Walk along 24th Street in San Francisco and one will enter a realm of traditional Latino foods, murals with political messages, and Latin rhythms being played out of the local music stores. In the heart of this community, where 24th Street intersects Harrison Street, resides El Tecolote, a bilingual, bi-weekly newspaper that has been a part of the Mission District for 35 years and is preparing to celebrate its birthday this coming August.

Since its beginning, El Tecolote has focused on helping the people of the Mission community. The historic newspaper was created in the garage of founder and staff columnist, Juan Gonzales, and is one of the few volunteer-based Latino newspapers in the Bay Area. With Gonzales and a group of passionate journalists, El Tecolote was created in order to voice the struggles and cultural pride of the Latino community.

“People should be able to identify with our paper,” Gonzales said. “The frustration of the people paint a strong image in my mind and help me convey their feelings in my writing.”

El Tecolote, whose name in Spanish means “the owl,” has kept its word to the people, functioning as an ever-watchful eye, for anything can affect the community such as police brutality, a lack of bilingual services or gentrification of a neighborhood. Finding these stories and publicizing them has helped make change.

El Tecolote also makes change by giving youth and other volunteers a chance to learn about community journalism.

Current managing editor Carlos Vargas said the paper was a valuable training ground. He expressed his enthusiasm for the newspaper to several Bay Area Multicultural Media Academy students who recently visited the 24th Street office.

“There aren’t enough experiences for young journalists. You get to taste journalism and the youth in our area get to decide (about pursing careers as journalists),” he said.

Vargas said he himself found his way into journalism as an aspiring writer and found the training he needed from El Tecolote.

“I had to learn to write what was asked of me,” said Vargas. “It drew me back to the community.”

After more than three decades of covering Latino issues, this community-supported newspaper is still going strong.

With the big day coming, El Tecolote prepares to begin its anniversary with events helping to celebrate its 35 years. It is important because these years represent the political struggle of a people.

This summer El Tecolote will put together events to commemorate its history. A photography exhibit called “Imagine the Mission” will be on display at the Mission Cultural Center, located at 2868 Mission Street in San Francisco. The opening reception takes place July 15 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Rudy Gallardo, a former El Tecolote staff writer, will read from his novel, “Tavo’s World,” at the newspaper office on Aug. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.

“Honor Our Own,” a ceremony to honor elder Mission District activists, will take place Aug. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Theater Artaud, located at 450 Florida Street in San Francisco.

Other events include more book parties, a ‘70s salsa dance party and a garden “pachanga.”

For more information on El Tecolote call (415) 648-1046.