Allyn E. Morris 1922-2009

I was recently became aware of the passing of Allyn Morris, the Lago Vista's architect. Morris died on July 31 in Fresno at the age of 87.

Read the link below for an appreciation of Morris' work that mentions our building and states that, "Morris stretched our expectations about Modernism."

The Architects Newspaper

The image above is from a postcard showing our building in its original glory.

Blessing of the Animals- Silverlake Oct. 3, 2009

The Big Parade!

"The Big Parade is a two-day walk through Los Angeles that will start in downtown, at the famous Angel's Flight Stairway, and finish with six stairways leading up from Beachwood Canyon to the Hollywood Sign. The walk will cover approximately 40 miles and 100+ stairways, and will include a camp-out at the mid-point, the famous Music Box Stairs - site of the Oscar-winning Laurel & Hardy film of the same name - in Silverlake."

Participants can join for as much or as little of the route as they like. The Big Parade will pass by the Lago Vista at approximately 9:30 Saturday morning. I plan to be outside to meet and greet them and intend on joining the Big Parade for a while.

More detailed info here on their site: The Big Parade

Visitors

A pair of Mallards took up temporary residence on the pool yesterday. While they found it clean and refreshing, the local food sources were found wanting and they had moved on a few hours later.

Echo Park wetlands

An update from "The Eastsider" about the proposed plan to re-do the lake:

Wetlands

The Heat is On.

Yes, the weather, at least for a few days, but April also marks the beginning of the season when the pool is heated.

The water is now a comfortable 84 degrees. No cries of, "It's freezing!" please.

Enjoy responsibly!

Memorial Service

A memorial service for Doreen Saunders was held last Wednesday at Good Samaritan Hospital, where Doreen had been a volunteer for many years. Several current and past residents of the Lago Vista were in attendance.

Recycling - a slight rant

Unless I am thoroughly misinformed about current practices, the following items (all of which I pulled from our recycling bins just this afternoon) are not recyclable:

Wooden chairs
Straw hats
Dead plant material
Wicker waste baskets
Mop handles

Spare a thought for the under-paid workers who have to comb through this stuff, and realize that when the recycling stream is contaminated, a lot of otherwise recyclable material may be lost as a result.

Doreen Saunders 1923-2009

Through the Viewfinder

A new way (to me, anyway) of shooting photos that I've been trying out, with some rather pleasing results.

Dog Found!

male boxer / pit bull mix
brindle colored
found right outside of Lago Vista on 02.08.09




He was found with a collar on but no tags...
he has a microchip but the information is out-of-date. he’s smart, healthy & sweet... but he needs our help to find his home.

Please email, text or call Leigh with any info: 310.592.6608

Thank You.

Signs of the Lago Vista (part one):

Because it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. And strangely enough, this one seems to have worked.

Lago Vista on Film

Yes, there's "Hard to Kill", "Alligator 2" and probably a few others, but what I'm talking about here is my partial return to shooting photographs on film after working exclusively with digital cameras for the past four years.

While I still love the immediacy, convenience and freedom of shooting digital, I have to admit there's something special about the look of film, especially in its grainy black and white version like the Tri-X 400 that the photo above was taken with.

Fortunately, I never parted with my old film camera; in fact it's the same Pentax that I received as a High School graduation present back around the time when the Lago Vista was brand new.

Project your very own bike lane, wherever you go!

Click here.

Dome

The last local remnant of Victor Segno's mansion is just across the street from the Lago Vista. When they were tearing the mansion down, the owner of this property at the time, Dr. Johnstone, asked one of the workers if he could have one of the domes. He used it to top his garden shed.

I'd like to know what happened to the globe that topped the largest dome.

My favourite cloud

That would be the lenticular, as seen here from the Lago Vista at sunset last Saturday.

Stolen Package

This is Mike Dunlop from Unit #515 and had a very important package from amazon.com stolen by someone in the complex. I am shocked that a fellow neighbor would do such a thing. I am looking for you and if I find you, expect a visit from the police.

If you would like to save any face, then leave the package in front of my door.

- Mike D

Pink Sunset

One of the more unusual skies I've seen - no Photoshop trickery here.