Alta Live interview: “Three Groundbreaking L.A. Women You Don’t Know but Should”

In honor of women's history month, Beth Spotswood interviewed me for Alta Live about "Three Groundbreaking L.A. Women You Don't Know but Should." In the interview, I discuss trailblazers Miriam Matthews, Dorothy Chandler, and Grace Simons. You can read Jessica Blough's summary and watch my interview with Beth Spotswood on the Alta website. Are there … Continue reading Alta Live interview: “Three Groundbreaking L.A. Women You Don’t Know but Should”

Channeling Dorothy Chandler: Voices From the Past and the Future of Los Angeles

Dorothy Chandler (1922-1997) was arguably the most powerful woman in Los Angeles during the 1960s - presiding over the city's most elite social circles, and appearing on the cover of Time Magazine in honor of her unprecedented cultural fundraising efforts. Yet, few Angelenos know who she is other than a name on a Music Center building downtown. So why … Continue reading Channeling Dorothy Chandler: Voices From the Past and the Future of Los Angeles

The Impermanence of LA’s Built Environment?

What deserves protection? With every announcement I read about the construction of a new building, new museum, or a park redesign comes my inevitable questions: what was there before? Is there anything worth saving? And how will these new spaces shape L.A. in the 21st century? My latest pondering of these questions has to do with L.A. … Continue reading The Impermanence of LA’s Built Environment?

Everybody Loves L.A.

Last November I attended my first Society for American City and Regional Planning History (SACRPH) Conference, and I walked away with one conclusion: everybody loves L.A. Now, I already knew how great Los Angeles is, but it was both refreshing and exciting to hear that sentiment over and over from visitors. The conference featured numerous panels that discussed … Continue reading Everybody Loves L.A.

The best photography collection in Los Angeles?

I was doing a little research on L.A.'s cultural history and came across a blog post about Dorothy Chandler's cultural leadership. The highlight? The fantastic photos--all from Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) photo collection. LAPL's Central Library in downtown began collecting photographs prior to World War II, and since then has amassed millions--yes millions--of photographs that emphasize the history … Continue reading The best photography collection in Los Angeles?

The L.A. Dodgers and Elysian Park

On Wednesday night, I was among the sold-out crowd of 58,000+ Angelenos who watched the Los Angeles Dodgers clinch the NL West title with a 9-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. It was an exciting game that featured a high-scoring sixth inning and a few fancy tricks by Dodgers standout pitcher Clayton Kershaw. As you … Continue reading The L.A. Dodgers and Elysian Park