Happy 100th anniversary to the Oreo cookie!

     There’s nothing more delicious, or more peculiar than an Oreo. For starters, how in the world are you supposed to eat the thing? Do you bite right into the middle of the cookie or do you twist it and lick the crèam first? 

     The Oreo was created 100 years ago at a Nabisco factory in New York City. And honestly, not all that much as changed. The chocolate wafers still feature twelve flowers surrounding the Nabisco logo. The Oreo is 29 percent cream, 71 percent cookie. And more than 345 billion wafers later, it is still the nation’s favorite cookie. 

     According to Fox Business Network, the Oreo's owner, Kraft Foods, says the cookie brings in $2 billion a year in sales from around the world. Oreos are sold in 100 different countries and are most popular here in the U.S., followed by China and Venezuela.

-Todd Starnes

Published March 06, 2012| FoxNews.com

US/Colombia relations made dirty over $47 argument

     President Obama’s trip to Colombia to a pan-American summit meeting may have been successful, except that members of the U.S. Secret Service and Military behaved like “ugly American tourists” before his visit.  Secret Service agents are responsible for protecting the President.  They arrived in Cartagena a week early to make security plans. They went drinking at the “Pley Club,” reportedly talked loudly about “working for Obama” and brought 21 prostitutes back to the Caribe Hotel. 

     The evening ended with a hostile argument when an agent refused to pay $47 to one of the prostitutes.  Obama blasted the agents, saying: “We are representing the people of the United States, and when we travel to another country, I expect us to observe the highest standards.”  11 agents and 10

U.S. Military personnel are being investigated in the incident.

-Daily Mail Reporter

1,000 at annual Immigrants Day

     Approximately 1,000 people came to the 16th annual Immigrants Day at the State House in Boston on Monday April 12th. 

     “Together, our voices are stronger than they are alone,” said Veronica Turner-Biggs, Executive Vice-President of the largest union in Massachusetts. “You are what keeps the Commonwealth working. And our legislators need to know that they cannot take your vote for granted. Brothers and sisters, we are the New America — and a new America that votes.”

     Other speakers included MC Cheryl Clyburn Crawford, of MassVote, and State Senator Sal DiDomenico, who spoke of his grandfather’s immigrant history, and State Treasurer Steve Grossman, who said, “the story of immigrant entrepreneurship is the story of Massachusetts’ success.” Three immigrants shared their stories.  Seema spoke about her recovery from domestic violence. Manny Reynoso talked about the importance of English classes for immigrants. Nicole Sammarco spoke about becoming a citizen.

-Ric Oliveria, Community News

Hundreds of Tornados rip through the U.S.

The stories from tornado survivors across the U.S. South and Midwest are incredible: schoolchildren took cover under desks, people escaped death in church basements and bank vaults. One of the saddest stories was of a three-year old girl found alone in a field near her Indiana home. Her four immediate family members were among at least 36 people killed by tornadoes that destroyed communities across Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana and Alabama.

Jim Suhr Bruce Schreiner AP

This telenovela may save your life

…Alicia's entire life has been building to this heart-breaking moment at the breakfast table. She finally realizes that the colon cancer will take everything ... everything…her successful psychiatric practice, a comfortable home, and....her new romance with Don Juancho.

     "Encrucijada: Sin Salud No Hay Nada," the title of this American Spanish language telenovela says it all: "Crossroads: Without Health, There Is Nothing."   On “Encrucijada,” Alicia's dramatic past and horrible future are mixed with education about the importance of visiting the doctor regularly, catching cancer early and planning for end-of-life care. The TV program dramatizes everything from diabetes and melanoma to dental care.  Each story delivers public health messages to a Latino audience.                   

       As a group, Latinos remain one of the nation's most uninsured, and -- increasingly -- unhealthy segments of the population.  “Encrucijada” gets positive health information out to millions of Latinos.

      According to Dr. Michael Rodriguez, professor of medicine at UCLA, "These telenovelas are happening every day, so there's an opportunity to have numerous messages heard frequently, by different players, over a period of time." And that, he said, "translates into behavior changes."

-Jason Kane  PBS

Body found in Reservoir

      For weeks, dozens of Bostonians have held a vigil for a 21-year-old Boston College student Franco Garcia who went to a bar with some friends and then disappeared.  Now police say divers may have found the chemistry student in a reservoir near the college. The Chestnut Hill Reservoir had been searched several times since García disappeared but divers didn’t find his body. Authorities have not performed an autopsy, but say the body fits García’s description, and it was wearing the same clothing García was wearing the night he disappeared, police told The Boston Globe. García disappeared Feb. 22 after leaving a bar popular with college students.

      The reservoir is between the neighborhood the bar is in and the Boston College campus, where García planned to stay in a friend's dorm the night he went missing.

    García, who played clarinet in the school's symphony band, was "a wonderful kid," his mother, Luzmila García, told the AP. Speaking through tears, she said she couldn't comment further and wanted only to be with family.  Authorities have not yet said whether they suspect foul play.

       García had gone to the college hangout Mary Ann's with friends from Boston College's Symphonic Band but spent part of the night with friends from high school he met inside. At closing time, his college friends couldn't find him. Police got involved a day later, when his parents returned in a panic from a vacation to New York City after not being able to reach him. His Volvo station wagon was parked where he left it, his clarinet inside. There was no new activity on his credit card and no one had used his cellphone.

      García lived at home in Newton with his parents, Luzmila and José, who emigrated more than two decades ago from Lima, Peru, where worried relatives have been following the case. In addition to taking classes, he worked full-time as a pharmacy technician at CVS.

-Associated Press

Fenway Park turns 100!

     Boston’s Fenway Park opened in 1912 with the Red Sox vs the New York Highlanders.  Fenway is the oldest Major League ball park in the country.  Many classic ball parks were destroyed to make new bigger stadiums.  In 1999, the Red Sox owners wanted to destroy it, but fans, community groups, and local politicians successfully saved Fenway Park.  Every game has been sold-out since May 15^th 2003.

Border Crossing Past

      This starts like many immigrant stories.   Miles and his family worked hard to have a good life, but were threatened by religious discrimination.  In desperation, Miles made the difficult choice to leave and start a new life in another country.  They crossed the border and made a new home in a different land.  He and his family had to learn a new language and a new culture.  It was not easy.  They were outsiders.  They built a community of people who shared the same past. They worked and built their own church. Miles applied for citizenship for his family, but was not accepted. 

       His family grew.  His grandson George was born in this new country.  Time passed, politics changed and this new home was no longer safe for them.  They moved back to their native country to try again.  The family was divided between two countries and became successful in both worlds.  What makes this story unusual is that it is about Miles Romney, an Anglo Mormon who immigrated to Mexico from the United States and then returned.  His grandson George Romney was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and crossed the border as a child to live in the US.  He went to college, became the head of American Motors and Governor of the State of Michigan. George Romney’s son is Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate for President. 

        With a border crossing family, why isn’t Mitt Romney more popular with Latinos?   Perhaps it is some of the things he said early in his race to become President.  When arguing against in-state college tuition for undocumented children who grew up in the US. He said "Illegal immigrants are takers. They take advantage of in-state tuition rates. They take spots in university campuses that should go to U.S. citizens. They take, take, and take some more."  Romney opposes the Dream Act and wants to make it much harder for undocumented workers to earn money so that they will “self-deport” from the US.

Bachata Rueda born in Boston

     Bachata Rueda is dancing across the United States. Bachata Rueda is a dance style created by Seemore Johnson and Cristina Pujo from Boston. Their Latin dance company is called “Hips on Fire”. They created the first Rueda de Bachata.  It’s a type of group dancing like Rueda with Bachata moves and Bachata music. They are now performing and teaching dance in Miami.  They have successfully   put Boston on the Latin dance map.  Bachata dance was born in Santo Domingo, Rueda de Casino Salsa dance was born in Havana.  Like the Red Sox and the American Revolution, Rueda Bachata was born from mixed cultures in Boston.

Please share your dancing experience?

Latina writer on domestic violence

     Sandra Guzman is the Former Latina Magazine editor-in-chief and author of The New Latina Bible.  Her book is about: dating, health, succeeding professionally, managing friendships and other things.  In an interview with Isarema Romero of Latina Magazine she was asked about her personal experience with domestic violence.

     “The experience helped me understand what women who are in a situation where there is verbal and physical violence are going through – to understand the embarrassment and the shame of it.  It was easier for me to understand what woman experience, and why they stay longer than they should. It’s about what’s happening inside their hearts and souls. I was very embarrassed for a long time. In fact, I write about (going to party) with a black eye and I was wearing a crazy patch on my eye. When I understood it had nothing to do with me, that is when I began to feel more empowered. The only thing it had to do with, is allowing myself to be in that position, and my vowing never to be in that position again. It is about self-love. Most of the violence that takes place in relationships is not physical. The extreme texting, “Where are you? Who are you with?” But, this is the truth and the fact of life for many young people. Eighty percent of the abuse that happens in relationships is verbal. We have to stop. Mujeres can be machistas too. This is a collective issue that we have to look at together, and work out together”.  

What do you think of her advice?

Live Healthy!

Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate or in your cup or bowl. Foods like vegetables, fruits, whole granins, low-fat dairy products, and lean (low-fat) protein foods contain the nutrients you need without too many calories. Try some of these:

- Half your plate should be fruits and vegetables.      
                                        

-Switch to skim or 1% milk.          
         

-Eat more whole grain rice and bread.      
          

-Mix your protein food choices.

Decrease foods high in solid fats, added sugars, and salt.  Many people eat foods with too many solid fats, added sugars, and salt (sodium). Added sugars and fats load foods with extra calories you don't need. Too much sodium may increase your blood pressure.

-Choose foods and drinks with little or no added sugars.    

- Look out for salt in foods you buy.         

-Avoid foods that are high in solid fats.

Eat the right amount of calories for you. Everyone has a personal calorie limit. People who are successful at managing their weight make a list of how much they eat, and what they eat.

- Enjoy your food, but eat less.       
                                                                          
- Cook at home, so you know what's in your food.     

- Write down what you eat and how much you eat.       

-Limit alcohol to 1 drink a day for women or to 2 drinks a day for men.

Be physically active your way Pick activities that you like and start by doing what you can, at least 10 minutes at a time. Every bit adds up, and the health benefits increase as you spend more time being active.

Note to parents: What you eat and drink and your level of physical activity are important for your own health, and also for your children's health. Your children pay attention to what you do more than what you say. You can do a lot to help your children develop healthy habits for life by providing and eating healthy meals and snacks. For example, don't just tell your children to eat their vegetables - show them that you eat and enjoy vegetables every day.

What will you do to eat healthy?

Iraheta joins silent protest against hate

     Teenage pop idol Allison Iraheta joins the “NOH8” (no hate) protest.   NOH8 is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley against Proposition H8 which made gay marriage illegal in California. They have taken thousands of photos of famous people with duct tape over their mouths, to show that their political voices are silenced by the unfair laws. 
     Allison Iraheta was born in Glendale, California.  Her parents came from El Salvador to the United States before she was born.  According to her family, she has been singing since she was a toddler. In 2007, Iraheta won the reality show, Telemundo’s “Quinceanera: Mama Quiero Ser Artista”.  Next, Iraheta came in 4^th place in the 2009 American Idol competition.  She has performed internationally and been a guest on the Tonight Show and the Ellen Degeneres Show. 

Have you heard of Allison Iraheta?

Super Heroes battle the MBTA

     An MBTA Finance Committee meeting was disrupted by “The Fast Five” superheroes.  The heroes took control of the meeting and transformed it into a “People’s Board” meeting.  They passed resolutions to protect all people who need public transit, a refusal to increase fares and cut services, and a discount for youths and seniors.

     “Thousands of riders have spoken against fare hikes and service cuts, yet the board, governor and Legislature have refused to take this burden off riders,” said one of the Heroes. “It’s time for us, as riders and superheroes, to step in and pass immediate solutions to save the T.  There’s still time for our officials and elected representatives to become heroes and save the T.”  Activist organization Alternatives for Community & Environment of Roxbury, has created the five “superheroes” to call attention to injustice of the MBTA’s budget plan.

Do you think these activists will be successful or are they ridiculous?

-Kasey Hariman, Back Bay Patch

Supreme Court hears arguments on health care law

Is President Obama’s health care reform law constitutional?  The Supreme Court has heard legal arguments and will make a decision in June.  The plan requires all Americans to be insured.  It will become illegal to not have health insurance. The defenders of the law say that in order to keep healthcare insurance affordable, all people, including (low-risk) young and healthy people need to pay, especially because they never know when they may become ill or get in an accident.  Currently, hospitals must provide emergency service to everyone, even if they don’t have insurance and the cost of providing service to the uninsured has been paid by the insured.  The biggest question the Supreme Court must decide is: Can the government force citizens to buy a private product (health insurance)?  

Fair or unfair? What’s your argument?

The trouble with 'stand your ground' law

     Trayvon Martin, a seventeen- year-old from Miami Gardens with no criminal history, was visiting family when he was killed. He was walking back from a convenience store carrying nothing more than iced tea and Skittles when George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer armed with a 9mm gun, called police to report someone suspicious in the private community. Police warned Zimmerman not to follow the teenager — advice he ignored. What happened next was a confrontation, a fight, yells for help and a gunshot.

     Zimmerman is claiming self-defense after shooting and killing Martin. Zimmerman was not arrested or immediately investigated because of Florida’s "stand your ground" law. The Florida Legislature passed the law in 2005. The law allows a person to fight back (and kill) if they feel they are in danger, even if they can get away. The problem in this event and many others in Florida is that there were only two people who knew what really happened. One of them is dead and the other one says he had to shoot because his life was in danger. 20 states have passed similar “Stand your ground” laws. People who argue against the law call it a “Shoot first” law and say that it’s a defense lawyer’s dream.

What’s your opinion? Do you think “stand your ground” laws make the community a safer place or a more dangerous place?

-Tampa Bay Times Editorial