Friday, January 21st, 2011 - When Worlds Collide screening

On January 21, come watch your Friday night film – admission-fee free, with complimentary munchies and water besides – at The Crawford Family Forum. The Crawford Family Forum is located at 474 South Raymond Avenue,
Pasadena, CA 91105

Latino Heritage, in partnership with Cherry Blossom Festival, the NAACP Pasadena and Altadena Branches, and the YWCA Pasadena-Foothills Valley, and 89.3 KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum presents a screening of When Worlds Collide: The Untold Story of the Americas After Columbus.

When Worlds Collide is a vivid exploration of the first century after the “Old World” encountered the “New World”. Beginning on the streets of Los Angeles in 2010, this 90-minute documentary travels back to Spain and Latin America in the 16th century, when contact between Spanish conquistadors and native peoples first occurred.

The most important consequence of that era – the development of an entirely new "mestizo" or mixed culture, which is a significant part of the heritage of 30+ million Latinos in the U.S. today – was a radical change experienced by both worlds. When Worlds Collide presents an extraordinary and unexpected account of the foundation of modern Latino culture.

6:30pm – Doors Open
7:00pm – Film Screening
8:30pm – Q&A

A post-reading Q&A will be moderated by KPCC’s Adolfo Guzmán-López and will feature Rubén Martínez, co-writer and narrator of When Worlds Collide.

Admission is FREE, but RSVPs are required.

Reservations will begin on Friday, January 7th.

Call Phone: 626.583.5215 or click on the following link to secure your seat(s):

http://www.scpr.org/events/2011/01/21/when-worlds-collide/

You are more than welcome to forward this message to family, friends, and/or colleagues who may be interested in joining us for this screening and discussion.

Literacy, Legacy, and the Latino Community

Latino Heritage has been around fro 12 years. Those who have been aware of our work have thought of us as parade people. And we are. But we have also been about classes, lectures, and workshops that share something of the local Latino experience and history in places throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Our moderator was KPCC reporter Adolfo Guzmán López pictured here with our panelist Manuel Contreras. Both were wonderful throughout the evening which began with a mixer, panel session followed, and then there was time for book signings and informal conversations.

Pictured below are Randy Jurado Ertll, Victor Cass, Sandra Gutierrez, and me (r to l).

But the best part of the evening was having audience members, especially students, talking with the authors. Author Thelma Reyna is seen here in an informal exchange with a student. That interaction between generations is one of the ways of making sure that a legacy is developed among those of us who are a part of the Latino community.

SEE BELOW

Please do join us.

Literacy, Legacy, and the Latino Community

Please join this groundbreaking gathering of authors who live and work in Pasadena.

We will also be acknowledging Manuel Piñeda and Elías Galván, authors who have written about Pasadena and about their lives.

Dias de los muertos

Traditionally Días de lo muertos is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd; a time to remember those who have a been a part of our lives. It is a tradition that comes from the Maya and the Aztecs combined with 16th century Roman Catholic traditions. The dead are remembered, favorite items are shared; a toy for a child, whisky or coffee for an adult. A favorite picture of the departed.

This ofrenda was presented by the La Pintoresca library staff and includes traditional elements. The spirits return to partake of the spiritual portions, the living often enjoy the tangible portions. To help the spirits quench their thirst water is included. To help light the way candles are lit. To help guide the spirits, marigolds are placed in vases on the ofrenda and on the pathway that leads to the grave of the departed or home. Food or drink is shared. The nature of the ofrenda is set by the pocketbooks of the surviving.

The students, staff, and parents of St. Mark's Episcopal School made this altar. The pan de muerto, bread baked for this holiday, is visible. Pictures of saints and of the dead can be seen. The elements are traditional, the form can be a means of creative expression. Often skeletons or skulls are included reminding us that death is always close and that it need not be feared.

Also acknowledged is the Mexica (Aztec) tradition that there are three deaths.

The first death is when our bodies cease to function; when our hearts no longer beat of their own accord.

The second death comes when the body is lowered into the ground.

The third death, the most definitive death, is when we are lost from memory.

Nothing can be done about the first two deaths. The last death is delayed by remembering those who came before.

2011 Latino Heritage parade & jamaica, the planning begins

Do you have suggestions for a theme for 2011 Latino Heritage parade & jamaica?

An idea for an era or topic for us to focus on?

Ideas for curriculum that would enhance students participation?

Leave suggestion here or at http://facebook.com/latinoheritage

Latino Heritage and Latino Heritage parade & jamaica

Latino Heritage is, to my knowledge, one of the very few organizations that was begat by a parade. Because of that you may be familiar with of our two logos.

Our organizational logo reflects the fine art of papel picado and is based on work done by local artist Liz Espinoza. It is a nod to our heritage, the arts, culture, and experiences of Latinos in the San Gabriel Valley.

The rose is ever present in Pasadena so we had to include it in our logo since our work has been so connected with that fine city.

Our children's logo is actually older than our organizational logo.

Remember the comment about the parade being the foundation of our organization? Well, the image of these young people were a part of our work from the start.

Those of us who worked on the very first parade wanted to be sure that the children that were in our logo carried some of the sense of how diverse we are as a community and how diverse we hoped our audience would be.

Over time we have come to use the parade and jamaica logo for program or projects that are directed toward children and papel picado logo for events more directed toward and adult audience.

Both logos represent a dedication to promoting knowledge of the Latino experience and history through cultural and educational programs and projects.