Have you touched the wood in City buildings? Thinking about it, I’ve touched the cabinets displaying the Olympic and Paralympic flags outside the Mayor’s Office in City Hall. I’ve touched the railings and benches in the John Ferraro City Council Chambers. I’ve touched wood at the Central Library. (Among much more.) Each time, it gives me the same feeling: solid. Proud. And here to stay. Just like Los Angeles itself..
The City sits on a foundation of wood, and continues to build it. LA holds it in high esteem and entrusts its care to a group of quiet, dedicated craftsmen toiling away deep inside Piper Tech. They’re the Carpenters in the cabinet shop, part of General Services’ Construction Forces Division.
Alive! has told stories on the cutting edge of City life – modern telecommunications, law enforcement technology, solar arrays … and will continue to do so. But its oldest craft, building things by hand, remains vital. We are proud to shine a light on the City carpenters. (Expect similar stories to come soon on the rest of General Services’ Construction Forces Division.) Thanks to Melody McCormick, Charley Pallares and Alvaro Mendoza, Club Members, for assisting us.
I recommend you knock on wood (where it’s allowed, of course!) the next time you move about the City, and appreciate those maintaining its history and legacy. Feel the pride well in your veins.
State Shoutout
Deepest Club congratulations to Correctional Officer Michael Miranda and Correctional Sgt. Jose Navarro, State Club Members serving at Folsom State Prison for California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation, upon receiving Medals of Valor for their acts of heroism. They were honored last month by the Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Officer Miranda helped a woman who was desperately trying to rescue her children from a truck after it rolled down an embankment; and Sgt. Navarro, with his partner, James Jones, pulled victims from the wreckage of an accident involving multiple vehicles.
Well done to both Officer Miranda and Sgt. Navarro, who exemplify all the qualities of Club Members throughout the City and state: service to the people, no matter who, no matter when, no matter what. Congratulations!
Worth Considering
Nobody tells you that growth feels identical to failure. Same hollow ache. Same voice saying you were foolish to try. Same exhaustion that makes quitting feel like wisdom. We walk away right before the breakthrough. Every time. You’re not lost. You’re just in the part of the story that doesn’t feel like a story yet. Don’t ever give up!
¡Gracias por leer!