Meanwhile, at the Legion of Doom

Things that would happen if The Legion of Doom merged with the Swiss Family Robinson:

1. Cheetah makes the Robinson boys into men.

2. Mother Robinson sews Solomon Grundy a new pair of pants.

3. They combine to build this sweet house..

The first time I came across this place, I half expected to see Julie Andrews sweeping the front porch surrounded by little cartoon bluebirds. Turns out, that song ain't so very far from wrong. It was designed and built over a 24-year period by former Disney animator Lawrence Joseph and became a Historical-Cultural Monument in 1996.

Years later, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin would move into the neighborhood.

Lawrence and Martha Joseph Residence & Apartments
Dunn Dr. south of Venice Blvd.
Culver City

We Don't Need Another Hero

Yours truly has been quite busy. I've become the intrepid reporter. Mostly sampling high school football stadium snack bar cuisine. But it has given me more reason to be out and about during the day. After all you can never have too much vitamin D.

Well, actually you can. And it can cause all kinds of nasty symptoms. But it's pretty hard to do...like drinking coffee with a fork. But I digress...

Just a couple of days ago I was out on Driveabout, which can be either:

a.) The Los Angeles equivalent of Walkabout.

b.) A clever way to say I got lost trying to get somewhere else.

You decide.

Regardless, I turned a corner and came upon this.

Thinking I had perhaps stumbled upon a secret entrance to Thunderdome, I googled it (and the strange spaceship looking building that calls itself Samitaur) shortly after I got home. Turns out, it's the Samitaur Tower and is going to be an integral feature to one of the stops on the Expo Line.  It's also an event board, art show and performance space all shaped like a stack of stainless steel overstuffed Oreos. 

Since my mad prattlings can't possibly equate to the creator's vision of the tower, I'll shut up and let you read all about it now. SPOILER ALERT: There's no Thunderdome.

Samitaur Tower

Corner of Hayden Ave. & National Blvd.

Culver City

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.

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, Pt. 2

In front of the Metro PCS store on Venice Blvd. Technically, it's on the Culver City side of the street.

To be continued...

Wherefore Art Thou, (Alfa) Romeo?

Pardon the awful headline. It's late.

But not too late to enjoy another automotive gem gracing the curbs & sidewalks of West Los Angeles. Enjoy Alfa Romeo Meets Speed Racer.

Gotta love the missing passenger seat. Stuntman Mike would be proud.

Claiming India Sweets & Spices In The Name of Palms

I look forward to Tuesdays since they're normally centered around Law & Order: SVU marathons and futilely waiting for J. Wellington Wimpy to pay me back for lunch.

It's also Samosa Day! In what has become a weekly ritual after my stop at the Farmer's Market, I pop into India Sweets & Spices. I was introduced to their spiced potato-filled bits of Savory Snack Heaven by Eniko, who heard about them from Anuja, who just went there on her own. Go Anuja!

The lunch buffet is quality as well, not to mention cheap. But those little golden gifts of goodness give me something to look forward to every week - plus an additional way to use up the ginormous bottle of Sriracha I bought from their market. Wash 'em down with a Mango Lassi, aka the sweet nectar of the SSH gods and that's a pretty good afternoon.

Oh and pay no attention to the Culver City zip code. They're on the Palms side of Venice Boulevard, so they belong to us. Don't try to argue with me! (*fingers in ears* I'm not listening....LALALALALALA!!!!)

By the way, this is their new sign. It recently replaced one that was hand spray-painted. This one is nice, but it lacks the character of the old one. If anyone has a picture of the old sign, please email it to me. I'd love to post it - with all props to the appropriate person/people, of course.

India Sweets & Spices
9409 Venice Blvd.
310.839.8607

Marcas' Monday Mad Men Moment

We now return you to the rest of your work day.

Barefoot Rattlesnakes & Smiling Trees

Calling yourself a "creature of habit" sounds a lot more mysterious than "guy in a rut". Regardless, it's Tuesday which means my weekly grocery shopping trip. It always begins with a walk through the Culver City Farmer's Market on Main Street between Venice & Culver. Having apples back in season (though I'm still waiting for the Pink Ladies) has slightly improved my mood over thoughts of summer being taken over by fall.

After getting my fill of fresh fruits and veggies, a brief stop at Trader Joe's rounds out the trip. Today was one of the days that I was rewarded for being a creature of habit.

Ladies and gentlemen...The Barefoot Rattlesnakes

At least, I think that's what they're called. That's the reluctant answer I got from one of the members. Nonetheless, any street band with not one but TWO singing saws is pretty cool.

Later, in an effort to not be "guy in a rut", I took a different route home. On the grand scale of life changes, it's not exactly picking up and moving to a new country, but it beats looking at the same scenery every day. And every once in awhile you find something out of the ordinary.

Sure, TVs and games are great...but how much for the oversized Mr. Potato Head pieces?

Backstage

Not that I ever need an excuse, but the first Sunday of the NFL season is reason enough for me to check in for a long, productive day of drinking and eating at Backstage. As always Celina was there bright and early to cater to the walking zombies looking to shake off a Saturday night hangover - whether liquor or late night football induced.

After a few $2 Pabst Blue Ribbons and some fantastic chicken nachos, I was almost feeling too satisfied to notice I was smack dab in the middle of a Seahawks bar watching my 49ers get run over by the crowd favorite. To help make things better, I stuck around after 4:00 for their daily Happy Hour. Nothing helps chase the blues away like some garlic fries and a $3 Newcastle.

Backstage

10400 Culver Blvd.

310.839.3892

www.backstageculvercity.com