Last Saturday Evening after giving the “Theme Park” Tour of Downtown Los Angeles, I wound up celebrating with friends at the revolving cocktail lounge high atop the Bonaventure Hotel. Dusk ended and the night began as we sat there drinking and taking in the ever changing view of the neighboring skyscrapers and twinkling lights of the most modern metropolis on earth. Yes, it was VERY Tomorrowland. As if the experience weren’t out-of-this-world enough already, the blimp flew by. To me, a blimp sighting is always a magic moment – and has been my whole life.

Goodyear Blimps have been flying billboards for the tire and rubber company for 80 years. The tradition of the "Aerial Ambassadors" began in 1925 when Goodyear built its first helium-filled airship. Over the years Goodyear built more than 300 blimps, more than any other company in the world. The company’s world headquarters in Akron, Ohio was the center of blimp manufacturing for several decades. Today, there are three Goodyear Blimps. They are based in Akron, Ohio, Pompano Beach, Florida and Carson, California. The official name of our blimp is The Spirit of America. It’s Goodyear’s newest airship and the third to be based in California – the first was in 1968.

The Spirit of America makes about 10 flights per day. It has a one man crew – the pilot, and carries just five passengers. During daylight hours it takes invitation-only guests and VIPs for 45-minute rides. After dark, it becomes the ultimate billboard and a diamond in the sky.

Here’s to the Goodyear Blimp and you

Gigantic neon flowers, lushly landscaped rock wall, and a multi-colored waterfall dwarf a sea of dining tables in what truly may be the ultimate Polynesian restaurant ever!

Clifton’s Pacific Seas is the younger and shorter lived “sister” cafeteria to Clifton’s Brookdale, which has been serving up steam table savories and delicious desserts in downtown Los Angeles since 1935. Clifton’s Pacific Seas came four years later, in 1939. It was located on the west side of Olive just below Sixth, and then closed (for what reason? I don’t know) in 1960 after just twenty-one years. A parking lot replaced it.

Picturesque bamboo huts, grass shacks and hand painted murals gave the spectacular hyper-themed dining room even more ambiance than what you see in this slide. Employees wore tropical print uniforms accessorized with flower leis. Polynesian entertainers performed live on a tropical stage. And there was even a “rainstorm” every twenty minutes in the Rain Hut Dining Room. And, God forbid, you should leave without a souvenir, a gift shop was well stocked with exotic keepsakes. This was Adventureland before Adventureland – the Tiki Room before the Tiki Room.

Themed interiors and environments were not invented in Southern California, but they certainly were perfected here. Miraculously many of the oldest and most charming examples still exist in the heart and soul of Los Angeles. Yes, even without our dearly departed Clifton’s Pacific Seas Cafeteria, downtown is still a hotbed of unique, unusual, bizarre and breathtaking vintage places to experience.

Here’s to you and Clifton’s Pacific Seas Cafeteria

Blue jean clad second and third grade Glassell Park Elementary School students board a big yellow school bus in front of City Hall. They’re on a Field Trip. How fun! In the background on the left is the Los Angeles Times building. It still stands. The Sunkist Building is on the right. It was bulldozed about 1969. Chances are the school bus is still in service

Did it ever occur to you that school buses and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese are the same color? Did it ever occur to you that downtown Los Angeles is just like Disneyland? The Freeway is Autopia; the Gold Line between Union Station and Chinatown is like riding the Monorail to Adventureland. Olvera Street is a Main Street USA-Adventurland-Frontierland combo; Clifton’s Cafeteria, the most atmospheric eatery in town is Frontierland with a little Bear Country mixed in; The Bob Baker Marionettes, downtown since 1961, is more than Fantasyland; The Music Center is Tomorrowland and the Walt Disney Concert Hall is the Castle, the Castle of the future.

That is just the tip of the iceberg of the places that make the heart and soul of Los Angeles just like a theme park. Come along and join the tour and you too will never see the city the same way again! It’s the other “Happiest Place on Earth.

Here’s to you and to Downtown Los Angele

A granny square afghan over the back of an avocado green easy chair; matching curtains; checkerboard wood paneling and in case you didn’t notice, ten reindeer, two foxes sitting on a bearskin rug; one fox hanging from the curtains; a beaver in one window and an owl flying out the other. Have a coat or jacket to hang up? No problem – there are six deer hoof coat hooks! Need some light? Then turn on the reindeer hoof lamp.

Clearly the male ego works in strange ways. It’s one thing to go hunting, but it’s another to have stereo vision of your kill when you sit in your easy chair.

Great interior designers always say accessorize with nature. In this case the interior decorator has taken the theme to the extreme. Dead animal fur goes so well with blond wood and avocado green – very earthy

Have you ever seen a trophy room like this? How often do you go over to someone’s house and witness such a spectacular display? I certainly never have. But my taxidermy curiosity has been peaked! If yours has too, make sure to visit the most shocking taxidermy showroom display in all of Southern California, Bob’s Taxidermy, 1912 West Commonwealth in Fullerton. It has just skyrocketed to the top of my must-visit-soon list. See you there!

Here’s to taxidermy and you

Paisley prints, palm fronds, wicker monkeys and a shirt-waist dressed mannequin having a moment with a banana. And why not? Bananas are good, and good for us! Bananas on an overflowing bowl of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, frozen bananas, banana splits, Banana’s Foster (a flaming dessert created in New Orleans in 1951), and banana pudding – all Americana classics!

For every family gathering while growing up, no matter the occasion, my great Aunt Mattie always made a big bowl of banana pudding. I was first in line for it. But Aunt Mattie is no longer with us and her tasty dessert is just a sweet childhood memory. That is, until the other night at a friend’s house when banana pudding was served for dessert.

There is something very special about comparing the real flavor of bananas and the fake flavor of banana pudding in the same spoonful along with soggy Nilla Wafers and fake whipped cream — Cool Whip. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm was it good! The taste treat sensation overwhelmed my taste buds with joy as I relived every family gathering, remembered dear Aunt Mattie and had another helping. Here is the Banana Pudding recipe – I suggest you double it so you and you loved ones can enjoy seconds

1 (5 1/2 oz) pkg. instant banana pudding 3 cups cold milk 2 cups Cool Whip 50 Nilla wafers 4 large bananas

Prepare pudding as directed using 3 cups milk. Fold in Cool Whip. Place wafers on bottom of bowl, pour 1/4 of the pudding over wafers, top with bananas. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Cover and chill 3 hours

Serve generously and proudly

Here’s to you and Bananas

This is the only shot I’ve ever seen of the original outer space couple together. And aren’t they oh-so very stylish. That super hero cape of hers makes quite the fashion statement. The sausage roll trim is very flattering. Nice boots too!

I don’t remember their Tomorrowland (Disneyland’s original) which was promoted as the world of 1987. I’m just a bit too young. But I do recall the “next generation” Tomorrowland that was dedicated in 1967. When I was a kid it was the coolest place in all of Disneyland.

The most eagerly anticipated and fondly remembered days of my childhood were spent in the Magic Kingdom. Disneyland was a huge influence growing up and important part of my cultural education. No matter where I am I seem to divide the built environment into five architectural categories — MAIN STREET USA, ADVENTURELAND, FRONTIERLAND, FANTASYLAND, and TOMORROWLAND.

I see Disneyland everywhere I go. And that’s what inspired my “THEME PARK” TOUR OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES. Join me on the tour and rediscover downtown the way I have — it’s just like Disneyland! In fact, the similarities between the heart and soul of our city and the Magic Kingdom are staggering. You will never see downtown the same way again!! Your imagination will be inspired and your spirit will soar!

Here’s to Disneyland, Downtown and YOU!!

On the marquee: EXOTIC CANTONESE CUISINE – DANCING TONIGHT – POLYNESIAN FLOOR SHOW. Near the marquee: A 1959 Rambler.

Last week I couldn’t leave San Diego without enjoying a tiki-taste-treat sensation of the highest order — the lunch buffet at the Bali Hai. Architecturally the restaurant is a cross between a Tiki hut and a flying saucer.

You may arrive by boat. They have a dock. It is on Shelter Isle after all. But I arrived by car. The first thing you notice when you get out of the car is what they call “The Goof” on the roof. Upon closer inspection he seems to be half man-half tiki donning a chef’s hat and large hoop earrings similar to those worn by the lord of the manor, Mr. Bali Hai himself, a half Mr. Potato / half Tiki God who greets customers at the front door. Like countless others and I have been before, I was charmed by his big wide eyes, red lips, hoop earrings and friendly spirit (you can see him on the left in the slide).

Once inside, I ogled the vintage d�cor until it was upstaged by the lunch crowd that I would be dining with: a group of sensible seniors that were most likely bussed in from somewhere far less exotic. Together we lined up at the bank of chafing dishes helping ourselves to sweet and sour pork, chicken chow mein and macaroni and cheese – which by the way are especially good when stirred together on your plate into a pan-Americana goulash. And when washed down with a big gulp-scale mai tai served in a Mr. Bali Hai souvenir Tiki mug – your stomach will thank you. If you can bear to take your eyes off of your plate or the buffet table, the view across the bay to the city’s skyline is absolutely picture perfect. One wonders (but not out loud of course) how this space age Polynesian restaurant has survived on this perfect plot of land for more than five decades.

After I piled my final plate high with a slice of lemon cake decorated with real live orchids and cottage cheese garnished with ripe kiwi slices (I eat healthy), I stumbled into the gift shop and just couldn’t resist a pair of Mr. Bali Hai salt and pepper shakers. Yes, any restaurant with a gift shop is VERY special. And the Bali Hai is no exception!

Here to you and another 50 years of the Bali Hai

It is the largest airplane ever built – far larger than the world’s biggest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, unveiled earlier this week in France. The Spruce Goose’s tail is almost eight stories high – the wingspan wider than three football fields. Really it’s a cargo ship with wings.

Howard Hughes built the Spruce Goose for the US government to carry troops and supplies to Europe during World War II. But by the time it was finished the war was over. To get paid by the government, Hughes had to prove that it would fly. And it did -but just once for one mile, right before or after this slide was taken, on November 2, 1947. The giant monster airplane was then mothballed in a giant hanger hidden from the public and shrouded in secrecy until after Hughes’s death in April 1976.

Between 1980 and 1990 it was on display for all the public to see in a giant custom built dome next to the Queen Mary in Long Beach. I saw it there in 1989 — and of course I was flabbergasted by just now big it really was. Miraculously the big bird still exists perched at the Evergreen International Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

Speaking of Howard Hughes, a few weeks ago a friend invited me to a screening of The Aviator. Since I’ve been fascinated with Howard Hughes and airplanes since I was a kid I decided to give it a whirl even though I’m not much of a movie goer – in fact, frankly, I rarely go at all. I prefer home movies. But I was glad I went. The story of the lunatic-playboy-movie maker-thrill seeker-aviation pioneer is more than a movie, it’s an epic grander than anything I’ve ever seen on the silver screen. The scene with all the TWA Constellations caused me to nearly pass out. Even if they were computer generated. If you haven’t seen The Aviator already I do recommend it!

Here’s to you and Howard Hughes

A pilot stands waiting for a ride. Five station wagons including a black ’63 Ford Falcon Squire and white ’64 Dodge crowd the loading and unloading zone. Suitcases sit on the curb. Yes, a typical airport scene with one exception – the terminal is straight out of a sci-fi fantasy.

Unique in every way, shape and form, the one-of-a-kind swooping-sweeping cement sculpture was the final creation of master modernist, Eero Saarinen. The Finnish designer never saw it finished. He died in 1961, a year before it was dedicated. Inside, the ticket counters, furnishings, signage, telephone booths and bright orange carpet were all custom-made to complement the organic shape and form

Last year while waiting on the tarmac at JFK in the wee hours of the morning, sitting there in my seat half asleep, all buckled up ready for the thrill of takeoff, I looked out of the window and much to my delight and surprise there it was – the TWA Terminal. I thought I was seeing things. More than forty years later it still looks like it belongs in the future. That makes it a perfect and rare example of timeless architecture and a miracle of mid-century modern design. Only one slight problem – it’s no longer in use. TWA is a thing of the past and its former terminal is empty. The future of this futuristic fantasy is unknown. For now it is dead – waiting to be reincarnated.

Oh, how I hope they don’t tear it down! Just think. Someday it will be the perfect terminal when the general public gets to fly to the moon. It could happen

Here’s to you and the TWA Terminal

Last week I was invited to share some of my vintage Rose Parade slides on KTLA’s live Rose Parade pre-show. My segment was scheduled at 6:10am. Frankly, I’m not used to getting up that early and I was worried my 1977 SEARS alarm clock that I got while still in high school, wouldn’t go off. Sure enough it didn’t. Thankfully I managed to wake up just in the nick of time. Nearly in a panic, I raced in the dark to Pasadena and found my way to “the set,” on the front lawn of the Tournament of Roses Mansion, the Former Wrigley Chewing Gum Estate. Before I knew it the segment was over and I was free to go.

The general public came in droves to see the spectacle just as they have for more than a century. There was activity everywhere. An army of dapper middle-aged men and women sporting the official Tournament of Roses white suit and red tie were in command. The time honored tradition is run with military precision.

The sun wasn’t even up yet but the sky was beginning to glow. With coffee in hand, still trying to wake up, I walked over to the Rose Floats lined up on Orange Grove Avenue. Everything on them was more colorful and bigger than life. I was overwhelmed and my spirit soared. I felt like I felt when I was a kid at Disneyland. The first thing I focused on was the China Airlines logo paved with black-eyed peas. Was I dreaming? For a moment I didn’t really know. The Rose Parade is one of Southern Californialand’s ultimate experiences.

Here’s to 2005 – (we’re living in the future now!)