Blake Griffin Hires Agent; Declares For NBA Draft

Scouts Believe The First Year Power Forward Could Be A Top 5 Selection

Griffin Was Invited To Several NBA Sanctioned Events

Los Angeles (CHN) - Vinny Del Negro could only smile and shrug his shoulders Thursday morning after his star, 6' 10" Blake Griffin, officially announced that he would forgo his remaining contract and enter the 2011 NBA Draft.

"I think he's ready," said Del Negro who helped recruit the youngster from Oklahoma. "We have had NBA talent come through this franchise from time to time in the past but Blake is a cut above; I really think he can be successful at the next level," boasted Del Negro.

Griffin, who averaged a double double for the Clippers, says he's up for the challenge. "I'm excited, I mean, what can I say... everyone who has ever played for the Los Angeles Clippers has dreamed of playing in the NBA. For me, it's really happening - I am just going to go through the process and see where it takes me".

Scouts took notice of Griffin uncanny athleticism, size, and dunking ability; all unusual attributes for a Clipper Player of any age.

But critics remain. "We've seen it before," said former NBA Coach and 1992 Dream Team star Larry Bird. Bird continued, "Danny Manning, Bo Kimble, Michael Olowokandi... These guys all tried to jump from the Clippers to the NBA and it just never seems to happen. I would tell this Griffin kid to stay in school or go back to school and finish his contract; He may be the most talented Clipper of all time; but lets be realistic, this is the NBA".

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2011. Christian Laettner Was Not Mentioned In This Story

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Buzz Kill: LA County Wants You To Take Ecstasy Safely

LOS ANGELES (CBS) —The glow-stick industry may be buzzing over the latest public service announcement from Los Angeles County, but some say it amounts to an backhanded endorsement of illicit drug use.

Amid ongoing debate over safety and security measures at rave dance parties held at the Los Angeles Coliseum, county health officials have quietly launched a campaign to offer guidelines for safe use of MDMA, more popularly known as “ecstasy”.

Officials plan to distribute leaflets such as the one pictured below at upcoming events with tips on ways to avoid overdosing on what the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies along with PCP and mescaline as a Schedule I narcotic.

LA County is set to debut this flyer on "Ecstasy: How To Minimize Potential Harms". (credit: LAWeekly.com)

The death of a 15-year-old girl and hundreds of injuries at the 14th annual Electric Daisy Carnival held in the publicly-owned Los Angeles Coliseum in June 2010 sparked a public backlash over the potential safety hazards of hosting upwards of 180,000 young people, but the Coliseum Commission says it intends to move ahead with the event this year.

Courtesy of CBS-LA

Valentine's Day Dinner Round-Up - You Still Have Time!

If you have the balls to eat out on Valentines day...Well, you may as well do it right. Here our your Plastico approved options for 2011:

There are still a couple of weeks to secure your table of love for Valentine's Day, and plenty of local restaurants want to help you set the mood—after they set your table. One fine dining favorite is even offering a complete gourmet meal for two to take home and eat wherever you like. Heck, it's none of our business. XOXO


A.O.C. Wine Bar
8022 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
tel: 323-652-6259
www.aocwinebar.com 

When: February 14, 2011
Price: $85 per person; choose five savory dishes per couple and one dessert each from extensive menu
Menu highlights: Chicken liver crostini with pancetta; duck confit, black rice, pomegranate, walnuts; root vegetables, burrata, aged balsamic; olive oil cake with chocolate, pistachios and candied ornge
The Romance: Suzanne Goin's market-driven small plates are ideal for sharing, and fork swapping.

Campanile
624 La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
tel: 323-938-1447
www.campanilerestaurant.com

When: February 14, 2011
Price: $75 per person; four courses
Menu highlights: Baked oysters, grilled prime rib, spinach ravioli, chocolate truffle cake
The Romance: Housed in a dramatic historic structure built in 1929, Campanile is classic L.A. glamor.

Drago Centro
525 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
www.dragocentro.com
tel:213-228-8998

The Romance: Nothing's sexier than a fifteen-foot high, glass-enclosed wine tower.
When: February 11, 12, 13, and 14, 2011
Price: $65 per person; five courses; $35 wine pairings
Menu highlights: Seared diver scallop, salsify, asparagus, blood orange; wild mushroom & truffle risotto; duo of beef, polenta, brussels sprouts; pavolva, passion fruit, strawberry, candied flowers
Extras: live entertainment on Friday and Saturday

La Cachette Bistro
1733 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
tel: 310-434-9509
www.lacachettebistro.com

When: February 11, 12, 13, and 14, 2011
Price: $80 per person; five courses
Menu highlights: Organic egg and caviar with crème fraiche; hot atlantic oysters with champagne sauce; scallop carpaccio with black truffle and porcinis; white Pekin duck with cabernet sauce and braised red cabbage; homemade chocolate truffles to take home
The Romance: Chef Jean-Michel Metignier is calling this "Amour Tapas"—oh-la-la.

Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069
tel: 323-655-6277
www.lucques.com

When: February 14, 2011
Price: $110 per person; four courses
Menu highlights: Parisian gnocchi with asparagus, english peas, green garlic and parmesan; grilled niman ranch club steak for two with potato purée. arugula, and horseradish cream; tarte au fromage with meyer lemon, blueberry compote and candied lemon
The Romance: A seat by the wood-burning fireplace turns up the heat.

Mélisse
1104 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
tel:310-395-0881
www.melisse.com

When: February 12, 13, and 14, 2011
Price: $135 per person for three courses on Sat. and Sun.; $250 per person for four courses on Mon.
Menu highlights: "Hot and Cold Foie Gras," Artichoke, Mandarin and Lavendere; Main Lobster Bolognese, fresh capellini, truffle froth; filet of beef and braised cheek, crushed potatoes, morel mushrooms, Béarnaise, natural jus; Assorted Mélisse Dessert
The Romance: Tufted stools, a quiet room, and contemporary French cuisine as good looking as your date.

Napa Valley Grille
1100 Glendon Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
tel: 310-825-3322
www.napavalleygrille.com

When: February 14, 2011
Price: specials ranging from $6-$29
Menu highlights: Smoked chicken griddle cake, young garlic, sugar snap peas, pea tendrils; roasted diver scallop with spring carrot flan, saffron vinaigrette; goat cheese tart with black berries, white honey
The Romance: No prix fixe menu here—the Westwood Village spot is all about free love, letting couples choose-their-own culinary adventure.

Obika
10250 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90067
tel: 310-556-2452
www.obikala.com

When: February 14, 2011
Price: $60 per couple, wine pairings for two $30; four courses
Menu highlights: Duo di salumi or duo vegetable fritti; duo di Mozzarella de Bufala with Truffles; Duo de Paste or Smoked Fish Duo, St. Valentine Dessert
The Romance: Dripping lumps of creamy mozzarella shipped straight from Italy to your mouths. Also tonight's "duos" menu is perfect for sharing.

Oliverio at Avalon Hotel
9400 W. Olympic Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
tel: 310-277-5221
www.avalonbeverlyhills.com

When: February 14, 2011
Price: $65 per person, wine pairings additional $35
Menu highlights: Chitarra pasta made with lobster, roasted tomatoes, and asparagus; spicy roasted chicken with escarole; chocolate buffet.
Extras: Dieting love birds can experience a lighter, small-plates menu (think salmon crudo).
The Romance: The all-chocolate dessert buffet is called Choco-Sutra (ooooooh!) and features triple chocolate truffle pizzettas to cinnamon and red chili-infused pot de crèmes.

Petrossian
321 North Robertson Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90048
tel: 310-271-0576
www.petrossian.com

When: February 11, 12, and 14, 2011
Price: $75 per person; four courses
Menu highlights:  Kumamoto oyster, caviar, pink peppercorn, vodka; tenderloin, lardons, porcini, tarragon, truffle, Fresno chili; rainbow trout,  haricot verts, almonds, parsley, lemon; white chocolate fondue
Extras: includes 30g Classic Transmontanus Caviar
The Romance: Um, it's caviar—along with the oyster it's one of the sea's most well-known aphrodisiacs.

Royal/T
8910 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
tel: 310-559-6300
www.royal-t.org

When: February 14, 2011
Price: Four-course prix fixe, $65 per person
Menu highlights: "Love Bites" sharable platter with coconut saffron shrimp, cilantro crab bites, and yogurt clouds; pomegranate lamb on basmati with royal cumin; creamy black lentils with spinach and roses.
Extras: complimentary glass of champagne
The Romance: For Valentine's Day, this Japanese "cosplay" maid café (some people are into that) transforms into a elegant venue for a sensual Indian meal crafted by chef Kaumudi Marathé of Un-Curry. Silk pillows anyone?

Saddle Peak Lodge
419 Cold Canyon Road
Calabasas, CA 91302
tel: 818-222-3888
www.saddlepeaklodge.com

When: February 12, 13, and 14, 2011
Price: $150 per person; four courses
Menu highlights: Kumamoto oysters poached in a champagne lemon verbena cream with herbs and American caviar; butter poached lobster "Thai style" sweet, salty, and spicy; Grilled New Zealand elk tenderloin with currants, arugula, sweet potato and celery root; banana bread pudding with huckleberries and vanilla ice cream
The Romance:  Set the mood in log cabin with mounted deer heads, hunting gear, and other uber-masculine memorabilia lining the walls—plus a crackling fireplace.

Tavern
11648 San Vincente Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049
tel: 310-806-6466
www.tavernla.com

When: February 14, 2011
Price: $85 per person; four courses
Menu highlights: Wild mushroom tart with young onions, gruyère and herb salad; herb-roasted rack of lamb with tapenade, arugula and artichoke-potato gratin; chocolate and gianduja cake with coffee and salted caramel ice cream.
Extras: The Larder is offering a take-home dinner complete with wine and candies with 48-hours notice!
The Romance: Gaze at the stars through the glass-roofed atrium and sip something sumptuous from the bar. Take a pastry from the larder for breakfast in bed tomorrow.

Viceroy Santa Monica
1819 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
tel: 310-260-7511
www.viceroysantamonica.com

When: February 13, 14, 2011
Price: $95 per person; includes four-courses, champagne tasting, customized scrub
Menu highlights: Lobster with risotto, apple, shies, and kaffir lime broth; chocolate tartufo with salted hazelnuts.
The Romance: Dinner is served poolside. After the meal, couples go to a "scent tent" to play with aromatherapy oils and create a customized body scrub to take home.

Vu Restaurant
14160 Palawan Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
tel: 310-439-3032
www.vurestaurantmarinadelrey.com

When: February 14, 2011
Price: $120 per couple; $200 with beverages; seven courses
Menu highlights: Grilled cheese with toasted brioche, "midnight moon", tomato jam, micro basil; King Cole Duck, creamy goat cheese polenta, dried cherries, chocolate-red wine reduction; dark chocolate mousse, strawberry ice cream, rose gel, dusting of flowers
The Romance: Smack on the oh-so-scenic marina, Vu's molecular gastronomy menu is playful and full of whimsy.

Wilshire Restaurant
2454 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90403
tel: 310-586-1707
www.wilshirerestaurant.com

When: February 14, 2011
Price: full menu available ranging from $12-$45
Menu highlights: Kumamoto oysters dynamite; tahitian squash ravioli with brown butter, sage, parmesan, crispy kale, and hazelnuts; whole fried Thai snapper with soba noodles.
The Romance: The sprawling multi-tiered patio is studded with fire-pits to keep things hot.

GOOD LUCK!!!

LA's Catholic elementary schools to add 20 days to their calendar

Amber Valencia works with children in her first-grade class at Nativity School.

Cardinal Roger Mahony announced that L.A. Catholic Schools will be the first in the State to adopt a 200-day School year. The announcement was made at Nativity School in Los Angeles.

Hoping to boost academic achievement among its elementary school students, the Los Angeles Archdiocese announced Thursday it will add 20 days to its school calendar, which will boost tuition by 10 percent next year.

The calendar change will affect 52,000 students at 210 Catholic elementary schools in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and makes the system the first in the state to have a 200-day calendar. Read Full Article 

 

 

So What The Hell Is Going On With Prop 13?

The one thing that really annoys liberals in the State of California is that there is one tax category that we do not lead or nearly lead the nation in.  Keep in mine that 'lead' means the worst rate for you.  That category is 'Property Taxes'.  If you are retired or you simply live in a home that's paid off, Proposition 13 and it's limits on taxes may be the only feather in your hat and may just be the only reason you are still sticking around a state with near 13% unemployment and little good news coming down the economic pike.  

So when Jerry Brown immeidately took aim at massaging Prop 13, well, you can imagine the happiness from the left.  But first - a wider view of the tax picture for the once 'Golden State':

'California's 2011 Business Tax Climate Ranks 49th'  (Only New Jersey is worse)

'California's Top Individual Income Tax Rate Is 4th Highest in the Nation'

'California's Corporate Income Tax Rate is the Highest in the West'

'California's Sales Tax Rate Is Highest in the Nation'

'Property Tax Collections Slightly Below Average'

That last one is exactly what angers the left in California. So just how cheap are the property taxes in California?  Well, we pay an average of $1,000.00 more than the average American on property taxes per capita.  Aint that a bitch.  So here is the lefts argument: We are cheating our schools because our tax burden per value of home comes out near the middle of the pack. 

  

The left viewpoint is:

The hugely popular Proposition 13 has had a cascade of unintended consequences.

Are they right?

No.

What might you do to cling to the last manageable tax burden in the state?

In reality... probably nothing.  But you can join this Facebook Group:

Best wishes.

SO CAL UNEMPLOYMENT JUMPS AGAIN....

The jobless rate in Los Angeles County hit a new record high of 13 percent in December, while the statewide rate ticked up to 12.5 percent. 

The county rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point from November to December. Meanwhile, December's showing means the state's monthly jobless rate remained above 12 percent for all of 2010, even as the national unemployment rate decreased in December to 9.4 percent. 

The report released Friday by the state Employment Development Department said the number of Californians holding jobs dropped 25,000 from November. The number of jobless Californians rose to nearly 2.27 million, an increase of 3,000 from November.   Read More: DAILY BREEZE 

DATABASE: City,

Publish Post

county jobless figures

Scott Baio Found Dead In El Segundo Apartment

El Segundo, CA - Scott Baio is reportedly dead after being found in his apartment near El Segundo according to reports from the Hermosa Beach Fire Dept. An investigation has already begun because of the nature of Scott's body. Hermosa Beach Police refuse to comment on the investigation and refuse to confirm that it was Baio that they found in his apartment this afternoon. No details have been released as to cause of death. Baio was found unresponsive at 2pm this afternoon according neighbors who came to help after a frantic house-cleaner was heard yelling in the street.


Bloggers nationwide are speculating foul play because of a possible explosion (per NBC) and many months of death threats concerning Baio's political views according to US Magazine

In 2007, Baio married his longtime girlfriend Renee Sloan. In July 2007, he told E!: Entertainment Television's Ted Casablanca that they were expecting a baby girl in December. Initially pregnant with twins, Renee lost one of the babies at 11 weeks gestation.heir daughter, Bailey DeLuca Baio, was born in November 2007, 5 weeks premature. The family has started the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation to provide financial support to other families who are dealing with metabolic disorders.

Recently,Baio was also in the Emmy award winning comedy series Arrested Development as the madcap Bluth family's serious but overpaid lawyer, Bob Loblaw. He took over the role of the clan's legal counselor from former Happy Days co-star Henry Winkler in four episodes: "Forget Me Now", "Notapusy", "Mr. F", and "Making a Stand". In August 2006, Baio was formally invited by the AIA Actors Studio to discuss his professional experiences as a working director in television and movies. He talked about his own acting career plus his recent forays into writing, directing and producing.

Baio was the co-host of the VH1 reality show Confessions of a Teen Idol, in which former teen idols attempt to resurrect their careers.
In 2009 he played a cameo in the videoclip of the song Wrong Hole by DJ Lubel along with the artist, and young actress Taryn Southern.

Los Angeles County Morgue has not released any information confirming death or as to cause of death as of 4pm PST.