CHRIS’ & PITT’S AT DUSK, BELLFLOWER, SOCAL

There’s something interesting around every corner, no matter where u go.

And the corner of Bellflower and Artesia Blvds, is no exception. For it is there that, snuggled in the vast sea of suburbia, sits one SoCal’s most precious places. Chris’ & Pitt’s BBQ. This Bellflower beauty isn’t just any old BBQ joint, oh NO! ‘Tis the greatest streamline, modern. faux log cabin BBQ diner joint on the planet.

 

This sensational showstopper has been serving up mouthwatering meats since 1949. I’m not sure when it got lavished with that spellbindingly brilliant log cabin coat of paint. Whenever it was, this is faux painting fabulousness like I’ve never seen before. Not to mention, that well lit, wrap-around signage, the pair of red wagon wheels, all those turquoise scalloped window frames, and that gorgeous glittering neon sign. The overall color theory is genius, too.

All that and ham, beef, pork and ribs too. What, specials for $9.95? That’s a small price to pay for this delicious piece of history. No matter how you slice it, Chris’ & Pitt’s Bellflower is priceless. Long may it stand! Now, please pass the BBQ sauce!

 

BTW, this charmer and dozens of SoCals other underrated, unknown and misunderstood architectural gems and jewels, will be celebrated like they never have been before in my ARCHITECTURE IN LOS ANGELES – Live Slide Show Performance

Sunday, Oct 12

in Los Angeles

 

CLICK FOR TIX AND MORE INFO

 

Think: Lost and Found Mid-Century Mod, Tiki, Googie, Theme Parks And Much More!

 

This one-night only show is your past and present guide to SoCal’s classic and kitschy drive-ins, coffee shops, supermarkets, bowling alleys, shopping centers, extreme houses, dingbat apartments, fast food stands, amusement parks, themed environments and more all in glorious color !!! … Be prepared for your local pride to swell!

 

Here’s to Chris’ & Pitt’s and YOU!

Charles Phoenix

Eyestrology: Happy Birthday Libra! by Cici Psy-Chic

For the month of 9/22/14-10/22/14

Happy birthday to these celebrity September Librans: Andrea Bocelli (9/22), Bruce Springsteen (9/23), Jackie Sandler (9/24), Will Smith (9/25), Olivia Newton John (9/26), Lil Wayne (9/27), Hilary Duff (9/28), Jerry Lee Lewis (9/29), Fran Drescher (9/30)

Celebrity October Librans: Julie Andrews (10/1), Sting (10/2), Gwen Stefani (10/3), Alicia Silverstone (10/4), Kate Winslet (10/5), Amy Jo Johnson (10/6), Simon Cowell (10/7), Bruno Mars (10/8), Scotty McCreery (10/9), Mario Lopez (10/10), Emily Deschanel (10/11), Hugh Jackman (10/12), Ashanti (10/13), Ralph Lauren (10/14), Penny Marshall (10/15), John Mayer (10/16), Eminem (10/17), Zac Efron (10/18), Michael Gambon (10/19), Snoop Dogg (10/20), Carrie Fisher (10/21), Christopher Lloyd (10/22)

The next few weeks will see most signs reviewing their goals and making shifts to their plans. This can be an illuminating period of insight, fortitude and faith. While Air and Earth signs will do best staying in, Water and Fire should be going out and about town. There's an uptick in energy for meeting new acquaintances and potential romantic partners in random, unexpected ways. The need to share our time and energy with others can reconnect old friendships or old flames. We should make an effort to go to fun events with a good pal. Two is one better so play better.

MERMAIDS in MONTANA, Great Falls, 2014

As if the turquoise upholstery, multi-colored, giant bubble carpet and grass shaky ceiling isn’t enough to count the Sip ‘n Dip as an honest to goodness great American kitsch classic, it is one of two remaining vintage bars in the country, with a window into a motel swimming pool.

And no you’re not having erotic, aquatic dreams. Mermaids abound around this who-even-knew-it-existed watering hole. If you need a room, no prob!

This mermaid manor is also a motel, the O’Hare Motor Inn, erected way back in 1962.

Where there are mermaids, there is music. In this case, lovely, live Hammond organ music played by “Piano Pat,” a Sip ‘n Dip legend. She’s been playing there for 50 years!

 

Life is full of wonderful surprises. Discovering this irresistible cocktail of Tiki, mermaids and Piano Pat music, in the last place we’d ever expect to find it is certainly one of them.

 

It’s high time I hop on my horse and head the Sip ‘n Dip way.

 

I can’t wait to say: “My, what a nice tail you have!”

 

Cheers to the mermaids, Piano Pat and YOU !!!

 

Charles Phoenix (CharlesPhoenix.com)

1958 Oldsmobile Fiesta Station Wagon, 2014 by Charles Phoneix

Long before this very 1958 Fiesta Station Wagon by Oldsmobile made it to the auction block, was a classic dream-car day I'll never forget.

One fateful Friday evening in the late 80s, I was going through the Recycler classified ads and found this uber-rare, space age spectacular listed for sale...

Fiesta Hermosa Labor Day Weekend

Billed as the largest Arts and Crafts Festival in Southern California, Fiesta Hermosa, takes place Aug. 30 -Sept. 1st in Hermosa Beach 10AM – 6 PM each day.   

Approximately 300 artists and crafters will be featured, including painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers, sculptors, and handicrafters.

Fiesta Hermosa will also feature live music on two stages.  A full schedule is available at www.FiestaHermosa.net 
  
There will also be a food court with a wide variety of food choices including, Thai, Greek, Mexican and Tri-Tip sandwiches.   In addition, the Charity Beer & Wine Garden will offer beer and wine with proceeds benefiting a number of local charities.
 
The Kiddie Carnival features a 30 foot slide, mechanical rides and games for kids from 3 to 10 years old. Also included are Pony rides, a Petting Zoo, and face painters.  

Parking:  Free Shuttle Bus service will run daily – please check www.FiestaHermosa.net for more details and a shuttle bus map. 
 Hermosa Cyclery will offer a free bike valet service just south of the Hermosa Beach Pier, featuring an on-site diagnostic checkup. The lot is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.   

Eyestrology: Happy Birthday Virgo! by Cici Psy-Chic

For the month of 8/22/14-9/22/14

Happy birthday to these celebrity August Virgos: Tori Amos (8/22), Barbara Eden (8/23), Dave Chappelle (8/24), Tim Burton (8/25), Macaulay Culkin (8/26), Paul Reubens (8/27), Jack Black (8/28), Lea Michele (8/29), Cameron Diaz (8/30), Chris Tucker (8/31)

Celebrity September Virgos: Gloria Estefan (9/1), Keanu Reeves (9/2), Shaun White (9/3), Beyonce Knowles (9/4), Michael Keaton (9/5), Rosie Perez (9/6), Corbin Bernsen (9/7), Pink (9/8), Adam Sandler (9/9), Colin Firth (9/10), Ludacris (9/11), Jennifer Hudson (9/12), Tyler Perry (9/13), Sam Neill (9/14), Tom Hardy (9/15), Flo Rida (9/16), Kyle Chandler (9/17), Jada Pinkett Smith (9/18), Jimmy Fallon (9/19), Phillip Phillips (9/20), Stephen King (9/21), Andrea Bocelli (9/22)

We need to be thankful this month and spread this feeling of appreciation wherever we go. This is a good time for us to conserve and share what we have in abundance by giving to charity. Many signs will need to express their thoughts but should take great care in being considerate. Communication can be too easy in that we may want to share too much information too quickly. At the same time, we may also feel as though we aren't being heard and this could lead to rows. Open dialogue but avoid saying more than is required. Let others have a chance to speak too.

Not Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing by Mark Share

 

Theatricum Botanicum's summer 2014 series revives Shakespeare's battle-of-the-sexes comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, which is receiving renewed attention following Joss Whedon's black-and-white movie version last year, starring his usual actors and filmed in a setting that looks like it could be a casual reading at his own house. Apparently, Whedon and friends enjoy an evening of reading a Shakespeare play together, something easier to do probably if one's friends are actors--I've tried this with a group of lawyers with mixed results--and this is a good, undemanding choice of play, for Theatricum too, which company is mostly about the camaraderie of a long-running troupe and the pleasant setting under the oaks.

The story is about an older gentleman (Robertson Dean perfectly embodying the vain, aging Benedick) who swears he will never marry, and a younger, sharp-tongued woman (Susan Angelo fine as Beatrice) who has made the same pronouncement. Their friends successfully conspire to bring them together. In contrast, a very young couple falls in love at first sight (the comic and clever Jackie Kiikvee and Colin Simon), but are thwarted by false rumors of her infidelity. The rumors are dispelled, and both couples are--plot spoiler--married at the end!

Our group, ages eleven to it's-impolite-to-state, all had a great time and could follow the story, including a teen who had never seen a Shakespeare play before. And yes, it's like old times to see the familiar players and magical setting.

Much Ado runs through September 28, 2014 at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. 310-455-3723. www.theatricum.com www.facebook.com/theatricum