Neon Sign

Those who love the old relics speak of them glowingly. Rooftop neon signs, they say, highlight Los Angeles at its exuberant best, reflecting a time of optimism and inventiveness that turned the city into a glamorous global metropolis. "Neon signs give the impression of youthful energy," Kim Koga said. "They can come in over 200 different colors. They are very efficient to run. And Los Angeles was a real showcase for neon in its heyday."

The American Renegade Repertory Company was awarded a $225,000 loan by the Community Redevelopment Agency to complete construction of its theater on Magnolia Street, in the North Hollywood Arts District. Approved Monday by the Los Angeles City Council, the loan will allow the theater company to complete projects such as lighting, carpeting, painting and installing a neon sign, said David Cox, president of the group.

The Culver City Redevelopment Agency has sold an old neon sign from a condemned former liquor store to a film company for use in a movie to be filmed at Big Ed's Bar in downtown Culver City. The agency also permitted the company to use an agency-owned vacant lot for meal service during filming, and to pay a reduced fee for filming on agency land. The agency sold the sign, formerly of Harry's Liquor at 9361 Washington Blvd., to Cannon Films for $1,000.

His business phone is unlisted and if the job isn't "fun," he won't take it. But then, Laguna Beach craftsman Alexander B. Evans, 34, considers himself an artist first and then a businessman. And by the way, don't call him Evans; his professional name is "Dr. Neon."

The Museum of Neon Art opened its doors in downtown Los Angeles in 1981 -- long before the city center was fashionable. For much of this time, the museum has moved around the area, looking for a spot large enough to show off its uniquely Southern California collection. At its current location on 4th Street in the Old Bank district, visitors to the museum have a tendency to look befuddled after viewing the 20 pieces of neon and wonder where some of the more iconic pieces are located.

Betty Davis sat in its storefront window. Her oversized black velvet hat shielded her aging face from her adoring fans waiting patiently in line for her autograph. There was no use in my parking the car to join the line. It had already wrapped itself around the building like a cobra. The clerk outside announced that the star would be leaving in less than an hour even though there was easily a three-hour line facing him. He stood outside the building on Hollywood Blvd., with its neon sign in a dignified font that declared simply and elegantly: "I'm Pickwick."

The Crazy Horse Steak House in Santa Ana was preparing to reopen for business Thursday following Wednesday's fire that scorched a sign in front of the building but did not damage its interior, according to Fred Reiser, vice president of operations at the Crazy Horse. "We're cleaning it up and plan to be open at 5 p.m. for dinner," Reiser said Thursday. "There was damage to the sign and to the exterior of the building. We're taking care of that. Otherwise, we're in good shape."