Native Intelligence archive
for August 2014

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Water water everywhere, but ne'er a drop for water-boarding

Thumbnail image for al-martinez-sketch.jpg As California's water shortage becomes more critical Martinez finds substitutes for water---unless human sweat, dog drool and purified pee-pee are a bit too much for you to take.

Clippers rally @ Staples Center

LAO__Garcetti&Ballmer copy.jpg Take My Picture Gary Leonard is a regular weekly feature of LA Observed.

Chapter 9. The News Travels

veronica.jpg Ayla was a revved up little engine, narcissistic, and brutal.

Surf's up. Sort of

SM Beach lifeguard high surf1 8-14 - Copy.JPG Unlike the south-facing beaches, the sand at Santa Monica was relatively undisturbed by the high-wave action courtesy Hurricane Marie. But lifeguards were on high alert.

Arts window: Dance audition

barak-audition.jpg Melissa Barak concentrates during an audition Sunday for the Barak Ballet, at the Westside School of Ballet.

The butterflies of Griffith Park: A tale of extinction and survival

cloudy tailed-copper.jpg "A Hollywood drama of butterfly extirpation and persistence over a century of urbanization," reads the headline on a recent scientific study in the Journal of Insect Conservation. The story that unfolds offers glimmers of hope for the rich biological diversity that lives amongst us in Los Angeles.

Always leave them laughing

Thumbnail image for al-martinez-sketch.jpg Martinez learns how to laugh and how to cry as he observes, and later becomes, one of those people with tubes up their noses and oxygen canisters slung over their shoulders.

Have you driven the Ford lately?

ford-theatre-daylight.jpg Plans for the Ford Theatre in Cahuenga Pass could turn into "the most important new theater/dance-specific venue in LA since the construction of LATC three decades ago."

Plaza firehouse

LAO__Smokey copy.jpg Take My Picture Gary Leonard is a regular weekly feature of LA Observed.

Chapter 8. How To Get Rid of Henrik

veronica.jpg Caleb returned to Ayla unconditionally.

Ballot box buffoonery

city-hall-lat-etc.jpg Using a lottery to bribe people to vote is beneath our dignity.

Curator's guide: The Huntington expands on American art

Thumbnail image for lao-smith-august.jpg Jessica Todd Smith talks with Karen Wada about what you should know and see while visiting the newly expanded American art galleries at the Huntington.

"To Be or Not to Be," that was Williams' question

Thumbnail image for al-martinez-sketch.jpg The suicide of Robin Williams was as much due to his success as to his failure. He was America's clown, not its Hamlet, and the inability to truly cross over haunted him.

Water rationing in California has a long, tough history

cascades-in-spray.jpg Southern Californians may like their lawns, but the State Water Board's new fines for a host of wasteful practices are long overdue. History tells us so, Josh Sides writes.

Fin Fest

LAO__Finfest copy.jpg Take My Picture Gary Leonard is a regular weekly feature of LA Observed.

Chapter 7. Wednesday. Henrik Washes the Old Mercedes

veronica.jpg What did Caleb know about slavery, she asked.

Where does a scythed chariot park? Wherever it wants

Second Street, Santa Monica Place3 8-14 - Copy.JPG Street parking in downtown Santa Monica is tough. Some drivers have an unfair advantage.

Only in LA: Letter imperfect

likelike.jpg Steve Harvey's column of observations, photos and more from around the Los Angeles sphere of influence (and sometimes beyond.)

At KCON, it's all about the K-pop

kpop-crowd.jpg Fans ignored the heat to watch their favorite Korean pop stars chat and mingle at KCON, billed as the largest North American event dedicated to "all things hallyu."

Time to say goodbye to a climate of ease in LA?

justaddwater5_300.jpg Los Angeles was designed and marketed around a climate of ease, says LA Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne. Is that all over? "Just Add Water: The Discussions" at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County contemplated the future of a hotter, drier LA, on a lovely recent and, we dare say, easy evening.

Writing about talking, talking about writing

Thumbnail image for al-martinez-sketch.jpg There are writers and there are Writers; those who actually write and those who only talk about writing. Both species exist in Topanga, and their numbers are increasing.

Mitch O'Farrell, kayaker

LAO__Mitch O'Farrell copy.jpg Take My Picture Gary Leonard is a regular weekly feature of LA Observed.

Chapter 6. Into His Arms

veronica.jpg She hadn't taken the time to consider what it meant to be coupled with Caleb.

Dudamel does melodrama, National Ballet of Canada does downtown

Dudamel-bowl-dp.jpg It's time to add Gustavo Dudamel to the opera conductor pantheon, writes Donna Perlmutter after catching a performance at the Hollywood Bowl.

What's trust got to do with it?

justaddwater4.jpg The latest session of "Just Add Water: The Discussions" at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County focused on "water wars" and the people and struggles that have made our water systems cleaner, healthier, and safer for all, from Mono Lake to East LA and Santa Monica Bay. We didn't foresee the turn the conversation would take.

Fire in the sky, blood on the sand

al-martinez-sketch.jpg Martinez relives days of fire and thunder throughout Northern Mexico on a vacation turned dangerous. Segueing from the lightning of Hermosillo to the beach at Venice, he talks about a young boy killed by the fire from the sky, still wondering about life and questioning fate to the very end.
KCET control room
kcet-rehearsal-control.jpgA peek inside the TV station's Burbank studios.
Whitt's Wood Yard
whitts-wood-yard.jpgElon Musk wants to drill here at Pico and Sepulveda.
BCAM
bcam-stairs.jpgThe Broad Contemporary Art Museum at LACMA.
David Hockney at LACMA
hockney-arrives-lacma.jpgThe artist arrives to open his latest exhibit.
Mountain lion family
mountain-lion-family-martinez.jpgFrom Robert Martinez's trail cam in the San Gabriels.
The power of 'pluribus' plays
Allegiance-9-(1).jpgDon Shirley on theater in LA
Macy's winds down
mannequin-graveyard-macys.jpgThe store in Westside Pavilion has closed down.
Streetscape: Westwood
westwood-sky-lao.jpgWestwood Boulevard looking north and a little bit skyward.
Streetscape: East LA
la-luz-del-mundo.jpg Iglesia La Luz del Mundo, East 1st Street.
Sign from LA's past
loves-bbq-valley-relics.jpg Sign from an old Love's BBQ restaurant at the Valley Relics Museum in Chatsworth.
Visiting her old ballet costumes
melissa-barak-cost-iris.jpg Melissa Barak at LACMA Chagall exhibit with the artist's memorable designs.
Engine Co. 17
engine-co-17-side.jpg Inside the long-closed Arts District fire station on Santa Fe Avenue.
Wilshire Grand Center lobby
wilshire-grand-lobby-wall.jpg Visitors check out the wall-mounted sculpture by artist Do Ho Suh.
Barnsdall Park
barnsdall-park-trees.jpg Under the trees.
Inside Hollyhock House
hollyhock-columns.jpgPhoto taking was allowed for one weekend. So we did.
Streetscape: Lincoln Heights
el-milagro-market.jpgProductos Mexicanos at El Milagro Market on Avenue 18.
June 6, 1968
rfk-hearse-wide-lapl.jpgThe body of Robert F. Kennedy leaves Good Samaritan hospital. More pics
Streetscape: DTLA
spring-street-bike-lane.jpgSpring Street bike lane.
Palm weeds of Santa Susana
santa-susana-palm-weeds.jpgOak trees, sandstone ridges and fan palms? Ugh. More
Streetscape: West LA
405-at-smblvd.jpg405 North at Santa Monica Boulevard.
Hills turning brown
grman1.jpgThe hills above Gorman.
Arcana Books
arcana-books.jpgIn the Helms Bakery complex in Culver City.
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