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Monday Issue September 19, 2011 FRESNO STATE
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SERVING CAMPUS SINCE 1922
Clovis Fest entertainment good for local business By Ciara Norton The Collegian Saturday, Sept. 17, marked the 37th annual Clovis Fest in Old Town Clovis. The event began with the launching of over a dozen hot air balloons. The balloons took off from the Clovis Rodeo Grounds around 7 a.m., and traveled to the far west side of Fresno. The event took place on Pollasky Avenue between 3rd and 7th Streets from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Attendees could find over 250 arts and crafts and food vendors, face painting, a car show and even a carnival for children. Clovis Chamber of Commerce communications director Fran Blackney estimates there were more than 50,000 visi- tors this weekend and added $2 million to the Clovis economy.
Blackney said the $2 million was calculated two years ago by the city and it includes revenues that benefit the city and to neighboring businesses that benefit from the event. Table Mountain Casino spon sored the event with an undisclosed amount. Air balloon festivals are not unique to Clovis; similar festivals are celebrated around the world. While the United States hosts the largest number of hot air balloon events, multiple countries such as India, Germany, France, Philippines, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Russia and Belgium among others host similar events. The first Clovis Fest in 1974 began as a small craft show. Since then, the events in Old Town Clovis have continued to expand, Blackney said. “This April’s Big Hat Days event was the largest turnout we have seen, and so we expected a large turnout for Clovis Fest as well,” Blackney said. “I’m really glad I decided
to come,” Fresno State student Eric Silva said. “I’ve never seen hot air balloons in person and it was just something different.” After the launching of the hot air balloons, guests were directed across the street to Pollasky Avenue where the rest of the day’s events were held. “The music made everything a little more fun,” Silva said. “The musicians really got into what they were playing and it looked like they were having such a good time and so was everyone else.” Organizations such as the Fresno Bully Rescue and Valley Animal Center were also present, encouraging families to make room for one more pet. “This is my first time here,” Fresno S t at e p h i l o s o p hy m a j o r D a l l a s Rosenfeld said. “My favorite part so far has been all of the variety of foods.” At Clovis Fest, guests could find See CLOVIS, Page 3
Oaxaca, Mexico socialpolitical artist visits Fresno By Samuel Cosby The Collegian Local ar tists met in downtown Fresno Thursday night for a chance to see the work of contemporary Mexican artist, Dario Canul. Canul discussed how artists from throughout the area united in order to help promote a social and political change in the political conflict that took place in 2006 in Oaxaca, Mexico. The protests in Oaxaca began on May 22, 2006 when teachers went on strike to protest low funding, infrastructure, demanded free lunches and books for their students and called for the resignation of then Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz. The presentation was put together by the Barrio Art Collective and organized by Fresno State alum Mauro Carrera . The Barrio Art Collective is a group that has been meeting informally for about eight months, Carrera said. “We’ve done community murals and
“A
lot of those murals weren’t shown on the news, and the ones that were, were perceived as bad.” — Cresencia Cruz, Fresno State student
Ciara Norton / The Collegian
CA Supreme Court Judge Cruz Reynoso visits Fresno State By Johnathan Wilbanks The Collegian
The California Latino and Native American Leadership Council (CLNALC) held a workshop encouraging Latino residents of the Central Valley to participate in local government. The council gave an overview of the current administration under Califor nia Gover nor Jerry Brown. The workshop outlined the application process and positions available for applicants. The appointment process, available position, and the application process for each were outlined during the workshop. T he mission of CLNALC is to improve the California government by helping Brown have access to talented
Latino and Native American communities. California Supreme Court Justice
“I
t was a great thrill to me to finally be able to represent folk who previously had not been able to be represented and have justice come somewhat more equally to all Californians.” — Cruz Reynoso, Former CA Supreme Court Justice and civil rights lawyer Cruz Reynoso was present at the conference in order to inspire Latinos to become politically
involved. Reynoso is the first Latino to sit on the California Supreme Court and has been involved with Cesar Chavez and President Barack Obama. Reynoso has helped the underserved and disadvantaged people of California throughout his career. He has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor for a civilian. “It was a great thrill to me to finally be able to represent folk who previously had not been able to be represented and have justice come somewhat more equally to all Californians,” Reynoso said in an interview with UC Davis reporter Paul Pfotenhauer. Neptaly “Taty” Aguilera encouraged See REYNOSO, Page 3
ArtHops,” Carrera said. “We want to bring to light the Chicano experience to the overall art scene.” Thursday marked the first official meeting of the art collective as well. “We want to stress that you don’t have to be a professional artist to express yourself,” Carerra added. Students from Fresno State also decided to join in the art collective as well. Cresencia Cruz, a psychology major at Fresno State, said that she may not be an art major, but she supports the cause. “It’s really about the empowerment of local artist,” Cruz said. Cruz explained that the presentation by Canul was really eye opening for not only her, but for the entire collective. “Here we are really sheltered or we choose to ignore things like in Oaxaca,” Cruz said. Cruz said the Mexican government painted over art pieces a couple of days after the protests ended. “Artist began to join the movement,” Canul said. “There were formal artists and as well as street artists, all protesting against a totalitarian government. Protesters were criticized for painting and posting banners and political messages on city walls. “A lot of people didn’t understand See ART, Page 3