Neighbors United’s 30th Anniversary Block Party was a tremendous success,
thanks to our sponsors: Councilman Herb Wesson; Pico Neighborhood Council; Kaiser Foundation Hospital; Ruben Pachulski Properties (Plaza La Cienega Management Company); Model Neighborhood Program; and Laura Anderson of Keller Williams Realty-Larchmont, who made it possible for us to have this great party at no charge.
Thanks to the many City services, including Los Angeles Police Department; Los Angeles Fire Department; Department of Water and Power; Bureau of Sanitation; Los Angeles Conservation Corps, and to Southern California Gas Company.
Thank you to the many businesses that donated refreshments and/or door prizes, including Vons Market; The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; McDonalds at Pico and Hi Point; Fresh and Easy Market; Walgreen’s; La Cienega Farmer’s Market; Children’s Book World; Crescent Mood Karate; Eco Dog Wash; Paper or Plastik; OSH; Trader Joe’s, 7-11 at Pico and Point View.
Thanks to our fantastic entertainers; Bunny Hull; Doug Freeman and Doozy; Rob Sandiford and Abel Kimm; and so many others.
Finally, thanks to the Block Party Committee for their hard work planning and executing this great celebration; to the Block Captains and volunteers who worked tirelessly from sunrise to nearly sunset to set up and clean up. Thanks to the neighbors who brought tasty salads, fruits, or desserts. And thanks to all who came and celebrated with us. Now on to our 31st Year!
LAPD & LAFD Are Awesome!
Thank you Senior Lead Officer Charles Thomas for bringing and demonstrating the LAPD Mobile Substation. It’s good to know that there’s such immediate coordination in the field for officers when the need arises. And Senior Lead Officer Adam Green gave up his off day to spend the day with us. Thanks also to Captain Davis and Commander Bones for stopping by and meeting our neighbors.
Although we did not get their names, we thank the firefighters from Fire Station 58 for spending time with us and demonstrating the operation of the fire engine. The children enjoyed having the chance to use the fire hose to aim at a fake target. Who knows? They might have inspired future firefighters.
It’s good to know we have great emergency protection there if we need them.
What a Show!
Thanks to Entertainment Chair, Marguerite Strain (who is the founder of Neighbors United and the block parties), for putting together an outstanding show featuring Derrick Preston, who has played for nearly all of our block parties, along with many of his musician friends (including members of the legendary Rose Royce R&B group); internationally-known ventriloquist, Aaron Williams and “Freddie”.
We have so much talent in Faircrest Heights. Thanks to our neighbors: Grammy Award-winner and children's author, Bunny Hull; long-time residents, Rob Sandiford, who has played for many NU events and Doug Freeman and Christie Mellor of the band, “Doozy”; Jesse Weinstein (the juggler, who was born on Stearns Drive); new-comer, Abel Kimm, who served as co-MC and played guitar with Rob; Pearl Bausley’s niece, singer, “Velour”.
It Takes a Great Team!
The planning committee did a fantastic job. Thank you Laura Anderson, Sue Beidleman; Luis Brown, Mary Edmonds, Nancy Fuller, Thelma Hilliard, Marilyn Horne, Abel Kimm, Jillian Kogan, Shelli Koretz, Ana Lambert, Richard Lindstrom, Fern Paillet, Dolores Reece, Cheryl Robinson, Kathy Sato Song, Shannon Smith, Yvonne Smith, Marguerite Strain, Virginia Thomas, Mark Workman, and Mary Ann Yurkonis.
The volunteers were awesome! They were on Stearns Drive as early as 7 a.m. on party day and many stayed until all the trash was picked up. Thank you Irene Ayala; Jim Beidleman, Chris Duncan, Tod Schellinger, Richard Valois, Olivia Lam, Kin Lee, Grace Ogundipe, Melvin and John Mimms; David Rencher of Keller Williams Realty; David and Jesse Weinstein and all the folks whose names we missed, who helped with food service and other duties.
Special thanks to Londell and Jane Littlejohn who were guests at the party. When the popcorn cart we rented malfunctioned, Londell drove 12 miles round trip to bring their personal popcorn machine and their popcorn. He and Jane joined in with neighbors to serve ice cream, popcorn, and “runner” for tickets and prizes.
Our hard-working Block Captains give of their time all year to attend board meetings, offer ideas, keep us informed of issues on their blocks and deliver the monthly newsletters.. They worked extra hard making extra deliveries and distributing tickets. They also joined us on the street to assist with all the duties. Thank you Block Captains!
Congratulations to Two Area Businesses:
- Paper or Plastik Café at 5772 W. Pico is celebrating its first anniversary on Saturday, September 10 from 7:30 p.m. until midnight. You’re invited to dance the night away with live Brazilian jazz, art installations, poetry readings, & performance from resident company mimoda jazzo gruppa, sangria and snacks!
- Cordially Invited at 5571 W. Pico invites us to its new addition—Southern Girl Desserts. Come and visit their dessert bar with cupcakes, cookies, cobblers, ice cream and more…
