Odds & Ends Around the Valley

See Ye, See Ye

The town crier didn’t die with the Revolutionary War--he’s alive and doing well in North Hills.

But instead of ringing his chimes and hollering, “Hear ye, hear ye!” he runs a mobile version of show and tell.

Michael Gorsky, who comes to the San Fernando Valley from New Jersey, is the owner and operator of Mike’s Mobile Marquees.

It’s basically one truck with a sign on the side.

For $99 to $199, it is possible for people to convey to the world, or at least a segment of the Valley, their intentions to marry, their joy at a new baby, or best wishes for a happy birthday or anniversary.

Mike’s Mobile Marquees goes to an appointed address with a personalized marquee message. The truck is parked at the curb or driveway, and the lights and music are turned on.

The driver--either Mike or his brother, Alan--rings the doorbell, presents the recipient with a balloon or corsage, whichever is appropriate, and escorts the honoree down a long red carpet to see the message.

The Gorsky brothers, who say they used to sell antiques in Jersey, have been called upon lately to do what Michael calls some “industry stuff.” That pleases him because he is a music and movie buff.

“The Greek Theatre and Universal Amphitheater hired us to ride around and publicize some of their shows,” he said, without being terribly specific, but added that he was really excited when the Pacific Theater chain hired him to drive around advertising the re-release of “Casablanca.”

He said he has also been hired by Capitol Records to publicize releases by Hammer, Richard Marx and Bonnie Raitt.

When he’s on an industry gig, he cruises Sherman Way and Topanga Canyon, Ventura and Sepulveda boulevards in the Valley, and usually hits Sunset Boulevard when he’s down over the hill.

Gorsky says he started this service in January because it was needed and he didn’t see anyone else doing it.

Besides, he says, a mobile marquee message is cheaper than skywriting and more impressive than a singing telegram.

Smart Gato

There’s more than just an experiment with language going on during the Santa Clarita Repertory Theater performance of “El Gato in Boots: A fairy tale in two languages.”

The 3-year-old company performs this unique presentation of the old fairy tale at schools and youth groups in the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond.

The play is basically the performance of “Puss in Boots,” but the title character, El Gato, speaks Spanish, while the rest of the cast speak English.

At a recent performance at Mint Canyon Community School, the fourth- through sixth-grade audience didn’t seem to miss a beat.

The audience, like the community, was about 80% Anglo, 10% Latino, and the other 10% other races.

But even the Anglo children--who are not required to know Spanish as the Latinos are required to know English--seemed to have no trouble understanding the play.

“Children are drawn in by the action and humor and just don’t let language become a barrier,” said company director of educational outreach, Dawn McAndrews.

“We live in a multilingual world, especially in Southern California,” McAndrews added, “and this play is our way of saying that we need not be separated by language. Lessons taught through drama or humor are often remembered long after words, she said.

Time Frame

When they started taking appointments at the Department of Motor Vehicles seven years ago, no one was sure exactly how well it would work out.

Well, now they know.

According to Marc Bailey, DMV regional manager, appointments are a big hit, and almost everyone who comes into the office now has one, which is the reason most people are in and out in 10 minutes, he said.

It has worked so well, in fact, that Bailey says sometimes people who don’t have appointments get helped before those who have them.

That’s because the line is so short. Bailey hopes it stays that way.

Overheard

“L.A. is cool, because where we come from, the Indians and the Mexicans have to work in the back of McDonald’s. Here they are allowed to work the cash register.” --Native American student from South Dakota visiting Oakwood School in North Hollywood, to headmaster Fred Mednick