Sunland Tujunga Steps Up Again

If there is anywhere in LA that looks like the rest of America it's Sunland Tujunga. The creeping skepticism, apathy, self indulgence and phoniness that symbolizes the rest of LA has not yet infected this beautiful place.

Current path of Station Fire as seen from Sunland Tujunga Saturday morning.

Once again this was on display Saturday as prominent Sunland Tujunga resident Tomi Bowling organized the community in a massive baked goods collection drive to benefit the firefighters battling the blazes of the Station Fire that has impacted the region for the last week. Bowling and her neighbors baked, bought and collected boxes and boxes of cookies (sorted by with and without nuts reflecting our modern realities), cakes, donuts, pies, Twinkies, and more to be delivered to the troops Saturday afternoon.

Stack of pies donated by the Mayor Sam blog

Additionally, Bowling encouraged participants to sign a giant thank you card and to raise funds for the families of fallen firefighters 47-year-old Capt. Tedmund "Ted" Hall, and 35-year-old firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones. (Information on how to make donations to assist their surviving family members can be found here)

In addition to Bowling and local residents those on hand included a KCBS news crew as well as Mayor Sam blogger Joe B., City Council candidate Frank Sheftel and his campaign manager, local activist David Hernandez.

Joe B.

David Hernandez and Frank Sheftel

URGENT Fire Update

Tomi Lyn Bowling of Sunland Tujunga reports that the recent fires plaguing the Angeles Forest have inched closer to her community as she has witnessed the fire breaching the Tujunga Wash near the Alpine Village area. Local media is not reporting this so if you live in the area or know people there you may want to spread the word.

Attention Mayor Sam Moderators: Please only approve comments on this story that relate specifically to updates or information on the fire and firefighting efforts. No trolls or political comments on this one.

Fire Flare-ups at Riverwood Ranch in Sunland:

Tomi's Prescription for CD2

Sunland-Tujunga activist and realtor Tomi Bowling is suggesting that all of the "little" seven candidates running for CD2 should choose one amongst themselves to be a united candidate against Paul Krekorian, Tamar Galatzan and Chris Essel. Conceivably once that one "grassroots" candidate was selected the remaining six would withdrawl from the list.  Tomi's essay is below.  Thoughts?

If we really, really, really want a grass roots candidate to win in CD2 and to see that headline. We can do it. Here's how:

You guys that have come to be known as the little 7 need to get together. You all need to realize that this many candidates is spreading the votes too thin and we won't win this way. We need to see a grass roots candidate win. ONE. One grass roots candidate CAN do it. But the rest need to drop out and back that one, now while we have time to build the momentum behind that one candidate. Back that one with all your might. Big splash in the media with ALL of you doing it, all channels will come if you all have a BIG announcement. All media will run the story.

It will be another CD2 first, and another huge victory for the grass roots campaigns we are now getting famous for.

ONE grass roots candidate will be a top runner and will be in the run off. By virtue of making it that far, they will win over the votes from the two big three kids that fall out.

We can do this. We CAN make this happen but you 7 need to show their devotion and dedication so much that they need to be willing to drop out and back the ONE most sensible runner.

We need to really push this to make it happen. Whomever you guys choose we need to stick together and get the votes out for that person.

We need to work together in true CD2 style and make this go the way we want.

If we do not make that happen there will be way too many washed out votes for the 7 and the big two will be in the run off and we'll be STUCK with them. STUCK.

I don't want to be stuck. Help make this happen!!!

Video Democracy

Sunland-Tujunga realtor Tomi Lyn Bowling does a video pitch for the No To Home Depot campaign on CNN's iReport.