Frankenstein 2025

Frankenstein 2025

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Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a triumph of mood, imagination, and emotional depth. Every frame bears his unmistakable signature: lush Gothic design, shadowed beauty, and a sense of wonder tinged with sorrow. The film’s world feels both mythic and painfully human, a perfect match for Mary Shelley’s timeless story of ambition and loss.

Visuals & atmosphere

Del Toro’s signature flair is everywhere. The set-design, the costumes, the lighting—everything ooze Gothic grandeur and artistry. As one critic observed, the film is “a breathtaking coup … rich and strange” in its execution. The world of Victor Frankenstein and his creation is richly rendered, with a tactile sense of period, myth and menace.

Empathy for the monster

One of the strongest elements is how the creature is portrayed—not just as a horror icon but as a deeply felt being with a tragic arc. As noted: “Del Toro’s empathy for the Creature is total—and so, owing to the aching poignancy and underlying rage … is ours.” Actor Jacob Elordi gives the monster a vulnerability and presence that earn memorable space alongside the spectacle. On the other side, Oscar Isaac’s Victor Frankenstein is compelling—his obsessive ambition, his guilt and his horror all play out on a grand scale. He verges on the unlikable as it appears he is a sadist at best. The reason, it appears is that the monster can utter only one word, his name and for him, that is not enough. Bad parent.

Actors and Acting

The very tall Jacob Elordi brings a great range of emotion to the role. Movement and gesture are the hallmarks of this performance. The venerable British actor, David Bradley (you’ve seen him in Harry Potter and he presided over the infamous Red Wedding in Game of Thrones) brings a subtle but great performance as the blind man. The same can be said for Lars Mikkelsen as Captain Anderson, a performance that is measured but impactful.

 

Thematic ambition & emotional stakes

Del Toro moves beyond mere monster-movie tropes, engaging with themes of creation and responsibility, parent/child dynamics, isolation, and the cost of hubris. One review says the film “becomes genuinely transcendent… a gothic elegy for both creator and creation.”  The shifts in viewpoint—from creator to creature—add emotional complexity and bring a fresh dimension to the familiar tale.

What doesn’t fully land

Pacing & structure

While much of the film mesmerises, the opening act is sometimes considered over-stuffed or slow. Several critics suggest the movie takes its time (and sometimes too much time) building the world before the more compelling arc takes over. At roughly 2½ hours, some viewers feel the narrative weight could have been trimmed in places. The movie for some begins when the so-called monster is born. The Victor Frankenstein backstory is interesting until it becomes clear he is not quote sound — an unrelenting ego.

Tone and balance

There are moments where the film sometimes tilts toward excess: visual spectacle overshadowing intimacy, or structure shifting gears in ways that feel a bit uneven. A review from TIME puts it this way: “Grand, but it’s not quite great” because the scope threatens to dilute the emotional core. Also, while many welcome the more humanised monster, purists of the original may find some of the thematic/re-contextual changes jarring.

My verdict

In total, del Toro’s Frankenstein is a major achievement. It may not be flawless, but it succeeds in reviving a classic tale with style, depth and sincerity. For fans of him or of the Gothic, it will be richly satisfying. The acting is superb as are the costumes and the art direction, with the one exception of the bad CGI wolves.

 

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In Search of Japan | Part One

In Search of Japan | Part One

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Travel had become burdensome: airports, luggage fees, crowded airplane seats, long flights, bad food. But, it was the way to get from place to another. So you pack the bags,  find your seat and head into the skies for things less known. First stop was Hong Kong, still one of the most visually compelling cities in the world. It was their National China Day holiday so everything was more crowded than usual. But we arrived. And so it began. After a week in Hong Kong it was time to visit Japan. It was October and we planned on visiting Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo and Tokyo. Here are the observations:

Japan stands apart from most places in the world — its food, culture, and way of life are strikingly unique. It’s also a country that excels in technology, transportation, and etiquette.

We dashed to Osaka from Hong Kong (more on that later) and settled into a small local neighborhood near the train station. It was unseasonably warm, and many people — especially the elderly — were out on their bicycles, heading to markets.

Osaka is known for its food, energy, and humor. It’s often called Japan’s “kitchen” because of its street food — takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and kushikatsu (fried skewers). The city has a loud, friendly vibe that contrasts with Tokyo’s formality.

Overall, Japan seems to have more restaurants per block than just about anywhere.

Our first night, our host invited us to an exclusive evening at Gucci Giardino. Opened in Umeda, Osaka, in November 2024, it’s the second Gucci bar in the world — the first being in Florence, Italy.

We’re greeted at the door and escorted upstairs to a swank, intimate bar. Our bartender, Mari Tsujimura, spoils us with bespoke cocktails. In time, we’re joined by Chef Taffarello Alessio, who presents refined dishes — elegant, thoughtful, and unmistakably Italian.

The atmosphere is relaxed, inviting conversation and friendly exchanges, even within the limitations of language. When we leave, we’re literally walked to the door, bowed to, and thanked — a gesture of hospitality that feels both formal and heartfelt. We step out into the balmy Osaka night.

The next day, we head out on the bullet train to Kyoto.

Kyoto is known as the cultural heart of Japan — a city where over a thousand years of history, art, and tradition are beautifully preserved. Once Japan’s imperial capital (794–1868), it remains one of the most enchanting cities in the world.

Our destination is the Gion District, Kyoto’s most famous and historic neighborhood, known as the city’s traditional geisha quarter. It’s a place where old Kyoto’s charm still thrives — narrow cobblestone streets, wooden machiya (townhouses), lantern-lit teahouses, and an atmosphere that feels centuries old.

And it is stunning.

Maybe it’s because it’s autumn, or because it’s late afternoon, but Gion feels like a living postcard — calm, perfectly lit, touched by history. There’s a sense of quiet art direction in everything: the colors, the scents, the soft shuffle of sandals on stone. Every now and then, you glimpse a geisha walking gracefully to work, and time seems to pause.

Kyoto is a city of shrines and temples — about 400 Shinto shrines and more than a thousand Buddhist temples. The most famous is Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its thousands of red torii gates. It’s also where you’ll find thousands of tourists. If you’re hoping for a serene photograph beneath the gates, patience (or luck) will be required.

Kyoto is also celebrated for Kyo-ryori, a cuisine that emphasizes subtle flavors and seasonal ingredients. But on this night, we opt for something local to our neighborhood — a small Italian restaurant called Il Tobanchi, a creative bar tucked inside a renovated machiya on Sanjo Ogawa.

The owner, chef, and all-around fun host is Toba, who serves a delightful mix of Japanese-Italian dishes. His wife and pet dog sit next to us, engaging in lively conversation about Kyoto, his family, and Japanese cuisine. We learn that Toba was actually born on this property and that his parents live in the back.

In many ways, Kyoto represents a part of Japan defined by quiet beauty, calm, and culture. The few days spent here are like postcards — vastly different from Osaka and especially Tokyo.

We head back to Osaka on the bullet train.

The trains in Japan are fast and efficient, but not particularly eventful. If you have a reserved seat, you simply take it and stay there for the duration. There’s no food car, but a woman with a food cart strolls by every so often. The kōmuin, or conductor, also passes through each car, and it’s worth noting that in Japan, as they enter and exit, they slightly bow.

Japan itself is an exercise in cleanliness. Japanese culture emphasizes personal hygiene, and washing after using the toilet is considered much cleaner than using only toilet paper. Japanese companies like Toto pioneered the “washlet” — a high-tech toilet with integrated bidet functions — in the 1980s. These became popular because they combined comfort, hygiene, and convenience. The washlet, or bidet, is now ubiquitous. You’ll find them in train stations and department stores — pristine, spotless, and immaculate — and, of course, in most homes.

This sense of cleanliness also extends to the gym experience in Japan. When you enter the locker room, you’re required to remove your shoes. You walk barefoot, but if you need to use the restroom, you’re offered public slippers. Once you return to the workout area, you put your shoes back on. But wait, there’s more: at every workout station, there’s a disinfectant bottle and rag to wipe down the equipment when you’re finished.

Much of this mindfulness stems from Japan’s population and culture. With 125 million people, it’s one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The nation is roughly the size of California, yet every inch feels considered. Cars tend to be small and boxy, apartments compact, and people — as a culture — remarkably in tune with one another.

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Asakura: A Dining Journey

Asakura: A Dining Journey

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Asakura, also known as Nihonryori Asakura, is a fine-dining Japanese restaurant in West Los Angeles specializing in kaiseki, the traditional multi-course tasting menu. Affiliated with the Tokyo restaurant La Bombance, Asakura opened in 2025 with the goal of bringing refined, seasonal Japanese dining to Los Angeles. The name “Asakura” comes from the Japanese word for hemp, a symbol of resilience, growth, and protection.

The restaurant is tucked into Vinci Plaza on Santa Monica Boulevard and offers an intimate, minimalist setting with only 12 seats in total—six at the counter and six at tables. Dinner is served at two seatings, typically around 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays. The experience is deliberately quiet and focused, with service designed to feel both personal and meticulous. And it is. This is not just a dining experience it is a an epicurean journey in taste, style and flavor. We arrived for the 7:30 seating. It is intimate—you sit closely to your fellow diners as you share the same meal. The essence of kaiseki is seasonality, in this case, locally sourced ingredients, balance as the dishes are intended to balance flavors and textures. The presentation of dishes is paramount: Each course is visually beautiful, often resembling art. Plates, bowls, and garnishes are chosen to complement the food and the season. Harmony and Nature follow as ingredients are intended to evoke a connection to the season and nature. Kaiseki is a multi-course experience where each dish builds on the previous one, from light and subtle flavors to richer, heavier tastes, then ending with a delicate finish. What makes the Asakura experience different is the mindfulness of each dish as it is meant to be slow, contemplative, and immersive.

“This was not merely a dining experience—it was a journey into taste, style, and flavor.”

Asakura is led by Chef Makoto Okamoto, the owner and culinary force behind the esteemed Tokyo-based restaurant La Bombance. With over two decades of experience, Okamoto has cultivated a reputation for delivering intricate, seasonal Japanese tasting menus that have earned Michelin recognition for ten consecutive years. Our head chef on this night is Keigo Yoshida, with manager Ishiba, at the helm.

The Menu for our evening:

・Lotus dumpling , fried yellowtail, sea urchin with seaweed sauce
・Egg plant mousse with smoked abalone with umami dash jelly
・6kinds assorted appetizer
(Tuna sushi ・wagyu beef tartare with brioche ・asparagus ,lettuce with baby sardine ・ankimo cream croquette・scallop,snap pea,leek with miso vinaigrette・salmon belly Escabeche)
・Owan: Sea bream, fried tofu, garnish with grated daikon radish dashi soup
・Steam egg custard with butter seared lobster, summer truffle , crispy puffed rice
・Home made grilled sesame tofu with sesame miso sauce
・Smoke caviar cold noodle
・Japanese A5 wagyu beef wrapped with enoki, onion,leek and chrysanthemum with summer truffle / sukiyaki style
・Seasonal cray pot rice
(Tender octopus ,shrimp ,edamame, ginger )
・White coffee blancmange & Okinawa brown sugar ice cream /hojicha

This was not merely a dining experience—it was a journey into taste, style, and flavor. Each dish was carefully and skillfully hand-delivered, accompanied by thoughtful explanations, making the meal a truly formidable experience. Flavors awakened the palate, some familiar, many entirely new, and all unforgettable. Sitting at the intimate counter allowed us to connect with new friends, sharing our mutual love of food and travel, and creating a sense of camaraderie that extended beyond the meal itself.

Asakura offers two tasting menu options: a six-course meal priced at $200 and an eight-course menu at $300. The dishes change seasonally and feature premium ingredients such as wagyu, uni, caviar, and truffles, alongside locally sourced produce from the Santa Monica Farmers Market. Signature courses have included smoked caviar on cold egg noodles, grilled eggplant with uni and vinegar jelly, lobster chawanmushi with shaved truffle, wagyu tartare on brioche, and a blancmange dessert dubbed “white coffee.” Wine and sake are available, though the corkage policy is strict.

https://asakura.la/

 

Asakura

Vinci Plaza West LA
11901 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 111
Los Angeles, CA 90025

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West Side Story in LA (Opera)

West Side Story in LA (Opera)

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LA Opera is presenting West Side Story for the first time, opening its 40th Anniversary Season at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. This landmark production also marks the final season of James Conlon as Music Director, after two decades leading the company. The production gives Leonard Bernstein’s iconic musical a grand operatic treatment, featuring a full orchestra in the pit and a mix of opera singers and Broadway-trained performers onstage.

JT Church as Nibbles, Yurel Echezarreta as Bernardo and Juan Miguel Posada as Chino. (Photo: Cory Weaver/LAO)
Duke Kim as Tony and Gabriella Reyes as Maria. (Photo: Cory Weaver/LAO)

“The Tonight Quintet.” (Photo: Cory Weaver/LAO)

Below: James Conlon conducts a West Side Story rehearsal. (Photo: Cory Weaver/LAO)

“Would you believe in love at first sight?” asked Ringo Starr on 1967’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. That question seems as apt for LA Opera’s epic new version of West Side Story as it did for the Beatles.

LA Opera is presenting West Side Story for the first time, opening its 40th Anniversary Season at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. This landmark production also marks the final season of James Conlon as Music Director, after two decades leading the company. The production gives Leonard Bernstein’s iconic musical a grand operatic treatment, featuring a full orchestra in the pit and a mix of opera singers and Broadway-trained performers onstage.

Directed by Francesca Zambello, the staging preserves Jerome Robbins’s legendary choreography while heightening the drama of the piece. The cast includes soprano Gabriella Reyes in her LA Opera debut as Maria, tenor Duke Kim as Tony, Amanda Castro as Anita, Taylor Harley as Riff, and Yurel Echezarreta as Bernardo.

The production runs from September 20 through October 12, 2025, with performances designed to feel larger, bolder, and more “operatic” than traditional stagings. For audiences who cannot attend in person, LA Opera is offering a free simulcast on September 27, streaming live to the Santa Monica Pier and Loma Alta Park in Altadena.

West Side Story is a landmark American musical that premiered on Broadway in 1957, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents, and choreography by Jerome Robbins. A modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, it is set in 1950s New York City, focusing on the rivalry between two street gangs—the white American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks—and the doomed romance between Tony and Maria. The show broke new ground by blending ballet, jazz, and Latin dance with a serious social message about love, prejudice, and violence. Its score introduced classics such as “Maria” and “Tonight.” The 1961 film adaptation, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, solidifying its cultural legacy. Revivals and reinterpretations continue to appear, most recently Steven Spielberg’s 2021 film, proving the story’s enduring power as both entertainment and social commentary.

LA Opera’s version offers a modern update—Anita’s room, for example, features Bad Bunny posters. At its heart, it remains a fairy tale, asking the audience to believe that two strangers can fall deeply in love. Yet, this is also a musical that opens with a group of young men dancing in unison on the streets of New York. Never has youth been so well choreographed: Jerome Robbins’s staccato finger-snapping movements propel the drama across the limited stage, brilliantly enhanced by Peter J. Davison’s set design and Mark McCullough’s lighting.

Gabriella Reyes brings innocence and lightness to Maria, matched with a big, commanding voice. Duke Kim’s Tony is operatic by nature, his voice soaring in moments of romance, his “Maria” drew the largest audience applause. Act One moves quickly and deliberately sets the stage for a climactic rumble. Act Two, however, introduces some dramatic oddities: the deaths of two main characters seem understated, and Maria’s reaction to her brother’s death can feel unrealistic, though one must remember that all events unfold within a 24-hour period.

In the late 1950s, Broadway was a vibrant mix of charm, romance, and the beginnings of grittier urban storytelling, with West Side Story (1957) leading the way in its bold portrayal of love and conflict in New York’s streets. For many, this show is a watershed experience in their lives. To the extent that this musical was different, its importance can be measured by its daring integration of music, dance, and narrative to address social tensions, a stark contrast to the lighter fare of the time. Audiences were also enchanted by the lyrical elegance of My Fair Lady (1956), the small-town whimsy of The Music Man (1957), and the workplace antics of The Pajama Game (1954). Even earlier hits like Oklahoma! and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel continued to captivate theatergoers through revivals, while politically infused tales such as Fiorello! (1959) added a sharp contemporary edge. Together, these musicals created a rich tapestry of melody, story, and social reflection, marking a golden era where Broadway balanced both lighthearted delight and the stirring power of more daring, modern narratives. It should be noted that the Tony Awards that year went to The Music Man. 

This LA Opera version serves as a metaphor: in a climate of political tension surrounding immigration, DEI, and related issues, the production proudly presents a uniquely diverse cast, reflecting the world it portrays and emphasizing inclusion not just as a concept, but as a lived reality on stage. Through this casting and the bold storytelling of West Side Story, the opera transforms a classic tale of rivalry and romance into a timely commentary on cultural intersection, social justice, and the power of representation in the arts.

For information and tickets visit https://www.laopera.org/

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More Than Movies: The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to Open in 2026

More Than Movies: The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to Open in 2026

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When the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art finally opens its doors in Exposition Park in 2026, visitors won’t just step into another shrine to film memorabilia. They’ll enter a sweeping, spaceship-like structure dedicated to one of the oldest and most universal human impulses: storytelling through art.

The $1 billion project, founded by filmmaker George Lucas and philanthropist Mellody Hobson, has been in the works for more than a decade. Rising beside the Coliseum and the California Science Center, the 300,000-square-foot museum will house an eclectic collection spanning Renaissance paintings, Depression-era murals, Norman Rockwell illustrations, comic book pages, and original Star Wars concept art. Together, these works form a single, provocative category: “narrative art.”

A Museum Built on Story

Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, the building itself is a kind of narrative—an organic form lifted above the ground, its sweeping canopy shading gardens and green space where asphalt parking once sprawled. Landscape architect Mia Lehrer has filled the site with more than 200 trees, walkways, and public lawns, making the museum as much a civic park as a cultural destination.

Inside, two theaters, classrooms, and expansive galleries will anchor a collection Lucas has been assembling for more than 50 years. The focus is not on abstract expression or conceptual installations but on images that tell stories—art as a window into myth, memory, and identity.

What You’ll See

Expect the unexpected. A John Singer Sargent portrait may hang across from a Jack Kirby comic strip. Ernie Barnes’ kinetic depictions of Black life will share space with 16th-century religious tableaux. Murals by Judith F. Baca will face early storyboards from The Empire Strikes Back.

“The power of narrative art,” says chief curator Pilar Tompkins Rivas, “is that it makes meaning accessible. These are images that speak directly, whether they were painted 500 years ago or drawn last year.”

The collection also emphasizes voices often underrepresented in mainstream art museums—Indigenous artists, Latinx muralists, contemporary Black painters, and illustrators whose work has shaped cultural identity for generations.

Bridging Pop and Fine Art

Critics may raise eyebrows at placing pulp magazine covers beside Frida Kahlo paintings. But that’s precisely the point: to dissolve boundaries between “high” and “low,” and to show how both comic books and oil paintings can shape our collective imagination.

For Lucas, the logic is simple. “All art tells a story,” he explained during a 2025 Comic-Con panel, where he previewed pieces from the museum’s holdings. “Whether it’s a myth painted on a chapel ceiling or a storyboard for a film, the artist is trying to connect us to a world beyond ourselves.”

A Cultural Anchor for South L.A.

The museum is also a major investment in South Los Angeles. By replacing a sea of parking lots with gardens and a landmark building, the Lucas Museum is poised to become a gathering space for residents as much as a tourist draw. Education programs, free public access to outdoor spaces, and exhibitions rooted in community stories will ground the project in its neighborhood.

For Exposition Park, already home to the California African American Museum and the Natural History Museum, the addition promises to solidify the district as one of L.A.’s richest cultural corridors.

The Story Ahead

As the finishing touches are placed on the museum’s flowing façade of fiberglass panels, anticipation builds. When it opens in 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art won’t just celebrate a galaxy far, far away—it will challenge Los Angeles to see storytelling itself as an art form worth collecting, critiquing, and cherishing.

Because in the end, as the museum’s vision suggests, our shared stories—whether painted, penciled, or projected—are the truest art of all.

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4th Annual Doors Open California

4th Annual Doors Open California

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The California Preservation Foundation announces the 4th Annual Doors Open California, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of historic places statewide. Spanning September weekends, the event features over 70 unique sites, including hidden museum vaults and inaccessible historic buildings. For a $20 flat fee, attendees gain rare access to preserved architecture and enlightening stories across various cities. Some museums will offer free entry.

Time Warp: Union Theatre & Panorama

When: Sept. 13 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: 1122 W 24th St, Los Angeles, CA 90007
What: LA’s oldest purpose-built movie house (1910), now home to a 90-foot panorama of 1920s Shenyang—the only example of this Victorian art form on the West Coast. Explore the rotunda and the theatre’s neon “orange ball” sign that once guided silent-film audiences.
Note: Advance registration required → Tickets

Coastal Time Machine: Architecture at Rancho Los Alamitos

When: Sept. 13 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: 6400 E. Bixby Hill Rd, Long Beach, CA 90815
What: Guided tour of a historic ranch site with a layered history—from Tongva village to Spanish land grant, to working ranch. Features a preserved adobe, 20th-century gardens, barnyard, and archives.
Note: Sold out. RSVP required.

Time Capsule: Neutra’s Family Sanctuary

When: Sept. 13 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (hourly tours, 15 people each)
Where: 2379 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
What: Step inside Richard Neutra’s 1951 Reunion House, preserved with family artifacts, furniture, and drafting tools. Signature modernist design features include mitered glass corners and integrated fountain.
Parking: On Silverlake Blvd or Earl St. (not on Neutra Pl.)

Richard Neutra’s Midcentury Lab

When: Sept. 13 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (hourly tours, 25 people each)
Where: 2379 Glendale Blvd, Silver Lake (Los Angeles), CA 90039
What: Tour Neutra’s former office, originally the Planning Professionals Building (1950). Features classic Mid-Century Modern details and rare live/work elements.

Filmed at The Ebell

When: Sept. 14 | 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM (90-minute tours)
Where: 4401 W. 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005
What: Go behind the scenes of the women-led Ebell of Los Angeles and Wilshire Ebell Theatre—featured in films from Forrest Gump to Oppenheimer. Explore the 94,000 sq ft campus with gardens, courtyards, and theatre.
Note: RSVP required, limited to 25 per tour.

Deco Dreams: Downtown LA’s Architectural Jazz

When: Sept. 14 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Starts at Maguire Gardens, 630 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
What: A walking tour of DTLA’s Art Deco icons, including the turquoise Eastern Columbia Building and the opulent CalEdison.
Note: Sold out. RSVP required.

1931 Frozen in Time: The CalEdison Lobby

When: Sept. 14 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: 601 W. 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
What: Explore Downtown LA’s best-preserved Art Deco lobby, with black marble floors, gilded elevators, and a ceiling mural. Rare 4th-floor balcony access offers 1930s-era views of Pershing Square.

Elmer Grey’s Hidden Cathedral: 440 Elm

When: Sept. 14 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: 440 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
What: The 1913 First Church of Christ Scientist, designed by Beverly Hills Hotel architect Elmer Grey. Highlights include 30-foot coffered ceilings, Moroccan tile, stained glass, and a 2,500-pipe organ.

Where Echoes Gather: The Grand Rotunda of Fairfax High

When: Sept. 20 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: 1521 N. Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
What: Visit Fairfax High School’s historic rotunda, dedicated in 1938 and preserved through retrofitting. Features Spanish Colonial Revival design, intricate tile work, and a statue of Abraham Lincoln.

Artisans of Light: Historic Fixture Tour

When: Sept. 13 | 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, or 12:00 PM
Where: 975 N. Enterprise St, Orange, CA 92867
What: Step inside a workshop where artisans create period-accurate light fixtures for landmarks like the Gamble House and Union Station.
Note: RSVP required, 20 people per tour slot.

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Peter Jones on Fortunate Sons: Revisiting Friendship, Privilege, and Honest Conversations

Peter Jones on Fortunate Sons: Revisiting Friendship, Privilege, and Honest Conversations

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A few years ago, I had the opportunity to meet up with my fellow classmates from High School in a Santa Monica restaurant. It was a reunion of sorts; we hadn’t seen each in decades. We were nine people, with nine stories about life, death, drugs, sex, early crushes, and lost dreams. Watching Fortunate Sons reminded me that the people from those high school years hold a special place in time and memory.

This documentary looks at a group of men—primarily privileged white men who entered high school in 1968. Decades later, during the COVID crisis, they reconnected through Zoom meetings and rediscovered the power of enduring friendship.

As I watched Fortunate Sons, with some hesitation—how could a documentary about a group of rich white kids in a private school be of interest? In a short time, the answer was clear: the stories we each carry are told here—articulate, funny, poignant, and emotional.

The final credits in particular were startling and sad. But this is, after all, a documentary about life.

We sat down with director and participant Peter Jones recently to discuss the documentary.

 

Meet the Director

Peter Jones is a documentary filmmaker and producer known for creating socially and culturally impactful films. His work often explores personal and historical narratives, blending intimate storytelling with broader societal themes.

His works has included Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times (2009) – A Peabody Award-winning film that examines the influence of the Chandler family on Los Angeles’s media landscape.

Johnny Carson: King of Late Night (2012) – A documentary about the life and career of the iconic television host, It aired on PBS as part of the American Masters series.

All Man: The International Male Story (2022), a documentary that delves into the history and impact of the International Male catalog (reviewed in SoCalmag.com)

His latest project, Fortunate Sons, reflects his ongoing interest in personal stories within larger social contexts. The documentary will air on PBS SoCal on September 3.

 

Revisiting the Past

Q: The subject of Fortunate Sons is a look at a group of men from the graduating class of Harvard 1974, and forty years later during COVID, creating the basis for what will be their 50th anniversary. It should be noted that the school in question is the Harvard School for Boys in Los Angeles.

Jones explains that the film traces the lives of classmates over decades, capturing how relationships evolve over time.

Q: How did this documentary come about?

My classmates started holding Zoom meetings, and I attended one.  Someone asked, ‘Would you be interested in doing a story about these meetings?’ Our 50th reunion was coming up in four years, so I thought maybe we could build toward that. I joked, ‘Who would give a shit about a bunch of privileged white men? Is there a more hated demographic in America today?’ I apologized on the call because I realized I had to confront my own biases about who would care about growing up rich.”

Once I started the interviews, I was amazed at how candid everyone was. I owe it all to COVID and Zoom—we were stuck at home, but I could connect with classmates anytime.

 

The Path to Documentary Filmmaking

Q: What pointed you in the direction of making documentaries?

Jones began his career in journalism, reporting news and weather in Roanoke, Virginia, before moving to Austin, Texas, where he covered feature stories and live events.

Moving to LA, I asked myself, ‘What can I do here that nobody else is doing?’ I decided to focus on Hollywood history stories, but tell them truthfully.  I started posting short featurettes for the Movie Channel, then worked on AMC in Hollywood, producing longer stories about old Hollywood. That led to my first documentary, Bally: The Art of Cinema Showmanship, hosted by Frankie Avalon. It explored the lengths people would go to attract audiences to movie theaters. I had a blast working on it.

 

Fortunate Sons

Q: What is the background on this documentary?

Jones emphasizes the bond formed during their shared high school years.

We all went through COVID, were born the same year, and had this six-year period together. Fast forward 45 years, and we naturally fell back into old rhythms—but now with more maturity and better listening skills,” he explains.

The most striking part was how forthcoming everyone was. They trusted me, knowing I wouldn’t betray their confidence. That trust allowed for honest conversations where classmates shared some of the darkest moments of their lives in a way that felt heroic.

 

Martin Montague’s Story

Q: One person in your documentary, Martin Montague (his father is Nathaniel “Magnificent” Montague, a famous DJ in Los Angeles in the 60s), was the only Black student at Harvard School for Boys. He did not attend the 50th reunion—did you get a reason?

I have a whole file on Martin. As the only Black classmate, I wanted to tell his story. It took time to earn his trust because his experience at the school was difficult. While he didn’t particularly like the school, he valued the education he received. Over time, we became good friends.

Jones describes Martin as a remarkable person: He survived a challenging childhood, taught himself to fly, and is a skilled electrician. He lives on a farm in Arizona with his partner Olga, raising chickens and even building a plane in their barn. Everything portrayed in the documentary is accurate.

 

Festival Life and Reception

Q: What happens with documentary films? Do the films go on to festivals?

Festivals talk to each other, and word spread that the film was international, engaging, and unique. While the topic of privileged white men at an all-boys school might seem niche, audiences fell in love with it. PBS SoCal understood its appeal, and I expect word-of-mouth to expand its reach.

It highlights the importance of honest conversation. Young boys today often struggle with depression and anxiety because they don’t talk openly. This film shows men genuinely talking and listening to each other. We’ve been picked up by a distributor for educational screenings in schools, colleges, and nonprofit settings.

 

Making Documentaries in Today’s Culture

Q: What is it like in the current culture making documentaries?

It’s a different world now,” Jones admits. “There are countless outlets, and it’s harder for anything to stand out. Budgets are smaller than they used to be. I’m taking a break, and I recently found out I was accepted to graduate school at Antioch University to become a licensed psychotherapist. I want to apply the skills I learned as a reporter—and growing up in my family—to help people, especially during these challenging times.

When can we see the documentary?

Q: When does it air?

It airs Wednesday on PBS SoCal at 8 p.m., and again the next day on Thursday at 11 p.m. After that, it will be distributed nationally. I’m grateful to all the PBS affiliates around the country.

To watch the trailer: https://www.fortunate-sons.com/

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Domestic Travel: Grand Hyatt Regency Resort, Scottsdale, AZ

Domestic Travel: Grand Hyatt Regency Resort, Scottsdale, AZ

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…and, if airports, luggage, passports, and in-flight meals have no appeal, there is always domestic travel.

It’s a short flight — just about an hour and twenty minutes — and even better, you can depart from the easygoing Bob Hope (Burbank) Airport. Soon enough, you find yourself descending into the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, where wildflowers, cactus blossoms, and vibrant greenery flourish beneath the wide, endless sky. Iconic Saguaro cacti are silhouettes along the horizon. From there, it’s a short drive to the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort.

Opened in 1986 as part of the famed Gainey Ranch development — once a thriving Arabian horse ranch — the resort has recently emerged from a spectacular $115 million renovation. The grounds are lush, a paradise of tall, swaying palms and endless golden light. There’s an immediate sense of calm and quiet luxury that settles over you as soon as you arrive.

Wandering the expansive grounds, you notice playful stretches of astroturf where children laugh and run freely. Beyond that, a sprawling pool complex beckons, complete with private cabanas and even a white-sand beach area — a perfect playground for young adventurers.

The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort blends Sonoran Desert serenity with the polish of a high-end resort. It’s big, bold, and unashamedly resort-y—but in all the right ways. Think palm-lined pools, open skies, and just enough Southwestern flair to remind you you’re not in Florida.

The Setting

Located in the upscale Gainey Ranch neighborhood, the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort  puts you in one of Scottsdale’s most desirable pockets. It’s quiet, green, and ringed by mountain views. You’re about 10 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale—close enough for a dinner out, far enough to escape the traffic and tourists.

The resort itself sits on 27 acres of manicured desert landscaping. with a large canvas agaunst a blue sky. Yes, it’s a little theatrical. But it works.

Rooms

The rooms are comfortable and clean, with great views.  Expect classic Southwestern tones—earthy palettes, wood accents, and big windows. Many rooms come with patios or balconies, and mountain or pool views. If you can, go for a room that faces Camelback Mountain at sunset—it’s worth it.

Pools & Play

This is where the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort flexes: ten pools, including an adult-only area, a sandy beach for kids, a 3-story waterslide, and hot tubs tucked under palms. The pool scene is chill during the week and more lively on weekends.

The property also includes a 27-hole golf course next door, a full-service spa, tennis courts, and daily activities like yoga, Native American storytelling, and desert wildlife presentations. There’s plenty to do, but the resort doesn’t shove it in your face.

The Spa

Spa Avania is located within the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch (now rebranded as Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa) AZ Spa Girls Arizona Spa GuideHyatt.

  • The spa’s design is inspired by nature and ancient traditions, blending Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences with the tranquility of the Sonoran Desert. Its sprawling setting across 2.7 acres includes indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, gardens, meditation areas, and water features such as a lotus pond.

     

    Spa Avania Offers a luxurious wellness environment featuring:

    • A state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga/movement studio

    • A French Celtic mineral pool (~16,290 gallons) plus hot and cold plunge pools

    • Steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools, indoor/outdoor storm showers, and a lily pond for serene lounging

    • Salon services, a boutique, a meditation space, and a couples’ suite

      The spa specializes in:

      • Massages, facials, and body treatments, including Vichy water immersion therapies

      • Hair & nail services: hair treatments, styling, manicures, pedicures, and updos

      • Additional offerings like airbrush tanning, body wraps, and a salt room for relaxation

Food & Drink

The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa offers a diverse array of dining options that reflect the resort’s transformation and culinary innovation. Under the guidance of celebrity chef Richard Blais, the resort has introduced six new dining concepts, each bringing a unique flavor to the Scottsdale dining scene.

La Zozzona

A sophisticated Italian-American restaurant offering handmade pasta, wood-fired steaks, and seafood dishes. The menu features flavors inspired by Rome, Florence, and Tuscany, complemented by an extensive wine list. The elegant setting includes private dining options for special occasions.

Tiki Taka

A vibrant fusion of Japanese sushi and Spanish tapas, Tiki Taka combines traditional flavors with a modern twist. The menu includes inventive small plates and signature cocktails, set in a lively atmosphere with an outdoor patio. Hyatt

Mesa Centrale

An American grill showcasing Southwest flavors, offering a variety of dishes from breakfast to dinner. Guests can enjoy wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and an epic buffet, all while taking in stunning views of the McDowell Mountains.Experience Scottsdale+1

Grand Vista Lounge

A stylish lobby bar serving a curated selection of cocktails and light bites. The lounge offers a refined atmosphere, perfect for pre-dinner drinks or casual gatherings.

H2Oasis

A poolside eatery offering island-inspired tacos with global flavors from the South Pacific, Polynesia, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. The casual setting provides a relaxed dining experience by the water.Phoenix New Times

Poolside Grill

A family-friendly poolside spot serving classic American fare such as burgers, fries, and chicken tenders. Ideal for a quick and satisfying meal while enjoying the resort’s amenities.

These dining establishments are part of the resort’s extensive renovation, which also includes updates to guest rooms, the spa, fitness center, and other public areas. Whether you’re seeking fine dining or casual fare, the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa offers a diverse range of culinary options to enhance your stay.

Who It’s For

This isn’t the spot for minimalist luxury or urban edge. It’s for families, couples, and conference-goers who want an easy, sun-drenched escape with everything in one place. You’ll see kids in the pool, golfers on the course, and couples at the spa—all coexisting comfortably.

Why Here?

The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort delivers a classic, full-service Arizona resort experience. It’s polished without being pretentious, relaxed without being dull. If you want to enjoy the desert without roughing it—and still have enough amenities to keep you busy for days—it’s a strong choice.

Fear of Flying : a sidebar

If you’ve ever heard the expression “fear of flying,” I had it. Elevators with windows? No thanks. Mountain ridges? I’ll admire them from afar. Edges at the Grand Canyon? Step back, please. Airplanes? I eventually forced myself to take the ride—whether I liked it or not—but helicopters? That was another story.

So when the idea of a short day trip from the resort to H5 Helicopters was announced, I boldly declared, “I’ll go… but I’m not getting on a helicopter.”

H5 turned out to be unexpectedly captivating. One side of the hangar held a gleaming line of exotic, perfectly preserved cars. On the other sat what looked like a giant toy—a polished helicopter, every inch sparkling under the lights. I peeked inside. Buttons, levers, switches—enough to make my palms sweat.

As our small group prepared to board, fear and indecision swirled into one strange, uncomfortable brew. That’s when Mitch Kelldorf, the owner and pilot, stepped in. We’d chatted earlier in the office, where my eyes had landed on a book on his desk—Beatles Gear by Andy Babiuk. Mitch noticed and said, “Take it, it’s yours. I know the author; I can get another.”

I was delighted with the gift—but then came the moment of truth. The helicopter was ready. My inner voice whispered, Have fun, guys. See you soon. But Mitch pulled me aside: “Look, I’m gonna take you up—if you don’t like it, I’ll bring you right down. OK?”

There was something in his tone—steady, confident—that bypassed my hesitation. Minutes later, I was in the back seat, feeling the lift as we rose straight from the ground. And just like that, the fear evaporated. In its place was pure, unfiltered thrill. I was soaring through the mountain corridors of the Southwest, the landscape rushing beneath me.

That moment, and the many like it, is why I love to travel. To experience something new—from food in another country to sunsets on unfamiliar shores, to sitting with strangers and sharing the moment. I’m thankful to Mitch for how he handled it. His quiet confidence made me feel safe. And, of course, he likes the Beatles.

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How to Avoid Jet Lag on Long-Haul Flights: A Traveler’s Guide

How to Avoid Jet Lag on Long-Haul Flights: A Traveler’s Guide

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Jet lag — is a real thing, a nuisance and a mood that can alter your happy travel plans.

Jet lag — that groggy, off-kilter feeling after a long-haul flight — can throw off the first few days of any trip. When you’re traveling across multiple time zones, especially on routes like Los Angeles to Hong Kong (a 15-hour flight with a 15-hour time difference), your internal clock (circadian rhythm) struggles to keep up with the new local time. Fortunately, with the right strategies before, during, and after your flight, jet lag can be minimized — or even avoided entirely.

 What Causes Jet Lag?

Jet lag occurs when your body’s internal clock is out of sync with the time zone you’ve entered. Your sleep-wake cycle, meal times, and body temperature are still aligned with your departure location — not your destination. The more time zones you cross, the more severe the disruption can be. Traveling eastward (like L.A. to Hong Kong) often leads to worse jet lag because it requires your body to advance its schedule, which is harder than delaying it.

 Pre-Flight Preparation: Start Adjusting Early

1. Shift Your Schedule Gradually

Begin adjusting your sleep and meal times to match your destination’s time zone 2–3 days before departure. For eastward travel, this means:

  • Going to bed 1–2 hours earlier each night

  • Waking up earlier in the morning

  • Eating meals based on your destination’s time

2. Hydrate Ahead of Time

Dehydration intensifies jet lag symptoms. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your flight. Avoid alcohol and caffeine 12–24 hours before flying, as both can interfere with sleep quality and hydration.

 In-Flight Strategy: Think Like You’re Already There

3. Set Your Watch to Destination Time

As soon as you board, adjust all devices (watch, phone, tablet) to the local time at your destination. This mental shift helps you start aligning your behaviors — sleeping, eating, and activity — with your new time zone.

4. Sleep Smartly

Try to sleep during the time your destination will be night. For instance, on a flight from Los Angeles (departing 12:40 PM) to Hong Kong (arriving 6:40 PM next day), aim to sleep during the second half of the flight, so you land in the evening feeling refreshed.

Tips for better sleep on planes:

  • Use a sleep mask, neck pillow, and noise-canceling headphones or earplugs

  • Avoid blue light from screens before sleeping

  • Consider melatonin supplements (0.5–3 mg) to help reset your body clock

5. Eat Light and Time Your Meals

Eat based on your destination’s schedule — even if it means skipping a meal. Heavy meals disrupt sleep and digestion during flight.

6. Stay Active

Stretch your legs, walk the aisle, or do seated stretches every few hours to improve circulation and reduce fatigue.

 After Landing: Anchor Yourself in the New Time Zone

7. Get Natural Light

Sunlight is a powerful cue to reset your internal clock. Get outside in the morning if you arrive in the evening or the next day. This helps your body produce cortisol and suppress melatonin at the right times.

8. Stay Awake Until Local Bedtime

Even if you’re tired, resist the urge to nap when you arrive. Try to stay awake until at least 10 PM local time to help your body adjust quickly.

9. Use Melatonin (If Needed)

For the first few nights, a small dose of melatonin at your new bedtime may help your body shift faster — especially after eastbound travel.

 Bonus Tips for Beating Jet Lag

  • Avoid caffeine for 6–8 hours before bedtime at your destination

  • Keep meals light and consistent

  • Avoid alcohol on the first night — it disrupts REM sleep

  • Create a bedtime ritual to signal your body it’s time to wind down

Lastly

Jet lag is a common but manageable side effect of long-distance travel. By planning ahead, adjusting your habits in-flight, and anchoring yourself in the local rhythm upon arrival, you can land refreshed and ready to explore — instead of battling exhaustion.

Whether you’re heading to Hong Kong, Paris, or Sydney, conquering jet lag ensures you make the most of your adventure from the moment you arrive.

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Santa Monica Birthday Card pt.1

Santa Monica Birthday Card pt.1

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Santa Monica turns 150 this year, and if you think that just means cake and fireworks, think again. This city isn’t just a pretty stretch of coastline—it’s a cultural engine, a political stage, a surfer’s dream, and one of California’s most enduring icons. It’s fashionable, it’s our Riviera, complete with an iconic pier, a gateway to legendary costal communities, and glamor.

Founded in 1875, Santa Monica began as a rail-connected beach escape for Angelenos and evolved into a complex urban village that blends beauty with substance. What started as a simple bayside resort became a magnet for visionaries, rebels, dreamers, and creators. Over the decades, it’s been everything from a silent film backdrop to a counterculture stronghold to a hub for green innovation and forward-thinking urban planning.

Santa Monica has always punched above its weight. In the 1920s and ’30s, it was where aviation giants like Douglas Aircraft helped usher in the modern aerospace era. In the postwar years, it became a sun-soaked haven for writers and artists seeking both inspiration and escape. In the 1960s and ’70s, it stood at the intersection of surf, skate, and protest culture. Today, it continues to blend high design and beachside simplicity, boutique commerce and street musicians, progressive politics and laid-back living.

It’s also become a symbol—whether that’s the final stop on Route 66 or the shimmering arch of the Santa Monica Pier in a thousand film scenes. Santa Monica’s streets have hosted Olympic athletes, world leaders, punk bands, TikTok stars, and just about every kind of person in between.

Culturally, the city has an outsized influence. It was a cradle for California skateboarding and home to artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Ed Ruscha at turning points in their careers. It has long been a battleground for progressive policies on climate, housing, and mobility. It’s one of the first cities to adopt a Climate Action & Adaptation Plan aiming for carbon neutrality. The local farmers market has inspired top chefs across the country. Even its urban design—think walkable neighborhoods, open beach access, integrated transit—has been studied as a model for livable cities worldwide.

And yet, Santa Monica hasn’t lost its charm. You can still sit on a bench in Palisades Park and hear the waves crash while watching a yoga class warm up, a wedding shoot unfold, or a guy with a parrot on his shoulder walk by like it’s no big deal. You can grab a coffee on Montana Avenue, catch an avant-garde play downtown, or ride a beach cruiser from Main Street to the Pier without checking your phone once.

So this year, don’t just think of Santa Monica as another pretty beach town. Think of it as a living story—150 years deep and still being written.

 Santa Monica Pier at Sunset

That iconic Ferris wheel glowing above the Pacific—whether it’s framed by silhouettes or reflected in low tide pools, it’s a classic shot. Pacific Park lights up at dusk and brings energy into the night. Open year-round, with rides, food stands, and street performers.
More info: Visit the official Pier website for hours, upcoming events, and planning tips.

  Fogo de Chão

When Fogo de Chão set its sights on Santa Monica, it wasn’t just about adding another restaurant to its growing portfolio — it was about planting roots in one of the most iconic coastal cities in California. The vision was clear: combine the brand’s deep Brazilian culinary traditions with the energy and allure of the Southern California coast. That vision materialized at 1551 Ocean Avenue, a premium oceanfront space that once housed Del Frisco’s Grille, directly across from the Santa Monica Pier.

In early 2024, the company secured the location and began transforming it into something more than a restaurant. What emerged over the following year was a 7,000+ square foot destination designed to reflect both Fogo’s evolution and the character of Santa Monica itself. The architecture embraced open spaces and natural light, featuring warm woods, neutral tones, and coastal-modern details. A signature element of the new space was the covered, glass-enclosed patio overlooking the ocean — a spot that would quickly become one of the most sought-after seats in the city.

At the heart of the restaurant, the open churrasco grill served as both a kitchen and a stage. Diners could watch the gaucho chefs in action, tending to the flames and carving skewers of picanha, ribeye, and lamb chops with practiced precision. The Market Table offered vibrant, seasonal produce and traditional Brazilian sides like feijoada and farofa, while the Bar Fogo area provided a more casual experience, with cocktails, small plates, and a bustling happy hour scene.

Fogo de Chão opened its Santa Monica doors in April 2025. The launch was marked not just by the usual press and fanfare, but by a deliberate connection to the community. A portion of first-week proceeds was donated to support food access in West LA, reflecting the company’s broader mission of hospitality with purpose. More than 100 local employees came on board, led by a general manager who brought years of experience from other Southern California Fogo locations.

The restaurant quickly drew both locals and tourists, captivated by its blend of spectacle, flavor, and setting. From lunch hours filled with beachgoers to romantic dinners under the sunset-lit patio, the Santa Monica location became a flagship for Fogo’s West Coast ambitions. It wasn’t just a place to eat — it became a culinary showcase, a celebration of Brazilian culture, and a welcoming space with panoramic views of the Pacific. As Fogo continued to expand nationally and internationally, the Santa Monica restaurant stood as a proud example of what the brand could be at its very best: rooted in tradition, refined in design, and elevated by the rhythm of its surroundings.

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POP: PACIFIC OCEAN PARK

Version 1.0.0

In the golden age of American amusement parks, the Southern California coast became a battleground for attention. In 1958, a bold contender emerged: Pacific Ocean Park, or simply POP. Built on the site of the aging Ocean Park Pier in Santa Monica, POP was a joint venture between CBS television and Santa Anita Park, born from a desire to rival Disneyland, which had opened just three years earlier and captivated the nation.

From its opening day on July 28, 1958, POP was a sensation. With a theme combining space-age futurism and deep-sea fantasy, it offered an experience unlike any other. Guests entered through a glittering “Ocean Boulevard,” passed through a sea-creature-filled tunnel, and emerged onto a boardwalk packed with rides, games, and attractions that leaned into an aquatic dreamscape.

Among the highlights was the “Sea Serpent Roller Coaster”, which raced over the ocean on a twisting track suspended above the waves. The “Flying Dutchman” soared riders over the surf. The “Neptune’s Kingdom” dark ride took guests on a slow, mysterious journey through glowing, underwater realms. And towering over everything stood the “Ocean Skyway,” a gondola lift that gave panoramic views of Santa Monica Bay as it whisked visitors from one end of the park to the other.

Unlike Disneyland’s tightly controlled fantasy worlds, POP retained a gritty, carnival atmosphere—an intentional choice to retain the excitement of classic seaside amusement while embracing modern design and storytelling. It featured themed restaurants, live dolphin shows, and stunt performances. The park was also deeply tied to the emerging TV culture of the late 1950s and early ’60s, with CBS using it as a promotional platform and even filming shows on-site.

For a few years, POP was a smash hit. In its first summer, it drew over a million visitors. But trouble soon followed. Disneyland was constantly reinvesting in expansion and refinement, while POP faced logistical and political challenges. The park straddled both Santa Monica and Venice, and disputes between the cities, as well as rising maintenance costs for the aging pier infrastructure, began to weigh heavily.

By the mid-1960s, POP was in decline. Its ocean-side location made maintenance difficult and costly; salty sea air eroded machinery, and storm damage was frequent. Attendance fell sharply as Disneyland expanded and new competitors like Universal Studios opened nearby. By 1967, CBS had pulled out entirely, and the park limped through a few more seasons under different management before finally closing for good on October 6, 1967.

The remnants of the park stood abandoned for years, a haunting shell of what once was. Locals and surfers explored the decaying rides and skeletal pier structures, and POP became a kind of post-apocalyptic playground for those in the know. Fires, storms, and neglect gradually erased most physical traces. By the early 1970s, what remained of the pier was demolished, leaving only fragments of pilings visible from the beach at low tide.

Despite its short life, Pacific Ocean Park left a lasting impression on Southern California culture. It inspired stories, photographs, music, and nostalgia that still echo today. Some still refer to that stretch of beach as “POP Pier,” and the faded glamour of the park lives on in the memories of those who rode its roller coasters out over the sea.

Palisades Park

Running along Ocean Avenue, this clifftop park offers unbeatable views, art deco benches, and shady spots for reading or reflecting. A local’s favorite for walking, jogging, or just taking a breather.

South Beach / Bay Street Surf Spot

Forget Venice. If you’re into surfing—or just watching—this is where local wave riders hang. Mornings are mellow, the surf culture is real, and there’s always parking if you know when to go (hint: before 9 a.m.).

The Carousel on the Santa Monica Pier

It all began in the early 1900s with Charles I. D. Looff, a Danish-American master carver who crafted the very first carousel at Coney Island in 1876. After finding success on the East Coast, he moved west around 1910, bringing his vision of amusement park grandeur to California. In 1916, together with his son Arthur, Looff purchased beachfront land at Santa Monica and constructed a Pleasure Pier adjacent to the municipal pier. At its heart stood the majestic Looff Hippodrome, purpose-built to house one of his lavish carousels in a striking California‑Byzantine‑Moorish style structure.

The Hippodrome opened its doors on June 12, 1916, drawing crowds eager to ride its hand-carved merry-go-round. Looff’s original carousel remained there until 1939, when it was sold and replaced in 1947 by a new Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel built in 1922, relocated from Venice Pier. Today’s carousel boasts 44 wooden horses, two sleighs, and one goat—each restored and beautifully hand-painted by 1990.

Through the mid-century years, the pier changed hands and the original carousel survived even as other rides vanished. By the 1970s, there were proposals to demolish the structure to make way for redevelopment—but a robust local movement, led by preservation advocates like Save Santa Monica Bay, prevailed and the city gained ownership of the Pier in 1974.

Despite damage from powerful winter storms in the 1980s, restoration efforts launched in 1983, led by the Pier Restoration Corporation. Between 1977 and 1984, both the Hippodrome exterior and the carousel underwent extensive renovation. In 1987, the building was formally recognized as a National Historic Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Over a century later, the Looff Hippodrome survives as one of only two intact amusement‑pier carousel buildings remaining on the West Coast. It has appeared in iconic films—most famously in The Sting (1973)—and continues to delight visitors as part of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.

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LAX: New & Improved

LAX: New & Improved

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L Los Angeles International Airport is in the midst of its most dramatic transformation since the Jet Age. Once defined by traffic snarls and dated concourses, LAX is now emerging as something else entirely—a multi-billion-dollar gateway designed for ease, elegance, and experience. At the heart of this renewal is architecture, both old and new. The iconic Theme Building still stands like a sci-fi relic from 1961, its white, swooping arches an unmistakable symbol of mid-century optimism. Once home to a futuristic revolving restaurant, the structure now awaits a new purpose. While closed to the public, it looms with potential, and whispers suggest it may soon be repurposed for dining, events, or even an adjacent boutique hotel. Elsewhere across the sprawling campus, the future is arriving gate by gate. New concourses stretch out like minimalist glass cathedrals—bright, efficient, and lined with interactive signage. Solar-shaded facades keep heat at bay, while landscaped plazas soften the airport’s once-concrete image. These aren’t just terminals—they’re civic spaces, designed to reflect the city they serve. Dining has seen a significant evolution. Gone are the uninspired fast-food counters of travel’s past. In their place are local brands, chef-driven menus, and even the introduction of ghost kitchens, allowing passengers to order meals from a wider range of restaurants throughout the airport. It’s part of a growing effort to turn LAX into a taste-driven experience as much as a transportation hub. Even the seating areas, with their soft leather banquettes and power-equipped communal tables, feel more like hotel lounges than holding pens. But the biggest change might be what’s happening beneath it all. Below the taxiing jets and rental car garages, a new electric train line is gliding into place. The Automated People Mover—set to open soon—is an elevated, driverless system that connects all terminals with offsite parking, the consolidated rental car facility, and the regional Metro line. For the first time, visitors will be able to arrive in Los Angeles and access the city without ever stepping into a car. It’s a vision of frictionless travel, long promised, finally realized. As LAX readies itself for the 2028 Olympics, the changes aren’t just cosmetic. They speak to a broader redefinition of the airport’s role in Los Angeles life: not just a way in or out, but a cultural threshold—one that’s being reimagined with purpose, polish, and a deep nod to LA’s architectural heritage. The Jet Age never truly ended here. It’s just been upgraded.

“The People Mover is a game-changer. For the first time, a visitor can step off a plane and be on the Metro in minutes—without a car, without chaos.” — Urban transit advocate, MoveLA

What’s Cooking at 30,000 Feet?

Terminal 1: Trejo’s Tacos, Urth Caffé (Coming soon) Terminal 2: Built-to-order ghost kitchens with app-based ordering Terminal 6: Top Chef–curated pizza, Peet’s Coffee Tom Bradley (TBIT): ink.sack, Petrossian Champagne Bar, Border Grill Highlights: – Local brands featured: A focus on SoCal favorites elevates airport dining – Tech meets taste: Order from your phone, pick up at your gate – Design-forward spaces: No more plastic trays and fluorescent lighting

The Automated People Mover – By the Numbers

Track Length: 2.25 miles (elevated guideway) Stations: 6 total (3 inside LAX, 3 outside) Operating Speed: ~47 mph Capacity: 10,000 passengers per hour Frequency: Every 2–3 minutes Fully Electric: Yes – zero emissions Opens: Expected 2024 Connects To: Metro C Line + Consolidated Rental Car Center (ConRAC) – Design-forward spaces: No more plastic trays and fluorescent lighting

The Automated People Mover – By the Numbers

– MSC South Concourse: Opens 2025, adds 8 new gates – Terminal 9 + Concourse 0: Massive expansion east of Sepulveda – Theme Building Revival: Still unannounced—but a top priority – Olympics 2028 Prep: LAX’s total makeover aims for global debut

Out of This World: The Legacy of LAX’s Iconic Theme Building

In the mid-20th century, as jet travel promised to shrink the world and catapult humanity into a new era, Los Angeles International Airport aimed to embody that optimism in concrete and steel. Rising like a spaceship on launch, the Theme Building, completed in 1961, was both a symbol of the future and a love letter to a city infatuated with speed, glamour, and style.

Perched in the heart of LAX, the Theme Building is more than just an architectural oddity—it’s a testament to the space-age dreams of postwar America. Its sleek white arches and suspended central pod look like something straight out of a 1960s sci-fi movie, which makes sense: it was built during a time when Americans were equally captivated by air travel and outer space.

But behind its futuristic façade is a story of collaboration, adaptation, and vision.

The Minds Behind the Marvel

The original vision for LAX’s redevelopment was bold: a central terminal topped with a glass dome, surrounded by satellite boarding areas connected by underground tunnels. The design was ambitious—too ambitious, it turned out, for the airport’s budget and timeline. As plans were scaled back, one element remained too striking to scrap: the central theme structure.

The design that became the Theme Building was the work of a veritable dream team of architects:

  • William Pereira and Charles Luckman, whose firm conceived the overall plan for the new LAX. Pereira would go on to design the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco and several major campuses in California.

  • Welton Becket, whose architectural fingerprints are all over Los Angeles, including the Music Center and the Capitol Records Building, helped execute the final design.

  • And Paul R. Williams, a pioneering Black architect revered for his residential work with Hollywood’s elite, contributed key refinements that helped give the Theme Building its distinctive style.

What emerged from this collaboration was a 135-foot-high flying saucer-like structure supported by two massive concrete parabolic arches. These arches, which appear to effortlessly hold the hovering restaurant pod, are in fact separate from the pod and serve as an illusion of suspension—a structural and aesthetic sleight of hand that still amazes visitors today.

From Rotating Restaurant to Cultural Icon

Inside the Theme Building, travelers once dined at Encounter Restaurant, a retro-futuristic dining spot that opened in 1997 after a major renovation. Though the restaurant closed in 2013, it left behind memories of martinis under spaceship ceilings and panoramic views of departing flights.

For years, the building’s observation deck offered one of the best public views of the LAX runways and the Hollywood Hills beyond. Closed after 9/11 for security concerns, it reopened after extensive retrofitting and seismic upgrades, reinforcing the structure while preserving its original flair.

Designated, Respected, and Reinvented

In 1993, the city of Los Angeles officially designated the Theme Building a Historic-Cultural Monument. Since then, its presence has become more nostalgic than functional—a beacon of LAX’s Jet Age glamour amidst today’s sprawling, security-driven terminals.

Yet, despite the changes to the airport around it, the Theme Building endures. It’s appeared in films, inspired countless photographers, and remains one of the most recognized architectural statements in all of Southern California.

It’s not just a building. It’s a time capsule.

And it’s still standing, quietly defying gravity and reminding travelers—just before takeoff—that L.A. has always had its eyes on the sky.

LAX Traveler Resources & Services

 Official Airport Website

  • LAX Website: https://www.flylax.com
    Get terminal maps, flight status, parking info, security wait times, and more.

Flight & Terminal Info

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A Touch of Sri Lanka

A Touch of Sri Lanka

by

 

Tucked between Thai Town and Los Feliz, Kurrypinch delivers a bold, flavor-packed Sri Lankan experience with modern flair. The Hollywood Boulevard location feels like an intimate, culinary escape — stylish yet warm, with a cozy patio and an inviting chef’s counter.

The vibe is casual-cool, and the service is friendly, if sometimes a bit leisurely. What stands out is the chef’s personal touch — often greeting guests or explaining dishes tableside, which adds charm to the experience.

Signature Dishes

Kottu Roti
A stir-fry of chopped roti, vegetables, egg, and meat. It’s deeply comforting, textured, and packed with flavor — a house favorite.

Lamprais
A weekend special featuring banana-leaf wrapped rice, curry, sambol, shrimp, egg, and a fish croquette. It’s fragrant, rich, and satisfying.

String Hopper Pilau
Delicate noodle nests served with vibrant curries. A refined twist on tradition and a standout on the menu.

Coconut Milk Risotto with Mahi‑Mahi
Creamy, aromatic risotto topped with tender mahi-mahi, spiced chile oil, and caramelized onions. Unexpected and delightful.

Deviled Chicken
A fiery, sizzling plate that brings serious heat and satisfying depth. Spicy food lovers, take note.

Mackerel Croquettes & Chickpea Curry
Crunchy, flavorful croquettes pair well with the mild, earthy chickpea curry — perfect for sharing or balancing bolder dishes.

Drinks & Extras

Highlights include a Sri Lankan michelada made with tamarind and beer, an avocado milkshake with ice cream, and a classic mango lassi. There’s also a modest wine and cocktail list, with thoughtful pairings that complement the spice-forward menu.

Value

Most entrees are around $25 and generously portioned. Many diners leave with leftovers — a bonus for those who love a second round of spice the next day. It strikes a solid balance between quality and affordability.

Final Thoughts

What to Love:

  • Unapologetically bold flavors and creative takes on Sri Lankan classics

  • A warm, personal touch from the chef and staff

  • Ideal for adventurous diners or those looking to try something new

Things to Know:

  • Service can be uneven on busy nights

  • Dishes trend spicy — medium here still means hot

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Kurrypinch is one of the most exciting additions to Hollywood’s dining scene — soulful, vibrant, and full of flavor. Whether you’re a longtime lover of South Asian food or a curious newcomer, it’s worth the trip.

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