The Happy Times Newspaper We are a paper devoted to bringing encouraging, enlightening and inspiring stories to our readers.

Go grab your free copy at these locations around Los Angeles: More locations to come

Sabor & Cultura (on Hollywood Blvd. near Gower)

Beverly Hills Libary

Buzz Coffee (on Beverly Blvd/Stanley)

Meltdown Comics (on Sunset - west of Gardner)

Gardner Library (on Gardner - between Beverly Blvd. & 3rd Street)

Apple Comics on Melrose - east of LaBrea

Circus Books (on Santa Monica - west of Crescent Heights)

Family Bookstore (on Fairfax - between Oakwood and Rosewood)

Beaujois Pig (newstand on Franklin - east of Gower)

VP Discount (on Beverly Blvd. - west of Fairfax)

We are excitedly working on the February issue.  It will be out shortly.  There will be great articles, artwork, and announcements to share with all of you.  So keep on the lookout at your local libraries, cafes, and stores aroune Los Angeles.  We will post more information for you to let you know where you can pick up a free copy of the newspaper.

Thank you for your continued support.

Best,

rebecca schlaeger

My assignment from the editor of this newspaper was to find something to be happy about and write it down.  I have to admit, she catches me a lot and edits my writing, because well….I tend to be a bit of a grouch.  I want to be happy.  I try to be happy.  But you know what gets in my way?  It is my high expectations on just about everything.  I expect people to behave a certain way.  I expect the traffic to flow well so I can get where I am going.  I expect the book I am reading to enlighten and entertain me.  I expect things to be where I put them. However, this is a real problem for me because they are always where I put them…the problem is where exactly was that?  On a daily basis, I can’t find my keys, money, books, and checkbook.  The ole’ saying from parents, “If your head wasn’t attached, you would lose it, really hits home for me.  I get scatterbrained, frustrated, and irritated when things don’t go my way. 

Okay, I hope she doesn’t edit all of that because I have a point to make, and I will be talking about something happy here….hold off with the red pen!

One day I was at the ole homestead where I grew up.  I was visiting, looking around and reliving the past…nope can’t say carefree….I was a worrier, grumbler then too.  My sister walked in and said “I caught in bee in the kitchen.  It is under the glass. Don’t lift the glass because you know Mom is allergic to bees.”  Something pulled me into that kitchen to check on that bee.   I went in and sure enough safe from causing my Mother any discomfort was the bee under the glass.  And it bothered me.  I became worried about this bee.  And I couldn’t let go of it.  I thought, can he breathe? Does he know he has been caught? Is he mad at us for trapping him?  I walked up to it and he and I had some kind of “karmic connection”.  I felt him talking to me.  “Hey dude….get me out of here!  Look I hear the gals are scared.  I get it.  But it is stuffy in here.  And I would really like to be outside.  I don’t want to hurt anyone.  Could you possible help me out here Bub?”  Well, yes, in fact, I was going to try.  I found a plate and I began to slowly slide the cup towards the plate.  My sister walked in and exclaimed “Don’t you dare let that bee out in this house!”  Thank God my nerves were level.  I didn’t drop the plate. And  I didn’t lift the glass too soon.  I began to talk to the bee.  “Hey, I’ll help you if you help me.  Could you make this easier on me?  I’ll slide the cup and you walk with me.”  He did better than that.  He walked up the glass making my job so much easier.  I got the glass and the plate I was handling it right outside in cowboy style.  My Mom wouldn not be hurt.  I wouldn not get stung.  I headed outside to place this sweet bee on a log outside my Mom’s house.  Right in the middle of her beautiful garden, I lifted the glass.  Can you hear the symphony?  And…he sat there. I knew he was happy.  He was going to be all right.  He was hanging out in the garden.  I said “You are all right bee.  You enjoy yourself.” 

What a nice feeling that was for me.  No expectations.  A little hope I would be able to do this without any error.  But mostly, it was a relaxed feeling of solving a problem and saving a fellow citizen of my world. 

When I sent this article in for Mrs. Schlaeger, she was delighted. She had just received a drawing from one of her top artists for the paper, Zissy Rozen.  It was of a bee. I hear he is hanging somewhere close to my article.  I’d like to think somewhere in the universe that is the bee’s way of saying thanks and that I made him happy. Cause wherever you are Mr. Bee, you sure made me feel happy too.   Quite a task for me.  And what did I learn?  Just bee…

Ruby Raindrops by R.J. Lesner

My little girl with happy feet

Prancing down every street

With all the love in her heart

She stays with me we do not part.

She awakens with a happy stance

Even when I’m in no mood to dance

I grumble and mumble as I wake

Need to rise should I jump in a lake?

Here she is jumping up and down.

She is quite ready to head to town.

I need my coffee to rise and shine.

However, do I hear a whine?

Yep my Ruby Raindrops is here to say

Get up!  Get up!  We need to start the day!

Well, I’m up and now what should we do?

She looks at me, and says don't feel blue.  

All right, I look at bit frazzled here and there

And of course I need to pick something to wear.

Ruby Raindrops is waiting with bouncing glee.

She spots a squirrel jump up a tree.

She runs outside and waits on a log.

She is my Ruby Raindrops, who is my dog.

Along with meeting Saray, I met with Leyna who also does wonderful things through Indigo-Project.com.  Check these out!  I am going to give CSA a try.  It sounds like a great thing. 

Here is the link to the Southern California CSA website https://csacalifornia.org/socal.html which will give you an explanation of what a CSA is, where they get our produce, and the other locations around Southern California.

In addition to managing the Fairfax CSA pick-up location, Leyna produces a documentary web-series entitled PLANET PROGRESS.  Our production company is called iNDIGO PROjECT and they were the ones sponsoring the CHALK4PEACE event that I went to on Saturday. 

Here's to good stuff!  Good happy times!

best,

rebecca

On Saturday, September 12th Indigo Project hosted this wonderful event called Chalk For Peace.  There was lots of chalk for the kids and adults to draw and have fun.  Bank Of America on LaBrea was nice enough to allow them to have this event in the parking lot.  It was a lot of fun.  There was music, fun booths, yoga, and of course chalk.  Here are some of the pictures that I took from the event.  You can check out indigo-project.com for more information about the work they do.  You can also check out chalk4peace.org  There is a lot of good stuff happening by people who want to spread joy, happiness and peace.   Here are some of the pictures I took of the event.  The fun chalk art that me and the family did.  And a picture of me with Saray Deiseil who headed up the event.  Here's to peace!  Here's to art!  Here's to happy times! 

best,

rebecca 

I'm always looking for help and support for the newspaper.  Here are a few of the job openings available.  The paper is slowly building bit by bit...so at this time it would be non paid job.  However, you get to have it on your resume that you were a part of the up and coming, fabulous and wonderful Happy Times newspaper.

Looking for:

Advertising help

Website design

Graphic designer

Writers

Cartoonists

feel free to email me with any questions or submissions - thehappytimes@sbcglobal.net

Hi readers!

I am so pleased to continue to this journey of bringing you a cup of happy with every issue.  We are currently working on the next issue of The Happy Times which comes out in November.  Wow! Can you believe it will be a year since our very first publication.  Those of you who have been with us since the beginning, watching us grow, helping us with every baby step, and giving love, encouragment and support....we thank you!  It helps in a world that has such a tight grip on fear.  I am challenged at times to come up with reasons for continuing with this newspaper.  The voices come at me very quickly.....in a Jimmy Cagney voice......Are you crazy?  In this town?  You are going to be swallowed up! The Happy  Times?  Is that a porn site?  Are you kidding?  Are you high?   I begin to feel a little foolish, challenged, and silly.  But then it occurs to me....so what?  Every has an opinion just like they have a A..HOLE.  And let them have theirs.  My intention was and is to bring encouraging, enlightening and uplifting stories.  I wanted to find these for myself and I am thrilled to share these with you.  So here I go!  I wipe the dirt off my skinned knees and I walk away from those who are making fun of this small town gal in this big city and I say.....Happy Times!  I am going to have my Happy Times.

I hope you are all well.  I hope you are finding plenty of happy out there!  I would love to hear about it! 

Best Wishes,

Rebecca Schlaeger

Creator of The Happy Times

The Happy Times is hoping you are having a fabulous summer!

Enjoy a nice cool glass of lemondae, iced coffee....eat a yummy slice of watermelon... or iced tea and enjoy a copy of The Happy Times!  Cool down and feel good! 

We have delivered more papers.  You can pick up a copy at Circus Books on Santa Monica in West Hollywood.  And Book Soup (at their Newstand) up on Sunset.  Tell them you are looking for The Happy Times!

drawing by Erin Cristall

Wahoo's Tacos (on Crescent Heights & Wilshire Blvd.)  Our first big corporate ad.  Whooooeee!  Full Page!

VP Discount on Beverly Blvd. ( I believe the cross street is Edinburgh)

At the Farmer's Market Newstand (on the North Side near the old gas pump)

More locations to come!  We are delivering as fast as we can!!!!