Today is the last day to travel on the 10-trip U.S. Rail Pass that was on sale for $250 until January 20th. My plans of a round trip to Chicago from Los Angeles and stopping at many places in between didn’t work out for me and I ultimately canceled and got a refund. But I’m curious to find out how it worked out for those lucky enough to take advantage of this great deal.
Johnie’s Coffee Shop at Wilshire and Fairfax is open to the public again thanks to Gary Baseman’s newest show, ‘Off The Menu.’
Baseman celebrates the history of Los Angeles’ dining culture with an exhibition of over 40 drawings made on actual menus from local restaurants. The menu works are “action drawings” that Baseman made as he dined at restaurants such as, El Coyote, Musso & Frank’s, Canter’s, Farm House Kitchen, Max & Helen’s, Bub & Grandma’s, and Fanny’s among many others.
Baseman’s drawings are delightful, but the real treat is being able to walk inside of Johnie’s. Unless you came by when it was Bernie's Coffee Shop to promote Bernie Sanders presidential campaign in 2016, or any of the activations by Community Solidarity Project over the past 10 years, the space has largely been closed to the public since 2000 when Johnie’s Coffee Shop went out of business after 34 years. The Googie diner building was built as Romeo’s in 1956 by Armét & Davis, is currently owned by the Gold family of 99¢ Store fame, and they do not have plans for this passively-preserved building on a highly-desirable piece of property, so after this show it could close for another 26 years.
This diner has been in dozens of movies. Miracle Mile, American History X, City of Angeles, Reservoir Dogs, and The Big Lebowski were all filmed here. Now is your chance to sit where The Dude and Walter sat and have a conversation about how easy it is to get a severed toe in Los Angeles.
Off The Menu runs Thursday to Sunday, Noon to 7pm, through June 14th.
James Austin Johnson on why he loves Amtrak
He's real people like us!
Elevation has no effect on these guys.
The Dodgers are finally permanently recognizing their gay Dodger heritage on Pride Night next month! On Friday, June 5th they will honor Dodgers Glenn Burke (RIP) and Billy Bean (RIP) with a permanent display to their contributions in Centerfield plaza. While they were both closeted as players, Bean and Burke were the first known gay professional athletes. The players will join monuments to other Dodgers such as, Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Sandy Koufax, among others. (Still no plans for a Glenn Burke hi-five statue though.)
Johnie's Coffee Shop where they filmed the diner scene in The Big Lebowski is open to the public for the first time in 25 years for an art show by Gary Baseman. If you're in L.A. its open from noon to 7pm, Wednesday to Sunday (Don't go on Shabbat) until June 14.
Does anyone know why Metro is running shorter trains today and not using the full platform? There is space for two more cars.
LAPD Air Support has been orbiting around NELA this morning for the past hour. Missing man or just training, whatever the case it sure would be nice to get some quiet.
It may be time for a few other Democratic candidates to drop out and help prevent two Republicans moving forward to the General Election. (Looking at you, Mayor Villaraigosa.)
This weekend is the last weekend for the Monuments exhibit at MOCA and The Brick. In these dark times it brings a lot of solace and joy to see room after room filled with toppled monuments that glorified the Confederacy. MOCA is closed today for May Day, but will be open Saturday and Sunday and admission is free for everyone all weekend.
I dono why, but this cicLAvia seems to have the most foldie bikes I have ever seen in its 16 year history.