Every Day is Magic: Ada Limón

In her 2015 collection, Bright Dead Things, a National Book Award finalist for poetry, Ada Limón writes of moving to Kentucky: “Confession: I did not want to live here.” It’s perhaps not a surprising sentiment coming from a coastally oriented person who was raised in Northern California, attended college in Seattle, and then spent over a decade in New York City.

 

But Limón and her husband, Lucas, have been in Lexington for seven years now and the effects of settling into this place are noticeable in her new book, The Carrying (Milkweed, Aug.). It’s a phenomenally lively and attentive collection replete with the trappings of living a little closer to nature. While Bright Dead Things is marked by a preponderance of light, such as images of fireflies and neon signs, The Carrying features numerous appearances by various trees, birds, and beetles. Limón also demonstrates a greater willingness to be explicit in naming colors, particularly green. “It’s crazy green, the whole book,” she says. “Lexington is the greenest place I’ve ever lived.” Similarly, where in Bright Dead Things, Limón tells a lot of stories and anecdotes, in The Carrying she is very present in her thoughts and experiences.

As it turns out, these shifts in focus have another, altogether unexpected source. While putting Bright Dead Things together, Limón was diagnosed with chronic vestibular neuronitis, which can cause bouts of vertigo. “If I’m really having vertigo, it’s pretty intense and I really have to focus,”
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Front Page Items

Corridor Women’s Network hosting ‘Marketing to the Hispanic Community’ luncheon

“his informative and engaging workshop will feature two esteemed speakers: Pauline Anton, President & CEO of the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), and J.R. Gonzales, Executive Vice Chair ofTAMACC. These distinguished leaders will provide insights into the significant buying power of Hispanics in Texas and share strategies on how to effectively market to this dynamic demographic…”

https://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/news/corridor-women%E2%80%99s-network-hosting-%E2%80%98marketing-hispanic-community%E2%80%99-luncheon

 

UHLC strengthens academic collaborations across Mexico

“A delegation from University of Houston Law Center traveled to Mexico in July to continue fostering global legal education and professional development.

“We recognize the importance and support the goal of developing strong transnational lawyers; those who can speak both languages (English and Spanish), understand the respective laws and are licensed to practice law in both countries,” said Karen Jones, executive director of Global and Graduate Program at UHLC. “Ideally, transnational lawyers must be able to operate effectively in both the U.S. and Mexican legal communities.”

Jones, along with Leonard Baynes, dean, and Julián Cárdenas, a research assistant professor and director of the Center for U.S. and Mexican Law, met with stakeholders, including government officials, academic leaders, major U.S. law firms with offices located in Mexico, industry professionals and alumni.

Dean Baynes said Mexico is the No. 1 trading partner with Texas…”

https://nationaljurist.com/international-jurist-news/uhlc-strengthens-academic-collaborations-across-mexico/

Opinion | Mexico Flirts With Dictatorship

“…Among the most pernicious of the president’s 20 proposed constitutional amendments is the overhaul of the judiciary. It would remove all 7,293 sitting jurists in the country: 11 Supreme Court justices and all circuit court, federal district and state judges…”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/opinion-mexico-flirts-with-dictatorship/ar-AA1p0LDx?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=LGTS&cvid=34b45e7ec57540259bbe97830bff5e45&ei=30

How Mexicans and Americans view each other and their governments’ handling of the border

“Mexicans and Americans view the other country in opposite ways:

Mexican Firms Face Severe AI Talent Shortage

“…The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed industries across the globe, and Mexico is no exception. However, the country’s ability to capitalize on this technological revolution is being hampered by a severe shortage of skilled professionals. During the AWS Summit 2024, Rubén Mugártegui, General Director of AWS Mexico, painted a stark picture of the challenges faced by Mexican businesses in this area. He revealed that a staggering 80% of companies in Mexico are experiencing “absolute difficulty” in hiring personnel with the necessary AI skills. This shortage is not just a local issue; it is part of a broader trend affecting the entire Latin American region, where vacancies in AI and related fields exceed 2.5 million…”

https://latinamericanpost.com/business-and-finance/mexican-firms-face-severe-ai-talent-shortage/

 

ISM® Enhances Reach with New Initiatives in Mexico and Latin America

“To address the expanding needs of the global supply chain management community, the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) is set to broaden its reach in Mexico and Latin America starting September 2024. This expansion will include a range of offerings such as supply chain skill-building courses, ISM certification prep programs, and executive-level events, available in both English and Spanish. This initiative enhances ISM’s existing presence and community in the region…”

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/ism-enhances-reach-with-new-initiatives-in-mexico-and-latin-america/

 

¿Qué necesita?’: Felix Fraga remembered as advocate for Houston’s Mexican-American community

“Early Saturday morning, Jose Sierra walked into the Baker Ripley House on Navigation to ask for information on the funeral services of Felix Fraga, a former city councilman and lifelong community advocate who devoted his career to address the needs of Houston’s Mexican-American residents…”

https://houstonlanding.org/que-necesita-felix-fraga-remembered-as-advocate-for-houstons-mexican-american-community/

What the data says about immigrants in the U.S.

“…Mexico is the top country of birth for U.S. immigrants. In 2022, roughly 10.6 million immigrants living in the U.S. were born there, making up 23% of all U.S. immigrants. The next largest origin groups were those from India (6%), China (5%), the Philippines (4%) and El Salvador (3%)…”

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/07/22/key-findings-about-us-immigrants/?utm_source=Pew+Research+Center&utm_campaign=aff9878c97-Weekly_7-27-24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-aff9878c97-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

Lawsuits Reveal Labor Abuses Faced by Some Migrant Workers on TN Visas

“…In June 2024, Mexican TN workers filed a class action lawsuit in federal district court in Atlanta, Georgia, against logistics companies within the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group. The lawsuit alleges fraud, discrimination, breach of contract, racketeering, and wage violations. The suit claims that the plaintiffs “were exploited as part of an illegal scheme for cheap labor” in warehouses across the Southeast…”

https://immigrationimpact.com/2024/07/25/class-action-lawsuits-labor-abuses-migrant-workers-on-tn-visas/

Former Segregated Texas School Becomes a National Park

“The designation as a national park provides permanent protection to help tell the history of Texas school districts that established separate elementary schools for Mexican American children, according to the Interior Department.

The school in Marfa, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of the U.S.-Mexico border and 455 miles (732 kilometers) southwest of Dallas, was closed in 1965 with the integration of the Marfa Independent School District, the Interior Department said.

“The school serves as a significant example of how racism and cultural disparity dominated education and social systems in the United States during this period of de facto segregation from 1889-1965,” according to the website…”

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/former-segregated-texas-school-becomes-a-national-park/2024/07

Alvarez & Marsal Appoints Jose Manuel Ramirez as Latin America Complex Transactions Tax Managing Director

“New York, July 18, 2024 — Alvarez & Marsal Tax, LLC (A&M Tax), an affiliate of leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), announced the appointment of Jose Manuel Ramirez as a Managing Director joining the Latin America Complex Transaction Tax team in New York.

Mr. Ramirez brings over 30 years of experience advising multinationals on local, regional and global transactions encompassing domestic and international corporate and personal tax planning. He helps clients navigate centralized offshore treasury, cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) issues along with managing indirect and excise duties, value chain optimization, site location, captive reinsurances, shared services centers, dispute and tax controversy resolution, and tax incentives projects.

Jose Manuel’s experience with strategic tax services to large multinational companies and LATAM family-owned businesses, aligns with the expansion of the US based team of professionals serving the Latin American region and complements the ongoing investment in talent at the local level as well. Mr. Ramirez will work closely with Managing Director Alfonso A-Pallete who joined the firm in 2022…”

https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/insights/alvarez-marsal-appoints-jose-manuel-ramirez-latin-america-complex-transactions-tax

How Latino voters view the 2024 presidential election

“From 2016 to 2024, the number of Latinos eligible to vote grew from 27 million to a projected 36 million.

While Latino voters have favored Democratic candidates in presidential elections for many decades, the margin of support has varied. In 2020, 61% of Latino voters cast their ballot for Joe Biden, while 36% voted for Donald Trump, a narrower margin than in 2016 between Hillary Clinton and Trump…”

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/07/19/how-latino-voters-view-the-2024-presidential-election/?utm_source=Pew+Research+Center&utm_campaign=a5a1f862e2-Weekly_7-20-24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-a5a1f862e2-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D#neither-biden-nor-trump

Garrigues Integrates Mexican Firm Sánchez Devanny

‘The integration of both firms will create one of Mexico’s largest law firms, with nearly 160 professionals and offices in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Querétaro. Garrigues will fully own the new entity, Garrigues Mexico, strengthening its leadership in Latin America…”

https://www.leadersleague.com/en/news/garrigues-integrates-mexican-firm-sanchez-devanny

10 Red Flags That Pros Know Mean A Bad Mexican Restaurant

“…Here is a selection of red flags that could make you question a Mexican restaurant’s know-how and professionalism, according to Miguel Martín Gómez, the well-traveled chef and owner of Colíma Cocina Mexicana in Amsterdam. Additional insight is provided by Tom Gilliland, the award-winning co-founder of Fonda San Miguel in Austin. So, hold that tequila shot ritual and keep your eyes peeled for those cheddar-smothered appetizers, canned tomatoes, and beef fajitas….”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/10-red-flags-that-pros-know-mean-a-bad-mexican-restaurant/ar-BB1q1afr?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

U.S. sanctions Mexican drug cartel-linked companies over alleged timeshare fraud

“…And about 6,000 U.S. citizens reported losing nearly $300 million from 2019 to 2023 via Mexican timeshare fraud crimes by targeting American timeshare owners often in various or complex ways in years-long schemes, according to the FBI, adding that totals what they can track legally as unreported crimes keep on.

Treasury points at four companies in Mexico: Constructora Sandgris, Pacific Axis Real Estate, Realty & Maintenance BJ and Bona Fide Consultores, which the department claims were the front companies doing business on behalf of those linked to Mexican drug cartel…”

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/07/16/US-Treasury-sanctions-Puerto-Vallarta-Mexico-timeshare-fraud-cartel-jalisco-nueva-generacion/9541721145308/

Hispanic population faces worst oral health outcomes: What can be done?

“The Hispanic and Latino population has accounted for 56% of the US population growth since 2000, according to the 2010 Census.1 In 2022, 42.3% of the population identified as a racial or ethnic minority.2

Despite this significant demographic shift, these populations face the worst oral care outcomes, according to many studies, and disparities in oral health are significantly impacting these communities. According to the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA), “Factors such as culture, language, immigration policies, anti-immigrant sentiments, and other social detriments of health are influencing their inability to access oral care.”3…”

https://www.rdhmag.com/patient-care/article/55122165/hispanic-population-faces-worst-oral-health-outcomes-what-can-be-done

Report Endorses Early College Access for Mexican Americans

“The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute of Leadership, Equity, and Justice has released its latest report, “Reframing College: Mexican American Students, Higher Education, and Family Restorative Justice,” examining the impact of an early college program in San Luis, Arizona, that prepares Mexican American first-generation college-going students for success in postsecondary education by reshaping their perspectives through family engagement and validation of…”

https://www.languagemagazine.com/2024/07/09/report-endorses-early-college-access-for-mexican-americans/

Experts Warn of Mekotio Banking Trojan Targeting Latin American Countries

“Financial institutions in Latin America are being threatened by a banking trojan called Mekotio (aka Melcoz).

That’s according to findings from Trend Micro, which said it recently observed a surge in cyber attacks distributing the Windows malware.

Mekotio, known to be actively put to use since 2015, is known to target Latin American countries like Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Spain, Peru, and Portugal with an aim to steal banking credentials…”

https://thehackernews.com/2024/07/experts-warn-of-mekotio-banking-trojan.html

 

This top 10 is making a big difference to advance health care

Juan Robles, MD

“Dr. Robles was one of two physicians to receive the Debasish Mridha Spirit of Medicine Award. He is an Albert Einstein College of Medicine graduate who completed his family medicine training at Montefiore’s Residency Program in Social Medicine in the Bronx. His interests include caring for historically marginalized populations, medical education and health care workforce development…”

https://www.ama-assn.org/about/awards/top-10-making-big-difference-advance-health-care

 

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Poem
“…And would it have been worth it, after all,
Would it have been worth while,
After the sunsets and the dooryards and the sprinkled streets,
After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor—
And this, and so much more?—
It is impossible to say just what I mean!
But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:
Would it have been worth while…”

T.S. Eliot
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Mexican American Proarchive Annual Report for 2022

The American Community Survey is an annual survey administered by the federal government to help local officials and community leaders and businesses understand the changes that take place in their communities. It includes percentages of our population’s graduate school attainment and the employment of Mexican Americans in various occupations.  These important factors influence the allocation of federal resources. Mexican American Proarchives uses the data provided by the American Community Survey to better understand how Mexican Americans compare to the general population.

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