Staples Inc.

NYC Thinks L.A. Wants to Be 'Manhattanized'

NYC wannabe?​Well! This is insulting. And so very in line with New York media's ridiculous attempts to pin down Los Angeles after spending one night in a downtown hotel with a notepad and a smog mask. TIME Magazine runs a big out-of-touch feature today on the alleged "Manhattanization" of dow ... More >>

Arrow Advertising: The Wal-Mart of Sidewalk Sign Spinners

Anne FishbeinThe spin masters​ If you've driven Lincoln Boulevard in Marina del Rey recently, you've probably seen Tom Tucker. He's the guy not wearing a chicken suit, not draped by a sandwich board, not dressed like a gorilla. Tucker is the guy standing on the corner dancing, smiling, flippi ... More >>

Dodger Stadium to be Moved Downtown? Report Says MLB Talking to AEG About Building New L.A. Ballpark

A relic?​Update: MLB reportedly denies this, as does AEG. Details at the bottom. A baseball stadium in downtown Los Angeles? Built by the folks who own Staples Center? Whew. This Frank McCourt mess has really shaken things up. Because the loathed Dodgers owner is the landlord at Dodger Stadi ... More >>

Live Review: Eddie Vedder at The Wiltern

Daniel KohnVedder getting started​ WHO: Eddie Vedder WHERE: The Wiltern WHEN: 7/8/11 There are many points in Eddie Vedder's 20-year plus music career where he's had moments of clarity. However, there was a point when he lived in a crummy apartment in San Diego when he realized enough was eno ... More >>

Kid Cudi brings The Cud Life to Nokia Theater, Britney Fans Swarm Next Door at Staples

photo by Wendy GilmartinKid Cudi​ L.A. Live played host to a hip hop-meets-dance pop mash-up Monday night, with Britney Spears on one side of the street and Kid Cudi on the other.

Wayne Simmonds: Canadian Flash

Dogfight: The Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog vs Let's Be Frank

Gregory Bojorquez​ This SoCal-NorCal rivalry thing is totally overblown. We're all Californians, and they've got some great stuff up there, like beer, book publishers, and hyphy rap. Who cares that they use obnoxious words like "hella," that they have their own stupid logo, or that they root ... More >>

Another Angel Descends on Our City: Taylor Swift's Moving In?

Taylor Swift​"Well, the first thing you know Taylor Swift's a millionaire, Kinfolk said, 'Tay move away from there' Said, 'Californy is the place you ought to be' So she loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly. Hills, that is. Swimmin' pools, country music stars." We only poke very gent ... More >>

NFL Stadium Deal Could Allow Developer AEG to Use More Land For LA Live

Cheerleaders at AEG's proposed Farmer's Field site.​Tim Leiweke, chief of Anschutz Entertainment Group and its well known local venues such as Staples Center and LA Live, has said it until he's almost blue in the face. He's nearly had a few read-my-lips moments. Not a cent of taxpayer money w ... More >>

La Cita In The News: Mustache Mondays Leaves A Void, Adam Lambert Punches A Hole and Punky Reggae Fills It All Up

Lina Lecaro Doing damage on La Cita's dance floor.​ We might have been worried about La Cita in downtown after the announcement last week that our favorite club there, Mustache Mondays, was moving to a new location (more on that below), but after having a smokin' time at the jam-packed, red-l ... More >>

Janet Napolitano Urges You to Become a Terrorism Snitch at Staples Center: Profile Away

Front row, next to Jack Nicholson.​Ah, the terror-snitch ho-down has begun at Staples Center downtown, where U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Monday announced that the "If You See Something, Say Something" tip-off program has expanded there. Any particular th ... More >>

L.A. Stadium Plans Jeopardized by Break Down of NFL Labor Talks

Not yet, L.A.​If you've been waiting expectantly, nachos in-hand, for the NFL's much-teased return to L.A., you might want to get comfortable, because this could take a while. Contract talks between the players and team owners broke down Friday, possibly imperiling the 2011 season. What does ... More >>

'Los Angeles Stadium' Developer John Semcken Says NFL Naming Rights Will Surpass AEG's Downtown Deal With Farmers

Majestic RealityLos Angeles Stadium in Industry.​While much of the media spotlight has illuminated a fantastic, last-minute effort by the owners of Staples Center to build an NFL stadium next to LA Live downtown, Majestic Realty has been quietly moving forward with its own "Los Angeles Stadium ... More >>

Three Visions For Proposed NFL Stadium In Downtown L.A. Unleashed Today

GenslerAn architect's rendering of a downtown NFL stadium​By Dennis Romero and Gene Maddaus Updated with sketches and remarks from the unveiling at 6:05 p.m. As the owners of Staples Center were poised to unleash three architectural firms' distinct visions of what a proposed downtown stadium mig ... More >>

Three Architectural Visions For Proposed Downtown Los Angeles Stadium To Be Unveiled Wednesday

It could happen.​L.A. will have a look at what could be its next football stadium when the folks who own Staples Center unveil the venue's three architectural finalists Wednesday. Tim Leiweke, the chief of Staples parent Anschutz Entertainment Group, has said he would like to invest $1 billio ... More >>

Decision On NFL Team For L.A. By March? That's What Staples Center Honcho Tim Leiweke Wants To See

The Convention Center, and Staples, by sky.​Angelenos could find out if we're getting an NFL team within three months. That's the goal Staples Center boss Tim Leiweke set for the NFL to give us the green light (and a team), he told downtown business leaders this week. And next month, he sai ... More >>

Ron Kaye Wants L.A. To Vote On A Measure That Would Ensure Not One Taxpayer Dollar Goes Toward NFL Stadium Downtown

Ron Kaye wants ironclad, no-public-money deal for NFL stadium.​It looks more and more like L.A. is going to get an NFL stadium. Ed Roski's Majestic Realty has a plan for one in the city of Industry. Staples Center boss Tim Leiweke has offered some ideas of his own, including a possible venue a ... More >>

Staples Center Chief Tim Leiweke Defends Prospective NFL Stadium Downtown As A Boon To Taxpayers

NFL next door to Staples Center?​How close is L.A. to getting a new NFL stadium? Tim Leiweke, CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, the Staples Center-owning company that might or might not build a billion-dollar football venue downtown, says it's at least three years off. Still, there's been ... More >>

Ed Roski's Proposed 'Los Angeles Stadium' Good For World Cup Soccer As Well As NFL

gnews pics via FlickrIs L.A. ready for another World Cup?​The developer of a proposed NFL stadium in the City of Industry has just sweetened the pot: The venue will be World Cup soccer compatible! And the crowd (of three people) goes wild. Developer Ed Roski's Majestic Reality says the San Ga ... More >>

City Bean Burglarized Holding Highway Robbery Coffee Sale = Good For You

A. Scattergoodcoffee at City Bean​ City Bean Coffee, the local micro-roastery that Sol Salzer recently reopened in a newly renovated space on Jefferson Boulevard, was burglarized this past Tuesday. Salzer says that thieves made off with over $8,000 in office and labeling equipment and tools. ... More >>

Did Free Staples Center Tickets Inspire L.A. City Leaders To Spend $3.2 Million Of Your Money On Michael Jackson's Memorial?

​A court filing seeks "declaratory and injunctive relief" for taxpayers regarding the city of Los Angeles' expenses for the Michael Jackson memorial last summer, alleging that city officials who received free tickets from Staples Center's owner looked the other way when it came to public costs ... More >>

Environmental Groups Fight Fast-Tracking For Possible NFL Stadium Near Staples Center In Downtown Los Angeles

​Nearly 70 environmental groups have been warning California legislators not to let the owner of Staples Center off the hook when it comes to providing an environmental impact report for an adjacent NFL stadium the company hopes to build. Leaders at the Sierra Club say they've heard rumors th ... More >>

Did City City Hall Just Give Staples Center A $1 Million Gift? In This Economy?

zerega via Flickr​It's a question that's been lingering, so we decided to try to answer it. If the city spent nearly $3.2 million to help Staples Center put on its Michael Jackson memorial, why did Anschutz Entertainment Group, the company that owns Staples, recently announce that it's ponying ... More >>

Downtown Street Closures In Effect For Lakers Parade

​It's not a SigAlert, but you mind as well be prepared for a FigAlert as Figueroa Street between Olympic and Jefferson boulevards will be closed starting at 12 a.m. Monday to accommodate the 11 a.m. Lakers parade. Restaurants at LA Live will be open and accessible from Olympic Boulevard, but ... More >>

LAPD Chief Says Outsiders Without Tickets Won't Be Allowed Near Staples For Lakers Final

ABC7​Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and police Chief Charlie Beck on Wednesday warned outsiders not to come to the Staples Center area during and after Thursday's final game in the team's championship series against the Boston Celtics. Outsiders without business at Staples would be sto ... More >>

Mayor Villaraigosa Heading To Lakers Game Despite Controversy Over Accepting Valuable Tickets

Fox 11 News​Despite a brewing controversy over his acceptance of high-priced sporting-event tickets, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa plans to be front-and-center at the Lakers NBA finals game against the Boston Celtics Thursday night, his office confirmed. The mayor is "attending with ... More >>

Morton's Puts a Laker Cocktail on the Menu The Recipe

Morton'sLaker cocktail​If you're the sort of person who will be watching the NBA finals out in a public venue, you may have your seat at ESPN Zone -- conveniently located a few blocks away from the Staples Center -- reserved and waiting. You may already be sitting at your favorite sports bar, ... More >>

L.A. Times badly muffs its coverage of Villaraigosa free ticket scandal

Wow, Los Angeles Times digger Phil Willon got hammered coming and going in his effort to expose the scandal in which Antonio Villaraigosa has failed to report what could amount to tens of thousands of dollars in freebies so he could attend sport, concert and awards events. First, the inimitable John ... More >>

Some Of Mayor Villaraigosa's Prime Lakers Tickets Are Gifts From Staples Center Owner

Fox 11 NewsMayor Villaraigosa and KTLA reporter Lu Parker.​In a follow up on its report about how Mayor Antonio Villaragosa has been scoring some seriously valuable Lakers playoff tickets without disclosing the source of the gifts, Fox 11 News reported that the giver is indeed Anschutz Enterta ... More >>

Jack Johnson: Hit the Ice, Jack

Nightranger: Big Wangs, Little Wangs

Big Wangs, Little Wangs: Bieber, Glambert, Ke$ha and more at Wango Tango

No matter how indier than thou you think you are music-wise, uber pop hits can make it into your consciousness, whether you like it or not. Unless you make an adamant point of blocking them, these ubiquitous confections need not be heard on mainstream radio like KIIS FM, either. They will seep in vi ... More >>

Our Favorite Happy Hours

50 deal-driven places to get you and your wallet feeling a whole lot better

Phil Anshutz's Paper Criticizes L.A. Times Over Same-Sex Marriage Reporting

​On Monday the Washington Examiner, the conservative daily newspaper owned by Staples Center magnate Phil Anschutz, called out the Los Angeles Times for its coverage of events surrounding the same-sex marriage trial in San Francisco. As the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked streaming vid ... More >>

Taxpayer Seeks $3.3 Million For City From Jackson Estate

​A Los Angeles resident has filed a $3.3 million claim against the estate of Michael Jackson on behalf of the city of Los Angeles to recover the taxpayer costs involved in staging the July Jackson memorial at Staples Center downtown. Attorney Jeff Grotke, who represents taxpayer Jose F. Vallej ... More >>

City-Touted, $4 Million Benefit From Jackson Memorial Pulled From Thin Air

Sony Pictures​LA Weekly obtained a series of emails that shed light on City Hall's oft-touted contention that July's Michael Jackson memorial at Staples Center downtown was a $4 million boost to area businesses. The number is important because it's often cited by those who believe it was worth it ... More >>

Council Committees Pass Buck To City Attorney Regarding Jackon Memorial Bill (UPDATED)

Councilwoman Jan Perry has sometimes relied on the kindness of corporate strangers.​[UPDATED] City leadership has been bold when it comes to pressing issues like cat declawing, so it's no surprise that two Los Angeles City Council committees on Monday took up the issue of who should cover the ... More >>

Southern Comfort

Los Angeles City Hall's Funny Michael Jackson Figures

Is the "millions" spent by memorial-goers on food and rooms mathematically impossible?

City-Touted $4 Million Benefit From Jackson Memorial Doubted

Sony​As the L.A. City Council takes up the strange saga of the Michael Jackson memorial next week, the critical question will be whether area businesses really reaped a $4 million windfall for an event that cost taxpayers $3.2 million, and whether memorial organizer Anschutz Entertainment Grou ... More >>

Los Angeles Corporate Welfare: Ritz-Carlton and AEG

Rich entities siphon taxpayer money while real communities struggle

Downtown's Dueling Ice-Skating Rinks

In addition to Pershing Square's ice-skating rink, downtown L.A. will soon be home to a sparkling new rink at L.A. Live -- one that, according to the Downtown News, seeks to recreate the holiday season vibe of New York's Rockefeller Center. As opposed, say, to Pershing Square's feedlot-with-benches ... More >>

ALF: We Warned Lab

ALF fliers on Phenomenex doors. Today the North American Animal Liberation press office distributed a communique, dated July 21, which it said it received anonymously from the Animal Liberation Front. In the message, ALF claims responsibility for a July 18 "visit" to a Torrance animal-lab suppl ... More >>

Memorial Day: Michael’s Staples Center Farewell

$4 Million Jackson Memorial Cost to Taxpayers?

By Tibby Rothman City Hall is begging Jackson fans for alms, but upset L.A. residents face paying a king's ransom for the memorial to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. During the hours leading up to today's globally viewed memorial, the Los Angeles Police Department and other city offices were str ... More >>

The King of (Soda) Pop, or Adventures in Musical Capitalism

Funeral Potatoes and Bundt cakes may be more traditional culinary offerings when one attends a memorial service, but this is LA, and he was the King of Pop, so traditional is pretty much out.

April Fools Internet Wins, Plus the Perfect Prank Right at Home

Kevin ScanlonWhen I worked as a scout for Propeller, I dreaded April first. It was already hard enough to find interesting, quality news stories, and having an entire day where I couldn't trust anything I read was just annoying. However, I've always enjoyed creative and humorous things that are obv ... More >>

The New Cocktailians

The farmers market–loving, sleeve garter–wearing ladies and gentlemen of the bar taking over L.A.'s restaurants one glass at a time

Middle-Class Flight From San Fernando Valley

Will taxpayers who are leaving “America's suburb” behind doom L.A.?

True-Life Tales of Professional Organizers: In the Land of the Happy Labelmakers

Inside the home of Chris McKenry of Get It Together LA! and talking shop at the National Association of Professional Organizers' "Organizing Expo"