So, as they say, today is yesterday's tomorrow. And today is the day the Dodgers planned to open the Fifth Gate, which would let thousands of cars -- along with garbage and noise makers (if the Dodgers win) -- loose into our residential neighborhood. Unless the rain impacts that eventuality. A hastily announced neighborhood meeting Wednesday night was so crowded I had to be rude and push my way inside, past people who were standing outside Barlow Hall, trying to hear Dodgers VP Howard Sunkin describe the Dodgers "pilot program." (Not my finest moment, but I am short and stood no chance of seeing or hearing what was going on if I stayed on the patio.) Inside, there were four television news cameras and other cameras, and around the hall it was an all-star cast of old-guard, civics-involved Echo Park. One man sat on the piano bench in the corner. I kept wishing he'd offer some accompaniment. Like the Dodgers' chords between plays or like a silent movie. Because this meeting was quite a show, even though it was remarkably orderly.

The people who attended were overwhelmingly, often passionately opposed to opening the Fifth Gate. But the issue is going to play out in Dodger time as Howard -- as everyone at the meeting called him -- said the "pilot program" would extend until the All Stars break (read a few months from now).