Mexican Museum, Festival de la Villita, Jesus "Chuy" Negrete, Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees, 4th Annual Little Village Expungement Workshop, Movie Review, Calendars of Events

Rosa Ibarra, Pedro Ceballos, Mike Jimenez, Manny Martinez, Bonifacio Ineguez

            MEXICAN MUSEUM: The 1^st Annual Mexican American Museum fiesta [Festival de la Villita] was Saturday, August 16, 2014. The fiesta was held at the 2^nd Federal Savings parking lot, 25^th St. & Pulaski Road, in Little Village. There was a large assortment of Mexican historical and cultural pictorial hardboards, artifices, photos and souvenirs on display. Through out the day a DJ played Mexican music and an Aztec Indians Group performed native dances. For the children, there was a Moon Walk, face painting and a balloon artist.

          SPECIAL GUEST was Pedro Ceballos, First Latino President of the Rotary One Club of downtown Chicago.

Jesus "Chuy" Negrete

           MUSICOLOGIST, Jesus “Chuy” Negrete, a Mexican history folklore singer played his guitar and harmonica. He sang Mexican corridos [ballads] of Mexican historical struggles sprinkled with humor. Negrete said, “The musicologist is trying to understand the hidden meanings in corridos; a corridos teaches la raza [our race] the class issues of our struggles.”

          A GREAT EXAMPLE, Chuy said, “Mi tío dijo que las gallinas de arriba simplemente cagan a las gallinas de abajo!” [My uncle said that the chickens on top simply crap on the chickens in the bottom.] Another example was when “In Catholic schools the nuns changed the names of the Mexican children; changing “Juan” to John, “Roberto” to Robert, and “Guillermo” to Bill,” said Negrete. Seemingly benign, yet, changing our names is, and has been, a struggle of our own identity.

           A HIGHLIGHT of the fiesta was the presentation of a check, a donation, in the amount of $750 to the Mexican American Museum. This generous donation was from the Little Village Rotary Club. Accepting the check was Manny Martinez, President of the Museum.

          FIFTEEN vendors participated in the fiesta. The weather was ideal for the festive outdoor event. “We appreciated the involvement and support of the community,” said Manny Martinez.

          OFFICERS of the Mexican American Museum are Manny Martinez, President; Bonifacio Ineguez, Vice President and board members: Miguel Jimenez and William “Bill” Luna for more information contact Manny at 773/502-0798.

       HISPANIC STATE EMPLOYEES: The Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees [IAHSE] will be hosting their 27^th Annual Hispanic State Employees Training Conference/Job Fair. The conference will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, 2014 at the Midwest Convention Center, 401 W. Lake St., Northlake, IL 60164 starting at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The theme of the Conference is: “A Call to Public Service—Latinos in State Government”.

         THE ISHSE's ongoing purpose is to support Hispanic employees. For more info call Candace Zepeda at 312/814-8942 or iahse.assoc.illinois.gov

        EX-OFFENDERS:  The 4^th Annual Little Village Expungement Workshop for adult and juvenile ex-offenders will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Life Church, 2657 S. Lawndale Ave., Chicago. Ex-offenders will learn from experts about how to apply for sealing of record, expungement, clemency and/or pardon. Ex-offenders must bring a copy of their rap sheet and disposition, giving the end result of the case.

          INFORMATION on employment, job training, immigration, healthcare and other services will be available; there will be a DUI [driving under the influence] Hearing officer at the workshop to give DUI information from the Secretary of State's office.

          TEN ATTORNEYS will be volunteering their services, pro bono. No appointment necessary. Free admission.

          SPONSORS of the workshop are the Little Village Community Council August Sallas, President; Attorney Jorge Montes, State Sen. Steven Landek, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, State Rep. Silvana Tabares and H.O.P.E. organization. For more information call 312/286-3405.

          MOVIE REVIEW: The movie “Hercules”, based on the Greek mythology son of Zeus, a Greek God, and his mistress. This movie was action-packed with awesome stunts and a double-cross surprise ending. The battle scenes were unique and different. One battle scene will make you jump out of your seat, literally! Great camera work and a really good storyline; there is some humor, which makes for a well-rounded flick. I give it FOUR stars.

                                                        CALENDAR OF EVENTS

          FRIDAY, AUGUST 22-- Illinois Secretary of State Mobile Unit at Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26^th St. The mobile unit will provide the following services to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

• Renewal/Correction of driver’s license
• New/renewal/correction of State ID
• License plate stickers
• Motor voter registration with renewal of DL/ID
• Organ donor registration with renewal DL/ID
• Senior age 65 and up [no charge for state ID]
• Seniors age 75 and up—need to visit DMV to renew driver’s license.

          Proper identification will be needed for the above services.

          INFORMATION will be available on the Temporary Visitors Driver's License [TVDL] for people undocumented. Doors open at 9 a.m. No appointment necessary.

          SUNDAY, AUGUST 24—Mariachi Tapatio musical event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza, 26^th St. & Kolin Ave. Sponsored by SSA #25, FREE.

          SUNDAY, AUGUST 31—Mariachi Tapatio musical event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza, 26^th St. & Kolin Ave. Sponsored by SSA #25, FREE.

          SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27—Ninth Annual Feria del Mole starting at Noon, Little Village High School, 3120 S. Kostner Ave. Sponsored by Universidad Popular. For more info call 773/733-5055.