May 9, 2006

Squeals on Wheels

HeartsChallenger

Eerie out-of-tune strains of “It’s a Small World.” Melted cartoon faces on a stick. Metal bars separating you from a chain-smoking driver whose “good humor” is highly questionable.

Truck-borne ice-cold treats sure could use an update.

Which is exactly why L.A. native Leyla “Lo” Safai started HeartsChallenger, a traveling fun-mobile inspired by the ice cream trucks of her childhood.

If you haven’t spotted the pink vehicle festooned with a triumphant pair of unicorns and blasting homemade dance beats, you will soon. Sweets so cute you almost hate to ruin the packaging will have you pillaging those piggy banks just like back in the day: Try frozen goodies from all over the world like Japanese mochi and Armenian teddy bear bars, or go for frosty snow cones and kitschy candies.

And if Leyla’s path on Sunset Boulevard, extending from Echo Park to West Hollywood, doesn’t cross with yours, hire her for your own private event.

Just don’t be surprised if the whole neighborhood screams for ice cream.

For more info, go to heartschallenger.com.