sunday drive: harvey's broiler, downey ca

It's not a secret that I am simply mad about mid century architecture- a total post and beam devotee. The soaring rooflines, the use of lava rock and wild color and amazing lighting- I guess Jeff is just a fool for Googie. And Googie translates well into coffee shops- roadside, iconic, building as sign structures designed to both attract the automobile and compliment it as well. Somewhat like a patio garage with curb service.

Today's drive is a story that almost ended in tragedy. Downey, California, suburban Southern California home to the Carpenters, the second-oldest surviving Mc Donald's and the much loved and tragically maligned Harvey's Broiler.

Harvey Ortner and his wife Minnie hired local architect Paul B. Clayton to design a distinctive coffee shop. Opened in 1958, Harvey's Broiler was an instant hit and became a local landmark on Firestone Boulevard where it operated for over forty three years. The locals loved the broiler, as did the movies who used it for many, many locations including "What's Love Got to Do With It" and "Short Cuts".

I must interject here that I simply LOVED the Broiler. I would stand out front and look up at the massive neon and incandescent sign and listen to the mechanical switches that flashed the white bulbs on and off- click, click, click. It was such a wonderful place.

Time passed and Harvey and Minnie sold the diner to Johnnie Symantis who changed the name to Johnie's Broiler. It continued to operate until New Year's Eve, 2001 when it suddenly closed. It reopened in 2002 as a used car lot, but the building was intact. It received a unanimous endorsement from the Downey City Council in 2002 as a California Historic Landmark. It should have been safe.

Fast forward to January 7, 2007. The tenant, without permits, without even turning off the gas and electric, hired bulldozers and began to demolish the property at 3pm. One of the local preservationists saw and called police. The illegal demolition was halted and this began a year of waiting. A local preservation group, Save Harvey's Broiler, pressured the city to force the owner to restore the property. The tenant pled no contest to three criminal charges. The property owner was suddenly very cooperative with the city.

And then a miracle happened. Just two weeks ago, the property owner signed a long term lease with Big Boy restaurant operator Jim Louder. The Broiler will be restored as a Big Boy restaurant, in as authentic of a fashion as is possible.

Harvey and Minnie's pride and joy will rise again. It's almost beyond belief. Many thanks to the Los Angeles Conservancy and the tireless Adrienne Biondo, and the Save Harvey's Broiler Foundation.

I took these photos myself at the site the following day, January 8, 2007. I spoke to many locals that day who were in shock. A bus driver stopped to talk to me, weeping openly. The locals love this building as much as I do.

Harvey's Broiler, on the eve of resurrection. Notice how the dining room and the iconic signage are still intact, as are the carports:

winter weight

Spring has arrived in Santa Monica and I'm a bit frustrated. The winter weight, which carried with it the angst from a terrible loss and an intense moving adventure, seems to like it here and has been resisting the notion of leaving anytime soon. I've been trying to find a sensible diet to click with, but its been a challenge this year. I'm trying to resist totally drastic measures like the Master Cleanse because my health insurance is only mediocre.

I did stumble upon this charming commercial for weight loss product from 1957 called Tafon. Check it out. Notice the kind tone of language used throughout. Oh, and try spelling it backwards...



Enter my longtime friend Janine from San Francisco. A good friend and professional writer, we met online in the classic Cadillac enthusiast community back in the 90's. She sent me an email last weekend announcing that she has started her own blog, called the low carb evangelist, dedicated to healthy eating. It's a combination of outreach and reinforcement by accountability for herself. And because she's a very talented storyteller, it's a fun read. And its great for me, because I have a blogbuddy to reinforce my desire to drop the winter pounds. I'm doing her triad- no sugar, no wheat, no flour. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Welcome to the World O'Jeff Blogroll, Janine. Check her out here

sunday drive: cottages of venice

Venice is one of the oldest areas on the West side, it was incorporated in 1905. Its main street was named for its founder, Abbot Kinney. His boulevard has lived through many incarnations, boom and bust, neglect and rebirth today becoming Venice's answer to Melrose- fashion and food.

The cottage is the iconic structure of Venice, even as the street becomes populated with sleek modern multistory structures, the little cottages flourish. Juxtaposition is the story of Venice, and nothing speaks more eloquently than the cottages.

Abbot-Kinney Boulevard, cottages and signage old and new for your amusement.




































More photos here

whales and foxes

Last night was the closing night for the Bette Davis Centennial Tribute. It has been great fun to see four nights worth of her important films on a big screen. There were a handful of us that I recognized from all four nights but all in all it was a smallish crowd last night.

We were treated to The Whales of August, featuring a seventy-nine year old Davis paired with Lillian Gish as widowed sisters facing their mortality at the end of a long life together. It was a remarkably sweet and pleasing film, and Bette was clearly herself even in this, the last picture she would complete. Yup, still a handful at nearly eighty. Definitely worth viewing for Davis fans.

The tribute closed with The Little Foxes, the story of a scheming and materialistic woman who blackmails her way into control of the family business. Think of her not as a fox, but a barracuda in Orry-Kelly. Possibly her strongest role, and out and out fun. A great way to commemorate the birth of one of the strongest actors ever to appear on film. Happy birthday, Bette.

sunday drive: malibu

Although the entire stretch of California Highway 1 between Dana Point and Oxnard is designated Pacific Coast Highway, it does not run its entire length along the ocean.

Specifically, it turns inward at Long Beach and does not return to the oceans edge until Santa Monica, where it runs along the coast through Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Castellmare, and Malibu on the way to Oxnard. This section is quite old, dating to 1929. For today's sunday drive we are going to Malibu- dazzling movie star hideout but also quaint and old. Some parts are untouched from the 20's with lots of 40's, 50's and 60's. Of course, vintage signage and old architecture along with some natural beauty for your enjoyment. I'll let the photos speak for themselves, but included is a Quonset hut market in Topanga Canyon, the building in castellmare that housed Thelma Todd's Cafe in the 30's and the Malibu Pier. Twenty seven miles of scenic beauty. Enjoy.
































More photos here