Garden Painting Update

I managed to survive the PROMona of last night, it was a lot of fun! Too bad I forgot to take my camera. I'm sure other blogs will have pics up some time soon and I'll snag a few.

Anyways, I managed to squeeze out a few hours this afternoon to update my current Garden Wall painting of the Red Nectar Hummingbird. Here's what I've accomplished for the day:



I'll keep this project posted every once in a while as promised. Enjoy your week.

PROM-ona This Saturday!

Did you miss your Prom or have too much to drink to remember?

The dA Center For The Arts is hosting it's Adult Prom Night party this Saturday. Just choose your decade and dress accordingly. A suggested donation of $10 is all you need to have some 'Artsy' fun and support this great center that does so much for artists. The Red Cup Society girls will be there to host a Hair & Fashion Show. There will be also be a live musical guest, "The Guestimates", as well as DJ Music to dance to. It all begins at 8pm. See you all there!

the dA Center for the Arts
252 South Main Street.
Pomona Arts Colony
(909)397-9716
8pm-???

The Baldwin Park Cave

Looks like we have a little scene from "Slumdog Millionaire" in the San Gabriel Valley. An encampment known as "The Cave" has existed for years under the 10 freeway where it intersects with the 605. There are some catacomb like areas that transients, squatters and other homeless have lived in for many years.

It is a place where heroin addicts do their thing, as well as other God knows what happening there. They found baby rattles and other things to suggest children have also lived there. Not only that, some squatters also stated that they would hang food on strings in order for the large rats not to eat it.

"It's heinous," said Steve Whitmore of the sheriff's department. "I've lived in India and it's like the conditions in Slumdog Millionaire."

KTLA has the FULL STORY.

You can also see the VIDEO HERE.

A Little Garden Painting

Today I got out of bed very early and decided to create a new painting in my little corner garden/sitting area. I used to draw and paint all the time until I started a family and bought a house. It's hard to find time to be an artist again. Gardening has taken my love of art for the past 5 years. Which isn't a bad thing, I've developed a serious green thumb and great gardening/landscape design skills.

I do have to give thanks to the Pomona ArtWalk of the last few months. One of the main reasons I actually decided to go, was to become inspired to paint/draw once again. It looks like it worked.

I have all the supplies an artist would want, but they just sit there in storage boxes somewhere in my garage. My garden attracts lots of birds, especially hummingbirds. I am also a fan of micro beers, and enjoy sitting in this part of the garden with a nice cold ale. I've always enjoyed the great label (and beer) that Humboldt Brewing's Red Nectar has. I even have a tin sign in my garage. I thought, this would work well on this wall. And here it is, the beginning of this masterpiece (LOL)...



I worked on it for a good part of the day, but the Lakers game is near and I need to finish up early to get food and watch the game. This is where I left off today:



I'll keep you all posted on where I'm at in the future. Judging by how much I got done today, I think this will be done pretty soon. I doubt I will find much time during the next 4 days (work), but I'll make some time this weekend.

Have A Great Memorial Day Weekend!

My flag is up on the front of the house and a few neighbors on the street as well. What a nice 'cool' weekend it looks to be. I hope you all enjoy your weekend with friends and family and never forget the hard work our soldiers have and continue to do in our country's name, whether the politics you agree with or not. It's the dedication no matter what, that I truly respect and give honor to.

No, I'm not one of those 'psycho flag wavers' nor am I an 'anti-usa politic'er', I'm just grateful to live in this country even in these tough times. If I can do my little part to make it better, whether through community or at home, that to me is something great for the good'ol USA. Happy Memorial Day once again!

Echo Park Laker Mania House

One of the many local L.A. blogs that I follow, The Eastsider LA, has a cool picture of a little bungalow house in Echo Park with a little LAKERS theme trim going on...


Very nice and cleanly done!
You can see a bigger picture by Clicking Here!

Happy Tuesday

Really, no reason for that... just sitting here watching the Lakers playing CarGhetto Anthony and the Nuggets... LOL.


Anyways, with warming days here again (never really left us), I realized I didn't garden much this Spring. As many ideas as I had in the so called winter, June's right around the corner and nothing major got accomplished. I did pull out an Australian Tree fern that didnt quite make it. Replaced it with some Salvia Lemonii. I wanted to dig out a walkway and replace with drought tolerant screening plants. Oh well, maybe this weekend if I can, if not, it'll wait til Fall.

Not much rambling to do today... probably in the near future when the streets start becoming a bit more loitered by riff-raff with no A/C...

A Taste Of Sonoma In Pomona - TONIGHT!

I like that title, sorta rhymes! Anyways...

My favorite bar, the DBA256 will be hosting a wine tasting tonight starting at 2pm going strong til about 9pm. With a very recession friendly fee of only $12! They will also have a live band, Gino Matteo & Family Phunk starting at 9pm. Thanks to REN for the heads up!

The cool Mr.Ron, although he now has no goatee and longer hair.
DBA 256 Press Release:

We will be tasting wines from the Sonoma region in California. Each region is quite unique both in soil, temperature and layout of the land. Grapes that are commonly grown within this region include merlot, zinfandel, chardonnay and pinot noir. These are going to be the wines that will be featured this week.

Rutz Cellars Maison Grand Cru Chardonnay 2005:
The aromas include peaches, orange-citrus, and toasted spice. The wine is intensely flavored with notes of hazelnut, custard and ripe pear. This chardonnay comes from the Russian river area in Sonoma. This area is celebrated for it's high quality chardonnay and pinot noir.

Laurier Pinot Noir 2007:
This wine has the classic flavor of California pinot noir on the nose and palate; Grown in Carneros, the coldest region within Sonoma is ideal for pinot noir. The surrounding bay area fog helps keep the acidity and flavors of bright berries in balance with this often "heartbreak" of a grape to grow.

Wild Oak Merlot 2005:
Deep purple color, sweet berry and tobacco on the nose, full-bodied on the palate, quite young and full of oak. This merlot comes from Sonoma county, it's a wonderful every day wine to enjoy with family or friends. Fine alone or pair with pork tenderloin and a rich blackberry sauce.

VinNostro Zinfandel 2006:
Grown in the dry creek region of Sonoma it benefits with a warm climate ideal for zinfandel. Raised on a particular type of gravelly loam soil that is only found within the dry creek region. This wine was matured in French oak that leaves an almost mocha sensation when drinking. Full of dark berry notes on the palate with a definite feel of "terrior " that can be found only in this area.

A Cemetery In Foreclosure

I just finished reading a quick Freakonomics Article @ NYTimes about a Cenetery in Foreclosure. I also wondered for a second the same, "Will they evict the dead"?

“It’s a privately owned cemetery,” he tells us. “I presume it will be purchased by another entity in the cemetery business. That’s been typical.”

For a new owner to use the land as something other than a cemetery, says Carrillo, they’d have to contact all the families with relatives buried there, pay to move all the remains, request a land-use zone change, and have numerous public hearings.

Read more HERE.

Nearby Accident @ Indian Hill Clarified

For those of us who live near Indian Hill Blvd, you might of seen some commotion yesterday around 3pm on the Claremont side. Apparently, there was a pedestrian involved accident involving a boy and his Mother.

The Claremont Courier's Tony Krickl writes on his blog that a boy and his mother were crossing Indian Hill and were struck by a car.

According the Krickl, the woman was in stable condition, but the boy had to be airlifted to Loma Linda Medical Center. The Courier will undoubtedly have more on Saturday.

You can read the latest update over at Courier City Beat, who originally released this story. Also, the Claremont Insider has a Full story with all the details.

A Visit To The Birthplace Of Los Angeles

This Mother's Day consisted of a Family visit to my Sister's new condo/apartment at The Mozaic at Union Station in Downtown L.A. We checked out her new place and walked across the street to 'El Pueblo' to go eat the taquitos at the ol' Cielito Lindo. I am the 4th Generation of my family to eat there, and am pushing it on to the 5th.


And they even caught yours truly, the whole 6' 4" of me trying to squeeze into a little corner of an outdoor shop to eat the taquito/tamale plate.



Nevertheless, while the time was short, it was a nice day to enjoy. We ended up hanging out on the rooftop pool enjoying some nice drinks and laying around. This place has a nice view as well.

To the left you can see Union Station below and the great City Hall ahead:



To the right you can see the main Post Office of Los Angeles:



This is a very cool centrally located and secure condo complex. Apparently the condos were originally built for sale, but with the housing mess of the last 2 years, they are now being leased. The rates are very reasonable and there are still units available. No, I don't have a partnership in the units, I just asked my sister. Anyways, here's another view of the inside of the place:



Too bad this was a very bad weekend for L.A.sports, Lakers and Dodgers both losing. Regardless, I hope everyone had a Great Mother's Day with those you love or hold dear in your hearts.

Happy Mother's Day

Looks like it's going to be a very nice day once again. Hope all the Moms out there have a fun & happy day today. We all wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you (this can be said truly for all moms).

Anyways, I hope my Mom can wait until after the Laker game though...

Can't Stand This Heat

Okay, for the first time in my life, I have never seen an April month without any rain! I've lived in Southern California all my life. Last year, I didnt have to use my A/C until the 2nd week of June. Yes, its still somewhat cool at night, but this is just insane. I want some rain, and I want it now (chances are pretty slim).

Regardless, I'm having a beer now to cool off after watering my yard by hand. All I have to say to everyone is, THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY tomorrow!

Here's a picture I'm pretty sure the cool Sally Egan took of us during our 1st official ArtWalk tour with the Red Cup Society Girls:
(Pictured above is starting with Natalie, Diana, my wife seriously enjoying this painting and me! Oh, and the gallery dude.

Claremont ArtWalk, Pomona ArtWalk

This past Friday we happen to head out for our usual Friday night dinner in the area. Little did I know that it was Claremont's First Friday ArtWalk! They had belly dancers and lots of people in the Packing House area. We bought jewelery and checked out some very cool artwork. It's a darn shame we didnt pack a camera. I will be prepared now for Claremont's next ArtWalk for sure. I had no idea it was that day, but we had a great time! We ended up eating over the old village side, but even the old town was pretty lively. Of course, nearing 8pm'ish, the whole place slowly dies as usual. A shame, but nevertheless a great late afternoon and evening hang out.

Of course, you all know what happens this Saturday, the Second Saturday of the month, right??? YUP! Pomona's ArtWalk is here! I will be there as usual and hope to see many of you there. You can find me at the DBA for most of the night...

and Ren, I shall stop by the Bunny Gunner for my gift!

It's been one heck of a weekend and week, damn Lakers. I can't even find time to get to my blog (and the fact that I lack internet access at work doesn't help either).