viewfromaloft

LA vs SF (Now Game Day Response*)

 Out of town sports scribes speculate that Bobby Bonds, stuck on HR 754 as the Giants come into LA for a homestand, will be heckled and booed in Chavez Ravine if he breaks Aaron's record.  Others feel for Vin Scully, as Tom Verducci writes at SI.com:

Firstly, poor Vin Scully. The gentlemanly Dodgers announcer, whose call of Hank Aaron's 715th home run is one of his seminal moments, is on record as having wished not to call Bonds' 715th, and now he he has to face the prospect of calling 756 without disdain interrupting his usual eloquence? Scully found such perfect perspective for Aaron's historic shot -- a black man setting the record in the Deep South -- that surely he would have to put Bonds' record-breaker in the context of steroids. How would that sound at the Smithsonian?

The only disdain I ever hear from Scully is when a beach ball fall into the field from the stands, and that has even lightened up the last few years. Still, it will be worth watching just to hear Scully make another call in a career that has seen just about everything in this Dodger-Giant rivalry, including a move from NY.

Elsewhere, a challenge to Dodger fans was made:  "This is going to be a test whether they're going to show their knowledge, appreciation and love for the game -- like they are passionate for the game -- or are they going to go the other way?"  says Dave Roberts, a Giants outfielder and once a Dodger from 2002 until the first half of 2004. ESPN

Game time is 7:30 at Dodger Stadium. 13-1 Penny is starting for the Dodgers.

Meanwhile in SF:  It's just been reported that former 49er head coach Bill Walsh has died at age 75 from with leukemia.

Other Rival: SI is reporting that the Boston Celtics are close to nabbing Kevin Garnett, who earlier in the year was rumored to be looked at as a possible Laker.

Felix the Link

The July 26 Op-Ed "It's your history, but it's our sign" written by the CEO of Shammus Automotive Group brings up questions of what is the actual intent for the Felix the Cat sign and Showroom.  Also, an additional cultural link to a subculture may have just been traced.  More after the jump.

Pictured: Felix the Cat sticker on Route 66 in San Bernardino. 2006 / VFaL

All that was needed was a Helicopter

"Burn Hollywood Burn" had an unexpected turnout for it's closing reception Friday evening as 5 LAFD units parked in front of Underground Gallery answering a call,  briefly adding to the multi-media installation documenting the Griffith Park fire by LA-based artist Sandy Rodriguez Previous: Griffith Park Fire As Art (VFaL)

Take Down in the Arts District

DWP sawed off the top of a power pole at E 3rd and Traction during it's dismantle late Saturday afternoon. That morning, the pole swayed toward Joel Bloom Square under the weight of a crewman. Noon post at blogdowntown.

Another Saturday Downtown

"For 25 years you could go down there — especially on weekends — and shoot. Downtown used to be like 'The Omega Man.' Nobody there. Now things are changing. It's becoming more residential and you have to be fair to the people who have decided to live down there. Now you have a monitor to keep an eye on things.  . . .. I'm starting to think that 'the back lot' may be over." - Film  Production Manager David Doumeng " Car ads put downtown L.A. in the headlghts. LAT

2007 Nisei and Tofu Fests Just Weeks Away *

"Just try to quiet the spirit of a neighborhood that has gone through cultural adaptation, isolated encampment, development that takes away parts of a neighborhood, and a misunderstanding of traditional ways even within your own family. Not many have found a way to celebrate ethnic heritage and yet be flexible to adapt without compromising it.  Even each generation gets a moniker. In Los Angeles they will gather with a call to ancestors for backup, and get supplemental strength through cured bean. Day of the dead in East LA? Not quite. It's the "Ondo" parade with a serving of tofu on the side. " Where Joy Meets Soy / VFaL 2006

* Highlighted post

A quick look of the 2007 versions of the two Little Tokyo traditions follows:

Depp Now High Over Broadway

Curbed LA just updated with:  "It's true. A source says he (Johnny Depp) just bought one of the six penthouses (Eastern Columbia Building/9th and Broadway)".  Johnny Depp to do Penthouse (TMZ) via Depp Plunges In (CurbedLA). ADD:  CK at LAist (WB for a day, BTW)
Pictured: Mash-up of famous film scene with 9th and Broadway in background.

More on Felix

"Instead, their views reflected only a narrow perspective of some in the historic preservation community -- not the needs of the broader community. And they are not beholden to anyone."
- Darryl Holter on the City Cultural Heritage Commission / LA Times Op-Ed / July 26

I have a left brain post at blogdowntown and after the jump is a right brain idea that won't please everyone, but does consider a broader community.

Griffith Park Fire as Art

While bloggers were out taking photos of the Griffith Park fires May 8, artist Sandy Rodriguez watch her television set and painted what she saw documenting the wildfire as site specific / media influenced work. The series, including the iconic Griffth Observatory near flames, was on exhibition in "Burn, Hollywood, Burn" at Echo Park's Underground Gallery.

"Yea, Yea" for the Nerd

LAist continues it's guest editor series with L.A. City Nerd posting for the day, offering a sharp contrast from yesterday's City Hall's protester-in-residence, Zuma Dogg. The Nerd lists us and blogdowntown of two in his top ten "go-to" sources for things in the city,. and we thank "him/her/gender optional".  As usual, no pic of the nerd is on file.