LA Dork
@ladork.bsky.social
Dorking out on forgotten LA. Alter-ego of Paul Haddad, author of "Inventing Paradise," "Freewaytopia," "10,000 Steps a Day in LA" and other LA tomes.
Saw this post that nicely summarizes name origins in Greater LA.... although the verdict is still out on Hollywood from all my book research. There could be a whole documentary on its origin, with multiple theories that include the toyon ("hollyberry") bushes in the hills.
February 11, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Saw this post that nicely summarizes name origins in Greater LA.... although the verdict is still out on Hollywood from all my book research. There could be a whole documentary on its origin, with multiple theories that include the toyon ("hollyberry") bushes in the hills.
That's why I did these 5,000 step walks since 10,000 steps can sometimes present problems.
February 11, 2026 at 1:53 PM
That's why I did these 5,000 step walks since 10,000 steps can sometimes present problems.
I have been thinking the same thing! Thanks for the tips. I want to explore Long Beach more.
February 11, 2026 at 1:52 PM
I have been thinking the same thing! Thanks for the tips. I want to explore Long Beach more.
I did Haze this guy and others who get too close.
February 11, 2026 at 1:48 PM
I did Haze this guy and others who get too close.
That's pretty much where this healthy boy was!
February 11, 2026 at 1:45 PM
That's pretty much where this healthy boy was!
Quite the contrary. Look at his coat and overall appearance. They do just fine near Griffith Park, where I live.
February 11, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Quite the contrary. Look at his coat and overall appearance. They do just fine near Griffith Park, where I live.
It's a nickname given to them.
February 11, 2026 at 1:41 PM
It's a nickname given to them.
Smart. We lost our small dog to a coyote when I was a kid.
February 11, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Smart. We lost our small dog to a coyote when I was a kid.
Yes, but they're often colloquilly called little wolves, as they were by native peoples also.
February 11, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Yes, but they're often colloquilly called little wolves, as they were by native peoples also.
We only perfected it!
February 11, 2026 at 1:38 PM
We only perfected it!
100 years ago this month, a new word entered dictionaries: smog
A portmanteau between "smoke" and "fog," the Weather Bureau used it to describe conditions in the Midwest.
Smog wasn't invoked in LA much till the '40s. But even in the '20s "smoke & fog" was a common phrase here.
A portmanteau between "smoke" and "fog," the Weather Bureau used it to describe conditions in the Midwest.
Smog wasn't invoked in LA much till the '40s. But even in the '20s "smoke & fog" was a common phrase here.
February 10, 2026 at 4:17 PM
100 years ago this month, a new word entered dictionaries: smog
A portmanteau between "smoke" and "fog," the Weather Bureau used it to describe conditions in the Midwest.
Smog wasn't invoked in LA much till the '40s. But even in the '20s "smoke & fog" was a common phrase here.
A portmanteau between "smoke" and "fog," the Weather Bureau used it to describe conditions in the Midwest.
Smog wasn't invoked in LA much till the '40s. But even in the '20s "smoke & fog" was a common phrase here.
A gray wolf was spotted in LA County for the first time in 100 years yesterday. Clearly a big deal.
But on my morning walk thru Los Feliz, this "little wolf" (aka coyote) is giving off "hold my beer" vibes.
But on my morning walk thru Los Feliz, this "little wolf" (aka coyote) is giving off "hold my beer" vibes.
February 9, 2026 at 6:27 PM
A gray wolf was spotted in LA County for the first time in 100 years yesterday. Clearly a big deal.
But on my morning walk thru Los Feliz, this "little wolf" (aka coyote) is giving off "hold my beer" vibes.
But on my morning walk thru Los Feliz, this "little wolf" (aka coyote) is giving off "hold my beer" vibes.
10,000 Steps too much for the day? Try these series of 5,000-step walks I wrote for LAist. They also cover Greater LA -- from Oxnard to San Bernardino, Burbank to Anaheim. Routes are flat, easy to walk, include lunch options, and are mostly dog-friendly.
laist.com/news/los-ang...
laist.com/news/los-ang...
February 8, 2026 at 5:35 PM
10,000 Steps too much for the day? Try these series of 5,000-step walks I wrote for LAist. They also cover Greater LA -- from Oxnard to San Bernardino, Burbank to Anaheim. Routes are flat, easy to walk, include lunch options, and are mostly dog-friendly.
laist.com/news/los-ang...
laist.com/news/los-ang...
It's not just your imagination... much of California truly is a unique place. Our Mediterranean Climate represents only 3% of the world's land mass, yet contains 16% of plant species.
Also, note one common ground of Med climates -- all are conducive to producing wine. 🍷
Also, note one common ground of Med climates -- all are conducive to producing wine. 🍷
February 7, 2026 at 11:14 PM
It's not just your imagination... much of California truly is a unique place. Our Mediterranean Climate represents only 3% of the world's land mass, yet contains 16% of plant species.
Also, note one common ground of Med climates -- all are conducive to producing wine. 🍷
Also, note one common ground of Med climates -- all are conducive to producing wine. 🍷
UNREMARKABLE POSTCARD SERIES, No. 108. Lynwood, CA. 1960s.
Actually, remarkable. Building on the left (est. 1925) was cited by Ripley's as the "Narrowest Bldg in the World," only 5 feet wide due to a feud with a property owner.
It became a normal building by 1960, since razed.
Actually, remarkable. Building on the left (est. 1925) was cited by Ripley's as the "Narrowest Bldg in the World," only 5 feet wide due to a feud with a property owner.
It became a normal building by 1960, since razed.
February 7, 2026 at 10:01 PM
UNREMARKABLE POSTCARD SERIES, No. 108. Lynwood, CA. 1960s.
Actually, remarkable. Building on the left (est. 1925) was cited by Ripley's as the "Narrowest Bldg in the World," only 5 feet wide due to a feud with a property owner.
It became a normal building by 1960, since razed.
Actually, remarkable. Building on the left (est. 1925) was cited by Ripley's as the "Narrowest Bldg in the World," only 5 feet wide due to a feud with a property owner.
It became a normal building by 1960, since razed.
Um, I post and write about LA history?
February 6, 2026 at 3:15 AM
Um, I post and write about LA history?
The elevated pedways (pedestrian walkways) in DTLA in the blocks around Figueroa & Flower were meant to be upgraded to moving sidewalks (a la LAX) as this 1959 photo awesomely shows. Still waiting.
Is that George Jetson's workplace in the background?
Is that George Jetson's workplace in the background?
February 6, 2026 at 1:12 AM
The elevated pedways (pedestrian walkways) in DTLA in the blocks around Figueroa & Flower were meant to be upgraded to moving sidewalks (a la LAX) as this 1959 photo awesomely shows. Still waiting.
Is that George Jetson's workplace in the background?
Is that George Jetson's workplace in the background?
Yes! The 90 Fwy east.
February 5, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Yes! The 90 Fwy east.
The human "eye" examing me thru a microscope freaked me out! I thought I had actually shrunk when I first took the ride.
February 5, 2026 at 2:39 AM
The human "eye" examing me thru a microscope freaked me out! I thought I had actually shrunk when I first took the ride.
As was much of Tomorrowland.
February 5, 2026 at 2:39 AM
As was much of Tomorrowland.
From my pseudo-cultural anthropologist point of view, I can pinpoint the "jump the shark" moments when SoCal theme parks lost their soul by scrapping popular rides:
Magic Mountain: Log Jammer
Knott's Berry Farm: Haunted Shack
Disneyland: Adventure Thru Inner Space
What say you?
Magic Mountain: Log Jammer
Knott's Berry Farm: Haunted Shack
Disneyland: Adventure Thru Inner Space
What say you?
February 5, 2026 at 2:16 AM
From my pseudo-cultural anthropologist point of view, I can pinpoint the "jump the shark" moments when SoCal theme parks lost their soul by scrapping popular rides:
Magic Mountain: Log Jammer
Knott's Berry Farm: Haunted Shack
Disneyland: Adventure Thru Inner Space
What say you?
Magic Mountain: Log Jammer
Knott's Berry Farm: Haunted Shack
Disneyland: Adventure Thru Inner Space
What say you?
Marina del Rey belies its roots as a pro-growth County enterprise from the '50s/'60s. All was geared for housing and vehicular access (early plans for the 90 Fwy had it reaching the docks).
But it's possible to get 10,000 steps there (map from my book) with a little imagination!
But it's possible to get 10,000 steps there (map from my book) with a little imagination!
February 3, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Marina del Rey belies its roots as a pro-growth County enterprise from the '50s/'60s. All was geared for housing and vehicular access (early plans for the 90 Fwy had it reaching the docks).
But it's possible to get 10,000 steps there (map from my book) with a little imagination!
But it's possible to get 10,000 steps there (map from my book) with a little imagination!
Unlike Drysdale's Dugout, Tommy Lasorda's Ribs and Pasta (his "two favorite foods") was not a success. The Health Dept. nailed his South Pas eatery only a year after its 1987 debut due to rats in the kitchen that peed on plates.
This & 2 other locales permanently closed by 1990.
This & 2 other locales permanently closed by 1990.
February 2, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Unlike Drysdale's Dugout, Tommy Lasorda's Ribs and Pasta (his "two favorite foods") was not a success. The Health Dept. nailed his South Pas eatery only a year after its 1987 debut due to rats in the kitchen that peed on plates.
This & 2 other locales permanently closed by 1990.
This & 2 other locales permanently closed by 1990.
Don Drysdale's Dugout in Van Nuys was co-owned by the Van Nuys-born Dodger pitcher from 1962 to 1982, near Barone's. With decor like bat-door handles and baseball mugs, it was also a nightcap spot for players post-game... that is, if they weren't at Lasorda's in South Pas.
February 1, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Don Drysdale's Dugout in Van Nuys was co-owned by the Van Nuys-born Dodger pitcher from 1962 to 1982, near Barone's. With decor like bat-door handles and baseball mugs, it was also a nightcap spot for players post-game... that is, if they weren't at Lasorda's in South Pas.
Nowadays, you just know they'd shut down all traffic and have an official caravan handling this.
January 30, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Nowadays, you just know they'd shut down all traffic and have an official caravan handling this.