http://larecon.tumblr.com/

The East Side of Los Angeles on a Sunny Day by clark...

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:51:37 -0800

The East Side of Los Angeles on a Sunny Day by clark vogeler

Gorgeous video of LA, makes this city look like a toy.

-Kim

Los Angeles Conservancy offers some great walking tours, and now...

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:15:00 -0700

Los Angeles Conservancy offers some great walking tours, and now a drive-yourself docent led tour of some of the modern marvels in our fair city in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Sixties.

-Amy

Smart Gals Productions - Haunted Speakeasy Sunday Night!

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:52:00 -0700

Smart Gals Productions - Haunted Speakeasy Sunday Night!:

Sunday, October 25, 7:00 – 9:00pm

Mt Hollywood Underground 4607 Prospect Ave., Los Feliz

Admission: $15.00

A haunting, autumnal evening awaits when LA MetroBlogger and Creepy LA David Markland takes the helm to create our spookiest Speakeasy ever, featuring live ghost stories, Halloween treats and more. Artist and architect Sarah Heller AIA has designed our original, commemorative bookmark, and we will introduce you to Jamie Antonisse’s new interactive video game, Spectre. Should you have a paranormal tale you’d like to tell, pitch it us that night. David will choose three lucky attendees to share their stories.

Check out the website for the password to get in! I’ll be the there, sporting an apron and helping to host! - Amy

Los Angeles Halloween, horror, and hauntings | Creepy L.A. – the...

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:48:00 -0700

Los Angeles Halloween, horror, and hauntings | Creepy L.A. – the Los Angeles Halloween blog

It’s that time of the year again, and there’s more to Halloween season in the City of Angels than just romping around the Sunset Strip in your sexy ___________ costume! Check out some of David’s tips, and who knows, something featured here might be on our next Haunted Hunt! -Amy

In honor of the first rain of the season and our mass freak-out...

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:17:11 -0700

In honor of the first rain of the season and our mass freak-out that comes with, I give you RAIN H20 NO.

-Kim

When I moved to Boston in 1994 for college, one of the things I...

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

When I moved to Boston in 1994 for college, one of the things I missed most was Trader Joe’s. Back then it wasn’t the institution it is now. There were only a few here and there, the one I went to was in the Topanga Mall. I didn’t know anyone back then who did most of their shopping at TJ’s, but that was where we went for treats. No high school dance was complete without TJ’s chocolate covered expresso beans and peanut butter cups. One boyfriend bought me TJ’s pineapple enzymes when I had my wisdom teeth removed (I still can’t remember why, but they were tasty). It’s weird to think that to me, no high school trip to the mall was complete without a stop at Trader Joe’s. When I got to Boston and realized TJ’s was a very CA specific store I was so sad.

But then one magical day in 1997, as I was driving thru a suburb I saw a mirage: Trader Joe’s had come to Massachusetts. I literally took my friends on field trips to the store! When I came home in 2001 I was so happy to see how much the chain had grown. These days I do 90% of my grocery shopping there, as do many of my friends.

TJ’s is infamous for not spending the money to do TV commercials. But one loyal customer decided to make his own, and it’s fabulous!

-Kim

So a couple years ago Smirnoff had this amazing ad campaign for...

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

So a couple years ago Smirnoff had this amazing ad campaign for their new Hard Tea’s. First they did a preppy East Coast tea Partay rap, then they did a West Coast version for their Green tea. The West Coast rap was an amazing spoof on LA stereotypes and I still can watch it repeatedly. Of course they never got me to actually drink the stuff, but this still remains one of my favorite LA spoofs of all time. Enjoy!

-Kim

Tamarind Ave Deli

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Tamarind Ave Deli:

So I try not to eat out too much, but sometimes I want a treat. One of my favorite places to splurge for lunch is Tamarind Ave Deli, near Sunset and Gower. They’re really basic: sandwiches, chips and soda, but they do the basics really well! The Sandwiches are all around $7-$8, but they are huge and usually two meals for me! They are sooo sooo good. And then you have the wall of soda’s! It usually takes me longer to choose my drink. Celery soda, birch beer, Iced tea from Switzerland, Blood Orange Soda, and so many more. If you can’t decide, they guy behind the counter will happily explain and describe any and every soda they have. I can tell you now, his favorite is the iced tea!

Next time you’re in Hollywood and want an amazing sandwich ya gotta try this place.

-Kim

LAPL

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

LAPL:

So I didn’t think this was a hidden secret, but chatting with various friends recently I have realized how few people know the awesomeness of the Los Angeles Public Library system (and yes, I just said Aweseomness, deal).

Besides the fabulous Central Library downtown which deserves it’s own post, we have this huge library system with over 70 branches around the city. Odds are there is one convenient to you. Besides books, most of the branches have DVD’s and CD’s as well.

The best part is how web based the system is now. Search for what you want, if its in the system you can place a hold on it. They will pull it off the shelf and hold it for you behind the counter and email you that it’s ready. You just walk-in give them your card and pick it up. The system will even remind you 4 days before the books is due. If you want to keep it for longer, log into your account and renew online. Your account will tell you have many books you have out, when they’re due, if they’re late, and what you have on hold. It’s amazing. I have had a continuous stream of books going for the past two years.

They always get the big new releases (I’ve been on the hold list for Michael Connelly’s new book that release this October, since June). The one problem I had is learning to regulate what I put a hold on. I would put too many books in at once and not be able to get thru them all (you can only renew so many times, and if someone else has a hold pending, you can’t renew at all). Now I have 2 or 3 books going at a time. If some of my books have long hold lines (the system will tell you your place in line) then I might have a couple more. When I’m about to return a book, I add one to my hold list. It’s a phenomenal system that has saved me hundreds of dollars and has more then doubled how much I read each year!

-Kim

INVENTING LA: The Chandlers and Their Times | PBS (via PBS) So,...

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

INVENTING LA: The Chandlers and Their Times | PBS (via PBS)

So, it’s just a preview. But, I’m already setting up my Tivo up for October 5th!

-Amy

Julius Shulman and some of his photography.

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:21:00 -0700

Julius Shulman and some of his photography.

LA photography icon Julius Shulman

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:13:00 -0700

LA photography icon Julius Shulman:

My original plans for today’s post have been put aside to recognize last night’s passing of one of the greatest photographers this town has ever seen. Julius Shulman was a king in the world of architecture photography, and his kingdom was LA.

I was lucky enough a few years ago to go to a panel discussion about LA Conservancy’s photography book “Looking at Los Angeles”, of which he was a contributor and on the panel. He was well known as a slightly ornery guy who was not afraid to tell you his honest opinion (Ben Stiller learned that the hard way during the discussion). There was a great moment of awkward humor when he reveled he hated most of the pictures in the book because they were photos of ugly buildings in LA.

His work impacted not just photography, but architecture and artists worldwide. He will be missed.

-Kim

Following up to Kim’s post, I had to share the original...

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:25:45 -0700

Following up to Kim’s post, I had to share the original “Valley Girl” trailer from 1983 (via BringBackTheEighties). “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” is probably the best known 80’s LA teen comedy, but apparently this is the new “Hairspray” now that MGM has a musical remake in the works. Hmmm? I not only own the VHS, but also the two versions of the LP soundtrack, so I’m not so sure a remake can improve on one of my favorite coming-of-age in LA guilty pleasures.

-Amy

It’s music time! As someone who grew up in LA,...

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:59:00 -0700

It’s music time! As someone who grew up in LA, specifically The Valley in the 80’s, “The Galleria” means one place and one place only: the Sherman Oaks Galleria. I have many… many memories of the mall. And while I do visit the newer, windier version, it can never replace the galleria in my heart. When I want to see the old galleria I can always watch “Fast Time at Ridgemont High” or “Valley Girl”. But SoCal band Phantom Planet (they wrote the theme to “The OC”) has created the best lament about the loss of this 80s cultural icon.

“The Galleria” by Phantom Planet

I’m gonna miss the Galleria
It was the only place to go this side of town
Goodbye to the Galleria
I just heard today
They’re gonna tear it down
And without the Galleria
Where would all the valley girls go to hang out?

well it’s been around since 1981
And since then that’s where we went to have fun
Well we all took the mall for granted
And they could not pay the bills
And the day it’s not there when I drive by
Well that’s the day the 80’s die

I’m gonna miss the galleria
It was the only place to go this side of town
Goodbye to the galleria
I just heard today they’re going to tear it down
And without the galleria
Where would all the valley girls go to hang out

Well business had been slipping more and more
Since the Northridge quake of 1994
It’s the place where they filmed Valley Girl
And Fast Times at Ridgemont High
And the day it’s not there when i drive by
Well that’s the day the 80’s die

I’m going to miss the galleria
It was the only place to go this side of town
Goodbye to the galleria
I just heard today they’re gonna tear it down
And without the galleria
Where would all the valley girls go to hang out

Where would all the valley girls go to hang out

-Kim

I just downloaded the 29GPS Los Angeles app on my iPhone, and...

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:35:00 -0700

I just downloaded the 29GPS Los Angeles app on my iPhone, and it’s really quite pretty. The GPS-powered app highlights famous LA architecture, museums, shops, and eateries with handy, color-coded GPS. Traffic light colors signal your proximity to its chosen locales. Though I’ve yet to spy any suggestions off the beaten path, my favorite part is trying to identify each place by the close-up thumbnail images. It doesn’t cost a penny, so it’s definitely worth checking out if you’ve got an iPhone or iPod touch. Download the free (aka ad-supported) app on iTunes.

-Amy

So who are we anyway?

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Now that you know what LA Reconnaissance is all about, here’s a look at your two chief agents:

Kim has lived in LA for over 24 years. She tried living on the East Coast, but realized she needed to live some where that has the beach, mountains, the desert, and Angelyne.

When not exploring or reading about LA, Kim also has a fondness for music, rugby, baseball, hiking, trees, purple elephants, water, books, throwing parties, tea, Yakko, chocolate, being barefoot, food fights, water fights, Baloo, kayaking, driving, Wakko, laughing, theatre, photography, politics, and Dot.

Amy is the creator of HYP Radio at HipYoungParent.com, a Fids & Kamily awards juror, and has been a guest blogger for the International Chapter of the Junior Society. Her children’s internet radio station, and “No Barney, No Britney” philosophy, has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and the LA Times.

When not immersed in children’s music, Amy enjoys sporting her apron collection at Smart Gals events, losing her voice at rugby tournaments, hanging out in metro stations, and making snarky buttons and t-shirts. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Library & Information Science.

Angelinos are a creative bunch. We can turn nearly anything into...

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:49:00 -0700

Angelinos are a creative bunch. We can turn nearly anything into art: cars, clothes, even houses. One of my favorite weird houses is El Bordello Alexandria in Venice. It’s on Westminster, just off the boardwalk. Next time you’re there take a little detour and check this place out in person.

-Kim

Looking for something to do? Check out the Department of...

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Looking for something to do? Check out the Department of Cultural Affairs City of Los Angeles 2009 Festival Guide. We’re big fans of street festivals and other events in public spaces. This is the definitive go-to guide especially if you’re looking to explore a new LA neighborhood. Bonus? A lot of the events are FREE!

-Amy

This picture was passed onto me ages ago, it is one of my...

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:01:00 -0700

This picture was passed onto me ages ago, it is one of my favorite photos of Los Angeles. I love the view of Dodgers Stadium overlooking downtown. I wish I knew who took it. If anyone knows where it is from let me know!

-Kim

Because we’re in the midst of the Hollywood Bowl season,...

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:12:00 -0700

Because we’re in the midst of the Hollywood Bowl season, enjoy this snippet of The Decemberists accompanied by the LA Philharmonic.

I sometimes forget how lucky we are to live with such an amazing venue in our neighborhood. I have to admit that adjusting my evening and weekend schedule to drive around the Bowl traffic jams can seem tedious. But, I go to the Hollywood Bowl at least once ever summer, whether it is in the nosebleed bleacher seats (which still provide a great experience) or the one time I was lucky enough to be a guest in a box (to see Willie Nelson with the Phil!) Each and every time I fall in love with the Hollywood Bowl yet again, and it all seems worth it.

“Los Angeles, I’m Yours”

-Amy