Merlinda Espinoza was born Feb. 14, 1986, in Fresno, to Javier and Rebecca Espinosa. Her husband is Mikey Torres. She and her husband resided in Madera, and she worked for the Madera Unified School [...] Continue Reading
Arts & Culture
Cuba: Salvando la Cultura
POR LENI VILLAGOMEZ REEVES “Lo primero que hay que salvar es la cultura”, dijo Fidel, al comienzo del Período Especial, cuando, con la caída del bloque soviético, Cuba perdió más de 80% de sus [...] Continue Reading
The One and Only Rogue
You might know a thing or two about typical fringe festivals, but do you know Rogue? To those who don’t know, there are fringe festivals worldwide, but there is only one Rogue Festival—an [...] Continue Reading
A Musical Homecoming
It was a homecoming for musician Javier Navarrette. He led a master class and played a concert at Fresno State on Oct. 30. He is a graduate of Roosevelt School of the Arts, class of 1990. Steve [...] Continue Reading
A Musical Homecoming
It was a homecoming for musician Javier Navarrette. He led a master class and played a concert at Fresno State on Oct. 30. He is a graduate of Roosevelt School of the Arts, class of 1990. Steve [...] Continue Reading
Resurrecting a Library
The Fresno County Public Library is a special place with 34 branches throughout Fresno County. The library’s motto? “A place to grow.” The library is a place for anyone with something for everyone [...] Continue Reading
Who Chooses Your Children’s Books in Clovis?
It started with a deceptively innocuous Facebook post made by newly elected Clovis City Council Member Diane Pearce. On June 28, toward the close of Pride Month, she warned her constituents, “Might [...] Continue Reading
Poetry Corner
I Am Indigenous(Whitman-style free verse poem) BY RICHARD DANIEL IYALL I am indigenous to this land. Yes, I am. Indigenous I am. I am a member of the Cowlitz Tribe, whose sacred land is [...] Continue Reading
I Began Reading Forbidden Books at a Young Age
In Lodi—my home town—the public library was split into two clearly marked sections. There was a children’s room and, beyond an imposing wooden door, there lay the adult section. But even in grade [...] Continue Reading
The War on Culture, the War on Cuba
As almost everyone knows, for more than 60 years the United States has maintained a blockade of Cuba that encompasses financial, economic and trade transactions. It’s not simply an “embargo” because [...] Continue Reading
Thousands Participate in Pride Parade
x By Community Alliance Staff On June 3, thousands of local residents attended the 33rd Fresno Pride Parade on the streets of Fresno’s Tower District. After the parade, people enjoyed a [...] Continue Reading
Celebrating Juneteenth in Madera
BY JOHN TIPTON About 100 people, including many local officials, turned out on June 19 for the third annual Juneteenth celebration at Courthouse Park in Madera. Black Saints United and the City of [...] Continue Reading