Rock 'n' Roll Marathon coming to Los Angeles in 2010

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series is coming to Los Angeles.

The Competitor Group, which owns the series of marathons held around the country, announced today that it will open a new half-marathon in L.A. Scheduled for Oct. 24, 2010, the run will replace the City of Angels Half Marathon, which has been held since 2006 on the first weekend in December. Peter Englehart, president and chief executive officer of the Competitor Group, said an agreement had been reached with the nonprofit group Grove of Hope to replace the City of Angels event, but he did not disclose the terms of the deal.

“We’ve been blessed with several other good markets on the West Coast, but L.A. was the missing piece to the puzzle,” Englehart said. “As we grow our company, it’s important to have a presence in L.A., so this was an opportunity we were looking for.”

L.A. City Council lists top 10 places where bureaucracy makes it hard to film

The Los Angeles City Council, in an attempt to stem runaway production and make television and motion picture filming less of a hassle in the city, ordered up a list of the 10 most popular locations where bureaucratic regulations and other factors make it hard to film, with hopes of eventually fixing the situation.

The worst of the worst are, in no particular order: the

• Hollywood sign.

• Griffith Park Observatory.

• Los Angeles Zoo.

• Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

• AT&T Building downtown.

• Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center.

• Farmers and Merchants Bank downtown.

• Japanese American National Museum.

• Library Park, also known as Maguire Gardens, at the Los Angeles Central Library.

• Terminal Annex Post Office near Union Station downtown.

The city’s financial analysts compiled the list with the help of film industry location managers through their union, the Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Teamsters Local 399.

The location mangers said those sites are difficult to film for a variety of reasons, including rental costs, difficulty securing permits, government regulations restricting public access and even things such as restrictions on providing food for crew members.

“Los Angeles is the film capital of the world, but there are too many places in which we tell filming to go away,’’ said Council President Eric Garcetti.
 

Michael Jackson was 'probably' in denial about drug abuse, Janet Jackson says

Michael Jackson, who died of an overdose of a powerful sedative,  was "probably" in denial about his drug abuse, his sister Janet Jackson said in an interview.

In an interview with ABC News, Jackson said the family was aware of the pop star's drug problems and in the past had organized interventions for him.

"You can't make them drink the water," Janet Jackson said. "I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer -- but it's, it's something that you can't do for them. Something they have to do for themselves."

Asked about whether Michael Jackson believed he had drug problems, his sister added:  "I felt that he was in denial."

Jackson died of "lethal levels" of the powerful anesthetic propofol, according to a search warrant affidavit unsealed in Houston.

Hollywood A-listers host bash for Jerry Brown

State Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, now alone in the Democratic field in his still-unannounced bid for governor, is headed this week to Hollywood, where he’s expected to collect a mountain of cash from some big Tinseltown names.

The event, a Wednesday evening soiree at the home of former talent manager Sandy Gallin, could net Brown more than $1 million. DreamWorks heavyweights Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg are among the event’s 27 co-hosts.

“Every one of the co-chairs is either writing [a check for] and or raising $50,000,” said entertainment industry consultant Andy Spahn, who helped organize the affair. Oracle Chief Executive Larry Ellison -- California's richest resident, according to Forbes magazine -- and Netflix founder Reed Hastings are among the other co-hosts.

Hollywood Spider-Man impersonator caught in legal web

A Spider-Man impersonator was arrested on outstanding criminal warrants today after an incident in which he allegedly slugged a man near the Hollywood and Highland complex, Los Angeles police said.

It was not immediately clear what led to the altercation, which was reported about 12:30 p.m. in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard. But it's the latest in a string of incidents involving movie characters and celebrity lookalikes who vie for space -- and attention -- along the tourist-filled corridor that includes Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Christopher Loomis, 39, was being held on outstanding misdemeanor warrants in lieu of $5,500 bail, police said.

Joint Chiefs chairman pulls out of Valley Veterans Day parade

A scheduled appearance by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at this week's San Fernando Valley Veterans Day parade has been canceled because of the Ft. Hood shootings, officials said today.

Navy Adm. Michael Mullen had been set to serve as grand marshal of the Wednesday parade. Mullen was raised in North Hollywood and had been looking forward to joining veterans from his former stomping grounds, he said in an interview before the tragedy in Texas.

But the shootings that left 13 people dead and dozens wounded forced Mullen to change plans, said Gene Smith, a spokeswoman for Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Valley Village).

"He wanted to do it,'' Smith said. "But all things considered, I don't think it would be appropriate for him to be riding in a parade."

Michael Jackson's father seeks an allowance from late singer's estate

Michael Jackson’s father wants the late singer’s estate to help him cover living expenses that exceed $20,000 a month, according to court papers filed Friday.

The estate is already paying Jackson’s mother a monthly allowance of $26,000, and an attorney for Joe Jackson wrote in the Superior Court filing that the family patriarch was entitled to the “same manner” of support. In the papers, the 81-year-old’s lawyer wrote that Michael Jackson had footed his father’s bills for decades.

“He does not have a regular or steady source of income, and he was dependent upon the money provided by his son, Michael Jackson, through his wife, Katherine Jackson, for his support,” attorney Brian Oxman wrote. He said in an interview that the amount the singer paid to his parents when he was alive far exceeded what Katherine Jackson is currently getting.

“She’s receiving sufficiently less....When Michael passed away, the money stopped,” he said.
 

Villaraigosa wants city buildings opened to TV, film production

To stem the outflow of film and other entertainment production jobs from Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa met this morning with representatives from more than 20 city departments to find ways to make it easier for producers to shoot locally.

Villaraigosa has already ordered general managers to appoint film “liaisons" in every department to help production companies cut through the bureaucracy and coordinate production work. Today he also asked them to identify all city buildings, parking lots and other facilities producers could use for films, television, commercials and other projects, according to a spokesman for the mayor.

The agencies include the Los Angeles Zoo, Department of Water and Power, Port of Los Angeles, Department of Transportation and Department of General Services.

According to the California Film Commission, the state’s share of U.S. feature film production fell to 31% in 2008 from 66% in 2003. Most of that drop-off was in the Los Angeles area, where feature filming in 2008 was nearly half what it was at its peak in 1996.

A survey by FilmL.A. Inc., which coordinates permits for location filming, found that only 57% of all TV pilots were shot in the L.A. area this year, down from 81% in 2004.

The City Council is already considering offering tax refunds to production companies and tax credits to building owners who make their sites available for filming. The council also wants to increase the availability of power nodes downtown so filmmakers don’t have to rely on portable generators, saving money and reducing noise levels for downtown residents.

-- Phil Willon at L.A. City Hall

Crowds arrive for West Hollywood's Halloween celebration

Rowdy groups of costumed young people and curious older couples packed the streets of West Hollywood as tonight’s festivities began.

About 7 p.m., droves of people began inching their way into the congested side streets off the celebration’s main path -- Santa Monica Boulevard, between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard.

Julian Higgins, 23, and his girlfriend, Wei-Ning Iu, 26, of Hollywood, strolled along Sunset Boulevard dressed in Hogwarts outfits, a nod to the magic school in the "Harry Potter" novels. Asked whether he was a fan of the series, Higgins -- looking less than excited – said, "Not really. She got her costume and I had to find something to go with it."

The couple said they were happy to arrive before the expected masses snatched up the closer parking spots.

Some Halloween revelers opted for more subtle costumes, taking playful jabs at current events or abstract ideas. One wore a costume he called the “Scary Public Option,” a reference to the raging healthcare reform debate. Another sported a President Obama mask.

Erica Elson, 23, a screenwriter from Hollywood, wore what appeared to be regular street clothes, but a cardboard cube dangled from her wrist on a piece of yarn.

"Writer's block," she said meekly.

Jose Albarran, 23, of Winnetka dressed as a muscular Batman. Holding hands with his boyfriend, who came as the Joker, he seemed overjoyed to join the night’s festivities.

Growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, Albarran said he hadn't been allowed to dress up for Halloween. "We were at In-N-Out and I thought everyone was looking at me," he said.

"I told him, 'It’s Halloween. Everyone’s dressed up,' " said Hector Corral, 22.

-- Robert Faturechi in West Hollywood

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Santa Barbara braces for last big night of Halloween weekend

It’s like the Mardi Gras of Halloween.

For more than 30 years, college students from across California have been descending on Santa Barbara County’s Isla Vista to party for the Halloween weekend. Between 40,000 and 50,000 people are expected tonight in the Isla Vista area, near UC Santa Barbara.

Police have increased patrols for the multi-day celebration, which started Thursday. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department along with the college police and the California Highway Patrol watch over the weekend’s revelry. Patrol units from Ventura County and Los Angeles are in town, too.

Over the last two days, 122 people were arrested for alcohol-related offenses, said Lt. Kelly Moore of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. The area historically nets a large number of arrests on Halloween.

“This is one of the largest parties in California,” Moore said.

People come from out of town every year for the party. Hotels are full, and between 200 and 250 officers from various jurisdictions will be out tonight, Moore said.

Last year, police made 220 arrests and issued 438 citations. Fifty-five people were taken to the hospital, mainly due to alcohol-related problems. Two people fell off cliffs in the Del Playa area, one of whom sustained serious injuries.

The three-day party is expected to wind down Sunday, with a few scragglers who are “die-hard” partiers, Moore said. “They are going to get every penny out of that costume,” he said.

David Cunningham, a sophomore at UC Santa Barbara, said people get “packed like tuna” during Halloween.

Alex Cruz, a junior at UC Santa Barbara, lives in the most popular party area of Isla Vista. He held a party Thursday and Friday and plans to hold one tonight. “It’s a fun, fun atmosphere,” he said.

Cruz, who dressed up as a wizard in a Snuggie, said the Isla Vista Halloween experience might even be a little crazier than Mardi Gras.

“It’s probably the only place in California where you can find Lady Gaga, construction workers and ninja turtles all in the same street,” he said.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

West L.A. police host a haunted house for kids

Outside the West Los Angeles police station, officers spent a sunny Halloween afternoon transforming  part of a parking lot into a haunted house for local children.

The goal: To make the LAPD a little less spooky to kids.

The event -- a first for the police station -- runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is expected to draw about 200 children and their families. Admission is free.

"We’re trying to build a relationship with the community and the kids," Sgt. Mark Durrell said. "We have fun; we’re human too."

Outside the station off Iowa and Butler avenues, a giant purple-and-black inflatable spider swayed atop a patrol car, its eight legs dangling down the vehicle’s sides.

Inside the haunted house, maze walls smeared with fake blood separate a series of macabre scenes including a playpen full of bloodied stuffed animals and a zombie’s feast of bones and dismembered limbs. The living room features an old TV that plays nothing but static for a slumbering zombie.

Most of the materials in the house were gathered from nearby alleys, said Officer Molly Brenner, who designed the maze.

-- Robert Faturechi in West Los Angeles

Big crowds expected at Staples Center and L.A. Live tonight

More than 25,000 people are expected to descend on a two-block area of downtown tonight for both the Lakers-Clippers basketball game and the premiere of the Michael Jackson movie “This is It,” prompting officials to warn fans of heavy traffic and urging them to come early.

The red carpet arrivals at L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the screening at 6. The basketball game begins next door at Staples Center at 7:30.

That will be followed by the grand opening of the Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live, which will begin showing “This is It” at 9.

“We’re trying to educate people to leave plenty of time to get here early,” said Cara Vanderhook, a Staples spokeswoman.

U2 concert-goers get an early start at the Rose Bowl

Crowds began gathering as early at 4 this morning at Rose Bowl Stadium, where nearly 100,000 people were expected for tonight's sold-out U2 concert.

About 1,600 people with general admission tickets were in line to snatch up good spots on the stadium floor when gates open at about 5 p.m. Concert-goers were reading magazines, watching streaming U2 videos and playing games.

Randy Madden, a musician from Moorpark, was in line at about 4 a.m.

“I knew it would be absolute chaos,” said Madden. “I just wanted to make sure I got here early.”

Heavy traffic is expected before and after the event, and Pasadena police are urging residents in surrounding neighborhoods to get home early to avoid getting caught in backups. Concert-goers are advised to carpool or take public transportation to the Rose Bowl.

Pasadena Police Cpl. Julie Finney said concert-goers should arrive in the area by about 4 p.m. so they have ample time to walk to the stadium.

“They need to leave a little bit earlier," Finney said, "and they can come here and enjoy the festivities.”

The Rose Bowl will be open at noon for a “Picnic in the Park” event, with food and drinks available for purchase.

Finney said before noon that parking spaces were still available, but they're expected to fill up in the afternoon.

Click here for information about special late-night Metro service.

--Anna Gorman
Irfan Khan reporting from Rose Bowl Stadium

Photo: Kevin Gray, 40, of Rancho Cucamonga shows off his car license plates while waiting in line to attend the U2 concert at the Rose Bowl. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

L.A. Council ignores Trutanich warning, backs signs for theater at L.A. Live

The Los Angeles City Council today unanimously backed city building officials’ authority to issue six controversial sign permits at the L.A. Live entertainment district downtown, a direct challenge to City Atty. Carmen Trutanich’s warning that officials could be prosecuted if they allow the signs to go up.

With today’s backing from the council, Building and Safety general manager Raymond Chan said he plans to issue the permits despite Trutanich’s warning. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also supports issuing the permits, said Jeff Carr, the mayor’s chief of staff.

The action comes just days after the owner of the downtown entertainment complex, Anschutz Entertainment Group, accused Trutanich of trying to “bully’’ the company by blocking signs for its new Regal Cinemas before the movie theater’s grand opening on Tuesday.

William W. Carter, the chief deputy city attorney, warned the council before its vote that granting the permits to AEG could “unravel” a new sign ban approved by the council in August that prohibits all digital signs, supergraphics and freeway facing billboards. Outdoor advertising companies had successfully challenged the city’s past sign restrictions because the council had granted similar exemptions, he said.

City attorney says L.A. 'wasted a lot of dough' on Michael Jackson memorial, defends quest for payment

City Atty. Carmen Trutanich defended his efforts to recoup city dollars spent on the Michael Jackson memorial from the owner of Staples Center, but denied today that he asked AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke for $6 million during a meeting in July.
 
A day after Leiweke told The Times editorial board that Trutanich tried to “bully” the company into paying the city the money to cover various city services provided during the Jackson memorial, Trutanich justified his actions in a speech to members of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce at City Hall.
 

“If going after your money is being a bully, then I’m a bully; I have no problem doing that,” Trutanich said. “We wasted a lot of dough on the Michael Jackson memorial. We wasted a lot of money. Now if any of you think that we didn’t, I’ll take your donation after my speech.”

Arrests allegedly threatened over LA Live theater signs

Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich allegedly threatened to prosecute city building officials last week if they issued permits for wall signs at the LA Live entertainment complex downtown, and a city councilwoman said he threatened her with jail time if she intervened.

The actions generated more heat in L.A.’s contentious fight over billboards and intensified an ongoing feud between Trutanich and one of downtown’s most politically connected corporations, Anschutz Entertainment Group.

AEG, which owns the LA Live complex and is seeking to place large signs on the outside walls of its new movie theater, called Trutanich’s actions “bullying and political thuggery.”

Trutanich responded by calling AEG a “good citizen" but warned that he would prosecute anyone who appears to violate a two-month-old ban on outdoor advertising approved by the City Council in August.

“It’s the law. I’m going to enforce the law. There’s a ban,” Trutanich said. “I told them what the consequences were. Nobody got threatened. Absolutely not.”

Anschutz's Club Nokia is exempted from liquor ad ban

State lawmakers today agreed to exempt a downtown Los Angeles nightclub built by billionaire Philip Anschutz from a state ban on liquor ads inside some clubs.

The Senate voted 30 to 3 to exempt Club Nokia from a state law that prohibits the advertising if the club is selling the brands being promoted.

"At a time when we have the highest unemployment since the Great Depression, this bill will help bring more jobs, more people back to work in the city of Los Angeles," said Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks). The bill, AB 813, was written by Assemblyman John Perez (D-Los Angeles).

The club is part of the LA Live entertainment district developed by Anschutz's AEG near Staples Center.

—Patrick McGreevy

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Storm leaves area as fire-scarred hillsides escape mudslides

Bodyguard testifies Anna-Nicole Smith's drug use increased after son's death

Anna Nicole Smith consumed increasing amounts of a rare sleep aid in the months after her son’s death, eventually drinking the powerful liquid sedative straight from the medicine bottle, her former bodyguard testified today.

The drug, chloral hydrate, was cited as the primary cause of Smith’s fatal overdose the following year and her bodyguard said the model often carried a bottle of the drug as she grieved her son.

“I saw her use a spoon maybe twice and after that it was bottle to mouth: gulp,” said Maurice Brighthaupt, a Miami firefighter who moonlighted as Smith’s security guard.

Brighthaupt took the stand at a hearing that will determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to try Smith’s longtime companion, Howard K. Stern, and two Los Angeles physicians on charges of conspiring to furnish her with illegal prescription medications. All three have pleaded not guilty.

'The Sixties Turn 50' celebrates birth of L.A. architecture craze

L.A. architecture came into its own in the 1960s -- and the Los Angeles Conservancy is celebrating with a slick new website called "The Sixties Turn 50."

The site is full of cool photos, histories, a time line and even a contest to pick your favorite buildings. Historian John English says the LAX Theme building and other icons of the 1960s set the tone:

Conan O'Brien expected to return to work Monday

Conan O'Brien has been released from a hospital after suffering a head injury Friday during a stunt on the "Tonight Show." Here's the story from the Associated Press:

Conan O’Brien was expected to be back on the job Monday after hitting his head during a “Tonight Show” stunt.

 “Conan is resting comfortably at home. He is expected to return to work on Monday,” NBC said in a statement Saturday.

 The accident Friday halted production of the show, NBC said. The network did not say what the stunt entailed.

 O’Brien was examined at a hospital Friday and was released, although the network didn’t say when.

 A “Tonight” rerun with guest Jeremy Piven aired Friday. According to NBC’s website, the scheduled show was supposed to include actress Teri Hatcher and Seth MacFarlane ("Family Guy," "The Cleveland Show"). Actress Drew Barrymore and jockey Joe Talamo were the scheduled guests for Monday.

 O’Brien, 46, issued a statement through NBC that indicated he was treating the incident lightly.

 “Last thing I remember, I was enjoying the play with Mrs. Lincoln, and the next thing I knew I was in bed being served cookies and juice,” O’Brien said in the statement.

 The accident brought back memories of a rare absence by his predecessor. O’Brien took over the “Tonight” host’s job from Jay Leno in June.

Leno’s absence came toward the end of his 17 years with the show, when a high fever and unspecified illness caused him to check himself into a hospital for a day. NBC canceled two episodes of “Tonight” when that occurred in May.

 NBC’s decision to remove the top-rated Leno from “Tonight” and replace him with O’Brien, hoping to draw a younger audience, put pressure on the new host’s shoulders.

 The network’s creation of a daily prime-time comedy show for Leno, displacing five hours of scripted shows, was another bold move. Leno’s new show debuted this month.

File photo of Conan O'Brien by Paul Drinkwater / Associated Press

"Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien injures head and halts taping of program

An accident that apparently sent "Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien to the hospital halted production of the program today, according to the Associated Press. Here's the AP story:

Conan O'Brien hit his head during a stunt for the "Tonight Show" on Friday and the production was halted, NBC said.

The network declined to comment on his condition or whether he was hospitalized.

But a person close to the production said O'Brien was being examined at a hospital. The person, who lacked authorization to discuss details of the matter, spoke on condition of anonymity.

O'Brien issued a statement through NBC that indicated he was treating the incident lightly.

"Last thing I remember, I was enjoying the play with Mrs. Lincoln, and the next thing I knew I was in bed being served cookies and juice," O'Brien said in the statement.

The 46-year-old comedian took over the show from Jay Leno in June.

O'Brien's accident recalled a rare absence by Leno that came toward the end of his 17 years with the show, when a high fever and unspecified illness caused him to check himself into a hospital for a day.

NBC canceled two episodes of "Tonight" when that occurred in May. Leno's new daily prime-time comedy show debuted this month.

File photo of Conan O'Brien by Paul Drinkwater / AP

Man held after trying to get into Ryan Seacrest's car

A Lakewood man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a security guard who tried to stop him from getting into a car with "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest after he made a charity appearance at an Orange County hospital, police said today.

Seacrest was signing autographs Tuesday afternoon after leaving Children's Hospital of Orange County. One of those who got a signature was Chidi Benjamin Uzomah Jr., 25, said Sgt. Dan Adams of the Orange Police Department.

As Seacrest got into his car, Uzomah allegedly tried to enter the vehicle but was stopped by security guards. Seacrest took off as a scuffle broke out between the suspect and the guards, Adams said. 

"Ryan pulled away as the thing started," Adams said. "He wasn't involved and didn't see anything."

The suspect allegedly choked one of the guards, who nearly became unconscious.

Uzomah was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury, and is expected to be arraigned in court Friday morning, Adams said.

It was unclear why the suspect allegedly tried to get into the vehicle. "We still don't know a motive," Adams said. "He didn't really give us any."

—Robert J. Lopez

Photo: Ryan Seacrest

Credit: Associated Press

Jackson burial service begins as night falls

What had been scheduled to be a sunset service for Michael Jackson at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale became a nighttime gathering when Jackson's family got off to a late start leaving their Encino compound this evening.

As about 200 friends waited, the Jackson family, ferried into the park in a fleet of 26 vehicles, took their places in the front rows of white folding chairs set up outside in the tree-dappled, verdant cemetery park.

The Jackson brothers in black suits and red ties filed past a portrait of Michael, a confident smile on his face. His children took their places as well.  A bespectacled Paris Jackson, his young daughter, in a dark dress, her long hair pulled back in a pony tail, watched as other family members took their seats.

Under a tight cordon of security, they had all gathered for the final leg of the pop singer's odyssey from death to interment on a hot night exactly 10 weeks after he was found dead.

Among the mourners were many of the touchstones of his life: Elizabeth Taylor — who arrived in a Maybach; former child star actor Macaulay Culkin; lawyer Thomas A. Mesereau, who successfully defended Jackson from sexual abuse charges; and choreographer Kenny Ortega, who was working on Jackson’s final tour show. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, former child actor Corey Haim, baseball player Barry Bonds, Marlon Brando’s son Miko and comic Chris Tucker also were there.

As dusk turned to night, a Halloween-orange moon hung in the sky, appropriate for the pop singer whose spooky “Thriller” song and video is legendary in the annals of pop music.

Glendale police blocked off streets around the 300-acre cemetery, and the sprinkling of fans who showed up were relegated to standing behind barricades blocks away. A dozen fans held up a banner reading “King of Pop Michael Jackson Gone Too Soon.”

Jackson is to be interred in a crypt in Holly Terrace, one of 11 halls in the Great Mausoleum, Forest Lawn’s vast granite-and-marble-filled palazzo that serves as the star-studded resting place of Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and other screen legends.

The outdoor service will move into Holly Terrace for a cryptside finale.

The Jackson estate is footing the bill for the service, which has been called by a lawyer for the estate “extraordinary” but worth paying. At least $125,000 will go to cover the Glendale Police Department’s and  Glendale city’s expenses — and that’s just a fraction of the costs associated with the service. The bulk of the expenses will go to Forest Lawn.

—Chris Lee and Carla Hall

Photo: Michael Jackson's brothers wore sunglasses and matching red ties to the pop singer's burial service at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale.

Credit: Pool photo

Full coverage: Michael Jackson's Life and Death

Interactive timeline: Michael Jackson | 1958-2009

Video Q&A: Times reporters on Michael Jackson's death

Mourners begin arriving for Jackson burial service

Under a tight cordon of security, a steady stream of luxury cars ferried guests to Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale this evening for the final leg of pop singer Michael Jackson’s odyssey from death to burial.

Longtime Jackson friend Elizabeth Taylor, who was whisked through the 25-foot-high cemetery gates in a Maybach, was among an expected 200 guests at Jackson’s sunset burial service on a hot night exactly 10 weeks after he was found dead.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, actor Macaulay Culkin, baseball player Barry Bonds, comic Chris Tucker and lawyer Thomas A. Mesereau, who successfully defended Jackson on charges of sexual molestation four years ago, arrived to take their places on white chairs lined up for the outdoor service in the tree-dappled, verdant park.

Glendale police blocked off streets around the 300-acre cemetery, and the sprinkling of fans who showed up were relegated to standing behind barricades blocks away.  A dozen fans held up a banner reading “King of Pop Michael Jackson Gone Too Soon.”

Jackson is to be interred in a crypt in Holly Terrace, one of 11 halls in the Great Mausoleum, Forest Lawn’s vast granite-and-marble-filled palazzo that serves as the star-studded resting place of Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and other screen legends.

The outdoor service will move into Holly Terrace for a cryptside finale. 

The Jackson estate is footing the bill for the service, which has been called by a lawyer for the estate “extraordinary” but worth paying.  At least $120,000 will go to cover the Glendale Police Department’s expenses — and that’s just a fraction of the costs.  The bulk of the expenses will go to Forest Lawn.

—Chris Lee and Carla Hall

County supervisors urged to step up oversight of porn industry

Saying that the Los Angeles County Public Health Department has minimized sexually transmitted diseases and HIV cases in the porn industry,  AIDS activists and former adult film workers on Tuesday urged county supervisors  to step up oversight of the industry.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has already filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that the county has failed to prevent the spread of disease in the industry. The organization asked the court to require the county to enforce regulations mandating condom use in adult film productions. The county answered the court petition by suggesting that the public need is “minimal,” because there are only 1,200 adult film performers – less than .01% of the population.

“Would the county of L.A. say the same thing about 1,200 firemen or restaurant workers or bankers?” asked Jessie Gruttadauria, director of public affairs for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.  “How many performers in this multibillion-dollar industry in our backyard have to get sick before this becomes a public need?”