Lisa Burks Online

Chicago and Ghosts and Graves, Oh My!

I love it when a planned day of fun yields an added delectable surprise.

That's what happened today when our merry band of Death Hags gathered to support good buddy Steve Goldstein at his Dark Delicacies book signing in Burbank to promote his awesome new book LA's Graveside Companion: Where The VIPs RIP.

See photos here!

Also on the dais was Scott Markus who presented the second revised and expanded edition of his book Voices from the Chicago Grave.

I started reading it soon after I got home tonight and am half-way finished already.

It covers three topics that I adore: cemeteries, ghost stories and Chitown. And then some, as stories are not limited to graveyards.  They also include homes, farms, churches, asylums, parks and colleges.

The tightly written 300+ page turner is hard to put down because Scott doesn't just re-tell tales.  He explores each lore and location's history, adds personal insight based on his own experiences while investigating these cases and puts everything into perspective by explaining why they're relevant.

Scott's book has a companion website; both grew out of an original documentary project, making it a multi-media experience.

What a happy surprise to meet Scott and encounter his book today. Lucky for us, Scott has recently moved here from Chicago and plans to start similiar projects focusing on Los Angeles and the Bay area ghosts.

'Graveside Companion' Comes To Burbank

My pal Steve Goldstein has been on a very successful whirlwind publicity tour for his hot new book LA's Graveside Companion: Where The VIPs RIP. 

This weekend he'll be in my neck of the woods, good ole Burbank!

Meet Steve at a book signing this Sunday, April 19th at 2pm at Dark Delicacies, the only all horror book store in America, located 4213 Burbank Blvd.

Caffeinated Laughs

After the traditional Tax Day fleecing today I was sorely in need of a good laugh on a shoestring budget.

Luckily for me (and about two dozen other peeps) I found plenty of both tonight with The Comic Buzz crew at Romancing The Bean in Burbank.

The Comic Buzz Comedians Jerry Rocha, Bryan Erwin,
Neil Edwards and Heather Thompson

Word is starting to get around about this midweek stand-up showcase, now on its fourth consecutive week.  This is thanks in part to a featured write up last week in The Burbank Leader.

But it also has a lot to do with the energetic enthusiasm of it's creator and host, Bryan Erwin, who spends his pre-show warm-up time at the door, humorously enticing passers-by in off the boulevard.

For the price of a very affordable and super delish latte, I spent close to two hours laughing at seven comedians tonight who each presented their unique brand of clever, witty and sometimes downright weird musings on the coffee house's corner stage.

Topics ranged from facial hair, travel and dating to death, cultural oddities and bar soap, with some edgy Nazi, sex and depression jokes thrown in for good measure.  All very, very funny.

Each week the line up consists of up-and-coming comedians who you have probably seen on late night television or at some of the more pricey comedy clubs in Los Angeles.

Tonight's roster included Kyle Kinane, Heather Thompson, Danny Vermont, The Walsh Brothers, Jerry Rocha and Neil Edwards.

The Comic Buzz happens every Wednesday evening starting at 8pm.

Romancing The Bean is located at 150 S. San Fernando Blvd., between Olive and Angeleno. At least for the next few weeks. Word there tonight was that it's losing the space at the end of the month, but plans are to stay in the immediate area.

Here's hoping!  What a lovely coffee house environment and some of the best comedy I've seen in a long time.  The Bean also hosts Open Mic Night, which adds music and poetry to the mix, every 2nd and 4th Tuesday night.

When The Bird Was The Word

Mark Fidrych, Baseball’s Beloved ‘Bird,’ Dies at 54


My favorite personal snaps of Mark Fidrych
Tiger Stadium, August 1976

You can't grow up in Detroit and not love the Tigers, even when they stink to high heaven.

I was lucky enough to grow up during an era when I experienced them winning the World Series in 1968 and again in 1984.  The interim years were still fun, because my best friend Reetz and I were teenagers with serious crushes on half the team, with our hearts belonging mostly to Tom Veryzer.

But midway between pennants, we were mesmerized by a Massachusetts pitcher who took Detroit (and baseball in general) by storm. Mark "The Bird" Fidrych was an unassuming, quirky dude who talked to the baseball and groomed the mound between batters.

The Bird signing autographs for fans
(Including me, see below)

And he won games, despite the oppressive fan and media attention.  You couldn't go anywhere in town without hearing the refrains of Bird, Bird, Bird, The Bird is the Word...

When I heard of his untimely death today, my adult heart ached for the senseless loss, for his pain and that of his family.  And my inner teenager pulled out her old Tiger albums filled with yellowing pictures and wept for one of her super heroes.

Mark on the mound, snapped in June 1978

But I also smiled thinking of all the joy he brought me and to so many people doing what he loved, being himself.  We should all have such brief, shining moments. I'm glad to have been around to witness his.

I still have my Mark Fidrych autographed baseball

God bless you, Mark.  You'll always be The Word!  Rest in peace.

Related article: State rules Mark Fidrych's death an accident.

1985 interview courtesy of Media Burn Archive:

But All The Cool Cats Are Doing It

Working from home instead of the traditional office environment, I often find myself resisting the siren song of the mid-afternoon cat nap.

My "co-workers" are not much help.  I'm out-numbered two-to-one these days.  They make Siestas look so darned appealing. 

Jackpot loves to snooze in the sun

Buster prefers snoring in the shade

I'm just saying no to feline peer pressure, one afternoon at a time.

The Cat's Meow of Los Angeles Landmarks

One of my favorite local landmarks is the Felix the Cat neon signage at historic Felix Chevrolet, located at Figueroa and Jefferson. 

Strike that.  It's beloved by many, but not "officially" historic. Why?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilwoman Jan Perry, whose district includes the dealership, opposed the historic-sign designation because they believed it could impede major development projects along the Figueroa corridor. ~ Los Angeles Sentinel article from 2007

Two years later, voila!  A huge, ugly monstrosity going up across the street from Felix, as photographed today:

Felix points out the crane, Los Angeles' official bird

Anyhow, I've always wanted to photograph good ole Felix, but never took time to pull over and just do it.  The way the wrecking ball is swinging around town recently, I decided I better hop to it. Righty-oh!

So while I was on a research run to USC today, I got my snaps. A lot of them.  Samples below. See all 110 archived on my Flickr site.

According to signs outside the building, Felix's creator, Pat Sullivan, gave his friend, Chevy dealer Winslow Felix, the rights to use Felix's image to help sell cars back in 1925.  The famous triad neon sign atop the building was installed in 1958.

Felix and his little bag of tricks has gone through various animated incarnations over the years. This is the version I grew up with and love the most, circa 1959, courtesy of Autochromex:

Humanity Never Dies

There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go. ~ Frederick Faber

Christian Keib was the younger brother of Sissy's lifelong friend, Kathy Kostecka.  The little brother that always made them squeal and laugh with his mischievous, humorous antics during "The Wonder Years" phase of life.

He grew up to live an adventurous adult life and touched many people with his humanity and win/win approach to life.

Cruel cancer claimed that generous, adventurous spirit on Monday.

Christian Keib (1971-2009)

Gone too, too soon....

My thoughts and prayers are with all who loved him and benefited from his love and positive approach to life: Kathy and her family, his loving mom, Bonnie Keib, his beloved pets, extended family and vast circle of friends.

Rest well, Christian.  You will be missed, but the humanity you showed and shared while you were here will live on.

Sidewalk Bingo ~ 1930

Another Sidewalk Bingo success!   

On this afternoon's walk I actually found several stamps in the sidewalks between home and Ikea, but only the Hunt Bros. seemed to date their work.

Nice touch. That officially makes them my favorites.

Today I found one from 1930 on the sidewalk of the house at 501 E. Cypress. 

According to the Los Angeles County Assessor's records, this home was built the very same year.  I especially love the stone wall that borders the entire property.

So far, I've gotten a 1930 and a 1933.  That means there's probably at the very least 1931 and 1932 out there, yay!