With gas prices so high, nobody is a fan of the gasoline companies these days. But Kim and Nathan over at 1947 Project have an affinity for a symbol of one of them – the 76 ball - which is being retired in favor of a fairly icky, and non-orange, new sign.

About our cause: ConocoPhillips is removing the iconic 76 Balls and replacing them with boring rectangular signs that aren’t even orange! Our petition and boycott asks that they STOP THIS and leave the remaining 76 Balls on their poles, where they belong. Wanna help?:

When I was growing up, my grandpa had several of those old 76 antenna balls, which he used for various purposes. One was an actual antenna ball. One was hung from the ceiling in the garage to help my grandma park the minivan in the right spot each time (it’d hit the windshield when the car was in the right position – any further and the front end would overlap the little walkway into the house). When ha received others, he stuck them on other random locations in his house – I even think he had one hanging off one of his golf clubs. So I have a fairly sentimental attachment to the freakin’ orange ball.

I think my local station still has the old-style ball, but I’m out of town right now and can’t check. (Oh, woe is me!) If ConocoPhilips won’t relent on the decision to change the signage, I think they should auction the old 76 balls off, with proceeds going to charity. People who have some kind of weird-ass sentimental attachment to those giant orange balls can bid on them, while everyone else goes about their business refilling their tanks, oblivious to our work. 76 Orange Ball nerds unite!

As someone who flies into and out of LAX 4-6 times a month, I am very familiar with the traffic congestion that occurs around LAX. This is especially true at rush hour, as people who live or work in the area compete with stressed travelers rushing to get to their destinations in an ever-changing aviation environment. As a frequent traveler, I have my tricks to circumvent the backup of traffic off the 105 at the airport exit – I exit a couple of exits early and park at one of the off-airport parking lots with a shuttle bus – but even so, I have to build in extra travel time during peak hours due to the congestion. The new LAX FlyAway bus that departs from Union Station looks promising as well, but the public transportation options to and from the airport are still lacking.

Airport planners had previously suggested rebuilding the entire airport, but that plan was unpopular, especially with the cities surrounding LAX. Now they’ve come up with several new ideas:

They’re little more than concepts now, lines on paper that show how the bumper-to-bumper traffic that bedevils Los Angeles International Airport might someday be loosened.

Double-deck Century Boulevard. Extend the Century (105) Freeway. Create a free-flowing loop of road that could get travelers to their terminals without once waiting at a red light.

Airport planners will unveil the ideas — many of them gleaned from months of community brainstorming meetings — during a public hearing this evening.

Unfortunately, I missed the hearing, but I’ll be interested to watch how this plays out. LAX handled 61 million passengers last year and is the fifth busiest passenger airport in the country world. While some of this traffic consists of passengers connecting to and from transpacific destinations, a large number of those passengers are either residents or visitors to Los Angeles. In my opinion, the airport desperately needs some form of modernization that will allow it to more effectively handle that amount of traffic flow. None of the suggestions from the airport planners are easy or quick to implement, but at least they’re thinking about ways to solve this problem. I think the idea of new offramps and roadways that lead directly into LAX from surrounding freeways instead of onto already congested streets is a good one, but I’m sure there are significant drawbacks to it and all the plans. How much will it cost? How long will it take? What will the impact be to the existing traffic situation while the construction is occurring? I only hope that the airport and city planners can agree on something that will improve the situation.

Since there are so many cycling enthusiasts here on blogging.la, I’m sure you will be shocked (SHOCKED!) to learn that there is at least one cycling newbie here – me. The last time I rode a bike was when I was 7, so I’ve got a good 25 years of non-experience to build upon. After deciding that I needed to freakin’ get a bike already and doing some research, I went to Budget Pro Bikes in Eagle Rock on Spencer’s recommendation and picked up an Electra Townie. It’s built in such a way that your feet can rest flat on the ground when you’re stopped, so it’s a good re-entry bike for people like me who are balance-challenged.

So, now I need to learn how to ride it. Do any of you cyclists have any tips for beginners? Are there any nice, level spots in L.A. where a beginner can go to learn the basics without getting run over and/or face planting on asphalt? Is there any foolproof way to keep from looking like a complete dork when you’re a grown woman trying to ride a bike for the first time in your adult life? All tips will be greatly appreciated.

Name: Fred G. Sanford
Residence: 9114 South Central, Watts
Wheels: 1947 Mercury M-47 truck
Occupation: Proprietor/Owner, Sanford & Son Salvage

Widower Fred Sanford is the eccentric proprietor of a Watts salvage yard that he runs with his son Lamont, a high school dropout. A World War II veteran and certified curmudgeon, Fred is prone to false heart attacks and calling his son a “big dummy”. His favorite after-work beverage is Ripple wine, and Fred’s creativity has led to such concotions as Champipple (Champagne + Ripple) and Manischipple (Manischewitz + Ripple, and my personal favorite). Known associates include Lamont’s Aunt Esther, Bubba Bexley and Grady Wilson.

More info: Fred on Wikipedia

Other fictional Angelenos in this series.

With the new security restrictions at domestic airports, I was concerned that there would be huge lines at LAX today for my flight. I removed all liquid and gel-like items from my luggage (I always carry-on, never check) and headed to the airport a few hours early. As the parking shuttle brought me in to the airport, I saw that the police had implemented their random car searches again, but this didn’t cause a delay as they just waved the shuttles through. I saw some lines outside of Terminal 1, which houses US Airways, Southwest, and America West, but they appeared to be for checking bags, not for security. The biggest crowds and hubbub were at the international terminal. T4, where I am now, has a ton of media trucks outside, but the situation inside is fine – slightly longer lines for checking bags, but lines for check-in and security are about normal for a weekday afternoon. I was checked in and through security in under 10 minutes.

According to the airport staff that I talked to, the lines were much longer in the morning as people who hadn’t heard of the liquid ban were getting things confiscated, but things have died down a bit at that end and are now making lines longer for checking bags. So, if you’re traveling today and are checking a bag, get there early. The TSA is recommending getting to the airport 2-3 hours before your flight departs. If you’re not checking a bag, you probably have a little more time. In either case, make sure you take all the liquids out of your carry-on bag – I did see TSA employees confiscate some lotion from one person and there was a bin full of confiscated stuff in the security area. Liquids in checked bags are ok, and baby formula and medications are exempt from the ban.

Name: Ralph Furley
Residence: 834 Ocean Vista Avenue #101, Santa Monica
Occupation: Apartment Manager

The landlord of a Santa Monica apartment complex, Mr. Furley exudes charm, wit, and an amazing talent for picking just the right leisure suit for any occasion. It’s been rumored that he enjoys spying on his tenants, especially the attractive ladies in apartment 201. You may have seen him and his fabulously flashy leisure suits (with coordinating neckerchiefs!) all around Santa Monica and other beachy locales, but mostly he sticks close to home by spending time at the local pub, the Regal Beagle.

More info: Where are they now? | Mr. Furley at Wikipedia | Mr. Furley’s MySpace page

Other fictional Angelenos in this series.

Name:Pee-wee Herman
Residence: Playhouse
Area code: ::bzzz, crackle, bzzz::: what? WHAT?!!!
Occupation: Kid’s TV show host, full time Manchild.

Pee-wee is a well-known Angeleno, friend of cowboys, talking chairs, and mail deliverypersons alike. You may have seen him around town riding a vintage red Schwinn (or conducting a search to find it when it goes missing, which happens occasionally). Known associates include Chairry, Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne and Reba the Mail Lady.

If you love the Playhouse so much, why don’t you marry it?!?!

More info: Pee-wee’s Playhouse at Wikipedia | Enter the Playhouse!

Other Fictional Angelenos in this series

In an L.A. Times article this weekend, reporter Claire Hoffman gets a rather unpleasant look into the life of “Girls Gone Wild” creator Joe Francis:

He has turned on me, and I don’t know why. He’s going on and on about Panama City Beach, the spring break spot in northern Florida where Bay County sheriff’s deputies arrested him three years ago on charges of racketeering, drug trafficking and promoting the sexual performance of a child. As he yells, I wonder if this is a flashback, or if he’s punishing me for being the only blond in sight who’s not wearing a thong. This much is certain: He’s got at least 80 pounds on me and I’m thinking he’s about to break my left arm. My eyes start to stream tears.

The rest of the article contains behavior that is even more appalling, including a somewhat muddled accusation of date rape from a GGW participant. While I find “Girls Gone Wild” unappealing from a consumer perspective, I don’t necessarily have a problem with the concept – if these girls want to take their tops off for a few minutes of screen time and a t-shirt, more power to them – but this article sheds light on a side of the GGW empire that makes it even more unappealing.

via boing boing

Everyone in L.A. has complained about the traffic at one point or another. I don’t really get annoyed by freeway traffic anymore because my commute consists of walking from my bedroom to my living room or going to the airport, and I always conveniently time my airport trips to avoid rush hour. However, I do spend a good amount of time driving around Los Angeles and environs and see an awful lot of driving douchebaggery that is quite possibly contributing heavily to this problem. Examples follow!

Example 1: The other day, I was driving in Pasadena, and watched as Driver A (for asshole, natch) cut off Driver B (for blindsided, maybe?) so that A could get in the left turn lane. B’s response was to back up into the traffic coming towards him and cut over two lanes into the right-turn lane. Super!

Example 2: I’m in the far-left turn lane, in my wee car. A young lady in a Ford Extinction or whatever you call the biggest, baddest, gas-guzzlin’-est model of SUV is in the other left-turn lane. When there are two left-turn lanes, there is usually a sign to denote that it is okay to do a u-turn from the far left one, but that you can only turn left from the right-hand one. (I bet you know where this is going.) Guess what the SUV did? A u-turn in a giant SUV. I got out of the way in time, but zoinks. Bonus: She had two kids in carseats in the back. Take your driving and child safety classes from Britney?

The best example, though, is Example 3. I even have a diagram!
Read the rest of this entry →

I have a regular poker game with some of my neighbors in the Brewery. One of the regulars is Mat Gleason, the editor of Coagula, the well-known and occasionally controversial art magazine whose headquarters are downstairs from my loft. Mat also organizes shows at the adjacent I-5 Gallery, which runs several exhibitions a year, including the biannual Brewery Artists Small Works show that occurs during the Brewery Artwalk. One night, as we were playing a particularly hyperactive round of poker, Mat came up with the idea to marry the two things he loves most – poker and ruining people’s art careers. That’s how Art World Poker was born.

The concept is simple – 60 or so artists are selected for a group show at the beginning of summer. All the participating artists play in a multi-level poker tournament against each other. As artists knock other artists out of the tournament, the show changes, because the player who gets the kill (the one who knocks someone out) gets to take over the eliminated player’s wall space. At the end of the tournament, the last remaining player is declared the winner and gets a solo show at the gallery.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the second level of the Art World Poker tournament. Ten players that advanced from the first round will play tomorrow in the I-5 Gallery. Play will continue until five players have been eliminated, and then the 5 remaining will join another set of 5 in two weeks for the final table of the tournament.

I think the show and the concept are really interesting. The character of the group show changes constantly throughout the tournament as people get eliminated, and it’s fascinating to watch it evolve.

The gallery is located at 2100 North Main Street, Suite A10, in the Brewery Arts Colony. The gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from 12-4 PM, and is open while tournament play is ongoing each Sunday from 2-7 PM. For more information, contact the organizer, Mat Gleason, at coagulaeditor AT hotmail dot com.

Just a little reminder that today is the last day to vote for the final two players in the MLB All-Star game. On the list for the National League is our first baseman, Mr. Nomar Garciaparra, or as said by Jimmy Fallon in the SNL skits, Nomaaaaaaahhhh! Take a moment, won’t you, and go vote for him. He’s been playing pretty effing well lately, so let’s get him on the all-star team to whoop some American League ass!

One of the things I love about where I live is that I’m really close to Dodger Stadium. I can see it from my living room window, and when they have fireworks shows I can sit in my window seat and watch from there, or go up to the roof and enjoy them from a higher vantage point. I also like that I can decide at the last minute that I want to go to a game, and even if it’s sold out, I can snap up some tickets on the Dodgers Ticket Exchange, print them, and be at the stadium in under 20 minutes.

Last night, my roommate and I decided to catch a game. After a huge fiasco in getting there, which involved heavy traffic on the Bishop Street entrance, my clutch going out halfway up the hill, a lost cellphone, and a nearly sold-out game leaving us very little in the way of parking options, we sat down during the top of the 5th and settled in to watch the game. I can’t say I was really thrilled about the double-fisted Baez-Saito 7th inning meltdown, during which the Phillies scored 5 runs without a single out, but there were a few great plays that made for an interesting game.

But the best part for me happened at the top of the 9th. There are few things better than the energy and awesomeness generated by a stadium full of fans completely freaking out and cheering and losing their minds screaming, and that’s what happened when Gagne returned last night for his first appearance on the mound after coming off the DL. The moment the first notes of “Welcome to the Jungle” came on, when he’d barely made two steps onto the field, the crowd went absolutely batshit insane. Everyone jumped to their feet and cheered for his entire walk to the mound. He was too late to save the Dodgers from their “lead? We don’t need no steeenking lead” fate, so he didn’t get to make his “OH YEAH!” victory face, but it’s moments like that, when the crowd’s energy explodes, that make going to games all the better.

Now let’s just hope he stays healthy enough to throw some more 95 mph pitches right down the middle. I want to see the Gagne victory face a whole lot this summer!

As the days get hotter, I find myself feeling a little more lethargic and sleepy. My cats seem to take more naps too (when they’re not busy shedding excessively) and I sometimes wake up from a quick afternoon catnap (ha) to find slumbering cat bodies assembled in strange positions around me.

Which is why I find it an especially appropriate time for my favorite photo gallery, the Found Photo, to host a new exhibition of “vintage photos of slumber” entitled “Shhh! I’m Sleeping.” The Found Photo was started by my pal and neighbor Babbette, who has always had a fascination with old photographs. The exhibitions are always interesting and I’m always impressed with Babbette’s ability to find amazing photos. I sometimes find myself concocting stories about the strangers in the photos, which only adds to the fun.

The opening reception is this Saturday, June 3, from 6-9 PM at the Found Photo Gallery at the Brewery Arts Colony. The address is 620 Moulton Avenue, Suite 204, LA 90031. Contact 323-222-7444 or check here for directions (the cafe is in the same building as the gallery, so you can get a snack while you’re at it).

Dear Christine,

I’ve been receiving a number of items in the mail from you lately. You have a lot to talk about. That’s great! Political candidates should have something to say, and should know how to communicate with their constituents (or potential constituents). I’d really like to ask you a favor, though. Just a wee one. Shouldn’t be too much trouble.

Stop sending me so much freaking mail!

I know there’s an election coming up. I’m totally aware of what’s going on in my neighborhood, district, city, county, and state. I’m also aware that, holy fucking shit, there is so much stuff in my mailbox. I went out of town for two and a half weeks and I came home to not 2, not 5, but TWELVE pieces of mail from you alone! I got something from you for every weekday that I was gone. Add in the two to four pieces of mail I got from other local candidates, and I had one full as hell mailbox.

Now, don’t get me wrong, Christine. You and I both live in east L.A. We even share some of the same political viewpoints. That’s cool. We could probably sit down over coffee and have a nice chat. But for the love of all that’s holy, please stop filling up my mailbox with your shiny pamphlets and envelopes. I haven’t seen this much stuff hit my mailbox since that crap special election the Governator held last year. And we all know how that turned out.

My advice? Just concentrate your efforts on the web. It’s much cheaper and more effective than direct mail marketing. Keep writing pseudo-blog posts on your website. And keep in touch with the communities. Just don’t keep in touch with shiny tri-fold political pamphlets and letters “from Martin Sheen” on your behalf. It just cheapens us all.

Love,
The potential constituent with an overflowing mailbox (which has become an overflowing trashcan)

I was walking back to my apartment this evening and my neighbor and I stumbled across an abandoned puppy wandering around our parking lot. According to the security guard, the pup had apparently been walking around Main Street earlier, which probably means he was one of the dump jobs we unfortunately see around here. Our complex is right off a freeway exit, and for some reason people seem to think it’s a good idea to let their unwanted dogs out by the exit. The little guy is very cute, but obviously pretty hungry. He’s fixed, so he had a home at some point. Poor little guy. He’s obviously acclimated to humans, because my neighbor was able to pick him up and carry him with no fuss, and he nuzzled a few people’s hands when we carried him around asking if anyone had seen him before.

The leases prohibit us from keeping dogs here, so we have to take him to a shelter tomorrow. I want to take him to a no-kill shelter, but the one I was thinking of (where I adopted my cat) apparently euthanizes if the pet isn’t adopted after 5 days. This came as a shock to me, since the entire reason I even went to that shelter was because I thought they were a no-kill facility. So I’m doing some searching tonight to find one that won’t off the little guy – all he needs is a little love and some nutritious kibble – and I’m having trouble finding one that’s relatively nearby. So I look to my fellow Angelenos for assistance: where can I find a no-kill shelter to take this wee pup that’s within 20 miles of the Chinatown area?

P.S. If you’re in the market for a reeeeally cute puppy who is just dying for some love, affection, and treats, please leave a comment with your e-mail address ASAP and perhaps you can be the new owner of the wee pup!