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Woody Allen and Neighborhood Council Elections 2010

It's great to see so many fresh faces, young and not-so-young, expressing interest in representing the voices of their community as new members of the Mar Vista Community Council.

The election for the MVCC Board of Directors is on April 11, 2010. More info at marvista.org.

Despite my having a chunky bit of healthy cynicism about politics, I encourage everyone I meet to participate in this evolving Los Angeles experiment called "neighborhood councils." The fact is that however one feels about politics, or the health and efficacy of NCs, such local deliberative, democratic bodies have grown into an indisputably critical part of finding sustainable solutions to community issues.

With the caveat, perhaps, that like any democratic, representative body, NCs remain genuinely dedicated to the present and future welfare of an inclusive and diverse community.

Risks abound. Narrower special interests donning the rhetoric of community and the public good have always found their voice in our institutions, from PTAs to Congress, well before the US Supreme Court ruled, for example, that cash is speech. In our democracy, there is a place for everyone, including single-issue pressure groups, at the table. But common sense and decent governance requires that a single lobby shouldn't be the only one to set the menu.

But whether a narrow interest (corporations, environmentalists, developers, religious fundamentalists, whites, Latinos, dwarves and nimbys) wins the day or not, depends on the health of the democratic process. The open democratic process, Americans have always believed or hoped, will take care of the rest. Sometimes it does. Sometimes not. Pluralism requires better than what the Supreme Court, in its infinite jurisprudential wisdom, decreed.

But those who do get "heard" and are counted recognize that Woody Allen's maxim that 80% is about showing up, always rings true--in love, in life and in politics.

So, if you care, be there.

Image credit: lucholuna

My fellow volunteer and co-member of the Board of Directors, Mar vista Community Council, gave birth yesterday to two beauties named Wesley and Bennett.

But you won't easily find them here: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/babynames/

Mar Vista Mom

Worth checking out Sarah's blogs and her many facets...she's a neighborhood engine of intelligence, good works and ideas.

• http://sarahauerswald.com/
• http://marvistamom.com/

Passover at your peril!

Every faith I know something about (and as a mutt from the Middle East, I know a bit of each of the major ones), has a lesson for those who fall outside of its core constituents.

Jews, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus speak a lingua franca of faith and compassion as much they rile each other up with their Babel-like dissonance. They share more than they hold as exclusively their own. Jews and Muslims mirror each other in uncanny ways, for example, and their animosity (more political than it is religious) is like watching someone spit at the mirror.

Here's what one author gleans from Passover for humanity as a whole, Jew or Gentile!

Appeal for the Homeless

The Leon and Mary Fields Foundation
Do Something Saturday
Project KengiKat Proudly presents
Operation Give Hope
Saturday March 14, 20096:00PM ~ 9:00PM
West Los Angeles Cold Weather Shelter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DONATIONS NEEDED
Gently used clothes for men and woman(big and tall sizes are welcome)Gently used shoes175 Do Something Kits(or items for Do Something Kits)Jackets, Coats, gloves, socks

MEALS
If you are a restaurant in the Los Angeles area that can help providemeals for up to 175 homeless men and woman, we really could use yoursupport.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The West Los Angeles Cold Weather Shelter will be closing as of March15, 2009. The approximate 175 men and women who use the shelter as aplace to rest in the evenings will have no place to go for shelter.Our local area mission and shelters are already having a hard timehousing the current demand as more and more people are becominghomeless. Please help me support the men and women right here in theWest side by donating for this worthy cause.

Please contact kengi@dosomethingsaturday.org
PLEASE CONTACT KENGI DO NOT DROP YOUR DONATIONS OFF AT SHELTER

Watch Kengi's appeal.

Mapping LA

LA Times new Mapping LA is an interesting and controversial interactive project to refresh the map of Los Angeles communities.

Mapping is an extremely powerful way to project power, whether in the Middle East or right here, in the local world of neighborhood councils. It helps determine identity, resources, and in some cases, even survival.

Here's Denis Wood in his book The Power of Maps, exploring how maps project and shape reality. And here's Arthur Jay in his book The Power of Projections: How Maps Reflect Global Politics and History.

Here is a spat on Mar Vista's map, led by Chuck Ray, an active Mar Vista resident involved in the Mar Vista Community Council, taking LA Times to task for ignoring the neighborhood council maps in its project.

Conclusion? Maps matter!

Crush Lovely: An invitation to dream

Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

Time Travelling in Mar Vista

The faces, the clothes, the haircuts, the buildings and the landscape are both familiar and strange.

What is it with old black and white photographs? No matter how mundane, they seem to cross our senses of memory and history to place us smack-dab in that moment.

Those who enjoy such time travel, should visit sites like Shorpy and Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog.

The images below come from USC Digital Archives which I found thanks to Mark Crawford of the Marvista Historical Society.

How we have changed...
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The images above depict a mock bomb attack exercise in Mar Vista, taken by a Los Angeles Examiner photographer in the summer of 1951.

The last photograph, with the radio equipment, features Los Angeles City Councilman Harold Harby 1943-56 (standing with his bespectacled face turned away from the camera).

An ultra-conservative Democrat obsessed with the communist threat, Harby started and chaired the Harby Committee bent on "investigating" how Communism uses "modern" art to brainwash Americans.

A press-hungry sensationalist, Harby called modern art "stinkweed stuff" and attacked the whole idea of public housing as a "creeping cancer of socialism," helping to turn the LA city council into a right-wing cabal of sorts.

In fact, Harby was an instigator of the Los Angeles public housing war, one of the most vicious Red Scares of the domestic cold war. The Red Scare was used to cancel the ten-thousand-unit public housing contract with the federal government and to reverse city policy by toppling the pro–public-housing mayoral regime. Public housing's local defeats were circulated back to the national level, resulting in the demise of the program.

But Harby was much more than LA'a own McCarthy--he was also an inventor.

Oddly enough, there is an uncanny connection between his love of authoritarianism and censorship and his notions of animal husbandry.

Times Magazine reported that "In Los Angeles, Councilman Harold Harby invented a device to keep roosters from crowing by making it impossible for them to stretch their necks; when he tried it on a rooster, he found that it changed the crowing into a wail."

Little did Harby know that, despite the relentless attempts of folks like him to muzzle dissent and progress, the "wail" of the 60s and the subsequent revolution in American politics and culture were just around the corner.
________________________________________



Los Angeles Examiner Headline: "More than 500 Boy Scouts from Culver City, Palms, Mar Vista and Venice will clean debris from 10 miles of abandoned Pacific Electric right-of-way between La Cienega Blvd. and the ocean next Sat. Nov. 2"

Litterbug feature (Clean Community Crusade), 1957 Litterbug feature (Clean Community Crusade), 31 October 1957. Jimmy Kellogg -- 12 years; William Grissom -- 14 years; Larry Johnson -- 11 years; Karl Rundberg -- 11 years; John Davis -- 11 years; H.R. Garman.Caption slip reads: "Examiner. Date: 1957-10-31. Assignment: Clean Community Crusade. #7: More than 500 Boy Scouts from Culver City, Palms, Mar Vista and Venice will clean debris from 10 miles of abandoned Pacific Electric right-of-way between La Cienega Blvd. and the ocean next Sat. Nov. 2. Starting early in this phase of Los Angeles Beautiful's 'Clean Community Crusade,' are, l-r: Scouts William Grissom, 14; Jimmy Kellogg, 12; John Davis, 11; Scoutmaster H.R. Garman, and Scout Larry Johnson, 11".Caption slip reads: "Examiner. Date: 1951-10-31. Assignment: Clean Community Crusade. #61: More than 500 Boy Scouts from Culver City, Palms, Mar Vista and Venice will clean debris from 10 miles of abandoned Pacific Electric right-of-way between La Cienega Blvd. and the ocean next Sat. Nov. 2. Getting a head start on this phase of Los Angeles Beautiful's 'Clean Community Crusade,' are, l-r: Jimmy Kellogg, 12; William Grissom, 14; Larry Johnson, 11; City Councilman Karl Rundberg, and John Davis, 11".

Our Brand New President!

Image courtesy of NY Times

Well, the nearly-impossible has finally happened: Our 44th President of the USA, Barack Obama.

Surely, this massively historic, unprecedented event merits pause from the usual cynicism and no-can-doisms to which we have become accustomed. Surely, it's time to pay fresh attention (the oblivious Vegas gamblers above not included).

We not only have an African-American President for the first time in our history, but he is, specifically, Barack Hussein Obama--by all counts a unique, complex, fascinating individual with more promise than perhaps any leader in recent history (no hyperbole intended).

And just in time, it seems, for miracles...so many hundreds of millions here and around the world seem to have craved this very moment--and not all of them liberals or progressives.

It's as if the nation, and even the world, can finally exhale after eight years of holding its collective breath. An exaggeration, you say? I'm not so sure.

Some leaders give permission to the nation and its institutions to be arrogant, self-righteous, bigoted, stupid and greedy. We know them by sight, their profiles prominently listed in the black book of history.



Under President Obama, we now have permission to strive for better selves and a better world again, in every office, every boardroom, every classroom, every home and neighborhood. We have permission to be respected and held accountable regardless of our birth, wealth, or ideology. We have permission to give a damn for others, not just for ourselves.

Our world may seem more mangled and bedraggled today, but the newly inaugurated captain of our great ship of state seems sane, sharp, sober and humane. His principles seem fair, inclusive, based on ecumenical faith, mutual respect, even, dare I say, love.

Is this, as many right-wing pundits opined, an illusion, a projection of our childish desires onto a blank canvas called Obama?

Fair enough, it's a gamble.

Yet Obama's words are less jingoistic and far, far more inspirational than his predecessors for us wayward, cynical adults and--far more importantly--for our hope-starved children in this ransacked, rabid post-9/11 world.

And thankfully, Obama is no Ahab, red-eyed with narcissistic obsessions and drunk with psychopathic self-righteousness. We have had enough of those in our world.

Neither does Obama slur, swagger or spit. He's neither a fascist nor a fantasist nor a fool. He is as fallible as the the next man, but somehow his words, demeanor, presence and sincerity register something new, something that we haven't seen for a very long time, with all due respect to diehard Reaganites.

Is it wishful to think that far from sinking or running aground--with all hands on deck working under the command of a clear-eyed captain--our ship of state is poised to embark on its first golden journey of the new century?

Is Obama's promise a pie in the sky that will splatter on our face in a few months or years? Is this a silly, puerile liberal dream rightfully derided by the Limbaughs, Hannitys and O'Reilly's of our media?

There's always a chance that the cynics are right. But not if we:

• Proceed under the watchful eye of an emboldened and politically matured citizenry and an open, fearless press.
• Hold this administration accountable to its own declared principles..
• Maintain public vigilance over our government, with independent oversight over the activities of private-interest lobbies.
• Believe in ourselves and our neighbors and act accordingly, as we strive to change with a changed world.
• Recognize the unacceptable risks of returning to business as usual.
• Grant this optimism a chance to thrive and move us forward.
• And not if we think, first and last, of "our children's children."

A gamble, then, but one the nation has taken...and must not lose.

Speaking of Volunteers...Christmas 1925

So much of the good things that happen in our communities do so thanks to volunteers--from those caring for the homeless, to those who donate blood, or serve in neighborhood councils ; )...and such.

As we further tighten our belts this year thanks to a depressed economy, we may not be able to donate as much cash. But we can still donate our time, labor and compassion to the less fortunate.

It's wise to choose carefully to whom you donate your time and money, as not all nonprofits are created equal. Generally, spend a few hours researching your local nonprofits (including the brand names). Often, it's best to invest your time, skills and money locally with small-medium organizations who genuinely need all hands on deck, and where you may have a clear sense of how your time and money is spent. Transparency is key...and we all know how organizations in both the private and the public sectors struggle with that principle.

Back in Christmas 1925, as this amazing photograph from the Library of Congress suggests, volunteers were treated like army recruits...even if they got an overcooked turkey leg of thanks for Christmas. A close-up look can be rewarding.

My rule of thumb for the non-martyrs among us...if you're not regularly smiling at least privately "inside" where you volunteer...bid them farewell and go serve elsewhere.

If you're professional, compassionate and volunteering, and yet you can't bring yourself to smile inside, you're misplaced and will falter and burn out. Instead, invest your social conscience where you can smile within with ease, no matter how hard the work or suffering.

It's one of the best gifts you can give yourself this holiday season.

Another gift would be visiting Shorpy, an on-line high-resolution photographic time machine that'll tickle your nostalgia and jolt your perspective...history you can almost smell!

Tree TLC on Palms: Thank you Tree People!

Lisa Cahill, Citizen Forester and Tree People organizer, gathers 30 volunteers from across the city to help replace vandalized trees and weed and mulch other trees planted along a half-mile stretch of Palms Boulevard in Mar Vista. Men, women and children as young as four years-old lent a hand.

The young, scrawny trees seemed to express gratitude by standing quite still as dozens of TLC delivering hands rummaged about them.

Thank you to everyone who participated. As for those who had vandalized trees, the trees may forgive you, but mother nature has a long memory...so watch for falling branches!

CancerSchmancerWidget

Voters' Voices on Election Day 2008

Below are dozens of brief interviews conducted with voters exiting the Charnock Elementary Polling Station today. A diverse set of people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds express their concerns and desires for the world, for America, and yes, for Mar Vista.

VOTE BY MAIL

Electronic Vote by Mail Ballot Application
November 4, 2008 General Election
Los Angeles CountyRegistrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Must be received by the election official no later than Midnight on October 28, 2008.

Fall Festivals Galore!

Citywide Congress of Neighborhoods-Mayor’s Community Budget Day
Saturday, October 11, 2008 – City Hall, Los Angeles, CA
List of Workshops and Events | Register

The Mayor’s Community Budget Day Presentation The Mayor's Community Budget Day and Budget Process provide opportunities for all the people of Los Angeles to weigh in on the City's proposed fiscal year 2009-2010 Budget. During the Mayor’s Community Budget Day presentation, the Mayor will introduce his budget priorities and provide in-depth information about the state of the City's Budget. A survey allowing stakeholders to express their budget priorities will be available on the DONE website at www.lacityneighborhoods.com on October 11.

New LAPD Crime Tip Tool

LAPD unveils new tipster tool: anonymous text messages

Beethoven Elementary Kindergarten Yard

Hello all,

Would you please include these dates and times in any upcoming calendars you publish to the community. This is an amazing opportunity for our youngest to have a space that is OPEN for them to enjoy.

John Ayers (Open Mar Vista)









BEETHOVEN ELEMENTARY KINDERGARTEN YARD NOW OPEN SATURDAYS!
The open use of this kindergarten yard is made possible, by generous
donations from the community - YOU!

OPEN SATURDAYS, 10:00AM – 3:00PM
September 13, 20, 27,
October 4, 11, 18, 25,
November 1, 8, 22,
December 6, 13,
January 10, 24, 31,
February 7, 21, 28,
March 7, 14, 21, 28,
April 18, 25,
May 2, 9, 16, 30,
June 6, 13, 20

In order to continue to have the playground available, we need your support. If you enjoy your new OPEN KINDER YARD, please help with a donation.

Send check to: Friends of Beethoven_OpenKinderYard, c/o Beethoven
Elementary 3711 Beethoven Street, LA, CA 90066
310-398-6286 | friendsofbeethoven.org

"Doughboy" Assassins: The Dark Side of Neighborhood Associations?

Here's a shameful story about the closure of Doughboys bakery in Santa Monica that should help remind NC's why it's crucial to maintain a diversity of stakeholders, balance and moderation in policy-making, and the courage to remain truly independent from extremist "nimbys" masquerading as a "community."

The story makes everyone look bad, as in a "civic" tragi-comedy where every actor is cast as a villain: the city struts about on stage like a blind clerk, poor in foresight but rich in bureaucracy, homeowner association members make ruckus as pitch-fork wielding peasants, and the city leaders appear foolish in their exercise of power, like Creon, Claudius or Don Carleone.

The restaurant owner is the only actor in a redeeming role, as a kind of Cindrella that never meets her prince, or a devoted Cordelia sacrificed by her own insecure, self-obsessed father.

All the drama aside, it's sad being in the audience watching a hard working community-spirited business become a helpless victim of our most myopic instincts.

You leave this little show feeling drained and dispirited, both your thumbs definitely pointing down. This isn't how it's meant to work.

For the curious, here's a little information about the word doughboy.