The Chelsea is no longer taking reservations or renting.....

A few years back I set about making a reservation at the Chelsea where I planned on staying for a period of 1 year. I was going to learn to play a little piano and make some new acquaintances..instead I chose to lose myself in the decadence of South Beach,Miami.. a decision I now regret after hearing this somber news..It has me now going over and over in my head all of the things I have ever really wanted to do..to accomplish yet haven't made happen..this overwhelming feeling like I am running out of time. Suddenly while on the way to work this morning I am mapping out the next couple of years until I hit the big 4-0. As if this is some kind of doomsday and here I am swimming in the land of missed opportunity. I reasoned with myself throughout the day that I have made sacrifices to my family and to raise my children..hence I haven't been able to travel as much as I would have liked to and grow in ways I may have wanted to..it's all about the sacrifice. And you know it has been worth it as far as my children are concerned thus far we have had a stable home life in a safe small town which feels worlds away from places like New York City..but I feel as though I am wasting a part of myself holed up here and as the wanderlust continues to burn on it will be no surprise if I decide to escape one day here soon..just to look at something different if just for a while.

I have spent the week spinning my wheels..trying to get into a groove when truth is sometimes it feels as though the days go by so so fast. I hope to spend a full day in the pool this weekend and am looking forward to doing a photo project at Taliesin West on Monday with my oldest son..What is capturing my attention this week..The Crock Pot Girls, these gals now have almost a million likes on Facebook..a MILLION! They are 3 stay at home moms who started a little page to exchange crock pot recipes and not like they were the first to have this idea and throw up a fan page but for whatever reason it took off like crazy and their likes continue to go through the roof..and get this they didn't even have a website or a blog yet..they are frantically trying to pull one together. Kudos ladies!!It doesn't look like their server is handling the amount of traffic very well yet but when they get it all together I will surely be stalking to not only check out these great recipes (choc. lava cake anyone) but to watch these rising stars.
I have spent the week with my nose in the books..studying about PreSocratic philosophers ..appreciating Socrates ever so much more..pouring over maps, comparing population figures...writing about popular vs folk culture as well as adaptive reuse. My architecture class is a blast so far..it is like my dessert. We are going over the Chicago Worlds Fair and how the Industrial Revolution impacted building, city planning and design in the years that would follow.I am not a big fan of my sport in society class which is a prerequisite for my degree. I am trying to look at the positives but 4 pages on why children in New Guinea prefer to play street hockey really? Guess what I will be doing Sunday night? But that's enough about school..I have been making time for relaxation and family as well and have been enjoying helping out at my sons school and reading to the boys just about every night. It is so important to read to your children, even if it is just for a half hour and of course if they are able have them read to you. We have been reading lots of Dr Seuss as my youngest son has been making these choices from his school library..tonight we read one of our William Wegman books, the kids just love the photos and I am looking for a poster to have framed for my middle son. We have been fascinated with monster fish, alien fish and finger monkeys..and we have been playing Chinese checkers like crazy and building card houses. It's hard to think of Halloween and all of the excitement that Fall brings when it is 115 degrees outside. It has been so darn hot we have been spending all our time inside, heck the schools aren't even having recess outside right now. We celebrated my husbands birthday Monday..he hates his birthdays something which I just cannot understand for the life of me. He is overworked and when he isn't working he is sleeping which has been the norm for some time now I only hope there is a light at the end of this tunnel for him.
Heading to the resort this weekend will be a welcome treat even if just for 2 days being inside all the time gives me a case of cabin fever and severe wanderlust..but I have been having fun at the theatre..this is the first season I have season tickets and have been taking the boys..we saw Beauty & the Beast last weekend and they loved it and I enrolled my middle son in an after school workshop..I am so looking forward to the upcoming shows especially at Christmastime...enough about me its time for something beautiful..the day just calls for it..



The Crystal Palace designed by Joseph Paxton. Considered to be the first modern building it was the inspiration behind the designs of Walt Disney (his father worked on the project) as well as the magical land of OZ. Destroyed by fire in the 1930's after years of being in ruin this is how I prefer to remember it, in all of it's glory.

Sunset Strip Circa 1940's

NOPHO

As if my pending 20 year high school reunion was not enough action to stir up the awkward memories of my teenage years apparently all the rage on Facebook right now is these groups titled You know your from ________ when" or "Growing up in ____"  I was so lucky to get added to the North Phoenix Group..or as they call it nowadays NOPHO. A forum where thousands of random people are posting their memories of growing up in da hood, most of which circulate around teachers we hated, where we went to party, the local bars, and who got in a fight with who. While mildly entertaining this is a period in my life I'd much rather forget, in fact I have pretty much closed the book on it. I hated High School. My parents at the time were total dicks I think I was grounded for pretty much 80 % of it because my grades weren't up to par. I left home and high school at the ripe old age of 16 to go it alone and have never looked back. This trip down memory lane has me thinking of when North Phoenix was the edge of town and how the "desert parties" were only a ten minute drive away. It reminds me of all the reasons also of why I left that neighborhood when my oldest son was 2 yrs old and we were awakened on a regular basis by gunshots. North Phoenix, the area I grew up in is now termed "The Square" which refers to an area riddled with drugs, crime, and illegals. My parents live a hop skip and a jump from it still, as do apparently quite a few people I went to school with. You can keep North Phoenix, I'll take my small town any day over 24 hour grocery stores full of tweekers where English is a second language and  where its a pain to drive anywhere because of the traffic. Somehow I still find myself down there on occasion however and for nostalgia sake it still oddly feels a bit like home to me.

What is the matter with people?

If I was to ask you that question what would your answer be? Richard Rotenberg lied his way into buying the famous Maslon House from the family of the late Samuel and Louella Maslon. Their children put the house on the market with the intention of selling only to a buyer who would preserve the integrity of the home designed by the late, great Richard Neutra, one of only a few properties designed by Neutra in the Palm Springs area. Within 30 days the house was torn down, he destroyed it..he even had audacity to leave the furniture and curtains. This was a home featured throughout many publications namely Architectural Digest and through the years housed one of the most elaborate collections of modern art, something the Maslons were passionate about. What he built in it's place was a joke, another stucco eye sore with no character, ordinary..disgusting. Who does something like that, Richard Rotenberg thats who. He could have bought any home but chose to destroy this timeless masterpiece, it is places like this that help to make Palm Springs distinguishable, however for $45.00 they issued a permit, no questions asked for it's demolition. Somebody screwed up. I know that "if a man wants to burn a Picasso, he can burn his Picasso" but there is a greater responsibility here. Richard Rotenberg succeeded in only one thing and one thing only he will go down in history as the man that made everyone sick...

Before & After Demolition
"There reaches a point, when not enough of something has been preserved, or in the absence of proximity, as new growth moves in with new or older forms, you begin to lose identity and the character that makes a place unique or remarkable."
-Eric Wills, Preservation Magazine

the Maslon Home
"Neutra was also known for catering sensitively to the needs of his clients, so that their houses would be not only functional but would also nurture their owners psychologically." The New York Times

Richard J.Neutra, Kronish House, 1953, pastel on paper,
courtesy Palm Springs Art Museum.

God forbid something like this was to happen again, and unfortunately another Neutra designed home  in Beverly Hills is in danger of meeting the same fate. The Kronish house built in 1955 is heading for demolition unless the buyers will consider allowing for the property to be moved or the city of Beverly Hills takes action. It is the only Neutra designed home in Beverly Hills that remains original, the other two homes were demolished and severely altered. Check out  the real estate listing  that includes some recent photos here. It is being listed at nearly 14 million dollars, a pretty penny above the 5.8 million dollars the owners paid for it last January when they bought it out of foreclosure. The property on Sunset Blvd. is a private oasis, not visible from the street. Richard Neutra's son Dion has been working tirelessly to not only protect his late fathers legacy but to save these treasured residences.

How You Can Help

Please contact the office of the Mayor and City Council by Thursday, July 28, and have your friends and colleagues do the same.

Please convey the following points, in your own words as much as possible:

• You are aware of the potential demolition of the Kronish (pronounced CROW-nish) House by Richard Neutra.

• The house is a significant work by a master architect and an important piece of Beverly Hills history.

• The Kronish House is one of only three Neutra designs ever built in Beverly Hills, and it is the only one that remains intact.

• The City of Beverly Hills has no protections for its historic structures -- there isn't even a process to review the planned demolition.

• Urge the Mayor and the City Council to do whatever they can to at least delay the demolition until other options can be adequately considered, including relocation or finding another buyer.

If you live or work in Beverly Hills, please identify yourself as a constituent and include your address.

E-mail: mayorandcitycouncil@beverlyhills.org, copy mvavala@laconservancy.org

Phone: (310) 285-1013

Many thanks to everyone who has already called or e-mailed -- it makes a real difference.

Thank you!

The Museum Of Modern Art

New York 19                        11 West 53rd Street
The Museum Collections      Telephone: Circle 5-8900 Cables: Modernart, New.York


October 16, 1956

Dear Mr. Warhol,

   Last week our Committee on the Museum Collections held its first meeting of the fall season and had a chance to study your drawing entitled Shoe which you so generously offered as a gift to the Museum.

   I regret that I must report to you that the Committee decided, after careful consideration, that they ought not to accept it for our Collection

   Let me explain that because of our severely limited gallery and storage space we must turn down many gifts offered, since we feel it is not fair to accept as a gift a work which may be shown only infrequently.

   Nevertheless, the Committee has asked me to pass on to you their thanks for your generous expression of interest in our Collection.

Sincerely,
Alfred H. Harr, Jr.
Director of the Museums Collections

Mr.  Andy Warhol
242 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York

P.S.The drawing may be picked up from the Museum at your convenience.

Vacation

I have been enjoying my down time..the first whole week off I have had in almost 5 years..somewhere in the midst of it I can't help but think..Hmmm I could get used to this. I have never had the privilege of being a stay at home mom, at least not for any significant period of time..with all three children I went back to work rather quickly and now with my youngest entering kindergarten in the Fall coupled with a full schedule of college classes yet again I am reevaluating my balance between work and home. Quitting my job and staying home is proving to be a hard decision to make and one that I have been pondering  for well over a month now. What I do know is that I have enjoyed the time I have spent at home with my boys this week so much..I start the days with doing an hr of Yoga..make breakfast..watch the today show & Regis & Kelly..do 2 to 3 hrs of schoolwork..make lunch..do another half hr of Yoga..have learning time with my boys which lately has involved watching documentaries as it is so blazing hot and humid outside ..nap time..maybe a cooking show or time to run errands then its time to make dinner and settle into the evening whether it involves movies, another yoga session or more schoolwork the schedule isn't rushed, it flows...Today we got out of the house and visited the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art or SMOCA as it is known. We set about to see "The Masters of Collective Reality" exhibit featuring some of the major comic book artists from around the world. Among the exhibit were stencils and sharp colored pencils and artists renderings where the kids could draw their own comic book strip. This proved to be the funnest part of the afternoon and I am continuously impressed by the artistic talent of my 10 yr old. One of the reasons we go to art museums is that I hope he sees other works of art and expands his knowledge which I hope will help motivate him to continue creating and drawing...SMOCA is a fairly small museum and in the summer time they tend to use less than the available space however it really is a neat museum in that they do things like family night and programs keyed for kids and adults that are based on creating and learning. Thursdays are always free and the museum is open from 10 to 8 and provides a cool space on a hot summer day. We stopped by the kitchy museum shop where we scored a cool projector key chain and for me an Andy Warhol matted print at 60% off. I am looking forward to the fall exhibits and getting the boys more involved with the upcoming education programs. Also on the menu for the month the ASU exhibit of Warhol's inspiring photographs and the Phoenix Art Museum... Needless to say I am enjoying being home...I want to be able to pick my boys up from school instead of having them go to an aftercare program..I want to be there to go on field trips..make breakfast in the mornings..devote the necessary time involved in graduating with my PhD instead of winging it..not be a tired zombie in the evenings..to be more involved with my church and living a life of service..there are a lot of positives...as you can tell it seems like I may be talking myself into this..I wanted to share a link to a documentary I watched the other day called The Human Experience, I was touched and very moved by the wisdom in this film, at times almost to the point of tears. If you haven't seen it please do, it really makes you open your eyes to the rest of the world.One more day of my weekday vacation left tomorrow..among the artists whose work  I saw today was Rory Hayes..I found him to be in your face...at times repulsive yet utterly brilliant at the same time ..It is true in a lot of ways that instead of fighting the crowds, spending a small fortune and doing a chaotic adventure some of the best vacations are the ones taken at home..

Rory Hayes

Weekly Inspirations & Beautiful Lake Powell

This past week the father of my oldest son Logan took him to Lake Powell for their annual trip with his grandparents, I used to go to Lake Powell every year as well and the memories I have of going on those trips are some of my most fondest. It truly is a magical place.

Don't give room for temporary depressions. Things come and go. Nothing is permanent in this world. Even our bodies come and go. You once had a young body; now you have an adult body. Someday you will have an old body, and one day you will even have a dead body. But still, you have a body. It's the body that goes through all these changes. You are immortal. Identify with that real you, the real "I."

When you play soccer, you kick the ball around. The ball goes through all the motions, but you are doing the playing. You enjoy the movements of the ball. Likewise, let your mind be your soccer ball. Wherever it goes, just enjoy it.

Even to enjoy nice, beautiful writing on a board, the board should be black because the chalk is white. You enjoy the white writing because there is a black board behind it. Don't forget that. You enjoy the pain because there is pleasure behind it.

We are the knowers, we are the seers. Remember that truth always. Apply this whenever you are in a depressed state. Jump up, shake it off and say, "Hey, l am a lion! This is all just temporary. I have come across this before and l know it will go away." You can heal yourself. There is a beautiful part of the mind, a powerful part of the mind, that can always get you out of any problem. Use that part, the brilliant part, the bright part. Don't succumb to the other side of the mind.

06-24-2k11 Logan on Lake Powell



Wishing I was Poolside At



05/27/2k11

In Fort Worth, Texas there is a drug clinic which takes people off the streets and helps them get over bad LSD trips. They don't use any traditional medical treatment whatsoever. All they do is play the patient our Smiley Smile album and apparently this acts as a soothing remedy which relaxes them and helps them to recover completely from their trip. - Carl Wilson, (1970)



Modern Phoenix Home Tour 2011: Sunnyslope

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to attend a tour of homes in Sunnyslope featuring mid-century modern architecture. I have been a stalker of Mid-Century Modern for some time, in particular homes designed by Al Beadle, Fred Guirey & Ralph Haver. I often times have dreamed of owning a home designed by one of these Tony architects and I also have a serious crush on Palm Springs for this reason. As a matter of fact the last several years I have found myself there numerous times and I fall in love a little more each time I return. Having basically grown up at The Arizona Biltmore Frank Lloyd Wright was someone for whom I not only recognized but appreciated at a very young age. I am fortunate enough to posses a few pieces of furniture designed by the master himself. Thanks to Marshall Shore I was able to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon touring some of these beautiful homes while relishing in their beauty and simplicity. The tour sponsored by ModernPhoenix.net is not to be missed, I can't wait for next year!

Let It Roll Bowl





Have I said Lately How Much I Love Palm Springs?

Sunday

 The weekend has been all about family, homework and what to do with the blueberries. I spent the better part of the day studying Charlie Chaplin and the beginning of film making for my cinema class. I have concluded Thomas Edison took credit for way more than he deserved, that Chaplin was a comedic genius and that watching silent films is something I find to be relaxing. It made for a long day wherin the New York Times got neglected. Nicholas woke up with a fever and a stuffy nose so we have spent the day inside which should almost be illegal as it is a beautiful 70 degrees out. But we needed the rest and relaxation. Yesterday we got out and did some fun stuff and today I finally did something with those blueberries....

I whipped up a blueberry crumb cake from 3 cups of flour, 1 cup of sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 pkg jello instant vanilla pudding, 1 cup of veg. oil, pinch of salt, shake or two of vanilla, nutmeg, a little milk and of course blueberries..I even through in a few blackberries...shhhhh topped with a homemade crumb topping and an hr in the oven....

And a boyfriend who likes to take pictures of me slaving away :)

Topped off with vanilla iced cream...whole bean while warm

Asparagus is in season ..I like mine steamed with a little butter sea salt and fresh parmesan

We spent Saturday at Chip & Ruby's and took the boys to Philadelphia Sandwich Co. for lunch.. it was a gorgeous day. Nicholas won 650 tickets from the arcade games. I couldn't believe it... enough for 2 hotwheels a foldup frisbee and a mini basketball hoop and ball

It is going to be a good week and I am very blessed to have re-charged my batteries this weekend. Happy Sunday and Sweet Dreams.

Scottsdale Road & Camelback....and then there was Soleri

The thing about Scottsdale is that it is ever changing and evolving, like most cities however it has a little more Cest La Vie a little more panache.It's own unique charm and although Scottsdale is known to cater to the young and hip crowd in Old Town and the more exclusive set up North, one thing remains the same, it serves as a playground for beautiful people with plenty of resorts, restaurants and nightlife to suit whatever your fancy may be. In particular there is the intersection of Scottsdale Road and Camelback which has changed a lot over the years and is now holding title of most expensive commercial real estate compared to other intersections in the state. The Safari hotel below was the It place for tourists and locals alike. The guests arrived to live animals and were greeted by a 6 foot 7 tall door man. The French Quarter was the resorts home for live entertainment, floor shows and dancing nightly. Fashion square, Scottsdale's first outdoor mall was bordering the second fashion square full of shops like Glodwaters, Rexall Drugs, Switzers and Sabas and with all this retail you could still see the beautiful Camelback Mountain in high view. Along the largely, mostly deserted canal on the Southwest corner you found the 2 story Polynesian Paradise featuring Hawaiian dancers and a nightly show in the basement. I can still remember the girls bringing my grandfather up on stage and the colorful glasses the drinks were served up in..I loved going to that restaurant. Largely a huge vacant lot you parked in the dirt around the restaurant and the closest building was in a small white wooden 2 story building to the West which housed a record store I believe. Fashion Square evolved and with it the retail in the area and the redevelopment of the mall came a huge renovation and revitalization to the area. Fashions square was built up and it was built out to include parking garages, Bridges, the finest stores and restaurants. Then a few years ago water front towers were built along with the canal shops and the canal suddenly became beautiful and mysterious. The places that popped up had style and originality and spice. The lofts and condos built in the high rises surrounding became the it address and with good reason, you could walk to anything and everything and that is a beautiful thing. If it is one thing Old Town Scottsdale has is the sense of community down in that you do not need to hop in a car to go out to eat, see a movie, or shop if you live close. Of course there are taxis, trolleys and carriages aplenty.
And then there is Soleri..Paolo Soleri..For those of you who are not familiar with his work Arcosanti is amazing .. and he lent his beautiful hand to Scottsdale rd. & Camelback designing the most magnificent bridge over the canal. This is Scottsdale...... and somehow the bridge made everything a little more beautiful, and I for one no longer noticed the lack of Camelback Mountain rising up in the distance ...and didn't miss The Safari Hotel and Polynesian Paradise that were torn down long ago as much... the little zen shop that I used to buy my bamboo before the rent became to expensive... I started looking to the old mid century modern Valley National Bank which was lovingly restored and now houses my salon Sachi. I look farther out to the wonderful and historical Hotel Valley Ho and I really like what I see. I was fortunate enough to attend the dedication of the Soleri bridge with my boys. I will be going to SMOCA to see his work in bridges before it ends on the 25th. Soleri pulled it all together and everything made sense.



    
   
Vintage postcards circa 50's & 60's

                                                    Dedication of Soleri Bridge December 2010