The Fina Mendoza Mysteries Kitty Felde

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
It's season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and Fina has a new case: find the mysterious Chickcharney, a mythical bird from the Caribbean, for her friend Monica who works in the snack bar.
Monica describes Chickcharney as a bird from the island of Andros in the Bahamas that has a "round face, a sharp beak, long legs, and a skinny, curly tail." The tail of a lizard.
Do Chickcharney's actually exist?
Click HERE to read more about Chickcharney in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Cast:
Fina - Amy Solano
Papa - Steven Cuevas
Monica - Tamika Katon-Donegal
Claudia - Linda Graves
John the Staffer - Steve Gamber 

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
Fina's grandmother finally arrives in Washington, but she seems more excited about seeing a statue of her hero: Ronald Reagan. Meanwhile, Fina enlists the talents of her detecting partner, a big orange dog named Senator Something.
Abuelita wants is a picture with that statue of Ronald Reagan. He was the president who signed into law IRCA, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 - the last time Congress passed major immigration reform. “It’s because of him that I became an American citizen and your father became a congressman,” she says.
What is IRCA?
Click HERE to read more about the 1986 immigration reform bill in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Cast:
Fina - Amy Solano
Papa - Steven Cuevas
Gabby - Monica Vigil
Abuelita - Christine Avila
Driver - Paul Cummings
Becka - India Scalione
Michael - Ian Kinuthia
Congresswoman Mitchell - Laura Stegman
John the Staffer - Steve Gamber
Senator Something - Steve DeVorkin

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
Fina decides to take the case of the mysterious Chickcharney... maybe it has a secret message for her!
In Episode 3, Papa proposes an idea for a fundraiser for his re-election campaign. “It takes a lot of money to run for Congress,” he says. 
How much does it cost to run for Congress?
Click HERE to read more about the House Chaplain in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Our cast includes: 
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Tamika Katon-Donegal - Monica
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something.
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
A mysterious bird poops on the president's head during the State of the Union address and Fina and her grandmother are up in the House Gallery, watching when it happens. Papa gives the State of the Union rebuttal speech about immigration reform. The House Minority Leader gives a party. Kitty Felde is writer producer.
In Episode 4, after the President delivers his State of the Union speech to Congress, Papa delivers the rebuttal in Spanish.
What is the rebuttal speech?
Click HERE to read more about the evolution of the State of the Union rebuttal speech in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Cast:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Linda Graves - Claudia
Mark Bramhall - President of the United States
Rosalie Huntington - Minority Leader
Ian Kunithia -Michael
Wenzel Jones - Waiter
DeeDee Chapelle - Stage Manager
Music in the party scene composed and perfomed by Kevin Pike.
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our theme music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
All of Washington is on the hunt for the bird that pooped on the President - including Fina Mendoza. Social media is having a field day. There's even a hashtag: PoopOnPOTUS. 
In episode 5 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, everyone assumes the bird that pooped on the President is an eagle. Fina’s 4th grade class is even assigned a homework project: find all the eagles in Washington, DC.
Where are all the eagles in Washington?
Click HERE to read more about the eagles in the U.S. Capitol in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Steven Cuevas - Congressman Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Tamika Katon-Donegal - Monica
Linda Graves - Claudia
Ken Rudin and Garrett Brown - the political pundits
Kevin Carr - Eagle Burger commercial announcer
Susan Valot Ms. Greenwood
Ian Kunithia - Michael
India Scalione - Becka
Mica Scalione - Margaret
Leo Schodorf - Mason
Isla Schodorf - Cara
Elizabeth Logun - Chickcharney
Gordon Brooks - the policeman on the walkie talkie
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our theme music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
Fina is still on the hunt for the bird that pooped on the President.
Fina's father was just named to a bipartisan group of lawmakers to come up with an immigration bill. Unfortunately, Senator Something wasn't invited, but he manages to disrupt the press conference announcing the group. Meanwhile, Fina's older sister Gabby is fighting with their grandmother over a dance and a dress code.
What's the latest on immigration reform in Congress?
Click HERE to read more about the House Chaplain in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Steven Cuevas - Congressman Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Ellie Song - Congresswoman Woo
Claudia Peschiutta - Vicki
Linda Graves - Claudia
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something.
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our theme music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.