Contents Chespirito Coming to Phoenix and Los Angeles Festivals Meet the Festival Co-Hosts 3rd Annual Phoenix Festival Floor Plan Now Available Online 8th Annual Los Angeles Festival Next Month Blue Cross Returns to Sponsor Los Angeles Festival You Can Help

We are happy to present Issue 6 of Noticias del Festival. We hope you are enjoying these monthly newsletters. Latino Literacy Now appreciates your continued support of our efforts to reduce illiteracy and promote literary excellence while advancing the cause of reading in the Latino Community.

Chespirito Coming to Phoenix and Los Angeles Festivals

Roberto Gómez Bolaños, aka Chespirito, will be speaking about his career as an actor and author at both the Phoenix Festival (Phoenix Civic Plaza on August 28-29) and the Los Angeles Festival (California State University, Los Angeles, on September 11-12).

Recognized worldwide by Hispanic communities as an actor, scriptwriter, comedian and creator of unforgettable characters, Roberto Gómez Bolaños has written for theater, television and movies. His television show, Chespirito, is sketch comedy at its best. It was on Chespirito that "El Chapulin", and "El Chavo", were created by its star, Roberto Gómez Bolaños. It is family entertainment that bridges the gaps. Many parents that grew up watching this program now share it with their children.

His new book is called ... y también poemas ( ... And Also Poems). With this book the author discovers another one of his facets and offers poetry close to the heart, loving, reflective, humoristic, enjoyable and sometimes intimate.

So make your plans now to attend either or both of these great events. More information on accommodations in Phoenix can be found on our web site at http:// www.lbff.us/home/schedule/phoenix-2004/ index.htm.

More About Phoenix Latino Book & Family Festival

	Meet the Festival Co-Hosts
The Festival's expansion to new and important Latino markets would not be possible without the help of the Festival co-host. These organizations give each of our Festivals a local flavor we could not achieve without them. In addition to being our eyes and ears in each city, they handle most of the local logistics such as venue and decorator selection, media promotions, local booth sales, author and entertainment lineups Our co-host lineup for 2004: Phoenix: Arvizu Advertising & Promotions Houston: Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say & Pancho Claus Scholarship and Art Fund Chicago: Tele Guía de Chicago Inland Empire: The Inland Empire Hispanic Chamber of Commerce In future editions of this newsletter we will introduce you to each of these great organizations. They are invaluable to the Festival's continued success. This month we feature our Phoenix Co-Host, Arvizu Advertising & Promotions. This full service agency was instrumental in our decision to bring the Festival to the Valley of the Sun, with agency CEO Ray Arvizu personally convincing Festival Producer Edward James Olmos that Phoenix was a logical stop on our tour. Mr. Arvizu has been nationally recognized for his innovative approach to advertising. For over 15 years he has successfully integrated media and event marketing strategies along with creative and public relations into effective advertising campaigns. He is known nationally for his client commitment and is commended for his extensive knowledge of the Hispanic and General Markets. In addition to his career in advertising, Mr. Arvizu has been recognized for pioneering the formation of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA), was named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine and 2000 Small Business Person of the Year by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Our appreciation goes out to Ray and his great team at Arvizu Advertising & Promotions. Without their efforts - and the efforts of all our co-hosts - the Festival would not be able to visit such fine cities as Phoenix. We hope to see you at the Phoenix Civic Plaza on August 28-29. Arvizu Advertising And Promotions »

	3rd Annual Phoenix Festival Floor Plan Now Available Online
The Phoenix Latino Book & Family Festival returns to the Phoenix Civic Plaza this coming August 28 - 29. Excellent locations for exhibitors are still available. Please use the floor plan that is available online to pick your top three choices. And remember to book your rooms now at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix ($72.00 a night). Those rooms are limited so it's best to make your reservations early. Complete hotel information is available on our Phoenix Festival Page. Phoenix Latino Book & Family Festival »

	8th Annual Los Angeles Festival Next Month
The exhibitor and sponsor layout for the upcoming Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival is now available online at: http:// www.lbff.us/home/schedule/LA-2004/ index.htm. We encourage all parties interested in being a part of this exciting event to make their selections for exhibit space now as this event is sure to sell out. See you at California State University, Los Angeles, on September 11-12. Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival »

	Blue Cross Returns to Sponsor Los Angeles Festival
This month we are inaugurating a new section of Noticias del Festival: Sponsor Spotlight. This edition the focus is on Blue Cross of California, who we welcome back as sponsor of the Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival. Their message is an important one for the Latino community: Health Literacy. According to a study by the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 34 were less likely to have health insurance than any other age group and ethnicity. Often times Latinos in the18-34 age range consider health insurance unnecessary and unaffordable. The same study showed that those who lack health insurance are frequently blue-collar workers who earn less than $9.85 an hour; work for a business with 50 employees or less; and hold jobs in construction, retail, or agriculture. One problem is that the majority of these uninsured individuals are employees who work for small businesses that fail to offer medical insurance. This problem not only affects young adults. There is a significant problem facing Latino children in our State as well. According to the California Healthcare Foundation, only 53 percent of Latino children in California received all the necessary shots in their first two years of life. More alarming is the fact that 89 percent of Latino children in California come from families that lack medical insurance. Latinos are the largest minority group in California and will soon be the majority in this state. As the Latino population grows so will the number of uninsured unless we do more to address this problem. At Blue Cross of California our goal is to help break down barriers and help people obtain coverage whenever possible. We have created a number of programs that offer low-cost coverage, with a wide range of services and benefits to meet everyone's health care and financial needs. For more information about these programs for yourself, your family or your business, call 1-800-424 -6931, ext. 4738 or stop by our health pavilion during the September 11-12 Latino Book & Family Festival. Sponsor And Exhibitor Information »

	You Can Help
We hope you will use the "Forward email" feature below to spread the word about the Latino Book & Family Festival to your friends and business associates. Bring the cover page of this newsletter with you to the next LBFF in your area & receive 25% off all Festival merchandise available at the Information Booth.

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