All Posts
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Aunt AI
Over the past few weeks I served as the middle person to AI-generated responses for family members. I would double check natural remedies for x, food recipes and 7-day at-home yoga plans… Read →
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Exploratory Experiences
No one is born an explorer, you become one through exploratory experiences. It’s in exploratory experiences where your mind expands and rarely can you put it back where it was. You’re never the same each time, and I highly recommend it for all ages… Read →
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Intentional Travels
In every aspect of business, startup and even in the military, a team is what makes it go around. Most recently in my downtown office I hired my first administrative assistant who went onto bigger and greener pasture co-founding her own construction company… Read →
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Ponches and Black Friday
This week every business promotes Black Friday, or the period of time when business are trying to end the day in the black, not red, an accounting term for positive cash and profitability. If you own a small business you know exactly what this means… Read →
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Leveraging Nature
Over the past three years I’ve transitioned from prescriptive medicine to lifestyle medicine, one in which health is the foundation of living. This has resulted in losing over 77lbs, healthy blood work, shrinking shirt and pant size, including blazers, and no longer out of breath when participating in normal or incline activities… Read →
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Huddles To Build Momentum
For benefits employees we all know what we’re going to collect on the day after our 20 years. I joined the Army reserve after putting myself through community college and after 20 years I wouldn’t have seen a dime until well into my 60s… Read →
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Collaborate More Than Compete
Over the years I’ve read about the importance of collaboration w/ competitors vs. competing with them… Read →
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What Makes a Cover Letter
A cover letter for a job tells a story to the interviewing committee why they should proceed to the resume. This is what I’ve used and its worked:… Read →
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Frankl On Hope, Something To Live For
This morning on our riverwalk and observing the sunset, reflecting and taking it in we stopped by a small coffee shop. The business, a moving trailer was retrofitted with a full barista bar and the opening was a tiny open source library… Read →
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Reporting Quadrant
This afternoon I observed a conversation between a business owner and an employee. The conversation centered on updates, taskers, and what is expected… Read →
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CEO Management Assessment
During the Stanford GSB LBAN Program Latino entrepreneurs benefit from several, incuding:… Read →
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Bloom, Learn to Invest App
When one of my twins, Citlali, mentioned this afternoon she wanted to learn how to invest, alongside Crunchbase, Morningstar and Robinhood, I thought about Bloom… Read →
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Strategy AI
Back on active duty I served as the S-2/3 Officer in Charge (OIC), Protocol and Public Affairs Officer for a unique wartime battalion sized organization comprised of military service members, active, reserve and retiree recall, GS civilians and Department of Defense contractors. During my 24-month tour of duty, officers get rated annually and in this rating our supervisors have an opportunity to recommend several future career path opportunities to continue service in uniform… Read →
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Value of Time and Time Decay
Picture this. You drive almost an hour to a function only to arrive and quickly decide about the opportunity cost and time decay. I arrived and not 7 minutes later I was departing with a handout and names of the points of contact I needed… Read →
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How To Build A Nonprofit (2023 Guide)
Earlier this evening I was chatting with a business student about building a non-profit. This is an update to my earlier, Launching a Nonprofit the Operation Code Way… Read →
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Kyle McClelland on Veteran's Day
Today on Veteran’s Day I want to share this post, an oldie but one that has been going around for about two years. I believe it was written by Kyle McClelland and describes what many of us who’ve served in uniform feel today… Read →
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The Power of a Lymphatic Drainage Massage
For almost two decades I’ve suffered from waking up throughout the night and some would say snoring. Through the years VA doctors have suggested a test to determine sleep apnea, medicine and dropping weight… Read →
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Open Source Night Baltimore Anniversary
Today, 13 years ago I attended my first Open Source Night in Baltimore, a place to create, tinker and hack something together… Read →
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Using Airplane Mode To Sleep Better
For years I’ve suffered from lack of sleep. I imagined it was because I worked too hard, ate too close to going to bed, or over drank. The truth was twofold: being overweight and not getting regenerative sleep… Read →
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Why and How to Scale a Government Contracting Company
This is a recap I gave earlier to a group of aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and owner-operators on the topic of government contracting… Read →
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Avoid Technical Debt and Duplication
For a few weeks I’ve been trying to update my blog without success. On the one hand, GitHub showed the most recent source code and my live blog was showing the latest and greatest blog. The issue… Read →
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How to Change Date Time in Jekyll
A few days ago I posted about my grandfather’s passing and shared it. Unfortunately the link, https://davidmolina. github… Read →
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Eusebio Don Chevio Lopez, el Abuelo, Age 90 of Compostela, Nayarit Departs to the Other Side
Eusebio “Don Chevio” Lopez, age 90 of Compostela, Nayarit passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, May 1st, 2023 surrounded by family. He was born September 11th, 1932 to Aurelio Flores and Catalina Lopez in Embocadero, Nayarit… Read →
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United States Two Stark Choices and Food Security
The United States faces two stark choices: grow and control U. S. food security within our borders or import from abroad often with zero or little environmental oversight… Read →
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Podcast of the Week: Labrada & Saadia
As some of you know I had to step away a few months ago, and reset. Some do it every Sunday, some annually on January 1st and others until you get tapped on the shoulder because they know better and want only the best for you. When Daniel Valdez introduced me to a few of his reads and podcasts that was helping him lose weight, build muscle, and become 1% better everyday I couldn’t understand it all at once… Read →
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Operation Code Launch Four Years Ago Today
Today, Facebook reminded me of the Operation Code Launch Party held on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Epicodus code school. The event drew over 75 friends and family to downtown Portland, including representatives from all Portland-based code schools and Sen… Read →
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Dorchester Conference, Welches, Oregon
This weekend I headed to the Resort at the Mountain in Welches, Oregon for Dorchester Conference, the oldest annual political conference in the country. This is my second time attending… Read →
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Latino Founder Hour: David Molina Geeking Out with Operation Code
Today, I was interviewed on Latino Founder Hour by tech entrepreneur Edgar Navas over at NedSpace, Portland’s original co-working space with some of the most amazing views around at the Union Bank of California Tower. Latino Founder Hour interviews Latino entrepreneurs from around the globe solving complicated problems and bringing them to life… Read →
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Operation Code Interviews with Vets in Tech - David Molina, former U.S. Army Captain
Today, I was interviewed on the Operation Code podcast by former Googler and podcast host, Bob Purvy. The Operation Code podcast was his brainchild and he brought it to life and we’re all so thrilled he volunteers his time to coordinate, schedule, interview, edit then deploy it onto the web… Read →
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God Speed Adam Mayer
This morning Oregon lost an American patriot— unexpectedly. We had just broke bread this past Wednesday at my Campaign Kick-Off. A fellow Republican PCP, Adam mostly spent the entire eve bottle feeding baby Edith… Read →
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Hacking Entrepreneurship — An Interview with David Molina of Operation Code
This article originally published on The Hum, and written by David Powers… Read →
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Launching a Nonprofit, the Operation Code Way
This afternoon I spoke to my friend, Alexander Días Rios, who was inquiring on Facebook information on launching a nonprofit. I had commented that I’d be happy to share my experience, and lessons learned with Operation Code… Read →
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Helping One Kayla Asay at a Time
This morning I had a great visit from one of our Operation Code members, an Army veteran who’s looking to relocate to Portland, Ore. Kayla Asay just graduated Code Fellows Seattle studying Full-Stack JavaScript and looking to relocate to the City of Roses… Read →
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Tech Inclusion Seattle
This morning I traveled to Seattle, Wa. to be on a panel at Tech Inclusion Seattle. The focus of the event: creating solutions to jobs, access and opportunity, empathy and allyship, inclusive and accessible design, and creating inclusive team… Read →
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Counting My Lucky Stars
Today, I had the privilege to accompany my oldest daughter on her last field trip of her 3rd grade to Fernhill Wetlands. Earlier this year I also accompanied my twins, Paloma & Citlali, on their 1st grade field trip to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry… Read →
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Speaking At Tech Jobs Tour Seattle
This Wednesday afternoon, I’ll be speaking at Tech Jobs Tour Seattle during the evening and probably before the 3rd Chief Technology Officer of the United States of America Megan Smith. I don’t know the order, but it’s this Wednesday along an amazing array of founders, entrepreneurs and software engineers, and many others… Read →
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Mole and Interview Cake With Kyle Holmberg
This past Sunday I met up for lunch w/ prior service Oregon National guardsman Kyle Holmberg who was in town for PyCon, the largest annual gathering for the community that uses and develops the open-source Python programming language… Read →
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Video Of The Week: My Talk At Bunker Labs Seattle, First Annual Muster
Last Friday afternoon, I went to Bunker Labs Seattle for their first annual muster and spoke for about 15mins… Read →
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What I'm Doing Now
Every so often I’m asked what I’m doing now. These questions come from friends and/or family and they arrive through Facebook messenger or email (or phone call). Through exploring how other entrepreneurs and software engineers solve this predicament, I came across Derek Silvers /now page and I was hooked… Read →
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Scaling an Idea
Today, I had a productive (lunch) meeting w/ a friend about a project he wants to take into the wild. At first glance it sounded like a nonprofit… Read →
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David Molina at 38
I don’t pretend to know all the answers, and will fail many times before finding them, but I won’t settle for status quo or stop finding them… Read →
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Blog Migration Complete
Anyone who’s ever tried blogging knows what a pain it is to write and publish their work, and own their work… Read →
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Happy New Year Everyone
Happy New Year Everyone. We arrived late this evening from a weekend in Mount Vernon, Washington (Skagit Valley) visiting mom, sisters, nephews and nieces. As is typical with small children we usually make several stops along the way up from Portland, usually around the JBLM and Seattle area… Read →
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Happy Christmas Eve
Happy Merry Christmas Eve from The Dalles, Oregon. We departed Portland’s madhouse traffic yesterday mid-day and beat I-205 and I-84 traffic after a quick stop at the Vancouver Westfield Mall for some Christmas shopping for the girls. Interstate 84 was clear, but visible snow throughout the Columbia Gorge, especially Hood River and The Dalles… Read →
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Remembering Oscar Montemayor
Oscar, hermano. Words cannot express the lives you impacted throughout decades of selfless service to not just @oregonstate, but students everywhere. We will miss you sorely at all the events and ceremonies celebrating the closing of one chapter and the opening of the next… Read →
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Ruby on Rails PDX
A little over a week ago during my trip to GitHub Universe, my friend and rubyist mentor, Chris Hough, sent me a text to invite me to give a talk at Ruby on Rails PDX, a Portland meetup group where rails developers convene around the Ruby on Rails framework, building Rails Applications… Read →
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Interview with Joe Crane at Veteran on the Move Podcast
As promised yesterday, podcast interview went live today. As it happens, a few weeks ago Rob Kriner, an Operation Code marketing/communications volunteer introduced us to Joe Crane, a 24 year Military Veteran and the founder and host of the Veteran on the Move podcast. As Joe puts it:… Read →
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Weekend at Lincoln City
We just returned from a long weekend with no phone connectivity (limited internet) at the Oregon coast where we spent time building sandcastles, building mini forts made of beach wood (see photo below), chasing seagulls, bonfires and watching stars, grilling, hot-tubbing, and catching up with old friends. Side note: I did only one work-related podcast interview, that I’ll share tomorrow Monday… Read →
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What Happens When Military Veterans Learn to Code. CodeConf LA 2016
I presented the talk, “When Happens When Military Veterans Learn to Code,” at CodeConf LA this week. The full slides are available on Speaker Deck in PDF… Read →
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Leveraging 1Password
In a world where teams work remotely, in a decentralized operating environment, where you have to trust in your team to get things done ensuring others on the team can gain access to key digital assets, leveraging a password app is key. Literally… Read →
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Going Backwards in New York City. Airbnb
Any traveler watching the news of late will notice something extraordinary happening and playing across the United States, and it’s worrisome to this entrepreneur and it should be to you. We saw that with Uber in Austin, and now we’re seeing it play out in New York City with Airbnb… Read →
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Post-ThinkMujer Summit Portland
Like anyone that attended this year’s ThinkMujer Summit at the University of Portland, I was impressed and in awe that 200 Latina professionals, bilingual and bicultural could be assembled in one place. More than anything I was impressed by the cohesive team that helped put it together, from University of Portland students to Latina leaders in the community… Read →
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The Calm Before the ThinkMujer Summit Storm
In early April I wrote about the need to balance family and work and mentioned how my wife, Edith, was once again organizing the ThinkMujer Summit, a one-day, single-track annual event that convenes the region’s foremost Latina thinkers and doers to gain leadership insights, network for personal and professional growth, and share each other’s stories. This year I got more involved than last year… Read →
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A Nice Way To Celebrate Memorial Day
During the course of my last active-duty mobilization at Dover AFB I met many families who had lost their loved ones in service to our country. In the fall 2011, I met the mother of a Navy Seal who was lost in the Chinook that went down in Afghanistan… Read →
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Paint the Picture
Writing is hard. I’ll admit it’s not easy and it’s painful trying to get the words just right. Years ago, at a migrant student leadership conference I was nominated by my peers to represent them and I wrote a speech… Read →
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Overcoming Care
Over the weekend, I took our daughters to Henry Hagg Lake to hike and get away from our computers. During our visit we saw the road cracked in so many ways and my daughters began asking why no one cared… Read →
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Balancing Family and Work
Today, my better half, Edith, departed to Eastern Oregon on a small chartered plane as part of her consulting work. The client had been coming here to Beaverton off-and-on the last few months and now it was time to meet the board and staff and take their group one step further… Read →
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Full Descriptive Biographies
I had a huge and pivotal morning meeting in downtown, Portland. Literally. The meeting was about something that doesn’t exist, that will exist, and the documents that must be created to support it’s existence… Read →
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Hurry Up and Wait
Portland is warming up fast. 72 here today. This morning on the way to work we saw a drone flying over the Forest Grove fields… Read →
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SSH Keys, Trello and Meetups
This week was a mad rush. What week isn’t, right. First, my SSH keys failed when pushing code up for a friend’s site… Read →
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The Day my Network Expanded by a Twitter DM
I grew up poor, jumping from multiple migrant farmworker camps to the next, starting in Hood River, Oregon and ultimately landing in the Skagit Valley, just north of Seattle. Our safety net was always more work than there were Mexicans to do it… Read →
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Adios to 2012
This past year will go down personally as one of the most nurturing, rewarding and educational years. Our little family continued to grow… Read →
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Learning to Code - Building a URL from Scratch
Since 1996, when I was first introduced to HTML by Mr. Sedgewick at Mount Vernon High, I’ve had this itch to craft and build online. Like many detours in life mine took another route of which I’m now reeling myself back from… Read →
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Hack Because You Can
I just returned from 3 nights, 4 days in New York City for my first Hackathon. While I didn’t join any of the teams (I came out as a volunteer) I did get my first glimpse into this world that builds teams and internet startups from the ground up in 24-hours in the most fascinating process. The event was called AngelHack and the event hosted four total in four cities across the United States on this very same weekend… Read →
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The Eleventh Hour
This week the stress for almost every American reached new heights, be it in Oregon serving in the National Guard or Reserves to serving in the Middle East, when Congress and President Obama nearly missed the deadline for passing an agreed budget. In fact, for anyone serving in the military or civilian personnel in the federal government it became much more personal… Read →
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Why Molina Recommends Rework & Be Like Rowan
… Read →
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The Best Oregon Co-Pilot Ever
This evening, I bid farewell to Edith’s dad, my father-in-law, former-Pastor Juan Quiroz at BWI. After trekking nearly 3,000 miles cross-country from Oregon to Maryland and then touring the Baltimore/DC area these past two days together he now heads to Oklahoma on a different mission–to help the brothers in that area rebuild their roof that caved in due to heavy snow with final destination to Oregon… Read →
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Never Judge a Restaurant by its Cover
This morning my father-in-law and I were scheduled for bfast just down the street from Red Roof Inn at Laurel. I had been telling him of the extraordinary banano frito, popusas and homemade fruit drinks all night after a long day in Washington, D… Read →
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Another of Life's Journey. Oregon Trek to Maryland/Delaware
We’ve been on the road since Saturday evening when my father-in-law, former Pastor Juan Quiroz packed our bags, kissed/hugged our wife’s & kids goodbye, made one last prayer and departed The Dalles, Oregon. After trekking through eastern Oregon and Idaho we finally stopped for some shuteye in Utah… Read →
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Moving Military Families Courtesy of NorthAmerican Vanlines. Thanks Mike & Steve!
Earlier today, the reality of moving to Delaware became ever so real when Mike & Steve pulled up at our Portland home on the corner of 52nd & Everett. Just as they had arrived to carefully organize our personal belongings like a puzzle onto their truck & take off, the entire process could not have run more smoother… Read →
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A Legislative Agenda.
Over the past few months, I’ve received a ton of correspondence, messages and phone calls for legislative agenda this or that. Sure, the legislative season in Oregon and much of the country is in full-effect, but it surprises me how many miss the mark, misunderstand the legislative process and underestimate the importance of pre-planning and key players… Read →
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What if we only had to pay $15 to visit a doctor?
As a dad of three young daughters under 3 this is affordable. As a business owner this is doable. The importance of safety net clinics is evident… Read →
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Hiring at BilingualHire.
Who knew the need for bilingual (Spanish/English) temporary staff was high in demand. In late November either everyone was on Thanksgiving-Christmas-Holiday mode or were telling us, “hold off a bit, we got some need in the new year… Read →
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RIP Rick Garrett. We'll Continue Serving on The Other Side.
This past Thursday, a former co-worker and friend from my previous active-duty military assignment, The Joint Personal Effects Depot (JPED) served God on this earth one last time and it pains me he’s gone. The JPED is ground zero for processing the personal belongings & cherished memories for nearly every American killed-in-action or wounded from the Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan… Read →
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Google TV finally listens to consumers and advertisers. Auburn vs Oregon 2011.
As we sit here as a family watching the Oregon Auburn 2011 game on the big screen courtesy of GoogleTV I’m in awe. The picture is crisp… Read →
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Insightful tidbits. Insightful Marshall.
Recently, I had tea w/ Marshall Kirkpatrick (@marshallk) of ReadWriteWeb at Portland’s own tea shop, Townshend’s. We discussed a variety of topics, from current projects to startup resources… Read →
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Blessings large and small.
Yesterday, Edith and I participated in Christmas Eve service at Iglesia Christiana Universal Apostolica de Jesus Pentecostes of the Dalles. This church was founded over 20 years ago by Edith’s dad, former-Pastor Juan Quiroz… Read →
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Why MEChA needs to podcast and livestream.
Fact: National, regional and state MEChA is much more technologically organized than in the 1960s. Printed newsletters and authoring pamphlets to distribute could only go so far… Read →
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Home alone w/ Paloma & Citlali. #joytotheworld.
Here our twins, Paloma & Citlali at almost 4 months. In this shot, a family friend, Carol, made some cool homemade sweaters for the twins… Read →
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An American Servicemembers work is never finished. Ahem, Tricare.
I was reading through the newspaper paper, and ran into this picture of a Sergeant telling youngsters about his medals. From the drawing:… Read →
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Citlali Olivia & Paloma Catalina do purple. #newborns #tinyperfections.
… Read →
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Our vote. Enthusiasm gap and cake.
Monday morning, I skipped gym at 24 Hour Fitness to drop our ballots off in Portland. We had been sitting on them over the weekend and hadn’t even completed them (Edith was early on this one) until last, Friday… Read →
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Precious moments and the basics.
Since 8/27, Edith and I haven’t taken the trek up north to Mount Vernon, Washington. Our twins, Paloma & Citlali, were preemies and too small to travel… Read →
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Priorities. 49 days later. Resignations and your emails.
As many of you already know 49 days ago, Edith and I were blessed w/ Paloma & Citlali, twins. At that time we thought, or at least I did that I could continue at the same rate/trajectory that I had long been used to… Read →
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Saturday entertainment w/ Maya. For the record, Elmo, never gets old. Ever.
Thanks Olivia for Maya’s gift & her first Elmo movie. She’s in love… Read →
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Roberto Maestas, RIP carnal.
Today, the clients, staff, board, and friends of El Centro de La Raza, a Seattle community-based organization mourned the lost of its co-founder and former executive director to cancer. What began as community protests over educational disparities, testimony before elected city officials and ultimately a takeover of an abandoned Seattle school that would result in El Centro is an example of the power of community organizing, perseverance and dedication… Read →
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Maya's new black truck. #dadtime.
One day Maya is opening her eyes for the first time. Next, crawling. Then, walking & running… Read →
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September 11 battle assembly, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington.
Today, I unpacked and put back on our nation’s Army Combat Uniform (ACUs) again for the first time since mid-June 2008. I still remember that day as if it was yesterday… Read →
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Portland Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center Prognosis.
There’s an old saying often quoted by executive coaches, bots on Twitter, entrepreneurship circles and dinner tables around the world and while I hate to repeat it, it bears repeating because in my book when it comes to caring for those who’ve worn the scars for the nation, we have a sincere obligation and responsibility. Goes like this, “madness is repeating something over and over and expecting different results… Read →
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David & Edith Molina & family announce the arrival of Paloma Catalina & Citlali Molina, Portland, Oregon. 8/27/Blessing.
We’re happy to announce the healthy arrival of two new blessings to our family–Paloma Catalina (4lbs 9oz) born at 0816 and Citlali Olivia (5lbs 14oz) at 0817, today… Read →
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See you on the other side, Paloma & Gaviota. 8/27/Blessing.
Before… Read →
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A Portland VA Medical Center Priority: Veterans. Now. Period.
Now I’m not the first to pen open criticism of our nation’s Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, whether its Walter Reed or Portland VA Medical Center. Today, for the first time I went in to get seen at the emergency room on a lower back pain that came back this week with a vengeance–my hope was to receive an steroid injection (SI) as the military doctors had done previously at Bethesda/Walter Reed–but after being seen I was prescribed meds, and a follow up in two weeks… Read →
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Choosing girl baby names, from Marazul to Morelia.
Choosing our babies names has been challenging over the past few months. As you may be fully aware Edith and I have been blessed with identical twin girls and they will be welcomed for the first time in just a few weeks. Some say this is a very private family decision and that parents should decide first and foremost… Read →
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Weddings. Happy content producers and social media.
Yesterday, Edith and I were witnesses to the matrimony of Dario & Karla Vergara. What was incredible was the amount of photos and video that were taken with everything from BlackBerry’s to iPhones and clunky equipment (professional hires)… Read →
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Wishing Maya, a very happy bday today on her 2nd bday.
Today, our daughter, Maya, turns 2. When friends asked her how old she was, she smiles, “dos. ” Love you, Maya, hoy y siempre… Read →
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Paloma & Gaviota Molina.
In the early days of Paloma & Gaviota. This week, 33 weeks. We’ll meet you soon… Read →
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No more DVD players. Ever. Just an outlet. Smartphone. Pandora. Speakers. Anywhere.
Last night, I hung out w/ family & friends at Izzy & Blanca Quiroz’s (brother-in-law) The Dalles home in their backyard. As many of you know Edith’s family are from here and have been since the mid-80s… Read →
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Ribs. Now. Happy 4th.
Today, our familia celebrates the 4th. Family from The Dalles to friends from Stockton, and Portland, we enjoy some cold ones, carne asada, salsa picante, BBQ ribs (thanks Brito for the homemade BBQ sauce. ) and beautiful memories… Read →
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Preparing one Orlando Lopez at a time
This morning I had the pleasure of running into Western Oregon University student, Orlando Lopez, at Woodburn’s City Hall on my way out from a briefing. Always great to meetup w/ folks offline sorry Twitter/Facebook… Read →
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After a short break, getting back on track
Over the past five months, my focus has been on our little family’s impending growth (we’re expecting twins), and over the past 60 days, I had to deal w/ a major monkey wrench that got thrown into our lap. I once heard from a former boss that “talk is cheap until you hire a lawyer… Read →
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The right and wrongs of SB 1070
I was listening to a local Spanish-talk radio program, and the caller argued for why SB 1070 might be good. He argued that the federal government deducted $287 from his paycheck, for almost ten years now, but that he will never see a dime of that… Read →
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Why we are moving from this SE Portland house (Rockwood), immediately, and cutting our losses
“Wow. Unbelievable. What did the last tenants do, smoke in this closet 24/7” was this mornings newest comment from a neighbor walking by… Read →
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The America that could be
HispanicPundit calls it a “great post. ” My latest post over “where La Raza dishes about political leadership & contemporary issues” titled, “The America that Could Be. ” What do you think… Read →
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Maya defies the weather
Over the past week our daughter, Maya, has been feeling under the weather. It’s been difficult as parents trying to get some shuteye, but more so, it’s been even more difficult for her. She knows and hates a runny nose… Read →
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A commissioner-driven commission: The Dalles, Oregon
This morning, Chair Jose Ibarra, and I left Portland and departed our homes for an AM meeting with The Dalles city officials, Mr. Nolan Young (City Manager), Chief Waterbury, and Mayor Wilcox at City Hall… Read →
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Oregon Advocacy Commission Office: New Commissioners Need Apply
Opportunity To Serve Notice: The Oregon Advocacy Commission Office supports the work of 4 very important advocacy commissions: 1. The Commission on Asian Affairs, 2… Read →
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Interview with Mary Campos on importance of being bilingual
In this interview, Mrs. Mary Campos, a civil-service commissioner of Des Moines in Iowa, and I get into the importance of being bilingual. Campos explains that while it is important to master the English language, it is vitally important that we retain our second (or third, fourth) language… Read →
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Interview with Mary Campos on careers in civil-service
In this podcast, I interviewed Mrs. Mary Campos, a civil-service commissioner appointed by the Mayor of the City of Des Moines in Iowa, about careers in civil-service and public service. Campos explains that we must commit ourselves to improving the workforce diversity climate and that we must involve ourselves in the hard volunteer work at the city level… Read →
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Interview with Dr. Chuy Negrete on careers in musicology and importance of preserving history
In this interview, Dr. Jesus “Chuy” Negrete, Chicano Musicologist, and Founder and Director of the Mexican Cultural Institute of Chicago shares his thoughts and insights on preserving history through corridos, and careers in musicology and why its important for bilingual talent to consider this career option. Gracias Chuy again for your work in preserving Chicano history… Read →
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Interview with David Cordova on careers in marketing and public relations
In this podcast, David Córdova of David Córdova & Associates, LLC, a marketing and public relations, shares his thoughts and insights on struggles and barriers Latinos face everyday. A former journalist and Telemundo executive, Córdova shares his passion for ensuring Latino and all student success and the powerful experience that comes with attending the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), Annual National Convention… Read →
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Educate Conference Aftermath
On February 10, 2010 over 350+ Latino students converged onto Portland State University (PSU) for MEChA’s Edúcate Conference. In lieu of accepting the keynote honorarium that morning PSU Chicano/Latino Studies matched it and we awarded a $500 PSU scholarship to lucky recipient, Jose Luis Monroy, who’s passionate in studying mechanical engineering in the future… Read →
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OCHA Labor & Employment Forum with Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian
“I’ve lived and worked 44 years in the U. S. , and sent two sons off to American universities, but the respect we get from Oregon employers, sadly, is sometimes hostile, often being treated indifferently because of the color of our skin… Read →
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13 Oregonian Chicana/o and Latina/o students to represent at USHLI
IN all, thirteen of Oregon’s best and brightest Chicana/o and Latina/o students will be represented at this year’s United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), Annual National Conference in Chicago; from first generation to new immigrants, from high school and junior college to university students, the caliber and quality is superb. Donors and sponsors have paved some of the way, and most of the participating students are investing their way as well… Read →
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Aztlan del Noroeste historic meeting, Portland State University
This afternoon, I had the distinct pleasure to speak before Oregon’s collegiate MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan) Chapters at Portland State University (PSU) on the History of National MEChA (post-97), founding of the region, and thoughts on improvements. From my notes today: -1997, MEXA de Michigan State University (MSU) hosts Nationals… Read →
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Interview with Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality Co-Founder/Executive Director, Eduardo Angulo
In this podcast interview, I sat down with Salem-OR based Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality Co-Founder and Executive Director, Eduardo Angulo, on non-profit careers in education and youth empowerment. Angulo explains that you have to have passion and a lot of heart going in… Read →
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No such thing as the sleeping giant
In case you missed my blog post, “No Such Thing As the Sleeping Giant” over at D. C… Read →
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Honored to participate at OSU's Si Se Puede event in Woodburn, Oregon
Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of speaking before Latina/o parents and their students at Woodburn High School. The evening was packed with OSU departments, from admissions to financial aid, from honors college to the college of health and human sciences… Read →
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Square could revolutionize every taquera and everything in between
Earlier this last week, Jack Dorsey/@jack, the founder of Twitter, launched his newest venture called Square. The shirt-pocket sized device plugs into an iPhone (more smartphones in the future) transforming everyone equipped with both to securely take card over cash or checks… Read →
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Recycle. Reuse. Rethinking New Ways
Sunday, I had the joy of taking my toddler, Maya, to visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) located just off the banks of Portland’s Willamette River. Aside from an afternoon of stimulating centers, the array of games and toys, child sandboxes, water pools, gravity and light fixtures, I was very happy to see the cafe’s final resting stop for our snack and mid-afternoon meals… Read →
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Interview with Path to Scholarships Co-Author, Gerardo Ochoa, on Winning Scholarships
In this interview, I sat down with Path to Scholarships co-author, Gerardo Ochoa, on what makes an award winning scholarship. Ochoa explains that, “you have to be able to tell your story in a way that demonstrates your human struggle, and what you are doing to be successful… Read →
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Dr. Manuel Pacheco Scholarship Reception, El Centro Cultural Cesar Chavez
On Thursday evening, November 19th, the Oregon State University Chicano/Latino Alumni Association and El Centro Cultural Cesar Chavez will host the Dr. Manuel Pacheco Scholarship Reception with Chicano/Latino Alumni, Chicana/o and Latina/o student leaders (el Concilio) and faculty/staff to honor the late Pacheco, a philosophy professor who was instrumental in the creation of the Ethnic Studies Department, MEChA de OSU and development of Chicana/o student leaders… Read →
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Health Care Reform & Health Disparities: A Spanish Forum for the Latino Community
On Sat. , Nov 7th, 2009, I hosted a forum in the heart of the Rockwood community, inside a Mexican grocery store, Tienda La Tapatia, to discuss national health care proposals and to share information about Latino health disparities. Read more over at LatinoPoliticsBlog… Read →
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The Value of Service
Over at Latino Politics blog, I explain the importance of public service and why it is important to serve. As many of you know, I was recently re-appointed to another 3-year term by the governor to the Commission on Hispanic Affairs… Read →
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Dia de Los Muertos at Onda Gallery, NE Alberta - Portland
In honor of our familias and friends that have passed on to the other side, altars adorned with their favorite tequila and favorite dish, we celebrate their life. This year we visited Onda Gallery located on NE Alberta, home of the “Last Thursday… Read →
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Promotora Recognition Dinner Keynote Edith Molina
On Wed. , Oct 14, 2009, my wife, Edith Molina, gave the keynote address at the 2009 Promotora Recognition Dinner hosted at Tuality Healthcare in Hillsboro, Oregon. The evening honored the work, commitment and dedication the Promotora/es de Salud (Community Health Workers) provide day in and day out to the most under-served, and under-privileged in the Latina/o community… Read →
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Visit to Medford, Oregon
Friday, October 16th, I attended my quarterly meeting with fellow Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs-OCHA commissioners quarterly meeting in Medford, Oregon. The one-day visit allowed the commission to connect with the southern Oregon Latina/o community… Read →
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Golfing and Carne Asada for Latina/o Scholarships: CHOGA Jalapeno Tour
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of competing in the CHOGA’s (Chicanos of Oregon Golf Association), 33rd Annual Jalapeno Tour at Sunset Grove, near Forest Grove. The nine-hole course was a lot of fun and I met a lot of great people from all over Oregon and Washington State, all there for a great cause… Read →
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My Conversation With My State Senator
Last week I sat down with my State Senator. Senator Laurie Monnes-Anderson and I met for about an hour at the Gresham City Hall, tucked between two reception areas in the Multnomah Room, we discussed issues concerning area Hispanics and my take (the majority are no different than non-Hispanic issues). I requested the meeting and was pleased she followed through… Read →
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Gabriel Garcia Obituary
Gabriel Garcia (3/21/1979 - 10/1/2009), the most recent victim of Thymic cancer left us, all too soon, on Thursday, October 1st at 8:04 p. m… Read →
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Open Content Education
I was glad to read in this month’s edition of Fast Company Magazine in “Who Needs Harvard “ an explanation as to the movement of higher education in the future. In it, Anya Kamenetz provides a glimpse if not an entirety of thought provoking ideas on the current education system, the future with open content education and the movers and shakers in the industry… Read →
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Website Made Simple?
I’m setting up a Posterous account after reading Jason Calacanis’s Posterous page. And after browsing the different people (Sacca, Chris Brogan, etc) who have Posterous I came to realize that this is a website made simple… Read →