Best of "We Don't Like Local Investment In" Downtown Los Angeles.

Have you read the Downtown News yet? When I first read the results I thought to myself that maybe the advertising arm of the Downtown News gone and lost their goddamn mind. But once I calmed down a little bit, and read a key tweet, I realized that something else had happened. In fact, something else continues to happen.

We had a busy day at the house today.  Alex had a friend visit, and during the course of the conversation I realized that it wasn’t the Downtown News’s fault that the wrong places had won certain categories…it was my fault.  All my fault.  Actually – I’m wrong – if you call the #DTLA home, it is your fault.

It is your fault that the Lazy Ox Canteen didn’t win Best New Restaurant.  I’ve never had a meal there, but I know from friends who have eaten there, the Lazy Ox wipes the floor with Katsuya.  Especially when you think about the number of Katsuya’s and how many Lazy Ox’s are there? 

Same thing – The Yard House.  Sit down in Pasadena, sit down at LA Live – and drink your Vegas size beer.  But, try eating at Pete’s in Pasadena.  Oh right…there isn’t a Pete’s in Pasadena.

Pizza…Sure there might be multiple locations of Pitfire Pizza in Los Angeles.  But are people serious when they voted for CPK?

What did voters do this year in the Downtown News?  Voters (can’t call them readers…) rewarded corporate businesses, franchises…operations that have implemented formulas, mass produced menus.  And, we’ve spanked, slapped, and all but spit on local owners who have busted their ass, mortgaged their lives to provide their neighbors with quality food, unique establishments, AND a greater sense of community.

It’s disappointing, and it has taken me almost 10 hours to not only come down off the wall, but to be able to actually form the words that explain why I was so pissed off this afternoon.

I’m not disappointed in the Downtown News for the results of a survey.  I’m disappointed in myself for not pushing my neighbors to vote for the locally owned businesses that have taken the chance on a neighborhood in transition.

Just to wrap it all up though, and not to be a total Debbie downer…I loved the staff picks.  

SHARE!

Iolani was watching an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba about sharing this morning when I hopped into the shower.  Because Alex and I are trying to hustle out the door at the same time, I use Iolani's shower to get ready.  Usually she's still in bed - but this morning she was up early to celebrate the loud construction activity out her window.  Boooo.

Anyways, I'm in the shower and all the sudden I hear "NO MOMMY NO MOMMY NO MOMMY" and I'm thinking "did they kill off Foofa?"

No, comes running into the bathroom, puts her hands around the tub and screams out "MINE!!!!" and my response is "But we are sharing!"

She says - "NO SHARE!  MINE!  NO MOMMY!!!"

She stands there protesting my use of HER shower (Um, who pays the rent).  I finish my shower while dodging tub toys getting thrown at me.  I noticed that I didn't get all the shampoo out of my hair, but the only thing left for her to throw at me was a heavy colander that we use to make bubbles.  So my hair might look a little off today because of the shampoo left behind.

However, I did end up taking the colander to the foot.  It left a mark. Happy birthday me!

August 3 - National Night Out

LAPD Central Boosters stuff!

Community Police Academy

August 26, 2010 through November 4, 2010

The eleven-week course will be held at the Elysian Park Police Academy, 1880 North Academy Drive, Los Angeles, each Thursday between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m.  The last day of each course will conclude with a graduation ceremony.

Through the Community Police Academy, enrolled students will be encouraged to build a lasting partnership with the Department, with the ultimate goal of reducing crime and improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Each Community member must meet the following criteria:

.    Must be 18 years old or older (see note below);
.    Live, work or go to school in Operations-Central Bureau;
.    No prior felony conviction;
.    No outstanding warrants;
.    No pending criminal cases; and
.    Must be approved by an Area Commanding Officer.

Note: High school students between the ages of 14 and 17 years of age are encouraged to enroll and attend Community Police Academy classes.  However, their parent(s) and/or guardian(s) must be enrolled in the class and shall accompany the minor.  The parent(s) and/or guardian(s) will also be responsible for transportation of the minor(s) to and from the Los Angeles Police Academy.

Interested citizens should contact:

Marie Kardiban
Police Officer III
Central Area Community Relations Office
Cell 562 572-4776 or Office 213 972-1876

AND.....

Let's take a moment to catch up...

I might have trouble typing up tonight's blog entry because I noticed that Iolani took a pencil to my keyboard. The last 24 hours have been a bit of a blur.  It all started with the All Star game.  I picked up these mini hotdogs and a veggie/cheese plate. The three of us enjoyed the game (with Iolani watching her favorite tv show in her room off this very laptop). At the end of the game, Iolani got her bath, and hopped into bed.

She slept until 1 something. Once she woke up, it was pretty bad - screaming, wanting to watch TV, and not wanting to go to bed. 2 passed, 3 passed, 4 passed, and finally I got this great idea to play the rockabuy lullaby from Green Day, and BAM! MO-FO, girlfriend was OUT!  It was total awesomeness.

Do I seem excited about her going to sleep at 4 a.m.? You bet I was.  The excitement lasted from the walk from her room back to bed. The next thing I know it is almost 8, and Alex is heading out the door to work. 8 is the time we should be heading out the door for daycare and work. I opted to keep sleeping and let Iolani continue sleeping.

She slept until 10, and she woke up in a good mood. Thank God.

So tonight, I've opted to load her iphone with songs and let her cuddle up to the phone and Moe.  Let's hope she sleeps through the night.

I'm tired...makes me more likely to tell you a random story that is of no use to you.

For those who talk Transit

Follow the link for the Supervisor's page

Midnight Mission Raffle!

THE MIDNIGHT MISSION 2010 WINNER’S CHOICE SUMMER RAFFLE

Help The Homeless And Win A 2011 BMW 750 Li or $65,000 In Cash!

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 1, 2010) - The Midnight Mission has kicked off its first ever raffle fundraising campaign since opening its doors in 1914. Launched June 14, the grand prize will be a 2011 BMW 750 Li or $65,000 cash payout option.  Odds of winning are 1 in 256 and a total of 30 Prizes worth over $100,000 will be awarded.  Tickets are $50.

Net proceeds will benefit The Midnight Mission’s life-changing programs for homeless men, women and children.  The summer raffle will generate sorely needed funds to enable the Mission  ensure the same level of quality services in hard economic times. 

“We are seeing more victims of the economy reach out to organizations like ours for help “says Orlando Ward Director of Program Services. “At the same time, we have seen our donation levels decrease, so we have to be creative and innovative in our approach to fundraising for our anticipated needs. With your help the summer raffle will raise $300,000 to ensure the continuation of programs and services for the privately funded charity.” Ward said.

Those who purchase tickets before the "early bird" deadlines of July 17 and August 16 are eligible to win travel  prizes valued at $5000. All tickets will be entered for the grand prize drawing to be held Sept. 18 2010. Additional prizes include a pair of his and hers Tag  Heuer watches, GPS Systems, ipods and ipads

A complete list of the contest rules and regulations can be viewed at http://winnerschoicemidnightmission.com/ to purchase tickets, view photos of the prizes, and for more information call 1-877-338-2968 or visit the website or walk-ins at The Midnight Mission or one of our downtown partners Bolt Barbers and Urban Noodle Restaurant.

ABOUT THE MIDNIGHT MISSION:

The Midnight Mission is a privately funded prominent human services provider with no religious or political affiliations. Established in 1914, The Midnight Mission provides diverse services to homeless men, women and children of Los Angeles, striving to re-establish them as useful and self-respecting citizens. Offering basic subsistence services, educational opportunities and jobs, The Midnight Mission believes in extending a hand up rather than a handout. It offers therapies to treat drug and alcohol addiction and provides medical and legal services. The Mission offers help at no charge to any man, woman or child who walks through its doors in downtown L.A. The Midnight Mission is a California 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and operates largely through private funding. For more information visit www.midnightmission.org or contact Orlando Ward 213-624-1026, oward@midnightmission.org.

If you would like more information about homelessness topic, or to schedule and interview please call Mai Lee 213-624-4588 or e-mail: mlee@midnightmission.org

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