A Retro April Fool's Day at the Farmers Market

The L.A. Conservancy's Modern Committee has found a unique way to celebrate April Fool's Day -- and raise some money for the org at the same time.

The ModCom is holding an event this Thursday, April 1, at the Farmers Market's eccentric Shine Gallery. Here are the details:

Owner Bernie Shine is an eclectic and eccentric collector, a treasure hunter of sorts. But he does not seek sunken ships, buried treasures, or archeological ruins. Rather he recovers *genuine* vintage memorabilia* from dusty warehouses, old factories, and closed stores. He searches the world over for quantity finds from bygone eras, all in unused condition.

Shine Gallery is a collector’s paradise for bona fide period items mostly from the 1910s through the 1950s, all guaranteed to be authentic and vintage.

For the event, Shine will showcase "an amusing look at the history of joyful junk, featuring vintage jokes, novelties, tricks, pranks, prizes, trinkets & treasures from the incredible inventory of Shine Gallery."

Shine will donate 30% of gross sales that night to the Modcom. The store also promises a free mystery grab bag for the first 50 guests.

The April Fool's Day event takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tamales, Theremins and Tom Bradley: A Night with the L.A. Conservancy's Modcom

The Los Angeles Conservancy's Modern Committee celebrated its 25th anniversary -- and the holidays -- on Monday night at City Hall.

Modcom member, Los Angeles mag editor and Franklin Avenue friend Chris Nichols enticed us with the promise of the three T's -- tamales, a theramin and Tom Bradley. We were sold -- especially because of that last one.

Yes, the top floor of L.A.'s City Hall is now named after L.A.'s five-term, twenty-year mayor. I had never made it up to the top, so it didn't take much arm twisting (just delicate scheduling at home, in order to make it there after putting the kids to bed).

I gotta say, it lived up to expectations. The Tom Bradley Room offers amazing 360 degree views of downtown, while the room isn't huge -- but still a decent size, and perfect home to an L.A. Conservancy-related shindig.

Chris, of course, M.C.-ed the event, which also honored photogs Jack Laxer, Leland Lee, Marvin Rand (accepted by his son Peter Rand) and Julius Shulman (accepted by his daughter Judy McKee).

A few pics:


Happy 25th, Modcom!


The view from City Hall's 27th floor Tom Bradley Room


Disney Hall


The Tom Bradley Room ceiling


The room


Tom Bradley or bust!


The musical entertainment included a theremin performer.


Plaque recognizing City Hall's Lindbergh Beacon, which was shining bright atop the building on Monday night.