Tag Archives: DAY TRIPS

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Pomona, Goddess of the IE

Photo by Kit Junglist on Unsplash

As you travel from Los Angeles via the interstate 60 towards the Inland Empire, the first Inland Empire city you reach is Pomona. Pomona, named for the goddess of fruit and trees. A land that was once filled with vast ranchos, orchards, farms, wineries and dairies. In the center of this hub of agricultural activity the city was built. A functional and sturdy downtown that today is the location of Western University, a fairly new university devoted to the sciences. Pomona was also the birthplace of Pomona College which eventually transformed into the Claremont Colleges.

To travel to Pomona, is to travel to the farming past of Southern California. The city became famous due to it’s citrus heritage and the wealthiest man in Los Angeles county during the 1890’s; a Jewish rancher named Louis Phillips. Louis Phillips made his fortune in ranching that produced wool, honey and wheat. He was a leader and an accomplished businessman that devoted his life to developing the region and prosperity. His home was built in 1875 along the Butterfield Stage route and is still standing today. It became a Registered National Historic Place in 1974.

Louis Phillips’ time was an era when families went into town only when needed to conduct business, attend church or other important social functions. A typical day in Southern California was hot, quiet and purposeful. Seemingly slow, but most likely just as industrious. The old downtown at face value is functional; yet jewels of architecture are imbedded within it’s practical face. Driving through, it’s evident that several of the buildings are large-very large and there is parking. Vast empty lots of free parking. It’s a city with a spacious floor plan. Large buildings on wide streets that are straight and easy to navigate. A fairly small downtown that accommodates a swelling population during business hours. It’s a thrifting paradise teeming with funky antique stores, thrift stores, art galleries and a concert venue. There are several cool, fairly priced restaurants and cafes to provide a respite from the heat.

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And then there are the churches. The soul of Pomona is it’s churches, and there are over one hundred. The architecture of Pomona’s churches serves well as a guide to turn of the century, ecclesiastic architecture. The churches are old and varied and make for a fascinating afternoon of surveying religious architecture. Western University is also here. The university is fairly new and just a mere 40 years old, but quickly gaining prestige as many brilliant young minds gather here to become the best practitioners of the sciences. Osteopaths, optometrists, nurses and many other vocations.

It’s not only historic architecture that Pomona is know for, but also is home to Diamond Ranch High School designed by Thom Mayne, co-creator of the Southern California Institute of Architecture, or SCI-Arc. The school has been utilized in several television and films productions due it’s amazing and mind bending design. It’s worth the drive to take in the breathtaking modern design that is inspirational and will open your mind to the coming new age.

A day trip to Pomona makes for a relaxed and funky afternoon. It’s a step into the past and a gateway to the future. Pomona is a perfect example of where cities are headed in Southern California. Celebrating a proud heritage, preserving beauty from the past and creating a new culture that incorporates history in a new and though provoking way.

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The Fabric Of Our Lives

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

I love clothes and how people choose to express themselves through adornment. One of my favorite past times is to look through the glossy pages of a fashion magazine and dive into Pinterest blogs on fashion. One day, feeling completely inspired and like I wanted to immerse myself in that world, I headed out to the fabric district in Los Angeles. The fabric district is really part of the Fashion District, but it’s a whole world on to itself, so I really think of it as it’s own district-no matter what the city of Los Angeles says.

I drove into Los Angeles and splurged on great parking. The parking was on a rooftop and just across the street from one of the oldest and most prestigious fabric shops, Michael Levine. It was great being in the middle of the whole scene and convenient too. Pedestrians, cars, vans, motorbikes and city buses moved quickly to avoid colliding. There were several blocks where every corner and the spaces in between contained a multitude of fabric stores. There were fabrics of every color and type imaginable. The prices were amazing and the shopowners were out to bargain. It was not a place to be shy. The fabrics were works of art. Every weave imaginable was represented. There were beautiful and glorious pieces with beading and flowers that shimmered in the light.

It was a world filled with color. A Kaliedescope of various hues. The possibilities were infinite. It made me think of how our world is lit by the sun. Each morning, light greets the world and illuminates our space and creates a stage. The colors of the rainbow that are reflected in beams of light influence human mood and energy.

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Through science we’ve learned to understand the meaning of light and color and apply what we’ve learned in traditional scientific medicine as well as holistic and ancient medicines. Therapy utilizing light and color can be implemented on a very basic level and artists have known this for ages. Famous artists have expounded on the life giving benefits of light and color for centuries. Physicians as far back as the Renaisance implemented light therapy. The oldest spiritual guides and texts direct the human flock to follow the light, that God is light. The path to Nirvana is filled with light and color which serve as milestones for various levels of enlightenment.

I headed into Michael Levine’s, which had been there since the 1940’s. Groups of people milled about discussing projects and making plans. The employees were skilled and answered my questions quickly and with in-depth knowledge of the product. They seemed to have a good eye for serious buyers and creatives that frequented the district to make their livelihoods. There was an air of seriousness and intent hovering over the scene. Creativity danced about the space, seeming to be shooting everywhere, from so many people that had come to this industrial, but beautiful space to realize their dreams.

Photo by Brunel Johnson on Unsplash

There were designers comparing fabrics and discussing building a line of fashion for the next season, people picking out small accoutrements to add to their creations such a flowers buttons and beads and moms with their daughters picking out fabric for possibly a prom dress. It was completely open and comfortable with a sense of purpose. I soaked it in and stored it away for future inspiration.

Next, I headed across the street and up a flight of stairs into a worn warehouse smudged with grease, dirt, graffiti and possibly anything that had been flung at it by humans and machinery. About three flights up was the remnant store for Michael Levine. It was a great spot filled with fabric ends. You could fill a bag for just one dollar. It was quieter here with fewer customers. I toured the space, sizing up what was offered and realized what a great opportunity it was to be creative on a smaller budget. I filled up a bag and then was on my way.

Before I headed back to my car, I stopped in a few of the smaller shops that were jam packed with gorgeous fabrics from around the world. I spoke with one of the sales guys, who was super friendly and ready to make a deal. After scoping out the district and experiencing the excitement of the area, I felt that I had got what I came for and even more. I headed back to my car feeling that it had been an amazing day well worth the drive that took about an hour on a Saturday morning from the Inland Empire.