My Freeway aka The 10

1964. Santa Monica Freeway under construction at La Cienega and Venice Boulevards. Courtesy of the L.A. Times Photo Archive, UCLA Library.

I used to travel the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) from Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles to Cloverfield Boulevard in Santa Monica daily when I worked at HBO. HBO moved from Century City (7 minutes from my house) to Santa Monica 15 years ago.  This is an eight mile trip.  On light traffic days it took me 15 minutes.  On heavy traffic days my drive could last more than one hour each way.  Needless to say, I am delighted to be retired and not making that daily drive. 

I vaguely remember when the Santa Monica Freeway was built, at least the portion that ran south of our neighborhood between Overland Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard.  Most east-west drives during my childhood usually took place on one of the major thoroughfares, Pico, Olympic, Wilshire, Santa Monica Boulevard or Sunset.  We usually took Pico to the Beach by car; Wilshire by bus when I was a pre-teen.  Sunset Boulevard was reserved for our trip to my Grandparents' home in Hollywood.  I even remember going to Palm Springs in the late 1950's primarily on City streets (La Brea Avenue became Hawthorne Boulevard....etc.).

It was a BIG deal when the Santa Monica Freeway could take us all the way to Pacific Coast Highway.  It was like flying to the beach.   I also remember my Dad talking about how so many houses were being torn down along the route of the I-10, mostly in neighborhoods east of us (West Adams to University Park).  Neighborhoods were divided and changed when the freeway was built.  This was definitely progress for our City.  In hindsight, the L.A. Metro system should have been coordinated at the same time!

1962.  Dignitaries and spectators at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the Santa Monica Freeway. Herald Examiner Collection, L.A. Public Library

1965.  California Governor, Pat Brown along with other dignitaries (I spot Tom Bradley and Kenny Hahn) and Beauty Queens at Ribbon-cutting ceremony, Santa Monica Freeway. Herald Examiner Collection, L.A. Public Library

Another momentous time in the history of MY Santa Monica Freeway was in 1994 when the portion of the I-10 near La Cienega Boulevard collapsed during the Northridge earthquake.  This collapse forced people back onto our City streets to traverse town just like the old days!  Thankfully, the I-10 was repaired quickly and back to traffic as usual.

1994.  Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, UCLA

1994.  AP Photo/Eric Draper

Have fun, cruising the freeways!

Play Music On The Porch Day

I'd heard about Play Music On The Porch Day a few years ago. An artist acquaintance of mine, Brian Mallman  started this movement in 2013. The idea is, "What if for one day everything stopped...and we all just listened to the music?" Here is more from the website:

Even though this seems like a simple idea, if it worked, it could produce profound results. 

So in 2013 we decided to share this idea with the world and to our surprise the idea spread even faster than we could have eve imagined. In 2018 thousands of musicians from at least 60 countries and over 600 cities participated and the movement continues to grow every day. Musicians from across the globe, regardless of their differences, are finding common ground through music.  Play Music On The Porch Day knows that music is powerful and universal. It doesn't matter if you play an Oud, a Guitarrón, a Nyckelharpa, or a Guitar. When you pick up your instrument and start to play the world disappears and you get lost in the sounds. Music goes beyond words. It can transcend the most difficult barriers. It ties us together like a thread through our hearts. Our skin is many colors but music is in our blood, our bones and our soul."

All you have to do is upload a video of playing music outside on the last Saturday in August  and tag it #playmusicontheporchday.

I participated last year with a short little solo ditty. This year, I thought it would be wonderful to involve my Ukulele Workshop in this online event! Cali Rose is our teacher and she was all for the idea. We'd been practicing a short version of "Wipe Out" by the Surfaris. A while back, when we were practicing these riffs in class, I noticed that the song, "Hanky Panky" by  Tommy James and the Shondells shared the same chord progression as "Wipe Out." I started playing and singing it in class. We ended up sandwiching "Hanky Panky" between our version of "Wipe Out" and a hit was made! This is the medley that we performed for Play Music On The Porch Day.

My wonderful husband, Larry, set up chairs for us in the back parking lot at Boulevard Music in Culver City after our regular Workshop meeting and he shot the video. It's not a perfect rendition, but it's HONEST! We had fun and that's what is important! Thank you to Ellie, Cali, Carol, Jim, Marissa, Joe, Deb, Debbie and Ron for joining me in Play Music On The Porch Day! Larry has named us THE HANKY PRANKSTERS!
You can see more videos of people around the world playing music on their porches by searching the hashtag: #playmusicontheporchday. There are many uploads to Instagram and Facebook. Thank you, Brian Mallman for inventing this international tradition!

Labor Day

Female workers in Labor Day Parade, NYC, 1936. NY Daily News, Getty Images

Happy Labor Day! Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century became a federal holiday in 1894.

I am thankful to all the workers who came before me, standing up for equal rights on the job.

I spent over 45 years in the work force. Some of that time was spent as a union member, working at various movie studios throughout Los Angeles. Today, I am reaping the benefits of full-time, corporate employment thanks to the labor movement's accomplishments over the years for equal rights, better working conditions and equal pay. Thank you.

Fiesta La Ballona

We performed under the big tent in the center of Verteran's Park, Culver City

Last  Sunday I performed with the CC Strummers at Culver City's Fiesta La Ballona. Cali Rose, our fearless leader, worked up a half-hour set for us. This year's theme of ukulele music was called "Flashback Sunday."  We played songs from various decades and asked the audience to guess the years. Our oldest song went way back to the 1880s. The most recent, 1972. We all had a great time and the audience had fun too!

The CC Strummers

Here we are, singin' out little hearts out!

It's difficult to hear our beautiful harmonies during the various recordings. Since Cali is the only voice and ukulele on microphone, you only hear her, especially when recorded on an iPhone. Next year, I'm going to lobby the Culver City Recreation Department for more microphones set up within our group. 

"Hawaiian War Chant" Video by Lore O.

We all had a great time. The audience sang along and was most receptive. All of our weeks of practicing was worth the reward! Thank you, Cali for making us sound so great!

Cali Rose

Photos by Larry Underhill

My Happy Place, playing with the CC Strummers

Next up, practice for the Xmas show!

Louis Vuitton Exhibit

Louis Vuitton pop-up shop, formerly Brooks Brothers,  468 No. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills

Last Friday, Rhoda and I visited the Louis Vuitton special exhibit in Beverly Hills. WOW! Even if you don't know who Louis Vuitton was or never bought any of his products, this is an amazing display. The care that was taken to provide visitors with a total experience is spectacular! It's FREE. Opens at 10am, go early to avoid the crowds. Easy parking in the BH lots at Little Santa Monica and Rodeo.

"Keepall Bag," canvas, dating from 1930

The show is an examination of the 160 year history of the company and its creative collaborations. From the 1980s on, many artists were asked to incorporate their designs into Louis Vuitton products. There are pieces by Karl Lagerfeld, Cindy Sherman, Frank Gehry, Yayoi Kusama and more!

Traveling Art Studio 

The "Cocoon Chair," fiberglass and leather

Founder, Louis Vuitton

Each new room of the exhibit was a total experience. Some of the rooms reminded me of the old "America the Beautiful" Circarama at Disneyland in 1960, where you stand in the center of a room and screens surround you with moving images! The images at the LV pop-up shop are, of course, images of Louis Vuitton products and artwork and their inspiration. It's dizzying! Watch the video on the web page for an idea.

There are rooms of gorgeous designer fashions, handbags and more lovely items to inspire you!

Menswear

Red Carpet Fashion

Scenic, Knitted Intarsia Sweaters

On the very top floor is the pop-up gift shop! High-end and lower-end items available for sale.

Exit Through The Gift Shop

The pop-up exhibit at Louis Vuitton ends on September 15th. You still have time to view this amazing show! Remember, admission is FREE! 

Indoor Luau

Grandview Terrace Apartments, Mar Vista, Los Angeles

On Wednesday I joined a small, off-shoot group of the CC Strummers (my ukulele group) for a gig at Grandview Terrace in Mar Vista. Our fearless leader, Cali Rose has been performing at Grandview for years. She decided to take us along this year. 

This is a HUD development, offering rental assistance to seniors. Most of the residents at the luau spoke Russian. Music is the universal language, so we all had a great time!

The recreation room was decorated and set up for a Hawaiian lunch.  

While we performed, the residents ate lunch. Many of them got up and danced during our performance. I must say, we were rockin'!

Vickie (left) is our Cruise Director. She really got the crowd dancing!

Cali Rose is an amazing ukulele player, singer and performer. At one point in the show, Cali was playing, dancing, singing and flirting!

The talented Cali Rose

We performed a whole slew of Hawaiian songs with some added Hawaiian-ish numbers in the mix. After the performance our group was served a lovely catered lunch of salad, grilled pineapple chicken, fried rice, veggies and yummy  bread pudding for dessert. Thanks for your hospitality, Grandview Terrace!

Click on photo to see larger version. Front row, L-R: Tom on U-Bass, Michael, Mike, Ellen, Sherry. Middle Row, L-R: Ed, Lillian, Dianne, Lou, Marilyn on percussion. Back Row, L-R: Vickie, Beverly Nancy and Cali

Le Petite Chateau

Le Petite Chateau, a little castle in the middle of the Valley

We wanted an old school, classic dining experience on Saturday night. One place that we've driven past for years and years and never been to was Le Petite Chateau in North Hollywood. I was reminded of this place when I read that our friend, Chris Nichols had visited recently.

The Chateau is a sweet little "castle" on Lankershim Boulevard in the French Normandy architectural style. Inside there are vaulted, beamed ceilings, antiques and other European decoration, white table cloths and upholstered booths. It's very serene and elegant. It has been run by the same family for 30 of it's over 50 year history.

The cuisine is country French. Yes, all the heavy sauces, butter and sugar are incorporated into the menu. However, they have modernized a bit with some healthier choices. Everything we ordered was delicious and served beautifully.

Martinis to begin our dining experience

Avocado and Mango Salad

Grilled Shrimp Salad

Pasta with Seafood (served on a Franciscan/Desert Rose plate)

Chicken Breast Picatta

Le Petite Chateau is a very friendly place. We ended up talking to the couple next to us toward the end of our meal. We compared dishes. I must say, the Beef Wellington looked delicious! Talk about old-school!

The Chateau's version of bread pudding, which was really a sort of bread and chocolate pie

After our large and rich meal, we walked around the restaurant a bit to explore the decor. The place is chock full of antiques, medallions, oil paintings, porcelain knick-knacks and more!

We had a satisfying evening in "Provence NoHo." I would recommend Le Petite Chateau the next time you require a pleasant evening out in a non-trendy, country French mini-castle!

Fiesta La Ballona

I've been practicing with the CC (Culver City) Strummers twice a week. We will be performing at Culver City's Fiesta La Ballona! Our fearless leader, Cali Rose, has been rehearsing us twice a week for the show. Cali is calling this ukulele concert, "Flashback Sunday." We are performing songs from various decades, from the 1920s to the 1970s. It's going to be really fun with plenty of chance for audience participation. I hope you'll join us for this 30 minute concert!

Cali Rose and the CC Strummers at Fiesta La Ballona, Veterans Park, Culver City, a few years ago

I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to play music with people 3 times a week. Twice a week with the CC Strummers and on Saturdays with Cali's Ongoing Ukulele Workshop at Boulevard Music. In-between, I knit and crochet. Yes, retirement is GREAT!

Downey Days

Even though it was over 90 degrees, we ventured out to Downey, California! It's only about 15 miles from the center of Los Angeles, a short trip at 10 am. We are friends with Sven Kirsten, Mr. Tiki, and he posted about Exotical Hawaiian Apparel on Facebook the other day. His photos and description made this shop sound very enticing, so we drove down to Downey!

The shop is fairly large with plenty of parking in back. One room has mostly men's clothes, the other side, ladies' attire. The selection is enormous. You have to go there just to see it. All of the clothes are imported directly from Hawaii.

In addition to clothing, Exotical stocks beads, Hawaiian decorations, grass skirts and everything you'd need for a luau except the pig and poi!  Needless to say, we managed to find a few items to our liking!

Columbia Memorial Space Center

Downey is famous for many things besides the oldest operating McDonald's Burgers, home of the singing Carpenters AND the Blasters. Downey's population soared during World War II with the growth of the aerospace industry. It was the home of North American Rockwell / Boeing Aircraft. This site, on Lakewood Boulevard, transitioned from aircraft to missile technology during the 1950s.  The former Boeing site is very large and it houses many newer businesses today. Also at this site is the Columbia Memorial Space Center. It's an interactive museum and exhibit space for all things related to the Apollo and Space Shuttle craft. This being the 50th Anniversary of man walking on the moon (July 20, 1969), we decided to visit. Unbeknownst to us, our L.A. Conservancy Modern Committee acquaintance, Ben Dickow, is the President and Executive Director at the Space Center!

Ben was there to greet us when we walked into the Museum! We had a great hour touring the museum and all of it's exhibits detailing the history of the Apollo mission.

Larry Likes Space Suits

We were quite famished after our busy morning, so we decided to visit an excellent example of PRESERVATION in Downey! Bob's Broiler for lunch! Originally, Harvey's then Johnie's Broiler, read about the history and preservation efforts HERE.  I do love this place. The terrazzo floor, the big neon signs, the rocky mountain stone, avocado and gold interior and more. The burgers and fries are pretty good too!

Downey is an interesting place. Visit!