Author Archives: cmaddren

Oki Dog Is Gone

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Oki Dog at Fairfax and Willoughby is closed.

We all have places we’re attached to, places that are important to us, places that become part of our landscape.  In most cases it’s easy to explain why they mean so much.  Maybe it’s a restaurant we’ve been going to for years, or a club where we used to hang out with our friends.  Usually, it’s a place where we’ve had a lot of good times, a locale that’s loaded with memories.  But in some cases it’s hard to explain why the place means so much to us.  Why its disappearance feels like a loss.

Counter outside the building.

I was riding the bus down Fairfax last week and I saw that Oki Dog had closed.  I can’t say I got choked up, but I did feel like I’d lost something.  I’m not sure why.  I never spent any time there with my friends.  In fact, I never even ate there.  But for decades now I’d seen it sitting there at the corner of Fairfax and Willoughby, a small, ramshackle building that only stood out because it was painted orange.

Painting on the front of the building.

The only reason I paid any attention to it at all was that I knew Darby Crash used to hang out there.  Darby Crash, AKA Bobby Pyn, AKA Paul Beahm, was the lead singer for the Germs, one of the key bands on the LA punk scene back in the late 70s.  They played a lot of shows, put out a few singles and an album, and then Darby killed himself by ODing on heroin on December 7, 1980.  He was 22.

The tables inside are all empty now.

I never ate at Oki Dog because the food didn’t sound like my kind of thing, but the place had many diehard fans who raved about the messy, greasy hot dogs and hamburgers.  I spent some time looking at the reviews on Yelp, and it was kind of hilarious how divided the comments were.  Some commenters thought the food was disgusting, and were creeped out by the place’s grungy décor.  Many of them said they’d never come back.  Other commenters thought the food was amazing and loved the down-at-the-heels vibe.  Many of them said they’d been eating there regularly for years. 

Photo of Oki Dog when it was still open from Yelp by Eric F.
Photo of Oki Dog interior from Yelp by Erica E.

But for me the only connection was knowing that Darby used to hang there with his friends and followers.  I never saw the Germs live, but I’ve got the album, and a few of the singles and live recordings on various compilations.  They were an amazing band.  It’s tempting to say they were gone too soon, but like a lot great bands, they probably couldn’t have maintained the intensity much longer.  When you play that hard and live that crazy, it’s probably impossible to hold everything together. 

So for me, I guess that rundown orange shack at Fairfax and Willoughby that I never stepped inside is like a link to LA in the late 70s, when punk was raging through the clubs and it seemed like some kind of revolution was going on.  And a young guy named Darby Crash was taking things all the way to the edge.  Before he finally decided to jump off the edge.

RIP Darby.

UPDATE: Thanks to Margaret for pointing out that Oki Dog was originally located at 7450 Santa Monica Blvd., about two blocks up and eight blocks over from the location at Fairfax and Willoughby. The original restaurant opened in the late 70s, but I was not able to find out when it moved over to Fairfax. See this article from WeHo Times for more details.

City of LA May Be Moving toward Approval of Digital Kiosks that Could Collect Data from Minors

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Do we really need digital kiosks that could collect data from minors?

Advertising is invading our landscape in ever more intrusive ways these days, with digital signs, kiosks and billboards becoming increasingly present in our cities. What’s even more disturbing, advertising is also invading our privacy as technology makes it easier than ever to collect our personal information. It’s bad enough that advertisers are gathering information on millions of adults every day, but it’s even more disturbing when they’re gathering personal data from minors who often don’t even know that their info is being collected.

But the City of LA may be moving forward on an agreement that could put 300 to 500 digital kiosks on our streets, giving advertisers more opportunities to scoop up personal info. The LA City Council voted in 2023 to release a request for proposals (RFP) for interactive kiosks. While the RFP hasn’t been released yet, Councilmembers Tim McOsker and Curren Price have submitted a motion to push the process forward. In the meantime, a company called IKE Smart City and/or its parent company Orange Barrel Media have been busy securing letters of support from local chambers of commerce. They’re hoping to get a contract that would allow them to install their interactive digital kiosks in our communities.

So why should we be worried about the kiosks collecting our personal info? Because, in its privacy policy, IKE acknowledges that they collect and share all kinds of data about people who interact with the kiosks, starting with identifiers like your IP address, device name, phone number, and email address. They also collect and share geolocation and biometric data. IKE’s privacy policy is a classic example of how tech companies try to make you believe that they care about protecting your info. They start off saying that they respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your data. They also tell you that the kiosks don’t store any of the info you give them. But then they acknowledge that your data is being shared with their third-party partners, and that they have no control over the way those partners use the data. They also say that your data can be disclosed to their parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, and any company that acquires their assets.

If you have kids, think about what this means. Say your teenage daughter is out with some friends, and they decide it would be fun to use the IKE kiosk’s photo booth option. Are they going to take the time to read through IKE’s terms and conditions before they start? Not likely. This means that while they’re having fun getting their picture taken with their friends, they could be giving away all sorts of personal info, including their device name, phone number, email address, location info and biometric data. And IKE acknowledges that, not only do they have no control over how their partners use the data, but they also have the option to share it with their subsidiaries and affiliates.

It gets worse. As part of the process for approving the Sidewalk & Transit Amenities Program (STAP) in 2022, the City Council also approved an ordinance that removed restrictions on any outdoor advertising structures in the public right-of-way that were part of a program approved by the Board of Public Works (BPW). Basically what this does is open up our sidewalks to a flood of new digital ad structures. You may have already seen the STAP bus shelters with digital ads. Digital kiosks are probably the next phase. (IKE’s kiosks appear to be about eight feet tall.) Because there are now no meaningful restrictions on these structures in the public right-of-way, we can expect these things to keep coming. If the BPW gives the green light, it’s a done deal. And don’t expect the BPW to be too particular. If it means revenue for the city, it’s unlikely the members of the board will raise any objections.

If you want to let your city council rep know how you feel about this, you can send them an e-mail or give them a call. If you don’t know who your council rep is, use this link to find out.

Los Angeles Neighborhood Info

If you send an e-mail, you should include the following council file info in your subject line.

Council File: 22-1154-S1, Interactive Kiosks/Installation and Maintenance

It’s bad enough that we’re constantly being bombarded with ads on our personal devices. Now the City of LA wants to put digital advertising on our streets. And if IKE gets the contract, it appears that minors will be at additional risk of having their data collected and shared.

“Hands Off” Protest in Downtown LA

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Protesters at Fifth and Hill in Downtown LA

Thousands of people gathered in Downtown on Saturday to voice their anger at the Trump administration’s actions since his January inauguration. The President began by firing off a series of executive orders, some of which have been called unconstitutional. He’s given Elon Musk unprecedented access to US agencies, allowing Musk and his team to view the government’s vast trove of sensitive data belonging to millions of Americans. And he’s imposed sweeping tariffs on trading partners that sparked a massive sell-off in the stock market.

Many protesters came to defend immigrant rights
Some of the attendees made their points with music


The “Hands Off” protests were part of a nationwide day of action organized by a number of different groups. The Associated Press reported that protests were planned in over 1,200 locations across all 50 states. The signs at the LA protest spoke of anger on a wide range of issues, including deportations, the firing of Federal workers, LGBT rights and the economy.

Protesters marching up Hill Street
The marchers round the corner where the US Courthouse stands

The protest started around 4:00 pm in Pershing Square, and then the crowd marched to City Hall. The event was scheduled to last until 8:00 pm, but I left around 6:00 because I had a house guest coming. I didn’t get to hear the speakers, but the message from the crowd was clear: They don’t like the mass firings, they don’t like the deportations and they don’t like the funding cuts. But in spite of the anger in the air, the protest was peaceful. As of this morning, I haven’t seen any reports of arrests. This story from the LA Times has more details.

Anti-Trump, Musk Protests Draw Big Crowds in L.A. and around the Nation

Protesters gather at LA City Hall

Here’s Your Chance to Speak Up for Parks

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Park near Victory and Vineland

The City of LA’s parks are in trouble and they need your help. Lately I’ve been writing a lot about the City’s parks and the challenges they’re facing. The Department of Recreation & Parks (RAP) is aware of the problems, but at this point they don’t have the funding to invest in upgrading their facilities. One possible solution is a bond measure, but before the City goes that route, they want to get input from residents. That’s where you come in.

If you care about LA’s parks, get involved in the Park Needs Assessment. This is a process that will unfold over months. You can participate in community meetings, and if you can’t make the meetings there’s an on-line survey. Neighborhood Councils are also encouraged to submit comments. For more info, click on the link below.

Park Needs Assessment

I went to a meeting at the Victory Vineland Community Center in February. They had lots of colorful boards with graphics. The presentation was brief and effective. And there were plenty of RAP staff members there to answer questions and take comments. I came away feeling like they really wanted to hear from the public.

So don’t be shy. Go to a meeting. If you can’t make a meeting, do the on-line survey. Let the City of LA know what kind of parks and recreation facilities you’d like to see. This is your chance to be heard.

Downtown Loses another Landmark: The Pantry Closes

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Photo by Daniel Martinez, from LAist

It’s hard to believe that the Pantry is closed. It’s one of those places that seemed liked it had been around forever, and it seemed like it would go on forever. I think I started going to the Pantry back in the 70s. Back then it was open 24-hours. If you were going to a movie or to see a band in Downtown, it was the perfect place to stop afterwards. They served breakfast all day and the coffee kept coming.

The Pantry is now owned by a trust set up by former LA Mayor Richard Riordan. According to the trust, the Pantry is not profitable, and they’re hoping to sell it to fund the charitable work of the Riordan Foundation. It will be interesting to see who buys it. Obviously, the property, located in the heart of Downtown, is worth a fortune, but demolishing the restaurant to build something larger will probably not be easy. The Pantry is designated as an LA City Historic Cultural Monument. That would complicate any plans for new development.

This all just feels really sad. The older I get, the more I understand that the world is always changing and that nothing lasts forever. But I still feel like I’m losing a piece of my life. And I think a lot of other people are feeling the same way.

For more details, see this article from LAist.

The Pantry Closes

A Bond Measure to Fund Parks?

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Grand Park in Downtown

Following up on my recent posts about funding for parks in the City of LA, I wanted to offer an update on a recent action by the LA City Council. Because of the budget crisis that the City is currently facing, the Council is looking for ways to generate more revenue. Last week they approved a report from the Budget & Finance Committee which asks City departments to report back on a number of possible options, including a bond measure to raise funds for both the LA Fire Department and the Department of Recreation & Parks (RAP). They’re also looking at increasing the base funding formula for RAP in the City Charter. (It’s actually worth reading the whole report. Some of the options are interesting. Some are bound to be controversial.)

Park advocate Ron Bitzer, who serves as a volunteer on the City Park Advisory Board in North Hollywood, also sees a possible opportunity emerging as the City tries to rebuild after the recent fires. Bitzer has written an open letter to Steve Soboroff, who was selected to lead the recovery effort, where he argues that planning for more parks, and creating funding streams, should be part of the process.

Open Letter to Steve Soboroff

In general, I think we should be making sure that open space, green space, and the urban forest are integrated into all of LA’s planning efforts. In recent years both our local and State government have worked to fast-track project approvals, in large part arguing that we just need to build housing as fast as possible. Unfortunately, this has led to the removal of more trees and the loss of more permeable surface area, which will make LA even hotter and drier. Instead of just rushing to build as much as possible, we should be planning to build healthy, sustainable communities.

The “No-Plan” Olympics

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Forget about planning for the 2028 Olympics.

UPDATE: This post was originally written prior to the LA City Council meeting on Feburary 21. The item about expediting projects for the Olympics was continued, and will now be heard on Friday, February 28. PLEASE NOTE: This meeting will be held at Van Nuys City Hall, 14410 Sylvan St. Van Nuys. You can also call your councilmember to express your views.

***

When the politicians at LA City Hall first approved hosting the 2028 Olympics, they said LA wouldn’t need to build new sports venues or new infrastructure. A post on the LA28 web site says that “The LA28 Games are designed to fit the city as-is [….]”. The talk was that this would be a “no-build” Olympics. The post goes on to say….

As a global leader in sports, entertainment and technology, LA is built to host large-scale, sustainable, global events that benefit everyone and will be the first-ever Games to not build permanent infrastructure. [Emphasis added.]

Well, anybody who believed that obviously hadn’t spent much time around City Hall. Now the LA City Council apparently wants to build a whole lot of new stuff, and they want to be able to build temporary and permanent venues, training facilities, broadcast and media centers, transit infrastructure, and other projects that could be associated with the Olympics or the Paralympics without having to receive planning approvals, obey zoning regulations, observe height restrictions or setback requirements, or any other regulations that could delay construction. You can read the language from the motion yourself. (Council File 15-0989-S47)

This is just crazy. But tomorrow, Friday, February 21, the City Council will likely approve this motion directing City departments to prepare an ordinance to make this crazy idea a reality. If the ordinance is approved, you can bet we’ll see a barrage of new projects being justified because they’re supposedly associated with the Olympics or the Paralympics. These projects will be approved with no public engagement and no environmental review. In other words, once they’re proposed, they’re approved. And don’t be surprised if they use this to greenlight Frank McCourt’s Dodger Gondola project.

In other words, this has gone from being the “no-build” Olympics to being the “no-plan” Olympics. It was pretty clear even before this that our elected officials were in over their heads. Now it seems they’re trying to dig themselves out by eliminating planning, eliminating environmental review, and cutting the public out of the process.

If you have something you’d like to say to the City Council about this, the best thing to do would be to show up at City Hall before 10:00 am tomorrow, Friday, February 21. (You can’t call in anymore, because Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson doesn’t want you to.) If you can’t make it down there, I suggest you call your council office when they open tomorrow morning and let them know how you feel.

City of LA Elected Officials

It’s been clear for a long time that the folks at LA City Hall don’t care about planning. Now they apparently aren’t even trying to pretend they care.

How Can We Make Sure the City of LA’s Parks Have the Funding They Need?

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People enjoying the afternoon in one of LA’s parks.

In a recent post I talked about why the LA City Department of Recreation & Parks (RAP) is having such a hard time maintaining the parks in our communities. Mostly, it comes down to money. RAP doesn’t have the funds to hire enough staff or pay for upgrades, in large part because of what LA City Hall calls the “full cost recovery program”, and the City Council’s ongoing inability to create a balanced budget.

One solution to RAP’s problems would be a ballot measure, which has been done before. In 1996, voters approved Proposition K, the LA for Kids Program, which was designed to provide $25 million per year for 30 years. This money has been spent on capital improvements to parks, recreation, and community facilities. However, Prop K will expire in a few years, and this will leave RAP even more impoverished than it is now. But if we’re going to do another ballot measure, we need to do it right.

I’d like to introduce you to Ron Bitzer, who serves as a volunteer on the City Park Advisory Board in North Hollywood. Ron has been fighting for LA’s parks for years, and would like to see all Angelenos have access to clean, well-maintained areas for recreation and relaxation. In this article he offers a detailed breakdown of the challenges RAP is facing. He also talks about how we could create a funding stream to address these challenges.

Proposition K Dollars: A Model for Public Financing of Construction in LA?

UPDATE:
RAP is in the process of preparing a Park Needs Assessment, and this will be discussed at a meeting of the Facility Repair & Maintenance Commission Task Force on Thursday, February 6, at 10:00 am. The meeting will be held at the Chevy Chase Recreation Center, 4165 E. Chevy Chase Drive. The Task Force will only take public comment from those who show up in person. Click on the link below for the agenda.

RAP Facility Repair & Maintenance Commission Task Force

If you can’t make the meeting on February 6, see page 5 of the agenda for a tentative list of future meetings under the heading Public Engagement (Phase 1).

We can provide funding for LA’s parks, but the process must include real public engagement and meaningful oversight. Our parks belong to the people. Let’s make sure the people have a voice in planning for their future.

Forget the Finger-Pointing: A Fact-Based Explanation of Why LA’s Fires Were So Destructive

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Image from Cal Fire Update, January 18, 2025

No surprise that after a major disaster like LA’s fires there are a lot of people playing the blame game. Politicians are pointing fingers, TV personalities are airing their theories and social media is abuzz with angry people who have suddenly become experts on firefighting.

If you’d like to hear a real scientist give fact-based information about the circumstances that led to these fires, I urge you to listen to this interview where Adam Conover talks to climate scientist Daniel Swain. Swain works at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, and aside from his climate expertise, he has a deep understanding of the tactics firefighters use when faced with conflagrations like what we saw in Altadena and Palisades.

Debunking L.A. Wildfire Myths with Climate Scientist Dr. Daniel Swain

The interview last about 90 minutes, but it’s well worth the time. Swain talks about the limited options firefighters actually have when fighting wind-driven fires on this scale. More importantly, he explains the role climate change played in creating the conditions that led to these holocausts.

As we should know by now, there are numerous areas in LA that are prone to fires. Many of these areas have burned repeatedly, because fire is a natural part of the ecology. As climate change continues to alter weather patterns, and LA continues to grow hotter and drier, we should expect more frequent and more intense fires.

Why Can’t the City of LA Maintain Its Parks?

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Pershing Square Park in Downtown.

The LA Department of Recreation & Parks (RAP) has been underfunded and understaffed for years. While LA politicians talk a lot about the importance of green space and open space, when it comes to actual funding, LA’s parks seem to be a very low priority. Some of the city’s parks are well-maintained, but these tend to be in more affluent areas, where residents have access to additional funding resources. Many of LA’s parks are in bad shape because RAP doesn’t have the money or the staff to give them proper care.

One of the biggest problems for RAP is that it’s one of only two LA City departments that’s subject to the “full cost recovery program”, something that City Hall imposed when it was dealing with the 2008 financial crisis. This means that RAP has to reimburse the City for the cost of the water and power it uses, in addition to the cost of employee benefits. (The only other department required to do this is the LA Public Library, and they were able to mitigate the loss of funding through a ballot measure.) This means that RAP is paying tens of millions of dollars every year to cover these costs, which is a huge chunk of its budget. To give you an idea of what a drain this is, here’s an excerpt from a memo sent by RAP General Manager Jimmy Kim regarding the Department’s 2023-24 budget….

CHALLENGES:
RAP is required to continue to use $98M (28.92% of the total operating budget) to pay reimbursements to the City’s General Fund for employee benefits ($64.7M), the Department of Water and Power (DWP) for utilities ($30.4M), and the Bureau of Sanitation for refuse costs ($2.9M). These increases diminish RAP’s ability to meet and increase vital maintenance and recreational programming needs. Since the inception of these Department contributions in FY ‘08-09, approximately $969M has been diverted away from RAP’s core operations.

So if you’re wondering why the playground in your local park is looking so worn out, or why the restrooms aren’t properly maintained, or why the pool has been closed for so long, there’s a good chance it’s because RAP doesn’t have the money to take care of these things. A 2018 Parks Condition Assessment Report recommended that 20 recreation centers be replaced because they were in poor condition, needing major retrofits and renovation. The same report recommended that 12 pool and bathhouse facilities be replaced because many of them were over 60 years old and had surpassed their expected service life. But more than six years later, much of that work has still not been done because of insufficient funds.

The people of LA need clean, well-maintained parks. It’s possible to provide the funding to accomplish that, but any effort along those lines needs to be open and transparent, with strong public engagement and careful oversight. I’ll be writing a follow-up to this post where I’ll talk more about how we can make that happen.