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Welcome to the Celebrating our Culture, History, and the Arts
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Bienvenidos!
So here we are! There’s much happening as Los Angeles and the rest of the world heats up this summer. The 2007 Summer Music Festival on Olvera Street, the Downtown Artwalk, the Dodgers are back in town for the second half of the season, and down the freeway, the Museum of Latin American Art has just reopened following a major expansion. And we have a story that we'll bet you a gallon of gas you didn't know about: how Mexico saved the northern elephant seals. All that and more ... so get reading ... Make sure to visit our “See L.A.!” so you can plan your summer with your family and friends. We have links to various places right here in Los Angeles for you to explore. It’s a great page to bookmark for your reference. |
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What’s Happening at
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Wells Fargo
Sundays: 1:00-5:00 PM July 15 Schedule July 22 - Musica Tropical More details coming soon... |
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Beautiful Beasts Bask on Beach
And we owe it all to the far-sighted Mexican federal government--a body that doesn’t get a lot of positive accolades. Mexico granted protected status to elephant seals in 1922. Back then most folks, if they even knew what an elephant seal was, thought they were extinct. In reality, less than 100 were still alive. Mexico shed light on the declining species, leading to the U.S. government, in turn, declaring elephant seals endangered, leading to the protecting and proliferation of the beautiful beasts, which today number 160,000. Male elephant seals are behemoth beasts that let out earth-shattering roars and bellows when they battle for the harem of cows, which may number up to 1,000. (Per bull. Think of it. Wait--better not!). But they are notoriously slow on land, which made them easy targets for Mexican and American hunters who slaughtered them mercilessly in the early 19th century for their blubber, which was used for meat and oil. By the late 1870s, many people thought incorrectly that the species was extinct. Then 335 seals were discovered on the Baja mainland at Bahia San Cristobal. Hunters killed them. Three years later, 80 more elephant seals were found on Isla de Guadalupe, off the Baja coast. They were all killed. Then seven seals were discovered on Isla de Guadeloupe, killed in the named of science (twisted Victorian logic) and shipped to the Smithsonian.
Finally Mexico made Isla de Guadalupe a biological reserve in 1922, protecting the few remaining elephant seals. The population grew, and their breeding grounds expanded to San Miguel Island and numerous other areas, including Islas San Benito and Los Coronados off the coast of Baja California. In the U.S., breeding began on Santa Barbara and San Nicolas islands off the coast of Southern California, and in Ano Nuevo in Santa Cruz County. The story of the survival Northern elephant seals has one of the few happy endings in the big book of near-dead species. They owe it all to the Mexico government. And although they can be seen locally at San Miguel Island, a U.S. national park, which is a six-hour boat ride from Los Angeles, viewing them is a tad easier by driving up the coast to Point Reyes or Ano Nuevo, several hours drive north of L.A. |
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Somebody’s Children
As of July 9, 2007, according to a CNN count: “There have been 3,893 coalition deaths -- 3,607 Americans, two Australians, 157 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 20 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq. The list below is the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose deaths have been reported by their country's governments. The list also includes seven employees of the U.S. Defense Department. That is 124 more deaths since June 5, 2007. At least 26,558 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. That is 728 more than June 5, 2007.
The first “Altar of the Iraq War” was created on October 28, 2004 to honor and respect the memories and lives of all those who have died. NOTE: The figures do not count the estimated 100,000-200,000 Iraqi deaths, including women and children.
The “Altar of the Iraq War” was re-created at last year’s “El Amor Eterno” Dia De Los Muertos Juried Exhibition at the Pico House Gallery. There were several thousands of visitors including children who were very touched and left notes of love at the altar. The gallery was created to be a place of healing, understanding and a place of education. * (The "Altar of the Iraq War" honoring the dead was created by six artists: Ginette Rondeau, Juliane Backmann, Al Herion, Bonjunnie Comostiles, Gabriela Quintero, and John Trausch. The altar does not necessarily reflect the thoughts of the Olvera Street merchants or El Pueblo Historic Monument.)
We send our love to them, their families, and dear friends. |
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Mailbox to Heaven”
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“Mailbox to Heaven” There is a lovely story online in which you can share with your family and friends. Visit the site and learn about a child who desperately wanted to write to her Grandmother who had passed away. It is an inspirational story dedicated to Belen Tapia and by the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration. If you know someone who died in the Iraq War and would like to share your story in honor of his or her memory, please submit it to webmaster@Olvera-Street.com We are looking for communities who would like to make their own Mailbox to Heaven. If you are interested, please contact Ginette Rondeau. |
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Movies to See! |
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“Sicko” The most popular movie in America at this moment is "Ratatouille.” And the number two film is also about rats--the kind that prevent tens of millions of Americans from getting the health care they already paid for with expensive insurance premiums. Michael Moore’s “Sicko” explores the trials and tribulations of America’s failed health care system, with 44 million Americans uninsured, and tens of millions of Americans--possibly more--under-insured. Theatre chain owners are historically hesitant to book documentaries, but “Sicko” enjoyed the second largest opening weekend in film history for a documentary (Moore’s “Fahrenheit 911” was first). Why is this important? Simply, this is an important film that all Americans should see. And, the strong opening weekend insured that hundreds of additional theatres would book the film, insuring that more eyes would view it. Moore offers entertaining examples of the problems of our current system, and offers comparisons from several other countries. (Despite the fact that we spend more per person than any other country on or health care, the World Health Organization ranks our health care 37th in the world.) Although Moore has been criticized by some for his style in the past, he is not a traditional “objective documentary” filmmaker. He has a passion for his causes, in this case, health care for all Americans, and he interestingly and effectively states his case. For more information visit: http://www.michaelmoore.com/ |
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Supporting the Arts and Our Community |
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Grand Performances Grand Performances summer series takes place on two stages at California Plaza the Watercourt stage and the Marina Pavilion. The larger of the two venues - the Watercourt stage - is a performance site that can hold as many as 70 performers and is partially surrounded by a system of gardens and water features. The capacity crowd for this stage can be as large as 6,500 people. The smaller Marina Pavilion stage has an amphitheater style feel and can accommodate close to 300 audience members. 7/13 - 12:00 PM: Jessica Fichot |
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Downtown Art Walk The Downtown Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour of the many art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles — commercial art galleries, museums, and non-profit arts venues. |
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The Museum of Latin American Art
The Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) recently underwent a major expansion at their Long Beach site, and is now re-open for inspection at 628 Alamitos Avenue, near the foot on the 710 freeway. Some of the activities taking place in the upcoming weeks include: An art workshop on Sunday, July 15 for adults by Gustavo López Armentia will be held at 1 PM. There will also be a simultaneous art workshop for children and teens. Following all the assemblage, there will be live music in the galleries by harpist Rico Valdez. If you’re the kind of person who longs for the pre Proposition 13-days of California life, you’ll be heartened to know that MOLAA has several freebee days. Target sponsors the second Sunday of every month, Union Bank the fourth Sunday of every month, and all Fridays are free. Other wise fork over the $7.50. Kinetic Art will be explored through the visual world of Venezuelan artist Jesús Rafael Soto on Sunday July 22 at 1 PM. Learn the magic of movement in art. The instructors are scheduled to be Pablo Holocwan and Kris Dybbro. Following the workshop there will be bolero singing from Raúl Cuadros. A life drawing session will be held on Sunday, July 29, instructed by Edison Vinueza. The 1 PM session will be limited to artists 10 and up, so the giggles won’t get too out of hand. (Do they really think 10-year-olds are NOT going to giggle at that sort of stuff?) Ramón Rodriguez’s wind melodies will blow afterwards. For more information: http://www.molaa.org/ |
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Dodgers Return Just over the hill from Olvera Street, the Los Angeles Dodgers begin the second half of their season at Dodger Stadium with a week of games against the Philadelphia Phillies (July 16-18) and the New York Mets (July 19-22). |
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Hollywood Bowl
Exclusive Discount Offer to Olvera-Street.com Subscribers!
Friday/Saturday, July 20 - 21, 2007 at 8:30 PM Hollywood Bowl | 2301 N. Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90078 |
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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN THE Twenty years ago Los Angeles helped launch Cirque du Soleil worldwide. Join Cirque du Soleil under the Blue and Yellow Grand Chapiteau and celebrate the magic of 20 years with Corteo. — Opening at: Orange County Fairgrounds on Thursday, November 8. Tickets are on sale now! Call 800.678.5440 or click here today! Visit 20angels.com and celebrate with us! |
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Past Events on |
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“FIESTA DE LAS FLORES” Fiesta de Las Flores was presented by the Olvera Street Merchants on June 9. Photography enthusiasts, flower children and assorted visitors explored the Historical Monument adjacent to Olvera Street viewing colorful cultural and historical scenes from L.A.’s past. The areas provided photo opportunities for both amateur and professional photographers alike.
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First Annual There were trophies for the best classic trucks and low riders of the 30s, 40s, 50s as well as current rides at the Old Memories First Annual Olvera Street Car Show held on Fathers’ Day, June 17. There were also trophies for motorcycles and bicycles. Old Memories Los Angeles’ theme is “no attitude/no violence/no alcohol.” Low rider knows every street--yeah! |
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Got Gas? As a public service we at Olvera-Street.com want to help you find the least painfully-expensive gas in your area. To find out the best gas prices around, click here! |
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Coupons for our Subscribers as a thank you for visiting us! |
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"Of course I understand all about baseball. It’s not unlike my paintings. There is surrealism in baseball too. Men wear strange clothes, most of them crouching…and reaching for objects frequently unobtainable and played in moonlight. “ - Dali
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Thank You for Visiting! Bookmark Olvera-Street.com and our “See LA” link as a reference... and visit us often to find out about the latest arts, fundraisers, business mixers, screenings and much more. We hope you will visit us often throughout 2007. |
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John Trausch, Editor & Ginette Rondeau, Director |
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Our Sponsors: Limboland.net, Casa Belen and www.ibiz360.com |
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One thousand pardons. We're late! Technical difficulties raised their ugly heads and swooped down upon our doorstep and our entire July newsletter was struck dead on arrival, crashed and burned and was lost on our main computer. So we had to reinvent the entire puppy that you now hold in your figurative hands, figuratively. But hey, that’s okay, cuz we’re now into the double-digits days of July, and just a minute ago we got the official Olvera Street schedule for July. Better late then never, dudes. 
The Summer Music Festival will be presented Sundays at the Olvera Street Plaza for the sixth straight year, giving Los Angeles an opportunity to celebrate its rich Latino culture and heritage.
Just off the Los Angeles coastline lurks a sanctuary for the world’s largest pinnipeds, the northern elephant seals, migrating mammoth tubs of blubber weighing up to 6,000 pounds and 15-feet in length (those are the guys, females less so) that spend much of the day on San Miguel Island, the most remote of the Channel Islands, lounging and loudly acting upon carnal desires. 
The original altar was featured in a children’s book: “Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life And Death” by Capstone Press and distributed in bookstores around the United States as well as on Amazon and other prominent retailers. National Geographic and NBC News also came out and filmed the exhibition last year.
