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09-26-08 Release: Cross-Cultural Series focuses on city's diverse past

  Sept. 25, 2008



  Contact: Linda Walton, Diversity and Dialogue Consultant, (480) 312-7772



  Cross Cultural Series focuses on Scottsdale’s
  diverse past; how it blends with today’s society


Scottsdale residents are invited to learn how and when several of Scottsdale’s cultures arrived to this area. Locally-based community historian and author Joan Fudala will kick off a series of talks about our community’s origins that will be presented by local experts throughout the coming months at Scottsdale libraries.

Fudala’s overview will be at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. and again at noon, Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Arabian Library, 10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road

She will speak briefly about the history, historic figures and contributions made locally by Native Americans, Hispanic Americans/immigrants from Mexico (including the Yaqui people), Asian Americans, Euro-Americans and African Americans. Fudala will also touch on the history and contributions of Scottsdale’s faith community as it relates to Scottsdale’s cultural mosaic.

The Scottsdale Human Relations Commission and the Scottsdale Public Library are sponsoring this free program. Light refreshments will be provided.

To register or for more information, go to www.scottsdalelibrary.org, or call (480) 312-7323 (READ) or the Office of Diversity and Dialogue at (480) 312-7772.

Other topics and speakers include (subject to change):

Native Americans

Nov. 11, noon, Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m., Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

  • Kelly Washington -- Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Cultural Resource Director
  • Shane Anton -- Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Acting Cultural Preservation Program Supervisor
  • Raphael Bear -- Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, former President
  • Steve Geiogamah -- City of Scottsdale, Tourism Development Coordinator

European Americans

Jan. 13, noon, Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m., Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St.

  • Joanne Handley -- Scottsdale Historical Society, President
  • Paul Messenger -- Local historian
  • George Cavalliere -- Son of “Doc”, a blacksmith who brought his family to Scottsdale circa 1910
  • Roberta Pilcher -- Lifelong Arizonan and civic leader
  • Len Marcisz -- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Board of Directors
  • Don Meserve -- City of Scottsdale, Preservation Planner

Hispanics/Yaquis

Feb. 3, noon, Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St.

Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m., Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

  • Joe Garcia, Jr. -- Penjamo Yaqui Indian community, member
  • Jose Maria Burruel, Ph.D. -- Images Of America, Mexicans In Scottsdale, author
  • Lisa Moss -- Granddaughter of Resugio Ochoa, First Mexican to claim homestead in Scottsdale

African Americans

March 3, noon, Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St.

March 5, 6:30 p.m. Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

  • Dr. Matthew Whitaker -- Arizona State University, Associate Professor (Thursday evening only)
  • Edward and Kay Van Dyke -- African American Multicultural Museum, co-founders
  • Dr. N. Burton Attico, MD -- Sickle Cell Anemia Society of Arizona, Board of Directors
  • Emily Ragsdale -- Daughter of Lincoln Ragsdale, former head of the Phoenix Branch of the NAACP

Asian Americans

April 7, noon, Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St.

April 9, 6:30 p.m. Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

  • Jason Song -- Grandson of Jew Chew Song, Chinese Immigrant who opened grocery store in late 1920s
  • John Hara, DDS -- California Japanese Internment Camps, Survivor
  • Representatives TBD -- General Federation of Women's Clubs & Desert Jade Women's Club

Jewish Americans

May 5, noon, Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

May 7, 6:30 p.m., Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St.

  • Rabbi Albert Plotkin -- Temple Beth Israel, Retired
  • Bill Strauss -- The Anti-Defamation League, Arizona Regional Director (Thursday night only)
  • Malcolm Strauss -- Bill’s father (Tuesday afternoon only)
  • Representative TBA -- Arizona Jewish Historical Society

 

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