Supermarkets are wonderful places. My old landlord, a friendless and frankly unlikeable person, told me that Gelson's was her favorite place to spend Thanksgiving (alone). Joe Strummer wrote of getting lost in one, an experience apparently so traumatic that he required Mick Jones to sing his lyrics. The group Supermarket recorded just one song, called "Supermarket," the lyrics of which consisted … Continue reading Pan-Asian Metropolis — Los Angeles’s Asian Supermarkets
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Pan-Asian Metropolis — Asian Chain Restaurants in Los Angeles
For the self-congratulatory members of the cult of culinary authenticity, starvation is preferable to eating at a chain restaurant. Fast food in particular, with its industrial model of production, is the profane opposite of "artisanal." The apparent mission of the chain -- to appeal to as many people as possible -- is anathema to the foodie’s pornographic fetishization … Continue reading Pan-Asian Metropolis — Asian Chain Restaurants in Los Angeles
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No Enclave — Exploring Pakistani Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to a large population of Pakistani-Americans, second in size only to the New York-New Jersey area, but the population is fairly diffuse and there is no Little Pakistan, official or unofficial. For this episode of No Enclave, I explore Pakistani-Los Angeles and Southern California. Pakistan is a nation in South Asia. … Continue reading No Enclave — Exploring Pakistani Los Angeles
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Greater Streets: Exploring the Walk of Fame — Heart of Hollywood
INTRODUCTION Hollywood and Vine -- The heart of Downtown Hollywood Although it continues to attract millions of tourists every year, there are few places in Los Angeles that locals avoid as deliberately as Downtown Hollywood's Walk of Fame. To put it bluntly, most Angelenos that I know would rather jostle with the crowded sidewalks along … Continue reading Greater Streets: Exploring the Walk of Fame — Heart of Hollywood
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Nobody Drives in LA — Los Angeles Train Map
Los Angeles was made possible by trains. Rate wars between Southern Pacific and Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railways ignited the first population boom. To this day, the vast, expansive Pacific Electric Railway was the largest interurban electric railway the world has ever known. Its primary purpose was o expand growth in the suburbs -- or as … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — Los Angeles Train Map
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Nobody Drives in LA — Opening Day of the Gold Line Foothill Extension
Back in February 2013, my brother and I walked along the route of Metro's then-planned Gold Line Foothill Extension. Even though Foothill Extension is 18 kilometers long, thanks to detours and construction, our walk from Pasadena to Azusa ended up being stretched to 27 kilometers. The newly-opened train lane reduces that distance and travel time considerably. Now one can theoretically … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — Opening Day of the Gold Line Foothill Extension
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Women’s History Month: 25 Women in Los Angeles History
March is Women’s History Month, an observation which traces its beginnings to the first International Women's Day, declared in 1911. As of 2014, Los Angeles County was home to an estimated 5,129,169 women, making it home to more women than any other county in the US. As of 2010, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim urban area … Continue reading Women’s History Month: 25 Women in Los Angeles History
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Los Angeles Webography; or, Los Angeles Websites and Blogs
Amongst the many resources available pertaining to Los Angeles are websites, blogs, podcasts, and other online-only resources. I read many of them regularly, some too much, and almost all of them occasionally. For my own use and for the use of others (especially explorers and adventurers) I’ve here compiled what I hope is as conclusive a … Continue reading Los Angeles Webography; or, Los Angeles Websites and Blogs
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David McComb and The Triffids
David McComb [Triffids 3-5-85] The late David Richard McComb, best known as lead singer and songwriter in The Triffids, was born 54 years ago today on 17 February 1962. His parents were plastic surgeon Harold McComb and geneticist Athel Hockey. The couple had five boys and lived in an historic home, The Cliffe, in the affluent Peppermint Grove suburb of … Continue reading David McComb and The Triffids
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California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Montecito Heights, the Wilderness of the City
SEASON 10, EPISODE 1: "MONTECITO HEIGHTS" Montecito Heights Yesterday, compelled by voters like you, I explored the Los Angeles neighborhood of Montecito Heights in Northeast Los Angeles. It was unseasonably hot -- especially considering Angelenos had been told to brace for a "Godzilla El Niño." Instead, we have a record-breaking heatwave and Santa Ana winds carrying … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Montecito Heights, the Wilderness of the City
