A Pasadena Latina

To be

2012-01-31T09:18:00.000-08:00

Not being driven by, directed by, a particular focus for this blog I sometimes mentally wander about waiting for a bit of inspiration to get me to start writing. An image, a person, a story can be the item that helps me start to type.

I was doing my Sunday a.m. read and feed and came across several fb posts that were responding to the banning and confiscating of books by the Tuscon Unified School District. There are long and detailed discussions taking place led by folks of all factions. Some more scholarly, some more emotional, some anxious to see who can most effectively point their finger at the next person.

Me, I can't help but take the banning of books on a rather personal level. You see, when they talk about banning lessons that include topics like Cesar Chavez or Dolores Huerta, or ban Zinn's "history of America", or Shakespeare's The Tempest", they are talking about ideas and words that have been a part of making me who I am. In some ways because they are so meaningful to me, I view them as almost an extension of who I am. They are nipping at the corners of my identity.

I've written a book on the history of Latinos in Pasadena. I did so because after living here for a while I learned that there was a rich history of this particular community that had not been shared broadly. After years and years of interview and conversations over many cups of coffee with many elders who had lived all their lives in Pasadena their stories and lives were bound in a book. Were this same book used as a textbook in TUSD it would be banned. All the stories, all the people, all the live of those who are in the book would be, in a sense, disappeared.

Our son has some Welsh heritage, so as a family we've kept an eye out for things Welsh as much as things Polish, Mexican, and Scottish. So Sunday morning my eye was drawn to an article on actor Matthew Rhys. I was surprised to learn that he was from Wales, he "did" a great So Cal accent on the TV show "Brothers and Sisters". I was also struck by his comment regarding National Eisteddfodd arts festival.

"Mr. Rhys, who has a quick wit and an engaging affability, said he began performing at an early age. 'It was just part of a normal Welsh childhood, he said, recalling weekly Bibile recitations in church and competing twice yearly at the National Eisteddfod arts festival. 'Its focus (is) on encouraging youth, because the Welsh language is a threatened lnaguage, to parcitpate'."

I read his quote and couldn't help but think about banned books and threatened histories.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/theater/matthew-rhys-in-look-back-in-anger-on-new-york-stage.html?_r=1&WT.mc_id=TH-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M238-ROS-0112-PH&WT.mc_ev=click&WT.mc_c=178766

January 30th is Fred Korematsu Day

2012-01-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

A year ago I happened to meet one of the speakers that will be at the panel today. It was an honor to meet her and I was deeply moved by her story. I hope that you might drop by the Donald Wright Auditorium to hear her recollections on this day honoring Fred Korematsu.

Via Wendy Fujihara Anderson - "Pasadena is the first city in SoCal to proclaim 1/30 as an annual FRED KOREMATSU DAY www.KorematsuInstitute.org Join us and speakers Esther Nishio, Susie Ling, Patty Kinaga, Alan Nishio and moderator Soji Kashiwagi at Donald Wright Audiorium, Pasadena main public library 2-4pm -

Here is a link to the post I wrote last year. http://pasadenalatina.blogspot.com/2011/02/you-never-know.html

And here's a link to learn more about why Fred Korematsu is being honored:

http://korematsuinstitute.org/

The State of Our City

2012-01-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

I had no idea I would become so involved in the City of Pasadena. I moved here to be closer to my parents, because there were children playing together across their front yards, because of our house and the view of Westminster from our backyard.

I know that I am only one of 137,000, but a city this size allows citizens to interact fairly easily with our elected officials. Those who have the inclination, and the time, can become involved in ways that can help shape the future of our hometown. City Hall is an architectural wonder where any citizen can speak their mind.

There'll be a lot of folks who have an interest in the city at the Noise Within Thursday evening. Mayor Bill Bogaard will be delivering the annual State of the City. A quote from the link below reads: During his remarks to the community, Bogaard will provide updates and future plans regarding the ongoing weak economy, redevelopment, environment, arts and culture, public safety, transportation and more.

A quote like that tells me the future is going to be different from the past. Tomorrow night I might learn what this difference might be.

http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/EkContent.aspxtheme=Navy&id=8589935831&bid=2970&style=news

http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/Contact_the_City/

A gift from me, in honor of Rabbie Burns

2012-01-25T14:56:00.000-08:00

I love a good haggis. Mind you, I've only had it once in my life, but it has lasted in my sensory memory lo these many years. It was delicious.

Being a child whose mother and father grew up in tough times, we ate several sorts of meats that would be included in the "and other cuts" category. Some I really enjoyed - others, well let's just that it at I'm glad I don't live on a farm.

Which brings me back to haggis and all things Scottish. January 25th is the celebrations of the Scottish writer Robert Burns. He wrote bilingually, was immensely proud of his heritage, and was a Scottish nationalist.

Burns authored the Address tae a haggis, alternately translated as an Address or Ode to the Haggis. I found this version the best for me since it is very homespun and not too ceremonial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kzYaIphbzU I love the disclaimer at the end.

I've no recipe for haggis, but here's the recipe I use for shortbread. It was given to me by a fine cook who was proudly Scottish. I usually make it for Christmas as a gift: having been married to Campbell descendant started me on this road. Or perhaps it was all of the movies I saw as a child when the bagpipes played "Scotland the Brave". Surely someone else out there remembers Victor Mc Laglen?

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSH0eRKq1lE&feature=related

Shortbread

1 1/2 c. flour

3/4 c. confectioners sugar

1/4 t. salt

1/2 pound unsalted butter - room temperature

Preheat oven to 325˚

Mix all together, knead 'til doughy.

Press firmly in floured mold.

Bake for 1 hour. When finished will be pale not brown.

You may need to add more or less flour as you knead. You'll have the right consistency when the dough cleans the bowl. I take a peek at the shortbread at about 45 minutes to see how much longer it needs. I cool on a rack for about 10 minutes and then invert on a serving plate.

By way, the background to my shortbread form is Clan Christmas.

Blythe will do quite nicely, thank you.

2012-01-22T15:55:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago our friend Sandra's father told us about Quartzsite. Rocks and minerals galore, really large area, probably the biggest rock show in the world. In between then and last year we talked about going, but the timing wasn't right for us to drive to AZ.

Politically it was going to be hard to financially support the state where Tucson USD has banned Mexican American Studies. When you begin to talk about banning books, you are talking hard core censorship. Banned from the program are works by Rodolfo Acuña, Luis Alberto Urrea, Sandra Cisneros, and that radical - William Shakespeare.

How to enjoy the experience and still not offer a lot of financial support? Well, we gassed up the car in CA, stayed across the border and ate most of our meals in Blythe, CA. The money that was spent in Quartzsite went directly to the vendors. It turns out the vendors come from all over the world. While we were there I met and talked with folks from at least 10 differenet U.S. states. Snowbirds abounded - the town swells from about 3,000 to one million short term and long term visitors during the winter months.

There were over 500 vendors: some with rows and rows of minerals in what looked like storefronts. The beads twinkled and beckoned. I know they didn't call out my name - they didn't need to do thats. I love a good twinkle and a gem or mineral that is a might one of a kind has me hooked. Add that the stones were at a super discount and you can know that I went through mild withdrawal about half the time we were there.

There were also swap meet like areas where you could find everything from car seat covers to petrified wood to gorgeous freshly painted rock saws to handcrafted gnomes from Peru to lamp sconces from Morocco.

Across the highway was the largest swap meet I'd ever seen. Cast iron pots and pans, window frames, S & H Green Stamp books, Depression Era glassware, all sorts of kitsch and kin.

And then there was the Quartzsite Mineral Museum.

I think using the word museum was being generous. There is no way I thought - "Oh, this is just like the Museo Nacional de Antropologia de Mexico, the Palazzo Vecchio or the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles".

There were six exhibits contained in an unlit trailer, but boy were they noteworthy.

It only took us a couple of days to get the lay of the land. I think we may go back next winter. I bet we'll be staying in Blythe.

Feliz Cumpleaños Mr. Jimmy

2012-01-22T15:24:00.000-08:00

I've been wandering about spending time with family and friends over the holidays. I had been planning on continuing to write the blog, but truth be told I got distracted. And maybe I needed a vacation from work and volunteer activities. I think I was hungry for some "down" time.

In any case, James and I just got back from Quartzsite, AZ. I'll share more about my concerns about the trip in another post, but will share here that I had a great time.

Today is a day of celebrations. It is the beginning of a New Year - the Year of the Dragon. It is also the end of the Year of the Rabbit. Beginnings and ends, duality, Child is father of the man. As we get to be older we often think more and more of the meanings of things. We don't always come to a conclusion, but a lot of thinking goes on. In some ways it's a little like taking a hike. In the midst of the hike we know that we are moving, but it's only when we stop for a moment and take a look around that we see where we've been and where we're going.

Yesterday was the 365th day of James life as a 56 year old. Today begins his first day as a 57 year old. It's a good day to stop and think about all we've shared together, last year and the many years prior and about those things we most want to share in this next year of his life.

A New Year's resolution

2012-01-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

It seems almost impossible that I was in need of this "bear" just last Saturday night. It was New Year's Eve - James and I had gone to our comadre's house to help her make tamales. I put this on before we went outside to chat. Fire was ready, cashews had been nibbled, and some of us - not me - had enjoyed the fruit of the vine. Well, I had enjoyed a single shot of tequila, but it really was a very small shot.

The warmth of the company and the "bear" made the night sky wonderfully inviting. I guess our comadre's neighbors, who typically enjoy rap music must have been at a friend's house or at a concert, because we wer able to fill the cool night air with music by Lhasa, Lila Downs, Louis Prima, Los Tres Panchos, and some folks who were definitely from New Orleans.

The scent of the night air and a fresh fire - cool air chilling the face but not the bones. Yum.

After a long, l-o-n-g hour the tamales were ready. In we came to an elegant table: joined by my comadre's 86 year old mother. We compared and contrasted common versus new names of the early 20th century; Plutarco vs. Manuel, Philomena vs. Hortensia, Agapito vs. José. Well, it may have been closer to late 19th century, but the conversation was filled with laughter.

The masa of the tamales was smooth and light, the chile was just spicy enough. Laughter and shared memories can make food taste better.

Which brings me to resolutions. None were made that night, food was enjoyed guilt-free. It was part of the pleasure of ending a year and starting a new one with loved ones.

I give up.

I am used to sharing menudo or tamales with friends and family on December 31st and January 1st. And a couple of days after. Usually I mean to start eating right on the new year. Never successful doing so.

This year I'll resort to good habits on Epiphany. Yeah, January 6th, a good day to start...after the tamales are gone.

She did, He did

2012-01-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

Happy NEW YEAR! I've been writing sporadically because James and I have been spending a lot of time together. With our immediate family, with our friends and with each other.

Tomorrow will be the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade. Raul R. Rodriguez will be riding on Indonesia's float; his 500th design for the Rose Parade. Mr. Rodriguez always has Sebastian riding with him.

You'll also hear the name of Isabelle Coleman. Ms. Coleman was a ground breaker - had several innovative ideas - began her involvement with the parade when she was 12. She began by pasting flowers on floats and continued to be involved with Rose Parade floats for the next 60 years.

Mr. Rodriguez was 15 when he created his first Rose Parade float. He was been winning awards for his designs since that time. He has probably won more awards than other rose Parade designer. He has been gracious and has even served as the Grand Marshal for our very local Latino Heritage parade.

5 years after Ms. Coleman retired the T of R estblished an award in her honor. I'm betting that the same thing will happen for Mr. Rodriguez...at some point in the future.

http://www.scpr.org/news/2009/12/23/9580/isabella-coleman-rose-parade-pioneer/

http://www.raulrodriguez.com/bio.htm

In the first week of the new year

2011-12-29T11:32:00.001-08:00

Because the blog is about the city I live in as much as my experiences in the city, there are weeks where lots is happening that I want to share. To choose, to choose, what to choose - not choosing, here you go.

There are two things I want to share before the excitement of the new year in Pasadena leaps out at all of us.

"What happens when you get three guys together from East LA who all happen to be name Louie (or a version thereof)? A single memorable evening of performance art, comedy and social satire.

On Thursday, January 5th at the Crawford Family Forum, experience The Three Louies -- Los Lobos' Louie Perez, renowned writer Luis J. Rodriguez, and award-winning journalist Luis Torres -– an informal, unscripted conversation among three Chicanos whose Eastside tales move from accounts of real-life danger averted to professional success ultimately achieved".

Event is free, but reservations are required .

http://www.scpr.org/events/2012/01/05/three-louies/

We've been hearing a lot about redistricting at the national and local levels. Every 10 years the census count is used to help define district lines from City Council to Congressional seats. There is currently a Redistricting Task Force that is reviewing the data and taking input from Pasadena citizens. http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/CityClerk/Redistricting/

There is a similar effort taking place regarding the 2010 census and establishment of districts for those running for PUSD Board of Directors. "What?", you say, "There are already designated seats for the board". "True," I say, "but they have no geographical meaning". That is to say, they are numbers for numbers sake. This districting effort will establish who may run for which seat based upon where they live. And more importantly who may vote for the folks who will be

representing them on the PUSD board.

One of the good things about both the City of Pasadena districting efforts and the PUSD redistricting efforts is that the meetings are open to the public. There is time for community/individual comments and translation from English to Spanish is available. There are members of PUSD Task Force that are fluent in Armenian, so translation is available in that language, too.

http://sierramadre.patch.com/articles/pusd-redistricting-task-force-wants-your-input-b58d7570

Oscar Palmer, May 1, 1947 - December 25, 2011

2011-12-29T00:10:00.000-08:00

I met Oscar Palmer when he was the principal of Rose City. Like many others in our community I learned a lot from Oscar in a very brief time.

He is pictured here with his wife of 33 years, Lydia Palmer, the photo taken at a local fundraiser. There were there lending there support - advocating for students.

They had done so for decades in their work life -at one point Lydia was the Executive Director of El Centro de Acción Social and Oscar had worked in the Pasadena Unified School District for thirty years. Both being very aware that advocacy with long term success is made up of strategic planning, financial support and luck. Both were aware that you could set up the first two elements and that you needed to keep your eyes open for opportunities that could translate into luck.

I've written a bit about Oscar at Pasadena Chronicles, but wanted to keep this a bit more personal.

When I ran for office some years ago, I knew that I would need to pass muster as defined by Oscar. We'd had previous conversations, but I knew the day would come when I would be sized up as a candidate. I had no idea how he might respond. And, yes, he was most capable of being intimidating.

He grilled me on several topics, his eyes zeroing in on mine. I survived and he supported me, with time and talent. He felt that candidates should not have to focus on raising money, they should be focusing on campaigning. At the end of what became a conversation Oscar gave me a sum of money that jump started my campaign. I am eternally indebted to his generosity.

The second picture is of Oscar when he was a young teacher at Blair High School. If you look carefully at his eyes you'll see that they are looking directly at the camera. We are lucky that some things don't change.

Oscar Palmer, presente.

images - Pasadena Now.com

Blair High School Yearbook, 1976

A bit more about Oscar and the Cuba community can be found -

http://pasadenanow.com/main/pasadena-chronicles-about-the-cuban-community-of-pasadena

To recoup and remember

2011-12-27T18:32:00.000-08:00

It always takes me a few days to recoup from a visit from The Girls. I'm very sad to see them leave, although it is nice to sit and take a deep breath and know that nobody needs to have drippy noses wiped. This trip Lili and Cheli took turns being sick. There was a significant amount of coughing and wiping that took place.

After they leave the kitchen returns to some sort of order - cooking and cleaning for two takes far less time than the perpetual appearance of cups, plates, half eaten sandwiches and fruit which need to be stored in containers that need to be washed.

I can enter the bathroom and not wonder what surprises might greet me.

But truth be told, there are few things as joyous for me as returning home from errands and finding a house in my living room or

even better yet, the artist adding her touch that makes a memory that is one of a kind.

Boxing Day 2011

2011-12-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Boxing Day or we could call it Unbagging Day in NW Pasadena. It's a great stretch, but the two could be seen as being related.

Near as I can tell the origins of Boxing Day had to do with the upper classes giving tokens of appreciation to those of the lower classes. "Good King Wenceslas went out on the Feast of Stephen" seems to be about this sort of thing.

An underlying sentiment seems to be that if you do good for the poor, you will be rewarded.

Simple instructions might read:

1. See need. 2. Do good 3. Works best if done with pure heart. 4. Good will come your way.

Repeat.

James and our neighbor Don, were doing something similar this morning.

Some of our neighbors have seen to making their lawns look good, but haven't emptied the bags that were filled by their gardening crew. Since the city's not yet picked up our windstorm remnants we're due for a pick up anytime soon. So being good men who wish to help Mother Earth with the composting process there they were the day after Christmas opening bags and dumping contents in the stack. I don't know where the bags are but I bet they are in a to be used again pile of some sort or the other.

"Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing

Ye who now ill bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing".

A modern verse might include something about being mindful of giving back to the environment. We get blessings from that, too.

Getting ready

2011-12-19T07:52:00.000-08:00

Advent - 40 days of getting ready for the celebration of the birth of Christ. As a child I didn't quite understand the connection to liturgical season, although I saw the preparations taking place all around me.

In our house we had a corner dedicated to Saints. Because our house measured about 600 square feet, this made the corner and contents special. Candles, tokens of meaning to those who had passed and Saint Anthony were all a part of the dedicated space that had no name but was always present.

Above this all was the image of the Virgen de San Juan de los Lagos. I suspect when I was little thought of her name as: Lavirgendesanjuandeloslagos, Because I didn't speak Spanish her name had no word to word meaning to me. But she was always in our house and always looking down from the wall. The image had belonged to one of the grandmothers I never met, but knew much about, thanks to my mom and her storytelling. I'm guessing the print was from the late 19th century.

Every year, right before Christmas, I was reminded of La Virgen's being special because my mother would first thoroughly clean and then decorate her wall. Often there would be a bit of cloth that was hung on the wall behind her image. Then she would decorate the area the cloth covered.

Often the decorations would be round glass Christmas ornaments, in all sorts of metallic colors, hung by the sort of paper ribbon we would also use for wrapping our gifts. The sort that would curl if you ran scissors against the ribbon in a certain way. The ribbon often had bits of tinsel, shining ever so slightly during the day and shimmering at night as it reflected the light of the overhead light and the candles below.

Religious preparation. The readings we heard at church. Mary, Joseph, manger, Bethlehem, census, Wisemen, lambs, Jesus, star. Child as embodiment of hope in darkness.

Familial preparation. Time to pay attention to La Virgen making her place at home an expression of respect and a fine bit of brightly shiny tinsel.

Cheli and Lili are here for an advent visit

2011-12-18T13:06:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are here which means that the girls are here and we will spend time with family

friends like Susan

get the house in order

and take the opportunity to place our ducks all in a row.

Louie...Louie...Luís

2011-12-14T18:49:00.000-08:00

How does one get from there to here? I guess that's one of the eternal questions that gets asked again and again. The answer could probably also be boiled down to something inane. Like plots for a TV show or movie there are some stock variations.

But if the writing is really good, or the perspective is shared from a different angle, then you have a story that is worth being told and worth the effort to listen well.

I'm looking forward to the stories that will be share at KPCC's Crawford Family Forum on January 5th. The Three Louies will share how they got from East L.A. to the places they've seen and how they are different for having been wherever "there" was.

Luís J. Rodriguez has "fourteen published books in memoir, fiction, nonfiction, children's literature and poetry. His best known work is "Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A."

Louie Pérez, Garfield High School graduate, is a founding member of Los Lobos. THe is a composer, instrumentalist and visual artist. Yeah, I was surprised to learn that he is a visual artist, too. His work "Bean Stigmata" is a part of the exhibit at the Vincent Price Art Museum.

Luís Torres has a voice that has launched a thousand Google searches. He is a Peabody Award winner - a journalist, writer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. He developed the four part series Chicano! History of the Mexican American Civil Right Movement and produced Los Lobos first record.

Anyone of these fellows could be entertaining and illuminating. Three Louies in conversation will make for a truly memorable night.

I understand that there might be some juggling involved and there'll be opportunities for questions.

All this in Pasadena at KPCC's Crawford Family Forum. Hope to see you there.

http://www.scpr.org/events/2012/01/05/three-louies/

image - David Sandoval

With or without a Christmas bow

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Some years James and I have been very predictable in our Christmas gift desires. This year I asked for something that is low in twinkle factor but will offer great returns.

In the past I've tried growing an avocado tree from a pit and have had no luck. Actually I've tried several times and failed every single time. Every time it's been fascinating to see the root begin to grow, to see all those wonderful root hairs and then divide and divide. Each time hope would rise. It's usually at this point that potential tree dies.

After a while I'd try again. I love the fruit of the aguacate.

I can eat it with cheese and lemon juice in a tortilla, on top of a green salad, mixed with garbanzo beans, on top of toast, with pickled onions and raclette, and so many other ways.

We have one last area of the backyard that is crying out for a fruit tree. This is the baby avocado tree will fill that spot sometime before December 25th. I can barely wait.

Miracle of miracles, in the Martinez/Grimes yard

2011-12-10T14:41:00.001-08:00

James let me know I needed to go out to the backyard. Had to wonder why.

It's a miracle - a small one - but, it's a miracle. He fixed the swing!

Happy, happy me.

This left me thankful to James and with a need to hear a little Fiddler on the Roof

Miracle of Miracles

...But of all God's miracles large and small,

The most miraculous one of all

Is the one I thought could never be:

God has given you to me.

- Bock, Harnick

Dear losses and small treasures

2011-12-10T09:07:00.000-08:00

The violent winds wreaked havoc around the valley. Pictures of giant trees and their conglomeration of tangles branches and roots have been all over the net and the news. Big beastly branches that mashed roofs. Tremendous trunks that plopped across streets making here to there impossible. Riotous roots that upturned roads and walkways like so much old, dried playdough. So many huge things.

Then there are the small losses.

I've loved sitting in my swing and thinking. Not going to happen for a while. Not a huge loss, really, compared to those that were without water, heat, or light for days and days, but I will miss the swing.

The canopy of the swing was my protective champion on days when the hot sun heated the air. It was the place where my right brained thoughts could freely roll around when the house or the meeting was too much for me. I could swing at a pace that matched my emotional need. Fast when I was frustrated, nice and slow when the words or strategy were gradually being formed.

Most of our garden is well. Having a lot of native plants has meant that the garden may look a bit awkward at times, but the plants have years and years of surviving So Cal weather.

We may have lost our Channel Island Bush Poppy. I'll try and reroot it; we'll see if it returns...don't know.

The garden gnome is one of the little bits of hope in the yard . When Kate and the girls were here last year the gnome was a part of every day. I would rise before the girls and hide the gnome in our garden. The challenge for Lili and Cheli was finding the gnome.

The girls will be back in about a week. And though we won't have a swing to sit in, the gnome waits. I will think of him as my Julenisse. He reminds me of the gifts that are all around us. This thought is a gift in itself.

Gracias Julenisse.

La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inanztin

2011-12-08T23:49:00.000-08:00

This year is the 10th anninversary of the paresenation of the La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin at the Los Angeles Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. The performance will begin at 7:30, but I'll need to arrive considerably earlier because the 3,000 seats will be filled and this may be the last year this is performed at the cathedral.

Petrea wrote about how omnipresent La Virgen was in murals in stores in Lincoln Heights*. "Many of the markets in Lincoln Heights (except the Asian ones) have a representation of Our Lady of Guadalupe painted on the painted on the exterior. Always a lot of color; always Our Lady".

She's absolutely right - lots of reasons for that. For some store owners there is a belief that La Virgen will protect them if she is somehow present on their building. Mural or mosaic, her image is the key.

Which bring me back to the performance tonight. The play as presented is part musical, part melodrama, part spectacle, and part liturgical drama. The expanse of the cathedral lends itself to reminding us how very small and helpless we can feel as individuals. For some the drama is about faith, identity, love, and perseverance; for others it is it is also about religion. No single resonse; good theater is like that.

Mexican Catholic cultural touchstones abound: the opening and closing songs are sung in Spanish, Nahuatl is spoken and sung, there are Danzantes, children's choruses and a good deal of broad humor.

The plot is simple - La Virgen appears to Juan Diego and makes him her messenger to the Bishop of Mexico. She wants a church to be built on Tepeyac. The Bishop is horrified and appalled that La Virgen not only speaks to Juan Diego, in the Mexica language of Nahuatl, but she appears as a morena - a dark virgin. A virgin of the New World. All of this goes against the engrained sensibility of the casta system and the clear hierarchy of society and church that is the Bishop's world. And then a miracle takes place.

For Juan Diego, La Virgen is the Loving Mother and Clement Protector.

For 500 years she has been there for us, be it at the cathedral, our home or where we work.

images - Sal Lopez, Suzanna Guzmán taken at last year's production.

* http://pasadenadailyphoto.blogspot.com/2011/11/lincoln-heights-blessings.html

Una cronista in Pasadena

2011-12-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I shared the sentiment that things happen at their own pace and sometimes this can be an ideal thing. My column Pasadena Chronicles/Las Crónicas de Pasadena is an example of this. I'd been thinking about writing a bit more, but didn't know how that might happen.

I also had the opportunity to share some history with the ladies of the Centro de Educacion Popular and I was introduced by Raúl Borbón as a "cronista". A light went on for me - a chronicler, yes I like that title. It's a bit of history, a bit of narrative, and I think a bit of something to think about, too. All of this was good and helped me ready myself to write a column.

I was asked to write a column for Pasadena Now and think of a title and a logo. In this electronic age the preparing and sharing can happen at an almost blinding pace. What to do? As often happened a bit of history helped to guide me.

According to the USC Digital Library, "El Clamor Publico was the first Spanish language newspaper in California after the American occupation". It was published between 1855 and 1859. It was founded by 19 year old Francisco P. Ramirez. The range of tone and topic was varied during its existence. There was another paper, La Crónica, that was published from 1872 through 1892. The wedding of Arturo Bandini and Helen Elliott was published in La Cronica in 1883.

And so Las Cronicas de Pasadena/Pasadena Chronicles and its logo reminds me of the stories and thoughts of those who came before us. I think the pieces fell into place rather nicely.

http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/search/controller/collection/clamor-m235.html

Las Crónicas de Pasadena/Pasadena Chronicles

2011-12-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

The e-magazine Pasadena Now has been around for about a decade. For almost that whole time editor and founder James Macpherson has talked about the benefits of having information shared bilingually in the area. His father had a passion for things Mexicano and having things in Spanish seemed like something that just made sense.

Sometimes things get pushed into place quickly and sometimes things coalesce organically and slowly.

I am happy to say the that thanks to some opportune coalescing, I'll be writing a column for the e magazine Pasadena Hoy, the Spanish language version of Pasadena Now. Columns will be appearing about once a fortnight or so.

The focus of the column will be on the Latino community in greater Pasadena area. There'll be a mix of current events, historical and heritage related topics, and narratives that will be inclusive of, but not exclusive to, the Latino Community.

I am happy to share that a friend and colleague, Isabel Ramirez, will also be sharing information on events taking place in our city. She has her own blog which is providing information to Spanish language readers - civic forums, events, workshops, and the like. The two of us will be walking and writing a slightly different "beat" if you will.

I'm not sure if we are breaking new ground here - could be. In any case, I'm thrilled that the columns will be available in English and Spanish. Hopefully this will contribute to greater civic knowledge and participation. Not a bad way to start off the last month of the year.

http://pasadenanow.com/main/

http://pasadenanow.com/Hoy/

http://pasadenaenespanol.blogspot.com/

From the Other Side

2011-12-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

I never get to take pictures of our Latino Heritage parade or the jamaica, so it was so much fun to take pictures of the parade yesterday. I took a couple hundred candids and found it easy to edit out about 100. Then there was a second round. The challenge being in remembering that evocative can become blurry with the passage of time.

Here are a few of the remaining 87 and a few comments, too.

If you look closely, if this pic opens up, you'll see that Santa is wearing a T of R rose sticker. Rose Princess Sarah Zuno, of Franklin High School, is the beauty between Santa and L.A. Council member Ed Reyes. His office and the office of L.A. Council member José Huizar were actively involved in supporting the parade.
I don't know who this fine looking gentleman was - picture taken mid-parade - but I had to take his picture. I was glad that he smiled while I shot away. He knew I'd be no competition!
The route was about 10 city blocks long and there were 4 stations where the Youth Announcers from Hathaway/Sycamore shared a bit about each entry over loudspeakers. Their enthusiasm and energy made the announcements fun to listen to as we slowly drove by.

There's my favorite photographer.

If I get a chance I might post a couple more photos, but just in case I don't, I wanted to be sure that I shared a bit of the crowds that were along the parade route. They came in costume, they cheered for all of us, and we all had a great time.

Thank you Rosamaria Marquez, Yolanda Nogueira, and the volunteers of the 67th Annual NELA Holiday Parade. I had a blast!

Highland Park, "Fantasy on Figueroa"

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

I could fib and say that this was my ride in the parade. But it wasn't. Although were I so inclined it is a car with a memorable history that merits a fib.

It is "owned" by L.A. and was used to transport Eisenhower. I didn't get a detailed story - the short version had my jaw dropping.

I could share that Nico was the driver, but he wasn't. Although he was a sweetie and a great volunteer for the parade organizers.

Nope, I rode in a Miata.

And Leah, whose last name I never learned, was a great buddy to share a ride down Figueroa. Very classy lady who is going to be opening her own business soon.

Tomorrow I'll share a bit of what I saw along the route.

images - Nico, Leah and me - Tomás Benitez (aka Barrio Boy)

Fantasy on Figueroa in Highland Park

2011-12-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

Saw this great portable hotel in Wyoming. Lovely inside, not much of a parade vehicle.

I'm am about 1,000% sure I won't be riding in a vehicle like this in the North East LA Parade @ 1:00.

I'll be waving and taking of pictures of those along the route on Figueroa from Avenue 50 - Avenue 60.

FUN!

Deposits and withdrawals

2011-12-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

James and I were finally able to prep and then place coats of paint our table on our side porch. Turned out better than we thought it might.

Neat, clean, even a bit shiny.

The winds on Wednesday denied us too much pride filled time.

Fresh dirt, no leaves.

Thursday's Treemendous Tour

2011-12-02T14:07:00.000-08:00

Being without milk I had to make a trip to the store.

I was not able to drive home directly.

Partially because of the tree slalom on El Molino.

The signal on the right is at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and El Molino.

Partially because I couldn't help but stop to take pictures of the trees that had fallen - like this oak that fell on a building at the Pasadena Christian campus.

I was fascinated by the roots of the trees.

I wondered what small worlds could be waiting to be explored.

10:00 PM update -http://www.cityofpasadena.net/

2011-12-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

Pasadena Water and Power crews have restored electricity to all but about 1,500 customers and are working diligently to finish the job following last night’s severe Santa Ana wind storm.

The City of Pasadena, like several other area local governments, declared a local emergency in response to storm damage and brought together an emergency operation center at city hall to coordinate the response effort.

“We are thankful that as serious as the storm was, and as much damage as it left in its wake, there was no loss of life,” said Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck. “I’m proud of the way our city team responded to what was one of the most powerful storms we’ve faced in years. The support we received from our neighboring cities and the county was critical to our efforts.”

Beck also acknowledged other local agencies and institutions, and the residents of Pasadena, for their cooperation and patience.

With the exception of continuing clean-up work, which could take several weeks, and remaining power outages, city services are returning to normal. Regular refuse pickup will resume Friday, Dec.2. Those who missed refuse pickup Thursday due to the storm will have their garbage and recycling collected on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Pasadena Public Libraries will return to regular schedule Friday, as will community centers, with the exception of Victory Park, which is closed due to downed trees. ARTS buses will also operate normally Friday. Pasadena Unified Schools, however, will remain closed Friday.

Two information phone lines have been established for the public to report fallen trees and downed power lines – (626) 564-0199 and (626) 564-0299 – and the city website at www.cityofpasadena.net is being updated as necessary.

Pasadena residents and others who want to sign up for local alerts can go towww.cityofpasadena.net/fire/PLEAS or www.nixle.com

# # #
Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228
Pasadena CA 91109
(626) 744-4755
Cell: (626) 375-2742
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs
Facebook: Pasadena PIO
Twitter: pasadenapio

Surprises great and small

2011-12-01T21:55:00.000-08:00

If you live long enough in Southern California you're not too surprised by the sorts of emergencies we share. Last night's windstorm was exceptional.

As were the stacks of palm fronds...

or the size of the branches that were broken from the trees.

Then there are the small surprises like the silver shades at the back of the Ralph's.

They were big - top of shelves to bottom of counter big. Textured and with a handle at the bottom. Bottles of juice and milk peeked from the small gaps between the shades; just enough to see that they were there, but not enough to easily reach them.

There was a handy dandy Ralph's worker ready to lift the shade, pick your preferred juice or dairy product.

She made sure that customers weren't injured by the dry ice that was keeping the refrigerated area cool.

All you needed to do was point.

Pasadena wind advisory

2011-12-01T10:18:00.001-08:00

PASADENA WIND ADVISORY - 12/1, 9 A.M.

Now that daylight is upon us, city of Pasadena crews are thoroughly assessing damage throughout the community so responses can be more targeted with respect to fallen trees, downed power lines, damaged facilities, etc.

A local state of emergency was declared early this morning and the Emergency Operations Center was activated overnight.

Pasadenans are advised to stay home if possible until the wind situation improves because some roads are impassable and many trees remain fragile throughout the community. Many streets are barricaded due to fallen trees and/or downed power lines. We are in the process of clearing trees off major arterial streets and restoring power as quickly as possible.

Pasadena public libraries, public schools, Maranatha High School and Pasadena City College will be closed today.

Dial-A-Ride service will be operational for non-emergency medical appointments only. Pasadena ARTS buses are not in service and be restored to service by this afternoon.

A shelter for displaced families has been established at Robinson Park Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., where Red Cross workers are assisting as well.

The Zero Waste Strategic Plan workshops and the World AIDS Day event scheduled for today have been canceled.

Overnight there were several structure fires, with patients transported by paramedics to local hospitals.

City officials urge people not to call 9-1-1 or other emergency numbers unless you have a life-threatening emergency. Do not approach or attempt to move downed power lines. Pasadena Water and Power crews are responding as quickly as possible; they are not responding to downed cable TV lines.

Two information phone lines have been established for the public – (626) 564-0199 and (626) 564-0299 – and the city website at www.cityofpasadena.net is being updated as necessary.

Pasadena residents and others who want to sign up for local alerts can go to www.cityofpasadena.net/fire/PLEAS or www.nixle.com.

# # #
Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228
Pasadena CA 91109
(626) 744-4755
Cell: (626) 375-2742
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs
Facebook: Pasadena PIO
Twitter: pasadenapio

A new member in the bloghouse

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

iPhone

meet

Canon.

Beginning, Middle, End

2011-11-30T22:53:00.000-08:00

Raul Borbón, presente

2011-11-29T17:20:00.000-08:00

It isn't often one has the honor of being beside someone who is dying, or of being included with those who are there to pay their last respects. But, there I was.

You would never immediately notice when Raul entered a room. There was nothing flashy about him. If you had noticed him you might have thought he was a teacher or somebody's good looking uncle. He was that and he was so much more.

He was the embodiment of his beliefs. His wife and soulmate Susana shared that he would take pain pills before he would lead meetings. He wanted the meetings to be focused on skills needed for members of the immigrant Latino community to become involved and empowered. He didn't want his pain to detract from that focus. He'd much rather work from humor, love, and the belief that there were always options for making life better.

The room we were in was large by hospital standards. The hospital staff had placed Raul there because it was at the end of the hall and there were visitors that kept coming, and coming, and coming. One by one they would talk to Raul. His children arrived from Mexico and there was a silent exodus from the room that they might have some time with their father.

Throughout the evening there were some tears, but mostly silence. A measured, pained silence - the sort that is almost comforting because all understand what is being shared. And all understand the inevitable outcome.

Every once in a while those gathered would share with each other something of the gifts he had shared. "Me dijo, hay opciones" - "He told me there are options". "Yes, options, options, there are always options". "He was patient". "His sense of humor". "He was determined". He was committed to public education; even to the end. He donated his body to UCLA rather than USC since the former is a public school.

At one point last night, a woman in a skinny-strapped green dress asked those assembled if we might pray. There was an almost audible nodding of heads and then without a word a circle was formed. Words of conviction and deep love were shared and at the conclusion of the circle there was a call to acknowledge his life and his work by applause.

In that hospital room, and resounding down the hall, was the applause that begins at a slow pace, finding its point of unity, gradually grows louder as the sound more and more finds its center, and then becomes more rapid as an expression of resounding commitment to a common goal. It was recognition that Raul's presence will continue to be a part of the work to be done.

There will be a celebration of Raul's life and his work this coming Friday, December 2nd at 6 p.m. at the Villa Parke Community Center.

image - Pocho1 - https://www.facebook.com/pocho1.fotography

A Holiday Parade

2011-11-27T23:00:00.000-08:00

Not a lot of us can use co-founder and parade in a sentence and get away with it. I feel that I am lucky to be able to do so. On occasion I've been in the Latino Heritage Parade; some years we've had spare cars - and their drivers - and in order for them to be in the parade they've needed a spare body. Ta da - Roberta or other board members get to ride in the parade.

Once Kevin Bruce and I rode in the back of Gemcar - that was very cool. We were celebrating the 60s and we were very "peace out" in character. Another year we rode with District 1 Field Rep Tina Williams and in a trailer that was pulled by a tractor that was owned and driven by Steve of Steve's Bikes in Altadena.

This coming Sunday, December 4th I've been invited to ride in the 67th Annual Northesat Los Angeles Holiday Parade. The parade begins at 1 p.m and will proceed from N. Figueroa and Ave. 60, southbound to Sycamore Grove Park in Highland Park. It is the city's second oldest parade and is hosted by the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, with collaboration from the offices of L.A. City Councilmembers Ed Reyes and Jose Huizar.

I feel greatly honored by the invite and plan to embrace the theme "Fantasy on Figueroa". I'm not sure what I'll be riding or what I might wear. I have my doubts I will be wearing my Hippie wear or riding a tractor. But who knows...?

image - James Grimes

Go Team

2011-11-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Often I think of historians as being a part of a team. Being fall, that makes me think of a football team. Quarterback, end receiver, halfback, running back - each wonderfully skilled in what they do and each more effective for working together. TEAM.

Gary Cowles is a member of our local team. I met him in his role as a local historian with a passion for knowledge of gardens and water. Pasadena is a good place to have that interest. He was one of the curators of an exhibit on the topic at the Pasadena Museum of History.

He also has a real interest in the use and distribution of land that took place in the 19th century when the "mission lands" were secularized. Who received grants and who didn't. Why they received grants and so on.

Working with primary documents, and working with his own team, he came up with documents like one above. A picture is worth a thousand words. Perhaps a map can be worth even more.

Image photo - James Grimes

"Water Began It All: A New Look at the San Gabriel Mission", Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Cheli shares - Call it 3/50 or call it Indie, shop it local

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Spend $100 at a local and $68 stays in your community. Spend $100 at a national chain, and your community see $43. Local retailers are your friends and neighbors - support them and they can better support you.

Why shop Indie?
When you shop at an independently owned business, your entire community benefits:
The Economy
Local businesses create higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
More of your taxes are reinvested in your community--where they belong.
The Environment
Buying local means less packaging, less transportation, and a smaller carbon footprint.
Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money to beautify your community.
The Community
Local businesses donate to charities at more than twice the rate of national chains.
More independents means more choice, more diversity, and a truly unique community.
Now is the time to stand up and join your fellow individuals in the IndieBound mission supporting local businesses and celebrating independents.
IndieBound supports Independent Business Alliances around the country.
To find an alliance near you, visit AMIBA or BALLE.
http://www.amiba.net/
http://www.livingeconomies.org/ (BALLE)
http://www.the350project.net/home.html

11/24/11

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pete R. Martinez

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

It was always clear that my dad's birthday was in November. I usually have trouble remembering the correct day - to tell the truth I now look to his obit to remember the date. He contributed to my confusion, because as long as he could manage it, he lied about his age. Year born - variable depending upon his mood and the audience or company present.

Very non-traditional family - father lies about age by as great a span as possible, mother embraces every year.

The confusion about his birthday was reinforced by the fact that it often fell on Thanksgiving. The two celebrations seemed entwined. Only problem is T'day is a movable feast.

In our house this was especially true. Being a small number we usually feasted at someone else's house. More likelihood that memories are informed by different surroundings and people around the table. More opportunities for confusion in memory.With my father now here in spirit only, I have chosen to think of T'day as his b'day. He would have loved that somehow the day became his.

Happy birthday Dad.

Sharing history

2011-11-22T07:17:00.000-08:00

I was asked, given the opportunity really, to speak about Latino Heritage and our Shared History in front of the PEF Program Committee.

The facilitator/teacher in me wouldn't be denied so I put together a quick activity that offered the opportunity for both interaction among those attending and an example of how our community history might be shared. I pointed out a typo - Mr. Owen was a singular man.

The directions: Take a minute to look at the entities on the grid. Identify the ones you know and can identify well enough that you could share facts about them with another person. If someone asks you about them write your name in that square; you could not sign off on your own sheet. The point was to see how many squares you could fill. The group was alloted 5 minutes. Scurry, question, smile, laugh, scurry, scurry, "oh", scurry. Time.

Food for thought: Because of the brevity of time for the activity, there were groups who have a history here that were not included. What groups might that be? How might that be worked into a post activity discussion? How might this be shared with the community? How might this translate in the classroom?

The room was filled with a group that reflected the make up of our community. Bill Creim, Program Chair, shared that all of us have a need to know who we are as individuals and that we desire to have knowledge of where we came from. Indiana or Italy, Michoacan or Michigan, Minsk or Montana: our family's experiences contribute to who we are.

Someone shared that students they'd been working with wanted to have a Mix It Up Day - one where folks learned about each other's background. I couldn't help but think of the following - "Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures" - Cesar Chavez. I think the folks at the meeting yesterday would agree.

The last lights of day

2011-11-20T10:46:00.000-08:00

I had a wild idea yesterday.

James - quick let's go to the Huntington. I knew that there was an exhibit of Michael J Hart's work - "Water Began it All". It's there through February 19, 2012, but I know how quickly my plans are subsumed by new plans or deadlines.

So away we went, dashing to the entry, through the grounds and to the Botanical Center's Flora-Legium gallery. And the images were spectacular. I know we'll go back again to drink in more of Mr. Harts' hand-colored maps and illustrations. Think of the details of an illustrated manuscript with the focus on the San Gabriel Mission and our local region. Fine images and a section where one can place overlays on maps to see what was and in a layered sort of way.

What a joyous surprise to see the work by independent researcher Gary Cowles. I'll share them in a separate post.

As if all that I mentioned wasn't enough, we left the grounds as the sky was taking a serious turn to night and enjoyed the last lights of day.

image - James Grimes

And from Rancho Cucamonga

2011-11-19T15:07:00.000-08:00

One of the very cool items that was shared at the California Library Association Convention last week was the digital history work that has taken place in Pasadena and in Rancho Cucamonga (RC).

Because RC is a fairly young city they have a manageable amount of images to wrangle. Yes, wrangle is the term I think of when I think of collections of historical experiences represented mathematically or visually. Once you get a sense of history, you learn another fact, or in this case find another image, and there you are, having to regather your thoughts, review and come to a conclusion again.

But I digress - a thought wandered in and I had a need to wrangle.

See.

RC having a much smaller number of images also means that they can fairly quickly present an interpreted history via current technology.

These are images of icells that can display digitzed documents and photos. A wave of a hand over a category and a brief slideshow is presented. Voila, instant historical tease. Or, I'm betting because this computer related, a theme can be presented. I know they also have brief oral histories that can be viewed.

They have these icells in the local history room at City Hall in Rancho Cucamonga and at Victoria Gardens, their super sized shopping mall .

History, up close and made personal.

Looks like a good idea to me.

By the way, I have been challenged technically and can't find a good image that will espand. Sorry.

"The Impact of a Starburst...

2011-11-18T00:01:00.001-08:00

in a Low Metallicity Environment". Or how about a discussion of remote sensing focused on the "...Reduction of Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation"?

Those were a couple of the topics that were presented as a poster session at JPL today. Pretty low tech - poster up, presenter available and willing to talk with you about a topic they've been investigating.

Interesting note was that all the scientists and engineers presenting were Latino or were of Latino heritage. What a kick to have this young scientist, originally from Argentina, share her work in Spanish. The Hub in the library at JPL was resounding with English, Spanish, and Scientific vocabulary.

While there we also hears about a young student who was laughed at by his classmates when he shared he wanted to be a scientist. They felt they were much more sophisticated and wanted to become recording artists, movie stars, and celebrities.

Wish there were a happy ending to this tale. But this time there isn't. Despite his being helped by a local community volunteer to find a group that could help him achieve his dream. They reached out to him, but weren't able to help his parents understand, or perhaps sacrifice; the benefits of the future vs. for the needs of the present. In the end the mother tossed his lab coat in the trash.

I'm hoping that sometime in the future he finds the strength to reach back to his dreams and makes them real. Maybe someday he'll meet a young scientist, or someone who loves science, and a dream will become vivid again.

Larry and Leia keep James company

2011-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Though James missed me while I was in Portland, he didn't complain

about being at cold at night.

I see why.

Still, life and love

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

James is a lover of Mother Nature.

I have a fine appreciation for nature, but his soul seems freer in the out of doors. I suspect it's one of the things I most appreciate about him.

Which is why I was a bit surprised when he sent me this image while I was away in Portland.

No comment, no words, just the photo.

I happen to be the only female in the house who would take advantage of any of these jewels, so I'm guessing that the elements on the dresser reminded him of me and it was one way of: sharing that he was looking forward to my return, telling me how this reminded him of me, thinking it was funny - 'cuz it is.

Really must get around to asking him about this.

On Love and Light

2011-11-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Went to a wedding this last Saturday. Our dear friend Michaela married her love, Lalo, and it was a lovely service. It was a "don't even think of wearing mascara" wedding mass since the couple shared their commitment to each other and to their work in the community with a sincerity that was genuine and stunning.

After the service there were lots of pictures taken on my iPhone, none of which, were blog worthy.

While folks with real cameras were taking fine photos, I found myself wandering around exploring nooks and crannies at St. Philip the Apostle Roman Catholic church on Hill Avenue, near PCC.

While dithering around the attention to detail that was given to this small bit of the chapel caught my attention. Setting metallic tiles so that they are not flush is done intentionally so that the light will reflect light and catch the eye. It's likely that this is real marble, so now you have some ideas of what you can do with that spare marble you may have after a big project.

Directly across from the marble and gold was an altar, treated as ofrenda, that was still festooned with the elements one finds for Día de los muertos. It caught my eye, too, but for a very different reason. Like the gold tile it reflects a light that is bright and that is greatly valued by those who have come to learn about, and understand, its meaning.

Stylebook reads

2011-11-15T12:24:00.001-08:00

The National Hispanic Media Coalition is a national group that has an office in Pasadena. There are several of us in the Pasadena area who are working with them to encourage more frequent, more diverse, and generally better coverage of the Latino community.

One of the ways that we have been doing this is by going to visit local media outlets and share concerns as well as opportunities for achieving this task. At a recent meeting there was a request that the phrase "illegal immigrants" not be used. There are several studies that show that contrary to the AP's position that this is "accurate and neutral for news stories." The quick response was that this was the phrase that is used in the AP Stylebook. I guess it is to journalists as the Chicago Manual of Style is to writers.

So dear readers, if you are so inclined, please check out the links below, and let your voice be heard. Sometimes words don't seem like much unless you, or those you care about, are affected by the use of a label; even the most subtle differences in language usage can have an impact a person or a group.

"We're already looking ahead to the 2012 edition of the AP Stylebook and would like to hear from you. What new entries would you like to see? What terms would you like defined? What questions would you like us to answer?

Stylebook editors will consider all submissions when putting together the new Stylebook, and some may be used.

The editors also will select their favorite suggestions and give the winners either a free year's subscription to AP Stylebook Online or a free download of the AP Stylebook mobile app for iPhone, iPod touch or BlackBerry".

http://www.apstylebook.com/?do=social_media

http://www.nhmc.org/

Our Babies

2011-11-14T23:21:00.000-08:00

2011 pomegranate crop.

Happy Terry's Day

2011-11-13T22:10:00.000-08:00

One of the best things about having this blog is that isn't geographically limited. Or for that matter topic limited. That may diminish readership, but it allows me to write about things within and without the city. Like, say, um, my cousin's birthday party.

What do you give a woman on her 72nd birthday? Especially if she's not had a birthday party since she was 16? You guessed - a birthday party that is filled with yummy food, family and more family. Yes, her name is Arriola now, but she is a Martinez through and through, so she planned the main course, the dessert, and the music that played as we danced the night away.

She sat at the head table with her husband John, a man who came into her life, well, a long time after high school. He, like a lot of us at the party, recognized the grandmotherly and maternal images that were flashed on screen as her life was shared in pictures. Like a lot of us at the party, he might not have recognized as a young bride, a high school graduate, or the skinny little girl in the First Communion Dress.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words and sometimes a picture carries no hint of the child that is, forgive me Mr. Wordsworth, mother of the woman. Who would think that little skinny Terry would often serve as surrogate mother and eternal "rock" for all family members? Who would expect that she would be a single mom whose daughters would grow up to have Dr. and PhD. as part of their professional titles?

How good and healthy to get together just 'cause. So much better than some of the other reasons we gather together when the person we're focused on is in their 7th and 8th decades of life.

images - James Grimes

2012 CLA Conference

2011-11-11T21:38:00.000-08:00

Had a chance to spend time at the California Library Association Conference today. The sky and the convention worked together to equal a day of So Cal beauty. Heard several comments about why some of the first Midwest colonists came here. Based on today, I think they made a really great choice.

There were the standard job related workshops, advocacy discussion groups and exhibitors. If you enter the north end of Pasadena Central Library you'll see a variation on a version of 21st Century library lending. This good woman put on her best Vanna demeanor and chuckled as I took her picture.
Very appropriate. As was the cheers that came from the librarians watching the libraries version of Dancing with the Stars. What? You can't imagine what that might be?

Why it's the CLA Book Cart Drill Team Competition, of course. Here are the staid librarians taking their moment immediately before their 1st place performance. Think Black Swan with book carts.

They beat out other groups - including this group from Berkeley who choreographed their movements to "Born to be Wild". Part of their performance included a stripping off of their jackets to reveal phrases that included "1st Amendment" and "patron privacy".

Don't think I'll ever be able to think of librarians as being gray haired, prissy, "shhs'ers" again.

"Knock, knock"

2011-11-10T22:15:00.001-08:00

"Who's There"?

"Head Cold".

"Head Cold That".

"Head Cold That I brought back from Portland".

Not surprised - you spend a week around two girls who go to school and are under 8 and the odds of catching colds rises tremendously.

So this afternoon I was in a nosedrop/neti pot set of mind.

As I was driving up Fair Oaks I thought about going to CVS.

Then a 3/50 Project thought bounced around my beleaguered brain and I drove up Lake to Webster's Community Pharmacy.

I could fulfill pharmaceutical needs, stop by Webster's Fine Stationary for card and wrapping paper for a wedding gift for Saturday, and support family owned businesses.

Done, done, and done. Plus, I had a chance to chat with store owner Scott.

Manuela Enriqueta Villa de Martinez

2011-11-08T22:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday would have been my mother's 99th birthday.

She was wise, funny, could be moderately obscene, and totally full of mischief.

We lived together, more on than off, for almost fifty years. I lived in my parents house until I was 21 and was married. Over the next decade we saw a bit less of each other because of distance and transportation issues. Within 6 months of James, Kate, and me moving to Pasadena she and my dad moved in with us. We lived together until illness made it necessary for them to move to a convalescent home.

She loved both of our kids and did everything in her power to spoil them in small ways - when she could. She had been spoiled by the grandmother who raised her and felt other children should receive the same shamelessly spoilful loving.

She loved to retell tales where she had been naughty as a child. She would tell the tale with the same inflections and pauses, time after time. When I was really young I quickly would grow bored with the story. As we both aged I came to appreciate the rhythm and intonation that I heard in my head just as the words came out of her mouth. I am lucky that we recorded some of her story telling.

Once we were chatting while she was lying on her bed - sorry to say no tape recorder in sight - and she began to start another story. "You know, when I was a baby, they used my...my... (searching for word) buggy to move contraband to Pancho Villa's troops. They'd put the flour or sugar or whatever ( I never asked what that might have been) under the mattress like thing, put me on top, and covered me with a blanket. We'd go to the border, cross the border, and leave the contraband in Mexico".

"Mom, why have you never told me this before???? You know how I love history. You know I love family stories."

A slow smile stretched across her face - "Well... you never asked". Even bigger smile.

Miss you Mom.

And on those 970 miles

2011-11-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

There are certain advantages to being the lesser in a certain skill. James is the much better photographer, but I have "mastered" the technique of pointing and shooting without taking time to see what I've shot.

I guess you could think of this as see, point camera without looking, and pray technique. Sometimes there is visual noise that I crop out and sometimes there is no using the image.
Sometimes the images the image works in spite of my efforts. I find this particularly handy as I travel from Pasadena to Portland. On those trips where I am driving solo I don't like to stop much, but do see some beautiful things along the way. The fog and the light in this section of N. California was breathtaking.Sometimes the story is more about the journey than the portrait. This was on another breathtaking part of the journey. The journey became even more breathtaking shortly after this image, so the only technique used was breathing deeply and watching the road at all times.
This was the second time I went across the Siskiyou in snowfall. Not a first choice I would willingly make, but I found myself the lead, as the snowplows went back and forth getting ready for work. Turns out we were the last group to not need chains.

I'll travel the road again to Portland, part of my heart is there, but will look forward to doing so in a month when the snowplows are out of commission.

What a difference 4 years make

2011-11-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

In 2007 I came to Portland to spend Halloween with three year old Lili. We put together a fairly impromptu ofrenda for Día de los muertos. We included folks from both sides of the extended family and looked around the house for items that would have been appreciated by the departed. We couldn't find pan de muerto and I found a calavera (sugar skull) after some heavy duty searching.

This year Cheli is now the three year old in the family. It was easy to find Día de los muertos in Portland on the net. The first images were centered in Downtown, or hipper sections of town, and looked like the Love Child of Día and Zombies R' Us, informed by a Mardi Gras parade. Wonderful in its own right, but it appeared deeper with drama and theatrics than with connections to those who were beloved and who had passed on.

A bit more net exploring turned up the Día celebration near the Alberta section of town.

This was coordinated by folks with who have roots in the areas where Día de los muertos has been taking place for centuries - not a zombie in sight. La Catrina was evident and there was as much explanation about what the night is about as much as there was a description of events to take place. On November 1st, Kate, Lili, Cheli, and I set out to NE Portland to share in Día de los muertos.

When we arrived we found La Catrina, decked out in flowers. Atole, pan de muerto, and tamales were readily available. The store owners in the area actively participated in putting together ofrendas that included the elements of water, candles and items that were special to those who have passed on.

This ofrenda, outside a bar/coffee house, was for a gentleman for whom horses and whiskey had real meaning in his life.

Outside a vintage shop: curves, warm colors and a framed image - mid 20th century.

This ofrenda was a mix of symbolism that was rich in design and the Cempaxochitl (marigold) were a brilliant counterpoint to the serape.

There was a communal ofrenda that was designed to welcome additions from everyone. Lili and Cheli placed pictures of my mother and grandfather on the ofrenda and added flowers. Our tokens of remembrance placed beside those whose names and faces we will never know. Kate and I told the girls about "Uela" and "Grandpa Cesareo", including their relationships to them. It was an opportunity to share that my grandpa was Cheli's bisabuelito (great grandfather).

Decorating the calaveras was fun as was seeing the young folks dancing folklorico. A most meaningful moment took place the next day when I referred to my grandpa, and little three year old Cheli, pointedly said, "My bisabuelito". I nodded and on went the story. A little bit of cultural preservation and familial memory was in evidence.

I don't know as I smiled outwardly, but I had a huge grin in my heart.

Vampires of a Portland kind

2011-11-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

There are many fine reasons for coming to Portland. Bridges, it is known as Bridgetown, food, youthful exuberance, and business with minimal bureaucracy.

But my personal reasons have to do with three things I don't find elsewhere.

Cute Vampire Horses...

Sweet Vampire Dragons...

and the interaction between these very different Vampires.

A Family Fix

2011-10-31T20:26:00.000-07:00

I admit it. Periodically I need my fixes.

Opera, fine lit, Cultura Latina, research and if I’m in a wonky mood - a good meeting or two. The list continued would have to include Gospel, jarocho, chocolate, coffee, familia, friendsand open spaces.

While I really am Urban Girl, I find it thrilling to drive through open spaces of northern California and southern Oregon that are a part of the State of Jefferson.

The sky is open, sometimes blue and clear, but as often it reminds us that there are many shades of gray. Clouds, expand, roil, and add definition to a vastness that is almost too hard to define. But is an absolute joy to experience.

Because it's fall the geese honk and fly toward their southern destinations. Some say they do so in order to keep the formation by offering encouragement. Whatever the specifics the geese communicate with each other to find their shared direction.

Much as we did yesterday as we went through a corn maze on the Sauvie Island in Oregon.

The squeals of Lili and Cheli drew us on and led us through the fields. Being together in the field helped us bridge the distance that exists between Pasadnena and Portland. It reminded us that being together is the way that we will always find home.

Calaveras, all 'round

2011-10-28T13:19:00.000-07:00

I was greeted the other day by a friend who wished me a Happy Diwali, a tradition that has many interpretations, all having some reference to light. The complexity of the experience is informed by region, religion, as well as cultural and familial tradition.

Not so different from Día de los muertos, I thought.

Growing up November 1st was All Soul's Day, not Día de los muertos: my upbringing being more Catholic than Mexica. My family was from the northern State of Chihuahua and Día de los muertos has deep ties to southern Mexico and Central America.

It was while I was teaching Spanish as a Second Language, that I first began to learn about the time dedicated to remembering those that have passed on to the next world and remembering what our relationship was to them. Halloween is about Ghosties and Ghouls, Día de los muertos is about familia and loved ones.

Calaveras are a common sight at this time of year in Patzcuaro, Pasadena, and Portland.

The sugar skulls are easy to make, easy to decorate, and easy to eat.

It is a time for dealing with the fine line that separates the living and the dead.

It has become a time of artistic expression.

And a time for letting Death know that we won't take it, or our own mortality, too seriously.

Diwali - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

Images: Courtesy Dia de los Mueros NW

Ddlm PortlandNW - https://www.facebook.com/diadelosmuertosnw?sk=wall

Lalo Alcaraz - https://www.facebook.com/lacucaracha?sk=info

At the end of the tunnel

2011-10-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

My house has considerable style to it. We won't talk about what sort. But style it has.

Mostly I like the style of the house. I love its periwinkle blueness, its simple person sized rooms, and the windows that allow lots and lots of light in on wintry days.

My office has been styled by 25 years of historical research, 13 years of parades & jamaicas, 1 run for school board, 1 book, nearly 10 years of TV shows, assorted boards and committees, and the wear and tear that comes with, at times from, assorted dogs and cats.

I have been working on setting some order, a significant amount of order, in the office. Old papers out, historical facts remain, safe and secure, multiples are dust, old stationary used or shared, 5 sheet cross cut shredder tired from activity.

I have been in the tunnel and think I see some light.

A spell on me

2011-10-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

It was quiet this last week. Matthew has been gone for the last week. He was in Portland, OR, visiting Brother-in-law, nieces, and Sister Kate. I'm sure I'll hear a bit more about what the visit was like over the next several days and even more when I next talk to Kate.

The one thing he shared last night was that the girls talk a lot. "Even when they sleep".

I don't know about that, but I do know that bringing home Voo Doo Doughnuts is a clear sign of love. Mind you, James and I agreed that the market for these delicious super calorie rich bits of yumminess is young, hip, and able to easily digest love in the shape of a maple bar with bacon or a Voo Doo Doll (complete with pretzel stake), or a McMinville Cream.

But, I digress. I hope you will forgive my digression. If you have/had tasted the doughnuts I know you would.

At the moment I am filled with yummy, yummy doughnut and a good deal of love.

Adios primo

2011-10-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

Meshugenah, kishkas, bubkus. Oy, oy vey, oy gevalt.

And with this begins a recollection of Jim Plotkin.

He was a friend and acquaintance who was many things in this city. Some referred to him as the Unofficial Mayor of Old Pasadena. Some saw him as a businessman.

I think we saw each other as cultural cousins. We'd giggle and laugh on those occasions when we would bump into each other and would enjoy sharing Yiddish and Chicano slang. We both came from East L.A.: me from the southeastern part and he was from Boyle Heights. Smiles on faces and body language expressed was all about being with family.

Although Jim was 12 years older than me, I suspect the mix of community had changed little when he and I were growing up in East L.A. Maybe I provided a bit of time travel for him. Or he for me. Maybe we both went back to our times in East L.A. when real bagels and real burritos could be found on Beverly Boulevard? Don't know. We never talked about anything so serious. We just laughed from the kishkahs when we were together. That was enough.

I will remember my friend tomorrow while I am at his service. Jim Plotkin, mensch, presente.

Image - Old Pasadena blog, 10/21/09

Saturday's child

2011-10-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Saturday I'll be participating in the Los Angeles policy seminar: California's K-12 Latino Curriculum - what's missing? Really excited about the chance to have input regarding curriculum.

During the course of the seminar Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, Professor fo Medicine and Director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at the School of Medicine at UCLA, will present data that covers 1769-2010. Sounds like dense material, but he like other fine teachers, manages to distill lots of facts and share in a way that is both enlightening and entertaining.

He'll also be presenting information covered in his soon to be published book "El Cinco de Mayo. An American Tradition". Turns out the deeper origins of Cinco de Mayo have more to do with the Mason/Dixon than Mexico City.

In the evening I'll be attending an event supporting the Placita Methodist Church.

Knowing Larry, he will be at home, trying to see where else in the house he might lean his head.

La Santa Anita

2011-10-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

While I am more than willing to take chances, I'm not much of a gambler. So I found myself chuckling in my head as I walked toward the Seabiscuit statue at Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia.

I've been there a couple of times before. I've gone to the infield to see the Boy Scout gathering that used to take place in the late fall. I've gone there to meet the good members of the Pasadena Mexican American History Association - they used to have a regular fundraiser there in the fall.

I've even been to a breakfast in the Grandstand where I gave the invocation. Talk about philosophical mixed metaphors.

But today James and I were going to meet our good friends and actually do what the buildings were meant to house - betting and horse racing.

Initially it felt strange to be there, because I was reminded that Santa Anita was one of the places where Japanese and Japanese Americans were sent during WWII before being sent off to camp. James hadn't heard that before. I had, and I was struck by the sheer immensity of the act and the size of the facility. I had to wonder what folks felt as drew closer to the buildings.

And I put away more thought about that experience for the time being.

The architecture was all long slender lines, with long shadows, and a good deal of horse imagery thrown into the mix. I kept finding myself being struck by the volume of the buildings.

On, and on, and on the different segments went.

Nothing was human sized.

Even the palm tress seem to make sense here. And I don't like palm trees. A very foreign experience overall for me.

As far as the wagering is considered there's not much to share.

There are times when consistency may not be viewed as a virtue.

No pumpkins on our porch

2011-10-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Halloween is a cool holiday, but over the years I've come to feel more connected with the Meso-American/European based Días de los Muertos.

Yes, I've made costumes for my kiddoes, have pushed James into attending costume events, and have even been the fully costumed Arfie, the Wonderdog.

But for some reason or the other that all feels like something from a past long gone.

Nowadays, finding a duck that carries the spirit for me seems the way to go.

Reasons for a parade

2011-10-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

When else can you get to dance in the streets with your friends?

Or to let the music wash over you as you lead a band

Or enjoy a cool ice cream at he end of the parade while you sit on your horse.

Images - James Grimes, Folks from: Eliot Middle School, Muir High School, Charros Unidos

Small mysteries

2011-10-14T05:37:00.000-07:00

I begin my day with one of the small joys of being a historian. Maybe the coffee hasn't settled in or I'm floaty from running around getting ready for the parade tomorrow.

But as I start the day I feel like a scientist in time; discovering, wondering, putting together a hypothesis, and then coming to some conclusion.

I know these young women were connected with the Pasadena Settlement. Beyond that there is so much conjecture. I must talk to those who might have been members, while they still remember details. Still work to be done here. Ready for my second cup of coffee.

In the meantime, good morning to you, from the Settlequeens and me.

Image via Manuel Contreras

Hmm...

2011-10-12T21:47:00.000-07:00

Two days before the parade & jamaica.

This is totally appropriate for my emotional needs, except I can't have it, or I'd pay big time.

It's all okay, it's all okay, it's all okay.

Thanks to the powers that be...we don't have to pay for the Police this year!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Better than a chocolate cake.

Well, almost.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'd acknowledge the image - but I can't find the source.

6 days.

2011-10-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Lots of prep for Latino Heritage parade & jamaica over the next 5 days.

Please check updates at http:latinoheritage.blogspot.com

Shadows and light

2011-10-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Took this picture at Occidental last May. James and I were at a fine concert of La Santa Cecilia Orchestra.

We'll be back at Oxy today attending a service for the son of our dear friends Norma and Pete Navarro. Jamal was a vibrant young man who died after a four year bout with colon cancer.

It is always hard to lose someone you love, but I think especially so when you have given them life and they have made your life fuller for the chance to nurture another human being.

Tlazokomati to all the souls who have been a part of our lives and who are in the next realm.

How our garden grows

2011-10-07T19:15:00.000-07:00

Distance can be so forgiving, flaws may exist but you need to look for them to find them.

Our home - Southern California idealized on a just about perfect fall day.

We enjoy the blessings of cool nights and warm days. The mulch is fresh and the weeds seem abated. No blooms on many plants, but it's okay, they've bloomed this past year and are about to take a well earned rest.

Thanks to our neighbor John, of John's Tree and Landscape, we have a walkway with decomposed granite.

Today we went to Theodore Payne. We bought more plants that we'll add to our fairly xeriscaped garden. Their Fall Festival Plant Sale will be taking place tomorrow and next weekend.

http://www.theodorepayne.org/events/fallfestival.html

Not so long ago in places not so far away

2011-10-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

Usually I regret not being able to consistently make images larger. There is often detail that is left out in a smaller image and that becomes larger in the magnified version. Not so much the case here.

So why include a sign that is painful to read and remember. Several reasons really, most are covered better by other folks. Me, I'm sharing this because of a story I was told two weeks ago.

I was talking about the era of our parade & jamaica - 1946-1955 - highlighting the positive accomplishments of the era.

The person I was talking with shared a story from his youth in Texas. Turns out that as a little boy he accompanied his mom to town. While there they ran into one of her comadres and he made it clear he had to go the bathroom. His mom was not aware of the guidelines of the time in that town and started toward the bathroom marked "White". The comadre let her know she could not take him there and so she started toward the door marked "Colored". Again the comadre let her know that she couldn't use that door. The mom asked the comadre, "Well, then where do we go?", to which the comadre replied, "We don't".

Years later I could see the pain in the man's eyes as he remembered his childhood lesson on place and position. And we didn't say a word but knew that were it not for the efforts by all in the Golden Age of Mendez v. Westminster, of Brown v. Board, Hernandez v. Texas, we would not be standing in a hallway where we have a voice in how our government is run and how our history can be shared.

Image - http://www.pbs.org/itvs/fightfields/timeline.html

Cuentos del Pueblo, part 1

2011-10-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

I had great fun yesterday @ LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Alex Moreno Areyan was the instigator of the event; former and current staff members @ LAPCA were truly helpful in making things fall neatly in place. While I'm very proud of being from Pasadena and of being of Latino heritage, it was a joy to reconnect with my very specific family roots yesterday. All ofmy grandparents were from regions and states in Mexico - their patria chicas were Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Chihuahua, and San Luis Potosí.

As for me, my patria chica, my regional sense of place, could be viewed as Los Angeles- especially East Los Angeles. At the core my experience has its roots in Mexico, Los Angeles, and Pueblo, Colorado.

The City Hall of Pasadena fills me with pride and I am amazed at its architectural beauty. The City Hall of Los Angeles fills me with youthful memories and family stories.

LA Plaza is built in close proximity to the place where my father was baptized, where my parents wed, and where I was baptized. It is close to Olvera Street and the site of St. Vibiana Cathedral.

Yesterday it was a joy to share some of my family stories. And to share how fine it was to learn about, and then share, some of the stories of Pasadena. Stories that were well known in Los Angeles but stories that had been somewhat hidden or untold in Pasadena.
In a similar way, Olivia Cueva-Fernandez shared sentiments and stories of Mexican Americans in Wilmington.
Richard Santillan, PhD. and Francisco Balderrama, PhD., shared their works on baseball and on the repatriation/deportations of the 1930s.

Each of us has had books printed by Arcadia Publishing. Each of us is fortunate to be able to share the histories that contribute to a better understanding of the experiences and places of California and the Southwest.

Photos - James Grimes

Ah, Larry

2011-09-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

I'm working hard, getting ready for the book signing on Saturday and the Latino Heritage parade & jamaica on October 15th.

Larry, well...Larry is doing one of the things he does best.

The cats on the chair are a gift from my mother-in-law.

Cuentos del Pueblo

2011-09-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, October 1, 2011, the first installment of Cuentos del Pueblo will be held from Noon until 5 PM. This continuing series brings unique stories, perspectives, and opinion to LA Plaza and invites visitors themselves to become part of the story. This event is free to the public, and discounted admission to the galleries will be available.

For this first installment, eight Mexican American authors will be on hand to discuss, sell, and sign their recent books, and share the personal, unknown, and unexpected stories that connect their work to the historical center of Los Angeles.

Throoughout the day, music and stories will also be provided by entertainer, singer, and songwriter Mark Guerrero, son of the late, legendary singer, Lalo Guerrero.

Raffles and prizes round out the day.

Authors :

Roberta H. Martínez, Latinos in Pasadena
Melinda Paclacio, Ocotillo Dreams
Thelma Reyna, The Heavens Weep for Us and Other Stories
Olivia Cueva-Fernandez, Mexican Americans in Wilmington
Bert W. Colima, Gentleman of the Ring
Francisco Balderrama, and Richard Santillan, Mexican American Baseball in Los Angeles
Alex Moreno Areyan, Mexican Americans in Los Angeles

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 501 N. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

http://lapca.org/

P.S. Don't forget to check out La Tiendita when you come for your visit.

Black & white and color images courtesy La Plaza website, text from lapca press release.

PCC Advisory Committees and Dr. Rocha

2011-09-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday members of the College President's African American, Asian American, and Latino Advisory Committees met at PCC. The groups gathered together to discuss what might be some issues that are of import to our students and their respective communities that either contribute or challenge their success at PCC. And what can be done expand on the success or ameliorate the most negative things that limit their success.

Well, that may not have been the exact question that was asked but you get the gist.

While being at PCC at 8:30 in the morning was not my ideal start to the weekend, being there with all these caring, thoughtful folks, who perhaps a decade ago wouldn't not have been invited to such a function, did my heart good.

And gave me just bit of hope that sweetened my last cup of morning coffee.

For the faces not seen and the names not known

2011-09-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

I wasn't planning to write again until after the parade & jamaica - much to do and only so much time.

I am watching the memorial taking place in New York, New York. The names roll off the tongues of the family members as they read a litany of names, some of them saints, and all of them missed. There are names that connect with countries and continents near and far. For the most part the names are read in a rhythm that is governed by a need to be respectful.

There are those who, in the midst of sharing the names, reflect the hope secure in faith. There are others whose pain is still evident: the wound has not healed And a few for whom the wound seems to have festered. My heart breaks for them.

The media speak of the different groups who lost their lives on that day 10 years ago. We know the names of many of those in these groups, they are remembered for what they did and sometimes for who they were. Firefighters, Police, Clerics, and others who were in uniform are remembered for the profound bravery they displayed. Those that worked at the WTC are remembered, too.

As we think of all of those lost, I hope we remember others who wore different uniforms at Windows on the World, Wild Blue, and Greatest Bar on Earth. As well as those who kept the building clean and functioning well. Both they, and the folks whom they served, were working to provide their version of the American Dream for themselves and their loved ones.

We do not know the language the Falling Man heard when he dreamt the night before his death. We do not know what the waitress or the busboy heard when their parents spoke their name. We do not know if they lived in obscurity by default or by design.

We do know that they are gone and they are missed. They are remembered still.

Que descansen en paz/May they rest in Peace.

Summer to fall

2011-09-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

Last summer Don Jesús, and his son José painted our house. There was a lot to be done - our house hadn't been painted in about 20 years. They were classy, diligent and I'd recommend them highly.

While they were painting the house all the doors and windows were papered over. José referred to us as being in our bats cave. In a not too surprising way, the darkness had me refocus my work.

Well, it's almost fall and that means that the time has come for the Pasadena Latina blog to head to her batcave, at least until mid-October.

I may blog occasionally, but I'm planning to use most of my writer's energy on the Latino Heritage blog and the hours of the day preparing for the 13th Annual Latino Heritage parade & jamaica.

Change can be good and can help you appreciate the light.

http://latinoheritage.blogspot.com

Oh, the places you'll go...

2011-08-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

Our goddaughter Maya, here with her grandmother Margarita, will be leaving for New York early in the morning. She's be starting her freshman year of college.

Tomorrow begins a new chapter in our family's life.

But this evening we were together talking about college experiences, past and future, laughing at our foibles, and enjoying each other's company. All of us adults drinking in every bit of the moment: relishing the laughs, the smiles, and the stories that we've shared before.
At one level we do this for Maya, at another level we do it for ourselves. We talk about our lives hoping that our stories will become as special for her as they are for us. We hope that Maya will keep coming back for more - adding her stories to the mix - making our time together that much more special.

Varied Roles for a Common Cause

2011-08-28T12:13:00.000-07:00

The Mexican Cultural Institute is one of the organizations that is found at and around Calle Olvera/Olvera Street. In addition to highlighting Mexican culture it also frequently has exhibits that present the Chicano experience. By comparison to some of our larger institutions in Los Angeles, it is a small space. This space has had some powerful exhibits, Mental Menudos, and panel discussions.

Last night a panel discussed events that led up to and followed the Chicano Moratorium of August 29, 1970. The gathering that began as a peaceful, if pointed, protest in East L.A., but is perhaps best known because of the death of journalist Rubén Salazár.

Phrases that kept surfacing last night included the keywords - education, discrimination, and organization.

I was reminded that this was a multigenerational effort. The Familia Cuarón, welcomed those who couldn't return home because their parents would not have dissidents in their home.

College aged students like Vicky Castro, Phil Castruita, Monte Perez, and Armando Vasquez-Ramos were there to help high school students "stay in line" and since they were older students, they were to take the blows that might be dealt by the LAPD. They were told that the protest was to be led by the generation that included Mita Cuarón and Harry Gamboa, Jr. they were there to offer guidance and physical protection.

All ages roles defined, committed to a common cause, working together so that the youth of East L.A. might have a better future.

Thanks to each of them for their sacrifice to bring positive change to their communities.

Thanks also to the professors and instructors who will give extra credit to the students who attended the panel they are doing their part to keep this legacy alive.

Taking and talking options

2011-08-28T01:18:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I wrote that I was getting ready for a colonoscopy as a routine part of my medical care. Yes, more than a teeth cleaning, but in some respects, just as routine. I wrote about this because I thought it might serve as a reminder for some, and as a bit of encouragement for others, to do similarly. Lot of folks keep "meaning to do" tests like this until some major health issue makes them do it.

Some folks felt it was a fairly gross thing to share and others were concerned about my health, otherwise why would I be having this test? I felt a lot of love over the last couple of days and have seen some deeply concerned faces. Am I okay? Yes, I'm okay.

The preparation isn't fun; lots of liquids, none of them tasty, but none of them truly horrendous. I've had truly horrendous and what I had to drink won't make the same list. Having to stay in the house because of all that drinking certainly wasn't my idea of a fun thing to do, even on a Thursday night, but again, not horrendous.

On Fridays at the Endoscopy Center in Pasadena they play 60s music. As I walked to my bed a warmed blanket is brought to cover me. The nurses and everyone who was involved was pretty chipper. When I closed my eyes and listened to the hubbub around it seemed like I was at a 60s retro diner rather than the waiting and recovery area at the center.

This picture of Lili and me is one of my faves: Nana and nieta - just between us.

Simply put, having a colonoscopy, like a lot of other mid-life health check-ups, increases my odds of my continuing to enjoy such moments. That's way better than the other option.

Don't know if it's day or night

2011-08-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

The up side of being my age is that I remember the sixties. Yup, I was boring, which explains why I remember the 60s. The down side of being almost sixty can be the changes you go through and the obligations you have to keep.

Beginning tomorrow I'm getting ready for a health experience that's not so much fun. I'm going to have a routine colonoscopy on Friday. Don't worry I don't intend for it to be a Katie Couric sort of experience. But I will spend tomorrow preparing for the "procedure" on Friday.

Starting tonight I'll be drinking lots of clear liquids and tomorrow I get to enjoy

some pre-procedural drinks. And then a bit of purple haze time on Friday.

Not a big deal when you consider that a colonoscopy could save your life.

The Cat Days of Summer

2011-08-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

It's hot and is supposed to get hotter over the next few days.

I write that with the same intent one has when taking a band-aid off quickly. You know the smart is going to be a good one, but if you do it quickly you don't feel the hurt as long. So they tell us.

I'm also going to try and be Larry-like.

I'll ignore the fact that the discomfort is right up against my cheek and

glare at anyone who questions my choice.

Together Time

2011-08-21T22:50:00.000-07:00

I don't have images from most of our time together Saturday and Sunday.

Had we an image from Saturday night I'd be sharing a really sweet gesture from a woman was a participant in Ventura's Arts in the Park event. She learned that James and I were celebrating our anniversary and gave me a pair of really cool earrings - because "31 years means something must be going right".

Or an image from the really great food we had on our Ventura Harbor Cruise or the image of the sun setting beneath the horizon while pelicans flew against a darkening sky.

Or the super store we wandered through in Santa Paula that was filled with sometimes cheesy delights... we were drawn in by the super piñatas and ended up leaving the store with good towels and really kitschy popsicle makers.

Or the two young men we spoke to while enjoying some drink at Garman's in Santa Paula. The first was a young man who had had too much to drink and shared with this Nana his desire to meet girls and the second young man who was afraid to spread his literary wings.

Alas, no images for any of this.

Instead here is an image that comes from Figueroa Plaza in Ventura; a grand example of how to combine art, a newly minted walkable experience, and healthy bit of history. These works recognize China Alley and the community that was a part of Ventura's history in the 1870s and 1880s.

As we were leaving Ventura we stopped by the Olivas Adobe. The dining room has the furniture of the last private owner. Max Fleischmann enjoyed wealth as an heir to Fleischmann's Yeast and his principle stock in General Foods.

In the dining room James read a didactic he found moving. "Once questioned why he was so generous with his wealth, Fleischmann responded, 'A millionaire doesn't deserve a damn bit of praise for using whatever money he has to help other people. He deserves a lot of discredit if he doesn't'."

Chipping away

2011-08-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have found my soapbox and am about to step up on it. Those who would like to avoid the talk, be my guest, I won't be offended.

Over the last week there were a series of hate speech and symbols sprayed in our community. This was the topic on "Star Newsmakers" Joe Brown and Randy Ertll with Brian Charles and Frank Girardot. This morning a forum took place at the Rose Bowl. Chief Sanchez shared more details about the cases and because he is a thoughtful man - some meaningful reflections. I'm sure others were thoughtful, too.

Pasadena has had continued if uncomfortable conversations around race. Not surprising since our local history includes roots in the U.S. /Mexican War and the Civil War.

What hasn't been discussed as often are other expression of bias, discrimination, and prejudice that seem to exist. While I might disagree or agree with what was said on Newsmakers or at the
forum this morning, if I were a lesbian, I might wonder where my community fits into this conversation. I've seen only peripheral acknowledgement re: homophobic graffiti. And yet the hate spewed is every bit as painful.

Perhaps it's my training as a teacher and as an anti bias facilitator that has me a bit more focused on the broader sense of "isms". Prejudice based on age, education, linguistic expression, orientation, and yes, racism share a common element of ignorance.

So while I might go to a discussion or two and heartily participate, I think much of my work is done here at my computer where I research and write about what I am learning of our shared history. It is my way of contributing to a different sort of conversation. One that offers yet another means to chip away at bigotry and hate.

A last image from Sunnyslope

2011-08-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Known - really old grape vine and a volunteer vine.

Unknown - purpose of round objects.

Love the contrasts and functionality of these built and growing objects.

Jersey Lillies and their California cousins

2011-08-19T04:03:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it's the time we live in, or the man I'm married to, that has influenced how I look at the flora and fauna in our San Gabriel Valley. Guess the answer doesn't matter much save to share that I grew up thinking appreciating very different flowers and plants.

I grew up loving callalilies, columbine, ferns, and naked ladies not so much because I loved their scent or form, more because they were the flowers my mother spoke about and her eyes would get misty or her features softened . Thanks to my dad I developed of love of roses and fruit. His preferences being a reflection of 20th century California icons of commerce.

There is an abiding love for all of these plants, but our home is increasingly shared by Southern California natives and their waterwise cousins. I don't always know the names of the plants. I only know that these were at the Sunnyslope Water Company and that they make sense in a landscape that is informed by open space and the precious value of our local sources of water.

Not Paul - at all

2011-08-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Twenty-six years ago James and I were anxiously waiting for a phone call. We were in the midst of an adoption and we knew the baby would arrive any day. The call came on a Saturday night, but with it came news that we couldn't see the baby until the papers were signed by birthmom and birthdad. It wasn't until late Monday that we were told we could see the baby on Tuesday.

Everyone in the house was so anxious. James, Kate, my mom, my dad and me - anxious, anxious, anxious. We wanted to see him. We wanted to hold him. We wanted to bring him home.

I'm not sure how well we slept for a couple of days. We were able to bring him home on Wednesday. The drive to Los Angeles seemed to take forever and ever.

Then we saw him - he was so beautiful, he had blond hair and blue eyes and he was so big -

9 pounds and 12 ounces, 21 inches long. That is a lot of baby.

I kept thinking of a baby Paul Hornung.

I had no idea how strong my arms would become or how deeply I would love him.

Now that he is a young man it turns out he doesn't look like Hornung at all.

He has always been uniquely Matthew. As a baby he laughed in his own way, as a child he learned at his own pace, and as a young man he has bloomed as Tío Matthew.

Larry recognizes this. We agree.

Happy birthday M'hijo.

Lovers and dreamers

2011-08-16T22:09:00.000-07:00

James and I have celebrated 32 years together. Parts of our life have been traditional and then there are times that have been uniquely ours. Our first week together was one of those times.

In 1979 I was recently separated from my first husband and was living in a housemate setting. We were friends with no benefits, save a deep appreciation for the arts.

On a late Sunday night Housemate Jeff returned from a vacation back East and there was this really cute guy with him. Over the next four days, we played music on recorders, hosted a birthday party for a friend, went on a trip to Disneyland, and went on a hike. By Thursday James and I professed our love for each other: attraction, friendship, soulmate in the space of four days.

So what to do on our first date? James was planning to hike on his vacation in the West so he had no dress pants - only jeans. We had much more love than money and no car, but we wanted to go out on the town.

So James borrowed a pair of pants that were about 6 inches too long for him, we went via bus to a Chinese dinner and saw one of the few movies showing near the busline. Miss Piggy was the leading lady, Kermit the leading man, and our song became "The Rainbow Connection".

Who doesn't love a waltz? And when your love is newly minted, who isn't a bit of a dreamer?

Pyramid and pillars

2011-08-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in my living room working on my lap top - it's one of the luxuries I enjoy. There is the last bit of a cool breeze coming through the windows. From where I sit I can see the reflection of a couple of hummingbirds taking a good long drink from the feeder that James has set up for them.

I hear a group singing a song that has the melody of Freres Jacques - the lyrics are a mix of English and Spanish; the voices are mixed - adults and young children. Some of the voices have vowels that are a bit rounder than standard English pronunciation and the Spanish has some very consonant heavy pronunciation. There is a lot of small laughter: they're having a really good time.

I was originally going to write about the "hate language" that has been appearing in our part of town. The Pasadena Police have been following this closely because, I suspect, they are aware of the "Pyramid of Hate".

The idea is that the acceptance of small actions of discrimination or bigotry can lead to progressively more hurtful actions.

I couldn't find a good illustration of the Pyramid that I could use, but you can easily find it on the internet.

Instead of the Pyramid here is a photo taken at Sierra Madre Elementary School in June.

On the stage are pillars of character that can prevent or undo discrimination and intolerance. Across the street, by accident or by design, the pillars of laughter and of song are doing some of the same.

Water works and fluid facts

2011-08-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

Years ago Historian Buddy Bill Trimble encouraged me to read "L.J. Rose of Sunny Slope, 1827-1899". L.J. Rose was an immigrant from Bavaria whose life story is filled with triumphant highlights and a tragic ending. As I read I remember being impressed by the frankness of the time including a listing of different wages to be paid to workers based on national origin or race. Everything about Sunny Slope felt immensely 19th century.

This past week I visited Sunnyslope Water Company. I mentioned Mike Hart in the last post and you saw some of his artistic talents. Those of us on the SWC tour had a chance to enjoy his historian talents. He brought the 21st century through the 18th centuries closer together. Fine historians can do that.
He shared information about the source of our local water - proximity to faults and foothills, acres of land, acre/feet of water - lots of facts. He reminded us that Lake Avenue is so named because it used to lead to Mission/Kewen Lake - we now know it as Lacy Park in San Marino. I was reminded that much of the history and antipathy that exists between local cities relates to water and its importance to survival and financial successes. Annexation and ownership don't take place in an equal partnership.
Walking through the grounds, carefully recreated by Mike and others, there was a calm and quiet that led to thoughts of the 19th century. Water was present but seemed to flow on its own terms in its own manner.

Springs popped up in unexpected places. It was easy to imagine what the area might have been like when it was a part of the Sunny Slope Ranch. Water, wealth and sustainability seemed at the core of our local history. Perceptions of our valley and its relation to water became real to me.

This bridge allowed one to cross the dam that was built in approximately 1790. Given the date, history has been revised - John Chapman is no longer credited with the work on the dam. Tongva, and/or those from España or Nueva España built the dam that provided water to the San Gabriel Mission lands.

At that time the water traversed 3 miles to the mission, even less to the vast lands that were the source of the mission's great wealth. Both facts brought different sorts of revelations to me. I don't know what others may have learned, we didn't talk much about meaning there was so much to, pardon the pun, drink in. I couldn't help but think about water, health, wealth, and sustainability.

On Bunker Hill - post on L.J. Rose - http://onbunkerhill.org/node/98

Treasures abounding

2011-08-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

I was invited by a friend to attend a Teaching American History session. The morning began with a quick trip to the San Gabriel Mission. Author and scholar Bill Deverell, spoke about some of the demography of the mission community as well as the imporance of the mission to the beginnings of commerce in the area.

Threaded throughout his talk was the idea that this area was uniquely situated, relative to water wealth, and helped the San Gabriel Mission become a source of support for other mission's when they were struggling with drought. The SGM was known as The Queen of the missions because the wealth of water.

Mike Hart spoke about the hydrology of the lands around the mission. He has spent over 40 years focused on this in part because of his position as vice President and General Manager and in part because his family has a long tradition of ranching - they've lived in the West for 5 generations.

Mike has also transferred his knowledge and love of the west to the maps you see before him. The detail are beautiful and help to put the mission's wealth in a visual context. There are details of orchards, watering areas, dwellings and so much more.

We also had a chance to delight in his ironwork art at the Sunnyslope Water Company grounds. Informed by the setting and designed by another of our treasures in the San Gabriel Valley.

Papers and paint on a Sunday afternoon

2011-08-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

I love color. Kate had a book about a panda bear that in the course of the story took a bath in colors. If it were really possible I'd do so.

In a sort of similar way I love things in order. I purged the spices last week and they are now in alphabetical order.

The biggest problem for me is paper. I do research, so there's a sort of cousin to hoarding mindset that thinks that papers hold history so one needs to hold on to paper. But enough, already!

It is time to clean and chuck when your space is limited by the papers from 2002. Or a run for school board in 2007. And the sundry papers from years of Adelante Mujer Latina or notebooks from Pasadena Latino Forum. And the items from Latino Heritage aren't just paper - you figure out where you're going to keep 30"X 40" pictures.

Today I've taken breaks and have started to paint the back room. Working with the "right" color relaxes me.

I am lucky that I have friends who share encouraging and loving words - take a break say they. To which I lovingly say, "I will".

But first the chilis need to be hung and my mother's cedar chest needs to be rescued from the old sheet. An end of cleaning is in sight. I'll be able to enjoy the new colors in our back room.

You can bet I'll be kicking back then. Might even enjoy a beer.

Focus, focus, focus

2011-08-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

Not good to take one's work too seriously - that will drive you mad.

I am only in a semi-mad state here. It was a hot day when I took this photo.

It's not as hot today, and I actually look much better for greeting others, but this is how I feel inside as I work to separate papers in my home office. This working to keep discrete, aiming towards orderly, segments in the mountains of paperwork is hot (not in a sexy way) work. I think it is a part of my more modest wanderings through my earthly purgatory.

Okay, break over, strabismusy image to be put away. Time to put on some Bach and get papers into save, share, and pitch piles.

My book has a new home

2011-08-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

My dad grew up in Lincoln Heights, among many other places, so we would tour the old neighborhood. He went to Lincoln High School and my godmother lived in Happy Valley so that we visited on our Sunday car riding tours.

Every once in a while I find myself touring the area, it's an easy drive if you take Huntington Drive toward Los Angeles. There's a lake in the middle of Lincoln Park and lots of ducks and geese. I have a very vague memory of going on that lake in a boat with my parents. It's a special memory because I only remember going on the lake one time.

You can no longer take a boat ride, but on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon there are lots of families enjoying the vast green lawn, in that bit of East L.A. The sounds from radios, the chatter of adults, the sounds from children playing all fill the air.

There are also the sounds that come from Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center for the Arts and Education. It was established as a nonprofit in 1970; it's history parallels the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. The art that is found throughout the site is built from shared and individual experiences. Like any other community the stories can be as varied as the stars in the sky or the magueys on the fence.

Walk through Plaza and you will see young people, and not so young people, learning ballet, regional folklorico, mariachi, Latin Jazz, and so much more. Opera, blues, rock and roll, plays- all take place here.

Your ears and eyes could become drunk with the art that abounds. It can't help it - it's so present that even the fences are works of art. More bits of the arts can be found in the little store - the tiendita that holds treasures that children can afford as well as treasures that are valued by art collectors.
The history of Plaza shares that it came to be in part as an act of preservation of the boathouse. A bit of history that was to be lost, instead became transformed into a work of art that is a lifeline to some of the students who attend Plaza.

The history of Latinos in Pasadena in now a part of the art and history in La Tiendita. I'm honored to be a part of a place where history was preserved and where the arts are cultivated.

http://www.plazadelaraza.org/

Exploring

2011-07-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that this photo is almost 10 years old.

I know some may be surprised by my hair color, but if you are old enough to remember back a decade, you'll remember that there were a lot of folks who tanned well who were dying their hair this color. I took the opp and jumped on the bandwagon.

This color, by the way, was much nicer than the first effort - which we affectionately referred to as the "Tweetybird Yellow".

So why this photo now? It's not my birthday, it's not my friend Joseph's birthday, nor am I about to dye my hair again.

The photo is really here to you introduce to Joseph - a nephew of sorts - who is a gifted visual artist. He has been working on his craft and has been traveling around the world to in order to better absorb different people and places. He's been to several countries in Europe and now is interested, really interested, in learning more about Mexico.

So if any of you know of an Artist Colony that is steeped in Western Classical art and Mexican culture please let me know. He's ready to a little exploring of his own and he would welcome your help.

July 27 - shortly before 3

2011-07-27T16:04:00.000-07:00

I called Kate to wish her a happy birthday. Told her I knew I'd write about her today - had no idea what I might write.

She laughed her Kate-laugh - a bit knowing, a bit amused, and a bit of "Oh, really". Keywords.

You can see that resolute sensibility in her face at this Girl Scout Encampment. All almost a head taller, but those white shades are worn by one determined pre-teen.

Prom picture shows another variation on the sense of resolution. Our comadre helped Kate with her makeup, her buddy designed the dress, but the smile is all hers.

Charming, dimpled, in the front row with the other young women who were in the first co-ed class at La Salle High School.

She chose to be a part of history, part of a ground breaking class.

Switching schools in her Junior Year was very much her choice.

She ran for president of the Student Body while she was there - yes, there is a theme developing.

The last image is from our recent time together at Mt. Lassen.

In this picture I see a bit of all those keywords - determined, amused, "oh, really", charming.

And I see so much more.

I can't help it, I'm her mom and it's her birthday today.

Feliz cumpleaños, m'hija. I love you.

Unknown photographer - prom picture

James Grimes - Cheli and her mom

A little translation

2011-07-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

We all bring a bit of our cultural dialect to our blogs. Some folks from the Midwest bring a sensibility that may include lemonade and porches, some from NY may bring a sense of inner city energy. James has geographical roots in Michigan, Montana, and New Jersey. The dialects of those areas affect his terminology, too.

Me, I'm pura/pure ELA at the core. I don't think I could have lived the first 21 years of my life in one place and not have the social imprint at my core. Every once in a while I forget, or get passionate about something and there it is. East Los all over the place.

So for those of you who may read regularly, or who happened on the blog yesterday, and wondered about some fact or phrases -

Los Four - The first Chicano artists to exhibit at LACMA. It's easy to forget that for many living in Los Angeles the idea of Chicano identity, let alone the expression of art informed by that identity and culture seemed like a curious, invalid, or quaint approach to art. Judithe Hernández joined Los Four in 1974. She, Beto, and Frank are the remaining members of this groundbreaking artist collective.

Magu - Lots of stories how he got his name. Most likely is that he was studying a piece of art and someone made a comment about how he was looking like Mr. Magoo. Never asked but I would have been surprised, if not shocked, if he had not chosen to spell the name with the Spanish pronunciation of vowels.

Menudo - A stew generally including beef stomach, hominy and broth. Generally accompanied by tortillas, onions, lime, chile, and oregano. Wikipedia has a fun article on this stew. It is a stew that has to be prepared and cooked with care - when that takes place it is tasty.

Raza - Literally translated as race. The word race, and what that might mean, deserves a whole other entry another day. Raza humana, raza de oro, and raza as a stand alone can have different meaning.

Xicano - A variant on the spelling of the Chicano. One that is more connected with Mexica/Mixteca linguistic roots.

Con safos - Hmmm...in a way a bit like the word aloha or pau. Lots of different meanings. On grafitti it means "don't mess with this, or else". It could also mean whatever you to do this will have repercussions.

It can also mean this is definitive or that this is my word, this is my opinion, don't tell me how I'm wrong or inaccurate. In a curious way, it can also mean, this is what I feel deeply, there is no way you can clarify. No editing.

C/S

Paul Botello, 2009. Indiana Station, Edward R. Roybal Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, Los Angeles.

Mr. Magu of Magulandia

2011-07-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

Years ago I was volunteering at the Latino Museum in Los Angeles. There was to be an exhibit on the Chicano artists, Los Four - Carlos Almaraz, Beto de la Rocha, Frank Romero, and Magu. I was going to put together the favorite music of each artist, the thought being the music would add another dimension to experiencing the art. Another layer of their personal expression, if you would.

Off I went to El Sereno to learn more about the music that Magu liked. I was nervous.

Meeting Magu did away with all nervousness. He shared consejos, questions, and opinions sometimes all in the same spoken paragraph. A lot to take in and a lot to absorb. Part Zenmaster, part organizer and all artist. There are many who have written about his art - its unique voice and so on. If you're not familiar with his works they are worth the read. If you've not seen his work check out Magulandia.com

I've been thinking of him as the Founder of Mental Menudo - meetings of Xicano artists, art lovers, and so much more. He would never fully explain what they were about beforehand, he always told just enough to be intriguing, or more to the point, to make the idea of attending and participating intriguing. I always left a Mental Menudo truly thinking about what had been shared. A typical quote from Magu was "The communication between us has awakened the fresh aroma of the mind...Let us serve the menudo aesthestico para la union.*

Magu was a philosophical instigator, his energy propelled a cultural and social catalytic converter. Ideas were unraveled and rethreaded through discussion. Conclusions weren't necessary.

We lost Magu's physical presence on Sunday. We are lucky we still can enjoy his art.

He will remain in our hearts and will be a part of any menudo aesthetico for a very, very long time. And the essence of that broad, slightly sly, slightly impish, always friendly grin will filter from mind to heart while his energy will fill the room.

Thanks to Sergio Hernandez for use of his artwork for this post.

c/s

*NetworkAztlan.com, July 25, 2011

http://magulandia.com/magu/

Sergio Hernandez - http://www.chicanarteyque.com/index.htm

It's summer time, summer time, sum, sum, summer time...

2011-07-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

As a little girl who came to Pasadena on the occasional visit I only saw what was most visible. At that time I had no idea that Pasadena was truly diverse. I had a pretty conventional concept of our town.

Happy to share that over the years, like many others in our community, I've come to learn more about those less visible parts.

While teaching at St. Mark's I came to learn about our own Obon Festival at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple. It felt as though I had returned to my East L.A. roots! Konnichiwa Pasadena!

In case you've not had a chance to grow up with Obon, it is a time that honors those who have passed away. Like Día de los muertos the dead are remembered; generally with a fond sense of memory rather than a time of sadness.

There will be food booths, some game booths, Bonsai, Ikebana, demonstrations of marhsall arts, book sales, an exhibit on the Buddhist Experience in the WWII Camps, and a photo and video presentation of "Stories of Survival: The Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

And there will be time for Obon odori - time to dance for joy. Circle dances that are fun with folks who are happy to help you get past missteps or wrong turns. Smiles and laughter abound.

Oh, and did I mention the truly scrumptious teriyaki chicken?

http://www.pasadenabuddhisttemple.org/index.html

Because it was there

2011-07-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about children in areas where there is virtually no electricity is the chance to do things old school. We experienced this while we were with our grandkids at Mount Lassen.

You know, there's no t.v., no video, no radio, but lots of really fine forest dirt.

So while the adults are seemingly oblivious to what you are doing,

you begin to kick dirt in the sunlight.

You kick, and kick, and kick, and kick, and laugh, and kick some more.

Until one child has dirt in almost all the places that touch the air.

This is not always viewed as a good thing.

But is sometimes remedied by a quick wipe, some loving hugs, and the opp to wear mama's hat.

Photos - James Grimes

On Mount Lassen

2011-07-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

Although Kate had been to Mt. Lassen several times as a young girl, this was the first time for the rest of the family. I think we were all surprised to experience the impact of the weather - a section of the northern road had been closed due to snow, opening up on Friday night.

It was a two hour trip from where we were staying to where Kate and her family were staying. But compared to a trip to Portland, you heard no complaints from any of us in the more limited time we were able to spend together.

It didn't matter what we were doing since we were spending time with the girls who are growing more curious about things...and seemingly becoming stronger.

Lots of Green in the Crown City

2011-07-12T23:17:00.000-07:00

It's exciting to see more and more folks getting rid of lawns and designing with plants that are native, and/or need precious little water once they're established.

These homes in District Two show how a little creativity, a feel for architecture and geometry, as well as a bit of a green thumb can make for a landscape that is full of texture, colorful variety and helps lower the water bill.

Go district 2.

A Fresh Chance

2011-07-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

A year ago our house was painted - the color still looks fresh. The mild chaos that is a part of our dining room table seems to be a constant. I file papers and they seem to multiply all on their own.

In contrast memories can fade over time: only the sense of the experience remains deep and clear. This is true even for those we love deeply.

James and I are going to visit the Lili and Cheli soon - a chance to make new memories, for us and for the girls.