MidwestLatino welcomes Michael Drake as a new contributor. Michael will be sharing his experience as a Fitness trainer. Please visit his Fitness column (click here).

Patricia Paz talks about origins of Salsa - is it Cuban or is it Puertorican (click here) ?

What is your view about it? Please join the discussion at our Forums (click here).

Pictures from the August 1 Salsa with Tropicoso @ Cincinnati's hottest Latino spot - "The Mad Frog", are on the Web (click here)


Marissa & Angelo - winners of tonight's Salsa competition. Want to see Cincinnati's best Salsa dancers? Come to the Finals on August 19 at the Cincinnati Dance Sport Festival.

Want to compete? Come to the preliminaries (click here for info)

MidwestLatino is pleased to announce that Julie Simms, Commissioner for the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, has joined MidwestLatino Board of Advisors. A native of Panama, she brings a very strong community orientation to our Board, especially in the Education area. We are very honored to have her as our Advisor.

In order to better serve the community, MidwestLatino has asked several recognized and respected Latino community/business leaders to form a MidwestLatino Board of Advisors. As we grow, it is important that we remain focused on what's most important for the community, and the Board of Advisors will help us to do just that.

If you look at the Board members, you probably know most, if not all, of them. They have been around for many years, have been very involved in the community, and are very successful in what they're doing. Each of them could be a great role model for all of us.

It is a great honor and recognition for us to have these respected community/business leaders joining our MidwestLatino Board of Advisors. And since it's never too much of good advice, we'll be adding additional members in the future.

Cincinnati's top rated Havana Martini Club had another hot Wednesday night with its weekly "Havana Night"!

Sponsored by "Ketel One" with FREE admission, FREE dance lessons, hottest Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata music in town by DJ Rudy Alvarez, and exciting give-aways, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights...

Congratulations to Ken Hawley - the winner of July's Grand Prize drawing: "Ketel One Pack"!

Pictures are on the Web (click here)

Now the party starts at 5:00 PM with "Latino Happy Hour"!!! Stop in and grab a 60oz Pitcher Grande of Ketel One Citroen Lemonade or try one of the new Summertini’s and Cocktails - served on our beautiful carribean-themed patio!

Pictures from the July 25 Salsa with Tropicoso @ Cincinnati's hottest Latino spot - "The Mad Frog", are on the Web (click here)

Pictures from the Grand Opening of "Paraiso Nite Club" are on the Web (click here).

Thu: Reggaeton, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue
Fri: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton
Sat: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton
Sun: Cumbia, Reggaeton, Durangue

See: http://brewskeslatino.com/

Vision 2015 is a community planning initiative that will produce a 10-year strategic blueprint for Northern Kentucky. Five action teams will address critical issues related to economic competitiveness, education excellence, effective governance, livable communities and urban renaissance.

It would be hard to plan for the future w/o considering input and needs from the fastest growing minority in US - the Hispanics. On July 22nd, Centro de Amistad hosted a feedback session with local Latinos. Chaired by AJ Schaeffer (Co-chair of Vision 2015) and Leo Calderon (NKU Latino Studen Affairs), it was a lively discussion in English and Spanish. Some of the issues raised were related to communication difficulties resulting from language barriers on both sides, education, health, and discrimination.

During the session participants filled out a survey stating their preferences on several issues, from education to health and public transportation.

Pictures from the meeting are on the Web (click here).

LULAC ( League of United Latin American Citizens) Cincinnati chapter has been officially formed on July 20, 2005, with Jason Riveiro becoming its first President.

Founded in 1929, League of United Latin American Citizens is the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the US.

Its Mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States. Click here to learn more abouc LULAC.

If interested in joining LULAC, please emai us

More information about LULAC's Cincinnati chapter coming soon...

Cincinnati's top rated Havana Martini Club had another hot Wednesday night with its weekly "Havana Night"!

Sponsored by "Ketel One" with FREE admission, FREE dance lessons, hottest Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata music in town by DJ Rudy Alvarez, and exciting give-aways, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights...

Pictures are on the Web (click here)

Now the party starts at 5:00 PM with "Latino Happy Hour"!!! Stop in and grab a 60oz Pitcher Grande of Ketel One Citroen Lemonade or try one of the new Summertini’s and Cocktails - served on our beautiful carribean-themed patio!

Recognizing Hispanic Youth Making a Difference in their Communities

Application Deadline: July 29, 2005

According to the U.S. Department of Education 37% of Hispanics do not finish high school, compared to the national average of 15%. In fact, overall statistics show that Hispanic students do not succeed as well as non-Hispanics, African Americans, or Asians. They have higher dropout rates, lower scores and fewer college graduates, leading to less involvement in community affairs. However, there are many young Latinos who are exemplary in their leadership and dedication to both their own educational success and the empowerment of their communities. These facts have charged Allstate to support initiatives that empower the Hispanic community, specifically the $5,000 Líderes de Hoy essay contest.

Pictures from the July 18 Salsa with Tropicoso @ Cincinnati's hottest Latino spot - "The Mad Frog", are on the Web (click here)

Pictures from the July 16 Salsa @ Cincinnati's Havana Martini Club are on the Web (click here). As always, "Salsa Caliente" delivered a knock-out performance!

Members of the Ohio State House of Representatives are evaluating draft legislation which will declare “English as the Official Language” of the state of Ohio.

The Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA) seeks your ideas and opinions on this critical public policy issue and has developed a survey regarding the legislation.

Complete the survey online at http://surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=967221206677.

Encuesta en Español: http://surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=218361209935

The deadline for returning the survey is July 29, 2005.