Materials

THE HALLMARK OF Japanese design and style is detailing: the delicate carvings on a raw support beam holding up a graceful roof; a wall toned to harmonize with its surroundings; the varied patterns of latticework used to express the moods of spaces it encloses; the shape, framing and placement of windows, doorways and gates; the selection of stones for a path, and a garden lantern placed just so. This concern for an appropriate simplicity respecting both...

A name like Handsome Coffee Roasters doesn't provide much aesthetic leeway, does it? The new coffee shop in the Arts District really had no choice but to manifest itself in a charming and attractive manner. In the hands of WoodSmithe, a woodworking and design studio on the other side of the L.A. River, traditional cafe materials have become a refreshing expression of craft - including an unusual wood tile that's truly living up to the Handsome name. For a hint that Handsome Coffee   is not your typical cafe, simply look at the menu: only three drinks - no exceptions - and no sugar on the premises.

MagneTek ALS in Anaheim won a $5.28-million modification of a contract from the Navy to supply materials necessary for the production of 12 power supply systems to be used in the manufacture of Aegis rockets during fiscal 1989.

Harry Reitz, a typographer who pioneered the making of newspapers and other printed props for films and television shows, including the classic "Citizen Kane," has died in Encino. He was 79. A longtime resident of Encino, Reitz died Saturday of a heart attack, said his daughter, Jean Morrison. Born March 5, 1911, in Cincinnati, Reitz moved to Glendale in 1936 and started the Craftsman Co. in Hollywood.

IBM scientists have increased the current-carrying capacity of a new family of superconductors by 100-fold, thus overcoming perhaps the largest barrier to widespread use of the potentially revolutionary materials, the company announced.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched an effort Wednesday to make California the first state in the nation to offer free online textbooks to its students. His education secretary, Glen Thomas, will work with other state officials to make math and science textbooks for high school classes available online by this fall. Once textbook makers submit their materials, state officials will create a list of approved materials aligned with state standards. "As California's budget crisis continues, we must find such innovative ways to save money and improve services," Schwarzenegger said in a written statement.

Two brothers were sentenced to 20 years in prison for running a scam that bilked investors out of $3 million with claims that "high fusion science" could be used to convert weeds and twigs into highly durable building materials. U.S. District Judge Earl Gillam of San Diego imposed the sentence on Walter Gutierrez, 58, and brother Alex, 55, who were convicted in July of 39 counts each of conspiracy and filing false income tax returns.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. said today it has signed an agreement with two subsidiaries of Du Pont de Nemours and Co. for joint development of materials for use by the electronics industry. Matsushita said the Master Task Agreement was signed with Du Pont Japan Ltd. and Du Pont de Nemours International SA in Geneva.

Although I liked many of the designs in the Special Home Design Issue (Feb. 9), some of the designers' choices of materials seemed to contradict their implied reverence for nature. For designer Shannon Shapiro to say that she is "not taking from the environment" by using resin and steel in place of animal horns is absolute ignorance. The manufacturing of steel certainly takes from the environment. Furthermore, designer Lindsay Dakota should try finding beauty in sustainable materials.

An Alaska investor has purchased 9.3% of Pay 'N' Pak Stores' prime non-voting preferred shares, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Maurice L. Carlson, who operates out of Anchorage, said he bought the shares in the Kent, Wash.-based building materials company as an investment.