Día de los Muertos has begun. Technically, tomorrow, Nov. 2, marks the Day of the Dead. Today traditionally serves to honor children and infants – Día de los Angelitos – in most areas of Mexico. Toys are offered, as well as fruits, candies and marigolds, often strung along a small altar. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls of the dead; that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them.
In some towns in Mexico, the living spend the night beside the graves of their ancestors and recently deceased.
May you all find that company, connection and solace.
I feel privileged to live in a community where this profound, exquisite celebration takes place so heartily.
A number of worthwhile responses came up regarding the ongoing drama of the Amuse Bouche street vendor’s likely deportation, and the wealth of coverage from local blogs and news sites. Though a more visible member of the community to some, all the print does raise questions regarding the relative lack of coverage of many Latino residents of our neighborhood who face deportation.
Some thoughtful controversy and typical bombast can be found at Mission Mission, as well as SF Weekly.
A beautiful video installation by Allison Davis, Armand Emamdjomeh, and Tasneem Raja on the death throes of the herring fishing industry in San Francisco Bay can be found on our website today.
And today is also the last chance for Mission residents to attend a free day at the California Academy of Sciences, all for themselves. Need further convincing? Have a look at Mission Loc@l reporter Anrica Deb’s gorgeous shots from inside the museum on Friday, and her obscure-animal-filled article.
Abandoned Planet bookstore, on Valencia near 16th Street, just announced it will be closing in a few months. See the post at Broke-Ass Stuart. The Communist-leaning building owners have decided they would like the space for their organization. In the meantime, up until the end of the year, discounted books will be on offer, including a fresh supply dredged from storage.
Ah, and looking for a good read, check out our Sunday Fiction and Lisa’s on-line challenges.
I’ll leave with this cute picture of an SUV driver on the verge of beatdown by banana-clad bicyclers at last night’s Critical Mass.
(image at top from the artwork of Ladislao Loera)