Dangling Chads and Other Callings on Thanksgiving Day

While so many were counting their blessings with loved ones on November 23, 2000, I chose to stand with John at the Broward County Courthouse watching officials count dangling, pregnant and dimpled chads.

Judge Robert Rosenberg examining a ballot.  Courtesy NBC Nightly News, November 23, 2000

Like so many in the service industry, military, health care and emergency responders; TV photojournalists work through the business of the day.  (An old adage says there are only two living things not running away from a fire; firemen and newsmen.)  "Breaking news" never happens at a convenient time.  On this day, he was the photographer who took these pictures waiting out the days at the courthouse until the election was called.

Courtesy, NBC Nightly News - November 23, 2000 (and my husband...)

The expression in the above picture mirrors the look I gave John through the phone receiver when he told me couldn't come home for the holiday.  Standing for hours on end, amidst the shouting and demonstrations in front of the courthouse and with no Thanksgiving references on this day is not what I envisioned for myself or anyone I care about.

While I couldn't pack up Thanksgiving and all its trimmings, I was fortunate enough to make the trek to him and his work buddies stuck on the same assignment.

It was an historical time and one I hope this country never has to repeat. But in our sacrifice of a home cooked meal with family and friends on this particular Thanksgiving, we witnessed a turning of the tide with an added treat of an interview with Senator Bob Dole.  He and his wife, too, sacrificed their day to participate.

Every Thanksgiving thereafter, I appreciate all those who are unable to spend the day as they truly desire in their hearts.  As for me, I count myself so fortunate to spend it with my family one more time.

What did our journalistic crowd have as our Thanksgiving feast on November 23, 2000?

Taco Shop Drama

This is the story of the Studio City "Taco Apocalypse."  Had you asked me a year ago, I would have told you my neighborhood was in a major meltdown over the end of our historic neighborhood darling, Henry's Tacos. 

Young and old alike, we were witnessing the long, slow death of a fixture that held personal meaning to each of us.   The smallest restaurant I've ever seen, for John and I, mere adolescents in Studio City residency years, Henry's was the nourishment that got us through the move into our house and countless weekend house projects thereafter.  We signed our offer papers while seated at one of the 5 picnic tables available to patrons.

Many a Hollywood location scouts utilized Henry's as a backdrop for their storytelling.

TV Show - Adam 12

The prolonged drama between the landlord/tenant started the strife.  Henry's Tacos owner (i.e. tenant), Janis Hood, with the best of intentions, wanted to place the corner taqueria building on the city's historical register as a Googie-style, mid-century treasure.  The landlord of several decades, was concerned the historical landmark designation would limit future sale or development opportunities. When it came time to re-up the lease, the negotiations turned bitter and became very public. 

Elijah Wood

Celebrity protests, Occupy style eat-in rally, on-line petitions and farewell gestures caught the national media's attention.  Henry's wasn't going down quietly.

Occupy Henry's Rally

Henry's Tacos had been in the neighborhood for over 51 years being built by Hood's grandfather Henry Comstock during the early '60's way before anyone thought of a Taco Bell.  His specialty, "gringo tacos," are also considered a mid-century relic.  But in January of 2013 this family run business lost the epic battle with the owner of the building and Henry's was shuttered forever.

Or so we thought.

Janis sold the business to her longtime chef, Omar Vega to carry on the taco stand tradition with it's original recipes.  He vowed to reopen and did so later in the spring.....about 50 yards away!

All had returned to normal in sleepy Studio City!

Maybe.  The new tenants in the old Henry's location naturally decided to turn it into a...wait for it...a taco shop!  Cactus Taqueria #3.  Henry's was up and running months before Cactus finished their extensive re-model -- an upgraded the kitchen, dining area and exterior finishes.  They did a lovely job, but the Googie features have now been muted and because it's a "#3" it has lost it's architectural uniqueness.

Both serve great but very different versions of Mexican-like food.  Cactus has an more extensive menu than Henry's.   Their food takes longer to prepare.  They are also more expensive.

Cactus style - Rolled Tacos with Guacamole

Henry's Classic Gringo Tacos

Henry's has stuck with their no frills, low cost menu.  Both seem to be pacing okay but the competition has diluted the taco business.  (The lines at Henry's are shorter than they were in the old spot). This why the story is still important today.

If the fine folks of Studio City want to have street tacos in the future, then all the Occupiers and lovers of tacos need to come out and consistently support both.  Otherwise, Henry's and Cactus might sadly disappear from the landscape and that battle to keep street tacos alive will be lost to the war of consumer's next passion of the day.

Why Do We Dress Up for Halloween?

Is Halloween the same as Day of the Dead?  And why do I dwell on such questions?  Maybe it's because I am trying to avoid figuring out what I'm going to be for my office Halloween party.  Every year the benchmark is set higher and higher.  No pressure.  What else would you expect from people who work in the entertainment industry?

Since I don't have any brilliant costume ideas (yet), I'll instead tackle these other pressing questions.  Of course, food is common between the two celebrated holidays.  What differentiates the two is the goal of attracting good souls and avoiding the not so-good-souls.

Day of the Dead or Dia de Muertos occurs over a three day period, October 31-November 2 around All Hallow's Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.  It's a time where families build private altars honoring the souls of their dead ancestors.  The altars are decorated with sugar skulls, brilliant orange marigolds and favorite food/drink as on offering for their dearly departed.  On those 3 days, families will clean, decorate and set up the altars at the cemetery with the intent of encouraging visits with the souls of their loved ones.  We'll call them the good souls.

Halloween on the other end of the soul spectrum, also known as "All Hallow's Eve," began as a Christian feast influenced by Celtic harvest festivals.  Harvest festivals falling at the end of summer's bounty and going into the darker half of the year was seen as a time when the spirits could more easily pay a visit to the world of the living.  If one didn't want to encounter the evil souls, they would costume themselves as a way to disguise their identity.  The costumed came to be known as guisers.  If guisers wanted to frighten the evil spirits away, then jack-o'lanterns were carried to deny those spirits entry into heaven or hell.  Turnips, yes turnips were the original jack-o'lanterns.  By the time the North Americans got a hold of the tradition, they used the much softer pumpkin to make their point. So, the trick or treaters coming to your door today are carrying on the very old tradition of guising.

Turnip Jack-O'Lantern, courtesy Wikipedia

Now that I know guising was supposed to scare the evil spirits away, I'm not so sure of my past costume choices.  But the one I've been most proud of was the year I went as Jack I. Box or simply  Jack. I'm not sure I'll ever top it and I'm pretty sure I didn't frighten any souls except for maybe myself when I looked in the mirror.  This year, I now know what I need to focus on when I create my next great costume....the fear factor!

Boo?