Dodgers Brand Slammed

By Daniel Guss

@TheGussReport on Twitter - The Azul is singing the blues these days as it discovers capitalism isn't always a home run.

Dodger Stadium - Photo: California by Choice

Until a few weeks ago, few institutions in Southern California had a stronger brand than the Los Angeles Dodgers, except perhaps the late legend himself, Vin Scully.

But make no mistake, this emotional embrace of the boys in blue is pure one-sided capitalism.  If the Dodgers could get you to buy oxygen, they would.

San Francisco pitcher Juan Marichal (27) swings a bat at Dodgers catcher John Roseboro as Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax, right, tries to break it up on Aug. 22, 1965. (Robert H. Houston / Associated Press)

Yet its brand recently took it on the cabeza like John Roseboro took it from Juan Marichal in '65.

I explain in my latest free column on DanielGuss.Substack.com.   

The Seventh Game Morning Brief on a Historic Sports Day in LA

On this Seventh Game .........., Dodger Blue will be the Official Color of Civic Unity as Angelinos prep to view (and Law Enforcement secure) the FIRST World Series Game Seven in Los Angeles History. ** The Morning After: Props to the Houston Astros on their FIRST World Series Championship. 

The Calm before the Seventh Game.

** Blogger's Notes: As we keyboard these words, Mother Nature's Ground Crew is about ready to roll up the Morning Overcast Tarp, unveiling a BEAUTIFUL Dodger Blue of Civic Unity ........., on this Historic Seventh Game in LA.

Read more »

HOT (errr, Overcast) Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

As thousands of Doyer Blue-clad Fans gather to celebrate Opening Day 2017 of Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball, LAPD will be drawing down (again) patrolling, traffic (and other) resources from ALL Divisions, to protect "Blue Heaven on Earth" ........, while subjecting the rest of Angelinos to longer waits for Law Enforcement Services.

LAPD patrolling Elysian Park on Opening Day.

** Blogger's Notes: As the Sun seeks to burn through a thick Marine Layer this A.M., thousands of Dodgers Fans are gathering in Elysian Park for the Annual Opening Day Pre-game Tailgating Festivities ........., and LAPD is ready (read advisory). From Traffic, Metro, Detective in Uniforms (for the day) and Patrol Divisions, CITY-WIDE, law enforcement resources will be stretched thin, to ensure that dastardly types such as ex. President Barack "H" Obama's favorite "JV Team", or recently-paroled Raiders Fans (in Springtime Blue), do not cause a ruckus. But as the "Thin Blue Line" deploys to protect "Blue Heaven on Earth", discerning Angelinos need to seriously ponder the adverse impact of large-scale deployments, in regards to sustaining adequate response to serious criminal incidents in ALL areas of the city.

** A SIMMERING LGBT COMUNITY BACKLASH/PROTEST OVER PENDING CLOSING OF DOWNTOWN LA's NEW JALISCO BAR? While 34th Congressional District Candidate Sara Hernandez markets herself as the best-trained to deal with "Bully President Donald Trump", its apparent that the recent Downtown LA District Office Director/Special Council for CD-14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, largely IGNORED the area's striving LGBT Community concerns about the future of The New Jalisco Club on Main Street. According to sources, anger is growing over the fact that Councilman Huizar will not help The New Jalisco Bar Owners .........., and may face a pending "Public Backlash" in the NEAR future.  

The New Jalisco Bar on Main Street.

Did Sara Hernandez and her Ex. Boss CD-14 City Councilman Jose Huizar ignore concerns about the pending closure of the iconic New Jalisco Club?

A Healing Gathering of "Blue Heaven on Earth" comes to Ramona Gardens

As tensions ease within the Ramona Gardens Community from the recent Fire-bombing Attacks targeting African-American Families, a healing dose of "Blue Heaven on Earth" makes a community visit.  

 Israel Ortiz (and infant son) with LA Dodgers First Baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

**Blogger's Note: Please pardon this Blogger on a Father's Day morning for sharing a moment of RG community pride. In the weeks following the race-targeting Fire-bombings of African-American Families within the Ramona Gardens Housing Development, a peaceful calm has return to the neighborhood, thanks in part to the joint efforts from the likes of the Housing Authority of the City Los Angeles (HACLA), the LAPD's Community Safety Policing (CSP) Officers assigned to Ramona Gardens, and the RG Resident Advisory Council among others. The cause of Community Healing and Unity was further served by a visit by players from "Blue Heaven on Earth", the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. The likes of Clayton Kershaw, Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Either and Manager Don Mattingly spent some quality time among community members as photos via RG RAC President Maggie Ortiz clearly show. President Ortiz, HACLA, LA City Recreation & Park, the LAPD CSP Officers, Doritos, the Dream Center and the Los Angeles Dodgers Organization, should be commended for their efforts in coordinating this healing event----Scott Johnson       



 A early Father's Day gift for Israel Ortiz

 LA Dodgers Andre Either signing autographs.

 LA Dodgers Clayton Kershaw spending quality time among the youth of the community (above and below). 

LA Dodgers Andre Either as the Dream Center coordinates food giveaway in the background.

Happy Father's Day!!

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Its Magic Time at Chavez Ravine!!

"Move over Frank, its Magic Time at Chavez Ravine"

The Special Los Angeles relationship with a Michigan kid name Earvin who brought Magic (and championships) to the hardwood court, now enters another chapter as Earvin "Magic" Johnson nears becoming a part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Statement below.  

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Frank McCourt Announce Agreement With Guggenheim Baseball Management

LOS ANGELES, March 27, 2012 – The Los Angeles Dodgers and Frank McCourt today announced an agreement under which Guggenheim Baseball Management LLC (“GBM”) will acquire the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2 billion upon completion of the closing process.  The purchasing group includes Mark R. Walter as its controlling partner, as well as Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Peter Guber, Stan Kasten, Bobby Patton and Todd Boehly.  Mr. McCourt and certain affiliates of the purchasers will also be forming a joint venture, which will acquire the Chavez Ravine property for an additional $150 million.

The Los Angeles Dodgers stated, “This transaction underscores the Debtors’ objective to maximize the value of their estate and to emerge from Chapter 11 under a successful Plan of Reorganization, under which all creditors are paid in full.”

Frank McCourt stated, “This agreement with Guggenheim reflects both the strength and future potential of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and assures that the Dodgers will have new ownership with deep local roots, which bodes well for the Dodgers, its fans and the Los Angeles community.  We are delighted that this group will continue the important work we have started in the community, fulfilling our commitment to building 50 Dream Fields and helping with the effort to cure cancer.”

Earvin “Magic” Johnson stated, “I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles.”

Great Day in Los Angeles Sports History!

Scott Johnson in CD 14

The Cleansing of the Los Angeles Dodgers has begun

A civic gem above a City of Angels.

The return of integrity to the Dodgers Brand took a big step forward this afternoon when Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig rejected Frank McCourt's Fox TV Bailout/Contract Proposal. Selig took umbrage at the fact that $175 Million of upfront money would be use to pay off the ex and the lawyers.

Meanwhile in an downtown parole hearing, the "person of interest" in the Bryan Stow Beating Case Giovanni Ramirez, was found to have violated conditions of parole and remitted into the California Prison System.

Now is the time for Selig to end the "Reign of the McCourts" and find a strong owner who will rid the Dodgers of the likes of Sunkin, Freebie Villar, Sugerman, Steve "Mini-Riordan I" Soboroff and restore Chavez Ravine to its family-themed refuge from the realities of LA politics.

Link here to read MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's Statement.

McCourt going the litigation route?

"Frank McCourt Must Go": The facts behind how the McCourts looted the Dodgers to fund their lifestyles.

Your thoughts..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14  .

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on the Local Political Scene

"Splitsville for Dodgers Owner's Frank and Jamie McCourt"

As the waning pre-dawn darkness gives ways to a "Dodger Blue Sky Day" in Los Angeles, Dodger fans and local observers are speculating on the future of the Dodgers franchise, in the wake of the news that team owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie have separated, from the LA Times.

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie, the team's chief executive, have separated, raising questions about the potential effect of their rift on the ownership of the franchise as the Dodgers prepare to start the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies today at Dodger Stadium.

The McCourts, who have dual homes in West LA and Malibu, have not been seen together in public in recent weeks which cause speculation on the status of their marriage. During the recent playoff series with the St. Louis Cardinals, the McCourts sat in separate rows in their normal location on the field level of Dodger Stadium.

The separations of the McCourts also will have an affect on the proposed entertainment and retail complex that was to be built in the parking area beyond the outfield of the stadium. It was the McCourt's vision to revamp their Dodger Stadium property into a year-round entertainment, retail, and sports destination.

Frank McCourt, in seeking support for his plans at Dodger Stadium, has build relationships with local politicians such as County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, State Assemblyman Kevin De Leon and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is an frequent guest in McCourt's stadium box. The relationship between Frank McCourt and Mayor Villaraigosa has grown to the point where McCourt was an invitee to water speculator and "pal of Villar". Keith Brackpool's Birthday party for Mayor Villaraigosa. Some would say that too much contact with Mayor Villaraigosa can be harmful for your marriage, who knows??

But for Jamie McCourt, if her separation from husband Frank leads to divorce, we have someone in mind for her who may have shown supposed "feelings" in the past. But that is only speculation.

** Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal reports that divorce is the final recourse and it may get nasty.

OTHER NEWS:

** File this story under the continuing "War on Domestic Terrorists". LA Weekly's Christine Pelizek has a must read on the human price of our continuing battles against street gangs. "The Assassination of Deputy Abel Escalante" details the role of the Mexican Mafia and their Avenues Gang allies in the cold-blooded murder of Los Angeles Sheriff Deputy Abel Escalante.

** "Pensiongate 09" makes its return to the pages of the "Old Gray Westside Hag on Spring Street". The Times reports that CalPERS is investigating $50 millions dollars in fees paid to Arvco Financial Ventures, headed by Alfred Villalobos. Villalobos was an Deputy Mayor for five months in 1993, during the reign of Mayor Richard Riordan.

** LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald reports on the efforts of LA City Councilman's Koretz, Smith and Parks, in "slicing and carving" budgetary pieces from the LAPD and the verbal retorts from out-going LAPD Chief Bill Bratton.

** Another day and a DWP water main gives away again. This time on Sunset Blvd.

** Attention Dodgers fans, because of today's game start time, it is recommended that you arrive 2.5 hours early if you have tickets. Plus, is "gridlock" coming to local sports events courtesy of Los Angeles budget woes??

** And we leave you with this. What City Council "Chief of Staff" would place calls to constituents on Saturdays and accuse them of being bloggers??

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

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

A group of bicycle activists staged an action in Hollywood Saturday night to protest for their rights.  In the meantime though a Twitterer found several bicyclists stocking up on libations at a nearby CVS drug store.

Zach at LAist reports that two same-sex marriage measures are in the works for the California 2010 ballot. One would resincd Proposition 8; the other would replace all marriage, gay and straight, with domestic partnership.

My friend and occasional Mayor Sam blogger Edward Headington doesn't get why Measure B failed. Ed says "I am still a little surpised that Measure B did not pass given the green mood of the populace."  We are all for green solutions but what Ed may have missed is that the angry mood of the populace was stronger on B than the green mood.

L:A Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt says he's not planning to provide funding for shuttle buses to Dodger Stadium.  CurbedLA reports McCourt commenting "But it's a few buses. We need robust, muscular public transit for Dodger Stadium to be a vibrant place. But that applies to the whole city, doesn't it?"

It appears most of our readers who spoke up wouldn't shed a tear if newspapers went the way of the dinosaurs. James Rainey writing in the LA Times contends that were local papers to die it would give a blank check to local politicians to be shady with the fishwraps no longer watching them. That would however presume rags like The Times were actually covering municipal politics to begin with.

Speaking of dying fishwraps here's an ironic tale. Though newspaper subscriptions are way down someone is posing as a door to door Daily News salesman as a ruse to rob the place.

Villaraigosa Diddles While LA Burns

Hat tip to LAist.

Community activists like Joe B are rounding up refugees and horses, other volunteers are providing aid to victims and supporting our brave firefighters.

Yet where was Mayor Villaraigosa while LA burned?

For sure, the "11/100 Mayor" showed up on the scene just in time for a photo opp and the 5:00 news.

So where was the Mayor tonight?

On the scene? At shelters comforting victims? In the City's Emergency Operations Center? At Getty House with several news channels on and his cell phone on his lap? Headed to King Taco in Montebello to pick up some grub for the LAFD?

Nope.

Our "concerned" Mayor was at Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium, "celebrating" in the private luxury suite of Dodger owners Frank and Jaime McCourt (Frank you need to watch these local politicians around your wife ).

And he left just in time to have a press conference for the 11:00 p.m. news.



By the way, the Dodgers lost.

And County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky stayed on the scene all day.

Why Does Obama Hate The Dodgers?

With our Dodgers down 2-zip to the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series yet another insult was hurled on the Big Blue Wrecking Crew.

Presidential candidate Barack Obama announced he is rooting for the Phillies.

No doubt Obama has California locked up and needs Pennsylvania votes. But to dis our Dodgers?

Nomar Garciaparra is scheduled to start tonight in game three of the series tonight at Chavez Ravine.

Nomar! NOBama!

(Oh and before some of you humorless dum dums run down your keyboards I don't actually think nor care if Barack Obama hates the Dodgers.)

A "Perfect Storm" of traffic and assorted items for Saturday

Streets and alleys or the 110 freeway??

Events galore to test the north-south traffic artery known as the 110 Freeway, just hope that angioplase is not needed by late evening. Here is a narrative for today's "Bumper to Bumper Fest" on the San Pedro to Pasadena Highway.

****"Palinfest" at the "No Home Depot Complex" in Carson at 2:00 PM. Good for the 110 that most of the crowd will approach from the east beyond the Orange Curtain, with exception of Zuma Dogg and a certain "NO HO VALLEY PALIN GUY".

Memo to a certain "LA Times Blogger in Malibu", does your buddy "Observing West LA Life and your Times", aka "WWG", allow comments on his blog??, Then why the cheap shot "Headline" on Palin?? A little hypocritical in my opinion...

BREAKING NEWS!! 26,000 + REQUEST FOR TICKETS, OVERFLOW AREA BEING MADE AVALIBLE FOR MASSIVE CROWD

****USC, that four year community college on Fig., attempts to make it 0-2 against the Oregon schools at 5:00 PM, weather permitting. (One hate to see "Elmers the Mule" get wet, makes for messy glue)

****The "Mighty Azuls" seek to send Cubs fans back to their grave sites in Cook County where they will find their absentee ballots already cast in favor of "THE ONE". Sweep festivities begin at 7:00 PM.

****UCLA intramurals will commence at 7:15 PM in the "Jewel of the Arroyo Seco". Rumor is that a game will be played against a certain Eastern Washington team before the main event.

****Huma and her friend Hillary Clinton will raise cash for that fund to pay off the debt to Mike Trujillo and friends in regards to their hard work on behalf of Clinton-Villar 08 Campaign, err Obama. Cash only at the Edison Club on 2nd street this evening. (KFWB reports that Hillary hosted event for her California campaign staffers last evening.)

****Neil Diamond will belt out "Song, Song, Blue (hairs)" for a capacity crowd of manic fans who can venture across the "405 Divide" and make to Staples by 8:00 PM. One can expect Diamond to belt out the hits influence by the mystical "Tin Pan Alley".

****For the younger crowd, the area around City Hall is the site of the LA Weekly's "Detour Music Festival" which runs through Sunday. One must wonder if they were given a Special Event Waiver, this after the Weekly's deconstruction of "11/100" Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

......and for a late night/ early morning meal, there is the "Original Pantry", Richard Roirdan will appreciate your business.

Only in Los Angeles!!

But can this screwball hit a screwball?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND. LUV YUH!
Haikula

LOS ANGELES — A man faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing a uniform from Dodger Stadium and posing as one of the team's players.

Ronald Higgins pleaded not guilty to several charges Friday, including burglary and trespassing.

The 47-year-old Higgins was arrested Wednesday morning after a security guard found him walking on the field in a Dodgers uniform and holding a glove with two balls. Higgins allegedly identified himself as a Dodgers player, but the guard recognized him from an earlier incident and called police.

Prosecutors say Higgins' clothes were later found in the bat boys' locker room. It was not immediately clear where he got the uniform.

If convicted, Higgins could spend nearly four years in state prison.

Attempts to locate an attorney for Higgins were not successful Friday night.

Happy %*$%! Birthday

Tommy Lasorda was born on this date in 1927, making him 81 years old.

During his brief career as a pitcher, Tommy was a pathetic 0-4 with a 6.48 Earned Run Average, and just 37 strikeouts. He had much greater success as the Dodgers' manager, with a 1,599-1,439 record and two World Series titles.

Here is yet another classic Lasorda rant.

(Keep the volume low if you're in a workplace!)

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Releasing it late Friday thinking you might not notice (but we can run it first thing Monday morning of course), the City of Los Angeles paid nearly one quarter of a million dollars to for a junket to Israel attended by Mayor Villaraigosa, staffers, Council Members and several local community and business leaders. The Mayor defended the cost of the trip saying that he learned much about airport security in Israel and told the LA Times "I think the taxpayers of Los Angeles can go to bed knowing that the mayor of Los Angeles is doing everything he can to secure our airport and protect . . . the safety of the people of the city."

The City Council will soon be voting on a Hollywood condo development near the legendary Capitol Records building. The City Planning Commission has approved the project but Capitol and it's parent, EMI have filed an appeal as construction will temporary halt recording and potentially damage the famous studios at the site where records have been cut by everyone from Nat King Cole to Green Day. The clowns at the City Council really need to re-think this one. This would be like building condos next to The Louvre.

The Daily News opines that the Los Angeles Unified School District has two Superintendents, one the actual Superintendent Admiral David Brewer who they call a figurehead; the other Deputy Superintendent Ray Cortines who actually runs the show. The problem is we're paying big bucks for both.

The City has worked out a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers to offer shuttle service from Union Station to Dodger Stadium, providing public transit to the ballpark for the first time in several years. The City will pick up the $70,000 price tag for the service which will start after the All-Star break and the Dodgers will cover the costs of marketing. The City is hoping for an average of 1000 riders per home game.

Britney Spears is now an aunt! Marking the latest chapter in a saga of a fabulously wealthy yet still white trash family, the pop diva's 17 year old sister Jaime-Lynn on Thursday gave birth to a daughter - Maddie Briann - in Mississippi. Auntie Brit was on hand but has since returned home to Los Angeles to terrorize the freeways.

Dodgers get their Star with Politicos in tow

Props to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for being honor on their 50th Anniversary in Los Angeles with a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Owners Frank and Jamie McCourt were front and center for the festivities with the likes of Ron "The Penguin" Cey, Jamie Jarrin, Vin Scully, current players, and our "UNCLE TOMMY LASORDA".

No signs of anyone from the O'Malley Family in the audience, maybe that has to do with the current state of affairs at Chavez Ravine on the field.

But leave it to some of our local politicos to sniff out a prime "photo op" and insert themself into the proceedings.

In the photo above "Mayoral Candidate??" City Council President Eric Garcetti, is flanked by "Closet Republican" State Senator Mark Ridley- Thomas, who Frank McCourt endorsed for Board of Supervisor, and Assemblyman Kevin De Leon, who may have some "latent feelings" for one of the McCourts as stated by a previous poster.

Your thoughts appreciated.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Okay, enough of the jokes and onto the real news. Happy April Fool's Day!

Walter Moore is advocating for "Jamiel's Law," in honor of Jamiel Shaw, an innocent high school student who was killed by illegal alien gang members. The law will end "sanctuary city" policies at least for gang members and criminals and allow police to question criminal aliens, ones that Mayor Villaraigosa says don't exist. Maybe the Mayor needs to ask the community. Moore says he will announce some high level support for the effort Tuesday morning.

Our favorite ex-motorcycle cop Dennis Zine joins with Zuma Dogg and State Senator Carole Migden in supporting medical marijuana. Good move.

Developer J.H. Snyder announces plans for the final phase of the NoHo Commons development at the North Hollywood Red Line Station. Among the features a Laemmle Theatres, restaurants and office space.

Over at MS2 The CW (no not the television network) recounts his personal account of the mess that was transporting fans from Dodger Stadium to the Coliseum for an anniversary exhibition game.

Discovered a great local sports related blog: Sons of Steve Garvey. A handful of apparent anony-bloggers cover the ins and outs of the Big Blue Machine (that's the LA Dodgers for those of you non-natives) from the fan point of view.

VoIPNews covers LA implementing the shady Proposition S phone tax on "voice over internet protocol" phone service, apparently in contravention of federal law. Hey that never stopped Tony and The Clown(cil)s.

When does a blog post about soccer giant David Beckham and his diva former Spice Girl wife Victoria become a political story? When of course it recalls the day when Beckham was introduced to LA fans and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa received a solid chorus of boos from those in attendance.

Friday Hotsheet at 3 a.m.

JM, Alley, Echo Park, 12.13.07


Joseph Mailander • recent • email

Send in the Feds: The Writers go to the NLRB. The post-Valenti studios call the move "baseless, desperate." Hello, this is our town calling---things are getting ugly---where is the Mayor?

° ° ° ° °

It's about time the folks at Blue Shield took a little heat, and maybe they will, the Daily News says. "Blue Shield committed serious violations that completely undermine the public trust in our healthcare delivery system," [Callifornia Insurance Commissioner Steve] Poizner said. "Let this be a message to all health insurers that we will not tolerate irresponsible rescissions and shoddy claims handling. We will target this behavior on an industry-wide basis and continue to take appropriate action as needed, " he said.

It sounds like a lot, but it's not much of a message: a $12.6 million fine is a payout equivalent to about 120 patients on chemo. Across the whole state. Wrist. Slap.

And hey: won't they just turn around, plug that fine into some actuarial table, and bill us for it? When an insurance company gets fined, don't the policy holders pay? What they should do is make them restructure in a way that gets rid of $12.6 million worth of managers.

How much do they get out of you each month? Hah. Wait 'til you turn 50. You'll pay that fine yourself.

° ° ° ° °

The Dodgers: juiced from stem to stern, and the Times has a great special report on the Big Blue Wrecked Crew. The South Bay produces a lot of good baseball players, and the Daily Breeze has the local angle and concludes that steroid abuse does not start in high school. Palos Verdes High coach Evan Fuginaga is sensible: "It's better to look forward rather than backward," Fuginaga said. "The focus needs to be on the way we test, not on who needs to be punished. These are guys that a lot of people look up to. In some ways, it makes you ask where we are as a society."

° ° ° ° °

Last night, the LA Press Club bid Matt Welch and Emmanuelle Richard adieu as they prepare for an even tighter real estate market. Spotted: new Times blog go-to guru Tony Pierce, Steve Smith, Luke Ford, Amy Alkon, Brady Westwater, some of the thorny Reason types, and the world's most dangerous fishwrap band. And even with the big crowd on hand, it seemed like about a dozen people were missing, but in truth there was only one.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

Not too long after Mayor Villaraigosa declared NFL football dead at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum talk started anew of a stadium in Chavez Ravine. But I don't think its going to happen. The NIMBY/CAVE/BANANA movement is just too strong and it will take years to get through the lawsuits alone. The honest truth is private landowners just don't have rights anymore.

This sounds like something out of a Sanford and Son episode: Thieves are stealing copper wire from streetlights. Its expensive to replace and before it's fixed a significant number of streetlights in a community will remain off. The valuable material can catch quite a pretty penny from recyclers. Which makes it even dumber that radio station KPCC posts an article showing you the tools necessary and the steps to take for anyone who wants to join in on this thievery.

The City of Los Angeles wants to blanket the City with free wireless internet. That's good for Zuma Dogg and anyone else who wants to remote blog; the problem is no city government yet has been able to figure it out. However, a number of non-profit community based initiatives are working well. How about leaving it to the private sector?

Just about every politician in Los Angeles has a plan to raise taxes and cries poverty when it comes to the municipal budget. However the Daily News reports that the City has wasted millions of dollars mismanaging state and federal grants. In an audit of the process, City Controller Laura Chick found there is no tracking or central management of grants leading to missing out on some grants or spending more money to get the grant than the grant is worth.

The MTA loses nearly $7 million a year to fare scofflaws who don't adhere to it's "honor system" of no turnstiles on it subway and rail lines. Now the MTA is considering putting in East Coast style gates on the entrance to the lines, requiring a fare payment to ride. However, some idiot writing in the Former Local Fishwrap of Record thinks that the multi-million dollar fare loss is a small "price to pay for the architectural and aesthetic benefits" of the stations' "openness."

How do you get to do a major real estate development and trick the NIMBYs and local Clowncilman to get on board? Dig up historic plans that show your project was supposed to be there all along.

I don't know how I missed this, but over a month ago Luke Ford reported a woman who looks a lot like a television reporter we all knew and some (well one) loved checked into Sherman Oaks Hospital's maternity ward.

Fellow Mirthala Banger Speaker Fabian Nunez's spending sprees are going to mess it up for all the other pols. The California Fair Political Practices Commission is considering regulations to crack down on the use of campaign funds for personal use.

LAist calls Clown Prince of the City Clowncil Tom LeBong a "grinch" for claiming the DWP's annual holiday light show in Griffith Park is "green." Critics say the event is far from green especially considering the fact that LeBong and the DWP have banned bicyclists from riding the city streets through the show in contravention of state law.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Duke Helfand writing in the Former Fishwrap of Record says that Mayor Villaraigosa "faces a steep climb to California's top job." A number of self inflicted wounds have proably derailed his efforts to seek the Governor's seat in 2010 and greased the skids for others such as former Governor and current Attorney General Jerry Brown. Of course, I told you that months ago.

Mayor Villaraigosa and Wacko Jacko announced a plan to make Pico and Olympic virtually one way streets in opposite directions in an attempt to deal with traffic. Riddle me this Batman, if the same number of cars more or less travel in different directions on each street, isn't this like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic? The cars have to go one place or another. The answer isn't changing direction but reducing the number of cars, one way or another. Stakeholders in the area claim that the Mayor and Jacko have done little to consult the community on the plan.

Walter Moore asks "Has Mayor Villaraigosa really reduced crime?" Good question, as the Mayor and Chief Bratton blow each other's horns falling crime rates are really based on a long term demographic shift and efforts taken back during the Clinton Administration. Nice try boys.

Not only is Sunland-Tujunga unfriendly to business, but formerly Republican Orange County has also caught NIMBY fever. Its so virulent that while folks in Huntington Beach are fighting a Costco in their city, BANANAs in neighboring Westminister are joining the fight. Perhaps some CAVEs from the Valley might want to join in.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson writes about a growing resentment among African Americans that Latino politicians are eerily silent on Hispanic gangs that have targeted Blacks with violence.

Urban legends to the contrary, public officials in both cities say that Los Angeles is not paying low income residents from housing projects such as Nickerson Gardens to move to Moreno Valley in the Inland Empire.

In celebration of the Dodger's 50th anniversary in Los Angeles, the baseball team will play an exhibition game versus the World Champion Boston Red Sox at the Los Angeles Coliseum, the team's home before Dodger Stadium was built.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Corporate Welfare Report: The Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox are getting a free spring training facility courtesy of Arizona taxpayers. This ends decades that the Dodgers trained in Vero Beach, Florida at a facility they owned and had to pay taxes at.

Mickey Mouse has joined the NIMBY/CAVE/BANANA movement! That's right Disney is fighting mad that someone wants to build condos and apartments across the street from the Magic Kingdom in Anaheim - all because Disney was too punch drunk from their 50th anniversary celebration and stupidly brought in clueless executives from other parts of the company to run the park, one who had no idea how the politics in Orange County work. So what is Disney doing? Like the best of NIMBYs, they're seeking a political/legal solution.

The Daily News reports that fees paid by developers don't cover the cost of reviewing applications, effectively sticking taxpayers with the bill. However, if there wasn't so much waste, abuse and anti-business regulation surrounding development, this wouldn't be an issue.

Fellow Mirthala Banger Fabian Nunez has lost the support of the prison guards' union for his employment extension act, better known as Propostion 93, a term limits scam being hoisted on voters. Now this is because the prison guards are pissed about not getting the pay raise they wanted. However, it certainly doesn't hurt to have one of the most powerful public employee unions on the right side of an issue.

Post-Script: Special kudos to Joseph Mailander for providing as always insightful, interesting and often amusing contributions to the blog - and especially for stepping up when the old, dead Republican Mayor has been slacking off.