PHOTO OPP TONIGHT: the Los Niño’s committee will be holding a book wrapping session today (Nov. 30) in Joyal Bldg. Room 203 at Fresno State, starting at 5 p.m. See Dec. 4 schedule below.

Los Niño’s Holiday Festival – featuring Christmas storytelling by author and California State University, Fresno professor Juan Felipe Herrera — will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Business Center on campus (Peters Business Bldg., 5245 N. Backer Ave.).

Sponsored by the Fresno State Chicano Alumni, the festival promotes literacy in the family as children from local foster agencies are treated to a day of holiday fun, said event coordinator Josie Rangel, a Fresno State health services counselor and a member of the Chicano Alumni board of directors.

“Each child takes home a book or two, a picture posed with Santa Claus, piñata candy, and enjoys a tasty a burrito lunch,” she said. “As a special bonus, master storyteller Juan Felipe Herrera performs a special reading of one of his popular children’s books that the children and their foster parents participate in.”

Books written and autographed by renowned author Gary Soto formerly of Fresno and a Fresno State alumnus also will be provided to participants who include about 60 foster children from Genesis, Angels of Grace and Proteus and their foster parents.

Sponsors are Beto’s Mexican Restaurant, Super Mercado Mexico and the Association of Mexican American Educators.

For more information, contact Rangel at josie_rangle@csufresno.edu.

LOS NINOS HOLIDAY FESTIVAL

Saturday, December 4, 2004

University Business Center – California State University, Fresno

Presented by Fresno State Chicano Alumni

10:00 a.m. Arrival – children’s munchies
10:45 a.m. Welcome/Introductions — Manuel Olgin, President, Chicano Alumni
11:00 a.m. Children’s reading; break into small groups per alumni reader, individual photo with Santa Claus after first reading
11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Storytelling Acto by Juan Felipe Herrera
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:45 – 1:30 p.m. Piñata fun!
1:30 p.m. Closing remarks