Saludos !
Happy 15th Anniversary to Latin Times Magazine !
Thank you to our readers for being so loyal through the years .
On the heels of another successful year at the 5th International Cuban Sandwich Festival , Latin Times Media , Inc ., was able to crown an international winner : Jama Cubana from London , England , plus recrown local favorites such as Faedo ’ s On the Go , Tia ’ s Authentic Latin Food , Pipo ’ s Cuban Café , the Floridian and MORE ! We successfully hosted events at the Valencia College in Metro West , Orlando , Florida , in Miami , at Sergio ’ s Cuban Restaurant , and ended it all in Ybor City , Florida . The best part about the Cuban Sandwich Festival is that this year we were able to feed almost 1,000 homeless people !
We are very excited to share with you all the great coverage of these memorial moments on our website at : www . iLOVECubanSandwiches . com
I am also excited to share that our magazine has expanded its coverage to include national news via both print and online via : www . LatinTimesMedia . com
As we continue celebrate our 15th season of Latin Times Magazine , I would like to share with you again how it all started .
16 Years ago , I moved from Chicago to the areas of Tampa & Orlando , Florida ( I couldn ’ t decide where I wanted to live , but eventually settled in Tampa ) – less than 6 months later , I was starting my first publication – a bilingual publication that
06 would cater to the then growing bilingual communities in Tampa and Orlando . When I started my magazine , a little over 15 years ago , I never dreamed that 15 Years later , I would still be publishing the “ same ” magazine , my goal was 1 year , and then it 5 years , and then I dreamed of 10 years , but 15 years , this is an emotional moment knowing that impossible goals can be reached , by working really hard , staying focused and never giving up , all of which can be summed up in just one word : Faith ! ( thank you GOD !) Fast forward , 15 years later , that little publication , now known as Latin Times Magazine is known world-wide , and we are STILL at it ! Thank you to my husband Victor and my children , Nikko , Michaela , Zion and Victoria for putting up with my workaholic tendencies , and for helping me get it all done . You are the most precious gifts that God ever gave me .
Ironically enough , we are ALSO just celebrated the 5th Anniversary of our International Cuban Sandwich Festival , an event that has enjoyed world-wide attention , and is now being held in Orlando , South Florida and Tampa Bay !
2017 Cuban Sandwich Festival & Smackdown Schedules : 6th Annual Cuban Sandwich Festival Season
2016 Event Schedule :
2nd Annual Orlando Cuban Sandwich Smackdown Saturday , February 25th , 2017 Location : Valencia College
1800 S . Kirkman Rd , Orlando , FL
3rd Annual Miami & South Florida Cuban Sandwich Smackdown March 2017 ; Location : TBA
6th Annual International Smackdown ; Ybor City , Florida March 24th , 25th & 26th , 2016
Do you know someone that makes a great Cuban Sandwich ? Invite them to join the contest : CubanSandwichFestival @ Latin-Times . com
Other Events Being Bilingual : Hispanic Heritage Expo Tuesday , September 20th , 2016 @ HCC – Ybor City Campus Info : http :// latintimesmedia . com / events / being-bilingual-health-job-expo /
In closing , I am looking forward to the adventures and the challenges that lay ahead , as we focus on growing our ministry , our media business , and our event schedule , and introducing our NEWEST EVENT , the Taste of Latino festival , which will be held in the Tampa bay area in the fall of 2016 . I want to extend an invitation to you to attend one of our upcoming events , and say hi to us , we would love to meet you ! Help us celebrate these two huge achievements !
Gracias , Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla Founder / CEO / Publisher Media Site : www . LatinTimesMedia . com Marketing , Advertising & PR Services : www . Latin-Times . com Creators of Annual Cuban Sandwich Festival www . iLOVECubanSandwiches . com
Latin Times Magazine www . latintimesmedia . com Abraza el calor de tu cultura !