• Listen to this segment

GUEST: Trini Rodriguez, Co-founder and manager of Tia Chucha’s Cafe and Cultural Center

Tia Chucha’s Café & Cultural Center in Sylmar was recently served a notice forcing it to move by February 28th of this year. The popular bookstore, café, performance space and cultural center is going to be replaced by a Laundromat. Originally founded by Trindad Rodriguez, Enrique Sanchez, and Luis Rodriguez, Tia Chucha’s first opened its doors to the public on December 15th, 2001. The forced move of Tia Chucha’s will come on the heels of its 5th anniversary on February 17th. On that day, a fundraiser will take place to help Tia Chucha’s attempts to re-establish itself stronger than ever in the San Fernando Valley. Currently, Tia Chucha’s hopes to relocate to a temporary space before moving on to a new, permanent location. A petition is also being circulated in support of Tia Chucha’s to demonstrate its community backing to various developers, government agencies and foundations. Tia Chucha’s Café & Centro Cultural served and empowered its community by establishing an internet cafe, providing space for performance arts, and offering culturally relevant literature.

The fund raiser will be happening on February 17th starting at 12 noon with family-appropriate entertainment, through to the evening until 11 pm which is more geared toward adults.

Tia Chucha’s is located at 12737 Glen Oaks Blvd in Sylmar. Find out more at www.myspace.com/tiachuchascentro.

Tax deductible donations can be made out to “Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural” and mailed to 12737 Glen Oaks Blvd, #22, Sylmar, CA 91342. Their Tax ID is 470919488.