Another Way to Eat L.A.

Prospect Park Books’ Colleen Dunn Bates is the editor and publisher behind “Eat: Los Angeles,” a new book that looks at L.A.’s food neighborhoods, its influential restaurants, and, yes, its taco trucks.

Pat Saperstein, my Variety colleague who’s also behind the famed Eating L.A. site, is a contributor to the book and its companion blog. (Check out Pat’s round up of Boyle Heights eats here.

Colleen and Pat will sign copies of “Eat: Los Angeles” at the new Echo Park bookstore/café Stories this Thursday at 7 p.m. Bonus: The signing will include food samples from area restaurants including Andiamo, Stories’ own café, and the brand-new Allston Yacht Club.

Stories, 1716 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park

A Novel Saturday at the Book Festival

Hoping to avoid the crunch — not to mention the swealtering temps — the Kid Formerly Known as the Blogger Toddler and I drove out to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books early on Saturday — and I’m glad we did.

(Maria was at home, still recovering from a terrible virus that knocked her out for several days. Yeah, it’s been a pretty rough week here at Franklin Avenue HQ, between that and the car accident.)

Parking was $8, but ultimately worth being so close to the festivities. (In years past, we’ve gone on a Sunday and hunted for free parking spaces.) The real reason we got there so early: “Johnny and the Sprites.”

Getting there before 10 didn’t make much of a different with the heat; it was a sauna all day.

If you’re going tomorrow, one reminder: Don’t pay for the overpriced, disappointing vendor food; just go to UCLA’s Ackerman student union, where there are several fast food choices.

Now, some shots from Saturday:

Ahh yes, the main reason we were there with the Kid Formerly Known as Blogger Toddler: A live performance on the Target Children’s Stage by Playhouse Disney’s “Johnny and the Sprites.” “Avenue Q” star (and “Sesame Street” alum) John Tartaglia headlines the show, and appeared on stage with two of the show’s puppet characters. Ex-Blogger Toddler enjoyed it, as did his cousin (who we met up with); I now have those damn songs in my head. (It was actually a pretty good, nearly half-hour show — not bad for free. Gladly took this over seeing those creepy “Doodlebops.” Would have liked to have seen “Choo Choo Soul,” but that performance was slated for the afternoon.)

J. Eric Lynxwiler and L.A. Observed‘s Kevin Roderick man the Angel City Press book, signing copies of their Wilshire Blvd.-themed book.

The spirit of the book festival: Strangers standing side by side, solving crossword puzzles together.

Hi De Ho Comics promises “books with pictures.”

Pop culture historian Charles Phoenix holds up one of his great books, a colorful look at life in post-war Southern California. Charles confirms that he’s taking a break from doing his Disneyland-themed tours of downtown L.A., but he’s excited about his Roller Skating Spectacular at Glendale’s kitschy, historic Moonlight Rollerway. Event, which takes place May 17 and 18, includes Charles’ retro slide show, this time celebrating roller skating, and an after show all-skate party, among other things.

The “Comix Strip” row of mostly animation/comics-related booths (although, strangely, several non-comics booths resided there as well, including Tribune’s Metromix).

Pretty self-explanatory.

A Novel Saturday at the Book Festival

Hoping to avoid the crunch — not to mention the swealtering temps — the Kid Formerly Known as the Blogger Toddler and I drove out to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books early on Saturday — and I’m glad we did.

(Maria was at home, still recovering from a terrible virus that knocked her out for several days. Yeah, it’s been a pretty rough week here at Franklin Avenue HQ, between that and the car accident.)

Parking was $8, but ultimately worth being so close to the festivities. (In years past, we’ve gone on a Sunday and hunted for free parking spaces.) The real reason we got there so early: “Johnny and the Sprites.”

Getting there before 10 didn’t make much of a different with the heat; it was a sauna all day.

If you’re going tomorrow, one reminder: Don’t pay for the overpriced, disappointing vendor food; just go to UCLA’s Ackerman student union, where there are several fast food choices.

Now, some shots from Saturday:

Ahh yes, the main reason we were there with the Kid Formerly Known as Blogger Toddler: A live performance on the Target Children’s Stage by Playhouse Disney’s “Johnny and the Sprites.” “Avenue Q” star (and “Sesame Street” alum) John Tartaglia headlines the show, and appeared on stage with two of the show’s puppet characters. Ex-Blogger Toddler enjoyed it, as did his cousin (who we met up with); I now have those damn songs in my head. (It was actually a pretty good, nearly half-hour show — not bad for free. Gladly took this over seeing those creepy “Doodlebops.” Would have liked to have seen “Choo Choo Soul,” but that performance was slated for the afternoon.)

J. Eric Lynxwiler and L.A. Observed‘s Kevin Roderick man the Angel City Press book, signing copies of their Wilshire Blvd.-themed book.

The spirit of the book festival: Strangers standing side by side, solving crossword puzzles together.

Hi De Ho Comics promises “books with pictures.”

Pop culture historian Charles Phoenix holds up one of his great books, a colorful look at life in post-war Southern California. Charles confirms that he’s taking a break from doing his Disneyland-themed tours of downtown L.A., but he’s excited about his Roller Skating Spectacular at Glendale’s kitschy, historic Moonlight Rollerway. Event, which takes place May 17 and 18, includes Charles’ retro slide show, this time celebrating roller skating, and an after show all-skate party, among other things.

The “Comix Strip” row of mostly animation/comics-related booths (although, strangely, several non-comics booths resided there as well, including Tribune’s Metromix).

Pretty self-explanatory.

Explore L.A.’s Hidden History with Jim Heimann

L.A. Time Machines suggests that “Chris Nichols and Jim Heimann have to be two of the greatest living Restaurant and mid-Century Modern historians around.” Which is why it’s fitting that Chris, a Los Angeles magazine staffer by day, emailed this must-attend event for anyone obsessed with L.A. history:

“LA Erased,” An Evening with Jim Heimann
Sunday, March 2nd, 2008
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Walgrove Auditorium
1630 Walgrove Ave.
Los Angeles 90066

Please join The Friends of Walgrove and The New School-West preschool in welcoming Taschen author, editor, and graphic designer Jim Heimann for a rare evening exploring the hidden history of Los Angeles. Part slideshow, part rambling travelogue, this will be an evening filled with unusual and arcane images and tidbits about the city we all love. Tickets $15. Limited seating. Email now for your tkts to newschoolwest@earthlink.net. There will be limited seating.

Chris refers to Heimann (author of “California Crazy,” above) as “my mentor, my hero.” Good enough for me. Plus, he notes, it’s a charity event.

Mai Tai One On

(Flickr pic by Joyousx).

Hmm, maybe this is one for Huell Howser to answer. An editor I once interned for is putting together a book about the famed Mai Tai, and is looking for personal stories that somehow involve the sweet, rum cocktail.

In the summer of 1992 I interned for both Hawaii Business magazine and Aloha magazine; at the time, the now-defunct Aloha mag (which was geared toward mainland tourists) was edited by Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi.

Now a travel writer, Tsutsumi is looking for tales of first Mai Tais, romantic experiences while drinking a Mai Tai, funny stories, etc. Anyone with an interesting story will be credited in the book — drop me a line and I’ll forward the info.

Mai Tai One On

(Flickr pic by Joyousx).

Hmm, maybe this is one for Huell Howser to answer. An editor I once interned for is putting together a book about the famed Mai Tai, and is looking for personal stories that somehow involve the sweet, rum cocktail.

In the summer of 1992 I interned for both Hawaii Business magazine and Aloha magazine; at the time, the now-defunct Aloha mag (which was geared toward mainland tourists) was edited by Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi.

Now a travel writer, Tsutsumi is looking for tales of first Mai Tais, romantic experiences while drinking a Mai Tai, funny stories, etc. Anyone with an interesting story will be credited in the book — drop me a line and I’ll forward the info.

Several Chances to Meet Local TV Legend Stan Chambers

KTLA’s Stan Chambers is a living legend, a TV reporter who dates all the way back to the dawn of the medium. He’d be in the history books even if his career ended with the live coverage of the 1949 Kathy Fiscus well tragedy… but his career has continued for nearly 60 years beyond that.

Now, Stan has released the book “KTLA’s News At Ten: Sixty Years With Stan Chambers,” which focuses on his role in covering much of Los Angeles’ coming of age:

Interweaving television history with a legendary reporter¹s back story and perspective, “KTLA’s News At Ten: Sixty Years With Stan Chambers” focuses on events familiar to viewers in Southern California and sure to fascinate readers nationwide. With an engaging, up-close and personal style, Chambers recreates the everyday challenges of a television news reporter¹s job back in the days before mini-cams and cell phones. He also recaptures the excitement of being among the first to experience technical breakthroughs — like KTLA’s top-secret engineering feat: the first-ever news “Telecopter” — and the being the first to break many stories. Among the memorable events in the spotlight:

–The monumental story of the Rodney King beating, which Chambers¹ broke when amateur photographer George Holiday entrusted his videotape to the trusted reporter

–Chilling and heartbreaking high-profile stories, including the case of the Hillside Strangler, the Manson family murder of Sharon Tate, and the kidnapping of Frank Sinatra, Jr.

–Harrowing live coverage of the A-Bomb test in the Nevada prove-up grounds, the Baldwin Hills Dam disaster, the Northridge earthquake, and the Malibu fires

–Haunting reports on two destructive riots with disturbing similarities:
the Watts Riots of 1965 and the Los Angeles Riots of 1992

Stan will be signing the book this winter throughout the Southland:

January 19 – Dutton’s, LA
February 2 – Vroman’s, Pasadena
February 7 – Barnes & Noble, Long Beach
February 11 – Burbank Public Library, “Coffee & Conversations”
February 23 – Chevalier’s Books, LA
February 26 – Newport Beach Public Library Foundation
February 28 – Barnes & Noble, LA (The Grove)
March 15 – Cal State Fullerton’s Assistance League, “A Day of Authors”
April 2 – UCI Inside Edge
April 10 – Brendeis University Luncheon, Beverly Hills April 18 – Huntington Beach Library

Used Books for Christmas

(Flickr pic by Melle Music.)

Sadly, Los Angeles doesn’t boast as many used book stores as it once did (blame the Internet, I suppose, as well as megastores like Barnes & Noble and Borders, not to mention big box stores like Wal-Mart). But we’re still lucky to be close to two decent survivors.

For Angelenophiles on your list, the Los Angeles sections of both stores contain some treasures — books about our fair city that are no longer in print, including several printed in the 70s and 80s that feature photos of now-destroyed landmarks. (As you might have guessed, I picked up a few gems the other day.)

The Iliad bookstore recently moved locations (from Lankershim to Cahuenga, about a mile east) after the original location’s landlord jacked up the rent. Rumor has it the Iliad owns its new location, which is admittedly smaller but at least means a little more stability.

The Iliad Book Shop, 5400A Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood

As for Brand Bookshop, as Los Angeles magazine recently noted, it’s by far the best-organized used book store you’ve ever seen. There’s still plenty joy of discovery there, but it’s nicely assisted by books placed in well-labeled sections they’re supposed to be in. It’s definitely one of Glendale’s treasures.

Brand Book Shop, 231 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale

Used Books for Christmas

(Flickr pic by Melle Music.)

Sadly, Los Angeles doesn’t boast as many used book stores as it once did (blame the Internet, I suppose, as well as megastores like Barnes & Noble and Borders, not to mention big box stores like Wal-Mart). But we’re still lucky to be close to two decent survivors.

For Angelenophiles on your list, the Los Angeles sections of both stores contain some treasures — books about our fair city that are no longer in print, including several printed in the 70s and 80s that feature photos of now-destroyed landmarks. (As you might have guessed, I picked up a few gems the other day.)

The Iliad bookstore recently moved locations (from Lankershim to Cahuenga, about a mile east) after the original location’s landlord jacked up the rent. Rumor has it the Iliad owns its new location, which is admittedly smaller but at least means a little more stability.

The Iliad Book Shop, 5400A Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood

As for Brand Bookshop, as Los Angeles magazine recently noted, it’s by far the best-organized used book store you’ve ever seen. There’s still plenty joy of discovery there, but it’s nicely assisted by books placed in well-labeled sections they’re supposed to be in. It’s definitely one of Glendale’s treasures.

Brand Book Shop, 231 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale

Twin Sisters, Separated at Birth, Get to Know Each Other 35 Years Later

A few years ago, my former Variety colleague Paula Bernstein (above, right), who’d been adopted as an infant, got a call from her old adoption agency. It was a bombshell like no other: Paula was told she had an identical twin sister.

What’s more, she found out that they’d been separated at birth — and more shockingly, were originally part of a secret study on separated twins.

She soon discovered that her sister, Elyse Schein (above, left), was also a writer. It was Schein who first discovered that she had a twin, after starting a search for her biological mother. From there, Paula and Elyse began investigating their mother’s past… while adjusting to the fact that, after more than 30 years, they’d both gained a sister — and one who looked almost the same.

The siblings chronicled their journey in the upcoming Random House release “Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited.” Paula just sent word that the book officially comes out on October 2. You can check out their website here and their MySpace page here.

A synopsis:

As they reunite and take their tentative first steps from strangers to sisters, Paula and Elyse are also left with haunting questions surrounding their origins and their separation. They learn that the study was conducted by a pair of influential psychiatrists associated with a prestigious adoption agency.

In alternating voices, Paula and Elyse write with emotional honesty about the immediate intimacy they share as twins and the wide chasm that divides them as two complete strangers. Interweaving eyeopening studies and statistics on twin science into their narrative, they offer an intelligent and heartfelt glimpse into human nature.