as you guys all know, our fellow cyclist birdman got hit by a mad drunk driver in the early this month. not only that, the driver didn’t remain at the scene nor call 911. he is badly injured. biking is a big part of his life and someone’s irresponsibility took it away from him… just thinking about it makes me angry.

here is the link to the article.
Bicyclist Badly Injured In Hit And Run

according to the article, this 18 year old Celine Mahdavi drives mercedez suv under the influence of alcohol. what kinda 18 yrs old drives mercedez suv. i don’t have any problem with wealthy families or anything like that, but one thing i know for sure is that i don’t buy her mercedez suv even if i got billion dollars and had 18 yrs old daughter.

if you need more information about this hit ‘n run crime, you should contact this person.

To help you ring in a new decade (or bury the old one, depending on your POV), some of the city’s top cocktail destinations are throwing New Year’s Eve parties with a dizzying variety of offerings. To make your search for the perfect NYE bash a little easier, I’ve compiled a list of events below. I’ve also included other NYE guides at the end of the post so you can really get confused. Wherever you go, make sure to call ahead for reservations and availability. And of course, please be safe and celebrate responsibly.

Cheers to a fantastic 2010!

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2009
Thursday, December 31, 2009

8 oz. Burger Bar
Govind Armstrong’s Melrose eatery closes its doors to throw a private New Year’s Eve Party, and you’re invited.

• Passed appetizers, dessert buffet, Champagne toast at midnight, and a DJ
• $35 pre-sale, $45 at the door

8 oz. Burger Bar
9pm-2am
7661 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
www.8ozburgerbar.com
Reservations: (323) 852-0008

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Comme Ça
“Les Années Folles”
Take the Wayback Machine to 1920’s Paris with Comme Ça’s prix fixe menu, featuring Amuse, Relevés, Supplement, Entrées, Pièces de Resistance, and Le Dessert courses.

• Five-course tasting menu: $95
• Wine pairings: $35 (standard) or $60 (premium)
• Champagne toast
• Period attire encouraged but not required

Comme Ça
Seatings begin at 5pm
8479 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
www.commecarestaurant.com
Reservations: (323) 782-1104 or maria@commecarestaurant.com

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Copa d’Oro
Just in time to ring in the new year, Copa d’Oro recently debuted four punches, including the appropriately-named 2010 (Sazerac Rye, Sweet Sherry, Elderflower Liqueur, fresh lemon juice, organic pear juice, Prosecco). No cover, two price points for table reservations.

Premium Tables

• $50/person (minimum four guests)
• Includes 1 bottle of Louis Roederer

Standard Tables

• $25/person (minimum four guests)
• Includes 1 bottle of Prosecco

Copa d’Oro
Featuring: DJ Kid Japer
8pm-2am
217 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.copadoro.com
Reservations: (310) 576-3030
NOTE: Copa d’Oro mailing list members who reserve a NYE table receive an additional complimentary bottle of Prosecco. RSVP: events@copadoro.com

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The Doheny
“Divine Lang Syne”
Cedd Moses’ private cocktail den opens its doors to non-members on NYE, with reserved table dinner packages and luxe amenities.

Reserved Table Seating:

Divine Deluxe – $525

• Bottle of Perrier-Jouët La Fleur Brut Champagne
• Dinner for two at Rivera
• One night stay at the O Hotel

Platinum Reserve – $450

• Bottle of Perrier-Jouët La Fleur Brut Champagne
• Dinner for two at Rivera

Gold Reserve – $350

• Bottle of Perrier-Jouët La Fleur Brut Champagne
• One night stay at the O Hotel

Silver Reserve – $200

• Bottle of Perrier-Jouët La Fleur Brut Champagne

Amenities:

• Tableside punch service
• Flights of luxury scotches and cognacs
• Complimentary artisinal cheese plate
• Handmade French chocolates

The Doheny
Featuring: DJ busbus
8pm-2am
714 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
thedoheny.com
Reservations: joel@thedoheny.com

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The Edison
“The Nautilist’s Ball”
The Edison’s second annual NYE bash features live music, performers, dining, and of course the Green Fairy.

• Individual tickets: $75
• Limited table reservations start at $300/table
• Entry includes Champagne Toast and Desserts at Midnight.
• All table reservations include a bottle of Champagne, midnight toast, desserts and entrance.

The Edison
Featuring: DJ Imagika, Gifted Performers, and Abney Park
Doors at 8pm
108 W. 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.edisondowntown.com
Table reservations: (213) 613-0000

NOTE: Pre-sale tickets for NYE are sold out! Tickets will be available at the door and space will become available as guests exit the venue. Tickets purchased at the door are $75.

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The Hungry Cat
“la nochevieja”
Hollywood’s Gato Hambriento is saying adios to the Aughts with an Iberian-influenced menu and an open bar.

• Spanish-influenced, multi-course feast
• Open bar featuring Hungry Cat Cocktails, Spanish wines, draft/bottled beers
• $135/person

The Hungry Cat
1535 Vine St.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.thehungrycat.com
Reservations: (323) 462-2155

Rivera
If you’ve ever thought about tasting Julian Cox’s entire top notch cocktail menu, NYE is your chance to do so…in ninety minutes. Oh, and there’s John Sedlar’s wonderful food, too.

Bottomless Cocktail Party

• 11pm-12:30am
• Unlimited cocktails from the Rivera Specialty Cocktails menu, plus “special punches”
• $50 pre-sale for a seat at the bar or lounge

Dinner options

• 6:30-7:30pm: 6-course menu ($75/guest)
• 9-10pm: 7-course menu ($110/guest)
• Wine pairings: $50 & $75
• Luis Roederer Brut Premier: $18/glass & $75/bottle

Rivera
1050 S. Flower St, #102
Los Angeles, CA 90015
www.riverarestaurant.com
Reservations: (213) 749-1460

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Seven Grand
Get warmed up at downtown’s Whiskey Wonderland with $8 Manhattans til 9pm, then choose from three party options.

Seven Grand Private Reserve Seating

• Jackalope Drawing Room
• Choice of bottle: Perrier-Jouët La Fleur or Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
• $180 for two guests

Seven Grand Top Shelf Seating

• Choice of bottle: Perrier-Jouët Champagne or Sazerac Rye
• $140 for two guests

General Admittance

• $20 after 9:30pm
• Complimentary East Coast Toast at 9pm, L.A. Toast at Midnight

Seven Grand
7pm-2am
Featuring: Deacon Jones Blues Review, DJ Slick Rick
515 W. 7th St., 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014
www.sevengrand.la
Reservations: (213) 614-0737

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The Tar Pit
The new venture from Mark Peel and Audrey Saunders is hosting what promises to be a classy evening of food, cocktails, and music.

• First seating at 6:30pm – $75 (dining room) / $60 (bar) food & beverage minimum per person
• Second seating at 9:30pm – $95 (dining room) / $75 (bar) food & beverage minimum per person
• Live entertainment beginning at 9:30pm, champagne midnight toast, party hats, and “festive sundries”

The Tar Pit
609 N. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
www.tarpitbar.com
Reservations: (323) 965-1300

The Varnish
Downtown’s preeminent cocktail bar is offering a two-part New Year’s Eve.

Part One, 7-9:30pm – $9 Champagne Cocktails designed by the Varnish
-or-
Part Two, 10pm-close

• Open Bar with Varnish Cocktail List drinks
• Bottomless punch bowl with Grand Marnier Centenaire
• Champagne toast
• Limbo!
• Tables for parties of two, four, & six, or standing room at the bar
• $125/person

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Southern California USBG.

The Varnish
118 E. Sixth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
www.thevarnishbar.com
Reservations: Eric at (213) 622-9999, or thevarnish@thevarnishbar.com

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New Year’s Eve Guides

• Citysearch
• e*star LA
• LAist Parts I, II, III
• LA Times

I know, watching MTV’s Real World Jersey Shore is like watching a train wreck…Or a nature show, rather. The only way it could get funnier at this point is if Stewie Griffin was narrating it. Almost unbelievable how these guys brag about their bodies, especially the one who identifies his abdomen as ‘the situation’…And how does one get a nickname like ‘the situation’, anyway? Or even better, the girl who calls herself JWOWW, like the Shamwow guy, who was arrested for sexual battery last month, by the way.(The shamwow guy was arrested, not the gal from the show)

To begin with, how do we know that these guys haven’t had pectoral implants? Here’s a pic or two of my gay friends who actually work out but don’t constantly carry on about themselves.

Actual gay guy (note the muscles)

The people on this show are so dumb it’s not funny. I almost feel like I’m killing a small animal while writing this, like it could be wrong, like making fun of the special olympics kids.. Anyway, this week we get to see a gal eating a jar of pickles in front of a bunch of straight dudes with huge egos (I wouldn’t reccommend this) AND I did not know that they made Bump-It’s for their hair in such a large size. And let’s not forget about the ‘things only a douche would wear’ Ed Hardy tee-shirts. The list goes on and on and on. These guys really make Johnny Drama from Entourage look like the Pope.

These bozos were so stupid in this episode that they were having a barbeque at their beautiful home supplied by MTV and actually used charcoal in a propane grill and almost blew up the entire house. Now, I’m no Chef Boyardee, but even I have primitive knowledge on BBQ’in because I actually understand ‘King of the Hill’.

These guidos also go out on the town again to a bar called ‘Karma’, and dance with each other–it’s absolutely hysterical –I can only call it the ‘Guido Dance’. I hope it’s on You Tube somewhere. They try and show off by dancing around arms and legs akimbo, making Elaine on Seinfeld look like she has the grace of Olivia Newton-John in ‘Xanadu’…This episode made me laugh so hard that an M&M I was eating may have come out of my nose, I’m not sure. Still waiting for my neighbors to call the men with the little white coats as I laugh like an absolute lunatic at these shenenegans.

More pix of your humble narrator and actual gay guys below

Another West Hollywood moment

More from 'The Rage' club

Again, I have to thank MTV for providing us struggling comedians with so much fodder for jokes lately. I am only the vessel by which the comedic gods are using right now. Too easy. I can’t even comment on Tiger Woods, that’s a totally different rant altogether.

Oh, and Cittress and Trinidad, I miss you, wherever you are. A tear, seriously.

Princess Dairies’ Anne Hathaway was recently involved in a minor traffic altercation in West Hollywood which sent a bicyclist toppling down from his bike. The actress was seated at the passenger seat when the accident occurred.

Hathaway’s car was turning onto Santa Monica Boulevard when a bicyclist ran straight into the vehicle.

The male bicyclist, although he was thrown off, refused medical attention and went away immediately after the accident.

The bicyclist is allegedly at fault for the accident.

to party like it’s 1984?!

Foundation producer Stacy Paris and director, Aaron Brown hit up the AICP holiday party in West Hollywood and apparently it was very…retro?

I supose I should have titled this one ‘my own personal sickie relationship’ but I don’t think I’m alone on this one.

Come on knock on our door...

OK, here’s the deal…I can understand crossdressing as well as the next person. In fact, I have an inside track because I have friends who are transvestites and I am a huge fag hag. I know this. I have danced at ‘The Rage’ club in West Hollywood and left to fend for myself when my gay friend I came with leaves with some random dude, telling me I have to get my own ride home. This is what they do. I can ‘beard’ with the best of ‘em. Don’t get me wrong. I love my friends.

BUT,  I believe there should be some rules.  Ok, maybe that’s too harsh. There should be ‘guidelines’ or ’suggestions’ to the novice crossdresser. There are many many trannies who get it right and it gives other people who are closet trannies a bad name. So here’s my story. I was living in Los Angeles and met a great guy. Thought I had hit the jackpot. He picked up tabs, took me on vacations, all that good stuff.

Well, don’t cha know one day he  had to go on a business trip and I think he hid his laptop from me for some unkown reason. So, I did the Carrie from ‘Sex and the City’ thing trying to find it. No computer. What I did find was shocking and as equally revolting and it’s part of the reason I’m in analysis to this day. I have a hard time seeing the writing on the wall, so to speak.

What I did find was an ENTIRE DRAWER full of women’s clothing in a very large size and a long brown wig! Oh my God, and the lingerie wasn’t even good stuff, like from Victoria’s Secret..It was horrible, cheaply made stuff, with runs in the pantyhose.  I think that offended me more than anything. More horrified, I could not be.  Upon further inspection of the clothing, it was a huge homage to Mrs. Roper from ‘Three’s Company’.

Now, I’ve seen some drag queens who can bring it..They can do their makeup better than I can and I gotta hand it to those people. But for the love of God and all things that are holy, muu-muu’s are not acceptable trannie wear for anyone. I guess I should have picked up on this when we were ‘goofing around’ one day and he asked me to paint his toenails.

OK, if you’re a woman trapped in a man’s body, I get it. There are plenty of places trannies can find evening gowns and all the doo-dads they need to feel good about themselves. There is no excuse for bad taste. I don’t even know what Glamour magazine would say about this.

To me, it is a huge cry for help, and anyone who dresses like Mrs. Roper (unless it is your favorite aunt who actually lives in Florida) needs to hire Bobby Trendy or some other stylist.  There are actually people who get PAID to help transvestites do their makeup, and are paid well. It’s work.  So, like anything in life, I believe that half measures avail you nothing. If you’re gonna do something, do it all the way. There is just no call for that sort of thing. And please please please don’t hide what you are especially in your intimate relationships because that’s not cool or fair to the other party. Fashion blunders are nothing to be ashamed of, but like my boy Dr. Phil says “You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge.”

All I’m saying is there is help out there. The world seems to be going to hell in a handbasket as it IS, and dressing like Mrs. Roper is a clear violation of the transvestite code. You may ask why this is true. I could go on and on but it boils down to the fact that it just IS.

I’m not buying it and you shouldn’t be selling it. Here’s a pic of a real tranny, just so you know.

Someplace in West Hollywood...

That’s it.

Britney Spears

\

Britney Spears celebrated her 28th birthday on Wednesday surrounded by the men in her life – boyfriend Jason Trawick and sons Preston and Jayden. The singer and her agent beau Trawick, 37, started the celebration a day early Tuesday night at L.A.’s Mondrian hotel, where Spears also enjoyed spa services, a source tells PEOPLE. That night, the couple went to the Sunset strip, visiting both the Saddleback Ranch restaurant and Chateau Marmont. The next day, they shopped at West Hollywood’s Fred Segal boutique before reuniting with the pop star’s sons Preston, 3, and Jayden, 2, at her home in Calabasas. “Britney looked so happy,” says an eyewitness. “She seemed very excited to spend her morning with Jason.” Spears was also thrilled to get to be with her two boys on her B-day, says another source. “Britney is very happy to spend the day with Preston and Jayden. The kids know it’s her birthday … [They] are very excited about Britney’s cake too.”

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“What America needs now is a drink.” ~ President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Amendment XXI (click to enlarge) | Source: NARA

While the quote above may be more appropriate than ever, FDR said those words back in 1933, after 13 years of Prohibition were finally ended.

From repealday.org: “On December 5th, 1933, Utah, the final state needed for a three quarters majority, ratified the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition and restoring the American right to a celebratory drink.”

Although it’s been 76 years since the end of Prohibition, Repeal Day is a relatively new tradition, the brainchild of Portland mixologist Jeffrey Morgenthaler. You can read the story behind Repeal Day on his blog.

REPEAL DAY
Saturday, December 5, 2009
www.repealday.org

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This Saturday, December 5th, some of L.A.’s favorite cocktail venues are hosting Repeal Day celebrations. So do your patriotic duty, exercise your rights as an American, and raise a glass (or two) to the 21st Amendment!

The Edison

As we’ve come to expect from the Edison, when they do an event, they go all out. Repeal Day is no different, as the Edison will be offering ice skating with Santa at Pershing Square, then a special cocktail featuring its exclusive blend of Woodford Reserve back at the Edison.

6pm-8pm
Ice Skating in Pershing Square
532 S. Olive St.
With a gift from Santa
Hot chocolate and treats for the first 100 guests

8pm-9pm
Cracking the Barrel of Edison’s Christmas Blend of Bourbon
108 W. 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 613-0000
www.edisondowntown.com

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Comme Ca & Pizzeria Ortica

David Myers’ Comme Ça and Pizzeria Ortica will be celebrating Repeal Day (in West Hollywood and Costa Mesa, respectively) with a mix of classic and new school cocktails.

• Classics: Old-Fashioned, Sidecar & French 75
• Mary Pickford (rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, maraschino cherry)
• Colony Cocktail (gin, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur)
• Barbary Coast (Scotch, gin, crème de cacao, heavy cream)
• Bacardi Cocktail (rum, lime juice, grenadine)

Buy the first cocktail for $11, give ‘em the password (“Roosevelt,” natch), and pay just 76 cents for the second (limit one per guest).

Comme Ça
Repeal Day menu
Friday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 6
8479 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA
(323) 782-1104

The Repeal Day menu will also be available at Pizzeria Ortica, from Dec. 4 through Dec. 11.

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Casey’s Irish Pub
Repeal Day Party
9pm-2am
Feat. live music by The Damselles & TC4
DJs Pony vs. Tiger

Dinner & drink specials
Prize for best 30’s attire
Free fedoras while they last

613 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 629-2353

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Word is that Tony’s Saloon and Rivera also have special Repeal Day shenanigans in the works, so stay tuned…

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Update 12/5: Julian Cox announced that Rivera’s Late Night Cocktail Menu will be specially priced at $5 in honor of Repeal Day. Classics like the Manhattan, Corpse Reviver, and Blood and Sand will be available from 10pm to close.

Rivera
1050 S. Flower St, #102
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 749-1460
www.riverarestaurant.com

Josh didn’t get to see his dad on Thanksgiving so he saw him two days later.

Tämä pieni kaupunki valvoo asetuksia tarkasti ja hankkiutuu eroon Los Angelesia vaivaavasta dramatiikasta.

Muutaman kilometrin päässä Los Angelesin kaupungintalolta on ollut vuosien ajan käynnissä pienimuotoinen kokeilu kannabiksen säännöstelemisessä. Osavaltion suurimman kaupungin hyväksyessä virheellisen toimenpiteistä pidättäytymisen, kiistellessä sääntöehdotuksista loputtomiin ja seuratessa hämmentyneenä lääkekannabiskauppojen lisääntymistä, West Hollywood painoi eteenpäin.

Kohdatessaan omien kannabisputiikkiensa räjähdysmäisen kasvun vuonna 2005, tämä Los Angelesin ympäroimä kaupunki esitteli käytännön toimenpiteistä pidättäytymisestä, määräsi väliaikaiset säädökset jo toiminnassa oleville, asetti tiukan valvonnan ja määritteli sallittujen kannabisliikkeiden määrän neljään. Kaikki tämä tapahtui kahden vuoden aikana.

Kun West Hollywoodin kaupunginvaltuusto päivitti säädöksiään aiemmin tänä syksynä, äänestys oli yksimielinen. Yksikään asukas ei ilmoittanut olevansa eri mieltä ja kaupungin kannabiskauppojen pitäjät tukivat sitä. Sitä vastoin Los Angelesissa valtuuston komiteat valmistautuvat kuulemistilaisuuteen, joka tulee epäilemättä olemaan riehakkaan riitaisa yrittäessään viimeistellä nyt viidennen version säännöksistään.

West Hollywoodin kaupunginisät sanovat, että on kulunut yli kaksi vuotta siitä, kun asukas on viimeksi valittanut kannabisapteekista. Naapurustopartioiden johtajien mukaan heidän katunsa ovat nyt turvallisempia, koska apteekkien turvamiesten vaaditaan liikkuvan myös lähikortteleissa. Kouluviranomaiset toivottavat kannabisapteekit tervetulleiksi naapuriinsa. Ja kaupungissa partioiva Los Angelesin poliisiosasto sanoo, että kannabisliikkeissä ei ole tapahtunut viime aikoina rikoksia, eikä soittoja vihaisilta naapureilta ole kuulunut.

“Me olemme olleet tilanteen tasalla ensimmäisestä päivästä lähtien”, sanoi Lisa Belsanti, kaupungin vanhempi hallintoanalyytikko, joka oli mukana sääntöjen sorvaamisessa. “Ongelmia on, mutta ne ovat Los Angelesissa eikä West Hollywoodissa.”

Kaupungeissa, joissa ei ole lääkekannabisssäännöstöä, kuten Los Angelesissa, San Diegossa ja Long Beachilla, lääkekannabisapteekkien naapureina asuvat ovat protestoineet, koska liikkeitä on perustettu minne tahansa – usein aivan asuntojen läheisyyteen – ja koska ne ovat houkutelleet riesaksi asti liikennettä ja todellisia vaaroja, kuten ryöstöjä. Joissakin kaupungeissa, kuten San Franciscossa ja Oaklandissa, on tiukat säädökset lääkekannabisapteekeille, ja niiden viranomaisten mukaan ongelmia on ollut vähän tai ei lainkaan.

Vaikka West Hollywood on vain murto-osa Los Angelesista 1,9 neliömailin koollaan ja 36 000 asukkaallaan, se toimii esimerkkinä siitä, kuinka säännökset luomalla ja niitä valvomalla ongelmat on suureksi osaksi vältetty. “Olemme pitäneet liikkeet tiukassa hihnassa”, sanoi kaupunginvaltuutettu John Duran, joka on ollut mukana lääkekannabisasiassa vuosien ajan. “Tänä päivänä valituksia tulee aivan minimaalisesti ja liikkeet toimivat vastuullisesti.”

Edistyksellisellä politiikallaan ylpeilevä West Hollywood, jossa on myös paljon homoväestöä ja ikäihmisiä, toivotti lääkekannabiksen tervetulleeksi sanan levittyä, että siitä voi olla apua AIDS-potilaille ja glaukoomaa sairastaville. Sielläkin tosin koettiin naapurustojen vastaisku, kun kannabisapteekit alkoivat yleistyä vuosina 2004 ja 2005.

Kolme liikettä ilmestyi korttelin päähän Fountain Dayn koulusta. Yksi niistä, Farmacy, oli aivan nurkan takana. Sen asiakkaat pistivät palamaan yksityiskoulun kanssa jaetulla paikoitusalueella, mikä hermostutti vanhempia. “Yhtäkkiä niitä alkoi avautua, pam pam pam pam”, sanoi Andrew Rakos, koulun johtaja. “Vanhempainyhdistys tuli luokseni ja kertoi, etteivät he ole lainkaan iloisia asiasta. Paikalle alkoi virrata paljon epäilyttävää ainesta.”

Farmacya pyörittää vakavasti sairaita ihmisiä kannabiksella yli 15 vuoden ajan hoitanut farmaseutti JoAnna LaForce. Hän otti yhteyttä vanhempainyhdistykseen, tarjosi esittelykierroksia liikkeeseensä, palkkasi turvahenkilökuntaa ja kielsi polttamisen paikoitusalueella. Farmacy, kuten muutkin liikkeet, kuuluu kauppakamariin ja sen johtaja on mukana kunnanneuvostossa.

“Olemme vain osa yhteisöä, osa naapurustoa. Meitä ei nähdä riskinä”, sanoi Los Angelesin tilannetta tyrmistyneenä seurannut LaForce. Hän omistaa Farmacy-liikkeet myös Venicessä ja Westwoodissa, ja ne toimivat kaupunkien säädösten mukaisesti.

Rakos on nykyään eräs Farmacyn arvokkaimmista tukijoista. Koska liike on alle 150 metrin päässä koulusta, kaupunki halusi sen muuttavan vuoden loppuun mennessä. Rakos kuitenkin pyysi kaupunginvaltuustoa tekemään poikkeuksen, jonka se tekikin. “Meistä oli tärkeää, että kaupunki tietää olevan olemassa liikkeitä, jotka eivät ole pelkästään kunnioitettavia, vaan jotka ovat myös kuunnelleet yhteisön tarpeita”, hän sanoi.

Los Angelesissa kiisteltyä säädösluonnosta on palloteltu valtuuston ja kaupunginsyyttäjänviraston välillä. Naapurustoaktiivit ja liikkeiden omistajat on pitkälti jätetty ulkopuolelle, he ovat saaneet sanoa sanansa ainoastaan julkisissa kuulemistilaisuuksissa. West Hollywoodin virkamiehet toimivat kuitenkin läheisessä yhteistyössä asukkaiden, omistajien ja poliisin kanssa.

West Hollywoodin säädökset rajoittavat sijainteja, joihin kannabisapteekin voi avata, määrittelevät turvallisuusvaatimukset, määräävät aukioloajoista ja kieltävät paikan päällä tapahtuvan kannabiksen käytön. Ne menevät pidemmälle kuin Los Angelesin säädösehdotus varmistaakseen, että kannabiskaupat ovat vastuullisia naapureita.

Liikkeiden on toimitettava lähiseudun asukkaille yhteyshenkilön nimi ja puhelinnumero. Ryöstöjen estämiseksi liikkeiden on talletettava joka päivä kaikki käteinen raha. Aseistamattomien vartijoiden on partioitava kahden korttelin säteellä liikkeestä estääkseen maleksimisen ja polttelun. “Me emme halua villin lännen tyylisiä ammuskeluja kannabiksen tai käteisen vuoksi”, Duran sanoi.

Kaupunki myös velvoittaa liikkeiden pyörittäjien tapaavan säännöllisesti viranomaisten kanssa keskustellakseen ongelmista. Nuo tapaamiset ovat nykyään hyvin lyhyitä. “Me menemme sinne kymmeneksi minuutiksi”, LaForce sanoi, “ja he sanovat – seriffi on paikalla – onko ongelmia? Ei. Mitään huolenaiheita? Ei.”

Kaupungin viranomaiset hätääntyivät äskettäin, kun Los Angelesin piirikunnan syyttäjä Steve Cooley sanoi uskovansa useimpien kannabisapteekkien olevan laittomia ja uhkasi nostaa niitä vastaan syytteitä. Mutta seriffi Lee Baca, joka on neuvonut kaupunkeja kieltämään kannabisliikkeet, sanoi pitävänsä West Hollywoodia mallitapauksena ja ehdotti jopa Los Angelesia ottamaan käyttöön samanlaiset säädökset.

Baca sanoi poliisiensa toimivan yhteistyössä kaupungin kannabisliikkeiden kanssa. “Tiedän niiden olevan läpinäkyviä ja uskon avaimen olevan siinä, että meidän väkemme voi mennä niihin koska tahansa ja tutkia niiden asiakirjoja”, hän sanoi. “Meitä kiinnostavat organisaatiot, jotka yrittävät sekoittaa lääkemyyntiin liikekaupallista myyntiä. Se on selkeästi laitonta.” West Hollywoodissa on neljä hyväksyttyä kannabisapteekkia, jotka kaikki sijaitsevat vilkkaalla Santa Monica Boulevardilla.

Don Duncan, alueen näkyvin lääkekannabiksen puolestapuhuja ja Americans for safe access -järjestön Kalifornian osaston johtaja, pyörittää vaatimatonta Los Angeles patients & caregivers group -apteekkia. Turvamies on aina paikalla liikkeen kannabiksenvihreän näyteikkunan edustalla. “Emme ole saaneet valitusta kolmeen vuoteen”, Duncan sanoi.

Farmacy, toisin kuin suurin osa muista kannabisapteekeista, pitää ovensa aina avoinna, kutsuen ohikulkijoita sisään tutustumaan liikkeen surffauksen ja Buddhan inspiroimaan ilmapiiriin. Alternative Herbal Health Services -apteekki kadun toisella puolella on hillitympi, sen ikkunaa koristaa värikäs luomukauppaa muistuttava kyltti. Kaupungin länsilaidalla sijaitsee Zen Healing Collective, jonka ikkunassa on jättimäinen neonhampunlehti. Viides kannabisliike, jonka kaupungin viranomaiset haluavat sulkea, Sunset Super Shop, on vertauskuvallisesti juuri oikealla paikalla Hustler Hollywoodin (seksiä) ja Whisky a Go Gon (rock’n'rollia) välissä.

Eräs asia vaivaa kuitenkin yhä West Hollywoodin virkamiehiä: se että ihmiset käyttävät hyväksi osavaltion lääkekannabislakeja ja ostavat kannabista yksinkertaisesti päästäkseen pilveen tai myydäkseen sitä edelleen. “Siellä notkuu paljon ihmisiä, joita me pidämme epätoivottavina henkilöinä, mutta emme kylläkään saa heistä paljonkaan valituksia yhteisöltä”, sanoi seriffi Dave Smith.

Duran uskoo että aidosti sairaiden turvallinen lääkekannabiksen saanti ja myynnin kontrolloinnin mahdollistaminen kaupungin taholta ovat painavampia asioita kuin haittapuolet. “Me olemme Sunset Stripin alkukoti”, hän sanoi. “Ihmiset ovat käyttäneet kannabista Sunsetillä 1920-luvulta asti. Se ei tule muuttumaan.”

Lähde:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-weho-marijuana16-2009nov16,0,7678248,full.story

You might have heard about Urth Cafe if you watch HBO’s Entourage. Urth is one of Vinny’s hangouts. Just like in the show, it’s a scene and it’s always packed with the LA types I go out of my way to avoid. But we were shopping in Melrose a few blocks away and I wanted dessert.

The first time I had Urth’s pumpkin pie (pictured) was with a director friend who got offended because I made fun of the cafe’s name. I thought he was mispronouncing “earth” and it wasn’t until I looked at the sign outside that I got it. “It figures,” I said laughing. He took it so personally. “Don’t you like the place?” he said as if he owned the place.

Anyway, that was three years ago and since then, I eat Urth pumpkin pie once a year. I described it to my companion and I could tell he thought I was exaggerating. “It’s twice as thick and the crust is yummy. They give you a huge piece topped with real, freshly whipped cream.”

We got lucky and got to sit outside in perfect Southern California weather albeit in the midst of show business chatter and shenanigans.

I heard barking coming from a dog and then from a dude. The jackass, dressed in $200 jeans and oversized sunglasses, barked back at the dog and the dog barked back and so on. Only a wannabe producer or comedian would bark back at a dog. It was strange, because the dog had been quiet until the asshole walked by. He must have disapproved of his outfit and was letting him know. Everyone looked on at the scene he was creating. It wasn’t funny and the dog’s owner told him he was making things worse.

You can imagine my disappointment when, the $7 slice of pie I had to share, was almost half the size of what I had been served before. And no whipped cream! A few minutes later, the busboy showed up with a small ramekin filled with, not fresh, real whipped cream, but Reddi Wip. I wondered if this affront was due to the recession. The pie was creamy, sorta’ lush, and the spicy, graham cracker-like crust didn’t disappoint. However, I don’t know if feeling let down by the size of the slice and Reddi Wip affected my taste buds, but I remember it being much better. I should have ordered the bread pudding like I wanted to but I was dissuaded by my companion. After this pumpkin pie experience and the pineapple upside down cake one at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen in Napa earlier this month (a story for another day), I will never be talked out of over-ordering dessert. You can always take it home if you get full!

I hate going to West Hollywood because the parking is bad and the people are fake and annoying. I hate sharing dessert because I can always eat the whole thing. And I hate it when my expectations are crushed.

A group of young posers sitting next to us talked about recent movies and then the conversation turned to New Moon. A guy said he had unfriended someone from Facebook because he had liked it. My companion shook his head, laughed and let me have the last bite of pie. I wanted more but the line to order was too long. I hate waiting in line.

We walked back to the car and encountered the perfect ending to a disappointing lunch: a $45 parking ticket on my window.

By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

Hotels have long been known for their social roles, and for their ability to continually reinvent themselves to relevant for today’s lifestyle taste. After all, consumer taste seems to change faster than changing bed linens.

In line with the idea of making every inch of the hotel a profit center. First it was the Spa, a permanent fixture in fine hotels today. And now, all eyes are on the best underutilized space: the Rooftop Area!

I’m back West.
Yeah, you know that, homie. You know I’m here. I bet you know it.

I’m back West and trying my very best not to act on thoughts of cutting off my own face.

I hate those dumb palm trees, first of all.
Can’t stand this stupid sunshine.
I’m so fed up with those beaches, all the attention whores, the tourists, the crackheads in bikini and the lousy 40-somethings with their ugly glasses, pretending to be great unknown filmmakers.. Fuck all these people.

I’m so damn alone. Even yelled at the maid.

.. Tornado, where are you? .. And how do you do?
.. Tornado, … fuck you..

Just turn off this goddam music, too.
Can’t stand it any longer, too.
Can’t stand anything any longer. Just give me some Bach.
And a whiskey, on the rocks, my dear.

I’m back West and you’re not there.
I’m back West and you don’t even care.
I miss you my little hurricano.. but you don’t know.

… So. Well I guess I’ll only plan on staying in this hotel room foreva, whateva, staring at Sunset and cursing palm trees, crawling in the night and, drunk, screaming your name.

Tornado, you’ll never know..

Slit my wrists over you.
Checked. I have ’till June 29.
The meds wouldn’t be safe being taken after that day. Ain’t it funny?

.. Know, it ain’t..

.. But this, Serenado, .. You’ll never know.

In a time when many shops are closing their doors, premium denim collection Russh Mode is slated to open their first store on Robertson Blvd. this Wednesday, November 25. The newly launched Los Angeles label focuses on flattering cuts with jeans retailing for $150 to $200.

Russh Mode denim comes in classic skinny, bootcut, and straight-leg styles, including popular styles Lola and Sophisticate. Rises range from 8” to 9.5” and are available in sizes 25” to 32”. Their signature curved back pocket and contoured stitching gives jeans an enhanced fit for all body types.

Russh Mode, a play on the phrase “rush mode”, is designed by Los Angeles native George Arrington. Drawing from his background working for Paige Premium Denim, Peoples Liberation, and William Rast, Arrington launched Russh Mode in late 2008.

The Russh Mode store will open its doors at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25, and is located at 352 N. Robertson Blvd. @ Rosewood Ave. (between Beverly Blvd. and Melrose Ave.), West Hollywood, CA 90048.

For more information on Russh Mode, please visit www.russhmode.com.

By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

Hotels have long been known for their social roles, and for their ability to continually reinvent themselves to relevant for today’s lifestyle taste. After all, consumer taste seems to change faster than changing bed linens.

In line with the idea of making every inch of the hotel a profit center. First it was the Spa, a permanent fixture in fine hotels today. And now, all eyes are on the best underutilized space: the Rooftop Area!

Here’s a look at how rooftops are rejuvenating hotels across the world. Wether for lounging with cocktail in hand, or pools and spas, launch parties, cool events, film parties… all making their way to the top of the hotel… where it’s Hot, Hip & Happening! And the bright city lights and skyline make for a spectacular backdrop.

Miss Japan and Miss Trinidad and Tobago...best friends...

Thanksgiving must be in the air, because this month of November has been a  cornucopia of riches for those of you out there, unlike myself, that enjoy watching leaked sex tapes of famous or soon to be famous people. 

Virginal Miss California, and a proud homophobe Carrie Prejean has made at least 8 solo sex tapes, that were for her former boyfriends eyes only, has been offered up to two million dollars by the porno production kings Vivid entertainment.

 Shauna Sands of all people has written an open letter to Carrie, encouraging her to take the money, and maximize her financial earnings by controlling its distribution, which will happen if she gets paid or not.

 Shauna, of course, is speaking from experience, as her former boyfriend released her sex tape, on the eve of ex-husband Lorenzo Lamas and current family had premiered their own reality T.V. program on a major cable network. Shauna has offered to sit down with her over ‘tea’ so she could consult her one on one, sex tape producer to sex tape producer. 

Let’s see what Carrie decides to do…take the devils money, or cash in and blaze new trials as a christian porno actress. Today, singing star, actress, and all around sex goddess, Carmen Electra stepped up to the plate and has leaked her own private porno sex tape, but hers is not a solo affair. 

 What it does mean is that the search for it will on the internet will make her the queen of internet searches for a few days, which should help promote the sale of her upcoming movie or book release. Electra, 37, can be seen wearing nothing but black high heels, stockings, panties, a red bra and a diamond-studded choker in a new short posted on website NucleonForce.com.

The most interesting one out of any leaked sex tape that I have been forced to review as a ‘journalist’ comes from newcomers Miss Japan 2008 Miroko Mima and Miss Trinidad & Tobago Anya Ayoung-Chee who both met and competed in the 2008 Miss Universe pageant with Carrie Prejean. 

Do not be too curious, because why mess up a good gig over some prurient entertainment, unless of course, your job is to report on such news for a blog or other legitimate news reporting services.

 http://fleshbot.com/5405254/alleged-beauty-queen-threeway-tape-rocks-the-internet/gallery 

I predict the two of them will be famous, but that Miss Trinidad and Tobago is flat-out beautiful. She will have an extensive career in front of the cameras, so do not be mad at her.

 I give this one 15 stars out of 10, and the leaked tape speaks for itself.

 It is being reported that the action was stolen off of her Miss Trinidad’s former boyfriend’s laptop, when he left it at a computer repair shop. That sounds to me like a lie, because we all know that most people delete their porn from their desktop before leaving it at a repair shop,….at least I do.

 I am obviously joking here with all of this, but it is amazing to me that there are so many high-profile people out there that film themselves having illicit sex. Carrie Prejean claims that she just wanted to give her boyfriend a gift, and I have heard that before many times from young girls.

I know when I bring gifts to an intimate female companion, I better show up with some flowers and merchandise if I plan on coming back. A sex tape will not cut it for the women I know, …but it would be great for them to make one and give it to me.

 I just would not be in it. Unfortunetly this does send out the wrong message to all the little girls out there that want to become celebrities. It seems as though that a ‘leaked’ sex tape is going to be mandatory for  young lady to rise to fame and popularity in today’s culture.

The viral nature of just such an exhibition has worked wonders for many of todays starlets and that might be a double-edged sword. 

I expect a lot of self righteous declarations of piousness to be espoused in reaction to this sexual exploitation in our culture, and I discourage any of my relatives to go down this path,so I do not have to be exposed to it.

 But, the reality of it is, is that it is not illegal if the parties are of age and consenting adults, it’s just inadvisable.

 I recommend a bit of discretion, but I do understand the pressure that we in Hollywood put on the female stars to stay relevant, and to be noticed.

If you are related to me, I suggest you make something eles for your boyfriend…

 Proceed with caution….as I call to book my one way ticket to Trinidad and Tobago with a layover in Japan!!!

 http://www.examiner.com/x-29916-Davidson-County-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m11d19-Carmen-Electra-leaked-video-Another-leaked-video-draws-attention

Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2008

Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2008