Oakland's Dominga Velasco marks her 111th birthday

Grandson Michael J. Sanchez(L) and great granddaughter Erika Latour(R) help Dominga blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Dominga Velasco turned 111 years old at the Posada De Colores nursing home in Oakland, CA Monday May 14th, 2012 less Grandson Michael J. Sanchez(L) and great granddaughter Erika Latour(R) help Dominga blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Dominga Velasco turned 111 years old at the Posada De Colores nursing home in ... more Photo: Michael Short, Special To The Chronicle Photo: Michael Short, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Oakland's Dominga Velasco marks her 111th birthday 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

At a party to celebrate her 111th birthday, Dominga Velasco blows out the candles on her cake Monday with assistance from grandson Michael J. Sanchez and great-granddaughter Erika Latour at the Posada de Colores nursing home in Oakland. Born in Mexico, Velasco moved to Oakland in 1922 and settled in the city's Fruitvale neighborhood, where a statue has been erected in her honor. Her key to aging well: "Be happy."