The Arts are alive and thriving in North County especially in the San Luis Rey Valley. I am Linda Kallas, and I am a retired art teacher and entrepreneur, volunteering for many organizations in the North County San Diego area. I am excited to introduce both businesses and individuals engaged in bringing art and literacy to all ages in the valley and beyond and highlighting the specific activities and programs they offer. I will focus on one organization or individual each month over the course of the next five months.
One of those individuals is Mel Vernon, Captain of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians and recently elected co-president of the San Luis Rey Rotary Club. Mel has co-authored with Cathleen Chilcote Wallace, “Mel and the Blue Arrow” illustrated by me, Linda Kallas. In addition to the book, Mel and I collaborated on a Luiseño/English coloring book depicting animals, birds, and other creatures indigenous to this area along with items made by Luiseño. The Luiseño translation was done by Diania Caudell.
“Mel and the Blue Arrow” is a story about an event in Mel’s life when he was about ten years old. The incident occurred one day when Mel was shooting his blue arrows in a field. What transpires is a unique life lesson learned by Mel. The story portrays the spirited and adventurous nature of Mel and his dog, Hunwut, where Mel manages to evade an incident that could have been catastrophic!
The book and coloring book offer children a fun and engaging learning experience and are geared for elementary students and younger. The purpose of both books is to expose children to the original inhabitants of this land and hopefully, open a dialog for a better understanding of the people who were and still are here. The books are an enriching and entertaining approach to learning about the first peoples in this area. The books are available for purchase at the Old Mission San Luis Rey Gift Shop and at the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation. Mel has many other ideas for stories so we will look forward to highlighting those in the future. For further information and/or purchase contact .
The next article will focus on Studio ACE, an arts education nonprofit business promoting the arts in North County. Future articles will also introduce Joanne Tawfilis, founder of the Muramid Cultural Art Center, Diania Caudell, basket weaver/gatherer, and the Oceanside Public Library art programs.
