That was attorney Tim Lappen who was tooling around town recently in a prototype BMW 7 Series that is outfitted with a hydrogen power plant. He took it to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank’s annual silent auction and wine tasting June 7 at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.

“A lot of people wanted a ride in it,” said Lappen, a big car buff. BMW gave him the car for the weekend because he has a business relationship with the automaker.

The car is a piece of high-tech wizardry. It can run for up to 125 miles on hydrogen, but features an engine that can run on gasoline. Save for a badge on the trunk lid and graphics on the sides of the car that identify it as hydrogen powered, the vehicle looks and operates like a regular BMW. Most people can’t spot the difference.

But the eco-conscious do, he said. “People on bicycles or Priuses think it’s fabulous.”

Lakers Love

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports handle thousands of cargo containers without problem every day, but their operations could be disrupted by the Los Angeles Lakers.

As port officials get ready for a massive truck replacement effort set to begin in October, they have had to contend with the televised basketball playoffs as they try to set up workshops that will help motor carriers prepare for the program. Already, officials have had to reschedule the meetings because of game conflicts, which they fear would result in low attendance.

“They were trying to pick some dates but every other date was a Lakers playoff,” said Art Wong, a spokesman for the Port of Long Beach.

CEO DJ

Val Kolton is chief executive of V-Moda by day and “Valentino” by night. That’s his stage name.

The founder of the Hollywood-based company that produces fashionable music gear is practicing to become a professional DJ. Last Sunday, he mixed music for his company pool party, using a prototype of V-Moda’s soon-to-launch professional DJ headphones. Kolton has been preparing to begin his career on the wheels of steel over the past 18 months.

“One main reason is to prove that our products work,” Kolton said.

Previously a business consultant, Kolton discovered his passion for music three years ago while on a business trip to Ibiza, Spain DJ capital of the world. He launched V-Moda soon after he returned.

Staff reporters Richard Clough and Booyeon Lee contributed to this column. Daniel Miller can be reached at

[email protected]

.