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THE PARK’S FINEST November 30 2011
I had problems with the blog for the past week. If you follow me on Twitter, you probably sensed my frustration. But I’m back, and I got my new camera which I will start using today.
Now to The Park’s Finest.
I met Johneric back in 2008 when CA was picked up by Beatrock in Long Beach. He was an educator, he was in a band called The Fighting Cocks, and he ran a humble BBQ business called The Park’s Finest. Back then, he was cooking from a rig attached to his car. I loved the food, and whenever I would see Johneric at an event I made it a point to eat. I even hired him to cater one of the CA anniversary parties, and my mom still hires him for her department parties at USC. Then some time this year, it was announced that he would be opening a restaurant. A couple weeks ago, it had its soft opening.
The staff over at TPF will tell you that they still need to get everything in order, and that they’re not quite ready for an official opening. I’ll say otherwise because the food speaks for itself. Congratulations to Johneric, Christine, and the team. You did it! Stay tuned for news of the grand opening because you know I’m gonna be all over that.
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THANKS November 24 2011
Thanks to the blog readers, the Facebook likers, the Twitter followers, and the random kids I see wearing old CA shit. Somehow after I closed the online shop, this project of mine is still relevant. And that’s what keeps me going. I often get asked how I blog nearly every day. My answer is one of two things: discipline and you. To know that someone on the other end is giving me their time makes me work even harder. So with that, Happy Thanksgiving. I genuinely appreciate the attention.
Sidenote: my Canon DSLR broke earlier this week. Forgive me for the soon-to-be-posted Blackberry, Droid, and point and shoot snaps. I’m still waiting for my new one to come in.
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ONE OF US IS NOT AS STRONG AS ALL OF US November 23 2011
The team will be at Los Globos tonight for the 13th annual Thanksgivends event. If you are unfamiliar with this yearly function, it is a community effort to raise funds and awareness for programs incorporating the arts for underprivileged and at risk youth. Los Angeles tastemakers - companies, DJs, promoters - come together to participate in the cause. CA backed it last year, we still do, and Rick & Ray has now cosigned.
In addition to raising funds through event attendance, a digital compilation of industry pushing musicians is available for purchase. From now until Christmas, The Givends will be sold on www.thegivends.bandcamp.com at a “you name the price”. This enables everyone from around the world to participate in the outreach. After all, we have an increasing responsibility to watch out for our worldwide brethren, whether they’re in our neighborhood or not. The internet has broken barriers, making us a globalized generation, a singular community, one unified people.
This years beneficiaries include: Marvista Family Center, Sound Art, Peace4Kids, and Pio Pico MS Music Program.
Note: if you purchase The Givends, you’ll already have Garfield Adams’ next single featuring J. Maka El, called New Life.
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SHELLY November 22 2011
If you’re already hip to the blog and to my crew, you know that I run with a makeup artist named Shelly. I featured her here when she worked on Evidence’s music video and when she was part of my How I Make It series. You’ve also seen her mug posted here, as she’s been joining me on blog worthy shenanigans. Shelly and I are actually old friends. Her best friend’s older sister was best friends with my cousin - did you get that? - so I’ve known her for quite some time. But we never really got to hanging out.
Fast forward to January of this year, when Shelly approached me at a mutual friend’s birthday party. A dive bar became an unlikely scene for a partnership, and I became her manager. The underlining task of that position was to get her work. But as I learned more and more about her, I realized this: despite her growing career, she didn’t really have strong online presence. So I focused on that, linked her up with a designer, they got to working, and today her official website launches.
Shelly will tell you that she waited three years for this, that this website was a long time coming. And I’ll say that that’s an accomplishment. Influence is substantiated by longevity. In a time where sensations are bred overnight, where the number of reblogs and retweets are highly regarded, people seem to forget that success is actually measured through the perspective of time. Within those three years, Shelly nurtured her craft and built her foundation. A website wasn’t necessarily needed, her work ethic spoke for itself as she consistently booked films, editorials, and the like. She took the long road, and this is just part of the scenery.
You can check out Shelly’s website at www.shellysamia.com. Congrats!
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ALL THE WAY LIVE November 21 2011
I caught two performances last Saturday. One was unexpected, the other was planned. Before heading out to the Rhythm Natives show, I went to a Sweet 16 party for Jovin‘s daughter. To surprise his baby girl, he booked Hodgy Beats (OFWGKTA, MelloHype) to perform. Sidenote: my sweet 16 was a backyard boogie that involved skating in an empty pool and Boone’s Strawberry Hill. Man, times have changed!
This is the only shot I have of Jaylene. All you gotta know that her reaction was pretty memorable. And the coolest parents award goes to…
After that, I immediately went to North Hollywood to catch the boys. Good energy, great crowd, even better show.
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