Have You Eaten?

To ask: "Have you eaten" is a very old Chinese tradition... and the question comes to mind because: Once a upon a time, long ago, a man ran from a battle all the way to his boss, to tell him the outcome.

His boss? A Roman Emperor. How far did he run? All the way totaled: 26 miles. What happened after he gave news of the battle? Dropped dead. Moral: it's not smart for humans to run...at least not 26 miles....

The Moral of that tale appears to be lost...on thousands, who imitate a dead messenger 2000+ years later, pounding their shins on 26 miles of LA asphalt risking life and blown out knees --and on you, if you expect to be hungry/plan on eating anything this week-end. The annual running for No Good Reason: happens Sunday March 2.

But if you want groceries --Chinese food --pizza --movie rental --library book or wanna check if Griffith Park is still there: get a red pen and a large piece of paper --make a note, tape it near the front door, marked

Go Now

Streets --alleys --freeway exits --Serious Chunk of Los Angeles: Off Limits. --Closing --as you read this, noose getting tighter --ACK!!! You are Blocked! --You are Not going to escape East --FORGET downtown --For Sure: You're not getting through Hollywood --some exits of the #5: boarded up, so you way ain't going north to the Valley --and Nope, NOT South --all over Hancock Park, 3rd and Rossmore: SHUT. Oh, you Think you can Get to Beverly Blvd??? Really? So does the Rest of LA, bring something to read, while you wait.

Oh, but you have a small car? Then Park it in a driveway --in a garden --in a tree, if you have to, but get it Off the street, by 3 AM Saturday: if you are going to be ANYwhere even breathing near the Route of the Monotonous, lest it be Swiftly Towed. --City looking for its cut, of the $180 bucks Plus, doncha know, and No: it won't help to get on a bus, they aren't going anywhere either.

So, Silver Lakers, unless you can eat enough today to last until: Long After 5 PM Sunday, or you're fasting this week-end, or you have a helicopter and a rooftop heli-pad: get thee to the market -movie rental store -Chinese/pizza take-out place Pronto.

This week-end the only Silver Lake daVine part: your own block.

Silly Waste of Time, but if you Must: Map of the Mess

--and Very best of luck, to you figuring out...


how HOW --to evade/escape (can you tell, I loathe it).

--Will Somebody Tell me, Please: Why oh WHY can't they run in a circle --around a Far-away track? --Instead of making money off the non-messengers only: they could also charge the emperor-imitators
who watch the goofy, make money off them too.... Why Not? --Leave the rest of us Alone. Even the website for it is a stupid annoying mess, in PDF. City wastes money all over the place, but they can't afford to hire an Intelligent web tech? Sheesh....

Details, larger maps: March 2 2008 Los Angeles Maddening Marathon heaven only knows why....

Sadly, I need groceries...could I get a lift in that helicopter?


* * * * *
tag: Los Angeles Marathon run running bicycles north south east west streets basin neighborhood exits blocked closed downtown freeway, no parking tow away zone off-street park Silver Lake daVine

Bridged...

Seventh Street Bridge
Photo by Kevin Break

Usually I post just prior to an event date, but these two events presented by Los Angeles Conservancy will most probably be fully booked* by then, so posting this early --to obtain a reservation book ASAP:

~Panel Discussion on Los Angeles Bridges
Thursday - April 10, 2008 - 7 PM - 9 PM
Getty Conservation Institute
History and potential future of the historic L.A. River bridges
Part of "Conservation Matters" series
Moderator: Larry Mantle, host of AirTalk on KPCC radio station
Panelists: Glen Dake, landscape architect; Eric DeLony, private consultant for engineering and industrial heritage, one of the world's leading authorities on the history of bridges; Gary Lee Moore, City Engineer of Los Angeles bureau head also working on Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan.
The Getty Center
Reservation Required - Admission to the event is Free
- Only secretive board members know why, but in direct literal violation of J. Paul Getty's Last Will, The Getty Center charges for parking: $8.00
Reservations: Call (310) 440-7300
More Details - Reservation Free: here


First Street Bridge, Los Angeles Photo by Mark Lamonica

~"Bridge Mix" Tour and Activity Day
Sunday - April 13, 2008 - 10 AM - 4 PM
Tour: Four sites along the banks of the river between downtown and Boyle Heights
Tour and activity includes: First Street Bridge - Fourth Street Bridge - Sixth Street Viaduct - Seventh Street Bridge
Shuttle buses - walk - bring bicycle
Admission: singles, families and children 12 and under allowed
Details - Members of LA Conservancy and Friends of Los Angeles River discount: Buy ticket


*Personal Note I surmise reservations will go quickly because:
-there hasn't been a bridge event, that I know of, in past decade (--or more)
-events at the Malibu Getty, which I attended all through the 1980s, were booked so fast it was Serious work to attend every month.
I heard some of the finest lectures/discussions/symposiums presented by some of the best/finest in the world on subject speak. --Once even met one of my heroes: archaeologist Iris Love, who demonstrated to the British Museum they had a Greek head on a basement shelf that belonged on a statue she found; they decided 'appropriate' reaction was to dismiss her finding, her proof and her, she being, well, female. As for The Getty: no institution does lecture/events better, hopefully also true for The Getty Center, and with the LA Conservancy connection, this will most likely be informative and important. --Especially for those who want to Keep what is left of Los Angeles architecture, considering the developer-loving City Council 'reps' (re: Ambassador Hotel --not turned into multi-use housing and school structure, but: rubble --sitting atop toxic waste). Book early!

* * * * *
tag: Los Angeles Conservancy event bridge history tour discussion panel activity, The Getty Center Brentwood children Los Angeles River architecture

Silver Lake: For the Birds?

While the Oval Office occupant, the president of vice and their oily boys network pals are waiting for more "evidence" --that their 'handiwork' is warming/destroying the planet, the rest of the world: has seen the 'handwriting' on the alps --the oceans --the land --the polar bears, birds, bees.

I cannot prevent penguin eggs falling into the ocean --re-pack glaciers --rescue hungry polar bears --force greedy morrons to get a clue. I don't know how. If you do: P-l-e-a-s-e Go, Do.

What I Can Do: Count the birds --in my neighborhood --participate in knowledge base, have some fun --so can You!

So Cool: Event --Count 'em, "Great Backyard Bird Count"
February 15 - 18, 2008 starting Friday, through to Monday, Stand in one Silver Lake spot: count the birds you --and friends -children -neighbors see --for fifteen minutes or longer. Do it once or return to the same spot, once -all four days or choose a different spot and count.

No binoculars? Lucky you! Send $20. to the Audubon Society and they will Give you:
-binoculars
-one year membership
-benefits
-Audubon Society magazine, for one year
Way cool. --You cannot buy binoculars for that cost, anywhere. The magazine can be kept like a reference book --and the funds help the Society help birds. Join here

Bird?
What bird? Hmmm...is that...a pidgeon --or a Mourning dove? Don't know varieties --species? Me either, lol, but others do, making it easy.

What's birds got to do with you?
Want water? Want to eat the fish --ever? One of the very first things the Oval Office occupant did: the president of vice held over 160 meetings, in OUR House --with the oily boys network. --So many: "zero time" leftover to meet with even a single advocate of the environment. Then: they sealed the minutes of those meetings. --Pave over Florida Everglades --take a shower with toxic/clean water? Two 'oil men' were 'elected'/ inserted into the White House. Small wonder: current 'administration' cut the Clean Water Act --in place since 1972. The rest of the Republicans don't need water...?

Where is --EPA --agency charged by Congress to protect the environment --who's side Army Corps of Engineers? If birds: don't have clean water --you open tap to toxic water --will it matter, how "cheaply" some developer builds housing --how 'cheap' price of oil --fish 'bargain' loaded with coal plant mercury discharge? --What do you drink? --What do birds drink?

As the planet warms, winter temps fail to kill off insects, but birds, unable to access clean water, die --missing from Nature's balanced act: what will keep insect population from exploding, ravaging food supply of All creatures? --More toxins? That's the Doomsday scenario....

Your Choice?
Reporters following the Primaries: waste valuable time --report the trivial, not the substance. What is the Real position of your choice for president --on clean water --on fuel --energy --nation's natural resources? --Not the pretty words you want to hear, the REAL position --action they will do?

Like lint...
As the 'Administration' runs past its "sell by" date, who won't be leaving town --always around, like lint? Lobbyists...for oily pickpockets --coal zealots --nuke gatecrashers. Lobbyists pumping massive amount of money into --which campaign? Think you know? You might be: surprised.

Getting seduced...with pretty words --calm words --pretty almost promises --then finding out that the famous tricked you into taxing yourself . Not the train ride you were expecting....

Far better: to Do Your Homework NOW --before you give away --the only thing they care about. It won't 'get better' after the election --there aren't many 'Ambassador Hotels' left.... Should we allow THEM --to pave over all of paradise, for their campaign coffers? What will you --birds, do for water then?

Do you think --imagine --hope (no-longer)supreme court will preserve/rescue American waters? --Come down on the planet's side? Dream on....

"Sides"...
The Audubon Society is on the side of the environment --preservation --restoration of clean water --saving birds. The Auduboners do more than care --and do it at the grassroots level, and face-to-face with Congress members, but they cannot do it alone.

Meanwhile: Have a camera? Photograph birds you see --during the Great Backyard Bird Count --then immediately send in to Audubon Society. They will help identify, and enter into contests and yours could win. --Some great photographers in Silver Lake, look at Sidebar "Park" photos. Photograph winners: will receive a prize, very cool prizes, not hokey, anyone would want! With/without prize: the photos help the Society. Last year: Americans counted over 11 million birds. --Now? Let's help find out.

Citizen Scientist It's empowering. Dash off an e-mail --to SLNC rep for your region --child's teacher/school principle --neighbors --gather up a band of buds -children -neighbors --get them involved --armed with pencils, binocs, notebooks, snacks.

Meet-up --at sidewalk rendez-vous --mountain top --reservoir bottom --Sunset Junction --tree-lined street --your own garden. --Once --two times a day -on the week-end -all fours days --different times of the daylight/night. 'Too busy'??? Aw c'mon, Nobody is so busy they can't give it up --for 15 minutes --from office window --to notice the birds!

How many birds...make Silver Lake daVine...let's find out. Could we: be the community --with more participants --does more counting, than any other in North America? Just think: while it's un-usually cold in most of the country, -40 in the Mid-west, weather here, 82 degrees --in February, un-seasonably warm...why?

If you participate: list the count you/your group got in Comments.... Don't forget the camera/cell-phone --Post those photos! Good luck with the photo contest. Let us know if your pic is chosen. Good birding!

Here's a start on your invitations:
Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Governing Board board@silverlakenc.org

* * * * *
tag: Audubon Society great backyard bird count february feb 15 - 18 2008 citizen scientist membership binoculars gift, EPA Army Corps of Engineers Clean Water Act 1972 Congress court decisions, clean waters toxic developers Florida everglades development insects, politics nuclear coal oil energy presidential candidates position promise examine homework media, SLNC silver lake daVine Los Angeles CA

2008 Silver Lake Calendar: February

Busy times...as the Right and the Left chew up --ballots --air time --mailbox, you still need good food... groceries...walks...neighborly talks...if you've seen one "debate" you've seen all of them, watching won't improve a thing...take a breather, skip the local "news" hacks' breathy cele-brat, car-chase, poor political 'news' coverage --you can catch-up later, with whatever stuff that Matters on "Charlie Rose" --"Tavis Smiley" (on local KCET & KLCS) and go 'chew' on great scenery of Silver Lake daVine...

February
Mon
--- -- -- -- --1 -2 -3
-4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29
Confirm: date, time --all subject to change without notice

7 ~ Thursday
Gung Hai Fat Choi! --Happy Chinese New Year...15 days...Year of the Rat, next 12 months... not the past seven years, apparently....

9 ~ Saturday
10 AM - 1 PM ~ Farmer's Market
every Saturday, Sunset Junction - Sunset x Griffith Park Blvd., Silver Lake http://www.sunsetjunction.org/

~~~
12 ~ Tuesday
7:00 PM ~ Hike in Griffith Park
every Tues, Wed, Thur, Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round (818) 637-2542 angeles.sierraclub.org/griffith/index.asp

13 ~ Wednesday
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM ~Yoga
Wednesdays, $4. Seniors Club, Recreation Center, 1850 W. Silver Lake Drive, Silver Lake (323) 667-3043

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM ~Nouveau Riche University Luncheon
RSVP: by 3 PM Tues 2-12-08, Chevy Chase Country Club, 3067 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale CA 91362 http:/www.nruniversity.com

6:30 PM - 9:00 PM ~ Urban Design & Preservation Committee Meeting
Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, 2898 Rowena Avenue, Silver Lake, CA 90039 www.silverlakenc.org

14 ~ Thursday
...you knew it was coming(!) no excuses... Valentine's Day ...Sure, honor the 'usual suspects' in the usual ways --beautiful bold or sweet flowers... ...sensuous chocolate... intimate supper...and...the boy, who doesn't smile much, might really enjoy a cupcake and the attention...the senior adult who would never say so, might really enjoy a grocery store gift certificate, variety of 2" herbs, potted up together...the woman writer, on strike, might hug the stuffn's outta you for a local gas station Gift Certificate... and...who else?

12:00 - 9:00 PM ~ ArtWalk
Galleries, art spaces, downtown, free – 2nd Thursday; DASH shuttle goes to each stop and around entire loop of artwalk

8:00 PM ~ Best of ATA Film & Video Festival
Screening of independent original work from non-profit San Francisco house, $5., non-profit Echo Park Film Center, 1200 N. Alvarado Street x Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (213) 484-8846 details

8:15 PM ~ Aretha Franklin
Rare appearance, Nokia Theater, Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles 90015 -off S. Figuora betw Olmpic - Pico Blvds (213) 763-6020

15 ~ Friday
~ Eli Broad's Art Collection Opening
Feb 16 thru Mon Feb 18 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM ~Free Community Week-end
Contemporary Gallery Museum opening, music, dance company, workshops, Free with resv, LA County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd. L.A. CA 90036 (323) 857-6000

~ Great Backyard Bird Count Four days through Feb. 18, Citizen scientists: Audubon Society --annual counting of the birds, by-pass the White House --Any time -in community -work -residence - all ages, All birds count --so do pictures --photo contest, prizes, bragging rights; free or $20. gets: binoculars -magazine -benefits -membership -Audubon Society support to advocate for birds -water -planet. Birds

16 ~ Saturday
12:00 PM ~ Children's Film Festival
Film & animation from various countries -by -about -for children, week-ends thru March 2, $5, REDCAT 631 W. Second St., Los Angeles (213) 237-2800 ~Note: high "yuck" factor for adults till I read schedule --outstanding for parent, birthday party, or solo -sans children SEE details

~~~
18 ~ Monday
To honor their birth day our holiday: President's Day George Washington... Abraham Lincoln...Happy B'day boys... ...what Would they think of this year's election candidates...three with most votes: each voted to strip Americans of rights granted in the Constitution... hard to picture: Washington impressed... Lincoln proud of his Party....

19 ~ Tuesday
7:00 PM ~ Beautification Committee Meeting
Protect, preserve natural -architectural beauty of SL, 3rd Tues, SLNC, 2898 Rowena Ave., Silver Lake CA

20 ~ Wednesday
12:00 - 3:30 PM ~ Silver Lake Senior Club General Meeting & Lunch
$2. RSVP: for address E-mail S. Vendig vendig@sbcglobal.net

7:00 PM ~ Book Discussion: Willie Brown
Ex San Francisco Mayor "Basic Brown: My Life Our Times" on big money -big media with journalist Bill Boyarsky, Central Library, Taper Auditorium, 5th x Flower, LA CA - library card sticker validation park $1.

21 ~ Thursday
8:00 PM ~ Film "Carbuncle"
Premiered at Milan Film Festival, with cast - crew, also Feb. 22, $5., non-profit Echo Park Film Center, 1200 N. Alvarado Street x Sunset Blvd, LA CA 90026 (213) 484-8846

23 ~ Saturday
10:30 AM ~ Urban Expedition - Green Resolutions Ride: Silver Lake
Bicycle tour, Farmer's Market - talk, Eco Home - self-tour, Bicycle Kitchen - DIY repair shop, singles - families, RSVP: e-mail: info(at)BikeNow.org (323) 478-0060, Rec Center,1850 West Silver Lake Dr, Silver Lake, rain cancels BikeNow.org

~~~
26 ~ Tuesday
7:00 PM ~ Arts & Culture Committee Meeting
Kites in the park? Summer Concerts? Day of Dead Festival? Ideas? Artists, volunteers, budget planning --open to community, SLNC office, 2898 Rowena Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039 arts@silverlakenc.org

27 ~ Wednesday
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM ~ Crime Prevention Meeting
Edendale Library, 2011 W. Sunset Blvd. LA 90026 (213) 417-8816 http://www.positiveenergygroup.blogspot.com/

29 ~ In this Leap Year: Happy B'day to anyone born on this rare date (does it work the opposite of dogs --you're seven years younger than everyone else? lol)

3-01-08 ~ Patio to Plate
1:00 - 6:00pm ~Small Space & Seasonal, gardening, cooking class - early registration - one week prior for both: $75, after: $90, Echo Park, Glendale-Union exit #101 (818) 271.0963 allnet@pobox.com

Event: Comming up? If it's retail money-maker -violence -hate based: wrong place, keep looking; community-related politics, meeting, fund-raiser, school, art, news, music, alert Send details: davinely [at] wildmail [.]com

Note: Errands: take canvas -woven -recycled bags TO any store -food place

Note: If photos -calendar -map don't appear in Sidebar: click "Refresh" on your Toolbar (above)

Your Carbon Footprint?
Take a shower -drive a car -use a computer: generates carbon, emissions thrown into the atmosphere...to reduce? Once a day Click: stop global warming --off-set one pound, per day --Free. Share link: with your e-mail list.




tag: Chinese New Year's Valentine's president's day birthday, senior adult hike film movie video lunch children, neighborhood council meeting, bird birds Audubon Society count event silver lake daVine CA