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THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 3

Inside

©2002-12 by The Community Voice/ La Voz MI, LLC. The Community Voice/La Voz Auston Magazine is published by 03 Editorial -Dr. José A. Flores Matthews The Community Voice/La Voz MI., LLC copyright ©2002-12. pg. 13 05 Black owned business helps Content contained in this publication and on www.lavozweb.com internet others succeed! site are products of the publication and are protected by the copyright laws of the United States. The 06 Community News/ Noticias de la Comunidad copyright laws prohibit any copying, redistributing, retransmitting, or - Gildas’s LaughFest repurposing of any copyright-protected material.

07 Comedian Chris “Crazy Legs” Fonseca Reproduction, either in whole or in part is forbidden without the pressed 09 Seeds of Promise written consent of the publisher.

March 2021, Volume 23 - No. 03 10 Spring Break’s: Socially Distant Reaching over 40,000 readers Circulation 17,000 copies 13 Latin Americans in Sports Printed at Printwell To contact The Community Voice/ La Voz Magazine 14 Events / Eventos please call or write our administrative office: 15 Lowriders - Homer’s Favorites Attention Dr. José A. Flores, Editor-In-Chief, 1052 Grandville Ave. S.W., Grand 19 How the COVID-19 Vaccines work to protect you Rapids, MI. 49503 or email: [email protected] 20 Miss March Heidi Lee Colon Please visit us at our website: http://www.lavozweb.com 22 La Voz Photographer Highlight ` All inquiries should be directed to Phone: 616-581-6271 23 Classifieds / Clasificados

[email protected] Kindra A. Find us on / Encuentranos en: Peterson Writer

Dr. José A. Odille Parker Ingrid Cruz Primavera Flores Concepción ‘El Chayo’ Maria Marin Odille S. Parker Andrés Flores, Graphic Design Writer Sales Rep. Flores, Cervantes Detroit Writer DelaCruz Guardian Distribution Circulacion Editor-In-Chief Detroit Distribution Angel Lansing Saginaw

Scooter Tom Ozinga Lisa Villarreal Anthony T. Jorge Martínez Homero Mike Farage Dee Rodríguez Daniel Flores, Writer Editor Wiseman Valdez Writer Rodriguez, Writer Circulation Reporter/ Writer Photographer Sales/ Circulation Sales Rep Grand Rapids Grand Rapids 4 THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 Grand Rapids BLACK OWNED BUSINESS HELPS OTHERS SUCCEED!

It started off as a thriving community ice cream shop, cess of her business. also stresses the practical solution of al- but now black business owner, Teresa Folden has ways making sure that she has the funds to stay in operation, have a transformed the ice cream shop into Boston Soul Café great support system and constantly networking. She is true to her that has a delicious and fill- faith, believes in herself and striving for her goal is ing menu for all back- what kept her doors open. Boston Soul Café is di- grounds. Mrs. Folden has versifying their menu with more cultural and vegan received great reviews of options so that they continue to be the warm and By Kindra A. peace, a welcoming estab- welcoming establishment that makes it hard for Peterson lishment and great word of patrons to leave their seats! There is also a sug- mouth, to the point that gestion box that will be added to the establish- others in the community have wanted to ment so that everyone is making a contribution to expand with her. During our interview, keep Boston Soul Café in its prime. Not only is Mrs. Folden shared that she was only 19 Boston Soul Café focused within the establish- years old when she knew that she wanted ment, but they are involved in community outreach to own her own business. She began with by feeding the homeless, partnering with the obtaining rental property and always knew Grand Rapids Main Library by offering $5 food that she wanted to own her own business. vouchers for every meal. Come enjoy the many Boston Soul Café started as an ice cream pleasure of Boston Soul Café at 1553 Kalamazoo shop and is progressing into a multitude of Ave SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49507 or call businesses, as this was inspired through the ongoing to place an order at 616-214-7060. Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Boston Soul Café now has a Business Incubator Space. It Mrs. Folden took the initial step to own a business so that she will be a space for entrepreneurs to understand the economics of could feel appreciated, supported and have the opportunity to grow launching a business with the various tools offered: business advice, since she at times she didn't receive these feelings as a former, ex- workshops, networking and test runs or service popups. Clients will perienced employee. One of her challenges of owning a business is receive advice, direction towards funding, multiple opportunities to not getting the support from her own people, even with the attempts of network with other small businesses, educational and content writing being in the heart of the inner city, being mindful of effective advertis- services and so much more. The classes will be focused on business ing and displaying pristine sanitation. However, the advantage is hav- research, innovation, negotiation and execution. These services are ing the power to operate exactly the way that she wants to and work managed by Brazen Venture, LLC. If you'd like to get involved in the whenever she wants to. She serves as a role model to other black learning process, contact Marvin Martin to book an appointment: people who have a business mindset with her willingness to share her knowledge with young people by reminding them if they follow their Email; [email protected] dreams and set their minds to something, they can get anything that Phone: 616-448-6816 they want with work hard and belief in themselves and always remind- Appointment Booking: ing black businesses to support one another. Website: https://brazenventurellc.com/ Despite the pandemic still afoot, Mrs. Folden has managed Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brazen-Venture-LLC- to remember that prayer is the primary avenue to determine the suc- 102853981555014/?view_public_for=102853981555014

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© 2021 Bethany Christian Services GR-340-AD-21044 THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 5 GILDA’S LAUGHFEST ANNOUNCES HEADLINERS FOR 2021 FESTIVAL Gilda’s LaughFest, announced headliners work, will perform on Thursday, March 11 at 9 participating during LaughFest’s virtual festi- p.m. In 2018, Willman premiered his six-epi- Gilda’s LaughFest brings awareness to val, March 11-14. Headliners and events that sode magic series on entitled “Magic Gilda’s Club’s mission of providing free emo- are scheduled as part of the festival’s pre- For Humans with Justin Willman.” In March tional health support for those on a cancer or mium all-access content (paid content) in- 2020, as Covid spread across the globe, Will- grief journey. Gilda’s Club is celebrating 20 clude: Ron Funches, Tom Papa, Justin man debuted “Magic For Humans @Home,” years of operations, having first opened its Willman, Michelle Wolf, The Comedy Project’s a virtual show, which has garnered an au- doors to the public on February 15, 2001. “3 Mics & a Movie!,” and the stage perform- dience of over 500,000 people. Proceeds from the festival and donations ance “Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner” directed raised will go to support the free cancer, grief by Emmy award winning director Teresa “An Evening of Laughter and Conversation and emotional health programs offered Thome. with Michelle Wolf,” will take place at 9 p.m., through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Saturday, March 13. On the heels of her re- This year’s festival will feature a total of 30 cent Netflix special, “Michelle Wolf: Joke Gilda's LaughFest, anunció la participa- events, plus social media content and Show,” Wolf will be joining LaughFest with all ción de cabezas de cartel durante el festi- contests. Much of LaughFest will continue to new material. In 2017, Wolf debuted her first val virtual de LaughFest, del 11 al 14 de be free, with donations to Gilda’s Club wel- hour-long stand-up special, “Michelle Wolf: marzo. Los cabezas de cartel y los even- come, while premium all-access content is Nice Lady” on HBO, which earned her a tos que están programados como parte $40. Primetime Emmy nomination for outstanding del contenido premium de acceso total writing for a variety special. She made inter- (contenido pago) del festival incluyen: Funches will bring his podcast “Gettin’ Better national headlines as the much buzzed-about Ron Funches, Tom Papa, Justin Willman, with Ron Funches” to LaughFest’s virtual headliner of the 2018 White House Corre- Michelle Wolf, "3 Mics & a Movie!" De The stage on Saturday, March 13 at 7 p.m. In ad- spondents Dinner. Wolf’s other television Comedy Project y la actuación en el esce- dition to his stand-up comedy credits, credits include being an on-air contributor nario “Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner” diri- Funches has extensive acting credits, with and writer for “The Daily Show with Trevor gida por la directora ganadora del premio roles on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Noah” and a writing supervisor and per- Emmy Teresa Thome. “Black•ish,” “,” “Transparent,” “Po- former on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” werless,” and “Undateable.” His voice has El festival de este año contará con un total been used in roles with “,” “Bob’s On Friday, March 12 at 10 p.m., Grand de 30 eventos, además de contenido y Burgers,” and “.” Funches Rapids-based The Comedy Project will co- concursos de redes sociales. Gran parte has also appeared on “Conan,” “The Tonight produce “3 Mics & a Movie!.” Fans of Mys- de LaughFest seguirá siendo gratis, con Show,” “Chopped,” and “Cupcake Wars.” tery Science Theater 3000, Riff Trax and, donaciones a Gilda's Club bienvenidas, well, movies in general won’t want to miss mientras que el contenido premium de ac- Papa, with over 20 years of stand-up comedy this live roast of the movie “The Hitch-Hiker” ceso total cuesta $ 40. experience will perform Friday, March 12 at 9 will be shown while comedians add alternate p.m. In 2020, Netflix premiered Papa’s fourth dialogue and sound effects. Gilda's LaughFest da a conocer la misión hour-long stand-up special “Tom Papa: Closing the festival on Sunday, March 14, the de Gilda's Club de brindar apoyo gratuito You’re Doing Great,” which is a rebuttal to the stage play “Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner” will de salud emocional a quienes atraviesan current culture of feeling dread. Papa re- be performed live. The play chronicles the re- un viaje por el dolor o el cáncer. Gilda's minds viewers to “remember that you’re lationship between Alan Zweibel and Gilda Club está celebrando 20 años de opera- doing great, life isn’t perfect, it never will be, Radner. Zweibel, a writer on SNL in the first ciones, y abrió sus puertas al público por and that’s OK.” He also hosts the podcast five years wrote with Gilda many of her famil- primera vez el 15 de febrero de 2001. Las Breaking Bread with Tom Papa and regularly iar characters – Roseanne Rosannadanna, ganancias del festival y las donaciones re- appears on National Public Radio’s “Wait Baba Wawa and Emily Litella. The play takes caudadas se destinarán a apoyar los pro- Wait…Don’t Tell Me.” the audience on a deep dive into compli- gramas gratuitos de cáncer, duelo y salud Willman, a magician, comedian and host of cated and enduring friendships and the emocional que se ofrecen a través de the hit show “Cupcake Wars” on Food Net- search for love. Gilda's Club Grand Rapids.

A Special Salute to Francisco "Pancho" Vega on his 99th Birthday February 28th! Remembering your service to our country and our community! You are a treasure to Michigan and the USA! 6 THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 COMEDIAN CHRIS “CRAZY LEGS” FONSECA Chris “Crazy Legs” Fonseca is a man of many tal- risa. Pero no estoy en nin- ents. He’s a writer, an actor, a ladies’ man (yes, girls, gún tipo de misión para he’s available). And he is also probably one of the promover a las personas greatest sit-down stand-up comedians of all time. con discapacidad y de- Chris was born with cerebral palsy, but he has not mostrar lo que pueden o no let that get in the way of a comedy career that has pueden hacer. Soy un spanned nearly 4 decades. comediante y solo intento By Lisa Wiseman “I knew I wanted to be a comedian when I was in fourth grade. I was trying to be funny like the DJ’s on the radio. My first onstage experience was for a sort of gong show in college. I took second place and I was hooked!” Since then he has shared the stage with such big name entertainers as Stevie Wonder, Dave Chapelle and Sinbad just to name a few. He’s been on The Arsenio Hall show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and he even had a part on Baywatch that was written specifically for Photo by Artem Ivashchenko him. He just finished his 6th comedy album which was recorded ser gracioso ". live at Denver’s Mercury Café. And he is getting ready to go Puedes ver a Chris "Crazy Legs" Fon back on tour now that venues are starting to open back up after en persona en One Night Stan's, ubi- being closed for almost a year. cado en 4761 Highland Road, Water- “When the pandemic hit, I thought it was the end of my ford, Michigan del 4 al 6 de marzo. comedy career, touring specifically. But, I used the down time Photo by Andrea Stone Los espectáculos comienzan a las to reflect and write. I now feel I’m back at the top of my game! I 7:30 (con toque de queda a las 10 have a fresh perspective and am purposely trying to stay away pm) Los boletos cuestan $ 20 from writing COVID material. I don’t want people listening to it a year cuando se compran en la taquilla y hay una tarifa de servicio de $ from now saying, ‘Oh, that’s so 2020.’ 3.00 cuando compra en línea en onenightstanscomedyclub.com. Se “I know it’s unusual to see a handicapped person onstage, seguirán los protocolos de seguridad, incluidas las temperaturas obli- and if I do well, the crowd may get something out of it besides the gatorias que se toman en la puerta y las máscaras que se deben usar laugh. But, I’m not out there on any kind of mission to promote dis- en todo momento, excepto cuando está sentado en su mesa. Las abled people and demonstrate what they can or can’t do. I’m a come- mesas están espaciadas a 6 pies de distancia y solo se permiten seis dian, and I’m just trying to be funny.” personas por mesa. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con You can watch Chris “Crazy Legs” Fonseca be funny in per- One Night Stan al (248) 875-6524. son at One Night Stan’s, located at 4761 Highland Road, Waterford, Michigan on March 4 – 6. Shows start at 7:30 (with 10 p.m. curfew) Tickets are $20.00 when purchased at the box office and there is a $3.00 service fee when you buy online at onenightstanscomedyclub.com. Safety protocols will be followed in- cluding mandatory temperatures taken at the door and masks to be worn at all times except when seated at your table. Tables are spaced 6 feet apart and only six people are allowed per table. For more information, please contact One Night Stan’s at (248) 875-6524.

Chris “Crazy Legs” Fonseca es un hombre de muchos talentos. Es es- critor, actor, mujeriego (sí, chicas, está disponible). Y también es probablemente uno de los mejores comediantes de stand-up de todos los tiempos. Chris nació con parálisis cerebral, pero no ha dejado que eso se interponga en el camino de una carrera de comedia que ha durado casi 4 décadas. “Sabía que quería ser comediante cuando estaba en cuarto grado. Intentaba ser gracioso como el DJ de la radio. Mi primera ex- periencia en el escenario fue para una especie de espectáculo de gong en la universidad. ¡Quedé en segundo lugar y me enganché! " Desde entonces ha compartido escenario con artistas de renombre como Stevie Wonder, Dave Chapelle y Sinbad, solo por nombrar algu- nos. Ha estado en el programa The Arsenio Hall, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show con Jay Leno e incluso tuvo un papel en Baywatch que fue escrito específicamente para él. Acaba de terminar su sexto álbum de comedia que fue grabado en vivo en el Mercury Café de Denver. Y se está preparando para volver de gira ahora que los lugares están comenzando a abrir de nuevo después de haber estado cerrados durante casi un año. “Cuando golpeó la pandemia, pensé que era el final de mi carrera como comediante, de gira específicamente. Pero usé el tiempo libre para reflexionar y escribir. ¡Ahora siento que he vuelto a la cima de mi juego! Tengo una nueva perspectiva y deliberadamente intento evitar escribir material de COVID. No quiero que la gente lo es- cuche dentro de un año y diga: "Oh, eso es 2020". “Sé que es inusual ver a una persona discapacitada en el escenario, y si lo hago bien, la multitud puede sacar algo de eso además de la THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 7 de nuestra comunidad. Debt.com también acepta aplicaciones de estudiantes internacionales que quieran estudiar en Estados Unidos, así como a los no residentes/ciudadanos estadouni- denses. La misión de Debt.com es incentivar a los estadounidenses a lu- char por su independencia financiera, desde los estudiantes de primer año de universidad hasta los ciudadanos de la tercera edad. A través de esta nueva Beca Debt.com de primavera 2021, Debt.com busca aumentar el número de hispanos matric- ulados para la educación superior. Si trabaja en una colegio universitario o universidad acreditada, por favor comparta el enlace de la Beca Debt.com de primavera 2021 con sus estudiantes, o siéntase libre de agregarla a la pá- gina de becas de su escuela, de ser permitido.

Debt.com announced they have launched a new scholar- ship opportunity and are now accepting applications for the Spring 2021 Debt.com Scholarship. Debt.com is offer- ing a $1,000 scholarship to one student in higher-educa- Debt.com invita a los estudiantes tion of Hispanic/Latino descent currently enrolled in a US-based hispanos a aplicar para su beca de college, university, or other recognized higher education institu- tion. primavera 2021 This is a wonderful opportunity for Debt.com to support Hispanic students as they continue on their journey to complete their edu- Debt.com anunció que ha lanzado una nueva oportunidad de becas y cational goals,” said Debt.com Founder and Chairman Howard ahora está aceptando aplicaciones para la Beca Debt.com de primavera Dvorkin. 2021. Debt.com ofrece una beca de $1,000 a un estudiante de educa- Many college students refuse to apply for scholarships because ción superior de ascendencia hispana/latina actualmente inscrito en un they believe their GPA or residence status might make them non- colegio universitario, universidad u otra institución de educación superior eligible to win the award. However, our scholarship does not reconocida en los Estados Unidos. have any limitation regarding GPA and proof of U.S. citizenship or Esta es una maravillosa oportunidad para que Debt.com apoye a los es- residency, although it requires that you have writing skills in the tudiantes hispanos en su camino para completar sus objetivos educati- Spanish language. vos", dijo el fundador y presidente de Debt.com, Howard Dvorkin. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must: Muchos estudiantes universitarios no aplican a becas porque creen que -- Be a current higher-education student of Hispanic/Latino des- su promedio de calificaciones (GPA) o su estatus migratorio pueden cent pursuing a degree and enrolled as a part-time student (6 hacer que no sean elegibles para ganar el premio. Sin embargo, la beca credits per semester) or higher in an accredited US-based col- de Debt.com no tiene ninguna limitación en cuanto al GPA y/o a la lege or university during Spring 2021. Graduate, Law, and Medi- prueba de ciudadanía o residencia en Estados Unidos. cal school students are also welcome to apply; and Los requisitos para aplicar a esta beca para hispanos son: -- Show proof they have applied to at least three (3) other schol- -- Ser un estudiante actual de educación superior de ascendencia his- arships before applying for the Spring 2021 Debt.com Scholar- pana/latina que esté cursando una licenciatura y esté matriculado como ship. estudiante a tiempo parcial (6 créditos por semestre) o superior en un -- Students are encouraged to submit all scholarship applications colegio universitario o universidad acreditada con sede en Estados Un- they have for the semester. Debt.com recognizes the work that idos o Puerto Rico durante la primavera de 2021. Los estudiantes de goes into applying for scholarships and considers the amount of posgrado, de derecho y de medicina también pueden aplicar; y time invested looking for funding as a plus when selecting a -- Mostrar que han solicitado al menos otras tres (3) becas antes de winner. aplicar para la beca Debt.com de la primavera de 2021. -- Write a 750-word essay in Spanish that answers the following: -- Le recomendamos a los estudiantes a presentar todas las solicitudes ]What was it like growing up in a Hispanic community and how de becas que tengan para el semestre. Debt.com reconoce el trabajo did your family members inspire or help you in your goal of ob- que requiere la solicitud de becas y considera la cantidad de tiempo in- taining a college degree? vertido en la búsqueda y la aplicación de las mismas, como una ventaja ]Share with us about a situation in which your family worked to a la hora de seleccionar al ganador. overcome a financially stressful situation to achieve the Ameri- -- Escribir un ensayo de 750 palabras en Español que responda a las si- can Dream. guientes preguntas: Students interested in this scholarship must fill an online form ¿Cómo fue crecer en una comunidad hispana y cómo lo inspiraron o ay- [Spanish]. udaron los miembros de su familia en su objetivo de obtener un título Selection is based on the applicant’s number of scholarship ap- universitario? plications submitted before applying for the Spring 2021 Comparta con nosotros una situación en la que su familia haya traba- Debt.com Scholarship (the more scholarships, the better), and jado para superar una situación de estrés financiero para alcanzar el their Spanish-language writing skills used in the 750-word essay. sueño americano. The application deadline is March 15, 2021, at 5 pm, and award- Los estudiantes interesados en esta beca deben completar un formula- ees will be notified by April 9, 2021, on this page: rio en línea. https://www.debt.com/es/nuestra-historia/becas-de-estudio/. La selección del ganador, se realizará a través de un Comité interno de All immigrants’ stories are part of the fabric of the community Debt.com, que tomará en cuenta: that embraces them. Debt.com welcomes international students -- el número de solicitudes de becas presentadas por el solicitante antes to apply, as well as non-residents/non-us citizens. de aplicar a la Beca Debt.com de primavera 2021 (a cuantas más becas Debt.com’s mission is to encourage Americans to fight their way haya aplicado, más oportunidades tendrá), y to financial independence – from college freshmen to senior cit- -- su capacidad de redacción en español utilizada en el ensayo de 750 izens and everyone in between. Through this new Spring 2021 palabras. Debt.com Scholarship, Debt.com intends to facilitate efforts to La fecha límite para recibir aplicaciones es el 15 de marzo de 2021, a las increase the enrollment of Hispanics in postsecondary education. 17:00 horas, y los premiados serán notificados antes del 9 de abril de If you work in an accredited school or University, please share 2021 a través de esta página: https://www.debt.com/es/becas. the Spring 2021 Debt.com Scholarship link with your students, or Las historias de todos los inmigrantes componen una parte importante feel free to add it to your school’s scholarship page. 8 THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 By Miguel Gutierrez Seeds of Promise es una organización sin fines ¡Seeds of Promise está aquí para ayudar! de lucro 501c3. Somos una iniciativa de mejora de la comunidad urbana basada en el lugar ubicada en la comuni- Seeds of Promise is a 501c3 non-profit organization. We are a place- dad sureste de Grand Rapids, Michigan. Nuestra misión es trans- based urban community improvement initiative located in the South- formar el vecindario promoviendo la colaboración y las asociaciones east community of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our mission is to comunitarias, aplicando las mejores prácticas de desarrollo soste- transform the neighborhood by promoting collaboration and com- nible, construyendo liderazgo y confianza para residentes, escuc- munity partnerships, applying sustainable development best prac- hando las voces de la comunidad y satisfaciéndose las necesidades tices, building resident leadership and trust, listening to community y deseos del vecindario. La visión de nuestro vecindario objetivo es voices, and meeting the neighborhood’s needs and wants. Our tar- una comunidad sostenible que satisface plenamente las necesi- get neighborhood’s vision is a sustainable community that fully dades de sus partes interesadas actuales y futuras, medida por una meets its current and future stakeholders’ needs, measured by a alta calidad de vida, un liderazgo abundante de los sirvientes e high quality of life, abundant servant leadership, and equal educa- igualdad de oportunidades de educación. tion opportunity.

Este último año ha sido difícil para muchos de nosotros y nuestros This past year has been a difficult one for many of us and our Latino miembros de la comunidad latina. Algunos han visto una reducción community members. Some have seen a reduction in the number of en el número de horas que trabajan, mientras que otros han tenido hours they work, while others have had to be laid off entirely further, que ser despedidos por completo, poniendo una presión sobre las putting a strain on essential household repairs. Repairs affect the reparaciones esenciales del hogar. Las reparaciones afectan la es- overall structure and value of their home and the safety of their loved tructura general y el valor de su hogar y la seguridad de sus seres ones. We here at Seeds of Promise want to be the light at the end of queridos. Nosotros aquí en Seeds of Promise queremos ser la luz al the tunnel and provide you and your family with a safe a secure final del túnel y proporcionarle a usted y a su familia un hogar se- home. We are in the process of taking applications for our Neighbor- guro. Estamos en el proceso de tomar solicitudes para nuestro Pro- hood Impact Program (NIP). A program in which those that qualify grama de Impacto vecinal (NIP). Un programa en el que aquellos would receive up to $7,500 in grant funding to make eligible repairs que califican recibirían hasta $7,500 en fondos de subvenciones to their homes, free money that does not have to be returned! This para hacer reparaciones elegibles a sus hogares, ¡dinero gratis que money could be used to replace or repair water heaters, roofing, no tiene que ser devuelto! Este dinero podría ser utilizado para re- windows gutters, well/Septic system, and many more repairs. We at emplazar o reparar calentadores de agua, techos, canaletas de ven- Seeds of Promise want to improve the valuation of your homes and tanas, sistema séptico y muchas más reparaciones. Nosotros en better the lives of a community that that for the most part, are the last Seeds of Promise queremos mejorar la valoración de sus hogares y to know about grant programs, and we want to change that. We want mejorar la vida de una comunidad que en su mayor parte, son las úl- you to apply and get this free money because we care! timas en saber sobre los programas de subvenciones, y queremos cambiar eso. ¡Queremos que solicites y obtengas este dinero gratis Please Contact us for more information: porque nos importa! Miguel Gutierrez Seeds of Promise is here to help!

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THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 9 Beach parties in Florida, Texas and Mexico made headlines a year ago for ignoring virus safety advice. Here’s how the travel ritual will look different in 2021. Last year, Covid-19 crashed the spring break party, but not before mass gatherings on the beaches of Florida, Texas and Mexico Whether senior or college-age, spring break will be quieter this year. flouted travel warnings and social-distancing advice. Ski areas had The seasonal escape “is pivoting to domestic drive markets, private to shut down during one of the busiest periods of the season. Stu- vacation rentals or nothing at all,” said Erika Richter, the senior com- dent trips for enrichment and sport were suddenly canceled. munications director for the American Society of Travel Advisors, noting that multi-generational family trips are trending. Now, a year later, spring break is showing signs of life again, albeit in very different forms than the past — even as officials in one The seasonal itch to travel, of course, runs headlong into advice spring-break favorite, Florida, vow to fight any domestic travel re- from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to postpone strictions reportedly under consideration by the White House as travel in order to avoid contracting or spreading Covid-19. cases of more contagious variants surge there. El año pasado, Covid-19 interrumpió la fiesta de vacaciones de “We don’t want to see a repeat of last year,” said Steve Hayes, pres- primavera, pero no antes de que las reuniones masivas en las ident and chief executive of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, which pro- playas de Florida, Texas y México ignoraran las advertencias de motes tourism in that Gulf Coast area, where crowds jammed the viaje y los consejos de distanciamiento social. Las zonas de beaches last spring. “What we want is a picture that says, what a esquí tuvieron que cerrar durante uno de los períodos de mayor difference a year makes.” actividad de la temporada. Los viajes de los estudiantes para el enriquecimiento y el deporte se cancelaron repentinamente. Stricter limits on group gatherings, mask mandates and restrictions at hotels, restaurants and bars in popular spring destinations dimin- Ahora, un año después, las vacaciones de primavera están ish the odds of a repeat. mostrando signos de vida nuevamente, aunque en formas muy diferentes a las del pasado, incluso cuando los funcionarios de Virtual classrooms and workplaces have freed some students and Florida, uno de los favoritos de las vacaciones de primavera, families from the traditional spring-break schedule, a shift that may prometen luchar contra cualquier restricción de viaje nacional dilute 2021 traffic. This trend is already showing up in some ski que, según los informes, está siendo considerada por la Casa areas that rely on visitors who drive there, like Lutsen Mountains in Blanca. a medida que surgen allí casos de variantes más con- northern Minnesota, where weekday skier visits have doubled this tagiosas. year. Los límites más estrictos a las reuniones grupales, los manda- With colleges shrinking spring break and the arrival of the vaccine, tos de máscaras y las restricciones en hoteles, restaurantes y largely prioritized to older Americans, the 2021 spring breaker may bares en los destinos populares de primavera disminuyen las be significantly older than the stereotyped one. probabilidades de que se repita.

Las aulas y lugares de trabajo virtuales han liberado a algunos estudiantes y familias del horario tradicional de vacaciones de Earn free college primavera, un cambio que puede diluir el tráfico de 2021. Esta credits whilee you are tendencia ya está apareciendo en algunas áreas de esquí que in high schoool. dependen de los visitantes que conducen allí, como las monta- ñas Lutsen en el norte de Minnesota, donde las visitas de es- Obtén créditos quiadores entre semana se han duplicado este año. universitarios gratuitos Con las universidades reduciendo las vacaciones de primavera mientras estás en la y la llegada de la vacuna, en gran parte priorizada para los esta- preparatoriaa. dounidenses mayores, el receso de primavera de 2021 puede ser significativamente más antiguo que el estereotipado.

grcc.edu/DualEnrollment El deseo estacional de viajar, por supuesto, se topa de lleno con los consejos de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de posponer los viajes para evitar contraer o propagar el Covid-19. 10 THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 Visas and Immigration in 2021 Under the Biden Administration The Biden Administration took office on January 20, 2021. Many executive • Travel from the Middle East: The U.S. has canceled the blanket travel ban orders have been executed since that date, some of which directly change from select countries in the Middle East. the manner of handling immigration matters. However, the U.S. and the • H-1B Lottery: The selection criteria will be the same as last year. The lottery world are still dealing with the global pandemic and this directly affects sub- starts on March 9, 2021 and goes to March 31, 2021. Winners will be an- missions, filings, and consular appointments. This update provides a list of nounced on March 31 and then the employer has until June 30, 2021 to file the latest updates to U.S. visas and immigration matters, as well as what we the H-1B petition. forecast for the months to come. • H-1B Adjudications at USCIS: The H-1B Adjudications at the United States • Immigrant Visa Ban: The Immigrant Visa Ban that was imposed last year Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) are expected to return to 2016 was revoked on February 24, 2021. Now employment and family based im- standards, with deference given to prior adjudications, Visas and Immigration migrant visas can again be issued by the U.S. Consulates. See: A Proclama- in 2021 Under the Biden Administration tion on Revoking Proclamation 10014 | The White House acceptance of multiple educational pathways to an H-1B occupation, etc. • Entry to the U.S. via a Land Port of Entry from Mexico and Canada: The • USCIS Operational Efficiency: Expected to be a priority going forward. The entry via land ports remains restricted to essential travel, those on work visas, Administration is expected to ensure that USCIS operates at an efficient pace U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and a few other limited exceptions. so that the backlogs of prior years are not repeated. The entry restrictions are temporary in nature and as of now are expected to • DACA: The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) has been re- remain in effect through March 21, 2021. The date has been postponed sev- affirmed for both existing DACA recipients and new applicants. eral times and it is unknown if it will again be postponed. • Asylum: The U.S. will again provide opportunities for applicants to apply See: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1694?language=en_US and have a credible fear interview at the border. If they pass the credible fear • Air Travel from Mexico and Canada into the U.S.: Currently there are no interview, they will be allowed into the U.S. to await for their full asylum merits limits to air travel from Mexico and Canada. hearing before an Immigration Judge. • Covid Travel Ban Restrictions: Any travel from Brazil, China, U.K., Ireland, • Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Under the new Administrations some Schengen Countries, and Iran is subject to a National Interest Exception (NIE) sort of immigration legislation is expected. Such new provisions are expected waiver from the U.S. Consulate prior to traveling to the U.S. to address both labor market and humanitarian needs. The Administration • Negative Covid Test: All inbound passengers are required to obtain a neg- announced a draft plan on February 18, 2021. ative Covid test within 72 hours prior to boarding the flight. This includes air travel from Mexico and Canada. E-2 Investor Visas: In recent months Mexican investors have shown an in- • Local Quarantine Rules in the U.S.: All travelers must also research local creased interest in the E-2 non-immigrant visa. As the pandemic slowly sub- travel rules upon arrival in the U.S. For example New York City and San Fran- sides, it is hoped that the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez will be able to cisco have additional quarantine rules upon arrival. increase their volume of E-2 reviews. The firm has a robust E-2 visa practice. • Visa Stamping Ban: The Visa Stamping Ban that was imposed through an NAFTA TN Visas: The United States– Canada- Mexico Agreement (USCMA) executive order from the prior administration for H-1B, L-1, J-1, and H-2B re- replaced the NAFTA Agreement. The new USMCA went into effect on July 1, mains in effect. This ban expires on March 31, 2021. The Biden administration 2020. However, the TN occupational list and regulations remained the same. is not expected to extend this ban. This ban prevents the U.S. Consulates Therefore for select occupations, the TN visa continues to be a quick and ef- from issuing new visas in this category. This ban has prevented many ex- ficient way for an U.S. employer to get a Mexican or Canadian citizen on the ecutives and highly skilled workers from being able to enter the U.S. U.S. payroll.

THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 11 Biden’s 2021 Immigration Plan: A Summary Resumen del plan migratorio de Biden para el año 2021 The last time there was a major immigration overhaul al- La última vez que hubo una reforma migratoria que formó un camino lowing people to become hacia la ciudadania fue en 1986 bajo el U.S. citizens was 1986, presidente Ronald Reagan. Después, under President Ronald los EEUU continuó con programas Reagan. Later, the United como las visas U para víctimas de algu- States continued to pro- nos crímenes, y los programas como By Ingrid Cruz vide programs such as U- DACA (Acción diferida para personas visas for victims of certain crimes, and que llegaron en su niñez) permitieron programs such as Deferred Action for que algunos inmigrantes se puedan Childhood Arrivals (DACA) allowed cat- quedar en el país legalmente y trabajen egories of immigrants to stay in the desde el 2012. country and work legally since 2012. Los defensores de la reforma migratoria Advocates for immigration reform came casi obtuvieron una victoria en el año close to advancing in their agenda in 2010 cuando el DREAM Act casi fue ap- 2010, the DREAM (Development, Relief, robado. El presidente Biden ha men- and Education for Alien Minors) Act al- cionado la reforma migratoria durante most passed. President Joe Biden men- su campaña política del 2020 y ahora tioned immigration reform during his ha revelado una nueva propuesta para 2020 campaign, and has now unleashed a new immigration reform pro- la reforma migratoria. Esto es lo que sabemos por ahora. posal. Here is what we know about it so far. Los demócratas están dispuesto a llegar a un acuerdo Democrats are willing to compromise El representa Henry Cuellar, de Texas ha dicho, “Aunque yo apoyo una Texas Representative Henry Cuellar said the following, “Even though I reforma migratoria total, estoy listo para luchar poco a poco porque no support full, comprehensive immigration reform, I’m ready to move on quiero terminar con buenas intenciones y después no tener nada. Pre- piecemeal, because I don’t want to end up with good intentions on my fiero que haya progreso.” hands and not have anything. I’d rather have progress.” Por ahora la propuesta actual crearía un camino hacia la ciudadanía Thus far, the current proposed bill would create a pathway to citizen- para inmigrantes que califiquen que tardará aproximadamente 8 años. ship for qualifying immigrants that would take them approximately 8 Algunas de las provisiones por las cuales los demócratas luchan hoy years. A few of the provisions Democrats are advocating for are: son: • Additional funds to promote development in Latin America. • Fondos adicionales para fomentar el desatollo en América Latina • Increased technology for the U.S.-Mexico border. • Incremento en tecnología para la frontera EEUU-México • More visas. • Más visas • Additional funding to assist with the cost of processing asylum • Fondos para procesar las solicitudes de asilo applications. Los que critican a la ley actual dicen que los demócratas podrían enfo- Critics of the current bill say that Democrats might be able to focus on carse en proyectos de ley que podría ayudar a inmigrantes a legalizar other separate bills that would also help immigrants legalize their su estatus migratorio como: status, such as: • Leyes para trabajadores esenciales • Bills for essential workers • Leyes que se enfocan en inmigrantes jóvenes que llegaron al país • Bills that focus on younger immigrants brought to the U.S. as en su niñez (parecidos al DREAM Act del 2010) children (similar to the DREAM Act of 2010) • Proyectos de ciudadanía para trabajadores de granjas y • U.S. citizenship bills for farm and agriculture workers agricultores

Other immigration obstacles Otros obstáculos migratorios Of course, the Biden administration isn’t just working on immigration re- Igual, la administración de Biden no solamente está trabajando para form. Since January 20, 2021 President Biden has also worked on or reformar el sistema de inmigración. Desde el 20 de enero 2021. El proposed other ideas that would alleviate immigrants, refugees, and presidente Biden también a trabajado en o propuesto otras ideas que asylees. ayudarían a inmigrantes, refugiados, o personas en busca de asilo.

Biden announced a plan to opening detention facilities to process un- Biden ha anunciado un plan para abrir instalaciones de detención para accompanied minors who seek refuge in the country. Though some hail procesar a los menores de edad que buscan refugio en el país. this as an important step in ensuring teenagers can find refuge, deten- Aunque algunos dicen que este es un paso importante para asegu- tion centers have been criticized for their inhumane treatment of minors rarse que estos menores busquen asilo, los centros de detención han and lack of resources. sido criticado por el trato inhumo hacia menores de edad en el pasado y por la falta de recursos. According to Yahoo! News, Biden is still using Title 42, a rule created during the Trump era, to turn away many young migrants because he Según Yahoo! News, Biden sigue usando Title 42 (Título 42), una regla has no other plan at the moment and doesn’t want to encourage people creada bajo la administración de Trump, para denegar la entrada a mi- to cross the border into the United States. grantes menores porque no tiene otro plan por el momento y no quiere fomentar un incremento de migrantes a la frontera de los EEUU. With detractors in the Republican Party and a divided Congress, it’s going to be hard to pass a full immigration bill, but Biden has signed Con opositores en el partido republicano y un congreso dividido, será executive orders that have alleviated the fears of some immigration ad- difícil aprobar un ley migratoria, pero Biden a firmado órdenes ejecuti- vocates. These orders target: vas que han aliviado los miedos de algunos defensores de derechos • The creation of a task force that will reunite families separated de inmigrantes. Estas ordenes tratan con: under the Trump administration. • La creación de un comité que reunirá a familias separadas • Potential changes to the public charge rule that will prevent the durante la administración de Trump. use of Medicaid and other government benefits to pose problems to • Cambios en reglamentos que causan problemas para personas people who want to become U.S. citizens in the future. que usan beneficios gubernamentales cuando quieren solicitar la • Changes to how deportations will take place, such as targeting ciudadanía (public charge rule, en inglés). only people who have committed crimes instead of encouraging • Cambios en la manera de conllevar deportaciones, como el deportations of any immigrant in the country. enfoque en deportaciones de personas que han cometido crímenes en vez de la deportación de cualquier inmigrante en el país. 12 THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 Southwest region of the States, it’s pretty Matthews’ story is not the typical sweet.” path to hockey stardom, but his im- pact is undeniable in bringing a For now, Matthew is gearing up for the bigger interest in hockey in Mexico 2020-21 NHL season. and other Latin countries. The Maple Leafs’ alternate captain is a El centro de Maple Leafs, Auston Mat- product of the USA Hockey Na- thews, luce su herencia mexicana con or- tional Team Development Program gullo mientras continúa haciéndose un in the United States Hockey nombre y representando a la comunidad League. Prior to being drafted, he latinoamericana dentro de la Liga Na- played for the ZCS Lions of the cional de Hockey. Swiss National League. Apodado “Papi”, Matthews nació en San Following his debut season, Mat- Ramón, , pero su madre, Ema, thews set the unofficial NHL record era originaria de Hermosillo, México. for most consecutive games with a Aunque la familia se mudó a Scottsdale, shot on goal to start a career. Al- Arizona cuando él era joven, Matthews a though he suffered a shoulder in- menudo reflexiona sobre los buenos re- jury, missing 20 games, Matthews cuerdos que tiene de ir con su familia a finished the regular season with 34 visitar Hermosillo. goals, and helped lead the Maple Leafs to their second consecutive La historia de Matthews no es el camino playoff appearance. típico hacia el estrellato del hockey, pero su impacto es innegable al generar un He has continued to be an instru- mayor interés en el hockey en México y mental player for the Maple Leafs otros países latinos. El capitán suplente in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 sea- de los Maple Leafs es un producto del sons, being named to his fourth Programa de Desarrollo de la Selección Each month, we will feature straight All-Star appearance since Nacional de Hockey de Estados Unidos a Latin American rep- being drafted. In 2018, he became the en la Liga de Hockey de Estados Unidos. resenting our community youngest player in NHL history to score five Antes de ser reclutado, jugó para los in professional sports in multi-point games to open a season. ZCS Lions de la Liga Nacional Suiza. the U.S. In a 2020 interview with SportsNet, Mat- Por ahora, Matthew se está preparando Maple Leafs center Auston thews and his mom talked about an upbring- para la temporada 2020-21 de la NHL. By Odille Parker Matthews wears his Mexican ing that is different than a traditional hockey heritage proudly as he con- player, and the impact tinues to make a name for himself and rep- that’s had in the Latino resent the Latin American community within community, his mom the National Hockey League. even pointing out that bars back home in Nicknamed “Papi,” Matthews was born in Hermosillo now have San Ramon, California, but his mother, Ema, hockey games play- was originally from Hermosillo, Mexico. Al- ing. though the family moved to Scottsdale, Ari- zona when he was young, Matthews often “There’s always kids reflects on the fond memories he has of at the rink and just going with his family to visit Hermosillo. getting stopped and stuff, but it’s definitely “I'm not really sure how to really describe it,” different,” Matthews he said in an interview with NHL.com. “ They said on being some- had a ranch about two hours away from their one kids look up to. house in Hermosillo, so we'd go there and “You look at like Ca- hang out there, and lots of animals, and just nada and you know, kind of do different stuff that we typically did different provinces, not do in Phoenix." Ontario for instance…. (there are) many guys Matthews was widely considered the top that come from the prospect of the 2016 draft and was selected area and so many first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He guys to look up to that became the first player in modern NHL his- came from that area. tory to score four goals in his NHL debut and But there aren’t too scored 40 goals in his rookie season, set- many with Spanish tling the rookie record for the Maple Leafs. backgrounds. So, it’s pretty humbling to be His 2016-17 season performance also somebody that any- earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy, body would look up to. given to the top-performing rookie each sea- Selfishly for myself, son. He was also the only Leafs’ player to the whole Hispanic participate in the 2017 NHL All-Star Game. side of it, and the THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 13 March Events Eventos en Marzo

Collective Force pianistas Diana Krall y gest and most March 1, 2021 Blossom Dearie, ha- exciting RV & Grand Rapids ciendo cosquillas en los Travel Show in The world’s most celebra- marfiles con arreglos ori- the state. Gran- ted and in-demand cho- ginales de estándares de dRapids- reographers come jazz consagrados por el RVShow.com together to stage their ba- tiempo. Este show se llets and create new trata de crear works, contributing to a Gilda's Laughfest - Vir- las mejores performance that will truly tual vacaciones fa- be an immersive tour de March 11-14, 2021 miliares. Ya force. In addition, Artistic Grand Rapids sea un fin de semana o Para obtener detalles The $80 ticket + tax covers Director James Sofranko We are seriously excited to una escapada larga, RV completos, consulte a tasting package which will present an exciting announce the dates of this es el camino a seguir. http://downtownluding- includes 2 bottles of red new work featuring the year's (mostly) virtual festi- Los distribuidores de ve- ton.org/stpatricksday/. wine and a 2 cheese plate music of Michigan-based val presented by Gun hículos recreativos de (+ crackers, bread and cellist Jordan Hamilton. Lake Casino. We need West Michigan llenan Wine, Cheese & Art - A some fun sides!), free deli- - Penny Saunders laughter in our lives more DeVos Place con casas Virtual Happy Hour Se- very or pick-up, and en- - Danielle Rowe than ever and we can't rodantes, remolques de ries with GRAM & Aperi- trance to the Zoom event. - Adam Hougland wait to share those laughs viaje, quintas ruedas y tivo: Reds/Whites ¡El Museo de Arte de - Jennifer Archibald with you March 11 - 14, remolques para acampar February 24-March 24, Grand Rapids y Aperitivo - Amy Seiwert 2021! plegables. GrandRapids- 2021- Grand Rapids se complace en ofrecer a - Edwaard Liang This year's festival will fea- RVShow.com The Grand Rapids Art Mu- los miembros de GRAM - Katarzyna Skarpetowska ture 30 events and social seum and Aperitivo are ex- una experiencia en la - Trey McIntyre media contests. Returning St. Paddy's Day cited to offer GRAM que traemos obras de Los coreógrafos más fa- favorites like Kids Joke Celebration Members an experience arte, vino y queso a su mosos y solicitados del Time, Laughter Yoga, and March 13, 2021 where we bring artwork, hogar! La serie continúa mundo se unen para the Family ImprovWorks- Ludington wine, and cheese into your con una exploración de poner en escena sus ba- hop will be hosted virtually Start the day with an Irish home! The series conti- RED, en vino, arte y llets y crear nuevas for free and the Seriously Jig 10k/5k, followed by a nues with an exploration of queso. Cada maridaje de obras, contribuyendo a Funny Adventure Cha- 12 p.m. parade and sub- RED, in wine, art, and vino y queso será selec- una actuación que real- llenge scavenger hunt. sequent pub crawl in cheese. Each wine and cionado por el personal mente será un tour de Estamos muy emociona- Downtown Ludington. Irish cheese pairing will be se- de Aperitivo y combi- force inmersivo. Ade- dos de anunciar las fe- grub and live music will be lected by the Aperitivo nado con obras de arte más, el director artístico chas del festival (en su available at many partici- staff and paired with ex- extraordinarias de la co- James Sofranko presen- mayoría) virtual de este pating businesses for the traordinary artwork from lección permanente de tará un nuevo y emocio- año presentado por Gun holiday! Don't miss kegs & GRAM’s permanent collec- GRAM, vinculadas temá- nante trabajo con la Lake Casino. ¡Necesita- eggs, and corned beef & tion, thematically tied to- ticamente por el tema de música del violonche- mos la risa en nuestras cabbage, along with spe- gether by this month’s los tintos de este mes. lista de Michigan Jordan vidas más que nunca y cials on your favorite pints. theme of reds. La velada será guiada Hamilton. estamos ansiosos por Kids crafts and games are The evening will be guided por Dana Friis-Hansen, compartir esas risas available at the Mason by Dana Friis-Hansen, Di- directora y CEO de Robin Connell contigo del 11 al 14 de County District Library and rector & CEO of GRAM, GRAM, Amy Ruis, pro- March 11, 2021 marzo de 2021! Sandcastles Children's Amy Ruis, Owner of Art of pietaria de Art of the Grand Rapids Museum throughout the the Table & Aperitivo, and Table & Aperitivo, y Evan Jazz pianist-singer, Robin 2021 Grand Rapids Cam- day. Rather new to the fes- Evan Talen, General Ma- Talen, gerente general de Connell, the Artprize 2016 per, Travel & RV Show tivities is an "Irish I was nager of Aperitivo. Learn Aperitivo. jazz music award reci- March 11-14, 2021 Shopping" scavenger about how wine and chee- pient, and the West Michi- Grand Rapids hunt, happening at local semaking, and the culinary Fechas y temas del gan Jazz Society's 2017 Find your Away! This show shops downtown. Follow experience, has parallels evento Musician of the Year, fo- is all about creating the the clues for a chance to in artmaking and how we 21 de enero: Sparkles llows in the tradition of sin- best family vacation. Whet- win prizes! For complete experience visual art in the 24 de febrero: Rojos ger‐pianists Diana Krall, her just a weekend or a details, see http://down- world. You will also hear 24 de marzo: Blancos and Blossom Dearie, tick- long getaway, RVing is the townludington.org/stpa- about the history and ling the ivories with original way to go. West Michigan tricksday/. background of the artwork El boleto de $ 80 + im- arrangements of time ho- RV dealers pack DeVos Comience el día con un as well as the products we puestos cubre un pa- nored jazz standards. Place with motor homes, Irish Jig 10k / 5k, se- are tasting, and why these quete de degustación La pianista y cantante de travel trailers, fifth wheels guido de un 12 p.m. des- particular pieces and pro- que incluye 2 botellas de jazz, Robin Connell, ga- and folding camping trai- file y posterior rastreo de ducts are so special to us. vino tinto y un plato de 2 nadora del premio Art- lers. Vacation destinations, pubs en el centro de Lu- We can’t wait to spend the quesos (¡+ galletas sala- prize 2016 de música de campgrounds, RV acces- dington. ¡Habrá comida evening with you! das, pan y algunas guar- jazz y Músico del año sories, and fun feature dis- irlandesa y música en Event Dates and Topics niciones divertidas!), 2017 de la West Michigan plays round out the vivo en muchas de las January 21: Sparkles Entrega o recogida gratis Jazz Society, sigue la tra- exhibition creating the lar- empresas participantes February 24: Reds y entrada al evento dición de las cantantes y durante las vacaciones! March 24: Whites Zoom. 14 THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 Two cars at car show in Detroit Majestic Club hopping Show & Go Customs There's Jimmy! RIP...Aways to see who hops higher! was hopping making cars to hop higher

1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria ...customize original

1948 Lincoln Continental.... 1960 cool blue Chevy Impala at Meet Rusty! 1949 Dodge Awesome car! Berger Chevy parking lot Pilot House B2B sitting on a 1988 Dodge Dakota Chassis... Rust is a color Twisted Metal...Best one of all Cruising big time!

Blue car in the Clouds Love this car...Twisted Metal...one of the best

Puerto Rican Music from this Jose Noriega owner of Scooby Wild Horse Car... owner Calling all cars... Calling all 3-Wheeler...owner Norberto Doo! Larry Kennedy cars...Batmoblie on the loose Torres from Dos Homiez Club

There are nothing like car shows…missing most of them last year and probably this year due to the coronavirus…

Well, unfortunately, as the year 2021 starts out, The Michigan International Auto Show was canceled due Covid- 19 virus. We were disappointed by this but there is hope!

It was announced that the Detroit Autorama 69th Annual Car Show has been rescheduled to April 30 – May 2, 2021 at TCF Center (Cobo Hall) 1 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226. Keep your fingers crossed!

Please do your part to win the war over Covid-19. Wear a mask, sanitize your hands often, stay 6’ feet away from each other and register for your vaccination ASAP!

In this month’s March Issue, we showcase some pictures of Jim from Majestics Car Club (RIP). His car “Show & Go Customs” was in the air hopping! How high can they go!

Somos pocos pero locos en lowriding! Having a car event? Contact Homer (616)893-3906 [email protected] THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 15 Paz Vega was born in Seville, Spain, on the 2nd January 1976, as Paz Campos Trigo.

She started acting in high school, and after starring in mul- tiple Spanish sitcoms (six seasons as Laura in ‘Seven Lives’), famous with 2001 film ‘Sex and Lucia’ (Lucia y el sexo) by Julio Medem. In 2002 she appeared in Pedro Al- modovar’s movie ‘Talk to her’ (Hable con ella) that received over thirty international awards.

She made her leap to big Hollywood productions in 2005 hit ‘Spanglish’ alongside Adam Sandler and Tea Leoni. Since then, the actress has starred numerous movies where she performed in English, Spanish, French and Ital- ian. In 2012 she lent her voice to the Andalusian Triplets, in ‘Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted’.

In 2019, Vega appeared in Televisa to portray the lead character Catalina Creel in the mini-series , based on the 1986 original telenovela of the same title. The same year, she portrayed an independent Mexican reporter in Rambo: Last Blood, where she co-starred with Sylvester Stallone.

Paz Vega nació en Sevilla, España, el 2 de enero de 1976, como Paz Campos Trigo. Comenzó a actuar en la escuela secundaria, y después de protagonizar varias comedias de televisión españolas (seis temporadas como Laura en "Seven Lives"), se hizo famosa con la película de 2001 "Sex and Lucia" (Lucia and el sexo) de Julio Medem. En 2002, apareció en la película de Pedro Almodóvar, 'Talk to her' (Hable con ella), que recibió más de treinta premios internacionales.

Ella dio su salto a las grandes producciones de Holly- wood en el éxito de 2005 "Spanglish" junto a Adam Sandler y Tea Leoni. Desde entonces, la actriz ha pro- tagonizado numerosas películas donde actuó en inglés, español, francés e italiano. En 2012 prestó su voz a los trillizos andaluces, en "Madagascar 3: los más busca- dos de Europa".

En 2019 fue protagonista antagonista de Cuna de lobos de Televisa, en el proyecto Fábrica de sueños. Las gra- baciones comenzaron a mediados de abril de 2019 y se entrenó el 7 de octubre de 2019. En 2020 fue concur- sante y ganadora de la primera edición española de Mask Singer, donde interpretó el personaje de Catrina GERARDO ORTIZ ESTRENA SU NUEVO ÁLBUM “DÉCIMO ANIVERSARIO”

Gerardo Ortiz, ícono de la música mexicana con más de 10 años de tray- in 2010 “En Vivo Las Tundras,” the interpreter managed to rev- ectoria artística sigue demostrando su liderazgo conservando una figura olutionize the corrido sub-genre, not only expanding the pano- influyente en el mundo digital. El día de hoy presenta su décima produc- rama of the Regional Mexican genre, but also that of Latin music ción de estudio titulada “Décimo Aniversario” disponible en todas las pla- in general. Gerardo Ortiz has caused an impact on a large inter- taformas digitales, junto a su segundo sencillo “Historia de Ayer”. national scale as today his music crosses borders beyond the United States, Mexico and Latin America. Indudablemente, después de su primer disco lanzado al mercado “En Vivo Las Ortiz brought to light all his effort, crea- Tundras” en el 2010 el intérprete logró tivity and talent in this production. revolucionar el género de los corridos “Décimo Aniversario” (Tenth Anniver- no solo ampliando el panorama del Re- sary) includes 11 unreleased songs to gional Mexicano, sino también el de la the rhythm of a Sinaloan band and tradi- música latina en general. Gerardo Ortiz tional mariachi. Looking for the best re- ha causado impacto a gran escala in- sult in regards to the sound that defines ternacional ya que hoy por hoy su mú- him, the singer decided to record the sica traspasa fronteras más allá de la band songs in Mazatlán, Sinaloa and the Unión Americana, México y Latino Am- Mariachi ones in Mexico City. The album érica. includes ballads such as "Y A Mí Que Me Queda", "Las Caricias", "Estar Con Entregando todo su esfuerzo y talento Otra", song written by his younger en este material “Décimo Aniversario”, brother Oscar Ortiz and "Por Un Amor" Ortiz incluye 11 temas inéditos a ritmo a song in collaboration with the talented de banda y mariachi tradicional. Bus- songwriter Jerry Demara, may he rest in cando el mejor resultado para el sonido peace. Additionally, this production in- que lo caracteriza el cantante decidió cludes corridos like "Tranquilito", "Don grabar las canciones de banda en Ma- Jesús" and "Gente de Joaquín", one of zatlán, Sinaloa y el mariachi en Ciudad Ortiz’ favorites. As a whole, this album is de México. El álbum incluye baladas authentically versatile with music for all como “Y A Mí Que Me Queda”, “Las tastes including a cumbia to dance titled Caricias”, “Estar Con Otra” tema escrito “Mi Niña Bonita.” por su hermano menor Oscar Ortiz y “Por Un Amor” una canción en colaboración con el respetado compositor Following his first single release "El Perro" last November, today Jerry Demara, en paz descanse. Además, esta producción incluye corri- he presents "Historia de Ayer" a romantic song of his composition dos como “Tranquilito”, “Don Jesús” y “Gente de Joaquín” , uno de los along with an emotional video narrative. "It honors all those who favoritos de Ortiz. En su totalidad el disco viene muy variable con música go out in search of a better life for themselves and their families," para todos los gustos incluyendo una cumbia para bailar titulada “Mi Niña Ortiz states. The emotional video was shot on the outskirts of Los Bonita.” Angeles, Ca. by the production company ZAVA Films who took the challenge of producing this story, where we can see scenes in- Tras su primer sencillo “El Perro”, lanzado el pasado mes de noviembre, spired by real life situations. hoy presenta “Historia de Ayer” una canción ro- mántica de su autoría junto a una emotiva nar- ración de video que comenta es en “Honor a todos aquellos que salen en busca de una mejor vida para ellos y sus familias.” El con- movedor video fue grabado a las afueras de la ciudad de Los Ángeles Ca. y dirigido por la casa productora ZAVA Films quien tomó el reto de producir esta historia, donde podemos ver escenas inspiradas por casos de la vida real.

Su anterior álbum “Más Caro Que Ayer” debutó #1 en las listas más importantes de la industria y el disco “Décimo Aniversario” se perfila ser otro triunfo más añadido a su extensa trayecto- ria. “Historia de Ayer” ya se encuentra dis- ponible en todas la plataformas digitales y el video en su canal oficial de YouTube.

The Mexican music icon Gerardo Ortiz, who is celebrating 10 years of artistic ca- reer, continues to demonstrate his leader- ship preserving an influential figure in the digital world. Today he presents his tenth studio album titled “Décimo Aniversario” (Tenth Anniversary) available on all digital platforms, along with his second single “Historia de Ayer” (History of Yesterday.)

Undoubtedly, after his first album released THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 17 GRUPO FIRME ENTRE LOS ARTISTAS MÁS GALARDONADOS EN LOS PREMIO LO NUESTRO 2021

Anoche, Grupo Firme, uno de los grupos más populares y exitosos del momento, iluminó el American Airlines Arena durante los Premios Lo Nuestro 2021, llenando el escenario de magia y mucha emoción con dos de las mejores presentaciones de la noche.

La espectacular ceremonia se transmitió en vivo desde Miami a través de Univision.

Grupo Firme demostró, una vez más, por qué se encuentra entre los digitales. Anoche, Eduin Caz de Grupo Firme brilló como siempre con grupos más importantes en la actualidad y entre los grandes represen- un despliegue vocal impecable y absolutamente fascinante que ade- tantes de la música regional mexicana, al convertirse en uno de los más, compartió un conmovedor mensaje de unidad, fuerza e mayores ganadores de la noche, tras obtener cinco de las seis catego- igualdad. rías a las que estaban nominados: Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año, Canción Regional Mexicano del Año, Colaboración Regional Mexicano del Año, Grupo o Dúo Regional Mexicano del Año, Canción Banda del Más tarde, el cantautor mexicano Lenin Ramírez se unió a Grupo Firme Año y Canción Norteña del Año. para cantar en vivo “Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo”, ganadora de tres pre- mios en las categorías Canción Regional Mexicana del Año, Colabora- Al unirse a la sensación puertorriqueña Chesca, Grupo Firme sorpren- ción del Año y Canción Banda del Año. La presentación fue una dió a los espectadores que, desde sus casas, disfrutaron de una impre- muestra de la encantadora y enérgica maestría musical que mantienen sionante interpretación de su nuevo sencillo: la versión mariachi de “El los artistas en esta colaboración en la que, con una impresionante en- Cambio”, producida por el Reconocido y talentoso productor y escritor trega vocal, Caz, su compañero de banda, Ab Luna, y Ramírez trans- Horacio Palencia, que se estrena oficialmente hoy en las plataformas portaron a la audiencia hacia la cautivadora historia de la canción.

18 THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 Vaccination is essential to making progress in the COVID-19 pan- demic. Two COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration so far, and more are in development. Here’s a look at the technology behind the vaccines.

MESSENGER RNA VACCINES The first two COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the FDA are made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Both vaccines require two shots and use messenger RNA to trigger an immune response in the body. The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause COVID-19, as they do not use a live virus. The messenger RNA, or mRNA, teaches our bodies to make a protein to trigger an immune response. Here’s how it works: 1. The mRNA vaccine is administered to the upper arm muscle 2. The mRNA encounters the body’s cells 3. The cells follow the mRNA’s instructions to produce a new protein piece 4. The cell destroys the mRNA instructions now that it has used them, This content has been reviewed and approved by Dr. S. George Kipa, and displays the protein piece on its surface deputy chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. 5. Our immune system recognizes that the new protein doesn’t belon on the outside of the cell and begins making antibodies La vacunación es fundamental para avanzar en la pandemia de COVID-19. Hasta ahora, la Administración de Drogas y Alimentos The mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, where our DNA is kept – de los EE. UU. Ha autorizado dos vacunas COVID-19 para uso de so they do not affect or alter our DNA. While mRNA, is a new vaccine emergencia, y hay más en desarrollo. technology, it has been in development for years as scientists have studied the flu, Zika, rabies and cytomegalovirus. Las dos primeras vacunas COVID-19 autorizadas para uso de emergencia por la FDA son fabricadas por Pfizer-BioNTech y Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are known to Moderna. Ambas vacunas requieren dos vacunas y utilizan ARN cause side effects, including pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, mensajero para desencadenar una respuesta inmune en el chills, tiredness and headache. These side effects mean the vaccine is cuerpo. working and that your immune system is responding as intended. Las vacunas Pfizer y Moderna COVID-19 no pueden causar For daily updates on vaccine information and distribution in COVID-19, ya que no usan un virus vivo. El ARN mensajero, o Michigan, read more here: COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Should ARNm, le enseña a nuestro cuerpo a producir una proteína para Know. desencadenar una respuesta inmunitaria. www.mibluesperspectives.com

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EMPLEO EN VITO'S to race, color, religion, sex, PIZZA - Se busca una per- sexual orientation, gender sona para preparar la masa identity, national origin, de Pizza. Horas flexibles. age, height, weight, disabil- No se requiere ingles. So- ity or genetic information licita en 658 W. Fulton, that is unrelated to the per- Grand Rapids. Pide por Mi- son's ability to perform the guel o Israel 616-451-8277 duties of a particular job or o al correo electrónico: vi- position, misdemeanor ar- [email protected] rest record, marital status or other characteristics CARPENTERS AND which are or may be pro- LABORERS- Rohde Con- tected by law. struction Company is a West Michigan based Gen- Rohde Construction Com- eral Contractor specializing pany is an Equal Opportu- in multi-family housing and nity Employer commercial projects. We are seeking qualified car- Send resumes or inquiries penters and laborers. These to: Rohde Construction positions offer pay based Company, Inc. through our website at: This is a fast paced work After 90 days of work, Medi- on experience and an ex- 4087 Brockton SE www.rohdeconstruction.com environment, aiming to cal, dental insurance will cellent benefits program is Kentwood, MI 49512 complete full rough and fin- become available. As well provided. Phone: 616-698-0880 ELECTRICIANS NEEDED!- ish electrical wiring in as 401K. Fax: 616-698-1850 We are seeking depend- homes ranging from 2000 All qualified applicants will Email: careers@rohdecon- able, reliable person(s), to sq ft to 3800+ sq ft within a If this sounds like a job for receive consideration for struction.com complete the electrical in- scheduled time frame. you Call Larry @ (313) 363 - employment without regard Or download an application stallation on construction in Must have reliable transpor- 5822, let's talk! If no an- new residen- tation and basic electrical swer, feel free to leave a tial com- hand tools. message. munities. Canton Area Location

THE COMMUNITY VOICE LA VOZ / MARCH 2021 23