A Christmas Eve Facade of a Politico Tonto Family Man brought to you (again) by Parke Skelton

On this eve before Christmas, the Political Consultant known simple as "Parke" (or Parque E.), again crafts the Façade of a noted Tonto, posing as a Family Man, in seeking to sway CD 14 Voters. 

 Is Parke getting too predictable in seeking to consult a Façade that recasts noted Politico Tontos, into loyal Family Men?

** Blogger's Note: Its nice to note on this day before Christmas, there is someone who cares that the blessed spirit of the holidays, is shared with everyone ........., especially register voters. Pardon the momentary feel of Political Deja Vu, but most longtime political observers in CD 14 will agree, that former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar's Political Consultant Parke Skelton, is again using the Holiday Season, to choreograph a political façade of a documented, philandering Tonto, as a rehabilitated Family Man. Its been easy to discern that since former LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina announced that she would challenge the Third Term-seeking, self-noting Princeton Graduate, the husband and wife duo (both barristers by trade) suddenly became more out-going again as a couple. Those with a Pollyanna-like mindset, would find it easy to surmise that with former Deputy Chief of Staff (and alleged "Other Woman") Francine Godoy, settled away with a new job in the Bureau of Sanitation, that contrition, along with renew vows of fidelity, were paramount in priority for the embattled Clowncilman, but then again, its reelection time. Unlike the former Corina Villaraigosa, Richelle Rios Huizar is more engage in furthering her swaying husband's political ambitions, allegedly, going as far as seeking help from the "Tonto Huevon's" Political Papi, former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar, in orchestrating the transfer of Godoy into her current position. Thus like in 2003, CD 14 voter will again be faced with a Skelton-crafted Campaign Façade of promoting a documented, Philandering Tonto, as someone (with including enabling wife) that can be entrusted with a Third Term ......., but will CD 14 voters fall for the false façade again, only to revisit the same type of behavior after the elections?----Scott Johnson in CD 14.  

Read more »

A Morning Brief on Antonio "Tony" Villar's latest and past Flings for Thursday

Yes!! We still bloggin care to report on a former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar's present and past relationships. Care to join us? 

 LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus broke the latest regarding former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar's "new serious relationship", with 31 years old New York City Saleswoman Kim Honig. As a bloggin gift to the young Ms. Honig in honor of her new union, we thought we share some flashbacks from some of her new Sugar Papi's past relationships and prep her for life with Tony.    

 As the young Miss Honig will soon find out her Sugar Papi craves, loves, adores attention, witness his past infatuations with Telebimbos, who's reading of his political exploits, or in the case of the photo above, dropping out of the race for governor, led to romance (with Lu Parker). Then when the fine wine (and medical drugs) brought out his "inner-Machismo", breakup (allegedly).

 In the spirit of building that special bond in their budding romance (at least to the next Telebimbo catches Tony's always, straying eyes), young Kim should consider a thematic, Date Night, where she role plays an aspiring, young politico bed-hopping Telebimbo. Remember Kim, your ability to handle the "microphone", will keep the Sugar Papi happy.

 Young Kim should understand that her new Sugar Papi will need to spend quality time with his guy pals on occasions. Both don't worry, what happens with the guys (and their hired party companions), stays with the guys, unless somebody tips off TMZ.

 Some day, if this new father/daughter, whoops, romantic relationship gets really serious, then the Sugar Papi may jet Kim out west to meet the family, well political familia. Just think how proud Kim will be to meet her future "Political Mijo in Law", CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar. Maybe Huizzy will hire her as an "Office Scheduler" (with monthly pay raises for performing "assigned tasks") but that may provoke anger from Sugar Papi.

 Being objective and contrite, we hope that young Kim has the mental fortitude to handle all the gossip (and truths) regarding her new Sugar Papi's proclivities to stray away from the main love nest. Just remember that the thoughts behind that bleached-white smile, are not always innocent and focus on maintaining any semblance of fidelity. Just ask his ex. wife. 

But lastly as parting advise to the young Kim, remember in your current union with the Sugar Papi known as the Failure Mayor, you are in Tony's World now. And all the attention this fleeting blog post will bring, is all about him, with Tony's current fling for the moment, to be soon filed away in the bloggin archives (** BTW, wonder what Tony's fellow City Terrace OGs, think about him dating a young Gabacha?).

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

The Former Men (Fabian and Antonio) of Mirthala Salinas take opposite sides in the alleged Herbalife Pyramid Scheme Controversy.

 The Central Figure of Mayor Sam's "Sancha Watch" Mirthala Salinas.

** Morning disclaimer: Please pardon the absence of our normal cheerful bloggin demeanor, as this blogger battles a stomach virus. Thus, if our blogging content today takes on an edgy, snarky persona, you have been warned---Scott Johnson.

With no apologies to the poster girl for aspiring Telebimbos, we check in on the current status of the central figure of Mayor Sam's "Sancha Watch" Mirthala Salinas. Last we saw Mirthala, she was trying to salvage her journalism career in Riverside, after being branded as the "other woman", that send Antonio Villar and Corina Raigosa to Divorce Court. Judging from Mirthala's website, her professional rehabilitation is preceding well as she is again reading the news, in Espanol, for the 11 PM, Channel 62 Newscast.

Our Mirthala update is predicated on LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus latest musing regarding former Mirthala's "lover of the moment" ex Mayor Antonio Villar new job as an advisor for Herbalife and the fact that another Mirthala "ex lover of the moment", former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, has been retain by Herbalife's primary critic Hedge Fund Manager Bill Ackman.

We would love to translate Mirthala's take on the roles her "ex lovers of the moment" are playing in the Herbalife Controversy. But we all know what happen the last time Mirthala reported, on air, about a "lover of the moment". 

** In the latest political faceoff between the City Councilman Paul Krekorian Political Machine and the Congressman Brad Sherman/ Assemblyman Mike "Lil Porno Mikey" Gatto Political Cabal, the Sherman/ Gatto Cabal was victorious as Congressman Sherman staffer Matt Dababneh was the top Dependentcrat vote getter in the 45 Assembly District Special Election. Finishing a surprising second in the overall vote, was Republican Susan Shelley, who will face Dababneh in a November Runoff.

** We put our current bloggin snarky demeaner on hold for the moment to bring you the latest "Regardie Report" via the reigning "Scribe of Wit" Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie. In his latest missive, Regardie chats it up with new CD 3 City Councilman Bob "Two Face" Blumenfield. Its refreshing to note that "Two-Face Bob" is willing the defy the past City Clowncil Central Committee practice of unanimous consent on issues, by simply voting "Nyet". Hopefully in the future, we may be treated to a Regardie Report on CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar pledge not to "play around" with the hire help (allegedly).

** Lastly ................, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ANA CUBAS!! In honor of the former CD 14 Chief of Staff and CD 9 City Council Candidate Ana Cubas. We bring you this CD 9 Campaign Flashback as Cubas counts down the hours to her birthday bash this evening.

  Mission Distributors may want to get the Bud Lite on ice early.    

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14     



Classic MayorSam: VillarSalinas - We Told You So

More from the MayorSam wastebaskets, uh, archives as we celebrate Obama-nation in Charlotte, NC, glibly presided over by our own Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. This is the story that put MayorSam on the map and Mayor Villaraigosa in the dog house. From July 3rd, 2007


Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is in the midst of divorce proceedings with his wife, acknowledged he is in a relationship with a Spanish-language television reporter, according to a statement published Tuesday.

Villaraigosa issued a statement, published Tuesday by the Los Angeles Daily News, acknowledging his involvement with Telemundo newswoman Mirthala Salinas, after the paper told the mayor it was set to publish a story about their relationship.

"It is true that I have a relationship with Ms. Mirthala Salinas. As I've said I take full responsibility for my actions, and I once again ask that people respect my family's privacy. For my part, I intend to stay focused on my job, and to work as hard as I can every day to be the best mayor I can be," Villaraigosa said.

Classic MayorSam: The Anyone But Antonio Meme

More from the MayorSam archives as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa leads Barack Obama's three day infomercial in Charlotte. Here's when even the left leaning bloggers turned on the Mayor prior to his re-election.

The Mayor and his minions have launched a "campaign" that is almost comical in it's lies, distortions and mistruths when it comes to representing his record over the last four years (or would that be acutally the 161 days he actually worked on City business?).

If you've read this blog you're familiar with all his mis-doings from Mirthala to toilets to more serious matters like the fiscal health of the city.  You know how big of a kleptocracy Los Angeles has become. So its not a surprise that blogs beyond this one are starting to call for rejection of this 11% mayor.

Not known for being a radical MetBlogs' David Markland gets the ball rolling asking voters to "head to the polls March 3rd and vote for anyone BUT Antonio."  Next Joseph Mailander at Street Hassle picks it up hat tipping to Markland and saying that the Mayor and his handlers have "denied democracy to Los Angeles" this election season.  Fishbowl LA is next to chime in offering that Markland's "reasoning is sound."

So who's next?

Image from Fishbowl LA

Classic MayorSam: Mayor Loses His Democratic Mojo

In honor of Mayor Villaraigosa's role as the Chairman of this week's Democratic National Convention, we're going to post a few of our past Antonio stories from the Mayor Sam Archives. This gem from August 21st, 2008 details how the Mayor was virtually ignored by the Obama campaign during the 2008 Convention. My, what a difference four years have made.

  It's not a good week for Mayor Villaraigosa when it comes to being a Democratic party superstar.

First off the Mayor was passed over for a speaking spot at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.  Next Barack Obama didn't pick the Mayor for his Latino- but Bill Clinton was chosen.  Finally Villaraigosa's home state Democratic rival Gavin Newsom will be hosting a big deal.

Speculation is rampant that the Obama campaign wants to distance themselves from the Mayor due to his high-profile extamarital affair with former TV newswoman Mirthala Salinas.

Not to worry, I think Antonio's sharing a room with Bill Rosendahl and Jack Weiss at the Days Inn and will be on a panel discussion on "travel tips" Sunday before the Convention starts.

The Next Mirthaluparker Comes to Town!

Memo to the third floor Mayoral staff that troll for babes for "AV."

There's a hot new prospective in town:

Alycia Lane is coming to Channel 4 on August 19 as a weekend anchor and general assignment reporter. She takes over as the weekend evening anchor from Kim Baldonado, who last month was promoted to anchor the Monday-Friday Midday Report and KNBC's weekly News Extra.

Lane, a perfect Mirthala or LuParker look alike is a half-Puerto Rican New York native.  That probably would put to the rest the "Why are you dating a gabacha?" questions Tony gets.  She's been embroiled in all kinds of fun stuf including allegedly sending racy photos of herself to a married television executive, allegedly beating up a New York cop, making homophobic remarks and a former married co-anchor of Lane's admitted to have an improper relationship with her.  And she speaks fluent Spanish too.

Read more fun details at Lane's page on Wikipedia. Which interestingly enough has far more content than LuParker.  Mirthala doesn't even have a Wikipedia page.

I bet the third floor boys are camped outside KNBC right now!

Villaraigosa: Esteban is a "Good Boy"

The son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez has been arrested on suspicion of murder but Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says of 19 year old Esteban Nunez  who's accused of the brutal murder of a San Diego college student, "He’s a great kid, a good boy."

However as pointed out by  the LatinoPoliticsBlog Esteban's now deleted MySpace page presented a different story, that of thug-like, classless, underage drinking youth out of control.  The blog was able to caputre many of the photos before the page was deleted.

Probably the least tasteless photo on the blog is that of Esteban in his baseball cap (along with the Mayor and the girl throwing the gang signs, classy) at the "re-marriage" of his parents, and yes you are right, this was after Fabian's affair with Mirthala.

Drink up, Janice! Eau de Toilet Water

Of all the bad ideas that Janice Hahn has come up with, forking over millions of dollars to gang members is no longer the worst one.

Council-kook Janice Hahn spent a recent half hour on Channel 35 espousing the merits of recycling water, including waste water. "By the time the water is recycled," Hahn says, "It's cleaner than when it started."

No shit, Janice!

Just to be sure, though, perhaps the entire Hahn family (and all City Council families) will come into the John Ferraro Chambers at City Hall, along with Nick Patsouras and H. Moneymaker-Waterwaster Nahai, and the couple formerly known as Mirthala & Antonio, to drink a few glasses to show us how yummie and refreshing it is. And we can have Mayor Sam & Zuma Dogg ensure that it came out of the recycled water tap.

JANICE HAHN: "This is delicious Tom LeBonge waste! Tom? Did you order the consommé yesterday?"

TOM LeBONGE: "No, Janice. It was corn chowder. But you can hardly tell the corn chunks from the other chunks! We've got the best DWP in the nation! Let's give them another raise!"

Maybe we could distribute Charmin instead of napkins.

UPDATE "Uh, um, ah" How many times did the Mayor say it?

The answer is 16. El Alcalde said "uh, um" or "ah" 16 times in his 1 minute and 4 second Mirthala Confession. We will do this again soon. Got that, Third Floor swizzlesticks?

Thank you for Shopping at Mayor Sam's Sister City, the Home of Los Angeles Politics.
~~~~~
Do you remember the Tootsie-Roll Lollipop owl counting how many licks it takes before you reach the lollipop's Tootsie-Roll center? "One, twooo, threeee!"

Let's try the same with the Mayor's stammer.

How many times in his 1 minute 4 second "Mirthala Confession" does he say the words "uh" "um" or "ah"?

Office pool anyone? No cheating! (Except for Mayor Antonio!) That would be, as the Mayor said, "outrageous!"

Holy Guacamole! It's News of the Obvious! (a/k/a Not Quite the Wednesday Hotsheet)

1. Mayor Villaraigosa pulls out! Hopefully the writer confirmed this with Mirthala Salinas. San Jose Mercury News.

2. Mayor Villaraigosa can also issue a press release without saying a damn thing. KFI-AM640

3. Joe Biden has a loud mouth. Washington Post

4. Comedian Dane Cook is unfunny, but his eviction is! He lost his Los Angeles eviction appeal yesterday after his landlord booted him from for not cleaning up his dog’s poop. S. F. Chronicle

5. Clay Aiken and Lindsay Lohan each confirm they are gay, although Police Chief Bill Bratton made that abundantly clear a few weeks ago. Chicago Sun-Times. People Magazine

6. The FBI thinks that there may be some fraud in the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, Lehman and AIG meltdowns. Gee, do ya think??? Wall Street Journal

7. The California economy is going to go down much further before it gets better. But I think Reuters' editor means "worst" rather than "worse" to come. Reuters

8. Zuma Dogg is coming out of his shell, y’all.
(Click on the video screen in the middle, but turn the volume down if you're in your office!) Zuma Times.com

Mayor's Democratic Mojo On The Downswing

It's not a good week for Mayor Villaraigosa when it comes to being a Democratic party superstar.

First off the Mayor was passed over for a speaking spot at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.  Next Barack Obama didn't pick the Mayor for his Latino- but Bill Clinton was chosen.  Finally Villaraigosa's home state Democratic rival Gavin Newsom will be hosting a big deal.

Speculation is rampant that the Obama campaign wants to distance themselves from the Mayor due to his high-profile extamarital affair with former TV newswoman Mirthala Salinas.

Not to worry, I think Antonio's sharing a room with Bill Rosendahl and Jack Weiss at the Days Inn and will be on a panel discussion on "travel tips" Sunday before the Convention starts.

Mirthala Salinas is pregnant with first child

It would be so easy to "bloggin hit this out of the cyber ballpark"

But hopefully this will lead to a never ending "Summer of Love"

The LA Times Now has this on the news that Journalist/Radio Broadcaster and "Sancha of Villar", Mirthala Salinas with hubby Yanni, are expecting their first child.

To some she's famous, to others simply notorious (the photo's of an LA Mag cover earlier this year) but the former Telemundo reporter perhaps best known for an affair with Antonio Villaraigosa, which led to a career reversal, is five months pregnant, according to the Spanish-language daily, Hoy. (And no, it's not Villaraigosa's baby -- Salinas is engaged to another man.) Now you know.

...............and as for the "other guy"? There is something still pending called a divorce.

Friday Hotsheet for a silly week

Capping off a week the Daily News is calling Silly Season, Councilmembers Jan Perry and Wendy Greuel were spotted hailing cabs with giant foam fingers and Police Chief William Bratton is taking flak from some West Hollywood pol for “outing” Lindsay Lohan.

But it looks more like Gloomy Season back at the Daily News. Denim is out, as is Chris Weinkopf, reports L.A. Observed. Employees unsure of what to wear are advised to “recall how you dressed when you interviewed for your position.” Columnist and Friendly Fire blogger, Weinkopf, will call it quits August 22nd. Perhaps we’ll see more meat on his personal blog in the coming months? Here’s to two ex-DN employees telling us how they really feel.

In case you missed any of our fabulous bloggings this week, here’s a little roundup:

• Mayor Villaraigosa bailed out of a speaking engagement over the weekend.
• Dennis Zine responded to us with a list of synchronized traffic signals in the Valley.
• Maxine Waters went nuts (again) and gang czar Jeff Carr resurfaced.
• There’s more, apparently, to the proposed new anti-gang contracts than meets the eye.
• L.A. shook, Dennis Zine reported live from the scene, and Villaraigosa missed another big-time photo op.
• Leland Wong was nailed hard for corruption (our readers predict his buddies get ratted-out next).
• Greig Smith stuck his finger in your eyes and Jan Perry got her Happy Meal.
• José Huizar’s attempt to run roughshod over Boyle Heights residents became a P.R. problem.
• Ed Reyes, Eric Garcetti, and José Huizar offered up a room at City Hall for car wash owners and workers to negotiate a living wage.
• Mirthala Salinas resurfaced in Studio City.
• William Bratton delivered a very politically-incorrect celebrity gossip report.
• And more proof was offered that you must read Mayor Sam every day if you want to be in the know.

Whew! I’m ready for a cocktail and a lazy weekend.

Secret Anniversaries of the Heart...

The holiest of all holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart....
---Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It's been a few days since the one year anniversary of the breaking story about the Mayor and his affair with former Telemundo reporter Mirthala Salinas; and it's been about a year since I first poked my virtual head into MayorSam's to get the latest MAV and Mirth chisme after a Google search popped up MayorSam on the top of the list.

Don't judge! I was raised in a family in which the wimmin' folk were real serious about their telenovelas (oh my gawd, does anyone remember Topacio-- circa 1985-ish? I loved that one! "Oh Jorge Luis! Jorge Luis!!!"); I know not to call any of my Tias aytime between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. -- "Meija, I'm watching my show, call me in an hour." "But Tia, I've been abducted by car jackers and they have me locked in the trunk. Help meeee!" "Ay, not now Meija! I'll call you back on commercial!" ::click::

This stuff was better than any of the telenovelas. For real.

So -- you could say that if MAV and Mirth had never, well... you know... I would never have come to MayorSam's. I learned more about Los Angeles politics in a few short days just by coming here than by reading any of the local fishwraps. The bloggers here (past and present) and many of you posters were responsible for shining a light on the City and it's politics and politicians and making me see The Way Things Are in a way which I had never done before. You could say that Antonio and Mirthala's tryst was partially responsible for the birth of Valley Doll. Thanks guys!

Unfortunately, the scrutiny and bad press doomed the star-crossed lovers, and the affair didn't even make it to Christmas. Salinas was summarily dismissed as an anchor on Telemundo and sent to the greener pastures of Riverside. She never showed up for her first day of work at her new assignment; quickly hightailed it outta Dodge; moved from the state; met a nice (we hope) boy; snagged a decent-size rock and posed with it on the cover of Los Angeles Magazine. What would Nathaniel Hawthorne think?

The current state of the Mayor's personal romantic life is less known or played out in the public eye -- which is really too bad; a single Mayor should be Los Angeles' Most Eligible Bachelor and conducting himself as such (on his off-hours, of course), and instead by reputation, has been reduced to Los Angeles' Biggest Lech. Hopefully his family has been able to put back the pieces of their lives post-Mirthala and all the fun that circus must have been in their respective worlds.

Bukowski once wrote: it is much more pleasant to forget a love which didn't work, as all love finally doesn't work ...

Feeling pleasant, Antonio? Yeah, that's what I thought.

For MAV and Mirth...

Antonio Villaraigosa, King of Trash

When the word came out that poor neighborhoods in Los Angeles became dumping grounds for trash, where was our Mayor? On a junket in Israel.



A report on the problem issued Tuesday defended city officials despite growing mountains of smelly, rotting trash sitting for weeks amongst residents who have little power or influence to do anything about it.  The Mayor's point person on the issue, Board of Public Works President Cynthia Ruiz had the nerve to say "We have been doing a fabulous job," despite towering piles of filth and a dysfunctional patchwork of city departments that won't communicate with one another and get little done.



While poor people sit amongst the stench what does the Mayor do? He trolls for dough with people who would never have to worry about this kind of problem. 



And it's not just trash. Traffic. Crime.  The economy.  Taxes.  Cuts in City services. Hell they've raised your trash taxes twice already and want to do it again!  We won't get into his personal ethics when it comes to cheating on his wife or fundraising that reeks.  Are you better off today than you were four years ago?



If you say no, you can thank the King of Trash!

Eric Garcetti for Mayor?

Many third floor spinners spill a lot of digital ink claiming how Mayor Villaraiogsa will run unopposed (apparently they're pretending Walter Moore doesn't exist) and coast to victory, despite the prevailing view that the Mayor has produced little in three years and following Mirthala, Hillary and a litany of scandals and missteps that he is damaged goods. Regardless of the spinners' boasts, the list of those seeking to or reported to be seeking to oppose the Mayor's re-election seems to be growing.

Among those noted so far:

Walter Moore
Zev Yaroslavsky
Rick Caruso
Zuma Dogg
Magic Johnson

And now the latest - and with a website seeking to draft him to boost - is Council President Eric Garcetti.

While there's no word yet that Garcetti is running he would make an interesting choice. As President of the City Council he's been tested as Acting Mayor during Mayor Villaraigosa's many absences from the City, is considered to be quite intelligent, articulate and likable and speaks Spanish better than the Mayor. Whether than translates to Garcetti being able to roll up the support for a successful run remains to be seen. One thing for sure is that were the Council President to be elected Mayor he could claim to be the first Latino/Italian/Jewish person to do so in LA history.

RELATED STORY: Zuma Dogg reports discussion is heating up within Magic Johnson's inner circle as to whether the basketball legend and successful businessman plans to run for Mayor or not.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Rudd High School, Rudd, Iowa. Photo by Mayor Sam

Looks like the website for former Mayor galpal Mirthala Salinas' upcoming wedding to real estate agent Yanni Raz has been taken down. Curbed LA and Franklin Avenue linked to the site last week; but click on the link now and you get an error. Google's cache however can show you at least some of what was there. The best part of the site is a section called "My Woman is Back on Track Again."

The LA Times reports that more and more non-Latino elected City officials are speaking bilingually these days. Laura Chick, Wendy Greuel and Jan Perry have began to speak in Spanish as well as English; though the 52 year old Perry once told someone she was pregnant when she meant embarrassed.

El LA Times informa que más eligió a la Ciudad de los funcionarios que no son latinos son bilingües hablando estos días. Laura Chick, Wendy Greuel y Jan Perry uso de la palabra en español y en Inglés, aunque los 52 años de edad, Perry dijo una vez alguien que estaba embarazada cuando ella significaba avergonzado.

This might be some good information for Zev's Mayoral campaign. He's been saying that the current zoning "as is" allows for the construction of enough housing to meet LA's forecast needs without developers or politicians needing variances or other big changes to existing plans, law and codes. A new study confirms that.

Daily News columnist Mariel Garza doesn't get it in a recent screed on illegal aliens and the economy. Her point is the economy sucks, so fewer jobs means illegal aliens will be incentivized to come here and the racists who hate them should be happy. The point is that the concern over illegal immigration - and chiefly illegal immigrants who are gang members - is not about racism or any other red herring you want to toss out there. What is it about the word illegal do you not get. And the honest truth is that it's the illegal and legal gang members who are terrorizing their own the most and who are hurt the most. Not those whom you refer to as racists.

On the other hand the News had a great op-ed piece Sunday from Doug McIntyre. He points out the usual liberal hypocrisy (much of what we saw in the comments section here over the weekend) of the City Clowncil when it comes to Jamiel's death: Politicians are either indifferent or uncomfortable talking about a Black youth murdered by a Latino. Had Pedro Espinosa been Peter Epperson Council Members like Richard Alarcon, Bill Rosendahl, Ed Reyes et al would be blaming talkradio for Jamiel's murder. The saddest part of it all mentioned in Doug's piece (and pointed out as well by Zuma Dogg in the comments here) is the joking, laughing and lack of attentiveness by Council Members during Anita Shaw's address, leading her nine year old son to ask his mother "Why are they laughing?"

The Mayor has a goal to plant a million trees in LA. He's claiming credit for having planted over a 100,000 so far. David Zahniser (via Siel at the LA Times eco-blog) spills the beans that the city includes in that count thousands of little seedlings handed out to people as "planted" whether there's any verification if the baby trees were placed in the ground or not. Yet again, the usual song & dance and smoke & mirrors from the Mayor's office.

Remember the name Jim Beall. He's an idiot Democratic (what else) Assemblyman from San Jose who wants to increase the tax on beer some 1500%. No word yet on what Gail Goldberg thinks of the plan.

Actors Glenn Close and Ethan Hawke were part of 1400 Screen Actors Guild members who circulated a petition insisting that only actors who work regularly (traditionally a small percentage of SAG's overall membership) should be allowed to vote on the union's next contract with producers.

They don't want any more jails in Lancaster. Rick Orlov reports that residents near the Mira Loma Detention Center are adamant about constructing a new jail there.

Britney Spears has done it again. She rear ended another vehicle with her Mercedes on the freeway Saturday night.

In the Former Fishwrap of Record, Richard S. Ginell reviews conductor Ivan Fischer shepherding the premiere of Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday night. Ginell recounts the excitement upon hearing that all too familiar first bass note, but was a bit disappointed overall, saying "the performance seemed to give in to the temptation of losing itself in all that color while sacrificing propulsion and power." Of course, there's always this cool version of "Sprach" below:

Los Angeles Magazine scores with Mirthala

Shawn Hubler scores the first interview with the symbol of "SANCHA WATCH" Mirthala Salinas.

In a interview that will be posted online tomorrow (story is up as of Friday morning). Mirthala tells all and more important breaks more news with the story behind the "ring" on the finger.

For the likes of former beaus Alex Padilla, Fabian Nunez and Mayor Tony Villar, Friday will not come soon enough, especially for Villar.

More links ahead as this news cycle gets underway.

Link to all things "Mirthala"

Link to "Sancha Watch"

LA Times David Zahniser has this up on the Times website

Will the City Council authorize overtime for the "THIRD FLOOR SPIN CHAMBER"???

****Mirthala in the interview confirms the "John and Ken" story about her hospitalization last fall and the connection to her fiance "Yanni", here is our post on that story.

Curbed LA has the link to Mirthala and Yanni's Wedding Page

Outtakes from CD 14, "The Cut and Paste Capital of Los Angeles"

Quiet greetings from a certain "enclave" within CD 14. One these days must keep a low profile or face the wrath of the "Empress of E.....", shhhhhh. One can also be on the blunt end of Ed Rivera's verbal sparring partner who name rhymes with Shaft. But if one runs into the "Minister of Spin" who wants to give you a "High Five", gently turn face away before laughing.

Down below in the flats, news galore.

The Greater Highland Park Neighborhood Council has a excellent message board to promote community interaction, meeting and activities. On Monday April 14, 7:00 PM at Ramona Hall. The Highland Park Heritage Trust will meet to discuss the latest "Ed Reyes inspire" development by "McCormick, Baron, and Salazar". (Did a certain "Friend of Carol" once hold a V.P. position with this company??).

All eyes await the posting of the next Recreation and Parks Commission agenda. Word is that the topic of the Autry National Center Expansion Plan will be on the docket. On can link the Rec. and Park website or link to the Friends of the Southwest Museum. The meeting is schedule for Wednesday, April 16, 5:30 AM at the Montecito Senior Center.

Big gathering expected tomorrow evening at the Puente Learning Center located on 501 S. Boyle beginning at 6:00 PM. The subject is the on-going brouhaha on "Proposed Mural' for the new Hollenbeck Police Station. Word is that the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN AS JOSE HUIZAR" will be live in person.

We like to help facilitate the movement toward community reconciliation by offering examples of persons, places, or things that can be incorporated into the new mural.

People: Paul Gonzalez, Oscar De La Hoya, Art Snyder, Edward Roybal, The "Big O", "Lil O Tonio", Monica Garcia, Richard Alatorre, Zellman Family, Manuel at the Tepayac.

Places: Boyle Hotel, Sears, Tepayac, Mercado, Soto and Cesar Chavez, Wyvernwood, Pueblo del Sol, Ramona Gardens, Breed Street Slo, Roosevelt, Hollenbeck Lake, County-USC.

Things: Paleta Cart, Hollenbeck and Manuel Burritos, Lowrider and magazine, Protest March, Police Car, 8 track player, Art Lebow/KRLA Gear and more.........

San Gabriel Valley Tribune has story on a private group of investors who have approached MTA about financing the missing link between the 710 and 210 freeways. This of course will inspire various responses from the different players in this decades long saga.

Trolleys and Dubai on Broadway??? Speculation is running rampant on the "real" reason for the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN AS JOSE HUIZAR" trip to Dubai as broken by the "FORMER BLOGGIN MENTOR OF MAYOR SAM".

****THANKS TO "CAPTAIN JACK" FOR THIS****

Good afternoon Red Spot (tips hat):So, Mirthala is engaged to marry a former beaux? (Muses) Do you suppose she'll invite His Nibbs to the wedding?
April 09, 2008 3:32 PM

Here's the link regarding Los Angeles Magazine who gets the exclusive interview. (will be posted online tomorrow.