Assessing L.A. Foot by Foot

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Los Angeles architect Doug Hanson, principal at DeStefano + Partners, says that one of the best ways to get a feel for Los Angeles and its architecture is to walk from one end of the city to the other. So, on July 29 the firm’s three interns made the 16-mile trek from downtown to the Pacific Ocean. It took about seven hours.

Chris Sanford, an undergraduate architecture student at USC, was one who made the pilgrimage.

“It was kind of a grueling thing, but that was the point, I guess,” said Sanford, a Reno, Nev., native. “I definitely got to see a lot of L.A. that I haven’t seen up to this point. You get a much better cohesive view of the city.”

Each intern took a different route. Sanford opted to begin walking on Wilshire Boulevard and then switched to Santa Monica Boulevard where it crosses Wilshire in Beverly Hills.

Sanford said his favorite part of the journey was walking through Koreatown.

“The old churches and concert venues are interesting,” he said.

Sanford and his fellow interns were greeted in Santa Monica by DeStefano staffers who rewarded the walkers with dinner at a sushi spot.


Hero’s Party

An Internet celebrity who’s become famous for thwarting a would-be robber with his martial arts skills got a party in his honor at a Beverly Hills residence last week.

In 2005, Edward Petrossi, a Modesto convenience store manager, protected himself against the robber in his Quick Stop store with a variety of kicks and takedowns. At the time, a local news broadcast did a piece on the rambunctious Petrossi who stands at 5 feet, 4 inches and his heroic feat, which led to the arrest of the thief. The news piece eventually made it to YouTube, where it has become a popular video.

When Ben Maddahi, founder of local music management company Madd Music Management, saw the video, he decided to pay tribute to Petrossi with the Aug. 5 party.

“My friend Danny and I watched it on YouTube and said, ‘What if we actually brought him out here and threw an event?’ Edward was all for it,” said Maddahi, who added that he was inspired by Petrossi’s personality and heroism.

Maddahi, who represents national DJ and producer Felli Fel, said that about 50 people attended the party.

“When Edward pulled me to the side and said, ‘Ben, this is the best night of my life,’ I was thrilled. I couldn’t have been happier,” Maddahi said.


Daniel Miller can be reached at [email protected].

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