Irving Penn's Small Trades at Getty Center

File this in the better late than never category: checked out photographer Irving Penn's "Small Trades" exhibition of 252 platinum and rich palladium prints at the Getty this week which closes Sunday 1/10. Penn worked with these negatives over 50 years creating intimate but revealing studio portraits of tradespeople in London, New York and Paris. These psychological portraits, set against a neutral background, are revealing decades later and emblematic of Penn's fascination with "dissolving cultures"and worlds that would disappear. Some of these trades are long lost: no need for coal or ice men these days or even chamois sellers.

The Getty Center is open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Parking is free after 5 p.m. on Saturday as well, otherwise it's now $15. Admission is free.

L.A. Arts Month

Howdy 2010! Postings were light at the end of the year: lots of conflicts such as paid work, family (Martin returned from six months in India!), the holidays, a biennial bout with some kind of flu and a new blogging gig for AOL TripVine: LA Suite Life where I cover all that's new, different and hopefully, interesting about SoCal hotels.

In anticipation of L.A. Arts Month (more at blogdowntown.com), I checked out the second half of MOCA's Collection: MOCA's First Thirty Years their comprehensive historical survey of the past 70 years of contemporary art at the Geffen Contemporary (with an emphasis on NY and Calif. artists). Felt like a trip to my own office as many of the artists showcased are among my faves and I look at their work everyday. Ok MOCA has the originals but it was a pleasure to see them given the grand museum treatment: Edward Ruscha, Barbara Kruger and Hiroshi Sugimoto's black-and-white photos of luminescent cinema screens. A number of John Baldessaris and Catherine Opie's still searing self-portrait are here as well. Looking forward to seeing the first half of the show at MOCA Grand Ave. soon.

Griffith Park Festival of Lights Goes "Green"

Thanks to the heads up from L.A. Observed today regarding the annual DWP sponsored Holiday Light Festival (cutesy designs + Xmas music and traffic jam) through the park is vehicle free December 4 - 17. Bikers are welcome this Thursday Dec. 3 from 5 p.m.- 10 p.m., which is great news. I rode my bike along with the cars one year and it was truly unpleasant. Check the website for parking info.

Photo is from December 2008: Snow on Mt. Wilson. Saw some this weekend dusting Mt. Baldy.

Silver Lake Library: An ultra-modern library for the 'hood

The original one-room Silver Lake Library:

Modernist lines and glass sliding doors at the entrance:

Solar panels:

The book sorting machine

The Friends of the Silver Lake Library hosted a well-attended Open House today. More than 30 people were waiting before the door opened at 10 a.m. I thought it was to see the new library; I think they were lined up for the generous spread of treats and free Starbucks coffee. Lots to check out. A small display of historic photos (hence my pic of the original library--the neighborhood has definitely changed!), a bright corner for reading, free Wi-Fi, all new books and computers, a comfortable area for kids, books and audio books for teens, a shelf devoted to local authors like Janet Fitch, automated check out and return (a little ridiculous I'd say) and everything nice and clean.

Many upcoming events including a new book club (first meeting Wed. Dec 2 at 6:30 p.m.), a talk by columnist and humorist Joel Stein (Sat. Dec 12 at 2 p.m.) and on January 22 a fundraiser at Silver Lake Wine.

Library hours may change due to budget issues.

Silver Lake Library

2411 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 - (323) 913-7451

Mon. 10-8, Tue. Noon-8, Wed. 10-8, Thu. Noon-8, Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. Closed

Halloween special: Haunted Silver Lake

My neighborhood takes Halloween very seriously. Lots of artists and art directors make the 'hood feel really creepy. Beware!

Downtown L.A.: Nickel diner on Food Network

I'm a new but enthusiastic fan of the Nickel Diner in Downtown LA: I've been there three times this month, first to taste the house-made, maple syrup and bacon-topped donut (above) and now I'm a fan of the breakfast choices like the huevos rancheros and egg scrambles accompanied by baked polenta. Lots of prep and fresh ingredients goes into these dishes. The restaurant closed for a day a couple months back so Guy Fieri of the Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives could capture the secrets to the above donut and fried catfish with brussels sprout hash. Watch the show and you'll be on your way downtown in flash--just don't go on Mondays as the restaurant is closed. Bring change for the parking meters--street parking is now $3/hour.

Silver Lake: Canada Geese make an appearance.

Earlier this week, more than five dozen, plump honking Canada Geese* made a migratory pit-stop on the cement shores of the Silver Lake Reservoir. They prefer to graze on fields and lawns and have made themselves at home --this week anyway--on the northwest corner of non-bird ball-topped reservoir.

*Thanks to the reader who corrected the name. Seem to have flown off to warmer climes in any case.