Pan-Asian Metropolis — Indian Los Angeles

INTRODUCTION Despite its historic and cultural importance, there seems to be surprisingly little out there about Metro Los Angelesโ€™s sizable Indian community. Los Angeles is, after all, known for its unparalleled ethnic diversity โ€” especially of Asian communities โ€” and India is the most populous nation (Asian or otherwise) on Earth. But, for whatever reason, searching … Continue reading Pan-Asian Metropolis — Indian Los Angeles

Southland Parks — Visiting the Huntington’s Chinese and Japanese Gardens

The other day, I visited one of my favorite places in Los Angeles โ€” The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (or, โ€œThe Huntingtonโ€ to you and me). For anyone who hasnโ€™t visited, the Huntington is the former estate of railroad magnate, Henry Edwards Huntington (1850-1927). After Huntingtonโ€™s death, the mansion opened as the … Continue reading Southland Parks — Visiting the Huntington’s Chinese and Japanese Gardens

No Enclave — Exploring Jamaican Los Angeles

INTRODUCTION The other day, Evan Lovett of L.A. In a Minute asked me if I knew any history or tidbits about the Jamaican community in Los Angeles. If you somehow arenโ€™t aware of L.A. in a Minute, take a check it out now. Anyway, as far as Jamaican Los Angeles went, I had little information. … Continue reading No Enclave — Exploring Jamaican Los Angeles

DTLA Bunker Hill Walk with John Yi

Late last year, California State Assembly candidate John Yi asked me if Iโ€™d like to lead a walk of a Downtown neighborhood within the borders of Assembly District 54. I immediately agreed. John had already led a walk of Koreatown. Iโ€™d attended his walk of Little Tokyo, led by Kevin Keizuchi. It was just a … Continue reading DTLA Bunker Hill Walk with John Yi

DTLA Walk with John โ€” Bunker Hill Edition

On Saturday 20 January 2024, Iโ€™m going to co-lead a walk of Bunker Hill with State Assembly candidate, John Yi. We will meet at Metro's Civic Center/Grand Park Station in Gloria Molina Grand Park. To avoid confusion, make certain (if you come by train) that you exit in the Grand Park entrance/exit. Thereโ€™s also an … Continue reading DTLA Walk with John โ€” Bunker Hill Edition

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Elysian Heights

INTRODUCTION The other day I explored Elysian Heights, a small neighborhood in Mideast Los Angeles thatโ€™s usually characterized as being part of Echo Park โ€” despite its having been subdivided before Echo Park was even constructed. It wasnโ€™t exactly my typical California Foolโ€™s Gold exploration but rather part of a group walk that I led … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Elysian Heights

Hear on LA, the Republic (or Kingdom), of Los Angeles, its Provinces (or Counties), and their Capitals

I was recently a guest on Tony Pierceโ€™s podcast, Hear in LA (Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube -- or read on the Hear in LA website) . Toward the end of our discussion, Tony proposed Los Angeles becoming its own country. We didn't discuss what sort of state it would be, I don't … Continue reading Hear on LA, the Republic (or Kingdom), of Los Angeles, its Provinces (or Counties), and their Capitals

Plaza del Valle & All Valley Everything

A map of Plaza del Valle with rules listed below I was recently a guest on a new podcast, All Valley Everything, hosted by Albert Corado and featuring a rotating cast of co-hosts. For the episode on which I was a guest, the co-host was Veronica Shirley, of Valley Girl Hiking Club. Albert asked me … Continue reading Plaza del Valle & All Valley Everything

Houses of the Hallows โ€” The Semi-Tropic Spiritualists and the Semi-Tropic Park

INTRODUCTION Pendersleigh & Sons Cartography's official map of Elysian Heights, available reproduced on a wide variety of merchandise and in art prints of various sizes. The other day, the Los Angeles Public Library posted a short clip of me talking about my map of the Elysian Heights neighborhood โ€” crafted from interview footage shot for … Continue reading Houses of the Hallows โ€” The Semi-Tropic Spiritualists and the Semi-Tropic Park

Nobody Drives in LA — The California Cycleway

INTRODUCTION If, like me, you ride a bicycle in Los Angeles, thereโ€™s a good chance that youโ€™ve heard of the fabled California Cycleway โ€” an elevated, wooden bicycle tollway that existed for an all-too-brief moment at the dawn of the 20th Century โ€” before the Age of the Automobile. The California Cycleway is legendary โ€” … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — The California Cycleway