UnHip LA

At Whole Foods on Arroyo Parkway, you can get a 2 taco plate with rice and beans for $5.29 (or thereabouts) at the 2nd floor restaurant.  That’s a pretty good deal for Whole Foods.  The plate was good too, not exactly savory, but good in a healthy, filling way.  I suppose if you slather it with hot salsa it could be even better.  I had the carnitas and chicken taco plate.  The chicken was better than the carnitas. 

Also while I was at Whole Foods, I stocked up on my new favorite wunder-cookie - Erin Baker’s organic breakfast cookie mini’s.  I will blog about them later!

Just got this from my Nucleus email newsletter:

Nucleus Sketch Book Society Sessions

Every Wednesday | 6:00PM - 9:00PM

The Sketch Book Society is an informal club for professional and aspiring artists to gather, share, draw, and inspire one another. Hang out and meet local artists in a relaxed atmosphere while gaining some pencil mileage. Complimentary refreshments are served.

On February 18, 2009 we will hold a special session with a live model. Tickets for this session are $15.00 per person. For more information, click here.

Also, Nucleus is renting out space for serious artists in their loft workspace above their gallery. 

(626) 458-7482 | 210 East Main St Alhambra, CA 91801 | Mon-Thur: 12pm-9pm, Fri-Sun: 11am-10pm

www.gallerynucleus.com

M took me to this hilarious place.  Long Beach City College is overrun with rabbits, big, fat, brazen ones who will run up to strangers and beg for food.  

  This one hopped up so fast that he almost knocked into my camera.

At first, I was just so delighted by their cute-ness:

 

 

The rabbit above was right in front of me and sat still enough for macro shots.  

 

But then I started to see the rabbits as larger rats, campus squirrels and cats, and other campus blight.

 

Apparently the rabbits have been around since the college’s founding when it was on fields of beans, alfalfa, and carrots.  They’re indigenous rabbits!  Some rabbits there are pets who were dumped after Easter.  These rabbits then get jumped or "thumped" when they’re in the wrong territory. 

"We rule this skool!"
The rabbits made the news two years ago when there was a strange slaughter of them.  The story is too sad to repeat.  

One article I read said there were around 200 rabbits on campus. I saw at least 30 lazing about.   The rabbits seem to be quite content as the campus puts out food for them.  I was amazed by how tame and unafraid of people they were, and how many holes they have dug around campus.

"What recession?  We got it good here."

This truly was one of the strangest L.A. sites I have seen.  Thanks M!

Long Beach City College

4901 E Carson St

Long Beach, CA 90808

(562) 938-4353

www.lbcc.edu

For the raw footage and more cute rabbits INCLUDING VIDEO, visit UnHipLA’s Picasa page here.  The videos show just how close the rabbits get to people.  This blogger has great pictures of the baby bunnies on the campus.

*** UPDATE *** 1/27/09   This bunny post, thanks to LAObserved.com, has multiplied onto other blogs and news sites.  NBC Los Angeles’ Kevin Sullivan’s blog post provides more information on the bunny blight and what the campus has been trying to do about it.  Thank you everyone for the views!

*** UPDATE ***  1/29/09.  The bunny post hops on.   LBPost.com gives the history of Long Beach City College and its rabbits.  CurbedLA linked to the LAObserved story.  Then on YouTube, I found this hilarious clip from a 70s film called "Night of the Lepus," in which mutant rabbits the size of trucks galavant through towns, wreak havoc, and kill humans.  Hilarious.

 

Delicious lamb kebabs can be found at this hole-in-the-wall in the northern part of Pasadena. Click the menu picture to see the prices. The cook is very nice too.

Shish Kebab Express
2495 E Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 398-9777
 

 The Facts of Life….are online!

http://www.hulu.com/the-facts-of-life?c=Comedy/Sitcoms

Yippie for hulu.com, a YouTube-like website, run by television networks which offers free TV shows - current faves like 30 Rock and nostalgic ones like Diff’rent Strokes and One Day at a Time.  Blast from the past!

 

I just found out about this funny-sounding event:  the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has free shark petting every Friday night from 6 pm - 9 pm, with light refreshments and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.  Sounds like it could be a dangerous combo. I called and asked if a lot of people show up and the aquarium said no. The Shark Lagoon is the only area open for free; the rest of the aquarium is closed.  Still, I think this is a great sounding happy hour.  Drink, pet, and then go out on the town.  Long Beach is a fun town.

From the Aquarium’s website  www.aquariumofthepacific.org:

Aquarium Event

Shark Lagoon Nights

The public is invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for FREE during Shark Lagoon Nights. Guests will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers as well as rays in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon.

Coffee, hot cocoa, beer, wine, desserts, and snacks are available for purchase.

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90805
(562) 590-3100

 

 

*** EVENT CANCELLED *** 

This looks like a good opportunity to get some unique items.  From Yelp:

Alternative Art Market
Saturday and Sunday
September 27 - 28
1 until 7 pm

A Harvest of Uniquely Wondrous Curios

T-shirts, Original Art, Pottery, Posters, Jewelry, Handbags, Hats, Home Accessories, Holiday Gifts, Doggie Clothing, And No MMP Guaranteed! (No Mass Manufactured Products)

Plus Live Music Provided by the following:
Remmy (Flamenco reinterpretation)
Hiro (Jazz Keys & Bass)
DJs Sean & Katia
A special super groovin’ intergalactic progressive jazz improve jam band
And two blues bands too!

Come join us in the majestical courtyard at
88 North Fair Oaks (at Holly St.)
Pasadena
(626) 844-8886
http://www.myspace.com/majesticalroof 

For some pics of this majestical place, visit eyelevelpasadena’s discovery of the spot. 

I stumbled upon a $5.40 super treat while in K-town today.  At Han Kook market when you enter, the restaurant to the right has delicious mussels in a white creamy sauce sprinkled with orange fish eggs and chives (excuse my non-foodie language, I really don’t know the names for these things).  It’s similar to a dish that’s frequently found in Japanese restaurants.  I enjoy dislodging the mussel and slurping/chewing it.  Anyhow, I was really surprised to find this dish in a Korean grocery store restaurant.  It was quite tasty and a great deal. Seven or so mussels (in shells) with a miso soup for just $5.40.  I only ate four of the mussles and I was full.  I had also ordered a $4.50 tasty smoothie (strawberry, banana, kiwi) at the froyo/pizza shop on the left side of the plaza.  And I had a great swedish chair massage at Kim’s Chun Ki, which is a Korean department store of sorts and is further down Olympic Boulevard.  The yelpers here rave about Kim’s.

Han Kook Market (LA HK Market)
124 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
323-469-8934 or 323-469-0674

Kim’s Home Center
2940 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 386-4882

I wish I had brought my camera.  

 

 

I know there are a few art galleries in Alhambra, but I just wind of a few more.  Could Alhambra be becoming the next hip artist spot?  Will gentrification rear its ugly ahead in the SGV?  Honestly, I think Alhambra is big enough that it could take it and still retain its ethnic charms.  From  http://www.yolandagonzalez.com/homepages/events.html

2008

 

I found out about this via an enewsletter I get from the artist Carol Es whose work I dig. 

**** UPDATE *****

I moseyed on down to this and it was a great show.  I was impressed by the art at both galleries and the abundance of food and drink.  The vibe was very laid-back, cool, but in an SGV-way, not pretentious.  People were nicely, artistically dressed.  I’d say the age range was late 30something and up with a majority being Latino.  Not too many young hipsters milling about.  The galleries are in an industrial park of sorts, alongside clothing and computer manufacturers, and a Mexican restaurant.  I was really surprised that Alhambra had this semblance of an artistic community and was really happy to not have to drive past downtown to get a dose of art.  You could say it was Bergamot Station-light, very light, with two galleries within walking distance of each other.  A jazz band entertained at Howeeduzzit while patrons sat on the grass and enjoyed them.  The weather was beautiful.  Yay Alhambra!

 

 

From http://www.larrytt.com/celebrities_playing_tt/, a web page dedicated to images of celebrities playing ping pong.

Also, Ping Pong Playa, the movie, is opening on September 5 in NY, SF, and LA.  It’ll be at the Atlantic Palace in Alhambra, the Mann Chinese 6 in Hollywood, and in Glendale.  How fun!  Click the link to see where the movie is playing near you.

I can’t wait to make it over to this!  I love Yoko Ono’s art and the hopefulness and whimsicality in it.

From Pasadena Now:

Yoko Uno sits under a wishing tree.

Yoko Invites the Public to Make a Wish Internationally celebrated artist Yoko Ono will present a major installation of her participatory work, Wish Trees, in the large central courtyard at One Colorado. The installation will consist of a number of living trees selected by the artist, and which are identified with the environment or history of Southern California . Visitors are invited to write their wishes on pieces of paper and hang them on the tree branches. Public access to Ono’s art installation and the One Colorado Courtyard is free. Presented by Armory Center for the Arts and One Colorado. On view August 1 - November 9, 2008. One Colorado Courtyard One Colorado (626) 792-5101

Here’s a neat article from the barely breathing L.A. Times about how to be an extra at the Opera Pacific Company in Orange County, and even get paid (minimally).  You get to be in full costume and see diaphragms in action. 

 

The San Gabriel Valley is so uncomfortably hot and muggy now.  I was in Westwood the other day and the weather was beautiful, a cool breeze all over the town.  It’s so unfair that the Wesssside has such lovely temps. 

I took a walk through the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, which opened on June 30, 2008, after a 10-year building process and a $829.3 million budget.  Wow!  What an ultra-modern beautiful space designed by I.M. Pei.  When I stepped into the main hallway, I was overwhelmed by the spaciousness and white color scheme. I thought I was on a ship in Star Wars and looked for Storm Troopers.  It was that white.  If you’re in Westwood, I suggest you stop by and see this stunning design which encompasses over 1 million square feet and can withstand up to an 8.3 earthquake.  It was utterly beautiful right down to the doors of the bathroom which blended into the walls.  The meditation room was also a nice spot, with blankets in a basket.

And if you get hungry, eat there.  Hospital cafeterias usually have reasonable prices; $6.60 for a meal including side dishes and drink.  This cafe, with a resort-like patio, is up the outside stairs and connected to the Ronald Reagan hospital.  There is also a dingy restaurant on the circular driveway of the hospital.  Skip that place; the prices were high and the food seemed like greasy hamburger stand fare.  Is it wrong to eat at a hospital if you don’t really have a reason to be there?  I admit to feeling a little guilty.

The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
757 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 825-9111
(Click here for maps and directions) 

Take the photo tour on the website.  The hospital really felt monumental and took healing to the next level.  Way to go UCLA!  I wonder if my piddly HMO insurance would get accepted there.  Probablly not!

LATimes coverage of opening day.  This article says that the 520 new patient rooms are all singles and have daybeds for overnight visitors; bow-tied waiters bring meals; children have Wiis, plenty of play space, electric cars to scoot around in, a ceiling painted like a constellation; and there are separate entrances for the different patients - children get a less initimidating entrance and don’t have to enter with adults.

 

 

 

I visited the Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library and Gardens this weekend.  OMG, it is so heavenly - a huge lake with bridges, a cafe, ducks, pavillions, outdoor seating, poetry, art….  It really is grand and a great escape. Taking a few walking laps around the Chinese Garden will be my new exercise routine.  Forget LAFitness, go to the Huntington! 

Membership is $100 for the year and includes lots of specials such as night time strolls around the Huntington (they usually close at 4:30 pm) and invitations to art openings. Also with a membership, I can stroll around the gardens at my leisure instead of feeling rushed to cover the grounds in a few hours because I can just come back the next day.

I will be posting pictures soon.  Come back and see the leaf-shaped windows, really purdy!  When I get my membership, I can take one person with me for freesies.  The Chinese Garden is my new favorite place in the SGV.  The Crowell Public Library in San Marino is also really great (it’s a library that looks like a resort spa).  Both places have a huge list of Asian donors.  My hairdresser told me that the Ritz Cartlon was bought by some Chinese investors, paying $150 million in cash (a good journalist would fact check all this, but right now I am short on time).  Anyhow, these three significant Chinese moves really show the large, wealthy Chinese presence in the upper SGV. 

UPDATE:
Beautiful pictures from the Gardens press office:   http://www.huntington.org/Information/ChineseGardenPressKit.htm 

I went back to the Chinese Garden today 4-26-08.  The day was murderously hot and miserable.  The gardens were beautiful but the weather and crowds just made me very cross. The pond water looked murky. I did have fun winding around the Japanese Garden’s narrow little paths and walking through the bamboo forests. I want to visit the gardens when no one else is there, but that would involve me becoming a higher priced member - they get to enter at 8 am.  I cannot wait till the members’ only evening strolls this summer.  Yes, unhipla has become an elitist.  I want my Members’ Only jacket.  I just find the Huntington Library and Gardens so peaceful; it’s like a little retreat.  If only it wasn’t the SGV summer of hell heat.  I shall try again next weekend.  My goal is to know every inch of that place and find the neat nooks and crannies.

Can you believe it’s $20 to go in on the weekend and $15 on the weekdays?  That’s nuts! 

 

 

 

This filled up asap before, so hurry….

 

 

 

 

As seen in San Gabriel, CA at Takashima’s just off Valley Boulevard.  The store is filled with Sanrio, Morning Glory, and Asian beauty products.  The second floor loft has a pretty impressive Totoro collection with towels, stuffed toys, tea sets, school supplies, and figurines.

Takashima
220 W. Valley Blvd. #108
San Gabriel, CA 91779

 

My friend Shmoo says she has this psycho-killer ability to be able to judge a restaurant by its facade.  She’s keen like that.  So when we went to Pa Pa Walk on Valley in the SGV, I anxiously awaited her judgement.  She gave it a once-over and deemed it worthy.  We sat in the bright orange-colored room and were not disappointed.  Two smoked duck plates (we both agreed there is no better way to eat duck, it’s gotta be smoked; the dish is succulent), a wonton soup, and spinach dish later, we ambled out of the pleasant shop.  The wait stuff was quite kind and friendly too.  I didn’t feel ignored and hurried like I usually do when dining in Asian places.  The staff seemed to have kind eyes.  Shmoo who can be endearingly East-coast abrasive in restaurants was melted to an Oliver Twist-like child when asking for things.  “Excuse me, would you have any chili sauce for us,” instead of “Get me some hot sauce and some bowls. Pronto!  Growl!”  

Shmoo, who is far more Foodie than I, declared this to be the best Chinese meal she’s had in L.A.   We wanted to get hungry again, so we could go back for dessert - shaved ice mountains.  We would have walked off of our food but it was raining, so we waited in my car in the parking garage, our feet hanging out the windows.  Yes, it was totally juvenile and we even waxed about our high school days - Shmoo "artfully dodged the maximum allowable classes" while I tried to, but didn’t have too many places to hide (boarding school).  We just needed some cheap alcohol and other aides, and it would have been like ditching class.  We stared out the sunroof at the garage ceiling.  It was a great moment.  There is something about sitting and talking in a parked car that seems to bring out the philosophical and angst in people.  It’s like taxi-cab confessions.  It’s like talking in the intimate space of a bed together, but not really. At 11 pm, we rolled out of the car, and got up to Pa Pa Walk just in time to see the kind-eyed staff leave.  They closed at 10 pm.  So no shaved ice for us, but still a great night.

Pa Pa Walk is a Taiwanese street food restaurant in the Hilton Hotel shopping plaza.  On this cold rainy night, it was the only packed restaurant in the plaza.  Hands-down, the place has the simplest decor, but probably is the happiest place there.  The plain walls seem to say: “this place is just about the food.”  You eat without distractions, but the orange-ness gives it all a good glow.

I went back the next day (without Shmoo because she lives too far away) and had the shrimp omelette, sausage fried rice, and fishball and meatball soup, all delicious.  The place has a missing ingredient I don’t see in a lot of Asian restaurants - an unhurried harmony.

Pa Pa Walk
227 W. Valley Blvd., Ste. 148-B
San Gabriel, CA 91776
626-281-3889
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays

#16, Smoked Duck with rice, eggs, and veggies   $5.50
(the waiter said it was a salty dish, but it’s not)

#48, Taiwanese sausage and egg fried rice,  $5.95

#70, Shrimp Omelette,  $4.75

#80?  Spinach, $3.50  (Sorry, forgot to take pic, but this was good.)

#94, Mixed Ball Soup (Fish & Meat),  $3.95

Here’s what Wandering Chopsticks and Henry Chan thought of the place.  Be sure to click on Henry’s video to see the orange-ness of the place. 

 

And might I suggest afterwards go and get a foot massage at either the Tibetan place or Vivid Spa upstairs. 

*** UPDATE ***

I’ve had the duck plate several times now since my original post.  Sadly, it’s never been as good as the first time that rainy night.  Maybe because Shmoo and I had to work so hard to get there, braving the rain and all.  Also Shmoo came from pretty far away.   I actually just had the duck again today and got a stomach ache from it.  Life is cruel this way.

But other dishes I have eaten there such as the spinach noodles and coffin bread soup were delicious, especially the soup. The strawberry shaved ice dish was okay, overly sweet, but still fun to eat for two.

 

Great soup in a tasty, crunchy bread box.  I’m sure this is high in carbs and calories.

 

The BMW Isetta, on display at Alhambra’s New Century BMW dealership.

Also known as the rolling egg, yogurt pot, and coffin on wheels (see the Wiki).

I’ve often thought while lumbering down an L.A. freeway that I should have a car for one.  Here I am in a 5-seat sedan with tank-like walls and I am all by my lonesome - one person going to the drugstore, one person making a run to the beach, one person….  Okay, this isn’t a single’s ad.  Nevertheless, feeling like I am wasting space and gas, I would wish for a car for one.  Well, after visiting Alhambra’s BMW dealership, I ain’t making that wish anymore.  I climbed into this little one-seater (or two), the BMW Isetta, and thought this was an instant death wish.  The single door is in the front and it closes in on you like a roller coaster safety bar.  The little car is clausterphobic and cramped.  I’m a relatively small person 5’4” and I felt trapped.  Yes, it’s the cutest little thing ever, but nope, you won’t see me in this little rolling egg.  I’ll stick with my airbags and tank.  

Turns out that the Petersen Automotive Museum is currently running an exhibition on microcars that will be ending February 3, 2008.

Microcars, the minimum in motoring
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire Blvd.(at Fairfax,)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tuesday through Sunday
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
(323) 930 - CARS
www.petersen.org

Beep! Beep!  Go microcar go!

 

Cefiore has a coupon for a free small Organic Acai froyo, good till December 15 at their J-town location.  I think if you get on their mailing list you can get it.

www.cefiore.com

If not, email me at unhipla AT gmail dot com and I will forward it to you.    

Get On The Bus!

*** UPDATE *** It was too good to be true.  As of June 22, 2008, Megabus halts service in L.A.  See the LATimes article.  May the post below help you plan Megabus trips in other cities. RIP West Coast Megabus service. *** (thanks to UserD for the tip)

 

My friends’ eyes lit up over dim sum when I told them about the Megabus, a $1 bus ride to downtown San Francisco from Los Angeles.  They were incredulous - a $1 one-way fare to SF from LA, a $2 roundtrip ticket?!   I saw visions of sugarplums dance in their heads.  The thought of their Korean grandmas being able to easily transport themselves to Vegas for gambling trips just sounded too good to be true.

Megabus.com launched in Los Angeles last August, offering fares from $1 to $35 from Union Station to the Bay Area (San Jose, Oakland, SF), Vegas, Tempe/Phoenix, and San Diego. The SF route even stops at Millbrae for those who need to connect to the SFO airport (leaves LA at 7:00 am and arrives in Millbrae at 1:55 pm).  To get the $1 fares you need to book about 45 days in advance.  Right now on their site www.megabus.com, I was able to book $1 rides to Vegas in December.  Impress your friends by paying for their passage.  The company guarantees that there will always be a few seats at the buck rate and then prices gradually increase to $35 depending on how late you book.  You could get a seat for $8, $15, $25; it varies.  The LA to SF ride takes about 7 hours and leaves at 7:00 am, 2:30 pm., and 11:45 pm.

I took the 11:45 pm red eye and got to SF by 7:00 am.  It gets to Oakland a half hour before.  The ride was pretty bumpy - it’s a bus after all, but it was still good.  The seats are a tight squeeze, like airplane seats, and quite firm.  The buses are new and the bathroom is clean, so that’s all good - no sink though just wet wipes.  For roomier seating, go towards the back.  Yes, sitting near the bathroom sounds gross, but it wasn’t.  To make the trip more comfortable, bring pillows and a blanket.  The bus’s 57 or seats were half empty; people sprawled out, legs extending across the aisles to the opposite seats.  Going to the bathroom involved me hurdling over a few legs.  This is why I recommend just sitting near the bathroom anyways.  The bus does not have TVs or amenities.

Don’t be late - the S.F. bus left right on time, maybe even a minute early.  Luggage can be stored overhead or in the bus’ ample storage space beneath.  The luggage restriction of one large suitcase and one carry-on was not observed on my trip; I had a suitcase and several bundles with me.  The bus stops midway through the trip for 15 minutes for people to grab some fast food.

Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised by my ride.  I thought taking an overnight bus would mean sketchy people skulking in the back and such.  Nah, it wasn’t like that at all.  There were college students, grandparents, professionals, and granola-ish looking hitchhiker types. If you’re worried, sit near the driver.  I did read on one message board that a user predicted once Kaiser finds about the $1 fare, they’d probably choose this route and dump their patients in Vegas rather than Skid Row.

Megabus.com is operated by Coach USA and has already been operating in the Midwest and the U.K.  The prices are kept low because there is no brick and mortar operation:  Tickets can only be bought on-line and the bus pick-up locations are not at terminals, but on the street near major transportation stations.   The bus theoretically can take 57 cars off the road, and with gas prices as they are now, that’s really something to consider.  If I would have flown to SF from LA, the whole experience door to door probably would have taken me just as long.  And bonus - there’s no security hassles like at an airport - you just show your confirmation number and board the bus.  The only negative - it was very hard for me to sleep (others seemed to do just fine) because the ride is bumpy, but surprisingly I didn’t get motion sickness.  It was fun watching the scenery go by through the large windows, as if I were on a moving aquarium.  Soon the company will be rolling out double-decker buses too, which I guess will be even more cost-effective for them.  Personally though I’d worry about tipping over. 

Even if you pay $35 for a ticket, this is still cheaper than Greyhound, Amtrak, and other bus companies.  I do hear the Asian buses have TVs and are more luxurious, but they charge more.  So it really all depends what you want.  I chose the no-frills buck ride and I was happy.  
 

I enjoy shopping at 168 for the peaceful Asian music - absent is the constant barking of advertisements like at Ranch 99, spacious aisles, vast product selection, and on a weekday afternoon - an empty store all to my exploring self.  On the weekends, it transforms into a frenetic Asian outdoor market, though it’s indoors.

 

 

 

 

 

J1 is a great brand of aloe drink; the canned Honey Aloe drink I did not like as much; and the green tea ice cream bars are the best!

Google Map

When L.A. was experiencing its last heat wave, I drank lots of coconut juice to keep cool, pretending that I was on a tropical island.  It was fun and made the heat bearable.  I drank a few different varieties including:

   
         $0.79                         $0.99

Both were pleasant, but the one on the right tasted more natural.
I was happy with both of these, but then last week, I saw a bunch of real, fresh, young coconuts sitting together in the produce section for only $0.79 each.

 

I didn’t know one could buy these things ready to drink like this.  I’ve paid $2.50 - $3.50 in restaurants to drink out of a coconut and now I learn that they only cost $0.79!*  Woah!  So, I bought one and took it home, but it sat in my fridge for a few days because I didn’t know how to open it.  I thought I might have to get a drill.  Table D’Hote tried to explain it to me, but I couldn’t quite grasp the bludgeoning that I would have to do.  So then I brought my coconut over to Wandering Chopsticks and she showed me how to crack the nut:

1. Get a cutting board and cleaver.

 

2. Then quickly chop of just enough of the top to open the nut without spilling the juices all over (you will spill some).  Our first strike was not close enough, hence the little cap there.  Second strike was a success:

 

3.  Yummy coconut milk:

 

4. Partay!

 

This was a delicious drink, much better than a bottle or canned variety obviously.  And it seemed to have more liquid than the bottle on the right.  I think these would make a fun party drink, maybe I’ll tote some to the next potluck I go to.  First I’ll practice cleaving at home. 

Thanks to Table D’Hote and Wandering Chopsticks for educating me about coconuts.  Both blogs are on my blogroll. * This fine young coconut came from:
Quang Hoa Supermarket
350 W. Garvey Ave
Monterey Park, CA 91755
(626) 571-6799 

While I was at Grassroots today, I saw an ad on their bulletin board for this site:

Free-in-LA.com

It lists by dates and city oodles of wonderful, free things happening in L.A.  For example, this Friday, the Audobon center is leading a bird walk and showing a film. I’ve always been curious about this place, which is over the 110 freeway in Highland Park.  Then on Saturday, there’s the Korean festival in Ktown and a Latin Jazz festival in Noho.  And on Sunday, a Thai festival at Barnsdall, Jane Goodall International Peace Day at Griffith Park, and a slew of concerts.  Even the Richard M. Nixon library has a free concert series.  Closer to home, Vroman’s book store in Pasadena hosts a free Sunday night jazz series, ending this month.

So check out the site and click on some links.  It’s pretty spare-looking, easy-to-use, and has a surprising number of typos. With summer now over and L.A. out of events overdrive, it’s nice to know that this site exists.  Yay!  This weekend with the above, Park(ing)DayLA and the slow-mo dance films downtown looks to be very exciting.  This is exactly what makes L.A. a great city, a playground for all.

Saturday night, R and I were scooting around L.A.in her uber-cute Scion and looking for trouble.  On Spring Street in downtown L.A. near Chinatown, where all the fields of corn aka "Not a Cornfield" used to be, we saw a red neon sign that drew us to it like flies.  It read:

As we approached we saw people and heard drums:

Welcome to Under Spring, a public art space under a concrete bridge, previously home to drug users and the homeless. 

Folks mingling Under Spring.

 

This is Glank, a talented percussion band wearing Haz-mat suits, shaking radioactive canisters and playing found objects. They had a great sense of rhythm and probably one of the happier bands I’ve seen in a long time.  They led the audience in clap-a-longs, mingled, and shared their instruments.  A long time ago, I went to a Cacophony Society drum circle in the underground tunnels of Caltech. Seeing Glank brought me back to that time: weird music in a weird setting.  Fortunately, Glank was more harmonious than the beats back then.

Art Under Spring.  If I would have shot from the other angle, you could see another picture.

And inside in Farmlab was a very cool art exhibiit, "Garden of Brokenness," in which a pond was constructed indoors with antiques, funky objects and a big, cute camera.  Fish included.  I loved this whimsical pond and just read on Farmlab’s site that it is being packed up this week!  Oh no! So call them first if you plan to visit.  It might still be there for you.

 

Unfortunately, we came too late for the adult-themed cabaret puppet show, which headlined the evening.  R & I were very happy to stumble upon this weird happening on the edge of downtown.  Read Farmlab’s site for a recap of the evening and their busy weekend of events.  Their calendar is packed with lectures, salons, events, art and music shows.  I love public art spaces and this place is like Barnsdall’s twisted little sister. 

Farmlab seems like it’s a very cool collective of artists, environmentalists, and activists bringing creative solutions to the urban nature needs of L.A.  They kind of remind me of the Los Angeles Urban Park Rangers.  Farmlab is also participating in Park(ing) Day LA when this Friday parking lots will temporarily be turned into public parks.  I’m sad that I missed Farmlab’s summer offerings but their Fall calendar looks just as excellent. 

Farmlab + Under Spring
1745 N. Spring Street, Unit 4
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(323) 226-1158
info@farmlab.org
www.farmlab.org 

A Pizzeria Grows in Monterery Park

If you build it, they will come.  Chef Christiano Bollini has opened a delicious, thin-crust pizza joint in Monterey Park, amidst a mecca of Chinese cuisine. His place, which serves up authentic Neapolitan woodfire pizza, pastas and salads, definitely seems fish out of water in a tired strip mall on Garfield Avenue, but it is definitely a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I kept looking for take-out Chinese boxes and sweet and sour chicken, and couldn’t really believe that I was in MP in a New York-by-way-of-Europe-style pizzeria. And a very nice one at that, clean and decorated better than your typical hole-in-the-wall.  Maybe it won’t be so clean in a few months though; they just opened last month.  It felt like being in a new car.

Bollini grew up in MP, trained at Le Cordon Bleu, studied in Italy, and came back home to open his own restaurant.  You must go!  The thin crust pizza is light, crispy-chewy, and very tasty. It’s so thin that it’s very easy to scarf down a 12" pizza in a few minutes.  So if you’re a big eater, you’ll have to order more.  I got a clam and garlic pizza and was very pleased with it. 

The seating area is narrow but cozy with plans to expand next door. The 1100 degree woodfire oven is beautiful. The chef and staff were also very friendly and provided attentive service.

Delicious bread 

Very thin, crispy crust, made with special flours.

Pizza Maker

Chef Bollini talking to customers

My clam and garlic 12" pizza which I gobbled down. 

   Bollini’s Pizzeria Napolitana
2315 S. Garfield Ave.
Monterey Park, CA 91754
www.bollinispizzeria.com

12" pizza is $8; 16" is $10; toppings $1-2
Pasta dishes $10-13 

TIP:  To see pics and prices of Bollini’s food, including their pasta dishes (which I heard were fab) and salads, visit its entry on BiggestMenu.com here.  This way you can start planning your menu now!  (Thanks to Pleasure Palate for her posts on BiggestMenu.com about Bollini’s!) 

FOR A $2 OFF COUPON CLICK HERE. 

Thanks to the Los Angeles Urban Rangers, I’ll never be intimidated by a no-trespassing sign again. 

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, the Rangers, a merry band of artists, urban planners, and environmentalists, led a "safari" to the Malibu Beaches and showed about 35 people how to access and enjoy the pristine beaches there that are blocked by beachhouses.  Under California law, the coastline up to the mean high tide line is open to public access.  Not too many people know this, and thus shy away from what seem to be exclusive beaches. The owners also post up misleading private property signs to scare off people.  Please see my previous posts for more info and links to great maps.

The safari was very well organized with activities such as enacting stereotypical beach activities and making tableaus out of them, "trailblazing" - measuring off dry sand easements, potlucking and singing. We used a tape measure to find the specs of the sandy beach that we were allowed to play on.  Homeowners can own parts of the sand, just not the part that directly touches the ocean.  Many of the private properties have easements which allow the public to use the beach.  It was empowering seeing what a 25 feet easement looked like and knowing we had all that space.  We took a moment of silence at an accessway gate (public path to the beach) that was only opened for three weeks, most likely as a vengeful act by one beachhouse owner to another. In front of another beach house, we sang Arlo Guthrie’s "This Land is Your Land."  The rangers, outfitted in forest ranger garb, were knowledgeable, sincere, and irreverent, a great combo.  Smokey the Bear and Ranger Rick would love them.

At least one angry homeowner in bathing trunks came after us as we used a tape measure before this property. At the end of his beach deck, he stood ready to bite. We entered the beach at the 22126 Pacific Coast Highway, the David Geffen accessway as it is fondly known.  I feel bad for the guy; he’s basically has a parade of beachgoers right next to his compound.  But what does he expect?  He doesn’t own the beach.  His security guard patrolled the area, telling a few group members not to lean on the porch.

Here are some shots from our day.
My killer FREE parking spot right next to the accessway (22126 PCH) and right before Geffen’s house.  Notice the brown Coastal Access sign.  Look for these as you drive for they mark accessway gates.  Some accessways, however, are not marked.

 

22126 PCH is the accessway to Carbon Beach.  At least the gates match the Cape Cod look of Geffen’s house.  Walking from my car to the beach was equivalent to walking from one room to another.  No more forking over $10 for parking and being with crowds at other beaches.

The lovely Carbon Beach.  1:00 pm on a Saturday and no one’s around!  Also there are no lifeguards, restrooms, and food stands.  Restaurants and businesses are nearby enough if you dare to walk across PCH.

 
Safari-goers listening to the rangers:

Safari participants next to the "natives":

 

Ranger with beach arrows.  Those umbrella-tipped pins were used to mark off the easements.

 

One of the many Malibu Road accessways, off of Webb Way from the PCH.  This beach felt more secluded.  

             

 

Watch out for dog poop (that’s seaweed above). Though dogs are not allowed on the beach, they were everywhere and apparently not curbed.  I stepped in some poop and spent the rest of the safari trying to get it all off. Yuck.

Misleading signs:

 

Afterwards, we ate shrimp cocktails, mussels, and fish tacos at Malibu Seafood, very fresh and delicious. I’ve lived in L.A. for over a decade and this was the first time, I truly felt the call of the ocean.  Thanks Rangers!  Thanks to the California Coastal Commmission and Access for All for all their hard work forging public access to the beaches.  Visit their sites to get maps and more info. (The Access for All site appears to be in progress.)

Previous posts on this topic here.   It’s your beach, go out and enjoy it!

The free Malibu Public Beach safaris led by the Los Angeles Urban Rangers (previous post) are this weekend, but they’re all full. Openings are anticipated for next weekend. Instead DIY your own safari with these steps:

1. Read this LATimes article on the safaris.
2. Download the free guides at www.laurbanrangers.com
3. Download the California Coastal Commision’s free map, "Broad Beach Coastal Access" here.  Look to the left side for it.

Yes, this is a lot of paper to get through, but it’s so worth it.  I found the wonderful and uncrowded Lechuza Beach following the maps above.  I parked in a ritzy neighborhood, pressed on a magic gate, walked down a short driveway past more ritzy beach houses, and entered a beach that truly made California feel like an escape, a feat in this dirty city.

The access gate on East Sea Level Drive was hard to find because the sign for the drive was obscured by a tree and the gate had a no passing sign on it.  The sign should not be there according to the California Coastal Commission, a state organization that regulates beach access acreas in Malibu. I have to emphasize again the free and easy parking!  These are neighborhood beaches that the oceanfront property owners try to keep people away from.  But the beach is not private property in California.  This is like trying to say Griffith Park is your private property.  The beach is a public space that belongs to all. So get out and enjoy yourself.  You’ll never be back at Topanga or Zuma again.  Well, okay, maybe if you need a restroom or a lifeguard because the hidden beaches in Malibu don’t have these things.

The magic gate and the misleading sign.

Here is my post-safari report, with lots of pictures, on accessing the East Malibu beaches. Fun fun fun.  (Lechuza is on the West side of Malibu.)

 

The Pasadena Conservatory of Music will be hosting two free introductory lectures and discussions on appreciating classical music led by musicologist and pianist Priscilla Pawlicki. 

What to Listen for in Bach - Saturday, August 18, 1-2 pm
What to Listen for at the Symphony - Wednesday, August 22, 1-2pm

With refreshments!  I wonder what Bach cookies will taste like. I did not see mention of these lectures on the conservatory’s website. The card says to
RSVP to 626-683-3355 or music@pasadenaconservatory.org
The site does mention a free sight-reading workshop series for guitar starting August 5th.  Click here for details.

www.pasadenaconservatory.org 
100 N. Hill Avenue
Pasadena, CA 

I had four courses of delicious ice cream at the Saffron Spot in Little India (Artesia) with Abby’s Pleasure Palate group. This was ice cream with depth and silky, rich textures, made with saffron, basil, rose, pistachios, pomegranate, chikoo…  Really, I could not get enough. This was the best ice cream I have ever tasted, none of that artificial Breyer’s or Baskin Robbins or even Ben and Jerry’s (!) nonsense. Saffron Spot puts Pinkberry to shame.

Ice cream… 

 

Kulfi Falooda… 

 

Kulfi… 

 

Shaved Ice… 

 

Now what exactly are all these things?  I’m going to have to link you to Abby’s blog and this article to get a better sense of the cream.  Sorry, I’m not a foodie and don’t follow ingredients.  I just hunt and gather.  Speaking of which:

To find the place, look for the newish-looking Little India Village shopping plaza on Pioneer Boulevard, just off South Street.  The plaza has a curved exterior with two small elephant statues in the front and a free parking lot.

 

Saffron Spot is the perfect after-Bollywood-movie treat!
18744 Pioneer Blvd.
Artesia, CA 90701
(562) 809-4554
www.saffronspot.com 

Suggestion:  See a movie at the Naz 8, then dinner at Jay Bharat’s, then dessert at Saffron Spot!

For my Bollywood posts, click here!
To learn more about Pleasure Palate click here and sign up via Meetin.org. They have some hard core foodies in that group.

 

Here’s a nifty site called Walk Score that helps you find places within walking distance of your home, or any address you desire.  Just plug in your details, and then shops, restaurants, libraries, and more will pop up with their distance from you.  Your address will also get an overall Walk Score out of 100.  Mine was 75 which the site describes as "very walkable, it’s possible to get by without a car."  I do live in a very walkable, ethnically diverse neighborhood, so it’s nice to see a website concur. There are, of course, a few omissions, like my corner boba joint, but hey, no one’s perfect, including Google.

http://www.walkscore.com/index.shtml

The site has given me a few new spots to check out.  Maybe someday I’ll try to walk to Pasadena’s Playhouse 7 which is 3.33 miles from me. That’s 2x around the Rose Bowl.  So, what’s your Walk Score, baby?

(Got this from Thrillist.com) 

I can only say that this was one of the coolest festivals I have ever attended in So. Cal.  Thanks C!  

Pirates: 

 

Polish Army Soldier (1569 - 1696) with Norman Schwarzkopf:

Japanese medical unit: 

 

 

 

Native American encampment: 

 

Answer:  Old Fort MacArthur Days in San Pedro, CA, a living history and historical reenactment festival, themed around military encampments from Ancient Rome to present day.  It was a great event with history buffs and nuts showing off their knowledge and wares.  I felt things were quite authentic.

Next year’s festival will be July 12-13 in San Pedro, near the Korean Friendship Bell.  Reenactors spend the night in their camps and eat mush.

www.ftmac.org  for more info.

(BTW, That’s not really Norman Schwarzkopf above.)