UnHip LA

Yup, K-marts still exist, still sell icees, hot pretzels, and clothes for the average Joe.  But the San Gabriel Valley K-mart also has an exciting Asian food aisle. I find myself wandering around this old, faded store a lot because it reminds me of my childhood in Ohio. Target became hip.  K-mart is still unhip as ever.  Love it. 

 

The Culture Sponges and I went to visit Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific on Sunday.  We met at Hollywood and Highland, took the Red Line then the Blue Line to the the museum.  Good times, great conversation, excellent fish. The most fun part was petting the little sharks, sting rays (stingers clipped), starfish, and sea cucumbers.  Rays are surprisingly very soft.  The Metro was crowded, and I felt like I was in NYC with all the dazed subway looks around me.

My new, mellow manta ray friend:

 

With a little garlic butter…

A garden of eels.  They vertically rise out of the ground like this:

 

There are birds too.  Look at this little show-off:

I would totally recommend this as a dating excursion for someone you’d like to have a nice long chat with on the Metro, as the trip takes about 50 minutes from L.A.  Plus Long Beach is great to walk around; it’s like a better, laid-back version of L.A., a cross between Orange County and L.A.  Museum admission is pricey but there are several ways to get discounts, including visiting a local library and showing your checkout receipt for 50% off, Triple A discounts, and Costco 20% off.  Also check out all the different packages and tours with the museum. One includes admission to the museum and the Queen Mary.  I’m definitely going back again!  Thanks to Chris, Sponge Leader, for the great day!

 

Here are some snapshots from the Los Angeles County Memorial Day festival.  This was perhaps the nicest festival I’ve ever been too because its purpose was to honor veterans and also help them get jobs and provide resources.  Lots of County offices were represented, plus colleges, hospitals, and clubs.  And the County Coroner was there!

The festival was held in the cool and leafy Arcadia park.  I felt kind of guilty taking information because I am not a veteran, but oh well.  I love information, especially about L.A.  My festival loot for today other than tons of brochures: a little purse-size first aid kit and a silver emergency blanket/tarp.

 

 

Historical Re-enactors

 

I was fascinated by this shaving kit:

 

 

 

These guys came from the sky while Superman music played.  They very impressively landed in the lawn right at the festival. 

 

The County Coroner came to give job information:

 

 

All in all, a very good way to spend a few hours.  I joined my friends at the Tank museum 
(they provided the weapons displays) for BBQ too, very tasty! 

***UPDATE***  Here are more pics from the Tank museum from a visit I took there. 

I was walking on Valley Boulevard in Alhambra today and a black BMW SUV suddenly pulled up to me .  The driver, an Asian man probably in his 60s, yelled out something in Chinese, obviously wanting directions.  Not being of his ilk, I replied I was not Chinese.  He yelled "F–K YOU" and sped off.  His wife (I presume) was in the car too.   There goes the neighborhood!  

In other news, the Memorial Day festival was awesome.  I will blog about it later, hopefully with pictures! 

One of my favorite things to do in L.A. is find a good weekend festival to attend.  I’ve never gone to one like the following and will be making a pit stop.  It’ll be good to honor the people who risk their lives for the U.S., and also I heard there was going to be great BBQ there! 

L.A. County “Remembering Our Veterans and Their Families” Event

You are invited to the 10th annual “Remembering Our Veterans and Their Families - Past, Present and Future” event on Sat., May 26 at Arcadia County Park, 405 South Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a special tribute to the Armed Forces at 11:30 a.m. Bring a duplicate copy of a military photo to be placed on the Wall of Remembrance.

Hosted by Los Angeles County, this free event will feature skydivers; a fly over by WWII fighter planes; live music; free immunizations and health screenings; and employment, veterans and legal assistance information. For more information, call (626) 967-1441.

I had some time to kill in Monterey Park today, parked my car randomly on the street while yapping on my cell phone, and found myself at the door of the 101 Bakery on West Garvey Ave between Atlantic and Garfield.  Opened November 2006, this Vietnamese cafe serves French bread (baguette) sandwiches, pastries, pho, rice and rice vermicelli plates, smoothies and boba.  It’s in a new modern and loft-like structure; a nice contrast to the older, more rundown shops around it.  The spacious café had salmon-colored walls, warehouse-high ceilings, big windows, and plentiful seating.  It felt new and clean, and I enjoyed my pit stop there. 
I had a tasty BBQ chicken sandwich that came in a baguette as long as my arm (only $2!)  and an overly sweet boba  ($2).  It’s always great when an Asian café can under price a fast food restaurant and with tastier food.  If only boba cafés’ had drive up windows.  The dishes were $4.50 - $5.00, smoothies $2.50.  There was a good selection of sandwiches, all of course, Vietnamese style.  

101 Bakery      
501 West Garvey Ave #101
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(626) 943-7738

As far as being a date spot, er, I don’t know.  It’s a nice looking space with happy ambience, but eating with old Asian men and families around isn’t that inspiring.  For writers, it seems like you could kill an hour or two here, very good natural lighting.  Clean bathrooms!

Misc. tidbit – At the Northeast corner of Atlantic and Garvey is a memorial plaque on the sidewalk to Laura Scudder of potato chip fame.  Apparently something of hers used to reside at that spot.  The plaque is now before a gas station in construction, a reminder of how much Monterey Park has changed over the years.

**UPDATE**  6/7/07  I notice that this post is getting a lot of hits.  Most likely because the bakery does not have their own website yet.  I want to say that the sandwich is tasty but it’s nothing gourmet.  Heck, it’s only $2 and I’m easy to please.  It’s better than a Big Mac though.  I haven’t tried the other dishes there but I have heard mixed things about this place from other sources.  One even said "it sucked."  So, basically, I don’t think this place is anything driving out of your way for, but if you’re in the hood $2 is a great deal for a simple sandwich.

 

   CNGRATULATINS YOU TWO! 

My dear high school friend K and her sweet and steady beau L have decided to tie the knot.  It’s wonderful to see two great folks combine into one large boba ball. 

I couldn’t be happier for you!   Yay to !           

jk

 

 

extremely popular.  I went on an internet blitz and joined a slew of Meetup.com groups.  When you’re as unhip as I am, these things, such as the popularity of Meetup groups, trickle down late to you.  I can’t believe how many social calendars I now have to pick through.  My inbox is packed with emails from Meetup folks.  I already met my first Meetup pal too:  a Filipino man in his 60s.  We played tennis and he was quite good, a quality player.  But then he told me that he had a stent in his heart and I felt bad for running him around.

The thing I love about Meetup is that it’s just hordes of people who like to do things.  Perfect for an L.A. wanderer like me. 

 

 

The coolest coffee house in Pasadena, far far off-the-beaten path from Old Town, has got to be the Zephyr.  On East Colorado Boulevard, which has its own little, quiet scene, the Zephyr is in an original 1908 Craftsman bungalow.  You can wander around the house and sit in its various rooms; the front covered porch and the garden patio are great too.  The tall shrubs and general leafiness around this place make it feel secluded, intimate, and special.  I’d suggest it for a first date in which you want to have a good conversation or just generally a cool place to hangout for those who like their coffeehouses quiet and unpretentious.  When I was there it was pretty chill, almost spa-like in its serenity, great for writers (no Wi-fi though).  The Zephyr serves crepes and omelettes ($4.50 - $6.50), sandwiches and salads ($4 - $7.50), vanilla ice cream, pastries, and snacks.

I seriously love this place!

Zephyr
Coffee House and Art Gallery
2419 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, California 91107
626-793-7330
www.zephyrcoffeeandart.com

Hours:
M-Th 7:30am-10pm
Fri 7:30am-11pm
Sat 8am-11pm
Sun closed

Check out their Website photo gallery for a tour of the bungalow.

Here are some recent finds, all in the $6 - $15 range, and all with great atmosphere that could be the conversation starters on a first date.  

For a fun first date on Gilligan’s Island:
Bali Island
715 W. Las Tunas Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 282-8785
www.baliislandrestaurant.com 

Be surrounded by thatch walls and dine under a cloud painted ceiling while sipping on a coconut drink in its shell - all in the ubiquitous Socal strip mall.  The food is very tasty and some dishes come wrapped in a banana leaf. The place feels like an escape, especially when the Travel Channel plays in the corner.

This restaurant has been replaced by a dumplihg place.  

 
For a first date that could turn romantic if you wish:
Empanadas Gourmet & Pizza
113 East Lemon Avenue
Old Town-Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 359-0946

An eclectic combination of empanadas and Italian food are on the menu here and they have outdoor seating. Eat here during the day and it’s casual, eat at night and it’s romantic.  If all’s going well, stroll through Old Town Monrovia after dinner for a cool quaint night out.  For those allergic to the hustle of Old Town Pasadena, this is the place for you.  Plus free, easy parking all around.

 

For a romantically bold first date:
Caravan Serai Restaurant and Bar
39 South El Molino St.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 440-0444

Fine Persian, Turkish, and Mediteranian Cuisine, Live Music, Full Bar, Belly Dancing, Hookah, all within a beautiful Middle Eastern-decorated restaurant.  What more can you ask for?  Spacious secluded booths make this a place you could put the moves on someone.  Or not, if you sit on opposite sides of the big tables. 

So there you have it, three of my recent finds.  Enjoy! And let me know how it goes. 

 

After playing tennis this morning with my new Meetup pal, I came across this little gem:

Bella Vita Deli and Market
217 South Michigan Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795 - 2447
(626) 795 - 4651 for faxed orders
Hours: M - Fr 10a - 6pm and Sat 10-5 pm. Closed Sundays.
(Between PCC and CalTech, just south of Cordova.) 

www.bellavitadeliandmarket.com

Opened in June 2006, it’s a gourmet deli and market with an on old fashioned yet European feel.   So would that make it Old World?  Anyhow, they have a few tables indoors and outdoors, and I can see this as a nice spot to have lunch or perhaps even have a writerly all-day hang out.  I liked how the candy was displayed in little bushel baskets. They have sandwiches and salads, $6 - $8 range, and imported foods.  I took home some dry salami and gouda cheese.  Good stuff.

The Bachelor, Any Baldwin, picked Tessa Horst tonight, and she accepted.  Yay!  It’s nice to see a reserved Hapa girl beat out the more outgoing competition.  I think they look really good together. As corny as it may sound, the show gave me hope.    There are goofy-cool people out there.

The Bachelor Andy Baldwin Proposes To Tessa Horst

 

This blog is fast-becoming my singles calendar of events.  Should I travel all the way to Brentwood for this?  My income bracket may not be high enough.

Whole Foods Market
11737 San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310.826.4433
310.826.6653 fax

Friday, May 25th

 

Brentwood’s Singles Mingle!
6:00–8:00 p.m.    Free
Come and enjoy a relaxing evening on our outdoor patio with some tasty treats, non-alcoholic sparking drinks, and music, to meet some like-minded singles! Recent studies have shown that people with similar tastes in food have longer happier relationships! So what better way to meet that special someone than at your local Whole Foods Market where we have all kinds of all-natural delicious foods for all kinds of taste buds! So save the date for Brentwood’s Singles Mingle! We hope to see you there!

 

~~ I think I might make it.  I love Whole Foods and I need more toothpaste. 

 

Check out this calendar of Los Angeles area summer Shakespeare festivals:  http://golosangeles.about.com/od/losangelescalendar/a/TheatreFestival.htm

I cannot wait!  Shakespeare in the park - how romantic. 

click here for Shakespeare!

 

For my review of Free Shakespeare in Barnsdall Park:

http://unhipla.blogsome.com/2007/07/09/chippendales-on-iambic-pentameter-a-midsummer-nights-dream-at-barnsdall/ 

Spent the day at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab’s annual open house.  Very cool to get inside the Emerald City and see Ansel Adam-like pictures of Mars’ surface.  The Victoria Crater was truly beautiful and an actual transcendental moment for me.  With my paper 3-D glasses on, I stood before the crater, this big hole over 200 feet deep and a half mile around with an eerie looking pit, and thought about things much larger than myself.  It was cool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Crater 

 

The JPL open house was NASA becoming an amusement park.  There were lines up to an hour to see the 25 exhibits.  Did you know that there are missions going to Venus, Saturn, and other places never thought possible?  One of the many engineers on hand told us that by studying space, we might be able to understand the Earth.  I guess people do learn by comparison, but my friend wondered if all those billions of dollars could be better spent on problems like world hunger.  Also, she thought the Mars engineer who said to us that Venus was "really hot" was coming on to us.  I wish!  Where do all the JPL single men hang out, we wondered. Another friend said that all the gold foil on the robots reminded her of honeybaked ham and made her hungry.

The Open House is May 19 and 20th in Pasadena.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/pso/oh.cfm

 

 

 

Now this is something very unhip sounding.  I went to my very first singles mixer.  I never thought that I would end up at one of these things with the word "singles" in the title.  It just sounds so desperate.  Maybe "Singletons" would have been better.  Anyhow it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.  Everyone I talked to seemed to be a decent person.  I think I was reassured because everyone was somehow connected to the host or was a friend of a friend.  It was in Hollywood at a tavern, not bad atmosphere, but it was REALLY cold.  We were all out on the back patio.  I think the organizers were disappointed by the low turnout.  There were more men than women.

I felt like I was on a really bad episode of The Bachelor, having to watch a guy that I just talked to talking to other chicks.  Even if I wasn’t interested in him, still it smarted to see him throwing himself on other ladies.  I guess that’s the sleazy element to a "singles" mixer.  Basically you’re trying to get as many digits as possible, so then how am I to know if I’m having a sincere encounter or not.

Yah, okay so maybe it was lame.  I’ll see if XXX who has had 6 Korean girlfriends and asked me what the Korean word for condoms was will call me.  Those are all major red flags.  Why do I always seem to ignore red flags?  Oh yes, and he was an actor.  Three red flags.  But he was cute!