Alexia Gisell Lamarque is a freshman student at Chabot College whose roots go back to Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México. At the age of 12, her parents brought her to Hayward for a better life and because her little brother was sick, in constant need of a neurologist. Much like me, also brought over at age 12, she put her nose to the grindstone and became proficient in English quickly, reading and watching TV. She states that all the hard work was worth it.

Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) is being celebrated across the nation. To celebrate local people who reflect the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize two Hispanic heroes, one from Hayward and the other from San Jose.

Dr. B. Roberto Cruz
Dr. Cruz received a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley in 1971 and later became an education professor at Stanford University. After seeing few Hispanics enrolled in colleges, he founded the National Hispanic University (NHU) in 1981. It started as a two-classroom facility in Oakland and grew to an accredited private college, which moved to San José in 1991. NHU is a WASC-accredited, 4-year university authorized to grant degrees since 1981.

Comida gratis, entretenimiento y actividades para los niños garantizarán un evento familiar divertido el sábado 4 de octubre en el Parque Point Pinole Regional Shoreline en Richmond. El Festival anual North Richmond Shoreline ofrecerá un almuerzo gratis, pesca, exhibiciones, caminatas en la naturaleza, un trenecito para pasear a los niños, paseos en ponis, danza y baile, y libros para niños gratis.

Luis Abundis construyó su negocio de un carrito de paletas a una camioneta hasta abrir un local. De hecho, ha abierto dos neverías. “Mi negocio creció verticalmente”, lo decía mientras estaba sentado cerca de su nevería, Nieves Cinco de Mayo en el Fruitvale Public Market. Abundis inició vendiendo helados hechos en casa en un carrito de paletas. Después compró una camioneta y eventualmente abrió su nevería. Actualmente, tiene una segunda tienda en San Francisco en el distrito de la Mission – ambas localidades tienen un menú completo de nieves tropicales, raspados y otras refrescantes delicias inspiradas en su natal México.

Luis Abundis built his business from a cart to a truck to a store. Two stores, in fact. “My business actually grew vertically,” he said while sitting next to his ice cream shop, Nieves Cinco de Mayo in the Fruitvale Public Market. Abundis got his start selling homemade ice cream out of a paleta cart. He then bought a real truck, and eventually his shop/store. Today he owns a second shop in San Francisco’s Mission district - both locations have a full menu of tropical ice cream, sorbets, and other refreshing treats inspired by his native Mexico.

Latina mom encourages people to get outside of home and comfort zone ---

“Latinos love being outdoors - it is part of our culture,” says Melissa Avery, a Latina mother and blogger who lives in Fremont. Avery challenges Latino families to start a regular exercise habit. “Go for a walk every day, walk around the block,” she says. “Visit the local parks - I encourage people to get out of their comfort zone.”