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Obama steps in amid port dispute
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latimes.com
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015
INSIDE THE L.A. PHILHARMONIC
Lawrence K. Ho –– – 082821.CA.0605.HOLLYWOOD.3.LKH The new shell at the renovated Hollywood Bowl still under the final stage of the construction. Pic. shows the acoustic ring suspended from the ceiling
He sends his labor chief to California to head off a shutdown of West Coast docks. By Tiffany Hsu, Andrew Khouri and Tim Logan With idled cargo ships piling up along the coastline, President Obama ordered his labor secretary to California to try to head off a costly shutdown of 29 West Coast ports. Obama dispatched Tom Perez on Saturday to jumpstart stalled labor talks between shipping companies and the dockworkers’ union. The move ramps up pressure to resolve a dispute that stranded tens of thousands of containers on cargo ships over the holiday weekend. The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports account for some 40% of the nation’s incoming container cargo, with $1 billion in goods moving through daily. A prolonged shutdown could hobble some Southland businesses and ripple across the U.S. economy. On Saturday morning, 32 massive ships were anchored outside the ports, unable to unload thousands of cargo containers filled with auto parts, electronics and clothes destined for store shelves across the country. “Any company that imports supplies, inventory or parts is going to feel it,” said Ian Winer, a managing direc[See Ports, A19]
Photographs, from top, by
Lawrence K. Ho Los Angeles Times; Wally Skalij Los Angeles Times; Kirk McKoy Los Angeles Times
THE NEXT STAGE The L.A. Phil is flush — for now. But changing tastes in a changing city cloud its future. Younger audiences might want a little hip-hop with their Haydn. By Jeffrey Fleishman
O
Civilian death claims disputed
last of four parts
n a serene summer evening, Deborah Borda, chief executive of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, settled into her box seat at the Hollywood Bowl. As the musicians took the stage, a woman yelled in Borda’s direction: “We can’t keep doing Mahler if we want to get the 20-year-olds.” The comment about the late Romantic composer, a staple of the orchestra’s repertoire, crystallized the challenges the L.A. Phil faces if it is to remain one of the nation’s most innovative and financially strong orchestras. In coming years, the Phil will have to expand its audience beyond the older, well-to-do season-ticket holders who have been its foundation for nearly a century. Orchestras across the country have been shaken by the loss of subscribers, aging audiences, declining corporate donations, labor strife and the struggle of remaining relevant in an era when technology is redefining how people
U.S. military rejects assertions about casualties in attacks on Islamic State.
spend their leisure hours. Younger generations, in particular, are demanding more diverse programming and freedom to choose their concerts a la carte instead of buying season tickets. The L.A. Phil’s success — it has the largest budget of any U.S. orchestra — has kept it from feeling the full force of these problems. But its leaders recognize it must change if it is to remain on top. The Phil also has additional burdens intrinsic to the region: The orchestra has yet to draw in much of a Latino community that accounts for about half of the county’s population. Los Angeles’ traffic congestion can discourage potential concertgoers from venturing downtown. And the orchestra’s board of directors will at some point have to face a future without two of the people most responsible for its recent success — Borda, 65, and music director Gustavo Dudamel, 34, a coveted conductor whose contract expires in four years. [See Philharmonic, A14] “The Phil will not be
By W.J. Hennigan
How a gang killer won VIP status in law enforcement
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AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — The sun was setting over the desert here as Lt. Col. Jose “Ed” Sumangil, commander of a B-1 bomber squadron known as “The Bats,” stepped into a room crowded with pilots and crews for a final briefing before the night’s combat mission. Sumangil, a U.S. Air Force weapons systems officer with a graying mustache and a ramrod bearing, could recite part of the briefing word-for-word because he has heard it before every bombing run. “Savor the moment,” the PowerPoint slides read. “Be lethal and accurate.” And above all, avoid “civcas,” military jargon for civilian casualties. “It’s our mantra,” Sumangil said before donning his survival suit and helmet, strapping on a semiautomatic pistol and heading out to the flight line. “We do everything we can, every step of the way, to mitigate against civilian deaths.” U.S. and coalition warplanes have dropped more than 8,200 guided bombs and missiles on Islamic [See Casualties, A4]
By Kate Mather and Victoria Kim The man sitting in the back of the vehicle is wearing a light-colored shirt, a patterned tie and an air of authority. He’s headed to a conference in Anaheim to give a speech and, as trees, hedges and apartment buildings flash by, he rattles off a list of accomplishments — his book, his expert witness testimony. “This has been a dream of mine,” he says in the online video, referring to his speaking invitation. “You know how many people have said, ‘You can’t do it’?” There was every reason to doubt Rene “Boxer” Enriquez could.
Bob Chamberlin L.A. Times
RENE ENRIQUEZ,
serving a life term, now cooperates with police. Enriquez, 52, is serving a life sentence for ordering the killing of one woman and for fatally shooting a man five times in the head. Behind bars, he attacked other inmates with jail-made shanks. His criminal history includes armed robberies, drug sales and a sexual as[See Enriquez, A12]
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WEEKEND ESCAPE | GOLETA, CALIF.
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NEED TO KNOW NEWS • TIPS • TRENDS
Donated luggage can help everyone You can donate your gently used rolling luggage to charity and receive credit for a new bag. The program, by way of luggage maker Briggs & Riley, donates the bags to foster homes, women’s shelters, and organizations such as local Ronald McDonald House chapters, a company statement said. Turn in a Briggs & Riley bag, and you’ll receive a $100 credit to buy a new Briggs & Riley bag; turn in any bag and you’ll receive a $50 credit toward a Briggs & Riley bag. The luggage comes in four collections and costs $299 for a wheelie carryon to $699 for a large wheeled wardrobe. For a list of participating stores and more information: www.lat.ms/1Me1ChH — Mary Forgione
Schaefer Portrait Challenge
See faces of Hawaii
Valli Herman
RETRO YET OF THE MOMENT is the vibe at Kimpton Goodland in Goleta. Its pool is designed for energetic youngsters.
Ulterior motive Laid-back mom wants to shop and chill — with her energetic teen son. The Santa Barbara area provides a satisfying adventure for both. BY VALLI HERMAN >>> Traveling with a teenager doesn’t often offer appealing options for keeping parent and child equally entertained. Laid-back mom avoids commotion; high-energy kid craves action. The (sneaky) compromise? A vacation that can do double duty as an introduction to college. A two-hour drive to the town of Goleta gave us a look at a new hipster hotel, a student-swarmed college town and a peek at Antioch University, the Brooks Institute and UC Santa Barbara. The tab: from $229 a night, depending on the season, at the Goodland, $65 for dinner, $50 for breakfast and $10 for ice cream.
Visitors to Maui can explore the varied faces of the people of Hawaii in a free art exhibition in Kahului. Works of art from the Schaefer Portrait Challenge are on display through mid-March at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Every three years, the center invites artists working in various media — including painting, printmaking and sculpture — to submit works that depict the people and stories of Hawaii through what’s called “explorations in portraiture.” This year’s exhibition contains 66 works by more than 60 artists from the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Oahu. Their works represent people of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds and vary from literal to abstract. The portraits are displayed in the center’s Schaefer International Gallery, open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Admission is free. Guests who visit by March 8 can vote for the People’s Choice Award. It, along with a $5,000 prize, will be awarded during a reception at 5 p.m. March 15. Info: www.mauiarts.org — Jay Jones
The bed Done up with a retro, ecoconscious, surfer vibe, the 5month-old Kimpton Goodland (5650 Calle Real, [805] 964-6241, www.thegoodland.com), formerly a Holiday Inn, brings a big dose of hipster cred to Goleta, just a few miles north of Santa Barbara. The boutique hotel’s record player, vinyl albums and vintage mini-bar snacks (Goo Goo Cluster, Pop Rocks) let me share with my teen artifacts of my childhood. (“What? Albums have two sides?” he said in mock surprise.) Our comfortable room had the cheerful personality of an Ikea-shopping millennial: a mix of ethnic-textile-covered pillows, throws and walls; reclaimed wood fronted the dresser; and sliding barn doors concealed the colorful, concretetiled bathroom. Complimentary bicycles and a spacious pool area let youngsters burn off energy. Kids 17 and younger stay free when accompanied by an adult.
The meal Goleta seems to favor lunchoriented restaurants in strip malls such as the Calle Real Center next door to the Goodland. At the mall’s Nikka Fish Market & Grill (5722 Calle Real, [805] 967-2600, www.nikkafish marketandgrill.com), we hovered over the chalkboard menu of specials (lobster roll, shrimp enchiladas) and eyed the display case of fresh fish cooked to order (grilled, fried, burgers, pasta) and promised to return for lunch. For dinner, the lively atmosphere at the hotel’s restaurant, the Outpost (5650 Calle Real, [805] 964-1288, www.outpostsb.com), lured us to a tasty and convenient meal of tacos, empanadas and bao buns. For breakfast, we drove about five miles to downtown Santa Barbara’s Tupelo Junction Cafe (1218 State St., [805] 899-3100, www.tupelo junction.com) for the generous portions that can fill a teen boy (for a little while). Our picks: a starter of apple beignets; deepdish mac ’n’ cheese with collard greens; and a hearty spinach, bacon, caramelized onion and Gouda scramble with homemade banana pecan bread.
Mark Boster L.A. Times
State’s parks online
Valli Herman
RECLAIMED WOOD and sustainable materials accent the rooms at the Kimpton Goodland.
Barn-like doors conceal the bathroom and closet. Bold textiles provide decoration.
Goleta
Ventura
Santa Clarita 101
Los Angeles
Channel Islands National Park Pacific Ocean 20 MILES
Santa Catalina
Sources: Mapbox, OpenStreetMap Lou Sp irit o Los Angeles Times
Al Seib Los Angeles Times
STATE STREET in Santa Barbara is well stocked with shops
— including an Apple Store — yet can feel surprisingly bucolic.
latimes.com /weekendescapes
Go online for more Weekend Escapes.
The find Santa Barbara’s downtown State Street was so uncrowded, it felt bucolic even with a noticeable and sometimes-aggressive population of panhandlers. The street’s trendy clothing and shoe stores, bicycle shops, Apple
Lancaster
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A new website allows you to search all California parklands, from the big national parks to local dog parks. The CaliParks website — www.caliparks.org — will help you plan your next adventure at 11,826 parks statewide and find what you’re looking for in one place. It works in English and Spanish on smartphones and tablets as well as laptops and desktop computers. You can search national, state, regional and urban parks to connect with a place to hike or surf. Enter the city or ZIP Code you’re interested in or check out CaliParks’ favorites on the home page. If you’re thinking of going to a national park today (Sunday) or Monday, admission will be free (although not all charge admission). National forests, such as Angeles and Los Padres sites in Southern California, offer free admission on Monday only. Info: www.lat.ms/1EZjtXy — Mary Forgione
was able to survey the gourmet Santa Barbara brand’s entire collection and sample new flavors such as Sea Salt Cream & Cookies and Salted Caramel Chip.
The lesson learned Store and cafes held my son’s interest — especially Antique Alley’s collection of vintage cameras. Did I mention I was traveling with a hungry teen? Spotting a sparkling-clean, full-size McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, he
Kicking off the school search process with a quick trip has made the looming prospect of finding a college real — and a real adventure. travel@latimes.com
Valli Herman
ICE CREAM from McCon-
nell’s in Santa Barbara.
JamStik.com
Mobile guitar tutor Travel with a song in your heart and you can be accompanied by a guitar (sort of) in your hands — and learn to play it. All you need is an iPad, iPhone or Mac (sorry, Android) and the new Zivix Jamstik, a 16-inch, 3-pound device with steel strings and frets. The guitar (which looks like a guitar neck), is powered by an included rechargeable battery and connects wirelessly to your device by way of a proprietary interface with Jamstik Connect, the free app. A free music app, jamTutor, becomes your mobile teacher, and an online Jamstik-playing human takes you through the basics. The Jamstik comes with an adjustable neck strap, a micro USB charging cable and two guitar picks. A Bluetooth model is due this year. The digital guitar costs $280. Information: www.jamstik.com — Judi Dash
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Santa Barbara vacation ideas Kathy Strong 9:11 p.m. PDT March 25, 2015
(Photo: John Ellis)
Everything in Santa Barbara is New Again There is something totally freeing about escaping the busy commuters in LA to discover that you are suddenly following the open, glittering coastline along the Ventura Highway, dotted with surfers bobbing in wait for a wave and little beach communities with casual fish and burger stops. I was on an expedition to check out one of Santa Barbara's newest chic hostelries in Goleta, The Goodland, but ended up discovering more new riches that beg for a trip all over again. Spanning 100 miles of pristine coastline is Santa Barbara, affectionately known as the "American Riviera." Visitors arrive year-round to enjoy its virtues of mission history, ocean splendor and idyllic Mediterranean weather. It is the Central Coast's "utopia" of nearby wineries, haute cuisine and celebrity homesteads, from Oprah to Jeff Bridges. There is plenty to discover every time you visit, and this spring is no exception with lots of new offerings, from edgy hotels to a few unique experiences. Take a magical drive up the 101, hugging each curve of the sparkling coast, and get ready for another unforgettable foray into a setting lush with dramatic mountains, colorful gardens and whitewashed buildings topped by red tile roofs. Santa Barbara originals Santa Barbara with its rich mission history is also known for spawning innovators and "firsts." The original Motel 6 opened in Santa Barbara in 1962, and it's still operating today with a completely updated look. Even the idea for McDonald's Egg McMuffin was hatched in Santa Barbara in the 60s. Great hotels and resorts fill the region, from the stately and iconic Four Season's Biltmore on the water's edge to the canyon-secreted El Encanto, as well as copious bed & breakfasts that fill the residential lanes.
Climb into the hills of Santa Barbara for a vista of ocean and lush gardens. (Photo: Bill Zeldis)
The Goleta area, just north of town, unveiled the luxury Bacara Resort in recent years, and now it has another new hotel claim, The Goodland. Situated a short distance from Bacara, The Goodland is nestled on the inland side of the town without the ocean vistas but close enough for someone to be a beach-goer throughout the stay. The Goodland, which opened in August, is Kimpton's newest boutique property, and second in Santa Barbara County joining Canary Hotel. A stay at Goodland is never dull—think fun, lively and sand-in-your-toes casual. The 158 guest rooms are centered around a heated pool where morning Yoga is common. Rooms feature a variety of nostalgic Americana amenities, including your own record player accompanied by a collection of vintage vinyl, a lobby with cozy fireplace and a curated art program—even a photo booth. An airstream sits outside with another in the process of being converted to a food truck. The renovated hotel has a funky, millennial feel that already has a large audience, from young to old. Outpost is the hotel's casual dining spot with innovative choices. Try a homemade pop tart for brunch and don't be surprised to find Mexican Coca-Cola in the lobby Good Bar. Events are part of the stay and range from Trivia Nights to Sunday DJ sessions which are free to hotel guests. Special events are the norm, mostly centered around music by musicians "on the brink of greatness." Cave time
Watch surfers in wait of the perfect wave along the Ventura Highway on the way to Santa Barbara (Photo: Mark Weber)
A little salt can be good for your body, at least the way Santa Barbara "salts" you. The Salt Cave is now open on downtown's State Street and stands as one of city's most unique experiences. The caves are crafted from 45 tons of 250-mllion-years-old Himalayan crystal salt, thought to be the most pristine and unpolluted salt on earth. Guests to the "caves" can choose from Salt Cave Therapy sessions, salt scrubs, massages and NexNeuro vibration treatments. Cave-goers dress comfortably; just your socks and shoes are removed. The dry microclimate in the caves is kept at a temperature of 72 degrees and 40 percent humidity. Cozy into some blankets, then settle into the zero-gravity chair. The session begins as the lights are lowered, and gentle relaxation music plays. All you need to do is sit back, relax and breathe. The air in the cave is saturated with micro particles of salt that are easily absorbed through the skin and deep into the lungs. Get funky Caves and retro hotels might put you in the mood for Santa Barbara's new "Funk Zone." Just east of State Street, the former 12-block warehouse manufacturing area is now an edgy, popular region filled with art galleries, wineries, microbreweries and bistros. Just steps from the ocean, the bustling area is growing quickly and gaining a reputation for innovation on a local level. Just a few of the highlights include: Al Merrick's Channel Islands Surfboards, Santa
Barbara Art Foundry, Red's Urban Wine Bar, Segway of SB, Figueroa Mountain Brewery and Seven Bar and Kitchen. Spring into events The Santa Barbara County Vintners' Spring Weekend takes place April 23-26. It's your chance to sip and savor world-class pinot noirs and chardonnays in a simple, down home atmosphere. This event attracts wine lovers from near and far for an opportunity to meet local vintners, taste their wines and enjoy great food and music over a long spring weekend. (www.sbvintnersweekend.com) Often considered the birthplace of the modern environmental movement, Santa Barbara boasts "Ecotopian" roots that run deep. You know this is a fact at the city's nationally acclaimed Earth Day Festival which takes place April 18-19. From a cutting-edge green car show to more than 200 exhibitors, Santa Barbara's Earth Day Festival draws thousands of eco-minded attendees each spring.(www.sbearthday.org) Follow "Going My Way" on twitter@KathyStrong2. If you go The Goodland Hotel 5650 Calle Real, Goleta www.TheGoodland.com; (805) 964-6241/(877) 480-1465 The Funk Zone www.funkzone.net Salt Cave 740 State St., Santa Barbara www.saltcavesb.com; (805) 963-7258 Visit Santa Barbara www.santabarbaraca.com
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