Los Angeles and Southern California's mountains have been in the spotlight as of late. The mountains are always there, of course, but a seemingly endless barrage of drizzle, rain, freezing rain, hail, graupel, sleet, and snow have painted our semi-arid landscape with brilliant strokes of green and swathes of blinding white. The unexpected precipitation has … Continue reading Mist & Iron — The Mountains and Hills of Metro Los Angeles
Homes Fit For Heroes — The Sunset Pacific Motel (1964-2023)
As I write, the Sunset Pacific Motel -- better known as "the Bates Motel" -- is coming down. After sitting abandoned for over twenty years during which plans were made and hands were changed, it appears that the long-delayed Junction Gateway project is moving forward. Love it or (more likely) hate it -- the Sunset … Continue reading Homes Fit For Heroes — The Sunset Pacific Motel (1964-2023)
Happy Twin Peaks Day
Welcome to Twin Peaks Happy Twin Peaks Day! It was on this date, 24 February, back in 1989 that FBI Agent Dale Cooper first rolled into Twin Peaks, a fictional Washington town located ""five miles south of the Canadian border, and twelve miles west of the [Idaho] state line." The time was 11:30 am. Twin … Continue reading Happy Twin Peaks Day
Black Pioneers of Silver Lake
INTRODUCTION The other day, I thought it might be nice to submit a story for the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council newsletter for Black History Month. I figured I'd flesh it out and publish it here -- a story about three culturally and historically significant black residents of the neighborhood. Silver Lake, in its early years, … Continue reading Black Pioneers of Silver Lake
Where Fools Fear To Tread — A Snapshot of San Francisco
A beautiful day in San Francisco In early January, Una and I headed north over to San Francisco to visit my sister, who was in town for a conference. I figured it might be a nice opportunity to share some thoughts about "the City." Since first visiting in 1998, I've been to San Francisco many … Continue reading Where Fools Fear To Tread — A Snapshot of San Francisco
Mapping Pee-Wee Herman in Los Angeles (and Beyond) on the Anniversary of Large Marge’s Passing (Which Should Probably Be Designated Pee-Wee Herman Day)
It was on 11 January 1974 -- every fan of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure knows -- that Large Marge died in the worst "accident" that many had ever seen. The sound of the crash was evocatively compared to that of "a garbage truck dropped off the Empire State Building." Ten years later, an apparently quinquagenarian truck … Continue reading Mapping Pee-Wee Herman in Los Angeles (and Beyond) on the Anniversary of Large Marge’s Passing (Which Should Probably Be Designated Pee-Wee Herman Day)
No Enclave — Moroccan Los Angeles
INTRODUCTION Morocco is playing France today in the World Cup semi-finals. It's a huge game for several reasons because Morocco are -- and have been -- massive underdogs. But that didn't stop them from knocking out Iberian neighbors Spain and Morocco. And now, as they did in the 8th century, the move on to France. … Continue reading No Enclave — Moroccan Los Angeles
No Enclave — Croatian Los Angeles
INTRODUCTION Today, on 13 December (St. Lucy's Day), Argentina and Croatia will face off in the World Cup semi-finals. It's safe to say, most Angelenos who care at all about association football (aka "soccer") will be rooting for Argentina. Los Angeles is also home to the nation's second-largest Argentine community -- although it is smaller … Continue reading No Enclave — Croatian Los Angeles
Happy Holidays — The War on Christmas Edition
Happy December, Happy Holidays, and Happy War on Christmas! I'm sure, by now, you've heard of the supposed War on Christmas. It's one of the biggest bugbears of so-called Conservatives. I say, "so-called" because the first people to declare War on Christmas were the Puritans who banned Christmas in the Massachusetts Colony in 1659 and … Continue reading Happy Holidays — The War on Christmas Edition
California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Dayton Heights
I was recently contacted by Dave Stoelk from Spectrum News. He originally wanted to do a segment on the Silver Lake Croquet League for his segment, "That's So L.A." After talking for a few minutes, though, he thought it might be fun to instead do a segment about my maps that I make, as Pendersleigh … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Dayton Heights
Eric Brightwell 