Letter to the Editor

Dear Anna,
We hoped that someone - anyone - would see the story and reach out their hand to help when the December "Homeless For The Holidays" issue hit the stands. And that someone finally did the day that Tara Thomson received a phone call.
"I read the article in the NOHO and it touched my heart so much that I had to call you and help. I really want to help those kids because I know what they are going through. My name is Scribe. I'm a writer and poet that lives in North Hollywood," he told her.
The following Saturday Andee (on the cover of last month's NOHO - homeless young woman), Tara Thomson (documentary film maker of PellMell - the homeless kids of Melrose), and Scribe met. He explained his need to help the youth of L.A. that are desperately trying to survive without family - without anyone to turn to. He proceeded to give Andee $50 to put towards fixing her Volkswagon Beetle which she, her dog Althea, and her boyfriend have been living in and pushing from location to location based on the corresponding days of street cleaning.

Tara Thomson called me from the meeting that afternoon as Scribe wanted to speak with me.
"I just wanted to thank you for writing that article." It was hard for me to believe that someone was thanking me when it was him that needed the thanking. It was he who opened his heart so wide to let total strangers in that he felt completely compelled to help.
His goal - to form an art group where the troubled kids of L.A. could come every so often and be inspired to believe in their creative abilities and themselves.
Scribe, who works with the new Def Poetry Jam on HBO hopes to bring the works of the homeless, or previously homeless youth of L.A. to the HBO special one day soon.
When Scribe read to me his own inspirational works, my heart melted. Their beauty flowed much the way a painter paints a canvas. Only his painting was with words. - Tiffany Rae Larkin

Dear Tiffany,
Thanks for topping my year off! I love it when readers call in or contact the people we write about. I want to thank my readers for keeping in touch over here, and all the writers for this L.A. communitiy paper/ 'zine. Check out our expanded neighborhood movie theatre guide on page 15. I'm real proud of it.
- Happy New Year, Annie

The View
by Beverly Garland

It's a New Year, Hooray!

Although I really love the holiday season - one of the best times of the year, another "best time" for me is the beginning of a new year.

The pressure and tenseness of getting everything done for Thanksgiving and Christmas are behind me, and I look forward to the new year like I'm opening an exciting new book full of temptations and upsets and love and worry and all the emotions you can think of.
My youngest daughter gave me a peek at the first chapter of my new "book" and right away the year looks exciting because sometime in the middle of January, I will be enjoying the birth of another grandson. No matter what I read or what I see of the world, the birth of a new soul is always a miracle to me.

To start the year with such a blessing has to be a good omen for me, and I hope it will be for everyone in L.A., who should be cheered by what the prognosticators have forecast for us. There has been a wide variety of stories in the press predicting our brighter future. There really is a plan in development to reduce traffic on the Ventura freeway. On the financial pages, the consensus is that a recovery of the economy will arrive by mid-year. On the sports pages, the Lakers again appear to have a lock on the NBA title. On the entertainment pages, no mater how high the price of a movie ticket climbs, the total number of tickets sold continues to top the previous year's.
Remember when the slogan was, "Movies Are Better Than Ever?" That may be more true today than ever before. The films for this year Academy Awards are so good there is no clear-cut favorite among the industry movie critics. And that "evidence Hollywood" body of work has been excellent and is getting better, which is a salute to the many in our city who are responsible for so many of this year's excellent crop of films.
Even without a perfect economy, the Lakers and the great movies, we're a powerful magnet for the multitudes. I think I read that in 2002 a total of 500,000 people will move into California. They are not coming here because they like to shovel snow or wear stylish raincoats. They know the future is bright - maybe the brightest in the world.
As I open the pages of my new book, titled 2002, I am excited, full of hope and looking forward to pleasures, excitements, and surprises that await me every minute of everyday. I wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Beverly Garland is an actress, owner of the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in No. Hollywood, and Honorary Mayor of No. Hollywood.

bite on Hollywood
by Lily Raven

Fabian, a legendary 50's teen idol, was the first celeb in 2002 to be honored with their *STAR* on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 8th. Attending to celebrate with him were his lovely wife Andrea Patrick, his son, radio personality Art LaBoe and Chris Montez, Dodie Stevens, David Sommerville, Billy Richards of The Coasters, Mel Carter and Carol Connors who were all popular singers from the 50s and 60s. And, letters of congratulations were sent from Dick Clark, New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street.
Laserium's last showing at the Griffith Observatory was a overwhelming success! Due to the observatory being closed for the next three years to undergo renovations, Laserium had to say goodbye to their home for the past 28 years! Check their website www.laserium.com for the announcement of their new location.
The legendary Isley Brothers were inducted into RockWalk (7425 Sunset Bl) on January 10th. They are well known for their 1959 hit song "Shout" that was featured in the highly successful movie Animal House. The group is still going strong with their new record Eternal, their 40th album! Attending to honor them were members of Kentucky Headhunters and The Ventures and Eartha.
Congratulations to director Larry Blamire who will be premiering his new movie The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra at the Egyptian Theatre on January 24 at 7:30pm.
Larry wrote, directed and stars in the movie about a dedicated scientist, assisted by his clueless wife, who roles up his shirt sleeves and saves the world from radioactive monsters, curious space aliens and an evil skeleton in this send-up of the best of the B Movies of the 1950s. Sounds like fun, so check out this one night only engagement!

Do-it Yourself Acupressure
by Allison Howard
Memory
I notice I'm having trouble with my memory. It seems as if I can't remember anything unless I write it down. I'sd5m only 32, I feel I shouldn't have this problem. It's really only been the last couple of years...is it really all downhill after 30?
- Where's My Memory

Definitely not, there are many reasons for poor memory besides age. In Chinese medical theory, excess damp can lead to heavy fatigue, a thick heavy headedness and lack of clear thinking. It could be a kidney deficiency which may be paired with weak sore knees and lower back. Or it could be a weakness in the digestive system. Studying too much, overworking our mental capacity and worrying all damage stomach qi (energy) and can impair brain function. A heart imbalance can manifest as loss of memory paired with palpitations and insomnia. Though this may sound like an overwhelming number of options, you can help the problem even without arriving at a Chinese diagnosis. There is a group of points on the top of the head that is effective regardless of the diagnosis. Sishencong is 4 points located in a square 1 inch at the vertex of the head. Press gently on these while breathing deeply and imaging a brain full of sparkling clarity and crystal clear thought.

There are also some supplements that may be helpful. The herb, Ginkgo biloba actually encourages circulation in the brain and this facilitates memory and cognitive function. Phosphatidyl choline and serine (lecithin and soybean derivatives) nourish the brain and enhance memory and learning abilities. The essential oils Rosemary and Basil are also good cognitive stimulants. Just put them into a diffuser in your home or office and watch your brain kick into gear.

Of course remember to eat brain food. Lots of processed refined junk foods and sugars will slow most people's brain function and clarity. Most are sharper on higher protein and vegetable diet.

These suggestions should help you to enter the New Year while still remembering the last one!
Allison Howard, L.Ac. is a licensed acupunc-turist & herbalist practicing on Riverside Dr. in No. Hollywood. 818-508-0885 or email allipuncture@msn.com.

Cecily Speaks
by Cecily Knobler
Home, Sweet Hollywood

"Please make sure your tray tables are stowed and now would be the time to discontinue the use of any portable electronics including laptops and CD players. We will be landing shortly," Paula, the overly cheery flight attendant assures our Texas-bound plane. I have this somewhat obsessive need to be listening to really dramatic music anytime I land in my hometown, in order to give it that "movie flashback" feel.

I quickly adjust my headphones to try to make them blend into my dark brown hair as Michael Stipe belts out "Everybody Hurts." I think to myself as I see the neon green Dallas skyline, "Yes. It is true, Michael. Everybody does indeed hurt." Then, I have some sort of fantasy that Kyle Brotman (who, in the 6th grade, was kind enough to point out that it is not common for girls to wear Def Leppard t-shirts) now works at the yogurt stand at DFW Airport. He'll see me and beg for my forgiveness. I will make him list the reasons why someone like ME would want to be with someone like HIM (and make him give me a cappuccino chocolate swirl FOR FREE) bringing the evening to a close at a near-by Hilton. "Excuse me, Ma'am." Paula's tone suggests that she is not pleased. "I just SAID to put away your portable electronics." I glare at her as though I were 14 and put the song on pause until she is "prepared for landing." Apparently, everybody hurts except Paula. She'll never understand me or the love Kyle and I could have had. When I am safely out of her sight, I push play and as the plane lands I think, "ahh. Good to be home." Of course my Mom and her new husband are not waiting for me at the gate because they "don't do freeways." I hail a cab and watch little pieces of the eighties go by as we pass the mall, the movie theater where I once tore tickets and the IHOP where I fell in love. I arrive at my Mother's new house where I am immediately told that I look tired. "Hi Mom," I shout with a smile as we awkwardly embrace. We chat about her hormone pills and my recent 30th birthday party and I am not even there an hour before I get a desperate urge to check my e-mail. I am led to her husband's office where, unbeknownst to me at the time, I will be spending eighty-five percent of my trip. Two new messages! Yahooooo! I click on the "inbox" and my heart is a-flutter as I impatiently wait for the little names to come up that will tell me how loved and needed I am back in Los Angeles. The first one is from "Wet Katie" and the subject matter is "well, hello big fella." That Katie, always a card! Delete.

The second message comes from my friend Marie, who begs me to send a poem about womanhood to ten friends so that an "angel can get his wings." I don't even try to understand. Delete.

After countless hours of checking my voice-mail, my e-mail and looking up ex-boyfriends on the "google search," I decide to venture out for lunch with my Mom at the Fuddruckers. I found myself saying things like, "in Hollywood, they would NEVER just leave the condiments lying out" and "VALLEY GIRL the movie, is NOTHING like the real valley." I think that's when my Mother stopped listening. She pointed to a beautiful photograph by the coke dispenser that portrayed a lonely, Texas highway...barren except for vivid Bluebonnets sprinkled on its edges. "See that?" she pointed. "Don't you miss that about Texas?" And I did. And then a large, bleached blonde woman emerged from her booth with what seemed like forty children and began yelling, "Cody, Travis, Crystal and Christine...you behave or Mama's gonna go get the switch." And then I didn't. Instead I missed Los Angeles more than I'd ever missed it before and it hit me that Dallas was no longer my home. My icky apartment on Yucca Street was my home, and I liked it. And while I find that lonely Texas highway safe and lovely, it will simply have to be my past for now.

And I'll bet if any of you are unsure about LA, just go visit YOUR pasts and you'll find you belong here. Besides, Wet Katie seems to really need me as she sends me e-mails every day. So nice to be needed.
- Cecily Knobler is a stand-up comedian, and former morning host on KZLA.

Greta Blackburn's Stay Youthful!
Pain

Dear Greta,
I am an exercise junky entering my 40s and finding that my sports life has been curtailed by injuries. My right shoulder, low back and right knee have stopped me from skiing, running, biking, weight lifting, and even swimming. What do I do?
- Ms Buff in LA

Dear Ms Buff:
It's time for you to look into Prolotherapy. It's a treatment I have used with great success to help my sports life. It has been proven with Pro Athletes such as football players, baseball players, Mr. Universe and Mr. America as well as many weekend warriors. Prolotherapy works by rejuvenating the body's connective tissue and support structures to correct problems associated with damaged muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. With an injection of natural substances into precisely targeted areas of the body, the doctor activates the body's natural healing process which stimulates the growth of new collagen and in turn strengthens and repairs weak or damaged soft tissue structures.
A simple and cost-effective alternative to drugs and surgery, Prolotherapy is an effective cure for many pain syndromes, including degenerative arthritis, low back and neck pain, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, and torn ligaments and cartilage. Unlike conventional medical treatments with their emphasis on surgery and drugs, Prolotherapy stimulates the body's own healing processes to effect a natural and long-lasting cure.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in the body. It is a necessary element for the formation of new muscle fascia, joint capsular tissue, tendons and ligaments, the semi-elastic tissue that supports our skeletal infrastructure. Most people know it only as the precious rejuvenating ingredient used extensively in the health and beauty industry. The beauty of collagen in Prolotherapy is that, unlike the cosmetic use of collagen which requires injecting bovine collagen into the skin to rejuvenate and restore a more youthful appearance, Prolotherapy stimulates your body to produce its own collagen, that rejuvenates and rebuilds your body's infrastructure, and allows you to move once again with youthful vigor.
Ms Buff, you are fortunate since one of the finest Prolotheapists in the world, Marc Darrow, MD, JD, directs the Joint Rehabilitation & Sports Medical Center in West LA. If you look at his web site www.JointRehab.com you will see his recent article in Jan '01 Muscle and Fitness. I suggest you call him at 310-231-7000 and let the healing begin now.
- Greta is an actress and a dancer in Los Angeles. Go to www.fitcamp.com for more info! Send your questions on beauty and longevity to Greta at GretaBFIT@aol.com}