Mayors Weekly Message 93

Dear Moreno Valley Residents, Like most people, I have learned through experience that death is a part of life.  It comes calling for each of us in time.  But I’ve also learned that while death separates us physically from our departed loved ones, they remain very much alive in our hearts and minds.  And as a child, the celebration of life that is the Day of the Dead helped me fear death less, and I’ve come to really enjoy the annual event.  Today, as your Mayor, I’m very pleased that our community’s premier Day of the Dead event is hosted by the City.  I hope you can join your neighbors and me at our City’s annual Day of the Dead celebration this Friday, October 25, from 6-10 p.m., at the City’s Conference & Recreation Center. This FREE event, featuring a community ArtFest, will include creative and beautiful Day of the Dead altars created by local artists and live performances by local talent. And, of course, there will be plenty of beautifully intricate Day of the Dead face painting, a tradition that allows us to symbolically confront the reality of death and celebrate the fact that, ultimately, death cannot destroy our bonds with those who have gone before us. So come join us this Friday evening for a night of delicious food, unique art, and incredible entertainment!