Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Sunday

Alex Walker, a computer programmer and activist in peace and civil rights causes, has announced as a Green Party candidate in the special election to fill the seat of State Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas who was elected to the County Board of Supervisors in November.  Walker stated, "Republicans and Democrats in California are dysfunctional. Voters voted for Obama for president and Mark Ridley-Thomas for county supervisor with a promise of a 'New Politics.'  Also seeking the seat are Democratic Assemblymen Mike Davis, of Los Angeles and Curren Price, Ridley-Thomas' hand picked successor, of Inglewood. 

LAist offers it predictions for 2009, among which includes the forecast that "Bob Hertzberg, Eric Garcetti, and Tavis Smiley all launch mayoral campaigns."  Sorry guys, the filing period is long over and the race is between Mayor V, Zuma Dogg and Walter Moore.

Former Mr. Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, is dating again.  Wags say  he's been seen canoodling with a six-foot tall blonde one year younger than the pop princess who bore (some of) his children.  Apparently Britney is pissed.

Following our campaign to return the venerable broadcaster to the KTLA announcer's booth at the Rose Parade on New Year's Day, Stephanie Edwards re-joined Bob Eubanks and his new hip after a two year exile.  As such, KTLA once again racked up the highest ratings of any parade coverage in LA.

Stephanie Edwards Returns to Rose Parade

After a nearly two year petition campaign by this blog, KTLA is returning Southern California broadcasting legend Stephanie Edwards to join Bob Eubanks as co-host for coverage of the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade.

You may remember that Stephanie was unceremoniously dumped by KTLA two years ago for a younger model, Michaela Pereira.  They've now had a change of heart.

In early 2007 this blog undertook a petition drive to convince KTLA to bring Edwards back.  Look like it worked.  Nearly 350 people signed the petition.  Signer April Pazmino summed up many of Edwards' fans' feeling when she posted "Without Stephanie, watching the parade is painful."

I have to admit when Stephanie didn't come back in 2008 I pretty much gave up hope as I had given up hope that John McCain might actually pick Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Looks like January 1, 2009 will be pain-free for you April. Congrats everyone!

You Love a Parade

JM, Christmas: Unpleasant Guy on Stilts on Pleasant Residential Street near Hollywood & Highland, 12.25.07 / click to enlarge

Joseph Mailander a guy in la • elsewhere • email

If you're wondering about Stephanie Edwards: No.

Two-thousand-six in the rain was her last year working the Rose Parade for KTLA. Dour Bob and Bubbly Michaela will be working the Rose Parade for KTLA next Tuesday. No more Steph on New Year's no more. Life just hasn't been the same for any of us since Lucky's became Albertson's anyway. It's small consolation to be able to watch Cal Poly building its float at the station's website.

And why hasn't the DooDah Parade registered yet? Because this year, it's on January 20. Please recommend to the non-authorities that Zuma Dogg be Grand Marshal. Maybe he's not available or willing, but to me it seems a natural.

BTW, this year the DooDah parade disorganizers promise that all the participants must submit to drug tests, and must test positive.

Speaking of doo dahs on parade, a few of you wondered who this guy Jonathan, who I photographed standing by his trusty Kawasaki in front of Jan's on Beverly, was. It's Jonathan Shaw, counterculture writer / schlock-artist / metaphysician. His myspace page is here. No doubt he's male, but I really doubt he's been 20 for a while.

Lucky Is Back!

An old friend is back in Southern California shaking up the local supermarket landscape somewhat. Over the years, a number of supermarket mergers have seen the loss of familiar nameplates. Now yet another merger is leading to the return of a popular retailer.

Sometime back, the Alberston's chain acquired the popular discount chain, Lucky. Albertsons sold some locations and converted the remainder to the Albertsons brand. Now, some stores are being rebranded as Lucky.

This resurrection is due to Albertsons acquisition by the Supervalu chain and their desire to head off a challenge by another chain to use the Lucky trademark. Albertsons' new brand strategy is to upscale their stores in desirable markets and re-introduce the Lucky name and outlet supermarket concept in middle and lower income neighborhoods.

Now, will they bring back Stephanie Edwards for their commercials?