73. Before Sex and the City

Once upon a time (1923) in a land far, far away known as Hollywoodland, 45-foot tall white letters were placed in the Hollywood Hills area of Mount Lee in Los Angeles, California as an advertisement to sell homes in a new housing development.

At that time, who in the movie biz may have predicted the current nature of the film industry today?  Had they owned an accurate crystal ball allowing them to tell the tale of the current film industry, might those in 1923 have thought it one of the most outlandish fairy tales ever told?

You see, in 1923 there were no movies in color and sound was just being introduced.  The top grossing film was, "The Covered Wagon".  Number two on that list was Cecil B. DeMille's first, silent version of, "The Ten Commandments".

There was no Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) or AMPAS members nominating and voting for Best Picture of the Year or any other Oscar categories for that matter.  AMPAS would not be dreamed of until 1927 with Louis B. Mayer credited as its patriarch.

Thus in 1923, there were not yet plans accepted in May 1928 for an award ceremony where all films released from August 1, 1927 through July 31, 1928 would be eligible for the first Academy Awards.  It would be 1934 before considered films were based on the previous calendar year.

In 1923 there was no Roosevelt Hotel located on the corner of Orange Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard (7000 Hollywood Boulevard).  It would be 1926 before architect H. B. Traver would design the Spanish Colonial Revival structure known as the Roosevelt Hotel, which was commissioned by investors such as, Douglas Fairbanks, Louis B. Mayer and Mary Pickford.  It would be May 15, 1927 before the $2.5 million, 12-story, Roosevelt Hotel opened its doors for business.

It would be May 16, 1929 before the Roosevelt Hotel was home to the very first, only non-broadcast, five minute Academy Award ceremony inside its Blossom Ballroom.  I venture to guess that no one at the very first award ceremony would have predicted there would one day be a Kodak Theatre kitty-corner from the Roosevelt Hotel where the 82nd Annual Academy Award ceremony will be hosted on March 7, 2010.

It would be less than a short sixty years later that the Roosevelt would be in such decline there was serious talk of tearing it down.  It would be 2005 and $35 million invested to bring this historic landmark to its current shine.

And it would be March, 2010 when said hotel would play host to a "little" six-story advertisement for a sequel to a movie which was spawned by a hit cable tv-show phenomenon, known as "Sex and the City".

All I can say is "Carrie On" and live happily ever after.  Isn't that how all good fairy tales end?

P.S. and BTW.  Your CaliforniVacation SoCal gal created her own short sequel, "TTHD - The Totsquel".   She's not bitter...no not one little bit...that the Academy passed it over for consideration.  No.  That is not one glistening, slowly moving tear gliding down her cheek.  Is someone cutting an onion?  Someone must be cutting an onion.

70. Dante's View is Still an Eye Full

My last blog post was about the George Harrison Tree in Griffith Park, which may be seen at the farthest end of the parking lot from the Griffith Park Observatory building (2800 East Observatory Road).  

George Harrison's Tree is also a landmark for the Mt. Hollywood Hiking Trail also know as Charlie Turner (1906 - 1997)  Trailhead.

The first point of interest as you follow the trail is Berlin Forest, dedicated to the friendship between Berlin, Germany and Los Angeles, sister cities since 1967.

The Mt. Hollywood Hiking Trail is the road to the area of Griffith Park known as Dante's View.  Dante's View was named for a park lover, Dante Orgolini, who started a garden there in 1964.

Dante's View has picnic tables and benches making it a lovely area to take a brief respite from the hiking trail.

Dante's View suffered some devastation from the fire that went through the area in May, 2007.  Walk Dante's View today and it is almost hard to imagine this lush area was kissed by flames.

While Dante's View is a lovely garden area of Mt. Hollywood, in my opinion the view from Dante's View is the eye full which will take your breath away.

When you take the time to traverse the Mt. Hollywood Hiking Trail all the way to Dante's View, I suggest giving yourself time to walk the remainder of the trail.  The top of the trail allows for what may arguably be one of the best three-hundred sixty degree views of the Los Angeles area there is.

For your CaliforniVacation SoCal gal the view is tantamount to a religious experience.  As I look out onto the city of Angels I love so much, I think about what Colonel Griffith J. Griffith must have seen as he stood atop Mt. Hollywood at the end of the 1800's compared to what the Divine Creator and man have co-created together over these last hundred years or so.  I think of all the people who have stood where I stand over the years.  I think about while the top of Mt. Hollywood seems not to change much, with all the possibilities of what one may view, no two moments of view are ever exactly the same.

One thing seems to be certain (at least in my mind); surely, you can't see a view like the one from the top of Mt. Hollywood and not be effected.  What?  Don't call you Shirley.  I know that was a little lame.  However, the view from Dante's View and the top of Mt. Hollywood is not.  This is one L.A. sight I highly recommend.

53. And the winner for Best Beach Reveal L.A. is...

It's currently award season in Los Angeles (L.A.).  Since I am also the L.A. Sightseeing Examiner for examiner.com, I began to feel I might come up with a few of my own awards for the sights in L.A.  Here is my first submission.

Imagine you live somewhere landlocked.  Imagine you love the beach.  Imagine you've booked a flight to Los Angeles.  Now the day you have been waiting for has finally arrived.

Your airplane touches down safely at LAX.  You had checked your luggage. Your luggage has made the trip safely, as well. You tote your luggage with you to pick up the car you rented.  "Would you like an upgrade?" the rental car agent asks.  You think, "hell yeah!"  You say, "but, of course.  Thank you."

By now you are feeling good.  So good you find your self in the "this is going to be the best trip" zone.  You think, "three hours until my hotel check-in.  Where should I go first?"

That's when you remember this blog written by that CaliforniVacation woman.  Bjork something or another.  You know, like the singer but not.  You recall her writing that the best reveal of an L.A. beach involves asking your rental car agent (who you know already from the upgrade is excellent at customer service) to point you in the direction of the 405 so you can go north.

Then once on the 405 you continue until the Interstate 10 exit going west to Santa Monica.  Then you stay on the 10, which will technically end.  You stay on this road as it leads you to the tunnel that curves right onto the PCH.  When you emerge from the tunnel...there...revealed in all its glory is beach and Pacific Ocean.  And it IS glorious!

Ahhh!  It feels good to celebrate the sights of L.A.

P.S.  The video gives you an idea of the drama of the reveal, but sadly pales in comparison to the actual experience.

25. Cars. Cars. Cars.

I'm not much for stereotypes, unless they benefit me.  I'm just sayin'!  Being a gal I have a love/hate relationship with cars.  I love them when they perform well simply because I have the key and there is gas in the tank.  I hate them when they don't perform.  Okay, hate is a strong emotion, so how about "not too happy" instead?

You know there are so many destinations and events in L.A. that I feel like the veritable kid in a candy store when it comes to deciding what to destinate or attend and then write about.  I never know what may inspire me.

I noticed many of my posts include parking information.  I must feel parking is important since I mention it so often.  This got me wondering, "why do I drive everywhere?".

Then I remembered "Hello?" I live in the greater Los Angeles area, which is huge, almost 24,000 square miles HUGE.  Here's a little perspective.  The state of Rhode Island...the entire state...is 1,044 square miles. That's a lot of area to cover.  Can I get an "amen"?

To cover the area efficiently, one needs a mode of transportation faster than walking.  Since I don't own or have access to a helicopter, "ta da!" Cars. Cars. Cars.  With the greater Los Angeles area's population at approximately ten million, that's a lot of cars.  And my blogosphere friend, they have to park somewhere.

All these cars.  So many cars.  Did I mention that's a lot of cars?  If you are a guy who loves cars beyond their utilitarian function, you'll love L.A.  Simply driving around is a car lover's dream, as you never know what sports car, luxury car, classic car, tricked-out car or whacked-out car you may pull up beside at the next stop sign or pass in the next lane.

The greater Los Angeles area is host to travelling car shows and weekly events, like the Friday night car show at Ruby's Diner, King Harbor Parking Lot in Redondo Beach.

I have an uncle who loves cars and attending car shows.  He's a plethora of car knowledge.  His knowledge almost exceeds his love for cars.  That's huge.  He was classmates with Brian Wilson (of Beach Boys fame), 1960 graduates of Hawthorne High School, the original Cougar Town.  Go Cougars!  A love for cars is in my uncles' DNA.  I am just sure of it.  I love you, Uncle Larry.

So, I've attended a few car shows with him.  Two things stood out for me.

1.  My definition of love and beauty were expanded.  The car owners really love their cars.  A fully restored, shining, gleaming, classic car is (I swear and I don't normally like to) as breath-taking as any piece of art in a museum.

2.  My first car I owned, a 1975 Dodge Dart Sport (can you guess my daddy picked it out for me?), which at the time I would have never considered a classic car IS now a classic car.  So, what does that make me?  I'll ponder that another day.

Mahalo.  Aloha.

Below is video from the Belmont Shores car show I attended with my uncle in September, 2009.  I do not showcase it in this blog post since it is an annual event.  I include the video because it gives you a taste of the car show experience.  Enjoy!

10. Heaven On Earth Does Exist and You Can Find It In L.A.

You know I figure there may be many who when they think of Los Angeles have a view that makes it seem like a place where the last thing you think you will find is heaven being represented.  Yet, that would be so untrue.  Truth is, I could probably write a blog that focused simply on places you could go in SoCal where spirituality is alive and well.  Heaven On Earth L.A. Holistic Living Center would be just one of those places.

With the Hollywood sign in view, this wonderful slice of heaven is located at 7122 Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles with a Starbucks on the corner for your after yoga latte.

Examples of the classes and services offered at the Heaven on Earth Holistic Living Center:



Fitness: Yoga, Tai Chi, Flying Yoga, Belly Dance, Laughter Yoga, African Dance and more.

Arts: Poetry, Music and Movie nights, conscious art exhibits, children and teen art and music classes, drum circles.

Education: Dynamic Lectures, author’s events, holistic afterschool classes for kids and teens.

Holistic Healing: Theta Healing, Psych-K, Reiki, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, EFT, Angel Therapy, and more!

Spiritual Sanctuary: Bi-monthly Spirit – focused Sunday services, Goddess and Angel Circles, spiritual workshops and retreats. Home of the Goddess Parties and Community Healing Fairs!

Community and eco-focus: We partner with non-profits and Community organizations; we promote and support community and environmental initiatives.  We recently donated Studio time for a celebrity photo shoot to promote the Environmental Justice Foundation’s “Clean Cotton Campaign”, learn more at www.ejfoundation.org.

As you can see, there is lots happening at Heaven on Earth L.A.

Founder, Stahsha Stanowicz, is thrilled to see her vision coming to life.  Whether you have a related class, presentation or event you need a facility to host it in or you are simply attending one of the classes or events being hosted at Heaven on Earth L.A. (click here to go to the calendar of events), this is the place where the heavenly happens.

The video is a montage of events from Heaven on Earth L.A.'s Grand Opening Event, September 19, 2009, which I was honored to have attended.