Uncategorized – Page 73 – Here in Van Nuys

March 19, 2005Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Balustrade

Walling Off

A continuing trend is the walling off of one’s home behind concrete or steel. The owner of this home, like so many others, parks his Hummer and Mercedes in front. Conspicuous and ostentatious, the front yard features an ornate balustrade topped by dozens of cheap lights. A sidewalk scar slices through the front yard which is also decorated with plastic lawn ornaments.
Three blank vertical columns, illiterate interpretations of the classical order, support a non-existant cornice. Home Depot front doors and year round Christmas lights complete the charming scene.
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March 19, 2005Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

America where are you going?

Peacock visitor.

March 18, 2005Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Van Nuys. Not only was Robert Blake acquitted, but our neighbor, a peacock, stopped by for an unannounced visit.

This street has been our home for the past five years. One neighbor describes the wide lawns, tall palm trees and noble oaks as “a piece of heaven in the midst of hell.” Certainly the world looks much different just steps away as homeless people push carts, graffitti mars every plain wall, and the fire and police engines scream their sirens day and night.

Van Nuys was once a rural outpost in the San Fernando Valley, an open oasis full of orange and walnut groves and children who rode bicycles without helmets or fear.

Here in Van Nuys we are working towards some restoration of the beauty and dignity that originally lured people to old California. Our future will be better, I believe, as Los Angeles finally accepts that it needs public transportation, multi family dense housing, pedestrians and tree lined commerical streets.