4. Skate Park 90250

Okay, today’s subject is actually Eucalyptus Park (Inglewood Avenue by 120th Street) in Hawthorne, California.

Back in the early 1900′s when Hawthorne was still just an infant (at least by U.S. standards), eucalyptus trees were plentiful and flourished.  Today, with Hawthorne’s population in the eighty thousand range for a city only about six square miles, those trees are a little less plentiful.

Before I knew the formal name of this park, I simply referred to it as Skate Park 90250.  This park does have an awesome gated, concrete area for skate boarders to enjoy.  Hawthorne’s zip code is 90250.  Voila!  Although truth be told, I gave it my nickname as sort of a jab to that other famous city and zip code, Beverly Hills 90210.

Personally, I’m not much of a park goer.  If I’m going out in nature, the beach is my first choice. I love to sleep in.  Not that I can’t be a morning person.  If I’m up, I’m happy (most of the time).  Still, sleeping in is my first choice.  I almost shocked myself then by deciding to get up early to get some footage of the park.

Monday through Friday the park doesn’t open until 3 PM.  Okay, these are some of the things that seem a little sad to me compared to Minnesota living (although not enough to ever make me want to move back).  The hours were created specifically to help curb skateboarders and the like from choosing the park over school.  Since the park is pretty much across the street from Hawthorne High School, one might think that would be unnecessary.  Apparently not.

Saturday and Sunday the park opens at 9 AM.  You can understand my amazement as I was filming the park from across the street (which I can’t seem to find this footage now), wondering what time it is, then noticing the Park Rangers opening the gate to the concrete skating area. Hello? It must be 9 AM.

The park has two parking lots, which flank the north and south ends of the park. Parking is free.

The park has incorporated into its design many posts beautifully decorated with bright and shiny yellow, blue and red broken tiles.  At this time of the morning with the sun peaking beams of light through the trees, the park is peaceful with little activity.  The park almost brought me to tears.  I’m not a crier.  So allow me to explain.

As I was admiring the craftsmanship of the tile decor, I started thinking about everyone who has ever been a part of the history of this park.   Someone or someones had an idea to build this park and put the physical manifestational wheels into motion to create the park.  From there architects, builders, maintainers and park goers past, present or future have all contributed to the uniqueness that is this SoCal destination.

Having said all of that, you will note if you watch the video that I stop filming because I am advised by the park rangers that it is prohibited.  The conversation didn’t end there.  I let them know why I was filming and asked if they were sure.

“Yes!  Rules are rules.”  No cameras or filming without permission from either the city of Hawthorne and/or permission in the form of a release from anyone using the fenced with a locked gate, concrete skating area.  The concern: pedophiles.

Okay, I know that seems like a legitimate concern, but again…how sad.

I asked the ladies at the gate why they had to guard the gate.  Pads.  Just so you know, the park is now serious about enforcing the use of pads in order to use the skate park area.

In my research for this blog, I googled my cousin, Eric aka Barney.  Eric considers Eucalyptus Park to be his main park even though Eric doesn’t skateboard.  Eric is a BMX trick biker.  ESPN had put together a recent video showcasing the local BMX bikers at Eucalyptus Park at night.  My cousin added that the new pad enforcement seemed to be deterring a lot of the “bad” element from the park.  While never having used pads previously, Eric mentioned he will get pads so he may continue using the park.

I leave you with a link to the blog that included the ESPN video.  Click here.

Mahalo! Aloha!

3. California Historical Landmark No. 1041

Did you guess what this landmark located in Hawthorne at 3701 W 119th Street might be?

If you guessed the Beach Boys, the American Rock Group, as their wikipedia page refers to them; you guessed right.  You must be a fan.

The landmark was dedicated in 2005.  The place was chosen as this is the site of the home of the Wilson brothers; Brian, Carl and Dennis.  The home no longer stands.  It was torn down to make room for what is now known as Highway 105, an east/west SoCal highway with a Los Angeles International Airport aka LAX exit.

My family have been residents of Hawthorne since the early 1950′s.  My uncle was in Brian Wilson’s Hawthorne High School graduating class of 1960.  The original Cougar Town.  Go Cougars!  At that time, Brian and his brothers were just another one of the high school kids.

The landmark is sort of off any beaten path and I figure you really gotta wanna go to go there.  It won’t take too much of your time either.  Still, if you are a fan, you just may want to rev up your 409 and take it for a spin.  Give it a “look see”.  Then maybe make a stop at the old Taystee Freeze for a root beer float.

2. Gandhi in SoCal

In Pacific Palisades, California less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean located directly off of that famous boulevard, Sunset, is one of the most peaceful places on the planet.

Okay, I haven’t visited every place on the planet to make that claim.  This place is pretty peaceful though and serene and beautiful and lush…are you getting the picture, yet?  This place is the Self Realization Fellowship Temple: Lake Shrine.  It was dedicated in 1950 by Paramahansa Yogananda, author of the book, Autobiography of a Yogi.

Mahatma Gandhi considered Paramahansa Yogananda one of his friends and his yogi.  Out of respect, while some of Gandhi’s ashes were strewn in his beloved India, the rest were sent to Paramahansa Yogananda for this peace memorial.

Mahatma Gandhi was a true man of peace, gaining India’s freedom through non-violence.  I feel he would be very pleased to know that some of his remains are located in such a beautiful and peaceful place.

1. The Grove

When in Los Angeles (L.A.), The Grove is considered THE shopping place to be that isn’t a drive (Rodeo) or an avenue (Melrose).

Here’s the 411: Just to the north is CBS Television City.  Just to the west is the LA Farmers Market, which is currently celebrating its 75th Anniversay.  Beyond shopping, celebrity sightings happen here often.  This appears to be a favorite spot for TMZ cameras.

The Grove has one of the largest Barnes and Noble Bookstores I’ve ever had the pleasure to wander.  There is plenty of parking, with the first two hours available for validation by purchasing something in one of The Groves establishments (otherwise $3/hour with a $20 cap/day).

This shopping venue is immaculately clean.  There is piped in music throughout with a Bellagio-style water fixture (on a much smaller scale, of course).  There are plenty of shops, dining choices, a movie theater and an old-time clock above Nordstrom that chimes on the hour.

This shopping experience is sweet and bountiful, just like the fruit from the orange groves that used to populate so much of SoCal back in the day.