Tsunami waves in Ventura and Santa Monica cause minor damage according to LA Times

Image via Wikipedia

Waves generated from a tsunami hit the Southern California coast Saturday afternoon -- with little damage or drama, according to new reports in the Los Angeles Times.


The National Weather Service said there was a 2.2-foot surge in Santa Monica and a 3-foot surge in Ventura. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department reported minor damage at Ventura Harbor from several buoys washing away.

No other damage of any significance in Southern California has been reported.

Los Angeles County fire officials said they were not warning people to stay off beaches because they did not expect waves to rise more than 3 feet. The surges occurred during low tide, lessening the chances of problems.

For more details go to http://www.latimes.com/



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TSUNAMI WAVES ARE HITTING VENTURA. WEB CAM FROM HAWAII ALSO SHOW FIRST WAVES THERE

Ventura California is preparing for the Tsunami and Fox News is reporting that a wave has already struck our coastline here.

Here is an INCREDIBLE CAM from HILO HARBOR IN HAWAII live from.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tsunami-cam

TSUNAMI WARNING continues for all of Southern California.


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President Obama tells Southern California residents to prepare for "possible Tsunami waves." Could hit San Diego, Malibu and Santa Barbara today beginning at Noon

BREAKING NEWS
10:52 a.m. PST

By Randy Economy
http://www.economy4abc.blogspot.com/

President Barack Obama has warned the West Coast of the United State to prepare for possible Tsunami waves to hit here in wake of the earthquake in Chili.

He also told residents of the Hawaiian Islands, Guam and Samoa to seek higher ground as soon as possible.

Potentially damaging small Tsunami waves are probable today in Southern California in wake of the earthquake in Chili, according to the Tsunami Warning Center.

The 3 meter plus high waves are "possible" to hit at  noon in San Diego,  at 12:00 pm in Malibu, Santa Barbara Harbor at 12:25pm PST, Santa Monica Harbor at 12:15 pm PST, San Pedro Harbor at 12:15pm PST. and 12:30pm.

Remember, a Tsunami wave hits anywhere from 100 to 500 miles a hour and can cause massive damage.

Obama said that residents should seek higher ground, and to listen for instruction from local authorieis.  Be prepared.

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Images from Chile: The massive earthquake. What if this happened in Los Angeles?

Incredible new photos are coming out of Chile and South America from the 8.8 earthquake today.  These are from Getty Images and the Boston Globe.  I cannot even imagine what would happen to Southern California if an 8.8 earthquake hit here. 

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Photos from Chile Earthquake: Massive destruction

These images are from the Boston Globe and Getty Images.  Thanks for these amazing photos from the Chile Earthquake area.

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Tsunami getting ready to hit Hawaiian Islands in aftermath of massive Earthquake from Chile

A tsunami is threatened the Pacific Rim as the 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Chile sending potentially deadly waves across the ocean at the speed of a jetliner.

Hawaii woke residents with sirens, alerting them to the waves. A tsunami warning — the highest alert level — was issued earlier for the island chain. Boats and people near the coast are being evacuated.

My cousins Craig and Neva Beedle are residents (beachfront property) on the island of  Maui.

I hope and pray that they are safe.

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EARTHQUAKE IN CHILE UPGRADED TO 8.8 ON RICHTER SCALE, TSUNAMI REPORTED

Image via Wikipedia

The Earthquake that struck the Santiago, Chile area this morning has been upgraded to an 8.8 Magitude on the famed Richter scale.  It is also being reported that a tsunami has already hit one of the coastal areas in Chile.

A tsunami warning was issued for Chile and Peru by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and a tsunami watch was issued for Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Antarctica.


Soon after, the U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had generated a tsunami that may have been destructive along the Chilean coast near the epicenter.


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• Massive earthquake strikes Chile (news.bbc.co.uk)

MORE ON CHILE EARTHQUAKE: IT WAS VIOLENT AND LASTED 30 SECONDS

Here are some more details about the 8.3 Earthquake that slammed into Chile around an hour ago.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for Chile and Peru, and a less-urgent tsunami watch for Ecuador.

The earthquake hit around 180 miles southwest from Santiago, the capital of Chile.  In comparison, that is around the same distance between Santa Barbara and Riverside, and the area in Chile is heavily populated.

"An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours," the center said.

NBC News is reporting that the shaking was violent, and the earthquake lasted more than 30 seconds.  In comparison, the earthquake that leveled Haiti last month registered a 7.1 on the Richter Scale.  All of the power has been knocked out in Santiago.

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BREAKING NEWS: 8.3 MEGA EARTHQUAKE HITS CHILE

Image via Wikipedia

Breaking News
MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE IN CHILE

By Randy Economy
http://www.economy4abc.blogspot.com/
Feb. 26, 2010 11:24 p.m. PST

A Massive Earthquake that registered a Magnitude 8.3 on the Richter Scale has rocked Chile tonight.

The mega quake took place on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 06:34:17 UTC.

The location is off shore MAULE, CHILE, and is 100 km (60 miles) NNW of Chillan, Chile,  100 km (65 miles) WSW of Talca, Chile, 115 km (75 miles) NNE of Concepcion, Chile and 320 km (200 miles) SW of SANTIAGO, Chile.

By comparison, the massive recent earthquake in Haiti registered only around a 7.1. Stay tuned for details.


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Press Democrat exposes Senator Pat Wiggins shocking outburst in Senate hearing over an empty water canister.

In case you haven't heard about this story out of Sacramento this week, I had to POST this article from the Press Democrat Newspaper from Santa Rosa.  visit the Press Democrat at http://www.pressdemocrat.com/.  I feel sorry for Senator Wiggins, and can only pray for her health.  There comes a point in life when elected officials need to be "removed" from office for ALL of our good.  This is one of those cases.  Agree? Disagree? 

Randy

FROM THE PRESS DEMOCRAT:

Sen. Pat Wiggins shocked onlookers in a packed committee hearing in Sacramento this week when she screamed repeatedly about a water canister that had gone unfilled and she appeared to advance threateningly toward another senator.

Only after security staff moved in and an aide for Wiggins intervened did the 69-year-old Santa Rosa Democrat end the tirade that lasted several minutes.

“It looked like she was going after another senator and totally disrupting the committee,” said a Senate staffer who witnessed the incident. “They tried to proceed as best as they could given the situation. It was pretty shocking.”

The episode, which occurred Wednesday during a meeting of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, represented the latest disturbing outburst for Wiggins, whose odd behavior over the past two years has led to concern she is seriously ill.

Wiggins cited health problems last August when she abandoned her bid for a second four-year term in office. But she and her staff have steadfastly refused to detail those health problems even as they insist they do not prevent her from doing her job.

David Miller, the senator's press aide, declined comment Thursday, but told the Sacramento Bee that it's not “a secret that she (Wiggins) has a medical condition for which she's being treated.”

Miller added that the condition “does not affect her ability to do her job as a senator. But it can make her irritable, and when she's irritable, she lets it be known.”

The senator also has a well-documented hearing problem that her staff says can make it appear as if she is angry or disoriented when she is not.

Wednesday's outburst occurred after members of the audit committee comprised of members of the Senate and Assembly returned to the hearing room following lunch.

The committee agenda included requests for audits of the state Administrative Office of the Courts, school nutrition programs at charter schools and the Every Woman Counts program that offers free breast cancer screening services.

Wiggins got up to refill her water glass but after finding the container empty began screaming, “When are you going to get that stupid stuff?” — apparently directing her ire at committee staff, according to the Senate staffer who witnessed the incident.

Wiggins also walked toward Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, in what some observers interpreted as a threatening gesture. A member of the Capitol security team moved behind Wolk, the Senate staffer said.
A call to Wolk's office seeking comment was returned by Nathan Barankin, a spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.  Barankin, who was not present at the committee hearing, said based on his conversations with Wolk's staff the senator never felt threatened by Wiggins.

He speculated that what some viewed as a threatening move on the part of Wiggins may have been the senator reaching for water in the vicinity of where Wolk sat. “It looked like something different than it was,” Barankin said.  Barankin reiterated Steinberg's previous position that Wiggins is capable of performing the “core duties” of her job, which Barankin defined as being able to conduct business on the Senate floor, evaluating issues and voting.

Asked whether Wednesday's outburst had caused Steinberg to re-evaluate that position, Barankin said, “I'm not going to offer an opinion on something I've heard from others.”

Wiggins did not otherwise participate Wednesday in the discussions regarding committee business, except to cast her vote on whether to approve an audit. One of those votes had to be recalled so that Wiggins could change her vote, all the while with her aide advising her, the Senate staffer said.

Steinberg and Wiggins' staff insist it is up to her whether to discuss her health problems or continue with her job. She has another 10 months in office.  Wiggins did, however, give up six committee posts this year and stepped down as chairwoman of the influential Local Government committee while she undergoes treatment for her medical condition.

Wiggins' staff insisted the re-assignments were at the senator's request and not something forced on her by Senate leadership.  Concerns about Wiggins' stability first aired publicly in 2008 after she swore at a minister testifying in a committee on global warming, exclaiming, “Excuse me, but I think your arguments are bull----.”

Cal-Channel, which televises Capitol proceedings, stopped televising local government hearings that Wiggins chaired. Wednesday's audit committee hearing also was not televised.

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DETAILS ON DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING OF BURGLARY SUSPECT HERE AT SOUTH STREET AND NORWALK BOULEVARD IN ARTESIA/CERRITOS CONTINUE TO EMERGE

6:21 p.m.
By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
Update on Deputy involved shooting in Cerritos/Artesia on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 at Norwalk Boulvard and South Street area in Artesia/Cerritos.

(Lakewood, CA) Sheriff's Homicide Detectives are continuuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding a deputy involved shooting, which occurred earlier today (Friday, Feb. 26, 2010) at the intersection of Norwalk Boulevard and South Street here in Artesia.

Here is how the incident developed....

Detectives have learned that a Deputy from the Lakewood Sheriff's Station and a Deputy from the Cerritos Sheriff's Station, while on routine patrol observed a Chevy Tahoe fail to make a complete stop as it turned south onto Norwalk Boulevard from South Street.  (That's right next to the Taco Bell for you local peeps....)

While Deputies conducted a traffic stop and contacted the occupants inside the vehicle, they learned that the driver was unlicensed. The Deputy then asked both occupants to exit the vehicle as they continued their investigation.  They then got a call about a burglary alarm call was placed at the C.A.R.E. PHARMACY, over at 12146 South Street, near the area where the Deputies had conducted the traffic stop.

As the Deputy spoke with the driver of the vehicle, he saw evidence inside the car which indicated that the occupants were "possible connected" to the burglary. 

When the Deputies attempted to detain the driver and the passenger regarding a possible burglary investigation, the passenger broke free from the Deputy and fled the scene.

The driver jumped back into the vehicle then attempted to run over the other Deputy. This is when the Deputy involved shooting took place, and the suspect continued driving south on Norwalk Boulvard and out of view.

Deputies then learned that the Tahoe was registered to an address in the Sheriff's Department Lennox Station service area.   Deputies located the suspect sitting in the Tahoe suffering from two gun shot wounds to the upper torso.

Los Angeles County Fire Paramedics responded and transported the suspect to a local hospital where he is listed in critical but stable condition.  

The second suspect was not located, and no Deputies were injured.

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BREAKING NEWS: DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING OCCURS AT NORWALK BOULEVARD AND SOUTH STREET NEIGHBORHOOD. ONE SUSPECT INJURED AFTER ROBBERY OF LOCAL DRUG STORE

BREAKING NEWS
Artesia/Cerritos:

By Randy Economy
http://www.economy4abc.blogspot.com/
Feb. 26, 2010, 11:45 a.m.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Detectives are at a crime scene location off of Norwalk Boulevard and South Street investigating a Deputy involved shooting. 

No Deputy personnel were injured, and one suspect was shot, and has been transported to a local hospital where he is currently being treated for his injury.  The suspect shot was described only as a "male black adult."  Reports are also surfacing that the victim may have been involved in a robbery of a local drug store.

There is no further information available at this time.  Whenever a Deputy involved shooting occurs involving a LA County Sheriff's Deputies, and it results in the wounding of a suspect, a multi independent investigation immediately begins at the scene.

I am going to head over to the scene, and as soon as I get more information, I will post it here.  Did you see this happen? Drop me a note to RREconomy@aol.com, or click the headline from this Post and tell me what you think!

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Down Goes La Puente Mayor Louie Lujan on Perjury Charges. Assistant DA Max Huntsman bags another corrupt politician from the San Gabriel Valley

LOS ANGELES --Well, we have one less crooked elected official in the San Gabriel Valley to worry about tonight.

La Puente Mayor Louie Lujan pleaded guilty today to one felony count of perjury by declaration stemming from a false campaign report he filed last year.

Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman with the Public Integrity Division said as part of the plea, Lujan resigned Wednesday from his city post. The 33-year-old Lujan, who was first elected to the La Puente City Council in 2001, will be barred from holding elected office for the rest of his life.

"We're very pleased with the conviction and removal of former Mayor Lujan,” Huntsman said. “His decision not to remain in office and contest charges against him allows the people of La Puente to immediately begin setting their affairs straight."

Huntsman and his top boss, Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley are on roll ..... bagging corrupt politicians left and right over the past couple of months. 
At least 6 major felony convictions or indictments on elected officials from Inglewood, Vernon, Pico Rivera, Temple City, and now La Puente have taken place since last Fall.

Lujan was charged Feb. 16. Prosecutors alleged that he failed to report dozens of campaign contributions in 2008, along with expenditures.

Of the potential of charges of bribery, forgery, and falsification of evidence, Huntsman said Lujan's relatively short political career included many allegations of misconduct.

“It's important to remember that our Constitution only allows people to be punished for what can be proven,” Huntsman said. “We're confident that the evidence clearly supports Mr. Lujan's plea to perjury and that the public has been well served by his permanent removal from office."

Sentencing is scheduled for March 19 before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Horwitz in Department 50. He faces three years probation and a $1,000 fine, Huntsman said.

Lujan has already been taken off of the La Puente City website and his political web site http://www.louielujan.com/ is also shut down. 

The Mayor duties are being taken over by Mayor Pro-Tem Nadia Mendoza (seen here).  No word yet on how Lujan's slot on the La Puente City Council is going to be filled.

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Death of pro-skier C.R. Johnson stuns sports world.

Photos from CR Johnson from his "My Space" page

Note: I totally enjoied watching C.R. in action on the slopes.  His death today was shocking and so so sad.  He was young, talented, inspiring, and we have lost a rising star!  RIP CR!

FROM CBS:

A professional skier died Wednesday afternoon after a fall at Squaw Valley, according to officials.

C. R. Johnson, a U.S. Open champion and medalist in the X Games, was skiing on the Light Towers area of Squaw Valley when he caught an edge of his ski on some exposed rocks, causing him to tumble downhill.

Johnson reportedly hit several rocks before coming to rest several hundred yards downhill. Squaw Valley officials said medical personnel arrived on the scene in minutes, but Johnson died from his injuries. He was 26.

Johnson was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, according to officials. The Light Towers area is considered expert terrain, and Johnson was known to frequent the area throughout his career.

"The loss of CR will deeply affect not only the local skiing community but skiers worldwide," said Squaw Valley's official statement after the accident.

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Letter Bag: Progress should not be sown in the field of corruption and greed in Pico Rivera

Dear Randy:

Interesting how two assistant city managers can continue the day to day business of the city. Obviously shows that the assistants were doing the work anyway and Fuentes was just a blowhard, do nothing, uneducated and unqualified financial drain on the city.

I certainly hope that the council opts for an open process and returns the qualification of “minimum Bachelors Degree” to the qualifications. As you may remember, it was Beilke and company that had that required qualification removed from the position to accommodate Fuentes’ high school diploma.


We will certainly keep a watchful eye on the process as we have seen how political corruption reigns when the city manager is political and caters to the majority instead of the entire council and residents at large. Progress should not be sown in the field of corruption and greed.

Raul Murga
Pico Rivera


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Montebello Voters throw Incumbents Kathy Salazar and Robert Urteaga out of office...and put in Challengers Alberto Perez and Christina Cortez! What a RECALL!

VOTER REVOLT IN MONTEBELLO!

By RANDY ECONOMY
BREAKING NEWS:
http://www.economy4abc.blogspot.com/
Feb. 23, 2010  10:30 p.m.

Montebello voters have recalled incumbents Kathy Salazar and Robert Urteaga from the City Council on Tuesday...and it wasn't even close. 

Salazar will be replaced by Alberto Perez, a journalist (yeah!) and Urteaga will be replaced by Christina Cortez, a telecommunications executive and city commissioner.

The unofficial results are as follows:

Shall Robert Urteaga be Recalled:

YES:   2,672
NO:    1,015

For Member of the City Council

To succeed Robert Urteaga, if he is recalled.
Term Ending: November, 2011

CHRISTINA CORTEZ                       1,473*
LAWRENCE “LARRY” SALAZAR     1,004
BOBBY GUTIERREZ                            347
                                                 RICHARD GARCIA                              227


SHALL KATHY SALAZAR BE RECALLED:

YES:   2,674
NO:    1,052

For Member of the City Council
To succeed Kathy Salazar, if she is recalled.
Term Ending: November, 2011

ALBERTO PEREZ                             2,080*
MARIA CHAVARRIA-HALPERN       573
JORGE MANZUR                                  407

*ELECTED

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Votes being counted in Montebello Recall Election. Stay Tuned for results

BREAKING NEWS:

Have voters in Montebello tossed two controversial members of the City Council out of office today?


Ballots are arriving at City Hall from today's hotly contested recall election of Councilmember’s Robert Urteaga and Councilwoman Kathy Salazar.

If Salazar is recalled from office, the voters will choose from a field of three possible replacements including Business owner Jorge Manzur, News Editor Alberto Perez, and Planning Commissioner Maria Chavarria -Halpern.

If Urteaga is tossed out of office, voters will select either Engineering Consultant Bobby Gutierrez, Communications Director Richard Garcia, Program Assistant Larry Salazar or Program Assistant Christina Cortez.

As soon as results are in, I will be posting them.

Recall supporters claim that Salazar violated California Fair Political Practices Commission rules by allegedly laundering campaign money to her tax-exempt business where she draws a salary; Salazar’s major campaign donors are Special Interests who also contribute funds to her tax-exempt business.

Urteaga pled guilty to Felony Grand Theft for stealing $30,000 and was indicted on 5 counts of check forgery before he was elected to the Montebello City Council. His opponents charge that Urteaga lied to the community about his criminal past, and that he lacks "morals" as a City Council Member.

Stay tuned. I love these nasty campaigns in Montebello...they are classic!

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Good Neighbors: 90 year old man pulled from house fire on Lowemont Street in Norwalk over the weekend

KCAL Channel 2 News Pic

This is a remarkable story from Norwalk. 

Over the weekend, a group of  neighbors helped  rescue a 90-year-old man from a house fire.

The fire broke out about 1 a.m. at 12107 Lowemont Street according to  Los Angeles County Fire Department officials.

Neighbors called 911when they saw smoke coming from the house where the elderly man lived alone and went in to help.  The brave neighbors pulled the elderly man out from his bed and into a safe place outside before fire officials arrived on the scene.

The man was lucky to make it out alive, and only suffered minor burns to his legs and smoke inhalation, and he is expected to recover fully.   Sadly, the victims small dog and cat that were inside the home died in the fire, but two other small dogs escaped the blaze.

The fire caused an estimated $200,000 worth of damage to the house and its contents and the cause is being blamed on an electric floor heater in the room where the man was sleeping. Firefighters put out the blaze in 20 minutes.  Anyway, this is one great, and special neighborhood!

Drop me a note to RREconomy@aol.com, or click the headline from this Post and tell me what you think!

Inside "Medical" Pot Shops: Culver City shop owner busted today by District Attorney Steve Cooley's office. Jeffrey Keith Joseph faces 20 years in Prison after making $400K each month selling pot. OMG.

CAUGHT ON TAPE:  BUSTED POT SHOP OWNER JEFFREY KEITH JOSEPH...
in HIS OWN WORDS!

Breaking News
By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
Feb. 22, 2010 2:39 p.m.

LOS ANGELES – If ANYONE has any doubts about what is really taking place in some of these so-called "Medical Marijuana" dispensaries that are popping up on just about every other corner in Los Angeles County, you have to check this out.....

A medical marijuana dispensary owner was expected to be arraigned today on two dozen felony counts, the LA County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Jeffrey Keith Joseph, 41 (dob 02/04/69), is charged with 13 counts of sale or transportation of marijuana, five counts of possession of marijuana for sale, five counts of money laundering and one count of possession for sale of a controlled substance.

Joseph is due to be arraigned in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The defendant was charged today in case No. BA368181.

So here is what Joseph is "alleged" doing at his pot shop called "Organica," a medical marijuana dispensary in Culver City.  A financial investigation revealed that Organica’s average monthly income was $400,000. 

WTF? $400,000 K for ONE MONTH?

In August 2009, officers recovered 80 kilograms of marijuana, 450 plants, 12 kilograms of hash oil and 125 kilograms of edible marijuana products at Organica. The current charges stem from evidence uncovered during that search, prosecutors said.

His bail was recommended at $520,000. Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested the defendant late last week. If convicted as charged, Joseph faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison.

So, the next time anyone tells you that your corner pot shop is a  not-for-profit "mom and pop" operation, remember this ONE case...and that ONE cash register is being stuffed with a million bucks, every 60 days.

Hey, chalk up another one for my Hero...LA County District Attorney Steve Cooley!  W2G Steve!

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Turning 50: Today I Celebrate a Half a Century, and a new Chapter in my life is about to be written!

Today, I am turning 50 years old.

I just wanted to thank everyone I have ever known in my entire life, becuase today is a milestone.

Actually...I  never thought that I would live to see this day.

How in the world did I make it past the 1980's and 90's?

Anyway, today I begin to write a new chapter in my life, and tonight I will share this day and moment with the people I love most in this world.

Life is a precious gift.  I have many Blessings to reflect upon, and much to look forward too.

During this next year, I will begin work on a special book that will document the life of a modern day "miracle maker." In the weeks and months to come I will be telling you more about this new project in greater detail. 

In the meantime...thanks for being part of my world...and for making the first 50 years...an AMAZING HALF CENTURY!

BTW...I also have lots of people I just haven't met yet...but trust me....I'm just beginning to hit my stride!

Randy Economy

Drop me a note to RREconomy@aol.com, or click the headline from this Post and tell me what you think! YIKES.

EVAN ALMIGHTHY! LYSACEK is PURE OLYMPIC SKATING GOLD FOR THE USA! W2G!

EVAN AL-RIGHTY!


Evan Lysacek won the first gold medal for the U.S. in men's figure skating since 1988 last night at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

He was pure magic on ice and he did everything he needed to do to become the BEST in the world by winning the Men's Figure Skating Olympic Gold Medal in a stunning fashion!

Trailing by less than a point heading into the free program, Evan Lysacek of the United States did his job and did it well Thursday night, performing an outstanding free program to add 167.37 points to his total, giving him 257.67 points for the competition.

That put the pressure squarely on Russia's Evgeni Plushenko, who answered with a strong free skate of his own, but not strong enough, as he scored 165.51 points, giving him 256.36 points overall and the silver medal.

Daisuke Takahashi of Japan won the bronze with a score of 247.23 points. Johnny Weir of the U.S. finished in sixth place.  BTW.  Evan lives here in Los Angeles, and look out Hollywood...this guy has the world by the tail!

American women also won a silver and bronze in halfpipe, and the U.S. men's hockey clobbered Norway in other highlights from the day.

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CHUCK FUENTES IS OUT AS PICO RIVERA CITY MANAGER; DETAILS EMERGING

BREAKING NEWS FEBRUARY 18, 2010
6:45 p.m.

Controversial Pico Rivera City Manager Chuck Fuentes is out of a job tonight.

During a Special Meeting of the City Council, Fuentes was removed as City Administrator.  The details of his departure are still being revealed.

The City Council met behind closed doors this afternoon to discuss his future, and tonight, he has been shown the door.  This is a huge blow to the political landscape of Pico Rivera.

As soon as additional details are announced, I will post them here.

Stay tuned.  The political crisis of leadership in Pico Rivera continues....who is next?

Drop me a note to rreconomy@aol.com, or click the headline from this Post and tell me what you think!

Letters: Stowers Elementary Parent outraged over Blagden being put on leave

Here is another letter about the situation currently going on over at Stowers Elementary School.  Do you have an opinion? Drop me a note to RREconomy@aol.com.

"Dear Randy:

My child attends Stowers. When my family read this in the paper, we contacted Dr. Gary Smuts. We told him that we were outraged that Mrs. Blagden was put on indefinite administrative leave. Mrs. Blagden acted
appropriately, and did nothing to warrant being fired. Dr. Smuts went on to tell us that the story in the paper was inaccurate and the time line was all wrong.

We immediately called the paper and spoke directly to Mr. Bernstein who explained that he got his information directly from the Sheriff?s report. My family is filing a complaint against the ABC School District.

We miss Mrs. Bladgen and will do whatever we need to get her back to Stowers. More importantly, we as parents need to take the necessary measures to ensure that Kevin Kirby is never allowed to teach again."

Sincerely,
Stowersmom

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BUSTED: Here is the "official" press statement from District Attorney Steve Cooley on the Perjury Indictment of La Puente Mayor Louie Lujan

Here is the official press statement from the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office regarding the criminal indictment on La Puente Mayor Louie Lujan.
Randy

LOS ANGELES – La Puente Mayor Louie Lujan was arraigned and pleaded not guilty today to one count of perjury stemming from an allegedly false report he filed in February 2009 regarding campaign funds, the District Attorney’s Office announced.


Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman of the Public Integrity Division said that in the event that Lujan, 33 (dob 6/06/76), is convicted the defendant would be removed from office. Lujan, who was first elected to the La Puente City Council in 2001, would also be barred from holding future elective office.

Deputy District Attorney Huntsman filed the felony complaint for arrest warrant on Feb. 16. The defendant is next due in court on Feb. 25.

Lujan allegedly received and spent dozens of campaign contributions in 2008 but failed to report the contributions and expenditures.

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BUSTED: La Puente Mayor Louie Lujan charged with Perjury. Chalk up another one for District Attorney Steve Cooley!

LOS ANGELES --

District Attorney Steve Cooley and his Public Intergrity Division is on a roll.  Today embattled La Puente Mayor Louie Lujan pleaded not guilty to one count of perjury stemming from an allegedly false report he filed in February 2009 regarding campaign funds.

Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman of the Public Integrity Division said Lujan would be removed from office if convicted of the perjury count.

Lujan, who was first elected to the La Puente City Council in 2001, would also be barred from holding future elective office under California law.  He is due back in court on Feb. 25. Lujan allegedly received and spent dozens of campaign contributions in 2008 but failed to report the contributions and expenditures. He has previously denied wrongdoing and filed amended campaign reports.  Lujan was looking at running for State Assembly, but those plans look to be on hold.

Recently Cooley has brought criminal charges against lots of corrupt local elected officials including ex-Pico Rivera Mayor Ronald Beilke, Temple City Councilwoman Judy Wong, ex-Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn, Vernon Mayor Leonis Malburg.  He has also opened a criminal investigation against Pico Rivera City Councilman Robert Archuletta for under reporting gifts.

So, corrupt politicians beware. Steve Cooley is on a roll!


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Video of Shaun White winning Gold Medal in Half Pipe! Amazing double McTwist seals the deal!

WEST VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Shaun White is MAGIC.

He had the trick in the bag, along with an Olympic gold medal.

Putting on a show when he hardly needed to, White capped his sensational night on the halfpipe with his signature move Wednesday -- the dangerous, spiraling Double McTwist 1260 during a victory lap that will go down as nothing short of epic.

The redheaded shredder scored a 48.4 on the final run, even though he was already assured of defending his Olympic title with a score of 46.8 on his first trip. Getting ready to close the night, he debated with his coaches for a minute, then made the decision.

Check out this vid from You Tube.  Flying Tomato is RED HOT!

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Breaking News: Will the Pico Rivera City Council fire embattled City Manager Chuck Fuentes this afternoon? Emotions are running very high

Feb. 17, 2010
BREAKING NEWS
Pico Rivera:

Emotions are running very high today over on Passons Avenue.

Will embattled Pico Rivera City Manager Charles P. "Chuck" Fuentes be fired Thursday  afternoon at a Special Meeting of the City Council? 

All indications are pointing that some type of resolution to his future as the cities top administrator will officially take place today.

The Pico Rivera City Council will be formally addressing the future of Fuentes at a 4 p.m. Special Meeting at City Hall located at 6615 Passons Blvd., in Pico Rivera.  The public is invited to attend the meeting, but the discussion on Fuentes future will take place behind closed doors.

In an agenda posted on the Pico Rivera city website, two agenda items are listed under a formal "Closed Session." 

Item #A calls for  "Public Employee Release" pursuant to California Government Code 54957. 

The next item on the agenda is "Public Employee Appointment" for the position of an "Interim City Manager."

Stay tuned.

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Iconic LA Police Chief Daryl Gates has bladder cancer

ASSOCIATED PRESS
By ROBERT JABLON (AP)

LOS ANGELES — Former Los Angeles police Chief Daryl Gates, a controversial figure who once said drug users should be shot and whose career ended after the Rodney King beating, is hospitalized and seriously ill, current police Chief Charlie Beck said Tuesday.


Beck told the city Police Commission that Gates, 83, has a "very serious malady."

"I ask everyone to keep him in their prayers," said Beck, who visited the former chief in the hospital over the weekend.

The Police Department would not specify Gates' ailment. However, a blog posting attributed to his brother Steve Gates said the former chief had been hospitalized for three weeks with bladder cancer that had spread to a bone near his hip and he was receiving radiation treatments.

The blog, called "The Rotator," is not made available to the general public and is available only to current and retired officers who provide badge information. The information on the blog was provided by a person with access to the site who was not authorized to disclose its contents and asked to remain anonymous.

Efforts by The Associated Press to reach Steve Gates were unsuccessful. Beck declined to confirm or deny the report, but said Daryl Gates was responding well to treatments after being hospitalized a couple weeks ago.

What do you think? 
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FOUR IDEAS: La Palma Adopts Goals for 2010

La Palma Mayor Steve Shanahan

Here is some good news from the La Palma City Council.  At its annual goal setting session and they have come up with a plan.

After a full day of discussions, the City Council adopted four priority goals:

• To strive for financial stability in the future
• Revisit the Civic Center project
• Develop/improve underutilized retail properties
• Pursue joint use agreements with each School District

 Mayor Steve Shanahan said, “The City of La Palma is very fortunate to have the resources available, which allows the community to work towards these priority goals.”

Each of these priority goals includes a series of specific action items that City departments have begun to pursue and will follow throughout the year. Some of the key action items include: developing a comprehensive infrastructure needs assessment; establishing a timeline and direction for the Civic Center Project; exploring aesthetic enhancements to key corner properties; and discussing program/infrastructure needs with each School District.

 

A complete listing of the goals and the related action items can be found on the City’s website at www.cityoflapalma.org/goals.

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Olympian J.R. Celski: Lakewood High School Grad climbing on top of the speed skating world this week in Vancouver! W2G JR!

FROM LANCER TO OLYMPIAN...!

J.R. CELSKI on top of the Speedskating world this week!

2007 Graduate of Lakewood High School, and new Olympic Bronze Medalist with Niels Kersholt left,  and Atze Kerkhof, right, both national team short track skaters from

The Netherlands ! 

Photo from http://www.jrcelski.com/

Like many of you, I have enjoied the first couple of days of the Winter Olympics on NBC.  A new American hero is being created this week in speed skater J.R. Celski, and tonight many of us here are just learning about his ties here to Lakewood and Long Beach.

Here's the scoop.... 
At age 14, when Celski had been skating short track for about a year, his family decided he should move in order to get the best coaching. His parents, Sue and Bob, weren't able to leave their jobs in Washington, so his brother Chris moved with him here to Long Beach, where J.R. worked with world-renowned Dutch coach Wilma Boomstra. Chris, who had just graduated from San Jose State, found an apartment for them to share and got a job in the area. J.R. spent his first two years of high school in Long Beach before moving back home for his junior year. But it didn't last. "I decided something wasn't right, so I moved back to California to keep skating," Celski said.

A native of Federal Way, Wash., Celski had early ties to Ohno, who hails from the same Seattle suburb. Celski's older brother, Chris, grew up skating with Ohno. Though J.R. was just 3 years old when he started inline skating, he got to know Ohno as he rose through the ranks. Celski, decided take up short track after watching Ohno win gold at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. Though comparisons to Ohno are inevitable, Celski says, "At first I liked it, but I'm my own person, just like everybody else."

For his second move to Long Beach, Celski's dad came along, while his mom remained in Washington, where she works as a manager at the grocery store Safeway. Celski says he was inspired by his family's willingness to sacrifice for his career. "There is not one word that can describe what my family has been to me," he said. "Dedication and sacrifice don't even cover it because they have done what most parents would think would be crazy." His father was a vice president of Jiffy Lube Corp. in Washington, and now has his own business. Celski's other brother, David, is a first lieutenant in the Army.

Celski graduated from Lakewood High School in 2008 with a 3.71 GPA. He has deferred enrollment at Cal-Berkeley until after the Vancouver Games, likely in the fall of 2010, and wants to study business or architecture. His decision to put off school came on the advice of an English teacher, who said, "School is a place, the Olympics float in time." When Celski is not training, he plays the guitar and listens to music, and lists the Roots, Mos Def and Arcade Fire as a few of his favorite artists.

So, we have a new American Hero on the rise!! 
Thanks, for making our world brighter J.R.!

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Happy Chinese New Year: This "Year of the Tiger" has to be better than this past year of "Tiger Woods"

I wanna give a huge shout out to my Chinese peeps here in Cerritos has they celebrate "Chinese New Year" today. 

2010 is the Year of the Tiger,  which is also known by its formal name of Geng Yin.

Chinese calendar has been in continuous use for centuries. It predates the International Calendar (based on the Gregorian Calendar) in use at the present, which goes back only some 430 years. Basically, a calendar is a system we use to measures the passage of time, from short durations of minutes and hours, to intervals of time measured in days, months, years and centuries. These are fundamentally based on the astronomical observations of the movement of the Sun, Moon and stars.

Days are measured by the duration of time of one self rotation of the earth. Months are measured by the duration of time of rotation of the moon around the earth. Years are measured by the duration of time it takes for the earth to rotate around the Sun.

2010 is Year 4707 in the Chinese Calendar

So, as we put the "Year of Tiger Woods 2009" behind us, its time to celebrate the real "Year of the Tiger" for the next many moons.

So start passing out them "red envelopes" and head over to Panda Inn in La Palma, and party like it's 4707!

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