This year we kicked off our holiday season with a cooking demonstration and book signing at one of the premier shopping destinations in the United States: the Mall of America.

On November 19 we did a presentation to show how anyone can add a little Latin touch to their own holiday celebrations.

We had a great time at the Mall of America. We filled the seats and even had several people watching from the balconies. It was nice to see so many people come out; We always enjoy meeting our fans! Thanks to the many people who came up for an autograph or just to say "hello."

Jorge has become the group's plantain "banana" expert!

This fascinating book provides a never-before-seen insiders look at the creation and transformation of Cuba's legendary club, the Tropicana. The Tropicana wasn't just a nightclub and casino, it was a showcase for Cuban music and dance that helped spread Cuban culture internationally. Anyone who has seen a big Las Vegas "spectacular" production should know that many of the elements we consider "Vegas style" were actually created at the Tropicana in the 1950s by the Tropicana's shrewd owner and the club's choreographer, Roderico "Rodney" Neyra.

The book is written by journalist Rosa Lowinger and Ofelia Fox, the widow of the club's last owner, Martín Fox. The book quite naturally revolves around Fox, a shrewd businessman who navigated the minefield of Cuban politics to create a fantastic entertainment venue that attracted visitors from all over the world.

So many books of this type are as about as engaging as an encyclopedia entry, but this one reads more like a novel. There's plenty of suspense, intrigue, romance, and a cast of characters -- some famous and some infamous -- that come to life in the author's detailed and poetic text. The book includes a nice section of period photos and is a compelling read. If you want to know more about Cuban culture in the '50's, this is a book that can't be missed. Highly recommended.

Serafin de Cuba Cigars master roller Felix Marrero with Ramón and Arnaldo Serafin.

The Serafin family has a long history of making cigars in Cuba, beginning with Antonio Serafin in the late 1890s. Serafin, originally from the Canary Islands, settled initially in the tobacco region of Pinar Del Rio. From there it was on to Las Villas where Antonio owned and operated his own tobacco farm and perfected the art of great cigar making -- everything from leaf selection, to blending, and curing. He was very involved in the actual rolling as well.

Antonio Serafin died in 1936 and the business passed to his son, Ramon. The transition was very smooth because Ramón literally grew up in the business. Ramon brought his own ideas and business sense to the enterprise. Soon he was marketing Serafin cigars throughout Cuba. He even introduced many new brands to the Cuban market.

"My father, Ramón Serafin, Jr. also grew up in his father's footsteps in the tobacco fields of Las Villas," says Arnaldo Serafin, who represents the fourth generation in the business. "He was involved in the business with Abuelo. Unfortunately for my family, as well as many Cubans, Castro rose to power in 1959 and nationalized all the businesses there, and destroyed a beautiful country."

The younger Serafin came to the United States in 1968 and settled in New Jersey where he found work in several industries.

"However, his eventual goal -- the one that was closest to his heart -- was to return to the cigar business," says Arnaldo Serafin. "Many years later and after much deliberation, he moved to Miami and because of his cigar making abilities, he was able to quickly re-establish himself and start making his own line of cigars again here on U.S. soil."

Arnaldo and Marrero pose with bundles of cigars.

Serafin de Cuba Cigars, a fourth generation family cigar company, has quietly established itself in the marketplace. They have become very popular with cigar aficionados who appreciate the dedication and care that go into making the finest cigars.

"For me, it is a lifelong dream come true to be involved with my father in our little cigar business," says Arnaldo Serafin. "Cigar making is a truly beautiful art."

Sueños The Spanish Greeting Card Company sells Bilingual greeting cards for Hispanic Americans. The cards feature images that are representative of Latin culture. Owner Josephine G. Amato has created a line of boxed holiday bilingual greeting cards, including an entire line of Cuban cards - Navidad de Libertad. For more information, click here.