JUiCE: LA Graffiti Art Battle

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I last checked out JUiCE's dance scene, which includes a variety of breaking all-stars. But another kick-ass component to this wonderful elixir is JUiCE's graffiti art and the host of street artists at this place. What better time to check out their art than during their 4th Annual Graffiti Art Battle?

A piece found at J.U.i.C.E.

4th ANNUAL GRAFFITI ART BATTLE IN LOS ANGELES
Every year for the past 4 years, JUiCE and Visual Elements, an Oakland-based group from the Eastside Arts Alliance, battle it out to see who can throw up the most creative and original graffiti art piece. The first battle took place at the Venice graffiti walls in 2006 and then moved on to Oakland in 07 and 08, each taking place during the Malcom X Jazz festival. This year's battle took place at JUiCE's headquarters in Los Angeles.

The battles are usually themed, and cover such themes as Immigration and Jazz. This year's theme was Culture. But the challenge for the street art teams doesn't stop there. Each team is then given a word that they must use to anchor the whole piece. Previous words include War and Bebop. This year the JUiCE team was given the word Native. Visual Elements received the word Survival.

JUiCE's Canvas

Visual Elements Canvas

JUiCE's GRAFFITI ART BATTLE: A TEAM EFFORT
Each team consists of about 10-15 street artists whose skill levels are matched and set to complement one another. The idea is to create a piece as a team and the winning piece is judged largely on how well the team works together.

As an artist, it's difficult enough to throw up a piece by yourself. But to get 10-15 heads on the same page, to consider dimensions and how things will connect, to blow it up while another talented team does the same just a few feet away, and there's only about three hours or so to complete the piece. Well that's a practice of showmanship. Paint on you crazy artists!

The teamwork of Visual Elements

JUiCE Graffiti Artists working their magic

JUSTICE by UNITING In CREATIVE ENERGY
Events like these are true acts of justice because a lot kids from urban areas like LA don't have equal access to arts programs, which are typically the first things cut from the state budget. If you live in a poor area, your arts program and other after school programs are likely the first to go.

Part of the Justice that JUiCE brings to the communinty is that it provides an opportunity to develop one's creative potential thru dance, music, and art. Not to mention it creates a space where people interested in hip-hop can come together and celebrate it. Few outlets for urban youth exist that provide such a service and JUiCE has stepped up to support LA's youth and develop their creative potential.

WHO WON THE BATTLE?
Well, Visual Elements took the prize this year. The series between JUiCE and the Visual Elements team is now tied 2-2. The next battle may occur as soon as May 30th in Oakland. Contact JUiCE for more details.

VISUAL ELEMENTS - "SURVIVAL"

J.U.i.C.E. - "NATIVE"

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Boycotts, Water, and the CLEAN Campaign (Part 2)

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Boycotts and a CLEAN Car Wash Update
Sometimes you have to find alternative ways to stay physically fit. So if your time is scarce and you have a passion for workers' rights, there may be no better physical activity than the boycott. It's lots of walking while outdoors, it's uniting with laborers, and it's tons of yelling to support "our team." Go to a boycott. It may not take your breath away, but you'll probably feel sore the next day.

I last wrote about unity, water, and the CLEAN Car Wash Campaign in Los Angeles. This week I spoke with Chloe, a representative from the campaign. She updated me on CLEAN's environmental work, it's health and safety efforts, and their collaborative work with numerous organizations. Seems that the boycott is just one of their efforts against corrupt car washes in LA. One of their most recent environmental victories: they partnered with the Coalition for Clean Air to pass various regulations with the Air Quality Board.

Water Conservation: Car Washes CAN be better ...
In terms of water conservation, I thought it'd be a good idea to wash my car on my own instead of taking it to a car wash -- this way I'd get some sun, work the muscles a little bit, and support the CLEAN Car Wash campaign. But according to Chloe and CLEAN, more water is wasted when we wash our cars on our own than at a car wash. Since a lot of car washes in LA recycle the water they use in special tanks and because they use pressurized hoses that use less water, it's often better to have your car cleaned at a car wash.

Toxic Sludge, Storm Drains, and Worker Health
Even if you do decide to wash your car on your own, the water we use goes straight to the storm drain, along with all the crud, soap, and motor oil it gathers up along the way and heads directly to the ocean. This sludge is toxic and adds to LA's water pollution. I don't know about you, but I don't look forward to wading in car wash sludge this summer at the beach or having it pollute our drinking water.

But imagine if your job required that you handle this thick dirty, toxic sludge. Unfortunately, the car wash workers that CLEAN collaborates with have stated that some car wash owners have them clean the water storage tanks and dispose loads of this toxic waste illegally in trash bins or in storm drains. Tire cleaner, motor oil, dirt and grime, and paint thinner, which is often used to work out hard-to-remove stains, are just some of the contents of this horrible mixture. And guess what, the workers aren't provided with adequate protective gear while cleaning out the tanks or while disposing the loads of sludge that has accumulated over time.

What can you do?
The CLEAN Campaign has put out an industry-wide call in the LA area for car washes that want to join the campaign and abide by labor and environmental regulations. Not a single car wash in the LA area has joined, though. For a list of some of the worst violators in LA, click here.

If you'd like to support the CLEAN campaign, you can start by linking to their website for more information -- be informed! Next, if you're in the LA area, join them for one of their regular boycotts at the Vermont Hand Wash in Hollywood. Click here if you'd like to contact them or get more information on their regular meetings. Be active and selectively choose your car wash. According to CLEAN, some of the things you can look for while patronizing full-service car washes include:

• Are the workers inside the wash tunnel wearing protective gear such as gloves, aprons, and boots?
• Are the workers in the detailing area wearing gloves and face masks to protect them from the chemicals used to clean your tires?
• Ask the owner, the manager on duty, or some of the workers if the workers are getting paid at least the minimum wage for all the hours worked.
• Does the owner provide drinking water to all of the workers?
• Is there a shady area where the workers can take a break or have a meal away from the dirty water and chemicals?
• Are workers given adequate time and space for breaks and meals?
  

If the answer is NO, to any of the questions above, look for another wash. Tell the owner or the manager on duty to contact CLEAN and join the campaign. Finally, TIP THE WORKERS WELL. Many workers report they work long hours for tips only. In 2007, state and federal employment investigators found that many car wash workers in the LA area are paid below the minimum wage in violation of state employment laws.



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Animal Rights: Campaigns against Dog Fighting?

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To be honest ...

Have you ever been at a house party, a restaurant with family, at work, or even at school during a break and someone brings up a political issue--or any other issue for that matter--that completely flies over your head? Well I gotta admit, although I'm committed to bringing positive change to the communities I've grown up in and to the world at large, I've never really given much thought to animal rights. I believe that some of my dearest family members have been cats and dogs (below are examples), but I've never considered some of the animal rights issues and animal abuses brought up on YN this week ... until now.

Tootsie lounging around the house, after using my laptop.

Big Head outside, trying to stay dry.

DOG'S Best Friend?

In response to the post about dog fighting and toys that glamourize violence, I think the toys pictured are similar to other homies toys we've seen in the past--they're not typical of Latino culture, but some people in Latino communities look like this, and live like this. Now, my personal opinion is that even "homies" know how to love their dogs, and that the majority of the people that would buy these toys/collectibles probably just aspire to some image of Machismo--and really don't fight their dogs. I'm not naive though, I'm sure a select few exist.

The image of "homies" fighting their dogs maintains and supports Latino stereotypes. At first glance, I would assume that the toymaker did not create a doll of some white college student in a letterman sweater with a name like Stewart fighting his pit bull. Then again, and I'm no economist, that 'market' probably wouldn't buy such collectibles. Though I'd bet such a subsector of society is guilty of dog fighting and Machismo just the same.

Kiki Luv, aunt and uncle's dog.

(Sadly enough, I bet if it was a Vick doll in a Falcon's jersey fighting his dog, the demand--and simultaneous outrage--would open up substantially across racial, class, and age divides ... but that's a whole other post altogether).

Lots of Questions, Few Answers. Please SPEAK UP!

1) How might a campaign use artistic imagery to speak out against animal abuse and dog fighting more specifically? What toys might be used?

2) Anyone know of an existing campaign against dog fighting or other animal fighting that uses creative messaging?

3) Should the toymakers of such dolls be held responsible for promoting animal abuse? If so, how? If not, why?

4) I don't like dog fighting, but it's okay to buy the toys, right?

Layla, 6 year old "Rot", rescued and adopted by a friend.

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Self Help, Self Defense, and Mujeres De Maiz

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We just had what?
Did you know we recently had International Women's Week? Well, I didn't. Apparently there’s a day too -- March 8th of every year -- ohhh, for just like the last 100 years or so. I've probably heard of it before, but this time the date is gonna stick, damnit. It's just like this year's time change -- where did that come from? And where the hell is the news when you need it?

Well here's some news about the East side. Mujeres de Maiz are hosting a number of events during the month of March to celebrate International Women's Week, including an intergenerational artist discussion, a mujer mercado (women's market) that offers a variety of items made and sold by women, spoken word night, and a holistic medicine workshop.

Strong, Supportive, and Empowered Women
I spent Saturday Morning with a number of kick ass women. First it began at home with my mom where I quickly breakfasted on some chocolate cake she made Friday night. I borrowed her Nikon D60 camera, and off I went. My destination: the Womyn's Self-Defense Workshop put on by Mujeres de Maiz and instructor Cati de Los Rios. The goal: capture our beautiful community in action.

Cati has been teaching self-defense off and on since she was about 15 years old. She states that a goal of the workshop is to create a space where women feel comfortable learning basic strategies to defend themselves. Talking about her long experience with similar workshops that cater to women of the community, she continued, "It's empowering for women [of all ages] to hit the bags and take ownership of their bodies [through martial arts]."

I spoke to Hilda Gonzalez, who invited some of her sorority sisters, Jackie and Serena to the event. Hilda stated that she had been searching for self-defense workshops since she heard of the recent kidnap and killing of Sabrina Pina in Houston Texas. Given this reality, she felt the free workshop provided a much needed resource to women of all ages.


The Unique Space of Self Help Graphics & Art Next thing I know I'm seeing and hearing jabs, kicks, blocks, and kiai's all over the room. Smiles, laughter, and togetherness followed. A distinct sense of community permeated the air like the pungent aroma of sage. Positive, healing energy is the descriptor that comes to me. It's not religious what occurs here, but soothing to the soul nonetheless--something distinct and divine, and for lack of a better word, feminine.

Like when the members of a community meeting moved locations to accommodate the large group of participants that had arrived for the workshop. Thirty-plus people stood up, packed up their chairs, moved down a flight of stairs, and resumed their meeting outside in the parking lot without any complaints--the Virgen de Guadalupe overhearing their plans. No, I’m not kidding. The exterior has a shrine dedicated to the Virgen de Guadalupe, which rests amidst a tree-lined corner of the lot. Just another example of Self Help's multiple dimensions. Pretty cool.

Self Help Graphics & Art: An Environmental Resource worth Preserving
For awhile Self Help--the building--was in jeopardy. The community has the space for at least another year. But I'm not sure what's going to happen after that. I say this is a space--truly, an environmental resource--worth preserving for years to come.

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Urban Gems: Self Help and Defending our Built Environment

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JANE! JANE! STOP THIS CRAZY THING!!

I'm learning video production at school, and this week's workload has been INSANE! Plus, I just got a new job, and I've been in training/orientation for the last two weeks – 4 hours of sleep each night and lots of homework! I'm beat!

Yet the one thing that's been on my mind ALL week is this Saturday’s Womyn's Self Defense Workshop being held at Self Help Graphics and Art in East LA. I mean c'mon, it's a chance to learn some skills, chill with good people, knock out the tension that's been building up in the shoulders, and an opportunity to sweat out some of those carbs you’ve inhaled during stress-induced stupors.

The reason I'm so stoked for the ladies attending this "kick-ass" workshop is because I love, absolutely savor like juicy carne asada, those ... let's say "sacred" spaces set aside for groups that don't usually have a place to call their own. A group of women, learning how to kick butt together on the Eastside, that's a future even Hanna-Barbera might give props to. I'm no George Jetson, but every man needs a strong woman by his side and a future to look forward to.

THE FUTURE IS NOW.

But this story gets better. See the one thing I've been learning at school lately is how film—in cinema and still photography combined—is being replaced by the onslaught of video and digital bits of information, mostly to save dollars and time. Film as an art form is slowly dying, and how we treat it now is, in many ways, its future.

The folks at Self Help Graphics and Art in East LA know this process of "progress" all too well. Their building was owned by the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese and sold to a private firm, which meant Self Help's programming—a long-standing flagship to the Chicano Movement in LA—would have to be relocated. Self Help recently forged a one-year agreement with the new owners to stay at the current location. But who knows what will happen a year from now.

PRESERVING OUR STORY ... OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT IS PRECIOUS.
When you think of the environment, think of the lakes and the streams that carry our fresh water. Think of the clean crisp air we breathe. And of course think of the myriad of things one can do to preserve these precious resources.

BUT also think of those places—those spaces—that are resources to a whole community. Think of places like Self Help Graphics & Art, with a history that spans over 35 years, and provides art workshops, self-defense workshops, and puts on celebrations for the local neighborhood and beyond. Think of the monument—yes, this includes the building, not just the programming—that stands to remind us of a beautiful interwoven tapestry of a community's history. Now, think about how YOU can help preserve the programming there and the building that birthed it. What's your thoughts!?

Girl kicking ass Photo Courtesy of EvilMightyAcorn's Flickr Page
Pinata Skull painting Photo courtesy of Claudiz! Flickr Page

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Community in LA: Cycling, Cars, and Women with Wrenches

The following post is from YouthNoise Play City—a community dedicated to changing the world through sports and play. PLAY ON!

IT HURTS SO GOOD!
It burns your thighs. The intensity strains your shins. Your quads swell like a balloon on the brink of bursting. Ahhh, the joys of bicycling in LA. The skin-tight, sponsor-clad pair of shorts and matching shirt no longer characterizes the urban cyclist. More familiar are the thrill seeking street cyclists that typically don tight-fitting jeans, flannel shirts, and a bag full of gear.

These fat-burning-engines-that-can glide through city traffic and remind us that there is an alternative to the gas guzzling earth-polluting pieces of idling machinery that congest our streets. These cyclists may not dress like they’re training for an iron man competition, but they shred asphalt just the same. And they've got the waistline to prove it.


CAR CENTRICITY: COMMUNITY AND SPORT IN LA
I admit: I'm glued to my car. Most Angelenos are because our public transit system, though improved, just can’t get us from A to B fast enough. Others live for their cars—they "trick 'em out", "sup dem up", and some even "drop the clutch.”

Maybe LA’s car centric culture began during the fifties when a fascination with gears, speed, and style gave birth to car clubs. Perhaps a magical chemical reaction occurs when the fumes of WD-40 come into contact with human perspiration. One thing’s for sure, the club—like a team—comes together to create and build a product, takes pride in the fruit of their labor during competition, and relishes their improved skills...together. If that isn't sport, I don't know what is.

THE KITCHEN: GREASING THE GEARS FOR CHANGE
I recently pulled my bike out of the garage (how ironic) and began riding again. I want to stay healthy, use less gas, and limit my pollution. But I also want a new ride!

Enter the Bicycle Kitchen, just one of a number of volunteer-driven bicycle repair shops in LA. They don’t sell bikes here. And they won’t fix your bike. Volunteers teach you how to customize your bike and also to use their giant collection of tools for a meager $7/hour donation.




















A lot of the mechanics/volunteers are women. No surprise ‘cause the Kitchen remains cognizant of its community's needs. One volunteer, Hazel, admits that she knew practically nothing about tools and fixing a bike when she arrived to the kitchen a few years ago. But then she attended Bicycle Bitchen, a weekly repair workshop for women and transgendered folk. She states, “People are socialized into gender roles … [Bicycle Bitchen] provides a safe space where women learn about tools and how to work on their own bikes.” She added with a smile, “And it’s fun to get dirty and greasy.”

A new culture has been marinating in LA and it's akin to something we’re very familiar with—the joys of cruising our wonderful city and the delight of “pimping our rides” together.

SWEET FACTS: WOMEN, CYCLING, AND SOCIAL CHANGE.
Various social movements, including the women’s right to suffrage, used bike messengers to spread their messages.



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Ya Basta!: Workers Protest in Los Angeles

"Fuck you! Pay me!"
Do you remember this line from Good Fellas? It kept ringing in my head as a proper heading to this post because the scene it comes from underscores the corruptibility of American Capitalism, and what some might legitimately call "Gangsterism"--the type of business where the importance given to and the transaction of money supersede human beings, business partnerships, and law. But I think the quote can be applied further--shined in another light--because it also serves as a reminder of the power of American Democracy, the "lil guy's right" to shout out when they've been wronged. And though it may seem vulgar, there are some things that are worse than offensive language. Read on.

The other day I catch a protest near Hollywood and Universal City (cinema and democracy, how poetic, huh?). Niemann Properties hired a contractor named Otoniel to assist in the completion of the housing units below. Otoniel turned around and subcontracted the work out, hiring a number of workers to accomplish the job. Fast forward $144,000 and a few months later, and the job is nearly complete. The problem is that a number of workers have yet to be paid for their work.

Beautiful homes just don't appear outta thin air:

What's being said:
Niemann Properties representative, Robert Sandler, stated that he believes there are approximately 20 people who have not received compensation for work completed. He continued by stating that Otoniel did not keep accurate records, and Niemann has no clear idea of how many workers were involved. They are also unsure about who was payed and who was not, how workers were payed, the names of the workers involved, and no record exists of their hourly rates!

A representative for the workers stated that they met with Niemann in September 2007 to discuss timely and accurate compensation, and argue that Niemann was aware of the payment discrepancies since the beginning stages of the project. One of the organizers of the event stated that actions like these are part of an ever-growing national Wage Claim Campaign that denounces the exploitation of workers and seeks to recover accurate and timely payment for for the work that workers complete.

A strength of American Democracy is the ability to stand up for yourself when you've been wronged. It's the ability to fight for what is yours.

You may not always win, but at least you can argue, struggle, and say it loud when someone has wronged you. Maybe you'll make the culprit think twice before they screw someone over again. In the process, you'll even make some headway for change. Enough is Enough!!!

Response to Los Angeles ICE Raids: Day of Love and Friendship

Valentine's Day Vigil
Heard there was a Vigil and Rally in Los Angeles on Valentine's Day to protest the Raids against immigrants (Immigration and Customs Enforcement Raids). I was surprised and inspired by how many people came out--it was 5pm and it was Valentine's Day! It's just one more sign that people are tired of the ICE Raids that dehumanize thousands of people nationally.


There were a number of organizations, clergy members, families, students, and community folks present. An air of solidarity pervaded the atmosphere. Perhaps the Spanish translation for the day is more appropriate, "Dia de Amistad Y Amor", Day of Friendship and Love, because it was an event marked by both.


Here's a list of some of the organizations that were present:
UNITE HERE!
CHIRLA
NILC
National Lawyers Guild
ACLU/SC
NDLON
Frente Contra Las Redadas

2/8/08, Local Press Conference: Clergy Denounce ICE Raids!
On Thursday (February 7, 2008) more than 100 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided a printer supply manufacturer in Van Nuys (nearly 20 miles Northeast of Downtown LA), and ICE detained 120 employees accused of being in the country illegally. Various organizations held a press conference in front of the Los Angeles Federal Building the very next day.

During the conference, a number of clergy denounced the raids, calling them a form of terror in Los Angeles communities. Living in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles, Reverend Howard Dotson, a Presbyterian Pastor and key figure that works on family reunification issues in LA, said that ICE raids occur often in the local community. He continued by stating that anyone that supports family values must also be in support of reforming this nation's broken immigration policy and against the ICE raids taking place.

Reverend Dotson continued by stating that Jesus Christ and his family were also immigrants that fled persecution and sought material and physical safety. If Jesus were alive in today's times, he continued, then he is exactly the type of person that would be deemed illegal and would find himself in a similar situation as the immigrants that ICE detains, dehumanizes, and hauls off.


Will the road be repaved with a more humane immigration policy?

ICE that Burns: Raids in Los Angeles

"Only ten minutes left ... and I'm off the clock."

There is a terror in Los Angeles and a version of it goes like this: A woman is working and all of a sudden armed men and women bust through the doors and tell her and her co-workers to remain still. Her heart pounds a million miles per minute but her legs stay put.

The authorities yell at her to line up and begin prodding her and the others with verbal questions and comments. She and her co-workers are as scared and humiliated as cattle being herded to slaughter. Before she knows it, she's in a detention cell. Hours later, she emerges and her life will never be the same.

This is the story of one of the persons involved in a Los Angeles area Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Raid on Thursday where up to 100 people were moved from the San Fernando valley to an LA detention center for processing. Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, states that ICE raids are are an example of a failing immigration policy because they terrorize families and workers. She continued by stating that until Congress passes policy that appropriately responds to the complex nature of immigration processes, ICE should stop terrorizing these families.


Brief points of Note:

1) The ACLU and others state that only 2 counsel windows were provided for the 100+/- people that were detained -- If ICE is going to continue with these types of mass round ups, then it should abide by this country's legal concept of due process and provide adequate resources for all people to receive mass counsel in a timely fashion. It is unlawful to hold someone without counsel. All detainees must have quick and reliable access to counsel regardless of assumed legal status. If not, they must be let go.

2) In this particular case, families of the detainees came to post bond but were told to wait until Monday the 11th. ICE must also provide adequate resources for quick and accurate processing.


One woman's story ... The story of Thousands:
These workers were sent to a Federal detention center, not for murder or even the embezzlement of millions, but because they may or may not have crossed a line by crossing a line. And although they are tax-payers in this land, they do not reap all of its legal protections. They purchase thousands of items per year and pay millions in rent annually to landowners, which in turn contributes to the US economy and various social programs they often do not have access to. They are tax-paying, hard-working men and women that contribute to and sustain the US workforce and economy and they should be treated with dignity.

"Knowledge is Power" -- Art in LA

My recent serendipitous encounter with some graffiti in LA (at least to me) got me thinking about all the walls in LA that have some artwork on them. Imagine how many pieces I've yet to find! So, I figured I'll start sharing these views with you.

"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER"



It seems the Pico Union Housing Corporation (PUHC) had something to do with the creation of this piece (notice the board in the student's left hand). PUHC serves the area by creating and offering affordable housing, providing various skill building opportunities, and offering diverse youth programs.




It's an interesting experience to walk through Pico Union. This type of artwork is only a small part of the large cultural community of the area, not to mention its history.





I really like the can in this piece because it speaks about how we create LA through knowledge and by extension art. This spray can with LA's backdrop as its label may not be a colorful statement with extensive detail but it still caught my eye.

Identity and Activism: Marjane Satrapi and Karen Brodkin

Saw the movie Persepolis today with some friends. The film is animated, primarily black and white, and has subtitles, but it's uncanny how easy one gets lost in the narrative. Persepolis is the story of Marjane Satrapi, a young girl who grows up in war-torn Iran during the Iranian Revolution (1978-82) and becomes an empowered woman right before our eyes.

The main characters in Persepolis are highly developed and idiosyncratic. An example of this development is Marjane's grandmother--sitting with her on the sofa in the poster above--whose class, sass, and wisdom is marvelously true-to-life and often humorous in the process. The dialogue too is warm, natural, and riveting. It moves Marjane's growth and maturation along, while also highlighting the multi-faceted experiences of war, tragedy, and human empowerment throughout. Persepolis underscores the force of narrative, which--shaping and empowering the mind and spirit--compels individuals, whole families, and communities to struggle to eliminate unjust practices taking place in the world. Often chaotic, this internal and external world influences the outgrowth of one's identity just as much as the narratives one is exposed to. Adapted from a graphic novel, Marjane's Persepolis is a must see.

The Power of Narrative in Los Angeles

The role that narrative plays on shaping a person's identity and their subsequent activism in political arenas was a recurring theme throughout the day. Earlier I attended a book talk with UCLA Anthropology Professor, Karen Brodkin, who introduced her book, Making Democracy Matter, and discussed some of the interviews she had with local activists working as organizers in LA's labor and immigrant rights world.

The event was titled, "What Makes a Social Movement a Movement?: Identity and Activism in Los Angeles". One of the major issues Brodkin highlighted is the role of activists in bearing witness of right and wrongdoing through action and also storytelling. Brodkin also believes that activists provide alternative interpretations of the typical and modern and therefore remake it. The power of their narrative is how they connect non-activists to activists by demystifying various lived realities and--because they have a foot in various worlds--are capable of bridging different and complex worlds.

Historic Preservation and Pico Union: Gems of LA

Historic Preservation:
I just completed an event in the Pico Union area of Los Angeles, which contains some of "the largest collections of historic homes west of the Mississippi River". These homes and this area are even more intriguing when one is exposed to the area's history and how culturally diverse and rich it has become over the years.


Pico Union lies just two miles southwest of Downtown LA. Similar to most of the Los Angeles area, it is a community that is both economically and ethnically diverse. (This is so much of an understatement, it's insane). But the community is also special in that it is one of twenty-two Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZ), or Historic District more broadly, which is an area composed of a group of buildings that are related to one another historically, architecturally, and/or culturally.

Some of the historic styles in the area include: 19th century Victorian-era cottages, early 20th century Craftsman and Mission Revival bungalows, and larger homes in Period Revival or Classical styles.


Pico Union, An Ever-evolving Community of Diversity:
Part of my recent work in the area was to outreach to residents about past, present, and future historic preservation efforts, the value of conservation, and the benefits of living in a historic district. Various stakeholders would like to broaden the community's interest in historic preservation, and have come together to offer a number of educational workshops in the month of January.

Our first educational workshop, which was held at the Pico Union Branch Library, was a success! There were a number of attendees consisting of students, community leaders, homeowners, renters, artists, and architects; and all are committed to preserving Pico Union's overall cultural and historical heritage.


Most of the attendees had grown up in the area and have watched it evolve overtime (an excess of bars and liquor stores were eliminated in the 80's and 90's even though other forms of blight persist until this day). Others were fascinated with the history and architecture of the area and are interested in preserving the beauty of historic homes, especially since many have been inappropriately altered or demolished altogether. And all of the attendees seemed to have tremendous pride in Pico Union, and were so invested in the cultural and historical heritage of this community that attending the event is second-nature to them.


Upcoming events and workshops on Pico Union Historic Preservation Efforts include:

January 19, 2008: Pico Union Walking Tour
January 24, 2008: Benefits of Historic Preservation & the HPOZ
January 31, 2008: Dialogue with HPOZ Leaders

Please contact Mike Buhler with the LA Conservancy for more information on these events and for other historic preservation information!

Never to be Forgotten:
Finally, Pico Union has an amazing history of migration and settlement and it's emergence as a Central American enclave in Los Angeles is renowned. There are also a lot of awesome organizations in the area doing great work (I'll certainly cover this in a future post), and their existence provides yet another reason why Pico Union (and LA more broadly) is so unique:

IDEPSCA: works with day laborers and household workers in LA.
Homies Unidos: gang violence prevention and intervention.
Centro Latino: education and literacy for local residents.
SALEF: educational scholarships for Central Americans.
Eco-Academy: a charter school run by the Conservation Corps.
Maya Vision: support services for indigenous people of Mexico and Central America.
Pico Union Housing Corporation (PUHC): develop and preserve affordable housing and much more.

Memorial behind a strip mall on the corner of Pico and Union:



Three Blocks North of Pico and Union on Olympic and Union, La Curacao Department Store, "A Little Bit of Your Country":

All the photos of historic homes in this post are courtesy of this very informative blog on Pico Union.