FULL HOUSE...

The Gaylord has a full house at this time. Please inquire if you are interested in future rentals.

Time of Year for our Median...

The portion of Wilshire Boulevard, in front of the Gaylord, is known as the Robert F Kennedy Memorial Parkway. Along with all of the New Zealand flax plants that fill the median year-round, there is also a row of crepe myrtle trees and now is the time of year to appreciate these beauties. A deciduous tree, crepe myrtles are not much to look at during the winter months (even in LA!) with their barren branches, but come spring & summer, their pinks & fuschias are in full bloom and can be greatly enjoyed for the breath of color. If any of you out there can get me a beautiful shot of this colorful line up (the colors work well with the N.Z. flax, too!) I would love to share the photo with everyone (my camera phone will not do the composition justice). You can get some great angular shots with this line & backgrounds. Please enjoy this landscape as you stroll or drive by.                                                                                             

There is Only One Available...

***RENTED***Folks, there is ONLY ONE available unit at this time. A great One Bedroom unit on the 7th floor at 820 sq ft, south/east corner unit, lots of windows, bright, overlooking Wilshire Blvd & the RFK Community Schools campus, spacious closets, concrete floors, 9 ft ceilings and the Gaylord community. You can have all of this for $1600/month.***RENTED***

The Gaylord 'Buzzer' from July 1925...

Things To Do This Weekend...

Folks, there are a couple of concerts happening this weekend at 'Grand Performances' at California Plaza. These are FREE concerts. First, on Friday night it sounds to be a great tribute to Gil Scott-Heron. If you are familiar with 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' then you know Gil Scott-Heron. If you are not familiar (then my age is showing!) you need to look it up and LISTEN.

I, myself, along with the husband & friends will be found there for Saturday nights tribute to Cachao. This is classic Cuban mambo from the original, so get ready to MOVE! Members of his band will be performing this tribute. If any of you out there were around L.A. in the late 80's/early 90's you may recall the band, Mango Bang. Acquaintances of mine, Nelson and Richard were a part of Mango Bang and will be on stage for this tribute, having been some of the privileged musicians who actually performed with Cachao in his later years.

It is supposed to be a hot weekend and it is going to get even HOTTER at Grand Performances.

grandperformances.org

Downtown Hustle Bustle...

Last Saturday night, the man and I went for a late dinner at CPK, located in the 7+Fig complex (this is where the new Target is opening up in 2013) downtown. Afterward, not quite ready to head home and he with his vintage 1958 Argus in hand, we decided to drive and explore the downtown area a little. We first hit Broadway so he could take some shots of the old movie palaces all lit up. Then, continued to drive up and down all the streets from Figueroa to Los Angeles, between 1st to Olympic, to check on the burgeoning evening destinations for downtown. Alas, there is a bit of a nightlife down there that exists. Free concerts were happening in both Pershing Square and 'Grand Performances' at California Plaza. We passed by quite a few groovy, hip, cute restaurants & cafes filled with customers having late dinners, enjoying drinks & company. We also noticed a few lines outside the velvet ropes for a couple of clubs. I've been to the Edison, in the past, and the crowd there reminded me of the bridge & tunnel crowd, on the weekends, at the Manhattan nightclubs during the 1980's & early 90's.  Foodwise, I have known about Bottega Louie and have had a good breakfast there in the past, but still have yet to try it for dinner. I have heard good things about the meals at Church & State (which is a little outside this radius, but not much) also and will have to plant myself there one night for a course. It seems it is time for us to get down there and experience some of these others we passed and do not know any details about. What have you heard?

Fascinating Notes on July 1927...

I've been wanting to share these notes with you since I posted the July 1927 issue of 'Gaylord Glimpses' last week, but it has been so busy lately. We have it 'going on' here at the Gaylord today, but I sure would have loved to have been around the Gaylord in 1927 for all of this activity... I dug up some GOOD info on the personalities in this issue.

On page 6, Margaret Chute, British entertainment journalist for 'Picture Show' & 'Everybody's Weekly' magazines, threw a dinner party in her apartment with quite the film cast attending. The guests included Ernest Torrence, who was featured in over 50 films between 1918-1933. Ernest was in the 1923 version of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' with Lon Chaney and he also starred with Gaylord resident, Greta Nissen in 'The Lady of the Harem' from 1926. Also attending this dinner, Mr. & Mrs. Clive Brook. Between 1920-1963, Clive appeared in over 100 films & television shows. Of note, with Clara Bow in 1927's 'Hula' and 1932's 'Shanghai Express' with Marlene Dietrich. Clive also starred with Gaylord resident, Greta Nissen and fellow dinner guest, Philip Strange in 'The Popular Sin' from 1926. Clive was married to Mrs. Brook (Mildred Evelyn) for over 50 years and she appeared on the silver screen in 8 films between 1921-1943. Dinner guests, Mr. & Mrs. William LeBaron, William was a songwriter, composer & producer on over 200 films from 1926-1947. He was producer for the Academy Award winning Best Picture film of 1931, 'Cimarron' and was an associate producer on 'The Popular Sin' which featured Clive & Philip. William was married to British Stage musical comedy actress, Mabel Hollins. In attendance on this evening was debonair Ronald Colman who was in over 60 films & television shows from 1917-1957. He was in 'The Winning of Barbara Worth' with Vilma Banky & Gary Cooper in 1926 and starred in one of my favorite movies, from 1937, 'Lost Horizon.' I remember watching this film with my mother on tv when I was just a child. Last dinner guest on the list for Ms. Chute's spectacular evening was Philip Strange. Philip was featured from 1926-1949 in 27 films. Starring with Gary Cooper in 1927's 'Nevada' and with Gaylord resident, Adolphe Menjou in 'The Ace of Cads' from 1926. The stories that must have been told that night! I am sure Margaret went back to London with several months worth of material to write.

On page 7, photo of Constance Talmadge, Gaylord resident and BIG romantic comedy star of the silent era, which I have made note of in past postings. Here, it is stating that Constance was a bridesmaid for fellow actress, Vilma Banky, Goldwyn's biggest money earner in the 1920's. Appearing with such notables as Ronald Colman and Rudolph Valentino in 26 films from 1919-1933. Vilma was marrying Rod LaRoque, who was featured in over 100 films between 1914-1941 and had none other than Cecil B. DeMille as his Best man for the wedding.

On page 9,  Mr. & Mrs. J.B. Alexander are mentioned. J.B. Alexander, at the time, was one of the distinguished directors of the Federal Reserve Bank.

On page 9, there is mention of Gaylord resident & prolific actor, Adolphe Menjou, departing the Gaylord for his new home in Los Feliz Heights. Adolphe starred in 149 film & television shows from 1914-1961. He was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar in 1931 for 'The Front Page.' I would have to say my favorite Adolphe Menjou movie would have to be 'Stage Door' from 1937, which starred Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden & Ann Miller. What a cast!!! Adolphe played the role of an older 'playa' (in today's terms) trying to get with all of these young, up and coming actresses.

Also on page 9, Gaylord residents, May Allison and James Quirk, whom I have made mention of in previous postings. May having starred in 59 films, in the silent days, between 1915-1927 and James being the editor of 'Photoplay' magazine.

On page 12 & 13, a story on the Gaylord Commissary & Room Service. These were located in the basement and I believe the Commissary was where our laundry facility is today.

On page 15, they write of a Mrs. Odell S. McConnell and her son, Odell returning home to the Gaylord from a world tour. Little Odell would later grow up to be a prominent L.A. attorney and eventually had the Pepperdine University of Law School building named after him. Again, such distinguished guests/residents.

and lastly, on page 15, mention of New York stage star, Marion Coakley, who did not have a big film career, but did appear in 2 films.

If any of the other names in this issue ring a bell to you, let me know their story so I may share them with the rest of our audience.

Gaylord Glimpses of July 1927...

Unfortunately, somewhere along the years somebody had torn out pages 3 & 4 of this issue. What mystery lies in those pages?

And as a look into the future, you will see the notes of the editor, Ruth Lilly (wife of J.B., who owned the Gaylord at the time), scribbled throughout this issue for the upcoming issue of the Gaylord Glimpses.

Your Current Available Units...

***RENTED***- 7th floor, One Bedroom, 820 sq ft, south/east corner unit, great closets, bright, $1600/mo.***RENTED***
***RENTED***- 4th floor, One Bedroom, 1050 sq ft, north, south, west exposures, grand space, $1600/mo.***RENTED***
***RENTED***- 12th floor, One Bedroom, 740 sq ft, north/west corner unit, spectacular views, $1540/mo.***RENTED***
***RENTED***- 3rd floor, Bachelor, 330 sq ft, northern exposure, charming, $750/mo.***RENTED***

Fresh Produce...

Los Angeles neighborhoods & surrounding municipalities abound with local Farmers Markets. If you are looking for really fresh fruits & vegetables these markets are where you need to go to pick up locally grown produce. You will also find those heirloom varieties that date back to the full flavors of the past that are so delicious. On top of that, you will enjoy the colors and shapes of all the produce and these farmers markets are a great place to people watch... and pick up a bunch of fresh flowers while you are there to brighten up your home!

To find the nearest one to you during your travels of the Los Angeles sprawl and the hours of operation, go to farmernet.com/events/cfms.

Bakersfield Anyone?

If you happen to find yourself in Bakersfield (Bakersfield!?! What the... Who knows? Maybe you're traveling north and lose your way off of the I-5. And Hey! My partner/husband lives in Bakersfield.), amongst all of the delicious Basque eateries (Wool Growers is a good one! Our own 'Bags' recommended this one to me.), serving their tongue & soups & down home cooking, there is an Italian gem, Luigi's. Luigi's has been there in the same location for 102 years now serving the Bakersfield community. I experienced one of the best meals I've had in a long time and my partner was just as delighted. Double boned pork chops stuffed with creamy, warm cheese and home made ravioli on the side. The flavors were pure and hearty. I would say it is worth the trip to Bakersfield alone just to go to Luigi's. They have family style tables inside and a wonderful, shaded patio area out back. Luigi's also has a fully stocked Italian deli & market (they sell their own sauces & home made pastas) with top notch wines (Ask for Lynette, she will steer you towards what you want in a wine.). I just get the added attraction of visiting with my partner and exploring the nearby mountains that surround Bakersfield.

725 E. 19th St., off of Truxtun Ave. shopluigis.com

TONIGHT...