Even if you do not share the heritage of the countries represented, the fiesta organized by nightclub owner Edison Garcia offers a chance to enjoy traditional foods and try out your Spanish. The event will take place in the parking lots north of East Front Street between Somerset Street and Watchung Avenue and will also include entertainment and vendor booths.
Garcia won city permission to hold the event in 2009 and later paired it with an annual fiesta in July celebrating American independence.
The Hispanic population of Plainfield has now reached 40 percent, according to the 2000 census. If you would like to get to know your Spanish-speaking neighbors better, volunteering at El Centro Hispanoamericano is one way to do so. Volunteers are needed in many capacities to help individuals and families get situated and become citizens. Follow the link for details.
--Bernice
How can I get to know my "Spanish Speaking" neighbors better when they don't speak English and I don't speak Spanish?
ReplyDeleteMany, if not most, are learning English. Meanwhile, learning a bit of Spanish might help foster communication.
ReplyDeleteBernice --
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your mention of El Centro Hispanoamericano and our efforts here in Plainfield.
In response to 12:38's comments -- El Centro is offering well subscribed ESL classes to help folks learn English.
But you know, you don't have to speak Spanish to extend a helping hand and to get know your neighbors. As much as I would like to be able to speak another language, I dont. I wish I could, but I'm afraid that that is one trick that this old dog isnt able to learn.
My very best wishes to Edison Garcia for much success with this weekend's fiesta. Celebration of Plainfield's diversity is something we can all get on board with.
Randy Schaeffer
Vice Chair, El Centro Hispanoamericano
I work at a district school and many of my Latino parents try to speak and communicate better in English but feel alittle self conscience;I am fluent in Spanish and when i am unavailable to them i have found that with a little encouragement they enjoy the challenge to speak more English.
ReplyDeleteMari Estevez