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Friday, May 2-15, 2008
Colusa County Arts Council Show Set For Saturday May 3
“Heroes” is the title of artist Barbara Brown’s watercolor of a Colusa house and its display of patriotic flags. Her work will Courtesy Photo be displayed at “Our Valley in Barbara Brown and her watercolor of the Angelo and Linda Zepeda house on Sioc Street in Colusa. Motion,” the Colusa County Council show. Art Show, on May 3 from 1-4 In her Marysville studio the former third p.m. at the Senior Center. grade teacher depicted the Marine flag as the She titled her painting “Heroes” because “the person represented by the Marine flag Stars and Stripes, in order to make the image “more universal,” she says. The change to is a hero, and his parents are heroes.” a more encompassing American flag is still Brown had driven by the older corner fitting for the view that Brown has depicted home many times, drawn to the stalwart of the home of Angelo and Linda Zepeda. Marine flag flying in the breeze and the Angelo served in the U.S. Army, and Linda’s single-starred Mother’s Flag in the bay window. She says, “Every time I’d go by, father, Kermit McCullough, the former owner of the house, served in the U.S. Navy. it would make me feel good, patriotic.” Displaying the Marine flag honors their two Local scenes are typical of the new Marine sons. Thomas is currently serving, work that will be displayed in the free and older brother Charley served before him. show May 3. Artists from a four-county Linda, who grew up in the house with her area, professionals, amateurs and a few students, paint the world they experience parents Kermit and Joyce McCullough and every day. Some, as is Barbara Brown, are her two sisters, Ann and Della, says, “I former teachers who now find inspiration think it’s wonderful that our home has been outside the classroom. She has exhibited painted. It is my childhood home, so I love the house.” her work in every Colusa County Arts
Family Cinco de Mayo planned The Colusa County Department of Behavioral Health is hosting what it hopes to be the first annual Family Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Sunday, May 4 in Colusa. “The event will be an alcohol-free celebration, and an effort to break the myth that every Hispanic culture celebration has to include alcohol,” said Colusa County Department of Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator Terri Rivera. Rivera added that the celebration is designed to teach not only the children, but the adults too, the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo. “Our hope for the Hispanic community is that we pass the pride of this celebration on from generation to generation and we can make this an annual and fun event for all cultures to enjoy,” said Rivera. “We have seen similar events in other counties, and we hope to bring the tradition here to Colusa County,” said Rivera. “We believe it is time to stop selling any of our cultures out to the alcohol companies,” she added stressing that this would be an alcohol-free celebration. The Family Cinco de Mayo celebration is being held at Memorial Park at the corner of Market and 10th Street in Colusa. It is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will include food, family fun and entertainment. A number of local families and groups are preparing traditional food items for sale at vendor booths. “We will have lots of food,” said Rivera. The Colusa Mecha Club dancing Folklorio will perform as will the Williams High School Mariachi Band. Rivera commented that many people wrongly believe Cinco de Mayo to be Mexico’s Independence Day. She continued to report that according to information provided by Latinos & Latinas for Health Justice, the history of Cinco de Mayo is quite different. According to that information; Mexico achieved its independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1821, after three centuries of exploitative colonial rule. In the early 1860’s the French, led by Napoleon III, invaded the country. The French felt that the Mexicans would not resist their imperialistic goals. Nonetheless, Mexican President Benito Juarez rallied his countrymen and declared that Mexico would resist until death. In 1862 the Mexican forces surprised the highly trained and well equipped French forces in the city of Puebla (east of Mexico City) with a resounding victory, which occurred on May 5. The battle symbolized the Mexican resistance and determination to retain their hard-fought independence. For people of Mexican heritage in the U.S., the Batalla de Puebla – known as Cinco de Mayo, has come to symbolize a commitment to fight even when the odds seem insurmountable. Community celebrations emerged in California during the turbulent decade of the 1960’s as young students of Mexican ancestry sought to reaffirm their roots. Interestingly, the holiday has become more of a Chicano/Mexican American holiday than a Mexican one and is celebrated on a much larger scale in the United States than it is in Mexico. Individuals or groups wishing to participate as vendors at this event can contact Rivera at 458-0533.
Small Wonders learn & play child care Sarah Cedillo
(530) 458-3731
43 Birchwood Place - Colusa, CA 95932 Lic# 065404965