LAistory: The Cocoanut Grove
MIXist: 4th of July
Where to Watch the Fireworks Tonight in Los Angeles County
Too Tipsy? Take a Triple A Tow.
He's Baaaaaack
Unemployment increased from May to June, but only by one-tenth of a point, or 467,000 lost jobs, a 26-year high. Here's the breakdown: Professional and business services slashed 118,000 jobs, more than double the 48,000 cut in May. Manufacturers cut 136,000, down from 156,000. Construction companies got rid of 79,000 jobs, up from 48,000 the previous month. Retailers eliminated 21,000, up from 17,600. Financial activities cut 27,000, following 30,000 in May. The government cut 52,000 jobs, up from 10,000 the previous month. Leisure and hospitality cut 18,000 jobs, erasing a gain of the same size in May. One of the few industries adding jobs: education and health services, which added 34,000 positions last month and 47,000 in May." Statewide, unemployment numbers have not been calcuated--in May, it was 11.5%.
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t that cow tails are not important, but Gov. Schwarzenegger has a good point. Early in the afternoon, he tweeted, "Instead of working on budget, the Legislature is about to debate whether cows can keep their tails while we're in a fiscal crisis." We just thought he was being Mr. Sassy Pants. Then a few hours later, he proved it with this video.
- The I-5 has some lanes closed as a brush fire near Castaic is being handled. The suspected arson fire has consumed more than 25 acres already.
- LAPD officials are announced that none of the officers involved with the 2007 May Day immigration rally will lose their jobs. Police Chief Bratton asked for the four officers to be fired but will have to settle for one of the officers getting a 20-day suspension.
- One person is dead and four were hurt in a shooting at a dental office in Simi Valley. Police are still investigating.
As mentioned yesterday, the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council has a motion before them tonight about making the Sunset Junction Street Festival free for all those who live in the three surrounding zip codes. LAist inquired with the post office on how many deliveries are made in the zips and here's what they told us:
Google's Street View has gone off roading--in a sense--with their cutely named Google Trike, which has "3 bicycle wheels, a mounted Street View camera and a specially decorated box containing image collecting gadgetry," according to the company.
Is it already time to start talking about the 2010 election? While there's been quite a bit of gubernatorial talk already, congressional districts have been on the down low. California's 36th District is the exception, however, with one Progressive Democrat nearly two months into her campaign and hosting her first fundraiser tomorrow.
On Sunday May 31st, 5am would become the new rush hour for the 2,150 riders and 500 volunteer-roadies as they filtered into San Francisco's Cow Palace, waiting with anticipation and excitement for the kickoff of the 2009 AIDS/LifeCycle.
Yesterday, Tustin's Lt. Dan Choi was told by the military's Federal Recognition Board that they were recommending his discharge from service, citing his violation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The Board determined that his declaration of his sexual orientation during an appearance on MSNBC's Rachael Maddow Show and his serving in the military while openly gay was an act of "moral and professional dereliction," according to a letter by Choi sent to his supporters in the Courage Campaign. Choi adds, however, that this is only the beginning of his fight:
The board's decision to fire me is not the end. Now that this panel of four officers has recommended my discharge, it still must be approved by senior officials in the Army, a process that could take a few weeks to a year. Unless something unexpected happens, it may be just a matter of time before the Army officially fires me.
A new fiscal year means a new Metro Board chair at the helms of L.A. County public transportation. Meet Glendale City Councilman Ara Najarian, who has served the city since 2005 and once as the rotating Mayor from 2007 to 2008. “As the new Board Chair, I look forward to providing the leadership necessary to enhance transportation options throughout the region,” Najarian said in a statement. “This next year will be both challenging and rewarding as we move the agency through difficult financial times while at the same time, begin implementing transportation improvement projects voted by the public with the passage of Measure R, the half-cent sales tax initiative.” Damien Newton at StreetsblogLA notes that Najarian could be a plus for the pedestrian and bicycle communities.
We're saddened to hear of the passing of Karl Malden who made it to the ripe old age of 97. While many people will remember him for his roles in Streetcar Named Desire and "The Streets of San Francisco" we urge you to check out his work in Baby Doll, Patton, Fear Strikes Out, and The Cincinnati Kid. Turner Classic Movies will have a tribute evening of films on Friday, July 10th, starting at 5:00pm Pacific.
According a recent study conducted by condom manufacturer Trojan, we're at least in the top ten for US cities based on how often we have sex and how often we're satisfied with it. Their study has us ranking number 4 in the nation, with Angelenos getting lucky an average of 82 times a year--that's just a few times shy of the action in Atlanta and Washington DC, but well behind Houston, where the Texans are gettin' it on 101 times a year (is there anything else to do there?).
Kat Odell just started her new gig as Editor of Eater LA a couple weeks ago, a nice change of pace for readers since Lesley Balla left the position in December. Then yesterday, she got some high exposure along with a downtown restaurant that became the focus of a post based on an anonymous tip. The Must Bar was using generic foods and charging high prices, the tipster asserted, adding possible health code violations. The LA Times' Daily Dish blog quickly jumped on to the story, interviewing the owners and finding that their thinking about legal action. But Ben Sheffner at Copyrights & Campaigns notes that the law is on Odell's side for the most part. For us, really, all this does is make us want to go support and check out The Must at least once to decide for ourselves. Time for a drink?
Shots broke out this morning at Family Dental Care around 10:38 a.m. this morning in Simi Valley. Exactly an hour later, the suspect shooter surrendered to police, but not before killing one, critically injuring three and leaving another with minor wounds. No word yet on the motive.
Since last week's death of Michael Jackson, crowds and media have flocked to various locations related to the superstar. In Hollywood, it was his Walk of Fame star; on the Westside, his Holmby Hills rental mansion; and in the Valley, his family home on Hayvenhurst Ave., just off Ventura Blvd.
Tonight at Family, Jacob Ciocci (of the Paper Rad art collective) presents a new 20-mix of original videos and animations, and will perform 'I Let My Nightmares Go' featuring video and dance moves that “grapple with mental demons, web 2.0, G.O.D., 21st-century breakdown, real lies and fake truths, cartoon violence, and awareness bracelets.” Music will be provided by David Wightman/Fortress of Amplitude. The free screening/performance starts at 7 pm.
