Los Angeles Moving

 
L.A.’s largest and longest-running consumer wine-tasting event, LA WineFest returns to Raleigh Studios in Hollywood on May 30-31. The LA WineFest aims to make the world of wine fun and accessible for Angelenos. Featuring hundreds of wine from all over the world, including Italy, Israel, Spain, and of course, California. Vote your your favorite wines in the LAWineFest Popular Choice Awards with the Quini app.

The event also features tasting and mixology seminars, food trucks, and other artisan beverages. Dig Lounge readers enter code BLOG15 for a special ticket price of $48!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

DETAILS

LOCATION: The historic Raleigh Studios: 5300 Melrose Ave. Hollywood, CA 90038.
DATES/HOURS: Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 1-5pm.
PRICING: One-day: $85/single; $160/couple; $15 designated driver – ENTER CODE BLOG15 to get tickets for just $48!
WINERIES: Too many to list! Check them out here.
BEER: Because you might need to drink something other than wine, craft beer breweries will be pouring including Claremont Craft Ales, King Harbor Brewing Company, Washington’s Reel Brewery, and more.
WINE GARDEN: For a special add­on ticket ($20), wine enthusiasts can explore exclusive small­batch pours from a dozen notable boutique wineries.
PARKING: Street parking (metered on Saturday) and paid parking available at Paramount Studios lots on Bronson and Van Ness.
FOOD: A slew of food trucks will be on hand to pair your wines with yummy bites, including Kogi BBQ, Grilled Cheese Truck, Surfer Taco and many more.

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FBI agents were at the home and City Hall office of Los Angeles council member Wednesday serving an unspecified search warrant, law enforcement sources told NBC Investigations.

The federal warrant is being served at the office and home of Councilman Jose Huizar, law enforcement sources familiar with the case told NBC Investigations. 

FBI officials had no immediate comment on whose office or offices were being searched or which individuals may be the targeted of the search because the warrant is sealed. There is no known threat to the public, according to the sources.

No arrest appears imminent in the case, according to two law enforcement sources, and it was unclear what agents were searching for.

The Los Angeles Times reported that agents were seen carrying boxes out of the office. Aerial video showed agents filling boxes at the council member's home. 

NBC4 has reached out to Huizar's office for comment. 

Huizar was elected to the council in 2005. He represents the Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock and downtown Los Angeles areas. 

NBC4's Jonathan Lloyd contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/FBI-Search-City-Hall-Los-Angeles-Councilman-Jose-Huizar-499955432.html

Editor's note: This post is no longer being updated. Go here for the latest on the fires.

By Mike Roe and Brian Frank

Two separate wildfires prompted the evacuations of hundreds of homes and injured at least one firefighter in Ventura County Thursday, even as the community was reeling from a mass shooting in nearby Thousand Oaks the night before.

The Hill Fire, which ignited in Newbury Park just after 2 p.m. and quickly scorched thousands of acres, has led to the evacuations of 1,200 homes in the Camarillo Springs and Dos Vientos areas, county emergency officials said via Twitter.

The Woolsey Fire, which broke out just a short while after in the area of Rocketdyne, has burned more than 1,000 acres and prompted mandatory evacuations in the community of Bell Canyon.

The fires also prompted the closure of the 101 Freeway in both directions, according to the California Highway Patrol. Southbound lanes were closed from SR-34 (Lewis Road) to Wendy Drive, northbound from SR-23 to Pleasant Valley Road.

KQED's John Sepulvado and Hope McKenney shared images of the flames rising in the distance as the wind whipped smoke and dust into the air. Sepulvado has been contributing to KPCC/LAist's coverage of a shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill that left 13 people dead late Thursday night.

"In the most 2018 moment of 2018, we can't get to the memorial for the shooting victims because a wildfire has cut off the 101 north of Thousand Oaks," Sepulvado tweeted.

HILL FIRE

The Hill Fire has so far burned between 5,000 and 7,000 acres, a number that was revised down from earlier estimates that put it closer to 10,000 acres.

At some point, an apparatus operator sustained a minor injury, according to Ventura County Fire Assistant Chief Chad Cook, who spoke at an evening press conference.

As many as 500 firefighters were on scene as of 7:30 p.m., with more expected to arrive for overnight operations. They face difficult conditions, with low humidity and fierce Santa Ana winds, according to VCFD Chief Mark Lorenzen, who also spoke at the press conference.

The fire has been driven by 20-30 mph winds, and with gusts expected to reach up to 50 mph on ridge tops by morning, the fire has the potential to sweep all the way to the ocean, Lorenzen said.

Emergency officials had been prepared for the worst. Ventura County firefighters coordinated with neighboring counties and cities and the National Weather Service, prepositioning their resources, but they were still outpaced by the fire.

Within 12 minutes of ignition, flames had jumped the 101 Freeway at the top of the Conejo Grade near the truck scales, Lorenzen said.

At one point, motorists were stranded on the freeway, Cook said.

Fixed-wing aircraft were used to drop retardant nearby to protect the vehicles stuck on the road, and some motorists had to shelter in place before firefighters were able to help them evacuate, he said.

No civilians have been reported injured. Cook credited their community notification technologies, including reverse 911 and VC Alert, with getting the message out and people evacuated quickly.

No structures have been confirmed lost, though a number of recreational vehicles and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed in Camarillo Springs and at the west end of Newbury Park, Lorenzen said.

Cook added that the fire has the potential to impact critical infrastructure.

The Hill Fire's two flanks are pushing on the one hand toward the Cal State Channel Islands campus and homes along Potrero Road and into the Broom Ranch subdivision, and on the other toward naval installations, including a communication tower for Point Mugu Naval Air Station set up on Laguna Peak.

"I would say we are not out of the woods when it comes to assessed evaluation and threat that's out in front of this fire," Cook said.

The fire was still active on both sides of the 101 freeway, which Cook said would likely be closed long into the night.

Firefighters will be assisted from above by at least four water-dropping helicopters that can operate at night.

EVACUATIONS

Mandatory evacuations are in place in the following areas, according to Ventura County:

• Bell Canyon - Saddlebow Rd. between Maverick Ln. and Morgan Rd.
• Camarillo Springs - All areas
• Vallecito Trailer Park - All areas
• California State University Channel Islands - All areas
• Entire Dos Vientos - All areas outlined on map below

California State University Channel Islands issued a campus evacuation order because of poor air quality and said classes and student activities would be canceled until further notice.

There are also voluntary evacuations at Point Magu Naval Base.

Evacuation centers have been set up at these locations:

• Borchard Community Center - 190 Reino Road. Newbury Park, CA 91320
• Camarillo Community Center - 1605 East Burnley St. Camarillo, CA 93010
• Rancho Santa Susana Recreation Center - 5005 Unit C Los Angeles Ave. Simi Valley, CA 93063

WHERE TO FIND UPDATES ON BOTH FIRES:

This story is no longer being updated.

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Lebron James questioned the urgency and mindset of his team-mates after the Los Angeles Lakers' hopes of reaching the NBA playoffs were dealt another blow.

The Lakers – seeking their first postseason berth in six years – were beaten 128-115 by the New Orleans Pelicans, who rested All-Star Anthony Davis on Saturday.

With the result, the Lakers (29-30) dropped three-and-a-half games behind the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference.

James – who joined the Lakers in the offseason and had 27 points and 12 assists in the defeat to the Pelicans – has not missed the playoffs since 2004-05, having featured in the past eight NBA Finals.

And the three-time NBA champion was left questioning the Lakers, telling reporters post-game: "How many know what's at stake if you've never been there.

"I'm playing devil's advocate, you know? It's kind of a fine line when you talk about that, because when you've never been there or know what it takes to actually shoot for something like that, sometimes you're afraid to get uncomfortable.

"So you got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. So I'm not saying that's what we are as a whole. It kind of looks that way at times, that sometimes we're afraid to be uncomfortable and kind of get out of our comfort zone and kind of, you know, have that sense of urgency from the jump, and not be afraid to actually go out and fail to succeed. So, I mean we have, what? Twenty-three games left. We'll see what happens."

James added: "The last few years, everyone's so accustomed to the losses that I'm just not accustomed to.

"I'm not accustomed to it. I will never get comfortable with losing. So, losing game one to Houston [at home], it feels the same way as losing Game 59 in New Orleans to me. It's just how I'm built. That's who I am."

"I knew it was going to be very challenging," the 34-year-old continued. "Just because of the experience the roster had at that point and time. I knew it was going to be challenging from that sense, but I felt like we could still play better basketball.

"And we were doing that and obviously it sucks that my injury happened and [Lonzo Ball's] injury happened and so many of our injuries happened."

We’ve got a lot to catch up on this morning. 

So pour yourself a big cuppa joe, settle in for awhile, and let’s get right to it. 

Photo by Kevin Menajang via Pexels.com

………

The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes goes on.

A road raging British driver got two years for punching a bike rider who had the audacity to complain about a too-close pass, knocking him into the path of oncoming traffic.

Caught on video: A road raging Aussie driver slammed the side of his SUV into a bike rider, knocking him off the roadway, then got out of his car and tossed the victim’s bike into the bushes.

It also goes the other way. A Portland man claims that after he cut off a bike rider while pulling into a parking garage, the road raging rider tracked him down, went to his home and slashed all his car’s tires, leaving a note on his windshield reading, “You were so easy to find, Mark. You should drive more carefully.” A commenter says that’s more evidence that entitled cyclists are real, and not helpful.

………

Once again, e-scooters are in the news.

The LA Times gets it, with an even-handed editorial saying e-scooters could be an invaluable addition to the transportation system, but providers need to do so in a safe and responsible manner.

A New Zealand newspaper says let’s not be too quick to slap regulations on e-scooters.

And Peter Flax writes that instead of seeing e-scooter riders as the enemy, bike riders should welcome them as allies in the fight for safer streets.

………

Speaking of Flax, he hit the trifecta in today’s news, with a second piece noting that painted bike lanes offer little physical protection — and virtually no legal protection. I’ve long argued that bike riders should enjoy the same unquestioned right-of-way in bike lanes that pedestrians are supposed to enjoy in crosswalks, but too often don’t.

And finishing out today’s Peter Flax news, an Akron OH columnist takes offense at a bike rider from Los Angeles — or anywhere else — poking his nose in the city’s business, even if it’s to defend the concept of road diets from someone who doesn’t quite seem to get it.

………

I want to be like them when I grow up.

An 85-year old bike rider remains a pillar of the Waco TX bicycling community, after nearly 30 national championships and several state and world titles.

The incomparable French cyclist Robert Marchand came out of retirement to take a lap on the country’s national velodrome at the ripe old age of 106.

………

Then there are the driverless vehicles of our near future, which should be an improvement on the distracted driver ones we currently have.

Or maybe not.

A Berkeley-based urban planner says self-driving cars ain’t gonna solve our transportation problems.

And a team from MIT crowdsources the tough question of who self-driving cars should kill; you may not want to be an old criminal in the autonomous future. Or a cat.

………

No bias here. A writer for the Sacramento Business Journal apparently thinks he’s writing a witty little satiric piece on how to be a successful Sacramento pedestrian.

See if you can find even a modicum of wit here, because I certainly can’t.

All I see is someone who doesn’t seem to understand what he’s writing about, and apparently doesn’t care enough to ask anyone.

………

Megan Lynch forwards a reminder that there are many kinds of distracted driving. Some cuter than others.

………

Los Angeles Magazine explains the meaning of every proposition on the November 6th ballot.

Los Angeles Walks invites you to honor the victims of traffic violence at the LA observance of the International World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, November 18th at Los Angeles State Historic Park.

LA is still trying to deal with the problem of cut-through traffic caused by Waze, which road diets and bike lanes unfairly get blamed.

Nice story from Long Beach, where bighearted police dispatchers pitched in to buy a new bike for a 14-year old boy after his was stolen.

The rebuilt Broadway corridor Complete Streets project in Long Beach should be finished by the end of the year.

The Orange County Transportation Authority has received a $75,000 grant to provide bicycle-skills training and bike and pedestrian safety.

A Redlands paper looks at the projects which would be lost if Prop 6 passes and the gas tax increase is repealed.

Over 200 bike riders turned out for the annual Victor Valley Bicycle Tour.

Sad news from Santa Clara, where a 49-year old man was killed when he was right-hooked by a bus driver while riding in a bike lane.

In a pilot project, San Francisco will install a new protected bike lane on dangerous Valencia Street next year, as quickly as possible using existing materials; the idea is to speed up implementation of Vision Zero projects. On the other hand, new protected bike lanes on the Embarcadero appear to be on the slow track.

San Francisco Streetsblog offers a roundup of what Bay Area advocacy groups have to say on Props 6 and 10, as well as local propositions.

Bike riders in San Francisco’s famed Castro District donned high heels and wigs to protest Prop 6, along with a congressional candidate’s comments that “people would be forced to bike and take trains, and that wouldn’t work for her because of her ‘hair and heels.'”

Sad news from Pittsburgh, where a bike rider was killed in a collision on Friday.

A local paper offers a survival guide to biking in not-so-bike-friendly Santa Rosa. Meanwhile, a Santa Rosa writer says yes, bicyclists pay their own way.

People for Bikes has developed free tools to help calculate the economic benefits of bicycling to communities.

A former bike racer writes about the relatively new, mostly urban phenomenon of rideout culture, in which teenage bike riders swarm the streets, while performing stunts and darting in and out of traffic — a practice guaranteed to leave drivers and city officials frightened and apoplectic.

A new device raising funds on Indiegogo promises to end bike theft by installing a GPS tracker on your bike to alert you if anyone moves it.

Portland community members investigate a bike chop shop in a homeless camp, and discover a young girl’s bike that was registered with Bike Index.

UPS is testing out cargo ebikes for deliveries in Seattle, with the help of the University of Washington.

The LA Times says now that it’s cooled off, the new bikeshare system in Las Vegas is the perfect way to see the city.

North Texas bike riders give up on the Dallas area’s congested streets, and turn their hopes to an unbuilt network of offroad bike trails.

A grieving mother biked the entire length of the Mississippi River to honor her 22-year old son, who drowned there.

That’s one way to get attention. After an Indianapolis bike rider was seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver, he somehow managed to make it up to the governor’s mansion get get help.

DC promises to double the amount protected bike lanes in city over the next six years by building another ten miles of protected lanes — which works out to a measly 1.67 miles per year.

A Navy pilot in Virginia used his bike to overcome the depression that that nearly claimed his life.

Atlanta plans to stitch a network of old freight rail lines into a 22-mile walking, cycling and light rail beltway surrounding the central city.

Bicycles are changing the way people in New Orleans get around, as the city has worked to build out an effective bike network. Seriously, if they can boost bicycling in New Orleans, with its high heat, bugs and humidity, just imagine what we could do with LA’s much gentler climate.

A “lifelong, avid cyclist” says the new bike lanes in Victoria, British Columbia are nothing more than an expensive vanity project that inconveniences motorists, while sitting empty most of the day. Pretty much like most streets, which are packed at rush hour, and far overbuilt the rest of the day.

A Canadian man who’s losing his vision due to a progressive eye disease turns to bicycling to stay mobile and keep in shape.

Treehugger’s Lloyd Alter says what we really need is safe infrastructure, not a bunch of bike helmet scolds.

Life is cheap in Toronto, where an Uber driver faces a maximum $2,000 fine in the death of a bike rider.

London continues to show the US how it’s done, with plans to pedestrianize half the streets in the historic city core, while reducing speeds to 15 mph and expanding protected bike lanes and the city’s cycle superhighways.

A smile-inducing London-based pedicab company is attempting to crowdfund the equivalent of nearly $200,000 to expand their ped-assist taxi service throughout the city.

A Welsh website considers the bizarre death of bicyclist and MI-6 spy Gareth Williams, whose death was originally ruled an accident — even though his naked body was found padlocked inside a suitcase.

Bike riding is going upscale in India.

Here’s your guide to riding a bike on your next trip to the United Arab Emirates — including a spin around the Abu Dhabi F1 track. Making race car noises while you ride is optional.

Three Kenyan students have developed a solar powered, all-wheel drive, all terrain ebike that can also produce enough energy to power a home for three days.

And you thought your potholes were bad. A Kathmandu bike rider was killed when his bike fell through an open manhole cover.

This is who we share the roads with. A New Zealand driver plows through a family of ducks crossing the road, despite the best efforts of a bystander to protect them. The video is graphic, heartbreaking and sickening, so be advised before you decide to click on the link.

The ancient Vietnamese city of Hội An is planning to increase the number of non-motor vehicle zones, and boost bicycling for both locals and tourists.

Next year’s Tour de France route has been officially unveiled; Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas kind of like it, especially the climbs.

Elite cyclist Evelyn Sifton discusses finding acceptance in fixed gear racing after coming out as trans.

Next time you encounter a polite driver, give ’em a big palm smile. When you have 4,999 bike riders, and still can’t get in the Guinness book.

And bikes are perfect for the coming zombie apocalypse and other disasters, natural and otherwise.

Source: http://bikinginla.com/2018/10/29/morning-links-catching-up-on-road-raging-drivers-e-scooters-news-older-bicyclists-and-self-driving-cars/