Odds & Ends Around the Valley

Soaring Hopes

David Gamberg, a teacher at Karl Holton Camp School in Little Tujunga Canyon, has put together a program for 12 of the school’s youthful offenders that he hopes will elevate their aspirations.

The program, being conducted on the grounds of Holton probation camp, allows the randomly selected 12 to listen to people talk about their vocations or avocations.

When American Airlines pilot Michael Phillips came to visit recently, he not only talked to the boys, who range in age from 15 to 17, he did a little show and tell--or actually, show and shoot.

On his first visit, he told the boys about careers in aeronautics and something about his stint as a U-2 military pilot before joining the commercial airlines.

The next day, he returned in his U-2 uniform and helped the boys fire off rockets they had made.

“This program has included people who have spoken about motorcycle care and maintenance, hang gliding, and working for the fire department,” Gamberg said.

“By exposing the boys to these people, we hope it gives them ideas about what they might do with their lives once they leave this facility.”

The youngsters, who have been incarcerated for such offenses as car theft, gang violence and drug sales, have been receptive to the program, Gamberg said.

“Most of them will probably not go out and become airline pilots,” he said. “But being exposed to some of the career and life choices that are available out there just might make a difference in their lives.”

Gamberg said this is a pilot program for a small number of the young people, but if it has a positive effect, he hopes to be able to offer it to more of the facility’s residents.

“And we are still looking for people in the community who are willing to come here and share their experiences,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for people to help these boys to widen their horizons.”

Scout’s Promise

Members of Sylmar Senior Girl Scout Troop 1301 are planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park and several western states this summer and they are looking for financial support, leader Susan Phipps-Carr said.

Last year, the group raised money for a trip to five California university campuses by holding monthly carwashes. That is not possible this year because of the drought, so a new plan has been devised.

The girls are asking members of the business community to help with expenses by donating $1 per mile for their summer adventure, and in return the benefactors will get certain rewards.

Those who sponsor 10 miles will get a postcard from Yellowstone.

For 25 miles, the sponsors get a postcard from every state the girls visit.

For 50 miles, they get a postcard from every state and a copy of the trip diary.

For 100 miles, they get a postcard from every state and a T-shirt from Yellowstone Park.

For 150 miles, they get a postcard from every state, an edited copy of the trip diary, a T-shirt and a slide show of the trip at the office.

For 200, they get the same items as the 150-mile sponsors and they won’t have to see the slide show.

Mall Mob

It’s a mob scene each morning at Northridge Fashion Center, even before the stores open.

Folks begin coming in about 7 a.m. and there are still some walking around at 9:30 or 10 a.m.

These aren’t homeless people, or kids looking for action. They are the fitness brigade who do 1 1/2 miles--the combined length of the upper and lower levels--at a fast clip and then head home.

For almost four years the mall administration, in conjunction with Northridge Hospital Medical Center, has encouraged people to take this walk, and now more than 100 do so on a regular basis, according to Marianne Shannon, who is in charge of the program for the mall.

“We see a wide age range, from retired people to youngsters to pregnant mothers doing their rounds,” Shannon said. “They like to walk the mall because they meet new friends, there is always something to look at and because the climate is controlled.”

In addition to encouraging the morning parade, the mall and medical center sponsor health programs on the second Monday of each month. On Monday at 10 a.m. at Center Court, health expert Judy Weitz will speak on biofeedback.

Underground Sales

A few days ago, two men in business suits walked into Zimmer’s Religious Gifts store in North Hollywood.

Each purchased a statue of St. Joseph because they are trying to sell their homes.

They both work for a company that is expected to close soon and are contemplating relocating.

What, you might well ask, does a statue have to do with home sales?

Everything, if you believe people who have been burying them in their yards.

“About a year ago people started coming into our store to purchase a statue of St. Joseph,” said Marge Murphy, the shop owner.

“There is an Old World belief that if you bury the statue in your yard, your house will sell almost immediately,” she said, adding that since the recession began she has been selling about two dozen statues a week, ranging from $5.95 to $65.95.

“It’s not just Catholics who are buying the statues, either,” Murphy said. “We have people of all religious persuasions coming in and many call back to say it worked.”

According to Ann Parrillo, who works in the store, there is a definite protocol to the exercise.

“You are supposed to put the statue in a piece of plastic or some other protective covering and then bury it facing away from the house,” she said.

Once you have sold your home and are in your new residence, you are supposed to put the statue in a place of honor there, she added.

Murphy said she doesn’t offer any guarantees: “We are sensible people in this shop and we don’t make those kinds of promises.”

Still, Murphy added, when she wanted to sell her home in Toluca Lake 22 years ago, she buried a statue and her house sold in less than a week.

Overheard

“I’m going to be a rich and famous actress when I’m grown up so my brother will be sorry he was so mean to me when I was small.”--7-year-old girl to friend during intermission of the play “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in Van Nuys