Happy Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff day…

Here are a few cool spots on the Web to prime you for the celebration this month — and every day thereafter.

An essay on being Latina by Icess Fernandez Rojas, who blogs at Writing to Insanity. A serious look at Latina teen pregnancy statistics and a heads up about a four-hour PBS series on Latin music airing October 12 and 19. Details here:

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, PBS will premiere Latin Music USA, a four-hour documentary series celebrating the Latin rhythms at the heart of jazz, rock, country and rhythm and blues and highlighting the great American music created by Latinos. Revealing the Latin sounds that have influenced the music of great American artists from the Drifters to the Isley Brothers to Santana, the documentary aims to reach lovers of music everywhere, along with fans of American history and everyone who loves to dance.

We found the video above at a wonderful site, Latino Public Broadcasting, which has many great videos and information.  Check out the director’s other videos on his YouTube page and pay attention to the series “Every Thursday is Salsa Night.” Then, go back to Latino Public Broadcasting and check out Grandma’s Hip Hop.

Pa’lante.