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       Olvera-Street.com
                   E-Newsletter!

Celebrating our Culture, History, and the Arts

April  2008     

Encuentro de Jaraneros May 31, 2008 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Son Jaracho instrument workshop on May 30th, 5 p.m. in the Hellman Quon.)

Fiesta Flores (Camera/Picture Day) June 7. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Read about their civilization below. Speaking of civilization and Mother Earth, we at Olvera-Street.com are continuing to “Go Green” with Planet GreenLight by providing ideas on how to preserve our gift of life and pass it along to future generations. We are working with the good and green folks from Shaklee to provide a whole host of biodegradable household products to keep your family healthy, wealthy and wise.

Scroll down for more info or these are several other happenings, all this month on and around Olvera Street.

Make sure to visit our “See L.A.!” to plan your excursions with your family and friends. We have links to various places right here in Los Angeles to explore. It’s a great page to bookmark for your reference.

See below for more on all of the above. And that’s all way too much for the shortest month of the year, but such is life in the Year of the Rat on Olvera Street.

What’s Happening at
Olvera Street!

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard invites you to the 15th Annual
34^th Congressional District Student Art Competition Exhibit

Exhibition: April 19 - May 31, 2008

Pico House Gallery
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument at Olvera Street
424 N. Main Street, Los Angeles CA 90012

Open 10 am - 3 pm
Wednesday through Sunday

We at Olvera-Street.com are doing two things: giving you hopefully not-that-inconvenient ideas every month on way to “go green,” and partnering with the folks at Shaklee, who have been sounding the environmental trumpet for a half-century now.

Three ways of Going Green for April:

1) Don't print out everything you see! Save it, bookmark it, and only print it out if absolutely necessary.  Like if it's a reminder on how to "Go Green," or something.

2) Blow up your tires! Keeping tires inflated can save up to 250 pounds of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere.

3) Our fast-lane health conscious lifestyles have finally crashed into our yet reckless consumerism, resulting in a colossal pile-up of empty plastic water bottles. Americans down more than 70 million water bottles EVERY day. They eat away at our fragile ozone layer, add to our air pollution crisis, fill up land space and oceans while sucking up 1.5 million barrels of oil annually.
 
New York and San Francisco have already passed laws curbing bottled water, and many believe Los Angeles isn’t far behind.
 
Bottled water cost more than 1000 times more than using the home tap. And the killer is, bottled water is neither safer nor cleaner. In fact, nearly half the commercially available bottled water was bottled not from a mountain stream, but from a tap.
 
So if water is so good for your health but so harmful to the planet and your wallet; how do you get healthy, good tasting h2o without the waste or the ongoing expense? The green folks at Shaklee have three streams to get you there.
  
Their "Perfect Pitchers" filters water poured right from your tap. It traps and holds contaminants, while reducing odd tastes, smells, and up to 99% of the led that can seeps into water from plumbing fixtures.
 
The Reverse Osmosis System II sits on or below your counter, cleaning and filtering your water.  Reverse Osmosis reduces cryptosporidium cysts, one of the most common causes of waterborne diseases in the U.S.
 
And if you're serious above health and longevity, try the MTS 2000, a broad-spectrum filter that produces up to 1,000 gallons of filtered, great-tasting water. It significantly reduces dissolved lead and more than 40 volatile compounds that may be in your water. And like the Reverse Osmosis System, it reduces the evil cryptosporidium cysts.

Use Get Clean in your home, and know that you’re letting in products that care as much about your family’s safety as you do. Not to mention the earth’s safety. And yet, they clean more powerfully than most of the other cleaners you probably use. For more information about the starter kit and other products, click here!

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE by using nontoxic eco-friendly cleaning products and make a positive impact on our environment. "Go green!" Take a look at some of Shaklee’s products: http://www.shaklee.net/planetgreenlight/prodMain .

Shaklee offers a healthier and better life with an array of outstanding biodegradable products for home care, water filtration system, air purifiers, nutritional supplements, weight management, and personal care. Shaklee products have been enjoyed by millions of loyal users, athletes and celebrities. For more than 50 years, Shaklee's mission has been to make the world a better place... one person at a time.

Become part of the solution in saving our planet.

To learn how you can receive discounts on products through Shaklee’s memberships, or make smart healthy choices for your family part-time and earn extra income from your home,  visit: http://www.shaklee.net/PlanetGreenLight/ It's easy!

Interested in having your own Green Business?

Join us for an incredible business opportunity in starting an international business AND make a difference in the world by creating your own green business. View videos and information on the Gold Ambassador Program for current business opportunities in Mexico, China, Canada and a growing global market. Shaklee's International expansion plans include launching into 50 countries. This is the best way to make a residual financial opportunity for yourself and others while making a difference.

Somebody’s Children

News About Our World Update
Iraq War

At Olvera-Street.com, the spirit of giving, understanding, compassion,
and support goes far beyond our doors.

 

As of April 7, 2008 according to a CNN count: “There have been 4,320 coalition deaths -- 4,020 Americans, two Australians, 176 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 22 Poles, three Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of April 7, 2008. At CNN, there is the list
of 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 74 more deaths since January 30, 2008.

At least 29,628 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. That is 590 more wounded since  January 30, 2007.

In 2004 we honored the 1250 Americans who had died in the Iraqi desert; that list has now grown with an additional 2,892 lives cut short. Note: May 1, 2007 marked the four-year anniversary when President Bush announced “Mission Accomplished!” and the end of hostilities in Iraq.

We send our love to them, their families, and dear friends.

The altar was dedicated to their memories so they won’t be forgotten, true to the meaning and spirit of Dia De Los Muertos!

* (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.) To learn more about the Iraq War, click here!

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 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.

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.
 

“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

Just make sure you write “Stories to Share” in the subject line of your e-mail.

We are looking for communities who would like to make their own Mailbox to Heaven. If you are interested, please contact Ginette Rondeau.

To write a private letter to a beloved one, visit: www.MailboxToHeaven.com

(The “Mailbox to Heaven” has been featured at the El Pueblo Gallery and Pico House Gallery for the Annual Dia De Los Muertos Juried Exhibition, since 1992.)

Gift Ideas

“See L.A.!”
Supporting the Arts and Our Community
“Events Around Town”

Guacamole Festival

The love of the avacado, the spectacular creamy fruit that the Spaniards called “alligator pears,” will be celebrated at the Guacamole Festival in Lincoln Heights, May 17 and 18 from noon to 10pm.

Sample guacamole burgers, avocado sandwiches, avocado salads, guacamole dips and tacos, along with recipes, gifts, carnival rides and games, live music and exhibits.

Lincoln Heights is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, is located three miles north of downtown. The free festival will rise from the intersection of Baldwin Street and Griffin Avenue.

For more information, try: 818 734-2744.

The Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano & Ensambles Ballet Folkorico San Francisco

There will be a free performance at the Disney Hall’s Keck Amphitheatre on Saturday, May 17 at 11am and 12:30 pm.

Natividad 'Nati' Cano has shaped the history of mariachi music and his band, Mariachi Los Camperos, is considered one of the finest mariachi bands in the world. Then, at the Music Center: Ensambles Ballet Folklorico de San Francisco, performing regional dances of Mexico in a visually stunning show.

Free tickets will be distributed beginning one hour prior to show time on Grand Avenue at 2nd Street, in front of Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The Disney Hall’s W.M. Keck Amphitheatre is at 111 S. Grand Ave. In case of rain, both performances and workshops will be moved inside.

“I Wasn't Born a Teacher”

The author of “I Wasn't Born a Teacher,” which has been described as a “violent and poetic novel,” will be reading and signing copies of his book at Libreria Martinez in Lynwood’s Plaza Mexico on Sunday, May 18.

David Bueno-Hill is an award-winning teacher who has been teaching English as a Second Language classes at Gage Middle School for seven years. His journey to teach was complete with stops along the way as a gang member and an alcoholic.

His website: www.painispoetry.com contains the first four chapters of his book, and more information about the author.

Admission is free at the book signing, with is slated from 4 to 7pm. Libreria Martinez is located at 1221 Long Beach Blvd. in Lynwood. For more information: 310- 637-9484, or: http://www.latinobooks.com.

Memorial Day Street Fair

A Memorial Day street fair will be held in and around the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Alvarado Street on Saturday, May 24 from Noon to 10pm.

There will be free health screenings, carnival rides, games, live music, a variety of products and a lot of food. Admission is free; the food is not.

The event is located 3 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

Reel Rasquache 2008, a showcase of independent Chicano-produced films and art will be presented at Cal State Los Angeles on Friday, May 30.

from across the nation. It will provide a unique West Coast celebration of films by, for, and about U.S. Latino communities and experiences.

The festival takes place at Luckman Complex, on the Cal State Los Angeles campus, 5151 State University Dr. For more information, 323- 343-4207, or visit: http://www.reelrasquache.org.

 Bill Santiago

Boyle Heights’ Casa 0101 will feature Comedy Central's Bill Santiago on May 30 and 31. Santiago will be giving in comical performance, highlighting his new “Pardon My Spanglish: ¡Porque Because! One man’s guide to speaking the Habla" publication.

Also on the bill is Rick Najeva of Broadway's "Latinologues." Najeva will present his latest work: "Daddy Diaries."

Casa 0101 is located at 2009 E. First Street. The shows begin at 8pm, and admission runs between $12-$15. For more information: 323-263-7684.

La Loca Del Frente (My Tender Matador),
a farcical political thriller set in 1986 Chile,
will be presented at the Frida Kahlo Theatre.

The play, by Rubén Amavizca-Murúa and adapted from Pedro Lemebel's novel “Tengo Miedo, Torero,” features a transvestite and a student gambling with romance and death in a plot to assassinate fascist dictator Pinochet. It is a production of Grupo de Teatro Sinergia and Grupo de Teatro Ta'yer.

English Performances May 16, 17, 18, 30, 31 and June 1; Spanish Performances May 23, 24, 25, June 6, 7, and 8. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 6 pm

For information and reservations call: 213-382-8133, or click: http://www.fridakahlotheater.org.

The Frida Kahlo Theatre is located at 2332 West Fourth St. Admission is $15. Offices are open Tuesday thru Sunday from 1 to 6 pm.

Black Mexicans

Africans in Mexico will be the feature of The California African American Museum in their current exhibit: “The African Presence in Mexico: From Yanga to the Present.”

On loan from the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, the free exhibit explains and celebrates the contributions that Africans have made to Mexico and the rest of Latin America.

California African American Museum is located in Exposition Park, south of Olvera Street, at 600 State Drive near 39th and Figueroa streets. Parking is available in the lot at 39th and Figueroa for $6. The show runs through June 1. For more information, try: 213-744-7432 or www.caamuseum.org/index.htm.

Benefit for Griffith Park
starring Ludacris and Tommy Lee

Discovery Network’s upcoming series, “Battleground Earth,” has challenged stars Ludacris and Tommy Lee to “go green.” Now the “rap ‘n’ roll” concert with Ludacris, Tommy Lee and “other special guests” culminates at the Greek Theater on May 28 to raise money for The Griffith Park Recovery Fund. Show time is 7:30 pm. For tickets: www.greektheatrela.com.

The man who
does not read books
has no advantage
over the man
that can not read them.

- Mark Twain

Enjoy the sweetness of spring.

           May all your wishes and dreams come true.

Ginette Rondeau, Director & John Trausch, Editor


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