Nobody Drives in LA — The Los Angeles Grand Tour

The Grand Tour, for the unfamiliar, was a custom that arose in Britain in the mid-1600s, which involved upper class young British men touring around Europe as part of their cultural education. By the 1800s, the custom had spread from the British upper classes to the nouveau riche of Europe, the Americas, and the Philippines. … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — The Los Angeles Grand Tour

No Enclave — Iranian Los Angeles

INTRODUCTION Nowruz took place last week on a blustery Sunday. Nowruz is the New Year of Zoroastrians and in Iran as well as much of Central and West Asia. It's often, in fact, referred to as Persian New Year. A bit ago, someone bemoaned that I hadn't written a No Enclave about Iranians or Persians. … Continue reading No Enclave — Iranian Los Angeles

No Enclave — Emerging and Unofficial Ethnic Enclaves of Los Angeles

The Los Angeles metropolitan area is widely recognized for its diversity, something which is reflected in its many ethnic enclaves. Those ethnic enclaves include ones that have been officially recognized, as well as ones that have only been colloquially recognized, and they've risen and fallen on waves of immigration and assimilation. The earliest of Los … Continue reading No Enclave — Emerging and Unofficial Ethnic Enclaves of Los Angeles

Nobody Drives in LA — Exploring the Course of the Metro Expo Line: Phase 2

With bicycles, buses, ferries, planes, rideshares, sidewalks, subways, taxis, and trains at Angelenos’ disposal, why would any sane person choose car-dependency? Nobody Drives in LA celebrates sense and sensibility in transportation. ***** Phase 1 of the Los Angeles Metro's Expo Line was completed in June 2012 after first opening most of the line in April. I rode it a couple … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA — Exploring the Course of the Metro Expo Line: Phase 2

California Fool’s Gold — A Westside Primer

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN WEST SIDE LA -- THE WESTSIDE A view of the Westside from my dirigible Around the world, the mere mention of the word "Westside" prompts people to throw up a "W" hand sign, in imitation of many west coast and west coast-affiliated (Tupac was, after all, a native of East Harlem) pop-rappers … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — A Westside Primer