Dia de Los Muertos 2010 / Day of the Dead 2010
One of my favorite holiday’s growing up in Mexico was Dia de Los Muertos / Day of the Dead (also known as All Saints day)! As a kid, I thought this holiday was all about dressing up as my favorite character and collecting candy. Little did I know that this holiday/tradition was all about celebrating and honoring your loved ones who had passed away!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

This year, our Designer, Dorian Garcia of nairoddesign www.nairoddesign.com did an awesome job honoring my daughter, Angel Musselman who passed away in 2007!

He also did a fantastic job capturing a ‘rockin design for both women and men. Check it out:

Purchase your limited edition tee or hoodie at:
http://www.facebook.com/PalomayaFreedomStrengthLove?v=app_135607783795&ref=sgm

Murals under the stars Oct 23rd 7pm

An outdoor spectacular multi-media presentation bringing the Mexican muralist movement to life under the open sky. Gregorio Luke, renowned expert on Mexican and Latin American art and culture will showcase the extraordinary and intimate inner world of some of the best known artists from the Miradas exhibition now open at MUZEO.

Tickets are $20 for members. $25 general admission.

MUZEO invites you to begin your Murals evening at 6PM in the MUZEO fountain plaza where you can enjoy delicious food and drink and shop artisan booths open before the mural presentation.

Visit MUZEO.org for more details

Hispanic Heritage Month 2010 Festivities – OC & LA

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Southern California with live entertainment, cultural booths, food, carnival games and more…These events will provide fun for your entire family!

Orange County – Santa Ana
Fiestas de Independencia – Fiestas Patrias Downtown Festival
September 18th and 19th, 2010
Fourth Street from Broadway to Minter

Los Angeles
Fiestas Patrias California on Olvera Street at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
September 18th & 19th, 2010 from 10 am - 10 pm
Olvera Street Plaza, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, Downtown LA


Also, check out the Department of Cultural Affairs City of Los Angeles comprehensive guide entitled Latino Heritage Month 2010 Calendar and Cultural Guide

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

I am truly blessed! I get to celebrate multiple Independence Day’s throughout the year. Of course, every year on July 4th, I celebrate our US Independence and for approximately one month, starting on September 15th, many Latin American countries’ Independence is also cause for celebration.

As a child, I remember going to the “Zocalo” (the heart of Mexico City) with my mami and my sister to hear the famous cry of the call to arms, known as “El Grito” to celebrate Mexico’s Independence. I absolutely loved every minute of it! I hope that someday soon, my family and I will be able to take a trip down there in September so they can see for themselves how beautiful our celebrations and traditions are.

Learn more about Hispanic Heritage month on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hispanic_Heritage_Month

MIRADAS: Mexican Art from the Bank of America collection

Visit MUZEO in Anaheim

September 10, 2010 - January 9, 2011

Overview

Miradas: Mexican Art from the Bank of America Collection, organized by the National Museum of Mexican Art in collaboration with Bank of America Corporation, is a unique exhibition of one of the most extensive corporate collections in the U.S. and takes a close look at the paintings, prints and photographs created over the past 80 years. The exhibition is curated by Cesáreo Moreno, NMMA Chief Curator and examines and celebrates work by artists on both sides of the U.S.- Mexico border, to reveal a variety of cultural aspects as they emerged in the years after the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920).
The exhibition was curated by Cesáreo Moreno of the National Museum of Mexican Art in collaboration with Bank of America’s curatorial staff.

Highlights

• A unique survey of over 95 works (paintings, prints and photographs) created over the past 80 years.
• The exhibition examines and celebrates work by artists on both sides of the border to reveal a variety of cultural aspects as they emerged in the years after the Mexican Revolution (1910- 1920).
• The works included are by some of the best-known Mexican artists — Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Gabriel Orozco, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Gunther Gerzso.
• The exhibition was curated by Cesáreo Moreno of the National Museum of Mexican Art in collaboration with Bank of America’s curatorial staff.

Featured Organization: Breath of Fire - Latina Theatre Ensemble

We love what Breath of Fire Latina Theatre Ensemble stands for:

• Opportunity
• Leadership
• Art
• Empower
• Transform
• Change
• Healing

Their mission:
Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble creates opportunities and leadership roles for Latinas in the visual and performing arts. They aim to produce work that reflects impacts and empowers the Latino community. They also believe in the transformative power of theater and aim to raise awareness of critical issues in the community, entertain and challenge, foster cross-cultural understanding, be a catalyst for social justice change, and spiritual healing.

Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble is located at

310 West 5th Street, 2nd Floor, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

http://www.aplaceforart.org/theaters/breathoffire/

Check out tonight’s FREE event: A Crushing Love

Friday, September 10th, 7:00pm
The new documentary by legendary Chicana director Sylvia Morales! In this sequel to her groundbreaking history of Chicana women, CHICANA (1979), pioneering filmmaker Sylvia Morales honors the achievements of labor organizer/civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, author/educator Elizabeth “Betita” Martinez, civil rights advocate Alicia Escalante and historian/writer Martha Cotera and writer/playwright/educator Cherrie Moraga, whose new play "Digging Up the Dirt" had its world premiere at Santa Ana's Breath of Fire Theater.

Celebrating the Gift of Freedom ~ Self-honesty

One of the biggest gifts I’ve received in my life is the capacity to be honest with myself. This practice has given me the opportunity to make changes toward becoming a better human being.

For a long time, I did not have the capacity to be honest with myself and I did a really good job of pointing the finger at what others were doing or not doing instead of looking at myself and looking at what I can do (or not do) to change and become a better person. In the past I may have said, if you wouldn’t have done XYZ, then I wouldn’t have to yell at you. Yuk!

Today, after dealing with a difficult situation, some questions I might ask myself are: Was I being fair in that situation or was I trying to control the situation? Did I keep my side of the street clean or did my actions hurt another human being?

Practicing self-honesty has helped me to stop making excuses for myself and stop blaming other people or situations for my actions. What freedom!

What actions do you take on a daily basis to practice self-honesty? Do you take a daily inventory to see if there are any changes that need to be made to improve your communication techniques and/or your relationships?

Meaningful Labor Day

According to the United States Department of Labor, Labor Day is “a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

This Labor Day, I am especially grateful to be a “laborer” and earn a paycheck and contribute not only to our country but to my family and my community.
One fabulous factoid I came across as I researched the meaning of Labor Day was that the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, adopted the Sunday preceding Labor Day as Labor Sunday and was dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

For those of you that are looking for work, don’t give-up! Your willingness, patience, perseverance and determination will eventually pay off!

Want something free, fun and “meaningful” to do this Labor Day? Check out the City of Los Angeles Birthday Celebration

Event Description: The early morning "Los Pobladores - Walk to Los Angeles" is an annual re-enactment of the nine-mile walk from the San Gabriel Mission (428 @. Mission Ave., San Gabriel) to found El Pueblo de Los Angeles at the current Olvera Street. Walkers can also join the procession at Lincoln Park (3401 Valley Blvd., LA) for a shorter 3-mile walk. At Olvera Street, walkers and others will find live music, food and artists booths at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Site.

When: Saturday, Sept 4, 2010, 6:00 am - 9:30 am, Post walk celebration on Olvera Street 9 am - 3 pm

Where: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Site, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles, 90012 at Olvera Street.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day everyone!

Featured Non-Profit: ASPIRA – An Investment in Latino Youth

Back-to-school season has arrived. Some students have already begun their Fall 2010 classes and some (including my son) are getting ready to start.
This week, I’ve spent some time reflecting on my high school. I spent most of my high-school years worrying about what was cool vs. spending quality time on my education and character development. If there was one thing I could do differently in high school, I would have spent more time focusing on my education and getting involved in school activities, clubs or sports! Don’t get me wrong, I very much enjoyed my high-school years – I had a lot of fun and are a big part of what has made me who I am today. Just wish I would have given myself the chance to make a difference then.

Meet ASPIRA – an organization that has been making a difference in our youth’s lives for many years. Here is their story:

Since 1961, ASPIRA has been working at the grass-roots level to provide programs that encourage Hispanic students to stay in school, prepare them to succeed in the educational arena, develop their leadership skills, and to serve their community.
Their mission: The ASPIRA Association promotes the empowerment of the Puerto Rican and Latino community by developing and nurturing the leadership, intellectual, and cultural potential of its youth so that they may contribute their skills and dedication to the fullest development of the Puerto Rican and Latino community everywhere.

Check out the ASPIRA website

To all students’ young and young-at-heart, near and far who are going back to school this 2010 Fall season, we wish you much success!

Inspired by R.Evolución Latina

Their Mission: A collective of artists and activists committed to empowering the artistic community in order to inspire growth within the Latino Community through collaboration, productions, and educational support programs.


This new-age non-profit organization is built upon the motto, DARE TO GO BEYOND. R.Evolución Latina challenges themselves and their communities to further explore their full potential. Through that, they have been able to collaborate with several companies to develop events, raise funds for organizations in need and we have created paths for children to pursue their dreams via school activities and programs!

Check out their video on YouTube

Check them out on facebook

Featured Non-Profit: Alianza - The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence

In the movie Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth (Liz) sought help from Wayan Nuriyasih, a thirty-something woman Balinese healer who treated her physical wounds caused by a bicycle accident. Liz got to know the healer and her daughter on a personal level and learned that Wayan was a victim of domestic abuse and had to leave her abusive husband if she hoped to survive. Liz wanted to help her, so she sent an email to all of her friends asking for their help and ended up donating $18,000 so Wayan could build a home for her and her daughter!

This really struck a chord in me as I know that the issue of domestic abuse is very real in many households, especially Latin American households. So, I decided to seek out a not-for-profit that offers resources for women or men that are or have been victims of domestic abuse.

Alianza - The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence was established as one of three domestic violence “Cultural Institutes” to address the particular needs and concerns of communities of color experiencing family violence. Alianza specifically addresses the needs of Latino/a families and communities, although its work helps to inform the domestic violence field in general. Alianza’s work has been in four main areas: community education, policy advocacy, research, and training and technical assistance. It has grown into a national network of Latina and Latino advocates, practitioners, researchers, activists, and survivors of domestic violence.

Learn more about Alianza at http://www.dvalianza.org/

Inspired by Eat, Pray, Love

had the opportunity to see Eat, Pray, Love this past Saturday. The movie was a delightful journey of self-discovery inspired by food, prayer and meditation and relationships! Not to mention the fantastic trip to Italy, India and Bali! After the movie, I was tempted to book a trip with my hubby this October to celebrate our 7th anniversary to each of these beautiful countries.
Eat, Pray, Love reminded me about the things that are truly important in my life - I was able to relate to Elizabeth on many levels including personal change, nourishment from an emotional and spiritual standpoint, courage and love. How cool is that?

Eat

As a Latina growing up in Mexico, “eating” was an extremely important part of my life. As depicted in Elizabeth’s trip to Italy, sharing fabulous and authentic meals with friends and family were at the center of our culture. My family (like many other Latin American families) often had parties that were centered around great meals.

Pray

As a Latina growing up, I also knew about religion because it was also an important part of our culture, however, I did not learn about prayer in meditation until I was in my 30’s. Prayer and meditation was a huge part of my personal and spiritual transformation. In my experience, prayer (asking for the willingness to do things differently) and meditation (listening for signs or clues to do “the right thing”) along with the help of many people that have crossed my path have helped me become a better person. “Happiness” for me was a direct result or a byproduct of prayer and meditation.

Love

After a lot of work, prayer and meditation, I was able to love myself and in turn love others in a healthy way. Today, I enjoy rich, loving relationships with my husband, my family and friends.
Thank you Elizabeth Gilbert and everyone involved with Eat, Pray, Love for inspiring me and many others to become better people and live a better life!

Featured Movie: Eat, Pray, Love.

The movie premiere of Eat, Pray, Love is this Friday, August 13th! I have not been this excited about a movie since Titanic.

Check out the trailer:

Hecho de Mano is now offering Palomaya tees!

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to meet and work with the amazing owner of Hecho de Mano (Made by Hand). Azalea is a warm and caring soul who really goes out of her way to help others. She provided me, a complete stranger, with a free spot within her retail site to sell our products and even bought lunch for all of us to enjoy! And, if that was not enough, Azalea agreed to carry our tees in her store. Wow! What an honor!
We fell in love with her store! It was literally a feast for my eyes! From the moment I stepped foot in her store, I was instantly transported to my home town in Latin America.
Stop by the “Culture and Folk Store” located at 308 N. First Avenue in Arcadia to purchase your favorite Palomaya tees and handmade folklore items. Hecho de Mano is offering an additional 20% off your favorite items from now until November 8, 2010.

Palomaya Photo Shoot

Featured Store: Hecho de Mano “The Culture and Folk Store”

One of my greatest fascinations in life is Latin folk art. Ask anyone that knows me and they will tell you that I have the biggest Latin folk art collection in town. As a matter of fact, one of my best girlfriend’s raided my house when she decided to have a “Latin” themed wedding anniversary because she knew I had every type of Latin-themed decoration under the sun!
So, needless to say, we fell in love with the store “Hecho de Mano.” Not only do they feature Latin folk art, but they promote “Maya” artwork. “Maya” was not only my daughter’s name, however, it was also part of the reason I selected “Maya” in Palomaya - to celebrate the strength of the Mayan people.

Hecho de Mano store promotes Maya artwork with respect and dignity and showcases handmade textiles, huipiles, artwork , jewelry, books, and nature. You will find plenty of handcrafts from Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Peru. Their Jardin/Garden grows select culinary herbs & Chile plants, unusual leaf & flowering plantings.

Hecho de Mano is also committed to promoting the Maya traditions here in Los Angeles. They put on many events, celebrations, lectures throughout the year such as the “Mayan New Year,“ “The Carpet Tradition”, “Day of the Dead” (Dia de Los Muertos) and cultural exchanges with Guatemalans, and other, Indigenous Cultures.

We also love their Responsible Partnership practices!

Check out their website

Hecho de Mano is also hosting an “Outdoor Boutique” this Saturday, August 7th from 10 am until 5 pm. Palomaya will be there showcasing our wares among other vendors. Come see us at the Hecho de Mano Arcadia store located at:

308 North First Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006.

Kling for a Cure Leukemia Benefit Festival – September 25, 2010

Last year, I got to be a very small part of a the Klingensmith’s fight with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia by volunteering at their First Annual Kling for a Cure Leukemia Festival. (Our friend, Jerrad Klingensmith was diagnosed on June 12, 2008 with Chronic Myelogenous Leukimia in blast crisis phase.) I was amazed at this familiy’s strength, dignity and determination to fight this ugly disease! Rather than sit and wait for a miracle to happen, the entire family went into action to raise funds for treatment. After months of hard work, they put on their first Kling for a Cure Leukemia Benefit Festival. I was totally floored by the amount of love, encouragement and support this family received. I believe they raised somewhere in the tune of $15,000+ at the event.
Last year’s artist and vendor line-up was amazing!
Check out the line-up from last year’s benefit on the klingforacure.org website

This year, through the amazing research and dedication from the City of Hope in Duarte, CA. He has a chance at life with a stem cell replacement. This life saving procedure took place July 29, 2009 and he is on the VERY bumpy road to recovery.
The family is conducting a grass roots movement to get items donated for a raffle and silent auction that they will be hosting at the 2nd annual Kling for a cure benefit music festival being held on Septmeber 25th in Upland, CA. at Memorial Park.
If you are interested in donating toward this cause or for more information, please visit their website at:
http://www.klingforacure.org/
Saludos,
Lorena

Celebrating Latin-inspired Artist: Miranda Tanya Calvin

We love unique and Latin-inspired artists. Check out this beautiful piece as part of her Life’s Lemonaid collection.

Become a fan of Miranda's facebook page

Get Cultured: The OC Fair…more than Carnival Rides and Greasy Food

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the OC Fair and watch my adorable little friend perform at the OC Fair. She is four and was super excited to get to perform her dance routing on stage!
It was great to see that the OC Fair was not just about carnival rides and greasy food! The Art stage provided a place for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. While we were waiting for my friend to perform, we got to see an Armadillo as well as a snake!

The OC Fair is located at OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, and will be taking place from now through August 15th.

• The OC Fair Website
• Follow the OC Fair on facebook and twitter for special deals and information

Featured Non-Profit: OCCCA’s Phase 3 After Hours SK project

Artist Igor Minárik (pictured on right) is an artist featured on display now at OCCCA Phase 2 After Hours project in Santa Ana.

The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) needs help raising funds for the Phase 3 After Hours SK project where OCCCA artists to send their work to Slovakia during September of this year as part of an exchange of artwork. The exhibit will be showcased at Galeria Z, bringing a taste of Pacific Rim creativity to our counterparts in a fairy tales in a town known for its ancient beauty and emerging art scene. Funds are needed for shipping and exhibitions costs.