Great photos by Stacy Kranitz on Jay Babcock's L.A. River blog -- a personal favorite of mine, along with Babcock's Arthur Magazine. The latest post calls for a removal of the concrete that lines the river. A beautiful dream -- and one that could come true, with enough support.

Recently, I attended an American Institute of Architects' "Urban Open Space Summit," and heard Larry Smith, the executive director of North East Trees call for the same -- removal of hardscape around the L.A. River. I think Larry Smith also called for removing asphalt all over the city as a green solution for the future -- but that could be just my own wishful extrapolation of Smith's remarks.