Los Angeles Times Reading Room Series: Touring Wilshire Boulevard

ET_E_16_E16_LA_1_09-26-05_mo_1_CMYK 2005:09:25:14:09:21_

E16 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 LOS ANGELES TIMES CALENDAR

THE KIDS’ READING ROOM ‘Touring Wilshire Boulevard’ Part 1 said Susan. “Wilshire starts in down- shire became one long street running Los Angeles Conservancy, for fact-check- town Los Angeles, continues through from downtown to the beach.” ing this story. By Sherrill Kushner Beverly Hills and ends at the ocean in “Where are we going now?” asked Special to The Times Santa Monica.” Emily. This story will be on The Times’ website HE students piled onto the “I bet that’s about 10 miles long!” “That’s a surprise,” said Mrs. Kelly. at latimes.com/kids. The regular Kids’ Reading Room features will return next school bus. said Billy. week. “Class, this is Susan. “More than that! It’s almost 16 Tuesday: What will the class see next? TShe’s a volunteer from the miles,” said Susan. “Los Angeles was Los Angeles Conservancy. one of the first modern cities to have Author’s note: The Los Angeles Conser- She’ll be leading our tour today,” said wide, straight streets designed for car vancy will host a self-guided architec- Mrs. Kelly, their teacher. travel.” tural tour of Wilshire Boulevard on Sun- “What’s the Conservancy?” asked “And the buildings you’ll see were day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All the places Emily. built at different times during the last described in this story will be open to the “We help keep the Los Angeles area’s 100 years,” added Mrs. Kelly. “Touring public during that time. For more infor- history alive by saving historic build- Wilshire Boulevard will be like a mini mation and to get a free guidebook for ings, signs and other structures from history lesson.” kids, call (213) 430-4219 or go to www being torn down,” explained Susan. The bus departed near Union Av- .curatingthecity.org. Thank you to Cath- “When you ride in a car, do you ever enue and Wilshire. After a short ride, it erine Gudis, director of education for the pay attention to the neighborhoods you crossed Alvarado Street and stopped pass?” next to MacArthur Park. People were “Not the way my mom drives!” said sitting on the grass around a lake. Billy. “She goes way too fast.” “So why is it called Wilshire Boule- Everyone laughed. vard?” said Billy. “Well, we’ll go slower today and take “It’s named for Henry Gaylord Wil- a good look at Wilshire Boulevard, one shire. He moved here from Ohio in the of our city’s longest and most impor- 1880s and bought land near this park. tant streets,” said Susan. He built a street through his property, The bus driver pulled out of the named it after himself and donated it school lot. to the city of Los Angeles,” Susan said. “We go down Wilshire on the way to “Starting in the 1890s, smaller Security Pacific Collection Los Angeles Public Library school,” said Emily. streets began to connect to Wilshire HE STARTED IT: Henry Gaylord Wilshire. “But you see only a small part of it,” and used the same name. By 1934, Wil-

Larry Underhill BUSY ROAD: Wilshire Boulevard is 16 miles Stephen Sedam Los Angeles Times long and is bordered by high-rises in Westwood.

PEANUTS By Charles M. Schulz MUTTS By Patrick McDonnell

HEATHCLIFF By George Gately DENNIS THE MENACE By Hank Ketcham FAMILY CIRCUS By Bil Keane MARMADUKE By Brad Anderson

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E14 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 LOS ANGELES TIMES CALENDAR

THE KIDS’ READING ROOM ‘Touring Wilshire Boulevard’

Part 2 “Many different architectural styles “That’s toward the ocean,” said Billy. tor of education for the L.A. Conservancy, are combined in this building,” said “Yes, and that’s the direction we’re for fact-checking this story. The story so far: Mrs. Kelly’s class is taking a bus tour down Wilshire Boulevard Susan. “The main ones are called headed,” said Mrs. Kelly. to learn about the history and architecture Beaux Arts and Art Deco. These styles This story will be on The Times’ website of the Los Angeles area. were used for large buildings like court- Wednesday: The school bus continues at latimes.com/kids. The regular Kids’ houses, government buildings and mu- its tour of Wilshire Boulevard. Where Reading Room features will return next week. By Sherrill Kushner seums and are known for having lots of will it stop next? Special to The Times decoration. They often have a lot of col- EXT the bus stopped at umns too.” Author’s note: The Los Angeles Conser- an 11-story building “I see angels at the top of each corner vancy will host a self-guided architectural across from MacArthur of the building,” said Emily. tour down Wilshire Boulevard on Sunday Park. “Not only are there angels, but you’ll from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All the places de- N also see soldiers and nurses dressed in scribed in this story will be open to the pub- “What’s this building?” asked Billy. World War I uniforms,” said Mrs. Kelly. lic during this time. For more information “What do you see over the door?” “Elks Club members were very patri- and to get a free guidebook for kids, call asked Mrs. Kelly. “That will give you a otic and donated money during the war. (213) 430-4219 or go to www.curatingthe clue.” Now only the first two floors are open city.org. Thanks to Catherine Gudis, direc- “Looks like the head of a moose or a and you’ll see that they’re still beautiful deer,” said Billy. “Is this a pet store for today. The grand ballrooms are often really big animals?” he joked. seen in movies.” “Actually you’re partly right. It’s the The class returned to the bus and the head of a large deer called an elk. This driver carefully steered into the traffic used to be the Elks Club,” said Susan, of Wilshire Boulevard. Cars, city buses, their tour guide. tow trucks, delivery vans and mail “It was built in 1925 as a club for men trucks filled the street. who got together for fun and to help peo- “This was once just a dirt road be- ple in the community. It had 165 rooms, a tween fields of beans and barley,” said gym and a pool for members and their Susan. “That all changed when street- guests. Later it became a hotel.” cars and automobiles came on the scene. “Wow, look at the statues that deco- As downtown became more and more rate the front wall of the building,” said crowded, the city started growing Carla. “They look Egyptian.” toward the west.”

Glenn Koenig Los Angeles Times CLUB: The onetime home of the Wilshire Elks features a golden emblem above the entrance.

Tom Zimmerman collection

Stephen Sedam Los Angeles Times VINTAGE: The 1925 building became a hotel.

PEANUTS By Charles M. Schulz MUTTS By Patrick McDonnell

HEATHCLIFF By George Gately DENNIS THE MENACE By Hank Ketcham FAMILY CIRCUS By Bil Keane MARMADUKE By Brad Anderson

CALENDAR LOS ANGELES TIMES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 E15

THE KIDS’ READING ROOM ‘Touring Wilshire Boulevard’ Part 3 “What’s this?” asked Clara as the Susan explained. “The organ has 4,100 curatingthecity.org. Thanks to Cather- The story so far: Mrs. Kelly’s class has school bus stopped in front of a large pipes which are enclosed in five ine Gudis, director of education for the visited the old Elks Club near MacArthur building with a dome. soundproof rooms.” The children lis- L.A. Conservancy, for fact-checking this Park and is headed west on Wilshire “This is the home of the oldest Jew- tened for a few moments. story. Boulevard. ish congregation in Los Angeles, and “Time to go,” Mrs. Kelly said. They By Sherrill Kushner one of the oldest in the United States,” walked back through the synagogue’s Look for Thursday’s Kids’ Reading Room Special to The Times Susan said. big wooden doors and onto the bus. in the middle of Weekend Calendar with the comics. This story will be on The OOK at that sign,” Jill “The congregation’s first temple Times’ website at latimes.com/kids. The said. was built in another location in the Thursday: Where will Mrs. Kelly’s regular Kids’ Reading Room features “It’s in Korean,” 1870s closer to downtown Los An- class go next? will return next week. “LMrs. Kelly said. “This geles. But when the congregation part of Wilshire grew, it moved into a larger building. Author’s note: The Los Angeles Conser- Boulevard has many stores owned by When it outgrew that one, it moved vancy will host a self-guided architec- people who came from Korea. We’ll be again to this spot. They constructed tural tour down Wilshire Boulevard passing neighborhoods that have peo- this building in 1929 and named it from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. All places ple from different backgrounds and Wilshire Boulevard Temple.” described in this story will be open to the other parts of the world. If we were “Let’s go inside,” Mrs. Kelly said. public during this time. For more infor- walking, you would hear people speak- “It’s very quiet in here,” Clara said. mation and to get a free guidebook for ing English, Spanish, Korean, Tagalog “This is the sanctuary where people kids, call (213) 430-4219 or go to www. and many other languages.” pray. See the gold decoration, black

The bus crossed Normandie Av- marble, stained glass windows and Anne Laskey

enue. “We’re now coming to the part rare woods?” Susan asked. “On the MODERN: St. Basil’s Catholic Church of Wilshire Boulevard that has the walls are paintings that show scenes replaced an old building that burned down. most historic churches, temples, and from Bible stories.” other religious places in one area,” “Look up!” Emily said. A beautiful said Susan, their tour guide. domed ceiling covered the sanctuary. “On the right you’ll see St. Basil’s “The dome is one of the temple’s Catholic Church. This modern build- unique features. It rises 135 feet from ing is made of concrete towers with the street level to its top,” Susan ex- steel and stained glass sculptures. It plained. replaced an older wooden building Suddenly the class heard organ mu- that burned down.” sic. “That’s the organist practicing,”

Glenn Koenig Los Angeles Times ORNATE: The Wilshire Boulevard Temple, above, was built in 1929. Its dome, below, is 135 feet high from street level to its top.

Stephen Sedam Los Angeles Times Laszlo Regos Photography

PEANUTS By Charles M. Schulz MUTTS By Patrick McDonnell

HEATHCLIFF By George Gately DENNIS THE MENACE By Hank Ketcham FAMILY CIRCUS By Bil Keane MARMADUKE By Brad Anderson

A Warm & Fuzzy Deal

005 . 2, 2 Give a Book, Get a Happy Ending Sept. 9 - Oct Bring any new or gently used children’s book to the booth in front of the America’s Kids & Education Expo at the L.A. County Fair, Sept. 14-16, 21-23, or 28-30 ONLY, or visit the Manners I. Care booth, Building 4, to get a FREE commemorative Blaze the Racehorse stuffed animal (while supplies last). Offer not available on opening day or weekends. Limit one commemorative horse per family. Fair closed Mondays & Tuesdays. For more information about the L.A. County Fair, visit: www.lacountyfair.com For more information about Reading by 9, visit: latimes.com/readingby9 05RB9044 HDDA CX_H_3_H3_LA_1_09-29-05_th_1_CMYK 2005:09:28:13:55:27_

COMICS PLUS LOS ANGELES TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 H3

THE KIDS’ READING ROOM ‘Touring Wilshire Boulevard’ Part 4 The story so far: Mrs. Kelly’s class has visited MacArthur Park, the Elks Club and Wilshire Boulevard Temple.

By Sherrill Kushner Special to The Times

EY, this is a restaurant,” said Clara. The bus crossed “HFairfax Avenue and stopped in front of a building with a tall, slanted, blue- and-white striped roof. “I thought we were supposed to bring our lunches.” you-are-here.com “We’re not eating here,” said Mrs. GOOGIE-STYLE BUILDING: Many coffee shops in the 1950s and ’60s looked like Johnie’s Coffee Shop Restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard. Kelly. “Then why are we stopping?” Clara san. “They kept using the name for The students peeked into the res- where people used to eat their ham- asked. any building that had lots of glass, a taurant windows and saw booths with burgers and fries. “Johnie’s Coffee Shop Restaurant is slanted roof, geometric shapes and bench-style seats facing tables, and vi- “Many of these Googie-style build- the kind of coffee shop that was popu- large neon signs.” nyl stools around an L-shaped counter ings have been torn down,” said Mrs. lar in the 1950s and ’60s,” explained “It looks kind of like a spaceship,” Kelly. “Groups like the Los Angeles Susan, their tour guide. “It was named said Emily. Conservancy are trying to save the for the owner who thought it would be “That’s the whole idea,” said Mrs. ones that are left and help people find more distinctive if he spelled the name Kelly. “Googie started when space new ways to use them.” with only one ‘n.’ This style of archi- travel was just beginning. It was sup- “I’d make it into new restaurant tecture is called ‘Googie’ and it began posed to give people an idea of the fu- and serve tacos,” said Clara. in Southern California.” ture.” “I’d make it a toy store and change “Googie?” repeated Billy. “Sounds “Can we go inside?” asked Billy. the name to Billy’s,” said Billy. like baby talk!” “I’m sorry, but it’s been closed for “No, you should keep the old Joh- “The name came from another cof- five years,” said Susan. “It’s only used nie’s sign. That’s a cool part of the fee shop built in the 1940s named Goo- once in a while for filming a movie or building,” said Emily. gie’s. This one looked like it,” said Su- TV show.” “Time to go,” said Mrs. Kelly. “The last stop is in Santa Monica.”

Friday: The tour ends in Santa Moni- ca, a city by the Pacific Ocean. What will the class see there?

Author’s note: The Los Angeles Conser- vancy will host a self-guided architectural tour down Wilshire Boulevard on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All places described in this story will be open to the public during this time. For more information and to get a free guidebook for kids, call (213) 430-4219 or go to www. curatingthecity.org. Thanks to Cather- ine Gudis, director of education for the L.A. Conservancy, for fact-checking this story.

This story will be on The Times’ website at latimes.com/kids. The regular Kids’ Reading Room features will return next

Stephen Sedam Los Angeles Times week.

PEANUTS By Charles M. Schulz MUTTS By Patrick McDonnell

HEATHCLIFF By George Gately DENNIS THE MENACE By Hank Ketcham FAMILY CIRCUS By Bil Keane MARMADUKE By Brad Anderson

A Warm & Fuzzy Deal

005 . 2, 2 Give a Book, Get a Happy Ending Sept. 9 - Oct Bring any new or gently used children’s book to the booth in front of the America’s Kids & Education Expo at the L.A. County Fair, Sept. 14-16, 21-23, or 28-30 ONLY, or visit the Manners I. Care booth, Building 4, to get a FREE commemorative Blaze the Racehorse stuffed animal (while supplies last). Offer not available on opening day or weekends. Limit one commemorative horse per family. Fair closed Mondays & Tuesdays. For more information about the L.A. County Fair, visit: www.lacountyfair.com For more information about Reading by 9, visit: latimes.com/readingby9 05RB9044 HDDA ET_E_41_E41_LA_1_09-30-05_fr_3_CMYK 2005:09:29:16:18:56_

CALENDAR LOS ANGELES TIMES , FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 E41

THE KIDS’ READING ROOM ‘Touring Wilshire Boulevard’ Part 5 is often cooler because of clouds and sea “There we’ll take a quick stroll back here with your families. You can be The story so far: Mrs. Kelly’s class has breezes from the Pacific Ocean.” through a part of Palisades Park which the guides and show them some of the visited very different buildings along Billy saw people playing tennis and was created in the 1890s. It stretches 14 special places you’ve learned about on Wilshire Boulevard and has learned a lot basketball on the park courts when they blocks on top of a big bluff above the Pa- Wilshire Boulevard,” said Mrs. Kelly. about the history of Los Angeles. The last turned onto 7th Street. Kids were sway- cific Ocean. The park has lovely gar- stop is Santa Monica, a city that borders ing up and down on swings and climbing dens, picnic tables and many interesting Author’s note: The Los Angeles Conser- Los Angeles. a jungle gym. “Are we going to play in sites.” vancy will host a self-guided architectural By Sherrill Kushner the park?” he asked. When they got to the park, the chil- tour down Wilshire Boulevard on Sunday Special to The Times “Not today,” said Mrs. Kelly. “We’re dren got a spectacular view of Santa from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All places described going into Miles Memorial Playhouse. Monica Bay. in this story will be open to the public dur- HE bus traveled through a It’s around the corner on Lincoln Boule- “If you look to the left you can see ing this time. For more information and to canyon of high-rise build- vard.” where Colorado Avenue ends at the get a free guidebook for kids, call (213) ings on the way to Santa “This is a place where they put on pier,” said Susan. 430-4219 or go to www.curatingthecity.org. Monica. T plays,” explained Susan. “A man named “I’ve been to the pier,” said Billy. Thanks to Catherine Gudis, director of “We are now going J. Euclid Miles gave money for this “There’s a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, education at the L.A. Conservancy, for through Westwood,” said Susan, their building to be used as a theater for chil- carousel, bumper cars and lots of other fact-checking this story. tour guide. dren. It was badly damaged by the fun rides. It’s awesome!” They passed Sepulveda Boulevard. Northridge earthquake in 1994, but it’s “Someday maybe you all can come “Here’s the oldest building on Wilshire,” This story will be on The Times’ website been repaired. It’s now used for art, at latimes.com/kids. The regular Kids’ she said. “It’s the Wadsworth Chapel, dance and theater classes as well as per- Reading Room features will return next built in 1900. It once served Protestant week. formances.” and Catholic war veterans.” “It looks like an old California mis- The bus crossed Centinela Avenue sion,” said Emily. and entered Santa Monica. “This city “Yes, you’re right,” said Susan. “This now has strict laws on how tall a style of architecture is called Spanish building can be,” explained Susan. “So Colonial Revival. It has plain stucco you won’t see as many tall buildings walls, tile roofs, arches, courtyards and here.” wrought iron decoration.” Gray clouds hid the sun as students The students stepped inside. Small stepped off the bus at Christine Emer- children were rehearsing for a dance re- son Reed Park. cital. A lady played piano. “It’s colder here than in Los Angeles,” “We’ll walk back to Wilshire and then said Clara, pulling on her sweater. go seven blocks to where it ends at “Yes,” said Mrs. Kelly. “Santa Monica Jacques Garnier Ocean Avenue,” instructed Susan. THEATER: Miles Memorial Playhouse.

Lawrence K. Ho Los Angeles Times

Stephen Sedam Los Angeles Times AMUSEMENT: Santa Monica Pier.

PEANUTS By Charles M. Schulz MUTTS By Patrick McDonnell

HEATHCLIFF By George Gately DENNIS THE MENACE By Hank Ketcham FAMILY CIRCUS By Bil Keane MARMADUKE By Brad Anderson

You’re invited to see Performing Books

Performing Books motivates children to read by bringing books to life through song, 05RB9036-HDDB Saturday, October 8, 2005 dance, voice and gesture. The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow FREE performances Saturday at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library, Keith Berger – Mime 630 West Fifth St., downtown Los Angeles David Prather – Storyteller 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Mark Taper Auditorium