The Squaring of Santa Monica

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. 

A beautiful day at the Santa Monica beach.

Santa Monica state of mind captured!

Santa Monica summer sky

Optometrist's clever window display! 

I don't know what these are but they're lovely.

Farmer's Market Birds of Paradise

Tiles on Santa Monica's City Hall entrance display the color and movement of Santa Monica.

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, Frank J. Gruber's clear-eyed, practical observations about urban development in his book "Urban Worrier", I adjusted my opinion -- a bit. 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. 

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.

Here, the trees capture the breezes.

Paths that lead to a sense of place.

Reminders from an earlier era that utilities don't have to be utilitarian in design.

The moody Santa Monica marine layer 

The starfish are sultry and alluring.

Cyclists customize their ride in the joyfulness of Santa Monica.

Santa Monica winks good night.

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. 

House on the west side of 11th near Wilshire Blvd.

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). 


In Santa Monica, the ARB gives, among other things, final approval for the physical look and style of new buildings. I'm sure that's a great over-simplification of the ARB's responsibility.  The process for final design approval is 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.  

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. 

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.

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). 

A more recent variation on what's going in on the NE corner of Lincoln Blvd., and Broadway

Almost finished high-rise box with puke green horizontal stripes under construction on NW corner of Broadway and 9th (referred to above).

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). 

Square, square and more square blah.

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!

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. 

Ooooh, how clever: squares and rectangles now with balconies.

This is a little more interesting with a mirrored facade and shadow-making angles. 

Oh, and here's the very expensive, much anticipated, new, and not-so-much-improved Santa Monica Mall:

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.  

SE corner of Broadway and 6th

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!).

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.  

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: 

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).  

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. 

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.


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. 

Santa Monica Roses

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.  

I wonder if this is called a peppermint candy rose.  What ever it is, it's stunning!

A little blurry but luscious red RED rose in a garden on 10th St.

Achieving Bike-Friendliness

Pretty, Sparkling Bikes!

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 Los Angeles City Planning Commission & Alexis Lantz, Planning and Policy Director for Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, will discuss the Los Angeles City Bicycle Master Plan, 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!)

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. 

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.  

June 8, 2011 5:30pm-7:30pm 

Environment Now

2515 Wilshire BoulevardSanta Monica, CA 90403 (I have no idea about parking; I plan to take the bus).

RSVP to speakerseries@environmentnow.org 

All Things Bright and Bicycle Related

      

Santa Monica Ride

The Santa Monica City Council is making strong efforts to 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!

Santa Monica Beach Ready-to-Rides

Last Friday I attended an "I Am Santa Monica" 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. 


I've seen an increasing number of cyclists in Santa Monica.  I know one resident/attorney/journalist/author, Frank Gruber (author of "Urban Worrier" and the "What I Say" column for Surf Santa Monica) 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.

New bike posts (on Broadway) to secure our wheels.

For those Santa Monicans interested in supporting the "better bicycling" efforts being made, you may want to contact various members of the Santa Monica Planning Commission and City Council or attend the meetings to make public comments.  A plan has already started to take shape but community input is invaluable and vitally important.  Or, you may want to join/support Santa Monica Spoke, 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. 

Cycling up the California Incline - not for the weak-thighed.

It's important to note that riding on the sidewalks -- although seemingly safer to the rider -- is illegal in Santa Monica.  

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.  

Cycling the pedestrian bridge over PCH.

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.

My bike (now residing in Rancho Cordova). 

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.

I’d like to cycle Santa Monica again.  I'm an advocate for an integrated approach to make Santa Monica safe for all traffic.  Everyone has their own point of view but, 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 and 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.

Bikes galore for rent.

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. 

L A Times Opinion Piece:Contempt for firefighters won't solve L.A.'s budget mess

I read an article in today's L A Times' "Opinion L.A." section: "Contempt for firefighters won't solve L.A.'s budget mess".  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. 

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. 


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.  


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.


Commenters, here's what I do know about firefighters:


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. 


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. 


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.  


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.  


Firefighters perform a life-or-death service to the communities in which they Serve with a capital "S". 


Firefighters often miss important family events in order to serve a community that doesn't even know their names. 


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.  


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.

Santa Monica Critters

One of the delightful graces of Santa Monica are the critters, the pets, the wildlife, the winged creatures great and small. 

Wild Critters having fun while the real critter watches for Trick-or-Treaters

Shiba Inu pup outside Von's is not ready for her close-up.

Grey Hound hard at work.

"Get-me-outta-here!" kitty.

Community splash next to the Santa Monica jail.

Nikka (left) and Turbo on "Squirrel!" watch.

BIG Hello Kitty watching the holiday cemetery.

Hello Kitty and Pez friends.

How much is the Hello Kitty in the window?

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.  

Resident Turkey

 I wonder how many residents or visitors of Santa Monica know there's an aquarium under the pier?

Moray Eel with something to say... (Santa Monica Museum)

Stingless Ray (?) (Santa Monica Aquarium)

Star Fish in a dramatic pose (Santa Monica Aquarium)

Crab critter (Santa Monica Aquarium)

Birds of Paradise critters.

Waiting while "Mom" shops.

Brown Poodle buddy.

Garden critters and...

more Garden Critters

Santa Monica Sunday

The relatively recently opened Annenberg Community Beach House 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.  

Marion Davies' Beach House begun in 1926.

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 Santa Monica Conservancy 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). 


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.  


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 Steve Vaught 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.   

As I recall, the salmon-colored house in the center is a house of interest but I don't recall who makes it "interesting".

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). 

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. 

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.

 Photos of one of the two restored bathrooms in the Guest House.

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.

View from the beach-facing 2nd floor balcony. 

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. 

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.   


I'll take better photos next time. There's much I didn't photograph which deserves to be seen and shared.