A Fight over the "Hidden Los Angeles"

NO, I was not on the popular website stumbleupon.com, however today when clicking through LA Observed I did quite literally stumble on a post concerning Angelenos in uproar over the fact that someone else was trying to steal their allegiance to an idea of the "Hidden Los Angeles". Immediately interested, I read through. To summarize the LA Observed article, Los Angeles Magazine's cover this month discusses different and inventive things to do in the city, labeling this their "Hidden L.A.". Fans of the website hiddenlosangeles.com, became upset that their favorite online activity was not being credited to the right person. This debate over who's genius idea to advertise the Hidden Los Angeles was comical and interesting to me. Interested in what the fans of the website were so devoted and passionate about I ventured on to Lynn's site. (Lynn is the creator of the Hidden Los Angeles website and communicates to her fans personally). Amazed at the professionalism and depth of the site, I now see why it boasts that it has over 200,000 Facebookers that "like" it and why people were so quick to defend it's originality.
For those who have not seen or heard of this, the site's mission is to give "locals a reminder to leave the house and get inspired" about things in their city that they have either forgotten about or simply have never discovered. Lynn, the site's creator, compares the city of L.A. to one big TJ Maxx. For the girls in the class, the metaphor absolutely stands true. Los Angeles might seem like one big grey city that is scary to some and uninteresting to others but once inside there are amazing treasures to be found. The site hosts contests for people to write in about their favorite Los Angeles spots hoping to win prizes like tickets to the Opera House. The freebies off the site are refreshing to see. Lynn obviously has so much passion and belief in Los Angeles that she is willing to spend her time creating and brainstorming new ways for people to get out and actually DO things, things that aren't the norm.
The site, in my opinion, has every right to stand up for their ideas and ingenuity. I urge you all to check it out and also take a look at the site's "Story and Mission" tab. Reading it, it sounded like Professor George talking on our first day of class. Lynn simply loves the city and though she admits it has its flaws, she knows that there is more to the city than what is expected of it. She challenges the site's visitors to go find these places similar to our challenges as a class. Check it out!
http://hiddenlosangeles.com/
--Katie Mollica
Photo: hiddenlosangeles.com