Expo II Breaks Ground

This morning I watched the story on KTLA like a little kid.  Finally, they were breaking ground on the second phase of the Expo line, which will extend from Culver City to Santa Monica.  Obviously, there is still some opposition by the NIMBY crowd in Cheviot Hills, arguing there will be heavier traffic in the neighborhood, and this could delay the scheduled 2015 opening, but you've got to be excited by progress, right!?!



Then I heard something troubling-- that the Expo Line phase 1 would not open until the beginning of next year! Now, I know there have been plenty of bumps in the road that have caused delays, but I had to check this one out.  As it turns out, there are two pieces of the phase 1 project, and the first piece will open late this year (as we had previously been informed), and the final portion including a bridge over Jefferson will be opening in the beginning of 2012.  Mystery solved.

If you'd like to read the entire LA Times article on the subject, you can find that HERE.

And here's their map of the project....

Glendale Discourages Tennis

My wife and I registered for (and of course, got) tennis rackets, something we thought would be fun to do together.  On our mini-moon to Vacation Island, we enjoyed our time on the court, despite the swarm of bees that came cruising through.  And it was clear we would need to play more, because I owed her for the swift ass-kicking she gave me.

Growing up in Moorpark, I was used to shooting hoops right by the tennis courts at the parks.  I didn't play tennis, but knew that I always could go play a game if I had a racquet on me.  In fact, there was a summer that a bunch of us would head over and mess around on the tennis courts after basketball practice.  Point being, at the public city parks, the courts were always open.

However, upon searching for a place to brush up on my swing and avenge my loss, it was impossible to find a place in Glendale that did not charge court fees.  Being a basketball recreationist myself, court fees are something I just am not familiar with.  Furthermore, I couldn't make sense of why there were court fees to play tennis and not basketball at the Glendale parks.

Of course, and probably due to the fact that there are fees, there was nobody playing on the courts at Freemont park.  However, there actually were a few people playing at Glorietta park, though there were still court fees.

I'm having a real hard time swallowing this for more than a few reasons.  First, if they start with tennis, is basketball next?  Second, isn't that discrimination?  Third, isn't that discouraging people from exercising?  Fourth, isn't this a public park? Fifth, I live in this City; why aren't tax dollars covering this?  And finally, why are you charging and where is the money going?

C'mon, Glendale!  LA's got plenty of free courts, and so does Long Beach.  What gives?