Greetings from New York City (cue The Los Angeles Breakfast Club, whose members express, loudly, in unison their disdain for the Big Apple by shouting, “New York City?!” in a manner equal parts confusion and gentle disgust). Although this trip would afford me a perfect opportunity to do another travel-themed essay, I already have one such work planned for next week (for paid subscribers). So, I thought I should take this time, away from the neighborhood I love so dearly, to catch up on some comments and questions I have received since launching this Substack with “Origins”) on July 26.

My premiere essay was about my origins and the origins of my relationship with the neighborhood of Los Feliz. In it, I make rather significant reference to the Dresden, that family-owned landmark that has been a local staple since 1954. A reader from Germany, “Traumcave” (who just between us, was blessed with the lovely name “Ulrike”) commented:

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I think it’s great that the name of the bar was Dresden!

For those who don’t know German history, Dresden is the capital city of the German state of Saxony, and that state’s second most populous city. It’s the twelfth most populous city in all of Germany, but the third most populous in what used to be East Germany. For much of its history, it was a home to royals, and from the Napoleonic Wars through World War II, it was a major center of military operations and conflicts. The bombing of Dresden by the Royal Air Force in 1945 remains controversial. I don’t know if these ever existed, or were just joked about, but my memory tells me of t-shirts either sold at the Dresden (or at Y Que down the street) that had emblazoned upon them the boast: “I got bombed at the Dresden!” Come to think of it, these were probably in too poor of taste to exist. Still, if you ever come across one, check to see if it is a large (that’s the size I wear).

In truth, I don’t actually know why the bar is named the Dresden. The Google AI Overview tells me that it’s because of the Dresden porcelain figurines that were prominently displayed as decoration when the establishment first opened. I have no reason to disbelieve this explanation, but I do know that the AI has never drank to forget, or drank to celebrate, or drank out of a love of drinking. Therefore, it has no meaningful connection to our Dresden, and as such, whatever the AI knows is irrelevant.

Honestly, with all the stories I have about experiences there, with my love of the longtime Dresden fixtures, jazz greats Marty & Elayne Roberts, and with the important role the establishment has played in Hollywood history, it probably warrants an essay all its own. If possible, I should endeavor to conduct an interview with Elayne for The Voice of Los Feliz podcast. Failing that, perhaps Marty & Elayne’s lovely daughter Hali (for whom they named a stellar original composition they recorded for their “Jazz Stars, Inc.” LP), might be willing to discuss her memories of her parents long residency at the Dresden. It’s truly wonderful, and to me, somewhat surprising, that after the pandemic, and absent the charm of Marty & Elayne, the Dresden continues to pack them in. The food is better than ever, the décor almost as intoxicating as the cocktails, an impressive array of musicians delight all in attendance, and best of all a new generation of bar crawlers are getting bombed at the Dresden every night. It doesn’t even matter that most of the new generation of patrons probably don’t remember the movie Swingers and never saw Marty & Elayne perform. If you know, you know!

“Traumcave” also commented on my essay “The Voice of Radio Free Malta (Part One)”:

How lovely. I almost feel as if I have been there myself with the 2 of you. Very good storytelling.

For those of you who have not availed yourself of this essay for paid subscribers, it reveals how the tiny island nation of Malta in the Mediterranean captured my imagination and it starts to tell the story of how my wife and my trip there this past year proved to be a feast of adventures for the mind, body and spirit. I will be honest. When I start to write these, I never know if they will turn out to prove interesting, entertaining or satisfying. I do put a lot of effort into each essay, however, so to read that someone finds a piece “lovely” really does mean a lot. As to enjoying the idea of being there, or anywhere, with Lily and me, sure, we ARE fun, but too much of anything, even time spent with us, is not necessarily a good thing. “Traumcave” might just find that she has already spent too much time with us on Malta when part two of “The Voice of Radio Free Malta” becomes available next week!

Speaking of part two, it will include a story that will be of great interest to loyal reader and a founder of this Substack newsletter, “Mike”, who, after reading part one, was curious about “the quality of the coffee” on Malta.  Rest assured, the story in question will greatly feature coffee. And Michael Caine. Yes, THE Michael Caine. If you know, you know!

Coffee matters to me. You know this if you have read the aforementioned “Origins” or have listened to any of the first three episodes of The Voice of Los Feliz podcast. “Mike” knows this and so upon reading my most recent essay, “It’s All Greek to Me”, he again expressed surprise at the lack of any mention about “the coffee at the Greek.” Honestly, I don’t think I have ever had coffee at the famed concert venue. My most recent show there did provide a hilarious beverage-related experience, however. What Lily and I were there to see doesn’t matter, especially because it turned out to be the worst show I have ever seen there, an absolute hot mess that was nicely foreshadowed by the hot mess of our security check.

Lily checked the Greek Theatre website to verify what we would and would not be allowed to bring with us into the venue. One item she was glad they allowed was her refillable, metal water bottle. Unfortunately, the news that this item was allowed had not made it to the people running the security check at our entrance. They told us we would have to return it to our car. As our car was parked at home, and the concert was soon to start, this suggestion was very much a non-starter. Truthfully, the idea of a refillable bottle being a security hazard should be laughable. Instead, that they were treating the environmentally-friendly item as contraband made me angry. What REALLY made me angry, however, was that the item was listed as approved on the website. The security personnel got an earful from me about this topic. It proved sufficient that they led us to the customer relations tent where we could at least “check” the bottle without having to lose it for good.

Once there, in a more calm state, I expressed my surprise that we were not allowed to go to our seats with the bottle when the website page Lily read to me actually encouraged people to bring such bottles. The upbeat young lady who helped us asked for Lily to dial up the website where she had seen this. So, Lily did. At which point the young employee pointed out to Lily that it was the website for the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California. I will share with you, what I shared with Lily, in hopes that this information may someday prove useful. Los Feliz is not Berkeley! If you know, you know.

Lily, herself, did have a question pertaining to the “It’s All Greek to Me” essay. Hers pertained to what I wrote about our local Rite Aid. I described it as “our oddly beloved, thoroughly bleak Voyage of the Damned Rite Aid” and I posed a question about it having very little product on its shelves. Knowing that I have started taking pictures inside the store, Lily asked if either I would, or if she could, start an Instagram handle for the store itself, akin to two IG’s she particularly loves:

“On Rodney” (@onrodney), featuring things the photographer finds on Rodney Drive, and “Los Feliz Albertsons” (@lfalbertsons) a satirical site pretending to promote the goods at our beloved local grocery store.

The last thing I need is to start another project. So no such IG handle will be forthcoming from yours truly. And no, Lily, you can’t use my photos to do it yourself. Instead, I will post three truly indicative pictures here, with commentary …

“Better Choices” – Sometimes the best choice is no choice at all because when in doubt, do nothing!

“Salty Snacks” – Salt water bottled at the Santa Monica Pier.

“Nuts” – You might think it’s nuts to put the toilet paper here, but …

If you know, you know!

I hope to see all locals who enjoy The Voice of Los Feliz at the Autry Museum on the night of October 30 at 6 pm, when I will be hosting the live stage show “Viva Los Feliz: Haunted”. Tickets are free and first come first serve. The 6 pm reception will include refreshment, close-up magic, free access to the museum and a costume competition. So, come in costume! A special prize will be awarded for the “Most Los Feliz” costume. The show will begin inside the Wells Fargo Theatre at 7 pm sharp and will feature live presentations, videos, music, storytelling, comedy and prizes.

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