9 Days is a Lot of Travel Time

Over the last nine days since I last posted, I've spent a lot of my waking hours working on the early stages of fighting an illogical freeway tunnel. Some time in the future I'll get into more detail about this crazy idea of a Congressman from Pasadena. For now, though, I think I need to catch up to a convoy in front of me.

This convoy story, however, really starts back in 1913 with Carl Fisher and the founding of what would become the Lincoln Highway Association. It then led to Dwight D. Eisenhower's experience as Colonel taking part in a convoy in 1919 across the United States, following the Father Road. The Lincoln Highway, Yellowstone Trail, and the Good Roads Movement in general led to the creation of the United States Highway System. This, in turn, combined with Eisenhower's experiences in 1919, led to today's Dwight D. Eisenhower Interstate and Defense Highway System, our modern freeways (think those blue and red shields with white numbers and text).

All of this history, though, is being relived through one simple convoy. And nine days ago I commented about it. In the nine days since, this convoy has gone a long way.

On Sunday, June 21, they were in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

It was in Logan, Iowa on June 23.

Yesterday, Wednesday June 24, the convoy wove its way from Jefferson, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska.

From Omaha it "will make it's way through Grand Island on June 25. It is also expected to be in Ogallala on the 27th." (Which also means that today it should go through Columbus, Iowa.)

The North Platte Telegraph discusses the convoy's pending arrival tomorrow with a pretty good article.

This Saturday they will be in Laramie, Wyoming.

The convoy is being organized by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. It began on June 13 in Washington DC and is scheduled to conclude in San Francisco on July 8. (Any kind readers in the San Francisco area that can be there when the convoy rolls in, I would LOVE some good photos!)

1919 Convoy retraced

Lots of news yesterday regarding the re-creation of the convoy of 1919 that crossed the Lincoln Highway. The convoy included a young Dwight D. Eisenhower and was meant to test the durability and usability of America's roads. (They failed miserably.) The convoy was seen as a boost to the Good Roads Movement, and paved the way (pun completely intendend) for Eisenhower's role in the Interstate Highway System.

KDKA / WPCD in Pittsburgh had this on their website: "The convoy in 1919, a year after the end of World War I, was aimed at demonstrating the need for a mechanized army and better highways, and to test newly developed vehicles under arduous conditions. Officials also wanted to find out how difficult it would be to move an army across the United States in the event of an attack on the West Coast."

This in the Salem News: "That route is the famed Lincoln Highway and the convoy is being held in conjunction with the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission's celebration of the 200th birthday of our 16th President in June/July 2009."

This from WYTV: "Don Elzer is the President of the East Palestine Area Chamber. He tells us, 'In 1919 East Palestine was sort of the center of the auto industry and the rubber industry.'"

And the Ada Herald says: "This means that this special convoy of antique military vehicles will cross St. Rt. 68 approximately three miles south of Arlington (or one mile north of old Rt. 30 at Williamstown) Interested individuals are invited to come out to the intersection, bringing their lawn chairs, cameras and flags to wave as the vehicles pass by."

The Van Wert Times Bulletin gives more historical information. Commenting on the original convoy in 1919 it states "The convoy started with 80 vehicles and 280 officers. The three-mile group moved so slowly that the final vehicle did not move until two hours after the first had left."




Obviously, all of this is important to me not only for its role in the Good Roads Movement, but also for following the path of the Father Road, the Lincoln Highway. Hopefully I can make a trek up to San Francisco and see the convoy at its end around July 8. More information on the convoy can be found here.

I'm Tired

I'm just really sick of hearing this one thing over and over and over. So I have to say this publicly, even though it has absolutely NOTHING to do with my blog:

John McCain has not been, is not now, and never will be, "my friend."




Bob Barr for President!

Ridge Route News

Two pieces of Ridge Route news, both found here. The first is the cleanup that is starting in about 30 minutes. Needless to say, I won't make that. But the second piece of news is a week away, and hopefully I will be able to make it up there for this:

"Dedication of the Ridge Route as a California Historic Civil Engineering Landmark 10 a.m. East Corner Parking Lot, Vista del Lago Visitor’s Center, on I-5 halfway between Gorman and Castaic. Public invited, coffee and donuts served."

Hooray for .... Echo Park?

The American Planning Association selected Los Angeles' Echo Park community as one of the 10 Greatest Places to Live in the US. A local blog about Echo Park here comments on its virtues. This blog contains some nice photos of Echo Park. And here the Earth Times has the press release.


Surprisingly (or not), there is no mention of Route 66 passing through this community, and being one of the reasons why Echo Park was able to become a "suburb" of Los Angeles. Oh well.

More Gambling on the Lincoln?

It seems that after winning the struggle against a casino outside of Gettysburg on the Lincoln Highway that perhaps now we're facing another gambling facility outside the traditional gambling areas of Atlantic City along the Lincoln.

US 80 - Dixie Highway

Nice article here about an area near Dallas along old US-80.

Yellowstone Trail / 212

Nice article here on the Yellowstone Trail.

Bush's Sewage

OK, I know that I am WAY off topic on this post, but I HAD to comment on this. An article in the LA Times discusses a plan to rename a sewage treatment plant after our current dictator-president. In it is this quote:

***
"These silly stunts provide no benefit to a city that has its share of serious problems," said Hector Barajas, a spokesman for the California Republican Party. "I don't find the humor in spending government time and money on issues of no significance. It's downright foolish."
***


I have to ask Mr. Barajas what the difference is between this and naming AND SIGNING a freeway as a "memorial highway" and that has been done literally thousands of times in California along over the last few years. So what's wrong with this?

Marine Scenic Highway?

Interesting idea in Washington includes a MARINE scenic highway.

Still Celebrating 70 Years

The Merritt Parkway just keeps showing up on the web on a daily basis. An article here discusses the Merritt's 70th Birthday and also links to an online exhibit.

Extremely Sad News

I received word today from Kevin Hansel of the California Historic Route 66 Association that his longtime love and traveling companion, Lucie McMurtie, passed away today after a long battle with cancer. Lucie was known and loved up and down the Mother Road for her positive spirits and wonderful smile. She was also a regional director for the Scoliosis Association.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Kevin and all of their family. We know that her spirit is smiling down on us from heaven tonight, watching over us all, and especially on those traveling the road less traveled.

We'll miss you, Ms. Route 66!

Even More Merritt

An article here this morning on the Merritt Parkway / Route 7 interchange. Further delays, these now caused by the local residents deciding that they do, in fact, want to be involved in the decision-making process after all. This despite the process having been ongoing for so long with so much involvement previously, including the lawsuit by the Merritt Parkway Conservancy that led to the agreed-upon cloverleaf design. While I feel for the locals who wish to minimize the design's impact on the local wetlands, environment, and community, I really wonder where they had been over the last several YEARS while this whole debate has been going on.

And another article here on the 70th birthday of the Merritt.

Interesting List

of top drives in the US. I can't agree too much on any top drives list that includes superslabs, but I guess this is why these are considered opinions.

For me, I'd have to include these as my favorites, I think:

Route 66 in Los Angeles County
Ridge Route
US-395
Lincoln Highway in Nebraska
Pacific Coast Highway in Southern Oregon

Merritt Parkway Book

Discovered this this morning, a free preview of a book about the Merritt Parkway. Looks pretty interesting.

LHA Conference report

Article here about the Lincoln Highway and the recent LHA conference.

National Scenic Byway Arroyo Seco Parkway

Wow! What an article by Peter Greenberg about the ONLY National Scenic Byway to be fully contained in a metropolitan area anywhere in the country. This article highlights a portion of the Mother Road, and a segment of 66 that I absolutely love. It is good to see that others - including internationally renowned travel authors - are seeing the same things! And congratulations to my friends Amy Inouye at Future Studios and John Nese at Soda Pop Stop for mentions in the article!

"Panning for Gold Line Funds ..."

This article in the LA Times today indicates the hurdles that extended the Gold Line east from Pasadena (the northern portion of the route) faces. It also notes Los Angeles Mayor Antonio "I'm-A-Liar" Villaraigosa's importance on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's board.

The article states "His press office declined to say how he would vote on the Gold Line, although he's expressed support for the project in the past." I'd like to point out that Villaraigosa has also stated publicly the following:

He promised to serve out his entire four-year term when elected to City Council. Two years later, he left his post when elected Mayor.

He promised to hold the Autry to the fire to keep the Southwest Museum open as a museum on Mount Washington. He has since joined the Autry National Center to create a farce of a "blue-ribbon committee" called the Southwest Society, which has no fund-raising members, no Autry Board members, and no public statements of purpose or funding. In fact, there is nothing public about this "Society" and no plans or agenda from them or the Autry to keep the Southwest Museum open, let alone open as a museum.

Mayor Villaraigosa has also been caught saying "Campaign promises are not meant to be kept."

So while he has publicly supported the Gold Line extension through the San Gabriel Valley in the past, I doubt he will do so when the time actually comes, and the MTA Board will have missed another opportunity to do the right thing and expand mass transit in Southern California. Until that expansion takes place, gridlock and congestion will continue in Southern California, as few people are willing to take a mass transit system that does not get you where you want to go.

Ridge Route Presentation

Ridge Route expert Harrison Scott will be giving a presentation in September. I'm anxious to see him speak as I have not seen a presentation by him before. Information can be found here and it's a great link in that it even links to mass transit options for getting there!

Beer and 66 DO Mix

See, there is a tie between the two! And all this time so many of you thought I was crazy!

The Confluence

Found this online this morning that discusses the future of the Confluence. The Confluence is the area in Los Angeles where the Los Angeles River meets the Arroyo Seco. It is also where the Construction, Alternate, and Bypass Alignments of Route 66 all cross. It is an area that I have termed "the nest" due to its complex arrangements and rearrangements of roadway in this area.

Ambassador Foreclosure

The foreclosure crisis seems to have even reached the ultra-hip setting of Old Pasadena. Both the LA Times and Pasadena Star-News reported today that the project to redevelop part of the old Ambassador College site just at the outskirts of Old Pasadena has gone into foreclosure, AND that the adjacent senior housing development has been put on hold (it no longer even appears on Sunrise Senior Living's website!). This should have no effect on the Harvest Rock Church, however, keeping with the original religious theme of the college and allowing the Auditorium at least to continue to stand.

No worries, though. Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard assures us that the urban village associated with the project will still move forward, and that "I don't see any particular critical need to develop on the property now [rather] than, say, five years from now." Of course not, Bill. It's been sitting idle for how long now? What's another five, ten, twenty years? Besides, you've got all that box development (and here and here and here [ok, I HAD to do that!]) happening in your city. Who needs character? And hey, you've got the Scientologists moving into Old Town anyway, so when Tom Cruise starts showing up, the city will have plenty more tax money coming in with all the gawking fans looking for him.

Ah yes, it's nice to be home in Glassell Park, no longer a resident of the once-resort Pasadena.

Antigua Coffee Shop to Close

I received this email this morning as part of the NELA List that I belong to. Note, it is NOT edited by me an any way:

BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE
Good Bye El Sereno

I have good news and bad news, I'll start with the bad. We are getting evicted or just simply not being granted a contract extension, why? The property owners have decided they rather lease the complex to "another" group. "You have made this place into a happy socialist center"…and I quote was one of the comments from the property team. On the bright side, at least we`re "Happy"…and for the "socialist" part I think they mean social, community and culture.

Either way, after 6 months of negotiating and shady false promises, they have decided to move along with another tenant. Really, there is nothing we can do but rant, kick and scream. I rather find solutions and respect the decision.

After all, Antigua Cultural Coffee House existed for 3 solid years and will resonate through Huntington Drive (Historic route 66) for the coming months, memories of this great community establishment will rise and shine throughout the day and night. We
became the spot, the place where students and community members escaped their daily routine and network with others. The home of hundreds of individuals who found a safe haven away from home. The perfect location to study and not fear being kick out by some maniac business owner, instead it was the place where you were acknowledged
and praise.

The organizing center for immigrant rights, resource center for community events, meeting place, campaign semi head quarters for progressive candidates.

Three student films where filmed on location and a pilot for HBO, LATV did a show here at Antigua! ... Google Antigua Coffee House you'll see our accomplishments.

Poetry nights became comedy nights, somehow the dynamics intermingled to cause such an effect. The best darn gallery in El Sereno. The best and most beautiful customer base ever!

Antigua Cultural Coffee house became a household name, it was a destination. We were voted "Best" by some of the most acclaimed news agencies in the city, the envy of the West side, the pride and joy of the East side.

We are Antigua Cultural Coffee House. We should be incredibly proud of what we have built. We are the community leader of Specialty Coffee. And, believe me when I tell you, we are just getting started.

We will overcome the difficult and humbling challenges we face, and will be stronger for it. You have my word on that.

We are the neighborhood entrepreneurial, we are the community service center, we are the conscious innovation, and we definitely reject the Status Quo.

We are the coffee that brings people together everyday to cultivate conversation and community. WE ARE…. ANTIGUA CULTURAL COFFEE HOUSE…..

On a bright note, the Cypress Park store will finally open in the summer....I'll keep you posted on the date.

For the time being, our last weeks will be full of surprises and special guest musicians... Lets celebrate the final countdown....we ask our hardcore customers to enjoy our last days and to spread the news to others. Three weeks left.....
-Yancey

END FORWARDED MESSAGE



I've been to Antigua only a couple of times. It was a wonderful little spot with some pretty darn good coffee. And I'm not easy to please with my coffee choices. It's a shame that this location has to close. Hopefully the Cypress Park location will be pretty near to Route 66. I know it will be closer to my new home, so that is promising. My best wishes to Yancey and the crew on having as much success in Cypress Park as they did in El Sereno, if not more!

Southern California Congestion

An article in the LA Times discusses our lack of transportation improvements in Souhtern California. I'd like to add that growing out instead of up has not helped our ability to use what little mass transportation is available in the area. Hopefully that will start to change now that the price of gasoline is finally coming in line with European pricing and people in this country are starting to take notice of how fuel-inefficient their Hummers are.

Braley Building - Old Pasadena

Although not on Route 66 directly, the Pasadena Star-News reports today on the Church of Scientology's lack of progress on rehabilitation and preservation of the historic Braley Building in Old Pasadena. This building sits on South Raymond, sandwiched between Arroyo Parkway and Fair Oaks, two alignments of Route 66. It is extremely close to the Castle Green, a National Register of Historic Places landmark with immediate ties to 66 in its expansive location.

I find it pretty repulsive that the "church" removed its tenants so quickly when they were providing additional pedestrian traffic and interest to an area of Old Pasadena that also includes my beloved pub, Lucky Baldwin's. Then to let the building sit vacant in a high-visibility location for so long is just a shame and a waste. But I think it will be very interesting to see how the "church" plans on incorporating their goals and tactics into a highly trendy, high-pedestrian, yet touristy area of retail establishments. (The rendition of how it will look here seems to be pretty close to what it looked like before they stopped doing upkeep on the building.)

Best Donuts

Number two on the list in LA is on Route 66 in Glendora, and another lies just off the highway on Sunset near Santa Monica Boulevard.

Southport CT - US1

Preservation issue just off US-1 in Southport, CT, noted here.

Waterman / Smithville RI Tavern

Article here about an 18th century tavern along US-44 in Rhode Island that might be torn down soon. (I hope it's not to make room for a Walgreens!)

National Road in Ohio

Good article here on the National Road in Ohio.

Save 101

Good article here about US-101 in northern San Diego County, including a reference to John Daley and the 101 Cafe.

Ir'vs Burgers in print

I was pleased to read this morning that Irv's Burgers - a walk-up hamburger joint on Route 66 / Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood - has been included in Hamburger America: A State-by-State Guide to 100 Great Burger Joints.

Irv's was embroiled in a preservation battle a few years ago. Through the work of the "Burger Brigade" (with some assistance from the Route 66 community), Irv's was spared the wrecking ball. Historical and Cultural Landmark status was wonderful. Being considered one of the best 100 burgers joints in the country is outsanding. Congratulations, Sonia!

Rancho Cucamonga to see more Changes?

Could another major change come to Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga? Are we now literally at the end of an era, with the last field along 66 in the Inland Empire about to be plowed under? I'm going to guess that the City of Rancho Cucamonga will add to their ill-designed, 50's-and-fins-wannabe design along Foothill by removing the field and allowing the design of a generic, block-like building with little architectural appeal and cheap building materials and labor. In other words, a little bit of Pasadena in Rancho Cucamonga.

Small Town 66 in Los Angeles County

I found this article interesting in its discussions of what is WRONG with Old Pasadena, a view that I largely share.

Merritt interchange back to drawing board?

This article in the Stamford Advocate indicates that all parties were not adequately involved in the planning process on the Merritt Parkway / Route 7 interchange project and that residens of Silvermine "were not part of the conversation." It seems to me that there has been PLENTY of public comment period on this project by now, and that's why the Merritt Parkway Conservancy was so active in getting the DOT to redesign their initially flawed design in the first place. So, sorry Silvermine residents, but if you are so concerned about it, where were you during all of the public comment periods?

Senator Duff goes on in this article to say "When I came to the public meeting on March 18 and supported the option D ramp compromise, my assumption was that all parties had been consulted, especially residents in the Silvermine area of Norwalk." Evidently, even Duff has no idea what is going on in his own district, and did not care enough in the first place to get his own constituency involved in the discussions.

So, here's my solution for the reisdents of Silvermine and Senator Duff: file a lawsuit to block the interchange, like the Conservancy did. Let the judge again send all parties back to the drawing board, and let the interchange stay the way it currently is even longer. (Hey, the Conservancy folks won't mind letting the Parkway continue in its current historic state, will they?!)

More on the Merritt

And more notations today on the Merritt interchange resolution. On this one I've already added my two cents' worth. This one is the news story.

Get Your Kicks on Route 31!

No, it doesn't sound quite the same. But I will say that reading this article makes me sure that what I say about Route 66 is correct: the only difference between the Mother Road and the rest of the historic highways in America is that 66 was the path to Hollywood, from which authors wrote books about it, TV stars made shows and movies about it, and composers wrote songs about it. If it weren't for that, we could easily be getting our kicks on Route 31 in Michigan.

World's Best Drives

I found this via a google alert this morning. The top two "best drives" noted here are both (at least partially) in California. Pretty cool! I guess I need to hit 17-mile drive soon, since I skipped that when I went up the coast before. But as for Route 66, 10 days to do the entire journey? Really?

US-40 in St. Loius

I'm not sure what the project is that resulted in the closure of this section of US-40 in St. Louis, but this was an enjoyable read nonetheless. Having walked the Arroyo Seco Parkway in Los Angeles I completely understand the author's feelings about getting to enjoy a place that you drive regularly at a much slower pace!

Parkway Pics

My wife found this for me this morning. Interesting photos that I had not seen before. I've already added my comments there, so I do not need to post them here, too.

More Merritt - Interchange Designs

The new designs for the Merritt / Route 7 interchange are scheduled to be unveiled next month. This after more than a year of the Connecticut DOT meeting with the Merritt Parkway Conservancy to alter their original hideous designs. It sounds, though, as if the Main Avenue bridge will be altered no matter what, though. (Check this site out for some detailed images on the bridges.)

Rialto to Take Control of 66

The article in the Press Enterprise can be found here.

Guthriesville (PA) General Store

It seems that the above mentioned store is generating a little controversy in preservation circles. I found a couple of things interesting about this article. First, the Army Corps of Engineers is having a closed-door, invitation-only meeting to discuss the future of this store. I find the legality of such a meeting to be questionable, personally, and would question its intent if I were active in preservation in that area. (The store, by the way, is located here.)

Second, I noticed that the author's last name was Rittenhouse, and immediately thought of Jack Rittenhouse, the author of the "A Guidebook to Highway 66" published in 1946.

Lewis and Clark Landmark

The Great Falls Tribune reports that the Montana Historic Preservation Review Board is asking for protection of a nationally noted Lewis and Clark site to be preserved. Read more here.

LA River Bridges

Found this article in the Los Angeles Times about the preservation of the Los Angeles River bridges. I BELIEVE that the 11 includes the Buena Vista Viaduct, or Broadway Bridge, which was part of Route 66 from 1926-1936. Surprisingly, though, the article never lists what the 11 bridges are!

LA Freeways

Found this article interesting. However, I think that there are a couple of freeways east of the Mississippi River that would argue the comment that LA is "home to the first freeway ever." And let's not even comment on at least one in Germany's thoughts of that statement! More information on the proposed park plan can be found here, and includes information about a meeting on Saturday, January 26 at Selma Elementary School.

Endangered Places

Found this link about the most endangered historic places of 2007 and ways to help, and realized how nicely, quickly, and easily it ties it to Route 66. Well worth the read, including its provided links.

Tours in LA

Anyone looking for a slightly off the wall tour idea for Los ANgeles County whil in the LA area touring 66 should consider Esotouric. Their 2008 schedule can be found in this article and their website is located here.

Three LA Preservation Issues

Been a lot going on regarding the Southwest Museum on several yahoo groups lately. I'll post more on that when time permits, but the struggle to keep the museum alive is heating up.

This article talks about the halting of demolition of the Cocoanut Grove. At least for now.

And this one talks about the Los Angeles Coliseum. If the USC Trojans have their way - at least according to the most recent rhetoric - the Coliseum could be doomed, with no regular tenant to maintain the stadium.

More SWM

Just a quick note that there are a lot of pending activities with the fight to save Los Angeles oldest museum, the Southwest Museum. The SWM, which began 100 years ago in 1907, merged four years ago with the Autry National Center, which has its eyes on the prize of a priceless, extensive collection. The Autry wishes to remove the collection and move it into a new building within Griffith Park. This new building would more than double Autry's already extensive footprint in Griffith Park, and it would total more than FOUR TIMES the space occupied by the well-attended and well-known Griffith Observatory (think of the observatory used in "Rebel Without A Cause").

Furthermore, the Autry pays little more than a $1 per year monthly "rent" to the City of Los Angeles for the space that Col. Griffith G. Griffith deeded to the City with the promise that it would REMAIN GREEN / OPEN SPACE for the residents of Los Angeles. If that legal concern were not enough reason to deny the Autry its request to expand their footprint, there is also the issue that the Autry promised to maintain the Southwest Museum as a fully operational museum, but is now reneging on the promise in the hopes of creating a vague "community center" of some kind that might include "educational opportunities." In other words, not only is the Autry plan not specific enough in creating a museum, THEY ARE NOT EVEN AN ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT!

I mentioned pending activities, and there are two at this time that I can mention. For starters, the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition will be marching in the annual Northeast Los Angeles Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 2. Anyone in the Los Angeles County area who wishes to participate on our behalf can contact me.

Additionally, a benefit fund-raising dinner - and celebration of the birthdays of Ann Walnum and Dan Wright, two extremely active members of the Coalition - will be held at the Ebell Club in Highland Park on Thursday, November 29. Again, anyone requiring additional information can contact me. If you are unable to attend to the dinner but wish to make a donation, again, please contact me and I will provide you with all the necessary information.

The 11th Commandment

Yes, I'm really just looking for an excuse to post in my blog. I admit it. But today, driving home from work on a frustratingly longer-than-it-should-have-been holiday-week kind of day, I came across a guy in a white car with the license plate "KGJMESB." It took a minute, but I realized the reference to the King James Bible. The guy drove north on Arroyo Parkway (Route 66, so I can tie this into historic roads) before then heading east on Green. And all the while, he swerved around traffic a few times, sometimes suddenly and seemingly without caution, in an attempt to speed up his arrival at home. And he never really got that far in front of me.

Which made me think of a slogan I've seen in Route 66 circles before:
Leave Earlier
Drive Slower
Leave Longer

Than slogan can be, to my knowledge, attributed to Bob Waldmire, traveling artist, and a great friend that I haven't seen in far too long.

And I think that slogan should be the 11th Commandment. Especially for those that read the King James Bible and drive in Pasadena. And I hope that he reads this.

LA Cowboy: LA's Broadway Makes Wall Street Journal!

Found this LA Cowboy: LA's Broadway Makes Wall Street Journal! online today. The story became even more interesting after my post

An Open Letter to Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilmember Huizar

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Councilmember Jose Huizar
200 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mr. Villaraigosa and Mr. Huizar, Members of the L.A. City Council

A few weeks ago, a surprise and unpublicized press conference was held by the two of you at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian in Mount Washington. This location – once in your Council District, Mr. Mayor, and now in yours, Mr. Councilmember – has been the site of a long-going preservation struggle in Los Angeles. It is also the home of the oldest museum in Los Angeles and the largest collection of native artifacts outside of the Smithsonian. This location is not only an icon of the internationally-renown Route 66, but also a strong symbol of the history of Los Angeles and indeed all of Southern California.

Yet, at this hurried press conference, the two of you were pleased to announce how you had alienated your constituency. You were seen smiling at the announcement of how you had both ignored the people of Mount Washington, Highland Park, all of Northeast Los Angeles, and even the entire Route 66 community, as you paraded an unenforceable agreement with one employee of the Autry National Center. This “agreement” is counter to the goals of the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition – which you both have publicly stated you supposedly support. It is also an agreement made with John Gray, but with no signatures from the Autry Board.

Even if the Autry’s Board of Directors had signed on to this “agreement,” it would mean nothing. There is no clearly stated plan for the Southwest Museum and related properties in Mount Washington within this agreement. Furthermore, the creation of the “blue-ribbon” committee seems a bit lacking. This committee is envisioned as a fund-raising arm for the Autry for the Southwest Museum. Yet, this committee lacks any individuals with proven fundraising capability. It lacks anyone wealthy enough to make a significant donation individually. And it even lacks ANYONE FROM THE AUTRY!

In the meantime, while the knives are being ground into the backs of the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition, the Autry National Center continues dispensing its vague notions of an unnecessary “cultural center” on Mount Washington, while raping and pillaging the collection and permanently moving it to Griffith Park. Furthermore, the Autry National Center is stealing publicly owned land in Griffith Park at the rate of one dollar per year, while planning a massive expansion within the largest green space in Los Angeles County. This expansion will ensure the permanent closing of the Southwest Museum as a fully operating museum, thus creating the loss of one of Los Angeles’ longest running icons. All the while, the Autry remains unable to fund the expansion in Griffith, and unwilling to fund the continued operation of the Southwest Museum in Mount Washington, despite is proven economic feasibility, as outlined by the Autry’s own architect, Brenda Levin.

Mr. Mayor and Mr. Councilmember, I am deeply saddened by your recent actions. I had expected you, Mr. Mayor, to “yank Autry’s chain,” as you promised before being elected Mayor of Los Angeles. But, as you have said, campaign promises are meaningless, and your complete refusal to act on behalf of your constituents shows how little you care for your own city. Mr. Councilmember, after meeting with fifty representatives of the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition, you promised to work with the Autry National Center to develop an agreement to keep the Southwest Museum in Mount Washington. This agreement that you have publicized is a failure, and so you have failed the residents of Council District 14.

As a resident of the Route 66 community, which has international reach, I lament your willingness to let the Southwest Museum fade away into the past. However, as a member of the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition, I assure you that I will continue to fight for what belongs in Northeast Los Angeles, and what belongs alongside the Mother Road. I will continue to struggle to keep the Southwest Museum in Mount Washington. And I hope that one day in the future, you will both rejoin our ranks.

Sincerely
Scott Piotrowski
Director, 66 Productions

Merritt / Route 7 Interchange

Sounds like progress may be being made on the DOT / Merritt Parkway Conservancy battle over the Route 7 interchange. How much progress, though, one might wonder, after the DOT's original ideas to be like push and "go it alone," without taking into consideration any of the Conservancy's original recommendations and requests.

(And still more can be found here , including some discussion.)

Get Your Kicks - But Where to Sleep

Found this story in the Victorville Daily Press this morning. Interesting read and mentions a couple of nice hotels. But what if you are continuing west to the western-terminus in Downtown Los Angeles? How about staying here in Pasadena? What if your goal is Santa Monica? Try this location about 10 blocks from the western terminus on Ocean Avenue.

Councilmember Huizar Stabs Constituents' Backs

--- In nelalist@yahoogroups.com, nelalist wrote:

[posted by Daniel Wright, Pres. Mount Washington Homeowners Alliance]

INVESTIGATION BY BOULEVARD SENTINEL REVEALS MAYOR, HUIZAR, AUTRY
PRESS CONFERENCE TIGHTLY CONTROLLED TO EXCLUDE NORTHEAST COMMUNITY
MEMBERS

On Thursday, September 27, 2007, the Mayor, Councilmember Jose
Huizar, and the Autry Museum officials conducted a splashy press
conference with radio, television, and print media at the Southwest
Museum. Guards at both the bottom and top of the hill only allowed
"approved persons" up the hill to the Museum. At this event, based
supposedly on a July 2007 meeting Councilmember Huizar had with the
leaders of the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition,
Councilmember Huizar claimed "tough negotiating" with Autry officials
had resulted in a "victory" for the community. Ironically, none of
the people for whom Huizar had obtained this "victory" were allowed
to attend this event in front of television cameras.

Also at this event, the Mayor announced the formation of the
"Southwest Society" a new organization to be convened by the Autry
that supposedly will raise money only for the rehabilitation of the
Southwest Museum building. This fund raising committee for the
Southwest Museum building consists of other Democratic elected
officials who appear to have been misled into agreeing to be part of
it. Unlike the fund raising committee for the restoration of the
Griffith Park Observatory, or construction of Disney Hall, the
Mayor's committee for the Southwest Museum has no wealthy people
sitting on it. It is just a list of people, most of whom are known to
be political supporters of the Mayor.

The time has come for a public discussion of how this Press
Conference was deliberately intended to mislead the Los Angeles press
to believe the Southwest Museum was being saved when in fact, the
Autry, now with the express assistance of City of Los Angeles some of
the elected officials who made election promises to keep the
Southwest Museum in the Arroyo Seco, continues its effort to steal
the collection of the Southwest Museum away to its own building in
Griffith Park.

THE BOULEVARD SENTINAL'S INVESTIGATION IS AN EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT OF
WHAT HAPPENED. HERE IS THE NEWSPAPER'S REPORT:

At a press event held at the Southwest Museum on Thursday, September
27, Autry officials, City officials, and carefully selected community
members announced the formation of the "Southwest Society, " a blue
ribbon committee created to help raise funds to restore and
revitalize the Southwest Museum and Casa Adobe.

Mayor Villaraigosa, Councilmember Huizar and John Gray were there and
announced that, according to the Mayor, as a result of, a "very, very
tough negotiation" with the Autry by Councilmember Huizar, that the
community scored a huge victory. (more on that at the end of this
story)

Huizar said, "For years, the community and the Autry have been sizing
each other up, trying to figure out whether or not (the merging of
the Autry and the Southwest Museum) was a match that will fit. But
today marks a turning point, thankfully, in that relationship. Today
we proudly stand shoulder to shoulder ... in support of one simple
shared vision, to make the Southwest Museum and the Casa de Adobe
into a living, thriving destination."

The merging or acquisition of the Southwest Museum by the Gene Autry
Museum of the American West in 2002(?), has been accompanied by
conflict and controversy from the start. Activists in Mt. Washington
and the surrounding neighborhoods have feared that, at the worst, the
museum's vast collection of priceless Native American and
southwestern United States artifacts would be permanently taken away
and the Southwest Museum building would be razed to build
condominiums.

The Autry has made many promises as to the preservation and planned
use of the Southwest Museum site, but activists say they have gone
back on their word again and again.

Over the last five years, first, Antonio Villaraigosa, and then Jose
Huizar, were campaigning for Councilman and then Mayor, both swore
allegiances to back the community in what by then had turned into a
real fight between the community and the Autry.

Over the course of these few years, the community activists organized
themselves into the "Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition," and
boasted membership of 78 community organizations. They sometimes got
into battles in the press, occasionally a little nasty, which
prompted Mayor Villaraigosa to ask them both for a gag agreement, a
request to step back and hold the public comments for a six month
period.

In the summer of 2006, public input meetings were held to gather the
opinions and desires of people throughout the city of Los Angeles,
regarding the Southwest Museum and its collection. Early this summer,
Councilman Huizar hosted a meeting of community members representing
50 organizations in the "friends" coalition.

He says that he took these members' wishes into negotiations with the
Autry, and using them, came up with the agreement, the "huge
victory," he spoke of today.

What the Autry agreed to was to: (details removed for brevity)

* Expand and maintain the storage and public display of the Southwest
Museum's Collections in Mt. Washington.

* Preserve and protect the Southwest Collection of priceless
Artifacts.

* Preserve, rehabilitate and maintain the original historic Southwest
Museum Building and the Casa de Adobe.

* Expand the educational and programming activities of the Southwest
Museum and Casa de Adobe.

* Keep community members and stakeholders well-informed on plans and
programming at the Southwest Museum and Casa de Adobe.

* Autry National Center fundraising for the Southwest Museum and Casa
de Adobe.

The press event on this day sort of caught me by surprise, as I
received the telephone call telling me of the event only a few hours
before it was to take place. I expected to see all the local
activists, and members of the coalition that I see at all the
Southwest Museum events.

As I entered the driveway to the Southwest Museum, I was greeted by
two security guards, and saw at least two signs stating that the
location was closed for a "private" event. I told the man my name and
after he checked over his list, he sent me up the driveway. At the
top of the driveway I was again stopped by the guard who again
checked my name against a list.

As I entered the courtyard, I scanned all the attendees. The crowd
showed some definitely conspicuous gaps in representation. All the
"friends" coalition members were missing. Most of the only community
members there were the ones who had left the coalition. Let me
explain.

The very experienced and active "friends" coalition had previously
been tight knit, and completely aligned. They met and tried to
negotiate with the Autry every week for months. In June, the very
savvy and vocal chairman of the coalition resigned. That was Eliot
Sekular. He said he resigned over an "expansion" plan that remaining
members of the coalition were trying to force on the Autry. He
thought that the plan, and a last resort threat to litigate the
matter, would be counter productive to the future of negotiations.
Carol Jaques, Tony Scudellari, and Natalie Seaman evidently agreed,
as they followed suit, deciding to put 100% of their hopes for the
museum squarely on the shoulders of the Mayor and Councilman who had
promised to help. Eliot, as vice president of the Arroyo Seco
Neighborhood Council, took it before that board, recommending they
change their position to support his, instead of the coalition's.
They decided to stay with the coaltion.

But at this event, there were no coalition members there, only the
ones who had left the coalition, and decided to align with Sekular
and company.

I thought they might have been intentionally kept out of the loop. I
snuck away from the courtyard and visited the man at the top of the
driveway who had a copy of the guest list. After persuading him to
let me see it, I looked over every name. Sure enough, not one
coalition member that was still fighting the Autry was on that list.
They were not invited. If they had tried to get in, I'm sure they
would have been turned away.

I went back into the courtyard just as José asked for questions from
the press.

"José, were the critical coalition members were not on the guest
list. Were they intentionally kept out?"

"They probably took it upon themselves not to attend," he replied.

As I left I asked the security guard at the bottom of the driveway if
he had let in anyone who was not on the list.

"No," he replied with a quizzical look.

I was sure that coalition members, still critical of the Autry, were
intentionally kept out. I started calling around to double check.
Coalition founders Nicole Possert and Ann Walnum knew nothing of the
event. Highland Park Heritage Trust leaders Charlie Fisher and Ann
Marie Wozniak knew nothing of the event. Historic Highland park
Neighborhood Council President Heinrich Keiffer was kept in the dark,
too.

I believe now that this press event was intentionally a stacked deck.
It was designed to convince the press that everyone was now in
agreement, and that the fight was over. From what I have learned that
is far from true.

The latest news is that comments to the 1000 page environmental
impact report for the Autry's expansion plans in Griffith Park were
filed just in time last month by coalition members. In those pages
are statements declaring that there are no plans to use the "Arroyo
Seco Campus." Coalition leaders plan to meet next week to discuss
their options about what to do next. They still want the Southwest
Museum to be the main venue for displaying the Southwest Collection.

New Southwest Society members believe they should give the Autry a
chance to do what they promise. They think that the latest plan is
acceptable, but caution that they will protest strongly if the Autry
tries to go back on its word.

Although Mayor Antonio had stated that Councilman Huizar had come out
a winner in hard fought negotiations with the Autry, Autry personnel
did not have an answer when I asked them exactly what José had won
that was not already offered last year.

Councilman Huizar sent this answer to that same question:

"One of the best elements of the agreement I secured from the Autry
was the commitment to keep the artifacts of the Southwest Collection
on display at the Southwest Museum on a rotating basis. Over time,
the public will have the opportunity to view most of the priceless
collection. Having rotating exhibits will help ensure that visitors
will come back over and over again to this great museum to see what
is new on display.

Additionally, the Autry has now committed to being transparent with
the community as the rehabilitation of the building and the
collection progresses.

Overall, I am very pleased to have such a clear, specific vibrant
vision for the future of the Southwest Museum outlined publicly and
in writing. The dynamic of this relationship has changed and we are
now able to move forward towards our shared vision of this cherished
Museum."

I asked coalition members if the two items listed, rotating exhibits
and transparency with the rehab process was something that was a new
victory.

They said, "We don't see anything different from what the Autry's
been doing all along."

-- END OF THE BOULEVARD SENTINEL STORY --

ANALYSIS:

The press conference was substantially misleading to the press and
the public to whom the press reported the story. Leaders of the
Friends of the Southwest Museum, who represent the thousands of
people who have signed petitions demanding the City maintain the
Southwest Museum in the Arroyo Seco, were not invited to the Press
Conference because Autry did not want the truth to be known: Huizar's
"victory" is the same plan announced by Autry last year with a couple
of insignificant embellishments and the Mayor's fund raising
committee does not exist for the purpose of raising funds to keep the
Southwest Museum, as a museum, at its current location.

The corruption of the City's planning and environmental review
processes will now be graphically symbolized by the proposed
unnecessary loss of the Southwest Museum, this City's first and most
historic museum. The control of the City's planning and
environmental processes by lobbyists and moneyed institutions are so
complete that our elected officials, who expressly campaigned on
promises to retain the Southwest Museum at the Arroyo Seco site, have
been apparently offered something more enticing than the votes of
Northeast residents: political assistance and campaign contributions
to fuel their step up to the next political office.

Will our elected officials spit on the bones of their Native
southwestern ancestors housed in the Southwest Museum in exchange for
their own raw political ambition? Will the people of Los Angeles
allow the literal piracy of the Southwest Museum's collection for the
ambition of the Autry Museum? The time has come for a public
discussion of these important public issues as the Autry races to
City Hall trying to ram through its effort to expand its museum
building in Griffith Park.

Daniel Wright, President Mount Washington Homeowners Alliance

--- End forwarded message ---





In addition, it should be pointed out that the signed agreement
between Councilmember Huizar and the Autry National Center is NOT
signed by Autry's board, only by John Gray. As such, the Autry Board
of Directors can simply ignore it as it is not a legally binding
agreement.

Furthermore, in reading that details of the MEMO agreement from John
Gray to Councilmember Huizar, there is not gaurantee that the
Southwest Museum will remain as anything other than a "cultural
center" which may or may not be open to the public.

For a couple of years now, the Friends of the Southwest Museum
Coalition has enjoyed the verbal and ocassional written support of
the Route 66 family. Soon, I will be making a request for action. We
are formulating our plans for the coming months in the next step in
our struggle to preserve an important part of American history that
lies alongside the Mother Road in Los Angeles. Keep your eyes open
for this request in the next couple of days.

Two New Preservation Websites in Los Angeles

Two new websites have launched regarding historic preservation within the Los Angeles City limits. More information is here on Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (the largest one in LA encompasses Route 66 in Highland Park) and Los Angeles' drive to survey all of its historic sites.

"Father Road" To be Paved Over?

Found this article out of Canton, Ohio, about a portion of the Lincoln Highway under threat of being paved over. The original brick section might be paved over due to costs. Yet another piece of history in danger of loss.

Who Can Drive the Parkways?

Found this article about who can drive the parkways in the NYC Metropolitan area, and wondered how it compared to the weight limit and "no trucks" posted on the Arroyo Seco Parkway. Seems similarly confusing.

SW Museum Update

For more on the latest - including Councilmember Jose Huizar's complete ineptitude in understanding his own constituency and following through on their requests - go here.

Letters of malcontent can be sent to:
Councilmember Jose Huizar
200 North Spring Street
Room 465
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Please continue to encourage Huizar to understand and listen to his constituents, and even Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to explain why he has remained silent on the issue despite all of his pre-election promises.

Other Authors

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being on a panel entitled "California Dreamin'" at the West Hollywood Book Fair. Also on the panel were Elizabeth Pomeroy and Ann and Farley Olander. Elizabeth is the author of - among other things - "Lost and Found," an absolutely wonderful work based on her weekly articles of historic attractions in the San Gabriel Valley. Ann Olander wrote and Farley photographed "Call of the Mountains," about the largest mountains in Southern California, in the San Jacinto, San Bernardino, and San Gabriel Mountains.

The panel was so enjoyable for us and so successful as a group discussion, that we all agreed to hold a future presentation together where we ARE the event. No plans have been formalized yet, but stay tuned, as this is a great group to put up on stage together.

History of Los Angeles Government

I know it's not really roads related, but I saw this on the Los Angeles Times this morning and thought it would be interesting reading for some.

Merritt Parkway Update

Found this online this morning, updating the status of the Merritt Parkway / Route 7 interchange in Connecticut.

Duarte Route 66 Parade 9/22

Duarte is having its annual Route 66 Parade and City Picnic this Saturday, September 22, at 9am. I've participated in this event a couple of times, helping the California Route 66 Museum with their booth at the Picnic. Other plans will prevent me from being there this year, but this is a very nice event worth stopping in at for any Route 66 enthusiast. Nice cars and home-town feeling event.

Ridge Route Anniversary

In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the placing of the Ridge Route on the National Register of Historic Places, there will be a celebration held on 9/22. More information can be found here. Congratulations, "Scotty" and the rest of the Ridge Route crew. (Unfortunately I will not be able to attend due to other plans.)

Potential Bad News

Yesterday, Jim Conkle posted on the Route 66 egroup some bad news about Potapov's in Oro Grande. This morning, I responded with this post entitled "Potential Bad News." I thought I should share it - with some links included - with the general public.


******
I have a question for all the roadies out there. Yesterday Jim Conkle reported on here and I reported on my blog about the destruction of Potapov's in Oro Grande. Everyone on this list will readily admit what a shame that is and how horrible it is that nothing was done to save it. Many of us also feel that it was partly our faults for not being more proactive.

Here is where my question comes in. How many of you have taken active steps to help preserve other landmarks? Specifically, two in my hometown that need assistance come to mind: the Southwest Museum of the American Indian and the Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway. We are in danger of completely losing the Southwest Museum, and yet the calls for support that I present on here largely go unanswered.

As for the Arroyo Seco Parkway, that first freeway west of the Mississippi River was a part of Route 66 for 25 years. Many of us have driven it (although I bet many of you have hated it for all the crazy drivers on it who can't read speed limit signs!). But has anyone stopped to actually write the National Scenic Byway program or Caltrans with any thoughts or concerns about the slow demolition of the historic nature of the road, or the complete lack of the original "parkway" design? The Arroyo Seco Parkway was named a National Scenic Byway a few years ago, yet most of the Byway signage is still not in place, and enacting and following the Corridor Management Plan has been a strenuous process.

Folks, I am actively involved in both of those issues. Could I do more? Yes, probably. Will I try to in the future, seeing the fate of Potapov's? I certainly hope so. But what I ask is what have all of you done recently to prevent the same result falling on one of your local Route 66 icons?

And no, I'm not trying to provoke the Emily's, Ron's, Jim's, Kip's, Laurel's, Rod's, and countless others on this list. We know that you are all out there every day. But what about the rest of us who SHOULD have been at Potapov's, myself included? What are WE going to do to help those that are leading the charge?

Stepping down from my soap box now.
******

Oro Grande Cottages Torn Down

And when California does make the news in terms of Route 66, it unfortunately frequently has articles such as this one.

Perhaps we need a marketer in California that stays in California, concentrates on California, loves the Mother Road, is retired, and does nothing but promote Route 66 within our state. If only we had someone like that who was willing to concentrate on the Mother Road strictly within California's bounds and who had the time to do it. Alas, until I'm retired, the cost of living in Los Angeles is just too prohibitive for that person to be me.

Historic Hotels of 66

The news about the National Trust naming all of the historic hotels along Route 66 as endangered is anything but NEWS to Route 66 afficionados by now. But, there are three things about this article that intrigued me.

First, it's from the Seattle Times. Meaning it's not even along 66.

Second, despite being in the Seattle Times, it directly and specifically references Illinois in general and Pontiac in particular. I've noticed how frequently Route 66 (and the Lincoln Highway, for that matter) in Illinois makes the news. I'm jealous of that, because obviously SOMEONE in Illinois is constantly writing press releases. Either that, or there is NOTHING else happening in Illinois, and I sincerely doubt that.

Finally, and most importantly, I rather liked this article. It does not seem to be the typical AP article that I have been reading about the historic hotels of 66, and seems to have some personal flair added to it.

Bukowski Home Due for Preservation?

Although not right on Route 66 in Los Angeles, this is only four blocks away from the Mother Road (1926-1953) in Hollywood, so potential worth a mention to Route 66 and Charles Bukowski enthusiasts.

"What I Learned in High School"

Found this online today and found it a fun read. Since I'm not sure if my comment will be posted on his blog, I thought I would re-print it here, too.


Great post, Danny. Sounds like you've never actually been able to "Get Your Kicks." Well, there's still time. You should get out there and enjoy the road now, from a nostalgic point of view, and wonder what might have been. Over 85% of the road is still traversable in an every day automobile. Historical books and guides about the road are plentiful. A magazine is devoted to it. Finding the Mother Road now is half the fun, and a trip well worth taking (I've now done it twice).

13 Favorites Along 66

Was pleased to see that someone ranks two of his 13 favorite things along Route 66 as being in Los Angeles County. Unfortunately, one of them isn't actually a part of physical 66, but I'll give him credit for it being a part of the symbollic 66.

As for me, in no particular order, I'd say my favorite 13 are:

A: The People - without them, there would be no stories to tell, and no one to hear them.
B: The Figueroa Street Tunnels - the only vehicle tunnels anywhere on 66.
C: Buena Vista Street Viaduct - the oldest still-in-use bridge anywhere on 66.
D: The Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway - the first freeway portion of 66 and the only National Scenic Byway completely contained in a metropolitan area anywhere in the country.
E: The Aztec Hotel - perhaps the crown jewel of 66 in LA County.
F: The Southwest Museum - Los Angeles' oldest museum, and the site of many a kids' field trip in the LA area. This wonderful museum is unfortunately in the midst of a preservation struggle at the moment.
G: 7th and Broadway - the original terminus of Route 66 in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles' Theater District
H: Sycamore Grove Park - site of many a State Reunion Picnic in the first half of the 20th century, this is part of the once-larger Arroyo Park system that was partially envisioned by none other than Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
I: Mom's Tamales - best tamales in LA, and they are located on the Transitional Alignment in Lincoln Heights.
J: Chicago (all of it) - let's face it, for everything that Los Angeles has going for it at the BEGINNING OF THE ROAD, Chicago has an equal at the end!
K: Suicide Bridge - the name alone should be enough, but then when you see this curving bridge crossing the beautiful Arroyo Seco, you have to be in awe!
L: 34 National Register of Historic Places landmarks within Los Angeles County's Route 66 corridor (some of them have been listed already, but they all deserve a nod).
M: Have I mentioned the people? There are far too many to name them all!

(Links will be coming this evening when I have more time!)

West Adams Historical Tour

This Sunday is a walking tour in the West Adams Historic Preservation Overlay Zone. More information can be found here.

Although not along 66, the West Adams area of Los Angeles is definitely an historically significant portion of the city and one to not be overlooked.

Getty Helps Fund Los Angeles Preservation Study

Read this morning that the Getty has pledged $2.5 million to help fund a study in Los Angeles of all structures to help deem which are historically significant.

THANK YOU, GETTY!

Angelino Heights

Found this online this morning about a historic district bordered by two alignments of old 66 in Los Angeles, and thought it would be worth a read for everyone. Unfortunately, I question the accuracy of some of the facts presented, but it is still enlightening nonetheless, and provides further evidence that there really are separate and distinct communities within the bounds of Los Angeles, even if only separated from the next one by a street!

About Manhattan-izing Los Angeles

I've been hearing and reading a lot about this idea lately, that Downtown Los Angeles needs to grow like Manhattan, and become the huge center of the large Southern California metropolitan area. This apparently is a necessity partially to help resolve some transportation issues in Los Angeles.

But this morning I read this article that includes some information about what LA was SUPPOSED to be thirty years ago. And this is probably the most realistic vision for LA that I have heard, it's 30 years old, and never been realized. Hopefully its time has finally come.

Beer Trip

OK, this has NOTHING to do with historic roads in LA County. It might, however, end up with some old 395 and Lincoln Highway and 99 and who knows what all else included in it.

I had to cancel a planned trip to Burning Man this month because Julie has to work, so I didn't feel that I would enjoy it enough without her to go on my own. So, instead, I decided to take a beer-tasting trip. After some thought and debate, I finally had Julie pick the general direction I would go. She chose north. So her - with basic historic routes as reference points - is the planned route:

US-66 West to US-99 North
(Wolf Creek Brewing, Valencia and Oggi's Pizza and Brewing, Santa Clarita)

US-99 North to CA-178 East
(Kern River Brewing Company, Kernville)

CA-178 East to US-6 / US-395 North
(Mammoth Brewing Company, Mammoth Lakes, Mt. Tallac Brewing Company, South Lake Tahoe)

US-50 East
(Placerville Brewing Company, Placerville, Blue Frog Grog & Grill, Fairfield, and Hoptown Brewing Company, Pleasanton)

The Dreaded Superslab Southwest
(Fire House Brewery, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos Brewing, Los Gatos)

US-101 South to CA-152 East to US-99 South
(Sequoia Brewing and Full Circle Brewing, Fresno)

US-99 South
(Lengthwise Brewing Company, Bakersfield)

US-99 South to US-66 East
(Lucky Baldwin's Pub, Pasadena)



If anyone has any good road suggestions, please let me know. Same for brewery thoughts and ideas along the route I'm taking.

Kerouac Still "Kicking?"

I found this article in yesterday's Boston Globe travel section. It reminded me a bit of when I read "On the Road," and it also made me yearn for a road-trip again. Fortunately, it's less than two months until Burning Man, so I'll get a little "roading" and a pleasant break from civilization then. Until then, might be time to pull out that old Kerouac book and give it another read.

Schmap Anyone?

I've had two of my photos from Flickr selected for the short-list of "Schmap" for Los Angeles. I'd never heard of it before. I'm wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with them.

Unfortunately, both photos selected are ones that also appear in my book, so I'm hesitant to release them, especially without compensation. If anyone has any feedback on this, I would greatly appreciate it. Contact me via Email or through my website.

LA CLG

The City of Los Angeles has finally been named a Certified Local Government! See what that means here. (Thanks, Ken Bernstein, for making this a priority and making it happen!)

National Trust for Historic Preservation Names Most Endangered

Several articles linked discussing the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 20th listing of most endangered historic places. Those include the mom-and-pop motels of the Mother Road, Route 66.

From WMUR-9, New Hampshire

The Washington Post notes that the list includes a large section of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground corridor that is in danger of power line construction ruining the viewshed.

And this article concentrates on those imperiled mom and pops along 66 in Oklahoma.

Catching Up

I've been pretty lazy lately when it comes to keeping up on my blogs and my website news. But I am determined to get back on the good side today. So here are a bunch of links I've seen lately and should have posted about long ago!

Interesting blog post on the Bottle Tree Ranch on 66 between Victorville and Barstow. This place is very enjoyable, and well worth the visit.

Route 66 was recently added to the World Monuments Fund's most 100 endangered landmarks. Articles about it appeared here and here and again here and yet again here

Nice article here in the NY Times about 66, including a beautiful photo from Roy's in Amboy.


And this brief article had a quote that I really loved:
"What we found was a road and a culture that refuse to die.

All along the way were friendly people, fascinating museums, faded motel signs, intriguing cafes, restored gas stations and a will to keep the road and its history alive."



And finally, the Rockford Register Star had two Lincoln Highway articles, here and here

Friend's New Blog

Check out Don Hatch's new blog here. Potential for some good reading in the near future as Don gets his blog underway.

Santa Anita Microbrew Festival

Let me start by tying this into historic roads, and thus validating my post. The "microbrew" festival we went to yesterday at Santa Anita Race Track is on Route 66, at a National Register of Historic Places landmark, so I think it counts as roads related!

But I cannot justify calling it a microbrew festival. See, to me, a microbrew festival should be dominated by microbreweries, and not partially sponsored by Heineken. And I don't feel that Franziskaner, Anchor, and Karl Strauss can really be called microbreweries. Further, having 1/4 of the brewers there distributed by Anheuser-Busch makes a mockery of the event.

I will admit, though, that those Busch-distributed beers include some good ones, and some surprises. I'm not sure how long Kona has been distributed by A-B but they have some good stuff, and were represented by Pipeline Porter, Longboard Ale, and their Pale that I forgot the name of. Spring Heat was another A-B that had a wonderful Spiced Wheat Belgian style. But the Bare Knuckle Stout was about the worst, most tasteless, flatest stout in the history of the world, I think. (No wonder there was no line there!)

There were some nice surprises, though, including the Blue Heron Pale from Lagunitas (I can't believe I've never had this one before, it is SO flavorful!) and the Firestone Lager. Another local microbrewer, Skyscraper (in El Monte) was decent, but nothing to go out of your way for.

Other participants yesterday - mostly the easy-to-find-everyone-knows-of variety - included: Abita, North Coast (which were pouring from their Acme label), Warsteiner, Moretti, Humboldt, Stone, and Rogue.

66 or PCH?

I read this on metafilter today, and didn't want to pay $5 to join just to post back to the guy. Hopefully by linking to his post and talking about the same thing that he is, he will see my comments in a search.

There were some interesting comments, including one person who claimed that 66 was nothing but McDonald's and "jack s***" based on having traveled Interstate 40 from Amarillo to Oklahoma City. First of all, 66 is not I-40. There's a big difference there. Learn it. The guy then went on to say that PCH is a great drive. He should know. Per his own words, he's driven on it from Santa Monica to Malibu. Wow. What a distance.

Anyway, there were some honestly good comments on the page, and some interesting ones. But as someone who is active in preservation of historic roads, and someone who has driven all of 66 more than once, and most of PCH once, I thought it would be appropriate for me to make some comments of my own. And what better place then my own blog in which to do it.

Route 66 is considered by many to be the quintessential example of roadside Americana. I'm literally in the middle of writing an article for a magazine right now describing why I feel this is the case. But, in a nutshell, Route 66 is a gorgeous drive, through a lot of scenic country, with a huge amount of roadside architecture that is extremely worth seeing. It has also become a destination in and of itself, which means that during the summer months it might be heavily traveled in places. Not necessarily a good summer honeymoon location, unless you are extremely interested in American history, roadside architecture, 1950's culture, and trying to find your way across country on a road that is not officially on the maps anymore.

That being said, there's nothing like spending your honeymoon in hotels like the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, CA, or the Wigwams in Holbrook or San Bernardino, or even the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, NM. But ultimately, the reason to travel Route 66 - to me - is all about the people along the road. Without the Dave Clark's, Bob Waldmire's, Jim Ross's, Jerry McClanahan's, Ken Turmel's, and Angel Delgadillo's of the road, going from one location to another would just be driving, and would be ENCOUNTERING anything. Take the time to meet the people.

That is pretty much the case for any road trip, though. While driving up PCH about 3 years ago, one of my highlights was stopping in a little restaurant in Gualala, CA. The food was great. The view was wonderful. But it was talking to the people that lived there that made it memorable. Yes, the entire trip - which you can read about here - was a great visual experience much in the same vain as any other road trip in which you take the time to see what is around you, but the highlights that I remember most vividly of that trip are the encounters with people. For the rest, yes, the photographs last a long time.

And both Route 66 and PCH have their share of extremely photographable opportunities. It just depends on the scenery that you wish to have while you are driving. In the case of Route 66, the scenery changes from one region to another, and can be quite different along the entire trip. On PCH, you'll always have the ocean on one side of you, and to me at least, that won't change much. It's the land that can change. In either case (and I'm not recommending which for this person to choose, because it will all be about personal opinion!), make the time to visit with the people living and working the road, because that is where the stories are truly told.

Historic Roads Travel article

Canoe Travel - out of Canada - had an article recently that discusses the benefits of traveling on the back roads, and specifically mentions Route 66, the Lincoln Highway, and the National Road. In it the article provides links to several websites of interest.

I also discovered this blog about traveling the Mother Road and back roads in New Mexico and into Texas. In looking at this entry, I realized that it was a part of a larger community that I am very interested in going back to and doing more exploring.

Will Rogers Highway plaque is Safe

For those of you who do not know, the Will Rogers Highway plaque located in Palisades Park in Santa Monica was somewhat recently hit by a drunk driver. At that time, the stone base that housed the plaque was still there, but the plaque itself had been removed.

I just received a phone call from the park manager there in response to a letter I had sent. I was informed that the plaque is in fact in good condition, with very minor damage, and is currently safely stored away. Once insurance issues are settled and a new base is found and installed for the plaque, the plaque will return to its home in Palisades Park.

In the interim, there is hope of finding a means of attaching the plaque to the existing, damaged base. This would be a temporary solution, and will only be done if the plaque itself is not in danger of theft or further damage. Either way, it is hoped that the plaque will be returned to Palisades Park prior to the (busier) summer tourist season.

As an aside, I also asked whom to contact in Santa Monica regarding having signage placed at the actual 1936-1964 terminus at Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards, and was given a name and phone number. Once I make that phone contact, I will advise as to the results of it, and whether a letter-writing campaign would be at all useful.

In the News

If you look into the "news" section of my website you will see a lot of postings today. Apparently, today was a good day for me to get caught up on things and do some reading. At least, it feels like it.

A brief synopsis of what you will find over there:

* Physical evidence of the beginnings of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground corridor plan are finally evident

* Irv's Burgers is in Chowhound's spolight, and more details on why West Hollywood was chosen as a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation

* Hamel, IL's new website is up?

New Music

It's amazing what is on the web these days. I absolutely loved this song. If only I could have been there during filming. I bet it would have been a riot!

Restaurant Review - El Taco Nazo / Senor Baja

OK, so this review isn't my own. I found this this morning via a google alert that I have set. I've seen this place a few times and never stopped. I have, however, stopped at the Hi-Brow that they mention. Not a bad place, just not very fond of the smokey atmosphere.

Restaurant Review - Mom's Tamales

OK, I have to admit, I've been saving this one for myself. I'm a greedy little booger sometimes. This one is one I want to keep to myself. Why? Any place whose hours end when "the tamales run out" is a place that concerns me. I want those tamales for myself, damnit! These are the world's best tamales that aren't made in your Mom's kitchen. And hell, for most people they are better than those that your mom makes, too. (That's definitely true for me ... sorry, mom!) This is called "Mom's Tamales" for a reason. They are all tamales, all the time. And mom is jealous. If you have good tamales in your household, I'll put money that Mom makes them. This place - plan and simply - has the best tamales I've ever eaten. There is no comparison.

MOM'S TAMALES
3328 Pasadena Ave.
Los Angeles (Lincoln Heights) CA, 90031
(323) 226-9383
Tamales, EXCELLENT, cheap
Mon-Fri 7am until the tamales run out
Saturday and Sunday 8am until the tamales run out

Restaurant Review - Philippe's

Philippe's is the kind of place that does not need a review. It's cheap. It's good. And it is ALWAYS crowded around meal time. If you live in the LA area, and do not know of Philippe's by now, you do not get out enough.

I eat there on ocassion. And I don't even eat cow or pig, so that rules out their famous French Dip. But I'll tell you what, the Turkey Dip is great, too. And breakfast is pretty good for the cost. How can you go wrong with 9 cent coffee?

The picnic-table-style seating (they have some booths, too) and the sawdust on the floor may turn some people off, but this is a good location to get some good food at really good price, just off of Route 66 near its original western terminus in Downtown Los Angeles.

PHILIPPE'S
1001 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-3781
French Dip - Good - cheap
Beer and wine menu.
6:00am - 10:00pm daily, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Bicycles

I'm late on one, early on the other, but I wanted to post a bit about a couple of bicycling events using Route 66 as their backdrop.

The first is during "National Trails Day 2007," in which Illinois is supporting its Route 66 heritage by holding a trail ride along the length of its new Route 66 bicycle trail.

Michelle Thompson also recently completed her trip along 66, just making it to her brother's home on Christmas Day, the goal that she set out for herself. Michelle set out to raise awareness about oral cancer after its affects on her brother, and she seems to have done a wonderful job, at least in the Route 66 community.

Cookie-Cutter vs. Culture

Found this online this morning and had to comment.

Lummis in New Mexico

This article in the Gallup Independent caught my eye. It was sent to me through a google alert that I have set up, but really caught my eye because of its connection to Los Angeles and Highland Park: Charles Fletcher Lummis.

LA & SF Timelapse

Not exactly what I would call roads related, but it sort of is. Julie sent me this link, and I thought that some of my readers might find it interesting. It's some timelapse videography from around LA and SF, including some of the Arroyo Seco Parkway's Figueroa Street Tunnels.

National Road Landmark Reopens

This from Denny Gibson via the US-40 group:

The Pennsylvania House ( http://www.pennsylvaniahouse.net/ ) on the National Road in Springfield, OH, reopened Saturday after a major restoration. I stopped by for the opening ceremonies and a tour. Looks like they've done a nice job and the National has a great new/old attraction. I may do an "oddment" page on my own site in a few days but for now the only pictures I've posted are in "Denny G's Gallery" at the American Road Magazine forum ( http://americanroadmagazine.com/forum/ ).

I also posted some pictures there of a new/old attraction in progress east of Zanesville, OH. The Peters Creek S Bridge rebuild is moving along quite well.

Denny Gibson
Cincinnati, OH
www.dennygibson.com

Shakers on Arroyo Parkway Closing

Just read this blog this morning, and found the link to an article that says the Shakers on Arroyo Parkway (Route 66) is closing.

There is a hint in the original blog entry that there might be even more crappy, ugly box condos coming, but I don't know that for sure yet. We'll see what happens. In the meantime, is Pasadena becoming the next Valencia in terms of horrible housing projects?

Restaurant Review - Casa Bianca (Eagle Rock)

I FINALLY got to experience Casa Bianca tonight. It's an Italian / Pizza place in Eagle Rock on Colorado Boulevard. It's a place that I've good things about, and seen HUGE crowds at just about every time past. And I finally got to eat there tonight.

Julie and I headed over around 4:30 for an early meal, expecting to beat the rush. We didn't. It seems as though if they are open, there's a rush. We waited about 20 minutes or so for a table. Not bad, really, considering how crowded it already was, and that they only take reservations for parties of 6-16.

The beer menu is pretty minimal. Wine just as lacking. But the pizza was pretty darn good. I was somewhat surprised by the $40.00 tab, though. Overall a good treat. But I don't think I'd eat there again. Maybe place an order for pick up, though.


CASA BIANCA PIZZA PIE
1650 Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles (Eagle Rock), CA 90041
323-256-9617
Italian / Pizza place - Good - limited hours - moderate
Known for their pizza, which is good. But a long wait and limited liquor menu put a damper on this slightly, as does the inflated price. Cash only, with an ATM on-site.

Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition Meeting (TODAY!)

The meeting for the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition will take
place tomorrow, Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. at Ramona Hall in Highland
Park. There will be a brief update on the public process and then talk
about what's important to do next (we have some ideas but need your
input).

Also, for those who may have missed the Sept. 19 City-hosted public
meeting and Autry's latest proposal, it is now available for your review
online at Autry's website: www.swmfuture.org (under the news &
information)

We encourage all of our member organization representatives to attend
and have an active voice in this next set of decisions. All those 75 +
organizations are listed at:
http://www.friendsofthesouthwestmuseum.com/about.html

This Weekend at the Southwest Museum

This Weekend at the Southwest Museum

Saturday, October 7
Noon–5 p.m.
Show and Sale: Navajo Artist Ronald Chee
Ronald Chee had a successful one-man exhibition at the Southwest
Museum in 2005. Now he returns with his new series of monoprints and
original artwork. Free.

Sunday, October 8
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Dig It, Family-Style
Who lived here before us? What did they leave behind? Discover the
answers to these questions and more on your "archaeology" dig. Free.

Sunday, October 8
1–4 p.m., 4605 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles
Casa de Adobe Open House
Spend a lovely fall afternoon with light refreshments, a strolling
guitarist, and a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Autry's historic
Casa de Adobe. Reservations recommended. Call 323.667.2000, ext.
353. Free.

Sunday, October 8
1:30–2 p.m.
StoryTime
Two bilingual stories will be read in English: The Gullywasher, El
chaparron torrencial by Joyce Rossi, and the traditional tale El
Cucuy: A Bogeyman Cuento in English and Spanish by Joe Hayes. Free.

Restaurant Review - The Hat

As some of you may have read before, I am the adopter of the National Historic Route 66 Federation's westernmost stretch of 66 for their Adopt A Hundred program. As such, I review dining and lodging establishments in my stretch for inclusion (or exclusion) in the Dining and Lodging Guide.

Recently, though, I was informed that adopters had begun reviewing TOO MANY locations, and that not all would be included. With that in mind, I have decided to post periodic reviews of at least the dining locations on this blog.

All of the reviews include the following information:
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
PHONE
Basic information - Rating (Excellent, Good, Average) - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner - approximate price (cheap, moderate, expensive)
More detailed description


Today's corresponds with my photography blog post from this morning. It is The Hat in Glendora, on the Bypass Alignment (Route 66).

The Hat
611 West Route 66
Glendora, CA
(626) 857-0017
“Famous Pastrami,” sandwich place – good – L&D – cheap
Huge portions, so be ready to eat. Not quite as good as Philippe’s in downtown Los Angeles, but good food and great neon make this worth an early stop on your way into Los Angeles. Drive thru. Cash only