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Vol 53, NO. 49
Gloria’s Corner and Words To Think About A3 & A5
Obituary John F. Valera A8
By Anthony Victoria
ucy Reyes sat quietly in front of approximately 40 residents during a historical presentation at the Mitla Cafe Restaurant in San Bernardino last Friday. After much discussion from the audience, Reyes eventually took part--giving accounts of the Westside’s past vibrant and booming business district along Mt. Vernon Avenue (San Bernardino’s strip of Route 66). Her former boss, Mitla Cafe founder Lucia Rodriguez and her family were great contributors in restoring community pride to an area that historically has been neglected by city leaders. “I love this family like it's my family,” Reyes said of Rodriguez and her descendants, Patti Oquendo and Irene Montano. “And I love my family.” Rodriguez’s story is among dozens of narratives being collected by historians for the oral history project--The Women of the Mother Road. The project intends to highlight the stories of
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By Anthony Victoria
Photo/Anthony VictoriA
Mitla cafe employees Patti oquendo, Lucy reyes, and irene Montano.
Carter HS student Everett Baile leading way as first generation of IE prep hockey stars A16
INSIDE ONE SECTION, 16 PAGES
Gloria’s Corner A3 Words To think About A5 Legal Notices A11 Opinion A4 Sports A16
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November 24, 2016
Literary Route 66 oral history project dialogues helping veterans L cope with war
Mitla cont. on next page
Inland Empire Community Newspapers
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Photo/Anthony VictoriA
the community listening to a presentation on “the Women of the Mother road” by historians Mark ocegueda and Katrina Parks at Mitla’s cafe on november 18.
ince the beginning of the academic year, San Bernardino Valley College and Cal State San Bernardino have held book discussions to help veterans address their experiences of war and reintegration into society. Discussions are scheduled to take place through May--though educators are hoping the National Endowment for the Humanities decides to extend the project for another year. “We see the value in what we’re doing,” San Bernardino Valley College Professor Edward Jones said. “Hopefully we’re able to bring in more people next year.” The Dialogues on the Experience of War, facilitated by Jones, Cal State San Bernardino English Professor Jennifer Andersen and San Bernardino Valley College English Professor Joe Notarangelo, helps create a “circle of trust” where veterans are able to express themselves without judgement. “Fictional or nonfictional narratives about war help evoke the very complex and intense particular situations and different norms of military culture that soldiers act under during deployment,” Andersen said. “These stories acknowledge the human need to adapt emotionally and in other ways to situations of physical deprivation, prolonged exposure to risk and danger, and grief for fallen comrades.” Andersen explained participants engage in comparative literature-comparing Greek works such as Iliad and Euripides with more modern readings. For example, the story of Achilles in the poem Iliad describes the brave soldiers’ loyDialogues cont. on next page