As the entire country purchases the finishing touches for their Halloween costumes, puts up the last of the scary decorations the little town of San Ysidro prepares for a slightly less frightening celebration. It’s Día de los Muertos and the Southwestern most town in the USA knows just how to celebrate it.

 With live Mariachi, Ballet Folklórico and Danza Azteca, Casa Familiar hopes to pay homage to the dead by paying homage to the tradition of day of the dead itself. The San Ysidro Community Park is transformed into a panteón de ofrendas, (a mock cemetery).

 The night ends with Pan de Muerto and Hot Chocolate for all. This event is free and open to the whole family. Nov. 2nd 2009 at the San Ysidro Civic Center 212 W. Park Ave., San Ysidro, CA 92173. Ofrendas cemetery will take place from 4-6pm and Program will take place from 6-8:30pm.

November 4th: “Dia de los Muertos” at Longfellow Spanish Immersion School . This is a traditional celebration, with a rich history in many countries, in remembrance of the lives of people that have passed away. We celebrate this day at Longfellow with a very popular evening event that includes food, displays of classroom projects, alters, hands-on activities including sugar skull decorating, and more.

 5-8pm. Cost is $5 child/Adults free. 5055 July St. San Diego, Information. (longfel lowcompadres.org or call 619-276-4206). Open to the Public.

Barro Sin Plomo (Clay without Lead) Exhibit and Sale of Lead Free Pottery

 Victor Aguila Sanchez, founding director of Barro Sin Plomo, anthropologist and master trainer in lead-free techniques will be joined by Anna O’Leary, director of Barro Sin Plomo U.S.A., and Francisco Pinedo, CEO of Cisco Brothers, in a presentation on pioneering lead-free glazing techniques that enable artisans to continue to produce distinctive Mexican ceramic pottery without poisoning themselves or their children.

 Mexican potters have used lead to glaze pottery for centuries. Tragically, potters and their children chronically inhale and ingest dangerously high quantities of lead. These ceramic pottery workshops are home-based and the glazing occurs where children reside and where their food is often prepared. This practice has had a devastating impact on family health, the environment, and Mexico’s local and national economies.

 Pottery will be sold and refreshments served after the presentation.

 Decorative vases by Elena Felipe, considered one of the great master of Mexican folk art, will be offered for sale, along with black and white glazed platters and serving dishes by artisan Fernando Arroyo; fish bowls by Manuel Morales; traditional green glazed baking dishes from Michoacán, and much more. Prices range from: $35 – $250. The tax-deductible portion of the sale, used to expand Barro Sin Plomo’s lead-free training to new artisans, will be specified on the receipts.

 November 5, 2009, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 pm, Institute of the Americas, University of California, San Diego campus La Jolla.

 The event is free, but registrations are requested.