Villaraigosa Mural Fail

The folks at Susy's Market just can't keep the mural of Mayor Villaraigosa up. Vandal attacks have kept the mural down ever since it went up earlier this year. Here is the latest incarnation of the mural along with the original version.

Photographs by Ted Soqui © 2009

LAPD Cruiser Prototype

A possible replacement cruiser for the aging LAPD cruiser fleet was put on display today for the media at the new Police Administration Building.. The Pontiac G8, Australian made, with a 6.0 litre engine. Some of the new features are special seats that are cooled to comfort patrolmen who wear heavy bulletproof vest and are more form fitting to accommodate police utility belts with holsters. The vehicle has an integrated in dash screen, and more built in safety features. Gone are the side spot lights due to hindering airbags, but the new cruiser features brighter LED and more outside lighting to compensate. The G8 is rated to run at speeds over 180 MPH.

Video footage by Ted Soqui © 2009

Final Three

The final three candidates for LAPD Chief appeared with outgoing Chief William Bratton today at the new Police Administration Building. The finalist are First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell-Bratton's second in Command, Deputy Chief Charlie Beck-LAPD's Chief of Detectives, and Deputy Chief Michael Moore-Commander of LAPD's Valley Bureau.

The candidates are to meet and interview with mayor Villaraigosa today, the top candidate will be announced this Monday.

Today was also Chief Bratton's final press conference.

Photographs by Ted Soqui © 2009

Oops

A giant American flag was hung backwards from the new Police Administration Building during it's opening ceremony last Saturday. American flag etiquette calls for the field of stars to the left of anyone looking at the flag from the street. The flag was hung with the star field placed to the right.

Apparently the only people who knew this were the readers of the LA Times. Many complained to the editor of the Times, claiming possibly the paper printed it's Sundays front page photo in reverse.

During opening ceremonies, I spotted a senior LAPD color guard officer catching an almost worse mistake at the last minute. Someone mounted the American flag, that was to be hoisted in front of the Chief and other city officials, upside down. Oddly he didn't catch the breach of flag etiquette from the much larger flag, which was draped from the building by LAPD's swat team.

LAPD officials issued an apology and promised to be more careful next time.

Photographs by Ted Soqui © 2009

Los Angeles Police Administration Building Grand Opening

The new Police Administration Building in downtown LA held it's grand opening today. The 10 floor 500,00o square foot building will house the LAPD's administration personnel, including a new LAPD Chief, and also would replace Parker Center as headquarters. LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa along with his new girlfriend Lu Parker were on hand to dedicate the new structure. Other speakers included LA Police Commission President John Mack, Councilmemeber Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Jan Perry, and a tearful LAPD Chief William Bratton.

Photographs by Ted Soqui © 2009

Dynasty Falls

Days of wine and roses. 11-5-07. Frank and Jamie McCourt with Joe and Ali Torre at Dodger Stadium.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2007

L.A. Weekly Cuts It's Finest Writer, Steven Mikulan

The L.A. Weekly has cut writer Steven Mikulan from their staff earlier today.

Steven is one of the best writers I've worked with anywhere.

More coverage by LA Observed.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2009

Best President Ever.

This year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for diplomacy, our president, Barack Obama.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2009

Like A Phoenix

The mural saga at Susy's Market in East Hollywood continues. A new mural of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is getting repainted by Jorge Lopez, also known as Marciano, to replace the vandal laden one painted by mural artist Rabi.

Lopez has painted all of the previous murals at Susy's Market except for the last one who was painted by the talented Rabi.

Lopez, who was commissioned by Susy's Market, vows to keep up the mural from vandals.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2009

Art Imitating Life

Once again the mural of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was defaced. This time is was done by the mural's creator, Rabi better known as David Torres. He wrote ' "like sand in the wind' - The Fear" upon his creation. He was referencing on how buddhist monks would blow away their sand mandala creations after finishing them, usually taking them many hours or days to create.

Patrick Range McDonald has been following the strangeness for LA Weekly.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2009

Zombies Invade Hollywood Blvd.

Hundreds of zombies took over Hollywood Blvd. for a zombiewalk which started at Grauman's Chinese Theater were "Zombieland" is now playing.

The zombies were treated to a screening of "Zombieland," a new horror film staring Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg.

"Zombieland" is worth seeing just for the rules, and the cameo from a huge Hollywood movie star.

Photographs by Ted Soqui © 2009