Voting center in zone 1 in Guatemala City. Photo: Ingrid Sánchez P360P
The Guatemalan Electoral Observation Mission (MOE-Gt), a group of seven civil society organizations that contributes to the integrity of electoral processes through citizen participation, reported that the opening and operation of voting tables took place mostly in an efficient and peaceful manner.
According to MOE-Gt, 95 percent of the Voting Receiving Boards (JRV) opened on time and 96 percent had all essential electoral materials.
In a preliminary report, it was detailed that, in the first phase of the general elections, in 99 percent of the JRVs the observers were able to carry out their work without obstacles or impediments during the opening of the election day, while 95 percent of the JRVs had a security device.
They also pointed out that the JRVs were made up of more women (59 percent) than men (41 percent). In addition, the presidencies of the JRVs were occupied equally (51 percent women and 49 percent men).
Similarly, they recorded that 9 percent of the JRVs are made up exclusively of women and 2.5 percent of men, while in 99 percent of the JRVs there is the presence of at least one political party representative.
The EOM-GT said that so far, observers have not recorded any major incidents of intimidation, harassment or violence, only isolated cases of obstacles to initiating the observation process.
Among these, he said, were the acts of violence and threats against members of the boards of San José del Golfo, Guatemala, where the members resigned.
In light of this, they said it was imperative that the authorities make an early decision and effectively inform the authorities about the situation in the region.
Additionally, they urged security authorities to safeguard the physical integrity of the boards and citizens, as well as to carry out preventive actions throughout the day to ensure that at the time of vote counting, similar situations do not occur in other previously identified high-risk municipalities.
In addition, they urged the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the electoral bodies to promote openness and transparency in the voting centers and to report the scope of the observation, so that all accredited electoral observers can carry out their work throughout the election day and during the closing and counting of votes.
"We will continue to monitor the elections, updating the media and citizens on the findings of our electoral observation network. We will present a report in the afternoon and tomorrow we will make a general assessment of the elections," they said.
Finally, the organization recognized and thanked the commitment and enthusiasm of the citizens who make up the JRV and all the members of its observation team, while calling on the population to go to the voting centers and cast their vote.
For the current election day, the MOE-Gt said it had mobilized observers in 1,200 Voting Receiving Boards (JRV), a random and representative sample with presence in all departments, 277 municipalities of the country -81 percent- and in 5 cities in the United States.
This Sunday, June 25, general elections will be held in Guatemala, and 90,708 Guatemalans in the U.S. are eligible to vote, who can now cast their ballots in 15 cities across the United States.
The Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE) of Guatemala stated on its Twitter account that citizens have already gone to vote in the centers of Miami, Queens, Raleigh, Trenton, Charlotte and Houston, among others.
Many of them will be able to vote for the first time from the cities where they live.
While more than 4,000 general offices will be voted for in the Central American country in these general elections, Guatemalans abroad will only be able to choose who will be the next president and vice president of their nation.
Polls in the United States will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time in each city. Voters can find more information on where and how to cast their ballot on the website https://migrante.tse.org.gt or by calling +(502) 2378-3900.
Who can vote?
It should be noted that only Guatemalans over 18 years of age and registered voters will be able to vote, and that they have requested their DPI (Personal Identification Document) at the consulates in the cities of Los Angeles, Silver Spring, New York, and Houston.
They must also have an updated residence or be registered through the website https://migrante.tse.org.gt or the “Vote for Guate” application.
Electoral authorities in Guatemala have recommended that those who go to vote this Sunday, June 25, respect the plurality of ideas, not promote a specific candidate, maintain order, and comply with the rules.
It is worth noting that the Guatemalan community in San Francisco will be able to vote for the first time in the presidential elections.
"For many of us it is a dream come true, because we have been fighting since the new constitution of 1985 was made. We have always wanted to exercise the right to vote and be elected, even though we no longer live in Guatemala, because the Constitution says so," said a Guatemalan citizen living in San Francisco to Univisión.
The City College of San Francisco will be one of the places where Guatemalans will be able to vote, in addition to the consulate that exists in the same city.
Guatemalans interviewed by the same television network said it is important for them to vote, since most of their family lives in Guatemala. "And if we can help elect a representative who can help the country to improve and help our families who are there, I would do it," said Eva Pérez, who works in a café and has only been living in San Francisco for a year.
Francisco López, another Guatemalan resident who was unable to register, called on all his fellow countrymen to vote.
"To all my fellow countrymen, if you are going to vote, do so with conscience, because the future depends on it," he said.
Since 7:00 a.m. Central Guatemala time, the general elections in Guatemala began, in which thousands of citizens with the right to vote have met at one of the 3,482 voting centers in the 340 municipalities of the country, because today is the key day in which, among other positions, they will elect their next president and vice president, who will govern for the next 6 years.
From the Don Bosco School in the capital city of the Central American country, the president of the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Irma Elizabeth Palencia Orellana, and the president of the Electoral Board of the Central District, José Francisco Murúa, together with other electoral officials and foreign observers, kicked off the electoral day on June 25.
In his speech, Palencia Orelllana called on Guatemalans to go to the polls, and then cut the symbolic ribbon that inaugurated the elections.
«The day has arrived. We have been planning this day for a long time and we have been working exhausting days so that you can come today with complete peace of mind from 7 in the morning when the voting centers are open. Come, citizens, you only have to bring your DPI - Personal Identification Document - and be registered, it does not matter if the DPI is expired or damaged. You can go and vote,» said the presiding judge.
Palencia Orellana stressed that going to the polls as a family is the best way to vote, as children will also be able to vote today in centres specially designed for them, in companies that sponsor the Children's Elections. In the evening, the presiding magistrate will be accompanied by some children to announce the results of these elections.
"Citizens, let us go out and vote. The date is for Guatemala to be the big winner and for us to define together the present and the future of the country. Democracy awaits us," he concluded.
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced earlier that it had reached an agreement with transport companies that cover routes in several municipalities in the department of Guatemala, to provide free transportation to citizens who will travel to the voting centers until they close.
The service is a civic contribution made by the transporters of Contrauvin RL and the Gremial of extra-urban and urban transport of Guatemala, which provide service in Villa Nueva and Villa Canales, as well as transporters who cover routes in San Pedro Ayampuc, Chuarrancho and Palencia.
The service will be provided from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There are more than 150 units that will cover both traditional routes and areas close to the voting centers. The units will be recognized by the identification they will carry with the election logo and the legend of free transportation.
A blue door with a lion-shaped knocker protects the home of Jiawei and Manuel, better known as Manny, who happily welcome us to talk with them about their multicultural love story.
Photo: Anna Lee Mraz P360P
Love knows no boundaries, and the coming together of different cultures in relationships is a testament to the diversity and richness of human connections. In the case of Jiawei and Manny, it is a testament to the intricate embroidery of cultural similarities and differences.
Jiawei Wang is the eldest son of a family from Baoji, China. His parents own a ship gear company, but Jiawei sought his own path and is now a kinesiologist trained at San Francisco State University.
While Manny Vargas, now Wang, born in Las Vegas to Mexican parents, is the middle brother of a total of five, and became a physician assistant for otolaryngologists.
The chemistry between the two is evident in the smiles they flash when they look into each other's eyes to answer the interview they kindly gave to Peninsula 360 Press. The physical attraction they feel for each other is evident: Jiawei is affectionate and shows his love by clinging to his partner.
China and Mexico, two countries with distinct histories, traditions and languages, provide a fascinating backdrop for this intercultural love story. The fusion of the two incorporates a multitude of customs, celebrations and family values, creating a unique and vibrant embroidery of experiences.
Photo: Anna Lee Mraz P360P
Manny has always been interested in Chinese culture, he explains. “In that respect, I really like to ask Gugo – as he affectionately calls Jiawei – about the particular celebrations of certain regions, or the food used at those festivals.”
They tell us that they now share traditions from both countries at home. During the Lunar New Year, for example, Jiawei brings home lanterns and signs with good wishes, with which they decorate their house together. She also takes care of buying the food.
The two countries have a rich culinary heritage. From the tantalizing flavors of Chinese cuisine, with its emphasis on regional specialties and delicate balance of ingredients, to the vast array of Mexican dishes, the Wang couple explore and appreciate the delicious fusion that emerges from the combination of these two culinary traditions.
It is in the kitchen where the Wangs strengthen their bond under the same roof. Cooking is an act of love, says Manny. Jiawei prepares dishes from her culture at home, which she gets from her mother, we are told, who is also a very good cook. Jiawei even bought a cookie-making kit and baked some for Manny as a daily sign of her affection. “He cooks very well,” Manny tells Peninsula 360 Press.
Photo: Omar Quezada P360P
For his part, Manny invites Jiawei to participate in Mexican traditions, where food plays a leading role. Jiawei enjoys the celebration on January 6, when the Three Wise Men arrive at night and the Rosca is shared with the family. He also likes to participate in the Candelaria, on February 2, because of the abundance of tamales that are served that night, as well as the Christmas dinner because of the cod that is prepared.
But not everything has been smooth sailing, as things have not been so simple for Jiawei and Manny as an intercultural gay couple.
Language is one place where certain differences have arisen. Although they use English as the primary vehicle of communication in their relationship, it is not the native language for either of them. Chinese, with its complex characters and tonal nature, contrasts with Spanish, which is a Romance language.
Specific characteristics of each culture have been both an advantage and a disadvantage for both. “Asian culture is very disciplined, while Mexican is more spontaneous,” Manny says. Although he admires Jiawei’s disciplined approach to life, he sometimes wishes there was more flexibility and good surprises. Despite this, they have managed to create a good rhythm in their daily lives.
Photo: Grettel Gagnon P360P
The challenges have not always arisen within the couple, but sometimes they have experienced pressure and tension from outside, specifically because of their sexual orientation and ethnicity. Both Chinese and Mexican cultures are quite closed to homosexuality.
Chinese culture has a deep history influenced by Confucianism, which prioritizes traditional family values and hierarchical relationships. Traditional Mexican society, influenced by Catholicism, still maintains conservative positions on homosexuality, considering it contrary to religious teachings and social norms.
This has led the Wang couple to live, in a way, isolated and hidden even from some relatives.
They chose the month of June to get married because it is known worldwide as pride month.
We traveled to Kona, Hawaii, to follow the story of this couple on their wedding anniversary trip. The purpose of this trip was to openly celebrate their recent marriage with family and friends, who accompanied them.
Photo: Omar Quezada P360P
One of the celebrations would take place at a Luau in Royal Hotel in KonaThe evening went by without any major incidents, they took photos as a couple and as a family, until it was time for the announcements by the master of ceremonies with the microphone and the song that would be dedicated to them for their love.
The couple was eagerly awaiting the public announcement of their marriage, but their names were never heard. This journalist approached the stage while the song was playing and, at one point, told the singer that he had forgotten to mention the couple, who had, of course, written down their names previously.
Photo: Omar Quezada P360P
“Mrs. and Mrs. Wang just got married,” I said. I saw the confusion on his face. “Mr. and Mrs. Wang?” he asked. “No,” I clarified, “Mr. and Mr. Wang.” He didn’t understand.
“Mrs. and Mrs. Wang?” he asked again. “No.” I raised my voice, “It’s Mr. and Mrs. Wang, two men who just got married.” The emcee hesitated, took the microphone and awkwardly announced, “Mr. and Mrs. Wang are celebrating their anniversary.”
Photo: Anna Lee Mraz P360P
This is just one example of how gay couples suffer invisibility due to discrimination against their community, as society marginalizes and suppresses these relationships and identities.
It occurs when couples' experiences, challenges, and contributions are overlooked, disregarded or intentionally ignored, often due to heteronormative assumptions or prejudices. Invisibilizing is a form of discrimination..
During the Wang couple's trip, unfortunately, the experience at the Luau was not the only one where we could observe obvious discrimination, both homophobic and racist, towards the couple.
The couple, accompanied by family and friends, visited the town of Hilo where the delicious restaurant Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine opened its doors to us and accommodated 25 people at three tables.
Photo: Omar Quezada P360P
Between piña colada cocktails, margaritas and mojitos, the matriarch of the congregation announced a toast to the newlyweds, Jiawei and Manny, who briefly stood up to the applause and jubilation of their companions and the surrounding tables.
However, the news was not well received by other diners, who, instead of applauding and joining in the celebration, whispered amongst themselves with looks of disgust, hatred or perhaps fear. Luckily, the violent attitude did not escalate and remained in a silence overshadowed by the noise of the three tables of cheerleaders accompanying the bride and groom.
When asked what they felt about what happened, they suggested that there was a kind of double discrimination. It is difficult to know if those glances were due to the union of someone whose features clearly refer to someone Asian with someone dark-skinned and Mexican; or if it was due to the celebration of the marriage between two men.
In general, LGBTQ+ people, not only in Chinese and Mexican cultures, but across the board, are experiencing greater acceptance and inclusion. But it is a constant and ongoing struggle, as there are still challenges to overcome and work to be done.
This inspiring couple embraces and celebrates their cultural differences and similarities through their relationship. They share their customs and traditions of Chinese and Mexican origin, creating a beautiful blend that reflects their love and shared experiences. They learn from each other, able to grow together in a unique and meaningful way.
Photo: Anna Lee Mraz P360P
The increasing visibility and activism within these cultures indicates a greater understanding of the importance of embracing diversity and advocating for equal rights, regardless of a person's sexual orientation or background.
This intercultural couple hasn't had it easy. Their story challenges stereotypes, fosters personal growth and cultural enrichment.
Facing the tide of discrimination with love is more than admirable, as it acts as a symbol of love and acceptance in an increasingly interconnected world; it promotes understanding, contributes to a more just and equitable society, and takes a step towards a multicultural and inclusive future.
Photo: P360P
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
Guatemala in elections less than 15 hours after they take place, 9 million 361 thousand 068 Guatemalans will be able to go to the polls to elect the representatives of the more than four thousand public offices that are disputed this 2023.
Thus, tomorrow, June 25, the day of the general elections, Guatemalans registered will receive five ballots of different colors to vote for the political organizations that nominate candidates for the more than four thousand elected positions.
The members of the Voting Boards will give citizens five folded ballots, which contain the symbols of the political parties that nominate candidates for the Presidency of the Republic, for deputies to the Congress of the Republic and for the Central American Parliament - Parlacen.
In the case of municipal corporations, you will also find the symbols of the civic committees that presented candidates in the municipalities.
The ballots have colors: white, green, light blue, pink and yellow.
The white ballot is used to vote for president and vice president; the green ballot is used to elect the 32 deputies to the Congress of the Republic who are running on the National List.
In the case of the pink ballot, the 340 municipal corporations are elected. According to Decree 1-2023 of the General Call for Elections 2023, a mayor, three trustees, ten titular councilors, one alternate trustee and four alternate councilors are elected in municipalities with more than one hundred thousand inhabitants.
While the yellow ballot is used to vote for the election of 20 deputies to Parlacen.
The blue ballot is used to elect 128 deputies to the Congress of the Republic for the 23 electoral districts, that is, for each department of the country plus the central district that corresponds to the municipality of Guatemala.
They are divided as follows:
Central District (municipality of Guatemala): 11 deputies; District of Guatemala (remaining municipalities of the department): 19 deputies; Sacatepéquez: 3 deputies; Chimaltenango: 5 deputies; El Progreso: 2 deputies; Escuintla: 6 deputies; Santa Rosa: 3 deputies; Suchitepéquez: 5 deputies; Chiquimula: 3 deputies and Izabal: 3 deputies.
According to the Plenary Session of Magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal ‒TSE‒, the actions for the general elections of June 25 are ready. He also explained that the Departmental and Municipal Electoral Boards and the Voting Reception Boards were trained, and that 95 percent of their members are participating for the first time to contribute to this event.
He pointed out that these elections guarantee inclusion in every sense, after more than 40 people with disabilities work in the Electoral Process Operations Center and 375 thousand ballots have been produced in Braille, in addition to the fact that preferential attention will be given at the voting centers.
Summer is here, the weather is more relaxed, light showers or fog appear, but it is still a vacation and it is perfect to go out and see new places or attend events that are taking place throughout the Bay Area. Don't forget to use sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent.
But before you head out, check out the local news from June 17-23 to stay up to date.
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The Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco, California, reported that, regarding the shooting in the Mission district that occurred last Friday, June 9 on 24th Street and based on follow-up with local authorities as part of consular protection protocols, one Mexican person was identified among the eight injured people.
In a statement, Mexican authorities reported that consular staff contacted the affected person, as well as his family, to provide him with the corresponding assistance and legal support in light of the incident.
The Consulate also stressed that, in order to verify the proper application of justice, it will continue to monitor the case and will request the relevant authorities to investigate the events that occurred.
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Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of construction equipment and copper wire worth approximately $50,000 in Redwood City, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
The robbery, which apparently occurred over the weekend, was discovered around 7:30 a.m. Monday in the 700 block of Industrial Road in San Carlos, the sheriff's department said.
Cauich and Jimenez, the defendants in the crimes, were charged with commercial robbery, possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a felony, authorities added.
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City police seized a firearm from a man in mental crisis in Redwood City on Wednesday, June 14.
Police said a check of previous calls to the residence revealed that a 30-year-old man with a history of mental illness lives there.
Responding officers met with the resident's brother and confirmed the man was experiencing a crisis, was armed with a handgun and had made criminal threats to harm his brother, police said.
The man was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation and the case is under review for criminal threats.
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Bay Area could get $1 trillion to boost equity, largely discretionary from the American Bailout Act, were not yet committed to Bay Area projects in December, according to the Area Equity Atlas de la Bahía, a tool for tracking racial and economic equity in the region.
The unobligated funds provide city and county leaders with the opportunity to make the region a more equitable place to live over the next three and a half years.
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The San Mateo City Council has appointed Alex Khojikian to serve as city manager, according to an announcement issued this week by city officials.
Khojikian, who currently serves as deputy city manager in Redwood City, was selected after a nationwide search and will begin his new role on August 21.
Khojikian said in the announcement that he is excited to get started.
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Deputies arrested a man in San Mateo County on June 16 after he attacked a person, hitting them in the head with a pickaxe.
Garcia was reported to have fled the area on foot after the attack. Officers conducted an extensive search and located the attacker hiding in the 500 block of Skyway Road.
Garcia was placed under arrest on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, probation violation, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of controlled substances, and booked into the San Mateo County Jail without incident.
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On Monday, President Joseph Biden announced a $600 million investment for climate resilience projects across the country and an additional $67 million to help build power lines to support California’s transition to 100 percent clean electricity by 2045.
During his visit to Baylands Nature Preserve, one of the largest expanses of pristine wetlands remaining in San Francisco Bay, the president stressed the need to accelerate projects to combat climate change.
Biden also stressed that later this year, the first White House summit will be held that will bring together local, state, tribal and territorial leaders focused on climate change resilience.
This, he said, will include a roadmap for how the various climate actions being taken will build more climate-resilient communities across the United States, saving lives and homes and providing peace of mind.
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After the unfortunate and constant shootings in schools throughout the country, four students from schools in South Bahia created a device to prevent shootings called SIREN, which detects shots in the study center, sending a quick alert so that authorities respond more quickly in an emergency.
Much like a smoke detector, SIREN is a 3-by-6-inch device that sits on the ceiling, so for many it may be unnoticeable. When gunshots are detected, a text message is sent to students and staff with the location, depending on which sensor is activated on campus.
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After the unfortunate and constant shootings in schools throughout the country, four students from schools in South Bahia created a device to prevent shootings called SIREN, which detects shots in the study center, sending a quick alert so that authorities respond more quickly in an emergency.
Much like a smoke detector, SIREN is a 3-by-6-inch device that sits on the ceiling, so for many it may be unnoticeable. When gunshots are detected, a text message is sent to students and staff with the location, depending on which sensor is activated on campus.
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The San Mateo Police Department has asked the community for their help in identifying suspects in racketeering at retail stores, where they have illegally stolen thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.
On Friday, June 16th, at approximately 6:00 p.m., officers with the San Mateo Police Department were called to three different retail stores in San Mateo, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars.
The locations involved include Old Navy, Victoria Secret, and Ulta. Local authorities continue to investigate this organized retail theft case and are attempting to identify the suspects in the photo, so anyone with information regarding this is urged to contact police immediately.
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Police are searching for a suspect in an armed robbery in Redwood City. After a series of robberies in the city, authorities have asked the community for help in finding the person responsible.
According to the Redwood City Police Department (RCPD), the armed robberies occurred at two different small businesses in the area of El Camino Real and Chestnut Street, while the second was in the 900 block of Whipple Avenue.
Both robberies took place between October 6, 2022, and November 18 of that same year.
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After years of planning, the construction of the affordable housing project in North Fair Oaks known as Middlefield Junction has finally started, which seeks to help people in vulnerable situations to have a home.
Located at 2700 Middlefield Road on a vacant county-owned parcel behind the county’s Fair Oaks Health Center, the project consists of new one- to three-bedroom apartments, a child care center and community open space.
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On the occasion of celebrating the pride of Mexico's sexual diversity around the world, the Institute for Mexicans Abroad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco will hold the Third Meeting of Mexican LGBTQ+ Communities Abroad on June 23, 24, and 25.
Activists, specialists and academics will participate in the meeting and will address various issues related to the citizenship of Mexican LGBTQ+ people abroad.
The chef arrived in the United States at 17 years old with the dream of buying a motorcycle, but plans changed along the way and now he fuses Mexican, Italian and Greek food.
REDWOOD CITY. – Daniel Sánchez started as a taco maker in Mexico at age 13 and is now a chef who knows and fuses international dishes for his clients in the United States, both in his Mexican food truck and in his catering company.
In 1999, Daniel left his home in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, with the dream of buying a motorcycle to ride with his friends. However, after 24 years, he is still in the United States, where his home, his family, his career as an international chef, his business and his life are.
Daniel's first encounter with cooking was in Mexico when he was a teenager and worked in a taco shop, where he felt "like he wasn't working" since serving diners brought him joy and relaxation.
"I felt relaxed when I was working and there were a lot of people around, I forgot about certain problems I had and I just relaxed and felt comfortable, I didn't feel like I was working," the Mexican chef recalled his days as a taco maker in Mexico.
That experience gave him the skill to use knives, a situation that benefited him at age 17, when he had been washing dishes for two weeks at a Bay Area restaurant and one of his bosses asked him to cover for a coworker; Daniel completed the task in less than 20 minutes, which surprised the manager, since his coworkers did it in more than an hour and a half.
"Then they told me: 'Hey, you're not a dishwasher, you know how to use knives.' I was enthusiastic, I wasn't waiting for them to tell me what to do, I wanted to learn more," he said.
Within a few weeks of arriving in the United States, the Mexican was already in charge of preparing salads and learning how to make pizzas in his first job. Years passed and he became a cook, and then a chef: the person in charge of the kitchen, the menu, the cooks, and the creativity in the dishes.
The pride of being a Mexican chef
Daniel said that he became so interested in the culinary field that he worked for more than 10 years without stopping, which gave him the experience to professionally cook Italian, Mexican, Greek, Japanese, Mediterranean, American food, among other dishes from around the world.
He also confessed that he worked in around 12 different restaurants in the span of a year with the aim of learning about food and the techniques to prepare the dishes.
By acquiring knowledge empirically, Chef Sánchez said that he became in charge of several kitchens and projects, in addition to starting his own catering business in his spare time.
"I worked so hard that those who had gone to chef school didn't know what I knew," he said.
He added that around 2000, there were not so many Latinos in charge of kitchens, so he felt very proud to be a Mexican chef.
Daniel believes that migrants, especially Latinos, have fewer opportunities to be assigned to high-ranking positions, so he called on the community to prepare and "do better than others."
«Things sometimes seem like they are not so easy, but you have to insist and keep going, you have to prepare yourself as much as you can in the area you are working in and when they open a door for you, force that door. Even if you are tired, keep going and keep going; and even if you feel like you are not going anywhere, you will get there, little by little.»
The chef also admitted that when he travels to Mexico he likes to eat at street stalls "because they create flavor so quickly and I think that's one of the things I've learned, that you don't need a really fancy or big restaurant; if you know how to cook and balance flavors, you can make delicious food and I really like that."
Photos: Daniel Sanchez
The Foodtruck
Beef and vegan tacos, burritos, quesadillas and Greek salad are some of the foods offered Daniel's Kitchen, the food truck where Daniel Sánchez delights his customers in front of the Safeway, located on Woodside Avenue, in Redwood City.
This project came into his life after the pandemic, another food truck and a lot of experience in opening seven restaurants in California, where he checked and studied the market, created the menu and trained the kitchen staff.
After 10 years of working without vacations, Daniel left his stable job as a chef after a comment made by one of his bosses to belittle his work, which is when he decided to use his savings to buy his first food truck and grow his catering service.
«One of the owners told me: your work is
"Anyone here can do that. And that really offended me."
Daniel said he worked hard there, “as if it was his business and his money that he was looking after,” as he argued over prices with suppliers and always looked for the best deals for the restaurant.
The first food truck He was a Greek food chef and worked under the call of companies, but now he decided to combine his culinary knowledge to offer Mexican food and some Greek dishes with some changes, such as cauliflower or portobello tacos.
«Mexican food is a little bit m
more neutral, but what I did was add cauliflower tacos and vegan tacos with portobello, things that were a little different based on what I already worked on in Italian, Mexican and other cuisines.
The Mexican chef varied the flavors to create a fusion, which he described as "not so aggressive, but somewhat balanced and so my food is for people in general, not just Mediterranean or Greek food."
Sanchez confessed that he now has as My goal is to open a restaurant, make a brand, and package dressings and other culinary ingredients.
Photos: Emily Morales P360P
goals change
Daniel's main goal was to save money, return to Mexico and buy a motorcycle to ride with his friends on the streets of Guadalajara, Jalisco, where he is from and where he grew up without the economic opportunity to study.
"My life was nice, it was good, I didn't manage to graduate from primary school, but I've always liked studying. I don't think I had the opportunity because my father died when I was seven years old, I had to work and help the family a little, there wasn't that freedom to be able to study," she confessed.
As a teenager, his routine was to wake up and work from 9:00 to 18:00, with an hour of rest and lunch, go home to shower, and his student life was between 19:00 and 21:00; but this changed when he asked his brothers for money to buy the motorcycle and they answered that he had to earn the money, so Daniel arrived in the United States at the age of 17.
"They told me, 'Hey! Come here for a year, if you want, I'll pay for your trip, you come here, you get your money and you come back. 'The money is easy, really easy, you just come and that's it,' they said, and it wasn't true," the Mexican narrated.
Daniel Sánchez confessed that his first year in this country was depressed, he had the money, but he did not feel "free to feel at ease," and then he started to have friends, met a woman, and his plans changed when he found out he was going to be a father. Now he has two daughters: Daniela, 21, and Sofia, 18, of whom he is proud and to whom he instilled Mexican traditions, such as Day of the Dead. "Now I feel more at home, I feel more relaxed."
Get out of the comfort zone
The chef did not speak English when he arrived in the United States, but he became interested in the language upon his arrival and now communicates efficiently with his friends and acquaintances.
«I took a little notebook in my bag and when I didn't understand or didn't know what it was, I would write it down as it sounds in Spanish, nothing to do with how it's written in English, but when I read it it sounded correct and that's how I learned.»
Daniel also attended Sequoia Adult School, where he spent about 3 years. He also recalled that he would write down the words he wanted to say in a notebook and then read them in front of the manager when he wanted a day off.
"This was a way for me to be enthusiastic and try to learn something. I didn't want to stay in my comfort zone."
On the occasion of celebrating the pride of Mexico's sexual diversity around the world, the Institute for Mexicans Abroad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco will hold the Third Meeting of Mexican LGBTQ+ Communities Abroad on June 23, 24, and 25.
Activists, specialists and academics will participate in the meeting and will address various issues related to the citizenship of Mexican LGBTQ+ people abroad.
Among the services offered by the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco, the most notable are inclusive services, which include the processing of certificates for gender identity recognition, non-binary passports, and same-sex marriage.
In addition, physical and emotional health services, HIV/AIDS; PREP, PEP, compatibility with hormonal processes for trans people, entrepreneurship for the LGBTQ+ community, educational opportunities, family dynamics and support for LGBTQ+ people as well as testimonials will be addressed.
Among the specialists who will participate in the meeting are the head of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad of Mexico (IME), Luis Gutiérrez Reyes, the Consul General of Mexico in San Francisco, Remedios Gómez Arnau, activist Jamie Arangure of Translatinas, Jorge Zepeda of the San Francisco Aids Foundation, and Roberto Ordeñana of the GLBT Historical Society.
They will be joined by transgender feminist writer Gloria Virginia Davenport, director of Gender and Inclusion at the IME, the founder of Vela Muxe Guuchachi David Kelvin Santos and trans DJ Luisa Rivera, who will close the event with a set specially created to celebrate the Mexican rainbow diaspora.
The event is open to the public and will take place on Saturday, June 24 at the Fort Mason Firehouse, 2 Marina Blvd in San Francisco, starting at 10:20 a.m.
Image: San Mateo County Executive Office. Workers preparing the site of the future Middlefield Junction project; construction is expected to ramp up in the coming weeks.
After years of planning, the construction of the affordable housing project in North Fair Oaks known as Middlefield Junction has finally started, which seeks to help people in vulnerable situations to have a home.
Located at 2700 Middlefield Road on a vacant county-owned parcel behind the county’s Fair Oaks Health Center, the project consists of new one- to three-bedroom apartments, a child care center and community open space.
“This project addresses the most critical issue facing San Mateo County in providing quality new housing that is affordable,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum, whose District 4 includes North Fair Oaks.
"Here we have a new development that is creating jobs during construction and in the long term will create affordable housing that is close to many small family-owned shops and restaurants that will also benefit," he added.
All apartments will be reserved for households earning between 15 and 80 percent of the area median income.
Additionally, twenty apartments will be reserved for individuals experiencing homelessness and receiving support and care management services from the San Mateo County Health Department, while two units are for on-site managers.
Once complete, the Middlefield Junction project will transform a lot that was once home to a recycling facility and help fulfill a plan that has been years in the making.
The project is the result of a partnership between the County, nonprofit developer Mercy Housing California, the state and private investors.
“We have seen firsthand the inspiring results families can achieve when affordable housing and high-quality child care are located under the same roof,” said Doug Shoemaker, President of Mercy Housing California.
The total cost of the project is $155 million, of which $78 million is funded by the newly created California Housing Accelerator Fund, administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
This is the first project in the County funded by the Accelerator Fund.
The project is also funded by $30.5 million in loans from the County and the San Mateo County Housing Authority, nearly $13 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and $6.78 million from the Measure K half-cent sales tax, which provides local funding for needs.
Additional funding comes from state grants and private investments.
Police are searching for a suspect in an armed robbery in Redwood City. After a series of robberies in the city, authorities have asked the community for help in finding the person responsible.
According to the Redwood City Police Department ‒RCPD‒, the armed robberies occurred at two different small businesses in the area of El Camino Real and Chestnut Street, while the second was in the 900 block of Whipple Avenue.
Both robberies took place between October 6, 2022, and November 18 of that same year.
RCPD has obtained photos of the suspect from each incident, so they ask that all residents take a look to see if they recognize the suspect.
If you recognize the subject in the photographs, please contact Detective Trinh at 650-780-7620.
For anonymous tips on any Redwood City case, call the tip line at 650-780-7110
