Fashion in L.A.

LAEDC economist on fashion industry:

While fashion manufacturing jobs are unlikely to return to L.A., the design jobs and the "creative sector" are here to stay and they will keep fashion from fleeing L.A.

Also, celebrity-driven campaigns are L.A.'s "strong suit."  "Pricey jeans"-makers can afford to keep their operations, including some manufacturing, in the state, rather than "plain vanilla jeans" that are worn until holes are ripped into them. Holes in pricey jeans are actually a premium.

On the other hand, retailers like Forever 21 are thriving during the recession because they are seizing opportunities in the real estate market and catering to the "young woman" who "shops for fun." They are also maximizing their use of L.A.'s still-large production base, which is adapting to quick turnaround periods for companies that want fashion manufactured yesterday, put on their shelves today and restocked by tomorrow.

Shoring Up Cali

The California Department of General Services is getting about $2.33 billion for 11 office properties up and down the state. About $1.2 billion of that is going to the state general fund and it will allegedly prevent further statewide program cuts and tax increases, not counting what already was approved in the state budget.

Let's keep tabs!

Running on fumes

I'm SO AWAKE and well-versed on the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles right now! :)

Just finished writing some neighborhood council and CRA/LA reports for The Neighborhood News' October/November edition.

lush

Oreana Winery in Santa Barbara has Cupcake + Wine Pairing Saturdays!

I can only vouch for their normal tasting on Labor Day Monday but I highly recommend it.

Lists

Officially crossing the following off the NATGEO list below (as posted at the highly recommended L.A. County Fair's Wine Marketplace):

1. Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, US
2. Dr. Bob's handcrafted ice cream, CA (CPP!!)
3. Ron's Gourmet Ice Cream, Massachusetts
4. Berthillon, Paris (Droool)
5. Bim Bom *yet another reason to visit Cuba*
6. Coppella *yet another reason to visit Cuba*
7. Cold Stone Creamery, US
8. Crescent Ridge Dairy, Massachusetts
9. Vivoli Gelato, Florence
10. Haagen Daaz, U.S.

Train Riders: Expect Delays

Click here to check out my article for The Neighborhood News here

It only takes a quick glance down Exposition Boulevard to know the Expo Light Rail line is coming. But completion dates and final plans remain unclear and many of the details of the $862 million Phase 1 remain murky. Its estimated opening date has been pushed back for at least 50 weeks from May 2010 into late 2011

Looking Into A Murky Crystal Ball

"Rather than train journalists to dismiss their own experiences, what if we trained them to use those experiences to help them explain the news to their audience? Allow their humanity to shape their journalism?"

Excellent article. Please check it out - "Look At Me!"