So I missed what would’ve been my second River Ride the past weekend, but I did make it to my second Congress of Neighborhoods as a delegate for the fledgling East Hollywood Neighborhood Council. My neighbors and I dragged ourselves out of the house by 8:00 on Saturday morning and carpooled to the convention center downtown. After some serious queuing outside the parking complex (should’ve taken the Red Line to the Blue Line!) we checked in to the Congress, grabbed some Krispy Kreme donuts and Starbucks coffee, and split up for the morning session. I wasn’t feeling motivated enough to join a workshop 30 minutes late, so I wandered the city department exhibits, chatting up the Los Angeles World Airports rep, the city police officers, the housing department staff, and declaring myself a "big fan" to the folks at the 311 booth (One Call to City Hall). I also met Lois of the Los Angeles Eco-Village, a fascinating community tucked into two city blocks between my neighborhood and Wilshire Boulevard. And right across from Lois I met Susan Kent, the city librarian, at the LAPL booth! I nervously told her that I’m curious about entering the profession.
All the while I was greedily collecting tickets for the afternoon raffle contest. I tell ya, there’s nothing like Krispy Kreme donuts and raffle prizes to get me civically engaged! They were offering Dodgers tickets, a visit to the LAX control tower, dinner at a fire station, cruises on city boats in Santa Monica Bay and LA Harbor, but I put all my tickets in the drawings for the behind-the-scenes trip through Central Library and the Board of Public Works‘ sewer tour! And would you believe it – I won both of them! I was so visibly excited as I claimed my prizes at the podium, because I never win drawings, no matter how hard I cross my fingers and will it to happen. Despite being a little, not-yet-certified Neighborhood Council, EHo sure won big that day – our main man Elson walked away with the 4 Dodgers tix!
Overall this Congress wasn’t quite as vivacious as last year’s. Mayor Jim Hahn showed up this year and spoke to us about the tough budget, but I kinda zoned out and became mesmerized by the sign language translators working just below the stage (I think I figured out the sign for NC by the end of that speech). His sister Janice was a livelier speaker last year, though I don’t remember what she said really (typical political spectator! absorb the form but not the content…) I missed last year’s energetic roll caller from South LA, but I enjoyed Don Garza’s Town Crier (whom we originally mistook for a pirate! Oops.)
I chose to attend the Neighborhood Improvement Projects workshop in the afternoon, since they’re what attracted me to this NC business in the first place (I just wanted to pick up trash and otherwise beautify). It was mostly geared toward certified NCs, but I got some contact information for Operation Clean Sweep and a booklet with pretty color photos of successful projects citywide. (Look for my own gallery of neighborhood murals – forthcoming.)
And look for field trip reports from this book-worm/sewer-rat!