User:Jocelinyy/sandbox

Whittier Boulevard is located in the heart of East Los Angeles, CA.The main location for Whittier Boulevard, which goes on for a few miles eventually stopping next to the neighboring cities (or county line); one stops is one the cross section at Mission Rd, right before entering downtown Los Angeles. The other end, ends at Norwalk Blvd as one enters into the next city Pico Rivera. Throughout these miles Whittier Boulevard is concentrated between Arizona Ave to S. Gerhart Ave. Whittier Boulevard has been around for a years.

Early Days
Whittier Boulevard has not changed much; it is still a main location to visit. During World War II, this was the location for many Pachucos. They lived right along Whittier Boulevard and the neighboring streets. A few Zoot Suits fights happened in East Los Angeles' streets like Whittier Blvd. When The Zoot Suit Riots occurred in East Los Angeles it was difficult to be a Latin@ in that area especially around Whittier Blvd, especially for those who wore a Zoot Suit.

As well Whittier Boulevard has seen many trends, historic moments come and go the most memorable and still alive trend is the usage and showings of lowriders. It has been said that East Los Angeles, specifically on Whittier Boulevard was one of the few first places that low riders began to appear around World War II and up until now, there are still low-rider showings along Whittier Boulevard, or any where in East Los Angeles. Drivers would compete against each other and hope to win the other driver’s car, known as "hopping for pink slips.”

The street itself became very popular because it became a place for low riders to come together and the locals would cruise up and down the streets. To this day low rider are still being driven and meet ups occur, where those who still have cars and want to showcase them come together at parks, parking lots, etc. anywhere they find place and come in groups. Chicano music, especially rock and roll became an essential while cruising the infamous street.

Present Day
Whittier Blvd located in The East Los Angeles community consists mainly of Latino decent, but as well as other culture groups, which provides the diversity of this city. Whittier Boulevard is the heart of the community in East Los Angeles; it is filled with street vendors, selling hot dogs, fruits, tacos, tortas, etc. anything you want you can find here. Whittier Boulevard is similar to Placita Olvera. For those who have been to both know that they both hold that same atmosphere, though both places may be different in length or settings, you can find almost similar items there. Placita Olvera is located in Los Angeles as well but in the downtown area and is a popular tourist attraction. Both provide a place for tourists and residents to indulge in the culture so prevalent in these landmarks. Filled with food, traditional Hispanic garments and items many tourist stop by daily as well in Whittier Boulevard.

Whittier Boulevard ranges for about a few blocks and throughout those blocks they are filled with various culture food, mainly Hispanic food, with the occasional burger joint or Chinese restaurant but the Latino community stays strong due to the majority being Latino. There are liquor stores, bread shops, clothing stores and furniture warehouses, 99 cent stores, as well as a supermarket, but with the change in times, places are being shut down and remodeled or new shops pop up frequently.

Popular businesses that many locals indulge in at Whittier Boulevard are the taco trucks and stands located through out the strip. The taco trucks appear throughout the day but the taco stands usually appear at night to feed the people who are out and about. These tacos are a classic Mexican dish that Whittier Boulevard preserves and continues to make daily. There are locals who even have blogs set up recommending you the best kind of tacos on the street. The Bloggers helping to spread information about the food located in Whittier Boulevard, allowing tourist and locals to find food.

The tacos are not the only thing popular along these strips, but the occasional Nieve (Mexican slushy), the esquites (corn kernels smothered in mayo, Mexican cheese, and butter, with the option of chili or other condiments), but a more growing popular snack rising is the Hot Dog created on the streets of Whittier. What is so special about this hot dog is that the hot dog wiener is wrapped in bacon and when you buy it you have the option to added grilled onions or grilled jalapeños. This hot dog has been found even in a Santa Cruz, CA restaurant called Burger. they call the hot dog the East L.A. Ditch Dog.

Events
Every year there is a Christmas parade that takes place on Whittier Boulevard and starts on Eastern and ends at Whittier Blvd. and Atlantic. This parade usually consists of high school cheer squad, the elementary and middle school cheer squad as well, they occasionally bring in elephants, television reporters, and broadcasters come from local stations to cover the parade, sometimes some TV. Celebrities come. In 2008 they brought a famous Mexican singer called Jose Jose.

Music
Another trend that became part of the popular culture of Whittier Boulevard are Thee Midniters. Thee Midniters were a Chicano rock band that became popular in the 1960’s. Their song “Whittier Boulevard” gained popularity just as they did. They named their song after the most popular street in East Los Angeles: Whittier Boulevard.

Misc
Along the Whittier Boulevard strip there is a park called Salazar Park called after Ruben Salazar. It was renamed after the LA Times reporter who got shot by the sheriff’s deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs while investigating the Vietnam War protests of the Chicano Community. His death made national news and he became immortalized not just after having a park named after him, but by Lalo Guerrero, who wrote a corrido (Spanish narrative song) about him and in the Sonoma University; they renamed this library in his honor. The Ruben Salazar Park]] represents not only a landmark of the Chicano struggle, but also the legacy of Salazar and his endeavor for giving Mexican Americans a voice. This Park today hosts baseball games, senior activities in their gym, offers a public swimming pool in the summer and classes for non swimmers, allowing community members to have recreational activities.