A Lot of Confusion
For passengers struggling to get to remote public parking lots B and C near LAX, the signs seemed innocuous enough: “Lot B” or “Lot C Customers Welcome. Shuttles Every 5 Minutes.”
Trouble was, these particular signs weren’t for public lots, despite the fact that they used the same color scheme as the signs directing airport patrons to city Lots B and C. They were for two privately operated lots, run by Ampco Express and Valet Air Parks.
Scores of drivers mistook the signs for city Lots B and C and went in to drop off or pick up passengers. When they exited after their brief stay, there was an unpleasant surprise: they were charged up to $3.50. (People dropping off or picking up passengers in city Lots B and C can do so free of charge)
When L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo got wind of this, he filed charges of false advertising and ordered both lot operators to take down their signs.
“We will not allow businesses to deceive our citizens and capitalize on this national tragedy for personal profit,” Delgadillo said in a press release. Within 24 hours, Ampco Express executives removed their sign. But, a week later, Valet Air Park had not and Delgadillo’s office was contemplating what to do next.
Free and Easy
Faced with a sharp decrease in business, A-List Limousine and Transportation Services in Beverly Hills has made its prices more affordable. Like free.
Until parking and curbside restrictions at LAX are relaxed, the limo service plans to offer free rides to Westside locations.
“It’s pretty dead anyway,” said co-owner Johne Baker.
Free rides are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
Baker, who said the offer was a way to show his patriotism at least to Westsiders noted that A-List was getting only three or four calls a day for free rides.
“We’re not giving away cash cause we ain’t got it. We’re giving away the service,” he said.
Homeless History
Some rather large pieces of L.A.’s cultural heritage are having trouble finding a new home.
The former owners of Victor Clothing Collection on Broadway, which closed its doors in March, are trying to salvage three of the building’s noted murals, but are not having much luck.
“This is an artist’s worst nightmare,” said Sandy Bleifer, a real estate agent assisting with the sale of the property. “You’ve got these masterpieces and they can’t find a place for them.”
“The Broadway Mural” by John Valdez, was acquired by The Peter Norton Foundation, but remaining pieces include “Gateway to Manifest Destiny,” by East Los Angeles Streetscapers, “Mural of Muralists,” by Eloy Torrez and “The Top Hat Bridal Shop” by Valdez.
Bleifer said the murals belong in a public collection but their size makes them a tough sell.
“It’s not the kind of thing you can put above a sofa,” she said.
