Adelante - April 2008 Issue

The Mother & Daughter Super Team of Pat & Patricia are CLEANING FOR A REASON

Fighting cancer is difficult enough, but living with it is even tougher - and that's where Cleaning For A Reason Foundation steps in. This newly formed non-profit offers free professional housecleaning services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer.

The SuperWoman maid service has joined this cause and is now volunteering for these three reasons...1) It's what we do. We help women simplify their life everyday. So being part of the Cleaning For A Reason Foundation is a natural fit for our busy maid service. As a local business we are grateful to have many loyal customers. We are committed to provide the gift of a clean home to women undergoing treatment for cancer through the Foundation. 2)So you can focus on your health...while we focus on your home. We have a heart and soul for cleaning and want to share this with women of our community during this difficult season of life. 3)Responsibility We believe responsible businesses look for ways to reach out to their communities. We are committed to being a leader in our industry by doing our part. The Cleaning For A Reason Foundation makes it possible for us to do our part in the way we know best - - - cleaning homes everyday, and making a difference.

If you or someone you know could be a possible candidate for this service, please contact Patricia at (956) 200-9926 amd get further information on the Cleaning For A Reason program.

Kohl's Announces Opening of Harlingen Store

Kohl's Department Stores will officially open its Harlingen store on April 9. the new Kohl's location will create approximately 130 jobs in Harlingen. The Harlingen store is one of four to open this spring in Texas, bringing the state total to 78. The store is located at 2715 W. Exp. 83 Frontage. "We are excited to open the doors to the Harlingen location. Like all Kohl's stores, we will offer exclusive and national brands at a value customers can appreciate", said Norma Lopez, district manager for the new Kohl's location. Source: Rio Grande Valley Business Journal

SNIPPET: The Work/Life Balance

According to national small business expert Louis Barajas, you need the right mentality to develop abusiness so that it doesn't dominate your life. He says:"When you make your business a part of your life and not vice versa, you are making your life the priority and your business simply revolves around it. That gives you the time and energy for good relationships, health, growth, education, giving back, and your business. What's more, you'll be able to approach your company with new spirit, relaxed, with greater resources and consequently with better motivation and focus." - Source: Hispanic Enterprise Feb/Mar Issue

RIBBON CUTTINGS / GRAND OPENINGS

Region One Education Service Center - Region One held a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 26, 2008 celebrating the opening of their Education Service Center at TSTC. The ribbon cutting was conducted by the Harlingen Hispanic Chambr and the Harlingen Area Chamber along with HCISD School Board Member, Javier De Leon; Region One Executive Director, Jack Damron; TSTC President, Dr. Gilbert Leal; and students currently enrolled in the GED program. The center offers an Adult Education Program, which targets persons who need to earn their GED. Students who complete the program and receive their GED will be able to enroll in college level courses. As of February 25th, over 90 students have enrolled in the Adult Education Program. The center is located on the TSTC campus at the corner of Oak Street and Camelia Street. If you would like more informaton regarding this program, please call (956) 364-4590.

The SuperWoman Maid Service - A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the SuperWoman Maid Service on February 28, 2008 at the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber office. Guests enjoyed great networking and refreshments. "Saving the WORLD one CLEAN house at a time!" are mother and daughter Super Team Pat and Patricia Mendez. Pat Mendez has been working as an independent contractor for 30 years. Just until last year, Patricia Mendez began helping her mom and are now running a business together. Their work consists of going to a clients home or office, providing maid services according to their clients specifications. They offer basic services which can include sweeping, mopping, dusting, polishing furniture, etc. Clients can customize their service by adding laundry, ironing, interior stove/refrigerator and blinds for an additional fee. If you would like more information or a FREE estimate, call (956) 200-9926.

Friendly Insurance Agency - A ribbon cutting celebration was held for Friendly Insurance Agency on March 20. Friendly Insurance recently moved into their brand new office located at 1816 E. Harrison, Ste. A. The ribbon cutting was conducted by the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber, Harlingen Area Chamber and the San Benito Chamber. Guest enjoyed great food, wine, margaritas, and networking. For more information about Friendly Insurance Agency, please call (956) 428-2133 or stop by and see their beautiful office.

Let us help you get maximum exposure for your company.....Chamber envents are an important part of your overall marketing and advertising strategy. They are a great way to showcase your business, services, products and gives you the opportunity to meet and network with key leaders in the community, area businesses and chamber members. The Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce offers its assistance in ribbon cutting, Business After 5 Mixers and ground breaking ceremonies.

We will help you celebrate your business with a ribbon cutting or business after 5 mixer if your company has: opened its doors in the last 12 months and needs to be recognized with a grande opening, changed ownership or is under new management, moved to a new location, have been remodeled or expanded at its present location, celebrated an anniversary or if your business is offering new services and products. We offer several packages that include customized postcard invitations, the BIGscissors and ribbon or gold shovels. We will also take photos of your event and they will be submitted to our Adelante newsletter and chamber website. Whether it is a ribbon cutting, business after 5 mixer, or ground breaking, the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber is here to help you plan a successful event for your business. To schedule your event, please call our office at (956) 421-2400 or send an email to clortega@harlingenchamber.com. The HHCC requires at least two to three weeks in advance to allow time to invite chamber members, HHCC board of directors, Harlingen dignitaries to the celebration. We'll help you make arrangements, you prepare to make great contacts.

RESTAURANTS: M-M-M-M-Mexico

U.S. foodies are again rallying to Eduardo and Sylvia Rallo's concept restaurants, this time with flavors from the couple's native Cuernavaca, the rest of Mexico and beyond.

It has been a whirlwind for both since they left Cuernavaca, met at Harvard, married, and traveled far and wide discovering the world's dishes and eateries. They then founded the gourmetWorldWrapps Restaurants that expanded into a 26-store chain and won the Nation's Restaurant Hot Concepts Winner Award in 1994. Their new multi-concept enterprise under their Resmex Group umbrella has seven restaurants in California, all different takes with different names. Consuelo is a Mexican bistro, El Jardin is a restaurant and tequila bar, Sazon the epitome of tacos. Thea is something of a departure and reflects the Rallo's world travels, featuring Mediterranean dishes from Greece and Turkey. All four cater to the sophisticated palates of Silicon Valley's San Jose.

In San Francisco, Colibri bistro indulges the Rallos' taste for the central Mexican region they hail from, blending Aztec and Mayan foods like chilies and corn with Spanish and French touches.

DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reminds the traveling public that effective January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older should no longer expect that they will be able to prove identity and citizenship by relying on an oral declaration alone.  Instead, travelers will be asked to present documents from one of the options below when entering the United States at land or sea ports of entry.  Travelers who do not present one of the documents listed below may be delayed as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers attempt to verify their identity and citizenship.

U.S. AND CANADIAN CITIZENS

SINGLE DOCUMENT OPTION

One of the following documents should be presented to prove both identity and citizenship, as of January 31, 2008.

• U.S. or Canadian Passport
• U.S. Passport Card (Available Spring 2008)*
• Trusted Travelers Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)*
• State of Provincial Issued Enhanced Driver's License (when available-this secure driver's license will denote identity and citizenship)*
• Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)*
• U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
• U.S. Merchan Mariner Document
• Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
• Form I-872 American Indian Card
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Card

 (*Frequent Land Border Crossers - To expedite processing into the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends using one of the above asterisked documents)

TWO DOCUMENT OPTION

All U.S. and Canadian citizens who do not have one of the documents from the list above must present both an identification and citizenship document from each of the lists below.

IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS

• Driver's license or identification card issued by federal, state, provincial, county, territory, or municipal authority
• U.S. or Canadian document identification card

(All identification documents must have a photo, name, and date of birth.)

CITIZEN DOCUMENTS

• U.S. or Canadian birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county, territory, or municipal authority
• U.S. Consular report of birth abroad
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
• U.S. Identification Card
• Canadian Cizitenship Card
• Canadian certificate of citizenship without photo

PROCEDURES FOR CHILDREN

Also effective January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizen children ages 18 or under will be expected to present a birth certificate issued by federal, state, provincial, county, or municipal authority.

TRAVELERS OTHER THAN U.S. OR CANADIAN CITIZENS - E.G. MEXICAN CITIZENS

All existing non-immigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect and will not be altered by the changes that are implemented on January 31, 2008.  U.S. lawful permanent residents will be required to present a Permanent Resident Card (I-551) or other valid evidence of lawful permanent residence.  Mexican citizens, including children, must present a valid passport and a B-1/B-2 non-immigrant visa or a Border Crossing Card.

HISPANIC COMMERCE - Big Chance For Mexicans in U.S. to Buy House Back Home

Mexicans aren't just sending remittances home these days.  They're also buying houses in their homeland, thanks to Cemex offshoot Construmex, which for six years has offered financing for Mexican immigrants in the U.S. to buy construction materials or finished houses back home.  Now the company has decided to step up its offer.  Construmex recently got together with 35 construction companies - both large scale firms with operations around the country and smaller outfits - to build houses in Mexico for expats living in the United States, according to Efe article in La Raza.  All the builders are committed Cemex clients "to be able to assure the quality of the homes," Construmex U.S.-based General Manager Andres Montalvo told Efe.

Principally targeted by the Construmex offer are the estimated 8 million Mexicans residing in California, Illinois, and Texas - although this year the company is also reaching out to other U.S. areas through a toll-free line and other means.  Montalvo makes two points about the credit crunch currently wreaking havoc in the U.S.  First, that "it has not made us necessarily more vigilant in granting financing," and secondly, "Mexican clients see a great possibility, or a better deal, investing in Mexico rather than here."  He estimated that more than 80,000 Mexican families have already taken advantage of the financing for buying building materials or finished houses in the land of their birth.

Any news stories or articles you would like to publish in our Adelante Newsletter; please submit by the 15th of the month.  You can send news articles to the Hispanic Chamber by fax to (956)364-1879 or via e-mail to hhcoc@harlingenchamber.com.