Homeboy

Recently Homeboy Industries' Homeboy Bakery and Homegirl Cafe have been getting a lot of buzz.  I'd heard on NPR that they were opening a cafe at LAX (Hallelujah! better food options at LAX!).  I'd also seen an article in this month's Sunset, and they just started showing up at the 7th + Fig farmer's market below my office.  Prior to that, riding the Gold Line to work, I'd seen their large facade in Chinatown and wondered what Homeboy was all about.   So I decided to do a little research.

Turns out Home Boy Industries whose motto is "Nothing stops a bullet like a job" was started by Father Gregory Boyle as a way to get gang-involved youth off the street.  Their front to the greater public is the bakery and cafe that they run but they also include an extensive program of case management, education, conseling and job training. Homeboy Industries goal is to get people working and then to send them back out into the real world.  It's such a great concept that their applicant pool is bigger than the number of people they can accept. 

So what can we do?  Help them expand. Support their business. Buy their baguettes (and they make a mean baguette), and check them out for Saturday brunch.  I've heard it's phenomenal and I think I might just go this weekend.   And while you're there get one of their awesome silk-screened Homeboy t-shirts.

Urban Cycling

So, I previously blogged about Public's simple 3 speed bikes.  I love that these types of bikes are enjoying a resurgence.  The design is classic, they are way more stylish than your typical hybrid, but they are practical as well, especially for those of us who are only using our bikes for trekking around our neighborhoods.  Well, the trend spotters at Urban Outfitters seem to have caught on to this as well and you can now purchase your own customized bike from their Dutch partner Republic... I guess all these bike people like very democratic names. 

There is the fixed/free gear Aristotle which has the option to coast while on a fixed gear bike (I'm not a fan of fixed gears if you're not a true bike messanger, but at least this gives you a little more flexibility).  And there is the single speed Plato which is more of a city cruiser and even has an enclosed chain so you don't get your pants all greased up.  At only $399 they are more wallet friendly than Public's versions but I think you'd be wishing you spent more if you attempted to ride up a Pasadena or Silverlake hill on one of these.  So, these are great for flat urban terrain, but spring for some gears if you live anywhere with an incline over 5%.

Simple Fun Bikes

Scott forwarded me to the Public Bikes website yesterday.  These are great practical 3 and 8 speed bikes designed for urban living.  I love that they aren't as cheesy as the pastel colored big beach cruisers we see around LA and they're not so techy sporty as our modern day hybrid bikes.   They're easier to handle, more durable than your typical road bike and they still have a vintage vibe.  Plus the pedals and splash guards make them great for whatever footwear and garb you might be sporting that day.

We have similar bikes from the 70's that we bought for about $100 - a fraction of the cost - back when we lived in Brooklyn.  Granted, they had to be refurbished so the overall investment was more, but still less than the $850 price tag for these.  AND ours have in hub shifters so the chain doesn't fall out or dirty your pants when shifting.  Check out your local craigslist for old bikes that you can rejuvenate. 

Also on the Public Bikes site are various accessories that you can purchase.  This helmet is way better than the crazy aerodynamic space age helmet that I currently sport while on my retro ride.

Biking around town

So Scott got our 70's retro Brooklyn 3 speeds reconditioned and we are ready to cruise around and explore the Pasadena / Eagle Rock area on two wheels.  I have a typical wire frame bike basket already and I suppose it serves me well.  BUT, if I were to make a swap, or recommend a basket to other bikers, I'd go for the MIO Pop-up bicycle basket.  It ships flat and fits on the front of a bike, comes in 3 colors and looks pretty rad if I do say so myself.

Digging for Gold

So, I had my second adventure on the LA Metro this morning. Took the Gold Line to work from the Del Mar Stop. I'm starting to brew up a little Gold Line Adventure as a weekend event. Here is what I'm thinking so far, Who's In?

- Start at Del Mar in Pasadena and have an early brunch at Le Grande Orange (previously mentioned), Elements Kitchen, or Central Park Cafe.

-Hop on the Gold Line toward downtown for just $1.25.

- Take a trip to the Southwest Museum (yes, it's the Southwest Museum stop) and increase your knowledge of the Native Americans of the west

- Get back on the Gold Line headed south and get off at the Chinatown stop and walk north Spring / Alameda St to the Los Angeles State Historic Park. Walk amongst the meadows of native flowers and enjoy the natural scenery smack in the middle of industrial LA.

- After burning off some calories stop off for a late lunch at the Los Angeles institution Phillipe French Dips

- Do a little shopping in the trinket shops along Hill and Broadway in Chinatown

- Next, hop back on the metro going back toward Pasadena and get of in SoPas at the Mission stop.

- Take a walk down Mission enjoying the quaint small town feel. Stop in for a pre-dinner drink at Mike & Annes

- Mosey along Mission and make a left on Fair Oaks. Duck into Gus's Barbeque. By now you have worked up an appetite and what better way to satisfy it than to chow down on some of LA's best BBQ.

- Hop back on the Gold Line and head Home (or to the Black Boar Bar in Eagle Rock - to be featured in a later post).