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Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Scenes on Broadway

Just Above Sunset shares some fantastic shots of Downtown's Broadway taken last Thursday. A few highlights:





Check out more cool pics here.

Carolla: Not Funny



Not even a month into his new 97.1 Free FM morning show (where he replaced Howard Stern), and Adam Carolla is already out of material. It takes some hack morning DJs months to sink to bad, outdated stereotypes in an attempt to muster some weak laughs. Apparently Carolla is already there.

According to the Radio Business Report, Carolla is already mocking Asian Americans by making "ching-chong" sounds. How very retro of Carolla, who might consider donning Mickey Rooney/"Breakfast at Tiffany's"-style thick round glasses and fake buck teeth for his next publicity photo. I'm guessing some good ol' fashioned "Amos and Andy" blackface is next on his plate?

It's disappointing; I actually thought Carolla did a good job co-hosting "Loveline" with Dr. Drew Pinsky, and did some decent bits for KROQ's Kevin & Bean back in the day. Why does anyone need to go down this road, especially since even if you're not offended by it, it's just not that funny?

From the RBR:

KLSX-FM LA morning man Adam Carolla has angered both the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and Asian American Advertising Federation (3AF) for mocking the Asian Excellence Awards show on his 1/24 show. Carolla joked about the awards show and used "ching-chong" sounds in a parody of the sound of the Awards show. Both groups are threatening boycotts. AAJC President Karen Narasaki says Carolla "Demeaned the work of Asian American actors, directors, and producers and perpetuated the stereotype of Asian Americans as foreigners...Unless Carolla is strongly reprimanded, and the station and CBS Radio apologize, we will be forced to ask advertisers to withdraw their support of his show."

The Real Coachella



After a flurry of hoaxes, the real Coachella Festival lineup has finally been released. And no, it's not quite like this hoax. But then again, it's not like this one either (too bad).

The L.A. Times gives some of the highlights:

Depeche Mode, Tool, Franz Ferdinand, Paul Oakenfold, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sigur Rós and Common are scheduled to play the seventh edition of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, which will take over the small desert town of Indio on April 29 and 30. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

More than 80 acts are on the bill. Among other notables: Matisyahu, TV on the Radio, Danger Mouse, Damien Marley, HARD-Fi, She Wants Revenge, Cat Power and the Like.

Depeche Mode, which will close the first night on the main stage, keeps alive the festival's tradition of revisiting musical heroes of the 1980s (past shows have featured the Cure, the Beastie Boys and the Pixies). Tool's set for the Sunday show would revisit the festival's first year, 1999, when that band memorably joined Rage Against the Machine on the closing night.

Rethinking El Coyote



LAFoodCrazy suggests that we reconsider everything we know about that old maragarita-and-bad-Mexican-food standby, El Coyote.

I say "we" in the collective sense, since I've never met anyone not turned off by El Coyote's cheese-and-refried bean heavy fare. But you go because of the potent margaritas and the festive atmosphere, right? LAFoodCrazy suggests that there's a way to actually enjoy the food at the Beverly Blvd. institution as well:

The guiding principle with working the El Coyote menu is to remember that the kitchen is very accommodating with substitutions. Use this to your advantage. The menu can be daunting, with bizarre entries like "Scratch Margaritas," (that doesn't sound appetizing at all), Enchilada Howard (we love to ask "is the Howard fresh today?"), and "Mexican Spaghetti" (it's actually fideo, a plenty "authentic" Mexican dish.) But don't be frightened. El Coyote is a Mexican restaurant, and has almost all the ingredients you'd expect in a Mexican restaurant; they're often just disguised with 1930s-friendly Americanized names. Don't see "carne asada"? It's there: it's just called "fajita steak." Machaca? It's "shredded beef." Flautas? They're "rolled tacos." The only thing you won't find buried in the menu is seafood. A bias of the owner, I'm told; I'm guessing she got some bad shellfish back in the ice-box 1930's.

So, a theoretical order from those "in the know" might go something like this: "I'd like an El Coyote Pizza with guac, a Garden Salad with ranch on the side, and a number one with a shredded beef taco -- suave, no grasa -- and a steak fajita enchilada, frijoles de la olla, and no cheese on the beans. And I'll have a scratch margarita straight up with rocks on the side."

Now that sounds like a pain-in-the-ass order, and your head is probably spinning. But the waiters and waitresses know what I mean as well as your local In 'n' Out knows what "Animal Style" means.

The site goes on to describe some of its favorite alternative El Coyote dishes. I've actually been ordering El Coyote's taco plate for years by asking for no cheese; black beans; and soft, rather than fried, taco shells. And I've felt better for doing so.

Monday, January 30, 2006

Ambassador Cam, #29

A belated (sorry, been busy) shot of the now fallen Ambassador Hotel sign:



(Thanks to reader Kathy.)

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Super Bowl L... In L.A.?

On the eve of Super Bowl XL, the Downtown News has a dream... to bring the fiftieth edition of the big game to L.A.

That gives the city, which hosted the first-ever Super Bowl back in 1967, ten years to prepare. And perhaps actually land an NFL team of our own. From the Downtown News editorial:

As stated before in these pages, there is no better location for football than the Coliseum, and the economic bounce that a stadium would provide the surrounding area would be unprecedented. Holding the 50th game in the same stadium as the first Super Bowl would be a recognition of history and tradition.

It would also be great for business, especially in a Downtown that is rapidly changing. By February 2016, L.A. Live will be complete and the Convention Center headquarters hotel will (hopefully) be several years old. A Super Bowl, which is currently estimated to generate about $300 million for its host city, would add even more energy to the new activity on the Figueroa Corridor for the weeks leading up to the game. One can envision tens of thousands of football fans filling the restaurants, bars and hotels throughout Downtown.

Ten years can go by fast... want to wager in 2016 we'll still be predicting a downtown revival, debating what to do about the homeless problem in Skid Row and wondering whether pro football will be returning to the market?

Also in the Downtown News, two of L.A.'s architectural gems, the Oviatt Building and the Fine Arts Building, are up for sale. And the paper picks up on ConocoPhillips' decision to eliminate the orange-and-blue 76 ball, as first noted here last year.



The paper gets into the change by noting that 76's long-standing logo, painted on the side of the Petroleum Securities Building on Olympic Boulevard since the 1950s, is gone.

Who Says The L.A. Times Isn't Valuable?

For the price of just a quarter Saturday, the L.A. Times taught us how to steal a vehicle:

They preyed on large swaths of Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire and Jefferson Park, sometimes making off with two cars a night.

But police said Friday that the two alleged car thieves were less interested in BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes than in the tried-and-true Toyota Camry. Indeed, detectives think the suspects stole as many as 600 cars in the Wilshire area over the last year — roughly a third of all vehicles taken in the police district.

And they were not part of a sophisticated car-theft ring.

Rather, authorities say, the suspects — Carlos Contreras, 37, and Abelino Gonzales, 41 — are homeless people who made off with the cars and stole any valuables inside to feed their drug habits. (Both pleaded not guilty in court earlier this week.)

Their secret? Los Angeles Police Det. Frank Carrillo said they used "shaved keys" — plain car keys, which can be bought at a hardware store or junkyard, that are filed down — to pick door and ignition locks.

"If you shave the girth of a key, most often it will unlock a car," Carrillo said. When Contreras and Gonzales were arrested this week, they possessed more than 20 shaved keys, he said.

Next Saturday: Pointers on how to rob a convenience store.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Land of Lincoln: The Answer



We asked you earlier this week to identify the location of Abe Lincoln, kicking back on a park bench.

Some of your guesses:

I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that it's in the new chess area on Brand. Ave between Brand Books and that weird vocational college.
-----------------------------------
Cerritos
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Is this statue located at the Buena Vista Library in Burbank, CA...the library is fairly new and it is called: Lincoln Park.
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In the small park before that black and white office building on Crescent near Wilshire Blvd. This used to be near Wilshire on Beverly Drive (for a brief spell) near the George Lundeen Thomas Jefferson bench statue - both of which recently got yanked. Or at least a near-replica of this was on Beverly Drive.
-----------------------------------
Inside every one of my nightmares.
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Is this in Glendale in the shopping are across the street from the Exchange theatres?

Turns out Kan Mattoo (who said "Cerritos") was closest: This relaxed Lincoln was indeed found in Cerritos, at the city's newly renovated Liberty Park Community Center.

The World's Best Tres Leches Cake Comes to Burbank



What's good for Glendale is now good for Burbank: Porto's, the landmark Cuban bakery and restaurant, has finally opened its second location. The Daily News was there:

After serving up Cuban-style baked goods and tasty sandwiches for years in Glendale, Porto's Bakery opened its Burbank store Monday to throngs of fans.
More than 100 people lined the sidewalk in front of the popular eatery at Hollywood Way and Magnolia Boulevard in the heart of the city's Magnolia Park area, eager for the doors to open.

"After years of work, we finally come this morning to welcome the Porto family, embrace them and wish them the best," Burbank Mayor Jef Vander Borght said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. "All of us have invested countless years trying to find the right mixture of the right tenant and right uses for the area. We couldn't have found a better use than Porto's."

Once you've had Porto's Tres Leches cake (Yellow sponge cake soaked with three-milk sauce - condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whipping cream - and finished with meringue icing), no other cake will ever make do again.

Ambassador Update: The Sign is Gone



Sure, it was cheesy. And a relic of the hotel's last-ditch effort to revive itself. Just check out that font -- how dated! But still, the Ambassador Hotel sign graced its Wilshire Blvd. entrance for decades... and its disappearance is another reminder that the historic building is gone.

From reader Kathy:

I drove down Wilshire this am (Thursday Jan. 26) and was shocked to see an empty cement pole in front by the sidewalk. I parked, took my camera, walked over and saw that beautiful Ambassador sign on the ground, in the drive way!

I felt so bad that I couldn't even take a photo of it. I'm glad I got lots of photos while it was still in place--at the top smiling out on Wilshire Blvd. where it belongs. Where do you suppose they'll store it? I think even CoCo (Coconut Grove) looks sad.:(

I know, second Ambassador post of the day. Meanwhile, have you RSVP'ed for the Ambassador Wake yet? See you next Thursday!

Ambassador Cam, #28

Some cool new shots from Franklin Avenue reader Wojtek, who took these on Tuesday:














Meanwhile, Thursday's LA Daily News reported on the uncertain future of the Ambassador pantry. The walls themselves are gone, but the equipment from the scene of RFK's assassination have been preserved, despitethe Kennedy family's objection. Now, what to do with it?



Against the wishes of the Kennedy family, the pantry equipment from the mostly demolished Ambassador Hotel is being packed up instead of destroyed. Now school officials, who bought the vacant hotel in 2001 to make way for new classrooms, are saddled with the question of what to do with the remnants of the tragic spot in American history.

The Kennedys fear that the fixtures - including a food-warming table, an ice machine, wainscoting and ceiling lights - could end for sale online as morbid souvenirs. Several pieces that are purported to be from the landmark hotel are already being offered over the Internet.

A Los Angeles Unified School District advisory panel concluded the pantry had no historical significance and urged the school system to get rid of it. But the district is legally bound to preserve the items under the demolition plan approved by the school board, said district spokeswoman Shannon Johnson-Haber.

According to Paul Schrade, a Kennedy family friend who was wounded in the June 1968 assassination, Superintendent Roy Romer promised one of the senator's sons that the district would dispose of the pantry.

"The agreement was to get rid of all of it," said Schrade, who said he attended a meeting where Romer gave that assurance to Maxwell Kennedy, the assassinated senator's son. Kennedy fears that if the items are not destroyed, "this winds up on eBay," Schrade added.

Glenn Gritzer, the former school official who worked most closely on the Ambassador project as a special assistant to Romer, said the superintendent was expressing a personal desire, not a guarantee.

Because of legal restrictions, "the superintendent can't just wake up one morning and say, 'Boom, it's gone,"' Gritzner said.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Save Christine



Today is Christine Pechera's birthday. It's a little wild that aside from first hearing about Christine from our friends Jess and Jeff last week, I heard from two completely different people yesterday and today about her and the bone marrow drive to keep her alive. Good to know that word is getting out -- but let's keep the fire burning by going to a marrow drive this weekend.

With Christine's case, they are now focusing on ethnic matches, but even if you are not a match for her, please consider getting tested to save another's life.

Here's a link on the drives that are happening around Southern California and check out Asian Miracle Matches (www.asianmarrow.org) for more information.

E-Mail of the Day: NBC Makes Baby Jesus Cry Edition



Someone from the "Traditional Values Coalition" -- currently peddling the book "The Agenda: The Homosexual Plan To Change America" (Apparently it involves adding Kylie Minogue to radio station playlists across the country) -- has been emailing this piece around:

By Mrs. Andrea Lafferty
Executive Director, Traditional Values Coalition


Public outcry against NBC’s short-lived drama called the “Book of Daniel” should send a powerful message to Hollywood: Stop the Christian-bashing!

As I watched the first two-hour episode of this show, it was clear that this was so over-the-top in its bashing of Christianity that it became absurd...

All the characters in this drama were clearly dysfunctional. Jack Kenny, the writer/producer and open homosexual, was the brains behind this disaster. With a personal agenda driving him, he went to great lengths to discredit Christianity but ended up just looking foolish. The main character, an Episcopal priest was addicted to drugs; he had an alcoholic wife, a drug dealing daughter, and two sons who were sexually active (one is a homosexual). In addition, a female bishop was having an affair with the priest’s father who is also a member of the clergy. The sister-in-law was a bisexual. And, let’s not forget the priest’s friend who was a Catholic priest linked to the mob. I’ve never encountered a family this messed up.

The character who played Jesus is a hip, permissive dude who urges the priest to be tolerant of his children’s excesses. This isn’t the Jesus of the Bible...

Here’s a unique idea for Hollywood: How about treating Christians with the same respect you treat Muslims and Jews in your programming? After all, if these producers truly believe in tolerance, acceptance, love and inclusiveness, then they should include Christians. The refusal to do so can be costly—as NBC just learned.

Jesus potrayed as a tolerant, forgiving soul? Shocking! Which bible is she reading? Ahh... "The Holy Bible: The Angry, Spiteful, Vindictive Edition."

As for Hollywood treating Christians the same way it depicts Muslims in programming... so wait, this woman wants Christians to be portrayed as heavily stereotyped terrorists? Whose side are you on, "Mrs."?

Incurring the Wrath of Oprah

Set your TiVos. Writer James Frey gets chewed out by Oprah Winfrey on today's show:

Oprah Winfrey, whose support propelled "A Million Little Pieces" into the stratosphere of bestsellers, apologized to her national audience today for backing the memoir that contained falsehoods.

In the live broadcast, Winfrey also grilled the author, James Frey, whom she had previously defended.

"I made a mistake," Winfrey said at the beginning of her show, shown this morning in Chicago, according to a transcript prepared by ShadowTV, a website that monitors broadcasts. "I left the impression that the truth does not matter, and I am deeply sorry about that. But that is not what I believe.

In the spirit of today's show, will Oprah be apologizing soon for her Tom Cruise episode? Like you said, Oprah, "the truth does matter."

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

That Didn't Take Long


Now that WB and UPN are shutting down -- and new network The CW will air on KTLA/5 -- KCOP/13 has already dropped its "UPN 13" identity. (Left, its logo prior to today; at right, the station's new logo.)

Meanwhile, I'm still pursuing my campaign to convince the new CW network to reconsider its name.

Here's my pitch:

XBC

It's a strong, powerful but youthful and edgy name.

It says, "We're a major network." In the same league as ABC, NBC and FBC, even BBC and CBC. (Hell, even SBC.)

But it also says "We're not your father's network -- we're cooler and younger than those guys."

X -- it's young. XBox. X-Games. X-Men. Xzibit. X-Files. The "X" even subtly tells young men it's OK to watch the network (even though the programming skews more female).

XBC -- it rolls off the tongue. It sounds mighty. It sounds a tad exotic, and universal. It sounds like a young destination. Perhaps a cool club -- Hanging at The XBC.

XBC -- put it together. "We're hip and young, but we're a powerful broadcast company."

I better trademark it.

Catching a CW Breath



Some days are busy... and then some days, two broadcast networks decide to throw in the towel and merge. That's a hectic day.

I'm saddened to see one less network exist after September, and that both the WB -- which once upon a time boasted a real, identifiable brand -- and UPN, which had finally found its calling, will disappear. (Here's our comprehensive report in Variety. We also wrote up sidebars on the merger's impact on affiliates and the reaction in the creative community.

It'll be interesting to watch in the coming weeks as we see how the WB and UPN slowly fade away (expect KCOP to stop branding itself as "UPN13" rather quickly) and just what News Corp. does with its UPN affiliates, including Channel 13. Could we see a return to the "Very Independent" slogan and philosophy the station had prior to UPN? Will we see more Lauren Sanchez?

Another thing: "The CW" ? There's still gotta be a better name. Here's one idea: XBC. It sends a message: This ain't your parent's moldy network. It's XBC! (OK, it's terrible. What would you name a new, young skewing TV network?)

I'm Pushing for 'Schneiderville'

Tired of living in "Chatsworth" or "Valley Village" or "Seacrest"? Go ahead and rename your neighborhood -- the city will foot the bill, the L.A. Times reports:

The City Council on Tuesday approved a plan that allows the city to pay the costs of residents renaming their communities.

Under the policy, the city will pay for some new signage and the $2,700 in administrative costs. Community leaders, however, will still have to corral support from residents for the name change and win City Council approval.

In recent years, for example, two Van Nuys neighborhoods were renamed Valley Glen and Lake Balboa in an effort by residents to remake their image.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Mike News Tonight



Catch me tonight on ABC's World News Tonight, muttering something about the Disney acquisition of Pixar. Sorry, no heavily caked make-up this time, just Mike in a wrinkly shirt. Unless they cut me out ("That guy needs some heavily caked make-up!") I'll be on sometime during the newscast (6:30 p.m. Eastern/Pacific)

UPDATE: I was left on the cutting room floor! Bastards.

Land of Lincoln



Pop quiz time: Where in SoCal can you find this bench, and perhaps carry an imaginary conversation with Abe Lincoln?

First person with the correct answer gets a copy of Piece of Cake: Choice Cuts Volume 4. Just comment below.

Rate-A-Restaurant, #87 in a series



Restaurant: Vinoteca Farfalla

Location: 1968 Hillhurst Ave. (Los Feliz)

Type of restaurant: Wine Bar, with Italian and Brazilian small dishes

We stipulated: After enjoying several wine bars (enotecas) in Italy -- particularly Florence -- during our 2003 trip, we wondered why the concept hadn't caught on in Los Angeles. The whole idea of mingling in a small, cozy space with a glass of wine and some meats and cheeses -- we were sold. So when we spotted Vinoteca Farfalla while on Hillhurst last month, we got excited.

They stipulated: The spot wasn't busy when we arrived at 5 p.m. on a pre-holiday afternoon. Which meant the waiter was anxious to spend time telling us about the wines and help guide us through our selection. And the best part: He didn't skimp. These were hefty glasses.

High point: Just the existence of Vinoteca Farfalla is exciting enough. We're a little bummed that it moved into our old neighborhood after we moved, but I guess that's beside the point. Vinoteca Farfalla's the perfect spot to meet a group of people in the evening -- particularly on a slightly chilly day -- and the staff is overly friendly.

Low point: Too bad they didn't bother to ask why we were waiting outside the door for at least 15 minutes. The "closed" sign was still on the door, even though we learned later that they were actually open -- they just hadn't bothered to switch the sign.

Overall impression: We're not wine snobs, so I couldn't tell you how Vinoteca Farfalla's selection stacks up. But to a layman, it seemed pretty impressive. And more importantly to us, the small spot is a pretty close facsimile of what it's like to stumble across a neighborhood wine bar in Europe.

It's a part of a wider trend, as the L.A. Times reported last week, as the wine bar phenomenon has finally reached our city:
Whether slick or funky, with elaborate menus or just a few snacks, the new wine bars are eminently welcoming and laid-back. They're like coffeehouses for the enologically curious, or those who just like a glass of something interesting and a tasty bite. Arrive early, they're quiet and soothing; come late and they're hopping.

Chance we will go back: Yes -- and who knows, maybe we'll try more food beyond the simple meat and cheese platter next time (Vinoteca is next door to a co-owned Brazilian restaurant).

(Photo: Los Angeles Times)

Memories of the Ambassador, Part One



Franklin Avenue reader Don Stewart sent us this shot of the Ambassador, which he took some time last year. Thanks to everyone who's sending us pics of the now-demolished building -- keep 'em coming! And don't forget to RSVP for the Feb. 2 Ambassador Hotel wake!

An update on the Wake: I've been informed that the majority of the party -- including, yes, the open bar -- will actually be at the Gaylord Apartments (which is the same location -- The HMS Bounty is connected to the Gaylord's lobby). The crowd will likely spill into the HMS Bounty. But drinks aren't free there -- so don't try to pull a fast one on my man Ramon!

In other Ambassador news, the LAUSD is looking for artists to depict the history of the once-grand hotel, according to the Downtown News:

With the demolition of the Ambassador Hotel wrapping up last week, the Los Angeles Unified School District has started the process of selecting artwork to grace the new schools complex that will occupy the site. The district wants original pieces that depict the history of the Ambassador Hotel within the context of Los Angeles from 1921 to 1968.

Corinne Weitzman, an art consultant hired by the school district, said plans are being worked out as to how many pieces will be on the new campus. "It really depends on the response we get and the proposals that come in," she said.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Rate-A-Restaurant, #86 in a series



Restaurant: The Standard Downtown Restaurant

Location: 550 S. Flower (Downtown)

Type of restaurant: Diner

We stipulated: Our friends Su and Fred were in town visiting, but coming up from La Mirada. We needed a breakfast place easily accessible from the freeway. We settled on downtown -- but the Original Pantry, given how crowded it gets on the weekend, was out of the question. The Standard's roof is always a eye-opener for out-of-towners, so we decided to make a return trip to the hotel's lobby restaurant.

They stipulated: Actually, in the morning, not much: Just show up and you'll get a table. The toughest part of the Standard experience? The parking.

What we ordered:Mike: Eggsadilla (scallion, guacamole, jack cheese, flour tortilla, pico de gallo) -- $9; Maria: Three item omelet (spinach, mushroom, bacon) -- $9.

High point: We love the bright yellow decor and egg-crate style walls. The Standard's restaurant is really perfect for breakfast -- not too crowded, not too loud. The eggsadilla was decent, the coffee was bottomless, and Blogger Baby Evan was on his best behavior (he was busy flirting with the waitresses, who all fell pretty hard for him.)

Low point: This ain't our normal $1.99 IKEA breakfast. Expect a hefty bill.

Overall impression: Morning really is the best time to visit the Standard. The lobby is mellow (we even took pictures in the photo booth); the roof is almost empty (allowing a nice, leisurely look out on the downtown skyline) and the people seem friendlier. (For several years our day-after-Thanksgiving routine involved spending three hours at the Standard restaurant addressing Christmas cards.) Be sure to park in the Library parking garage next door -- as long as you have a library card. And keep in mind, the library doesn't open in Sundays until 1 p.m., so you can't get validated until then. Sadly, we had to leave before then, and wound up paying $7 in parking.

Chance we will go back: Yes -- particularly when we have guests in town. It's too pricey to do too often.

The BevCen Gets a MakeOver



A few years ago, I was back home in Hawaii, where a radio station was breathlessly holding a contest to send someone on a trip to Los Angeles... in order to shop at the "World Famous Beverly Center"! (Never mind that the BevCen had already been in rapid decline at that point. I'm sure the winner flew to L.A., excitedly took those escalators up to the mall... and realized that Ala Moana has the exact same stores. But across the street from a beach.)

If you've been to the Beverly Center lately... oh, who are we kidding. When was the last time you were actually at the Beverly Center? Yeah, me neither. But it's a ghost town. As the Beverly Connection finally got wise (well, it helped that most of its anchors -- Bookstar, The Good Guys, the theatre, etc. -- went out of business) and is now rebuilding, LAObserved notes that the Beverly Center is finally sprucing things up as well.

Well, to clarify, they're sprucing up the exoskeleton:

The balky escalators on the Beverly side of Beverly Center are closed for a complete replacement, putting added pressure on the elevators—never a good thing there. Target date to reopen: November 1, then work starts on the La Cienega side. The mall admits the escalators were broken down too often... An LA Observed correspondent also emails that the Cineplex theaters will close January 26, then be redesigned as a Mann Theatres complex.

Those Beverly Center theatres have long been voted worst in the city.


Meanwhile, as we noted in November, Swedish retailer H&M is finally coming to Los Angeles (having established a San Francisco presence last year). Via LAObserved, the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that H&M's first two local stores will open later this year in the Beverly Center and on Colorado in Pasadena.

Rate-A-Restaurant, #85 in a series



Restaurant: Max's of Manila

Location: 313 W. Broadway (Glendale)

Type of restaurant: Filipino/fried chicken

We stipulated: Maria's brother and his family are in town, so it was time to get together for a midweek dinner. Barrio Fiesta was out of the question, because for some unknown reason both Southern California locations have shut down. Max's is good for huge parties, like the family, and doesn't mind kids running around.

They stipulated: With such a large group, ordering off Max's special set menu is recommended.


Max's crispy chicken

What we ordered: Max's set menu 3 is recommended for a party of ten ($139) and includes: Max's fried chicken; soup of the day; Miki Bihon Pancit (blending of thick and thin noodles stir-fried with vegetables, pork, chicken and shrimp); Kare-kare (stewed oxtail simmered in a rich peanut sauce until tender; served with vegetables like eggplant); lechon kawali (pork belly deep-fried until crisp and golden brown, keeping the inside meat tender); steamed rice and choice of dessert (we took the leche flan). Also, to drink: Sago't Gulaman (tapioca and gelatin, mixed with brown sugar syrup and banana extract over shaved ice).

Kare-kare

Pancit Canton

High point: Getting the Sago't Gulaman may seem like a little bit of a splurge, but it's well worth it. Especially if you order it before the food comes. Meanwhile, Max's chicken is always decent -- particularly with rice and a little banana ketchup.

Low point: But warning: If you're not into eating the skin, as I'm not, it may get a little messy.

Overall impression: The history of Max's is an interesting one. From their website:
In 1945, after World War II, American occupation troops stationed in Quezon City, Philippines were befriended by Maximo Gimenez, a Stanford-educated teacher. A few came to his nearby house for a drink or two, until they insisted that they pay for their drinks.

Maximo decided to open a cafe which served chicken, steak and drinks. He was joined by Mercedes his wife, and Felipa, his sister-in-law. His niece Ruby managed the kitchen, joined by her husband Claro. Ruby concocted a special recipe for chicken that was adored by the G.I.s., and they kept coming back for more. Soon enough, the Filipino public heard about the delicious chicken -- tender, juicy, and crispy -- and they came too!

Most of the time, we get Max's chicken to go on the way to Maria's mom's house. But Max's works well as a spot for a big party -- such as the whole family gathering together -- and is especially kid-friendly. Which means for once we didn't have to worry about Evan running around the place.

Chance we will go back: Max's is an extended family stand-by, so we'll be back.

Rate the Portait Studios

It's part of being a new parent: Dragging your infant to the portrait studio, where he/she will pitch a fit, refuse to cooperate... and maybe, just maybe, if you're lucky, still manage to eke out at least one acceptable picture before the whole ordeal is over.

Besides the monthly birthday shots we took of Evan during his first year, we decided to take him to a portrait studio to mark his 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months of existence. And as you'd expect, it got tougher each time, as the little guy got more independent and less willing to stand or sit in one place for more than a millisecond.

But we also found that the results had a lot to do with the portrait studio itself. (To be fair, none of the places really managed to pull off stellar pictures. You'll find in a baby's first year that it takes serendipity and a quick, candid eye to capture your infant's best shots.) After utilizing a few places, we have a better idea of where to go.

In order:



1. Sears (Glendale): The stand alone Sears in our fine town is never crowded -- which means we could always show up to the portrait studio, without an appointment, and immediately get seated. The photographers were patient and managed to click several shots during the split seconds where Evan was actually sitting in one spot. We were mostly pleased with the two times we visited.

2. JCPenney (Glendale Galleria): A zoo, as you might expect at the Galleria. But we still managed to snag a sitting without an appointment -- and the workers there tried their hardest to pull a smile out of Evan. Tops in enthusiasm, but you have to put up with a ton of racing kids and screaming babies (including your own).

3. Target (Pasadena): Only a handful of Target locations include a portrait studio, which is probably for the best. From every aspect -- customer service, price, overall experience -- Target was terrible. And we love Target, so it's tough to admit that they let us down. An outside company actually handles the Target portrait studio -- and they don't seem to concerned about the quality of their work. The photographer we had clearly didn't care much for her job or bothering to get anything resembling a decent shot.

True Confessions of a Young Parent



I wanted to hate Elmo. I really did. He wasn't a part of my "Sesame Street" experience growing up -- and yet he now seems to be the star of the long-running PBS show, taking away valuable screen time from Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster and the Count. (I have no problem with him stealing the show from Big Bird, who I never cared much for, or the humans Bob and David, who honestly I thought were a little too old and single to be hanging around puppets and six-year-olds.)

But a funny thing happened recently. Several of Evan's Christmas and birthday presents were Elmo-related, including the "Dance and Shout Elmo" from his grandparents. And holy crap, I find myself, yes, Dancing and Shouting with Elmo. And enjoying it. I'm even starting to appreciate Elmo's constant use of the third person ("You make Elmo want to shout!") After all, I'm now forever referring to myself as "daddy" in the third person as well. (Most sadly, even increasingly when Evan's not around.)

Elmo, perhaps you and I can forge an understanding after all. Just don't step on Ernie's toes.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Ice Blendeds Finally Come to Glendale



For some reason, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has avoided Glendale in its expansion plans. Los Feliz, Burbank, Pasadena -- the 'Bean can be found it neighboring 'hoods, but not in our fair city. I even wrote to their corporate headquarters last year, complaining about the oversight. Here was the response:

Thank you for your feedback about not having a store in the Glendale area. I am a resident of Echo Park, and I do a lot of my errands in Glendale, and I am always frustrated to find that there is no where for me to get my Ice Blended too! Please do know that we have received quite a lot of feedback regarding this area, quite a bit from me directly, and we are hoping to have a location open near the Glendale Community College by the end of the summer; with another location closer to the Galleria, by the end of next year.

Katie Mackin
Customer Relations Representative
International Coffee & Tea, LLC
dba The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®

It's finally happening, The Glendale Community College location has been open for a few months now (although, too far away for us) and today I finally spotted it: The first true Coffee Bean branch. Located on Glendale Blvd. Ave. in a strip mall across the street from the Barnes & Noble. Let the White Chocolate Lattes begin.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Press Release of the Day: Brad and Angelina Save the World Edition



There weren't any kidnappings last weekend in Haiti -- which Wyclef Jean credits to a heart-to-heart he had with his native homeland. According to this release from "Access Hollywood," he apparently told the country not to embarrass him while his guests Angelina and Brad were in town:

ON THE NEXT "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD": WYCLEF JEAN TELLS TIM VINCENT ABOUT HIS SUCCESSFUL PLEA TO STOP HAITIAN KIDNAPPINGS DURING ANGELINA JOLIE AND BRAD PITT'S VISIT

Jean: "Listen, I Got Angelina Jolie Here, I got Brad Pitt Here. Please Do Not Embarrass Me This Weekend."


BURBANK, Calif. - January 20, 2006- In an interview with "Access Hollywood's" Tim Vincent, Haiti's own Wyclef Jean talks about his plea to stop Haitian kidnappings during Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's recent visit. The interview airs on "Access Hollywood," Friday, January 20, 2006.

When the pregnant Jolie and Pitt visited Haiti last Friday to support Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti relief efforts, security was a serious issue that Jean took into his own hands. "The kidnapping is crazy. (There were) 30 kidnappings per day the previous weekend," says the Fugees star. Jean explains that to ensure their safety, he got on local television and said, "Listen, I got Angelina Jolie here, I got Brad Pitt here. Please do not embarrass me this weekend."

Jean adds that the plea was extremely successful, "The whole weekend went by and there was not one kidnapping."

Holy crap, I think Wyclef is on to something. Next stop: Sudan, where embarrassed militants halt the nation's genocide for a weekend when Brad and Angelina stop by. ("Could you guys PLEASE clean up those bodies? Brad, Angelina and that cute kid with the mohawk are stopping by... and I don't want it to be awkward!")

R.I.P., Rhino Records the Store



The Hollywood Reporter's Chris Morris eulogizes the Rhino Records store on Westwood, which will hold one last parking lot sale this weekend:

The demise of Rhino hits home on a very personal level for this writer. For years, it was my neighborhood record store, conveniently located between my Westwood Village apartment and the Santa Monica Boulevard office of the film exhibitor I worked for.

It was the hip shop on the Westside -- one of the few places you could buy that hot import album or that cool local punk 45. There, music obsessives gathered to buy their records, socialize and, frequently, argue with the store's highly opinionated clerks. In a gambit worthy of "High Fidelity," Rhino for many years maintained a "Worst Customers List," posted prominently behind the counter; the more obstreperous patrons -- including, on more than one occasion, myself -- were duly namechecked there.

As combative as things could get, the store also spawned its own tightly knit community. When Rhino's fledgling record label wanted to promote one of its early novelty acts, the Temple City Kazoo Orchestra, the store drafted some of its regulars to march through Westwood Village, where they serenaded passers-by with kazoo renditions of "Whole Lotta Love" and other classic-rock chestnuts.

The era when music lovers on both sides of the retail counter bonded is long gone. (Owner Richard) Foos notes with some astonishment that there are now no free-standing independent stores selling music between West Hollywood and Santa Monica. The options are Best Buy, Borders and Barnes & Noble.

My music collection is filled with CDs bought at various Rhino parking lot sales through the years. And of course, the store begat Rhino Records the label, where Maria continues to design cool packages. Rhino the store, you'll be missed.

Help Save a Life

Our friend Jeff asked us to spread the word about a pal of his, Christine Pechera, who has been diagnosed with a rare and extremely aggressive form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She managed to beat back the cancer a few years ago -- but now it has returned.

Christine's doctors are specifically looking for anyone of Filipino descent to get tested, on the off-chance they might be a match.

Some info we received from Christine's friends via email:



The survival rates are not good. The fact that it's the same cancer is the worst possible news, because it means that it did not respond to treatment.

Medically, the only option Christine has left is a Bone Marrow Transplant. The survival rate of this procedure is 30-40%. Of those who do survive the procedure itself, only 50% survive the next two years. However, if she does survive those two years, it means the cancer won't come back.

This is a pretty terrible option. However, the non medical option is also horrible. Her doctor says that if she chooses not to have the Bone Marrow Transplant, she'll be dead within a year.

We need to find her a bone marrow donor. This is hard enough for the average person. There are over 20,000 types of bone marrow, so the average person has a 1 in 20,000 chance of finding a match.

These numbers are even worse for Christine. Because she is Filipino, she needs to find a donor of the same ethnic background, and there are hardly any Filipinos on the National Registry.

Because we caught the cancer early, right now is our best chance of having the Bone Marrow Transplant work. Every day we lose her chances of surviving drop.

So please, contact your friends, and ask them to contact their friends. Anyone you know who is Filipino and between the ages of 18 and 61 is a potential donor. The system is nationwide, so it doesn't matter where they live. Signing up on the registry is easy and painless. All it requires is a simple blood test.


If you're here in Southern California, Christine's friends suggest you contact Asian Miracle Matches (www.asianmarrow.org) at 1-888-236-4673. They're organizing free registry drives and expediting processing for Filipinos in Southern California to help her find her match in time.

For others across the nation, check out this MySpace site for details.

Ambassador Cam, #27


The Ambassador Hotel's remains, including the Cocoanut Grove, 1/18/06



Thanks to reader Robert Peate, who passed along these new shots. (Which are obviously facing east -- well, sort of southeast -- as you can see the downtown skyline in the background.)

Hope to see you at the Ambassador Hotel wake on Feb. 2 -- be sure to RSVP soon!

(For full coverage of the legendary hotel's demise, check out The Ambassador's Last Stand.)

Thursday, January 19, 2006

The Ambassador Wake, Take 2

Spread the word... here's the info for the Ambassador farewell party on Feb. 2. It's a slightly more formal event than the one I'd been organizing -- in other words, you've got to RSVP. But on the flip side, there's a hosted bar -- which should appeal to the inner journalist in all of you. Hope to see you there...

WHAT: Toast the life and death of the legendary Ambassador Hotel

WHEN: Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: The HMS Bounty

WHO: You -- RSVP at 310-858-2224 (as soon as possible -- there's only room for so many people at the HMS Bounty)

The Annual Coachella Hoax?

Bogus Coachella lineups always seem to float around this time each year. But losanjealous got its hands on either an actual copy of this year's schedule, or -- much more likely -- the most elaborate fake lineup to make the rounds yet:

Hi-Def Radio Comes to Los Angeles



As they look to compete with the emerging satellite radio industry, several L.A. radio stations are launching new HD2 digital radio channels, which can be heard over the air by anyone with a HD digital radio receiver.

According to LARadio.com, KPWR/"Power 106" will launch "Power Dos," a bilingual version of its hip-hop format (in an attempt to compete with bilingual KXOL/"Latino 96.3," which has stolen some of Power's audience since going on the air last year).

Country station KZLA will launch an Adult Alternative station (think U2, Neil Young, Coldplay) on their digital channel. Los Angeles hasn't had an Adult Alternative outlet since "Channel 103.1" disappeared several years ago.

Classic rocker KLOS also plans to go the bilingual route, mixing traditional rock with Rock En Espanol for a new fusion format. They explain it here:

The bilingual Fusion Hispanic/Anglo Rock format, which is being created and implemented entirely by KLOS, will be launched in July 2006 and made available without commercial content and cost-free to those who have HD digital radio receivers. Described as a unique music-intensive format that will appeal to a wide audience of rock music fans, the channel will blend a mix of American and British rock with Spanish rock, creating a revolutionary new sound that will forever change the landscape of terrestrial radio in southern California.

“This new sound will reach out to anyone who loves rock music with a harder edge,” said Wilde. “We will feature the best of international rock music with an emphasis on Hispanic/Anglo elements - a hybrid that has never been introduced to any audience in the world until now.”

Listeners will be taken on a musical journey unlike any other, with a dynamic lineup of artists from Metallica to Mana, from Judas Priest to the Jaguares and from U2 to Ozomatli. “We’re creating this fun and exciting new sound with our ears and our hearts,” said Wilde, “rather than replicating something that is already available.”

HD radio could be the most exciting thing to happen to local radio in a while... but it's too soon to tell. Perhaps we'll see some other formats are missing from the airwaves finally get their due.

UPDATE: Clear Channel has also announced some HD radio plans. KIIS-FM's second channel will mix top 40 and Spanish-speaking hosts and commercials, in a format they're calling "Kisspanic." (Cute.)

KHHT/"Hot 92.3" will also go Latino-centric, with a Hispanic oldies format.

KBIG-FM, which plays a lot of disco in the evenings, will use its second HD channel to go wall-to-wall disco.

Sly H2O



Suddenly, Trump Ice sounds down right delicious. Sylvester Stallone's new line of water made it to my desk yesterday... and other than a slightly plasticy taste, it was... water.



Bottled straight at the source, at Washington's Mount Rainier. And by "Washington's Mount Rainier," we mean the tap behind Sly's garage.



Sly's puppy swears by the stuff. (Because it tastes like Sly.)

Press Release of the Day: Skating with Alleged Celebrities Edition



When you're starring opposite Todd Bridges and Jillian Barberie, viewers aren't staring at your clothes. No, they're wondering how hard up for cash Todd Bridges is, and how starved for attention Jillian still is. Not to mention which face Bruce Jenner is on. And who told Nancy Kerrigan to wear a suit. And whether the Olsen Twins even acknowledge Dave Coulier's existence.

Oh, and they're also transfixed by the pixieish Scott Hamilton, who seems to get more compact every time we see him on TV. Hence this release from Jimmy Au's for Men 5'8" and Under Wardrobes:

Leading celebrity clothier and specialty retailer provides clothing to Olympic gold medalist for new Fox series "Skating with Celebrities."

Los Angeles, CA January 18, 2006 -- Celebrity clothier and specialty retailer Jimmy Au's for Men 5'8" and Under today announced that it has provided the wardrobe to Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton for his hosting responsibilities on the series "Skating with Celebrities" premiering tonight on Fox. Jimmy Au's for Men 5'8" and Under), which is also set to open in February the first short men's store in Beverly Hills and the largest short men's store of any kind in the US, has a longstanding relationship with Mr. Hamilton and was honored to have been selected to provide the wardrobe for the much anticipated program.

"It was an honor to provide Scott with clothing for 'Skating with Celebrities,' " said Alan Au, Marketing Director for Jimmy Au's. "Both as a person and a professional, Scott is an inspiration. Jimmy's Au's is once again thrilled to be affiliated with one of Scott's endeavors and we look forward to viewing the program along with the rest of America."

Jimmy Au's expertise and fashion quality are no secret to Hollywood's leading stylists and wardrobe departments who are clamoring for him to outfit their stars for major film and television projects including "Alias," "Crossing Jordan," "The Italian Job," "The West Wing," "ER," "Just Shoot Me," "The Surreal Life," "Six Feet Under" and the aforementioned "Skating with Celebrities" hosted by Scott Hamilton.

My "Lost" Rant of the Week



To: Jack, Locke, Sawyer
From: Mike

So you three finally come face to face with the so-called "Others" -- the strangely superhuman island dwellers who hold the key to the secrets of where you are and why you're there. Wow! You must have had a ton of questions to ask them. So... what's the story? What's up with that weird smoke? The hatch? Why did they sabotage your attempts at leaving for help via a raft? Why are there so many of them? Are they a part of that weird experiment in that film you showed all of us, Locke?

What's that? You didn't ask them? Nothing? You just growled and stared at them and then grabbed Kate and left? Nice. It's not as if WE NEEDED TO KNOW ANYTHING! One of these days Hurley's going to eat one of the extras, and none of you are going to care because none of you are ever going to notice. Just watch your back.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

You Are Cordially Invited to The Ambassador Hotel's Wake

UPDATE: New plans! Next Tuesday's wake has been canceled. Instead, Ken Bernstein of the L.A. Conservancy contacted me this afternoon to let me know that the organization was planning its own Ambassador hotel tribute -- also at the HMS Bounty -- the week after ours. As a result, we're going to merge events. Information to come... hang tight!



The Ambassador Hotel, 1921-2005

Come join Franklin Avenue and The Ambassador's Last Stand as we have a few drinks in the memory of the late, lamented Ambassador!

WHAT: Franklin Avenue and The Ambassador's Last Stand present The Ambassador Hotel's Wake

WHEN: INFO TO COME

WHERE: The HMS Bounty
3357 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(across from the Ambassador site)



WHY: To celebrate Los Angeles history and the demise of a key historical building. And to meet other bloggers, blog readers, L.A. enthusiasts and freaks.

The HMS Bounty has plenty of its own history. Operating under its present name since 1962, the HMS Bounty remains a favorite neighborhood watering hole. According to its website, it's rumored Sirhan Sirhan ate at the Bounty shortly before the assassination of Robert Kennedy.

If you're interested, please email us at mikemaria@sbcglobal.net