Mexicans in San Jose (Images of America) (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing))
Title: Pizarro: New book highlights the contributions of Mexicans in San JoseAuthor: Sal PizarroPublisher: Mercury NewsDate: 7/16/09Evergreen Valley College professors Nannette Regua and Arturo Villareal have completed a yearlong labor of love in "Mexicans In San Jose," the latest volume in Arcadia Publishing's "Images of America" series.The pair listened to more than 50 hours of community stories while compiling the book, and from their students and other residents they solicited photos of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans working and living in the Santa Clara Valley.The book starts with the city's settlement in 1777 and works its way through to the opening of the Mexican Heritage Plaza in 1999."I want readers of this book to come away with pride about the many historical contributions and values we Mexicans and Mexican-Americans have brought to San Jose," Regua said. "We see the book as a form of cultural recognition, encouraging confidence and pride among the population that helped build this city."The authors will be signing the books from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Casa Vicky Mexican Restaurant, 792 E. Julian St.Title: Book Commemorates Mexicans in San JosÃ©Author: Staff WriterPublisher: Our Disctrict NewsletterDate: February 2009When a teenager named Arturo Villarreal was toiling in the fields and canneries of San JosÃ©, he had no idea he was making history by helping his native city blossom into the flourishing metropolis it is today. He also had no idea that 40 years later, he would be making history--quite literally--by writing about it.The idea for the upcoming book, Mexicans In San JosÃ©, came to Evergreen Valley College (EVC) Professor Nannette Regua when she saw a similar image book by Arcadia Publishing called Filipinos in Stockton. Turns out, no one had done a photo history book of Mexicans in San JosÃ©. So Regua sold the idea to the publisher and talked Villarreal, a professor of Ethnic Studies and Anthropology at EVC, into co-authoring the book.Unsung heroes-those who sweated and toiled in the industries that built San JosÃ©'s economy and infrastructure-are the subjects of their book. "Women, in particular, were extremely effective as community organizers and church leaders, so women are a major focus of the book," says Regua.To find relevant subjects, the two professors asked community leaders for recommendations.They have also been soliciting photos of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans working, meeting, organizing, teaching, celebrating and socializing, from the larger San JosÃ© community as well as from their students at the college. With one-third of its population being Latino, EVC is a natural starting point."I want readers of this book to come away with pride about the many historical contributions and values we Mexicans and Mexican-Americans have brought to San JosÃ©," says Regua, an adjunct professor of History. "We see the book as a form of cultural recognition, encouraging confidence and pride among the population that built this city."Villarreal agrees: "When you know your history, your rightful place in society, you feel empowered by it."Regua and Villarreal are in the final stage of writing the book, which will be released in September. It will feature sections on Arts and Entertainment, Church and Family, Leaders of Organizations and San Jose's cultural history dating from 1777. Those with pictures of agriculture and cannery work can still submit and are encouraged to contact Professors Regua and Villarreal at 408-274-7900, extensions 2053 and 6609 respectively.