SIEMBRA COMO EL JIBARO SIEMBRO

Business /

SIEMBRA COMO EL JIBARO SIEMBRO December is upon us, and while colder weather and the holiday season is in full swing, it is not too late to start planting or watering seeds. It is quite common practice while scrolling through social media to see folks engage in online “challenges” for attention. Some of these challenges start off with good intentions however many are just idiotic, and I usually scroll right past them. This however did get me to thinking of a new challenge: support a local entrepreneur or business. Our people come from remarkably diverse backgrounds and experiences, and through these experiences our entrepreneurial spirit has always been strong. Unfortunately, many small businesses suffer early on before they can successfully turn profit due to the lack of support they receive from the people closest to them.  On my visit to Buffalo a few months back, I was glad to see many of “our businesses” on Niagara Street and elsewhere throughout the Puerto Rican West Side. Whether they were restaurants, small grocery stores, hair, and nail salons or even clothing shops, I am glad to see that entrepreneurial spirit live on within our people.  These seeds are not only relegated to businesses, they can also be ideas in the form of art or cultural programs. The term “starving artist” is well known in the English lexicon; however, it does not have to be. If you know an artist, share their work, buy their work and wares, and make sure you spread their art through word of mouth or social media. That exposure goes a long way, especially now with the holiday season in full swing.  Buying locally produced goods from your neighbors would mean the world to an artist struggling to get by. It will help stimulate the local economy but more importantly, help stimulate the growth of a local business owner or dreamer. The phrase “support your own” is one I have heard for years and I cannot repeat it enough. Support our people, be the cultivators of their dreams and wishes and spread their works so that others may enjoy it.  Do you know of a great hidden gem that sells amazing pinchos? Tell a friend!  Do you know a lady who crochets awesome newborn baby outfits? Share their work! The Latino Community on the West Side is so full of talented people who have either planted seeds or have some in need of being planted and supported with sunshine, fertile earth, and water.  With the holidays coming, the best gift you can give someone could very well be the support they need to continue growing their businesses or ideas.  Be the water or sunshine that helps that seedling spout. Cultivate their ideas like our ancestors worked the cane fields, machete in hand, sowing the fruits of their labor that fed their communities. This community here on the west side will only go as far as those who support one another. Siembra Como el Jíbaro Siembro. Read More From This Writer All Post Business Culture Food Government Health Interviews Lower West Side Business & Economic Development Medical Our Community Peace People Sports SIEMBRA COMO EL JIBARO SIEMBRO December 18, 2020/No Comments POST TITLE (CAPITAL) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus Read More MY BUFFALO LOWER  WEST SIDE STORY November 18, 2020/No Comments MY BUFFALO LOWER  WEST SIDE STORY In early October I returned to my hometown of Buffalo to film interviews for Read More

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CHRISTMAS 2006:AN ACT OF KINDNESS

People /

S.A.F.E. center was a place where young girls could come for psychological help without red tape following them. Requirements were that they sign a contract addressing their individual issues and take charge of a theme and salesmanship at scheduled fund-raising events. In less than 6 months we had over a dozen girls.  We were preparing for a Christmas presentation and the young lady next to me was exhausted from all her work. She was to take the lead and we were all overly excited for her breakthrough. On the way to her home, she fell asleep. Out of the corner of my left eye, I could see the black SUV charging towards us and I had to make a quick decision to speed up or slow down to minimize the hit that was inevitably coming. I decided to slow down. BANG!!!  I spin around and around several times and even hit another car. Throughout the spins I had my cell phone  clutched in my fist  trying to reach David. My head hit a few times. I no longer heard or saw what was going on, but I briefly recalled his hand reach for my phone. The young man spoke softly, and I thought he was an Angel. He stopped a passing motorist who happened to be a cop and between them both, carefully dragged us away from the car. We were both unconscious leaning against the tree. Little did they know, they would be shielding us from a huge car explosion. Within minutes people were arriving and throughout it all, this young man never let go of my hand. Months later when I was somewhat healed, I was determined to find him and invite him as an honored guest at our Christmas event. I found his given address on the police report. I found his uncle and shared how this young man had saved my life. They were surprised because he had been sad thinking I had died. The celebration had started and had almost ended when a deafening silence took over the room. I slowly turned around and there in all his valor was the Angel who put his life on the line for us. The young man who still bears scars on his back that he rarely talked about. Once we got pass the flowing tears, and warm embraces, we found out his family lived in Manhattan, less than five (5) blocks from my hometown and the mothers knew each other.  That Christmas, his act of kindness gave me back my life. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO: PUERTO RICAN WOMEN AT THE OLYMPICS 2021 September 17, 2021/No Comments SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO: PUERTO RICAN WOMEN AT THE OLYMPICS 2021 (Puerto Rico first partcipated at the Olympics Games in Read More SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO August 17, 2021/No Comments It has long been known that women have taken a historic back seat in all fields.  The  lack of exposure Read More BRIEF HISTORY OF SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO July 17, 2021/No Comments BRIEF HISTORY OF SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO The Taínos who inhabited Puerto Rico before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in Read More Load More End of Content.

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ELECTION OR DIVINE

Politics /

The American President! The promise of equal protection and opportunity for all! Really? Then how is it that regardless of all the negativity surrounding Trump the Chump, our president, our commander in chief and alleged role model, acquired near half the nation’s vote for a second term. Trump has famously survived one impeachment, two divorces, six bankruptcies, twenty-six accusations of sexual misconduct, and an estimated four thousand lawsuits. Behold! our new, “Wanna Be” Teflon John Gatti. This election was too close to call it “a people’s victory.” The thought that trump almost won again is scary. No doubt, aside from the present pandemic, Biden is in for an uphill battle regarding the state of a nation dramatically divided by economic disparity and racial tension. Face it, this election is proof that the population is split right down the middle and on the verge of near all out confrontation. Once again, the historic racial divide has reared its ugly head, keeping  its presence alive and well. With the existing tensions, the American melting pot is ready to boil over from civil unrest into an all-out civil war. Is that not why the powers that be got its militia ready to face potential rioting were Trump to win. Make no mistake, we are in dangerous waters. Biden and the population are sitting on a powder keg ready to explode. For shame people! Without breaking the existing commitment to party lines – Biden will face the very same dilemma that happened to Obama – getting stone walled by party bids for power and control. Without breaking the convenient public state of herd mentality (when people are led to go just because everyone else is going), YOU the public are conditioned to go after issues again and again with or without understanding as much of the details as possible. How else can a candidate with a history of criminal tendencies, inappropriate use of power, and clear promotion of racial tension, be given a platform for the presidency in the first place? So, was it the election or divine intervention that has temporarily delayed the castration of the American population? For now, the forces of good have temporarily taken the upper hand. But much has been revealed regarding the present condition and direction of the nation. Make no mistake, the forces of good and evil are battling to tilt the scales of righteous equality and justice.  By holding on to his seat, Trump thinks of himself as the Teflon president able to have his own escape plan from prosecution. Don’t let him or anyone else ever get away with white collar crime. It’s not over! Hold him accountable. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics BETTER LATE THEN NEVER: WHY NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH! April 17, 2022/No Comments BETTER LATE THEN NEVER: WHY NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH! Women! Ha! What are they good for? Ha! ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! For starters, Read More “LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD” February 17, 2022/No Comments “LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD” Wow! February! Lovey dove time for couples to share flowers, chocolates, dinner, special gifts, and of Read More FOR WHAT’S ANOTHER NEW YEAR January 17, 2022/No Comments FOR WHAT’S ANOTHER NEW YEAR The New Year is a worldwide celebration mainly full of parties, costumes, drinking and resolutions Read More Load More End of Content.

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