Author Archives: Val

I Went Down To The Crossroads

Quartzsite, Arizona Picture a place where quirkiness is de rigueur and places like Portland, Oregon; South Austin, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Venice Beach in Los Angeles immediately come to mind, but the unsung bastion of cheerful insanity is undoubtedly … Continue reading

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I Believe I’ll Have Somoa

Samoa Cookhouse Samoa, California As the sun peeks its smiling face over the horizon, a clang of the bell and a call of “Come and get it” echoes over the channel into Arcata Bay, beckoning early risers to a hearty … Continue reading

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The Happiest Place In South America

Parque Jaime Duque Tocancipá, Colombia With world travelers like Anthony Bourdain touting the success of Colombia pulling itself up by its bootstraps to become a modern tourist destination, can the Andean paradise be far from gross commercial Americanization? While the … Continue reading

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Much Ado About Dunkin’

Dunkin’ Donuts Santa Monica, California This is the city: Los Angeles. I work here. I carry a box of doughnuts. In a metropolitan area that nearly 12 million Angelenos and transplants call home, you would think a box franchise staking … Continue reading

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Little Italy

Locanda Positano Marina del Rey, California Locanda Positano is a dot on the commercial stretch of Lincoln Avenue that runs from Marina del Rey through Santa Monica; you might just miss this tiny gem if you blink. The fare is … Continue reading

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