Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
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Westside Ballet's presentation of The Nutcracker has been a beloved Los Angeles classic since 1973, providing the perfect opportunity to introduce children to classical music and dance, and in so doing, showcasing the value of the performance arts––a point considered more poignant than ever after the collective nearly two-year drought of live entertainment and arts events throughout the pandemic. The whole family can expect to be entranced once more by the production's lavish scenes and costumes...
Paris Hilton celebrated her wedding with a few lucky guests on the Santa Monica Pier Friday night, 11/12/21. I asked the young handsome actor type guy what folks were waiting for at the parking lot across the street from the Lutheran Church. "We're waiting for shuttle vans to take us to a private wedding event on the Pier," he said. It's about half a mile from the Santa Monica Pier. But it turns out, he was telling the truth, and the private part was for socialite Paris Hilton, and her groom,...
Ask Rusty – Why Is My Medicare Part B Premium So High? Dear Rusty: Social Security is deducting $297 per month for my Medicare Part B coverage. I have what's called a "Windfall Elimination Provision" because I receive a pension from my former State employer. Prior to my 65th Birthday in July of this year, Social Security was paying me $764 per month, but when I turned 65 they reduced my amount to $467 per month. I read that the Part B premiums for 2021 are $148.50, so I wonder why I'm paying d...
Many homeless people hit the streets along with their pets. Others acquire pets when they are homeless. The animals seemingly don't discriminate on the basis of housing. They are often perfectly happy to live outdoors. But why would people experiencing homelessness want the burden of a pet? Homeless pet owners use their pets to facilitate socialization, says Wikipedia. The pets get their owners out to local vet clinics and parks where they interact with other pet owners. Many homeless pet...
Sweeping new rules governing debt collection practices in the U.S. will go into effect on November 30. Unfortunately, many of the very serious concerns about the use of electronic communications for debt collection raised by citizens, cybersecurity experts and consumer advocacy groups including Keep Me Posted (KMP) were effectively ignored by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the federal agency charged with making sure banks, lenders and other financial companies treat consumers f...
Ask Rusty – About Paying SS Tax While Still Working Dear Rusty: Upon being let go in 2009 at age 65 from my full time job of 30 years, I immediately applied for Social Security for my wife and I to live on while seeking employment. Not finding anything full time, I ended up working part time for the past 9 years driving a school bus for an hourly wage. Even though my wife and I are collecting Social Security, my wages are still being taxed for it. While I don't feel this is fair, the real rub (t...
Have you ever walked by a restaurant and the sweet scents emanating from within were so intoxicatingly delicious that you felt like you had to have whatever they were cooking right then? In this instance, the not-so-subtle smells come from the burning almond wood chef Jonah Johnson uses in his kitchen at his new restaurant, appropriately named Jonah's Kitchen. On Wilshire and 26th in Santa Monica, the incredibly welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant invites the casual passerby to follow the sce...
Alumnus Farid Adibi credits his early education at PS1 Pluralistic School for his academic and professional ambitions, his leadership skills, and the formation of his media company "Left-Middle-Right," which offers multiple perspectives on contemporary issues. Now a junior at George Washington University, Farid reflects on his time at PS1. "As a young student, PS1 welcomed my immigrant family and taught me that inclusivity is not just about race and culture. It's also about inclusivity of...
Leave the holiday cooking to the professionals this year and have the chefs at Hotel Casa del Mar prepare you an unforgettable Thanksgiving meal. The iconic Santa Monica-based hotel is offering dine-in services, as well as a Thanksgiving Take Away menu for those celebrating from the comfort of their home. For dine-in, a special three-course-prix-fixe menu will be available for lunch and dinner on Thanksgiving Day 11/25 at Terrazza and Catch restaurants located inside the hotel. Details below:...
One man's agony: "I am 77 years old. I was happily married for 55 years but I lost my wife a year and a half ago. No, she didn't die. In fact, she is in great physical health-- except for her Alzheimer's Disease. She is in a Memory Care Facility. I see her a couple of times each week. Her confinement and my isolation have left me devastated. I love her and wake up each and every morning sad and abandoned." It's not easy growing old and alone, no matter the circumstances. And, while that man's...
Here at the CIW's women's yard, transgender women numbers continue to go up. How many? I'm not sure. With Covid-19 causing restricted movement, I'm limited on info. I'm also not sure what to call these people with full male anatomy. So I'll just call them what they are, PENISES. After all, that's what this is all about... No more condoms being given! After only one issuance, CDCR abruptly stopped? But why? I'll tell you why! We, us women here at CIW, raised hell over the condoms! Next thing you...
Los Angeles, CA: The Giving Spirit-a nonprofit serving homeless individuals in Los Angeles since 1999-announced today that it will be serving 1,200 companion animals and their guardians by assembling 1,200 "Companion Animal Kits" at the Westchester Municipal Building on November 5 - 9, 2021, all while sounding the call for volunteers and donations to help make the initiative a resounding success. The Giving Spirit will also host a Zoom-based educational event to lead a dialogue on the critical...
Contemporary artist Haleh Mashian opened the final exhibition of the year with her newest series, SACRED WATERS at MASH Gallery in the Arts District, in downtown Los Angeles. This showstopper of a collection highlights Mashian's mastery of texture and three-dimensionality in her work, allowing her conceptual vision to flow beyond the confines of the canvas. SACRED WATERS offers an immersive experience, where paint, palette and materials embody the liquid properties of water. The opening night of...
Ask Rusty – Is Waiting until 70 Still the Best Plan to Maximize Social Security? Dear Rusty: My wife started her Social Security at 62 in March 2017 and I filed a Restricted Application to collect a spouse benefit from her shortly thereafter. Our plan is for me to file for my own Social Security later this year when I turn 70. Then my wife will file for her spousal benefit from me. Our life expectancy is 93 & 96. Is this still the best plan for maximum payments? Signed: Planning Ahead Dear P...
This Spooktober, the Observer has been featuring articles about cats -- first the black cats that are the hallmark of the season, followed by their festive ginger counterparts. This week, we're featuring a trick-or-treating bag brimming with a wide variety of cat mythology and superstition from around the world. While not an exhaustive treatment of the subject, we hope the taste of some of these legends might spark your interest. Japan: Bakeneko and Nekomata. Ancient beliefs in parts of Japan st...
Ask Rusty – Is Taxing Social Security Fair? Dear Rusty: Taxing Social Security benefits isn't fair. It would benefit everyone if seniors could earn as much as possible without having their Social Security taxed. We would still be paying into Social Security which would help the fund. I also feel that all people earning over $100,000 should pay into Social Security because they can afford it. This would help fund Social Security without hurting anyone financially. Many seniors are struggling fina...
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released a tip sheet today on how to celebrate Halloween "Covid-safe." Suggestions include practical ideas like making your Covid-mask part of your costume and avoiding crowded places with poor air flow. (Interestingly, health officials warn against wearing a costume mask over a face mask, admitting this would make breathing difficult. Why didn't they think of that when they were tellng people to double-mask?) But some of the "guidance" dips int...
Charismatic comedian and all round entertainer, Max Amini is known for his tireless energy, quick wit and has established himself as one of the world's leading stand up comedians. A self confessed workaholic, Amini is a clean living, healthy eating, none drinking lover of fitness. He needs to be! He is always on the go! Amini is always working, creating new projects and he is about to launch his new project- a fresh, sexy and exciting podcast called 'Inside OnlyFans' - produced and created by...
I was at the former prison known as Valley State Prison For Women, now a men's prison, I saw something that changed me forever. At VSPW, us women prisoners lived in 8 person cells. It's about 13 years ago now. One day, I was at the table cooking. Suddenly, one of my roommates dropped to the floor, on her back, her body stiff. Her face was blue. I had no idea that what I was seeing was an opioid heroine overdose. She lay on the floor, blue, stiff and struggling to breathe. I assumed it was a...
Ask Rusty – About the Basics of Applying for Social Security Dear Rusty: I am planning to apply for Social Security in May of 2022 and would like to understand how to file. I will be taking it when I am 62. Signed: Ready to Retire Dear Ready to Retire: Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! You should apply for your Social Security benefits about 3 months before you wish benefits to begin (you will tell them the month you want benefits to start when you apply). Since you plan to apply a...
On Tuesday, September 21,2021 the "16th Annual Christmas in September" fundraiser for Children's Hospital Los Angles was held at The Abbey Food and Bar. This glamorous event was hosted by Kathy Hilton, Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton Rothschild and sponsored by Ketel One. This civic event helps solicit thousands of toys for Children's Hospital Los Angeles during the time of the year when they need them the most There was a Red Carpet, Meet and Greet from 6-7 pm and the main event 7-9pm. There was...
Observation. That's how I discover what my peers are up to. Occasionally, it rises to the level of an amusement that I must share with others. This is one of those true moments... There's a girl in my housing unit. She's a lifer. She's very fragile. Her body language would immediately put anyone on notice. She's off. So it surprised me when she suddenly got a girlfriend. I made a point to observe this more closely. Sure enough, I listen closely and I heard the girlfriend talking about how she...
A favorite hidden gem with Angelenos and one of the most quintessentially California places to visit, live or go to college. Claremont, California is the ultimate overnight or weekend getaway for an awesome family vacation. Notable as a college town with some of the nation's most highly respected educational institutions, Claremont, the city, is a distinctly, quaint suburb of Claremont full of idyllic tree-lined streets, a walkable downtown village, a relaxed, casual atmosphere, and...
Last week, in honor of the beginning of Halloween month, we featured a few fascinating facts about the flashy black felines that have become icons of the holiday. This week, we're dishing out a sweet celebration of Salem and Bastet's counterparts -- orange, or ginger, cats. While they may have less of an association with Hallow's Eve, ginger kitties fit right in amongst a pumpkin patch, and their striped leggings recall cartoon and film witches, from the Wicked Witch of the West to J.K....
It's true. They give it out like candy. This medication crippled me. For months. Stopped all my activities. I'm finally free. I'm finally out from under the grip of it. So, what do I speak of? What's the prison's the drug program hooking prisoners on? Suboxone Sublingual Strips. Basically, they act like an opioid! Like any street drug, it derailed my life. I've spent my last few days with chills, sweating and feeling weak. Withdrawal. I chose to stop the medication. But I paid a painful price. O...
