Running up that hill -- Exploring Monterey Hills at the Amoeblog

Running up that hill -- Exploring Monterey Hills

There are the Monterey Hills -- technically the Repetto Hills -- that run from the Arroyo Seco to the Rio Hondo (and pass through Monterey Park, naturally). Then there is Monterey Hills, a secluded neighborhood between El Sereno, Hermon, and Montecito Heights that's mostly home to condos and townhouses. While house-sitting on the Eastside, Dooley the dog and I explored it on our first long walk.

Between Olympus and Paradise -- Exploring Happy Valley at the Amoeblog

Between Olympus and Paradise -- Exploring Happy Valley

Have you heard of Happy Valley? It's a small Eastside neighborhood and one of Los Angeles's oldest barrios. Yet it has no Wikipedia entry and isn't included in Los Angeles Times' "Mapping LA" project. I explored it recently with a dog named Dooley.

Pseu Pseu Pseudio - Pseudonymous Musical One-Offs at the Amoeblog

Pseu Pseu Pseudio - Pseudonymous Musical One-Offs

Whatever the reason, sometimes artists release music under assumed names. Off the top of my head, I can only think of two: T. Rex who released a single under the name "Big Carrot," and Denim, who released a single as "Supermarket" (which the liner notes claimed were two young boys from Denmark). Who else is there?

Who would float me to my island dream? -- A Channel Islands Primer at the Amoeblog

Who would float me to my island dream? -- A Channel Islands Primer

I've still only been to one of the Channel Islands -- Santa Catalina. The Channel Islands archipelago is a real treasure with over ten thousand years of human history and amazing biodiversity. Here's my Channel Islands primer. Happy Native American Heritage Month!

Blow some my way -- Exploring Chesterfield Square

Blow some my way -- Exploring Chesterfield Square

Have you heard of Chesterfield Square? It's where Boyz N the Hood was filmed, where Good Fred Hair Oil was invented, and where Ray Harryhausen lived and rented a special effects studio. It also has the highest violent crime rate in the city and county but that shouldn't stop you from visiting... nothing bad is going to happen to you!

Exploring the South Bay Metro Green Line Extension | Block by Block | Land of Sunshine | KCET

Exploring the South Bay Metro Green Line Extension | Block by Block | Land of Sunshine | KCET

I can't wait for the Green Line to extend to Torrance Prefecture! I walked along the right-of-way and explored its likely route. Check it out!

In praise of the papoose - Happy Native American Heritage Month! at the Amoeblog

In praise of the papoose - Happy Native American Heritage Month!

November is Native American Heritage Month (also known as American Indian Heritage Month). Here's a gallery of historical photos of papooses.