Cafecito Caliente Events

Latino Day with the Lugnuts will be Sunday, August 9, 2020 with a concert starting us off in front of the stadium at 11am. Last year we sold about 500 tickets and had a day filled with memories, tears and emotions.

Kicking off the day will be (Tejano band name to be released at a later date) beginning at 11am to about 1:00pm. There will be folkloric dancers, Tejano music, an event shirt for purchase and a great crowd with family and friends.

For the previous eight years, people have bought between 300-500 tickets, 200 event shirts and well, sometimes they even watch the game. Mark the date and plan on joining us for a great family experience!

Last year was truly amazing. Check back on the Cafecito website and social media pages for updates on entertainment and shirt design. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please email seinpaul65@gmail.com

Cafecito Networking Nights began the first of four editions for 2020, Monday, February 9th with a great turnout and several new faces that we hope to see from time to time in the Greater Lansing community.

About 30 people gathered at El Azteco West for an evening of learning some of the “who is who” in the Latino community along with what’s happening. We were introduced to a new organization called Capital Area National Association of Hispanic Nurses by Debbie Moreno who is a Registered Nurse at Sparrow Hospital. Many of us look forward to engaging with your organization going forward.

We were joined by Brandon Waddell who is running for Ingham County Circuit Court Judge in November. With Judge Lawless retiring, Ingham County needs a young individual who will serve with justice and compassion but who is also experienced. In my humble opinion, Brandon Waddell is that person. Thanks for spending some time with us Brandon!

We met Iovani Lopez from Astera Credit Union. Keep on eye on this one as he is looking to sincerely become more involved in the community. Perhaps with the developing Business Association. A true professional, one conversation with him and you can seen the passion he has for building relationships.
Carlos Castillo also joined us from Grand Rapids although he works in Lansing. A Veteran Services Specialist at Peckham, he also is looking for ways to connect with organizations and individuals in the community. The term “underserved community” is often used in this world. Carlos serves a community that gave so much, and yet for many, are still searching for their place in life. I look forward to seeing you around Carlos!

Erick Pardo joined us from Shaheen Chevrolet. I met Erick back when there was a Lansing Area Hispanic Business Association as he was big part of the foundation of it. He was “youngin” back then and smoothly fit in with an older generation while building a cornerstone organization for the Hispanic/Latino business community. Today, his wisdom is priceless. Thank you for dropping by Erick!

Casa de Rosado opens National Reading Month this Saturday, March 7th from 1pm to 2pm with a reading of La Frontera. It’s a children’s reading hour followed by a make-n-take craft! Suggested ages 3-8. So much going on at Casa Rosado for all ages. Great idea Theresa Rosado!

Daniel Ferreyra spoke a few words regarding what he does but also the importance of relationships. He showed up at Sundance Chevrolet and was named Salesman of the Month his very first month and that was no surprise to those of us who know him. It was great seeing you Daniel!

One point I would like to make here is that just because you don’t share interests with the people you meet in your day to day life, it doesn’t mean you can’t either provide value to them or vice versa. The connections they have, might even provide you with that one connection that lifts your business to a new level, provides you with a new job, or even better, gives you a life long friend. Networking. It might not be what you believe it to be.

I hope you will join us for the next one as we move to a new location on Monday, May 4, 2020. Much thanks to everyone that dropped by. Cafecito Caliente has had some success with this and without you “showing up” we have nothing.

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Given the current global contingency of, COVID -19, or Coronavirus, and the orders/instructions issued by the federal and state governments for the prevention of COVID19, the sporting, civic and cultural events of our organization Cafecito Caliente, are cancelled until further notice.

The hope is that everything will return to a sense of normalcy and the Cafecito Caliente 5k Run/Walk will still be held Saturday, September 12, 2020 in the Cesar E. Chavez Plaza in Old Town, Lansing, Michigan. Passionate runners are rarely stopped. Rain, wind, snow, cold, or bad knees are merely obstacles for the passionate runner. It is our hope at Cafecito Caliente that nothing like this, will ever get in our way ever again.

We would like to offer a complete refund.

The safety and health of our members, our team, and our entire community are of the utmost priority to us. Therefore, the following event organized by Cafecito Caliente, will be cancelled.
We appreciate your understanding, reiterating our priority commitment to guarantee the safety of each and every one of our participants and the general public.

Sein Paul Benavides
Race Director of the “Cinco de Mayo 5K RunWalk”
Executive Director of Cafecito Caliente

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Cafecito Caliente wishes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with its 2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo 5k Run/Walk as we will start and finish in front of Cooley Law Stadium home of the Lansing Lugnuts.

The race highlights include starting in front of the stadium, heading down Michigan Ave. turning South onto Museum Dr. to Lansing’s River Trail. We turn around and head North on the River Trail through Rotary Park, almost to Cesar E. Chavez Plaza turning around and heading back South on the River Trail back to Michigan Ave and back in front of the stadium.

Saturday, May 2, 2020 is also the date for the Hispanic Heritage Night at the stadium as the Lansing Lugnut’s bring out the popular Lansing Loco’s jerseys. There will be a festival filled with a live band, food trucks, kids activities and vendors right in front of the stadium beginning at 3:00pm. The 5k begins at 9:00am while the Loco’s take the field at 6:05pm. What can we say but Vamos Locos on Cinco de Mayo!

Cost: Before April 20, 2020: Adults $25 Students $15
After April 20, 2020: Adults $30 Students $20

Entry Fee includes t-shirt, shot glass and custome finisher medal, if preregistered by April 20, 2020.
After April 20, 2020, shirts will be available while supplies last. Shot glass is guaranteed. Shot glasses for those over 21 years only sorry.

Packet pickup will be Friday, May 1, 2020 at Sir Pizza Grand Café in Lansing’s Old Town as well as in the morning of the race at Maguire Park.

Awards; Award to overall male and female and each division winner.
Age divisions: 10 to 15, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, 70 to 79

To register: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Lansing/CincodeMayo5KLansing

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/483753025540070/

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Email us at seinpaul65@gmail.com

This will be the first of our four Networking Nights in 2020.

As always, these Networking Nights are free and open to anyone. Please feel free to bring brochures and business cards.

Who: Anyone interested in the Latino Community

Why: The Latino community needs a way to connect with other Latinos and resources from the Mid-Michigan community from the non Latino community

Mission: To educate, nurture and build the Latino community by building relationships that enhance our personal and professional lives.

Come introduce your business, your profession or build some new contacts while finding out what is happening in the Latino community. Cafecito hopes to bring those together who want to connect.

MORE DETAILS TO COME!

The 2nd Annual Cafecito Caliente 5k was held Saturday, September 14, 2019 on a beautiful morning for a run. Starting in the Cesar E. Chavez Plaza in Old Town, the run stayed on the River Trail going south to the 496 Expressway, turned around with the finish back at the Plaza. The run was highlighted by going through the newly finished Rotary Park complete with a sandy beach and some pan dulce (sweet Mexican bread) at the finish line.

Much thanks to Feldman Chevrolet led by Joseph Rodriguez and his team who not only sponsored the run, but sent 5 of their staff to take part. Much of what Cafecito is about is family and showing up in each others lives. Feldman Chevrolet has been all over the city whether it be involved at Herofest at the Cooley Law Stadium, helping Footprints of Michigan with their golf outing and a collection drive for winter boots, Lansing Firefighter All-Stars vs. Detroit Lion Legends or Cafecito’s Cinco de Mayo 5k. One look at the Feldman Facebook page, and you see a Feldman family having fun. Playing softball, dressing up for Halloween, Christmas parties for their families, its all there to see. And what the community should see, is a Feldman Chevrolet family that believes getting involved with the Greater Lansing community a responsibility they claim as part of their philosophy.

Much thanks to the many volunteers who made all this happen. Heidi McGowan, Natalia, Reyes, Danielle Petrous, Sonia Fuentes, Antonella Benavides, Elizabeth Hernandez, Sara Riggs, Carmen, Leah Bucio and our Dj and Master of Ceremonies Julez “Dj Sinsation Quintero. Coordinating a 5k can be tiresome. But having dedicated volunteers is even more critical to the success of a 5k than the logistics of the run itself. We have a surprise waiting for folks with the Cinco de Mayo 2020 run scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2020.

Cafecito Caliente is about family. Its about showing up. Please stay tuned as a long awaited project for 2020 is coming. Again, its all about the family and recognizing and honoring those that came before us.

Peace and God Bless – Cafecito Cafecito Publisher Sein Paul Benavides

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The 8th Annual Latino Day with the Lugnuts is this Sunday, August 18, 2019. Jr. Aldaco and the Midwest All Stars will kick everything off with their brand of Tejano at 11am!

Tickets will go on sale Friday at Sir Pizza in Old Town for $11.00 each.

Game Day at the stadium: Ask for Latino Day $12.00 each
Shirts: $13.00 per shirt all sizes from Small to 5X. Sorry no kids sizes.

Sir Pizza in Old Town
Friday 4pm to 7:30pm
Saturday 2pm til 6pm

Also on hand serving up their flavor of Mexican food will be Maria’s Cuisine’s Food Truck from Old Town.

Sponsored by Feldman Chevrolet of Lansing, the Inaugural Cinco de Mayo 5k Run/Walk was held Saturday, May 4, 2019. 125 entries took to Lansing’s River Trail starting at Maguire Park. With Race Director Juanita Garcia and Assistant Race Director Ashley Garcia coordinating their second ever 5k, most participants were pleased with the course, the shirt, the shot glasses as swag and the Michigan weather produced no snow! Feldman Chevrolet led by General Manager Joseph Rodriguez added some flavor to the Start/Finish Line by bringing 3 brand new vehicles matching the colors of the Mexican Flag. Several folks were seen taking pictures in front of them. Much thanks to Joseph and his team of 6 participants for believing in us. Melina Lerma added some graphics to give us our Medal Winners Photos. Our volunteers truly made it fun with people of all ages helping to making the run a success including our Wayne State University connection. We had a few hiccups as we didn’t have a photographer aboard. My apologies to all as photos are a must in the “social media” age. If anyone has any photos they would like to add, please send them our way. We hope you will mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Cafecito Caliente 5k to be held Saturday, September 14, 2019. Swag should include a coffee mug along with some Pan Dulce (Mexican sweet bread).

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I would like to thank everyone that came out to last night’s Cafecito Caliente Networking Night #9. I myself was impressed at the amount of happenings in the Latino community over the next 3 months.

Much thanks to the following organizations for sending folks to give us a brief description of who they are, what they do and perhaps an event that they are hosting:

Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez
Voces de la Comunidad
Casa de Rosado
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
Chicano Latino Advisory Committee
Capital Area Latina Youth (CALY)
Suits in the City
Footprints of Michigan
MSU Cesar E. Chavez/Dolores Huerta Commemorative Celebration
City of Lansing Memorial Committee

Much thanks also to those that reached out and met a new friend, contact or both. I always see folks exchange business cards. But my impression last night and from what I heard afterward that there were several connections made with the intention of working together.

I did some research about “networking” in a few Latino communities from South Texas. Their opinion is that Latinos prefer to make the one on one connection and perhaps lack the patience to attend event after event to build relationships. They might go once and when they see no results they give up.

My hope is that many of you will reach out to me and I with you in terms of connecting until the May meeting and perhaps bring a friend or coworker. I had some great feedback already and we will fix the problem of the noise level for May.

We definitely want to thank Acapulco Mexican Grill for taking care of us. They are fabulous to work with and I hope you keep them in mind for future hunger pains 🙂

Please feel free to send me a note, post inside the event page for any thoughts you may have that you wanted to share or even something that you would like to see with the Networking Night or elsewhere in the community.

Cafecito Caliente Networking Nights #10 will be on Monday, May 13, 2019 at a site to be announced soon. Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have at seinpaul65@gmail.com

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Cafecito Caliente wishes to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the 2nd Annual Cafecito Caliente 5k Run/Walk on Lansing’s south side. The race highlights include running the River Trail which this part of the course is mostly shaded and was well received at the 2018 event.

The course starts at Maguire Park and continues into Hawk Island. The scenery changes into the woods next to the water on the parks west side of Lansing’s River Trail. One mile into the park is the turnaround and finishes back at Maguire Park.

Upon completing the course, runners can partake in having pan dulce (sweet Mexican bread) and coffee both freshly made to perfection!

Cost: Before September 4, 2019: Adults $25 Students $15
After September 4, 2019: Adults $30 Students $20
Race Day: Adults $35 Students $25

Entry Fee includes t-shirt if preregistered by September 4, 2019.
After September 4, 2019, shirts will be available while supplies last.
Packet pickup will be Friday, September 13, 2019 at Sir Pizza Grand Café in Lansing’s Old Town as well as in the morning of the race at Maguire Park.

Awards; Award to overall male and female and each division winner.
Age divisions: 10 to 15, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, 70 to 79

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/348608905726850/

To Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Lansing/CafecitoCaliente5kRunWalk