Los Angeles Business Journal back issues from November 2003:
Despite damage, L.A. holding its own: local economy stays resilient.(Fires, strikes: L.A. tallies the cost)(Southern California devastated by wildfires)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Between the devastating fires and strikes by supermarket workers and bus mechanics, Southern California has been blanketed by disruptions and dislocations involving billions of dollars in damages and lost business. It's a cavalcade of misery that's received massive media coverage all over ...
Rebuilding out of the ashes: in fire-scarred Malibu and Topanga, home values have continued to soar.(2,500 houses lost in Southern California)
Nov 03, 2003; ... From his home perched on a hill in Malibu's La Costa neighborhood, Arnold York's favorite view isn't always the blue Pacific. "We got a 30-inch water main above ground running into the neighborhood," said York, who, with his wife Karen has lived in Malibu for 27 years. "It's a ...
Delayed paychecks spur lawsuits by Hollywood crews.(cast and crewmembers allege violations of state labor codes)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Matthew Gross knows how to live like a squirrel. The 34-year-old extra, who calls himself a "background actor," stocks up on bulk dry goods before the winter months, when television and movie production slows down. So when he had to wait seven days for $180 he was ...
Designer basking in show pressure, beach memories.(Up Front)(Corey Lynn Calter)
Nov 03, 2003; ... DESIGNER Corey Lynn Calter was facing the logistical challenge of her career: trying to dress 26 models in 50 outfits within 15 minutes. It may have been the best quarter-hour she ever spent. "It's important for people to see your vision," Calter said. "They can look ...
Longer waits at ERs expected because of nursing ratio rules.(Up Front)(new nurse staffing ratios)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Walk into the emergency room at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center for a non-life threatening condition, and it can be up to four hours before a patient is sent on his way. Come Jan. 1, these might seem like the good old days. The Long Beach hospital and others around ...
Spate of post-recall legislation spurs backlash measures jamming ballots.(Up Front)(California's initiatives and referenda)
Nov 03, 2003; ... California is no stranger to initiatives and referenda, but next year could be a whopper. Some two-dozen measures are in the signature-gathering phase or are soon to be collecting signatures. Most are designed to amend existing law or the state Constitution. But four are ...
Movie merger.(Review & preview: October 24-30)(Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.)(Artisan Entertainment)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. will buy closely held Artisan Entertainment for $160 million in cash, plus assumed debt of between $45 million and $60 million. The combined company will have more than 8,000 movies in its library, the ...
Tenet decision.(Review & preview: October 24-30)(Tenet Healthcare Corp.)
Nov 03, 2003 ... A California appeals court ruled that Tenet Healthcare Corp. must pay $253 million in damages and interest to a former executive for failing to provide him certain benefits. The Los Angeles court modified a lower court decision that had awarded $9.2 million to John C. Bedrosian, a ...
Earnings results.(Review & preview: October 24-30)(financial results of various companies)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... California Pizza Kitchen Inc. reported a third-quarter net loss of $4.8 million, compared with net income of $3 million for the like period a year earlier. The loss came after writing down underperforming restaurants. Revenue for the Westchester-based restaurant chain rose 18 percent, to ...
Foxball.(Review & preview: October 24-30)(World Series between Florida Marlins, New York Yankees)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Viewership of the six-game World Series between the Florida Marlins and the New York Yankees was up 8 percent over the 2002 Series between Anaheim and San Francisco. The post-season ...
Dream deal?(Review & preview: October 24-30)(DreamWorks SKG)(SA, Vivendi Universal)
Nov 03, 2003 ... DreamWorks SKG is close to selling its music unit to Vivendi Universal SA for about $100 million, Dew Jones Newswires ...
Election day.(Review & preview: November 3-9)
Nov 03, 2003 ... OK, so it's not the recall election or the presidential race but any number of municipal contests will be determined on ...
Sports beat.(Review & preview: November 3-9)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
Nov 03, 2003 ... UCLA continues its tough November on Saturday (8th) at Washington State; USC is off this week. In basketball, the Lakers, Clippers and Kings are all away this week to make way ...
Film festival.(Review & preview: November 3-9)(international competition of movies)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Now in its 17th year, the AFI Fest gets underway on Thursday (6th) and runs through Nov. 16th. With the festival based largely at the ArcLight ...
Economic reports.(Review & preview: November 3-9)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Monday (3rd): September construction spending. Wednesday (5th): September factory ...
Valley forecast.(Review & preview: November 3-9)(Valley Industry and Commerce Association)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... The Valley Industry and Commerce Association presents its annual business forecast conference on Friday (7th) at the Warner Center Marriott, ...
About writing.(Review & preview: November 3-9)(screenwriter and director Gary Ross)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Screenwriter and director Gary Ross ("Seabiscuit") speaks to the Writers Guild of America/West on Wednesday (5th) ...
Wet seal.(Review & preview: November 3-9)(Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plans)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... The L.A. Department of Public Works will hold a conference Wednesday (5th) on a new regulation known as the Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plans. The ...
Minority report.(Review & preview: November 3-9)(Arab-Israeli conflict)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Azmi Bishara, an Arab member of the Israeli Knesset, discusses the Arab-Israeli conflict at a Town Hall Los Angeles event co-sponsored ...
French toast.(The LABJ's L.A. Stories)(24-hour French language cable channel)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... As if they didn't have enough to deal with. Adelphia Communications, the largest cable provider in Southern California, is trying to woo customers to TV5 USA, a 24-hour French language cable channel. The cable system, operating under bankruptcy protection, teamed ...
Burning need.(The LABJ's L.A. Stories)(new bimonthly, Malibu Times Magazine)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Ready for another celebrity magazine? The publishers of the Malibu Times, a weekly local paper, hope to cash in on the small city's celebrity cachet with a glossy new bimonthly, Malibu Times Magazine. The cover story in the November-December issue, available free at ...
Keeping clean.(The LABJ's L.A. Stories)(alternative fuel transportation projects in Los Angeles County)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Five alternative fuel transportation projects in Los Angeles County were among the recipients of the California Energy Commission's Clean Cities Awards, sharing part a $2.5 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy. The commission aims to replace 20 percent of the state's ...
All that glitters.(The LABJ's L.A. Stories)(Walt Disney Concert Hall)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... The opening of Walt Disney Concert Hall offers an opportunity for a discussion of firsts. One of the firsts, as it happens, is not. Real estate developer Gerald Katell, president of Katell Properties LLC, and Laura Saylor were to be married Nov. 2 on the hall's main stage in ...
No flash in pan.(The Roving Eye)(celebrity photographers )(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... CELEBRITIES often divide photographers into two categories: necessary and evil. While pesky paparazzi fall into the later category, one of the necessary has been Alan Berliner, a former restaurateur now celebrating his 30th year as a Hollywood photographer. In 1973, looking to ...
Midwest grain firm wants piece of L.A.(Up Front)(Cargill Inc.'s $125 mn bid for MCI Center)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Cargill Inc.'s run at the $125 million purchase of the MCI Center downtown may appear out of step with the food and grain producer's core business, but the pending deal fits with both its investment strategy and its relationship with the property's management firm. The $60 ...
Corrections.(Up Front)(Correction Notice)
Nov 03, 2003 ... In the Oct. 20 story "Budgets Under Wraps But More Holiday Partying Planned," an incorrect location was given for Mortons. It is on Melrose Avenue. In the Oct. 20 real estate story "Tale of Two Markets: Bustling Interior Outstrips Western End," details of the lease by Ant Farm ...
Political interests take budget lobbying direct to voters.(Politics)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... THE air wars have begun in the state's budget battle. The California Teachers Association fired the first salvo with radio ads airing in major markets that implore Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislators not to cut any education funds to balance the budget. ...
Galanter resurfaces.(Politics)(Ruth Galanter)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Four months after she left office, former L.A. City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter has resurfaced. Westchester property owner Howard Drollinger, who opposes L.A. Mayor James Hahn's airport plan, has hired Galanter, who was the leading opponent of expanding Los Angeles International ...
Weiss takes on Bush.(Politics)(Jack Weiss)(President George W. Bush)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... L.A. City Councilman Jack Weiss had some harsh words for President George W. Bush last week. Speaking at a meeting of the Jewish Community Relations Council, Weiss criticized the Bush administration for being stingy with funds for homeland security. "We are the ...
Lombard leaves commission.(Politics)(Ken Lombard)(Los Angeles, California's Department of Water and Power)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Ken Lombard, president of Johnson Development Corp., right-hand man for Earvin "Magic" Johnson's business empire and a major supporter of L.A. Mayor James Hahn, has left his post on the L.A. Department of Water & Power Board of Commissioners, a board he chaired until this summer. ...
Odds & ends.(Politics)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... In another sign of Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean's growing popularity in academia, the California Teachers Association last week voted to endorse the former Vermont governor. According to CTA President Barbara Kerr, the union has not previously endorsed a presidential ...
Touting wide-ranging agenda, questions face new Hahn aide.(Up Front)(Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn)(Renata Simril)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Renata Simril. L.A. Mayor James Hahn's new deputy for economic development, has an ambitious agenda: boosting city contracts for small business, spurring growth industries and smoothing the way for businesses to expand and grow. But the 35-year-old Simril's biggest challenge ...
Boutique trial firm to dissolve after Exodus.(Up Front)(O'Neill & Sun)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... The departure of Brian O'Neill and Brian Sun from their boutique trial firm O'Neill & Sun LLP, will force the dissolution of the firm by the end of the month. O'Neill and Sun, leaving to join the Los Angeles office of Jones Day, will be joined by seven other O'Neill & Sun ...
Bonuses tied to workers' comp costs are challenged at Ralphs.(Law)(Ralphs Grocery Co.)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... PICKETERS aren't the only problems plaguing Ralphs. The Compton-based grocery chain lost a petition to the 2nd Appellate Court in a lawsuit questioning the legality of bonuses it gives its store managers, including managers of produce, meat, floral and other departments. ...
Off the wall.(Law)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... The lawyer who obtained a multimillion-dollar settlement in a civil ease alleging the molestation of a 13-year-old boy by pop star Michael Jackson is leaving his firm after 30 years. Larry Feldman has been with Santa Monica boutique Fogel Feldman Ostrov Ringler & Klevens LC, ...
Threes' a crowd.(Law)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... The team of Damian Trevor, Allan Hendrickson and Shane Chang Hun, of Beverly Hills' Trevor Law Group has split up. The three resigned from the State Bar of California on Sept. 17 under pending disciplinary charges related to their alleged abuse of the state's Business and ...
Chain opens familiar chapter with latest bankruptcy filing.(Marketplace)
Nov 03, 2003; ... PRANDIUM Inc.'s negotiations to sell its 14-unit Hamburger Hamlet chain to Fuddruckers Inc. fell through last week, forcing the parent to place the troubled operation under the protection of the bankruptcy courts. Hamburger Hamlet Group filed for Chapter 11 protection in ...
Water world.(Marketplace)(Lowe Enterprises' Destination Resorts and Hotels)(Ranchos Palos Verdes, California)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Rancho Palos Verdes officials expect Lowe Enterprises' Destination Resorts and Hotels to begin construction on its $200 million Long Point Resort in the first half of 2004. After receiving approval from the coastal commission this summer, Brentwood-based Lowe Enterprises only ...
Back on top.(Marketplace)(Hotel Bel-Air)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... When the Mobil Travel Guide downgraded the Hotel Bel-Air to four stars from its top rank of five, the hotel launched a series of renovations and upgrades to get back on top. Three years and more than $18 million later, the hotel last week received its five-star rating once ...
Diners served up tough choices as beef shortage forces prices higher.(Up Front)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Waiters at La Boheme are steering customers to fish and chicken entrees, and in the coming weeks the West Hollywood restaurant will be adding a new lamb dish to its menu. The changes have little to do with shifting culinary tastes. The restaurant is just trying to find ways to ...
Turkey growers slash prices to add to share.(Up Front)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003; ... Turkey farmers are licking their chops at the rising cost of beef. "The cost of prime rib is going to make turkey a little more attractive this year," said Gary Flanagan, owner of Shelton's Poultry Inc., a Pomona organic turkey farm. Flanagan said his farm would sell ...
Sale of WellPoint to rival has origins in failed 2002 Mercer.(Up Front)(Wellpoint Health Networks Inc.)
Nov 03, 2003; ... WellPoint Health Network Inc.'s decision to be acquired by Anthem Inc. had its roots in another deal involving the Thousand Oaks-based company that came apart earlier this year. Now the question becomes who does this latest twist in strategy benefit? Just a year ago, ...
Voices.(Up Front)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Jeanette Bolden-Pickens Owner 27th Street Bakery "I've seen a 30 percent decline in my business since the grocery strike started. It has hit us pretty hard. I've had to lay off two drivers because they only delivered to Ralph's and Albertson's. I've also ...
Fires adding to 'nightmare' for truck drivers and distributors.(Fires, strikes: L.A. tallies the cost)(4.4% rise in overall Los Angeles traffic)
Nov 03, 2003; ... If you're in the business of moving around goods, these past few weeks have not been pretty--even by L.A. standards. The combination of wildfires and the ongoing strike of MTA mechanics has left streets and freeways even more crowded than usual and created a ripple effect ...
Economist says recent triple shock not as painful it seem.(Fires, strikes: L.A. tallies the cost)(Southern California's economic condition)
Nov 03, 2003 ... As a Stanford University undergraduate, Tom Lieser couldn't foresee what career path he would take. As it turns out, he now tries to anticipate Southern California's economic direction as a senior economist for the UCLA Anderson Forecast. The former economist at now-defunct Security ...
Fire coverage pushes other L.A. stories to background.(Fires, strikes: L.A. tallies the cost)(Metropolitan Transportation Authority strike)
Nov 03, 2003; ... As local news organizations cover the wildfire story with manpower and resources beyond anything seen since the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, other major news stories affecting the region have been obscured by the smoky haze. In particular, the mechanics strike against the ...
Disney Concert Hall's hidden artistic achievements.(Media & Technology)(Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall)
Nov 03, 2003; ... For all the praise being offered by the exterior of the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, what has the pocket protector crowd really agog is what's behind the walls. Surrounding the audience on every side, top and bottom, are some of the latest innovations in ...
Mediawatch.(Media & Technology)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... <Pre> MEDIAWATCH MOVIE BOX OFFICEWeekend Gross Total Gross Rank Title (mils)(mils) Distributor 1Scary Movie 3$48.1 $48.1 Dimension 2Texas Chainsaw Massacre 14.5 ...
Sharper focus: after buying out their partner a decade ago, Julia and Nicholas Urmossy have seen a once-staid photo lab buffeted. Now Julia's son Joseph Hill looks to new arenas.(Small Business)
Nov 03, 2003; ... PROFILE Prolabdigital Imaging Year Founded: 1989 Core Business: Large format digital printing Revenues in 2002: $4 million Revenues in 2003: $4 million (projected) Employees in 2002: 30 Employees in 2003: 25 ...
Animal lover revels in her camp's pet sounds.(Weekly Briefing)
Nov 03, 2003; ... CATHI Helfer's family worked with exotic animals in the movie industry. She and Ran Swallow, another exotic animal trainer whom Helfer first met in 1970, ran into each other several years later and in 1990 opened Camp Best Friends, an animal day care and boarding facility in West Los ...
Promise of retail revival lags; gap filled by city development.(Spotlight On Panorama City)(375,000-square-foot shopping center)
Nov 03, 2003; ... ON a recent afternoon, Michael Kay traveled all the way from West Hollywood to Panorama City to shop at a Babies R Us store at the Plant. The five-year-old shopping center, the only significant development along this stretch of Van Nuys Boulevard in more than a decade, spurred ...
Distress dealer: Jason Reese came to Los Angeles to buy office buildings at a time when everyone was saying that market was dead. He hasn't looked back since.(People)(Southern California office buildings)
Nov 03, 2003; ... THESE are the glory days for high-yield bond investors. One of the more recent entrants is Jason Reese, president of Imperial Capital LLC of Beverly Hills, a broker-dealer and boutique investment bank. Though Jefferies & Co. dominates high-yield bond trading, the phenomenal returns have ...
Hutchinson and Bloodgood LLP.(Accounting)(promoted Mica Miyamoto to partner)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Hutchinson and Bloodgood LLP has promoted Mica Miyamoto to partner. Miyamoto has worked for ...
Northrop Grumman Corp.(Aerospace and Defense)(appointed Charles H. Noski corporate vice president and chief financial officer)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Northrop Grumman Corp. has appointed Charles H. Noski corporate vice president and chief financial officer. Noski, a member of the ...
BAE Systems Integrated Solutions.(Aerospace and Defense)(named Dana Dorsey vice president of process improvement and sensor programs in Los Angeles)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... BAE Systems Integrated Solutions has named Dana Dorsey vice president of process improvement and sensor programs in Los Angeles. Dorsey recently ...
Haig Barrett Inc.(Consulting)(named William T. Mooney Jr. chairman of its advisory board)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... William T. Mooney Jr. has joined Haig Barrett Inc. as chairman of its advisory board. Mooney is the ...
International engineering consulting firm Walter P. Moore has named Jeff Guh principal and managing director of California operations.(Engineering)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... International engineering consulting firm Walter P. Moore has named Jeff Guh principal and managing director of California operations. Guh is a ...
Nabih Youssef and Associates Structural Engineers.(Engineering)(named Christopher Smith senior vice president and managing principal)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Nabih Youssef and Associates Structural Engineers has named Christopher Smith senior vice president and ...
Universal Pictures.(Entertainment)(promoted Donna Langley to executive vice president of production and John Swallow to executive vice president of production technology)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Universal Pictures has promoted Donna Langley to executive vice president of production and John Swallow to executive vice president of production technology. Prior to joining ...
IFilm.(Entertainment)(named Tom DeLuca senior vice president, marketing and programming)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... IFILM, a media company whose assets include the IFILM Network and the Hollywood Creative Directory, has named Tom DeLuca senior vice ...
Universal Studios Hollywood.(Entertainment)(appointed Phil Costner senior vice president of food service and retail)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Universal Studios Hollywood has appointed Phil Costner senior vice president of food service and retail. Costner joined Universal Studios Hollywood as an executive chef in ...
Universal Music and Video Distribution.(Entertainment)(Tom O'Malley, new executive vice president)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Tom O'Malley has been promoted to executive vice president of Universal Music and Video ...
Century Park Capital Partners.(Finance)(John S. Geer joins executive council)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Century Park Capital Partners, a fund of Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin, has appointed John S. Geer ...
City of Glendale.(Government)(appointed Frank Murphy to its audit committee)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... The City of Glendale has appointed Frank Murphy to its audit committee. Murphy is a ...
Interior Space International.(Interior Design)(promoted Helen Watts to senior vice president of marketing and managing principal)(Brief Article)
Nov 03, 2003 ... Helen Watts has been promoted to senior vice president of marketing and managing principal of Interior Space International, the interior design unit ...