Photos: A Year in Focus | 2014

Protesters advocating for human rights and an overhaul in immigration laws carry a giant American flag as they march south on Broadway across the 101 Freeway.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A couple enjoy the sunset at Echo Park Lake. With the neighborhood’s gentrification, gang members are moving elsewhere.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Two LAPD officers ride their mounts around Griffith Park Observatory during a search for a suspect.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Thousands of people gather at the Chuan Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown in celebration of Chinese New Year.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Fans dance as Classixx performs at the Made in America Festival in downtown Los Angeles.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Strollers pass a building in Venice that has at least a dozen video surveillance cameras, an effort to make the Venice boardwalk area safer.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A giant rubber duck passes through the Port of Los Angeles as part of the Tall Ships Festival L.A. The six-story-tall duck was created by artist Florentijn Hofman.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

A color guard presentation at Coronado by Beachmaster Unit 1 marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landing at Normandy.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Lupita Nyong’o hugs her supporting actress Oscar for her role in the film “12 Years a Slave.”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Mariachi Toros de Carlos Parra acknowledges the crowd at a festival at Mariachi Plaza.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Palm trees, blue skies and stylish patrons on Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Graduating UC Irvine students show their excitement for President Obama’s appearance during the university’s 50th commencement ceremony.

UCLA’s Mossi Johnson makes a catch as USC safety Gerald Bowman tries to stop him at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig signs autographs for fans during spring training at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Mara, a 10-year-old hippo, and her calf at the L.A. Zoo. It was the first hippo birth in 26 years at the zoo.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Dalai Lama greets Maria Shriver and Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts before the Tibetan spiritual leader’s speech at the Forum.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

A 28-foot-tall, 600-pound Oscar statue made of fiberglass and steel travels down Hollywood Boulevard.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

A plane flies over the newly renovated entertainment venue the Forum in Inglewood.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

L.A. City Hall is framed by Robert Graham’s sculpture “Dance Door” at the Music Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Grammy-nominated music producer, EDM musician and DJ Steve Aoki at his Las Vegas-area home.

Robin Williams’ star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame becomes a makeshift memorial after the actor’s suicide.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A bird’s-eye view from the Goodyear blimp of the U.S. flag as it unfurls during opening day ceremonies at Dodger Stadium.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performs as fireworks explode at the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and Opening Night Concert.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Waves crash along the shore as the congregation of Our Lady of Guadalupe Hermosa Beach Catholic Church celebrates sunrise Mass on Easter Sunday.  (Patrick T. Fallon / For the Times)

Puddles form during brief showers on the opening weekend of the 101st Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Canada.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Cyclists participating in CicLAvia whiz past a @PinDropParty in the 2nd Street tunnel in downtown Los Angeles.  (Patrick T. Fallon / For the Times)

Actor Jon Bernthal on his role in the World War II film “Fury”: “You ... go to this unbelievably vulnerable place, knowing it’s going to break you.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

A kindergarten class at Olympic Primary Center learns its ABCs by making a video.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Professional surfer Laird Hamilton uses a standup paddle board to ride the waves at Surfrider beach next to the Malibu Pier.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

For generations, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been the no-nonsense voice of a brand of rock that resonates.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Sheila Kuehl celebrates a slim lead in the supervisor’s race, dancing with retiring U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman in Santa Monica.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Zev Yaroslavsky is surrounded by boxes as he prepares to leave after replacing Supervisor Ed Edelman in 1994.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Gov. Jerry Brown, with glasses of reclaimed water, promotes Proposition 1’s water projects.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The cast performs in a dress reheasal of L.A. Opera’s production of “Billy Budd” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Workers dismantle the KTLA tower to make way for a 14-story office building. It was originally built in 1925 for Warner Bros. affiliate KFWB.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Actor Adrien Brody, who performed magic as a youth, jumped at the chance to play the famous magician in History’s “Houdini.”  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

An airplane drops fire retardant on a large hilltop home that caught fire near Cal State San Marcos.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters retreat after a propane tank explodes behind a residence on Country Club Drive in Escondido.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Protesters are detained on Alvarado Street by LAPD officers.  (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

French-born Marion Cotillard has staked out an enviable international career, with a leading lady’s glamour and a character actress’ versatility.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Host Ellen DeGeneres helps out at the Oscars telecast after a delivery from pizza chain Big Mama’s & Papa’s.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

New Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is welcomed as he is introduced at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant grabs control of the ball in a game against the Warriors at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

President Barack Obama waves to the crowd at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A new sound system at the Hollywood Bowl is designed to enhance the musical quality.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Gustavo Dudamel, right, leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic through the monumental Mahler’s Fifth Symphony.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A blossoming ensemble from Sue Wong at Style Fashion Week.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Sisters Este, from left, Alana and Danielle are the band Haim, born and raised in Los Angeles.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Andrew Friedman joined the Dodgers front office after a decade with the Tampa Bay Rays.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Former Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda, with Yasiel Puig, is the Dodgers’ unofficial ambassador.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

After nearly a year in Afghanistan, David Duran, an Army National Guard officer, reunites with daughter Luz Divina at Gates Elementary in Los Angeles.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A volunteer carries a tray of food to guests at the Midnight Mission feast. More than 3,000 people asked to help.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Vin Scully, famed Dodgers play-by-play broadcaster, leads the Tournament of Roses parade as its grand marshal.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A skateboarder rides on the California Clock Co.’s float in the 123rd Rose Parade.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA players warm up before start of the game against crosstown rival USC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A Metro Gold Line train travels east from the city center as dusk descends on Los Angeles.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A pair of Metro Gold Line trains cross a bridge over the Los Angeles River north of downtown.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Muralist EyeMax wears a sombrero while spray-painting a mural in the Garment District.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Jennifer Lopez takes a moment from her whirlwind schedule, which includes movies, music, Mom duties, “Idol” judging, performances and more.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors to Sea World San Diego get a close-up view of an orca. The theme park has 10 of the whales.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Team USA fans erupt during the World Cup match between the U.S. and Belgium at a viewing party at Redondo Beach pier.  (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

USA fans react as the U.S. soccer team loses to Belgium in the World Cup at a viewing party at Redondo Beach pier.  (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

Leonora McFee gets ready for her wedding on Valentine’s Day inside skid row’s San Julian Park. She met her husband-to-be on skid row in 2004.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

A mural on San Julian Street near 6th in the heart of the downtown area known as skid row prompts conversation and debate.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Black Gardy escorts his longtime friend Leonora McFee to her wedding to Mack Turnage in skid row’s San Julian Park on Valentine’s Day.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Pomona Officer Chris Lewis embraces his wife, Cynthia, at a vigil for slain Officer Shaun Diamond.  (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Cody Wertz smokes a cigarette in the “Safe Parking” lot in Santa Rosa. He and his girlfriend are living in his station wagon.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A cheer goes up as the Los Angeles City Council approves a resolution urging a Fresno fruit grower to recognize a union contract.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Former U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, a candidate for the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, takes a photo with some of her many supporters.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Outgoing Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, far right, laughs at a joke made by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, center, as Yaroslavsky is honored by the Los Angeles City Council.  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Though placed in what was considered the toughest World Cup group, the U.S. national team has prevailed as some European powerhouses have wilted.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A couple swing dances during Union Station’s 75th anniversary celebration.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Cows graze along the headwaters of the Upper Owens River near Big Springs.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Jeff Childs, right, a skid row resident for 10 years, greets General Jeff Page on 7th Street.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

A surfer dives from his board after riding a large wave generated by Hurricane Marie off Baja California.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Tyler Wright is on a high after she wins the women’s surfing final at the Vans U.S. Open at the Huntington Beach pier.  (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

Filipe Toledo celebrates after winning the final round of the men’s surfing main event at the Vans U.S. Open at the Huntington Beach pier.  (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

Skateboarders practice their routines in the Vans Pro Bowl.  (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors survey the scene at the Hello Kitty Con 2014 at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

“Escape Velocity,” a nearly 40-foot-tall astronaut creation by Poetic Kinetics, is reflected in Phillip K. Smith’s Reflection Fields at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

About 3,000 flags of the United States and other nations flutter in the wind sweeping over the hill at Pepperdine University in Malibu, to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

South Pasadena couple Greg and Jerilyn Chun used a Page & Turnbull architect to dramatically transform their home from a nondescript kit house into a stately Mediterranean Revival 3,100-square-foot family residence with tower.  (Christina House / For The Times)

A view of L.A.’s Arts District from the intersection of Traction Avenue and East 3rd Street.  (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

American University Prep students unwind in one of the school’s unconventional hotel dorm rooms.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Music fans watch Steve Aoki perform at the Made in America Festival in downtown Los Angeles.

Jason Laird, 24, a ranger with the Wildlands Conservancy, navigates the Santa Ana River.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The Pike Place Market Historic District has lots of young businesses, like Radiator Whiskey. The gigantic barrel facade behind the bar houses taps dispensing hard liquor.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Traffic streams through the Sepulveda Pass on the 405 Freeway that connects the Westside to the San Fernando Valley.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean off the Palos Verdes Peninsula after a day of record-setting hot temperatures throughout Southern California.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese is photographed at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Steam vents from one of the three towers at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Balboa Island residents lavishly decorate their homes and stock up on sweets for the throngs of youngsters who flock to the neighborhood.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Hello Kitty fans display their devotion at the Hello Kitty Con.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Cameron Mitchell searches for his family’s two cats on a beached yacht called Angelique just south of Ballona Creek in Playa del Rey.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Lifeguards and members of the Long Beach Fire Department’s Marine Safety Division work to free a 25-foot Catalina sailboat from the shore.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Fog drifts through the trees off the Redwood Highway near the border of Mendocino and Humboldt counties.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Rocks and mud debris block a drain on the mountain behind a home that was red tagged after a previous mudslide along San Como Lane in Camarillo Springs.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

James Harkins, 72, refused to evacuate his San Marcos home of more than 20 years and used a garden hose to fend off the flames racing up the hillside toward the structure.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Juliet Kaska, bottom, leads a class, including Courtney Zagalsky at top center, through its paces. The instructor is the JK of JK Zen Fitness in L.A.  (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)