New Year's Day Along the Los Angeles River

Starting the new year with a bike ride, live music and food at the Spoke Bicycle Cafe along the Los Angeles River!

After The Storm: Is This The Trashiest That The Los Angeles River Has Ever Been?

Every year, the Blogger Kids and I participate in the L.A. River Cleanup: La Gran Limpieza, as sponsored by the Friends of the LA River (FOLAR).  The Cleanup takes place over three weekends, focusing on three different parts of the river, in the spring.

I hate to say it, but FOLAR may want to consider adding several more weekends this time around. Following last week's rains, the river is a mess. It's almost nothing but trash.

The Blogger Kid 2.0 and I noticed this while riding our bikes along the LA River bike path on Saturday. Not only is the river filled with garbage, but there's even a ring of garbage along the cement walls — marking, apparently, how high the water got. The water level has subsided, leaving behind all the trash it brought along.

I almost want to go out there right now and pick up trash, but with more rains likely in the coming month, it would be a bit futile. A few more pics:

Cleaning the Los Angeles River with a Few New Friends

We probably spend more time down at the Los Angeles River than most, as it is easily the Franklin Avenue Four's favorite biking destination. On Saturday, it was time to give back. For the second year in a row, Evan and I joined in on the Friends of the Los Angeles River's annual LA River CleanUp: La Gran Limpieza.

Actually, the LA River cleanup takes place over three weekends -- which means there's still a chance to join in next Saturday. Evan really enjoyed it last year, and we've been talking about it for the past year -- so he was excited to get down and dirty again, pulling out trash (especially plastic bags -- ugh) and trying to make the River a nicer place.



The River is in particular trashy shape this time of year, after the rains. The trees and plantlife catch a ton of trash, and some of it is so wrapped around the vegetation that it's hard to remove. But we did our best.



This group got a little obsessed with a deeply buried shopping cart, and spent several hours unearthing it.



Finally, success!



These people found a large platform (from a grocery store, perhaps?)



We met up at Marsh Park, along the river in Frogtown; there were spots all down the river to join in.



More of us cleaning the river.



The cleanup continues in along the Lower River on April 30 at 9 a.m. Locations include: Compton Creek @ Artesia Station, Compton Creek @ Del Amo Station, Golden Shore Marine Reserve and Willow Street Estuary.

La Gran Limpieza: Giving Back to the Los Angeles River

If you ever need to make a case to someone why it's smart to ban plastic bags in Los Angeles, just take them down to the L.A. river. The bags are everywhere, along with every kind of trash imaginable -- small things like food wrappers, to big things like shopping carts, hangers, clothes, rubber tires and, yes, even a busted bike.



The Blogger Kid and I saw all of that, and more, down in the Glendale Narrows portion of the Los Angeles River on Saturday. Our love of the river extends to frequent bike rides (and visits to the Frog Spot) throughout the year, so it only seemed appropriate that we give back. On Saturday, we were two of hundreds who ventured down to the river to help clean it up. It was the Friends of the Los Angeles River's "La Gran Limpieza" -- also known as "The Great Los Angeles River Cleanup." Three hours later, we hauled out hefty bags of trash, and left with a feeling that in a small way we helped give our fragile river a bit more life.


Just some of the trash found down in our portion of the river!


It was quite a festive event. Free t-shirts, plenty of snacks and water, even live music (above)!


The Blogger Kid wasn't even close to being the youngest one there. Volunteers of all ages -- including a few toddlers! -- helped out.


More info from the Daily News:

Thus began 26th Annual Great Los Angeles River CleanUp, an art, music and food-filled round-up of FOLAR volunteers who aim to scoop 20 tons of trash in the next few weeks.

During the nine-to-noon cleanup Saturday across the San Fernando Valley, hundreds of volunteers descended into the weeds of the river’s non-concrete natural bottoms in sections of Griffith Park, the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk, Big Tujunga Wash and Sepulveda Basin.

Next Saturday they’ll scour the middle river around the Glendale Narrows, through Atwater Village and Griffith Park.

Then they’ll march into the lower river on April 18 to skim detritus out of Lower Compton Creek, Willow Street Estuary in Long Beach and the Golden Shore Marine Reserve, one of the last Los Angeles County wetlands. Volunteers can register at folar.org.

It was 26 years ago that poet Lewis MacAdams founded his Friends of the L.A. River group and held an outdoor fundraiser on the Bette Davis glade at Griffith Park, with political activist Tom Hayden in attendance. Someone toted a kayak, but they had to dredge the river for an effective run.

Since then, the non-profit group has worked to restore the mostly concrete L.A. River into a swimmable, fishable, boatable and bikeable riverway central to citizens of Los Angeles. Plans call for restoring an 11-mile stretch north of downtown in hopes of drawing steelhead trout, for a cost of $1.1 billion.

The cleanup continues in additional parts of the River over the next two weekends. It's fun and not much of a time commitment -- head to FOLAR's website for more info!

PIC: Scene of the Recent Los Angeles River Rescue

All calm now (just caution tape) at the site of the #LARiver rescue a few days ago:

A photo posted by Michael Schneider (@franklinavenue) on Dec 12, 2014 at 4:31pm PST

A Visit to The Frog Spot, An Oasis Along the Los Angeles River

One of my favorite new summer haunts is The Frog Spot, a weekend oasis on the Los Angeles River operated by FOLAR (the Friends of the LA River).



We ride our bikes along the LA River a lot, but there are only a handful of spots to stop between Glendale Blvd. and the end of the path (close to the 110 freeway). There are a few pocket parks, but no real places to grab refreshments. Until now. The Frog Spot, open on the weekends, offers bicyclists and joggers a spot to sit, relax and take a break.



The Frog Spot sells drinks, snacks and $2 popsicles. But the best feature may be the unlimited ice water.



The Frog Spot also offers free Wi-Fi, and has games to play and even crayons, markers and paper for the kids to get artistic.



The Frog Spot has been funded through the end of September, but let's hope they manage to keep it open throughout the year. We'll still be biking along the river in October, after all!



Here, the Blogger Kid 2.0 gets busy with some art, while I sip on water.



The vibe is chill at the Frog Spot, which attracts all sorts of folks along the river looking for a break.



The Frog Spot also hands out free maps of the River's various sights.



Art by Blogger Kid 2.0.



Nearby, a duck family finds a small island to stand.



This is when the LA River is at its most beautiful. (I know, you probably only know the river as a big concrete ditch. Come down to Atwater Village and Frogtown and see what the river could be!)



The Frog Spot
2825 Benedict Street, LA 90039
323 351-8677

SATURDAYS 8:00 am – 4:00pm
SUNDAYS 8:00 am – 4:00pm

Sunset at the Oasis -- Saturdays, 5pm-8pm at The Frog Spot (This is a ticketed fundraiser benefiting The Friends of the Los Angeles River with a minimum donation of $15 for an evening of music and culture, riverside shade, and two beverages (beer, wine, soft drink), and light snacks.)

Take A Kayak Down the Los Angeles River

On our to-do list: Taking a kayak down the Los Angeles River. We caught a glimpse of folks on kayaks in Elysian Valley during a recent bike ride in the area. Check out LA River Kayak Safari for more info. But here are the basics:

Elysian Valley involves both bikes and kayaks. A bit more physically challenging and adventurous than Sepulveda with several small rapids. The route is 2.5 miles, all downstream. Lots of nature but also urban culture. About 3.5 – 4 hours including bikes and detailed instruction.

The Elysian Valley/Frogtown portion of the River is some of the most scenic, with trees, a dirt bottom and plenty of wildlife. I imagine there are portions of the ride where you forget you're even in Los Angeles. A few more pics from our most recent bike trip next to the river:

With Spring in Swing, the L.A. River Back in Full Bloom

Above: One of the more scenic sections of the L.A. River, near Frogtown

With spring here, the Los Angeles River is once again green and in full bloom -- making it perfect for Sunday bike rides. I hit the path last weekend and took a few more pics.



From Atwater Village, I took the bike path all the way to the end, Egret Park (near the 5/110 transition).



Frogtown mural.



One more mural.



Love these newly added signs giving mile counts along the path.



Red Car river park in Atwater Village.



This is kind of cool: A small concert takes place on the banks of the river near Red Car park in Atwater Village. The people watching are even dressed up!

L.A. CAMEO: Pharrell Williams' "Happy" Hits Some of Our Favorite Los Angeles Spots (VIDEO)

It's not a new video, but worth checking out once again, now that Pharrell Williams' "Happy" has been nominated for best song at this year's Academy Awards. Check out 24 Hours of Happy to get the full 24-hour experience of the music video... but here's a more manageable 4-minute version. It's fun trying to identify as many L.A. spots as you can; I especially love seeing the Los Angeles River bike path and Los Feliz Blvd. bike bridge.

Plenty to Do This Weekend: Free Art and Museum Events Across Los Angeles

Like art and culture? More importantly, do you like free art and culture events? This weekend is for you. Here's a roundup of some great stuff going on this weekend. There is NO excuse to stay home. Highlights:

The Eighth Annual Frogtown Artwalk (4-10pm, Sep., 28, 2013, Elysian Valley along Blake Avenue, 90039)

A celebration of the creativity and talent flourishing in the industrial buildings of this working class neighborhood along the LA River, the Frogtown Artwalk has drawn thousands of guests and each year keeps evolving.

Visitors can stroll the newly paved river bike/walking path from studio to studio as they wander into artists’ studios, manufacturing sites occupied by furniture and drum-makers, and through a series of impromptu galleries that temporarily transform local businesses into art venues. Movie projections will illuminate trees on the river path as they point the way into the Frogtown Artwalk’s studios and events.

New to the Artwalk this year is a “River Pavilion” with information on on-going L.A. River revitalization efforts as well as a youth art show that depict interpretations on the theme of “River Ecology.” Artist Leo Limon, creator of the iconic “L.A. River Cats,” will give a presentation on public art at the River Pavilion; his paintings will be displayed at the nearby RAC Design Building.

Musical performances will permeate the Frogtown Artwalk which will feature bands playing at three locations. Scheduled to perform are: The Lonely Wild, Jessica Fichot, Tommy Santee Claws, The Black Watch, The Furious Seasons, The Vintage 45, Joseph Sings a Song, Don't Forget Your Shoes

Families will find plenty to do at the Frogtown Artwalk. Kids can sign up to be in a hula-hoop contest (6-8 p.m.), create their own masterpieces on the Chalk Walk, and enjoy a shadow puppet show from Lynn Jeffries.

This year, the Frogtown Artwalk will feature text and the written word. Bookshow LA, a new, used and vintage book store in the area, will host a spontaneous poetry event by “Typewriter Poetry” as well as displays of altered books created by local artisans.

Some of the returning artists to the Frogtown Artwork include artist/photographer Bill Lagattuta, painter Mary-Austin Klein, drum-maker Pat Bylard, wood-maker Emette Rivera and furniture-maker Donna Pungprechewacht of reMADE Studios. Artist Jim Piatt will again be showcasing more of his provocative conceptual art pieces in his recently remodeled gallery/studio. Kohne Kenny will also be displaying her distinctive urban paintings on found objects.

LAX Art Walk and "Everywhere Nowhere" (Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29)

For the first time, the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Art Program will present an original performance work at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), entitled Everywhere Nowhere. Directed and choreographed by Sarah Elgart, with an original score composed by Yuval Ron, Everywhere Nowhere is a site-specific, multi-sensory spectacle of movement, media, and color. It was commissioned as part of the Influx: Art at LAX, an ongoing public art festival featuring the work of 45 Los Angeles-based artists and 11 original, site-specific installations located throughout LAX. Prior to the performance of Everywhere Nowhere, LAX is hosting its first-ever Art Walk, inviting the public to take self-guided tours of the various Influx installations located in the airport’s public spaces.

Influx Art Walk: Maps for self-guided tours will be available at the Art Walk Welcome Table at the Terminal 1 Arrivals level, as well as online. Influx installations are located throughout LAX. Self-guided tours of Influx take place 5 – 7 p.m.

Everywhere Nowhere performance: the outdoor courtyard located on the Arrivals level in between Terminals 1 and 2 at LAX. Live performance takes place 7:30 – 9 p.m.

GLOW Santa Monica (Saturday, Sept. 28, 7pm-3am)

Glow returns to Santa Monica this Saturday, September 28 from 7pm to 3am, with 15 artists from around the globe showcasing an incredible array of original works on the beach.

LA-based artist Steve Boyer will be launching the interactive art experience Colorfields, which will unite the masses gathered on the sand for a wondrous experience with color, light and sound via the device that often separates us – our cell phones. While it will be ongoing throughout the evening, he is encouraging attendees to gather at 10pm to put his technologically-driven display to the test. The participatory art experience will be centered at a location south of the pier on the beach in front of the Sea Castle apartments, between Loews and Shutters hotels.

Participants will need to download a special smartphone app, which is available now for both iPhone and Android devices. As visitors move from location to location within the Colorfield zone, the app synchronizes locational information via GPS and the colors and sounds on their cell phones will change. A large video projection will display the full field of users on the side of the Wyndham Hotel.

Watch a video from 2010's Glow:

Museum Day Live! (Saturday, Sept. 28)

In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket... for free. Go here for a list of museums participating; in L.A., that includes the Autry, the Petersen Automotive Museum and many more.

Whew. You've got a busy weekend ahead of you. Get moving!

A Lion Roaming Around Atwater Village?

Is Spike TV's new TV series Urban Tarzan for real? This clip of a lion roaming the Los Angeles River in Atwater Village is pretty suspect. We bike around here all the time... and wouldn't this have been on the news? The fake LAPD officers (that's some bad acting), the convenient trailer located nearby, the fact that they didn't shoot the tranquilizer gun... c'mon.



But hey, I guess it's all in fun. Watch below.

SPIKE
The King Of The Jungle Vs. URBANTARZAN
www.spike.com