Puerto Rico’s legislature approved, and Governor Luis Fortuño signed, Law 283 last December. The legislation provides for a referendum to give Puerto Rican voters the chance to express their views on the US territory’s political status. The plesbicite will take place on November 6, 2012, the same day as the US general elections and Puerto Rico’s elections

If you love history and Hispanic culture, you’ll want to come to the Lightener Museum on Saturday, February 25th. There, you’ll experience the long-standing Spanish tradition of Noche de Gala and enjoy a heritage like no other.

Edith Perez Deputy Director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Florida, director of the Breast Program, and the Serene M. and Frances C. Purling Prof. of Medicine at Mayo Medical School. Dr. Perez has authored more than 555 research articles in books, and journals. She’s been named 2010 Mayo Clinic Outstanding Course Director.

“It was the summer of 1980 in Bolton, Massachusetts. While other teens were playing outside my door, I was taking care of my mom: helping her, doing things around the house and running errands.”

Fernandez is the youngest person in Duval County to be indicted on murder charges as an adult. If convicted he will become the youngest ever to receive life in prison.

If you are in Jacksonville and happen to walk into Pablo Creek Library on a Monday afternoon, you will find a very diverse group of people. You will see Hispanic Americans, European-Americans and even Asian Americans along with full blood Americans. As they sit around a table facing a TV screen, they share a reading, discuss it, and spell words in it. One by one they participate, each having an opportunity to succeed. Some spell in Spanish, others in English, but all spell nonetheless.

It’s the tail end of the morning rush hour as Jetblue’s Embraer E-190 touches down at Jacksonville International Airport. While it gently crosses the runway...

Albert and Robin Sarkees, proud parents of 3, live a quiet life in Jacksonville Fl. While some at their age would be winding down to enjoy life without children, the Sarkeeses, whose youngest son Sean is 20, decided to offer their love to others: they chose to adopt. The Sarkees’s heart took them to Guatemala City; where they met the four-month-old Micah. From that moment on the Sarkeeses knew they had found their son, and someone to fight for. The story began 3 and-a-half years ago, and up to this day, the couple is still waiting for the Guatemalan approval to bring their adopted son home.

The couples in these stories arrived in Jacksonville almost as an after thought. Some say they got here while following a spiritual call; others, heard that same call after settling in Jax. Not only did they raise families by themselves, but they also established churches with a strong Hispanic presence, and congregations willing to serve our community. These stories reflect the same struggles, conquests, and tears of most new arrivals to the States. The American Dream? Destiny? The Promised Land? ... Call it what you wish. They call it ‘God’s Will’.