VNY
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

VNY

It takes a bit to find but the view is definitely worth it.

Tucked behind the remnants of some old industrial buildings is an observation area for the Van Nuys airport. It's open from dawn to dusk, free and available to anyone who wants to be close to the action. In fact, the only thing separating you from the rumble of planes is a simple chain link fence, pocked with portholes to provide an unobstructed view. 

Originally opened on December 17, 1928, the VNY airport averages 700 departures/landings per day. Non-commercial flights account for the majority of these flights, along with a sprinkling of training exercises. Given its location, it comes as no surprise the airport has developed numerous Hollywood connections. A young Norma Jeane Mortenson (Marilyn Monroe) worked onsite making drones during WWII. Frank Sinatra and his Learjet were also frequent visitors to VNY. And countless television and film projects used the location as a backdrop, perhaps most famously, for scenes from the 1942 Oscar-winning film Casablanca.

These days, anyone can stand alongside the airport's two runaways while a nearby speaker squawks live instructions from the control tower's personnel. Real action in real time. Just like in the movies.

"Here's looking at you kid. We'll always have ... Van Nuys." - (modified) dialogue from Casablanca

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Architecture
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Architecture

What is on your architectural "top ten" list?

It likely depends on your mood. I have a special affection for some of NYC's eye-catching designs: the yawning expanse of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Chrysler Building's gleaming metal cladding, and the inspirational pose of the Statue of Liberty. 

A glimpse of the Lincoln Memorial can get my heart to skip a beat. All those stairs, 87 in total, a preamble to America's version of the Parthenon. Or perhaps Maya Lin's black granite salute to the fallen of the Vietnam War is more your style. Somber. Linear. Piercing.

There are plenty of architectural gems west of the Mississippi as well. Mount Rushmore comes to mind. Or the haunting remains of Alcatraz. Even the opulent excess of Hearst Castle never fails to dazzle.

But if I had to choose only one architect, I would put my chips down on Frank Lloyd Wright. Over the years I have made pilgrimages to many of his most iconic creations - Taliesin West, Fallingwater, the Guggenheim, and LA's own Hollyhock House. 

Harmony with the created world was Wright's trademark. After all, who can design something more beautiful than nature?

"I believe in God, only I call it Nature." - Frank Lloyd Wright

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Battleship
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Battleship

"You sunk my battleship!"

This four-word yelp was a regular part of my childhood conversations.

"Battleship," introduced in 1967 by Milton Bradley, is a peg and grid game of hide and seek. Each player sets their ships on a platform out of view of their competitor. Players then guess the coordinates of the battleship hoping to get a strike. When the entire ship has been discovered, the losing captain must announce defeat using the moniker above. 

Raised as an army brat, and not a navy brat, my knowledge of warship maneuvers is understandably limited. But I got a peek behind the curtain when a recent trip brought me to the Maritime Conference Center, located just north of Annapolis. 

There, surrounded by buzz cuts and broad shoulders, I shared space with naval officers preparing to guide our nation's largest ships. While I was holed up with my fellow chaplains, all of the other meeting rooms hummed with chatter about ocean currents and navigation protocols. There was even a simulator of a ship's bridge, complete with a video rendering of various waterways across the globe.

My version of "battleship" was just child's play. But for a select few, it's far more than a game...

"Any man who may be asked what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'" - President John F. Kennedy, August 1963

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The Year of the Snake
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

The Year of the Snake

2025. The Year of the Snake.

This new lunar cycle will begin on Wednesday, January 29th. The snake is the sixth within a cohort of twelve; sharing the zodiac marquee with the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, (snake), horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. 

I remember stumbling upon a depiction of all twelve during a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). A bronze head, one for each zodiac symbol, was located in the museum's courtyard. Recreated by artist Ai Weiwei, this fanciful loop harkened back to the original dozen that adorned the grounds of Beijing's Summer Palace. I had never seen anything quite like it. 

Those born during the Year of the Snake are said to be mysterious, wise, determined, persuasive, and passionate. On the flip side they are also prone to jealousy, suspicion, and judgement. 

As someone born during the Year of the Rat, it seems prudent to give the snake a wide berth. That said, I'll still be taking a page from the snake's book. Time to leave the old behind and make room for the new....

"Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again." - Gautama Buddha

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For Whom The Bell Tolls
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

For Whom The Bell Tolls

I have been to many churches over the course of my life, but sadly, Maranatha Baptist Church is not among them.

Located in Plains, Georgia, this modest parish claims among its congregants former President Jimmy Carter. Founded in the late 1970's, this was the church where Carter attended services and where he taught Sunday School classes for over forty years. Of this there is no doubt. Carter was a devout man who embodied the principles of his faith.

I was just 16 years old when President Carter took office. And while his term in the White House featured some notable challenges, this naval officer turned statesman won a Nobel Peace Prize, sustained a marriage, and spent his later years carving out his most important legacy ... that of a humanitarian. 

Since our nation was founded, St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Salem, MA) has tolled its bell in observance of the death of every U.S. president. On January 9th, the church's original 1740 bell rang out 100 times as President Carter was laid to rest. Gone but not forgotten.

"Father of all, we pray to you for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace." - Book of Common Prayer, Burial of the Dead Rite II

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Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Carter

It's not often you come face to face with someone whose life has changed your own.

One of the benefits of having a longer lens is the chance to be reminded of the forks in the road that led you to where you are. The older you become, the more complicated the tapestry, including all the intersections where someone else has altered your trajectory.

In 1974, while I was still in middle school and dreaming of becoming the next Chris Evert, Carter Heyward and ten other women took an audacious leap of faith and were "irregularly" ordained in the Episcopal Church, USA. The "Philadelphia Eleven," as they would later come to be known, were the first women to become priests in my church. In 1976 this act was officially condoned by the institutional powers that be during General Convention, to the chagrin and annoyance of many. 

Last month I had the chance to hear Carter, now 79 years old, talk about her renegade youth. And while I was enormously grateful to listen to her reflections firsthand, I couldn't help but think what she did that July day, some 50 years ago, changed my life as well.

As 2025 peeks over the horizon, perhaps it's a good time to remember the impact of our own words and actions. Whose life might we have transformed today?

"Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But, because I knew you, I have been changed for good." - from Wicked, written by Stephen Schwartz 

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Relish!
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Relish!

Taking their name from the year Prohibition was repealed, the "1933 Group" is responsible for a a swirl of renovations within the greater Los Angeles area, none more near and dear to my heart than the "Tail o' the Pup."

For almost twenty years this iconic hot dog stand was hidden from view, exiled to a local warehouse. But in 2022 it reemerged in West Hollywood, thanks to "1933," and has been dishing out corn dogs, chili, burgers, and the like to both new customers and longtime fans.

If you find your nostalgic bone twitching this holiday season, roll on up to the Pup. Like it's namesake hot dog, it is to be relished!

"I always look for a hot dog wherever I go." - Martha Stewart

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The Hand
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

The Hand

Many years ago now, I left a "Yankee Swap" party with an extra hand.

It was a ceramic hand, white and glossy, and stood about a foot high. Although originally meant to display jewelry or gloves, it turned out to be a gag gift at the holiday gathering I was attending. Unwittingly I picked it from among the wrapped offerings and instantly fell in love.

As the selection process resumed, I quickly warned the others not to even think about taking it from me. The hand and I made a perfect match.

Mostly the hand stayed on the counter, next to a cylinder filled with spoons, spatulas, and other assorted cooking utensils. Once in awhile it was placed on our dining room table, as a centerpiece of sorts. We even slipped a gold hoop earring on the third finger one afternoon, announcing the hand's engagement to the other kitchen accoutrement. 

But for all her sleek quirkiness, the hand was not particularly steady. And this week, while wiping up a few crumbs, an inadvertent bump caused the hand to topple over and snap.

Fragile. Mortal. And perhaps because of this, much beloved.

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." - Martin Luther

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On The Road Again
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

On The Road Again

If you're seeking the weird, wacky, and wonderful, look no further. RoadsideAmerica.com is here!

Billed as an "on-line guide to offbeat tourist attractions," this webpage has become my go-to travel Bible. It's how I learned of South Dakota's "Corn Palace," the "Largest Catsup Bottle" in Illinois, Amarillo's rusty "Cadillac Ranch," and so much more.

Case in point. This past week I attended my annual diocesan convention. My wife tagged along despite the promise of a rather ho-hum agenda. But I had a curveball planned, a suggested detour care of RoadsideAmerica.com

Unbeknownst to her, our itinerary included a quick trip to the outskirts of Riverside, the host city for our gathering, home to a 68-foot concrete rendering of a paper cup. 

The world's biggest!

"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Earthquakes

This past week I met Lucy Jones, nicknamed by many Californians as the "Beyoncé of Earthquakes."

Dr. Jones is a leading voice in seismology. Her work at Cal Tech and the US Geological Survey have vastly increased our knowledge and subsequent prediction of earthquakes. Indeed she and her partners at USGS developed the "Great Shakeout Earthquake Drills," educating millions on what to do should an earthquake occur. 

Which is how I met Lucy. Doing an earthquake drill. In church.

When it came time for announcements this past Sunday, Lucy got up and gave us a brief overview of earthquakes and the importance of preparing for such events. And then, while standing in the pulpit, she encouraged all of us to "Drop. Cover. And Hold On."

At her command, I dutifully climbed under my seat on the altar while the congregants all disappeared underneath the pews. 

When Beyoncé preaches, everyone listens.

"Earthquakes are part of our environment. It's the reason Southern California is as beautiful as it is." - Lucy Jones

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Champions
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Champions

Is there anything better than October baseball?

I live close enough to Dodger Stadium to hear the fireworks pop after a hometown victory. So Wednesday night's ka-BOOM felt particularly apt, capping off a thrilling World Series-clinching win. 

It was an uphill battle for most of the evening. But in the end, all eyes came to rest on a single pitcher and a lone batter. It took all 185 pounds of Walker Buehler to snap the final pitch past a swinging Alex Verdugo. A curveball wielded like a dagger, and just like that, Dodger Nation lay claim to its eighth championship banner.

Dodgers v. Yankees. East Coast v. West Coast. Pinstripes v. Dodger Blue.

October baseball. The stuff that dreams are made of...

"Baseball. It breaks your heart. It's designed to break your heart." - A. Bartlett Giamatti (former commissioner of Major League Baseball)

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Manzanar
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Manzanar

From the road, only the guard tower is still visible.

Nestled beside Rte 395, just a few hours south of California's Mammoth Lakes, lies Manzanar. 

One of ten "war relocation centers" built in the United States, Manzanar housed 10,046 Japanese immigrants and citizens starting in 1942. Feared to be a threat to national security, the camp's inhabitants were incarcerated, isolated, and ostracized. When WWII ended, the detainees were finally released and given $25 and a bus ticket to relaunch their lives.

Manzanar, the word for apple orchard in Spanish, still displays hints of its agricultural past. Gardens, fruit trees, and the remains of a farming operation are scattered across its 6,000+ acres. But it's what you don't see that is the most searing.

Here, in the shadow of the Sierras, are thousands of ghosts. Lives gone but not forgotten...

"I don't understand all this hate in the world." - Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Farewell to Manzanar

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Boneyards
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Boneyards

Scattered across the United States are more than thirty aircraft "boneyards." 

These sites serve as holding areas for planes in need of temporary storage, decommissioned airplanes, or those headed to the scrap pile.

Last week I unexpectedly discovered one such facility. I was driving on the edge of the Mojave desert just before sunrise, while the morning mist was still rising. When the sun popped above the horizon, suddenly rows and rows of planes became visible. It was mesmerizing.

The desert climate is particularly conducive to such preservation efforts and thus a good choice for these boneyards. But the vast emptiness of the Mojave lent an air of loneliness and sorrow to the scene. All those metal carcasses, still yearning to fly...

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo de Vinci

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Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Pop!

With daily temperatures hovering near 100 degrees this week, going to a theater and watching a movie sounds pretty darn good. And with movies ... comes popcorn. 

Usually I'm a Milk Duds or Good&Plenty kind of gal, but sometimes a bucket of popcorn feels like just the right thing at just the right time.

Popcorn made its theater debut in 1912 and later survived a temporary ban after patrons complained it was too loud to be served in the quiet confines of darkened movie houses. 

Americans eat more popcorn than any other nation, a pattern cemented during WWII when sugar shortages shrunk the availability of other tasty options. And if that's not enough to convince you of popcorn's allure, how about this nutritional fun fact. Popcorn contains more iron than eggs or even roast beef.

Happy popping!

"Every once in awhile, someone will mail me a single popcorn kernel that didn't pop. I'll get out a fresh kernel, tape it to a piece of paper, and mail it back to them." - Orville Redenbacher

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Pine Needles
Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Pine Needles

Are those ... pine needles? Yup, strewn across the path that rings the Hollywood Reservoir were pine needles.

When I think of sun-drenched Los Angeles, pine needles don't often come to mind. I'm too distracted by the towering palm trees and the fragrance of lemons to give conifers much thought. But this weekend my hiking boots strode across a pillow of pine needles. Fall had somehow arrived. 

The autumnal equinox occurred this past week, the moment in our sun's orbit when its light shines directly on the equator. This occurrence triggers a shift in our atmosphere, at least here in the northern hemisphere, as our days grow shorter and our nights grow longer.

Rush into the sunshine I urge you, before you swaddle yourself in corduroy, and cinnamon, and hunker down with a stack of books. The detritus of nature's waning life is already upon us.

"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house." - Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

T-Shirts

In 1985, actor Michael J. Fox starred in a whimsical comedy titled Back to the Future

The plot revolves around his character being sent back in time, returning to the days his own parents were still in high school. But who needs such cinematic wizardry when a peek into your t-shirt drawer will produce the same result?

Especially now that I live in a warm climate, my t-shirt stack has grown over the past few years. I have a few emblazoned with the names of schools. I acquired a handful after volunteering for the LA Food Bank and various 5K runs. But my two favorites, held together by a few threads and a prayer, are decades old.

The first depicts the cartoon character Gumby, made famous by USC alumnus Art Clokey. Gumby has been around since the 1950's. My t-shirt, almost as long. And the second, a tattered pink shell, has a picture of Mr. Bubble across the chest. It's soft, worn, and definitely too raggedy to be seen outside the confines of my bedroom.

How did I acquire these two wardrobe wonders you ask? I did what everyone does. I stole them from my spouse...

"Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me that you built a time machine ... out of a DeLorean?!?" - Marty McFly in Back to the Future

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Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Poker Chips

On Monday morning I discovered a handful of poker chips on the bottom of my swimming pool.

That is to say the communal swimming pool at my apartment complex, a two-building behemoth filled with youthful fit singles living their best lives. 

After most weekends, the pool deck is strewn with the debris of late-night hijinks. Still, the poker chips were new.

When I was a kid, my mother would attach a hose to our lawn sprinkler so we could frolic amidst streams of cool water. Soon enough we outgrew the sprinkler and moved on to the ever dicey Wham-O Slip 'n Slide, spending hours and hours careening off the end of the plastic strip onto the wet grass. We later launched ourselves into the neighborhood pond by way of an old rope swing. Our fascination with water held no bounds.

These days I glide across the water by way of a decent enough breaststroke, the only option that allows me to wear my sunglasses while swimming. As they say at the poker table, I'm "all-in."

"The water doesn't know how old you are." - Dara Torres (5X Olympic Swimmer)

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Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Steering

Last week, while idling at a stoplight on Santa Monica Boulevard, I gazed across the intersection and was startled to see that the car on the other side didn't have a driver. 

It didn't have any passengers either. It was one of those self-driving Teslas, on some kind of joyride through the bustling streets of West Hollywood.

For the next few blocks I experienced a wave of emotions. Initially, I was impressed with the technological wizardry such an invention required. Then I was unnerved that the traffic that surrounded me might not respond in the ways in which I had become accustom. Crazy drivers can still be predictable ones. But mostly, I was sad.

Driving is one of my most treasured past times. I am a true disciple of America's car culture. And while walking feeds my soul, there's nothing like driving to make my spirit soar. 

"Everything in life is somewhere else. And you get there in a car." - E.B. White

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Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

The Art of Teaching

teach /tēCH/ verb - show or explain to (someone) how to do something.

These days, it seems like being a teacher, or a student for that matter, involve much more than Merriam-Webster would lead us to believe.

In my salad days, thoughts of September would bring to mind three-ring binders, Ticonderoga pencils, and the color of changing autumn leaves. Nowadays, classrooms are rife with TI-84 calculators, Google docs, and fields of study that didn't even exist a few decades ago.

It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the advancements in technology along with a tsunami of information that bleats for our attention.

What isn't different? That through the act of teaching, the world changes.....

"Let us remember: One book, One pen, One child, and One teacher can change the world." - Malala Yousafzi

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Anne Gardner Anne Gardner

Cheerios!

Ah, the mighty Cheerio!

First introduced in May of 1941, this General Mills' product quickly became a staple of the American breakfast table.

Over the decades, various flavors have come and gone. The third product iteration, Honey Nut Cheerios, was launched in 1979. Coated with a brown sugar-molasses-honey glaze, this version is second only to the original in popularity.

But perhaps the biggest uptick in recent sales is due to the "o" in Cheerios. Made from oats, Cheerios were officially certified gluten-free in 2015 after factories in the United States removed traces of rye, barley, and wheat that had previously contaminated the supply chain. That said, be sure to check the label when you venture abroad. Cheerios manufactured by Nestles, like in the UK, still contain wheat!

"It's a honey of an O!" - product tagline (1979-2004)

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