Sahra Sulaiman

It's going to be hot this weekend.

When election seasons heat up, politicians are often quick to assure constituents that they represent Main Street, not Wall Street. But they way they conceptualize of "Main Street" has very little relation to an actual urban Main Street, such as ours. Wouldn't you love to see Mitt Romney getting a bacon-wrapped hot dog from a street vendor? Or stopping in a 99-cent store in the heart of South L.A.? Or Obama popping into the soul food place that bears his tagged-up visage? Where are those photo ops?

"Only a nobody walks in L.A." blared at me as I strolled into the grocery store.

It's been hot lately.

Have you ever stood in front of a piece of public art and thought your experience would be all the awesomer if you had some context for the work? Or maybe you passed by a public artwork every day and it didn't register with you until someone engaged you on questions of its value and meaning?

Yesterday, the Peace, Love, and Family Ride rolled through South L.A., ably led by the Real Rydaz.

Summer is officially here and South L.A. is celebrating in style.

"Every day, I'm learning," Shuntain Thomas, one of the core members of the Real Rydaz, tells me each time I talk to him.

Sometimes pictures speak louder than words. So, I'll keep it short.

Beginning tomorrow at noon, you can board the Expo Line for free at the newly opened Farmdale and Culver City Stations. You'll be handed a voucher for a free return trip at that time.