Ideas, anyone?

While we are still working at finishing paperwork connected with the 2011 parade & jamaica, it is not too soon to think about what we might do next year. A good time for brainstorming - no wrong answers, anything is possible sort of thoughts.

What might the theme be? Who might be out Community Grand Marshal? Who might be our Grand Marshal?

Seemingly simple questions sometimes take the longest to answer well.

Let us know what you think about those questions.

image - James M. Grimes

A few pictures from the 2011 Latino Heritage parade & jamaica

Whether it was the elected officials like Mayor Bill Bogaard or Congressmember Adam Schiff,

Grand Marshal Hector Tobar, or

Ballet folklorico dancers, or

School groups like Marshall's Puente, or

Charros Unidos,

A fine time was had by all.

More pictures soon.

See you in 2012.

Exhibitor instructions

Set up time:

9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Event location:

La Pintoresca Park, 1355 N. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, Ca

(NW corner, Raymond, Washington)

Unloading/loading:

an unloading area is available on Raymond above Washington Blvd. Volunteers will be available to assist with unloading. You can walk smaller loads via Raymond Avenue.

Parking:

Parking pass sent via email: 1 car/business or organization.

Equipment:

Each business or vendor will share an 8' table and will be provided a chair. Please plan to bring with you any additional equipment you may need. All equipment and display need to fit within allotted space.

PLEASE NOTE:

Festival held rain or shine. VENDOR FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Latino Heritage reserves the right to refuse vendors that are incompatible with event goals and guidelines. A full refund will be accepted if registration is not accepted.

Vendors may not give away plastic bags with purchase.

Vendors are responsible for paying sales tax in compliance with local and state tax law.

Día de los muertos, Latino Heritage style

If you drop by La Pintoresca Library over the next couple of weeks you'll see some art that connects with Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead.

There is work by artists Ester Petschar and Rebeca Guerrero. And there is an ofrenda, a table filled with memories and perceptions of Gilbert "Magu" Lujan. We'll have a "color in the page" version of the car below, for young people to take time to have their eyes opened to cars that were so important in an era that is more than a half century ago. In this we are sharing history in a slightly different way than you may have learned reading your high school textbooks. You'll have a chance to see a Chicano icon's expression of his perception of his culture - an expression of time and place that also expresses a sense of identity.

As you go through the library or as you see images of the era 1946-1955, it's easy to remember how important the car was, especially to young men. It was often an expression of how they saw themselves. Taking care of your car, showed a certain dedication to care, to style, and to class. You might not own a home, but you could own a car. Magu, being the artist he was, took the car in a different direction.

(George Cuttress shared), "Magu liked a free flow of conversation with fellow artists on art and politics, calling the sessions "Mental Menudo."

He had a master's in fine arts degree and was a real intellectual, Cuttress said. But his art wasn't highbrow.

He employed cartoons, TV icons, altars, cars, cacti, burritos, peppers, Aztecs, feathered headdresses, pyramids and coyotes as motifs in a folk-art style with bright colors.

He called the world of his imagination "Magulandia," its landscapes, towns and characters representing his take on the mythical Mexican homeland of Aztlan.

"It was a place he could express all his art ideas," Naiche said.

In our interview, Magu said humor was his secret ingredient.

"I think humor softens people's view of my culture," Magu said."

http://chicanoyque.blogspot.com/

PCC Puentistas and friends

The Puente program exists at both high school and college levels.

The program helps students by surrounding them with additional support that leads to student success.

These students took a "field trip" and were very much present during the PCC President's Latino Advisory Committee meeting.

They will also be very present at the Latino Heritage jamaica.

In this photo is also Dr. Mark Rocha, PCC President, James Aragon, Puente Advisor, and Hank Gurrero, community member of the Advisory board.

ARTISANS!!!!

At the jamaica on Saturday our Olvera Street homage will have the work of different artisans who have ...

interpretations new and

old

traditional and

very 21st century.

Bring your pocketbook or your wallet. Or go home wishing you had brought them.

Images - Latin Inspired Designs and CJs Angels

http://www.latininspireddesigns.com/

http://cjsangels.com/index.html

Epoca de oro, memories and dreams

When we talk or write about an era often it is informed by some philosophical or theoretical context. These were the great political movements, these were the socially significant events, or some such thing.

When the topic is community history it needs to be brought back to the people who lived in the community.

No, Edward JAmes Olmos and his ruca didn't live in Pasadena in the 40s, but he did live on Indiana in East LA. I don't know how one might cover this era and not include his iconic Pachuco from Zoot Suit.

But the other folks pictured here were in Pasadena. At the far left is a class from Madison Elementary, to its right is the Xochimilco Club of Pasadena Junior College, Ricardo Montalban is dancing with Uni Vets' Churubusco Reina, and Marina Rodriguez is artfully posed in front of the Pasadena Settlements that is almost ready for its jamaica.

In a sense our youth often is viewed as a golden era of our lives. Full of angst, full of friends, full of fun, and filled with dreams that wait to unfold as our future becomes our present.

Sorry, no more exhibitors

Since we are less than a week out from the event we need to focus on groups who have already been involved with preparation for our event.

If you wanted to participate, but weren't able to get to us until now, we regret we can't add you as a participant for this year. Please keep an eye on our blog for next year's date.

Mexican American Baseball in Los Angeles, 3-5 p.m.

Ah, the joy of having the parade & jamaica at La Pintoresca Library and Park. Being at this branch of the Pasadena Public Library seems to naturally lend itself to things literate.

At 12:30 we'll begin with Héctor Tobar, "The Barbarian Nurseries" and end with Richard Santillan, "Mexican American Baseball in Los Angeles".

And to quote Terry Cannon of the Baseball Reliquary -

"An outstanding baseball player from East Los Angeles both at Roosevelt High School and East Los Angeles College, Armando Perez signed a professional contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization in 1956. He played outfield for the Vancouver Mounties of the Pacific Coast League and Stockton Ports of the California League.

Perez was also one of the stars of the legendary East Los Angeles semi-pro team, the Carmelita Chorizeros, for whom he played first base, outfield, and pitcher, and usually batted cleanup. After retiring from playing baseball, Perez dedicated his life to youth by teaching and coaching in Southern California.

In 1970, he founded the Montebello Stars youth organization, which produced many outstanding scholar-athletes and assisted them with scholarships and mentoring. More than 100 of his players went on to college baseball. Perez, along with other former players featured in the book, 'Mexican American Baseball in Los Angeles,' will sign copies and discuss his baseball experiences".

Entry information, detailed

Please share this information with all of your group’s members.

We are expecting over 900 people in our parade this year.

Following guidelines assures a good time for all – from 3 year olds to 80 year olds.

Entry Forms:

Groups who have not submitted forms will be turned away at staging area.

PARADE DATE:

Saturday, October 15^th.

IMPORTANT TIMES:

9:00 AM ENTRY CHECK IN

1515 N. Los Robles Avenue between Howard and Ladera

Ø Designate 1 person to arrive at this time to check in. Other members of the group are encouraged to arrive later than 9:00 AM.

Ø Make sure all in the group know who designated person is.

Ø Late arriving entries may be excluded from participation!

Ø Members should be dropped off at Los Robles @ Howard.

10:00 AM Entry representatives will meet with Formation Team

11:00 AM PARADE STEPS OFF PROMPTLY

Drivers need to park somewhere east of Los Robles. They do not have to check in, unless their vehicle is to be used in the parade.

SIGNAGE:

Remember that groups are responsible for providing their own banners; please follow guidelines. No commercials, please.

PARKING:

Treat this neighborhood as if it were yours. Perhaps, even better, as you are a guest. Parking needs to be east of Los Robles.

WATER:

We will provide water at the end of the parade route for participants. The water will be in the center of La Pintoresca Park.

ROUTE:

The parade will stage on Los Robles @ Howard;

Travel South on Los Robles Avenue;

West on Washington Boulevard;

Cross Marengo Avenue, continue on Washington;

Turn right into La Pintoresca Park.

When you reach the park, you will be directed further.

Dignitary Vehicles

Pre-parade

All dignitary vehicles must check in at 9:30am at Pasadena Christian School on 1515 N. Los Robles Avenue (in front of Pasadena Christian School) along the curb facing southbound. Please check in at the table designated for CAR check in.

Post-parade

Drivers will drop off dignitaries at the park, and then continue West.

Entries Committee member will discuss specifics with drivers needing further directions or parking passes.

Post-parade jamaica

12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. at La Pintoresca Park.

Groups who have not submitted forms will be turned away at staging area.

Questions, concerns?

latinoheritage@mindspring.com

626 744 6530

A Golden Era - An untitled treasure hunt

Community history comes in all sorts of manners. On occasion it is shared in a fairly formal manner or in a way where the information, though sketchy, is available.

In the case of the two pictures here all we know is that the source was Community Historian Manuel Contreras and that the images are from Pasadena.

The first image for me reflects a connection with Mexico as a land of heritage. Else why would one wear a sombrero that is too small for one's head. She looks happy; he not so much.
This second image is all about the day to day in the neighborhood. This could have been taken right before the Howdy Doody Show came on their T.V. Or perhaps right before they went to show to see a Cantinflas movie.
Pictures via Manual Contreras

Grand Marshal Hector Tobar was on the Madeleine Brand Show this morning.
He'll be at two booksignings this week - go to http://www.hectortobar.com/ to learn details on the sites.   Here's the inverview -
 mp3 http://media.scpr.org/audio/upload/2011/10/03/Tobar.