NEWS AND PROFILES CONNECTING THE LATINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN

March 2016 Issue 345

www.latinoamericantoday.com

THE HEALTH OF LATINOS IN MINNESOTA Obesity, Diabetes, Colon and Prostate Cancer, Heart Disease—leading health issues for Latinos LA SALUD DE LOS LATINOS EN MINNESOTA La obesidad, diabetes, cáncer del colon y la próstata, enfermedad del corazón—los principales problemas de salud entre Latinos Community News

2 March 2016 LATINO AMERICAN TODAY WWW.LATINOAMERICANTODAY.COM Health Disparities in Minnesota’s Multicultural Communities

By Claud Santiago

lthough Minnesota has long been one of the Ahealthiest states in the country, almost 15% of Minnesotans tend to experience much worse health in several areas. Overall, Populations of Color, Hispanics, Asian Americans, African Americans, Africans and Native Americans experience shorter life spans, higher rates of infant mortality, higher inci- dence of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other diseases, and poorer general health. Prevention can improve health in these communities and help man- On The Cover age health care costs. The Health of Latinos in Minnesota La salud de los Latinos en Minnesota Minnesota must work to eliminate health dispari- ties by expanding access to affordable health care, strengthening the health care workforce, investing in prevention, and improving data to more accurately document health disparities.

Health disparities are defined as the difference in the burden of diseases and health status that exist among specific population groups. They are closely linked with social, economic and environmental conditions. Founded 2013 Health disparities may affect certain populations based on gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, geog- Member of Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium raphy, sexual orientation, disability or special health care needs. Health disparities occur among groups that National Foundation of Hispanic Owned Newspapers have persistently experienced historical trauma, and discrimination. These groups experience worse health or Minnesota Newspaper Association greater health risks than other populations. Published by Aguilar Productions Inc. Richard Aguilar, President Any effort to reduce health disparities must first identify where gaps exist. In our current health care system, Contributors data collection is fragmented; information on race, ethnicity, or primary language is not always collected; and Amalia Moreno-Damgaard, Award-winning Author, Chef, & Entrepreneur data is often not readily available to policy makers and the public. Michael Gonzalez Wallace, Author and Health & Fitness Guru Marci Malzahn, Banking Executive and Founder of Health reform would make sure that qualified health plans in an Exchange provide culturally and linguistically Malzahn Strategic appropriate communication and health services. There will also be an emphasis on training health profes- Scott Foreman, Photographer www.roadworkphotography.com sionals to improve their cultural competence. The Minnesota Business Partnership, an organization made up Online of Minnesota’s largest employers recently issued a report of the healthcare system in Minnesota...it stated Gisela Aguilar Design “increasing ethnic diversity will challenge our local healthcare system, which must address different underlying Gisela Aguilar health needs and bridge cultural and language barriers.” Latino American Today 204 Emerson Avenue E. St. Paul, MN 55118 Phone 651-665-0633 Fax 651-665-0129 Email [email protected] Web Call Us to Advertise! www.latinoamericantoday.com

651-665-0633 Nota: Editoriales, articulos y anuncios que aparecen en este periódico representan el punto de vista de el (ellos) autor (es) y no necesariamente reflejan la opinión, punto de vista o modo like us on facebook de pensar de LATINO AMERICAN TODAY facebook.com/latinoamericantoday o de su personal. Latino American Today distributes 15,000 copies on a monthy basis. Education WWW.LATINOAMERICANTODAY.COM LATINO AMERICAN TODAY March 2016 3 MINNESOTA’S MINORITY STUDENTS ARE GETTING A RAW DEAL

By Senator David Hann The first key is to put parents back in the driver’s seat. Research shows students perform better when their parents take an active role in their wo-thirds of Latino students are not education. Treading proficiently. Latino students are One way we can do this is by giving parents more control over which graduating high school at rates far below school their child attends. Too many children are trapped at underper- that of their white counterparts. For stu- forming schools, but often there is little families can do. To address this, dents who are learning English as a sec- Republicans propose creating Education Savings Accounts. These ac- ond language, their chances of doing well counts will function like scholarships, making it easier for Latino parents in school are even smaller. to send their children to a better school. This is no fault of theirs. The system is fail- We can improve opportunities for Latino students, but we should also ing them. raise our expectations. That means requiring every student to be reading proficiently by third grade. By expecting results before promoting stu- Experts always stress the importance of Senator David Hann dents to the next grade we can reduce the dropout rate, improve test education, yet the achievement gap has per- scores, and make sure every child has the tools they need to perform sisted for decades. Every year elected officials talk about how shameful well in school. it is, but every year they resist any meaningful change. It’s tragic that we have failed so many students with our inaction, but Republicans know we can close the gap and put all children—particu- with the Republican education plan and some outside-the-box thinking larly minority children—on the road to a bright future. we can finally put every student on the path to prosperity.

One the key panels at the Latino Education Achievement Gap Summit in St. Paul. The Policy Leaders panel :( L to R ) Sen. David Hann ( R ) District 48, Rep. ( R ) District 15A, Sen.Melissa Wiklund ( D ) District 50, Regina Seabrook, Rochester Public Schools, Valeria Silva, Superinten- dent of St. Paul Public Schools, and Elia Bruggeman, Deputy Education Of- ficer, Public Schools. Thanks to these leaders for their candid discussion, and their strategies and ideas. Community News 4 March 2016 LATINO AMERICAN TODAY WWW.LATINOAMERICANTODAY.COM Keep the American Dream Alive Greg Ryan Pledges Support for the Immigrant Business Community

By Claud Santiago

isiting El Bravo Mexican VRestaurant on Rice street off of University Avenue in St. Paul, Greg Ryan candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in the 4th District, pledged his support for the Hispanic business community and commends their great achievements and the important role they play in the Twin Cities economic growth. With Ryan for this visit is Rick Aguilar, a Twin Cities business leader Pete Bravo, Greg Ryan, and Rick Aguilar and one of the founders of the Minnesota Hispanic Greg Ryan with Pete Bravo, owner of El Chamber of Commerce, Bravo Mexican Restaurant and Chair of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce in the year 2000. Ryan commented that “ Multicultural busi- ness owners Hispanic, Asian American and other immigrant groups have transformed the University Avenue cooridor from what in the 1970s had become a decaying urban wasteland, home to closed businesses and board- ed up storefronts, to the thriving commercial district it is today.” Immigrant business owners are realizing the American Dream and Ryan is on a mis- sion to make sure that the dream stays alive. His vision for Minnesota is to help small businesses like those on University Avenue grow and cre- ate more jobs. Ryan commented to Aguilar on the “wonderful ecomomic development that has happened in this area.” “ The enterprise and hard work of the Immigrant business owners has produced positive results for University Avenue,” Ryan commented.

Greg Ryan feels that the University Avenue corridor with the addition of the new Green Line Light Rail system represents an important change for St.Paul and offers new opportunities for the Immigrant business community in the 4th district. Many business corridors in St. Paul, like Payne Avenue and Cesar Chavez Street have seen Hispanic immigrants take advantage of the “American Dream” and the chance to open their own businesses and create jobs in the community. Ryan know that they need less regulations and lower taxes to be able to grow. Ryan understands the importance of the immigrant communities and what they can contribute to Minnesota’s economy. In his own words Ryan stated “I want to keep the American Dream alive for the immigrant communities and make Minnesota a state where business thrives and immigrants get the opportunity to contribute and make a difference.” Community News WWW.LATINOAMERICANTODAY.COM LATINO AMERICAN TODAY March 2016 5 Know Your Value By Marci Malzahn

I recently spoke at Encourage Her Network, a women’s networking group that focuses on promoting and connecting women in business. The topic was “Know Your Value.” When Shannon Johnson, founder of Encourage Her Network, gave me the title for their Signature Event, I was immediately inspired because it meant two things to me. First, the title implies that each person is valuable and second, that each person needs to know their value.

As the keynote speaker, I felt the responsibility to remind the women of how valuable they are and also to tell them why. So I decided to focus on four key areas:

Know Your Value as an employee, as an employer, as a leader, and as a person.

But before I get into each of those areas, let me describe the word “value” and “valuable.” The Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “value” as s a noun to mean “relative worth, merit or importance; monetary or material worth.” As a verb, value means “to calculate the monetary value of something, to consider with respect to worth, excellence, usefulness, or importance, to regard or esteem highly.” So what determines if something is valuable? In regards to material things, it’s what people are willing to pay for the specific item, product, or service. In regards to people—ev- Marci Malzahn, ery human life is valuable. Founder of Malzahn Strategic Each person has gifts and talents—a special natural ability or aptitude, what comes easy for a person to do. It’s im- portant for a person to discover his or her gifts and recognize that every gift is valuable. It is also important to recognize the gifts and talents that others have. Then people can be ready to share their gifts with others and also learn to humbly ask for help when they need talents they don’t have. Why is it important to know your gifts and talents? Because each gift is valuable!

Know your value as an employee: Following the concept that each person has unique gifts and talents, it is easy to see that you, as an employee, bring your unique talents to the organization you work for. You bring your contribution to the team and also your individual potential to grow with the company.

Know your value as an employer: Many of us have the opportunity to be in management and leadership roles as well as owning your own busi- ness where you hire people. As an employer, you have a great opportunity to discover the gifts in the potential employees of your company and put them to use to fulfill the vision of your organization. Hiring people is a great privilege and you should not take it lightly. Also, as an employer, you bring value to your community by offering your products and services and thus you are contributing to society.

Know your value as a leader: Not everyone is a leader. Leadership is a gift and it should be taken seriously. If you are in a position of leadership, are you using your gifts to further the vision of your company? Are you leading others by helping them discover their own gifts? These are good questions to ask yourself that will help you recognize how valuable you are.

Know your value as a person: Why is it that we need to be reminded that we are valuable? We forget because we don’t hear it enough from oth- ers, not even from those who love us. So today, I want to remind you that you are unique. You are valuable! Knowing that you have value and that you, as an individual, are valuable is not just positive self-talk. It is a fact that you need to embrace. Once you know that you are valuable, your self-confidence will increase and you will be able to help others find their value too. You will become a stronger person and will inspire others to succeed in life. I’m going to add one more area:

Know your value as a Latina leader: As Latinas, we have a special gift of a second language and also our heritage from a Latin American country. We bring our culture and flavor wherever we go and we must take advantage of that by creating awareness and sharing it with others. When I first came to the United States, I wanted to “melt in the melting pot.” That is fine but there was a point that I was forgetting my Spanish. Then I realized that speaking Spanish is a gift and that I must not lose it. Now I value it and appreciate it.

So today I want to encourage you to Know Your Value as an employee, as an employer, as a leader, and as a person—and as a Latina woman. You are unique. You are valuable!

Marci Malzahn is a banking executive and founder of Malzahn Strategic (www.malzahnstrategic.com), a community bank con- sultancy focused on strategic planning, enterprise risk management and talent management. Marci is also an author and motiva- tional/ inspirational speaker. You can contact Marci through her website at www.marciamalzahn.com, and for speaking engage- ments please contact Preferred Speakers at www.preferredspeakers.com. 6 7

CALL OR EMAIL AGUILAR PRODUCTIONS FOR EXHIBIT AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 651-665-0633 OR [email protected] Health & Lifestyle 8 March 2016 LATINO AMERICAN TODAY WWW.LATINOAMERICANTODAY.COM Reinventing Easter By award-winning author and chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard and easy to make. Less is more. A menu of four dishes is more appealing to people doing the cooking than a wide ompanies reinvent products and people reinvent them- array of dishes. Cselves so why not reinvent Easter? The benefit of cooking from scratch versus eating pro- Traditions and celebrations come and go year after year cessed foods is priceless from an economic and health and people seldom change anything because they simply standpoint. It may take the same amount of time and don’t take the time to think about it, or they just don’t effort to prepare a home-style meal than one with mixed want to disrupt customary practices. Repetitive work is processed and fresh components. In the short and long tedious to me so I constantly look for ways of doing the run, what we cook with fresh ingredients usually ends up same task in a different way. having less calories and more nutrition, and it tastes better too. Easter is such a special time of year so I look forward to eating a special meal after 40 days of observing special di- So I invite you to rethink your menu this Easter and try ets every Friday. For takers, the usual ham and trimmings something new. Below is a recipe to get you started. can be substituted for a Latin-style fresh ham or tender- Chef Amalia in the kitchen loin (recipe below) and sides that are delicious, healthy, Happy Easter!

LOMITO ADOBADO Pork Tenderloin marinated in grilled guajillo, achiote, and tomatillo sauce

Recipe by Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard (AmaliaLLC.com) Keep it simple. Accompany this meal with a zesty guacamole, roasted potatoes and a salad made with freshly made vinaigrette. Serves 4-6 people 1 batch adobo sauce (recipe below) 2 pork tenderloins (1 lb. each) or 2-1/2 lbs. boneless country style-pork ribs Prepare the adobo. Marinate the pork in the sauce in a ziplock bag overnight or up to 3 days. Preheat the grill. Grill the pork over natural charcoal to an internal temperature of 135F (15-20) minutes. During grilling time, turn the pork every 2 to 3 minutes until it’s evenly brown. Rest the pork tented with a piece of foil for 5-10 minutes to help it reach an internal tem- perature of 145F. Slice the tenderloins on the diagonal and serve. Adobo Sauce: ½ cup chopped tomatillos; 1 cup chopped tomatoes; 1 of each chiles: guajillo and ancho deveined and torn into pieces; ¼ cup water; 1/3 cup chopped yellow onion; 1 tbsp garlic; ¼ tsp oregano; ¼ tsp. cumin; 1/8 tsp. ground cloves; 1/8 tsp. ground canela (cinnamon); ¼ tsp ground achiote; 1 tsbsp+1 tsp white wine vinegar; 1 tbsp canola oil; 1 tsp Kosher salt; freshly ground black pepper. Cook the tomatillos, tomatoes, and chiles in the water until soft (about 5 minutes). Let cool. Put the mixture with the remaining ingredients in a blender and puree to a fine consistency. The sauce should be thick and pasty so it will stick to the meat. Taste. About Amalia Moreno-Damgaard Amalia creates awareness and educates about Latin cultural nuances through consulting, bilingual speaking and writing, and fun healthy culinary experiences. Learn More at AmaliaLLC.com. Community News WWW.LATINOAMERICANTODAY.COM LATINO AMERICAN TODAY March 2016 9 Minnesota Foundation Helps Mexicans in Ixtapa

By Ulises Ayala, CPT, MI, MNARNG t all started with a phone call while I Iwas deployed in the Middle East serv- ing with a Minnesota National Guard unit. Being born in Ixtapa Nayarit and seeing the need helped us set the goals for our Foundation.

Ixtapa Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a pri- vate, non-profit organization that serves the people of Ixtapa Nayarit, Mexico by supporting and operating programs in Ulises Ayala three core mission areas: education, sci- ence and community development. The Foundation strives to nurture the La Raza 1400-1400 AM Plans for Education future leaders of Ixtapa. By example and by sharing its experience, the Foundation also contributes to human development regionally. In all of its Radio Program activities, the Foundation promotes a culture of excellence in Ixtapa and La Raza 1400-1470 AM Radio Show “GRADUANDO LATINOS” furthers its role in supporting an innovative and open society that aspires to develop sustainable human capacity, social, and economic prosperity Objective of the program: communicate to our Latino community the for a knowledge-based economy. importance of higher education and be the guide where parents and students can receive the information and resources they need to pursue higher From the beginning the foundation has had many achievements: education. 1. It offered dental exams to more than 75 students in a primary school Please contact La Raza 1400-1470 AM for sponsorship of this program 2. Awarded more than 300 food baskets to low-income families and dis- opportunities. abled. 3. Awarded two scholarships to low-income students. Santamaría Broadcasting Inc 4. Provided two orthopedic footwear disabled students. 3003 27th Ave South, Suite #400 5. It has provided backpacks with all that is necessary for the school year Minneapolis MN 55406 to a total of 112 students. Business Phone: (612) 354-3282 Political News 10 March 2016 LATINO AMERICAN TODAY WWW.LATINOAMERICANTODAY.COM Marco Rubio Wins Minnesota Marco Rubio Wins His First State on “Super Tuesday” Before Super Tuesday Rubio Visited Minneapolis

arco Rubio attracted over 1,600 supporters at his rally at the Hyatt Hotel in Minneapolis, Tuesday, February 23. The rally attracted a good Mturnout of Latino supporters. “We like Rubio he’s conservative and can articulate and present solutions for many of our countries important issues,” stated Victor and Jimmy Garay. An earlier Star Tribune poll shows Rubio leading Hillary Clinton by nine points in Minnesota and winning the Independent vote also.

In other news the Minnesota Rubio campaign state chairman, Jeff Johnson introduced the Minnesota Legislative Leadership Team for Rubio at a press conference in St. Paul following Marco’s exciting rally here on Tuesday. “I’m proud that these legislators from across our state are joining us in sup- port of the Rubio campaign,” Johnson stated. Legislators included, Sen. David Hann, Sen. Eric Pratt, Rep. , Rep. Jon Koznick, Rep. , and many oth- ers. Former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty also endorsed Rubio. In total over 25 legislative members endorsed Rubio.

Rubio rally in Minneapolis L to R: Jimmy Garay Triviski, Mike Triviski, Victor Garay Triviski, Irma Triviski, and Melissa Garay Triviski

L to R: Ben Kosel, Rick Aguilar, and Jesse Garza, District L to R: Sen. Dan Hall, Sen. Eric Pratt, Rep. , Rep. Tony Albright, Director for WI Congressman Sean Duffy Rep. Jon Koznick, Rep. Linda Runbeck, Jeff Johnson, and Rep. Dennis Smith Community News WWW.LATINOAMERICANTODAY.COM LATINO AMERICAN TODAY March 2016 11 Minnesota National Guard Is Working to Diversify Its Ranks

By Mark Brunswick Star Tribune After promotion, Sandy Best says she looks forward to day when it’s com- monplace. Sandy Best, who was officially promoted Thursday to become the first female general in the Minnesota National Guard, is not uncomfortable with be- ing the “first.” She just doesn’t expect to be the “only” for very long. In starting her new position, Best is Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, left, and Maj. keenly aware of her pioneering role L to R: Sam Verdeja, General Sandy Best, Rick Aguilar with Gen. Sandy Best Gen. Richard Nash of the Minnesota Nation- in a military that is rapidly changing and Wendy Everett al Guard each pinned a general’s star on the to reflect the civilian population it “This increase reflects the importance of promoting great, talented, and qualified shoulders of Col. Sandy Best at the promo- serves. female candidates such as General Best,” Nash said. tion ceremony where she became a brigadier “I will look forward to the day that it general Thursday at the Woman’s Club of Best said a military functions best when it includes a wide range of people. Minneapolis. doesn’t have to be the ‘first female,’ when it’s just commonplace,” she “Who would want to join an organization that doesn’t look like them or reflect said. “In the meantime, I will pay forward what the men and women in the orga- their values?” she asked. “Really, its bigger than just diversity in race and color and nization have done to help me get here; to help continue to empower men and ethnicity and gender. It’s more about inclusivity in an organization because that’s women in the organization to do what they want to do.” the kind of stuff we need when we go into combat; when we support state home- In a ceremony at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis, Major Gen. Rick Nash, the land missions. You need people who can work together and get along.” head of the Minnesota National Guard, made note of the strides the Guard has Brigadier Gen. Best, whose Guard career began in 1984, will command the Min- made in developing a more diverse organization, including recent promotions of nesota Air Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing in Minneapolis and its 148th Fighter Wing its first African-American general officer, its first African-American female and in Duluth. When she enlisted as a personnel specialist, she said she never thought male colonels; the first female senior enlisted adviser; the first female chief infor- that one day she would be promoted to general. Now, she has some words of mation officer, the first female Army brigade commander, and the first female Judge advice. Advocate General general counsel. “Getting outside your comfort zone is when I found that I grew the most and had Since 2011, the Minnesota National Guard has increased the number of women in the most opportunity,” she said. “So now my words of wisdom would be to do the its ranks from 16.2 percent to 18 percent. things you are asked to do.”

Wahlgren Running for State Senate

By Claud Santiago When elected to the Senate, Wahlgren plans to focus on education issues, developing a strong middle class economy, and promoting effective, common Sharna Wahlgren recently announced that she is sense solutions. “Families in Ramsey and Washington Counties need a voice running for the in District 53 in St. Paul,” said Wahlgren. “I will speak for parents who want their kids well against first-term Senator . Sharna has prepared for life after high school – whether it be college, vo-tech training or lived in our community all her life. She empha- a job. I will speak for all families who want to ensure that there’s a path to a sizes that she has the energy, passion, knowledge thriving middle class in Minnesota and job opportunities – for good jobs – for and vision that are needed to make real change. everyone.” When discussing challenging issues, she is opti- With the benefit of her economics degree, Sharna is committed to being Sharna Wahlgren mistic and compassionate and often says, “we can do better than this, I know we can!” financially responsible. “Understandably, many families are deeply concerned about the cost of healthcare and college,” said Wahlgren. “We need to actually After graduating from Harding High School on the East Side of St. Paul, Wahlgren bring those costs down, not just shift the costs around.” She also uses her ca- earned degrees in economics and political science from the University of Min- reer experience working with entrepreneurs on innovative patent matters to nesota. She later returned to the U of M for her law degree, graduating with think outside the box. “When people talk about having the government pick honors. As an attorney, she has worked for more than 20 years with entrepre- up more of the tab, that’s just shifting the cost to other taxpayers. We need neurs and a wide variety of businesses, handling patent, trademark, real estate to find ways to innovate and reform so the actual costs come down, and are and tax matters. Sharna has been named one of Minnesota’s Best Lawyers. really affordable for everyone. I know we can do that.” Wahlgren’s website Her community service includes serving on the Board of the Greater Twin Cities contains more information about her and her campaign: www.sharna4us.com. Youth Symphonies, which recently announced that it is expanding its music program specifically for students on the West Side of St. Paul.