Artists represented above:  Martin Waterman, John Byram, Bill Johnson, Kikki EderLT Mustardseed, Brian Mallman, Sonio Romero, Rick Swallow, George McClements, Ted Waltz Only 1 more day until the Re-Discovery Tour, the Arroyo Arts Collective's 16th annual showcase of artists' homes and studios in the Northeast L.A. communities of Highland Park , Mt. Washington and Eagle Rock.  To maximize your tourgoing experience, you can go by Future Studio today, Saturday, November 22, Noon to 5 p.m. to view representative artwork from some of the 141 artists on the Tour (up from 100 last year). This is a great opportunity to buy your tickets, plan your visits for the next day and  visit Chicken Boy. Future Studio is at 5558 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park, 90042. Once again, the Re-Discovery Tour ... 11/21/2008

This was posted on the local blog L A Eastside by edie.  (Yep, Northeast Los Angeles is very fortunate to be home to many edgy, local bloggers.) I have to share it, its too good to pass up: Dear Federal Government,I would like to join the troubled asset relief program. My trouble is I ain't got no assets but I do have some debt I would like relief from as would the millions of low income people in this country and all the people who are losing their jobs................ Sincerely,Broke in Los Angeles 11/14/2008

This article in today's Los Angeles times titled "How I bought a foreclosed home" ( http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cover9-2008nov09,0,2623620.story ) seems to me to be a a fairly realistic description of a typical buyer's experience in today's market in Southern California. Well, let's hope the part about the  broker who had recently come off of suspension by the Real Estate Department was ~not~ typical.... But sentences like these sure rang true: "There's usually good reason many foreclosed houses languish with no buyers. They may be badly damaged or situated in places that seemed attractive only in the frenzy of a real estate bubble. ¶ The foreclosure inventory is loaded with properties far from job centers, stripped or even vandalized by previous owners or in abandoned develop... 11/09/2008

East Los Angeles Rally Sunday!!! 1pm Lincoln Park PROTEST in the PARK: EQUALITY not H8TE Sponsored by the Latino/a LGBT Coalition latino.lgbt. coalition@ gmail.com This Sun Nov 9th - 1 pm East LA : Lincoln Park3501 Valley Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90031 A peaceful rally of the people. We rally then we march. In peace and with dignity... Everyone's voice is needed. Everyone's help is needed to spread the word... REPOST - SEND TO YOUR EMAIL LISTS & CONTACTS - SEND TEXT MESSAGES BE THERE! Bring signs, banners, whistles and some friends... This image was taken at the marriage ceremony of two dear friends.  I have applied an "artistic filter" to the image to protect their identities.  I must comment that this joyous celebration was attended by elderly family members, and young children.  I didn't... 11/07/2008

The second Saturday of every month is Gallery Night in Northeast Los Angeles:  Your opportunity to explore the Galleries, Shops, Restaurants and Nightlife in the historic and eclectic neighborhoods of Northeast Los Angeles.  Maybe even purchase art for your home or office. Tour participating galleries this Saturday, November 8 from 7PM - 10 PM.   Wrap up the evening with food and drinks at Juanita's La Casa Blue or Mr. T's Bowl.     November Highlights: From 7pm-12am the "We Beta Foster Care Party" Come out and see ourresident artists new Murals for Fall-Winter 2008 [by Comah ] Enjoyour Wine & Sake Bar & Free Japanese Appetizers and Pastries and musicby local band N.F.C....All for a great cause Art & Foster Children ....Sobring your pocket change to donate to Beta Foster Care because yo... 11/06/2008

Curated by J. Michael Walker Peter LiashkovEloy TorresCarol ColinTed WaltzSophia GasparianCindy SuriyaniEd FellaKathi OshimaTammy AbbottPoli MarichalJ. Michael Walker Opening reception: Saturday, November 8, 2008 7-10 pm In 1966 the Chilean songwriter Violeta Parra composed perhaps the most enduring and enchanting song of her time - "Gracias a la Vida" (Thanks to Life) - wherein she expresses undying gratitude, at an almost mystical level, for all the miniscule beauties and unexpected joys of a fraught and troubled existence.  In 2008, we confront a failing economy, harrowing world violence, troubled and troublesome relationships; and an endangered, fragile natural world; and still we seek those poignant moments and scenes which enrich and nourish us.  This Thanksgiving season, artist-a... 11/06/2008

How often do you see lines outside of polling places in Northeast LA? No matter what the outcome of this election, I hope folks continue to be excited about political involvement and public service.  I think it would make this country's Founding Fathers proud.   ~~~Due to long lines all (fill-in-the-blank) supporters are encouraged to vote on Wednesday. ~~~ :-) :-) :-) 11/04/2008

In contrast to the more commercialized Halloween ghouls, goblins and celebrity costumes (although I just can't wait to see all the crossdressers all tricked out as Sarah Palin :-)  ),  Dia de los Muertos honors beloved ancestors, family and friends who have passed on. Here is a collection of links to celebrations of Dia de Los Muertos in Los Angeles Hollywood Forever Cemetary:  http://www.ladayofthedead.com/ Self Help Graphics: http://www.selfhelpgraphics.com/events/diadelosmuertos.php Olvera Street: http://olvera-street.com/html/dia_de_los_muertos.html  Downtown L A Arts District:  http://www.yelp.com/events/los-angeles-9th-annual-festival-de-la-gente---downtown-la-barker-lofts---free-feat-bands-alters-more 10/30/2008

Well, here's a project I started fiddling around with about a year ago, so I guess I can't blame the delay on the lack of a DSL connection for over a week.  :-) But I finally got a few of my friend Lilian's jewelry pieces set up in an Etsy shop.  You can check it out at http://abovetherainbow.etsy.com Over the last few days (my unplugged days) I got a few other pieces photographed.  Now I just need to get those photos edited and uploaded.  :-) 10/26/2008

On Tuesday, October 28th WE TELL STORIES - LA's multi-ethnic children's storytelling theatre company - presents The 3rd Annual **Haunted Harvest Storytelling Festival** from 3-8 pm at the Old LA Farmer's Market in Highland Park at Avenue 58 & Figueroa, 90042.This FREE outdoor festival is a great way for families to enjoy Halloween in a comfortable, lively setting with fun for the whole family.We Tell Stories will perform three 30-minute story-plays filled with the spirit of the season. Performances begin when three actors arrive with a trunk full of costumes and props. Audience participation is encouraged as kids are selected to wear costumes and play an integral role in every performance. This year's guest artist, The Alley Cats, America's Premier Doo-Wop Group, will perform two 30-min... 10/25/2008

Here's the link to CNN's transcript of last night's final Presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain:  http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/15/debate.transcript/index.html For curious readers:  I kept two TVs on last night.  One tuned to the debate, one tuned to the Dodger game.  However as it became increasing apparent that the Dodger game was headed to an unfortunate end, I focused more attention on the debate. 10/15/2008

This will be the fourth and final performance of our series The Black/Brown Dialogues   Commissioned by Kathy Gallegos, Director of Avenue 50 Studio, "The Black/Brown Dialogues", featuring Inspiration House PoetryChoir, honors healthy and ethical cultural dialogue between the African and Latino communities, at one of Latino LA's most important independent galleries.  Using the Inspiration House PoetryChoir format, poets read their work while master musicians improvise musical responses to the poetry, blending words, intonations, audience responses, and dynamic silence into a sonic tapestry that's entrancing and exhilarating.  The poetry series is curated by Peter J. Harris, artistic director, Inspiration House, which produces work dedicated to leaving its audiences renewed and recommitt... 10/15/2008

So do I watch the Dodgers tonight, Game 5 at 5:22 PM Fox (Channel 11 in L.A) Or do I watch the final presidential debate ? Two TVs?  (I don't have a modern TV where you can watch multiple channels in different windows.) Or how about Dodgers on the radio, debate on TV?  Or vice versa?  Or recording the debate?  (No use recording the game, if the Dodgers lose, nobody's gonna wanna watch it anyway.)   :-) 10/15/2008

The Arroyo Arts Collective thanks Councilmember Ed Reyes and the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council for their generous support of the up-coming Re-Discovery Tour, our 16th annual showcase of artists' homes and studios in Highland Park, Mount Washington and Eagle Rock. Suzanne Jimenez,Field Deputy for Councilmember Reyes, graciously arranged for two shuttle buses for this years' Re-Discovery Tour on Sunday, November 23, 2008 (Lummis Home gates open at 9:30 a.m.).Sixteen years ago 50 artists opened their studios - this year the roster tops 140 - old favorites side by side with fresh finds, featuring painting, sculpture, ceramics, collage, computer graphics, photography, letterpress, printmaking, fiber arts and spray can art. Something for everyone (in a good way). This is an oppo... 10/08/2008

The second Saturday of every month is Gallery Night in Northeast Los Angeles:  Your opportunity to explore the Galleries, Shops, Restaurants and Nightlife in the historic and eclectic neighborhoods of Northeast Los Angeles.  Maybe even purchase art for your home or office.     Tour participating galleries this Saturday, October 11 from 7PM - 10 PM.   Wrap up the evening with food and drinks at Juanita's/La Casa Blue or Mr. T's Bowl.    October Highlights: Avenue 50 Studio, Inc.a 501(c)(3) non-profit art gallery131 North Avenue 50Highland Park, CA  90042323-258-1435  The Avenue 50 Studio presents an exhibition in honor of Dia De Los Muertos, "Secretos y Cartas de los Muertos".  This innovative art exhibit has as its premise the intimate letters, some containing secrets, purportedly writt... 10/07/2008

There is a plan to move an altered house, that has had its historic wood siding covered with stucco and the historic windows and frames replaced by aluminum sliders, into the Garvanza area -- an then restore it back to its 1870s appearance. As Garvanza works to establish a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, events come together to add new dimensions to the area.  One of these is the moving of historic buildings to the area to help ensure their preservation. Highland Park Heritage Trust member Brad Chambers already has a strong preservation track record in Garvanza.  Several years ago he purchased several properties on Avenue 64, across the street from the Church of the Angeles.  The first thing he did was to restore the historic buildings, including his own which was one of the first h... 10/04/2008

"Secretos y Cartas de los Muertos"   "Secrets and Letters from the Dead" The Avenue 50 Studio presents an exhibition in honor of Dia De Los Muertos, "Secretos y Cartas de los Muertos".  This innovative art exhibit has as its premise the intimate letters, some containing secrets, purportedly written by individuals who have passed on from the physical to the spiritual world.  With the traditional theme of Dia de los Muertos serving as the foundation, the artists have written and/or illustrated these new letter works revealing secrets.  Along side the visual artists, writers Tiffany Ana Lopez and Gloria Alvarez have worked collaboratively with several artists to create insightful letters from the dead.  Letters written by our departed loved ones hold a special meaning for us as constant re... 10/02/2008

The Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council will help sponsor the fourth annual Lummis Day: The Festival of Northeast Los Angeles, a free, public celebration of the history and multi-cultural heritage of the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods, on Sunday, June 7, 2009.The event will feature musicians, artists, dance groups, restaurants and poets representing an array of Northeast L.A.'s ethnic and cultural groups. The third annual Festival, held June 1, drew approximately 9,000 persons to events at Sycamore Grove Park, Casa de Adobe and Lummis Home.As in past years, the June 7 Festival will be preceded by educational workshops for teachers and poetry readings and workshops to be held in partnership with Northeast L.A. libraries.Lummis Day takes its name from Charles Fletcher Lummis, who served... 09/24/2008

This week's Featured Vendor: Do you like mixed nuts? Check out Avitua Farms.  Avitua Farms has been with the market from the very beginning. Run by Joe Avitua, whose been farming in Exeter since 1985. He specializes in citrus, apples, stone fruits and grapes, farming nearly 100 acres. When you come to Old L A Farmer's Market, Avitua Farms is located at the southern-most location on Ave. 58 close to Figueroa; you'll see a selection of nuts (pecans, macadamians, walnuts, etc.) and dried fruits (raisins, persimmons, many others), all grown at the Avitua farm. The Old L.A. Farmers Market in Highland Park is open every Tuesday, from 3 to 8, on Avenue 58 between North Figueroa and Marmion Way, and along Marmion Way. 09/23/2008

Rock Rose Art Gallery8th Annual Latino Heritage Month Art Show LOS TRESRafael Escamilla, Cecilia Marmol, Lino MartinezArtist Reception: Saturday, September 27, 7 pm- 10 pmShow runs through October 4, 2008   Rock Rose Art Gallery4108 N. Figueroa StreetHighland Park, CA 90065(323) 635-9125 cellE-mail, Web site, http://www.rockroseartgallery.comGallery hours, Friday, 6-9 p, Saturday/Sunday 11 am - 4 pm 09/23/2008