ACTION ALERT! Hyperion Bridge Needs Your Help! Your Voice Creates Walkable Livable Streets in Los Angeles!

PLEASE Send this email NOW to ensure that Cyclists, Pedestrians and Drivers can all utilize the Hyperion Bridge of the future.

TO:
tom.labonge@lacity.org,
mayor.garcetti@lacity.org,
councilmember.ofarrell@lacity.org,
deborah.weintraub@lacity.org,
ladot@lacity.org

BCC:
roadblock@midnightridazz.com

SUBJECT:
Hyperion Bridge OPTION 3

Customize this letter:

Dear All,

My name is __________. I am a cyclist, pedestrian and driver and I am writing to ask that the historic Hyperion Bridge PLEASE retain BOTH sidewalks, and that it please include buffered bike lanes on both sides of the bridge so that pedestrians and cyclists for generations to come may finally enjoy SAFE convenient access to the LA River bike path, Red Car park (including Councilmember O'Farrell's hard fought bike pedestrian bridge) and all of the amenities of the forth coming Alt 20 plan which invests a billion dollars into the river making it a hugely attractive place for Angelenos to travel to. As of now there are no safe ways to get to and from the river from Silver Lake Echo Park Los Feliz Hollywood KTown and beyond. Creating a livable Hyperion bridge connection will finally accomplish this worthy goal.

I recognize that option 3 will reduce one travel lane heading downhill into Atwater. This will slow the chronic and dangerous speeding on the bridge to a manageable level and the good news is that the traffic studies commissioned by the Bureau of Engineering even under the worst case scenario, show that traffic will actually improve slightly. THIS IS A WIN WIN for Los Angeles.

With option 3, the Hyperion Bridge, and all of its historic features, belvederes and pedestrian amenities will survive and be enhanced for generations to come.

THANK YOU

SIGNED ______________

Death at Los Angeles Critical Mass, Rest in Peace Jerico Culata

If reports are true, Jerico Culata died last night for a number of reasons. The most important one was that we was not wearing a helmet. The second reason was he was riding a bicycle with no brakes. The third reason was he was riding beyond his skill level. It is extremely sad but comes as no surprise that someone has died at Los Angeles Critical Mass.

When I was told of his death, my mind instantly played out following scenario: A young inexperienced cyclist was riding a fixie with no helmet and lost control on a downhill descent. It turns out my guess was not far off...

Jerico Culata of Los Angeles was participating in the Critical Mass ride with up to 700 other riders when he lost control of his bike and slammed into a masonry wall, Clark said. He wasn't wearing a helmet, said LAPD Officer Sara Faden. Faden couldn't confirm reports about whether the bike Culata was riding had brakes. She did say, though that there is a trend of riders are using bikes that have no brakes. Culata went wide on a downhill curve, his friend told a photographer outside the hospital.

After a near death experience thanks to a hit and run driver, I no longer ride critical mass. Sometimes I miss the experience of riding with thousands of others, but it also comes at great risk. Young children with no helmets and no brakes abound at the rides. It's been a ticking time bomb for quite some time. I recall seeing a young rider lose control on a descent in West Hollywood several years ago, run right thru a red light on Santa Monica Blvd and slam right into an Audi. The impact was so severe, the Audi's radiator was crushed and instantly spilled coolant on the street. The cyclist got up, brushed himself off and rode away. It was humorous but also foreshadowed the events of last night.

My heart goes out to Jerico's family and friends. I hope the cycling community will learn from this tragedy.

Please. Wear a helmet, and put a brake on your bike.

Like This Guy!

Or These Guys!

Keep your eyes open at all times!

Know the limits of your skills.

Always look out for your friends.

The Hunger: Diana Nyad and the pursuit of an "Xtreme Dream"

In August of last year, I received a phone call that changed my life. I had just married the woman of my dreams, our art gallery was beginning to recover from the recession and I was in the early stages of launching a web development and social media consultancy business.

When I answered the phone, the voice of a close friend said to me "Alex, I have a job for you." Diana Nyad, the world champion long distance swimmer needed my help. Her attempt to swim across the Florida Straits from Cuba to Florida ended after 26 hours in the water. But she was not finished. In fact, she would be leaving for Cuba in a couple weeks to try it again, a dream that would not die, so difficult some would call it impossible, but in her mind it was a forgone conclusion that she would walk on the Florida shore 60 hours after jumping into the harbor in Havana.

I joined Diana's team as her webmaster, tasked with a similarly impossible task of keeping her website from crashing when 1 million people stopped by to get hourly updates on her progress. The blog posts I  transcribed arrived to me via a sat phone on ship to a scribe in New York and then on to me, to post on the website and spread the word on Twitter and Facebook. At all hours, I would await a phone call with the latest news to share. Being the #1 trending topic on Twitter was a heavy cross to bear! Luckily, I had many friends supporting me in this herculean effort.

Alas, Diana was stung twice by deadly box jellyfish and yet continued to swim towards her dream, until the poison forced her to abandon the swim. But quit is a word not in Diana's vocabulary. In about a month, Diana will once again set off for Cuba to make her swim across the ocean, at the youthful age of 62. When I speak to her, there is no doubt that this time she will make it. And I could not be prouder to be a part of her team.

Rivka Galchen has written an amazing profile of Diana in this month's issue of Elle Magazine. If you have ever faced a seemingly impossible challenge, take a moment to read Diana's story and be inspired to live your life with no regrets, and pursue your goals with passion and determination.

Venice Art Walk and Auctions hosted by Google

A long day of work at the gallery. Lots of good things are afoot including this!

Taylor De Cordoba artists Kimberly Brooks, Frohawk Two Feathers, Kyle Field and Claire Oswalt are participating in this year's Venice Art Walk and Auction, taking place May 19 and 20.

Kimberly Brooks | Mom's Friends Study, 2008 | Gouache on paper | 8" x 11"


Kyle Field | A Place in the Park, 2008 | Ink and watercolor on paper | 7 x 8.75 inches


Claire Oswalt | Doubled Over, 2009 | Graphite, paper, wood | 26''x36''x13''


Frohawk Two Feathers | Tales of Heroism, Part I (God Help The Enemy), 2006 | Xerographic transfer print on wood | 7.5" x 8"

This year the auction is being hosted by Google and includes artist studio tours, gourmet food trucks and live music. Tickets to the event can be purchased on their website.

Don’t miss the all NEW Venice Art Walk & Auctions hosted by Google Los Angeles. Enjoy our curated silent art auction, live music, taste bud tingling food trucks, family art activities and exclusive Art & Architecture tours at Venice’s largest community celebration! In 1979... as Venice Family Clinic struggled to provide health care services to Venice’s working poor, artists in the community conceived of a simple but unique idea to raise funds. Many of these artists were patients of the Clinic and decided to open their studios for a ticketed tour to raise much-needed funds and keep the Clinic open. The Venice Art Walk was born. Venice Art Walk & Auctions brings thousands of community members together to celebrate Venice Family Clinic. Artists open their studios, architects open their homes, and as many as 400 artists donate their work to ensure that neighbors in need have access to health care. All proceeds from the event directly fund Venice Family Clinic health care services. We couldn’t do it without YOU!

Grateful for the Morning Sun

Good Moring Los Angeles! Last week, I posted a gnarly photo of the aftermath from my accident collision with a hit and run driver almost 3 weeks ago. It freaks me out to see that photo as it crystalizes just how close I came to death.




I wanted to share a recent portrait. As you can see, I'm healing up quickly, which is the most amazing part of this whole ordeal. I attribute my rapid recovery to being in excellent shape before the wreck, ALOT of rest afterwards and most importantly the outpouring of support from my family and friends.

Thank you.

Diana

Fiying high above the ocean, looking down on a sea blanketed by puffy white clouds, my mind thinks of Diana. Diana, goddess of the hunt, virginity and the moon. Artemis, daughter of Zeus, sister of Apollo, frozen in marble, her bow taught with tension, her arrow on the precipice of flight.

Like our Diana, standing on a stone perch in Hemingway Harbor, about to take flight across the sea, across the universe, across the mind, across time and history. For 60 hours, she will stroke her way across the ocean, 200,000 pulls of the bow, to bring her across. Diana, pure of mind, at peace, at rest, yet active. YET ACTIVE! Pushing her body and mind beyond the limits we set for ourselves. But not Diana. She had 30 years to think about this moment. What's 30 years to 60 hours? What's 30 years to 103 miles? How lucky she is to be out there, in her element, doing what she loves, with the ones she loves, and the ones who love her.

Cycling to Support Injured Veterans

Without a doubt, I believe that cycling not only provides me with physical exercise, but also relieves stress, calms me and gives me time to think about everything that's on my mind. The more I ride, the more meditative the experience becomes. I'm still in the present moment, dodging careless drivers and avoiding potholes, but I'm also exploring ideas and thoughts in a way that I can't when I'm sitting motionless.

For people suffering from physical and emotional trauma, cycling has the potential to change lives. For example, scores of veterans coping with physical injuries and PTSD have turned to cycling as a part of their rehabilitation process.

The Ride 2 Recovery is a program produced by the Fitness Challenge Foundation, (501C3) in partnership with the Military and VA Volunteer Service Office to "benefit both Mental and Physical Rehabilitation Programs for our country's wounded veterans that feature cycling as the core activity."

Come get your car washed this Sunday and support a rider for the upcoming ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles in October, that you can also sign up for.

The carwash is this Sunday, August 21 · 10:00am - 2:00pm at:

316. W. Florence Ave. Inglewood between La Brea and La Cienega

To learn more visit the event page and you can also like Ride 2 Recovery on Facebook.

Blame the Victim Mentality Plagues City Officials

image via downtownlartwalk

When I read Lauren Lloyd's post on LAist describing the safety measures that councilmembers José Huizar and Jan Perry unveiled in the wake of the death of Marcello Vasquez, a combination of anger and confusion welled up inside of me.

Marcello Vasquez, a 2 month old boy, was killed when Cadillac DeVille, a 22-year-old Ladera Heights man, attempted to park his car (barefoot) in downtown L.A. during last month's Downtown Art Walk. DeVille pressed on the gas instead of the brake, jumping the curb and striking Vasquez with deadly force.

Fast forward to today, the Downtown Art Walk is tonight, and any concerned Angeleno would hope that city officials would enact safety measures to ensure the safety of thousands of people out enjoying the cultural resources of the city. To the rescue, councilmembers Jose Huizar and Jan Perry have a plan. I'm certain they'll close streets around the artwalk to protect the throngs of people out to see art and enjoy downtown, right? That will certainly protect law abiding pedestrians on sidewalks from being run over by careless drivers, right?

Wrong. Apparently, Huizar and Perry know the true cause of Vasquez' death: Hot Dog Vendors.

Starting this month, the City Fire Department and County Health Department will no longer issue any permits for vending between 3rd and 7th street and Spring and Main.

Street Services inspectors will attend to keep sidewalks clear of unpermitted items such as DJ equipment, craft vendors, carts, etc.

Fire Inspectors and LADBS will be out to monitor permitted food/craft lots and shut down unpermitted lots.

Huizar's approach to improving public safety at the Art Walk is to kick out anyone who is not there to see art?

Art Walk is a fantastic event that draws thousands downtown and we want to ensure that it remains active and viable,” said José Huizar, Councilmember for the 14th District. “We’re hopeful that the safety changes we’re implementing for tomorrow’s Art Walk will allow us to reduce large crowds drawn to non-art related activities.

WTF? I'm beyond confused. Was Cadillac DeVille in downtown to see art, or to buy an irrestible bacon wrapped hot dog?

Does it matter? What do street vendors have to do with a careless driver jumping the curb and killing a 2 month old infant? Where in the autopsy report is there mention of DJ equipment or food and craft vendors?

Huizar and Perry are suffering from a blindness of the sort that all to often afflicts elected officials and policy makers. They are blind to the dangers presented by cars and the amateurs that operate them. Rather than listen to the public's outcry to close the streets during Art Walk, Huizar and Perry chose instead to blame small business operators and pedestrians for the child's death by kicking out hot dog vendors, confiscating DJ equipment and making sure the sidewalks are clear.

Since our elected officials are unable to provide adequate protection to pedestrians, a group of cyclists will be on hand to provide a human force field between cars and pedestrians. If you ride a bike, skateboard or roller blade, join the SWRM - SLO-MOTION PEACE RIDE in bringing "smiles & high-fives to show the city that the people can occupy civic space in a life-affirming manner."

Hollywood Sunday: Hiking & Farmer's Market

Heather and I decided to hike up to the observatory this morning.







Then we drove to the Farmer's Market to pickup some fruits and veggies. Saw these 2 wheeled entrepreneurs rolling up.







Surreal Mushrooms



Tomatoes



Early Girls



Cucumbers



Ancho Chiles



Finley Farms, always busy, always fresh.



Melons



Carrots



Red Peppers



Strawberries



Chanterelles

Police and the Mentally Ill

The Fullerton Police Department is charged with the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws, and with providing around-the-clock protection of the lives and property of the public. The Police Department functions both as an instrument of public service and as a tool for the distribution of information, guidance and direction.

It is the mission of the Police Department to facilitate and administer the laws of governing bodies, the orders of the courts, and to direct all energies and resources toward maintaining the health, welfare and safety of citizens.

For good reason, police officers operate in a heightened state of awareness in order to protect themselves and be ready to respond to a dangerous situation. Most of my interactions with police give me the impression that they are courteous and polite, quite happy to engage in conversation, while "keeping their guard up."

However, at least 10% of my interactions reveal aggressive, angry and unstable people who lack the ability to "read" people. These individuals weild deadly force and have the authority to use it. You can only imagine how quickly a situation can get out of control when this kind of officer interacts with a mentally ill individual who is not going to respond quickly to commands, behave erratically, resist and attempt to flee.

Unfortunately, the recent reports of Fullerton police beating to death a mentally ill man is an all too common example of this interaction.

My heart aches when I heard the victim was crying out for his father over and over as he was being beaten to death by 5 police officers.

What will be the response by Fullerton city officials or police chief Michael Sellers?

"I have always told my Officers that we have three jobs. Our first step is to save lives. When lives are not at stake, our next job is to protect life. When that's not an issue, our job is to help improve the quality of life for our citizens, and that is done through community-oriented policing." - Fullerton Police Chief Michael Sellers

I Cleansed

Salt's Cure 2x2x2 (image via Chef-Speak.com)

I LOVE to eat. A lot. And for good reason. Food is not just a source of sustenance, it is a celebration of life 3 times a day. Meals are the events that define our day, the centerpiece of many social activities. My wife and I are serious foodies, exploring all diverse flavors across Los Angeles, from burritos to dim sum, ramen to mole, sandwiches to bbq, skipjack sashimi to bucatini amatriciana. We love it all. Well, I love it all. HBT is one of the 10% of people that cannot stand the sight, smell or taste of cilantro, but I digress.)

HBT hates cilantro (image via stadumgirl)

And because we love it all, sometimes our bodies need a break. We've been wanting to do a cleanse for a while now, but just couldn't work up the courage. Then, a few of HBT's friends told her about the cleanse they recently did with Pressed Juicery.


Founded by a producer, nutritionist and fitness junkie, this places serves up some of the best juices I've ever tasted. The defining quality of the juice is how fine and smooth they are. You don't sense and pulp or weight to them, like most home juicers produce. They sell juices by the bottle or you can sign up for a cleanse series, which they even deliver to your front door!
Our cleanse lasted 3 days. We scheduled it over a weekend, which I found to be totally necessary. Every morning, on our doorstep was a box containing all our juice for the day, numbered and labeled. Each juice served a specific purpose and the variety made the experience more exciting. Every day I felt my body and mind feeling lighter, clearer and healthier. Even now, I am eating less, eating smaller portions, and generally feeling satisfied with without stuffing myself.

Read Heather's writeup on Chef Speak for more info, an interview with Carly Brien, including a recipe for making your own juice.

See & Be Seen

Biking in an urban environment such as Los Angeles has many challenges. The one that makes me most nervous is not being seen by motorists. The most obvious solution is to have really bright bike lights front and back. But what about cars approaching from the side? As important as it is to have adequate lighting to see where you're going, it's also critical to be as visible as possible from all directions. Front and rear lights will only provide limited visibility to cars traveling perpendicular, ie at intersections. Intersections are the most dangerous places on the road, so this is where visibility is arguably most critical.



I had the opportunity to try out a novel new product called Reflecta-Tyre that makes your wheels into glowing circles of light. They're made by a company in Australia called Be Seen Reflective. From their website:

Reflecta-Tyre is designed to stick onto the actual bike tyre,so as not to interfere with brakes.this comes in 1 size that is designed to fit on all size wheels/bikes.
Reflecta-Tyre comes with 32pieces per pkt(16pieces per tyre,8 per side).Reflecta-Tyre usually needs replacing 12 - 18months, depending on riding conditions,frequency of bike use

These highly reflective little stickers pack a powerful punch! The faintest amount of illumination sets them blazing in the night. Mount them on your tires and they create Tron-Like circles of light when you ride at night, making you extremely visible to cross traffic. I'm stoked to have them on my bike and I hope I'll never know just how safe they're keeping me!

Learn more at BeSeenReflective.com

Marketing in the Rain

We had a great morning at the Hollywood Farmers' Market with our friends Mike and Logan

Taking the Heat

Yesterday was the hottest day ever recorded in the history of Los Angeles. You think you're having a hard time dealing with the heat?

Look at the animals around you. Birds, bees and butterflies (just the Bs people!) They are coping the best they can, like this butterfly I saw last night outside my kitchen. He was still there this morning, just resting on the ground. I gave him a little water, and I think he appreciated that. Leave water out for your feathered friends. Bees love to drink water from saturated soil.

Want to improve the situation for yourself and others? Leave your car at home and ride your bike to work. Is your commute too far to ride? Take a bus or train, or go multimodal! Plant a Woolly Pocket, or a hundred!

Customer Service reaches new heights at Chevron!

Behold the Chevron Gas Station at Alameda and Cesar Chavez! The prices are so competitive and their outdoor latrine is not to be missed!

Marketing and Feasting on a Hot Hollywood Sunday

Jennifer Steinkamp is killing it with this public art piece next to the Hollywood Farmers Market!



What a perfectly hot summer day in Hollywood today! Oh wait, it's fall! At least the farmers know what season it is.















I stumbled into the Feast of San Gennaro on my way back to the market for greens.



and found this lovely Italian princess smiling at me!



I can't decide which end I like better...



or which color!



I'd love to run thru all 6 gears of this baby!



Fiat is opening a showroom near Staples center later this year. Watch out!



Fiat, if you're reading this, I am available to be a Los Angeles blogger for you guys. I gladly 'borrow' a 500 and drive it all over town showing off the car online and in person. Think about it....