Fountain of Adulthood

The William Mulholland Memorial Fountain in Los Feliz is one busy landmark. It logs plenty of hours as an impromptu wading pool and picnic centerpiece, and also seems to be one of L.A.’s most popular sites for photos commemorating quinceaneras (“Sweet 15” parties celebrating a girl’s passage to womanhood). We crashed a couple of “fifteens” and spouted off at the fountain on a hot summer day.

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Marlene Martinez

North Hollywood

Are you the star of the party today?

It’s my quinceanera. It means I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m actually growing up.

Why come here for photos?

I’ve been here before and I just love the fountain. It’s very beautiful.

Has anything funny happened today?

After we took my pictures at the fountain, I tripped on my dress. I’m in heels under here.

Tell us about the special quinceanera dance.

It’s a Spanish waltz. [My friends] enter and start dancing. Then I come in, and they make me look good.

What are you doing after this?

We’re going to cruise around [in a stretch SUV limo] in Hollywood, roll down the windows and wave at everyone.

Who looks best today?

Me!

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Raul Castaneda

Loan analyst

North Hollywood

What are you doing here today?

Attending my sister Marlene’s quinceanera.

What’s your role today?

I’m kind of the padrino. I’m in charge of getting the limo. And since I’m the older brother, I see that the kids behave and have a good time.

What might happen if you didn’t?

Nowadays, beer and stuff like that. We’ve got to make sure they don’t drink.

Has anyone misbehaved?

Not yet.

What are you going to do later?

We’ll drive around [in the limo] for a few hours, go home and have a celebration, music, drinks, food. They do a special dance, a waltz. They’ve practiced it. When executed correctly, it’s a beautiful thing.

Will things get wild at the party?

She’s only 15. It’s got to be PG-13.

Will you come back to the fountain?

Next week, I’ll probably show up with my kids and take a swim. I don’t see why not.

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Cesar Caldera

(Attending a different quinceanera with son Eduardo Caldera)

Restaurant owner

Bell

What role are you playing in the quinceanera you’re with?

I’m the father of [one] quinceanera‘s man of honor, Eduardo. I’m [also] cooking Italian and Mexican food. That’s what I do for a living.

Are they boyfriend and girlfriend?

Just friends.

Why use this fountain for photos?

I don’t know. This is the third one [I’ve been to] here.

Have you ever jumped in a fountain?

When I was a little kid, I was always swimming in fountains, in the river, in the canal, the channel. Everywhere. My mom was always chasing me.

You and your son are wearing very nice hats.

Sometimes people wear them at “fifteens.” The boys might wear cowboy suits and hats. These are good hats. Stetsons. We ride horses, too.

Do you wear them for horseback riding?

No. For horseback riding we just get a regular hat.

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Trisha Wheeler

Administrative assistant

Silver Lake

What are you doing here today?

I am just taking pictures for my own personal L.A. photo project. I’m an amateur photographer.

Where else are you taking pictures today?

I live in Silver Lake, so I’ve been taking pictures reminiscent of that area. The reservoir, different people. That’s the one thing I love about L.A. There’s all different types of people, all different walks of life. This [fountain] is one of those places. It draws everybody.

What’s the funniest behavior you’ve seen today?

Well, you see all these beautiful people in their dresses, and there’s one homeless guy asking for change, so you get a little of everything.

Where would you rather swim, the fountain or a public pool?

That’s a tough one, because you get a different set of diseases in each.

Have you ever jumped into a fountain?

Maybe a YMCA pool late at night.