Area Cyclist Attempts to Enjoy Metro’s Bike Week, Fails Miserably
For reasons unbeknownst to me, I had a hard time figuring out what time the South L.A. Bike Week Pit Stops would be up and running today. I took a gander at the pit stop map and promptly devised a route in my head so I could hit all of the South L.A. stops.
May 17, 2012
Observations from Yesterday’s Gun Buyback and a Conversation with a Street Vendor of Bikes
THIS PAST FINE AND SUNNY Saturday, I headed to South L.A. to see how the Anonymous Gun Buyback was going. In an effort to get firearms off the streets, the city had set up six sites around town where people could drop off their weapons -- no questions asked -- in return for gift cards. You could get up to $100 for handguns, shotguns, and rifles, and up to $200 for assault weapons.
May 14, 2012
There’s Fruit in Them Thar Trees!: Pick Fruit in South L.A. this Weekend
EVER GET THAT FEELING you don't have enough fruit-picking in your life?
May 10, 2012
The Challenge of Encouraging Recreational Riding in Watts: A Chat with the Owner of Watts Cyclery
No, no voy lejos, said José. Mi madre no me deja.
May 9, 2012
Metro Diary: It’s 9:30 P.M….Do You Know Who’s Riding Metro?
"Can you really take your bike on the train??" one of the two girls at the Expo/Vermont station asked me, incredulous.
May 4, 2012
Celebrating Transit and Remembering Riots: L.A. Moves Forward and Looks Back All in One Weekend
If you were an alien that landed in L.A. this weekend, you could be forgiven if the juxtaposition of the festivities surrounding the opening of the Expo Line and the ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of the L.A. Riots (Civil Unrest or Rebellion, depending on your perspective) left you a little confused.
May 1, 2012
Are You Ready to Rumble?: Streetfights Take More Violent Turns
This article is second in a series about how gang activity impacts the livability of streets. The issue is explored through the eyes and experiences of Fidel, a 19 year old Business Administration student who began running with crews in elementary school. The first part of his story can be found here, along with a link to the story he wrote about his decision to leave his crew. The final installment can be found here.
April 27, 2012
Music, Art, and Mimes, Oh My!: The Expo Line Throws Itself a Party
In economics, "free riders" are usually a bad thing.
April 24, 2012
Touring the New Expo Line with the “Ethnic Media”
I was invited to join other members of the "ethnic media" (Metro's term, not mine) yesterday for a preview of the Expo Line. Set to open to the public on April 28th, trips between Culver City and downtown L.A. along the 8.6 miles of new line will be free all of next weekend.
April 20, 2012
South L.A. Celebrates Earth Day with Community Services Unlimited, Inc.
"I started getting mad that my school looked filthy." said 6th grade student Reaon. "We have a student store, and everything that you could buy in the store would always be on the ground -- all the wrappers and everything."
April 19, 2012