The Crowded Skies @ Opening Day

Heavy traffic in the skies above Dodger Stadium for the opening day ceremonies. The Goodyear blimp "Spirit of America," a B2 Stealth Bomber for the fly-over, and a small plane towing a sign that read "SF Giants 2010 Champs! Beat LA" crowded the air above Dodger Stadium.
The small plane towing the SF Giants sign stayed flew the highest, maybe they were worried above small arms fire?
Go Blue!

Dodger Town.

Player haters.

B2 on final.

"Spirit of America"

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

And Salvation

Leonard Knight's creation in the desert, Salvation Mountain. The mountain is located near California's Salton Sea, in the city of Niland, and is placed in front of "Slab City."
Knight created the mountain back in 1984 using junk and debris he found in the desert, covering it with cement. He now uses an adobe mixture made of hay mud and thick household paint.
Salvation Mountain reaches an impressive 50 feet tall by 150 feet wide. The mountain is dedicated to Leonard Knight's love for Jesus and salvation. Many religious text and symbols are imparted on and within the mountain. The mountain gets over a hundred visits a day during the winter months from folks all over the world.

Knight's Sea of Galilee.

Leonard Knight.

Leonard's home.

A tree inside a mountain.

Salvation Mountain.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

All You Need Is Love

Mr. Brainwash's newest creation on La Brea Ave.

Mr. Brainwash.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011

Warren Christopher 1925-2011

Warren Christopher has passed away at the age of 85 due to complications from cancer.
Mr. Christopher was a former Secretary of State, served under three U.S. Presidents, and lead the commission that was named after him to oversee reform in the L.A.P.D.
He was a gentleman lawyer and a senior partner at O'Melveny and Myers in Los Angeles.

Photo by Ted Soqui @ 1991

Elizabeth Taylor 1932-2011

Iris flowers and a purple wreath were place at Elizabeth Taylor's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today. She died early this morning at Cedars-Sinai medical center of congestive heart failure.

Well wishers and several media outlets crowded around her star, along with former Guns and Roses drummer, Steven Adler, a Taylor fan.

Steven Adler pays his respects.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Los Angeles Crimes

A different take on the Los Angeles Times ad campaign by a local street artist.
The piece is called "Los Angeles Crimes" and is located near La Brea and Melrose Ave.

The Governator.

A.C. and O.J.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Nate Dogg RIP

Nate Dogg hanging out at Suge's 662 night club in Las Vegas, back in the day.

Nate. 8/19/1995

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011

Supermoon Over L.A.

The Supermoon over L.A. this evening before disappearing in to the rain clouds.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011

Angelenos Soak Up The Ra(d)ys

California officials attempt to assure residents that radiation from the Japanese Daiichi nuclear plant is of minimal danger. A giant cloud of radiation emanating from the four crippled reactors at Fukushima has made it's way across the Pacific and reached Los Angeles today. No one is quite sure of what level of the minimal radiation that has made it's way here.
Thousands of people could be seen at Santa Monica Beach today, laying out and have fun.

Santa Monic Pier.

Santa Monica beach.

Laying out at Santa Monica beach.

Laying out at Santa Monica beach.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Police Commission Rule On Westlake Shooting

The Police Commission that oversees the L.A.P.D. ruled today that the shooting of Manuel Jamines, a Guatemalan immigrant living in the Westalake area of L.A., was justified.
Jamines was holding a knife when he was shot and killed by a L.A.P.D. officer last September 5. The officers repeatedly told him in spanish and english to drop the knife. Many area residents are angry on how the police used deadly force, instead of subduing Jamines.
The shooting sparked two nights of angry rioting in the Westlake district of L.A.
L.A. Mayor praised the commission's ruling. In Westlake,  L.A.P.D are on tactical alert this evening.

Protesting on 6th street.

L.A.P.D. mounted patrol on 6th Street.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Mel Gibson Court Appearance

Mel Gibson made a quick court appearance at the LAX branch courthouse. He plead not guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge, and was sentenced to three years probation, he will also have to pay a fine.
Gibson drove himself to the courthouse in a white SUV, and was none too happy about having to walk the the scrum of media cameras.
He did so looking strait forward and not uttering a word.

"I have to walk down that?!!"

Hitting his marks.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Tsunami Advisory Issued To L.A. County Beaches (UPDATED)

Surfing the surge at Sunset Beach in L.A.

Tsunami surge at Sunset Beach in L.A.

L.A. County officials issued a tsunami advisory to all of L.A. County beaches and ports due to the giant earthquake in Japan.
Several surfers paddled out to surf Malibu's Surfrider Beach break during the advisory, the beach was not closed. No noticeable or unusual surf was spotted at the 'Bu.
The Port of L.A. temporarily suspended the transfer of hazardous materials due to the advisory. Normal cargo operations at the Port carried on as normal.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Locals waiting for the big one.

L.A. County Lifeguard on patrol at the Bu.

Paddling out at the Bu.

Shooting the tsunami.

LiLo Court Appearance.

Lindsay Lohan still negotiating with prosecutors before she enters a plea in her grand theft case of stealing a $2500 necklace.
Dozens of media persons crowded the LAX branch courthouse to see Lohan, many reporting on what she is wearing rather than the actual case.

LiLo fashion plate.

Photogs rush to shoot LiLo through the courthouse window.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Sky High

Will the Union 76 gas station on Olympic Blvd. and Beverwil, again be the first L.A. County gas station to break $5 per gallon?
Brent crude futures for April delivery traded at $115 per barrel. Back in 2008, oil futures reached their highest record at $150 per barrel.

Price for Texas Tea.

Union 76 in Beverly Hills.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Millions Of Fish Die At King Harbor

Millions of bait fish, mostly sardines, die inside Redondo Beach King Harbor. The fish, which are know to swim in giant bait balls numbering in the millions, were seeking shelter inside King Harbor due to rough seas caused by the high winds last night. They became trapped inside the shallow waters of the harbor, quickly depleting the oxygen level in the water. Fish and Game authorities measured the oxygen levels of the harbor waters at zero, it is usually at 3, the open sea is around 8.
No red tide or high levels of toxins were found inside the harbor waters.
12 to 18 inches of dead fish have gathered on the bottom of the harbor as they sink after they die.
Clean up efforts have begun and may take days to complete, costing the City of Redondo Beach about $100 thousand dollars.
City officials worry that more fish will again attempt to seek shelter inside the harbor this evening, if area high winds continue.

Millions of dead sardines.

Clean up effort.

Harbor Patrol attempts to clean up the dead fish.

King Harbor.

Off to be recycled.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Banksy Gonesky

More Banksy art disappears in L.A. 

"This Looks A Bit Like An Elephant" was towed away from it's PCH location yesterday. 

"Crayola Shooter" in Westwood was painted over yesterday as well.

"Crayola Shooter" after.

"Crayola Shooter" before.

Detail of a painted over flower from "Crayola Shooter."

This does not look a bit like an elephant.

This does.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Happy Birthday To The Rock

Happy 100th Eagle Rock!

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011