Friday, March 30, 2012

City Council Approves Draft Bicycle Master Plan!

The Glendale city council voted on the draft bicycle master plan Tuesday and it's moving forward!  Fantastic news.

From the Glendale News-Press:
The first of its kind in 15 years, Glendale’s new draft Bicycle Transportation Plan includes recommendations for new bike lanes and routes, coloring in some lanes, adding more shared lane markings — known as sharrows — and even slimming down some roads to make way for dedicated bicycle lanes. 
“I think there are many, many reasons to do this and very few reasons not to,” said Mayor Laura Friedman during the special City Council meeting. 
A HUGE THANK YOU to Mayor Laura Friedman, who has been incredibly supportive from day one, and the rest of the council (except Weaver).  Laura even organized and led the first ever Glendale "Mayor's Ride" in September.  Check out photos from that ride on my Flickr.

Mayor Friedman with Glendale police officers Josh Luna and Sue Shine. [photo by Martin Orozco]


If you are interested in these issues, I highly recommend you follow local advocates Walk Bike Glendale to stay up to date:




Monday, March 26, 2012

Important: City Council Reviewing Bicycle Plan*

"The City Council is reviewing the proposed Bicycle Transportation Plan in a special study session on Tuesday, March 27 at 3:00 PM.  The meeting will be held at City Hall Council Chambers at 613 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA.  It is CRITICAL that community members share comments that support progressive bike friendly treatments. Biking is on the rise in all the major cities but the Glendale’s City Council must see support from the community to make it happen here."
If you can't make it to the council meeting tomorrow night, at the very least, please send an e-mail to the council ASAP expressing support for bike-related projects in Glendale.

Council e-mails and information are here: 

The photo on the cover of the Bike Transportation Plan is of this huge group of riders on Glenoaks that I took as I was leading the last Glendale History Ride. Love this photo.


*Update: Yay, they passed it!

Palate Food + Wine Closed Indefinitely

I'm sad to report that the excellent Palate Food + Wine has closed indefinitely for "reorganization." I hope they figure something out and the location isn't "reorganized" as a kabab place.  I loved being able to walk over for a drink accompanied by a few small plates - particularly their amazing salmon rillette and house made pickles.


Sunday, March 18, 2012

Syd Mead: Progressions at Forest Lawn Glendale

Forest Lawn Glendale is currently showcasing the works of "visual futurist" Syd Mead.  The exhibit runs until 4/15/12.  I highly recommend the show, which consists of everything from Mead's early watercolors as a student at Art Center College of Design in 1957 to 80's Japanese ads to paintings commissioned just last year.




Syd Mead: Progressions (1/27/2012 - 4/15/2012)
Tuesday through Sunday - 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., opening on: - 1/27/2012
Forest Lawn Glendale - Museum


The museum is free, and is a great place to enjoy a stunning view of Glendale.



Saturday, March 17, 2012

Glendale's Answer to the "House of Davids"

South Glendale has its own "House of Davids," featuring neo-classical sculpture, mayan influences, curtains, lions, swans, painted brick stripes and asymetrical rock trim.  Behold!

(Thanks to Jen from The Cave Wine Storage for the heads up.)


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Marlin, Rooster and Cockatoos in South Pasadena

Spot anything unusual in this photo? 
Closer....


I'm used to seeing real exotic parrots in South Pasadena, but this cockatoo and collection of what appears to be salvaged commercial sculpture on the roof of a garage was new to me.  Always fun to spot interesting details on otherwise ordinary homes.



Thursday, March 8, 2012

Cool Brick Building at The Americana Demolished

One of my favorite little Glendale buildings at 230 S. Orange was torn down about two weeks ago.  It was purchased by Americana developer Rick Caruso to make way for Nordstrom, which is moving to the Americana from The Galleria.  Here is a picture of the demolition.

I took this picture of 230 S. Orange in 2008.

Prior to the construction of The Americana, it was a recording studio.  I know that attempts were made to lease it as a bar/club after the Americana was built, but nothing became of it.  Caruso purchased the building for $4 million last year.  The LA Weekly has more details about the building purchase.


Although the building itself was demolished, at the urging of The Glendale Historical Society, Caruso Affiliated will be reconstructing the facade back INTO the new Nordstrom project.  From TGHS:

The Glendale Historical Society is pleased to announce that it has been working with Caruso Affiliated to relocate the façade of the Mission Revival-style brick commercial building at 230 South Orange Street, recently acquired by Caruso for the expansion of The Americana at Brand.  Caruso Affiliated will incorporate the existing building façade into the design of the new Nordstrom building along the new pedestrian passageway to be created on what is now Orange Street between Colorado and Caruso Avenue. 
The façade's original steel sash windows will become showcases for The Glendale Historical Society to display photographic images from Glendale's past.  Caruso will install display boxes where The Glendale Historical Society can promote special events and install exhibits about the history of the City of Glendale and its architecture. 

I believe these are the bricks from the facade, which will be added to the new structure.  Orange Street will become a pedestrian passageway, which will hopefully  bring foot traffic south onto Colorado, which has been pretty dead despite the success of The Americana.  You can see renderings the new structures and the pedestrian walkway at CurbedLA.