JULY 2023
PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, & FINANIAL EMPOWERMENT
PRESERVING
YOUR FAMILY
& COMMUNITY
HISTORY
SU LEGADO
FAMILIAR
MEMORIES
FROM OUR
LATINO BOOK
& FAMILY
FESTIVAL
BILL DE LA FUENTE
SCHOLARSHIP
SCHOLARSHIP
FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION
BECAS: LOCAL BUSINESSES
BACK LOCAL STUDENTS
ADEMÁS:
SALUD, EDUCACIÓN,
ACTIVIDADES Y MÁS
JULY 2023
BILINGÜE
GRATIS
JULY 2023
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
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visit ELF
Volume 3, Issue 32
On the cover: Bill de la Fuente believes in the strength of North County
students and entrepreneurs. Photo: Courtesy of Bill de la Fuente
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NCI and see past issues:
North County Informador is
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or print issue.
Empowering Latino Futures presents
The North County Informador Team
www.NorthCountyInformador.com
- Editor in Chief: Melanie Slone, PhD,
editor@NorthCountyInformador.com
- Art Director: María Fernanda Álvarez
- Webmaster: Ximena Esquivel
- Education Begins in the Home: Edward Becerra
- Community Engagement Coordinator: Martha Zamora
- Sacramento Coordinator: Rene Aguilera
- ISLA Programs Coordinator: Yenni Patiño
- Publisher: Kirk Whisler
To advertise:
Melissa Lopez, melissaL1632@gmail.com, 760-458-7568
Ellen Fusco, ellenfusco2020@outlook.com, 760-970-6661
North County Informador Advisory Board
Kathy Diaz, Co-Chair; Raoul Lowery Contreras, Monica Martinez,
Alejandro Tamayo, Dr. Rafe Edward Trickey, Jr.
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All materials are copyrighted by Empowering Latino Futures, a 501c3
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Education
Events
Latino Book &
Family Festival
Services
Latino Families Fight to Preserve
Heritage in North County
Health
Bill de la Fuente Scholarship
Foundation Fosters Strong,
Educated Communities
Financial Empowerment
Civic Engagement
Educación
Eventos
Festival Latino del Libro
y de la familia
Servicios
Familias latinas luchan para
conservar su legado en
el Norte del Condado
Salud
Fundación de Becas Bill de
la Fuente promueve comunidades
fuertes y educadas
Empoderamiento financiero
Civismo
IN THIS ISSUE
13
18
18
EN ESTE NÚMERO
Welcome to the Summer
This year, summer means a huge reunion for the extended Gonzalez family
of Solana Beach. Read about how they and other Latinos in North County
are preserving their community history and legacy. Also, Bill de la Fuente
tells us how his scholarship program brings local business and students
together. Finally, look back on your memories of the Latino Book & Family
Festival and, as always, gets tips on health, education, civic engagement,
and financial empowerment.
- Write the editor: Editor@NorthCountyInformador.com
Bienvenidos al verano
Este año, con el verano llega una gran reunión familiar para los González y
sus descendientes en Solana Beach. Conozcan cómo ellos y otros latinos
y el Norte del Condado están conservando ll historia y el legado de sus
comunidades. Además, Bill de la Fuente nos explica cómo su programa de
becas reúne los negocios y los alumnos locales. Por último, vuelvan a vivir
el Festival Latino del Libro y de la Familia y, como siempre, vean consejos
de salud, educación, civismo y finanzas.
- Escriban al editor: Editor@NorthCountyInformador.com
Empowering Latino Futures Board
Edward James Olmos, Chair
Kirk Whisler, President
Katharine A. Díaz, Author VP
Andres Tobar, Education VP
Lisa Montes, Secretary
Dennis Garcia, Treasurer
BOARD MEMBERS:
Julia Abrantes, Edward Becerra, Victoria Chavez,
Norma Jasso, Esther Reyes Jones, Leticia Ordaz
ELF Emeritus Board Members
Nora de Hoyos Comstock, PhD; Dennis Hernandez;
Zeke Montes, Ambassador Julian Nava;
Jesus Nieto, PhD; Martin Valdez
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
JULY 2023
Cafecito con la Comunidad, con la Dra. Villarreal
10–11 am
Julio 14: Crímenes de odio: raza, homosexualidad, género, etc.
Agosto 11: Manejando bajo la influencia de alcohol y drogas:
¿Qué dice la ley?
Gratis, en español
One Safe Place, 1050 Los Vallecitos Blvd., San Marcos 92069
Breast Milk Drive & Health Fair
Feria de lactancia y salud
August 12 / Agosto 12, 9 am–12 pm
TrueCare San Marcos
150 Valpreda Rd., San Marcos 92069
Field to Market: Farmer Training Series
9–11 am, Zoom
July 6: Telling Your Farm Story
Contar su historia como granjero
July 11: The Buyer’s Expectations
Expectativas del comprador
July 13: Marketing Designs & Decisions
Diseño y decisiones de marketing
July 18: From Planting to Selling
Desde sembrar hasta vender
July 20: Value Added Products
Productos de valor agregado
July 2: Legal Requirements, Certificates, Licenses
Requisitos legales
August 1, 9 -11 am - Selling Direct to Consumer
Vender directo al cliente
Summer FunFest Vista
5:30–7 pm
Family Activities / Actividades para toda la familia
Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr.
Movies in the Park (Las películas son parte de Summer FunFest)
Al atardecer
Saturday, July 15 / Sábado, 15 de julio
‘Maverick’
Saturday, August 12 / Sábado, 12 de agosto
‘Quantumania’
Free Books / Libros Gratis
Through ELF’s Education Begins in the Home Program
Sunday, July 2, 10 am–2 pm
HHSA, w/Universidad Popular
649 W. Mission Ave, Escondido 92025
Sunday, July 9, 10 am–2 pm
HHSA, w/Universidad Popular
649 W. Mission Ave, Escondido 92025
Saturday, July 15, 10 am–2 pm
CSUSM, w/San Diego County Office of Education
333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos 92078
Sunday, July 16, 10 am–2 pm
HHSA, w/Universidad Popular
649 W. Mission Ave, Escondido 92025
Sunday, July 23, 10 am–2 pm
HHSA, w/Universidad Popular
649 W. Mission Ave, Escondido 92025
Thursday, July 27, 9 am–12:30 pm
Fallbrook Food Pantry
140 N. Brandon Rd, 92028
Sunday, July 30, 10 am–2 pm
HHSA, w/Universidad Popular
649 W. Mission Ave, Escondido 92025
CASA DE AMISTAD
Academic Mentoring
Mentoría académica
120 Stevens Avenue,
Solana Beach, 92075
858-509-2590
EVENTS EVENTOS
EDUCATION
EDUCACIÓN
JULY 2023
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
Culture and Literacy
Celebrated at the Latino
Book & Family Festival
hank you to everyone who
attended Empowering Latino
Futures’ 71st Latino Book & Family
Festival at MiraCosta College on June
10!
You got to enjoy the 135 exhibitors in
the children’s, community, education,
and health villages; and Esther’s
Award-Winning Author Tent.
The Author Tent was a space for
28 authors to present their work by or
about Latinos, to interact with their
audience, and to read some excerpts of
their books. Congressman Mike Levin
read a Cesar Chavez book.
Keynote speakers included the
authors Reyna Grande and Victor
Villaseñor, who shared tips and signed
autographed books, and Jimmy
Figueroa, who talked about his journey
to empowerment in Oceanside.
The live, local entertainment
included Sabrosas Latin Orchestra,
who got everyone dancing; Kainga
Music’s steel drums with Foussat
Elementary; Rancho Buena Vista
Mariachi Band; and the Ballet
Folklórico groups from San Bernardino
and Tierra Caliente.
This year’s workshops were on
health, education, and paying for
school, as well as author and literacy
highlights.
There was also great food, bilingual
activities for children and families, and
giveaways for all.
Empowering Latino Futures would
like to thank our 2023 partners,
MiraCosta College, which also hosted
the event; TrueCare; the County of San
Diego; NBC/Telemundo; North San
Diego County Promise; AARP; Molina
Healthcare; SDG&E; and all our other
wonderful partner organizations.
We will see you next year at the
72nd Latino Book & Family Festival,
where Empowering Latino Futures
will continue to promote literacy,
culture, and education in a welcoming
environment for the entire family.
There were plenty of activities for kids, thanks to
community organizations and city libraries.
The authors shared tips with future
writers in the Author Panels.
Foussat Elementary plays the steel drums
with Kainga Music.
TrueCare offered a panel on mental health
in both English and Spanish.
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
JULY 2023
Se celebran la cultura y la
lectura en el Festival Latino
del Libro y de la Familia
¡Gracias a quienes nos acompañaron
en el 71er Festival Latino del Libro y
de la Familia en MiraCosta College el
10 de junio!
Disfrutaron de los 135 expositores de
niños y niñas, comunidad, educación y
salud; así como la Carpa de los autores
premiados.
En la Carpa, los autores
presentaron su obra por o para latinos,
interactuaron con el público y leyeron
extractos de sus libros. El congresista
Mike Levin leyó un libro de César
Chávez.
Los presentadores invitados
incluyeron a los autores Reyna
Grande y Víctor Villaseñor, quienes
compartieron consejos y firmaron
libros autografiados; y Jimmy
Figueroa, quien habló de su trayecto
hacia el empoderamiento en
Oceanside.
El entretenimiento en vivo de
artistas locales incluyó a Sabrosas Latin
Orchestra, quien puso a todos a bailar;
tambores de acero con Kainga Music
y Foussat Elementary; el Mariachi de
Rancho Buena Vista; y los grupos de
baile folklórico de San Bernardino y
Tierra Caliente.
Este año los talleres abordaron
salud, educación y cómo pagar los
estudios, así como temas destacados
para autores y sobre la lectura.
Además, hubo comida deliciosa,
actividades bilingües para niños, niñas
y familias y premios para todos.
Empowering Latino Futures
agradece a nuestros socios para 2023,
MiraCosta College, que también
sirvió de anfitrión; el Condado de San
Diego; NBC/Telemundo; North San
Diego County Promise; AARP; Molina
Healthcare; SDG&E; y todos nuestros
patrocinadores maravillosos.
Nos vemos el próximo año en el
Festival Latino del Libro y la Familia
número 72, donde Empowering
Latino Futures seguirá promoviendo
la lectura, la cultura y la educación
en un ambiente acogedor para toda la
familia.
El Mariachi de Rancho Buena Vista High deleitó
a todos con piezas culturales.
MAAC dejó que todos giraran la rueda
para llevarse un premio.
Reyna Grande habló
con sus fans y les firmó
copias de sus libros.
Jimmy Figueroa, de
Operation HOPE, habló
del empoderamiento.
Kainga Music mostró el talento de los jóvenes
músicos en los tambores de acero.
JULY 2023
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
Photos courtesy of Reyna Grande
Free Food Distribution with True Care &
Feeding San Diego
SERVICES SERVICIOS
San Marcos – Nueva ubicación / New location
1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month,
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
1er y 3er miércoles de cada mes, 11 a 12:30
Iglesia del Señor Jesucristo en las Américas San
Marcos
332 E. Olive St, San Marcos, CA 92069
Oceanside
2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 11
am to 12 pm
2do y 4to martes de cada mes, 11–12
Melba Bishop Community Recreation Center
5306 N River Rd, Oceanside, CA 92057
More locations / Más lugares:
California Conectada
Asistencia gratis
Encontrar servicios de Internet
y dispositivos de bajo costo
para su hogar
Aprender a navegar por Internet
Buscar y utilizar recursos en
línea para mejorar su vida y su
profesión
Connected California
Free assistance so you can
connect to the Internet and:
Find low-cost internet service
and devices for your home
Learn how to navigate the
internet
Find and use online resources
to improve your life and career
Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito
533 Lomas Santa Fe, Solana Beach 92075
858-755-9371
Encinitas
Griset Clubhouse, 1221 Encinitas Blvd.,
Encinitas, 92024
La Colonia
La Colonia Clubhouse, 715 Valley Ave.,
Solana Beach, 92075
Health & Human Services Agency /
Agencia de Salud y Servicios Humanos
del Condado de San Diego
Aging & Independence Services
Servicios para la independencia de adultos mayores
800-339-4661
Llame / Call: 1-800-790-5319
Envíe un mensaje de texto / Send a text message: 626-873-8396
Envíe un correo electrónico / Send an email:
ayuda@connectedca.libanswers.com
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
JULY 2023
Historic La Colonia de Eden Gardens
La Colonia was Solana Beach’s first
neighborhood, predominantly Mexican-
American, said Lisa Montes, whose family
has been there for more than 100 years.
We spoke with her and her cousin David
Richard Huizar; Aunt (tía) Concepción
Gonzales Huizar, who will be 90 in
October; and other cousins.
In the 1920s, Mexican-American
agricultural workers moved into La
Colonia de Eden Gardens to tend to the
citrus groves, tomatoes, and lima beans. A
tight-knit community formed, Lisa said.
Today, “We’ve seen drastic change
to our community,” she said. People are
buying the properties “because everyone
wants a piece of the ocean, which is only a
mile away from us.”
Some of the original families feel
pushed out. “We’re getting to the
generations where the kids don’t know the
other family,” David told us.
They are fighting to preserve the
heritage.
Lisa is the curator of the Solana Beach
Heritage Museum, located in what was the
first home in Solana Beach, at La Colonia
Park. Third-grade classes visit the
museum and learn the history of
the area. Learn more:
On July 8, the Gonzales family
is holding its first family reunion,
including live interviews with
family members. David said it was
important to tell the relatives about the
relationships. “One generation can lose it
completely.”
Lisa’s cousin, Dr. Sara Gonzales, has
put together a coloring book for the kids
about their history and made a detailed
family tree dating back to the 1700s.
Latino Families Fight to Preserve
Heritage in North County
SOLANA BEACH AND SAN MARCOS ARE JUST TWO EXAMPLES OF
PLACES IN THE NORTH COUNTY WITH STRONG LATINO ROOTS.
FEATURE ARTÍCULO
10
JULY 2023
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
A family tradition marks Día de
Muertos with a festival and altars. “That’s
where we can learn more, remember
about our cousins and tíos…,” Lisa said.
Another tradition is the nine nights
of neighborhood posadas right before
Christmas.
The family makes an effort to
remember their ancestors, like Cipriana
Martínez Gonzales, who fought the San
Diego County Board of Education for
desegregation. “She was a trailblazer.
Nothing stopped her,” her descendants
told us.
Landmarks
Cipriana also fought for La Colonia
Community Park, built in the 1970s; there,
the Tree of Life tiled wall is dedicated to
the first families.
Cipriana also “saved St. Leo’s Mission,”
Lisa told us, when the Catholic diocese
wanted to shut it down. Cipriana took
her fight all the way to the Pope, whose
commission ruled in her favor. The
church was turned into a mission and can
never be closed.
David said he remembers the
neighborhood church bells on Sunday
mornings. “You got used to hearing it, so
that feels like home,” he said.
The community had to fight to keep
the bells when new neighbors complained
about the noise. Thanks to the backing of
lawyers with roots in La Colonia, the bells
are ringing once again.
The family speaks fondly of another
landmark, Tony Jacal’s restaurant, which
they say has been there since 1946.
“Traditional dishes…,” David told us.
“People who were born and raised here,
they come back and say, I want turkey
tacos.”
San Marcos: Tony Contreras & John
Valdez
Tony Contreras, who taught at San Marcos
High School for more than 30 years,
believes schools are key to preserving
culture and heritage.
Tony explained that a lot of kids get
lost to gangs. His nonprofit North County
Youth Athletic Center helps get students
involved in sports, particularly boxing. “A
lot of these kids tell me, if it hadn’t been
for your program, I don’t know what I
would be doing. I’d be locked up. Might be
dead.”
Tony taught Latino high school
students their language, history, and
culture. He headed the Chicano Studies
class and the San Marcos High MEChA
group, which promoted the culture and
history of Mexican-Americans.
Many of the programs he launched
no longer exist. “Kids don’t know who
they are,” he said. They “have no clue Cal
State used to be full of chickens.” Their
ancestors worked at the Prohoroff egg
ranch.
Two of Tony’s students were San
Marcos District 1 Representative María
Núñez, and her sister, Arcela, who run
Universidad Popular.
En Aztlán
Meanwhile, John Valdez helped launch
the multicultural studies program at
Palomar College.
One way he has protected Latino
history and culture is through the
publishing of the book ‘En Aztlán,’ which
preserves Chicano writing.
Cipriana
Martínez
Gonzales
Día de Muertos
Tree of Life at La Colonia Park.