tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45477324328664717362024-03-13T15:11:33.108-07:00SantaMonicaDeeVaSanta Monica focused comings and goings interspersed with the occasional humble (or not) opinion about politics, life, ideas, suggestions peppered with photos.SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-32965797677287990362015-03-29T17:40:00.000-07:002015-03-29T17:40:29.126-07:00The Police Officer and Pedestrians<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Thank you to the Santa Monica police officer who, around 1:40pm, Sunday, March 29, 2015, used his police vehicle's bullhorn to tell a cyclist riding on the 11th St. sidewalk (between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd.) to, "Ride in the bike lane and not the sidewalk!" For those who don't know, it's illegal to ride your bike on Santa Monica city sidewalks. It's legal in Los Angeles city but not Santa Monica <a href="http://qcode.us/codes/santamonica/view.php?topic=3-3_12-3_12_540" target="_blank">(Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.12.540).</a> Also, for those who don't know, I complain about cyclists riding on the sidewalks in Santa Monica all the time. I'm a pedestrian around Santa Monica, only rarely using my car to drive out of the city. I see dozens of cyclists on the sidewalks every day in my neighborhood and have been knocked down by a few. I've told many a cyclist that it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk in Santa Monica only to have him/her say, "Sorry" and continue riding. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This guy kept on riding his bike even though there's a "No Bikes" sign painted on the sidewalk at 2nd and Arizona where this was taken.</i></td></tr>
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I've watched many police officers casually drive past sidewalk cyclists without a glance at the cyclists. Why would a cyclist riding on a sidewalk ever believe it's illegal if the police force ignores them? I saw a police officer stopped in his patrol car at a traffic light while cyclists rode from one sidewalk through the pedestrian throughway to the other sidewalk without so much as a look in the direction of the cyclists.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There's a police officer in his patrol car stopped at the red light (to my right) who didn't do anything about this duo cycling in front of him.</i> </td></tr>
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The local paper, "<a href="http://smdp.com/" target="_blank">Santa Monica Daily Press</a>", police blotter feature publishes the occasions when police have stopped sidewalk-riding cyclists in the dark only to find the cyclist in possession of drug paraphernalia or burglary tools and who is often also on parole. The "no sidewalk cycling" seems like a handy way for the police to scoop up parole violators. So, that's good. I'm pretty sure, though, most of the sidewalk cyclists are not in that category. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Broadway & 11th St.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>14th between Colorado & Olympic </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>11th St. between Santa Monica Blvd. & Broadway</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>11th St. between Santa Monica & Broadway</i></td></tr>
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There are lots of cyclists who never ride on the sidewalks but those who do, create a real hazard for pedestrians. We pedestrians only have the sidewalks. We're not allowed to walk in the bike lanes and we have to carefully share the crosswalks with motorized vehicles and bicycles when we need to cross the street -- and sometimes the pedestrian is at risk there too -- especially in crosswalks with no traffic light or sign. The city's pedestrians, many of whom carry groceries/shopping bags, use walkers, canes, crutches, push baby carriages, supervise children, or, like me, walk with their dog(s), share and negotiate the available narrow sidewalk space with runners/joggers and simultaneously navigate broken and wildly uneven sidewalks, skateboarders/skaters/scooters, out-of-control tree roots and driveways blocked by parked cars. If you are a pedestrian with slightly diminished eyesight from, say, glaucoma or cataracts, good luck. </div>
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It's important the police take a pro-active role to encourage perfectly lovely people to ride their bikes lawfully and use the bike lanes. Those of you who choose to ride bicycles, good! Santa Monica has bike lanes marked for you all over the city's streets. You're supposed to obey all traffic laws just as if your were driving a car. Ride with traffic (not against), signal turns, come to a full stop at stop signs and traffic lights (etc.). If you think Santa Monica traffic is too dangerous to use the bike lanes and are tempted to break the law by cycling on the sidewalks, don't. Walk your bike on the sidewalks until you get to a place in the city where you feel safe in the bike lanes. Or just leave your bike at home and become a pedestrian. </div>
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Once again, sincere thanks to the police officer who warned a sidewalk-riding cyclist to ride in the bike lane! If more members of the police force would take the same action more cyclists would understand that Santa Monica is serious about the city's laws, all the laws. More cyclists might obey the law and we pedestrians might just feel it's a little bit safer for us. </div>
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SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-76760305887573366092014-09-04T20:02:00.002-07:002014-09-04T20:02:40.824-07:00UPDATE: Santa Monica Urgent Care DOES Care!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The last thing I said in my previous post was that if Santa Monica Urgent Care changes their policy so that they accept Medicare, I'd change/edit/update my blog (and Yelp review) -- and that I hoped they would. Well, it must be a good day for wishes because I was very quickly contacted by Susan N., the office manager for Santa Monica Urgent Care and told that I'd been given incorrect information -- THEY DO ACCEPT MEDICARE (Susan also left a comment on the blog entry). I'm VERY pleased to update this blog and share my really amazing experience at Santa Monica Urgent Care, 524 Colorado Blvd..<br />
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As I stated, shortly after I posted the Yelp review and my blog entry I got an email from Susan N. and invited to call her direct number so she could help me get the medical attention I needed. I called Susan who encouraged me to come in right away. When I explained that I was tired and would go in the morning, Susan offered to call a cab to bring me to the office (only 6 blocks away). She also offered to drive to my home and pick me up! I really appreciated the offer but felt I would gather myself enough to walk over before the end of the day. I arrived near 4:30 pm and was quickly processed and saw the doctor in well less than 20 minutes. The office lobby is small but clean, uncluttered and wasn't busy -- which surprised and delighted me. I was treated, received meds and left the office in probably less than 30 minutes. I have to say <b>my opinion of this service has been turned around 180 degrees.</b> I have no doubt the issue of what insurance they accept has now been cleared up with the staff. As I left the office, one more act of apology for the morning's misinformation was provided (which I won't detail since it was, in my estimation, an extraordinary accommodation and not something you'd ever get from any doctor's office or hospital). I left, very impressed, knowing I'd have no problem coming back if needed. <b>I NOW UNHESITATINGLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECOMMEND SANTA MONICA URGENT CARE.</b> In addition, their web site <a href="http://www.santamonicauc.com/" target="_blank">santamonicauc.com</a> is very informative, easy to navigate and read. I especially like that there's a link on the web site home page for new patient forms which can be printed and filled out before you get to the office, saving a little extra time.<br />
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I walked to the office but can understand how particularly frustrating the metro line construction on Colorado Blvd. has made it for anyone who drives to SM Urgent Care. This is not the fault of SM Urgent Care. The city of Santa Monica has made it nearly impossible for drivers to readily get to the office and then find the parking lot in back. If you do drive, I'd recommend calling the office first (310-394-2273) and ask for specifics about how to get to their parking lot. <br />
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My first experience with an urgent care facility happened about two years ago. I was visiting relatives in Rancho Cordova at the time and had a medical issue involving sudden and unusual pain but it wasn't a life-endangering matter. I didn't want to drive back to L.A. to see my usual doctor while in that much discomfort. Even if I did, knew I couldn't get an appointment for about 2 weeks anyway. I went to an urgent care clinic in nearby Carmichael and was impressed with the ease, efficiency and professionalism of the walk-in visit, which is why I had no problem deciding to go to an urgent care office here in Santa Monica. As far as I'm concerned, being able to walk into an urgent care facility to get a medical issue resolved in less than 24 hrs. is a new and exciting turn for the better in the field of patient health care. <b>The Santa Monica Urgent Care office is a worthy addition to our community. </b></div>
SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-41180678645566193012014-09-04T12:38:00.000-07:002014-09-04T12:46:15.985-07:00Santa Monica Urgent Care -- Doesn't Accept Medicare<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Santa Monica Urgent Care at 524 Colorado Blvd, in Santa Monica may have tons of good reviews on Yelp, great staff and physicians but if you have a medical issue that needs quick treatment but is not life threatening, Santa Monica Urgent Care doesn't care about you if your insurance coverage is Medicare. </div>
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Here's the first sentence from their well designed, easy-to-navigate web site: SantaMonicaUrgentCare.com. "At Santa Monica Urgent Care your health is our priority." If that were true, they'd take Medicare. They take Worker's Comp but not Medicare. They take the uninsured but not sick people insured through Medicare. If you own a medical care facility that accepts Worker's Comp or the uninsured -- like this place -- you should find a way to accept Medicare regardless. It’s shameful that a health/medical care facility that — I would assume — needs local, county and state licenses, approvals and must meet many medical standards DOES NOT ACCEPT MEDICARE. It’s not like this place is a tavern or a clothing store providing serves or products that, if withheld from me, would harm me or the community in which I live. </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I normally would not see a doctor because of a sore throat but this one has gotten gradually worse over 5 days and today I have a fever as well. Since I've been a pretty healthy person all my life, I don't have a family physician. My options are: 1) get an appointment with a doctor I find through some Google search until I find one that accepts Medicare then wait 4 to 6 weeks for the “new patient” appointment; meanwhile the untreated sore throat creates complications that will make recovery and the associated expense of recovery even more severe, 2) wait hours in an emergency room, possibly spreading what ever I have, only to find out they don't take Medicare either or that my condition is not considered an emergency and to call my doctor, 3) pretend to be uninsured and pay Santa Monica Urgent Care for procedures covered under Medicare insurance (which won't reimburse me) or 4) just walk around with this condition and hope I'm not spreading bird flu or strep or what ever it is. </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This may not be the only urgent care facility in Santa Monica and others may take Medicare -- but IF YOU HAVE MEDICARE DON'T EXPECT MEDICAL HELP AT THIS PLACE. Take your Medicare and money that would cover the unpaid portion of the bill elsewhere because YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL HELP HERE. I see that urgent care facilities fill a real need in the community -- unless you're insurance coverage is through Medicare. </div>
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Besides this blog post I left reviews for Santa Monica Urgent Care on Yelp, Twitter, Facebook If Santa Monica Urgent Care wants to change its policy so that Medicare is accepted, I would consider changing the reviews and entries I left in the aftermath of this issue. I hope they do.</div>
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SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-85928646716895444012014-09-03T16:02:00.001-07:002014-09-04T12:45:02.527-07:00Two Dog Farms Jindo Dog Rescue Fund Raiser<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Santa Monica friends, visitors and jaywalkers, you've probably seen me walking about Santa Monica with Dory, my incomparable, sweet Jindo dog. Saturday, September 6, 2014, Dory and I will strut our muttness to help raise money for the 501c3 Jindo rescue group that saved his life some 2.5 years ago: Two Dog Farms Jindo rescue. Please help me raise some always-needed funds to continue the work of rescuing these amazing dogs. You may not be familiar with Jindo dogs, but they're a different kind of cat. Actually, their temperament is often compared to half cat/half dog. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> If you love cats and/or dogs -- you'll love Jindo dogs and be moved, touched and inspired to support their continued rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing through the efforts of the only Jindo rescue group on the West Coast:Two Dog Farms (</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">all volunteers too)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">. Donations are tax deductible, good karma and soul-fulfilling. Thank you in advance! Now, back to practicing my strut.</span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="172" scrolling="no" src="http://www.strutyourmutt.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=widgets.250x170ribbon&participantID=24465" width="252"><a href="http://www.strutyourmutt.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=24465">Make a Donation!</a></iframe></div>
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SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-75297513810653512782014-03-02T12:08:00.001-08:002014-09-04T12:49:57.285-07:00Priceless<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today marks the second year I've shared my life with my rescued Jindo dog, Dory. In previous posts I've detailed the saga that converged our lives to this point. Sharing life with a timid yet happy, quiet, gentle creature has been uplifting, joyful and challenging in ways that have made me a better human. Making life better for my canine companion has brightened life for me. </div>
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Every morning Dory greets me with a wagging tail and Jindo smile. He eagerly goes with me on trips to parts unknown to him yet he jumps into the back seat when ever the car door is open, trusting that when the door opens again he will be greeted with new and interesting scents to stimulate and excite his mind. He has sat in the passenger seat, nobly relinquishing his usual back seat, ignoring the rescued dog in the back seat who's being transported by me to another foster home.<br />
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He patiently waits when strangers, who see us on our twice daily walks, question me about Dory's breed and ask to pet him. Interactions I'd never have had if this sweet-looking dog wasn't walking with me. Interactions that allow me to meet new people, hone my people skills and share the story of the remarkable Jindo ("They rarely bark, are clean like cats and can hold their pee & poo for 8 hours or more -- the perfect apartment dog").<br />
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Dory makes me laugh when he springs, Tigger-like, into the front yard, eager to play "chase me" in the morning or when he looks over his shoulder at me, in case I'm ready to go for a walk. <br />
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While I've always loved and cared for a variety of animals, the sheer sparkling brilliance of Dory's existence has moved me to do more for the remarkable creatures with whom we share this breathtakingly beautiful planet. I volunteer with the Jindo rescue group, <a href="http://www.twodogfarms.com/" target="_blank">Two Dog Farms</a>, who rescued Dory from certain death at a municipal animal control facility when his time expired. I volunteer at my local animal shelter, help transport rescued Jindos to fosters, help find fosters, assist adoption events, continue to learn about Jindos and dog behavior and other elements of animal rescue. One action flowed into another and then another until a whole new segment of life carved out a place in my life with Dory. With every dog rescued, starting with Dory, there is a sense that this activity makes a positive difference to the lives of others who, like me, take on the care and safety of a neglected, abandoned but ever-so amazing dog. The blossoming of dogs who go from the frightening, unsure existence in a kennel to life in a home is its own compensation. In fact, it's priceless. </div>
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SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-83800027382274905932014-03-02T11:06:00.001-08:002014-03-02T11:06:16.931-08:00Thinking Outside the Lack of Bike Racks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDSCf2wb2Ww/UxOA4N4YPEI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/kuF_Ww4y2xc/s1600/IMG_3552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDSCf2wb2Ww/UxOA4N4YPEI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/kuF_Ww4y2xc/s1600/IMG_3552.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Today in Santa Monica, a clever bike parking option when there's no bike rack available.</div>
SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-77644517793088918222014-03-02T11:02:00.000-08:002014-03-02T11:02:04.630-08:00Walking Santa Monica<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUEFMCRRK_A/UxN8CiucN_I/AAAAAAAAA5A/QEfgPu4Ljb8/s1600/IMG_3553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUEFMCRRK_A/UxN8CiucN_I/AAAAAAAAA5A/QEfgPu4Ljb8/s1600/IMG_3553.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
Today and every day for the past 5 years this kind of impediment to Santa Monica pedestrians in the targeted "redevelopment" area of Santa Monica (where most of the pedestrian traffic ambulates) pop up and stay up for weeks. The signs are not at intersections, they are in the middle of the block and -- in my opinion -- are probably controlled by the construction company which is under no obligation to assure pedestrians -- who've walked three-quarters of a block by the time they've reached the sign -- safe passage to the intersection. For someone in a wheelchair or using a walker, this is a real inconvenience for them as well as the unaided pedestrian. Just another example of how pedestrian traffic is disenfranchised and disregarded by the Santa Monica decision makers. </div>
SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-33031138881280393722013-09-05T13:01:00.002-07:002013-09-05T13:01:40.058-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="172" scrolling="no" src="http://www.strutyourmutt.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=widgets.250x170ribbon&participantID=16069" width="252"><a href="http://www.strutyourmutt.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=16069">Make a Donation!</a></iframe><br />
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I'm participating in Srutt Your Mutt to raise money for my favorite charity, Two Dog Farms <twodogfarms .com=""> , the Jindo rescue that saved Dory. The event is on Sept. 15, 2013, in Woodley Hills, where we humans will strut our respective rescued dogs to raise money. No donation amount is too small or too large. ;-) I'm asking all my friends, family, blog followers and strangers I meet on the street to donate. Each donation is tax deductible and I will send each donor an adorable photo of adorable Dory. If you're not inclined, no worries. If you would like to help raise funds (for which I will be eternally grateful), please donate at the link in this blog entry or go to <http: fuseaction="donorDrive.participant&participantID=16069" index.cfm="" www.strutyourmutt.org="">. For more information on how to adopt or foster a Jindo dog like Dory, check out the information at TwoDogFarms.com.</http:></twodogfarms></div>
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Adorable Dory as seen on the streets of Santa Monica.</div>
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SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-48046764860730998292012-09-21T17:08:00.000-07:002012-09-21T17:08:45.274-07:00Today at the Santa Monica Pier...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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upon closer inspection...</div>
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These are photos of an example of the best of human endeavours and I'm so happy the good ship Endeavour has come to spend her retirement years in Los Angeles where she can inspire and delight untold numbers of future scientists, explorers, astronomers, teachers, artists and people like me who are just proud of what was achieved through her existence. </div>
SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-1920366036743893242012-03-08T23:13:00.001-08:002014-09-04T12:40:00.533-07:00Sunday At the Beach with Dory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">In a continuing episode of Adventures with Dori - scared, adorable Jindo dog extraordinaire -- currently being fostered by this Santa Monica resident, this photo essay is submitted. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAAUSglQ7DM/T1mgFJ74r1I/AAAAAAAAAyA/Ql6zxdoPZu8/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAAUSglQ7DM/T1mgFJ74r1I/AAAAAAAAAyA/Ql6zxdoPZu8/s400/IMG_1303.JPG" height="400" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm the best dog I know how to be..."</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">unday, March 4th, having made impressive progress facing fear and flinching in Santa Monica, I journeyed with bright-eyed and eager Dori through the loudest part of Santa Monica to its most congested and attractive part -- the beach. Actually we only went to the Pacific Palisades park which overlooks the beach near Wilshire Blvd. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Meh..."</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Regardless of the beautiful day, clear sky, low surf, Dori Dog was none too impressed, clearly turning his back on the ocean so it wouldn't scare him. Earlier he had been seriously startled by his shadow so the ocean scene was a bit beyond his ability to face new fears for the day. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Walks with Dori are studded with full-body flinches and crouching plus the occasional attempt to avoid or escape. Dogs and those on the other end of the leash are supposed to enjoy and bond during walks but walking with a hyper-vigilant and nervous dog who turtles his tail with every city sound </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">is challenging work</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> (to be fair, for a dog whose previous 5 years was spent alone on the end of a long leash staked in a back yard in the quite Pasadena mountains, Santa Monica must sound like he's in the midst of blunderbuss hunting season for Jindo dogs). I thought a back pack would help Dori feel more confident on his walks. So, with the help of one of <a href="http://santamonicadeeva.blogspot.com/2010/05/zen-of-mr-bojindo-sitting.html" target="_blank">Mr. BoJindo's</a> back packs, which arrived today, Dori got a new red bag! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Now what?"</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Dori accepted the back pack (which, empty, is about the weight of a bath towel) without fear even though it required some fiddling under his chest where the straps connect with clasps that can sometimes pinch. Nevertheless, Dori stood still while I lowered the shoulder straps over his head, the bags across his back and clicked the chest straps together. I had to cinch the chest straps a bit since Dori is probably 10 to 15 pounds lighter than Mr. BoJindo but Dori patiently tolerated -- or perhaps enjoyed -- all the handling and physical fuss. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The pockets are filled with his poop pick-up bags and some handi-wipes or me. When he gets some of his weight back I may add a water bottle so he'll have water on longer walks.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The back pack seemed to help Mr. BoJindo focus when he walked or hiked so he wouldn't ramble and charge off to the end of his leash after a squirrel as much as he did without it I hope it'll help Dori feel more secure when we walk. We'll soon find out!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Once outside with his back pack, Dori met my neighbors who patiently introduced themselves and offered a gentle hand to scratch his neck. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyQYz1lC6UI/T1mgRcvk1-I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/3telwiX7oOw/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyQYz1lC6UI/T1mgRcvk1-I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/3telwiX7oOw/s320/IMG_1315.JPG" height="320" width="312" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">To be continued... </span></div>
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SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-48701904212815653132012-03-08T22:07:00.000-08:002012-03-08T22:07:27.611-08:00Grounded<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There's always something new to be found while walking Santa Monica and sometimes it's under my feet. During a recent walk along one of Santa Monica's oldest boulevards I took the time to notice the lovely art work in the sidewalk. These mosaics</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> take public art to a whole new level. Ground level. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gm2dHLJLx4Y/T1mTh6MxNeI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/HpzsZ943qx0/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gm2dHLJLx4Y/T1mTh6MxNeI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/HpzsZ943qx0/s400/IMG_1288.JPG" width="368" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XIqEkqH1Zgo/T1mTnVAAGuI/AAAAAAAAAxY/LvBfPHQVaF4/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XIqEkqH1Zgo/T1mTnVAAGuI/AAAAAAAAAxY/LvBfPHQVaF4/s400/IMG_1289.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6s2OacLDH10/T1mTuJnMVmI/AAAAAAAAAxg/JR2I1zl2XOE/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6s2OacLDH10/T1mTuJnMVmI/AAAAAAAAAxg/JR2I1zl2XOE/s400/IMG_1290.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EiM9PpLbqCI/T1mT1rTiCdI/AAAAAAAAAxo/QJ33WAUfUYQ/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EiM9PpLbqCI/T1mT1rTiCdI/AAAAAAAAAxo/QJ33WAUfUYQ/s400/IMG_1293.JPG" width="380" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">And then there's this. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLXCxUlANYI/T1mTbfWYF2I/AAAAAAAAAxI/dpCwupZ_FN0/s1600/IMG_1282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLXCxUlANYI/T1mTbfWYF2I/AAAAAAAAAxI/dpCwupZ_FN0/s400/IMG_1282.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This isn't art but it's history. I found it thanks to one of our awesome librarians at the <a href="http://smpl.org/" target="_blank">Santa Monica Public Library</a> familiar with Santa Monica history who gave me a rough idea where to find this street sign that's been in place since sometime prior to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_City_of_Santa_Monica_Designated_Historic_Landmarks" target="_blank">1912</a>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Santa Monica residents might scratch their collective heads wondering where in the city is Oregon Ave.? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"Oregon Ave." can be found on early maps of Santa Monica (also available online through the Santa Monica Library). Most residents know where Colorado, California, Idaho, Washington, Montana, Pennsylvania, Arizona -- even Ohio -- avenues are -- but Oregon? Not so much. That's because Oregon Ave. was changed to the now world famous Santa Monica Blvd. in 1912. This faded street sign is on the north west corner of 5th and Santa Monica Blvd. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">With all the countless pairs of feet crossing and scuffling across this street sign every day, eventually it'll be worn away and forgotten -- or at least illegible. Wouldn't it be nice if the Santa Monica City Council could initiate some action that would preserve this piece of under foot history?</span><br />
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</span></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-5287679166249136932012-03-08T20:50:00.000-08:002012-03-08T20:50:00.274-08:00Mysterious Door<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZg8ZIdn2BI/T1mGCGuoTAI/AAAAAAAAAxA/-pN5WNO16YY/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZg8ZIdn2BI/T1mGCGuoTAI/AAAAAAAAAxA/-pN5WNO16YY/s400/IMG_1263.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1660 Ninth St.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On my most recent trip to the <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/CA1210.html" target="_blank">Santa Monica Animal Shelter</a>, intent on dropping off the last of my paperwork so I can eventually volunteer there, I noticed this intriguing door with the seemingly ominous door knocker. I have no idea what's behind the door, but it's kind of spooky -- or perhaps intriguingly compelling. I was tempted to use the knocker just to find out who would open the door and/or hear what sound would issue forth (perhaps Frau Blucher from "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs5j8uUR2nc" target="_blank">Young Frankenstein</a>"?) -- but I'm not THAT fearless nor nosy -- just curious tinged with touch of drama. I'll leave it up to my imagination and conjure up my own visions of mystery, demons and Daniel Webster behind the mysterious door. </div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-54157834274152446512012-03-02T21:55:00.003-08:002012-03-02T22:51:18.940-08:00Fostering in Santa Monica<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Adventures with Dori begin! Dori, the 5 year old, neutered male Jindo dog I volunteered to foster arrived today around noon.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqKC0DLD-Hg/T1GTRvs3AdI/AAAAAAAAAwE/6Jr1WalCVbg/s1600/Dori.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqKC0DLD-Hg/T1GTRvs3AdI/AAAAAAAAAwE/6Jr1WalCVbg/s320/Dori.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first visit with Dori at the Pasadena Humane Society</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It all started on January 21st, when I read an email sent by <a href="http://Adoptapet.com/" target="_blank">Adopt A Pet</a> looking for a volunteer to foster Dori. Not really knowing what "foster" meant, my immediate reaction was, "I know about the Jindo breed, I could probably foster this dog." immediately followed by, "I'm not allowed to have pets. I live in a single bungalow without much room. I'd have to change my daily routine. I've house-sat for dogs but I don't know anything about being a foster. What if I mess up? I probably won't be able to help." Nevertheless, I responded to the email and later called the contact person listed on the email. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I won't detail Dori's life before today -- because nothing exemplifies "Today is the first day of the rest of your life" better than dogs -- who always seem to live in the present. Their behavior may be influenced by human treatment, but animals don't hold a grudge, don't feel sorry for themselves and they don't plot revenge. They do know how to be loyal, to demonstrate total acceptance of humans no matter how worthy we may or may not be. They can be fearful and untrusting but I believe they're all creatures with undeniable, inestimable worth. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Dori is nervous but curious and very sweet. He takes food from my hand very gently, loves to have his neck and behind his ears scratched. He's "hand" shy -- his whole body flinches when I put up my hand to indicate "stay". We had two walks so far today and he did very well both times. Although he didn't eat breakfast before he made the trip to my place, this afternoon he ate his "Taste of the Wild" kibble enthusiastically (provided by Two Dog Farms). He is afraid/unsure/wary (?) of the kennel (also provided by Two Dog Farms) so we'll have to work on that. I don't want to leave him here, on his own, right now. In a crate he'll be less likely to eat my couch or claw his way through a window in an explosion of canine separation anxiety. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With consistent effort on my part, I believe it won't take him long to be balanced and happy. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4mFarWMcQY/T1GgplSvUAI/AAAAAAAAAwc/3yPueOoJ8zg/s1600/PasadenaHumane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4mFarWMcQY/T1GgplSvUAI/AAAAAAAAAwc/3yPueOoJ8zg/s320/PasadenaHumane.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely and impressive Pasadena Humane Society</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Dori has a second chance through the efforts of real life, terrestrial angels like Rosalind Behenna who runs <a href="http://www.twodogfarms.com/" target="_blank">Two Dog Farms, Inc. Non-Profit Jindo Rescue</a>, a Korean Dog Rescue, Rehabilitation and Rehoming organization. One has only to read my May 20, 2010 post, <a href="http://santamonicadeeva.blogspot.com/2010/05/zen-of-mr-bojindo-sitting.html" target="_blank">"The Zen of Mr. BoJindo Sitting"</a> to know that Jindos are very near and dear to my heart. I'm sure that's got a lot to do with my plunging into the unknown of fostering a dog. Step by step, starting with getting my landlord's permission (thank you Victor!), the groundwork was laid through Rosalind, Lorna Campbell at the <a href="http://www.pasadenahumane.org/site/PageServer" target="_blank">Pasadena Humane Society</a> and dog trainer <a href="http://www.newimproveddog.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Setler</a> to get Dori out of harms way and into my foster home care where he can evolve blossom into a self-confident, balanced dog ready for his forever home. I'll probably make some mistakes along the way -- although I have seriously studied <a href="http://www.cesarsway.com/" target="_blank">Cesar Millan's </a>"Cesar's Way" which taught me a lot -- especially how to be a good pack leader -- so maybe the mistakes will be less than catastrophic. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbexJJJUZd0/T1GgeX1vKkI/AAAAAAAAAwU/nprv5ldE2L4/s1600/MemorialWall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbexJJJUZd0/T1GgeX1vKkI/AAAAAAAAAwU/nprv5ldE2L4/s320/MemorialWall.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial wall in the Pasadena Humane Society's courtyard<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After a long day, Dori is asleep on the floor right now, dreaming of something that makes his legs move like he's running. I hope it's a good dream and not an escape nightmare. It occurs to me that it might be interesting to make a movie or a computer game based on a dog's dream from the dog's point of view -- or what we humans <i>think</i> is a dog's point of view when they dream -- where every player is the embodiment of a dog having to deal with real canine issues. Hmmm. I LIKE it!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKJN0hvTmrY/T1G9UlfzxlI/AAAAAAAAAwk/vcaZC769Da8/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKJN0hvTmrY/T1G9UlfzxlI/AAAAAAAAAwk/vcaZC769Da8/s320/IMG_1266.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dori scopes out the front yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Being able to foster this lovely creature would not have been possible if my landlord had not given me permission. He's a dog lover and knows I've treated his property with respect for the past 20 years -- as if it belonged to me. I'm just glad I had the determination to ask him. Without his support this dear dog would probably not be alive right now due to overcrowding in the shelter that offered him for adoption and provided a short-term home -- and the world would be a little bit sadder, smaller and miserable. I know -- how does saving one dog in a world where human beasts slaughter each other and their children make the world better? I can't save the human beasts but right here, right now, there's the possibility that this dog has something to teach me and other people about being a better human being and I will do my best to help him on the way to a fulfilled doggie life. </span></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-41960832370639062542011-11-13T21:28:00.000-08:002011-11-13T21:28:20.581-08:00Swinger's in Santa Monica<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I love <a href="http://www.swingersdiner.com/" target="_blank">Swingers</a>. It's been one of my favorite Santa Monica eateries since the first time I ate there, shortly after it opened. It's fun (there's a juke box and 60's-70's ambiance), the wait staff are always awesome (chatty, hip and always seem to get my order right), the food is lucious and fresh and the menu is lengthy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Friendly dogs are welcome -- they're not</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> allowed inside but the long, narrow patio affords responsible dog owners the opportunity to have their dogs stay by them while they eat, talk, drink, laugh, meet and enjoy the experience of including their dog(s) through the day. The wait staff will even bring a container of water for your beloved pooch. It's wonderful seeing several dogs curled up on the sidewalk by the patio tables where their humans are seated. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> Recently, new bike posts have been installed on Broadway next to the patio area so cyclists can secure their bikes to something sturdy rather than a parking meter. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I stopped at Swingers Saturday afternoon after a couple hours of walk-about errands. I was super hungry and I had to pass Swingers on the way home. I ordered my "usual": a burrito from the breakfast portion of the menu. I sat at a patio table and within 15 seconds I was asked what I'd like to drink. Coffee and a glass of iceless water (that's the way I like it) were delivered in less than a minute. BTW: their coffee is really good; I drink it black. Minutes later I placed my order and settled in to read the <a href="http://www.smdp.com/" target="_blank">"Santa Monica Daily Press"</a>. By the time I was ready to read page two, the burrito arrived. I'll admit the place wasn't that busy but even so -- that's fast. I snapped the photo below and sent it with a text message via <a href="https://www.loopt.com/" target="_blank">Loopt</a> then dug into the warm, flavorful burrito awesomeness. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ret0WL740Qc/TsCXhYT-7hI/AAAAAAAAAvY/5k7LCeqSAZw/s1600/IMG_1716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ret0WL740Qc/TsCXhYT-7hI/AAAAAAAAAvY/5k7LCeqSAZw/s400/IMG_1716.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Buried inside the whole wheat burrito are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa" target="_blank">quinoa,</a> spinach, black beans, some tomato-based sauce and really interesting flavorful spices. There're probably more ingredients inside but I don't know what they are -- other than divine. The topping is the most delicious chipotle sauce I've ever tasted (garnish of spring onion tops). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Swingers offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night nosh. The <a href="http://www.swingersdiner.com/menu.html" target="_blank">menu </a>has plenty of interesting and delicious food for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans. Many of my non-vegan/non-vegetarian friends now love Swingers. If </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">you live or work in Santa Monica and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">haven't eaten at Swingers... you really should. Bring your out-of-town guests -- they won't forget the place and they'll probably want to go back every time they visit. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The only drawback eating there, right now, is this view of the building across the street (NE corner of Broadway and Lincoln Blvd.)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5w66vTwwwck/TsCa3-txTuI/AAAAAAAAAvg/Cp6J9z1Z_V0/s1600/PB120009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5w66vTwwwck/TsCa3-txTuI/AAAAAAAAAvg/Cp6J9z1Z_V0/s400/PB120009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Yep. Another of the too-many, look-alike boxes being built in Santa Monica. Fortunately, it rained earlier so there was no construction cacophony and I could enjoy my burrito in relative quiet. </span></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-51638349448205937622011-11-11T20:19:00.000-08:002011-11-11T20:19:13.937-08:0011-11-11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Besides being a really awesome palindrome (no, that's not the name of Sarah Palin's country home), 11/11/11 is Veteran's Day. It's the day we civilians are provided the opportunity to do more than just slap a "Support our Troops" bumper sticker on something. It's the chance to voice our thanks to the members of our military community, without whom our freedoms might only be a long-forgotten, faded piece of parchment. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all our veterans. You are loved, celebrated, you are treasured and admired more than most of us can ever articulate. I'm not a veteran but I am a military brat so I'm a teeny-tiny bit familiar with the personal sacrifice of military life. There's much opportunity in military service but there's sacrifice as well. Besides opportunity to serve this country, the chance to earn a college degree, a noble career, and the experience of being part of a team, there's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">low pay, drafty base housing and more time away from family than with them. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I'd like to expand my thanks to include the military families who stay strong and lovingly give of themselves in a way they may not have anticipated when their beloved family member became part of our military forces. For the military, service to country comes first and family members provide a huge amount of support to make that happen. This country should also thank the families. I salute the veterans and their incomparable families from the deepest, furthest corners of my heart. You bring color, vitality and nobility to our American life. You are part of who we salute or for whom we cover our hearts when we sing the "Star Spangled Banner" or say the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I thank my cousin Dale in Chicago who enlisted in the Marines in 1968 on the day he turned 18. He spent two tours as a lineman in Vietnam before he was twenty. He came home to marry a lovely woman and raise three fantastic, loving, generous children whose lives contribute to the world. Thank you Dale. You have led a loving, selfless, noble life and you are one of my heroes. I'm proud of you. The whole family is proud of you. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I'd like to celebrate my cousin Christina who enlisted with the Marines at age 18 and continued to serve her country even as a single mother. You inspire me and I thank you. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">A special thank you to my eighty-seven year old father, who, at age 18, was flying <a href="http://p38assn.org/" target="_blank">P38's</a> with the famous <a href="http://www.94thaero.com/History.html" target="_blank">94th Aero Squadron</a> over Italy during WWII. He spent 24 years in the Air Force beginning his career when it was known as Army-Air Corps and retiring in 1964.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ffCXFjhrHc/Tr3QiKqBsaI/AAAAAAAAArI/jTCGJz9cGmg/s1600/P38.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ffCXFjhrHc/Tr3QiKqBsaI/AAAAAAAAArI/jTCGJz9cGmg/s1600/P38.jpeg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo from:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #228822; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://world-war-2-planes.com/">world-war-2-planes.com</a></span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About five years ago I attended a course, "American War Films", offered through Santa Monica College</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> We viewed, analyzed and discussed about ten films, one of which was "The Story of G.I. Joe" which I'd never seen before. War films are not my favorite film genre but I've seen a number of them. Where other films left me with a hatred of war and violence, "The Story of GI Joe" transformed me -- not my thinking -- me. I don't mean that I now love war and violence but I did come away with a LOT more -- 100% more -- appreciation for what it took to be in the armed forces during WWII. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Walking home after the class, I felt the urge to call my dad and thank him for his service. Like so many veterans, Dad seldom spoke about what war was like for him so I didn't know if I'd embarrass him or make him uncomfortable. I called anyway. I told Dad, "I've just seen 'The Story of GI Joe' and, I know you weren't in the infantry and I'll never know what it was like for you in World War II, but I appreciate what you did and I want thank you. I just really thank you." He was quiet for a few seconds. Then he said, "You don't need to thank me." I said, "I want to." Another second or two passed before he replied, "No one in my family ever thanked me before." We talked further but I was so glad I made the call and so glad I thanked my father for his service to this country. </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl_BZbsm3fs/Tr3UcPS_AwI/AAAAAAAAArQ/mbYbXdBkvlM/s320/P5170018.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="162" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In his back yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl_BZbsm3fs/Tr3UcPS_AwI/AAAAAAAAArQ/mbYbXdBkvlM/s1600/P5170018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Dad lives in Virginia now and spends his days teaching himself Arabic, studying home courses about calculus, astronomy, theology, genetics and teachings of the Buddha. As an unintended member of </span><a href="http://tggf.us/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;" target="_blank">The Greatest Generation</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">, he's a walking, breathing part of history -- and he's interesting to talk to about almost any subject. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sGO791S_Bc/Tr3W8Jv-VFI/AAAAAAAAArw/bP_WxcIlVSs/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sGO791S_Bc/Tr3W8Jv-VFI/AAAAAAAAArw/bP_WxcIlVSs/s320/IMG_1616.JPG" width="243" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Enjoying the afternoon sun.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most days Dad takes a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"> walk along the Windsor Castle park bridge in Smithfield, VA. If you see him, introduce yourself and chat. I'm sure he'd be delighted and it'd be a gift to him if you say "Thank you for your service to this country".</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Once again, thank you Veterans and Veterans' families. </span></span></div><br />
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</span></div></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-25562648551581347052011-11-08T22:07:00.000-08:002011-11-08T22:07:31.822-08:00Steve Jobs in Santa Monica<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The alert bell jangled on October 5, 2011. The sound, I knew, was breaking news delivered to my iPhone via the<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/" target="_blank"> <i>New York Times</i> </a>app. The screen read, "Steve Jobs, Apple Co-Founder Dead". Like many millions of others, I read about the death of Steve Jobs on an Apple device. I gasped, "No..." and wept. I don't remember ever crying over the death of a CEO before. I was caught off guard by my reaction. I knew Steve Jobs was battling cancer but I was shocked, felt a deep sense of loss and cried. I wanted to visit the Santa Monica Apple store. I knew instinctively I'd find fellow mourners with whom I could cry and wonder aloud how such a brilliant man, leading innovator in personal computing, music and animated film industries could be beaten by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatic_cancer" target="_blank">cancer</a>. He just seemed bigger than a disease that so voraciously vanquishes the lives of less accomplished mortals.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I bought my first Apple product in 1984 and have been an unabashed Apple fan ever since. I admire the clean simplicity of Apple products even if I don't understand or utilize even half of any devices' capability. Most of all I admired that Steve Jobs wanted to change the world and he did. I admired Steve Jobs unconditionally -- flaws and all. I needed to find my own personal way to say thank you and goodbye. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">It took me four days to stop crying, gather myself and organize my day so I could take time away from work. On October 9th I printed the photo from the <a href="http://apple.com/" target="_blank">Apple</a> web site and scribbled, "Thank you, Steve Jobs for the difference you made in my life through your life's work." Around 2 PM I began the nine-block walk to the Santa Monica Apple store, 5" x 7" note in hand, intending to leave it on the sidewalk in front of the store where I expected to find a spontaneous memorial of flowers, notes and apples.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">What I didn't expect was this:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_yaxUuqYrg/TrjPr3LO2JI/AAAAAAAAAqc/6BePYrb1AA0/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_yaxUuqYrg/TrjPr3LO2JI/AAAAAAAAAqc/6BePYrb1AA0/s400/IMG_1652.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Santa Monica Apple Store tribute/memorial to Steve Jobs </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Warhol" target="_blank">Warhol</a>-esque, three-panel vision of a larger-than-life Steve Jobs rested against the Apple store's front window. Each panel was about four feet tall by three feet wide. The canvases were striking, poignant and quietly powerful. There was something so cathartic, so right about the art work -- I conjured the memory of John Lennon, Steve Jobs and Beatles' music. There were flower bouquets, single roses, candles, cards and apples with a single bite taken from side like the iconic Apple logo. It was a magical memorial. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I placed my note at the base of the left hand screen next to a generous bouquet. Many notes read simply, "Thank you." Like me, several people in the quiet crowd around the memorial read the notes, stood in silent reverie, left something behind and took photos. I'm still moved by the show of affection for a man I'm sure none of us who visited the store that day ever met. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">After I placed my note, I entered the Apple store and asked the young man who'd helped me solve an ITunes problem, if one of the store employees painted the art work. He said no, and none of the employees knew anything about it. It had been left anonymously and was there when the first employees arrived to open the store that morning, Oct. 9th. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I haven't returned to the store since, so I don't know if the artist returned to reclaim the canvases or if the memorial is still there. I may go visit the store again tomorrow, November 9, a month after my visit and ask if anyone knows any more about the art. </span></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-83480413284962564532011-11-08T18:27:00.000-08:002011-11-08T18:27:08.055-08:00Santa Monica Chip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">This precious little critter is "Chip" and I frequently see him in Santa Monica, walking with his human partner. His personality could light up anyone's day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hE9E6cOZII8/TrhD7GGoviI/AAAAAAAAApQ/HN51HlKD86Q/s1600/IMG_1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hE9E6cOZII8/TrhD7GGoviI/AAAAAAAAApQ/HN51HlKD86Q/s320/IMG_1711.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Chip</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I took about 8 pictures of this darling, friendly and gleeful chihuahua but he's so full of zip and vigor that he's just too fast for my iPhone camera! He's got such a happy personality and he makes me giggle every time I see him I'll try to photograph him again next time I see him. Maybe I can get some better pics.</span><br />
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</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxYeCsroqFc/TrhD4MGPmuI/AAAAAAAAApI/AIMtFVJatwQ/s1600/IMG_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxYeCsroqFc/TrhD4MGPmuI/AAAAAAAAApI/AIMtFVJatwQ/s320/IMG_1710.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
</div></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-37033861720464778462011-11-07T01:07:00.000-08:002011-11-07T12:38:13.892-08:00The Squaring of Santa Monica<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">It's no surprise to the readers of this blog (all two of you) that I enjoy photographing the comings and goings, whimsy, beauty and unique delightfulness of Santa Monica. My cameras (iPhone 3G and Olympus FE-140) often don't capture what I see as well I want but Santa Monica never disappoints. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKXfOJALr4I/Trd98KfdvxI/AAAAAAAAAmg/xY3DkD56Qv8/s1600/IMG_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKXfOJALr4I/Trd98KfdvxI/AAAAAAAAAmg/xY3DkD56Qv8/s320/IMG_1227.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">A beautiful day at the Santa Monica beach.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pMaTrRYqgU/Trd-CdsQXRI/AAAAAAAAAnA/2Ij6PR_LfiE/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pMaTrRYqgU/Trd-CdsQXRI/AAAAAAAAAnA/2Ij6PR_LfiE/s320/IMG_1232.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Monica state of mind captured!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6ocVf9JdUc/Trd9_ACuThI/AAAAAAAAAmw/CsFOsn94JZ4/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6ocVf9JdUc/Trd9_ACuThI/AAAAAAAAAmw/CsFOsn94JZ4/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyxKGw6banU/Trd-BgQwYsI/AAAAAAAAAm4/hRZRCIPp7Eg/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyxKGw6banU/Trd-BgQwYsI/AAAAAAAAAm4/hRZRCIPp7Eg/s320/IMG_1242.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Monica summer sky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAiR1K2xAOI/Trd-NyS-hLI/AAAAAAAAAnw/2mXxmzeJsa4/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAiR1K2xAOI/Trd-NyS-hLI/AAAAAAAAAnw/2mXxmzeJsa4/s320/IMG_1297.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Optometrist's clever window display! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eybqu9fwtd8/Trd-HXOMVNI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/Xyj308uUafc/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eybqu9fwtd8/Trd-HXOMVNI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/Xyj308uUafc/s320/IMG_1266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OcCHgoKs4M/Trd-ImbS5UI/AAAAAAAAAng/66fcnusZZVg/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OcCHgoKs4M/Trd-ImbS5UI/AAAAAAAAAng/66fcnusZZVg/s320/IMG_1281.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know what these are but they're lovely.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_E9IXI_Oh7s/Trd-HvquFKI/AAAAAAAAAnY/QkHPuyDuYlc/s1600/IMG_1285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_E9IXI_Oh7s/Trd-HvquFKI/AAAAAAAAAnY/QkHPuyDuYlc/s320/IMG_1285.JPG" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmer's Market Birds of Paradise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qz9A7iiHMHQ/Trd-O9R_wGI/AAAAAAAAAn4/b47yr9ma9xU/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qz9A7iiHMHQ/Trd-O9R_wGI/AAAAAAAAAn4/b47yr9ma9xU/s320/IMG_1333.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiles on Santa Monica's City Hall entrance display the color and movement of Santa Monica.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">For the past few years I've photographed the results of Santa Monica's Beauty-and-the-Beast development. As a 20+ year resident of this beautiful city, I used to be a proponent of "zero-development" here. However, after reading fellow resident, <a href="http://frankjgruber.net/" target="_blank">Frank J. Gruber's</a> clear-eyed, practical observations about urban development in his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank">"Urban Worrier"</a>, I adjusted my opinion -- a bit. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I have a better appreciation for a city's need to evolve as decades pass in order to keep up with the demands of a vibrant sea-side city like Santa Monica. </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The single greatest visible impact development has on the public is on its architecture. There are thousands of other details and issues but the architecture of a building's facade afflicts or enhances a city and its public for decades. Like any city of merit, Santa Monica is more than a bunch of people living, working, existing in buildings. It's a state of mind for many, rather than just a destination. Residents can feel pride of place. I feel very lucky to live in Santa Monica and now that I've lived here for a generation, I'm entitled to say, I'm proud of this city.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WWSc0_i6V-k/TXcn-9k8IUI/AAAAAAAAAUs/C8A-77MC9kg/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WWSc0_i6V-k/TXcn-9k8IUI/AAAAAAAAAUs/C8A-77MC9kg/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, the trees capture the breezes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feqC_TsmVdM/TXcoF9QwhyI/AAAAAAAAAVE/d1AabNlCStc/s1600/P3280005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feqC_TsmVdM/TXcoF9QwhyI/AAAAAAAAAVE/d1AabNlCStc/s320/P3280005.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paths that lead to a sense of place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo8_EktIs5w/TXcoO0AfrHI/AAAAAAAAAWk/6YWGwE-0W7I/s1600/P7280036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo8_EktIs5w/TXcoO0AfrHI/AAAAAAAAAWk/6YWGwE-0W7I/s200/P7280036.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reminders from an earlier era that utilities don't have to be utilitarian in design.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--mdc_8Xxj5w/TXcoPFL8oTI/AAAAAAAAAWs/7HLkR7u14Bc/s1600/P7280060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--mdc_8Xxj5w/TXcoPFL8oTI/AAAAAAAAAWs/7HLkR7u14Bc/s320/P7280060.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moody Santa Monica marine layer </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpKBQUOo2_8/TZ6vW9UW62I/AAAAAAAAAgA/gIfjgJdwbto/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpKBQUOo2_8/TZ6vW9UW62I/AAAAAAAAAgA/gIfjgJdwbto/s320/IMG_0538.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The starfish are sultry and alluring.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Soy9YjTAYgk/Te8CeeiL05I/AAAAAAAAAjc/94JzzkbQ_tE/s1600/P3090044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Soy9YjTAYgk/Te8CeeiL05I/AAAAAAAAAjc/94JzzkbQ_tE/s320/P3090044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Cyclists customize their ride in the joyfulness of Santa Monica.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKMQjYIJf0A/Trg_EPePyFI/AAAAAAAAAow/khWicnCfjZk/s1600/P7290055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKMQjYIJf0A/Trg_EPePyFI/AAAAAAAAAow/khWicnCfjZk/s320/P7290055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Monica winks good night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">While I admit that reasoned development keeps a city from stagnation or decay, I still hate seeing decades old, well crafted, homes bulldozed and replaced by multi-resident, high-rise dwellings with no yards or sense of being part of the city for which they provide shelter. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFU9PEd-w9U/TreLYqWW6OI/AAAAAAAAAoY/K9V64xki-KY/s1600/IMG_1462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFU9PEd-w9U/TreLYqWW6OI/AAAAAAAAAoY/K9V64xki-KY/s320/IMG_1462.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House on the west side of 11th near Wilshire Blvd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The reason for this post: I'm deeply disappointed, even angry, at the same, uninspired architectural designs repeatedly approved by Santa Monica's Architectural Review Board (ARB).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">In Santa Monica, the ARB gives, among other things, final approval for the physical look and style of new buildings. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm sure that's a great over-simplification of the ARB's responsibility. The process for final design approval is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">long, arduous and, in my opinion, worthy given that the ARB is responsible for Santa Monica's architectural character as new buildings go up. Public services notwithstanding, architecture is a declaration of a city's view of itself in the world. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5o0BSM14dM/TXcnkaj5DjI/AAAAAAAAATg/pZkie97ScII/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5o0BSM14dM/TXcnkaj5DjI/AAAAAAAAATg/pZkie97ScII/s400/IMG_0184.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Let's start with the Big Brown Blob of a high rise somewhere on Santa Monica Blvd. between Lincoln Blvd. and 4th St.. The eye of this beholder-blogger thinks this is an ugly building with zero sense of Santa Monica. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsoO9nlIbeY/TXcnltwqDDI/AAAAAAAAATs/Kqb-yR8gIYM/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsoO9nlIbeY/TXcnltwqDDI/AAAAAAAAATs/Kqb-yR8gIYM/s400/IMG_0185.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">On the same north/south block as the Big Brown Blob is an entire block of high-rise boxes, with no sense of place or distinction between Santa Monica Blvd. and Broadway on 6th or 7th St. (they all look so much alike I'm not sure) with only two ever-graceful palm trees as balance.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMqClvtinxU/TXcnrwUvTPI/AAAAAAAAAT4/KxWGKeHevds/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMqClvtinxU/TXcnrwUvTPI/AAAAAAAAAT4/KxWGKeHevds/s400/IMG_0230.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Approved for the NE corner of Lincoln Blvd. and Broadway. It will be on the same block as the ugly horizontal green stripe building that's almost finished (photograph follows).</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6KawjO4ZmE/TXcnuHLXv6I/AAAAAAAAAT8/n2NK8WVACaY/s1600/IMG_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6KawjO4ZmE/TXcnuHLXv6I/AAAAAAAAAT8/n2NK8WVACaY/s400/IMG_0234.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">A more recent variation on what's going in on the NE corner of Lincoln Blvd., and Broadway</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFXouB0z8RU/Trdi62A1TwI/AAAAAAAAAlE/LJkxbWLjzWU/s1600/IMG_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFXouB0z8RU/Trdi62A1TwI/AAAAAAAAAlE/LJkxbWLjzWU/s400/IMG_1661.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Almost finished high-rise box with puke green horizontal stripes under construction on NW corner of Broadway and 9th (referred to above).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtIlF1LNJj0/TrdjD7pzmlI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/FDYPfP9II4M/s1600/IMG_1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtIlF1LNJj0/TrdjD7pzmlI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/FDYPfP9II4M/s400/IMG_1662.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The color scheme for this high-rise seems to reference Santa Monica's beautiful orange sunsets and the grey mist of Santa Monica's June-gloom marine layer (which was rolling in as I took the pic). </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wekt-tSsVCA/TXcoQIecIzI/AAAAAAAAAW0/aU49H14L1iY/s1600/PA050015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wekt-tSsVCA/TXcoQIecIzI/AAAAAAAAAW0/aU49H14L1iY/s320/PA050015.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Square, square and more square blah.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFBaFw3JNdE/TXcmOoFu_WI/AAAAAAAAAQU/y1fTgze90_k/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFBaFw3JNdE/TXcmOoFu_WI/AAAAAAAAAQU/y1fTgze90_k/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I can't even recall which block this is but it all the same squares, rectangles and straight lines. Not even palm trees to soften the harshness!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sjjcfqcOa0/TXcmRYR8VGI/AAAAAAAAAQY/RFBungbGShY/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sjjcfqcOa0/TXcmRYR8VGI/AAAAAAAAAQY/RFBungbGShY/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">This is on Broadway somewhere between the new (and square) open air Santa Monica mall and Lincoln Blvd. but I can't recall exactly where. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ixDcjcJjUg/TXcmR23qMuI/AAAAAAAAAQc/RV3xXi1GcwQ/s1600/IMG_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ixDcjcJjUg/TXcmR23qMuI/AAAAAAAAAQc/RV3xXi1GcwQ/s320/IMG_0110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Ooooh, how clever: squares and rectangles now with balconies.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGZ7egbQOaY/TXcmUmTTTuI/AAAAAAAAAQk/8IFSvQDSR_E/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGZ7egbQOaY/TXcmUmTTTuI/AAAAAAAAAQk/8IFSvQDSR_E/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">This is a little more interesting with a mirrored facade and shadow-making angles. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Oh, and here's the very expensive, much anticipated, new, and not-so-much-improved Santa Monica Mall:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmzDQfOARKE/Trd9edGF8sI/AAAAAAAAAl4/G1Kjx6l6dcw/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmzDQfOARKE/Trd9edGF8sI/AAAAAAAAAl4/G1Kjx6l6dcw/s320/IMG_0961.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Broadway and Third St. (the Promenade) entrance to the open air Santa Monica mall full of right angles. It could have been erected any where. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBh3_KfCf2I/TXcmWjNkAzI/AAAAAAAAAQo/0Z4dN-MnHNw/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBh3_KfCf2I/TXcmWjNkAzI/AAAAAAAAAQo/0Z4dN-MnHNw/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SE corner of Broadway and 6th</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iAD0vD0w1ho/TXcm5WNgBEI/AAAAAAAAASA/rWlF7O4SayA/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iAD0vD0w1ho/TXcm5WNgBEI/AAAAAAAAASA/rWlF7O4SayA/s320/IMG_0151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Except for those who live in Santa Monica, who in the world would think this is a fairly new block of buildings in Santa Monica, CA? These will probably look like slums in about 10 years -- then the ARB can approve even taller variations of square rectangles to replace these (please, no!).</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">In my dream world, members of the ARB read my blog so, my request to them is: please stop -- stop today -- just stop approving all these right-angle boxes that could be anywhere on planet earth and demand architects incorporate the soul of Santa Monica in their designs. Require architects walk (or bike) at least a percentage of Santa Monica's 8.2 square miles to get a sense of its unique qualities and heart so designs can be submitted that look like they could only exist in Santa Monica. Designing with inspiration and creativity is not any more expensive than designing the same boring boxes but it's a far more noble legacy for Santa Monica and its ARB. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">To be fair, not all the new architecture is ugly. Sometimes the ARB gets it really right and I thank them but the vast majority of new architectural designs being approved by the ARB are the same boxy shapes, top-to-bottom with no trim or design to soften or interest to attract the human eye. Here are two favorites of mine: </span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtOUAgqp1Uw/Trd-SdpEXEI/AAAAAAAAAoI/CrpMr47cilM/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtOUAgqp1Uw/Trd-SdpEXEI/AAAAAAAAAoI/CrpMr47cilM/s320/IMG_1388.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">This perimeter fence along Colorado (between 6th and 7th Streets) is part of the new bus terminal. It's particularly beautiful and in keeping with Santa Monica at night (reminds me of the ocean waves and azure skies of summer). </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQL-ZePks7Q/Trd96bKCb0I/AAAAAAAAAmY/3sF78aE2sQ4/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQL-ZePks7Q/Trd96bKCb0I/AAAAAAAAAmY/3sF78aE2sQ4/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Relatively new commercial building on the NW corner of Colorado and 2nd St.; one look and we know we're in a sea-side town. I still won't eat at McDonald's but I'm proud of this building. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Now that I have this out of my head and into my blog, in future posts I'll publish photos of some of the elements of Santa Monica shape and form that we, the public, should expect to see in the architectural design approved by the ARB.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">A final note, none of the square buildings in this post are parking structures -- which one might excuse for being unimaginative, right-angled edifices -- all of which makes what's been done to the look and ambience of Santa Monica that much sadder. </span></div></div></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-28461041957221259812011-11-06T19:49:00.000-08:002011-11-06T19:49:31.029-08:00Santa Monica Roses<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The roses in Santa Monica always end up in my camera. I don't upload the pictures very often so by the time I upload them it's a double delight because I don't remember that I took the photo. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlOjR4TcP9I/TrdSkZd6K0I/AAAAAAAAAk0/ZxL3uHdYlsI/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlOjR4TcP9I/TrdSkZd6K0I/AAAAAAAAAk0/ZxL3uHdYlsI/s640/IMG_1665.JPG" width="435" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I wonder if this is called a peppermint candy rose. What ever it is, it's stunning!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dinwj9ol3gA/TrdSluZqDFI/AAAAAAAAAk8/QQNSdjZIHKA/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dinwj9ol3gA/TrdSluZqDFI/AAAAAAAAAk8/QQNSdjZIHKA/s400/IMG_1704.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A little blurry but luscious red RED rose in a garden on 10th St.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-83915068403264485332011-06-07T20:58:00.000-07:002011-06-07T20:58:52.054-07:00Achieving Bike-Friendliness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ulxurJJI3AY/Te7yeZ5FM4I/AAAAAAAAAio/XN8y6dYFeOk/s1600/P4160151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ulxurJJI3AY/Te7yeZ5FM4I/AAAAAAAAAio/XN8y6dYFeOk/s320/P4160151.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty, Sparkling Bikes!</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.43em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For those eager to see Santa Monica and Los Angeles transform into bicycle-friendly cities, reach into your pockets and get out your two-cents worth of input! On Wednesday, June 8th (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm) William Roschen, President of the </span></span><a href="http://cityplanning.lacity.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Los Angeles City Planning Commission</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> & Alexis Lantz, Planning and Policy Director for </span></span><a href="http://la-bike.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, will discuss the </span></span><a href="http://cityplanning.lacity.org/cwd/gnlpln/transelt/BikePlan/B1Intro.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Los Angeles City Bicycle Master Plan</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, approved in March by the City Council. The Bicycle Master Plan calls for an eventual network of 1,680 miles of interconnected bikeways, including more than 200 miles of new bicycle routes every five years. It also calls for a safety campaign to educate drivers about sharing the streets. (Yay!)</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.43em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Learn how the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Los Angeles City Planning Commission, and Department of Transportation collaborated to make this vision come true. This is a free meeting open to the public. </span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.43em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I know, starting at 5:30 pm is not a good time for most folks Regardless, send a message by participating: attend, listen, learn, ask questions and (possibly -- I haven't seen the agenda) comment. </span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.43em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">June 8, 2011 5:30pm-7:30pm </span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.43em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Environment Now</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.43em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2515 Wilshire BoulevardSanta Monica, CA 90403 (I have no idea about parking; I plan to take the bus).</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.43em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">RSVP to speakerseries@environmentnow.org </span></span></div></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-36194977750221483332011-06-05T22:19:00.000-07:002011-06-05T22:19:34.442-07:00All Things Bright and Bicycle Related<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shpV7mPZU9o/TexXFhsPMdI/AAAAAAAAAiI/liKX7VkhQC4/s1600/P3090044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shpV7mPZU9o/TexXFhsPMdI/AAAAAAAAAiI/liKX7VkhQC4/s320/P3090044.JPG" width="320" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Santa Monica Ride</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Santa Monica City Council is making strong efforts to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">transform the city into a bicycle-friendly city. Since I used to cycle all over Santa Monica and would love to do it again, this is very exciting and I say, YAY!</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxBQWNaw9zQ/TexZTlDEuKI/AAAAAAAAAic/vS-UR4guJwo/s1600/P4160154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6esSoYlT4Ys/TexZL41gr5I/AAAAAAAAAiU/CFBvIHDjO20/s1600/P4160151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6esSoYlT4Ys/TexZL41gr5I/AAAAAAAAAiU/CFBvIHDjO20/s320/P4160151.JPG" width="240" /></span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Santa Monica Beach Ready-to-Rides</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last Friday I attended an </span></span><a href="http://www.santamonica.com/iam/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I Am Santa Monica"</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> workshop (more about that in another blog) and was delighted to hear other Santa Monica business representatives make positive comments about the bike valet stalls made available for recent city events. Statistics show that cities that are "bike friendly" are better for businesses and its residents. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've seen an increasing number of cyclists in Santa Monica. I know one resident/attorney/journalist/author, </span></span><a href="http://frankjgruber.net/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frank Gruber </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(author of </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Worrier-Making-Politics-Personal/dp/0615271227"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Urban Worrier"</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and the </span></span><a href="http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/columns/FrankGruber/FrankGruber_What_I_Say_Home.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What I Say"</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> column for </span></span><a href="http://www.surfsantamonica.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Surf Santa Monica</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">) is a dedicated (in my observation) bike commuter from his home in Ocean Park to downtown Santa Monica. He's a great role model for cycling to work.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C2kAppHjCBM/TexXaiGkFFI/AAAAAAAAAiM/5BbROJ6pFI8/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New bike posts (on Broadway) to secure our wheels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those Santa Monicans interested in supporting the "better bicycling" efforts being made, you may want to contact various members of the </span></span><a href="http://www01.smgov.net/planning/commission"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Santa Monica Planning Commission</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and City Council or attend the meetings to make public comments. A </span></span><a href="http://www01.smgov.net/comm%5Fprogs/active%5Fliving/bikesm/Bike%20Action%20Plan%20May%2016%20All%20Boards.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">plan</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> has already started to take shape but community input is invaluable and vitally important. Or, you may want to join/support </span></span><a href="http://smspoke.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Santa Monica Spoke</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, an energetic and thoughtful non-profit group whose mission is to help make Santa Monica a better place to cycle. I'm 100% for that but I'm also committed to a well-planned integrated plan that allows motor vehicles, non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians safe and unfettered access around the city. We CAN all get along. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFM7wFhgH_Y/TexZU_yo-iI/AAAAAAAAAik/7AJvulKrgrA/s320/P4160187.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling up the California Incline - not for the weak-thighed.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's important to note that riding on the sidewalks -- although seemingly safer to the rider -- is illegal in Santa Monica. </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those who enjoy cycling, the Santa Monica beach bike path from the Pier south, is a little bit of heaven and is relatively confined to bicycle traffic only. The part of the path north of the Pier is less so. That part of the path is marked as restricted to bicycles and skaters only, but joggers/walkers/runners/strollers also use the path because there is no other place to walk if you don't want sand in your shoes. Many a busy weekend has ended in discord between cyclist and foot traffic because of the path's lack of accommodation for both. I'd like to encourage the re-striping of that three miles of bike path so pedestrians can share the outer portions of the path -- much like the pedestrians and cyclists who use the bike path in Rancho Cordova that parallels the American River. Pedestrians share the outer edges of the two-way, four-lane path while cyclists and skaters use the wider, inner two-way lanes; pedestrians walk (sometimes with their dogs) against the wheeled traffic so collisions are avoided. If there's no economically viable way to widen the Santa Monica beach path, then how about re-striping and re-signing it? It might cause fewer fights and collisions between the admirably active cyclists and pedestrians. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEyzpFkEIRo/TexZUEPJulI/AAAAAAAAAig/tcq9MQObiY8/s320/P4160168.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling the pedestrian bridge over PCH.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A couple of months ago I participated in the 5th and Arizona Development community workshop and one of the most prevalent comments was a desire for bike accommodations and how much more time could be spent shopping and enjoying downtown Santa Monica if there were.</span></div></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="font: 11.0px Verdana; line-height: 30.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpUpjK3E6R0/TexXxVR5D8I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/BB-G__Ab3Ro/s1600/PA160001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpUpjK3E6R0/TexXxVR5D8I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/BB-G__Ab3Ro/s320/PA160001.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">My bike (now residing in Rancho Cordova). </span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">After years of commuting 13 miles by bike -- Santa Monica to Culver City -- I stopped cycling Santa Monica in 2000 because increased traffic, hostile drivers ignorant of the laws regarding bikes and lack of bike lanes made it increasingly scary for me. Since then, I've walked Santa Monica and while I love walking, I can't carry as many purchase walking as I did when I rode my bike. Now, for purchases that require more than my two arms or are too heavy for me to carry more than a few blocks, I drive out of Santa Monica to avoid local traffic.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’d like to cycle Santa Monica again. I'm an advocate for an integrated approach to make Santa Monica safe for all traffic. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Everyone has their own point of view but, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’d like to see increased bike lanes and bold signage that indicates "No bikes on sidewalks" or reminders for cyclist to obey all traffic laws. This would educate drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and result in safer streets for everyone. Widening or re-striping the beach bike path north of the pier to give pedestrians a designated narrow lane could allow safe pedestrian </span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> cyclist throughway to locations like "Back on the Beach" or the Annenberg Community Center. Seeing police on bikes as a yearly presence around the city says cyclists are welcome here and are an important part of this city.</span></span></span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EksfYOx2Jp8/TexZTEzbAlI/AAAAAAAAAiY/79J9YwQmVC8/s320/P4160152.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes galore for rent.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cyclists create a community, not only with each other but with the businesses they patronize. I look forward to an integrated plan for the whole city that embraces cyclists, benefits our businesses and creates smooth flowing and safe traffic for all of us. </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></span></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-72432503692653433312011-04-27T23:26:00.000-07:002011-04-27T23:26:27.691-07:00L A Times Opinion Piece:Contempt for firefighters won't solve L.A.'s budget mess<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I read an article in today's <i>L A Times</i>' "Opinion L.A." section: "</span></span><a href="http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/04/contempt-for-firefighters-wont-help-the-city-budget.html#comments"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Contempt for firefighters won't solve L.A.'s budget mess</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">". First, the title disturbed me. I have a lot of respect for firefighters and for their work in the community. I don't know any firefighters personally and I'm not even vaguely related to one and have never needed their assistance (knock on wood) but theirs is a noble calling. Second, the article's title immediately brought to mind many of the photos and news articles I've read that provided insight into what it is to be a firefighter. I recall that some local firefighters went to New York City after the attacks of September 11, 2001, to provide heroic service not only to a community 2500 miles away but to the nation. I've seen photos of firefighters resuscitating the limp bodies of children and animals. I've read about firefighters who lost their lives when enveloped in a wildfire. I just can't picture the dark boiling chasm from which some of these commenters drudge up their ideas and their venom. </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One commenter compared firefighters to bridge attendants. Not to belittle bridge attendants (I've never been one), but I doubt their professions require them to climb 6 stories worth of stairs while wearing a 90 pound pack and hauling a fire hose. Another commenter was angry that firefighters make huge salaries (I have no idea how much firefighters make) and aren't required to have more than a GED. I won't continue to reiterate the comments -- they don't deserve to be repeated and they break my heart. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">There may be valid criticism about firefighting procedures. There may be organizational waste that can be trimmed but writing comments pointed at firefighters which aren't based in fact incites the uninformed and certainly doesn't help solve the budget problem. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I've stopped by my local station on Thanksgiving Days, Christmas Days and New Years Days and there's always a crew on duty. As a citizen observer I've been in a fire station eating dinner with a firefighting crew when the alarm sounded. The crew was on the truck, fully geared-up and on their way in 30 seconds. That kind of reaction only happens with training, determination, focus, dedication and more training. When they came back they took care of the truck and their gear first -- in preparation for the next call -- before sitting back down to a dinner that had to be warmed in the microwave.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Commenters, here's what I do know about firefighters:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They have to stay fit, maintain their own gear and the station house equipment, have to buy their own groceries and cook for themselves during their 2 or 3 day rotation, have to leave their families for days at a time so they can be available to save the lives. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Firefighters often can't afford to live in the communities they protect and -- for all I know -- may not be allowed to work near their own homes just as doctors usually aren't allowed to operate on immediate members of their family. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You won't care how much firefighters are paid when they save your home or give you oxygen out of their own mask or breathe life back into the lungs of your loved one. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You won't care whether a fire fighter has a GED, PhD or no pedigree if one pulls you from your wrecked car, a burning building or searches for you in a collapsed building in the aftermath of a catastrophe. And yes, firefighters will be there for you when there's a catastrophe. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Firefighters perform a life-or-death service to the communities in which they Serve with a capital "S". </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Firefighters often miss important family events in order to serve a community that doesn't even know their names. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">More is expected of firefighters and at a higher level of performance than most professions. They are highly trained professionals who are priceless when they are called to serve. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Commenters, you can feel spew contempt for firefighters, you can say mean and heartless things about them and yet -- should they be called upon to do so, they will unhesitatingly save YOUR life.</span></span></span><br />
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</div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-33656256987019279992011-04-08T00:35:00.000-07:002011-04-08T00:35:31.441-07:00Santa Monica Critters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2VOcHzxTrI/TZ6yIO6sLNI/AAAAAAAAAg4/KdlEqPxb3PI/s1600/BirdonaPost.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2VOcHzxTrI/TZ6yIO6sLNI/AAAAAAAAAg4/KdlEqPxb3PI/s320/BirdonaPost.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One of the delightful graces of Santa Monica are the critters, the pets, the wildlife, the winged creatures great and small. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SI56u1LtUs0/TZvtw4QfwmI/AAAAAAAAAas/WSjSIjxGA6I/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SI56u1LtUs0/TZvtw4QfwmI/AAAAAAAAAas/WSjSIjxGA6I/s400/IMG_0266.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Critters having fun while the real critter watches for Trick-or-Treaters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVfu_BUdf6k/TZvtyk9zenI/AAAAAAAAAaw/1QS7XbX5Ha4/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVfu_BUdf6k/TZvtyk9zenI/AAAAAAAAAaw/1QS7XbX5Ha4/s400/IMG_0417.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shiba Inu pup outside Von's is not ready for her close-up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47RVDoTnYwQ/TZvt1ObSBxI/AAAAAAAAAa4/5eU6uIhGaZk/s1600/IMG_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47RVDoTnYwQ/TZvt1ObSBxI/AAAAAAAAAa4/5eU6uIhGaZk/s400/IMG_1247.JPG" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Hound hard at work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJMWc-el5XE/TZvt9QiBBKI/AAAAAAAAAbU/H1OkK5m7gOE/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJMWc-el5XE/TZvt9QiBBKI/AAAAAAAAAbU/H1OkK5m7gOE/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Get-me-outta-here!" kitty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ff_FwQpooJ8/TZvt9qy4oMI/AAAAAAAAAbY/PXad2dntSP0/s1600/P3030005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ff_FwQpooJ8/TZvt9qy4oMI/AAAAAAAAAbY/PXad2dntSP0/s320/P3030005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community splash next to the Santa Monica jail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zib5EBVWWIs/TZvuAbHhxqI/AAAAAAAAAbc/HmAk9qlEvJk/s1600/P3170009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zib5EBVWWIs/TZvuAbHhxqI/AAAAAAAAAbc/HmAk9qlEvJk/s320/P3170009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikka (left) and Turbo on "Squirrel!" watch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iMPpIom-K9I/TZ6tT0i8rDI/AAAAAAAAAe0/VHGxSIwQ9qU/s1600/HalloweenCriters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iMPpIom-K9I/TZ6tT0i8rDI/AAAAAAAAAe0/VHGxSIwQ9qU/s320/HalloweenCriters.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BIG Hello Kitty watching the holiday cemetery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U07w4IPTwSw/TZ6tWUoRc9I/AAAAAAAAAe4/PMT1TK87pxM/s1600/HelloKitty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U07w4IPTwSw/TZ6tWUoRc9I/AAAAAAAAAe4/PMT1TK87pxM/s320/HelloKitty.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Kitty and Pez friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tN7CkbJtlTY/TZ6tYM-497I/AAAAAAAAAe8/w30dXHdlD0A/s1600/HelloKittyFamil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tN7CkbJtlTY/TZ6tYM-497I/AAAAAAAAAe8/w30dXHdlD0A/s320/HelloKittyFamil.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How much is the Hello Kitty in the window?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LkTCTMmpKck/TZ6ympUZFLI/AAAAAAAAAhE/16zuvtjB4uY/s1600/DoxsyDog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LkTCTMmpKck/TZ6ympUZFLI/AAAAAAAAAhE/16zuvtjB4uY/s320/DoxsyDog.JPG" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't resist asking the owner of this sweet, friendly Dachshund for permission to take her (or his) picture. It was 10pm and my iPhone blurred this sweetheart's adorable face. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDbK6PQOnvs/TZ6tbc12cFI/AAAAAAAAAfA/_7q4UHc3A_0/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDbK6PQOnvs/TZ6tbc12cFI/AAAAAAAAAfA/_7q4UHc3A_0/s320/IMG_0303.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Turkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> I wonder how many residents or visitors of Santa Monica know there's an aquarium under the pier?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlcr0l8RY94/TZ6teUSOdTI/AAAAAAAAAfE/LaW3p_1qzD4/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlcr0l8RY94/TZ6teUSOdTI/AAAAAAAAAfE/LaW3p_1qzD4/s320/IMG_0533.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moray Eel with something to say... (Santa Monica Museum)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yU-BXvUka3A/TZ6tguw5h5I/AAAAAAAAAfI/kWAwlPbyo3A/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yU-BXvUka3A/TZ6tguw5h5I/AAAAAAAAAfI/kWAwlPbyo3A/s320/IMG_0537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stingless Ray (?) (Santa Monica Aquarium)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mZZPNsCn9IQ/TZ6ti8HV1dI/AAAAAAAAAfM/M29CootdHi8/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mZZPNsCn9IQ/TZ6ti8HV1dI/AAAAAAAAAfM/M29CootdHi8/s320/IMG_0538.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Fish in a dramatic pose (Santa Monica Aquarium)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O3-l4A0GeYg/TZ6tlu6t3KI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/92fQ2vpu0F4/s1600/IMG_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O3-l4A0GeYg/TZ6tlu6t3KI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/92fQ2vpu0F4/s320/IMG_0540.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab critter (Santa Monica Aquarium)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3qAJ3w72SM/TZ6tnPGJUiI/AAAAAAAAAfU/Ha5KvRm8eeQ/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3qAJ3w72SM/TZ6tnPGJUiI/AAAAAAAAAfU/Ha5KvRm8eeQ/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birds of Paradise critters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCZh2lhsUT4/TZ6tpOkCTYI/AAAAAAAAAfY/17OKOYLv0MQ/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCZh2lhsUT4/TZ6tpOkCTYI/AAAAAAAAAfY/17OKOYLv0MQ/s320/IMG_0632.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting while "Mom" shops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHG_Vtmqtoc/TZ6tsC09PHI/AAAAAAAAAfc/zKcUt1OUOsg/s1600/IMG_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHG_Vtmqtoc/TZ6tsC09PHI/AAAAAAAAAfc/zKcUt1OUOsg/s320/IMG_0821.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Poodle buddy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2LcMi7KKUM/TZ6tui7gQ6I/AAAAAAAAAfg/Im9szHS28Ag/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2LcMi7KKUM/TZ6tui7gQ6I/AAAAAAAAAfg/Im9szHS28Ag/s320/IMG_0855.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden critters and...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f85iU3KgffM/TZ6tyIlSYCI/AAAAAAAAAfk/V724A03W67M/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f85iU3KgffM/TZ6tyIlSYCI/AAAAAAAAAfk/V724A03W67M/s320/IMG_0856.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more Garden Critters</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-78161953937062254042011-04-06T00:29:00.000-07:002011-04-06T00:29:19.029-07:00Santa Monica Sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The relatively recently opened <a href="http://beachhouse.smgov.net/">Annenberg Community Beach House</a> at 415 PCH, sits atop the footprint of the former Marion Davies Beach House, and is now a public center for beach activity including swimming in the restored original swimming pool for those who prefer a dip in fresh water rather than the Pacific Ocean's salty, sandy and seaweedy wash. By the way, Marion Davies' beach house is a beach house in the same manner as Windsor Castle is the British monarch's vacation getaway from Buckingham Palace. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMeXhbUloEs/TZv40MQ-rvI/AAAAAAAAAew/I4stGV_nUww/s1600/colorized_marion_davies_beach_house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMeXhbUloEs/TZv40MQ-rvI/AAAAAAAAAew/I4stGV_nUww/s320/colorized_marion_davies_beach_house.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westlandtraveler.com/ca/santa_monica/annenberg_community_beach_house/history/">Marion Davies' Beach House begun in 1926.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Marion Davies' Beach House was 100+ rooms of opulence, splendor and fun. I'm learning to be a docent for the Annenberg Community Beach House through the impressive efforts of the <a href="http://www.smconservancy.org/">Santa Monica Conservancy</a> so I'll know more about this fantastic public recreation center when I complete the training. For now, it's just fascinating and exciting to be walking the halls where the truly splendid Marion Davies -- as well as other celebrities -- once spent time. If you live in Santa Monica -- and you appreciate living here -- go and enjoy 415 PCH. I'm pretty sure Marion would have loved the idea this space is still place of family fun (although I wonder if she'd be saddened that the main house was demolished in 1956). </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">On March 13, 2011, I walked from my abode on 11th St. to 415 PCH to take the free docent led tour of the Guest House. There are still some homes of interest built by filmdom's founders in the early 1900's -- before it became a film industry. I'm still learning about some of the architects who built spectacular homes along Santa Monica's "Gold Coast" during that time (much to learn, much to retain). I do know the amazing Julia Morgan -- architect for William Randolph Hearst's Castle -- also designed the Beach House. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Walking along the bike path on the way to 415 PCH, there are still a few homes from the 1920 era that have not yet been lost to the destructive bent of development. I'll have to call upon my friend <a href="http://paradiseleased.wordpress.com/">Steve Vaught</a> who once walked with me along the beach path and pointed out homes built by Louis B. Mayer, Harry Warner, Samuel Goldwyn, Irving Thalberg & Norma Shearer -- but I'm embarrassed to say I've forgotten which names go to which homes. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NFKk_44nkfM/TZvxmCvTzZI/AAAAAAAAAdg/zhiDn6aRDT8/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NFKk_44nkfM/TZvxmCvTzZI/AAAAAAAAAdg/zhiDn6aRDT8/s320/IMG_1273.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I recall, the salmon-colored house in the center is a house of interest but I don't recall who makes it "interesting".</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXKqMxkrkyg/TZvxhKgL9TI/AAAAAAAAAdY/I8YZIyVvZdY/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXKqMxkrkyg/TZvxhKgL9TI/AAAAAAAAAdY/I8YZIyVvZdY/s320/IMG_1276.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've seen this slightly out of focus home on postcards from the early 1900's but I'll have to go through my collection of Santa Monica post cards to find out who's associated with it (or ask Steve). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--s5FrbHZbLo/TZvxRxsTbLI/AAAAAAAAAcw/OQbwFYoPLpM/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--s5FrbHZbLo/TZvxRxsTbLI/AAAAAAAAAcw/OQbwFYoPLpM/s320/IMG_1258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the sitting room of the Guest House, a lovely fireplace graces the room. I'll bet there's an interesting story behind the female bodied mantel pillars and I'll bet it wasn't originally painted all white. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXUFad2l9Ho/TZvxmZSmj_I/AAAAAAAAAdo/09zEn-NZLyc/s1600/P3130008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXUFad2l9Ho/TZvxmZSmj_I/AAAAAAAAAdo/09zEn-NZLyc/s320/P3130008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting room (fireplace behind me) doors face the ocean. I find it hard to believe the furniture is representative of what was in the Guest House before the estate's sale in 1947. The chairs, couch, tables and lamp seem to be left over from the Sea & Sand Hotel which is what the Marion Davies Beach House became after she sold it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8QOHtKvnZuY/TZvxaJJWUhI/AAAAAAAAAdE/66_GkQYpNnA/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8QOHtKvnZuY/TZvxaJJWUhI/AAAAAAAAAdE/66_GkQYpNnA/s320/IMG_1269.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photos of one of the two restored bathrooms in the Guest House.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7P9y3b8yLE/TZvxfOgUQpI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/U8RQ0WhwWco/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7P9y3b8yLE/TZvxfOgUQpI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/U8RQ0WhwWco/s320/IMG_1271.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuEidXlDz-4/TZvxY8qF1OI/AAAAAAAAAdA/deLz37a5-oE/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuEidXlDz-4/TZvxY8qF1OI/AAAAAAAAAdA/deLz37a5-oE/s320/IMG_1268.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The whimsical, Julia Morgan designed tiles were uncovered under layers of paint and the bathrooms restored to their former glory. This is what Marion Davies' family and friends would have seen when they lived in the Guest House. Unfortunately, my camera's batteries died just as I got to the Guest House and had to resort to my iPhone instead. The photos just don't do justice to the interior. The square masted ship is a metallic copper color, as are the sea crests and delightful sea creatures.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxRet6VRuxw/TZvxcR0yQXI/AAAAAAAAAdI/upCsURAtJOg/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxRet6VRuxw/TZvxcR0yQXI/AAAAAAAAAdI/upCsURAtJOg/s320/IMG_1266.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the beach-facing 2nd floor balcony. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Okay, here's the surprise. There's free wifi here and anyone with a laptop who wants to spend the late morning, early afternoon in one of the Guest House rooms surfing the net instead of the waves, can do so by just showing up when the Guest House is open. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Annenberg Community Center is a gem and should be used, admired, loved and appreciated by both Santa Monica residents and the public at large. The Guest House is a throwback to a more graceful time of architecture and a historic treasure. Plus, it's fun to imagine Marion Davies walking into the very room in which you're standing. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'll take better photos next time. There's much I didn't photograph which deserves to be seen and shared.</span><br />
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</span></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547732432866471736.post-46157265780779903712011-03-11T00:35:00.000-08:002011-03-15T11:20:10.541-07:00Birthday in Santa Monica<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">My birthday snuck up on me again. It always does. One minute it's all "Happy New Year! Who brought the champaign" and the next it's early morning Facebook chirps from my iPhone, delivering birthday greetings to my FB wall. I have to say thank you to Facebook -- I had friends from all over the U.S. leaving delightful and appreciated birthday greetings. And not one of them ask my age. Good people.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I worked half a day opening trouble tickets for DSL behaving badly, answering questions about billing, and incorrectly answering questions about email behaving badly. I love email but I still can't quite get a grip on all the variations and configuration algorithms (see previous post). I've been doing this for nearly 11 years. It's pathetic -- inexcusable really -- that I still tell customers email is based wizardry and fairy dust. Thank the internet Krakens for web email -- I don't have to deal with that.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Around noonish, I tidied up my little office, donned my Asics, wobbled off with my baseball cap and camera to take pics of what ever I saw. My self-imposed mission: create a picture essay of my birthday. </span><br />
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No many how many times I walk to the beach, I never tire of photographing the sparkling water, the track-stained sand and rippling waves and everything along the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MtqOFv_n9VQ/TXnHqpX_7RI/AAAAAAAAAZw/hLLe0eJHui8/s1600/P3090019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MtqOFv_n9VQ/TXnHqpX_7RI/AAAAAAAAAZw/hLLe0eJHui8/s400/P3090019.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the?<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Just beyond the barrier along Pacific Palisades park, I noticed more of he cliff had collapsed or eroded and now revealed what appears to be stone stairs. In the early Twentieth Century, there was a long, steep wooden stairway leading from the cliff top to the beach. However, that stairway was further north (where a high rise luxury condo building now stands guard) near Adelaide Drive and they're long gone, victim, as I recall, to a harsh storm. These may not be steps -- they may be reinforcement from some earlier decade. This is much further south, closer to Broadway Street.</span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y_MA_zO68kc/TXnHsEx06tI/AAAAAAAAAZY/0LqR9GDXHhw/s1600/P3090022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y_MA_zO68kc/TXnHsEx06tI/AAAAAAAAAZY/0LqR9GDXHhw/s400/P3090022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erosion</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>The pathway between the white wooden fence (above) and the cliff drop-off, used to be part of the original walkway along Pacific Palisades. </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uKPiKiEIkKo/TXnNpcgFkxI/AAAAAAAAAaU/gZF5zJqBKgc/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uKPiKiEIkKo/TXnNpcgFkxI/AAAAAAAAAaU/gZF5zJqBKgc/s400/DownloadedFile.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean Blvd. circa 1950s (?)<br />
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I've seen a number of postcards circa early 1900's depicting Pacific Palisades near Broadway and it's astonishing how much of the cliff has fallen away. Some members of City Hall blame the erosion squarely on squirrels (I kid you not), but I'm not convinced. I think it's just cliffside giving up its battle with gravity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-45DL17yk2JA/TXnHyANEwUI/AAAAAAAAAaM/YAS90GWHVmE/s1600/P3090028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-45DL17yk2JA/TXnHyANEwUI/AAAAAAAAAaM/YAS90GWHVmE/s400/P3090028.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazy Wednesday day on Santa Monica's beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On Sunday's this part of the beach, just north of the Santa Monica Pier, is where Veteran's for Peace create a vivid reminder of the cost of war, with<a href="http://www.arlingtonwestsantamonica.org/"> Arlington West.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E0SQ5gY0dyo/TXnHyUIBfkI/AAAAAAAAAZk/NGtQ4I-Sd58/s1600/P3090031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E0SQ5gY0dyo/TXnHyUIBfkI/AAAAAAAAAZk/NGtQ4I-Sd58/s400/P3090031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is at the end of the <a href="http://www.santamonicapier.org/history/">Santa Monica Pier</a>, a display of Route 66 maps and trinkets. </div></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0h5r8aWKysk/TXnEFK5sDCI/AAAAAAAAAXk/4L2FmUH1C2Q/s1600/IMG_1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0h5r8aWKysk/TXnEFK5sDCI/AAAAAAAAAXk/4L2FmUH1C2Q/s400/IMG_1238.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Monica Feathered Sentinal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ulI4rLvXKf8/TXnH3dTRlFI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/P2aY5RjZm9k/s1600/P3090036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ulI4rLvXKf8/TXnH3dTRlFI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/P2aY5RjZm9k/s400/P3090036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penguin or Photographer's Shadow?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nWlTyO4PN-8/TXnH8cec6hI/AAAAAAAAAaE/j3nRK4bGJt4/s1600/P3090034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nWlTyO4PN-8/TXnH8cec6hI/AAAAAAAAAaE/j3nRK4bGJt4/s400/P3090034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cExmqTfbE-M/TXnH7D9sNtI/AAAAAAAAAaA/qtLdMvhl8a0/s1600/P3090043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cExmqTfbE-M/TXnH7D9sNtI/AAAAAAAAAaA/qtLdMvhl8a0/s400/P3090043.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Second Street with a Downtown Ambassador</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">On the way home, I saw a member of </span><a href="http://www.downtownsm.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Santa Monica's "Downtown Ambassador" </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">team wheeling along alone on a </span><a href="http://www.segway.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Segway</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> on Second Street. I asked if I could take a photo of him but was told he was not allowed to have his photo taken unless he was posing with someone. Just then an obliging young man exited the adjacent building and cheerfully allowed himself to be photographed with the Ambassador. Unfortunately, I did not ask either man for his name! What's the matter with me? Anyway, they're a fine example of the pleasant and helpful people in Santa Monica. Despite the traffic, we know we live in paradise.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PYI7HjcKEH0/TXnH82mZY-I/AAAAAAAAAaI/hZ2AujHgpW8/s1600/P3090044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PYI7HjcKEH0/TXnH82mZY-I/AAAAAAAAAaI/hZ2AujHgpW8/s400/P3090044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groovy Wheels</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I love this bike. It was locked to a parking meeter in front of </span><a href="http://www.realfood.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Real Food Daily</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> on Santa Monica Blvd., a casual restaurant with a vegetarian menu. Hallalujah!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i0IyIoB4VFc/TXnHjVgl6xI/AAAAAAAAAZE/IM4-tmuwF2o/s1600/IMG_1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i0IyIoB4VFc/TXnHjVgl6xI/AAAAAAAAAZE/IM4-tmuwF2o/s400/IMG_1243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of a Beautiful Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The final delight was to meet Steve and Taylor for dinner and a long awaited get together at </span><a href="http://www.bistroofsantamonica.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Bistro of Santa Monica</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> -- which accommodates the vegan in me and my friend's taste for wild salmon. The other attractive thing about Bistro of Santa Monica, is that they don't pump loud music at the dinners. I love me some rock and roll but not when I'm trying to hear my friends talk. Instead they have a pianist who tinkled quiet arrangements of pop music with an easy listening twist. Sean was our delightful and handsome young waiter who tended to our every need flawlessly although we constantly teased him. At one point we all were laughing so loud the gentle and pleasant owner ambled back to our table. He was smiling but I had the sneaking suspicion he was about to make us eat at separate tables. We must have quieted down enough so he didn't make us move. I had Insalata Contadina (tomatoes, roasted bell pepper, baby onion, grilled eggplant, celery heart and fresh basil) that was huge and perfectly delicious. For dessert I had a luscious Raspberry sorbet, Taylor had the warm bread pudding and Steve had an sinful chocolate item. I don't know about them but my food was great.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">It was a beautiful day. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div></div>SantaMonicaDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717325670543925257noreply@blogger.com0