I recently had the chance to hang out with local Puerto Rican science fiction writer Sandra Desjardins at her latest book signing at the Mayborn Planetarium at Central Texas College. The warm and friendly author shared some details about her newest sci-fi novel, “Sleeper Cells”, and her plans for a future project, entitled “Fugue”. Sandra has been writing since a young age, and has recently founded her own privately owned publishing company, increasing her ability to reach a greater readership. Her publishing company, A Tale of Two Kitties, strives to entertain readers craving a “quirky supernatural romance.”  Yet her works are attractive to readers of all kinds, for she incorporates romance, action, and a feminist punch in her storylines.

Enter the breezeway outside The Moody Theatre in the new W Hotel in Austin, TX, and you will find yourself in a bar named after a man known by his nickname, and which serves his famous handmade vodka. Tito’s Bar prides itself on its location and its view of the luminescent Austin city skyline.

With a modern, outdoor twist, around 400 bottles hang from the ceiling of the bar against a backdrop of what looks like a stage with spotlights. After being told that distilling Vodka in Texas was not only impossible, but illegal, having his own Vodka brand in the heart and capital of Texas is exactly where Tito’s Vodka deserves to be.

“Don’t be afraid of pursuing your dreams and ambitions. If you fail just get up and try again. Pursuing your dreams is an incredible journey; with determination and belief you can accomplish anything!”  –Tiffany Perez

Tiffany Perez is well on the road to success in today’s entertainment industry. She has the ambition, drive, and passion to excel, with the talent and experience to match it. This is why we have chosen her as our Popular Hispanic of the month!

When I realize that I am about to interview architect Juan José Espiñeira, I feel a combination of nervousness and excitement. It has been a while since I last spoke to him, so I am fascinated about discovering what he has been up to. His creations are breathtaking, no doubt, but I am looking as well for Juan José Espiñeira the man, the person. After all, he is the fountain of amazing ideas translated into wonders. And I do mean wonders.

We started our conversation with many ideas in my mind, but when one is talking to an artist, all those plans, questions and ideas that one has prepared in advance could be changed immediately.

Tom Gilliland is perhaps the last person you’d think would own a very well known interior Mexican restaurant. He isn’t Hispanic; he studied law, and grew up in Nebraska. Many may wonder, “What would this man know about Mexican cuisine?” The answer to that is clearly shown in the delicious specialties offered at Fonda San Miguel, one of Austin’s oldest and most renowned Mexican restaurants.

When Tom moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, he had all the intentions of one day becoming a lawyer. But then he met Chef Miguel Ravago, and his life took an extremely different path. His partnership with Ravago began with San Angel, their first restaurant, which opened in Houston.

In the show Canals-Barrera plays the mortal mother to her three wizard children, Justin (David Henrie), Alex (Selena Gomez) and Max (Jake T. Austin). As with anything, all good things must come to an end. Recently, the cast wrapped up production of the final season of the show.

Just because the TV family is calling it quits, doesn’t mean the curtain closed on the relationships created between the cast. Read on to learn what the final day was like for Maria, on her relationship with Selena and Demi [Lovato] and what it was like working alongside legendary actor Tom Hanks.

You don’t just visit Costa Rica www.tourism-costarica.com/ ; you immerse yourself in its natural wonders. More than a quarter of this lush Central American country consists of national parks and preserves, filled with ready-made adventures for the active traveler.

My Costa Rican adventure took me to Guanacaste http://www.costa-rica-guanacaste.com/, a small city near the Pacific Ocean, located roughly four hours from the country’s largest city, San José.  Two connections later, and I arrived at the small but efficient Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, the far northwestern part of Costa Rica.

Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato is known as The Cradle of National Independence.  It is in this colonial city that Father Miguel Hidalgo uttered his famous cry of independence in 1810, El Grito de Dolores.  In honor of Father Hidalgo’s contribution to Mexico’s Independence, the colonial town was named after him.

Father Hidalgo forever left a lasting impression to his town and to his country.  Not only is Dolores Hidalgo known for El Grito, but it is also known for its ceramic industry, most importantly Talavera.  The art of Talavera ceramics was introduced by the Spaniards around the 16th Century, an art form that Father Hidalgo instilled in his people and has been engrained in the Mexican culture ever since.

Founded in 1992 and located in Los Angeles, California, Santa Cecilia Orchestra’s mission is “through live performances and stimulating music education programs, to share the beauty and inspiration of classical music with Southern California audiences, giving special focus to Latino communities that are underserved and underrepresented by the arts.”  This is the only symphony orchestra in the United States that exists with this specific mission.

The woman behind the mission is Sonia Marie De Léon de Vega, who is the founder, director and conductor of Santa Cecilia Orchestra.  De Léon de Vega’s classical music training began when she was a child. 

Ivana Gomez is the daughter of Spanish music legend, Paloma San Basilio.  Though no secret, she has decided to forge her own creative path and musical destiny.  In her own words, she is a new renaissance woman, who has nurtured natural artistic talents and tempered creative skills through higher education and practical experience in film scoring, music and video production, acting, and singing.  She has recast herself as Shalee, her solo musical persona, to lead her own personal musical renaissance and let the world come along with her as she explores.  Learn more about Shalee in this EXCLUSIVE PopularHispanics.com interview. 

To say that Executive Chef Jose Bossuet Martinez is an accomplished chef is quite the understatement. At only twenty-five, he became the youngest member of the elite Club des Chefs, as well as being the first one to come from Mexico. Three years ago, he was awarded the Global Quality Foundation Award for overall excellence, and since 2010 has been the executive chef for the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning hotel Fiesta Americana Grand Chapultepec in Mexico City. But probably his most notable achievement was being ex-President Vicente Fox's personal chef.  Here, he shares with us a little bit on how his cooking has been inspired by his Mexican upbringing, his personal favorite dishes and ingredients, and gives us an insider's look...