Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

MY CADILLAC IS UNDER THE LAND FILL


When you're a boy everything you have is given rough treatment. Your bike,your baseball glove,your blue jeans. We all have the stories of our mom's throwing away our baseball cards. Don't we wish we had them back now. Oh yeh,in good condition they could pay off the mortgage,but we played around with those cards like we were playng marbles in the dirt.

How many Hall Of Famers did you have attatched with clothes pins to your bicycle spokes so it would sound like a motorcycle? It was the boys with vision that held on to those cards and kept them in clean pristine condition in albums covered with plastic. Today those cards are worth thousands of dollars.

Hate to think of what my mother threw away after cleaning out my room. I often wonder how many millions of dollars worth of grabage is in those land fills.But I didn't put up a fuss. Hell I knew one day I'd buy a real motorcycle. And those nerds with the albums? Shit they're all millionaires by now.

Damn Roger, you just brought back a memory. As a small boy, before boxing took over my thoughts, I loved baseball and played Little League, etc. All of us kids in the neighborhood were into sports and we all collected those bubblegum cards. I was never a real collector, would clip the cards to my bicycle spokes with clothes pins to make it sound like a motor. However, some cards you took special care of. Maris, Mantle, Mays, Drysdale, Koufax, Musiel, etc. etc. Well a kid down the block who was a bully somehow had a real Babe Ruth card. Now this would have been around '61, maybe '62. He was bigger than me and challenged me to a wrestling match. I didn't show any interest in taking him up on his challenge until he offered up the Babe Ruth card if I could pin him. Even though I was a kid, I knew he was a punk, even though bigger. I wanted that damn card, and took a chance. I wrestled him for the card and in short time had the guy down and choking him out. I couldn't pin him but I made him quit. He told me I didn't win the card because I did pin him, as he tried to take it, I jumped on him and soon had him on the ground again, wanting to quit. This time he handed me the card.

I had that card for about two weeks. One day, I couldn't find it where I had left it. The card was not in perfect shape, a little faded in one spot, dog eared, etc. but it was clearly a real Babe Ruth card. Never saw it again. Roger, you likely just solved a decades old mystery. I bet mom trashed it along with the rest of the mess I didn't pick-up. :??

-Rick

[bennie]

Bobby Chacon and his friend/caregiver, whom's name I keep forgetting

That's his caregiver? No wonder Bobby is smiling all the time . . .

Yeah! thats his caregiver, the state pays her, on Norton, I don't have anything new on him.

She does a great job. Bobby always looks like a million dollars. The suit he wore at the recent WBHOF was something else.

[bennie]

Rodolfo Gonzalez, Ken Norton & Paul Gonzalez

Nice shot. I remember British writer and commentator, Reg Gutteridge, stating in the early 1980s that the one person in the world he would choose to look like for a day (if he had a choice) would be Kenny.

[kikibalt]

Xmas card for all

http://www.egreetings.com/ecards/view.p ... urce=eg999

[dagosd2000]

SUNSET BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The stores have had it. They've tried everything to get you to spend. Tomorrow everything will be closed. So now the street pans out.What's left? Who's ever walking the street after dark tomorrow, it is just another day.They didn't buy anything. Maybe they don't want to go to the shelter right now. They need to walk. Keep moving. Maybe the shelter isn't comfortable. It makes things worse especially waking up to it the next day. Maybe they wake up on the sidewalk. They just want to get tomorrow over with. They live alone. It's dark outside.

There's probably a meal for them somewhere tomorrow.Before the meal will come the Sermon. How many still have Faith? They'll be there,but then they'll have to move on walking the street again. They're lucky to be staying in a shelter. Maybe they will just sleep all day tomorrow.

They'll dream about the past. A time that was better. Many hope that they don't dream at all.

[kikibalt]

"Jimmy McLarnin"

By Roger Esty

[kikibalt]

"Arturo Gatti"

By Roger Esty

[bennie]

Happy Christmas to all the 'clued up' boxrec boys and to the man who makes it all possible: Donny's own John Shep.

[kikibalt]

This man has as big a heart as Rog

Kindly elf hands out $13,000 to LA's homeless

LOS ANGELES – While carmakers have their hands out to Congress, a kindly soul showed up in a car to deliver his own bailout to those on Skid Row.

The anonymous donor continued a holiday tradition by handing out $10 bills to people at The Midnight Mission. The shelter estimated that $13,000 was distributed this year.

"It's the highlight of my year," the donor said.

Hundreds lined up around the building Tuesday, and some said they waited as long as eight hours for the benefactor nicknamed the Eldorado Elf.

The tradition of handing out money at the mission around Christmas dates to the early 1980s when car dealer Ronald Moran began showing up in a Cadillac to pass out thousands of dollars.

When the man dubbed the Cadillac Santa died in 1992, his friend, who was the attorney for Moran's dealership, took over the handout. He showed up in a Cadillac Eldorado and thus was born the Eldorado Elf.

The elf — a 67-year-old semiretired lawyer who would only give his name as Bill — wore a bright red shirt and a smile as he and several friends distributed the money Tuesday. He said the money was needed more than ever because of the poor economy.

The donor said the money comes from himself and his friends and that he did not regret spending it even though the economy has hurt his own finances.

"Just because I've taken a hit, is that any reason that the homeless should suffer?" he said. "I've got so much more than they've got."

"If you're homeless and you have $10, it's the world," he said.

Some of those receiving the money beamed as they clutched the new bills. A few sniffed or kissed it, and one man had his photograph taken with it. A family of seven got $10 for each member, including an infant in a stroller.

"This money means a lot to me. I don't have to panhandle," said Nanette Boone, 43, a recovering drug user and alcoholic who lived on the streets for five years. Boone said she planned to use the money for bus fare to take her to rehabilitation classes.

"I'm gonna go get something to eat," said Shivon Jones, 22, who has been living at downtown shelters for more than a year.

[bennie]

Frankie makes it all possible, too.

[kikibalt]

Still going on
by soledadenmasa


I grew up listening to music in Spanish, mostly anything with a mariachi, banda, or conjunto norteño, never even hearing those “oldies” organic to Los Angeles. I’ve had a musical exploration reverse to many people my age or of previous generations. Many I know grew up listening to music in English and started to explore music from México or Latin America later in life (if they ever did), while I started to explore music in English when I was about fourteen. Even now, I mostly listen to and explore different music from México, but that’s due to me playing in mariachis for the past eight years.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when a post over at Guanabee came up on my RSS feed. I scour the internet for news relating to mariachi, especially this week, when the San José Mariachi and Latin Music Festival is on. [During mariachi festival time, new & interesting things come to light, like Rubén Fuentes, longtime former member and director of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán (64 years and counting), and songwriter extraordinaire, gave an interview (he is very reclusive) and stated that the future of mariachi music was in the United States.] One of the festival’s concerts, last night’s, was headlined by Ersi Arvizu, a name I did not recognize. As I read on, however, it became clear I already knew who she was.

Some of her biography seems exceptional, yet refreshingly relatable:

Arvizu grew up in East L.A., on the other side of the bridge, in a neighborhood known by its ruling street gang’s name, Maravilla. At an early age, her mother, who struggled to keep her six children safe — which meant close-by – taught her and her brothers and sisters how to play guitar and blend their voices singing. “Mostly ranchera and mariachi style,” Arvizu remembers. “We would go to parties to sing and I could remember that my feet didn’t even hit the ground. But I was always wanting to rush through the song so I can go out to play – dodge ball, kick the can, football with the guys.” Eventually they were singing before fights at the Olympic Auditorium, the stage, at show’s conclusion, littered with money — bills and coins. By high school, three of the sisters – Ersi and her siblings Rosella and Mary – would eventually become known beyond the borders of East L.A. “The Sisters” singing at dances at the El Monte Legion Stadium or the Paramount Ballroom or afternoon parties around East L.A.

Her father trained boxers in their backyard and she would at times watch them practice. She even boxed a few times after her musical career ended in the 70s. For those who care, she had four knockouts.

After performing in a string of ensembles post-The Sisters – a series of garage bands and then a spot singing with a band called the Village Callers, Arvizu was lured away to a group called, the V.I.P.s who would soon come to be known as El Chicano. Ersi sang on the band’s second, non-instrumental album, “Revolucion” – which featured “Sabor a Mí” and “I’m a Good Woman,” both of which, in their own ways, evolved into Eastside anthems. But soon after, she parted ways with the band. “Too much drinking, too much drugs, too much, too much . . .” all around her. “I couldn’t take all of that.”

After reading this, I knew exactly who she was. Thousands of people, both young and old, had danced, kissed, fallen in love and enjoyed life to the smoothness of her voice in the past thirty years, yet her name had remained a complete unknown to me. After ending her musical career, she moved to Arizona and worked there for years, until a few years ago, Ry Cooder found her to sing in his album Chávez Ravine and later collaborated with her to record her recent album, Friend for Life.

Though I still prefer the Mariachi America version of “Sabor a mí” (because Arturo Vargas [lead singer in the video] is god), El Chicano’s sound and her voice are perfectly complementary and provide a soundtrack for far too many memories of Los Angeles.

Image taken from Ersi Arvizu’s MySpace page.

[kikibalt]

Frankie makes it all possible, too.

Well! thank you, Bennie.

[kikibalt]

"A DAY IN EL MERCADITO"
EAST LOS


El Mercado de Los Angeles


Neighborhood: Boyle Heights 3425 E. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90063 323-268-3451


This bustling three-story marketplace of Mexican food and wares is more endearingly
known by the diminutive El Mercadito. Find all sorts of uncommon equipment and
apparel, specialized cookware and toothsome sundries at one of the many stalls.
Painted mariachis along the top façade are the first hint of the main attraction inside.
The third floor houses two restaurants, each with mariachi bands which duke it out at
raging full tilt.

[kikibalt]

Back in the day, Connie, the kids and I would take my mom and dad to "El Mercadito" to eat and listen to the mariachis on Sunday's afternoon's, 3-4 times during the summer.

[Rick Farris]

Rodolfo Gonzalez, Ken Norton & Paul Gonzalez

Nice shot. I remember British writer and commentator, Reg Gutteridge, stating in the early 1980s that the one person in the world he would choose to look like for a day (if he had a choice) would be Kenny.

Bennie . . . Is Reg Gutteridge still alive? I used to enjoy reading his British boxing news in the sixties.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

SUNSET BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The stores have had it. They've tried everything to get you to spend. Tomorrow everything will be closed. So now the street pans out.What's left? Who's ever walking the street after dark tomorrow, it is just another day.They didn't buy anything. Maybe they don't want to go to the shelter right now. They need to walk. Keep moving. Maybe the shelter isn't comfortable. It makes things worse especially waking up to it the next day. Maybe they wake up on the sidewalk. They just want to get tomorrow over with. They live alone. It's dark outside.

There's probably a meal for them somewhere tomorrow.Before the meal will come the Sermon. How many still have Faith? They'll be there,but then they'll have to move on walking the street again. They're lucky to be staying in a shelter. Maybe they will just sleep all day tomorrow.

They'll dream about the past. A time that was better. Many hope that they don't dream at all.

Yes, tomorrow and this season can be the worst of all for a person. As great as it can be for some children, it can be a painful time for others, especially adults, some with memories of better days, happier times. It's when we feel the pain of loss the most, somebody that made us feel warm inside. More important than money, or posessions, is warmth. A warm place to sleep and to escape. My wish for these souls is warmth, and a place to sleep themselves thru the pain of the Holidays. Regardless of who they are, mistakes that have been made, etc. I wish them a peaceful night of sleep. When it comes right down to it, we are all the same. People try to elevate themselves, but all we really need is some peace of mind, and a little compassion can be a very inexpensive gift to share.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

"A DAY IN EL MERCADITO"
EAST LOS


El Mercado de Los Angeles


Neighborhood: Boyle Heights 3425 E. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90063 323-268-3451


This bustling three-story marketplace of Mexican food and wares is more endearingly
known by the diminutive El Mercadito. Find all sorts of uncommon equipment and
apparel, specialized cookware and toothsome sundries at one of the many stalls.
Painted mariachis along the top façade are the first hint of the main attraction inside.
The third floor houses two restaurants, each with mariachi bands which duke it out at
raging full tilt.

Frank, looks like that's right around 1st. St. & Soto? There is an old band stand, like you used to see in parks, right in the town square sort of. I would go to a place nearby where they had great tamales, and across the street was a sporting goods store where they sell the Mexican boxing equipment I preferred, and next door to that was a bakery where I could by things I couldn't find in other neighborhoods. A bar across the street from that, and it was easy to talk about boxing in there with people who knew what they were talking about. I'm a gringo with a special place in my heart for East Los Angeles. Thanks to boxing, I've met the best friends of my life.

-Ricardo

[Rick Farris]

Still going on
by soledadenmasa


I grew up listening to music in Spanish, mostly anything with a mariachi, banda, or conjunto norteño, never even hearing those “oldies” organic to Los Angeles. I’ve had a musical exploration reverse to many people my age or of previous generations. Many I know grew up listening to music in English and started to explore music from México or Latin America later in life (if they ever did), while I started to explore music in English when I was about fourteen. Even now, I mostly listen to and explore different music from México, but that’s due to me playing in mariachis for the past eight years.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when a post over at Guanabee came up on my RSS feed. I scour the internet for news relating to mariachi, especially this week, when the San José Mariachi and Latin Music Festival is on. [During mariachi festival time, new & interesting things come to light, like Rubén Fuentes, longtime former member and director of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán (64 years and counting), and songwriter extraordinaire, gave an interview (he is very reclusive) and stated that the future of mariachi music was in the United States.] One of the festival’s concerts, last night’s, was headlined by Ersi Arvizu, a name I did not recognize. As I read on, however, it became clear I already knew who she was.

Some of her biography seems exceptional, yet refreshingly relatable:

Arvizu grew up in East L.A., on the other side of the bridge, in a neighborhood known by its ruling street gang’s name, Maravilla. At an early age, her mother, who struggled to keep her six children safe — which meant close-by – taught her and her brothers and sisters how to play guitar and blend their voices singing. “Mostly ranchera and mariachi style,” Arvizu remembers. “We would go to parties to sing and I could remember that my feet didn’t even hit the ground. But I was always wanting to rush through the song so I can go out to play – dodge ball, kick the can, football with the guys.” Eventually they were singing before fights at the Olympic Auditorium, the stage, at show’s conclusion, littered with money — bills and coins. By high school, three of the sisters – Ersi and her siblings Rosella and Mary – would eventually become known beyond the borders of East L.A. “The Sisters” singing at dances at the El Monte Legion Stadium or the Paramount Ballroom or afternoon parties around East L.A.

Her father trained boxers in their backyard and she would at times watch them practice. She even boxed a few times after her musical career ended in the 70s. For those who care, she had four knockouts.

After performing in a string of ensembles post-The Sisters – a series of garage bands and then a spot singing with a band called the Village Callers, Arvizu was lured away to a group called, the V.I.P.s who would soon come to be known as El Chicano. Ersi sang on the band’s second, non-instrumental album, “Revolucion” – which featured “Sabor a Mí” and “I’m a Good Woman,” both of which, in their own ways, evolved into Eastside anthems. But soon after, she parted ways with the band. “Too much drinking, too much drugs, too much, too much . . .” all around her. “I couldn’t take all of that.”

After reading this, I knew exactly who she was. Thousands of people, both young and old, had danced, kissed, fallen in love and enjoyed life to the smoothness of her voice in the past thirty years, yet her name had remained a complete unknown to me. After ending her musical career, she moved to Arizona and worked there for years, until a few years ago, Ry Cooder found her to sing in his album Chávez Ravine and later collaborated with her to record her recent album, Friend for Life.

Though I still prefer the Mariachi America version of “Sabor a mí” (because Arturo Vargas [lead singer in the video] is god), El Chicano’s sound and her voice are perfectly complementary and provide a soundtrack for far too many memories of Los Angeles.

Image taken from Ersi Arvizu’s MySpace page.

Great story, Frank! Something caught my eye at the end, about Ry Cooder finding her to sing on his album, "Chavez Ravine". I'm going to drift off this story for a moment to ask you, do you remember what Chavez Ravine was like prior to Walter O'Malley building Dodger Stadium? The Stadium opened and became home to the Dodgers in 1962. I have a friend, in his late 60's, who grew up there. The family was displaced when the bulldozers came to make room for the ball park.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

This place I go . . .

You guys have no idea just how much I appreciate you. This is like that cozy neighborhood watering hole, where those intelligent in what I know and love show up. You guys tie up the loose ends, you know what you are talking about. You teach me, and understand what I know. I've said enough. I just wish all of you the very best Holiday tomorrow. Bless your families and, of course, bless all of you.

-Rick

[Dongee]

This place I go . . .

You guys have no idea just how much I appreciate you. This is like that cozy neighborhood watering hole, where those intelligent in what I know and love show up. You guys tie up the loose ends, you know what you are talking about. You teach me, and understand what I know. I've said enough. I just wish all of you the very best Holiday tomorrow. Bless your families and, of course, bless all of you.

-Rick

Happy Holidays to one and all, and my thanks to those who have already expressed their good wishes on our forum. Let's make '09 a memorable year; just remember to make that last one for the road a cup of coffee. Play it safe, friends.

hap navarro

[kikibalt]

"A DAY IN EL MERCADITO"
EAST LOS


El Mercado de Los Angeles


Neighborhood: Boyle Heights 3425 E. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90063 323-268-3451


This bustling three-story marketplace of Mexican food and wares is more endearingly
known by the diminutive El Mercadito. Find all sorts of uncommon equipment and
apparel, specialized cookware and toothsome sundries at one of the many stalls.
Painted mariachis along the top façade are the first hint of the main attraction inside.
The third floor houses two restaurants, each with mariachi bands which duke it out at
raging full tilt.

Frank, looks like that's right around 1st. St. & Soto? There is an old band stand, like you used to see in parks, right in the town square sort of. I would go to a place nearby where they had great tamales, and across the street was a sporting goods store where they sell the Mexican boxing equipment I preferred, and next door to that was a bakery where I could by things I couldn't find in other neighborhoods. A bar across the street from that, and it was easy to talk about boxing in there with people who knew what they were talking about. I'm a gringo with a special place in my heart for East Los Angeles. Thanks to boxing, I've met the best friends of my life.

-Ricardo

Rick...El Mercadito is on 1st. St , between Lorena and Indiana.

[dagosd2000]

Frank
The wife just finished making menudo con pata. That was breakfeast. Now they're coming in the door. Started at 7 this morning . The tamale makers. Beef,pork,and sweet(canela,raisins and Kool Aid). Pozole is in the works also. Just got back from TJ. Write about it later. Got some eating and some painting to do. Rog

[Boxingnut]

Just like to wish everyone on this thread a Merry Christmas, hope you have a peaceful holiday. I read this thread every day and love reading all the stories and looking at the photos, long may it continue!

[kikibalt]

Still going on
by soledadenmasa


I grew up listening to music in Spanish, mostly anything with a mariachi, banda, or conjunto norteño, never even hearing those “oldies” organic to Los Angeles. I’ve had a musical exploration reverse to many people my age or of previous generations. Many I know grew up listening to music in English and started to explore music from México or Latin America later in life (if they ever did), while I started to explore music in English when I was about fourteen. Even now, I mostly listen to and explore different music from México, but that’s due to me playing in mariachis for the past eight years.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when a post over at Guanabee came up on my RSS feed. I scour the internet for news relating to mariachi, especially this week, when the San José Mariachi and Latin Music Festival is on. [During mariachi festival time, new & interesting things come to light, like Rubén Fuentes, longtime former member and director of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán (64 years and counting), and songwriter extraordinaire, gave an interview (he is very reclusive) and stated that the future of mariachi music was in the United States.] One of the festival’s concerts, last night’s, was headlined by Ersi Arvizu, a name I did not recognize. As I read on, however, it became clear I already knew who she was.

Some of her biography seems exceptional, yet refreshingly relatable:

Arvizu grew up in East L.A., on the other side of the bridge, in a neighborhood known by its ruling street gang’s name, Maravilla. At an early age, her mother, who struggled to keep her six children safe — which meant close-by – taught her and her brothers and sisters how to play guitar and blend their voices singing. “Mostly ranchera and mariachi style,” Arvizu remembers. “We would go to parties to sing and I could remember that my feet didn’t even hit the ground. But I was always wanting to rush through the song so I can go out to play – dodge ball, kick the can, football with the guys.” Eventually they were singing before fights at the Olympic Auditorium, the stage, at show’s conclusion, littered with money — bills and coins. By high school, three of the sisters – Ersi and her siblings Rosella and Mary – would eventually become known beyond the borders of East L.A. “The Sisters” singing at dances at the El Monte Legion Stadium or the Paramount Ballroom or afternoon parties around East L.A.

Her father trained boxers in their backyard and she would at times watch them practice. She even boxed a few times after her musical career ended in the 70s. For those who care, she had four knockouts.

After performing in a string of ensembles post-The Sisters – a series of garage bands and then a spot singing with a band called the Village Callers, Arvizu was lured away to a group called, the V.I.P.s who would soon come to be known as El Chicano. Ersi sang on the band’s second, non-instrumental album, “Revolucion” – which featured “Sabor a Mí” and “I’m a Good Woman,” both of which, in their own ways, evolved into Eastside anthems. But soon after, she parted ways with the band. “Too much drinking, too much drugs, too much, too much . . .” all around her. “I couldn’t take all of that.”

After reading this, I knew exactly who she was. Thousands of people, both young and old, had danced, kissed, fallen in love and enjoyed life to the smoothness of her voice in the past thirty years, yet her name had remained a complete unknown to me. After ending her musical career, she moved to Arizona and worked there for years, until a few years ago, Ry Cooder found her to sing in his album Chávez Ravine and later collaborated with her to record her recent album, Friend for Life.

Though I still prefer the Mariachi America version of “Sabor a mí” (because Arturo Vargas [lead singer in the video] is god), El Chicano’s sound and her voice are perfectly complementary and provide a soundtrack for far too many memories of Los Angeles.

Image taken from Ersi Arvizu’s MySpace page.

Great story, Frank! Something caught my eye at the end, about Ry Cooder finding her to sing on his album, "Chavez Ravine". I'm going to drift off this story for a moment to ask you, do you remember what Chavez Ravine was like prior to Walter O'Malley building Dodger Stadium? The Stadium opened and became home to the Dodgers in 1962. I have a friend, in his late 60's, who grew up there. The family was displaced when the bulldozers came to make room for the ball park.

-Rick

Rick...I knew "Chavez Ravine" real good before the Dodgers moved in. the barrio at the ravine was called "Palo's Verde", my wife's paternal side of the family lived in Palo's Verde, before I met Connie, as a young teenager I used to go to partys there, and at one party I met a girl that turned out be Connie's cousin, this girl and I had a thing going and you can imagine my surprise when after Connie and I had been married for about 5 years and at a famliy reunion on her father's side she introduce me to her cousin Annie, Annie died years ago...

Ersi Arvizu's dad, Art Arvizu was the manager/trainer of Danny Valdez, Danny fought Davey Moore for the FW title, Danny also fought Boots Monroe, Gil Cadilli, Dwight Hawkins et.al.

[kikibalt]

Just like to wish everyone on this thread a Merry Christmas, hope you have a peaceful holiday. I read this thread every day and love reading all the stories and looking at the photos, long may it continue!

Happy Holidays to you Rob.

Don't forget what I told you....