Keaton, Anaheim, HSR, Santa Ana, Huell, Knott's, Keith Crown & Henry Fukahara

Yes, that's Buster Keaton caught in the "frog" on the Ghost Town & Calico Railroad at Knott's Berry Farm in 1956. That was the same year he appeared as a train conductor in the film Around the World In 80 Days. By that point, he was far from his comedic prime, but Keaton's earlier work was incredible. Anyone who hasn't at least seen good prints of The General and Seven Chances has a hole in their life.
.
If you see big plumes of steam coming from the direction of Anaheim, it is probably not a train. More than likely, the steam is coming out the ears of preservationist/historian/blogger Cynthia Ward. She's recently been writing about the effects of the proposed California High-Speed Rail project on Anaheim's historical districts -- Both on her Anaheim Life blog and at Red County.
.
She also has some choice words about the City of Santa Ana's recent (major) change of heart about its historic resources. She's scooping the press on a lot of this stuff and it's definitely some interesting reading.
.
There is now a Huell Howser Drinking Game. What more can I say? It's amaaaaaaazing!
.
As a great appreciator of California's master watercolor artists, I'm sad to report the deaths of both Keith Crown and Henry Fukahara. I was lucky enough to meet Fukahara briefly at Milford Zornes' 100th birthday party, two years ago. These guys were among the last vestiges of an amazing era in California art.