Genesis Rodriguez will be starring alongside Sam Worthington (Avatar) Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Anthony Mackie, Kyra Sedgwick and Ed Harris in “Man on a Ledge” on January 27, 2012. Billed as an intense crime thriller and heist film directed by Asger Leth.

Rodriguez is rapidly emerging as one of Hollywood’s most engaging young Latina actresses. She was born and raised in Miami, Florida and is the youngest daughter of legendary international recording artist and actor Jose Luis Rodriguez “El Puma.” She is an alumnus of the Lee Strasberg Theater in Los Angeles and New York’s Film Institute.

In the film, An ex-cop turned con threatens to jump to his death from a Manhattan hotel rooftop. The nearest New York Police officer immediately responds to a screaming woman and calls dispatch. More Officers arrive with SWAT and tactical command along with fire-fighters. The police then dispatches a female police psychologist personally requested to talk him down from the ledge. However, things aren’t as straightforward and clearcut as they appear to be.

Rodriguez most recently starred in HBO’s “Entourage” as ‘Sarah’. She made her mark on American television as ‘Becky Ferrer’ on the NBC soap opera “Days of our Lives.” Rodriguez is also known for her roles in the highly accalimed NBC Universal/Telemundo television series “Prisonera”, “Dame Chocolate” and “Dona Barbara.”

Rodriguez will next star in Gary Sanchez Productions Spanish-language comedy “Casa de mi Padre” opposite Will Ferrel, Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. She will play Farrell’s love interest in what is said to be an overly dramatic telenovela.

For more information:

http://www.manonaledge.com/

Anaheim Town Square is reminding Orange County residents that “It’s the time of year when love is in the air.” To help you honor that special someone in your life the shopping center in participating in the “Why I Love My Valentine” contest.

The rules are simple to enter the contest, write in 100 words or less about “Why I Love My Valentine.” You could be one of three winners to receive a first prize or $150, second prize of $100 or third prize or $50.

Anaheim Town Square is located at Lincoln Avenue and State College Boulevard, just off Highway 57. Entry forms are available at all Anaheim Town Square merchant locations. The three winners will be contacted by phone before Valentine’s Day so they can buy a gift for their sweethearts.

The entry deadline is February 9, 2012 at 6 p.m.

For more information:

http://www.anaheimtownsquare.com

Two worthy films and two talented stars Mexican actor Demián Bichir and Argentinian actress Bérénice Bejo were nominated alongside their big screen colleagues for the 84th Academy Awards on Tuesday morning in Los Angeles.

Nominated as Actor in a Leading Role Demián Bichir is in the film “A Better Life”. The film is a story about Carlos Galindo a loving father willing to sacrifice to build a better life for his child portrayed by José Julián.

Bichir is one of the most well known and well respected actors in his home country of Mexico and throughout Latin America. He is an Ariel award winner for Best Actor, given by the Mexican Academy of Cinematography, and has been garnered with other prestigious honors and achievements throughout his career, including a Medal of Honor from Mexico City.

The movie is an independent American release directed by Chris Weitz and distributed by Summit Entertainment. Weitz is the grandson of famous Mexican actress Lupita Tovar. He says about his movie: “Part of my reason for making this movie was as a tribute to her because there’s a part of my family that’s Mexican…so part of my prep for the movie was to begin to learn Spanish, which I’m still doing.”

Bérénice Bejo has been nominated as an Actress in a Supporting Role in the film “The Artist”. Her category will be packed this year with talented nominees Fan favorite Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids” Janet McTeer in “Albert Nobbs”, Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer from the 2011 breakout hit “The Help”.

Bejo plays Peppy Miller in the unique film by director Michel Hazanavicius “The Artist” which is set in Hollywood, 1927. As silent movie star George Valentin (Actor: Jean Dujardin) wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.

“The Artist” is a black and white silent picture playing at multiplexes across the country now. It is considered to be a strong contender for “Best Film” for which it is nominated. The actual 2012 Oscar ceremony will take place next month, on February 26th at the Kodak theater with Billy Crystal returning as host.

Para más información:

http://www.facebook.com/ABetterLifeMovie

http://www.facebook.com/TheArtist.TWC

Clowning & Caring in Ecuador 2012 with Patch Adams MD, Susan Parenti and the Gesundheit Institute an annual exploration of the participants hearts’ potential right on the earth’s equator is taking place again! On March 19 – March 25, 2012 each participant will take part in daily clowning in hospitals and clinics, clown-skill-building workshops, and red noses amazement.

Ecuador, on the equator in northwestern South America, is one of the seventeen megadiverse countries, hosting a great variety of endemic species of flora and fauna. Its 2009 constitution is the first in the world to ensure Rights of Nature (ecosystem rights). The capital city of Quito (where the workshops will take place) has been named a World Heritage Site for having the best maintained and least changed historic city center in Latin America.

The tour will combine daily clowning with daily workshops about care, workshops in clown technique, love strategy and inquiries into the unique locale while in South America.

Themes over the course of 5 days will include The Red Badge of Courage: the Clown and the Nose, The Art of Making small things BIG, so as to make BIG THINGS small, What is YOUR love STRATEGY? WHERE AM I? Eyes on Ecuador, HERE AM I? Eyes on Ecuador, II, Synthesis of the week’s experience Talk back sessions in small and large groups: Discussing the nature of personal growth, assisting the patients and the next step.

The Gesundheit! Institute, is a non-profit health care organization chartered under the Nonprofit Corporation Act of the District of Columbia, the project values holistic medical care based on the belief that one cannot separate the health of the individual from the health of the family, the community, the world, and the health care system itself.

Para más información:

http://www.patchadams.org/ecuador2012

Introducing cooking impresario Giselle Achecar and her website EcoRico.com. EcoRico, is an eco-lifestyle brand, which includes the online YouTube Series the EcoRico cooking show, an inspirational blog, and an organic line of adobos (all purpose seasonings) from Gigi’s Organics.

After receiving a law degree from Stanford University, Giselle became a public defender and child abuse expert in Dependency Court. She then freelanced as a civil and business litigator, until she left the practice of law completely to pursue her creative passions: writing and acting. She wrote three studio-optioned televisions shows and appeared in too many never-before-seen indie films to count.

Then came a difficult chapter in her life where she was divorced and disillusioned, Giselle knew she was meant for more. As an environmental steward, she preached “green” to anyone, even if she didn’t really understand what it all meant. Giselle spent two years researching and vetting thousands of companies, products and people doing the work that would save the planet. She decided to expose these earth-saving products and dedicated herself to making it easy, inexpensive and fun for anyone to create an eco-life.

Then came the “Divine Download” one night while driving in her car, blasting salsa rhythms along the way. An energy-saving CFL lightbulb in Giselle’s brain illuminated. ECO-RICO! Eco-edutainment serving people and planet with passion. The manifestation of everything she had prepared for during her dark days. She finally had the perfect marriage of passion and purpose.

The Eco-Rico brand was developed – a cooking show, a line of organic adobo seasonings and a step-by-step personal growth system.

Although none of this would exist without the inspiration, love and support of the women in Giselle’s life. It was in the kitchen that Giselle learned to cook, dance and respect the wonder of food. Giselle’s passion for cooking began early in her mother’s and grandmother’s kitchens. The smells, the tastes, the sharing of meals made with love for family and friends.

It is a new year and a complete line of Eco-Rico organic – Fair Trade adobos (all-purpose seasonings), staple island foods (Such as Giselle’s yummilicious black beans!) and sustainably sourced and manufactured kitchen products are all in the works. Giselle is also working to expand her “Marry Your Passion With Your Purpose” programs to include wealth coaching as a certified Money Breakthrough Method coach. Because as Giselle says “The more health and wealth each of us has, the more resources we contribute to healing our global village. That’s Eco-Rico, baby!”

Para más información:
http://www.eco-rico.com

Check out an episode of her YOUTUBE channel – Click Here

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of eighteen institutions. Because of HACU’s exemplary leadership on behalf of the nation’s youngest and fastest-growing population, the Association rapidly grew in numbers and national impact.

The HACU National Internship Program is currently accepting applications for the summer of 2012. Online applications must be submitted by March 30. The internship dates for the program will take place from June 1 – August 11 (Regular dates). For students that attend institutions on a quarter calendar, the internship dates will be June 18 – August 25.

The HACU National Internship Program has placed more than 9,000 students in internships since its inception in 1992. This year, HACU is celebrating 20 years of placing undergraduate and graduate students in paid internships at corporate and federal offices located in Washington, D.C., and across the nation. The internships provide talented Hispanic and other minority students with the opportunity to develop their career and professional skills and receive financial support to help motivate them through graduation.

Our nation’s economic and social success rests on the level of skills and knowledge attained by Hispanics, now the nation’s largest minority population. Education, indisputably, is the key. HACU is committed to Hispanic success in education, from kindergarten through graduate school and into the work force of tomorrow. Everyone has a stake in HACU’s crucial goals: to promote the development of member colleges and universities; to improve access to and the quality of postsecondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students; and to meet the needs of business, industry and government through the development and sharing of resources, information and expertise.

Thousands of young Hispanics benefit from HACU with internships, scholarships, college retention and advancement programs, precollegiate support, and career development opportunities and programs.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) are truly champions of Hispanic success in higher education.

Para más información:

http://www.hacu.net

http://www.hacu.net/hacu/HNIP.asp

Click here to download a brochure (PDF)

Angela Villalba embraces many traditions of Mexico – travel, teaching, writing, research, working with artists and sharing her love of Day of the Dead with folks north of the border. In her latest newsletter she writes about Dia de San Valentín the holiday that became popular in Mexico in the 1950’s. Which was greatly influenced by the Hallmark holiday experience of the United States. Of course, it has a unique Mexican “twist”.

Here is what Angela wrote:

The day of love and friendship, amor y amistad, is anticipated by school kids, teenagers and adults alike. It’s celebrated on February 14.

For young people, it’s a training ground for learning social graces and losing timidity with the opposite sex. In cities, the custom is to give balloons, single flowers, sweets or cards during the day or at school. In rural villages, it’s customary for the young teenagers to go to the main plaza for a promenade. Boys get new hair gel and shine their shoes while girls wear their best dresses and borrow earrings from their aunts.

Groups of girls with interlocked arms walk clockwise while groups of boys walk facing the girls, and walk counter-clockwise. This gives them plenty of opportunity to stop and talk, exchange their armfuls of carnations or extend invitations for ice cream, all under the watchful eye of the towns folk who sit the plaza & enjoy the ritual. Crossing the zocolo in Oaxaca, even I was presented with 3 carnations while heading to the hardware store – and I was twice the kid’s age!

The 9-5 office workers & employees might exchange candy, Valentines cards or flowers with their co-workers. Flowers & treats are sold on every street corner as the color red blankets the country. The day is as much for friends to honor friendship as it is about love.

Adults use the holiday to prove their expressive romanticism is not just a Latin stereotype! Lovers exchange candies, flowers, notes & even jewelry, depending on their income level. Some might just sing a heartfelt song.

At mexicansugarskull.com there just may be some interesting gifts for your valentine.

One highlight includes the Milagros translated as “little miracles”. These charms have been used for centuries in churches for the faithful to request miracles. The flaming heart is a popular symbol for expressing love and passion.

Milagros are made by artisans from Peru, Mexico and Germany. These days, a non-religious use of the milagros includes giving them as gifts to loved ones, decorative uses, ornaments and keepsakes.

Day of the Dead folk art is featured on the website including a complete line of original Mexican sugar skull molds.

Para más información:

http://www.mexicansugarskull.com

The internationally renowned and acclaimed, Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan will perform for one night only, at the City National Grove of Anaheim at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Acclaimed as “the best mariachi in the world,” the group comes to Anaheim for a rare Orange County-area appearance.

Originally founded by Don Gaspar Vargas, Manuel Mendoza and two violinists in the town of Tecalitlan, Mexico in 1897, this mariachi group has since starred in more than 200 movies, recorded dozens of albums of pasodobles, valses, bailables, polkas, and danzones, as well as collaborated with various artists including Juan Gabriel and Linda Ronstadt.

Today the group is composed of three trumpets, one harp, one vihuela, guitar, guitarron, guitara and five violins. With this ensemble, a new sound has been brought to light that crosses all international borders. Their music today now ranges from traditional sones to classical works as well as other styles that continue to enchant audiences of all ages and ethnicities.

Tickets on sale now at Grove Box Office or through Ticketmaster.
Ticket prices are $40 – $75.

Para más información:

http://www.citynationalgroveofanaheim.com

http://www.ticketmaster.com

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) shares its vast collections through exhibitions, public programs, and research facilities that attract nearly a million visitors annually. Contested Visions in the Spanish Colonial World on January 21 – 22, 2012 will be hosted by Edward James Olmos, actor, producer, director and community activist, and curated by Marlene Dermer, co-director of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), this two-day film program, explores themes from the exhibition through cinema.

On January 21, the program includes a fascinating selection of feature films followed by a roundtable discussion with some of the directors and actors (the roundtable discussion starts at 6:45 pm, after the last film of the day).

On January 22, a series of compelling shorts and documentaries will be screened.

Bing Theater | Free, tickets required | Please refer to each film below to reserve your tickets. For more information, please contact educate@lacma.org.

Events in this Series

La teta asustada (The Milk of Sorrow)
January 21, 2012 | 1:00pm

El Violín (The Violin)
January 21, 2012 | 3:00pm

El regalo de la Pachamama (The Gift of the Pachamama)
January 21, 2012 | 5:00pm

Teshuinada, Semana Santa Tarahumara (Teshuinada, Holy Week at the Tarahumara)
January 22, 2012 | 12:30pm

Solo un cargador (Porter)
January 22, 2012 | 1:30pm

El puente dorado (The Golden Bridge)
January 22, 2012 | 2:00pm

La pequeña semilla en el asfalto (The Little Seed in the Asphalt )
January 22, 2012 | 2:30pm

This film program was made possible with the support of Paul and Herta Amir, JoAnn Busuttil, Darrel Couturier, William Escalera, Francisco George, Elisabeth Waldo Music and Paul A. Dentzel, MCMAFN Foundation.

Para más información:
http://www.lacma.org/series/contested-visions-latin-america-through-film

A Special Invitational Event for Men to learn about and support WHW’s Men2Work Program on Thursday, January 19, 2012. The event is being held at Mile Square Park Golf Course from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Fountain Valley.

The cost is $50 which includes Putting, Breakfast, and a chance to win door prizes! The Men2Work Putting Contest is about doing more than driving for show. WHW’s Men2Work Program is helping disadvantaged men in Orange County get back to work.

If you didn’t finish 2011 under par, here’s your chance to start off 2012 right. Space is limited so reserve your spot today.

The mission of WHW is to provide comprehensive employment support services to empower disadvantaged men, women and teens to achieve economic self sufficiency through employment success.

For more information

http://www.whw.org/