Coolest Editor Ever! Steve Appleford

LA City Beat fired LA's best and coolest editor ever last week. I have no word on why he was "replaced" yet. Steve had a high respect for photographers, because he is one. He also resisted following the trend of replacing professional photographers with amateurs and iphotographers, while still recognizing new and younger talented photographers. Steve would often be seen in the field taking photos as well, often shooting film instead of digital. He is the founding editor at City Beat. Steve, thanks for running my pictures.

Photograph courtesy of David Markland c 2008

Senator John McCain Speaks to LA Worlds Affairs Council

Senator John McCain spoke to the LA Worlds Affair Council about his foreign policy at the Bonaventure hotel in Downtown LA. Mr. McCain gave his views on the Iraq war, the G8, and Latin America. He also tried to distance himself from President Bush by telling the crowd how he hated war. Yet Mr. McCain said he would not withdrawal troops from the 5 year long Iraq bloodbath.

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

"When 'Barry' Became Barack"

This is a photo from Barack Obama's senior year at Punahou High School in Hawaii back in 1979. Newsweek assigned me to photograph the image for their latest cover "When 'Barry' Became Barack." Turns out "Barry" first attended college in Eagle Rock at Occidental College. He was often seen at a famous local eatery Casa Bianca eating his favorite pizza, Hawaiian Style.

Circle Of Life

A plaque was dedicated at the spot, 2120 Fith Ave, where Jamiel Shaw was shot and killed by a 18th street gang banger. The plaque is to be placed next to a tree in which Jamiel planted with LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa three years ago for the Million Trees Initiative. Mayor Villaraigosa payed tribute to Jamiel and spoke about how he impressed him. The Mayor also ended his speech by saying "the circle of life, a truth without question." City Councilman Bernard Parks also spoke about Jamiel and how his family will have to deal with the pain and struggle every birthday and holiday for the rest of their lives. He said he does after losing his granddaughter to a senseless street shooting. Councilman Herb Wesson, Anita Shaw mother of Jamiel, and Jamiel Sr. his father also spoke at the dedication. Anita Shaw is a US Army Sergeant serving in Iraq. She is expected back to the middle east early next week, first to Kuwait and then Germany, to finish out her service. The Army has denied Anita Shaw any furlough from service. LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and several LA City Counncilpeople have written letters on Anita's behalf to have her Army service closer to home so she can take care of her younger son, 9 year old Thomas, and to attend the trial of her son's killer. 

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

First Day of Spring

Some blooms from my spring garden. Felt a bit like Horton. Didn't hear anything though. Still waiting for my Tulips to bloom, the Lilies beat them this year. Happy Spring!

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Body Worlds 3

Body Worlds is back in Los Angeles. The controversial exhibition of the human body featuring the human heart will be at the the California Science Center in Exposition Park starting March 15, 2008. Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor and creator of Body Worlds and Plastination, created several new never seen before authentic human specimens for the show. The exhibit will run until September 7, 2008.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

LA Fashion Week Day 5

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Smashbox Studios is now over. The final night included a concert and fashion show by the Pussycat Dolls. The show featured lingerie designed by Pussycat Doll founder Robin Antin. Dr. Dre, Puffy Combs, and Quincy Jones were spotted in the front row checking out the show. The Monarchy collection also showed in the main tent. Lots of great looks including some amazing men's and women's huge scarfs. Ashley Paige also showed why she is the best at what she does. Her swimsuit collection was brilliant and even had Sarah Lawson, girlfriend of George Clooney, walk the catwalk for her.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

LA Fashion Week Day 4

Day 4 of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week held at the Smashbox Studios is over. Elmer Ave had an amazing show with lots of great men's and women's looks. A very strong collection filled with a new take on Goth-Rock. The live music was a bit annoying though. It's never a good sign when they hand out earplugs before the show. Jenny Han and the Green Initiative Humanitarian Collective also showed today.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

LA Fashion Week Day 3

Day 3 is over, yawn. The show of the day was Nikolai by Nicky Hilton. She did some nice looks, but ruined them by having the models wear some ridiculous horse riding helmets. She should have designed some helmets for her family to wear when driving instead. Maggie Barry had an amazing showing with her men's wear which even had rocker David Lee Roth's front row approval. Barry's women's collection was clownish. Lauren Conrad of "The Hills" had a strong collection of dresses as well.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

LA Fashion Week Day 2

More of the same at the Smashbox Studios on day two of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Culver City. Jenna Jameson dropped in to reveal her new PETA ad, it was pandemonium for a while. She is expected to walk the runway on Tuesday for Nicky Hilton's Nikolai collection. One bright spot today was the Punk-Chic designs of Alexis Lamontagna. Joseph Domingo had a really nice collection too.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

LA Fashion Week Begins

Mercedes-Benz LA Fashion Week Fall '08 collection begins at the Smashbox Studios in Culver City. Four shows started the week of fashion including Imasu by Kelly Nishimoto, Orthodox, Julia Clancey and Whitley Kros. It was a weak start with few interesting looks from any of the designers. Whitley Kros was the most popular of the shows followed by Julia Clancey's collection which included a political protest message to the US Customs Department.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

LA Weekly Cover Photo March 7-13, 2008/ Vol.30/No.16

My photo of Stanton Kaye made on the cover and inside opening spread of the LA Weekly. The story was written by the great writer Steven Mikulan. It is a feature on Stanton Kaye, a former Hollywood golden boy director, and what he has been doing lately to re-invent himself. Steven's profile of Stanton is amazing and smartly written.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Bukowski Home Declared A Historical Cultural Monument

The LA City Council did something right this week, finally. They declared the Hollywood bungalow and complex where Poet/God Charles Bukowski lived, from 1963 to 1972, a historical cultural monument. Basically it means the owner of the complex cannot rip it down or change it much without approval from the city. The complex was built around 1922 and 1926. There looks to be some much need demolition or repair going on there now. Bukowski wrote his first novel "Post Office" while living in the bungalow complex. He died in 1994 in San Pedro. To all my friends!

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

Cold And Rainy TOC Final Stage 2-24-08

A very wet, cold, and rainy stage of the Tour of California. The TOC wrapped up it's final stage at Pasadena's Rose Bowl where wind, rain, and cold weather produced a race hardened George Hincapie as it's final stage winner and Levi Leipheimer as the overall winner. Congratulations to Levi all of the pro riders who finished the TOC.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Golden God or Dark Lord? 2-22-08

Oscar preparations are underway on Hollywood Blvd in front of the Kodak Theater. All of the preparations are on schedule and the producers of the show are ready to "get on with it" rain or shine.

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

Stars Came Out Tonight 2-20-08

The stars came out tonight during the lunar eclipse. A spooky reddish hue was cast upon the full moon during the totality which lasted for almost an hour. Officials stated that this will be the last lunar eclipse we will "see" till 2010. This photo was shot from Pasadena near the Art Center College.

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

NASCAR Comes To Hollywood. 2-19-08

Ryan Newman, winner of the 2008 Daytona 500, showed up to sign autographs and meet fans at the Hollywood and Highland complex. He showed off his new gold and diamond encrusted Daytona 500 50th anniversary Champion's ring. About 100 fans showed up to greet Mr. Newman. The low turn out was attributed to the weather, rain. The number 11 car, a Toyota Camry COT Cup Car, was on display thanks to Richard Petty Racing School. The California Auto Club 500 will be held this Sunday, Feb 24th in Fontana at the California Speedway.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Spring Time Blooms In The HLP 2-19-08

The first blooms in my spring garden appeared this week. Planted several trees in my yard last year free of cost from the Million Trees LA Iniative , and they are starting to bloom. The Million Trees Iniative is part of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's plan to green up LA and reduce green house gases. Each LA resident may receive up to 7 trees to plant in their yard. The DWP also has a partnership plan with Million Trees LA. You can order free trees from the DWP website as well.

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

We Back! 2-18-08

Preparations begin on Hollywood Blvd. for the 80th Academy Awards show. A huge 20 foot tall statue of the Oscar (A.M.P.A.S.) was delivered to the entrance of the Kodak Theater where the show will be held. Let the bread and circus begin. 

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

Quitter, Romney. 1-7-08

Mitt Romney gives up the ghost in the chase for the US Presidency. California was his last stand, and McCain was the Sioux.

Photo by Ted Soqui

LACMA's BCAM Press Preview. 2-7-08

LACMA's newest building BCAM (Broad Contemporary Art museum) held their press preview. The modern boxy uninspired three floored building will house most of Eli Broad's contemporary art and a small choice of LACMA's collection. Broad completely footed the 56 million dollar bill. He even got to choose architect Renzo Piano over LACMA's favorite Rem Koolhaas. The outside of BCAM is too weak and dull for modern LA. Gehry would have made the best choice for architect. BCAM has few bright spots. There is the oddly long escalator to the top floor. The top floor is brilliant inside with open glass ceilings and sunshades which make beautiful natural light. The museum would have been perfect if they just stopped with the top floor. Floors two and three are lifeless, dark and dungeon like with weak lighting. Great for gothic not modern art. No connection is made with the top floor at all, ala the Guggenhiem. The artwork is stodgy for a modern art collection. The bright spots are Jeff Koons brilliant sculptures along with Jean-Michel Basquiat's and Jasper John's painting. The rest of the collection is too self indulgent and basic. The Chris Burden "Urban Light" installation is interesting and makes a fun entrance to BCAM, although the flooring has some steps too close to the border. BCAM is going to see lot's of twisted ankles. The garden is predictable with various non-indigenous palm trees and tropicals. BCAM feels temporary overall, just like most of LA.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Our Lady De Los Angeles Hillary Clinton 2-6-08

Los Angeles County chose Hillary Clinton as their Democratic Presidential candidate over the hip and cool Barack Obama. With 99.79% of the precincts reporting, Hillary has won with 658,353 votes and 55.01% of the LA returns over Barack Obama with 495,859 votes and 41.43%. LA loves the Lady.

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

John McCain In San Diego 2-5-08

Senator John McCain and his wife Cindy made his last campaign stop in San Diego at the airport. He was met by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who endorsed Mr. McCain earlier this week after stating he would not endorse anyone for President. Mr. McCain spoke to the crowd of about 300 supporters and then presented his 91 year old mom, Roberta Wright McCain (oil heiress). Interesting McCain factoid. He was born in Panama at Coco Solo a Panama Canal Zone. Maybe that will explain his stance on immigration?

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

VOTE!

Don't forget to vote. You can make a difference!

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

Mitt Hoping to Catch Some California Love 2-4-08

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney held a rally at a Long Beach Airport hanger. With less than 24 hours notice, about 1500 people showed up to support their candidate. Mitt also declared that "there is something going on in California." He's right, people are going to the polls to vote for his rival John McCain.

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008