Score One for the 76 Balls

Jacob Soboroff, LA Observed contributor and this generation's answer to run-and-gun Los Angeles photojournalist Huell Howser, captures that rare phenomenon of consumer activism: a victory. Says Jacob: "In my video report, I take you inside the struggle to save the 76 ball - from Atwater Village to Ontario ... Take a look." Thanks to Jacob for generously allowing me to post the five-minute video. See his original LA Observed post here. Save Our Balls [AV Newbie] How the 76 ball was saved [LA Observed] Plan to dump 76 icon spurs public outcry [Wall Street Journal] We Won! [savethe76ball.com]

Will the Real Red Line Please Map Up

LA City Nerd notes today that the official Los Angeles Metro rail map is "quite contrived: straight lines and perfect angles make up the maps of the winding tunnels and tracks." A Nerd reader wonders, "What's the real path of the Red Line?" The Google Earth version seems closer to reality. Though it has yet to break off the Purple Line spur from its maiden Red Line roots, Google draws twists and turns where it should. Unlike MTA, for example, Google shows an east-west line as the train follows Hollywood Blvd. Google Earth is free to download. Zoom in to Los Angeles. Turn on the "Transit" layer. Get real ambitious and turn on the roads layer. It'll blow your mind. The Redline's Actual Route [LA City Nerd] Los Angeles Train Maps [Flickr]

Americana at Brand Not Yet Looking Too Grove-y

The Americana at Brand shopping, living, life-changing, universe-altering center - also known as The Grove East - is trudging along toward its 2008 opening. No telling which of these dirt piles will house H&M. UPDATE: Curbed LA graciously mentions my photo safari; I added five more images shot atop Glendale Galleria parking to my Americana Flickr set. Americana at Brand and the Piles of Dirt [Curbed LA] Americana at Brand: On Schedule and Loaded [Curbed LA]

Canele Love Continues in 2007

Neighborhood bistro slash savior Canele (3219 Glendale Blvd.) is back open after a brief intermission and has the attention of Mike the Wine Guy: "...My favorite by far was a Spanish wine called La Planella, a blend of Carignan, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, and Syrah. "The latest release of La Planella is just as impressive as what I remember tasting that day in Paris. "An excellent value at around $16, this was great with the Roast Pork Loin at the recently opened Canele (Atwater Village). Yum A-Go-Go! "Available at: Topline Wine, Glendale."

Get To Know Your Atwater Village Gangs

YOUTH TODAY enjoy a variety of options among multi-level outdoor neighborhood marketing leadership organizations. Here's an updated list for Atwater Village, courtesy of the MySpace page for LA County Gangs:

• TOONERVILLE
• CHEVY CHASE PARK LOCOS
• ATWATER LOCOS
• WS THEE RASCALS
• SURENOS
• BOLAS
• FROGTOWN

Yes, street gangs and MySpace. Seems equally humiliating for both parties.

Google Transit Adds Burbank, OC Before LA

Now you can Google a trip from Alameda to Lankershim on the Burbank Bus system. And you can find the next departure from Orange to Disneyland on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). But you can't use Google Transit to plan a trip in Los Angeles on the number one public transportation system in America. That's because Google's first foray into mapping California public transit does not yet include LA's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Heaven help us all for still being stuck with Metro.net. MORE: Google Transit PREVIOUSLY: No County Needs This More

The Primary Axioms of Hollywood Math

Beth Lapides holds these truths to be self-evident: The Absence of Yes Over Time = No The Absence of No Over Time = Yes

Neighborhood Skeez Rate Drops in First Month of 2007

Statistics at the end of January show a major decline in skeez in the northeast Los Angeles neighborhood of Atwater Village. A prominent landmark at Glendale Boulevard and Glenhurst Avenue - given worldwide notoriety last May when the Washington Post profiled it as "dilapidated," "drab" and "skeezy" - has completed a renovation. The formerly drab exterior is now a rich chocolate brown, with red-orange accents. Invitations to revisit the infamous structure - and perhaps attend the grand opening of the adjacent Starbucks - are forthcoming to Post reporter J. Freedom du Lac. UPDATE! Exclusive "after" photo:

At Least I Wasn't On the Phone At the Same Time

Shooting on the 110 north at 65 miles per hour, downtown Los Angeles. "Makes downtown LA look small," notes Mrs. Newbie. "Like downtown Kansas City."

Countdown to Tragiversary III

Today, January 26, 2007, marks two years since the worst train disaster in the history of the Metrolink commuter railroad. This morning, Metrolink trains passed through Atwater Village with no incident.

Lingering Cough Explained

Study says living within 500 yards of a busy highway could cause "lifelong damage" to lungs. Distance, as the crow flies, from I-5 to our street in Atwater Village: 300 yards.