by Dr. Sid Gold

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Pet Fair conducted on the grounds of Frost Middle School. Many families passed down the rows of booths to see the various displays. Of course the children were fascinated by all the possible pets that were up for adoption.

The booths were representing a number of organizations who try to rescue animals that are abandoned on our city streets. These organizations, such as German Shepard Rescue, Park Avenue Downtown Rescue and Last Chance for Animals, are staffed by dedicated folk who are committed to save these unfortunate creatures that are left to fend for themselves. At the fair, there were cages full of newborn kittens that were left at dumpsters and dogs found roaming the streets. One woman who had started the group that put this fair together told me that she had gotten started when she was driving up Nugent Avenue and saw a person in the car ahead of her toss a dog out of the window. She stopped to attend to the animal which had sustained fractures of both hind legs. She has that dog today. Tragic and inspirational stories such as these are common among the people who were participating at the fair.

I have given a great deal of my life to assure that public education, the backbone of democracy continues in an urban metropolitan city. I have served over 18 years on the LAUSD Board of Education and during that time I have observed numerous changes. I feel it necessary to speak out and expose the misinformation that is being regurgitated by politicians and newspapers. I do not wish to be defensive but rather share information based on facts, not rhetoric.

by Lysa Simon

The Troop Event on April 15, 2006, was a great smash. Thanks to every one who contributed and/or came out and put together packages for our troops. We put together between 250 and 300 packages. We even had a break in the weather. It had been raining early in the morning but stopped just in time for us to set up. Then the sun came out. The day was perfect. It was wonderful under the trees at Woodley Park.

People brought all kinds of great gifts for our troops, from food, clothing, cds, movies, magazines, books on tape. We had Titles of all kinds of movies and TV shows, from musicals to political satire (Jon Stewart's The Daily Show). There was food, from the more healthy stuff, to popcorn, candies, energy bars, and snacks. We sent games and toys. Some were for the Troops to keep and some were obviously intended for them to give to local children. We tried to send them all the comforts of home, including lots of different personal hygiene items. We sent them batteries and lots more.

Op-Ed by Lysa Simon

It was NOT enough for some that Vice President Cheney had secret meetings with oil moguls before and during the energy crisis in California and George W. Bush refused to step in to help California in any way.
It was NOT enough for some that Bush was preoccupied with Iraq and neither he, nor his cohorts paid attention to the warning signs before 9/11.

It was NOT enough for some that Bush squandered the good will this country had in the world after 9/11.

It was NOT enough for some that Bush squandered the budget surplus that President Clinton left him.