Slide of the Week

Daddy-O sports smart sunglasses and junior a snappy sailor cap for their official parking lot portrait. But this isn’t just any ‘ol parking lot. This is Eastland, the first freeway side shopping center ever built in SoCal.

How much are we all loving that giant knight-in-shining armor pointing to the door of the “new” salesroom, the utilitarian-yet-modern billboard-of-a-building and beautiful grove of date-bearing palms peeking over the roof. In the realm of classic American roadside attractions, Shields Date Garden is one of the greatest.

Recently while curiously searching Google for “Googie” images, I scrolled across a picture of the Southgate Shopping Centers sign. I was more than spellbound by the Googie gloriousness and oh-so surprised because I was totally unaware of it.

Last week, I had the privilege of exploring Dallas in search of classic and kitschy landmarks, legends and lore. The top priority on my must-see list was the mid-century mod mural recently discovered after decades of being paneled over at the former Statler Hilton Hotel.

My flocked-Christmas-tree lovin’ eyes just about bugged right outta of my head as a fantasy forest of yellow, mint, magenta, pink, purple, periwinkle, persimmon and peach flocked trees dazzled beneath the striking candy cane striped tree tent.

Not sure what that little black pointy-eared stuffed something is supposed to be, but I do know that the classy couple clasping it are color coordinated quite nicely.