eCommerce

Sometimes things don't work out as planned.

Highway to Heaven?

And I thought "brownsville revival" was a circuit party. And don't even get me started on feeling the presence of God...

Mel Tolkin

Mel Tolkin, a renowned writer of Sid Caeser's shows and All in the Family -- he won the Humanitas Award for writing the episode in which Edith was raped -- has passed away. He was a kind and exceptional man and he will be missed.

Mel, send your best to Michael, Stan, Art, Arnie -- the list is too long to continue.

Los Angeles Subway Plan

Everybody and their mother has a detailed plan on how the subway in Los Angeles should grow. This guy has a good new one.

Global Warming?

What Global Warming?!

Lake Dolores

From my sister, I received this post from the Retroland SoCal list...

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Where on earth is (was?) Lake Dolores?

When I was a kid in the '70's I used to see TV commercials all the time about buying property to build your dream retirement home on in "beautiful Lake Dolores". The ad's had images of people boating and water skiing on a lake somewhere. The ad's ran for years so plenty of people must've bought property. But I've never been able to find anything about Lake Dolores on any map or by Googling. Nobody seems to have ever heard of it.

You folks here must remember those commercials. DO ANY OF YOU KNOW WHERE LAKE DOLORES IS OR WAS????
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Being a native, I somehow cannot remember this at all. I think I must have blocked it from my memory as my parents were obviously smart enough to keep me away from an obviously dangerous waterpark (but obviously also truly amazing park).

It sounds totally irresponsible, but, man, would I have loved it.

Pico and Sepulveda

Everybody knows I LOVE L.A. and some have heard of L.A.'S MY LADY, but this song, found on the L.A. Stories post about the Great L.A. Walk is sensational. According to its description on YouTube, it's by Felix Figueroa and His Orchestra, from the cult film, Forbidden Zone. Who knew?!

The Great L.A. Walk

Franklin Avenue arranged and organized the second annual Great L.A. Walk and they tackled one of the best and least famous boulevards, Pico, from Downtown to the Ocean. Unfortunately, I couldn't make this one, but here are some great snapshots that really showcase the breadth of Pico and L.A.

Congratulations Walkers!

Brenda Dickson Parody

Reporters Suck

But at least some are asking the tough questions. Too bad's it's just Wonkette, but we get whatever we can.

L.A. Times BuildingFor Sale

Given that even with a 10,000 person strong peace march going by it on Oct. 27th and they couldn't cover it locally, I still think it would be sad if the Times building was sold, as L.A.Observed notes. That said, maybe the deal for the Herald Examiner Building falls through and the Times could move there. That would be ironic and just.

Ragtime

Thanks to my friend Tom, I have this great clip from the original Broadway production of Ragtime. What makes the story of this great American story better is the great American and Canadian financial shenanigans that went on behind the production. Anyway, enjoy.

I Love the Internets Reason #647

The Writers Guild Strike

Well, this just about hits the nail on the head.

Atwater Village News

I haven't had much time for constitutionals in the neighborhood lately, but, today, I was able to stroll much of the length of our little main street, Glendale Boulevard...and I'm happy to report, things are jumping. At least dancing.

There's now Belly Dancing classes on the northwest end, right next to the Pounder Gallery. And, of course, over in the middle of the boulevard is the beat house, where the door always seems to be open and 27 ladies seem to be getting their respective grooves on. Good for them and good for Atwater Village.

Near the Beat House in an old brick storefront that's been covered for some time is going to be the new restaurant from the man who brought L.A. "Soy House" and it's going to be named "Viet", a noodle house. The room is very minimalist with long communal wood tables. I can't wait til it opens.(The man in the pic below is the owner, who, not coincidentally, is named "Viet".)


About a block and a half north on the same side of the street, there is a new clothing store going in and it looks like it promises to cater to the hipster in all of us.


And, then, one final note, it looks like the new wine bar/store --next to the new Starbucks -- that is scheduled to open Monday, ain't gonna open Monday. Looks like they have way too much more to do to get it ready to be open, but quien sabe, right?

Black & White + Pink Eye = Hilarity

It's Business Time

Norman Mailer

Rest in Peace.

The Writers Guild Strike

My mom is in the union. My stepfather was in the union. I have friends in the union --both extremely successful and not as much. This strike is for fighting for what's right. It's not for the wealthy to become wealthier. Rather it's so that the people who do the actual work get their fair share of the pie. For a long time in this country, unions have been attacked, but they are now rebounding.

From Digby:

"Unions and the solidarity it promotes are an important key to a progressive America, whether it's the Writers Guild or the UAW or the janitors or the health care workers. They promote a strong and stable middle class --- and help us see ourselves as one people with common interests."


Digby has more on why this is important and what you can do.

Meyer Yahr RIP

My sister just reminded me that it was 15 years ago today that my dear grandfather passed away. It feels like a lot longer and not long at all. Born in Austria, he escaped pogroms with his family and came through Ellis Island, where he spent time in the hospital because of weak lungs. As a young person, he moved to Pittsburgh, married my now late grandmother, Dorothy, had three lovely children and eventually moved to Los Angeles. He'd be tickled by Joe Torre's hiring on the week of his anniverary. Poppy Meyer was a kind man and is deeply missed.

House Passes Anti-Gay Discrimination Bill

Huzzah. If it passes the Senate, though, Bush said he'd veto it. Not only is Bush a war criminal, a war profiteer, the worst president ever, but he's in favor of discrimination. Hecukuva job, America!

JC Penny Catalogue

What if you were working in your attic and found a 2-inch thick JC Penny catalogue from 1977? You'd thumb through it. Yeah, you know you would. And, behold the treasures within!

Ann Coulter Sucks Ass

Episcopal Hater

"Representatives from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh voted overwhelmingly Friday to approve constitutional amendments that are the first step in leaving the national church in a widening rift over homosexuality and interpretation of Scripture."
Come on, QUEER AS FOLK was set in Pittsburgh. Here's hoping the people of this diocese speak up for equality and freedom. Sheesh.

Happy Halloween

It's a little late, but I've needed time to recover. I traveled into West Hollywood this Halloween for the first time in years and I was not disappointed. I took the 14 Metro Bus down Santa Monica from Silverlake -- it was having mechanical difficulties, was packed to the rafters by people in costumes and included cheers and shot-taking throughout the ride. In short, very memorable. Still, as it literally inched along due to a massive Halloween traffic jam coming into WeHo, I got out at Vine and hoofed it the rest of the way. It was a great time in a great city. Now, without further delay, pics of the strange trip.



















See more pics from the festivities at my flickr.

Happy Blovember

Hope you had a good Halloween.