Silverlake & Music Box Steps (Part I)

Years ago I remember someone remarking that even after living in Los Angeles for decades, there are still entire communities to be explored for the first time. That was certainly true this time last year when I got out of my car, and walked around a bit in the Silverlake district. 

I had made a point to have lunch at Cru - both the name of the restaurant, and that name of the organization I work with. Here's a link to what that was like. Unfortunately Cru (the restaurant, not the organization) isn't in business anymore, so I'm glad I was able to stop by when I did. 

The "main drag" through Silverlake is none other than Sunset Blvd. I've driven along here a couple of times over the years, but never stopped. This is all just a few miles west from downtown Los Angeles - and worlds away from the glitz and glamor of where Sunset Blvd. goes through Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and beyond. 

Silverlake is a neighborhood in transition, with a mixture of businesses catering to work-class Mexican-Americans, and the newer urban Anglo "hipsters" who are gentrifying the community. Above, "The Hive" hair salon seems to be focused on the second group. 

A Spanish speaking evangelical church along Sunset Blvd. Glad they're there. I wonder if they're working to add an "English language service" for the new influx moving back into the neighborhood. 

If you are looking for an English speaking church in the area, I'd have to recommend "Reality L.A." - located a couple of miles west, in Hollywood. 

El Siete Mares (The Seven Seas, even I could figure that one out) Mexican Restaurant. Really looks like something straight out of Baja. If I'm in the neighborhood again, I'd definitely want to stop in. 

Funky graffiti. I'd like to know the backstory. It's stuff like this that makes Silverlake Silverlake. 

I was surprised, really shocked, at the terrible condition of the sidewalk along this one stretch. 

Hard to believe this is Sunset Blvd - arguably Los Angeles' most celebrated street. 

The folks over at Cru had given me direction to the Music Box Steps, less than a mile walk from the restaurant. The Music Box Steps are outdoor stairs that Laurel and Hardy famously tried move a piano up in their 1932 film. Above, a neighborhood mural along the way. 

Another mural, different style. This one featuring Marc Abrams, "The Walking Man," - who sadly died in 2010 at age 58,  Abrams was known for his long walks throughout the neighborhood - while reading. A nice tribute, but, for me at least, also a reminder how brief our time on earth really is. 

Destination: Music Box Steps.

"The Music Box" won the first Academy Award for "live action short film" in 1932. Here's a link if you'd like to watch it. More next week in Part II. 

View Silverlake - Music Box Steps in a larger map

© 2013 www.experiencingla.com



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Experiencing L.A. - at "Cru" in Silverlake

Cru is an "organic, raw, vegan" restaurant in the Silverlake district of Los Angeles.

I was in Los Angeles in January to catch a flight out of LAX. It was Sunday afternoon, traffic was light, and I had time to drive over for lunch. Cru is located right off of Sunset Blvd at 1521 Griffith Park Avenue.

Menu at the door. Prices were reasonable. Vegan - which is different than vegetarian - is not really my thing, but they had a wide selection.

I was there about 2pm - the lunch crowd had cleared out. It's a small, independent restaurant, with seating for about 30 people.

I went conservative a just ordered a salad. Very tasty, but I kept thinking how much better it would be with grilled chicken on top . . .

I asked my server what the name "Cru" meant.

She didn't know.

The cook (or, because they don't cook their food, would that be "the guy in the kitchen"?) said it was French for "vineyard."

Interesting, as Cru is also the newly adopted name of the campus ministry my wife and I work for. That's actually how I stumbled upon this place.

Enjoyed my lunch and was on my way. Good experience - I'd like to come back with friends, or co-workers.

This is the view outside the door - with the Hollywood sign visible in the distance.

Here's a close up from the same spot, and a better view.

Silverlake is located in between Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles. I had some more time so I walked down Sunset Blvd a few blocks to the "Music Box Steps" - where the 1932 Laurel and Hardy short was filmed. More on that on a future blog post.

Final view a block away from Cru, looking west along Sunset Blvd with the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory in the distance.

View Cru Restaurant, Silverlake - Los Angeles in a larger map

Here's a link to Cru Silverlake's website.

© 2012 www.ExperiencingLA.com

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Venice Beach: Solarium at the Boardwalk

The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a large pedestrian walkway that runs along the beach from Ocean Park in Santa Monica to the edge of Marina del Rey. On summer weekends it can be absolutely packed. For both locals and visitors from around the world, it's definitely an "Experiencing L.A." type of place. 

As one reviewer said on yelp.com, "Venice Beach is basically all of Los Angeles in one place: movie film set locations, large variety of food, unique people, creative and individualistic craft stands, pan handlers, street performers, exercise gyms, the beach, and - yes - difficult parking."

 You'll find outdoor dining and restaurants ...

 ... stands selling cheap-o sunglasses, t-shirts, and other tchotchkes ...

... colorful murals ...

 ... oddities like the Venice Beach Freak Show ...

 ... and wacky street performers. 

The boardwalk is also lined with outdoor displays of artwork and photography, as well as space set aside for political, religious and other non-profit displays. 

Solarium was one such display. Hosted by the the campus ministry "Cru",  Solarium is a series of images designed to engage dialogue on topics of faith and spirituality. 

Questions around the photographs included "which images describe your life right now?" and "what images represent how your view God?"

Some people spent a lot of time talking ...

... others were content just looking and reflecting. 

A student volunteer interacting with of the more colorful local characters. This was, after all, Venice Beach. 

 

In addition, there were several questions with space for comments.

Another questions: lots of answers. 

Why do I like Solarium? I'll admit my bias: not only am I a Christian, but I was also part of this event. But I like to think that even if I wasn't (a Christian) I would still like the whole thing. Over the years we've had many people say "I'm not religious, but I think what you guys are doing is really cool." Of course, the goal isn't to be "cool" - it's to engage people in life's most important questions - and to consider the claims of Jesus Christ. Both at places like Venice Beach, and then during the year, university campuses. 

My son (the good looking kid in the blue shirt) answering the question, "what is true love?" These photographs are all from last summer - I'll have to ask him if he still remembers what he wrote. 

Feel free to leave a comment below to any of of these questions. As Socrates said, "the unexamined life is not worth living." 

View Larger Map

The Venice Beach Boardwalk is located along the beach between Navy Street (the border of Santa Monica/Venice) and Washington Blvd. Parking, especially during the summer, can be tricky. There is a large lot (that fills up quickly on weekends) where Venice Blvd meets the beach. There's also a much less crowded lot just south of Ocean Park Blvd, a few blocks north of Navy. 

© 2011 www.experiencingla.com

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