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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 1994)
October 7. 1994 MADE LOS MUEBTOS Alters, masks and paintings are being displayed to honor and remember the lives of relatives Mara Stine For me Oregon Deity f/watl A bilingual exhibit commemorat ing the Day of the Dead, or "Din De Los Muertos,” opens tonight at the Maude Kerns Art CCenter The exhib it will include paintings, photogra phy. lectures, a mask workshop and alters dedicated to the dead. The exhibit opens tonight at 7 p.m. at the art center, which is located at 1910 East 15th Ave. The exhibit will continue until ()< t. 30 A $2 donation is re< unintended. Susan Dearborn Jackson, curator of the exhibit, hopes the variety of art forms will appeal to a larger audience. For example, all written material in the exhibit will lie in English and Spanish. “The exhibit is a way to strengthen bonds of Hispanic and American culture." Jackson said "We have such a long history and border that it's important to get to know each others cultures." "The Day of the Dead is not another Mexican Halloween but a way to remember the lives of rela tives and friends who have died," said Ki< ardo Vaaqusz, high school coordinator for MKChA, the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanes de Aztlan. "It is to celebrate people who were in your life at one tune so that we don't forget about them." MKChA has conatnii ted an altar dedicated to Cezar Chavez. a human rights activist famed for his involvement with Mexican farm workers "Mu has helped our people so much," said Elizabeth Lopez, MEChA's program coordinator "We fool we owe him the alter as a way to say thank you." Building alters dedit a ted to the dead is a traditional wav of cele brating the lives of the dead This tradition stems from the Mexican belief that “the dead t an inters ode with God on liehalf of blessings for the living," Jackson said "So you want to make the alters reallv nice “If the person liked tequila and cigarettes that's what you put on the alter." she said Another Day of the Dead ritual is for people to travel to the graves of loved ones to clean and put can dles on tombstones All-night vig ils of prayer and communication with the dead occur. Children play while adults pray, talk and drink Although many Americans may think the idea of spending the night in a cemetery is creepv, Vasquez. said it is not "Death is not an evil thing," he said. "It's very spiritual." When Vasquez goes to visit his father's grave, he said "it makes me f ReevesitK, ^ *. .* 1 "Rocuordo," an oil on maaonlta work by Linda Marston-Reld, la ona of the many piacaa of art being diaplayed at the Maude Kama Art Canter In celebration of Dla da los Muertos feel like he's there because he's there in my heart." "Death in Mexican culture is not the end of life but the beginning of a se< ond life," said Armando Morales, a University Spanish instructor who is lecturing at the event "In America we put a costume on death," he said. "The American culture does not want to confront death, but the Mexican culture welcomes death It's a day of mem ory for the dead, to share with us our happiness and sadness. " Artists fackson, Linda Marston coormsv pmoio Reid mid Mitzi Linn will bo fua lured nt Iht) exhibit. Morn Ins will Kivu a gallery talk tonight from 7 to ‘I on Din do los Munrtos traditions On Oct 11. tliu slide show "Death and Fiesta” will be given by Jackson at 7 u m A $2 dona tion is suggested A mask-making workshop with Lynda lasso* Thomas will take place on Oct. 20. It has a $20 fee. A fiesta including food and music will take place Oct 28 at 7 p m For more information on the event, (.all the Maude Kerns Art Center at 'H V157 I Homemade tortillas make Casa Tol-Tec unique This town is overrun with Mexican restaurants that serve the same dishes that all look and taste the same. It‘s rather boring. But I found a Mexican restau rant that doesn’t fit this mold It's true, there is a place in Eugene to get good tacos and burritos that is unique Casa Tol-Tec looks rather ordinary from the outside It’s an old white house with green trim A sign with the restaurant’s name sits about as high as the roof. A piece of cardboard in the window reads “Open - 5 p m.” Despite the dull exterior, the inside is full of life and hospitality Chili pepper decor spices up the curtains and doors. The waitresses wear chili pepper aprons and serve hot plates with pepper oven mitts. But the best thing this restaurant has going for it is the food. You’ll start by eating the best nacho chips you have ever tasted. They are crunchy and salty and, best of all, homemade The cook and owner is Sam. Every lime I have eaten there Sam has come out to greet customers Everyone knows him and he knows everyone, too. Last weekend me and my guy TRISTA happened to be the NOEL lest diners at Casa ^IHSMM Tol-Tec Sam was talking to us and asked it we had ever seen how tor tillas are made We hadn't, so he invited us to watch. We were led into a toasty-warm room that smelled ot steam and com. Betore us was a machine forming, carrying and cooking corn tortillas. Dough made of corn and water rotates around a cylinder forming tor tillas. The tortillas then roll onto a con veyer belt to be cooked. They are then carried to waiting hands, which grab and stack the tortillas. We ate tortillas hot ott the machine as Sam demonstrated how to roll taquitos We both tried but. no! being as adept as Sam. ate all our tortillas before succeeding The tortillas make the tacos and enchiladas at Casa Tol-Tec delightful And for being so good, they are a real value. A combination plate with excel lent rice and beans is about $6 Sam told us a tot of people donl know where he is, so I'll tell you. To get to Casa Tol-Tec. go down 6th Avenue like you are going to Valley River Center Casa Tol-Tec is located just before the ramp onto Highway 105. Instead of gomg up the ramp, turn nght onto Lawrence Street Casa Tol-Tec is on the right. The address is 389 W 6th Ave. Don't miss this place. The food is top quality And when you're eating, you almost feel like you are at home - that’s how comfortable it is there. You won't find friendlier service. Casa Tol Tec is a treasure. Matt Bengtson desk manager at Esslmger Hall, that guy who checks student body cards ■ MOST RECENTLY SEEN MOVIE The River Wild "I! was really good A Ic' ol it was filmed in the town where I'm from - Grants Pass." ■ FAVORITE BANOS RIGHT NOW: Green Day and Smashing Pumpkins "I |us! went to the Lollapalooza in the Gorge and saw them there They were both great" ■ BEST PLACE TO EAT IN EUGENE: Pegasus Pizza "I like the pizza and the beer - they have a great selection and atmosphere"
