Man of the Year

by Nazbanoo Pahlavi
Carnegie Mellon Today, July 2008


A few hundred Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descend under the buzz of a helicopter. Nearby streets are blocked off. The target is a New Bedford textile factory that has federal contracts to produce camouflage uniforms for soldiers in Iraq. The agents expect to find about 400 undocumented immigrants, who will be questioned and detained. An hour after the raid begins, the local police chief tips off Marc Fallon (HS'92), a clergyman and advocate for the Mayan community.

Although Fallon considers his Spanish second rate despite the years he committed to his Hispanic ministry, he knows those seamstresses, and he knows their hearts. And he knows that many of the parishioners struggled through civil war in Guatemala and won't answer to any man in uniform who questions them about the whereabouts of their children.

The law-enforcement officials won't divulge names of those taken away, so Fallon and another pastor, Richard Wilson, figure out who didn’t come home. They determine that 121 children are left behind.

The pastors share their list with advocacy agencies, and a community-wide effort takes root. A temporary shelter is created in the basement of Wilson's church. Community college students volunteer to help. So do the YMCA and area lawyers. And an investment banker in Boston, Mass., even matches bail bonds for about 40 of the detained migrants. "People simply decided to trust one another," says Fallon.

Most of the detained caregivers were reunited with their children within two weeks. For their humanitarian work on behalf of the Mayan community and the 361 undocumented workers detained after the March 6, 2007, raid, Fallon and Wilson were co-selected as Man of the Year by The New Bedford Standard-Times.
—Nazbanoo Pahlavi (HNZ'03)

City Coucilwoman caught styrofoam-handed

City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel was caught by KTLA's news crew with a take out lunch in hand full of plastic and styrofoam - just after L.A. City Council has discussed the issue of banning such materials in an effort to curb excess waste and promote eco-friendly products. She was like a deer caught in headlights, but like any savvy politician, she blamed it on the lack of resources in place to promote eco-friendly alternatives. Really? Ever heard of bringing lunch from home in Pyrex or tupperware, Ms. Greuel?

Faithful blog readers will remember some months back when I "caught" Greuel speeding away from a Valley neighborhood council meeting in an SUV gas guzzler. Public transportation? Eco-friendly alternatives? Until politicans put in action what they preach, why should anyone else follow suit?

There is a serious chasm between eco-friendly lifestyles and styrofoam, plastic, private cars and other self-promoting tools by which we have grown accustomed to as a culture of personal convenience. I hear lots of eco-talk, but when I go to Peet's Coffee or Coffee Bean, I still see people buying coffee with disposable cups, rather than bringing their own reusable cups or thermos. Are people just too cheap to spend the $19.95 on a designer coffee cup?

Once politicans, celebrity "do-gooders" (cough, cough) and others start bridging the hole between what is convenient for them and what is sound for the community, we can not reconcile eco-friendly actions into our lifestyles.

School raises “green”-minded students

BY NAZBANOO PAHLAVI

In this week's Sun Community Newspapers www.suncommunitynewspapers.com


Amongst the apartment buildings and Mexican restaurants that line Victory Boulevard just east of Woodman Avenue in Valley Glen, Laurence School stands out as an ecological haven.

Established in 1953 as a kindergarten through 6th grade co-educational school, the campus is filled with green spaces and flowers, miniature ecosystems and exotic plants.

Laurence has been involved in green education for 25 years, according to Lauren Wolke, Associate Head and Director of Admissions, but they have placed an even heavier emphasis on the subject since the school’s expansion in 2004. Now Laurence practices a “Go Global Go Green” motto in campus design, work ethic, and classroom curriculum.

In addition to the beautiful “greenscaping,” the expansion plans made an effort to incorporate green materials in building construction. The floor of the sports court, an outdoor basketball area, is made of recycled tires. Eco-friendly carpeting and non-toxic VOC paint were also used in the classrooms.

For Principal Gary Stern, it is important that students not only learn about conservation and environmental protection didactically in the classroom, but also through hands-on approaches as well.

“I think it’s probably the most timely and compelling issue,” Stern said. “The overarching goal of the program is for the children to develop an appreciation and an understanding of the importance of the beauty of preserving our natural resources and treasures, so that the planet they inherit can be one that can be self-sustaining.”

The administration encourages students to bring “zero-waste” lunches that include reusable utensils and napkins. Small incentives are also used to limit waste, such as a green flag on top of refuse cans when the garbage level is noticeably low.

Students are taught to compost non-dairy and non-meat items such as fruit peels from their lunches. They then use it to fertilize a student-run edible garden. The goal of the garden is to grow herbs, plants and flowers based on chosen themes, which are then sold at a farmer’s market in the spring.

“It shows them the full cycle of life and where foods come from and plants and products and they can see how the cycle goes back into the garden,” said Wolke.

Many students – some as young as six years old – also assume a specific responsibility according to their grade.

Josh, a 5th grade student in teacher Rochelle Robinson’s class, recalled his fourth grade duty. “When you came in to carpool they would collect extra bottles and cans you had,” he said. The fourth graders exchange their recyclables for cash to buy thesauruses and books for a disadvantaged school in the area.

Wolke and Stern shared their techniques at the Green Schools Summit that was held in Pasadena in December. They also strive to integrate their green initiative on the business end by reducing paper use and utilizing flash drives to share information.

“It’s a conscious effort,” Wolke stressed.

The school’s farmers market, which was held May 18, was managed by the 5th grade as their community service project and attended by Laurence School family and friends.

Robinson said she was pleasantly surprised that her students took to the selling aspect of the market, using math skills and even negotiation techniques when interacting with customers. “I think they’re enjoying it,” she said.

The funds raised from the sale were donated to TreePeople, a local environmental non-profit organization that helps plant trees in Los Angeles.

Stern said he was especially proud of a group of third graders who initiated their own “Eco-Team” to do more for the environment beyond the scope of the school’s program. The students held a bake sale and raised money to purchase a kumquat tree they then planted in the garden.

“They themselves are taking a leadership role outside of school in terms of protecting and preserving our environment,” he said.

The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival June 1

Villaraigosa downplays gang crime spike at Valley VOTE

BY NAZBANOO PAHLAVI

In this week's Sun Community Newspapers


Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spoke to Valley VOTE members and guests about public safety and education May 12 at Galpin Ford in North Hills.

Villaraigosa stressed the importance of listening to concerns unique to the Valley, which he said has “always felt like the weak sister or step-child in the family.”

“I try to be here, I try to be present, I try to be responsive,” he said.

The mayor said that although gang crime went up by 160 percent last year, that statistic should be viewed in perspective. “You got to understand what that meant. The numbers had been so small before that they went up – it wasn’t that we have now an epidemic necessarily,” he said.

Villaraigosa discussed cuts in the city’s anti-gang initiatives, an issue that he addressed in Canoga Park earlier that evening at the West Valley Family Guidance Center. As a result of two studies – one done over a six-month period by the Advancement Project, a self-described “innovative civil rights and policy action tank,” and another by City Controller Laura Chick – the city decided to reduce anti-gang initiatives and instead focus on “targeted areas to spend limited resources,” he said. A program in the West Valley was cut as a result of the initiative’s restructuring.

The mayor also discussed public education and his highly-publicized attempt to take over the Los Angeles Unified School District. As a result of his efforts and an ensuing lawsuit, Villaraigosa will have control over nine schools and about 18,000 students starting in July.

He said he aims to focus on integrating charter schools into the fold and cited the Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools, a non-profit charter management program with Richard Riordan as board chairman, as a model to emulate. Villaraigosa said he wants to “really show people what we can do if we have high expectations for kids – spend money locally, cut bureaucracy and really focus on achievement.”

Discussing the budget, Villaraigosa said roughly 767 positions – performed by 350 city employees – will be eliminated due to fiscal restraints. He is seeking six mandatory furlough days to offset the possibility of more cutbacks, although both labor unions and the Los Angeles city council oppose such temporary layoffs.

“One thing about me is that I’m not afraid to make a tough decision,” Villaraigosa said.

The mayor also touted the expansion of airport flyaway shuttles and the success of the Van Nuys airport service where travelers can check in their baggage and acquire boarding passes en route to the airport.

Run run Santa Monica

I am happy to report I successfully completed my first 10KM race today at the Santa Monica Classic in support of Heal the Bay. The course started around Barnard Way near Ocean Park and went through Main Street for a bit before heading onto Ocean Avenue and then up San Vicente to 11th street and then to the Pier. Since I am a local resident, I was familiar with the course, especially San Vicente, and had trained on the incline that was prevalent through much of the race.

Of course, about 5 minutes before 8AM (go time) I had stomach cramps and considered heading back home, kicking myself for not bringing my Alleve - but I persevered and once we got started, the energy of the crowd washed away any pains. I finished in about 1 hour.

Unhappily, there were hardly any cheerleaders along the beautiful course. I like running, but the lack of interaction between runners and no supporters on the sidelines can emphasize the super-singularity of the sport. Towards the end, I found myself cheering myself on, and then was happy to know that I wasn't alone. One participant actually said "Get your ass moving, you have 3/10 of a mile to go". She was talking to herself.

I encourage sports and running enthusiasts to attend races as cheerleaders. Bring your signs and cheer us on!

I did catch up with one of the runners who was in my pace range at the end of the race at the after party on the pier. She told me about a non-profit - check it out here www.climbinc.org

Happy running.

Grassroots campaigners sprout in the Valley

BY NAZBANOO PAHLAVI

It’s the day before the Texas primary election, and a group of largely female volunteers are making last-minute phone calls at a Lake Balboa office used by Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

Hitomi Heap-Baldwin, a volunteer from Tujunga, sounds like a seasoned campaigner on the phone. “Did you also know there is a caucus going on in the same day?” she asks a Texas voter. “Can I spend one minute telling you about it?”

This is Heap-Baldwin’s third day as a volunteer here. She is only 16 and a junior at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Canada.

Heap-Baldwin is one of many young activists involved this election season. For her, volunteering means making phone calls – even if that means skipping track practice. “I can’t just let someone else win if I’m interested in it. I have to do something about it,” she says.

Young adult professionals such as Burbank native Valerie Rothenberg, 26, are also active volunteers. Sen. Barack Obama inspired her involvement in his presidential campaign. “I think Obama especially inspires people to organize,” Rothenberg says. “He said, ‘this is your campaign, you can make a difference.’”

Her grassroots efforts started with 15 people in a friend’s Porter Ranch living room last spring, and grew from there. She was a precinct captain in her neighborhood, traveled to Nevada to campaign for Obama, and organized phone banking sessions at a North Hollywood park. Despite her dedication, Rothenberg, who is a freelance costume designer, has no intention of entering politics professionally.

Grassroots-level volunteers like Heap-Baldwin and Rothenberg are often the most effective agents for a candidate. Their active role is helpful with engaging voters who may be detached from the political process.

Bob Blumenfield, a democratic candidate for the 42nd Assembly District, believes that voters are more receptive to volunteer campaigners. “There’s a passion that’s there – not that paid staffers don’t have that passion; they do – but it’s undeniable as a volunteer,” he says.

Blumenfield has recruited high school volunteers from Birmingham High School in Van Nuys and Oakwood School in North Hollywood. He is planning another recruiting session at Van Nuys High School. He counts on the energy and enthusiasm that young people bring to his campaign.

Republican Tony Strickland also recognizes the importance of young volunteers. “It is extremely encouraging to see young people get involved in the political process at the grassroots level,” says the former Assembly member and current state senatorial candidate for Tom McClintock’s termed-out seat.

Some young activists simply have politics in their blood. Rothenberg’s father, Peter, is a coordinator for the Valley For Obama group and convened the Obama delegate caucus for Brad Sherman’s district in mid-April. Heap-Baldwin’s father, an Obama supporter, would clip news-related articles and hide them in her backpack.

Ashley Ingram, 22, was also raised in a politically active family in Burbank in the 1980s, when her parents volunteered for Ronald Reagan’s campaign. Ingram is a passionate young republican – one of a group that is not as easy to find in a largely democratic electorate like Los Angeles.

“It’s hard to come out of the republican closet, as I’d like to say, especially in the Valley,” says Ingram, who said she often felt singled-out in high school because of her conservative views.

Ingram is sharp and poised with an impressive grasp of California politics. She has already been a paid staffer on two campaigns, including her current position as Deputy Campaign Manager for Tony Strickland. She previously worked for the Rudy Giuliani campaign. She cites the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks and Giuliani’s role in the tragedy’s aftermath as factors fueling her desire to enter public service.



Many political activists refer to both September 11 and the Iraq War as the major events triggering political activism in teens and young adults. Damian Carroll, an experienced grassroots campaigner and current staffer for Assembly member Mike Feuer, says young people are more mobilized today than they were eight years ago, mainly because of those two events in addition to Hurricane Katrina.

“It brought people up to this idea that public service was important; that we had a character as a nation where we could pull together and make a difference,” Carroll says.

Cameron Silverberg, 14, is an 8th grade student at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Tarzana, and a volunteer for the Obama campaign. “I just think Obama has the ability to really unify a divided country,” says Silverberg. “He has the unique ability to restore what’s broken about America right about now.”


He mentions the Iraq war and its affects on the economy as one of the main issues he cares about. The other is climate change. “He (Obama) really does understand the importance of dealing with it right now as opposed to leaving it to people like myself and my generation where we’d have to deal with it.”

Chad Jones is president of Valley Grassroots for Democracy, an organization that evolved out of a coming together of Valley-based Howard Dean and John Kerry supporters in 2005. At the time, Jones says they weren’t sure whether they wanted to create another democratic club in the Valley but then they realized something.

“If you’re trying to change the democratic party,” Jones says, “which was something we wanted to do – to make it more responsive to the grassroots - the reality is that we had to become part of the system and change it from within.”

He says that teenagers and young adults don’t join as members or participate in club activities as much as he would like. Those who are active are more likely to join the Young Democrats. “We do tend to skew older – 50 plus,” says Jones, who at 37, says he is one of the youngest members of the group.

For those young people who are disinterred in the presidential campaign, the Internet has served as this season’s power tool in reaching out and mobilizing them.

The online presence of Barack Obama has been a major asset in his courting of young voters. His personal page on the social networking site Facebook, for example, has nearly 770,000 supporters listed – about five times the number of supporters listed on the Hillary Clinton page.

“It’s not a top-heavy campaign,” says Carroll, 31, who ran as an Obama delegate in Brad Sherman’s congressional district. According to Carroll, the campaign has done so well on the grassroots level because they encouraged supporters to spread Obama’s message in a personal way. In response, supporters created videos, posted them on YouTube, and emailed them to each other – a tactic more effective than receiving an email directly from the campaign.

When Carroll first got involved in politics in 2003, he used the website Meetup.com to connect with fellow progressives. He recalls his first meeting at Dupars restaurant in Studio City, a gathering that eventually resulted in his involvement with the Howard Dean campaign.

The internet has also been important in strengthening Congressman Ron Paul’s popularity. Steven Vincent, a Studio City yoga instructor, used Meetup.com to organize Ron Paul supporters in Burbank and North Hollywood. He says one of his groups now has about 300 members.


Vincent does not look like a typical republican. On a recent day, he is wearing a neon yellow T-shirt with a Ron Paul slogan emblazoned across his chest. Although Vincent is in his 40s, he has a youthful energy that befits his political activism.

“If you had told me before March [of 2007] that I was going to register republican and campaign for a republican candidate, I would have told you that you were really crazy,” Vincent says. He mentions Paul’s “unrehearsed quality” and his Gandhi-inspired writings on peaceful non-intervention in foreign policy as traits that appealed to him.

Vincent represents a group of people not necessarily young in age, but new to grassroots politics. Grassroots work, such as phone banking or precinct walking, can be a catalyst for volunteers who continue stay active beyond their first political campaign.

Vincent, who jokingly admits he had always been a “lifelong member of the no-confidence party,” says he will continue his activist work despite Paul’s defunct bid for the presidency. He plans on participating in a grassroots distribution of Paul’s forthcoming book, The Revolution Manifesto. He also wrote an article on Paul for the February issue of LA Yoga magazine and plans on doing more writing. “It’s a movement; it’s not a political campaign,” he says.



Heap-Baldwin is also active in her community. She started her own website called Teensthinkgreen.com to promote eco-friendly lifestyle alternatives for teenagers.

For the young activist interested in a career in politics, grassroots training provides an invaluable foothold. Ingram’s training gave her experience no bachelor’s degree could replace. “We all had to pay our dues and put in our free pay and interning and getting beat up for a while, but it was completely worth it to do what we do now,” says Ingram.


Seasoned grassroots campaigners often tout the importance of passing on their training to the next generation to keep their political party or organization alive.

When Carroll first got involved in politics, the then-president of the Young Democrats of the San Fernando Valley encouraged him to get involved in local groups. Carroll ultimately became president of Young Democrats and now remains on the executive board as communications director.

“I don’t feel representative so much anymore,” Carroll says. “I’m looking to find who are the young people in our club who are up and coming – who are ready to take on more of that leadership.”

Since he first joined in 2003, the club’s membership has increased from roughly 40 to 300 members. Their budget also reflects that growth.

Ingram says college republican groups often fall apart when a president or a core group graduates. She made sure that the club she founded at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita had stable leadership before she left.

For Blumenfield, there is an innate sense of duty to mentor and recruit young people.

“I got involved in politics when I was very young,” he says. “You know, it changed my life in many ways – and I want to help other people have a similar experience.”