I was in L.A. recently and took in a visit to Sherman Oaks in the valley and a drive to San Clemente over two weeks hanging out and renewing old friends. Sherman Oaks is the same, a nice little niche if you're on the south side. There's an old saying for Sherman Oaks where a nickname came from called S.O.B.
One evening I was with an old friend, actually a pilot in ww2, and at 95, still good. There was another man, 70's, driving us. He asked where I lived and I said Sherman Oaks, to which he countered with "south side?"
I said "Of course."
So what does that mean.
Well, what it means is that you're on the south side of Ventura Boulevard and you're living on the right side of town. The south side faces nice homes and the hills where mansions lie. Ventura separates both sides by canyons, you know, Laurel, Coldwater, Beverly and others.
Also the rich side.
But lets go back to my Canyon, Beverly Glen, the one I use when driving over the hill to the true Los Angeles.
It's where I lived in SH and was on the "right side" as they say. Or S.O.B.
And it's not really what it sounds like, S.O.B. not what you think. It means you're on the right side.
So the stranger knew I was on the right side, or South of the Boulevard. And I lived on Dickens Street, a good name for a writer. I heard stories that famous writers of the 30's lived in a motel that is still across the street.
I know that James Dean lived a few blocks away on Sutton street and in a cottage behind a bigger home.
I lived there for 28 years and had a great 1946 style apartment and was thoroughly cool. I knew it was built in 1946 because a couple came by and said they had lived in the first apartment of 10. They said the rent was $15 month.
But what is the rest of S.O.B.?
The other side of Ventura has some of Sherman Oaks leading up to Van Nuys which is somewhat a rougher side. Thus it was more dangerous.
But I was safe, on S.O.B.'s side and spent my time in the 10 apartment group and perfect.
You can see it as it stands out. I and another person helped me work on the fountain.
Ironically my apartment was far from the rich homes in terms of money, and the homes above me. I only knew one person with a big home on Mulholland Drive and he got it all from his father in Calgary, Alberta.
But I liked my 2-bedroom apartment on the second floor and it lasted 28 years. Longer than anywhere else I lived.
My neighbour and I also cleaned up the entire front area and fountain as the owners never helped.
