Morning Buzz: Friday 4.17.09

• The mayor is bringing S. David Freeman, the former head of DWP, back from the harbor commission to be his deputy on environmental issues, says David Zahniser. LAT
• Lt. Gov. John Garamendi looks to have lowered his expectations for a next job to the Norcal congressional seat held by Rep. Ellen Tauscher. Contra Costa Times
• That Bobby Shriver for AG boomlet? Forget it. Sacramento Bee
• The LAPD's vaunted CompStat system for tracking crime stats has been knocked offline by tech issues. L.A. Now
• The late Sacto reporter Jerry Gillam is being remembered by colleagues and friends at a memorial website started by former newsman Jim Richardson.
• Simi Valley’s Radiation Rangers say that KB Homes promised to remove giant mountains of slag material that leaks toxic sludge from Runkle Canyon. Ventura County Reporter
• New design for the website of Variety, which also has the news that Sofia Coppola will set her next film at the Chateau Marmont. Variety
• Who are some of the Eastside sports legends other than De La Hoya? LA Eastside
• Mark Lacter of LA Biz Observed was on KPCC's "Patt Morrison" yesterday talking about the failure of General Growth Properties, owner of a bunch of local shopping malls. Audio
• Mark Swed, the Times' classical music critic, talked about the Salonen legacy on the reporter's notebook of "Which Way, L.A." KCRW
• KCRW is airing a live broadcast of its stage production, "Planet Money Live" with Adam Davidson of NPR and Alex Blumberg of "This American Life" on Sunday at 6 p.m. Also webcast live. KCRW
• The only televised debate in the city attorney's race is April 22 at the Westside Jewish Community Center, hosted by the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters.
• Zócalo, the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations and the Fowler Museum are hosting an evening with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai on Monday, April 20. Zócalo

LA Biz Observed