A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

Mark your calendars!

WHAT: CASA Latina's 15th Gala Dinner & Auction
WHEN: October 17, 5pm
WHERE: The Westin Hotel Seattle, Grand Ballroom

CASA Latina puts on a world-class fundraising event each year, and you'll want to be part of the FUN! This organization is absolutely dedicated to Latino immigrants who have recently arrived in Seattle, empowering them through opportunities to learn and work.

See one participant's testimonial, from the organization's website:

"CASA Latina is where you learn to speak up for yourself. It is the
opportunity to build a future for our families with our own hands, through
education and work."

>>This is your chance to get discounted early-bird tickets, now until August 21. Register here.

Casa Latina has a new casa

CASA Latina has a new home - the social services agency previously located in Belltown for..ever is now in its new digs at 317 17th Avenue South in Seattle.

This organization has long been providing educational and employment services for our Latino immigrant community. See site for more on what they are doing for the community!

Latinos migrating northward

Liz Jones at KUOW did an interesting story yesterday on Seattle-area day laborers and the impact that our current construction industry woes are having on that particular community.

Apparently, the growth attached to the Olympic Games in Vancouver BC is looking pretty appealing right about now to construction workers.

Check it out: Seattle Day Laborers Head to Canada.

The flip side of this story is that, because other areas of our economy are still stronger than those of neighboring and border states, we'll likely see some immigration.

Standing by to see if any of this actually happens ...

Lagging behind on posting...blaming travel & snow

Hi, all - sorry for the delay in getting new posts...posted. I'm stuck in Spokane on business (you should see this snow). So here are a couple of updates:

CASA Latina, our local social services agency specifically helping Latinos, is enjoying the last moments of its online auction offering everything from dining and Pilates to wine tasting and a behind-the-scenes tour of King 5. Please help them out: http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/123casa

Another CASA Latina benefit was originally scheduled for this evening - a jewelry sale courtesy of our friends at Cintli - but due to snow that might be rescheduled...

I'll be back again later today with more! Stay warm, dry and safe!

Jam-Packed Weekend Coming Up!!!

I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't tell you a little about this weekend's events in the Latino community. So I'll do my job!

The 2008 Annual Gala Dinner of the Association of the Washington State Hispanic Chambers of Commerce is this Saturday evening! That's October 4 at the Meydenbauer Center, with reception at 4:30 and dinner at 7pm.

Not only will AWSHCC winners Edgar Martinez, Gil Kerlikowski and Dennis Basford be present, but we'll have both Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire AND the Republican candidate for governor Dino Rossi kick off the event with a welcoming address. Together? No creo.

In any case - these gala dinners are always classy events, and I look forward to seeing you there! http://www.wshcc.com/

Did I mention Hispanics love the Meydenbauer Center? ;-) The following day at the same venue we'll have the pleasure of attending the Latino Business, Consumer & Career Expo, put on by Expo NW. So October 5 from 12-6, stop by the Meydenbauer and you might catch Edgar Martinez, Actor Nicholas Gonzalez, and a full house of Latinos interested in scoping out their opportunities. What's more--it appears to be a free event! I'm definitely going to check it out. http://www.expolatinobusiness.com/

....and...put it on your calendar...

CASA LATINA 2008 GALA DINNER & AUCTION will take place Saturday, October 18.

CASA Latina is a locally based organization that empowers Latino immigrants through educational and employment opportunities. In case you weren't aware, CASA stands for "Centro de Ayuda Solidaria a los Amigos." A-ha!

This year's program is themed La Fiesta del Sol, and Hilary Stern and her team have some great plans to unveil for those who attend this year's fundraiser. http://www.casa-latina.org/