Arts in the Valley, Saturday, July 23, 2011, 8 PM, 1480 KYOS AM, Merced, CA

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To listen to Arts in the Valley, click onto the link:ARTSINVAL072311
Join host Kim McMillon on Arts in the Valley this Saturday, July 23rd at 8 PM as she interviews the following guests: Francisco X. Alarcon, who will be performing at our Meet the Author Day on Saturday, July 30th at the Merced Multicultural Center at 11:00 AM; Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Evey Amado who will speak about Salsa in the Park happening at Merced Courthouse Park at 12 PM on July 30th; and Vicki Alexander Shewey, and Susan Zacharias Mahacek, who will talk about the Merced High School Classes of 1975 and 1976 Reunion happening on July 30th at 6 PM at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall.

Francisco X. Alarcón, award winning Chicano poet and educator, is author of twelve volumes of poetry, including, From the Other Side of Night: Selected and New Poems (University of Arizona Press 2002), and Snake Poems: An Aztec Invocation (Chronicle Books 1992) His latest book is Ce•Uno•One: Poems for the New Sun (Swan Scythe Press 2010). His book of bilingual poetry for children, Animal Poems of the Iguazú (Children’s Book Press 2008), was selected as a Notable Book for a Global Society by the International Reading Association. His previous bilingual book titled Poems to Dream Together (Lee & Low Books 2005) was awarded the 2006 Jane Addams Honor Book Award. His bilingual book for children, Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems (Children’s Book Press, 1997) was awarded the 1997 Pura Belpré Honor Award by the American Library Association and the National Parenting Publications Gold Medal. He also received the 2000 Pura Belpré Honor Award for his second book of bilingual poems for children, From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems (Children’s Book Press 1998), and the 2002 Pura Belpré Honor Award for his fourth book of bilingual poems for children, Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter (Children’s Book Press 2001).

Board President Evey Amado became part of the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in June 2008 as a board member. In December 2010, she was named President of the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1947 by a group of dedicated leaders in Merced who realized the enormous potential of the Hispanic business community. The Hispanic Chamber was formed so that the needs of this particular community would be well represented through the public and private sector. Today HIspanic Chamber has grown to serve Merced County and is a community oriented organization designated as a 501 (c) (3) and is a prominent member of the business sector. We offer many valuable resources, programs and services to help your company grow.

The Hispanic Chamber is fundamentally about assisting businesses in maximizing their marketing profile into a local economy. From a business development perspective, this translates into retaining existing businesses and encouraging their expansion while attracting new business into Merced County.

Vicki Alexander Shewey, and Susan Zacharias Mahacekvwill talk about the Merced High School Classes of 1975 and 1976 Reunion this Saturday, July 30th at 6 PM at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall.

Arts in the Valley, Saturday, July 2, 2011, 8 PM, 1480 KYOS AM, Merced, CA

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To listen to the July 2nd Arts in the Valley program, click onto the link: ARTSINVAL070211-2

to Listen to the Animal Rescue segment only, click onto the link:SEG1-3
Join Arts in the Valley host Kim McMillon as she continues her discussion with animal advocates. Topics discussed include: spay and neuter and adoption services for dogs and cats; vaccinations, care of animals, particularly in hot weather; and stopping the abuse of animals.

Our second guest is Flip Hassett, the Executive Director of United Way of Merced, whose mission is ” improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community.”

Guest for the Animal Rescue segment include: Renate Schmitz, founder and director of Last Hope Cat Kingdom, an all-species no-kill animal rescue and sanctuary in Atwater; Kristi Caseri, Merced County Animal Shelter Supervisor; John Hinton, one of the directors of the central valley coalition for animals; Pam Moody, Last Hope Cat Kingdom volunteer
and UC Merced employee; and Laura de Cocker, the Deputy Director for Child Welfare Services.

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To Listen to the interview with Flip Hassett, click onto the link:SEG2-3
United Way of Merced County is developing a series of grant writing workshop to help nonprofits develop viable sources of income. More information will be upcoming about these workshops.

United Way of Merced County with community involvement is focused on the following areas:

1. Education (pre-school and curriculum development),
2. Financial Stability/Economic Development (Earned Income Tax Credit, Financial Training, Job Training, and Economic Development)
3. Health initiatives (Obesity, diabetes and nutrition)

To learn more, visit http://www.unitedwaymerced.org