Edward D. Padgett Sr. Rest in Peace

Edward D. Padgett Sr. 01.12.33 - 02.09.12

My father passed away yesterday after his five year struggle with the effects of Alzheimer’s, which many have shared regarding their own experiences with their parents and grandparents.

Survived by his wife Maria Elena of fifty years, she was at his side when he passed away at the hospital.

His children; Edward, Celeste, Michael, William, and Martha.

Grandchildren; Kristine, Bryan, Lauren, Margaret, Nathan, Joanna, Michelle, Michael, Kenny, and Gabby.

Great grandchildren; David, Denise, and Bentley

Preceeded in death by his brother Boyd and Grandson Bryan

Worked as a truck driver for the Los Angeles Times from 1950 till the first of many buyouts gave him an early retirement in 1992.

Retired to Desert Hot Springs where he volunteered with the Desert Hot Spring Police Department several times per week and enjoyed hanging out at the 19th hole of the golf course within the community he lived.

Funeral arrangements pending.

Wednesday Afternoon in the Blogosphere

Nathan and Cookie are but two of the thousands living on the streets of Los Angeles.

• Homeless in Los Angeles - LA Progressive
• Dear Patch: I am not your enemy - Romenesko
• Media notes and a lady in gold - Kevin Roderick
• Buyouts offered to 665 USCP workers - Gannett Blog
• 2012 layoffs and buyouts at U.S. newspapers - Paper Cuts
• Washington Post offers buyouts for 5th time in recent years - Poynter
• San Francisco Government Wants You On Welfare - Advice Goddess
• Getting the Living Wage Message to the LA Times - Frying Pan News
• News Publishers Missing Tablet Opportunity - Newspaper Death Watch
• California’s Struggling Spanish-Language Weeklies - Matthew Fleischer

Happy Earthday: Bob Marley (1945-1981)

Bob Marley was born on this date (February 6) in 1945. He was a Jamaican singer and songwriter whose name more than anyone represents reggae music, the tenets of Rastafarianism, and the struggle of the economically and politically oppressed. [SOURCE]



One love, One heart
Let's get together and feel all right
Hear the children crying (One Love)
Hear the children crying (One Heart)
Sayin' give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
Sayin' let's get together and feel all right

Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One Love)
There is one question I'd really love to ask (One Heart)
Is there a place for the hopeless sinner
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own?
Believe me

One Love, One Heart
Let's get together and feel all right
As it was in the beginning (One Love)
So shall it be in the end (One Heart)
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
One more thing

Let's get together to fight this Holy Armageddon (One Love)
So when the Man comes there will be no no doom (One Song)
Have pity on those whose chances grove thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation

Sayin' One Love, One Heart
Let's get together and feel all right
I'm pleading to mankind (One Love)
Oh Lord (One Heart)

Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
Let's get together and feel all right


h/t Electronic Village and Leimert Park

Monday Morning in the Blogosphere

The Union Station Clock Tower Los Angeles

• Big redesign is prelude of more to come - Gannett Blog
• Chicago Tribune Pulled Friday’s ‘Doonesbury’ - Romenesko
• Happy Birthday: Bob Marley (1945-1981) - Electronic Village
• Defending Workers Against Discipline - Broadcast Union News
• Newspaper's duty to question on behalf of its readers - Courier Mail
• Sacramento Bee fires Bryan Patrick for photo manipulation - Poynter
• Will relationship building cost newspapers too much? - Econsultancy
• Lee Enterprises updates annual report to reflect refinancing - Reuters
• Old Newspapers Give Santa Monica Museum View of the Past - Lookout
• LAT Reporter Laughs Off Nevada Caucus ‘Spy’ Mix-Up - Richard Horgan

Photos from Skid Row Los Angeles

Every Sunday before we setup the tables and grill to feed the homeless in front of Lamp Village (527 Crocker Street) I plan to capture the homeless plight of Skid Row Los Angeles through pictures. The homeless of Los Angeles come from every walk of life and have ended up on the streets for several different reasons, getting off the streets is no easy task.

Besides giving away cheeseburgers we also hand out blankets and shoes, what is trash to you and I is a treasure to many whom have absolutely no personal belongings.

Donations to Winning at the Race of Life can be mailed to:
P.O. Box 848
Sierra Madre CA 91025-0848

Or contact Janeen
(626) 292-2258
janeen@sammymaloof.com

Los Angeles Times Union Meeting Feb. 20th

Our next General Meeting is scheduled for Monday February 20, 2012 at 2:00pm.
We will hold our meeting once again at Crowne Plaza Commerce Casino.

There is plenty to discuss including upcoming nominations and elections for Local 140n Officer, Executive Board member positions and shop stewards.

Only members can nominate, accept a nomination or vote in Local Elections. Beck Objectors waive their right to participate in Local Elections.

I look forward to a well attended meeting.

Executive Board Meeting to be held 1 hour before general meeting. All Board Members are encouraged to attend and be prompt.

Fraternally,
Ronnie Pineda,
President,
GCC/IBT Local 140-N

Thursday Afternoon in the Blogosphere

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad at the Los Angeles Press Club a few weeks ago. Dr. Samad was my professor of African-American Studies at East Los Angeles College

• NY Times profit falls as ad revenue shrinks‎ - Reuters
• An Evening with the Onion brings peals of laughter - KSC
• Local newspaper deliveries reduced this week - WZZM 13
• Brother and sister launch own newspaper - Ayrshire Post
• Newspapers should not be tossed aside - The Parthenon
• Suffolk Journal apologizes for profane headline - Romenesko
• Big squeeze as rising newsprint costs hit papers - Irish Times
• Reader happy with newspaper coverage - Arizona Silver Belt
• Newt Gingrich and What Black People Need - Anthony Samad
• Police Arrest 2 in shooting at Bee newspaper carriers - Sac-Bee

Klan Bombing of Birmingham Church 1963

Haven to the South's most violent Ku Klux Klan chapter, Birmingham was probably the most segregated city in the country. Dozens of unsolved bombings and police killings had terrorized the black community since World War II.

On Sunday, 15th September, 1963, a white man was seen getting out of a white and turquoise Chevrolet car and placing a box under the steps of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Soon afterwards, at 10.22 a.m., the bomb exploded killing Denise McNair (11), Addie Mae Collins (14), Carole Robertson (14) and Cynthia Wesley (14). The four girls had been attending Sunday school classes at the church. Twenty-three other people were also hurt by the blast.

Birmingham, Alabama, and the Civil Rights Movement in 1963 http://ow.ly/q8bG

Media Bistro Party at the Falcon

Last night in Hollywood Media Bistro held a party at The Falcon, which attracted many from different areas of the media. I was hoping to see Pandora Young and Matthew Fleischer, from Fishbowl L.A. at the party, but unfortunately they couldn’t make it last night.

As I chatted with Joseph Mailander and David Resin a young fellow approached and mentioned he had a problem, the photographer couldn’t make the event, and would I take a few photos. Naturally I agreed to help out and captured two-dozen pictures of the event, which will appear online soon.

It was another fun filled event that I hope is repeated very soon in the near future.

Wednesday Night in the Blogosphere

My Los Angeles Times and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the SGV Tribune
is the larger of the two newspapers.

• Welfare Drug Testing Bill Withdrawn - Huff Post
• It's not the medium - it's the market - Robert Niles
• AP lets 10 staffers go in restructuring - Romenesko
• LAT Loses Its Chief Revenue Officer - Richard Horgan
• Johnston Press to end Yorkshire Post printing in Leeds - BBC
• Gannett Q4 profit falls by a third, revenue down - Gannett Blog
• More People are Visiting Newspaper Websites - Fishbowl NY
• Dean Singleton in newspaper Hall of Fame - Fort Morgan Times
• NYT offers $100 off Nook e-readers to 1-year subscribers - Poynter
• Job Cuts Are Sad, But That's 2012 Newspaper Reality - Paid Content

The Wrinkles Of The City, Los Angeles by JR

h/t Andy Sternberg

February is African-American History Month

Black History Month was begun as Negro History Week by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926. His goal was to educate the American people about African-American history, focusing on African Americans' cultural backgrounds and reputable achievements.

The following letter is from Jourdon Anderson to his former master Colonel P.H. Anderson. The letter's date is post Civil War and is in reply to the Colonel's letter requesting Mr. Anderson return to work his land. Mr. Anderson's response is rather funny and I'm certain you will read all the way through.

LETTER FROM A FREEDMAN TO HIS OLD MASTER.

[Written just as he dictated it.]
Dayton, Ohio, August 7, 1865.
To my old Master, Colonel P. H. Anderson, Big Spring, Tennessee.


Sir: I got your letter, and was glad to find that you had not forgotten Jourdon, and that you wanted me to come back and live with you again, promising to do better for me than anybody else can. I have often felt uneasy about you. I thought the Yankees would have hung you long before this, for harboring Rebs they found at your house. I suppose they never heard about your going to Colonel Martin's to kill the Union soldier that was left by his company in their stable. Although you shot at me twice before I left you, I did not want to hear of your being hurt, and am glad you are still living. It would do me good to go back to the dear old home again, and see Miss Mary and Miss Martha and Allen, Esther, Green, and Lee. Give my love to them all, and tell them I hope we will meet in the better world, if not in this. I would have gone back to see you all when I was working in the Nashville Hospital, but one of the neighbors told me that Henry intended to shoot me if he ever got a chance.

I want to know particularly what the good chance is you propose to give me. I am doing tolerably well here. I get twenty-five dollars a month, with victuals and clothing; have a comfortable home for Mandy,—the folks call her Mrs. Anderson,—and the children—Milly, Jane, and Grundy—go to school and are learning well. The teacher says Grundy has a head for a preacher. They go to Sunday school, and Mandy and me attend church regularly. We are kindly treated. Sometimes we overhear others saying, "Them colored people were slaves" down in Tennessee. The children feel hurt when they hear such remarks; but I tell them it was no disgrace in Tennessee to belong to Colonel Anderson. Many darkeys would have been proud, as I used to be, to call you master. Now if you will write and say what wages you will give me, I will be better able to decide whether it would be to my advantage to move back again.

As to my freedom, which you say I can have, there is nothing to be gained on that score, as I got my free papers in 1864 from the Provost-Marshal-General of the Department of Nashville. Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you were disposed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you. This will make us forget and forgive old scores, and rely on your justice and friendship in the future. I served you faithfully for thirty-two years, and Mandy twenty years. At twenty-five dollars a month for me, and two dollars a week for Mandy, our earnings would amount to eleven thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. Add to this the interest for the time our wages have been kept back, and deduct what you paid for our clothing, and three doctor's visits to me, and pulling a tooth for Mandy, and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to. Please send the money by Adams's Express, in care of V. Winters, Esq., Dayton, Ohio. If you fail to pay us for faithful labors in the past, we can have little faith in your promises in the future. We trust the good Maker has opened your eyes to the wrongs which you and your fathers have done to me and my fathers, in making us toil for you for generations without recompense. Here I draw my wages every Saturday night; but in Tennessee there was never any pay-day for the negroes any more than for the horses and cows. Surely there will be a day of reckoning for those who defraud the laborer of his hire.

In answering this letter, please state if there would be any safety for my Milly and Jane, who are now grown up, and both good-looking girls. You know how it was with poor Matilda and Catherine. I would rather stay here and starve—and die, if it come to that—than have my girls brought to shame by the violence and wickedness of their young masters. You will also please state if there has been any schools opened for the colored children in your neighborhood. The great desire of my life now is to give my children an education, and have them form virtuous habits.

Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.


From your old servant,

Jourdon Anderson.

Photos from Skid Row Los Angeles

A few months after my son Bryan was killed while street racing in Azusa I met Sammy Maloof and Janeen Ferdinand, and from the beginning of our relationships they welcomed me into their circle with open arms and hearts. I kept the two at a distance, not certain I wanted what they offered to me at no cost, unconditional love.

On November 13th, 2011 I joined the Sammy Maloof Racing Team on Skid Row and photographed what I witnessed, and I have been at their sides every Sunday since then.

Janeen requested I begin taking photos of the nearby streets to give people an idea of the need, and the need is great as the Midnight Mission and Union Rescue Mission are over flowing with hungry and homeless Americans. Stay tuned, as I will add many more pictures to my Skid Row Collection on Flickr every Sunday night.

And big hat tip to the Los Angeles Times for the extensive coverage of the homeless living on the cold streets of Los Angeles.

Mark Lacter: Bad times for L.A. nonprofits that help people in need

Sandy Banks: On skid row, helping the most needy of the 99%

Don Staggs and Haunted Orange County

Don Staggs a former pressman at the Los Angeles Times is also a Psychic and Paranormal Investigator, and I have been told he appears on television occasionally regarding his teams work. Not being a television user I have never viewed his work, maybe I’ll break down and watch one day?

This weekend (Saturday February 4th, 2012) Don and his team of investigators will offer an insiders look for the first time of six Victorian homes, with all proceeds benefiting their friend Donn Shy, to defray medical costs.




Tickets are limited to sixty individuals and can only be purchased online at http://www.hauntedorange.com/heritagesquare.htm

LA Times: Layoffs, Sabotage and Suicides?

by Steven Mikulan on January 31, 2012

Ed Padgett was driving in the rain to a union meeting when the L.A. Times called to tell him he was fired. The pressman, a third-generation Times employee, listened in shock last December to an HR woman’s voice explain he was being dismissed for “safety violations, dishonesty and suspicion of sabotage.”

That last charge had a bittersweet irony. Padgett had been at the paper for more than 39 years and had done everything he could to help it prosper – even as members of the corporate wrecking crew that drove the paper into bankruptcy were still counting their money.

“It was similar to jumping into an icy cold pool of water,” Padgett recalls. “I felt like crying because I’d been there so damn long, but I soon got over it.” He drove on to his meeting in La Mirada, but hasn’t been back to the Times printing plant on Olympic Boulevard to clean out his locker.

Continue reading by clicking here

Tuesday Morning in the Blogosphere

• Hedger pausing on print - New York Post
• Gannett Misses Earnings Targets - Paid Content
• Tribune bankruptcy bill hits $231 million - Romenesko
• Newspapers alive and well for readers - Your West Valley
• High-stakes labor battle coming to California - Mercury News
• LA Times Has a Record Year on the Web - Matthew Fleischer
• New York Times Looks at Purchase of U.S. Newspapers - OB Rag
• Bad times for L.A. nonprofits that help people in need - Mark Lacter
• Albany Times Union Invests in Print Despite New Media - Chronicle
• Editor: social media "more dangerous" than print media - Australian
• Times employees' suit over Zell deal officially wrapped - Kevin Roderick

Kris Novy Feat Jahmark Gimme that Soul Extended Mix

Reggae meets Techno as Jahmark crosses cultural and musical barriers

Paraiso Music
404 W. 4th Street #8
San Pedro, California 90731
Phone 310.809.5810 FAX 866.855.6119
missmarjel@yahoo.com

Reggae meets Techno as Jahmark crosses cultural and musical barriers with
“Gimme that Soul” a collaboration with Kris Novy, holds steady at #9 on the
Polish Music Charts for three weeks.

For Immediate Release: Los Angeles, California (January 30, 2012)

GIMME THAT SOUL by Kris Novy featuring Jahmark was released November 21, 2011 in Poland by Universal Music Polska / Magic Records as a collaboration. It debuted at #12 on Polish DJ charts and rose to #9, holding that position for three consecutive weeks. The upbeat, song has become a dance floor anthem. Getting a lot of radio airplay on Polish airwaves and being requested heavily at regional House / Techo parties.

Jahmark and the Soulshakers are a very popular Los Angeles based, traditional roots reggae band. Jahmark is the driving force behind the group, as he is band leader, guitar player and lead singer. With more than seven full length reggae albums under his belt, he became interested in exploring and being creative with other genres of music.

World renowned techno/house producer, Alexander Perls of Track One Recording has been working with Jahmark for a few years. They actually met through myspace, where Mr. Perls stumbled upon some of Jahmark’s original songs and was impressed with the texture and tone of Jahmark’s voice. He invited the Jamaican native to record in his Hollywood studio. They worked on five songs together and Mr. Perls sent the songs to European record labels. Universal Music Poland was instantly interested in Gimme that Soul for their up and coming Techno recording artist, Kris Novy.

Kris and Jahmark have never actually met face to face. They shared music files over the internet until they came up with something that the artists and Mr. Perl’s were pleased with. Jahmark points out: “This is the same way the Gorrillaz got their start, being that their band members lived in different parts of the world they shared music files over the web until they got themselves a collection of cohesive songs. There is something very spontaneous and magical about that type of process which seems to appeal to the high-tech masses of today.”

The song, Gimme That Soul, was put out on 60-song compilation CD, Europa Plus, Super Collection Winter Dance Volume 2. The song is available on itunes and other digital retailers and also it’s free to listen to here on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/embed/MyaB5_-mPAA




# # #
If you would like more information about Jahmark, or to schedule an interview, please contact Paraiso Music: 310-809-5810 - missmarjel@yahoo.com

Friday Afternoon in the Blogosphere

My son Nathan (from left) myself, and grandsons David and Bentley

• Could you recap the Rudd Davis saga? - Gannett Blog
• Miami Herald to build a new printing plant - Miami Herald
• Lee Enterprises refinancing takes effect January 30 - Reuters
• Mary Melton on What’s Wrong With the Times - Frying Pan News
• The day Facebook became concerned about privacy - Romenesko
• LA Times Loses NY Bureau Chief Geraldine Baum - Pandora Young
• Adam Jacobi says CBS fired him over Paterno death report - Poynter
• NY Times Struggles After Janet Robinson's Departure - Huffington Post
• Couture Planet produces bags from recycled newspapers - Boston Globe
• Brian Williams sends off George Lewis on 'Nightly News'- Kevin Roderick

Dirty Ol' Krows Playing at City Lights Feb. 3rd, 2012

Alex Dominguez, a newsprint handler at the Los Angeles Times, also enjoys singing and playing guitar in his band Dirty OL’ Krows. I haven’t had a chance to hear Alex play in almost four years, and enjoyed his previous band The Highland Band as they rocked the night away in Rancho Cucamonga.

The Dirty Krows will be playing next Friday February 3^rd at City Lights, which is just north of the 60 Freeway. If I’m free I plan on attending and enjoy their music.

Baby Come Back Home - Chili Most

I find it so gratifying to share artwork with my readers without asking for anything in return from the performers. As you know I met Chili Most at the Los Angeles Press Club three weeks ago and found him to be extremely friendly and talented, and may get together with him next week for a chat over lunch. Give his video a spin and see what you think about Baby Come Back Home?

Wan- Ifra survey shows newspapers still reach larger audience than internet

VIENNA , Oct. 12, 2011 (Press Release) - Newspaper circulation declined in print world-wide last year but was more than made up by an increase in digital audiences, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) said Thursday in its annual update of world press trends.

"Circulation is like the sun. It continues to rise in the East and decline in the West," said Christoph Riess, CEO of WAN-IFRA, who presented the annual survey Thursday at the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum in Vienna, Austria.

The survey found:

• Media consumption patterns vary widely across the globe. Print circulation is increasing in Asia, but declining in mature markets in the West.
• The number of titles globally is consolidating.
• The main decline is in free dailies. "For free dailies, the hype is over," said Mr Riess.
• For advertisers, newspapers are more time efficient and effective than other media.
• Newspapers reach more people than the internet. On a typical day newspapers reach 20 percent more people world-wide than the internet reaches, ever.

• Digital advertising revenues are not compensating for the ad revenues lost to print.
• Social media are changing the concept and process of content gathering and dissemination. But the revenue model for news companies, in the social media arena, remains hard to find.
• The business of news publishing has become one of constant updating, of monitoring, distilling and repacking information.
• The new digital business is not the traditional newspaper business.

Mr Riess's presentation focused on six key areas: the media consumption shift; economic developments; newspaper circulation and number of titles; advertising expenditure by media; newspaper revenue; and internet versus mobile.

This represented a significant shift from past versions of the world press trends survey, which WAN-IFRA has been carrying out since 1988. Long a statistical compendium of information from more than 200 countries, the 2011 report focuses on the 69 countries that account for 90 percent of global industry value in terms of circulation and advertising revenue. "We're concentrating on value rather than volume, focusing on key numbers in key markets," said Mr Riess. "Our approach puts a premium on insight over numbers." This reflects feedback from industry stakeholders, as part of the new WAN/IFRA review. But the survey will continue to monitor all countries.

Continue reading by clicking here

Tuesday Afternoon in the Blogosphere

Sammy Maloof doing what he enjoys every Sunday,
feeding the homeless on Skid Row Los Angeles

• The Plight of Philadelphia newspaper Racks - Tumblr
• Washington Post’s shrinking newsroom - Romenesko
• State College newspaper prints 7,500 more papers - Poynter
• What newspapers have to learn from magazines - Editors Weblog
• GCI plan could be biggest news revamp in five years - Gannett Blog
• KPCC hires former Times Editor Russ Stanton - Los Angeles Times
• Daily News Columnist Dennis McCarthy To Retire - Matthew Fleischer
• Online newspapers visited by half of European Internet users - Biz Report
• Newspaper to fill niche with $99-a-year literary offering - Chicago Tribune
• KPCC hires Russ Stanton, ex LAT editor, as VP of content - Kevin Roderick

Are you ready to stop smoking? - Safe Cig

With smoking cigarettes becoming taboo at most public places there is an alternative with Safe-Cig, an electronic cigarette that can be used everywhere but inside the cabin of a jet.

Take a look at this product that will pay for itself within weeks of the initial outlay, which omits a slight scent that is not offensive to non-smokers.

Click here to visit Safe-Cig

Flappers Comedy Club - Claremont

The Blogging Pressman meets Comic Laura Hayden

Since becoming unemployed six weeks ago I’m forced to watch how I spend my money, so when I received a call late Friday afternoon from Flappers Comedy Club with the offer of ten free passes, how could I say no? My former colleague at the newspaper Victor Banuelos joined me Friday, with Tim Russell, Richard Olmeda, and Linda Olmeda jumping on board for the Saturday night show.

The Flappers Club in Claremont is a well-organized showroom that seats maybe just over one hundred guests, and makes for an intimate evening. With some very great choices for snacks or sandwiches that are priced from $7.00 to $15.00, it’s an idea way to spend very little money and yet have a great time.

Our host of the show, Laura Hayden, ran the show like the professional she is and broke the ice for the comic’s before they stepped onto the stage for their performances. Using a bit of crowd work she engaged the audience getting everyone prepared to laugh and have a good time.

Some say the hosts are at the bottom of the pecking order, which I disagree, as the hosts can make or break the show and should be rated on the same level as the headliner. I look forward to seeing Ms. Hayden again, and hope to see her as the headliner.

William Randolph

Upon first sighting Mr. Randolph I mistook him for a former colleague, Pete Mastin, as they have a similar gait and appearance. When William stepped on stage I assumed he would be a hack, was I ever wrong. Once he got into his routine there was no turning back as he had the crowd in tears from laughing so hard. His style is a dry type of humor that grabs the audience and doesn’t let go. If you have the opportunity to see his show I highly recommend you do so, you won’t be disappointed.

Flappers has two locations, Claremont and Burbank with shows almost daily, visit their website and see what I mean. Click here FLAPPERS

Saturday Afternoon in the Blogosphere

I appear to cross paths with more former Los Angeles Times employees than most? Here's Eddie Amaro at the West Covina VFW, Eddie worked at the LA Times owned Recycler.

• Newspapers, “truth vigilantes” no more - Salon
• Death? There’s an app for that! - The Final Edition
• Newspapers in Japan defy West's media malaise - Shingo Ito
• If you're looking for someone to report and write - Journalism Shop
• Online Ad Spend To Pass Print in 2012 - Newspaper Death Watch
• Detroit Media Partnership calls furloughs 'imperative' - Gannett Blog
• 16th anniversary of New York Times website, a look back - Steve Myers
• Washington Post fails to tell readers about price increase - Romenesko
• Artist Reflects on a Year’s Worth of LA Times Portraits - Richard Horgan
• Portland Newspaper Guild Rejects 50 Changes To Contract - Media Bistro

Feeding the Homeless on Skid Row Los Angeles

With rain falling throughout Los Angeles at this moment, there is a small chance we will be rained out tomorrow in our efforts to lend a hand to the homeless and hungry. I have a feeling the rain will subside long enough that we can setup the grill and tables to distribute the famous Sammy Maloof burgers between 5:00 p.m. and until the food is exhausted.

What may sound like simple food to you and I, (hamburgers) happens to be a big treat to the folks living on the streets of Skid Row Los Angeles. Without hearing any feedback it’s rather easy to see the food is appreciated, as we have never brought any food back to the racing shop.

If you would be interested in volunteering any Sunday come to Lamp Village, which is located at 527 Crocker Street, the cross street is 5^th. We set up between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., with tomorrow questionable due to forecasts of rain.

A Conversation with Eric Weiner

Lisa Napoli with Eric Weiner

Last night I attended the Live Talk LA event in Santa Monica courtesy of Kevin Roderick, and it was well worth the forty-five mile drive each way from San Dimas.

I didn’t even note the title of Eric Weiner’s new book as all the events of this type have always been a blast, as well as informative. The book is titled "Man Seeks God: My Flirtations with the Divine,”

Moments after the conversation began Mr. Weiner mentioned that he helped feed the homeless during the Christmas Season, and how good he felt afterwards, he immediately had my full attention as I help feed the homeless every Sunday with Sammy Maloof and friends.

What I assumed would be a forty-five minute conversation turned into ninety minutes, which felt like thirty minutes, as Mr. Weiner was extremely interesting as he explained his research into the different religions around the globe. He said there are nine thousand four hundred and eighty-eight different religions, which he focused on a handful.

But one statement stuck in my mind, he said religious people are happier than non-religious people.

I would highly recommend reading his book, which I didn’t buy last night due to the long line of readers buying the book. Instead I departed with Bianca to grab something to eat.