So Cal Free Net.org

**DIA DE LOS MUERTOS GOES DIGITAL!**
Ombligo de los Barrios Chicano Park Wireless Network to launch with a
FREE Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration

*Sunday October 30th, 2005, 12pm - 4pm

Chicano Park, San Diego, California

El Ombligo de los Barrios (the Chicano Park WiFi network) launches with
a free family-oriented celebration of Dia de los Muertos from 12pm to
4pm. This fun-filled, family-oriented day honors the Day of the Dead
holiday traditions , celebrates the distinctive Barrio Logan culture,
and provides an opportunity for all to explore the benefits that
wireless technology can bring to a community. The event is free and open
to all.*
For years, Barrio Logan was known as "el ombligo de los Barrios," "the
belly button of the Barrios." As the oldest Barrio in San Diego, it was
the first stop for people who had just cross the border. It was the
place to come to connect with family, with jobs, and even legal services
from Spanish speaking lawyers. As other communities have grown, Barrio
Logan has lost some of that central status. This landmark installation
of a wireless network in Chicano Park, where thousands come to view
world-famous murals each year, will bring some of that centrality back
to the Barrio. On Sunday, October 30th, Barrio Logan will once again be
"el Ombligo," only now it will be a belly button of the Digital Age.

Family-oriented, free activities:
… Altars created by a community group under the leadership of Chicano
Park muralist* Victor Ochoa
… Self-guided interactive tours of the park's world-famous murals, with
interactive content and videos furnished by* Heads On Fire*, a
community-based technology education organization
… Streaming video of "digital altars" produced through* Heads on Fire*
public workshops
… Stations for making free* Internet phone calls* to anywhere in the world
… A station for sending* digital postcards
… "Speaking With Fire"* communal cell phone* demonstration,
…* Los Alacranes* performance. Los Alacranes are local heroes and
Smithsonian Folkways recording artists,
… Delicious* food* and prizes.

Wireless laptops will be provided for those who do not have their own
devices to access the network.
Produced by the Chicano Park Steering Committee
(http://www.chicano-park.org) and Heads on Fire
(http://www.headsonfire.org), in partnership with the MAAC project
(http://www.maacproject.org) and the San Diego Futures Foundation
(http://www.chicano-park.org).

The Ombligo de los Barrios celebration coincides with a convening of
community wireless supporters from around the state for a California
Wireless Summit (http://www.ca-wireless.org) which is sponsored by
Community Technology Foundation of California
(http://www.zerodivide.org), Media Alliance
(http://www.media-alliance.org) and Civitium (http://www.civitium.com).
The Chicano Park network, installed by SoCalFreeNet.Org
(http://www.socalfreenet.org), will be a rich and important community resource and represents an historically notable event in the deployment of technology for community benefit.

For additional event information contact Heads On Fire at 619.232.9573,
info@headsonfire.org.