e-Newsletter
March
2006

House of Mexico
PO Box 5636
Chula Vista, CA 91912
www.houseofmexico.org
Federal Tax ID#:510484533

Mission
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and one of many houses under the House of Pacific Relations, International Cottages, Inc., San Diego, California. Our mission is to promote and share our wonderful riches in music, art, language, dress, and food with the rest of the world. To this end, the HOUSE OF MEXICO shall reach its objectives by initiating, promoting and presenting various educational and cultural programs of different aspects of Mexican culture for the benefit of the community today and in the future!

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HOME Events

Highlights of Past Events:

House of Mexico was pleased to take part in Little Italy’s Torino Games Celebration held on Friday, February 10th. Positioned next to The House of Italy, The House of Mexico and a few others gave an international look and feel to this first-time ever event! Large screens, crowds of people and a very cold evening set the stage for opening night in Torino. The House of Mexico looks forward to taking part in other events that have an international theme in the future!
The 2nd Annual House of Mexico Installation Dinner took place on Thursday, February 23rd at South Bay Fish and Grill in Chula Vista. The evening drew many long-time members and several new faces including, Isabel Valdez and Martha Aceves of Mi San Diego; Greg Mueller and Diana Eggleston from Tucker Sadler Architects. Art Castro, new Vice President of the HOM served as Master of Ceremonies. The talented group, Los Romanticos played beautiful music throughout the evening while many enjoyed talking, laughing and viewing the creative photo works by Memo Cavada. In addition, we heard a good-bye from Founder and past President, Enrique Morones and a welcome from new President, Eunice Munro. The evening ended with several raffle prizes donated by Art and Bernandette Castro and Enrique Morones. Alex Munro-Rankin was the big winner of the night as she won a two-night stay in Palm Springs!
HOM Mixer - More than 30 members and friends of the House of Mexico gathered at Chuey's Restaurant on Friday, March 3 for socializing and networking. The mixer gave members and prospective members a fun, relaxed opportunity to talk and enjoy each others company.

House of Mexico Queen Jessica Ruiz and Princesses Sarah Claytor and Francisca Vargas performed during Sunday's Sampler Lawn Program at Balboa Park. The sampler program features dances and performances from various countries. Our girls did a nice job of representing the House of Mexico.
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Monthly Meetings:
The members of the HOM meet on the second Monday of every month at 7pm. The location of the meeting for Monday is the conference room in the lower level (basement) of 1010 Second Ave. Please join us on March 13 for our next meeting.

Other News:
The House of Pacific Relations is starting a new organization aimed at encouraging more participation among boys and young men between the ages of 10 and 21. The organization would be similar to the Queens organization, which is for girls and young women involved with the various Houses. The young men's group is just getting started and is seeking members. The group hasn't been named but may be called Young Ambassadors or Knights, depending on what the boys decide. Persons interested in this organization may contact Blanca Gonzalez at bgonzalez91@hotmail.com for more information.

Future events:

1. “Caliente!” SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA – Saturday March 11, 2006, Copley Symphoney Hall, 750 B Street. Presented by La Jolla Music Society, Sponsored by Procopio, Cory, Haregreaves & Savitch LLP. Spice up the night with the "best salsa band on the planet" Winner of the 2005 Grammy Award for "Best Salsa Album". ArtFusion Party at 6pm, Paul Mitchell The School - 410 A Street, 8:00 pm Performance - Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Tickets: $55 - ArtFusion Package (includes ArtFusion party and performance ticket); $15 - ArtFusion Party Add-on - available with pre-purchased performance ticket. Call (858) 459-3728 for tickets or go to www.LaJollaMusicSociety.org for more information.

2. 13th Annual San Diego Film Festival - March 9-19th, 2006. Go to http://www.sdlatinofilm.com for more information on location, times, and tickets.

3. March 19th HOM Lawn Program at Balboa Park. Once a year House of Mexico puts on a Free Lawn Program which is held on the outdoor lawn area by the International Cottages. Please join us on March 19th from 12:00 – 4:00, for a fun filled afternoon consisting of music, traditional Mexican dances, and delicious Mexican food. We are in need of volunteers to help us with this event. Please contact Blanca Gonzalez (bgonzalez91@hotmail.com) if you can volunteer your time.

4. April 2nd Queen’s Lawn Program at Balboa Park, 12:00 to 4:00pm. Similar to the HOM Lawn Program, the Queens Organization (all Queens/Princesses from all the cottages) hosts a day to present ethnic music/dances and food. Please support our Queens and Princesses.

5. May 28th, Ethnic Food Fair at Balboa Park, 12:00 to 4:00pm. More traditional ethnic dances and food from the International Cottages at Balboa Park

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Member Highlights

Welcome to our newest HOM members: Memo Cavada, Craig Claytor, Jose Cruz, Miguel Angel Perez, Heidi Quiroz, Devonna Almagro, Eduardo Sandoval, Al and Donna Larranaga, Diana Eggleston, and Greg Mueller.

Feliz Cumpleaños to James Solá (March 11), Art Castro and Bernadette Castro (March 13), Gracia Molina de Pick (March 21), and Ana Sanchez (March 27).

New Member Bios:

Devonna Almagro
Devonna grew up in Mexicali, B.C and moved to San Diego to attend college. She earned a dual degree in Ethnic Studies and Spanish from the University of San Diego. Her work experience includes serving as Community Representative for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and working as a Youth Programs Coordinator for the Sherman Heights Community Center. She currently serves as the Director for the California Children's 5 a Day-Power Play! Campaign for the San Diego and Imperial Valley Region. The campaign's purpose is to motivate and empower Food Stamp eligible 9–11 year-old children and their families to eat fruits and vegetables and get 60 minutes of physical activity every day to prevent chronic diseases.

 

Eduardo Sandoval
Ed's a native of San Diego. He graduated from Serra High School in 1989 and attended The University of Phoenix where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. His professional experience span's 11 year's in the banking industry, working for such banks as, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and California Bank & Trust where his last position held was that of Commercial Loan Officer. He presently works for Lyons Realty/L E I Financial Services, a company dedicated to providing a variety of real estate services. "I'm excited to be a part of H.O.M. It's a great way to give something back to our Hispanic Community, as well as a platform to meeting a diversified group of people."

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Executive Officers
President: Eunice Munro
Vice President: Arturo Castro
Secretary: Sonia Ruiz
Treasurer: Ana Sanchez
Parliamentarian: Omar Lopez

Committees

Art and Culture:
Iliana Morfin (ilianamorfin@yahoo.com)
Irma Yepiz (yepizi@aznet.net)
Carmen Velásquez (carmendental1@hotmail.com)
Sandra Allen

Events:
Monica Gallardo (mgallardo@1037freeFM.com)
Blanca González (bgonzalez91@hotmail.com)
Daniel Hernandez (imagerymc@yahoo.com)

Membership:
Sonia Ruiz (syruiz@yahoo.com)
Mateo Camarillo (mateorc1@cox.net)
Daniel Hernández
Sarita Martínez

Queen and Princess:
Karla Chávez (USDgirlie@aol.com)
Blanca González

Communication and Media:
Ivan Jurado (ijurado@univisionradio.com)
Enrique Morones (EnriqueMorones@cox.net)
If you are interested in joining one of our committees please contact the individual listed above.
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