PRESS

For Immediate Release

January 8, 2008

CONTACT: Patricia Hurley
Parade Organizer
(626) 590-1134

Doo Dah Parade offers Passport to Weirdness at Post-holiday Celebration!

WHAT: The 31st OCCASIONAL PASADENA DOO DAH PARADE celebrates the post-holiday season in its typically loud, irreverent style on SUNDAY, JANUARY 20TH, stepping off at 11:30am.. The twisted sister to Pasadena’s prim and proper Rose Parade will send up a woolly range of mischiefs, grounded superheroes, political pundits, homegrown satirists, art car inventors, and other bohemian frolickers.

HOW: Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping will make an official appearance at Doo Dah as this year’s controversial Grand Marshal. Since 1999, anti-consumerism guru Rev Billy has established a colorful reputation for his “retail interventions” at such commercial icons as Starbucks and Disneyland’s Main Street Parade (see www.reverendbilly.com).

Two-time divorce’ Ellen Snortland will initiate her third attempt at marriage at Doo Dah by staging what she describes as “the mama of all wedding showers.” The Gruber-Snort Shower, as it is billed, will attempt to break the Guiness Book of World Records in public and, even, Ellen’s two ex’s have agreed to join the street party.

This year’s Doo Dah features more new entries than ever before. Led by Her Royal Majesty, Queen Naughty Mickie, participants include Howdy Krishna, Stupidiotic Evolution, Mystik Krewe d’Dieux Dah, Obama for Pres, Pope Roby the !st, Senor Groucho, Benzedrine Monks, Andy Baby for President, BBQ & Hibachi Marching Grill Team, Zombies of Debt, Big Flying Carpet, LA Derby Dolls, Dead Robert Palmer Girls, Drunk in the Garage, Humboldt State Marching Lumberjacks, Soy Sisters, Raelian Religion, Roobie Breastnut, Warhol & Pal, Photo Ops & Broken Promises, Wicked Tinkers, Disco Drill Team, South Pasadena Sperm Donors, Radial Active Phlegm, Bastard Sons of Lee Marvin, Let’s Paint TV, The Tina’s, BooBoo Kitty Art Car, Boat Yota, Caeser’s Circus, High Crimes & Misdemeanors, The Beanpole, ZORG, Dr. Johnson, Spawn of Captain James Kirk, Advocating AAAAAAAA, Tequila Mockingbird, The Shirley’s, Fabulous Sons of Ed Wood, OC NORML, Horses on Astroturf, legendary Doo Dah House Band, Snotty Scotty & the Hankies AND MANY, MANY MORE!!!

WHEN: SUNDAY, JANUARY 20TH, stepping off at 11:30am.

WHERE: OLD PASADENA historic retail and entertainment district.

Convenient parking is located in structures adjacent to the parade route. Metro Gold Line stops nearest to the Parade are Del Mar and Memorial Park stations. Lawn chairs encouraged!

COST: Absolutely free!! Bring a lawn chair!!

For public information call (626) 205-4029 or visit our event website at www.pasadenadoodahparade.info

# # #

For Immediate Release

January 8, 2008

CONTACT: Patricia Hurley
Doo Dah Parade Organizer
(626) 590-1134

“Measure ‘D’” Gadfly Wayne Lusvardi is Recipient Of the 8th Annual Thorny Rose!

The 8th Order of the Thorny Rose has spoken. Wayne Lusvardi, Chairperson of “Citizens for Responsible Government,” and highly vociferous opponent of the proposed Measure D related to Utility Users’ Tax, has been awarded the latest edition of the Thorny Rose. The prickly honor is bestowed once-a-year on Pasadena’s most controversial citizen, by an anonymous committee of astute socio-political observers. Or as some would say, “Pasadena’s biggest pain-in-the-ass.”

The inaugural Thorny Rose was given in 2000 to Charles “Chuck” Cherniss, former salty columnist for the Pasadena Star News. Subsequent winners have included former City Councilperson and two-time recipient Paul Little, Roy Begley, Mary Dee Romney, the West Pasadena Residents Association, and last year’s awardee, the entire Pasadena Unified School District Board.

Lusvardi was a clear cut favorite among TR Selection Committee members, rising above perennial also-rans Rene Amy and Martin Truitt, both known for their critical exploits in front of the PUSD Board. This year’s short list also included the Falun Gong, who brought controversy to the Tournament of Roses for their inclusion of the Beijing Olympics float at this year’s ‘Other Parade’.

Lusvardi was given the dubious nod for his “pit bullish style” in opposing Measure D, which would amend the definition of “telephone” related to the Utility Users Tax. It will be decided by Pasadena voters on February 5th. The tax, which is applied to utilities including telephones, is levied by cities across the nation. However, Lusvardi insists the tax is illegal and that Measure D will force a tax on internet access. There is, however, a federal ban imposed on internet tax, extending for the next seven- year period, and the Pasadena City Council adopted an ordinance clarifying that internet access will not be subject to Utility Users Tax under measure D.

Lusvardi’s authorship of the official ballot rebuttal prompted the City to recently suit him in Superior Court. Ironically, Lusvardi was defended by frequent Thorny Rose contender Rene Amy, in his first court trial since passing the bar. Amy lost the case.

Mr. Lusvardi worked for twenty years with the Metropolitan Water District in SoCal and is now an independent real estate appraiser in Pasadena. In early fall, he editorialized in the conservative California Republic.Org newsletter (billed as “A Minority Report of Rational Opinion”) lambasting the Local 11 of the IBEW for their anti-discrimination lawsuit against the owners of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Some Thorny Rose Selection Committee members noted their honoree’s acerbic challenges as bordering on “conspiratorial theory” in tone.

As is the tradition for Thorny Rose winners, Mr. Lusvardi will given an invitation to receive his award and be driven along the route of this year’s 31st Pasadena Doo Dah Parade. Doo Dah takes place Sunday, January 20th, stepping off at 11:30am in Old Pasadena. If the awardee declines the offer a six-foot chicken will ride in his place. No Thorny Rose winner has ever passed on the invitation.

# # # #

NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact: (800) 858-2712

The Mama of All Wedding Showers Brings Women’s Awareness to 31st DooDah Parade

Pasadena–In today’s world of reality TV and life in general, one of the whackiest entries in this years Doo Dah Parade will bring fun and reality to a whole new level.

Local author, newspaper columnist and long time women’s rights activist Ellen Snortland, her “hubby to be” Ken Gruberman and friends will present The GruberSnort Wedding Shower. Their entry will feature over 30 shower guests marching in towels, robes and curtains to the tune of Chapel of Love. All of this romp and circumstance is to celebrate Ellen and Ken’s recent engagement and Ellen’s documentary film in progress called Beauty Bites Beast, a powerful film about empowering people around the world to end physical abuse toward women and children.

“My original thought was to marry Ken during the parade, but I didn’t want to scare him off,” chuckles Snortland, a well known Pasadena resident and author of Beauty Bites Beast: Awakening the Warrior with Women. “Instead we’re having the Mama of all Wedding Showers at the Papa of all Whacky Parades with a wedding ceremony to be scheduled later. Following in the footsteps of this year’s grand marshall, Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping, we’re asking people not to shop for us, instead having them contribute their financial support to ending violence against women. Seriously, we do NOT need another kitchen gadget as long as we live .”

According to Snortland, a long time activist for women’s rights, the issue of violence against women is a larger matter than most people imagine. A long time supporter of The United Nations, through the New York headquarters and the Pasadena-Foothills United Nation’s Association chapter, Snortland is on a mission to arm men and women with the details of how to end violence against women and children as a vital human rights issue.

“Consistent with the notion of ‘security of person,’ I came up with the term ‘physical literacy’ to help people understand,” adds Snortland. “For example a physically literate person knows to use a seat belt in a vehicle and look both ways before crossing the street. In my vision, physically literate men and women would also know how to block a hit, avoid rape and stop an assault.”

There’s no doubt that The Mama of All Wedding Showers will be a hoot and a perfect addition to the Papa of all Whacky Parades. A very entertaining and inspirational entry, The GruberSnort Wedding Shower is sure to go down in wedding history! In that light, they are applying for a Guinness World Record for the first and largest public wedding shower ever.

For more information, to march with the GruberSnorts, view a trailer of the film or to make a financial contribution Ellen Snortland’s documentary film Beauty Bites Beast visit www.BeautyBitesBeast.org. And for more about the 31st annual Doo Dah Parade visit www.pasadenadoodahparade.info.

###

About the GruberSnort Wedding Shower

Ellen Snortland & Ken Gruberman — a.k.a. ‘The Grubersnorts’ — and a bunch of their pals are throwing the MAMA of ALL WEDDING SHOWERS within the world famous PAPA of ALL WHACKY PARADES, the 31st Annual Doo Dah Parade in Pasadena, at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 20th, 2008. (go to: www.beautybitesbeast.org)

About the Doo Dah Parade

Individuals of all genders, sizes, shapes and beliefs and persuasions are invited to participate in the Doo Dah Parade each year. This year’s Grand Marshal, Reverend Billy from the Church of Stop Shopping, will be accompanied by Sister Savitri D, the director of the Church. Following them down Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena will be more than 100 parade entries with over 1,200 colorful marchers, many of whom are first-time Doo Dah participants. Organizers expect to have 45,000 spectators on the streets for the parade. (for more info: www.pasadenadoodahparade.info)

Church of Stop Shopping Evangelist; Doo Dah’s Grandest of Marshals

By Teresa Baxter for the Mountain-Views Observer

NOTE: This article first appeared in the Mountain-Views Observer, Vol. 1 number 19 during the week ending 28 December, 2007. This article has been reprinted with permission. The article has also been updated to reflect a correction: The Grand Marshal title this year will be shared by Reverend Billy and Zavitri D.

The stage is set for the coming of a perfect Doo Dah parade “Shopocolypse” as the ostentatious Rev. Billy and Zavitri D of the Church of Stop Shopping will evangelize Pasadena as they lead the odd out parade down Colorado Boulevard.

Performance artist Bill Talen comes with his anti-shopping message Jan. 20, just in time to test Monday’s California Supreme Court, 1st Amendment, ruling that now says shopping malls can't bar protesters from staging boycotts of its stores on private property, Talen and the Stop Shopping Choir’s exact modus operandi, although Talen failed to say what he had planned while in California.

He said of the 4-3 decision, “The ‘Cali’ Supreme Court decision is an important one for 1st Amendment protection.”

Adding, “We watch super malls destroy our local economies. They darken our Main Streets… They come running if we hand out info about sweatshop products in a Target or a Wal Mart. If Home Depot supports the war, they don't want that discussed. If Starbucks is not a Fair Trade company - they don't want the customers to know that.”

He also said that “they” peel away the 1st Amendment rights, the most basic American freedom, by plastering happy faces everywhere.

Talen, will be accompanied by his wife, Savitri Durkee, aka “Sister Savitri D.” as Co-Marshal. Durkee is director of the Church and is no stranger to the Pasadena area being raised on the Zorthian Ranch, homestead of well-known deceased bohemian artist Jirayr Zorthian, and his since departed wife, Dabney.

“Savitri and I have accepted [this position] in order to honor the memory of a woman who loved it so much, Dabney Zorthian,” said Reverend Billy. “We have stayed at the ranch when in Los Angeles for years; she put up our Stop Shopping Gospel Choir and fed and counseled us.”

Reverend Billy, Sister Savitri D and the Stop Shopping Choir are currently featured in the documentary “What Would Jesus Buy?” produced by Morgan Spurlock. Filmmaker Spurlock became well known to most Americans as a result of his 2003 film “Super Size Me”, in which he documented his health as he spent 30 days eating only food from the fast-food chain McDonald's.

Talen pointed out a review by the Toronto Star newspaper on his website calling “What Would Jesus Buy” a “just-in-time-for-the-holidays documentary that, at times mockingly, at times movingly, excoriates the ‘religion of consumerism,’ decries Mickey Mouse as the ‘Antichrist,’ and warns of the imminent ‘Shopocalypse,’ whereby all persons, things and values will be rendered mere commodities.” Reverend Billy founded the Church of Stop Shopping in the belief that consumerism is overwhelming our current society.

“The corporations want us to have experiences only through their products,” said Talen as the Rev. Billy. “Our neighborhoods, common places like shops, parks, streets and libraries are disappearing into [conglomerates] of big boxes and chain stores.”

Beginning in 1999, Rev. Billy began invading Starbucks and other retail chains as a zealous, anti-consumerist preacher. Since then the Church’s teachings have gained fire among repentant shoppers across the country. This is especially apparent now as the Christmas frenzy wanes to the upcoming Valentine’s Day promotions that are currently displayed at chain stores.

“We are riding a wave of radical awakening in resistance to consumerism,” He said. “We will preach and sing as long as we are called on to do so.”

Over 1,200 colorful marchers, many whom are first-time participants at this year’s “Occasional Doo Dah Parade”, will march through historic Old Town Pasadena.

“So yes, I will pump up my hair to alarming proportions, but I won’t do a special cartwheel,” said the bold activist. “We respect what the parade means; their tradition is a proud one in our world.” For more information about the parade, please go to www.pasadenadoodahparade.info , or for more information about Reverend Billy, visit www.revbilly.com

City Editor [Mountain-Views Observer], Dean Lee, contributed to this story.