Wednesday, April 30, 2008

16 Years Ago In LA




It's been 16 long years since the LA Riots. Have we changed much?

Photos circa 1992 by Ted Soqui c

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Americana At Brand Press Preview








Developer Rick Caruso gave the press a tour of his new development, The Americana At Brand. It is a mixed-use urban development built in the middle of Glendale, CA. The Americana will have 75 stores and boutiques, indoor and outdoor eating, a movie theater, and luxury apartments and condos. A two-acre grass and tree lined park which features a small pond with dancing fountains is set in the middle of the development. There is also a 65 passenger trolley, built in Iowa by Gomaco Trolley Corp., that will roll on 1800 ft of track around the Americana. The Americana cost 400 million dollars and was built on schedule. Opening day is Friday May 2, 2008.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Monday, April 28, 2008

OMFG!




Signs of our times. Billboards on La Cienega and gas prices in Brentwood.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Fire Season Begins 2008



A 500 acre forest fire in the rugged and very steep hills of Sierra Madre, California marks the beginning of LA's fire season. Fire crews made fast work of knocking down the flames and didn't lose any significant structures. Over 1000 local residents were asked to leave their homes because of the fire. Inmate labor was used to fight the flames and dig fire breaks in the brutal 94 plus degree heat. Aircraft from Aero Union-P3A , LA County-firecopters, along with a CDF firecopter fought the fire from the air.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008

Friday, April 25, 2008

The LA Weekly Moves


LA's best newspaper, The LA Weekly, finally moves to it's new digs in Culver City. The move should be completed by Monday.

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

Monday, April 14, 2008

Plane Crash In The CPT






A twin-engine Cessna 310 crashed in to two homes in the 500 block of West Cypress Street in the City of Compton. Two people on the plane and two on the ground were initially reported to be in critical condition. A fifth victim reported feeling ill after the crash but all are expected to survive. The plane was finally pulled from the house it landed on. NTSB officials have yet to figure out the cause of the crash. The plane was scheduled to land at the near by Compton Airport.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Funeral Procession For LAFD Firefighter Brent Lovrien






Thousands of Firefighters attended the funeral procession and services for fallen LAFD Firefighter Brent Lovrien. The procession marched from LA City Hall to the Our Queen Of Angels Cathedral. Firefighter Brent Lovrien was killed on duty last week while working an electrical explosion near LAX. Lovrien was a hazardous material specialist from station 95. His station engine, number 95, carried Brent's bright fire engine red casket to the Cathedral passing many thousands of saluting Firefighters from all over the country. Brent will be buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.


Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008