Los Angeles Business Journal back issues from September 2003:
Puck struggles to find the right recipe.(celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck)
Sep 01, 2003; ... After years of spotty results with his mid-priced restaurant chains and supermarket products, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck is refocusing much of his business towards less costly licensing and franchise operations. Much of the growth will center on the chain of Wolfgang Puck ...
Not in my back yard, again: community groups press for new limits on disruptions from location filming.(neighborhood councils and homeowner groups fight movie industry)
Sep 01, 2003; ... THE latest skirmish over runaway production has little to do with Vancouver or Toronto. It's happening in downtown Los Angeles, Hancock Park, Pacific Palisades and Tarzana. Emboldened by disarray at the Entertainment Industry Development Corp., neighborhood councils and ...
Missing lunch breaks haunt companies.(lawsuits filed against employers over California's labor codes)
Sep 01, 2003; ... When she was a nurse, Sonia Moseley hardly ever took a lunch break. Hospitals were often understaffed and managers discouraged breaks, anyway. "They would say, 'The reason you didn't get your lunch is you didn't plan your work schedule correctly,'" said Moseley, now executive ...
L.A.'s ahead in tally of firms coming, going.(local companies buying businesses outside of L.A. County)
Sep 01, 2003; ... More than a decade after acquisitions sparked an exodus of Fortune 500 companies from L.A., the balance between local sellers and buyers has been reversed. Native companies are now buying up businesses outside of L.A. County at a faster pace than outsiders can pick off local ...
Projects move forward on Westwood's 'Golden Mile'.(Up Front)(Wilshire Boulevard's real estate market )
Sep 01, 2003; ... Reflecting a hot real estate market and still-low interest rates, Wilshire Boulevard's "Golden Mile" could be on the verge of its biggest growth spurt in more than a decade. All told, four projects totaling 266 residential units are in various stages of development along the ...
South Pasadena takes a pass on development.(Up Front)(Wayne Ratkovich cancels $15 mn deal)
Sep 01, 2003; ... Wayne Ratkovich took the hint. The LA. developer had already spent two years working with the city of South Pasadena on a proposed mixed-use, town square-type project when conversations with three incoming City Council members stopped him dead in his tracks. Within ...
Talk show hosts are unheralded resource in universal auction.(Up Front)(Vivendi Universal S.A. gets bids for its entertainment assets)
Sep 01, 2003; ... As the bidding war for Vivendi Universal S.A.'s entertainment assets reaches its final stages, who would have thought that Maury Povich and Jerry Springer could be holding a couple of keys to the deal? The two talk show hosts are mainstays of Universal's television production ...
Hospital deals.(Review & preview: August 22-28)(Tenet Healthcare Corp. to sell 5 hospitals to Health Management Associates Inc.)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Hospital Deals: Tenet Healthcare Corp. plans to sell five hospitals to Health Management Associates Inc. for $550 million to repay debt amid falling earnings and ...
Universal update.(Review & preview: August 22-28)(Vivendi Universal to sell U.S. entertainment assets for $14 bn)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Universal Update: Vivendi Universal SA, trying to sell its U.S. entertainment assets for $14 billion, said it would continue negotiations to either create a joint venture with NBC or ...
Piracy ruling.(Review & preview: August 22-28)(state Supreme Court ruleson free speech case)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Piracy Ruling: The state Supreme Court ruled that free speech rights do not protect a computer user whose postings allow others to unlawfully download and copy movies. The ruling was considered a victory for ...
Raiders payday.(Review & preview: August 22-28)(Oakland Raiders awarded $34 million)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Raiders Payday: The Oakland Raiders were awarded $34 million by a jury over its claims that officials with Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Inc. lured the team back to the Bay Area with ...
Up, up and away.(Review & preview: August 22-28)(L.A. gasoline prices hit $2.141 per gallon)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Up, Up and Away: L.A. gasoline prices shot up to $2.141 per gallon of self-serve regular, according to the Energy Information Administration survey for the week ended Aug. 25. It was a 21.9-cent jump from the previous week, highest among the ...
SEC inquiry.(Review & preview: August 22-28)(Securities and Exchange Commission probes TV production company)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... SEC Inquiry: Trading in Van Nuys-based Tamarak Inc. was halted last week after the Securities and Exchange Commission raised questions about the TV ...
Bank indictments.(Review & preview: August 22-28)(Credit Lyonnais' trial)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Bank Indictments: Credit Lyonnais SA is prepared to go to trial for alleged fraud during its takeover of Los Angeles-based Executive Life rather than pay a fine of as much as $500 million ...
Drug settlement.(Review & preview: August 22-28)(Amgen Inc. settles patent dispute with Genentech Inc.)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Drug Settlement: Amgen Inc. settled its long-running patent dispute with Genentech Inc. over the method Amgen uses in producing its popular drug Neupogen. Thousand Oaks-based Amgen did ...
Labor Day.(Review & preview: September 1-7)(unofficial end of summer)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Labor Day: Officially, it's dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers, but for many of us it represents the unofficial end of summer ....
Women entrepreneurs.(Review & preview: September 1-7)(small business owners conference)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Women Entrepreneurs: Over 350 small business owners will participate in a day-long conference on Friday (5th) at the Westin Bonaventure sponsored ...
Say cheese.(Review & preview: September 1-7)(color photographs by Lauren Greenfield)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Say Cheese: "Girl Culture," an exhibition of 40 color photographs by Lauren Greenfield examining the social lives and subcultures of modern girls ...
Sports beat.(Review & preview: September 1-7)(college football)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Sports Beat: At last, the first full weekend of college football. USC, which started the season the previous week at Auburn, takes on Brigham Young on ...
Economic reports.(Review & preview: September 1-7)(August's unemployment rate)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Economic Reports: By far the biggest news comes Friday (5th) with release of August's unemployment rate ....
Law talk.(Review & preview: September 1-7)(Rethinking Affirmative Action)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Law Talk: "Rethinking Affirmative Action" is the title of discussion on Wednesday (3rd) at USC Law School sponsored by the Latino-Jewish Roundtable. Participants will include ...
Film festival.(Review & preview: September 1-7)(annual International Student Film Festival)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Film Festival: The first annual International Student Film Festival opens on Wednesday (3rd) at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in ...
Economic outlook.(Review & preview: September 1-7)(Peter Navarro, business professor)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Economic Outlook: Peter Navarro, business professor at the University of California, Irvine, discusses how government policies and the 2004 presidential ...
Night moves.(The Labj's: L.A. Stories)(bathroom night light and sensor)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003; ... It's 3 a.m. and you just woke up because you need to use the toilet. You stumble into the bathroom, don't bother turning on the light, sit down and - oops! Someone forgot to put the lid down. Women know the feeling all too well. Arcadia-based Arkon Resources Inc. understands, ...
Calling all heidis.(The Labj's: L.A. Stories)(Yahoo Inc.'s search for "America's favorite amateur yodeler")(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003; ... Anyone shopping at Third Street Promenade on Labor Day (1st) shouldn't be surprised to hear a yodel or two instead of the national anthem. Internet portal Yahoo Inc. is winding down its West Coast search for "America's favorite amateur yodeler" in the City of Angels. One Los ...
Exclusive address.(The Labj's: L.A. Stories)(Beverly Hills' Walk of Style)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003; ... Hollywood has its Walk of Fame--soon Beverly Hills will have its Walk of Style. On Sept. 9, the city's Rodeo Drive Committee will unveil the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style, dedicating its fast sidewalk plaque to international designer Giorgio Armani. The outdoor tribute, ...
Tipsy toddlers.(The Labj's: L.A. Stories)(Inspired By Babies exhibit)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003; ... Those who didn't get enough to drink over Labor Day weekend will have the opportunity to get wobbly and have blurred vision this week, without the alcohol, no less. Diaper maker Pampers and nonprofit educational firm Zero To Three is bringing its cross-country Inspired By Babies ...
God is his co-star.(The Roving Eye)(spiritual message behind movies)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003; ... THE Almighty has appeared in movie titles, biblical epics and even a few leading roles--usually in the form of George Bums. But Erwin Raphael McManus says the Lord pops up in other ways on film. As pastor of a new-age church with Southern Baptist roots called Mosaic, McManus ...
Council takes new shot at stricter strip club rules.(Up Front)(proposed ban on lap dancing in L.A.'s strip clubs)
Sep 01, 2003; ... A proposed ordinance that would effectively ban lap dancing in L.A.'s strip clubs has gained new momentum in the wake of an LAPD report detailing solicitations of sex-for-pay. The council is expected to vote during the week of Sept. 8 or 15 on the measure that would force ...
Corrections.(Up Front)(California Supreme Court)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... The Aug. 25 story "Latest Pooh Litigators Favor Low-Key Tack" misstated Elwood Lui's background. He is a former associate justice in California's 2nd Appellate District and was a temporary associate justice of the ...
L.A. Port may lose new tenant in battle over pollution rules.(Up Front)(Port of Los Angeles may lose China Shipping Container Lines)
Sep 01, 2003; ... The Port of Los Angeles could potentially lose its most prominent new tenant--before the tenant has even moved in. China Shipping Container Lines, which signed a long-term lease at the port in 2001, is refusing to comply with a newly mandated "cold ironing" program meant to ...
Apartment owners latest target of Prop 65 class-action suits.(Law)(lawsuits over carcinogens and toxic materials)
Sep 01, 2003; ... A new wave of lawsuits filed under Proposition 65 may hit hundreds of California property owners and management companies of apartment buildings in the coming months. Anthony Graham, a partner at Graham & Martin LLP who filing on behalf of Consumer Defense Group Action, began ...
Appeals court rules racial bias lawsuit at LAX can proceed.(Up Front)(Los Angeles International Airport discrimination case filed)
Sep 01, 2003; ... An Appellate District court ruling has revived a lawsuit by a former employee of Mercury Air Group Inc. who alleges that the company discriminated against blacks at its Los Angeles International Airport facility. "He gets a second shot at the case," said Pamela Teren, a partner ...
New 'do for Jerry's: rebuilt Studio City spot set to open, chain getting a makeover.(Up Front)(Jerry's Famous Dell in Studio City will reopen)
Sep 01, 2003; ... The original Jerry's Famous Deli in Studio City will reopen in two weeks after a fire destroyed much of its building more than 15 months ago. Instead of restoring the damaged Ventura Boulevard building, which was created by joining a flower shop and an adjacent cocktail lounge ...
Price hikes hit all grades of gas.(Up Front)(regular and premium unleaded gasoline prices)
Sep 01, 2003; ... The price gap between regular and premium unleaded gasoline traditionally narrows when costs surge, but the latest hike has been bucking that trend, leaving consumers feeling a record pinch across the board. The price-per-gallon differential between regular and premium unleaded ...
Candidate Bustamante feels opposing tugs from allies.(Marketplace)(Democratic candidate for governor)
Sep 01, 2003; ... Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante could be caught in a bothersome tug-of-war between two allies. A longtime labor advocate, the Democratic candidate for governor has "also won the financial support of Indian casino interests, some of which have been fending off organizing efforts by the ...
Surf shops, seeking next wave of growth, discover girls.(Up Front)(PacSun's sales for second quarter up 23% to $234 mn)
Sep 01, 2003; ... Ask Greg Weaver what's driving the heady growth of Pacific Sunwear of California Inc., and he points to a wall in the retailer's Fashion Island store that's neatly arranged with sweatshirts, T-shirts and low-rise jeans. "Girls," he said. "They are driving our business to new ...
Earnings rebound generates optimism about L.A. firms.(Up Front)(analysts raising earnings' estimates)
Sep 01, 2003; ... If investors had any question about which direction earnings are going for L.A.-based companies, they only need to look at the stock prices of the 10 largest companies in the LABJ 200 index. Since July, five of the 10 have seen their stocks hit 52-week highs, including Amgen ...
Sony seeks gaming edge for new film.(Media & Technology)(movie promotions and video games)
Sep 01, 2003; ... In Hollywood's latest attempt to tie movie promotions with video games, Sony Pictures is letting game developers graft characters from its upcoming action-horror movie "Underworld" onto an existing PC game. The new version, called "Underworld: Bloodline," was released earlier ...
Tokyo slot king gambles on Hollywood play.(Media & Technology)(interactive entertainment market)
Sep 01, 2003; ... A large Japanese gaming company is ready to throw some yen around Hollywood. After years of dominating Japan's lucrative slot machine market, Tokyo-based Sammy Corp. created Sammy Studios Inc. last year as part of a $25 million effort to establish itself in the growing ...
Lexus uses DVD to market SUVs.(Media & Technology)(Lexus' 2003 sport utility vehicles)
Sep 01, 2003; ... Lexus has gone Hollywood. In a move that illustrates the ever-closer ties between art and commerce, the luxury car brand of Torrance-based Toyota Motors Sales USA Inc. has been shipping 200,000 DVDs that feature Lexus' three 2003 sport utility vehicles in a 15-minute mini-movie ...
L.A. Times debuts magazine aimed at Richest Angelenos.(Media & Technology)(new division of Los Angeles Times)
Sep 01, 2003; ... If your household income is less than $500,000 per year, this story is not for you. That's not quite the message Angeles Publications, a new division of the Los Angeles Times, is putting out with its new magazine, Distinction. But it does get to the heart of the strategy. ...
Mediawatch.(Hollywood)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... <Pre> MOVIE BOX OFFICES Weekend Gross Total Gross Rank Title(mils)(mils) Distributor 1Freddy vs. Jason $13.2 $61.2 New Line 2S.W.A.T. 10.6 87.8 ...
The long haul: the Clifford family lined to an experienced executive to run 130-year-old Long Beach transportation company that's been in family hands since the 1950s.(Small Business)(transporting and distributing bulk materials)
Sep 01, 2003; ... AFTER 15 years at the helm of the family business, Randy Clifford had some tough choices to make. Ventura Transfer Co., founded in the 1860s, had heel in the Clifford family's hands since 1957, and Randy led a second generation of family members running the Long Beach-based ...
Aha! Moment leads to start of recycling firm.(Weekly Briefing)(electronic waste recycling)
Sep 01, 2003; ... As a "finance geek" for Sun Microsystems in Silicon Valley, Randy Lewis hated staring into a computer monitor for 10 hours a day. He quit, moved backed to Southern California and looked for a new career. One day, playing on the home PC with his kid, the monitor blew. He thought, "What the ...
Already trendy stretch boosted by new boutiques, celebrities.(Spotlight On Robertson Boulevard)(Los Angeles upscale retail sector)
Sep 01, 2003; ... TIMING is everything in the fickle world of Los Angeles upscale retail. Today s Grove at Farmer's Market is tomorrow's Westwood. For Robertson Boulevard, the time appears to be now. The roughly one-mile stretch of Robertson between Melrose Avenue and Burton Way has ...
Web sleuth: Hollywood relies on Thomas Temple, a former Navy SEAL, to track down movie pirates swapping files on the Internet.(People)(campaign by movie studios)
Sep 01, 2003; ... EVERY day at his office, Thomas Temple receives affirmations of the nightmare that high-speed Internet service has created for Hollywood. Using software to track movie files, he routinely sees the pirated downloading on the Internet--much of it coming from dorms and computer labs of U.S ....
David Powell and Richard Snelson have been named principal at Ernst & Young LLP.(Accounting)(tax operations leader)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... David Powell and Richard Snelson have been named principal at Ernst & Young LLP. Powell is a member of Ernst & ...
Duncan Todd joined the Los Angeles office of Leo A. Daly as project manager of the Rain Forest of the Americas exhibit and Reptile & Insect Interpretive Center at the Los Angeles Zoo.(Architecture)(Judy Johnson, new director of business development)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Duncan Todd joined the Los Angeles office of Leo A. Daly as project manager of the Rain Forest of the Americas exhibit and Reptile & Insect Interpretive Center at the Los Angeles Zoo. He was ...
Nadel Architects Inc.(Architecture)(new vice president )(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Nadel Architects Inc. appointed Michael Leberman, Joan Frei, Chris Lee, Harris Shapiro and David Smith to vice president and Tina Tayag to ...
Washington Mutual.(Banking)(names Wayne-Kent Bradshaw regional president)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Wayne-Kent Bradshaw has joined Washington Mutual as Southwestern regional president of community ...
EYP Mission Critical Facilities Inc.(Consulting)(names Richard Greco director)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... EYP Mission Critical Facilities Inc. named Richard Greco director of critical facilities ...
Towers Perrin elected Jack Marsteller, leader of the executive compensation practice, a principal of the company.(Consulting)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Towers Perrin elected Jack Marsteller, leader of the executive compensation practice, a principal of the ...
CCG.(Communications)(names David A. Nufer vice president business development)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... CCG appointed David A. Nufer vice president of business ...
UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research.(Education)(hires senior fellow Susan Way-Smith)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Susan Way-Smith has been named a senior fellow at the UCLA School of Public Policy and ...
USC School of Theatre.(Education)(names new assistant professor)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... The USC School of Theatre named Oliver Mayer assistant professor. Mayer, a Los Angeles ...
Game Show Network.(Entertainment)(names Michael Sakin senior vice president)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Michael Sakin was named senior vice president, sales and distribution at ...
Sesac Inc.(Entertainment)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Sesac Inc. promoted Pat Rogers to senior vice president, corporate relations and artist development. Rogers was ...
Level 3 Post.(Entertainment)(hires editor Derik Herr)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Level 3 Post named Derik Herr as editor. He will do final editing for the Showtime ...
Tony Gioiello and Shaun Shahrestani were named chief harbor engineers at the Port of Los Angeles.(Government )(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Tony Gioiello and Shaun Shahrestani were named chief harbor engineers at the Port of Los Angeles ....
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee.(Government)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Bruce Saito was named to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory ...
National Medical Association.(Health)(names Randall W. Maxey president)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... The National Medical Association named Randall W. Maxey, M.D. ...
Richardson & Harman LLP.(Law)(hire senior counsel Richard Moore)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Richardson & Harman LLP have hired Richard Moore as senior counsel to the ...
Rich Arshonsky and Steve Kurtz, shareholders of Levinson & Kaplan, have been added to the nameplate of the company.(Law)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Rich Arshonsky and Steve Kurtz, shareholders of Levinson & Kaplan, have been added to the nameplate of the company. The firm will now be ...
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.(Law)(names Harry R. Stang fellow)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 2003 ... Harry R. Stang of Bryan Cave LLP was appointed ...