Valley native finds a national pulpit Aug 19, 2008
He credits Fresno's community of writers, including Gary Soto, Omar Salinas, Jose Montoya and Philip Levine, with nourishing his growth as a poet. The reporter can be reached at or (559) 441-6383. (Fresno Bee)
Poet Salinas dies at 70 May 30, 2008
It wasn't the vocabulary or syntax, he said, "but the vision itself. Latino surrealism gave an unusual edge to his work. I immediately could pick out poems of his out of all my students."Levine said the weight of Mr. Salinas' experience "gave his poetry magnified authority. ... This man had a gift."Poet Gary Soto said from Berkeley that he considers Mr. Salinas "certainly a pioneering poet in the Mexican-American literary scene. He was one of the first to put his stamp on Mexican-American... (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Arte Americas works to complete its plaza Jan 17, 2008
The plaza -- where the center hosts its annual summer concert series and which serves as a site for other events -- started as a vacant lot just north of Arte Americas that the center was able to purchase in 1998 through a major donation by author and former Fresnan Gary Soto. Grace Solis, Arte Americas' director, said Wednesday that work is scheduled to be finished by mid- to late June. (Fresno Bee)
Books of the San Joaquin Valley Dec 23, 2007
The Bee asked Secrest, Shore and writers Gary Soto and Robin M. Roberts for their thoughts on the best books written about the Valley. The following titles were on two or more of their lists. (Fresno Bee)
Poet fosters expression at City College Sep 22, 2007
Former Fresno State English professor Philip Levine won the Pulitizer Prize for poetry in 1995, while renowned poet and author Gary Soto is a Fresno native who attended City College in the early 1970s ... Herrick said he has found no Gary Soto-like student in his classes so far. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Katrina evacuee, mother of 7 among outstanding grads May 18, 2007
Writer and poet Gary Soto, a Fresno native and City College graduate, will give the commencement address. The medallion winners are top students from each of the college's seven academic divisions and the counseling division. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Wordplay gets serious May 12, 2007
He might read his own poetry or that of contemporary poets including Ginsberg, D.H. Lawrence, Gary Soto or Elizabeth Bishop to pique creative juices. "I'm kind of a Pied Piper," he said. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
Sarasota Film Festival schedule Apr 8, 2007
Shorts Program, USA, 10 min. Gary Soto. Novio Boy has never had a birthday party. (Herald-Tribune)
Spot Check: Cutural Legacy Apr 5, 2007
On Monday, April 9, Gary Soto will be discussing his book A Simple Plan: The Poetry of Gary Soto, at 7:00 p.m.. All right, all right, so you're thinking that this all sounds great, but you still want the convenience of one of those big stores. (UCD Advocate, CO)
Native Fresnan's gift Mar 23, 2007
Poet and author Gary Soto kicked off a fundraising drive for the Old Administration Building at Fresno City College -- where he took classes in the early 1970s -- by donating $300,000 to help restore the building's auditorium. Soto gathered with other community leaders in the courtyard of the Old Administration Building to launch a $3 million community fundraiser. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Poet Soto gives $300,000 to restoration Mar 22, 2007
Poet and author Gary Soto returned Wednesday to the Old Administration Building at Fresno City College -- where he took classes in the early 1970s -- and announced he is donating $300,000 to help restore the building's auditorium. Soto appeared with community leaders who gathered in the courtyard of the Old Administration Building to kick off a $3 million community fundraiser. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
