Franklin Avenue

Free L.A.: Museums Free-For-All Returns This Weekend

2012-01-27T11:26:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles' "Museums Free-For-All" promotion is back this weekend, Jan. 28 and 29 -- and although several major museums don't participate, this is your chance to stop by MOCA or the Autry for free. MuseumsLA.org has the roundup:

The Annenberg Space for Photography - Both Days
The Autry National Center - Both Days
California African American Museum - Both Days
California Science Center - Both Days
Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles - Both Days
Fowler Museum at UCLA - Both Days
The Hammer Museum - Both Days
The Getty Center - Both Days
The Getty Villa - Both Days
Laguna Art Museum- Both Days
Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial (Both Hollywood & San Pedro Locations)- Saturday, January 28th Only
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) - Saturday, January 28th Only
Museum of Tolerance - Sunday, January 29th Only
Museum of Latin American Art - Both Days
Pasadena Museum of California Art - Both Days
Santa Monica Museum of Art - Saturday, January 28th Only
Skirball Cultural Center - Saturday, January 28th Only
Zimmer Children's Museum - Sunday, January 29th Only

Of course, if you can't make it this weekend, there are plenty of L.A. museums that are always free -- check out lists here and here.

New Blog Talks to LA Mag Editor Mary Melton

2012-01-27T11:06:00.000-08:00

New L.A. blog Frying Pan News, from advocacy group LAANE and editor Steven Mikulan (formerly of the L.A. Weekly), has launched with a full variety of features, including an interview with our pal Mary Melton, the editor of Los Angeles magazine.

Among the things Mary talks about: How she and her team moved L.A. magazine away from the stereotype of being Westside-centric:

Through engagement. I have a responsibility to educate readers and take them into pockets of the city they wouldn’t see otherwise. This magazine was heavily identified with the Westside, and our goal was to change that. Even if our readers haven’t been to Fillmore or can’t find Bell on a map, they can have an understanding of these places. We have a lot of affluent readers but also people who just moved here and are living in apartments for $1200 a month. Information is really important. You can’t force someone who is not sympathetic to care, but you can present information that can motivate them to care. It’s vitally important to the life of the city to engage. I’m not sure that people don’t want to be engaged, I don’t think they know how.

The February issue of Los Angeles magazine just came in the mail, and I can't wait to dive in -- it deals with one of my favorite topics, "Classic L.A."

As for Frying Pan News, contributors to the new website include local journalist Erin Aubry Kaplan and LAANE communications director Danny Feingold.

99 Cents Only Store Finds: Charlie Sheen, Larry the Cable Guy... and Bruce's Yams

2012-01-26T00:43:00.000-08:00

The best part of visiting a 99 Cents Only store, of course, is checking out some of the bizarre or ridiculous merchandise. Above, for example, it's Charlie Sheen's 2012 calendar, at the 99 Cents Only store. Um, winning?

A few more items that caught my eye on a recent visit:

So that's what Bruce is calling them now.

Aha, this is what happened to Shasta soda.

Nothing like a timely book cracking wise at John McCain's age.

Wow. Just wow. I can't think of something I'd want to consume less than a "Larry the Cable Guy" branded food item.

On Pacific Standard Time: LACMA's California Design Exhibit

2012-01-25T08:39:00.000-08:00

As part of the citywide Pacific Standard Time exposition of California mid-20th Century art and design, LACMA's Resnick Pavilion is currently showcasing "California Design, 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way," an interesting cross-section of the state's influential modern design from that era. Details:

This exhibition is the first major study of California midcentury modern design. With more than 300 objects—furniture, ceramics, metalwork, fashion and textiles, and industrial and graphic design—the exhibition examines the state’s role in shaping the material culture of the entire country. Organized into four thematic areas, the exhibition aims to elucidate the 1951 quote from émigré Greta Magnusson Grossman that is incorporated into the exhibition’s title: California design “is not a superimposed style, but an answer to present conditions…It has developed out of our own preferences for living in a modern way."

We visited the exhibit on the same day we checked out the Broad Contemporary Art Museum and the "Metropolis II" exhibit. Some pics from "California Design":

Vintage Airstream streamline trailer

Studebaker's 1962 sports car Avanti

Album covers

Ceiling light from Barton's Bonbonniere candy shop in San Francisco, circa 1952. (Victor Gruen, designer)

Modern furniture

Mattel and Barbie are a sponsor of the exhibit, hence the mid-century Barbie dolls on display

Barbie's mid-century dream house, circa 1962

Wartime poster

Table from the sportswear department at Bullock's Wilshire, designed by Jock D. Peters

Screen (with a cool atomic, space age feel), cira 1952, designed by Greta Magnusson Grossman.

"Rib chair," designed by Arthur Espenet Carpenter in 1968.

Former L.A. Times Editor Russ Stanton Joins KPCC

2012-01-24T15:27:00.000-08:00

L.A. public radio leader KPCC has just made another big hire, tapping former Los Angeles Times editor Russ Stanton to serve as its vice president of content.

KPCC has been expanding its staff for sometime, something Stanton -- who had to oversee a drastic downsize at the L.A. Times -- couldn't help bit note. "I am very excited to be joining the staff of my favorite radio station and in particular a newsroom that's growing and an organization that's fairly down the path of developing a sustainable business model to produce high-quality" journalism, Stanton said in an interview posted on KPCC operator Southern California Public Radio's website.

More info:

In his new role, Stanton will work to ensure the KPCC newsroom works in synergy along broadcast, digital and live-event platforms, said SCPR president and CEO Bill Davis. One of Stanton’s first tasks will be to select an executive editor, who will supervise the day-to-day operations of the newsroom on both the broadcast and digital platform, Davis said.

Stanton, 53, stepped down as editor and executive vice president of Times on Dec. 23. The veteran newsman joined the paper in 1997 as an Orange County business reporter. Stanton was selected in a national search from more than 100 applicants; his first day at the station is Feb. 6.

In the just-released holiday 2011 Arbitron ratings, KPCC led all public radio stations in the Los Angeles market with a 2.0 share of the audience (and a weekly cume of 617,100 listeners).

Also: KPCC "Air Talk" host Larry Mantle says he predicted Stanton's hire.

Holiday 2011 Arbitron Ratings: Amp Pulls Upset Over KIIS

2012-01-24T14:30:00.000-08:00

The Los Angeles area Arbitron ratings for the holiday 2011 period (December 8 - January 4) are out, and no surprise: KOST, which dominates the holidays with its all-Christmas format, is once again a strong #1 (with an 8.5 share of the listening audience and a cume of 4.3 million listeners).

But that's not the big news of the holiday 2011 book. For the first time since CBS Radio flipped its FM Talk 97.1 station in 2009 to top 40 KAMP-FM "Amp Radio," the station (with a 4.5 share) has beat Clear Channel's L.A. top 40 radio titan KIIS-FM (4.0 share).

Even urban KPWR-FM (Power 106) beat KIIS, tying KAMP and AM talker KFI with a 4.5 share as well.

Amp Radio had been creeping up on KIIS for some time. In November, KIIS beat KAMP with a 5.0 share vs. a 3.9 share. But in December, KIIS' lead (4.4) was razor thin over KAMP (4.3).

Meanwhile, with the first year of its own wall-to-wall Christmas music format, KTWV-FM "The Wave" averaged a decent 3.7 share, up from 2.6 in December. KRTH "K-Earth" took a hit, dropping to a 3.2 share as its rivals went all-Christmas.

Despite its leadership, KOST took a bit of a holiday haircut this year, now that it has a rival in The Wave. Its 8.5 share was dominant, but down from 9.3 in holiday 2010 (but still up from an 8.1 share in holiday 2009).

Check out the full Arbitron rankings over at Radio-Info, but keep in mind, as always, that these total listener numbers aren't used to sell the stations' ad time, but are pretty much just for bragging rights.

It Was Probably Inevitable: "Sh*t People Say in LA," The Video

2012-01-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

Given the "$#*! People Say" video trend on YouTube right now, this was inevitable, right? Here's "Sh*t People Say in LA," written by Heidi Niedermeyer and Elena Crevello. (h/t Blogging.la)

Modern Times at LACMA

2012-01-24T00:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I wrote about our visit to the amazing "Metropolis II" exhibit at LACMA. But that wasn't the only thing that was a hit with the Blogger Toddler 2.0 and Blogger Kid. Also in the Broad Contemporary Art Museum at LACMA is a floor of works from Andy Warhol, John Baldessari and Jeff Koons. The exhibit employs "different formal and conceptual methods to engage issues of mass culture and comment on contemporary society." Koons is behind the Michael Jackson and Bubbles sculpture (made in 1988), above.

Coming to Atwater Village: Bon Vivant Market & Cafe

2012-01-24T00:17:00.001-08:00

I drive through Atwater Village's Glendale Boulevard every day, and it's been fascinating to see the face of the neighborhood's storefronts change over the years. The addition of 55 Degrees wine, Hugo's Tacos, Alias East books, Viet restaurant, Canele, and most recently, Atwater Farm, has added a bit more upscale class to the strip of shops. Next up: The upcoming opening of Bon Vivant Market & Cafe, which promises "savory gourmet, sweet delights, charcuterie, fromage, fresh baked breads, luxury chocolates, gourmet coffees, wine" and more.

Anthony Bourdain's L.A. Picks: Atwater Village, Koreatown, In-N-Out

2012-01-24T00:10:00.000-08:00

For his new Travel Channel show "The Layover," Anthony Bourdain is sharing his eating and lodging tips for short stays in major cities around the country and the world. Monday night's episode revolved around Los Angeles -- and although Bourdain didn't break any new ground, he still gave a pretty good snapshot of how to consume our city in 48 hours.

Among the highlights: A visit to Atwater Village's Tacos Villa Corona (although he makes it sound like Atwater Village is a world away from the rest of the city).

Bourdain also spends time with Ludo Bites; Hollywood's farmers market; Koreatown; In-N-Out, which he calls "the only American chain worth a damn"; and his favorite hotel, the Chateau Marmont. The Travel Channel website also offers up a list of Bourdain's favorite L.A. bars (including dive White Horse Inn) here.

LACMA's Coolest Exhibit Ever? 'Metropolis II' Wows

2012-01-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

Sometimes having a kid pays off. Yeah, there's the unconditional love and affection from the little ones, and they can be cute to boot. But those tiny sponges don't come cheap -- except when it comes to a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. As part of LACMA's "NextGen" program, kids (who are usually free) can bring one parent in for free two. For us, that means 2 kids, 2 parents... and a free afternoon at the museum.

On Sunday, we grabbed the kids and took them to LACMA in order to finally see the "Metropolis II" exhibit. I knew the Blogger Kid and the Blogger Toddler 2.0 would be fascinated by the sight of toy cars and trains speeding around a miniature city -- but I gotta admit, I couldn't wait to see it as well. The exhibit runs only certain times of the day, and we got there early enough to stake out a prime viewing spot in the viewing balcony above the exhibit. And I was right: It's pretty damn cool. Details:

Metropolis II is an intense and a complex kinetic sculpture, modeled after a fast paced, frenetic modern city. Steel beams form an eclectic grid interwoven with an elaborate system of 18 roadways, including one 6 lane freeway, and HO scale train tracks. Miniature cars speed through the city at 240 scale miles per hour; every hour, the equivalent of approximately 100,000 cars circulate through the dense network of buildings. According to Burden, "The noise, the continuous flow of the trains, and the speeding toy cars, produces in the viewer the stress of living in a dynamic, active and bustling 21st Century city."

See Metropolis II in action at these times:
Fridays: 12:30–1:30 pm; 2:30–3:30 pm; 4:30–5:30 pm; 6:30–7:30 pm
Weekends: 11:30 am–12:30 pm; 1:30–2:30 pm; 3:30–4:30 pm; 5:30–6:30 pm

Good news: Metropolis II is "ongoing," so it looks like you'll have plenty of chances to catch it. Bring the kids. More pics:

Don't have a kid? LACMA still makes it amazingly easy to visit for free. Free admission is granted on the second Tuesday of each month, plus to all LA County residents after 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (the museum is closed Wednesdays).

More from our LACMA visit in another post!

KCBS and KCAL Expand Their Weekend News Lineup

2012-01-20T22:42:00.000-08:00

CBS' KCBS/KCAL duopoly is expanding its weekend news presence, adding three hours of news to its Saturday and Sunday schedules. Reporter Serene Branson (you may recall, she was the reporter who had a momentary speech problem while reporting outside the Grammy Awards last year) will anchor with weathercaster/reporter Kaj Goldberg.

Under the new schedule, on Saturdays KCBS 2 will air a one-hour newscast from 7-8 a.m., followed by a two-hour newscast from 8-10 a.m. on KCAL 9. On Sundays, CBS 2 will air an hour of news from 6-7 a.m. with KCAL 9’s two-hour newscast airing from 7-9 a.m.

Among KCBS/KCAL rivals, KABC 7 airs local news from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and again from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. KNBC airs a newscast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.; and KTLA does one from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. On Sundays, KABC airs local news from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m., 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; KNBC does 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.; and KTLA does 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. KTTV, which had briefly dabbled with weekend morning news, isn't in the game.

"We are pleased to kick off the New Year by giving our viewers even more coverage they can count on,” said Steve Mauldin, President and General Manager, CBS 2 and KCAL 9. "We view our expansion into weekend morning news as a tremendous growth opportunity for both stations, which now will produce 74 hours of regularly scheduled local news each week – more news than any other outlet in Southern California."

With KCAL now airing morning news on the weekends from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., that will likely lead to new speculation that the independent station might finally compete with KTLA and KTTV on the weekdays too. There are no plans right now, but "anything is possible," says one insider.

Retro Friday: Los Angeles Automobile Love, Circa 1976

2012-01-20T10:09:00.000-08:00

Interesting find from the always fascinating Metro Librarian collection: A 1976 film recounting Los Angeles' transit history and discussing the problems with modern mass transit. (Remember, this is before the return of rail.)

Los Angeles: Ad Town, One in a series

2012-01-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

Shot outside Cole's in downtown L.A.: This spot for V8 juice, featuring Jackie Chan.

Rate-A-Restaurant #261: Five Guys

2012-01-17T01:23:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: Five Guys

Location: 8850 Tampa Avenue (Northridge)

Type of restaurant: Hamburgers

We stipulated: We've heard the Five Guys raves for some time, but hadn't found the time to make a trek to one of the chain's few (but growing) Southern California outposts. This Monday, we finally made the effort.

They stipulated: Five Guys is "the place to get a fresh, juicy burger with all the toppings you could stuff between fresh-baked buns." The chain claims there are over 250,000 possible ways to order a burger at Five Guys. Founded in 1986, it was only in 2003 that the restaurant began franchising -- and has already opened 900 stores around the country.

What we ordered: Mike: Hamburger with lettuce, pickle, tomato, grilled mushroom, jalapeno and mustard ($3.89); Maria: Hamburger with grilled mushroom, tomato, lettuce and grilled onion ($3.89). French fries with cajun spice on the side ($3.09).

High point: The fries are fantastic -- and the cajun spice a nice touch. Plus the burger patties are thick, and I appreciate the free toppings (including fresh, not pickled, jalapeno slices).

Low point: The burger buns are too soggy, perhaps a function of the foil wrapper trapping too much moisture.

Overall impression: Like any Southern Californian, we swear by In-N-Out. But I appreciate the larger Five Guys burger patty and the wide variety of condiments. Five Guys also offers quite a variety of diet sodas. I don't get the free peanuts thing (seems unnecessary), and Five Guys' stores are lacking in ambiance (There's a low-rent quality to decorating your walls with quotes from reviews. Hey, we're in the restaurant, you don't need to sell it to us.) The In-N-Out stores are nothing special, but they're more pleasant to sit in.

Chance we'll go back: Absolutely. In many parts of the city, Five Guys is opening up near an In-N-Out. Perhaps because of the novelty factor, we'd probably return to Five Guys again first.

Spotted Outside the Golden Globes: Jen Aniston Ruined My Life

2012-01-17T00:50:00.000-08:00

More specifically, I think it was those final, dreadful two seasons of "Friends" that set this guy over the edge.

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 5

2012-01-15T16:49:00.000-08:00

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from this year's monthly playlists for our tenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The final four:

19. "Ffunny Ffriends" -- Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Whatta great hook. Portland-based Unknown Mortal Orchestra's analog sound makes "Ffunny Ffriends" deceptively simple. But like the song title's strange spelling, "Ffunny Ffriends" surprises.

20. "Warm Heart of Africa (Featuring Ezra Koenig)" -- The Very Best
Another semi-cheat -- this track actually came out in 2009, but I only discovered it in 2011, while listening to newer music from The Very Best. But it's a good way to first meet the band, a mix of Afropop and Western sounds. Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend duets with Malawi-born Esau Mwamwaya of the band provide the vocals here.

21. "No One's Gonna Love You" -- Cee Lo Green
It was quite a year for Cee-Lo, between "F**k You" and his turn as a coach on NBC's "The Voice." My favorite output from Cee-Lo, however, was his soulful take on Band of Horses' "No One's Gonna Love You."

22. "Helplessness Blues" -- Fleet Foxes
The title track from Fleet Foxes' second album, "Helplessness Blues" builds on the back of a drum cadence before ending on a quiet note. I thought it was the perfect way to end this year's Choice Cuts mix.

To check out all of my monthly playlists, dating back to 2001, head here.

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 1

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 2

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 3

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 4

Sorry Hipsters, M83 Is Not Yours Anymore

2012-01-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

Driving this morning to the final day of the TV Critics Association press tour this morning, I was flipping the radio dial when I heard M83's "Midnight City" on KROQ. Interesting -- a sign that M83 is going mainstream.

But then I flipped the dial again, and this surprised me: Between tracks by Pitbull and Nicki Minaj, Amp Radio 97.1 played -- you guessed it -- M83's "Midnight City." It was kind of bizarre. Somewhere in Echo Park, a hipster is weeping.

License Plate of the Day: TCA Edition

2012-01-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

Spotted at the Langham hotel in Pasadena, where the winter 2012 TV Critics Association press tour is being held: A reporter with some money?

Rate-A-Restaurant #260: Slaw Dogs

2012-01-11T00:29:00.000-08:00

Restaurant: The Slaw Dogs

Location: 720 N. Lake Ave., #8 (Pasadena)

Type of restaurant: Hot Dogs

We stipulated: We were in Pasadena to visit the Huntington Library -- but this was right after the big winds, and the Huntington was closed. We decided to treat ourselves to lunch -- and Slaw Dogs popped into mind.

They stipulated: For their gourmet dogs, either order one of 10 special "Slaw Dogs" or build your own.

What we ordered: Mike: Thai slaw dog (above; chicken sausage, spicy peanut-coconut satay dressing, cilantro-carrot slaw, crushed peanuts, siracha aioli) $6.59. Maria: A.B.L.T. dog (below; double bacon, chopped romaine, tomato, avocado, roast garlic aioli) $6.29. Plain hot dog for the kids, $3.49. Belgian fries, $2.99.

High point: Amazing choices and unique selection of hot dogs and sausages, with great tasting buns. Several different kinds of dipping sauce as well (although not homemade).

Low point: The loaded-up dogs are a bit hard to eat. Plus, we found it odd that there was no kid hot dog. And the fries were most certainly "belgian fries" (below).

Overall impression: Good place to bring the kids (what kid doesn't love hot dogs?) and a gourmet way for you to try it as well.

Chance we'll go back: Yes-- there are plenty more dogs to try!

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 4

2012-01-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from this year's monthly playlists for our tenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The next four:

15. "Ritual Union" -- Little Dragon
The smooth, silky music of Little Dragon sounds like the soundtrack to a late evening in some smoky, space age club. We've included Little Dragon in past end-of-year mixes, and this year I was enchanted by "Ritual Union." This is a video of them performing at KCRW.

16. "Catapult" -- Operator Please

I'm realizing that several of this year's Choice Cut picks were the catchy songs that I heard Blogger Kid and Blogger Toddler singing to in the back row of my car. Maybe that's what endeared me to the tracks even more. That's the case of "Catapult," a quick-paced, rockin' tune.

17. "Maps" -- The Front Bottoms
"Maps" wins for being the quirkiest song on this year's list. It sounds like an upbeat tune, but it's really a tragic treatise on failed dreams and missed opportunities.

18. "Midnight City" -- M83

C'mon, is there anything better than the opening synth chords of M83's "Midnight City"? I could hear it over and over again. And if that's not enough 80s deliciousness for you, "Midnight City" includes a saxophone! A SAXOPHONE. 1986 is back!

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 1

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 2

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 3

Coachella 2012 Lineup Announced

2012-01-10T14:05:00.001-08:00

This year's Coachella lineup, headlined by the Black Keys, Radiohead and Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg -- over the course of two weekends for the first time, April 13-15 and April 20-22. What do you think? Any day in particular look better than the others? Disappointed? Thoughts?

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 3

2012-01-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from this year's monthly playlists for our tenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The next four:

11. "A Long Time (Chromeo Remix)" -- Mayer Hawthorne
Mayer Hawthorne (Andrew Mayer Cohen) boasts a soulful 60s sound; merge it with Chromeo's 80s vibe for the ultimate throwback mashup. I couldn't find a copy of the Chromeo version on YouTube, so here's the original mix.

12. "Sleeping at Night" -- Caught A Ghost
Catchy, soulful tune from Los Angeles band Caught A Ghost, fronted by songwriter/producer Jesse Nolan. It's so catchy, as a matter of fact, that every time "Sleeping at Night" comes on in the car I catch Blogger Kid and Blogger Toddler singing along to the chorus. (For that reason alone, I couldn't resist putting it on the Choice Cuts roundup.)

13. "Barton Hollow" -- The Civil Wars
It's been a big year for the Civil Wars, the Grammy-winning Nashville duo of singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. The group rode the wave of this year's heavy folk trend (Mumford and Sons, obviously, leading the way as well) and were helped when iTunes promoted "Barton Hollow" as its "free single of the week" last February. Above, here they are on the UK's "Later with Jools Holland."

14. "Moment 4 Life" -- Nicki Minaj Feat. Drake
Going mainstream here. Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" wound up on a lot of top ten singles lists for 2011. But I kind of preferred "Moment 4 Life" and its simple drum beat. "Moment 4 Life" was one of my go-to songs when I wanted to pump in some energy on the long drive home.

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 1

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 2

This is Where Borders Bookcases Go to Die

2012-01-05T00:35:00.000-08:00

One of the major things we lost in 2011 was the once-vibrant Borders book and music chain. Now the former Border stores sit empty in spots such as Glendale's Brand Blvd. and Pasadena's Lake Avenue. But pieces of it live on -- look carefully at used bookstores around town, and the Borders shelving is popping up all over the place. We mentioned back in June that downtown's The Last Bookstore uses the old Borders fixtures (nicely refinished) -- and now, as seen above, the new discount Crown Books store in Burbank also relies on those Borders bookcases.

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 2

2012-01-05T00:15:00.000-08:00

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from this year's monthly playlists for our tenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The next five:

6. "Sweet Louise" -- Belle Brigade
L.A.-based siblings Barbara Gruska and Ethan Gruska come from music royalty: Their grandfather is Oscar-winning composer John Williams. (Their father is a film and TV composer as well.) The Belle Brigade's harmonies were one of the highlights of KCRW's recent Are Friends Eclectic? concert at the Orpheum.

7. "Paradise" -- Coldplay
Blogger Kid and Blogger Toddler can't get enough of "Paradise." They sing the song's chorus constantly. They re-enact the Coldplay video (watch above). They demand it in the car. Thankfully it's a good song.

8. "Eyes" -- Peter Bjorn and John
Damn you, "2 Broke Girls." I would have included Peter, Bjorn and John's "Second Chance" on this list, as potentially my favorite track on the group's recent album "Gimme Some." But then "2 Broke Girls" selected "Second Chance" its theme song... and hearing it so often, and connected to a sitcom, took away quite a bit of the song's allure in my mind. Thankfully Peter Bjorn and John's new CD contains several tracks worthy of our mix -- "Breaker, Breaker" and "May Seem Macabre" were two more contenders, before I settled on "Eyes."

9. "New Leaf" -- Alameda
What seems to be an unassuming tune by Portland trio Alameda winds up exuding power thanks to its use of drums. (Is that a tympani?)

10. "King Of The Beach" -- Wavves
Pitchfork named Wavves' "King of the Beach" album, which includes this title track, as number 50 on its list "The Top 50 Albums of 2010." I didn't discover it until 2011, but was immediately enchanted by the song's surf/low-fi/noise aesthetic.

More tomorrow!

Previously on Franklin Avenue:
Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 1

Is Dunkin' Donuts Finally on the Way to Los Angeles?

2012-01-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

Don't get your hopes up yet. We've been asking the question for years: Why no Dunkin' Donuts in Los Angeles? The chain left Southern California nearly 20 years ago, and so far rumors of its return have been just that: Rumors.

But today, the company gave another hint that it is in aggressive expansion mode -- and one would have to assume that Southern California is a gaping hole in their nationwide strategy. Here's what CNN Money had to say:

Dunkin' Donuts plans to double its locations in the United States over the next 20 years, the company announced Wednesday.

The coffee and doughnut chain currently operates nearly 7,000 stores nationwide. Each new store adds an average of 20 to 25 new employees, both full and part-time a Dunkin spokeswoman said.

Dunkin' Donuts controls roughly 23% of the coffee and snack-shop market, according to Los Angeles-based industry research firm IBISWorld.

Of course, before you get too excited, Dunkin Donuts' owner made essentially the same announcement back in 2005. And granted, a move into SoCal is not mentioned in this latest statement, six years later. Plus, "20 years" is quite a long time frame. So for now, you still gotta drive to Las Vegas for your fix.

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

Dunkin' Donuts to Southern California: No Free Donut For You (May 2010)

Rumors of Dunkin' Donuts Coming to L.A. Have Been Greatly Exaggerated (June 2009)

Dunkin' Donuts Moves Closer to Los Angeles (August 2008)

Dunkin Donuts Opens L.A. Shop... In My Dreams (May 2008)

Dunkin' Tease at the L.A. Times (April 2008)

Turns Out Not Having Dunkin' Donuts in L.A. Is a Blessing (July 2007)

Still No Dunkin' (September 2006)

Dunkin' Again? (December 2005)

Time to Make the Donuts... And Doublecheck Your Facts (October 2003)

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 1

2012-01-04T08:08:00.000-08:00

In no particular order, we've selected the favorite tracks from this year's monthly playlists for our tenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'll be revealing them throughout the week. And now, the first five:

1. "What You Know" -- Two Door Cinema Club
You can't deny the catchy power pop of Northern Ireland indie rockers Two Door Cinema Club. "What You Know," which the group performed on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" last January, is the perfect pick-me=up to lead off this year's Choice Cuts compilation. (Two Door Cinema Club's track "This is the Life" also showed up on our November mix.)

2. "Helena Beat" -- Foster the People
While everyone was going nuts over "Pumped Up Kicks" -- which, let's face it, is awfully annoying -- I was drawn to the less cloying "Helena Beat." (Radio is now catching up and starting to play it as well.) Five years from now, you're going to quickly change the station if "Pumped Up Kicks" comes on, but you'll gladly stick around for a listen to "Helena Beat."

3. "Going And Going. And Going." -- Icebird (RJD2 & Aaron Livingston)
This was a tough one, as I had to choose between two excellent Icebird tracks (the other being "Charmed Life"). I went with the slightly more uptempo "Going And Going. And Going." I guess I'm a sucker for DJ/singer collaborations and Icebird -- a combo of RJD2 (Ramble John "RJ" Krohn) and Philadelphia crooner Aaron Livingston -- is this year's winner.

4. "Block After Block" -- Matt & Kim
Brooklyn-based Matt & Kim (Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino) hit it big in 2009 with "Daylight." "Block After Block," off their late 2010 album "Sidewalks," carries on their upbeat sound.

5. "Armistice (RAC Remix)" -- Phoenix
"Armistice" is actually an old track, off Phoenix's 2009 album "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix," so I considered not including it. But RAC's 2011 remix of the song gives it a fresh, dancy spin, and I just couldn't resist.

Tomorrow: The next batch of Choice Cuts tunes.

This is What City Budget Cuts Look Like

2012-01-04T00:22:00.000-08:00

At least two Glendale parks sport these stylish graffiti-laden pieces of wood, hastily hammered in place on play structures where slides once stood. Ahh, budget cuts.

The Best TV Promo, Perhaps Ever

2012-01-03T17:35:00.000-08:00

It's popular to complain that the networks don't give fair shakes to critics and fan favorites like NBC's "Community" and ABC's "Cougar Town," but to some degree that's always been the case. Check out this slightly subversive 1981 promo for ABC's "Bosom Buddies," in which the stars make light of returning to the airwaves after their third hiatus in a year -- and then start dancing the "network shuffle." (In a nice touch, they're even wearing track suits with the ABC logo. I can almost guarantee you it was done with nothing but sarcasm in mind.) It's a cheeky stab at the network for handling their show with something less than respect, and yet ABC ran it. Check it out, above.

This Is What Trader Joe's Looks Like After a Holiday

2012-01-03T00:17:00.000-08:00

New piece of advice: Don't try to shop at Trader Joe's on January 2, no matter how desperate you are for supplies. Apparently the New Year's Day closure was just too much for folks in Silver Lake, because it seemed as if the entire neighborhood decided to grab a cart on Monday evening.

Trader Joe's Silver Lake's parking lot is bad on a light day. On Monday, air traffic controllers were necessary. After waiting 10 minutes for a spot, we managed to get inside -- and found the store fairly picked over. (We somehow grabbed the five last bananas in the entire store.) It obviously didn't help that TJ's suppliers had Sunday off, making Monday deliveries difficult.

Inside the store, every checkout lane was open, and we still had to stand behind two customers, their carts packed to the brim with TJ goodies. If the Mayans were right, Silver Lake folks at least got a good practice on how to make a run on Trader Joe's.

>

Post-Holiday in Big Bear

2012-01-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

The Los Angeles Times reported last week that a lack of snow has put a real damper on things at Northern California ski resorts like Mammoth. Luckily, that hasn't been the case at Southern California mountain towns such as Big Bear, where enough snow dumped in the late fall that there's still plenty of stuff on the ground (even as temperatures rise).

Regular Franklin Avenue readers know that we generally get our snow fix by jumping on the Angeles Crest Highway (the 2) and driving until we hit snow (usually just past Newcomb's Ranch). But this year, we decided to meet up with some friends and rent a cabin up in Big Bear for an extended snow experience. And we weren't disappointed.

Our cabin, located on a hillside incline, included an adjacent empty lot -- perfect to slide down on our sleds. The kids seemed content with sliding down the hill next to our cabin, which allowed us to bypass the busy mountain attractions (crowded because of the holiday).

The drive to Big Bear on Dec. 26 was a crawl up the mountain, as I think several had the same idea. But the drive down was a breeze. More pics from the mountains:

Kids take in Big Bear Lake.

Stay off the lake. Seriously, not a good idea. The ice is thick, but not that thick.

Our pal Anthony took these shots:

Icicles

Welcome

Tree

Snow angel

Snowy trees

Crack in lake ice

Big Bear Lake

Kids take in the view

Walking down the bridge

Snowpeople

Down the hill with Maria

Wipeout!

Stephanie Edwards and Bob Eubanks on Their 30 Years as Rose Parade Hosts

2012-01-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

It's been 30 years since Stephanie Edwards and Bob Eubanks began hosting the Tournament of Roses Parade together for KTLA (interrupted, of course, by KTLA's infamous decision to bench Edwards a few years ago). KTLA continues to dominate the Rose Parade coverage here in L.A., and part of that is the mild bickering that takes place annually between Edwards and Eubanks, who aren't afraid to needle each other like an old married couple.

Yesterday, because Jan. 1 fell on a Sunday, KTLA had no Rose Parade to broadcast -- so it rebroadcast Edwards and Eubanks' first, from 1982. Meanwhile, Edwards and Eubanks recently sat down with the TV Academy to discuss their tenure as Rose Parade hosts:

Aftermath of Glendale's New Year's Eve Blaze

2012-01-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

Glendale fire investigators were back Sunday morning at the site of a major Acacia Ave. fire that left five apartment units severely damaged. The fire, a few blocks away from Franklin Avenue HQ, kept us preoccupied on New Year's Eve as we heard helicopters overhead and a barrage of fire trucks racing to the scene. The fire even led the 11 p.m. news on KABC/Channel 7 (and I'm sure others).

The fire wasn't related to the arson epidemic engulfing Hollywood and West Hollywood, but with Angeleno nerves on edge, any fire will likely get more attention than normal right now. Thankfully no one was hurt in the Glendale fire, but it was a horrible way for tenants to start the new year.

Here are some details from the Glendale News-Press:

At 9:55 p.m., a fire started at a South Glendale apartment complex causing damage to five apartment units on the 800 block of E. Acacia Avenue.

The fire started at an electrical outlet near a Christmas tree in one unit, said Glendale Fire Battalion Chief Greg Godfrey.

Of all five units affected by the blaze, “One of them was heavily damaged with fire,” Godfrey said. “The other was heavily damaged with smoke and water damage.”

Residents evacuated safely and one person was treated for anxiety on site, Godfrey said.

Sixty firefighters from Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena knocked down the blaze at 3 a.m.

A few more pics from this morning:

The Busiest Day of the Year at Goodwill

2011-12-31T22:53:00.000-08:00

Talk about making it just under the wire. I dropped by our nearby Goodwill store this evening, at about 6 p.m., to drop off some donations -- and yes, pick up a slip for tax deduction purposes.

Clearly I wasn't the only one. By Saturday evening, the parking lot outside Glendale's Goodwill was jam-packed with donations. The Goodwill employee accepting my donation told me it was the busiest day of the year -- as everyone tries to sneak in one more tax deduction.

Happy 110th Birthday, Angels Flight

2011-12-30T13:32:00.000-08:00

Today, at Angels Flight in downtown Los Angeles

The Blogger Kid and I took to the rails on Friday -- downtown L.A.'s famed incline railway, Angels Flight. The famous funicular (and its orange cars, nicknamed Olivet and Sinai) is celebrating its 110th birthday on Dec. 31, and we happened to already be downtown a day early, enjoying another round of ice skating at Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice.

Angels Flight is just down the street from Pershing Square -- and leads right to California Plaza, where I was anxious to grab some sandwiches from Mendocino Farms. That's right -- we not only rode Angels Flight for fun, but we actually also used it as a real form of transportation up Bunker Hill.

Angels Flight opened down the street (at 3rd and Hill) from its current location on Dec. 31, 1901. When Bunker Hill was redeveloped in 1969, Angels Flight was shut down -- and kept in storage until 1996, when it was finally reborn in its current location. A tragic accident in 2001 (killing one rider and injuring others) kept Angels Flight closed for another nine years, until reopening again last year.

Tomorrow, in honor Angels Flight's 110th birthday, fares will be lowered to a penny -- the same price as in 1901.

Angels Flight in 1901, photo by Los Angeles Times

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

Uh-Oh: Angels Flight is Grounded (June 2011)

Retro Friday: Angels Flight Edition (April 2011)

Back on Angels Flight, Nearly 10 Years Later (September 2010)

Nine Years Later, Angels Flight Returns to the Rails (March 2010)

I'll Believe It When I See It: Angels Flight To Finally Re-Open (January 2007)

Angels Plight (February 2005)

The Return of Angels Flight (August 2003)

LISTEN: Discussing The Year on TV with KCRW's "The Business"

2011-12-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

As another eventful year in entertainment draws to a close, I once again visited the KCRW studios to banter about the year in TV on "The Business." Below, you can stream the show and listen as I join "The Business" host Kim Masters (of The Hollywood Reporter) and John Horn of the Los Angeles Times.

Or, click on the link below:

The 2011 Hollywood Year in Review - The Business on KCRW

KCAL's Marathon 10-Hour Yule Log Wins Christmas

2011-12-28T11:49:00.000-08:00

KCAL/Channel 9 upped the Yule log ante this Christmas, and it paid off handsomely for the CBS-owned independent station.

KCAL won this year's local TV Yule Log Smackdown, averaging 81,000 viewers from 4:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. -- compared to KTLA/Channel 5's 79,000 viewers during the same time frame.

KCAL perhaps held the edge thanks to its decision this year to get a jump start on KTLA by airing the Yule log beginning at midnight early Christmas morning -- which means the station expanded from four hours last year (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) to 10 hours this year.

Both stations peaked during the 9:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. quarter hour, with KCAL averaging 153,000 viewers and KTLA bringing in 139,000 viewers. (That means 292,000 Angelenos had one of the two TV Yule Logs crackling in the background.)

According to KCAL, the two stations averaged 181,000 viewers from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. -- down 15% from last year but up 18% from 2009.

The Yule log TV battle was also a proxy for L.A.'s local radio Christmas format war. KCAL played holiday music simulcasted from sister CBS Radio station KTWV The Wave (which went wall-to-wall Christmas for the first time this year), while KTLA continued its partnership with Clear Channel's KOST-FM, long the market Christmas leader. (~~Last year~~In 2009, KCAL simulcasted KOST, while KTLA went with rock-oriented holiday tracks from KLOS-FM. Last year, KCAl switched to The Wave and KTLA took on KOST).

KCAL first brought the Yule log tradition to L.A. in 2004, inspired by New York's WPIX. This is the fourth year that KTLA has broadcast a rival Yule log.

Check out our past coverage of TV's Yule log here.

(Corrected to reflect the proper year that KCAL last simulcasted KOST.)

A Very Los Angeles Christmas Eve

2011-12-25T14:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve hasn't been the same for us since the Blogger Kid was born on that day -- which means we have to cram in a birthday, last minute shopping, Christmas mass and the big extended family Christmas gathering, all in the same day. Whew. And yet, we've managed to pull it off and create some traditions along the way.

You probably know us well enough that several of our traditions revolve around L.A. and downtown. As we have the past few Christmas Eves, we hit the early 4 p.m. Children's Mass at the Taj Mahoney (a.k.a. the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels), before hopping across the street to catch the tail end of the free annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration (held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion). This year we even got extra ambitious and threw in an afternoon ice skate at Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice.

Ice skating under the sun in 80 degree weather? Yep, sounds like A Very Los Angeles Christmas Eve. Some highlights:

I hate to give away this secret, but the normally crowded Downtown on Ice attracts a smaller crowd on Christmas Eve -- giving the Blogger Kid and I more room to skate.

Zamboni clears the ice at Pershing Square.

This was the first Christmas that new Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez (who replaced Cardinal Roger Mahoney) presided over the archdiocese.

Christmas mass clears out at the Cathedral.

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, decked out for the holidays. Like last year, the L.A. County Celebration (normally a much longer affair) was cut down to just three hours due to budget concerns. That actually benefits us, as we were able to get inside to see the last four acts.

(In case you're not familiar with the celebration, here are details from the PR team: "Each year since 1959 the Arts Commission has produced a free Holiday Celebration on December 24th on behalf of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Community and professional choirs, music ensembles, and dance companies representing the diverse cultures and holiday traditions of LA County perform in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center while the program is broadcast live on KCET. More than 5,000 people attend the program each year and about a million Southern Californian households tune into the live broadcast.")

Dancers at the LA County Holiday Celebration.

The Gay Men's Chorus of LA cracks the crowd up with "Hanukkah in Santa Monica."

Lisa Haley and the Zydekats ended the show, including a N'awlins-style rendition of "Silent Night" (the traditional LA County Holiday Celebration closer).

View of City Hall, from the Music Center

Hard to believe that another holiday has already come and gone. We're getting old, people. Hope you and yours have a fantastic holiday season.

Your Picks for L.A.'s Best Tamales

2011-12-24T02:11:00.000-08:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year -- for tamales, of course. Tamales are a year round food, but take on special importance during the holidays here in Southern California. That's why I put out the call on Twitter the other day, asking folks to give their pick for best tamales in L.A. Here are some responses:

@1PrincessWombat: Lilliana's on Cesar Chavez-just like abuelita used to make! @Loteriagrill: is it wrong to say our tamales? :) Menu and order form are on the website. We have till New Year's. loteriagrill.com @AllAboutTheDash: Gloria's Cafe in Culver City. @sdcall: El Indio in Redondo Beach @mrsproflacroix: Tamales Lilianas, 4629 Cesar Chavez @DanCoxPR: mexikosher.com & he's giving them away today on Facebook! @Variety_JLD: Parking lot of the 99-cent store on Fig & York. @debra_hotaling: Las golindrinas

Retro Friday: L.A.'s Dearly Departed Retailers, Holiday Edition

2011-12-23T23:59:00.000-08:00

"The Broadway *is* Southern California." From 1985, when The Broadway still existed... and it was still considered acceptable to tout the fact that you're selling fur.

In 1989, electronics store The Good Guys still existed... and apparently was still touting electric typewriters!

"It's the shirt all the boys are wearing!" Mervyn's, your Christmas value store.

Zody's -- Tapedeck not available at the Downtown Los Angeles store. Why?

From the 1970s, "The May Company has Christmas under wraps."

From 1998: Lucky means low prices, even during the holidays.

Long Beach Ballet's Explosive Nutcracker

2011-12-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

"The Nutcracker" remains an enduring holiday tradition, and yet Maria and I had never seen it (it was just never high on my "to do" list). But we were recently invited to watch the Long Beach Ballet's version of the classic ballet, and we brought along the Blogger Kid to stuff a little culture in him.

The Long Beach Ballet may be local, but this is by no means a "local" style production. It's the crowd pleaser. Elaborate sets, special pyrotechnic effects (including a cannon that scared the crap out of the Kid), a flying sleigh, a real live horse, a cast of more than 200 and a 55-member orchestra did the show justice, as did the setting: the grand Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The show also includes the South Coast Children's Chorale.

The kids appreciate the slapstick of the Nutcracker Doll and the Mouse King -- and most importantly, the breakdancing Russian dancers in Act II. You'll appreciate the grace of dancers including "So You Think You Can Dance" contestant Melissa Sandvig and Pacific Northwest Ballet's Sarah Ricard Orza and Seth Orza.

Former Disney designers Elliot Hessayon and Scott Schaffer were behind the set; the detailed costumes were designed by Australian artist Adrian Clark; and special effects handled by magician Franz Harary.

In the show's press release, Long Beach Ballet Artistic Director David Wilcox notes that "You can hate ballet and you’ll still like this production."

Says Wilcox: “I spent the last 29 years perfecting The Nutcracker. From the moment you sit down till the moment it ends there’s not a single second that’s boring. Plus, this year we have the children’s choir, which was the missing piece to the puzzle. Tchaikovsky wrote it with the children’s harmonies and normally productions replace them with synthesizers; we don’t and that’s what sets us apart. The way we introduce the choir is going to be a surprise, it’s going to be unexpected and very theatrical."

The Long Beach Ballet Academy is the successor to Long Beach's Audrey Share School of Dance, which first opened in 1956 as the first Royal Academy ballet school in Southern California.

The final showtime is today, Friday, December 23rd, at 2 p.m., at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Call (877) 852-3177 or go to Ticketmaster for more info.

Happy Holidays, Ukulele Style

2011-12-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

Ukulele maestro Jake Shimabukuro wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year via this rendition of "Silent Night."

The $100 Margarita

2011-12-22T08:39:00.000-08:00

Via Thrillist, a gift idea for the person who has it all. As long as you're stupid wealthy as well. It's the $100 margarita at Red O. I'm sure it's delicious. And really, we're already paying $13 for margaritas at some places, so is it really that crazy? Yes, it's crazy.

FREE L.A.: The Best Santa Deal in Los Angeles

2011-12-21T09:04:00.000-08:00

The place to get your Santa photos this year? No contest: The Westfield Century City Mall is offering free photos with the big jolly guy, thanks to a promotion underwritten by Microsoft and Southwest Airlines.

Not only are the pics free, but on weekdays I have never seen a line for Santa. It's quick in and quick out. As a matter of fact, when I brought the kids we were the only ones there, so Santa's helpers took a ton of pics to make sure we got a great one. We even took a few with me and Maria in the frame. Plus, when the jet printer left a tiny smudge, they kept printing additional shots for us. (I believe we left with about 10 photos -- not bad). What's more, the workers email you your entire sitting, which means they're easily shared on Facebook or by email.

And, if that's not enough, the Santa we got was amazing. Real beard. Dedicated to his role as Kris Kringle. Gave the kids candy canes. It's the whole grand Santa experience, and it's free.

But hurry -- Santa's only at the Century City Mall until Christmas Eve.

License Plate of the Day: Whatta Day Edition

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Whatta day? Or a day devoted to Woda? Thoughts?

Only in Vegas: The Viagra Sign Holder

2011-12-19T23:15:00.000-08:00

I was in Las Vegas for a quick trip and spotted this guy as I rode around town. You've seen sign twirlers promoting store sales and liquidations or meal deals for spots like Subway and Little Caesars. But this may be the first street corner sign holder I've seen promoting Viagra. Only in Vegas, kids, only in Vegas.

Retro Friday: "The Simpsons" Christmas Edition

2011-12-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that it's now been 22 years (December 17, 1989, to be exact) since "The Simpsons" first spun off from "The Tracey Ullman Show" into its own entity. I still remember watching "The Simpsons Christmas Special" (also known as "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire") for the first time and realizing that cartoons would never be the same.

When "The Simpsons" returned in January 1990 as a regular series, I recorded every episode on my family's old VCR. Those first season episodes are so different from what we now consider The Simpsons, and seem so slow-paced and tame -- but it was nothing short of a revolution in 1990. It was the moment that the Big 3 networks stood up and realized that they had a real competitor on their hands.

Some basic info via Wikipedia:

In the episode, Homer discovers that he will not be getting a Christmas bonus and thus the family has no money to buy Christmas presents. He decides to keep their financial troubles a secret and gets a job as a shopping mall Santa, but later discovers that the job does not pay enough. Desperate for a miracle, Homer and Bart go to the dog racing track on Christmas Eve in hopes of earning some money.

The episode was written by Mimi Pond and directed by David Silverman. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 1990, and has received positive reviews from television critics. It was viewed by approximately 13.4 million viewers in its original airing.

Above, a KTTV/Channel 11 promo from 1989, touting a rebroadcast of the initial "Simpsons Christmas Special."

Also found on YouTube: A collection of commercials that ran during the original airing of the special:

And here's a promo touting the Jan. 14, 1990 official launch of "The Simpsons":

Spotted at Lunch in Century City: Sexy Santa

2011-12-15T14:14:00.000-08:00

My TV Guide Magazine colleagues Rob (who shot this pic), Geraldine and I were having lunch at the Westfield Century City mall BJ's (snicker) restaurant this afternoon when we looked up at the towering Century Plaza Hotel and saw this. A skeezy male in a bathrobe taking pics of his female companion, dressed in sexy Santa wear, on a hotel balcony. (The female eventually disrobed, wearing a holiday-themed bikini underneath). It's about 50 degrees outside.

Rob wonders whether we were witnessing the exploits of 17 year-old Courtney Stodden and her 51 year-old actor husband, Doug Hutchison -- after all, it sure seems like something the pervy, exhibitionist duo might do.

Press Release of the Day: Jersey Shore Cancer Edition

2011-12-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

This pitch doesn't only win the award for Press Release of the Day, but it's also the biggest reach I've seen for a pitch in a while. "How can we interest the press in an obscure Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center study? Bring up 'Jersey Shore'!"

The pitch:

Hi Michael,

The guys of Jersey Shore are not ones to hide their fake baking - after all, the “T” in “GTL” is for tanning. But how is tanning three times worse for Pauly D and Mike “The Situation” than for the girls of Jersey Shore?

That’s because men are three times more likely to develop skin cancer than women. While that’s not breaking news to the science world, scientists have struggled to figure out the reason why men are more susceptible - and now, researchers may have discovered the breakthrough.

While testing mice at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, researchers found that women may have more natural antioxidant protection in their skin than men - giving females, or “the fairer sex,” a rather unfair advantage.

To download multimedia elements (e.g. the published study, full news release, stills, web video and more) visit our journalists-only site.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like an interview with the researchers involved - I am happy to coordinate!

To be fair, there are many who might argue that "Jersey Shore" is a cancer on TV.

Grammy Museum Celebrates 30 Years of L.A. Pop Music

2011-12-14T00:31:00.000-08:00

(Flickr pic by MindHead Media.)

The Grammy Museum joins in on "Pacific Standard Time" initiative this February with "Trouble In Paradise: Music and Los Angeles, 1945-1975," a look at 30 pivotal years in the Los Angeles pop music scene. The exhibit opens on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, and will be housed on its fourth floor. USC professor Josh Kun is co-curator. A few details:

The exhibit features iconic images, a cross-section of ephemera (album art, handbills, concert posters, etc.), music, and filmed interviews with key figures in the scene. Rather than an exhaustive overview, Trouble In Paradise focuses on the tensions between alluring myths of Southern California paradise and the realities of social struggle that characterized the years following WWII.

Genres of music highlighted in the exhibit include surf rock, jazz, R&B, Laurel Canyon folk rock, the Sunset Strip rock scene and the East L.A. Chicano sound, all of which helped shape the most diverse and influential music scenes in all of America during this socially tumultuous period of L.A. History. Trouble In Paradise : Music and Los Angeles, 1945-1975 will be on display through March 25, 2012. Additional public and educational programming related to the exhibit will be announced soon.

The Grammy Museum is located downtown at L.A. Live.

My Exclusive Chat with Chuck Lorre for TV Guide Magazine

2011-12-14T00:11:00.000-08:00

A month ago, I sat down with "Two and a Half Men" co-creator Chuck Lorre, who was ready to finally talk about what happened earlier this year with Charlie Sheen. Sheen, of course, was fired from the show after his drug addiction impacted his work on set. At the same time, Sheen had a very public meltdown, directing most of his bile toward Lorre. But Lorre never responded (other than in thinly veiled vanity production cards) -- until now.

My exclusive sit-down with "Two and a Half Men" co-creator Chuck Lorre, in which he finally breaks his silence over what happened with Sheen, is the cover story in the next edition of TV Guide Magazine (on stands Thursday). Already, the story has managed to generate quite a bit of interest in the media world at large.

You can read it all here. An excerpt:

When all hell broke loose this year on Two and a Half Men, and it was clear that his relationship with star Charlie Sheen had turned toxic, executive producer Chuck Lorre came up with a way to end the madness.

"I offered to quit the show last winter," Lorre, 59, reveals for the first time. "I said, 'Listen, if for some reason I'm now the Antichrist I'm happy to leave. It's not in my interest to stop the show, and I certainly don't want to put all these people out of work. Keep going. Get another guy. Don't stop on my account."

There's a lot more good stuff; read the full story here. And pick it up on stands!

Best Product Packaging Ever? Japanese Popsicles

2011-12-13T00:58:00.000-08:00

Apparently the Gari Gari Kun Soda-flavored popsicles are very popular -- and I'm sure they're delicious. But you gotta credit the packaging and marketing as well. According to this website, "Gari Gari Kun" can be translated to "Crunchy Boy." OK, that's odd. But still looks delicious.

'Tis The Season for Kitschy Americana, Courtesy Charles Phoenix

2011-12-12T01:41:00.000-08:00

When we last saw Charles Phoenix, the histo-tainer was, of course, speaking at the start of last month's 6th annual Great Los Angeles Walk. Charles mentioned to us that this is his busiest time of year -- and given how retro Americana seems to be popular this time of year, you can see why. (That's Maria with Charles after we caught his show in 2009 -- read about it here.)

Phoenix's popular holiday slide show, featuring kitschy shots from the 50s and 60s, is celebrating its 10th year and returns to L.A. next Sunday, Dec. 18, at downtown's REDCAT theater. Haven't been to one of Charlie Phoenix's slide shows? Here's what to expect:

Phoenix's beloved annual offering gives glory to the spirit of celebration, including holidays from throughout the year, in one time-traveling journey. Experience politically incorrect New Year's Rose Parade floats, a bizarre Lamb Cake Contest on Easter Sunday, and an explosion of patriotic pride on the Fourth of July, followed by howlingly funny homemade Halloween costumes, the truly tragic life of a Thanksgiving turkey, and a Yuletide bondage party.

This retro revelry is sure to get everyone in the mood for the season to come, and Phoenix helps point the way with forecasts on retro-inspired trends in decadent d¬écor, crafty creations, gift ideas, fun food, and more. Festive holiday dress is encouraged.

Admission is $30; go to the REDCAT website or CharlesPhoenix.com for more info.

Charles Phoenix's Retro Holiday Slide Show
Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm
REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater)
631 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Autry Celebrates Michael Jackson in "How the West Was Worn"

2011-12-12T01:25:00.000-08:00

Michael Jackson at the Autry National Center? Not the first museum you would seek out for an exhibit about the late King of Pop. But the Autry is currently home to "How the West Was Worn by . . . Michael Jackson," an ongoing exhibit that "shows how Jackson’s use of Western wear evolved over the years, reflecting his ability to use classic Western styles in distinctive ways."

Among the items on display, from the private collection of designers Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush: Jackson's red bib-front shirt with black trim; Black 501 Levi’s jeans; Black fedora hat; Aviator sunglasses; and, of course, one of his signature single white gloves. Some background from the Autry's blog:

Tompkins and Bush, who designed for Jackson for 25 years, spent several months working with Jeffrey Richardson, the Autry’s associate curator for film and pop culture, choosing items from the wardrobe of the King of Pop that were inspired by western themes. The costumes all went into a case in the Imagination gallery, which focuses on Hollywood’s interpretation of the West.

“The idea is to show people that Michael used western influences,” Richardson said. “That influence continues even if people don’t realize where the ultimate inspiration came from. It didn’t come from Michael. Michael was taking from other things.”

And here's a 2010 ABC "Good Morning America" story on the installation:

We recently visited the Autry during a free museum weekend (which the Autry frequently participates in -- take advantage of it). The Blogger Kid particularly enjoys the make-believe mid-20th century Chinese restaurant housed in the kids' area, while I enjoy the Hollywood western memorabilia (including a vintage TV Guide). A few more pics:

The Huntington Sustains Wind Damage, Looks to Recover

2011-12-09T16:46:00.001-08:00

The Huntington, during a previous visit.I wrote a few days ago about how we attempted to visit The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens on Saturday, only to find it closed. The Huntington re-opened on Sunday, but sustained quite a bit of damage from last week's heavy winds. Huntington President Steven S. Koblik sent this message to members yesterday:

Many of you have asked how The Huntington fared after the extraordinary windstorms that buffeted Southern California and especially the San Gabriel Valley. Unfortunately, The Huntington was significantly affected. We believe that by the time we finish with debris removal, as many as 100 specimen trees from the collections will have been lost (more than 50 major trees are down; many others have been so badly damaged they will have to be removed). Large areas have been closed to visitors pending safety assessments for weak and broken limbs. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and only minor damage to structures and garden statuary.

As I write, the Gardens staff is fully involved in clearing, removing, and grinding debris into mulch. Among the high priorities are opening safe walkways in the gardens and clearing the parking lot and perimeter areas. Work will be ongoing at full capacity for weeks, if not months. At the same time, we'll begin the process of renewing the affected gardens.

The Huntington has set up a fund called HARP—the "Huntington Arboreal Recovery Project" -- to start accepting donations to restore the grounds.

Wow: Video of Today's Hollywood Shootout

2011-12-09T16:28:00.001-08:00

Via the Twitvid account of Rich Kingston, who took video today of a gunman shooting randomly at people and cars at the Sunset and Vine intersection. (LAPD rushed to the scene and shot the gunman, who died. At least one person was struck by the gunman, according to the L.A. Times, but it looks like he will survive.) Kingston appears to have taken the video from the Los Angeles Film School building; watch as cars speed out of the way once they realize they're in danger.

Quite a video, but the L.A. Times has an scarier, close-up one here. And a third video has apparently been sold to news outlets. That's what happens when you shoot up a major intersection in Los Angeles -- there's video coverage from every angle.

Retro Friday: Christmas on Hollywood Boulevard in the 1940s

2011-12-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

From the the Producers Library of Los Angeles, a look at when Hollywood Boulevard was "Santa Claus Lane."

LA River Finally Getting Its Makeover?

2011-12-08T18:02:00.000-08:00

Is the Los Angeles River finally getting ready for its close-up? Curbed LA writes (by way of the LA Daily News) that the City Council has just approved the Los Angeles River Implementation Overlay. What does that mean? Curbed writes:

The LA-RIO creates a set of design guidelines for developers looking to build along the river's edges, and it's a crucial step in finally removing some of the concrete currently lining the river. According to city planner Tom Rothmann, this is the first plan for actually making changes along the river, unlike the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, which provided more of a vision exercise. Rothmann told Curbed today that the overlay "requires changes along the river and a quarter-mile buffer around the river."

FREE L.A.: Pershing Square's Winter Festival This Saturday

2011-12-08T17:42:00.000-08:00

I still find that downtown, particularly around Pershing Square and the Biltmore Hotel, gets me in the holiday spirit this time of year. And if you've got the kids in tow, there's no better time than this Saturday to head down, for the free annual Winter Holiday Festival.

The event, 11:00am to 7:00pm, takes place at Pershing Square and includes a visit from Santa: "Pershing Square is transformed into a winter wonderland with free holiday activities like tons of snow, a train ride, make & take children’s crafts, puppet shows, community youth performances, memento photos, and more. Santa’s emporium features stocking stuffers and tasty holiday treats for purchase."

While you're down there, make sure to spend some time at the Biltmore and Grand Central Market, which is also decorated for the season. And, of course, there's the outdoor skating at Downtown on Ice ($6 for skating and $2 for skate rentals).

FIRST LOOK: An Awesome "Yo Gabba Gabba!" Christmas

2011-12-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

Yo Gabba Gabba! “A Very Awesome Christmas.

Here's a first look clip from the new upcoming "Yo Gabba Gabba" Christmas special, "A Very Awesome Christmas" (airing Saturday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. on Nick Jr.). I will forgive the Tori Spelling appearance because of DJ Lance's money line: "Cookie Me tastes awesome!"(Read about our recent trip to the "Yo Gabba Gabba" live stage show here.)

Trader Joe's Wants To Stuff Your Face with Holiday Goodies

2011-12-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

Cookie Butter -- spread made of crushed biscuits

This is why I'll be getting fat this holiday season. Trader Joe's seems to have upped the number of specialty holiday items on its shelves. I mean, how can you not try something called "Cookie Butter," right? Or Kettle Corn drizzled with cocoa? Just a sampling of treats you'll be putting in your Trader Joe's cart this holiday season:

Mini Gingerbread Men cookies with white fudge icing

Chewy egg nog cookies with white chocolate drizzle

Mosaic of chocolates

Cocoa Drizzled Kettle Corn

Astounding Multi-Flavor Joe-Joes covered in chocolate, sprinkles and drizzles

Pfeffernusse -- German spice cookies

Dark Chocolate Minty Mallows

Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe-Joes

FRANKLIN AVENUE CONTEST: "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" Prize Pack

2011-12-06T10:53:00.000-08:00

Based on the classic John le Carré novel of the same name, the new feature "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" takes place in 1973, at the height of the Cold War, and revolves George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a career spy for Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (code named "The Circus"). Smiley is forced out of the agency but later secretly rehired to uncover a double agent in their midst.

Tomas Alfredson ("Let the Right One In") directed the film, based on a screenplay adaptation by Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan. Benedict Cumberbatch, David Dencik, Colin Firth, Stephen Graham, Tom Hardy, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Toby Jones and Mark Strong also star.

The movie opens in select cities, including L.A., this Friday, Dec. 9. Focus Features has given a prize pack to give away to a Franklin Avenue reader -- simply shoot us an email (with SPY in the header) and the Blogger Toddler 2.0 will pick a lucky winner. The prize includes a $25 Movie Theater Gift Card, T-Shirt, Voice Recorder Pen and Post-it Note Cube.

Check out more info on the "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" Facebook page. And here's a trailer for the film:

If Many Trees Fall in a Crowded Urban Setting

2011-12-05T16:06:00.000-08:00

On Saturday afternoon, the Franklin Avenue Quartet decided to head over to the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino to enjoy their annual holiday festival. Of course, we should have checked beforehand to see if they were even open -- and sure enough, due to last week's windpocalypse, the Huntington was still closed on Saturday. (It re-opened on Sunday, and will hold a makegood day for its holiday festival next Saturday, Dec. 10).

But even though we missed out on the Huntington, it gave us an opportunity to finally try out Pasadena's Slaw Dogs (review to come) and drive around town to witness the jaw-dropping tree destruction first hand.

The visual of this collapsed massive oak, off Hill, was enough for us to stop the car and snap some photos. They still don't do justice to the sheer size of this toppled tree and its roots.

Thankfully for the home owner, somehow the tree knew exactly where to fall -- in the driveway. But nonetheless, it did some serious damage, destroying the driveway and ripping up both the sidewalk and the street. How even a fierce gust of wind can topple over such a giant is fascinating to me. A friend of ours suggested that all of these non-native trees in L.A., because they rely more on watering than on any deep water under the surface, have shorter roots and are less entrenched in the ground than in other parts of the country.

It's going to be a good Christmas for the San Gabriel Valley's tree trimmers. More pics of that tree:

Saturday Night Becomes Eclectic at the Orpheum

2011-12-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

(Photo by Jeremiah Garcia for KCRW.)

I dare you not to get goosebumps when Jimmy Cliff belts out "Many Rivers to Cross." The reggae legend, still vibrant and spry at 63, brought down the house on Saturday night during KCRW's "Are Friends Eclectic?" concert (a holiday benefit for the public radio station).

Dressed in a shiny silver outfit, Cliff also finally got the Orpheum Theatre crowd on its feet with his signature track "The Harder They Come." And at the end of the evening, he joined the night's other headliner, Iron and Wine's Sam Beam, on stage.

It was an evening that lived up to its name. The eclectic pack of artists all impressed, but I was particularly wowed by Stillwater, Oklahoma, band Other Lives. The band, which boasts an unconventional mix of instrumentation and an ethereal rock sound that will make a perfect fit with Radiohead when it opens for that legendary band next year.

Other favorites included L.A.-based Belle Brigade, whose harmony we've appreciated this year, including the track "Sweet Louise" (the song featuring the lyric "I just fell in love"). Rockers White Denim performed another Franklin Avenue favorite from the past year, "Street Joy." And Zee Avi, who traveled over three days from Borneo in order to attend the concert, wowed the crowd with her cover of Morrissey's "First of the Gang to Die." (She also amused by adding a few verses of "Pumped Up Kicks" into a song.)

Most of the artists on stage made sure to thank KCRW for playing their music. "We've never been a band that has gotten airplay anywhere but they continue to play our music," said Other Lives' lead singer.

Food at the KCRW pre-party was catered by the station's "Good Food" and Evan Kleiman, and included items such as a tomato tart (one of our faves), a nutella empanada and a Shepherds pie. Father's Office supplied the cocktails (including a delicious Old Fashioned, and a hefty selection of craft beers), Isabella's Cookie Co. provided bite-size gourmet cooks and the Malibu Family Wines provided a good Cabernet.

Some pics:

(Photo by Jeremiah Garcia for KCRW.)

(Photo by Jeremiah Garcia for KCRW.)

Read KCRW's recap here. Thanks to the station for a great musical evening.

"Miracle on 34th Street" Comes to the Million Dollar Theatre

2011-12-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

This will get you into the holiday spirit quickly: A trip to downtown's Million Dollar Theatre, where this Sunday the L.A. Conservancy is screening the holiday classic "Miracle on 34th Street." Tix are $15, or $10 for Conservancy members. (Kids under 12 are $5).

The Conservancy suggests you make a day of it, and we agree:

Kick off the holiday season with the Conservancy's sixth annual holiday film matinee. On Sunday, December 4, we’ll present a 2 p.m. screening of Miracle on 34th Street (1947), starring Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and a very precocious and skeptical nine-year-old Natalie Wood.

Bring family and friends, come early or stay late, do some holiday shopping, go ice-skating at Pershing Square, dine at some delicious downtown restaurants, and enjoy a special discount from nearby Grand Central Market!

Purchase tickets here.

Santa, Tamales and 'Holiday Road' at This Year's Los Feliz Holiday Festival

2011-12-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

When it comes to neighborhood holiday events, the Los Feliz Village Holiday Festival is always one of our favorites. Now in its sixth year, the festival takes place this Saturday, Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This year's festival kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony in front of the Los Feliz Library. The other major highlight: A live performance by the cast of "For the Record: John Hughes (Holiday Road)." Just a hunch, but I assume they'll be singing, yes, "Holiday Road."

Other features at Saturday night's event on Hillhurst: Photos with Santa at Coldwell Banker (1917 Hillhurst); Alphabet Soup Puppeteers at Dragonfly DuLou (2066 Hillhurst); Prudential Elves Holiday Workshop featuring bounce house, craft table, hot cider and cookies (1714 Hillhurst); Bring your pet dressed in their holiday best to Keller Williams (1660 Hillhurst).

On Hollywood: Decorate your own holiday stocking at Springer Chiropractic (4645 Hollywood); Holiday Party featuring Guitar Driven Jazz Holiday Music by Jonathan Stout Trio at Sweeney Todd's Barber Shop (4639 Hollywood); Join Father Xmas for refreshments at Ozzie Dots (4637 Hollywood); Astrology readings, Lavender Distillation Demonstration, DJ and for the kids....Candy Cane Reindeers at Primrose Organics Salon (4616 Hollywood); Free tamale samples & champurrado (Mexican specialties) and crafts from local artists at Yuca's on Hollywood (4666 Hollywood); View the newly completed mural at the Barnsdall/Metro Arts Corridor & enjoy hot cider and donuts with the artists.

On Vermont Ave.: Enjoy complimentary Glazed Pumpkin Cake and Hot Spiced Apple Cider at Vermont/Rockwell (1714 Vermont); Half Off Clothing Store will be serving refreshments, cookies and offering discounts throughout store (1748 Vermont); Enjoy your choice of Hot chocolate, Espresso or Cappuccino and cookies at Il Capriccio (1757 Vermont); Strolling carolers up and down Vermont Avenue.

From a few years ago, Yuca's owners party during the Los Feliz Holiday Festival.

Choice Cuts: Summer and Fall Playlists

2011-12-01T09:11:00.001-08:00

A Franklin Avenue reader reminded me during the Great LA Walk that I hadn't posted any "Choice Cuts" playlists in a while. My bad -- I had still been making the mixes, but hadn't gotten around to actually posting them. So here you go -- November, and our end of year "Best of" mix are still to come. Go to our Choice Cuts website for a full list of playlists going back to 2001.

October 2011

Pull Me Back to Earth -- Friendly Fires (3:30)
Paradise -- Coldplay (4:39)
Rocketeer -- Far East Movement & Ryan Tedder (3:31)
Sleeping at Night -- Caught A Ghost (3:30)
Indian Summer (Des Moines) -- Canon Blue (4:31)
Street Joy -- White Denim (3:36)
Midnight City -- M83 (4:03)
Charmed Life -- Icebird (RJD2 & Aaron Livingston) (3:41)
Money -- The Drums (3:54)
My Boo -- Friends (3:32)
Don't Move -- Phantogram (4:18)
Free My Mind -- Katie Herzig (4:46)
Little House of Savages (Walkmen Cover) -- Asobi Seksu (3:13)
Walked Alone -- YACHT (4:50)
Romance -- Wild Flag (3:52)
Play (Los Rakas Remix) -- Goapele (4:24)
Steady Steady -- North Highlands (3:35)
Matador -- Maria Taylor (4:20)
Somebody that I Used to Know -- Gotye (4:04)
Desire -- Mates Of State (2:47)
Carry -- Tori Amos (4:08)

September 2011

Block After Block -- Matt & Kim (2:56)
Bedroom Eyes -- Dum Dum Girls (3:58)
Ritual Union -- Little Dragon (3:30)
I Would Do Anything For You -- Foster the People (3:31)
I Stand Alone -- Theophilus London (3:23)
Another Luvr (feat. Wale) -- Teedra Moses (4:06)
Up Up Up -- Givers (4:34)
What You Know -- Two Door Cinema Club (3:11)
Beautiful Trash (feat. Megan Washington) -- Lanu (3:31)
Why Can't We -- Aṣa (3:44)
Wolves (Crystal Fighters Remix) -- The Good Natured (5:17)
In A City Without Seasons -- The One AM Radio (3:03)
All Alone -- Toro Y Moi (3:55)
Weekend -- Class Actress (4:02)
Angela -- The Go Round (4:16)
Street Clothes -- Fool's Gold (5:01)
The Heron And The Fox (Work Drugs Sex-Fi Remix) -- Little Scream (3:44)
The Romance of the Telescope (feat. Andrew Cedermark) -- Lushlife (4:52)
How Can U Luv Me -- Unknown Mortal Orchestra (3:28)
Dreams -- Blood Diamonds (3:45)

August 2011

A Long Time (Chromeo Remix) -- Mayer Hawthorne (4:41)
Going And Going. And Going. -- Icebird (RJD2 & Aaron Livingston) (4:19)
What Starry Eyes Know (Two Door Cinema Club vs. Ellie Goulding) -- Neon Hitch (3:46)
Radar Detector (The Loving Hand Remix) -- Darwin Deez (5:37)
Pumped Up Kicks (Grouplove & Captain Cuts Remix) -- Foster The People (4:03)
Life Is Life (Yuksek Remix) -- Noah and the Whale (4:28)
Maps -- The Front Bottoms (3:35)
Swell Window -- Zee Avi (3:52)
Judy Is Your Viet Nam -- They Might Be Giants (1:26)
I Don't Know How To Act Here -- Teletextile (4:21)
Lies We Live In -- Ximena Sarinana (3:46)
Nothing But Our Love -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (4:06)
Watch Me Dance -- Roots Manuva (4:06)
Northern Mentality (Friendly Ghost Remix) -- Mathieu Santos (Ra Ra Riot) (4:34)
The Jingle Swing -- Bigott (2:55)
Colour -- Keegan DeWitt (4:02)
Half Of Something Else -- The Airborne Toxic Event (4:39)
Dan's Silverleaf -- The Middle East (4:13)
Dub Revolution -- See-I (3:40)

July 2011

Second Chance -- Peter Bjorn & John (4:13)
Underneath the Sycamore -- Death Cab for Cutie (3:25)
The Roller -- Beady Eye (3:35)
You Were Never There -- Diego Garcia (3:40)
Georgia -- Cee-Lo (3:46)
King Of The Beach -- Wavves (2:38)
Just a Friend (feat. Biz Markie, Matt Berninger, and Sharon Jones) -- Booker T. Jones (4:05)
Warm Heart of Africa (Featuring Ezra Koenig) -- The Very Best (3:47)
Juice -- Tony Castles (2:35)
Skip the Charades -- Cold War Kids (4:25)
Call Your Girlfriend (Feed Me Remix) -- Robyn (4:56)
Battery Kinzie -- Fleet Foxes (2:49)
Faster -- Matt Nathanson (3:28)
Calgary -- Bon Iver (4:10)
Half Of Something Else -- The Airborne Toxic Event (4:39)
Wonder Why -- Vetiver (3:22Tonight's The Kind Of Night (RAC Mix) -- Noah and the Whale (3:39)
One for You, One for Me -- Bright Eyes (6:35)
Ire -- The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination (3:20)
Wooden Bones -- Follow That Bird (4:18)
Representing Memphis -- Booker T Jones (3:30)

KCRW Gets 'Eclectic' at the Orpheum This Saturday

2011-12-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite Holiday events a few years ago was KCRW's "Sounds Eclectic" concert event -- in 2003, for example (read about it here) was a particularly amazing event, featuring Beck, Jurassic 5, Shelby Lynne, Liz Phair and Gary Jules. But the KCRW event eventually moved out of the holiday season and then disappeared all together.

Now, it's back under a new name, and looks to once again be a great holiday time concert. KCRW's "Are Friends Eclectic?" Holiday Show takes place this Saturday, Dec. 3 and features Jimmy Cliff, Iron and Wine, Zee Avi, the Belle Brigade, Mia Doi Todd and several others. Plus, it takes place at downtown's beautifully restored Orpheum Theatre.

Tix are still on sale -- and are 15% off at the moment. Go here to pick them up.

Local TV Covers the Occupy LA Eviction

2011-11-30T02:21:00.000-08:00

Most of the local TV stations -- with the notable exception of KABC/Channel 7 -- went with live coverage late into the evening Tuesday (and into Wednesday) as the LAPD began removing the Occupy LA protesters from the lawn outside City Hall.

The operation itself appeared to go smoothly, as protesters stuck to civil disobedience and the LAPD, under chief Charlie Beck, went about their business slowly and methodically. It could have gone much differently, but clearly Beck wanted to avoid past LAPD missteps -- of which there have been plenty over the years. (As a result, your average post-Lakers victory riot was more eventful and dangerous than what happened at City Hall on Tuesday night.)

Sadly, the local TV coverage was more predictable. L.A. TV media is notorious for parachuting into situations with general assignment reporters lacking much depth or background on a complicated subject, and that was painfully apparent on Tuesday night, as most of the local TV coverage didn't have much to offer beyond eyewitness accounts of what was going on at the moment (coupled with the occasional inane interview with an Occupy LA protester -- many of whom, granted, were hostile to the media anyway).

"Fox 11" and "KTLA" were trending nationwide by the middle of the night, although many (most?) of the Tweets weren't exactly favorable. Nonetheless, it was still notable that both of those stations went with wall-to-wall coverage, not even breaking for commercials, until 2 a.m. Those stations' competitors closed up shop earlier; and again, it was strange to see market leader KABC relegate its coverage to its website, even as things heated up a bit after midnight.

Some criticized the news media for agreeing to a news coverage pool; Fox 11's Gigi Graciette tweeted that the three pool reporters agreed not to Tweet "as to not have advantage over other stations."

Meanwhile, according to the GM of LA's recreation and parks department, the City Hall park will now be closed indefinitely for "repairs." He's no "Parks and Recreation" Ron Swanson, but is at least sporting a Swanson-style 'stache:

All-Christmas Radio En Espanol Comes to LA

2011-11-29T10:32:00.000-08:00

We wrote a few days ago about the Christmas music war that has broken out between traditional holiday leader KOST-FM and rival smooth jazz KTWV "The Wave." Now enters a third competitor: Spanish-language oldies outlet KRCD-FM, known as "Recuerdo 103.9/98.3."

The interesting thing here: Recuerdo is playing a mix of Spanish-language Christmas songs (yes, including "Feliz Navidad") and English-language Christmas songs from the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Because, let's face it, even if you don't speak English, you've been bombarded with these songs over the years and I'm sure they're pretty familiar anyway.

There aren't many Spanish stations that have gone all-Christmas over the years, but Recuerdo probably figured it could steal away from bilingual and Spanish-language listeners who tune into KOST to get into the holiday mood.

Here's a sample of Recuerdo's playlist:

'Yo Gabba Gabba Live' Gets Us Dancing

2011-11-29T00:48:00.000-08:00

The hottest multi-generational ticket in town this weekend may have been the Yo Gabba Gabba Live! show at L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre. I do believe that the Gen X parents in the crowd may have been more excited to be there than their offspring. While many kids were dressed up as their favorite "Yo Gabba Gabba" character, parents were dressed up too.

And why not? Part of the appeal of "Yo Gaba Gabba" is the fact that it gives adults plenty to enjoy as well, from the indie rock bands to the catchy dance lessons and larger-than-life costume characters. But the highlight may have very well been the one and only diabolical Biz Markie. Biz, of course, instructs tots on "Yo Gabba Gabba" about how to beat box. He has also joined "Yo Gabba Gabba" on tour (350 dates and counting) and pumps up the crowd via music, beat boxing and interaction with a handful of kids on stage. The best part: Without instructing the audience of the words, he gets the entire crowd to sing the chorus of "Just a Friend." Yep, this is a Gen X crowd, all right.

The Blogger Kid at first felt he was too old for the show-- but he got into it, of course. And this represented the first concert experience for the Blogger Toddler 2.0, who seemed overwhelmed at first but eventually clapped along.

We've been big "Yo Gabba Gabba" fans from the beginning. Check out our post from when we saw the live show in 2009, and here's when we visited the show as it was in production in 2008. Meanwhile, here some more pics from the "Yo Gabba Gabba" live show on Saturday:

Hey kids, gather 'round -- it's time for Biz's Beat of the Day!

My name is Brobee!

DJ Lance Rock.

The Gabba gang on stage.

Tori Spelling and husband Dean (fresh off accidentally Tweeting his wife's boobs) do the Dancey Dance.

Blogger Kid and Blogger Toddler 2.0 play with balloons, as Foofa poses for photos in the background.

Electricity in the Air and On the Floor at the LA Auto Show

2011-11-28T13:02:00.000-08:00

It was all about electric cars, hybrids and fuel economy at this year's L.A. Auto Show, which just wrapped up on Sunday. We finally made it over to the Convention Center on Saturday night to take it all in, and it was truly a brave new world. Small is big, electric is electric and hybrids are the new norm.

All told, the Auto show boasted 17 vehicles that achieve 40+ miles per gallon, as well as 35 hybrids/plug-in hybrids, nine clean diesels, two alternative fuel vehicles (the Honda FCX Clarity and the Honda Civic Natural Gas) and eight electric cars (BMW i3, Coda Sedan, Ford Focus Electric, Honda Fit EV, Mitsubishi i, Nissan Leaf, Toyota RAV4 and DOK-ING XD).

Debuts included the Camaro Zl1 Convertible, the Ford Mustang Boss 302, the new Honda CR-V, and more.

The one downside: We spent money on the Convention Center's horrible, overpriced fare for dinner, only to discover food trucks outside once we left one of the two showroom floors. The L.A. Auto Show needs to do a better job explaining the food options.

But other than that, it was a great way to spend an evening with the kids. Some photos:

Prius plug-in hybrid prototype

Blogger Toddler 2.0 likes Mercedes-Benz's AMG Black Series

Coda all-electric car.

Smart cars.

Now we're getting pricy: Bentley's New Continental GTC.

The most expensive sticker we found on the floor: Bentley's Mulsanne, at just under $300,000.

Nissan Leaf.

I told the Blogger Toddler 2.0 about those J-Lo ads, and how she didn't really shoot them in the Bronx. The Toddler sighed.

Mitsubishi concept car loves Los Angeles.

Ford is pushing its Mustang hard -- big appearance in this week's "The Amazing Race." On the floor, this one's "Boss."

Sorry, Blogger Toddler 2.0. This is just a truck on display at the Ford booth. There are no fish tacos inside.

Attendees go for a test drive on the Ford floor.

Because we haven't let a video game console into the house yet, the Blogger Kid sneaks a play where ever he can -- here, at a Nintendo booth outside the Auto Show.

Hollywood Christmas Parade Catches Our Pal Jessica Off-Guard

2011-11-28T12:03:00.001-08:00

Our pal Jessica brought her kids to the El Capitan in Hollywood yesterday to see "The Muppet Movie." When she came out, she was pretty much trapped from going home by the Hollywood Christmas Parade. KCBS/KCAL's cameras were there -- and caught her surprise! See above.

Our Annual Thanksgiving Post: The Classic 'WKRP' Thanksgiving Episode

2011-11-23T17:11:00.001-08:00

Best Thanksgiving episode ever? No doubt. An annual Thanksgiving tradition: The "Turkeys Away" episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati."

"As God Is My Witness, I Thought Turkeys Could Fly!"

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

FREE L.A.: Snoopy Ice Show in Pershing Square

2011-11-23T17:04:00.000-08:00

Downtown on Ice

As we mentioned in the blog post below (and our flurry of posts over the years), we love the Downtown on Ice skating rink in Pershing Square. Next Tuesday, the rink goes extra kid-friendly as the cast of Knotts Berry Farm's "It's Christmas Snoopy" ice revue does a free show.

Here are some details:

With festive music and colorful costumes, the special “mini” showcase presentation features the famous skating beagle and his friends as they look for the true meaning of Christmas. “It’s Christmas, Snoopy!” premieres at Knott’s “Merry” Farm with performances at select times from November 24, 2011 through January 1, 2012.

Free to the public, the outdoor showcase is part of a community outreach program in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and Knott's Berry Farm. Immediately following the performance, Snoopy and friends will be available for a meet & greet with fans.

The free show takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. Then stay around to skate: Admission is just $6, plus $2 for skate rental.

Ten Years Ago: A Thanksgiving Eve Engagement

2011-11-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

Yes, it was 10 years ago on the night before Thanksgiving that I dropped down and asked Maria to marry me... in the center of the ice rink at Pershing Square. In hindsite, a cheesy move. (My original plan was to find a historic theatre on Broadway and see about putting my proposal on the marquee. But hey, I was young!)

A few notes: No, despite my media whorish-ness, I didn't call the news media. I planned it out with the Pershing Square "Downtown on Ice" rink, and they called around -- managing to get both KNBC and KTLA out there! (I assume both stations were looking for quick, simple feel good news kickers the night before Thanksgiving, when things are pretty quiet.)

And also: I go to experience the laziness of local TV journalism first hand. No one ever came up to me to get any sort of information, so they just made things up. KTLA said Maria and I met at the rink -- not true. KNBC went a step further and called me an "L.A. Kings fan." Whaa? Because we were ice skating?

It didn't go off without a hitch. I had given the rink a CD of two songs to play. But when the rink cleared at 9, I waited for my musical cue. Nothing. I wrote about out engagement back in 2003:

Then it hit 9 p.m.--time for the rink to close for the evening. As they told everyone to clear the ice, I asked Maria if we could get our photo taken on the ice. So I gave my camera to one of the workers, and we went to the middle of the ice. And I waited for the music.

And waited.

The guy kept taking our picture and radioing to his bosses, "What's going on? Where's the music?"

He told us to go ahead and skate a few laps. I knew something was wrong, but Maria was just confused.

I made up something on the spot: "Oh, he probably just feels bad that all of those little kids were giving us trouble on the ice all night, and wanted you to skate a few rounds when no one was around." Whew, she bought it.

Finally, though, I couldn't wait for the music any longer. The cameras were on us. I took her back to the middle of the rink and dropped to one knee, while pulling out the ring.

The ring, sadly, is no longer with us. But that's a depressing story for another day.

License Plate of the Day: If Not Now Edition

2011-11-22T01:00:00.001-08:00

If not now, when? If not you, who? Good questions, license plate. Referring to life in general, or asking the non-Prius owners when and if they're going to join the hybrid ride too?

THE GREAT LOS ANGELES WALK 2011 RECAP: 19.5 Miles of Downtown, Hollywood and Beyond

2011-11-20T14:50:00.001-08:00

And they're off! (Photo by Anthony Uy)

We made it! After a semi-grueling 19.5 mile hike across Los Angeles, a few hundred passionate Angelenos successfully endured the sixth annual Great Los Angeles Walk.

More than 200 participants -- including visitors from locales such as London (at least two British visitors!) and Pennsylvania -- met at downtown's gaudy Triforium sculpture (across the street from City Hall) on Saturday. From there, they hit the sidewalks of Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica on their way to the ocean.

"This has to be the most diverse number of neighborhoods we have ever walked through," Great Los Angeles Walk regular Waltarrrrr wrote on Twitter.

Along the way, this year's Walk centered on Hollywood, where Walkers took a look at classic theatres like the Pantages, the Warner Pacific, the Egyptian, the Chinese, the Henry Fonda and the El Capitan, as well as historic buildings such as the Taft Building, the Janes House (the last remaining Victorian Queen Anne house on Hollywood) and the Guaranty Building.

The morning started with a guest speaker: L.A.'s and America's favorite histo-tainer, Charles Phoenix. Charles gave a brief speech about downtown kitsch -- including the 1975 Triforium sculpture we were standing under. (In Charles' famed "Disneyland" Tour of Downtown Los Angeles, he includes the Triforium as part of "Tomorrowland.") "I thought this was a 'cake walk' to the ocean," Phoenix quipped. "Maybe you should do that next year." Sounds like a delicious idea.

At 9:15, we embarked on our journey -- and quickly experienced a wide swath of Los Angeles neighborhoods. From downtown, we continued down Temple, through Historic Filipinotown, to Beverly and Vermont. We then hiked north on Vermont, past the Los Angeles City College and past the neighborhood swap meet and plenty of street vendors. Turning west on Hollywood Boulevard, we marched through Little Armenia and Thai Town to Hollywood.

Waiting for us in the Toyota of Hollywood parking lot, the Food Truck Army had brought along three gourmet food trucks for us to enjoy lunch: Cheer Burger, Gypsy Toast and Sura Truck.

From there, it was off to Hollywood, where some Walkers took our advice to grab a martini at Musso & Franks and a jalapeno margarita at Loteria Grill. After Hollywood, we made our way down Fairfax to Santa Monica Boulevard, then hiked through West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City, Brentwood and Santa Monica.

Swift walkers got to the end by sunset. Most made it to the end during the 5 p.m. hour, while the Walkers who did it right (i.e., stopped at Mussos, Loteria or Trader Vic's at the Beverly Hilton) made it closer to 7 p.m. In the end, we overwhelmed the waiters and cooks at Locando del Lago in Santa Monica -- but for those who got a table, we munched on $8 pizzas and finally rested our feet.

Among my highlights: The guy who screamed, "COMMUNISTAS!" at us (assuming we were part of the Occupy LA crowd). Also: The foul-mouthed, cigarette-chomping, green-wearing little person who was standing outside a Hollywood theater.

It was another successful walk -- and even the weather cooperated, as cool temps and partly sunny skies greeted the Great LA Walkers as they made their way through town. I hope to see all of you -- and even more -- at next year's event -- remember to always keep the Saturday before Thanksgiving free!

Read most of the Tweets from the day -- at least the ones with the #glaw hashtag -- here!

And post your Great Los Angeles Walk photos to our Flickr stream here.

Some pics from the day:

The crowd gathers. (Photo by Anthony Uy)

Charles Phoenix talks to the crowd

The crowd listens.

Organizer Michael Schneider (hey, that's me, identifying myself in the third person!), with Charles Phoenix, as the walk kicks off.

Occupy LA, as we "Occupy LA Sidewalks."

The walk heads down Temple.

Hands Across Temple. (Photo by Anthony Uy)

The Ukulele Bunny of Temple

The infamous headquarters from "CHiPs," on Vermont Ave.

Outside the Vermont Ave. swap meet, it's the official food of Los Angeles: Bacon-wrapped hot dogs.

The real star of Hollywood: Self-loathing.

Quite possibly the coolest mural of the walk: Michael Jackson.

Hollywood Premiere Motel.

Self-affirmation on Hollywood Boulevard.

Gateway to Thai Town.

Keeping guard on Hollywood.

Lunch with the Food Truck Army.

Museum of Death.

Capitol Records.

Warner Pacific Theatre.

Musso and Franks.

Joni poses with the cigarette-chomping, foul-mouthed, green-suited little person. What's going on?

Anthony poses with the Hollywood crew. Still not clear what's going on.

Handless Elvis.

Religious marchers attempt to educate us unwashed Hollywood masses.

Suddenly, a popular star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Charlie Sheen.

Blues on Hollywood. (Photo by Anthony Uy)

In Beverly Hills. Still not sure what this is supposed to be.

Mormon temple on Santa Monica.

Style is confidence, says Amir.

We made it to the ocean at around 5:40 a.m. -- toward the end of the pack (along with several others). Groups were pretty spread out by the end. (Photo by Anthony Uy)

Thanks to Charles Phoenix, Rocky from the Food Truck Army, and Lago in Santa Monica for participating in this year's event! And most importantly, thank you to the 200-plus die-hard Los Angeles fans who took part in the walk!

Save the date for next year -- Saturday, November 17, 2012. And yes, we'll trim a few miles off next year's walk.

Here are some links to other recaps of this year's Great Los Angeles Walk. Send us your links!

The Great Los Angeles Walk 2011 Flickr Pool

Charles Phoenix, Bullet Casings & O.J.'s Last Stop: the Great Los Angeles Walk in Photos (LAist)

Jonathan Wilson's Great LA Walk Photos (Jawsnap.net)

Retro Friday: Hollywood in Neon

2011-11-18T00:19:00.000-08:00

As we prepare for Saturday's Great Los Angeles Walk through Hollywood, here are some classic shots of Hollywood clubs at night in the 1950s (above) and 1960s (below).

LA Ad Town: Union Station as Santa's Garage

2011-11-18T00:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Friend of Franklin Avenue Will Campbell, who caught this spot for Mercedes Benz the other night: "During a Modern Family commercial break what to my wondering eyes should appear but a completely cleared out Union Station main terminal masquerading as Santa's garage during a Mercedes Benz holiday spot."

Maria and I caught that spot as well, and were trying to figure out how they pulled this off. We assumed it was a computer-generated use of Union Station's main terminal -- but is there a chance they moved out everything to shoot this ad? (I'm guessing no... but still, quite an cool use of the Union Station look as Santa's garage.)

L.A. Cameo: 'Up All Night' at Pickwick Ice

2011-11-17T01:16:00.001-08:00

When Will Arnett's character in "Up All Night" needs a break from being a stay-at-home dad, he gets out that frustration and anger via rough-and-tumble hockey games. And those scenes were taped, where else, at Pickwick Ice Rink in Burbank.

The Pickwick is a popular filming spot, and it's also a great weekend attraction. We wrote about a visit to the rink last year.

License Plate of the Day: Dissent Edition

2011-11-17T00:59:00.001-08:00

Not sure why this person dissents, or what they're dissenting... but they're thumbing their nose at something.

The Great Los Angeles Walk Gets Some Austrian Ink

2011-11-16T08:27:00.003-08:00

I was contacted a while back by reporter Peter Fuchs, who wanted to write about the Great Los Angeles Walk for the Austrian newspaper Der Standard. The story's now out ("Schoene Beine in LA"), and even though I can't read a lick of German, I was excited to see my name and the Great Los Angeles Walk description buried in the text.

And, of course, there's reference that everyone can't resist making: Missing Persons' "Nobody Walks in L.A." Here's a highlight of the text:

„Nobody walks in L.A“. So singt in in den 80ern die New Wave Band „Missing Persons“. Auch heute gilt, dass man in Los Angeles nicht zu Fuß geht. Wer in der Stadt mit der höchsten Kraftfahrzeugdichte der Welt dennoch die meist holprigen Gehwege benutzt, erntet meist schiefe Blicke – und schiebt oft einen Einkaufswagen mit dem gesamten Hab und Gut vor sich her.

Darum fällt die Initiative des Journalisten Mike Schneider auf. Bereits zum fünften Mal organisiert er im Herbst 2010 den „Great Los Angeles Walk“. Die Idee ist einfach: Alle, die Lust haben, wandern mit Mike Schneider und seiner Frau Maria einen der großen Boulevards der kalifornischen Metropole entlang, und zwar vom Anfang bis zum Ende.

I also like the references to "Fokus rücken" and "Fährt man," which make me giggle. As well as the reference to last year's afterparty: "Restaurant Margaritas zu schlürfen." I do indeed like to schlürfen the margaritas.

Don't forget, this year's GREAT LOS ANGELES WALK 2011 is this Saturday at 9 a.m. And I'm excited to have just lined up a special guest to kick off the walk. Go to the Great Los Angeles Walk website for more details!

It's KOST vs. The Wave as L.A. Radio's Christmas Smackdown Begins

2011-11-15T17:12:00.001-08:00

Oh, it's ON. The Los Angeles Christmas radio wars, that is. Adult contemporary KTWV-FM "The Wave" (94.7) pulled a fast one on KOST-FM (103.5) over the weekend, launching an all-Christmas playlist on Sunday night. As you know, that's traditionally KOST's territory -- and it's paid off handsomely for KOST, which has ended the last few Decembers in first place thanks to its ho-ho-horrible all-Christmas music. (Sorry, just a difference in personal taste.)

Former KOST program director Jhani Kaye is over at The Wave now, and has turned the smooth jazz outlet further away from Kenny G (oh, don't worry, your aunt's favorite frizzy-haired saxophonist is still heard) and more of a competitor to KOST. And this holiday season, that means he hopes to steal some of KOST's Christmas audience.

Billboards all over town have gone up promoting The Wave as Los Angeles' "NEW Christmas Station" and promising cash prizes. But KOST isn't taking things lying down. The station bumped up its switch to Christmas music by a few days (last year it launched the Thursday before Thanksgiving) and is continuing to tout itself as "Your Official Holiday Music Station."

Radio consultant Sean Ross took a listen to The Wave's Christmas format and had this to say:

The good news is that this is definitely NOT the holiday format as heard on most Mainstream AC stations. The promos emphasize that there’s lots of music from Smooth Jazz artists and there indeed seemed to be one represented every 15 minutes or so.

As a station that effectively doubles as Urban AC for its market, one might have expected The Wave to do a more soulful holiday format than the typical AC model. In the segment I heard, there were more R&B artists in the mix, performing the holiday standards, but it was very different from the very R&B-flavored holiday format of the U.K.’s Smooth Radio. (The station does have an upcoming “Winter Wonderland” concert starring Brian McKnight, El DeBarge, and Johnny Gill.)

In fact, if anything, because the jazziness of the station lent itself to so many of the pre-rock artists heard at holiday time, the Wave actually plays a little more traditional than the average AC station. When you break up Sinatra and Bing Crosby with Al Jarreau, it almost plays like those neo-Standards/lounge formats that a number of programmers were trying to float a few years ago.

Here's a comparison of the two stations. First, what Ross heard on The Wave:

Ella Fitzgerald, “Sleigh Ride”
Katherine McPhee, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
Frank Sinatra, “Jingle Bells”
Al Jarreau, “The Christmas Song”
Bing Crosby, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”
Kenny G., “Winter Wonderland”
Mariah Carey, “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
Kirk Whalum, “Do You Hear What I Hear”
Stylistics, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
Amy Grant, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”
Peter White, “Jingle Bells”
Patti Austin, “This Christmas”

And here's a sample of what KOST played today:

Celine Dion - O Holy Night
Wham! - Last Christmas
Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - The Little Drummer Boy
Elvis Presley - Here Comes Santa Claus
Amy Grant - Winter Wonderland
Jack Wagner - All I Need
Neil Diamond - You Make It Feel Like Christmas
Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song

OK, I'm guessing the "All I Need" was dropped in there because a DJ was talking about Heather Locklear's breakup with Jack Wagner. But what do you think -- does either station have the edge in holiday tunes? Or will you be blocking both from your car stereo?

FRANKLIN AVENUE CONTEST: LA Auto Show Family Pack

2011-11-15T01:56:00.001-08:00

The Blogger Kid inspects a car at the LA Auto Show in 2009.

The annual LA Auto Show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center starting this Thursday, November 18, and continuing through Nov. 27 -- including Thanksgiving day. (Read our past LA Auto Show posts here.)

According to the event's press materials, 50 debuts are expected at this year's show, "including the world’s most powerful convertible, the Camaro ZL1, and fuel efficient electrics and hybrids including BMW’s i8 Concept that will be hitting the big screen in the next 'Mission Impossible.'"

The LA Auto Show is a popular one for the Blogger Kid -- and I'm expecting the Blogger Toddler to be even more impressed. The show continues to boast a "Kids Fun Zone" on the weekends, including pint-sized vehicles, a bounce house, face painting, car themed video games and more.

Franklin Avenue has a family-four-pack (valued at around $50) for a reader -- to win, email us, and tell us where you got your last ticket (and how -- speeding? Red light?).

A "Shameless" Evening with William H. Macy

2011-11-15T01:38:00.001-08:00

At this summer's San Diego Comic-Con, I had the opportunity to moderate the panel for Showtime's dysfunctional family series "Shameless" -- and had a blast doing it.

Earlier this month, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation asked me to once again moderate a "Shameless" panel, again with star William H. Macy (and this time with Shanola Hampton and Steve Howey, who play the Gallaghers' neighbors). Macy told several stories, including of the moment that he first heard, as a struggling actor, that he had landed the coveted "Fargo" role that made him a star. Macy says his family likes his shaggy hair look -- grown out for his role as drunken patriarch Frank Gallagher.

Another Year of the L.A. County Holiday Celebration

2011-11-15T00:46:00.000-08:00

Budget cuts mean the popular L.A. County Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion will once again be just three hours this year -- but I'm just grateful that it continues at all. The free event, L.A. County's annual gift to residents, is part of our annual Christmas Eve tradition (we've stopped by the Dorothy Chandler the past two years after Mass at the Our Lady of the Angels cathedral).

This year, more than 20 choirs, music ensembles and dance companies will participate. KCET-TV will broadcast it live, while KPFK will play the audio and KCET.org will stream the show.

Here are some of this year's highlights:

--Liturgical Afro-Cuban drumming and song from ADAAWE, an all-women’s African music ensemble

-- Traditional dance from the Mexican state of Durango from the Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company

-- The Jazz Tap Ensemble with a holiday-inspired tap dance and an ensemble of live jazz musicians

-- A modern interpretation of the traditional Korean fan dance from Kwan Gyu Lim Dance Company

-- Classic Hanukkah songs – Klezmer style – with The Shpil

-- Prime Note Ensemble, an all-male Filipino choir singing in English and Tagalog

-- Lisa Haley and the Zydekats celebrate the holidays Americana/Cajun/Zydeco style

-- La Santa Cecilia with a holiday hybrid of Latin culture, rock and world music

-- Mandrill, one of Funk and R&B’s most progressive bands and an important pioneer on the world music scene, will perform their 1970 hit “Peace and Love”

--Holiday hip hop from Versa-Style Dance Company

--Pop culture humorist and author Charles Phoenix returns as HC’s holiday reporter, hosting five videos featuring holiday traditions celebrated in L.A. County

LA County Holiday FestivalSaturday, December 24, 2011 from 3 pm to 6 pm Doors open at 2:30 pmPatrons may come and go throughout the three hour performanceDorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center135 N. Grand Ave.Los Angeles 90012

Retro Friday: L.A. TV I.D.s Over the Years

2011-11-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

For the TV geek in all of us... the IdentChannel page on YouTube has compiled the logos through the years for local TV stations across the country. Above, the logos from 1939 to now for KTLA Channel 5.

KABC-Channel 7.

KNBC-Channel 4.

KTTV- Channel 11.

KCOP-Channel 13.

KCAL-Channel 9.

KCBS-Channel 2.

Jonathan Gold Reveals This Year's 99 Essential Restaurants

2011-11-10T14:36:00.001-08:00

The premiere list of L.A.'s best eats, Jonathan Gold's annual 99 Essential LA Restaurants, is out -- and can be found over at the LA Weekly site here.

The good and the bad: Gold is disappointed that upscale cooking seems to be missing at the moment, but he's still pleased with the foodie street culture that he helped champion in the first place:

I like trucks, taco tables and pop-ups as much as the next guy, but I was really hoping to find evidence pointing to a resurgence in fine dining, powered by exposure to complex cooking on food television, and the vast numbers of people coming out of training programs like Cordon Bleu or the CIA. Alas, I did not.

Instead, when I looked at the new heroes of cooking in America, I kept seeing Lukshon's Sang Yoon, Kogi's Roy Choi and ramen-slinging David Chang of New York's Momofuku: Asian-born guys classically trained in European techniques, working in great American kitchens, who decided to redirect their imagination toward street food. Their dishes have a directness of flavor, and their high-low juxtapositions still have the ability to shock, even in a world where pandan leaf and calamansi lime have become nearly as common as salt and pepper.

Nice to see plenty of our favorites on the list, including classics like Border Grill; neighborhood haunts like Good Girl Dinette, Little Dom's and Oinkster; our favorite pizza joint, Casa Bianca; and everyone's fave spicy Thai spot, Jitlada. But as usual, there are plenty of spots to try. Do yourself a favor and save a copy of the Gold list in your car -- you'll be happy you did.

A Night With TV Guide Magazine's "Hot List"

2011-11-10T12:13:00.000-08:00

It's been a fantastic first fall in my new job as the L.A. bureau chief of TV Guide magazine. Highlights have included moderating four panels at Comic-Con (including two with some seriously passionate fans -- "Chuck" and "Community") and writing the "Two and a Half Men" cover story for TV Guide's fall preview issue.

And this Monday, I was there as TV Guide Magazine threw its annual "Hot List" bash in honor of next week's special issue. Yes, that's me with cover girl Zooey Deschanel and with "Blossom" herself, Mayim Bialik. (now, of course, on "The Big Bang Theory").

I also got a chance to spend some time with Mark Harmon, Jane Levy and Rex Lee from "Suburgatory" and producers from series such as MTV's "Awkward." The event was held at SBE's new La Cienega Blvd. club Greystone Manor (not to be confused with the Greystone Mansion -- although, I still don't get why SBE is opening itself up to such confusion).

Other attendees included Kat Dennings, Beth Behrs, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and castmembers from "Modern Family," "The Office," "Pretty Little Liars," "Teen Wolf," "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," and more. The "Hot List" issue -- which features three unique covers celebrating the Hot Women of Comedy -- is on newsstands now.

Read more about the party, from my colleague Rob Moynihan, here. And here's a video from the event:

Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice Returns Next Wednesday

2011-11-09T00:49:00.000-08:00

It's back! One of our favorite L.A. holiday traditions, the Pershing Square "Downtown on Ice" outdoor skating rink, is back for its 14th season starting next Wednesday, November 17.

The rink is $6 for admission and another $2 for skate rental, and is open every day -- including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day -- throug January 16, 2012. More info:

A medley of FREE community events keep you in the holiday spirit with the Winter Holiday Festival (with Santa and his “live” reindeer, snow, and make & take crafts), the “12 Nights of Christmas” concert series, Menorah Lighting, Kwanzaa Celebration, “It’s Christmas, Snoopy” showcase, and more.

Centrally located in the heart of the City of Angels at the Pershing Square Metro stop, the rink is easily accessible by car, bus or Metro. A partnership with Metro and Montebello bus lines allows riders to receive a $1 discount on skating sessions. Underground parking is discounted with validation.

DOWNTOWN ON ICE (Pershing Square) 532 South Olive
General Schedule: November 17, 2011 – January 16, 2012
Monday – Thursday: 12:00p.m. to 10:00p.m.
Friday – Sunday: 10:00a.m. to 10:00p.m.
Extended Holiday Hours: December 19 - January 2 from 10:00a.m. to 10:00p.m. daily
Special hours: Noon to 10:00pm on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day and Martin Luther King day

LA Conservancy Brings a Miracle to Broadway

2011-11-09T00:17:00.000-08:00

It's always a treat when the Los Angeles Conservancy unlocks the doors on downtown's classic Broadway movie palaces for its annual Last Remaining Seats. But if you can't wait until June for the return of that great event, the Conservancy is decking the Broadway halls on Sunday, December 4, at the Million Dollar Theatre.

The event is a matinee screening of the 1947 holiday classic "Miracle on 34th Street." It sounds like the perfect centerpiece to a full holiday-themed day downtown. The movie starts at 2 p.m. and is $10 for Conservancy members (with $5 for kids under 12). More details:

Kick off the holiday season with the Los Angeles Conservancy's sixth annual holiday film matinee. On Sunday, December 4, we’ll present a 2 p.m. screening of Miracle on 34th Street (1947), starring Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and a very skeptical nine-year-old Natalie Wood.

Bring family and friends, come early or stay late, do some holiday shopping, go ice-skating at Pershing Square, dine at some delicious downtown restaurants, and enjoy a special discount from nearby Grand Central Market!

Part of the Broadway Historic Theatre District, the Million Dollar Theatre was built in 1918 for theatre impresario Sid Grauman. The ornate Spanish Baroque interior was designed by William Woollett and originally seated 2,300 people. The building housing the theatre was designed by Albert C. Martin, with ornate terra-cotta sculptures by Jo Mora.

L.A. Conservancy Holiday Matinee
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Sunday, December 4, 2 p.m.
Million Dollar Theatre
307 South Broadway, Downtown L.A.
$15 general public; $10 Conservancy members; $5 for children 12 and under
Tickets available at laconservancy.org .

Considering Bankruptcy? Well As A Matter of Fact...

2011-11-08T12:05:00.000-08:00

Spotted by Ish Entertainment's Michael Hirschorn, who put this on his Facebook page. It was too funny to pass up borrowing: As Tribune looks to get out of bankruptcy, this sticker ad slapped on the front of the L.A. Times today is a little too close for comfort.

Franklin Avenue's Fresh Coat of Paint

2011-11-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

It was about time. Thanks to Maria for giving Franklin Avenue a much-needed facelift over the weekend. We're still working out a few bugs -- including the fact that we're now using Blogger's comments system, which means all of our old comments are no longer on the blog. At least for now. They're still stored away in our Haloscan account, and maybe we'll figure out a way to bring them back.

Thanks for continuing to check out Franklin Avenue, as we celebrate our ninth blog-iversary in March. Here's a glimpse at how the blog has evolved over the years, starting with our initial look in 2003:

License Plate of the Day: Friendly Edition

2011-11-07T11:08:00.000-08:00

And a "hello" right back at you, friendly stranger!

This Year's Great LA Walk Afterparty to Be Held at Lago Santa Monica

2011-11-04T15:19:00.001-07:00

Whether you walked a block, a mile or the entire length of the Great Los Angeles Walk, join us the evening of Saturday, November 19 for our after party celebration! This year's event will take place at the northern Italian restaurant Locanda del Lago -- on Arizona Ave. between 2nd and the 3rd Street Promenade.

Lago Santa Monica will offer Great Los Angeles Walk participants $8 pizzas (regularly $14-15 each) and $20 “litros” (carafes, regularly $34 each) of their signature market cocktails exclusively on Saturday, November 19 -- plus, they're even reserving a portion of the outdoor patio for walkers to mingle.

Walkers will get up to three hours of happy hour pricing, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., which is no small feat on a Saturday night!

For more info, check out Lago's Twitter feed here and Facebook page here.

The Official Great Los Angeles Walk 2011 Press Release

2011-11-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

THE SIXTH ANNUAL GREAT LOS ANGELES WALK IS GOING HOLLYWOOD, BABY, ON NOV. 19

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 3, 2011) -- Hundreds of Angelenos will hit the sidewalks this November 19 for The Great Los Angeles Walk 2011 – the annual event that dispels the myth that “nobody walks in L.A.”

For the sixth annual event, participants of the Great Los Angeles Walk (http://www.greatlawalk.com) will once again hike from downtown Los Angeles to the ocean – but this time via Hollywood Boulevard. Participants will meet at downtown’s Triforium sculpture (at Fletcher Bowron Square – at Temple and Main -- across from City Hall) at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, and proceed to walk approximately 19 miles (at a casual, all-day pace).

The Walk will run down Temple, up Vermont Ave., across Hollywood Boulevard and down Santa Monica Boulevard to the ocean. Along the way, walkers will encounter sites such as City Hall, the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral, LA City College, Musso & Frank's, Grauman's Egyptian and Chinese Theatres, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the Capitol Records building, Hollywood and Vine, and much more.

Walkers will pass through a diverse cross-section of the region, including Downtown Los Angeles, Echo Park, Los Feliz, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. The Great Los Angeles Walk will conclude with an afterparty at Locanda del Lago restaurant in Santa Monica.

L.A. journalist and blogger Michael Schneider launched the Great Los Angeles Walk in 2006 as a way to celebrate his tenth year in Los Angeles. Inspired by the book “Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles,” by Kevin Roderick (with research by J. Eric Lynxwiler), he decided to walk the street’s entire length.

In 2007, for an encore, he chose another downtown-to-the-ocean route: Pico Boulevard. The 2008 Walk took on Santa Monica Blvd. (via Sunset). In 2009, the event kicked off in the historic West Adams district and walked to Venice Beach via Adams and Washington. And in 2010, for its fifth edition, the Great Los Angeles Walk reprised its original Wilshire journey.

The Great Los Angeles Walk grew from dozens of participants to hundreds, and continues to expand each year as more Angelenos join in to explore their city on foot.

As always, the Walk is completely free. It is up to the participants to decide how much or how little of the walk they want to do. The Great Los Angeles Walk has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the L.A. Weekly, KABC-Channel 7, LAist.com and KNBC.com. ###

Retro Friday: TV Guide, The First 25 Years

2011-11-04T12:57:00.001-07:00

From 1978, an NBC special celebrating the first 25 years of TV Guide magazine! Here's part one.

Finally: Glendale Galleria Gets Makeover, Adds Bloomingdales

2011-11-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Brand entrance to the Glendale Galleria, which has sat depressingly dark (save the annual pop-up Halloween store) for three years, will finally live again. The mall's owners announced today that Bloomingdale's will move into the vacant storefront, as part of a makeover. Via the press release:

The 120,000-square-foot store on two levels will headline an upscale redevelopment of the center being planned by its owner, General Growth Properties. The top two floors of the former Mervyn's location will be entirely remodeled by Bloomingdale's into a sophisticated upscale shopping experience, with construction expected to begin in 2012. The Bloomingdale's store workforce is projected to include 175 associates.

The new Bloomingdale's will open in 2013 -- right around the time that Nordstrom moves from the Galleria to the Americana at Brand. (Leaving another vacant department store front -- but at least Nordstrom is in a less trafficked and noticeable part of the neighborhood.)

I wrote about the Glendale Galleria's epic fail last year and suggested back in 2008 that the Galleria needed to use the location as a new mall entrance.

Make Your Guess: When Will KOST Go All-Christmas Music?

2011-11-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

It's become a holiday tradition: KOST-FM flips to all-Christmas and skyrockets back to the top of the Arbitron ratings. Last year, KOST launched the Christmas music on Thursday, Nov. 18. But this year, with rival KRTH "K-Earth" beating KOST in the most recent Arbitron ratings, I'm guessing that KOST may bump it up a few days.

So here's my guess: KOST will go all-Christmas on Wednesday, November 16, at 5 p.m. (As always, the station will kick it off with Barry Manilow's "White Christmas," apparently a station tradition.)

What do you think? Guess the day -- and just as important, the time -- in the comments below.