May it be known henceforth by proclamation of the mayor of the city of Los Angeles; November 19, 2009 shall be known as… Jim Heimann day!
In front of a cheering crowd, Councilman Tom LaBonge, superstar Diane Keaton, Los Angeles Conservancy Executive Director Linda Dishman, and Tashen editor in chief Benedikt Taschen took turns at the microphone congratulating our very own Jim Heimann (aka Mr. Roleen) on the publication of his brilliant new book, Los Angeles: Portrait of a City. Jim thanked the crowd in a dapper suit draped with a Kukui bead necklace, gifted to him on the spot by Kathy Kohner, the original Gidget.
Luminaries from Jerry Bruckheimer to Rodney Bingenheimer filled the courtyard of the 1936 Los Angeles landmark Crossroads of the World, often called “America’s first outdoor shopping mall.” Eagle eyes could spot Brett Ratner, Gabriel Union, Peggy Moffitt, David LaChapelle, Kelly Lynch, histo-tainer Charles Phoenix, and even Hugh Hefner with his new flame Crystal Harris. You can read about Crossroads of the World in Jim’s book, which covers the founding of our fair city and its wild, wacky and wonderful history. Much of that history has been recovered and pieced together by Jim—the man has gone to a local flea market every Sunday for the past 30 years finding the puzzle pieces. The photographs, the stories, the crime scenes, the architecture, the celebrities, the outsized personalities, Jim has captured it all, and takes you on a ride through the streets you thought you knew.
For many, the other biggest celebrity of the night was our luminescent Roleen, who seemed to know everyone in the crowd, including all the superstars. In turn, the superstars all asked about New School West, and in our favorite rhyme, proclaimed it the very very best.
The whole scene was reminiscent of the fabulous events of yesteryear that Jim vividly brings to life in his books, tours, and slideshows—eccentric personalities, klieg lights, programmatic architecture (Crossroads of the World is literally ship-shaped) and cocktails. In effect, he continues to create our city’s history—himself.
The book is big, bold, and breathtaking—and a fantastic holiday gift—for yourself! You’ll never see the streets of your city the same way again.
Photos: 2009 Martha Adams courtesy of Samy's camera