Signet Rings have been trending in women's jewelry for the past several years, from antique signets with engraved monograms to intaglio and seal versions with motifs and sayings that are meaningful to the wearer. (See my signet ring story). Although they were originally men's ring throughout history—the seal versions serving as signatures for noblemen and eventually represented hobbies and careers for the masses—signets developed a bad rep in the mid 20th century onward. Films and television series from the later 20th century through the millennium featured them prominently on the pinky fingers of mobsters—from The Godfather trilogy to the hit HBO series The Sopranos and movies like Casino and Goodfellas in between. But as jewelry becomes more creative and symbolic for men—signets represent guys with individual style and make perfect gifts for dads who are not afraid to express themselves or who compare themselves to say, Brad Pitt instead of Tony Soprano.
Kim Dunham's Large Brutus Eye Ring is hand-made in 22k yellow gold, with relief work surrounding the center stone which is onyx. This is a gem that is said to release feelings of stress and anxiety, and empowers the wearer to face ones fears. It looks equally well on the ring or pinky finger depending on your dad's hands. Dunham also creates one-0f-kind signets in every shape imaginable based on collaborating with her clients. This particular ring is a popular one and can be engraved on the inside.
Andrea Fohrman's new collection of men's rings features different gemstones that have a celestial or planetary feel to work with her aesthetic. Her 18K gold Apollo signet ring reminds one of the dark evening sky—mysterious and intriguing in rutilated quartz, black onyx, black diamond and white diamond. It's one of the newer types of signets that features an alluring stone rather a motif or monogram.
May 23, 2020
Travel And Exploration Spark Happiness, Study Suggests
Ever wonder why racking up those passport stamps makes you feel so invigorated?
Or why you’ve been feeling so down while stuck at home during the pandemic?
A new study has found a previously unknown link between filling your days with diverse, novel experiences—anything from exploring a new neighborhood in your city to taking a cross-country road trip—and enhanced happiness and wellbeing.
What’s more, the research shows that there may be other ways you can boost your bliss when travel is out of the question. Here’s what the science says about the connection between joy and exploration.
For a study published by the journal Nature Neuroscience on May 18, 2020, researchers from New York University, Columbia University and the University of Miami collected data on 132 people in New York City and Miami for three to four months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants, which included 90 women and 42 men, ranged in age from 18 to 31 years old.
Participants first went to the laboratory to complete baseline assessments that measured depression and anxiety. Then, researchers asked them to install a geolocation-tracking app on their smartphones and respond to questionnaires about their moods via text messages throughout the study. After the mobile-tracking period, the participants returned to the laboratory to repeat the initial depression and anxiety questionnaires.
After analyzing the data, researchers found that people tended have more positive emotions, such as "happy," "excited," "strong," “relaxed" and “attentive,” when they visited a variety of places in a day and spent roughly equal proportions of time in those destinations.
Toward the end of the research, about half of the participants also underwent MRI scans so the researchers could see if the connection between exploration and positive emotions had any relationship to the activity within the brain.
The MRI results demonstrated that a strong association between positive emotions and diverse experiences correlated with activity in the hippocampus and the striatum—the parts of the brain that process novelty and reward. The research echoed the findings of previous studies that found similar results in animals.
"These results suggest a reciprocal link between the novel and diverse experiences we have during our daily exploration of our physical environments and our subjective sense of wellbeing," said Catherine Hartley, an assistant professor in New York University's Department of Psychology and one of the paper's co-authors, via a statement on the research.
Apr 22, 2020
Coronavirus Shutdowns Came At The Worst Possible Time For Fashion And Luxury Retail
By now, the devastating impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on retail is becoming well known. March retail sales fell a record 8.7%, and it seems a virtual certainty that the April numbers will be far worse given that the wide-spread shuttering of “non-essential” brick-and-mortar operations across the United States did not take hold until mid-month.
Unpacking these results reveals a wide range of outcomes. Stocking-up efforts, along with people eating at home more, drove a surge in spending at grocery stores and pharmacies. At the other end of the spectrum, department store sales (with a large concentration of fashion-related offerings) fell some 25%, and apparel and accessory store revenues cratered 52%.
It’s perhaps quite the understatement to say that such a massive deceleration could not have come at a worse time. Apparel specialty players and moderate department stores have been facing significant headwinds for years, and many came into the pandemic with weak balance sheets and what might be charitably considered shaky liquidity positions. Moreover, for the luxury segment in particular, March and April are the peak months for full-price selling, making them disproportionately critical to profitability and cash flow.
Unsurprisingly, retailers have been working frantically with vendors to cancel orders, return already received merchandise and obtain special markdown allowances. At one level, this behavior is akin to what happened during the peak of the financial crisis when Lehman Brothers failed in mid-September of 2008, initiating a cascading impact on stocks and consumer spending. In fact, where the COVID-19 crisis falls is almost exactly the same place in the fashion cycle—just one fashion season off.
The hit that luxury and fashion apparel retailers took from the financial crisis was severe. But the impact from the pandemic seems certain to be more dire. In the fall of 2008, most retailers took massive markdowns to clear merchandise, and while the sales and profit hit was substantial, at least their physical stores were open, allowing customers greater opportunity to buy the goods and affording many companies the chance to cover their overhead. While the e-commerce penetration of some key players is far greater today—over 30% at both Nordstrom JWN and Neiman Marcus, for example—it’s clear that relatively few customers who are predominantly brick-and-mortar shoppers are making the switch. So far, the growing volume of promotional offers doesn’t seem to be doing much to increase demand.
Unpacking these results reveals a wide range of outcomes. Stocking-up efforts, along with people eating at home more, drove a surge in spending at grocery stores and pharmacies. At the other end of the spectrum, department store sales (with a large concentration of fashion-related offerings) fell some 25%, and apparel and accessory store revenues cratered 52%.
It’s perhaps quite the understatement to say that such a massive deceleration could not have come at a worse time. Apparel specialty players and moderate department stores have been facing significant headwinds for years, and many came into the pandemic with weak balance sheets and what might be charitably considered shaky liquidity positions. Moreover, for the luxury segment in particular, March and April are the peak months for full-price selling, making them disproportionately critical to profitability and cash flow.
Vestidos de Novia
Unsurprisingly, retailers have been working frantically with vendors to cancel orders, return already received merchandise and obtain special markdown allowances. At one level, this behavior is akin to what happened during the peak of the financial crisis when Lehman Brothers failed in mid-September of 2008, initiating a cascading impact on stocks and consumer spending. In fact, where the COVID-19 crisis falls is almost exactly the same place in the fashion cycle—just one fashion season off.
The hit that luxury and fashion apparel retailers took from the financial crisis was severe. But the impact from the pandemic seems certain to be more dire. In the fall of 2008, most retailers took massive markdowns to clear merchandise, and while the sales and profit hit was substantial, at least their physical stores were open, allowing customers greater opportunity to buy the goods and affording many companies the chance to cover their overhead. While the e-commerce penetration of some key players is far greater today—over 30% at both Nordstrom JWN and Neiman Marcus, for example—it’s clear that relatively few customers who are predominantly brick-and-mortar shoppers are making the switch. So far, the growing volume of promotional offers doesn’t seem to be doing much to increase demand.
Mar 20, 2020
Inside Great Scotland Yard Hotel In Central London
Things are changing so quickly at the moment, it’s hard to keep track of how to get groceries—or toilet paper—let alone make travel plans. While we are hunkering down and focusing now on social distancing, self-isolation and simply keeping safe and well, there is no harm in thinking ahead and dreaming up a few travel ideas for a later date.
Designed to tell a story, the new Great Scotland Yard Hotel, takes an iconic London building—the former hallmark of the Metropolitan Police—and brings it into a new era. Sitting around the corner from Trafalgar Square and just off Whitehall is the Hyatt’s first Unbound Collection property in the UK, which opened in December 2019. The red-brick building stands tall and formidable on a narrow and hidden London street, as this former police headquarters has been entirely rebuilt and renovated, including a two-floor extension. The result is a fun, witty and whimsical 168-bedroom hotel, with a ground floor dedicated to a host of clever bars and restaurant, and a large basement meeting space below. An unexpected element, comes in the form of the gargantuan five-storey townhouse, which serves as the hotel’s landmark Presidential Suite.
Originally, the site was a castle used by Scottish royalty as their London residence in medieval times—which explains the hotel name. Then from the 1820s until late into the 19th century, it was well worn as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, following a careening history beginning with Sir Robert Peel’s ‘bobbies’ to modern day.
Stories from the hotel’s iconic history fill the hallways. Art consultant Sarah Percy-Davis curated more than 600 specially commissioned paintings and artifacts across the property—many of which contain nods to the Met police or riffs on the infamous criminals whose handiwork touched this building and its surrounds. There is no shortage of stories: Jack the Ripper’s crimes were investigated here; Charles Dickens joined officers on their nightly rounds; Arthur Conan Doyle used the venue as a key destination in his detective tales, to name but a few.
Designed to tell a story, the new Great Scotland Yard Hotel, takes an iconic London building—the former hallmark of the Metropolitan Police—and brings it into a new era. Sitting around the corner from Trafalgar Square and just off Whitehall is the Hyatt’s first Unbound Collection property in the UK, which opened in December 2019. The red-brick building stands tall and formidable on a narrow and hidden London street, as this former police headquarters has been entirely rebuilt and renovated, including a two-floor extension. The result is a fun, witty and whimsical 168-bedroom hotel, with a ground floor dedicated to a host of clever bars and restaurant, and a large basement meeting space below. An unexpected element, comes in the form of the gargantuan five-storey townhouse, which serves as the hotel’s landmark Presidential Suite.
Originally, the site was a castle used by Scottish royalty as their London residence in medieval times—which explains the hotel name. Then from the 1820s until late into the 19th century, it was well worn as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, following a careening history beginning with Sir Robert Peel’s ‘bobbies’ to modern day.
Stories from the hotel’s iconic history fill the hallways. Art consultant Sarah Percy-Davis curated more than 600 specially commissioned paintings and artifacts across the property—many of which contain nods to the Met police or riffs on the infamous criminals whose handiwork touched this building and its surrounds. There is no shortage of stories: Jack the Ripper’s crimes were investigated here; Charles Dickens joined officers on their nightly rounds; Arthur Conan Doyle used the venue as a key destination in his detective tales, to name but a few.
Flower Girl Dresses
Dec 29, 2019
A Look At The Central European Fashion Week
Budapest has its share of wow moments in pop culture: from Will Smith's viral dance atop the famous Chain Bridge to the record-breaking crowds at the iconic Sziget Festival (more than double the size of Coachella). Steeped in history at the crossroads of Western empires, the sprawling capital of Hungary has become the default "European city" for Hollywood producers posing as Moscow, London, Rome and other locations in blockbuster films. While Hungarian scientists have recently reported a revolutionary discovery of a fifth natural force, Hungarian designers have long perfected the quieter alchemy of fashion. Today, more than ever, Budapest could be a place for much needed intercultural dialogue with fashion rising to the occasion. Earlier this month, Budapest Central European Fashion Week has wrapped its spring-summer 2020 season and here are my impressions from the event.
Established in 2018, the Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency has taken on the task of governing the domestic fashion industry and attracting international talent to the local market. The two-venue approach to staging a fashion week illustrated both the potential and challenge familiar to platforms in emergent markets. With many beautiful landmarks fighting for tourist attention, the demanding logistics of multiple runway presentations often comes with limitations. This year's juxtaposition of a contemporary gem Bálna and a historic Tesla building seemed to bookmark the future and the past. The present belonged to the designers.
All eyes were on Nanushka, the country's strongest fashion export, created by Szandra Sándar. The brand designs for "the Modern Bohemian." Given Central European roots of this cultural concept, it has the carte blanche to adapt the style for the digital nomads of the 21st century. Fabulous vegan leather helps! "Designed, crafted and born in Budapest," the Áeron collection by Eszter Áron gently pushed the boundaries of minimalism by introducing softer lines and richer hues to its signature palette.
Established in 2018, the Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency has taken on the task of governing the domestic fashion industry and attracting international talent to the local market. The two-venue approach to staging a fashion week illustrated both the potential and challenge familiar to platforms in emergent markets. With many beautiful landmarks fighting for tourist attention, the demanding logistics of multiple runway presentations often comes with limitations. This year's juxtaposition of a contemporary gem Bálna and a historic Tesla building seemed to bookmark the future and the past. The present belonged to the designers.
All eyes were on Nanushka, the country's strongest fashion export, created by Szandra Sándar. The brand designs for "the Modern Bohemian." Given Central European roots of this cultural concept, it has the carte blanche to adapt the style for the digital nomads of the 21st century. Fabulous vegan leather helps! "Designed, crafted and born in Budapest," the Áeron collection by Eszter Áron gently pushed the boundaries of minimalism by introducing softer lines and richer hues to its signature palette.
Nov 24, 2019
Does Using Social Media Really Affect Your Attention Span?
Does social media usage permanently reduce attention span? If yes, then is there any solution to it? originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
Answer by Nir Eyal, Author of "Hooked" and "Indistractable",, on Quora:
Short answer: no, there is no research that shows that social media permanently reduces attention span.
Because of what I write about — distraction, behavior, focus — I hear all the time the criticism that social media is ruining people’s minds. That it’s capturing our attention, wrecking our relationships, and taking from us more than it gives. But it turns out: there’s no scientific proof that it “permanently reduce attention span.” When a researcher did a deep look at the studies published on social media, she found unreliable research methods, exaggerated claims, and bad data. A lot of what had been published about the effects of social media was just plain wrong.
I’d say this: Overuse of tech can have negative consequences. But it’s not inherently good or bad. The answer is more nuanced. It has to do with how much you use, who is using, what they are doing and what they would be doing instead of using. Tech offers an easy-to-reach distraction, and that you do need to manage. For me, I manage it by building time for social media into my schedule—it makes for a guilt-free chance to look at my various feeds, enjoy content, get updates on people’s lives. What I don’t do—and what I’d urge you not to do—is to use it as a way of avoiding whatever task you should be doing at that moment.
Prom Dresses uk
Aug 1, 2019
Fashion's Best New Men's Denim Brand Isn't Who You Think It Is
Over the last five years I’ve split five pairs of expensive, designer jeans right down the back seam (yes, there)—two pairs of Seven7s, two pairs of AGs, and a pair from Marmot designed for pretzel-bending rock climbers with an origami-like, gusseted crotch.
My problem was playing ice hockey growing up. Two decades later, I still have outsized quads and glutes relative to my waist and inseam, which makes it impossible for me to wear any pants off the rack. Denim is my fashion enemy #1. They either fit like yoga pants or knickers.
When loose fitting, wide-cut “dad jeans” recently began making a comeback, I quietly rejoiced that my old baggy Levis and Carhartts were back in style. My wife recoiled. For the next few years I gave up on denim entirely—which made my wife recoil even further as I retreated back to even less well fitted pleated chinos. Then, thankfully for both of us, along came Monfrere.
“Ever since I was 14 I always wanted to work in fashion,” says Steven Dann, co-founder of the startup jeans brand.
“I started my journey with fashion working at Maraolo, which was a shoe and accessory store in Great Neck that carried all high-end designer brands. I went on to work for Armani, Gucci, Versace and Donna Karen. No matter what kind of education you have there is no schooling for working with these people one on one.”
In 2005, after a decade of mentoring, Dann went out on his and launched his first eponymously named boutique Steven Dann in downtown Great Neck not far from where he began his first job, with his own hand-curated collection of designer brands. The boutique was an immediate hit, leading to Dann opening a second in nearby Greenvale, followed by his own namesake shoe line in 2011. While Dann featured a few select denim brands in his stores, they were more back rack accessories than designers he led with in his storefront windows. Marriage would eventually change all that.
My problem was playing ice hockey growing up. Two decades later, I still have outsized quads and glutes relative to my waist and inseam, which makes it impossible for me to wear any pants off the rack. Denim is my fashion enemy #1. They either fit like yoga pants or knickers.
When loose fitting, wide-cut “dad jeans” recently began making a comeback, I quietly rejoiced that my old baggy Levis and Carhartts were back in style. My wife recoiled. For the next few years I gave up on denim entirely—which made my wife recoil even further as I retreated back to even less well fitted pleated chinos. Then, thankfully for both of us, along came Monfrere.
“Ever since I was 14 I always wanted to work in fashion,” says Steven Dann, co-founder of the startup jeans brand.
“I started my journey with fashion working at Maraolo, which was a shoe and accessory store in Great Neck that carried all high-end designer brands. I went on to work for Armani, Gucci, Versace and Donna Karen. No matter what kind of education you have there is no schooling for working with these people one on one.”
In 2005, after a decade of mentoring, Dann went out on his and launched his first eponymously named boutique Steven Dann in downtown Great Neck not far from where he began his first job, with his own hand-curated collection of designer brands. The boutique was an immediate hit, leading to Dann opening a second in nearby Greenvale, followed by his own namesake shoe line in 2011. While Dann featured a few select denim brands in his stores, they were more back rack accessories than designers he led with in his storefront windows. Marriage would eventually change all that.
Jun 26, 2019
Best Costa Rica Luxury Resorts
This story was written in collaboration with Forbes Finds. Forbes Finds covers products and experiences we think you’ll love. Featured products are independently selected and linked to for your convenience. If you buy something using a link on this page, Forbes may receive a small share of that sale.
When it comes to luxury travel, Costa Rica is a destination that offers a variety of choices. Would you rather spend top dollar at a beachfront hideaway, a mountain enclave with world-class service, or an experiential property that keeps you as busy and active as you want to be? No matter your answer, there’s a Costa Rica luxury resort for you.
Rooms and suites at the Andaz have floor-to-ceiling windows at this beach retreat nestled in the rainforest. Riverstone showers are adjacent to open-air balconies with expansive ocean views, and there are three distinct beaches and four pools, including a kid-friendly shallow pool and an adult-only tranquility pool. In other words, everyone can be happy here. There’s also a club for kids (ages 5-12) and the property is exceptionally pet-friendly.
Set on the lovely Gulf of Papagayo on the Northern Pacific coastline of Guanacaste, El Mangroove is an ideal base to explore both sea and land. Choose from water sports like snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking, or land adventures like hiking, horseback riding and waterfall-hunting. The all-inclusive plan is the way to go if you don’t want to think about planning meals, but it’s not required.
The Four Seasons brand is synonymous with luxury, and this Papagayo resort is a case in point. Set above the ocean, the rooms and suites are designed for supreme tranquility, famous for their proximity to the wide variety of birds and other wildlife that call Costa Rica home. The property was designed to maximize the soft light coming in from all angles. The spa is a destination unto itself and a perfect place to decompress, with a Volcanic Purification ritual that includes a seawater-and-volcanic-mud peloid and a bamboo massage.
When it comes to luxury travel, Costa Rica is a destination that offers a variety of choices. Would you rather spend top dollar at a beachfront hideaway, a mountain enclave with world-class service, or an experiential property that keeps you as busy and active as you want to be? No matter your answer, there’s a Costa Rica luxury resort for you.
Rooms and suites at the Andaz have floor-to-ceiling windows at this beach retreat nestled in the rainforest. Riverstone showers are adjacent to open-air balconies with expansive ocean views, and there are three distinct beaches and four pools, including a kid-friendly shallow pool and an adult-only tranquility pool. In other words, everyone can be happy here. There’s also a club for kids (ages 5-12) and the property is exceptionally pet-friendly.
Set on the lovely Gulf of Papagayo on the Northern Pacific coastline of Guanacaste, El Mangroove is an ideal base to explore both sea and land. Choose from water sports like snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking, or land adventures like hiking, horseback riding and waterfall-hunting. The all-inclusive plan is the way to go if you don’t want to think about planning meals, but it’s not required.
The Four Seasons brand is synonymous with luxury, and this Papagayo resort is a case in point. Set above the ocean, the rooms and suites are designed for supreme tranquility, famous for their proximity to the wide variety of birds and other wildlife that call Costa Rica home. The property was designed to maximize the soft light coming in from all angles. The spa is a destination unto itself and a perfect place to decompress, with a Volcanic Purification ritual that includes a seawater-and-volcanic-mud peloid and a bamboo massage.
May 23, 2019
Guardians of Spanish culture lay out election hopes and fears
Her heels clacking impossibly fast, a dancer slides across a Flamenco stage in Madrid, while in a Catalan town a burly man in a faded red shirt helps anchor a seven-layer human tower topped by a tiny girl.
Guardians of Spain's cultural heritage, Mariana Collado and David Tarrats view the future with some uncertainty as they prepare to vote in a national election that looks too close to call.
Collado, from the Flamenco heartland of southern Spain but working in the capital, has no time for political extremism - a far right party will enter parliament on Sunday for the first time in decades - and believes the next government should prioritize the arts.
"Life is full of a marvelous range of different colors and I think the extremes are not good at all," she told Reuters.
"I'm afraid that culture could disappear, because culture is the first thing that they get rid of when there's no money in the country."
Tarrats, from Vic west of Barcelona, uses his body like a construction block to perpetuate a 200-year-old Catalan tradition of tower-building rooted in skill, strength and, above all, trust - something that, as a separatist, he struggles to extend to politicians.
"I will vote for someone who defends the independence of Catalonia, my rights (and) my language, but it will be complicated because ... politicians only want to defend their seat," he said.
In Spain's gradually depopulating southern countryside, a grower of its signature olive crop feels largely abandoned by politicians too.
Falling wholesale prices mean Agustin Perea, from the Andalusian village of El Burgo, is finding it ever harder to make a living and he fears for the next generation.
"There are many young people who like farming but they are unable to work in this sector because it demands considerable investment," he said.
"(The government) have to help us a bit, otherwise (these) small towns are going to become empty."
(Reporting by Sergio Perez, Michael Gore, Jon Nazca, Jordi Rubio and Albert Gea, Writing by John Stonestreet; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Guardians of Spain's cultural heritage, Mariana Collado and David Tarrats view the future with some uncertainty as they prepare to vote in a national election that looks too close to call.
Collado, from the Flamenco heartland of southern Spain but working in the capital, has no time for political extremism - a far right party will enter parliament on Sunday for the first time in decades - and believes the next government should prioritize the arts.
"Life is full of a marvelous range of different colors and I think the extremes are not good at all," she told Reuters.
"I'm afraid that culture could disappear, because culture is the first thing that they get rid of when there's no money in the country."
Tarrats, from Vic west of Barcelona, uses his body like a construction block to perpetuate a 200-year-old Catalan tradition of tower-building rooted in skill, strength and, above all, trust - something that, as a separatist, he struggles to extend to politicians.
"I will vote for someone who defends the independence of Catalonia, my rights (and) my language, but it will be complicated because ... politicians only want to defend their seat," he said.
In Spain's gradually depopulating southern countryside, a grower of its signature olive crop feels largely abandoned by politicians too.
Falling wholesale prices mean Agustin Perea, from the Andalusian village of El Burgo, is finding it ever harder to make a living and he fears for the next generation.
"There are many young people who like farming but they are unable to work in this sector because it demands considerable investment," he said.
"(The government) have to help us a bit, otherwise (these) small towns are going to become empty."
(Reporting by Sergio Perez, Michael Gore, Jon Nazca, Jordi Rubio and Albert Gea, Writing by John Stonestreet; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Apr 26, 2019
VOLAR combina servicio comunitario, cultura española.
Hay muchas oportunidades para que los estudiantes se comuniquen con sus comunidades en el campus de NC State. Voluntarios Ahora en Raleigh, o VOLAR, es una de esas oportunidades para aquellos que desean ayudar a la comunidad de habla hispana de Raleigh. El programa se ejecuta a través del Departamento de Lenguas Extranjeras y Literatura. Deborah Kane, profesora principal de lengua y literatura españolas, es la directora de VOLAR.
"Comenzamos como una iniciativa del Departamento de Lenguas Extranjeras aquí en el Estado de Carolina del Norte para reunir a estudiantes de español en un cierto nivel de competencia con oportunidades de servicio a la comunidad donde pueden interactuar con hablantes nativos de español", dijo Kane.
VOLAR realiza dos tipos diferentes de servicio comunitario: oportunidades de un semestre y oportunidades de servicio de una sola vez.
"Una categoría son los compromisos de un semestre, donde los estudiantes van una vez a la semana. Hacen un turno regular, tal vez una hora a la semana todas las semanas o dos horas cada dos semanas", dijo Kane. "Depende de la organización. El otro es eventos únicos, por lo que pueden ir y trabajar tres horas en un sábado ... Dentro de esas dos categorías, en los compromisos del semestre tenemos una asociación con el Consulado de México".
Sus programas de alcance comunitario tienen un alcance diverso dentro de la comunidad de habla hispana de Raleigh, ayudando en varios programas en el Triángulo.
"Tenemos la Clínica de Puertas Abiertas de los Ministerios Urbanos, que es una clínica de salud gratuita para residentes de bajos ingresos de Raleigh", dijo Kane. "Entonces, no todos sus pacientes hablan español, pero sí muchos. Los estudiantes irán allí y trabajarán en la recepción y cuando las personas entren, los registren y se aseguren de que tengan una cita. Harán llamadas telefónicas a confirmar las citas; podrían hacer la entrevista inicial con los pacientes para establecer que son elegibles para recibir atención médica gratuita o reducida ".
Si bien no existen pautas estrictas para unirse a VOLAR, sí piden cierto nivel de competencia en español para ayudar con el trabajo voluntario en su comunidad.
"Así que nuestros requisitos son que deban estar en español 202 o superior o tener el mismo nivel de competencia", dijo Kane. "Ese curso es solo una manera fácil de saber más o menos dónde están con el idioma, pero si es alguien que es orador nativo o nativo o han vivido [hablado el idioma] y no tienen necesariamente los cursos, damos la bienvenida a su participación ".
Kane sugiere que cualquier persona que desee unirse debe asistir a sus reuniones al comienzo de cada semestre.
"Simplemente tenemos una gran reunión al comienzo de cada semestre, y ahí es donde organizamos todas las diferentes actividades que se ofrecen ese semestre y los estudiantes pueden inscribirse", dijo Kane. "Tendremos orientaciones por lo general para esas asociaciones de un semestre, hay algo de capacitación y cosas por el estilo".
Emily Sands, profesora de lengua y literatura españolas, es asistente de VOLAR. Sands cree que unirse a VOLAR ayuda a reforzar la aptitud de un estudiante para aprender español y su deseo de hacerlo.
"Recibo comentarios de los estudiantes que la exposición les da más confianza en el uso del idioma y están expuestos a más áreas en las que se puede usar", dijo Sands. "Si las organizaciones con las que ya trabajamos u otras organizaciones pueden ver esa relación positiva, entonces podrían generar más oportunidades o podrían encontrar más formas en las que podamos involucrar a los estudiantes en las cosas".
VOLAR es una oportunidad para comprender mejor la cultura de habla hispana, aprender español y ver los efectos que el mundo real y las decisiones tienen en esa comunidad.
"Pero de lo que no se dan cuenta a menudo son los otros beneficios secundarios, la exposición cultural, como ir al Consulado de México y ser el único no mexicano que hay por la hora que estás allí", dijo Kane.
"Comenzamos como una iniciativa del Departamento de Lenguas Extranjeras aquí en el Estado de Carolina del Norte para reunir a estudiantes de español en un cierto nivel de competencia con oportunidades de servicio a la comunidad donde pueden interactuar con hablantes nativos de español", dijo Kane.
VOLAR realiza dos tipos diferentes de servicio comunitario: oportunidades de un semestre y oportunidades de servicio de una sola vez.
"Una categoría son los compromisos de un semestre, donde los estudiantes van una vez a la semana. Hacen un turno regular, tal vez una hora a la semana todas las semanas o dos horas cada dos semanas", dijo Kane. "Depende de la organización. El otro es eventos únicos, por lo que pueden ir y trabajar tres horas en un sábado ... Dentro de esas dos categorías, en los compromisos del semestre tenemos una asociación con el Consulado de México".
Sus programas de alcance comunitario tienen un alcance diverso dentro de la comunidad de habla hispana de Raleigh, ayudando en varios programas en el Triángulo.
"Tenemos la Clínica de Puertas Abiertas de los Ministerios Urbanos, que es una clínica de salud gratuita para residentes de bajos ingresos de Raleigh", dijo Kane. "Entonces, no todos sus pacientes hablan español, pero sí muchos. Los estudiantes irán allí y trabajarán en la recepción y cuando las personas entren, los registren y se aseguren de que tengan una cita. Harán llamadas telefónicas a confirmar las citas; podrían hacer la entrevista inicial con los pacientes para establecer que son elegibles para recibir atención médica gratuita o reducida ".
Si bien no existen pautas estrictas para unirse a VOLAR, sí piden cierto nivel de competencia en español para ayudar con el trabajo voluntario en su comunidad.
"Así que nuestros requisitos son que deban estar en español 202 o superior o tener el mismo nivel de competencia", dijo Kane. "Ese curso es solo una manera fácil de saber más o menos dónde están con el idioma, pero si es alguien que es orador nativo o nativo o han vivido [hablado el idioma] y no tienen necesariamente los cursos, damos la bienvenida a su participación ".
Kane sugiere que cualquier persona que desee unirse debe asistir a sus reuniones al comienzo de cada semestre.
"Simplemente tenemos una gran reunión al comienzo de cada semestre, y ahí es donde organizamos todas las diferentes actividades que se ofrecen ese semestre y los estudiantes pueden inscribirse", dijo Kane. "Tendremos orientaciones por lo general para esas asociaciones de un semestre, hay algo de capacitación y cosas por el estilo".
Emily Sands, profesora de lengua y literatura españolas, es asistente de VOLAR. Sands cree que unirse a VOLAR ayuda a reforzar la aptitud de un estudiante para aprender español y su deseo de hacerlo.
"Recibo comentarios de los estudiantes que la exposición les da más confianza en el uso del idioma y están expuestos a más áreas en las que se puede usar", dijo Sands. "Si las organizaciones con las que ya trabajamos u otras organizaciones pueden ver esa relación positiva, entonces podrían generar más oportunidades o podrían encontrar más formas en las que podamos involucrar a los estudiantes en las cosas".
VOLAR es una oportunidad para comprender mejor la cultura de habla hispana, aprender español y ver los efectos que el mundo real y las decisiones tienen en esa comunidad.
"Pero de lo que no se dan cuenta a menudo son los otros beneficios secundarios, la exposición cultural, como ir al Consulado de México y ser el único no mexicano que hay por la hora que estás allí", dijo Kane.
Feb 20, 2019
What's New At The 2019 South Beach Wine And Food Festival?
A defining feature of the last century was that most jobs were relatively clear cut (banker, electrician, teacher, etc). In our own time, however, people increasingly have careers that are underscored by a theme. In this respect, Sam Seidel is most certainly a 21st century kind of guy.
After splitting his time between studying at Brown University and teaching inmates at a nearby prison, Seidel has worked on everything from building the Student Experience Lab at the Business Innovation Factory to writing and publishing his first book Hip Hop Genius: Remixing Public Education. He now serves as the Director of K12 Strategy + Research at the Stanford D.School. At the root of all his endeavors is his fervent belief that if we can address the structural flaws in the way we educate people, we can also mitigate a lot of our other biggest problems.
To advance his mission, Seidel is notoriously willing to experiment with whatever tools, practices, and disciplines he encounters. I recently had the chance to sit down and talk with him about both the deeply entrenched problems and unparalleled opportunities involved in the adventure of reshaping modern education. If you’re involved in a business that ever requires that you attack seemingly intractable problems, pay close attention.
Michael Schein: The Stanford D.School is not the first place that comes to mind when I think about education. What made you join them?
Sam Seidel: The D.School is best known for teaching design thinking and helping build creative confidence in all kinds of different fields. While design thinking has been applied to products including everything from the Apple mouse to better toothbrushes, it can also be used to rethink schools and social systems. There are some serious structural problems with education and so the D.School seemed like the right place to tackle these problems creatively. My colleagues and I believe that applying the design thinking approach can be used to make real progress in improving education in quite a few different ways.
After splitting his time between studying at Brown University and teaching inmates at a nearby prison, Seidel has worked on everything from building the Student Experience Lab at the Business Innovation Factory to writing and publishing his first book Hip Hop Genius: Remixing Public Education. He now serves as the Director of K12 Strategy + Research at the Stanford D.School. At the root of all his endeavors is his fervent belief that if we can address the structural flaws in the way we educate people, we can also mitigate a lot of our other biggest problems.
To advance his mission, Seidel is notoriously willing to experiment with whatever tools, practices, and disciplines he encounters. I recently had the chance to sit down and talk with him about both the deeply entrenched problems and unparalleled opportunities involved in the adventure of reshaping modern education. If you’re involved in a business that ever requires that you attack seemingly intractable problems, pay close attention.
Michael Schein: The Stanford D.School is not the first place that comes to mind when I think about education. What made you join them?
Sam Seidel: The D.School is best known for teaching design thinking and helping build creative confidence in all kinds of different fields. While design thinking has been applied to products including everything from the Apple mouse to better toothbrushes, it can also be used to rethink schools and social systems. There are some serious structural problems with education and so the D.School seemed like the right place to tackle these problems creatively. My colleagues and I believe that applying the design thinking approach can be used to make real progress in improving education in quite a few different ways.
Jan 3, 2019
The Truth About Fat by Anthony Warner review – what the Angry Chef hates
I never quite knew what the word "sophistry" meant, until I read this book. I had a vague idea that it was something to do with making a false argument. But I looked the word up and saw that this wasn't quite right. Sophistry means the clever use of arguments that seem true. In Chaucer's time, it used to mean cunning, or craft. The original ancient Greek sophists were people, according to Plato, who were virtuoso athletes of words. Above all, sophists are plausible. That's what makes them so dangerous.
This is what came to mind reading the latest screed by Anthony Warner, who worked for many years at Premier Foods, one of the biggest food companies in Britain, which manufactures Mr Kipling cakes, Angel Delight desserts and Batchelors Super Noodles, among many other branded processed foods. Ten years ago, the Belfast Telegraph described Warner as TV presenter Loyd Grossman's "Italian development chef" because Warner was the person who helped Grossman develop his own-brand pasta sauces. But that was before Warner transmogrified into "The Angry Chef", the name of an expletive-ridden blog that he started writing in 2016 "exposing lies, pretension and stupidity in the world of food". He could have called himself "The Angry Consultant to the Food Industry" but it wouldn't have had quite the same ring.
To begin with, many in food writing circles considered Warner a breath of fresh air. I was one of them, going so far as to write a blurb for the book, welcoming it as a "bracing and funny tirade against the nonsense and harm done by food fads". I liked the way he skewered the quackery of alkaline diets and the absurd overuse of coconut oil and other so-called superfoods. I knew that Warner worked for the food industry, but I didn't feel that this had an undue impact on his arguments. Maybe there was an element of "my enemy's enemy is my friend" in my liking for Warner's writing. Over the course of my life, too many people close to me have developed eating disorders and when Warner attacked the restrictive rules and "nutribollocks" of the clean eating trend, his anger seemed righteous.
This is what came to mind reading the latest screed by Anthony Warner, who worked for many years at Premier Foods, one of the biggest food companies in Britain, which manufactures Mr Kipling cakes, Angel Delight desserts and Batchelors Super Noodles, among many other branded processed foods. Ten years ago, the Belfast Telegraph described Warner as TV presenter Loyd Grossman's "Italian development chef" because Warner was the person who helped Grossman develop his own-brand pasta sauces. But that was before Warner transmogrified into "The Angry Chef", the name of an expletive-ridden blog that he started writing in 2016 "exposing lies, pretension and stupidity in the world of food". He could have called himself "The Angry Consultant to the Food Industry" but it wouldn't have had quite the same ring.
To begin with, many in food writing circles considered Warner a breath of fresh air. I was one of them, going so far as to write a blurb for the book, welcoming it as a "bracing and funny tirade against the nonsense and harm done by food fads". I liked the way he skewered the quackery of alkaline diets and the absurd overuse of coconut oil and other so-called superfoods. I knew that Warner worked for the food industry, but I didn't feel that this had an undue impact on his arguments. Maybe there was an element of "my enemy's enemy is my friend" in my liking for Warner's writing. Over the course of my life, too many people close to me have developed eating disorders and when Warner attacked the restrictive rules and "nutribollocks" of the clean eating trend, his anger seemed righteous.
Dec 3, 2018
Batavia High Spanish teacher soothes anxiety, mixes culture
Learning anything new can be discouraging and frustrating -- or sometimes downright intimidating.
Especially if there's a chance your peers' eyes and ears will all bear direct witness to your gaffe.
Carissa Blough, a 20-year Spanish teacher at Batavia High School, is acutely aware of this and shows her students a poster above her desk that reads: "un LUGAR SEGURO para hacer errores."
Translated from Spanish, it means "A safe place to make mistakes," and it is Blough's way of helping muffle some of the anxiety students may feel when pronouncing a new word or forming a sentence and setting the tone for learning a new language, while incorporating cultural elements as well.
"It's totally natural in life to make mistakes. It's what you do with it. That's how you're going to learn," said Blough, 45, who lives with her husband, Ed, and four daughters in the South suburb of Beverly.
"I have such wonderful kids here. I don't think I'd be coming here if I didn't love my job, or Batavia in general," she added.
Blough's mom and aunt were both teachers, and she knew in elementary school that would be her career path.
As a student at Downers Grove South High School, learning language came easy to her and her interest was piqued in a high school Spanish class.
"I didn't know what I wanted to teach until I took Spanish in high school. They made learning really fun," Blough recalled.
Part of the fun is inspiring students to get out of their comfort zones and be free from judgment. After all, an expert in one field began as a novice.
"The challenge is getting them to be willing to speak out loud in class," Blough said, noting she wants pupils to get over that fear of making a mistake in pronouncing a word or a grammatical mistake in a sentence.
"Everyone's in the same boat. Everyone is trying it for the first time.
Blough's energy, approach and dedication have earned her the respect and praise of her peers.
"Carissa is a committed teacher that truly embodies our district mission of 'Always Learning. Always Growing,'" said Batavia High School Principal Dr. JoAnne Smith.
"She is always trying to become the best teacher and teacher leader through professional development and learning from her peers. Our students and staff are so lucky to have her at BHS."
Memorizing verbs and learning to roll one's tongue -- a necessary skill to pronounce some words -- are just part of Blough's curriculum.
She tries to introduce students to cultural aspects of Spain, Mexico and other areas of Central and South America.
For example, students on Nov. 2 decorated small skulls made of sugar as part of the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, which honors the memory of deceased loved ones.
"We do try to teach a lot of culture too, to widen their perspective," said Blough, who has plastic molds she uses to make the skulls herself. "I try to make it fun."
Most students have smartphones, and every pupil at Batavia High School is issued a Chromebook laptop computer. Blough has students use the free language learning app called Duolingo to supplement their lessons, often listening to audio of another speaker rather than just Blough.
"We use technology to enhance what we're learning," Blough said.
Blough and her colleagues are in the midst of revisiting the Spanish curriculum and deciding what to update.
In early November, it was a trip to Bolingbrook High School to observe classes there and discuss afterward.
"We have a very collaborative department. I think that helps because we're relatively small compared to an English department, where you could have 20 teachers," Blough said.
Especially if there's a chance your peers' eyes and ears will all bear direct witness to your gaffe.
Carissa Blough, a 20-year Spanish teacher at Batavia High School, is acutely aware of this and shows her students a poster above her desk that reads: "un LUGAR SEGURO para hacer errores."
Translated from Spanish, it means "A safe place to make mistakes," and it is Blough's way of helping muffle some of the anxiety students may feel when pronouncing a new word or forming a sentence and setting the tone for learning a new language, while incorporating cultural elements as well.
"It's totally natural in life to make mistakes. It's what you do with it. That's how you're going to learn," said Blough, 45, who lives with her husband, Ed, and four daughters in the South suburb of Beverly.
"I have such wonderful kids here. I don't think I'd be coming here if I didn't love my job, or Batavia in general," she added.
Blough's mom and aunt were both teachers, and she knew in elementary school that would be her career path.
As a student at Downers Grove South High School, learning language came easy to her and her interest was piqued in a high school Spanish class.
"I didn't know what I wanted to teach until I took Spanish in high school. They made learning really fun," Blough recalled.
Part of the fun is inspiring students to get out of their comfort zones and be free from judgment. After all, an expert in one field began as a novice.
"The challenge is getting them to be willing to speak out loud in class," Blough said, noting she wants pupils to get over that fear of making a mistake in pronouncing a word or a grammatical mistake in a sentence.
"Everyone's in the same boat. Everyone is trying it for the first time.
Blough's energy, approach and dedication have earned her the respect and praise of her peers.
"Carissa is a committed teacher that truly embodies our district mission of 'Always Learning. Always Growing,'" said Batavia High School Principal Dr. JoAnne Smith.
"She is always trying to become the best teacher and teacher leader through professional development and learning from her peers. Our students and staff are so lucky to have her at BHS."
Memorizing verbs and learning to roll one's tongue -- a necessary skill to pronounce some words -- are just part of Blough's curriculum.
She tries to introduce students to cultural aspects of Spain, Mexico and other areas of Central and South America.
For example, students on Nov. 2 decorated small skulls made of sugar as part of the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, which honors the memory of deceased loved ones.
"We do try to teach a lot of culture too, to widen their perspective," said Blough, who has plastic molds she uses to make the skulls herself. "I try to make it fun."
Most students have smartphones, and every pupil at Batavia High School is issued a Chromebook laptop computer. Blough has students use the free language learning app called Duolingo to supplement their lessons, often listening to audio of another speaker rather than just Blough.
"We use technology to enhance what we're learning," Blough said.
Blough and her colleagues are in the midst of revisiting the Spanish curriculum and deciding what to update.
In early November, it was a trip to Bolingbrook High School to observe classes there and discuss afterward.
"We have a very collaborative department. I think that helps because we're relatively small compared to an English department, where you could have 20 teachers," Blough said.
Nov 9, 2018
Basque in the culture of this Spanish region
Three weeks in the Basque Country, an autonomous region in northern Spain, where the icy waves of the Bay of Biscay meet misty green valleys, may be longer than most tourists are willing to spend, but I, being there to work and explore, want to do it at my leisure.
The region is famous for its fine-dining restaurants and pintxo-decked eateries, where you select a toothpick-skewered snack from a dizzying array on bar counters and move on to the next until your appetite is stimulated sufficiently for a late dinner. I want to enjoy it all: the famous fried Guernica green chilli peppers at low-key neighbourhood bars, Michelin-starred cuisine at Mugaritz, Etxebarri, Arzak and Azurmendi, and the best of Basque design and striking architecture.
To this end, I base myself in Bilbao and, later, San Sebastian, or Donostia, as it's known locally. Before architect Frank Gehry's spectacular Guggenheim Museum was constructed in 1997, Bilbao was still a dozy shipping and industrial hub known for its iron mines, slinking beneath the frequent fog and drizzle that sheaths the city.
The museum's shimmer of metallic ribbons are as dramatic as a Balenciaga haute couture frock, and curves that shimmy as you circumnavigate the building give way to what ultimately resembles a ship – a fitting symbol for the port city.
Incidentally, the city's concert and conference hall, Euskalduna Palacio, which hosted more than 1,000 guests for the World's 50 Best Restaurant awards in June and was built by Madrid-Basque duo Federico Soriano and Dolores Palacios, resembles a ship under construction, an ode to the space's former purpose.
The Guggenheim, when seen from near the rouge arch of the Puente de la Salve on a sunny afternoon, or early evening in summer when the skies are cloudless and that rare deep blue, makes me feel as if I am standing on a platform, waving goodbye to a fantasy ship with titanium fish scales.
A glass-and-steel tower behind the bridge resembles a sail. When viewed from Mount Artxanda, reached by a funicular first built at the turn of the 19th century, the Guggenheim contrasts, but only just, against the sedate buildings that dot the city's landscape, with verdant hills enclosing it.
The Iberdrola Tower also defies the uniformity, rising above traditional terracotta roofs. To get to the funicular, you can walk up the pedestrian footbridge, Zubizuri, created by architect Santiago Calatrava, which resembles a brilliant white sail that fans over the Nervion River.
The region is famous for its fine-dining restaurants and pintxo-decked eateries, where you select a toothpick-skewered snack from a dizzying array on bar counters and move on to the next until your appetite is stimulated sufficiently for a late dinner. I want to enjoy it all: the famous fried Guernica green chilli peppers at low-key neighbourhood bars, Michelin-starred cuisine at Mugaritz, Etxebarri, Arzak and Azurmendi, and the best of Basque design and striking architecture.
To this end, I base myself in Bilbao and, later, San Sebastian, or Donostia, as it's known locally. Before architect Frank Gehry's spectacular Guggenheim Museum was constructed in 1997, Bilbao was still a dozy shipping and industrial hub known for its iron mines, slinking beneath the frequent fog and drizzle that sheaths the city.
The museum's shimmer of metallic ribbons are as dramatic as a Balenciaga haute couture frock, and curves that shimmy as you circumnavigate the building give way to what ultimately resembles a ship – a fitting symbol for the port city.
Incidentally, the city's concert and conference hall, Euskalduna Palacio, which hosted more than 1,000 guests for the World's 50 Best Restaurant awards in June and was built by Madrid-Basque duo Federico Soriano and Dolores Palacios, resembles a ship under construction, an ode to the space's former purpose.
The Guggenheim, when seen from near the rouge arch of the Puente de la Salve on a sunny afternoon, or early evening in summer when the skies are cloudless and that rare deep blue, makes me feel as if I am standing on a platform, waving goodbye to a fantasy ship with titanium fish scales.
A glass-and-steel tower behind the bridge resembles a sail. When viewed from Mount Artxanda, reached by a funicular first built at the turn of the 19th century, the Guggenheim contrasts, but only just, against the sedate buildings that dot the city's landscape, with verdant hills enclosing it.
The Iberdrola Tower also defies the uniformity, rising above traditional terracotta roofs. To get to the funicular, you can walk up the pedestrian footbridge, Zubizuri, created by architect Santiago Calatrava, which resembles a brilliant white sail that fans over the Nervion River.
Oct 22, 2018
Teacher immerses students in Spanish culture
Maria Delgado knew that teaching her native language and culture was what she truly wanted to do with her life. But, she had to take the necessary steps to reach her goal.
Delgado began her career with Copperas Cove ISD during the 2017-2018 school year as a long-term substitute teacher at S. C. Lee Junior High. She completed alternative teaching certification but did not take her Spanish exam. So, CCISD could not offer her a teaching contract. Although she had no permanent job with the school district, Delgado attended all of the professional development classes she could because she wanted to be successful, said former principal, Kayleen Love.
"Compensation did not matter, she wanted to be everything for the students. She did not receive any compensation for the time she spent outside of the official school year or the school day," Love said. "Once school began, she stayed late and came in early for duty and tutorials. Mrs. Delgado is an extemporary teacher that plans engaging lessons and is excited about the content she teaches."
Delgado successful passed her Spanish teaching exam and is back at S. C. Lee this year. Nearly all of Delgado’s classes had 30+ students last year and this school year is no exception.
"Mrs. Delgado does everything possible to allow every student the opportunity to take Spanish. She never says no," Love said. "She is excited to be at Lee and excited to be teaching. She is kind to everyone she meets, and she always has a smile on her face. The students love her personally and as their teacher. They know without a doubt that Mrs. Delgado cares about each of them and will help them when they struggle."
Delgado’s Spanish classroom is very interactive. There are posters and informational material covering the walls to help students master the language. From Day of the Dead celebratory traditions to a Spanish Christmas, Delgado teaches students lessons they can apply to real-world events.
"When you walk in to this classroom, you see student lead learning. The students are excited and participating in whatever lesson is happening that day. The tone in the room is exciting from teacher and students," Love said. "They begin by walking in the door with a greeting and leave with a smile. Mrs. Delgado assigns projects that mean something to the students; they take ownership of their learning and have been very successful."
Delgado began her career with Copperas Cove ISD during the 2017-2018 school year as a long-term substitute teacher at S. C. Lee Junior High. She completed alternative teaching certification but did not take her Spanish exam. So, CCISD could not offer her a teaching contract. Although she had no permanent job with the school district, Delgado attended all of the professional development classes she could because she wanted to be successful, said former principal, Kayleen Love.
"Compensation did not matter, she wanted to be everything for the students. She did not receive any compensation for the time she spent outside of the official school year or the school day," Love said. "Once school began, she stayed late and came in early for duty and tutorials. Mrs. Delgado is an extemporary teacher that plans engaging lessons and is excited about the content she teaches."
Delgado successful passed her Spanish teaching exam and is back at S. C. Lee this year. Nearly all of Delgado’s classes had 30+ students last year and this school year is no exception.
"Mrs. Delgado does everything possible to allow every student the opportunity to take Spanish. She never says no," Love said. "She is excited to be at Lee and excited to be teaching. She is kind to everyone she meets, and she always has a smile on her face. The students love her personally and as their teacher. They know without a doubt that Mrs. Delgado cares about each of them and will help them when they struggle."
Delgado’s Spanish classroom is very interactive. There are posters and informational material covering the walls to help students master the language. From Day of the Dead celebratory traditions to a Spanish Christmas, Delgado teaches students lessons they can apply to real-world events.
"When you walk in to this classroom, you see student lead learning. The students are excited and participating in whatever lesson is happening that day. The tone in the room is exciting from teacher and students," Love said. "They begin by walking in the door with a greeting and leave with a smile. Mrs. Delgado assigns projects that mean something to the students; they take ownership of their learning and have been very successful."
Sep 27, 2018
Storytelling dance event celebrates Hispanic cultures
Brownstown senior and President of Sigma Delta Pi Austin Garner said, "We do a lot of dance events because we feel like dance is one of the most important things about Hispanic culture and because it's an easy way to spread knowledge and information."
During this demonstration, which was part of Hispanic Heritage Month, members of this chapter did traditional dances that belonged to different countries. Dancing is an artfrom that "speaks many words" without using actual words, Garner said.
Just like every Hispanic culture is unique, every dance has its own story, said Ann Arbor senior Hannah Mauch, vice president of the chapter.
"I'm doing a piece from Mexico called la bruja it's supposed to be the origin story of witches and white magic," Mauch said.
la bruja, meaning "the witch" in English, originated in Veracruz, Mexico and is commonly known as the witch story of Mexico.
Other dances that were performed included la cumbia from Colombia and the merengue and barchata from the Dominican Republic.
"La cumbia is supposed to represent a slave dance because when slaves were chained up at night they could only move one of their feet so around the fire they would move in these big lines," Mauch said. For some, la cumbia is considered the national anthem of the country.
Originating from the 1940s to 1990s, the merengue and barchata were suppressed as a result of a really nasty dictatorship in the country, Mauch said. The dances are symbols of freedom for people, celebrating being Dominican.
"We're really trying to bring it back to life and celebrating it now. It's getting big again and it's really exciting," she said.
Being the only national Spanish honors society and the first foreign language honors society in the country, Sigma Delta Pi focuses on celebrating each other's differences and educating people about problems that occur in Hispanic communities in the United States, Mauch said.
"We are incredibly passionate about these cultures and we love Spanish. There is no one Hispanic culture and every country has its own dialect of Spanish, their own dances, food, and traditional dress form," Mauch said. "It's different everywhere and we are in a time in life where we are really trying to embrace people's identities and trying to stop stereotyping. We feel like we can start to make an impact in our own campus."
Saline freshmen Courtney Rosolowski, "I feel like I grew up in a family not full of a lot of culture. So, seeing other people celebrate their culture and seeing them so passionate about it is super cool."
"Without (dance) I don't think our Spanish cultures would be the same," Mauch said.
People may not realize that CMU is a culturally diverse university, Garner said. It's important for students to attend events like this one to learn about other cultures and expand their minds.
"In this day and age, a lot of people are close minded to especially to the Hispanic culture and we're trying to change that," he said.
During this demonstration, which was part of Hispanic Heritage Month, members of this chapter did traditional dances that belonged to different countries. Dancing is an artfrom that "speaks many words" without using actual words, Garner said.
Just like every Hispanic culture is unique, every dance has its own story, said Ann Arbor senior Hannah Mauch, vice president of the chapter.
"I'm doing a piece from Mexico called la bruja it's supposed to be the origin story of witches and white magic," Mauch said.
la bruja, meaning "the witch" in English, originated in Veracruz, Mexico and is commonly known as the witch story of Mexico.
Other dances that were performed included la cumbia from Colombia and the merengue and barchata from the Dominican Republic.
"La cumbia is supposed to represent a slave dance because when slaves were chained up at night they could only move one of their feet so around the fire they would move in these big lines," Mauch said. For some, la cumbia is considered the national anthem of the country.
Originating from the 1940s to 1990s, the merengue and barchata were suppressed as a result of a really nasty dictatorship in the country, Mauch said. The dances are symbols of freedom for people, celebrating being Dominican.
"We're really trying to bring it back to life and celebrating it now. It's getting big again and it's really exciting," she said.
Being the only national Spanish honors society and the first foreign language honors society in the country, Sigma Delta Pi focuses on celebrating each other's differences and educating people about problems that occur in Hispanic communities in the United States, Mauch said.
"We are incredibly passionate about these cultures and we love Spanish. There is no one Hispanic culture and every country has its own dialect of Spanish, their own dances, food, and traditional dress form," Mauch said. "It's different everywhere and we are in a time in life where we are really trying to embrace people's identities and trying to stop stereotyping. We feel like we can start to make an impact in our own campus."
Saline freshmen Courtney Rosolowski, "I feel like I grew up in a family not full of a lot of culture. So, seeing other people celebrate their culture and seeing them so passionate about it is super cool."
"Without (dance) I don't think our Spanish cultures would be the same," Mauch said.
People may not realize that CMU is a culturally diverse university, Garner said. It's important for students to attend events like this one to learn about other cultures and expand their minds.
"In this day and age, a lot of people are close minded to especially to the Hispanic culture and we're trying to change that," he said.
Aug 13, 2018
Spanish Royalty relishes tour of San Antonio culture
A buzz through the city as royalty took a tour around San Antonio creating some major memorable moments.
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this. Crowds gathered from far and wide to get a glimpse of the King and Queen of Spain as they visited their way through San Antonio, starting with gifts at the Spanish Governor's Palace.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg recognized the importance of the visit.
"Your visit to our cities your majesties is an opportunity that further highlights our roots our friendship and our family bonds." Nirenberg said.
The royal couple greeted by cheers from a crowd, who recognized the work the country put in to help create the only UNESCO world heritage site in Texas.
"The Spanish Government Provided pivotal support and advocacy when we pursued the designation." Nirenberg said.
After having words of wisdom with our youth to the background of church bells, crowds gathered from far and wide outside the Bexar County Courthouse to greet the couple once again.
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this. Crowds gathered from far and wide to get a glimpse of the King and Queen of Spain as they visited their way through San Antonio, starting with gifts at the Spanish Governor's Palace.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg recognized the importance of the visit.
"Your visit to our cities your majesties is an opportunity that further highlights our roots our friendship and our family bonds." Nirenberg said.
The royal couple greeted by cheers from a crowd, who recognized the work the country put in to help create the only UNESCO world heritage site in Texas.
"The Spanish Government Provided pivotal support and advocacy when we pursued the designation." Nirenberg said.
After having words of wisdom with our youth to the background of church bells, crowds gathered from far and wide outside the Bexar County Courthouse to greet the couple once again.
Jul 18, 2018
Spanish culture minister resigns over tax fine
Maxim Huerta, who was named to the cabinet of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez last week, said he had paid a fine related to his declared income in 2006 and 2008, and was "absolutely innocent".
"I have paid the fine twice, at the time and now, here," he told a news conference in Madrid, saying the penalty had resulted from a change in the tax authority's criteria.
Huerta added that he was fully up to date with his tax payments.
Sanchez toppled his predecessor, Mariano Rajoy, in a confidence vote over a long-running corruption scandal.
El Confidencial newspaper had reported that Huerta had been found to have avoided paying tax amounting to more than 200,000 euros ($235,700).
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Spaniards have been enthusiastic so far in their reception of Sanchez's Socialist government, which broke with six years of right-wing domination and contains more women than men in ministerial posts for the first time in the country's history.
His party rebounded in opinion polls after taking power, overtaking rivals which had poached its voters in recent years, including market-friendly Ciudadanos and anti-austerity Podemos.
Despite these encouraging signs, Sanchez will have his work cut out to make any major policy changes, as he controls less than a quarter of the seats in parliament.
Jun 25, 2018
Spartans study Spanish language, culture in Madrid
But the best way to learn a new language and culture is to step outside of the classroom and live it.
For the 29 Spartans who traveled to Madrid, Spain, this summer, learning Spanish often involved eating tapas, navigating the metro, dancing flamenco and yelling "GOOOOOL!" at a soccer match.
The UNC Greensboro Summer in Spain program – led this year by Dr. Ignacio Lopez and Dr. Alejandro Hortal – is a five-week, faculty-led study abroad program that dates back to the late 1970s, making it one of the university's longest-running programs. Undergraduate students take six credit hours in Spanish language and culture from UNCG faculty, in addition to participating in planned weekend excursions to cities such as Toledo, Segovia and Seville.
The program has found the right balance of structured programming and free time, allowing students to engage with locals in an authentic way and put to practice what they've learned in the classroom.
Ultimately, students return home not only with increased cultural competence and linguistic ability, but with a new sense of self.
"I'm open to more experiences and getting out of my comfort zone because of this program," said junior Marykent Wolff, an English major with minors in Spanish and women's and gender studies.
Wolff, who has her eyes set on graduate school, is also starting to think differently about her professional goals.
"Before, I didn't think about Spanish as something I could use in a career. But now, I see that regardless of the field, Spanish will be beneficial," she said. "Even as an English major, Spanish has helped me improve my understanding of English grammar. Learning one language expands your capacities in other languages."
According to Heidi Bretz, assistant director of study abroad and exchanges for UNCG's International Programs Center (IPC), it's this kind of global experience that is making a tangible difference for Spartans when they graduate and begin their careers.
"It may sound cliché, but there are hardly any jobs or industries today that do not interact with other cultures or nations on some level," she said. "Studying abroad gives students a competitive edge in an increasingly global workforce."
IPC offers students a variety of faculty-led programs, as well as exchange opportunities through its partner institutions. Whether it's a 5-week or 5-month program, students of all majors have the opportunity to study abroad.
"Our university is committed to getting students abroad, and it shows," Bretz said. "Students can study abroad for a semester or year for the same tuition they are already paying. Plus, students on semester programs, as well as shorter-term opportunities like Summer in Spain, can use their financial aid if they're eligible. I can't tell you how many students say they chose to come to UNCG specifically for the study abroad opportunities."
Mar 21, 2018
How we enjoyed Spanish spectacle
ON Sunday, March 4, our Parish of Our Lady Help Of Christians Heathcote was graced with the presence of about 50 people, including the Spanish Ambassador, celebrating the annual El Rocio festival.
El Rocio is a part of Spain that resembles the Heathcote area in appearance and, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, Jesus has worked miracles of healing there, which is why the Spanish people have come to Heathcote in the last six years.
They brought with them a beautiful float carrying the image of Our Lady of El Rocio, and after Mass they were led by a flag-carrying horseman as they walked a small Camino on the outskirts of the town.
Mass was accompanied by Spanish hymns and a beautifully sung Our Father.
After Mass there was a traditional and graceful Spanish dance performed by the ladies and a gentleman.
The parishioners remarked how much they enjoyed the presence of the Spanish people who had come up from Melbourne and who not only shared in the Mass, but also delighted us with an insight into Spanish culture.
We look forward to their visit to us next year when we also hope to involve the children of Holy Rosary School. We wish our Spanish brothers and sisters every blessing as they share with us their faith and their culture.
They brought with them a beautiful float carrying the image of Our Lady of El Rocio, and after Mass they were led by a flag-carrying horseman as they walked a small Camino on the outskirts of the town.
Mass was accompanied by Spanish hymns and a beautifully sung Our Father.
After Mass there was a traditional and graceful Spanish dance performed by the ladies and a gentleman.
The parishioners remarked how much they enjoyed the presence of the Spanish people who had come up from Melbourne and who not only shared in the Mass, but also delighted us with an insight into Spanish culture.
We look forward to their visit to us next year when we also hope to involve the children of Holy Rosary School. We wish our Spanish brothers and sisters every blessing as they share with us their faith and their culture.
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