L.A. Stories
High Praise, Indeed!
Seems that Arnold Schwarzenegger, iconic star of the “Terminator” films and, more recently, chief sponsor of after-school programs initiative Proposition 49, was “disinvited” from the recent Republican state party convention in Garden Grove.
The reason: the popular movie star would overshadow the notoriously bland gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon.
Not to worry. Schwarzenegger simply shifted his Prop. 49 rally a few blocks away, to the landmark Crystal Cathedral. There, he found a new supporter in the cathedral’s minister, the Rev. Robert Schuller.
“Thank you, God, for this man,” Schuller said,and then referred to the former Mr. Universe as “God’s agent” for his plan to keep kids in school and out of trouble.
Interview Injuries
A word to job seekers: Next time you’re called back for an interview show up on time, bring your resume, leave your cell phone, and, please, try not to wear white socks.
Those nuggets of wisdom may seem obvious, but such faux pas are among the most common interview blunders, according to OfficeTeam, a Menlo Park-based employment agency. To prepare them for job interviews, OfficeTeam plies its candidates with these and other cautionary tales.
“We had one client who said the candidate dressed very professionally in a nicely tailored three-piece suit, but he had white tube socks on,” said Brandi Britton, downtown Los Angeles division director for OfficeTeam. “He didn’t get the job.”
That goof was pretty tame compared to others uncovered by OfficeTeam in a national survey of executives. Other nuggets included:
– When asked why she was leaving her current job, the applicant said, “all managers are jerks.”
– After being complimented on his choice of college, the candidate replied “I’m glad that got your attention. I didn’t really go there.”
No. 9 Lives
One local anchor is getting a taste of what it’s like to be on the other side of the news.
Lauren Sanchez of KCOP-TV (Channel 13) has been dating Henry Simmons, a cast member of “NYPD Blue” who was recently voted one of the “50 Sexiest Stars of All Time” by TV Guide. He came in at No. 9, behind the likes of George Clooney and Angie Dickinson.
While Sanchez concedes that Simmons does get a lot of attention from other women, she says he handles it well. Still, Sanchez is getting a little ribbing from co-workers about her beau’s “achievement.”
“There were like four copies of the cover of TV Guide in my mailbox. Somebody wrote on (one), ‘Good thing he’s taken,'” she said.
The Festival Must Go on
While others worried last week about the financial losses generated by the closure of West Coast ports, organizers of the “Lobster Festival” at Ports O’Call Village had seafood on their mind. They wanted to assure the public the annual event would not be affected.
“We’ll get through this just fine and have a great festival,” said event producer Jim Hall in a press release. The festival was scheduled for Oct. 4-6.
In fact, Hall suggested the event might help settle the dispute between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
“We invite both sides to sit down at the table with us this weekend and enjoy a fine lobster meal,” he said.
Cash For Kids
In an effort to raise cash for kids, an Alexandria, Va.-based nonprofit group is auctioning off the chance to have a meal with some Hollywood celebs and other famous types at lunchwithaleader.com.
Last week’s most sought after lunch date was actress Salma Hayek, who was fetching $3,700. No. 2 was Arnold Schwarzenegger ($2,600), who was drawing far more action than his journalist wife, Maria Shriver ($550).
Other locals on the block include Wolfgang Puck ($400), Michael Milken ($800) and Jack Valenti ($600). Trailing the pack was Arianna Huffington ($100).
“We don’t care who takes the lead,” said Bonnie Frazier, spokeswoman for Communities In Schools, which sets up tutoring and mentor programs, for public schools across the country. “We’re just thrilled these people have come forward to support young people.”
Howard Fine, Darrell Satzman, Claudia Peschiutta, Conor Dougherty
The Roving Eye
Farrah in Fine Arts
Millions know Farrah Fawcett as an actress and sex symbol. Now, she’s getting recognition as a fine artist.
The exhibit “Keith Edmier and Farrah Fawcett 2000” is set to open at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art next month. The show will feature six sculptures, along with several photographs and drawings, created by sculptor Keith Edmier and Fawcett.
The centerpiece, after which the exhibit is named, is a sculpture containing a marble figure of Fawcett created by Edmier and Fawcett’s portrait of Edmier cast in bronze.
Fawcett didn’t want to simply pose for Edmier, said Lynn Zelevansky, LACMA’s curator and head of the museum’s Modern and Contemporary Art Department. “It’s like the muse looking back” at the artist, she said.
“Keith is interested in celebrity but he’s not interested in the way that Andy Warhol or a Jeff Koons is interested in celebrity,” Zelevansky explained. “Keith is interested in the way celebrity impacts the individual.”
The exhibit is the seventh in the “Contemporary Projects” series at the museum and runs through Feb. 17.
Zelevansky’s concedes some might not take the show seriously because it features the work of a celebrity.
“That’s going to be a very tough aspect of the show. It’s going to be seen as not serious,” she said. “But I think that there’ll be people who will get it, for whom it will mean something.”
Claudia Peschiutta
