Los Angeles: The Sportsmen's Lodge

Kristina took me for a grand walk through the campy Sportmen's Lodge in L.A.'s Studio City, which is packed to the gills with history. The massive hotel complex opened 50 years ago, with a restaurant and trout-fishing lake where families and celebrities such as Clark Gable, Bette Davis,  Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy & Katharine Hepburn, and Marlon Brando came to catch and eat their own dinners, cooked courtesy of the lodge. As the San Fernando Valley evolved, Studio City sprung up around the hotel and historic Trout Lakes. The joint remains as popular today.*

Los Angeles: A Look Back In Time

I totally dig the multitude of iconic vintage imagery throughout Los Angeles, from 1950's signage to old-school vehicles to the architecture of decades-old bungalos. Driving past a 76 gas station with the revolving ball that I haven't seen since the 1970s or seeing (what to me is) a vintage Arby's sign is just good clean fun. Following are some of the best throughout my L.A. travels from the past several days. *

Los Angeles: Parade Of Homes, Beverly Hills

As always, travel necessitates a fond love letter to the locale's Parade of Homes. Los Angeles, of course, has no shortage of beauties, particularly in Beverly Hills. Let's take a multi-million dollar ride around the nabe, shall we? *

Los Angeles: The Brady Bunch House!

With a little investigation, K'tina and I were able to located the original house used for The Brady Bunch exteriors in the 1970s... in Studio City on Dilling Drive. Man, that home looks smaller in real life than it did on TV. Where's the spacious front yard and all? Crazy fun. Just below is the house as it appeared on the show... *

Los Angeles: The Witch's House In Beverly Hills

In October 2009, during my last visit to Los Angeles, I discovered the Witch's House in Beverly Hills. At that time it was undergoing a massive renovation. Now, it's finished. Kristina and I stopped by again to check out this novelty on Walden Drive at Carmelita Avenue...

"The Witch's House," or the Spadena House—also known as the Hansel & Gretel House—was built in 1921—and actually was moved from another nabe in 1934. The home was also featured in the 1995 film "Clueless." *

Los Angeles: Brunch With Benny Mardones

After recently writing a column about singer/songwriter Benny Mardones, I had the opportunity to meet with him for a warm, wonderful brunch in Los Angeles at Kate Mantalini on Wilshire. Joining: my K'tina and his wife Jane. We laughed, we cried, we told stories... just indelibly special. *

The Los Angeles... Uh... River?

The Los Angeles River? Say what? Looks more like the L.A. Viaduct to me.

Los Angeles: West Hollywood USA!

A quick jaunt through L.A.'s WeHo District for a relaxing seat outside The Coffee Bean on Sunset Blvd., with a perfect breeze... Not a care in the world... Man, I needed that. *

Los Angeles: The Grove Farmer's Market

Here in Los Angeles for several days, Kristina and I spent a fab evening in The Grove in the Fairfax district of L.A., and had a great walk around the attached age-old Farmer's Market. *

Westward Bound!

The Smoking Nun will be on hiatus for a few days as we head west to Los Angeles for R&R and (hopefully) some business connects. Cheerio!

A Sign Of The Times: Remember When?

Good god, almighty. I saw this on Facebook and immediately got the connection. It was amusing to see various responses from youngsters: "Uh, they're both plastic?" The answer is: You'd use a pen in the spokes of a cassette tape to either move it forward or backward, or to tighten the tape inside the case. Oh, how I remember when. You? *