Walk’s volunteers keep stars shining

Walk’s volunteers keep stars shining

By Annie Shooman

The Associated Press

John Wayne has a little too much true grit.

But Barry Manilow’s star shines brightly, thanks to people who
take it upon themselves to clean and polish some of the big names
on Hollywood Boulevard.

Star Polishers, a group founded about 15 years ago, has about
140 volunteers who shine stars on the Walk of Fame.

In addition, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which places the
stars, and council member Jackie Goldberg administer a Walk of Fame
"adopt-a-block" program to maintain the stars. And fan clubs and
some businesses pitch in, too.

"I ran into the Julio Iglesias fan club down there on Saturday.
They’re there all the time," Hollywood honorary Mayor Johnny Grant
said Monday.

But with more than 2,000 stars in place and more arriving ­
magician David Copperfield will get his star April 25 ­ some
big names are neglected.

"The most famous people nobody has," said Bart Sterling, manager
of Pause Hollywood, a Coca-Cola memorabilia store on the boulevard.
"Nobody has James Dean or John Wayne. You would think those would
have been taken first."

City workers nightly use hot water and high-powered hoses to
push gum, candy, food and other grime off the two-foot-square
terra-cotta stars. But the water doesn’t do much to shine the brass
frame and letters.

"It’s like sprinkling your lawn. It really doesn’t do the job,"
said Michael Kellerman, owner of Pause Hollywood and founder of
Star Polishers.

Taking a can of Brasso and a pail of soapy water in hand, Star
Polishers’ Rose Bitters, 72, and her daughter, Jeannie, 44, drive
about 10 miles from suburban Downey the first Saturday of every
month to buff their favorite star.

Wearing pink T-shirts that read "Barry’s Buffers," the women
have been polishing singer Barry Manilow’s brass for close to 14
years. They say it takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to
scour the grime off.

"I was born and raised here and wanted to see Hollywood kept
clean," Rose Bitters said.

They had to stop earlier this year when subway digging caused
the street to sink several inches. John Forsythe’s star cracked and
authorities removed others ­ including Manilow’s ­ to
prevent further damage.

Kellerman said up to 250 stars, including those honoring Marilyn
Monroe and Elvis Presley, eventually will be warehoused as the
subway project expands.

In the meantime, the Bitters are polishing Annette Funicello and
the Andrews Sisters.

"Some of the stars are almost 40 years old now and they need
replacing. But just as soon as we get a report that a star needs
repairing we do it," Grant said as he reported a chip in Bing
Crosby’s star.

"The Hollywood Walk of Fame has a very high priority and we
aren’t letting anyone down. We know that people come to see them,"
he said. "Overall, they’re in great shape."