During the off-season, promoting the first publication titled Death of An Icon: The Westheimer Street Festival at the Bob Marley and Earth Day 2001 Festival, along with the silent planting of the websites at the UH-Central and UH-Downtown campuses, have been successful, except for Earth Day 2001, where 49 out of 75 pages were distributed.  This year's Spring 2001 WestFest (in exile) has been the same like last spring and fall, only that the art car expo was out of the question.

Personal Log 5/5/01:  Much like last fall, the outlook from the first day was great at first, until it rained in the evening.  23 shareware copies of the combined Armageddon and WSF2000 websites were distributed to fans that believed in the spirit of the WestFest.  Although the front cover was not shown, with the signature marquee, the WFPO banner was displayed with the title from the 2001 Preview: 2001: An E.T. Odyssey?  I decided to delete the WSF prefix, since I wanted to make the distribution more authentic and realistic, since the depiction of an assault rifle might have altered a few perceptions about negative affect and cognition.

Ever since the eviction from Montrose last 2/17, which ushered in a new genre in WSF history, the crowd mass was like a 100% capacity of the Astrodome, when the Astros played there, before moving to Enron Field.  The same cops that I have known from UHCL and UHD were there (Rachel X, the African American female vet from UHD), J. Dominguez. (the 40ish Hispanic male), and Buffy (credited as Lisa X in the WSF2000 follow-up report), except that I detailed a personal experience from Earth Day 2001.  The 3 cops that I have known respected my occupational status as an independent journalist, and as long as I have the clout (juice, respect, prestige), one would not be harassed like the weekend cruisers on MLK.  I detailed my experience with Earth Day 2001, where a Five-O (who would later show up on ABC 13 News last Monday) that ordered me to cease distribution of the websites) that acted under a complaint of an Enron/104 KRBE promoter, which led to the abrupt halt of distributing the final 25 copies (there were 49 out of 74 copies distributed) on 4/7/01 during Earth Day 2001.

Detailing the same opinions about Inner Loop urban renewal and job proximity (e.g. Texas Medical Center, Downtown, Greenway Plaza, and the Galleria) yielded various feedback from 23+ WestFest fans that sided with the old flavor - the Spriit of the Montrose community.  Those that came still believe in the mojo of WestFest, except that traditional vendors like Tribal Hut have dropped out.  104 KRBE, and a few empty shells were common during the day, except that the Urban Animals expo wasn't in the basin of the ET.  The WestFest train was moved to the West Side, as well as the elimination of the Video Arcade and Kids Zone.  I ended up climbing the Rock (see this page for more detail), and it was a blast, only for $5.

The only event worth watching was the Budweiser trailer, with the Wet-T and Buns contest.  I observed these events, and this was the first time that a few naked bOObs were flashed, which looked like there were products of a skilled plastic surgeon.  The latest that I stayed up to was 7 p.m., since it rained.  More to come for the next day, except that 27 flyers were distributed (the original intent was 50, but the foul weather caused a low turnout).  More to come the next day, with a few improvements...

PL supplemental:  I ended up posing for a few shots with the 2001: An E.T. Odyssey banner by an unknown photographer, as well as a model shoot.  I might be too old to model (28 acting like I'm 50), but enjoy 'playin' with the cat'.

Personal Log:  5/6/01:   Today was more of a blast, except that I laminated a WFPO banner on 8.5 x 11 (see above log), for $1.62 at Kinkos.  Last Fall, I burnted $20.00 in quarters, but I met briefly with John Flores about the Fall 2001 WestFest, if an art car expo is possible.  He stated to me briefly to browse the official WestFest website more often, rather than secondary sources.

A few people that I have met before from several venues (Pacifica radio campaign 4/14/01, Rainbodeklown, and the Green Party) have praised my efforts of promoting my outreach to WestFest fans a success, where an infinity exists.  Urban renewal might have shaped the outlook of the entire Inner Loop; however, there was more to explore today.  I ended up having Buffy snap a few shots of myself climbing "The Rock" at around 1:00 p.m., and at last, participating in the Fine @$$ Contest.  I didn't end up with $100, but why a Rastamon on the stage?  The reason:  to effectuate the cause about WestFest to another generation of fans that still believe in the spirit and tradition that belongs in the Montrose community.

Before 7:00 p.m., I ended up meeting Charles Tatum II (my counterpart author of SAVE WEST FEST), and he praised my efforts for the success of the Armageddon and WSF2000 websites.  I was hangin' with my 2 HPD associates (J.D. and Buffy), where I detailed the intinernant vendor licensing and how it affects independent authors and journalists performing their duties for their cause.

Here's the ultimate shocker:  I ended up meeting with another former UHD student (Mike G. Saphos) when the WestFest 2001 (S) was about to cease for the day, and I did one more 6-block walk from Taft to Sabine.  6 uncirculated copies were placed on windshields, and the grand total for the day was 71 copies distributed.

PL Supplemental:  When I bumped into Buffy today, I ended up speaking with a Jamaican dialect (busted up???), and hope that if I ever showed up at HPOU (Houston Police Officer's Union) in a Rasta wig, everyone that I have known at UHCL would have fainted and end up with nightmares of a Rasta in a black suit.

Here's the breakdown:  77 copies (71 copies distributed to individuals, 6 left on windshields), and 27 from the previous day.  I might have accomplished another mission, and ended up with a few interests like Green Party meetings and the Have A Nice Day cafe at Bayou Place.  More to come this fall...

5/11/01 update:  here are the awaited pic collection!!!  Have a look around (Remember, click the 'Back' arrow to return to this page to view the other pic pages)...

7/23/01 update:  This November, remember to VOTE for the following candidates:  Barbara Ashley (At-Large #4) and Ada Edwards (District D).  There is a possibility that Councilwoman Annise D. Parker will seek a final term for her current seat (At-Large #1), and for all pro-WestFest fans out there:  if U feel that WestFest was wrongfully moved, voice your grievances to this URL, and if you're a registered voter, be compassionate about WestFest and the Pride Parade.  The only legit use of closing Westheimer these days is for the Pride Parade, and like the Pacifica Campaign, those in charge have tarnished a purposeful issue.

8/19/01 update:  The upcoming Fall 2001 WestFest is not far away, and candidates for City Council are vowing for the November primaries.  Here's the chronology of events leading to the ousting of a Houston tradition (click on the underlined link).

10/2/01 update (links revised 10/16/01):  IT'S OFFICIAL!!!  The WFPO will have an art car in the Fall '01 venue, as a promotion of the WFPO cyberclub and listserv. (for more, click the underlined link) The art car will be temporary, since a permanent art car will debut in 2002.  I have met with John Flores today, and spoke with him about political candidates for this year's election on November 6th, especially the campaigns of Ada Edwards and Barbara Ashley, and James Partsch-Galvan (candidate for At-Large #5, currently held by Carroll G. Robinson).  I have noticed a lot of Gerald Womack, Darryl Carter, Chris Oliver, Homer Clark, and Ronald McKinney yard signs all over District D, and non-supporters have illegally placed these yard signs in the traffic islands.  If anyone spots one of these 'bandit signs', SNATCH THEM IMMEDIATELY!!!  Ricky "Rainbodeklown" Hurt dispises it, and political candidates can be fined, as well as entrepreneurs that want to earn quick $$$.

and the subsequent remaining WestFest fans that still believe in the spirit of the festival.

The WestFest Purists Organization now accepts online donations in response to the ousting of a Montrose tradition.  Click below to donate $$$, if 'snail mail' is of no other alternative:

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