Greater Streets — Exploring Valley Boulevard

INTRODUCTION Normally when I write an account of one of my explorations, it's after I've concluded it. Sometimes I work on them for months and when I can't stand thinking about it anymore, I just publish it and figure I'll correct the typos later. However, I began exploring and writing about Valley Boulevard more than a … Continue reading Greater Streets — Exploring Valley Boulevard

Swinging Doors — Asian Bars of Los Angeles

I've heard Vietnamese and Koreans friends talk about how much Koreans and Vietnamese drink. More than once have I found myself drinking more than I should, egged on by Thai friends, Filipino family, and in one case a Japanese salaryman. No one drinks like Europeans, though, and European nations predictably occupy the top ten rankings of alcohol consumption … Continue reading Swinging Doors — Asian Bars of Los Angeles

No Enclave — Exploring Burmese Los Angeles

In 2010, 100,200 Burmese were counted by the US census and 15% of them lived in California. What "Burmese" means is slightly more complicated than it seems. Although “Burmese” refers to any citizen of Burma/Myanmar, regardless of ethnicity, the concept is closed entwined with that country's dominant Bamar ethnic group (from whom both “Burma” and “Myanmar” are both derived). … Continue reading No Enclave — Exploring Burmese Los Angeles

California Fool’s Gold — Exploring San Gabriel, A City with a Mission

INTRODUCTION TO SAN GABRIEL For this blog entry, I ventured to the city of San Gabriel. Accompanying me were veteran three traveling companions. Cheryl Anne, a designer, hadn't appeared since her Season 4, episode 10 debut, "Gardena - The South Bay's city of opportunity." Artist Chris Urias made his debut appearance and regular audiences are … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring San Gabriel, A City with a Mission

California Fool’s Gold — A San Gabriel Valley Primer

GABRIEL'S HORN DOES SOUND -- THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY Invariably when one speaks or hears of "The Valley," the valley in question is the San Fernando (despite the fact that there are at least six major and loads of minor valleys in Los Angeles County). For the same reasons that I'm mildly annoyed when people refer … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — A San Gabriel Valley Primer