License Plate of the Day: ??? Edition

This one is leaving me stumped: IM4 3RS.

"I'm for three-ers"?

"I'm for thirds"?

"I'm for threesomes"?

"I've been instant messaging for three years"?

Please, leave your interpretations in the comments section.

Celebrate Doughnut Times, C'mon!

Heads up: Krispy Kreme is passing out free doughnuts this Friday, June 2, in honor of Doughnut Day. Which I don't know much about, but sounds like a holiday I can truly support.

Yes, Krispy Kreme passes out free doughnuts every day -- but purely of the hot glazed variety. On Friday, you'll get any doughnut for free.

(Thanks to Joe for the tip.)

Another Trader Joe's Rave: Some Wasabi With Your Mayo

Continuing our raves of Trader Joe's products, which have included the refrigerated pizza dough, the Jalapeno Black Bean chips, the yogurt and dill Papadums chips (avoid the Tandoori flavor), the frozen Prik King Green Beans... and most recently, Trader Joe's pot roast.

Next up, I bring you...



Trader Joe's Wasabi Mayonnaise. If you love things tangy like I do, you're probably frequently disappointed by products that claim to be hot and/or spicy, or that trumpet their wasabi-ness. I was expecting just a hint of wasabi... but I was wrong. TJ's goes all out with its Wasabi Mayo, adding some really nice bite to your sandwich... or some tang to whatever you're dipping in it.

Easily The Best Name For a Liquor Store, Ever

Call it truth in advertising: Hammered Liquor Store, located in the South 700 block of Glendale Ave. in Glendale.

Inspiring Playground

Easily the most ambitious playground I've ever seen, Shane's Inspiration would be cool on its own. But its mission is even more noteworthy: Giving disabled children a chance to enjoy a full playground experience, and allowing them the full opportunity play along side other kids.

Some history:

In 1997, Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams lost their son, Shane Alexander, to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type I: Werdnig-Hoffman Disease) only a few weeks after his birth. Had Shane lived, he would have spent his life in a wheelchair. Because of a physical disability, Shane would have been denied one of the most fundamental rights of childhood: the right to play independently with friends and family at neighborhood and school playgrounds. This realization encouraged the Williams and family friend Tiffany Harris to turn a tragedy into a vision that resulted in Shane's Inspiration... a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities.

"Shane’s Inspiration” was the first Universally Accessible Playground in the Western United States and the largest in the nation. This remarkable play environment is the most popular playground in Los Angeles and has inspired the creation of Universally Accessible Playgrounds throughout Southern California and beyond…raising awareness and support for integrated play in the process.

Evan doesn't have a disability, but we'd heard about the park for years -- and finally got a chance to check it out this weekend. He loved it -- the park has several play structures built for kids of several ages and abilities. He immediately took to the more toddler-friendly structures. As a bonus, the soft, rubbery surface eased his many falls.

Following the success of Shane's Inspiration, the foundation has helped build several more universally accessible playgrounds in the L.A. region, including Aidan's Place (1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd.); Lincoln Park (3600 N. Mission Road); Parque de Los Suenos (1333 S. Bonnie Beach Place); Prado Regional Park (16700 S. Euclid Ave., Chino); Corona-Norco Family YMCA (1331 River Road, Corona); Lake Street Park (211 N. Lake St.); Wilshire Crest Elementary (5241 W. Olympic Blvd.) and the L.A. Zoo's Neil Papiano Play Park.

Evan also recently played at the zoo play park, and deemed it worthy!

Naming L.A.'s Imaginary NFL Team

PR man Jack McGrath continues his quest to name any NFL team that finally makes it here the Los Angeles Celebs, writing an op-ed piece in today's Daily News:

I came up with Moguls, Stars, Pretenders, Performers and less-charming ideas. But settled with L.A. Celebs, because it was catchy and only two syllables.

So I printed up some bumper stickers, and sent the graphic to laobserved.com, a Los Angeles blog. That day I received a phone call from Judy Battista, staff writer for The New York Times, who had seen the laobserved blog. I was shocked that The Times would take such interest in my plan. But Battista was quite serious in her questions about the name and its relevance to the entertainment industry in the Los Angeles area.

The more I thought about the history of the feature film, television and music industries, the more I was convinced we have taken this economic powerhouse for granted. We have not shown proper respect for their impact on all of our lives...

The New York Times thought the name L.A. Celebs was worthy of discussion, as the future name of our Los Angeles pro football franchise, if it comes to be.

Until such time as we have a team, and team owner, I will refer to our possible pro football team as the L.A. Celebs. This is my individual way to pay homage and respect to the greatest creative group of people on our planet - the American entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, the other week I asked you to come up with other potential names for our imaginary NFL team.

Now, the winner: Mitch Glaser, for his pick, The Los Angeles Thetans.

Mitch explains:

(It) would encourage celebrities and other wealthy Scientologists to buy the luxury boxes and club seats.

I'm sure we could get Defamer on board as well. The Thetans! I like the ring of it. Perhaps Xenu as a mascot?

Allergy Season Smacks Me Up

I never had allergy problems until a year or two ago... but every year it gets worse. This spring has been particularly tough -- the constant sneezing, the stuffy nose and -- the worst of all -- the painfully itchy eyes.

Apparently I rubbed my eyes all night, because I woke up this morning with some bloodshot peepers. I'm forgoing the contact lenses today... but please, someone, make it stop!

Strangely, according to weather.com's allergy report, conditions here are moderate, but not too bad:

L.A. Street Archaeology

Kim at 1947 Project alerts us to the sudden appearance of long-hidden trolley rails and cobblestone pavement in her Lincoln Heights neighborhood. Kim writes in her blog:

It is more than two weeks now since the graders came and removed the surface layer of the asphalt on Avenue 20, between Albion and Broadway, then went away without finishing their work. For all that time, the NO PARKING signs have hung on the telephone poles, and the regular parade of shortcutting commuters have bounced along on their unhappy shocks, as the street beneath them grew more uneven and dilapidated.

After a week, a flash of red edged by corroded silver was visible on Avenue 20 just before Broadway. A careful peek between passing cars revealed a long-buried light rail track, with a row of handsome, narrow brick placed alongside it.

Kim did her homework, and found that the tracks were a part of the long-abandoned Yellow Trains of the Los Angeles Railway Company.

Rate-A-Restaurant, #99 in a series

Restaurant: Dodger Stadium

Location: 1000 Elysian Park Ave. (Downtown)

Type of restaurant: Ballpark

We stipulated: It was simple: We were at Dodger Stadium, and we were hungry. At that point, you've gotta suck it up and come to terms with the fact that, yes, you're paying ridiculous marked-up prices.

They stipulated:Hungry? Thirsty? Then you best pay our ridiculous marked-up prices.

What we ordered: Grilled Super Dodger Dog ($5.25 each), Garlic fries ($6.25), bottled water ($5.50)

High point: If you're gonna hit the Dodger Dog stand, go all out -- super and grilled. And make sure you take advantage of the condiments: The free jalapeno peppers, along with loads of mustard and relish. Blogger Baby would argue that the garlic fries (from Gordon Biersch) carried the day.

Low point: Gotta be the prices. $5.50 for water?!

Overall impression: Even if you're sneaking in some snacks, you're inside Dodger Stadium -- so go ahead and grab a dog. It's been voted the best hot dog in the world of baseball -- and I can't argue with it.

Chance we will go back: Seems almost certain,

(For a full roster of Franklin Avenue's restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.)

The Not-So-Ancient Ruins of Los Angeles

The old Los Angeles zoo, still found in Griffith Park

Excellent post by Hexodus at Blogging.la about some of the modern "ruins" to be found in Los Angeles (and vicinity).

It's not hard to find evidence of old, abandoned portions of L.A. -- you've seen 'em, but might not have given them much thought. Like those train tracks (left over from the days of the Red Cars -- which haven't existed in over 40 years) still found embedded in the pavement in parts of town (including downtown). Or the old zoo in Griffith Park -- complete with abandoned animal cages.

Some of the spots Hexodus mentions:

1. Sunken City: Remains of a neighborhood perched upon a cliff in San Pedro, now falling apart more and more with each rainstorm. Many pieces of sidewalk and street are scattered at crazy angles throughout the area.

2. The Dominator: The wreck of the Greek freighter, Dominator, which crashed just off the coast of Palos Verdes. The rusting hull paints the shoreline rocks orange as oxidization takes its inevitable course.

3. Echo Mountain House: The remains of a mountaintop resort above Altadena. A century ago there was transport to the top, and a railway up here. Now we just see hotel's foundation and giant rusting gears.

4. Belmont Tunnel: A trolley tunnel cum graffiti yard/tarrasca court, seen in many movies [as well as the music video to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under the Bridge"], and recently deceased despite the best efforts to Save Belmont.

5. Old Zoo: The former site of the Los Angeles Zoo, in Griffith Park, which was closed in 1965 and everything was moved upstream to the current locale. No animals anymore. Just empty cages and picnic tables.

In the comments section, readers also add these:


The Bridge to Nowhere

The old Huntington Hartford estate in Runyon Canyon; the San Gabriel Valley's Bridge to Nowhere; the Bronson Canyon Park caves in the Hollywood Hills; the Spider Pool; and several from the LA City Nerd:

... The rail road tracks that peak through the asphalt on Alameda east of the Civic Center and throughout the industrial area there (long since abandoned, of course).
... The remenants of a former "Red Car bridge" in the hills of Silver Lake/Atwater at Riverside Drive & Glendale. (There are TVs on them now.)
...the Campo de Cahuenga foundations, across Lankershim from Universal Studios?
... Mission Hills' ancient foundations, as well, found this last year: http://www.lacity.org/council/cd7/index/cd7index68633067_10242005.pdf.
... the "ruins" of Glendale's "Grand Central Airport," just north of Griffith Park's Ferraro Soccer Fields.
... the lost neighborhoods of LAX, as referenced at Curbed LA.

Here are a few of mine: If you hike up to the Hollywood sign (technically a no-no), you'll see that the cement and metal foundations are still there for the "L," "A," "N" and "D" -- from back when the sign actually said "Hollywoodland." Also, across the street from the Ralphs supermarket on the Miracle Mile, you can still make out the footprint of the streamline moderne Coulter's department store. Sadly, the building was demolished in the early 80s-- and a swampy pit has sat there ever since. But you can still see the bottom of the posts that once held the building up.

Also, you can still frequently make out the ghost of signs that once graced still-standing buildings. Look closely, and you can still make out the word "Prudential" in the Miracle Mile building now known as "Museum Square." And the faint hint of "May Co." remains on the LACMA West building.


The late, lamented Coulter's on Wilshire

TV Overdose: Two Big Finales, One Night

The TV season is over -- but it sure went out with a bang Wednesday night. The two-hour "Lost" season ender was riveting (although I know plenty of you are probably pissed that the show has now created a whole new set of questions), while the "American Idol" finale was the best one Fox has done yet. For God's sake, Prince performed! Prince!



First, "American Idol." Indeed, I was in the audience at the Kodak Theatre and got to see the festivities live and up close. More importantly, I got to see David Hasselhoff live and up close. He seems to get crazier with age, yes? The tan, the glasses... my only regret was not jumping up fast enough to shake his hand (and perhaps tell him how much I enjoy his music video to "Hooked on a Feeling," now playing on You Tube. Seriously, if you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor.)

Past "Idol" series finales have been padded and padded again with extras that prolonged the final winner reveal. This year, though, the producers got wise and perhaps took a page from shows like the Grammys: Stick to the music. It helps that, as "Idol" continues to become an ever-larger phenomenon, big-time artists are suddenly willing to appear on the show.


Mary J. Blige dueting with Elliott Yamin on "One" was one of the true highlights. Mary J's really been milking her version of "One," appearing just last week at ABC's upfronts singing the exact same song.


On the flip side... oh, Meat Loaf. Your leering duet with Kat McPhee was starting to really creep me out.

Chris Daughtry singing with Live was an expected touch -- while the show opened strong with Paris Bennett dueting with Al Jarreau. Paris truly should have been in the finals.

I was emailing with a Fox exec (what? Yes, I know, it's obnoxious.) during the show, and he kept promising a big surprise. Clay Aiken came on. Dude, the surprise better not be Clay Aik... whoa, what's up with his hair?! Dionne Warwick showed up and sang while accompanied by her old pal Burt Bacharach. Nice retro touch, but the surprise has got to be more than that. Then Prince showed up.

Hot damn. That's strong. Prince sang two new songs, didn't duet with any of the "Idol" contestants... and then earned even more of my undying respect by completely dissing Ryan Seacrest. (Seacrest came over to shake Prince's hand -- but Prince turned and exited the stage before the host had a chance. Love it!) Apparently Prince only confirmed late Tuesday night, and was a last-minute addition.

In the end, although I was rooting for Paris or even Elliott to make it to the end, in the faceoff between Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee, I was rooting for Mr. Soul Patrol. Yes, partly because Blogger Baby made the pick, and a Taylor win would push Evan to 9-0. (Which he now is!) But McPhee didn't show enough personality for me to understand what she's all about.

The time came: To no one's surprise, Taylor's name was read... and he performed that terrible, terrible single he first sang Tuesday night.

Ho! Ho! Ho! No, this isn't my real beard.

How good was "Lost"?! We found out how the plane crashed... what happens when the numbers aren't typed in on the hatch computer... that Henry Gale appears to be the leader of the Others, who have another nickname: "The Hostiles." That Libby gave her late husband's boat to Desmond -- yet another similarity. That the Others/Hostiles didn't really want Hurley. That remains of a freaky four-toed statue exists somewhere near the north part of the island. That Desmond accidentally killed his hatchmate.

And, in the weirdest twist of them all, that Desmond's ex-flame appears to be searching the world for him, hiring scientists somewhere up north to keep track of electromagnetic pulses around the globe.

OK, but I still don't get how they scored an ultra-new, circa 2000/2001 washer/dryer in the hatch --yet they can't get a modern laptop computer down there.

Hey! A boat! We're saved! Wait a sec... it's that guy Desmond. Never mind.

I'm thrilled that they shook things up.. next season could be very different. Your thoughts?

Dodger Dog, with a Small Fry

Took Evan to his second Dodger game last night. Of course, it was a much different experience than last time, when Blogger Baby wasn't as mobile. This time out, Evan didn't sit in one place for long (meaning we didn't actually see much of the game), but he still had a fantastic time. He cheered along with the crowd, danced to the music, and even sang along to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." He also loved (of course!) the garlic fries we got at the concession stand.

The game itself was pretty much a blowout, with the Dodgers beating the Colorado Rockies 8-1.

Tu Ciudad, Tu Freebies

Tu Ciudad Los Angeles -- the Latino-targeted sister to Los Angeles mag -- has released its first ever "Best of Latino L.A." issue.

La Bloga, which was named best blog in the ish, points to several Friday freebies (as long as you're seen clutching an issue of the mag):

Porto's Bakery (Glendale and Burbank locations) - BEST CUBAN BAKERY/DELI
8am-10am -- When bringing a Tu Ciudad Best of issue, customers will receive the choice of a cortadito OR espresso and a guava & cheese strudel OR cheese roll.
315 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, 818-956-5996
3614 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, 818-767-8672

Loteria Grill (Farmers Market) - BEST MEXICAN in LA
11am-2pm -- When bringing a Tu Ciudad Best of issue, customers will receive an agua fresca and a taco of their choice.
Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St. (at Fairfax), 323-930-2211

Ciudad Restaurant (Downtown) - BEST HAPPY HOUR
3pm-7pm -- When bringing a Tu Ciudad Best of issue, customers will receive one order of carnitas tacos slow roasted with carmelized orange topped with guacamole and arbol salsa.
445 S. Figueroa St., L.A., 213-486-5171

Three fantastic joints. Damn, I should have swiped that copy of Tu Ciudad I saw lying on a table last night...

Blogger Baby Picks the "American Idol" Winner

He's 8-0 in picks: Can Blogger Baby remain undefeated? We put him to the "American Idol" test this morning. Does Evan have a case of "McPheever"? Or is he a card-carrying member of the "Soul Patrol"?

(Let's take a moment to reflect on how ridiculous/goofy a question that is. OK, moving on.)

I must admit, I wasn't sure I was going to risk Evan's undefeated record on this one. But no streaks last forever, right? So what the hell-- I put the choices in front of him this morning:



It was tight. Would he select the long-shot (local girl Katharine McPhee)... or would he stick with conventional wisdom, that Taylor Hicks would be crowned "Idol" champ tonight? He picked up one first, and then quickly the other. But it was still clear where Blogger Baby stood:



Soul Patrol it is!

(Full coverage of the "Idol" finale -- yes, I was in the audience -- here. Including my favorite moment (and yes, it involves Ryan Seacrest being humiliated by Prince.)

Press Release of the Day: An Army of Seacrests

New candidate for Worst Job Ever: Ryan Seacrest impersonator.

American Idol Coming to a Backyard Near You this Summer

Entertainment Booking Web Site Gigmasters.com Notes Surging Demand for “Idol” Themed Parties; Ryan Seacrest Look-Alikes Wanted in Connecticut

New York (May 23, 2006) -- When the campus recreation department at DePaul University wanted to get more students involved in their social programs, they new exactly what to do to guarantee a packed house: throw an American Idol Party. Party planners across the country – from suburban soccer moms to professional fund raisers – have hit the Internet looking to replicate the addictive formula of the hit Fox reality show for their own birthday parties, bar mitzvahs and summer barbeques.

Gigmasters.com, the nationwide entertainment booking Web site said that over the last six months, they have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people booking American Idol-themed parties. Gigmasters.com CEO Michael Caldwell says the trend is consistent with a movement toward people throwing more lavish parties for a variety of occasions.

“This goes way beyond glamorized karaoke; people are really out there looking to recreate the drama of the American Idol show in everything from nine-year olds’ birthday parties to bridal showers to Hawaiian luaus,” said Caldwell. “One of our customers in Middletown, Connecticut was actually looking for a Ryan Seacrest look-alike to emcee his backyard version of the show.”

For a few extra bucks, the faux Seacrest will host a morning show, read some entertainment headlines and make out with a Teri Hatcher impersonator -- then break up with the fake Hatcher and move on to guest host a imaginary edition of "Larry King Live" to explain why he dumped her -- all while playfully promoting his metrosexuality.

License Plate of the Day: People Are People, and Depeche Mode Fans Are Depeche Mode Fans

Depeche Mode fan behind the wheel...

Clipped

A fairy tale cut short -- the Clippers lost last night to Phoenix in Game 7 last night; both L.A. teams are now out. But the Clippers far outpaced the Lakers this playoffs season -- leading the L.A. Times to wonder, has this really been a full-fledged turnaround for the much-maligned Clippers?

Among some NBA observers there is hope; among others, skepticism.

Charles Barkley, a Hall of Fame player who is now a studio analyst for TNT's NBA telecasts summed up the situation for many when he said Monday, "Getting to the Western Conference finals one time in 25 years doesn't mean you've turned the corner. You haven't even gone halfway down the block."

That understood, this season's success was unprecedented for the Clippers and owner Donald T. Sterling, whose Midas touch as a Beverly Hills developer had previously escaped his basketball team.

Since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles from San Diego in 1984, this is only their fourth playoffs series, and their winning percentage has hovered around .340, meaning they were losers in two of every three games.

But the Clippers were 47-35 during this regular season, their best record in L.A. and their second-best mark in the 36-year history of the franchise.

Me? I just wish Sterling would do something about those obnoxious and poorly-designed ads he runs in the Sunday paper.

(Pic: LA Times.)

Decade in Los Angeles: One in a Series

Next week I'll hit ten years in Los Angeles. Ten years. I'm an Air Force brat, and had never lived any place in my life more than five years. Not only have I lived the longest in L.A., I've spent twice as much time here as any place else. And now I've got roots here -- wife, home, child. I'm an Angeleno.



I moved here right after Memorial Day, 1996. I was 22, barely out of college, and headed to L.A. to cover the network TV beat for a trade magazine. My first day on the job, I was already covering a WB affiliates meeting. This was pre-"Dawson's Creek," pre-"Buffy," pre="Felicity" WB. Its biggest claim to fame at that point was schlocky comedies like "Unhappily Ever After" -- and the soap opera "Savannah." And the big news at the meeting? Steve Harvey, still bitter over the cancelation of his short-lived ABC comedy, was coming to the Frog network. The network also had some peculiar things in the hopper -- some vampire show called "Slayer." And a cutesy family drama called "7th Heaven."

"Slayer" thankfully changed its title back to the movie it was semi-based on, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." And "7th Heaven," well, holy crap, it's still on the air. But ten years later, the WB is folding.



My first day in Los Angeles, after finally finding my hotel, I popped on the TV and watched the news. The lead story? The suicide death of former "Family Feud" host Ray Combs.

If life were a cliche, I would have taken some big lesson out of my first moments in Los Angeles: I'm moving to a town that turns even mild-mannered game show hosts to suicide.

But life isn't always a cliche, although my first impressions were just as valuable: I'm moving to a town that leads its local newscasts with news of a mostly unknown ex-game show host offing himself.

When it comes to first impressions, I can't say our local news operations ever really redeemed themselves in the decade that followed.

More decade musings to come...

Bits and Pieces

:: Congrats to the Save the Derby folk, who successfully convinced the L.A. City Council to declare the building -- now home to the Derby nightclub and Louise's Trattoria, but once an outpost of famed Hollywood eatery chain the Brown Derby -- a Historic Cultural Monument.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge helped push for the council vote, which was unanimous (10-0). That means the building (at the corner of Hillhurst and Los Feliz) will be saved. But it's still not clear how property owners Adler Realty will preserve the building and still go forward with their condo plans, notes blogging.la:

In spite of the good news, the Derby's fate may not be entirely safe.

LaBonge's newsletter adds that Adler Realty, the present owners, will instead incorporate the current structure into its plan to create condos and retail spaces. However, its currently unclear if the Derby was granted Full Landmark designation that would keep the Derby 100% intact, instead of a recent compromise by the developers to only 30% of the Derby.

Somewhat foreboding is a quote from Adler Realty VP Richard Gablegiven to the Associated Press: "Our plans are to maintain the existing structure, or at least most of it."

:: Last chance today to register if you want to vote in the June primaries. Of course, given how lackluster both Steve Westly and Phil Angelides have performed so far, I'm sure you're not exactly chomping at the bit.

Still, the entirely unexciting choice between candidates to go up against Schwarzenegger in the fall shouldn't stop you from voting; pick up the form here. We'll talk candidates and Prop 82 in a few days here.

:: Westwood's Eurochow is history, reports Curbed L.A. (as well as Chowhound and L.A. Observed, among others).

L.A. Observed calls the late restaurant's home "arguably the most recognizable structure in Westwood Village":

The domed landmark where Westwood Boulevard, Kinross and Broxton intersect was built in the late 1920s as the headquarters of Janss Investment Company, developers of residential Westwood and Holmby Hills, UCLA and the "Mediterranean village" south of campus. (Allison and Allison, designers of UCLA and Wilshire Boulevard Temple, were the architects.) Under the dome at times have been a Bank of America branch that was a frequent target of student protests during the 1960s, Glendale Federal Savings, Wherehouse Records and I think a Contempo Casuals store.

I remember the building as an outpost of the Wherehouse record store; at least, that's what it was when I arrived to L.A. in 1996. I never ate at Eurochow, but have never been impressed with Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills, so I can't say I feel like I missed anything.

:: Doesn't it seem like there's a wine bar opening every other week here in L.A.? I'm not complaining -- I love the trend.

But sheesh, L.A., couldn't you have discovered wine bars before Blogger Baby was born? We've been dying to try some (we love Vinoteca Farfalla, but need to expand our horizons) -- but it's not exactly the kind of place you want to take a little guy.

For now, we'll continue to live vicariously through other bloggers. Like Sha in LA, who writes about her recent visit to downtown's new 626 Reserve.

:: Seriously: Rain? In May? Hey, if it brings clear skies tomorrow -- and makes my yellowing lawn a tad more green -- I'm all for it. The rest of the week, however, looks sunny, with Wednesday particularly warm:

Will Work For Food

Check out Hilary's new layout at Superfluous Juxtaposition. My design got picked as her new header -- much to Mike's amusement ("But you never have time to write on our blog." "Oh, just shhhh!").

Anyway, she really sweetened the deal by offering to bake up a dozen cupcakes or cookies to whomever wins. I couldn't really pass that up. Red velvet cupcakes are in our future. Yum!

C'mon, Glendale! Where's Your City Pride?

I just find it odd that my monthly water and energy bill, addressed to the "City of Glendale," goes to a P.O. box located in Los Angeles.

Hip-Hop, Ya Do Stop

After more than a decade, KKBT-FM 100.3 The Beat has dropped its hip-hop format, and has flipped to an Urban Adult Contemporary format (think Babyface, Earth Wind & Fire, Keith Sweat, Luther Vandross, etc.) under the slogan "L.A.'s R&B Leader."

They're keeping the name -- "The Beat" -- but the station is now going after a much older audience.

The switch isn't too much of a surprise: The Beat has seen its ratings slump for some time now, and last month it announced that Tom Joyner's syndicated morning show would debut soon. Joyner is heard mostly on urban AC stations, so his show wouldn't have flowed well with a hip-hop lineup the rest of the day.

KKBT had been an urban contemporary station since around 1990, after its failed "Rock with a Beat" AC format. But the station began to see a lot more erosion as the market got too crowded. KIIS-FM is heavily hip-hop these days; KXOL "Latino 96.3" plays a great deal of hip-hop; and although it's not really much of a player, 93.5 KDAY-FM has also added some saturation to the market.

The station also saw its fortunes fall as morning host Steve Harvey, who exploded in the mornings before declining, left the station. It will be interesting to see if Harvey has much of an impact at KDAY, where his syndicated morning show launches at the end of the month.

When I first moved to L.A. in 1996, I was fascinated by the station's makeup. It was an urban contemporary station geared toward African Americans, yet its morning show was hosted by an aging white guy (John London) and its afternoon drive was handled by a Japanese-American DJ with deep pipes (Theo). The station preached diversity on air with the slogan "No Color Lines."



In other radio news, the L.A. Times reports on turmoil at L.A.'s jazz station, KKJZ-FM. The California State University Long Beach Foundation, which owns the station's license, is shopping around to potentially find a new operator for the station. (Current operator Pacific Public Radio's contract expires at the end of the year.)

KCRW and KPPC operators Southern California Public Radio are among the suitors. The CSULB Foundation promises to keep jazz on the station, but KKJZ's staff is nonetheless concerned.

Friday Diversion: Name Our Imaginary NFL Team

New interactive Friday feature here at Franklin Avenue. Since I know you're just procrastinating at work today anyway, here's one way to still feel productive.

First up: What would you name our NFL team? (That is, if Los Angeles actually gets one.)



LAObserved reported last week of a push to name the team the "Los Angeles Celebs":

Councilman Bernard Parks heads out to Valleywood this morning to speak at the First Friday breakfast group at the Wine Bistro on Ventura Boulevard. Parks, of course, is a leader in the push to bring an NFL team to the Coliseum. To help along his effort, Jack McGrath of the Studio City Chamber of Commerce will propose naming the team after L.A.'s most world-famous export.

I'm sure one of you can come up with something better. The Los Angeles Freeways? The Los Angeles Haze? The Los Angeles Strip Malls? The Los Angeles Oki-Dogs? (That last one's for Ryan at Losanjealous.)

Add your picks in the comments. Best one wins a prize! Maybe.

Great Moments in Journalism

The Daily News goes out on a limb today and endorses local girl (Sherman Oaks) Katharine McPhee for "American Idol":

Ours has long been known as the Valley of Stars, so it's only fitting that one of the brightest stars on America's cultural horizon hails from here.
Katherine McPhee, a Sherman Oaks resident and Notre Dame High School alumna, could become America's next "Idol," having clinched a spot in the reality show's final round, which airs next week.

Simon Cowell, the notoriously cranky "American Idol" judge, described McPhee's Wednesday-night performance of "Over the Rainbow" as the "single best performance of the competition to date."

The American public loves her. Those who know her say she's a phenomenal talent, yet humble and down-to-earth.

In other words, a true Val. McPheever - catch it.

Brave words. The L.A. Times, meanwhile, has not yet said whether it will endorse a candidate in this year's "Idol" race. Voters will go to the polls and elect a new "American Idol" on Tuesday.

Own a Piece of the Bluths

Sadly, "Arrested Development" is long history. But the show will live on via DVD. For the true fan, now there's also a chance to immortalize the show at your own house.

Estate Sales Los Angeles is auctioning off props from "Arrested Development" all weekend. Details from its site:

Spectacular array of items will include several periods of furniture, magic show accessories and artifacts, interior décor items, art, books, kitchen appliances and kitchen ware, interior/exterior lighting, office furniture, extensive entertainment memorabilia and too much more to itemize.

Don't miss the opportunity to own a piece of this show.

Items include:



Gob's magic coffin, as well as...



a parking spot sign for family patriarch George Bluth.

Auction is being held this Friday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 2032 Stoner Avenue in Los Angeles.

Support Your Neighborhood Hawaiian Music DJ

Pledge Drive time at KCSN-FM! It's one of only two times a year I go on my "Hawaiian Eye" radio show and beg for money.

I'll still be playing plenty of music on tonight's show... but it's also a chance to show a little love for the only radio show in Los Angeles playing music from the islands.

Oh, and don't forget -- you can listen to the show anytime you want here. Mahalo!

Hippie Power!

What's nice about Franklin Avenue's signature reality fave, The Amazing Race, is that the right people eventually win. That was true again with last night's season 9 finale: As we hoped, self-proclaimed hippies B.J. and Tyler won it all.

I know many of you bailed on "The Amazing Race" after its lackluster family edition last fall. Too bad, because you missed a good season.

"The Amazing Race" has also suffered the indignity this season of flopping around the schedule. But CBS has found a new spot for it this fall: Sundays at 8 p.m.

Mayoral Idol

He's everywhere! Mayor Villaraigosa popped up on "American Idol" last night, all to tell finalist Katharine McPhee (the first Angeleno to get as far in the talent competish) that she'd been chosen to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on the show.

Finally, A Name for My Imaginary Band

Thanks to CBS2 for helping me find a name for my indie rock band -- that is, if I actually had one. "Alleged Foot Licker."

Oh, and yuck!

It's The Real Lead Thing

Let's be honest: Coke tastes better when it comes in the form it was intended, in a bottle and with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.

But it's hard to find in that form, unless you're buying Coke imported from Mexico. One problem there: Apparently the lead content from label printed on the bottle means the pause that refreshes may also be the pause that gives you brain damage.

Still, given all of the problems they could be tackling, Mayor Sam finds it odd that City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and State Attorney General Bill Lockyer are spending so much time focusing on the dangers of Mexican Coke:

Delgadillo and Lockyer sued Coca-Cola Monday, seeking to stop distribution of the Mexican product in California over concerns about the product's alleged lead content. Elevated levels of lead have been detected in the paint used to decorate the outside of the glass bottles, as well as in the drink itself, the lawsuit alleges.

"Millions of bottles of this product have been handled and consumed by Californians over the past four years without any warning of the danger they pose,'' the lawsuit states.

We don't need Delgadillo or Lockyer to tell us what kind of soda to drink, what video games to let our kids play or any other of the ridiculous, nutty, high profile causes these politicians take on.

Delgadillo, as you may know, is battling Jerry Brown in the primaries next month to run for State Attorney General.

License Plate of the Day: Star Wars Fan

Spotted at Western and Franklin: "C 3PO"

Press Release of the Day: Mary Carey for Governor Edition

One of the characters from the 2003 California recall, porn star and wannabe governor Mary Carey, is making a comeback.

Carey placed tenth out of 135 candidates (behind Gary Coleman and Larry Flynt, but well ahead of Angelyne). Her platform, you may recall, included taxing breast implants, making lap-dances tax deductible, wiring the California Governor's Mansion with live web-cams and creating a "Porn for Pistols" program to reduce the number of handguns.

It looks like voters may get another shot at voting in Carey:

CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE & ADULT STAR MARY CAREY SAN FRANCISCO CAMPAIGN STOP

Press Conference and In-Store Signing Of Latest Legend Video DVD Release ‘Mary Carey For Governor’

Mary Will ‘Shock The Vote’ Registering Voters,Gathering Signatures and Announcing Her New Political Platform

WHO: California Gubernatorial Candidate & Adult Star Mary Carey

WHAT: Press Conference & In-Store Signing

WHERE: Virgin Megastore, 2 Stockton St., San Francisco, CA 04108 (2nd Floor, Adult Section)

WHEN: Tuesday May 16th, 2006 – 6:00 PM

Adult film star, Mary Carey, has officially announced that she is running for Governor of California. She will be at the Virgin Megastore signing copies of her latest Legend Video DVD, Mary Carey for Governor, and asking for signatures to get her on the ballot. The signing will take place immediately after the press conference on the 2nd floor of the store in the Adult Area. Press Conference is at 6:00 PM SHARP.

Now, if we could only cojole Gary Coleman out of his political retirement.

It's Getting Chili In Here

You've probably seen this already elsewhere, but how can I not let you know? In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the original Tommy's at Beverly and Rampart is selling its famed cheeseburger for 60 cents from noon to midnight tonight. Go! Now.

Mother's Day Tea

Taking Maria out to Chado Tea Room has become an annual Mother's Day tradition for us -- well, this is only our second Mother's Day with Evan in the picture... but you get the drift.

It was an early Mother's Day celebration on Saturday, since I'll be at work on Sunday trying to chase down the NBC schedule and other network upfronts news. (I stayed back from New York again this year -- but I'm already plotting a return in 2007.)

Rather than order our usual sandwiches and tea, we decided to splurge in honor of Maria and order Chado's Afternoon Tea ($15). We hadn't eaten lunch, so I'm glad we went all out. The spread includes a pot of tea (Maria chose Chai, I chose Phoenix); four half sandwiches each -- salmon, Punjab (egg), Souchang chicken and a spinach/olive/goat cheese combo -- as well as a scone (with clotted cream and strawberries), a slice of lemon cake and a slice of chocolate cake.

Evan enjoyed just about everything -- particularly the clotted cream and strawberries. I was a tad disappointed that the sandwich bread wasn't toasted (which Chado normally does), but surprisingly loved the spinach/olive/goat cheese sandwich, even though I generally can't stand goat cheese.

Service was the poorest I've ever seen at Chado (in the at least 10 or 12 times we've been there through the years). Either they were short-staffed or didn't anticipate the pre-Mother's Day crunch. We waited at least 40 minutes for a table, and waited at least another 10 minutes for a waiter after finally sitting. Paying the check also became a lengthy ordeal -- I've never understood places where you have to practically beg for your check. Don't the establishments (a) want to get paid for a meal that has already been consumed, and (b) clear the table quicker to make room for new patrons?

Still, we remain Chado fans, and it remains the perfect no-fuss way to celebrate Mother's Day. Hope all you moms out there have a great day.

Pasadena's Pretend Pop Art

I'm sure you've seen the above display in Old Town Pasadena (in the Alley next to Crate & Barrel, where the Laemmle Theatres and Il Fornaio are located). Cones set off a construction site, where the ground has been dug up, some pipes are being worked on and several plastic workers stand in hard hats, repairing the whole fake mess.

The first time I saw this display, several years ago, I thought some work was really being done to the pipes -- and that the fiberglass/plastic/whatever workers were just a hip/cool/Pasadena way of signaling caution -- men and women at work.

The next time I saw it, and nothing had changed, I finally got it: This is meant to be this way. I'm sorry, I don't get it. The cones, the chains, the dug-up ground and exposed pipe: It still looks like messy, unfinished construction. But hey, I could be wrong. Please, if anyone can justify this installation, have at it in the comments.

Whole Lotta Shakin'

The southern San Andreas Fault hasn't ruptured in 300 years -- but when it finally does, Los Angeles is in for a good shake.

It wouldn't be pretty -- although a magnitude-7.7 earthquake along a 125-mile stretch of the fault between San Bernardino and Imperial counties wouldn't cause massive damage in L.A., according to a new study, the AP reports:

The southern San Andreas last snapped in 1690, unleashing a strong quake that caused relatively little damage because few people lived in the area. But as Los Angeles and neighboring cities have become populated and built up over the decades, scientists now say a Big One could be devastating.

Computer simulations show the Los Angeles basin will experience some of the strongest ground shaking if the fault unzips from south to north.

That's because seismic waves fanning from the epicenter will have to travel through a chain of sedimentary basins between San Bernardino and downtown Los Angeles, trapping energy and channeling it toward the Los Angeles basin. The result will be strong and localized vibration.

The basin could potentially experience several minutes of "roller coaster motion," said lead researcher Kim Olsen of San Diego State University.

"A large part of the Los Angeles area would definitely get a good shake," he said.

But Olsen said the shaking in the region likely won't produce as much damage as areas near the epicenter because the traveling seismic waves will have weakened by the time they reach the greater Los Angeles region.

If the San Andreas ruptures from north to south, the areas most at risk of violent shaking include the Imperial Valley and northern Mexico, the study found.

The study was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters this month.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Geological Survey received a $2 million federal grant to monitor the southern San Andreas fault, which has been building up stress that could lead to a big shaker.

Scientists have said the southern segment, which is overdue, has a high chance of rupturing in the next few decades, producing a quake of magnitude-7.5 or greater.