Vida de Oro
Always FREE!
The community’s online publication
Volume 1, Issue 1
SACRAMENTO EDITION
September 30, 2011
Maestro Felipe Davalos: World Renowned Illustrator, Archeologist, Story Teller, Teacher
IN THIS ISSUE: * La Raza Galeria’s Jammin’ in the Park 2 * Washington Neighborhood Center’s Lowrider Event * “Frida” comes to Sacramento * “The Longoria Affair” to be screened in Sacramento * Poster of the Week...
PINCUSHIONS ARE MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO PUT PINS...THEY ARE WONDERFUL LIFETIME GIFTS! Mina’s motto has been, “what is old can be new again.” What that means if you have an heirloom, like a glass or ceramic item, she can turn it into a beautiful and useful pincushion that can continue to be handed into future generations. Handcrafted and decorated, Mina takes great care in adding vintage and collectible ribbons, flowering, beads, etc., to the item and tops it with a pincushion made from fine velvet. But, the secret lies within the velvet cushion...a fine mineral rock that keeps pins and needles sharp. In addition, Mina’s Treasures maintains a collection of different pincushions, seasonal or fun, for that special gift. “Pincushions are a personal item, but more importantly, they are a gift that keeps giving for generations.” - Mina Perez
RELEASE THAT STRESS! Join us every Saturday (11 am and 3 pm) for Crafting Classes Ideal for beginners, intermediate and advanced students (yes, including adults) Learn how to make ribbon flowers, bouquets, hats (roaring 20’s style), hat pins, pincushions, pinatas, purses, earrings, bracelets, etc. In just one hour, you could learn to bring out your creative inner self and make usable and useful treasures out of just about anything. And, guess what? This could be some real extra income too! Call us at (916) 705-5129 to find out what you can learn at our next class. Visit our handcrafted Vintage section. Gifts Ear Rings Decorative Hats
Visit us at: 1901A Del Paso Boulevard Sacramento, Ca 95815 (916) 705-5129 www.minastreasures.com
Bracelets Heirlooms Supplies
PUBLISHER’S NOTE... Hola! Welcome to our inaugural issue of Vida de Oro. We sincerely hope you enjoy it and share it with all your friends. The Sacramento region is fortunate to have the most diverse population in any concentrated area of the U.S. The same can be said about the arts, education, social environment and political scape that shape this region. Our goal is to bring you information about the varied events, issues, people and businesses that make this region a great place to live. In this inaugural issue we feature world-renowned master illustrator Felipe Davalos, who, with his wife, decided to make Sacramento their home. His work has been published in the National Geographic and in books found in libraries and book stores around the world. Most notably is his knowledge of and illustrations of precolumbian life. Your feedback is always welcome. Enjoy, Adrian Perez, Publisher info@vidadeoro.com
Poster of the Week
Vida de Oro - September 2011 Table of Contents: Jammin’ in the Park 2 .... Page 4 “Frida” in Sacramento .... Page 5 Felipe Davalos, Illustrator .... Page 6 Vallejo’s Fundraiser for the Washington Neighborhood Center .... Page 7
About Vida de Oro Vida de Oro is published bi-monthly. For comments, information, or submit articles, write to: POP-9 Communications, 1901 A Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815 or email us at info@vidadeoro.com Vida de Oro is owned and published by POP-9 Communications, a private for-profit concern. Any article and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of Vida de Oro or POP-9 Communications, but remain solely those of the author(s). Vida de Oro is copyrighted and its contents may not be copied or used without prior written consent by POP-9 Communications. Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.
The Arts: 1022 22nd Street between J&K Sts
Jammin’ in the Park 2 June 18th, 2011 featuring
Click here to check La Raza Galeria Posada’s calendar
Two theater groups bring “Frida” to Sacramento 4 out of 5 Stars News and Review
Two of Sacramento’s best known
theater companies have come together to present a Ruben Amavizca-Murua biographic play of “Frida.” Teatro Espejo and Teatro Nagual present the life of surrealist painter Frida Kahlo. Directed by Manuel Jose Pickett, the production depicts the life of Kahlo as painter, social reformer and wife of iconic painter/muralist Diego Rivera. Kahlo was known for her paintings that conveyed much of her pain of emotional struggles with her personal relationships and sexuality. “My reputation as an artist will not coincide with the cult of my personality,” says the heroine of “ F r i d a Kahlo.” Sacramento “Elly Award” winner Diana Mandujano plays Kahlo while Richard Falcon plays her husband Diego Rivera. Kahlo’s alter ego is played by John Dryden, and Marianna Seda,plays the role of Kahlo’s sister Christina. The presentation can be experienced Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays (2pm matinee) through October 9. Tickets are $15-$20 at the Wilkerson Theatre in the California Stage complex, 1723 25th St.; (916) 548-4435; http:// teatronagual.com. Diana Mandujano and Marianna Seda
Click here for Teatro Nagual
Maestro Felipe Davalos
Felipe Davalos: World Renowned Illustrator, Archeologist, Story Teller, Instructor By Adrian Perez
FELIPE DAVALOS is an illustrator whose works are known more throughout the world than his home of Sacramento. It wasn’t until about three years ago when local art enthusiasts found his art at small shows being held at restaurants and finally at La Raza Galeria Posada. This was the first time Felipe presented his work at a local art gallery. The following year, Felipe’s work was featured at the first Vida de Oro Folk Art Festival, where hundreds were able to see his illustrations and learn more about him. It especially attracted teachers who’ve used his illustrated books in their classrooms.
Felipe has been featured in local Spanish and English television where program hosts had limited knowledge about who their world renowned guest was, making the interviews appear difficult and even awkward. But, as the community began to know more about Felipe and his work, the more demand there was to see his work. Unfortunately, the demand in the region is not commensurate with the value of his work, as a result, he continues to travel worldwide to showcase and sell his work. A graduate from the Institute of Fine Art in Mexico, where he majored in painting and sculpture, Felipe has done work that many would think he was an archeologist. This especially holds true when looking at his preColumbian work featuring illustrations of the Teotihuacan, Olmec, Maya, Mixtec and Aztec cultures. Move over Indiana Jones. But, what makes Felipe’s skills unique is his ability to create illustrations for books and poetry written by others. “I usually use a variety of painting media: graphite, color pencils, pastel, oil or tempera, but I tend to favor water mediums on stretched paper: color inks, water color and acrylics,” Felipe told an interviewer a couple of years ago. “Acrylic, a fairly young technique, is a very versatile medium that allows me to find visual solutions to a wide range of themes.” And versatile visual solutions are exactly what he provides, as his illustrations show on this page. “Illustrating poetry is always a magical experience,” he says. “There is more freedom to play with the word-image relationship.”
Felipe is commonly commissioned to either provide illustration work for numerous worldwide publications and organizations that include: The National
Geographic Magazine; Scientific American; Secretaria de Educacion Publica (Mexico), Zanders Feinpapiere (Germany); Unicef (France); Simon & Schuster (New York); Marshall Cavendish (New York); Lee and Low (New York); Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, DC); University of Texas Press (Texas); Cambridge University Press (Cambridge); and Fondo de Cultural Economica (Mexico). For more information about Felipe Davalos or to see his work, visit his website at www.felipedavalos.com. - Vida
3rd Annual Low Rider Car Show Fundraiser
Vallejo始s 3rd Annual Low Rider car show fundraiser for the Washington Neighborhood Center was a success. This free event drew dozens of car entries and brought people from throughout the surrounding areas. For more information about the Washington Neighborhood Center, click HERE. Get involved.!
927 11th Street, Modesto, CA
(209) 572-2990
Featuring fine world fare (dishes, cuisine) in a casual, fun and relaxing atmosphere. We are located in the heart of downtown Modesto; within easy walking distance to cultural events including the Gallo of the Arts Center, Brenden Movie theatre and The Fat Cat Music House. We also carry many local and hard to find wines inside of our wine shop. You may contact our banquet coordinator to schedule events or your Holiday Party and to help with any special needs you may have. Testimonials: "Service & food are amazing! Everything was perfect! Thank you!" – Megan R. "The food was great and awesome customer service! Very attentive to what we needed." – Stephane V. "We love the menu changes for seasons and the variety." –Tara W. "Friendly; Romantic; Feels Good" – Gary E.
Restaurant & Bar Hours Monday thru Saturday: 11:00am to 2:00am - Lunch and Dinner with a Late Night Menu available - Full Service Bar Sunday: 3:00pm to 9:00pm - Silhouetting Gallo Center for the Arts Performances Tammy tammy@tresetti.com Paul (Wine Shop) wineshop@tresetti.com Kim (Office) kim@tresetti.com Mitchell mitchell@tresetti.com
“The Longoria Affair” Comes To Sacramento The documentary takes viewers through a widowed wife’s struggle to get a dignified ceremony for the remains of her highly decorated military husband.
While fighting the Japanese in the Philippines during World War II, Pvt. Felix Z. Longoria, a highly decorated member of the U.S. military, was killed. Longoria’s remains were sent to his hometown of Three Rivers, Texas, where his wife, Beatrice, and family lived. When Beatrice was told she could not use the Chapel by the only funeral parlor in town because “the Whites wouldn’t like it,” she sought the help of the American GI Forum, which initiated a campaign that created a national uproar, which changed American history. The series of historical events and political ramifications of this period are delicately told by award-winning director John J. Valadez through his documentary film “The Longoria Affair.” The documentary won an Imagen Award as “Best Documentary for Film or Television,” this past August and was nominated for an EMMY Award as “Outstanding Historical Program.” Valadez is no stranger to making documentaries about Latinos living in the U.S. Some of his credits include: Passin’ It On, Making Peace, Visiones: Latino Arts and Culture, and wrote/directed/produced The Chicano Wave segment of Latin Music USA. “The Longoria Affair is one of only five documentary films in the entire country to have garnered this coveted nomination,” says Valadez about his EMMY nomination. “There
are very few visual documents that record the Mexican American experience in this country.” Narrated by well-known actor Tony Plana, the documentary takes viewers through a widowed wife’s struggle to get a dignified ceremony for the remains of her highly decorated military husband. Working with Dr. Hector P. Garcia, founder of the American GI Forum, they brought national attention to the issue. The incident also forged a bond between a young Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson and Garcia, which later ensured the delivery of the Mexican-American vote to elect Senator John F. Kennedy as President of the United States. “The Longoria Affair makes sure we recognize and appreciate the prominent role and contribution Pvt. Longoria made, even in death, to the cause of civil rights for Chicanos in Veterans benefits, education, and many more areas,” says
Arnulfo Hernandez, Jr., writer/producer/director Civil Rights Legal Officer John J. Valadez. This event of the American GI Forum also serves as a fundraiser of California. “Our hearts for the Forum’s Civil Rights pound with pride; our Legal Defense Fund. souls joined in solidarity “There are many legal with Dr. Hector P. Garcia issues our veterans are and the American GI facing making it necessary Forum, which he for us to take legal actions,” Pvt. Felix Longoria founded.” says Willie Galvan, the The documentary film will be screened Forum’s State Commander. “We need to on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 6 p.m. at The offset the costs we’re incurring for legal Artisan, 1901 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA. filings and briefs.” Hosted by the American GI Forum of The Longoria Affair is a coCalifornia, the screening will feature the films’ production of John J. Valadez, WGBH/ Boston, and the Independent Television Service (ITVS) in association with Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, and the Houston Endowment. - Vida The American GI Forum of California Presents
“The Longoria Affair” with John J. Valadez $12 Admission (includes reception) The Artisan, 1901 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA John J. Valadez
E L C O N C I L I O
D E S T O C K T O N
From the Mexican Consulate: The Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento is pleased to announce that the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) and Iniciativa Ciudadana para la Promoción de la Cultura del Diálogo, A.C. are inviting the public to participate in the Migration and Governance Professional Course which will be offered from September 30th to December 16th, 2011. The Course seeks to promote shared responsibility between government and social actors to design, implement, monitor and evaluate the policies directed to support Mexican nationals abroad. Tools will be provided to develop the communication and negotiation skills of participants, and a virtual space for analysis and generation of proposals will be promoted, in order to build public policies for migrants in their different phases: origin, transit, destination and return. For further information, please click here or contact Cecilia White at: cecilia.white@cide.edu or (916) 708-4806.
Sacramento Hispanic Cowboy “wows” 49er/Raider Fans The half-time Hispanic-themed extravaganza featured James Barrera and three other Charro ropers at 49er-Raider preseason game Cowboy showman, James Barrera took his flashy showmanship, lassos and whips to San Francisco's Candlestick Park where the last true "vaquero" in California showed off his roping, lasso and whip use skills. Performing before and at half-time of the 49er-Raider exhibition game on August 20, 2011, Barrera put on a show that drew cheers across the stadium. A feature performer at some of California’s most eclectic venues including the Monterey Cowboy Music & Poetry Festival; the Vida de Oro Folk Art Festival; the Crocker Art Cowboy James Barrera and 49er Cheerleaders Museum’s 125th Anniversary celebration; and the San Francisco Fine Arts Institute Graduation Celebration, Barrera is not new to western performances. "I performed solo at the pre-game entertainment segment," says Barrera. "Showcasing some spectacular whip cracking routines before I was joined by three of the state's greatest trick ropers." Born and raised in the Central Valley, Barrera utilizes his unique abilities to tell long forgotten tales about the deep influences vaqueros carved into the California culture. With his quick wit and stage presence, he charms his audiences. While using his lasso to spin butterflies, he explores how the California vaqueros have shaped the image of the American cowboy, and the world-wide image of the American Wild West. “Jimmy is the best whip man in the business,” proclaims Ernie Sites, nationally touring cowboy folksinger. - Vida
Est. 1983 ...serving the freshest juices and licuados in town, nothing frozen or concentrated. Our menu also includes sandwiches, salads, our famous quesadilla, fresh-ground coffee, mochas and other espresso drinks. A nice selection of beer and wine is also offered. Enjoy it all in the comfortable atmosphere of Luna's, one of this area's original cafe galleries. Or call in your order and we will have it ready for take-out. Luna's is available for meetings, fundraisers and catering your office luncheons. Breakfast is served Monday through Saturday. Featuring music and entertainment Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Dinner served starting at 5pm.
(916) 441-3931 1414 16th Street Sacramento, CA 95814
Hours: Monday: 9am-4pm, and 6:30pm-10pm Tuesday: 9am-4pm Wednesday: 9am-4pm, and 6pm-10pm Thursday: 9am-4pm, and 6pm-11pm Friday: 9am-4pm*, and 6pm-Midnight Saturday: 6:30pm to Midnight Sunday: Closed * We are closed for most holidays and Furlough Fridays between 8am-4pm
The American GI Forum of California Invites you to a Reception and Film Screening
“The Longoria Affair”
Winner of the 2011 “Imagen Award” and “2011 EMMY Nominee”
Meet Writer, Director, Producer John J. Valadez
October 5, 2011 at 6 p.m. TICKETS: $12 per person; $100 for 12; $500 Sponsorships A Portion of the proceeds go to the AGIF/California Civil Rights Legal Defense Fund
At The Artisan, 1901 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA For Tickets, Call: (916) 396-4053 Email: info@vidadeoro.com