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Hello Dear Readers:
September is here and it's time to celebrate the warmest time of the year in San Francisco, the first days of spring in Chile, and "El 18"—as the Chilean Independence is popularly called since it's commemorated on September 18th.
This year I will not be producing an event but I will be taking orders for those that will be celebrating at home throughout our beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Please place your orders via email at [email protected] You'd be amazed at how many different sites I have to check to track down orders: WhatsApp, Text, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn. You get my drift.
I'm happy to say that this summer I took a break during the entire month of August! It was kind of do or die. I feel like Joan of Arc against the forces of evil trying to stay in business, and becoming a martyr is not my thing. There was a time when taking a month off was considered a reasonable vacation.
During my break I visited very dear friends and spent time in Sonoma, with my mother who visited from NYC. I also rented a fabulous little cabin in Nevada City and now I want to move there. Something as simple as a working parking meter can be more therapeutic than all the motivational videos listed on YouTube. One quarter gives you 30 minutes? Wow! How civilized. I simply loved the area and swimming in the Yuba river was revitalizing.
I also had the privilege to spend time with the illustrious Matías Bombal. He gave me a tour of the Sacramento Delta in "Eva," his 1959 Mercedes Benz. I loved every minute of driving without seatbelts in the plush original car seats. Eva first departed Germany to Puerto Varas, southern Chile, and ultimately landed in Sacramento, California. Matías Bombal's family history is legendary and his expertise in the motion picture industry and jazz over the decades, makes him an authority. There's so much to see in gold country and, believe it or not, ties between Chile and California go as far back as the forty-niners.
On a different note, please mark your calendars for a couple of events that I will be producing during the month of October. Oakland-based Susan Mathews is exhibiting her paintings at a month-long show called Back to the Beat, at Canessa Gallery in North Beach. Susan invited me to host First Fridays in North Beach on October 7th, when I'll be presenting a reading and book signing by Vivian Pisano. Vivian's memoir, "Living in Two Worlds," is her personal account about growing up between Chile and the United States, to an American mother and Chilean father. The event starts at 5:00 PM.
Canessa Printing Co.
708 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
On Friday, October 21st, at this same location, I am presenting "Los Cantores de Arica," an Aymara group touring the US. The Aymara represent the Andean region, they are the indigenous people of northern Chile, Bolivia and Peru. They will give a workshop and present their music.
Speaking of events, do not forget that Flower Piano is happening this upcoming weekend in the SF Botanical Garden. This event is simply fabulous! Don't miss it.
Finally, if you want to check out a truly traditional Chilean Independence Day celebration, join us next Sunday, September 18th, at an “asado” (BBQ) picnic organized by the Centro Chileno Lautaro in Twin Pines Park, Belmont. This year the Centro Chileno Lautaro celebrates its 65th year anniversary! Congratulations are in order for that’s quite an extraordinary milestone considering that this cultural center has survived on a small group of volunteers. I’m attaching the flyer and for further information you can call 415.661.6909. Hope to see you there!
¡Viva Chile!
Paula Tejeda
Chile Lindo
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