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

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

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

Ask Silver Lake — What Becomes of a Decommissioned Reservoir?

A reservoir is constructed in Silver Lake. After decades of service, the city determines that the water in it isnโ€™t fit to drink and that reservoir is obsolete.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

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

SLHC Interview with Eric Brightwell, Silver Lake entrepreneur and cartographer.

I was interviewed, as suggested by the title (not mine) by the Silver Lake History Collective. Have a watch, if you've got fifty minutes to spare (or 25, if you increase the playback speed). https://www.youtube.com/embed/Id4QGJx8gHw Support Eric Brightwell on Patreon Eric Brightwell is an adventurer, essayist, rambler, explorer, cartographer, and guerrilla gardener who is always seeking … Continue reading SLHC Interview with Eric Brightwell, Silver Lake entrepreneur and cartographer.

On The Los Angeles Times’s “The Ultimate L.A. Bookshelf: 110 essential Los Angeles books”

In advance of the 2023 L.A. Times Festival of Books, 95 writers compiled a list of essential "Los Angeles Books." I reckon it's a good, if not very surprising list -- not that the number of surprises has anything to do with a list's quality. A few author, including Aldous Huxley, Joan Didion, and Raymond … Continue reading On The Los Angeles Times’s “The Ultimate L.A. Bookshelf: 110 essential Los Angeles books”

Mist & Iron — The Mountains and Hills of Metro Los Angeles

Los Angeles and Southern California's mountains have been in the spotlight as of late. The mountains are always there, of course, but a seemingly endless barrage of drizzle, rain, freezing rain, hail, graupel, sleet, and snow have painted our semi-arid landscape with brilliant strokes of green and swathes of blinding white. The unexpected precipitation has … Continue reading Mist & Iron — The Mountains and Hills of Metro Los Angeles

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Dayton Heights

I was recently contacted by Dave Stoelk from Spectrum News. He originally wanted to do a segment on the Silver Lake Croquet League for his segment, "That's So L.A." After talking for a few minutes, though, he thought it might be fun to instead do a segment about my maps that I make, as Pendersleigh … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring Dayton Heights

California Fool’s Gold — The Best of Los Angeles

Last year, I think, I made a map of some of my favorite places -- and places I've still yet to visit but am eager to -- in Metro Los Angeles. I don't remember what the occasion was -- or even whether or not there was one. I think that I just wanted to visualize … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — The Best of Los Angeles