I said I played this song so many times before
That the melody keeps repeating.
While Supernova has had the good fortune of traveling in dozens of distant lands and living in a variety of countries, his fortuitous circumstances recently brought him to his hometown of Hacienda Heights.
Now in case you’ve never been lucky enough to venture into Hacienda Heights, it is a breathtakingly beautiful, hill-shrouded suburb located 18 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. To get there by car, simply take the 60 Freeway east from downtown L.A. and exit Hacienda Blvd. Go south on Hacienda Blvd., take a left on Halliburton, going past Stimpson Blvd., take a right on Atlantida Dr., and you’ll be in the heart and soul of Hacienda Heights.
Most people have probably never heard of Hacienda Heights for several reasons: it’s not an official city, its hidden away in the majestic Puente Hills, and it is absolutely devoid of tourist attractions save for one (the Buddhist Temple, which happens to be the largest in the Western Hemisphere). In fact, unless you happen to live in Hacienda Heights or have friends or family there, there really is no reason for you to visit.
But for Supernova, Hacienda Heights is like home. This world traveler went to school in ‘The Heights’ from 2nd-12th grade and resided in a tri-level home on Atlantida Dr. where he made some very good childhood friends. Children of similar ages abounded on Atlantida Dr. and Supernova looks back fondly on the memories of 1980s summers out on the streets riding bicycles, climbing trees, or playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends. Supernova’s home is still there looking better than ever. In fact all of Atlantida Dr. looks wonderful and well-taken care of. Homeowners in Hacienda Heights are evidently proud of one of Southern California’s best kept secrets.
As Supernova grew into his teen years, the trouble began. Getting drunk at high school parties, chasing women around at the Puente Hills mall, sneaking out of the house to toilet paper the neighbors houses, blowing up firecrackers at the local school, holding wild parties at home when the folks were on vacation……………………….all in good fun of course.
And then there was Supernova’s early entrepreneurship: house-sitting for neighbors on vacation included feeding their pets and watering their lawns; making a pretty penny by selling holiday cards door-to-door, manning a successful yard work business with a friend; passing out fliers for a local realtor, delivering the newspaper. And then later working at local businesses including Kentucky Friend Chicken (where he was robbed), Mobil Gas Station (where Supernova met the woman who robbed him of his virginity), and Chevron Gas Station (where he was robbed at gunpoint), all on Hacienda Blvd.
And so, on his recent visit through Hacienda Heights, Supernova reminisced and experienced nostalgia as he drove by all the landmarks. Supernova had lunch at a gem of a restaurant Casa de Tacos, located near the intersection of Hacienda Blvd. and Halliburton Rd. If you happen to pass through Hacienda Heights, the fried tacos at Casa de Tacos are truly delicious. Afterwards, have a drink at the Sunset Bar, Hacienda Heights’ only nightclub. Take a stroll through some of Hacienda Heights’ beautiful neighborhoods, including a grueling up-hill climb on Punta Del Este. You can also visit the expansive get-away Otterbein Park on Colima Rd.
For entertainment, see a movie at the Puente Hills Mall (where scenes from Back to the Future were filmed), and then do what George W. Bush told every God-fearing American to do: go shopping at the Puente Hills Mall.
Last but not least, if you need a respite from it all, after pounding the pavement of ‘The Heights’, you can sleep in the community’s one and only motel The Motel Six.
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