LA Eastside

“From the creator of “The Wire”, HBO brings you “Generation Kill“, the true story of the highly trained Marines of First Recon Battalion; following them through the first 40 days of the Iraq war.”

Above is a photo of Sgt. Tony “Poke” Espera played by Jon Huertas.
STATS:
First Recon
Age: 30
Rank: Sgt., Assistant Team Leader
Humbee 2 Bravo: Passenger, Front
Hometown: Riverside, CA

I tried finding this clip on YouTube but no luck. In one episode, he’s talking to Evan Wright, writer for Rolling Stone and says, (more…)

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I feel old whenever I see kids coming out of gigs, dance parties and kick backs now adays. I remember when I was part of that scene. Hanging out with friends kicking back and getting crazy in the pit. I reframed from drinking 40s or getting high because its not my thing, but that didn’t stop everyone else. On a good night I would end up going home smelling of beer and weed still laughing at all the stupid shit we saw or did while at the show.

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The Center Theater; A Date With Destiny. Commemorating the 38th Anniversary of the E.L.A. Chicano Moratorium Demonstrations and the Murder of Ruben Salazar on August 29th 1970.
It was a roasting, sweaty Saturday. I was on summer vacation from elementary school. Mom had been edgy all day with all that news coming over Canal 34 and KWKW radio about the “Chicano Riots” coming down Whittier Blvd…. (more…)

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Memories of a Lost Boulevard Series, A Tribute to Whittier Boulevard
Whittier Boulevard Movie Theaters, Part 3.

THE CENTER THEATER
4762 Whittier Blvd.
East Los Angeles, CA
955 South Kern Avenue, just south of Whittier Blvd. is where I lived for most of my early childhood. It was a warm, kid friendly, suburban neighborhood where everything you needed was a skip away. I fondly remember living like a Mexican “Leave It To Beaver” episode on that sweet tree-shaded avenue. (more…)

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Botanitas is an ongoing feature bringing you stories and news from various sources, upcoming events and other bits of ephemera that might be of interest to LA Eastside readers. Suggestions welcome!

Everyone’s Favorite Supermarket

Ozo on morning radio

Events

Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium

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I haven’t put anything on layaway in awhile, I think the last time was at the Kmart in Commerce back when they offered that program. (Maybe they still do?) But that was in the past when I just needed clean socks and maybe some school supplies. My needs are different now that I’m moving up in the world with my successful business of adding rocks to my recyclable cans and bottles: my profit margin is thru the roof! I haven’t decided on what kinda piece I’ll choose but at least I know this Highland Park shop has me covered!

Click ahead to see where I’ll go should I hit on hard times!

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It is odd how things come to ones mind out of the blue.

Last week I met this homeless man who inspired a poem for really no reason, now I am no poet but the words just came to to me while text messaging with a friend.

He appeared in my sight after we got out of Bar 107 on so called “Reggae Night”. After calling it a night we headed out the joint towards Main st, no matter what if you in the area your most likely gonna get hit up for change by the homeless population left in the vicinity. One of my friends knew a few of them from working in the area so it was pretty normal. I myself never really been scared of homeless, I usually am real curious about their lives and many times I like to talk to them.

Photo from Google

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I was going to go to the SiteLA’s (SiteLA is a Quicksilver marketing campaign) Heya party on Friday, August 22nd.

The transportation event sponsored by Toyota??!!!! I know. How could I NOT comment on that? How can I NOT make fun of SiteLA (I’ve got nothing to lose I’m not in Quicksilver’s demographic. Black girls don’t surf.) I think it’s fab that inspired people who are getting nonunion wages to make a very long commercial are doing inspiring things, but come on.

On Friday evening I was going there to make fun of the “random” coolness (and get free beer,) but then I got an email with a bit from Tina Dupuy.

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Yeah, I know, this is old news, but it’s new to me: one of the ELAC parking lots has been outfitted with a whole bunch of solar panels and is now producing about 45% of the electricity the school needs. That’s a pretty good idea. And I bet it helps keep cars cooler. But even better, us swapmeeteros can now rummage through the goods without roasting our necks! Click ahead for a few more pics.

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I will write a trip review later, but this is for the now.

I will be on KPCC 89.3 FM today between 5 and 6 pm. Tune in! Below is info from their website.

Don’t forget our upcoming panels:

Saturday August 23rd Panel #5 at Adrian’s house 420 Boyle St. 6:30pm, ARTIST AS DJ

Wednesday August 27th Panel #6 at G727 6:30pm, POWER TOOLS mixshow Panel and 16 th Birthday Party

Web Resources

* KCET Web story “Backyard Parties: A Brief History of DJ Culture in Southern California”

from:
89.3 FM KPCC

Gallery Exhibit Explores East Los Angeles D.J. Culture
Adolfo Guzman-Lopez
August 22, 2008

DJ culture, with its turntables, record scratching, and fashions, is ever-present in mainstream television, movies and advertising. An exhibit at a downtown L.A. gallery argues that East L.A. DJ’s as far back as 30 years ago and the Eastside parties where they played constitute an overlooked chapter of DJ culture. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez reports about the gallery’s efforts to unearth cultural history

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