With all of the Sturm und Drang about the economic tsunami barreling towards California, it’s kind of curious to see three spaces at the intersection of Silver Lake Blvd. and Effie being turned into pricey new restaurants. Obviously, they all were  ambitiously conceived during sunnier financial times– talk about whiplash.

Reservoir is set to open at the end of the month, finally, after what seemed like an interminable renovation. Aside from some behind-the-scenes drama I heard someone gossiping about at a recent child’s birthday party I attended, it’s got a reality show/celebrity chef and the building looks great– nothing like the garage-esque feel of Netty’s, the locally beloved restaurant that operated there for 18 years, “before Silver Lake was cool,” according to the sign that used to hang out front. Hopefully, Reservoir won’t piss off what’s left of the cool kids with its $16 burger.

Michaelangelo, the Italian restaurant across Silver Lake Blvd., was forced out by a steep rent increase and the small space is now being turned into another Italian joint named Domenico. No word on when they are opening, although Michaelangelo relocated and reopened on Rowena near Glendale Blvd.

Right next door to Reservoir, the site of the former Back Door Bakery, also forced out by a rent increase, is being turned into a restaurant too. I peeked in late one night to see workers painting large green leaf graphics on the walls–probably to beckon the money gods.

These three places, along with the fairly new LAMill Coffee Boutique (I swear that’s its real name, at least according to Huell Howser) are all within 100 feet of each other, surrounding the 7-11 on the corner of Effie, where you can still get a hot dog and a large coffee for around $4. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see which price points area wallets will open for.

I know it feels like we just had an election less than four months ago (it was actually 108 days ago) but Angelenos have to head back to the polling booth March 3rd to cast our votes for a number of important public offices, including Mayor.

Surprised? Then you’ll be even more shocked to find out that not one, not two, but seven different challengers will be up against Mayor V on the ticket.

Its highly unrealistic that any one of these candidates will come close to beating Antonio, but if our incumbent mayor doesn’t receive at least 50% of all votes, we head into a runoff election… a result that might actually deflate Antonio’s ego a bit, and have him actually pay attention to his constituency a little more.

For this to happen, all Angelenos need to do is head to the polls March 3rd and vote for anyone BUT Antonio.

Click to read a little about the Mayor’s challengers…

In spite of our recent rains, the L.A. Department of Water and Power is aiming to impose water rationing this May that would impose steep penalties on homes and businesses for excessive water use.

But why stop with water when rationing can be used to improve our quality of life in so many other ways? Here’s three of them:

1. Honking. Angelenos should be permitted use of their horns only once per 40 hours of actual road time. According to California Vehicle Code #27001: “The driver of a motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation shall give audible warning with his horn.” Meaning that every time someone honks out of impatience, or to hurry up a friend they’re picking, the law is being broken… but where are the penalties? I propose that LADOT require all vehicles ope to meter out horn usage and charge $20 for each honk that can’t be justified legally.

Click here to read the other two.

Sorry for the short notice, but I just got confirmation that tomorrow night is the kickoff party for ReForm School‘s new Home Ec. department.

Giveaways and other shenanigans are scheduled to go on all night long, along with great snacks and music.

Jenny Ryan will also be on hand, signing copies of her new book, Sew Darn Cute.

Home Ec Kickoff Party
Friday, February 20, 6-9pm
@ ReForm School
3902 Sunset Blvd.
LA CA 90029

There’s something about this logo that feels like I’ve seen it before… Hmm…. What could it be??
(photo by Orrin)

I spotted this manufacturers test mule parked on a side street in Monrovia this afternoon.  It was devoid of every name or other badge on the entire little trucklet.  That is until you looked inside and could see they did not cover up the “Actyon” name on the steering wheel hub.

What is an Actyon was my next question.  Its certainly a new one around here.  LA is so important to the world car market that if it can’t make here it doesn’t stand a chance in hell anywhere else.  Really.  Even more interesting is the number of attempts to get a foothold in the US with launching in LA first.  More on the Actyon after the jump.
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This is totally sketchy second hand information, but according to my friend Kelly the front windows of the new Orange 20 bike shop location at Melrose and Heliotrope were smashed last night, and the phone lines for the neighboring restaurant Pure Luck were cut. Either one of those on their own would suck, but both on the same night kinda points towards something more targeted. I’m meeting a few folks over there later this afternoon and will try to get photos and any scoop I can at that point. If anyone knows anything or has any further info, please let us know.

While Venice residents await the world’s best coffee shop, they are dealing with a more bitter tasting issue.  As the Los Angeles Times reported last month, the problem of overnight camping in recreational vehicles (“RVs”) in Venice is boiling over. Los Angeles Metblogs has covered the issue of overnight RV camping in Los Angeles area neighborhoods for some time.  The latest development in Venice is the proposal, credited to City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, to create so-called “special zones” away from the neighborhood streets, where people would be able to spend the night in their vehicles.  According to the Times, Santa Barbara, CA and Eugene, OR have such parking zones.

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Booze Clues is returning to Cuba Libre in Los Feliz on Tuesday, February 24th. Last month the LA MetBlogs team, the Know-It-Brawlers, had a great time along with a MetBlogs reader lead team, The Fisting Trojans. This time around I expect to have even more fun (now that we know the drill.)

So, we’re getting the band back together. Brian, Verdell, John, Charley, Heather (and all of the Fisting Trojans)…I’m looking at you. Are you ready? We’re recruiting new blood (and fresh brain cells,) too. Whether you weren’t able to make it last month or this is the first you’re hearing of it, we want you on the team.

Don’t miss the fun! Leave me a note in the comments section and I’ll reserve enough tables for all. There may be prizes (if we win.) And don’t forget that when the game ends at about 10:00pm,  Marty & Elayne will be playing right across the street at the Dresden Room.

According to my chiropractor the stadium construction is about to be approved in the City of Industry.

Check it out.   Simple conversation with my DC this morning while I get a snap, crackle and pop done to my neck and back this was dropped in my lap.  

Simpkin III of the NFL was at the Santa Anita Boy Scout Counsel breakfast this morning.  He shows them plans and pics of a stadium to be built into the hillside near the junction of the 57/60 Freeways out in the City of Industry.  He and others present were told the stadium is nearly a done deal with approval expected at next weeks City Council meeting.   Dr Miller said they were told the stadium will include a hall where exhibits from the NFL Hall of Fame can be rotated through so we can see them without having to travel to some gawd-forsaken spot back east to see them.

A quick bit of research shows that according to the City of Diamond Bar the vote takes places 2/26.  Reading their list of entries it appears that they intend to fight a stadium built there.  Looks like we’ll have a nimby fight as well.

When  Jenny Beorkrem set out to make this awesome typographical map of Los Angeles, she was well aware of the politics, insanely intense neighborhood pride, and the death war that is launched when you talk to the wrong person at the wrong bar and refer to Silver Lake as the “East Side.”  So, ideally, the LA Times is taking note of all this as it culls together its “Mapping LA” neighborhood project.

Designed to  be “a tool that will allow reporters and editors to be consistent when describing neighborhoods in news stories in a city that sometimes seems to change the names like most people change socks,” the Times says it’s intent on drilling down, once and for all, who lives where.  It’s a pretty nifty interactive map – probably one of the better things the Times has done lately.

Some quick thoughts on this after the jump.

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Today I had a lunch meeting in Venice, where I’m in the process of moving to, and was publicly bitching about the lack of decent coffee on that side of town. Of course I was missing the Silver Lake Intelligentsia which in addition to being the best coffee EVAR is also mere blocks from my current house. Luckily it was pointed out to me that my worries will be short lived as Intelligentsia is opening a Venice location at the end of next month (baring any delays). I don’t know how I missed this amazing bit of info, but it’s also going to be one of the most, if not THE most innovative coffee shop in the world. Certainly in LA. Just take a peak at these renderings. Wow. I’m going to try and get photos myself as soon as possible, but let’s just say I’m pretty much as excited as I can be. Intelligentsia changed how look at and think about coffee and stupidly excited this mecca is going to be opening right around the corner from where I’ll be living. OK who am I kidding, I’ll be paying rent for a place right around the corner but living here.

I just had a chance to take in a little show these guys put on at my work here in Burbank and I can’t recommend them enough for fans of Radiohead, Travis, Elliot Smith and Sigur Ros. Audrye Sessions on myspace | on last.fm

You know when you see a new band with that “green” kind of feel, but you sense they’re gonna go far? I remember seeing Autolux at a gig at the Derby back when Scott Sterling was booking it, in like early 2001, and I had the same feeling. I’d suggest keeping your eyes on them. Besides, you can’t argue with the words FREE SHOW.

Last month saw the demise of Indie 103.1.  Now it is being widely reported (and confirmed by an on-air personality’s Facebook status) that as of Friday, February 20th, 97.1 Free FM will be closing for business.

Luckily, the station will be reformatting to an AMP Radio affiliate, playing Top 40 hits by the likes of Britney Spears and Katy Perry. Because what the world needs now is more Katy Perry. Wait…What?

Beyond Adam Corolla, Tom Leykis and the rest of the 97.1 air personalities being out of a job, does this affect you personally? Did you listen to FM Talk? Will you miss it? Are you looking forward to more Rhianna on southern California’s airwaves? What do you think, Los Angeles?