"Autism is Awesome" Benefit Concert Jack Black & Stephen Stills

far right: Lexy Aaron, Wyatt Issacs & Rio Wyles

On October 4, 2011, The Miracle Project present- ed a free “Autism is Awesome” benefit concert at The Grove in Los Angeles to bring greater awareness to the miracles and possibili- ties for children with autism.
 
Autism the Musical, an HBO Emmy-Award win- ning documentary, (2008) introduced the world to The Miracle Project’s amazing work with autistic children. The Miracle Project, founded in 2004 by Elaine Hall and Diane Issacs, is a multi-platform socialization program that enables children and teens with autism and other special needs, to express themselves through music, dance, acting, story, and writing.

The Tree Ceremony – Honoring a Landmark of the SFV

Ceremony honoring Aleppo

On October 12, 2011, twenty neighbors on Kittridge Street in Van Nuys gathered together to honor and celebrate the life of one of the oldest native tree spirits of the San Fernando Valley – that of a 300-year-old Aleppo Pine – standing 150 feet tall.

When news of the sale of this beautiful Van Nuys property brought with it word that the tree that gave shade to more than half the block was too tall to insure, the new owners were devastated – as were all the neighbors. Under great pressure from the mortgage and insurance companies – that would not complete the sale, or insure the property if the tree stayed – the owners gave in. Who would have thought that liability fears of mega companies would one day take the life of this beautiful historic landmark?