Society Page
by Midge Grebbens
The Boom Boom Room, in reaction to local criticism on a sketchy females-only hiring policy, has broken tradition by employing men. However, at press time there were six women and only two men serving coffee to the local patronage. We suppose it’s a gesture in the right direction but, whatever the employee gender-ratio is, it seems there are never enough employees to serve the crowd. After ten it’s standing room only with young and attractive patrons of both sexes. But please, come to look and leave your expectations at the door. As overheard from one local: “There’s sex in the air at that place, but I’d never figure on finding a date there. Everyone goes around, sitting on each other’s laps, but in the end, we all go home alone.”
The Universal City/North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has trademarked the NoHo name. The purpose of this action is purported to be to protect the name from being used by unsavory businesses—porn shops being the popular example. While protection of name and reputation is certainly understandable, there is some concern that the Chamber might attempt to extract licensing fees from those who use the name. In some circles this is viewed as nothing less than extortion. The Chamber, however, has given assurances that this is not the case. They maintain that they have only the best and most honorable motives at heart, and seek only to protect their friends and supporters.
Check out the Eclectic Cafe’s line-up of live music. The Eclectic is establishing itself as a venue that is a step up from the coffeehouse circuit. While the Eclectic got its start as a coffeehouse, it has for some time now been established as a full-service restaurant. The result is a higher income clientele, with a large draw of industry types. With that kind of audience, the Eclectic is booking acts such as Rick Braun, trumpet soloist for Tina Turner, who just came off a year-long tour with Sade. January 7th is his next show at the Eclectic. In the meantime, for charming singer/songwriter fare, check out Jill Freeman. Her “moody, jazz-influenced set of originals” can be heard on alternating Thursdays—call the Eclectic for the next date.
Christmas is commonly viewed as a time to love your fellows, friends and enemies alike. It is viewed as a time of generosity and gift-giving. Christmas is interesting because of the dichotomy it sets up. It is significant because of its contrast with the rest of the year, when we don’t love our enemies and we are not so generous. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol demonstrates this dichotomy. A good part of the story is a nightmare, literally. The significance of Christmas lies in that moment when the nightmare of Christmas Eve gives way to the miracle of Christmas morning. Scrooge’s experience was a profound, life-changing event that goes much further than the holiday. Let that be a lesson to us all. A Christmas Carol will be read by The Strolling Players at Book Grinders on December 15th. ♦