Results tagged “westside”

The next in a series of community town halls with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, featuring the new LAPD Chief, will be on the Westside next week. On Tuesday when Charlie Beck was chosen, meetings were immediately scheduled for that day in South L.A., followed by one in the Valley on Wednesday and one yesterday in El Sereno.

The current timetable has the first subway trains hitting the Westwood/UCLA area by 2036. Buy then, we might all be in flying cars, jet packs or just working from home instead of commuting. Frustrated with the timeline for a project that in theory could take five years if funded upfront, Villaraigosa called for the Westside Extension to be completed by the time he was 66, or 10 years from now, reports the LA Times. "I’m 56 now,” he said. “We are here today to make sure that it gets built before I am 66.” He wants local government agencies to put their aside and work together to get it expedited. He's been a staunch supporter of the Subway to the Sea concept, but that language has since been dropped. Still, he's fighting very hard to hit Westwood/UCLA in much speedier timeline than proposed.

Over the past few months, Metro has been drilling for soil samples throughout the Westside so below ground conditions could be analyzed as plans for the subway route and construction can be made. The Metro Board still has not voted on whether or not to move forward with a subway, but this information is part of the environmental research that must be done before such a decision can be made. Over 70 locations were drilled.

As part of the environmental review analysis, Metro is continuing their ongoing and weekly effort to study conditions below the surface for the possibility of a subway to the Westside. This week, the majority of the light drilling will take place in West Hollywood overnight. Spots include San Vicente/Melrose, Santa Monica/Ogden, Santa Monica/Fairfax and Santa Monica/Sweetzer. Crews will also be seen in Los Angeles along Wilshire Blvd during the day: Wilshire/La Jolla (Tues-Thur) and Wilshire/Crescent Heights (Wed-Fri). Traffic, noise and vibration impacts will be minimal.

It's getting closer to reality. That subway route for an expansion of mass transit to the Westside , commonly referred to as the Subway to the Sea, will undergo some serious study beginning Sunday. Metro contractors will be conducting exploratory drilling as a part of the planning and environmental analysis for the proposed Westside Subway Extension.

...Well, sort of. The new Westside Comedy theater, formerly the Westside Eclectic in Santa Monica, has undergone a renovation and (hopefully) a renaissance. A few months ago longtime touring improvisers Mission IMPROVable (M.i.) took a majority stake in the theater and have since decided to really revamp the look and feel of the place. Their mission? To be the premiere spot for comedy west of the 405.

It looked to be like another great cool day on the Westside yesterday. Around noon, temperatures were in the low 70s. Then came the late afternoon when temperatures were all of the sudden hovering around 93 degrees, which was a record for UCLA, beating 89 degrees in 1990. What the heck happened? The National Weather Service says it was all in the the crazy wind we've been getting, forcing hotter temperatures as the day progressed. Basically, as wind from the north came over the mountains into the LA Basin to sea level, the air heated up in what is called "compressional heating," explained the Service. As for today and Friday, temperatures in the 90s will be found in the valleys and inland areas.

A 72-year-old man suspected of raping and killing at least 30 women was arrested last month for the killing of one woman who was part of a serial spree that lasted around 15 years. John F. Thomas was matched to an old case via DNA after police began swabbing registered sex offenders. Thomas, who went to prison in 1978 for a rape in Pasadena, had two waves of rape-killings. The first was on the Westside before he was caught. After serving time, he moved to Chino and another wave began in Claremont. Through all this, Thomas was never connected or suspected by police, despite leaving 20 survivors. After he was arrested, more DNA results came in connecting him to four other deaths. Thomas would prey on older woman living alone. He would rape and strangle them and leave a pillow or blanket over their faces.

The second 3.0 range earthquake in two days struck between Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica this evening at 7:42 p.m. The 3.4 shaker rattled some nerves but mostly scared the shit out of cats and small dogs.

SoCal Connected on KCET continues to impress us with their locally featured news content (this is definitely a show to subscribe to on TIVO). On Thursday night, they did a very nice feature on Congressman Henry Waxman and his powerful and long term career representing the Westside of Los Angeles.

If the warm fuzzy feeling of buying a child in need a toy is not enough, some local bars are giving you more reasons to buy toys and donate canned goods this holiday season.

An LAPD officer who patrols in Pacific Division (e.g., Venice, Playa del Rey), was arrested yesterday morning by Internal Affairs for attempted rape. "Based on preliminary information, it appears that a sanctioned LAPD Pacific Area holiday party had concluded and several Department employees were participating in an unofficial 'after party'" at a hotel near LAX, said the LAPD in a statement. "When allegations of criminal activity came to light, proper notifications were made and on-duty police supervisors and Internal Affairs Division investigators were dispatched." Eduardo Bermudez, 29, has been with the LAPD for two years. He was booked at Men's Central Jail and held on $100,00 bail.

Next month, the LAPD plans to focus on larger crime areas leaving tony Westside communities with less officers, which in theory means slower response times and decreased regular patrol. The public's pissed and as with all things with Westside City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, the next step is a community presentation and panel. He's bringing Chief Bratton and other LAPD top brass to explain their decision. Then Rosendahl will moderate questions from the audience. If you go, here's the information:

The Westside, especially areas like Padific Palisades, is not that dangerous. Let's just call it property crime/non-violent land. The LAPD now has a plan that will move 26 officers from the West Los Angeles Division to other areas of higher crime in a reorganization of patrol areas because two new stations are opening--one in Koreatown and another in the West Valley.

Henry Waxman, the congressman who represents the Westside, was voted today as the chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the most important House committees with "sweeping jurisdiction over energy, the environment, consumer protection and health care programs," the Associated Press says. He had chaired the committee for 16 years, but most recently was the Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee that investigated the White House, among other tasks.

There's a relatively new local blog on the scene called Blazing Shark. Albeit a bit, ohhhh, NSFW (in words, not photos), it's all about the red headed Westsider's sexually adventurous life (she even flirts on Twitter). Her most recent post reminisces on some successful celebrity stalking earlier this year.

No, it's now some city plan or anything official... yet. A large group of cyclists are going to ride tomorrow from the Eastside to the Westside in an experiment that's in search of a more bike friendly city. From their Facebook event page: "We will be transforming several square blocks into a mini bike town. Simply ride your bike around the area meandering up and down every street. Make stops to patronize businesses, enjoy parks, and chat with other riders. It will be like a Midnight Ridazz stop on every corner." And for those who live on the Westside, StreetsblogLA reports that a group of cyclists will ride from Venice to Westwood.

As one of the best music venues closed its doors last month, another one began to prepare to take over the space, possibly ensuring the Westside a chance to keep its hip factor, at least in the music scene. Louis and Netty Ryan, the owners of the Temple Bar, have passed the keys on to another couple, Alex Fieglein and Sabrina Roark, who are set to be married soon, but plan on spending their time getting to know patrons at the club by bartending and developing new friendships.

A few minutes before 8:00 p.m. last night, a small 3.0 earthquake shook the Westside. The quake, located two miles north of El Segundo caused no reported damage, but a cat might have jumped and tipped over a glass of milk or something. Nevertheless, each little microquake is a good reminder to think about preparing oneself for "the big one." One good way is to participate in The Great Southern California ShakeOut where 3.7 million people have already signed up to drop, cover and hold on November 13.

TEEVEE: The Paley Center is hosting a Fall Preview Party for NBC shows tonight, starting at 6 with screening at 7. The shows being featured have changed since the original lineup, so out with Kath and Kim and Knight Rider, but in with Chuck, Life, Lipstick Jungle and Kings. The event is free to the public, but an RSVP is required.

A group of around 25 firefighters arrived to a single family home in the Westside neighborhood of Mar Vista near shortly after 5:30 a.m. this morning knocking down the fire in 20 minutes. Upon investigation inside, they found a deceased woman, estimated to be 37 years old, inside the home at 3448 Colonial Ave. near the intersection of Centinela Ave. and Palms Blvd. Arson Investigators, LAPD and the Coronor's office will all be investigating to see if any foul play was involved in the incident.

We've just heard some very bad news. The Temple Bar, one of the few music venues (and if not the best in town when it came to booking a truly eclectic mix) on the Westside, is set to close at the end of September. More details are forthcoming.

Who knew? The Westside home invasion serial burglar who was caught last week had a name. In a notice about a press conference later today, they refer to the man as the "Silverware Bandit." During the investigation, Detective Jason De La Cova told us there were certain details they were not releasing to the public. This must have been one of them. Even media relations had know idea until last night. More details will come out today regarding this elusive bandit who may have struck at least 15 homes since May.

The Santa Monica Police Department and LAPD are saying they have a suspect in custody who may be responsible for a series of home invasions of elderly women on the Westside. If all are the cases are truly connected, fifteen reported incidents, mostly within Los Angeles city limits, were committed between May and August (see a map here). The suspect was arrested in Santa Monica on Friday around 3:00 a.m. while preparing to strike again, according to the LA Times.

     

I live on the Westside. I like it pretty well. It's cooler (temperature-wise) and a little less...precious than the Eastside. I like the Eastside -- it attracts a higher number of cooler (and less expensive) bars, restaurants and boutiques. It's just a fact. Sometimes, I take a 'staycation' and spend the day over there. But when I want a little of that without circling the whole city on the freeway to get there, I go to the Double Dutch Dinette. It was a nice balance to the wonderful, but most assuredly bourgeois places popping up all over Culver City.

I am a big fan of Sushi Nozawa. It was the first place I ever had sushi (I know, I'm lucky!) and I've always thought that his reputation as the "Sushi Nazi" is unwarranted. Now that Japanese style Omakase (where the chef prepares what he thinks is best from the day's catch) is more widespread, I've hoped that he would lose the reputation, but it hasn't been the case. Fortunately, Nozawa also has a well deserved buzz about making great sushi. When in his mini-mall digs in Studio City, he's never steered me wrong, but I've always found brother shop, Sasabune, to be problematic (though I haven't tried it since it moved to its new location) as the sushi seems curiously pre-made.

In the comments section of yesterday's post on changes at The Viper Room, concert goers are hoping for Indie 103.1's Check One... Two moves eastward while saying such things as "the Sunset Strip is dead." To that, owner of The Roxy, Nic Adler commented back: "True the strip has negelted it self over the last several years but we are well aware of that and are doing our best to bring it back to it legendary status. One show at a time, one show at a time." Crystal Castles plays the venue tonight and and an additional midnight show on Friday.

   

Chabuya Tokyo Noodle Bar is sometimes referred to as the best noodle bar on the Westside (although, there are those who disagree and say Asahi Ramen is the way to go). The restaurant is modern and clean cut, the staff is friendly and accommodating and most importantly, the leftovers taken home didn't make it into the refrigerator (Dinner, the sequel, was a hit). What's your favorite Little Osaka haunt?

Since billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad has funded Los Angeles institutions such as LACMA's BCAM and UCLA's Stem Cell Institute, Curbed LA asked its readers what he should spend his money on next if it were to be a civic project. The "Subway to the Sea" won with overwhelming results.