By Neil Rubenstein
Observer Columnist
I just know there are many, many of you out there who are in deep shock over the passing of Alexander Shulgin. He was born in Berkeley, CA on June 17, 1925 and is the scientist who created over 200 compounds used in psychotherapy, including Ecstasy.
Back on Jan. 28, 2014 an Artesia woman’s home was broken into by a man
breaking a kitchen window. He was covered in blood as he wrestled her in the living room. The victim broke away, ran to a neighbor’s home and called 911. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s investigator who responded said it wasn’t a burglary because nothing was stolen, nor was she hurt. The victim, Vivica Keyes, said the deputy brought the intruder’s parents to her home and they asked her not to press charges since their son was never in trouble before. Keyes filed a complaint with Internal Affairs and the complaint was judged to be founded.
The alleged bad guy, Jason Damour, 29, of Long Beach, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vandalism and was sentenced to 36 months probation and 20 days of community service. Keyes’ attorney says a decision is pending to file a lawsuit in civil or federal court.
I wonder whatever happened to the lawsuit filed against Culver City by the Rocs on December 23, 2013. As you all recall, Karen Gibson Roc was crossing Washington Blvd. near Prospect Ave. about 3:15 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2013 was hit by a patrol car while headed to La Ballona Elementary School. It is alleged the police officer was driving at a high rate of speed, with no siren and on the wrong side of Washington Blvd. If the Rocs win, I just bet Culver City will put another raise in the sales tax on the ballot. They will tell us no more crossing guards, no more paramedics and no more firemen on Tuesday or Friday morning because after giving the injured party $6 million or so, the cupboard will be bare. Please don’t worry, the huge pension checks will still go out to those retired city hall employees.
When can I send Maria AKA the wild gypsy lady to the headquarters building of the Culver City Unified School District so she can read the tea leaves? China will continue to be where the jobs are. Visitors from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 2007 were 158,000 and last year brought 570,000. By 2020 we might see as many as two million Chinese tourists annually. They are buying homes, businesses and investments. We will need many Americans who speak Chinese here and there as well.
If you plan to be in Germany you just want to see a copy of Vincent Van Gogh’s ear that was grown using genetic material provided by one of the 19th century Dutch artist’s living relatives. The Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe made the replica using living cells from Lieuwe Van Gogh. It will be on display in New York next year.
The California State Supreme Court ruled against a Southern California woman who challenged a traffic ticket based on red light camera photos and video. Ms. Goldsmith was accused of running a red light in Inglewood in 2009 and fined $436. Her lawyer had called for testimony from the camera’s manufacturer but the Supreme Court said the officer’s testimony in court was sufficient.
Rich Beverly Hills has a money problem. In 2002 their unfunded liabilities for pensions amounted to a mere $2 million. Now, 12 years later, their unfunded liabilities jumped to $126 million.
The Hollywood Museum presented Portrayals and Perceptions of Gays in Hollywood. Call (323) 464-7776 or go to http://www.thehollywoodmuseum.com to see if it has continued to be held over.
In an unusual situation, husband and wife cops in San Diego were arrested after an investigation by their county sheriff’s department for various drug violations.
I see Jamie McCourt sold her Westside estate for $45 million. Jamie bought it 10 years ago for $25 million. I’m about to use my L.A. Unified School skills, so help me if I make a mistake. Okay, a $20 million profit in 10 years. Hmmm . . . I’ll just call my neighbor’s 6th grade son, Jerome, for help. Jerome said Jamie and Frank were co-owners of the Dodgers and the answer is $2 million profit each year. Now do you see how easy that was?
Back in April Jews in the eastern Ukraine city of Donetsk were told they have to register. Leaflets were handed out to those leaving a synagogue ordering Jews to provide a list of property they own and pay a registration fee or else have their citizenship revoked, face deportation and see their assets confiscated. Subsequent investigation indicated the letter was a fake, but still very disturbing because of the anti-Semitic flavor. Adding to the concerns, there are many elderly Jews in Donetsk who would find it extremely hard to leave this rebel stronghold.
Check out the June 2014 issue of “Worst Pills, Best Pills News” published by Public Citizen. If you are taking the following check with your doctor immediately because these medicines are listed as “Do not use” drugs: CELECOXIB (CELEBREX; DICLOFENAC (VOLTAREN); PIROXICAM (FELDENE); KETORALAC (TORADOL); INDOMETHACIN (INDOCIN); MELOXICAM (MOBIC).
Guilty defendants with court-appointed lawyers are more likely to get prison time (71%) than those with private counsel (54%) according to a study of courts in America’s most populous counties.
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