Chairs of Palms, the Revenge

When I saw this sofa sitting on the curb this afternoon, I paused for a moment of silence to remember my old college sofa - aka, The World's Greatest Couch. All foam, no frame. If I laid on it for more than 10 minutes, it was instantly naptime. Speaking of which...I feel a doze coming on. 

All Coop'd Up

They (whoever They are) say pizza is like sex. When it's good, it's very good. But when it's bad...it's still pretty good. If that's true, I'm sprung on The Coop.

As a lifelong California kid, I'm reluctant to acknowledge we're outdone by the N-Y-C. But I have to tip my hat to New York pizza. Sorry, Chicago...you may be my kind of town, but eating pizza with a knife and fork makes me feel un-American.

Every good neighborhood deserves a cheap, quality pizza place. Which is exactly how I described The Coop after first sampling their cheese pizza. It's hard to beat a large pizza for around $10. The only thing they don't have is a cool commercial. But if you can't do better than this epic spot, why bother trying?

The Coop

10006 National Blvd.

310.837.4462

On The Right Track

I have often said that if the City of Los Angeles decided to ever redesign its flag, it should feature a giant, orange construction cone. Honestly, it wouldn't be much worse than the city's current flag.

But every so often I'm reminded that construction can be the labor pains of progress - an idea that was especially encouraging when I saw this on my drive home from downtown this afternoon.

This, boys and girls, is the soon-to-be-completed Expo Line that will connect Culver City (and eventually the beach) to downtown Los Angeles and all of the other Metro lines therein. I know I mentioned recently how cool I think this is going to be when it's finally finished. But just in case you needed a visual representation of how I feel, just watch this.

My Night at the PNC

Being an election year and all (and me being unemployed and all), I have more time to try and wear my Concerned Citizen hat. So when I came across the website for the Palms Neighborhood Council, I figured it would be a worthwhile resource. After all, what better way to get to really know your neighborhood than going to a council meeting?

So I dusted off my trusty notebook and headed off to the monthly board meeting, feeling a bit 11th gradish and wondering if Mr. Hubbell was somewhere smiling. Though he never really smiled much. And when he did, it was kinda creepy. Like he didn't do it all the time and was still getting used to the sensation.

Anyhoo...

I slid in the side just a couple of minutes late, snagged a couple pieces of pizza and found a seat off to the side. Moments later, I was scribbling away in my notebook. But this time it was actual notes. Not like high school when I was pretending to take notes while actually dealing out a quick hand of Pusoy Dos.

While the kid in me curses the grownup in me for maturing enough to get some value out of a council meeting, the grownup in me felt like he was "in the know" for hearing about DWP's plan to refurbish its electricity transmission line from Olympic down to the Scattergood power plant near LAX. While the project is still in the idea stage, it's expected to take about a year to replace and refurbish a utility line originally set in 1976. There will be the expected road closures and street construction, but the end result means repaved roads and better electrical transmission with fewer outages.

Of course, there's no telling how that proposed construction could conflict with the expansion of the Expo Line of the Metro - perhaps the most exciting project on the Westside right now - that will stretch out to the beach. Traffic already can back up in Palms. It could certainly get worse...even if the end result is more accessibility to public transportation. No pleasure without pain, eh?

Speaking of which, there was mention of planning for a Palms-Culver City Film Festival. Would be cool, no?

Without going all High School civics, it was very cool to see a group of people who love my 'hood as much, or probably more, than I do. For anyone living or working in the neighborhood, they have open board meetings on the first Wednesday of every month. Or you can just keep up with them via their website.

I'll do my best to post any community events here. If you know of anything, definitely pass it on to the Council...and don't be afraid to cc me as well. Deal?

This Little Piggy Went To Market, Part Deux

A wise man once told me "Titles don't cost anything." I immediately figured him for a Yankees fan.

But when I thought about it, I realized he was right. So I started collecting titles like Garbage Pail Kids. Currently I care to be addressed as The Bizarro Punxsutawney Phil of Palms. Namely whenever I poke my head out of my burrow, the weather is guaranteed to change. I come outside one day and it's the hottest one in Los Angeles history. I wait a week...it's raining.

That meant three things.

A. It would be awhile before my $3 Big Lots beach mats would get an encore performance.

2. Fewer crowds at the Farmer's Market.

D. I should probably go outside more often.

The normal staples normally include apples, trail mix, gin(ger) and juice. But in an effort to promote seasonal eating, the walk home was spent googling how exactly one prepares Swiss Chard. Wish me luck.

Culver City Farmers' Market

Main Street between Venice and Culver

Every Tuesday, rain or shine from 2-7 pm

By the way, if you're looking for a farmers' market or co-op in your area, I always recommend LocalHarvest. Having spent some time in the Central Valley, I recognize the value of helping local growers. Not to mention FM fruits and vegetables taste better than the store bought ones...so there's that.

Don't Read This Post!

There are lots of things I've done against my better judgement. Eat two pizzas in about 16 hours. Spend actual money to see Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot.

I now am adding this post to that list.

I've previously mentioned that walking aimlessly has produced positive results in my life - including coming across Tokyo 7-7, which immediately became my favorite coffee shop. Maybe it's because it's tucked away in an alley behind a parking structure. Or maybe because it's run by the coolest group of cute old Japanese ladies.

Or maybe because this was our bill after pancakes and bacon for two with a side of eggs, home fries, coffee and juice.

No...thank you. I'll definitely be back.

Tokyo 7-7
3839 Main Street
310.204.5728

Chairs of Palms, The Return

For Rent

Cute, cozy three bedroom upper. Previous tenants were a bit flighty. Floors may need some cleanup. Available all winter long. May need to renegotiate lease in the spring.