L.A. gives you gifts before revealing her true nature.
The first few days in Los Angeles have been great. It’s hard to imagine we’ve been here for close to a week. Yet, looking back, we have kept busy in our time here. We’ve explored the city, spent time at the beach, made new friends, and we even found time to volunteer for the city library system. The photos we posted in the last updates tell part of the story. For some strange reason most places in L.A. don’t allow you to take pictures inside. Maybe they’re afraid of the paparazzi, i don’t know.
The highlight of our time in L.A. has been meeting Noel Wax, VP of CBS Radio Sales. We met him at a restaurant and he invited us to tour the Radio studio on Wilshire. On Tuesday we rode our bikes from Huntington Beach to the Long Beach Metro on Pacific Coast Highway. We got off the train to early and had to ride 8-miles from the Staples Center to CBS. We earned that meeting! Things went well. Noel called in some producers from the television division because he envisioned a show about NFL “tailgate party crashers” with us as the “crashers.” That would be a great opportunity for us. Let’s see what happens. Our first priority is school.
L.A. has a way of giving you gifts early on; it baits you and hooks you, and once your on the hook, it slowly reels you in. The same night we had the CBS interview and ate lunch in Beverly Hills we were basically homeless. In reality it was our fault. We got tickets for The Price Is Right and were told to show up at 6 a.m. So we had to stay close to the studio, but we learned that Hollywood does not treat their homeless with much respect. In fact, and I hope I’m wrong, but there is very little humanity in this city. This is no time to be cynical.
We are asking our supporters to reach into their Rolodex and find their Los Angeles and San Francisco connections, friends and relatives. We will be out here until August 10, and because we arrived early we’re very close to exhausting the hospitality our hosts have provided. Please make a call on our behalf, and if you find someone who can help, call me directly at 201-572-5703. Or if you have any advice or knowledge of the city. Thanks guys.
A pleasant lunch at a Greek restaurant near Beverly. The Grove and Farmer's Market.
At the Farmer's Market/ The Grove. It's like an out-door Short Hills Mall.
We're still having fun, but times are getting rough. Suit $1.
Guy’s,
I am sorry I can’t help you with locating any accommodations. I made some calls but was not able to turn up or think of anyone remotely near your location. Wish I could help.
Everyone here is so grateful that you guy’s got to California. What a story.
The family has been following along since your departure and every night we would look forward to a new post. It felt like we were there with you the whole time. It was truly amazing how you were able to make so many postings across the country. Well, now we’re not sure what to do at night but we certainly have been inspired to do something…in fact now we can do anything we think we can because of the living proof you have provided to us all that anything is possisble if you put your heart and mind to it. You MEN have been an inspiration to a continent of people.
Thank you for doing this trip!
If there is anything we can do from PA. for you please let us know.
God Bless,
Rich Revere and Family
Hey guys,
I just talked with my good friend Stu Hollins. He worked down in New Orleans with a guy named Richard Weinroth that is currently the director for a food bank in Pacoima, CA just north of L.A. His number is 818-896-0246 ext.0246. Unfortunately, the website did not list hours for Monday. Go to http://www.mendpoverty.org for the address (there are two listed) … either way, it’s worth trying to call him and mention our friend Stu. In the mean time, I’m trying to reach a couple of other folks with no luck yet, but don’t give up hope! I’ll contact you guys again as soon as I can find out anything else … please be safe and take care of one another!
Peace,
Sarah
Thanks for trying to round up resources to help. Here’s an update on the foursome. Jaraun, Will and Diego left LA and are taking a bus back to NJ. Gary got a ride to San Francisco where he’s staying with his cousin who’s studying at Berkeley and hanging out with his sister who is there on vacation. I’m sure that Diego will update the blog when he returns.
Thanks again for your support. Following blog has been quite a treat.
Carol
Glad to hear that everyone is safe! We were happy to have met each and every one of you guys … best of luck with all of your future plans. Keep in touch when you can and give us a shout if any of you guys ever come through Virginia again! To Carol and everyone else’s moms (and dads, too) … great job raising such fine people!
Sarah and Kyle
We’ve just returned from our trip to Portland and I’m so glad to know everything is working out, again! You young men are an inspiration and I am so blessed to have made your acquaintance! I agree with Sarah that your parents deserve high praise for raising such wonderful sons – you have given them many reasons to be proud of all of you.
May God continue to bless you as you continue your journey through life.
You know where we are if you ever pass this way again! Hope you’ve achieved your donation goal too.
With much affection and good wishes for each of you,
Peggy
NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH SARA HARDY if she is the same one that used to work at BJK&E in Los Angeles, but came from New Orleans!