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

San Diego: Chicano Park

I finally got a chance to upload these photos form a recent trip to San Diego's Chicano park; a great use of urban space. 

Lunch at this bomb fish taco spot...the micheladas were off the hook. 

Seafood Bar Mariscos La Cacho

3120 Main St, Chula Vista, CA 91911

(619) 422-2287

San Pedro: Gaffey Street Pool

Photo from Flickr

Gaffey street pool in San Pedro is tucked away on the hillside along Gaffey near 34th street.  I started going to this pool with my older brothers back in the early to mid 90s. My brothers would go every day in the summer and come home baked from the sun rays. When I got a little older I started going with them. To get into the pool area you literally had to go up some broken wooden stairs on the side of the hill? Once past the deadly stairs a short walk though overgrown grass leaded you into the decaying pool facility. 
Gaffey Pool was also the place where I first learned to swim.  My brother started showing me in the shallow area and I caught on pretty quick. He also threw me in a few times which was not that funny to me! Gaffey pool was really blue and beautiful compared to the other local pools. The funny thing was that no matter how hot the day was there was always a cold breeze where the pool was located because of the ocean nearby. I remember it cost 50 cents to go in and the attendant gave you a netted bag and a pin to put your stuff away. 
 Unfortunately they shut down the pool in 1997 because it was in dire need of repairs. It was not the end of the pool anyhow, because years later vandals would start using the pool as a graffiti yard. It became a film location as well for tv shows such as, Cold Case. 
I loved Gaffey pool when I was a kid but I also appreciated it when it was abandoned. There has been no word on restoration, I called the department of recreation to find out but no response yet. It would actually be nice if it was restored to its original status. However, I am glad that my brothers and I enjoyed the last of the pool's history.

 Here is an article on the rich history of the pool. 

SP military historians, community plunge into effort to restore pool It seems like everyone wants to save the Gaffey Street Pool. Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA) - Monday, April 24, 2000 Author: Donna Littlejohn

Longtime San Pedro residents love to reminisce about the sun-drenched summers they spent splashing in the aqua, blue-tile pool with an ocean view. 
For local military historians, the pool in Angels Gate Park represents a priceless treasure from World War II. 
But despite the pool 's many fans, bringing it back as a Los Angeles city community pool won't be easy. 
Facing up to $1 million in repairs, supporters of a movement to restore the historic pool and reopen it to the public acknowledge it's an uphill climb. 
"With its potential for public use and its historic value, this could all be neatly wound into one very cool community project," said Steve Nelson, director of the Fort MacArthur Military Museum. "Everybody who comes and looks at it says what a great idea, but there's no `sugar daddy' yet." 
The pool , drained in 1997 when repairs were deemed too costly by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, sits empty , beneath the cover of trees in the park. 
"The pool has historic significance and the community really misses using it," said Phil Orland, Harbor District supervisor for the Department of Recreation and Parks Pacific Region. "But it's very costly, and we've been waiting for some type of budget to rebuild the bathhouses. We've been waiting and waiting." 
Asbestos removal from the changing room bathhouses, and making the pool handicapped accessible complicate the prospects of rehabilitation. 
So for now, the pool remains unused -- except by vandals who chip away at its historic tiles and apparently warm themselves with bonfires at the bottom of the 10-foot deep section. 
Graffiti mars one end of the Olympic-size pool . 
An old stairway leading from Gaffey Street up to the pool recently was removed because it was unsafe. 
Toni O'Donnell, city pool manager at Banning Pool in Wilmington, began her aquatics career as a junior lifeguard at Gaffey Street Pool at 3351 S. Gaffey St. in the 1970s. 
"I've always thought that was the most beautiful pool the city has," O'Donnell said. "I love that pool . It's a pet project of mine." 
Nelson's interest in the pool is historical. While he acknowledges it could take years, he's launched a move to bring it back to its former glory. 
The former World War II Army base pool was opened on June 12, 1943, and is part of the military history of Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. 
In the 1950s, it was transferred to the city of Los Angeles, serving generations of residents as a community pool . 
"This was one of the premiere pools in Los Angeles," Nelson said. 
Slowly, he's piecing together the history of the pool that was built with funds raised from an Army road show -- "Hey, Rookie!" starring red-haired actor Sterling Holloway, who at the time was stationed at Fort MacArthur. 
Written as a morale-booster for the troops, "Hey, Rookie!" -- an army parody -- was featured in local performances at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles and the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium (April 28 and 29, 1942). 
"We had all original music," said Ralph Fetherolf, 82, of Hesperia, who played clarinet with the show's band. "There was a lot of comedy and a lot of parody, but there was some serious music, too." 
The original cast billed itself as "The Yardbird Club" and began as a mobile entertainment troupe along the West Coast. 
"Troops were stationed all along there, from Huntington Beach to Malibu, and they were not allowed to wander around," Fetherolf said. "So we went around and played shows for them and that evolved into the show they called `Hey, Rookie!' " 
After an eight-month stint playing to packed houses at the Belasco Theater and other local spots, the entertainers traveled abroad for two years, putting the show on for troops in North Africa, India and Italy where some members of the cast came under enemy fire. 
"I think we entertained more troops than any other one group during World War II," Fetherolf said, noting that audiences in North Africa sometimes swelled to 11,000. 
The road show raised $250,000, which was used to build the Gaffey Street Pool and a second pool that still serves military personnel on Fort MacArthur's lower reservation -- named Hey, Rookie Pool No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. 
If the pool is restored, Nelson would like to see the changing rooms preserved as much as possible. 
Among his ideas is recreating the "Hey, Rookie!" production as a fund-raiser. 
Through contacts with former "Hey, Rookie" band members like Fetherolf and Andrew Ilnicki, 85, of Lawndale, Nelson has managed to collect the sheet music and several programs with photographs from the show. 
Holloway, who went on to play on "The Life of Riley" television show from 1953-58 and appeared in numerous other stage, film and television productions, died in 1992 at age 87. 
While he doesn't have a script or film of the show, Nelson does have the 78rpm record albums containing all the show's musical numbers with titles like "It's Great To Be in a Uniform" and "I Met a WAC From Hackensack." 
A 16mm color movie was made of one of the performances at the Belasco Theater, Fetherolf said, but he doesn't know where it is. He said Columbia studios bought the rights to the story and believes a motion picture was eventually made. 
The play was viewed by Gens. George Patton and Dwight Eisenhower, who gave it an award. 
"People who saw the show back then loved it," Nelson said. "Would it work today? I don't know. It was a simpler time and humor wasn't as sophisticated." 
Nelson, who still has the pool 's 1943 dedication plaque at the military museum in Angels Gate Park, hopes someday it will be preserved along with other remaining structures on the old army base as a historic site for future generations. 
"A hundred years from now, if this is all still intact, what an absolute gold mine," he said. Anyone with information or memorabilia of the "Hey, Rookie!" production or of the Gaffey Street Pool during World War II can call Steve Nelson at 310-548-2631.Caption: 1, The once popular Gaffey Street Pool at Angels Gate Park in San Pedro has been dry since 1997. Restoration of the pool would cost an estimated $1 million. Steve Nelson director of the Fort MacArthur Military Museum, hopes to restore the pool to its former glory. 

I was not able to locate any photos of the pool back in the days and for sure we never owned a camera. If anybody has any memories or photos I would appreciate seeing them. 

I think I wrote this because it is really hot today!

Peace,

DJ

Defiant Chronicles: Saturday, April 30, 2011

Defiant Chronicles is the  documentation of  the rusty and  beautiful concrete layers of the city. The unwanted streets tell us history while the broken structures  breed color into art.

From Museum website:

The Museum of Latin American Art presents “Defiant Chronicles,” the second exhibition organized by MOLAA for its new satellite space called The Collaborative. Co-curated by MOLAA Curator Idurre Alonso and Slanguage Founders Mario Ybarra Jr. and Karla Diaz, the exhibit focuses on representing current strategies for artistic production derived and influenced by urban and street art including graffiti, stencil and stickers. The exhibition is comprised of two multi-media installations by artists aka, Acamonchi from Tijuana, Mexico and Los Angeles-based artist aka, Perl from the graffiti female collective FDS (From the Streets). The invited artists share a similar concern for utilizing artistic tactics of research-based projects, documentation and investigation. The exhibition challenges the traditional approach to street art/graffiti as a practice that is meant to be singled-out from its place and context, exclusive to an insider audience and contradicts the perception of urban art as a male dominated art form that rarely addresses gender issues in its content. May 1 through July 24.

Opening Reception April 30, 2011

7 p.m. - 9 p.m

Show runs till

July 24, 2011

Location:  The Collaborative,

 421 W. Broadway, Long Beach.

Phone: (562) 570-1930

Swapmeet Chronicles will be participating in the show with photographs documenting the forgotten streets of Wilmington and South Central. 

"Dino's"

"Drink and Wash"

"lonely virgin"

Paintography: Featuring Works by Tonan

This Saturday, April 9, 2011, please support WECAN in another notable exhibition featuring many talented artists including my comrade Swoe FDS. This show will feature the unique, morphed photographs of L.A landscapes through the eyes of Swoe. 


Strapped with a point-and-shoot digital camera Swoe does not need any fancy gear to get that right image. Swoe has a keen eye for photography and can manipulate his images into one of a kind creations. 


When I asked Swoe what inspires him to take photos he said, it brings him happiness. However, it is also for the same reason graffiti writers paint spots; because of that relationship that one has with a part of the city. When a writer paints a spot they own that spot for that moment, that part of the city is theirs  when they look back at their painting they feel good. The same things goes for photography you get to document something and share it with everyone to see. 




The images that capture Swoe's attention are mostly buildings and of course people. Buildings can range from skyscrapers to old decrypted buildings. The mere angles dimensions and perspectives of these buildings are an intriguing part of his photos. The majority of his photos, he describes, are taken while driving which makes it that much more exciting. When it comes to shooting images of people he prefers capturing people in their natural state. 


His theory for those that enjoy photography but do not have the means for expensive equipment is that it should never cost much to get creative. Everybody can make  the most out of what they have. It is almost like a  badge of honor when you accomplish  something for nothing...

Legs That Dangle

4th street in full color-Boyle Heights 

                      Ghost Corner

Check out his photographs and the rest of the talented artists in paintography. 

 Here is the info for event.

"Paintography"

The exhibition will open April 9, 2011 during LONG BEACH DOWNTOWN ART WALK and will be a collaboration with AMC Gallery at Phantom Galleries LB. It will exhibit single art pieces by multiple artist and media, and will be surrounding the theme "Paintography." Each artists will adress through their art what is Paintography or what it means to them or how it inspired thier work.

Featured Artists:

Edith Bogarin

Anthony Castro

Jimmy Centeno

Swoe  FDS

Armando Cortes

Gail Forde

Francisco Martinez

Wesley Pacleb

Gloria Sanchez

Emilio Venegas

Publish Post

WECAN (Wilmington Enrichment Community Artist Network) promotes and supports the arts in Wilmington and the greater Los Angeles area through art exhibitions, performances, cultural events, and workshops.Based in the “Heart of the Harbor” we are a collective dedicated to providing and inspiring others to create and engage within the community through art. By creating a platform for engagement, we hope to spark interest in others throughout our area.

WECAN www.facebook.com/wecanart

Art, Music & Culture (A.M.C.) www.efrenluna.webs.com

Phantom Galleries LB www.phantomgalleriesla.org

LONG BEACH DOWNTOWN ART WALK www.lbdaw.org

NOTE: During this exhibition music will be played in the front and back of our gallery simultaneously there is going to be so much going on that day! THIS WILL BE AMC GALLERY'S LAST SHOW AT THIS SPACE!!! SO COME OUT AND SUPPORT!!! 

"Yeah that's my gallery...but just got the news... since gov Brown eliminated RDA funding...that will be my last show as I will be needing to vacate the space the next day...hope to see you! Pass the word! thanks! Lets show them what they are going to miss out, ART, MUSIC & CULTURE!!!" -Efren Luna

Black Roses In the City of L.A: This Saturday, March 12, 2011

Land Mark, Inc. & Opia proudly present:

I am also pleased to announce this art exhibition is being curated by my comadre, Opia FDS please come down and support all her efforts in putting this show together. This event is featuring different generations of female graffiti artists from Los Angeles as they get together in collaboration for this special event. There will also be all female DJ's mixing some tight beats  and vendors selling one of a kind merchandise. If you need supplies make sure to support Landmark shop pick up some stuff. Save the date! see ya there!


Saturday - March 12th, 2010

10:00am - 6:00pm

Location:
Land Mark, Inc.
6709 S. San Pedro Street
Los Angeles, CA 90003

"Black Roses...in the City of L.A."

A live graffiti art event showcasing blossoming female talent in the Los Angeles and surrounding areas. The title of the event is symbolic for the rarity of artists themselves within a male dominated sub-culture. Each artist represents her own mysteriously unique style that stands out as does a black rose within a throng of red roses.

Event photography by:

www.AmayzunLA.com

Eris (www.HuskeyRadio.com)

Merchandise Booths:

Ezabel Jewelry

Rotting Fresh

Rebourn Jewelry

Sand One Silkscreened merch.

Opening Set:

DJ Sweet (10 am - 12 pm)
DJ Madame X (12 pm - 2 pm)

Closing Set:
DJ Michelle Q (4 pm - 6 pm)


http://www.blackrosesinthecityofla.blogspot.com/

www.twitter.com/blackrosesla

www.landmarkinc.net

www.lagraffitigirls.com

www.huskeyradio.com

www.twitter.com/teamhuskeyradio

"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 

The Faces of Skid Row Opening Reception at Crewest Saturday, October 2, 2010

Photo from Salon.com


I always appreciate a good art exhibition that captures a real message about true life and  issues we face in society. This Saturday  Crewest Gallery the presents the " Faces of Skid Row." Living in Los Angeles everybody knows where skid row is located and the history behind it; however, sometimes we forget that many of the people who live on skid row are humans too with difficult life challenges. Weather it is an addiction to drugs a mental disorder or just  a lost soul they can not be forgotten as members of our society. I have volunteered many times at the Union Rescue Mission and seen the need some people go through on a daily basis. From older men to women and children the reality of it is not pretty. The show will feature photographers, artists of many medias. I commend Crewest because it has not forgotten about their neighbors since Crewest is located in the vicinity of skid row. Here is more details vis their website...

All donations will be going to the Midnight mission!

With live spoken word performance by Mike the Poet and beats by DJ Phyz Ed   

About the Exhibit:  

Faces of Skid Row is an exhibition and fundraiser to bring awareness and focus   

on the homeless living in the Skid Row area   

of Downtown Los Angeles. Graffiti artists, photographers, illustrators, sculptors, street artists and fine artists have all come together as one. Bringing you an exhibition full of sincerity, hope, reality, and essence.  Addressing core issues revealed through eye-catching, heartfelt art.    

   

Exhibiting Artists:  

Bob Motown, Branded, Dash, Dave Kawano, Dytch, Else, Enik, Eriberto Oriol, Estevan Oriol, Euth, Ezra, Graham Walzer, Gregg Stone, James Gillette, Juan Balandran, Lalo Alcaraz, Man One, Michael Pizarro, Mike Street, Oscar Magallanes, Philip Lumbang, Preston Craig, Shing Yin Khor, Sims, Smear, Thomas the Messenger, Two Rabbits, Mas, Ruthie Pie  

Featured Artist:  Mason Brown  

Curated by:  Luna George  

Additionally, a donation jar will be located inside Crewest all month long and 10% of all art sales for the month of October will be donated to The Midnight Mission.    

When: Opening Reception Saturday, October 2, 2010 and show runs until October 31, 2010


Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 


Where: Crewest Gallery 
110 Winston St. Los Angeles, Ca 90013


Check their website for more details on the show and related events 
Crewest Gallery

Photos: Re-cap on Sunday's Picnic

It was a hot Sunday perfect weather for some carne asada and a cold brew!
Check out the photos from the Picnic....

Special Thanks to Strictly Family & Millennium Car Club for organizing the event.