ONE LONELY LITTLE FISH, A SAN PEDRO RESIDENT, TAKES ON A BIG FISH – AEG--OWNERS OF STAPLES CENTER WHERE POP STAR MICHAEL JACKSONS’ MEMORIAL WAS HELD-- NEEDS TO OFFER “GOOD WILL,” SHE SAYS AFTER THE CITY SPENT A FORTUNE DURING TOUGH TIMES TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE EVENT

IN THE BEGINNING, ARLENE DICKEY SUPPORTED THE MAYOR’S DECSION TO SPEND THE FUNDS UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENED AND INVOLVED HOMELESS CHILDREN AND THEIR MOTHERS

By Diana L. Chapman

There was a moment in time – no matter how short – that San Pedro resident Arlene Dickey found herself defending the mayor of Los Angeles.

While other Los Angeles citizens were outraged that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa allowed the city to spend more than $1 million of taxpayer money to ensure that Michael Jackson had a peaceful – yet posh memorial service at Staples Center-- Arlene defended the mayor boldly in a letter to the editor.

The mayor’s decision, she stated in a local newspaper, painted an excellent “chamber of commerce picture” for the city of the Angels. That opinion, however, changed overnight.

A turn of events redirected Arlene’s course and set her on a new path – one that led her to contact AEG (the organization that owns Staples Center where the pop star’s glitzy memorial was given). Since then, she has landed in both the offices of AEG and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich out of pure determination and grit.

Her new commitment: she’s on a mission appealing to AEG to make “a goodwill gesture” to the swath of residents, many who feel betrayed across Los Angeles, that they picked up part of the tab for a celebrity memorial.

The gesture, she explained, is that AEG should pay the costs for all non-profits permits during the month of this coming December. Los Angeles paid about $1.4 million for police and city services for the event.

For our lonely resident, it hasn’t been an easy road – but if one knows this woman as I do –she’s relentless and rarely gives up just because of a few hairpin curves. That’s what made the story so appealing to me when I first heard about it casually in the Los Angeles port community of San Pedro. Her pure and genuine determination intrigued me.

In the beginning, Arlene believed of the memorial:

“Well, let AEG pay; they have plenty of money…and stand to make a fortune. However, on further contemplation, I began to see another side of this,” Arlene wrote to a Random Lengths, a San Pedro newspaper. “Los Angeles, with all of its problems, looked like a star to the rest of the world. We had calm and our police and service workers were so well received, we looked great.

“ You can’t ask for a better chamber of commerce picture than that which sends a positive image of our city to the world.”

Now Dickey truly regrets those words. What changed her tune was a small, but shocking piece of information she received from a non-profit ; it made her do a complete turn-about.

As a volunteer for Harbor Interfaith Services – a homeless shelter for women and their children in San Pedro -- Arlene busily raised money for the next several months after the Jackson services. After reeling in about $2,000, she presented the shelter with the funds.

Then its Director of Development Caroline Brady-Sinco dropped a bomb shell. The director explained to Arlene that $500 of her hard earned dollars must be set aside to receive a city permit -- just so the agency could host for its homeless children and mothers -- its annual Christmas block party. Brady, despite repeated calls, could not be reached for comment.

“I was mortified,” Dickey said, “that I was schlepping around to raise money for the homeless shelter and then they have to pay for permits. And I was just appalled that AEG got away with it.”

Furious, Arlene defined and defended her new mission. She decided then and there that AEG should pay for all non-profit permits that roll into the city during the month of December, likely to be thousands of dollars.

While you and I might be sitting outside trying to get into AEG’s office, Arlene first met with AEG officials on Jan. 21 and laid out her plan. According to her, company officials she met with explained that they liked the idea – and believed company CEO Timothy J. Leiweke – might “do something for the city.”

Just one thing, the officials added, they’d be more than prepared to do this if she could get City Attorney Carmen Trutanich to drop the threat of a criminal lawsuit. Trutanich – who was accused of using “bully tactics” by the AEG’s CEO – launched an investigation into the potential “illegalities” in the way the city used public funds to help AEG host the memorial.

Despite repeated phone calls, AEG officials have not responded to this story to provide any comments. One call assured me I would hear from an official soon, but that was days ago.

After her meeting with AEG, Arlene found herself knocking on Trutanich’s door where she spent an hour with the big bully himself – which of course is what I like about the new city attorney. Someone has to bully the city; they certainly do enough bullying themselves.

While the city attorney’s office refused to disclose the conversation, staff did confirm Arlene came in to explain her position. Trutanich, the volunteer said, told her exactly what I thought he would when hearing about this -- that AEG was likely using her as a pawn.

“My office cannot comment,” said Jane Usher, a senior advisor to Trutanich. “So sorry but those (are) the rules of my attorney-client confidential position. I can tell you that we met with Arlene and that she and her passion for the community are delightful and welcome.”

Arlene too admits that AEG was probably using her. But that has not once derailed her.

“It’s such a simple, easy thing. It has absolutely nothing to do with politics,” Arlene stated flatly. “It’s for the kids.”

As far as Usher’s assessment that Arlene’s passions are delightful, I agree. We need more residents like this to stand up and see the big picture and fight for our rights.

Where Arlene’s mission will go, no one knows. But what I like is she didn’t take it sitting down. Nor should the rest of us.

McKenna Sucher, 11, makes herself a cup of tea

The ART OF WRITING AND POURING TEA WITH KIDS AT NOSH CAFE
Susan McKenna, owner of Nosh, and her friend, Marisa Guiffre

Casey Mezin, 13, pours tea for his friends

Danica Collins, Kealan Sucher, both, 8, and sister and
brother, Sean ,8, and Shersten,9, Rosenthal try sausage rolls
and other tidbits

Sophia Perez clutches her writing book after a reading

Devyn Collins pours tea for her friends.

Aileen Perez and her 6-year-old daughter
Amelia, theyoungest writer in the class


Gavin Gilham and Diego Van Antwerp finally happy
that dessert is served!
T
Ava Pfannerer pours tea for her mother.

Keliz Mezin,10, and Jackie Gray are all smiles.

WRITERS TEA TIME AT NOSH CAFÉ – CRUMPETS WITH GOLDEN SYRUP, REAL WHIP CREAM, DELICIOUS STRAWBERRIES – OH MY! A GROUP OF WRITING STUDENTS READ THEIR STORIES TO THEIR PARENTS OUT LOUD AT AFTERNOON TEA

UPDATE ON CAR CRASH ON PASEO DEL MAR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

DON’T FORGET FAMILY KITE FLYING DAY AT 22^nd STREET PARK APRIL 10

LAST OF ALL, A NEW BLOG TO SHARE THE DAYS OF WHINING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND THOSE WITH OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES AT www.themultiplesclerosischronicles.blogspot. com

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TEA TIME AT NOSH CAFE

One can always count on Susan McKenna – owner of downtown San Pedro’s Nosh Café – to put on a classy event with delectable treats – even when the primary customers are kids ages six through twelve.

Susan -- with her help of longtime friend Marisa Guiffre wanted to teach children a bit about afternoon tea English/Aussie style – spoiling them with a triumph of colorful foods – from big, juicy strawberries with real whipped cream to sausage rolls with finger sandwiches -- cucumber, salmon and ham.

While the kids enjoyed their food, it seemed they enjoyed too the actual act of pouring tea out for each other and reading their stories out loud to their parents, who also attended.

The writing group – some of whom have come for two years – meet regularly on Wednesdays at the Corner Store, which Susan and Marisa once owned. The new Corner Store Owner Peggy Lindquist has allowed the students to meet their each week.

The next writing session begins May 5.

For more information about the writing group, email: hartchap@cox.net. For more information about holding events with Nosh, call: 310-514-1121. To reach the corner Store, call: (310) 831-2424.

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DRIVER OF CAR THAT FLIPPED OVER ON SIDE OF PASEO DEL MAR LAST WEDNESDAY CHARGED

The driver of a car, who allegedly drove erratically along Paseo del Mar last Wednesday (March 27), was charged last week with a felony.

Sgt. Jon Aufdemberg, now in charge of the Los Angeles Police’s South Traffic Division’s Community Traffic Safety Unit, said the driver was arrested for a felony of drunken driving or driving under the influence of drugs.

The passenger was taken to the hospital with the complaints of pain and was treated and released, Aufdemberg said.

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DON’T FORGET THE FAMILY KITE FLYING EVENT APRIL 10 AT SAN PEDRO’S 22^nd STREET PARK

Volunteers plan to teach children how to build and fly kites at The “First Annual Kite Fly” in San Pedro – an event hoped to bring families and the community together.

Professional kite flyers will launch their more spectacular kites on Saturday April 10 a.m. to 2 while volunteers spend time teaching children how to build and fly their own kites. The event, at 22^nd Street Park, is free.

About 1,000 instructional kites will be available, said James Weston, who learned the art of kite flying when his mother owned and operated the Up, Up & Away kite store in Seal Beach. The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.

Residents James and Monica Weston both learned kite flying techniques from James mother, Monty, who launched an annual event called the Japan American Annual Kite Festival in Seal Beach, now going into his 15^th year.

Monty died in 2007, but the store remained in the family’s hands when James’s sister-in-law-Kim took it over.

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THE M.S. CHRONICLES
-----Dear Readers:

I’m unveiling a new blog that will provide a place for those of us with chronic illnesses to tell our stories. It's meant to shed light to the health issues we suffer from and help those , friends and family, who endure with us. Writings will be accepted from others who want to share their stories. Here are some glimpses into our lives. Visit http://www.themschroniclesblogspot.com

SECONDS—ALL IT TAKES IS SECONDS TO DESTROY LIVES: THANK GOD IT WASN’T THEIR DAY OR MINE – OR ANYONE ELSE’S TO DIE

By Diana L. Chapman

I was headed home happily, ambling along Paseo del Mar coming from a glorious afternoon tea, my spirits high. Glimpses of the swirling, pearl-silver seas lulled my senses into a smooth calm near Point Fermin Park.

In a few seconds, all that blew up in my face.

Headed west, a red sports car pulled alongside me in the same direction – buffeting back and forth in the strong gusts and then uncontrollably swerved, nearly sideswiping my vehicle. The car then peeled off, weaved back and forth across the road ahead, and roared off at a furious speed -- leaving me in bits of floating dust.

I had no idea I knew all three women in the car – not just yet.

Irritated, I tried to spot the license plate but the car had gunned ahead; it was fruitless to try and catch up. To do so, the accelerator would have had to fly up to 60 mph. I couldn’t do it – not on Paseo del Mar where there were scores of walkers, joggers, dogs, bicyclist and kids playing still long before the sun closed down her day around 6 p.m. Wednesday.

All I could do was pray no one would get killed as the erratic driver sped off.

In a few more seconds rounding the bend that hedges Angel’s Gate Park, witnesses said the car hurled across the sidewalk, sliced through a neatly manicured city park lawn and landed in a grassland area across the street from the residences near Roxbury Street -- where just moments earlier a mother said her two two little boys had been playing.

The car eerily missed two towering palms by a few feet.

The smoking vehicle, when I saw it, sat upright on its side, bringing out crowds who raced to save those inside. Jumping out of my car, I looked at the passengers and the driver who were all alive, standing and bleeding.

I guess it wasn’t their day to die – and thank God, it wasn’t mine or anyone else’s. I was overcome with fury, however, when it dawned on me how reckless the driver was. As I approached, one of the passengers threw her arms around me as I yelled: “What were you guys thinking?” You almost hit me.”

“I’m so sooooooooorry, Diana,” the passenger cried, hugging me and crying with remorse, while she bled on her arms and down my shirt. She hugged me tightly and wouldn’t let go. “I’m so sorry. Are you OK? Are you OK?”

“I’m OK,” I said when she suddenly began to hyperventilate and folded in my arms, collapsing. Fortunately, a kind neighbor helped, holding her hand and talking to her soothingly; a lifeguard administered oxygen. Firefighters and police hadn’t arrived yet and then came the next irritant.

The driver hung over us, chiding the passenger that she “was fine,” and “there’s nothing wrong with you.”

“She’s not fine,” I shot back at the driver. “Just back off.”

The driver then basically told me to “f” off which made me broil. “You know you almost hit me,” I shouted. The kind man intervened asking the driver to leave. She sulked off and plunked down on the grass next to the other passenger. The two contended everything was fine and that the driver was not speeding or drunk.

What was even more horrific was that the young woman I was holding passed out and was carted off to the hospital. I still do not know the extent of her injuries, but I was shocked that the driver and friend didn’t seem to take much notice of their friend’s departure.

One complained: “My clothes are in that car.”

In some ways, I’m a tolerant person – as I’ve made so many mistakes in my own life – that it’s hard to make judgments on others in this regard. But there is not one time I can remember being such a fool to drive down any location peppered with people – especially as a woman in her late 20s or early 30s.

There appeared to be no regard for human or animal life.

Had I caused this wreck, I would have been horrified that I could have killed --- or maimed someone especially one of the tots who had been hopping around there a few minutes earlier – instead of trying to cover up the speed issue.

This morning, I was still steaming. This afternoon, I’m still angry as l write this with this near-miss etched in my head. I still wonder if the young woman who went to the hospital is alright. When the cops arrived twenty minutes later, they didn’t have time to talk to me so I handed them my card and added: “Call me if you need me.”

You’d think it might be a lesson. But on that day, I left with a bad, gut feeling that for this driver, it wasn’t going to leave a blip on her morality chart or anywhere else. And I can’t help but feel: just how sad is that?

SOME KIDS STORIES GIVE US A WHOLE NEW VOICE WITH THEIR WRITING; TRY THIS ONE ON FOR SIZE

Dear Readers: In this exercise, students were given stickers to write about and in Keli Mezin’s case, she picked a butterfly sticker. It’s interesting what unfolds when kids are allowed the shot at creativity. Diana

MY BUTTERFLY

By Keli Mezin,

My butterfly is orange, black and white. It is a girl. She loves to fly everywhere, everyday. She lives in a big pine tree on a cliff. She smells the ocean and some days, she flies down to the ocean to meet other butterflies.

Her name is Leila. She is a very graceful butterfly, indeed. And so is her name. Every male butterfly she sees wants her. But she never takes. She is happy how she is living in a tree on a cliff where she happily practices her daily flying routines.

Even though Leila was sweetly beautiful, she had a nastier side.

She was snippy and if someone started a fight, Leila liked to make it worse.

But one day, she met a lonely deer picking at the tree that Leila lived in. “I’m trying to get some sleep,” Leila snapped. “Sorry," the deer grunted, but he didn’t stop.

“Why do you keep hitting and picking at my trees?,” Leila moaned.

“Why don’t you come out here and live?” asked the deer “and see what it’s like to be without a home.”

“I bet I could stay out there for a whole week!” Leila said.

“OK, you start NOW!” the Deer exclaimed.

“OK, I’ll get my furniture,” Leila said with a grating voice.

“NO furniture!”the Deer yelped.

“Oh, fine,” Leila yelled. Leila stayed out in the wild for a night, and soon she was hitting on trees. She hit on the trees a lot because she missed her tree.

One day the Deer walked out of a tree he now was living in. Leila was hitting it. “What are you doing?” he asked grumpily.

Leila said with an attitude, “You hit on a tree when you were frustrated, not having a home.”

“Now you know how I felt,” the Deer said. “It was a good lesson for you, Leila.”

“I guess,” she said, and fluttered away.