Trousdale Estates

Producer, Randy Simon at the door of his Trousdale Estates Home

Last night I attended the L.A. Conservancy Modern Committee general meeting at the Trousdale Estates home of Randy Simon on North Hillcrest Road in Beverly Hills.  It was very nostalgic for me, driving up Hillcrest Road.  We lived on Hillcrest for about 4 years in the mid to late 1960's....many blocks south of Trousdale though!

Interior Courtyard

Producer, Randy Simon's home has been completely refurbished and revitalized, while keeping many historic details of this 1956 modern home.  The home has very clean lines, beautiful landscaping and a fully in-tact vintage kitchen.

Top of the Line 1958 Deluxe Kitchen

This was a regular general meeting for ModCom  After a lengthy introduction of guests, updates on various preservation issues were discussed, like Wyvernwood Garden Apartments in Boyle Heights; The Case Study House Nomination and the Commercial Council report.

Alison Martino and Steven Price

Ellen, Kim and Alison

The highlight of the meeting was a lecture and slide show given by Steven Price which was geared  toward the particular history of Trousdale Estates and how it's an integral part of the Beverly Hills Preservation process. Steven has done extensive research on Trousdale Estates.  I so look forward to his upcoming book, "OVER THE TOP, the Architectural History of Trousdale Estates, Beverly Hills."

Tim Braseth and Larry Underhill

It was a wonderful evening of chatting with friends and experiencing a true mid-20th century jewel. 

Photo courtesy of Randy Simon Productions

#grannysquared

#grannysquared, Craft & Folk Art Museum

It's done!  Yarn Bombing L.A.'s huge project "Granny Squared" is finally up and ready for the public to see.  It was so much fun participating in this.  I do believe I crocheted almost 50 of the 5000 squares, at home and also at CAFAM on their Stitch 'n Bitch Saturdays.  It was really great meeting so many like-minded crochet artists, especially the organizers of the project, Arzu Arda Kosar and Carol Zou.  

Click here to see how the project came together. 

The official opening and party is this coming Saturday, May 25, 6-9 pm at CAFAM, 5814 Wilshire Boulevard (at Curson, directly across the street from the Tar Pits).  I'll see you there!

 

Check out this video of a CAFAM SnB and Ellen speed-crocheting!

Vintage Photo Friday

Liberace and his piano-shaped pool.  Sherman Oaks, CA.  1954.  Valley Times Collection, LAPL Photo Archives.

Everyone here at the office is gearing up for the premiere (May 26th) of "Behind the Candelabra," the HBO movie based on the autobiographical novel and the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson.  The movie stars Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damon as Thorson.  Debbie Reynolds is cast as Liberace's mother!

Liberace had many homes here in Los Angeles.  Notably, he built a home in Sherman Oaks in the early 1950's, just up the hill from my husband's family.  Family lore has it that Larry's brother, who was around 5 years old at the time, wandered up the hill while the cement was drying in the piano-shaped swimming pool at Liberace's house.  He put his hand prints and foots prints in the wet cement.  I'm told that this area of the pool was re-cemented.  Too bad.  I'd love to see those little prints at the bottom of Lee's pool!!

According to bing.com maps, aerial view, the pool is still there!

bing.com aerial view of 15405 Valley Vista Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA

One of my co-workers has a life-size cardboard cut-out of Liberace in his cubicle.  I did a few dance steps with Lee!

Ellen and the dashing Liberace in full Americana attire!

Have a dazzling weekend, my friends!

Office Campus

Colorado Center Garden, Santa Monica

I've been participating in Carla's "31 days, 31 walks, 31 minutes" which translates into every day in May take a walk for at least 31 minutes, then let the group know via Facebook when and where you walked.  I decided to take Carla's challenge.  I figured I could do anything for just 31 days.

A few days this month I've been able to drag myself out of bed and walk before work in the morning in our neighborhood.  Most days though I find it easier just to take a walk around my office campus during lunch time.  I work at the Colorado Center in Santa Monica.  The gardens here are beautifully landscaped.  There's a public park, tennis courts and other amenities.  I feel very lucky to have such a lush and well-maintained place to take my daily walks.

View from our 5th floor balcony

I've read that it takes 21 days for an activity to become a habit.  I'm only on day 15 and I still hate that 31 minute daily walk.  Ugh.  

Carla is quite popular and has many followers.  You can search The Kicking and Screaming Vegan on Facebook to follow our progress.

More Taco Testing

5408 W Pico Blvd  Los Angeles

Last Friday night we decided to re-try our neighborhood taco place, Sky's Tacos. Sky's has been in business for years...at least 10, maybe more.  We tried it when it first opened.  It was OK.  Since we've been on this hunt for tacos near our house, we decided to give Sky's another try.  Sky's is in half of a beautiful art deco building.

The food was good.  Not fabulous, but definitely good.  The chips and guacamole salsa were great.  It seems like the chips are made in-house.  Larry ordered two tacos, chicken and carnitas.  I ordered carnitas and carne asada.  Each taco was really big, lots of meat and vegies.  They were all very tasty.  I wasn't crazy about the red sauce on the tacos.  It's not salsa, more like ranchero sauce.  I'd ask for it on the side next time.

It was a Friday night and there were lots of people ordering tacos, so the service was a bit on the slow side.  Since we had to wait for our tacos, I was expecting the chips and guacamole salsa first.  It arrived at the same time as our tacos and drinks.  Sigh.  Dining room organization and efficiency could be improved.  Since the staff (two people) were rather stressed, I didn't get the feeling that they were happy to see us.  Next time, I'll order ahead and take-out.

See you at El Gallito!

2013 Annual Dishcloth Swap

It's time to start gearing up for the 2013 Annual Dishcloth Swap!  This is my favorite swap of the year.  The Ravelry group is chatty and supportive.  People knit and/or crochet the most amazing dishcloths.  Yes, a dishcloth can be AMAZING!  This is an opportunity to try out a new stitch or technique and whip it up in a little square or round format...speedy!  Yes!  

We are submitting 5 dishcloths of the same pattern, different colors, 100% cotton by July 27th.  We will receive 5 different dishcloths back!  The moderators of this swap are Eve and Michele.  Both are excellent knitters and crocheters and are really good about being fair in the dishcloth distribution.  Read the instructions and join us! 

The Beautiful Dishcloths I Received Last Year

I've decided to use this pattern.  I've made it many times before, so it should go quickly.  The pattern, in worsted weight yarn turns out a 12-inch square, too large for this swap.  So, I'm using a finer cotton thread and downsizing my hook.  The square in the top photo, made in Samoa Cotton with a size "E" hook, including the picot border, resulted in a 7-1/2-inch square.  I used some variegated Egyptian cotton for the border.

I like this square so much, that I started an afghan of heart squares using this pattern.  One day, I'll finish it!

Unfinished Heart Afghan

Com on, join us!  You know you want to.

Vintage Photo Friday

Santa Monica Blvd. & Doheny Dr., early 1940's.  BH Historic Preservation (Facebook) Photo Collection

Beverly Hills is my home town.  Since leaving BH when I was first married in 1974, I've always lived on the fringes of this small town, or as the real estate ads say, "Beverly Hills Adjacent."   I'm constantly driving through Beverly Hills on my way to everywhere. While driving around, I cannot help but remember all of my elementary and high school friends'

homes, the shops and restaurants that used to be.  There have been so many changes in BH since my youth, much of the change being of an architectural nature.  Sadly, many of the buildings of yesteryear have been demolished or altered so radically, that they are barely recognizable.

I'm thrilled to state that Historic Preservation in the City of Beverly Hills was approved by the City Council on January 24, 2012.  There's a web-page too with all of the details and guidelines to historic preservation.  Maybe this will curb some of the mansion-ization that has occurred in the past!

Looks like the City is sprucing up those BEVERLY HILLS signs too!  I drove by a sign shop in Mid-City Los Angeles to see the template for our beloved sign sitting in the yard!

Signmakers, Inc., Mid-City L.A.

Have a wonderful weekend!  Take a stroll through Beverly Gardens Park this weekend.  Beverly Gardens runs the length of big Santa Monica Boulevard, from one end of the City to the other!  It should be perfect weather.

Seen Around Town

Here are a few snaps of things I've noticed while cruising around Los Angeles.

Metro Bridge being built in Billingsley's Parking Lot

Cactus Garden, Pan Pacific Park

Graffiti Art, Pan Pacific Park

Tiki Patio, Mid-City L.A.

Mural, Venice, CA

License to Snap

More vanity license plates in and around the Beverly Hills area.  All of these were snapped by my reporter / photographer in the field, Brenda!  I like to call her Brenda Starr!

Probably an accountant or business manager!

Transplant from the Georgia

Translation from German:  "Very well" or "Awfully Good"

Thanks for the great snaps, Brenda!

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

We were lucky enough to be included in a small Cinco de Mayo celebration last Sunday at the home of Carol and Thane.  Yes, they like to give parties.  They give excellent parties.  We all brought something to share for the meal, but Carol and Thane outdid themselves with the margaritas (fresh limes from their backyard tree), two types of guacamole, salsa and all of the other fixin's for sopes! 

The day before, the weather was hot and perfect.  Not so much on Sunday.  It wasn't freezing, but the sun was hidden for most of the afternoon.  Not to worry!  The warmth of those strong margaritas heated up the party!

After a long cocktail hour, the meat was thrown on the grill and the main meal was served.   One of our friends requested that I bring my ukulele to teach him a few chords.  That friend bowed out of the party at the last minute, but the ukuleles surfaced.  

 

Larry

Rick

We sang a few tunes and then had dessert!  It was a wonderful afternoon!  Olé

Mexican Mocha Cake w/Kahlua

More photos here.