color magazine - edition 40 - september 2011

Edition

40Septem

ber 1st - Septem

ber 30th

20

11

in a city rich in shades, here is a cOLOr that incLudes aLL...

The Changing FaCe oF

naSCaR

a LaTin LaST Laughby MiMi

gonzaLez

Shaping The gLobaL

enTRepReneuR

Review:eL CenTRo

in The SouTh end

The eduCaTion oF new

aMeRiCan FaMiLieS

Carlos Contreras broke barriers for Latino drivers, now Jose arteaga (and Carlos Jr.) are following in his tracks

Hola mi amor, I got into an

I’m fine but I won’t be able to pick up the girls from

. I know you have your car

at the so can you call your

mom and see if she can pick them up? Ok, I have

to go, I need to my boss

and tell him I’m going to be late.

Liberty Mutual understands the domino effect of a car accident.That’s why we offer Accident Forgiveness and 24 Hour Claims Assistance. Because after an accident, we know how important it is for you to be able to move on and focus on the people and things that matter most in your life.Visit us at more than 20 locations in the Boston Area or online at LibertyMutual.com/domino

Coverage provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affi liates, Boston, MA. © 2011 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston MA 02116

Responsibility. What’s your policy?

AUTO HOME LIFE

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AUTO HOME LIFE












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3www.colormagazineusa.com September 2011

—01—02—03—04—05—06—07—08—09—10—11—12—13—14—15—16—17—18—19—20—21—22—23—24—

Business 5 | Shaping the next

generation of global entrepreneurs

diaLOgues 6 | a Latin Last Laugh by Mimi

gonzalez

Benchmarks 8 | non-profit Spotlight:

The College Campus for Toddlers

10 | Land of opportunity: how boston is educating new american families

12 | how Richy pena and Jody Mendoza became boston’s Latino power Couple

entertainment 18 | actress Moon bloodgood

on becoming a Role Model 19 | director Chris weitz’s

latest is a touching story of undocumented immigrants

LifestyLe 20 | Rosé wine: good or

great? 22 | Review: el Centro is

honest Mexican fare

sOciety 23 | national naaap

Convention comes to boston

feature

14 | The Changing Face of naSCaR: Carlos Contreras and Jorge arteaga are breaking barriers for Latino drivers

ContEntS

SEPtEMBER

2011

Cover and feature photos by Carlos Herrera de Los Santos











AUTO HOME LIFE












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AUTO HOME LIFE


4 mAGAZINe September 2011

raghu tadepalli is Murata dean and Professor of Mar-keting, F. W. olin Graduate School of Business, Babson College. Previously he was dean of the Graduate School and As-sociate dean in the Williams College of Business at Xavier University.

tim estiloz is a two-time Emmy Award winning tV journalist and film critic with more than a decade of experience covering news, features and Hol-lywood celebrity entertainment. tim currently works as a host and producer for Boston Latino tV and is a performer and illustrator. to see his work visit www.timestiloz.com.

In a city rich in shades here is a color that includes all…

Color Magazine is the premier all-inclusive monthly magazine that highlights and promotes

professionals of color.

4 Copley Place | Suite 120 Boston, MA 02116

(617) 266.6961 [email protected]

PublisherJosefina Bonilla

[email protected]

editorMichael Chin

[email protected]

event strategistDesiree Arevalo

social Media and Public relations rePresentative

Vivian Pereira

PublisherColor Media Group, LLC

distribution

GateHouse Media

trond arne undheim is an entrepreneur, speaker and author. He lives between Boston and London, speaks six languages and has a Ph.d. in sociology. He writes frequently on wine and society.

mimi gonzalez is a stand-up comedian actively touring since 1998. She’ll go anywhere to make people laugh, including iraq and Afghanistan to entertain the U.S. military. She’s also a part-time black-walnut farmer in between comedy shows and writing assignments.

FRoM The ediToR

ConTRibuTing wRiTeRS

WHAt’S tHe Hot new trenD for eM-

PLoyerS? not hiring the unemployed. If you haven’t had a job for a while,

many employers won’t even consider you; worse yet, some open positions are being advertise as avail-able to only those who currently have a job.

this situation fits just about every definition of the word backward.

So add unemployed-ism to the list “isms” that can make it hard to get a job. when you make a blanket statement that the unemployed need not ap-ply, that counts as the wrong kind of discrimination in my book, and may even be a violation of equal opportunity laws. the whole “so-and-so need not apply” thing just doesn’t seem right, does it?

we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Months this issue, and we have host of people who thank-fully did “apply,” whether they were invited to or not and are doing amazing things because of it. In particular, the two nASCAr drivers on the cover are

working to make their sport, with a reputation for homogeneity, more inclusive: these days – at least when it comes to nASCAr – anyone may apply.michael

WELCoME

aaron a. arzu is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained culinar-ian. A recovering lawyer, Aaron now spends his time arguing over the perfect spice blends instead of legal briefs.


MBA students need the functional skills like accounting, marketing, and strategy, but they also need to be risk takers and be willing to step out of their comfort zone. A collab-

orative spirit is essential to motivate a team of people anywhere in the world. entrepreneurial leaders must also be high-touch, display high-sensitivity, and grasp a deep understanding of how to bridge cultural divides and language barriers – in other words, how to manage globally.

take for example, Babson MBA gradu-ate Carlos rojas, Ceo of rotoplas, a leading company of molded rainwater tanks in Latin America. while at Babson, rojas’ classmate from India identified the need there for envi-ronmentally-friendly water tanks. together they expanded the business to India, creating new jobs while helping to fulfill a social and environmental need as well.

or current MBA student Kuorkor Dzani who completed an innovative and global internship in China with Standard Bank facili-tating corporate relations between African and Chinese government units and companies. Her international and multi-cultural experiences

the world needs new entrepreneurial lead-ers because they cultivate hope and are masters at developing opportunities and creating jobs. And jobs equal peace and prosperity. entrepre-neurship today is all about giving people the tools to make it happen.

yet, new entrepreneurial leaders will only thrive in an environment that is global and in-clusive. we cannot be U.S. centered anymore. Look at any U.S. company and you will see that the majority of sales and most profits are generated from a foreign affiliate: exxon Mobil, Ge, any big company you can think of – where are they hiring? In China, in Brazil, in India.

we tell our MBAs that we want them to be able to go anywhere in the world and succeed. Building a student population that is intention-ally diverse is a vital strategy in shaping entre-preneurial leaders. An entrepreneurial leader that is the embodiment of a global, inclusive community will have the best chance of making a real difference in the world.

Stepping out of the Comfort Zone

BUSinESS

the global entrepreneurGlobal, inclusive thinkers will shape the future – so how do we shape them?

tHe eConoMIC LIVeLIHooD of the planet is in turmoil: debt crisis, market instability, double-dip fears. In every government and political institu-

tion, across international conglomerates and nGos, even among the sacred spheres of monetary and fiscal policy – what is absolutely crystal clear is that the old rules have changed. the past is no longer a good predictor of the future.¶ what‘s needed right now are entrepreneurial leaders who can take creative action in the face of an unknown future to bring real economic and social value to all they do. It is a daunting task for business schools, but we must train and inspire these entrepreneurial leaders to create opportunities, to bravely encounter and learn from obstacles and to incorporate this learning into what they do next. this process of acting, learning, repeating is what managing in uncertain times is all about.

By Raghu Tadepalli , Murata dean, F.W. Ol in graduate School o f Bus iness , Babson Col lege

For more information about babson’s Mba program visit www.babson.edu/mba.

at Babson allowed her to successfully build relationships for the bank with ambassadors at numerous east African countries.

Strategies for SuccessIn an effort to cultivate a diverse, global

community, business schools are actively seeking and shaping the right kind of student community. for example, this year we have awarded six African American and Hispanic Americans with scholarships from Manage-ment Leadership for tomorrow (MLt). MLt links high-potential minority MBA students to the programs and organizations that will put them on the fast track to success.

on campus, we’ve enlisted the super tal-ent of rock-star entrepreneur Daymond John (founder of fUBU) as role model and motivator. John best reflects the kind of entrepreneurial drive we want our students to embrace.

we, like other MBA programs, want tal-ented, like-minded students to join us in our quest to write an exciting new chapter in the story of diverse, socially responsible, economic prosperity.

On Oct. 28th, Babson will host Diversity of All Kinds, an event where interested candi-dates can live the MBA experience first-hand through business case sessions presented by FUBU creator and ABC-TV’s Shark Tank host Daymond John.


the same industry insider later remarked about my headshot, “well, no one’s going to mistake you for white,” to which I replied, “Do you think they’d mistake me for employable?”

the light-skinned, dark-skinned debate rages on within the many communities of color and it’s always a win whenever I channel surf and see actors on Spanish soap operas who are dark-haired, dark-eyed and dark-skinned. there are plenty of white, Caucasian Latinos – even in my own Cuban family. one cousin named Pee-wee has blue-eyes, can’t tan and looks as all-American as Jeb Bush.

this is one of the minefields Latinos navi-gate in embracing our moment of Pride in our designated “month.”

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, or Months since it’s celebrated from September 15 through october 15. the largest minority population in the United States is recognized annually by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s original 1968 authorization of national Hispanic Heritage week. It was expanded to a “full” month in 1988.

As a Latina comedian, I’ve long marveled at the irony that our month has to straddle a border between the lands of two separate months in autumn.

the decision was based on five Latin American countries that celebrate the anniversary of their independence on Septem-ber 15: Costa rica, el Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

So that’s why it starts mid-month. And expanding it to a full month simply tracks with similar governmental citations.

I’m ready for some real recognition of the contribution of Latino-surnamed American

citizens. And I want something more dignified than another fiesta day marked by drinking. Cinco de Mayo marks a day Mexico defeated the french in a battle. I’m sure Mexican-Americans are as proud of its commercialized American celebration as Irish-Americans are of green-dyed beer and teeth on St. Patrick’s Day.

At least Cinco de Mayo puts three more Spanish words into the national vocabulary, along with “yo quiero” and “habla ingles!” Step by step, Latinos are making our way forward into the national psyche. Despite our centuries-long mark made on this new world.

diALoGUES

a Latin Last-Laugh

sUMMer’S AIrwAVeS are filled with reality shows and competitions, buffering television’s time against its ramp up to fall’s new season of scripted sitcoms and dramas. the last winner of “Last Comic Standing” was felipe esparza. Having

worked in L.A. with this long-haired hipster, I feel a sense of pride only a cohort who’s fought alongside another in the trenches can know.¶ My moment in Hollywood came complete with a casting agent saying right to my brown-eyed, beige face, “where are all the Latinos?” All I could answer is, “right in front of you! Maybe if I had one of your children on my hip and my ‘boyfriend’ or father was outside leaf-blowing butts from the drive you could see me?”

By MiMi gOnzalez

Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes, aka Cantinflas

Felipe Esparza (EVA RoSE ALAniz)


Starting with our “month” always includ-ing Columbus Day. Columbus was an Italian employed by a Spanish queen to invade and conquer under the diplomatic spin of exploring and discovery. the older I get, the more I learn to embrace the bad with the good. And my psychic high-wire act of gratitude for being born in this country often threatens to topple me off at my shock and awe at how ancestors with my Spanish-surname took it.

the same ancestors who brought horses to this continent witnessed the emergence of a rugged American stereotype of cowboys. How many of them know that cowboys are another gift from Latinos? “Cowboy” is the english word for vaquero, invented by Mexicans long before the way “west” was opened. Horses and horse-power come riding across the generations and show up now in tricked-out cars that would make a horse itself blush.

Hydraulics on each bumper? A car that can dance? A pickup truck so low to the ground that its bed is only useful for speakers? Leave it to Latinos to turn a horse into a boom-box mule lighting up the neighborhood with tunes to throw a fiesta too. And here’s where my Detroit-reared, Latina soul starts to puff in pride.

Despite the obvious setbacks and struggles the Latino community faces, we are finally beginning to emerge as a unified voice. this is a major accomplishment considering the twenty-three different dialects of Spanish spo-ken by citizens of each of those nations – the fifth being the United States - which means ALL of the variations are spoken here.

Unless like me, the language you speak is english with a smattering of Spanish I’ve picked up by virtue of living in the United States. Bilin-gual signs have helped me learn the language of my last name. Pero, <<Cuidado! Piso mo-jado!>> (But, Caution! floor wet!) only comes in handy on very specific occasions.

thankfully, the language and the “look” of a Latino are the two major identifiers that bring so many different cultures together. to see fe-lipe esparza on the national stage, representing a Mexican-American on top, brings his comedy ancestor all the way up from history.

Cantinflas was the first Mexican character created by a Latino comic/actor to break into the national psyche. Charlie Chaplin called him the best comedian alive. His peasant character blurred boundaries between nations, classes and genders.

felipe esparza, with his accent and act in english, seasoned with dashes of Spanish, gives this Latina comic one more reason to be proud of my heritage and what binds him to me: our last names. And that we’re both comedians who recognize that laughter has no accent.

OthersTalk.

By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead: EOE.

www.mghfordiversity.org

We Lead.There’s a difference between talking about diversity, and paving the way towards change. Diverse patients — from our local communities and from around the world — can only receive the best care from an organization that understands, accommodates and welcomes their unique needs. Building a culture that celebrates differences requires self-examination and action on the part of an organization’s leadership and every staff member. Join us at Massachusetts General Hospital and you’ll join an organization with energy, commitment and a richness of programs designed to create a hospital and a workplace that’s more vibrant than ever before. Our innovative initiatives include:

Latino Heritage Month Celebration: MGH honors Latino Heritage Month with the annual presentation of the Ernesto Gonzales Award for Outstanding Service to the Latino Community and employee events with guest speakers from the Latino community.

The Hausman Nursing Fellowship for Minority Student Nurses: This 10-week paid fellowship offers nursing students from diverse backgrounds a range of clinical experiences designed to inform and enrich their future nursing practice.

On-Site ESOL Classes for Employees: MGH offers 10 classes at six levels ranging from Beginner to Advanced.

Spanish at MGH: An on-site Spanish language and cross-cultural competency program for MGH employees designed to enhance service to Spanish-speaking patients and family members.

MGH offers career opportunities in all areas of patient care, research, administration and operations. To see a complete list of our current opportunities and learn more about our benefits, please visit our website.

The Diversity Difference.


the goal is to promote strong engagement and partnership between the school and parents for each child’s development and education.

In 2010, Crispus Attucks opened the first natural Playground in Boston on its 90,000 square foot campus, again leading the way in early childhood education by introducing advances proven to contribute to the healthy growth and development of young children.

“when I learned about the re-search on natu-ral playgrounds, I became con-vinced from the data that they help increase children’s cogni-

tive abilities,” explained the Center’s president, Lesley Christian. “An understanding of the natural world enhances intellectual develop-ment. we teach about nature and science, for example, by having the children grow their own vegetables. they learn about food and nutrition, and develop habits that help prevent childhood obesity. the green play yard, with its wooden forts, fun and challenging appa-ratus, and running path circling the school’s perimeter, promotes continuous active play and physical exercise.”

Building upon its reputation for creativity and innovation, the Center continues to en-hance its educational experience for children and parents, featuring experiential learning; highly trained staff; modern, computer-equipped classrooms; gymnasium and natural playground; onsite kitchen/cuisine; health and developmental screenings; field trips for preschoolers, and much more.

Located in Dorchester, the national Association for the education of young Children accredited Center offers comprehensive and culturally diverse programs designed to meet the unique needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers by nurturing and caring for each child individually. the Center focuses on the whole child, addressing all aspects of development in young children, including social-emotional skills to form healthy relation-ships, cognitive skills for intellectual growth, and physical exercise that promotes wellness. A wide range of support services is offered to parents, including education, counseling, re-ferrals, advocacy and volunteer opportunities.

crispus attucks children’s centerthe College Campus for toddlers

for neArLy 40 yeArS, Crispus At-tucks Children’s Center has been recognized as a leading provider

of early childhood education and care in the Boston community. the Center’s mission is to prepare young children for academic and life success, and it has launched countless students on their edu-cational journey to suc-cessful careers. Keith Motley, Chancellor of UMass Boston, once called Crispus Attucks “the college campus for toddlers.”

For more information visit www.crispus-attucks.org.

BEnCHMARkS

Helping individuals and organizations communicate with today’s emerging majorities.

401.274.0033 w globalviewcomm.com

Advertising/BrAnding w Pr/imAge Consulting internAl CommuniCAtions w event mArketing w Community relAtions


MA, helps immigrants and refugees become successful workers, parents, and community members through its direct service programs, including GeD and citizen preparation classes, and public education. ILC serves more that 900 students yearly with six levels of english for Speakers of other Languages (eSoL), from students illiterate in their native languages to those preparing for college and professional training programs.

ICL’s Public education Institute, started in 2002, informs Americans about the economic and social contributions of immigrants in our society. the institute commissions and disseminates immigrant-related research and convenes conferences such as 2010’s Conference on Immigrant en-trepreneurship at Babson College.

Key to this advocacy component, ILC offers “teaching Immigration Across the Curriculum,” a free, two-day forum that helps K–12 and com-munity educators incorporate age-appropriate lessons and projects about immigrants and immigration into their classrooms. (Participants can earn professional development credit.) Combining lectures, exchanges and net-working and curriculum development, this past summer’s class, attended by 35 teachers, addressed immigration history; demographic statistics; immigrant entrepreneurship; integration and assimilation issues; and state and national immigration policies.

“All of the participating teachers,” said Dr. Marcia Drew Hohn, direc-tor of ILC’s Public education Institute, “want to better understand their students’ backgrounds and lives. we equip them with useful facts and tools and proven, creative methods for teaching immigration and dispelling the myths that surround it.”

Monica Pomare, BPS family and Community outreach Coordinator, who attended this past summer’s institute, said, “the course built up my background

the Vehicle of OpportunityHow Boston is welcoming and educating its growing number of new American families

tHe worLD has come to the city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts. the 2010 US Census only validated what many already knew: Immi-

grants are the state’s largest growing population segment, accounting for the state’s overall population increase. And Boston remains a majority-minority city, with 53 percent of the city’s inhabitants (a two point increase since 2000) identifying as a race/ethnicity other than non-Hispanic white.

In business parlance, these facts and figures represent “challenges” and “opportunities.” two educational organizations, among several — the Immigrant Learning Center and Primary Source — and the Boston Public Schools are responding to the region’s changing demographics in innovative, energetic, and promising ways. they are motivated, in part, by the premise that english proficiency is the vehicle to opportunity, a critical means for opening the door for immigrants to socio-economic, educational and cultural well being. the educators and administrators are also moved by a corollary premise: teachers can contribute to the making of an open, culturally sensitive American public.

SUPPoRt And AdVoCACy: the immigrant Learning Center

founded in 1992, the Immigrant Learning Center (ILC) in Malden,

Author Mitali Perkins discusses combating stereotypes in the class-room during a Primary Source professional development seminar

BEnCHMARkS


knowledge of the different ethnic groups and gave me greater insight to what immigrant families face. Plus hearing about the knowledge and experience of teachers from different areas was especially valuable.”

tHE BiG PiCtURE WitH LoCAL ViEWS: Primary Source

with its motto, “educating for global understanding,” Primary Source clearly thinks globally, while, with its services for new england teachers, acting locally.

founded in 1989, watertown-based Primary Source partners with teachers, scholars and the broader community to provide graduate courses, workshops curriculum and research resources, and international study tours for approximately 1,800 K-12 educators each year from throughout new england. (Here too teachers can obtain professional development points.) Connected to global content and best practices, the teachers emerge better equipped to prepare their students for the challenges and complexities of a diverse nation and world.

Last spring, Primary Source debuted a course attuned to the states’ de-mographics, “the new Bostonians: Immigrants in Massachusetts today.” the one-week, school-year course on the culture, politics and experience of new england’s new immigrant communities aims to deepen the teachers’ interactions with their students. Attended by 32 teachers, the multifaceted survey, encompassing lectures, panel discussions, and field trips to several Boston-area immigrant enclaves (including Haitian Americans in Mattapan, Brazilian Americans in Allston and Muslim Americans in roxbury), ex-plored issues such as immigrant demographics; education and bilingualism; employment barriers; immigrant advocacy, and anti-immigrant sentiment.

“the professors gave me better understanding of immigrant history and data and immigrant life, which I’m excited about transferring into my classroom,” said Alyssa Hinkell, a social studies teacher at randolph (MA) Middle School. “the field trips gave us amazing connections and insights. At the Boston Islamic Cultural Center, for example, we heard about the atmosphere and challenges the city’s Muslims face.”

Asian Americans, including more than 50 ethnic groups, constitute the fastest growing population in the United States today. At this sum-mer’s weeklong institute, “Asians in the U.S.: Migrations, Challenges, and Achievements,” 30 teachers explored the experiences and literature of Asian Americans, covering topics such as Asian migration patterns; the hardships and prejudice Asians face in the United States; the roles Asian peoples have played in American history; and their struggles and achieve-ments in battles for political and economic parity.

ACCELERAtinG And WELCoMinG: Boston Public Schools

two key facts — 28 percent of Boston Public Schools (BPS) students are in the process of learning english, representing the system’s fastest growing population segment; 40 percent of the district’s students speak a language other than english in their homes — point to the work underway in Boston schools and the school district’s numerous challenges and expectations.

In May 2010, BPS Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson initiated the Acceleration Agenda, a five-year strategic vision that sets ambitious targets for rapidly improving student achievement across all grade levels throughout Boston and requires schools to strengthen commu-nity ties. one goal looms large amid the agenda’s nine academic targets: “english Language Learners acquire academic language mastery and fluency.”

with the pressure on, BPS’s office of english Language Learners (eLL), led by Assistant Superintendent Dr. ei-

leen de los reyes, in recent years has improved its english proficiency assessment, trained teaching staff, hired over 2,200 eSL-licensed teachers, strengthened outreach and family engagement, and aligned its programs with overall district academic goals.

In May 2009, in an important moment in the agenda’s progress, BPS inaugurated the newcomers Academy, an innovative transition program that helps high school students (ages 14-18) who arrive in Boston during the school year with limited english. Based in Dorchester with the Boston International School, the program serves up to 250 students, helping them develop the social and academic skills needed to attend district high schools and build toward long-term academic and career success.

Plus, this year, for the second summer in a row, more than 1,800 eng-lish language learners in grades 3-12 attended free Summer enrichment Academies at 19 Boston sites.

WELCoME MAt And CAtALySt: office of new Bostonians

In 1998, Mayor thomas M. Menino established the Mayor’s office of new Bostonians (MonB), which addresses the needs of the growing and changing immigrant and newcomer communities in Boston. working with City of Boston departments and diverse community corporate partners, MonB — the first such city agency in the country — facilitates the integra-tion of immigrants into the city’s economic, civic, social and cultural life.

An MonB offshoot, english for new Bostonians, a private-public-com-munity collaboration, helps increase access to high-quality english for Speak-ers of other Languages classes for adult immigrants in Boston. Its activities include funding citywide eSoL programs and enabling 1,200 additional students to attend classes annually, offering professional development, and advocating workplace eSoL.

Since their goals are allied, the new Bostonians office, with its broad community connections, works closely with the BPS’s eLL office. for ex-ample, MonB helped revamp BPS’s language assessment and strengthen its outreach to immigrant families.

on tHE HiGH PAtHthe three groups of educators — Primary Source, the Immigrant

Learning Center, and the BPS — are headed in the same direction. they are working energetically, committed to innovative, welcoming schools, guided by a multicultural vision, advancing along, what Superintendent Johnson called in her fall 2009 letter to BPS staff, “our path of equity and excellence for all.”

Boston area teachers strategize teaching about Haiti and the dominican Republic during a Primary Source workshop


BEnCHMARkS

“It was a fun date,” Mendoza added with a smile sitting across from Pena at a small circular table in their modest former kitchen.

eventually, both Mendoza and Pena realized their common

interests extended beyond a budding romance and into the business world.

“In Spring of 2005, I was a full-time grad student getting my MBA at Boston University,” Mendoza explained, “[former business partner] eric Liriano told me about an idea he had for a new Latin music nightspot. next thing, I wrote a business plan and we opened up [Mojitos] just a few short months later. It was really a whirlwind.”

Mendoza says the business and personal col-laboration between her and Pena were two very separate entities at the beginning, despite sharing interests connected to the entertainment world.

“we started having some very minor collabo-rations together to sort of test the waters and to make sure that we worked well together,” Mendoza said.

the couple’s initial smaller joint business ventures ultimately led to one of their largest en-deavors, the Boston Music Conference (BMC).

“the idea for the BMC came about because, while I was in new york, I went to a lot of music conferences and aside from the fact that they were very informative, we wanted to try and bring that same kind of opportunity to Boston,” Pena said, “... without having to leave for new york like I did.”

“If you think you’re serious about pursuing a career in the music industry, at this conference

you can find out if you truly are interested,” Mendoza continued, “because you’re going to find out about the obstacles that you have to face and not just think about all the glamour and the potential piles of money.”

In the meantime, Pena’s music ventures continued to become more successful. Ultimately, Pena was signed by warner/Chappell Music, a

career boost that helped the now married couple to make a major professional dream come true for both, but especially for Mendoza.

“After richy signed with warner/Chappell, he received a large advance which allowed us to buy out eric and own the club ourselves,” Mendoza said.

“It’s Jody’s club,” Pena added, “I’m owner only by association. Mojitos is her dream.”

Indeed, Mendoza is Boston’s only Latina owner, operator and manager of a major night-spot. As owner, Mendoza wears more hats in her position than one might expect.

”I do just about about anything that needs to be done,” Mendoza said, “though, the aspects that interest me the most may be the marketing and creative side of things, that doesn’t mean I’m not also responsible for dealing with a dreary pile of bills and all sorts of other boring things that come with running a business as well.”

Mendoza’s daily juggling act includes think-ing of new marketing strategies for the club, looking over the weekend numbers, working with graphic designers on ever changing pro-motional flyers, booking parties, making sure that the club is well decorated and overseeing

However, it’s the partnership that truly de-fines this proudly Latino power couple. the duo not only manages busy lifestyles, which often intertwine, but they are also the proud parents of a young son, richy Jr. with another child on the way. It seems fitting that these on-the-go entrepreneurs would initially meet online – long before facebook.

“we met on Myspace,” richy said during an interview in their former apartment above Mojitos, which now serves as an office for their business ventures. “I was living in new york at the time. we used to talk about music, and the club, and life in general and, after months of going back and forth and writing to each other, something just clicked online.”

“we started having an engaging conversation and we got to know each other,” Jody added. “It’s rare that you meet someone that you share so much in common with, like what we shared and continue to share.”

At the time, Pena was working in new york City, making the rounds, trying to make connec-tions and find work in the competitive music world. Between meetings and networking in the Big Apple, Pena would periodically visit Boston.

“During one of those trips when I came back to Boston, Jody and I arranged to get together and meet each other in person and we went out for a date, and it was a nice date.”

Bailando to their Own BeatHow richy Pena and Jody Mendoza became Boston’s Latino Power Couple

JoDy MenDoZA AnD rICHy PenA

have each made their mark as suc-cessful business people and creative

entrepreneurs within Boston and beyond. Jody is the consummate hands-on owner of the popular Mojitos Lounge and dance club in downtown Boston. richy is a top music producer, last year winning a Latin Grammy for producing Chino y nacho’s hit album “Mi nina Bonita.”

By TiM eSTilOz


Boston Medical Center proudly supports

Hispanic Heritage month.As a central component of the greater Boston area,our commitment to serving individuals with variouscultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds is anessential part of who we are at Boston Medical Center.We know that by bringing together differences — a richvariety of traditions and viewpoints — we can remaintruly engaged in providing the utmost service to ourcommunity. In fact, we offer our patient populationon-site, person-to-person interpretation services inmore than 30 languages, 24-hours-a-day.

This same commitment to diversity encompassesour careers. Within our strong, all-inclusive workforce,you have the opportunity to discover the full potentialof your own personal and professional strengths.

You belong with the best. At Boston Medical Center(BMC), you can join a team of individuals whodon’t simply strive for excellence – they set thestandard for it.

Visit our website to discover opportunities and enjoyan exceptional career at BMC – The ExceptionalChoice: www.bmc.org/hr/taleo

True diversity knows no exceptions: EOE.

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a staff of as many 50 people at any given time. while Mendoza runs the club, richy works in his recording studio creating award winning music for a variety of top and up-and-coming Latin musicians. However, reaching his current level of success was a long and winding road.

“I knocked on a lot of doors while I was in new york, and eventually, after knocking on so many doors, somebody has to open one for you”, Pena said. “I met a guy who managed a producer named nely ‘el Arma Secreta,’ and at that time he was a Grammy nominated producer who had numerous hits under his belt for some of the biggest artists including Daddy yankee, Don omar and others.”

eventually, Pena teamed up with Venezuelan reggaeton duo, Chino y nacho, with whom he’d worked with before. this time, Pena was asked to produce the singers newest album, “Mi nina Bonita.”

A whirlwind week-long collaboration in 2008-2009 produced a full album and a song that won the trio of musicians a Latin Grammy.

“Chino and nacho were already the best in Venezuela, but no one knew about them here,” Mendoz explained, ”[richy] got them a major label deal. their song, ‘nina Bonita’ became the major Latin hit of the summer.”

Mendoza and Pena are not only proud of their work on its own merits, but also of the contribution it makes to Boston’s Latino com-munity and beyond.

“we, as Latinos, feel a great sense of responsi-bility to give a higher level of quality and a means of entertaining our fans and patrons at the club,” Pena said, “In my case, with my music, I give everything I do one hundred percent attention because I want to make sure anything that comes out of my studio sounds amazing. the same thing goes for the club. Jody wants to make sure Mojitos is up to par and up to the same qual-ity as anything else in the city, if not above it.”

“I’m very proud of the fact that when you walk into Mojitos, you’ll see people of every background,” Mendoza said, “I think that’s a great compliment because it shows Latino culture, Latino music and the energy truly fas-cinates and entertains everyone.”

So how does this dynamic couple maintain a growing family amid their many responsibili-ties? one quickly realizes that it’s only possible because Mendoza and Pena are rock solid in their support of one another.

“I couldn’t do this with anyone else but richy,” Mendoza said. “we are able to rely on each other and feed off of each other. we understand enough about what the other’s work entails that it helps us help each other. At the same time, we are both extreme workaholics so we can remind each other when we need to step back.”

changingthe

face Ofnascar

Carlos Contreras broke barriers for Latino drivers, now Jorge Arteaga and others are

following in his tracks

By TiM eSTilOz phOTOS By CaRlOS heRReRa de lOS SanTOS

(LtoR) Jorge Arteaga, Carlos Contreras Jr. and Carlos Contreras

“when I met richard Petty, he came to my crew chief in Daytona and said you have a visitor,” Contreras said, “I was completely excited when I met him because I knew all about his reputation. when I met them, the Petty’s said they wanted me on their team and I signed a contract for two years. It was a truly a dream for me and they taught me a lot about the sport.”

At the other end of the spectrum is 25-year old relative newcomer Jorge Arteaga of Aguas-calientes, Mexico. Arteaga has already made his mark as one of nASCAr Mexico Series’ most promising drivers. Arteaga was voted nASCAr Mexico’s most popular driver in both 2009 and 2010. He also finished eighth in the 2010 Championship, ahead of 35 other drivers. Arteaga has begun his fourth season of racing for fCV racing as part of nASCAr’s

sponsored racing program in Mexico. As part of this initiative, he drives with and learns from nASCAr trailblazer and teammate, Carlos Contreras.

for both Arteaga and Contreras, their love of racing runs deep within their heart and soul. though for Contreras, the racing bug didn’t bite immediately.

“I started driving a bit older in the sport, when I was 20 years old,” Contreras said. “My older brother, enrique, who is now the nASCAr director in Mexico, he started driving when he was eight. I remember my father and enrique, they bought a go-cart for me and I said no, because I was in love with soccer more. But in 1989, my brother had an accident in a motorcycle, a scooter cycle ... and my father needed a driver and asked me if I could fill-in by driving only about three or four laps. So I did, and after that I realized,

wow, this sport is amazing and I have to race. the Contreras family is a racing sport family.”

“I don’t have blood in my veins. ... I have fuel.”

“My passion has always been speed and racing,” Arteaga said about his own racing roots. “when I was a kid, I raced motorcycles and more, and then, as I grew up, I became interested in nASCAr. when I was very young, I remember watching the Daytona 500 – and I knew then I wanted to be in that race someday, like those racers. I started doing some racing in Mexico, and fortunately the next year, nASCAr came to Mexico and began sanctioning races there, creating an op-portunity for the sport to grow in my country.”

the younger Arteaga is reaping the ben-efits of adoration and accolades that Mexico’s many current nASCAr fans now lavish upon their favorite drivers. As with many trailblaz-ers, early recognition and talent is sometimes overlooked. Contreras recalls a time when being the first Hispanic nASCAr driver meant very little in his native country.

“when I came to nASCAr in 2003, no one at that time was paying attention to the sport in Mexico,” said Contreras wistfully. “everyone was focused on open wheel Indy cars all the time. So, when I placed in my first top ten finish race, no one was really impressed in Mexico. we even had a press conference in Mexico City at one point early on in 2000 where Kyle and richard Petty were in attendance, and the press wasn’t all that interested or impressed.”

“It was a shame because during my big opportunity driving with the Petty team, no one in my home country really knew how big a moment that was for me,” Contreras added. “But now, everyone in Mexico knows nASCAr, the sport is growing, growing, growing. now, a lot of people in Mexico know, understand and appreciate what I do.

he complexion of nascar is changing. the perception of nASCAr as being a csport for “good ol’ boys” is fast becoming a thing of the past. these days, those successfully leading the

ethnic diversification in this popular sport are not only those who govern nASCAr, but now include a growing group of Hispanic drivers determined to make their mark in the winner’s circle.¶ the two

best examples of the growing Hispanic influence within nASCAr represent two different generations of drivers. the first is 41-year old Carlos Contreras, a native of Mexico City, and symbol of Latino pride

within the ranks of nASCAr. Contreras is the first Hispanic driver in nASCAr history, joining the sport’s nationwide Series ranks in 2003. During his career, Contreras drove under the watchful eye

and mentorship of nASCAr champion legends, richard and Kyle Petty as part of their racing team. t

17

I never felt a lot of support from Mexico for several years in my early career, it was sad that no one appreciated it.”

those bittersweet days are long past. today, both Contreras and Arteaga, as team-mates for fCV racing under the guidance of Mike Vazquez, are living their dreams as nASCAr racers with a keen eye on the win-ner’s circle someday and the ongoing cheers of their now avid supporters.

Arteaga says nASCAr has always been his favorite racing sport above all else, in large part due to the fans. “I like the culture and I like the cars themselves. I enjoy the feeling of teamwork and how the racers like Jimmie Johnson and Dale earnhardt Jr. work with the fans. In fact, one of the best things about nASCAr for me is enjoying the fans. the fans follow you all the way. no matter where you start or no matter where you finish, the fans will always be there. In formula one racing, the fans may support a team overall, but in nASCAr, the fans support the driver. they cheer for the driver, and they support us -- and we are really grateful for that.”

Unlike Arteaga, Contreras remembers adjusting to nASCAr over the other popular race formats in Mexico.

“Driving in a nASCAr oval is a completely different technique from road courses that were the norm in Mexico,” Contreras said. “on the road courses, you can be aggressive. ... no mistakes are allowed when you’re driv-ing on an oval track.”

“I learned how to be more patient while driving nASCAr in the states, because I was used to the Sprint races in Mexico,” added Contreras. “Here the nASCAr races are a two-hour race ... not just 30 minutes like the sprint races I had been used to driving in Mexico. So, you have to concentrate more and think. I had to get used to using pit stops. you have think about how the car is reacting all the time. you have to change lanes and be very smart in your driving.”

Like most race car drivers, Contreras and Arteaga are never at a loss for words to describe the feeling they experience sitting be-hind the wheel during a race. for Contreras, the years since his racing debut haven’t dulled the deep emotions he felt with his first win.

“when I won my first race in 1994, I was shouting and crying with joy in the car,” recalled Contreras. “My father passed away three months after that race. Although my father was sick, he was crying with joy with me. It was an amazing experience.”

Arteaga is equally enthusiastic about his

love for racing and the thrill it provides him each day on the track.

“racing, for me? It’s passion, it’s love, it’s adrenaline. you wish you were in the car all the day long, maybe even 24/7,” Arteaga said. “It’s something you enjoy doing and it’s something that is truly passionate for me and what I feel I was born to do. when you get out of the car, you can feel the adrenaline going and you even feel goosebumps.”

Contreras, nASCAr, fCV racing’s Mike Vazquez and many others are now actively working hard to bring more diversity into the ranks of nASCAr by tapping into new talent via the organization’s newest program.

“nASCAr has a development program, run and sponsored by the organization called “Driving for Diversity,” which tries to find new minority drivers for nASCAr and its sponsors,” said Arteaga. “the program has His-panics, African-Americans, native-Americans and also women training to be great nASCAr drivers someday. I’m the first Hispanic driver to be accepted into the program and now have the chance to be trained, coached and developed by an American nASCAr team. It’s a different experience for me, because in Mexico we don’t get the opportunity to race nASCAr as frequently as we can here in the U.S. So this program gives me the opportunity to race more and develop my skills under nASCAr trainers.”

As part of this program, Contreras is ex-

cited to lend his expertise learned from the legendary richard Petty, as well as his own years of experience, to the younger drivers coming up the ranks. though, Contreras hap-pily admits that part of his racing philosophy is a bit unusual.

“If you want to be a good nASCAr driver, you need two things,” Contreras said with a chuckle,”you need to think and you need cojones. when you mix your your brain with your cojones, then you will be a champion.”

At 41-years old, Contreras knows his days behind the wheel have been well-spent, but are numbered. that in mind, his new goal is to increase the ranks of younger Hispanic drivers in nASCAr.

“we are working hard with Jorge Arteaga and other hispanic drivers because I want to see a Mexican driver in a nASCAr champion-ship cup series,” Contreras said. “this is my personal goal and I think this is our goal for the team. we are the only team in Mexico that is working towards that goal. we are also trying to bring more Hispanic drivers from Venezu-ela, from Colombia, from Peru into the sport. those countries have a lot of good driving talent, but they don’t have the money. we are the only team - fCV racing – that is thinking very hard about really getting more Hispanic drivers from everywhere moving up the ranks into the nASCAr championship races. I’m confident our team will put a Hispanic driver in the Sprint Cup series very soon.”

the #14 Motorcraft/idn team, Carlos Contreras and his crew


EntERtAinMEnt

At this point in her career, Bloodgood hasn’t had the opportunity to take on any roles that would shine a spotlight on her Korean heritage, but she has plans to change that in the future. first, though, she knows she needs to both get better at her craft and build a bigger fan base who will be willing to follow her when she starts to capture her roots on film.

“At this stage of my career, I don’t think I’m very good – well, I’m good, but I could be better, and I know the only way to get better is to work with better actors who will challenge you to do your best,” she said. “on falling Skies (tnt network), I work with an amazing cast, people like noah wyle and will Patton, who have been doing this for a long time but still attack every page of the script with passion. I admire that, and I know when I’m in front of the camera with them I have to be just as focused and passionate or they will leave me in the dust.”

working on a hit series, as well as getting choice supporting roles in films like faster and Beautiful Boy, has also given Bloodgood a chance to learn to relax and be comfortable in front of the camera, which she believes is the key to her craft.

“I used to be so uptight about making sure my characters were nothing like me at all. I though that was what acting was all about, getting outside yourself and creating something you are not,” she explained. “what I’ve come to learn, though, is that you need to bring your essence to everything you do. that’s what makes it real. you really have to open yourself up to the moment and not worry if the audi-ence likes it or not because you have no control over that.

“I think all the best creative people have to walk a fine line between being humble and thinking you’re something special. when you’re young, all you want to do is be creative. you draw, you sing, you make up stories. you never stop to worry what people think about it until the day you get that first negative criticism from someone who doesn’t like what you do. that’s when you have to dig deep and decide if what you create is im-portant enough to you to keep doing it no matter what. Being creative is one of the most important things a person can do. A lot of people seem to have forgotten that. they’re more concerned about being famous than being creative.”

Actress Moon Bloodgood strives to be a role model

moSt CeLeBrItIeS don’t want to think of themselves as a role model.¶ Moon Bloodgood relishes the idea.¶

“I wish people though of me that way, especially young Asian/American girls because it’s so im-portant to have someone like you that you can see in movies or on television and think, she’s just like me,” Bloodgood said. “I don’t know if people even realize I’m Korean – well, my mom is Korean and my dad is Dutch-Irish – but I’m very proud of my heritage. I’ve gone to Korea several times and I identify more with my Ko-rean side than my Dutch/Irish side. I know from experience how good it feels when you see someone of Asian heritage up there on the screen, because there weren’t many of them when I was growing up.”

rising moon

By JOhn BlaCk


Set in Los Angeles, A Better Life (available on DVD oct. 18) is that rare kind of movie that’s both a personal statement from the director and a universal comment on a subject that far too many Americans wish would just go away. In the film, undocumented immigrant and hardworking single dad Carlos Galindo (Demian Bichir) embarks on a physical and spiritual journey in order to reconnect with his teenage son and keep him from getting pulled into the local gang life.

“It’s a small scale movie: the guy gets a truck, the guy loses the the truck, the guy tries to get the truck back. there’s the added level that he and his son don’t understand each other,” weitz said. “the implications of the

EntERtAinMEnt

a Better LifeDirector Chris weitz steps away from box office success to create a touching story of undocumented immigrants

By JOhn BlaCk

WItH A fILM-MAKInG reSUMe that includes box office hits like the raunchy comedy American Pie, the romantic comedy About a Boy and

the second twilight movie, new Moon, Chris weitz has the kind of career most directors only dream of.¶ So why did he decide to step outside the fast-paced Hollywood system to make a movie about an undocumented Mexican father trying to make a better life for his son in America?¶ “every time I make a movie I want to do something differ-ent,” weitz told Color magazine. “Making a movie takes a year to three years of your life, and when it’s done you sort of never want to see it again so the last thing you want to do is a sequel or another version of the same story.”

small complications in his life are huge, and the way they effect the people in the story people is really touching to me. Most people aren’t aware of the constant fear, the sense of anxiety that these undocu-mented people live with every day. these are people you depend on to make your life bet-

ter, especially in Los Angeles where I live. they cook your food. they clean your home. they take care of your kids. It’s an unknown part of our country.”

Although the story told in A Better Life is universal (and timely) it was the personal connection that weitz found in the story that makes it so effective.

“My Grandmother is Mexican, but her culture wasn’t really a part of my life growing up in new york City. even though I’ve lived in L.A. past few years, the immigrant world is something that I wasn’t really aware of and as I started doing research for the film I realized I had a lot of catching up to do. the great thing is that the more I learned about the Mexican culture, the more I was able to identify with it on a personal level. I’m learning Spanish now and it’s opened up a world of possibility and understanding that wasn’t possible before.

“the work of making the film has expanded my perspective of things. I realize what an amazing city I live in,” weitz added. “L.A. is 49 percent Mexican, but a lot of the people who move there find a niche they’re comfortable in and never move out of it. I understand now that I share DnA with these people. they are a part of my culture.”

Summit entertainment will release of director Chris weitzí’s critically acclaimed drama, A Better Life, on october 18, 2011


Pink wine has a reputation of being amazingly close to sugared water with a splash of color. Some like it that way. It is very summery. It is refreshing. It is ephemeral. Should we leave it here?

Actually, no. rosé, as we all know, comes in many colors, from the pale, whitish pink which is best enjoyed outside with a smile on your face to the strongly luminous bright red which may be

useful for a quiet date with romantic purposes in mind.

one could say, the color sets the tone for what is to come. So,

we choose wisely. Generally speaking, rosé can be

served for all occasions where the guests are standing up. Any finger food goes well

with it. Barbeque, salads, Portobello mush-room, Hors d’oeuvres, seafood, chicken,

cheese, you name it, you can have it. rosé is really any wine made with red

grapes that spares the juice from too much contact with the powerful grape skins, keep-ing its youthful, ephemeral vibrancy. Grape skin otherwise allows grape juice to pick up intensely varied, strong color. Moreover, it transmits astringent tannin, an ingredient nec-essary to evolve and age red wine with spine. However, any red grape variety can produce

rosé, and if you look around, the variety is amazing.

typically, one must admit, rosé is not made with

the same painstaking precision that red wine or even white wine is made. It cannot age. It is like an insect that only lives for a summer, for a day, or for an instant. then again, consumers seem to be more forgiving in summer. we take a break from pass-ing judgment and seeking status. right! Californian producers seduce us with their white Zinfandels, in-tently evoking white wine associations even though the grape in question is good old Zin. Clever. So we can still imagine we are elegant even in the simplest, thrown together summer party.

Saying that rosé can be emblematic of easy living is not to say it cannot be done seriously. first of all, all easy living takes a lot more prepa-ration than is usually mentioned. Also, there is good and bad rosé at any price point. If you really try to taste it the way you would taste a red wine, you discover nuances immediately. or not. Paying too much attention is not always worth it. But it sometimes is. the trick is to know when.

Last month, I reviewed a not at all effortless rosé wine by the french Chateau Desclans. this Provence producer tries to take rosé to another level. they use the best vineyards and hand pick only a selection of their grapes. In every way, they take uttermost care to ensure their vines express a concentrated, distilled ef-fort. they want to share something about their terroir, an expression of physical and mental origin, perhaps? those of you who have tried know they are worth a try. there is no notice-able sweetness. rather, herbs, minerals, acidity, bone and structure characterize this very dry wine which still is easy on the palate. Juggling opposites, you might say.

rosé, like lovers, can go from good to great depending on the energy put into the relation-ships in question and sometimes despite of it: the vines, the grapes, the fruits all vary but can be tuned to each other, much like musical har-monies. But like a date or a dinner party with strangers, it can all go awry no matter the plans. Just like in love-making, closing your eyes in the act of drinking can be enjoyable, but takes away necessary distinctions—white, red, rose all becomes blurry, smells, sensations become mental imaginary, not reality.

rosé, then, is like life. It is good. It is bad. It is great. It is seldom in between.

muga rosé rioja (2010, $12, 88/100)The Muga is first of all blessed with a perfectly pink color, maybe with an earth tone or two interspersed if that is even possible to imagine. Moreover, it is abundant with fresh fruit, strawberry and rhubarb. Crisp and dry, almost elegant, and with a nice touch of acidity almost advertising it’s trying to punch above its league.

trond’s Picks

chateau d’aqueria tavel (2009, $15, 87/100)This wine is luminously ruby red in color tone and bone dry. The mineral and strong red raspberry reminiscent fruit tones present could stand up to any dish served on a summer’s day or even in early Fall (i dare say you could drink it all year ‘round). Just do not drink it without a bite to eat, as its astringency will surprise you. Tavel is an appellation in the southern Rhône wine region of France.

domaine tempier Bandol rosé (2010, $45, 90/100)a surprisingly pale pink color reveals nothing about this wine’s hidden treasures. This excellent wine from the grand dame of vineyards in bandol in Southern France has enticing aromas of red currant, blood orange, and provencal herbs, including lavender. Characteristically, it boasts notable length and structure, but it is its elegance that dominates the impression.

the World of rosé

Chateau desclans www.chateaudesclans.com

domaine Tempier domainetempier.com

Serious rosé www.winophilia.com/2011/08/11/serious-

rose

Top 10 rosé wines in the world www.mydearvalentine.com/top-10/rose-

wines-in-the-world.html

LiFEStyLE

By TROnd aRne undheiM

sUMMer BroUGHt bliss and blush. rosé wine towered wine displays everywhere. It has been enjoyable, right? you must admit it was fun. But

can you honestly admit to your friends that you prefer blush to bizarre in wine. or, are you ashamed of it? Is rosé good or great?

rosé Wine: good or great?

Get the facts about health insurance and keeping your family healthy.

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LiFEStyLE

el Centro offers simple, honest, classic Mexican fare but manages to insert subtle, upscale twists into every dish. Also, rather than the ubiquitous sangria, margarita, and Corona beverages found on most Mexican restaurants’ bar menu, at el Centro, the diner is presented with a “spicy” sangria cocktail featuring smoky cumin, chili powder and cayenne pepper infu-sions and mixed with pineapple and jalapeños for a sweet and spicy bite that awakens the palate for the feast yet to come.

our first course featured an ironically named “mini” beef tamale (which dwarfed the plate), as well as a delightful concoction, a combina-

tion of a sopapilla and an arepa topped with shredded beef and a wonderfully spicy pork in adobo sauce called pabil. the sopapilla was a textural revelation with a deep fried crispy exterior surrounding the creamy and dense arepa. each bite provided a satisfy-ing crunch accompanied by a smooth and velvety finish. the beef was mildly flavored (almost under-seasoned) but the punchiness and intense adobo flavor of the pork more than made up for any blandness in the beef. Accompanying this opening was a truly transformative guacamole served with refried beans and topped with chorizo and queso fresco. the guacamole was easily the best I had ever had (and was so enticing, that my avocado hating dinner partner finished every last delectable dollop).

next we sampled el Centro’s version of Sonoran street tacos. we were again slightly disappointed with the distinct lack of flavor in the carne asada beef taco (although the refried bean which topped

the beef was incredibly rich and savory and must have been made with more than a little manteca). the kitchen at el Centro sure knows its way around a pig; the pork taco al pastor was richly flavored, meltingly tender and tickled the palette with both spice and heat. Combined with an atomically hot salsa rojo, the taco managed to rein in the heat with the addition of sweet, cool crema for a wonderfully balanced experience. the third taco we tried, the deep-fried Sonoran-style fish taco, was inconsistent. the fish was well cooked and tender, but the application of too much sauce, crema and guacamole overwhelmed both the texture and

By aaROn a. aRzu

the South end is home to Bos-ton’s restaurant renaissance, a chic, upscale enclave, where

culinary luminaries like Barbara Lynch, Ken oringer, Jamie Bissonnette, and the Kinkead brothers have opened success-ful and innovative purveyors of gourmet goodies. Into this often intimidating food environment comes a new ethnic eatery geared to bring diners the tastes and smells of old Mexico. nestled on a small residential street, el Centro restau-rant looks to bring its authentic, home-style tastes to a sophisticated culinary clientele. the space itself features the (by now) de-rigueur urban bistro décor: exposed brick walls, stamped tin ceiling and indirect lighting. el Centro ups the ante by adding exposed weathered beams and a dusty brown ceiling, reminiscent of a border-town cantina; the vintage Mexi-can film posters on the wall and intimate four-stool bar in the rear of the restaurant all serve notice that this spot is intended to become a local hangout rather than a foodies destination dining place.

review:

el centroHonest Mexican fare with an upscale twist

the flavor of the fish, rendering each bite an indistinct mushy mess. Also, for diners used to San Diego style, the lack of shredded cabbage exposed a missing crunchy textural compo-nent, exacerbated by the excess sauce.

the pollo asado in chipotle cream sauce delivered tremendous visual appeal and exu-berantly overwhelming (in all the right ways) smoky charred chipotle flavor and delicately subtle hints of corn and lime. were it not for slightly over-cooked chicken breast it would have been a superlative entrée. nevertheless,

the flavors and aromas were enticing enough to give it a hearty thumbs up.

the mixed enchiladas with salsa verde were elevated by the addition of a sophisticated tomatillo and ci-lantro oil garnish. the concentrated flavors of the green oil served to

exaggerate and amplify the piquant acidity of the salsa. the beef picadillo

in the beef enchilada was el Centro’s most successful use of beef throughout the entire evening; it was spicy, flavorful and cut through the cheese and crème of the sauce bringing the complex flavors to a successful marriage on the palate.

Devotees of casual dining Mexican restau-rants may experience some sticker shock at el Centro’s pricing (which is in line with finer dining establishments with entrees ranging from $15-25), however el Centro promises and delivers so much more than your average chain Mexican restaurant. It’s the age old trade-off between price and value. In this case what you get for your money is an authentic Mexican meal in a low-key, sociable setting. residents of the South end rejoice! you’ve found your local Mexican spot for years to come.

el centro270 Shawmut Street, boston, Ma 02118.

For reservations call 617-262-5708.


SoCiEty

the national Association of Asian American Professionals (nAAAP) marked their 25th year by holding their national Convention and Diversity Career fair at the Seaport Hotel and world trade Center in Boston last month. the event fea-tured six major speakers including, Sachi Koto, Brian tom, Jeannie Suk, Svetlana Kim, yangping Chen, and David Hinson, and brought together more than 600 nAAAP members from chapters across the country. nAAAP also unveiled their Asian Corporate rankings: Best Places for Asians to work and their nAAAP100 top Asian Professionals, which included, renowned architect I.M. Pei, Dartmouth College president Dr. Jim yong Kim and U.S. Congressman Mike Honda, among others.

the 2012 conference will be held in new york City. for more informa-tion visit www.naaap.org.

the 25th annual naaaP convention

1 Renowned author and entre-preneur Svetlana kim delivers a keynote speech2 Harry Lee, senior advisor for northrup Grummun’s Asian Em-ployee Resource Group, speaks3 Petula Lee, national represen-tatitve for nAAAP Boston, and Samson Lee, president nAAAP Boston4 Attendees particpate in an interactive workshop5 Ananda Chakravarty, denise olis, and Jason Lee

1

2

3

4

5

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color magazine - edition 40 - september 2011

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