Griffith Park, Interrupted

You could hug a Dalai today.

Donna Barstow — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:51:11 +0000

The Dalai is coming, the Dalai is coming! To Los Angeles!

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism arrived in Los Angeles on Friday and planned to spend the weekend here in support of Whole Child International, a nonprofit organization that works on behalf of orphaned and abandoned children. In an interview with The Times, he acknowledged that there had been no progress in the latest round of talks with China over his call for greater autonomy in Tibet.

Hmm, I don’t know what that means.

His L.A. visit included a luncheon speech Saturday and a public address scheduled for Sunday at Gibson Amphitheatre, where he will be joined by musician Sheryl Crow.

I do recognize the name of Sheryl Crow, however. It’s too bad that a religious leader has hired Sitrick to get more PR… JUST KIDDING! Apparently, they’re just “good friends.” I don’t have a cartoon of Sheryl, but will an artistic image of Sheryl Crow using for commissioning a Genuine Oil Painting of Sheryl Crow in highest professional quality, completely 100% hand-painted by high-skilled oil portrait artist. Art style: art-nouveau do?

Anyway, the reason I noted this is because I was wondering what to do for my next cartoon for Slate, and I had been reading about Tiger Woods’ impending conference, and then Dalai Lama’s secret visit to the White House, and things snowballed from there. This cartoon is in LA Daily News today. (print only) It’s not in the LA Times because, well, the Times Sunday cartoons are outsourced, and run by a cartoonist in Lexington KY.

From the LA Times:

As expected, Woods did not reveal when he would return to playing golf, saying he will return to therapy Saturday “for guidance on the issues he is facing.”

Wearing a dark blazer and a blue shirt, Woods often had tears in his eyes during his statement, telling a group of reporters he was responsible for the scandal that has engulfed his family.

UPDATED: 8:47 a.m.: Woods also appeared angry when he asked the media to respect the privacy of his family.

The LA Times cares about your feelings.

I am one of the very few (seemingly) who believe Tiger Woods was hung up by his toes for his very personal issues. I wouldn’t read anything about it. Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes were stupid, and I never laughed. I DON’T CARE WHAT PEOPLE DO IN THE BEDROOM. And who am I to judge his marriage dealie? Maybe they had an open marriage.

More about the cartoon, the Dalai, and even Tiger Woods over at The Opposite of Wrong.

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Mike McBride kills a pig.

Donna Barstow — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:49:43 +0000

Mike McBride kills a boar. Well, he didn’t do the actual knifing, or shooting, of course, but he likes to take all the credit at California Fish and Game, the biggest killing operation in California. In fact, he likes to claim all the animals Fish and Game kills each year. National Guard, take note of your competition!

From the LA Times:

A wild boar that reportedly chased people and smashed into a wrought-iron fence in Loma Linda on Wednesday was captured and will have to be euthanized, officials said.

The boar was spotted roaming a residential neighborhood about 8 a.m. and was finally corralled and sedated by animal control officers, who summoned state Department of Fish and Game officials.

McBride said his agency was told by local authorities that the boar had chased people. The animal, described as dark with a long snout, also charged into a wrought-iron fence and damaged it, he said.

There’s no report online that says the boar charged anyone. I’ll bet $100 he made this up. And with no other source, this “charging”, as if he was a pride of lions, is getting quoted everywhere! Plus, who cares? A dog will “charge” someone who comes too close, too. Maybe Mike should stay away from any animals…

From the Press-Enterprise:

“It charged a wrought-iron gate and did damage. It’s 200 pounds of muscle,” said Mike McBride, an assistant chief with Fish and Game.

It was the animal’s behavior, however, that sealed its fate, he said.

“If it wakes up, how do you control it?” McBride wondered.

What the hell, animals aren’t supposed to have muscle? Apparently, McBride believes that wild animals should be weak and fat, and carry guns. I’m just not sure whether Mike is trying to terrify the public, or….whether he feels a little deficient in the you-know-what category, and has to maximize the ferocity of the animals he kills. Since the only thing the animal did was ram a gate, WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE FROM PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO KILL HIM, WHICH THEY DID.

And Mike prefers his animals tranquilized, asleep, or preferably dead. If you can’t control wild animals – and apparently Fish and Game can’t, only kill them – let’s give the job to someone who knows how to load the tranquilized, helpless animal on the truck, take it to a forest, and let it walk out of the truck. It’s not rocket science. Apparently, you prefer to load corpses on the truck.

No matter how much McBride crows about how many animals his department has killed, it’s not actually Fish and Game that does the deed: they get permission from Mommy, the USDA, which sends hunters. Here is a report on how many animals they killed in California in 2007 alone: 64,293. Let me repeat that: the agency that claims to protect the state and our natural state and our wildlife killed 64,293 animals and birds in one year. They call this “Wildlife Services.”

Hey, the 2008 reports are up now! Here’s the main page, where you can see how many animals they kill every year, in each state. Not for disease. Not because the animals were suffering. No, every single animal is killed because a farmer or civilian complained. Oddly, although the reports are separated by animal, no wild pigs or boars are listed killed in California. Do they have a different name, or did Mike want to start a new category for pigs?

In 2008 they killed…wait for it…79,751 animals in California alone. Add 291,406 animals and birds they have “dispersed” in this state, either by gun or pyrotechnics, whatever that means, some of which presumably died, due to loss of habitat, food, shock, etc.

The USDA killed over 15,000 more animals this year than last. Uptick in animal bad behavior, I guess. What do you think could be causing it, gangs? The USDA did free some animals (from the traps they set to kill all the others): 1,082 were let go. Less than 2%. Hallelujah.

Scott C’s comment on CBS:

Firstly I’d like to know why I can’t read the other comments due to the Sempre Energy ad box and the news sidebars – why are these not shuffled out of the reader’s view? Anyways, I JUST SAW THIS STORY AND AM FURIOUS!! Why in the @!$# does Animal Control/Services, Wildlife Services and the ilk, which are all funded by our taxpayer dollars, feel the need to kill wildlife? There was NO REASON that the wild boar could not be released back into the wild, except for the ineptitude and laziness of those that feed the catch-poles to the I.E. shelters. It’s so much easier just to “put them down” (i.e. slaughter) than to drive them out to where they came from. The last bastions of nature which we call National Forests and Parks, etc. All for ramming a few pieces of outdoor patio furniture, how thoughtful. To all involved, shame on you and may your next hike be met with Mother Nature’s finest.

Hivehand comments:

Just saw this on the news and was wondering why this animal will be euthanized? Did it have rabies?

No, but wouldn’t that be a great excuse for California Fish and Game, hivehand! The LA County Health Department said there hasn’t been any animal with rabies for over 10 years.

Oh, and the Loma Linda animal services are totally wussy.

Photo of dangerous boar from KNX.

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Tiger Woods, Meet Mr. Oak.

Donna Barstow — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:58:18 +0000

Tiger Woods had an accident November 27th. Tree was unharmed, however. From the AP:

The Orlando Sentinel reported that an orange and white barricade sat on top of a hole in front of Woods’ home. About 10 feet away, there was a tire track near an oak tree in his neighbor’s yard. The tree had a few scuff marks but was largely unscathed.

Woods also hit a fire hydrant at the same time (2 AM on his driveway), although no report yet on whether water issued forth.

Tiger Woods was taken to the hospital and released.

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Want to take good pictures?

Donna Barstow — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:15:56 +0000

If you like the photos you see on this blog, most were by me, with my little Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1K 5MP Compact Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) that I fell in love with! Even though it’s not the blue color I wanted! What’s not to like about the long lens, shooting styles, nice sharp focus…

I still love it. Not that I wouldn’t also love an SLR digital Nikon for Christmas, but, you know? Much to be grateful for. I went to Fry’s a month or so ago to look at new cameras, and the guy there said I still had one of the best, 2 years later!

And Amazon is offering the new Lumix DMC-ZS3 , now updated, with an even longer lens, for Black Friday week.

Shoot, can’t get the Amazon pic to show up here at all. If you can see the ad on the right, it’s the black camera at the bottom. Anyway, here’s the link for Black Friday stuff. (which lasts all week)

Taking good photos is how I get through the sludge!

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Coyote Killings Part 2

Maybe the Los Angeles Times just doesn’t like Mexicans.

Donna Barstow — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:41:23 +0000

Who says you can’t teach an old dog grey lady new tricks? I’m talking, of course, about the LA Times (which they call the Old Grey Lady.) Liberal bastion. Friend of the homeless. Empathizer of the poor. Yet they have changed their attitude, at least towards one poor group – our gangs. The Times has stopped giving them tongue-baths, and given them a slap on the backside! Watch.

You all know me as the green, mean, Park activist machine, but did you also know how fond I am of the Avenues gang? I bet not!

avenues gang member arrested

I wrote about the Avenidas, as they say, twice last year, both times in response to the positive press the Times gave them. Apparently this gang is very popular, all over the US, not just in LA. Of course, I identify with my homeboys because they are so nearby. According to a map on the Times site, their “territory” begins at the foot of Forest Lawn in Glendale, which I can see from where I live. Also, they’re part of LA’s culture. Or something.

Now, you have to admit, most gangs don’t have the best education. Perhaps irony, sarcasm, or exaggeration weren’t mentioned in their English classes, but you know what? They’re busy guys. They have guns to clean and tats to sit for. So if my writing isn’t that well understood? Well, my bad. Let’s continue.

My first post on the attractive Avenues, or Drew Street Gang, as the hip kids call it, was in 2008: The LA Times has a secret crush on the Avenues Gang!

I can’t decide if it’s the awesome tats or the baggy duds…still stylish a decade later, apparently!

It’s always First Class to get an article written about you on the front page of the Times, and this time it’s the Avenues gang that hit the jackpot. I imagine gangs all over the city are envious, and wondering how they, too, can get such reportage and press. Don’t hesitate to read it: it’s family-ready, and really very forward-thinking!

From my June 2008 post 2 months later:

When you read about a neighborhood painted as loyalists with deep family ties to its members, doesn’t that sound attractive? Perhaps a suburban enclave of LA, or one of those beach towns, with all those diehard volleyball players. Good people, in other words. And so these gangs are, in their hearts.

Last time, the Times writers defined the gang as resilient, powerful, and defiant: survivors, with loving neighbors. They’re definitely not as positive this time; I’m afraid they’ve gotten bitter, and that’s a sad thing to see in a journalist.

The new Los Angeles Times headline on September 23, 2009:

Massive police raid targets brutal L.A. gang

This time, the Times writers get down and dirty; they use the terms vicious, gunned down, entrenched, violent, drug-related, and more!

avenues gang members shackled

The gang, named for the avenues that cross Figueroa Street, has a long, ugly history dating back at least to the 1950s.

Officer Juan Aguilar said:

Some of them [gang members] he had at one time tried to help, telling them quietly that the only way to leave the gang is to leave the city. Others had long ago slipped beyond help, he said.

And:

The day’s only significant use of force was the shooting of two aggressive dogs by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies.

Oh, that’s right, guns don’t kill dogs, police do. (Although I hate to blame gang types for anything, really, I do wish they’d take their dogs to puppy school before their funny dog fights.)

Federal immigration officials were on hand to deal with any undocumented immigrants, although a DEA spokesman said none of the people arrested were found to be in the country illegally.

Most of the Avenues members and associates included in the indictment are being charged under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, which allows prosecutors to pursue lengthy prison sentences.

Hmm, how would they know about the illegal part? And why would that ever cross their minds?! LA Now blog called the gang people notorious, that they used extortion. BUT, then this…

Drug activity in the area has slowed considerably in recent months, the detective said, but considering the size of today’s operation, the gang clearly has maintained a commanding presence in the area.

Oops, back to the compliments, boys! Who wouldn’t want to have a commanding presence?! Name one teen! This is one for the Avenues Gang scrapbook!

Just one slip-up, Times writers. So even though no one from there has given Griffith Park, Interrupted any pats on the back recently, or even credit, I know you read me, LA Times! You took my essays to heart! Your liberal shades dropped from your eyes for a minute. I’m proud of you.

Photos by Mark Boster, LA Times.

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Too many big animals died in the Angeles Station Fire.

Donna Barstow — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:42:25 +0000

I was very sad about the 2nd column I wrote for the LA Weekly about animals killed in the horrific Angeles Station Fire. (I mean, the topic: the column itself came out fine.)

bobcat, Marin County, by ehoyer, link at bottom

The L.A. Times wrote that a huge number of big animals had died in the fire. I was going to call about this anyway, but the Weekly gave me the excuse I needed. I spoke with Kevin Cooper, a biologist with the US Forest Service, who was also mentioned in the Times article, briefly.

Since my first post in my Griffith Park blog, a Google keyword phrase that people have been using to find my Griffith Park-oriented blog is, “how many animals were killed in the fire?”

A USFS team spent two weeks in the Station Fire area examining its effects but wasn’t focused on evidence of animal deaths. However, when they stopped the vehicles, Cooper and others came upon three three bears, 12 deer, two coyotes, one bobcat and a fox. (The Times said they found mountain lions, but this is not correct.)

“Normally, we rarely see big mammals like this after a fire, because they’re able to outrun it. In my 20 years of experience, this is one of the worst,” says Cooper.

Mr. Cooper told me that of course there were many more animals killed than the few they spotted. The only ones he kept track of were those seen when they stopped the truck, or came across them in their survey. Here’s the part that sent chills up my spine:

He believes that because this fire often ran uphill in very steep terrain the animals just couldn’t outrun it. Fire moves uphill 16 times faster than it moves in flatter terrain, so even very fleet animals were overtaken. Also, the brush was incredibly thick there, and bigger animals got caught in it, or couldn’t run through it.

This is why I started this blog. This is why I continue it. Thanks to Mr. Cooper for the information, and to Jill Stewart and the LA Weekly team for allowing me to write about it. Go read the rest of the story there.

Photo thanks to ehoyer at flickr.

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Mountain bikers at your picnic? You decide.

Donna Barstow — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:44:26 +0000

Equestrian Lynn Brown has notified Griffith Park users, equestrians, and city officials that there is a Bicycle Plan afoot that would allow mountain bikes on the Park Trails! This is insane. No one wants to be pushed aside by a piece of noisy, smelly machinery. We already have cars for that. (Or, if they don’t have machinery, they might whoop and holler.) In any case, they squish things that should be left alive and moving.

There is a proposal from the city (why is it that the city listens to bad ideas?) to allow mountain bikers to use non-paved trails in Griffith Park, and all City Parks. This includes the 50 miles of equestrian trails in GP. Presently, this is against the law, but mountain bikers have lobbied pretty successfully to get the Ordinance changed to allow this travesty. Mountain bikes on unpaved trails will do irreparable damage to wildlife habitat.

After years of behind the scenes manipulations, the Bicycle Plan is now open for public review and comment. The mountain bike lobby is making a push for City Park trails by overturning the current City Ordinance forbidding bikes on trails. In this bike plan, bikers are asking for access to trails in Griffith Park, Elysian Park, Serrania Park, O’Melveny Park, Santa Ynez Canyon and Lime Kiln Canyon Park, among others. If the Ordinance is overturned, all Parks will be opened to mountain bikers.

To view the Bike Plan.
For Mountain bike sections go here. Chapter 3, and Appendix H.

For those who were unable to attend the meetings, you can make comments by sending an email to: Mr. Jordann Turner at Jordann.Turner@lacity.org.

Or mail a letter or postcard to:
City of Los Angeles, Dept. of City Planning,
Jordann Turner, Bicycle Plan Project Manager
200 N. Spring Street, Room 721
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Some suggested comments:

The Bicycle Master Plan is a transportation plan. Mountain bikes are a recreational, extreme sport. The mountain bike element should be moved to the Appendix of the Plan. It is NOT City Policy. It has no business being in a Bicycle Master Plan. The mountain bike recreational concerns should be relegated to Rec. and Parks, not brought in under the guise of the Department of Transportation (DOT). This issue (mountain biking) has diverted resources and energies away
from the primary goal to make bicycling a real transportation option.

Mountain biking was found not feasible after the 1996 Bike Master Plan.
This issue was already settled. Nothing is new.

Allowing mountain biking on any trail in any location in the City parks will require changing the City Park Ordinance. If the Ordinance is changed, the door is then open to all trails all the time. It is urgent to support the continued implementation of the Park Ordinance.

The City already spent $5 million on a mountain bike park. Significant
public resources were spent on the strength of CORBA’s word and
commitment to this park. They quit after one try. This should be
investigated.

The City agreed to do environmental studies at this mountain bike park.
It never did.

No one likes a bully, LA City Bicycle Plan. I would feel really uncomfortable colliding with one of these on a windy path, wouldn’t you? Don’t allow this.

Photo thanks to Brian Auer, under Creative Commons on Flickr.

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Fountain of youth in Fern Dell?!

Donna Barstow — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:51:55 +0000

Made a great discovery for my first blog post in the LA Weekly! And I didn’t get any comments, but I got 3 tweets, which was nice.

L.A. mystery: Fountain of Youth natural spring in Griffith Park?

Did Fern Dell residents living along the southern edge of Griffith Park find a Fountain of Youth?

The mystery surfaced in the heat of mid-August, when the nearby American Film Institute (whose headquarters are located near Griffith Park), Immaculate Heart High School and two homeowners found water leaking into inappropriate areas. The Department of Water and Power insists its pipes — recently bursting and creating sinkholes in other parts of L.A. — are not to blame.

Back in 1929. a natural spring was discovered in Fern Dell, and some called it the Fountain of Youth. Here’s the fascinating story:

Local resident Gerry Hans says that in the 1920s, news of a natural spring spread among Angelenos, who dubbed it the “Fern Dell Spa.” He points to Mike Ebert’s book, “Griffith Park, A Centennial History,” which reads:

People were trekking to the southwestern corner of Griffith Park so they could fill jugs and bottles with water. Word had spread that the water from a particular spring at Fern Dell was special…Others attributed health-enhancing qualities to it. There was even some playful talk that it was the fountain of youth.

The Park Department capped the spring and had it piped to Los Feliz Blvd., but neighbors complained that it flooded the street. Later, the Park directed it to spigots, and even in 1967 people were coming for the water.

Nice photo! Of Fern Dell walkways, by chotda.

Go read the whole thing (slightly edited by Jill Stewart) over there.

It started when the all-knowing Bernadette Soter mentioned to me that Fern Dell had some unusual water problems in 2 houses there, and also at AFI and the Immaculate Heart High School. Since both the Park and the city are desperate for water, this was interesting enough. But it got much hotter when Gerry Hans quoted Mike Ebert’s book above! (I really have to get that book. Several people on the PROS committee have quoted things from there, and it’s amazing how TMZ-like some of the stories are!) What if this IS that healthy spa/fountain that bubbled up back then? Wow!

What I didn’t include in the LAW post: they still have that original underground fountain of youth water in 3 spigots at the Ranger Station! It did go bad in the 60’s – they suspect from runoff from lawns, so I don’t know if it’s potable now, as LADWP never got back to me (SURPRISE.)But I will let you know when/if they do. Because I will be the guinea pig and go get some of it if it’s not poisonous.

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