COURT RULES IN DOMESTIC PARTNERS’ BENEFITS CASE; GETTY SPENDING UNDER QUESTION; ISRAELIS PREPARE FOR GAZA PULLOUT; THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE CITRUS INDUSTRY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
COURT RULES IN DOMESTIC PARTNERS’ BENEFITS CASE
California's highest court ruled Monday that country clubs must offer gay members who register as domestic partners the same discounts given to married ones, a decision that could apply to other businesses such as insurance companies and mortgage lenders. The decision by the California Supreme Court dealt with a policy at the Bernardo Heights Country Club in San Diego that allowed only the children, grandchildren and spouses of married members to golf for free. Birgit Koebke, 48, an avid golfer who pays about $500 a month in membership fees, challenged the policy after being told that her longtime lesbian partner could only play as a guest six times a year while paying up to $70 per round. The court ruled that the policy constituted ``impermissible marital status discrimination.'' Larry Mantle talks about the ruling’s significance with the lead attorney on the case.
GETTY SPENDING UNDER QUESTION
The California attorney general's office is looking at the financial practices at the J. Paul Getty Trust, the world's richest art institution. According to reports, the attorney general wants eight years of records relating to Barry Munitz, the Chief Executive of the trust. His total compensation, which topped $1.2 million in 2004, makes him one of the top paid nonprofit leaders. In 2003, when the trust was laying off staff, the foundation paid $72,000 to provide Munitz with a Porsche Cayenne SUV, according to the Times. Getty officials have said there is nothing improper about the compensation for Munitz or about his financial dealings. Larry talks with Douglas Mancino, a Los Angeles attorney who specializes in non-profit legal matters.
ISRAELIS PREPARE FOR GAZA PULLOUT
Israeli troops will beginning pulling out about 8000 Jewish settlers from Gaza Strip beginning August 17th. Once they are gone, Gaza will be in Palestinian control for the first time in 38 years. Larry Mantle talks with experts about what this means for the future of Israel and Palestine.
THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE CITRUS INDUSTRY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The Pasadena Museum of History is celebrating citrus heritage with a new exhibit, Orange Blossom Time. The collection of photographs, maps, periodicals, and crate label art, explore the revolutionary impact the citrus industry has had on American agriculture and advertising in Southern California. Larry is joined in studio by Ardis Willwerth, Co-curator and Director of Exhibitions and Public Programming for the Pasadena Museum of History, and Tom Spellman, President of Southern California Citrus Label Society, to talk about the history and culture of the citrus industry in this region.
Exhibit runs Wednesdays through Sundays, July 23-January 8, at the Pasadena Museum of History, 470 W Walnut St, Pasadena. For more info: www.pasadenahistory.org or 626-577-1660.