Queen of Silver Lake pageant (2nd: 2002)

Queen of Silver Lake beauty pageant, Glendale Boulevard, parking lot of California Federal Savings & Loan Association [later Citibank], 2002. "The second pageant was staged in the larger parking lot of Cal Fed on Glendale Blvd. (now Citibank) thanks to SLCC Treasurer Marisa Bernal, the Cal Fed Branch Manager and Honorary Queen for the event. Judges included Anna Nicole Smith, Mo Collins of 'Mad TV', Councilmember Tom La Bonge and actress Jennifer Coolidge ('Legally Blonde', 'Dog Show'). Additionally, Councilmember Eric Garcetti got in touch with his inner Henny Youngman in his entertaining presentation. When returning Host Jackie Beat fell sick in the opening minutes of the show, reigning Queen Leslie Carrara-Rudolph channeled her own inner Shirley MacLaine and — in a move that would have made the overnight star of 'The Pajama Game' proud — stepped up and saved the day in brilliant and energetic fashion. 'Miss Acme Pet Care' (aka Dragzilla, nee Mario Arreola) was crowned Queen after wowing the crowd of 2,700+ with his twirling cage dance number. The event proceeds benefitted Project New Hope to the tune of about $6500." -- Park to Park (http://kurtrademaekers.com/park2parkla/030715/qsl/qsl.htm). Part of a series of oral histories "The people of Silver Lake". Available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anGen3yz2QE