La Voz del Paseo Boricua “Live and a publication of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center Help to Live” 2739-41 W. Division • 773.342-8023 • www.prcc-chgo.org In Celebration of Doña Consuelo DSBDA & NNNN Lee Corretjer Centennial Affordable First-Time

Upcoming Event Puerto Rican Cultural Center Hosts Event Home Buyer’s List Business Development Association (DSBDA) The Puerto Rican Cultural Center will cel- and the Near Northwest Neighborhood Network (NNNN) ebrate the centennial of Puerto Rican are currently accepting names of individuals who are poet, pianist and visionary leader Con- searching to purchase affordable homes in the Humboldt suelo Lee Corretjer on Sunday, March 28 Park Area. NNNN will begin the pre-qualifi cation process at 2pm at 2739-41 W. Division with the for interested individuals. following activities. If you are interested and/or are not sure if you qualify for The program consists unveiling a mural an affordable unit call NNNN at (773) 489-0383 and ask of the poet inside the Consuelo Lee Cor- for Carlos Colón, or DSBDA at (773) 782-0454. retjer Childcare Center, a performance by the children, food, and poetry read- ings. Furthermore, the celebration in- cludes an open house of the Andres DSBDA Supports SB 1498 Figueroa Cordero Library and Com- Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan has introduced munity Information and Technology State Senate Bill 1498, the Neighborhood Preservation Center. Homeowner Exemption, and Cook County Commis- sioner Roberto Maldonado held a press conference to Doña Consuelo’s “Alfabeto Patriotico” support the Assessor’s effort. The bill would cap property will be on sale. “Alfabeto Patriotico” is a tax assessments at 7% per year with a maximum reassess- coloring book developed by Consuelo ment at 21% every three years. Lee Corretjer to teach literacy to Puerto Rican workers in the form of poetry. It is Currently Humboldt Park and West Town average be- illustrated by the Puerto Rican patriot Oscar López Rivera. tween a 70%- 150% increase in property assessment. DSBDA supports SB 1498 to help alleviate the burden of rising property taxes. DSBDA has testifi ed before several DSBDA Welcomes State committees in support of Bill SB 498. If you are interested in more information on SB 498 con- “CTA Connects” to Paseo Boricua tact Cook County Assessor at (312) 603-3196 or visit them on the web at www.cookcountyassessor.com for this DSBDA assisted the CTA with the fi lming public transportation. The and other property exemptions. of their upcoming show of “CTA Con- show featuring Paseo Boricua will air the nects.” The show highlights Chicago month of May on Chicago municipal TV, tourist destinations and sights using channel 23. Humboldt Park’s Very Own Film “BORICUA” Coco’s Restaurant on Paseo Boricua selected for Tribeca Film Festival Newly Opened Restaurant Features Fusion of Puerto Rican Cuisine Chicago’s Puerto Rican community is elated Since mid-February, José Allende and Enrique Salgado Jr., Executive Director of that Humboldt Park’s own Puerto Rican fi lm- Xavier Nogueras have been serving their DSBDA said: “We are excited to see the maker, Marisol Torres’ movie “Boricua” was selected by prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in customers a new Puerto Rican cuisine in opening of Coco. José and Xavier have . The fi lm will be shown: their recently opened upscale Coco’s Res- taken great risks and we are confi dent this taurant at 2723 W. Division. Coco adds a community will respond.” Tribeca Film festival (NYC) new dimension to both Paseo Boricua and *tickets go on sale April 24th to Puerto Rican cooking. It is a beautifully To savor the latest development in Puerto screening days & times decorated, creatively furnished addition Rican gourmet cooking call 773.384.3811. May 5th • 9:30pm May 6th • 4pm May 8th • 6pm to the culturally accented Puerto Rican Coco is open Tues–Friday: 4pm to 12am, commercial strip which Paseo Boricua has Sat: 1pm-12am, Sun: 1pm-10pm. A special showing of the fi lm is being become. organized by Alderman Billy Ocasio for the community. On Paseo Boricua– Everything You Want and Need! PRFAA Sponsors Women of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center Boston Puerto Rican Celebrate International Women’s Day The Women of the Puerto Rican and colonialism, as well as a mo- Community Leaders Cultural Center helped organize bilization on International Women’s a series of events in commemo- Day, March 8 in Chicago’s down- Tour of Paseo Boricua ration of International Women’s town. These events were co-spon- Day, which included an all-day sored by other groups including, On Saturday, February 7, the the community, as well as a forum on how militarization im- National Boricua Human Rights Midwest Puerto Rican Fed- luncheon hosted by Banco pacts women around the world, Network and Prairie Fire Organiz- eral Affairs Administration Popular at La Bruquena Res- a breakfast discussion on women ing Committee. (PRFAA), headed by Maddi taurant. Elga Amill, sponsored a tour of Paseo Boricua by a group The Boston visit ended with of Boston-based Puerto Ri- the participants attending a Humboldt Park Participatory can community leaders. The forum by Professor René An- program included a presen- trop-Gonzalez on his recently Democracy Project tation by the Puerto Rican published article in Centro One of the many innovative pro- nomic, and political development Agenda at Coco’s Restau- Journal about the Pedro Albi- grams being developed in our of our community and to prevent rant, with special messages zu Campos Alternative High community is the Humboldt Park its displacement. We seek to do from Alderman Ocasio and School, entitled “This School is Participatory Democracy Project. this through active participation in Commissioner Maldonado, my Sanctuary.” It just may be that you are one of community-building efforts. As a preceded by a trolley tour of the hundreds of residents who have community, we must determine our been visited by the project’s volun- future by building on our collective teers over the last two months. assets, talents, and aspirations.”

As a collaborative effort between Expanding the notion of democra- Centro Sin Fronteras Holds the Puerto Rican Agenda, the Puer- cy to include much more than vot- to Rican Cultural Center and the ing, together, the project believes, Pilgrimage to Springfield 26th Ward Organization, the project we can confront all the problems consists of a series of weekly com- and challenges facing our commu- Support of Drivers Licenses for munity-organizing workshops and nity. This view stems from the idea door knocking visits within seven that as one of the project’s partici- the Undocumented and for Expungement 26th Ward precincts located roughly pants put it, “It is ultimately our re- between California and Western sponsibility to build community and Centro Sin Fronteras, a Mexi- Emma Lozano, director of and Hirsch and Thomas. struggle for a better day.” can community-based orga- Centro Sin Fronteras, stated “It nization which has struggled is time for State Legislators to According to its’ brochure, “Our For info: 773.394.5206 for the rights of undocument- give undocumented workers, mission is to ensure the social, eco- ed immigrants for many years, many who already drive be- held a pilgrimage on Wednes- cause of their work situation, Need an apartment? Do you know anyone under 21 in need day, March 24 which included licenses in the State of Illinois. Want to buy property? of a high school diploma? Interested in opening a business? a 2-mile walk to the State We called for this pilgrimage ¿Conoce a un joven que no ha Capital to demand a bill that in order to bring together two ¿Necesita un apartamento? cumplido los 21 años y no se ha ¿Quiere comprar una casa? graduado de escuela secundaria? will grant drivers licenses to un- burning issues which affect the ¿Interesa abrir un negocio? Call/ Llame Lourdes Lugo- documented workers, as well Latino and African-American Call/ Llame Enrique Salgado—Division Street Dr. Puerto Rican High School as to demand the reform of communities.” Business Development Association-DSBDA (773.342.8022 • 2739-41 W. Division) (733.782.0454 • 2649 W. Division) the State’s criminal justice sys- Are you looking for after tem through expungement. Questions about property taxes? school activities? ¿Preguntas o problemas con los Do you write rhymes? poetry? impuestos de su propiedad? Need a tutoring program? Puerto Rican Arts Alliance Call/ Llame Commissioner Roberto Maldonado ¿Esta interesado en actividades después de la NNNN (773.395.0143 • 2615 W. Division) escuela? ¿Escribe versos y poesía? Presentation on: ¿Esta interesado en un programa tutoría? Are you a young mother Call/ Llame Café Teatro Batey Urbano Job Fair or father under 21 who wants (773.394.5206 • 2647 W. Division) Taíno Culture a high school diploma? Do you need garbage pick-up? Today, Saturday, March 27, ¿Eres una madre o un padre soltero que aún no ha cumplido los 21 años Do you have a rodent problem? by Dr. Curet NNNN and Alderman Billy y necesita el diploma de ¿Tiene problemas con la recolección de Ocasio will be sponsoring escuela superior? basura o problemas con los roedores? On Sunday, March 21, Dr. a job fair at the Humboldt Call/ Llame Marisol Morales-Family Learning Center Call/ Llame 26th Ward Streets and Sanitation (773.342.0809 • 2636 W. Division) Antonio Curet from the Field Park Field House. Gathering (312.744.4558 • 2460 W. Cortland) together over 40 different Museum gave an insightful Do you need help with gas Need child-care for and provocative presenta- employers, the job fair will and electric bills? children ages 2-5? tion on the Taino Indians of be taking applications and ¿Necesita ayuda con su cuenta de ¿Necesita ayuda con el cuido de sus niños entre and Caribbean. answering questions about calefacción o de electricidad? las edades de 2 a 5 años? employment. This is another Call/ Llame United for Action-PRUA Call/ Llame Xóchitl Ramírez This event was sponsored by (773.235.5274 • 2606 W. Division) the Puerto Rican Arts Alli- example of this community (773.342.8023 • 2739-41 W. Division) Call/ Llame Viva Family ance and drew a crowd that working together to build a Do you need information about HIV/AIDS or other (773.252.8313 • 2516 W. Division) filled the Mariano Del Valle better tomorrow. sexually transmitted diseases? Lounge of the Puerto Rican ¿Necesita información acerca de Do you need free testing on HIV/AIDS or pregnancy? Cultural Center. A lively dis- For more information about VIH/SIDA o enfermedades transmitidas sexualmente (ETS)? cussion ensued following the upcoming job fairs and em- ¿Necesitas un examen gratis dE Call/ Llame John Colón -VidaSIDA VIH o embarazo? presentation. ployment information con- (773.235.2909 • 2703 W. Division) Call/ Llame Miguel Morales-Vida Health Center tact: NNNN at 773.489.0383. (773.235.2909 • 1112 N. California) Ald. Ocasio’s Proposal Wins Broad-based Support for Referendum on Election President of Puerto Rican Parade Despite the underhanded maneuvers by Senator Miguel Del Valle, Commissioner that of Leoncio Vasquez who walked out a few anti-democratic elements– who are Maldonado, and Congressman Luis Gutíer- of the meeting. He had been involved in clearly allied with reactionary forces in rez– Alderman Billy Ocasio proposed that an attempt to highjack this process through Puerto Rico– the Puerto Rican community a referendum be held in the Puerto Rican the use of the now moribund Puerto Rican came together to agree on a referendum community by which the President of the Consortium. to determine the selection process of future Puerto Rican Parade would be selected presidents of the Puerto Rican Parade Com- by a panel of long-standing Puerto Rican The President of the Puerto Rican Parade, mittee. organizations with 501-C3 (not-for-profit) Efrain Malave, welcomed the proposal and status; and that said body would act as the committed himself to making it a reality. This decision was made on Saturday, March fiduciary agent of the Parade. The commu- 13 at a legislative breakfast which was held nity will be asked to vote for or against this It is the above type of unity which our com- at the Puerto Rican Parade headquarter. proposal. munity needs and merits. Congratulations Expressing the views of many elected of- are in order for Alderman Ocasio and Efrain ficial– including Alderman Ray Suarez, The only dissenting voice appeared to be Malave! DePaul University Puerto Rican Cultural Center and IPRAC sponsored Community Service Course Slide Lecture by Miguel Luciano & Taina Caragol To Be Taught on Paseo Boricua The Puerto Rican Cultural Center and IP- between Puerto Rican and American RAC, sponsored a slide lecture by visiting cultures, are the principal terrain of ex- Professor Howard Rosing will be holding artist Miguel Luciano, and Puerto Rican ploration. His paintings, videos and instal- his class “Perspectives on Community art critic Taina Caragol at the Mariano Del lations present a variety of Puerto Rican Service” at the Puerto Rican Cultural Valle Lounge at 2741 W. Division, Thursday, stereotypes that expose racist traditions Center every Tuesday beginning March March 25. within our historic representations, includ- 30, 6pm at 2739-41 W. Division. This class ing those representations we ourselves focuses on community service and the Taina Caragol wrote in “On the Razor’s continue to perpetuate. Social, racial and students will perform internships and Edge” the following about Miguel Lucia- sexual prejudices are revealed beneath practicums on Paseo Boricua. Welcome no’s work: “For Luciano, the deconstruc- the mask of political power that outlines to Paseo Boricua! tion of Puerto Rico’s colonial history, as the relationship between oppressors and well as the problematization of the space oppressed.”

Batey Tech Tutoring Program: Spring 2004 One of several initiatives that help define Café Teatro Batey Urbano, is the Batey Technology Program (Batey Tech). This Batey Urbano Continues to Expand program has been created in an effort to fine-tune the academic Batey Urbano and HPEP Youth Action and technological tools of Team Hosts Visits to Paseo Boricua our youth, while at the same time allowing for a generation “I am amazed,” proclaimed a stu- stabilize and strengthen the Puerto to grow as successful critical dent from Michigan State University Rican community in Humboldt Park. thinkers. upon participating in a recent tour Students seemed to draw much of Paseo Boricua. This tour begin- inspiration from the historic work Our program, with college ning at Batey Urbano (2647 W. taking place here, and several stu- preparation workshops, tutor- Division), highlighted many of the dents indicated a desire to return to ing and leadership develop- grassroots community organiza- Paseo Boricua. ment, provides the space for tions, Puerto Rican restaurants and students to complete their Although our main focus of businesses that anchor Paseo Bo- Batey Urbano, collaborating with schoolwork in an educational tutoring is with Don Pedro Al- ricua. A similar tour was given a few the NNNN/HPEP Youth Action Team, environment. Every Tuesday, bizu Campos Alternative High weeks ago to a group of 60 African- continues to service our commu- Wednesday, Thursday and School on Paseo Boricua, we American and Latino students from nity by hosting three nights of ex- Friday from 3pm-to-7pm, stu- invite other students in the Chi- Gwendolyn Brooks High School, on pression; coordinating Batey Tech, dents can come into the Batey cago area to come to our pro- Chicago’s far Southside. a after-school tutoring program; Urbano and study. Also, if any gram. Upon entering, one of developed and facilitating a Youth student has trouble with a spe- the Batey Collective members Students from both groups were as- Collective, which is comprised of cific subject, we have college will sit down with each student tonished with the level of commu- Latino youth who organize events or upper-level high school stu- and develop a schedule that nity organization, specifically all the and develop their leadership dents that are tutors. the student can work from. plans and initiatives intending to through skill-building workshops. CONTACT: Batey Urbano @ 773.394-5206 or [email protected] Puerto Rican Agenda Health Committee and Ald. Ocasio Sponsor City Council Committee Meeting on Health Inequities Study

The Puerto Rican Agenda Health sociation House, Eliud Medina, Committee and Alderman Ocasio Executive Director of NNNN, Dr. held an unprecedented hearing Greenspan, CEO of Mount Sinai, of two City Council Committees– and John Colón, Project Director Human Relations and Health Com- of Vida/SIDA, among others. mittee– on Tuesday, March 9 at the Association House. The Hear- More than a hundred people filled ing focused on a newly released the hall to hear the startling health report by Mount Sinai Hospital, statistics facing Humboldt Park conducted by Dr. Steve Whitman and Puerto Rican community. In detailing various health inequities response, the Puerto Rican Agen- At Ruiz Belvis: in Chicago. da presented a community initia- tive entitled, “Creating a Commu- Many experts, clients, and com- nity of Wellness.” Community and Artists munity leaders testified including Dr. Madeline Vargas, Dean of the The Hearing received coverage Join in Fundraiser for Humboldt Park Vocational Center, on Channel 44, HOY, the Lawn- Dr. Scrimshaw, Dean of the UIC dale News, the Chicago Tribune, School of Public Health, Miguel and Extra Newspaper. Poet Palacio, Associate Director of As- More than 100 people, in- Friends, artists and activists cluding many of our commu- came together to help de- nity’s artists, gathered at the fray the cost of his alternative Cultural medical therapy. Unfortu- Fundraiser for Center (1632 N. Milwaukee) nately, two days after, Pedro on February 29, 2004 to cel- Pietri died from complications Family Learning Center ebrate the life and poetry of en route to New York from Saturday April 3 • 6pm • $25-30 donation Pedro Pietri. Mexico. A huge funeral and Defenders of the Faith Church 2421 W. Division commemorative service was Often referred to as a “Nuy- held in New York City on Sun- One of FLC students, Reyna Torres, will be hosting orican poet,” Pedro Pietri’s day, March 7. The benefit in a fundraiser for the Family Learning Center. The FLC poem “Puerto Rican Obitu- Chicago raised nearly $3,000, provides educational services leading to a high school ary” is considered the epic which was sent to his family. diploma for young single mothers and fathers. poem of the Puerto Rican Diaspora. ¡Hasta Siempre Pedro Pietri! For info call: 773-342-0809 IPRAC Hosts Major Cultural Events in the Community The Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture has been very busy since the New Year.

Competition for IPRAC logo During the last few months IPRAC has sponsored a series of competitions for area artists to sub- mit renditions for its logo. Many Puerto Rican artists have actively participated in this process.

Julia de Burgos Celebration IPRAC sponsored a poetry reading on February 22 at La Bruquena (2726 W. Division) in celebra- tion of ’s birthday. Puerto Rican poet, Johanny Vazquez served as MC and may people read Burgos’ poetry or from their own creations. The well attended event was a fine tribute to the life, struggle, and poetry of Julia de Burgos, the great Puerto Rican writer.

La Mano Poderosa Racetrack Exhibit On March 26, IPRAC will open a new exhibit at Galería Tinta Roja at 2701 W. Division from 6-9pm. The exhibit consists of an interactive program and a sculpture installation that combines Puerto Rican folklore with consumer fantasy by visiting artist Miguel Luciano.

Film Screening: “Bala Perdida” IPRAC will be holding a fundraiser during the Latino Chicago Film Festival at the Biograph The- ater on Thursday, April 22, at 6pm. This Puerto Rican film critiques the widespread custom of shooting guns on New Year’s Eve in Puerto Rico. The tickets for the event will be $20. For more information call Jorge Felix at 773.486.8345.