Please Don’t Pick The Berries! -The Witch

April 23, 2017April 2017Admin

Red Bike began its adventure in Marina del Rey, overlooking beautiful yachts and sail boats docked there – destination Beverly Hills. Cycling through Marina del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica, and Westwood. Riding through Venice on Abbott Kinney Blvd, we see the “BarCycle.” If you think you could enjoy riding in an open-air four wheeled contraption while drinking alcohol pedaling around town you will love the BarCycle! A canopy covers two bar table tops, while patrons face each other talking, drinking and pedaling. There is a sober designated driver on board responsible for steering and braking. Sound fun? Thought you might approve! – barcycle.com

Abbot Kinney Blvd. was named after an American businessman, developer and conservationist, (pictured right) born in 1850 most known for a development called “Venice of America” which was a system of canals with authentic gondolas and gondoliers from Venice, Italy. This project was inspired by Mr. Kinney’s walking tour of Italy when he was just sixteen years young. His development with its maze of canals surrounded by ornate Venetian-style businesses, miniature steam railroad and full-sized pier with highly profitable “amusements,” aka freak shows, some of which both Kinney and local residents alike were shocked by. Mr. Kinney lived in the day with men like friend and naturalist John Muir and the likes of Collis Huntington who built the Transcontinental, Southern Pacific, Chesapeake and Ohio Railways.

Turned right onto Santa Monica Blvd., through Santa Monica and Westwood stopping at the “Witches House,” aka the “Spadena House,” a curious home reminiscent of the fabled Hansel and Gretel house complete with thatched roof and moat. The sign out front reads, “Please Don’t Pick the Berries! The Witch.” The use of the word “Please” is curious don’t you think? Who knew the Witch was so nice? This house has a very interesting history. Built in 1920 for Willat Studios in Culver City it was originally a set for silent films including Hansel and Gretel, also acting as a studio before the “talkies.” For history and additional pictures visit: http://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/exclusive-look-inside-witchs-house-beverly-hills

From there it was easy to cycle to the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows established in 1912, two years before Beverly Hills became a city named the first Historic Landmark of Beverly Hills in 2012. The Beverly Hills Hotel is painted in its trademark colors of pink and green with guest rooms ranging from $895 to $15,000 per night. It’s “Polo Lounge” offering fine dining played host to royals and top celebrities for decades, including; the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplan, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, the Rat Pack, Humphrey Bogart and countless others. https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/the-beverly-hills-hotel/hotel-services/hotel-history/

Continued cycling to nearby Will Rogers Memorial Park meeting two twenty something Adonis like men, both 6’4” blonde easily passing for runway models. They had flown from Stuttgart, Germany to New York, rented a car to take a road trip to Las Vegas and suddenly here they stood. Was able to share several sites they might enjoy seeing while in West LA. Suddenly a high-end German sports car sped through the intersection nearby, never braking roaring through the stop sign at Indy 500 speed. The young men commented they had seen many German cars in Beverly Hills, “With more money than brains evidently,” I replied, “because the police are plentiful in Beverly Hills and don’t mind doling out costly tickets.” They each replied that the driver would pay according to what their income was,” to which I added, “No, that’s in Europe, not here.” They were surprised to learn that someone poor would pay the same as someone rich. Don’t think they need to worry about “Po Folk” in Beverly Hills.

Proceeded to the Beverly Hills Electric Fountain to have a closer look at the progress of ongoing renovation. Erected in 1931 this landmark is undergoing restoration thanks to a generous contribution of $200,000 by a Chinese businessman by the name of Wang Jianlin who is the founder and China’s largest real estate developer and world’s largest movie theater operator. The fountain is on the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvds. The figure at the top of the fountain represents a member of the Tongva, a local Native American tribe and the relief on the side of the fountain pays homage to the cities founding.

Continued cycling westbound past the immense Mormon Temple on Santa Monica Blvd. (pictured right). Once the largest LDS Temple, built on 24.23 acres when dedicated in 1956 it currently ranks as the second largest behind the LDS Temple in Salt Lake, Utah.

Rode through the grounds of the Veterans Hospital in West L.A. where the Wadsworth Chapel (pictured below) sits vacant and dilapidated since the Sylmar quake – 46 years ago. Inside this ornate 7500 sq ft chapel a double brick wall separates Catholic and Protestant faiths. Described by the LA Cultural Heritage Board as, “the most monumental complex of Shingle-style Queen Anne structures ever constructed in the Los Angeles area.” This majestic chapel built in 1900 for $12,400 is said to require repairs estimated at $11.5M. The VA purports they have no funds for renovation.

In 1888, 300 acres were deeded to the federal government for a specific purpose; to provide a Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. Wadsworth Chapel was built early on for soldiers to worship there. Politicians have since broken that promise, leasing out some of this land having nothing whatsoever to do with soldiers. It’s said that one in ten homeless are veterans. One politician stated that locals don’t want homeless vets to live there, evidently, they don’t want them to worship their either. Ironic that politicians are known to make an annual pilgrimage to local wealthy residents seeking millions upon millions for their own political gain. When you consider the staggering land value for a parcel this size in an area surrounded by the rich and famous, one wonders why a fund could not be raised to provide a way for this chapel to be restored, homeless vets to have a place to live and worship as was intended by the original deed. Actions really do speak louder than words!

It’s been a beautiful day cycling, exchanging greetings with many cyclists, meeting wonderful people all along the way. Just think of the fun and interesting sites YOU could see if you got on a bike and went for ride. Until our next adventure – Happy Trails!

Cycling In and Around Carson & Gardena, California

March 22, 2017March 2017Admin

Spring is here at last and so is another Red Bike Tales Adventure! The day was cool and overcast with plans to ride to Carson, California to admire a new mural that can easily be seen by motorists passing on the 110 N Freeway as they approach the junction of the 405. The colors on this mural were so vivid, so brilliant. While the previous mural on this site was similar in composition, there is something especially vibrant about the color red that brings this mural added excitement. Or could it be the sight of a sword above your head as you gaze upwards? After a Red Bike photo op, continued cycling to the nearby city of Gardena, having forgotten that there is a pet cemetery and crematory there. In fact years ago a neighbor once commented that their family had interred a dog and cat at this very cemetery, so I decided to stop in to have a look around.

When you think of how many pets there are in the world, and that pet supplies in the US alone make up a billion-dollar industry, it’s remarkable that pet cemeteries are not more prevalent. In California for example, the exceedingly high land values are reason enough. It seems for many who love their pets no expense can be spared. For what price can you place on a beloved pet who seems part of your family, who has provided years of sweet companionship, always happy to see you, happy to please and always forgives? Standing there looking out on the sea of mementos, memory candles flickering, couldn’t help but wonder how many tears had been shed at these grave sites?

Upon making an inquiry as to my former neighbor’s pets burial site, the office secretary was very helpful. She began printing the “Death Certificates” if you will for each pet. After printing two sheets however, the printer continued on as I stood in stunned amazement. There were nine pets in all, not the two I had imagined. There were felines – Snowball, Penny, Powder Puff, Dapper, Smokey, Sylvester, Wampus, Sugar, and a German Shepard named Thunder. Each certificate detailed the plot information as well as the pets sex, age and species. This pet cemetery is not solely a resting place for cats and dogs you see, but a variety of critters including a ninety-five-year-old tortoise, a beloved monkey, a movie horse, as well as several celebrity’s pets, not to mention the hundreds of dogs and cats whose photos you can’t help but smile at when you see them.

Pet Haven Cemetery — “Butchie” (c) Red Bike Tales

Each certificate details the plot location in addition to the breakdown of additional costs, ranging from; cremation, sealed casket, memory light, cement/turf, marker size, picture size, internment fee, maintenance fee and if the pet owner had selected a weekend burial, an additional surcharge would be applied.

The average cost of a 1980’s feline burial was approximately $550 according to the handful of receipts I was clutching. If you think you might want to save money by investing in a plot now for your beloved pet, you may be surprised to learn the starting price is currently $750 for the plot alone. There are no savings when buying a plot for future use.

BabyDoll_TeddyBear — Image (c) Red Bike Tales

The price you pay now may be different when your pet passes, you will be expected to pay the difference.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Evidently our beloved pets cannot escape that truth in death any more than their owners who loved them. Until our next adventure, Happy Trails!

Are You a Destination Rider?

February 10, 2017February 2017Admin

Did you know there are different types of cyclists? For example, some cycling enthusiasts enjoy hill climbing, while others look forward to distance riding. Hill climbers seek elevation riding up hills, keeping count of the thousands of feet climbed, while distance riders enjoy riding from point “A” to point “B”, content seeing the same scenery, because their purpose is to rack up mileage. Then there are those who enjoy something called “destination riding”. Destination riders seek out points of interest, dreading the monotony of taking the same route, seeing the same sites again and again.

Each of these rides, may involve a bit of research. Which hills do we climb today to get the most elevation? What safe bike route can we take to get in the most mileage with the least amount of stopping? To enjoy a destination ride, you may need to do a bit more research to discover points of interest, often found in your own backyard.

One such destination ride begins in Marina del Rey, California, cycling north to Santa Monica, then turning right or eastbound towards the city of Westwood, CA. Westwood is approximately one dozen miles west of Downtown Los Angeles, home to such famous sites as the Armand Hammer Museum, known for housing special exhibits of edgy contemporary art, and a permanent collection of historical works, each in close proximity to the UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) campus. Both of these sites are well known and highly visible in the community. Across from the museum however, is a special place not seen from busy Wilshire Blvd., completely surrounded by high rise buildings on grounds that dwarf their surroundings.

Finding this special place is a treasure found, easily missed if you don’t know where to look. A place where the celebrated, renowned, and illustrious have gathered, not in life, but in death. From a Pulitzer Prize winner, to producers, actors, comedians, poets, artists, composers, song writers, novelists, screenwriters, football team owner, oil tycoon, television hosts to name a few. From author Truman Capote, to actress, socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, to actor, comedian Don Knots and Rodney Dangerfield, talk show host Merv Griffin, novelist, screenwriter, producer Jackie Collins, actress Marilyn Monroe, Hogan’s Hero’s actor Bob Crane, singer Dean Martin, actor Jack Lemmon, screen writer Billy Wilder, drummer Buddy Rich, actress Natalie Wood, as well as the future resting place of Playboy’s Hugh Hefner and many, many more.

Destination:

Westwood Village Memorial Park

1218 Glendon Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90024

Destination riders enjoy “digging up” if you will the history, to discover what they can about this bustling cities once rural cemetery. Westwood Village Memorial Park is recognized by the Cultural Heritage Commission of Los Angeles, as an Historical-Cultural Monument. Burials began there in the 1880’s, when the cemetery was located on grassland, surrounded by dirt roads with very few homes. Originally known as “Sunset Cemetery,” officially established with the State of California in 1905, then became Westwood Memorial Park in 1926.

There are far too many stories to tell here about this postage stamp sized property, however, one of interest to many involves those who loved in life and death, the sex symbol, actress Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn’s remains are housed in an above-ground crypt of pink marble. The face of her crypt has been replaced multiple times, due to numerous lipstick kisses her grave receives which stain the marble. This is evident because the face of crypts surrounding hers are each and every one faded from years of direct sunlight. Only Marilyn’s crypt remains a peachy pink, causing it to stand out from the rest.

If you are a cyclist and this story interests you, congratulations, YOU are a destination rider! Here’s hoping you enjoy your next bicycling adventure.

Positive Change

December 4, 2016December 2016Admin

It’s that time of year again, we can’t imagine traffic or holiday planning more frantic, then, suddenly it is. We each in turn bemoan commercialism and department stores quest to top last years sales, and yet we get caught up once more in the frenzy. Couldn’t we work on changing this? It seems by making a positive change we could improve the quality of our lives. Why not start by enjoying the company of family and friends and teaching our children or grandchildren that they don’t need an expensive electronic device to be happy, for as adults we have learned that life is not about thing’s, but rather people – family and friends.

Was reflecting on some of my Red Bike adventures, recalling fond memories of people, strangers I’ve met along the highways and byways. One sunny day, I was cycling along Santa Monica Blvd., in Westwood, California. Turned off and rode up a quiet residential street. As I was riding up the hill, I came to a stop sign. On the curb to my left was an elderly gentleman who stepped slowly off the curb into the crosswalk. I could have jumped back onto the saddle and sped away, instead, I remained standing, straddling Red Bike as the elderly man made his way slowly across the street. To my amazement, he stopped in front of me, and started up a conversation. I turned to see if anyone was waiting impatiently behind, or speeding up the hill to run us both down, but no, so there we both stood, as if on a quiet country road without a care in the world. He was very charming, he knew how to tell some very funny jokes too. Remarkably he was about ninety years young and was walking this lovely neighborhood alone. He told of his life working at a movie studio years ago, and of the many famous people he met, and good times he enjoyed working there. We had such a lovely conversation that I still recall our encounter fondly. Riding a bike has afforded me many fun encounters.

Yesterday, for example I was cycling along when a man riding a hybrid bike pulling a small screened in trailer behind passed me by quickly. I wasn’t going especially slow. You know the kind of trailer that a mother would put her small child in to go along behind while she rides her bike, except, this trailers rear screen was entirely open. There they were, three small pug dogs looking back at me. I stood up in the saddle and rode fast trying to catch up to take a pic to show you, however, the cyclist was rushing somewhere, not stopping for stop signs, not even when he rode past the local Police Department! Oh well, I did manage to get a pic of a cute little girl dressed as Minnie Mouse, all in pink on her first set of wheels. Is this cute or what?

My wish for you this holiday season is that you find a way to slow down, even stop once in awhile along life’s journey, enjoy this your only life on this old earth, and remember what is truly important. Happy Holiday’s and Happy Trails to you and yours!