Not Ashamed: Benetton in Santa Monica

A couple of years ago my wife and I were walking by the Benetton store on the Third Street Promenade - a three block outdoor public shopping area in Santa Monica.

Music was blasting from inside the store ...

. . . with four employees in the front window - dancing . . .

. . . and drawing a huge crowd. 

My wife commented that no one was in their store; everyone was outside watching the show! 

They eventually got some younger kids to dance along with them, which only increased the size of the crowd out front.

I was impressed with the number of people - like myself - taking photographs. So, I decided to photograph the crowd taking photographs. That's the Criterion in the background.

Benetton (based in Milan) is certainly not unique to Los Angeles - they have stores are all over the world, including several in the media capital that is L.A. 

Two thousand years ago, St. Paul - the most influential leader in the first century church - wrote to a group of new Christians in the capital city of the Roman Empire: 

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." (Romans 1:20)
"I am not ashamed." The folks dancing in the window certainly were not ashamed. (Of course, some would argue that it helps working for a retail chain that spends hundreds of millions of dollars every year in advertising and perfecting it's image.)
"I am not ashamed." A local pastor once said, "when some Christians talk about their faith, they should use breath mints: the gospel is offensive enough. They don't need to add to it."

Over the years, I'm sure I've needlessly added to the what Paul called the "offense" of the gospel. Chalk it up to the stupidity of youth (or just stupidity).

The great thing about living on the westside of Los Angeles - where many people consider themselves "spiritual, but not religious" - is that it causes me to constantly go back to what I believe, not to take my faith for granted.

"I am not ashamed." 

Or am I? 
I appreciate the folks over at Benetton and the reminder - in a very indirect way - that it's the very last thing I should be.

originally posted 2/15/09

© 2011 www.experiencingla.com

City Hall at Night

Chris Jackson, L.A. Times "Southern California Moments" 4/3/11


The Los Angeles Times has been featuring a daily photo called "Southern California Moments." While the selection has been hit and miss - the April 3rd choice was outstanding. Above is a photo from Chris Jackson of City Hall. Nice. I'm not familiar enough with downtown Los Angeles to know where this was taken from, so I'd appreciate any input. 


Here's a link to "Southern California Moments."

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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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Chinatown

Back in 2009 my wife and I took our then 9 year old son and our 8 year old nephew to "Philippe's" - a 100 year old restaurant in downtown Los Angeles for lunch. Here's the link. Afterwards, we went to Olvera Street (the oldest street in Los Angeles) and then after that decided to walk over to Chinatown.

The day was overcast, crowded, somewhat confusing, and not much for kids to see. After walking a block or so up Broadway (the main drag) I could tell the boys were miserable. Time to head home.

A few months later I decided to give Chinatown another shot, this time by myself. I was in the neighborhood and figured I could scope out what see the next time with my kids. And take some pictures for the blog here.

The southern entrance to Chinatown consists to two huge dragons over Broadway.


Chinatown is a working business district with a mixture of both contemporary and traditional architectural styles. The "BC Plaza" here is pretty typical. I like the names of some of the businesses: "United Buffet" and "Honey World Center".


Another commercial center. Apparently, scenes from Lethal Weapon 4 (gee, missed that one) were filmed here.


I have no idea what this store sells, but I loved the colors!


I liked the contrast between the Far East National Bank, and the traditional Chinese building.


The Gold Line metro rail (which goes all the way to Pasadena) has a stop in Chinatown.


The Central Plaza. This is what comes to mind when I think "Chinatown." I found this excellent link. It was 6pm on a weekday and very quiet. The Central Plaza (and the rest of Chinatown) are much busier during the day.

The Central Plaza consists of a dozen or more traditional Chinese buildings. It was built as a tourist destination in the late 1930's and early 1940's with restaurants and souvenir shops up and down the plaza and pedestrian street. It's fun, and (important for me as a dad) a great for kids.


A group of Chinese men playing mah jong in the Central Plaza.


Sure it's a little touristy, but it's also great place to introduce my kids to another part of Los Angeles. Kind of ease them into the whole "cross cultural" experience. They've got plenty of years to experience the more urban side of Chinatown (and L.A.) ... and to grow in their understanding of other peoples and other cultures.


As a Christian, I'm reminded that God constantly calls me to grow in faith. To take steps and move beyond what's just comfortable. For my 7 and 9 year olds, walking around Chinatown and having lunch at a different restaurant (like Hop Louie's, pictured above) is a good first step, at least in terms experiencing another culture. There are so many incredible opportunities in Los Angeles to interact with different people, different cultures. In years to come I hope their experience doesn't end with a lunch at Chinatown.

A last look at the Central Plaza.

Meanwhile, back on Broadway, it was a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the rest of Chinatown. Mmm, roast duck.


Another modern commercial center. According to a professor friend from Cal Poly Pomona (who is from Hong Kong, so I assume he knows what he's talking about) the Chinatown in downtown L.A. was founded by Cantonese immigrants. When Mandarin speaking Chinese immigrants began arriving in the L.A. after WWII, they created their own Chinese community in Montery Park (which today has a HUGE Chinese population - subject for another blog).


Another small "mom and pop" store. I really wish I had someone to show me around!


I not sure why I like this photo. Maybe because the architecture looks so "average." Aside from the Chinese signs, this could be about anywhere in Los Angeles.


Now I know where all the Chinese restaurants in L.A. get their lucky cats.


The inside of the store with the lucky cats out front, full of tchotkies and other paraphernalia.


I LOVE this rooster on top of the roof of the poultry store!


Another view of Superior Poultry and the surrounding area.


Across the street from Superior Poultry is Peking Poultry. Both places sell live chickens. The sign in Chinese, English, and Spanish is "so L.A" (so is the barb wire on the right hand sign of the photo!). City Hall is visible in the distance.


City Hall looming over the twin dragons at the entrance (and for me, exit) to Chinatown. Time to head home. I hope to be back sometime - with my kids in tow.

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 Chinatown in a larger map

originally posted 5/2/09

© 2011 www.experiencingla.com