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After 80 years, historic Puebla city mini-neighborhood still an artists’ haven

A haunt of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, the Barrio del Artista remains a vibrant art community

 

by Joseph Sorrentino

Puebla city is probably not the first place you think of when listing off the world’s venerable old artists’ quarters, but the Puebla state capital’s Barrio del Artista (artist’s neighborhood) has been going strong for over 80 years, a small but cohesive community of creatives ever since it was founded by a pair of brothers.

Artists José and Ángel Márquez Figueroa raised the idea of creating an artists’ neighborhood in the city back in 1940 while holding outdoor classes in an area known as El Parián. José asked his students if they’d like to have an area in the city dedicated to artists and, of course, they all did.

After several months of effort, they secured a meeting with then-governor Gonzalo Bautista Castillo, who agreed that it was a good idea. Mayor Juan Manuel Treviño gave them a location at Calle 8 Norte, Esquina 4 Oriente, and the artists soon formed the Union of Plastic Arts of Puebla, an artists’ collective. The union held its first exhibit on May 5, 1941.

Eighty years later, the Barrio, the gallery and the union — now named the Union of Plastic Artists of Puebla of the Artist’s Neighborhood — are all still in existence, despite the fact that most of the union’s members are painters. “Two are sculptors and three are musicians,” Laura Díaz Heredia, the union’s secretary, said.

Díaz herself is a painter who specializes in portraits — “I like the expressions in portraits,” she said — but she also works as a sculptor, restores a variety of artwork and, like most of the artists there, gives classes.

She’s apparently an excellent and influential teacher. María Fernanda Castañeda Coiro, a preschool educator who, after studying with Díaz for four months, said she’d consider a career change. “If I have the opportunity, I would like to work as an artist,” Castañeda said.

The Barrio occupies a plaza that’s a block long. “There are 43 workshops,” Díaz explained. “Everyone in the Barrio is a member [of the union], and we are 38 members.”

One of the studios in the Barrio is used for a café, two are used to give courses and two are called the Rincón Histórico (historic corner), where photographs of the Barrio’s early years are on exhibit. The first one is a photograph of the extraordinary group of artists who exhibited in 1962.

In May of that year, a gallery named for José Luis Rodríguez Alconedo, a painter and revolutionary who was executed in 1815 for his antigovernment actions, opened on the second floor of one of the buildings in the neighborhood. Its exhibit featured some of Mexico’s most famous artists, including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Rufino Tamayo.

So it’s perhaps not surprising that becoming a member of the Barrio is no easy feat.

“There is an exam to get in,” Díaz said. “An artist must show the type of work, the way one works. It is a process that takes several years. It is a little difficult to join, yes. It is not impossible but it is hard.”

There are many benefits to having a studio here and being part of the union, she said. “[It] is to know other artists, to share knowledge, to talk about problems and to talk about art,” she said.

A couple of doors down from Díaz’s studio, Julian Villalobos Pérez was putting the finishing touches on a painting. Most of his work depicts Mexican pueblos.

“My technique is applying oil paint with a spatula,” he said. But he doesn’t always paint on a canvas. “I paint on papel amate,” he said, “a pre-Hispanic paper from San Pablito,” a pueblo in the Puebla municipality of Pahuatla.

Black history as American history

by Ken Blackwell

CP Op-Ed Contributor

 

Today, Americans of all stripes are constantly bombarded with an insidious propaganda campaign against our shared history. From critical race theory to ripping down historical statues, our national story is being rewritten as irredeemably sinful. These efforts have taken a particularly racialized characteristic by implying that Black history is somehow distinct from, or in opposition to, “American history” itself, rather than an integral part of it.

Looking back to our past, we realize that this narrative of scorn isn’t how the great heroes of American history saw their homeland. The American patriots we still honor today — including African Americans — did not see Black history as something apart from American history. In fact, they saw the principles of the American Founding, enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, as the key to their story of perseverance.

Fredrick Douglass, in his 1852 address “What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?” called the principles of the Declaration of Independence “saving principles,” the Constitution a “glorious liberty document,” and Independence Day “the very ringbolt in the chain of your yet undeveloped destiny.” He knew that liberty and equality were the keys to the American Founding, and he knew that any nation founded on such revolutionary propositions could not remain a slaveholding nation forever.

Rather than berate America’s founders, Douglass went on to call them “brave men,” “statesmen, patriots, and heroes.” He urged his audience to “honor their memory” because “they seized upon eternal principles.” According to Douglass, through these very principles — fundamentally American principles — “liberty and humanity” rather than “slavery and oppression” would be final.

Just over 100 years later, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. King’s vision, he emphasized, “is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.” Like Douglass, King mentioned with favor the “magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence,” calling them “a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.”

To King, slavery, segregation, Jim Crow laws, and all other forms of racial inequality were ultimately a betrayal of American principles. King’s dream, he said to more than 200,000 people from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, was that “one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Both Douglass and King saw the course of American history as the ironing out of America’s founding principles, even with all of the ugly bumps and bruises that came along the way. Equality, in their minds, was a promise baked into America’s very DNA. It was a promise that took far too long to fulfill, but a promise that America pursued nonetheless.

This embrace of Americanism can be seen throughout the entirety of American history. It is in the blood of Crispus Attucks falling as a martyr to spark the American Revolution. It is in the steely resolve of the Massachusetts 54th regiment charging Fort Wagner to change the course of the Civil War. It is in the ingenuity of Elijah McCoy revolutionizing the locomotive industry with his automatic lubrication system. It is Jesse Owens humiliating Naziism on the world stage. It is at the tails of the Tuskegee airmen patrolling the skies of North Africa and the Mediterranean.

These examples, and countless others like them, testify to the truth that Black history is an integral part of American history — not set apart as something in contradiction to the story of American life, but a vital part of our national identity.

We remember the past to lead us through the present, and we seek inspiration by looking back to the example these great figures left for us to follow. They realized that, as Americans, they were more similar than different. But we can only be genuinely united when we rediscover our shared American identity, rooted in our Founding principle: “all men are created equal.”

Today, just like at the time of Douglass and King, these principles are our “ring bolt.” They are our “promissory note.” These truths inspired the words and deeds of heroes of the past, and these same principles guide us through the future.

This Black History Month, let’s remember that Black history is American history and come together to reunite under our American principles — just like our forefathers did before us.

Kenneth Blackwell is Chairman of the Center For Election Integrity at the America First Policy Institute. He formerly served as Ohio Treasurer and Secretary of State.

Eat more greens: Not eating enough fruits and veggies linked to higher body fat, anxiety

by Joanne Washburn

Food.com

 

02/01/2022 – Fruits and vegetables are integral components of a healthy diet. If you don’t eat these foods, you might become deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. You might also develop digestive issues, such as bloating and constipation. Additionally, you’ll be more likely to develop certain health problems, such as anxiety.

All of that is according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. In it, researchers looked at data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). The CLSA included nearly 27,000 men and women between the ages of 45 and 85.

The researchers found that for people who consumed fewer than three sources of fruits and vegetables per day, there was a 24 percent higher chance of being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

Meanwhile, in people with total body fat levels beyond 36 percent, the odds of being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder were increased by over 70 percent.

Interestingly, the prevalence of anxiety disorders was affected heavily by various factors, such as gender, marital status and pre-existing health conditions.

For example, one in nine women had an anxiety disorder compared to one in 15 men. The prevalence of anxiety disorders was also higher among participants who had always been single than those living with their partners.

Meanwhile, the prevalence of anxiety disorders among people with at least three pre-existing health issues was fivefold higher than among people with no chronic conditions. Likewise, people with chronic pain also had double the prevalence of anxiety disorders than people without chronic pain.

Experts estimate that 10 percent of the global population will suffer from an anxiety disorder, which is a leading cause of disability. According to the researchers, their findings suggest that addressing health behaviors and diet may help lessen the burden of anxiety disorders among middle-aged and older adults.

Eating more fruits and veggies linked to less stress

In another recent study, researchers found that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is linked to less stress. In particular, they found that people who ate at least 470 grams (g) of fruits and vegetables (about two cups) daily had 10 percent lower stress levels than those who ate fewer than 230 g of fruits and vegetables daily.

In other words, people who eat more fruits and vegetables tend to be less stressed than those who don’t. Overall, these findings suggest that diet plays a key role in mental well-being.

Stress is a trigger for anxiety, which is why it’s important to learn how to manage it. As the study shows, higher intake of fruits and vegetables leads to less stress. Getting good-quality sleep, exercising regularly and listening to music are also great ways of dealing with stress.

How to eat more fruits and veggies

Eating enough fruits and vegetables daily as part of a healthy, well-balanced diet is key to avoiding anxiety and other health problems associated with low fruit and vegetable intake.

If you’d like to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, try the following strategies:

– Add fruits and vegetables to your breakfast – Start your day by eating fruits and vegetables. Add a banana to your cereal, berries to your yogurt or vegetables to your omelet or scrambled eggs.

– Make fruits and vegetables visible – Place a fruit bowl in the kitchen to encourage healthy snacking. You can also prepare raw vegetable sticks for snacking.

– Fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables – At mealtime, think of fruits and vegetables first, not protein. Experts recommend filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables first then filling the remaining half with grains and protein.

– “Drink” your fruits and vegetables – Blend your fruits and vegetables into smoothies or juices. This strategy is particularly useful if you have a hard time eating lots of fruits and vegetables.

– Swap sweets and junk food for fresh fruits – Snack on fresh fruits instead of processed junk foods.

Eating fruits and vegetables daily as part of a healthy diet is a surefire way of maintaining optimal health. Start by filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables or replacing junk foods with fruits and vegetables.

Who is moving to Mexico from the US? The answer might surprise you

An increasing number of Americans moving to Mexico are younger

 

by Debbie Slobe

 

When you think about who is moving to Mexico from the United States, you probably think of retirees seeking a warmer and more affordable place to live out their golden years.

While there is certainly a large population of senior snowbirds from the U.S. that live full- or part-time in Mexico, the truth is that most U.S. citizens moving to and living in Mexico today are younger people — mostly the children and spouses of Mexican citizens who have returned to their family’s home country.

According to Andrew Selee, President of the Migration Policy Institute, of the approximately 1.5 to 1.8 million U.S. citizens living in Mexico today, at least 550,000 are children of Mexicans who have returned, according to Mexican census numbers.

But there is also a growing number of young families from the U.S. with fewer direct ties to Mexico that are making the move or are already settled in the country. There is no official count of the number of American families living in Mexico today, but if their obvious presence in communities across the country is any indication, it is surely in the thousands, if not tens of thousands.

San Miguel de Allende-based relocation consultant Katie O’Grady has helped hundreds of individuals, couples and families plan, research and make the move to Mexico. She says there are myriad reasons American families move here, but it all boils down to improving their quality of life.

“The main driving force for families is their overall desire to have a life well-lived, quality family time and true connections with people — to be able to walk around their community and stop and literally smell the flowers, have conversations with people and make that personal connection,” she said.

Selee, who interviewed dozens of Americans living in Mexico for his book Vanishing Frontiers: The Forces Driving Mexico and the United States Together and has connections with U.S. immigrants all over the country, found similar reasoning in his research.

“Americans tend to move because they like the pace in Mexico — it’s a less frenetic society. They also like the sense of community. Family is tight. Neighbors are tight. There is a code about relationships between people here that Americans find attractive and refreshing and different from where they came from,” said Selee.

As an American citizen who moved from San Diego to Mexico in 2012 with her husband, Frank, and young twins, O’Grady has experienced firsthand the transformation that can occur when families leave the rat race and create more expansive, balanced and connected lives in Mexico.

Back in San Diego, Frank was a firefighter whose work required him to be away from home and in life- and health-threatening situations for days at a time. Katie was an accomplished K-12 Spanish teacher who retired early a few years after their twins were born to homeschool them.

Reflecting back, with all that she and Frank were balancing in their lives in the fast-paced environment of Southern California, O’Grady said, “We were like two ships passing in the night.”

The O’Gradys spent most of their precious time off together back then in Baja California, where they lived simply from their RV, played on the beach and finally had a chance to unwind.

“From an early age, my kids had a sprinkling of what life in Mexico looks like. For them, it always represented [that] mom and dad aren’t stressed,” O’Grady said. “Mexico always had this very positive connotation to it. It always represented relaxation, concentrated family time and adventure.”

In 2012, when their twins were eight years old, they made the move, first landing in San Pancho, Nayarit.

“We dove in. And we haven’t looked back with any regrets. Of course, we’ve had hard times, bumps in the road and inconveniences that weren’t expected. But that’s going to happen anywhere. I’d much rather be doing life on this side of the border any day,” said O’Grady.

She started blogging about their family’s experience immigrating to and living in Mexico, which grew in popularity and attracted the attention of others looking to make the move. In 2014, she launched her relocation consulting business, focusing on the Puerto Vallarta coastal corridor and San Miguel de Allende, where she lives now.

Selee also sees the pandemic as a catalyst for greater immigration into Mexico.

“In the COVID world, we learned that so many jobs can be done outside of offices. That is only going to encourage more people to look at where they want to live for quality of life. I think we have seen accelerated immigration to Mexico because of the pandemic,” he said.

But even before the pandemic, populations of American immigrants throughout Mexico were growing. Not just among retirees, two-parent families, couples and individuals but also among single parents such as Kimberly Miles.

It was her longtime wish to live abroad in a Spanish-speaking country that originally drew Miles and her four-year-old son from Alexandria, Virginia, to Puerto Vallarta — that, and her desire to create a different life, one that would allow her more time with her son, immerse them both in a new culture and give her a chance to start her own marketing consulting business.

Miles left her corporate job of 15 years and moved to Mexico in 2018. She is now her own boss, catering mostly to single moms like herself looking to launch their own businesses. She is also the creator and administrator of the Facebook Group Single Moms in Mexico.

“Mexico is not for everybody, but it is for a lot of people,” said O’Grady. She advises families considering the move to not live in fear and figure out a way to re-create and reinvent their lives.

“If there is a little whisper knocking on the door of your heart saying, ‘See what else is out there,’ do it,” she said. “None of us are trees. We can get up and move. We don’t have to stay stuck anywhere – and that includes in Mexico.

“Try it all out; this is a big, diverse, magnificent, beautiful country — so get out and see it.”

– Did you recently move your family here to Mexico? We’re interested to hear about your experience in the comments.  

Debbie Slobe is a writer and communications strategist based in Chacala, Nayarit. She blogs at Mexpatmama.com and is a senior program director at Resource Media. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.

Mexican journalists shocked with surge in targeted killings

by the El Reportero‘s wire services

 

Lourdes Maldonado López had been driving her car with a clear plastic sheet over the rear windscreen for almost a year. The glass had been shattered by a gunman’s bullet in March

 

“We knew finances were tight, but I had no idea things were that bad,” says Sonia de Anda, bursting into tears at the memory of her friend’s patched-up red Dodge vehicle. “If she had come to us, we might have been able to help.”

On that occasion, the bullet was only a warning, fired through the gate of her narrow residential street in the border city of Tijuana.

However, last month a gunman caught up with her. She was murdered as she arrived at her home one night. Shards of glass are still scattered across the driveway.

Maldonado López was the third of four journalists killed in Mexico in January, in what was the most violent month for journalists in the country in almost a decade.

The painful irony for many of her colleagues is that she was supposedly under the protection of the state. She had been assigned a bodyguard and a panic button had been fitted in her home.

Yet neither of them would stop her from being assassinated in her own front garden.

“The government’s protection scheme was broken from its very inception,” says Sonia de Anda, who remains an adviser to it despite her misgivings.

“It was designed without any recommendations from journalists. Rather, it was put together under pressure from international human rights groups to create one, and it was just improvised. They made it up as they went along.”

Part of the problem, she explains, is that the law in Mexico is open to interpretation as to who is an at-risk journalist and what support they are entitled to.

It fails to take into account the specific threats against someone such as Maldonado López, who had deep fears for her own life over her entanglements with the former governor of Baja California state, Jaime Bonilla.

So deep were her concerns, in fact, that she took them to the president himself. In 2019, she travelled to Mexico City to confront President Andrés Manuel López Obrador about the risk she felt she was running over a legal dispute she was in with Mr Bonilla.

“I fear for my life,” she told the president live on television at one of his daily morning news briefings. Her fears would prove horribly prophetic.

Mr Bonilla has denied any involvement with her murder. An investigation into the crime is under way.

At her funeral in a cemetery in Tijuana, the press easily outnumbered the relatives, while the recital of the Lord’s Prayer was almost drowned out by the buzz of a news agency’s drone.

Some journalists were there to cover the murder of one of their own, others were there to grieve. But it has left the entire profession in Mexico in shock.

“What happened with Lourdes is something that happens very often,” said Jan Albert Hoosten of the Committee to Protect Journalists, as we stood at the graveside.

“Journalists tell the authorities that they’re in trouble, they tell them that they’re receiving threats, but more often than not, the response by the Mexican government is simply silence. Nothing is done about it.”

Another Tijuana-based reporter paying his respects, Antonio Maya, is also under the state’s protection scheme.

After suspected cartel members appeared outside his home in an unmarked car, the state gave him an armed bodyguard. During the day, he is shadowed everywhere he goes by a plainclothes police officer with cropped hair and dark sunglasses.

“Exposing corruption led to the death of one of our colleagues,” said Toledo’s boss, Armando Linares, fighting back the tears.

Summarising the anguish of so many Mexican journalists, he added: “We don’t carry weapons. We only have a pen and a notebook to defend ourselves.”

Transit worker shortage ripples through California economy

by Sameea Kamal

CalMatters

 

Bus driver Brandi Donaldson describes the early days of the pandemic as living under a dark cloud.

Week after week, the 38-year-old AC Transit employee wondered when – not if – she would get infected with COVID-19 and bring it home to her husband, four kids and elderly parentsBut now with the omicron surge, that dark cloud is back.

Transit agencies around the state are experiencing a worker shortage – and it’s disrupting service in Sacramento, the Bay Area and in Southern California because too many workers are out sick, quarantining or scared to come into work.

Every day, Donaldson says, at least one or two of her coworkers tests positive. And that means fewer drivers on the road – and more frustration among passengers.

“Many people have said, ‘Well, you signed up for this job,’ and yes, I did. I didn’t sign up to be a face mask police. I didn’t sign up to be a passenger limit police. I signed up to pick up passengers and take them where they need to go,” said Donaldson, who lives in the Bay Area city of Rodeo.

Some counties are also in the process of issuing vaccine mandates for employees – which includes transit workers. That could lead to some dismissals for those who don’t comply, further reducing the workforce and service to riders.

“Before the pandemic, there weren’t enough bus drivers to drive the routes that we have unless the majority of us work a whole lot of overtime,” said Sultana Adams, 47, who also works for AC Transit. “We were already short. Imagine what it’s like now.”

The labor shortage is part of a nationwide trend and isn’t limited to transit workers. But because transit systems are arteries that get employees to work – especially lower-income workers – the impact is reverberating throughout the California economy.

Giovanni Circella, director of the future mobility program at the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies, said that while remote work has enabled California’s economy to bounce back, many jobs – usually lower-wage – still require people to show up to work. Bus riders in particular, he said, “don’t have a lot of other options.”

A bustling transportation system also means more foot traffic to small businesses, he said.

The California Transit Association, which represents more than 200 agencies, says the labor shortage is causing service reductions across the state and warns that the impact could harden economic disparities because of the demographics of riders.

“The people who are hit hardest are low-income – specifically, low-income people of color – who often work in essential roles and who often lack other travel options,” Michael Pimentel, the association’s executive director, said in an email.

“For these Californians, transit’s labor shortages present new challenges to fulfilling basic needs, like getting to work and school, making doctor’s appointments, and picking up groceries.”

Ridership was already declining before the pandemic: From 2012 to 2016, the number of transit rides statewide dropped by 62 million a year. Still, while only about 5 percent of workers statewide took public transportation before the pandemic, in larger metropolitan areas such as San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, nearly 19 percent of workers, or 462,000, used bus and rail, Census data shows.

Keeping the transit lifeline

Transit operations throughout California never came to a complete stop during the pandemic: While systems suspended some routes and limited the number of passengers, they provided an essential service that shepherded employees to hospitals and grocery stores and helped others get around who couldn’t afford a car, or to summon a rideshare service. Some offered free rides.

But keeping that lifeline going wasn’t easy on transit workers.

Stephanie St. Onge, a driver with the Valley Transportation Authority in Santa Clara County, said that operators who are coming in feel overworked from trying to keep up the service. After a VTA employee killed nine co-workers at the San Jose railyard last May, the light rail system shut down for weeks – which meant more demand for bus service.

“When you’re overworked, what happens?” St. Onge asked. “Your immune system goes down. It starts to wear and tear.”

Exhaustion isn’t the only problem.

“I was spit on in April 2020, then four more times because of the passenger limits and not being able to pick people up,” recalls Donaldson of AC Transit, the state’s third largest bus system with about 175,000 passengers a day before the pandemic. “I had my bus door bashed in on two different occasions. A guy tried to hit me with an umbrella. They put plexiglass up to put a barrier between us and passengers, and I had somebody punch it in – all because of having to enforce mask policy and the passenger limit.”

While mask rules are different from one city to the next, and changed within cities during the pandemic, buses and other public transit have been under federal rules that require face coverings since January 2021. Not all passengers know that, or want to follow the regulations, which have been extended until at least March 18.

The impact hasn’t been limited to drivers. Mechanics say there is not enough staff to sanitize buses at the end of their routes – and as the CDC has eased guidelines, it’s become less of a priority.

Officials from the Sacramento Regional Transit District said the omicron surge has caused more workers to be out sick than at any time during the pandemic. Some employees have also had to deal with school closures, childcare and other challenges plaguing the workforce nationally.

Typically, there are employees who can sub for drivers who are out, but the recent surge has meant more trip cancellations and delays, said Jessica Gonzalez, public information officer for the agency, which operates buses and the light rail system in Sacramento. It restored full service in September 2020, and was also one of a few agencies that expanded, adding an Uber-like service.

The agency has launched a major effort to recruit new workers. To keep the existing workforce, it gave a $750 bonus, funded through an award from the American Public Transportation Association. Still, officials acknowledged the extra tasks for drivers, such as enforcing mask mandates, though sometimes supervisors or police officers are asked to step in.

“We can’t deny that, and it’s been hard, especially for our frontline workers,” said Shelly Valenton, vice president of integrated services and strategic initiatives at SacRT. “We’re trying our best, you know, within the resources that we have available.”

Regional Transit did offer paid sick time for workers to get vaccinated and for any side effects before the state mandated supplemental paid sick leave. Officials said they’re waiting to see what happens with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal to reinstate the leave. But there are no specific plans for hazard pay at SacRT.

At AC Transit, that’s something the workers union has been pushing for and formally demanded last fall.

“We have had over 180 workers infected with COVID and have had several members that passed away,” Robert Coleman, president of the ATU 192 union, said in a Dec. 4 statement. “We’re only asking for the retroactive hazard pay that we deserve for staying the course.”

On Wednesday, the AC Transit board is set to vote on $5 million in “appreciation pay” for employees.

A new year provides new opportunity to put your financial health and wellness first  

Sponsored by JP Morgan Chase

 

Financial health is the foundation of strong and resilient households, communities and economies, but understanding and managing finances continues to be a challenge for many.

With the new year underway, Chase is reminding its customers to prioritize financial health by offering tips for securing a financial future they can feel good about. We sat down with Jeeny Freire-Ku, Market Director for Chase, to discuss setting and protecting goals for a successful financial journey.

El Reportero: What are some key steps consumers can take to boost their overall financial health in 2022?

Jeeny: Managing your money can be complicated, which is why breaking down your finances into smaller buckets can help you get ahead with your short- and long-term goals. We encourage our customers to prioritize the following:

– Set and maintain a budget to help you feel more in control and spend less than you earn. We have an online tool for our customers called Budget Planner that enables you set your budget, track your spending and adjust it day-to-day.

– Grow your savings and have money set aside in an emergency fund for all of life’s unexpected surprises. This can help create peace of mind by knowing you have yourself covered. With Chase Autosave, you can choose when and how often you want to transfer money from your Chase checking account to your Chase savings account – starting with as little as $1 per day.

– Build your credit (and credit score) by paying your bills on time (every time). With Chase Credit Journey, users can easily understand and monitor their credit score with actionable insights around building credit health.

– Meet 1:1 with a banker. For a more personal planning process, we recommend working with an advisor who understands everything from your big goals to the small details. You can schedule an appointment by visiting chase.com/meeting.

El Reportero: In terms of financial health and safety, how can consumers protect themselves from scams? 

Jeeny: As has been reported in the news over the last two years, there has been an increase in scams targeted towards everyday people related to their stimulus checks and unemployment benefits, fake treatments for COVID-19 and more). It’s crucial to recognize activity designed to steal your money. Here are some best practices to protect yourself from scammers:

DO:

– Educate yourself on the most common scams. Fraudsters will use anything to their advantage — claiming to be from the IRS, pretending to offer tech support, baiting you with prizes or cash winnings — the sky’s the limit!

– Monitor credit score for free with Chase Credit Journey — you don’t even need to be a Chase customer to sign up! It will notify you if your data is compromised. Plus, you’ll receive critical alerts that help protect your credit and identity.

– Review your accounts closely if you believe you may have fallen for a scam. With Chase, you can also set up account alerts so you can be notified of transactions on your account.

DON’T:

– Click on suspicious links on emails or texts unless you’re sure it’s from a credible source. Only access your accounts through the bank’s mobile app or their website. 

– Share personal information. Neither Chase nor any other bank will ever ask for your username, password, ATM pin, etc. when reaching out to you. Banks may ask for this information only when you call to discuss your account.

– Transfer money to someone claiming to be from your bank. Banks will never ask to send money via wire, check or other method to “stop or prevent fraud.” 

– Pay someone using gift cards, especially when they claim to need them to remove a virus from your computer, stop fraud on your account or to buy plane tickets to come visit you.

If you believe that you may have been a victim of fraud or scams, there’s no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. It can happen to anyone. What’s most important is to take immediate action.

First, contact your bank, credit card issuer or local law enforcement to report the fraud or scam; they’ll be able to tell you the best way to proceed. If you have any questions, visit your nearest Chase branch. We are always happy to answer questions from our customers.

To learn more about common scams and how to stop scammers in their tracks visit: www.chase.com/security-tips. You can also learn tips to identify and avoid financial abuse by visiting: www.chase.com/financialabuse.

Family playing together on sofa

Sponsored content from JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Experian Go™ program will allow millions of credit invisibles to start building credit in minutes

Industry first program can help consumers get their first FICO® Score without going into debt

submitted by Briana Mota

 

Costa Mesa, Calif., January 26, 2021 —To further financial inclusion across the United States, Experian® today launched Experian Go™, a free, first-of-its-kind program to help “credit invisibles,” or people with no credit history, begin building credit on their own terms. Experian Go is the only program available today that helps consumers establish their financial identity by creating an Experian credit report.

Nearly 50 million consumers have a nonexistent or limited credit history. Without an existing credit report, lenders can’t verify a consumer’s identity and consumers are unable to access credit at fair and affordable rates. Often, these consumers are caught in cycles of predatory lending; can’t cover emergency expenses; and face limited housing options, higher insurance premiums and interest rates, employment challenges, larger deposit requirements and more.

The launch of Experian Go is a continuation of Experian’s mission to help consumers everywhere get access to fair and affordable credit. Within minutes, credit invisibles can have an authenticated Experian credit report, tradelines and a credit history by using Experian Boost™[1], and instant access to financial offers through Experian Go. The program can help consumers build credit and become scoreable without going into debt. In fact, early analysis shows 91 percent of consumers with no credit history who connect to Experian Boost, a free feature that allows users to contribute their on-time cell phone, video streaming service, internet, and utility payments directly to their Experian credit report, can become scoreable in minutes with an average starting near-prime FICO® Score of 665[2].

Experian Go, which began piloting in October 2021, has already helped more than 15,000 credit invisible consumers establish an Experian credit report and become visible to potential lenders.

By helping consumers establish a financial identity through Experian Go, Experian aims to help consumers build the foundation for future financial opportunities.

“Living with a nonexistent or limited credit history can be a significant barrier to financial opportunity in America,” said Craig Boundy, CEO, Experian North America. “We believe every individual deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest financial potential and we’re proud to be the only credit bureau with a program to help credit invisibles build their credit history in minutes.  Innovations like Experian Boost and Experian Go help to ensure people can access the credit they need when they need it. This new program is a direct reflection of our mission to bring financial power to all.”

The role of credit in America

According to Experian research, 28 million consumers are credit invisible and an additional 21 million consumers have “unscorable” credit files, meaning they have what’s considered a thin credit file or limited credit history.[3] The problem more frequently impacts communities of color. In fact, a recent Experian survey revealed 1 in 5 Black consumers and one-third of Hispanic consumers don’t have any credit in their name, with 65 percent of Black consumers and 51 percent of Hispanic consumers unsure of the steps to take to establish or improve their credit.

“We recognize the correlation between credit scores and opportunity in America and view credit worthiness – or the lack thereof – as a barrier to financial mobility and success,” said John Hope Bryant, CEO and Founder of Operation Hope. “We are thankful for our partnership with Experian and stand with them as we work together to amplify an actionable plan that increases financial access to all.”

Easy steps to becoming credit visible: How it works

Experian Go makes it easy for credit invisibles and those with limited credit histories to establish, use and grow credit responsibly. Once a consumer downloads Experian’s free mobile app and enrolls in a free Experian membership, they’ll be asked to authenticate their identity using a government-issued ID, Social Security number and a “selfie.”

From there, personalized recommendations will help users add accounts, also known as tradelines, to their Experian credit report. Users may receive information about becoming an authorized user or be invited to apply for a credit card designed specifically for those new to credit. Others may contribute their on-time bill payments directly to their Experian credit report with Experian Boost, a game-changing feature that nearly 9 million consumers have connected to since launching in 2019.

Experian Boost has helped more than 10,000 previously unscorable consumers receive a FICO® Score each month and added more than 78 million points to FICO® Scores nationwide. With the launch of Experian Go, millions more consumers can improve their access to credit with Experian Boost.

As part of their free Experian membership, consumers will receive ongoing education about how credit works and recommendations to further build their credit history, including access to free Experian credit reports, credit monitoring and more. Consumers can also get help setting and meeting financial goals through Experian’s Personal Finances tool. Users must be 18 years of age of older.

To learn more about Experian Go, visit www.experian.com/go.

About Experian

Experian is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments — from buying a home or a car to sending a child to college to growing a business by connecting with new customers — we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime.

We have 20,000 people operating across 44 countries, and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the Group.

Experian and the Experian trademarks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian and its affiliates. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

 

FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation.

[1] Results may vary. Some may not see improved scores or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost.

[2] Experian analysis based on an anonymized and statistically relevant sample of consumer credit reports with only Experian Boost tradelines included and FICO® Scores. December 2021.

[3] Financial Inclusion and Access to Credit by Experian and Oliver Wyman, October 2021

BECOME A PART OF HISTORY IN BRINGING RAIL SERVICE TO DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO

APPLICATIONS DUE FEBRUARY 25, 2022 OR UNTIL FILLED

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) is soliciting applications from Bay Area residents to serve on the TJPA Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to help shape the discussion in the development of Phase 2 of the Transbay Program and provide input in the operation of the Salesforce Transit Center and rooftop park. The Phase 2 project includes the Downtown Rail Extension (DTX), which will connect Caltrain’s commuter rail service and the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s statewide system to downtown San Francisco. Past CAC members have contributed to the successful planning, development and construction of Phase 1 of the Transbay Program, which includes the Salesforce Transit Center and the Salesforce rooftop park.

The TJPA seeks to appoint Committee members that represent the diversity of the Bay Area. There are seven full-term seats available representing the following constituencies: Local Resident from District 6 (zip code 94105 or 94107), Local Business from District 6 (zip code 94105 or 94107), Environmentalist, Member of a planning or good-government non-profit organization, Bicycle advocate, and 2 Regional transit advocate seats.

CAC full-terms are for a period of two-years and each member is eligible to serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. The TJPA CAC meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Due to the Stay Safer at Home order, meetings are currently held remotely. Meetings are normally held at the TJPA office at 425 Mission Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA. Consistent attendance is required.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for all seats listed on the application that they qualify for. If you are interested in being considered, please submit an application to the TJPA via e-mail at cac@tjpa.org or by mail: 425 Mission Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94105. Applications are available on the TJPA website at https://www.tjpa.org/tjpa/cac/cacrecruitment and are due February 25, 2022 or until filled.

1/28/22

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EL REPORTERO

Salsa music is the happening coming this February

TIJUANA, BAJA CALIFORNIA NORTE, MEXICO - 29MAY16 - On the Mexican side of the border wall between Mexico and the U.S., where the wall runs into the Pacific Ocean. Copyright David Bacon

Compiled by the El Reportero‘s staff

 

Luis González y Su Orquesta at The 2nd Annual St. Valentine’s Day Concert, part of the Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival concert series.

The band, lo mejor de Puerto Rico, makes a powerful, high-energy presentation (that González likens to “a big wave”, (i.e. the Tsunami), with three trumpeters (including González), a trombonist, a complete Latin rhythm section and three singers. With nonstop energy and a wild, constant, high octane swirl of bold.

Also, Edgardo & Candela, and Latin Rhythm Boys feat. flutist Artie Webb.

Friday, February 14, 2020 (St. Valentine’s Day!) at the impressive and elegant Art Deco landmark, California Ballroom, 1736 Franklin St., Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94612. Doors open at 7pm. Live music begins at 8pm.

On Fri, Feb 11, 2022, 7:00 p.m. – Sat, Feb 12, 2022, 12 noon. At the California Ballroom 1736 Franklin Street Oakland.

photo: Luis González

Border communities focus of new exhibition at San Francisco Main Library

 

Submitted by the SFPL

Photo by David Bacon

 

SAN FRANCISCO, January 14, 2022 – For photographer David Bacon, the border region between the United States and Mexico is a land marked by life and death. Each year, at least 300-400 people die trying to cross into the U.S. in search of a better future for themselves and their families. The border is also bustling with life. The once-small towns of Ciudad Juárez and Tijuana are now home to millions of people, many of whom make up the industrial workforce of Southern California, South Texas and New Mexico. Taken over a period of 30 years, Bacon’s photographs and accompanying text panels, which are presented in English and Spanish, in San Francisco Public Library’s exhibition More Than a Wall explore all aspects of the border region and its vibrant social history.

The photographs trace the social movements in border communities, factories and fields. According to Bacon, “These photographs provide a reality check, allowing us to see the border region as its people, with their own history of movements for rights and equality.  By providing this, the exhibition seeks to combat anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican hysteria, and develop an alternative vision in which the border can be a region where people live and work in solidarity with each other.”

The photographs were taken in collaboration with Binational Front of Indigenous Organizations (FIOB), the Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras and California Rural Legal Assistance. They are featured in a new bilingual book, More Than a Wall, published by the Colegio de la Frontera Norte in Tijuana.  Bacon’s photographic work is housed in the David Bacon Archive in the Special Collections of the Green Library at Stanford University.

Gaspar Rivera-Salgado, Mixtec professor at UCLA and co-founder of the FIOB, says, “David organically integrates his photographic work with the testimonies of the actors themselves, and provides thorough analysis of critical points in the lives of workers and communities on both sides of the border. The effect is shocking.  But he also describes a future with full sharpness that seems complex and full of possibilities – possibilities we may still not fully imagine.”

The exhibition opens on February 12 in the Main Library’s Jewett Gallery, which is located on the lower level. The public is invited to the opening event, The Media, Art and the Border, which will feature Bacon in conversation with San Francisco artists and photographers about the way the border is represented in media and the arts.

February 12, 1 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Latino/Hispanic Community Room. Per the City’s Health Order, masks are required at all times in the Library.

On view at the Main Library, Jewett Gallery, Feb. 12 – May 22, 2022.

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