Beth Litwin
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 3, 2008 03:30 PM

Local author Frank Barrios and the Phoenix Museum of History are inviting you to a dinner and book-signing event for his new pictorial history entitled "Mexicans in Phoenix."

Barrios, a Phoenix native with family roots dating back to the 1800s, compiled 213 photographs with captions highlighting the social, cultural and economic history of Mexicans in Phoenix.

"I often refer to the story of Mexican people in Phoenix as the untold story," said Barrios, adding that the majority of the photographs have never been displayed or published before. The 127-page book features family history and Mexicans photographs from the late 1800s through the 1970s.

Barrios gathered many of the photos and stories from interviews with members of pioneer Mexican families in Phoenix while working on the Hispanic Property Survey project last year. He joined Phoenix Historic Preservation officers and other researchers working on the survey that identified Mexican American properties important to Phoenix's history. Barrios agreed to put together the book after the project's completion.

Among many community involvements, Barrios serves as the vice president of the Board of Directors at the Phoenix Museum of History, the president of First Families of Arizona and is on the state board of the Arizona Historical Society.

The book signing, dinner and presentation will start at 6 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Phoenix Museum of History, 105 N. 5th St. Guests may purchase the book, meet the author to have it signed and visit the complementing new exhibit, "Mexican American Mirror: Reflections of our City's Heritage." Dinner and a slide show presentation by Barrios with photographs from the book will follow at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $50 and the book is $19.99 with all proceeds from tickets and book sales benefiting the Phoenix Museum of History. To reserve tickets call the museum at 602-253-2734 ext. 224.

Saturday, January 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, January 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Special Pricing on Sunday)
 
Members Only Early Bird Shopping (books only)
Friday, January 25, 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
 
Silent Auction-featuring rare books and art
Friday, January 25, 1 p.m. through Saturday, January 26, 3 p.m.
 
Looking for bargains?  The 12th Annual Guild Book Sale & Treasure Market has over 50,000 books, 400 dolls, 200 pieces of jewelry and art, 125 katsinas, and much more.  Funds raised by the sale benefit special projects of the museum’s Billie Jane Baguley Library and Archives.
 
The Library and Archives is a comprehensive research facility that includes information about indigenous art and cultures from around the world and an unparalleled resource file containing information about more than 24,000 American Indian artists.
 
FREE to the public (museum admission additional)

more info online

Newly elected District 7 City Councilman Michael Nowakowski is holding a 3 hour long Open House in order to meet and speak with his new constituents.  The meeting will be held at the Encanto Park Clubhouse on Saturday, January 26th from 10 AM to 1 PM.  Coffee and snacks will be provided. 

The Monster Jam is coming to Chase Field! There will be tons of bracket racing and Freestyle Competition.The event will begin at 7:30pm, and gates open at 5:30pm. Tickets are $11-$28. For information, call 602-514-8400 or visit www.chasefield.com or

www.monsterjamonline.com

January 26.

Superbowl XLII Host Committee's: Super Fiesta

Featuring a performance by Mexican pop superstar Alejandra Guzman, with a stellar musical lineup of artists in a variety of Latin music genres such as Mariachi Regional Mexican, Cumbia and Latin Pop. Dodge Theatre, 7pm-12am. Free, but must get a ticket, online info