A week of Goodbyes

Melinda Palacio

At the William Stafford Memorial in Santa Barbara

It's been a week of goodbyes.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Saturday, I went to the WilliamStafford Memorial, January 17, 1914--August 28, 1993. On the anniversary of Stafford's 100th birthday, we said goodbye to the prolific U. S. Poet Laureate who had a special connection to Santa Barbara when he was interred at Los Prietos Camp as a conscientious objector during WWII. Stafford lived to be 79 and died while enjoying a slice of his favorite lemon pie.

The beautiful weather and scenery made for a perfect day, except for the scorched, dry ground; and the dryness all around due to the drought. We were fortunate that brave firemen made their stand to preserve the memorial site during the Jesusita Fire in 2009. But there was an eerie feeling at the unusually warm, pleasant January weather. The river was dry and Lake Cachuma a large puddle at twenty percent capacity. The golf course next to the lake was brown, but the alfalfa further down the 154 hwy was green, soaking up sprinkler loads of water. Twenty deer were taking advantage of the sprinklers.

What's most impressive is Stafford's love for the written word. He wrote every day, kept a diary, and wrote over 36, 000 poems, published 6, 000 and kept a daily journal in which he wrote 20, 000 pages.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Tuesday, the world lost Pete Seeger. Only a week before, on a Monday, I participated in the annual Martin Luther King march down State Street and sang many of the songs Seeger made famous, especially We Shall Overcome. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Tuesday was a strange day. I started writing new poems and then took a break to answer email and messages and saw that Barry Spacks had transitioned at the same place as my friend Gia, on the same day as Pete Seeger. Barry Spacks was the Santa Barbara Poet Laureate from 2005 to 2007 and a great teacher to all who loved poetry. I have fond memories of taking his weekend poetry workshops. He had a great sense of humor and wasn't at all embarrassed when I wrote a poem about his mismatched socks and read it aloud to our group of poets.

Barry Spacks

Thursday, January 30, 2014

On Thursday, it drizzled for a few hours around noon. How appropriate the sky would turn weepy at the very hour when my friend's ashes were scattered into the ocean.  A week earlier, I said goodbye to my friend Gia at Serenty House in Santa Barbara. She was misdiagnosed in April. Last summer, when doctors finally figured out she had stage 4 lung cancer, she quickly deteriorated and the cancer spread throughout her body. An hour before she died at Serenity House, I went to see her. She said my name when she saw me. Thirty minutes later, she had begun her big journey.

 

"Gia"

Her friend Joan asked me to make a dessert for the memorial; I made four. Yesterday, as I mixed butter and sugar, I couldn't believe this was the last cake I would make for Gail. And then I realized I was making these desserts for myself, for her friends, for her niece who was so pleased with my efforts. This party was for us, our small remembrance of a great lady.

 Today, January 31, 2014 begins the Chinese New Year.

For those of us still running strong, a toast to swift wings and good luck in the year of the wind horse: Gung Hay Fat Choy.

****

Saturday, February 1, 2014

I will be reading in Santa Ana at Librería Martinez de Chapman University from 4-6 pm, 216 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

Remembering 2013 on Day Three of 2014

2014 Is Year Ten of La Bloga. Happy New Year!

Towards the end of 2013, my one goal was don't get sick. I packed so many events in my schedule that I wanted to finish the year by following through every single book signing, radio appearance, author talk, poetry reading, panel and class visit that I promised to do. Yes, the year was stellar and jam packed with events, events, and more events.

Last January alone, I had five events spanning from Ventura to San Francisco and Sonoma, to a talk at UC Merced to a standing room only crowd where there were students (and professors) seated on the carpet. The next month was even busier with Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day being two days apart. February sent me to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, another well attended event organized by the state's 2011-2013 Poet Laureate, Julie Kane.

The whole year was so full of events, I checked my website to remember all the places I had visited in my unofficial book tour for How Fire Is a Story, Waiting. I didn't always blog about my events for La Bloga. I also tried to feature and promote my fellow writers, rather than blog about myself every month. Last year, How Fire Is a Story, Waiting garnered a couple accolades, including finalist in both the Milt Kessler Award and the Patterson Prize, and Best Poetry Book Winner of the 2013 International Latino Book Awards. I've very grateful to Tia Chucha Press and Luis J. Rodriguez for publishing my first full-length poetry collection. This year Luis will run for California Governor.  

As opposed to the five events, including a great reading with Francisco X. Alarcón, in Berkeley, I only had one reading scheduled for January 2014 at McKeown's Books and Difficult Music on Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans. News of the cancelled event weighed on my heart because Maggie McKeown is closing her doors to the independent bookshop at the end of the month. New Orleans begins 2014 with another closed independent book shop. When I visited Maggie yesterday, she seemed hopeful for the future and ready to begin a new chapter in her life. She opened the bookstore in 2005. Last year, the squeeze out began; she lost the lease to half of the bookstore, now she is moving on.

McKeown's Books and Difficult Music

 

Maggie McKeown and Melinda Palacio

Next month, I visit a bookstore that has had many iterations, Librería Martinez de Chapman University. I remember visiting the bookstore in Santa Ana twenty years ago and hearing Michele Serros read from her first book. I'm happy to be an invited author to this bookstore, Saturday, February 1st from 4pm to 6pm, 216 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701, 714-973-7900.

I am grateful for all the invitations to speak and talk about my writing. I've had the humbling experience of students telling me how much they appreciate my poems and stories.  However, my New Year's Resolution is to dial back on the speaking engagements and write more. Happy New Year!

Chicano literary & cultural news!

Libreria Martinez Grand Re-Opening

We are pleased to inform you, your family and friends about our new address: 1200 N. Main Street Ste. 100D, Santa Ana, CA, formerly the children’s bookstore.

In celebration of our new home we are having a Grand Re-Opening event this upcoming week. It will be Saturday, February 21st with Noche Bohemia featuring newly published author José E. Grijalva author of Vivencias Reflejadas: Una Colección de Poemas en Español, Poet Maricela Loeaza with her works "Poemas por Amor" and Claudia Carbonell with her book "Casa Magica." Also featured will be guitar-maker Monica Esparza, exhibiting her classical and Spanish guitars. 5:00-8:00 pm.

Tenemos el placer de anunciarles a todos nuestros amigos y colaboradores que nos hemos mudado a 1200 N. Main Street Ste. 100D, Santa Ana , CA, antes conocido como la Libreria de los niños.

Con motivo de nuestra Gran Re-Apertura le invitamos a un importante evento a realizarce el Sabado, 21 de Febrero: Noche Bohemia Con protagonista José E. Grijalva autor de Vivencias Reflejadas. Una Colección de Poemas en Español, Poeta Maricela Loeaza y su libro "Poemas por Amor" y Claudia Carbonell con su libro "Casa Magica". Tambien habra exposicion de guitarras clasicas de Monica Esparza. 5:00 - 8:00 pm Libreria Martinez 1200 N. Main St. Suite 100-D Santa Ana , CA, 714.973.7900.

Acevedo fangs again!

Authors' signing event: Sunday, March 1, 2009, 3:00 Denver Book Mall, 32 Broadway (between 1st and Ellsworth Aves), 303-733-3808.

Mario Acevedo will sign Jailbait Zombie, his latest novel about Felix, the vampire PI based in Colorado. Carrie Vaughn signs Kitty Raises Hell, her sixth book in her internationally loved series about a talk show host who was forced to “come out” as a werewolf. Pre-orders and mail orders always welcome.

Nina Else, Denver Book Mall, 303-733-3808 for any questions.

Free Nymphos!

Also from Mario comes word that "Through 2/24, my publisher is offering a free online read (not a download) of my first book Nymphos of Rocky Flats." Here's the link.


Su Teatro extends Bless Me, Ultima

Because of the excitement and outstanding response (phones are ringing off the hook!) about our new show based on Rudolfo Anaya's Ultima, it will bless us for a few more days.

Su Teatro announces Bless Me, Ultima, the extension! Added dates (all others sold out): Sunday, March 1 at 3pm Friday, March 13 at 8:05pm Saturday, March 14 at 8:05pm Friday, March 20 at 8:05pm Saturday, March 21 at 8:05pm

Don’t wait. Order your tickets today: 303.296.0219 $18, students/seniors $15, or 12 for $12
El Centro Su Teatro 4725 High Street, Denver
www.suteatro.org

Upcoming Events

Latina Authors Panel & Book Signing
3:00pm Sunday
January 25, 2009

Location:
Los Alamitos/Rossmoor Library
12700 Montecito
Seal Beach, CA


Latina Authors Panel & Book Signing
6:00-9:00pm Thursday
February 5, 2009


Join us in celebrating Libreria Martinez's Grand Re-Opening with Great Literature, Food & Wine Tasting!

Featuring: Sarah Rafael Garcia, Jamie Martinez Wood & Mary Castillo
Guest Moderator: Marcos Najera, Latino Affairs Journalist

Location:
Libreria Martinez
1110 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA
(714) 973-7900

Texas Book Tour, Again!
March 4-12th, 2009

Dates & Locations to be announced

Favorite Book and Libreria Martinez Event

René Colato Laínez

Do you have a favorite children’s book? Why?

La bloga asked these questions to these acclaimed authors. Here are their answers.


This is an impossible question! I have many favorite picture books and many favorite authors. Here are some of the best of the best--with my particular recommendations:
Kevin Henkes (Chrysanthemum), Pat Mora (Dona Flor), Yuyi Morales (Little Night), Amada Irma Perez (Nana's Big Surprise), and David Shannon(A Bad Case of the Stripes) and Jaqueline Woodson (Show Way).

Monica Brown, author of My Name is Gabito: The Life of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. www.monicabrown.net


My favorite picture book from childhood is one titled Wet Albert by Michael and Joanne Cole. It's a book about a boy who is followed by a grey cloud that rains on him non-stop so his daily costume is a rain slicker. No one wants to play with Albert, except for his baby sister, but only if it's on a seesaw, she on the one end (dry), Albert on the opposite. He learns to use this hardship for good. A man lends him a helicopter to travel the world in search of drought-ridden regions, where he stays until the drought is over. I guess I liked it so much, and still do, because he was my introduction to the super-power superhero. Someone who could do so much good when the odds were against him.

As for a contemporary title: I really like Just a Minute by Yuyi Morlales. The art is awesome, the story is so cool.

Bueno,
Abrazos,
René, el otro.

René Saldaña Jr. , Author of The Jumping Tree. http://renesaldanajr.blogspot.com


MY FAVORITE BOOK? I HAVE TOO MANY ...But when I was little it was The Wizard of Oz...
thanks.
love and peace,
aip

Amada Irma Pérez, Author of Big Nana’s Surprise/ Nana, ¡Qué Sorpresa! . www.amadairmaperez.com


My favorite book is La mujer que brillaba aún más que el sol / The Woman Who Outshone the Sun. When I became a teacher, I found this book in the classroom. I felt in love with the magical Lucia Zenteno, the main character. I read the story many times. This book inspired me to write my own stories. That day I said, “I want to write a book like this.”

René Colato Lainez, Author of Playing Loteria/ El juego de la lotería. www.renecolatolainez.com

Librería Martinez Event

Please join this event to help the struggling independent, bilingual bookstore in Santa Ana, Libreria Martinez. Lori Polydoros is putting on an event in conjunction with Orange County Educational Arts Academy (www.oceaa.org,) on May 17th from 12:30-2:30. It will be a day to promote reading and to promote this wonderful, bilingual bookstore. There will be many activities, games, readings, and raffles for Kids and parents.

Authors/illustrators: Joyce Lee Wong, Norma Samuelson, Barb Odanaka, and Kim Rappier will be reading their books. If you are an author and will like to be part of this event contact Lori at kidtales@hotmail.com

Very Few Pieces

LISA ALVARADO
I want to be sure that La Bloga helps spread the good news about our compañera, Lisa Alvarado, and her latest artistic project. Here's Lisa's announcement:

Lisa Alvarado's Mexican Woman's Toolkit, Sin Fronteras is a large floral tote bag hanging on wooden pegs, which visitors are invited to rummage through. The bag belongs to a Mexican domestic in WWII-era Chicago: her life is service to others, she has no privacy.

Reimagining the Distaff Toolkit is an exhibition of contemporary art,each of which has, at its visible core, a tool that was important for women's domestic labor in the past (the 18th century through World War II). The old tool becomes the fulcrum for a work of art. Each work and the exhibit as a whole have the power to speak to viewers independently,Artists are placing objects such as a dressmaker’s figure, diapers,graters, grinders, needles, pins, pots, pans, baskets,garden-seed-packets, rakes, hoes, dress patterns, dish-rags, rolling pins,brooms, buckets, darning eggs, knives, rug-beaters, and other tools at the center of their work. One piece will have an early 19th century distaff at its visible core. Part of the point of this exhibition project is to explore the idea of "seeing as context." As I imagine the process here, look at a tool that facilitated very hard and repetitive labor and that evokes women's degradation as domestic drudges. I look again, through my early 21st century eyes, at a moment when "old tools" have become commodified and expensive, and I see costly beauty. Reimagining the distaff toolkit for the purposes of this exhibition might include (overlapping) gestures in any of the following directions – or other directions – history / memory / gender / labor / material culture /household objects / family relations / power and powerlessness / drudgery/ craft and beauty. Reimagining the Distaff Toolkit puts utility in conversation with art, the past in conversation with the present.

The exhibition schedule: March-May 2008 - Bennington (VT) Museum
Oct-Dec 2008 - The Mead Museum, Amherst College
Jan-Feb 2009 - Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ
March 2009 - Oklahoma State University
Sept-Dec - Union College, Schnectady, NY

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FICTION WRITERS - COLORADO GOLD WRITING CONTEST
The Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers announces its Colorado Gold Writing Contest for 2008. Entries will be accepted in four fiction categories: General/Mainstream, Mystery, Romance, and Speculative fiction (Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror).

RMFW judges will select six finalists in each category. Then an acquiring agent or editor will choose the winners, who will be announced at The Colorado Gold Writers Conference Awards Banquet on September 13, 2008. You need not be present to win. For information about fees, prizes, rules and an official entry form, visit rmfw.org and click the Colorado Gold Contest link. Entries must be postmarked by June 2, 2008.
Contact: Judy Kundert - publicity@rnfw.org 303-972-4826

MORE ON LIBRERÍA MARTÍNEZ
The likely closing of Librería Martínez of Santa Ana, CA, has created widespread concern not only for this treasured institution but for other local and independent bookstores. Those of you in Southern California have seen the recent demise of Dutton's Brentwood Books and the soon-to-be gone Acres of Books (Long Beach). But Rueben Martínez has not given up, and several writers have rallied to his cause. For example, tonight at 7:00 p.m. Gustavo Arellano will sign copies of his book ¡Ask a Mexican! at 1110 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 973-7900; www.latinobooks.com. Arellano reports that Ana Castillo and Sandra Cisneros have pledged to do readings at the store later this year. You can read more about this issue in Arellano's latest column for the OC weekly, here. Now is the time to show your support.

That's all I got this week - but this has been a stellar week for the rest of La Bloga's staff. If you haven't read their posts yet, scroll on down and savor the literary and cultural morsels laid out by Daniel, Michael, René, and Lisa.

Later.

Saving History

Manuel Ramos



LATINO WRITERS AND JOURNALISTS
Jamie Martinez Wood
Facts on File, 2007

This book profiles more than 150 writers and journalists, beginning with Oscar Zeta Acosta and ending with Val Zavala. It has been nominated for the Carter G. Woodson Book Award, which honors the most distinguished social science books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. The purpose of this award is to encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social science books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and relations sensitively and accurately.

Designed for grades 9 and up, the book is an intriguing collection of interview answers (the author interviewed more than 50 writers for this project), research results, and the author's personal opinions about the writers, their works, and their impact on Latino culture and sociology. Several photographs are sprinkled through the book, including pictures of literary icons such as José Martí, Jovita González, María Amparo Ruiz de Burton, and Fray Angélico Chávez. The writers are poets, playwrights, screenwriters, children's book authors, journalists, editors, publishers, and novelists.

The essentials of a good reference work are here: biographical details, lists of published works, additional sources for further information, and a chronological explanation of each writer's role in Latino literature or journalism. The book is a good place to start when digging into the background of a particular writer, and it will lead to other sources and much more information.

Some of Wood's comments surprised me. These zingers are not in every profile (short essay, really) but periodically she writes something totally unexpected from a book of this type. For example, she notes that Oscar Acosta's "roller coaster, insatiable hunt for acceptance in life from others and through his writings points to the need to bridge alliances rather than to focus on what separates ethnicities and people." Or, how about this regarding Geraldo Rivera: "Widely misunderstood and often criticized for overt emotions and sensational tendencies, Rivera is a passionate, tenacious journalist who has been honored with more than 150 awards, including 10 Emmys."

Wood's other books include titles such as The Wicca Cookbook (Celestial Arts, 2000), The Teen Spell Book: Magick for Young Witches (Celestial Arts, 2001), and The Hispanic Baby Name Book (Berkley, 2001). Now, doesn't that make you curious?

LIBRERIA MARTINEZ
The friendly folks over at Librería Martínez are having a great September with several signings and author events at the Santa Ana (CA) store. They are Celebrando Septiembre, according to a note from Ruebén Martínez. Ruebén's message ends with this announcement, which happens to deal with the book I just reviewed:

"And finally, on Thursday, September 27 at 6:30 PM, we're culminating the month with a Latino writer extravaganza! Jamie Martinez Wood will be presenting Latino Writers and Journalists and there will be 10 distinguished writers and journalists joining the celebration: Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, Ana Nogales, Ph.D., Josefina Lopez, Julio Moran, Pat Mora, Ruben Martinez, Yasmin Davidds, Yvette Cabrera, the legendary newscaster/journalist Frank Cruz will be the MC for the evening and we are pleased to have our very special guest, Magdalena Beltran-del Olmo. Fijate no mas! Can you believe it? This is sure to be an unforgettable event!"

I agree, wish I could be there. Find out more about the bookstore and this month's activities at this link.

Librería Martínez, 1110 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92701 714-973-7900

THE LITTLE ROCK NINE
On October 2 (5:30 PM - 7:30 PM), at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library of the Denver Public Library, Iliff School of Theology will introduce the Heroes and Sheroes: the Story of the Little Rock Nine exhibit. As part of the 50th Anniversary of the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, this exhibit is an interactive journey through the history and achievements of the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibit captures the heritage of the Little Rock Nine in three stages: The Need for Change; The Courage to Take a Stand; and The Cost and the Prize. The exhibit includes memorabilia that children can touch and feel. More about this important exhibit here.

Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St., Denver. Contact: Greta Gloven, 303-229-8042

Later.

Altar Girls To Chicano Blues

Manuel Ramos

AWARDS
A recent press release announced the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association 2007 Regional Book Awards.

The Awards will be presented and the authors will speak at a banquet at the Doubletree Hotel in Austin, TX on March 30, 2007. The banquet is open to the public.

The 2007 Regional Book Award for Adult Fiction is Cottonwood Saints, Gene Guerin, UNM Press. This book recently also was awarded the Premio Aztlán.

The Spirit of the West Literary Achievement Award will also be presented at the banquet. This Award is given to an author whose body of work captures the unique spirit of the Mountains & Plains region. This year's winner is Linda Hogan, a Chickasaw poet, novelist, essayist, playwright, and activist. Ms. Hogan is widely considered to be one of the most provocative and influential Native American figures in the contemporary American literary landscape. She is the author and editor of numerous books including The Woman Who Watches Over the World: A Native Memoir; Power; Solar Storms; Intimate Nature: The Bond Between Women and Animals; The Sweet Breathing of Plants: Women Writing on the Green World. Mean Spirit was the recipient of the 1991 MPIBA Regional Book Award in the category of Fiction. Ms. Hogan has also been the recipient of an American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation, an NEA grant, a Lannan Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship, among many others. She is currently a professor of Native American studies at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

The Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association is a non-profit association formed over 40 years ago with the primary purpose of supporting independent bookstores and raising awareness of the value of independent businesses within our communities. The Regional Book Awards were instituted in 1990. For more information or to order tickets for the banquet in Austin, TX, visit the website at www.mountainsplains.org or call 1-800-752-0249.

As noted by UNM Press, Cottonwood Saints "chronicles the lives of a New Mexico woman and her son, Michael. Margarita Juana Galvan was born in a lumber camp in 1913 and is brought up like a little princess in her grandparents' hacienda. In contrast, Margarita's adult life is spent in depression-ridden Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Told through Michael, Margarita's story embodies the challenges faced by an intelligent, independent-minded girl maturing in a man's world. Margarita and her family's lives intersect with the prominent events of the century: the influenza pandemic of 1918, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, the Great Depression, and World War II.

Based on the life of Guerin's mother, Cottonwood Saints connects the lives of the poorest citizens of New Mexico to the local power structure."

EVENTS
Tia Chucha's 5 Year Anniversary Celebration
The website for Tia Chucha's Cafe & Cultural Center includes a message from Luis J. Rodriguez about the ongoing struggle to preserve the center and all that it stands for. Here's some of that message:

"This is a time to come together, strategize, and work to keep Tia Chucha's viable as a cultural center while we explore our options. We will not give up. We will find a temporary space; we will also curtail our retail operations while we concentrate on our programming, events, outreach, fundraising, and growth."

Part of the fundraising strategy includes an upcoming anniversary party. The details:

February 17
12737 Glenoaks Blvd., #22Sylmar, CA 91342
Live Performances, Presentations, Guest Speakers, Food, Raffles, Vendors, Book Sale

12 - 5pm
*Children's Author Reading w/ René Colato Laínez
* Teatro
*Shadow Puppet Show
*Children Songs

5-11pm
Performances by:
*Big Joe Hurt
*Alfredo Hidalgo
*Noxdiei
*El Vuh
*Mezklah
*Very Be Careful
*Aztlan Unearthed
*Hijos De La Tierra

Come and celebrate -- and help out at the same time.

Líbrería Martínez February Schedule
This from Rueben Martínez of Líbrería Martínez:
"Greetings,
We are very excited to start February off with two fantastic events for our young adult audience and our teachers. Michele Dominguez Greene will present Chasing the Jaguar, the first book in a series featuring a modern day Mexican-American teenaged sleuth. We will also be hosting a reading of the book Bridge to Terabithia. The Walt Disney movie - with the same name - will be released on February 16th. Parents, bring your children and teachers, recommend these events to your students. - Rueben Martínez"

Presentation/Workshop and Book Signing
Michele Dominguez Greene Chasing the Jaguar
Santa Ana Location
1110 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
714 973 7900
Thursday, February 8, 2007 6:30 PM

Lynwood - Plaza Mexico Location
11221 Long Beach Blvd., Suite 102 Lynwood, CA 90262
310 637 9484
Thursday, February 22, 2007 6:30 PM

Bridge To Terabithia Reading
Santa Ana Location
February 10, 2007 1:00 PM
Featuring Radio Univision personality Marcela Luevanos, narrating the book. There will be a raffle for books, posters and screening passes for children to watch the movie.

YOU'RE NOT INDIAN, YOU'RE NOT MEXICAN
You're Not Indian, You're Not Mexican is the title of a new book by Vivian Delgado, who will speak Tuesday, February 13, at the Word Is Out Women's Bookstore, 2015 10th Street in Boulder, CO. The book, whose author is of Yaqui descent, discusses various indigenous identities, common stereotypes, legal status and other factors impacting the lives of indigenous and immigrant populations. No time noted in the announcement I saw -- call the bookstore at 303-449-1415.

ALTAR GIRLS
February 16, 2007 – June 10, 2007
OPENING RECEPTION: Friday February 16, 5pm-9pm
Museo de las Americas

861 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204
HOURS: 10am-5pm Tuesday-Friday, 12-5pm Saturday-Sunday

CLOSED MONDAYS Phone: 303.571.4401

Altar Girls examines women’s complicated attributes of sanctity and strength viewed from historic legends and traditional media to post-modern insights and materials. The juxtaposition of women saints with contemporary views of coming-of-age girls conveys the fundamental female aspects of purity and courage. Whether they are inspired by the women of the heavens or the young women of this world, the artists of Altar Girls offer stunning depictions of the miracle of the feminine.

Artists in this amazing exhibit include:
Charles M. Carrillo (New Mexico), Marie Romero Cash (New Mexico), Alex Chavez (New Mexico), Gloria Lopez Cordova (New Mexico), James M. Cordova (New Mexico), Lawrence Cordova (New Mexico), Flavia Da Rin (Argentina), Meggan DeAnza (Colorado), Monica Dower (Mexico), Teresa Duran (Colorado), José Raul Esquibel (Colorado), Martha Varoz Ewing (New Mexico), Roxanne Shaw Galindo (Colorado), Goldie Garcia-Star (New Mexico), Gustavo Victor Goler (New Mexico), Roberto Gonzales (New Mexico), Grupo Mondongo (Argentina), Nicholas Herrera (New Mexico), Estela Izuel (Argentina), Sylvia Martinez Johnson (New Mexico), Cristina Kahlo (Mexico), Judy Varoz Long (New Mexico), Felix Lopez (New Mexico), Mario Prieto Lopez (Colorado), Marion C. Martinez, (New Mexico), Ronnald Miera (Colorado), Christina Miller (New Mexico), Judy Miranda (Colorado), Carolina Rodríguez (Colombia), Carlos Santisteven (Colorado), Catherine Robles Shaw (Colorado) and Jerry Vigil (Colorado)

21st ANNUAL VALENTINE'S DAY OLDIES DANCE - TRIBUTE TO RANDY GARIBABY
February 11, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM at the Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe Street, San Antonio. Tickets are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. MC is Wild Bill Riley and the music includes Ernie Garibay & Cats Don't Sleep; Sauce Gonzales & the Westside Horns; Michelle Garibay-Carey & Planet Soul; Rocky Hernandez & the OBG Band; Stone Groove with Randy Garibay, Jr.; and more.

DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECT - WESTSIDE RHYTHM & BLUES
Chicano filmaker Efraín Gutiérrez is making a documentary of the origins and history (30s through the 90s) of the San Antonio Westside Rhythm & Blues sound, with a focus on Chicano Bluesman Randy Garibay. Efrain is looking for photos, video or film and he is willing to make copies of these items for his project at the Guadalupe Theater on February 10 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM or February 11 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

OPPORTUNITIES
Oceanview Publishing is currently accepting submissions of book-length adult fiction and non-fiction from new and established authors. Send a 750-word synopsis and the first 30 pages of the manuscript by email and follow the guidelines on the publisher's website. Reviews take 90 days.

Authors Ink Books will accept email queries but sample chapters will be accepted only in hard copy. By mail, send a query letter with the first three chapters, or 50 pages of printed text plus a chapter by chapter summary. Six weeks turnaround. Check the website for more details.

Finally, in the spirit of this little guy:


Later.