So wrong

But too funny all the same . . .

Priceless letters

I guess the folks at the Tribune don't always want to take the time to write their own Letters to the Editor? Today's (Saturday's) edition includes this priceless gem:

"Lastly, as to candidates for office, if you believe you are better off now than you were six years ago, you need to vote Republican.

Conversely, if you are worse off than you were six years ago, you ought to vote a straight Democratic ticket."

Got that, undecided voters? Full story

IRS Politics

The IRS has decided to delay the mailing of certain notices and will also postpone collections enforcement until after the election and the holidays for New Orleans residents. Commissioner Mark Everson has admitted that the decision was political in nature. As he put it, "We are very sensitive to political perceptions." Full story

Rate your realtor

AgentQOS.com of Whittier allows consumers to rate their real estate agents. Full story

"Some people do not belong in the classroom, OK?"

The new LA schools chief almost seems to be spoiling for a fight with the teachers' union. The union's reponse? "He's also going to have to understand that a major cause of problems at schools are principals and assistant principals who are not team builders or team leaders." So the deficiencies of individual instructors lie at the feet of a lack of team building and leadership? I'm sure that will be a winning message with parents frustrated with poor education. Full story

New builder sales technique: auctions

Rising unsold inventories are causing builders to look at auctions as a necessary evil for clearing back inventories. Full story

Drinkers of cheap CA swill, rejoice!

According to the Sacramento Bee, the 2005 has set a new record for California, at just under 3.8 million tons. Spot prices have dropped in many regions for varietals. The largest impact is anticipated to occur with discount (under $10 brands). Unfortunately, no large impact is forseen on premium brands. Full story

Drew University at King/Drew to loose accrediting

The loss of federal funds for the hopsital has caused the group responsible for accredition of medical graduate schools to revoke the associated medical graduate school's standing. Full story

City of LA looses 1/3 of potential ticket revenue

According to the Los Angeles Daily News, over $160 million in parking tickets and citations go uncollected. This is equal to about 1/3 of the value of all citations. A handful of motorists have racked up over $5,000 in fines, with the leader coming in at over $10,000 in upaid tickets. Full story

SF Chronicle welcomes chance to use 'Campaign' and 'Orgy' in same lede

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, campaign spending in California has now topped $500 million. Just over half of this is being spent on ballot measures. Full story

Wine Notes #10: Walla Walla

Owen Roe Sharecropper's 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon: So yes, the label reads Pinot Noir, but this review really is of the Cab. For some reason a Cab label could not be found . . .

Owen Roe produces the wine from Washington vineyard grapes. The company uses a co-operative growing arrangement under which the grapes are provided to the winery, which handles bottling and distribution. I imagine that this arrangement helps to keep costs down as less financing would be involved-the winery then splits the proceeds with the growers once the bottles are sold.

The result is a delicious Cabernet at a reasonable cost (a smidgeon over $20, depending upon the retailer). The wine is full, and ready to drink young. Lots of sumptuous fruit, and a good nose.
Owen Roe

AQMD sued by environmentalists over power plants

Environmental groups are suing the South Coast Air Quality Management District over new regulations on power plants and air pollution credits which are involved in the construction of 6 new power plants. This includes one gas-fired plant to be build in the City of Industry. Full story in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune

MTA Decree Lifts

US Judge Terry Hatter has lifted the consent decree on the MTA. The decree was adopted in 1996. The MTA overcame opposition from the Bus Riders' Union. The lifting of the decree will allow for the beginning of a rationalization of services and fares. Full story

Tribes fight back

California's tribes have pumped $1 million into Tony Strickland's campaign for Controller against John Chiang. This is most likely backlash against the Democratic party for the Legislature's earlier refusal to agree to gaming compacts negotiated by the Governor, due to labor opposition. Full story

Pelosi generates $50 million

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Nancy Pelosi has generated about $50 million for Democrats this election cycle. Given that the combined cost to date of all House campaigns is about $700 million according to the article, this is quite an accomplishment. Full story

Schrag on slate mailers

Peter Schrag writes about this year's crop of slate mailers, or, to use his term, "democracy for dummies." Full story

Kidnappings on the rise in Tijuana

The Los Angeles Times documents the sad rise in daylight kidnappings and murder in Tijuana. Full story

Unsurprisingly, Feinstein confident of victory

So confident, in fact, that she's given away $1 million to other Democratic Senate candidates in tight races. Recipients include candidates in Missouri, Virginia, and Montana, raises that are critical pickups for Democrats in this cycle. Full San Gabriel Valley Tribune story

TV manufacturing comes to Ontario

Syntax-Brillian is opening the nation's first high-definition, flat-panel TV manufacturing facility in Ontario. Full story

LA football dealt another setback

According to the Los Angeles Times, estimates for the renovation or construction of an NFL stadium in LA are now equal to $1 billion. That is $200 million more than an estimate from the spring of 2005. The main culprit, as everywhere, is the rising cost of basic construction materials and commodities. Full story