Starting with beyond: As in beyond belief the variety of Grand Theft Auto-style obstacles the city threw at my friend Cindy Bennett* as she converted her art studio/home to an art gallery/studio/home (she received Community Redevelopment funds for commercial conversion). It looks like all sides achieve level 39 in the end, though, as Ms. Bennett at long last celebrates the opening of her gallery North Hill this Saturday in Chinatown. Fittingly, her first exhibition will be of her own photographs, part of a Wyoming series of junkyards she began 12 years ago. The Corvair ("Unsafe at any speed") above is part of the show. Reception is open to the public: Saturday, June 28, 5 to 8 p.m., 945 North Hill St. Los Angeles.

*Chicken Corner connection disclaimer: Bennett took the Chicken Corner signature photograph, above top, of Rosie the dog at the Baxter Steps.

Elysian Park: Speaking of the badlands, the Echo Park Historical Society on Saturday offers its walking tour of parts of the east side of Elysian Park.