Some lunchtime news stories, guaranteed not to contain wheat or to have been in contact with water for more than 18 minutes… although they might get a rise out of you:
- From the “Roadside Motel” Department: Many folks know I have an interest in historical Southern California, and especially things along the routes of US highways. Thus I was just drawn to an article in today’s LA Times on the preservation attempts for the “Wagon Wheel Motel”, which is located at the intersection of US 101 and CA 1. The Wagon Wheel has been the focus of some interesting photo essays in socal_abandoned. I just love looking at old motels along US highways. Related to this (and not far away), Rick Caruso’s rehab of Montecito’s “Miramar Hotel” has been revived and looks to be moving forward.
- From the “Loving Books” Department: During a recession, people turn to entertainment to divert themselves from their woes. This is being demonstrated not only in the theaters, but in the sales of Romance novels, which are growing. And there are all sorts these days: Christian romance, paranormal romance, suspense romance, NASCAR romance (titles include “Checkered Past” and “Black Flag, White Lies”), unexpected pregnancy scenarios, single-mother situations, and even an unwed pregnant woman courted by a man who isn’t the father of her baby but wants to be.
- From the “Getting the Message Across” Department: A father has smashed his daughter’s cell phone over a $4,700 cell phone bill, caused by over 20K text messages sent or received in a single month. Of course, she’s also been grounded for the month.