Latin American Food and Desserts

January 1, 2012
Latin American Food and Desserts
© Gary Soup

The tres leches cake is one of the most classic of the Latin American food and dessert recipes. This rich vanilla cake soaked in three milks and iced with meringue or whipped cream has become famous world wide for its distinctive flavor, and its popularity has spawned a huge number of variations on the traditional recipe.

Some of these variations add yummy ingredients like dulce de leche and coconut to the mix. There are also some simplified versions that are designed to be quick and easy to whip up at a moment's notice. When you don't ave time for to make a cake from scratch, a tres leches cake recipe based on a cake mix can be a delicious alternative. Another fantastic version of this cake adds chocolate to the classic and starts with an easy devil's food mix.

The Rich Latin Heritage of San Antonio

December 31, 2011
The Rich Latin Heritage of San Antonio
© StuSeeger

The Latino culture is a celebrated and welcomed part of the San Antonio area. According to the most recent Census statistics, collected in 2010, a whopping 63.2 percent of San Antonio's residents is recorded as being Latino; Hispanic or of Spanish Origin. This means that more than half the population of Texas's third-largest city and the United States' 25th-largest city is Latino.

Not only is San Antonio a great place to live, work and raise a family, but it is also a wonderful vacation destination. San Antonio has been consistently named one of the most visited cities in America, not only for the Alamo, but also for its many Latino heritage festivals.

The Mexican Independence Day is celebrated in September. The Diez y Seis draws large crowds from all over the state, the nation and the world to view colorful parades, taste delicious Mexican foods and bask in the culture that commemorates everything Latino. Other popular San Antonio festivals include the Fiesta Primavera in March, which is an addition to the Luminaria Festival of all things arts – music, light shows, poetry, performing art, dance and visual arts. April brings the cities namesake festival, Fiesta San Antonio and November ushers in the El Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, a Mexican tradition which has families welcoming back beloved diseased relatives for a celebration of their joyous life.

Yet another reason people are heading to San Antonio is the fairly new Smithsonian-backed Museo Alameda located on the Market Square. This bright colored building, painted pale pink and light green, is over 20,000 square feet of galleries and exhibit spaces. This is only one of many building supporting light or bright colors of pink, red and greens to show the colors and pride of the culture that is Latino.

The Museo Alameda opened in 2007 when the debate over immigration was a hot-button topic in this country. The museum is a celebration and education center for the Latino culture of the United States to embrace, recognize and call their own. It is a place where everyone can go and discover what it is like to be Latino, growing up on the American side of the boarder, as well as the Mexican side. Since its opening, the Museo Alameda has welcomed visitors from all over the world. Besides colorful festivals as tourist attractions and vacation destinations; people are moving to San Antonio to live, work and raise families. Because the area is over 50 percent Latino, more Latino families are attracted to the community as a possible place for their new residence. San Antonio apartments offer unique complexes and safe neighborhoods that are perfect for families and are located near everything young families need such as: schools, parks and playgrounds, grocery stores, churches, employment and much more.
The employment outlook in San Antonio is fairly competitive when compared to the other large metropolitan cities in the state of Texas, and the top 25 largest cities in the United States. The San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau give many reasons why businesses should move to the area to set up shop. A new business could cater to the large Latino population by selling cultural items needed for cooking, baking or religious ceremonies or everyday items that appeal to all residents.

Restaurants are a popular business in San Antonio with new ones, in every flavor imaginable, starting along the River Walk and all over the city each week. In addition to the tourists and residents, thousands and thousands of business people converge on the city each month to hold meetings. The reason for San Antonio having such a great reputation as a convention center is the exceptional service, the town as a walk-able area and the availability of more hotel guest rooms then most major cities of the same size.

If you are thinking about moving to San Antonio to set up shop, raise a family or check out the employment outlook, be sure to check into apartment rentals as a possible place to hang your hat. San Antonio apartment living is great for as a starter home, for young couples, young families, older couples or anyone who enjoys a helping hand when they need it.

This guest post article was provided by freelance writer and part time apartment rentals broker, Martha Keagan.

Salsa Music Legend’s Son Arrested

December 17, 2011
Salsa Music Legend's Son Arrested
© arthit

The son of the legendary salsa music star Willie Colon has been arrested on child pornography charges, according to New York state prosecutors. The 21 year old Patrick Colon was busted at his New Rochelle home after investigators discovered child pornography images on his computer. Detectives were led to investigate Colon after finding that he had child porn available for download from his computer.

Patrick Colon, who works as an information specialist for the New York City tourism board, was charged with two felony counts and faces up to seven years in prison. He was released on $2,500 bail, and his father could not be reached for comment on the matter. Willie Colon is a salsa trombonist, singer and producer who has worked with salsa greats including Hector Lavoe and Celia Cruz.