Letter From The Editor: July 2009

WHAT A TERRIFIC ISSUE!  

Seriously everyone, we have been working like demon dogs on this one and rightly so—this is our spectacular Summer 2009 Issue. 

Another reason that this issue is so special is that in June we launch our Beverly Hills Times Magazine Fashion Show that will be held each month at the Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills.  You know how East Coast people are always ragging on us LAers because all we like are Levis, tank tops and lots of big, tacky bling.  Well, NO MORE! Except for the lots of big, tacky bling part… there will always be lots of that!  

Anyway fashion has arrived and each month the Beverly Hills Times magazine will host a very creative Fashion Show, featuring the most talented and delicious designers that L.A. has to offer.  We hope to flash some serious summer looks on the runway.  As a designer you are invited to gather your most ultra brilliant and creative edge, dress the models and strut your genius.   If you’re not a designer, but still like models and like to oogle and comment on who’s-wearing-what and want to eat and drink and net-work galore and have an amazing time…sit in the audience.

Also each month we will have a fabulous and well-known celebrity on board to help open the show.  For our first event this month, we were able to hunt down, hog tie and drag in the legendary entertainer Smokey Robinson.  We are thrilled that even with his busy schedule Smokey gave so generously of his time to make the event amazing.    

Each of our Fashion Shows will also benefit a charity or non-profit organization that is helping people improve their lives.  Because we are huge animal loves, we will also help our furry friends from the animal world by showcasing talented designers in the doggie fashion world.  We’ll have some adorable pets for adoption at some of the shows, and of course, there will be runway shows with dogs dressed to impress in couture.  After all this is Beverly Hills!

Email us with comments, and for information or questions.  And be sure to check out our web site:  www.beverlyhillstimesmagazine.com for updates.  It’s limited seating, so reservations are a must.

Our silent auction is for anyone with a heart interested in donating to our charity of the month.   In June it’s Red Eye, Inc., an affiliate of the Dream Center.  Their goal is to help their peers—L.A. youngins’ stay off drugs and alcohol and focus on improving and expanding personal goals, educational endeavors and professional aspirations.  Red Eye, Inc., made our first fashion show more blessing than work.  Check out the amazing work that this young group does for our community.      Visit the organization’s website at: www.redeyeinc.org or email for information: info@redeyeinc.org.

Suzanne Takowsky
Editor In Chief

BHT Philanthropic Fashion Show to Benefit Red Eye Inc.

 

 

In a society crazed with pop culture, becoming “somebody” often means neglecting one’s morals.  But, there is a refreshing new trend to change this spurred on by a passionate group called Red Eye. Inc.—an affiliate of the Dream Center Downtown.  The young Hollywood industry group works to make a positive influence in Hollywood by helping young aspiring talent achieve their goals faster, without losing themselves in the ongoing process, use their talents and resources for the greater good of humanity, and mentor  others while they develop their talents. 

Red Eye Inc. is a “safe haven”—a creative charity epicenter where team work and networking encourage people to reach their dreams, without loosing their soul.  

The Director of Red Eye Inc. is Justin Mayo,   who had a dream of finding a place for young people to fulfill their creative goals, while at the same time serving their community by giving of themselves to help the less fortunate.  Mayo didn’t stop until his dream became a reality.   “People often say, ‘As L.A. goes, so goes society.’  In a culture quick to point out the short comings of Hollywood, I dreamed of sending out a positive message from a community of culture creators,” says Mayo.  “Red Eye is a place where people develop their talents and creativity, utilize the platform of influence, and give back to humanitarian causes on a weekly basis.” 

Red Eye found its home on the 14th floor of the Los Angeles Dream Center, over- looking the Hollywood Hills and Downtown.  The Red Eye Creative/Charity Epicenter is a 13,000 sq. ft. Art Studio/Gallery, Library, Research Center, Fashion Design Studio, Screening Room, Performance/Dance Studios, Recording Studio, Culinary Arts Facility, Media Editing Suite, Café/ Lounge and a Commons Area.  There is   also a breathtaking rooftop lounge for concerts and fashion shows that allows the Red Eye group to host events raising awareness and proceeds for charity. 

Red Eye environment fosters a creative place to meet the mental, spiritual, and physical needs of those seeking a resolute change.  From feeding and finding shelter for hundreds of homeless people each week  to offering support and guidance to those suffering with substance abuse problems, and runaways looking to get off the street, Red Eye Inc. is making a difference.  Support them so they can continue God’s work helping people. www.redeyeinc.org 

Email: info@redeyeinc.org

CHELSEA FC VS INTER MILAN: Biggest EVER Intnl. Soccer Club Match In USA!

 

GET READY FOR THE EVENT OF A LIFETIME:

JULY 21, 2009 AT THE ROSE BOWL / PASADENA, CA

The Rose Bowl Stadium, built in 1922 is located in Pasadena, California and reigns supreme as the most internationally recognized and historic landmark stadium in the world.  The iconic venue proud home of the spectacular Tournament of Roses Parade and the NFL Super Bowl Game, also hosted the 1984 Olympic Soccer Matches, the 1994 Men’s World Cup, 1999 Women’s World Cup, the 2002 and 2006 BCS National College Football Championship games.  And, this summer fans are treated to another spectacular event as millions of people around the world will be glued to their television sets as the most anticipated sports event comes to the United States; The International Club Match—pitting two of soccers most famous teams: Chelsea FC against Inter Milan.

Recently, the  Chelsea FC teamed up with Don Sheppard, founder of the LAFC, a world renowned organization dedicated to bringing the game of soccer to underprivileged children around the world.  This turned out to be an incredible match up for the game of soccer.  The Chelsea FC team committed to providing scholarship  funds to economically disadvantaged youths so that they have an opportunity to play soccer.  The founder and president of the LAFC is visionary Don Sheppard.  He started the organization four years ago to find a way to help kids  who didn’t have money to play soccer.  He succeeded.  Sheppard made the move to partner with the Chelsea FC team,­ and the rest is solid gold.  Now the LAFC, which is head-quartered in La Canada, California is on its way to making history.  

“We’re winners.  We’re winners in soccer.  We’re winners in life, Stated Sheppard.  “We’re not just looking at this year; we’re looking to the future.  People trust us with their children.  We expect a lot out of our coaches and therefore, we have some of the best coaches of any club.  The thing that is important about LAFC—that is distinct is this program is perfect for the development of children at any stage.  We have an ABC system—that’s an A team, B team, and C team in every age group both boys and girls.  The system allows children to maximize their potential by playing at the right level with a great coach.  Winning is incredibly important, and it is just as important at LAFC, but remember this…winning isn’t the goal at LAFC. Our goal is to maximize the potential of team spirit in our children.

It is all about going out and playing the best you can regard- less of what the score is. “  

Vice President of the LAFC is Tony Bagramyan, who has been on board the organization for four years since it began.  The excitement for this upcoming match revolves around soccer to be sure, but the heart and soul of the LAFC is the incredible non-profit work they do for underprivileged youngsters around the globe. Bagramyan had this to say. 

“Our non-profit organization is built around helping under-privileged children play soccer.  That’s the bottom line.  We are dedicated to giving every child who wants to play soccer the opportunity to do it.  We buy  their uniforms, pay all the fees and train soccer coaches.  Don Sheppard has done an incredible job building the LAFC organization.  Right now we are building soccer fields in South Africa, Armenia, Kenya, and Nairobi, and focusing on training first-class soccer coaches to train all of these children.  This match will be incredible.  We have been planning it for months and expect a sell-out crowd.  People can come enjoy them- selves and at the same time know that they are helping to support a non-profit organization that helps under- privileged children around the world.”

 

Slated to be an A-list event, naturally Sheppard and the LAFC looked for an A-list celebrity for the half time show; they found him.  Legendary multi-curtural singer Andy Madadian, who came aboard gladly to help the LAFC achieve their goals.

Madadian or “ANDY” as he is known by millions of fans worldwide is the most famous and successful multi-curtural pop singer in history.  The music icon/entertainer has stacked up more best-selling albums than any other Iranian singer as is plain to see by the sold-out venues that he has played around the world for more than two decades.

Andy has received numerous awards throughout his career including, “Best Armenian International Singer of the Year”—four times and in 1994 Universal Studios declared Andy the best Iranian singer of the decade.  His resume is more than impressive…he has released fifteen music albums since the start of his career including, “And My Heart…” in which he sings five tracks in Persian, two in Armenian, two in Spanish, two in English, one in Arabic, as well as one in Hindi.  As well-known for his magnetic personality as his incredible singing voice, Andy is revered by fans in every culture around the globe.  He has succeeded in leading the world of Persian Pop music to a new and HOT direction.

“Our contacts with college coaches, professional ranks—domestically and, internationally is hard to beat.  We are not just looking at this year… we are looking to the future of the sport of soccer and, the future of helping as many children as possible achieve their dreams.  The children that come into the LAFC organization  will never, ever have an environment any better that ours that not only  allows them to grow and prosper as individuals, but also develop and really enjoy the game of soccer and learn how to maximize his or her potential as an athlete.”

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

Get on board, join the behind the scenes team and have the time of your life at the most anticipated sports events to take place in the United States.

• Club Volunteer Positions

• Event Volunteer Positions

• Team Volunteer Positions

Get in on the action and help children at the same time by volunteering in any one of several positions that are available. For further information visit the web site or call the numbers listed for details on this spectacular event and how you can get involved.

By Suzanne Takowsky

Publisher’s Note: July 2009

 

Walking around Beverly Hills it is easy to see that the fairest season has finally descended upon our city and its inhabitants.  The vibrant energy of summer is apparent in every storefront and sidewalk.  People are spending more time outside enjoying our parks and canyons, shopping our award winning farmer’s market and undertaking the difficult task of picking the city’s best pie (congratulations to first place winner Gregory Lewandowski – feel free to drop one of your Honey Crunch Pecan Pies by our office any time!).  The atmosphere of excitement and renewal has affected us, as well, and we’re inaugurating the season with a brand new event, a juicy TV show and a whole lot of Beverly Hills sparkle.  It’s been a momentous month for us here at Beverly Hills Times!

 

We started by wrapping the first episode of the “Beverly Hills Times” TV show, the first of many coups that we have to celebrate this month.  Production went off without a hitch thanks to a top notch production staff, our talented hosts, and a city of perpetually camera-ready commentators.  No need to for multiple takes when we’re interviewing the likes of John Voight and Reza Momeni!  Keep your eyes open for our insider’s take on entertainment news.

 

We didn’t want to assume that a new TV show was enough excitement for one month.  After all, our citizens demand a lot of their busy lives. So we decided to throw a party.  Or rather, a fashion show – the first of many that will occur monthly for your design-driven delight.  The guests will be treated to an evening of cocktails, couture, and revelry at the Peninsula Hotel.  The designers include Patricia Kennedy, Lourdes Chavez, BCBG, and Diana Ross vintage collections and Smokey Robinson will be dropping in to prep the crowd for breathtaking fashion and surprise guest models.

 

If this sounds like too much hedonism for one night, don’t worry – all the proceeds of the blind auction benefit the Dream Center’s charity darling, Red Eye Inc, an organization that affords the Hollywood community an opportunity to become involved in humanitarian efforts and explore culture and the arts.  Fun, fashion, and philanthropy—we think we’re kicking off summer in the right spirit.

Stephen Takowsky
Publisher

SHAZDEHS PARTY PLANNING: EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EVENT-DETAILS INSIDE

World News: June 2009

Hoping to address the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against China Pro-Tibet, protesters tried to break through a police line guarding the Chinese embassy.  About   12 activists charged the barrier line at the march from Parliament House in support of Tibetan independence.  The incident sparked  an argument among demonstrators and  officials and police arrested four people for disrupting the peace, including a man who threw his shoes at the building.  About 150 people converged on Parliament House in a peaceful rally bearing flags and banners and were joined by representatives from Australia’s major political parties.  Greens leader Bob Brown asked Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to declare Australian support for Tibetan autonomy.

 

The World Health Organization known as WHO announced that swine flu cases world wide have surpassed 2,000.  In Mexico, Schools and Universities reopened their doors the day after restaurants and offices got the green light to take down the shutters that had been ordered to remain in place for five days to suppress the outbreak.

 

Pope Benedict XVI, while visiting Africa, said a responsible and moral attitude toward sex—and not condoms would help fight the AIDS disease. 

 

Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwean Prime Minister said the car crash that killed his wife Susan was an accident.  His statement helped override speculation among Zimbabweans that political intent motivated the driver in the truck that hit their vehicle.  Mr. Tsvangirai had just returned from Gaborone, Botswana where he received follow-up medical care for injuries to his head and neck sustained in the crash. The driver, Chinoona Mwanda (35) was charged with culpable homicide, but his attorney, Chris Mhike said the accident was caused by poor road conditions.

 

Three ‘Doctors Without Borders’ aide workers were kidnapped in Sudan, then were released unharmed.

 

Iraqi’s famous shoe thrower who launched a foot attack at President Bush when he visited the country on his way out of office, was sentenced to three years in jail.  The journalist pleaded not guilty, saying that he was overcome by passion.

 

Referred to as the Swiss Gigolo Helg Sgarbi (44) a master at wooing rich woman into illicit affairs and talking them out of their money got caught!  One victim Susanne Klatten, a billionaire whose family controls BMW, didn’t take the ‘con’ sitting down and prompted police to take action.  Sgarbi then confessed to defrauding the women and was sentenced to six-years in prison.  In a country where old-money families down play their wealth, Klatten went to the police even though people of her status keep scandal a secret.  Three other women victims were extorted millions of pounds by Sgarbi using a blackmail plot involving mafia hit men and a mysterious sect.  Klatten is the 68th wealthiest person in the world with assets totaling $9.6 billion.  Sgarbi told the women he was a secret agent working for the Swiss government in hostage situations.  Not quite James Bond, he was instead an accomplished predator.  

 

The election of Salvadorean President Mauricio Funes of F.M.L.N. proved a turning point after two decades of rule by the right wingers.

 

Andry Rajoelina, Madagascar’s chief opposition leader came up for air, after hiding for two weeks, and stated that he would be taking charge of the Madagascar nation.

 

Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir threatened to expel even more aid groups, diplomats and peacekeepers on his first trip to Darfur since the International Criminal Court ordered his arrest on charges of war crimes.  Sudan had previously expelled 13 of the largest aid groups operating in Darfur in protest to the warrant issued by the court in The Hague.  According to the Sudan Media Center, the Sudanese Army announced that it was mobilizing three-quarters of its troops and preparing for full alert. Waving a sword in defiance, Bashir told thousands of cheering supporters that other foreign groups could also be forced to leave if they (Bashir and his supporters) banned together and got involved in dealing with his war crimes case. 

 

The Pakistani government finally agreed to reinstate the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after a weekend of strong protests to the opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif.

 

A senior Tibetan monk was released from prison after being held for six months without charge, according to the International Campaign for Tibet, an advocacy group based outside China. Jigme, a monk from the Labrang Monastery in the town of Xiahe, was detained by security officers after he appeared in a video posted on YouTube in which he described torture he sustained during a previous imprisonment. Two well-known human rights lawyers in China, Li Fangping and Jiang Tianyong, took Jigme’s case last month. The lawyers also represent Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche, a senior Tibetan religious leader who is still being detained in the Sichuan Province.

 

The United States made a formal protest with the Beijing government after five Chinese ships were accused of harassing with- out any cause an American surveillance vessel.  The incident took place in international waters, in actions the Pentagon described as illegal, unprofessional and dangerous, off the coast of Hainan Island, south of the Chinese mainland.  Pentagon officials said the American vessel, USNS Impeccable, was carrying out a surveillance mission involving towing sonar equipment designed for anti-submarine warfare.  Two Chinese ships blocked the Impeccable when it requested safe transit and Chinese sailors dropped pieces of wood in its path and tried to hook cables towing the sonar equipment.  USNS Impeccable’s crew sprayed some of the Chinese sailors with a fire hose. 

 

Thousands of American Marines went into South Korea to kick off an annual joint military exercise that the U.S. describes as routine. North Korea disagreed with a statement calling it a preparation to invade.  North Korea plans to send a satellite into orbit, but neighboring governments believe it actually will be testing its Taepodong-2 missile, which theoretically can reach as far as Hawaii and Alaska.  North Korea put a 1.1 million member armed force on standby and cut off a military hotline, the only remaining channel of direct communications between the Koreas. North Korea’s statement reinforced that it might resort to military provocations to vent anger at South Korea, who stopped sending North Korea free food.  North Korean missile and nuclear threats act as the impoverished country’s main tool of extracting foreign aid.

 

Japan came forth and condemned North Korea’s plan to launch a rocket. It warned that it can legally shoot down a rocket if it falls toward its territory.

 

IMF World bank officials met with Pakistani President Zardari to assure him that he can count on them for support and sustained economic growth in Pakistan. With that help Pakistan hopes to root out the violent extremism that plagues the country and its Western borders. 

 

Mohammad Khatami, a reformist former president of Iran, withdraw from the presidential race to support a political ally.

 

A deal was struck between Israel’s conservative Likud Party and the nationalist Yisrael Beitenu Party who appointed Avigdor Lieberman as the nation’s foreign minister.

 

Josef Fritzl received a life sentence for keeping his daughter in a self-built prison beneath his own home in Amstetten, Austria for 24 years.  Reports say he raped her some 3,000 times, fathered her seven children and contributed to the death of one son.  A jury of five women and three men convicted Fritzl of incest, rape, enslavement, coercion and murder by neglect. Fritzl waived his right to appeal saying, “I regret from the bottom of my heart what I have done to my family.” The trial raised questions as to why authorities failed to question Fritzl’s behavior over the years.  Fritzl was a convicted rapist investigated for many other sex crimes, but not questioned when his daughter went missing in August 1984 at the age of 18. He claimed she had joined a sect.  Fritzl kept his emotions to himself as the verdict was read.

Business News: June 2009

A monthly Bloomberg News survey indicates that the U.S. jobless rate will reach 9.4 percent this year and remain elevated through 2011, threatening the nation’s longer-term growth potential.  This peak in unemployment surpasses the 8.8 percent reported last month from a median of 54 projections between March 2 and March 9. The survey shows average unemployment rates for the next two years to exceed the 25-year high of 8.1 percent.

 

“Even if things become less apocalyptic it doesn’t mean the unemployment rate will come down,” said Michael Feroli, an economist at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York. “It’ll be a long-term restraint on growth.  Even when the economy gets back to normal, what’s normal is going to be defined down.”  The survey shows the Obama administration’s forecasts, submitted with its budget proposal last month, are out of kilter with most analysts.  The White House projected the jobless rate will decline to 7.9 percent next year; analysts say a worse performance means President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus plan may not prove sufficient.

 

The Swine Flu Influenza has reportedly driven up stocks for companies such as CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens as people buy up face masks, antibacterial soap and other precautionary products. Sales and profits have increased dramatically for these companies as a result.

 

A slump in global trade and commodity prices hurts poor countries, increasing the threat of political conflict and even war, Strauss-Kahn said in a speech to African central bank governors and finance ministers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  “The IMF expects global growth to slow below zero this year, the worst in most of our life time,” Strauss-Kahn said. “Continuing de-leveraging by world financial institutions, combined with the collapse in consumer and business confidence is depressing domestic demand across the world.”  The IMF forecast in January that the global economy would expand 0.5 percent this year. The World Bank stated in a March report that the international economy would shrink for the first time since World War II and trade to decline by the most in 80 years.

 

Tucked away on page 122 of President Obama’s budget is a proposal that has the fast money crowd up in arms: “Tax carried interest as ordinary income.”  It sounds like something only a certified public accountant would care about. But in fact, Obama’s administration wants to close one of the biggest tax loopholes on Wall Street—one nobody seemed to notice in good times, when everyone was minting money.  As things stand now, private equity firms and hedge funds get a much better deal from the taxman than most. They are taxed at a mere 15% — the capital gains rate — on most of their income, instead of the higher regular income-tax rate.  For the past two years, they have scrambled to keep it that way. And with the economy swooning, the industry was hoping that lawmakers might just forget about this little tax giveaway.  How do they justify it? Private equity types and other investors argue that they’re in the business of investing, so they should be taxed just like investors who make money in the public markets. The “carried interest” in question—the bulk of these firms’ profits refers to the 20% cut of profits that they take when they sell or exit investments.

 

This tax deal has always struck a lot of people as too nice.  A study commissioned last year by a Congressional committee estimated that executives would save $30 billion in taxes over the next 10 years if the rules did not change—before the current financial downslide started.  Buyout firms and executives mostly invest using other people’s money, like pension funds.  So their 20% cut of profits is closer to a commission than a true capital gain.  

 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the unemployment rate in the U.S. has risen to 8.9 percent in April 2009  from 8.5 percent in March 2009.  The nations unemployment rate was 5 percent just one year ago in April 2008. It is estimated that since the recession started in December 2007, 5.7 million jobs have been lost.

 

The New York Times Company said that it had raised $225 million through a sale and leaseback of part of its headquarters building, one in a series of moves to pay down its debts and increase its cash cushion during a drastic slump for the newspaper industry.  The sale-leaseback agreement with W.P. Carey & Company, an investment firm, might last as long as 15 years, but  it gives the Times Company the option of buying the building back after 10 years for $250 million, an option both sides expect the Times Company to exercise. W.P. Carey specializes in corporate financing, not real estate, and both companies characterized the agree- ment more as a loan secured by the building than as a real-estate transaction.  “W.P. Carey was able to clearly understand our company, our facility and our objectives,” said Janet L. Robinson, the president and chief executive of the Times Company, in a statement.  In the last few months, the company borrowed $250 million from the telecommunications billionaire Carlos Slim Helú, suspended its dividend for the first time in four decades as a publicly traded company searched for a buyer for its minority stake in the Boston Red Sox team and any related assets.  At the end of 2008, the Times Company was $1 billion in debt. It still faces a principal pay- ment on long-term borrowing of $49.5 million due in November, plus a payment of $250 million due in March 2010.  The company spent $600 million on a building on Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, which was completed in 2007. The Times Company owns 58%, and its development partner, the Forest City Ratner Companies, owns the rest.

 

Dow Chemical and Rohm finally settle a dispute over a $15.3 billion merger. This settlement is a victory for Rohm investors, who happily watched their shares skyrocket 40 percent as the long-awaited resolution to the contested deal appeared more likely.

 

Within the United States household wealth has fallen drastically by trillions of dollars. The average American house holds lost an astonishing nine percent of their wealth in the last three months of 2008, the most that national income has fallen in more than 57 years.

 

China is growing ever more concerned by the day regarding U.S. investments. It seems that the United States government’s largest creditor is “worried” about its investments in the U.S. and wants assurances that their investments will be safe, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao says.

 

Japan has promised more spending, and increased backing of the United States’ policies.  Siding with the United States on the urgent need for aggressive measures, Prime Minister Taro Aso promised an increased third round of spending to help the economy emerge from the current recession.

 

The failure of supplier companies, such as American Axle, Lear and Visteon, could disrupt current auto  production and plunge GM, Chrysler and Ford into even further financial straits which many see coming in the form of bankruptcy and additional government bailouts.  This also means a loss of auto industry jobs at foreign-owned auto plants that rely on some of the same supplier companies is right around the corner.

 

Staples and its competitor Office Depot have designed their own stimulus packages to aid anxious job hunters in their search. Staples is offering 20 free single-sided resume copies and 40 free instant business cards through June 13. In turn, Office Depot has joined in by offering 25 single-sided resume copies and five domestic faxes at no cost until May 30.

State & U.S. News: June 2009

Riverside, L.A. and San Bernardino say assessors are pulling in the lowest numbers in property tax collections in more than 10 years; bad news for their cash-poor local governments. Revenue from property taxes has always provided a source of income for cities.  Assessors say reduction in auto sales, rate of foreclosures and low real estate sales will devastate the tax rolls.

 

California counties impose work furloughs, pay cuts, postpone city repairs and reduce public services.  In L.A. County, assessor Rick Auerbach estimates a 1% reduction in the $1.1 trillion property-tax base and says losses will be greater in coming months.

 

A ban on medical marijuana dispensary closures by L.A.’s U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien have people wondering why he had prosecutors back off, then changed his mind and sent a confidential memo to prosecutors lifting the ban.  O’Brien’s decision came  days after Attorney General Eric Holder stated medical marijuana prosecutions would not be a priority for Obama’s Justice Department. 

 

A federal judge blocked a federal rule that allows people to carry concealed, loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges.  The decision by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar- Kotelly halts a change in regulations issued during the Bush administration and orders further review.  The rule effective in January allows visitors to carry a loaded gun into a park or wildlife refuge as long as the person has a permit for a concealed weapon and the state where the park or refuge was located allowed concealed firearms. Previously, guns in parks had been severely restricted.

 

State Controller John Chiang announced that California has resumed tax refunds.  A new budget issues payments for income-tax refunds, grants for college students, needy families, elderly, blind and disabled—frozen when California ran out of cash in February. 

 

Governor Schwarzenegger’s administration rolls out a new ethics policy.  Statements for officials’ travel expenses to be posted on the Web amid speculation regarding outside income and the free use of government expense accounts by top aides and other appointees of the governor.  New ethics rules apply to all senior staff members.

 

A San Diego zoo worker responsible for skin infections at the zoo.  A baby elephant being hand-raised by zoo keepers because its mother couldn’t care for it was infected along with 20  human caretakers.  This is the first case of methicillin-resistant ataphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a zoo elephant and the first recorded transmission of the bug from zoo animal to human being, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

 

The state’s interagency Climate Action Team issued the first of 40 reports outlining how Californians can deal with floods, erosion and other effects of rising sea levels.  Computer models suggest that hundreds of thousands of people and billions of dollars in property and infrastructure are at risk if ocean levels rise 55 inches by the end of the century.  This affects coastal development in areas targeted for sea level rise, and halts federally subsidized insurance for property likely affected, requiring that all coastal structures be built to adapt to the change.

 

State department of Education estimates a lay off 26,500 teachers, 15,000 bus drivers, janitors, secretaries and administrators.

 

Rotting/damaged warships off San Francisco Bay don’t cause environmental contamination says the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration  Because of the findings, the agency said “NO” to specific cleanup in any areas near the 70 ships that will remain in the bay, ready for action in case of war.

 

A California stem cell company’s stock jumped after President Obama ended an eight-year limit on federal funding for studies of embryonic stem cells.  The new executive order allows federal funding for research on numerous embryonic stem cell lines that did not qualify for federal support under a policy signed by former President Bush in 2001.  Scientists/patient-advocacy groups lobbied for years to overturn restrictions hoping research offers improved medical treatments for damaged spinal nerves, reinforce weakened heart muscle and help to restore a diabetic’s ability to manufacture insulin. 

 

Owner of an Orange County car dealership accounting for about five percent of all Lamborghinis sold worldwide plead guilty to a  felony involving wire fraud.  Viken Keuylian (45) from Laguna Beach, is facing  30 years in prison.  Reports state Keuylian defrauded Volkswagen Credit Inc. out of $12 million when Volkswagen Credit loaned the money to Keuylian to buy cars and he was to repay the loan when the cars sold.  He got around not paying by saying the cars he had sold were still on the lots, using the money to pay debts, some for a vineyard and a Beverly Hills Lotus car dealership. 

 

U.S. Department of Justice investigating Inglewood Police Department as the incidence of officer-involved shootings of unarmed suspects increases.  This is look #2 by the Justice Department into community protests last year when Inglewood officers shot and killed four people— three of whom were unarmed—in a four-month period.  The L.A. County Office of Independent Review investigated at the city’s request, finding that Inglewood police resorted to physical or deadly force in many of their arrests.

 

A 16 year old internet prank caller from North Carolina was arrested for allegedly making a bomb threat against Purdue University.  The boy, a subculture internet celebrity took donations from kids around the country who wanted to get out of school for the day in exchange for calling in a bomb threat to their school.  

 

Stats show that one in 50 children become homeless in the U.S. each year.  The National Center on Family Homelessness researched data (2005-2006) finding 1.5 million children without homes and rising with home fore- closures.  Most were in Texas, Georgia New Mexico, Arkansas, & Louisiana.  Hawaii, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island & North Dakota fared better.  The study says that homeless children have poor health, emotional problems and low graduation rates.

 

Vo Duong Tran, a former FBI agent, made plans to rob an Orange County  ”stash house” that he thought was filled with $500,000 in drug money.  The agent came from New Orleans hoping to get rich but instead was convicted in a Santa Ana federal court on charges related to botched home-invasion robbery.  Tran (41) conspired with a supposed accomplice (an undercover FBI agent) to commit the robbery.  He hoped to create a crew of criminal associates to commit crimes. 

 

Father of teenager Brandon McInerney, who is accused of gunning down a gay classmate was found dead in his home.  The death of 45-year-old Bill McInerney is blamed on an accidental head injury.  Brandon McInerney is being tried as an adult for the death of classmate Lawrence “Larry” King.  The two boys (both 15 years old) were fighting for days before the attack, and it’s alleged King had a romantic interest in McInerney.  

 

President Obama told American’s in a White House speech that he proposes cutting nearly 100 Federal Government spending programs from the budget.  The President cited examples like a defense program, a literacy program and a Department of Education office in Paris.

 

A man strolled into a First Baptist church near St. Louis during a meeting and shot to death the pastor and two congregants according to police reports.  Churchgoers wrestled the gunman to the ground as he waved a knife, slashing himself and two other people.  The assailant was not known  by any of the 150-or-so congregants.

 

The failure in passport security is higher reports say due to the rising problem in counterfeit documents.  As proof of leniency, the identities of a dead man and a 5-year-old boy were obtained by a government investigator in a test of security measures.

 

The House of Representatives has now passed a bill—H.R. 627 giving rights to credit cardholders.  Heralded as “The Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights”, the bill has gotten heavy opposition from banking regulators who have been accused of tricking and trapping honest cardholders to increase their profits.

 

The Supreme Court ruled that: “Only election districts in which minorities make up at least half of the voting-age population are entitled to the protections of a part of the Voting Rights Act that seeks to ensure and preserve minority voting power”.

 

North Carolina officials argued that the act required that they maintain black influence at the voting booth by creating a district that included about 39 percent of the black voting-age population.  In effect the theory was that the law protected black voters willing to join white “crossover voters” to elect a candidate of the black voters’ choice.  It was rejected by the court in a 5-to-4 vote.

 

The Obama administration says it will not use “enemy combatant” in reference to Guantánamo Bay detainees, but asserts the power to detain them. 

 

Thousands of government workers are canvassing neighborhoods and verifying addresses in L.A. and across the nation, marking the beginning of the once-in-a-decade statistical portrait of America: the U.S. census.  The population count will start next year, but census workers have started identifying 145 million addresses in May.  Workers are using GPS technology that enables them to pinpoint locations to  improve the accuracy of the census. The census  will be difficult in areas such as Los Angeles, where multi-family households are increasingly common, homeless people crowd city streets and immigrants speak hundreds of languages. Census results are required by the Constitution and used to redraw congressional districts and guide distribution of billions in federal funds for schools, roads and social service programs.

 

The United States won election to the U.N. Human Rights Council for the first time, joining 17 other nations also picked for the body after the Obama administration ended a U.S. policy of boycotting it.  U..S. . Ambassador Susan Rice said, “We are looking forward to working from within with a broad cross-section of member states to strengthen and reform the Human Rights Council.”  The United States was one of 18 countries elected or reelected to three-year terms on the 47-seat Geneva-based council in a vote by the U.N. General Assembly, joining 29 others who are in mid-term.

Local News: June 2009

Deputy Police Chief Kenneth O. Garner Passing Tribute

Some 3,000 people attended the South L.A. funeral of Deputy Police Chief Kenneth O. Garner who served the LAPD for three decades.  Garner was the second-highest-ranking black officer in the department.

 

National Mass Transit Costs Surge

As gas prices soared, so did the use of mass transit. Passenger levels during 2008 hit peaks unseen since 1957, up 4% from 2007.  Metrolink commuter trains also set records.

 

FBI Looking For Clues 

A vehicle owned by a UCLA neuro- scientist was firebombed by an anti-animal research group for using primates in his study of psychiatric disorders.  No injuries were reported.  A series of fire-bombing and aggressive acts have occurred aimed at university researchers who use animals in medical studies including cars vandalized, threatening calls and e-mails.

 

Non-Beverly Hills Residents & BHUSD After months of heated debates over non-Beverly Hills residents attending the city’s schools under special permits trustees gave a thumbs up.  The district receives $6,114 in state funding per year per student enrolled.

 

Cedars-Sinai Gets A New Tower 

L.A. Planning Commission approved plans for construction of a 200,000 square-foot expansion tower at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to include 100 new patient beds and 700 parking spaces.  Also approved was rezoning a vacant lot next to the L.A. Public Library in Westwood for a park.

 

Free Pet Spaying/Neutering; A Go Again! 

Months after L.A. city said pets had to be spayed/neutered, the voucher system that provided free service to low-income owners was OUT!  State budget cuts were behind the decision, stated department General Manager Ed Boks.  Now the department is returning the vouchers after numerous animal-welfare advocates protested.  

 

L.A. Prepares For A Water Shortage

L.A. faces a water shortage this summer and LADWP will raise its rates and give severe penalties for residents who don’t cut water use by 15% except for low-income residents whose rates will stay the same; owners of larger homes get ready for $11 a month more on bills beginning June 1, 2009.

 

Beverly Hills Library Scores High 

Beverly Hills Public Library ranked in the top 12 of 1,116 libraries in California by the Library Journal and was listed in the top three percent of 7,000 libraries nationwide. The Beverly Hills Public Library was one of 256 libraries to earn a ranking of three to five stars.  Rankings include circulation, visits, program attendance and internet use.

 

President Obama Checks In At The Beverly Hilton Hotel

New to the Presidential Suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, President Obama checked in while visiting L.A. Also on the agenda was a pit stop at The Tonight Show. 

 

L.A. City Cuts Jobs

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa released a $7.05-billion budget baring down on his ability to win concessions from employee unions and bent to lease parking garages, two unresolved components to close the $530-million city shortfall. Stating that the spiraling recession requires “extraordinary sacrifice” from everyone, the mayor asked all departments even police and fire to trim costs by 10%. The $231 million saving will come from laying off 2,800 workers, pay freezes, furloughs and early retirements  The mayor pledged to cut his $223,000 -a-year salary by 12% and freeze his own staff members’ salaries.

 

Beverly Hills Elections

The new Beverly Hills City Council and City Treasurer took the oath of office in a community installation ceremony.  The ceremony and reception were held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn.  Council member Nancy Krasne was sworn in as Mayor; Councilmember Jimmy Delshad became Vice Mayor and current Vice Mayor Barry Brucker was sworn in for his second term.  Eliot Finkel is on his second, four-year term as City Treasurer.

 

A New Outdoor Sculpture

Beverly Hills picked an outdoor sculpture by acclaimed New York artist Roxy Paine.  The City’s Public Art Fund picked up the       

$ 342,800 tab and more fees of $10,000-$15,000 are estimated for transportation, installation, future maintenance, lighting and ongoing display.  The stainless steel boulder measures 7 feet tall by 15 feet wide and references a rock carried by a glacier hundreds of miles away from its original geographic location.  It will be installed in Beverly Gardens Park, this summer. 

 

L.A. Pulitzer Prize Winners

L.A.Times reporters Bettina Boxall and Julie Cart won a Pulitzer for their series on how brush fires are fought.  They found that a century after government declared war on wildfire, fire is winning.  Wildland blazes are bigger, fiercer and harder to put out.  The story also looked at ” CNN drops”: Fire commanders are often pressured to order firefighting planes and helicopters into action even when they won’t do any good.  The reason: Aerial drops of water and retardant make good television.

 

Dante Nicholson Pleads Guilty To Hospital/Homeless Scam

Dante Nicholson, 51, of Palmdale, pleaded guilty to offering money as kickbacks to recruiters who took homeless patients from skid row to hospitals, where they received services not necessary.  Nicholson, a former senior VP of City of Angels Medical Center, is the third person convicted in the scheme to defraud Medicare and Medi-Cal.  The charges if convicted carry a maximum of 10 years in federal prison.

 

Family Felon

Actor/comedian Dane Cook’s half brother was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly stealing millions from the comic.  Darryl McCauley was charged with eight counts of larceny over $250 and forgery and larceny by continuous scheme.  Prosecutors said McCauley forged a $3 million check written from Cook’s account to himself.  Sources say McCauley pulled off the scheme even though Cook paid him $12,500 a month to be his personal business manager.  

 

Cutbacks at the J. Paul Getty

The J. Paul Getty Trust, which operates two Los Angeles-area art museums, announced plans to cut 205 jobs and trim the budget amid a falling endowment. Ninety-seven employees will be laid off and the rest of the positions will be eliminated, officials said. The Getty has 1,487 budgeted staff positions at the Villa in Malibu and the Getty art museum in Los Angeles. While admission and visiting hours will remain free at both museums, the cost of parking at the hillside Los Angeles facility will increase to $15 from $10 on July 1, 2009.

 

Actor in Fender Bender

Actor T.R. Knight involved in a three-car accident, was not injured but a man and a woman were taken to the hospital by ambulance.  Police investigated who was at fault, but no citations were given.

 

Man Convicted of Starting Fires

A Riverside County jury returned the death penalty to Raymond Lee Oyler for starting the 2006 Esperanza fire in the San Jacinto Mountains.  The fire killed five fire- fighters, destroyed 34 homes and charred 41,000 acres.  Firefighters and families of victims were happy with the verdict saying that it offered some justice for a heinous crime that would affect their lives forever.  Judge W. Charles Morgan will sentence Oyler to death or life in prison without parole at a hearing on June 5, 2009.  Oyler (38) was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder, 20 counts of arson and 17 counts of using an incendiary device.  Prosecutors said the Beaumont mechanic set fires throughout the San Gorgonio Pass in the summer of 2006 leading to the Esperanza fire.    

 

American Civil Liberties Union 

The Union sued school officials for fostering a “sexist” and “homophobic” atmosphere.  The complaint cites a show—a Facebook video posted in January 2009 in which three Corona del Mar football players threatened to rape and kill a female classmate and also used slurs to describe homosexuals.  The video was posted on the online profile of a fourth student, who threatened the young woman at school said reports.  The video has been removed, but ACLU officials say the school did almost nothing to punish the boys or protect the young woman, even though her parents expressed dire concern for her safety.  ”School and district officials, their through action and inaction, have not only failed to take steps to address this hostile environment, but contributed to it and given sanction to it,” stated the 36-page complaint filed in Orange County Superior Court.  ”These allegations are very serious and the district will utilize its best efforts to ascertain the truth of these matters, and be sure there are procedures to promptly resolve discrimination and harassment disputes.” stated district Superintendent Jeffrey Hubbard.

Celebrity & Entertainment News: June 2009

BACK IN THE SADDLE 

The curtain went down momentarily for two of our fav funny men over the past couple of months.  Both are back as good as ever.  YEAH!  

Robin Williams mending nicely after an aortic valve replace- ment.  All went well and his reps say that he will resume touring in the fall. 

Jay Leno in and out in a flash at  Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank with a nasty case of food poisoning. Not to break his routine he entertained the medical staff.

Jessica Lange getting her strength back and bones healed after a bad fall weeks ago at her Minnesota cabin. It was reported that the much loved actress broke her shoulder and collarbone, dislocated her arm and required several stitches.

A serious throat condition forced Jennifer Hudson to cancel several recent  concerts dates.  Reps say all willbe rescheduled for later dates.

 

IN & OUT OF THE OVEN 

Uber designer Tommy Hilfiger and his wife Dee Ocleppo awaiting the stork.

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden gear- ing up for #2.

Boston Legal‘s Julie Bowen and hubby Scott Philips gearing up for twins. 

Former Bachelor Andrew Firestone and wife Ivana happy and more happy with a new baby named Adam.

Country Super Stars Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley say hello to a second son, Jasper Warren.

Sarah Jessica Parker getting ready for twins with Matthew Broderick and a little help from a surrogate.

 

RAPPER RIFT 50 Cent and Rick Ross fighting over a homemade porn tape 50 Cent bought to release starring one of Ross’ baby mama’s.  

 

FINALLY…AN “I DO” 

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen and her footballer Tom Brady   

Salma Hayek and businessman/baby daddy Francoise Henri Pinault; two weddings in two months. 

 

AND THEN…“I DON’T

Holly Madison (Hef’s ex) calls it quits with Vegas magician Criss Angel.

Another bust-up for Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer (run girl run and fast!)

Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn file for divorce a second time in two years.  The couple have two children and were married in 1996.  

Pregnant singer Kelis gives rapper Nas his walking papers after five years. 

Hotel mogul Steve Wynn calls off marriage to his wife Elaine for a second time.  Married in 1963, they divorced in 1986, then remarried in 1991.  They have two daughters. 

Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol gives her PR seeking baby daddy the boot.

Singer Rihanna hopefully giving no second chances to rapper Chris Brown after his brutal assault on her.

Kimora Lee Simons and Russell Simons making things ultimately final; she gets sole legal/physical custody of their two daughters as well as $40,000 a month in child support. 

More drama unfolding in the bitter divorce war as money matters make things a whole lot worse between Kate Walsh and Alex Young.
BOO HOO

Sad times for Martha Stewart who is mourning the death of one of her dogs who died in a propane explosion at a Pennsylvania kennel. Another 16 dogs were also killed in the explosion.  

 

BUSTED

Coolio arrested with crack cocaine at LAX; found the drug on the rapper on his way through screening.  A scuffle went down as he was hauled off.

Kenley Collins, loser on Project Runway arrested and jailed for reportedly using a living cat as a weapon and firing it at her ex-fiance.  The alleged animal abuser attaced her sleeping ex with the cat, a laptop, and some apples.

Donte Stallworth, a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns was questioned by Miami Beach police when he struck and killed a pedestrian while driving his Bentley; he was tested for drugs and alcohol

Everyone’s fav mum Sharon Osbourne sued for battery, negligence as well emotional distress by a Rock of Love: Charm School contestant who says Osbourne grabbed her hair and punched her during filming.  OH PLEASE.

Demaris Meyer, the passenger riding in Morgan Freeman’s car when he crashed last summer, suing for medical expenses, saying Freeman was drinking.

Amy Winehouse up to her neck again;  charged with assaulting a fan last year.  The victim says Winehouse slapped her when she asked for a picture . 

Record spinner DJ AM suing over a airplane flight that ended in a fiery crash killing everyone on board except for himself and rocker Travis Barker.  The suit carries a hefty $20 million price tag.

Rapper Kanye West arrested for criminal misdemeanors grand theft, vandalism and battery after a camera grabbing/smashing incident last September at LAX.

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