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Did you know La Catrina originally had nothing to do with Dia de Los Muertos? The original artist Jose Guadalupe Posada, born in 1852 in the Mexican state of Aquascalientes, began his career as a teacher of lithography. In 1887, he moved to Mexico City where he worked as an illustrator for hire. Much of his work reflected his disdain for the corrupt government during dictator Porfirio Diaz's rule over Mexico City. Although Díaz is lauded for modernizing and bringing financial stability to Mexico, he also led his government in repression, corruption, and excess, and had an apparent obsession with...

  What should I use for the treat bag?  You can use a number of items to place your goodies inside, just make sure it is securely closed. Some ideas are: Cellophane Goodie Bag Colored, Kraft or White Paper Bag Mini Bucket Ziplock Baggie Plastic Cups w/Lids Bandana or Fabric Square  Mini Tote, Cosmetic or Pencil Bags Wrapped Toilet Paper Roll    What should I put inside? Fill your bag with inexpensive fun and yummy goodies!   Candy or Foods: Kisses or Mini Candy Bars Gum, Lollipops, Licorice Pretzels, Potato Chips or Microwave Popcorn  Cookies or Granola Bars Nuts, Sunflowers Seeds, Raisins or Fruit Rolls...

Taylor Santo contacted me saying, "Sorry I disappeared after the food caravan to Monterey. My wife got sick and then our house burned down in the wildfires. We just got into long term housing while we rebuild, so I am hoping to get involved again next month." What?! I can't believe she is even thinking about us after all of these devastating blows. Let me backup a bit and tell you a little bit about Taylor Santo, she has been a hard-working nurse in the Bay Area during the pandemic but has been emotionally moved to help the farmworkers. I remember...

  By Joe Rodriguez Fifty years ago on August 29, 1970, a group of teenage boys who grew up on the same, working-class street in East Los Angeles did something out of character. We joined a protest march. On most hot, smoggy weekends in late summer we’d hang out under the Chinese elm in front of Jerry and Danny Viramontes’s house on Ferris Avenue. We’d argue sports and music to no end. Who was the better rock guitarist, Carlos Santana or Eric Clapton? Mostly though, we’d call around for that night’s parties. We lived for garage rock’n roll. Poor East...

Original article by Darlene Tenes written in 2013 prior to the 300th Anniversary of Fray Junipero Serra birthday.  Carmel Mission's Orchard House Last Fall I got excited creating two foodie events - one commemorating the end of the Maya Calendar and the second, the 20th Anniversary of Like Water for Chocolate film.  Many of my dinner guests since then sound like the girl on the AT&T commercial "We want more, we want more!" But I needed to find something that excited me, which turned out to be the 300th birthday of Fray Junipero Serra founder of the California Missions. This was...