It makes a lot of sense if you think about it. Along with getting homeless people the help they need to deal with their mental illness and addiction issues, there are also a lot of homeless who -- whether or not they have those other problems to deal with -- need a lot of help learning how to manage money.
<p>When I visited LAMP Community with Jon Bon Jovi (below), I learned that the shelter runs a bank for its clients and holds regular money management courses for them. I told Tess Vigeland, host of Marketplace Money (SUNDAYS AT 2PM), about it, and she thought it was a great idea for a story.
(THIS PIECE ORIGINALLY RAN IN MARCH ON OFF-RAMP)
<p>Most people know Jon Bon Jovi as a rock hero. But for the last six years, he’s used his fame and money to fight homelessness. The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has built 250 units of affordable housing around the country. When he’s on tour, Bon Jovi makes fact-finding visits to the poor parts of town to learn more about the causes and cures of homelessness.
<p>Ahead of his gig at Staples Center (Thursday, March 4), on Monday he toured LAMP Community, the homeless center on Skid Row. Steve Lopez, the LA Times columnist who has chronicled the recovery of homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers, brought Bon Jovi to LAMP and was impressed with the work he's done.
The concrete, channelized Los Angeles River has inspired rallies to clean it up, naturalize it, and improve it. An exhibit at the Pasadena Museum of California Art makes a different argument ... for beauty in the graffiti, debris, and nature, that already thrive there. KPCC's Molly Peterson talked with the curators. One piece, above, is made of Plexglas and fish.
<p>The river exhibit,The Ulysses Guide to the LA River, is up through July 3.
A few years ago, after hosting a barbecue and not enjoying myself at all, then going to Russ Parson's house -- he's the James Beard Award-winning food writer and edits the LA Times Food section -- and noting how he stayed calm as a fluted cucumber, I asked Russ for advice on throwing as barbecue and not throwing a skewer through someone.
Jennifer Frautschi—a professional concert violinist—has performed with the LA Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and more. She's also a Pasadena native. Recently Jennifer was back in town to perform Beethoven's violin concerto with the Pasadena Symphony. She stopped by KPCC's Crawford Family Forum to hold a master class for two very lucky student violinists.
Off-Ramp producer Queena Kim has been hanging out at Golden State on Fairfax lately. They’re known for their burgers and beer, but they also make a delicious ... beer float. Don't gag. Queena talked with co-owner Jason Bernstein, and tried one.
<p>Come inside for the Beer Float movie and a link to Golden State.
