February 15 - February 21, 2009
Friday, Feb. 20
A local development firm somehow has six supergraphics on one of their office buildings, instead of the three they were allowed.
That's what L.A. developer Mohamed Hadid is asking for a 48,000-square-foot Bel-Air mansion. Property has a 20-car motor court.
Markets are shaky, SAG talks break down, Oscar advertising is off, and Westfield malls to reduce hours (and yes, I'm looking for good news).
Thursday, Feb. 19
Should we tone down the excess or should we pump up the glamour so that the little people can break away from their drab lives?
It's the same old story: a supermajority requirement to approve the budget, an unwieldy initiative process, and a polarized legislature.
Developer Related Cos. can defer the 250K-per-month penalty stemming from delays in breaking ground on the $3 billion project.
Here's a sobering stat: In January 2008 the median price of an L.A. County home was $458,000. Last month it was $300,000.
Countrywide name being phased out, recession hits supermarkets, port activity still down, and new LAX service to smaller cities.
Senate passage was assured after Democrats got the support of Republican Abel Maldonado, who bargained for a bunch of provisions.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Brush-up course might be needed for those Republicans who claim that a $41 billion deficit can be closed without raising taxes.
The plan will help people who bought homes that they should have known they would never be able to afford.
The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel in Bev Hills gets the sort of accolades that any restaurant owner - or chef - would kill for.
Obama announces housing plan, state Republican leader is ousted, new forecast sees end-of-year bottoming, and local activist speaks up.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
The super-statistician from the Web site FiveThirtyEight.com is onto other number-crunching - specifically, this Sunday's Academy Awards.
The state of California is on the verge of financial collapse – and not many folks seem concerned. Maybe they don't think it matters.
Restaurant and hotel employees spoke of smaller tips, fewer work hours, and more cost-conscious customers.
Carmakers to submit restructuring plans, more budget drama in Sacramento, trouble in Silicon Valley, and SAG resumes contract talks.
Monday, Feb. 16
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is preparing layoff notices to 20,000 state workers, an action he has delayed since Friday.
That's how NYT columnist Paul Krugman describes the economy, and he says the trouble is deeper than most people realize.
The SAG president is challenging the board's firing of executive director Doug Allen. Meanwhile, contract talks resume tomorrow.
Democrats in the state Senate might just decide the pass the budget with a simple majority (a two-thirds "supermajority" is needed).
© 2003-2015 • About LA Observed • Email the editor
The funeral for Mark Lacter will be held Sunday, Nov. 24 at 12 noon at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles 90045. Reception to follow.
More From Mark Lacter:
After 22 years of loyalty, Baylor is unceremoniously shown the door.
Before I lived in Echo Park, there was a tiny 1920s bungalow-cottage-standalone house on N. Occidental in Silver Lake. I...
