Art in Your Own BackYard

Live on Girard Ave and looking for some new stuff to do? Check out Orlando's Art Collection on Girard Ave between 4th and 5th Streets. Below is a video by Al Dia where the artist, Orlando, describes his work and influences.



For more information visit Orlando's Art Collections.

Congrats Neos!

On Sunday, April 11th four outstanding individuals crossed Gamma Phi Sigma "Hermanos Unidos" Fraternity, Inc.'s Alpha Chapter at Temple University. There were also 4 other men who crossed from other chapter's so congratulations to them as well. Every time a line crosses (and I'm sure it's with everyone) I feel so proud. Maybe it's because I have been a Pledgemaster three times and a big brother 3 times? The other day someone said, "Didn't you graduate?" It surprises me they don't understand the bond Greek organizations have.

On another note, it was 6 years ago I crosses into the fraternity. Six years strong and I still continue to do what I can for the fraternity. Why do I do it? Because I made a promise and I plan on keeping it. What's your reason for not doing anything?

That Really Doesn't Grind My Gears...*Score*

So I just scored tickets to Mexico vs. Ecuador at Meadowlands stadium on May 7th. Did I purchase them; of course not. Thanks to the wonders of networking and all that good stuff, I was at a happy hour/dinner with some people I work with and I was offered one!

I guess it pays to meet with people you normally wouldn't meet with. Remember, we have our friends, coworkers, family and our frat brothers and sorority sisters. Most of the time not all of them know each other.

Their Dream is Our Dream

Many people from across the world come to the United States of America for better opportunities. Some have no choice but to come. However, there are many whom enter the country undocumented and thus begins a hard journey for citizenship. In 2001, a piece of proposed legistation known as the Dream Act was presented and reintroduced to the House and Senate in 2009. Under the provisions of the Dream Act, undocumented immigrants would have the opportunity to obtain conditional citizenship in the U.S. and eventually become an American citizen at the end of the process by completing two years of college or two years in the military.

On January 1st, 2010, four students started their powerful journey from Miami, FL to Washington, DC in support of the Dream Act and human rights. Known as the Trail of Dreams, these four students will face hardships beyond imaginable.

Follow their journey here.

That Really Grinds My Gears...Allergies

And so begins another allergy season. I tell you allergy season is probably the worst thing in the world. I mean seriously, think about sneezing, chapped nose, sore throat, sinus headaches, etc. all at once. I thought Clariton worked for me but apparently it hasn't. Luckily the weather is getting much cooler and it's going to rain; but we'll see how long that lasts.

Latism Fiestas

I'm a big fan of Thursday nights; no I don't go out and party and drink until 2 a.m. What I do is engage in the famous #Latism parties. These are virtual parties hosted on Twitter where you engage with every #Latism member. You can either follow the hashtag #Latism on your own or use Tweetchat. And yes you have to have a Twitter account. Do you have something to share with this already growing audience? I wouldn't be a sales person at the fiestas, I'd be a conversation starter. However, remember that 80 percent of Hispanics use social sites and collectively total $1 trillion in buying power.

Here is a list of themes for April 2010.

Tweets on an Allergic Day

Spring is in the air and that means allergies are on full blast! So what do we do, but of course tweet and as Twitter gets bigger and bigger, one can only wonder what should we join next...FourSquare?

Here are today's Tweets of the Day:

It's always to get great feedback from an event.

Does not surprise me. Really though? I bet it's hot inside those tunnels though.

Truth be told.

Breaking News via Twitter. The best way to...well break news!

Art is a form of Expression

I may not be the biggest expert on art nor can I name some famous artists, but I do appreciate good art; especially if it comes from the heart. I love hearing artist stories, their experiences and how they use everything to paint, create, construct, etc. Well opening this Friday, Las Gallas presents Lo Que Aparaece y Desaparece at Taller Puertorriqueño. The exhibition is a mixed media print installation that explores the importance of mark making (those seen and unseen) in art, family and on the path of individuals.

Las Gallas is a Philadelphia-based multi-disciplinary arts collective forming a dynamic force that incorporates all of the artists developed skills in theater, visual arts, dance, film, poetry, spoken word & literature. These artists include Michelle Ortiz, Zoi cisneros, Magda Martinez and Julia Lopez.

Taller Puertorriqueño's Lorenzo Homar Gallery
2721 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19133
(show runs from April 9 - June 5, 2010)