Today in Lincoln Heights

Posted on August 25, 2012 by EL CHAVO!

I blame full time work for not allowing me to take my usual walks around our old Lincoln Heights to see what is happening in the neighborhood. Seriously, work is a buzz kill, and for what, just to pay the rent? Whose dumb idea of modern living is this? I best not get sidetracked yet again into a rant against this capitalist social order, instead I will bore you with some photos from my day walking around LH, my favorite way to spend a day off from the miserable misery of work.

Check out this nice flyer I spotted: “YAR SALE”, though missing a D, makes sense since that’s how people pronounce it in Spanish. But they didn’t include the address nor the date instead asking you to call them to find out. Secret yar sales, nice!

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Posted in Fotos, Lincoln Heights | 5 Comments

Downtown Trees

Posted on August 12, 2012 by EL CHAVO!

In societies dominated by modern conditions of production, life is presented as an immense accumulation of spectacles. Everything that was directly lived has receded into a representation.

— Some Dead Guy

Posted in Analysis, El Centro, Fotos | 1 Comment

Public Showers, Now Open!

Posted on July 28, 2012 by EL CHAVO!

The opening of “the park for everyone” this week is the equivalent of the opening of a new Metro light rail extension: everyone shows up when everyone else is gonna come. But then they get back into their cars and return to their backyards, to await the next big civic project they want us to cheer, something new to make us feel connected to how those in power run this town. I welcome this extra bit of green but no doubt this bit of Wet Dream for Real Estate Developers is going to be like all the other “public” spaces: for limited use only. I don’t even know why they are getting so excited, 2/3 of the “park” is still closed.

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Posted in El Centro, Fotos | 8 Comments

Huevos Rancheros: Springville Edition

Posted on July 22, 2012 by EL CHAVO!

Time for a road trip, time to see how the rest of the world eats. In a town of only 934 residents, I didn’t expect much in the way of Mexican restaurants. Springville has two but this was the only one open early on July 4th. Up in the San Joaquin Valley they still go for the lazy Mexican sleeping by a cactus motif. Classic.

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Posted in Huevos Rancheros, La Comida, This Chicano Life | Leave a comment

They Were Just Asking For It

Posted on July 13, 2012 by EL CHAVO!

The LAPD went on yet another of their regularly scheduled rampages on city streets last night, attacking people with bean bags and rubber bullets, or what they call “less-lethal” artillery, all because some folks were chalking up sidewalks with innocuous political statements. The downtown “Art community” and other assorted boosters have already been blaming the victims for forcing the police to shoot at them: You made me angry so I hit you! I bet the chalkers were also wearing sexy hoodies with provocative messages. With friends like these…

In any case, I went by Spring and 5th today and there was hardly any chalk left of which to speak of, most of it had already been washed away. Mid-block towards 4th I did see these faint outlines on the street. Chalk graffiti certainly deserving to be dealt with by force.

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Posted in El Centro, La Politica es un desmadre.., Shit I hate | 3 Comments

Huevos Rancheros: Antigua Bread

Posted on July 6, 2012 by EL CHAVO!

My breakfast this past Sunday. I was wavering, not sure if I should try HR’s at a Central American themed eatery, plus the platano sounded like a good option. But I am always up for a gamble so alas I choose the road often travelled. I shoulda stayed home.

The rice is not good, either it was old or they flavor it with socks. They don’t do the pinto beans very well either. Oddly, they had a nicely fried tortilla underneath the decent eggs. Unfortunately those eggs were topped with that bland pre-grated cheese you get at supermarkets, at least they weren’t smothered. But the orange sauce was some watery and vinegary Tabasco-like excuse for a salsa ranchera with hardly any hint of spice, flavor, depth or overall usefulness. Boring food is not worth eating.

Their drip coffee is that weak stuff that I don’t prefer, but it does the job. They have a Chapin sandwich that is quite good, and which I can wholeheartedly recommend. I do plan to come back for that breakfast platano dish.

Just DO NOT ORDER THE HR’S!

Antigua Bread   323.276.7820
5597 Huntington Drive North
El Sereno, CA 90032
www.antiguabread.com  (website is currently useless)

Posted in Eastside, Huevos Rancheros, La Comida | 2 Comments