The Venice Garden & Home Tour, benefiting the children of the Neighborhood Youth Association’s Las Doradas Children’s Center

Visit 30 homes and gardens in the eclectic community of Venice

Saturday, May 1, 10am-5pm

$60 in advance - $70 at the door

Details go to www.venicegardentour.org or contact: 310-821-1857.

        

The Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a new 19-story, 288-room Woodfin Suites hotel on the last vacant leasehold in Marina Del Rey.

The hotel planned for a nearly 4-acre site at Via Marina and Tahiti Way has drawn criticism from residents over traffic and environmental concerns.

Another hotelier left impressions on the property years ago from unfinished excavation work, which aided in the formation of a wetlands habitat. The Woodfin project includes space for a public wetland and upland park, but some want to see the site spared from development.

The panel approved the demolition and redevelopment of the aging Neptune Marina apartment complex, which has been studied in conjunction with the hotel proposal.

        

by Mahtem Shiferraw

If you’re not originally from Southern California, the first thing you notice about LA is the incredible appeal of polished-up appearances, health concerned frenetic people and fashion-obsessed unsettling stores and malls filled with eager customers (but I say this with all the affection Los Angeles has won me over the past few years).

The naturally pleasant weather (with the exception of this year), the landscape, the glorious Hollywood sign plastered on a mountain and the manic billboards and commercials of fast-food restaurants all contribute to the much needed desire to stand out with a healthy eating lifestyle (and that does not mean becoming vegetarian) that attempts courageously to go against the conformity and fear of creating a whole new generation of people at high risk for obesity.

However, with all do respect for those who are devoted enough and honestly concerned about their health-related issues and are able to distinguish between lifestyle and trend, healthy eating and exercising is a trend. It developed in Los Angeles and keeps evolving throughout the city, encouraged by celeb-imposed stereotypes, the increasing weight-loss reality TV shows, the charming cooking talk shows and the desperate need to refashion the general habit of eating of the Angelenos.

As awful as that sounds, it’s obvious that healthy-eating has definitely positive results on the society; when people eat better (and by better I mean for their health, not for their individual cravings) and exercise, they tend to perform well in their professional and filial enclaves, not to mention the ability to live longer and happier, which in the long run would create a much healthier generation.

But here is the catch: healthy eating and exercising is still a trend, not a habit. And the sad truth about trends is, well, let’s just say that after a certain period of time, they tend to fade away. Celeb-imposed stereotypes will always remain in their rightful place – on tabloid magazines and gossip-channels – but other than that, once the trend of a healthy lifestyle fades away and LA becomes overwhelmed by another irresistible craze (I dare not imagine what it could be!), healthy eating is guaranteed to loose its value, allowing fast-food restaurants to regain their power once again.

Of course, we can’t deny the fact that there is some thrill in being part of such trend (and in LA!), and although this one is awfully focused on individualized needs and external appearances, the effect it has on the society as a whole is definitely positive. Yet, without really realizing it, we are doing what we do best when elbowed towards the need to conform to a collective culture: embracing the process, the moment, rather than anticipating the outcomes and consequences. But for once, we should detach ourselves from the healthy-crazed crowd, and make a habit of the trend.

        

DIANA ROSS PLOTS SUMMER TOUR

Diana Ross  makes her way through security to the departure lounge at LAX. Los Angeles, California

and Charlize Theron arrives at LAX Airport to catch a flight to Paris ...
 

        

Welcome to 5 in 5!!

At LAWest Connect we want to make it easy for you to get the “best” in a 5 mile radius and to help you get the most out of our Westside neighborhood.

With 5 in 5 we want to empower local businesses in West LA so that they have the opportunity to be discovered.

Check out that restaurant down the block, or that new store that just opened around the corner. We want to make it easy for you to explore, discover, and take full advantage of our neighborhood – All in a 5 mile radius.

Visit www.lawestconnectcom - Dining

        

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves: LAX Lovers

Embarking on another journey, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves were spotted at LAX International Airport earlier today (March 9). .
 
 
Jessica Simpson: LAX Jet-Setter

Finished up with her Oscar after party appearance, Jessica Simpson was spotted making her way through LAX Airport in Los Angeles on Tuesday (March 9). ...
 

        

Playa Vista second phase wins LA planning committee approval

Daily Breeze


Playa Vista's long-litigated second phase, a mixed-use development of shops, homes, open space and offices, won support Tuesday from a Los Angeles City Council committee.

After hearing from both supporters and opponents who had packed the council chambers, the Planning and Land Use Management Committee recommended approval for the mixed-use plan known as The Village.

Described as "the heart" of the new community between Westchester and Marina del Rey, The Village has been stalled since 2007, when an appellate court found three main deficiencies with its environmental impact report and called for a supplemental review. The project planned for 111 acres along Jefferson Boulevard initially won council approval in 2004.

The committee's direction Tuesday afternoon came after more than an hour of public testimony and a last-minute request by the City Attorney's Office to delay action on the issue for two weeks.

But in recommending that The Village move forward with a revised environmental analysis, the panel directed attorneys to return with the necessary land-use documents by March 23. The full council is supposed to hear the issue three days later, on March 26.

The hearing brought out Playa Vista residents, community and labor leaders, land-use attorneys and representatives of environmental groups that have spent years battling the community's developers.

Some who challenged the project in court said Tuesday they weren't opposed to Playa Vista residents getting new amenities, but continued to question parts of the the environmental analysis, and whether the city has adequately studied project alternatives. Some want to see the area slated for development used instead as a treatment wetland.
Before addressing the committee, Playa Vista President Steve Soboroff asked supporters to stand, saying there were "hundreds of people" who had turned out in favor of The Village.

"Today we're ready to proceed. It will be a major economic stimulus at a time when the city really needs it," he said. "We're ready to go the minute we're out of litigation."

Soboroff also told the panel he'd met Saturday with Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents Playa Vista, and agreed to market The Village as soon as the litigation had ended. Further, developers have agreed to include an extra 200 senior housing units and give up about 24,000 square feet of office space, spokesman Steve Sugerman said.

That would give The Village 2,800 housing units and about 151,000 square feet of offices. Also planned is 150,000 square feet of retail space and 40,000 square feet of community uses.

Last week, a boisterous crowd of Playa Vista residents pressured Rosendahl for a "yes" vote on The Village during a meeting that was captured on videotape - available at vimeo.com/9946536 - at the community's CenterPointe Club. He said he'd vote yes, but "with qualifications."

At one point, Rosendahl was handed a marker and asked to sign a pledge in support of the project. But as the councilman penciled in edits, residents booed, and one man ripped the pledge sign down.

        

Retail developer Caruso targeting airports, including LAX

Reported by the Daily Breeze

Developer Rick Caruso is looking to expand his retail empire to airports across the country, including Los Angeles International.

John Cugasi, a former director of concessions at Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, was hired Monday to serve as vice president for airports, a new position that was created at Los Angeles-based Caruso Affiliated.

Caruso oversaw construction of the Grove outdoor shopping mall in Los Angeles and the Americana at Brand in Glendale. Airport insiders speculated that Caruso's penchant for new developments may lead to a bid for lucrative concession contracts at LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal, which is undergoing a massive $1.5 billion makeover scheduled for completion by mid-2013.

Airport officials are expected later this year to put out a call for bids from companies interested in operating shops and restaurants inside Terminals 1, 2, 3, 6 and the Bradley Terminal.

"With travelers spending more time in terminals, airport authorities realize the financial value of offering something special because people are more willing to spend if you provide style, quality and service," Caruso said in a written statement.

        

A micro-quake struck the Baldwin Hills and Culver City areas at 8:33 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2010, seismologists said Sunday.

A micro-quake with an estimated magnitude of 2.2 struck the Baldwin Hills and Culver City areas at 8:33 p.m. Saturday, seismologists said Sunday.

More than 100 people signed onto the USGS Web site to report feeling the temblor at 8:33 p.m. Most of them were in the area along La Cienega Boulevard between the Santa Monica 10 Freeway and Century Boulevard.

Automated sensors placed the epicenter one mile east of downtown Culver City. That area includes the northern-most trace of the Newport-Inglewood fault, which killed 120 people in the 6.2 magnitude Long Beach earthquake of 1933.

        

** Playa Vista VILLAGE ACTION ALERT **

Wednesday night, March 3, more than 350 Playa Vista residents came together in a tremendous show of support and unity in urging Councilman Bill Rosendahl to pledge his support for the Village plan that was already approved unanimously by the City Planning Commission. SADLY, ROSENDAHL REFUSED. HE CHOSE NOT TO STAND WITH US.

On Tuesday, March 9, at 2 p.m. at City Hall, the City Council will cast its first vote on the Village.

Video and details at www.playavistatoday.com