New Life Rises From Ashes

WE MAY HAVE LOST much of Griffith Park, but we seem to have gained new life on Glendale Blvd. Starbucks is open. At last. Thanks to Miles for reporting it amidst all the smoke.

Now 47 Photos in Griffith Park Fire Timeline

8:14pm, posted by Atwater Village Newbie in Griffith Park Burns set.

AND GREAT VIDEO, in the midst of it all, from Jacob Soboroff.

Plus a new series from another Atwater Village neighbor.

Atwater Village Chokes In It

6:38pm, originally uploaded by Atwater Village Newbie.

FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE UPDATES and analysis on this tragic Griffith Park fire visit the LA Times breaking news blog. Also: My Photo Timeline of Griffith Park Fire [Flickr] - As seen from Sunnynook footbridge, Los Angeles River trail and Baum Bicycle Bridge over Los Feliz Blvd. Fire Brings Us Closer Together [LAist] - "It was an interesting night in Los Angeles. A community generally lost to each other in the confines of Bluetooth headsets and commuter traffic united in a somewhat macabre spectacle: watching Griffith Park burn." [LAist] LA City Council President Eric Garcetti [CD13] - "Griffith Park is not lost, of course, but it is damaged. We'll rebuild it, where we can, and it will grow back lush and green. It's the single largest urban park in the country; few other parks compare to it in its size and wildness." Four Hour Time Lapse Video [via Curbed LA] - Smoke from the Griffith Park fire. Griffith Park Fire Update [LAFD] - From the detailed Los Angeles Fire Department blog

Mrs. Newbie Wants to Know: Meal Prep Places in LA?

WE SUBMITTED THIS QUESTION to the all-knowing Erin of Erin's Kitchen, but perhaps our Newbie readers have some ideas. Know any meal prep places in Los Angeles that offer fresh, organic foods? You know those kitchens that let you build a week's worth of meals to take home and cook later? Dream Dinners in Burbank is most convenient, but they get their food from Sysco - just like my old college cafeteria. No. Thanks. Know any places with higher quality foods?

Sing a Song of Suburbs

SOMETIMES OUR FRIENDS across the tracks in Glendale get a bad rap. And sometimes they (or streets named after them) get mentioned in rap. Or rock. Or R&B. You be the judge: Beastie Boys - Do It Glendale Boulevard Boulevard Glendale Boulevard is where I'm at It's where I'm at, Where I live Check it out because my head is like a siv Beck - Debra I pick you up late at night after work I said "lady, step inside my Hyundai" I'm gonna take you up to Glendale Gonna take you for a real good meal Bright Eyes - Cleanse Song On a detox loft through a Glendale park over sidewalk chalk Someone wrote in red, "start over" So I muffled my scream on an Oxnard beach Full of fever dreams that scare you sober I found only three solid examples. Surely others have immortalized the suburb that brings us both Porto's Bakery and Brand Bookshop.

When To Talk at the Movies

Friday night at the ArcLight, originally uploaded by stutefish.

INSPIRED BY TWO CHATTY DUDES behind us last night at an Arclight Cinemas showing of "Spiderman 3," I've assembled this helpful list. Too tired of using your "theater" voice? Confused about subtle etiquette differences between a living-room TV set and a 500-seat auditorium? Feel like your $14 ticket comes with more rights than my $14 ticket? Need a change of scenery from AMC Universal CityWalk? Then this list is for you. When To Talk at the Movies (Only for People Sitting Directly Behind Me During Sold-Out Screenings) During previews of coming attractions During opening credits During musical sequences or montages When you recognize - or think you might recognize - an actor To offer what you can remember of the actor's filmography To show how well you can read a particularly interesting word from a subtitle, t-shirt, sign, product or poster To ask for help reading a word from a subtitle, t-shirt, sign, product or poster When you recognize a location or building To warn a character of impending doom To appreciate the setup of an impending comedic event To share excitement over the mention of your city or state To obtain a recap of events during a restroom/concession run To repeat something you found clever or amusing To get someone else to repeat something you didn't hear To guess the next line during a dramatic/comedic pause To rewrite the script more to your liking To transition from laughing loudly to sitting silently again When you're startled - or just tricked into being startled When taking a call When responding to a text message When trying to quiet a baby/child When trying to make a baby/child When you actually are a baby/child On a first date On any subsequent date When kissing/lovemaking scenes make you uncomfortable To wonder about a plot point that is only partially revealed To offer a review of the film To guess the ending before – or as – it happens To prove you knew how it would end To share adulation with a director or star who is not present

Call Me an 80s Child

CALL ME, MORE ACCURATELY, an 80s teen. And a bona fide Crowded House fan. This is a deeply talented Kiwi pop band I thought I'd never see again. A band that called it quits more than a decade ago. Now, 20 years after "Don't Dream It's Over" hit #2 in the US, it's not over. Crowded House quietly re-formed - with Beck's former drummer - for a new album and tour. The band's first California stop: The Glass House in Pomona. Tickets sold out in 90 minutes. I was too slow. The band's second California stop: Coachella. Other reunions overshadowed. Bottles flew. I was too old. Now I patiently wait. Crowded House returns to California, playing two nights in August at the Mountain Winery. Till then, the amateur videos. Enjoy: Crowded House - Something So Strong [Glass House 4/27] Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over [Glass House 4/27] Crowded House - Fall At Your Feet [Glass House 4/27] Crowded House - Fingers of Love [Glass House 4/27] Crowded House - Locked Out [Glass House 4/27] Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over [Coachella 4/29] - Rage Against the Machine fan throws bottle at 0:42 mark; crowd groans; Neil Finn handles it like a pro; Coachella message board reacts Crowded House - Better Be Home Soon [Coachella 4/29]

A Little Bird Told Me

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE been in this very spot. Behind this very woman. Watching her take this very picture. "Monday Noticed" Solo exhibition by Maxwell Boas Opening reception May 19, 7pm LittleBird Gallery 3195 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village

Meanwhile, Kaldi Coffee, the Block is Yours

OUR GREAT STARBUCKS MYSTERY popped up today on Curbed LA: "What's up w/ that Starbucks in Atwater Village? It's had a 'Coming Soon' sign on it for 5 months." More like nine months, but who's counting? Certainly not neighborhood fave Kaldi Coffee, a few storefronts up, cashing in (literally; no credit cards taken) on its latte domination of central AV. The phone number listed for the Glendale & Glenfeliz SBUX just rings. And rings. And rings. Yet the store is still coming "soon," insist the banner and web site. "You keep using that word," goes the famous quote. "I do not think it means what you think it means."

You Say Crayfish, I Say Slimy River Alien

AN INTREPID VIDEOGRAPHER captures Los Angeles River wildlife at its slimiest. Narration by Sabrina Drill, video by Arthur magazine's Jay Babcock, "south of the Crying Girl, north of the submerged Darth Vader head," Atwater Village, April 28, 2007.

Making Up for Lost Weekends

Orange Drain Cover Cat, originally uploaded by theturningman.

I HAVE BEEN RIGHTLY tsk-tsked for my absence from a shining moment on our neighborhood's spring calendar. The Artwater Music & Art Festival (previewed here) swept the sidewalks and storefronts of Atwater Village two weekends ago. Thanks to these kind persons, this is my blog's only first-person account: It wasn't culturally groundbreaking and we didn't stay overly-long, but my kid got to get her face painted, I met the sweet li'l old lady whose portraits are hanging at the J. Ferrari gallery, and Kaldi was selling espresso jello parfaits on the sidewalk. Overheard dialogue between a father and tween-age son as they walked toward one of the performance stage areas (the guitar case-toting son, ostensibly about to perform): Son: [grumbling] Aww, man! This looks lame! Father: [pleasantly clueless] What's that? You say you think it's going to rain? No, I was not boycotting. I was in Fillmore, of all places, for the annual pilgrimage to ride this cartoon-faced locomotive. Nothing personal. Let's enjoy together: theturningman's Artwater photos [Flickr]