(August 29, 2003) -- The North Long Beach Community Action Group (NLBCAG) has held its August monthly "Dine Out" at the Happy Hobo Cafe on Atlantic Ave. NLBCAG, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary at the "Top of the Town," holds monthly "Dine Outs" to support community restraurants. The Happy Hobo Cafe has gained fame as the regular Saturday morning venue for 9th district Councilman Val Lerch...who invites LB residents to greet him over a cup of coffe, bowl of grits or other Hobo menu favorites. Digital pix on this page and background info was emailed by NLBCAG's tireless president LaRose Hodges. [LBReport.com invites other neighborhood groups to email us pix and info on their newsworthy events: mail@LBReport.com] Frank & Deb own the Happy Hobo...and NLBCAG president Hodges says they usually close about 3:00 p.m. but opened their doors specially for CAG Dine Out. Frank prepared a special menu for CAG and all of their invitees. Photo courtesy LaRose Hodges Photo courtesy LaRose Hodges Omar Escobeda is manager at Rent-A-Center and welcomed an Aug. 23 NLBCAG alley clean up crew to his parking lot. Debra Morris-Walker is manager of 2nd Chances Thrift-For Women's Shelter. Ms. Morris-Walker graciously consented to having a dumpster placed in front of her business for the alley clean-up. Laura Stowell is part of the newly organized Village 55 Neighborhood Watch. Pressed into action by Ms. Hodges [LBReport.com comment: don't try to say no to LaRose], Ms. Stowell was one of roughly six participants taking part in the alley cleanup from the newly organized Watch group. Also perusing things, 9th district Council office aide Dan Pressburg. Photo courtesy LaRose Hodges Photo courtesy LaRose Hodges Richard Clapp enjoys a hearty Happy Hobo meal. President Hodges says an "unsung hero" is Jerry Caliguiri of the 8th District Council office. "My most grateful thanks to him for so willingly helping me with coordinating everything, picking up the supplies and contacting the Fire Department to cook the hotdogs for us...[T]his was a last minute request that turned out to be quite successful because of Jerry," Ms. Hodges said via email.