My dad grew up in Highland Park . . . first on Avenue 63, then Avenue 57, back in the 1930’s-1950’s. He lived south of Figueroa Boulevard and right next to the Arroyo Seco Freeway. Back then, the neighborhood was still called “Garvanza” (originally named for the garbanzo bean plants that once grew there) and…
While researching Southern California’s Wooden Crate Art: Or the Romance of Fruits and Veggies, I set aside a few labels that feature growers from the San Fernando Valley. Hard to believe now, but once upon a time the Valley was an agricultural paradise, dotted with farms, ranches, wheat fields, and seas of citrus groves. The…
It is definitely one of L.A.’s most historic and unique restaurants. Popular, sophisticated, cool, and utterly atmospheric, Yamashiro has been a local dining treasure for decades. Its exotic gardens and view-struck Pagoda Bar alone is worth a visit—all in all, an amazing spot to take in distant Pacific Ocean sunsets or the sparkling blanket of…
Years ago, I found an amazing print in a box of old family photos. It was undated, unlabeled, and probably taken to show off my grandparents’ new car. But the star of the photo for me was the gigantic pumpkin building in the background. It was one of those roadside oddities (often referred to as…
He’s a local celebrity, “the world’s largest Jack-O’-Lantern,” and the city of Wilmington’s annual Halloween tradition since 1952. Smilin’ Jack, aka oil tank #304, is located at the Phillips 66 Los Angeles oil refinery. Every year, the 3-million-gallon tank is covered with at least 21 coats of orange paint and transformed into a huge pumpkin….
