Tsunami Hits California Coastline @ Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier

Under the pier

Love notes during the tsunami.

Tsunami watchers.

A tsunami from last night's massive 8.8 earthquake in Chile reached the shores of California's coastline today. At approximately 12:27 pm, a 3-4 foot tsunami event was reported to impact the Santa Monica pier area. I saw a small rise in sea level and wave activity during that time period. Nothing extraordinary though. Saw a few people in the water as the event was going on.

Right after the tsunami event, I heard a jet engine of a Southwest 737 airliner, flight # 1644, making loud popping noises as it took off from LAX. Saw the 737 make a hard turn back for LAX to land safely. The jet reported having engine problems right after take off.

Felt like there was a weird vortex going on, just like in "Lost."

Footage by Ted Soqui © 2010

Serial Killer Rodney Alcala Guilty On All Counts

Serial killer Rodney Alcala was found guilty on multiple counts of murder, torture, kidnapping, and rape of five women by an Orange County jury today. Alcala remained unemotional during the reading of the multiple guilty verdicts, LA prosecutor Matt Murphy gave a small smile after each guilty verdict was read aloud.

Alcala's brutal crime spree occurred in the 1970's and 1980's. This is his third trial, the other two convictions were overturned. Alcala now faces the death penalty for his brutal crimes and remains in custody in Orange County, CA. The trial now moves into the penalty phase.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

Project 5 Silent Photo Auction @ Stephen Cohen Gallery

Kenny G. and Cindy C. checking out some killer apps.

Harry Hamlin and Kenny G. chilling.

Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna.

Julia Dean and her friends.

Willie Konya, Amanda Keller-Konya, and Jennifer Chen.

Cheryl H., Andrea and Angela Passarella.

Michael Robinson and his wife Kristen Cramer.

Autumn Withers of the Julia Dean Workshops.

Exterior view of the Stephen Cohen Gallery.

Project 5, an organization that supports photojournalist projects, held their first of five silent auctions at the Stephen Cohen Gallery. The gallery show and auction featured 100 images by some of America's finest photographers including Marissa Roth, Mary Ellen mark, Douglas Kirkland, and Sam Abell.

The event was directed and hosted by Julia Dean of Julia Dean Workshops.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

HempCon Begins In LA With Presser

Panel Speakers

Cheech Marin

Amanda Rain Brazel of Oaksterdam University

Allison Margolin "LA's Dopest Attorney"

Attorney Jennifer Soares

A panel presser begins the HempCon show held at the LA Convention center. The panel spoke about medical marijuana's many benefits. They also spoke on how they wanted to change the laws to decriminalize marijuana use for medical patients, and how people view pot users.

Cheech Marin also spoke and will launch a new film with Tommy Chong on April 20th (4-20). Tommy Chong was unable to make the press conference due to a death in the family.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

Nick Ut Photo Exhibit "From Hell To Hollywood"

Nick Ut signing a book.

Nick Ut with guest signing a book

Peter Arnett

Peter Arnett, Kieu Chinh, David Hume Kennerly and Nick Ut.

The exhibit space.

Kieu Chinh

Last night's opening reception was a huge success for the photo exhibit featuring Nick Ut and Dan Huynh held at the Nguoi Viet Daily News building in Westminster's "Little Saigon."

Over 250 guest were in attendance to see Nick's world famous images which featured the Viet Nam war and his newest work from Hollywood.

Spotted in the crowd was the lovely Kieu Chinh famous Vietnamese actress, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Peter Arnett, and world famous photojournalist David Hume Kennerly.

Nick Ut rushed off to the airport to fly to Berlin to meet Mikhial Gorbachev and Katherine Denueve to receive an award for Cinema for Peace.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

LA Canada Mud and Debris Flow Damage

Video from the mud and debris that flowed down Ocean View Blvd. in La Canada on 2-8-10.

Video by Ted Soqui © 2010

Today's Sunset and Rainbow Over the Rock

A lovely rainbow at sunset over the Eagle Rock.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2010

Dr. Conrad Murray Arrives to Court

Dr. Conrad Murray

Randy Jackson

Michael Jackson fan.

Michael Jackson fan.

KABC TV reporter Leslie Miller.

Suzanne Marques and Gigi Graciette of LA FOX 11 TV news.

MJ fans.

Joseph Jackson.

Dr. Conrad Murray arrived to court at the LA Airport Branch today. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter of pop star Michael Jackson. The judge set bail at 75K and took away Murray's passport. He also cannot administer heavy sedatives like propfol to anymore of his clients. Although he is still able to write prescriptions .

About 25 Michael Jackson fans showed up to yell at Dr. Murray as he entered the building.

I had a quick lunch with Joseph Jackson, Michael's father, in the courthouse cafeteria.

Randy Jackson, Michael's brother flashed me the peace sign as he left the courthouse.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

Mudslides Ravage Foothill Homes Of La Canada

Yard nymph filled with muddy water.

Car moved by the moved flow.

Clean up efforts.

Cars destroyed by the mud flow.

Home destroyed by mud.

Home destroyed by mud.

A backyard pool filled with mud.

A home and Toyota Prius destroyed by the mud flow.

Homes and a truck ravaged by mud.

The long dreaded mudslides finally fell upon the foothill community of La Canada. The last day of heavy rains finally pushed the storm soaked ground to give way, and turn Ocean View Blvd. into a river of mud. Several homes were destroyed by the mud flow along with several vehicles.

The hills of La Canada suffered a devastating fire earlier last year which completely denuded the area.

Photos By Ted Soqui © 2010