The Chimney Youth T-Shirt

A nearby sign tells the story quite well.

Built in the late 1920's as a Chevron Service Station, it was purchased in 1935 by the Tunisons who added the bar and restaurant with the fireplace. In December 1942, bartender Ray Bollengier was shot and killed by an angry patron. The building burned in 1960 but the chimney remained much as it looks today. It is the icon of a Westwood California charitable group, The Chimney Fund. On Christmas Eve there is a tradition to gather at the chimney, start a roaring fire, sing Christmas carols and toast those who have gone to the golden hills. The rumors that it was a dance hall and bordello and why it burned down have not been confirmed.

(c) James Q. Eddy Jr.

In my earlier bio I tried to describe a little about who I am and what I like to photograph. I debated whether any further information was necessary to describe me. Giving it more thought I suppose it is important to tell more of my story. In March 2008 I was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. Shortly before that I hemorrhaged in my eyes causing small blind spots in both. I spent a good part of that year in and out of the hospital receiving treatments. Today I am in remission and doing well. I still have blind spots that cause some difficulty in seeing. I have heard it said that going through something like that makes you see life a little differently. Although I had a pretty good outlook about life, I do see things...