Thursday, May 3, 2012

Cinco de Mayo, Secretary of State Mobile Services, "Before I die" Wall, College Workshop, Lucy Parsons Art Exhibit, Events


          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]

  • 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. 
          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.