please visit our YOUTube channel: Latin through, yet He held on to the faith and the promise an impression did they leave in your Times TV of His father, how much more will god hold on to life? you. Pastor Mike salas: My greatest Please join Pastor Mike for services on hero was my father. My father was Sundays at 3:00 PM @ Without Walls May god bless you and give you His unfailing a tremendous man of God, one of International Church @ at Without Walls peace. the pioneers in New York as far as International Church, located at: 2511 N. –brother victor Padilla Grady Avenue in Tampa, FL. Spanish churches, and he left to

PASTOR JOEL OSTEEN Senior Pastor, Lakewood Church – Houston Texas My fuLL SuRRENDER…. latin times/Jolie gonzalez: As Florida is “MyCityofHope.Org” this is a website that How to conquer fear and stress…. affected by the rise in Job losses, business will –we hope, instill HOPE in people that By: Jolie R. Gonzalez losses, home losses and families breaking are so desperately in need of it. We want up. What can you say to that person that is to develop the site so that people will read During times of war, the word surrender means feeling so devastated about all their losses, about spiritual people like you all the time, that you have been conquered and that you about hanging on? and stream in your videos as well. “give-up”. Pastor Joel osteen: I would just encourage We feel that you are such a huge part of them to know that God is with us in the that inspiration to us! I want to invite you to It means that you are conceding to being the loser of the war. tough times that he is in control, and that if be a part of that with us? we can just make up our minds that we will Pastor Joel osteen: Thank you it will be However in relation to GOD the word surrender not get bitter and that we are not going start my pleasure and my honor and I appreciate means something completely different. to looking at what’s wrong, but if we can what you all are doing. We do love the get up every day and say, “God I thank you Hispanic/Latino community, we have so In both instances, you are letting go and for the gift of this day.” I believe when you many of them back at home, and a big admitting “defeat” but while in the one instance stay in faith that’s what allows God to turn Spanish service with Marcus Witt and we you have been conquered, in the other, you have negative situations around. just appreciate your heart to help other been saved. people. My main thought to them is just to know Surrendering our lives and will into the loving hands of God is not an easy thing to do for some that God has them in the palm of his hand, people, because many of us have issues with it is not a surprise where they are right now, Know that we are control and surrendering means that you are no so know that we’re praying for them and longer in control and yet it’s this “surrendering” many other people are as well. behind you and we of our lives to God by which we truly win! I love the fact that God promises that he will are going to keep Surrendering your life to God means that you not only bring us out, but he will bring us praying for you. are giving up being in control. It means you out better off than before. are letting go of everything in your life to HIM, letting go of the worry, letting go of the fear, and latin times/Jolie gonzalez: Seeing all the To view the complete interview, please visit our letting go of the stress in your life, it means that you are placing everything in God’s loving hands, disasters that have taken place in the earth website today at: Latin-Times.com and that you trust him to bring you through it, Or to view the LIVE video of this interview, please lately, a lot of people believe that the year regardless of how bad things look! 2012 is the end. How do feel about that? visit our YOUTube channel: Latin Times TV Pastor Joel osteen: You know, I don’t know. I have gone through very difficult times in my I don’t get really worried or caught up in it, life by keeping unshakable faith in God, but I just know that I believe that nothing will letting go of my control –and surrendering to snatch us out of God’s hands like he said, him. These were days that were so dark, and so scary –so seemingly without hope that without so if we keep being our best each day than my surrender to God, I would not have survived, we won’t go till it’s our time. I certainly could not have thrived, and yet since I remained strong in my resolution through the Some of that I don’t know that I understand power of prayer, I not only survived my trial (s), it all, but I know that every day we are but in fact I came out of them all the better. And, supposed to be our best right where we are, here I am thriving, better than I was ----when in fact, everyone, and everything said it would be Let’s try to be a blessing to somebody each impossible! day, and when we do that God will take care Now, when something bad happens in my life as of us and always see us through. it will sometimes do, I thank God for being with me through the trail, and thank HIM, in advance latin times/Jolie gonzalez: What for bringing me through it. advice would you to give people that are interested in starting their own Ministry As when we were children and were cared for by and that feel the calling of God? a parent or guardian is as it is with our heavenly Pastor Joel osteen: I would encourage father as adults, when we surrender to him, GOD them to just take a step of faith, and will provide a way. let God open those doors. To just be IF you trust in him, and keep your FAITH, then faithful where you are, don’t wait to have ALL things are possible. a big church to preach in before you start ministering. Go down to a senior Jesus said “if you have faith as a mustard seed, citizens home or to a young people’s you will say to this mountain, move from here group, if you’ll use your gifts where to there, and it will move; and nothing will be you are that’s how you will develop impossible for you” [Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6]. them and get better and better Jesus promises “it will move” [Matthew 17:20]; and I believe God rewards that “it will be done” [Matthew 21:21]; it “shall come faithfulness. to pass” [Mark 11:23]; and it will “obey you” [Luke 17:6]. latin times/Jolie gonzalez: God Bless YOU! I want to tell you about our new website, which is

esperanza roadcontinuación touched me! Jesus had felt the supernatural power of healing My leave his body. The woman knowing what she did came and Guardian fell at Jesus feet and confessed what she had done, Jesus Angel then looked at her and said, THE HEALING “Daughter your faith has healed By: Maritza Ruiz you, go in peace, and be freed HAND Of fAITH… from your suffering”. “hey I’m not going to let you fall down”, that voice By: Victor Padilla When we are suffering through of encouragement that things in our lives, whether makes you STAY there and esus was walking with a they be physical, financial, or encourages you to get up, all the while reminding you crowd who surrounded him through our family, just praying “I’m here for you!” Jwhen there was a woman without faith is not enough and who had an issue of blood faith without works is dead! We It was during my “difficult time” in life, that I believe (Hemorrhaging) for twelve years, have to sift through the crowd I’m a true believer that people are God sent me my GUARDIAN this woman knew that all she had of obstacles and get through placed in your life for a reason. ANGEL and her name is Mrs. to do was touch the very edge to Jesus, once you reach him Some people come into your life Noelene Dobson. of his cloak, and she would be through earnest prayer, getting for a short period of time, while healed. others come and stay for a life I met Noelene as a potential on your knees and putting your time. QuickBooks client over a year ago faith into action, the possibilities to train and assist her with her The woman had to struggle are countless. Now faith is the Some people bring you peace, needs, however throughout this through the crowd to reach substance of things hoped for, love and happiness, and others past year we have become close friends as well. Noelene has lived Jesus, finally when she was close the evidence of things not seen. bring nothing but pain and a difficult life but throughout it all enough; she reached out and disappointment. Some people she did not allow this to change her come into your life and help you touched his cloak, instantly she If you have faith, determination, emotionally, physically or even into a bitter and hateful person, was healed. Jesus stopped right motivation, and action, nothing financially while others come into instead her difficult times only served as lessons instead. Noelene can stop you from accomplishing then turned around and looked your life and drain you emotionally, has taught me so much it’s hard through the crowd and asked, the miraculous! physically or financially. to verbalize. She has been there “Who touched me?” Someone Hebrews 11:1, Mark 5: 24-33 I have always thought of myself for me when no one else wanted as a very strong person, not only to, or could be there for me. She provided me with her wisdom and emotionally, but physically and love. She is a true friend, and a financially as well, but with so blessing not only in my life, but many life changing situations in the lives of all people that she chipping away at you throughout comes in contact with. the years, “life” sometimes wears you down. I have always been To Mrs. Noelene Dobson, THANK proud to be in a position to be YOU for being there for me and my able to help the people in my life, family! I wanted the world to know and I never thought I would be in a that despite all the bad stuff going situation where I would be the one on in the world today, we still have in need! true, beautiful, loving and caring people in this world. Noelene It is at those times, when you Dobson you truly are my Guardian are at a point of feeling beaten- Angel!! Thank you!! up that we need someone to say insPiraciones en cristo “Osvaldo en su búsqueda espiritual . Figueruelo Todo esto llevó a Osvaldo a es un autor desarrollar finalmente una nacido en relación personal con su Cuba en salvador Jesucristo mas allá 1969. Desde temprana edad, de doctrinas o tendencias destacó su capacidad para religiosas.Esta colección de escribir poemas e historias. trabajos lleva como título Su fe en Cristo fué inculcada Inspiraciones en Cristo porque en un principio por sus eso es precisamente lo que padres y familia en su niñez, es. En cada página Osvaldo pero esta fe ,tomó fuerza y trasmite pasión ,respeto y vida propia en los últimos un amor desbordado hacia años al llegar un mayor Jesucristo, y espera contagiar entendimiento en su interior y al lector con un mensaje al verse expuesto a todo tipo positivo y de esperanza, así de denominaciones cristianas, como de confianza en Aquel diferentes ministerios, así que es La luz del mundo.” como otras experiencias que lo marcaron como la película Info: YouTube.com, search The Passion Of The Christ, Osvaldo Figueruelo.

My Guardian Angel IMMIGRatIoN REfoRM-aRIzoNa Law By: Maritza Ruiz I am an American…But what flows in my blood is thousands upon thousands of years old and it is a heritage that I will not abandon because Mexican am I. By: aL PIña oday a battle wages on that will divide Today it is the undocumented Mexican and principal. They use “English” as a core value. our country. That will impact all Latinos other Latino immigrants that they use as the And those who do not follow in line with this tand Americans alike. basis for fear. But at the core of this, it is collective thought are nothing short of being really about the decline of the Anglo-American Un-American. It is a battle that is deeply rooted in race male domination. If we fully embrace the regardless of those who say it is about laws. true values of our tenets as a country, which My Message to theM is short But this battle will ultimately unite Latinos is that all men and women are created equal, and was born of Values, Pride into one body as I witnessed in California regardless of race, creed or color, how can and coMMunity: when Proposition 187 was introduced in we create unconstitutional laws which will 1994. The Arizona Immigration Law is the destroy not only the foundation of these Your attacks upon those who wish nothing fuel for this battle that will ultimately rear its families, but the foundation of our beliefs as more than to provide for their families ugly head in Florida. a country? through hard work will not be tolerated by We must create laws that will unite these Latinos across our nation. An attack upon Fear is the fuel for hatred and we have families. We must create laws that will bond their children is nothing short than an attack witnessed this throughout the ages. Fear has the ever growing face of Americans. We upon us, for their blood is our blood. destroyed both countries and families. One must create laws that will embrace the true only need look at history to see this. The principals of the original undocumented You attack those who wish to pursue a better decline of the great Roman Empire was due immigrants-the founding fathers of the life. You attack those who wish to feed their to the undermining of dignity and sanctity United States of America. We must create families. You attack those who contribute of family as the basis of human society. laws that will allow their families to become to the economic well being of our country. Yet today, there are those who seek to wage our families. You use words such as illegal to dehumanize a battle, against those who seek to bring and separate them into a common herd of a better life to their families. They seek to As with my father and dozens of my cousins beings that wish to tear apart the fabric of undermine the families of the undocumented and uncles, I served my country through our society. worker. Yet they do not see that these actions service in the military. Many of my cousins Your attacks upon these Latino’s shall unite all will have a direct affect upon our country and and uncles have died to defend our great Latino’s in our nation. And more importantly, its economics. Their anger, their hatred, and county. We have served our country with we shall not forget those who attacked our distinction, love and determination, because their fear will take us down a path that even we believe in the premise and foundation of children, families and communities. We shall the Roman Empire could not bring itself back this great country, that all men and women take this memory of attacks into the voting from. have the right to pursue and seek happiness, polls. This you can take to the bank. even the undocumented workers in our The decline and eventual destruction of the country. God Bless you and all families in this time greatest democracy the world has ever seen of strife. was not due to what language was spoken, America is a country of immigrants and we are al Pina, chair of fMcrc not because of what political party prevailed, ALL immigrants here not because of immigration problems or because somewhere because each roman citizen did not love their down the line our country enough. One of the reasons for its ancestors were ALL decline was the undermining of inhabitants, immigrants at one regardless of race, that destroyed the 500 time or another. year old Roman Empire and its ability to sustain itself economically. As we see in the premise of the All news is old news Arizona Immigration happening to new people, Law, today we have History repeats itself... those who wish to use fear of undocumented immigrants as a As in many times in history there are those mechanism to herd who reign in the majority that will build us into one collective portraits of fear for the masses to feed from. mind as if we They wish to bond into a collective thought were sheep. They of fear. It [fear] is a parasite which we must use “American or not allow to take root. Patriot” as their core

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W When I think of strong Latin women, I cannot help but think of Gloria Estefan! I can still clearly remember Gloria back in the 80’s when I was growing up her talent was only overshadowed by her incredible strength and courage when she had her horrible bus accident. With a career that spans decades, Gloria has not only paved roads for young aspiring Latino singers and song writers, but has also overcome tremendous challenges in life. Her roots are 90 miles away from where name/nombre: Of course, one of the gloria estefan: How she lives. But she also holds them very Gloria Marie Estefan biggest challenges much time do I have? close to her: in her heart. Gloria Estefan, a what is your in my life that most My family is my rock. profession: Singer/ people are familiar with We stand by each other pop music superstar both in English and in Songwriter was the paralyzing bus in “good times” and Spanish, has never forgotten the island she what is your Pais? accident in 1990. I “the not so good times.” came from. Cuban American had to learn, all over again, basic functions My mother is definitely Jolie gonzalez/latin in life that we take for the matriarch of our Gloria Estefan was born Gloria María times: What was the granted. Something family. .. she is an Milagrosa Fajardo García on September 1, determining factor in as simple as putting inspiration to everyone 1957 in Havana, Cuba. choosing your career? on your underwear was who meets her. She is Her maternal grandfather, Leonardo Garcia, gloria estefan: I like something that I could a living testament when to think that I didn’t no longer do for myself. immigrated to Cuba from Pola de Siero, choose my career … Prayer and positive we talk about someone who has overcome Asturias, Spain, where he married Gloria’s but rather it chose energy that I received obstacles in life. . . . maternal grandmother, originally from me. Growing up, from my family, my . My husband Emilio Logroño, Spain. I would never have friends and my fans has been in my life for imagined myself on from around the world over 33 years. My stage performing to is truly what inspired life partner who has Prior to the Cuban Revolution, Gloria’s massive audiences. I me to overcome the shared my dreams, my father was a Cuban soldier and a bodyguard was painfully shy and greatest challenge of fears, my successes cringed even at the to Cuban dictator, Fulgencio Batista. The thought of performing my life. Which was to and my failures. My simply put one foot in Fajardo family fled to Lafayette, Indiana as for my family and front of the other and two incredible “only” children, Nayib and a result of the Cuban Revolution, eventually friends in our living walk again. Not only Emily are the sole settling down in Miami, Florida. room, never mind on did I walk again... but purpose of my being. a world stage. My grandmother always one year and three They inspire me each months to the date of and every day. At the age 18, this music lover was invited believed that I had a gift that paralyzing accident to sing at a wedding with a local band called that I would share with after a lot of hard Jolie gonzalez/latin Miami Latin Boys. The gathering, in which the world. I always work and dedication I times: Who (here loved to sing, but never she would meet the group’s young leader, considered that it would performed on stage. It or departed) do you was a euphoric moment Emilio Estefan, would mark the beginning of be a career. that will forever be consider to be a Latino/ a radical change in her life. engrained in my mind. Hispanic role model for you, and why? It took my meeting gloria estefan: I had Today, Gloria is a very successful singer, Emilio to take a “hobby” Jolie gonzalez/latin many women in my of mine (singing) and songwriter and actress, and is in the top turn it into what it has times: How do you get life as I was growing past the tough days 100 best selling music artists with over now become. that life occasionally up that I consider role models. My mother’s 90 million albums sold worldwide. With a hands us all? mother (my abuela) was career that spans decades, Gloria has won Jolie gonzalez/latin gloria estefan: “fame” such a strong woman, or being a “celebrity” seven Grammy Awards and is considered times: What was the doesn’t shield you she supported me in biggest challenge you the most successful crossover performer in have encountered in from life’s everyday every way. . .and was a great inspiration. My Latin music to date. your life –and how have challenges. It doesn’t mother of course, as you overcome it? matter how much I’ve mentioned, is, and An icon for Latinos the world over, Gloria gloria estefan: I’ve money you have, or always will be one the how “famous” one experienced many has stayed true to her Latina roots. challenges throughout might be... we all face greatest role models I know. my life but I believe that challenging aspects To read more, please visit us online at: I’ve learned and grown in life. I wake up I had the great each morning and Latin-Times.com as a woman by each of am thankful for the fortune in my those experiences. As a child, I left Cuba with fortune of good health life to meet that I and my family my mother when I was experience. That’s the two. ‘cake’ ...the rest as they and work with We came to America say is ‘icing.’ After the Celia Cruz. Her and started a new life bus accident, I learned having left my father not to sweat the small music and her and our family behind. stuff. Be thankful for Many years later, when what life has given you spirit continue my father returned from and make the best of it. to inspire me. Vietnam, and was sick, That’s my mantra! it was a daily challenge I am proud to to care for him, until the Jolie gonzalez/latin end when the disease times: Please tell us have called her took his life. about your family ‘my friend.’

cover storycontinuación A friend, and they had a Troy resident’s business, what is your full name? A Road Paver and a leader, good marriage. They were Elder Automotive Group, a woman with so much Irma Elder married for 20 wonderful employs 400 people class and distinction, this what is your Pais? Mexico years and had 3 wonderful Latina makes you believe across the U.S.A. the face what is your profession? children together. of one of the area’s largest in dreams, and dares’ you CEO – Elder Automotive Group networks of automobile to believe in making them come true. Challenges? life story and business Devastated at losing her Obstables? Sure –they will always come, normally James Elder died in 1983. dealerships Irma Elder’s latin times: What was the biggest acumen have become best friend, Irma suddenly challenge you have encountered when you least expect found herself alone, with legendary. in your life –and how have you them, but nothing is a family to support, and a overcome it? impossible if you believe, Ford car dealership to run, “I love a challenge,” irma elder: I was very happily and Irma Elder is the the grieving widow found Irma confesses. “It’s married to my husband of 20 perfect example of that herself with a decision to fascinating. In the years. It was a fairy tale life. I philosophy! make, sell the struggling automobile business, there would have to say it was the death business and start over isn’t one day that’s like of my husband and best friend, I remember the first fresh, or take over the the other one. And that’s and also the death of my parents. time I met this beautiful reigns’ of the then-Troy very interesting in and of Those were both very difficult and classy woman, Mrs. Ford dealership. At the itself. I love taking care of times for me. When I lost my Irma Elder. It was some time of the tragedy, her the customers, and I love husband, I had to be strong for the children, for the business and 5 or 6 years ago, and children were in their working with our people.” for me, my life changed forever she had given a speech teens. Gathering her after that. at a luncheon I attended courage, Irma decided to These days, Elder divides sharing the story of her take over the dealership, her time between Oakland latin times: How do you get life I remember the entire becoming the first woman County, and a winter home past the tough days that life room was enthralled to own a Ford dealership in in Miami, Florida. occasionally hands us all? with her words, and I the Detroit area. Sons Tony and Robert irma elder: By taking it one day at remember that I cried. As mostly run the family a time, and having faith in God. I left the event, I was in Putting her best foot business, yet Elder says awe by her strength, her forward, Irma went on to she enjoys working too perseverance, and her make several key decisions much to stop. latin times: Please tell us about intelligence but more so and changes that would your family irma elder: They are very loving. by her complete honesty, pave the road to the “When the time I have three wonderful children, and how it encouraged me success she is today, 2 boys, and a daughter, plus 5 to know that with faith, starting with the simple comes for me to beautiful grandchildren, and I this amazing woman had renaming of her dealership retire, I want to have 3 sisters -4 girls all together, proven that there was to Elder Ford, followed be sure that (my and all of us are different, and I nothing that could not be by buying additional have an older brother. (I had 2 accomplished. automobile dealerships. sons) are able to more brothers that died) Most run things,” she of my family lives in the area of Afterward the luncheon, I With the Dec. 21, 2007, South Florida. ran into her outside while acquisition of Jaguar of said. “So I’ve been waiting for my car, and Novi, Elder Automotive now kind of stepping latin times: Who (here or introduced myself to her. has 11 dealerships selling back and letting departed) do you consider to be It would be years before the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, a Latino/Hispanic role model for I would speak with Irma Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston them run things. you, and why? again, now I am proud to Martin, Jeep and Saab But I’m not going irma elder: My mother, she was call Irma Elder a very good brands in Michigan and a very strong woman, and she amiga. Florida. to retire. And I taught me to have good strong don’t think they moral values, that I still carry with Irma was born in tiny It was difficult making the want me to retire.” me today. She also taught me Xicotencalt, Mexico, and transition from housewife determination and self discipline, raised in Ciudad Victoria. to business owner, but and to be a good person. Irma moved to Florida with Elder said she simply “did Today, Elder Automotive her family as a teenager what had to be done,” Group is a $700 million latin times: What is your favorite Latino dish? speaking little English. and she drew from her dollar company. irma elder: I love Mole! Recalling the journey to experience as a personal the United States, Irma assistant to a Miami auto latin times: What are some of remembers coming across dealer. your immediate goals? the border, and waiting “Also, I contend that you irma elder: To live my life as a for their train to pass so cannot be married to a good person, and to enjoy as they could cross to the man for 20 years and not much of it as I can. other side. In Miami, she know anything about his attended a St. Joseph’s business,” she said. As we wrapped up on our Catholic High School. interview, Irma and I took a It’s a decision that ensured moment to pray together thanking Irma would later marry the economic future of God for the opportunity to share James Elder. Irma her growing family and her story with you. confessed he was her best the community. Today the



cover storycontinuación While enjoying a cigar from his own collection, Carlos the tobacco family tradition. His heart was in the recounted the story of how his family started in the right place, but his father wanted him to have a Cigar industry. different life so he went off to college and graduated as a chemistry teacher in 1957. Unfortunately In the early 1800’s, there were many cigar soon thereafter the Cuban revolution took over and companies that prospered in the tobacco industry, the Medero’s family along with many other families Mederos Cigars was one of those companies. ended up working for Fidel Castro’s Cuba. Castro Unfortunately, due to the Cuban revolution a lot of put a big burden on these families but nothing was documentation was not available for research but the able to be done. family grew & sold tobacco. In 1962, Carlos Mederos was born and as a young In 1907, Jose Raul Mederos, the grandfather of child he would work alongside of his father and Carlos Mederos was born in a province known as grandfather in the cigar factory. As an educated Matanzas, Cuba. Matanzas, known as the Venice of young man, he is a musician at heart and was also Cuba for its picturesque bridges, is located on the being raised and educated in an art school becoming northern shore of Cuba. a guitar teacher. Carlos Mederos learned as much as he could from his grandfather and his family. In 1932, at the age of 25, Raul Mederos along with his three brothers, Luis, Gustavo, and Andres In 1983, The Medero’s family made it out of Cuba Merderos took over the family business and to the United Stated to start a new life and over started working in the tobacco fields. All four of the years, Carlos Mederos never forgot his family’s the Mederos brothers were college graduates, and tradition and passion. Knowing that returning to although they were very well educated men, they Matanzas Cuba was out of the question he decided returned home to the province of Matanzas to pursue to go to the next best place, Esteli Nicaragua. their passion. In 1939, Robert Mederos was born. (Father of In 2006, Carlos Mederos purchased his own tobacco Carlos Mederso) At a very early age, Robert started fields in Estil Nicaragua and started growing tobacco working in the fields and in the factory mastering and folding cigars. At last he was living and passion. what is your full name? Carlos Mederos Mederos, and since I am in the right environment what is your Pais? Cuba to keep up with the legacy of the family, that is what is your profession? Cigar Industry what I am doing. At this point, I decided to take this to the next level, and to push it forward, into Victor Padilla/latin times: Tell us about your the public’s eye, while sharing of our knowledge Family history and legacy? of rich culture and tradition of our cigars to make carlos Mederos: Well that is a long history; my Mederos famous in Florida, and in the United family comes from Cuba, a town called Matanzas. States. My great grandfather started making cigars since the 1800’s and those times were hard. Victor Padilla/latin times: Can you tell us about Hardships were always there but so was passion, some of your earliest memories of the families and he kept on. cigar factory? carlos Mederos: Actually, I was talking to one He had five sons, my grandfather, and my of my family’s oldest relatives, she passed away grandfather’s brothers, Louis, Gustavo; the recently, she mentioned things I didn’t know other two brothers worked in the factory as well. about, “You were born in the Factory”, she said, They developed a unique way to make cigars in and of course, I didn’t know that! town and they got popular there. After that as everybody knows Cuba got into that situation with The Factory was at my Grandfather’s house. When Fidel. Everything was turned around and was my mom got married she went to live there. It was confiscated, but they kept on making cigars. After the first place I lived. So I remember helping out that I left Cuba and in 2006 I went to Nicaragua, at the age of seven. My mother would take me to which is a great spot, where many Cuban seeds the big factory. I would look for my grandfather have been grown and now we are seeing the among the ocean of people making cigars. I fruits of it coming up. It is hard but it takes a lot would get lost in there. It was so full of life, and passion and tenacity. everyone was yelling, “Raul your grandson’s here!” Then I would find him and he would talk to me Victor Padilla/latin times: Tell us who is Carlos while he was rolling cigars. Watching him roll it Mederos and Mederos Cigars? was amazing, and those are some of my greatest carlos Mederos: I am the latest generation of memories of my childhood.

cover storyfinal Victor Padilla/latin times: friends which was Frank Arnessa worked with us for years, but his Please tell us about the Oliva who recently died after his 90th father worked for us, his whole Tobacco Company Family History birthday and with him was family worked with us from Cuba. and how it was started? Tino Gonzalez who walked here We want people who will sustain John oliva sr: Oliva Tobacco every single day from his house. the business, and that includes Company was formed by my Tino’s whole life was spent in them. They have to work. We father Angel Oliva in 1934. He that house, his daughter lived don’t have any plans to close came to the US in 1925 and behind him, and his grandson down. We’re not going to let the worked with Johnson Tobacco. is Tino Martinez the ball player. government close us down. We’re Then, in 1934 he started the Everything here we are very going to fight for the right to be Oliva Tobacco Company together proud of, our heritage is here in able to do what we have been with my uncles he brought over Tampa. doing for 75 years, as long as we from Cuba, Marcelino, his older can take a breath. brother, and Martin his younger Victor Padilla/latin times: brother who is now 76 years old. What are your future plans for Victor Padilla/latin times: Who the Oliva tobacco company and in your lifetime has been a great Victor Padilla/latin times: what is in your heart for the example to you dead or alive? Please tell the people of your future? John oliva sr: My father. Hometown and about your John oliva sr: I have my son and That’s a no brainer. passion for the Hispanic/Latino my nephew, my brother is with heritage and history of Tampa? me, he is older than I am. Our Sometimes I realized John oliva sr: I was born about future is my son and my nephew it and sometimes I 3 blocks from here. The house it’s really up to them, my plan is didn’t. But I still think has been in the family for a long for them to take this thing over if of him every day. I time. My Dad bought the house they want it, if not, I really don’t across the Columbus Drive know, I have no desire to retire can tell you this, he Bridge on the river. Then my aunt all the way but I can tell you right died and for about 4 and uncle bought the house and now, I don’t work anymore the or 5 months I kept my aunt still lives there. This is way my dad and I worked when West Tampa we’re a block away he was around. It’s up to them. walking into his office from Lou Panella baseball Park. The future of the Oliva Tobacco to ask him an opinion. This building we’re in was the Company doesn’t lie with me it’s You don’t realize the Garcia y Vega building which up to the other individuals here. influence people have we bought from General Cigar. By surrounding themselves with The other cigar factory my dad people who are capable, like on you until they are owned was a Ball factory and Gustavo Curra, not only has he not around. today it belongs to the Scientologists. The heritage for me here, in this city is rich both in West Tampa and YBOR City even though the original offices were in Ybor City. We moved here about 10 or15 years ago. We still own the building in Ybor city, on as a matter of fact, Angel Oliva Sr. Street. To honor my dad, they changed the name of 18th street, from highway 60 all the way to the interstate to Angel Oliva Sr. Street. We are very, very proud of our heritage. The building we have in Ybor City was built in 1890. I’m told it is the Oldest Wooden Cigar factory in the United States. It has the Cigar museum behind it, casita’s historic museum next to it and we have been trying to get the city or state, federal government, whatever, to buy the Building and make that whole block a historical area. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. It is not occupied. This building we have a very sentimental attachment to. It belonged to Garcia y Vega, which was one of our biggest customers and one of best