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Janette Villafana

Janette Villafana is a multimedia journalist from Santa Ana, CA who often covers stories that highlight diverse communities, their issues, success, and personal stories.

First Look: Limited-Edition Maná Screen Print By Ernesto Yerena to Support L.A. Street Vendors

Proceeds from these prints will be donated to L.A. street vendors. Print goes on sale on Friday Nov, 24th at 10am PST at hechoconganas.bigcartel.com.

November 22, 2023

Northgate’s New Mercado González in Costa Mesa Brings More Than 27 Food Vendors Under One Roof

Here's a look at more than 27 food stands and one fine dining restaurant inside Northgate's brand new Mercado González in Costa Mesa, from Sinaloan-style sushi to quesatacos to a churro legend.

November 20, 2023

‘Those Carts Were Our Jobs, Our Lives’: Six Street Vendors Among Those Directly Impacted By The 10 Freeway Fire 

A GoFundMe has started in hopes of raising enough money to be able to buy new carts for the vendors. For many of them, the fire destroyed their means of working

November 15, 2023

Cudahy Becomes the First Los Angeles City to Stand in Solidarity With Palestine 

“The City of Cudahy takes seriously the entreaty of 'Never Again,' and that the historical memory of the Holocaust means fighting ethnic cleansing and apartheid everywhere,” the city council continued.

November 8, 2023

L.A. City Council Members Seek To Remove ‘No Street-Vending’ Zones on Hollywood Walk of Fame With New Motion

“The no-vending zone on Hollywood Boulevard targets immigrant street vendors who work so hard to provide for their families... the exact people we should be trying to support," said L.A. City Council Member Hugo Soto-Martínez, a son of street vendors. Still, for some, the motion may fall short.

November 3, 2023

This Punk-Goth Chicana From Southeast L.A. Celebrates Mexico’s Indigenous Art Through Her Bead Work

Initially inspired by L.A.'s punk and goth scenes, Angie Zuzeth Rojas now uses her craft to help people connect with their culture, while also teaching them the healing powers of beading.

October 27, 2023

The Ten Best Panaderías in Los Angeles to Get Your Pan De Muerto For Dia De Los Muertos

Los Angeles has the best pan de muerto scene in the country, from a sourdough variation to others that have been passed down through generations. Here are ten panaderías around L.A. where you can find the fluffy, gently spiced, sugar-dusted seasonal pan dulce that is as delicious as it is important to the Dia de Muertos Mexican tradition.

October 18, 2023

Your Dog Will Eat Better Than You At This Food Truck Selling Healthy Snacks To Pets in Long Beach

Ray Anderson's healthy pet food trailer has all kinds of goodies, like doggie beers in flavors such as Beef Brown Ale, Cock-o-Doodle Brew, and Porky Pug Porter. They're free of alcohol, but contain a savory broth that includes glucosamine to support dogs' joint health.

October 13, 2023

This Latino-Owned Pizzeria in Santa Ana is Home to The TikTok Famous Pizza Skull

It’s the time of the season, the season for all things ghosts, brujas, and skulls. And this pizzeria in Santa Ana is sure to satisfy Halloween enthusiasts and foodies alike. 

October 4, 2023

Meet ‘Carnitas Rogelio,’ The Family-Run Stand With The Best Michoacán-Style Carnitas O.C. Has to Offer

Michoacán-raised Rogelio Gonzalez slices the cuerito (the pig skin) in a checkered pattern to ensure a light crunch in each bite and utilizes every part of the pig, from the feet to the liver and intestines, which he binds together in a braid. 

September 20, 2023