Villaraigosa Concourse Opens at LAX

The new $1.9 billion dollar Villaraigosa concourse at LAX opened today.
A giant Airbus A380 broke through a banner to celebrate the opening. The new concourse features new luxury shopping and dinning for international travelers at the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Construction continues at LAX to improve the airport and is expected to cost $4.1 billion dollars and take 5 years to complete.
This is also the largest public works in LA's history.


Photos by Ted Soqui © 2013

First A380 at the new concourse.

Former and present mayor's of Los Angeles

Luxury shopping at LAX

Villaraigosa concourse at LAX.

Mayor Garcetti speaking with travelers.

Mayor Villaraigosa's Farewell Tour

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's farewell bus tour through the city. The tour made a quick stop at Pink's Hot Dog stand on La Brea where the Mayor made his iconic dog, "The Mayor's Dog."
Sunday is his last day as acting Mayor, when Eric Garcetti will take his oath in front of LA City Hall.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2013

Big dogs for the Mayor.

Making "The Mayor's Dog."

Gloria Pink and Mayor Villaraigosa.

Mayor Villaraigosa and Nick Ut.

Print Still Not Dead

My image of a defaced mural of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made it on to KNBC LA4 11pm broadcast. It is part of a LA Weekly cover feature on the outgoing mayor and was written by Patrick McDonald.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2013

KNBC LA 4 anchor Chuck Henry.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Votes

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa voted in Hancock Park today.
The Mayor did not disclose who he voted for in the race for the new Mayor.
Although he denied being sad leaving his job as mayor of Los Angeles, he looked and sounded so during an impromptu press conference held outside of the polling place. The Mayor also stated he was looking for a new place to live and still wasn't sure where yet.
The Mayor's final statement was a heartfelt thank you to the media photographers for their coverage of him and his office.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2013

Mr. Mayor.

The Mayor with his ballot.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Ran in to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today leaving a press conference at LAPD headquarters today. Asked him if I could take a quick photo of him. He happily obliged.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2013

Our Mayor.

Gun Buy-Back Program

Gun buy-back program in Los Angeles press conference at LAPD headquarters.
LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck announced that 1172 guns were turned in at 4 locations in Los Angeles. Gift cards are given in trade for the no-question buyback program. $200 for assault weapons and $100 for handguns.
One pipe-bomb was also turned in, LAPD arrested the suspect who stated that god wanted him to turn in the bomb, and not to blow up the Hollywood sign anymore.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2013

AK-47 assault rifle.

The Mayor and the Chief.

Assault rifles on display.

Formula E Arrives in LA

LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa welcomes the FIA Formula E Championship to Los Angeles today, Earth Day, becoming one of 10 global cities to host the world's first fully-electric Formula E race, commencing in 2014.
Formula E is a new FIA championship electric vehicle racing series.
The series is designed to promote interest and investment in electric vehicles and sustainable motoring.
The race car actually pulled off a couple of righteous donuts in front of the DeWaP building a well.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2013

Formula E.

The Mayor.

It's a tire slayer!

Circa Political Coverage

Circa Political Coverage - Images by Ted Soqui

Thank You Mr. Mayor

"Bady" a very large Airport Police bomb sniffing dog was a little more than upset at having his photo taken today at a press conference held at the LAX Theme Bldg.
After barking and lunging at me a couple of times, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stepped in and calmed "Bady" down.
Thank you again, Mr. Mayor.

"Bady" before.

"Bady" after.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011

It's Beck

LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced his selection for the new LAPD Chief, Charlie Beck.

Beck is a 33 year veteran of the LAPD and Chief of Detectives. The announcement was made outside of the Mayor's residence, the Getty House. Chief Beck's family and members of the police commission were in attendance. Beck still needs to be confirmed by the LA City Council.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2009

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

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

Mayoral Mural Attacked By Vandals, Again.

Vandals updated their attack on the mural of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. This time they spray painted the spanish word "vendido!" on the mural.

A vendido is one who sells out their people. The mural was first attacked by vandals with red paint.

The mural is located at Susy's Meat Market in East Hollywood.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2009

Mayoral Mural Attacked By Vandals

I photographed this mural of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, which is located at Susy's Meat Market in East Hollywood, last Friday.

Vandals attacked the mural over the weekend with red paint, and spray painted the words "this is our town" on the sidewalk in front of the mural.

Photographs by Ted Soqui © 2009

Susy's Meat Market

Mural of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on the store front of Susy's Meat Market in East Hollywood.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2009

Mayoral Inauguration @ L.A. City Hall

Antonio Villaraigosa was sworn in as mayor, along with members of the L.A. City Council on the south steps of L.A. City Hall. Derek Fisher of the L.A. Lakers was the emcee of today's event, Kobe and Villaraigosa have had a recent falling out.

The mayor gave his second inaugural speech outlining his 5 goal plan for L.A.

Protesters from the Bus Riders Union lined the perimeter of the event and were quiet for most of the speech.

Gil Garcetti was spotted with his camera taking photos of his son speaking at the dias.

David Freeman was in attendance wearing his signature cowboy hat. The Agape International Choir Ensemble performed a couple of songs, including a Michael Jackson song.

Some empty chairs were spotted at the event, but they were from the early leavers (trying to beat the traffic?)

Photographs by Ted Soqui c 2009