Orange Crush

Last weekend was long.
Not only did Robert and I visit Skid Row on Thanksgiving but we also went to the recording studio. Orange Crush Studio in Orange County is home to Scott Silletta, owner/engineer and former lead singer of Tooth and Nail Records' band Plankeye. This was the final day to record for Robert and the band Project Worship, who were also joined by Heather Henry in assisting with vocals.
So, I just had to come along with my camera and snap a few pics for the archives but what I didn't realize was just how nostalgic this place was going to be. Robert had mentioned to me that the studio had a cool vibe to it but I had no idea. Once inside the studio my eyes began to dart around the room at all the interesting details and so I just had to ask Scott for permission to photograph and began to snap away.
Later we topped the night off with a Sushi dinner accompanied by Scott and his sweet wife Gianna.
Visit the link above to hear Project Worship's new songs and congratulate the band! Woot Woot!





Scott did an awesome job mixing and engineering this recording!



How many of you can remember 8 Tracktapes?

Robert warming up...doe, rae, me, fa, so, la...haha...
Heather and Scott at the end of the day.

Fred Jordan Mission

This year, my hubby and I, with Project Worship ,were invited to join Heather Henry and her band in providing music for the annual Fred Jordan Mission Thanksgiving Holiday on Skid Row in Los Angeles.
The Fred Jordan Mission is a ministry about serving the homeless, destitute, and inner city families with a day of hope and celebration for the holidays. The Missions Street Banquets are legendary on Skid Row and have been an annual tradition for several years.
This was our first time experiencing Thanksgiving Day on Skid Row and meeting Willie Jordan, wife of the late Fred Jordan, and all of her volunteers and staff.
Later as we drove home, Robert and I talked about all the interesting people we met and the conversations we shared with the homeless. We agreed that there wasn't anything else better we could be doing on this day than to serve in a very small role of a really large vision.
I remembered what my friend Leonard would say, 'this is how seeds are planted, and this is how we plant them'.


The lines seemed to never end until each person was served a meal. When we left, there was nobody else in line. They were all blessed with a traditional turkey dinner.
The view of downtown from Skid Row.

Willie Jordan - President of FJM, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Walter Contreras.

Robert Sanchez and Heather Henry.

There were many underprivileged and homeless children here with their Mothers.
These gals volunteered in assisting Heather Henry with backround vocals from Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, and were so excited to be here!




A volunteer helps this man to cut up his food because he is weak.

There were three dinner sessions. As one session ended another line was waiting to enter for the next dinner serving.

Randy turns 50

Congratulations to my brother-in-law, Randy, who celebrated his 50th birthday this weekend!
In addition to his milestone the big kahuna bought my Dad's old 73' Volkswagon bus and then had it restored to it's origional conditon except for the paint color. It was not a cool color like red!
To think before we would all pile into our bright orange VW bus and head to church every Sunday and take family road trips to visit distant relatives. Now this baby drives out to San Onofre Beach carrying long boards, ice chests and a sticker that reads AINOKEA= I do what I like.





Isaiah and Adrian are sharing a good laugh here...

Mmmm...hawaiian BBQ.

Randy and his grandson Adrian.

Randy is about to be roasted here by his pal Edwin.