Honoring Dr. King Fifty Years Later

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the day the world lost Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his legacy is as special and important to our country as it has ever been. In fact, MORE special and important, because in today's world, Dr. King's message is needed more than ever. I was on a hike the other day in Kenneth Hahn Park, and at the very top of the trail was a brand new MLK Memorial looking out over the entire city of Los Angeles.

It was a pleasant surprise, and also a little time travel feeling, as the plaque marks today as the date it was commemorated, but today was two days away. I read that a big crowd made the hike to the top together a few days ago to have a ceremony marking the place and honoring the legendary American hero.

There are fresh trees planted, and as you walk up to the obelisk itself, several rocks are engraved with famous MLK quotes - truly words to live by.

Today's world needs an emphasis on social justice more than ever, and I find myself cringing when I think of what King would feel about all the madness happening in these current times. How sad he would be to know that we are still struggling to make his wonderful dream come true. I remember how happy I thought he would be to know that we had President Obama - and we all thought major progress - but now how crestfallen he would be to know that those eight years of grace and dignity were followed by the worst Administration the United States have ever known.

That's why it is so important to have monuments and memories to the greatness we're capable of, and the inspiration to walk on in those epic footprints forged before us. Standing at the top of this mountain, thinking about the "I've Been To The Mountaintop" speech King gave the night before he was assassinated in Memphis, I had a similar feeling to when I stood in the spot that King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech on the Washington Mall. That the ground where I stood was now sacred. That we have failed him. That we have the potential to be so much better. That the dream is still alive, even if he is not. That we can make it a reality by always remembering to focus on the love and social justice that King did.

I've been to the King Memorial on the Kenneth Hahn mountaintop ... and I looked over.

I've seen the Promised Land.
I may not get there with you.
But I want you to know today, that we, as a People, will get to the Promised Land!
And so I'm happy, today.
I'm not worried about anything.
I'm not fearing any man!
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!

Thank you, Dr. King. Your dream will never be forgotten.

An Evening With Kris Kristofferson - American Hero

If there is ever a chance of seeing Kris Kristofferson live, my friend Sweet D and I take it. He has been our main man since the 1970s, and at 80 years old, he is still as incredible as ever. After a week that seriously saw Donald Trump became our nation's President ("Elect") and dreadfully lost the legend that was Leonard Cohen ... hearing Kris Kristofferson sing to us was exactly what we needed.

The Rose in Pasadena could easily be a venue inside a casino like Morongo. We did not realize it was a dinner theater. Or that we would be the youngest Kristofferson fans in the house. Septua/ Octogenarians were chomping down on wedge salads and steaks, washing it down with martinis, and waxing poetic about all of the times they'd seen Kristofferson, and "Did you know he was a Rhodes scholar?" I did. He took the stage with no introduction or fanfare, taking the diners by surprise. They all leapt up and gave The Silver Tongued Devil a standing ovation immediately - and appropriately.

"Shipwrecked In The 80s" was the first number, and the listener is drawn in to the story of it all from the very first verse. Kristofferson has always been an activist and a philosopher, and his words are as on the nose in these times as they've ever been. Ok, and it must be noted - The Man is just as handsome as he's ever been ... just in a wiser, more seen it all way than he was when he first stole our hearts in A Star Is Born (which remains my favorite childhood movie). "Darby's Castle" was another from the illustrated storybook of this legend's mind, and then the retirees lost it when "Me and Bobby McGee" was next. As did we.

"Here Comes That Rainbow Again" gave us some of the hope that we so desperately need right now, and "Best Of All Possible Worlds" made us yearn for exactly that. Kristofferson was in fine voice, and his gently accompanying himself on acoustic guitar was all that was needed to bring these song stories to life. He was in high spirits, shouting little "Woos!" after songs, mugging to the lyrics and offering little asides like, "True story!" There were rare glimpses that he was really 80, like wearing a brace on his wrist to play, and when he said, "I had a clever ending when that was recorded, but I forgot it and I'm too old to care." Which only made us love and cherish him even more.

"Help Me Make It Through The Night" nearly killed Sweet D and I, and when I glanced over at her, I saw that she too had her hand over her heart, eyes glistening in full swoon. It couldn't be helped. We were already treasuring our memory while it was happening. I think everyone was. "Casey's Last Ride" was a vivid picture of outlaw love, and Wow - when he played "Nobody Wins" ... well, it could have been written that very morning. Give it another listen.

At this point an overzealous Busser was clanking dishes off the table right in front of us. Like DURING that song. Sweet D said, "Kris Kristofferson is playing RIGHT. THERE." to me after we shared our eye roll ... Kids today. They have no idea. This was followed by Kristofferson saying that a man up front had fallen asleep. Good thing I didn't see who. The venue was definitely beneath the absolute Mount Rushmore-worthy man that sings about our real America - and always has. The word I associate with him most (other than heartthrob) is "Freedom". To me, he embodies American freedom, and the struggle to preserve that sacred treasure.

"From Here To Forever" again made us wistful for the youthful Kristofferson, just so we could enjoy him longer on this planet. There were all walks of life in this audience, and I'm pretty sure we were all feeling the same way. "Broken Freedom Song" again spoke to my soul about that elusive freedom. "Loving Her Was Easier" ... Well, it really doesn't get much better on this earthly plane.

There was a brief intermission - where more dishes were cleared and more martinis were consumed - and then Kristofferson was back, again with no fanfare. "I'd Rather Be Sorry" was more of the hopelessly romantic genius that made us fall for KK long ago. Rita Coolidge was one of the luckiest women to ever live. I swear.

"They Killed Him" was a song that Kristofferson was proud to say had been recorded by Bob Dylan with a children's choir, and it was lovely. "Jody and The Kid" pulled on our heartstrings. "The Pilgrim" was perfect. "Jesus Was A Capricorn" earned shouts of approval, that we could all be more like Jesus right about now. "The Promise" made us love him even more, especially when he said, "It says I'm supposed to play harmonica here, but I don't feel like it. And I forgot the end. Too many blows to the head." Still ... fine by us. Kristofferson has chord changes that are very significantly his, and my heart swells at every one. And the minor notes - Ugh. They kill me.

"To Beat The Devil" showed off Kristofferson's wit, and "Sunday Morning Coming Down" showed off his history. That one was a real crowd pleaser ... but wait. They all were. Like "The Silver Tongued Devil" that is so perfectly his song. I'm well aware that I'm gushing, but when someone is your ALL TIME FAVORITE ... Oh, well. "For The Good Times" began the eyes welling, and "A Moment Of Forever" (my personal favorite) added the lump in the throat. "Why Me, Lord?" pleaded above for help, and again was completely perfect for a soundtrack of today.  People went nuts clapping and shouting as Kristofferson shouted a firm, "Thank you!" He left the stage, but came right back for "One more". Which was "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends".

As Kristofferson brought the song home, he SHOUTED the song's title, signaling that he's been thinking about all of it a lot. The state of the world, and his own life ... and how it all ends. Like Kristofferson, I'm not ready. Don't tell me. And until then, let's celebrate living legends, music, and the FREEDOM that we all still have.

Kris Kristofferson ... Thank you so much for this wonderful, classic, moment of forever with you. *Oh, and PLEASE make some mercy for us to remember these shows by! There never is any and we can never believe it. We want to wear you proudly. Thanks! xxx

**Top photo courtesy of Tasteofcountry.com because it's perfect.

Abbot Kinney Reflections

I love to wander around the neighborhood and happen upon a new work by Robin Murez. Her Venice Public Art mission is one of the best and coolest attempts to keep Venice so very special. The latest one is on Electric and San Juan Avenues, and features a portrait of Abbot Kinney with a reflecting mirror. Very cool.

Kinney dreamed up this wonderful place, and we who live here are all stewards of his vision. I wonder what he would think about artists and lower income families being pushed out of the home that they also love? The little earthquakes we've had this year may just be him rolling over in his grave.

But maybe not. Because there are still people like Murez out there thinking up - and executing - creative ways to show appreciation and love for Venice. I thank her, and all of you who keep making Venice the most interesting place ever to live. Sincerely.


*Honorable Mention - Kudos must be paid to the fantastic dame in the dark last night. My street butts right up to Abbot Kinney Boulevard and unfortunately, The Brig. Tools with big mouths come out of there and stumble to their cars parked on our street regularly, and that's ok. We live in an urban area and that's to be expected. What is NOT expected is those tools going to sit in their parked car after bar close, blasting lame music so loud with their windows down that my windows shook in their panes. Literally. That and their very poor singing along at the top of their lungs woke up the entire neighborhood.

I couldn't quite figure out where it was coming from at first, but when I looked out the window, I finally saw an older woman march out of the alley, right up to the car window and shout, "What is wrong with you?!" I couldn't make out the tirade unleashed back at her, just her repeatedly saying, "Just go home. Go home." The music turned down and she turned and headed back down her alley, There wasn't time for me to get down there, so I yelled out into the night, "THANK YOU!!!" and hoped that both the woman and the carload of little dicks heard me. The car squealed out and the driver yelled, "BITCH!!!!" at her. It reminded me exactly of the attitude in that Ariana Grande video going around, just entitled little brats that have no respect for anything.

Abbot Kinney the street has gotten too cool for its own good. People like that last night should know before they come here that we're not having it. And that woman last night was more O.G. than anything I've seen out of anyone around here in a while. Good on her. And thanks again!