2022: The Year in Review

As things opened up a bit more this year, I dipped my toe into the waters and ventured out of my cocoon. My first trip for 2022 was to Palm Springs, which is not all that far distance-wise, but sure makes for a nice getaway. I stayed at my usual haunt, the Movie Colony Hotel. Outdoor swimming in early February? Count me in.



I finally found a Valentine (besides Willis, of course).



After a ten year absence (at least according to my photo library), I was able to see the Forever Marilyn statue again:



I also discovered a hidden Lloyd Wright architectural gem:



My February PS trip also yielded my top blog post for the year, which featured the Plaza Theatre:



In March, I found myself at Huntington Beach for a very windy photo shoot:





The after-shoot meal was chicken and waffles at Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails.



In April, I was back in Hollywood for the annual Shirley Palooza, with detours to the Academy Museum to see the Ruby Slippers:



My first trip to Shirley Temple’s childhood home in Brentwood, thanks to Melissa (aka The Colonel):





Don’t worry about Willis; he was along for the adventure, too, lounging at the Chateau Marmont pool;



Another year, another birthday, this time at one of my favorite San Diego restaurants, Madison.



June found me back in Palm Springs, checking another one off my bucket list: the Korakia Pensione hotel:



This year also marked the return of the monthly Creative Mornings breakfast meeting in Downtown San Diego:



Typically on the last Friday of the month, they provide a great opportunity for networking, coffee, donuts, and fantabulous speakers:



An’s Dry Cleaning became a new favorite haunt this year; not for dry cleaning, but for ice cream.



Every (almost) Wednesday night, I ran with the Milestone Running Club. A great way to rid myself of that hump day stress and get snacks like oranges or watermelon afterwards.



In August, I hid in the bushes to capture a surprise engagement shoot in Coronado.



Did she say “yes”? What do you think?





Another Chateau visit in August, this time to celebrate my friend Will’s birthday. Naturally, Willis joined in the festivities.



I also had the pleasure of doing two photo shoots with actor Guillermo Diaz this year. First at the Chateau in September:



…and in Venice Beach in December:



My whirlwind November NYC trip to see a Broadway play and catch up with friends was well-documented here:



…as was Mom’s 90th birthday celebration in Philly:



Willis and I reunited at the Chateau. Nothing like Chateau Marmont bacon to get him to forgive me for leaving town.



It’s fantastic to be able to stay here and be treated like family by the best staff ever,



The holiday season was kicked off with a concert by the Doo Wop Project:



The year ended with a bang as Willis got to meet the legendary Sid Krofft. Stay tuned for that story and more!



I hope your 2022 was a positively memorable one was well!

See more of my photography at my main website.

Monday at the Oasis

As I was walking along South Palm Canyon Drive on a recent trip to the Desert (aka Palm Springs), my attention was focused downward on the sidewalk, looking at the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. I came upon a historic marker that had been unceremoniously spray painted white and decided to read it. I had never heard of the Oasis Hotel before, but I had definitely heard of Lloyd Wright, architect of one of my Hollywood obsessions, the Sowden House, and the son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This I had to investigate! As I walked down the corridor I looked up at what I had previously ignored as yet another dilapidated old concrete structure and sure enough, there I saw the hallmarks of the Wright Style!



Interesting concrete blocks and that simplistic Moderne/Art Deco style that I adore.



Apparently this place was a haven for the stars, including Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Humphrey Bogart, and Shirley Temple. Back in the day before the term “Boutique Hotel” had been coined, this 24 guest room hotel was unable to make a profit, despite its claim of having the tower and the first swimming pool.



Here are some vintage shots of what the entire property looked like before it was torn down (other than the 40-foot tower) and replaced by an uninspired strip mall.











A few vintage postcards of the hotel in its heyday:





Although the tower has a Class 1 Historic designation, it looks like it is one “accident” away from being gone-zo.

See more Palm Springs photos at my main website.

Vintage Hollywood Bowl

This vintage 1940’s shot of the entrance to the Hollywood Bowl screams art deco in the best way possible. Anyone out there able to figure out what the neon sign at the edge of the frame on the left was for? It’s probably something obvious, but not to me. Too much birthday celebration last weekend. The statue at the entrance was still fairly new when this photo was taken; designed by sculptor George Stanley (designer of the Oscar statuette), it was installed in 1940.

This vintage 1965 image shows a guest posing with the bandshell behind her. The 1928 bandshell concentric circle design was by Lloyd Wright, Frank’s son. Unfortunately, it wasn’t built for the ages and had to be replaced a year later by one that looked similar, but was apparently not quite as good acoustically. Oh those Allied Architects; if only they had consulted with Lloyd. Mercifully, the 1980s Frank Gehry designed fiberglass spheres were removed in 2003 when the entire shell was replaced.

Can you believe the entrance is still there? Or at least it was when I snapped this 2015 image:

UPDATE: Thanks to Darryl for finding this 1948 shot from the USC Digital Library of the mystery neon sign which says “Auto Park Full”:

See more Hollywood Bowl photos at my main website.

Sowden House At Night

Just a few images for today, so I sure hope you like them. Lighting makes a heck of a difference when it comes to mood and atmosphere. I had shot the Sowden House in the daylight, and it was pretty phenomenal. At nighttime, I would say it was spectacular. Vince helped light the torches in the courtyard. This home was designed by Lloyd Wright...and yes, his father's name was Frank.



Even the interior glows as the sun begins to set:



More shots of this amazing home at my main website.