Latino Culture Lives At Sofrito For Your Soul

Save The Taco Trucks!!!

This one is for the West Coast...it seems like the local bobos politicians in Los Angeles California have nothing better to do than to launch an initiative to rid the city of TACO TRUCKS...not crack houses, not vagrants, not gangs...god forbid they tackle the homeless crisis in Los Angeles. Nope they really want to get rid of local, hardworking, tax payers that actually add to the cultural ambiance of the city.

Well the community is not standing down...they have started a website called SAVE OUR TACO TRUCKS!

You can actually sign a petition to save the Taco Trucks of Los Angeles

Here is what some additional info about the initiative.

"Led by District 1 County Supervisor Gloria Molina, the L.A. Board of Supervisors has passed new restrictions that will effectively eliminate taco trucks from our streets. Under Supervisor Molina’s new rules, taco trucks will have to change location every hour, or face a misdemeanor charge carrying a $1000 fine and/or jail. Yes, jail.

Taco Trucks are a special facet of Los Angeles, and something we don’t want to lose. Though this ordinance currently affects just unincorporated parts of L.A., that’s 65% of the County. And of course it opens up the doors for legislation closer to home too.

Let’s send Gloria Molina and the L.A. Board of Supervisors a message that we cherish our local vendors and don’t want to see them move away. This new law needs to be repealed!"

Well...I wish I had known this before the California Primaries, I would have loved to see where Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton stood on an issue such as this.

I just hope the NY polititians do not decide to out law the Piragueros

As I am,
George Torres
The Urban Jibaro
(and yes I love Taco Trucks!!!)

CARNE ASADA IS NOT A CRIME!!!!!!

Memorial Day: A Latino Perspective

Here is a great article I found on Hispanic Tips...

(original post is via / La Prensa in San Diego)

Memorial Day is almost upon us and on Monday, May 26, our nation will celebrate and pay tribute in honor of our fallen men and women warriors. This day of honor has been around since the American Civil War and over the years has gained importance and significance to generations of families whose sons and daughters made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. While questions remain over the wisdom of engaging in particular wars, there is no question over the patriotism, participation and ultimate commitment exhibited by the U.S. Latino and Latina warrior community.

This has been most evident when we see that over 500,000 Latinos fought and were involved in World War II and thousands more in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The Latino combined death toll in these three wars alone was in the thousands and represented warriors from all communities including Puerto Rico. More recent, the final number of Latinos and Latinas sacrificing their lives due to our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq is unknown at this time, but given the instability of these countries and others in the world, many will continue to perish. “*

Read the rest of this article

Daily Dose of Sofrito: Peru Negro

Photo credit: Mamarazzi

After a full day of BBQ'ing, I hung out with my super producer "The Guy" and my good friend Rafael Preza to see the Bomba y Plena Spring Extravaganza at the Symphony Space in NYC. We were there as Media Sponsors and I have to say..."que clase de show!!!".

The event featured Segunda Quimbamba, Los Pleneros De La 21, Tato Torres and YerbaBuena (big shout to Tato and Flaco) and Danza Fiesta. My favorite parts of the show were Flaco rocking Campo with the hip hop verses...as well as Danza Fiesta's colorful depiction of a day en una plaza Puertoriquena (had me craving Piraguas and all that).

We had a great time...soooo while we are waiting for some of the pictures and videos, I thought I would share a video from Peru that shows some of their African influenced music and dance...para que se las gozen!!!!

A warm saludos to Bobby Gonzalez (The Bronx Taino), Maria Aponte ( so happy to finally meet you), Mamarazzi, Mr & Mrs Boricuation and my man G-Positive who not only attended but ended up in La Nueva Victoria eating Chino Latino food afterwards.

A special saludos for Helene Vazquez from Velaz Media for putting together such a great event.

So here it is... Peru Negro

PS...this is dedicated to THE GUY who is Peruano...

Buen Provecho!

Daily Dose of Sofrito: Benicio Del Toro takes Best Actor at Cannes for his Role as Che!

Mi Gente...

I recently discovered TWITTER and started "following" some real progressive Latino websites like Crafty Chica and Vivir Latino. As a result of me "twittering" on my blackberry, I was able to get the scoop via VIVIR LATINO about Benicio Del Toro winning Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in the CHE GUEVARA movie.

Congrats to Benicio for such a high honor...and we thank him for representing us as Boricuas and Latinos.

I will keep you posted on the USA release dates for the Che Movie!

You can find me on TWITTER as the "UrbanJibaro"

Buen Provecho...

As I am,
George Torres
The Urban Jibaro

Here is the video...

Check out the original article on Vivir Latino here!