CLEAN, SOBER HANGOUT STRUGGLES TO SURVIVE

Alisi Manuel says no one should call her ``Crazy Lisa''
anymore.

For years, she shuffled down East Palo Alto's hardscrabble streets
drunk or stoned until everyone knew her by that name. Now that she's
clean, she wonders if the notoriety she once gained is bringing down
her newly opened social club, the Neutral Zone.

After considerable controversy, Manuel opened the place in East Palo
Alto five months ago to provide teens, as well as young adults in
recovery, a sober hangout without the influence of drugs or alcohol.
It was a place Manuel had dreamed about as she won a battle with her
addictions.

Now, she fears the University Avenue site could close if she cannot
get more funding. And she wonders if potential donors think of her as
Crazy Lisa, not as a capable crusader.

``I am wondering if my reputation is my biggest problem,'' Manuel
said. ``I really want to give motivation to people in recovery
somewhere to go without alcohol or drugs.''

Manuel received $5,000 from the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation and
$1,000 from Opportunities Industrialization Center West when the club
opened. But now, as 20 to 30 teens visit daily to play pool, dominoes
and study, Manuel is running out of cash. Her rent is $2,500 a month,
she said.

She has trouble getting funds, Manuel said, because she needs help in
applying for grants. She wants additional money to pay rent, open a
juice bar and buy a television to show educational movies.

City Planner Michael Bethke said that although he opposed the opening
of the club, Manuel has followed all the restrictions stipulated by
the city. The club cannot allow live music or tolerate loitering.

Bethke and some residents opposed the club because it might have
multiplied the number of loiterers in the area. The Neutral Zone is
next to the Hi & Buy liquor store, which Bethke and others believe is
a magnet for drinkers.

Manuel, a native of the Pacific island nation of Tonga, said to keep
the club alive, she will conduct a fundraiser luau with hula dancing
on Sept. 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the
door. Admission includes a Polynesian dinner with some American food.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED The Neutral Zone is at 2381 University Ave., East
Palo Alto; call (650) 322-8001.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry