"Wire" guys honored by Liberty Hill Foundation

David Simon was in town last week to pick up an honor from the non-profit Liberty Hill Foundation.

Thursday night event at the Century Plaza Hotel honored the creator of HBO's "The Wire" and his fellow exec producer Ed Burns with its Upton Sinclair award. Liberty Hill calls itself a "social change foundation" that awards grant money and other support to community orgs in L.A. County.

Although Baltimore is a long way from L.A. County, "Wire" was singled out by the org for its laser-like focus on how key social institutions are failing to address the needs of America's urban centers. Alfre Woodard emceed the night; award to Simon (pictured left with Liberty Hill CEO Kafi Blumenfield) and Burns was presented by Carolyn Strauss, the former HBO Entertainment boss and "Wire's" biggest champion.

A number of "Wire" thesps were on hand for the event, including Andre Royo (pictured right), looking more clean-cut than we ever saw him on the show. What a sweet smile.