IT’S FIESTA TIME:
Mexicans, Mexicans-Americans and others will be celebrating “Cinco de
Mayo” this weekend, Saturday, May 5, 2012 with music, food and festivities. It
is an event that has become very popular in the United States. However, Cinco
de Mayo is often confused as Mexico’s Independence Day.
CINCO DE MAYO is the celebration of the Battle
of Puebla, Mexico in 1862 with Mexico’s victory against a French invasion. It honors the bravery of the small Mexican
militia of 4,000 in a fierce battle and victory against a strong powerful French
army of 8,000 of Napoleon III.
Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza |
WHENEVER “Cino de Mayo” is mentioned the
name of General Ignacio Zaragoza immediately
comes to the minds of Mexicans who live in Mexico. Gen. Zaragoza was their hero
because he led the Mexican army to the victorious Battle of Puebla [Batalla de
Puebla]. At the age of 33, Gen. Zaragoza contacted typhoid fever which led to his
premature death on Sept. 8, 1862.
THE UNITED States Postal Service issued the
first Cinco de Mayo stamp in 1998. It was re-issued in 1999 with a 33 cents
face value.
FESTIVAL: The Little Village Chamber of
Commerce is sponsoring a 3-day “Cinco de Mayo” festival. The festivities will
begin on Friday, May 4th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, May 5th from 12 Noon
to 11 p.m. and Sunday, May 6, 2012 from 12 noon to 11 p.m. at 26th
St. & Kostner Ave.
FEATURED ENTERTAINMENT by special guests Cynthia Rodriguez, Erick Sandoval, Estilo
Especial, Adikto, Julie Cortez and the explosion de la cumbia and Group Veloz. There will be music, food,
a carnival and games at the festival for everyone to enjoy. For more info call 773/868-3010. Mexicanos, Happy Cinco de Mayo!
LVCC MOBILE SECRETARY OF STATE SERVICES:
Anyone in need
of any of the services listed below from the Secretary of State’s Office is
invited to come to the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th
St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012, no appointment necessary.
SERVICES
provided at the Secretary of State mobile LVCC event as follows:
[Driver’s License/State I.D. Card fees]
[Driver’s License/State I.D. Card fees]
- Basic Drivers License/Renewal $30
- Commercial Driver’s License Renewal [CDL] $60
- Driver’s License for persons age 18-20 $5
- Driver’s License for persons age 21-68 $30
- Driver’s License for persons age 69-80 $5
- Driver’s License for persons age 81-86 $2
- Driver’s License for persons age 87 and older FREE
- Corrected or Duplicate Driver’s License or Permit $5
- Renewal M or L classification [motorcycle] $5
- State ID issued for five years $20
- Correction – State I.D. issued $10
- Duplicate State I.D. issued $20
- State I.D. for persons 17 & under $10
- State I.D. for persons 18-64 $20
- State I.D. for persons 65 or older FREE
- State I.D. for persons with disability issued FREE
- State I.D. for persons Homeless FREE
- License Plate [standard] Stickers $99
- Motor Voter registration with renewal of DL/ID
- Organ donor registration with renewal DL/ID
- Seniors age 75 and up. Need to visit DMV to renew driver’s license.
PROPER identification will be needed
for the above services. Form of payment: Cash, Check, Credit Cards accepted
[American Express, Master Card, Discover, NO VISA].
"Before I die" wall at the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza |
THE WALL: There was a
gathering of young people and adults from Little Village at the Manuel Perez
Jr. Memorial Plaza, 26th St. & Kolin Ave. on Saturday, April 21,
2012. Residents were asked to finish a sentence printed on the wall that reads:
“Before I die……. ”.
Gardeners plant hydrangea |
The concept is part of an interactive public art project
which invites people to share their wishes, hopes or dreams within a public space.
Similar to a “bucket list” people wrote, in chalk, their aspirations.
“Before
I die…..”
project is sponsored by the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Urban
Art Society, Uprising organization and Good News Gallery. Some of the writings
on the wall are: “Before I die I would like to see world peace.” “I would like
to visit my abuelita’s [grandmother’s] pueblo in Mexico.” I would like to see the
Cubs win the World Series.” “I would like to become a fashion stylist.” I
wrote “I would like to see more Latino’s voting!” This
is an ongoing process with room for more participants. Pilsen, Edgewater, Hyde Park and Brighton Park have similar walls.
Nilda Esparza & Abigail Wood-Lizalde |
NILDA ESPARZA, Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and
her staff oversaw the “Before I die” project. Abigail Wood-Lizalde represented Universidad Popular and her
UPRising group helped with the installation. Landscapers from Brickman Co. installed
flowers in front of the wall.“We encourage people to visit the wall,” said
Esparza. The “Before I Die” wall is turning into a global art project, expanding
to cities around the world, including Amsterdam, Portsmouth, Queretaro, Almaty,
San Diego, Lisbon, Brooklyn, London and beyond.
ARTIST CANDY Chang is the creator of the “Before I die” wall. She turned
the side of an abandoned house in her New Orleans neighborhood into a giant
chalkboard, painted and stenciled the
sentence “Before I die I want to"
COLLAGE WORKSHOP:
More than 75 high school students and parents attended the Scholarship
Informational Workshop sponsored by Chicago Public School [CPS] West Side High
School Network and the Little Village Community Council at Benito Juarez
Community Academy High School Thursday, April 26, 2012.
PRESENTATIONS given by: Marcia Boyd, CPS Office of Pathways to College and Career featuring Financial
Literacy; Maria Bucio, assistance for undocumented students; Abel Montoya, Illinois Student Assistance Commission:
State Student Aid; Kristen McRoberts and Carole Wood, City Colleges of Chicago. The event was a success.
LUCY GONZALEZ PEREZ |
ART EXHIBIT: Carlos Arango,
President/Director and Efren Beltran,
Originator-Curator at Casa Aztlan, 1831 S. Racine St. [18th &
Racine] are extending an invitation to the public to visit its Art Show Exhibition
opening reception Friday, May 4 at 6
p.m.
THE EXHIBITION is honoring the
life and legacy of Lucy Gonzalez Parsons [1853-1942]. Parsons was an
activist, feminist and labor organizer in 1915 Chicago. Theme of the event is: Hard
Day and Time of Change [Dias Dificiles – Tiempo de Cambio]. Artwork by Victor Montanez with guest artist-activist
Diane Kahlo. The exhibition will be
open from Friday, May 4, 2012 to Friday, May 25, 2012.
OTHER
PARTICIPANTS will
be Arturo Miramontes, Diana Solis,
Esperanza Gama, Oscar Romero, Victor Montanez, John Weber, Roman Villarreal,
Jose Andreu, Jesus Macarena, Rachel Heuman, Saul Aguirre, Eric Garcia, Griselda
Laureano and Edgar Solorzano. Music
will be provided by Maestro Chuy Negrete
who will sing the “Corrido Lucy Parsons”.
FOR MORE information contact
Patricia Perez, Executive Assistant at 312/666-5509x122.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thursday, May 3rd to May 6--Cinco de Mayo Festival at Douglas Park, Ogden Ave. & California Ave. from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sponsored by Cermak Chamber of Commerce.
Friday, May 4th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, May 5th from 12 Noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday, May 6, 2012 from 12 noon to 11 p.m. "Cinco de Mayo" Festival at 26th St. & Kostner Ave. sponsored by Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday, May 3rd to May 6--Cinco de Mayo Festival at Douglas Park, Ogden Ave. & California Ave. from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sponsored by Cermak Chamber of Commerce.
Friday, May 4th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, May 5th from 12 Noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday, May 6, 2012 from 12 noon to 11 p.m. "Cinco de Mayo" Festival at 26th St. & Kostner Ave. sponsored by Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
Sat., May 5th Cinco de Mayo Tequila Festival presented by Hispanic Pro, 3 p.m.
to 7 p.m. Vertigo Sky Lounge, 2 W. Erie St. Early bird online ticket price:
$15. Call: 312/867-0631.