que viva-february 2012

Indiana’s Premier Bilingual Magazine - February 2012

Jose Guadalupe Valtierra, ChancellorIvy Tech Community College

Latino Leaders making an impact Mission: Success!

Que Viva! , LLC219-791-0117www.QueVivaIndiana.com

The Que Viva! Team in Coordination with:

Lead Columnist Michael Puente

Guest Columnist Daniel (Danny) O. Lopez

Que Viva! Correspondent Juliet Bustos

Art and Layout Director Domi Edwards

Translation

Maria GuillenEmilio Torres

Sales/Ventas

[email protected]

Editorial & Submissions/Editorial y Presentaciones

[email protected]

Que Viva! is Indiana’s Premier Bilingual Magazine aimed at keeping the Hispanic Community updated on relevant news and current events in Indiana. A community Inspired and empowered by an understanding of current events is an educated community that will contribute and partake in this State’s climate of vibrant economic opportunities.

February 2012

The Que Viva! Team is very proud to have upgraded our newpaper into this high gloss, high sheen magazine.

The focus of Que Viva! continues to be educational and informational and Que Viva! will target themes that our community deems important and noteworthy. Que Viva!, Indiana’s Premiere Bilingual Magazine, will continue to focus on highlighting the achievements and strides of members of our community as per our mission statement:

“’Que Viva!’ is a publication aimed at keeping the Hispanic Community updated on relevant news and current events in Indiana. A community who is inspired and empowered by anunderstanding of current events is an educated community that will contribute and partake in this State’s climate of vibrant economic opportunities. ‘Que Viva!’ is a cutting edge marketing tool accessible to businesses and can help them tap into a new and growing demographic while at the same time aid the community by helping spur economic growth and job creation. ‘Que Viva!’ is excited to assist communities that see the value and desire to help businesses of all sizes to prosper.”

In this issue we have targeted topics that are and have been relevant to our community, these include: business, education, entertainment, health, safety, finance, economics, legal and economic development.

As a Latino community we have a broad footprint rela-tive to tenure in our country and we want to reach everyone with our themes, editorial and articles. Each family has its own unique story. Our feature story highlights Jose Guada-lupe (Lupe) Valtierra, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Northwest. His ascent to the top of his profession is vibrantly multi-faceted yet fundamentally rooted on core values he learned early on in life. His humble nature projects a significant depth and sparkle of character that has enabled him to mobilize and inspire individuals toward achievement.

We at Que Viva! Indiana Magazine aspire to continue building upon our record of staying at the forefront with topics that matter to our community. We aim to be a catalyst that will further help our community expand its horizons at all levels, this concept is brought to life and is accentuated by our friend ,Danny Lopez, from the Indiana Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs in this issue.

Saludos,

The Que Viva! Team

¡QUE VIVA! | FEBRUARY 2012 3

During a recent edition of the Wall Street Journal, Charles Murray chronicled some of the underlying factors exacerbating the isolation of our nation’s upper income-earners and the struggle of America’s working poor. In his article entitled The New American Divide, Murray discussed the deterioration of some of the most fundamental institutions that at one point tied classes together, common priorities that families shared regardless of income that helped to make the United States unique and strong. Those common traits – industriousness, civic culture, and religiosity just to name a few – were the thread that held communities together and were passed from one generation to the next as parents instilled in their children the notions of self-reliance, responsibility, and perseverance that are today so glaringly absent from so many households.

As I read the article over my café con leche y tostadas, I began to think about the many Latino communities in which I’ve spent time here in Indiana and the ways in which our families are making sure that their children have greater opportunities than they themselves had. My experience in State government has given me the chance to attend cultural celebrations, visit with students and teachers, talk to parents about their frustrations with the school system, and meet with pastors of congregations across the denominational spectrum. I’ve learned more than I could have imagined about the nuanced differences between cultures from different regions of Latin America and experienced a growing commitment to community and state from some of the most passionate Latino Hoosiers around.

But with all the wonderful things happening in our neighborhoods, it is sadly evident that Latino parents, too, have allowed societal pressures and other influences to derail the teaching of core values to their children that often make the difference between long-term success and failure. This applies both to education and civic engagement. Many students with whom I have spoken say their parents are their chief obstacles to them furthering their academic careers, a sentiment echoed by teachers, administrators, and counselors who say that many Latino parents lack a true understanding of the need for formal education. Only a fraction of eligible Latinos in Indiana is registered to vote and many simply don’t participate in the political process at any level, an unfortunate trait shared by so many in our society and a sentiment too often passed from one generation to the next. Many Latino community organizations seek external causes of our community’s obstacles rather than first challenging parents and families to take greater responsibility.

As Murray points out, the challenges we face as a nation must be solved one family at a time. There is no silver policy bullet that is going to make the struggles of Latino families dissipate. The truth is that Latino parents must commit to playing a role in the academic lives of the children, whether or not they feel welcomed by their children’s schools. They must ensure that they instill a sense of personal and civic responsibility, not reliance on others, in their daughters and sons, and that they arm them with the confidence and discipline to achieve great things for our nation. Already many Latinos have aspired to local, national, and international greatness, and many more need only support to follow suit.

Latino families work hard and share a strong sense of family, but that’s not enough. Success in the United States – both personal success and continued prosperity for our country – can come only from a relentless commitment to education and self-sustainment. As soon as Latino Americans fully embrace this idea, we will unleash the intellectual and economic power of 50.5 million people.

Mr. Lopez is Executive Director of the State of Indiana Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs and Director of Education and Legislation of the State of Indiana Civil Rights Commission.

GUEST COLUMNIST

Danny Lopez

¡QUE VIVA! | FEBRUARY 20124

VISIT US ATquevivaindiana.com

HAMMOND RESIDENTSMayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. and his staff want to hear your questions

and concerns. The Mayor’s Night Out will give you an opportunity to discuss issues directly with the Mayor and his staff.

Wednesday, February 226 - 9PM 4th District

Kenwood Elementary School Gymnasium 6416 Hohman Avenue • Hammond

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Hammond Mayor’sOffice: 853.6301 or Special Events: 853.6378 x316

www.gohammond.com

Watch live on gohammond.tv

Many students don’t realize that they can get a head start on college while saving a considerable amount of money by taking college courses while still in high school. Many colleges and universities, including Ivy Tech, have programs that can help high school students prepare for college and earn credits through the Dual Credit program.

If you’re a high school junior or senior, consider taking advantage of the program. There is no cost to high school students who enroll. Some of the courses may be taught at the high school while others may be on an Ivy Tech campus. Instructors can either be the high school teacher or an instructor provided by the college. High school juniors and seniors may earn up to 15 credit hours (one semester) in coursework through the program. Under some circumstances students may be permitted to earn more than 15 credit hours.

Just like other colleges and universities in Indiana, Ivy Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Ivy Tech is the fastest-growing and largest post-secondary institution in the state, we serve students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Once you finish your college coursework, you may wish to continue your education at Ivy Tech or transfer them to another public or private college or university in Indiana.

So, as you move toward college, begin to think about the best ways you can prepare yourself, earn college credit ahead of time, and save money. Contact your high school counselor for more information.Go to our website at www.ivytech.edu or call 1-888-IVY-LINE. Or contact Joe Arredondo at 219-981-1111 ext. 2312.

Muchos estudiantes no se dan cuenta que pueden darle impulso en su carrera universitaria y a la vez ahorrar bastante dinero al tomar cursos universitarios mientras estan aun en la escuela secundaria. Muchos colegios o universidades, inclusive Ivy Tech, tienen programas que ayudan a los estudiantes de la secundaria para prepararse para el colegio y ganarse creditos atravez del “Dual Credit Program”

Si eres un estudiante de la secundaria y eres ya sea un Junior o un Senior, tal vez consideres tomar ventaja de este programa. No hay costo alguno de aplicacion para los estudiantes. Algunos de los cursos pueden tal vez llevarse acabo en tu misma escuela mientras otros cursos se llevan acabo en el campus de Ivy Tech. Los maestros pueden ser ya sea un maestro de secundaria o un instructor suministrado por el colegio. Estudiantes que son Juniors o Seniors pueden ganar hasta 15 horas de credito por semestre a travez de trabajo de cursos de este programa. Bajo algunas circunstancias, se le le puede permitir a los

estudiantes que ganen aun mas de 15 horas de credito.Asi como otros colegios o universidades en Indiana,

Ivy Tech tiene acreditacion del “Higher Learning Com-mission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools”. Ivy Tech ha realizado el mayor crecimiento y es la institucion mas grande a nivel post-secundario en el Estado de Indiana y le da servicio a los estudiantes de una gran variedad antecedentes. Al terminar tus cursos de este programa, tienes la opcion de continuar tu educación en Ivy Tech o transferir tus creditos a otro colegio o universidad publica o privada dentro del estado de Indiana.

Asi que al hacer preparativos para el colegio, es bueno comenzar a pensar en buenos metodos de llegar a esa meta al ganarse creditos de colegio antes de salir de la secundaria y ahorrarse dinero. Ponte en contacto con tu consejero en la secundaria para mayor información. Visitanos en la red al www.ivytech.edu o llamenos al 1-888-IVY-LINE. Tambien puede llamar a Joe Arredondo al 219-981-1111 extension 2312.

A little extra work in high school can save a whole lot in college...

Un poco de trabajo extra en la secundaria puede ahorrar mucho trabajo a nivel colegial o universitario...


Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

A Federal Reserve Board Consumer Publication Get more information at www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo 0610

5 TIPS: Getting the Most from Your Credit Card

Other resources...Federal Reserve’s Consumer’s Guide to Credit Cardswww.federalreserve.gov/creditcard/fees.html

Federal Reserve’s Credit Card Repayment Calculatorwww.federalreserve.gov/creditcardcalculator

Federal Trade Commission’s Facts for Consumerswww.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre11.shtm

1 Pay on time. Paying your credit card account on time helps you avoid late fees as well as

penalty interest rates applied to your account, and helps you maintain a good credit record. A good credit record leads to a higher credit score, which helps you qualify for lower interest rates. Know the date your payment is due. If your bill is due at an inconvenient time of the month̶for example, if it’s due on the 10th and you get paid on the 15th̶contact your credit card company to see if they will change your billing cycle to fi t your cash fl ow.

2 Stay below your credit limit. If you go over your credit limit on your card, your card issuer could charge a

fee and increase your interest rate to a higher penalty rate. To avoid this, keep a record of your spending or check your balance online. Also, be aware that some merchants (for example, hotel and car rental companies) put a “hold” on your credit card based on their estimate of the amount you will charge. This can reduce your available credit until the fi nal charge is processed.

3 Avoid unnecessary fees. Credit card companies not only charge late payment and over-the-limit fees,

but also fees for cash advances, transferring balances, and having a payment returned. Some companies charge a fee when you pay your bill by phone. Pay attention to the transactions that trigger these fees. If you need a cash advance, withdraw enough so that you don’t have to take a second cash advance̶and incur a second fee̶later in the month. Read your credit card agreement to learn more about the fees that your credit card company charges.

4 Pay more than the minimum payment. If you can’t pay your balance in full each month, try to pay as much of the total

as you can. Over time, you’ll pay less in interest charges̶money that you will be able to spend on other things, and you’ll pay off your balance sooner. See the Federal Reserve’s Credit Card Repayment Calculator to determine possible repay-ment timelines.

5 Watch for changes in the terms of your account. Credit card companies can change the terms and conditions of your account.

They will send you advance notices about changes in fees, interest rates, billing, and other features. By reading these “change in terms” notices, you can decide whether you want to change the way you use the card. For example, if cash advance fees increase, you may decide to use a diff erent card for cash advances. If you have a card with a variable rate or if you have an introductory rate that is ending, be aware that credit card companies are not required to send you a notice about raising your interest rate. Interest rates are listed on your monthly bill. Read your bill carefully and take note of any changes.

































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Información de ayuda al consumidor de la Junta de Reserva Federal Vaya al sitio web www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo para obtener más información

Consejo de Gobernadores de la Reserva Federal

0610

5 CONSEJOS: Obteniendo el Máximo de Su Targeta de Crédito

Otros recursos...Bloqueo de su Tarjeta de Crédito y Débito (en Inglés) www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre11.shtm

“¿Cuáles son los cargos adicionales?” (en Inglés)www.federalreserve.gov/creditcard/fees.html

Calculadora de Pagos de Tarjetas de Crédito www.federalreserve.gov/creditcardcalculator/default_sp.aspx

1 Pague a tiempo. Pagar su cuenta de tarjeta de crédito a tiempo lo ayuda a evitar cargos adiciona-

les por retraso en el pago y evitará que se añada a su cuenta una tasa de interés elevada como penalidad, además de ayudarlo a mantener un registro de buen crédito. Un buen historial de crédito representa un puntaje elevado en su crédito, que lo ayudará a califi car para obtener bajas tasas de interés. Conozca la fecha en que se vence su pago. Si la fecha de pago no es conveniente para usted̶por ejemplo, si su pago vence el día 10 y a usted le pagan el día 15̶comuníquese con su compañía de tarjetas de crédito para ver si existe la posibilidad de cam-biar su ciclo de pago que más se ajuste a su fl ujo de eff ectivo.

2 Manténgase por debajo de su límite de crédito. Las compañías de crédito no solamente aplican cargos por retrasos en los pagos

y por sobrepasar el límite de crédito, sino también por adelanto de efectivo, transferencia de saldos, y por devolución de pago por falta de fondos. Algunas compañías aplican cargos extras cuando usted realiza sus pagos por teléfono. Ponga atención a todas esas transacciones que crean esos cargos extras. Si usted necesita un adelanto de efectivo, retire los fondos sufi cientes para que no tenga que pedir un segundo adelanto posteriormente̶e incurrir en un segundo cargo extra̶a fi nales del mes. Lea el contrato de su tarjeta de crédito para informarse un poco más sobre los cargos extras o tarifas que la compañía de crédito carga en su tarjeta.

3 Evite costos innecesarios. Las compañías de crédito no solamente aplican cargos por retrasos en los pagos

y por sobrepasar el límite de crédito, sino también por adelanto de efectivo, transferencia de saldos, y por devolución de pago por falta de fondos. Algunas compañías aplican cargos extras cu-ando usted realiza sus pagos por teléfono. Ponga atención a todas esas transacciones que crean esos cargos extras. Si usted necesita un adelanto de efectivo, retire los fondos sufi cientes para que no tenga que pedir un segundo adelanto posteriormente̶e incurrir en un segundo cargo extra̶a fi nales del mes. Lea el contrato de su tarjeta de crédito para informarse un poco más sobre los cargos extras o tarifas que la compañía de crédito carga en su tarjeta.

4 Pague más que el cargo mínimo requerido. Si usted no puede pagar su saldo total, cada mes, trate de pagar lo más que pueda. Con el tiempo, usted pagará me-

nos cargos por concepto de intereses̶dinero que podrá utilizar en otras cosas y a la vez, le permitirá pagar su saldo en menos tiempo. Vea la Calculadora de Pagos de Tarjetas de Crédito en la pagina de la Reserva Federal, para determi-nar varias posibilidades para programar el pago punctual de su saldo.

5 Esté pendiente de cualquier cambio en las condiciones de su cuenta. Las compañías de tarjetas de crédito pueden cambiar los términos y condiciones de su cuenta. Ellos le enviarán

avisos, con anticipación, sobre los cambios en los cargos, tasas de interés, facturación, y otros aspectos. Al leer estos avisos de “cambio en los términos” usted puede decidir si desea cambiar la manera en que utiliza su tarjeta. Por ejemplo, si los costos por adelanto de efectivo se incrementan, usted puede decidir utilizar una tarjeta diferente para adelantos de efectivo. Si usted tiene una tarjeta con una tasa de interés variable, o una tarjeta con una tasa de introducción que está por fi nalizar, sea cauteloso, ya que las compañías de crédito no están obligadas a enviar avisos sobre el incremento en su tasa de interés. Las tasas de interés son incluidas en su estado de cuenta mensual. Lea con cuidado su estado de cuenta y tome nota de cualquier cambio en la misma.

Información de ayuda al consumidor de la Junta de Reserva Federal Vaya al sitio web www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo para obtener más información

Consejo de Gobernadores de la Reserva Federal

0610

5 CONSEJOS: Obteniendo el Máximo de Su Targeta de Crédito

Otros recursos...Bloqueo de su Tarjeta de Crédito y Débito (en Inglés) www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre11.shtm

“¿Cuáles son los cargos adicionales?” (en Inglés)www.federalreserve.gov/creditcard/fees.html

Calculadora de Pagos de Tarjetas de Crédito www.federalreserve.gov/creditcardcalculator/default_sp.aspx

1 Pague a tiempo. Pagar su cuenta de tarjeta de crédito a tiempo lo ayuda a evitar cargos adiciona-

les por retraso en el pago y evitará que se añada a su cuenta una tasa de interés elevada como penalidad, además de ayudarlo a mantener un registro de buen crédito. Un buen historial de crédito representa un puntaje elevado en su crédito, que lo ayudará a califi car para obtener bajas tasas de interés. Conozca la fecha en que se vence su pago. Si la fecha de pago no es conveniente para usted̶por ejemplo, si su pago vence el día 10 y a usted le pagan el día 15̶comuníquese con su compañía de tarjetas de crédito para ver si existe la posibilidad de cam-biar su ciclo de pago que más se ajuste a su fl ujo de eff ectivo.

2 Manténgase por debajo de su límite de crédito. Las compañías de crédito no solamente aplican cargos por retrasos en los pagos

y por sobrepasar el límite de crédito, sino también por adelanto de efectivo, transferencia de saldos, y por devolución de pago por falta de fondos. Algunas compañías aplican cargos extras cuando usted realiza sus pagos por teléfono. Ponga atención a todas esas transacciones que crean esos cargos extras. Si usted necesita un adelanto de efectivo, retire los fondos sufi cientes para que no tenga que pedir un segundo adelanto posteriormente̶e incurrir en un segundo cargo extra̶a fi nales del mes. Lea el contrato de su tarjeta de crédito para informarse un poco más sobre los cargos extras o tarifas que la compañía de crédito carga en su tarjeta.

3 Evite costos innecesarios. Las compañías de crédito no solamente aplican cargos por retrasos en los pagos

y por sobrepasar el límite de crédito, sino también por adelanto de efectivo, transferencia de saldos, y por devolución de pago por falta de fondos. Algunas compañías aplican cargos extras cu-ando usted realiza sus pagos por teléfono. Ponga atención a todas esas transacciones que crean esos cargos extras. Si usted necesita un adelanto de efectivo, retire los fondos sufi cientes para que no tenga que pedir un segundo adelanto posteriormente̶e incurrir en un segundo cargo extra̶a fi nales del mes. Lea el contrato de su tarjeta de crédito para informarse un poco más sobre los cargos extras o tarifas que la compañía de crédito carga en su tarjeta.

4 Pague más que el cargo mínimo requerido. Si usted no puede pagar su saldo total, cada mes, trate de pagar lo más que pueda. Con el tiempo, usted pagará me-

nos cargos por concepto de intereses̶dinero que podrá utilizar en otras cosas y a la vez, le permitirá pagar su saldo en menos tiempo. Vea la Calculadora de Pagos de Tarjetas de Crédito en la pagina de la Reserva Federal, para determi-nar varias posibilidades para programar el pago punctual de su saldo.

5 Esté pendiente de cualquier cambio en las condiciones de su cuenta. Las compañías de tarjetas de crédito pueden cambiar los términos y condiciones de su cuenta. Ellos le enviarán

avisos, con anticipación, sobre los cambios en los cargos, tasas de interés, facturación, y otros aspectos. Al leer estos avisos de “cambio en los términos” usted puede decidir si desea cambiar la manera en que utiliza su tarjeta. Por ejemplo, si los costos por adelanto de efectivo se incrementan, usted puede decidir utilizar una tarjeta diferente para adelantos de efectivo. Si usted tiene una tarjeta con una tasa de interés variable, o una tarjeta con una tasa de introducción que está por fi nalizar, sea cauteloso, ya que las compañías de crédito no están obligadas a enviar avisos sobre el incremento en su tasa de interés. Las tasas de interés son incluidas en su estado de cuenta mensual. Lea con cuidado su estado de cuenta y tome nota de cualquier cambio en la misma.

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Authentic Latin cuisine, rich imported wine and tequila and endless entertainment are the key components which inspired new business owner Monica Rojas to pursue a career in the restaurant business. Sabor Restaurant and Tequila Bar, located in Highland, IN, is the newest addition to the array of dine-in options on 45th street, but stands out amongst them all because of its contemporary twist on authentic Latin cuisine.

Born and raised in Hammond, IN, Rojas is no stranger to this area and knows what people are looking for in a good place to sit back, relax and enjoy a good meal. She has a degree in nutrition, so she has a passion for the food that satisfies our cravings. After spending some time in San Antonio, TX while interning, she came across a few restaurants that had the same vibe that inspired the concept for her place today. When the opportunity came her way to open a restaurant, she grabbed the bull by the horns. “I’ve spent some time in quite a few places like San Antonio and Miami and was able to be surrounded by many different Latin cultures,” said Rojas. “Many of these cultures have inspired what I wanted to bring to the table with Sabor. When I came back home to Northwest Indiana we had the opportunity to open a restaurant and my husband and I jumped on it.”

Although true to her Latin roots, this restaurant owner has a contemporary twist on the way she does things. ‘Nuevo-Latino’ as Rojas described is the vibe of her new found place. “We’re a mixture of Miami and downtown Chicago,” said Rojas. “When you come here, you don’t feel like you’re in northwest Indiana. You feel like you’re somewhere else.” According to Rojas their menu is different from all the rest; they offer authentic food and drink in a modern fashion. Sabor features tapas, such as ceviche,

coctel de Camaron, pastelillos, and empanadas plus many more. The menu also offers entrees from Latin America including the Caribbean, Mexico and South and Central America. Both affordable and mouth-watering, each tapa is only five dollars and entrees run anywhere from $8-22, making the experience of Sabor open to those even on a budget. Rojas has created dishes that have a contemporary appearance but the same flavors and authenticity that we all know and love.

“Presentation is everything and when you come here you notice the difference, whether it’s in the way we garnish a dish or the way it’s presented in general,” said Rojas. “What we wanted to do here is make it different by highlighting great dishes from all different Latin cultures, not just one.” Many of their entrees are not only inspired by the different Latin cultures but by the people who actually do the cooking there. According to Rojas, they feature weekly specials and she is always open to having some new, fresh ideas for that menu. “Some of the recipes are mine but I let some of the cooks bring something to the plate as well,” said Rojas. “If the cooks have an entrée they are looking to share for our weekly specials, I am all for letting them try new things out. In order to achieve the vibe we’re looking for as a staff we need a little diversity.”

Along with diverse Latin cuisine, Sabor also offers a tequila bar with nearly 50 different kinds of imported tequila. They also have a selection of rum that is imported from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua and even Brazil. Not only is the rum and tequila imported, but Sabor imports wine that is housed from Spain, Chile and Argentina. “We have an amazing selection of tequila, but that’s not all that we are proud of,” said Rojas. “We also offer four different sangrias and signature cocktails such

A Wonderful Vibe comes Alive -- Sabor!by Juliet Bustos¡ Que Viva! Indiana Magazine Correspondent


as mojitos and caprihanas.” In addition to the unique cuisine and tequila bar,

Sabor also offers a taste of the local entertainment. Live bands, such as Terry Higgins and Sounds of Santana, play weekly and keep the crowd entertained. Rojas stated that the samba and salsa bands also keep many of the guests that come into Sabor on their feet and in good spirits. Keeping it local and to the contemporary vibe, Rojas made the decision to add a little flair to the décor by using artwork from Chicago-land and NWI artists. She brought in a group of artists that go by the name of CISA that she and her husband have known for a long time to do a mural in the restaurant. Along with CISA, Sabor is currently showcasing the artwork of Shuaib Shakoor, an artist based out of Chicago, IL. They feature monthly exhibits that complement the unique style and décor and everything showcased is available to purchase. “We wanted our décor to be different,” said Rojas. “Not too upscale like downtown Chicago, but just enough to give it that vibe

and make us stand out from the rest of our competition.” Sabor Restaurant and Tequila Bar has only been

open since December 2011 and according to owner Monica Rojas, they have seen a tremendous amount of business. Between the Nuevo Latino inspired atmosphere, the modern but authentic cuisine and the vast amount of imported goods that is offered Rojas and her team are doing something right. Rojas stated that she is already starting to see repeating customers come in. “I’ve heard a lot of feedback since we opened up,” said Rojas, “and I feel like we’re doing a great job because this is something that the people of NWI have been looking forward to for a long time.”

Sabor offers a different variety to the table than many are used to. Not only does Rojas and her team allow their customers to unwind, have a good meal and enjoy live music, but they are reasonably priced, have a modern, contemporary twist on authentic Latin cuisine and are just around the corner.

La inspiración que le dio impulso a Monica Rojas al perseguir su carrera como negociante en la industria del restaurant fue la cocina autentica Latina, vinos importados, tequila y un sin fin de entretenimiento. Sabor Restaurant and Tequila Bar, localizada en Highland, IN es la mas reciente adicion a varias opciones de restaurantes en la avenida 45, pero se distingue de las demas debido a su caracter contemporaneo y “media vuelta” que le ha dado a la cocina autentica Latina.

Monica es originaria de Hammond, IN donde nacio y crecio y conoce muy bien lo que la clientela busca para, relajarse y disfrutar de un buen platillo. Con su titulo en nutrición ella ha desarrollado una pasion de perseguir y

encontrar comidas que deleitan el paladar. Despues de haber pasado algun tiempo en San Antonio, TX ella pudo disfrutar de unos cuantos restaurantes que exhibian un ambiente semejante y ultimadamente inspiró el concepto de su negocio hoy en dia. Cuando la oportunidad se presentó para que ella abriera su restaurant, tomo el toro por los cuernos.c “Al haber pasado tiempo en diversas ciudades como San Antonio y Miami me pude ver rodeada de muchas culturas Latinas” dice Rojas “ Muchas de estas culturas fueron la inspiración y lo que ultimadamente me ayudaron a diseñar algo con mucho Sabor. Al volver a mi region natal al Noroeste de Indiana mi esposo y yo tuvimos la oportunidad de abrir un restaurant y nos lanzamos a

Un Gran Ambiente Viene a La Vida -- Sabor!by Juliet BustosCorrespondiente de ¡ Que Viva! Indiana Magazine


la oportunidad.”Aunque fiel a sus raices Latinas, esta dueña de restaurant

le ha dado una “media vuelta” contemporanea a la forma en la cual hace sus cosas. “Nuevo Latino” como lo describe Rojas, es el ambiente que se encuentra en su nuevo lugar de negocio en Highland. “Tenemos una mezcla de Miami y el centro de Chicago,” dice Rojas. “Al entrar a nuestro restaurant, el sentido de estar en el Noroeste de Indiana desaparece. Se siente como que estas en otro lugar.”

Segun dice Rojas, su menu es diferente a de los demas ya que aqui se ofrece comida autentica y bebida en forma moderna. Sabor le presenta tapas, ceviche, coctel de camaron, pastelillos, empanadas y mucho mas. El menu tambien tiene entradas de Latinoamerica incluyendo el Caribe, Mexico, Centro y Sud America. Las tapas no son solo super deleitantes, sino que tambien tienen un precio muy razonable, a solo cinco dolares. Las entradas tienen precios entre $8 a $22, lo cual permite que usted disfrute la experiencia de Sabor aunque tenga un presupuesto. Rojas ha creado platillos con vistas contemporaneas pero con los mismos sabores y autenticidad que todos conocemos y añoramos.

“La presentación es muy importante, cuando viene nuesta clientela es obvio que este restaurant es diferentes todos notan tal diferencia, ya sea como se adornan los platillos o como se presentan las entradas en general,” dice Rojas “Nuestra meta es tener un ambiente diferente y el tener platillos especiales de diferentes culturas Latinas, no solo una” Muchas de las entradas no solo son inspiradas por las diversas culturas Latinas sino por la gente que actualmente prepara los platillos aqui en el restaurant. Segun dice Rojas, cada semana se presentan especiales y ella esta disponible a considerar nuevas ideas para el menu. “Algunas de las recetas son mias pero con todo gusto les

animo a los cocineros para que tambien contribuyan sus ideas,” dice Rojas, “Si los cocineros tienen una entrada en mente para incluir un especial en cualquier semana, estoy totalmente dispuesta a tratar nuevas recetas. Para continu-amente mantener ese ambiente invitador del restaurant, es necesario mantener la mente abierta hacia la diversidad de ideas.”

Para complementar esta gran variedad de la cocina Latina, Sabor tambien cuenta con un bar de tequila con una variedad de cerca de 50 diferentes tequilas. Tambien tienen una seleccion de ron importado de Puerto Rico, Nicaragua y Brazil. Aparte del ron y tequila, Sabor tambien cuenta con vinos importados de España, Chile y Argen-tina. “Tenemos una gran seleccion de tequila, pero eso no es todo lo que nos enorgullese,” dijo Rojas, “Tambien tenemos cuatro tipos de sangria y cocteles especiales como Mojitos y Caprihanas.” El talento local con respecto al entretenimiento le da mucha vida al tequila y a la cocina Latina. Sabor ha hecho sus diligencias y provee el talento local que mantiene a su clientela entretenida cada semana al traer a grupos en vivo como Terry Higgings y Sounds of Santana. Rojas tambien se encanta al ver que diversos grupos que tocan samba y salsa mantienen a sus clientes bailando y en buen espiritu.

Para darle soporte a la economia local y a la vez man-tener el ambiente contemporaneo, Rojas decidio añadir un poco de chispa a la decoracion al invitar a diversos artistas del area de Chicago y del Noroeste de Indiana. Ella invitó a un grupo de artistas llamado CISA quienes Rojas y su esposo conocen de muchos años para que pintaran el muro dentro del restaurant. Junto con el arte de CISA, Sabor esta exhibiendo el arte de Shuaib Shakoor, un artista basado en Chicago. Se presentan exhibiciones mensuales que complementan el estilo y decoracion unica y todo lo que


esta en exhibicion esta de venta. “Queriamos que nuestra decoracion fuera diferente,” dice Rojas “ No muy elegante como en el centro de Chicago, pero solo lo suficiente para que darle ese ambiente y sentido que nos separe y diferencie del resto de la competencia.”

Sabor Restaurant and Tequila Bar inicio su negocio recientemente, este pasado Diciembre del 2011, y segun dice Monica Rojas, se ha visto con gran exito. La combinación del ambiente inspirado por el movimiento “Nuevo Latino” y una moderna pero muy autentica cocina Latina ademas de la gran cantidad de productos importados, es evidente que Rojas y su equipo van por buen camino. Rojas esta entusiasmada al ver que se comienzan a ver caras familiares

volver con bastante frequencia. “Se me ha dado mucho ‘feedback’ desde que abrimos el restaurant,” dice Rojas “ y siento que estamos haciendo muy buen trabajo porque este concepto es algo que la comunidad del Noroeste de Indiana ha estado añorando por mucho tiempo.”

Sabor le ofrece la variedad que la clientela acostumbra. Rojas y su equipo no solo ofrecen un ambiente donde se puede relajar sabrosamente y disfrutar de un delicioso platillo con musica en vivo. Tambien ofrece ella el arte moderno y una cocina Latina contemporanea pero auten-tica, a precios muy razonables – todo a la vuelta de la esquina.

QuesadillasIngredients: •2 flour tortillas •1 cup mild or sharp cheddar cheese, grated •finely chopped yellow onion, 2 – 3 tablespoons, optional •cooked chicken, left overs, •butter•guacamole•sour cream•lettuce•tomato - optional

Instructions Reheat your cooked chicken in the oven or microwave. In a 350 degree F. oven the chicken should take 10 to 15 minutes.

In a frying pan, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of butter and 1 flour tortilla. Sprinkle the grated cheese to cover the tortilla. Add 2-3 T chopped onion and the chopped chicken. Cover with the other flour tortilla and add a piece of butter on top.

Cook over medium heat until the cheese melts and the tortilla turns a golden brown. Turn the quesadilla over with a pancake turner. Cook until the cheese is completely melted.

Put the quesadilla on a plate or platter and cut with a pizza cutter into desired sizes. Add sour cream and guaca-mole on top of a bed of chopped lettuce in the middle of the quesadilla.Don’t forget that you can customize your chicken quesadilla recipe. You can substitute ground beef for the chicken.

MEAL & BEVERAGE TERMSBreakfast Desayuno dees-sah-yoo-noLunch Almuerzo/ Lonche ahl-mwair-so/ loan-chayDinner Cena say-nahAppetizer Entrada en-trah-dahEntrée Plato Principal plah-toe preen-see-pahlDessert Postre po-strayFood or Meal Comida ko-mee-dahFast Food Comida rápida ko-mee-dah rah-pee-dahHere or to go Aqui o para llevar ah-key oh pah-rah yay-barMeal/Snack Comida/Merienda ko-mee-dah/may-ree-en-dahMenu Menú meh-newWine List Lista de vinos lease-tah day bee-nose

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Sandi Cogan, Director of Community Affairs and Public Relations for Smith, Bizzell and Warner Funeral Home, recently received the Soldier’s Award for Community Partnership from the Lew Wallace High School JROTC Cadet Command for community service to the cadets, above and beyond the call of duty. Smith, Bizzell and Warner sponsored the cadets recent trip to Washington, D.C., which included visits to the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery and the White House. Through the efforts of Sandi Cogan, the cadets posted colors at home games for

the Gary Splash Professional Basketball Team and decorated Christmas Trees at the Jingle Bells luncheon for Veterans Life Changing Ministries facility among other community projects. As a part of their citizenship curriculum, the cadets also serve as Honor Guards for funeral visitations of Veterans, at the funeral home. Colonel Antonio Daggett is the Senior Army Instructor and leader of the Cadet Command at Lew Wallace. The Soldier’s Award was also received by St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago and Lake Station Baptist Church.

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The local bank affiliated with this program is Citizens Financial Bank headquartered in Munster, IN.

CHILDREN WIN IN ‘RACE TO SAVE’Bankers help America’s youth form healthy savings habits

WASHINGTON — The “Race To Save” campaign, sponsored by the American Bankers Association Education Foundation, resulted in more than 61,000 new children’s savings accounts at banks across the country. The ABA Education Foundation initiated the campaign last year by challenging banks to open 15,000 new children’s accounts in 2011 in an effort to promote savings among America’s youth.

“This shared initiative between the foundation and the banking industry has been a tremendous success,” said Laura Fisher, director of the ABA Education Foundation. “The ‘Race To Save’ banks are taking financial education to the next level by encouraging youth to open and make regular deposits in a savings account.”

The ABA Education Foundation will continue the “Race To Save” campaign through 2012 with a new goal to open 100,000 children’s savings accounts.

“There are a number of benefits to saving money at a young age and those benefits will last a lifetime,” said Fisher.

The foundation highlights the following benefits to opening a youth savings account:• Kidswhosavearemorelikelytogotocollege.ResearchconductedbyWashingtonUniversity’sCenterfor

Social Development found that children who have a savings account in their name are seven times more likely to attend college than similar youth without an account.

• Teachingkidstosaveteachesselfcontrol.Choosingtosaveinsteadofspend,isanexerciseinselfcontrol.The famous 1927 Stanford Marshmallow Experiment showed that kids with self control are psychologically better adjusted, more dependable and do better in school.

• Childrensavershaveabetteroutlookonlife.Childrenwithasavingsaccounthavelowerstressandagreatersense of hope for the future, according to the SEED Initiative.

• Saversaremorefinanciallyliterate.Studentswithabankaccounttendtobemorefinanciallyliteratethanthose without an account, according to a national financial education survey compiled by the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.

• Children’ssavingsaccountsarefreeandfun.Mostbanksofferno-fee,no-minimumbalance“custodialac-counts” for children. Many banks provide incentives for account openings and deposits, such as an increased interest rates or matching funds. Some banks give gifts, such as stuffed animals, while others have a kid-sized teller window in the branch.

The “Race To Save” campaign is part of the Teach Children To Save program that organizes banker volunteers to help young people develop a lifelong savings habit. Since the program started in 1997, more than 100,000 bankers have taught savings skills to over 5 million children.

The ABA Education Foundation provides financial education programs and resources that help bankers make their communities better. More than 123,000 bankers have taught basic finance skills to some 5.2 million young people through participation in the Foundation’s signature programs, Teach Children to Save and Get Smart About Credit. Founded by bankers in 1925, the foundation is guided by a board of bankers and is an affiliate of the American Bankers Association.


J. Guadalupe “Lupe”

ValtierraIn Northwest Indiana’s long established Latino com-

munity, there are names that when uttered, immediately require your attention, respect and admiration. Names like Arredondo, Villalpando, Dominguez, Candelaria and Garza. That’s because the accomplishments that accompany these names developed years ago and continue on to this day with others carry their family’s legacy to new heights.

You can add another name to this list: Valtierra. J. Guadalupe “Lupe” Valtierra’s influence touches

Northwest Indiana’s community far and wide. Technically, Valtierra and his wife Terri are responsible for their only child, 17-year-old Adriana, a high school senior. But in reality, Valtierra is raising and educating thousands of young people – and those young at heart - throughout Lake, Porter, La Porte counties. “Education is the one commodity that is not going to be taken away from you,” said Valtierra, a Griffith resident who is Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Northwest. As chancellor, Valtierra is responsible for overseeing the campuses in East Chicago, Gary, Valparaiso and Michigan City.

Ten years ago, Valtierra became Ivy Tech’s first Latino chancellor for any of its campuses statewide. He’s earned education and law degrees but the lessons learned from his Mexican-born father Jose stay with him to this day and is the cornerstone of his beliefs. “What you learn, the education experiences that you develop, along the way that helped you become a better individual, more

informed and more engaged, that is going to stay with you. Education is an investment in ourselves,” Valtierra in a one-on-one interview with Que Viva!

It is somewhat amazing that Valtierra remembers those lessons from his days growing up in Gary, Indiana where he was born and raised like his mother Josephine. Valtierra comes from a big family. Actually, it’s a huge family by today’s standards when 2.5 kids is the norm. Valtierra is right in the middle of a family of 11 children. “I have five who are older who were all born in Mexico. And I have five after me who were all born here,” the 55-year-old Valtierra said.

His parents lived in Guadalajara, Mexico for years before moving back to Gary’s Emerson neighborhood near downtown. Valtierra says he’s not sure how his parents managed a household with eight boys and three girls. “I have no idea but I have the deepest respect for what they were able to do,” he said. Valtierra’s father worked for the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E) while mom stayed at home with the children. As you might expect, love and affection were part of his upbringing, but so was discipline. “My dad wasn’t overly demonstra-tive with his affections but you knew he loved you. He had expectations of you because of the discipline aspect,” Valtierra recalls of his father, who passed way two years ago at the age of 85. And discipline often came in the form of a chancla, Spanish for house slipper. “My mom

In a Class of His OwnBy Michael Puente


J. Guadalupe “Lupe”

Valtierra

and dad both shared in the discipline aspect,” Valtierra said. “My mom would say, ‘I’m going to take care of you right now but you’re also going to get it when your dad comes home.’ It never left bruises or welts, and we were not traumatized by that process.”

In any family that size, money is always tight. “There was always something needing repair,” Valtierra said. But there is one thing that Valtierra’s parents provide in abundance: An understanding that education was of great importance. “My parents would say that only thing we could really give you is an education or a chance for an education,” Valtierra said. “That has always stuck with me.” Valtierra would eventually graduate second in his class at Gary’s Emerson High School. His siblings went on their ways in industry or family hood. His brother, Jose Antonio Valtierra, who was born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, eventually became a Roman Catholic priest and served at St. Francis Xavier in Lake Station. Father Tony, as he was called, passed away at the age of 56 after a battle with cancer.

It’s in high school where Lupe Valtierra’s love for edu-cation developed as he participated in the Upward Bound program at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond. Upward Bound is a federally funded program designed to prepare students for college regardless of race, gender, national origin or a family’s economic resources or educa-

tional background. After high school, Valtierra attended Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana where he graduated with a bachelor’s in Social Students and Teaching major. But not ready to teach, Valtierra decided to attend law school at Indiana University Bloomington. “After my law school period, I discovered education once again,” Valtierra said. After earning his law degree, he wasn’t ready to practice law so he went for a Master’s degree in Higher Education from IU.

“Somewhere in that is where I kind of transitioned. I didn’t want to be a teacher and I even though I was in law school I didn’t look forward to practicing law and working in front of a judge,” Valtierra said. “But I think because I had been in the college environment in the four years at Purdue and the three years at IU for law school, I like the college environment and being able to find a program that professionalized what happens in higher education in terms of the service and administration aspect of it. I think that kind of turned it for me.” Valtierra explains his love for pursuing his career in the administration of higher education this way: “You truly do touch lives. You’re impacting the future by sharing the moments that you share with those students.”

The way Valtierra’s parents expressed the need for education is also how he pushes it to those at Ivy Tech.

“We have the high school graduate sitting right next to 65-year old retiree in a classroom. The fact that education


is a lifelong that we always have a chance to improve our minds and grow in our intellect though education is what’s critical.” Education, quite simply Valtierra says, is needed more than ever in today’s world and economic climate. “It’s an investment in yourself to pursue as much education as you can. It is drudgery for some people. It is a luxury for other people. I think at the end of the day it is a necessity,” Valtierra said. “We’re going to continue to improve as a society when we have an educated populace. And that doesn’t mean everybody has to go out and get their doctorate, or even their masters or even their bac-calaureate degree. The fact that education will help you to improve your career opportunities and advance in your current job title is a plus in the process.”

R. Luis Gonzalez is one of those who sees Valtierra’s work and leadership come to life almost on a daily basis. Friends for more than 20 years, Gonzalez, Vice Chancel-lor and Dean of Ivy Tech’s De La Garza Campus in East Chicago, said Valtierra allows those around him to make decisions. “He provides us the direction, the vision to do what needs to be done here at work. He allows us to make those decisions and stand by those decisions, right or wrong.” Gonzalez said Valtierra is the kind of leadership

La comunidad Latina del Noroeste de Indiana se ha establecido fuertemente atravez del tiempo. El mencionar ciertos apellidos no solo llaman la atencion, sino nuestro respeto y admiración.

Los apellidos como Arredondo, Villalpando, Domin-guez, Candelaria y Garza son tales ejemplos.

Tal respeto y admiracion es debido a los acontecimientos contribuidos por estas familias a travez de los años y aun continuan hoy en dia, ya que sus esfuerzos siguen forjando el legado de su familia a nuevas alturas.

Diriamos que hoy en dia con gran honor podemos agregar un nuevo apellido a la lista: Valtierra

La influencia de Jose Gualalupe (Lupe) Valtierra toca la comunidad del Noroeste de Indiana en forma grande. A nivel formal, el y su esposa Terri son solo responsables de criar a una hija Adriana de 17 años, quien esta en su cuarto año de secundaria. Pero a nivel practico la realidad es que el Sr. Valtierra se dedica a criar y a educar a miles de estudiantes jovenes, y aquellos jovenes de corazon, a travez del los condados de Lake, Porter y La Porte. “La educación

that the Latino community needs. But he says beyond education, Gonzalez said Valtierra has the one thing all leaders need. “You’ve got to have heart. Lupe Valtierra has heart. He has heart for people, for all types of people,” Gonzalez said. “You can see that in all that he does. He has a tough job as chancellor. He makes tough decisions in the best interest of the students. … I know that’s one thing we need more of in society and a leader not just for Latinos but for all people.”

When it comes to being looked upon as a role model for many, especially young Latinos, Valtierra says he doesn’t relish the idea. In some ways, Valtierra harkens to NBA great Charles Barkley who once said, “I ain’t nobody’s role model.” But in the end, Valtierra knows he may be.

“What I like though is the notion that the good that has come to my life and the different things that I have been involved with may help somebody else makes a positive decision in their life,” Valtierra said. “There may be those who look at what I’ve been able to accomplish and say, ‘I want to be like that. I want to be able to move forward like that.’ If that’s part of being a role model then I’m very happy to take on that kind of responsibility.”

J. Guadalupe “Lupe” ValtierraUn hombre de Categoria UnicaPor Michael Puente

es uno de los bienes que nadie podra quitarte” dice Valtierra, canciller de Ivy Tech Community College Northwest y residente de Griffith. Como canciller, la responsabilidad de Valtierra es de darle buena vigilancia a los campuses de East Chicago, Gary, Valparaiso y Michigan City.

Hace diez años fue el primer Latino que llego a ser canciller a nivel estatal en el sistema de Ivy Tech. Con respecto a su educación, Valtierra obtuvo titulos univer-sitarios el los campos de educacion y abogacia. Aun con estas credenciales, las lecciones que aprendio de su padre nacido en Mexico, Jose, siguen con el hasta hoy en dia y son la piedra principal de sus valores y creencias. “Lo que se aprende, las experiencias que vivimos, aquello que nos ayudó a ser mejores personas, mayormente informadas y mas involucradas en el sistema, esto se queda con cada uno de nosotros. La educación es una inversion en si mismo.” Dijo Valtierra con una entrevista personal con Que Viva! Indiana Magazine.

Es asombroso que Valtierra tenga tan fuertes recuerdos de estas lecciones de su niñez en Gary donde nacio y crecio


al igual que su madre Josephine. Valtierra deciende de una familia grande. En realidad viene de una familia enorme comparada a los estandares de hoy en dia donde el promedio es el de 2.5 hijos en cada hogar. En casa de Valtierra, habian 11 hijos, el nacio sexto, al punto medio de todos sus hermanos. “Tengo cinco hermanos mayores que yo, todos nacidos en Mexico, y tengo otros cinco que nacieros despues que yo, los cuales nacimos aqui” dice Valtierra de 55 años de edad. Sus padres vivieron en Guadalajara, Mexico por muchos años antes de regresarse a la comunidad cerca del vecindario de Emerson cerca del centro de Gary. Valtierra carece de un entendimiento del como sus padres lograron criar una familia de 8 varones y 3 hembras. “no tengo la menor idea del como lo hicieron, pero tengo mil respetos por ellos por todo lo que pudieron hacer” dijo Valtierra.

Su padre trabajó en el Elgin Joliet Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E) mientras su madre se quedaba en casa para criar y atender a la familia. Como podremos anticipar, en el hogar habia mucho amor y afecto, pero tambien bastante diciplina. “Mi padre no demonstraba mucho su afecto pero era my evidente su amor de padre. Sus expectativas eran evidentes debido a la diciplina que se nos inculcó” recuerda Valtierra a su padre quien fallecio hace dos años a la edad de 85. La diciplina se llevaba acabo a travez del uso de una chancla. “Mi madre y padre siempre creyeron en la disciplina, mi madre nos decia, ‘me voy a encargar de ti ahorita y cuando venga tu papa te va corregir tambien’ nunca nos hirieron o nos dejaron marcas o moretones, ni nos traumatizaron esas experiencias”

Como cualquier familia grande, el dinero siempre estuvó apretado. “parece que todo el tiempo habia algo roto que necesitaba arreglarse” dijo Valtierra. Pero habia una cosa que sus padres brindaron en abundancia: El reconocimiento que la educacion es de gran importancia.

“Mis padres nos dijeron que lo unico que nos podrian dar era una educación o la oportunidad hacia una educación” dijo Valtierra “esto se me quedo grabado en la mente.” Con este tipo de inculcamiento Valtierra se graduo como el numero dos en su clase de graduación en la secundaria Emerson High School.

Sus hermanos se fueron por diferentes sendas, ya fuera hacia la industria o a criar sus propias familias. Su hermano, Jose Antonio Valtierra, quien nacio en Nuevo Leon, Mexico se ordeno como sacerdote católico y estuvo en la Iglesia St. Francis Xavier en Lake Station. El Padre Tony, como se le llamaba, fallecio a la edad de 56 despues de una batalla con el cancer.

Fue en la secundaria donde el amor por la educacion se desarrollo en Lupe Valtierra ya que participó en el “Upward Bound Program” en la Universidad de Purdue Calumet en Hammond. Este programa esta financiado por el go-bierno federal y esta diseñado para preparar a los jovenes


sin considerar raza, genero, origen naciónal o situacion socioeconomica o educacional de sus padres. Despues de la secundaria, Valtierra se ingreso en la Universidad de Purdue en Lafayette, IN donde se recibio su titulo de “Social Students and Teaching”. Ya que no estaba dispuesto a ser maestro, el Sr. Valtierra se decidio a perseguir un titulo de abogacia y se ingreso a Indiana University en Bloomington.

“Despues de la escuela de leyes, nuevamente descubri mi pasion por la educación” dijo Valtierra.

Despues de graduarse como abogado, no estuvo dis-puesto a practicar la ley y decidio ingresarse para obtener una maestria en Educación Avanzada en la Universidad de Indiana en Bloomington. Durante este periodo es cuando hice mi transición. Yo no queria ser maestro, y aunque estaba estudiando para abogado, no me nacia practicar la ley frente a un juez” dijo Valtierra “creo que debido al hecho que estuve en un ambiente academico durante cuatro años en la Universidad de Purdue y otros tres en la escuela de leyes en Indiana University me di cuenta que me agradaba este tipo de ambiente. El poder haber encontrado un programa que eleva el profesionalismo de la educación universitaria con respecto a la administración y el servicio, creo que esto es lo que fortalecio my pasion”

Valtierra define el amor que el tiene sobre la admin-istracion de un sistema universitario de esta manera:

“En este puesto, la verdad es que deveras tocamos vidas. Impactamos el futuro al compartir momentos con los estudiantes con los cuales tenemos roce.” La forma en la cual sus padres le inculcaron la importancia de la educación es como Valtierra lo comparte el con los estudiantes de Ivy Tech. “Tenemos al recien graduado de secundaria al lado del jubilado de 65 años de edad en clase. El hecho es que la educación es un proceso para toda la vida y siempre tendremos la oportunidad de mejorar nuestras mentes y promover nuestro crecimiento intelectual atravez de la educación el lo mas critico” La educación, a nivel mas simple, se necesita hoy mas que nunca debido al clima economico que vivimos. “Es una inversion que se hace para si mismo el obtener el nivel de educacion maximo que uno pueda. Para algunos es trabajo penoso, para otros es un lujo, creo yo que a final de cuenta, es una necesidad” dijo Valtierra, “Vamos a continuar a progresar como una

sociedad cuando tengamos un pueblo educado, y esto no quiere decir que todo mundo necesita un doctorado, ni una maestria ni un bachillerato de universidad. El hecho de que la educación ayuda a mejorar las oportunidades para avanzar en tu trabajo or carrera actual es un hecho y una ventaja en el proceso”

R. Luis Gonzalez tiene la oportunidad de ver el trabajo y liderazgo de Valtierra crear luz casi al diario. Llevan una amistad de casi veinte años y Gonzalez, Vice Canciller del Ivy Tech Campus De La Garza en East Chicago, comparte que Valtierra es uno de aquellos individuos que facilmente permiten que sus colegas llegen por si mismos a sus propias decisiones. “El provee la direccion y la vision aqui en el trabajo de lo que se necesita hacer. Despues de esto, nosotros llegamos a nuestras propias decisiones y el nos da su soporte ya sea bien o mal.” Gonzalez opina que el tipo de liderazgo de Valtierra es exactamente tal cual necesita la comunidad Latina. Pero no es solo por la educación que el posee, dice acerca de Valtierra, el tiene lo que todo lider necesita. “Uno tiene que tener corazón. Lupe Valtierra tiene corazón, el tiene corazón para la gente, todo tipo de gente” dijo Gonzalez, “Es muy evidente en todo lo que el hace, el tiene un puesto muy dificil como canciller. Toma decisiones muy dificiles al considerar totalmente a los estudiantes….. yo se que necesitamos mas de esto en nuestra sociedad, no solo en lideres para los Latinos, sino para toda la gente”

Al preguntarsele a Valtierra que si se considera un “modelo al quien seguir”, especialmente por parte de Latinos jovenes quien buscan el crecimiento, se reusa a verse de tal manera. Hasta cierto punto su reaccion es semejante a aquella del famoso jugador del NBA, Charles Barkley cuando dice “yo no soy modelo ejemplar de nadie.” Pero a final de cuenta, Valtierra sabe que tal vez sea el un “modelo al quien seguir”. “Lo que si me agrada es que tal vez lo bueno que me ha venido a mi vida tomando en cuenta las diferentes cosas en las cuales he estado involucrado, ojala y ayude a alguien hacer buenas decisiones” dice Valtierra, “Tal vez al ver lo que he logrado a hacer, algunos digan ‘quiero ser como el, quiero seguir pasos adelante como el’ si esta es manera de ser un “modelo al quien seguir” entonces estoy dispuesto a tomar ese tipo de responsabilidad.”

“Para ser Lider uno tiene que tener corazón. Lupe Valtierra tiene corazón, el tiene corazón para la gente, todo tipo de gente.” --R. Luis Gonzalez | Vice Canciller, Ivy Tech De La Garza Campus


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Key Points•StatinsareatypeofdrugthatblockstheenzymeHMG-CoAreductase,whichthebodyneedstomakecholesterol(Question 1).•Statinshelptotreatandpreventheartdiseasebyloweringbloodcholesterol(Question1).•Researchsuggeststhatstatinsmaylowertheriskofcertaincancerssuchascolorectalandskincancers.Thisisbecause statins work against cellular functions that may help control tumor initiation, tumor growth, and metastasis (Questions 2 and 3).•TheNationalCancerInstituteisdevelopingaphaseIIplacebo-controlledtrialtodeterminewhetherlovastatinhasthe potential to prevent melanoma from developing from an atypical dysplastic nevi (a precursor to melanoma skin cancer) (Question 7).•Twocardiovascularclinicaltrialshavedemonstratedasignificantreductioninskincanceramongpatientstakinglipid-lowering drugs (Question 8).

1. What are statins? Statins are a type of drug taken by millions of Americans to lower cholesterol. This class of drugs works by blocking an enzyme known as HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl COA) reductase, which the body needs to make cholesterol. Statins help to treat and prevent heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol. In the United States, statins available by prescription include atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and simvastatin (Zocor). In the United States, statins are available by prescription only.

2. Can statins prevent cancer? Animal research and ongoing observation of people who take statins suggest that these drugs may lower the risk of certain cancers, including colorectal and skin cancers. Statins’ known benefits in preventing cardiovascular disease, along with years of strong evidence that these agents are relatively safe, have led researchers to explore whether statins have the potential to prevent cancer. People should not take statins for cancer prevention outside of a clinical trial.

3. Why do scientists think statins might prevent cancer? By exploring the effects of statins on the process of cancer at the molecular level, researchers have found that statins

Statins and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet

continued on page27¡QUE VIVA! | FEBRUARY 2012 25

work against critical cellular functions that may help control tumor initiation, tumor growth, and metastasis. Specifically, statins reduce (or block) the activity of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase and thereby reduce the levels of mevalonate and its associated products. The mevalonate pathway plays a role in cell membrane integrity, cell signaling, protein synthesis, and cell cycle progression, all of which are potential areas of intervention to arrest the cancer process. 4. What are the common side effects of statins? Although generally well-tolerated, statins have been associated with muscle pain (myopathy) and liver toxicity (hepa-totoxicity). People who take statins should be monitored by their health care providers for these reasons.

5. Is the National Cancer Institute (NCI) supporting research testing whether statins might prevent colorectal cancer? NCI’s Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Consortia is developing a trial for people at increased risk for colorectal cancer who also have been found to have aberrant crypt foci (ACF). ACF are clusters of abnormal cells in the lining of the colon and rectum that have been associated with the development of colorectal tumors. Using existing technology, ACF represent the earliest stage of detectable risk for colorectal cancer.This NCI-sponsored phase II trial will begin patient enrollment in late 2005 or early 2006. The study will assess the efficacy of atorvastatin (and two other investigational agents, an anti-inflammatory, sulindac, and another compound that promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon) against ACF. Paul Limburg, M.D., a researcher in gastro-enterology at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.), will be leading this multicenter effort.

6. What evidence is there that statins may have an effect on colorectal cancer? Studies have shown that statins inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells grown in the laboratory. Consistent preven-tive effects of certain statins against colon cancer were first described in cancer studies in rodents published in 1994.Some human observational studies have since suggested that statins may have protective effects against colorectal cancer. Most recently, researchers from the University of Michigan, collaborating with researchers in Israel, compared the use of statins among 1,953 patients who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 2,015 other people who did not have the disease. This study specifically associated a 47 percent reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer with statin use (as opposed to the use of another type of lipid-lowering drug, fibrates). [Statins and the risk of colorectal cancer. Poynter, JN., et al. New England Journal of Medicine, May 26, 2005, (352:2184–92]. 7. Is NCI supporting research with statins to prevent other types of cancer? NCI is developing a phase II placebo-controlled trial to evaluate whether lovastatin can reverse precancerous changes in atypical (so-called dysplastic) nevi, a precursor to melanoma skin cancer, and thus have the potential to prevent progression to melanoma. Ken Linden, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher in dermatology at the University of California, Irvine, will be leading this multicenter effort. The study will begin patient enrollment in late 2005 or early 2006.

8. What evidence is there that lipid-lowering drugs can prevent skin cancer? Two large cardiovascular clinical trials have demonstrated a significant reduction in skin cancer among patients taking lipid-lowering drugs. Although clinical data do not consistently show a decreased risk of skin cancer with statin use, various human trials and preclinical studies suggest that statins may have chemopreventive activity against skin cancer.

9. Where can I get more information? For more information about cancer, visit the NCI Web site at http://www.cancer.gov or call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237).Information on cancer prevention is available at the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention Web site at http://preven-tion.cancer.gov on the Internet.More information on cholesterol-lowering drugs can be obtained from the FDA Web site at http://www.fda.gov on the Internet.


Ten years ago, the first men and boys were transferred from their home countries, from different parts of the world, to the prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They were called “enemy combatants,” a word without legal meaning, to blur the lines between the established laws of war and the illegal designs of a government that sought to hold them in prison for the rest of their lives. The US government sought to establish Guantanamo as a “legal black hole,” where the sanitizing light of due process and the rule of law would not penetrate. They proclaimed that the men and boys would be held indefinitely, until the end of the so-called global war on terror. Further, they said they every single person being held in “Gitmo,” as the prison camp came to be known, was in fact, unequivocally a terrorist, the worst of the worst. It was into this cauldron of propaganda that the lawyers who became habeas counsel willingly entered. The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), historically a civil rights not-for-profit law firm, was the first to accept this challenge. CCR then began to seek the help of large law firms to represent the 700 or so men and boys who were imprisoned, none of whom had counsel and all of who the government said had no right to counsel. Lawyers from all fields of law, from firms large and small, and even solo practitioners like myself, entered our appearances on behalf of these men, and on behalf the fidelity of the rule of law. Some, perhaps many, of the prisoners were tortured in Gitmo. Many of the prisoners were turned over to US forces for a bounty that was being offered by the military. As a result, these men and boys were whisked away to a land hundreds of miles away, tortured, branded a terrorist, not because of any wrong doing, but because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and someone turned them in for cool cash. This is an unnecessary and horrible price to pay.

Those of us who became habeas counsel fought on several fronts. Obviously, we fought on the legal front, bringing our cases through the districts courts, up to the US Supreme Court, where we won victories in Hamdam v. Rumsfeld and Boumediene v. Bush. Each victory was immediately weakened by acts of Congress, urged on by the Bush administration’s assertion that every man and child being held in Gitmo was, again, the worst of the worst. We also had to fight in the court of public opinion, to convince the news media that the “worst of the worst” label applied, at most, to a small number of prisoners, and that even those men deserved to be judged by an impartial and fair tribunal. It was arduous work in all fronts. Yet we took each victory with measure, and each defeat and each propagandized official statement in stride.

For us, this representation is not just pro bono work, legal work that attorneys conduct free of cost. This rep-resentation is costly. Habeas counsel have had to spend large sums of their own money, flying to and from Gitmo, hiring interpreters, buying their own food and supplies, flying to and from Washington, DC for hearings and to review classified documents, all while maintaining their law practices. They have also had to pay with their reputations, when many people allied with the Bush administration called for the boycotting of law firms who were engaged in representing the so-called “worst of the worst” and were accused of engaging in “lawfare.” Our patriotism was questioned, and many called us traitors. No, this litigation, for habeas counsel, has not been free.

But of course, this litigation is not about our sacrifices. It is about several more important things. Our clients have had their freedom sacrificed at the altar of war and the so-called global “war on terrorism” for over 10 years. Even those prisoners whom the government has admitted pose

Closing Guantanamo:The Need to End Indefinite Detention

JURIST Guest Columnist Bryan Bullock of the Law Offices of Bryan K. Bullock, LLC argues that the tenth year of Guantanamo Bay’s operation as a detention facility should be its last and those held there should no longer be subject to indefinite detention...


no threat to this nation have not been released. Those who have been released have never been compensated for their illegal imprisonment. Those who have been tortured, in violation of the US Constitution and the Geneva Conven-tions, can never be made whole again and no attempt by our government has been made to make them so. All the while, those who authorized this unjust regime go about their lives free: writing books, being appointed to faculty positions in colleges, or going on talk shows bragging that they would violate the trust of the people, the dictates of the Constitution and the mandates of international law, all over again if they could. The sacrifices of our clients clearly are not over and may never be over since the Obama administration and Congress continue to use their bodies as political fodder.

It is not just our clients who have made grave sacrifices. The American people have as well. Americans, who like to believe that we are just and ethical, have signed off on the illegal torture and the indefinite detention of these men and boys. We have debated on talk shows what is and what is not torture as opposed to forcefully condemning torture, almost torture and near torture, as being illegal and immoral. We continue to live under the Patriot Act, the material support statute and now the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). We have allowed ourselves to sink further and further into the abyss of tyranny and watched our Constitution be shredded and our civil liberties eroded right before our eyes. We have allowed all this to happen with no revolt, no mass uprising, no real protest. And now, under the NDAA, we all may be subject to being “indefinite detainees.”

Guantanamo must be closed. The prisoners being held there must be given fair trials. The Authorization for Use of Military Force must be repealed. So must the material

support statute and the Patriot Act, and the NDAA must be amended. Too much has been lost already.

I, as a former habeas counsel of prisoners of Guanta-namo Bay, ask the world to remember them on this day and the remaining days of their imprisonment. I appeal to the conscience of the Congress and to the backbone of the President, to ensure that every single prisoner is afforded due process and released if they are found to be innocent. We cannot mark an eleventh or twelfth year of detainment and still call ourselves the leaders of the “free world.” We cannot continue to deny these men basic due process and proclaim that we are a country of laws. We cannot re-fill the population of Gitmo and we cannot forget the equally notorious prison in Bagrahm where the bodies of Muslims and Arabs and still salute lady liberty. Gitmo is a porthole to the world of the lawlessness of the “war on terror” which, despite the fact that President Obama doesn’t call it a “war on terror,” he still prosecutes it as such.

Each of the habeas counsels, current and past, can tell stories of how our clients told us years ago that America would never give them a fair trial nor release them. They were right then. Now let us prove them wrong going forward. Ten years is too long. Although we have made some gains in the courts, the President and the Congress need to resolve to give these men justice. We give our own “worst of the worst” trials. We have an obligation to give these men no less.

Bryan Bullock is an employment discrimination and civil rights attorney and an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Northwest. He was formerly habeas counsel to several Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Closing Guantanamo:The Need to End Indefinite Detention by Bryan Bullock, guest columnist


Steve González was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court effective January 1, 2012. Before joining the Supreme Court, Justice González served for ten years as a trial judge on the King County Superior Court hearing criminal, civil, juvenile, and family law cases.

Prior to his election to the King County Superior Court, Justice González practiced both criminal and civil law. He was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Washington, a Domestic Violence Prosecutor for the City of Seattle and an Associate in the Business Law Department at the Seattle law firm Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson.

As an Assistant United States Attorney, Justice González was part of the team that successfully prosecuted the international terrorism case U.S. v. Ressam, for which he received two Department of Justice awards: the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service and the Director’s Award for Superior Performance. He also prosecuted organized crime cases and served as the Hate Crimes Prosecution Coordinator. After September 11, he lectured on international terrorism prosecution to U.S. Attorneys in Washington D.C.

While working in private practice, Justice González gained significant civil and business law experience, includ-ing acquisitions, mergers, land use, intellectual property, commercial litigation, and contract negotiation. He regularly provided pro bono representation to people who could not afford to pay for a lawyer. Justice González continues to be a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education seminars.

Justice González has received numerous awards

throughout his career, including “Judge of the Year” awards from the Washington State Bar Association, the Wash-ington Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Asian Bar Association of Washington in 2011. He also received the Exceptional Member Award from the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington in 2011 and the Vanguard Award from the King County Chapter of Washington Women Lawyers in 2009.

Justice González earned his B.A. with Honors in East Asian Studies from Pitzer College and his J.D. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) where he was the Technical Editor of the La Raza Law Journal. As a part of his undergraduate degree, Justice González studied at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan and at Nanjing University in China. Before law school, he did graduate work in Economics at Hokkaido University on a scholar-ship from Rotary International. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2011 where he gave the commencement address.

Justice González is passionate about providing open access to the justice system for all. He was appointed by the Supreme Court to the Washington State Access to Justice Board and served on the Board for seven years, including the last two years as its Chair. He is a mentor to students through the Future of the Law Institute and many other organizations.

Justice González speaks Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish. He lives in Seattle with his wife, Michelle, an Assistant Dean at the University of Washington School of Law, and their two sons.

Justice Steven C. González


DIR

ECTO

RY


STROLL

into February

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