Today, on the KTLA morning news that Veronica & I watch daily, I was pleasantly surprised to see Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa doing the traffic news… from the helicopter. This guy is truly tire-less. In addition to some of the policy changes that he is making & pushing to change in transit, he suggested that every resident in Los Angeles take public transit once a week. That would be a revolution in this “I-travel-when-I-want-to” city. I’m going to look into taking the bus to CSULA once a week, since there is a major transit hub on the south-end of campus.UPDATE: The Tripmaster page on www.mta.net gave me the schedule for Metro Bus 71 to and from CSULA, getting on at Marengo & State and going to the bus hub on campus, just about 3 1/2 miles. It is only a 18-22 minute trip there (and faster back - 17 minutes) and runs about every 35 minutes. I’m taking it tomorrow to campus. I’ll tell you how it goes.

2ND UPDATE: Took 71 to campus yesterday. While the bus was 15 minutes behind schedule, the total route only took 15 minutes, and I realized that there is another stop closer to my house. Plus, the bus wasn’t crowded (mid-day) and even had a special “TV” program for the ride. One of the trivia questions that got me was: “If someone calls you a ‘diglot’, that means you are: a)rich, b) stupid, c)bilingual, d) have multiple spouses. Post your answer before you click here

Every year that we’ve all been on the same coast, since I can remember, my family has gotten together for Thanksgiving. My mom has gotten so good at hosting this that she sent out an evite to get us all together this year. Go Mom.Got to thinking how we usually talk about putting the “thanks” into thanks giving, remembering what we are grateful for. But I remembered back to my 1st grade days about how compound words work [did you ever draw pictures of compound words, like peanut butter] and asked myself - “what about putting the giving back into thanksgiving?”

Anyway, not to profound, I know. But I’m going to propose to my family that we volunteer at Pasadena’s Union Station setting up & serving meals at their annual “Thanksgiving Dinner-in-the-Park.”

UPDATE: Early returns are in - both my mom & my sister were excited about the idea. We’ll probably move our dinner back later in order to help out during the 1pm to 3pm time when less volunteers are available.

Didn’t know this existed - here in East Los no less…Cine Sin Fin: November 6-13, 2005

“Our mission is to create a venue for aspiring Chicana/o filmmakers and video artist. We want to inspire careers in the film and television industry; to promote positive, historical & introspective images of our community in film. We hope to empower those who the films personify and to humanize the Chicano experience to those who would otherwise not be familiar with it.”

A La Brava Producciones Revolucionarias, Inc., a nonprofit group. (Established to bring films, discussions and filmmaking workshops to East Los Angeles)

11th Annual East Los Angeles Chicana/o Film Festival
November 6-13, 2005 (7pm to 10pm) - $5.00 admission

CINE SIN FIN
PREMEIR NIGHT Nov. 11, 2005 - 7pm
Barnsdall Gallery Theater,
4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles

Screening of Danny Trejo’s film “CHAMPION”, followed by the “FIRME AWARDS” to celebrate the BEST FEATURE FILM, BEST SHORT FILM, BEST DOCUMENTARY, and the JOHN ALONZO Award for Cinematography and the ANTHONY QUINN Award for Acting.

EVENT PRE-SCREENING MIXER:
Nov. 6th – 7 PM @ A La Brava Boyle Heights H.Q.
711 Penrith Drive, L.A., CA (call for details).

This year, in an attempt to reach an even wider audience than before, we will be showing our films at various locations.

SCREENING TIMES (7PM TO 10PM); DATES AND LOCATIONS:

Nov. 7th & 10th at Casa del Mexicano
—2900 Calle Pedro Infante, Los Angeles
Nov. 8th & 9th at Echo Park Film Center
—1200 N. Alvarado Street, Los Angeles
Nov. 11th at Barnsdall Gallery Theater
—4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Nov. 12th & 13th at Casa de Sousa Coffee House
—634 N. Main Street, Los Angeles
Nov. 13th at L.A. Youth Opportunity Program
—11844 Glen Oaks Blvd., San Fernando

The festival will showcase feature films such as:

and shorts in the experimental, narrative, comedy and documentary categories.CINE SIN FIN will host a PANEL DISCUSSION on Nov. 11, 2005 (see schedule for details). The panel includes established filmmakers, actors, writers, directors, producers and activists to moderate a forum on the current issues facing the community, Hollywood and the growing trends of Hollywood towards the Chicana/o community.

“The discussion is a forum for aspiring artists to ask career-defining questions among peers. Our audience has consistently catered to the local communities of families, artists, producers, directors, and youth living in the City “, said Eduardo Hinojosa-Espinoza, Vice President of A La Brava Productions.

CINE SIN FIN makes a special effort to inform the community of all their events with ticket giveaways to the local High Schools, Community Colleges, Community Groups, Senior Centers, Boy’s and Girls Clubs. Cine will be advertised in the local newspapers, on community radio “KPFK 90.7FM” and local television. Ticket sales $5 donation (no one is turned away for lack of funds).

Presented by: A La Brava Producciones Revolucionarias, Inc. a 501c(3) non-profit organization established in 1994
Sponsored by: City of L.A. Council District 1, Ed Reyes; City of L.A. Council District 13, Eric Garcetti; Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council, Quandrant 4; L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs and ProductionHUB.com

Contact: Ernesto Espinoza, 323-265-2344
alabrava@hotmail.com or www.alabrava.com

That’s the current streak by the California State University trustees for increasing tuition for students in the Cal. State system - like Cal.State LA. As reported in today’s Los Angeles Times, tuition has increased over 79% in the past 5 years.

“Rebecca Balderas, a student leader from San Jose State, called the fee increases unfair… What’s more, Balderas added, “students already know that they won’t see the quality of their education improve even after paying that increased student fee.”

Considering the current educational gap for urban poor students, and the problems that students face, particularly in the CSU system, in being able to gradutate, this may not be the best timed increase. On the otherhand, the CSU trustees have argued that:

“33% of the fee increase would be used for $32.7 million in financial aid to shield the neediest students from fee increases. Other portions of the additional revenue would provide room for 10,000 more students and employee pay increases of about 3%, as well as more spending on technology, libraries and maintenance, they said…Trustee Robert Foster, addressing the student leaders directly, said his vote for the fee increase and budget proposal “is something I don’t like to do, nobody wants to do, but we have to because we have to preserve quality.”

“We want this degree you’re working so hard, and probably going into debt for, to be worth something,” he said. “So you have to preserve quality as well as access.”"

I don’t think I need to state which side of the debate I’m on regarding the completion of the 710 freeway. Needless to say, the absence of a high concentration of lawyers in Boyle Heights must be the only reason to explain the 5 freeways - yes 5!! - that run around or through this neighborhood. It is sad to say that “I remember when” the freeway was still be built, and construction equipment was still at the end of the 210 part of the freeway in Pasadena at California.The L.A.Times today gives an update on the option of building a 5.1 mile tunnel to complete the unfinished stretch of freeway. It is still probably decades away from anything happening, but at least it is conversation on the table.

The Latino Film Festival - co-founded by Edward James Olmos in 1997 - starts tonight and runs this weekend and next weekend. Check out the list of special events and the schedule of films

If you haven’t read it already, I encouraged you to read the post “How do you talk about this stuff?” by my staff partner, Mark. One thing that I really appreciate about Mark, is his thoughtful insight about controversy. And his freedom to engage in controversy himself.

Plus, if we get enough folks to comment on this post, maybe Mark will be inspired to start his own blog. Until then, look for more posts from him here.

In just over a month - on Friday, November 17th at 7pm - we’ll have our 3rd Annual “Cumbre de Alabanza” at Community Baptist Church in East Los Angeles. In Spanish, cumbre means summit, and these meeting serve as a summit of worship & prayer, a gathering of Latino college students from across Los Angeles as we seek to raise up the next generation of Christian disciples and barrio prophets at the university.Abner Ramos, on staff with InterVarsity at East LA College - and a true barrio prophet in his own right - will be speaking from the text of Jeremiah 12. Click here to read about how Abner has caught a glimpse at the heart of God in his own journey as a barrio prophet.

READ: Barrio Prophets intro + (a), (b), and (c).

This report cracked me up. Apparently, one of the places that President Bush once called home is … the city of Compton. Maybe this will boost his popularity in his ‘ole stompin hood.

As part of the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council email list, I got this report about police activity in Boyle Heights. The part of the report that got my attention was this last paragraphs:

“If you’re traveling after 8 pm near State Street East where the on ramp to the fwy is located please be very careful. Its been reported someone is throwing rocks or huge boulders at cars. Hollenbeck is trying to resolve and catch the suspects.”

That happened to me about a week ago. I was getting onto the 10East onramp (about 2 blocks from my house) to go to CSULA at about 7:45pm when I heard a thump on the roof. I pulled off the freeway and noticed a indent on my roof. When I circled around to re-enter on the same onramp, I saw broken concrete & rocks on the road. I sure hope they catch this J@#$k.

That is, if you can afford it. Already increasingly un-affordable, the recent release of information reveals that less people can afford to own a home in Los Angeles than before. Last year, only 17% of LA residents could afford to purchase a home — now only 12% can afford the median home price.Say it together with me - HOUSING CRISIS.One affect from this affordability crunch is higher financial risk that people are taking just to get into the market. This article is based on a recent study released by the Public Policy Institute of California, highlighting how people are trying to beat the unaffordability of the housing market boom.

On the upside, housing prices might be starting to peak and drop-off, though I anticipate a steep fall in prices before things return to more “normal” levels.

READ - “Buy Now” part IV.
Or part I, and part II if you missed it.

Because my sister-in-law (love you Anita) is Korean, I’ve come to learn more about the Korean tradition of celebrating the 100th day of a child’s life.So it got my attention to see a different kind of 100th day as news reports of Mayor Villaraigosa’s 100th day in office (read here, here and here). Ironically, one report started with Villaraigosa active in Koreatown…

KTLA News (channel 5) is having a special program tonight at 10:30. Comedian Carlos Mencia will be one of the guests, as well as Ted Garcia and Lynnette Romero from the KTLA News, among others. Check it out if you can.

Last night, to celebrate my stepdad’s Bob’s birthday, Veronica & I went with my mom, Bob, my sister Amy and her husband Kevin, to the Ice House in Pasadena. I know that the headliner was Carline Rhea (Aunt Hilda from the TV show Sabrina) - and don’t get me wrong, she was funny - a good, strong act.But the best performance came from local weather man, Fritz Coleman from NBC4. I’ll never hear the weather from him in the same way again. His routine was really good. And I’ll be honest, that surprised me. Not what I would have expected.

And my mom is now going to be a Fritz Coleman groupie. Apparently she had seen him do a clever 1-act, 1-person play called “The Reception” a while back that she really enjoyed. After last nights performance, she said, “I think I would go where ever he is performing, just to see him.” Easy, there Mom.

Living in Boyle Heights and wanting to be real about the challenges of my neighborhood, I find myself stuck between two values. On the one hand, “stuff” happens here that I never experienced in my suburban enclave of La Crescenta - a mere 15 minutes from here. on the otherhand, life in tha hood is full of misperceptions and false judgements (read here).If I address things frankly, am I opening eyes or am I reinforcing false stereotypes. For this story, and for others, I trust that people understand that after 5+ years of living here in Boyle Heights, I’m still planning on raising my family here and don’t believe we are “in harms way.”

Having said that, stuff like this story happen that make me engage both God & my neighbors (often literally) more deeply. I couldn’t find any internet reporting of this, but I saw the scene about 30 minutes later, and saw a 10 second report on TV at 11pm.

(Boyle Heights) - A man who allegedly shot at a police officer in Boyle Heights remained at large tonight after a search to find him was unsuccessful, police said Sunday.The suspect fired two shots at a Los Angeles police officer near Chicago and Michigan streets at about 2:30 p.m., police said. Neither of the shots hit the officer, police said.

Police established a perimeter in the area, closing off several blocks in an attempt to find the suspect, police said. Canine and SWAT units assisted in the search, police said.

Police broke down the perimeter around 7:30 p.m. without finding the man, according to police.

That street corner is where our friends Gabbi & Paco just moved. We were dropping them off after church, but had to manuever away several blocks because of the police perimeter. They (Gabbi & the kids) were able to get to the apartment without any problem, but the helicopter was flying around until the sun went down.

I confess, that is what I first thought when I saw the rocket in the sky last night at dusk. I was walking around campus visiting some students with my staff partner Jen when we looked up into the sky to see similar images to these photos. After quickly being assured that it wasn’t yet the 2nd coming, it was a intriguing and beautiful sight.

Having been intrigued & attracted to the murals in Boyle Heights since I moved here in July 200, any new news about murals always grabs my eye. Recently, I’ve gotten several emails or noticed new articles about mural projects or mural controversy in Boyle Heights. This article caught my eye:

“That’s beautiful, it has history and heritage, expresses unity and aspiration,” he says, pointing to a mural 15 feet high, replete with images of Aztec figures, animals, and soldiers.

“That’s not,” he says, pointing to an equal-sized explosion of spray-painted signatures, gang initials, cryptic symbols, and numbers. “That is gangs defining turf, defacing the city.” - Armando Herman, Boyle Heights resident and teacher.

Sometimes I wonder if others can tell the difference between murals and graffiti. Later in the article, quoting Judy Baca, a professor from UCLA:

“I am grieved by the condition of existing murals, no public policy to support them, and a coming generation which has begun to deface what we have because they have no context to understand the heritage behind them or a way to channel their own talent to produce their own.”

I think that is somewhat how I feel about the whole thing.

Rudy Carrasco, Director of Harambee Ministries in Pasadena, blogger of Urbanonramps, and contributing editor to PRISM magazine, recently wrote the cover article on “Surfacing Hispanic Leaders - Visibility is a Challenge, but not for long.”

“My family came to Christ through a Baptist, predominantly white church in Burbank. During college, first at Biola University, then as a Stanford University transfer student worshipping with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, I was in a small minority of Hispanics living out their faith.More challenging, my peers had few connections to Hispanic Christian leaders. That didn’t deter me in my quest to find an ideal Hispanic congregation “back home.” East L.A. had not been home for many years, but it had been my mental fixture, my destination, ever since I responded to an altar call at age 10.

So I searched—in vain. It was one thing to find Hispanic churches on the east side of Los Angeles, but quite another to find a church where I felt I fit in. The traditions and predominant use of Spanish (I’m not fluent) were foreign to me.

In addition, I’d learned of God’s desire to touch the whole life, not just save the soul. Finding a church that integrated action with faith was more difficult than I thought.”

Rudy is a great leader and a stand-up guy who - everytime I’ve ever heard him speak - shares about his personal journey with Jesus as much as about his ministry “accomplishments.” His authenticity is real and his influence is great.

Also, listed among 8 influential leaders is InterVarsity’s Director of La Fe (Latino Fellowship) - Orlando Crespo, as well as a blogger mention to East LA’s Abner Ramos (read his recent post about why he is in East LA.)

I have the pleasure of working with Orlando on a national La Fe leadership team, and much more closely with Abner serving Latino students here in Los Angeles. Both are great men of faith.

For those of you who appreciate a good mural, then you’ll appreciate this story in today’s paper. If you really like murals, then take this tour.Original L.A.Times article link

UPDATE: A dissenting view on mural art. And on Boyle Heights?