Archive for the ‘art and culture’ Category
Preserving and Celebrating Salvador
March 9th, 2010 | 
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As much as I love visiting large cities and national capitals, having limited time abroad often denies you the opportunity to view the true soul of a country. To me, Chicago presents visitors a near-perfect American city in architecture, culture, and spirit; Lyon reveals France's charm and cuisine; and Daejon allows you to glimpse everyday Korean life and a gateway to the country's spectacular nature. Salvador lacks Rio's glamour or São Paulo's constant business drumbeat, but this city of 2 million, capital of the state of Bahia, is arguably the heart of Brazil. Your initial impression of Salvador may be jarring, but that will quickly bloom into optimism and affection. (more...)Parkman Triangle Hits Pay Dirt!
Well, actually it was free dirt. It's been an eye-opening experience working on the Parkman Triangle Project. I've spent many hours this month calling contractors, from trucking companies to landscapers to plumbers to dirt companies. What money we have really needs to go to plumbing, so to save about $2500, we decided to see what we could scrounge up from contractors who are working on projects and need to dump their dirt. (more...)Sanctuary in a Brazilian Ice Cream Store
Our second week in Brazil was spent in Mangue Seco, a two hour drive northeast of Salvador. I will write more about this spectacular corner of Bahia, which gave us one of the most restful and remote vacations we had ever experienced. But for now, allow me to indulge in one of our favorite pastimes: a daily visit to Recanto de Dona Sula, quite possibly one of the best ice cream shops I have ever visited. (more...)Salvador’s Carnaval: 2 Nights With Daniela Mercury
It's been a couple weeks since our Carnaval experience in Salvador da Bahia, but the intensity and energy is still with us.Carnaval brings just about every emotion in you. There is the exhilaration and joy of being with an enthusiastic and ecstatic group; boredom and ennui as you wait for your bloco to begin moving; disgust and anger, as you see the filth and get pushed around by the crowds, and relief yet disappointment when your bloco finally reaches the end of the circuit.
For two nights, we were in Daniela Mercury's bloco, Crocodilo. I think this was the best bloco to be in. (more...)
Posted in International, art and culture | 
Tags: bloco Crocodilo, Brazil, Carnaval, Daniela Mercury, garbage, recycling, Salvador Carnaval, Salvador Carnaval 2010, Salvador da Bahia | 
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A night of Candomblé
Mweeer--aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!
That roar from the young woman in a deep trance will always stay with me; it certainly symbolized our trip to Salvador da Bahia!
For our last night in Salvador, we went to a terreiro, or Candomblé hall. It was a last minute plan--during our trip to Mangue Seco, Flavia, our Salvador hotel's owner, tried finding us a Candomblé ceremony that we would be able to attend. She was not having any luck, so it seemed our last night in this fantastic city would be spent walking around the Pelourinho, the city's old historic center. That would have been all right, but we would have missed out on one aspect of Brazilian life that makes this country keep pulling you back to visit.
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Posted in International, art and culture |
Tags: Brazil, Candomblé, Federação, Salvador da Bahia, terreiros, videos |
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Parkman Triangle: Stage One!
I was thrilled to find out that work Parkman Triangle Park has finally started. I took the dog out for a walk to see for myself, and I like what's been done!
The asphalt has been ripped out, and soon the water main can be installed. It turned out to be quite a job. The workers who were at the site told me that it turned out there were two layers of asphalt: one was the original street, and then you had the top layer which has been home to illegal parking and Sunday flea markets for years. The workers seemed excited about this project, too: they had also worked on a similar greening project in East Hollywood. (more...)
Parkman Triangle-Demolition Monday?
GGP is in Brazil with little internet connection, but we have heard that demolition on Parkman Triangle may start on Monday--so stay tuned. Let's hope this finally happens. Since we cannot be there, please take pictures if this happens!!!!
Many thanks to John Southern and Ara Babaian for all their work.
A Tango for the Soul
One of the great delights of visiting Argentina is going to a milonga, or tango hall. I'm not talking about a tango show--there are plenty of those that cater to tourists, and sure, they are a hoot, but the best way to experience the Argentine soul is to visit a smoke-filled milonga late at night. I visited them in Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, and yes, of course, BA, and they are a treat. You'll watch folks of all ages dance during a tanda, grab refreshments during a cortina, and before you know it, it may be past 3:00 a.m. When visiting Argentina, you'll see announcements in local papers, or ask your hotel or hostel wherever you are staying in Argentina. Some offer lessons, and this is a great way to meet locals or fellow travelers. Ask a local about all the rules and nuances--far beyond the scope of this posting! (more...)
Posted in International, art and culture |
Tags: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Jose Maria Contursi, San Telmo, tango |
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Grandma’s House
Years ago my brother wrote this poem for my father. Our grandmother passed away in 1990, but her hearty and giving spirit still stays with us. Her little house in Fresno has not really changed much since she moved out 24 years ago, but every time I visit Fresno, I have to drive by for a quick visit to the home where as children, we shared so many beautiful memories.
All these buzzwords we currently hear (sustainable, green, eco-, etc.) were not thrown around during her lifetime. But as I read this poem, I realize that we would all be in a better place if we lived as simply, frugally, and generously as she had during her 85 years.
And while we discuss and agonize over all of our problems, issues, and controversies, we often forget that the best solutions were offered by those who came before us.
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Posted in air - land - quality of life, art and culture |
Tags: Armenian, cooking, Fresno, Ovsanna Kaye, San Joaquin Valley, slow food |
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Michael Jackson: He would have LED
Two regrets I have about Michael Jackson: 1) I never saw him live in concert and 2) I didn't see This is It in the theaters. But I did finally see the DVD, and while the film was stellar and moving . . . I was entranced by one of the special features, "The Gloved One."MJ had always been a fashion icon, and his images will always be imprinted in our memories. What struck me about watching This is It was that his untimely, and unnecessary passing, affected so many people in countless ways. Yes, there were the grips, assistants, dancers, planners, etc. . . . but what would have been worth a trip to London was to see him in concert wearing the costume he would have worn during "Billie Jean." (more...)
Posted in art and culture, business |
Tags: LED fashion, LED technology, Lumalive, Michael Jackson, Philips, The Gloved One, This is It, Zaldy |
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Parkman Triangle Park in Silver Lake
At the corner of Silver Lake Boulevard and Parkman Avenue lies a 2000-square foot patch of asphalt that has lain empty for decades. Occasionally, trash is strewn across it; sometimes there are unpermitted weekend yard sales or flea markets; often cars are parked on it illegally. Years ago this space was paved over to make right turns off of Parkman to Silver Lake Blvd. safer, but the redesign left wasted space that currently does nothing for the local community.But soon, after two years of research, phone calls, and neighborhood activism, this barren space in Silver Lake, south of Sunset Boulevard, will become a vibrant park, thanks to the Parkman Triangle Improvement Project. (more...)
The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
Rio is one of those must visit cities, so you should be sure to visit before the 2016 Summer Olympics in case its leaders decide to erase its wonderful retro sheen.Naturally the beaches are lovely, but you must visit the Botanical Garden, at the foot of Corvocado mountain. When we visited in 2004, we happened to visit there on a very rainy day, but we loved every moment of it. Whether you are into orchids, palms, carnivorous plants, cacti, or flowers, you will be in heaven.
Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown.
That line ended the 1974 film, Chinatown, one of the great psychodramas of all time. Inspired by the catastrophic disputes over land and water that embroiled Southern California politics in controversy during the early 1920s, Chinatown should be on your must-see list if you have yet to watch it.It's funny how that term, Chinatown, is part of our American conscience. Part of it is that when about 1 in 5 of the earth's population has roots in that region, you are bound to run into a Chinatown, or at least a cluster of Chinese restaurants and businesses. You shouldn't miss San Francisco's Chinatown when visiting, though the real joy of this neighborhood is exploring its back alleys like Ross and Waverly. New York's Chinatown is vibrant and full of cheap eats in a city that's notorious for assaulting your wallet. Los Angeles still has a Chinatown, but drive a few miles east to towns like Alhambra or Rosemead if you want truly authentic food and a good foot massage. (more...)
The Real California
I spent MLK weekend in Fresno visiting an old college friend. The drive to Fresno is about four hours, and takes you to a completely different world than to which we are accustomed in Southern California or the Bay Area. We tend to be dismissive of this part of the state, but there is much that the San Joaquin Valley offers the visitor. For better or for worse, that bag of goodies you have snagged at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's most likely had its origins in this region, the true bread basket (or gift basket?) of America. Fresno County is the largest agricultural county in the nation; its neighbor, Tulare County, is number two. (more...)
Posted in air - land - quality of life, art and culture, construction and architecture |
Tags: Armenian, farming, Fresno, San Joaquin Valley, Tower District, travel |
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A Story Recycles
Companies from your corner hair salon to Wal-Mart are all on the sustainability bandwagon. When you walk into a shop, it's now common to be bombarded with signs bragging how "green" a company's "recycled" and "eco-friendly" products are. Professional services firms are riding this wave as well, creating "green" committees and including "sustainability" sections on their web sites.
Try selling this to Margie Pabigian, the facilities manager of a West LA law firm, and she'll just shrug her shoulders and laugh. Sustainability, recycling, and living simply has been her family's story for a long time. (more...)
Posted in air - land - quality of life, art and culture, business |
Tags: Armenian, Charlie Pabigian, Margie Pabigian, paper, recycling, United Paper Stock Company |
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