Local rents climb quickly
Forget buyer’s market and seller’s market. In California residential property these days, it’s a landlord’s market.
The slowdown in real estate sales, rising mortgage rates and an expanding job market drawing more people to the state are pushing many into rentals.
“If I lose one tenant,” one commercial property broker says, “there are three more behind them.”
One result: Higher rents.
The average rent in Los Angeles and Orange counties climbs 7.4% to $1,546. Ventura County’s climbs 7.6% to $1,452.
Southern California, you won’t be surprised to learn, remains the most expensive rental housing market in the entire West. Page C1
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Neck stents found to pose stroke risk
Using wire mesh stents to prop open neck arteries and prevent strokes is an increasingly common medical practice.
But a new French study suggests the procedure is much riskier than simply removing artery-clogging plaque.
The study’s data, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that patients with stents are nearly 2 1/2 times as likely to have a stroke or die. A recent German study came to the same conclusion.
Some American researchers say the findings directly conflict with U.S. studies. A definitive conclusion awaits further research, including a project undertaken by the National Institutes of Health. Page A14
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Rep. Lewis tops in lobbyist donations
Public Citizen, a political watchdog group in Washington, has been tracking the cash lobbyists give to members of Congress.
And the winner -- or loser -- is a California congressman, Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands). He received the most money from special interests. Lewis, chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, received more than $700,000. His office declined comment. Page A22
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Israel finds nine Gaza tunnels
Israel’s army says its incursion into the Gaza Strip this week has led to the discovery of nine tunnels connecting the area with Egypt.
Seven of the tunnels were complete, including one 60 feet deep, and two were in the early stages of construction.
Israeli authorities say the tunnels could be used by Palestinians to smuggle tons of sophisticated arms into Gaza, including rockets with longer ranges than the familiar Kassams. Page A5
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Beam it up, Scottie
NASA runs a $200,000 contest to start development of a space elevator, a system to get into space without bulky rockets. The bizarre idea came from writer Arthur C. Clarke in 1979. Now, teams are building working models. Page A12
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CALENDAR WEEKEND
Alive in Long Beach
Long Beach, known decades ago as Iowa by the Sea, is now trending more toward part Hollywood, part port of call. Downtown comes alive after dark, and nightlife seekers can start their visit at a new waterfront mall, then trek up the hill and join the crowds on Pine Avenue, above -- the epicenter of galleries, clubs and restaurants. Downtown is undergoing a transformation, but everyone’s still welcome to the join the scene. “It’s not too full of itself, because it’s used to being a bit of an underdog,” one regular says. Page E26
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Phillippe prefers body language
Actor Ryan Phillippe has made 26 films in about 13 years, and he might make a name for himself in his newest, “Flags of Our Fathers.” It won’t be on account of gabbiness, though. Here’s his theory of acting:
“I am always looking to cut dialogue in movies. You have more of an open connection with the audience if you are allowing them to put the words in your head based on what your eyes and your body are telling them.” Page E8
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Comedy clinic
Although it’s been on network TV for 12 seasons, “MADtv” still flies somewhat under the radar. “We’re the quietest hit in show business,” executive producer David Salzman says, a status that irks cast members. Still, they’re spirited enough to take on an extra job: performing every Tuesday night at the Improv Olympic West in Hollywood.
“It’s fun for us, but it also has its benefits for the show,” cast member Nicole Parker says. “And it’s hard to just sit at home and try to come up with stuff.” Page E14
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Eyes on Africa
The 10th annual Hollywood Film Festival opens today, and this year it’s placing special emphasis on Africa and African American actors. Three documentaries about the continent are among the 80 features, docs and shorts to be screened, and actors Derek Luke and Forest Whitaker will be honored.
Whitaker, who played Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in “The Last King of Scotland,” says Ugandans are still conflicted about his regime. “When you talk to Ugandans, they have mixed views about Amin,” Whitaker says. “On one hand, he killed hundreds of thousands of people. On the other hand, he liberated them.” Page E4
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BUSINESS
Six Flags’ new theme: Behave!
Continuing its efforts to polish the image of Magic Mountain and its other theme parks, Six Flags Inc. will begin asking its guests to act and dress in a more civilized manner.
No more T-shirts with profane slogans. No more bikini tops, no more bad language, no more jumping lines. And yes, those shoes had better be sensible.
Skeptics say the new code of conduct won’t solve the parks’ problems. What Six Flags also needs, they contend, is better service and more attractions besides thrill rides. Page C1
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Mac sales boost Apple’s profit
Apple Computer Inc.’s profit rises 27% in the latest quarter, and it’s not just because of the iPod. Sales of Macintosh PCs reach their highest level since 2000, giving Apple 6.1% of the U.S. personal computer market.
Apple attributes its escalating sales to two factors: its most successful back-to-school season ever and a new line of Macs with chips made by Intel Corp. An analyst says consumers’ increasing preference for laptops is also fueling the Mac’s resurgence.
A 35% increase in iPod sales doesn’t hurt, either. Page C1
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SPORTS
Black and white and hyped all over
The 1970 USC-Alabama football game has taken on a mythic role in U.S. race relations, somewhere between the integration of Major League Baseball and the Montgomery bus boycott. But writer David Davis suggests that the key word in all that sentiment is, unfortunately, “mythic.”
Yes, USC was the first racially mixed team to play Alabama in its home state. But no, the game didn’t lead to the integration of the university, or even the football team. And 36 years later, only five major colleges have black football coaches. Page D1
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Blue and gold and no one cares
When a football team from a well-known school travels to Notre Dame for the first time in 40 years, somebody ought to care. But UCLA’s trip to South Bend, Ind., is attracting about as much national -- or even local -- interest as a quarterly sales meeting at the Ramada Inn.
Columnist Chris Dufresne says the game lacks a story line. It won’t decide who’s No. 1 in the nation, it won’t cost Coach Karl Dorrell his job if UCLA loses, nd it won’t really help the Bruins escape the shadow of USC even if they win. Page D1
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ON LATIMES.COM
A CBS drama that you’ll never see
Never a contender: CBS has put the kibosh on Joe Pantoliano’s pricey new drama, “Waterfront,” before the first episode even aired. Scott Collins looks at the network’s decision and the fate of several other struggling shows in his Channel Island blog. Also, a photo gallery of past series failures. latimes.com/entertainment
Know the enemy: Lakers bloggers Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky give the rap sheet on this year’s edition of Staples Center’s mortal foe -- the Phoenix Suns. Bottom line, writes Andrew, “I think they’ll be better than the Lakers, but if it’s any consolation, I also think they may end up better than everyone.” Share your thoughts.latimes.com/lakersblog
Monorail on the strip: Movable Buffet blogger Richard Abowitz chronicles the sad history of the Las Vegas monorail, whose bond rating has been downgraded. Plagued by mismanagement, inefficiency and the greatest sin in Vegas -- lack of pizazz -- the great experiment has languished. latimes.com/vegasblog
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HOME
These trees are hardly wallflowers
Need some color in your yard? Just need some color in your day? Turn to Lili Singer’s story on flowering trees from the Southern Hemisphere, accompanied by Iris Schneider’s dazzling color photos of floss silk trees, those thorny-trunk curiosities that happen to be bursting with blossoms right now.
Thanks to the horticulturists who helped shape Southland gardens, trees such as the floss silk, the jacaranda and the golden trumpet have been seen around here for ages. But why is it that only some varieties of trees are such show-offs? Page F3
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Good enough for a suit -- or drapes
Interior designers have discovered that the same fabrics used in men’s fine suits -- soft wools with smooth surfaces -- also make excellent draperies. True, wool costs more than silk and needs to be lined, but it’s resilient and easy to dye. “It hangs beautifully and always looks neat,” one designer says.
Home furnishings have been borrowing from menswear fabrics for some time, in fact. Let’s hope no one ever decides to borrow those pumped-up polka-dot prints the new Rose Queen and her princesses wore the other day. Page F1
