Get Ready to Cheer!

Thinking about jumping on the Villanova bandwagon? Well here's one more reason to start sporting some "Nova Nation" gear. Check out this touching article about Villanova star Scottie Reynolds (yes the one that made that amazing last second shot to take down Pitt) and his adoption story:

http://tinyurl.com/dkhhqt

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Latino Nutrition Coalition

The Latino Nutrition Coalition produces a website, a blog, a twitter account, shopping guides, nutrition facts, etc.... they describe themselves this way:

"The LNC creates practical, culturally-aware materials in English and Spanish that help Latinos combine the best of their healthy food traditions with the realities of modern American life"

With so much great info where does a busy American start? How about this healthy, yummy sounding, simple recipe for Black bean tortillas from Guatemala. Here it is:

http://www.latinonutrition.org/Recipes-OldwaysTable.htm#blackbeantortilla

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Giant Kite Workshop

Update: the workshop below has sold out! However, they will be doing another one in May. It will be posted here as soon as the information is available!

Looking for something to do this weekend? The Art Museum of the Americas is having a Giant Kite Workshop tomorrow where:

"participants will learn about the Giant Kites tradition in Guatemala, where kites are constructed, displayed and flown to celebrate the Day of the Day (Día de los Muertos). Combining geometric patterns with figurative images depicting Mayan Culture, this time-honored tradition continues to flourish in the villages of Supango and Santiago"

The museum is located in Washington D.C. (okay not exactly in our back yard but not too far away). Admission to the museum is free and the workshop only costs $5. It is an all ages event. There is a video of the workshop on their website. Click this link for all the details:

http://www.museum.oas.org/education.html

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Golf Tourism Lands in Guatemala

Fuego Maya might make a non-golfer pick up some clubs. It is Guatemala's first golf resort and is located just outside Antigua, Guatemala. Bunkershots.com has this to say:

"The 18-hole course was carved alongside the base of the active volcano named Fuego (Fire) and it offers the golfer inspiring views of three other volcanoes, plus the Pacific Ocean in the distance."

To read more about it click here:

http://www.bunkershot.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4524:guate&catid=61:golf-news-wire

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Growing season

If Michelle Obama's vegetable garden has got you inspired to start your own, why not toss in some Guatemalan goodies with all your other veggies? Check out Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds to get seeds from Guatemala and a little story about the seeds too. How cute. Just punch the word "Guatemala" into their online catalog. Here's the link:

www.rareseeds.com

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Philadelphia's Alfombra

The alfombra, a beautiful Guatemalan tradition, has made its way to Philadelphia! The Historical Society of Philadelphia has an intersting blurb about it on their website:

"Latino Catholics commonly observe Good Friday by reenacting Christ’s persecution and crucifixion. Rich pageantry like this affirms parishioners’ faith and brings religious communities together during the Easter season. Another religious tradition is that of the alfombra, an intricate sawdust carpet created by hand. Though traditionally Guatemalan, the alfombra has now become an important part of the Easter and Christmas celebrations for pan-Latino congregants at Incarnation Church, a Spanish-speaking parish in Olney."

Incarnation of Our Lord Church makes their alfombra available for all eyes to see on Friday April 10th. For more information about the church here is a link to their website:

http://www.incarnationofourlord.org/index.htm

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Maya History

The Maya have been making headlines lately due to the most recent discovery uncovered in Guatemala. Click here for that story:

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/12/1833838.aspx

If you would like to know more about the history of the Maya. Here is a brief description:

http://history.howstuffworks.com/central-american-history/maya-indians.htm

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CDC Makes New Rec For International Adoptions

A few weeks ago the CDC changed their recommendations about the vaccine for Hepatitis A. The CDC now says:

"everyone who is likely to be in close contact with the foreign adoptive children should receive the vaccination.This means family members, friends, caregivers, and anyone else who expects to come into close personal contact with the child within 60 days after the child arrives."

To read the full article click here:

http://www.emaxhealth.com/1024/20/29472/cdc-makes-new-recommendations-international-adoptions.html

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Charities in Guatemala

Interested in giving back? There are many many organizations working in Guatemala. Informed Adoption Advocates highlights some of their favorites. The chart tells you the types of programs they run, what cities the organizations work in, and volunteer opportunities they offer. Check it out:

http://www.informedadoptions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=308&Itemid=31

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Pottery and Politics

Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya is an exhibit coming to Penn Museum April 5th. The museum website tells us:

Around 700 C.E. Chamá and the other towns and villages along Guatemala’s Chixoy River were hubs of activity, crossroads of trade and pilgrimage, channeling the movement of people and ideas at the height of Maya civilization. This is the story of the ancient Maya as lived by these villagers and the rediscovery of their history by archaeologists today.

To get all the details and download free podcasts about the exhibition click here:

http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/exhibits/exhibits_upcoming.shtml

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Philadelphia's Centro Musico

Music lovers this article is a must read! Centro Musico is at the heart of the Latino music scene in Philly. Find out about their radio show, brushes with fame, and their living breathing store that seems more like an arts center than a retail locale. Here's the link:

http://temple-news.com/2009/03/03/philly-moves-to-the-latin-beat/

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Guatemalan Goodies Delivered

A Guatemalan baker and a Guatemalan living in the U.S. have teamed up to join Antigua Flavors and Colors, an online retailer that ships Guatemalan baked goods to the U.S. If you got a hankering for a hunk of authentic Guatemalan pastries but want to skip the plane ride check out the site. You'll find lots of yummy looking foods and other fair trade goods.

http://antiguafc.com/Home.php

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