Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Faces in the crowd at Second Annual Friends of the Southwest Museum Soda Tasting Fundraiser at Galco's Market

 CD 1 City Councilman and great friend of the Southwest Museum Ed Reyes. ** Councilman Reyes also had by his side current Chief of Staff and CD 1 City Council Candidate Jose Gardea

 51st Assembly District Candidate Luis Lopez and future Northeast constituents.(including Pastor Randy Carrillo on the right). ** The other 51st AD candidate Jimmy Gomez was expected to attend but somehow his GPS Machine could not compute the location of Galco's.

 53rd Assembly District Candidate Jose Aguilar with Friends of the Southwest Museum and Van De Kamp Coalition Activist Dan Wright.

The gracious Mr. and Mrs Arturo Chavez.

** An estimated 750+ people turned out yesterday for the Second Annual Friends of the Southwest Museum Soda Tasting Fundraiser at Galco's Market in Highland Park the turnout yesterday exceeded last year's number by 150 people  From its 5 P.M. start until 8 P.M., the line was constant as you enter the event, and made your way with shot glass in hand, through the various soda tasting booths, ending inside Galco's Market. Many bottles of exotic sodas made their way out of the store with Galco's donating the profits on this day to the Friends of the Southwest Museum.

The Comedic CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks?

One can note the comedic wit in the smile of CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks.

 ** I am one not to argue with Downtown News Editor and Scribe of Wit Jon Regardie, regarding his accessment of the comedic qualities of CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks.

I admit it: I thought Eighth District City Councilman Bernard Parks never smiled or cracked a joke. Then the nasty redistricting battle began, and Parks’ inner, furious comedian broke out. He has slammed the proceedings in a series of sharply funny newsletters. A June 21 blast decrying the council vote bore the headline “The Silence of the Scammed.” Zing! A week later, after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed the redistricting legislation, Parks wrote that “he did it secretly in the dark of night — proving once again that there is no controversy too big for him... to run from.” Hey now! Still, those pale compared to two newsletters that zapped state Sen. Curren Price and council president and redistricting provocateur Herb Wesson. The April 5 missive began “The Price is Wrong, Curren!” He went on to state that Price is “probably best known for his ability and, dare I say talent, to remain solidly grounded on both sides of an issue.” He was harsher a week later when he noted that redistricting cleaved the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Plaza mall into two districts. Referring to the diminutive council president, Parks wrote, “Councilmember Herb Wesson and his ‘non-tourage’ actually drew the lines to ensure businesses like Macy’s and Buffalo Wild Wings would be split from the rest of the shopping center and placed into his district. I don’t know… maybe he likes short ribs.” The bolding was his. Ouch.—Jon Regardie

** Look for a Mayor Sam Exclusive on City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson later today..

OTHER BRIEFS 

** CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar's Broadway Street Car is going to cost big time dollars. The Downtown News editorializes that all who are ask to pay for this project be given the right to vote their feelings.

** The Los Angeles Times is following the lead of KCAL Channel 9 and this blog in reporting on the fallout of the rap video by a current GRYD employee on the making of Crack Cocaine.

** Rick Orlov's "Tipoff Column" this week focus on Chicago seeking LA GRYD advise on dealing with its gang problem, Councilman Dennis Zine using his B-day as a fundraiser and some Politico Influence List that has Mayor Villar at number 41.

** Rumor Department: We hear that 51st Assembly District Candidate Jimmy "PACman" Gomez is so confident of winning election in November that he is already trying to line up future support to become Speaker of the Assembly.

Lastly ......how do you get a bunch of CD 2 City Councilman Paul Krekorian staffers to become silent in an elevator? Ask them if their boss is running for City Attorney.

Your thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14.