Central City East : Downtown Los Angeles

Skid Row Gearing up for Holidays after hard summer

2010-09-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

Skid Row Missions and other non-profits will once again steer into high fundraising and giveaway mode . This blog will begin to make the rounds all fall and winter as the stories present themselves from the big not for profits to the small givers we will see what is happening in the skid row community.

Produce Distributor and General Jeff partner to help Homeless Students

2010-06-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles- West Coast Hip-Hop Pioneer General Jeff, known for his work as a producer, songwriter and artist and has platinum plaques from working with artists such as Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, DJ Quik and more just completely shaved his head to bring awareness to a worthy cause that will ultimately help all homeless student's in America.

For three years as a community activist in Skid Row, Downtown Los Angeles, General Jeff has worked tirelessly to successfully address as many issues as he can, thus becoming a leading voice of the homeless, recently being profiled on CNN as "The Mayor of Skid Row". He has now been tapped to be the spokesperson for a produce company that will donate 50% of it's profits to help homeless students, first in LA, then in all of California and ultimately all over America.

The produce company is called Reshoot Production Company( www.reshootproduction.com) and the project is called "Student's Produce"( www.studentsproduce.com). With estimates of 1.6 million homeless students in the United States, the public is encouraged to go to the website and answer four really easy questions like "What is the name of the grocery store or supermarket that you shop at?" and "What is your zip code?" and this will notify the stores to carry the "Student's Produce" line of vegetables and get things rolling.

General Jeff has a bald head now and doing his part to help. Please do your part by visiting www.studentsproduce.com and in less than one minute, you will have helped all the homeless students in America. And keep in mind, no donations are required!

Herbalife Partners with Union Rescue Mission to become a dragonslayer

2010-05-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

CEO Michael O Johnson of Herbalife and Andy Bales CEO of Union Rescue Mission

Skid Row can be compared to a huge dragon that has many faces. These faces can manifest themselves in many ways. One of these ways is no easy access to healthy foods. Each Corner market is filled with nothing but processed sugary foods, well intentioned people bring doughnuts , cookies , and all types of sugary items to feed the people on the streets. In a community that is filled with sick and ail residents, this can add to the quick demise of those residents through the proliferation of malnourishment , which can translate into Diabetes and exacerbation of symptoms of other physical illnesses.

Today, the Union Rescue Mission announced a partnership with Herbalife to bring healthy Formula 1 shakes every breakfast, for a year. The question from one of the reporters was how much in cost to Herbalife is the product? The only answer that this writer can state with certainty to answer that question is that, although the answer translates into 10,000s of dollars , you can not put a price on people's health. The Missions in skid row do their best to provide healthy meals , yet they can only provide meals that are donated from their donors , for the most part. Today was the death of having to do without augmenting the nutritional value of the meals that are already served. This actually translates into saving lives. It also will add to the arrest of people falling into more poverty as a result of illnesses that can be prevented or the worsening of conditions that skid row community residents already have. Translated this gives these folks a chance to recover from whatever their disease may be , even those such as substance abuse. Good nutrition is a part of any form of recovery.

From a personal perspective of having had type 2 diabetes and not having ease of access to healthy food in skid row it can certainly be said that this partnership will save lives. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand this. Nor to realize that this is not conjecture, but for a population that relies on the Union Rescue Mission for sustenance , this is fact. Illness can cause a spiraling effect and a redundancy in the ability for people to pull themselves out of the skid row situation. If people are eating right, they are thinking right. I said it to many people at the press conference today that I am jealous that the people in skid row have access to a high protein shake filled with nutritional value, something that was not available before. I also said that no one has come to my house and offered me free protein shakes filled with calcium,, protein , Vitamin A , and Vitamin C. Today this was offered by Herbalife as a commitment to those who eat breakfast at URM ;the choice of a shake is now available.

Some may say that all of the above statements are an exaggeration , but I can't see where there is an exaggeration. Today , Herbalife became a dragonslayer. That hideous dragon we call malnourishment and lack of access to healthy foods in skid row had a stake thrust through it's heart. Once again, the dragon we call skid row is slowly counting it 's days away when it could just destroy people physically. And I hope that many partnerships such as the one we see with URM and Herbalife continue to happen. I also hope that those who choose to go to skid row to help , realize, that if you are going to feed people , you must do it right. If anything comes from witnessing this partnership , I hope that is what many come away with.

General Jeff Highlighted on KCET

2010-04-28T22:27:00.001-07:00

General Jeff , once again ,highlighted in the mainstream press. This time KCET..

Skid Row Housing Trust named in Multimillion Dollar Lawsuit!!!

2010-04-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

Word comes to us from General Jeff that Skid Row Housing Trust has been named in a multimillion dollar lawsuit! More information as news comes forth! This is gonna be juicy! Quoting Carmen Trutanich on the day of the Skid Row Watch Walk about the drug dealer injunction , this is just the beginning!

April 22, 2010

To all,

It's official! The lawsuit that we first announced last year that was coming is finally here.

Earlier today, I viewed a copy of the complaint filed against Skid Row Housing Trust. The sixteen-page document was filed and stamped at Los Angeles Superior Court in Downtown Los Angeles.

Due to a pending jury trial, I am not at liberty to speak in depth regarding details. Afterall, I would not want to appear to potentially "taint" the jury pool, even though it would be truthful and accurate information. We at ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS fully respect the American judicial system and are extremely confident that the outcome will be equally truthful and accurate, as well as unbiased.

The delay in filing was not unintentional. Extensive research and the compiling of documentation, including witness testimony in the form of depositions extended the process. Now, the legal team of the plaintiff is ready to proceed.

Attorney Mustafa Abdul-Rahman, APC is the lead counsel for the plaintiff. He can be reached at 213.550.4460 for more details.

Otherwise, stay tuned for more information.

Sincerely,

General Jeff
community activist-
ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

Resident Director- Central City East/ Skid Row
Board of Directors
Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council

Easter in Gladys Park

2010-04-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't like to spend time in the park with their family and friends? There was no exception at Gladys Park in skid row . For the very first time the residents of skid row held their very own Easter Celebration at Gladys Park.

This event was sponsored by a city and community-wide collaboration including ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS, OG's-N-Service Association, Skid Row Artist's Collective, Metropolitan Community Church of the Valley and Operation Bunny Luv( providing eggs, easter baskets and more), "Life Is...Crushow", Fun Zone Reading Club, UCEPP, Skid Row Advocates, Garments of Praise, Roses and Bloom, Jonah Project, and many more.

The day began with prayers and blessings from three pastors in skid row. Rev. Jeff Thomas of Community Church of the Nazarene, Pastor Ron Thomas of Set Free Ministries and Outreach , and Rev. Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission all gave their blessings to the event as well as for the whole skid row community.

The difference between this event and others in the area was that this event was put on by the residents and resident grassroots organizations that are headed by actual residents living in skid row. General Jeff was out there , well , when you could find him , because he was all over the area bringing the things to the park that were already supposed to have been there such as the Easter Baskets. I was heading to the blessing of the Animals and then was going to head over to the Pillow Fight at Pershing square to cover those stories , but the event was so full of a great spirit and so full of people I had not spent time with since I moved to the other side of Main Street in downtown, I had to stay and, I was glad I did because people whom I had not seen in such a long time made their presence known.

Jan Perry and Jose Huizar both graced us with their presence and as usual OG gave Jose Huizar and Jan Perry a piece of his mind. You can't stop OG Manuel Compito from expressing himself. He is consistent in his passion for the skid row community. The new Skid Row Boxing club was being shown off and the entertainment of the residents living in skid row was also to be had and on the new Nike basketball court games were being held. The people just came and came and came to enjoy Easter at Gladys Park!

Ryan Vaillancourt who reports for the Downtown News was also there playing hoops with the people in skid row. So , as you can see this day was miraculous and so wonderful that I could not leave. The Easter egg hunt began and the children had to pick up as many of the plastic eggs they could find in the grass before being given prizes for their efforts. Again , it was nice to see the children enjoying themselves in the heart of skid row.

Our dear friend , Thomas Knapper showed up with Daytona and her baby! So , surprise , surprise , as the event turned into one huge 10 year skid row resident and long time advocates reunion!

There was a dancer , musicians , and rappers. Uncle Bean even showed up and rained money down on those who listened to his act. I wondered if a riot would ensue , but that never happened. The Skid Row Playaz musical group played their numbers and we were all enthralled with those notes. AH! if only I could listen to those guys every night.

There were no problems and LAPD stayed close by in their mobile station to makes sure no one sabotaged the event and sure enough no one did . Thanks to LAPD for their efforts to stay close to the people of skid row who are doing positive things in the community.

According to Sources an injunction against gangmembers selling drugs in skid row will happen shortly

2010-04-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

Protester Targets Reverend Andy Bales CEO of Union Rescue Mission at press Conference

A press conference was held in skid row today at Gladys Park that basically marks the beginning of preparations to enforce an injuction against 80 gang members who are selling drugs in skid row. For years gangmembers across the city have had an understanding that they would not be rivals in the lucrative drug bazaar which is skid row in Downtown Los Angeles. The LA Times does the story this morning about the press conference and quotes many service providers and residents who like the idea of this injunction. The ACLU has also stepped in to challenge the injunction , claiming that the LAPD will have carte blanche to search and stop anyone without probable cause because they might resemble the 80 people on the list who are selling drugs in skid row. Over 300 gangmembers might be added to the list. Commander Blake Chow of the LAPD’s Central Division called drugs “probably the biggest threat to the community right now.”

The injunction, Chow said, would help police “protect the homeless from the predators coming from other parts of the city.” Of the dealers, he said, “we can arrest them and arrest them and arrest them, but what we need to do is keep them away.”
The injunction won't go into effect for a couple of months.

Antonio Villaraigosa says that during Budget Crisis he may close Los Angeles City Services 2 days out of the week without 73.5 million dollars from DWP

2010-04-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa calls for closure of public services 2 days out of the week during the City of Los Angeles BUdget Crisis. Park's says he will not get involved in name calling with the Mayor. Apparently, the issue is the matter of the handover of 73.5 million dollars from DWP to add to the City of Los Angeles General Fund.

Eric Garcetti says he welcomes the Mayors embrace on the DWP issue. "In the midst of a recession , before we do a giant rate increase we need accountability. What is important is not to play politics... it is about rate payers who are going through a hard time...we voted for Villaraigosa's green endeavor. You must be tone deaf not to hear what is going on out there. We need to get out of these tough times before we do something drastic... for some reason the Mayor decided not to do that. We will land in the black this year..... We are all aware how tough it is out there at an economic level."

We have to look at our legal options. Garcetti Says about the Mayor's plan to shut down public services . Garcetti says the Mayor can not shut down the unions of city employees.

The numbers don't just add up. The dwp said earlier that they can do it if there was a rate increase after. City council did vote for the 30 million dollars, Eric Garcetti says. 30 million dollar increase. The Mayor can not do the 2 day furlough if the Employee Coalition does not agree.

The Mayor says he has no control over forcing the DWP to hand over the 73.5 Million dollars. The City council says that the Mayor says he does.

Easter was alive and well in Skid Row

2010-04-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

Don Garza Downtown Los Angeles

First in a 3 part series on Easter Weekend

The Easter and Passover weekend started with the Los Angeles Mission and their street festival. This year was a poignant and bittersweet time as it was the first time I went and washed feet diabetes free and free of the use of oxygen to help me to breathe. As always the emphasis at the Los Angeles Mission is the health clinic and the feet washing as homeless and low income folks from all over Downtown have the opportunity to get their feet washed , see a doctor if necessary , and get a new pair of shoes from Etny.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Washes feet of woman this year as Doctors look on

The Mayor wasn't the only one who was washing feet!

Why the feet washing at LA Mission is more than just a religious symbol

2010-04-02T03:13:00.000-07:00

Feet Washing Time Again at the Los Angeles Mission

The night before Jesus was crucified he washed the feet of his disciples. He did this as a form of love , but also as an example of humility to those who would be left to carry on the work he started. Today at the Los Angeles Mission , this symbol of humility and service is also a way to find those who are suffering physically. Many low income and homeless people in skid row do not see the doctors on a regular basis, even if they have illnesses such as diabetes. Doctors are out there helping the feet washing finding those who need to be treated then and there or who may need to pay a visit later.

Today this will be happening at the Los Angeles Mission.

Now in 2010 I am diabetes free because of Gastric bypass surgery. God has blessed me beyond measure and, tomorrow I will wash feet as a prayer , a service , and out of gratitude , because god says that the amount of mercy you show to others will be shown to you. Below was posted in 2007

Last year, we saw the Mayor Washing feet of the homeless and the poor on the streets of skid row. Many folks may see this as a political stunt,I don't see it that way. The Mayor has called attention to how important this aspect of the LA Mission feedings are. . Ever since I was diagnosed with diabetes and, many of you see me out there eating cookies and cake and ice cream, and things I shouldn't , but I see a doctor and take medications to help control my blood sugar levels. I know how important it is to have these feet washings because there are many homeless who suffer with illnesses such as diabetes who probably never see a doctor. Doctors are brought out and people who may have an infection or may have gangrene etc ,who may have been looking at amputation in the future, if it wasn't caught in time , are saved.

I will be out there washing feet. I wish other Missions would do the same at their events. I am thankful for the Los Angeles Mission for their feet washing because it saves lives.

Rapid 720 Stop added to 6th and San Pedro - skid row rejoices

2010-04-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

The MTA has added a stop of the Rapid Bus at 6th and San Pedro. This is a stop that compliments the rapid 720 Stop that was put in on 5th and San Pedro Last Month. According to an e-mail from General Jeff ; "This is a tremendous improvement to our community's public transportation needs."

City Council Passes DWP Rate Hike

2010-03-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

According to the LA TIMES , the City Council of the City of Los Angeles has raised electricity rates. Estela Lopez of the Central City East Association , who has members in the Industrial and Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles , expressed concern on behalf of those 1800 business and property owners.

New Genesis Hotel Breaks Ground

2010-03-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

On main Street, in the heart of the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles, Skid Row Housing Trust broke Ground on it's redone Genesis Hotel. More news at LADOWNTOWNNEWS.com

It is one of the first hotels that will include loft style apartments and not just house those with special needs. Dignitaries were present and more news to come from the Downtown News.

Easter Celebrations coming to Skid Row

2010-03-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

Easter Celebrations will be coming to skid row soon!! The list, of course, is long and culminates with the big party at the Midnight Mission. Celebrations and street feedings and giveaways are done by all Missions in Skid Row Leading up to Easter .

Good Friday will see the beginning of the Long weekend Celebration in skid row.

The Union Rescue Mission will also be doing a feeding, but so far there are no updates, once the update is made this blog will see an update.

The Fred Jordan Mission also hosts a Easter Celebration, their celebration will be on Saturday April 3.

Los Angeles Mission
The LA Mission will conduct it's feeding on good Friday There will be a shoe giveaway as well as feet washing . It is a lot of fun and there is good food as well as many celebrities.

The Midnight Mission is the culmination of all of this as Easter Sunday and Passover are celebrated with music , food , and fun. Easter Sunday is a comin..WOOOOHOOOO!!!
From www.midnightmission.org

On Sunday, April 4th our staff, participants, and 200 volunteers come together to create a special brunch and celebration for about 2,000 of our closest friends... this year will be no exception!
We clear the street in front of our facility, set tables and chairs for our 2,000+ guests, most of who happen to be suffering from the condition of homelessness. We have an Easter Village for children, clothing giveaway and live entertainment.
For more information about the event or for sponsorship opportunities please contact, Mai Lee Community Relations Manager 213-624-4588. Volunteer opportunities, send an email to volunteer@midnightmission.org.

General Jeff Speaks before Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles

2010-03-22T00:08:00.000-07:00

General Jeff Raises Concerns over the Purchase of the Rossylyn Hotel by Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation at the CRA Commissioners Meeting

General Jeff Speaks at CRA March 18
Uploaded by dgarzila. - Watch the latest news videos.

Downtown Los Angeles Brooks Brothers - Closing doors

2010-03-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Brooks Brothers, in Downtown Los Angeles, is closing it's doors. According to the Los Angeles Times, Brooks Brothers in Downtown Los Angeles , via Downtown News , will be closing it's doors for good in the city center. There will be no closeout sale. Many hip hop clothiers have been drawn to Downtown as of late and unfortunately high end suits seem not to be the product of choice. Many enjoy buying their suits in the Garment District on Los Angeles Street from 7th to 11th street.

Ah... Another high end store closing in Downtown Los Angeles.

New Genesis Breaks ground on March 30th - New Hotel to begin new mixed use evolution in Project Based Section 8 Housing

2010-03-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

The New Genesis Hotel will break ground on March 30th. Those in Attendance will be Jan Perry , the Federation of Labor Representative , and Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council President Russell Brown.

According to Skid Row Housing Trust there will be ground floor retail and new jobs will be created. The first turn of the soil marks the birth of the next evolution in the Trust's solution to homelessness. The New Genesis Apartments will combine permanent supportive housing for homeless and disabled men and women with commercial space for community retail. The New Genesis Hotel is located on 5th Street and Main Street.

One of the attributes of Skid Row Housing Trust is their focus on creating huge spaces in their buildings to accommodate the social services. Skid Row Housing trust has made it clear that they intend to be good neighbors in the Historic Core as well as make sure that the ground spaces accommodate retail space.

Winter Shelters Closing , Union Rescue Mission Barbecues Steaks for their last Meal at Shelters

2010-03-15T22:25:00.000-07:00

On March 2nd, homeless folks at one of the armories that was a part of the Winter Shelter Program in Los Angeles County saw their last meal in the form of a Steak Dinner because that winter shelter was closing. Today , Andy Bales, and his URM Crew barbecued steaks on the roof of Union Rescue Mission for those at other Winter shelters that will see their doors close.

Below is an excerpt from Andy's Blog detailing what is happening with the Winter Shelters and a video I took today of Andy Bales and his crew barbecuing on the roof of the Union Rescue Mission... What people fail to realize is that between the 15th and the 7th of the next month , middle of the month and the first week of the month, 0ver 1500 souls in skid row from the various social service housing providers utilize the free breakfast , lunch , and dinners , as well as those 1500 who find themselves in the various missions , provided by the various Missions in skid row, and those others who do sleep on the streets. What is desperately needed at this time , besides donations of money, are vegetables and fruits. These Missions do not just provide food for the skid row residents , but do reach out to the whole Los Angeles community Let's end homelessness by providing healthy food options for all Angelinos and those that may find themselves utilizing these shelters and Missions in these tough economic times.

From Andy's Blog, CEO of Union Rescue Mission:

Why in the world would we close down this vital safety net? How can we send folks out to the streets who want to stay in a place that provides a roof over their heads and a connection with case management and vital services? The Governor of California, during these extraordinary times, could declare a state of emergency, keep the armories open, and our city and county could team up with us and the other agencies running shelters to make sure that these 1600 beds stay open, and that our friends experiencing homelessness could be provided with a shelter long enough to get back on their feet. It could cost as little as $1,000,000 per shelter to operate them at capacity(150-200 persons each night) for 1 year.

For the sake of these precious souls, would you consider contacting the :

Governor: Click here for email form.

LAHSA: Click here for email form.

County officials: Click here for contact list.

City officals: Click here for email form.

Thank you!

Andy B.

Angel's Flight to resume climbing Bunker HIll on Monday

2010-03-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

Don Garza Downtown Los Angeles

According to an article at LAIST . Angels Flight Funicular in Downtown Los Angeles will reopen on Monday. Word comes through the Angel's Flight website. The March 15th Opening Date looks to be a lot sooner than was expected!
This past Thursday word was sent forth that Angel's Flight had passed the necessary safety inspection to be able to resume service.. The Downtown Angel's Flight is known as the world;s shortest railway.

Enjoy Luciano Pavarotti singing about another Funicular.....Mt Vesuvius Funicular

John Perez ,First openly Gay California State Assembly Speaker, sworn in locally

2010-03-12T20:31:00.000-08:00

Speaker of the State Assembly of California and first openly gay person to serve in the post

Don Garza Downtown Los Angeles

With the sun shining bright and under the auspices of wonderful spring weather, John Perez , who made history by becoming the first openly gay person to serve as the Speaker of the California State Assembly, was sworn in by an enthusiastic crowd that gathered in Little Tokyo this morning. Pérez who is the 68th Speaker of the California State Assembly was formally sworn-in just over a week ago in Sacramento.

John A Perez is the cousin of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa . The swearing in ceremony took place on the steps of the Japanese American Museum. The swearing in was conducted by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar, Pérez addressed the crowd about the need to support education at all levels, create jobs and cut the Assembly’s budget by 15 percent. Many around downtown asked me if I attended the swearing in and they expressed their disappointment and heart brokenness at not being able to attend . Many Downtown Residents are also business owners , property owners and were actively involved in the Art Walk the Night before. Many said that they were so overwhelmed with art walk activities that the swearing in ceremony had slipped their mind. Many who reside in downtown Los Angeles know the new State Assembly Speaker intimately and as a result many felt that they were not able to support their neighbor and friend the way they always do.

Many in the Los Angeles community are very proud of John Perez .

Sidenote:

We here at Central City East Blogger support all of the efforts of those making a difference in the Los Angeles Community regardless of race , religion , sex , color , creed , disability , or sexual orientation and will always publish those things that are of historical significance and highlight how these events represent historical value.

LAPD blocks 4th street between main and Spring Street during art walk

2010-03-12T02:45:00.000-08:00

LAPD on the Corner of 4th street and Main keeping vehicle traffic of of 4th street between Main and Spring during March Downtown Art Walk

Don Garza Downtown Los Angeles

According to sources from LAPD , the LAPD had to block 4th street between Main Street and Spring street from vehicle traffic during the March Downtown Art Walk, as a response to the many art walk visitors in the street and crossing the street and impeding traffic ; traffic slowed to a crawl. LAPD , with good cause, responded to the high possibility of a pedestrian vs. auto incident. Kudos go to the Central Division for their quick thinking , which may have saved lives.

According to other sources, the ART Walk organization may have to pay a fine for this intervention , since it can be considered a blocking of the streets for a special event. It is not certain at this early time if The Downtown Art Walk will be able to get a fee waiver considering the changes involving special permits and fee waivers and the current financial crisis facing the City of Los Angeles which has made it difficult for any entity to receive a fee waiver.

Rapid Bus Stop in skid row

2010-03-11T01:27:00.000-08:00

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

After over 8 years of being denied because MTA had decided it was too dangerous to have stop in skid row , the residents , social service provider employees , and Garment workers in skid row have cause to celebrate. The MTA has placed a rapid 720 bus stop on the corner of 5th Street and San Pedro. Word came down today through a message from General Jeff about the new stop. With the impending loss of the Central City East DASH service , this new RAPID 720 stop will help the people of skid row to leave the area quickly on a major line as well as bring them to the services. It took the efforts of an unfunded group of grassroots organizers and advocates, who live in skid row, to accomplish something the million dollar funded social service organizations could not... Kudos to MTA and kudos to General Jeff and OG MAN and Life is Crushow..

The E-mail sent by General Jeff can be seen below:

March 10, 2010

To Skid Row,

Effective immediately, Metro has added a new bus stop for the westbound 720 Rapid bus line on 5th street at San Pedro.

Prior to now, the next closest stops were 6th and Central to the east and 5th and Main to the west.

Today, myself along with "OG" and Songhai Miguda-Armstead from the City Attorney's office observed the new stop in action as many community members were already benefiting from this important addition to our local transportation needs.

On behalf of the Skid Row community, I would like to publicly thank Paul Taylor, Deputy CEO from Metro (MTA) for personally taking the lead and seeing this request to completion in an expedited manner.

This is another accomplishment for our "Operation: Facelift/ Skid Row" community improvement project, which is an ongoing continuous community-led effort to improve the Skid Row community. Included in this effort are ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS, OG's-N-Service Association, the Skid Row Brigade and "Life is... Crushow".

Please pass this information along so that others may also benefit from this new convenience.

Thank you,

General Jeff
community activist-
ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

Resident Director- Central City East/ Skid Row
Board of Directors
Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council

Skid Row is visited by new US Attorney before being sworn in Today

2010-03-04T04:56:00.000-08:00

New US Attorney Andre Birotte Jr speaking before the walk , with Estela Lopez and Carmen Turtanich look on.

Don Garza Downtown Los Angeles

Estela Lopez and Carmen Trutanich were consistent in highlighting the efforts to keep skid row crime under control while the new US Attorney Andre Birotte Jr , being sworn in today ,from Southern California looked on. The Los Angeles City Attorneys office was also there in full force giving support to their efforts at the initiatives that have made an impact in reducing crime in the area. On hand was Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph who was very articulate in detailing the effects of the initiatives such as Safer Cities Initiative and the Streets or Services Program that have led to people being able to walk day and night more safely in the area. Carmen Trutanich also made it clear that he would fight to keep both programs intact.
Deon Joseph continued to explain how the skid row community, after 10 years of hard work, is now able to communicate with the LAPD , whereas in the past no one spoke to each other on the issues that plagued the community.Songhai Miguda -Armstead was also very imformative , where many in local city government can't tell you where anything in skid row is , Songhai has developed the street cred with the community to have also been able to speak on the issues succinctly that have plagued the area as well as how the initiatives of the City Attorneys office have helped in the making of skid row a safer place while being mindful of the special issues and needs of the skid row community.

Songhai Miguda-Armstead and Senior Lead officer Deon Joseph explain the issues which plague skid row while the new US Attorney looks on and listens in

Estela Lopez of the CCEA, the LAPD , and the Midnight Mission have been consistent in the mission of the monthly skid row walk. While there is still more work to be done, Carmen Trutanich emphasized before the walk that he is committed to making it even more safe at night to walk the streets of skid row. He says he will fight to keep the 50 officers of SCI and City Attorney initiatives in skid row intact.

PER LANGE Makes MIdnight Mission Guests and Employees Sales Gurus

2010-03-01T08:44:00.000-08:00

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

Reposted from August 2009

I was so inspired by this man you can see that I don't look like that last photo anymore and have lost over 88 lbs and am training to be a fitness trainer

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....

ESPN interview with Skid Row 30n3 Streetball League

2010-03-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

Don Garza Downtown Los Angeles

General Jeff and Manuel Compito were interviewed Yesterday on ESPN Talk Radio.. They spoke on the mission of the Skid Row 3on3 Basketball Leaugue and what it is promoting.. you can go to the ESPN website to hear the interview and this post will be updated with the video , hopefully by today.. you can click on this Link to hear the mp3 of the show.

Recently , the League was awarded a Los Angeles News Downtowners of Distinction Award for their tireless efforts in the Downtown and Skid Row Communities promoting the positive and good things the people in the skid row community are contributing to Downtown Los Angeles and Los Angeles in General.

3on3 Skid Row BAsketball League honored by Downtown News as Downtowners of Distinction

2010-02-27T13:51:00.000-08:00

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

It is about time. Most people are saying that it is great to see that grassroots efforts in skid row are being recognized . This past week saw the Los Angeles Downtown News recognizing the skid row 3on3 Basketball League with a Downtowner of Distinction Award. They are so excited about their accolade that they have worn their winner badges since. Congratulations to General Jeff and Manuel Compito and others.

You can check out the Downtown News to see all of the other winners.

SRO HOusing Corporation - Southern Hotel Raided for big Drug Bust!

2010-02-24T15:05:00.000-08:00

After 10 years of residing at the Southern Hotel , operated and managed by the largest property management company on the east side of Downtown Los Angeles , Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation , a resident dr was arrested... after 10 years ... this man had been living at the Southern Hotel for 10 years and finally was raided...

KPCC wire services

A man arrested after police raided his Skid Row hotel room and allegedly found drugs and several weapons remains in custody today, pending a court hearing next week, authorities said.
Jimmy Joe Dukes, 55, was arrested at the Southern Hotel on East Fifth Street, said Los Angeles police Lt. Paul Vernon.

Detectives seized five firearms, including two shotguns and a stolen handgun; a set of brass knuckles; and more than 300 grams of cocaine and marijuana, Vernon said.
Dukes was booked Friday on suspicion of five felonies, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine for sale and possession of a deadly weapon — the brass knuckles, Vernon said.
He was being held in lieu of $105,000 bail pending a March 5 court appearance in downtown Los Angeles, the lieutenant said.
"Every gun police take off the street is a potential murder averted," Vernon said.
According to police, Dukes, a longtime resident of Skid Row, has a criminal history dating back to the 1970s, with a number of arrests but only one felony conviction — in 2004 for welfare fraud.

Hospital Owner gets what he deserves

2010-02-22T15:22:00.000-08:00

It seems that if you prey on the homeless and low income residents in skid row there are consequences. This man was a hospital owner who defrauded medical and medicare by recruiting residents in skid row . The US Attonreys office has fined

Contra Costa Times

The U.S. attorney's office says 75-year-old Robert Bourseau was sentenced Monday and must pay $4.1 million in restitution for defrauding Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Bourseau and Dr. Rudra Sabaratnum co-owned the now-defunct City of Angels Medical Center. Authorities say they paid a recruiter $500,000 between 2004 and 2007 to find homeless people, who received a small fee to undergo unnecessary hospital stays.
The hospital then charged the government millions for services.
Both men pleaded guilty to fraud and Sabaratnum is awaiting sentencing. Last month, they also agreed to pay $10 million to settle a government lawsuit.

Union Rescue Mission Barbecues--rain , hail, sleet or snow

2010-02-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

The Union Rescue Mission had their Friday Barbecue today. WOW! I didn't head out there because I assumed that since it was raining that no one would be barbecuing. Boy! Was I wrong!!! At Facebook a photo was posted to showcase these barbecue grilling crazies... gotta love it..I guess feeding the homeless and their families doesn't end with the rain..

Why I beleive in the Singularity

2010-02-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

I honestly believe in the singularity. The reason is a personal one. AS someone who has seen his type II diabetes cured by the Gastric Bypass Surgery it occurrs to me that many cures are out there to be found for many illnesses that affect the human condition.

The philosophical considerations have always played a role in how we think about these things. If there was a cure for alcoholism and drug abuse , if there was a cure for schizophrenia or bipolar illness , wouldn't someone try and get that cure to alleviate the suffering from pain? There are so many issues when it comes to philosophy as to what constitutes illness because of our sense of self-determination vs. genetic causation..

It is my firm belief that homosapien was gifted with the white matter in the brain as a part of the overall immune system. It basically is a part of the immune system that allows us to think ways to preserve ourselves instead of just counting on genetic immunity , we find ways to manipulate those things around us to preserve ourselves by even having learned the differences between , humoral and genetic immunity...

We have been gifted as one huge immune system cell and I wonder sometimes why we see the brain and body amd al systems of the body as separate We even have the ability to override the brain-stem to actually curtail it's effects that would not help us to preserve ourselves in situations we can gauge with our white matter. We can put aside instinctual and primitive responses : an ability which in many instance can help us to preserve ourselves.

Fear is not an option

2010-01-18T16:31:00.000-08:00

Sociopaths thrive off of making people afraid. They thrive of of destroying people's lives. I have been assured that my friends will stand with me through all of this...

SO far no one cares what is happening and don't give a rat's about what others are trying to do and say.... I can continue this blog because I am protected under the 1st amendment an other laws that protect journalists....

I have chosen not to continue with the past postings on this blog because I have a new life , but if forced to bring this blog forward , I will...

Friends , non-profits, politicians, police officers were all amused at the antics of what had happened and have assured me that they have not lost faith in me...they understand that the criminal element will do anything do hide their crimes like threatening those who would expose them in the public realm in these sorts of publications...

I am exhausted and am in constant pain and will soon be going to a east coast university to undergo more treatment for my physical ailments.. my attorneys have counseled me to wait and we will be ready...but I have also been counseled that people who choose to threaten the press and bring forth frivolous claims is also a crime ... esp. if what has been written in the publication is the truth. Intimidating the press and bloggers has been documented before and there is precedent to protect those of us who have undergone this.. Law Enforcement has also counseled me that what is on record is on record....so anyone who would choose to go and find out for themselves can do so.

Other publications , after having done their due diligence and their own investigations , have aggregated past articles from this blog and I have no control over what they have chosen to publish....

The truth is always our best defense.... But if the constant fear mongering tactics continue, I will have no choice but to bring back this blog's past articles .

Getting Ready for Battle

2010-01-17T00:51:00.000-08:00

It was an emotional week. But I have been assured that all defenses are in place and friends ready to stand behind me and are standing behind me,,, tactics that are used by the unethical are just that ; nothing to fear.
With what has happened in Haiti I can understand my deep depression . I for some reason can feel a large loss of life in a very deep way.... it is sad others use these tragedies to continue to be demagogues, this has been going on for thousands of years and I am sure it will continue....

Fitness continues to be y number one priority this year, but the nerve damage is getting in the way ; I will not let that stop me.... It is amazing that I am motivated to push through this....

Providence has seen fit to allow this to happen.. I ain''t going out like a punk and must man up and move forrward.. I am sure I am on my last stretch , thus the enemy will throw whatever it can at me, providence has shielded me from the bad and providence will continue to do so..Providence has allowed this for me and I must not let others dictate whether I deserve it or not..

IN this life jealousy ,insecurity , greed , will drive others to throw things hard at me... I will ignore it and move forward...truth will be my shield..

This is why physically I must regain my strength so that emotionally I can handle what is going to be thrown at me... All of my friends have said they know the truth and have been diligent in verifying what has been sent to them... they will stand by me...those who were never my friends to begin with can run away...don't need you....

Let us move forward in peace and love this year....to whom much is given much is required and I must rely on Providence to balance out all of the equations...

General Jeff appears on CNN and this blog is taking a beating- numbers are way up...

2010-01-07T15:22:00.000-08:00

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

General Jeff was interviewed on CNN about his role in Skid Row Downtown-- now he is LAs only homeless public official..whereas we thought he was the Mayor of Skid Row...

For those who may not be aware, Jeff Page , also known as General Jeff, will be appearing on CNN sometime early this year on a story that was done specifically about General Jeff and his role as the Skid Row Resident Representative on the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. In the short amount of time he has been living in skid row General Jeff has accomplished much to make the neighborhood a better place.

Just a short note for those out there who are projecting their own feelings onto me and how I should feel about all of this because you may operate that way... I am not jealous nor envious nor resentful. You see , I had my opportunity to run for that seat that I helped to create during the foundation process of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. At that time skid row residents were not participating in the larger arena of community building within Downtown. I felt it was important that I work with the larger Downtown Community to create a venue where the disenfranchised of skid row could hash out the issues and solve the problems plaguing the community and the only people capable of handling those issues would be those who actually reside in skid row. Leslie Taplin , Micheal Gagan , Michael Pfeifffer , Quathryn Brehm, and myself were called idealists at that time. I am always going to participate in the democratic process no matter what , thus it was important that we create a place and a seat that would allow someone and others in skid row to participate ...that is what that was created for. I did not help create the seat for myself. I was accused by a local newspaper editor of being crazy because he felt that most people do things in their own self-interest. I suppose not running for the seat which could have handily become mine ;to him was somehow acting not within the bounds of human nature. What he and many others fail to realize is that any decisions made about the skid row community are a matter of life and death and self-aggrandizement can not play a role in representing the community and working with the community. The other dilemma was that as there are many people in skid row who have drug and alcohol problems , felonies and misdemeanors and I had none of these , there was no way I could identify with many in the skid row community, many people there resent those of us who do not have those problems and the non-profits , for the most part, don't like you because they can not use these types of things against you to destroy your credibility , thus it was important that naturally the community would eventually find the right person for the job..

We now have this with General Jeff and, it is becoming quite stimulating as I have watched this community become so energized from within and realizing that no one can empower them, but are reminded that all they have to do is grab on to the autonomy that already resides within themselves. The problem for a long time was the message that was sent to the residents by the huge non-profits that they were helpless , hopeless etc,every pamphlet indicates this and this was where my agitation became a problem.

Before General Jeff it was up to me to agitate and that meant telling it like it was . It was about publicly attacking stereotypes put out by local Downtown Newspapers , publicly chastising the non-profit entities and shining a light onto all the dirt..It was me and that was it. The non-profits did everything that they could to hold on to their efforts at claiming to be the voice of those they claimed had no voice...thus I have pretty much alienated many...Many in the non-profit sector listened to me and knew that I wasn't there to harm them but expose those things they could not...and I have been thanked many times by them , shocking me whenever it indeed happened. So many who have taken it in the shins from Don Garza during the breaking the stereotyping phase , the Central City East Blogger , now have moved on to a new way of thinking, there has been a paradigm shift in the way that residents and homeless people are treated.. To be honest the Internet helped a lot in these endeavors...

Back to those who would wish to project their petty personality traits onto myself...you wish....what has transpired is exactly what community building is all about and I am happier everyday that I feel useless and not needed...why? because that is what I aspired to do....a community with power and not having Don Garza speaking for them... I have always believed that we can speak for ourselves and we know what we want..Bud Hayes, one of the previous Executive Directors of SRO Housing Corporation , confirmed this for me when he said to be a good case manager you need to know that the client knows what they need and want more than you do. This is true for the residents of skid row... To be free is what we all strive for...but freedom comes with choices . General Jeff came with his gifts, skills , talents , and his abilities , he did the work in the community , the seat was there. We as a community convinced him to run and Jeff Page has leveraged that seat in such a way that has made many founders of the neighborhood council very happy....not jealous and not resentful...happy..... (I personally think they are jealous of me because I choose to actually do the selfless behavior and they only claim to while raking in 6 figure salaries or are just doing things in skid row to exploit the situation for their own self-aggrandizement. So they project their pettiness onto me...) I have won...The same people who pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America hypocritically simply do not understand it and would never understand my statement about winning. The constitution and it's belief in the 1st amendment is what I based all of this effort on The Universe in all it's glory does and has rewarded me with no longer having diabetes and able to exercise vigorously now. God in his infinite wisdom always balances out the equation, in physics we understand this very well...those in recovery circles understand that miracles happen..

When we all stood together as a Downtown Community , when the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and their Commissioners wanted to remove skid row from within our boundaries and we walked out of the certification process and the famous words of Michael Gagan ..we kindly request to withdraw our application.. was rebuffed,, we all walked out as a group yelling at them , that we were not satisfied and the commissioners came back and left skid row within our boundaries on the condition that if we were disenfranchised skid row could come back as a community and petition to create their own neighborhood council....this was the first time we stood together, rich and poor , all ethnicity, homeless and housed , nonprofit and resident , stating that we wanted things to change and the only way for that to happen was together and seeing each other in the same rooms and working beyond our stereotypes of each other and breaking down barriers...it is happening...so where there are those who see that I must be jealous , I don't see where I should be jealous , I should be very satisfied at this outcome.....This CNN story is the icing on the cake... Many wondered why I stood by Mayor Hahn , knowing Antonio Villaraigosa would beat him , because Mayor James Hahn supported the Neighborhood Council Movement and I saw this as the only way to save lives in skid row...now Antonio Villaraigosa has shown his unflinching resolve to help us solve the problems in skid row and has an ally in Jeff Page and Myself....but make no mistake , my first priority will always be the lives of the weakest in society and it matters not who it is whom I will expose if they are strong and take advantage or do harm to the weakest in society , it will be said..

So now I am content , I rest , work out , work on my adonis indexed body, live diabetes free and maybe find a job or create my own business and know when I die I did not leave this earth going down like a punk or full of regrets....I was on my death bed before ,been there , done that , don't want no regrets.

Read More!

A day back in the hood!!! And the lines are getting longer!!!!

2010-01-02T18:56:00.001-08:00

on Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

Reposted from December 2009

I spent Christmas Eve at the Los Angeles Mission today to see what was going on at the Christmas Eve Celebration. To start this post it must be said that the line is getting longer . I missed Thanksgiving this year , but others told me that the line was even longer. Suffice to say that the folks in the line were moved along through the event quickly , but what was poignant , even for a 10 Year skid row veteran such as myself ,was the long line of not bussed in families. Yes, these people were not bussed in and to me this portends that more families are suffering around this great city if they made their way to the Los Angeles Misson..I could see that many were not there to eat as a result of coming down to shop in the Toy District and the wholesale district of downtown. It was distressing to see the line now extended onto 5th street . More families with children .. not bussed in...hmmmm..on Christmas Eve? Something is up.. The ten years I was living on 5th street and witnessed the Thanksgiving and Christmas events of the Los Angeles Mission , I had never seen this many families and people in that line.

Commander Andy Smith

One thing happening was the coat giveaway...nice coats...

The usual suspects were all there to serve the meal ,and the councilrazzi , myself, was ready to catch the politicos photos who showed up.

You can see who was there below in the photos
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with Corbin Blue

Dennis Zine with Stephanie Pratt

Tom Labonge

As usual those living in skid row just can't get enough of the Mayor... they love him...it is always quite interesting to see this . There are movie stars all over the place , celebrities , media personalities , yet the people fall all over themselves to want to get the attention of the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles..

We are all blessed , those of us who live in our homes and in our safe places. We are eating. Many of us are still working. This year I give my thanks for my new found health and opportunity to live a dignified life . I also give thanks for those of you who contribute to these organizations in such hard times...after witnessing these families in that line , those many who made their way to skid row this day , tears welled in my eyes because I know things are tough out there for many...and wonder if it will get better anytime soon...

General Jeff - Mayor of Skid Row - to appear on CNN story

2010-01-02T18:54:00.001-08:00

Don Garza-Downtown Los Angeles

For those who may not be aware, Jeff Page , also known as General Jeff, will be appearing on CNN sometime early this year on a story that was done specifically about General Jeff and his role as the Skid Row Resident Representative on the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. In the short amount of time he has been living in skid row General Jeff has accomplished much to make the neighborhood a better place.

Just a short note for those out there who are projecting their own feelings onto me and how I should feel about all of this because you may operate that way... I am not jealous nor envious nor resentful. You see , I had my opportunity to run for that seat that I helped to create during the foundation process of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. At that time skid row residents were not participating in the larger arena of community building within Downtown. I felt it was important that I work with the larger Downtown Community to create a venue where the disenfranchised of skid row could hash out the issues and solve the problems plaguing the community and the only people capable of handling those issues would be those who actually reside in skid row. Leslie Taplin , Micheal Gagan , Michael Pfeifffer , Quathryn Brehm, and myself were called idealists at that time. I am always going to participate in the democratic process no matter what , thus it was important that we create a place and a seat that would allow someone and others in skid row to participate ...that is what that was created for. I did not help create the seat for myself. I was accused by a local newspaper editor of being crazy because he felt that most people do things in their own self-interest. I suppose not running for the seat which could have handily become mine ;to him was somehow acting not within the bounds of human nature. What he and many others fail to realize is that any decisions made about the skid row community are a matter of life and death and self-aggrandizement can not play a role in representing the community and working with the community. The other dilemma was that as there are many people in skid row who have drug and alcohol problems , felonies and misdemeanors and I had none of these , there was no way I could identify with many in the skid row community, many people there resent those of us who do not have those problems and the non-profits , for the most part, don't like you because they can not use these types of things against you to destroy your credibility , thus it was important that naturally the community would eventually find the right person for the job..

We now have this with General Jeff and, it is becoming quite stimulating as I have watched this community become so energized from within and realizing that no one can empower them, but are reminded that all they have to do is grab on to the autonomy that already resides within themselves. The problem for a long time was the message that was sent to the residents by the huge non-profits that they were helpless , hopeless etc,every pamphlet indicates this and this was where my agitation became a problem.

Before General Jeff it was up to me to agitate and that meant telling it like it was . It was about publicly attacking stereotypes put out by local Downtown Newspapers , publicly chastising the non-profit entities and shining a light onto all the dirt..It was me and that was it. The non-profits did everything that they could to hold on to their efforts at claiming to be the voice of those they claimed had no voice...thus I have pretty much alienated many...Many in the non-profit sector listened to me and knew that I wasn't there to harm them but expose those things they could not...and I have been thanked many times by them , shocking me whenever it indeed happened. So many who have taken it in the shins from Don Garza during the breaking the stereotyping phase , the Central City East Blogger , now have moved on to a new way of thinking, there has been a paradigm shift in the way that residents and homeless people are treated.. To be honest the Internet helped a lot in these endeavors...

Back to those who would wish to project their petty personality traits onto myself...you wish....what has transpired is exactly what community building is all about and I am happier everyday that I feel useless and not needed...why? because that is what I aspired to do....a community with power and not having Don Garza speaking for them... I have always believed that we can speak for ourselves and we know what we want..Bud Hayes, one of the previous Executive Directors of SRO Housing Corporation , confirmed this for me when he said to be a good case manager you need to know that the client knows what they need and want more than you do. This is true for the residents of skid row... To be free is what we all strive for...but freedom comes with choices . General Jeff came with his gifts, skills , talents , and his abilities , he did the work in the community , the seat was there. We as a community convinced him to run and Jeff Page has leveraged that seat in such a way that has made many founders of the neighborhood council very happy....not jealous and not resentful...happy..... (I personally think they are jealous of me because I choose to actually do the selfless behavior and they only claim to while raking in 6 figure salaries or are just doing things in skid row to exploit the situation for their own self-aggrandizement. So they project their pettiness onto me...) I have won...The same people who pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America hypocritically simply do not understand it and would never understand my statement about winning. The constitution and it's belief in the 1st amendment is what I based all of this effort on The Universe in all it's glory does and has rewarded me with no longer having diabetes and able to exercise vigorously now. God in his infinite wisdom always balances out the equation, in physics we understand this very well...those in recovery circles understand that miracles happen..

When we all stood together as a Downtown Community , when the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and their Commissioners wanted to remove skid row from within our boundaries and we walked out of the certification process and the famous words of Michael Gagan ..we kindly request to withdraw our application.. was rebuffed,, we all walked out as a group yelling at them , that we were not satisfied and the commissioners came back and left skid row within our boundaries on the condition that if we were disenfranchised skid row could come back as a community and petition to create their own neighborhood council....this was the first time we stood together, rich and poor , all ethnicity, homeless and housed , nonprofit and resident , stating that we wanted things to change and the only way for that to happen was together and seeing each other in the same rooms and working beyond our stereotypes of each other and breaking down barriers...it is happening...so where there are those who see that I must be jealous , I don't see where I should be jealous , I should be very satisfied at this outcome.....This CNN story is the icing on the cake... Many wondered why I stood by Mayor Hahn , knowing Antonio Villaraigosa would beat him , because Mayor James Hahn supported the Neighborhood Council Movement and I saw this as the only way to save lives in skid row...now Antonio Villaraigosa has shown his unflinching resolve to help us solve the problems in skid row and has an ally in Jeff Page and Myself....but make no mistake , my first priority will always be the lives of the weakest in society and it matters not who it is whom I will expose if they are strong and take advantage or do harm to the weakest in society , it will be said..

So now I am content , I rest , work out , work on my adonis indexed body, live diabetes free and maybe find a job or create my own business and know when I die I did not leave this earth going down like a punk or full of regrets....I was on my death bed before ,been there , done that , don't want no regrets.

2010-01-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

Reposted from December 2009

Well , oh well... Nestle Volunteers are everywhere .... all year I was seeing Nestle Company volunteers all over skid row, not to mention this past Christmas season...
On Christmas Eve , after my little jaunt hanging out at the Los Angeles Mission, I went over to bug Andy Bales out at the Union Rescue Mission.. as I walked up to him to bug him and harass and all out annoy him while
I was fired up on Mountain Dew Blue from the Los Angeles Mission festivities, you couldn't help but see the blue shirts of the Nestle Corporation. This year someone donated money to buy steaks for the Union Rescue Mission for Christmas Eve , there were over 1800 steaks that were grilled that day. Andy told me that they had started at 11 am and I arrived around 1 :30 pm to find them in their full grilling form ..and being wired up on Mountain Dew I couldn't stop talking. I see these guys everywhere all year. They are at the Midnight Mission and other places in skid row ...I wonder where else these elves are at also doing their volunteer thing.

SO not only were they at the Union Rescue Mission frying up steaks and boxing up lunches etc, they were also at the Midnight Mission for the toy giveaway this year..

these guys are everywhere lending a helping hand...

The Singularity draws closer

2010-01-02T03:21:00.000-08:00

As we get ever closer to a national health care plan, we also move closer to true preventive medicine. The singularity is coming and we will not be able to escape the exponential increase in technology that will create advanced Artificial Intelligence as well as the those things that were science fiction and now will be science fact. We will live longer , we will be able to regenerate our organs from the inside out and the need for cosmetic surgery will only be needed for accidental disfigurement since we will be able to regenerate skin and muscle tissue by removing damaged DNA and splicing it with undamaged DNA in the nucleus of stem cells in our bodies...

SO we know that this is coming and we need to move away from the fear of death as the motivating factor in our lives ; the existential angst that drives man to be crazy towards each other. It is time to prepare for the next enlightenment... You can choose to continue to operate from a sense of hopelessness about the future or a renewed sense of hope...it is really now up to us to prepare for the next step in human evolution. Will you be ready to realize that your death is not as imminent...but that we will live longer healthier lives... what a world...

Drupalcampla

2008-09-15T15:42:00.001-07:00

Drupal camp LA A success

2008-09-15T15:32:00.001-07:00