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We Californians (especially Angelenos) are accustomed to put downs from New Yorkers--We are used to the hearing and reading the ill-formed stereotypes...you know the ones. 

In a recent article in the New York Times on the mansionization that is taking place in some neighborhoods here, the journalist observed:

"Los Angeles has always been known for its tear-it-down, build-it-up methods, to the concern of preservationists. The intensity of the current opposition [to mansionization] has challenged the notion that this is a city with little interest in preserving its past."

Southern California is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country. We read stories daily about investors from around the world buying property here, often for cash. 

So, it was heartening to read today in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal that in December of last year, long time Santa Clarita residents and nature lovers Bob and Wendy Stevenson donated two 4.91 acre lots to the City of Santa Clarita for open space. This is their second property donation. In 2007, the couple donated 16.3 acres to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

Mia Lehrer, the landscape designer who, with her firm Mia Lehrer+Associates, has been such a visionary force behind the revitalization of the Los Angeles River (and other major projects), is now creating bracelets inspired by the river.