‘Queen of Angels’ Alights, Delights Namesake City

We spotted an angel recently. She weighs almost 900 pounds, stands 9 feet tall and sits in front of a new condominium on West Hollywood’s majestic North Harper Avenue.

Artists Peter Dudar and Sally Marr tell us “Reina de Los Angeles” (Queen of Angels) is one of the few monumental angel sculptures in the City of Angels (yeah, we know, West Hollywood is a separate city, but municipal boundaries blur in the name of art).

So the West Hollywood artists want to pepper L.A. with big angel statutes reflecting the area’s cultural diversity. The recently installed “Reina” is modeled on a deceased friend of Marr’s, who was of French and Indian descent.

Dudar and Marr hope word about the statue will prompt demand from developers for more such monuments. Meanwhile, they--and passers-by--contemplate their handiwork. Said Marr: “We are the proud parents of a 900-pound baby.”

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SPEAKING OF STATUES: Along with the statuettes came this civics lesson from the Academy Awards people: Democracy is no match for Oscar.

The West Hollywood City Council has learned this well. So many residents had other Oscar night plans Monday that officials had to postpone a public hearing on a housing development.

Looking at a nearly empty auditorium, past the cable television cameras broadcasting the meeting live, Councilwoman Babette Lang acknowledged the obvious. “We’re losing our television audience,” she said. “No one is going to listen to us.”

The few residents who did show up were allowed to speak on the development, an apartment complex for people with AIDS. Then the room really emptied--in time to catch the headliner awards at home.

“We’re setting a ratings record, but the wrong way,” said Councilman Paul Koretz.

Council members agreed to avoid meeting on Oscar night. Maybe all they needed was a new emcee. Say, Billy Crystal?

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FIELD OF DREAMS: Gina Satriano is close to realizing a dream that as recently as November she never thought could come true.

The Malibu resident is in Orlando, one of 30 players seeking 20 spots on the Colorado Silver Bullets, the first women’s professional baseball team in 40 years. The Silver Bullets also have a second Westside hopeful, Michelle McAnany of Culver City.

In December the Silver Bullets were recognized by the National Assn. of Professional Baseball Leagues, the governing body for minor league baseball, and were made an affiliate member of the Northern League, which operates in several Midwest and prairie states.

“The first two weeks here have been like a whirlwind,” said Satriano, a 28-year-old pitcher. “Getting on the field and looking back at the stands I think to myself, ‘Wow, how did I get here?’ I can’t believe it.”