Metroblogging Los Angeles

Entertainment Weekly's Favorite Websites...

Koga — 2006-06-19T16:01:30-08:00

Koga:

Just wanted to offer a quick congrats to several L.A. residents for being mentioned in Entertainment Weekly's list of Favorite Online Entertainment Sites for 2006 (June 23rd issue, pages 38-40):

Mark Lisanti @ Defamer.
Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks @ Go Fug Yourself.
Bill Hunt @ The Digital Bits.
Jax @ Rock Insider.
Mario Lavandeira, aka Perez Hilton.

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LA Derby Dolls Back in Action

5000! [Spencer Cross] — 2006-06-19T10:54:15-08:00

5000! [Spencer Cross]:

Got an email today pointing out that LA Derby Dolls are finally back on track. Looks like they've set up housekeeping at the East Valley YMCA and are on for a match a month through November. Great news. Ever since Rollergirls ended I've been jonesing for a derby fix.

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(Plague on Jun 19, 2006 3:10 PM) Yeah, but almost all the bouts are flat track, which sucks.

Huntington Garden

Annika Barranti — 2006-06-19T10:07:38-08:00

Annika Barranti:

On Friday my husband and I took my mother to The Huntington. Since it was close to 100° and we had an infant with us, we chose one garden to explore - the succulents.

It was stunning. There were cactuses taller than any of us, cactuses smaller than my hand, cactuses with babies growing right on them...

And the colors! More shades of green than you can imagine, with plenty of reds and browns for good measure.

After walking around a bit, we headed through the rose gardens to the tea room (reservation required) and had a lovely meal of tiny sandwiches, cheeses, scones, fruit, and pastries. We flaunted tradition by ordering our tea iced.

A peek at the herb garden and then we headed home. A wonderful afternoon. More than I could pay on a regular basis, but not bad - $15 per person to enter the grounds ($100 will get you a year's membership with unlimited visits) and $20 per person for tea.

More photos under the cut.

Continued reading Huntington Garden...

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(5000! on Jun 19, 2006 10:58 AM) Ha. We were there a couple of weeks ago and I've been meaning to write about it. Your post is much better than mine would've been. ;) The Japanese garden was my favorite, but like you we were there on an incredibly hot day and cut our visit a little short. Also, thought I'd mention that it's worth checking in at the Tea Room even if you don't have reservations. Sometimes (as with us) they have space. Doesn't always work, but worth a shot.

June RES Screening Tuesday.

benhigh — 2006-06-19T08:57:04-08:00

benhigh:

I keep meaning to drop by the monthly screenings that RES Magazine puts on at the Egyptian Theatre. I don't actually know that much about RES Magazine other than that every time I take a look at it it is filled with AWESOME stuff about all sorts of media. (Also note: the latest issue features Miranda July, whom I kind of love.) I'm not sure why I haven't been yet, because the monthly screenings normally feature some short films and amazing new music videos. Mostly the sort of stuff that I love. Well, tomorrow is this month's screening and I am making it a point to be there (thanks to a little encouragement from Kiino Villand.) Tomorrow's screening will feature the new Sonic Youth video "Incinerate" directed by filmmaker Claire Denis. The program will also include new work from PES and Karni & Saul. The after-party (which I hear is gonna be pretty rad) will feature complimentary drinks from Peroni Beer and Izze Juice, plus DJ Kiino Villand. I'll be there in full effect, you should be as well. It'll be fun (and there'll be new music videos!)

The details!
â¨Tuesday, June 20, 8:00 p.m.
â¨Egyptian Theatre
â¨6712 Hollywood Blvd.
â¨$10 in advance or at the door

â¨
Buy tickets here.

Update: A commenter points out that that is an old issue of RES, actually from May/June LAST year, not this year. Maybe if I'd buckle down and just get a subscription I'd know things like that. Soon! Soon!

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(oliver on Jun 19, 2006 3:18 PM) I believe that Miranda July issue is about a year old. Res is a good mag though.

Shiver Me Timbers, the New Pirate Ride's a Week Away

Caryn Coleman — 2006-06-19T07:03:09-08:00

Caryn Coleman:

We pillage, we plunder, we riffle, we loot - drink up we've changed the ride!

Blogging.la has discussed the re-vamping of our generation's favorite Disneyland ride Pirates of the Caribbean in order to update it to be more in sync with the movie. Sean and I visited Disney at the end of February to ride it one (ok three) last time(s) before it closed for a four month rennovation. Well, we don't have to wait much longer to see what's "improved" as the ride re-opens a week from tomorrow, Monday June 26, and according to Sunday's LAT article, not even employees are getting a sneak preview until the big movie shin-dig premiere this Saturday! Disney has apparently added more gold and have even hinted at putting back some of the naughty behavior they took out in 1997 in order to be more p.c. As Caption Jack Sparrow said in the film when confronted about not playing fair, "Hello, Pirate!"

A visit to the Disneyland site pointed me to an entire section devoted to the new Pirates including videos, concept sketches (see screen still above), and clues to finding out what's new! There's also a history of the ride too which is one of my favorite added features to the film's DVD.

So, are any of you blogging.la readers planning on testing out the new ride soon? Any predictions on how awesome or dreadful it might be? My vote is that it's going to be effing rad - and I don't like change very much. More booty for all!

Related on blogging.la: here, here, and here

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(Colleen on Jun 19, 2006 2:01 PM) Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! We're going tomorrow--a long-promised trip for the BF's kids, so no rescheduling. Argh! And har! And DAMMIT!!!

(sherrie on Jun 19, 2006 2:18 PM) So many women are going to get in trouble for throwing themselves at the animatronic Captain Jack Sparrow.

Giant Drag At Silverlake Lounge...

Koga — 2006-06-19T01:00:55-08:00

Koga:

(Photo by Stan Chronick.)

Just saw a bulletin from the L.A.-based Giant Drag (MySpace) announcing a last-minute show at the Silverlake Lounge this Tuesday at 8:00 PM before they begin their European tour (talk about going full circle):

this is all so sudden. maybe we should take things slow and..oh...nevermind, lets do it. drop trou! we are playing this Tuesday, June 20th, at the place where it all began-The Silverlake Lounge! we are getting old school up in this bitch and going back to the way things used to be in the old, simpler days. shit, my bank account even looks the same as it did back then-empty! maybe you guys can help change that. i'm thinking about some fundraising ideas. a raffle for some uk rarities perhaps? i don't know yet. i know you are all surprised and thinking to yourself "you are broke? how is that possible? you guys work your buttholes off and are constantly on tour!"...to you i say "stay IN school and OUT of the recording industry!" unless you enjoy working hard while other people who don't make shloads of money. oh well, papa roach put it best when they said "life's not fair!!!". but we must not dwell on the fact that i cannot pay rent and micah is homeless(which in turn has left us without a practice space, so don't expect us to be well-rehearsed!), we must take action. action! let's get intimate babies. GIANT DRAG TUESDAY, JUNE 20TH SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 21+ 2906 SUNSET BLVD. $10
...then we fly away to europe to play all sorts of festivals and stuff, so come and get it while you can. make us an offer we can't refuse and maybe you can make sex to one of us. we're desperate, get used to it.
xo-
giant drag
fuck that fourth wall, right?

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(anonymous on Jun 19, 2006 3:28 PM) Lisa Kudrow in Avril Lavigne's body. Annoying.

Whirly-Birds Galore

David Markland — 2006-06-19T00:11:58-08:00

David Markland:

While we could debate endlessly whether Blue Thunder or Airwolf would win in an air duel, some of the coolest real world helicopters are the Bell 412s being used by the Los Angeles Fire Department. These choppers are built for lowering safety personell into danger zones and hoisting rescuee's back up, as well as being able to drop water close to fire hot spots.

Brian Humphrey at the LAFD Blog tells us that these helicopters, plus a ton of other "public safety and public service helicopters" will be on hand at the "Celebration of Heroes" Air Show next Saturday in Lakeview Terrace.

In addition to the air show, other events being held at the same location include the "First Promise" Family Preparedness Fair ("products, services and information to help families and communities prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters and emergencies"), the "Rollin' to the Rescue" Vehicle Show ("displays of vintage fire, police and emergency service vehicles"), and the "Code 3" Career Fair("information on training opportunities, current openings and entrance requirements" for careers in "community service, law enforcement and the military").

And its all FREE... except for helicopter rides that are being offered for a nominal charge - such a tease.

Continued reading Whirly-Birds Galore...

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(brent on Jun 19, 2006 12:28 AM) the LAFD were running some drills in sullivan canyon this morning ( I think they where drills). They were hovering 50-60 above the trail, and the rotor wash made it damn near impossible to stay on my bike. It was pretty freakin cool. And I forgot my camera. Brent

(benhigh on Jun 19, 2006 9:10 AM) a) Airwolf. No question b) I saw lots of cool helicopters flying over Atwater yesterday, aside from the normal news and cop-choppers I also saw an orbiting MD-500 (with the whole NOTAR setup. . .oh so quiet!) and a UH-60. Oh, the fun never stops in Atwater.

Did some New Orleans residents take us for a ride?

David Markland — 2006-06-18T07:00:55-08:00

David Markland:

Like many Los Angeles residents I didn't think twice about making a sizeable donation to victims of Hurricane Katrina. So it came as a bit of a disappointment to learn that some victims were squandering their relief funds on luxuries. From the LA Times:

Sex-change operations, vacations to the Dominican Republic and wild nights at strip clubs were all bought on the government's dime by both con artists and legitimate victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The surprise comes from this same editorial, entitled "A hurricane of fraud?", which comes close to defending such sloth.

...try to keep that knee from jerking -- although FEMA's oversight was lacking, wasted money is an inevitable byproduct of providing rapid emergency assistance.

Continued reading Did some New Orleans residents take us for a ride?...

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(Brian Humphrey on Jun 18, 2006 11:12 AM) David: You raise an important issue that we as a nation must address forthright and logically - so that such abuse (there can be no other rightful description) does not take place in the future. Of important distinction is that the funds in question were generated by (some will say taken from) taxpayers and not one of the many non-profit entities that gathered discretionary donations from well-meaning persons. To that end, we are each in some way accountable for what has happened. There are of course, many factors in play here, and we can only hope that those in power (across the geopolitical spectrum) who would prefer to see themselves helping the unfortunate and afflicted will focus in the future on strategically addressing critical need rather than impulsively fulfilling simple desire. Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service, Brian Humphrey Firefighter/Specialist Public Service Officer Los Angeles Fire Department

(David Markland on Jun 18, 2006 11:56 AM) My main issue is that personal responsibility often is ignored in all this - clearly, some people flaunted the cash, and then blamed the government's failures for their own indiscretions. I don't hold FEMA's handling, the Bush Admin, Mayor Nagin, or anyone else in high regard with respect to the handling of the disaster response, and since we live in a democracy, we're all certainly responsible for their appointments. That said, I don't think the idea of handing out these cards is a bad idea - we SHOULD be able to trust that those that need or receive the funds will use them responsibly. And if they don't, they deserve to be criticized.

(Cy Quick on Jun 18, 2006 1:35 PM) The conventional wisdom would have it that a donator is justified in feeling miffed that some of the people who were given relief money were crooks. But it is irrelevant. The spent money benefitted merchants and helped the local economy. The donators learned the valuable lesson that crooks do not have the word "crook" written on their forehead. What is the problem? cyquick.wordpress.com

(Mark Folse on Jun 18, 2006 4:44 PM) Yes, almost $8000 has been shown to have been abused out of a few tens of millions. Personally, I'll keep your remarks in mind when the Big One comes and the Red Cross is asking for donations and FEMA is rushing to you aid.

(David Markland on Jun 18, 2006 5:08 PM) Cy: Indeed, the money fueling the local economy is helpful. But my point isn't that these people who wasted the money aren't thieves, just unscrupulous. Mark: I imagine the wasted $8000 you mention is a mere typo. The government is guessing that 16% of the millions was wasted. And if you'd rather think twice about giving to the Red Cross because of my concerns vs. some Katrina benefeciaries actions, then I think your priorities are out of whack.

(jo-Ann on Jun 19, 2006 9:26 AM) For what it is worth -- I know (first hand) that money donated to The Salvation Army goes to the cause the donor requests/specifies. For example, when the hurricanes ripped through Florida, The Salvation Army first provided immediate, day after the 'cane relief (such as food, water, clothes -- to both victims and relief workers) , then gave cash to area merchants, who were affected, such as small grocery stores, so they could continue to buy from their vendors, etc., to in turn give to those in need. The Salvation Army responds immediately and is morally driven to be a good steward of contirbutions. They don't spend your donations on PR -- so many folks never realize they extent of the Salvation Army's work. But, having seen it first-hand, I know where my future donations for those in need will be funnelled. I realize there is always the human factor at work and there will always be rip-off artists. But I do know The Savation Army works hard to reduce this factor.

Netflix Local Faves

eecue (Dave Bullock) — 2006-06-18T00:02:11-08:00

eecue (Dave Bullock):

I just finished watching Mi Vida Loca and like usual I decided to do a little post movie trivia research. I found this interesting article about the idiosyncrasies of Echo Park and Chicano gang life that the movie failed to cover and in reading the article I saw mention of a movie called Salt of the Earth. I decided to go on netflix and add it my queue and that is when I saw the new feature tempting me to find out what "Members in and around Los Angeles, CA are currently renting". So here are the top 25 DVD that Los Angeles residents are renting:

Continued reading Netflix Local Faves...

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(don Hosek on Jun 18, 2006 12:20 AM) Hmm, I've only seen three of those, and only one of them is something that I've gotten from netflix.

(eecue on Jun 18, 2006 12:23 AM) More than half of them are documentaries... I added a few of them to my queue that sounded pretty neat. ... mostly old movies I'd never heard of. Gotta love netflix. The funny part comes when you search other zipcodes (OC for example) and other states... not quite as many interesting movies in those!

(Annika on Jun 18, 2006 9:01 AM) I think it would be much more interesting if #1 were The Cutting Edge.

(Monica on Jun 19, 2006 1:18 PM) I love Mi Vida Loca. I know it sounds strange to include this one, but being Mexican myself I'm always drawn to films that show this side of us. I've been called the "white Mexican" all my life. My brothers and I were raised in an all white neighborhood and never got much exposure to other people of Latin heritage, outside of our extended family, until we were adults. When this film came out I had to visit Echo Park. I didn't even live in LA at the time. I once heard Anders on a radio show some years later and she talked about how some of the women in the film who were actual gang members were now dead. The interesting thing was she said they had to call a "truce" during filming because some of the women in the film who played characters in the same gang were actually in rival gangs.

Bird Is The Word

Will Campbell — 2006-06-17T16:03:14-08:00

Will Campbell:

From the kitchen, my wife Susan was sharp-eyed in seeing a flash of big something across the backyard this afternoon and upon further examination we were treated to an extended visit by a thoroughly unruffled raptor (my guess is it's a juvenile red-shouldered hawk) who came in for a landing on a tree branch and had no trouble with us pointing cameras and binoculars at it.

Only later did we find the reason it wasn't in any hurry or disturbed by our intrusive presence. It turned out we were between it and an explosion of feather and gore that was its kill, which it must've dropped on the grass when Susan first saw it cruise into view. Click the image to biggify or here for more pix of the gorgeous predator and what's left of its prey.

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(Joe D'Augustine on Jun 17, 2006 5:10 PM) We have a red tailed hawk that likes to perch on a telephone pole at the end of our driveway. My wife filmed it and I used that to create a logo for our fledgling film production company. If you'd like to see it please go to :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6J73LaK2vQ and check it out. p.s. We live in Echo Park.

No, Really. You CANNOT Stop That Wacky Signal

Jay Bushman — 2006-06-17T14:06:55-08:00

Jay Bushman:

I am a late convert to the Joss side of the Force - I started with Firefly, worked back through seven seasons of Buffy, and recently caught season 5 of Angel (i.e. "the good season").

(aside - for comedic luchador action, The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco could demolish Nacho Libre any day o' the week.)

Anyhoo, for the Whedonator's birthday next week, those misfits of science known as the Browncoats are helping to stage charity screenings of Serenity - also known as the Firefly movie - also known as the scifi movie that all your geek friends were spasming about for months even though you'd never heard of it.

The LA screening was sold out, but due to overwhelming demand, they've moved it to a bigger theater. All proceeds for the screening go to Whedon's favorite charity , Equality Now.

Date: June 23rd
Time: 10pm
Where: Laemlle Theatre in Pasadena

More info at SoCalBrowncoats

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Peggy Archer: Cable Monkey/Couch Potato

David Markland — 2006-06-17T14:05:21-08:00

David Markland:

Chick gaffer Peggy Archer is giving the unemployment office a hard time about asking her for a resume.

Really now - what sort of resume am I going to have? "Work History: Cable monkey, occasional craft service pirate". I'm not even sure I had a resume back when they were still relevant. Nowadays if a producer wants to verify your work history, they look at your IMDB listing.

But what really caught my eye on Peggy's site is that she's been featuring photos of couches from around LA on every post for the past few days. Too bad Los Angeles doesn't have Garbage Scout yet. Alas, if anything catches your eye drop a note in her comments and I'm sure she'll share the address with you.

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(Monica on Jun 19, 2006 1:21 PM) I think you were the one who originally directed me to her site. I've been following her ever since. Great blog!

Ganja Laws May Lighten Up

tammara — 2006-06-17T11:40:09-08:00

tammara:

Yet another reason to love LA! After Tuesday, it might get a little easier for all you pot smoking/ herb imbibing denizons of West Hollywood. The city council is considering passing a resolution to make possessing small amounts of marijuana an okay thing....as long as you're discreet and inhale in the privacy of your own home. The resolution would mean that West Hollywood City sheriffs would be instructed not to arrest anyone caught with small amounts of the herb. The city is already a leader in the compassionate care front on medical marijuana, so this is another small, yet symbolic step supporting the idea that marijuana is actually beneficial to the human race!

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(Hippie chick on Jun 18, 2006 11:58 AM) You should leagalize small personal amounts.

Councilman LaBonge Fights Against Your Right to Parrrrr-ty

David Markland — 2006-06-17T10:15:38-08:00

David Markland:

Councilman Tom LaBonge has introduced a motion to restrict the number of house parties in the Hollywood Hills and other "Mountain Fire District Areas" to combat the traffic problems some of these events cause, impairing firetrucks and other emergency vehicles from moving freely through nearby roads.

"We have numerous examples of abusive party planners whose sole purpose is to maintain a residence for the express purpose of renting it out to make money," said Councilmember Tom LaBonge. "It is one thing to host a social function, it's quite another when that function overwhelms the street with cars, noise and crowds."

LaBonge hopes that this action will ~~frighten~~ encourage "party planners" to arrange for shuttle service and off site parking.

(photo from Jessica World via Flickr... FYI, if you want to feel trashed while sitting at your computer just search the terms "Hollywood Hills Party" in Flickr)

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(db on Jun 17, 2006 11:02 AM) If these are commercial ventures, where people are making money, I wouldn't have a problem with the restrictions. But aren't there already ordinances which regulate what kind of, and how, businesses can operate in a residential neighborhood? My immediate concern would be the blue-hairs who don't like the twenty-somethings up the block having a good time on a Friday night, so they call the cops.

(David Markland on Jun 17, 2006 1:45 PM) I actually think he's being practical - but I couldn't resist the headline.

Saturday Morning Cartoon: "The Immigration Debate" from Current.TV

David Markland — 2006-06-17T06:28:28-08:00

David Markland:

Al Gore's CurrentTV sounds like a recipe for disaster. The channel's core is content made, submitted, and chosen by its users via internet democracy...

Anyone who wants to contribute can upload a video. Then, everyone in the Current online community votes for what should be on TV. You can join in at either stage -- watch & vote or create & upload.

The surprise is that much of the product is pretty damn good - maybe this is because it draws a slightly more sophisticated audience than, say, You Tube or MySpace.

Case in point is the following cartoon made for Current TV about the Great Immigration Debate... of 1621.

So pour yourself a bowl of cereal (save the prize for me) and get ready for the video after the jump.

Continued reading Saturday Morning Cartoon: "The Immigration Debate" from Current.TV...

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