From the Barrios of LA to the Bay: Concierto sin Fronteras

I know Chimatli mentioned this already on Botanitas, but I have to plug it up again. Why ? Because there is an amazing line for that night. Musically and in spoken word. This is one of those events that you don’t wanna miss out on because if you do, you’ll be sorry when everyone else is telling you how much they had and how dumb you feel for not going.

SATURDAY, JULY 10TH
6PM to 2AM
-LA CASA DEL MEXICANO-
2900 Calle Pedro Infante
Boyle Heights, CA 90063

Tickets $8 pre-sale at Corazon del Pueblo (available SAT 07/03) * $10 at the door

Renovations at the Benjamin Franklin Library

A while back I mentioned that the Benjamin Franklin Library was getting a make over. I can’t remember which blog post it was, sorry. The project to tear down the prison like gates surrounding the library and making it friendlier to the public cost a couple hundred thousand dollars. Again, details escape me at the moment, but I’m sure I mentioned them somewhere. Well, while the renovations aren’t complete, most of the work is done and I’d figure I’d post some pics up.

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My mom was arrested for illegally selling tamales

“You know they cannot do this, without permits, they cannot do this without making sure the Health Department is on board, and the impact it has on the community—you have restaurants that are there with permits and so forth, they have the proper equipment, they have sinks, they have restrooms and then you have people on the streets that are vending illegally and it’s against the law. And now basically what the officers are doing is enforcing the codes,” said Hollenbeck Division Police Captain Anita Ortega. ~ Quote from the EGP News Article “We were treated like common criminals.”

“Although I can understand the plight of the illegal vendors, I am totally against the fact that they have been allowed to conduct business in Boyle Heights and other communities in Los Angeles. It is important to note that these individuals are taking away from the legal business owners who are doing everything that is require by law that includes paying taxes, insurance, rent and often employing others from the community. We need to take a stand and demand that the various agencies that should be taking steps to stop these vendors (police, city and local government taxing agencies, health department and local electeds) should be doing just that….ensure that all laws are enforced….no excuses. It should be noted that most of the City of Los Angeles does not have have this problem due to proper enforcement. We only ask for the same enforcement actions. We need to protect our business owners and the community members against the health hazards and fraud that is associated with illegal vending. Our neighborhoods deserve better. I look forward to our elected representatives to do the right thing and get a handle on this situation. There is no middle ground on this issue. This needs to be stopped NOW.” ~ Comment posted from the same article by Renee Chavez Continue reading

Randoms Rundown: Mayday Mayhem

It would seem that everyone and their mom is going to be in Downtown this Saturday for the May Day march. I myself will also be there of course, but what about after the march is over. Then what ? Well, jump on board the Goldline and make your way East of the river and indulge in a night out in Boyle Heights. Marching, chanting and holding up signs can take its toll and work up a hunger. Well what better way to end a protest than by supporting the Boyle Heights Street Vendors Association. The street vendors are officially back. All the hard work from East Los Angeles Community Corporation’s Community Organizing Department will culminate into what is sure to be a great night of some of the best antojitos in L.A.

137 N. Soto (soto st. and Michigan Ave) between 6pm and 10pm.  Help us support street vendors who are struggling to make a living and fighting for the right to work in their own community. (Bring Cash, no credit cards accepted)

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Boyle Heights Open Air Market: Coming Soon

I am ecstatic to report that Boyle Heights is in the process of finally getting a place for food vendors to share their fabulous foods with the people once again. Harmony between the vendors, police and people calling the police on the vendors is one of the key problems that the food vendors faced when they were doing it alacart on Breed and Chavez. East Los Angeles Community Corporation and it’s amazing organizers have done an amazing job in helping the vendors get this market going, meeting requirements that will give it the final ok from the L.A. City Council. Can I have my pancakes with cajeta now ?

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Open Air Market community forum

Last time I reported on the Breed Street Food Vendors, I was telling everyone to show their support by signing the petition to get an evening farmers market going here in Boyle Heights. Well I’m ecstatic to report that not only were there enough petitions turned in, but the L.A. City council approved the motion to get this farmers market up and running. Whether you agree with this move or not, it doesn’t really matter because you aren’t the one’s that are struggling to make ends meat, hiding from police and wonder when you will be able to make a living selling your home made dishes and sharing them with everyone else. So, come to Corazon del Pueblo and find out what the future holds for street vendors.

Back to the Future: Boyle Heights

1st & Cummings Circa 1958

1st & Cummings Circa March 30, 2010

Paco of Corazon del Pueblo wanted me share these two pictures and write a up a post after he saw the vintage picture on the facebook fan page “Who remembers in East L.A.” In the last 58 years so much has changed in Boyle Heights. I’m 25 and already the barrio is changing once again. In the picture you see all the old businesses and the trolly that ran through 1st. Nowadays we have the goldline running under ground, a few different shops and a bigger police station. I can only imagine what will change and how things will look another 58 years from now.

Mujeres de Maiz 13th Annual Live Art Show

photo

The event celebrates the women of color ARTivist collective’s 13th Anniversary and 8th poetry and arts publication, and is in honor of International Women’s Day, and Women’s Herstory month.  Mujeres de Maiz has a month of events that will also include two group art exhibits, a poetry night as well as possible workshops and other events happening throughout March 2010.  The event is also part of an other Month long series of events; “A Prayer for Juarez.”

Sunday, March 7th

Schedule of Events
3pm – 5pm
Public Live Art Show (FREE)

Mariachi Plaza
E 1st St & N Boyle Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90033

featuring all women performers: Danza Azteca, Cihuatl Ce, Guerrilla Queenz, In Lak Ech, Las Ramonas, Raquel Salinas, and The Sirens.
3pm – 9pm

First Street “Mujeres de Maiz”
Art Walk Exhibitions (FREE)

Exhibit at Primera Taza
1850 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Mujer Mercadito Vendors
Primera Taza back parking lot

Mujeres de Maiz Live Art Show

Casa Grande Salon
2708 East Cesar Chavez Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Limited Seating available 6:30 p.m.
$20 General Admission
$15 for Students w/ ID

Performers include:
D’Lo, Happy Frejo, Hermanas Canto Cura, Indigie Femme,
Josefina Lopez, Las Bomberas de la Bahia, Martha Gonzalez from Quetzal, Claudia ‘Cava’ Gonzalez from CAVA, La Santa Cecilia and Special guest of honor SUSANA BACA

MdM Anniversary Celebration

Eastside Luv
1835 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Parking is only on local streets at this time.
We strongly recommend you take the Metro Gold line
(Mariachi Plaza stop is right in front of the 1st event).

Muchisimas Gracias… (special thanks to…)
The Peruvian Community, Supervisor Gloria Molina’s office, Casa0101, Corazon del Pueblo
Primera Taza, East Side Luv and the Local First St. businesses & community organizations. Also thanks to our Comadre Circle CSULA Chican@ Studies professsor: Professora Dionne Espinoza, CSUN Professoras: Sirena Pelarollo (Spanish), Marta Lopez Garza (Womens’ Studies), Mary Pardo & Lara Medina (Chican@ Studies), Mujeres Activas En Letras Y Cambio Social de CSULA andMECHA de CSUN.