Inglewood Class Has Capital Idea for a Field Trip

Sure, the inauguration was a memorable event for Gray Davis. But for a class of fourth-graders from Inglewood, it was really big.

While Davis was dressing for his moment in the spotlight early Monday, 27 students from Beulah Payne Elementary were at Los Angeles International Airport, catching a flight to the capital. For most, it was their first time on an airplane--and their first visit to Sacramento.

The trip was made possible by a teacher who, after reading that Sharon Davis wanted kids included in inaugural events, faxed a letter to the governor, declaring that his class would be delighted to attend.

“My fourth-grade students are thrilled with your victory,” wrote Charles de Seriere. (For good measure, he included the results of an in-class mock election--82% for Davis, 18% for Dan Lungren.)

The Davis camp was charmed, and promptly coughed up invitations to the day’s events--plus the tantalizing chance for a photo op with the governor. That settled, the kids needed only to raise money to cover their $93 air fare--which they did by selling 2,500 candy bars and collecting donations over the holidays.

While the youngsters didn’t get to see the ceremony live, they seemed quite content in the overflow seats across the street. And they were still hoping that, like Vice President Al Gore, they might get a meet-and-greet with the governor.

Well, He Is a Democrat

With his family looking on, state Treasurer Phil Angelides got so swept up in the inaugural moment that he forgot what hand he was supposed to raise for the oath of office.

When state Supreme Court Justice Ming W. Chin ordered Angelides to raise his right hand, up shot the left. After an embarrassing pause, the new treasurer switched hands and said, “Well, that’s my last mistake.”

Anybody Want to Talk Trains?

Former Massachusetts governor and presidential hopeful Michael Dukakis was getting a boatload of attention during inaugural events. The Democratic faithful wanted to shake his hand, get his autograph, remind him of the work they did for him in ’88.

But pity the reporter who sought his comments on things political. He allowed that he came to Sacramento to support his “good friends” Davis and Angelides, but then he wanted to talk about trains. High-speed rail, to be specific, and how Amtrak needs to use that tool to meet its federal mandate of self-sufficiency by 2003.

“I want to talk about how we’re going to do it,” he said, as reporters wandered away. It was Dukakis the policy wonk all over again, only colored by his new position as vice chairman of Amtrak.

It’s Been a Long Time Coming

Davis may be the first Democrat elected governor in 16 years, but he’s got nothing on Cruz Bustamante. Bustamante, the son of a barber and grandson of Mexican immigrants, is the first Latino to become lieutenant governor in 128 years.

“Wow!” Bustamante said as he took the podium before a wildly cheering crowd that included nearly every member of his large extended family. “This is a very proud moment for me.”

Among those there to salute him were U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who noted that she met Bustamante during her 1990 gubernatorial campaign, when he drove her to events in the Central Valley.

There were plenty of other VIPs on hand too--a congressman or two, a tribal chairman, lots of legislators. But those getting the most attention were the hip-looking fellows seated near the front of the Senate chamber--Edward James Olmos and Carlos Santana.

The actor and the musician--who wore his trademark wool cap--were in the capital with Rita Moreno and other entertainers to promote a dropout prevention program for Latino youths. Olmos said he attended Bustamante’s swearing-in to honor “the diversity of the moment.”

The last Latino to serve as lieutenant governor was Romualdo Pacheco, who was inaugurated in 1871. With any luck, Bustamante--who also celebrated his 46th birthday Monday--may keep following Pacheco, who went on to become governor in 1874.

Those in the crowd would bet on it. After Bustamante’s remarks, they began chanting, “Si, se puede,” or “Yes, it can be done.”

Get a Whiff of That

One of the day’s more exotic moments took place at the inauguration of state Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer. As part of his invocation, Anthony R. Pico, chairman of the Viejas band of Kumeyaay Indians, sang a song in his native language and lit a small branch of sage, creating a billow of smoke. Pico inhaled some, then waved the herbal torch in front of Lockyer and state Chief Justice Ronald George.

Later, Pico said the burning sage represented “a purification,” and his song was about “a commitment to good.”

Who Arranged the Seating?

Insiders had to smirk at the awkward seating on the stage at the main Davis inaugural event. Next to Tipper and Vice President Al Gore--an all-but-certain Democratic contender for the presidency in 2000--were Gayle and Pete Wilson--the maybe-but-it-depends-on-the-money Republican contender for the presidency in 2000.

There was no word on what sort of small talk was exchanged.

Wilson wasn’t the only Republican in attendance, though there weren’t many. Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan was on hand and remarked:

“I must admit I was a little lonely at the [Davis] gala. But an 18-year-old girl from Dorsey High School came up to me, and whispered into my ear, ‘My grandfather was a Republican.’ That made my day.”

Times staff writers Amy Pyle, Dan Morain, Virginia Ellis and Carl Ingram contributed to this story.