Category Archives: Metro Lifestyle

Introducing two new features

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Part of the fun and excitement of joining The Source is that now the whole staff has more time to take on a more diverse range transit-related topics. In the coming weeks, I will be introducing two new recurring features for The Source.

The first will be a weekly roundup of transit agency news and blog posts from across North America — and sometimes beyond.  My goal with this series is to keep readers of The Source abreast of how other cities are attempting to keep their residents mobile and how they tackle the challenges of doing so.

I’ll be keeping my eye out for, in particular, transit agency best practices in a wide range of areas: from fare media and transit information sharing, to network planning and community outreach. I’m currently compiling a list of blogs that I will be keeping tabs on, such as the Buzzer Blog at Vancouver’s TransLink and the US Department of Transportation’s Welcome to the Fastlane blog.  If you know any good ones that The Source should be keeping an eye on, feel free to leave a comment and a link.

In the second feature, which I’m tentatively calling “Trailhead Hunter,” I will be writing a series of reviews of hiking and walking trails that can be reached by Metro. The L.A. area is somewhat notorious when it comes to the glaring lack of parks within walking distance of where people live. But we do have some of largest expanses of urban wilderness in the country in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains, among others. Continue reading →


Destination Discounts Weekly Picks

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Sure, riding Metro saves you from the stress of traffic, reduces your environmental impact and lowers your monthly transportation costs – but did you know it also entitles you to a bunch of great deals around L.A.? That’s what Destination Discounts is all about – and The Source is here to make sure you don’t miss out.  Every week we’ll highlight our favorite deals from Metro’s local partners – destinations, sporting events, concerts, museums, theme parks, shops and more – and provide all the info you need to take advantage of these offers.

This week in Sports:

This week in Arts/Entertainment:

This week in Family Friendly:

This week in Dining:

Details after the jump. Continue reading →


Why You Don't Ride: Nirad, Downtown L.A.

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‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Nirad
Occupation: Web Designer
Location: Downtown L.A. (Historic Core)

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

2-3 times per week. I work from home, but I use the car to run errands, get groceries, go out to eat, etc.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

I have no typical route. But usually I am going from Downtown L.A. to somewhere west or north of here.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

1 car for 2 people.

How long does your commute typically take?

No commute. I work from home and my wife walks to work.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$50 – $100

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

No. It is too dangerous to bike in this city.

Why do you drive?

Convenient, comfortable and fast. It goes where I need to, I can transport groceries and other things. It’s safe at night.

Continue reading →

Why You Ride: Vicente A., San Fernando Valley

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‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Vicente A.
Occupation: Student
Location: San Fernando Valley

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

I take transit several times a week-for school, work, or entertainment.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

I travel from my apartment to work and back or to school and back home or to go somewhere fun (Hollywood, the beach, Universal Studios, Downtown LA, etc).

What lines/routes do you take?

I commonly use the 168 or the 167 to get to work and the 158 to the 234 to get to school. I use the Red Line several times a month to get to Hollywood or Downtown.

How long does it typically take?

To work it’s as little as 15 minutes and to school about half an hour.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical transit experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I love it!

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$50 – $100

Why do you take transit?

I take transit for a combination of saving money, saving the environment, maintaining a more active lifestyle (incorporating walking into my commute) and not dealing with parking or traffic.

Continue reading →

Go Metro Weekends, Nov. 12-14

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Have an event you’d like us to include? Shoot us an email at thesource@metro.net. Time and space constraints limit us from listing every accessible event in this city, but this curated list represents what we think is cool and easy to get to.

To plan your trip and to check all other transit options, please consult Google Transit or the Metro Trip Planner.

Friday, November 12

Free Moral Agents at The Airliner
Free Moral Agents is the brainchild of Isaiah Ikey Owens, Grammy Award-winning keyboardist for The Mars Volta & De Facto.
Website:
http://events.myspace.com/Event/7719889/Free-Moral-Agents–The-Airliner

When: 8pm
Price: $10
Where: The Airliner, 2419 N. Broadway
Nearby Metro Rail: Gold Line Lincoln Heights/Cypress Park Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Broadway/Daly (45, 83, 251, 751)

Futura at Eagle Rock Center for Arts
Eagle Rock Music Festival present a new monthly, all ages event in Los Angeles with residents Teebs and Asura – visuals by Flying Lotus and Strangeloop
Website:
http://www.centerartseaglerock.org/
When: 9pm
Price:$10
Where: Eagle Rock Center for Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd.
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Colorado/Eagle Rock (68/84, 83, 81, 780, 180/181)

Ghostface Killa at The Roxy
Ghostface of the Wu Tang Clan.
Website:
http://theroxyonsunset.com/

Price: $22
When: 9pm
Where: The Roxy Theatre, 9009 Sunset Blvd.
 Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Sunset/Hammond (2/302, 305)

Mayer Hawthorne at The Music Box
He is a new school soul sensation, who has taken the Motown assembly-line production model and eliminated nearly every element but himself and a few hired hands.
Website: 
http://www.henryfondatheater.com/

When: 9pm
Price: $17.50
Where: The Music Box at the Henry Fonda, 6126 Hollywood Blvd.
Nearby Metro Rail: Red Line Hollywood/Vine Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Hollywood/Gower (180/181, 217)

Stars at The Wiltern
Canadian indie rock.
Website:
http://www.livenation.com/The-Wiltern-tickets-Los-Angeles/venue/73790
When: 8pm
Price: $28.50
Where: The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Boulevard
Nearby Metro Rail: Purple Line Wilshire/Western Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Wilshire/Western (20, 66, 207, 209, 710, 757)

More weekend events, after the jump. Continue reading →

Why You Don't Ride: Alison K, Santa Monica

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‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Alison K
Occupation: Planner
Location: Santa Monica

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

I drive rarely – just to go to the grocery store, drive carpool to the high school or go to meetings out of Santa Monica.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

I bike all over Santa Monica, day and night, weekend and weekday, for fun and for work.  When I need to go further, I usually drive to USC, Downtown L.A., LAX or Malibu.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

Two cars for four drivers.

How long does your commute typically take?

I work from a home office.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I hate it. There has to be a better way.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

Less than $50

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

Bicycle to meetings, library, movies, church. Carpool to school, meetings in Downtown L.A. or further. Walk to doctor, stores, park, friends.

Why do you drive?

To take two to four people more than five miles, going out at night, to buy groceries or other bulky items.  We drive very short distances and only a few times a week.

Continue reading →

Why You Ride: Reed R. Blanton, Melrose District

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‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Reed R. Blanton
Occupation: Server
Location: Melrose District

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

Up to six days a week for work, gym, food, shopping, and pleasure.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Typically from home to work.

What lines/routes do you take?

217, 780, Red Line to North Hollywood, 224, and 165.

How long does it typically take?

On a good day only forty five minutes. On an average day, anywhere from one hour to an hour and a half.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical transit experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I love it!

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$50 – $100

Why do you take transit?

For all the reasons everyone should ride public transit. It really does save money. Imagine, seventy five dollars a month gets you on any Metro transit, even some non-Metro transit. Add up the cost of gas, vehicle insurance, financing costs, plus vehicle repairs, add the stress of driving in the L.A. Metro area, why wouldn’t anyone want to ride public transit?

Continue reading →

Why You Don't Ride: Tim, West L.A.

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‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Tim
Occupation: Membership Consultant
Location: West L.A.

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

Daily 20-30 miles on average mostly for commuting to work in Hollywood.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

West LA to Hollywood.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

1

How long does your commute typically take?

45-60 minutes

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

I take the Red Line from Hollywood when I can to meetings and/or events at Universal, Hollywood and Vine and Downtown.

Why do you drive?

It is convenient, I also have to rely on my car over the transit schedule due to my job.

Continue reading →

Why You Ride: JJT, Santa Monica

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‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: JJT
Occupation: Dir, Technology
Location: Santa Monica

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

Once or twice a week to get to work as a break from driving or if I left my car somewhere overnight.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

To work and back – Santa Monica to Beverly Hills.

What lines/routes do you take?

Mostly the 720, occasionally the 704. 920 if I’m really lucky.

How long does it typically take?

45m – 1hr including the walk on either end.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical transit experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$50 – $100

Why do you take transit?

Mostly to reduce stress. It’s a nice break to read a magazine and listen to the radio. Also, the walking is good for my health (I walk a little extra to avoid transfers).

Continue reading →

Why You Don't Ride: Judy, Lincoln Heights

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‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Judy
Occupation: Financial Analyst
Location: Lincoln Heights

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

7 days a week for work and for pleasure.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

For work: Lincoln Heights to Pasadena
For pleasure: to Inglewood, North Hollywood, Culver City, Santa Monica, Alhambra, Hollywood

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

1

How long does your commute typically take?

20 minutes

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I love it!

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

More than $500

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

I take LA public transit 2 to 3 times a year, only if I have to go directly to a location and come directly back, and parking is going to be a pain.  For instance, riding the 76 bus to go downtown for jury duty.  Riding the Gold Line from South Pasadena to Chinatown for the Chinese New Year Parade.

I take the Amtrak Surfliner whenever I have to go to San Diego (about once a year.)

Why do you drive?

Usually traveling to multiple locations within a single day.  I drive more than 2,000 miles a month going between home and work and 3 different fitness studios.

Continue reading →