Maven's Morning Coffee: Expo Line opens, Greuel recalls riots, vandals in Studio City

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, public meetings and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day. The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe. Today is Friday, April 27, 2012, and here is what's happening in Los Angeles:

Headlines

The Metro Expo Line will open tomorrow, making it the first time in 50 years that Angelenos west of Western Avenue will have access to a public transit rail line, reports the Los Angeles Times. The light rail project is two years behind schedule and cost $290 million more than originally expected.

In an op-ed for the Daily Beast, Controller Wendy Greuel recalls the 1992 riots, back when she was an aide to then-Mayor Tom Bradley. "We could see palm trees on fire outside our office, and just blocks away protesters were outside the police department," Greuel writes.

Candidate Brian C. Johnson, running for the state Assembly, is being criticized for hiring lobbying firm Englander, Knabe & Allen to run his campaign, according to the Los Angeles Times. In a letter signed by community members supporting Johnson's opponent, Adrin Nazarian, Johnson is accused of being unduly influenced by his consultants. Nazarian is chief of staff to Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian.

The city of Los Angeles has installed no parking signs on Colfax Avenue in Studio City after vandals repeatedly painted over red curbs, according to the Daily News. Curbs at 4365 and 4249 Colfax Ave. have been painted over four times in the last six months.

Mayor's Schedule 8 a.m. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will give the keynote address at the LABC Annual Sustainability Summit. Getty Museum. 10 a.m. Mayor Villaraigosa will celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Council Chamber of City Hall. Noon Mayor Villaraigosa will attend the grand opening of the Expo Line. Seventh Street/Metro station. Meetings 8:30 a.m. Public Safety and Information Technology and General Services committees, City Hall, room 1010

Report on moving General Services officers to LAPD

Report on costs associated with Occupy LA

10 a.m. Los Angeles City Council, City Hall, Council Chamber

Motion on requiring landlords to provide off-line way of paying rent

Recommendation to increase contribution limits in LAUSD elections

Recommendation to waive costs associated with grand opening of Expo Line

1 p.m. Budget and Finance Committee, City Hall, Council Chamber

Presentation of budget for FY 2012-13

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