Showing posts with label Caribbean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Caribbean. Show all posts

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Iguanas belong ‘au naturel,’ even in Puerto Rico

Commentary
By Luis Chaluisan

Iguanas: they’re not common pets in New Jersey, thank the power, even though people occasionally decide this exotic (as in non-native) animal would make a great pet. It’s not so. Iguanas belong in their native habitat, where they have the company of other iguanas, the right temperature and food, and the chance to be an iguana “au naturel.”

Caribbean tourist attraction
During a recent vacation in the Caribbean, I saw lots of iguanas, which made it easy for me to continue to be fascinated by them – their myriad colors, especially the bright green of young ones; their long ring-tails; their front feet, especially, with long, curving finger-like appendages; their casual ability to “go out on a limb,” seeking a flower or a tender green leaf at the end of a branch that looks incapable of holding them.
And, these kids can travel too! If they need to get away, they can do it. They’re not graceful, but they’re fast.
Far from eating red hibiscus flowers in St. Thomas was the iguana I met years ago in Ewing, NJ. That poor guy lived alone in a glass tank in a store. What a life: a caged curiosity shoppers could look at. Weekends when the store was closed had to be worst for that iguana – not even any gawkers.
Here are a few “fun facts” about iguanas from information I’ve accumulated over years of watching them. 
  • In the Family Iguanidae, they’re a kind of lizard, and lizards are reptiles. Lizards have what their snake relatives lack: ears, eyelids, four legs. Their lizard tongues serve as both organs of taste and odor detection.
  • Tropical, omnivorous, arboreal, quiet and diurnal (daylight creatures; inactive in dark), iguanas can weigh 25-30 pounds and grow to six feet or more – mostly tail. They have pointy scales along their back and males have dewlap. Life span: about 20 years.
  • Iguanas may forage and bask in groups. They love to bathe, swimming like snakes with legs against their bodies. To elude enemies, they can stay under water for about 30 minutes.
Puerto Rico’s plan
Just before coming home, I was disturbed to see a sad story in the Virgin Islands Daily News about iguanas. The government of Puerto Rico plans to capture and kill them, then sell their meat. Reason(s): iguanas are not native to that island (even thought elsewhere in the Caribbean, they’re a protected species); they outnumber the human population . . . and (believe it or not) the bad economy makes the idea appealing.
So now Puerto Rico’s looking for a company to “process” iguanas that would be hunted or trapped and kept alive for the slaughtering process. As I see it, PR aims to treat iguanas the way “food animals” are treated here in the US and everywhere else factory farming takes place. Horrible.
Then again, I’m not too surprised. Only a few years ago, Puerto Rico earned notoriety for killing hundreds of pets – cats and dogs – in the most barbaric way.
Now the island is “moving right along” with iguanas, apparently no more enlightened, or compassionate, than before.

Luis Chaluisan is a contributing writer to PRSUN. He is the editor in chief of salsamagazine.com.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage Month in NYC

Community calendar
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
mes de la herencia puertorriqueña

SAVE THE DATES

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
CN’S 23RD ANNUAL KICK-OFF CELEBRATION
EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO, NEW YORK CITY

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2009
CN’S 14TH ANNUAL GALA
CELEBRATING 23 YEARS OF PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH
THE NY HILTON, NEW YORK CITY

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2009
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE AND HOSTOS PRESENT
JESÚS OMAR RIVERA EL BORICUAZO
Puertorriqueñidad…Defendiendo nuestra imagen
HOSTOS CENTER FOR THE ARTS & CULTURE THEATRE, BRONX, NY

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
CN’S FOURTH ANNUAL ARTISANS FAIR & EXHIBIT
CN’S FIRST ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR
EUGENIO MARÍA DE HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE, BRONX, NEW YORK

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
CN’S 15TH ANNUAL DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
IPRHE’S UPACA SENIOR CENTER, NEW YORK CITY


COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
C/O IPRHE, 105 EAST 22ND STREET – 6TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10010


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: (212) 677-4181 OR (914) 263-6599
OR VISIT: WWW.COMITENOVIEMBRE.ORG


COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE MEMBER AGENCIES

INSTITUTE FOR THE PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC ELDERLY * ASPIRA OF NEW YORK
EL CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS PUERTORRIQUEÑOS * EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO
EUGENIO MARÍA DE HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE * LATINO JUSTICE – PRLDEF
NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR PUERTO RICAN RIGHTS – JUSTICE COMMITTEE
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LATINO POLICY * PROMESA
PUERTO RICO FEDERAL AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION


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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

NYC to show its solidarity with Puerto Rico's National Strike

There will be a rally tomorrow at 5 p.m. in New York City in support of the national strike in Puerto Rico. This comes after Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño laid off thousands of government workers earlier this month, citing the island's poor economy as the culprit that has led him to make some tough decisions in this difficult financial time. But the layoffs have led different sectors on the island to engage in civil disobedience. The national strike on the island is also tomorrow.

To participate in NYC's rally:

5 p.m. Thursday, October 15th
PRFAA, 135 West 50th street (between 6th & 7th Avenues), Manhattan

The NYC Chapter of National Congress of Puerto Rican Rights is a sponsor.

Puerto Rico Sun is in solidarity. While it is true that the governor did need to cut workers from the government payroll because it is too big, the sudden number of layoffs are just too drastic and negatively impact too many poor and working class families on the island. These cuts are only making the unemployment problem on the island even bigger than it is.


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Friday, September 25, 2009

PRSUN Radio chats with Urban Jibaro George Torres


My upcoming guest on PRSUN Radio is Urban Jibaro George Torres of Sofrito for your Soul. The show airs at 9 p.m. Wednesday at http://blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.

George Torres is a social media consultant, cultural activist, radio personality and founder of cultural online magazine SofritoForYourSoul.com. Read a brief bio at my blog at http://blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.


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UPDATE: To listen to the interview, go to my archived show at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Making the everyday exceptional with food

Here is an interesting community event for those of you who love to cook with a twist.
Daisy Martinez has a Food Network show called “Viva Daisy!”, Harumi Kurihara, often times referred as Japan’s Martha and celebrity event planner Karen Bussen will speak at the Japan Society on how once thought “exotic” food or culture is now influencing regular American kitchen.  Both Latin or Japanese food aren’t “go-to” food when cooking at home, but both Harumi and Daisy are trying to change this myth. Click on the image for details.


For more information on this event at the Japan Society in Manhattan, go to


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Sunday, September 13, 2009

PRSUN: Take part in Hispanic Heritage Month book giveaway

Puerto Rico Sun is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month book giveaway on behalf of Hachette Book Group. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15th through October 15th.
 
HispanicHeritage.jpg
 
  1. Zumba® By Beto Perez , Maggie Greenwood-Robinson ISBN: 0446546127
  2. Evenings at the Argentine Club By Julia Amante ISBN: 0446581623
  3. Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz By Belinda Acosta ISBN: 044654051X
  4. Tell Me Something True By Leila Cobo ISBN: 0446519367
  5. Amigoland By Oscar Casares ISBN: 0316159697
 
Each winner will receive one whole set of books (5 books) for the giveaway.
 
If you are interested in receiving the book giveaway, please send me your name and address to clarisel (at) puertoricosun.com. Only five winners will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Giveaway is only open to US and Canadian residents. No PO Boxes please.
 
Good luck, and Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS. Giveaway is now closed.

 












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Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Comite Noviembre seeks boricuas making a difference in their communities

Lo mejor de nuestra comunidad awards

Through Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award, Comité Noviembre in New York City recognizes outstanding individuals who are the unsung heroes of our community and who are making a difference in the Puerto Rican communities of this country. Puerto Ricans whose pride in their heritage and strength of character have empowered themselves and inspired others to make significant impact on the community are recognized. The recipients of this award are chosen by Comité Noviembre from nominations submitted by the community. These individuals are honored at the kick-off celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month.

The nomination criteria and form for Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award is now available at Comite Noviembre's website. The deadline for nominations to be received by CN is Wednesday, September 23rd. Recipients of the award will be informed by Monday, September 28th. The Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly spearheads the awards process.

Puerto Rican Heritage Month is celebrated in November.

Puerto Rico Sun readers, go ahead and nominate your candidates.

For the nomination form and more information, visit www.comitenoviembre.org.

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Friday, August 21, 2009

Q&A with activist Vicente "Panama" Alba



The organization “For a Better Bronx,” a community-based organization in the South Bronx, which fights to achieve environmental, social and food justice through education, community organizing, and empowerment held a special event earlier this year at St. Luke’s Church in the Bronx. That day, long-time activist Vicente “Panama” Alba was honored for many years of service to the organization and his commitment to people. Vicente has done it all in his many years of activism, including being a member of the influential Young Lords Party, which this weekend celebrates its 40th anniversary, and being a member of the underground group the F.A.L.N. (Fuerzas Armadas Liberacion Nationalista). He has fought against police brutality and against the war. He is an environmentalist. He was also active in the movement to get the Navy out of the Puerto Rican town of Vieques.
With the anniversary and reunion of the Young Lords, Alba reflects on his time with the organization and says it continues to shape his work as an activist.
Q: Let’s talk about the Young Lords. It’s been close to 40 years since they to
ok over the church at 111th Street and Lexington Avenue. Why are the Young Lords still in the minds of people to this day?
A: As far as the history of my involvement, I am a proud former member of the Young Lords Party. That experience has paved the road I’ve been walking since.
Q: Should there be a memorial in this (NY) city despite their birth in Chicago, Illinois?
A: As far as should there be a memorial for the Young Lords, it needs to be clear that the great maj
ority of us never thought that we were making history. That was not our motivation. We just loved our people, hated what we were being subjected to, and dreamed of a better world. Those are the things that drive me to do what I do to this day. We, without realizing it, did make history. All the credit is deserved by Cha Cha, Sal, Omar, and the women who turned a gang into a revolutionary force and inspired young people in NY and then other parts of the country to join. I have to say, though, I believe that if the YLO had not happened in Chicago and moved people here, something else after that would have been born here because the reality we demanded it. As far as a memorial, that is not for me to say.
Q: Richie Perez was in the Lords with you. Can you tell us a little about him? He once stated t
hat being in the movement keeps you young and strong.
A: As for as Richie Perez, the fact that from amongst all the people who lived for our people, you ask me about him speaks for itself. I first met Richie as one of the fellows when I was a teenager. He was soon after a teacher at Monroe High School where I was registered, but never went. Richie along with Cleo Silvers were the two most influential people at that time in my life. They knew me as an out-of-control rebel and guided me to the path I’ve been on since I joined the YLP. Until his death, he was my brother, my friend, companero de lucha, and is today one on whose spirit I call on. Richie was one of the most caring and committed people I’ve been honored to have in my life. Probably the most brilliant person I have ever come across. He never asked others to do something he would not do himself.
The Young Lords celebrate its 40th anniversary and reunion Sunday with an event at the First Spanish Methodist Church aka "The People's Church" in East Harlem. -- Ismael Nunez

Ismael Nunez is a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun.

(photo by Ismael Nunez of Vicente "Panama" Alba, center, with his children at the Better Bronx event)
(Young Lords flier; click on image for larger text)

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