Until last night I had never attended the “El Grito” event at Santa Ana’s annual Fiestas Patrias. Who knew I was missing out on an unbelievable spectacle?
Thousands of Mexican Americans filled Santa Ana’s Fourth Street, facing a huge stage at the end of the street, near the Northgate Market. A moderator introduced our city’s leaders at 8 pm, as Mayor Miguel Pulido and his family took the stage, along with Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez and traitorous Council Members Vince Sarmiento and David Benavides. The latter is running against Pulido in November and Sarmiento is supporting him.
To Sarmiento’s and Benavides’ chagrin, Pulido and his family whipped out guitars and sat down to entertain the crowd as Pulido’s father sang two Mexican classics. I shot video of this that I will put up later after I have finished editing it. When the musical performace was over, Pulido took the microphone to thank the crowd for the great turnout and to speak respectfully about Mexican independence, as a Mexican immigrant himself. You can see in the picture above that Sarmiento and Benavides were most uncomfortable as the spotlight shined on Pulido.
Alvarez however was very comfortable and charming as she made her remarks. She was resplendent in a red shawl and her smile lit up the stage. She, like Pulido, was clearly in her element.
I recently criticized Benavides and his sorry cabal for being a “pocho revolution” and sure enough of all the speakers last night, Benavides was the most verbally awkward. He also told the crowd that his father was an undocumented immigrant who got caught repeatedly and sent back to Mexico. I wonder if the Usual Suspects in town would have supported Benavides if they knew this?
Sarmiento took the microphone and proceeded to tell the crowd that even though he is not Mexican, his kids are. Apparently he married a Mexican-American. Both he and Benavides hammed it up, but I caught them texting during the event, as seen in the picture above, a clear sign of disrpect for “El Grito” and for Mexican culture.
One thing was very clear last night – the Pulido family is loved and respected in Santa Ana a fact that Benavides and his clown posse overlooked in challenging him. In fact several Benavides allies blew off the event, including Council Members Sal Tinajero and Michele Martinez.
The Fiestas Patrias event continues today in Downtown Santa Ana. It is going to be very hot again so remember to drink a lot of water and get in the shade when you can.
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Why did you delete my post??? Oh well, have a good night Editor.
I did not. I was busy editing pictures I took at the Fiestas Patrias parade. Still working on that... Buenas noches.
Carpetbagger,
Your obsession about cheating is getting to sound pathological. Are you going to pursue this with Pulido and staff too.
Will the Santa Ana sentinel look at accusations of Pulido's alleged shady business dealings too. The voice of OC, the OC Register, the LA Times and the OC Weekly have written about them if you want to follow up on the stories.
And there was nothing there.
When is Benavides going to come clean Dr. Lomeli?
Editor,
He is clean. There is nothing there.What is the difference between rumors with Pulido and rumors with Benavides? you pursue one and not the other. Never mind we get it.
Whats your obsession Carpetbagger?
Blog profile: The Santa Ana Sentinel
May 11th, 2011, 10:00 am · · posted by Theresa Cisneros.
One of the events covered by The Santa Ana Sentinel blog was the Dia de los Muertos celebration, held last November on Santa Ana's Fourth Street.
Omar Ávalos Gallegos runs a blog about politics, arts and culture, civics, sports and more in Santa Ana.
He recently took time to answer a few questions about himself and his blog, The Santa Ana Sentinel.
Here’s what he had to say.
What’s the name of your blog, and how did you decide on it? The name of my blog is The Santa Ana Sentinel and I opted on a title that reflects a watching over the city. This was done, in part, in order to protect it from constant bad news and a failure on behalf of reporters to report good inside news.
What’s the scope of your blog/what do you cover? I originally started as a political observer but then expanded to other categories including arts and culture, civics, sports and more.
What’s the URL? santa-ana-sentinel.com
Who writes for it? Omar Ian Ávalos Gallegos
When did it launch? May 27, 2010
Why did you start it? To give an insider’s view of Santa Ana and to report the good news that no one else sees.
How often do you blog? A few times a week.
What’s your inspiration? The city itself: its history, significance and its role. I intend to make others see Santa Ana in its proper light as the county seat of government and as a leader in other aspects in this county.
What blogs do you read? LeaLA Feria Libro (official blog of the LéaLA book fair), Rancho Visions, The Other Side of the Tracks, Phil Bacerra just to name some.
What about the blog are you most proud of? That it’s a 100 percent insider’s view.
Are you involved in any other social media? I write other blogs in English and Spanish. These are Flamencali: Revista del Flamenco Angelino and the Journal of Mexican Art Music.
Do you blog full-time? I don’t blog full-time. I work for the music department at Santa Ana College and the Dance Department at UC Irvine. Then I have other projects that keep me busy and I teach music privately.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your blog? I also have a Spanish language section: El Laurel.
Posted in: Art • Events • Government • History • People • Santa Ana • blogs • Omar Avalos • Santa Ana College • The Santa Ana Sentinel • UC Irvine
You were the one who admitted that Benavides is getting divorced. So don't be coy now.
By the way, why did you post Omar's bio? Is the Benavides goon squad going after him now too?
Never said that. What I hear is that they are married and plan to stay married.
What do you have against divorced people? Half of marriages end in divorce the majority are due to infidelity......what do you propose society do with these individuals. many are politicians,policemen, firemen, doctors and church ministers?
Not true. I know what you said and will retrieve the comment.
Divorce happens but the story has it that there was infidelity involved.
So now you're saying there is no divorce pending?
So retrieve the comment. There is no divorce pending.
What do you have against divorced people? Half of marriages end in divorce the majority are due to infidelity……what do you propose society do with these individuals. many are politicians,policemen, firemen, doctors and church ministers?
I have nothing against them but I am not a fan of those who cheat on their spouses.