Mike's Birthday

We interrupt this blogging boycott (inside joke) to wish Mike a very happy birthday today. Happy Birthday Mike!

Blogger Baby sends his love to the best dad a little boy could have. He loves your morning walks together and the nightly lounge-lizard rendition of "Rubber Ducky."

The Fat Lady Sings

Take a good, long look at the old Ambassador Hotel the next time you pass by it on Wilshire. Chances are that will be the last time you'll ever see it.

The L.A. Conservancy has officially given up the ghost, and halted efforts to save the old hotel, once a glorious Hollywood landmark and the site of Robert Kennedy's assassination. (The hotel has served as a location for TV and movie shoots after shutting down in 1989.)

Realizing that their efforts were only delaying the inevitable, the Conservancy struck a deal with the L.A. Unified School District -- which plans to build a new school at the site -- to drop their challenges, if the school board would donate $4.9 million to help preserve historic school buildings.

The board voted 6-1 Tuesday night to approve the bill. Demolition will now commence immediately -- with the building likely to disappear by October.

According to the L.A. Times, an auction of lighting fixtures, fountains and other items from the hotel is scheduled for Sept. 10.

Yet another blow for the L.A. Conservancy (which hasn't yet updated its site, which at the moment still urges members to help save the Ambassador) -- which hasn't had much luck lately in the preservation department (or so it seems, from the outside looking in).


(Pictures from this tribute site.)

Pink Slip

Cash in your Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf now -- the chain has discontinued its punch card program (pink for coffee drinks, green for tea and brown for coffee bags).

According to the 'Bean, the pink card and its cousins were halted on Aug. 25 "due to an increase in fraudulent use and counterfeiting of our paper punch card program... We are working on alternative programs to reward your business and loyalty and will introduce them soon."



That may include a new credit-card style Pink card, which serves both as a gift card and a rewards card. It's currently being tested only in San Francisco.

Meanwhile, you better empty that frayed paper-based pink card from your wallet now. Coffee Bean stores will still punch existing cards -- and honor filled-up cards (12 punches = 1 free drink) until Oct. 16. Drink up.

Extreme Zankou Makeover

In his song "Debra," Beck takes JCPenney worker Jenny out to Glendale's Zankou Chicken for a "really nice meal."

But while it boasts some of the best chicken you'll ever taste, the Zankou chain -- not known for its ambience -- won't win you any points on a date.

That may change, Darleene reports in the Glendale News-Press. Zankou's new Burbank location, currently under construction, will take on a whole new, classier look (vs. the old no-frills stores, as seen above).

The Mediterranean-inspired, 27,000 square foot building will include patio seating and a dome in its southeast corner, she writes:

The new restaurant is scheduled to be open by November or December and will be the beginning of the chain's move toward more attractive and welcoming eateries.

"This is going to be the staple," said Dikran Iskenderian, a manager and co-owner of Zankou's six restaurants. "This is going to be, God willing, what all of Zankou's future stores will be based [upon]."

Burbank's Zankou is being built from the ground up as part of a strip mall under construction along San Fernando Boulevard just west of Burbank Boulevard.

Zankou's Burbank restaurant anchors the strip mall's north end. The eatery's owners will employ a variety of consultants to plan the restaurant's paint, lighting, tile and kitchen layout.

"This location -- no one can say anything anymore about the decor," Iskenderian said. "They can't say anymore, 'it's great food, but take it to go.'"

Contemplating L.A.

In this month's KCRW newsletter, essayist Marc Porter Zasada -- who reads his "The Urban Man" commentaries on the station Mondays at 6:44 p.m. -- picks five of his favorite spots to mull over our fair city (edited for space):

1. Along Valley Blvd. near Del Mar in San Gabriel, you will find large splinters of Hong Kong embedded in the eastward sprawl. Join the late crowd at the Hawaii Supermarket buying fresh durian fruit from Thailand: big as footballs, but foul-smelling and covered with nasty spikes. Reflect on your life in the city as you cut deep to find the strangely sweet and creamy insides.

2. Drive up the PCH to Solstice Canyon and take the shady hike to the ruins of the Roberts house -- a doomed attempt to create a genuine L.A. paradise in the 1950s. Imagine the well-dressed parties which once occurred in the terraced tropical gardens and watery grotto -- all of it now crumbling and overgrown.

3. Visit the first L.A. Aqueduct, north along the 5, just beside Balboa. Contemplate the big white pipe heading out 300 miles to drain the desert on behalf of the metropolis. Picture William Mulholland standing here on Nov. 5, 1913 as he choked back tears to say, famously, "There it is. Take it."

4. Choose a foggy night to drive into Chinatown (above). Park along the 900 block of Broadway, where Faye Dunaway got shot in the film. Cross the decaying kitsch of Gin Ling Way to the hip Mountain Bar, where th ewalls drip red paint and lost poets add to the atmosphere.

5. Take a date to the Getty Center when it's open late. Muse over guilded clocks and Baroque rooms from the 18th century. Just at sunset, walk toward the large horizontal opening in the South Facade: surely the greatest framed piece of art on the hill. At first you will see nothing but light and sky. Then, suddenly, L.A. will open out vast and glittering and unmannered at your feet.

Rate-A-Restaurant, #71 in a series

Restaurant: Le Petit Beaujolais

Location: 1661 Colorado Blvd. (Eagle Rock)

Type of restaurant: French bakery/cafe

We stipulated: We were originally meeting some friends at Fatty's -- until we discovered that Fatty's was closed for summer vacation. Damn. Maria suggested Le Petit Beaujolais down the street -- and we're glad she did.

What we ordered: It was lunch time, but Maria and I both decided to order off the breakfast menu. And we both opted to get the breakfast panino -- omelette on a toasted roll with your choice of two items, along with mustard and mayo; plus onion potatoes on the side. Inside the panino, Maria picked goat cheese and bacon, while I got spinach and tomato ($8.50)

High point: Pleasant, homey atmosphere... and the paninos were fantastic. Just the right amount of bread (not too soft, not too hard)... and Maria especially loved the potatoes.

Low point: It was a hot day, and with no AC we were sweating quite a bit after a while.

Overall impression: Le Petit Beaujolais is the small sister to Cafe Beaujolais (the more formal dinner restaurant) across the street. Another reason I find myself wanting to visit Eagle Rock more often -- the neighborhood boasts some fine joints (and I'm not just talking Casa Bianca -- OK, I am).

Chance we will go back: Very possibly, probably on a weekend morning. Evan even approved, although he nearly swallowed a Sweet N Low packet.

For a complete archive of our Rate-A-Restaurant reviews, check out our newly revised companion ratearestaurant.blogspot.com website.

New Life for the Herald Examiner

The ghosts of the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner may soon be excised.

According to the Downtown News, Hearst Corp. -- which continues to own the Her-Ex's classic 1914 headquarters at the corner of 11th and Broadway (above) -- has partnered with developer Urban Partners to restore and convert the building into offices and condos.

The paper reports that two new towers would be built on adjacent land earned by Hearst, including a 37-story structure and a 23-story building.

Luckily, that will keep the Mission-Revival structure, built by architect Julia Morgan, intact -- even though the last hints of what was once L.A.'s scrappy No. 2 paper will be erased.

After the Herald-Examiner shut down in 1989, a large chunk of the Hearst paper's grand downtown headquarters was left as-is -- almost becoming a time capsule of sorts.

Now-ancient computers still adorn cluttered desks; random notes, bills, papers and other stuff left behind still litter the long-abandoned newsroom and other offices.

A few years ago UPN held a party at the building, and a few of us snuck upstairs to the building's old penthouse (originally built as a home-away-from-home for William Randolph Hearst himself). There, we found old phone books, file folders and stacks of old Herald-Examiner mailing envelopes, just collecting dust. (So of course we "rescued" a few of the envelopes.)

Hollywood Locations saw gold in the abandoned offices, signing Hearst and the Her-Ex building as its first clients in 1989. (The company is still headquartered there, at least for now.) Since then, police station, jail, hospital and church sets have been built inside the building (where movies and shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" have shot).

For a fascinating tour of what the inside of the building looks like today, check it out here. A few highlights:


The Herald-Examiner's grand lobby


It hasn't operated as a newsroom in 15 years, but typewriters and musty computers still adorn the desks


It's been a few years, but I believe this is the office where we found the envelopes


I'm guessing this was once the home to the Herald-Examiner's printing presses


Another newsroom shot -- I wonder what's in all of those files...

Skip Church...

... and instead watch KNBC/4's public affairs show, "Press Conference," this Sunday morning at 9 a.m. (right after "Meet the Press").

Why? Oh, come on. You know me better than that. Mike the media whore is back, and for the first time in two years, without braces!



I chat up Conan Nolan -- who has one of the best names in all of L.A. TV news -- about the fall TV season.

But don't just watch it for me. Well, do... but also check it out, as Conan talks with Eric Berkowitz, the reporter behind last week's stellar L.A. Weekly cover story on efforts, including those by Mayor Villaraigosa, to revive subway expansion in Los Angeles.

Off the Hook

Tough news for westsiders: Yes, it's true: Now that a 424 "overlay" has been added to the 310, you'll have to start dialing 11 digits soon for every phone call, even in your own area code.

In other words, it will now take at least an additional 1.25 seconds for you to dial 310 numbers. I know, over time that will add up -- as much as an extra 60 seconds a month, perhaps. Time you could be spending doing something else, we understand. You're busy, and this doesn't help.

According to the newspapers, soon we all may be dialing 11 digits as more area code overlays come into being.

On behalf of the remaining seven-digit dialers in the 818 and 323, we salute you, our 11-digit dialing pioneers.

Bizarro Land

Has Southern California gone crazy? Today's headlines:

:: Record producer Christian Julian Irwin disappeared early Sunday morning soon after frantically calling a friend on his cell phone. Irwin told his pal that he was being chased down a ravine by people with dogs who he believed might kill him.

According to the L.A. Times, Irwin may have been somehow entangled in one of those bizarre Internet scams you receive spam about at least once a day (Nigerian princes offering millions in exchange for your assistance in "retriving" their money, etc.)

Apparently Irwin freaked out after receiving a $50,000 check, and realized he was over his head. No one's heard from him since.

:: Investigators have ruled an accident the tragic deaths of a producer and his daughter.

Terry Carr, 62, suffered a heart attack, and his 210-pound body fell onto his 9-year-old sleeping daughter, leaving her unable to escape or breathe. Carr and his daughter were found dead Aug. 1 in the cargo area of their Jeep Grand Cherokee.

:: They Report, You Better Run For Cover: Former U.S. prosecutor John Loftus went on Fox News on Aug. 7 and gave out the address of a man he claimed was a terrorist living in La Habra.

One problem: The man had sold the house three years ago. And the home's current owners, Randy and Ronnell Vorick, have been harrassed since then.

Satellite photos and directions to the house were posted online; drivers have shouted profanities at the family (others have stopped and taken pictures of the house). And one obviously bright cable news viewer spray painted the word "Terrist" on the side of their house. Fox News and Loftus admit their error, but the couple says it's not enough.

:: No surprise here, but the Daily News banners today's edition: Area kids grow fatter.

Sez the paper: Updating an earlier study based on 2001 figures, the California Center for Public Health Advocacy found that childhood obesity rose 6.2 percent statewide and as much as 15 percent in the Valley area.

"We were shocked by the findings," said Harold Goldstein, the center's executive director. "Given the amount of media attention this epidemic has gotten, we didn't expect an increase of 6 percent in just three years. This is a personal and medical disaster."

Consolation Prize

Checking out our Site Meter logs, I notice several of you are coming here looking for "Lauren Sanchez wedding photos."

Sorry, can't help you out there. But to make your stay here at Franklin Avenue worthwhile, I feel as if I still have to give you something. So courtesy Ron Fineman's site (which you should subscribe to, if you haven't already), one of my favorite Lauren Sanchez screen grabs:



Thanks, Ron. And thank you, Lauren Sanchez stalkers, for visiting.

"Rock Star" Struck

I wasn't gonna do it. Wasn't gonna watch "Rock Star: INXS." Too much else on TV. Didn't have the time to make the commitment, and honestly, did I care who INXS chose to replace Michael Hutchence?

But I got sucked in -- as did Maria -- and we're now hooked. Not just by the performances -- the contestants are all top-notch -- but by host Brooke Burke's one-note delivery. And Dave Navarro's always chipper assessments ("Yeah, you forgot a few words, your pitch was off and the arrangement was weak and the energy wasn't there... but awesome job. You rocked the mic! You clearly have what it takes to be a huge rock star.")

As the show moves closer to finale, the musicians in the running to take over lead vocals for INXS vary greatly (including several women in the mix), but they're all pretty good. At the end of the day, though, Maria and I believe the winner is pretty obvious: Mig Ayesa. He's the only candidate from Australia. He's versatile. And he has the same laid-back demeanor as the rest of the band. He'd fit in nicely.

I told Mig exactly that on Sunday night. Yup, I found myself up at the Paramour mansion in Silver Lake, home base for "Rock Star: INXS." A crowd of about 100 had been invited for a jam session featuring the show's contestants, house band and Navarro himself.

Along with Mig, I spoke with several contestants -- and briefly chatted up Navarro, who told me he's enjoying his Saturday night gig on Indie 103.1 with his Camp Freddy bandmates as much as anything he's doing right now.

The open bar offered up "Rock Startinis" and other fine beverages, as people (including Matthew Perry and Seth Green) mingled around the mansion. It's a gorgeous location -- located on top of a Silver Lake hill (near Micheltorina), with jaw-dropping views of the downtown skyline.

Later, the "Rock Star" contestants gathered around a piano and performed stripped-down versions of the songs they've sung on the show. Mig reprised "Baby I Love Your Way," which stole the TV show a week ago; Jordis crooned "The Man Who Sold the World"; Ty belted out "Proud Mary"; and of course, the contestants covered several INXS songs. (Navarro recounts the mansion party on his blog here.)

People mag's Cynthia Wang was smart enough to bring her camera, and I asked her to take some shots for Franklin Avenue:


Cynthia and I flank Mig -- who was pretty cool in person. Cynthia's getting married later this year in Australia, and Mig was quick with the location advice.


Jordis, Raphael (house band member) and Dave Navarro jam on "Knockin' On Heaven's Door."


Ty, with help from Suzie, sings "No Woman No Cry"


Marty, Jordis and Suzie try out Jordis' original song in one of the Paramour living areas

We Interrupt This Nondescript Office Building For a Message From Our Sponsors

Have you noticed the sudden appearance of these sidewalk display billboards all over town? They're popping up on the sides of buildings throughout L.A. and have added yet another dose of clutter to our already commercially saturated streets.

Photo above comes from losanjealous, which noticed the new signs as well -- noting that most of them contain posters for movies:

The posters are mounted in tacky faux-chrome plastic frames that are crudely bolted onto the buildings. While King Kong-sized ads on highrises are a Hollywood tradition that are easily ignored–unless being mocked, especially when they are for duds that die on opening weekend (Herbie) or shows that no one is watching (The Comeback [which took a while, but has finally hit its stride])–this particular form of advertising is particularly reprehensible for it’s eye-level confrontation factor and semi-permanent building defacing.

It’s pure and simple visual polution, turing the city into a bad magazine, creating the exact kind of clutter of which L.A. needs no more. No doubt Adbusters would be all over these.

Who's behind these displays -- and how were they approved? Has the city licensed these? Or are building owners free to mount them on the sides of their property?

I saw one building this weekend with so many mounted signs -- all containing movie posters -- that I imagine a few people thought it was a multiplex, and walked in searching for a ticket booth that didn't exist.

Here's one outdoor ad company's pitch for similar sidewalk displays:

Sidewalk Displays are positioned on the inner perimeter of sidewalks, facing outward from parking lots and building locations in high-density consumer locales. These units are built low to the ground and are affixed to freestanding poles or attached to walls of buildings. Sidewalk Displays are a highly effective medium for reaching specific pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

I imagine it won't be long before advertisers start asking homeowners to paste some signage on the sides of their house. Or hitting up bloggers to add a banner to their site. (Oops. Strike that last one. We love those folks on the lefthand side.)

Finalist, Best Invite of the Year

You're two of the stars on TV's hottest show. Naturally, your next career move would be to promote a Splenda-infused diet soft drink.

If anyone attended this party, please check in. And let me know if "Island Fruit 7Up Plus" is as refreshing and calcium-laden as promised.

YOU'RE INVITED -- TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 @ 7:00 pm

ACTRESSES MARCIA CROSS & NICOLLETTE SHERIDAN CO-HOST AN EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE PARTY FOR THEIR NEW 7 UP PLUS COMMERICAL IN LOS ANGELES

Marcia Cross and Nicollette Sheridan are co-hosting an exclusive premiere party and a private screening of their new commercial for 7 UP PLUS.  

7UP PLUS, the refreshing combination of 7UP and fruit juice with the benefit of calcium, is now available nationwide in three delicious flavors including the original Mixed Berry and two new flavors, Cherry and Island Fruit.  
 
7UP PLUS is the only soda that provides women with 25% of their daily value of calcium per 20 oz. bottle. All three flavors are low-calorie, low-sodium, caffeine-free and good sources of calcium. The new 7UP PLUS commercial is a tongue-in-cheek spot called "Supermarket Showdown" features Marcia Cross and Nicollette Sheridan in the grocery aisle -- with a fun twist!
 
Meanwhile, don't forget -- tonight is the Svedka Vodka Erotica Reading Series event featuring Jeremy Piven and Anthony Anderson. (The get-together that this little blog apparently almost got canceled.) The event's still on, and contrary to what you may have, ahem, read here, I've been promised that it's gonna be a squeaky clean event. Which means readings from "Goodnight Moon" and other children's tales, I believe.

When It's Time To Change, You've Got to Rearrange

Displaying our massive CD collection (above) in the living room seemed like a good idea... pre-Evan. But as the little guy gets closer and closer to walking, time is running out. Evan regularly stares at the jewel cases -- and I know he's plotting his eventual attack on every one of those precious CDs.

In other words, time is of the essence. We've got to move the CDs. And in its place, we're hoping to erect a built-in entertainment unit/bookcase.

That's where you come in. We're hoping to find someone who can build something nice, durable and economical. Any carpenter pals you can recommend? Perhaps someone you've used in the past? Email us at mikemaria@sbcglobal.net...

Our CDs thank you. (And yes, I know, we should just rip the CDs on our iBook and store the damn jewel cases. But I love the physical CDs too much. So the CD shelves will be moving... to somewhere far, far away from Evan's reach.)

Rate-A-Restaurant, #70 in a series

Restaurant: Pane e Vino

Location: 8265 Beverly Boulevard (at Sweetzer) (Fairfax District)

Type of restaurant: Italian

We stipulated: We were meeting our friend Leslie for lunch in her old neighborhood; we told her we just needed a place where Evan and his stroller wouldn't be a problem. She suggested the patio at Pane e Vino.



What we ordered:Maria: tortelli all'aragosta con basilico e erba cipollina (half moon shape pasta with a lobster ragout; lemon- cream lobster reduction basil, chive sauce) ($13.95); Mike: pizza con gamberi e rucola (fresh tomatoes, shrimps, arugola and cheese) ($13.50)

High point: Nice spot to catch up with Leslie, and Evan attracted quite a few admirers at the tables surrounding us. Also, shrimp pizza was huge, with enough left over for a second meal.

Low point: Dining on the patio has its risks, particularly the huge amount of flies pestering our food.

Overall impression: A the end of the day, the location is nice, but there just isn't anything special about Pane e Vino's Italian food.

Chance we will go back: Probably not as a couple, but I've had many a business lunch at Pane e Vino, and it'll continue to be a reliable place to meet people for lunch.

For a complete archive of our Rate-A-Restaurant reviews, check out our newly revised companion ratearestaurant.blogspot.com website.

Press Release of the Day: Delusional Edition

At least one person doesn't believe Tom Cruise "jumped the couch" this summer. And that person put out a press release to tell us so.

Meet Niki Yan, author of "My Love for You, Tom Cruise: A Desperate Chinese Girl's Confession."

I truly hope this is real... please, please, let this be real (edited for space, and for some truly terrible grammar):

Chinese Girl Realizes American Dream Through Her Tom Cruise Book

(PRWEB) August 22, 2005 -- "It's Tom Cruise that inspired me to come to the U.S. from a small village of China to pursue my own American dream," says Niki Yan, the young Chinese writer/actress who just finished a book "My Love for You, Tom Cruise: A Desperate Chinese Girl's Confession."

This insightful and inspirational fun book is devoted to the person who changed her life forever -- Tom Cruise, the Hollywood movie star who has been her hero and role model since she was 11 years old.

"I am so lucky that I had a model that I could follow since I was a little girl. We were really poor, and we lived in a small mountain village of China, which had no water, no electricity, plus the oppressive environment in China, so as a teenager, I had a dream, and the dream was coming to America one day and live in my dream as a writer and actor. And that was Tom Cruise, who gave me the power and determination to do so.

"When I grew up, I could not communicate with other kids, because their world was just the small village. But I wanted to fly, to do so like in 'Top Gun,' to fly in the unlimited sky. He taught me miracles do exist if you try hard enough."

Now her dream has come true. She is living in her dreams every day, and doing exactly what she wanted eight years ago. Her life is led by the faith and courage just like Tom Cruise.

Yes, this book is the perfect expression of love, dream, and hope. It focuses on how Tom Cruise, a super star with a compassionate heart became the role model of a young talented Chinese girl who came to Los Angeles to look for her own American dream.

"It's all because Tom Cruise, I can't imagine where I would be now without his inspiration. He made me go to the best university in China and come to America. Keep in short, he made me do exactly what I always wanted to do. Tom Cruise to me is like Scientology to him -- Tom said how Scientology changed his life, and I want to tell him how much he changed my life. It's to do with determination, it's to do with faith and love."

Niki now is 20 years old, the author of 6 books, and this book is her first book in English. She also finished a screenplay, which also was inspired by Mr. Cruise. Niki expects Tom Cruise to star in it.

It was inevitable... looks like we've found the first disciple of Cruisentology!

It's A Steal... Literally

You might have to dig deeper soon to find cheap knock-off merchandise in downtown's Santee Alley, the L.A. Times reports.

A while back I accompanied Maria and a friend who was on the hunt for fake Kate Spade bags -- and was amazed by the sheer number of knock-offs being sold right out in the open. Last year, I sensed that vendors were already feeling the heat: On another trip to the fashion district, I'd approach people selling pirated DVD sellers -- and they'd suddenly hide their wares as they eyed me coming (apparently I resemble an MPAA goon).

Back to the report: Apparently police on Friday raided one store, Joi Fashion (on S. Los Angeles near 11th) in the biggest Santee Alley sting yet. The LAPD "seized counterfeit handbags, glasses, belts and other accessories," the paper reported. "If the merchandise had been real, authorities said, it would be worth about $18 million."

"At the time of the raid, floor-to-ceiling shelves were brimming with handbags, many of them marked with the Chanel, Gucci, Prada or Dior logos," the paper added.

According to the Times, downtown Los Angeles has become second only to New York's Canal Street as the nation's counterfeit capital. And the LAPD says organized crime has been connected to the bogus goods.



Speaking of deals, Sunday's L.A. Times mag investigated the pop culture morgue that is the 99 Cents Only Store.

The author of the piece, Riley Ray Chiorando, writes that "when a trend, a product or a celebrity's time is long past, the terminus of its slide is often a 99 Cents Only shelf."

Chiorando visited 99 Cents Only stores in North Hollywood, Miracle Mile, West Hollywood and Hollywood and found these items collecting dust on the shelves:

Queen Amidala Galactic Body Wash, Phantom Menace Book Covers

"The Incredible Hulk" Gift Set

"Shrek 2" M&M's Minis Dispenser

"Fodor's Pocket: Istanbul" (2001 edition)

"Jump the Shark: When Good Things Go Bad," by Jon Hein

David Hasselhoff's "Bail Out" DVD

Official Major League Soccer Figurine Key Chains

"Memories of Madison County: The True Story of My Romance With Robert James Waller," by Jana St. James

"Ozzy Knows Best: An Unauthorized Biography," by Chris Nixon

Digimon Official Fan Club Carrying Case, Pokemon Battling Coin Game Holder

Barney Sidewalk Chalk Featuring Barney and Baby Bop

Boy Band items: "Backstreet Boys: The Official Book," *NSYNC "No Strings Attached" poster book, *NSYNC "Official Tour Merchandise" thank-you notes and autograph books.

Spice Girls Figurines: Posh, Sporty, Baby, Scary

Disney cast-offs: "Jungle 2 Jungle: A Junior Novel," by Nancy Krulik; "George of the Jungle" movie scrapbook; "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" reusable sticker book; "The Country Bears: The Junior Novelization"; "Lion King 2: Simba's Pride" Pez dispenser; Energizer "The Lion King" collectible squeeze lights (Timon and Pumbaa)

"SpongeBob Squarepants" Pez Dispensers (Squidward and Patrick)

The Barbi Twins 2005 16-Month Calendar

"Stuart Saves His Family" Original Soundtrack

Anna Kournikova's "Basic Elements: My Complete Fitness Guide" Video

NBC "Celebrity Christmas" CD

Anne Geddes & Celine Dion "Miracle: A Celebration of New Life" 2005 Desk Calendar

"Drudge Manifesto," by Matt Drudge and Julia Phillips

Christina Aguilera 2005 calendar

What Chiorando doesn't add: It's these items that make 99 Cents stores the unofficial place to buy ironic birthday gifts.

Friday Wind-down

First off, listen to Bruddah Mike on KCSN tonight. Secondly, some random web tidbits that amused me today, for a slow summer Friday:
______________________________



Shanghaist discovers that obscure "Growing Pains" kid Jeremy Miller is huge in China. (via TV Tattle)
______________________________



With all the media hype surrounding Machado Lake's newly-monikered alligator Harbor Park Harry, local TV newscasters can't resist trying to be cute.

From Ron Fineman: For some reason, the alligator story seems to bring out a desire for being cute or clever. Sometimes that works better than others. For the not so clever, Laura Diaz said that the critter would be caught "sooner or gator." She added, "Yeah, I really said that."

Then Jennifer Sabih, who was doing the live report, said, "I wish I had thought of that." Sadly, I imagine she was serious.
______________________________



Big Action points us to this 30-second remake of "Pulp Fiction," as done by cute, fluffy bunnies.

Demolition Derby

Following up on our post the other day about the string of bad news in the world of L.A. historical preservation, a reader chimes in on a few more upcoming farewells:

Since you mentioned several L.A. area landmarks that have met or are about to meet with the wrecking ball, I thought I'd add one more. On August 22, demolition is to begin on three well-known Beverly Hills buildings.

First, and most importantly, is the 1923 dome-topped Beverly Theater. Next to City Hall and Rodeo Drive, this iconic structure -- though dwarfed in recent years by taller buildings -- symbolized old Beverly Hills. I live next door to the woman whose father built the theater. Fortunately, she won't have to witness the demolition from her window. A massive Jerry Snyder "mixed use" project currently under construction now blocks the view.

The other two buildings slated for demolition include the old Canon Theater, which before it went legit showed movies as both The Canon Theater and, in earlier times, The Hitching Post. And next door to that, the Gucci warehouse, once a Bekins or Lyons storage building, also will fall. This building, by the way, was the first poured concrete structure to feature a "waterfall windows" facade.

Interestingly, at the apartment house on Riverside Drive in NY where Gershwin composed some of his classical works, there's a plaque mentioning that. Meanwhile, in Beverly Hills, where the Gershwins wrote some of their best film songs, there's an empty lot.

Photo credits: Left, Beverly Hills postcard from YesterdayLA.com. Right, old postcard image of the Beverly Theater from William Gabel, via Cinematreasures.org.

Rate-A-Restaurant, #69 in a series

Restaurant: Porto's Bakery

Location: 315 North Brand Blvd. (Glendale)

Type of restaurant: Cuban bakery

We stipulated: We were picking up Evan's Sears portraits (hey, don't laugh -- they're economical, and we've been taking his picture there every three months to decent results) in downtown Glendale... and our stomachs were growling. Porto's was calling.



What we ordered: Both of us couldn't resist the Pan con lechon (roasted pork sandwich: oven roasted pork served with special Spanish garlic dressing -- mojo -- on Cuban bread).

High point: If you've been to Porto's, you know: The place is packed. The lunch line was nearly out the door. Yet it moved quickly, and we managed to find a table without a problem as well. A victory in any circumstance, but an even bigger victory when you've got a seven-month-old in tow.

Low point: Ultimately, the sandwich was just OK. Pork was tasty, but it was much more no-frills than expected. And the place was still just a little too crowded, and the pressure to eat and run was a little too high.

Overall impression: Still, Porto's is an institution. You know it's going to be packed -- that's part of the experience. The menu is so wide, you've got to head back and try other things. And the cakes -- specifically the tres leches, our favorite (I could eat it every day. I'd get fat, but I'd be a happy fat man).

Chance we will go back: If you live in Glendale, it's practically mandatory.

For a complete archive of our Rate-A-Restaurant reviews, check out our newly revised companion ratearestaurant.blogspot.com website.

Fun with Craigslist

Scanning the latest "talent gigs" on Craiglist: Tyra Banks is hunting for big boobies; if you're a teenage African-American albino please contact Chris Rock immediately; and Dr. Phil is trolling for dates.

The items:

LARGE BREASTED WOMAN NEEDED FOR MAKEOVER WITH TYRA BANKS

Are you a large breasted woman that is in need of a Victoria Secret Bra Makeover?

Tyra Banks is looking to give you large chested women tips on how to pick the BEST bra!

Please e mail and send pic ASAP because the shoot is coming up FAST!

___________________________________________________

Want to be on Chris Rock's HIT New Show - "Everybody Hates Chris"?

We are looking for an Albino (Black) Male between the age of 16-19 years old to appear in an episode of "Everybody Hates Chris." Both Non-Union and Union Extras are eligible to apply. Email photos to: sedwards@centralcasting.org

Please be sure to include your date of birth and contact information. The episode will be shot Wednesday, August 24th in the Los Angeles area.

___________________________________________________

DR. PHIL SHOW: Can't Get A Date Because of Your Body's Imperfections?

ATTENTION SO. CAL WOMEN:

Do you feel you can't get a date because of your body? Do you have a great body by most standards, but you feel your BUTT is too big, TUMMY too soft, or you have a little cellulite???

Do your friends and family tell you you have a GREAT body but you see something different, and you feel it's somehow holding you back with guys?

If so, The Dr. Phil Show will be doing a fun experiment and we're looking for women like you! If people tell you you have a good body, but you think your imperfections keep you from finding dates, we want to hear from you!

_________________________________________________

and one more:

Child Hand Models needed - boys and girls

4-year-old Parts agency is seeking child hand models between the ages of 9 and 13. We need both male and female child hand models for print, television, film and commercials.

Parents - please use a digital camera to photograph your child's hands in the following manner and then e-mail the photos to us for consideration. If we are interested, we will invite you and the child in for a meeting so that we might see the hands in person.

Photograph:
--Palms of the hands
--Tops of the hands
--Profile view of the hands
--Include one shot that shows the hands up to the elbows

OK, pervs, keep your camera away from my kid's hands.

That's Not Money

We're late to the news, but add us to the list of Angelenos hoping to see the Los Feliz Derby/Louise's building -- which once housed an outpost of the famous Brown Derby chain -- preserved.

LAObserved first mentioned it last week, reporting on Adler Realty's plans to secure a zoning change allowing for a mixed-used housing/commercial development on the site.

Now LAist adds that the Save the Derby site has been erected (thanks to the folks at LottaLiving.com) to campaign for the building's preservation. The Los Angeles Conservancy's Modern Committee is also getting involved.

The building was erected in the late 1920s as Willard's Chicken Inn (owned in part by Cecil B. DeMille) and became a Brown Derby location in 1940. In 1960 it switched again, into Michael’s of Los Feliz Restaurant.



The current Louise's/Derby combo came about in 1993 -- and of course became part of pop culture lore when the Derby was prominently featured in 1996's "Swingers."

2005 is shaping up to be a terrible year for Los Angeles preservation. The demolishing of Perino's, the imminent destruction of the Ambassador, the the Beverly Hills home of George and Ira Gershwin was destroyed, and the fate of Columbia Square looked grim (as CBS began moving out). Most recently, PreserveLA reports that Hollywood's Villa Capri -- once a restaurant owned by Frank Sinatra, and more recently used as offices -- has been destroyed.

Sigh. On the bright side, it looks like Hollywood's Florentine Gardens has been saved. And more immediate to us, Glendale is expected to approve tonight an Adams Square mini-park that preserves a classic Streamline Moderne gas station.

More more details about ongoing L.A. conservation efforts, both PreserveLA and the LA Conservancy remain excellent resources.

Press Release of the Day: Libido-Free Diddy

Diddy hasn't just dropped the "P." from his act. The lovable Diddy, who apparently had a job producing or rapping or something like that in the late 90s, is abstaining from sex before hosting MTV's Video Music Awards, according to a FLASH! just sent out by the newshounds at Access Hollywood:

DIDDY TELLS TIM VINCENT THAT HE IS "ABSTAINING FROM SEX" UNTIL HOSTING MTV'S VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS

BURBANK, Calif. - August 16, 2005 - In an interview with "Access Hollywood's" Tim Vincent, music mogul Diddy says that part of his preparation for MTV's video music awards is "abstaining from sex." The interview airs on "Access Hollywood," Tuesday, August 16, 2005 (check local listings for time and station).

"I'm abstaining from sex right now," said Diddy with a laugh. "(I am) really showing my commitment to this awards show."

The rap superstar, who recently dropped the "P" from his name, also said he's trying to slim down before the big night. "I've turned up the intensity, I'm running up to 5 miles a day to lose 7 more pounds," he said. When Vincent asked Diddy where he felt he needed to lose weight, he motioned toward his abdomen and joked, "Just some areas I'm going to show when I run naked across the stage (laughs)."

You Say Sorvino, I Say Suvari

My favorite recent correction, from Sunday's LATimes Real Estate section:

Wrong actress -- The July 24 Hot Property incorrectly reported that Mira Sorvino had purchased a home in Venice for $1.7 million. The three-bedroom Craftsman was purchased by Mena Suvari, who costarred in the movie "American Beauty" in 1999.

Or, to help you out, Suvari is divorcing the dude she married who's 18 years older than her; Sorvino's the one who married the slacker waiter who's younger than her. Hope that clears things up.

I'm just hoping this week's Hot Property item on Clay Aiken is really about everyone's favorite asexual "American Idol" contestant.

Yellow Means Go

Good tip from LA.com's new commuting tipsheet, Car Keys:

Parking Secret: Mellow Yellow on Weekends

Most drivers see a painted curb and cruise right by, expecting some awful ticket if they dare park. But this hue is actually your secret weekend friend. Yellow loading zones are off-limits on weekdays in the city of LA, but kosher starting from 6pm Saturday night until 6am Monday morning. Go for it!

Press Release of the Day: Deja Vu Edition

Flash back to last year, when you, the loyal Franklin Avenue reader, helped us name our baby.

(Check out the Who Wants to Name Our Baby: The Blogality Show Recap Edition here.)

Now NBC's "Days of Our Lives" is following our lead. Of course, that's a make-believe show, and we put the fate of our actual little boy in your hands. Thankfully, "Evan" won out, and not "Twista Schneider," "Phinias J. Schneider," "J. Pierpont Schneider" or "Rupert Schneider."

From NBC:

FANS TO INFLUENCE THE NEXT GENERATION ON NBC'S 'DAYS OF OUR LIVES'

Daytime Drama's Fans Can Name Belle's Baby Exclusively on NBC.com Beginning Today

BURBANK - August 15, 2005 - For the first time in the 40-year history of NBC's "Days of our Lives" (Mondays-Fridays), fans will have the chance to be part of daytime history starting today by logging on to www.NBC.com/Days to vote for their favorite name for Belle Black-Kiriakis' baby. Fans will have until September 18 to cast multiple votes before the name is announced on air.

The names that Belle (Martha Madison) and her husband Philip (Kyle Brandt) have selected follow.

If it's a boy: Conner, Tyler or Luke.

If it's a girl: Claire, Margaret or Hillary.

"NBC Daytime has a great track record of hugely popular and ground breaking innovations on the internet," said Sheraton Kalouria, Senior Vice President, Daytime Programs, NBC Entertainment. "I'm delighted that this event will continue our efforts to reward our viewers' loyalty and allow them to make an even deeper connection with the show."

Tofu or Not Tofu

Most festivals don't live up to the hype... but I'm happy to report that the Tofu Fest was even better than expected.

Maybe that's because it's all about the food. Maria, Evan and I spent several hours this afternoon in Little Tokyo, sampling offerings from several vendors and restaurants, as well as catching some of the event's live entertainment and puchasing a few odds and ends from booths inside the perimeters.

This year's 10th annual Tofu Fest, subtitled "Tofuzilla :When Giant Tofu Takes Over Little Tokyo," continues on Sunday -- capped off by a performance by Ozomatli at 7 p.m. Bring some money and head down there. Admission is $8, but the official Tofu Fest website has a $1 off coupon you can print and take along. Also, food can only be purchased by scrip -- $1 per ticket. Most items take two tickets. We managed to fill our bellies with a total of 13 scrip between the two of us.

Booths offer items such as Soyrizo burritos (with eggs in flour tortilla); Tofu Curry Chili Dogs; Tofu and Wild Mushroom Ragu Open Ravioli; Green Thai Coconut Curry Tofu; Tofu Fried Rice; Tofu Gumbo; Tofu Nuggets; Tofu Tostadas; Cold Tofu Noodles in Wasabi Sauce; Tofu Spaghetti and a lot more. And yes, there are plenty of non-tofu dishes on sale as well.

Some images:


Tofu Curry Chili Dogs, from Curry House restaurant


Fresh Naked Tofu t-shirts


Kultura Philippine Dance Company


Rice balls and the city


Taikoproject (that's Emmie's roommate Bryan on the big drum)


L.A.'s past (the St. Vibiana Cathedral) and present (the hulking new Caltrans building) loom over the Tofu Fest