United Wilmington Youth Foundation Restoring Historical "El Mercadito Market" Mural

The decaying historical mural that adorns the exterior of El Mercadito "Maravilla" market on L and Hyatt streets in Wilmington is finally getting a restoration by members of the United Wilmington Youth Foundation and community volunteers. 

The current owner "Jorge" has occupied the store for the past 33 years. Around the same time in 1979 the mural was painted by Javier Moreno and Mario Falcon. Moreno passed away four years ago and the whereabouts of Falcon are unknown. However, their significant mural has became a cultural historical landmark loved by the community. A much needed restoration of the mural has been necessarily for years. The mural has suffered damage from the past decades of gang warfare in the area. Graffiti and age on the mural have caused some of the original parts to become distorted and worn down. 

Old photographs of original mural are used in restoration 

(Defaced) Jose Maria Morelos Mexican Revolutionary for Independence 

Emiliano Zapata and images of gang truce for peace

Restoration day 4

History of El Mercadito
The building of El Mercadito has been standing in the same place for 113 years. It has gone through about 4 different owners and renovations. The first business was a small gas station then it was turned into a market. Jorge explains, the first two owners were of American decent. As the community  and demographics started to evolve  the market was centered around the Hispanic community. Inside the market there a carneceia and kitchen where people can buy homemade menudo, pupusas, and other antojitos.

Food and Fresh Meat Counter

Original Refrigerators 60-years-old and Still Going

Although I never lived in area, the neighborhood holds significant memories for me. In the 1970s and into the 1990s my parents and family went to church down the street at Holy Family  Catholic Church or better known as Sagrada Familia. The mural on the market was always something I looked at and never forgot as we drove past on L street on the way to mass.  20 years later its no wonder that mural means so much to the community. The impact of the colorful mural captures the spirit of a by-gone era with its cultural pride and message of peace but will continue to impact the newer generations within. 

Important Dates

• Restoration will continue until June 28, 2013 
• Cupcake and lemonade sale Saturday June, 22 2013 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
• Youth essay writing contest deadline August 23, 2013 prize $1000 email UWYF for rules on the contest info@uwyf.org
• Revealing and celebration September 7, 2013 more details will be posted

Volunteers and supplies are welcome! please stop by Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m

United Wilmington Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization started in 1992 by Santos Trani in order to empower youth in Wilmington to contribute in the community positively and avoid gangs. The non-profit was  revived last year with a new set of energetic youth and mentors ready to start making changes in the community. Follow them on Facebook here

My first time picking nopales

Before my family had plenty of yard space we lived in a crumby apartment on 14th street in San Pedro. I written a few stories about that time, so if you like to look back at those days check out my "Tales from 14th Street series"

Not having a yard in the 80s and 90s meant we could not grow our own plants and vegetables. Nopales were also not as abundant in the grocery stores during those days. Mexican foods were around but it was not as accessible. My parents somehow found a "huerta" (orchard) of nopales growing wild on the side of a canyon near Hernandez Ranch and Reina Park in San Pedro. I remember as a kid I would go with my dad once every few weeks to pick nopales from the huerta. My dad was always ready to climb the steep hillside with his pail and knife. I just would stand near the top and watch him cut fresh nopales, but since I was a kid I was not able to do it myself. In 1995 they moved to the house they are currently living in and they didn't need to go to the huerta anymore since they planted nopales here themselves.

I remembered the huerta recently and decided to make a field trip to see how it is today. My parents decided when we got there that they are not in the greatest shape anymore to be climbing the steep hillside so I decided to take the chance.  Here are photos from the trip.

Sign that greets the entrance to nopale canyon

walk way to the nopales behind a quiet neighborhood

trail towards the nopales

view from top of the canyon

Parents trailing behind

The picture does no justice on how steep it is 

Another view from the top

I climbed down the steep embankment its not as easy as it looks

near the bottom of hillside

gully I never noticed at the bottom of canyon it used to be full of trash back in the days

The hurrta was kind of dry but I got a good dozen nopales!

I could not take the espinas off my dad is a pro at that

But I did grill them with olive oil, salt, pepper and chili powder

Peace, 

DJ

San Diego: Chicano Park

I finally got a chance to upload these photos form a recent trip to San Diego's Chicano park; a great use of urban space. 

Lunch at this bomb fish taco spot...the micheladas were off the hook. 

Seafood Bar Mariscos La Cacho

3120 Main St, Chula Vista, CA 91911

(619) 422-2287

Wise Latina: Expressions of her barrio known as Wilmington

It is great how in the past few years the younger generation of Wilmington residents have been bringing the city to light from its usual forgotten past. This new generation cares about the community and wants to see it thrive. Organizations like Slanguage art studio, WECAN, The Wilmington Wire, have gave a voice to young  artists and those concerned with community issues. 

Anabell Romero is no exception this "Wise Latina" has been expressing her ideas and concerns as part of the Wilmington City Council and journalist.

Read her first blog post as community correspondent of San Francisco's NPR station, KQED. 

Mi Barrio: Growing up in Wilmington 

Scaling the Wall Opening Reception: Friday, March 18, 8 – 11pm

Cella Satellite Galleries presents

Scaling the Wall

“…It’s me yelling to the whole world…I exist. I’m here.” – Wel, from Graffiti Verite


Los Angeles — Cella Satellite Galleries, is pleased to present Scaling the Wall. Curated by Trina Calderón and Miah Jeffra, the exhibition features graffiti and graffiti-influenced works by a diverse group of writers and artists in California.

Scaling the Wall comprises large-scale bombs by four of Southern California’s best female writers, and a white-wall display featuring six artists straddling the worlds of street and gallery institution, through various media.

Inspired by the groundbreaking MOCA street art retrospective, Art in the Streets, opening later this year, Scaling the Wall attempts to act as complement to Art in the Streets’ largely male roster of artists, while also discussing the complex and evolving relationship between street art and the arts institution.

Artists featured are PERL FDS, JERK, OPIA, KUTA ONE HEM BWS, ROOTSYSTM, ogdarthvader, LOVER ONE, C.1, Proto and Alberto Aviles Molina. The bombs, thrown up on bifurcated wood panels, will be auctioned on opening night, then divided at the close of the exhibition. Proceeds will benefit ArtStorm, an aerosol art non-profit organization that provides self-sustaining world-class Urban Art and LifeSkill programs for at-risk youth in Los Angeles. Aerosol paint for the bombs is provided by Montana Store Los Angeles, in Echo Park.

The opening reception will be Friday, March 18, from 8 – 11pm. The evening will feature live painting by Collective Aesthetics. Sound equipment to be provided by Looport and DJ Mixter Ed will spin records for the opening event.

Cella Satellite Galleries is located at 10816 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood. Gallery viewings are by appointment. For more information, please contact Shannon Currie Holmes at 213.291.7908 or info@cellagallery.com.

EXHIBITION AND GALLERY EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Press Release by Trina Calderon

People Hate These Tacos!

Yes they do! Every time I ask someone if they eat tacos de lengua ( beef tongue) they say eeewww no! or that is nasty, and so on. Even people that never tried it before say it is disgusting. I know all you vegetarians  agree, and I know  it does not sound like the most appealing part of a cow, but there is worse.I grew up eating tacos de lengua because my parents would make it a few times a year for special occasions. I used to say the same thing when I was younger, but I used to also hate nopales and lentejas now I absolutely  love them!

I never order tacos de lengua on the street though because I do find it is not as good as making them at home. The street taco meat tends to be chunkier and rubbery from my experience. At home the meat is chopped and garnished with traditional toppings and fresh salsa. 

 Meat ready to be distributed in tortillas de maiz, but first we need to make fresh salsa...

Boil tomatoes, Serrano chilies, garlic, add garlic salt or regular salt blend and you got some tasty fresh salsa

Finished product!

So tell me why you hate tacos de lengua so much? or tell me why you like them so much? I am open to listening to all valid opinions.

Alrato,

DJ

Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

Ola everyone, I hope all my gente has a wonderful day to remember the history of our roots. I know most people think its a party day, but take the time, and remember the real history then go celebrate! Have a safe day, don't get caught up, or too drunk!

Alrato,

D.J

Here is a brief re-cap of last years blog post on Cinco De Mayo, read some history!

Brief recap on what Cinco de Mayo really means. Most people including our gente will often think it is Mexican Independence Day. That is in-correct. Mexican Independence Day is actually not until September 16. Cinco de Mayo 1862 was a victory over the French Army in " Batalla de Puebla" or Battle of Puebla. Mexico was in debt because of prior battles and civil war. Benito Juarez the president at the time issued what was called a moratorium, which means Mexico needed some time to freeze any payments on what they owed until they where financially ready. President Juarez requested a two year time frame. The Spanish, English and French did not like that and became angry. They all then proceeded to invade Mexico to collect. Long story short the English and Spanish settled on there side and left. The French army under the ruling of Napoleon III, wanted to take over and make Mexico a new empire. Kaos erupted, and Mexico had to defend it's self. Dressed in peasant gear unlike the fancy French, it did not stop Mexico from giving it's all. Mexico was only armed with cheap weapons like machetes,rifles and horses nothing compared to the weapons and technology of the French Army . They simply fought with determination, heart, blood, sweat and tears winning a victory over the French.

This holiday is celebrated more in the United States by Chicanos and Americans then in Mexico. Mexicans tend to celebrate Independence Day more then Cinco De Mayo

Los Señores de Swapmeet Clicka

Here at Swapmeet Chronicles we have an exclusive following. Los Señores is a collection of the members that have joined over the years. Los Señores do everything from slang elotes to paint on walls no matter what, they are down with the business and we are proud to call them swapmeeteros!

 

 

Don Rodrigo getting down on the painting action

 

 

 

 

 

Don Nicotino