September 15 - October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month

I usually try to make the entries of Latino Heritage and Pasadena Latina different. Some days that is really easy.

Today is an exception.

I've just come back from JPL where Astronaut José Hernaández spoke to an auditorium of students, staff, and community members. I fall into that last category.

Astronaut Hernández spoke for about an hour beginning by sharing how he came to be a part of our space program. He spoke of his family's journey from Michoacan, MX to Stockton and back again. OF the fact that his parents had a 3rd grade education and that they stressed the value of education in their family. Of the three things about space that spoke to him and reinforced his ganas to get into the program. He applied 12 times - the 12th time being the one where he finally read the word "yes".

And then we had a chance to share an astronaut's view of flight into space. The group gathered has a chance to see Astronaut Daniel Olivas who has been at our parade and jamaica. It was exciting throughout; beginning with the mission patch complete with accent - Hernández. Seeing tortillas in space was fun.

After the talk as people were gather around him for a picture there drew near a fellow with his three sons. I asked the father what grade his sons were in. It was clear after the second try that English was not his native language. I asked in Spanish what grade the boys were in and he answered, "Kindergarten, primero, y segundo". I couldn't help but recognize something of Astronaut Hernández's father in the gentleman who brought the boys to meet a man who might help define their future.

Literacy, Legacy, and the Latino Community

Please save the evening of

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

6:00 - 8:00 P.M.

Pasadena Central Library, Donald R. Wright Auditorium

Spend an evening with 6 local Latino writers

Victor Cass

Manuel Contreras

Randy Jurado Ertll

Sandra Gutierrez

Roberta H. Martinez

Thelma Reyna

 Social mixer and refreshments

 Author’s panel discussion

 Question and answer with the audience

 Book signing

What had 2,000 legs, 2,000 arms and 1,000 smiles?

The folks in the 2010 Latino Heritage parade & jamaica is the answer to the question. For the next week there will be periodic posts the Latino Heritage parade & jamaica facebook wall. Then you'll be able to find all updates on the Latino Heritage wall.

Save the evening of November 10 for a gathering of local Latino authors. Pasadena Central Library, Donald R. Wright Auditorium.

Ah, who are the good people in this photo. None other than Manuel Contreras and his family. Manny is one of the co-founders of the Pasadena Mexican American History Association, Uni-Vets, and has been editing the Memorabilia of Pasadena. His exhibit was on display at the jamaica.

2010 Latino Heritage parade & jamaica

Ivan Bautista is on his way to OxnardHis work with this loom and the fact that he was under a treeGave our jamaica a feel that warm and welcomingThis memory is one of many that was made today.More soon, tonight I'm digesting sweet memories and really good food.

Patience everyone

960

That is the total of parade participants.

Not including anyone that may be riding in a car.

This number is a surprise to all of us who have been planning the event.

So... here is additional information you'll find useful.

1.Only one person should check in with your group @ 9 a.m.

2. Please stay together as a group once you are all together.

3. You are in a residential area. Be especially considerate of our neighbors. They permit us to be on their street - be careful with anything on their property.

Contact person for Check in is Rosamaria.

All of that worry and detail out of the way, we're so looking forward to seeing you march proudly down Los Robles and Washington.

Enjoy the day it will be beautiful.

Enjoy being together with your community!

Roberta

Sometimes the number says it all

767

Please be patient with us and with each other on Saturday.

We've grown by about 200 this year.

We have new groups that are joining us and a couple of small changes. Your group can help us by keeping in mind -

END of PARADE

1. Please keep in formation until you are in the park. With this many parade participants we will need to have the line moving all the way into the park. I

IF your group stops you potentially will be stopping several hundred folks from getting to the rest of their family or group.

WATER -

1.We will be giving tickets to Entry Leaders for water for those who are in the parade. If you do not give us a number in your group by tomorrow noon we will not have tickets, or water for you.

2. Water will be available in the park and will be given to you. 1 ticket = 1 bottle of water for parade participants.

With this much water please be sure to recycle. Recycle boxes are available, please, please use them.

3. We will all have a really good time is we work with each other.

Dona Eulalia Award - Abelardo de la Peña

Our community service award is the Abelardo de la Peña. He is the founder of LatinoLA.com.; a site where the multitude of Latino thoughts, expressions, events, and more can be found.

Like many who are committed to their community Don Abelardo does his work with grace, sincerity, and a couple of chuckles thrown in for good measure. His version of Latino LA, is not stopped at any boarder - you really can find info beyond the 6th Street bridge - in either direction.

In addition to his work at LatinoLA.com he has been active with others at the Mexican Cultural Institute at Calle Olvera. So you may have benefitted from his work even though you might not know have known his name. Gracias por todod, Don Abel.

Here is his bio as it will appear in our printed program -

Abelardo de la Peña, Jr. is the editor and founder of

LatinoLA.com, the Web site dedicated to Southern California’ arts,

entertainment, culture and community. He was born in Long Beach

and grew up in Wilmington; his parents came from Jalísco, Mexico.

Out of high school, de la Peña served in the U.S. Army during the

Viet Nam War era.

On the development of LatinoLA.com de la Peña has shared that

he chose the term “Latino” because the large numbers of Latinos in

Los Angeles are from so many different countries. That makes L.A.

the center of the Latino universe, simply by sheer numbers. Rather

than exclude any group, LatinoLA says it all. “We are all Latinos, we

are all proud, beautiful people, and our points of view need no

defining. We know where we're coming from...and now we're letting

the world in on that!"

- Daniel Olivas, “La Bloga”