Randomly observed: SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TAKE ROLL YOU NEED TO COUNT WHO'S NOT THERE.

randomly observed by smf

May 31 - Saturday afternoon there was a marvelous celebration at Jefferson High School, celebrating the dedication of a new playing field, celebrating the end of the school year, their small learning communities, a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Whitmanesque: celebrating themselves.

The community turned out, happy and joyous - proud to be Democrats. Old Democrats turned out, stars in their firmament: football players, track and field guys. Gray and smiling, proud - they never got over being winners. The quarterback from the undefeated and unscored upon team of 1938. The track star that set the school records and is still running and still winning at 80. You win every race you enter when you're 80.

The principal pointed out whom among the celebration and celebrants thatwasn't there: The news crews and reporters who come without fail to the latest fracas or altercation ...but have no interest in the good news, in the sunny day. In the sweet smell of success and tacos e empanadas.

Also absent: Superintendent Brewer. And Mayor Villaraigosa - even though Jeff - a school already coming up - will be his school in a month.