7/17/00

LC000717

VAL>> ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT --

WARREN>> HOTELS ON LA'S SKID ROW ARE ON NOTICE TO CLEAN UP AND KICK OUT THE CRIMINALS, BUT CRITICS SAY CITY OFFICIALS ARE ON A WITCH HUNT.

GAY YEE>> A YEAR AGO, RESIDENTS FORMED THE UNITED COALITION EAST PREVENTION PROJECT TO PUSH THE CITY TO CLEAN UP SKID ROW AND SOME OF THE MEASURES ARE CONTROVERSIAL.

JOE PATEL>> WHO DOES THE FINGERPRINTING? AND AT WHO'S RECONNAISSANCE? AM I TO TELL THE TENANT I NEED YOU TO TAKE YOUR LEFT THUMB AND PUT IT HERE?

VAL>> AND IN TONIGHT'S THINKERS, SHAKERS & NEWSMAKERS, AN EXPERT OFFERS ADVICE ON ONE OF LIFE'S BIGGEST CHALLENGES. IT'S EASY TO HAVE KIDS, BUT TOUGH TO BE A PARENT.

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> THERE'S NOT A LOT OF EMPATHY WHEN YOU GET INTO TROUBLE WHEN YOU'RE A PARENT. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE PERFECT PARENT, SO IF YOU'RE IN PUBLIC AND YOUR KID'S ACTING OUT AT THE GROCERY STORE, EVERYBODY'S GOING TO LOOK DOWN AT YOU FOR THAT AND PEOPLE FEEL THAT AND THERE'S A LOT OF BLAME AND SHAME FOR NOT BEING THE "PERFECT" PARENT.

WARREN>> ALSO TONIGHT, PATT MORRISON JUST MIGHT BE IN THE MARKET FOR A SPONSOR.

PATT>> YOUR MESSAGE HERE, AND THERE, AND EVERYWHERE. THE WORLD ON SALE NOW TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, ON TONIGHT'S INFINITELY MORRISON.

VAL>> HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE SOMBRERO GALAXY OR THE FLAME NEBULA? THEY ARE NOW JUST A MOUSE CLICK AWAY AND WE LEARN HOW TO TURN YOUR HOME COMPUTER INTO A DESKTOP OBSERVATORY.

WARREN>> THESE STORIES COMING UP NEXT ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT FOR MONDAY, JULY 17, 2000.

LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS:

THE JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION
WHICH IS DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFORMED CALIFORNIA CITIZENRY.

AND THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION
DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

WARREN>> GOOD EVENING, I'M WARREN OLNEY.

VAL>> AND I'M VAL ZAVALA.

WARREN>> OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT, CLEANING UP SKID ROW. THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES HAS ORDERED A MASSIVE CLEAN-UP OF HOTELS IN THE DILAPIDATED HEART OF DOWNTOWN LA, PART OF A CRACKDOWN ON NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME, BUT HOTEL OWNERS CLAIM THE CHANGES THEY'VE BEEN ORDERED TO MAKE COULD PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.

VAL>> THE CITY WANTS TO CLEAN UP THE PROSTITUTION, DRUG DEALING AND PUBLIC DRINKING ALONG SKID ROW. IT'S ONE OF THE MOST WIDE-RANGING EFFORTS EVER ATTEMPTED IN A SPECIFIC LA NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT IRONICALLY, IT COULD END UP HURTING SOME OF THE PEOPLE IT WAS INTENDED TO HELP. GAY YEE HAS THIS REPORT.

GAY>> SKID ROW IS FORTY SQUARE BLOCKS FROM THIRD STREET TO SEVENTH, FROM MAIN STREET TO ALAMEDA. STREETS ARE CROWDED WITH THE DISABLED, DRUG USERS AND THE HOMELESS, A PLACE WHERE HOOKERS PARADE OPENLY, AT LEAST UNTIL THEY SPOT A NEWS CAMERA.

ZELENNE CARDENAS>> THESE WOMEN RIGHT HERE ARE TRAVELER'S HOTEL RESIDENTS OR PATRONS.

GAY>> DESPITE ITS REPUTATION AS A PLACE FOR SOCIETY'S CAST-OFFS, THERE ARE PLENTY OF LAW-ABIDING PEOPLE HERE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE ANY PLACE ELSE. SO A YEAR AGO, RESIDENTS FORMED THE UNITED COALITION EAST TO PUSH THE CITY TO CLEAN UP.

ZELENNE CARDENAS>> BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE DEFINITELY AFRAID OF GOING INTO SOME OF THESE HOTELS, THE TYPES OF PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE LIKE RAPES, MURDERS, PEOPLE GETTING ROBBED, PEOPLE GETTING MUGGED. PEOPLE ARE JUST AFRAID OF GOING INTO THESE HOTELS, SO THEY'D RATHER SLEEP ON THE STREET OR GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

GAY>> THE CITY RESPONDED BY CITING A DOZEN OR SO HOTELS AND ORDERING CONDITIONS THAT INCLUDE CAMERAS IN THE LOBBY AND THE SIDEWALK, FINGERPRINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHING RESIDENTS, A STATE LICENSED SECURITY GUARD 24 HOURS A DAY.

JOE PATEL>> THIS IS A VERY TYPICAL ROOM THAT'S RENTED OUT ON A LONG-TERM BASIS.

GAY>> BUT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE CAUSING A RUCKUS ON SKID ROW. HOTELS LIKE THE SAN JULIAN SAY THEY'RE GETTING A BAD RAP AND THINGS LIKE SECURITY GUARDS ARE IMPRACTICAL.

JOE PATEL>> I THINK, ON A FEASIBILITY BASIS, IT WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT TO CLOSE THIS OPERATION, CLOSE THE UNITS DOWN, REDUCE THE HOUSING STAFF ON SKID ROW AND LET THE BUILDING JUST SIT HERE EMPTY, BOARD IT UP.

GAY>> IT WOULD PUT YOU OUT OF BUSINESS?

JOE PATEL>> 100 PERCENT SURE. I MEAN, I THINK JUST SIMPLE CALCULATIONS ALONG THE LINES OF $15 TIMES 24 HOURS A DAY, WHICH IS WHAT THEY ARE MANDATING. I DON'T KNOW RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT THAT'S ABOUT $300-PLUS DOLLARS. THE PROPERTY DOES NOT GENERATE $300-PLUS DOLLARS.

GAY>> AND THERE ARE OTHER CONCERNS, SUCH AS HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE FINGERPRINTING.

JOE PATEL>> WHO DOES THE FINGERPRINTING? AND AT WHO'S RECONNAISSANCE? AM I TO TELL THE TENANT I NEED YOU TO TAKE YOUR LEFT THUMB AND PUT IT HERE? IF HE REFUSES, WHO DO I CALL?

FRANK WEISER>> YOU CAN'T EXPECT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HOLD UP A FINGERPRINTING REQUIREMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTIONAL FOURTH AMENDMENT STANDARDS AND EXPECT THAT THAT'S GOING TO HOLD UP. YOU CAN'T REQUIRE PEOPLE TO GIVE FINGERPRINTING.

GAY>> AND THE SAN JULIAN IS NOT ALONE. ATTORNEY FRANK WEISER IS REPRESENTING OTHER HOTELS IN A LAWSUIT CLAIMING THE CITY MEASURES ARE DRACONIAN AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL. COALITION MEMBER, DENISE COLLINS, SAYS WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR IS SIMPLE SECURITY.

DENISE COLLINS>> YOU KNOW, THESE HOTELS THEY TALKING ABOUT THEY DON'T WANT CAMERAS AND SECURITY AND FINGERPRINTING AND ALL THAT. WELL, WHY NOT? WHY NOT? THAT'S WHAT IT TAKE TO CLEAN UP YOUR HOTEL. IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM THE FRONT OF YOUR PLACE AND TO KEEP YOUR PROPERTY SAFE, WHY NOT?

DENNIS SHIRAGA>> BUT WE PUT A CAMERA IN HERE, SO --

GAY>> WHAT ELSE DID YOU DO?

DENNIS SHIRAGA>> NOBODY IN THERE. NOBODY. NOBODY STAND UP, NO --

GAY>> NO LOITERERS?

DENNIS SHIRAGA>> LOITERERS, YES.

GAY>> BUT FOR ANOTHER HOTEL, LIKE THE CONTINENTAL, THE REQUIREMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN A PROBLEM. THE OWNER IMPLEMENTED MANY OF THE MEASURES AND GOT HIS HOTEL OFF THE CITY'S HIT LIST.

DENNIS SHIRAGA>> THIS IS OFFICE INSIDE. CAMERA ALSO --

GAY>> SHIRAGA SAYS THE CHANGES HAVE ACTUALLY IMPROVED BUSINESS.

DENNIS SHIRAGA>> HOTEL WORKERS IN HERE, TAKES TAPE IN HERE WHILE HERE.

GAY>> AND 24 HOURS A DAY, SOMEONE'S HERE?

DENNIS SHIRAGA>> YEAH.

GAY>> BUT PATEL SAYS THE CONTINENTAL IS A BIGGER HOTEL WITH A BIGGER INCOME THAT COULD OFFSET THE COSTS.

JOE PATEL>> IT'S OBVIOUSLY MUCH, MUCH BIGGER. IT HAS INCOME GENERATING FROM THE HOTELS WHICH ARE 60-PLUS UNITS. IT ALSO HAS THE WHOLE FLOOR OF COMMERCIAL WHICH, FROM MY OWN COUNT, WORKS OUT TO ABOUT $6,000 TO $8,000 WORTH OF INCOME.

>> WELCOME TO THE SIMONE HOTEL.

GAY>> AND THEN THERE'S THE UNUSUAL CASE OF THE SIMONE. IT'S DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS IN THAT IT'S OPERATED BY A NONPROFIT GROUP AND DEDICATED TO HELPING SKID ROW RESIDENTS. BUT IT TOO HAS BEEN NAMED IN THE CRACKDOWN AND THE MANAGEMENT FEELS IT'S BEING PICKED ON.

JIM BONAR>> OKAY, THE BEST WE CAN ASCERTAIN IS THAT WE CONSUME PUBLIC SERVICES. WE DO CALL THE POLICE WHEN WE HAVE NEED OF IT. OUR TENANTS ALSO CALL THE POLICE. THEY CALL 911 WHEN THEY HAVE NEED OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. ACCORDING TO THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR, WE'RE NEEDING TOO MANY OF THESE SERVICES.

GAY>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JIM BONAR, BELIEVES THE ZONING ADMINISTRATION SEES THE SIMONE AS A TROUBLEMAKER. DOCUMENTS SHOW THAT, BETWEEN JANUARY 1997 AND JUNE 1999, THERE WERE 38 DIFFERENT ARRESTS AT THE HOTEL, INCLUDING OVERDOSES, STABBINGS, DEATHS AND ASSAULTS. BUT BONAR SAYS THE CITY NEEDS TO CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THE SIMONE HELPS PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM DRUG DEPENDENCIES, MENTAL ILLNESS AND HIV. THESE ARE PEOPLE WITH PROBLEMS.

JIM BONAR>> ACCORDING TO THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR, WE SHOULD EXPECT THE SAME RATE OF CALLS HERE AS IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD. I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S REALISTIC.

GAY>> RESIDENTS OF THE SIMONE AGREE.

MARSHA LAVENDER>> YOU KNOW, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TENANTS HERE THAT ARE SICK AND SOMETIME THEY DO HAVE TO CALL OR, YOU KNOW, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. BUT BECAUSE THEY GO TO THE EMERGENCY, IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S DRUG RELATED.

GAY>> ZELENNE CARDENAS OF THE COALITION SAYS WHAT THE CITY IS DEMANDING IS NOTHING EXTRAORDINARY. THE CITY'S TERMS MAY OR MAY NOT SEEM NECESSARY TO SOME HOTELS, BUT THE COALITION BELIEVES THE INTENTIONS BEHIND THEM ARE SOUND.

ZELENNE CARDENAS>> PEOPLE IN SKID ROW HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS TO A SAFE AND DECENT PLACE TO LIVE. I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE HOMELESS. PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN A DECENT, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR.

WARREN>> THIS HAPPENED LONG AGO, OR FIRST STARTED LONG AGO ENOUGH, THAT WE DON'T THINK IT'S THE CONVENTION THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT?

GAY>> THE RESIDENTS DON'T FEEL SO. THEY THINK THAT, IF ANYTHING, THE HOTEL OWNERS THINK THAT IT MAY BE THE SURROUNDING BUSINESSES. THERE'S THE TOY DISTRICT AND THE FASHION DISTRICT AND PERHAPS SOME OF THESE COMPANIES WANT TO GET THIS KIND OF UNSIGHTLY NEIGHBORHOOD OUT OF THE WAY.

WARREN>> ON THE OTHER HAND, THESE ARE RESIDENTS THAT YOU TALKED TO AND THEY WERE VERY ADAMANT THAT THEY NEED THIS KIND OF SECURITY.

GAY>> IT DEPENDS ON WHICH RESIDENTS YOU SPEAK TO. THERE ARE SOME RESIDENTS WHO SAY SOME OF THESE HOTELS ARE JUST INSUFFERABLE, THAT THEY'RE AFRAID TO OPEN THEIR DOORS BECAUSE THERE ARE CRIMINALS OUTSIDE, DRUG DEALERS OUTSIDE. THE PLACES THAT WE WENT TO SEEMED VERY SPARTAN, BUT THEY WERE KEPT UP. THEY SEEMED SAFE. SO IT'S KIND OF WHO YOU TALK TO AND THEIR EXPERIENCE.

VAL>> EXACTLY, BECAUSE THE SAME CONDITIONS ARE VERY DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON THE PARTICULAR HOTEL. BUT THE SIMONE? WAS THAT THE ONE THAT HELPED THESE PEOPLE? WHAT RECOURSE DOES IT HAVE? IF HE FEELS HE'S GETTING HARASSED, WHAT CAN IT DO?

GAY>> IT'S GOING TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLEADING ITS CASE AND HOPING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CAN TURN THINGS AROUND. IF THE CITY COUNCIL DOESN'T, THEN MAYBE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EITHER CHANGE THINGS, WHICH MEANS THEY WOULD HAVE TO BOOST THEIR COSTS 25 PERCENT IN ORDER --

VAL>> -- CHARGE THE TENANTS MORE?

GAY>> CHARGE THE TENANTS MORE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO HIRE SECURITY GUARDS AND WHATNOT, SO THEY'RE AFRAID THEIR TENANTS WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PAY THAT.

VAL>> BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO GET SOME KIND OF ALLEVIATION FROM THE --

GAY>> ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S RIGHT.

VAL>> GAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OUR TOP STORY TOMORROW, WHEN IT'S DONE, IT WILL BE A SHOPPERS' PARADISE, BUT RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE A WAR ZONE. HOW ARE BUSINESSES ON SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SURVIVING?

>> AS YOU LOOK AT IT, IT IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS GOING TO PAY OFF MAJOR DIVIDENDS DOWN THE ROAD. IT'S GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL PLACE TO DO BUSINESS, TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS. AS A RESULT, WE'RE GOING TO BENEFIT ALSO AND OUR CUSTOMERS ARE GOING TO BENEFIT.

VAL>> THAT'S TOMORROW AT 7:00 RIGHT HERE ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT.

WARREN>> ARE YOU A GOOD PARENT OR ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO RAISE YOUR CHILD AND YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP? PARENTING IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST JOBS ANY OF US WILL EVER BE ASKED TO DO. THE PROBLEM IS, CHILDREN DON'T COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS.

VAL>> AND THAT'S WHY THE GROUP "PARENTS ANONYMOUS" WAS FOUNDED. IT'S BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT PARENTS DON'T KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS, BUT THEY CAN LEARN FROM AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER ALONG THE WAY. WARREN TALKS WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF "PARENTS ANONYMOUS", LISA PION-BERLIN, IN TONIGHT'S THINKERS, SHAKERS & NEWSMAKERS.

WARREN>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> THANK YOU.

WARREN>> "PARENTS ANONYMOUS". THE NAME SOUNDS AS IF IT'S ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DON'T WANT TO BE.

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> RIGHT.

WARREN>> BUT YOU DO WANT TO BE A PARENT.

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> ABSOLUTELY. THE NAME WAS DREAMED UP BY A PARENT WHO STARTED "PARENTS ANONYMOUS". SHE WANTED PEOPLE TO COME TO THE GROUP TO DEAL WITH ANY PROBLEM THEY HAD AND FEEL THAT THEY WERE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND TRUSTING. THAT'S WHY THEY USE THE NAME "ANONYMOUS".

WARREN>> WHO DOES IT REALLY APPLY TO? WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO HELP?

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> ANY PARENT. THEY COULD BE A GRANDPARENT TAKING CARE OF GRANDCHILDREN, THEY COULD BE THE BOYFRIEND'S CHILDREN WHO LIVE WITH YOU OR AN INTACT FAMILY, A FOSTER PARENT OR ADOPTIVE PARENTS. AS LONG AS YOU'RE IN A PARENTING ROLE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR PARENTING, WHATEVER YOUR ISSUES ARE, WHATEVER THE AGES OF YOUR CHILDREN ARE, YOU'RE WELCOME IN A "PARENTS ANONYMOUS" GROUP.

WARREN>> EVERYBODY STRUGGLES AT BEING A PARENT.

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> ABSOLUTELY.

WARREN>> SO WHEN DO YOU STRUGGLE SO MUCH THAT YOU WANT TO GO TO "PARENTS ANONYMOUS"?

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> I THINK THERE ARE TWO KEY SIGNS. ONE, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF AS A PARENT? ARE YOU HAPPY ABOUT YOUR PARENTING? DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU'RE IN A NURTURING ROLE WITH YOUR CHILDREN? A LOT OF PEOPLE FOCUS ONLY ON DISCIPLINE. YOU KNOW, ARE MY KIDS OUT OF CONTROL OR IN CONTROL? AND THE FOCUS ABOUT PARENTING IS NOT JUST ABOUT DISCIPLINE. IT'S ABOUT NURTURING OUR CHILDREN THROUGH THEIR GROWING. IF PEOPLE FEEL VERY UNHAPPY IN THAT ROLE, I.E., DEPRESSED, THEY DO FEEL THEIR KIDS ARE OUT OF CONTROL AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO NEXT, THEY FEEL THEY WANT TO RUN AWAY FROM THESE KIDS, THEY'RE NOT SURE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO NEXT, THOSE ARE ALL TELLTALE SIGNS. WE TELL PEOPLE TO STEP BACK AND TRY TO GET SOME AWARENESS ABOUT YOUR ROLE AS A PARENT, SEPARATE FROM YOUR ROLE AS AN EMPLOYEE, YOUR ROLE MAYBE AS A SPOUSE, YOUR ROLE AS A DAUGHTER TO AN ELDERLY PARENT, AND TO LOOK AT YOUR PARENTING ROLE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO NURTURE YOURSELF IN THAT ROLE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO NURTURE YOUR CHILDREN?

WARREN>> BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE GONE ALL THE WAY TO CHILD ABUSE?

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THAT'S A MISNOMER SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK ABOUT "PARENTS ANONYMOUS". IT'S FOR ANY PARENT, WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK YOU MIGHT BE OUT OF CONTROL OR YOU ALREADY HAVE HAD AN EPISODE WHERE MAYBE YOU SLAPPED YOUR CHILD ACROSS THE FACE.

WARREN>> CAN YOU GIVE ME JUST ONE OR TWO EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO'VE COME, WHY THEY'VE COME AND HOW THEY'VE BEEN HELPED BY THE GROUP?

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> WELL, I'LL GIVE YOU A PERFECT EXAMPLE. AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN WHO WAS ADOPTED BY A CAUCASIAN FAMILY AND GREW UP IN A LOVING FAMILY GOT PREGNANT AT THE AGE OF SIXTEEN. THE FAMILY DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO REJECT HER AND SHE FELT ALL ALONE. SHE ENDED UP BEING ON WELFARE, TRYING TO GET BACK INTO SCHOOL, GETTING A JOB. HER CHILD ALSO DEVELOPED SOME HEALTH PROBLEMS AND BECAME A JUVENILE DIABETIC. AT A VERY YOUNG AGE, WAS INSULIN DEPENDENT. THIS YOUNG MOM AT SEVENTEEN OR EIGHTEEN DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN. HER OWN PRIMARY FAMILY, WHICH WAS AN ADOPTIVE FAMILY, BASICALLY HAD REJECTED THE FACT THAT SHE CHOSE TO KEEP THE BABY. SHE FELT TOTALLY ALONE AND DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY BIRTH PARENTS TO LOOK TOWARD OR ANY SIBLINGS AND SHE SOUGHT OUT A "PARENTS ANONYMOUS" GROUP. THAT BECAME THE FAMILY IN WHICH SHE CREATED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE. "PARENTS ANONYMOUS" SUPPORTS PEOPLE IN THIS JOURNEY THAT WE GO ON, TO EXPLORE AND DEAL WITH THE ISSUES WE FACE, AND SHE WANTED TO PREVENT ANYTHING SERIOUSLY HAPPENING.

WARREN>> WHAT ABOUT WHITE MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES WHO AREN'T SUPPOSED TO HAVE THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS?

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> WELL, THEY COME TO "PARENTS ANONYMOUS" TOO. WE HAVE PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS TO LIFE. ACTUALLY, OUR STATISTICS SAY A THIRD OF THE PEOPLE ARE FATHERS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK ABOUT AN ONGOING SUPPORT GROUP AS JUST BEING A GROUP FOR WHITE MIDDLE-CLASS MOTHERS AND THAT THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS. WE HAVEN'T FOUND THAT TO BE THE CASE. WE HAVE "PARENTS ANONYMOUS" GROUPS IN NATIVE-AMERICAN RESERVATIONS AS WELL AS IN URBAN AREAS AS WELL AS IN SUBURBIA.

WARREN>> WHY IS THERE, IN THIS SOCIETY WHERE IT SEEMS TO ME IT'S ASSUMED THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW TO BE A PARENT, WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE THIS GROUP?

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> WELL, I THINK TWO REASONS. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF EMPATHY WHEN YOU GET INTO TROUBLE WHEN YOU'RE A PARENT. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE PERFECT PARENT. IF YOU'RE IN PUBLIC AND YOUR KID'S ACTING OUT AT THE GROCERY STORE, EVERYBODY'S GOING TO LOOK DOWN AT YOU FOR THAT AND PEOPLE FEEL THAT. THERE'S A LOT OF BLAME AND SHAME FOR NOT BEING THE "PERFECT" PARENT, THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE MANUAL FOR THAT.

THEN I THINK WHEN PEOPLE DO GET INTO TROUBLE AND THEY SEEK HELP FROM OTHER PEOPLE, THEY GET THIS "TAKE A HOT BATH", "GO GET A BABYSITTER", "IT'S GOING TO GO AWAY", AND IT'S VERY HARD FOR PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THOSE ISSUES. IT'S VERY HARD FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THEMSELVES AND SAY, WELL, I'M NOT ABUSIVE, BUT I YELL AT MY KIDS EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR BECAUSE THEY'RE NEVER CLEANING UP THEIR ROOM. OR I NEVER SPEND ANY TIME READING WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY NEVER HAVE THEIR ROOM CLEAN AND I'M CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT CLEANING UP THEIR ROOM. SO THE TIME WE SPEND AND THE KINDS OF INTERACTIONS WITH KIDS IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER IT'S ABUSE OR NOT. IT'S ABOUT WHAT ARE WE DOING TO NURTURE OUR KIDS ALONG THE WAY.

WARREN>> ARE YOU SAYING THAT ANY PARENT THAT FEELS UNCERTAIN, THAT FEELS AMBIVALENT, THAT FEELS OCCASIONAL HOSTILITY, IS A CANDIDATE FOR "PARENTS ANONYMOUS" BECAUSE THEY MIGHT END UP BEING CHILD ABUSERS?

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> NO, I'M SAYING THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS SUPPORT ALONG THE PATHWAY OF BEING A PARENT AND THAT THAT'S A DEVELOPMENTAL PATH JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE. SOME PEOPLE CAN GET IT FROM THEIR OWN INFORMAL RELATIONSHIP, THE KIND OF SUPPORT IN ASKING PEOPLE FOR ADVICE, GETTING SUPPORT WHEN THINGS ARE OUT OF CONTROL, LIKE THE TODDLER JUST WILL NOT STOP SAYING NO. ALL YOU THINK NEXT TIME IS YOU MIGHT HIT THIS KID OR YOU MIGHT LOCK YOURSELF IN A ROOM AND NOT COME OUT YOURSELF. SO WHEN PEOPLE FEEL THOSE WARNING SIGNS, SOME PEOPLE HAVE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT SYSTEMS THEY CAN TALK TO AND THAT'S AN INFORMAL KIND OF SUPPORT. OTHER PEOPLE NEED MORE ONGOING SUPPORT, DON'T HAVE FAMILY OR FRIENDS AROUND WHO WANT TO LISTEN TO THEM OR CARE TO LISTEN TO THEM OR THINK THEY'RE IN THE SAME SITUATION.

WARREN>> WHAT, IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO GET IN TOUCH WITH "PARENTS ANONYMOUS", CAN THEY DO IF THEY LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NOW?

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> YES. THEY CAN CALL OUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS WHICH ARE IN LA COUNTY AT (909)621-6184, AND THEY CAN BE LINKED TO SOMEBODY IF THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A GROUP IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OR THEY'RE LOOKING TO START A GROUP.

WARREN>> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO, AND THANKS VERY MUCH FOR COMING TO TELL US ABOUT IT.

DR. LISA PION-BERLIN>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

VAL>> SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF "PARENTS ANONYMOUS" AND DO YOU AGREE THAT SOMETIMES PARENTS NEED A SUPPORT GROUP? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS OR ANY OF THE STORIES WE COVER ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT AND HERE ARE THE WAYS YOU CAN REACH US:

LIFEANDTIMES@KCET.ORG
WWW.KCET.ORG.
LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT
4401 SUNSET BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
(323) 953-5555

WARREN>> IN TONIGHT'S INFINITELY MORRISON, PATT DISCOVERS THE POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.

PATT>> SURELY YOU REMEMBER THOSE MOVIE TRAILERS FOR HORROR FILMS THAT WARN MELODRAMATICALLY, "YOU CAN RUN, YOU CAN SCREAM, BUT THERE'S NO ESCAPE", AND THEN SOME PAPIER-MACHE CREATURE, IN REALITY, SIX OR EIGHT INCHES HIGH, LUMBERS INTO VIEW KNOCKING DOWN TOKYO OR LONDON. SOME HORROR.

BUT OUT THERE, THERE IS SOMETHING TRULY HORRIFYING. SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY PURSUING YOU. SOMETHING THAT'S INESCAPABLE. IT'S ADVERTISING. THERE SEEMS TO BE NOWHERE YOU CAN CAST YOUR EYES THESE DAYS THAT ISN'T AVAILABLE TO BE FILLED UP TO SELL YOU SOMETHING. IN KAZAKHSTAN, THE PROTON K ROCKET, THE HEART OF A SIXTEEN-NATION SPACE CENTER WAS LAUNCHED LAST WEEK BEARING ON ITS FUSELAGE AN ENORMOUS LOGO FOR PIZZA HUT. IN THE GROCERY STORE, THE PLASTIC STICKS THAT SEPARATE ORDERS ARE NO LONGER PLAIN BLACK RODS, BUT ARE COVERED ON ALL SIDES WITH MOVIE PROMOS. AT SOME OF ITS ATMS, WELLS FARGO HAS BEGUN USING ITS SCREENS TO SHOW MOVIE PREVIEWS AND, ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN, A TICKER OF NEWS AND SPORTS HEADLINES. 

AND NOW EASTMAN KODAK HAS BOUGHT THE RIGHTS TO SPREAD ITS NAME ALL OVER THE NEW PERMANENT HOME OF THE ACADEMY AWARDS. FOR $75 MILLION DOLLARS, BILLIONS OF EYES EVERY YEAR WILL WATCH STARS PARADE UP THE RED CARPET INTO THE KODAK THEATRE. I WONDER WHETHER THIS ALSO MEANS THAT, COME OSCAR TIME, PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES ON FUJI FILM IN THE KODAK THEATRE WILL BE ESCORTED OFF THE PREMISES.

THE ACADEMY AWARDS-KODAK MARRIAGE DOESN'T REALLY BOTHER ME MUCH. IT SIMPLY ADDS ONE MORE COMMERCIAL TO WHAT IS ALREADY A VERY LARGE COMMERCIAL MASQUERADING AS NEWS. BUT SATURATION ADVERTISING ALMOST WON A DREADFUL VICTORY THAT WOULD INDEED HAVE PROVEN THAT NO PLACE IS OFF LIMITS.

YELLOWSTONE PARK WAS PROPOSING THAT, IN EXCHANGE FOR A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE $5,000 DONATION, CORPORATIONS COULD PUT THEIR COMPANY'S NAMES IN LETTERS AN INCH HIGH ON THE LIVE PHOTOGRAPH TRANSMITTED DAILY OF OLD FAITHFUL ON THE WEB SITE. THIS SHOULD SERVE AS A WARNING THAT THERE ARE LOOPHOLES IN THE BAN ON ADVERTISING IN PUBLIC PARKS AND THAT THE PARK'S POCKETS ARE SO THREADBARE THAT THEY WOULD RESORT TO THIS. NOW THERE'S NO POLITICAL CAPITAL IN PUTTING MONEY INTO MAINTAINING PUBLIC RESOURCES, BUT THERE IS MUCH POLITICAL CAPITAL TO BE LOST IF MOMMIES AND DADDIES SUDDENLY HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY THE NATION'S SUPERB NATURAL WONDER HAS BEEN FESTOONED WITH BANNERS PROCLAIMING IT "WALT DISNEY'S YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK".

VAL>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PATT.

WELL, HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE DESERT OR ON A MOUNTAINTOP, LOOKED UP AT THE NIGHT SKY AND NOTICED QUITE A DIFFERENCE? IT'S QUITE A DIFFERENCE LOOKING AT THE STARS THAT ARE DIMMED BY THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF THE BIG CITY. WELL, NOW, THANKS TO NASA SCIENTISTS, YOU CAN VIEW BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF STARS RIGHT ON YOUR OWN HOME COMPUTER.

WARREN>> SCIENTISTS ARE USING INFRARED RADIATION TO SURVEY THE NIGHT SKY AND THEY'VE ALREADY RECORDED 1.9 MILLION IMAGES FROM SPACE AND THEY'RE MAKING THEM AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET. WE'LL LOOK AT JUST A FEW OF THOSE IMAGES AND LEARN HOW AND WHY THEY WERE MADE IN TONIGHT'S PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS.

THE PROJECT IS CALLED THE TWO-MICRON ALL SKY SURVEY, OR 2MASS. IT IS THE MOST THOROUGH CENSUS OF THE STARS EVER MADE AND IT'S DETECTED ASTRONOMICAL OBJECTS NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

VAL>> AND JOINING US WITH MORE IS DAVY KIRKPATRIC. HE IS THE SENIOR STAFF SCIENTIST AT THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY AND A MEMBER OF THE 2MASS TEAM. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

VAL>> SO THIS, APPARENTLY, IS CALLED THE MOST THOROUGH CENSUS OF OUR, WHAT IS IT, OUR GALAXY, UNIVERSE -- ?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> OUR MILKY WAY GALAXY.

VAL>> -- EVER DONE? THAT'S AMAZING. IT STARTED WHEN AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE US TO GET ALL THIS --

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> IT STARTED IN 1997 AND WE'VE, OBVIOUSLY, BEEN GOING FOR THREE YEARS. IT WILL TAKE US SOMEWHERE ABOUT ANOTHER YEAR TO GET THE WHOLE SURVEY DONE.

WARREN>> WHY TWO-MICRON? WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> WELL, TWO-MICRON IS ABOUT THREE TIMES LONGER WAVELENGTH LIGHT THAN WHAT YOU CAN SEE WITH YOUR NAKED EYE. WHEN WE GO TO THESE LONGER WAVELENGTHS RADIATION, WE CAN ACTUALLY PEER THROUGH THE DUST IN THE MILKY WAY GALAXY THAT'S BEEN OBSCURING OUR VIEW IN THE OPTICAL.

WARREN>> AND THERE'S ANOTHER REASON FOR THE TERM, TOO, WHICH IS THAT THERE'S TWO TELESCOPES THAT ARE DOING IT AND THEY ARE COORDINATED.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> THIS IS TRUE.

WARREN>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. YOU'VE GOT SOME ANIMATION. TELL US HOW IT WORKS.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> OKAY. WELL, WE HAVE TWO TELESCOPES. IF YOU WANT TO DO A SURVEY OF THE SKY BASICALLY FROM THE EARTH, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TELESCOPE IN EACH HEMISPHERE. SO WE HAVE A TELESCOPE BOTH IN ARIZONA AND ANOTHER ONE IN CHILE. WHAT YOU CAN SEE HERE IN THE ANIMATION IS THAT WE CAN SWEEP OUT THE NIGHT SKY AND GET THE ENTIRE SKY WITH JUST HAVING THOSE TWO SITES.

VAL>> JUST THOSE TWO?

WARREN>> AND YOU COORDINATE THEM AS THEY ARE SHOOTING THESE PICTURES?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> THAT'S RIGHT. EACH NIGHT, WE TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT PART OF THE SKY WE WANT THEM TO OBSERVE AND THEY GO OFF AND GET THAT AMOUNT OF DATA AND THEY SEND IT BACK TO US AT IPAC AT CALTECH.

WARREN>> AND YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF THE QUALITY CONTROL, MAKING SURE THAT IT COMES OUT THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> THAT'S RIGHT, THAT'S RIGHT.

VAL>> WELL, LET'S SEE SOME OF THE RESULTS FROM THIS. YOU'RE GOING TO SHOW US, LET'S SEE, THE MILKY WAY FIRST?

WARREN>> THERE'S THE MILKY WAY.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> OKAY. THIS IS AN OPTICAL LIGHT IMAGE. THAT WAS SAGITTARIUS THERE, WHICH --

VAL>> -- OPTICAL LIGHT. THIS MEANS IT'S NORMAL --

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> -- JUST VISIBLE LIGHT LIKE YOU'D SEE WITH YOUR EYE.

VAL>> OKAY.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> AND THIS IS TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE GALAXY, BUT YOU CAN SEE, IN OPTICAL LIGHT, WE CAN'T TELL WHERE THAT CENTER IS. BUT NOW, IF WE GO INTO THE INFRARED, YOU CAN SEE IT POPS OUT. IT'S VERY OBVIOUS WHERE THE CENTER OF THE GALAXY IS.

VAL>> NOW WHAT DOES INFRARED DETECT THAT VISIBLE LIGHT DOES NOT?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> WHAT IT REALLY DOES IS, IT'S ABLE TO PEER THROUGH THE OBSCURING DUST LANES OF THE MILKY WAY GALAXY AND SHOW US WHAT'S BEHIND THEM, WHEREAS THE OPTICAL IS VEILED. YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT'S BEHIND.

VAL>> OPTICAL PICKS UP ALL THE DUST?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> PICKS UP ALL THE DUST, YEAH.

WARREN>> WHAT'S DOWN THERE AT THE CENTER?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> IN OUR GALAXY AND MANY OTHER GALAXIES, ACTUALLY, I THINK THERE'S A MASSIVE BLACK HOLE.

WARREN>> WE'LL TRY TO GET YOU TO EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MEANS WHEN WE HAVE ANOTHER HOUR AND A HALF OR TWO HOURS TO SPEAK.

VAL>> WE DON'T WANT TO GO DOWN ONE OF THOSE ROADS. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOMETHING CALLED THE FLAME NEBULA.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> OKAY. THIS IS A STAR FORMATION REGION IN THE CONSTELLATION OF ORION. YOU CAN SEE THERE'S THAT VERY BRIGHT STAR NEXT TO IT AND LOTS OF GAS AND DUST IN THE ORION REGION. WHEN WE ZOOM IN THERE WITH THE 2MASS VIEW, YOU CAN SEE VERY CLEARLY THE NEBULA ITSELF, THE STAR FORMATION REGIONS.

VAL>> WHAT DOES NEBULA ACTUALLY MEAN?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> NEBULA ACTUALLY MEANS A CLOUD, SO IT HAS TO DO WITH THE DUST IN A WAY. AND EVEN WITH 2MASS, YOU GET A LITTLE BIT OF THE DUST.

WARREN>> IT'S CALLED FLAME NEBULA BECAUSE IT'S SIMPLY THE WAY IT LOOKS WHEN IT'S IMAGED LIKE THAT.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> YES, EXACTLY.

WARREN>> DOES IT LOOK LIKE THAT IF YOU WERE IN SOME -- DOES IT REALLY HAVE THAT COLOR IN IT OR IS THAT A FUNCTION OF THE PRINTING PROCESS?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> IT'S A FUNCTION OF THE PRINTING PROCESS FOR THE TWO-MICRON ALL SKY SURVEY BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING AT WAVELENGTHS OF LIGHT THAT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO SEE WITH OUR EYES. SO WE HAVE TO COLOR CODE IT IN SOME WAY TO BRING OUT COLORS THAT ARE FALSE.

WARREN>> IT ENDS UP LOOKING GREAT.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> YES, THANK YOU.

VAL>> NOW YOU MUST HAVE SOME POETS WORKING AT JPL BECAUSE THE NAMES OF THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME MORE. SOMBRERO GALAXY AND TARANTULA NEBULA AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS. WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT HERE?

WARREN>> WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND YOU TELL US WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> OKAY. THIS IS A GALAXY. THIS IS THE SOMBRERO GALAXY, ACTUALLY. THE OPTICAL LIGHT IMAGE WOULD SHOW A VERY, VERY FAT DUST LANE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS GALAXY, BUT THE 2MASS IMAGE THAT IS SHOWN HERE SHOWS THAT MOST OF THAT DUST WE PEERED RIGHT THROUGH IT AND WE CAN SEE THIS FLAT DISK.

VAL>> WOW, THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> AND THIS IS THE TARANTULA NEBULA, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS WHICH IS ONE OF THE NEAREST SATELLITE GALAXIES TO OUR OWN MILKY WAY. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL IMAGE SHOWING SOME OF THE NEBULAE, THE KIND OF THING YOU CAN SEE FROM THE WEB SITE.

VAL>> HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO GET THERE? HOW MANY LIGHT YEARS?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> A LONG TIME. WE'RE NOT CAPABLE OF DOING THAT YET.

WARREN>> VERY QUICKLY, THIS COSTS A LOT OF MONEY TO DO. WHAT'S THE IMMEDIATE VALUE TO THOSE OF US WHO PAY TAXES?

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> WELL, I THINK IT HAS GIVEN US A LITTLE HOPE AS TO WHAT'S UP THERE, WHAT WE MIGHT THINK ABOUT IN THE FAR FUTURE, PLACES WE MIGHT WANT TO EXPLORE, THINGS LIKE THAT, AND WHERE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM CAME FROM, THINGS LIKE THAT. SO THERE ARE BASIC QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER WITH THIS SURVEY THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO.

WARREN>> -- ADDS VASTLY TO THE STORE OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OUR UNIVERSE.

DAVY KIRKPATRIC>> EXACTLY.

VAL>> BUT THE BEST THING IS, EVERY TAXPAYER WITH A COMPUTER CAN SEE THESE IMAGES. YOU CAN GO TO THE WEB SITE ON YOUR SCREEN IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THESE SPECTACULAR IMAGES FROM SPACE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2MASS SURVEY.

[WWW.JPL.NASA.GOV]

WARREN>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.

TOMORROW ON WHICH WAY LA, IN THE TOBACCO CASE, ANOTHER MASSIVE VERDICT, $145 BILLION DOLLARS. ARE JURIES CONSIDERING THE LEGAL ISSUES OR ARE THEY TRYING TO MAKE SOCIAL CHANGES BY STICKING IT TO UNPOPULAR BUSINESSES? WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT TOMORROW.

KCRW 89.9 FM, WHICH WAY LA
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REBROADCAST AT 7:00 P.M.

VAL>> AND FOR ALL OF US HERE IN THE MILKY WAY AT LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT, HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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