We just had the opportunity to visit three places in the city that make Lawrence a very special place. We refer to Café Azteca, Carleen’s Coffee Shoppe and House of Mercy.
We visited Café Azteca, this time not to enjoy its delicious menu of typical Mexican flavor but to congratulate its owners, Mary and Antonio Guerrero for 25 years of having decided to establish the first Mexican restaurant in the area.
For this past weekend, they had prepared a special menu of pork ribs in morita sauce with mushrooms and white onions, served with rice and black beans and other goodies. Fortunate those who could enjoy this 25th anniversary special plate on Saturday, since on Sunday, because of the announced snowstorm they decided to postpone it.
Also, last Saturday, we paid a brief visit to Carleen’s Coffee Shoppe, located at 209 So. Broadway, to find a café full of loyal customers and John Farrington, his smiling owner.
Farrington explained that the cafeteria was closed for 124 days in the wake of last year’s gas explosions. He told us that his biggest concern was not only losing customers but his employees. “Luckily everyone came back and the customers… what can I tell you? Look how full this place is,” he told us.
We arrived at the House of Mercy without warning and unfortunately Roger Farah, its founder, was not there but Mabel Valenzuela, his assistant, gave us a tour of the place and showed us some of the improvements that they have added in just in one year.
House of Mercy actively participated in helping some of the people affected by the gas explosions last September, providing them with clothing and food.
For those people who do not have a roof over their heads and are seriously interested in leaving that life behind, Farah has put at their disposal trailers converted into eight rooms where to live. He has helped them getting a job and placed them on the road to success. Take a look at the pictures on page 10.
Rumbo declared Roger Farah, Man of the Year 2018. We are convinced that it was the right decision. He is worthy of that and much more!
