Random thoughts on art, technology, stuff, and occasionally Real Estate: August 2009

As part of Second Saturday Art Gallery Night, Juanita's Bar and Restaurant is hosting the SOUP Kitchen 6, an all-night Art & Music festival of the best in LA artists and musicians. 5930 York Blvd, LA, 90042. 5pm-2am.

Artists: Eric October, Will Koffman, Rocio Moran, Laura Lichter, Star Foreman, Hestin Lostwood, Sebastian Zelepin, Steve Seleska, and Live Painting by Ricardo Revelli.

Bands: Evita Freaks, Push to Transmit, Coco O'Connor, The Undead M, Hollywood Kill, What's Their Name?, and For Blocks.

And we have vendors selling jewelry, clocks, vinyl records, and other hand-made stuff!
Stop by! 5930 York Blvd, LA, 90042. 5pm-2am
http://www.soupkitchenrocks.com

The Lengendary Rock N Roll Dive Bar, Mr T's in Highland Park occupies a brick and concrete building that originally opened in 1929 as a garage.  

Sometime in the 1940s, the garage was converted to a bowling alley.  Set amid family owned diners and five-and-dime stores, the bowling alley prospered during the 1940s and 1950s.

By the 1960s, the once popular bowling alley was begining to show some signs of wear and neglect.  And in 1966, Joseph "Mr T" Teresa bought the property.  Joe, the son of an Italian immigrant, set up home-style buffets for the bowlers and filled the space with some live big-band music.

But Joe saw the writing on the wall.  Interest in bowling was waning, the times were changing, and Joe had a idea.

He dismantled the pin machines, and took out some of the lanes to make room for a stage and dance floor.  (If you look backstage, behind a large flow of curtains, you'll see a couple of the alleys are still there.)

It was crazy and funky and it worked.  Mr T's Bowl evolved into a homebase for many muscians just getting started in the biz, and a staple on the underground and alternative rock and roll circuit.   Joe Teresa passed in 2003, at the age of 87, and his son John is carrying on the legacy.  

During the day, just look for the "B WL" sign on Figueroa Street near Avenue 57, you can enter through the front door marked by the "hp ReCReaTi n CenTeR" sign.

But after dark, the back door serves as the main entrance for the music venue. The only access to the rear entrance is from a public parking lot and alley around the corner off Avenue 57. 

The regular patrons at Mr T's represent a very broad age range, so don't be surprised to see gray haired seniors cheering on punk bands, sitting beside twenty-somethings with colorful tatoos and multiple body piercings.

Watch this short video clip of local indie band, the Monolators performing at Mr T's last year for a taste of the Mr T ambience. The song title is "My Weaker Self".

Read more at the Mr T's Bowl website.

Tonight, August 8, NELAart presents:

SECOND SATURDAY GALLERY NIGHT

WHEN: Every Second Saturday 7:00-10:00p.m.
WHERE: Highland Park and surrounding neighborhoods.

NELAart Second Saturday Gallery Night is a free self-guided tour of the galleries, non-profits and artist run project spaces located in Northeast Los Angeles (NELA).

NELA has a tradition in the arts that dates back to the early 1900s.

The tradition continues with new spaces opening regularly. NELA is now one of L.A.'s most exciting destinations to view contemporary art. 

This month, NELAart welcomes the neighborhood's newest studio: 

Moppet
5101 Monte Vista St.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90042
Contact: carol@esart.com

Please join Moppet for its very first open Studio, tonight  August 8, 7:00 - 10:00 PM.

Gerardo Hacer

Preview Party of the art for our 4th Semi-Annual Tardeada and Art Auction Fundraiser will be on display at the Avenue 50 Studio during the NELA Second Saturday Art Night. 
Download map:  http://www.nelaart.com

Lalo Alcaraz, Abel Alejandre, Michael Amescua, Esau Andrade, Linda Arreola, Sam Baray, David Botello, Joseph Botello, Joe Bravo, Armando Brito, Yrneh Brown, Barbara Carrasco, Camilo Cruz, Mita Cuaron, Beau Daignault, Raoul De la Sota, Victoria Delgadillo, Roberto Delgado, Ruth DeNicola, Val Echavarria, Kikki Eder, Ofelia Esparza, Donald Ferguson, Kathi Flood, Emilia Garcia, Margaret Garcia, Germs, Pat Gomez, Yolanda Gonzalez, Mark Steven Greenfield, Tina Gulotta, Roberto Gutierrez, Gerardo Hacer, Cidne Hart, Kevin Hass, Brandy Healy, Wayne Healy, Peter Hess, Carlye Hild, Heather Hoggan, Amy Inouye, Luis Ituarte, Patricia Lazalde, Leo Limon, Ronald J. Llanos, Pola Lopez, Jose Lozano, Heriberto Luna, Maja, Poli Marichal, Daniel Martinez, Isabel Martinez, Stephanie Mercado, Andres E. Montoya, Toti O'Brien, Angela Penaredondo, Beth Peterson, Stuart Rapeport, Tina Rodas, Nancy Romero, Sonia Romero, Peri Shefik, Kevin Spitze, Cindy Suriyani, Howard Swerdloff, John Urquiza, John Valadez, Richard Valdes, Sergio Vasquez, Alberto Varela, J. Michael Walker, Nan Wollman
 

Doors open at 7:00 on Saturday, August 8, 2009

When:   Saturday, August 8, 2009 from 7-10 pm
Where:  Avenue 50 Studio, Inc., 131 North Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA  90042
Contact: Kathy Gallegos (323) 258-1435

Avenue 50 Studio, Inc.
a 501(c)(3) non-profit art gallery
131 North Avenue 50
Highland Park, CA  90042
323-258-1435
http://www..avenue50studio.com

Figueroa Produce is a hidden gem in Northeast Los Angeles.  Remember the days of a small neighborhood grocery store on the corner?

The guys that created Figueroa Produce remember those days.   They visualised a small neighborhood market that  looked and felt like some of the big name high-end specialty markets.

Figueroa Produce opened in 2008.  And is a relatively short time, they have acquired some very loyal fans.

Customers rave about Figueroa Produce's fresh organic fruit and veggies and made-fresh-daily specialty items such as salsa, pico-de-gallo, guacamole and hummus. 

And remember the deli with a live person standing behind the cold case?  A person who not only know the contents of the case, but could provide small samples of the meats and cheeses?  Yes, you'll find that person at Figueroa Produce.

Figueroa Produces carries fruit that is in season, so there may be times you don't see an item you had in mind; but be prepared for serendipity; try another item!

 And as one customer said:  "Where else can you listen to vintage Rolling Stones while fondling citrus fruit and oogling gourmet ice cream at 10am on a Monday?"

Figueroa Produce is on Facebook here.

Follow this link to the Figueroa Produce web site.

It's Tuesday! Come on over to the Old L.A. Farmers Market in Highland Park, from 3 to 7 pm, on Avenue
58 and Marmion Way.

And starting August 11: Music at the Market! Sizzling Summer Music Nights!

Bands scheduled to play on August 11 are:
Crosby Tylor 4pm
Artichoke 5pm
The Seasons 6pm

Come for the entertainment and stay for the fresh produce, hot and prepared foods and arts and crafts.

The Old LA Farmers Market is every Tuesday from 3-8pm. Corner of North Figueroa and Ave. 58. Lots of free parking at Ave. 57. Adjacent to the Highland Park Metro Goldline.

Lezle Stein, owner of Handle Woof Care in Northeast Los Angeles is an expert in holistic, positive reward based dog training.

In addition to in-home private instruction, Lezle also conducts group dog school classes regularly at both Hermon Dog Park and Silverlake Dog Park, and "Out and About" dog walking classes at different locations throughout the city.

The goal of an "Out and About" class is to teach dogs how they should behave publicly, in a setting with other people, other animals, and many distractions; so that dogs and owners alike can enjoy social settings such as outdoor cafes, public parks, retail stores or indoor malls.

This photo is of a recent graduating class at Hermon Dog Park.)

A graduate of the Animal Behavior and Training Association program, Lezle Stein is AKC-certified as a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers as well as a member of the Southern California Dog Trainers Forum.

Lezle's extensive experience also includes American Red Cross certification in Pet First Aid and CPR, as well as assistance to Paul Owens' Raise With Praise Program. Lezle has also studied with Dr. Nancy Scanlon, who specializes in holistic veterinary medicine through acupuncture and herbs.

A firm believer in community involvement, Lezle is also a volunteer adoption counselor at North Central Los Angeles city shelter. Lezle has also assisted The Brittany Foundation in training pit bulls through Tia Torres' program from The Villalobos Rescue Center at the East Valley Animal Shelter.

Presently she is the volunteer adoption counselor and dog rehabilitator for Downtown Dog Rescue, Los Angeles' rescue group for homeless people and their dogs.

Follow this link to read about Lezle's involvement in Downtown Dog Rescue.

Follow this link to the Handle Woof Care web site.

For holistic, positive reward based dog training, contact Lezle Stein, Handle Woof Care at (323) 225-6700.

Recently The New York Times published an article titled Homeowners and Investors May Lose, but the Bank Wins describing the difficulties a homeowner has experienced in attempting to negotiate a "short sale" of his Mt. Washington home.

A review of public records for this property ads another dimension to the story.  Public records indicate a 1 bedroom, 1 bath home, built in 1950, 684 square feet, located in a very desirable area of Mount Washington.

Sold 10/25/1989  $80,000
 
Sold 12/5/2003  $275,000
 
Sold 5/19/2004  $450,000
 
Sold 12/3/2004  $639,000

 
Re-fi Loan 5/12/2006 $711,500

Additional Loan 5/30/2007  $85,000

And from the I-Tech MLS:

Reported Pending 2/2/2009  $474,000
 
Reported Pending 4/27/2009 $474,000

This article is not intended as an advertisement of any property listed by another brokerage firm.  It is intended only as a report of current real estate market conditions. 

However, if you are interested in purchasing a property in today's market, we have a staff of highly qualified agents ready to assist you. 

Bob Taylor Properties, Inc. --  323-257-1080 -- bobtaylorprop@gmail.com  -- 5526 North Figueroa Street, Highland Park, CA 90042  

"Hope" - Gloria Longval

I would like to invite you to join us for a closing event at the Avenue 50 Studio for the Ashe:  Blessings, Energy, Power exhibition.  Our artists, Eddy Bello-Sandoval, Lili Bernard, Gloria Longval, Wendell Wiggins, Susan Matthews, and Jorge Luis Rodriguez will be in attendance to talk about the relationship between Santeria and their art.

"Reflections" - Kevin Hass
  
Our Contemporary Cuban Photography artists Kevin Hass, Maria Luisa Gauerke and Alisa Adona will also join us in discussion.

When:  Sunday, August 2, 2009 starting at 2:00 pm.
   
Where:  Avenue 50 Studio 131 No. Avenue 50 Highland Park, CA 90042 (323) 258-1435
   
Light refreshments will be served.

If you are looking for Truly Great Coffee in Northeast Los Angeles, a visit to Cycleway in the Hermon neighborhood is in order.

Cycleway airships their coffee beans from Dillanos in Seattle; and Cycleway's many devoted fans will tell you that it it smoother, fresher, and better than any coffee you might find at the big name shops. Cycleway Coffee puts great care into what they serve, and it shows.

Follow this link to Cycleway's web site

Follow this link to Cycleway's menu

Cycleway's location on the corner of Monterey Road and Redfield Avenue in the community of Hermon is unexpected and delightful.  This is a modest, working class neighborhood filled with an eclectic collection of homes from the first part of the 20th century.

Andy the name Cycleway?  It comes from the California Cycleway.  (Yes, as in bicycle.)  The building occupied by Cycleway Coffe is built on or near part of the right-of-way of original California Cycleway.

The California Cycleway was an elevated wooden freeway built in the late 1800's for bicycles only. It was intended to connect cyclists from Pasadena, California to downtown Los Angeles. It opened on January 1st, 1900. The California Cycleway fell into disuse in the early 1900's with the invention of the automobile, and it was soon demolished.

Follow this link to read more about the California Cycleway

Coffee Lovers:  If you have not yet paid Cycleway Coffee a visit, you are in for a treat.  The interior is casual; dark-walled, but well lit.  The clientele tends to be kick-back locals from the surrounding neighborhood, usually there to read or work off the free Wi-Fi in a relaxed environment.

Cycleway Coffee is top quality and completely unpretentious.

Cycleway Coffee is located at 5526 Monterey Rd Los Angeles, CA 90042-4920 - Telephone: (323) 256-0200