Central City East : Downtown Los Angeles

Skid Row set to begin Holiday season

2009-11-17T20:24:00.001-08:00

The non-profits are getting ready to begin their Holiday Season. As Always the Midnight Mission hosts their Thanksgiving Street fair on the actual Thanksgiving day . The festivities bring out lot's of music, esp the Music of the Midnight Mission all volunteer blues band. The Music fills the streets on 6th Street between San Julian Street and San Pedro. This year will be Thursday November 26Th .

The Los Angeles Mission will have their Thanksgiving festival on 5Th street between Wall Street and San Pedro on November 25Th .

The Union Rescue Mission will have their Thanksgiving Street Fair on Saturday November 21st .

The Fred Jordan Mission will also be having their Thanksgiving on the Street on November 26Th. It will be held between Crocker and Gladys on 5Th street.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!!!

Skid Row Citizenship

2009-11-03T23:43:00.001-08:00

Have I given up my skid row citizenship?

I don't know, but it is strange to be living in a part of the community that isn't full of crime and folks sleeping on the streets, no smell of weed intermixed with the smell of crack cocaine. No feeling that the criminals will get me , no one walking by me and saying threatening things only I can hear related to my work with the LAPD and the non-profits.

It is also quite interesting to know that I had to put these fears , these thoughts of seeing human beings suffering, into the far recesses of my mind everyday I was in skid row. To think that this is a traumatic experience , I can assure you living in skid row everyday is a traumatic experience , thus, now I dread having to go there and all I have to do is get the rest of my belongings.

Skid Row is as raw as it gets. The naked human condition. The predators , both sexual and drug enslavers , are everywhere. I mean , where else can you live and a person goes around showing you a nude photo of his so called girlfriend on his cell phone in a provocative position and then when you tell them you don't want to see that are called gay and then that person hits on you. The perversity in skid row was everywhere. But when one maintains that light through the strength of the creator of the Universe , things have to change around you; these laws are inviolable.

I am a square. I am not perfect,but most would call me a square. In skid row to be a square is not welcome. I witnessed a person who claimed to be law abiding and living in skid row at a public hearing , knowing that that person sells boot leg dvds. SO even many who claim to be square front a lot to hide their true character.

I know that much of the universe is hard for many to understand. I don't know how to live by all of the laws of the universe and work within the scope of those natural laws , but I do know that living by faith and understanding faith as a universal natural law , then I can move forward in this existence. I truly believe we are meant to discover these laws and learn to abide by them so we can draw closer to the source which these laws come from..

It is difficult for others to even come close to understand concepts such as delayed gratification, inertia ( what goes up must come down, reaping and sowing, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction) why we must refrain from introducing chemicals into our bodies that mimic those in the body because the body will stop producing the ones internally which allow us to grow and learn....and that we are responsible for our behaviors around others because we can cause negative energy to attach to another and cause pain and suffering and sadness.

Free will is a right and inalienable right and it is also a tool we can use to work within the parameters of the natural laws to create and enjoy our sentience and our extension of what is inherently at the core of our every being and express it. That radiation which we call the life force...

I am skid row adjacent, but am living in a different culture where social norms are followed , where there are consequences to what we do , where civility can have it's day. Skid Row was not like that, it is a place where bad is rewarded and good is punished. It is a place that instills in those who wish to live a life of virtue the opportunity to endure , the whole world is like that , but in skid row negative energy is the dominating force, and when one is full of positive energy, you can actually feel the negative forces around you pushing to squash it and if it can't gain your will , it will literally push you out or try to push you away, because the darkness can not be, nor stand to be, around light. If you are light. skid row will literally regurgitate you from within it's borders .

It is this that I have to take hold of; that I must endure to the end and do what I know is right and cling to the knowledge that in due season I will reap . It is these tests that make us who we are. I am literally a better person for having lived in skid row. For understanding and sensing the pain that flows from those who do not and have not learned the lessons that I have. You can feel their pain and they sometimes will tell you that it is easy for those on the straight and narrow to look like perfection in that place, it literally causes them emotional pain that hurts them. I can't comprehend the idea that just because I don't consume drugs or engage in prostitution or prey on other human beings how someone could envy those attributes in myself. To me it is just Loving oneself and loving my neighbors. It is also a gift..

I digress to the fact that I am now even having a hard time going back to the heart of skid row now that I don't have to....WOW!!!! So many do wish to keep it out of sight and mind... but if we are all connected by the same source , no matter how dim , we can still feel the deep suffering of these our fellow human beings.... The human condition is what we are living...

Has the Downtown News really started to do journalism

2009-10-30T02:30:00.000-07:00

If you walk around Los Angeles and ask folks what they think about the Downtown News , a lot of responses will be that they are nothing but a promotional rag to the highest bidder , yet these past couple of weeks we have seen Ryan Vaillancourt do actual Journalism in the stories he has submitted and published about the skid row 30n3 basketball league.

It is amazing to see that the howls from downtown residents about actual reporting on what is going on downtown other than the promotional stories about those who pay for advertising in the Downtown News is coming to pass. I am just glad we are seeing the reemergence of a downtown staple becoming a real place to read stories about downtown and not just the politically correct tied to advertiser stories.

Ryan has my utmost respect ... keep them coming... we want to read stories about life in Downtown and not just who has the best new residential building...

He also has qualified himself for an actual Los Angeles Town Crier Ambassador of Goodwill Award for his crossing social and economic barriers to create community within the city of Los Angeles... Someone will nominate him , hopefully...Come on someone nominate him...

Getting ready for the move and a new life

2009-10-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

That is me on the left standing next to sid garcia..boy was I big

I am glad I took the risk I took to get the weight loss surgery. In life we all need to take risks. I have seen photos of myself and I can say...I was fat as all heck!!!

Geez Louise!!! I am feeling a lot better. At 223 lbs instead of what I was at 280 lbs or even more, 298 at my heaviest, I can say that it is quite a different life and different world. Some people treat me differently;, for the better and some treat me worse.

I was even threatened by a doctor that if I sought out another doctor to go through the process of getting permission to get the weight loss surgery, that doctors group would not see me anymore. They were true to their word. Now I have different doctors and I can start off on a better footing simply because my moods won't be so bad because of the diabetes, which I now no longer have. I have to confirm this with the Endocrinologist , but we shall see what is happening. I am just so happy that now I will be moving into market rate housing and become a productive member of society. This is what I have been shooting for ,for a long time. I know I still suffer with the inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy , but I can keep that under control since I will be operating within a short year my own business and working for myself . I will have to learn how to live with lot's of money. Life is good!!!

I just want to get back into shape again . That is all I want right now. To be at least looking healthy and being healthy. I am just fortunate that the weight loss surgery helped me in the area of the diabetes.

Faith in God is the most important thing.

All good things must come to an end

2009-09-21T17:46:00.000-07:00

It might be I might be leaving skid row in a couple of weeks or a couple of months. Time and weight are telling me it it is time to go. Interesting that I have lost almost 50 lbs and my thinking is also changing , not just my body's proportions. The way I am thinking now is that it is time to explore the world. The first thing that needs to be done is to change my location in Los Angeles and try and make a little money. It is so strange to see myself making money and surviving that way. My business can make it anywhere. Everywhere you go people need websites and hosting.. NO biggy...But mine will be a silent skid row success story and I am one of those who took the risk to not be one of those who was dying to get off of skid row. That is usually how one leaves skid row . Many people have to die to get off of skid row. Where I may be moving next is not far from skid row , but in a way it is as far away as one can get from skid row. I will let you know. It almost feels like I am abandoning the efforts there, but many people live outside of skid row and do very well at doing things to make it better for the people there. But to be honest with you ,I will be free where I will be living. Market rate rents allow for this.

To be free is one of the most important things in the world. I think I will be happier there than anyplace else..and then I can move on to traveling and just enjoying life in shape physically and emotionally. It was the place I had been living that was causing a lot of my physical problems. I no longer need an oxygen tank with me nor the concentrator. I will still use a CPAP machine in the evenings, but we shall see if I don't need that anymore in the future. Emotional stability has been achieved as a result of the remission of my diabetes as a result of the gastric bypass surgery. I won't say it is cured because I know my diabetes was the result of the intravenous prednisone treatments due to a different illness. Watch the video to see the amazing things the Midnight Mission does.

One thing I am grateful for is the Midnight Mission allowing myself to stay in the transitional program in my own room and with air conditioning this summer during my recuperation from the surgery. It has been an experience. Boy ! Has it been an experience.... The Midnight Mission is a temple..It is a temple to the idea that, just because someone needs help, we as human beings still have our free will to choose our own religions and think freely,instead of being forced into one religion or other . This is one reason I will give half of all of my profits to the Midnight Mission and it's programs. Where there were those who were willing to toss me away , they were the first to want to take me in , although my illnesses had climaxed to the point of intractability. Now I am calm inside, my illnesses have calmed and, now I have to push myself to get out there and live life. Living at the Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation Hotel was stressful, there was no help, drug dealers ran the hotel, security guards were paid off , and managers, if not paid off, were afraid and let the prostitution and drug dealing run rampant in the hotels. I am glad I left when I did.

Downtown was so good to me while I was at SRO. Downtown looked out for me ,and amazingly it was the gay community that did so much for me while I thought I had not other options. Thank you for all you have done. I love everyone of you. Others who were always those to step up first to help were Orlando Ward and Kathy Ward. Don-Noyes More and Christian Martinez, Councilwoman Jan Perry , Eric Richardson ,and many others who want to remain anonymous were also there.. you I will never forget and pray for.

Now I have to make a decision that will get me out of the skid row fray. I am the type that must have a purpose and the purpose looks like job creation. It is what is needed...

Life and missions

2009-09-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

It is a good feeling to have when one accomplishes a mission. This morning I saw the fruits of my labor as I looked at the Installation of drupal on a linux ubuntu and xammp stack. It is so awesome to have that feeling. There was another part to this project that hasn't happened yet , but it will happen. The Midnight Mission now has it's have it's library data base on GNU licensed software so no one has to worry about software infringement. And the stack is on it's own semi- server so it doesn't have to be connected to the Midnight Mission's IT network. The Library will have it's own network eventually , but for now the most important thing is to have a database where books can easily be entered and kept track of and as a result easily put back on the shelves.

I am looking forward to the best part of the project and I can't reveal what that is yet. But I can say it will be a surprise to the open source community. I love doing this and I am so glad that I can do this.

I was just thinking that, in a way, when we do what is right , even if it is not in our best interest to do so the universe blesses us with things we thought never possible. I see now that the Gastric Bypass surgery I had looks to be a part of that blessing. The diabetes is in remission and I still am tired a lot from my other illness , but at least I don't get the double whammy of the neuropathy also coming from the diabetes. But the weather change reminds me that the demyelinating neuropathy deficits are still present with me and the pain and stiffness is still with me. But I see light instead of darkness. Success at this one project has made me happier then I ever thought and the fact that Ronnie Teasedale traded a fully functional computer tower for SEO advice and I used that tower for this project . Sometimes many of us look at those who are less fortunate as not needing the best , but my experiences in the Midnight Mission Library tell me that to make it difficult for people to look for the books because of the perception they are not worthy due to poverty or situation in life , does not make the Universe happy , nor does it help them get out of the situation they find themselves in. I haven't opened the library fully yet , but the time I was in there putting it back together because of it's use as an office for a wonderful organization , which has now moved on , folks were coming in looking for books in basic math , business , and other things that would help them improve their skills. SO it is important to make sure that the genres are placed where they need to be in categories , but as general as possible to make it easier to put them in their categorical location.

It is an experience. Life is just like that. But the universe, has it.s own agenda and we must be tuned to it in order to flow. That doesn't mean we don't have free will and the freedom to choose. We do. And I will always beleive that. The choices are ours.

Weather Bug and FireStation 9 Los Angeles

2009-09-06T23:46:00.000-07:00

For your edification Fire Station 9 in Skid Row is now transmitting their weatherbug data to those online. Get a weatherbug widget from Weather bug and stay informed on all the weather in skid row. Just click on the widget on the right sidebar of this blog to find out how to get a widget for your site .

SRO Housing Corporation is in the works to get the Huntington

2009-09-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

SRO Housing Corporation is the entity that will be getting the Huntington Hotel. Contrary to other sources of Misinformation , for those who do not yet know , the Huntington Hotel will be managed by SRO Housing Corporation.

Drug sales and crime continues to be rampant within SRO Housing Corporation Hotels, these include the Yankee Hotel , the Southern Hotel. But the most activity can be found on Main Street between 5th Street and 6th Street at the Leonide, which, of course , is operated by SRO Housing Corporation. When will downtown's business viable streets not be inundated with drug dealers , prostitutes , and other forms of crime. There is no accountability at SRO Housing Corporation . Thus , now we are spreading skid row to main street instead of making a change.

Sources have said that the CRA questioned SRO Housing Corporation and it's policy towards it's tenants when it erroneously claimed that air conditioning was not allowed in the hotels in 2007 right before a heatwave. Tenants were threatened with evictions.This blog highlighted the negligence of SRO Housing Corporation in the deaths of those in the September heat wave of 2007. Specifically , Anita Nelson , who refused to do anything about the situation. Rumors are now floating that Anita Nelson is a partner in the LLC's that are formed when a low income hotel is purchased by SRO. As the executive Director at SRO Housing Corporation , can this be construed as a conflict of interest. Interesting enough SRO Housing Corporation has made no effort to even go green so as to alleviate the suffering in their hotels in the hot months. It seems now that SRO is allowing residents to put air conditioners in their windows after the CRA questioning them about their policy. But many tenants are saying otherwise.

This indicates that this blog has succeeded in saving lives. And the fact that the CRA questioned SRO before moving forward with their approval of SRO partnering with CAlif because of this blog means that we are on a roll. It will take more to change things. SRO would manage the upper floors of the Huntington, but if the rampant drug dealing , prostitution , and payoffs to managers in the hotels which SRO already manages is any indication of the way SRO Operates things , do the businesses in the vicinity of the Huntington Hotel , need the pain that comes with a non-profit housing developer as averse to a for profit low income housing developer? The latter can be held accountable by their tenants , the former can not. What do we really want downtown? More of the same? We don't need more of the same.

Trutanich Reaches out to Skid Row

2009-09-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

"The people here need a hand , but not a heavy hand." - Carmen Trutanich walks in skid row

It was a warm evening and the end of a long , hot month with people all over the streets of skid row gathering near the Midnight Mission to get ready for their evening ritual. The usual suspects gathered in front of the brown facade of the front gateway leading into the Midnight Mission. We were all waiting for the person that was mentioned who would make the walk skid row walk tonight . Suddenly , someone pointed in the direction of 6th and San Julian. There was a contingency of City Attorney's and LAPD Commissioner's and also Carmen Trutanich. Carmen Turtanich is the New Los Angeles City Attorney. Many are wondering what will happen on his watch. Will he cave in to to the ACLU , will he do the overkill when it comes to enforcement?

Below, in his own words, as he is interviewed by Eric Richardson from blogdowntown.com , we hear that he is no dummy and he is pragmatic and he will do what is prescribed within the law to deal with skid row.

If a man's character is displayed by his actions , tonight, Carmen Trutanich displayed something not seen in politicos who come to skid row. I have watched and sometimes pondered at how some of the scenes seem staged , yet , tonight, I Knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that Carmen Trutanich, reaching out his hand to shake the hand of a man who is about to sleep on the sidewalk , a man who wanted to show Carmen Trutanich his bed on top of cardboard, illustrated that this New City Attorney was not afraid of the residents of skid row and he cared, genuinely. The main thing was this man was not afraid of human beings who were in dire straits. I have never really seen this display in these politicos , only in Antonio Villaraigosa, And Jan Perry , and Jose Huizar when he comes down here. But Mr. Trutanich's willingness to speak with the denizens of skid row is amazing. His physically reaching out to them was the best symbol which may portend even better changes coming to skid Row. In his responses he seemed to be willing to try and not say he had all of the answers , but willing to work with all sides of the community to find solutions.

Pigeons looking over a skid row street like sentinels as Senior Lead Officer Joseph explains the problems with the public feedings... they congregate where the public feedings take place.

Officer Joseph explaining the physical hygiene of the streets and how public feedings bring vermin such as Pigeons , Rats , and Roaches and also how a big company did not want to stay because of this.

In the current recession there are many people who are finding themselves on the streets because of lost jobs and it was good to hear Carmen Trutanich mention this. In skid row there are many who have barriers that get in the way of employment and it is important that the issue of community courts, and other restorative justice programs are implemented. It was impressive , but time will tell what is up with our new City Attorney.

I also witnessed something different other than the norm. Many Times, on these walks, people who find themselves in skid row will walk up to these strangers in suits and updated fashion and out of the blue ask for a job. Well, Carmen Trutanich took one of these people, who happens to live in the Midnight Mission, up on that , and said he will help him find a job. Amazing!!!! Simply amazing.

"The people here need a hand , but not a heavy hand." "But the people who prey on them I will prey on them."Carmen Trutanich

"There are human beings[here] that want to retain some sort of dignity." Carmen Trutanich

From someone who has been struggling to spread that message , these are words of hope. Dignity.

Skid Row neighorhood walks

2009-08-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

The skid row neighborhood walks continue and this month was no exception. Today was an expectation of the presence of Carmen Trutanich. He didn't make it today. But the rest of the crew was there. It was a nice walk as Officer Deon Joseph was out educating those who had come to walk this time.

What most people don't know is that Councilmember Huizar made two walks this year , unless there were more that I missed because I missed a couple the beginning of the year. But he has also been making his presence known at the walks. Things have changed a lot in skid row.

And the Hate continues

2009-07-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

Residents at the Midnight Mission become sales and Marketing Gurus

2009-07-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

Per Lange of Lange Sales in scandanavia bringing sales coaching to midnight mission

Residents at the Midnight Mission in Downtown Los Angeles Skid Row had the opportunity to learn from one of Scandinavia's best selling and marketing coaches in the industry of sales. I was one of those that was allowed to attend the 5 day seminar on the various selling techniques that make for professional and qualified sales professionals.

Per Lange of Lange Sales was the presenter of the 5 day seminar. Residents and employees of the Midnight Mission sat through an intensive class from 9 am until 1pm the whole 5 days as they interacted with one of the best coaches in sales in Europe and around the world. It was very exciting to learn the techniques that make for high level sales year round instead of the roller coaster that many expect through the year. Just after the first two days I was able to use the first techniques and had success. Then it was on to the psychology of selling and the wonderful explanation of pipeline management.

Per Lange is here on vacation and decided that he wanted to take time out to be of service and used his skills as a way to give. The residents going through the Midnight Mission program some already had experience in sales and some didn't , but all who attended learned much. Per Lange is very much greatly appreciated by those who attended the free seminar and many are saying that they too are already benefiting from the 5 day seminar. I have appointments all next week with clients and with those who may be of service to the Midnight Mission . It is amazing....

Student practicing the presentation techniques

Per taught us things are possible and that we should have a beginners mind in all that we do. I don't want to give it all away ,( eventually I will share my techniques) but suffice it to say, I now have a certificate from PER LANGE SALES ACADEMY and am thinking of hiring 2 of those who attended his seminar . Everyone who went through his Academy received a certificate of completion in pipeline management, sales psychology , and the sales process....

Tommy PASTRAMI HAS COMMUNITY GET TOGETHER AND 3 DOLLAR ALL YOU CAN EAT

2009-07-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

Well , folks , once again Tommy Pastrami has excelled again. Those true texans out there looking for brisket that melts in your mouth and is used in a french dip sandwich need to head on over To Tommy Pastrami.

I got here at around 7 pm and the community get together was still happening and is happening until 9 pm tonite. COme on out. There is plenty of Pastrami and rye bread.

Tommy himself is here and he gave me a taste of the brisket... Guys and Gals it melts in your mouth. You will leave satisfied and there is talk of a Pastrami Sandwich eating contest in the future. It is just right. Finally ,real food in Downtown Los Angeles . NO fluff , reasonable prices , great people and a huge space which has wifi... We are blessed. Keep on the lookout for information on the Downtown Tommy Pastrami pastrami sandwich eating contest...

Stay Tuned.

So Many Angels in DowntownLos Angeles

2009-07-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

Angels flocked to Downtown Los Angeles on Monday and Tuesday. Regardless of what all of the "mess" that was put out to the world about Michael Jackson , his music transformed the hearts of millions around the world...How could anyone not know this. This man had been tormented by the press and quite possibly the people around him...Yet, here we were in Downtown Los Angeles paying our respects to a person who brought much joy into the lives of many. Connected by the one thing that transcends every barrier ; music.

I wasn't planning on attending the signing of the huge poster in the middle of Staples Center , but at the last I did indeed go and while I waited in the line you could fill the wonderful positive energy that permeated the place. This wasn't sadness , this was joy and a celebration of a life that made a difference in the world. At home there were tears at the prospects of allegations that possibly a doctor became a predator and dispensed medications that were harmful. The doctor's basically becoming pushers for money. But we don't know and as I was surrounded by fans of Michael Jackson and heard the stories of those who traveled from Arizona and other places , I knew that I indeed lived in a special place already. Having experienced many encounters with those great actors and athletes and people of industry, these people may never have this sort of experience again , of course I will continue to have those experiences.

As I got to know some of the people in the line I also was offered a ticket and a golden wristband by a young man that came all the way from Arizona. He was so happy to be there and wanted to bless someone with the opportunity to attend the memorial. I didn't have to think . I told him that I always have these types of opportunities and the theme of much of Michael Jackson's music was the brotherhood of man , thus I explained that he needed to bless someone else with that "golden ticket". The wonderful, positive energy permeated all of Downtown and I lived Downtown. Why be selfish. I watched as the county helicopter, which transported Michael Jackson's body, flew directly over my head. What an experience that was. So why be selfish . Let someone else experience those surreal things that I experience almost on a monthly basis. I am blessed beyond measure. Maybe the person who got the ticket , who came on their pilgrimage would have an experience that would change their lives and maybe through them the lives of others.

The lyrics of Michael Jackson's music , the titles such as we are the world and Man in the Mirror speak to the truth that it is all about us. Everything we do in this life is all bout us. We are an office unto ourselves and only we can make the changes necessary to make a better world ,by how? By looking at ourselves. I am an existentialist at heart that believes there is a greater power, god, but I also believe that once we realize that this whole world is about the individual then and only then can the world become a better place through the positive changes we make in ourselves. In other words, the stronger we make ourselves morally or whatever, naturally others can draw that strength from an individual, it need not be forced. We are the world , we are the ones who make a brighter day, we are saving our own lives. As a student of physics how can one deny this truth that we are all connected?

Many came to the Staples Center, Neverland Ranch , and Hollywood BLVD. because it was that music that brought forth another renaissance in the hearts and minds of the people around the world. This collective consciousness is what can change things. And through art it is through this catharsis when we learn to change.

So for those who are still stuck on false humility ; My friends ; please understand that it is all about you. You came to Downtown because that is who you are and when we deny who we are then we can not be responsible to those around us because we are not behaving the way we should in our own office as an individual to choose to do that which is right for ourselves . Laws were created so that those who choose to use their office to hurt others do not.

When we have a hard time making choices with our free will we suffer anxiety: existential angst. We call this free will. But choose the right thing to do and the anxiety goes away. We live with guilt when we choose wrongly and not in tune with our own nature , the nature that makes us who we are.

I believe that Michael Jackson understood these principles. He understood that it is not through tyranny , or oppression which can make people love each other , it is through persuasion. Simply stated, that is what his music meant to me. As a result I knew that to share my downtown with those who travelled so far was part of who I am and being inside Staples Center, taking up the spot of someone else who could benefit from that experience was not who I am. I acted within my nature and I have no regrets.

Tommy Pastrami an A+

2009-07-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well , folks , because of the referral over at blogdowntown I went to Tommy Pastrami and had a real Philly Cheese steak. Like the sign says as you walk in, "it is all about the meat", and, yes, folks, being a true texan and now the official Town Crier of Los Angeles, I have to say it is awesome. The Philly Cheese Steak had the meat all together...the fat melted in the sandwich and not in your mouth, in other words the meat was meat and not a lot of fat....

I would recommend this place. I did also order a lite pastrami on Rye and ,yes, it was lite, being a diabetic , this is the way to go when one is hungry for some meat, like a pastrami sandwich....between Botegga Louie and Tommy Pastrami my East Coast palate is being well taken care of downtown...

The other wonderful thing about this place is that it is clean.... it is larger inside than what it looks like from the outside... a good place to go and there is free wifi.

2009-07-02T01:41:00.001-07:00

Checking again

2009-07-02T00:09:00.001-07:00

Well, just checking to see if this mobile blogging is working.

2009-07-01T23:06:00.001-07:00

Testing testing

2009-07-01T22:44:00.001-07:00

Testing to see if this works

michael jackson we will miss you

2009-06-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

As a child i remember being at a skating rink.....roller skating. There was a huge screen on one of the turnaround walls and videos-music videos were being shown on the screen. A huge roar went up as Michael Jackson's Thriller video was shown and many children stoppped to watch the video. This was a mostly white hick town in east Texas and color did not stop the white folks from being fans. Michael Jackson helped to create a better and closer world. I know that many of his songs have touched me and have helped me in my life. You will be missed.

hello

2009-06-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

hello

feet washing at the midnight mission

2009-06-19T17:59:00.000-07:00

to learn more go to:

The ASHÉ Foundation Partners with TMM

On June 24th, Hollywood icons and athletes, Tom Arnold, Kenny Lattimore, Brandon Fobbs, Howard Hewett, Essence Atkins, Claudia Wells, Jonathan Bennett, Teddy Riley, Niecy Nash, Antonio Cromartie, Harry Smith, Ananda Lewis, Saxophonist Mark Allen Fenton will perform, and others will join The ASHÉ Foundation as they wash the feet and place clean white socks and adequate shoes on the displaced and disadvantage men in the courtyard of The Midnight Mission located at 601 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Clergy leaders, Pastor Barry Lyons of Living Waters of the San Fernando Valley, Pastor Charles Humphrey of Hope’s House Ministries and Rev. John W. Miller of Community Lutheran Church of Los Angeles along with several members of their church, will also be on site to lend a hand to this day of service. "Homelessness has always been my number one platform,” says ASHÉ Executive Director Dion Fearon.

The Midnight Mission is proud to partner with ASHÉ and take part in this important movement. “These are precarious times for all Americans financially and particularly challenging for service providers like us and those that we serve,” states Clancy Imislund, Managing Director of the Mission. “The work of the ASHÉ Foundation and their volunteers is timely and greatly appreciated,” he adds.

If you or someone you know has a brand new pair of men's shoes to donate to The Midnight Mission event on June 24th, please contact The ASHÉ Foundation at (323) 850-6964. For more information about The ASHÉ Foundation visit: www.theashefoundation.org

Openly gay man thrives at the Midnight Mission

2009-06-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the dining room it is hard not to be at awe with the grand diversity found at the Midnight Mission in Downtown Los Angeles. The Midnight Mission provides many services for people. Many people sit and eat and talk about their sobriety and about how they are getting their lives together. It has been very impressive to see the amount of gay men who are in the program. This month the Midnight Mission highlights one of these men on the front page of their website. Not to say there isn't the feeling of homophobia when one is in skid row. It is every where, but the tolerance that is fostered at the midnight mission is being accomplished.

Lindsey , who is on the front page of the Midnight Mission website, is an example of what can happen when we take into account the different lives that are affected by the kindness of strangers. Lindsey and many like him at the Midnight Mission give me strength and the courage to continue to support this oasis for the disenfranchised in a part of downtown that is hard on those who are different. Esp. Gay men... Lindsey gave me permission to write about him being openly gay .. he is humble , quiet , and doesn't flaunt it. But has mentioned that he is not ashamed of who he is...

I have heard the leaders of the midnight mission say that they are not a religious program, but they allow spirituality in ones own religion. There are muslims, christians , athesists, and I am sure- people who believe in their higher power the way they understand it to be in their lives. But skid row presents problems to the glbt community because of the entrenchment of right main stream christianity. No one is knocking it , but there has to be a place for those who are gay to be able to get help with their drug and alcohol problems and the midnight mission does not turn them away and allows them the ability to get to know their god in their own way. Transgendered people, though, I am most positive , have a tougher time in skid row because of their special needs . But this gay man , Lindsey , who has been an inspiration to myself and many others at the Midnight Mission, is one of the greatest examples of why many of us support and have continued to support the Midnight Mission.

To learn more go to : http://www.midnightmission.org

Anita Nelson--- accused of negligence against tenants and alleged wrongful termination of officers - receives thousands in wage increase

2009-05-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

Anita Nelson , Chief Executive Officer of SRO Housing Corporation, continues to see raises while employees are accusing her of wrongful termination. The IRS 990 at Guidestar.org indicates that Anita Nelson received a raise of over 9000 dollars..while other nonprofits have frozen employee salary increases to save essential programs....

During the fiscal year 2007-2008 she received 162,373 dollars in compensation apart from benefits.....here home is estimated to be worth over 800,000 dollars...

While living in Rancho Palos Verdes Estates she had her employees intimidate disabled, physically ill and mentally ill tenants into removing life saving air conditioners from their rooms , which resulted in deaths of tenants during the end of summer heat wave in 2007....

Did SRO Housing Corporation mess over their long term loyal tenants and retaliate against others who have spoken out?

2009-05-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

with the announcement that SRO Housing Corporation is constructing and rehabilitating new structures in the Central City East community of downtown Los Angeles comes word from tenants that SRO Housing corporation may have not payed out relocation fees to those tenants in the LEO hotel that is being remade into another hotel... sources indicate that a relocation company was hired and that many tenants were not given relocation benefits up to the amount that was supposed to have been made....

Other sources also have come forth to indicate that, Bill Minton, the maintenance director of SRO Housing Corporation was using out of state contractors and SRO Housing Corporation knew about this for over one year , yet they may have terminated him based on the reasoning that he did not inform SRO of this.... Bill Minton is rumored to be suing SRO Housing Corporation for wrongful termination..... other sources are bringing forth allegations that people who are paying less at SRO Housing Corporation are being forced to move from their rooms to smaller units to make room for higher paying tenants.....

Are laws being broken at SRO Housing Corporation... stay tuned to all of the drama....here...