Sunday, November 20, 2011

Lincoln Heights Week

reflections in a store window across from Abraham Lincoln High School

I said I needed a vacation and I got one. Last week I toured Lincoln Heights with Manny Rodriguez, who's lived there since his family came here from Mexico when he was six years old. Manny knows the neighborhood almost as well as the neighborhood knows him.

Karin Bugge, the Altadena Hiker, had posted about her explorations of this historic Los Angeles area and Manny emailed her and offered to show her around. Bellis and I got to tag along.

Tomorrow here on the blog we'll celebrate Zen Monday as per usual. Then, for the rest of the week, I'll share my favorite Lincoln Heights photos. In the meantime, I think you'll enjoy Karin's post about Manny and our visit.

24 comments:

dive said...

I can't wait for more of your photos, Petrea, and more from the wonderful Manny. Karin's post was great; the history and the murals but most of all the people. To a European that side of Los Angeles seems much more real than Tinseltown.
Karin's piece made me put on Ry Cooder's excellent Chávez Ravine album with all the old Mexican Angelino singers (guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face).
More, please.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Dive. More to come.

Manny told us of a friend of his, an old man, who wouldn't go to Dodger Stadium because he remembered his family's experience when they were kicked out of Chavez Ravine.
Many people have been displaced all over the world and many times it was done with cruelty, but this did not have to be so.
Manny's a forgiving guy and a big fan of the Dodger games.

Tinseltown doesn't even exist, really. They put it up like a movie set and film it, then take it down when the cameras are gone. Los Angeles is what's really here.

Anonymous said...

Now see, if I had taken my photo class before the trip, I'd have known the settings for a hazy bright day.

We covered a lot of ground, didn't we?

Petrea Burchard said...

I'll be honest. I had my camera set to automatic most of the time.
Yes we did! I have no idea how far we walked in miles, but I looked at a map later and was astonished at how much ground we covered.

Bellis said...

That's an amazing photo - one of your best. I didn't even notice that shop - you're so alert for a good photo opportunity, Petrea.

Talking of displacement, USC seems to be buying up more and more of the land in that area for medical buildings. Which, I guess, is better than displacing people for a sports stadium.

Petrea Burchard said...

Manny mentioned that, Bellis. He's not happy about it, either.

Desiree said...

I love this theme!

Bellis said...

Most of Lincoln Heights is low land by the river. I wonder how it got its name?

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Des!

Bellis, maybe from the hills at the east end of the neighborhood?

Latino Heritage said...

Oh, so much I want to add. I love this thread you are following. In a way, you are all writing about . It's like reading about someone else's trip to Maine to see the colors. Interesting to read the interpretation and to relive memories. Loving this.

Only thing I'll add here is that if you go to the area near Lincoln High School, you will easily see why it is called the heights. It's steep and windy enough that you will want to drive rather than walk. Or at least that would be my preference.

Susan Campisi said...

It's amazing how close we are to Lincoln Heights - and yet, it's like another world. I don't know anything about that area. Glad to be learning more about it through you and Hiker - and Manny.

Petrea Burchard said...

Roberta, I will admit to having suffered some stiffness after all that walking but it wasn't the hills, it was the distance! We covered a lot of ground.

It's very close, Susan. About 15 minutes on the Gold Line. Pasadena/South Pasadena/Montecito Heights/and there you are.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you've found God, in Lincoln Hts!!

I hope you'll next visit HighLand park. I've always wanted to know if there's anything there.

Patricia said...

My much older brother and sister attended Lincoln High School more than 40 years ago. We lived in a house up in the hills off of Huntington Dr. I went to Huntington Drive Elementary School. Once again, Petrea, your blog has opened a little window to my past. I just love that Manny has shared his story here. I have not gone back to Lincoln Heights in many, many years. I do have to be honest here, though. My parents moved us out of this area because of gang activity, all those many years ago. So I have to assume the area is much safer now. I love Los Angeles, and thank you for showing me my old home.

Petrea Burchard said...

Cafe, there's so much in Highland Park. Good idea.

Patricia, I'm glad you like it! I hope you'll read Karin's post. Manny talked about his interaction with gangs when he was a kid. They were there, most definitely. Not so much now, it seems, although gangs are everywhere. We see their tags in Pasadena, too.

Ms M said...

Fascinating window -- and I like how you captured the reflections in it, too; sort of religious surrealism.
This series is so interesting! Looking forward to more of your photos and stories of what you learned and experienced.

Katie said...

Cool that you were on Manny's Lincoln Heights tour with Karin as he seems like a wonderful guide. And fun that you had a vacation so close to home. Looking forward to more Manny next week!

Pasadena Adjacent said...

the spirit of the adjacents

Pasadena Adjacent said...

not to mention some"BIG" thrift stores

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm looking forward to this week, too. You will have turkeys on other blogs but not here.

You got that right, PA.
Saint Vincent DePaul, I'm told, is number one. We may have to make a separate trip just for that.

Anonymous said...

Here's a CP's Believe It or Not! Back in the 20th century I once was invited to give a talk to a class at Lincoln HS.

I think the students enjoyed it - I had their attention. So if you were to walk into the classroom at the time you wood know I wasn't a teacher.

Virginia said...

I told KB that Manny will be added to the Motley Crew the next time I visit. I love this P. It's got a -K- ring to it. Go back at night and take it! :)
V

Petrea Burchard said...

Cafe, I'll bet they liked you.

Virginia, put on your hiking boots. I'll bet we covered at least five miles in 3 hours!

Manny Rodriguez said...

It was my pleasure to walk the streets of Lincoln Heights with three lovely ladies at my side. I had a great time pointing out our 'hood's share of cool architecture, art, dives and more. I get a kick in watching others discover my backyard and I always see something new, too. I'm currently working with a couple of LH life-long residents in creating a lesson plan of the history of this community and offering it to the local schools. I can't wait for the next tour!!