Vaughan Oliver, designer of iconic album covers for 4AD Records, dies at 62
To those coming of age in the 1980s and ‘90s, album cover designer Vaughan Oliver created not only the look of the influential British record label 4AD, but conjured an imaginary realm that would influence generations of artists, graphic designers and pretty much anyone with an eye on image. Oliver, whose death was announced Sunday,…
Quiz: Will you be voting for 'The Irishman' for best picture?
Critics and awards voters have been celebrating Martin Scorsese’s monumental mob epic “The Irishman,” making it the Oscar front-runner for best picture. Do you think the Netflix movie has what it takes to win? Grab a loaf of bread, pour some red wine and take this quiz to find out. 1. Gender: Male. (10) Female.…
Key World War I movies to watch after '1917'
World War I has been the subject of numerous movies going all the way back to the silent era, when the first Oscar winner for best picture was the 1927 aerial drama “Wings.” The war also has been a favorite subject for a slew of classic directors. Here are a few key entries in the…
How a disabled traveler can prevent a sexual assault on a plane
Flight attendants call it “#MeToo in the Air,” the incidents of sexual assault and harassment that occur at 30,000 feet. Law enforcement calls it a growing problem, as increasing numbers of passengers come forward to report these crimes. When egregious cases make the news, the details are cringe-worthy. In November a man on an American…
Once associated with fraud, 'SPAC' deals now are rehabbed and swapped for failed IPOs
Move over, IPOs. Special-purpose acquisition companies, once a last resort for owners looking to exit an investment, have become a popular choice for private companies spooked by the swings in the regular IPO market. The volume of SPAC deals hit an all-time high in 2019. Instead of a regular initial public offering that would raise…
New labor laws are coming to California. What's changing in your workplace?
For California businesses, 2020 will be a year of reckoning. Sweeping new laws curbing longtime employment practices take effect, aimed at reducing economic inequality and giving workers more power in their jobs. Under one, companies could be forced to reclassify hundreds of thousands of independent contractors as employees with broad labor law protections. Under another,…
Rocker Sammy Hagar chills out and offers his Arrowhead retreat for lease
Looks like longtime rocker Sammy Hagar will continue to seek a buyer for his Lake Arrrowhead estate into the new year. In the meantime, the French-inspired chateau is also available for lease at $30,000 a month – or just for weekends. The sales price is $3.9 million, down from $5.25 million when the property was…
One man, two missions: Hyper-efficient EVs and hyper cars
We all love a good David vs. Goliath story — Ford vs. Ferrari (in 1966, or the 2019 movie version), Steve Jobs vs. Microsoft, Harry Potter vs. Voldemort. Not many, however, feature David going up against two Goliaths. Meet Jason Castriota, the global brand director for Ford’s battery electric vehicles. He and the Ford team…
L.A. Affairs: The secret to getting her to say yes to me? A foot rub
I believe in the rule of three. Within a narrow space of time I suffered Stage 4 lymphoma, beating the odds by surviving, and was strongly encouraged, albeit with financial incentives, to take early retirement. Then, my marriage ended. Armed with the temporary immunity that comes with the rule of three, it was time to…
Taliban attack Afghan forces in country's north, killing 14
KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban targeted a pro-government militia compound in northern Afghanistan before dawn on Monday, killing 14 members of the Afghan security forces, according to a local official. The Taliban quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack came even as Taliban officials told the Associated Press just hours earlier that a temporary, nationwide…