Clogtown: Sofia Of Heredia, Richfield's Sister City!

I was walking to the Richfield Farmer's Market last weekend, and decided to cut through what we kids used to call Memorial Park (with the water slide that cut up half of Richfield), and is now called Heredia Park. It's the little park behind the Richfield Cop Shop/City Hall, and I had no idea when its name as changed - or why.

Then I saw a bronze statue of a little immigrant girl soccer player called Sofia. The only piece of public art in the park and it's of a child from another country making their way in Richfield. I was delighted, surprised, and honestly, a bit relieved - that Richfield holds such reverence for our immigrant neighbors, and chose to celebrate them in this lovely way.

The work is accompanied by a poem from Guillermo Hernandez , also the sculptor, from what I learned is Richfield's sister/peace city, Heredia, Costa Rica - since 1991! They even have a "Boulevard Richfield" in that town! I had no idea. But I'm super proud of my hometown, recognizing that we are a country of immigrants, and it is something to be celebrated. Excellent.

Pura Vida Sofia!

Love On A Train

I was coming back to the Westside from downtown L.A.with my brother and by the time we neared our stop, the train was nearly empty. I turned to ask him something, and noticed this couple fast asleep across the aisle from me. It was so moving ...  I asked Paul to take a photo.

They are Los Angeles. I don't know their story - and didn't want to wake them to ask - but it was such an L.A. story without words that I wanted to remember it, even if I felt a little invasive taking their picture. Were they coming home from a long day of working several jobs? Were they riding the train because they didn't have anywhere else to go? Were they O.K.? It seemed as though they were, as long as they had each other for support. It looked like the definition of love and comfort to me ... and I wish them nothing but well. And more love.

*Photo by Paul Gronner.

Freedom On The Fourth!

 *I'm gone fishing/on vacation but ... Happy 4th of July, wherever you are!

Independence Day  ... but I haven't been feeling very patriotic this year ... I mean, UGH, things are bad now in this country. Embarrassing bad. But I'm in my hometown, hit the Fourth of July parade (in the rain!), and once again felt the love for the people and traditions that are the real things that ever made this country cool in the first place. I like to listen to "Freedom" from Richie Havens every Independence Day - because that really is what this place is supposed to be about ...

... plus the whole "Liberty and Justice for all" thing. What we were founded on (by immigrant invaders, if we're honest). One of the most heart warming things about today's parade was when a little yellow Volkswagon Bug (with both Mexican and American flags decorating it) drove by honking, and got an even bigger reception than any of the bands or politicians or floats. Just like when everyone stayed even when the rain, thunder, and lightning started ... because we realize we're all in it together.

Let's remember what we're about ... and act accordingly.

Happy 4th!

AND Happy 113th Birthday, dear Venice!

See you soon. x