There's a new multi-faceted food destination now open in Hollywood. The Mercantile comes from the business mind of relocated New Yorker George Abou-Daoud (Bowery, Mission Cantina and Delancey), who describes the restaurant as "equal parts gourmet marketplace, daytime café and nighttime wine bar." In the kitchen is Chef Kris Morningstar, most recently of DTLA's Casa, who helped the modern Mexican eatery get on its feet before announcing an amicable split calculated to prep him for his new gig in Hollywood.
Mercantile hosted a soft-launch friends-and-family event last Thursday night, and gave their guests a sneak peek at items from their menu of charcuterie, sandwiches, and other artisanal-styled classics. Just a few weeks away is the launch of District, a sort of companion restaurant more than a little tied to The Mercantile; once again it's Abou-Daoud and Morningstar behind the scenes, and it's located right next door. Look for it soon, where they'll have seasonal bistro fare and inventive cocktails on the menu.
He did it. Jeremy Swan inked 874 tattoos in 24 hours last Friday, breaking the record of 801. The results are not official yet, though, as he has to send a time-lapse video, among other documents like photos of each tattoo, to Guinness for approval. See photos from the first hour of the night here.
Sarah Palin has finally gotten the interview to which she felt so entitled. On Monday, ahead of the release of her new book “Going Rogue," Oprah Winfrey delivered the “light-hearted” chat the former vice presidential candidate says she was led to expect from her infamous sit-down with Katie Couric. Sure, there were some obligatory questions about her vice presidential run, but she
Yes, we spotted this lion this morning. | Photo by Christine N. Ziemba
Early this morning as we were driving out of an Albertsons/Starbucks parking lot in Valencia, we spotted an animal pacing in a trailer in front of us. At first, we thought it was a horse or a pig. But noooo. Even before the coffee kicked in, we spotted the king of the jungle checking us out. So we snapped this photo. Even with all the wackiness that we've seen on LA's roads, this is the first time we've seen a lion.
What weird things have you spotted on our roads?
It's like a WTWTA thizz face up in here. Photo via ilovefred @LAist Flickr page.
This seems to be the week of the essay show, with Mortified and Sit N' Spin both tackling the genre, albeit in different ways. There's a ton of smaller shows around town too, like Benderdangle at the iO West Andy Dick theater on Saturday at 8p. In short, there's no reason to not get out and see some great stand up at Largo, or catch award-winning shows for free at Comedy Central Stage, or even drive down to Irvine for known headliners. Also, in recently developed (and huge) news, Martin Lawrence is back for some stand up at the Comedy Store on Friday and Saturday nights.
This week's got it all, folks, and if you want to see your show (or the show of a loved one) committed to this digital ink, email Farley and let him know. The guy's practically beggin' for it, which sounds about as sexual as it's intended to be.
MONDAY 11/16
Comedy at The Castle, 8p Magic Castle. Longtime comedy legends (and Emmy and Grammy award winners) Hunter and Stan Freberg are headlining this new comedy show at the famous Magic Castle. For tickets / reservations call: 323-851-3313 (x434). Note: there's a strictly enforced dress code, and you HAVE TO HAVE a reservation to get in. It's still a private club, after all.
Armando Show, 10p iO West. This week, the stories that inspire the improv will come from Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family. Score.
TUESDAY 11/17
Rabbit Faced Story Soup, 8p Comedy Central Stage. Laura Solon takes on different characters in this great award-winning show from across the pond.
Comedy Death Ray, 8:30p UCB. The best stand up in town, hands down. This week has Nick Kroll, Sean Cullen, Matt Besser and some other great comics. Get there at 8p with your CDR reservation to catch an Andy Dick pilot as produced by BJ Porter and Scott Aukerman.
WEDNESDAY 11/18
Comedy for The Cove, 8p Comedy Store. If you saw The Cove or hate the idea that hundreds of dolphins are getting slaughtered over in Japan, go give some chuckles and some bucks to a good cause.
Mortified LA, 8p King King. The monster of all essay shows returns to LA for the last time this month. If you like normal folks sharing embarrassing stories from their childhood, look no further.
THURSDAY 11/19
Sarah Silverman & Friends, 8:30p Largo. The queen herself returns with some funny folks to the Largo main room.
Sit N’ Spin, 8p Comedy Central Stage. I know it’s Mortified LA this week, but Sit N’ Spin is still a really great essay show on it’s own, and to be honest it takes a more adult tone than Mortified, but usually without the harsh realities of The Moth. Oh, and music!
FRIDAY 11/20
Jo Koy, 8p Comedy & Magic Club. Jo is back at the Club doing some of his great stand up comedy.
Martin Lawrence, 9p Comedy Store. This is seriously huge. Martin is back after like half a decade for two nights at the Comedy Store. As much as I like to beat the Comedy Store into submission, they're getting better with their shows (Bootyoke, anyone?!) and this Martin engagement is outstanding. Bravo.
SATURDAY 11/21
Paul F. Tompkins Show, 9p Largo. PFT is sure to be as dapper and as funny as ever over at Largo. Man, they’re really stepping up their stand up game these days, considering the Tuesday Aziz show had to be rescheduled for December 5th.
Dana Gould, 9:30p Improv. Long time stand up, Simpsons writer, and all around funny guy Dana does two shows at the Improv. But, seriously, who goes to the early show?
SUNDAY 11/22
ASSSSCAT, 7:30p UCB. Line up early (like, at least an hour) in order to get something even close to resembling a seat for the free version of LAs best improv comedy.
Daniel Tosh, 9p Irvine Improv. OMG OMG OMG DANIEL TOSH!!!111!!1! Ok, so he has his own show and he’s at the Irvine Improv all weekend. Still, the man is f*cking funny. What a great excuse to beat traffic with a fantastic comedy show down south.
A proposed medical marijuana ordinance for Los Angeles has failed to garner a majority of votes. Today, two committees rejected the fifth proposal submitted in a year and a half time, this one drafted by the recently-elected City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. Proponents of medical marijuana threatened to sue if this draft went through and the majority of councilmembers agreed that it was too prohibitive. The full council could still take up the issue as early as Wednesday, says the LA Times. Around 1,000 dispensaries are within Los Angeles city limits.
The big news from the retail sales report was that sales rose again and even more than expected--1.4%, which was a full half point more than the consensus forecast.
The core retail spending--the stuff that tends to give a steadier picture and not fluctuate around a lot--rose for the third straight month. And if you compared the core sales in October 2009 to October last year, it was the first year-over-year increase in 8 months. In fact, the three-month gain ending in October was the strongest since June 2008.
This string of gains means that consumer spending is on track to post another gain in the fourth quarter of the year. From mid 2007 to mid 2009, we had measly growth or outright declines in consumer spending so this is a welcome sign of the beginnings of recovery.
One last thing worth noting in this retail sales report is the fact that consumer spending on motor vehicles posted a big increase. The report last month showed a decline in sales as the Cash-for-Clunkers program ended. Some critics argued that the perceived recovery of the economy was only a temporary blip due to people shifting their car purchases forward and sales now would be lower for an extended period. These data suggest that didn't happen. They confirm what the private industry sales data already documented. The sales of motor vehicles in October are up to an annual rate that actually exceeds the rate in the eight months before cash-for-clunkers began.
The President's focus is on recovery and getting people back to work. Turning the economy around is the necessary first step for job creation. This report suggests the recovery effort may be picking up steam.
Austan Goolsbee is a member of the Council of Economic Advisers
http://twitter.com/ActuallyNPH
Felicia says it is actually-really-him. Join me in following his 140 character musings.
[ edited by gossi on 2009-11-17 00:57 ]
This is probably ver obscure, but I wondered if anyone might know the title or author of a book I read as a child. I was very young so don't remember many details apart from being fascinated mainly by how strange this book was.
The story was split between 3 time periods which I think may have been three incarnations of the same person. One was a green-eyed boy who I believe had an affinity for alder trees, which was viewed with suspicion as in the book they were unlucky (+ his weird eyes) - he came into conflict with priests who looked after him and out of superstition then ultimately cast him adrift at sea. There was some implication that he was being continually reincarnated perhaps.
Interleaved was a second storyline which centered on a man perhaps called sourney who lived in the drowned world which may have been set in the future and finally he was a "lion" or god of some kind. It is possible he was trying to communicate with his former self in some way...
I think there may have been some stylised illustrations reminiscent of hieroglyphs.
I do remember the book also contained some poems and the boy cited a riddle to the priests which started "Will the fishermen launch the lion on the ocean deep and blue.." and her taunted that they would never know the answer and it would haunt them... Rather like this book search for me!
Thanks in advance for any help!
[ It actually reminded me initially of The Blue Hawk although that's definately not the book. ]
In this science-fiction story, people animate robotic bodies and leave their bodies at home or in some kind of custodial facility. The main character is a famous fighter, taking part in gladiatorial games as a media spectacle.
While out on the town in a "sporty model" he is drawn into a conflict with another robot body, and winds up being framed and jailed in a scheme to make him miss his scheduled appearance for a fight and therefore forfeit.
He shows up for the fight in his own body, and they have to let him fight, since the rules are based on the pre-robotic-body boxing sports.
Ringing any bells? I'm not sure whether this was a short story, novella, novel or what. It might have been in Amazing or some other sci-fi digest, but I won't even guess what year it was written.
Gay people have infiltrated every aspect of culture…and made it more awesome, making straight people look less awesome in the process. The straight contingency of Theatre Unleashed is okay with that so long as we can make some money off of our gay company comrades. As such, we have joined forces to announce the return of Die Grüppe with GLBT: Gays, Lettuce, Bacon and Tomato, an evening of gay-related sketches and new characters you won't forget! Don’t be afraid to come out and enjoy a night of complete and utter gayness…as in joyfulness…and gayness…A Die Grüppe show
Directed by Phillip Kelly
Produced by Theatre Unleashed
DATE, TIME, LOCATION:
November 19
Thursday @ 9 p.m.
The Sherry Theatre
11052 Magnolia Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
November 21
Saturday, 11:30 p.m.
The Sherry Theatre
11052 Magnolia Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
*Performance will follow the Theatre Unleashed
Main Stage show Landscaping the Den of Saints
TICKET PRICES:
General Admission: $10
*$25 for both Landscaping the Den of Saints
and GLBT: Gays, Lettuce, Bacon and Tomato
**BYOB!!!
INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS:
For further information, please call: (818) 849-4039 or go to www.theatreunleashed.com.
Is it just me, or does it seem that pretty much everyone wants 2009 to be over with already?
Lizz Wasserman, popomomo | photo by Lelah Foster
LA has a diverse cast of characters. Whether it's the characters with stirring stories or interesting occupations or the people who are just simply characters, this town has them all. In an effort to get to know some of those characters a little better, we've created "Seven Questions with..." If you have a suggestion for a future Seven Questions subject send us an email.
Today's subject is Lizz Wasserman.
Lizz is a Highland Park-based designer whose clothing line, popomomo uses organic and/or sustainable fabrics. Wassernan's line, which is produced, designed and sampled here in LA, is the antithesis of disposable fashion -- focusing only on producing unique and new designs.
Prior to founding popomomo in 2007, the Milwaukee native designed for Urban Outfitters and Free People. Lizz, who has previously lived in Prague, Philadelphia and Brooklyn, "finds LA to be the perfect weird, contradictory, and magically tragic backdrop to inspire popomomo."
LAist had the chance to exchange emails with Lizz to discuss her favorite designers, her decision to make popomomo a sustainable line, her vegetable oil-powered Mercedes and H&M.
1) The name popomomo stands for post-postmodern movement. Where did that name come from?
When I was in college I was really into Soc. Theory: and was reading a lot about postmodernism. From a societal standpoint, there are a lot of awesome changes that happened with postmodernism: but in architecture and other design areas: the constant referencing of the past and putting together disparate elements was really frustrating to me, especially because my parents are architects.
So, when I started thinking about what I would want to create for a clothing line: I knew I wanted to focus on the new. For popomomo I always try to create something, that, even if it's simple, is different from everything else in your closet.
popomomo's spring 10 postcard | Photo by Eugene at wellmadephrase
I still remember the first time I saw Vivienne Westwood pieces. It felt like being in an art museum. But like being in an art museum: there's also an accessibility issue to clothes like that and price tags like that.
Clothing is one of the few creative design objects that most people in America can buy, and that accessibility of design has always been important to me: from the design jobs I've taken, to the price point of my lines. I recently started my other line, Curatorial, which uses liability, vintage, and deadstock fabric, pretty much for fun: but it's also has a lower price point, which is awesome.
3) How did you come up with the idea to go organic with your entire line?
I had always said if I did my own line I would do only domestic production and eco fabrics. After moving to New York for a designer gig, I traveled to Asia for work to meet with fabric mills and factories. I saw so many different kinds of sustainable fabric: milk jersey, bamboo, soy, silver jerseys, that I realized I could really do it that way. That having been said: sustainable fabrics are still super limited, and I still can't find half the fabrics I saw in Asia like 4 years ago in America. But, for Fall 2010 I'm excited to be using a couple new fabrics: Tencel woven (which is made from wood pulp), and an awesome hemp/wool.
4) You told Huffington Post "If H&M went completely organic, it would be good in some ways, but the culture of disposable fashion that H&M is a part of would remain harmful and wasteful." How do you think we change that culture of disposable fashion?
As individual consumers we can make educated decisions with our money. And individual designers, we can use solely sustainable fabrics and methods: and follow our own ideas instead of trickle down trends. But, without large fashion companies making eco-decisions: none of us have as many options to work with. Fashion is a giant and profitable industry that has the potential to make sweeping and positive changes. Without either regulation or incentive: I think that change has to come from "below." Hopefully, in the future there won't be such a thing as "green lines," or "green designers," but in the meantime I don't understand any young designer who doesn't work sustainably.
a popomomo Fall '09 Favorite: bess tunic | Photo by Whitney Hubbs
The open studios came about from me and my studio mate, Courtney Lowe, who own LA Vintage Exchange, having so much fun shopping each other's lines. The atmosphere is super laid back, cozy...we go a little crazy with desserts and sweets and champagne....people come by: hang out, eat cookies, drink champagne, try on clothing, hang out some more. We were doing the open studios during the day: but we are going to switch to every wednesday night from 5-10 starting next week. We'll also be having sales with other lines once a month in the back lot of the studio space, including our Holiday Sale which is
The open studio nights and back lot sales are open to the public...I'll always post the events on my blog: materialconcern.com
6) Tell me more about your Mercedes that runs on waste vegetable oil. Where do you pick up the waste vegetable oil?
I get the oil from one of my favorite restaurants in LA: Good Girl Dinette in Highland Park. My husband and I've become good friends with the owner and chef, DIep: and she even catered our wedding in October. She makes amazing Vietnamese comfort food...and she uses only farm raised meats and local produce. Good Girl Dinette's spicy fries are to die for, which is good for me: because they power my car. After picking up the oil, I take it to my studio, which is also in Highland Park, and it sits for a day or two. Then, I pour it into plastic barrel with basically a dryer sheet filter on it. Again, it sits for a couple days, then I hand pump it into my car. It works great, and the only downside is I'm constantly thinking about fried food.
7) You said you like to wear clothes that are unbranded, does that mean we won't be seeing you in Ed Hardy any time soon?
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA,
Halloween was last month!
Lizz Wasserman and popomomo will be participating in Style Wars 2009 tomorrow at Cinespace.
The rumors floating around the interent this morning were sadly true. Former host of MTV's Remote Control died suddenly over the weekend. The cause of the 52-year-old Santa Monica resident's death is still unknown, but on Saturday evening he "complained of a headache and flu-like symptoms" to a friend, saying "he was going to take something and would see a doctor as soon as possible," according to the New York Times. The next day he was found dead.
Remote Control was MTV's first show that was not strictly musical (reminisce with a clip below). The pop-culture quiz show can also be credited with breaking out Adam Sandler and others. Most recently, Ober worked as a producer on “Mind of Mencia” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”
That show, which was the network’s first original series to focus on non-musical content, tested participants on their knowledge of television, music-video and pop-culture trivia. The show, which also provided a launching pad for the careers of comedians like Adam Sandler and Colin Quinn, drew much of its sarcastic, self-mocking spirit from the culturally obsessive Mr. Ober, who ran the program like a late-night talk show (or frat party) and gleefully teased players who gave wrong answers.
James Caviezel is right: OMG when am I going to find another 2 hours to watch "The Prisoner" tonight!
Sunday marked the premiere of AMC's remake of "The Prisoner" and it was really difficult to not want to see Patrick McGoohan purposefully stalking his way through the sets. We're not sure we are fans, yet, of James Caviezel's Number 6, updated to be wavering and unsure of his true self, something we never would have seen McGoohan do, but perhaps more "realistic". Who needs realism goddammit?! A big question we have is why is AMC plowing through the series at 2 episodes per night? Carving out 2 hours during such prime viewing hours with so much competition is tough and we have to somehow do it tonight as well.
---
NBC is developing a comedy from sitcom veteran Larry Charles of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and Borat fame to be developed under.... (gasp) McG's production company Wonderland Sound & Vision. Charles will write, exec produce and direct the project if and whenever it launches.
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The TV Junkie Plan: "The Prisoner", "Cake Boss", Letterman, Ferguson.
8:00pm The Prisoner AMC - Six becomes a spy for Two; 313 is fearful of her gift; 11-12's secret is exposed; Six meets a familiar woman; The Village is struck by a natural disaster; 147 endures a family tragedy.
8:00pm How I Met Your Mother CBS - After breaking up with Robin, Barney pulls out all of his greatest tricks to get back into the dating scene.
8:00pm House FX - House reclaims his role as head of diagnostics in time to treat an adult film star admitted to the hospital for pulsating eye pain
8:00pm Heroes NBC - Samuel discovers how powerful he can become; Tracy starts to lose control of her ability
8:00pm Dancing With the Stars ABC - The final four couples perform.
8:00pm Inside the Actors Studio Bravo - Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres discuss their 26-year career and their personal struggles along the way.
9:00pm Trauma NBC - A high-speed boat collision interrupts a wedding at sea
9:00pm Gossip Girl The CW - Blair tries to impress students at NYU with a private Lady Gaga concert
9:30pm The Big Bang Theory CBS - Penny is forced to rely on Sheldon when she is injured while Howard, Leonard and Raj are away.
10:00pm Cake Boss TLC - After Buddy is asked to make a cage-fighting cake his teenage nephew is inspired to challenge Frankie to a wrestling match.
10:00pm Love Bites MTV - Twilight special followed by New Moon Revealed
11:00pm Lopez Tonight TBS - Actor Charlie Sheen; actress/singer Demi Lovato.
11:35pm Late Show With David Letterman CBS - Actress Sharon Stone; comic Seth Meyers; Wyclef Jean performs with Cyndi Lauper.
11:35pm The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien NBC - Actress Kristen Stewart; director Judd Apatow; Carrie Underwood performs
12:35am The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson CBS - Actor LL Cool J; actress Mindy Kaling; Ben Harper and Relentless7 perform.
12:35am Late Night With Jimmy Fallon NBC - Singer Tim McGraw; actress Anna Torv; chef Josh Capon.
At times it can feel overwhelming, but every simple change does make a difference to the world :)
How do you believe you're making a difference?
♥ I purchase and support natural/organic beauty products & have managed to convince my fiance to make the change! "Did you know that 64% of the chemicals in your products are absorbed into your body?" has scared him terribly :)
♥ I have my own organic herb garden.
♥ We both have our own aluminium water bottles & try to avoid purchasing plastic bottles.
♥ I'm attempting to make my own cleaning products; especially dishwashing liquid & laundry soaps.
♥ I'm aware & actively seek new opportunites whenever I can.
Also, where needs improvement?
× I would love to be able to purchase more organic food, however I simply can't afford everything just yet - everything is so much more expensive in Australia. I will try to visit a farmers market though.
× I use too many paper towels. Need to get myself more organised & have recycled tshirts available instead!
× Wasting water; ugh :(
- Location:Melbourne, Australia
- Mood:
calm
CLOSING THIS WEEKEND!!
Don't miss out on your last chance to see Landscaping the Den of Saints & Tales of an Unsettled City: Exodus! In honor of the Holidays, all performances are Pay What You Can this weekend!
To RSVP, call (818) 849-4039! See you this weekend!
Today, Double X editors Hanna Rosin and Emily Bazelon announced that the newish ladymag is about to return to its roots as a ladyblog. Or, as Gawker put it, "Six months after the Slate Group launched Double X as 'a new kind of women's online magazine,' it's being transformed into a section of Slate.com, a very old kind of men's online magazine." (Which led to our favorite comments: "Slate is a men's magazine?" Followed by, "And Salon is for women. Angry, angry, angry women.")
Rosin and Bazelon assure readers, "For many of you, this won't much change your experience of reading us. We will have many of the same bloggers and writers, and Hanna and Emily will continue to run the project. The decision is being made for business reasons rather than as an editorial judgment." No layoffs have been confirmed yet, but a business decision that results in only "many of the same bloggers and writers" working for them does suggest that there will be some sad changes as they transition to a "more intimate version of the community we have built." Such is the nature of journalism these days, unfortunately; in even sadder news, Window Media, the country's largest publisher of LGBT newspapers, announced today that it's closing six papers.
On the plus side, innovation and new models are also the nature of journalism today. Editors at the Washington Blade, one of the closing Window Media papers, are already regrouping to plan a new publication -- and Double X, of course, will continue on as a part of Slate. We wish everyone there the very best, and we look forward to reading what comes next. There are worse gigs than being part of a women's issues blog on a larger news and culture site, we can tell you that much.
We may have not been feeling them directly here in Los Angeles, but the ground is shaking somewhat east of us. Since Saturday evening, three earthquakes have rattled the Inland Empire, first in Riverside County (3.3), again this morning east of Temecula (3.6) and then this afternoon more northward in San Bernardino County (4.6). Yesterday, there was a 4.3 magnitude quake near San Nicolas Island, which is one of two Channel Islands controlled by the Military. 3.0 and 4.0 magnitude quakes are categorized as "minor" and "light," respectively.
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laist_feed : Just Opened: Hollywood's Mercantile [+0] - laist_feed : Silver Lake Tattoo Artist Breaks World Record [+0]
- broadsheet : Palin gets her dream interview [+0]
- laist_feed : There's a Lion at the Starbucks [+0]
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whatwasthatbook :: vazoid : Sci Fi - Green eyed, drowned world, Sourney [+0] - whatwasthatbook :: wolfrick : Found - Laumer's "The Body Builders" - "Surrogates" style prizefighter? [+5]
- los_angeles :: theatreunleashd : Die Grüppe presents Gays, Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato [+0]
- scalzifeed : A Query to the Assembly [+0]
- laist_feed : Seven Questions: Lizz Wasserman, popomomo [+0]
- laist_feed : Former MTV Host Ken Ober Dies at 52 [+0]
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