LA Observed front page

'We have Iron Man, Spider-Man and Batman in the room'

President Obama had the right crowd tonight in Studio City tonight to elaborate on his new same-sex marriage position. "It was a logical extension of what America is supposed to be," he said of this week's interview. "It grew directly out of this difference in visions. Are we a country that includes everybody and gives everybody a shot and treats everybody fairly and is that going to make us stronger? Are we welcoming to immigrants?"

More quotes, names from George Clooney's basketball court. Our story, THR

Full text of President Obama's remarks

Howard Berman gets face time with Obama

File photo of Clooney and Obama

Chez Jay's future
City of Santa Monica doesn't much like the place
Caine's arcade
Busier than ever, Jenny Burman finds

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Politics

Full text of Obama's remarks at Clooney fundraiser

Kevin Roderick | May 11, 2012 8:39 AM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> This is the official transcript from the White House of what President Obama said from the stage at last night's Democratic fundraiser at George Clooney's home in Studio City.

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Headlines

Friday morning headlines

Mark Lacter | May 11, 2012 8:35 AM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> Investors are pooh-poohing JPMorgan news, regulators looking into bank's trades, consumer sentiment edges higher, and prepping for more state budget cuts.

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Magazines

Time's breastfeeding cover with LA mom

Kevin Roderick | May 10, 2012 11:22 PM

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The Los Angeles woman who everyone in the media seems to be talking about this week is Jamie Lynne Grumet, a 26-year-old mother of two and also a lactation consultant and breastfeeding advocate. She blogs about breastfeeding, mothering and "attachment parenting" at I am Not the Babysitter, but the site seems to be down. Not surprising, given the emotional frenzies sparked by her still breastfeeding her soon-to-be four-year-old son, and Time putting them on the cover in such a provocative pose.

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Sports

Lakers lose ugly in Denver, now face a seventh game

Kevin Roderick | May 10, 2012 10:42 PM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> The Lakers had another chance to close out the Nuggets and advance to the next round of the NBA playoffs. Didn't happen: 113-96 final.

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Markets

Keep a close eye on Friday's market

Mark Lacter | May 10, 2012 5:45 PM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> The session could get pretty ugly. JPMorgan Chase is a major market player and at last check its stock was down more than six percent in after-hours trading - the result of the bank's stunning announcement of a $2 billion trading loss. The bank can cover the losses, but what does this say about the post-meltdown financial world?

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2012

Signs point to Burbank Airport for Obama

Kevin Roderick | May 10, 2012 5:01 PM

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If I were a betting man, or a Valley commuter hoping to avoid tonight's presidential motorcade traffic snarl, I would avoid the route between Bob Hope Airport in Burbank and Studio City as the clock approaches 7 p.m.

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Driving

West Hollywood will actually ease up on parking enforcement

Kevin Roderick | May 10, 2012 4:30 PM

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Memorial Day will be extra special in the city of West Hollywood. The city that almost makes sport of ticketing parking violators will go easy on some of its citizens for the holiday.

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Downtown

Groceries are popping up all over downtown

Mark Lacter | May 10, 2012 3:34 PM

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Smart & Final is the latest to announce plans for a new store. There's also a Target and a Walmart in the works. It's partly the result of large retailers running out of desirable space in the suburban areas - as well as the recognition that downtown is a viable place to do business.

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Driving

Look out for higher gas prices

Mark Lacter | May 10, 2012 3:12 PM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> West Coast spot markets, where wholesale gasoline is sold, has seen big price increases in recent days - despite a general drop in oil prices. It's a reminder that regional factors can hold sway, at least in the short term.

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Markets

Huge losses at JPMorgan Chase trading unit*

Mark Lacter | May 10, 2012 2:33 PM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> CEO Jamie Dimon estimated the losses in the company's portfolio of investments at $2 billion. "These were egregious mistakes," Dimon said in an unscheduled conference call. "They were self-inflicted and this is not how we want to run a business."

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Sports

Kings get a date and a video re-airing *

Kevin Roderick | May 10, 2012 2:04 PM

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The Kings open Sunday evening in Arizona. Tonight, Fox Sports West will re-air the two most memorable games from the only time the Kings ever made it to the third round of the Stanley Cup finals before.

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Taxes

Yaaay! The U.S. government made a few bucks in April

Mark Lacter | May 10, 2012 1:28 PM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> In a manner of speaking. For the first time since September 2008, more money came in than went out. Maybe the debt ceiling timetable will be extended.

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NFL

So much for the Vikings coming to L.A.

Mark Lacter | May 10, 2012 12:58 PM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> The Minnesota state Senate all but sealed the construction of a $975 million football stadium that will rely heavily on public financing. Some months back there had been speculation that the Vikings would consider relocating to L.A. if the stadium deal wasn't cut.

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Books

Steve Wasserman moves to Yale Press, signs Greil Marcus book

Kevin Roderick | May 10, 2012 9:42 AM

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Steve Wasserman, the former longtime books editor at the Los Angeles Times (back in the years when the paper had a Sunday book review section), is giving up the agenting game to become a full-time editor at large for Yale University Press. His first acquisition for Yale is "an intimate history of rock ‘n’ roll" by Greil Marcus.

Orange County

Register news mob going to Disneyland (California Adventure actually)

Kevin Roderick | May 10, 2012 9:29 AM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> The Register's news mob swarm of the Angels' season opener worked so well that they're doing it again next month when Disney's California Adventure relaunches.

In case you missed it:

Picture window: Hyperopera

Crescent City is a "fantastical tale of a mythical city destroyed by one hurricane and the voodoo priestess determined to save it." It opened Thursday night at Atwater Crossing and runs through May 27. "Isn't art really about learning to live your life?," asks director Yuval Sharon. Photo for LA Observed by Iris Schneider.

Take My Picture Gary Leonard

LA Sketchbook

News item: Villaraigosa to propose another jump in parking fines | More by Steve Greenberg

Olney feted

Taylor Hackford speaks at KCRW tribute dinner for Warren Olney. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, county supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Mark Ridley-Thomas and Times columnist Steve Lopez attended. Media people