It is that time again. Time for the Highland Park Survey 2009. Time to photograph the life and times of 90042. And once again, you the Highland Parker, Garvanzan, Hermonite, Monterey Hillian, and public at-large, are invited to contribute to the photographic document that is our home on the last week of the year.
Please join the Highland Park Survey 2009 Group on flickr, and take photos of this place within the zip code 90042, between Christmas Day 2009 and New Year’s Day 2010, then share them with the group.
Let’s see what has changed, what is new, what is lost, what beauty is hidden within this diamond in the rough.
Gotta hand it to ALZA, he's down with the Burrito Project.
Life is a gift. All that we ask is that you leave this planet better than how you found it.
Make your millions. Amass stability, safety, and security. Give away what is left. –Because in the end, you cannot take it with you.
This zip code is home to some of Los Angeles’ oldest, and most ambitious non-profit charitable organizations. In the spirit of the holidays, and as a year-end effort to give away some money and get a write-off on your 2009 Tax returns, here is a short list of 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organizations within 90042. (And a special few based nearby)
Hathaway-Sycamores
840 N. Avenue 66
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Founded on Avenue 66 in Garvanza in 1919 as the Kiddie Koop Orphanage, Hathaway Home for Children grew and merged into Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services in 2005. Today the Gavanza campus is used as a Family Resource Center providing youth enrichment services to under-served communities such as our own.
“Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, is one of the largest, nonprofit, private children’s mental health and welfare agencies in Los Angeles County, provides a comprehensive continuum of services to over 11,000 children and families annually through a network of facilities stretching across the greater Los Angeles area including the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and the Antelope Valley. Services include: a residential treatment center for youth ages six through 18; foster care and adoption services; a nonpublic school; school-based and outpatient mental health services; wraparound and in-home counseling services; a transitional living program for teens; a family resource center; and a grief and loss center for children. The agency is licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services, certified by the Department of Mental Health, and accredited through The Joint Commission.”
Donate here.
Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services
6957 North Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Originally established as a farm at this address by Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Strickland in 1906, the orphanage began with an orphaned nephew, before being incorporated into the Strickland Home for Boys in 1914. In the 1930’s the Optimist Club would expand the orphanage, creating Optimist Boys’ Home and Ranch. Today the campus on Figueroa provides comprehensive treatment, specialized education and support services to abused, neglected and at-risk youth and their families, including adolescents on probation.
“Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services’ core program is a 24-hour residential-care facility for 99 boys in five dormitories and three independent living units. The agency also operates two group homes that care for six boys each and two group homes for six girls each; transitional living programs for emancipated youth, the Foster Family & Adoption Services with 90 children in foster homes; a non-public high school serving 200 youngsters, a variety of Mental Health programs, most of which are community based, and transitional housing programs in Orange and Riverside counties.”
Arroyo Arts Collective
P.O. Box 50835, York Station
Highland Park, CA 90050-0835
“The Arroyo Arts Collective was established in 1989 as a community organization of artists, writers and performers who live and work in Northeast Los Angeles, including the neighborhoods of Highland Park, Mt. Washington, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights and Eagle Rock. Historically rich in tradition, the area bordering the Arroyo Seco was Los Angeles’ first cultural center at the beginning of the 20th century and the site of the Southwest Museum, the city’s first. A large concentration of artists continues to reside in northeast Los Angeles in some of the city’s most thoroughly multicultural and richly diverse neighborhoods.
The mission of the Arroyo Arts Collective is to develop and present creative events that educate and expand the audience for culture while creating an awareness of the creative vitality that exists in northeast Los Angeles.
By encouraging neighborhood involvement in the arts and presenting innovative art-driven activities and exhibitions, the goal of the Collective is to address the cultural needs of the area, link the creative community with the neighborhood at large, and make art available to the underserved audience of northeast Los Angeles.”
Avenue 50 Studio
131 North Ave 50
Los Angeles, CA 90042-3903
The nexus of the Northeast Los Angeles art world and culture is a non-profit gallery that is called a studio. Hosting lectures, workshops, classes, and exhibits that connect Highland Park to the greater world at-large.
“Avenue 50 Studio, Inc. is an arts presentation organization grounded in Latin@ Chican@ culture. Our monthly shows principally exhibit artists of color who display a high quality of work, and who have not been represented in mainstream galleries. We seek to build bridges of cultural understanding through artistic expressions. Using content-driven art to educate and to stimulate intercultural understanding, we build relationships and collaborations with artists and communities. Our eight year track record of over 80 shows in the Northeast LA area has ranged from international exchange exhibits to presenting Asian and African American artists in a largely Latino community. The art openings are a testament to the mix of cultures, national origins, and races that make up metro LA and our Highland Park neighborhood. We feel the showing of multicultural arts on a monthly basis in a working class community can go a long way in educating people to the importance of diverse art in our lives. Along with this, Avenue 50 Studio is a center for cultural activities with workshops in art, spoken word and other creative forms of expression. Our community gathers around the exhibits, presentation of Latin@ Chican@ films, and poetry readings. We are constantly evolving and our goal is to continue the exhibition and spoken word presentations.”
Outpost for Contemporary Art
1268 North Ave 50
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Razorcake Magazine
PO Box 42129
Los Angeles, CA 90042
The first 501(c)(3) non-profit music magazine in the United States. This internationally distributed bi-monthly punk rock fanzine was co-founded in 2001 by Garvanzan writer and editor, Todd Taylor. In 2005, the magazine and record company gained nonprofit status.
“Razorcake/Gorsky Press, Inc. got together as a nonprofit to educate people in what we love and live: independent music and the community surrounding it. Some of the ways we do this are through, but not limited to, making and distributing a bi-monthly magazine (that would be Razorcake), organizing and maintaining a community space, publishing books and other literary material (that would be Gorsky Press), archiving activities, and musical performances.”
Donate: Here.
The Wall – Las Memorias Project
111 North Avenue 56
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Established in 1993, The Wall – Las Memorias Project is dedicated to promoting wellness and preventing illness among Latino populations affected by HIV/AIDS.
Milagro Allegro Comunity Garden
151 S. Avenue 56
Highland Park CA, 90042
Established this year in a vacant city lot at 115 S. Avenue 56, the garden features 10,000 square feet of land divided into 32 raised plots for cultivating fruits, vegetables and flowers by community gardeners. The Milagro Allegro Community Garden integrates urban farming, art and education in the heart of the Highland Park neighborhood.
See their Donation Page to contribute.
Arroyo Vista Family Health Center
6000 North Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90042-4232
“Since 1981, we have been serving the health care needs of Greater Northeast Los Angeles and surrounding communities by providing accessible, high quality, and affordable primary health care and preventive services.”
Old LA Farmer’s Market
Avenue 57 & Marmion Way
Highland Park, CA 90042
Tuesdays 3PM-8PM
Yes, they are a non-profit organization too. [Part of the North Figueroa Business Improvement District.] (Donate web-page design?)
Hollywood Dog Obedience Club
261 South Ave 54
Los Angeles, CA 90042
“A non-profit organization that was founded in 1949 to better the relationships and lives of dogs and their owners.” (Highland Park-based organization named after Hollywood Dogs, that meets in Griffith Park.)
Friends of Hermon Dog Park
6276 Pine Crest Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90042
The Friends of Hermon Dog Park exist to enhance the Hermon Dog Park, keep it’s environment safe and healthy, teach responsible pet ownership and further humane education, encourage dog training efforts, organize pet adoption events, and help other organizations that provide for the care of animals.
Art-In-The-Park
Hermon Park in The Arroyo Seco
5568 Via Marisol (Hermon Avenue)
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Art in the Park is a non-profit organization {501(c)3} that provides free music lessons through the Lalo Guerrero School of Music to the children of the Northeast Area which is an underrepresented area with a very high percentage of high school dropouts. Our program of music gives the children (8- 18) the opportunity to acquire discipline, good habits and high self-esteem through learning to play an instrument, practicing at home, and performing in front of large audiences. The connection between music and school achievement is well-known and we base our approach on this. The school’s mantra is “Kids+Music=College”. Besides just teaching music and performing, we have college counselors come and advise the families about courses, colleges and financial aids.
Los Angeles Police Historical Society
6045 York Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Preserving the history of the Los Angeles Police Department at the Los Angeles Police Museum in the former Highland Park Jail, Police Station No. 11
Center For The Arts, Eagle Rock
2225 Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90041
“Presenting innovative and multicultural arts programming to the communities of Northeast Los Angeles. We target nontraditional and under-served audiences at nontraditional venues, providing access to excellent arts education to at-risk youth and contemporary cultural experiences to all in our area.”
The Audubon Center
4700 North Griffin Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90031
“The Audubon Center at Debs Park opened in 2003 as an environmental education and conservation center for the communities of northeast Los Angeles. The Center is located in the third largest park in the city of Los Angeles. More than half of the park is covered in walnut-oak woodland, grassland, and coastal sage scrub, a remnant of the native habitats that once rimmed the Los Angeles Basin. Over 140 species of birds have been recorded here.
The Center’s mission is to inspire people to experience, understand and care for the local natural world. The nature-based education and community programs at Debs Park are designed to engage children and their families in the outdoor world, and to give them a personal stake in its protection by making environmental issues relevant to their lives. The Center is operated by Audubon California, a state field program of National Audubon Society, and is a vital part of Audubon’s national outreach initiative to engage Latino audiences. The Center, which is surrounded by predominately Latino neighborhoods, is a unique gathering place and dynamic focal point for outdoor recreation, environmental education and conservation action.”
Donate HERE.
Heritage Square Museum
3800 Homer Street
Los Angeles, California 90031
“A living history museum located in Montecito Heights, that tells the story of the development of Southern California through architecture. Eight historic structures, a train car, and a trolly car were all saved from demolition and moved to the site between 1969 – 2005. The museum focuses its efforts on interpreting the years 1850 to 1950, a period of unprecedented growth in Los Angeles. Volunteer interpreters give thorough tours that incorporate the history, architecture, and culture of the region. Other specialized living history events, lectures, and items of historical interest are given on a periodic basis.
Principal goals are to promote and ensure the preservation of local heritage, history, and architecture for the communities of Los Angeles to learn from and cherish for generations to come. We achieve these objectives through several means: by providing quality educational and enriching programs and exhibitions to our public; by being a leader in historic preservation in the Los Angeles community; and by providing a safe haven for the rich architectural heritage that exists in the City and County of Los Angeles.”
La Casita Verde Child Development Center
4601 N. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90065.
“Operated by Mount Washington Preschool & Child Care Centers (MWPCCC), La Casita Verde is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in Northeast Los Angeles whose mission is to create, manage and sustain: Developmentally appropriate, high quality, accessible, culturally supportive preschool and child care which encourages and supports family and parent participation throughout a child’s life; and collaboration with other organizations to promote children’s optimal development and to enhance the quality of family life in our diverse community.”
Friends of The Los Angeles River
570 W. Ave 26 #250
Los Angeles, CA 90065
“A non-profit organization founded in 1986 to protect and restore the natural and historic heritage of the Los Angeles River and its riparian habitat through inclusive planning, education and wise stewardship.”
CICLE
4734 Eagle Rock Blvd. #1001
Los Angeles, California 90041
“Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.) is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles working to promote the bicycle as a viable, healthy, and sustainable transportation choice.
We believe that our cities can be places that support an overall high quality of life–where people can enjoy clean air, calm and friendly streets, and closely connected and diverse communities. We envision our streets as vibrant, welcoming spaces that safely accommodate all road users, and prioritize the safe passage of people–on bike, on foot, by wheelchair, by bus and/or by train. The city infrastructure is people-friendly, and encourages healthy and active transportation options that not only build our bodies and our health, but also benefit our communities and our environment. Public green spaces are many, and our streets serve as much more than transportation corridors–they are also community-oriented social spaces, where people of all ages can safely bike, walk, play, and socialize with their neighbors.”
LA Commons
4343 Leimert Park Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Arts organization highly active in Highland Park.
“Founded in 2003, LA Commons’ mission is to engage communities in artistic and cultural expression that tells their unique stories and serves as a basis for dialogue, interaction and a better understanding of Los Angeles. LA Commons’ approach is two-fold. The first component is our community-based art initiatives, through which we hire local artists and young people to translate community stories into public art. The youth participants take the lead in interviewing community members about the project themes and engaging community members in the art making workshops. They serve as spokespeople for the project, charged with explaining the purpose, process, and meaning of the artwork to the community, visitors, and elected officials.”
Donate via Community Partners.
The hungry homeless of Los Angeles could always use beans, rice, cheese and tortillas wrapped into a burrito.
San Francisco-based Wikimedia Foundation provides the internet format to footnote the entire database of mankind. Without Wikipedia, this blog would not exist.
All board the Santa Death Bus. From the Metro Library and Archive's Flickr photostream. 1960
I was going to post something different today, but couldn’t get this image of Santa and the 1960 MTA Dreamliner bus out of my head. Why is there a body under that bus? Where is Santa going? Why is that guy inside tagging the window? All unanswered questions for this holiday season.
Avenue 43 Exit & On-ramp of The Arroyo Seco Parkway.
When the orange construction signs announcing that sections of State Route 110 / SR110/ The Pasadena Freeway / The Arroyo Seco Parkway would be closed until October 30th of 2010, the drivers of Northeast Los Angeles, Pasadena and South Pasadena became acutely aware of a 17 million dollar, twelve month upgrade project. On Wednesday, December 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., representatives for Caltrans will be at Ramona Hall to tell the people of Northeast Los Angeles what upgrade plans they are currently executing along the Arroyo Seco Parkway. (Installing elastic rubber road shoulders would be a great addition, but I doubt that is a part of their plans.)
Arroyo Parkway Upgrade Community Meeting
Wednesday, December 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Ramona Hall Community Center
4580 North Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031.
It is December, and this means it is time for that cholesterol & fat laced holiday treat: Eggnog. And there is no better store-bought eggnog than Broguirere’s.
I have been known over the years to make a pilgrimage out to the last remnant of Los Angeles’ historic dairy land in Montebello just to get a bottle of Broguirere’s. The glass-bottle-only milk can be found in high-end grocery stores like Pavillions, Bristol Farms, Whole Foods, and most recently, our very own affordable specialty grocery store, Figueroa Produce. Every November and December, Broguirere’s makes batches of the most lushious eggnog available. Thick, rich and the most-perfect vessel for your favorite whiskey or rum.
There is only one place to find this Eggnog in 90042: The Rock-N-Roll 7-Eleven on Figueroa Street & Avenue 52. (Called that for the loud rock music and non-conformist nature among the Southland Corporation’s global chain. Tho, they’ve been playing smooth jazz and holiday muzak the last few times I have been in.) For the last three years, it has been my secret source for the sauce. Where most grocery stores have sold out, I could always find it here.
Now that I have shared this information with you, all I ask is that you leave one for me!
The "P" Line of the LARy painted as a candy cane for the holidays, 1947. Photo via the Metro Library and Archive.
The trolley car seen here is on the “P” Line, who’s route went from Rimpau Blvd. and Pico Blvd. down Pico, then up Broadway, turning right on 1st and then into Boyle Heights. Before supergraphics made it possible to wrap cars, trucks, buses, trains, and buildings in whatever vinyl design or image we wanted, for Christmastime, the maintenance men of the Los Angeles Railway decorated the yellow streetcars the old-fashioned way –with a paint brush. For a month, the yellow would give way to a more festive candy cane design that Santa would approve of. And if you were lucky, you might even see him on board.
This month is going at light-speed. Events, parties, get-togethers, dinners, lunches, brunches, birthdays, shopping, decorating, card writing, cooking, baking, making and time to sleep are all piling on top of each other. Hectic? Yes. frustrating? Yes. Fun? Yes, there is that too. Thank goodness Santa is there to lift our spirits…
Santa Rida at Highland Park Metro Station in 2006.
Friday, December 11
Midnight Ridazz present The 4th Annual All City Toy Ride!
When not dodging bullets on Avenue 52, the Echo Park born national bicycle cult, Midnight Ridazz can be found each December, riding from every corner of Los Angeles to bring toys to needy girls and boys. This is the 4th edition of the ride, and just like previous ones, they all converge at the Nativity Scene located in the Olvera Street plaza, downtown. This year the toys are being donated to The East L.A. Women’s Center, with the after-party at the Nucleus Event Center, near Hollenbeck Park at 650 S. Clarence St.
So get a shinny new unwrapped toy worth $5-$25, grab your bike, lights, a rain poncho, and join the rolling holiday party from the Highland Park Metro Station! The Ride meets at 9PM and leaves around 9:30PM. (There is a 40% Chance of Rain, and a 100% Chance of Fun!)
Event Details: here.
NELA ride details: here.
And if that weren’t enough excitement…
SF Santacon 2007. Photo by flickr addict, Steve Rhodes.
Saturday, December 12
On the first day of Chanukah brings us Santa. More specifically, 450 Santas. As in LA Santacon 2009.
What started in San Francisco by The Cacophony Society in 1995, Santacon has now grown into an international event on every continent of Earth, including Antarctica. This year’s Los Angeles edition of Santacon features our very own Gold Line. Starting off at Union Station at 11AM, the 400+ Santas will be Going Metro to the Eastside & Pasadena and Santa may, or may not land at our sleepy neck of the woods. Though Santa has been known to pull a few tricks, these santas are primarily looking for some place to go drink. If encountered, the Holiday Survival Handbook says to simply treat them like you would any other borracho. (But be sure not to mention any presents, be it future, or the ones he should have brought you, but didn’t.)
You have been warned!
Must Be Santa
Who’s got a beard that’s long and white
Santa’s got a beard that’s long and white
Who comes around on a special night
Santa comes around on a special night
Special Night, beard that’s white
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Clause
Who wears boots and a suit of red
Santa wears boots and a suit of red
Who wears a long cap on his head
Santa wears a long cap on his head
Cap on head, suit that’s red
Special night, beard that’s white
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Clause
Who’s got a big red cherry nose
Santa’s got a big red cherry nose
Who laughs this way HO HO HO
Santa laughs this way HO HO HO
HO HO HO, cherry nose
Cap on head, suit that’s red
Special night, beard that’s white
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Clause
Who very soon will come our way
Santa very soon will come our way
Eight little reindeer pull his sleigh
Santa’s little reindeer pull his sleigh
Reindeer sleigh, come our way
HO HO HO, cherry nose
Cap on head, suit that’s red
Special night, beard that’s white
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Clause
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,
Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen
Reindeer sleigh, come our way
HO HO HO, cherry nose
Cap on head, suit that’s red
Special night, beard that’s white
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Clause!
by William Fredericks and Hal Moore.
Came across this gem of Highland Park history the other day while searching Google Videos for something. I started watching Charles Chaplin’s 1921 silent motion picture, The Kid that is uploaded in its entirety (including an option for Esperanto subtitles). In the very first scene is a building used as a Charity Hospital where the mother of The Kid emerges with her child.
This Charity Hospital looks familiar. The doorway, the columns, the bricks, the windows. I have seen this before. Could this be the former Occidental College building at 121 North Avenue 50 built by Myron Hunt around 1900? Why, yes it is!
Occidental College, on Avenue 50 in Highland Park, 1904.
When the movie was filmed in 1920, this building had already been abandoned by Occidental College six years prior when the school moved to Eagle Rock. This becomes obvious seeing the re-naturalized state of the yard in the screen-shot, and if you look closely, there’s evidence of a few rocks thrown through the upper windows. (Those darn Highland Park kids!)
There are some other recognizable sights in the movie such as the Colorado Street Bridge over the Arroyo Seco, AKA “Suicide Bridge.” Where the mother in the picture contemplates, what else, Suicide. The slum scenes are filmed at the once heavy industrial neighborhood around Olvera street & Alameda Street before it became Union Station, freeways, and a Mexican-themed tourist attraction. But this was quite a surprise to see a place in our neighborhood in a film from 90 years ago. Watch the first ten minutes for yourself!
The doorway from The Kid in 1920, as an apartment building in 2007.
Pacific Electric Streetcars pass Avenue 57 on their ways to Slauson Junction and Pasadena via North Figueroa Street in 1906. Photo from the LA Public Library Photo Collection.
Thinking about this weekend’s upcoming parade on Figueroa Street reminded me of this image from a hundred years ago of the Pacific Electric Red Car that didn’t so much parade on Figueroa, as it ran back and forth every day for decades. In 1906 this was the easiest way to travel to Pasadena or South Los Angeles (unless you wanted to take your horse and Surrey Carriage out).
The trolleys on Figueroa Street (formerly Pasadena Avenue) ran from 1893 until 1942. Abandoned due to nearby Los Angeles Railway (Yellow Car) competition on Monte Vista Street, and the newly opened Pasadena Freeway (Arroyo Seco Parkway). Many of the buildings in the photo are still standing here, only remodeled over the past 100 years beyond recognition. On the left the Kress Department Store can be seen, it’s now the mysterious Frank’s camera store, and on the corner the second story was removed some time in the 1930’s to “Modernize” the building. (or due to the ‘33 Quake…) It is now a clothing store. On the right is the Highland Bank building, today it stands without its columns as a remnant from a 1968 Millard Sheets’ Home Savings remodel as a Chase Bank.
Figueroa Street and Avenue 57 clogged with cars in 2009.
Much thanks to the Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California for helping to fill in the gaps about this rail line’s history.
Jud Fine's Stone Tree sculpture at the Highland Park Metro station gets "Enhanced" for the holidays.
December feels like the quickest month of the year. It seems like only yesterday that the kiddie pool was deflated and the Halloween decorations were put away. (Oh wait, that was yesterday…)
December in Highland Park kicks off this weekend in all the fury of the holidays with book signings, tree lightings, parades, and more, more, more!
Saturday, December 5th:
Nationally renowned author Robert Spector will be a discussing and signing his newest book, The Mom & Pop Store: How the Unsung Heroes of the American Economy Are Surviving and Thriving, at Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, 5702 York Blvd from Noon to 2PM. Galco’s is the one of the few Mom & Pop shops Spector singled out for his new book. And yes, there will be ice-cold soda pop available for tasting. Also a good opportunity to see and stock up on the Holiday Beers that Mr. Nese is selling this year.
At the same time on Saturday, in Downtown’s Fashion District, it will be the 2009 edition of the UNIQUE LA Holiday Show. Located on the top floor of the California Market Center at 110 East 9th Street, this is LA’s largest craft market featuring many Highland Park -based artists among the 300+ participants. Admission is $10, and the event happens both Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. (Last year, Fred Eric’s cooking, Intelligentsia Coffee, and free Pabts Blue Ribbon was enough reason to go.)
When the sun sets Saturday, there will be two special “Light” events. The first event is the 1st Annual Lincoln Heights Christmas Parade Tree Lighting Ceremony (parade next week, tree lighting this week). The tree lighting happens around 5 p.m. at Mirabal Mortuary, 2814 North Broadway. There will be food, drinks, parade royalty, parade marshals, as well as Santa Claus!
The other event, just up the Arroyo at Heritage Square is the 15th Annual Holiday Lamplight Celebration. Imagine a neighborhood lit entirely without the aid of incandescent light! At this event, Heritage Square is transported back to 1890 with lamp flame, dancing, and tasty holiday treats. The celebration happens Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 Adults / $10 Children. Reservations are a must! Call 323-225-2700 ext. 224.
Sunday, December 6th:
The 65th Annual Northeast Los Angeles Holiday Parade marches down Figueroa Street from Avenue 60 to Avenue 50 at 1pm. The Winterfest Carnival, concert, and awards ceremony follows at Sycamore Grove Park. This year there is a super-secret-surprise Grand Marshal (Read: They don’t know who yet.) There was talk about Ozomatli, but I’d be happy to see some of our local heroes such as John Nese the Galco’s Soda Pop King, or Carol The Cleaning Lady, or maybe a half-graffitied float, half-buffed float with ALZA and the LA City graffiti abatement guy sharing the honor. Whatever the situation, it is always fun. Even when it poured cats & dogs five years ago and half the entries canceled (including the one I was in); it was a memorable, albeit soggy time.
While our parade is happening, down the historic W Line of the Los Angeles Railway, in Downtown Los Angeles, is The Los Angeles Conservancy’s screening of It’s A Wonderful Life made by Lincoln Height’s most famous son, Frank Capra. His Christmas masterpiece will be shown at 2pm on Sunday, at the Million Dollar Theater, 307 South Broadway. Admission is $10 Adults / $5 Kids. (I really need to clone myself this weekend.)
And if that isn’t enough to put you in the holiday spirit, rain is predicted for Monday. Yes, RAIN!
