The Fifth Annual Friends of the Southwest Museum Soda Tasting Fundraiser

The Mayor Sam Blog strongly endorses the continuing efforts of The Friends of the Southwest Museum, to raise funds and awareness in seeking to reopen the City of LA's First Museum (with its complete collection).

Please support the Fifth Annual Soda Tasting Event at Galco's on Sunday, July 19.

“Around the World in 80 Sips”
Summer Soda Tasting 5 at
Galco’s Soda Pop Stop on July 19, 2015

L.A.’s Famed Soda Store hosts its Annual Summer Soda Tasting event with sampling, soda-related fun, entertainment, music and more. Fundraiser for the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition.

WHO:       Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, known around the world for its extensive 500+ sodas, is throwing its annual soda tasting party.

WHAT:      Summer Soda Tasting invites soda-lovers of all ages to sample a wide selection of carbonated bubbly beverages. In addition, guests can enjoy music and soda fun in the parking lot and stock up on all of Galco’s beverage offerings.

This year, the theme is “International Sodas” and participants can sample offerings from Italy, France, England and more.

Galco’s Summer Soda Tasting 5 is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition that is actively working to re-open Los Angeles’ first museum as well as the Casa de Adobe to display portions of the museum’s spectacular collections.

Online purchases: Adult tickets are $12, Children are $5, ages 5-11. May also be purchased at Galco’s (cash or check only). Adult tickets are $15 on day of event. HPHT, a nonprofit 501C3 isthe fiscal sponsor and processes the tickets for Friends of SWM Soda Tasting event.

WHEN:      Sunday July 19, 2015, from 5 – 8 p.m.

WHERE:    Galco’s Soda Pop Stop                     5702 York Boulevard                     Los Angeles CA 90042                     (323) 255-7115

 

** Buy Tickets (click here)

Afternoon Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Is CD 1 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Gil "Broken Deal Cedillo" cooperating in another Autry National Center "Big Announcement" smoke screen?

 There is only one future option for the Southwest Museum and that is to reopen it. 

Is Clowncilman Gil enabling another "Broken Deal Cedillo Moment"?



** Eagle Rock's Boulevard Sentinel Editor and Publisher Tom Topping has the specifics of tomorrow morning's Big Announcement regarding the collaboration between The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Autry National Center, with cooperation of Clowncilman Broken Deal Cedillo, on a Two-Year Study regarding the future usage of the Southwest Museum location.

In the spirit of interactive involvement, we offer up these options on what the future should entail for the location of the City of Los Angeles First Museum.

WORK WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE SOUTHWEST MUSEUM IN IMPLEMENTING ITS AMBITIOUS PLAN TO REOPEN LOS ANGELES OLDEST MUSEUM ............, PERIOD!

** Just in time for the 2015 Election Season, the MTA is apparently having second thoughts about  Development Plans for its Boyle Heights Mariachi Plaza. As a MTA staffer states .........., "Generally there has not been much support for Mariachi Plaza. We might start over from scratch," said MTA development officer Jenna Hornstock. She said the agency has been trying to gather community input since the proposal was announced in the fall. Results are to be presented to the MTA board next month.

** CD 14 City Clowncilman Jose "The Tonto Huevon" Huizar, should be all smiles knowing that his favorite, enabling journalistic stringer, Alice "The City Maven" Walton, has been hired by the Los Angeles Times. In honor of the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalist Graduate (with Masters) we bring you this "Bloggin Flashback", involving her, Michael "MEAT" Trujillo and the 2013 John Choi for CD 13 Campaign ........,

On Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 1:05 PM, Michael Trujillo wrote:
So in a few moments Alice Walton at KPCC will be writing about Choi's impressive haul - 100k in 19 days.
Would really appreciate it you could all link to it on your FB accounts - i'll send out the link once it posts.
Its critical that many people (the right people) read this - since there are many political hurdles we have to navigate and getting this piece of critical information out - might slow some people down from even entering the race.
thanks!

More like ......., thank you naught MEAT.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14



Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Today is the Official Release Day of the long-awaited book collaboration between LA Weekly Scribe Patrick Range McDonald and former two-term Mayor Richard Riordan. A cover to cover viewing is bound to cause an episode of longing for the not-forgotten era of civic rebirth and growth after the 1992 Riots.  

Too bad this must read will never grace the old SEIU 347 "Richard Riordan Reading Room".

With no apologies to former "Mayor Poopy", Failure Mayor Tony Villar, along with current F-ing Mayor Eric Garcetti, its time to flashback to an eight year era of civic rebirth, growth and renewal via the long-awaited book collaboration of former two term Mayor Richard Riordan and LA Weekly Writer Patrick Range McDonald. 

Concise, and to the point, Richard Riordan was the right choice for Mayor after the 1992 Riots. Two terms, eight years, at a cost of a dollar every 365 days later, Los Angeles was bring in $1 Billion dollars more in revenue per year than when he was first sworn in, with thousands of additional police securing a foundation for a crime reduction future. 

Foot in mouth episodes withstanding, the former Toy Company Executive was able to forge cross-party coalitions that enable LA to recover from the Northridge Earthquake and replace the forgotten LAPD Chief Willie Williams with now CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks.

Yet, since leaving office, Riordan was never able to capitalize politically on his successful era via the Third Floor, as evident with his failed attempt to replace Pete Wilson as Governor and the inability to get Steve "Mini Riordan I" Soboroff, along Austin "Mini Riordan II" Beutner elected Mayor.

But in the sunset of his political being, discerning Angelinos who care about the civic future of the City of Angels, would find it prudent to read the musings of a historic figure, in the hope of creating a better tomorrow.

** From the blunt talk (mixed with foot on occasions) of former Mayor Riordan, LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus regales us from the musing front end, with the latest "wonkish pronouncements" of a Rhodes Scholar, now tepid (white) Mayor Eric Garcetti via his appearance at the "Atlantic Magazine, Citylab Conference" ..........., (Walter) Isaacson (of the Aspen Institute) asked about encouraging an innovative culture within City Hall. Garcetti said that when dealing with his general managers, "You have to be able to follow from the front." He went on say that low-level employees should be able to "lead from the line." There's nothing necessarily wrong with encouraging front-line workers to solve problems. But "following from the front" is an unfortunate phrase. So much for performance-based utterances.

**  Just wondering if some official government agency will be waving an investigation notice in the direction of Assemblyman Isadore Hall anytime soon, this after a report by the "Weekly of Record" that Hall (or someone from his campaign team) mis-used some dollar bills at a Strip Club?

** Memo to the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition, you may be still wondering why CD City Clowncil Central Committee Member Gil "Broken Deal Cedillo" is blowing smoke in regards to your ambitious plans to reopen LA's Oldest Museum? Maybe it has to do with this "Pay to Play Contribution" via someone with "El Plan".?

Remember, all agreements with "Broken Deal Cedillo", are naught unless you "Pay to Play.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

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.    

Second Annual Friends of the Southwest Museum Soda Tasting Fundraiser at Galcos

If you are looking to get out and about this afternoon, the Second Annual Soda Tasting Fundraiser at Galcos to benefit the great work of the Friends of the Southwest Museum, is the place to be. Last year, nearly one thousand people attended this event and expect the same turnout if not more this year. See you there!!

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

Bloggin Noontime Munchies on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

Two well-known politicos enjoying some lunch time King Tacos.

Great TGIF Lunch Hour to all as we near the end of another work week and cruise into the weekend. Here are some tasty lunch time bloggin political missives to ward away the post noontime political brain drain.

CD 9 City Council Candidate David Roberts

Downtown News Editor and Scribe of Wit Jon Regardie has the exclusive on the latest candidate seeking to replace City Councilwoman Jan Perry. David Roberts who was Councilwoman Pery's appointee to the 2012 City Redistricting Commission, has taken out papers to join the likes of Assemblyman Mike Davis, former CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar Chief of Staff Ana Cubas and LAPD Deputy Chief Terry Hata in seeking to replace the termed out, now Mayoral Candidate Perry.

In remarks to Regardie, Roberts stated ........

“I have a passion and a connection to South Los Angeles that goes back 20 years,” Roberts said. “I know I can capitalize on the progress made in the last 10 to 12 years by Jan Perry to bring more revitalization and job opportunities and a renewed sense of neighborhood pride and identification.”

Roberts, who's work to protect the Downtown sections of CD 9, fell victim to behind close doors dealings, can be seen in this video of a Redistricting Commission hearing in Koreatown.

** OTHER BRIEFS: 

** Most of the establishment media was fixated on last night's Art Walk theatrics between Occupy LA protesters and LAPD which resulted in twenty arrests and injuries to four LAPD officers. While this labor/liberal dominated City Council continues to tolerate this "messy exercise in democracy", law-abiding neighborhood councils (for most part) are being force to use $5,000 of their yearly allocation to pay for their own elections. Can you say misplace priorities?

** Former City of San Fernando Mayor and current State Senator Kevin De Leon Staffer Steve Veres has been named President of the Los Angeles Community College District's Board of Trustees. Trustee Tina Parks was named Vice-President.

** The Friends of the Southwest Museum's Second Annual Soda Tasting Fundraiser is coming soon .......

We will have more Southwest Museum news on Monday.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

The Southwest Museum, the City of Los Angeles oldest historic exhibit space above the Arroyo Seco.

** In the spirit of promoting visitation to our City of Los Angeles historic institutions, we would invite all of you to partake in the partial reopening of exhibit space at the Southwest Museum, from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. this Saturday, May 19, 2012. Our Friends of the Southwest Museum will be gathering at 10 A.M. to kick off the opening of the lower exhibit lobby to viewing and visitation of just a fraction of the collection stored on site. 

The irony in this surprise partial reopening of exhibit space at the Southwest Museum is that the Autry National Center, which controls the Southwest Museum and its collection, is doing nearly nothing to promote Saturday's event. According to sources, the primary reason for the re-opening is financial. In order to qualify for FEMA money to repair earthquake damage on the Southwest property, the museum needs to meet the provision that it be open to the public in some capacity. Thus, we here at Mayor Sam in promoting local tourism and commerce, implore you to take some quality time this Saturday to visit Los Angeles oldest museum (via mass transit on the MTA Gold Line) and send a message to the Autry National Center, that a refurbish and reopen Southwest Museum, can be a viable tourist attraction in Northeast LA.

** OTHER NEWS **:

Southeast  Politico turn LA County Assessor John Noguez.

** This never happens in the public sector in the County of Los Angeles. The LA District Attorney Office of Public Integrity is accusing the union for assessor office employees of impeding its investigation on the actions of LA County Assessor John Noguez.

** City Clowncil Central Committee Budget Chairperson Paul Krekorian is working hard to maintain his "90+ Union Score Card" This by searching for all revenue streams for monetary flow to prevent any layoffs of mostly female employees. 

** While areas such as Fortress USC get 30 LAPD officers redeployed to protect its exclusive enclave, families in areas of El Sereno are daily expose to random gang attacks and other acts of violence that claim lives. ..... and somewhere CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar is still monitoring the situation.. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Autry CEO Daniel Finley leaves behind foreclosed Wisconsin home for California Gold

New Autry CEO Daniel Finley and wife Jenifer lefted behind their Waukesha County, Wisconsin home to face foreclosure for California riches.

New Autry National Center Daniel Finley.

Fundraising savvy did not carry over to family finances for Wisconsin's and new California residents Daniel and Jenifer Finley.

The new Autry National Center CEO Daniel Finley and wife, Jenifer were apparently in such a haste to find California Gold, that they lefted their million dollar Wisconsin home and its $5,432 monthly mortgage to face the "foreclosure forces" of Associated Bank 

In a story by the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, the one-time Republican Waukesha County Executive who served four terms in office from 1991-2005 and former CEO of the Milwaukee Public Museum, along with his wife Jenifer are the subjects of a lawsuit by Associated Bank. The lawsuit claims the Finleys are derelict in making their $5,432 monthly mortgage payments towards a 2008 $1.2 million dollar loan for the home pictured above. Further, we should note the Finleys soon after the $1.2 million loan, also arrainged for another $70,000 equity mortgage.

As reported in the story, "Associated Bank is seeking foreclosure and sale of the property and is asking that the Finleys each be held personally liable for any unpaid debt remaining after sale proceeds are applied to the mortgage, interest and costs".

Finley, who was credited for using his political savvy (at one time, Finley was consider a candidate to replace former Governor Tommy Thompson) and fundraising expertise to save the Milwaukee Public Musuem from near financial meltdown, apparently risks his own financial ruin in moving west to become Jackie Autry's latest front person.

Meanwhile, the "Friends of the Southwest Museum's upcoming "Soda-Tasting Fundrasier" is garnering attention from the likes of Yelp.com and we can report that one donor has already made a $1,000 donation! 

After all, if Mr. Finley can't practice financial accountability at home, can we trust him to exercise financial integrity in raising the capital to reopen a Los Angeles icon?

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

Scott Johnson in the Southwest Museum's Home Council District.

Support the Friends of the Southwest Museum's efforts to reopen the City of LA's First Museum

Please consider partaking in this endeavor to help the Friends of the Southwest Museum with their efforts to reopen a Los Angeles cultural icon. This blogger has already purchase two tickets to this event. Details here.

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

Scott Johnson in the council district home of Los Angeles First Museum. 

Mid-day Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Monday

Who is responsible for Downtown's Art Walk, CD 9 or CD 14?

The tragic death of nearly two-month old Marcelo Vasquez of Montebello Thursday night during Art Walk festivities in Downtown LA, has evoked a avalanche of comments addressing concerns in the LA Weekly about public oversight of downtown's latest fad.

This email was send to us here at Mayor Sam which we cut and pasted below, addressing leadership and oversight issues pertaining to Art Walk and Downtown LA as a whole.

Dear Mayor Sam,

 I think a blog about Spring Street and complete lack of Council leadership in the historic district would be very timely.
 
The issue is going to come to a head with the death of a 2 month old boy during Art Walk last night.
 
As you know downtown is carved up worse than one of those free turkeys Huizar has consultants giving away at Thanksgiving time. Even the Art Walk is divided down the middle between by CD9 and CD14.
 
Art walk has been completely out of control for sometime, but there appears to be no leadership from either Council Office. I would like to see downtown unified with this next City redistricting. I'm thinking anybody, but Sleazar. CD9 would be better, but I'm even thinking about a new CD1 that would cut over to Eaglerock.
 
Anyway, this tragic incident is symbolic of a much larger problem. I hope you agree


"The Cape"

A argument can definitely be made for Downtown LA being place in "one" councilmatic district.

OTHER NEWS :

Read more »

Councilman Huizar and Reyes take action regarding illegal Rec. and Parks Commission vote on Autry National Center expansion

CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar and CD 1 Councilman Ed Reyes's Motion to assert council jurisdiction over the recent illegal action of the Recreation and Parks Commission to allow expansion of the Autry National Center in Griffith Park. The Friends of the Southwest Museum are asking museum supporters to attend Tuesday's May 31, 2011 City Council Meeting to show support for Councilman Huizar and Reyes's Motion.

Why is Councilman Huizar stuck between a "political rock and a hard place" on the fate of the Southwest Museum? (Hint, don't claim victory to after the battle is over) Maybe it also has to do with his "political Papi" Mayor Villar's supposed financial support from Latham &  Watkins? More on that issue in a email commentary from a Southwest Museum supporter after the jump.

Read more »

Urgent message from Friends of Southwest Museum on "illegal secret expansion plans" for Autry National Center at Griffith Park

Blogger note: We post this email from Daniel Wright from The Friends of the Southwest Museum on the hasty and illegal Recreation and Parks Commission's vote to allow "renovation/expansion" of the Autry National Center in Griffith Park. Read email after the bloggin leap.

** Afternoon Update: The Griffith Park Wayist has a excellent post with background documentation, on the illegal actions of the Recreation and Parks Commission.
Read more »

A Victory Proclamation that Councilman Huizar wants you to forget

Driving and lamenting on the Southwest Museum Controversy don't mix as Los Angeles Times Op-Ed Scribe Jim Newton found out first hand.

And, without prompting, he raised the controversy over the Southwest Museum, a sore point in the district. Huizar said he attempted to get a guarantee from the Autry National Center of the American West to reopen the museum building (which the Autry owns), only to have the project fall apart. It was, I suggested, a "lose-lose," a phrase that unnerved Huizar so much that he missed the green light turning red and wound up stranded in the intersection. Recovering, he responded: "It was a lose-lose, but I think we're in a good position now."

We hate to pile on, but what could've been the life-changing consenquences if Journalist Jim had brought up Counxcilman Huizar's 2007 "Victory Letter" regarding the city's oldest museum?

Read the whole letter after the bloggin leap.

Read more »

Autry National Center Withdrawls Proposed Expansion Plans at Griffith Park

"No Expansion For Now"

Another victory for Grassroots Activists in Los Angeles.

From the Autry National Center with the help of Steve Sugerman and Latham & Watkins, (Discretion advise for unprofessional whining.)

Because you are a valued member (Southwest Society members) of the Autry National Center whose loyal support is vital to our institution, I want to make sure that you learn directly from us about a recent decision of our Trustees.

Today, with great reluctance, we informed the City's Board of Referred Powers that we are withdrawing our proposal to build an expansion of the Autry's building in Griffith Park. It has become clear to us that if we were to go on seeking approval for our proposal, our plans would be subjected to expensive and virtually endless official delays, while the Autry itself would be under constant threat of costly litigation. Given these circumstances, we have concluded that any further attempt to proceed with the expansion would be an ill-advised diversion of our financial resources, and an insupportable distraction from our work in serving the community.

We want you to know that this difficult decision follows upon the latest delay in the political process for approving the expansion. We have been informed that the Board of Referred Powers has postponed ruling on our proposal indefinitely, until such time as we contract to operate our Mt. Washington campus solely as a freestanding facility for the Southwest Museum. No responsible Board of Trustees could agree to this commitment. If imposed on us, it would return the Mt. Washington campus to a model of operation that has been conclusively proved to be financially destructive and curatorially unviable.

We cannot and must not go backward-and so, having made the only feasible decision, we will now move forward on two fronts.

On the first front, at Griffith Park, we will be developing fresh options for creating an inclusive and exciting experience within the existing facility. To some extent, this process has already begun through our ambitious schedule of exhibitions and programs. This fall, we will present The Art of Native American Basketry, revealing for the first time more than 250 baskets from the premier collection of the Southwest Museum. In spring 2010 we will present Home Lands: How Women Made the West, which will use historic artifacts, art, photographs, and biographies of individual women to show how women have been at the heart of the West across cultures and over time. We will continue to develop the Griffith Park building into a new treasure for Los Angeles, honoring all the diverse peoples of the American West.

Meanwhile, on the second front, we are working on an exciting and sustainable plan for our Mt. Washington campus. Since 2003, we have invested approximately $7.5 million in conserving the Southwest Museum collections that have been housed there and in repairing and stabilizing the landmark building. While this work continues, we are studying how to transform the Mt. Washington campus into a multi-use educational and cultural center, with publicly accessible exhibitions and collections from the Southwest Museum at its core. The center would also incorporate classes for all ages, conducted with partner institutions; an archaeology study center; research facilities; and space for cultural activities of Native American communities.

An institution is more than its buildings. It is a shared vision. We feel confident that we will realize our vision of a nationally recognized Autry National Center-one that will celebrate the American West and explore the interactions of all of its cultures and peoples.

Should you be interested, a copy of the letter we sent to the Board of Referred Powers is posted on our website, www.autrynationalcenter.org. We are deeply grateful to you, as always, for your understanding and support. We look forward to sharing our plans with you as they evolve.

Sincerely,
John L. Gray President and CEO

In discussions with members of the "Friends of the Southwest Museum" this afternoon, the Autry's decision to halt their expansion plans comes down to one word, "MONEY". The Autry has inflated their monetary backing, according to sources. Further, monetary pledges to the expansion plans at Griffith Park were predicated on approval and allocation of free public land at Griffith Park. With approval not looking promising from the Board of Referred Power and with CD-14 Councilman Jose Huizar flip-flopping into a leadership role for once. The Autry had no choice but to withdrawal their expansion plans.

With today's announcement from the Autry, museum activists are now focusing their attention on the Autry's plans for storing the Southwest Museum artifacts and future plans for the Southwest Museum site ("For Sale Signs ??") on Mt. Washington.

.......and somewhere on the flanks of Mt. Washington, "an exclusive society" and the vendidos and vendidas that constituted it, just became irrelevant.

Your thoughts....

Southwest Museum Update: "Autry Stonewalling on Negotiations"

"Another Broken Treaty by the Autry ?? "

One month ago tomorrow, hundreds turned out at City Hall for the Board of Referred Powers hearing on the proposed Autry National Center Expansion at Griffith Park.

Whether you were Pro Autry, Pro Southwest Museum, or an advocate of preserving Open Space. Mostly all agree that a cooling off period with discussions involving the pertinent parties was in the best interest of the city.

That is unless you are the Autry National Center, who is balking at negotiating in good faith via this announcement from Councilman Jose Huizar which is posted at the "Friends of the Southwest Museum" Website.

“I have been acting in good faith to bring agreement and/or compromise to the issue at hand. However, I do not believe that the Autry has taken seriously the Board of Referred Power’s instructions to work out with me options for a legally binding document. The Autry Center has essentially threatened to abandon its expansion project at Griffith Park altogether if I continue to pursue with them any document which legally binds them to its commitments made to me and to the City of Los Angeles.”

Thus with the Autry's "drawing of their line of defiance in the dirt of free public land", the upcoming meeting of the Board of Referred Powers, regarding the Autry Expansion Plans, has been postpone.

Councilman Jose Huizar will draw some rare praise from this blogger for his sudden burst of leadership in this matter, but let not forget that 2011/ re election time, is fast approaching for Councilman Huizar.

But for Councilman Huizar, many in the know within CD-14 will not easily forget the multitude of favors made to the likes of the "Southwest Society" that right now is seen as an worthless entity.

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

Gift to Autry from Los Angeles Taxpayers: $27.5 million

As Red Spot reported, the Southwest Museum won the initial skirmish yesterday when the Board of Referred Powers voted to delay a final vote on the Autry expansion.

What wasn't reported is that there were not just two sides to the issue, but three sides who needed to be heard in the room yesterday: 1. the Autry political machine, 2. the Friends of the Southwest Museum, and 3. parks' and taxpayers' advocates. When the dust cleared, the advocates were completely shut out of the conversation.

For the past five years, the Friends of the Southwest Museum have heavily courted the parks' and taxpayers' advocates for this fight. In the end, they stood aside while the Board of Referred Powers completely ignored the welfare of the one resource who could force the Autry's hand in their favor: the eleven acres of prime park land in Griffith Park owned by the taxpayers of Los Angeles.

The Autry expansion project as presented to councilmembers Hahn, Reyes, Parks, Rosendahl and Cardenas involves a significant construct on prime Griffith Park land. With a rent of just $1 per year, the Autry has benefitted from the location since '87 in many ways, one of which is property rentals for private events. In recent years, this practice has escalated.

In financial documents, the Autry itself reports the value of the rent that it should be paying annually to the Department of Recreation and Parks as a $550,000 annual "donation". That's a massive taxpayer "donation" equivalent to $27.5 million over the life of the lease in today's market.

As yesterday's board meeting ended, what was on the table in exchange for keeping the SW Museum a viable, healthy museum amounted to handing the Autry everything they wanted:

A final EIR without any of the significant mitigation measures called for by neighborhood councils, advocates, and City code.

A $1/yr lease equivalent to a $27.5 million taxpayer donation.

All variances including a building height twice what is allowed in the zone, excessive signage and sign heights, and an underground parking structure.

With the advocates out of the conversation, no one mentioned that bundling all of these items together for one vote is, if not illegal, then at least highly unethical.

Now the morning after, parks' and taxpayers' advocates must be feeling a lot like Zuma Dogg -- used, discarded and left homeless on the streets of park-poor Los Angeles.

Board of Referred Powers delays decision on Autry Expansion for four weeks

" Still a Chance for Victory"

In a stunning rebuke to the Autry National Center plans for expansion in Griffith Park, the Board of Referred Powers voted 5-0 to delay a final vote on the proposed project for four weeks.

Board Chairperson Janice Hahn, along with Councilmembers Ed Reyes, Bernard Parks, Tony Cardenas and Bill Rosendahl acted in unison and implored that all the parties in the Autry/Southwest Museum saga have a voice in crafting an solution to protect the Southwest Museum.

Both sides in this contentious battle had their supporters in place. So many in fact that the meeting had to be moved to the main council chambers due to the overflowing crowd.

Both sides were allocated equal time for presentation and public comments.

In addition, Councilman Jose Huizar addressed the masses and in a surprise, ask that the final vote be delayed so that an final agreement, or a "pre-nump", in his words, be crafted to safe guard the Southwest.

Absence from today's proceedings was anyone from the Mayor's Office voicing their support for the Autry.

One cannot underestimate this victory today in delaying the Autry's desires, but all must remain vigilant in protecting Los Angeles Oldest Museum.

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

June 30, 2009, "Day of Reckoning" for the Southwest Museum

Los Angeles Oldest Museum

As a child growing up in Council District 14, I was blessed to be exposed to the vast collection of the Southwest Museum.

Childhood exposure has turn into adulthood appreciation of the contributions of the Native American Culture and the impact on our local history.

In recent years, earthquakes, mis-management, and the ravages of time has taken its toll on this cultural icon, but the museum still stands as a proud symbol of our city's and community cultural identity.

But now in the biggest challenge to the Museum, the Los Angeles City Council Board of Referred Powers will take up the Autry National Center proposal to expand their site in Griffith Park and relocating the vast collection of the Southwest to newly expanded location, if approved.

This saga has played out here in cyberspace, on the the pages of local newspapers (but rarely in the "OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET", aka LA Times), has been debated thoroughly in the local community and in the chambers of City Hall.

The cast of characters have included an convicted felon, a ruthless law firm, widow of a singing cowboy, flip-flopping politicians, a "Barrio Pimp" and citizens across the community who care about preserving our cultural identity.

Then there is the cost, in terms of payouts to lobbyists, payoffs to the "connected few", favors for the political class, and the cost to our community heritage.

My hope is that the five members of the Board of Referred Power will pause and give thought to what damage a gutted and hollow Southwest Museum would have on our community heritage and city history.

Your thought...................

**Board of Referred Powers Special Meeting Los Angeles City Hall, Room 350Board of Public Works Hearing200 N Spring St., Los AngelesTuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 3:00pm

The future fate of the first museum in Los Angeles, the Southwest Museum, is tied to a set of decisions to be made by the City of Los Angeles. A June 30 th special hearing is the pivotal meeting. The City will decide whether to approve Autry’s proposed project to double its size in Griffith Park and absorb the Southwest Museum.

The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition are opposed to the three requested actions as presented in the staff report without modifications to protect the Southwest Museum and Casa de Adobe’s future.

*autrylies.com/

*Eastern Group Publication Editorial

New CD 14 Blogs: Comments or not, they decide

A couple of new CD 14 centric blogs to share with you in the early AM.

"JOSE's Blog":

This is no joke, that is until you read the selected self-serving musings of the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN BLOGGIN ABOUT HIMSELF AS JOSE HUIZAR". A excerpt from Huizar's web site

As a public official, it’s always a great feeling when you see something you worked so hard on come to fruition. But this last Saturday, with the opening of Vista Hermosa Park in downtown L.A., a project I spearheaded as a member of LAUSD’s school board in 2003, the feelings of joy, relief and pride shivered through my mind constantly.

I’m sure the beauty of the park, with its lush hills, streams and rocks, had a little something to do with it. But seeing the community – particularly the hundreds of kids who showed up just having the time of their lives – that really did it for me.

While I was on the school board, I enlisted the support of community members and elected officials to come up with a plan to redesign the troubled Belmont Learning Center and push for the construction of the 10.5-acre park. Vista Hermosa (Beautiful View) overlooks the downtown skyline and is located next to the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, which will open this fall.

Some people might ask, what’s the big deal about a park? But for the Belmont community, which consists mostly of low-income residents who have embarrassingly little access to green space, this park helps right the wrongs they’ve been dealt. Every kid deserves a place to play. And Vista Hermosa is a great place to play and learn.

The battle in 2003 to approve my plan was simply a matter of doing the right thing.

We built a coalition, including the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, to design the park and help gather political support to get the necessary votes on the board to complete the new plan. It was quite a struggle, but I was fighting to give this community something they could be proud of for years to come. It wasn’t easy, but look at the results.

I want to thank my fellow board members, Marlene Canter, Mike Lansing and Genethia Hudley Hayes for their votes to make this happen. They showed great courage during a tough time and this community greatly appreciates that. I also want to thank Mónica García, my chief of staff at the time and current LAUSD school board president, my former staff member David Cobb, and Councilman Ed Reyes, for their work to bring his plan to fruition.

Vista Hermosa Park is located at 100 N. Toluca Street, at the corner of First Street and Toluca.

posted by lacityorgcd14 at 3:33 PM

If you want more link here, but no comments allowed.

****From the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN PRESIDING AS JOSE HUIZAR" File

By Tom Topping

On July 13, 2008, five gay couples in Eagle Rock joined the landslide of gay California couples in exchanging wedding vows.

Michael and Eugenie Nogueira, (Sir Michael's Party rentals)provided their very confortable and beautiful Hill Drive estate as the venue for these Eagle Rock nuptials.

Performing the five ceremonies were CD14 Councilman Jose Huizar, who did two, and Superior Court Judge Zeke Zeidler who did the other three.Councilman Huizar married Carl Johnson to local piano maestro Carl Matthes.

What made this special, though, is that Carl Matthes sister Ella Matthes was betrothed to Dr. Gladi Adams at the same time, which may be the first brother and sister gay wedding ever.
August 05, 2008 6:09 PM

Wonder when "JOSE's Blog" will post on this past event??

BLOG FOR THE TRUTH REGARDING THE SOUTHWEST MUSEUM:

From the great community activists that are the Friends of the Southwest Museum, a blog, blackhatblog.wordpress.com has been created by Dan Wright and Mark Kenyon. Their creation is a repository of all the pertinent information that one needs to counter the banter from the likes of Steve Sugerman and the Southwest Society in the on-going battle to perserve the Southwest Museum, with artifacts in its current location.

For example, one can link here to find out the latest on the exterior work being done on the museum building. Plus you get informed comments like these,

Bob Hart, on July 31st, 2008 at 8:30 pm Said:
Interesting, I keep hearing that the Autry has invested over $5M in the SWM in the last few years. What have they spent that on? Where did that money come from? Is the current $2M included in the $5M or have they now invested $7M of which $2M came from the public and $5M came from the Autry? Thanks Bob.

guywithwhitehat, on August 5th, 2008 at 6:50 pm Said:
Bob-As will become evident when we post for download the Friends of the Southwest Museum complaint to the State Board of Accountancy, Autry has had and does not have any money available even if it wanted to spend its own money on the Southwest Museum.
It will become clear that whether or not the Autry Museum survives next year depends upon the whims and caprice of Jackie Autry. She currently promises to give the Autry about $6 million per year. But that is needed to run the Autry Museum in Griffith Park. So far, she is unwilling to donate any of her substantial assets to conserve the Southwest Museum buildings. For that, the response is: let the government pay for it.
Mrs. Autry promised otherwise in the Merger Agreement she signed. It is now our job to demand that our elected officials, the foundations, the major donors, and the California Attorney General know that Mrs. Autry has to be steered back from the cliff. The Autry must not be allowed to actually break its donor restrictions on the Southwest’s assets.
More later.

And in comparison to the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN BLOGGIN ABOUT HIMSELF AS JOSE HUIZAR", they allow you to comment from the "shadows of the cyber wilderness".

Great addition to the "bloggin community of truth" Dan and Mark!!

Lobbyist Steve Sugerman to Host Fundraiser for Jack Weiss tonight

With the fate of the Southwest Museum and Griffith Park Open Space in limbo, Autry National Center Lobbyist and former Fleschman Hillard employee Steve Sugerman will host a fundraiser for City Councilman Jack Weiss in Santa Monica.

This evening's event was brought to the attention of the political bloggersphere by both Ron Kaye,

And the man who would be the people's lawyer, lackluster Councilman Jack Weiss, has taken a noblesse oblige attitude about consorting with felons as long as he can raise a lot of money for his campaign for City Attorney next year.

Weiss shows no shame about well-connected public relations operative Steve Sugerman holding a $500 a person fundraising event June 10 in Santa Monica even though Sugerman admitted to felony misconduct in the DWP/Fleishman-Hillard billing case. Of course, Weiss isn't alone in seeing nothing wrong with the involvement of Sugerman who operates freely in City Hall despite having confessed to bilking the city.

and the "WWG",

Steve Sugerman, who pleaded guilty in the Fleishman-Hillard scandal a few years back, is co-hosting a $500 per person fundraiser for Weiss on June 10 in Santa Monica.

Below are the payments from the Autry National Center to Steve Sugerman for espousing the "Autry's Lies" regarding the proposed move of the Southwest artifacts to a expanded Museum in Griffith Park.

Q2 2007 Sugerman Communications Group Autry National Center Los Angeles, CA 90027 Autry National Center Improvement Project $10,000.00

Q3 2007 Sugerman Communications Group Autry National Center Los Angeles, CA 90027 Autry National Center Improvement Project $18,061.80

Q4 2007 Sugerman Communications Group Autry National Center Los Angeles, CA 90027 Autry National Center Improvement Project $18,000.00

Q1 2008 Sugerman Communications Group Autry National Center Los Angeles, CA 90027 Autry National Center Improvement Project $25,531.82

Total Payments Received from Clients : $71,593.62

For groups like the Friends of the Southwest Museum, Sierra Club, Col. Griffith family members and the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council, the irony is not lost how in 2005 Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, stake his campaign for Mayor on cleaning up the corruption of Fleschman Hillard.

But now in 2008, the likes of Jackie Autry, Mayor Villaraigosa, Councilman Jose Huizar and Councilman Tom LaBonge, are collaborating with Latham and Watkins and the same F.H. Steve Sugerman to pull off the heist of the Southwest Museum collection to Griffith Park.

Just wondering if any of the Southwest Society will be in attendance this evening.