White House official to help YSU celebrate

The conference is part of a wider Hispanic heritage community celebration.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Denise Rodriguez-Lopez, deputy director for the White House Initiative on Excellence for Hispanic Americans, will give the keynote address at the area Hispanic Heritage Conference on Oct. 7 at Youngstown State University.
The conference will be at 5:30 p.m. in the Chestnut Room of YSU's Kilcawley Center. Participants can park free in the parking deck on Wick Avenue.
The event, with the theme, "Recognizing Hispanic Achievements," marks the area's observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is Thursday through Oct. 15.
The conference also will include a ceremony with area Hispanic schoolchildren displaying heritage flags from 22 Hispanic countries, dance presentations, recognition of achievement in the local Hispanic community and awards.
Rodriguez-Lopez was director of the government affairs and legislative policy in the Washington, D.C., office of the Cuban American National Council before being appointed to her White House post.
She has a bachelor's degree in business administration and earned a law degree from George Washington University Law School.
Other events planned to observe Hispanic Heritage Month include:
U The main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will sponsor discussions of books on topics of interest to the Hispanic community. The branch also will display children's artwork the week of Oct. 10. Contact Deborah Liptak of the library development office for additional information.
U Spanish dance classes will be offered at the Fred Astaire Studios in Youngstown and Warren for a nominal fee.
U Spanish music will be played from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout the month in the area just outside Kilcawley Center.
U The Children's Museum of the Valley will have programs related to Hispanic heritage Oct. 4-7 at the museum, at 139 E. Boardman St. There will be no charge on Oct. 5.
U Mill Creek Park celebrates the month with Ely Pugh, who will teach those interested in learning to cook unique vegetarian dishes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Registration fee is $25 for Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens and $32 for nonmembers. Call the gardens at (330) 740-7116 to register.