tagged w/ Los Angeles
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“Few industries have a greater impact on neighborhoods, residents, workers' rights and environment than the waste and recycling industry...” - Don’t Waste LA Coalition
One of the worst offending companies is American Reclamation. A company that represents precisely what is wrong with the industry - abuse, neglect and indifference. It is emblematic of the problems in the industry throughout the country - with dozens of health and safety violations that have resulted in official investigations. Even so, these companies are on the brink to secure major contracts.
You can have your voices heard as they are listening to the public right now!
TAKE ACTION NOW! http://mycuentame.org/dontwastela“Few industries have a greater impact on neighborhoods, residents, workers'... more
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An iconic portrait of Elvis Presley by pop artist Andy Warhol went for $37 Million when it hit the auction block tonight at Sotheby’s. The life-size 1963 painting, “Double Elvis (Ferus Type),” epitomizes Warhol’s obsessions with fame, stardom and the public image, according to Sotheby’s. Previously estimated to sell for $30 million to $50 million, it was included in the auction house’s May 9th sale of post-war and contemporary art.
Art auctions have turned into freak-show casinos, spectacles where the uber-rich can act out as much in public as possible, trying to buy immortality, become a part of art history, make headlines and create big profits. They are despicable for what they do to art, for the bad magic of making mysteriously powerful things turn into numbers.
This piece includes a number of vintage photographs, two videos and a documentary about Warhol's art and life.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/another-freak-show-big-money-art-auction-warhols-double-elvis-brings-33-million/An iconic portrait of Elvis Presley by pop artist Andy Warhol went for $37 Million... more
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Call or Email El Monte City Council to cancel its contract with American Reclamation unless it reinstates workers who were wrongfully terminated!
1-626-580-2001 or citycouncil@elmonte.gov
American Reclamation, a waste and recycling company that has public contracts to pick up and sort commercial trash, treats its workers worse than the garbage they haul and sort. It pays poverty wages with no benefits, exposes employees to health and safety hazards on a regular basis and fired workers who filed a safety complaint with CalOSHA.
http://youtu.be/nz2UEynrb_wCall or Email El Monte City Council to cancel its contract with American Reclamation... more
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An iconic portrait of Elvis Presley by pop artist Andy Warhol is poised to go for as much as $50 million when it hits the auction block in May at Sotheby’s. The life-size 1963 painting, “Double Elvis (Ferus Type),” epitomizes Warhol’s obsessions with fame, stardom and the public image, according to Sotheby’s. Estimated to sell for $30 million to $50 million, it will be included in the auction house’s May 9th sale of post-war and contemporary art.
The silver background of “Double Elvis (Ferus Type),” along with the subtle variations in tone give the serial imagery a sense of rhythmic variation that recalls the artist’s masterpiece, “200 One Dollar Bills,” completed the previous year. That work soared to nearly $44 million or four times its estimate in 2009 and achieved the highest price of any work at the fall auctions. But it was a work from Warhol’s “Death and Disaster “series that set the artist’s record, which still stands. “Green Car Crash (Green Car Burning),” also from 1963, more than doubled its estimate and sold for $71.7 million in 2007, at the height of the art market boom.
In the “Double Elvis” work, Presley is dressed as a cowboy, shooting a gun. Sotheby’s describes him in the work as “a Hollywood icon of the sixties rather than the rebellious singer who shook the world of music in the sixties.” The double in the title refers to a shadowy image of Presley in the same pose that appears next to him in the work.
This piece includes a number of vintage photographs, a video about the Elvis portrait and a documentary about Warhol's life.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/andy-warhols-cowboy-double-elvis-could-bring-50-million-at-auction/An iconic portrait of Elvis Presley by pop artist Andy Warhol is poised to go for as... more
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"Americans here, they have to put up this TOXIC STEW of illegal aliens." Statements like these are why you should call Clear Channel CEO John Hogan and tell him to drop John and Ken! 1-210-832-3357"Americans here, they have to put up this TOXIC STEW of illegal aliens."... more
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“LA Light” is a truly stunning, serene time-lapse short film by filmmaker Colin Rich, which has been nominated for Best Lyrical Video at the 2012 Vimeo Festival+Awards. The acclaimed film brilliantly captures the electric radiance of Los Angeles at night, paired with the lushly stellar music of Cinematic Orchestra’s “To Build A Home” from their album “Ma Fleu.”
This piece includes color photographs and the wonderful, lyrical short film.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/la-light-the-electric-radiance-of-los-angeles-at-night/“LA Light” is a truly stunning, serene time-lapse short film by filmmaker... more
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Earlier this year, the oil company Plains Exploration and Production (PXP) blasted water and chemicals more than one and half miles into the earth to force oil embedded in a sandstone formation to gush to the surface.Earlier this year, the oil company Plains Exploration and Production (PXP) blasted... more
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“Caine’s Arcade” is a sweet, heartwarming documentary short film by the award-winning filmmaker Nirvan Mullick, about a 9 year-old boy’s cardboard arcade. Young Caine Monroy built an elaborate cardboard arcade in the front room of his dad’s used auto parts store in a desolate industrial part of East Los Angeles. Eventually Caine’s Arcade grew in size, taking over almost the whole store, while his father sold auto parts on eBay in the back.
Day after day, Caine would set up his arcade and sweep the sidewalks in front, but the deserted street got almost no foot traffic, so Caine’s chances of getting a customer were very small. The few walk-in customers that did come through were always in too much of a hurry to get their auto parts to play Caine’s Arcade. But Caine never gave up.
One day, by chance, Nirvan Mullick walked into Smart Parts Auto looking for a used door handle for his ’96 Corolla. What he found instead was the elaborate handmade cardboard arcade manned by a young boy who asked if he would like to play. Mullick asked Caine how it worked, and he said that for $1 you could get two turns, or for $2 you could get a Fun Pass with 500 turns. Mullick got the Fun Pass.
Charmed by Caine and his arcade, Mullick asked Caine’s father if he could make a film about the arcade, and the answer was yes. But the father warned Mullick that Caine didn’t get many customers. “Well, actually, it’s kind of like a joke around here because you are his only customer,” he says in the film. But Mullick changed all that. In the film, Mullick explains how he decided to create a flashmob of people who would arrive at Caine’s Arcade eager to play some games. He created a Facebook event for the mob, which got posted on Hidden LA, and then got posted on Reddit, and suddenly people from around the world were lamenting that they weren’t able to go to Caine’s Arcade.
It’s worth watching the video just to see Caine’s reaction to the huge crowd of people lined up outside of his cardboard arcade, but we suggest you have a box of tissues nearby. When it was all over, Caine told his dad that it was the best day of his life.
In the past four days, millions of people have watched the short film. And if this story isn’t sweet enough, Mullick set up a scholarship fund for Caine, which has already raised more than $150,000.
This piece includes color photographs and the wonderful documentary short film.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/caines-magical-cardboard-arcade-hits-150000-jackpot/“Caine’s Arcade” is a sweet, heartwarming documentary short film by... more
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Los Angeles’ Skid Row is an area of downtown that has one of the largest stable populations of homeless people in the United States.
“Come and take a look at Skid Row and you can compare it to the third world countries”, Michael, an activist, says.Los Angeles’ Skid Row is an area of downtown that has one of the largest stable... more
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KCBS News | Los Angeles...
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Animals Found Clinging To Life After Being Used As Bait In Dog Fighting Circuit
February 28, 2012 11:51 PM
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VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA (CBS) —
There is a brutal trend in the illegal dog fighting circuit that sacrifices smaller animals as bait to excite the dogs before they go in the ring.
CBS2’s Mike Dinow reports on “bait animals” and how more of them are being abandoned, clinging to life, and are in need of a good home.
“The bait allows the fighting dog to taste blood and allows that dog to think it’s OK,” said Kyle Schwab, who’s been rescuing dogs for the past 20 years and bringing them to his facility, “Smash Face Rescue”, in Van Nuys.
Schwab said 1-year-old “Zeke”, who is a bait animal survivor, was recently found on the verge of death. Zeke had dozens of puncture wounds and lacerations throughout his body. His swelling was so severe it led to an infection that restricted his breathing.
“His wounds, they’re all defensive – he has no offensive wounds,” Schwab said.
Zeke is one of many animals found abandoned and badly injured after they’ve been used as bait.
Lori Brooks of Hand, Paws and Hearts Rescue said she opened her dog rescue facility in Lancaster because hundreds of bait and other animals are being abandoned in the desert every year.
“They just drive out open the door and drop them off,” Brooks said.
Experts at the Humane Society said mostly very docile dogs and cats are used as bait animals because they won’t put up a fight. Usually, the only animals to survive are other pitbulls because of their high tolerance for pain and their ability to withstand unbelievable damage.
“Sometimes, they’ll cut their face up to draw blood on their face,” said Sasha Abelson, an independent dog rescuer, of how handlers treat the bait animals.
“People will steal family pets, cats, puppies and throw them into the rings to excite the fighting dogs,” according to Abelson.
Dog experts said fighting rings are in concentrated areas throughout Los Angeles, mainly in Pacoima, Panorama City, Sylmar and Van Nuys.
Schwab said as long as the people involved in these fighting rings continue to make huge profits they will continue to conduct dog fights and use defenseless bait animals to train them.
Authorities said you can qualify for a $5,000 reward by anonymously reporting a dog fighting ring by calling (877) NO2-FITE (662-3483).
Many of these bait animals are rescued and need good homes.
To find out how you can adopt Zeke or another rescue dog e-mail smashfacerescue911@yahoo.com or handpawshearts.rescuegroups.org.
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If you’d like to help donate towards Zeke’s surgeries go to http://leonardossurgery.chipin.com/zeke-white-bait-dog.
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http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6793276
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.KCBS News | Los Angeles...
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Animals Found Clinging To Life After Being Used As... more
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"Immigrants, toxic stew" , "Whitney Houston, 'crack ho'", "Koreans, 'shady" - A few of the many instance this duo has dangerously attacked a variety of communities. It is time to stop the hate. WATCH this NEW VIDEO and sign petition @ http://mycuentame.org/dropjohnandken"Immigrants, toxic stew" , "Whitney Houston, 'crack... more
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“The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” is an award-winning animated short film by author/illustrator William Joyce and Co-Director Brandon Oldenburg at Moonbot Studios, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film last night at the 2012 Academy Awards. Drawing on inspirations from Hurricane Katrina, The Wizard of Oz and Buster Keaton, the amazing and inspirational short film combines a variety of animation techniques to tell the story of people who have a passion for books.
This piece includes a number of colorful illustrations, as well as the acclaimed animated short film.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/the-fantastic-flying-books-of-mr-morris-lessmore-wins-2012-oscar-for-best-animated-short-film/“The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” is an award-winning... more
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Jennifer Hudson honored Whitney Houston’s life with an amazing tribute at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Hudson took the stage at last night’s 54th Annual Grammy Awards to sing an a cappella version of Whitney Houston’s hit “I Will Always Love You.” A lone spotlight beamed down on the Grammy and Academy Award winning American Idol alum after the artists and music industry executives who have passed away in the last year were paid their respects in a video montage. Thunderous applause rang through the audience before the room went dark and Hudson’s first clear, strong notes rang out.
She sang what could be considered Whitney Houston’s most famous hit, written by Dolly Parton for the soundtrack of “The Bodyguard.” Hudson’s rendition of the tune was above and beyond perfect, as if she was channeling the recently deceased singer herself. Her version was an exact replica of Houston’s own performance at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards twenty years ago. Throughout the song, Hudson appeared to be blinking back tears, and when she finished, she finally caved in to her overwhelming emotion. The audience went wild.
This piece includes photographs and the music video of Jennifer Hudson's wonderful tribute performance.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/honoring-an-icon-jennifer-hudson-pays-homage-to-whitney-houston/Jennifer Hudson honored Whitney Houston’s life with an amazing tribute at the... more
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Singing legend, Whitney Houston, who sold more than 170 million albums, singles and videos, had long battled drug and alcohol problems.
Whitney Houston's death Saturday at age 48 had few details immediately available, but celebrities on Twitter were quick to respond: Russell Simmons said he was "deeply saddened by the death of Whitney Houston...may she rest in peace."
"Just heard the news. so crazy," tweeted Justin Bieber. "One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family I am sadden to hear of the passing of Whitney Houston today..."Singing legend, Whitney Houston, who sold more than 170 million albums, singles and... more
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The campaign just released a list of its top money bundlers, showing they’ve raised at least 75 million dollars – and the most prominent money bundlers are in California. It is also a state with one of the highest rates of unemployment, foreclosures and homelessness.
Don’t expect the Obama’s to stop by any of the neighborhoods suffering from those issues, though.
“If they were to come to places like this in South Central Los Angeles, or to Downtown LA to Skid Rows, they would be surprised at the reality,” said Carlos Marroquin, a homeowners advocate and Occupy LA activist, ahead of another visit from the Obamas.
There are many stark realities in Los Angeles that the President and first lady do not get to see, and many voices they do not hear.
“All you have to do is look at the people that are homeless. All you have to do s look at all the people being laid off,” said Osiris, a Los Angeles resident.
“We’re on our way down and it may be down the drain maybe for good," said Gary Boatright, a homeless man living on the streets of Skid Row. He is one of the city’s 50 thousand homeless.
“I don’t think much of them coming to LA or anywhere else. It’s what they do, not what they say,” said Boatright.
He along with community activists, argue the White House hasn’t done enough to address our nation’s increasing wealth gap.
“The issue of homelessness and poverty in America is obviously not a priority of the Obama administration. Basically poor people are being kept invisible,” he added.
Poverty has risen in California every year since President Obama came into office. Today 6 million live below the poverty line and 1-in-5 Californians lack health coverage.
“Unfortunately President Obama has been a huge disappointment to a lot of us,” Boatright said.
The campaign just released a list of its top money bundlers, showing they’ve raised at least 75 million dollars – and the most prominent money bundlers are in California. It is also a state with one of the highest rates of unemployment, foreclosures and homelessness. Don’t expect the Obama’s to stop by any of the neighborhoods suffering from those issues, though.
“If they were to come to places like this in South Central Los Angeles, or to Downtown LA to Skid Rows, they would be surprised at the reality,” said Carlos Marroquin, a homeowners advocate and Occupy LA activist, ahead of another visit from the Obamas.
There are many stark realities in Los Angeles that the President and first lady do not get to see, and many voices they do not hear.
“All you have to do is look at the people that are homeless. All you have to do s look at all the people being laid off,” said Osiris, a Los Angeles resident.
“We’re on our way down and it may be down the drain maybe for good," said Gary Boatright, a homeless man living on the streets of Skid Row. He is one of the city’s 50 thousand homeless.
“I don’t think much of them coming to LA or anywhere else. It’s what they do, not what they say,” said Boatright.
He along with community activists, argue the White House hasn’t done enough to address our nation’s increasing wealth gap.
“The issue of homelessness and poverty in America is obviously not a priority of the Obama administration. Basically poor people are being kept invisible,” he added.
Poverty has risen in California every year since President Obama came into office. Today 6 million live below the poverty line and 1-in-5 Californians lack health coverage.
“Unfortunately President Obama has been a huge disappointment to a lot of us,” Boatright said.The campaign just released a list of its top money bundlers, showing... more
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All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray, California streaming on such a winter’s day”. Seems like yesterday the entire country was sweltering in wicked summer heat with LA being the most Icelandic spot in the nation. We blasted out of steamy Orlando traveling thru an irradiated Jet stream complements of Fukushima landing in LAX with 3 hours of east coast daylight left in the overhead bin. As the plane taxied, I was occupied with my new Droid (Evo) 3D. I swore never to be one of those ADHD guys, checking my phone every two minutes with an occasional lobotomized glance into space. I can’t help it though, it’s so beautiful.
http://infinitetolerance.com/personal/california-streaming-travel-guide-goofballs/All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray, California streaming on such a... more
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Video was captured last night of five military helicopters buzzing over downtown LA, conducting what the LAPD has described as a special ops urban warfare drill.
The footage, captured by CBS Los Angeles, shows a huge Black Hawk helicopter hovering over the US bank building along with four other OH-6 choppers, known as “Little Birds”.
CBS reporters noted seeing the Black Hawk conduct a drop off in a nearby park before taking to the sky above LA again.
The helicopters, staged at Dodger Stadium throughout the exercise, were later spotted flying low over the Staples Center as the LA Lakers played inside.
Former U.S. Army aviator David Duran was told CBS affiliate KCAL9 News that the training is likely a dry run for a future mission.
“They do a lot of mockup training,” said Duran. “But it’s always best to get the closest terrain layout to what the objective is.”
“If it’s a mountainous terrain, they go to the mountains; if it’s a desert terrain, they use the desert; if they’re in a coastal terrain, they use the coast,” said Duran. “If it’s an urban terrain, you know, whatever’s needed.”
As we highlighted Wednesday, a statement issued Monday by the LAPD, says that the exercises, closed to the public, are “designed to ensure the military’s ability to operate in urban environments, prepare forces for upcoming overseas deployments, and meet mandatory training certification requirements.”
Training sites “have been carefully selected to ensure the event does not negatively impact the citizens of Los Angeles and their daily routine,” a department spokesperson said.
The drill is set to continue through Thursday.
The exercise is yet another in a spate of recent military drills to hit heavily populated areas throughout the country.
http://www.infowars.com/video-military-helicopters-conduct-covert-exercises-over-u-s-bank-building/
Back in April last year, residents of Brickell, Miami witnessed at least three large Black Hawk-like helicopters conducting military exercises over their heads. Some initially believed it was a movie shoot.Video was captured last night of five military helicopters buzzing over downtown LA,... more
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Ted Soqui è uno dei fotografi più conosciuti negli states con un occhio particolare a Los Angeles dove vive. Le sue fotografie sono state presenti sul New York Times, LA Weekly e altre riviste internazionali in tutto il mondo. Ma è una foto in particolare che lo ha reso "co-famoso", ovvero la foto da cui è tratto il disegno che Shepard Fairey in arte Obey, ha creato per la copertina del Times che ha decretato il manifestante quale persona dell'anno 2011.Ted Soqui è uno dei fotografi più conosciuti negli states con un occhio... more
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By David Edwards
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating one of their own officers after video surfaced showing him punching a special needs woman in the face.
Passenger Jermaine Green, who recorded the incident on his cell phone, said that 42-year-old Julie Nelson had been polite before two deputies tried to remove her from the bus.
“They said get off the bus,” Green recalled to NBC’s Los Angeles affiliate. “She then started cursing at (the female deputy). You could tell she had special needs. After that they grab her, she curses him out, calls him a big shot, next thing you know he gives her a big shot.”
In a 911 call released Wednesday, a caller said Nelson had threatened to “beat up” other passengers. Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said she also had a four convictions of violence against police officers.
Nelson, who is homeless and known to be living behind a CVS Pharmacy, was taken into custody on a 72-hour psychiatric hold without being arrested.
At a press conference Wednesday, Sheriff Lee Baca admitted that the video was “disturbing.”
“If the deputy who swung an elbow at the lady is looking at that as a sensible solution, we need to retrain that individual and hold him accountable,” he explained.
Childhood friends of Nelson told NBC L.A. that she had a history of mental problems, but had not been taking her medication.
“We’re going to take her and put her somewhere safe, same thing we always do, feed her, help her out, we love her,” one friend said.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/01/12/l-a-deputy-punches-special-needs-woman/
Watch the video below from NBC L.A., broadcast Jan. 11, 2012.
"Man, that was uncool and uncalled for!!!!"By David Edwards
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s... more
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A diverse group of residents recently took over a subway car on the Los Angeles Red Line in hopes of sharing a little love with stressed and anxious commuters. The members of this love flash mob, including children, mixed-in with the unsuspecting crowd, and let loose with one of the most inspiring 'random' acts of unity that I've seen in a long time.
http://veracitystew.com/2012/01/03/the-love-project-how-to-love-flash-mob-on-the-subway-video/A diverse group of residents recently took over a subway car on the Los Angeles Red... more
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