CONTENT
1. HEADLINE FOR THE MONTH
2. ...IN OTHER NEWS (FAMILY & OTHERWISE)
3. PICTURE OF THE MONTH
4. NEW & UPDATED LINKS TO FAMILY PICS AND/OR KOOL CUBA STUFF
5. FAMILY TRIVIA QUESTIONS
6. PARTING THOUGHT
HEADLINE FOR THE MONTH:
New Year; New Look!... Finally got our pc back and so we are back in business with the e-mailer...

...IN OTHER NEWS (FAMILY & OTHERWISE):
"Will you still love me when I'am 64?", as Paul McCarty sang - THAT must be what Eduardo was singing to Cari as he turned 60 in Miami... We heard the party was great & good fun was had by all.

Family babies keep coming - and keep growing!... See links to pics below... [Did you know that 25% of all babies born in the USA last year were Latinos; so were 50% of Catholics in South Carolina AND 75% of babies born in New Orleans.]  ... Like the little girl in the movie Poltegeist said "They are heeeere!"

We had the wonderful opportunity to visit Miami* (Thanksgiving) & the ATL (Navidad - twice!, then again at MLK weekend.) ... Noticed that Florida for the first time LOST population!... And (thanks to Nancy), did you know that 2007 was the first year that TWO Latino last names (Garcias & Rodriguez) were in the "Top 10" last names in the USA?! --- & that did not count the 2.3 million Garcias and Rodriguez that are not, let's say, "documented" :-)

*FOR PICS OF THE BRIEF MIAMI OUTING with the Villafanes [click HERE], "Los Viejos" [click HERE], and a "Heritage Tour" [click HERE]

Beba & Mario spent time with us here in Maryland... We got the chance to visit every dollar store (with Beba) and grocery store (with Mario) within 20 miles of our house!... A good time was had by all.

...Had the opportunity to visit Portland, Oregon and was thrilled to be able to go by Cubanisimo Wines - meet Mauricio, the owner - & tour the NIKE Campus... Truly kool stuff! - see pics HERE

Geraldina & Rembe Jr. were guests at the "Casa Blanca" during the holidays... Neat pics HERE

In non-Latino news: I heard rumors that someone in the family has decided to head up the CUBANA FOR OBAMA group...

(Lastly, was that REALLY Fidel that appeared on t.v. the other day? - I say "nah"!)

PICTURE OF THE MONTH:










NEW & UPDATED LINKS TO FAMILY PICS AND/OR KOOL CUBA STUFF:

BY FAR, THE "WEB SITE OF THE MONTH": www.CUBANAZO.com While kook Cuba sites are "a dime a dozen", this one truly stands out... Check it! - I do not know WHO is behind it, but certainly they must be friends of friends (or family?) of ours --- It is truly RIGHT UP OUR ALLEY!

Lukas Alexander was born to Cindy & Ron on Tuesday 12/11 at 7:47 pm.  He weighed a mere 5lbs 15.3oz & was 18-3/4 in long - see pics HERE.

Karina Amador, hija de Mickey y Monique peso 8 libras 3 onzas, 20 1/2 pulgadas, nacio el 11 de Diciembre, Vispera de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe - ve fotos AQUI.

Angela & Lance sent pics of Thomas... Real neat, indeed! See HERE

There's also some updated Miranda pics HERE

Also, the Villafane crew went to Carmencita's birthplace (Tennesse!) and we have some pics to prove it HERE.

Pics from our Turkey Day visit to Miami are HERE.

Pics from Mario's visit, including a day trip to the Amish Country in Pennsylvania & DC's Market are HERE.

AND, new - nuevas! - PETS pics HERE!

Here's an interesting view of Cuba from the eyes of a "tonto estupido" (a tourist that thinks Cuba is 'in' and cool, I guess.  HERE.)

If you have not seen it, check out the trailer for the documentary you will NOT see anywhere else (about the Hermanos al Rescate plane that was shot down) HERE

BY FAR the best: Lini is a YouTube star!!! - See his winning Dunkin Donuts video HERE.

FAMILY TRIVIA QUESTIONS:

DOMINGUEZ KLAN: As we reported last month, our dear Computer went caputs... WHO in the familia is the true computer geek, who actually BUILT my computer?  (Which, by the way, is the ONLY computer I know with an external fan - actually, it has THREE external fans - and requires antifreeze to stay cool!)

RODRIGUEZ KLAN: WHERE in our family's walls can you find THE ONLY picture of Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth AND Jesus Christ IN THE SAME FRAME!?  Check out the Trivia Page to see this incredible - but true - photo feat.

PARTING THOUGHT:

The POPE is coming to DC April 17th and will say mass at Nationals stadium... Hopefully we'll be there!

I had the opportunity to meet with the Cuban dissident priest from Santiago de Cuba recently.  (I will not mention his name here so it will not come up in a 'google search' of hs name.)  ... Let's just say that it was truly an amazing conversation... Highlights: (a) His story regarding what happened December 4th in his church was simply riveting;  (b) In his own words, the System remains "diabolicamente perverso";  and (c) the Church hierarchy? Again in his own words "so-so"... Lest we forget: Cuba "remains the one country in Latin America that represses nearly all forms of political dissent."... HERE for more info.

Have a happy happy Valentine's day!

rr&gd
Reemberto & some unknown Cubano at our monthly "Frijoles" Club dinner here in Maryland.
For a seious take on the immigration issue, visit the homepage of the Maryland Catholic Bishops Conference HERE