Vintage Post Cards: Disneyland

I found these vintage postcards at a local thrift shop. The set above is Disneyland possibly in the 1960s or 1970s. I was captured by the top card because it reminded me of my first visit to Disneyland in the late 1980s when they still had the "Matterhorn Mountain" with the baskets flying through it.

My first time picking nopales

Before my family had plenty of yard space we lived in a crumby apartment on 14th street in San Pedro. I written a few stories about that time, so if you like to look back at those days check out my "Tales from 14th Street series"

Not having a yard in the 80s and 90s meant we could not grow our own plants and vegetables. Nopales were also not as abundant in the grocery stores during those days. Mexican foods were around but it was not as accessible. My parents somehow found a "huerta" (orchard) of nopales growing wild on the side of a canyon near Hernandez Ranch and Reina Park in San Pedro. I remember as a kid I would go with my dad once every few weeks to pick nopales from the huerta. My dad was always ready to climb the steep hillside with his pail and knife. I just would stand near the top and watch him cut fresh nopales, but since I was a kid I was not able to do it myself. In 1995 they moved to the house they are currently living in and they didn't need to go to the huerta anymore since they planted nopales here themselves.

I remembered the huerta recently and decided to make a field trip to see how it is today. My parents decided when we got there that they are not in the greatest shape anymore to be climbing the steep hillside so I decided to take the chance.  Here are photos from the trip.

Sign that greets the entrance to nopale canyon

walk way to the nopales behind a quiet neighborhood

trail towards the nopales

view from top of the canyon

Parents trailing behind

The picture does no justice on how steep it is 

Another view from the top

I climbed down the steep embankment its not as easy as it looks

near the bottom of hillside

gully I never noticed at the bottom of canyon it used to be full of trash back in the days

The hurrta was kind of dry but I got a good dozen nopales!

I could not take the espinas off my dad is a pro at that

But I did grill them with olive oil, salt, pepper and chili powder

Peace, 

DJ

The Heart of the Harbor is Beating

A walk down a familiar street....Avalon Boulevard in Wilmington, each time I walk this street I spot something I did not notice before. Enjoy the walk.

Ticket booth at old Granada Theater now a church 

C & C Liquor with an apartment on top possibly the owners place 

The signage is pretty 1960s 1970s 

Lobo taking a bath! he used to live behind Slanguage but he moved to a different bar

Fonts from the hood

Doorway one

The last pay phone on earth 

They don't even want to advertise here

Graphic Design studio been here since the 70s.....nice doorway too

A peek into Amelia's Dance Club..They even got a disco ball

Engine blocks made into sculptures 

Thank you for hanging in there more city beauty to come


Peace

DJ

TV Cafe is Closing Forever

Well it is official the old TV Cafe will be closing it's doors this Sunday at midnight. The cafe opened its doors in 1987 and maintained a very retro 1950s facade. The exterior had various hand painted signs and a giant hamburger,drink and fries on the roof. The menu had everything from hamburgers to tacos, malted shakes and slices of pie. There were  lots of old fashioned looking booths with tons of frames and memorabilia showing celebs and national events. A variety of old video game machines and ping pong machines adorned the back room.Today's this place could seem a bit cheesy, but as a history lover I enjoy these types of places. I can't say I was a regular, but I been their many times to get a drink or a late night plate. 

TV Cafe in its prime photo courtesy of their Face Book page

I stopped in last night just to say bye and eat some fries.... 

Lone interior, but it was like 2 a.m.

Can't go wrong with French fries sprinkled with pepper

Waffles with buttery love

Not sure why there is a sign for Carnitas Michoacan on their property but I am guessing the owners are either friends or the same owner???

If you want to grab a bite before they shut their doors the last day is Sunday, January 29, 2012 @ midnight. They are also selling everything in the building because it will be torn down. 






Peace,


DJ

Watts Up: A Walk Through The City of Watts

The gardens of many of the families in Watts are filled with fruitful trees, corn stalks sky high and a wonderful array of vegetables and herbs. 
Read the rest after the jump

News Updates

The Harbor Area has been plagued with rumors about a serial killer after the murder of Cristy Alvarez last week.  According to authorities, the rumors are false and Cristy's murder was the only recent incident in that area. However, there is still worry in the air because her killer is still on the loose. Last night I went to her memorial sight to leave a candle and it really was an eerie feeling. I just wanted to pay my respects even thought I did not personally know who she was. Her murder sparked me interest and concern in the community and people are coming together to mourn and help the family. Today there will be a fundraiser for her family at a private residence in Wilmington and tomorrow there will be a peace walk  with the community and the Brown Berets from her memorial site to Banning Park. 

Here is the Daily Breeze story about the murder

Fundraiser today January, 14 2012

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_19730735?source=pkg

Cristy Alvarez found near train tracks on L Street and Hyatt

The only other confirmed murder was in San Pedro when Eva Tice was stabbed on Christmas Eve on her way back from church.link

I hope these ladies rest in peace

In other news yesterday was the 44 year anniversary of Johnny Cash "Folsom Prison Blues" Geesh how time flies but in order to honor that rare moment here is Johnny. More on this story here

I also have to start a new book I promised to read like  years ago I pulled it out of my bookcase 

so its a start.

Revisiting Pelican Bay Art

This post was originally from 2007 when I first started the blog. However, I decided to re-vamp and revisit the old post . The majority of the art work was from inmates who were serving S.H.U time up at Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City California.

"This is where the inmate eats, sleeps and exists for 22 1/2 hours a day. He spends the other 1 1/2 hours alone in a small concrete yard." NPR.org

In recent news:
 July of this year Pelican Bay S.H.U and other supporting prisons in California went on a hunger strike in demand of proper living conditions and human rights.  The following photographs consist of three different art shows from 2006-2007. One of the shows was curated by our very own Slanguage Studio Chinatown Gallery in 2006. The artwork was a collection of pieces and items gathered in correspondence by artist Dixi Swift . The other two shows where curated by small galleries in Long Beach and San Pedro by other organizations.  As conditions and regulations have gotten harsher artwork like this has been hard to send home. For a minute Pelican Bay authorities started stamping mail with a big red stamp ruining some of the work. Other times the artwork never reached its destination and was destroyed. I am not sure the status of artwork today; nonetheless, this might be a last of its kind in this condition without authority alterations.


Insider Art Presents "Ballpoint Creations"

Controversial but thought provoking
Artists: Robert Tamayo, Jesus Gonzalez, Raymond Casares and Steve Carotan
Artist connect to their family and friends through Pelican Bay walls 
Long Beach, California 2007

Check out the rest after the jump!

San Pedro: Peck Park Pool circa 1986

News-Pilot, April, 4th 1986......Now 25 years ago (click on photo to enlarge) 


Peck Park Pool in San Pedro is a childhood/teen landmark for those of us who grew up in the area. Generations of kids have visited the pool during summer break. I started going to Peck Park pool around 1996 before that I used to go to Gaffey pool but when I moved I started coming here.  My friends and I would "mob" up Summerland to get to the pool. During that time is was the awkward years for my friends and I.  The boys started to become interested in girls and the girls in the boys. However, the boys acted a bit more immature about it. My friends and I would wear T-shirts because if we dared go in our swimsuit it was boy drama. Most of the time our peers went to the pool to check out that certain boy or girl of interest. It was not surprising to find couple kissing in the canyons after the pool closed. During the years I was going I never seen graffiti in the pool. By that time there was a heavy duty steal fence and censored lighting. The photo above was from a 1986 News-Pilot article. During the mid-1980s graffiti was at its early stages in Los Angeles and in San Pedro. The pioneers of graffiti where themselves starting out experimenting with bombs and pieces. 


My memories of graffiti in San Pedro started during the late 1980s. I would see full blown pieces and characters in alleys around my neighborhood. Down the street from my house there was also a huge wall across from train tracks that graffiti artists would paint on.  I can not recall many of the names from back then, however, there were a few talented artists that came out of San Pedro as well as out of towner's coming to paint the tracks. 


The article was about the problem that was happening with the pool constantly being vandalized. The methods back then failed because it was such a new problem. They tired leaving the graffiti up instead of buffing it in order to prevent more, that equaled to failure. They thought about barbed wire fencing however, worried about liability issues if someone got hurt climbing the fence. Here is a good quote from the original article:

"Graffiti is a reality and if we cover it before someone sees it we're not doing ourselves a favor"

Back then it seemed like a losing battle, from what I can read some of the work is pretty legit for that time period. Some of the most legible is.
Smurf
Dream On
PWL= Park Western Lomas which was a local gang in the area
RSP 3rd= Rancho San Pedro Third Street, established local gang 




Peck Park Pool lives on for a new generation of kids, minus the graffiti. 












Peace,




DJ

"Cocktails" Photographs by Bruce Ecker and C.W. Ellis

Last Thursday at the monthly San Pedro Art walk I seen a wonderful black and white photography exhibit at Lauren Kilgore's Studio Gallery 339. The photography exhibit was called "Cocktails"  by Bruce Ecker and C.W. Ellis. I was really taken back by this exhibition because the photographer had captured many of the best historical bars in San Pedro. I have a  fascination with historical bars, so to see that he had beautifully documented these relics was amazing. I wish I had a chance to meet the photographer but her was down the street at another show, however, his work is great and gets my appraisal. The framed prints are for sale for $200 which is not bad at all and a catalogue for about $20 which is awesome. The show ends January 31, 2011 and can be viewed by appointment only. 

Lauren Kilgore's 
Studio Gallery 339
339 West 7th Street, San Pedro, California
90731
(310) 514-1238 

Wilmington: Missions Down "B" Street

We used to drive by  Figueroa and Harry Bridges (B street) to Wilmington on a weekly basis. That was the usual route my dad used on the  way to church . Most of what I remember is seeing the same scene like a movie set as we passed by. The ironic thing is that scene did become a movie set for many films. The three buildings I remember vividly were Shipwreck Joey's, an old Mexican restaurant (or bar not sure) and a liquor store. Thanks to " Life in Wilmington" on Face Book I was told that the liquor stores name was called North star liquor. I still have not heard a response about the restaurant that might remain a  mystery.From what I recall I do not remember ever stopping at the liquor store with my parents, I just remember how dark and seedy it looked to me at night. The only time I passed by on foot was when I walked from San Pedro to Wilmington in my teens. 
Shipwreck Joey's basically was a cabaret style  topless bar that was not well liked by some. The main reason is because of the sign and the building was very noticeable from all angles. When you would drive on the freeway entering or leaving the Harbor Area  the first thing you would see was a bright yellow sign that said "Topless" in huge letters! The place had been painted so many times however, the signature architecture remained unforgettable. When I finally was able to drive myself all this was gone, so  I am trying to see if I can re-create some of those  memories of that street. 


 For a long time I tired to  find some kind of  information on these buildings. I did run into four good images of the different facades of  Shipwreck Joey's. I think this building was  the most memorable. Although many people hated it and wanted to see it gone it was well loved by the movie industry. 


In 2000 almost  none of these buildings or houses that were nearby existed anymore. Everything was basically bought out by the port of Los Angeles for re-development. Businesses that once lined this gritty industrial corridor north of Harry Bridges Boulevard -- Keep On Trucking, Shipwreck Joey's Cabaret, World of Birds and many others -- have been erased, leveled to make way for a harbor terminal expansion and road-widening project. (Zahniser B1) 

This amazing photograph  is was taken between 1979-1980. The photographer is John Humble and it is currently part of the collections at Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. Check out the rest of John Humbles collection, I really like his style because he loves the raw and gritty parts of the city. It is even more intense because he got to capture many images no longer in existence mostly from the 1970s and 80s. 

Shipwreck Joey's in the movie " To Live and Die in LA"  (1985) Photo from Seeing Stars. I think at one point after this is was painted a bright red with bold yellow letters. 

Shipwreck Joey's used in " Fight Club"( 1999) it was transformed into "Lou's Tavern" Photo from Seeing Stars

This is the only photograph that I was able to find of what was North star Liquor. I was hoping to find more original photos but no luck. This scene is also from "Fight Club" (1999) and it features Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in front of it. Photo from " This Pedro Thing" 


Helen's obsession with Shipwreck Joey's 


Helen (Rest in Peace) was an odd women. I first met her as a kid back in the mid 1980s. She used to come to our house because her and my parents used to go to the same church. Helen looked liked maybe she was mixed with Mexican and Samoan or even Filipino.She was over weight and usually wore long skirts or moo-moos. She was deeply into the Catholic religion and had a very strong personality. She was always  real blunt and not shy at all. The reason I say she was odd is because; she basically was a wanderer who roamed from house to house of church friends sleeping on couches, or even front porches. She seemed somewhat mentally ill at times. All the people like my parents forgave her because her state of mind. We never knew much about her background her age,or anything personal she mostly ignored you when you asked her anything. One funny memory of her was when we used to go onto the 110 freeway North and just as we were passing "Shipwreck Joey's" topless bar she would start yelling and screaming to " God" that she wanted that place shut down. It would not fail she did it every single time. The day Shipwreck Joey's went out of business she swore god made it happen because of her. She died about ten years ago of an illness. 


The place mostly got a bad reputation because it became an eyesore but some shady business did happen there much like in the movies.

The former prosecutor could have been sentenced to a maximum 10 years in prison and fined $5,000, but the lighter sentence was given in exchange for his testimony at the September trial of co-defendant Stephen Gotter Bach, 41, of Inglewood. Bach worked as a bartender at Shipwreck Joey's Topless Cabaret in Wilmington -- where the securities theft scheme reportedly was devised -- and at Frontview Cabaret in Harbor City.( Simons A3)

Here is a Los Angeles Times story about the rise and fall of Shipwreck Joey's 

Topless Bar Loses Its Shirt to a Truck Stop; [South Bay Edition]

GREG KRIKORIAN. Los Angeles Times (pre-1997 Fulltext). Los Angeles, Calif.: Sep 6, 1990. pg. 3

Abstract (Summary)

[Rocco Grieco]'s plans for the 55,000-square-foot property that straddles the east end of the Harbor Freeway follow the closure in early July of its only tenant, Shipwreck Joey's, which opened in the 1970s. On Aug. 1, Grieco signed a 10-year lease for the property.In addition to the diner, Grieco said, the property will include a snack bar, six truck-wash stalls, trucking scales and several showers. "In the Harbor area, there's no place for these guys to go in and just shower unless they rent a hotel room," Grieco said. "These guys need these kinds of services."

Then again, [Robert Castagnola] said, it was Grieco's decision. And Grieco, owner or co-owner of several apartment buildings in San Pedro and Wilmington, has shown over the years that he knows something about business. "Rocco does have a nose for money," Castagnola said.The dirty dancing already is gone from the corner of B and Figueroa streets in Wilmington. And a year from now, the way Rocco (Rocky) Grieco figures it, he'll really be cleaning up at that corner.In more ways than one.By then, Grieco said, Shipwreck Joey's, a once-popular topless bar that closed in July, will be just a memory. In its place will be a diner.On the dusty lot next door, there will still be trucks, Grieco said. But instead of using the lot for parking, truckers will be using Grieco's new six-stall truck wash and scales.And if all goes as planned, the 37-year-old San Pedro real estate agent will have several indoor showers on the site, another feature of a deluxe truck stop for drivers who once cooled their heels between hauls with beers at the bar.Grieco's plans for the 55,000-square-foot property that straddles the east end of the Harbor Freeway follow the closure in early July of its only tenant, Shipwreck Joey's, which opened in the 1970s.

On Aug. 1, Grieco signed a 10-year lease for the property.Shipwreck Joey's, for years a landmark of sorts in the Harbor area, was hard to miss. With a bright orange exterior, opaque windows and the form of a bare-breasted blonde beckoning clientele, the bar was an eyesore to many, eye-catching to all.It also was the latest in a list of tenants that occupied the 4,000-square-foot Art Deco-style building constructed in the 1930s. And like the others, from the original Bayview diner to a later nightclub to a country and Western bar, Shipwreck Joey's did great business for years.But as shipyards closed in the port and other topless bars drew away customers, business at Shipwreck Joey's began sinking in the late 1980s. And when the owners of the huge lot that housed the bar put the land up for sale in 1988, leaving its future in doubt, it seemed just a matter of time before Shipwreck Joey's would close.Grieco thought about leasing the site and opening his own topless bar But that idea did not sit well with his wife, Joanne, he said."I went to a couple of topless places to see what their business was like. And I found they made big money," Grieco said. "But when I told my wife I was thinking about opening a topless place myself, she said, `You're crazy.'"She was against it from Day One."After considering other possibilities, including a small shopping center, Grieco said he came up with the idea of converting the property into a sort of super truck stop after watching the number of trucks along Figueroa Street and the Harbor Freeway."I counted 1,000 trucks going to and from the port in one hour. I know that sounds unbelievable, but it's true," Grieco said. And that number, he said, gave him a new idea."A full-service truck stop" is how Grieco describes it.The plans, Grieco said, call for converting the old bar into a 1950s-style diner that is convenient for truckers but that caters to a broader clientele."I'm not going to make it too nice so truckers won't come in, or too rough so yuppies won't come in," Grieco said. "I just want a place where I could bring my kids for breakfast."In addition to the diner, Grieco said, the property will include a snack bar, six truck-wash stalls, trucking scales and several showers. "In the Harbor area, there's no place for these guys to go in and just shower unless they rent a hotel room," Grieco said. "These guys need these kinds of services."Maybe so, but even some of Grieco's friends wonder how he would have made out if he had opened a new topless bar after the close of Shipwreck Joey's."I've got mixed emotions," said one friend, Robert Castagnola, 31, a Teamster who once frequented Shipwreck Joey's. "I think he'll do well, but I tried to persuade him to go with a topless place because he could have made a fortune with the right management."Then again, Castagnola said, it was Grieco's decision. And Grieco, owner or co-owner of several apartment buildings in San Pedro and Wilmington, has shown over the years that he knows something about business. "Rocco does have a nose for money," Castagnola said.So will Castagnola be as likely to visit his friend's diner as a strip bar?"Yeah, I'll go there," he said. "You know Italians, we stick together."

If you happen to drive by passing Figueroa and  Harry Bridges (was B Street before) today, it is all still under construction for a new waterfront  redevelopment project. It is amazing how much different this area will look after so many years of griminess. In an odd way I will definitely miss the old history but as you all know that is just me I like anything rusted up. If you are interested in seeing the future plans check out the Draft EIR.








Alrato,




DJ

PS has anybody actually ever been inside Shipwreck Joey's? don't be ashamed if so lol we love insight. Also please let me know if anybody finds out the name of that bar or restaurant next to North Star Liquor.

Sources: 

GREG KRIKORIAN.  "Topless Bar Loses Its Shirt to a Truck Stop :[South Bay Edition]. " Los Angeles Times (pre-1997 Fulltext)  6  Sep. 1990,Los Angeles Times, ProQuest. Web.  2 Nov. 2010.

Zahniser, David. "PORT OF IMPASSE - Harbor department, last business still locked in talks." Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA) 5 Sep. 2000, LOCAL: B1. NewsBank. Web. 2 Nov. 2010.

Simons, Teresa. "Ex-deputy D.A. sentenced for role in securities theft." Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA) 30 Oct. 1984, NEWS: A3. NewsBank. Web. 2 Nov. 2010.

Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

Ola everyone, I hope all my gente has a wonderful day to remember the history of our roots. I know most people think its a party day, but take the time, and remember the real history then go celebrate! Have a safe day, don't get caught up, or too drunk!

Alrato,

D.J

Here is a brief re-cap of last years blog post on Cinco De Mayo, read some history!

Brief recap on what Cinco de Mayo really means. Most people including our gente will often think it is Mexican Independence Day. That is in-correct. Mexican Independence Day is actually not until September 16. Cinco de Mayo 1862 was a victory over the French Army in " Batalla de Puebla" or Battle of Puebla. Mexico was in debt because of prior battles and civil war. Benito Juarez the president at the time issued what was called a moratorium, which means Mexico needed some time to freeze any payments on what they owed until they where financially ready. President Juarez requested a two year time frame. The Spanish, English and French did not like that and became angry. They all then proceeded to invade Mexico to collect. Long story short the English and Spanish settled on there side and left. The French army under the ruling of Napoleon III, wanted to take over and make Mexico a new empire. Kaos erupted, and Mexico had to defend it's self. Dressed in peasant gear unlike the fancy French, it did not stop Mexico from giving it's all. Mexico was only armed with cheap weapons like machetes,rifles and horses nothing compared to the weapons and technology of the French Army . They simply fought with determination, heart, blood, sweat and tears winning a victory over the French.

This holiday is celebrated more in the United States by Chicanos and Americans then in Mexico. Mexicans tend to celebrate Independence Day more then Cinco De Mayo

Mom's Burgers: Compton

With the uprising of commercial restaurants and fast-food joints, it is hard to find a genuine mom and pop owned food establishment. I went on a mission to try and find some of these spots in the Hub City and discovered some friendly faces and good eats.

Over the years unfortunately Compton grew a bad reputation in regards to crime and violence, the media and politics also placed a negative image of Compton, always giving it a bad name. I also been guilty of thinking that of Compton, but once I started frequent the area, I got a new found  love for Compton. I wanted to discover the shiny stone behind all the dust, uncover the good under the years of negativity.

In the last few years things have gotten better, and people are showing more care appreciation for their city.

Mom's Burgers

This place caught my eye mostly because of the classic "hamburger stand architecture" you see in movies. I had been driving bye for a few weeks, and decided to finally check it out. The stand has plenty of parking, let me tell you! it is not a big building, but it sits on a roomy lot. I was greeted by Jackie Mc Laurin who is the current owner along with her husband Donald Mc Laurin. They were immediately really friendly, they explained to me that is was a family run business and they been operating for 33 years, now that is what am talking about! this place was passed down to the family by Donald's  mother Joyce and father Willie. They had plenty of help from the family as they worked away filling orders. The menu is huge, with over a dozen different types of hamburgers, combos, and tacos there is something for everyone. Jackie told me the most popular burger is " The Chronic Burger" you need some serious appetite to scarf this one down, the Chronic Burger is a double burger patty, bacon and eggs, mustard, mayo, pickles onions, lettuce and tomato, what a treat! Munchies anyone?? lol

A family business!

While checking out the place I spotted a vintage sign in the back which was the original sign from the 1970s! it was a great find and the family hopes to one day restore it. 

I was lucky enough to receive a special treat and try out one of the burgers, I was not brave enough for the Chronic Burger so instead I tried a turkey burger. I got to say they do live up to what they told me, the burger was awesome! I am not one to eat to many burgers, but this one was definitely delicious. I really hate when burgers are dry, but this one was really juicy, and tasty. The fries were nice and crispy too.

Support this spot, def good if you are hungry and on the go. Call in orders welcome.

Special thanks to the family

Jackie McLaurin

Donald McLaurin

Ashley Dickerson

Donnie Williams 

Valarie Holyfield

Mom's Burgers

336 W Alondra Blvd
Compton, CA 90220

(310) 632-6622

Open: Monday - Saturday 11am to 5pm 

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