Baby Bogaloo

Mas de Chica

2651 Nichols Canyon, Hollywood Hills Steven Kent, AIA

The Nichols Canyon house is centered around the pool and expansive views of the surrounding Canyon. In order to qualify as a remodel for permitting purposes, the house follows much of the previous structureʼs footprint. The House has an open plan with all spaces connecting to a voluminous two-story glass enclosed Great Room.

Vintage Shop LA #1

Fresh on the L.A. vintage scene, Buttons & Bows in downtown is the brainchild of stylish BFFs Monique Aquino and Karen Marley, daughter of Bob Marley. Their contemporary take on vintage, for some reason, really compels me to get up, stand up. And their store's recycled high fashion (Chanel, Margiela, Chloe, YSL, even some TOPSHOP) truly satisfies my soul. Not to mention the honestly priced wares (usually marked down at least 50% from original prices), which left me wondering, "Is this love?" So lively up yourself, quit waiting in vain, and join the punky reggae vintage party downtown. Jah. 111 W. Seventh Street, Suite R11, downtown LA.

Lowrider Girl du jour

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The year was 1977 when Apple 11 Computers went on sale for the first time, and snow fell on Miami; also for the first time ever. The movie Star Wars hit the cinemas and Elvis Presley left the building for the last time. Happy Days’ Fonzie jumped the shark, the BeeGee’s released their soundtrack to “Saturday Night Fever,” and Led Zeppelin played their last concert in the U.S. The mini-series “Roots” premiered on ABC TV, while Chico and the Man’s Freddie Prinze passed away, shocking fans and viewers. Also that year, Sonny Madrid and his Band of Brothers in San Jose, California would publish the first ever magazine for Lowriders, called Lowrider Magazine.

Lowrider bikes have been around for years, although nobody has ever really pinpointed when the actual first lowrider bike hit the boulevard. Maybe the closest thing that has ever been documented was the Eddie Munster bike from the '60s TV show The Munsters, a George Barris-customized Schwinn Sting-Ray. The Sting-Ray has been the bike of choice for most lowrider bike builders ever since its introduction in the '60s. The popularity of the Schwinn and similar bikes remained strong throughout the '70s. In the mid '80s, however, Sting-Rays seemed to go into hibernation as BMX and freestyle bikes seem to be the direction that all bike manufacturers and enthusiasts took.

The Lowrider History

The Lowrider History

In the early years of cars, most Mexican immigrants as well as Chicanos were poor farm workers at best and did not have the money to afford a vehicle. Naturally, as time went by, white middle class America began casting off older cars to acquire the newer models, which to white America is a statement. In the eyes of most of America, a car is no good after 2 to 3 years. You should trade it in and purchase a newer car. The theory of having bigger, newer, shinier version of anything and the wasteful abuse of everything has all but destroyed the family unit, as we know it. Everything in our society is disposable, replaceable and comes with an expiration date including friends and family. The only thing important today in the majority of races living in the United States is “Me” agenda. Selfish pursuits of pipe dreams ending in lonely abandoned old age misery that grasps out of the darkness trying to steal companionship from those who chose a different path. No family, no friends only your material possessions to keep you company in cold silence. These statements may seem out of place, unless you know how the Lowrider was born. The history of the Lowrider tells us about Mexicans and Chicanos and is a statement to be proud of.