Documenting my pocket of Los Angeles
Earlier this month, filmmaker Thom Andersen made an appearance at the Egyptian Theatre after a screening of his seminal documentary “Los Angeles Plays Itself.” Can’t remember the last time I saw his film essay in its 169-minutes entirety, but I was curious to watch it through 2025 eyes. From film critic Kenneth Turan’s review in... Continue Reading →
This month, Goodyear celebrated the centennial of the Goodyear Blimp. Los Angeles has so many blimp stories, including one with famous actor Douglas Fairbanks. In writing this, I realized that my dad had his own memories of the Goodyear blimp flying over his South LA neighborhood.
In March, I had the pleasure of presenting at the symposium for The Ebell Institute for the Study of Women’s History in Los Angeles. It was an honor to present my research about the first National Women's Air Derby (1929) in this historic women's clubhouse built in 1927. Should mention that one of those Powder... Continue Reading →
Since the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires began three weeks ago, I have been struggling to find the words to express the profound heartbreak over this indescribable destruction. When talking about the fires with friends and family, I’ve used words like “gutted” and “devastated” but, frankly, these adjectives just don’t convey the gravity of what... Continue Reading →
I had the opportunity to visit the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve recently and admire these "cups of gold" in their natural surroundings. In honor of the occasion, here's an 1893 poem written by poet Grace Hibbard, a prominent California writer in her time. Wild Poppies THE STATE FLOWER OF CALIFORNIA BEAUTIFUL, golden wild poppies,That nod... Continue Reading →
Sea chanties have been in the media spotlight for the past few weeks, a cheery respite from the grim news cycle of January 2021. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of joining Pomona College professor Gibb Schreffler and his Maritime Music class on a sailboat as students practiced singing sea chanties while hoisting... Continue Reading →
Victoria Bernal 