Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Latino Shop Expands within Pike Place

This contribution is written by Yuritzi E. Lozano, who this week graduates from the University of Washington, with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies: Latin America and Spanish with a minor in Diversity.

Cintli will open its doors once again after expanding to a different location in Pike Place Market. This little Hispanic shop sells jewelry and traditional Mexican handicrafts. This time around the shop will focus on selling a greater variety of products. Its artisans usually hail from the Mexican states of Oaxaca, Jalisco, Michoacán, Puebla and Tabasco. The owner, Beto Yarce, says that in importing traditional products from Mexico he is also providing local artisans in México with a work. Now, Cintli will also be offering space in its new location for the upcoming local Hispanic artists to show their work as a means to support the Seattle arts community as well.

The folk art gives Pike Place market a sense of traditional Mexican flavor through unique handicrafts and jewelry. The new shop also offers new contemporary Latino art as well. Although their clients are primarily tourists, they also have products that will make any native Mexican nostalgic. With its vibrant colors and products, there is something for everyone. Beto’s vision to include the local Latino community among his featured artisans provides Seattle Latino artists additional exposure.

Cintli will have a Grand Re-Opening celebration next weekend March 19-21 from 11am to 5pm at 321 Pike Place Market, downstairs of the Market.

For more information on Cintli visit the website.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Beyond the Language Barrier in 2010

This post is contributed by Diana Lopez, senior at the University of Washington, double-majoring in Law, Society and Justice/Spanish.

The Census 2010 will soon be in the hands of every household in the United States, but will everyone know how to respond to it?


The Census Bureau is acknowledging that many languages are spoken within the U.S. and will be releasing its Census form in 5 different languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Russian. A recent article in La Raza del Noroeste highlights the measures that the Census Bureau has taken in the state of Washington to reach out to those who do not speak English. They have hired locals who speak various languages so that they can reach out to every community and explain to everyone the importance of the Census. There will also be community centers where people can seek out any help they might need to fill out their forms.

I’d have to agree that the language barrier is an important factor that must be overcome; however, I also think that it’s important to educate everyone that the Census Bureau is not allowed to share any information that is provided to it. I have had opportunities to ask locals if they plan to fill out the Census and many have said they don’t plan to. Pero, ¿por qué? They fear that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement will be notified of their undocumented status in the United States. Many immigrants will not be counted because of this simple fact, but it’s crucial that everyone gets counted because the more accurate the numbers, the more opportunities are given to the community.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Diversity Training for Communicators This Thursday!

Diversity: Accent accessible communications

March 11 Public Relations Society of America South Sound

• How many people did your most recent missive miss?

• Did your audience include people with visual or hearing impairments?

• Is it valuable to tweet in Spanish and other languages, or is it enough to translate your press releases?

Whether it’s a required part of your campaign or you simply want to reach more people, our team of experts will share tips at the March 11 South Sound Group on communicating with audiences you may be missing.

Kristina Walker of EnviroIssues will moderate a panel of experts:

- Kristine Edens, EnviroIssues

- Lauri Jordana, Conexión Marketing

- Kevin Nathan, Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

- Idalie Muñoz Muñoz, Muñoz Media

The South Sound Group meets at 8 a.m.—doors open early for networking—in the first floor board room at Metro Parks Tacoma headquarters, 4702 S. 19th St. Cost is $5 for PRSA members, $8 for nonmembers. Please sign in at the door. Refreshments are included, no reservations necessary.

Directions: From I-5 north or south, take SR-16 toward Gig Harbor. Take the 19th Street East exit toward Cheney Stadium, turn right on 19th, then right into the Metro Parks Tacoma parking lot. Note: please leave the customer-designated parking open for Metro Parks. If you require special accommodations for a disability, please contact Sheree Trefry at 253.305.1059 or shereet@tacomaparks.com at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

If you'd like more information about the benefits of PRSA membership and how to apply, please check out the website.

Gene Juarez, The Man

If you live in the Seattle area, when you think of "Gene Juarez," your thoughts go to great haircuts, spa treatments, and for me, the best pedicures offered anywhere. But there's a man behind this chain of luxury spas and salons throughout the Puget Sound region. His name is, well, Gene Juarez.

And the new issue of 425 magazine has featured Mr. Juarez. Or perhaps, Señor Juarez. You see, Gene's family came from Mexico and started their American life as many Mexican immigrants do here in our state--in Eastern Washington fields. The article is great.

But what it doesn't mention is that Mr. Juarez is a brilliant marketer. The way I've heard the story, he got his big start downtown when he visited the Frederick & Nelson (RIP) department store across the street. He approached the elevator operators and offered them haircuts. Of course! Because from then on, when anyone asked the operator where she got that great 'do, her answer would be, "Gene Juarez!"

Mr. Juarez is also a founding director of Plaza Bank, which is one way he can reach out to families, in situations much like his own those many years ago, through business. The Bank has both commercial lending and retail banking services, and it offers financial literacy and competitive products that help people new to our way of banking in the U.S. In fact, Plaza Bank stood among very few community banks when it reported profits last quarter.

Read Mr. Juarez' story by Lisa Patterson--you'll be amazed, motivated, and if you're like me, you might just be inspired to get yourself a spa pedicure. (Ask for Mercedes at the downtown location.)