And the fires still burn...

Antelope Valley Fair

Who doesn't love a good turkey leg and some funnel cake alongside a demolition derby? Yesterday was the last day for the fair, but the LA County fair is coming up next week. For more about it check here: http://www.lacountyfair.com/2009/

Saigon Plaza and Dynasty Center

These fun Vietnamese style bazaars sell everything from lucky money plants to turtles to laker cheerleading costumes fit for four year olds. You can bargain your way through and when your done go across the street for delicious dim sum.

The 6-Way Stop Sign Intersection

Beverly + Canon + Lomitas. It's such a bad idea, but it's so much fun.

Lake Hollywood

It probably sucks living near Lake Hollywood Estates because of the tourists, and the dog park and the joggers. But, tucked away beneath the Hollywood sign, this reservoir has a fun little running/biking trail that offers scenic views and a bit of quiet. You can check out a map and whatnot here: http://www.hollywoodknolls.org/hollywood_reservoir.htm

Bradbury Building

This building cost over $500,000 to build... in 1893. Talking about its marble floors, open cage elevators, and skylight ceiling cannot encapsulate how neat it is inside. It's still a building in use, so visitors are only allowed on the first floor. The Los Angeles Conservancy offers tours of the building on Saturdays, for more info check here: http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/downtown/bradbury.php4

Morris Fire

Some people are glued to their televisions this time of year because of football, but my sister finds the television because it's wildfire season. I can't argue with her, it's hypnotic. If you can't find it on the news, you can find coverage here: http://www.ktla.com/news/local/fires/

Paramount Ranch

I went to a summer camp in Agoura and I have these memories of playing amazing games of capture the flag on the set of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and voila, I've found it. Lucky for me, there weren't any children running around chasing after each other this time around. For some real information about this land check here: http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=88

Beware Giant Robots!

Bird of Paradise

The official flower of Los Angeles.

Union 76 Station Beverly Hills

William Pereira, the man responsible for San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid building, worked alongside his associate Gin Wong to design this modern style gas station. As a kid I always thought this should be a hot dog stand, go figure.

Brand Library & Art Center

Mr. Brand built his mansion in a Moorish style in 1904 and his estate was willed to the city of Glendale in 1945. It now houses a library devoted entirely to art and music collections. In 1969 an addition was built to house art galleries and a performance space. The estate also has a Japanese garden, hiking trails, and athletic fields. For more about the Brand Library check here: http://www.ci.glendale.ca.us/photoproject/library/brand_index.asp

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Adjacent to the Paramount Studios, it's no surprise heap loads of famous people are buried here including Johnny Ramone (photo above), Cecil B. DeMille, and Mel Blanc. There are several strange attributes to this place including Saturday night film screenings on the side of the mausoleum (http://www.cinespia.org/), a special Jewish area of the cemetery, and William Clark Jr.'s tomb that lays on its own island. For more info about Hollywood Forever check here: http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/

Angelyne

During the 2003 recall, Angelyne fell impressively 28th out of 135 candidates. However, she's most notorious for her crosstown billboards and her pink corvette with the license plate "ANGELNN." I'm not sure what she did to deserve her fame, but I just think she's great and I have even more respect for her since I caught her parking in front of Denny's. Not even Angelyne can resist a milkshake. For more about Angelyne check here: http://www.angelynepink.com/tc.html

Crepe Myrtle

Most of the year these trees aren't much to be desired, but when in bloom they're pretty much awesome!

Tchaikovsky Spectacular

They say on average people change their careers 8 times. I hope one of my careers is "fireworks display designer." I don't know if that job exists, but it would be like being a painter only way more awesome.

This here display is the 1812 Overture played by the LA Phil and the USC marching band. If you don't know anything about this work, it was written after the Battle of Borodino - Napolean's last attack on Russian soil. To celebrate, Tchaikovsky wrote this noted work of triumph using cathedral bells and cannons.

Eames House - Case Study #8

This house is constructed entirely out of pre-fabricated materials, but it looks like a steel box painted by Mondrian. Not only did Charles and Ray Eames design this house, but they lived in it until Ray's death in the mid-80's. Even though the husband and wife design team is best known for their furniture, and otherwise known for their experimental film "Power of 10" (watch here), this house put them on the architecture map as the leaders of the modern style. For more about the Eames house check here: http://www.eamesfoundation.org/

Twilight Dance Series

Festive Angelenos everywhere. It's a BYO picnic with free music. And it's on the beach! For more info for about free music Thursdays at the pier check here: http://www.santamonicapier.org/fun.html#1

Cruising Van Nuys

Fans set up beach chairs to watch this time honored autocade. Van Nuys was central to car culture in the 50's through the 70's, but this 2nd-Wednesday-of-the-month time warp brings together all kinds of classics. Then they drive up and down Van Nuys Blvd. between Burbank and Sherman Way. For more about Van Nuys Cruising check here: http://www.vannuyscruisingassociation.com/

Pico Canyon

Charles Alexander Mentry struck oil in 1876 and his "Well No. 4" was capped 114 years later in 1990. Due to a fear of rattlers and mountain lions, we did not make it to the historic well. I have no idea how much more of a hike it takes to get there, but I recommend this silly little ghost town adventure in the spring when the creek's aflowin' and the snakes are sleeping. For more about Mentryville check here: http://www.scvhistory.com/mentryville/mstory.htm

Chavez Ravine Arboretum

Obnu - South America

Cedar of Lebanon - Asia Minor

You could easily come to the park, have a lovely picnic, and go home without having any idea you were smack dab in the middle of a hundred year old arboretum. Despite the fact that the entrance to the arboretum is poorly labeled, many of the hundred different species of trees in this collection are labeled. For more about the arboretum check here: http://www.laparks.org/dos/horticulture/chavez.htm

White Mike

Driving along Mulholland and bam! - the shark. Going to the beach - he's there too. I've been wondering for months what this shark is all about and finally the answers arrived via the rather anticlimactic google search: "LA shark poster." Who knew it could be so easy? Anyway, "White Mike" has been glued all over the place to remind us of the plight of the Great Whites. For more info check here: http://thisiswhitey.wordpress.com/

Beach Volleyball

What better way to spend a Saturday than with your friends, gettin' all sweaty and flopping into the sand?

Schindler House

West Hollywood is known for its shopping, nightlife, and of course, its boys. But historical landmarks, not so much. The Schindler House casually hides in hedge lined property on Kings Road, just off Melrose. It holds the MAK center for Art and Architecture, a program dedicated to exploring experimental art and architecture. For more about the house or the MAK center check here: http://www.makcenter.org/MAK_Schindler_House.php