La revista / the magazine: Latin Connection
I started the magazine as Hispanic outreach newsletter about 3 years ago and it has evolved into what it is today. I started thinking that the number one responsibility a grand parent has is to pass on the culture to their grandchildren. I decided to share this with everyone. Today most people don't have much time for family and I hope that this will help them. I think that you will find many of the items in the magazine to be very familiar. I go around doing interviews and speaking with people and I end up saying “Wow! My family does the same thing!” We all have similar upbringings. I really want people to share their stories & photos with us, PLEASE submit non-copyrighted photos or submit photos with a copy-right release of Quinces, birth announcements, special events, cultural events, engagement announcement, etc....We will only have limited space in the beginning but as the magazine grows we'll be able to add more photos. We are looking for those special photos for example: Quinces with theme's such as a Red & white theme, Halloween theme, etc...The magazine will contain items such as Cultural history, cultural events, Migas, Conoce tu vecino, Health & fitness, and of course Entertainment. The entertainment will consist mostly of the Tejano music industry & Latin Fusion TV. We will be adding other Hispanic cultures in the future.
Our slogan “Conexion Latina y mas”
The above phrase is true. The magazine does help connect families, communities, fans with celebrities, etc... The Latin Connection has connected me to my roots & new friends, Brandy Lopez of Latin Fusion TV, Sandra y Rebecca Valadez, David & Ida Marez, Rick Balderrama, Javier Galvan of FAMA, Hilda & Megan Leyva, Annette Schaefer of Rome Talent Agency and most important it has connected me back to my birth state. I have not seen some of my family in Texas for over 20 years. I flew my mother in from Chicago to drive down to San Antonio with me since this is a special trip so I wanted her to be a part of it. Once we got into Houston we started to look for a Tejano radio station. I was surprised to not find one. We did find one as we got closer to San Antonio. I stopped the radio scan on the first Tejano station that we heard “KXTN”. We arrived at our hotel, showered & changed. We were picked up by Sandra Valadez & two-time Latin grammy winner Rebecca Valadez. Oh can't forget Marshall, Sandy's other half. We met Brandy Lopez of Latin Fusion TV at Las Margaritas, located in Market square. After dinner we went to the Mariachi Bar. Being at these two places made me think, people really don't know what they have until they don't have it anymore. The next morning we ate breakfast at “Estela's” on Martin Street. Man what a buffet! You had many items to choose from: Chorizo, frijoles, papas, hand-made flour tortillas, menudo y mas. I know it sounds like no big deal but one has to realize that when you're gone from this kind of stuff for over 20 years it seems all new again. That goes for Tejano music as well. For us out of the area Tejano was never dead we just did the best we could with what we had. We didn't have access to Tejano Music so all we had were memories of what our parents played at all of the family functions. Today I can hear it on internet radio. Man, it was all new to me. I couldn't tell you who was playing but I was learning again. Now I have introduced it to my children & grand daughter who starts to dance anytime she hears Megan Leyva. She is only 17 months old! Megan Leyva also put the video we sent to them of Kairi dancing on her web site. It's all in the magazine.
In this first issue we will show case some Tejano Bands & artists from outside the box as I call it. Outside the box means from other states other than Texas. These bands also realize that they need to come back to where it all started in order to get more recognition. It's also Hispanic Heritage Month so we'll have some of these events as well. I hope to prove with this magazine that Tejono isn't dead, it's only the beginning.
