Edward was the 3rd person the author recognized, immediately after herself. This was based on friendship, past-life flashbacks, and an immediate memory of Matt as the person who had photographed her numerous times in the past. In the current lifetime, Matt also has close relationships with the reincarnations of William Bell, Colonel Isaac Ebey, one of Chief Joseph's children, and Chief Pat Kanim's son. Both he and his brother enjoy film making in their free time. For more information on the Hopi Rain Dance and Indigineous Weather Modification, click here or here. Level B

Update - September 2004: Cyndy additionally recognized two people in her life as two of Edward's children (his eldest daughter, and his son - below). The current reincarnation of his daughter currently works for the Sierra Club, while the current reincarnation of his son attends grade school.

The recognition of Matt's current-life brother as Asahel came later after seeing a photograph. Additionally, the gentleman on the left in the lower photo bears a striking resemblance to another current-life friend of these two brothers. Level E

"We're all born scientists until we hit junior high school." - Michio Kaku

This match was based on affectionate memories of this person being very kind in the past. Level B

"If superstring theory turns out to be correct, the idea of a world consisting of 10 or more dimensions is one that we'll need to become comfortable with. But will there ever be an explanation or a visual representation of higher dimensions that will truly satisfy the human mind? The answer to this question may forever be no. Not unless some four-dimensional life-form pulls us from our three-dimensional Spaceland and gives us a view of the world from its perspective." - The Elegant Universe, NOVA

This match was based on synchronicities, comfortable familiarity, and relationships with others in the group. Click here for an account of Colonel Ebey's connection to Chief Snaklum and his tribe. Click here for more information on Colonel Ebey and a history of central Whidbey Island. Level B

Alexander Pantages was well known for his success as a theater owner in Seattle, despite little formal education. This is an another example of a member of this group who was falsely accused of a crime in a past life. (See Chief Leschi's page). In this case, the truth became apparent quickly, and he was aquitted of the accusations by a California Supreme Court. It was later discovered that his accuser had been consipired with and been bribed by competitors (full story below). Ned is a talented software developer. A kind hearted person with a wonderful sense of humor, Ned enjoys hiking in the outdoors and attending concerts by famous friends. Ned has also been known to tell a memorable "bear in the woods" story while dining with co-workers. Ned has recently decided to change professions - he is currently studying to become a lawyer. Level B

“Popular entertainment at popular prices” – that was the motto of Alexander Pantages, a Greek by

birth who became famous in the United States for his entrepreneurial success in the world of theater ownership. Born on the island of Andros about 130 years ago, young Pantages changed his first name from Pericles to Alexander, after learning about the feats of Alexander the Great. But while the first Alexander achieved his fame on a traditional battlefield, his namesake earned it fighting a war of a different kind—in the battle for vaudeville success. From plays staged in Skagway restaurants to the chain of theaters bearing his name, the Pantages story is one of showmanship coupled with entrepreneurial enthusiasm.

His first foray into the world of the theater came while he was in the Yukon, purchasing his first theater,

the “Pantages Orpheum,” in Nome with the financial help of his mistress Kate Rockwell, also known as “Klondike Kate, the Queen (or Flame) of the Yukon.” He sold the Orpheum in 1902 and moved to Seattle. There, he purchased a storefront, which he converted into the Crystal Theatre, offering seats at 10 cents each. Pantages built the first Pantages Theatre in 1904, just down the street from his Crystal Theatre. The Pantages Theater continued to operate until 1914 when it was replaced with a new one at a different location in the city.

During the next five years, Pantages opened two more theaters, with a typical Pantages show offering seven to 10 acts, Seattle success encouraged him to expand south in California and north in

Canada

, purchasing the Crystal circuit (with theaters in Colorado and Missouri) in 1909. The Minneapolis Pantages served as the starting point for the Pantages Circuit, with theater manager Jack Quinlan assembling each show and playing it for a week, before sending it into the Pantages circuit.

By the end of World War I, Pantages had the strongest vaudeville circuit, and by 1926, he owned 30 theaters and controlled 42 others, making the Pantages circuit the largest independently owned vaudeville and movie circuit in the

U.S.

With mansions in Seattle and Los Angeles, and an ever-growing number of theaters, Pantages eventually had a net worth that reached $25 million. While Pantages obviously had the talent and entrepreneurial spirit that influenced his success, he was also wise enough to ally himself with professionals whose expertise proved invaluable assets. In addition to an in-house staff of professional engineers and theater consultants, Pantages also brought on board decorative painter Anthony B. Heinsbergen and architect B. Marcus Priteca. Heinsbergen’s affiliation with Pantages is believed to have begun with the redecoration of the Minneapolis Pantages in 1922, leading to 18 more Pantages Theatres to be decorated by his firm. Priteca’s initial commission was for the San Francisco Pantages in 1911, awarded when he was 21. He went on to become the primary architect for the Pantages chain, designing 22 theaters between 1911 and 1929.

With his keen business sense, unique approach and unflagging determination, Alexander Pantages

was frequently victorious in the oft-vicious battle for vaudeville acts. Just how vicious it could be is exemplified by the battle between Pantages and Joseph P. Kennedy and RKO. When Kennedy first offered Pantages $8 million as part of his plan to expand his Radio-Keith-Orpheum chain to the West Coast, Pantages turned him down. Finally, in 1929, he agreed to sell 15 of the theaters to RKO for a price that has been variously quoted as low as $3 or as high as $24 million. The timing of the sale was fortuitous, taking place before the Crash of ’29. But the increased profit came at a price: it was later alleged that Kennedy hired 17-year-old Eunice Pringle to accuse Pantages of rape. Her $1 million lawsuit led to a conviction for Pantages with a sentence of one to 50 years. Fortunately, the California Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 1931, with Pringle dropping the suit in exchange for a $3,000 settlement.

Pantages later attempted to return to theater ownership. In 1932, he announced plans for a nationwide theater circuit, but when that fell through, he subsequently leased theaters in California, Washington State and Utah. His last theater holding was the Pantages in Hollywood, run by his son Rodney. February 17, 1936 marked the final curtain call for Alexander Pantages when he fell victim to a heart attack. But the Minneapolis Pantages Theatre and others that were once a part of the Pantages circuit stand as a testament to the Greek immigrant who brought the mystery and magic of the theater to everyone.

Los Angeles is a city well known for its murals, but not all of its murals are well known. Case in point: the mural on the 17th and 18th floors of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center at 210 W. Temple St. Installed as part of the celebration of the District Attorney Offices 150th Anniversary, the mural traces the history of Los Angeles from a small, rowdy Pueblo to the complex multicultural metropolis of the Twenty First Century. The walls display the scandals, tragedies and tabloidesque events which have inspired dozens of novels, movies, and television specials.

In the early days, L.A. had a largely transient population of Mexican American War veterans, cowboys, miners and riverboat gamblers searching for a game in one of the many saloons. The town averaged a murder a night, plus assorted non-lethal shootings, stabbings, and fist fights. The town needed a formal criminal justice system. In 1850, the state legislature created the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.

The Hollywood entertainment community provided some of the most colorful characters prosecuted by the D.A., usually for charges more serious than petty crimes and misdemeanors such as shoplifting or slapping a cop. In 1929, the famous Vaudeville producer and theater owner Alexander Pantages was accused of rape by Eunice Pringle, an aspiring showgirl. D.A. Burton Fitts prosecuted the case and was able to exclude details of the woman's sexual history. Young attorney Jerry Giesler represented Pantages. The trial did not go well, and Pantages received fifty years in prison.

On appeal, Giesler persuaded the California Supreme Court to order a new trial where Pringle's past could be introduced. In the first trial Fitts had Pringle in a demure black dress. Giesler razzle-dazzled the court by insisting that Pringle appear as she had on the day of the alleged rape, wearing a red dress, red lipstick and high heels. Pantages was acquitted. On her deathbed Pringle admitted that she had conspired with Fitts and Joseph P. Kennedy, who was then involved in show business and Pantages' arch rival. Pringle never got the $10,000 or screen parts she was promised. Giesler went on to defend many other celebrity clients: Robert Mitchum (marijuana charge), Lili St. Cyr (a modest strip tease at Ciro's Nightclub), Tony Cornero (owner of gambling boats which plied international waters off Southern California).

One of the most striking images on the mural is of director Busby Berkeley in court on a hospital bed being tried for killing three people while driving under the influence. He was defended, of course, by Jerry Giesler. After two hung juries, Giesler's magic secured Berkeley's acquittal. During the year long ordeal, Warner Bros., which took the business part of show business very seriously, forced Berkeley to continue filming at night.

You can spend a good hour surveying the history of L.A. and the D.A.'s Office, or narrow your visit to specific topics: riots, gangs, or major cases which still hold the public's attention, including Charlie Manson, the McMartin preschool trial, or O.J. If you would rather not walk, there is a companion book For the People (KB88.G7Z9P26s).