HAPPY 98th Today is the 98th birthday of actor/singer Herb Jeffries. Although not widely recognized today (especially among non-black audiences, during his heyday in the 1930s and '40s he was an enormously popular singer and the first black actor to star in Westerns. I'd probably know nothing of him except for my tenure in the Black … Continue reading Happy birthday Bronze Buckeroo – Herb Jeffries turns 98 today.
Author: Eric Brightwell
Eric Brightwell is an essayist, rambler, explorer, cartographer, and guerrilla gardener. He lives in Los Angeles, not because he was born here, but because he chose to... for all of the things for which its famous: its verticality, its mass transit, its diversity, its schools, its liminal spaces, its architecture, its wildlife, its museums, its night markets, its cinemas, its theaters, its enclaves, its restaurants, its bars, its libraries, &c
Happy demotion day, Pluto – Pluto and other Trans-Neptunian Dwarf Planets in animation, games and TV
Today is the fifth anniversary of the demotion of Pluto from "planet" to "dwarf planet." PLUTO Pluto was first discovered in 1930. Part of the reason it was accepted as a planet was due to the fact that despite some behavior not fitting a proper planet it was assumed to be larger than Mercury unti … Continue reading Happy demotion day, Pluto – Pluto and other Trans-Neptunian Dwarf Planets in animation, games and TV
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California Fool’s Gold — A Westside Primer
JUST ANOTHER DAY IN WEST SIDE LA -- THE WESTSIDE A view of the Westside from my dirigible Around the world, the mere mention of the word "Westside" prompts people to throw up a "W" hand sign, in imitation of many west coast and west coast-affiliated (Tupac was, after all, a native of East Harlem) pop-rappers … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — A Westside Primer
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3Ball Pursuit – An LA Weddo in King Kumbia’s Kourt
STUMBLING ONTO A SCENE Three years ago I went to a party in Echo Park at a friend's home near the New Hope Mission Methodist Church. I don't remember what my friends were playing but outside the downstairs neighbors were bumping some amazing dance music. It was a variety of Cumbia, which I've always loved … Continue reading 3Ball Pursuit – An LA Weddo in King Kumbia’s Kourt
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California Fool’s Gold — A South Los Angeles Eastside Primer
STRAIGHT BILLIN' THROUGH THE EASTSIDE In Los Angeles, usage of the term "Eastside" varies depending on the speaker. To most Angelenos -- especially Latinos -- "The Eastside" refers to a group of neighborhoods immediately east of the Los Angeles River: Boyle Heights, Brooklyn Heights, City Terrace, East Los Angeles, El Sereno, Happy Valley, Hillside … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — A South Los Angeles Eastside Primer
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Tim Smooth, pioneering and influential New Orleans rapper, has passed away
Pioneering New Orleans rapper Tim Smooth died yesterday (Tuesday 26th 2011) at the young age of 39, after a long battle with cancer. Though not a household name outside of New Orleans and circles of New Orleans Rap fans, he was one of the undisputed pioneers in the city's scene. Like a hip-hop Zelig he … Continue reading Tim Smooth, pioneering and influential New Orleans rapper, has passed away
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California Fool’s Gold — A Midtown Primer
JUST LIKE MIDTOWN TRAFFIC -- MIDTOWN A detail of Pendersleigh & Sons Cartography's map of LA County showing Midtown's location Midtown is a small but bustling area of Los Angeles surrounded by the larger regions of Hollywood to the north, the Westside to the west, South Los Angeles to the south and the Mideast side to … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — A Midtown Primer
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California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Huntington Beach
SHOOTING THE PIER -- HUNTINGTON BEACH This blog entry is about Huntington Beach, a beach city in North Orange County. To Huntington Beach's southwestern edge is the Pacific Ocean. To its north are Seal Beach and Westminster. To the east isFountain Valley. North and east is the Little Saigon area. To the southeast are the … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Huntington Beach
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California Fool’s Gold — A South Bay primer
Although the nickname "The Bay" is often employed (rather self-centeredly, I might add) is often used byNorth Californians in reference to the San Francisco Bay, California actually has many bays, including Anchor Bay, Bodega Bay, Emerald Bay, Estero Bay, Granite Bay, Half Moon Bay, Meeks Bay, Morro Bay, Soda Bay, San Pedro Bay… you … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — A South Bay primer
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Pendersleigh & Sons Cartographical Art Show – Opening Night
PENDERSLEIGH & SONS CARTOGRAPHY If you're a fan of the primitive, hand-drawn maps that I do for Eric's Blog, then set aside 25 June to come to my first art show at 1650 Gallery in Echo Park. They'll be displaying forty pieces and offering originals, reprints in various sizes, and taking new commissions (also in … Continue reading Pendersleigh & Sons Cartographical Art Show – Opening Night
Eric Brightwell 