Talkin' Baseball! The best time of the YEAR has arrived in AMERICA! Thank you TERRY CASHMAN for our other "National Anthem." What is your favorite version? Willie, Mikey and the Duke is mine!

Terry Cashman: American Hero!
By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
March 31, 2011
8 p.m.

America, USA!

Terry Cashman is one of my heroes.  Never met Mr. Cashman.  I would probably fall over if ever had the opportunity to shake his hand.  Today, is Opening Day for Major League Baseball here in America. Today you will probably hear one of Mr. Cashman's "masterpieces."
Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees, cropped ...Image via Wikipedia
Joltin' Joe!

Thirty years ago singer/composer Cashman displayed his love for the national pastime with his song, “Talkin’ Baseball.”  Now baseball is showing its love for Cashman and his composition, with the Hall of Fame planning honoring the song and its writer by being inducted into the legendary shrine.
.
Every ball park in America (even a few in Canada) are blasting some version of "Talkin' Baseball."

Here are a couple of my favorite takes on his classic featuring the New York Yankees, the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles, and of course Willie, Mickey and The Duke!  Thanks, Mr. Cashman, for making America smile every opening day, year in and year out!
Baseball uniform(s) in the 1870'sImage via Wikipedia



Connie Mack, as manager of the Philadelphia At...Image via Wikipedia
Connie Mack!



Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

FIDELIO MARIN: HUNTINGTON BEACH MAN CONVICTED OF STABBING AND MURDERING WIFE AT LOCAL MOTEL

Surfers abound near Huntington City PierImage via Wikipedia
SANTA ANA – A husband was convicted yesterday of murdering his estranged wife by stabbing her to death in a Huntington Beach motel room and leaving her body, which was found by their 17-year-old daughter. 

Fidelio Marin, 40, Huntington Beach, was found guilty by a jury March 30, 2011, of one felony count of second degree murder and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. He faces a maximum sentence of 16 years to life in state prison at his sentencing April 29, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-39, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

On the afternoon of Oct. 10, 2008, Marin called his wife, 32-year-old Felix Mendez, and asked her to meet him at the Starlight Motel on Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach. The defendant had been staying in the motel because his wife had told him that she wanted a divorce.

The victim went to meet Marin at the motel with one of their four children, a 17-year-old daughter, and stayed with the defendant after their daughter had left. Once they were alone in the motel room, Marin murdered Mendez by repeatedly stabbing her in the neck and then left her body on the bathroom floor.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., after several failed attempts to reach her mother and father by phone, the victim’s 17-year-old daughter drove back to the motel to check on her mother. When the daughter was unable to open the motel room door, she opened the adjacent window and climbed into the motel room, where she discovered her dead mother in a pool of blood.

Mendez’ daughter called 911. At approximately 7:00 p.m., police officers located Marin on an Orange County Transit Authority bus in the Huntington Beach area. 

During the trial, the defendant testified that he snapped and stabbed Mendez because she had emasculated him and told him that he wasn’t a man.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Scott Simmons of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

On Top Of Mount Tandy Thinking About MHMR Thugs, The Main Street Arts Festival And The American Way As Opposed To The Fort Worth Way

You are with me on top of Mount Tandy, in the picture, looking west at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth.

It was a good thing to be back on the hills again. I'd not had that type salubrious aerobicizing since my vehicular malfunction on Monday.

I did not go swimming this morning. It is 75 right now coming up on half past 4 in the afternoon. I will be going swimming tomorrow morning.

Yesterday, about an hour before I was planning to take off for the Stagecoach Ballroom, I checked in on my Google Webmaster Tools to find a long long long list of errors generated from my Eyes on Texas website. It took me awhile to figure out what had happened and that it was no big deal.

Then today I got email from the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce telling me what the correct info is for this year's Parker County Peach Festival. I thought I had that up to date. I did not. It was the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup that I'd recently updated.

This led me to realize that it is almost time for Fort Worth's Main Street Arts Festival. The date information for that one also needed updating. Fort Worth's biggest festival takes place April 14 - 17. The Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival is something that Fort Worth does really well. Really.

I've heard no word from the Paradise Center as to whether they found a new home. This is the last day of the month. I believe by today the Paradise Center was told by the corrupt MHMR thugs that by today they had to have moved the POD storage container in which the MHMR thugs put all of the Paradise Center's property, after the MHMR thugs staged their coup d'tat, taking over the Paradise Center's facility.

The Paradise Center Scandal keeps seeming ever more bizarre to me. And ever more indicative that there is something really dire about the Fort Worth Way of operating. The problem with the Fort Worth Way came up at last night's TRIP meeting.

I have long opined that Fort Worth is badly damaged by not having a real newspaper. That fact was brought up last night in part of TRIP's "Up a Creek" movie. It pleased me to realize I am not the only one who realizes Fort Worth operates without a legitimate newspaper acting as the Fourth Estate advocate of the people in seeking truth, justice and the American Way.

The American Way. Not the Fort Worth Way.

Which is quasi-democratic and a really shameful spectacle to witness at times.

Like right now.

Ramon Rosas: Suspect busted at Carmenita Road and Meyer Rd. with 80 lbs. of cocaine and meth held on a $5,000,000.00 bail

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department badgeImage via WikipediaBy Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
March 31, 2011
12:20 p.m.

Santa Fe Springs, CA

We now know the name of the man who was arrested on Wednesday night at Carmenita Road and Meyer Road after his SUV crashed during a pursuit and at least 80 pounds of cocaine and meth were recovered from the vehicle.

Ramon Rosas, was arrested on suspicion of transporting 80 pounds of narcotics and is being held at the sheriff's Century station jail in lieu of $5 million bail.

The estimated street value of the illegal drugs is anywhere from $800,000 to well over $1,000.000.00.


$5,000,000.00 Bail.
Wow.
Don't see that too often.
Anyway, here is the booking details from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Booking No.: 2689999
Last Name: ROSAS
First Name: RAMON
Sex: M
Race: H
Date Of Birth: 10/10/1976
Age: 34
Hair: BLK
Eyes: BRO
Height: 505
Weight: 164

Charge Level: F (Felony)

ARREST
Arrest Date: 03/29/2011
Arrest Time: 2227
Arrest Agency: 2101
Agency Description: LASD-CENTURY STATION PATROL

Date Booked: 03/30/2011 Time Booked: 0230 Booking Location: CEN Location Description: STA - CENTURY STATION

BAIL
Total Bail Amount: 5,000,000.00
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

MARVIN MERCADO: Asian Boyz Shot Caller Sentenced to Multiple Life Terms

Gangs logo for Portal:Gangs.Image via WikipediaLOS ANGELES – One of the founding members of a notorious Asian gang convicted last month for his participation in more than half-a-dozen murders and other crimes was sentenced today to spend the remainder of his life in prison.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Perry sentenced Marvin Mercado, 37, to eight consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 200 years to life.

Mercado, who eluded authorities for more than a decade to avoid prosecution, was convicted on Feb. 16 of eight counts of first-degree murder and 10 counts of attempted murder with gun and gang allegations found to be true. Jurors also found true a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.

Deputy District Attorney Hoon Chun of the Organized Crime Division prosecuted the case.

Mercado was a member of the criminal street gang Asian Boyz during the mid 1990s. The charges stem from the defendant’s participation in six gang-motivated shootings between April 1995 and March 1996.

Among the crimes charged were the close-range execution of two rival gang members on April 14, 1995, in Van Nuys and the car-to-car shooting murders of three men on the San Bernardino freeway on Aug. 1, 1995, in El Monte.

Evidence presented at trial also linked Mercado to a flyer party shooting on March 17, 1996, at which time the defendant pulled the pin on what he believed to be a live grenade and threw it into a crowd while his co-conspirator opened fire on partygoers, killing one victim and injuring two others. The crimes took place in Canoga Park, El Monte, Mission Hills, Reseda and Van Nuys.

Seven co-defendants were convicted following a joint six-month trial in 1999.

To escape prosecution, the defendant fled the country and lived in the Philippines under a false name for approximately 12 years. Mercado was deported to the United States in mid 2009.
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Up Late On The Last Day Of March Thinking About Wildflowers, Sweet Tomatoes & Shooting Ronald Reagan

I was up way after midnight, well into the wee hours of the last day of March of 2011.

Which has me up well after the arrival of the sun has revealed that the last day of the month is a clear blue sky day, so far, in my zone of North Texas.

I am not going swimming this morning. It is only 42 degrees out there. I don't know if the 24 hour average has been over 50 degrees. I suspect not. I'm not in the mood for a shivering episode of the extreme trembles.

I learned, this morning, from one of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin's botanists, that this year's Texas wildflower crop will not be a bumper one.

I also learned that a Sweet Tomatoes restaurant is coming to Fort Worth. Sweet Tomatoes is a good thing. A really good thing. The Fort Worth Sweet Tomatoes will be among all the other restaurants in the booming Fort Worth zone of West 7th.

It was 30 years ago, yesterday, that Ronald Reagan was shot by a Jodie Foster addled crazy man. How can that be 3 decades ago? Time flies way way too fast.

Case in point, it is already past 8 this last morning of March of 2011. It is now time to go do something other than swimming. Like maybe have breakfast.
Labels: , , ,

I Was Not Up A Creek Without A Paddle Tonight At The Stagecoach Ballroom In Fort Worth

I made it safely back from the world premiere of "Up a Creek" at the Stagecoach Ballroom.

I really did not know what to expect to see in tonight's movie premiere.

I knew, sort of, what the subject matter was, that being promoting an adult version of improving the Trinity River and its tributaries and actually doing something about the flooding problem, other than building the world's best artificial wakeboard lake.

And stopping the bizarre Trinity River Vision Boondoggle.

The movie starred a young lady from Haltom City named Layla Caraway. It tells the story of how it came to be that Ms. Caraway is so passionately fighting the bizarre political power structure that runs roughshod over Fort Worth and Tarrant County.

Or as one of the talking heads in the movie said, "Fort Worth, the eminent domain abuse capital of Texas."

No. I was not that talking head.

I must say, Don Woodard is a Fort Worth treasure. His letters to the editor of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram are great. But that man and his one-liners are even better. Clyde Picht is another Fort Worth Treasure.

There are a lot of Fort Worth treasures.

Unfortunately the current system of conducting business, in what is known as the Fort Worth Way, sort of stops Fort Worth's treasures from turning Fort Worth into the treasure it could be, rather than the poorly run company town it is.

Tonight, before the movie, while I hid in the dark, observing the crowd, a young lady approached me and asked if I was Durango. This type thing always makes me nervous, shy guy that I be. I said my name is not Durango. The young lady insisted that it was. And so I agreed. And then I learned it was she who emailed me today about something about Montana. It is from that email I know this was Georgia S. I met tonight.

I also met "Tarrant Liberty Guy" who had commented on my blogging earlier today about tonight's movie premiere, saying "Hope to see you and Ms. Hotpepper tonight!"

Well, Tarrant Liberty Guy saw me, but I don't know, for sure, if he saw Ms. Hotpepper.

"Up a Creek" will soon be available for viewing online. I'll  direct you to that when it is ready to be viewed.

In the meantime, I've got myself a problem with a video of J.D. Granger, who was not at tonight's TRIP meeting movie premiere.

Ironic, because it is J.D. who is sort of up a creek. With no clue he is missing a paddle or two.
Labels: , , , ,

RIZZO AND SPACCIA: Rack Up More Charges for the Bad Boy and Girl of Bell!

Loving these new charges against Ratso Rizzo and his gal pal Angela Spaccia. The only thing left to throw at these masterminds of the Bell 8 is the "book" itself.  If you catch my drift.   Totally loving our "peeps" in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office of Public Integrity. We  need to start a "Fan Page" for them on FB?  Anytakers?


Rizzo, Spaccia Indicted
on New Charges

March 30, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Joe Scott, Director of Communications
Sandi Gibbons, Public Information Officer
Jane Robison, News Secretary
Shiara Dรกvila, Assistant PIO

LOS ANGELES – Bell’s former city manager and assistant city manager were arraigned this morning on a new Grand Jury indictment charging them with conspiracy and other charges in writing their own retirement contracts and with hiding public contracts and falsifying public records involving the former police chief.
Robert Rizzo and Angela Spaccia pleaded not guilty to the eight-count Grand Jury indictment unsealed this morning by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg. The Grand Jury returned the indictment Tuesday afternoon.

Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman with the Public Integrity Division is prosecuting the case.
The indictment alleges in several overt acts that Rizzo and Spaccia conspired to misappropriate public funds, including signing an agreement with Wells Fargo employee Alan Pennington that allowed them to receive increases in their pension plans that were based on fraudulent pay increases not approved by the City Council.

“On or about April 11, 2003, Defendant Spaccia communicated with Alan Pennington for the purpose of structuring the Bell Supplemental Retirement Plan to avoid the laws capping pension amounts,” the indictment states.

“On or about June 30, 2003, Defendant Spaccia communicated to Alan Pennington that Defendant Rizzo wanted the Bell Supplemental Retirement Plan structured so that it could not be repealed or altered by any Bell City Council in the future.”

The indictment alleges that several times over the next seven years, Rizzo and Spaccia directed Pennington to recalculate their retirement benefits to allow for pay increases – pay increases based on contracts they wrote themselves and allegedly hid from the council and the residents of Bell.

The indictment also alleges that in April and May, 2009, Spaccia drafted an employment contract for the future Bell Police Chief Randy Adams, stating: “We have crafted our Agreements carefully so we do not draw attention to our pay.”

Rizzo and Spaccia allegedly kept Adams’ true pay of $17,577 per pay period secret. They also allegedly hid a disability agreement they crafted for Adams.

They are charged with one count of misappropriation of public funds for unlawfully paying Adams $457,000 per year as police chief in violation of the Bell City charter.

They are charged with one count of falsification of official record for allegedly creating a false document that showed Adams’ annual salary was $200,000 a year when in fact he was being paid more than twice that amount.

The indictment alleges Rizzo and Spaccia wrote a secret letter of acknowledgement stating that, “Mr. Adams qualifies for, and will be filing for, a medical disability retirement, in conjunction with this service retirement, when he retires from the City of Bell.”

The indictment – BA382701 – charges Rizzo and Spaccia with one count each of conspiracy to misappropriate public funds, conflict of interest and misappropriating public funds. They also are charged with two counts each of secretion of official record and falsification of official record.

Rizzo is charged alone with one count of conflict of interest in providing legal work to the law firm of Tom Brown. The firm allegedly received public funds at the direction of Rizzo at the same time it provided personal legal representation to him related to a driving under the influence charge.

Both defendants are due back in court on May 3 for a pretrial hearing before Judge Kathleen Kennedy.

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Don't Litter At Tonight's Fort Worth World Premiere Of TRIP's Up A Creek Movie Documentary

I am not absolutely certain, but I think trash and litter in the Trinity River may be part of what is covered in TRIP's "Up a Creek: the Movie."

I went swimming (not in a creek) this morning, even though it was only 40 degrees. The water was warmer. I did not stay in the water long enough to induce a case of the shivering trembles.

I went to Oakland Lake Park at noon to walk around Fosdic Lake today.

I've long been amazed at these ugly green litter barrels that litter Oakland Lake Park, along with these worn paper messages stickered on the barrels, saying "Don't Litter - Put It in the Can! Keep Fort Worth Beautiful."

Well.

You'd need to click on the picture to enlarge it, but, ironically, there is litter on the ground between the two litter barrels you see in the picture. There is a lot of litter in Oakland Lake Park. A lot of the litter floats in Fosdic Lake. I suspect this type litter is some of what ends up in the Trinity River when it goes in to flood mode.

At least we now know it is all the litter that is what is keeping Fort Worth from being beautiful.

I suspect if you go to the Stagecoach Ballroom tonight you may learn more about the bad stuff that goes in to and gets done to the Trinity River by its many abusers.

The Stagecoach Ballroom is located at 2516 E. Belknap, aka 377, in Fort Worth, just a short distance northeast of The Smoke Pit, with The Smoke Pit being my favorite place to get BBQ, whilst served by scantily clad servers.

The Red Carpet for the movie premiere starts at 6:30, with "Up a Creek" screening at 7:00. To fortify yourself, for viewing the movie documentary, adult beverages will be available. I'll be in the VIP area signing autographs with Elsie Hotpepper. Or not. I've not decided yet.

Below is map that should help you find your way to the Stagecoach Ballroom....

Labels: , , , ,

Up Late On The Last Wednesday Of March Thinking About Spending Time On The Texas Death Row

I was up late last night, thus up late this Wednesday morning of the next to last day of March of 2011.

Looking out one of my viewing portals on the world one can guess from the steamy windows that it is cold out there.

40 degrees.

To swim or not to swim?

Yesterday morning I was obsessed with the woe of having to take care of my vehicular transport problem.

Everything about fixing that woe went well.

And then when I took off to drive, starting the vehicle was startling. The new starter starts the engine like an explosion. I don't think I'd realized how tired the old starter had become.

In non-vehicle news of the morning, I was surprised to learn this morning that someone in Texas is calling for a 2 year moratorium on executing killers in Texas. A man who was up close and personal to the Clarence Bradley travesty is leading the moratorium effort.

Two decades ago Clarence Bradley was released after spending 10 years on the Texas death row for a murder he did not commit.

I can't imagine how cranky it would make me to spend time on death row when I knew I'd done nothing wrong.
Labels:

BREAKING NEWS: High Speed Chase ends in Santa Fe Springs at Carmenita and Meyer Roads. $800,000.00 worth of METH and COCAINE recovered. Two suspects detained. One sent to area hospital.

Close up shot of a broken piece of compressed ...Image via Wikipedia
Chase ended here at Carmenita Road and Meyer Road in Santa Fe Springs.
Breaking News
By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
March 29, 2011
11:15 p.m.  PST

Santa Fe Springs, CA

A pursuit and crash tonight in Santa Fe Springs has resulted in the arrest of two men, the recovery of at least 80 pounds of cocaine and meth.  One of the suspects has been transferred to an area hospital.

The pursuit began shortly before 10 p.m. (around two hours ago) in south east Los Angeles County and ended at with the crash of the SUV at  Carmenita Road and Meyer Road here in Santa Fe Springs.  (Around four miles from where I live).

The two men detained have been been placed in custody.  Their names have not been released.
The condition of the suspect taken to the hospital appears to be non life threatening.   No one was injured during the chase.

I just got off the phone with Lt. Clay over at the Century Station and he told me that at least 80 pounds of meth and powered cocaine were located inside the vehicle.

"That's a street value of over $800,000.00" according to Lt. Clay.

The pursuit took law enforcement on a short 5 to 7 mile chase and the crime scene at Meyer and Carmenita has been closed off for the investigation.  "They didn't get far away.  We were on their tail the entire chase,"  Lt. Clay told me.


As soon as the names of those arrested, I will be updating this post.

The Century Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's agency took the "lead" in this case, since the chase started in their jurisdiction.  Man.  80 pounds in the back of a guys SUV.  Makes you wonder.  BTW.  Look for a huge investigation to follow.

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

MIKE CATHERWOOD BOOTED OFF DTWS! I am DEMANDING A RECOUNT!



By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
March 29, 2011
10 p.m.

Geoffry Rush. David Hasslehoff. Kenny Mayne.

Legends of the Hollywood dance floor.  Tonight Mike Catherwood joins the list of "First Losers" of Dancing With the Stars.  Man.  I am bumming.  Last week I help start the "Catherwood Movement" to keep our local hometown hero "in the game."  But tonight, the people of America threw him and his partner Lacey Schwimmer off the show in the first week of competition.  Dang it. Got to pull for Kristie Alley and Max for the remainder of this season.The shoe burning at Jimmy Kimmel Live begins in an hour. Sorry, Mike!
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Chris Brown lip "stinks" on the Dancing with the Stars floor tonight. Why do we "glorify" bad behavior in Hollywood?

Chris Brown: Lip stinker of  act on Dancing With the Stars.
By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
9:40 p.m.

Los Angeles, CA

Did you see that train wreck in Hollywood tonight? Chris Brown's "act" on Dancing With the Stars was a total joke tonight.  What is the "allure" of this guy?  Lip sink-ed his entire so called performance tonight. What an embarrassment. Still can't figure out why "acts" like this get on prime time television. We reward bad behavior far too much here in Hollywood.  Enough is enough.  Wonder how the dressing room held up?  Shame on ABC! 
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

OPINION: Run, Sutter run! Governor Brown Bails Out On Budget Talks. For the 678th time California is heading into the fiscal abyss. Where are them "recall papers?"

Bachardy's portrait of California Governor Jer...Image via WikipediaBy Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
March 29, 2011
8:40 p.m.

Sacramento, CA

Call me crazy.

A couple of hours ago, California Governor Jerry Brown threw up is arms, ran around the state capital ranting and raving and tossed in the towel on budget talks.

Someone, please hide first pooch Sutter Brown. Daddy is pissed off tonight.

Governor Brown has halted budget negotiations. Yep. The "wise" one is done. Outta here. Taking a walk from the ol' mahogany conference table located on the inside of his first floor ornate office. I wonder if he has Sutter on a leash right now heading over to Frank Fats for a stiff one?

"Yesterday, I stopped the discussions that I had been conducting with various members of the Republican party regarding our state’s massive deficit," Brown opined in a written statement to media members this afternoon.

"The budget plan that I put forth is balanced between deep cuts and extensions of currently existing taxes and I believe it is in the best interest of California. Under our constitution, however, two Republicans from the Assembly and two from the Senate must agree before this matter can be put to the people," Brown said.

"Each and every Republican legislator I’ve spoken to believes that voters should not have this right to vote unless I agree to an ever changing list of collateral demands."
California Governor Jerry Brown at the premier...Image via Wikipedia
The Governor has been pushing for a "special" election that would have allowed US voters to decide on different options on how to get us out of our yearly $30 to $45 Billion Dollar deficit that has become "standard practice" here in the Golden State.  What another special election that special interests flood hundreds of millions of dollars into to have us push our fiscal problems further off the Pacific coast?


Brown went on to lament that "Much is at stake, and in the coming weeks I will focus my efforts on speaking directly to Californians and coming up with honest and real solutions to our budget crisis."

Jerry, do us taxpayers a favor. Pull your head out of the Delta River and stop being such a baby.

Stop trying to push EVERY SINGLE problem that career politician like you have created back in the face of the average Californian
Profile picture of Gray Davis as Lieutenant Go...Image via Wikipedia
Here is a plan.

If Brown can't get a budget deal past by June, we need to ban together to ensure that the next "special" election is one to recall him from office.

We did it before.

Official state portrait of Governor Gray Davis.Image via WikipediaPaging Gray Davis.  What law firm is ol' Gray chillin' out in these days?

Copyright.  Republishing allowed with permission. For more information contact Economy4ABC.Blogspot@gmail.com.  All Rights Reserved.


Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

GERALD VIDAL: Magazine Salesman Sentenced to Life Term for San Fernando Valley Assault

Valley Municipal Building in Van Nuys, Los Ang...Image via WikipediaVAN NUYS – A magazine salesman convicted of sexually assaulting a San Fernando Valley woman after forcing his way into her home was sentenced today to 45 years and two months to life in state prison.

Deputy District Attorney Jane Creighton said 25-year-old Gerald Vidal was sentenced by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Barry Taylor, who presided over the trial that led to a jury in late February convicting the defendant of burglary, kidnapping and sexual assault. He was ordered to pay the victim restitution of $1,928.

The victim spoke, but only to thank the prosecution and court for their handling of the case, Creighton added.
Vidal was working with an out-of-state group of door-to-door magazine salespeople who were staying at a motel in Woodland Hills.

Authorities said the defendant knocked on the door of the victim’s home in Woodland Hills on Dec. 17, 2009. She said she would buy a magazine subscription, but had to go to the bank to get money.

She closed the door and a few minutes later, Vidal returned, forced his way inside, sexually assaulted the woman and ransacked the house, authorities said. He was tracked to the motel by police and arrested there.
Vidal has been in custody on $4.5 million bail since he was arrested shortly after the assault.
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

CHELSEA McClelland: Mid-City Los Angeles Day-Care Operator Charged with Sexually Molesting 13-Year-Old Godson. Held on $400K bail

Santa Monica FreewayImage via WikipediaLOS ANGELES – A 34-year-old day-care center operator was charged today with sexually molesting her godson after she was allegedly caught having sex with the young boy in a van, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Chelsea McClelland, (dob 7-10-76), was arrested this morning by LAPD on a felony complaint for arrest warrant, said Deputy District Attorney Elena Abramson with the Sex Crimes Division. She is being held on $400,000 bail.

In case BA382249, McClelland is charged with four felony counts of lewd act on a child under 14. The alleged acts occurred between Dec. 1 and Dec. 17, 2010.

LAPD's West Bureau sexual assault detail initially arrested McClelland in December after investigating reports from residents in the Mid-City area. Residents reported suspicious activity involving a white van parked in their neighborhood. When police responded, they allegedly found McClelland and the boy, who had just turned 13, having sex in the van parked near the Santa Monica Freeway and La Brea Avenue.

Police completed a further investigation and the case was filed for warrant on March 21.

McClelland, who operates a day-care facility in South Los Angeles, is scheduled to be arraigned after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Department 30. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in state prison.
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Jeffrey Keith Joseph: "Oraganica" Medical Marijuana Dispensary Owner Pleads "No Contest" faces five years in prision.

"Marijuana Cigarette"Image via WikipediaLOS ANGELES – A former medical marijuana dispensary owner charged last year in connection with a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation pleaded today, the District Attorney’s Office announced.
Deputy District Attorney John Harlan of the Major Narcotics Division said Jeffrey Keith Joseph, 42, pleaded no contest to two counts each of sales of marijuana and money laundering.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Upinder Kalra said Joseph would be sentenced on May 27 in Department 113 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

Joseph faces a minimum sentence of five years probation and 180 days in county jail and a maximum of four years in state prison, under the terms of a negotiated settlement.

Joseph – the former owner of Organica, a medical marijuana dispensary in Culver City – was engaged in illegal over-the-counter marijuana sales. The DEA initiated its investigation after Organica fliers were distributed at a local high school.

The defendant was charged in February 2010 after a financial investigation revealed that the dispensary’s average monthly income was $400,000.

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 charges in this case stemmed from evidence uncovered during that search, prosecutors said.
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Elsie Hotpepper Got Me To Thinking About The Real Fine Times I Used To Have In My 65 Ford Mustang Fastback

That is a 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback you're looking at in the picture. My first car was a 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback.

Mine is not the one in the picture, but that one looks close to mine, color-wise.

I just got called and told my current mode of vehicular transport has been repaired and is being delivered.

Back when I had my first car I worked on it myself.

I hated working on a car.

I fixed all sorts of things on my old Mustang. New shocks, fuel pump, carburetor, I forget what all. I'd replace the spark plugs. On my current vehicle it is not possible for me to change the spark plugs. I don't think it has a carburetor. I used to change the oil myself on my old Mustang. I have no idea how to do that with my current vehicle.

Elsie Hotpepper brought to mind, a few minutes ago, my history of car troubles with my old Mustang. It would over heat. The spark plugs would get fouled. I got stuck on Lombard Street in San Francisco with the clutch slipping. That same clutch, on that same trip, totally went out in Hollywood, late at night, after having watched the live taping of a TV show at Paramount Studios.

Oddly enough, to get that Mustang clutch fixed all those years ago cost almost the same as today's starter repair, both slightly over $200.

Another fun, unplanned stop, in my old Mustang was when it overheated on the Oakland Bay Bridge.

It amazes me now, looking back on it, that I went on so many roadtrips in that unreliable car. It took me to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, numerous times to Los Angeles and Disneyland, up to Canada, down to Mexico.

I put a lot of miles on my old Mustang by the time it died.

The Queen of Wink's son is lobbying hard to get an old 65 Mustang from his dad. I told the Queen of Wink I did not think this was a very good idea. It'd be a 46 year old car. Where would you find parts? How much would they cost if you could find them? Then again, if you fixed an old 65 Mustang up to its original glory, they are worth a fortune now.

After my old Mustang no longer ran a guy saw it sitting in a forlorn pasture, gathering moss, in rural Skagit County. This guy paid me $12,000 for that long dead car that I'd only paid $1050 for my senior year in high school.

About a year after selling the old Mustang the guy who bought it showed up at where I was living in Bellingham, showing off my restored old Mustang. I have no idea now how this guy knew where I lived. I shall have to ponder that one.

A short time later I learned that the rear end of my old Mustang had come undone, causing my old Mustang to be totaled. No one was injured.

When my old Mustang was running good, it was the funnest car I've ever had. I had myself some real fine times in that car, real fine times.

Well, enough of that. I've just been informed my newly restored current vehicular transport has arrived.
Labels:

Riding A Fort Worth Bus To Meet A Towing Truck & Talk To My Mom About My Aunt In Israel

I've had myself another fun day traveling the streets of Fort Worth.

I hopped aboard the #21 Fort Worth bus a little before 10 this morning to transit back to my disabled vehicular transport.

Fort Worth's buses are rather barebone and stark with a very fun, wild ride that reminds me of something you might get on board in a theme park.

I exited the bus at Barnett and Oakland and walked to my stalled transport. I was hoping for a miracle, that it would now start.

It didn't.

So, I called AAA. I was told it would take 35 to 40 minutes for help to arrive. Instead it was less than 10 minutes.

Then it was off to the repair place. And then back here where I await the diagnoses.

It was foggy this morning, then the fog turned into a light rain. I got a little wet out in it.

When I got back to my homebase zone I went over to Miss Puerto Rico's to take a picture of her foggy balcony view.

It is being a stereotypical Pacific Northwest winter day today in my area of North Texas.

I suspect enough rain has fallen today that March of 2011 will not set a record for the least rain recorded in North Texas.

I called my mom and dad whilst waiting for a bus today. I was surprised to learn my Aunt Judy is currently over in Israel. Somehow this does not seem to be a good time to be being a tourist in the Middle East.

My mom told me they are having a heat wave in Phoenix. I told my mom we are not having a heat wave in Fort Worth.

I'm in the mood for a heat wave.
Labels:

Up Early The Last Tuesday Of March Thinking About Exploding Tankers, Melting Bridges, Texas Boondoggle Referendums & The Paradise Center Scandal

I am up way too early this last Tuesday of March of 2011. Looking outside from one of my viewing portals I can see no stars or moons.

I suspect a heavy layer of clouds are lining the sky, because thunderstorms and rain are in the forecast for today.

I learned this morning that yesterday's tanker truck explosion on I-30, a couple miles to my west, caused the steel beams in the freeway bridge over Sycamore Creek to melt.

The westbound lanes of I-30 between Beach Street and Riverside Drive will be reduced from 4 lanes to 2, for months, while the Texas Department of Transportation makes emergency repairs.

Meanwhile up in Seattle, in other transportation related news, a group called Protect Seattle Now has managed to get over 27,000 signatures on a petition to put a referendum on the August ballot which will have voters voting on whether to go ahead with a multi-billion dollar tunnel project. Or not. 16,000 signatures are required to put a referendum to a vote.

Which has me wondering.

How come I don't read anything in the Fort Wort Star-Telegram along the lines of a group called Protect the Trinity Now has gathered over 27,000 signatures on a petition to put a referendum on the August ballot which will have voters voting for the first time on whether or not they approve of proceeding with the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle?

Maybe TRIP (Trinity River Improvement Project) has a petition in the works that I've not heard about.

Right now I am petitioning for the sun to arrive to provide illumination for my morning swim.

While I wait for the sun to arrive I have an incredible amount of fresh incoming Paradise Center Scandal material to digest. Including a pair of videos.
Labels: , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)