Hey, LA DU’ers! Cal-la-for-nee here I come!!

Listen you folks! Y’all got me so rattled back here in Iowa letting a groper get elected as yer Governor that I decided to come out there and kick some butt my own damn self!

Just kidding …. :)

Well, kidding about kicking some butt anyway. I am heading for southern California to visit my dad in San Diego later next week. I know there are several really cool DU’ers in the LA area and while I’m out there I’d like to meet you! I’ve already run the idea by NSMA too, and she agrees a Friday night DU get-together in LA would be a swell idea. Let’s do it!!

I will be out there for a couple weeks and a Friday get-together would work out either October 31st or November 7th. Oops, I hope Halloween isn’t a problem. If there is enough interest for both Fridays and it helps to accommodate some that can’t make one or the other, I’m game for both. I know a lot of you would like to meet each other too, so it’s not just me.

October 31st is next week, so I wanted to get this posted at least a week in advance so there would be plenty of time to generate some interest. I’ll try to keep this kicked over the weekend and into next week. Over this weekend maybe some of you in LA can suggest a good spot for this get-together to take place.

Whaddya say LA? Damn! A group of DU minds together could be dangerous!! In a great way!!!

Please indicate your interest in either October 31st (next Friday) or November 7th. And help me keep this kicked.

Linda

something next week? Anyway, yes, that could be serious fun - we'll most likely be surprised and what a varied bunch we are.....either date could work, Booberdawg. Sorry, there's no casinos with buffets here where we could hold the get-together (former Omaha resident getting in a dig at Council Bluffs).

I used to live on the other end of town and could see the Harvey's markee out my bedroom window and I NEVER WENT THERE! As far as the buffets go, I used to go to Bluffs Run on Friday nights with my cousin Phillip for the all you can eat crab legs and sea food buffet, but we sat up in the club house and stuffed ourselves and never played the dogs.

Screw the casinos! Bring on the BIG CITY!!

If we're talking LA area, anyway; SD will be tough for me to make. If we do it on Halloween, I have a later-evening commitment, but I'm free in the earlier evening.

Looking forward to meeting you!

DTH

Looking forward to meeting you too! I was hoping to see you turn up here!

...in there?

Absolutely the greatest Mexican Restaraunt in Downtown Los Angeles. It's in this courtyard market right by the river.

Trust me you won't be dissapointed.

I've been web-surfing trying to find it with no success. Is it better than El Chola? (margaritas to die for!) (you are of legal drinking age, Booberdawg?)

I can't PAY anyone to card me anymore. I'm 47 years old. :D

Just wondering though - do we really want a restaurant? Are we going to be able to hang out there and just visit? Just asking. I had not even thought about making a meal of it. But what ever the consensus is will be fine with me.

La Golondrina is in Olvera Street, walking distance to Union Station

El Cholo; one on Western midtown--the original
and my favorite, In Santa Monica on Wishire about sixth?

I would make the drive for you freaks :)
Although Halloween is out.

'cause we can take the Gold Line (or the red or blue, or wherever you are). I think I know the place you mean - it's near that big museum-church place.....

It's smack downtown LA, like the man (?) says, walking distance of Olvera Street the (sort of) original Pueblo de Maria de Los Angeles del Porciuncula (did I get that right?). It's on the north of downtown, sort of east of the concert halls. Chinatown is right nearby.

Sounds like a deal.

I think November 7th sounds a little better as far as people being more available, but either way, I would make a point to at least drop by.

You people who've lived here awhile, let's pick a place with plentiful easy parking (Glendale somewhere?) or that's near a metro line (please, please, please, get the strike settled), that's not too noisy to talk. Ears are not so good, here. We don't want someplace too pricey/fashionable/crowded.

I'm all for good music and popular places with nice crowds, but let's make sure we end up somewhere that is not so noisy with music or so crowded that we can't enjoy each other's company. And how about jeans! I don't plan on digging out my work clothes and dressin' up out there folks! So don't you all dress to the nine's for this and make me look stupid! LOL!

Glendale is a good location because it is not to populated and there are many "hang outs" to choose from.

:hi:

I know Old Pasadena fairly well, but people complain about parking being tough. 'course, the Gold line is running now....but Old Pasadena is kinda crowded and fashionable. And is the 7th a football weekend? Home game for UCLA?

Good morning LA!

and parking can be tough. On weekdays it is not as bad. I thought that Glendale was a good suggestion because there is not that much foot traffic in the 'downtown' area.
I am familiar with a Border's bookstore on Lake that has a courtyard type area with plenty of chairs and tables. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if the chairs were moved around.
As for the football game I have no clue about what's scheduled.

I live near Glendale and it's true--it won't be too crowded or fancy for a Friday night. I'm just trying to think of cheap, casual places. Unfortunately, I don't go to bars very often, so I don't know of many. There's a decent Mexican place I can think of, has a bar, inexpensive, etc., but the name isn't coming to me right now.

Anyway, I'll look it. But I think for me, the 31st is a little better.

Looks like Nov 7th is working out the best for most people. But I'm game for the 31st in addition if that's what works out best for some. Just pick a place and I'll figure a way to get up to LA from SD for Friday night.

:hi:

Linda

It's up near Honolulu Ave. GREAT homestyle Mexican food and margaritas, well priced.

I'll be housesitting there from Nov. 5-15 - that would be super convenient for me, to say the least! (And I'll probably be eating there every night anyway - LOL!)

How do DU-er's work these cool deals?

No, I'm actually housesitting for a friend (in an actual house) but just down the street from La Cabanita.

(Although I think I will approach them about your idea... I like it!)

:hi:

:)

I'm WAY north from where you're going to be and if I wasn't ass-deep in party stuff I'd come down and we would do some serious partying. I LOVE San Diego -- especially the Gas Lamp District. Oh yeah, and Casa de Bandini in Old Town -- the San Germain is to DIE for!

I will be spending time in LA visiting other friends and family and LA is where this DU get-together is going to be.

has a heated sand floor. That kicks ass.

It would be fun if people wanted to get together on the 7th, as suggested. Excellent idea!

:thumbsup:

and I'm going to bed. zzzzzz

But the 31st is definitely out for me…keep us informed…

Looking forward to meeting you peter! :hi:

BTW, we should have some way to identify ourselves. On recall night, it was a bit difficult to figure out who was who.

And where did you guys gather on recall night? Would it work for this gathering, or was it the hotel conference room with candidates scene?

:shrug:

(LOL! Picturing myself walking around a bar in LA wearing a a "Booberdawg" nametag :P)

I'll have you know I'm, ummmmm, not whatever it means when you put the flower behind the left ear. Or is it two flowers?

so you're encouraged to join the party either way! :D

My young associates are in prime Trick or Treating years, so that scotches Friday.

Sounds like a great idea, though, and I'm pretty flexible. I'm in East Hollywood, but I can get pretty much anywhere given a little lead time.

:hi:

I don't know if Clancy's is still there, but I know Damon's is............

I have family near Universal Studios so I hope to visit there while I'm in LA. But what are some other hot spots to check out over the weekend? FWIW, I'm not much for museums or historic sites.

http://localhikes.com/MSA/MSA_4472.asp

cuz there's a ton of places you'd never think were anywhere near or in a major metro area. Even just a drive up Malibu Canyon Creek from the PCH and then up to Mulholland is amazing.

:thumbsup:

The western part is called the Mulholland highway, and runs from Topanga Canyon road all the way down to the coast (or the PCH as we refer to it here). Really pretty, interesting, scenic, and looks really isolated & empty almost. Very odd sensation. It's joined to the eastern portion by 7 miles of dirt road, very rough. We decided not to venture it in our Honda Civic. The eastern portion is probably the more famous end of things, with views of the city, rather more houses & so on. And at its western end, some very nice hiking or horse-riding territory. Actually, mule-riding - friend of mine takes me & my daughter horse-riding frequently, and that place is on the list. Friend and daughter usually take the two horses, & I usually ride Murray the Mule, who's a lovely beast, if a bit long-eared, & slower than the horses.

the observatory is still closed, but the park itself kicks ass.

Forest Lawn is weirdly attractive for a cemetery...you drive right by it to get to Griffith Park.

...............?

:D

For the hike or something? Friday nights are tough since that's usually when I pick up my boys - the hell of a post-marriage "visit" schedule... too little time with the wee (or not-so-wee!) ones as it is...

There isn't a hike planned - I was just asking for other things to do while I'm there.

How early Friday afternoon do you need before you pick up your young men? I'm just guessing that most people are still working in the afternoon but I can probably do something earlier. Not sure if I'll run up to LA on Friday or the night before but I could still make a Friday afternoon either way.

My birthday is 11/02 (right there in my screen name!) and I always go away for the week of my birthday. This year My partner and I and two friends of ours are renting a beach condo in SD for a week. Last month, partner at a charity auction bought a walk on role on the sitcom Wanda At Large, and while we are out there, we will be doing the taping at Warner Brothers Studios on either 11/6 or 11/7, so we may be in LA on the 7th as well! I may be able to pursuade him to stop in for a drink with some cool DUers before we head back to SD.

hop-skip-jump on the 134 to Glendale.
Literally just minutes away...

Small world! Hope you can stay over for the 7th! I'll be in SD most of the time I'm in CA. Well, maybe half and half cause I do have family in the Hollywood area near Universal Studios so I may spend some time there.

I look forward to meeting you and your partner and friends!

:hi:

I've been reading this thread - have we decided where we're all meeting, and when? It looks like 11/7, but I can't be sure. I'll be in Glendale, but I can drive a reasonable distance. Sure would be fun to meet you and other DU'ers!

Lisa

and there are a few that prefer the 31st. At this point I plan to make both as I am not confined to a schedule. A meeting place has not been definitively decided yet, and I'll defer that decision to those who are more familiar with the territory than I am.

Looking forward to meeting you, flamingyouth! I assume you are old enough to drink - what is the legal drinking age in CA anyway? I'm not sure what it is in Iowa anymore, I think it's back up to 21 - there is a law here that if you don't LOOK at least 27 years old that anyone selling alcohol is obligated by law to ask you for ID. I tried a couple times to say I just turned 27 so they would ID me and they just laugh at me.:(

(hee hee - well, almost! I'm almost 35)

Looking forward to meeting you too. It would be great if we could meet in Glendale, as some folks suggested, but I'm open to just about anything. Just want to give another kick to that Mexican place I suggested, though - La Cabanita. It's amazing!

Well, just want to keep this kicked so we will all decide.

See ya in a couple of weeks!

Lisa

the "how soon will this thread die" thread!

:hi:

or are you kicking to keep drawing more partiers?

do not sign on daily.

to plan a revolution?

I will be able to make the 7th after all. I think La Cabanita in Glendale is a great suggestion--I'm always looking for a new Mexican joint.

Let's finalize this and distribute the address, meeting time etc. Maybe we could all wear political paraphenalia (candidate or DU stuff) to identify ourselves?

edited for dumb spelling.

And ready for the revolution (as always).

since 2 other Mexican places were suggested before this, how is the parking situation at La Cabanita? Is the La Golondrina near Union Station more centrally located for everyone? El Cholo In Santa Monica easily accessible and good parking as well? Just asking....

Here's why:

- It's in downtown LA - centrally located for everyone.
- It's walking distance from Union Station - good parking.
- It's within walking distance of the gold, red, or blue line, which I assume are bus lines.
- Easier for me to find from an LA hotel!!

I don't have any objections to Glendale itself, La Cabanita in Glendale does not have a parking lot though and would have to rely on street parking. From what I understand the rules are pretty strict about making sure your wheels are touching the curb too or you get a ticket.

If no objections to La Golondrina tomorrow, I will send Earl or Skinner a PM and have the meeting place posted on the home page. I think we just need someone to pick a place and run with it.

I still plan on going up to LA on the 31st if anyone still wants to meet that night. I think there were a few. I'll start another post in this thread for that.

Linda

the location for La Golondrina is nice & sounds fun except there's a transit strike on. I haven't checked to see if the red, blue, gold lines (light rail, by the way) are running but rumor has it they aren't, along with the MTA buses. On the other hand, the transit strike might mean that area'd be really quiet. On the third hand, it might mean everybody'd be driving down there, which'd kill parking.

Further, there's a lot of enthuisiasm for La Cabanita - not sure why, but don't dismiss it too quickly. Glendale is an easy place to drive to - and they do have hotels - you could stay there. Or maybe the Santa Monica guys could pick you up downtown on the way to Glendale.....

it was the rail lines. I thought it was the grocery stores. Oops! It was the parking I was concerned about and there's no sense in taking unnecessary chances in downtown LA if the rail lines might not be running or the parking might be fowled up.

So I'll make it the third motion for La Cabanita in Glendale for the 7th. As you say there has been interest expressed for La Cabanita and we need to settle on a place and get this on the home page.

I'll check back later today and if no objections I'll PM admin so we can get this listed on the home page.

it's the grocery stores and the MTA mechanics. Both about health benefits. My employer, Kaiser Permanente, is a big provider of health care to unions, long history with blue-collar workers, and that's what the grocery company execs want to cut. Gotta compete, blablabla, everybody else (especially at WalMart) gets crappy benefits, you should too or we can't compete. As for what MTA's excuse is, it's about as weak. Kaiser trying to offer some cheaper alternatives and succeeding to some degree, but the big cheap labor people wnat to switch out into the real cut-throat insurers. Very frustrating.

I had just suggested it back when someone asked about good restaurants in Glendale. There are some other good places in the more downtown Glendale area as well.

If no serious objections to La Golondrina on the 7th in post #74 just above this one I'll PM to admin later today and get this posted on the home page.

Good morning!

And hope all of you in Southern Cal are all okay. Please check in one of these threads and let us know if you are safe from the fires. :(

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=326932

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=184382

Here's a Mexican restaurant in Hollywood called El Coyote and it's on Beverly. I'm told it's inexpensive and has the strongest margaritas this side of the Rockies.

I have not thought all this time to pick a time for this. How about 6:00 for cocktails for the earlybirds and then 7:00 for those who need some extra time to get home from work first. That sound okay?

Been around forever. I think it's a great place, but I'm pretty much game for anywhere that has strong margaritas ;-)

Down the street from CBS' Television City? :hi:

For me, anyway. Can we meet somewhere more central, say Hollywood or elsewhere in the basin? It'll take me at least an hour to get to Glendale from SM on a Friday night.

challenged folks.

I'll bookmark this thread to see where y'all are gonna have this at.

:thumbsup:

I'd rather it be in LA rather than Glendale or Burbank (someone suggested the Irish Times for election night, which would be ideal, as it's right around the corner from me) but wherever the bones fall I'll be there. I'm getting closer to actually attending a DU event; I swear, for election night, I actually made it through the door of the place!

See you on the 7th! :toast:

going once, going twice. 6:00 for cocktails for the earlybirds and then 7:00 for those who need some extra time.

Please indicate your intentions to attend in this thread if you haven't already so reservations can be made in advance.

I'll PM Earl and Skinner so we can get this posted on the home page.

Looking forward to meeting all of my fellow EvilDU'ers on the 7th.



A few of us still have plans to meet on the 31st as well. Location has yet to be determined. Those interested PM me.

Thanks,
Linda

Since I'll be on vacation, and therefore not working!

El Coyote
7312 Beverly Blvd. (at Poinsettia)

323-939-2255

See you then!

:bounce: :party:

yeah. el coyote has limited parking... you may park on the main street but watch signs for parking in neighborhoods... theyre very sneaky!

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/review/11414714/?cslink=cs_profile_tabs_user_review

And there's also less than wild enthuisiasm.......it sounds crowded & noisy.

I work near La Brea and Wilshire, so it shouldn't take me long to get there.

Here's to some "Fair and Balanced" conversation over some greta margaritas!

:thumbsup:

cause of the fires.:-( Better that all of you and yours and your homes are all okay though. This is just bad timing. I was looking forward to Halloween in LA. Maybe it will still work out.

Getting a few PM's on this - so this is to let everyone know that the home page HAS BEEN updated and the DU meet for Nov 7th WILL BE on the home page starting tomorrow.

Linda

I will see you people wherever you decide to meet,
however, as a resident in the city of fallen angels,
I must point a few things out in the plan so far...

1. There is NO, I repeat, NO parking near the El Coyote
location, EVER, much less a week end night. Traffic in
that part of town is HORRENDOUS at that time of day.

2. The Glendale/Burbank suggestions are the best
for people coming from outside L.A. proper.
Both are minutes from three major freeways.
(134) (5) and the (101)
Parking is free everywhere in Burbank- and Glendale
has public lots.

3. I am ALL for the Mexican food/ Margarita idea!
And want to put forth another suggestion for that:
There is a place called Viva Cantina at the entrance
of the LA Equestrian Center. There is free parking
all around it, always plenty of it. A LARGE lot
across the street as well as un-restricted residential.
They have a huge semi outdoor patio in the front
and a huge room in the back that over looks the horses
and riders. VERY casual, cowboys and studio freaks
side by side, drinking the BEST margaritas in town.
It is minutes from the Warner Bros studio, (101) and (134)
freeways, and less than a mile from the (5) freeway exit.
It sits at the bottom of the back hills of Griffith Park
and the area is gorgeous.
The band is GREAT and often has casual guest drop-ins
of famous musicians who like to play there because
everyone ignores the fact that they are famous.
All in all, I happen to think it is the best kept
secret in the city, and therefore would like to
suggest it as a consideration for our gathering location.

http://www.vivacantina.com/

Take a look on the net!

BHN : )

the transit strike isn't going to end, and she(?)'s right about the parking in the La Coyote area. We could car-pool I guess, but the place is noisy and crowded as well. Let's reconsider.

It is noisy, crowded, and it is HIGHLY unlikely that
we will be able to sit together in one area.
If you can't find parking, plan on a hefty valet charge.
If you are coming from outside that neighborhood,
plan on sitting in traffic for at LEAST 45 minutes from any
freeway exit before even getting there.
I really think El Coyote is a bad idea for anyone
who
a. does not live in that neighborhood
b. may be experiencing financial difficulty.
c. is coming from a freeway that time of day

I personally will not EVEN consider driving in that
part of town at that time of day, but am willing to
come late, after rush hour, just to meet everyone.

I would REALLY encourage you to consider the
Burbank location. It is casual, cheap and parking is NO
issue and the front patio could easily accomodate
our party and is quiet enough for us to converse.
This is not even a remote possiblity at El Coyote...
Plus El Coyote is a tourist trap and meat market-
I try to avoid both at all costs. Also , I HATE noisy
places where you can't hear the person next to you
talking...it's overpriced and WAY too Hollyweird for
me.

BHN

Traffic is abysmal going eastbound at that time. It takes a good 1.5 hours to get to Burbank/Glendale (I know, because I've done it.) Can't we find somewhere more central for all, say in Hollywood/WeHo?

Let's get a head count of how many are in the Valley and how many are Westside.

And though El Coyote is noisy, it's fun. I've never had a problem having large party seated at one table; hence the reservations. And from my experience, it's been rather cheap. But if folks aren't down with it, who am I to argue. I would like to find someplace that's so difficult to get to, though.

Maybe we can figure out something faster. You're coming from Santa Monica?

The 405 is right out. I never take that road. The 10 is the only direct way, but it gets so jammed. I could take Olympic downtown--I pretty sure it's okay once you get past Beverly Hills--but where to go from there? Figueroa?

Was one of the suggestions someplace that actually is downtown, not the Valley? That might be a good choice.

maybe Western? Rampart is good, too, but it only goes through to Wilshire. Go up to Temple, then take Temple across to Glendale. There's a good left-turn light, you'll have a nice drive past Echo Park, check out the lotuses. Then it gets jammed for maybe a mile, and you'll be on the 2. Take the 2 to the 134 westbound and you're cool. The 134 eastbound is more crowded that time of day, westbound is not so bad.

Go right to Griffith Park entrance at Riverside Dr.
Cut through Griffith Park and it dumps you
out at the back of Griffith Park 3 blocks from Viva Cantina.
Piece of cake.

Los Feliz will have some traffic, especially from Vermont to the 5, but not really too bad. And that's a pretty drive also.
on edit: Oh, you said cut through Griffith Park, didn't you? D'oh! Los Feliz traffic avoided. Should pay better attention, shouldn't I...

I like the LA equestrian idea or the mexican place in Glendale. If we do it closer to the Westside, westsiders need to suggest a quiet place with parking.

Glendale's boring and pretty lame for nightlife, which for the purposes of this gathering (being able to park, talk, sit together) makes it perfect.

See number #114 and #115. I suggest El Cholo in Santa Monica which would eliminate the problems raised with the other places.

in this thread and PM's and changing locations several times. x(

Parking issues have been a concern all along so I don't understand why people waited until today to mention this.

I don't know squat about these places or the areas around LA so you guys are going to have to figure this out. Let me offer a few guidelines that will hopefully improve the chances of a successful outcome.

1. Have it centrally located to the LA area. (Keep in mind that this is listed on the home page - don't assume just the people responding this thread are the only ones that will attend)

2. Parking!

3. Someone mentioned traffic going to the place.

4. Are we assuming it has to be a Mexican Restaruant?

5. Are we assuming everyone is having a meal?

6. We don't want a NOISY or crowded place. We want to be able to visit and all sit together.

Let's consider everything before changing places again.

Have a look:
http://vivacantina.com

I swear, I am not trying to drive you crazy...
but everyone should take into consideration the
parking/expense/ and traffic that time of day.

This place is NOT touristy in ANY way-
it is very casual, in a beautiful location,
plenty of room for everyone, AND close to
all the major freeways.

PS: There is a bowling alley and ice rink directly across the street too...
Heh-heh...that could get interesting after a few Margs....DUers
on ice.

now, if the NEW riders of the purple sage were playing, that might be a different story...

The joint is near several recording studios,
and a favorite hang among the studio muscians.
So lots of guest drop in players from ALL kinds
of musical styles.
Plus it's a NON-corporate, NON- Hollywood
atmosphere- they don't care what you are
wearing, or what kind of car you drive, or how much money
you have in your wallet.
Very NON-affected crowd of good, down-to earth people.
I detest the poser places.
Prefer real people, which I think most DUers are.
BHN

Let's make it

1. Centrally located
2. Parking
3. A place that is not so noisy and crowded we can’t talk to each other

People, we have to consider EVERYONE, not just what suits a few people who jump in here in an hour’s time and change everything when there are others that have participated all along that are going to jump in 8 hours later or tomorrow and object and change it all over again. There must be 1,000 bars in Los Angeles proper; it can't be that hard to pick one.

Is not a problem- the front patio and the back room
are closed off from the music.

I'm done suggesting- you guys decide, but if
you end up meeting in a part of town without parking,
I would suggest a later meeting time- 6:00 is the height of
rush hour.
8:00 would be much better.
If people are going to have to fork out dough to
pay for parking, don't add sitting in rush hour to their woes.
I can tell you that both Burbank and Glendale
have PLENTY of free parking, and offer several less
touristy noisy places.

Lemme know, and I will see you all there.
I am looking forward to it.
BHN : )

and also the rush hour, but I'm just trying to consider those who come a long ways from the opposite direction, that's all.

I'm sorry I got cranky. I'm frustrated that nobody mentioned the parking problem with the place we picked 2 days ago until just a couple hours ago. And the place has already been changed a couple times. Now it's listed on the home page and I'm afraid someone is going to show up there and not know the location has been changed.

But I really do hate cowboy music. :)

Would it be any better if it were centrally located but West of LA? I'm just asking. Would that eliminate your concern about touristy places, free parking, and rush hour? I'm looking at MapQuest - like Santa Monica, View Park, Marina Del Ray?

there's no better place than El Cholo on Wilshire. Great atmosphere. Might be a bit crowded, though.

(by the way, Manco, I see your El CHolo on Wilshire and raise you the El Cholo on Fair Oaks in Pasadena. Just kidding, Booberdawg - we don't really need more choices).

Anyway, there's
a) the western locations, to wit El Coyote on Beverly (popular, but noisy & parking problems, not too far for the SM bunch)

b) The Pueblo de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles de Porciuncula location, to wit La Golondrina near Union Station on Olvera St. (again, there're people who like it, it's not too far for anybody, but parking is an unknown. If the transit strike ends it'll be easy to get there, but that looks unlikely right now.)

c) The eastern locations, Burbank & Glendale, to wit
La Cabanita is very popular but does not have a parking lot though and would have to rely on street parking. From what I understand the rules are pretty strict about making sure your wheels are touching the curb too or you get a ticket.

Viva Cantina has been described in detail

Both eastern location would pose travel time for the westend bunch.

Okay, there's the story. Don't add any more to the confusion unless you have a wonderful compromise. Fill in the missing information, and let's summarize our thoughts. We can always do things like carpool, by the way, to avoid parking hassles, to balance that problem, and you SM guys can always take our cool scenic drives through Griffith Park - might take you just as long, but much more pleasant than the 10 to the 5 or what-have-you.

very funny girlfriend :D

What's the parking like for El Cholo in Santa Monica? I don't see that it has ever been eliminated for any of the problems mentioned for the other places. It is centrally located for North and South. It should eliminate all the problems BeHereNow pointed out such as free parking, downtown rush hour, and away from the noisy touristy places. Looks like it's easy enough to get to on MapQuest.

The places you have mentioned have all been considered and eliminated at one time or another for one reason or another.

No matter where it's at will be travel time for someone. At least we can eliminate it for the South and North this way and get the other factors taken care of at the same time. Besides, Santa Monica sounds kinda cool. :D

Santa Monica is lovely, and I often stay there when I'm going down.

However, the parking will be full on a Friday night and it's far for people who don't live on the Westside. If I even go down next week (which is up in the air at this time), I will not have a problem going almost anywhere, since I won't be working, but I'm just thinking of the people who will have a long commute either way.

a long commute to Glendale or Burbank as well, plus there are other problems with those places. So like I said, "somebody" is going to have a commute, but we can eliminate several of the other problems by going to Santa Monica.

I'd be willing to pick you up if I drive. If you be the navigator, that is. :D

Seriously.

Even though I'll be driving my friend's car (goddess help me and the car...)

I was just thinking of the working people. Yes, Glendale/Burbank is very far for Westsiders too. I actually wasn't the one who originally suggested that locale - I just suggested the restaurant. Believe me, I've eaten at tons of places down there and I'm very easy to please, food-wise! :D

I just hope I'll be going down. I'm not sure that I will, because my friends whose house I was going to housesit at might not be leaving on their trip due to the fires (they both write for the LA Times and needless to say, they've been working a LOT with no end in sight).

I am invited aren't I? :evilfrown:

Why wouldn't you be invited? Are you a republican? That would be the only factor that could disqualify you. :shrug:

:boring:

See you there :hi:

I've kept an eye on this thread, in case I got done at work in time to drive down Friday. I probably won't be done anyway, but the fires are creeping a little too close for comfort. So I won't be putting a mountain between me and home.

Have a great time, and be sure to tell us how it went!

:hi:

Good grief I HOPE the fires are not still a factor 10 days from now. If they are this gathering will be the least of anyone's problems.

I have postponed my arrival in San Diego because of the fires. I was originally going to fly in tonight but changed it to next Wednesday. Took some doing but got the dates changed on my ticket because of the crisis in CA.

I do hope you can make it so you can see for yourself how it goes. :hi:

and it's really cooled off today here in Altadena. The rains here are never enough to put out a serious fire, but it'll let the firefighters do their stuff. We should be okay by next week.

Back on subject: who knows about the downtown place? What's it like, how's parking? Let's do a little local boosterism, here....

sorry but ive managed to get myself lost in all the posts.

see absynthe's post waaaay up there, and post 74, which is by, ummmm, you. Heh. That's the downtown place.

because of rush hour traffic.

It's not at El Coyote any more?
Do I have to check this thread for a week?

Because it should be a concern that there ARE some that do not check this thread repeatedly that think the location had already been decided. It has been listed on the home page for several days now. How many people marked their calandars and will never check it again, only to show up there and be stood up?

Something to think about.

See post #114 and #115 and take it from there. I suggest El Cholo in Santa Monica would eliminate all the problems raised with the other places.

I'd rather pay for parking downtown than pay for parking in SM and have to sit in traffic. Downtown is centrally located. I see the problem with Westsiders having to go to Burbank, but it's just as bad for us Eastsiders to get to SM. Plus, IMHO, El Cholo and SM are both touristy and corporate. FWIW.

I'll try to make it no matter where it is---but hubby who HATES traffic will not want to come along if its on the Westside (sorry).

Looking forward to meeting all of you!

By the way, I didn't speak up earlier because I thought it was going to be at Las Cabanitas, then El Coyote and hadn't checked in several days. I dont' mean to be a pain in the Asscroft.

Edited to add last paragraph

people commuting in LA during rush hour are doomed no matter what...

however (and you may argue with me) the 405 is the WORST! a zoo. no joke man... from inglewood to the valley is a nightmare.

heading east is still no cakewalk... anything past downtown (pasadena ect) gets kind of thick too.

i think parking downtown during rushhour time may be difficult as well. i havent gone by union station.. but i dont think parking will be open there. in chinatown parking is a couple dollars (under $10)... but other than that ive never really noticed parking (im a bicycle commuter).

so i guess Booberdawg ought to pick a place and we should all just suck it up. yeah!

The new suggestions are basically a rehash of the old ones that have already been worked over and discarded. We made a decision several days ago and had this posted on the home page. For better or worse I think we should stick with it. I don't think it is appropriate to change the location now that it has been posted publicly.

It would really be a shame to come back to this board after the 7th and find some DUer went to El Coyote on Beverly in Hollywood only to discover none of us were there. Even if it only happened to one person it wouldn't be right.

No matter where we go it is going to be inconvenient for someone. If the parking is bad there we are just going to have to walk a few blocks. Oh well, that should have been considered before we settled on the place; I suggest it's too late now and we suck it up and live with it.

No matter what the dynamics of the location, I simply cannot imagine being amongst a group of DUers and NOT having a hellova good time. I just don't think that it is possible not to have a great time around this bunch. Do you? I mean, really! We're just that good! :D

So, whaddya say, folks. Let's just leave well enough alone. No matter where we go there are going to be pros and cons and someone will be inconvenienced. We decided on El Coyote on Beverly in Hollywood on the 7th and I think we have to stick with it.

How 'bout it? Most importantly, we simply can NOT let someone get left out that has already counted on this location and is not going to check back for changes. That cinches it for me.

Linda

we're just trying to be helpful, in our disorganized fashion, Boober, but in the end we'll cheerfully show up & have fun......
Any eastenders wanna car-pool?

We are just being Democrats is what is happening. :D We can't help ourselves. :D

Can you see where this is going though? It's never going to stop unless we just put a stop to it. There is nothing coming up now that hasn't already been waded through before we settled on the place in Hollywood. I just don't think we can do that now that it has been posted on the home page. And if we change it now there is no doubt in my mind someone else is going to come along tomorrow and request it change again.

The biggest thing is that someone is going to be left out if we move it now that it is posted on the home page. It is directly linked to post #87. I'd feel like shit and I'd feel responsible for it.

I know everybody just wants to help and do what's best. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you? Can I buy you a drink? :-)

(working hard on curmudgeon status, though), but you could certainly offer me a drink....*grin* See you there - wipe that Iowa pig poop off your feet before you get on the plane, hear?

I am a city girl! Never HAD any pig or cow shit on my shoes!

And while I'm at it, the bars here have frickin parking lots! :)

but I don't think I'll go there. You've been out here before, right? I lived here (Van Nuys) when I was a kid, moved here from Omaha April 2002, and am really surprised by the place - there's a lot of natural beauty, wilderness even, there're strong communities where people know each other (and they're even of differing ethnicities!), the place is actually fairly easy to get around - I mean, we're talking 30-50 mile drives sometimes from one side of the city to the other - it's 50 miles from Omaha to Lincoln....anyway, I was really surprised, and really like it here. Only lack is snow - if we could just have some snowy mornings, that would be so nice. *sigh* Oh well, I can always drive up to Mt WIlson or something. Snow is something you go to, here.

I was in Army reserves, (82nd Field Hospital), when I got out of High School and one of our 2 week stints was at Fort Ord, CA - that was, gawd, 28 or 29 years ago. What I do remember is that 4 of us gals ran around after duty hours with 4 of the guys in a van we pitched in and rented together. We had a lot of fun and never more than 3 hours of sleep any night the whole 2 weeks we were there, and I don't remember where we went. Bars and beaches. We had mattresses in the van from the barracks to crash on. Most of what we did was sworn to secrecy to protect the innocent anyway. ;)

Is there such a thing? just kidding.....

mainly because I'm familiar with the venue.

Let's not change; it's already official.
and you know how officially minded DUers are.

Santa Barbara? :-)

Ventura? :D

Indio? :P


Actually, you could probably get to Indio in about the time it'd take to get off the freeway and find a parking spot down El Coyote way.


Personally, my vote would be for In 'n' Out (and then, after the orgy, we could all go to Tommy's for the world's most memorable, dangerous, and thoroughly so-bad-it's-almost-good two-second burgers). After that, the itinerary would include picking up a guide to the stars' homes and baring our bottoms in front of Arnold's place (though this could put female DUers in grave danger). Oh, boy, I can't wait to organize a meeting! And none of this democratic crap - we eat where I say we eat, which (praise my dictatorial benevolence) is Souplantation.

I haven't tried them yet, but what a name!

There is ALWAYS a huge line there - we're convinced they must put drugs in their dogs or something.

I had to go look those up on MapQuest!

Are you in CA, Forrest? For some reason i thought you were on the east coast. That would be tooooo cool if you were within driving distance of LA or SD. But I think you are pulling our legs. ;)

:P

Jealous, Forrest? :evilgrin:

Ha! Of course not!



Now, if it was NSMA, maybe... :P

I am coming from Riverside CA and bringing a few of my fellow students along with me.

There is a protest against the wall being built between the Israelis and Palestinians on Sat. November 8. This is being held in Santa Monica, (I will be able to say where more specifically on Monday.) So for anyone who is interested in that, watch this thread or PM me with a better place to put the info.
-Brad

I missed the last DU meet-up in Santa Monica (my wedding anniversary) I'd love to meet other DUers! Now for my 2 cents worth...El Coyote on a Friday nite might be a madhouse....The food is inedible, but the magarita's are cheap, I vote Glendale,or downtown, but WILL go anywhere..:)

It is too late to make any changes. Post #87 indicating the meeting place is directly linked to the home page announcement. To make any changes now would cause people to show up at the wrong place.

Looking forward to next Friday. See you there! :hi:

Say for at least 20 people? It's time to do that now if someone locally would please volunteer to do that. Please PM me so we don't have several people making the same reservations.

Thanks

:toast:

...or will that be self-evident?

Do us libruls and evilDUer rabble rousers have a certain look about us? :D

They do not take reservations and we will be meeting in the bar until 7:00 or later to be seated. I plan to get there by 6:00 or earlier and will leave a message for those arriving after me. I will mention "Democratic Underground". Hope that doesn't get me and the rest of us a dirty look.

We'll just have to keep an eye out for each other. I don't know what else to tell ya ...

parking and such are here
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/review/11414714/editorial/?cslink=cs_profile_tabs_editorial_review

and you'll notice you can sit in the bar and order appetizers and such to your heart's content (or discontent, as the case may be). So don't worry about the rez's, we can just take over a bar table & talk, eat, & drink. As for recognition, Mensa, a subversive organization I'll admit having belonged to in the past, uses yellow map pins - you know, those little pins with colored heads? - stuck on your apparel somewhere. Also, often something like a yellow balloon moored to the table where the gathering is. I suggest either or both - just don't use yellow, otherwise we'll start attracting drunk Mensans (although that might be preferable to sober Mensans). Any current Mensans reading this, no offense meant, present company excepted, etc.

Now I'm intimidated... My drunken rambles against this evil empire include passion, wit and bizzare hand gestures, but the reasoning intellect tends to go wiggly....I'll have to put my beer down now and go play some Mahjong solitaire on-line to exercise the few brain cells remaining...Can't wait to meet y'all... Hmmm, now, what to wear...:pals:

and hope it doesn't attract any subversive types like drunk Mensans. I'll look for a color that might appeal to smart-alec type evilDUers instead. :D

I like hats, have several, and even in weird LA there aren't that many heads with hats, even with bald spots like mine. A table full of hatted people should be easy to spot.

:hi:

Hey,

I wanna be there at the gathering at El Coyote.

I have my show that night. I'm performing in a new mini-musical, on bill with 6 other short pieces in an evening called THE OTHER SHOE, at the new Edgemar Center in Santa Monica.

http://www.edgemar.com/index1.htm

Any other DU'ers wanna come see Captain "Mike" Midnight performing with a song in his heart? The whole evening starts at 7:30pm, is only 80 minutes long, so your'e outta there by 9pm, and can still hit El Coyote by 9:30pm.

Edgemar is a new building designed by Frank Gehry, who designed that brushed aluminum museum in Bilbao, Spain, and also the new Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. ALSO: Steven Spielberg kicked in half a million bucks for this new venture, so I think it's worth your time!

DISCLAIMER: Coming to my show is just a suggestion. I'm not looking to hijack the focus of the evening. I have just read the other posts here, and many of you are driving several hours for this, or are visiting from other states. Just thought this would be one more "event" to make your trip more fun and "worth it." THE 7 SHORT PIECES ARE ALL VERY WITTY, VERY FUNNY, AND VERY ENTERTAINING. (we're all New York actors living in LA, so it's very uh..."hip")

Enclosed are the details below. If you wanna come, let Captain Mike know, and I can get a head count if any DU'er's wanna come as a group. Send me a PM and I can give you my regular email, and/or make a reservation for you. You get in half price, ten bucks, if you say my name at the door. A Group Ticket Rate would even be less! WE've gotten some great reviews, and this weekend's the final 3 peformances, Friday, Saturday, Sunday night at 7:30pm.

It's a great starter for your evening. Stevedore, the gang that is producing this, is an LA and New York-based theatre collective of actors, writers, directors, and artists who have been producing shows on both coasts for several years, now. In their ranks are several Broadway veterans, film stars, television stars, and award-winners. This is a premium group of performers, and Captain Mike's finally been admitted to their ranks!

http://www.stevedoreproductions.com/

AGAIN, this is not some typical LA actor's showcase, or the usual lame-o restaging of some overdone play. I don't like to waste people's time, and I want my friends supporting my work again and again, so I only put out the word when I think something is GREAT.

Other than that, I hope to get to El Coyote after my performance. I hope you guys save one seat for The Captain!

Captain Mike

Hey,

Just reading thru these again.

Just realized booberdawg is coming in from outta town. Have you EVER BEEN to El Coyote? And on a FRIDAY NIGHT? It's a bloody zoo! Tons of patrons, in and out, tourists, regulars, it's really, really crowded. Not sure of what kinda DU numbers you're expecting, but I'd hate to see things get "sabotaged" by not getting all of us in, much less sit together.

Granted, i haven't been there in two years, but we used to stop going on weekends, cuz it was really hard to get a table for any parties more than two or three of us on a Friday night.

But it seem like that's the consensus, so I'm not looking to gum up the works, but I am concerned about the choice of that place, and on a Friday night in Los Angeles.

You should do a role call here ASAP, tomorrow, and get an idea of a head count, and call ahead. Not sure what their resv. system is there.

Just a suggestion,
Captain Mike

Got here about an hour and a half ago. I could smell smoke from the fires the minute I left the airport. :-( My dad and his wife can't smell it anymore but I sure can.

I'm on notice they think Arnold is wonderful. First time either one of them have ever voted for a Republican. I am misinformed. :eyes: We agreed to leave the topic off limits. On to happier topics - we are pals otherwise.

See you at the El Coyote Friday. I'm staying at a hotel nearby so I don't get lost and get there in plenty of time. There should be quite a showing - I've received several PM's along the way from people who have not posted here as well.

See you there. :toast:

Linda

Glad you're coming out Booberdawg - geez, it takes a DU'er from Iowa to pull together an LA DU'er meetup, eh? After reading the entire thread in one sitting, I see now why Dems have such a hard time winning elections (hee hee, sorry, just kidding! please don't take that wrong)

I'm near Universal too....hmm....wonder if your family members are neighbors of mine....

See you Friday at EL COYOTE - (do you need me to bring name tags?)
Joni

"After reading the entire thread in one sitting, I see now why Dems have such a hard time winning elections"

Hehe - we just can't help ourselves! :D

Could be that you do know my family members near Universal. We'll compare notes Friday night.

If you already have name tags, sure, bring them. Otherwise don't go to any special trouble.

See you tomorrow night!

Linda

At the El Coyote right?

There have been no change of plans and there won't be any changes at this late date.

6:00 is for the earlybirds - some will not be able to make it till 7:00 or so.

I live and work in Hollywood, so its no big deal for me.

Post #87 announcing the get-together at El Coyote on Beverly in Hollywood on the 7th is directly linked to the announcement on the DU home page. It is just not appropriate to change the meeting place from what that link indicates. No changes have been nor will be made to those plans.

See you there! :hi:

This is gonna be fun! Who's gonna be the designated driver? Or maybe a carpool? Shout out to any Echo park/ Silverlake DUers...:bounce:

I have arranged a ride myself.

Give a yell, let's see about car-pooling....

First come, first serve...

I won't know for sure until tomorrow afternoon. Is someone doing a head count and reservation?

There's no way to get an accurate head count at this point. My guess would be between 20 and 30 and even then I don't know who was planning on bringing a spouse, SO or friend. Some are just planning on attending and not checking into this thread. I have received PM's over the last couple weeks as well.

We did try to make reservations but they don't take reservations at this place. They said they were not busy yet by 7:00 and that we should be okay. Nevertheless, I plan to get there before 6:00 and will try to abscond with enough space in the lounge to take care of us, or persuade them to arrange enough seating ahead of time in the dining room for us.

See you tonight, Emillereid! :hi:

Thanks! See you there. Should we all wear our DU shirts or something? Or antiwar buttons or something so we can identify each other?

:wtf:

I didn't know THAT??? :freak:

the smokers,I think. Bring a sweater, it's been chilly here lately... Possibility of rain tonight too.:(

the smoke concentration has gone down considerably in the last week....

my husband and a friend (who just joined DU this week!)

-Joni

There is plenty of room. It is first come, first serve however they will consider my early arrival sufficient to hold a spot for a party of 25 to 30. They have a private party room big enough for that, or we can have the outside patio area (where we can smoke too ;) ) I will check the weather reports and if it looks like no rain I will grab the patio.

The name of the party us Democratic Underground.

There is valet parking for $2.50

Otherwise, do not park on Fuller or Poinsettia or you will be ticketed.

Hollywood drivers are idiots.

Only have a couple minutes to type and send this ...

I don't think I managed to take attendance, but we at least determined that devilgrrl is not boring.

In this reporter's opinion, a fine time was had by all, despite the loooonggg drives undertaken by us east-enders against the fine advice of partying in Glendale. Ah, well, there's always other opportunities, without Booberdawg bossing us around. Ahem.

Anyway, Booberdawg, the scenic drive I was talking about consists of going to Santa Monica, head up the Pacific Coast Highway, turn right - be careful not to turn left; you'll get wet - at Malibu Canyon Road. By this time you'll have gotten a good lake at the Malibu Canyon, homes of the rich and rich. Maybe there's some famous in there too. Malibu Canyon is an amazingly beautiful drive, and at the top you'll hit Malibu Creek Canyon State Park. There'll be a bunch of rock climbers there, and the place has been used as a setting for movies & tv shows. Then you can pick up Mulhholland Highway or Parkway, or something. It really feels like a drive in the country (like you don't have that in Iowa, right) in a mountain valley, when you're actually in the middle of a big city. Very odd. Then you can drop to the left at Topanga Canyon to go back down to the Pacific Coast Highway again.

Whatever you end up doing (sleeping all day after howling all night at El Coyote?) thanks for prodding us to get together. We should do this again.....