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,”
Read More…
Strength in Diversity
“Thanks to a Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) award from the National Science Foundation, NMHU, UCSB and UCLA materials scientists will leverage their research, technological prowess and strength in diversity to the problem of petroleum-based polymers.
“I grew up in Las Vegas, New Mexico, went to the local public schools and started my undergraduate education at NMHU,” said Read de Alaniz, who directs the NSF-supported BioPolymers, Automated Cellular Infrastructure, Flow, and Integrated Chemistry: Materials Innovation Platform (BioPACIFIC MIP(link is external)), located at UCSB and UCLA. When he learned that NMHU was awarded the NSF-PREM Southwest Pacific Collaboration in Machine Learning, Design, Synthesis and Applications of Metalorganic Hybrid Biomaterials(link is external), it was a cause for celebration.
“This is a huge win for BioPACIFIC MIP,” Read de Alaniz said. “This award will broadly impact researchers underrepresented in STEM, mainly Hispanic or Latinx. NMHU plays a vital role in educating Hispanic students pursuing a college degree and through this partnership it will enable BioPACIFIC MIP to deliver on its promise to make biomaterial discovery resources available to a broad and diverse national user base.”…”
Former Texas Supreme Court Justice, Texas Attorney General Candidate Eva Guzman joining Chamberlain Hrdlicka
“National law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka today announced that Eva Guzman, former Texas Supreme Court justice, will join the firm on August 4 as a shareholder in the firm’s litigation, appellate, and Texas tax controversy practices where she will focus on litigating cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts and resolving disputes at the administrative level. Justice Guzman will work in the firm’s Houston and San Antonio offices…”
https://sanantoniobar.org/?pg=Blog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=64284
Most Latinos say U.S. immigration system needs big changes
“Latinos broadly agree that the U.S. immigration system needs an overhaul, with large shares saying it requires major changes (53%) or needs to be completely rebuilt (29%). Only 17% say the immigration system needs no or only minor changes, according to a new national Pew Research Center survey of Hispanic adults conducted in March.,,”
National Media Coalition Announces 10 Latino Screenwriter Program Cohort – Deadline
“…Exclusive: National Hispanic Media Coalition We welcome 10 new Latino writers to the 2021 series screenwriter program. Linzy Beltran, April M. Sanchez, Diego Moreno, Michel Lichand, Eli Vazquez, Ana Defillo, Rolando Gomez, Desiree Carcamo, Samantha Renee Cordero, Linda Dillon Moya
Civil rights nonprofits offer writers at various stages of their careers the opportunity to network with industry professionals with the goal of finding recruitment opportunities and learning how to sell scripts to top studios and networks. doing. The program is part of NHMC’s commitment to making Hollywood a more comprehensive industry by supporting Latino creatives navigating in highly competitive markets.
“NHMC is proud to develop the next generation of storytellers. We are always delighted to see a new group of writers launching this program. They are the future of the industry. Next From staff writers to showrunners on their favorite shows, “said Brenda Victoria Castillo, president and chief executive officer of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. “We’ve been doing that for nearly 20 years, and we’re still moving Latin writers forward in an industry that hasn’t fully exploited the rich and diverse talents of the community. The NHMC fills the gap and is real. We are here to connect the entertainment industry with well-equipped writers who are ready to tell the story of. “…”
Academy Gold Rising program helping boost diversity in Hollywood
“..A total of 100 young people selected from among more than 9,000 applicants took part in the 2021 edition of Academy Gold Rising, which was held virtually for the second straight year and will hold its graduation ceremony on Saturday.That group has spent the past eight weeks participating in panel discussions on filmmaking and networking with industry professionals and receiving support and guidance from the Academy, best known for organizing the annual Oscars ceremony.Christine Simmons, the Academy’s chief operating officer, told Efe that her organization is excited to see the positive impact Gold Rising has had on the careers of program participants from the United States and abroad.One of the participants in Gold Rising 2021, Sofia Ayerdi, said she was thrilled to learn she had been selected for the program, whose partner companies include AMC Networks, The Walt Disney Company, Paramount Pictures and WarnerMedia.“It was something I simply couldn’t believe. I said, ‘there has to be some mistake. This is really happening to me? The Academy?’ It’s something truly incredible.”A Texas-born woman of Mexican descent who studies film production at California State University, Northridge, Ayerdi said the Academy Gold Rising program is introducing younger generations to the inner workings of Hollywood…”
https://www.laprensalatina.com/academy-gold-rising-program-helping-boost-diversity-in-hollywood/
.
Tidjane Thiam’s Spac pursues $1.5bn Latin American fintech target
“…The special purpose acquisition company of former Credit Suisse boss Tidjane Thiam is in talks to acquire two companies in Latin America, as part of plans to capitalise on rapid growth in the region’s fintech sector.
Mexican fintech group Credijusto and continental corporate data provider CIAL Dun & Bradstreet would be merged and listed in New York later this year under the plans, people familiar with the matter told the Financial Times…”
Crehana Raises Largest Series B for Edtech in Latin America
“…Crehana, a leading education technology platform for companies and individuals focused on closing the reskilling and upskilling gap in Latin America, announced today that it has raised $70M in a Series B round led by General Atlantic. This round represents Latin America’s largest Series B funding for an education technology company and comes just months after Crehana raised a $13M Series A extension round. Crehana will leverage the funding to expand its enterprise solution, launch operations in Brazil, and invest in new products and technologies…”
César Millán Hires Three Six Zero as His Global Management Team (EXCLUSIVE)
“César Millán, aka the “Dog Whisperer,” has hired Three Six Zero as his global management team. The Mexican American celebrity dog behaviorist, three-time Emmy nominee and New York Times bestselling author is one of the world’s most renowned authorities in the field of canine rehabilitation. The longtime television personality’s shows are broadcast and streamed in more than 120 countries…”
Mexicans judge the USMCA trade deal’s first year a success
“…One thing Mexicans do agree on is that the USMCA has proved a success in its first year, albeit not always for the reasons they imagined. Business is happy that the deal’s detailed strictures on regulation and governance provide a layer of protection against López Obrador’s more radical ideas. The president and his supporters like the deal’s role as a job creator, as well as its labor provisions. These help improve wages for Mexicans and have enabled moves against a union closely tied to an opposing political party.
Above all, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of manufacturing close to home, providing a reason for U.S. businesses already in Mexico to consider expanding operations, even when the overall business climate under López Obrador is far from ideal…”
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/analysis/mexicans-judge-the-usmca-trade-deals-first-year-a-success/
Eva Longoria Teams With Grace Parra Janney, Josh Bycel to Develop Mexican American Comedy at ABC
“Eva Longoria will direct and executive produce a single-cam comedy in the works at ABC that hails from Grace Parra Janney and Josh Bycel.
The untitled series is inspired by Janney’s own large Mexican American family in Texas. It is described as a multi-generational comedy about an upper middle class family handling grief, identity, and a reevaluation of their roles following the death of the family’s patriarch.
“I’ve been a huge fan of Josh’s work since our time together on ‘Telenovela’ and Grace and I share similar ‘Texican’ backgrounds,” Longoria said. “At UnbeliEVAble we are always pushing to tell real and authentic stories so I’m particularly proud to share one that is not unlike my own family’s experience.”…”
University of California makes more admission offers following big spike in applications
“…Last year, for the first time ever, Latino students made up the largest ethnic group of admitted students. This year, that happened again, with Latino students making up 37% of admitted freshmen, up from 36% last year…”
News on DACA: Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
“On July 16, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas held that the DACA policy “is illegal.” The Court granted summary judgment on plaintiffs’ Administrative Procedure Act (APA) claims; vacated the June 15, 2012 DACA memorandum issued by former Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano; remanded the memorandum to DHS for further consideration; and issued a permanent injunction prohibiting the government’s continued administration of DACA and the reimplementation of DACA without compliance with the APA. The Court, however, temporarily stayed its order vacating the DACA memorandum and its injunction with regard to individuals who obtained DACA on or before July 16, 2021, including those with renewal requests…”
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-of-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca
Warner Media Access Writers Program Announces Finalists in U.S. And Canada
“…One of the writers of 21 selected domestically is Gabriel Vallejo, a Mexican American screenwriter who is using his experience growing up amidst poverty and gangs in Los Angeles to help youths locally at Central Juvenile Hall and adults in California State Prisons by teaching reflective writing…”
https://deadline.com/2021/07/warnermedia-access-writers-program-finalists-1234793708/
Biden’s Historic Pick For Census Director Says Bureau Needs To Build Public Trust
“…Robert Santos, President Biden’s nominee for director of the U.S. Census Bureau, is a step closer to a potential political appointment for the history books after testifying before Congress on Thursday.
If confirmed, Santos, who is Latinx and one of the country’s leading statisticians, would be the first person of color to become a permanent director of the bureau. The agency produces the nation’s most comprehensive public data on race, ethnicity and other demographic characteristics used to redraw voting maps, guide federal funding and enforce civil rights protections. In 1998, James F. Holmes, who is African American, temporarily headed the bureau as its acting director…”
The next crisis? Homelessness.
…”But now it seems there will be no more reprieves for the nation’s roughly 8 million households behind on their rent and mortgage payments. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, more than 4 million of those households face the likelihood of eviction in the next two months.
This prompted the Biden White House to hold a summit, encouraging cities and municipalities to develop eviction prevention plans — and take advantage of the $46 billion in emergency funds the federal government set aside to keep people in their homes.
“Renters at risk of eviction are desperate for that relief,” Susan Rice, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, said at the event. “And landlords need to cover their bills.”…”
Chilemonos Offers its Entire Lineup Online, For Free, to Latin American Animation Fans
“This year’s official festival sections include both international and Latin American short film competitions, international and Latin American student short competitions, a Latin American series competition and a Latin America-Spain animated feature competition. Three features fill out 2021’s feature film competition: Celia Catunda and Kiko Mistrorigo’s “Tarsilinha” from Brazil, Toni García’s “Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds” from Spain, and Leopoldo Aguilar’s Mexican feature “Monster Zone.”
Charades
Supplementing the festival’s competition sections, Chilemonos will also host several public conversations and conferences as well as masterclasses and workshops hosted by established industry professionals from around..”
Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey (a comparison of employment rates by ethnicity)
Seven Latino heritage sites in need of protection
“WASHINGTON, DC – A new report, Place, Story and Culture: An Inclusive Approach to Protecting Latino Heritage Sites, released today by the Latino Heritage Scholars, an initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation, emphasizes the need for the protection of seven Latino heritage sites that embody the architectural, cultural and deep historical roots of the Latino community currently in need of preservation. The scholars are a group of young Latino professionals focused on historic preservation and ensuring that Latino history is protected, shared, and celebrated as part of the U.S. narrative…”
https://patch.com/michigan/farmington-mi/new-report-highlights
US journalist tangles with AMLO over his crime, coronavirus record
“President López Obrador and United States-based Mexican journalist Jorge Ramos engaged in a robust verbal duel on Monday morning as the latter challenged the former on his record in reducing violent crime and managing the coronavirus pandemic.
Ramos, a reporter for the U.S.-based Spanish language television network Univision, appeared at López Obrador’s morning press conference — the mañanera — at the National Palace in Mexico City, and didn’t hold back when given the opportunity to probe the president…”
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/us-journalist-tangles-with-amlo-over-his-crime-coronavirus-record/
Latino groups push for confirmation of voting rights expert Myrna Pérez as federal judge
“National Latino leaders are pushing the Senate to quickly confirm voting rights expert Myrna Pérez as a justice for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. If confirmed, she would be the only Latina on the bench of that federal appeals court and the first since Sonia Sotomayor moved from it to the U.S. Supreme Court.
President Joe Biden nominated Perez last week for the appeals court, which serves New York, Connecticut and Vermont…”
