Happy Spooky Season! Join me tomorrow, on 4 October from 13:00-14:00 in a presentation about the Semi-Tropic Spiritualists, their tract, and the Semi-Tropic Park. If you need a brief introduction. The Semi-Tropic Spiritualists Association was an early 20th-century utopian and Spiritualist collective (essentially Victorian era hippies or ravers) that established a campground and community in … Continue reading The Semi-Tropic Spiritualist Association, with historian Eric Brightwell
Nobody Drives in LA — the A Line Extension to Pomona
On 19 September 2025, Metro's A Line Extension to Pomona opened to the public. That day, there was an event called Rock the Rails which offered free music, free rides, and free food at the new stations. I decided to check it out and made an event for a "group ride." I was joined by … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — the A Line Extension to Pomona
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Where Fools Fear to Tread — Visiting Portmerion, Wales
Back in June, I visited Wales for the first time. I took the train to Portmerion. For the uninitiated, here’s what Wikipedia has to say: Portmeirion (/pɔːrtˈmɛriən/;[1] Welsh pronunciation: [pɔrtˈmei̯rjɔn]) is a folly[2] tourist village in Gwynedd, North Wales. It lies on the estuary of the River Dwyryd in the community of Penrhyndeudraeth, 2 miles … Continue reading Where Fools Fear to Tread — Visiting Portmerion, Wales
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No Enclave — Los Angeles Transplants
It’s often said that Los Angeles is a city of immigrants. Although the same is almost never said of refugees, it should be. Together, immigrants and refugees account for roughly 35% of Angelenos. And while native Angelenos are often discusses as if they're as rare as rain, California-born Angelenos actually account for about 52% of … Continue reading No Enclave — Los Angeles Transplants
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Ask Silver Lake — If Silver Lake isn’t in the Eastside, Where is it?
This piece was originally written for “Ask Silver Lake.” “Ask Silver Lake” is dedicated to exploring the history and insights of our community. If you have questions or ideas you’d like us to consider, please drop a comment or send them to outreach@silverlakenc.org. INTRODUCTION On 5 February 2014, the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council considered a motion … Continue reading Ask Silver Lake — If Silver Lake isn’t in the Eastside, Where is it?
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No Enclave — Welsh Los Angeles
INTRODUCTION I had originally planned to post this on 1 March -- Saint David's Day -- the feast day of David, the patron saint of Wales. Obviously, that didn't happen so I filed it away for next year... or the year after that. But I'm heading to Wales early next month so I've been boning … Continue reading No Enclave — Welsh Los Angeles
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Los Angeles Neighborhoods Map
Screenshot of Pendersleigh & Sons Cartography's map of Los Angeles Neighborhoods, Communities, and Southern California For whatever reason, one of my most evergreen posts is "New York City Neighborhoods Map," a post I wrote and map that I made when laid up in bed with a brain-fogging bout of COVID. The fog has long-cleared but … Continue reading Los Angeles Neighborhoods Map
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Ask Silver Lake — Radio Silver Lake
This piece was originally written for “Ask Silver Lake.” “Ask Silver Lake” is dedicated to exploring the history and insights of our community. If you have questions or ideas you’d like us to consider, please drop a comment or send them to outreach@silverlakenc.org. Silver Lake's connection to music runs almost as deep as its well-known ties … Continue reading Ask Silver Lake — Radio Silver Lake
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Ask Silver Lake – The Reservoir Fence & the History of Reservoir Access and Advocacy
This piece was originally written for “Ask Silver Lake.” "Ask Silver Lake" is dedicated to exploring the history and insights of our community. If you have questions or ideas you’d like us to consider, please drop a comment or send them to outreach@silverlakenc.org. INTRODUCTION Summer is here. As we now embrace (or brace ourselves for … Continue reading Ask Silver Lake – The Reservoir Fence & the History of Reservoir Access and Advocacy
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Ask Silver Lake — The Silver Lake Garden Apartments
This article was written for the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council feature, “Ask Silver Lake.” “Ask Silver Lake” is dedicated to exploring the history and insights of our community. If you have questions or ideas you’d like us to consider, please drop a comment or send them to outreach@silverlakenc.org. In Silver Lake, one encounters a variety of types of multi-dwelling residences … Continue reading Ask Silver Lake — The Silver Lake Garden Apartments
Eric Brightwell 