As the first rain falls in Pescadero, farm and nursery workers are returning to the South Coast in search of work. It has been unseasonably cold this winter and Puente is well into its third set of welcome bags that include a backpack, water bottle, sleeping bag, towel, razors, soap, deodorant, shampoo, winter beanie, baseball cap, and long sleeve T-Shirts. The bags create a warm welcome, literally and figuratively, to newcomers.

Each welcome bag includes:
Backpack
Shampoo (regular size)
Soap (regular size)
Razors (4)
Comb
Deodorant
Lotion
Tube socks (4)
Black stocking cap
Hand towel
Bath towel
Baseball cap
Mini flashlight
Toothbrush and toothpaste

Amazon wish list:
http://amzn.com/w/N95PGKG7AGC8

Please call Lorena Vargas at 650.879.1691 ext 116 if you are able to donate items.

Puente’s academic programs resumed this week. Adult Literacy, Night ESL  and La Honda Spanish classes started on the 9th. Homework club and Morning ESL started on the 10th.

Click on the hyperlink for more information on Puente Spring 2012 Programs.

If you are interested in joining any or our classes please contact Kassi Talbot at ktalbot@mypuente.org

Migrant workers celebrated Christmas at La Sala with traditional american dinner and some tamales.

On this special dates, they were sharing stories about what they would’ve done with their families in Mexico, how they miss their families, how they celebrated Christmas Eve and other reminders of how far they are from home.

Some of them also talked about their reason for being here and the goals they have for their families in Mexico.

After dinner they received a stocking with toiletries and other practical supplies.

Happy Holidays to them all.

Puente wrapped up the holiday season with a week of festivities.

On Friday December 16th Puente celebrated our Community posada. The  procession from St. Anthony’s Church was followed by food, singing, games, and pictures with Santa Claus. Over 300 community members joined the festivities and got in the holiday spirit. Puente youth handed out nearly 200 stockings to the children in attendance. 

Pilgrims walk the streets of Pescadero

Little angels posing with the Wise Men

Santa with a little angel

On Sunday December 18th, La Sala celebrated its posada at the Pescadero Community Church. Over 34 farm and nursery workers attended and enjoyed food,  music and gift bags.

On Tuesday December 20th Puente held our 3rd annual Hanukkah party at Pescadero Elementary School. Nearly 90 children attended — they played dreidels, read the Hanukkah story, and learned to make (and eat) potato latkes.

Cal Fire 59 donated a Christmas Tree to Puente. The tree is  decorated with some ornaments made by children and is currently displayed in the childcare space. Puente appreciate’s the gift and will use the tree at future holiday events. It will also be displayed at the La Sala holiday posada and our Community posada.  

Come see the tree and enjoy our Community Posada on Friday December 16th. For more information click here.

On Friday December 9th Puente celebrated our Youth Holiday Party.

It was the last time Puente youth will be together as a group this year, to enjoy each other’s company. Youth played Christmas pictionary, were treated to christmas carols by their peers and had dinner. It was a festive event with holiday music and all youth received personalized stockings from the adult staff and Board of Directors.

Puente’s Community Posada Workshop was a great success. Mothers and children decorated the angel wings that will be used in the precession from St. Anthony’s Church to the lot in front of the Pescadero Community church. The children also decorated piñatas.

All community members are welcome to attend our Community Posada on Friday December 16th. This traditional celebration, with a living Nativity Scene will begin at 6:00pm.

The Procession:

START: St. Anthony’s Church Hall: 703 North Street, Pescadero

END: The Lot: 350 Stage Road, Pescadero

Event funded in part by the San Francisco Foundation Faiths Project.

On Sunday November 6,  the South Coast Prevention Partnership took 15 participants to the San Francisco Mission District on a mural tour led by Precita Eyes. Participants went on the trip to observe community art and served as an  inspiration for a similar community art project on the South Coast. The Partnership is funded by San Mateo County.

Puente’s Spanish and ESL classes are now officially over for the fall in La Honda and Pescadero. Puente is celebrating the participants’ hard work and dedication by hosting Holiday Parties.

On Friday, December 2, Puente celebrated the end of the La Honda Spanish and ESL Classes with a festive potluck. Participants shared posole turkey and cider.  For dessert,  ice cream was served.

On Monday, December 5^, the Night ESL party had a  great turnout. There was plenty of food for the participants. So much so that everyone left with a full plate of tamales.

Tuesday, December 6^th the Morning ESL Party was at Puente in Pescadero.  All the ladies brought a magnificent Mexican dish to share with each other. Children were welcomed and they enjoyed themselves along with their mothers.

Program participants received dictionaries, school supplies and more, thanks to generous individual donors and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

On Thursday Thanksgiving day, Puente hosted a thanksgiving dinner for the La Sala participants at the Pescadero Community Church which was held from 6pm – 8pm. Students Cristina, Jesus and Elizabeth helped out Norma with preparations and set up of the room and food dishes. There were around 32 men that attended the thanksgiving dinner, two men played ranchera music on the guitar. Other activities included dominoes. They enjoyed festive dishes such as Turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, bread, mole and many other dishes. To end of the night there was a drawing for a donated television set and dessert. It was fun and exciting for all participants.

I hope that you’ll join us for a community Christmas Posada on Friday, December 16, 2011 in Pescadero.

Wishing you and yours a safe journey,
Kerry

On Wednesday November 16th Geologist Ray Wells taught an earthquake class to Puente Youth. Youth studied maps of the California  faults and modeled an earthquake. Sally Bachman handed out California Major Historic Earthquake T-shirts. The youth received their certificates for  completing the  Community Emergency Response Team training provided by the  La Honda Brigade volunteers.

In total 15 youth completed the training and received their certificates.

The training was supported by  Friends of the PMAC of the Pescadero Foundation.

 Christmas Stockings for Children (200)

• Coloring book & Crayons
• Erasers
• Fiskars scissors (blunt)
• Glue sticks
• Color Pencils
• Watercolor paint kit
• Stickers
• Bubbles
• Party-size play doh
• Flash cards
• Memory card games
• Amazon wish list:
• http://amzn.com/w/29GUFA256RA9B



Christmas Stockings for single Farm & Nursery Workers (75)

• Shampoo (regular size)
• Soap
• Razors (4)
• Comb
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Travel Size Sewing Kit
• Tube socks (2)
• Black stocking cap
• Hand towel
• Mini flashlight
• Amazon wish list:
• http://amzn.com/w/N95PGKG7AGC8

The seasonal flu Clinic were in Pescadero and La Honda this week. The vaccinations were for the seasonal flu TDAP, & Pnemonia. The vaccinations were free for residents, however the clinic accepted $5 donations.

On Tuesday November 1st, 55 people in La Honda received vaccinations.  154 people received the vaccination on Thursday November 3rd at the Pescadero Community Church.

The clinic was sponsored by the San Mateo County Health System and Puente.

On Thursday November 3th the final altar for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) debuted at the Pescadero Grown Community Farmer’s Market. Puente served Pan de Muertos (bread of the dead), and hot chocolate.

The altar was made by 20 participants of the Dia de Muertos workshops coordinated by Alejandra Resendiz. The workshops were spread out in 4 sessions throughout the month of October. On the first session participants learned about the Day of the Dead traditions. On the second session they made the sugar skulls, on the third session they painted cups and cut paper (papel picado). The Pan de Muerto and the paper flowers were made on the last session. (watch a video of participants making the bread here http://puentedelacostasur.org/?p=2184)

The final altar was decorated with personal memorials such as pictures, poems and photographs by the participants and members of the community. 

Alejandra Resendiz and Rita Mancera dressed as Catrinas

On Sunday October 30th, Chef Al Lindhal, taught a kitchen knife skills class to the La Sala participants. They learned kitchen etiquette, how to Prep cook (knife use and chopping vegetables),  and proper kitchen terms. This class was a cultural experience for the men since they are not accustomed to cooking complete dinner meals.  They  appreciate  their newly found skills amd realize that they can pursue a new career by becoming professional cooks in the future.

If you are interested in volunteering and teaching the La Sala participants one of your favorite recipes or other cooking skills contact our Community Outreach Coordinator Alicia Vega at avega@mypuente.org. 

The Computer Introduction Workshop provided by Rita Mancera, Laura Rodriguez and Kassi Talbot was held on Monday October 31st.

Participant learned a variety of useful computation skills. Topics included internet communications such email and social media (i.e. facebook, skype etc.)  They learned how to sign up for email,browse the Internet and the basic parts of the computer. Instructors stressed the important of properly shutting down a computer and were shown how to do it.

13 people attend the workshop and found it very useful.

On Tuesday November 2nd participants of the Day of the dead workshops made bread of the dead.

Bread of the dead or Pan de Muertos is a sweetened soft bread shaped like a bun, often decorated with bone-like pieces. Pan de muertos is eaten on Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), at the grave site or altar. It is eaten As part of the celebration along with the relatives favorite foods. The “bones” represent the lost relative and a baked tear drop on the bread represents sorrow. The bones are ussually in a circle to portray the circle of life.

Participants talked about the differences in their traditions regarding the  making of  Pan de Muertos and in their celebrations.

Watch the video below:

The Final altar will be displayed on November 3rd at the Pescadero’s Farmer’s Market from 4-7pm.