Bio • Email • Archive
Follow Mark on Twitter •
Archive by Date
July 29, 2011
Soft-spoken, unpretentious and friendly, Anderson was always a delight to talk to.
The vote is 218-210, with 22 Republicans voting no.
Here's a four-minute snippet that encapsulates the nonsense being played out on Capitol Hill
The L.A. area has a massive tech community - it's just spread out and disparate.
Yes, the nation is still growing, but not by much.
Economy weakens in Q2, House likely to pass Boehner bill, Long Beach Airport ranked cheapest, and City Council takes up stadium plan.
July 28, 2011
They must make sure that the markets for Treasurys and short-term funding facilities keep operating.
The House is in recess as the Speaker is said to be meeting individually with Republicans planning to vote against his bill.
The problem is that 3-D viewing has become a luxury that many movie-goers believe they can do without.
Which is probably what AEG honcho Tim Leiweke had been thinking would happen.
Jobless claims fall, higher property assessment in L.A., and hearing on downtown stadium.
July 27, 2011
Borders could be a frustrating place to shop, especially when it came time to making a purchase.
Hard to know how much of this is fear of a default.
The question, of course, is what happens if the U.S. loses its AAA status?
L'Oréal admitted that digital post-production techniques had been used on an ad.
Faux-gangsta rap on the debt ceiling impasse from comedian Remy.
Hope fading on debt deal, California secures emergency loan, more questions about Coliseum finances, and LAX traffic is up.
July 26, 2011
Just go for the gusto before you hit 65 - and make sure your survivors do the same.
City Council is ready to sign off on a tentative deal with AEG, but how much will it help generate convention business?
More than 3,600 locations nationwide are being considered for closure.
The Dow fell 91 points, which comes on top of losses of 131 points in the two previous sessions.
It's mostly about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Bush-era tax cuts.
White House miscalculated, L.A. home prices slightly higher, recession hits Hispanics hardest, and more closures at Marie Callender's.
July 25, 2011
The money involved in these programs is not huge, but the politics sure is.
Officials are characterizing it as a sweet deal for the city. We'll see.
L.A.-based money giant TCW will try to prove that its top bond manager was plotting for months to leave the firm.
The numbers appear to have flattened out - and in some cases they're even declining. But why?
Treasury might have enough cash on hand until Aug. 10.
Those refusing to lift the debt ceiling are refusing to pay the check.
Washington in gridlock, California households doing without, NFL lockout is over, and Navy Week at Port of L.A.
It appears as if investors are nervous, but don't quite know what to do.
July 24, 2011
No matter what happens on Monday, analysts acknowledge the growing possibility of a default.
July 22, 2011
Here we have Chevy, Dinah Shore, and what probably looks like another planet to anyone younger than... well, never mind.
Very nasty stuff and the timing for investors isn't great.
Shameless promotion time: Amazon is pushing my wife Laura Levine's first book in her long-running Jaine Austen series (Jaine's mother was an Anglophile and a bad speller.)
The Dodgers owner cannot use the loan he had arranged to operate the team.
Southern California companies raised $739 million in the second quarter.
What it all adds up to is a simmering jobs recovery that's nowhere close to boil.
NFL players slow to sign deal, decent marks on CA budget, condos may be coming to Century Plaza, and Minkow sentenced to 5 years.
June's 11.8 percent unemployment rate is second highest in the nation.
July 21, 2011
The worry is that a debt ceiling impasse will rock the financial markets.
He's due to be sentenced next month for wire fraud, but that won't be the end of case.
Indexes are inching closer to three-year highs, despite the overall jobless recovery.
Council vote probably won't happen until mid-August.
Seems like only yesterday when cotton prices were soaring, and retailers were stuck having to either jack up their own...
President Obama and Speaker John Boehner might be nearing an agreement.
Here they're being interviewed about a month ago on Chinese TV.
More layoffs dampen recovery, electric cars will cost more in CA, Scientology holdings in Hollywood, and Katzenberg says movies "suck."
July 20, 2011
At issue is whether owner Frank McCourt or MLB finances team operations.
It actually makes sense when you think about it.
"Rarely, have I encountered such swagger," said the former president of Harvard.
A setback in Hilton's long-running efforts to show the world that she's not the rich, self-involved brat we think she is.
Modest improvement in local economy, Dodgers and MLB duke it out, AEG's downtown condos are flops, and Calpers not happy with Murdoch.
July 19, 2011
It doesn't get much better than this - as usual.
It's the biggest one-day gain since December
A little-noticed shift is taking place between baby boomers and younger households.
If there are signs that the worst is over, it's a huge positive for the state and local economy.
All of a sudden there's a $3.7 trillion deficit-reduction plan that's getting bipartisan support in the Senate.
The bankrupt bookstore chain had been one of the major outlets for periodicals.
Murdoch on the defensive, B of A reports big loss, new deputy mayor for economic development, and get ready for some pro football.
July 18, 2011
Sorry folks, you can't access CNN on your iPad.
Chris Matthews interviews anti-tax goon Grover Norquist.
I'd be willing to bet a few dollars that Murdoch's days are numbered. Just a matter of time.
In a nutshell, no one wanted to take a chance on a retailer.
What a difference a cooperative stock market makes.
Frank McCourt calling some other entity the devil? Now that's chutzpah for you.
It's not so much the cuts themselves, it's the timing.
This morning's petulant attack against the world has been getting lots of attention.
Why so little hiring, Borders nears liquidation, Socal office market still struggling, and Frank McCourt asks for lower spousal support.
July 17, 2011
That's the word from Caltrans, a remarkable development in a weekend filled with remarkables.
July 15, 2011
Santa Monica Boulevard between Century City and the 405 seems to be unusually quiet.
The former deputy mayor and probable mayoral candidate has been introducing himself around town as a guy who can gets things done.
CEO Rupert Murdoch sounded defensive yesterday; sober today.
This is why you can't jump to conclusions about the way the government spends money.
That's what Bloomberg is reporting, citing sources.
The last installment in the hugely popular series opened at midnight and already has sold $43.5 million in tickets.
Consumer sentiment drops sharply, big earnings at Mattel, more solar rebates, and what's driving growth of Latino population?
July 14, 2011
That brings tuition for undergraduate and graduate tuition for California residents to $12,192.
It's a pretty good indication of supply disruptions due to the Japanese earthquake.
Another shoe has dropped. Actually, seems more like a fishing expedition.
Chicago-based JMB Realty wants a station on Constellation, not Santa Monica Boulevard.
Still needs work, honey. You might want to check out this oldie-but-goodie.
No sign of breakthrough in debt talks, Borders close to liquidation, CA Treasurer expects new budget cuts, and SD Union-Tribune may be on block again.
July 13, 2011
Nobody knows, which is why investors are having a tough time planning contingencies.
That's $4 each way - $5 if you want a roomier seat.
Perhaps it reflects stoppages and shortages related to the Japanese earthquake.
An agreement in principle could be completed sometime between Friday and next Tuesday.
A generational shift is unfolding before our eyes.
Bernanke offers assurances, Janice Hahn wins congressional seat, state leads nation in green jobs, and Netflix customers not happy.
July 12, 2011
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell suggests a plan that would allow President Obama to increase the debt ceiling unilaterally.
Turns out that it's Rocky Malhotra, not Mark Barron, as we posted on Monday.
Another example of a rich-poor divide that seems to be getting wider.
Key factor is whether sales are lost forever or just moved around. If they're moved around, it's not really a...
Whoa - wasn't the housing market supposed to be in the dumps? Well, yes, it was, and still is.
Only 20 percent of Americans believe that a budget deal should consist of spending cuts only.
Election Day in the South Bay, more B of A borrowers may be evicted, why Amazon is resorting to a referendum, and vote of confidence for Dodgers GM.
July 11, 2011
Maybe it's not so complicated after all.
A referendum would present an interesting choice for voters.
Still no sign of a breakthrough in contract talks with the major supermarket chains.
The general consensus is that, barring something unexpected, we've seen the last of the big price declines.
Stocks were down sharply from the get-go - just too much concern about debt.
Another example of the schoolyard that Washington has become.
June revenues coming into the state were $440.5 million above May estimates.
We're talking jobless benefits, food stamps, and disability.
Debt clock ticking down, dollar stores take it on the chin, L.A. bankruptcies drop, and Burkle says hiring Clinton was dumb.
July 8, 2011
The airport that everyone loves to hate keeps managing to pack 'em in.
Those holding the company's mortgage-backed securities are pretty much out of luck.
It's been a while since an economic report generated so much gloom.
Boehner pulls back on debt deal, local food banks are struggling, more cash for American Apparel, and LAX fined for security lapse.
Look at something called the labor-force participation rate, which is the share of the population in the jobs market.
July 7, 2011
The state's rating has been revised to "stable" from "negative," which is a much bigger deal than it might seem.
Bankruptcy judge says that Commissioner Bud Selig is not on trial.
Rarely have I comes across two candidates who were less deserving.
The buildup has been hyperbolic and a bit silly, although it has caused the city to come together.
He's a Steve Jobs lookalike, and he's becoming popular.
The emphasis is now on "trending topics" (i.e. sex and sensation) that will generate lots of clicks.
Debt deal may be near, private payrolls jump in June, FDIC sues former IndyMac CEO, and ground-breaking on toll lanes.
July 6, 2011
That's what Metro is now projecting - so long as it receives expedited funding from Washington.
The general consensus was that the government would somehow, some way raise the debt level.
Jeff Carr, who has held the most since 2009, is expected to leave later this summer.
Some pretty impressive stats from the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Not everything revolves around the Casey Anthony case.
Layoffs rise in June, Chapman bids for Crystal Cathedral, Dodgers seek MLB documents, and PTA moms accused in Ponzi scheme.
July 5, 2011
Actress bought the place in 2006 for $13.6 million, and then rebuilt much of it.
HLN's ratings in June were its highest ever, topped only by Fox News.
Oil prices have been quite volatile, so don't be surprised if gas levels off or even increases.
Common DWP complaints include billing problems and proposed rate hikes.
This week's chat looks at the difficulty in raising state revenues.
The former California governor is retired down in Long Beach, but he's still willing to speak his mind.
Earnings season looks good, more doubts about Republicans, big jump in long-term unemployed, and council signs off on police contract.
July 1, 2011
Something to look forward to - Kermit and cool weather....
That's a jump of 5.4 percent, the best weekly performance in two years.
GM had a softer month than expected, and Toyotas and Hondas were in continued short supply.
The vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway - and curmudgeon par excellence - goes ballistic.
Company will try to raise as much as $2 billion in the initial public offering and valuation could reach $20 billion. Really?
A typical hamburger/hot dog meal for four will cost $61.16.
L.A. billionaire Tom Gores is treating his newly purchased Detroit Pistons like any of his other investments.
State sales tax takes a dip, Krugman worries about debt ceiling, parking ticket favors revealed, and Selig to be deposed.
© 2003-2011 • About LA Observed • Email the editor
Follow LAO
| The overall project is now four to six months behind schedule. This means that the plans to close the freeway over a weekend to finish tearing down the Muholland Drive bridge in Sepulveda Pass are now delayed at least until late summer. Plus: Wilshire Rampture by the numbers.
| He's making history with the Space X Dragon capsule, but let's not forget the other players in the fledgling commercial space business - an industry that's taking shape in California.