27Socal

La Mirada's not too bad. But Corona during Thurs or Friday rush hour on the 91? Better add at least an extra 2 hours.

DCI Pasadena 2007 Division 1 corps practice locations Click here for map of corps practice locations Click on the "Traffic" button on the map and zoom in one level, to get used to the freeway traffic patterns at different times of the day. NEW: Link to Div II/III Pasadena housing locations Glassmen Poly High School: 5450 Victoria Ave Riverside, CA 92506, 951-788-7203 Arrival: 6Aug07 Unconfirmed as of 7aug07 Crossmen Norco High School 2065 Temescal Ave Norco, CA 92860 Arrival: 7Aug07 Confirmed personally with George Hopkins: 7Aug07 Cadets; Bloomington High School 10750 Laurel Ave Bloomington, CA 92316 Arrival: 7Aug07 Confirmed personally with George Hopkins: 7Aug07 Madison Scouts Housing: Motel 6 2470 S. Garey Ave Pomona, CA 91766 Rehearsal: Glendora High School 1600 Foothill Blvd Glendora, CA 91741 Arrival: 6aug07 Confirmed: 4aug07 Practice ends at dark, no lights Southwind Super 8 Motel (males) 915 Disneyland Dr Anaheim, CA 92802 714-778-0350 (phone) 714-778-3878 (fax) Travelodge (females) 1057 W Ball Rd Anaheim, CA 92802 714-774-7600 (phone) 714-535-6953 (fax) Rehearsal facilities are still TBA... Arrival: 5aug07 Confirmed: 4aug07 The Academy Centennial High School 1820 Rimpau Ave Corona, CA 92881 951-739-5670 Arrival: 5aug07 Confirmed: 5aug07 Mandarins Marco A. Firebaugh High School 5246 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Lynwood, CA Arrival: 8aug07 is confirmed, earlier day is possible, but unconfirmed Confirmed: 3aug07 Boston Crusaders Peary Middle School 1414 West Gardena Blvd Gardena, CA 90247 Arrival: 6Aug07 Confirmed: 31Jul07 Practice ends at dark, no lights, no stands Blue Stars: John North High School 1550 3rd St Riverside, CA, 92507 Confirmed: 4aug07 Carolina Crown Arroyo High School 4921 North Cedar Ave. El Monte, CA 91732 Arrival: 6Aug07 Confirmed: 31Jul07 Practice ends at dark, no lights, no stadium. There is a stadium with lights on site, but the school is letting the sports teams use it, but not Crown. Pathetic. Bluecoats Martin Luther King High School 9301 Wood Rd Riverside, CA Arrival: 8Aug07 Pioneer Blair High School 1201 S. Marengo Ave. Pasadena, CA 91106 Arrival: 6Aug07 Colts John Muir HS 1905 Lincoln Ave Pasadena, CA 91103 So close, they can walk to the Rose Bowl Arrival: 7Aug07 Confirmed: 6Aug07 Phantom Regiment; Trabuco Hills High School 27501 Mustang Run Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Arrival: 6Aug07 (closed practices to family and girlfriends/boyfriends, except for weds night; open practices to everyone else, all week) Blue Devils; Roosevelt HS 7447 Cleveland Ave. Corona CA 92880 Arrival: 6Aug07 Santa Clara Vanguard; Warren High School 8141 De Palma Street Downey, CA 90241 Arrival: 7Aug07 Cavaliers; La Mirada High School 13520 Adelfa Drive La Mirada, CA 90638 (about 5 miles from Vanguard) Arrival: 6Aug07 Blue Knights Santiago High School 1395 Foothill Pkwy Corona, CA 92881 Arrival: 6Aug07 Pacific Crest Arcadia HS 180 Campus Dr Arcadia, CA 91007 Arrival: 6Aug07 Troopers Hoover High School 651 Glenwood Rd. Glendale, CA Arrival: 6Aug07 Spirit from JSU Hawthorne High School 4859 West El Segundo Blvd. Hawthorne, Calif. 90520 Arrival: 6Aug07 Cascades corona high school 1150 West Tenth Street Corona, CA 92882 Arrival: 6Aug07 Kingsmen Alumni Corps Cal State Univ-Long Beach, 1250 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA Arrival: 3Aug07 Veterans Memorial Stadium, Clark Ave, Long Beach, CA

Just DO NOT drive west from downey on city streets, unless you enjoy dodging gang crossfire. Downey itself is fine. West on the freeways from downey is ok, just don't take any exits until you hit the 405.

It's technically only a few minutes outside the city of L.A., in Simi Valley, off the 118 freeway. About 45 minutes from downtown L.A. (non rush hour). It's a really nice facility, with a great view, on top of a mountain.

Bring plenty of cash. For the same dish, prices are 2 to 3 times higher than Malibu Seafood. You pay for the fancier atmosphere.

The restaurants on my list are the ones that I like to eat at, great atmosphere, great prices and most importantly, great food. I guess I would call them comfort food. You come out of there feeling really good about the experience. I rarely eat at restaurants that are going to be an overpriced, 2 or 3 hour ordeal. On my list, you can get in and out of there in under an hour and for less than $10 for a great meal ($20 for high end). This is important for me during nationals week. I want to watch the shows or corps practices or see the local sites. I don't want to spend a lot of time in restaurants. But, everyone has different tastes and likes to splurge every now and then. So, if people have more special l.a. restaurants, bring them on. The more the merrier.

There is a secret to getting into Getty Villa, even when the website says sold out for that day. Every day that it's open, they release tickets on the website, in the morning sometime around 8 to 9 am. Print out the tickets or I think you can call a human and make reservations. I have done this twice and it works great. http://getty.edu/visit/ Getty Villa 17985 Pacific Coast Highway Pacific Palisades, California 90272 (310) 440-7300 It's right next to Malibu. Awesome building. It's a copy of a roman villa that was buried under lava, next to pompeii. Take the building/architecture tour in addition to seeing the 2000 year old art. When to Visit Thursday–Monday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday After going to the Getty Villa, drive a few miles up Pacific Coast Highway (the street the Getty Villa is on) and eat at: Malibu Seafood, PCH; great seafood, great prices, across the street from the waves 25653 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu, CA 90265-4550 If you want to experience a great California style beach, drive a few more miles up PCH to Leo Carillo State Beach. It's almost at the Ventura County line, but worth the drive. A number of movies have been filmed there at the cliffs and small caves. Both museums are free, just pay $8 for parking. Don't need reservations for: The Getty Center Museum, which is also awesome. Getty Center Drive off the 405 freeway, just above West L.A. Restaurants near there: apple pan, early 1900’s, hamburgers, fries, fantastic homemade apple pie, lunch counter style, order the hickory bbq cheeseburger with grilled onions 10801 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064-2105 tito’s tacos, love this place, next to 405 freeway; get a little of every thing, it’s all a la carte. 11222 Washington Pl Culver City, CA 90230 2003 Winner, "Best Mexican Food in Los Angeles" pinks, early 1900’s, hot dogs for the stars; try the rosie o’donnell dog, chili, sauerkraut mustard, grilled onions, sounds weird, but actually really good, fries are baked, pinkshollywood.com 709 N La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 johnnie’s pastrami; great pastrami sandwiches 4017 Sepulveda Blvd Culver City, CA 90230 chin chin, incredible dim sum (Chinese), sit at a sidewalk table and watch the rolls royces, ferrari’s, etc go by on sunset 8618 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069 carney’s, hamburgers, hot dogs, in real train car on sunset, around the corner from Paris Hilton’s house. 8351 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90069 Probably the best hamburgers & hot dogs...in the world! (so says their ad, they are excellent) Barney’s Beanery; early 1900’s, 1000 item menu, 200 beers, a Hollywood Classic for 80+ years 8447 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069

2007 DCI restaurant recommendations I have eaten at every one of these restaurants (except one). Only great or above makes my list. Great has nothing to do with price. phillipe; early 1900’s, French dip sandwich was invented here, I like the beef or pork, order it double dipped; sawdust on the floor, 1 block from Union station, Can take the gold line subway from Pasadena 1001 N Alameda St Los Angeles, CA 90012-1803 coles; early 1900’s, downtown l.a.; they also claim they invented the French dip sandwich. You decide. 118 E 6th St Los Angeles, CA 90014-2006 the pantry; early 1900’s, near staples center, owned by former mayor of l.a., steaks, chops, burgers, great breakfast 877 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90017-2507 apple pan, early 1900’s, hamburgers, fries, fantastic homemade apple pie, lunch counter style, order the hickory bbq cheeseburger with grilled onions 10801 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064-2105 tito’s tacos, love this place, next to 405 freeway; get a little of every thing, it’s all a la carte. 11222 Washington Pl Culver City, CA 90230 2003 Winner, "Best Mexican Food in Los Angeles" the hat ; great pastrami sandwiches, chili cheese fries big enough for 4 people, try all the different sauces 491 N Lake Ave Pasadena, CA 91101 pinks, early 1900’s, hot dogs for the stars; try the rosie o’donnell dog, chili, sauerkraut mustard, grilled onions, sounds weird, but actually really good, fries are baked, pinkshollywood.com 709 N La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 johnnie’s pastrami; great pastrami sandwiches 4017 Sepulveda Blvd Culver City, CA 90230 il fornaio; just off Colorado, slightly upscale Italian, excellent homemade bread variety 24 West Union Street Pasadena, CA 91103-3627 tommy’s original world famous hamburgers; incredible chili cheese burgers, order with grilled onions and extra chili; watch out for all the fake tommy’s with slightly different names and spellings. 170 N Hill Ave Pasadena, CA 91106 in and out burger; great burgers; order the ‘animal fries’ (from the secret menu, ask them what else is on the secret (not on the board) menu 2114 E Foothill Blvd Pasadena, CA 91107 barn burner bbq; texas style, great ribs and brisket, order the sweet potato fries 1000 S Fair Oaks Ave Pasadena, CA 91105 robin’s bbq; excellent bbq, order the garage can lid platter and the pie ala mode on a steaming platter for dessert, ten years in a row, Pasadena patrons cast their votes for a local newspaper's poll and named this the city's best restaurant. (from their ad) 395 N Rosemead Blvd Pasadena, CA 91107 chin chin, incredible dim sum (Chinese), sit at a sidewalk table and watch the rolls royces, ferrari’s, etc go by on sunset 8618 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069 carney’s, hamburgers, hot dogs, in real train car on sunset, around the corner from Paris Hilton’s house. 8351 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90069 Probably the best hamburgers & hot dogs...in the world! (so says their ad, they are excellent) Barney’s Beanery; early 1900’s, 1000 item menu, 200 beers, a Hollywood Classic for 80+ years 8447 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 Also, Pasadena Location, 93 West Colorado Boulevard Pasadena, California 91105-1927 Sunset grill; from the Eagles song (haven’t eaten at this one), next to a huge guitar store. 7439 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046-3403 Gelato Paradiso; Across from Chinese Theater (star foot prints), almost as good as in Roma. 6922 Hollywood Blvd Ste 107 Hollywood, CA 90028 21 Choices; great frozen yogurt and mix-ins, will have to wait in line for a while. 85 W Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91105 pinkberry, the biggest, latest, greatest frozen yogurt fad. They circle their cars around the neighborhood looking for parking and wait patiently in 20-minute lines that have been known to go up the block and around the corner. It has been called "Crackberry" and "frozen heroin juice" by its fans. The yogurt itself is tangy and stiff, with delicious fresh fruit toppings. sliverlake 2829 Hyperion Ave Los Angeles CA 90027 Daily 11 AM - 11 PM Olvera street Mexican Restaurants; early 1900’s, across from Union Train Station, downtown l.a. , my favorite is the one at the end of the street, near the gazebo. Oldest street (and house, which is a museum) in l.a. Can take the gold line subway from Pasadena, philippe is 1 block east on alameda. PF Chang china bistro; excellent Chinese with an CA flair. 260 East Colorado Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91101-2231 Malibu Seafood, PCH; great seafood, great prices, across the street from the waves 25653 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu, CA 90265-4550 Hooters; great chicken wings, gelato store next door is not so good. 96 E Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91105 California Pizza Kitchen; original CA bizarro pizza’s, but very, very good, great salads and pasta too 99 N Los Robles Ave Pasadena, CA 91101

The house is on kings road, north of sunset. About half way up the hill on the left. 2 or 3 houses before the 1st street on the left (Harold Way). There is a new mercedes parked in front of the garage with fletcher jones license plate frames. By the way, there is another great hot dog and burger place on sunset, just east of kings road. It's Carneys, it's an old train car. Good stuff. The red star on the map below is Carney's. Zoom in to see the street names. Carney's and Paris Map

Pinks is at the corner of La Brea and Melrose. Hot dog stand to the stars, check out all the autographed photos on the walls. Orson Wells once ate about 20 hot dogs in one sitting. While there, check out the wacky shops (clothes and others) on Melrose.

hydrating? as in adult beverages?

Does this mean that the illegal aliens need to stand at attention after they have jumped over the border fence, if there is an american flag at that border station?

Madison in 1976. They ended up third after rewriting their ENTIRE show mid season.

Why doesn't DCI have this on their website?

It's a balancing act. I agree that financial stability is very important. However, a corps' best kids will only stay around so long, if they feel the corps will never progress towards the top 6. Just look at the signature blocks on this board of Pee Wee and a lot of other people who moved up from mid level corps (even finalists) to top 6 corps (I did it myself). VK in the past had some of their most talented (or most ambitious) kids move up to BD or SCV. And look at all the kids who left Madison this year. But, the best kids from current lower level programs will want to move up to them more, if Academy makes finals. If past patterns hold true, Academy will only have a few years (maybe 2 more) to start moving up the ladder or talent will start leaving and the corps will stagnate. They appear to have an average age that is about 2 to 4 years younger than Vanguard or Blue Devils. If they can keep that nucleus for 2 to 3 more years, they should be able to gradually move up and also be financially stable. Having all the money in the world won't mean much if the best kids don't hang around. They have a good chance of making finals this year. Their home town fans will be able to easily and cheaply (relatively) travel to finals to give them the extra boost to give the performance of their lives in semi's. They shouldn't be burnt out, because they won't have a long national tour. But don't forget 1st year nerves (ie choking). They also had the former top drum man from SCV working with them in Riverside. That's a very good sign. He's been there, done that. The next 47 days until semi's may shape the direction of Academy for years to come. All the other "on the bubble" corps won't be sitting on their hands during that period either. Will Madison knock them out? Can Academy do it?

Is Academy's limited national tour sufficient to provide them with enough judges' feedback (and resulting show changes) to make finals? Or will the weeks with most practices at home (without sleeping on buses between shows) give them an edge in cleaning the show? Seems like everyone will be pretty clean come finals week. Without all the tweaks suggested by enough national level judges, will their show be good enough in the non-execution related captions? Will the members be motivated enough to push themselves when not competing against national level corps for weeks? Maybe a clue can found by looking at Pacific Crest. They have been around for 10 years now with a full, talented corps with no or a limited national tour each year. How many times have they made finals? Zip. Will it be the same result for Academy this year? To make finals like the big boys, do you need to do a full national tour like the big boys?

they added their closer, finally. a little sloppy.

Never count Madison out, there is too much pride and tradition in that organization. In 76, they rewrote their entire show midseason and still came in 3rd at finals.

excellent review bob