Tag: Los Angeles

Nobody Drives in LA — Metro’s New Subway Cars Have Arrived in Los Angeles

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 3 Comments

This past Friday, I was invited, along with a pretty small group, to a sneak peak of Metro's new subway cars last Friday. Of course, I cleared my schedule. The event was scheduled for noon at Wilshire/Western Station. I had a bagel and too much coffee and then headed out the door. To get to … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — Metro’s New Subway Cars Have Arrived in Los Angeles

Ask Silver Lake — Silver Lake’s Mass Transit History

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 2 Comments

Map depicting Metro routes (in orange) in Silver Lake (Neighborhood Council borders -- Source: Pendersleigh & Sons Cartography) "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. ❦❦❦ If you’re … Continue reading Ask Silver Lake — Silver Lake’s Mass Transit History

Ask Silver Lake — Silver Lake’s Bungalow Courts

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 3 Comments

The following article was written for the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council's "Ask Silver Lake" series -- ‘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.' Jose in front of 1420 … Continue reading Ask Silver Lake — Silver Lake’s Bungalow Courts

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Mentryville

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 2 Comments

INTRODUCTION  The other day I found myself in Santa Clarita with a couple of hours to kill. I Googled "best restaurants in Santa Clarita" -- knowing full well that Google has been a mostly garbage search engine for years -- completely corrupted as it is by paid advertisements and SEO. I'm sure that there are … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Mentryville

Nobody Drives in LA — The Ostrich Farm Railway

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 5 Comments

THE OSTRICH FARM RAILWAY Detail of Map of the City of Los Angeles, 1887, depicting the route of the Ostrich Farm Railway [Note: This essay was written for and originally appeared in the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council newsletter] Today Silver Lake is, by most accounts, moderately well served by mass transit. The website, Walk Score, … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — The Ostrich Farm Railway

Pan-Asian Metropolis — Indian Los Angeles

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 2 Comments

INTRODUCTION Despite its historic and cultural importance, there seems to be surprisingly little out there about Metro Los Angeles’s sizable Indian community. Los Angeles is, after all, known for its unparalleled ethnic diversity — especially of Asian communities — 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

DTLA Walk with John — Bunker Hill Edition

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 1 Comment

On Saturday 20 January 2024, I’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. There’s also an … Continue reading DTLA Walk with John — Bunker Hill Edition

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

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 1 Comment

I was recently a guest on Tony Pierce’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

Ask Silver Lake — What Becomes of a Decommissioned Reservoir?

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 3 Comments

A reservoir is constructed in Silver Lake. After decades of service, the city determines that the water in it isn’t fit to drink and that reservoir is obsolete. It is decommissioned. The city decides to turn it into a park. Not everyone is happy with this plan. Sound familiar? Perhaps, then, you already know the … Continue reading Ask Silver Lake — What Becomes of a Decommissioned Reservoir?

Seth & Eric’s Airconditionless Adventure — 9-21 August 1998

~ Eric Brightwell ~ Leave a comment

INTRODUCTION 13 August 2023 was the 25th anniversary of my first visit to Los Angeles. All those years ago, I wrote entries in a journal. At first, the accounts of the days' adventures had a diaristic air. After a few days on the road, however, I started just jotting down one and two-word notes with … Continue reading Seth & Eric’s Airconditionless Adventure — 9-21 August 1998