Faded Glory: "Isle of California" (The Mural Capital of the World, Part II)

One of the most famous of all Los Angeles' murals is "Isle of California" (1972), the work of Victor Henderson, Terry Schoonhoven, Jim Frazin of the L.A. Fine Arts Squad.

While some of L.A.'s most visible murals, especially those along freeways, have been destroyed by vandals and taggers (subject for another post) "Isle of California" is suffering a different fate.

38 years of exposure to the sun and the elements have taken their toll - this amazing mural is slowly fading away.

"Isle of California" is a mythical vision from the California/Arizona border when California becomes an island after "The Big One" (the term used to described a future major earthquake).

The mural is located at The Village Recording Studio at 1616 Butler Avenue, literally just a few feet away from Santa Monica Blvd in West Los Angeles.

If you want to see what "Isle of California" originally looked like, head on down to the Venice Beach. There's a much smaller version of the mural featured in some tile work along the Boardwalk.



And I found a color photograph on another website: federicodecalifornia.files.wordpress.com. This is what "Isle of California" looked like 30+ year ago. Amazing - and sad. 


© 2011 www.experiencingla.com


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Another Take on ... the Hollywood Sign

Backside of the Hollywood sign (1984).

Twenty five years ago it was possible, at least theoretically, to hike the face of Mt Lee to the top of the Hollywood sign. Today, that's no longer the case. The City of Los Angeles has installed fences, cameras, motion detectors, and even a speaker system to keep people from attempting it. And according to everything I've read on-line (and the personal experience of some adventure-seeking UCLA students) LAPD will respond.


www.bridiemacdonald.com

However, there is a trail around the backside to the top of Mt Lee, providing a very similar view.

Looks like the backside of the Hollywood sign has less graffiti than it did twenty five years ago (one of the few places in Los Angeles that can make this claim).

Info on the hike to the top of Mt Lee can be found here: http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11408705/los_angeles_ca/the_hollywood_sign_hike.html

Speaking of Mt. Lee, unbeknownst to almost everyone, the ridge next to the Hollywood Sign is privately owned by a group of Chicago-based developers who were planning on selling the land for development. The prospect of homes being built next to the most recognizable landmark in the city has spawned a group working to save the ridge from development.


Last week I noticed one of the electronic billboards on Santa Monica Blvd over in West L.A. displaying an ad for www.SaveHollywoodLand.org - the organization soliciting funds to help preserve the ridge.

SaveHollywoodLand.org has raised $11 million dollars of the $12.5 million needed to purchase the 138 acres adjacent to the Hollywood sign. By the way, I did the math: 138 acres for $12.5 million works out to $2 a square foot. They have until April 30th to do so - looks like they're getting close.

www.SaveHollywoodLand.org

It might be a Hollywood ending after all.

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This Is West L.A.

Corner of Bundy & Olympic in West Los Angeles (taken from my car while waiting for a light). The power lines remind me a lot of Lincoln Blvd in Venice.


Banner reads: "This Is West LA"

iro·ny: ˈī-rə-nē (noun)
"the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning; an usually humorous or sardonic literary style or form."

Orthodontist to the Stars?

Earlier in the year I had to take my kids to an orthodontist in the Larchmont district of Los Angeles, located north of Hancock Park, and south of Hollywood.

What impressed me - to the point of going back to my car to get my camera - was the view out the windows. Wow! These photos were all taken from the orthodontist's 5th floor office at 321 Larchmont Blvd, just north of Beverly Blvd.

Looking to the right (east) is Paramount Studios located on Melrose Avenue, about a mile away.

Paramount is the only major studio actually located in Hollywood. Universal, Disney, and Warner Brothers are located "over the hill" in the San Fernando Valley. 20th Century Fox is located in Century City (just west of Beverly Hills) and Sony in Culver City. They comprise what is known as "the big six" major film studios: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_film_studio

And their influence is global.

Further to the right (east), the Griffith Observatory, what's been affectionately referred to as the "hood ornament" of Los Angeles.

To the left (west) are the Hollywood Hills and - rising out of a sea of one story bungalows - the 80 year old "El Royale" apartment building, located at 450 N. Rossmore Ave.


I've driven by this building before at street level, but never before seen it from this angle. Definitely "old school" Hollywood, with a waiting list to get in, and pretty hefty rent, even by L.A. standards. According to the Larchmont Chronicle:

Long a celebrity magnet, the El Royale has been home to Loretta Young and Clark Gable and, more recently, Nicolas Cage, Uma Thurman and Ben Stiller. Units in the building range from 950-square-foot one-bedrooms that start at $2,000 per month, to the 3,000-square-foot, two story penthouses that rent for $4,000 a month. There are also two- and three-bedroom apartments and one-story penthouses. 


Looking left (west) towards the heart of Hollywood. By way of perspective, the tower in the distance just left of center is Blessed Sacrament Catholic church located a mile and a half away on Sunset Blvd. Four blocks further is the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Avenue. 


Pulling back a bit from the windows you can see that, yes, this really is an orthodontist's office. Nice view of the Hollywood sign while getting your teeth worked on.


For some reason, we were the only people there at the time. I assume it gets busier later in the day?

My kids got x-rays and my son had his retainer adjusted. Ah, the joys of being a kid. But I guess adults get braces too ... forgot to ask if anyone "famous" ever comes in. You know, "orthodontist to the stars"? Hmm, maybe ... but maybe not.

Afterwards, we drove up Larchmont Blvd. for lunch. Hollywood sign in the distance.

We passed by Paramount Studios and stopped for a quick photo. You'll notice the Hollywood sign, visible just above the guard house.

I thought about taking my kids to "Pink's" hotdog stand in Hollywood, but driving by decided it wasn't very kid friendly. We ended up at a McDonald's about a block from this Target (this is what a Target looks like in Hollywood).

Thinking about the impressive views of Hollywood, I'm reminded of a friend from church - a very committed Christian - who moved to Los Angeles with his wife and kids several years ago to work in the entertainment industry. I wish I could say everything's been awesome career-wise in terms of breaking into "the industry." It's actually been a pretty tough road. He's very talented, but aside from some small things, nothing's really opened up for him. His advice for anyone thinking trying to work in the entertainment industry without a plan? "Don't come."

That doesn't mean "don't come" - it means "don't come without a plan." Actually, I think of all people, Christians should have a plan of how best to use their gifts, abilities, passions, and talents to glorify God. Whether behind a camera, a desk, a surgical mask, a counter, or broom.

Meanwhile, it's my hope that more Christians choose to live in Los Angeles. Why? Because it's arguably the most influential city in the world.

With a plan. Gotta have a plan. And even then, at least in terms of jobs, there are no guarantees.

By the way, these pictures were taken mid-February. So I guess one guarantee in L.A. is the weather. No complaints.

More information on the Larchmont district of Los Angeles can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larchmont,_Los_Angeles,_California

© 2010 www.experiencingla.com

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Christos Anesti

Christianity Today, April 2009

Christos Anesti!

In the 2002 film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," lead character Toula Portokalos explains to Ian, her non-Greek fiancee, that "Christos Anesti" (a traditional greeting within the Orthodox Church) is Greek for "Happy Easter."

Not exactly. Christos Anesti doesn't really translate Happy Easter. Christos Anesti literally means Christ is risen.

Almost two thousand years ago, Christians in the early church greeted each other with the triumphant Christos Anesti! Christ is risen - He is risen indeed!

In the polyglot that is Los Angeles, tomorrow believers from around the world will greeting each other with:

Christ is risen

그리스도 께서 살아나셨입니다

Cristo ha resucitado

基督復活了

Christ est ressuscité

キリストがよみがえって

Kristo ay nabuhay

مسیح می باشد افزایش یافته است

Hristos a înviat

המשיח קם

Chúa Kitô đã sống lại

المسيح قام حقا قام

Христос воскрес

Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց՜

Happy Easter

Christos Anesti

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Birds of Paradise: Palisades Park, Santa Monica

One of the unique features of Los Angeles is the incredible variety of plants and flowers found here, the vast majority of which have been imported from other places in the world.

The South African "Bird of Paradise" is a great example of a flowering import that thrives along much of coastal Southern California. The Bird of Paradise is the official flower of the City of Los Angeles (yes, L.A. has an official flower).

Saturday, January 2nd - while much of the country was still enjoying their "white Christmas" - I took some time to walk around Palisades Park, a long, narrow park on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.


The Latin name for these plants is trelitzia reginae, the common name: Bird of Paradise, or Crane Flower. They bloom year round, including the winter months. Here's some more info from the good people at wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strelitzia_reginae

These flowers are a reminder to me of the words St. Paul, a leader in the early Church. Almost two thousand years ago he appealed to those outside of the faith: "We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn . . . to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and sea and everything in them . . . He has not left Himself with testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their season; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." (Acts 14:15, 17)

Joy. A friend on the East Coast recently challenged a group of us to think about making more of joy based appeal when communicating our faith with others.

A common argument against Christianity is summarized in the simple "what about suffering?" In other words, if God exists, why is there suffering?

Perhaps a more difficult question - at least philosophically - is "what about beauty?" If God doesn't exist, how do we account for the beauty we see around us?


St. Paul's appeal was based on joy: from the beauty we see around us, the rain, the crops, the food we have. The Creation itself points to a Creator. Of course, this was and is just a starting point to understanding and embracing the gospel.

With Easter coming up in just eight days (Sunday April 4) I wonder what it would take for the traditional Easter Lily to be replaced with the Bird of Paradise as the flower of choice for Easter.

More so than even Christmas, it is - or should be - the ultimate joy filled holiday.

Additional reviews on Palisades Park can be found here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/palisades-park-santa-monica

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Funkytown Bus (South Santa Monica)

Driving in Santa Monica along Lincoln Blvd, just south of Pico, I rolled past this bus.

I have no idea what the story is behind it, but it's definitely colorful - and adds to the overall ambiance of south Santa Monica/Ocean Park community.

How come I never see a "church bus" that looks like this?

Best Pictures: my favorite L.A. themed films, Part II

In honor of tomorrow's Academy Awards, I came up with a list of my top ten favorite films that take place here in Los Angeles. Here's Part II:

6. Stand and Deliver is based on the true story of Garfield High School math teacher Jaime Escalante. A great, inspiring film.

I was paying my way through graduate school working a substitute school teacher (just a few miles from Garfield High) when the film came out in 1988 - so I particularly enjoyed it then, as now.


7. A similar film is the 2006 Akeelah and the Bee. Looking elsewhere on the web for more information, this film is either "completely fictional or "based on a true story" - I'm not sure which.

While it may have some unavoidable clichés, it's an inspirational, highly recommended film. Plus, a major scene was filmed on my in-laws street (they live near USC) which was fun to see. If you've got kids, this is the one film on the list you want to put on your queue.

8. After seeing the film Friends with Money (2006), living here in Los Angeles my wife and I often refer to having "Friends with Money moments."

The film follows four women here on the westside of Los Angeles - where people with money are surrounded by people who wish they had money.

It's the Los Angeles that the rest of the world both loves and hates.

Although it's just a drama, for us it was like watching a documentary. Want to know what it's like to live in Los Angeles? I suggest watching Friends with Money. Rated R for language, some sexual content, and brief drug use.


9, If you want to know what it was like to live in Los Angeles 30-40 years ago, Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) is a good place to start. The only true documentary on this list, this film follows the Zephyr surf and skateboard team that emerged out of south Santa Monica in the late 1960's and 1970's (this film is not to be confused with the 2005 drama Lords of Dogtown).

The footage of the Zephyr team surfing in the wreckage of the old POP amusement pier is incredible, as is watching how a group of local teenagers redefined skateboarding, giving birth to the entire "extreme sports" movement.

I've checked this film out a half a dozen times from our local L.A. public library - I guess I should just buy it!

10. No list of movies that take place in Los Angeles would be complete without including Ridley Scott's 1982 film Blade Runner. The film, which takes place in 2019, is a dark vision of a futuristic and very dysfunctional Los Angeles. According to an article on wikipedia:

Blade Runner continues to reflect modern trends and concerns, and an increasing number consider it one of the greatest science fiction films of all time. The film was selected for preservation in the in the United States National Film Registry in 1993 and is frequently used in university courses. In 2007, it was named the 2nd most visually influential film of all time (the first being Star Wars) by the Visual Effects Society.

As a Christian, I've also watched Blade Runner (especially the opening scenes) and asked myself: "what would it mean to live out my faith in that kind of environment? What will it mean to live as a Christian in the future? What does it mean to live as a Christian today?"

Getting back to the Academy Awards tomorrow night, as we don't have don't have network or cable TV, I'll be playing board games with my kids instead. For everyone else, enjoyed watching.

Here's hoping Up or The Blind Side do well.

Neither of which - surprise - take place in Los Angeles.

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Best Pictures: my favorite L.A. themed films, Part I

latimesblogs.latimes.com/ files/2009/02/

I thought it'd be appropriate to celebrate tomorrow's Academy Awards (which I'm not planning on watching) by listing my top ten favorite films that actually take place in Los Angeles:

1. Topping the list is Crash (2006). There's a good reason why it won Best Picture. It's a powerful, moving film dealing with the racial and cultural animosities in modern Los Angeles. Rated R for language, sexual content and some violence.


2. A similar film is the 1991 film Grand Canyon, starring Danny Glover and Steve Martin, which also deals with the racial and ethnic divides here in Los Angeles. Both Crash and Grand Canyon could really take place in any major American city.

As a Christian, I wish that more Christian movies (yes, this is really a genre) dealt with issues like this, rather than the usual sentimental fluff.

Both Crash and Grand Canyon are great films, despite the fact that they seem to have more questions than answers.


3. The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, chronicles the life of a young Howard Hughes from the 1920's to the 1950's, much of which took place here in Los Angeles. This including a Hollywood Premier in the late 1920's, Hughes crashing a plane in a residential neighborhood in Beverly Hills, and the flight of the famed "Spruce Goose" in Long Beach in the 1940's.


4. The Rocketeer also has a couple of scenes featuring Howard Hughes, but that's where the similarity ends. The Rocketeer is pure fantasy - and one of the few films on the list I'd even consider appropriate for kids. This 1991 period adventure film from the folks over at Disney is rated PG for mild violence. And great soundtrack, too.

5. Even less appropriate for kids - and what I would not consider a family film - is the 1988 Touchstone (a division of Disney) production Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

I kind of have a love/hate relationship with Roger Rabbit. The visuals are incredible, winning three Academy Awards. I really enjoyed the setting: Hollywood 1947, involving the "Big Red Cars" of the Pacific Electric, Los Angeles' old mass transit system.

On the other hand, the language, sexuality, and honestly creepy violence do not make it appropriate for kids. If you think that all animated or Disney films are family friendly, think again.

More films in Part II

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