Adriana Monsalve, Maria Isabel Hernandez and Sergio González

Telenoticias Orlando Launches 11 PM News

On Monday November 6th the much anticipated second edition of Telenoticias Orlando premiered. Telenoticias Orlando will now broadcast at 6 pm and 11 pm Monday through Friday. María Isabel Hernández will anchor the second edition of Telenoticias Orlando, Adriana Monsalve will cover sports and Sergio González will present the weather. “The expansion of Telenoticias Orlando with the second edition of local news speaks to the growth of the community in Central Florida and our commitment to serve this audience. We are extremely proud to launch the second edition of local news at 11 pm," said Roberto Vizcón, General Manager of Telemundo Orlando.

Penélope Menchaca and Poncho de Anda with Salu2 hosts Omar Morales and Caty Ernote

Feria de la Familia is Honored by the City of Hartford

On Sunday, September 17th , WRDM/WDMR Hartford/Springfield hosted its second annual La Feria de La Familia with record-breaking crowds. Over 15,000 attended with people lining up as much as 3 hours in advance. Hartford’s Mayor Eddie Perez read a proclamation declaring the day Feria de la Familia Day in the city of Hartford. The emcees for the busy stage were Catherine Ernote and Omar Morales, hosts of WRDM/WDMR's local show Salu2 Nueva Inglaterra. Penélope Menchaca from Telemundo’s popular dating show 12 Corazones and Alfonso Poncho de Anda from the hit morning program Cada Día con María Antonieta were extremely popular with the crowd hosting a mini version of 12 Corazones and signing autographs. The stage also included musical performances by the king of bachata Alex el Bizcochito, the latest salsa craze NG², Puerto Rican reggaeton sensation Yan Weynn, and Huey Dunbar with his Hartford debut of Amigos.

The ZGS team at Orlando’s Feria

Record Breaking Attendance at WTMO Orlando’s Feria de la Familia

Over 18,000 people attended WTMO Orlando’s second annual La Feria de La Familia at Osceola Heritage Park on July 29, setting an attendance record for the event. This year’s theme was Back to School: A Day for the Entire Family. The event had a record participation of 140 vendors and its attendance numbers grew by 20 percent. More than 2,000 children were immunized in preparation for their return to school and over 350 received physical examinations. Alfonso Poncho de Anda, of Telemundo’s morning show Cada Día con María Antonieta and Telenoticias Puerto Rico news anchors Jorge Rivera Nieves and Ivonne Solla were in Orlando for the event. Local Telemundo talent included the Telenoticias Orlando news team and Giorgina Pinedo, anchor of Entre Nos. Grammy nominated salsa artist Michael Stuart, pop star Jean, and Dominican gospel singer Nancy Amancio, among others, performed throughout the day.

The WNEU Boston team with David Ortiz The tournament champions pose with Wally the Green Monster

WNEU and David Ortiz Hit a Homerun in Boston

WNEU Boston and David Ortiz partnered to organize the first annual Hispanic Heritage Baseball Tournament. Eight little league teams made-up of 11-12 year old players participated in the tournament, which ran from July 30 to September 10. Red Sox pitcher’s Manny del Carmen and Julian Tavarez, Wally the Green Monster, the mascot of the Boston Red Sox and various city officials made special appearances throughout the course of the tournament. The winner of this year’s tournament was the team VIP Wireless Mets who beat the CITGO White Sox in an extremely close game with a final score of 2-1. All the teams that participated were honored at a closing ceremony on September 18 with special guest David Ortiz who was also honored by WNEU Boston for his involvement with children’s hospitals in the Dominican Republic. WNEU presented Ortiz with a check for $10,000 to benefit La Plaza de Salud in the Dominican Republic. Ortiz was also given two ambulances to send to the children’s hospital. The entire tournament was a tremendous success and most importantly it touched the lives of 200 young participants.

Volunteers working on the new and improved garden at Sun Plaza

KTDO Takes on Home Improvement

KTDO El Paso and the local El Paso and Las Cruces Home Depots teamed up to make a difference for the residents of the Sun Plaza Community. The Sun Plaza, built in 1966 as the most modern property of the El Paso Housing Authority, provides housing for elderly people with low income and those with disabilities. As community partners KTDO El Paso and The Home Depot worked with various local businesses and organizations to assist the residents of the Sun Plaza with a makeover of several areas. The project included the transformation of the common area, community hall, library, game room, kitchen, and patio garden areas. The outdoor patio received the most attention. The area was landscaped, new pavestone flooring was added and the gazebo transformed. Local volunteers donated the labor and skill for this endeavor. Residents were stunned by the results and are enjoying the renovations.

VIVA 900 Partners with CNN en EspañolRADIO

WILC VIVA 900 announced an agreement with CNN en EspañolRADIO. The agreement provides VIVA 900 the rights to CNN en Español RADIO's top-of-the-hour newscasts and round-the-clock breaking news coverage. “It is a privilege for VIVA 900 to be part of the CNN network family and to be able to provide to our community information in a professional and timely manner. It is our philosophy to be community focused and the relationship with CNN en EspañolRADIO permits us to keep informing and empowering our community,” said Sergio Urriola, Programming Director of VIVA 900. Through this affiliation VIVA 900 will provide complete and up-to-date information on news, sports, business and entertainment in Spanish to its audience, as well as live coverage of breaking news and custom correspondent reports from around the world.

Special 2006 Primary Election Coverage on WZDC

WZDC Washington, DC aired special primary election coverage on Telenoticias 64 in anticipation of the primary elections, which were held on September 12 in the District of Columbia and Maryland. As part of the Tu Voto Tu Voz initiative, ZGS’s partnership with the League of Women Voters to encourage increased voter participation among Latinos, WZDC highlighted key races including the DC mayoral primary, the Montgomery County Executive, as well as Senate and Governor’s races in Maryland. WZDC news reporter Douglas Mejia interviewed candidates about issues important to the Latino community. The interviews and candidate profiles aired as special vignettes on Telenoticias 64.

Salu2 host Omar Morales with U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont

Salu2 Opens its Doors to Political Candidates

WRMD/WDMR Hartford/Springfield’s local show Salu2 Nueva Inglaterra offered the Hispanic community in-depth coverage of the political races in Connecticut with Elecciones 2006, special segments that are part of the Tu Voto Tu Voz initiative. Salu2 hosted Ned Lamont democratic candidate for the United States Senate, and both gubernatorial candidates Jodi Rell (R) and John DeStefano (D) at their studios. Local candidates were glad to have the opportunity to share their platforms with the Hispanic community.

Mauricio Zeilic on stage with Diamante’s Executive Director Lizette Cruz-Watko

Cotorreando’s Mauricio Zeilic Visits Raleigh

Mr. Mauricio “El Tiki-Tiki” Zeilic himself became the first Telemundo talent to visit the Raleigh/Durham market. The host of one of Telemundo’s longest-running and most popular shows Cotorreando made history as the Master of Ceremonies for Diamante, Inc.’s Ritmo Latino, a Latin music festival for the whole family. Aside from lending his talents as a wonderful presenter, Mauricio let everyone know about the latest gossip in the glitzy world of Latino stars. All in attendance had an amazing time and responded positively to the presence of one of Telemundo’s hallmark talents. Gracias Mauricio.

The WWDT team in their festival booth

WWDT Ft. Myers/Naples Hosts Hispanic Heritage Festival

Over 5,000 people attended the second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Lee County Sports Complex in Ft. Myers on September 23. WWDT Ft. Myers/Naples and Comcast organized the event in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival included lots of fun, entertainment and a wide variety of Latin American food. Karim Mendiburu from Deportes Telemundo made a special appearance at the festival and was very popular with fans. Musical guests included Grupo Perverso, La Propuesta , Mad Family, Mia, Pablo Portillo, Felito El Caballote y Patriota, and Johnny Rivera and his Orchestra.

Mayte Prida with Salu2 Nueva Inglaterra Hosts Omar Morales and Caty Ernote

Cada Día's Mayte Prida Visits Hartford

Mayte Prida, from Telemundo’s morning show Cada Día con María Antonieta, took time out of her busy schedule to visit Hartford in early October to share her personal struggle with cancer and to inform area Hispanics about the Partnership for Prescription Assistance Program (PPA). Park Street in downtown Hartford was full of admiring viewers and curious fans that attended to hear Mayte Prida’s story. The mayor of Hartford, Eddie Perez began the event by thanking those present and reminding them to share Ms. Prida’s message of hope. WRDM/WDMR participated in the event and the local show Salu2 Nueva Inglaterra had the unique opportunity to highlight Mayte Prida’s visit and message.

WZDC and NBC4 Celebrate Latino Students

Since 1998 NBC4 and WZDC Washington, DC have partnered to present Washington DC’s annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest. The Essay Contest encourages high school students in the DC metro area to reflect on the unique Hispanic-American experience while emphasizing the importance of a good education for all Americans. Drawing upon the theme “Being Latino in the U.S. is the Best of Both Worlds,” students submit an original 1000-word essay, which is judged by a panel of community leaders, journalists, and notable personalities for content and originality. The judges choose ten finalists, and winners were announced on September 26 at the annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest Reception, which is held each year at the NBC4 headquarters in Washington, DC. The winner of this year’s contest was Stephanie Diana Paredes. Ms. Paredes received a $2,000 scholarship and a laptop. She is currently a freshman studying Engineering at the University of Virginia.

The Vas o No Vas audience

EL Paso is a Big Player in Vas o No Vas

After KTDO hosted a national casting call for Telemundo’s show Vas o No Vas in June, eight El Pasoans were selected to participate in the show, which is produced in Mexico City. Only 54 contestants were chosen from the entire United States and El Paso was well represented during the first few televised shows as three area residents played on the game show. El Paso is the only city to have had more than five residents participate in the show.

WRMD Tampa Launches Quinceañera Promotion

In conjunction with Telemundo’s show Quinceañera WRMD Tampa launched a promotion that will award prizes to Tampa Bay area quinceañeras. WRMD Tampa wants to help three Tampa Bay girls look like stars at their quinceañera party. Prizes include dresses, the rental of classic black tuxedos on the day of the quinceañera party, recognition in a special section of Centro Mi Diario, the local newspaper, as well as many more surprises. To participate, contestants are asked to write WRMD Tampa tell them why their quinceañera should be selected to win the grand prize. During the last week of the program Quinceañera in November three entries will be randomly selected and three local quinceañeras will be awarded the prizes.

Indira Terrazas with Marc Anthony and Laura Pausini

VIVA 900 Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary at Juntos en Concierto

VIVA 900 celebrated their 5-year anniversary in style with over 7,000 fans at this year’s Juntos en Concierto at the Nissan Pavilion in Virginia. The concert tour featured Marc Anthony, Laura Pausini and Marco Antonio Solis. Immediately before the concert VIVA 900 announced the winners of VIP passes which included first row seats. Winners also received the opportunity to meet Marc Anthony and Laura Pausini.

Area residents show their petitions

íYo Quiero a Telemundo!

The North Carolina community has spoken, and what they say in unison is: “I want Telemundo on Time Warner Cable.” This fall WZGS Telemundo 44 organized a petition drive in conjunction with the Latino Community Credit Union with the goal of demonstrating the Hispanic community’s desire for a choice in Spanish-language television. The effort has yielded an impressive 3,000 petitions. It goes without saying how North Carolinians have embraced their new station. “The response to this petition drive clearly represents much more than just adding our station to cable. It is the voice of our community and its desire to have more choices, products, and initiatives that speak directly to us,” said Jayme Ribeiro Neto, General Manager, WZGS.

Comments, suggestions or ideas for the newsletter? E-mail Tara Ballesteros tballesteros@zgsgroup.com

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