Press Release -

Librería Martinez to host newly published author at Noche Bohemia José E. Grijalva addresses life issues and experiences in storytelling form of poetry, written and spoken in Spanish language

February 16, 2009 – Santa Ana, Calif. – In his first published work, Vivencias Reflejadas - Una Colección de Poemas en Español, new author José E. Grijalva will introduce his unique style of storytelling - in the form of poetry and the spoken word - at Librería Martinez in Santa Ana on February 21.

Grijalva uses his gifts of imagination and creativity to write about life experiences and issues, both real and imagined. His vivid, intense and unique style draws readers of all ages and all education levels, connecting them with their own life experiences. Grijalva’s command of the Spanish language is reflected in the lyrical beauty of each verse and in the diverse themes of each poem.

He writes about many topics, including family, immigrants, love, passion, spirituality, life, death, joy, sadness, global warming, the environment, education and much more. For example, he writes about the passion of a couple making love under the moonlight; the Earth crying out in environmental agony; the feelings of an innocent unborn child who faces the reality of being aborted; the personal trauma of immigrants leaving their families in search of a better life; a mouse in the house; a boy realizing his true life super hero is his Dad; drug addiction and crime in the streets; and many other everyday life experiences.

“ We are all travelers in the constant journey throughout this great universe,” says Grijalva. “I believe that our lives are a reflection of who we are and where we’ve been. I believe that our experiences – no matter how insignificant we think they are – are, in fact, extraordinary.”

Grijalva draws his inspiration from personal experiences as an immigrant, an ironworker, a poet, a mariachi, music composer and singer, and experiences of people and places everywhere. “Just about anyone who reads his poetry can find themselves in these stories in some form or another,” says Rueben Martinez, owner of Librería Martinez. “José has an engaging style of storytelling and writing that is easily understood. He captivates his audience when he recites his poetry in his tenor voice while playing the guitar.”

For readers fluent in Spanish, Vivencias Reflejadas is a journey into the Hispanic culture, and into thoughts and emotions of their minds and hearts. The 66 poems and 25 illustrations add depth and dimension to the reader’s experience. For readers not so fluent in Spanish, Vivencias Reflejadas provides all of the above, in addition to the opportunity to hone their Spanish-speaking and reading skills. Grijalva’s narrations on his three CDs also can serve as “edutainment” - entertaining listeners, while improving their comprehension of the Spanish language.

Grijalva has been described by his coworkers as a Renaissance man, having much expertise in many different disciplines. In addition to being an ironworker and a poet, Grijalva composes and sings music; plays numerous musical instruments, including guitar and violin; directs a church choir; and is a small business owner. He was educated in San Luis Potosí, Mexico as an electrical engineer prior to emigrating to the United States more than 20 years ago. In December 2008, Grijalva became a naturalized U.S. citizen - a dream come true for him.

Vivencias Reflejadas is available now at: www.JoseGrijalvaPoetry.com and at major bookstores and Internet sites (www.amazon.com; www.barnesandnoble.com; www.target.com, www authorhouse.com, etc.)

JGCG Enterprises, LLC creates, produces and distributes original Spanish-language poems by José E. Grijalva. The company was conceived in March 2007 and officially launched in July 2007 by two principals: José E. Grijalva, who writes and recites the poems; and Christine García Rodríguez, who develops and implements the strategic business plan, including the marketing/public relations plans.

The mission of JGCG Enterprises is to interpret the joys and challenges of everyday living by addressing topics that graphically reflect life experiences – or “vivencias reflejadas” – including: love, passion, life, death, joy, sadness, spirituality, culture, education, the environment, and just plain fun.

April 17, 2008

Mexican Fiesta features new Spanish-language poet
José E. Grijalva – first ever poet in Mexican Fiesta’s 35-year history – will debut new poems written for Milwaukee community

April 14, 2008 – Milwaukee, Wisc. – The city by the waters will welcome newly published poet José E. Grijalva on April 18 at Mexican Fiesta’s Taco Dinner at Vieau School, and again on August 22, 23 and 24 in the fiesta’s Cultural Village at Henry W. Meier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds). Grijalva, who also is an ironworker, a mariachi, music composer, and an electrical engineer, will be the first poet ever to be featured at Mexican Fiesta.

To honor the tradition of Hispanics in Milwaukee, Grijalva has written three original poems for the people of Milwaukee, which he will debut at the April 18 presentation.

In his newly published book of Spanish-language poetry, Vivencias Reflejadas – Una Colección de Poemas en Español, Grijalva uses his gifts of imagination and creativity and his diverse background to write about life experiences and issues. His vivid, intense and unique style of writing draws readers of all ages, connecting them with their own life experiences. Grijalva’s command of the Spanish language is reflected in the lyrical beauty of each verse and in the diverse, true-to-life themes of each poem.

“ Mr. Grijalva’s poetry translates many aspects of our ordinary, everyday life into words that reflect the extraordinary richness of our Hispanic culture,” said Gregorio Montoto, vice president of the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation. “With his poetry, Mr. Grijalva also addresses controversial issues, like abortion, immigration and the environment, in a very thought-provoking manner. We are proud to feature Mr. Grijalva and encourage the public to enjoy this beautiful art form that he brings to Mexican Fiesta events.”

Grijalva’s poems cover a wide spectrum of topics depicting real life, including love, passion, spirituality, life, death, joy, sadness, family, the environment, education and much more. For example, he writes about the passion of a couple making love under the moonlight; the Earth crying out in environmental agony; the spiritual path to salvation; a priest falling from grace and committing a sacrilege; the feelings of an innocent unborn child who faces the reality of being aborted; the personal trauma of immigrants leaving their families in search of a better life; a mouse in the house; a boy realizing his true life super hero is his Dad; drug addiction and crime in the streets, and God as our Savior.

For readers fluent in Spanish, Vivencias Reflejadas is a journey into the Hispanic culture, and into their innermost thoughts and emotions. The 66 poems and 25 illustrations add depth and dimension to the reader’s experience. For readers not so fluent in Spanish, Vivencias Reflejadas provides all of the above, in addition to the opportunity to hone their Spanish-speaking and reading skills.

Vivencias Reflejadas is available now at www.josegrijalvapoetry.com and at major bookstores and internet sites, including Barnes & Noble (www.barnesnoble.com; Borders (www.borders.com); www.amazon.com; www.target.com; and www.authorhouse.com.

JGCG Enterprises, LLC creates, produces and distributes original Spanish-language poems by José E. Grijalva. The company was conceived in March 2007 and officially launched in July 2007 by two principals: José E. Grijalva, who writes and recites the poems; and Christine García Rodríguez, who develops and implements the strategic business plan, including the marketing and public relations plans. Rodriguez is a former executive of Rockwell Automation and past President and CEO of Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

The mission of JGCG Enterprises, LLC is to interpret the joys and challenges of everyday living by addressing topics that graphically reflect life experiences – or “vivencias reflejadas” – including: love, passion, life, death, joy, sadness, spirituality, culture, education, the environment, and just plain fun.

Visit www.josegrijalvapoetry.com to hear live recordings of poems by José E. Grijalva.

Ironworker Poet reflects reality and culture of ordinary and extraordinary life in newly published book of Spanish poetry

Vivencias Reflejadas – Una Colección de Poemas en Español

December 18, 2007 – Corona, Calif. – In his first published work, Vivencias Reflejadas – Una Colección de Poemas en Español, new poet José E. Grijalva challenges readers to recognize they are travelers of the universe, to visit places in their minds and hearts, in their physical and emotional worlds and in their Hispanic culture where perhaps they’ve never before dared to venture.

Grijalva’s poems cover a wide spectrum of topics depicting real life, including love, passion, spirituality, life, death, joy, sadness, global warming, education and much more. For example, he writes about the passion of a couple making love under the moonlight; the Earth crying out in environmental agony; a priest falling from grace and committing a sacrilege; the feelings of an innocent unborn child who faces the reality of being aborted; the personal trauma of immigrants leaving their families in search of a better life; a mouse in the house; a boy realizing his true life super hero is his Dad; drug addiction and crime in the streets; and God as our Savior.

“ We are all travelers in the constant journey throughout this great universe,” says Grijalva. “I believe that our lives are a reflection of whom we are and where we’ve been. I believe that we are all travelers of the universe and that our experiences – no matter how insignificant we think they are – are, in fact, extraordinary.”

Grijalva has been described by his coworkers as a Renaissance man, having much expertise in many different disciplines. In addition to being an ironworker and a poet, Grijalva is a mariachi; composes and sings music; plays different musical instruments, including guitar and violin; and directs a church choir. He was educated in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, as an electrical engineer prior to immigrating to the United States more than 20 years ago. In his newly published book, Grijalva uses his gifts of imagination and creativity and unique style to draw readers of all ages, connecting them with their own life experiences. Grijalva’s command of the Spanish language is reflected in the lyrical beauty of each verse and in the diverse themes of each poem.

For readers fluent in Spanish, Vivencias Reflejadas is a journey into the Hispanic culture, and into their innermost thoughts and emotions. The 66 poems and 25 illustrations add depth and dimension to the reader’s experience. For readers not so fluent in Spanish, Vivencias Reflejadas provides all of the above, in addition to the opportunity to hone their Spanish-speaking and reading skills.

Vivencias Reflejadas is available now at: www.JGCGEnterprises.com and soon will be available at major bookstores and internet sites, including Barnes & Noble, Borders, www.authorhouse.com, www.amazon.com and www.target.com.

JGCG Enterprises, LLC creates, produces and distributes original Spanish-language poems by José E. Grijalva. The company was conceived in March 2007 and officially launched in July 2007 by two principals: José E. Grijalva, who writes and recites the poems; and Christine García Rodríguez, who develops and implements the strategic business plan, including the marketing and public relations plans.

The mission of JGCG Enterprises, LLC is to interpret the joys and challenges of everyday living by addressing topics that graphically reflect life experiences – or “vivencias reflejadas” – including: love, passion, life, death, joy, sadness, spirituality, culture, education, the environment, and just plain fun.

Visit www.JGCGEnterprises.com or wwwjosegrijalvapoetry.com to hear live recordings of poems by José E. Grijalva.

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