Some European tourists spend their vacations at Yosemite or Big Sur. Desiree van Hoek takes hers on skid row.

For the last five years, the Dutch photographer has dedicated much of the summer to shooting what she describes as the beauty and humor beneath the grit and misery of the 50-block downtown homeless enclave.

"I'm a little bit hooked on skid row right now," Van Hoek said recently.

Maybe it's the Lambruscos and ethnic cafes that are bringing the hipsters of downtown Los Angeles face to face with skid row's street encampments. Or a renewed local and national focus on the homeless crisis. But what was once a no-man's land is alive with documentary filmmakers, artists and even a comic, seeking their canvas, or a muse, amid the tarps and cardboard boxes.

An installation by Los Angeles Poverty Department, a 30-year-old skid row theater troupe, was part of the late artist Mike Kelley's show this summer at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

"All of a sudden it became a thing to make your own portrait or caricature of skid row," said skid row activist Kevin Michael Key.

Some of those who work with the homeless, such as Ann-Sophie Morrissette of the Downtown Women's Center, call some of the art "poverty porn."

Drive-by videos of needles, filth and vermin shot from car windows by kids with their faces hidden by blankets, and set to dirge-like soundtracks invite viewers to gawk at homeless people without context or understanding, critics say. Other projects are dismissed as the naive work of newbies who think they'll be the first to expose skid row or save it.

Some artists find the atmosphere less than welcoming. Shanks Rajendran, an Australian filmmaker, said he was robbed this summer during the making of "Los Scandalous Skid Row." Rajendran described the documentary as the story of "the true gutter life in Los Angeles; from prostitution, homelessness, hard addiction, the drug dealers' perspective, police corruption and the system designed to keep them all there."

For a series called "Life Line Booth," Toronto filmmaker Ryan Oksenberg and friends installed a table, chairs, water, donated clothing and a bulletin board in front of a bank of sidewalk pay phones.

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Artists find inspiration among homeless in L.A.'s skid row

Lana Kourieh Interview on Al Arabiya About Feng Shui On 30 09 2014
Lana Kourieh (Feng Shui Expert) Business Bay Abraj Street - Lake Central Building P.O.Box 27996 Dubai - United Arab Emirates Tel. +971-4-4491075 Fax.+971-4-4...

By: Lana Kourieh

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Lana Kourieh Interview on Al Arabiya About Feng Shui On 30 09 2014 - Video

Jeevithayata Feng Shui 27th September 2014

By: Asiri Wanigaratne

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Jeevithayata Feng Shui 27th September 2014 - Video

Feng Shui Tips for Fall
Autumn is a time to relax, and to find balance between work and home life. With these six easy tips, you can bring the tranquility of fall into your home -- and bring positive energy into every...

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Mandy Nolan #39;s Soap Box #162 What the Feng Shui...
Feng Shui can be a handy explanation for all the problems Mandy has, but on the other hand it can inspire some novel solutions.

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Mandy Nolan's Soap Box #162 What the Feng Shui... - Video

Fences : Ventes de Performers - Amant du Chateau
Top Price 2014 Ventes de Performers adjug 115 000

By: Wan Events

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Fences : Ventes de Performers - Amant du Chateau - Video

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove meets, rear from left, Paris Morris 12, Catherine Morris, Eleana Campbell, 1, front from left, William Campbell, 5, and Amity Morris, 7, during the Government House open day. Lady Lynne Cosgrove can be seen in the background in black. Photo: Jeffrey Chan

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove was surrounded with tight security as he greeted visitors to Yarralumla on Sunday.

A queue formed to meet Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove during the annual charity open day at Government House.

More than 3000 visitors enjoyed brilliant spring weather and free entry to the extensive grounds of the property.

However, bags were searched at the gates and media photographers were asked to demonstrate their cameras were genuine.

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A circle of at least six security personnel kept watch on the crowd mingling with the vice-regal couple, while another half dozen were in the grounds close by, along with uniformed police.

Sir Peter led the International Force for East Timor in 1999 and was Chief of the Defence Force during the Iraq war.

He invited visitors inside to see the public areas of the residence, with its heritage furniture and fine art on loan, and spoke about the 400-year tree in the grounds and the lack of flies, compared with his early days at Duntroon.

"Government House Canberra might be the main residence of the Governor-General but it belongs to the Australian people and this is a unique opportunity to see one of the most historic and prominent houses in the country," he said.

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Governor-General Peter Cosgrove greets visitors at Government House open day

Fall is a time for home improvement and fix-up projects, but many people put off jobs becausethey can't find a good contractor or have hada bad experience in the past.

According to Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List,52 percent ofhomeowners have had problems with a contractor. More than a third of them fired or wish they had fired their contractor before their project was finished, according to a Harris Poll commissioned by Angie's List.

But, there are ways to minimize theangst. Here are 13steps to consider before taking on a project.

1. Clearly define your project: Before you begin talking with contractors, read remodeling magazines and search the Internet for information on designs and materials. Even rough ideas on paper give a potential contractor a better sense of what you hope to accomplish and what is required to make it happen.

2. Management issues: Large projects, especially those that may involve more than three different specialists (i.e. plumber, electrician, carpenter, mason) may go better if you have a general contractor to manage all the various tasks and timelines.

3. Structural issues: Projects that eliminate walls, add rooms or otherwise impact the structural integrity of your home, should involve an architect or a structural engineer.

4. Ask around: Ask neighbors, friends and Angies List about good, local contractors, but dont hire based on only one conversation.

5. Check references: Get names of previous customers and find out if they were pleased with the work and the timeline of the project, and if theyd hire the contractor again. Get the names of subcontractors and ask if they work with the contractor often and does he pay on time. If your prospective contractor balks at providing references, find another one. Check with trade associations to learn how your contractor stacks up among his or her peers.

6. Get estimates: Get at least three written estimates. Documentation is often the best ammunition you have if things go wrong.

7. Where can I reach you? Be cautious of contractors who give you a post office box with no street address, or use only an answering service. Never hire someone who comes unsolicited to your door and cant provide you proof of qualifications especially if he or she pressures you to hire fast and pay cash up front.

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13 steps toward a great remodel

Springfield Compact Demolition Derby 2014 (Backwards)
Street Machines Nationals Demolition Derby Compact Class, on board with Krazzie Ken 30M. This is the backwards view! I have the forwards view posted also. There was 6 of us and I got 3rd place....

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Clarion Hotel Demolition - A Chronology (Part 2)
Here is part two of a three part chronology of the teardown and demolition of the vacant Clarion Hotel in South Toledo. Thanks for watching.

By: AbandonedExplorationAdventure

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Clarion Hotel Demolition - A Chronology (Part 2) - Video