SIDEBAR

Chime In

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May 28 2015
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The arrival at the quiet California Heights neighborhood was a decision to pick your type of fruit: either Orange or Cherry Avenue. The sun peaked through the shaded tunnel created by the canopy of Camphor trees lining Gundry Avenue. It’s completely different here. At the Spanish Colonial Revival home several white archways stood prominently in the front lawn. Openness in the architectural form allowed sunshine on the porch decorated with potted plants. Mike Donelon’s German Boxer greeted me on its hind legs behind the gate. The simple metal latch opened to the driveway alongside the custom built home with a […]

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Board Heart

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May 28 2015
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And action. Just as I arrived it appeared. The hallucination wedged-in the chain-link trap. It was there. The illumination as plain as the golden day. Foot-eye coordination, bodily injury and practice at the skate plaza with a spirit of perseverance eventually formed the Board Heart. Unstoppable pressure broke the vessel. Vulgar insults. Broken pieces. The two become one. The painted belly of the board was chipped and scarred beyond recognition; vulnerability displayed. Shared with others. Enduring love has defied friction while gaining speed against gravity’s odds to take off for the sake of grace. There is no other way. Jagged splinters of the pressed-pine […]

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Sidewalk Address

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May 26 2015
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Los Angeles City Hall’s towering reflection on the Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters’ expansive blue-green glass rectangles is a reminder of iconic landmarks built to standby each other. The marvelous institutions seem to ask each other how do I look today? The transparent viewpoint of the city and civic plaza provide police employees with an ever-present visual bond to the public they serve. The intricately designed badge has a number identifying a name. The name has a heart; the condition is in question because they’re not all uniform. The heart of the LAPD Headquarters moves about along the catwalks of […]

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Your Call

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May 15 2015
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Super bowl Sunday, I stood at the foot of View Park Dinosaurs stood still as I dug up fossils of faithfulness Fuel, never dries up, bubbles tar pits La Brea Rodeo to Rodeo Hollywood sign a future to be screened seen by all The Famous One, who got it all done – Sun-scorched Point out, the points of interest, production assistant for Padre Continuous, unfinished action Messiah rigorous Trees planted by streams Studio City, the Carpenter Working Living Words on Sunshine Terrace, The Grove Everyone knows the guild of grace – the find from kindness High on a hill looking […]

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Among The Dirty

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May 13 2015
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Understanding each marking on Antwuan Dixon’s full sleeves, torso and facial tattoos could take weeks. Located on the inside of Antwuan’s right bicep muscle is a collection of tattoos surrounding a cross made of high caliber bullets. The vertical cross line is composed of a large bullet casing with a lead bullet on top like a round of ammunition made for an AK-47 assault rifle. The horizontal line has a smaller round of ammunition like a .45 caliber bullet casing on either side of the vertical bullet. On the left side of the cross is the word, ‘Blacc’ and on […]

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Trade Off

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May 12 2015
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Something has caught Rob’s attention. Could it be the spawning of a new stencil idea or a graphic arrangement on a screen print? His gaze directed beyond passing vehicles on Pacific Avenue to where a collection of East Side Longos stake their claim. Or is it an approaching park ranger on patrol, slowly rolling past the skate plaza carefully observing the scene.   Being aware of your surroundings gives you an advantage over your adversaries. Surviving here is like a trade school. The metal railings, pyramids and ramps are unforgiving to the body when technical training meets manual labor. The […]

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Auto Body & Paint

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May 11 2015
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Ethiopian Khris (EC) stands on Anaheim Street in front of an ‘Auto Body and Paint’ business. He stands his ground next to a giant crack in the road in a land of earthquakes and gorgeous golden sunsets. EC has an automatic body built for the physical demands of dropping hammers first go. There’s something more important than the body and exterior paint: the rider’s personality. When he skates he gives his best. The Little Caesar’s graphic paint bounces light onto the street. The character eats a slice of pizza ‘all day’ inside the laurel’s wreath as a picture of how […]

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SK8 IN PEACE BLACC MIKE

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May 10 2015
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Remembering Michael K. Green’s life as one of Long Beach, California’s most promising skateboarders of his generation, did not quietly rest in peace. A movement began among a collection of diverse skateboarders who practiced the craft of skateboarding inside the safe zone of Ghetto Park. Despite the ever-present gang violence that pressured the youth to remain divided along racial lines they looked after each other’s needs. Moreover, ragtag bunches of teenagers were focused on their skateboarding lines without snaking across another skateboarder’s line. There was cooperation and not collisions over, on, up, down and around the skateboard ramps and railings. […]

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After Hours

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May 09 2015
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“Ghetto Park” was a place where the locals youths congregated to skate. There was a sense of safety and strength in numbers by honing their purpose. Formed friendships created personal monikers for each other. Mikey and Goose were especially close because they pushed each other to skate their best. Goose is not afraid of heights. He climbed mango, lemon, orange, guava and other California fruit trees. Fruit produce was picked off and eaten for nourishment. Zero cost per pound. Although this time he’s holding two short limbs he pulled off the main supporting branch. Mikey is seen, albeit out of […]

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Impact Statement

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May 08 2015
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The security camera-like photograph depicts the courtroom before Ms. King makes her way to make an impact statement before former Deputy District Attorney John Lonergan, Judge Gary J. Ferrari, members of the jury, courtroom staff and police officers, witnesses, and one of the defendants who are on trial for the murder of her son, Michael K. Green. Staggered, vertical wood paneling decorate the place where justice is an every day process. The seal of California is centered above the presiding judge. The bailiff stands directly behind the defendant for security. The day is severely heavy. One life ventured in the […]

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