New Era For The L.A. Lakers

The L.A. Lakers announced their new head coach today, Mike Brown, who was signed to a three year contract with an option for a fourth year. Details of the contract were not disclosed.
Brown was introduced by Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak, he answered questions from the media.
Brown told the media that he would not run the triangle offense anymore, and would introduce more defensive play. The offense would still run through Kobe, with more penetration in to the painted area to get more offensive options.
The press conference was held at the L.A. Lakers practice court in El Segundo.

Mike Brown.

Jim Buss, Mike Brown, Dr. Jerry Buss, and Mitch Kupchak.

World Championship trophies watch over the press conference.

On the walls of the practice court.

Dr. Jerry Buss' Rolls.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Art In The Streets @ MOCA

Graffiti and street art from the "Art In The Streets' show at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. The show runs from April 17 through August 8, 2011, and features some of the world's best street artist including Banksy, Sheppard Fairey, and Retna.

Banksy

Neckface

Mister Cartoon

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

LAPD Still Confident

Chief Beck and his detectives.

Wanted poster on Mariposa Ave.

Ramirez and LAPD sketch. 

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck faced the media today and stated he is confident that Giovanni Ramirez is still one of the main persons responsible for beating Giants fan Brian Stow. Although Chief Beck is now calling for more investigation in to the case against Ramirez, who was arrested last Sunday.
"A score of detectives" are still investigating the beating case, along with "700 clues that are coming in from the public" claims Chief Beck.
Ramirez faced a line up yesterday, and Chief Beck stated he was satisfied with results, although he would not clarify the results.
Ramirez has lawyered up and states he was at home with his 10 year old daughter at the time of the beating on March 31, 2011. He is also willing to take a police polygraph to prove his innocence. Ramirez is being held for a parole violation and for the vicious beating, with bail set at 1 million dollars.
Two other suspects still remain at large, one woman get away driver and one male latino.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Highland Theatre Re-Lit

The 502 light bulb sign above the Highland Theatre building was re-lit today. The lighting was part of a project to help preserve signage along Route 66. Hundreds of HLP residents watched along Highland Park's Figueroa Ave., and joined in on a impromtu countdown as the sign was lit by city officials.
The local high school band from Franklin High provided their musical talents during the ceremonies, and a local baker gave away samples of his red velvet cake.

Photos and footage by Ted Soqui © 2011

The Highland Theatre sign re-lit.

Franklin H.S. Band.

HLP Color Guard.

Long time HLP resident enjoying some red velvet cake.

Snotty Scotty & The Hankies Play At Save Dave

Snotty Scotty & The Hankies performing at the Save Dave Melrose event in Altadena.

Footage by Ted Soqui © 2011

Three Arrested In Connection With Ktown/Wilshire Crime Spree

An emotional LAPD Chief Charlie Beck read a brief statement from the family of Gabriel Ben Meir who was slain by three robbers last Sunday. Gabriel Ben Meir, a TV producer for MTV, was found dead on a sidewalk in the early morning hours near his mid-Wilshire home last Sunday. Chief Beck also commended the men and women of the LAPD, who worked around the clock to capture the three murder/robber suspects.
Arrested are Richard Edward Anderson of Reseda a 33 year old male black, Destiny Young of L.A. a 29 year old white female, and Jabaar Vincent Thomas of L.A. a 26 year old black male. All will be charged for multiple counts of robbery and murder.
The three suspects committed at least 11 crimes with a shotgun between the dates of 4-29-11 through 5-10-11, many of the robberies only yielded small amounts of cash.

LAPD Chief Beck

LAPD map of the 11 robberies and homicides.

Photos and video footage by Ted Soqui © 2011

Shotgun Crime Spree In Koreatown

A series of nine armed hold-ups have occurred in the Koreatown/Harvard Heights/West Adam section of Los Angeles since 4-29-2011. LAPD officials believe three suspects are responsible for the crime spree, and a tactical alert was called in the Ktown area as LAPD searched for the suspects.
They are described as black males around 5'9" tall in their mid 20's, one suspect was detained then arrested today in a supermarket parking lot near Washington blvd. and Tenth Ave.
The suspects used several different single barrel shotguns and rifles, firing and killing one victim, another victim who fought with the robbers was shot at but not injured.
So far the LAPD has not tied in the recent murder of Gabriel Ben Meir, a beloved MTV producer, who was killed on a sidewalk near his mid-Wilshire home. Ben Meir was shot in the head execution style with a shotgun around 1:30am, neighbors found his body around 6:30 am Sunday morning.
Most of the robberies have occurred in the early morning hours, with two in the evening.

Press conference at LAPD Olympic station.

LAPD map of the nine robberies, minus the Ben Meir killing.

LAPD map detail of robberies # 2 and 3.

LAPD map detail of robbery #4 with an image of one of the robbers.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Indonesian Dancing

Burat Wangi perform Javanese dance and music at the California Institute for the Arts.
This video was shot on the Canon 5D Mark II camera.

Video by Ted Soqui © 2011

5-1-2011

Mission Accomplished!

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011