By Matthew Emmons, US Presswire
What is it about playing in Columbus, Ohio that makes games end with a 2-0 American victory. Another good match last night, though I would have liked to see what would have happened had Rafa Marquez not inexplicably tried to run over Tim Howard. Here is the best recap of the game that I’ve found. And I know this has no bearing on El Centro de las Américas. I just like football.
Here is an article in the Associated Press about the incremental improvements in the U.S. immigration system for children. The article cites statistics that indicate of the 90,000 children apprehended on the border between the U.S. and Mexico in 2007 most are returned to their country of origin, but 8,000 enter U.S. custody. One can’t but hope for improvements in this system as the children are largely caught up in the mix of problems that are neither their doing nor their fault.
Cindy Gonzalez of the Omaha World-Herald wrote an article yesterday about doctors and other medical professionals learning Spanish to assist them in their work. The University if Nebraska Medical Center has programs in Guatemala and Nicaragua. My favorite quote from the article comes from the coordinator of the International Studies and Programs who says, “The students pick up on the culture and become less judgmental, more sensitive about things.” The article also discusses the changing role of the interpreter as more and more medical facilities seek out translation services. I have a friend who is a lawyer in Grand Island, and every time I see him we talk about how he could drastically increase his business if he knew Spanish. Maybe some day he’ll have the energy to finally do it.
Landon Donovan and the boys are preparing for their match against Mexico on Wednesday. My initial thoughts after seeing the lineup are not many surprises, save for the absence of Freddy Adu. Also noteworthy is the international makeup of an American team who has a captain named Carlos Bocanegra and other players with names like Frankie Hejduk, Oguchi Onyewu, and Sacha Kljestan. It should be fine match.
Forgive the pun (and the complaining), but it is all too appropriate. I’ll explain:
El Centro hosts a volunteer-run tax assistance program on Mondays as an outreach to those in our community wanting to get what they are owed for last year’s work. Needless to say the program is quite popular and we are sin cupo by around 5:30.
The program is scheduled to begin at 5:30.
Yes, we turn people away as there are only so many families for whom we can finish tax declarations before the program’s scheduled end of 7:30, which is rather fluid.
Last time, we were here until 10.
Only knowing and certifying for lo basico, I’m brain-dead by a quarter of 8. Notwithstanding, a huge thank you to Miriam, Marta and Maria for there charitable volunteerism and supportiveness. Also thanks to our staffers here at El Centro who have been roped into helping. See you on tax day.
It’s that time of year again for El Centro’s celebration of three pillars of the Latino culture; wine, chocolate and tango. The event will include wine sampling courtesy of Meier’s Cork N Bottle, as well as dark chocolate samples from Ecuador, and professional entertainment provided by the Lincoln Tango Club. There will be a live auction and a chance to take home a bottle of one of the fine wines. So, details…
March 14, 2009
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Nebraska Champions Club
707 Stadium Drive
Business Casual Requested
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 474-3950 or in El Centro’s office at 2032 U Street. We have more room than last year, but attendance will still be pretty limited, so I’d recommend buying your tickets early. Last year was a great time.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa is just around the corner (a la vuelta de la esquina), and the United States will play Mexico in a qualifying match next Wednesday, February 11th, in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. has given Mexico fits in home games as Los Tricolores (Three-colors, for the three colors in Mexico’s flag) haven’t won a game in the U.S. for 10 years. Don’t fault their fans, though, who are pulling out all the stops. I know the game probably won’t receive the same attention here in the States, but rest assured my TV will be on Univison that night.