EcoCar2 Update

A new semester began last week and the EcoCar2 Team is still putting together their redesigned car.

They removed the original engine and replaced it with another one from the Chevy stable of engines and they are now installing the batteries that will be running the car.

There is still much work to do, but it is coming along. Remember, this is year 2 of the competition. The car will be competing on the Yuma Proving Grounds a year from May.

My son has this photo, up on his Facebook page. It is him in the back seat of the car, working on the electrical system. Look at the goggles and heavy gloves! I am glad to see they teach safety to these kids. :-)

More to come, as the competition continues.

Grand Fountain

My Water Post For Today.

I showed you Grand Park about a month ago and promised you a view of their incredible fountain, at a later date. Well that day has arrived.

Here it is, in all it's glory, with City Hall in the background.

It is quite sophisticated, as are so many fountains now days. The water goes up, the water goes down, in rhythmic ways. I always love the contrast, between when the water is down and then when it suddenly rises way up in the air.

An "E" Ticket attraction, that's for sure.

I hope you enjoy it.

A Week Of Tributes And A Toast To A Great Man

It has been a stressful week at work, as I mentioned a few days ago.

With the passing of our co-worker, Huell Howser, our world has turned upside down. Or at least mine has.

On the Monday, we managed to get a show on the air, and one of the segments was an interview with his first cameraman, Luis Fuerte and his long time producer, Phil Noyes. They, were both so shocked and that added to us being shocked. It was a bizarre and surreal day in our lives. In spite of that, the show came out really nice and if you missed it, you can view it HERE.

On Tuesday, amidst tributes pouring in and articles and details of his final days coming out, I decided to try to get a toast to Huell going. My work friend and I discussed it and we came up with going to a nearby restaurant, The Tallyrand. Huell had a Christmas party and a retirement party for another co-worker there and we felt that we would be among friends. They also have a Huell Howser item on their menu. Perfect!

I finally made contact with the person who I needed to talk to, on Wednesday and got it going. I wrote the memos and invites and dealt with getting that all together.

Thursday the invites widened to former staff and got a bit out of my direct control, but that was OK by me. Whoever came, was good.

I called the Tallyrand up and told her we would probably have about 20 people gathering in their bar area and we were both content with that number and location.

Friday comes and on top of all three of us in Operations having colds the entire week, I am dealing with the final details of the Toast event. More people asking if they can come, etc. I finally leave work around 5:15PM and hope that someone is coming and I won't be all alone toasting my friend.

I get there and the first KCET employee, the man who put us on the air, was standing at the door. It was a good sign.

Soon I had people from long ago coming, people I had no idea were coming and then others who I did know of. Many of the ones from work, didn't make it, so the unexpected guests made my count of 20, just about right on. We filled the bar area and talked of many things and of course, of Huell.

The man who hired Huell those many, many years ago was one of my unexpected guests. Stephen, who was Station Manager back in the 80's and early 90's, recounted a story about the fact that the station was out of money, when he arrived and so he had to cancel our nightly news show that starred Clete Roberts.
He then decided to use a small amount of money to make little 5 minute daily shows. They were called "Take 5". One was Take 5 Arts, one was Take 5 Science and the other was...amazingly, Take 5 Videolog. He added the Videolog segment, when he hired on a producer/reporter named Huell Howser. He said he interviewed Huell Howser and he swears that Huell (who was working at the time, at KNXT now known as KCBS) brought along the segment on The Elephant Man, to show off. Huell was not happy with the station he was currently at and he wanted a place where he could be himself and do these little short profiles of people. That ended up meshing perfectly with Stephen's idea and on the strength of that one clip, he hired him. Videolog, became a household word and the rest of the Take 5's segments, faded into obscurity.

Huell then approached Stephen in 1992 (after the L.A. riots) and told him that he felt that he could go nightly 5 days a week. Stephen let him do it and Huell did a nightly summer replacement that year, just going out and shooting around town. It was quick production and editing (which was confirmed by his editor at the time, who also happened to be a guest at the party.) He said that Huell didn't do 2 takes...ever. Whatever he did, was basically live on tape. No second chances with Huell.

Stephen looked at the ratings for the summer replacement and saw that he had a winner on his hands. Huell never looked back. He has consistently been the reason that our access hour has achieved the great ratings it has, over the past 20 years.

I asked Stephen if he would do the toast to Huell and like the incredible man he is, he did it. He saluted Huell, said that we were all (everyone in L.A.) better off for having known him.

He was truly Amazing...and so was the evening. I know I say this every time, but I am privileged to have worked with such a fine bunch of professionals.

In case you wondered, I did not take a single photo of the toast, though I know someone else did.

A Tale of Two Presents

I took the tree down on Sunday, so we are at the very end of anything Holiday related.

I did want to point out a few things for my friend, Gina, in Belgium.

Last year she sent me a package with lots of stuff in it, including lots of little miniature bells and 3 dog bone erasers. What to do, what to do...

Well, I got a big bow on my present from my brother, this year. I placed it on the tree, all by itself. When I later saw the things I had from Gina, I decided to sew them onto the bow. I also attached, with ribbons, the three bones. It's not great, but it did come out cute enough. Makenna was fascinated at the sound of the bells, as Mom sewed them on, one by one. :-)

In a not so happy ending...Gina shipped a tube of chocolate stars. Unfortunately, it must have been hot somewhere along the way, because the chocolate melted. As in, totally melted! She says that they still haunt her, a year later. Amazingly, I still had them, though I think I should finally throw them into the trash. :-)

This year, she played it safe and sent me a card.

Gina, it's the thought that counts...

Candles In A Fireplace

I have a work friend, who gives me candles at the holiday season. Each has been a joy, but as the years pass, I wonder what to do with them.

Last year's candles were the most challenging. They were a set of three wooden candle sticks and they were quite striking...but where could I put them?

The answer came to me in a flash. I decided to put them into my fireplace!

They sat there this past year, looking good and then when the holidays came along, I lit the fake candles I had in each holder.

As you can see, they give the fireplace a nice warm feeling, without me having to light the thing.

Thank you so much, my friend. These candles sticks truly rock!

The Donald Turns 65

He is one half of Super group, Steely Dan. He is one third of the touring group, The Dukes of September. He hasn't slowed down much at all and today he turns 65.

Donald Fagen put out his 4th solo album, last October and now he is caught by some of the Dan fans I hang out with, helping a group of young musicians who are in a band called Oh Whitney.

The man amazes me.

Happy Birthday Donald!

And So It Begins...The Start Of A Fruit Cake

For some reason that I can't fathom, my Husband dreams of making a Kahlua basted fruitcake, like he used to make decades ago.

After listening to this for 2 years, I saw some cheap, after Christmas sale fruitcakes and I bought 2 of them. Just enough to make him happy. Cause a little fruitcake, goes a long way.

So here he is, doing the first baste of the fruitcake.

It will sit in my fridge for a year.

See us at the end of the process, when he makes it into a molded fruitcake ring.

My Friend, Huell Howser, Has Died

Huell Howser passed away on Sunday night. We heard the news at work, on Monday morning.

For those who have something they would like to say, there is a memorial page to leave your comments at, HERE.

A few weeks ago, I was allowed to send an email to Huell's assistant, who promised to bring it to Palm Springs, for Huell to read. Huell did not believe in things like email and electronic appointment books. He was a throw back to a different era, so this was the only way I could possibly communicate with him. I don't know if it ever got to him...but I hope it did.

December 20, 2012

Hey Huell,

We go back a LONG way, and nothing brings that to my attention more then the fact that my baby, who is now 22 years old and shared a drink with me last night at the Tiki Ti, wasn't even a gleam in his Dad's eye when we started working together. I know it must have been in the mid 80's somewhere.

I remember so long ago, you were in the elevator with a definitely pregnant me and you said that being in an elevator with pregnant women gave you the heebee jeebies (or words to that effect). I still laugh when I think of that.

Huell, it has been an absolute HONOR to work with you and watch out for your shows, all these many years. Trying so hard to make sure they get to air correctly, for the viewers in Los Angeles. You always trust me to watch your back and I try to live up to that, as I will continue to do, moving forward.

One of my absolute favorite personal stories, is my family watching the show on the Golden Gate Bridge. Justin was all of 3 at the time. After he viewed it from under, over and through, he turns to Mitch and I and says "Why are you keeping me away from The Golden Gate Bridge?" In spite of the distance, we immediately made plans for a 3 day quick vacation, just to introduce the boy to the bridge. I am positive that his love of Engineering, comes from that.
As a matter of fact, when he was 8, we bought the bridge's blueprint (sold at the gift store) and framed it. It is still hanging proudly on his wall.
Currently he is studying Electrical Engineering at Cal State LA. A new generation that you influenced, in a small way.

I know the fame you have is a two edged sword and you are probably dealing with the bad side of it right now, living in Palm Springs...but know that we all are thinking of you and miss you terribly, here at KCET.

Much love from me, Mitch and Justin.

May our paths cross again,

Cathy

Fountain At The Dorothy Chandler

My Water Post For Today.

It has been around since the 60's, bringing joy to patrons of the arts.

The fountain surrounds a statue called Peace on Earth. Sometimes blocking the work totally, with walls of water.

Thankfully, you can sometimes come closer to it, when it keeps the water level low. It also has quads that do not have water, so even when the level is high, you can get a little closer.

It is quite amazing, in that it frames, not only the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and The Mark Taper Forum, but the DWP Building across the street (which is the building in the back of this photo).

Well worth the money spent, in my humble opinion.

I hope you enjoy.

A New Year - A Winter Sunset

Most of the sunsets I shoot, are spring, summer or fall sunsets and they are usually shot from the middle of my street, like THIS one, or THIS one.

Here it is, a few days after the winter solstice and the sun is as far to the south as it is going to get. So this sunset was shot from my lawn looking south and west.

A pretty one. Glad I caught a glimpse of it, as I shut my curtains at sunset.

Because Nobody – Does Me… Better Than Me.

NOTE: For the record. I am a bit behind on this post. This is actually post number 2,043.

Of all the posts I keep an eye on, Earl Pomerantz, is the most eclectic. Long posts, when most write a few lines. I don't always have time to read them all, but find myself doing it, anyway.

On Friday of this week, his subject was about his writing over years. How very little of "His Voice" was allowed into the scripts he wrote. You can find his excellent post, with examples, HERE.

My favorite line in the post, comes at the very end.

"Because nobody – and you can takes this to the bank – does me…Better than me."

Well, that got me thinking. I have been doing this Blog for the past 5 1/2 years. Over that time I have written over 2,000 posts (I hit that milestone, back on Thanksgiving Day). I think it is safe to say, I have a general idea of how I write. Free wheeling and definitely in my "own" voice. This is me, out there for you to read...or not.

Why do I take the time to write each day? It truly does come down to what Earl says. It is nice to have a record of what I thought on subjects as varied as my life, my families and friends lives and how I see the world we all live in.

Am I going to keep on writing? I think the answer is an obvious, Yes. :-)

The Tallest Building In Los Angeles

It is not a great shot of the US Bank Building, but this is the view you get from right below it. It is the round one over in the left side of the photo.

Considering we are not known for our high buildings, US Bank Building(formally Library Tower and at the beginning, the First Interstate Bank Building) holds some impressive stats.

(From Wikipedia)
54th-tallest building in the world; tallest building in Los Angeles; tallest building in California; tallest building west of the Mississippi River and on the U.S. West Coast; tallest building in the world, with a helipad on the roof.

The thing with the helipad has to do with the way Los Angeles rules are. All buildings, including mine in Burbank, must have a working helipad. That is so that we can easily be evacuated, in case of Earthquake or Fire. It is the reason that the Los Angeles Downtown area, looks the way it does. No spires, for the most part, here. KCET had an extensive and enlightening post on this very subject, HERE.

In a cool thing. Similar to The Empire State Building in New York City, the US Bank Building lights up the top "Crown" with bars of red and green at night, for the Holiday Season.

It truly impresses me. Can you tell that I love my Downtown. :-)

Angels In LA

If there is something that speaks to me about my adopted City of residence, it is the fact that there are so many angels hanging around. Lo those many years ago, when I adopted the Internet name, angel, I knew that it was partially for my City of residence. You can read that post, HERE.

As the years pass though, you tend to forget that and so it is always with wide eyed wonder, that I gaze upon one of them.

I found that happening a few weeks ago, when we took a trip over to the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of the Angels.

Yes, I know there are these angels hanging around on the wall that overlooks the Hollywood Freeway, but it's like a new day, as your eyes first see them. I walked over to them and greeted them as friends.

They are a piece of perfection and grace and serenity in the midst of the high speed (well, the cars are not always AT high speed) City that we call our home.

Proud to represent. :-)

Out And About During The Holidays

As you saw, during the week before Christmas, my Husband and I spent an entire day walking around the Downtown area.

I did get a few photos of the two of us, as we went around and I wanted to show them off.

This first photo is of my in front of the outdoor tree on the plaza by the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Not the best photo of me, but good enough to show off.

This second photo is one I really like of my Husband.

He is standing outside the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of the Angels.

They have quite an extensive garden area, with waterscapes and statues of animals. This particular waterscape has words in Hebrew next to it.

There are lemon trees above the wall and my Husband kidded that he bet they were Meyer Lemons. :-)

A Holiday Tradition: Hot Buttered Rum

Happy New Year!
May 2013 treat us all well.

Yes, I finally changed the look of my blog. It has been a few years and I felt that with this new year, maybe a change was in order. Let me know if you have serious problems with it.

Now, on to my post for today.

Since the Tiki Ti opens for New Year's Eve, I thought I would honor that fact with a post that happened during the Holiday Season...the week before Christmas, to be exact.

The Tiki Ti bar does a Colonial American tradition, it serves Hot Buttered Rum.

I was reading up on the tradition HERE.

The recipe that the Tiki Ti uses, is their secret alone, of course.

All I can tell you is that they definitely had a container with the butter mixture, which he took two spoons of. He added the hot water and the rum and topped it with whipped cream.

It was truly delicious and I thanked my son for coming along with me to keep me company. There is nothing quite as bad as drinking alone.

Since the day we came to the Tiki was a Wednesday, my son decided to try Ray's Mistake.

A signature drink that is on special on Wednesday.

Only $6, til the toast to Ray at 9PM. It comes in a very slim glass, but it carries quite a punch.

The third photo gives you just a quick look at the atmosphere of the Tiki. Stuff hanging all over the place.

It is also is very tiny. The bar and about 7 tables for guests and that is it.

The place was packed and we considered ourselves quite lucky to snag the last table, by the door.

Maybe I have started a new tradition. :-)