Video - THE Ñ BEAT - Originally aired March 22, 2014
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Hosted by Theresa Gutierrez, with special contributions by ABC 7's John Garcia, Stacey Baca, and Michelle Gallardo, THE N BEAT is a rich tapestry of profiles highlighting the contributions of Chicago's Latino community. THE N BEAT airs Saturday, March 22 at 6:00 pm with an encore presentation on Sunday, March 23 at 2:30 pm. THE N BEAT is an Emmy Award winning series of special programs produced by ABC 7 Chicago.
This edition of THE N BEAT profiled a woman who grew up in the Pilsen neighborhood and went on to land a role on the popular soap opera ALL MY CHILDREN during the prime of her career. Today, she is back in her neighborhood mentoring and educating children who are inspired by creative print making.
Francisco Lopez, also known as Chef Paco, is making a name for himself in Chicago food scene with his specialty mole. He offers a total of 18 different varieties of mole at his Oak Park restaurant, New Rebozo. THE N BEAT gives viewers a chance to visually sample a few of the chef's mole masterpieces.
Then, the program looks at a group of medical centers that provide affordable health care to the Latino community. The most recent of the Alivio clinics, opens inside Chicago's Benito Juarez Academy next month. Last year, Alivio clinics served more than 26,000 patients, offering primary care, obstetrics, pediatrics, dental care, wellness classes as well as a discounted pharmacy. Services are offered on a sliding scale.
River North Dance Chicago, is a professional dance company that has been in the business of entertaining audiences with its powerful messages and uplifting performances. The company's artistic director, Frank Chavez, has made it his mission to offer dance classes to students who have had limited exposure to this art form.
Then, the THE N BEAT explores a grassroots program, Abriendo Puertas, that helps prepare young Latino Children for Kindergarten. The program teaches parents the importance of reading, playing and engaging young children -- which in turn gives them a better foundation as they begin school.
More Information From This Show:
River North Dance Chicago
River North Dance Chicago is a professional dance company that began in 1989.
Critically-acclaimed for their athletic, sensual and dynamic repertoire, River
North Dance Chicago presents dynamic works that combine athletic prowess and
artistic perspective with bold, theatrical flair. The company is currently under
the artistic leadership of Frank Chaves, a well known dancer/choreographer who
is committed to creating an accessible, enriching experience for audiences. The
company continues to make a name for itself on the world stage traveling
throughout the country and internationally and has also made it a priority to
increase its presence in the community by offering dance classes to students in
several neighborhoods.
River North Dance Chicago
1016 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 944-2888
www.rivernorthchicago.com
New Rebozo/Chef Paco
Anyone who loves good Mexican food knows mole is a big part of the cuisine and
when it comes to this savory Latin specialty, Franciso Lopez… better known as
Chef Paco… is making big name for himself on the Chicago food scene! He offers
up 18 different varieties of mole on his menu at New Rebozo in Oak Park and
recently he entered the downtown Latin dining scene with another New Rebozo in
River North.
New Rebozo
1116 Madison Street
Oak Park
708-445-0370
Or
New Rebozo
46 East Superior
Chicago
312-202-9141
www.newrebozo.com
Denise Carrasco
Chicago native Denise Carrasco has spent most of her life helping others. This
former pageant winner who grew up in the Pilsen neighborhood went on to work on
the popular soap opera "All My Children" which was a pivotal moment in her
career. Although, she was making a name for herself on television and in
commercials, Denise Carrasco felt there was something missing. After working
with children in the Los Angeles area, she decided to move back home to work
with children in her former neighborhood.
Denise Carrasco, Instructor
After School Matters
www.afterschoolmatters.org
Alivio Medical Center
Whether it is lack of health insurance, language barriers or simple fear,
Chicago Latinos have long struggled to get adequate health care but for 26
years, Carmen Velasquez has made it her mission to try and change that. Her
mission is Alivio Medical Center. Last year, Alivio served more than 26-thousand
patients.. offering primary medical care, obstetrics, pediatrics, dental care,
wellness classes… even a discounted pharmacy. Services are offered on a sliding
scale and every staff member is bilingual. Alivio now has 4 freestanding clinics
and 4 have opened within schools.
Alivio Medical Center
966 West 21st St.
Chicago
773-254-1400
www.aliviomedicalcenter.org
Mario Gonzalez Jr.
Graffiti Artist Mario Gonzalez, Jr. has been drawing, painting and tagging
buildings from the time he was 11 years old. As a young teen, he never thought
his art form would afford him the opportunity to travel the world showcasing his
unique talents - but it did. Today, he has pieces on exhibition at various art
galleries around the country and here locally at Zhou Brothers in the Bridgeport
neighborhood.
www.mariogonzalezjr.com
1029 W 35th St,
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 523-0200
Abriendo Puertas
When California studies began to show young Latinos lagging behind their peers
as they entered Kindergarten, parents there decided to do something about it.
They launched a grassroots program called 'Abriendo Puertas'. During a 10
session course, parents learn the importance of reading to your young children,
playing with them, engaging them by talking to them… and the teachers of those
sessions are parent 'Ambassadors' themselves. Logan Square Neighborhood
Association was one of the first Chicago agencies to implement the program and
the parents who've completed it say they've seen huge strides in their little
ones' progress.
Latino Policy Forum
180 N. Michigan Avenue, #1250
Chicago
312-376-1766
www.latinopolicyforum.org
Logan Square Neighborhood Association
2840 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago
773-384-4370
www.lsna.net
"The N Beat" is produced by Rubye Lane and Holly Grisham.
