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Street Musician - LA
"One of the best street musicians in all of Los Angeles."
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Las Vegas jury reaches verdict in Simpson case
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jurors in the O.J. Simpson trial reached a verdict Friday after working into the night, deliberating the fate of the former football star and a co-defendant accused of robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a casino hotel room.
"We have a verdict," said Michael Sommermeyer, spokesman for the Clark County District Court. He said it would be read after all the defendants, lawyers and prosecutors arrived at the court.
The jury reached a decision after deliberating for more than 13 hours.
Simpson, 61, and a golfing buddy, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, each face five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery. They've pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including conspiracy, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon.
Deliberations began 13 years to the day after Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles.
The jury sent one note to the judge around 3 p.m. with what the court spokesman called a "procedural question."
Judge Jackie Glass responded with instructions to look at documents they had already been given, Sommermeyer said.
The jury of nine women and three men heard 12 days of testimony, capped by prosecutors' arguments Thursday that the Las Vegas case had its roots in the 1994 slayings.
Prosecutors alleged Simpson planned — and Stewart helped carry out — a plot to retrieve personal items that Simpson lost after squirreling them away to avoid turning them over to Goldman's family to satisfy part of a $33.5 million civil wrongful death judgment levied in 1997 by a California court.
Four men who accompanied Simpson, Stewart and a middle man to the Palace Station casino hotel for the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation later pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution. Thomas Riccio, the man who arranged and secretly recorded the meeting, testified under immunity from prosecution.
Simpson's lawyer, Yale Galanter, told the jury the prosecution didn't prove Simpson was guilty in the criminal case that he said "has taken on a life of its own because of Mr. Simpson's involvement."
"Every cooperator, every person who had a gun, every person who had an ulterior motive, every person who signed a book deal, every person who got paid money — the police, the district attorney's office, is only interested in one thing: Mr. Simpson," Galanter said.
Stewart's lawyer, Brent Bryson, presented his client as the trial's forgotten man.
Since Sept. 15, the jury heard 22 often colorful witnesses — including seven of the nine people who were in the cramped hotel room. They listened to numerous replays of secret recordings made before, during and after the alleged robbery.
Neither Simpson nor Stewart testified, and jurors were instructed not to consider that when judging the case.
Glass kept a tight rein on the proceedings and rejected several mistrial motions. She read 41 legal instructions to the jurors and six alternates before the panel heard closing arguments. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jurors in the O.J. Simpson trial reached a verdict Friday after working into the night, deliberating the fate of the ... more -
Curtain about to rise at Santa Monica College's new performing arts center
Sisyphus had it easy. Or so it often seemed to the individuals who spent the last decade bringing to fruition Santa Monica College's new performing arts center.
The king of Corinth was merely doomed to forever push a boulder up a mountain, only to have it roll back down each time he reached the summit. He didn't also have to deal with fundraising amid a topsy-turvy economy and soaring prices for concrete and steel.
Ten years and $45 million after the idea for a world-class arts and education center was conceived, the space will officially open with a gala Saturday, featuring a performance by Broadway legend Barbara Cook.
For culture-craving Westsiders, the striking modernist center -- designed by Santa Monica architect Renzo Zecchetto in wood, glass, steel and stone -- represents a new locus for what artistic director Dale Franzen says will be first-rate dance, opera, theater and music, including new and unexpected collaborations.
In addition to classrooms and galleries, the complex features the 499-seat Broad Stage, which has the latest in acoustics and lighting, and the Edye Second Space, a 99-seat "black box" theater intended to serve as a laboratory for "mad talent and creative experiment," according to a promotional brochure.
The theaters were named for Los Angeles philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, who last March supplied a $10-million endowment for programming and arts education.
Dustin Hoffman, an early supporter and Santa Monica College dropout who credits a theater class there with sparking his acting career, calls the complex a great achievement that the college hopes will serve as a cultural haven for decades to come. Sisyphus had it easy. Or so it often seemed to the individuals who spent the last decade bringing to fruition Santa Monica College... more -
Beggars can't be sitters on Santa Monica's benches
Santa Monica has a message for panhandlers on the Third Street Promenade: Stand up, please.
If you're going to ask for cheeseburgers or spare change -- or sell cookies (and you know who you are) -- don't do it while resting on one of the public chairs or benches.
That goes for you, Mr. Greenpeace Advocate. And you too, little Miss Girl Scout.
Having restricted, to some degree, where homeless people can eat and sleep, Santa Monica is zeroing in on panhandlers.
The City Council voted unanimously last month to prohibit solicitation by anyone sitting on public chairs or benches on the Third Street Promenade and the so-called transit mall along two neighboring streets, Broadway and Santa Monica Boulevard. The ordinance, which must be approved on a second reading, expected next month, does not seek to ban panhandling or solicitation outright but rather to free up limited public seating.
"The key issue is that the city needs to be open to the public," said Kathleen Rawson, executive director of the Bayside District Corp., the public-private partnership that manages the downtown business district and urged the council to consider the restriction.
When the city installed the slatted metal and wooden chairs and benches, Rawson said, they were not intended for use by people trying to make a living. Santa Monica has a message for panhandlers on the Third Street Promenade: Stand up, please. ... more -
No Gas Required
In a city dominated by car culture, some young people are doing something different.
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60 cyclists protested in Santa Monica
I had seen this current pod from traffic kills/Italy:
http://current.com/items/89070591_a_polite_display_of_p...
and here is a California version.
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(SANTA MONICA) Published by Alex Thompson
Yesterday approximately 6o cyclists protested police harassment (photos on Flickr & Ridazz) of Santa Monica Critical Mass. In response to the 14 citations of Santa Monica Critical Mass (SMCM) riders last Friday we, the Crimanimalz, blocked 4 crosswalks for a cumulative period of 40 minutes. By walking back and forth across crosswalks continuously the Crimanimalz were able to legally create massive traffic jams. We effectively showed that legal behavior can be outrageously disruptive. Further, we showed that should the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) continue targeting cyclists on Critical Mass, there will be consequences for traffic in Santa Monica on other days.
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SMPD traffic officers clearly took the cue from their superiors. For example, while issuing over 30 tickets for “no light” violations, officers repeatedly checked the box “this is not a correctable violation.” However, every “no light” violation for a cyclist is a correctable violation in California, as the California Highway Patrol has pointed out numerous times to riders who go to pay these violation. Once a rider demonstrates that they have a corrected the violation by equipping a light, the fine drops from over $100 to just $10. By misleading cited cyclists SMPD has improved their revenue stream and cost riders thousands of dollars more than is legally justified.
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This is Santa Monica’s reminder. If we are to be painted as disruptive, then we shall act so. If we are to be treated as insignificant, then we will show that we are not. Actions like this will continue to occur, at unpredictable times, using unpredictable means, until the Santa Monica Police Department quits ticketing Santa Monica Critical Mass.
•click on article for more pictures / and full article• I had seen this current pod from traffic kills/Italy: http://current.com/items/89070591_a_polite_display_of_power ... more -
BoomDizzle and Me, Stepbrothers in Santa Monica
Baron Davis and Steve Nash just step-bro-ing out in Santa Monica.
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Ronnie Renner 59 feet, 2 inches Record Breaking Jump
Freestyle motocross star Ronnie Renner established a world record Friday night when he jumped 59 feet, 2 inches on a quarterpipe on the Santa Monica Pier.
Renner hit the height on his sixth jump in front of an estimated 20,000 people. The figure will be submitted to Guinness World Records for verification.
"I'm totally blown away that I went 59 feet," said Renner, who was shooting for at least 50 feet. "I can't believe the fan turnout. Everything was absolutely perfect. The fifth and sixth ones, I was giving it everything I had."
Renner went just over 54 feet on his third jump, then was just under 53 feet on his fourth attempt. After going just more than 53 feet on his fifth jump, he decided to do a last jump for the crowd.
For full story http://www.worldamazingrecords.com Freestyle motocross star Ronnie Renner established a world record Friday night when he jumped 59 feet, 2 inches on a quarterpipe on th... more -
California's First Hyrdogen Fuel Station
With Gas prices close to $5. per gallon Shell has opened the First Hydrogen fuel station in the state of California. Hydrogen is much cleaner and greener for the environment. The station is located in Santa Monica, CA. With Gas prices close to $5. per gallon Shell has opened the First Hydrogen fuel station in the state of California. Hydrogen is much... more
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California's first hydrogen fuel station
By eliminating the need for gasoline and dependency on foreign oil Hydrogen fuel can change the way we all drive. It is much cleaner, and much greener for the environment and California has now opened the first and only one in the entire state. Located in Santa Monica California.
I By eliminating the need for gasoline and dependency on foreign oil Hydrogen fuel can change the way we all drive. It is much cleaner, ... more -
Slater/Vedder Make Waves
Eight time world surfing champ and legend gets together with 600 of his closest friends, including Ben Harper and Eddie Vedder, to raise money and awareness to save the famous surf beach Trestles in San Clemente, CA.
Produced by: Evan B. Stone & Douglas Caballero Eight time world surfing champ and legend gets together with 600 of his closest friends, including Ben Harper and Eddie Vedder, to rai... more -
What's that brown haze? // Comment Picked for TV
Kevung wants to know what that brown haze over the horizon in Santa Monica is...pollution? Thanks for the upload!
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Sun, Surf & Tombstones // Comment Picked for TV
Big thanks to kevung for leaving his upload on "Sun Surf and Tombstones" from the site in Santa Monica that the pod highlights where Veterans for Peace put up thousands of crosses along the pier to represent lives lost in the war on Iraq. http://current.com/items/86441591_sun_surf_tombstones Big thanks to kevung for leaving his upload on "Sun Surf and Tombstones" from the site in Santa Monica that the pod highligh... more
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Jesus
This is a very talented man named Gary Tyus singing a song his Mother wrote. He is performing on the pier in Santa Monica in 2005. Please excuse the quality of the video. If anyone out there knows anything about Gary please let me know. I have been trying to find him for a long time. It could be that he was just an angel that totally lifted my spirits that day. This is a very talented man named Gary Tyus singing a song his Mother wrote. He is performing on the pier in Santa Monica in 2005. Ple... more
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The Santa Monica Pier Pacific Park Ferris Wheel up for sale... on eBay
Who will buy this iconic Santa Monica gem? There has to be some eccentric Current-ian saving up for an opportunity like this to have their own Ferris Wheel specifically the one you always see in pan shots of Santa Monica in movies... and postcards...
Opening bid is a good 50 grand... Who will buy this iconic Santa Monica gem? There has to be some eccentric Current-ian saving up for an opportunity like this to have ... more -
Santa Monica Ferris wheel for sale. Wanna go halfsies?
That's right - the Ferris wheel from the Santa Monica Pier is for sale. On Ebay. Minimum bid: $50k. Local pick-up only.
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Great singer
I don't know exactly who this is, but he is a street performer in Santa Monica and he has a pretty amazing voice. Just wanted to share it with you guys. I don't know exactly who this is, but he is a street performer in Santa Monica and he has a pretty amazing voice. Just wanted to... more
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Brown Haze
I recently visited the ocean and witnessed a brown haze looking over the horizion. I think it's pollution, but I've never seen anything like it over the ocean. I recently visited the ocean and witnessed a brown haze looking over the horizion. I think it's pollution, but I've never se... more
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Santa Monica Teens Saving the Environment - WEG #1 (Part 2)
In part 2, Whole Earth Generation host Mike Botticello visits Santa Monica High School to meet "Team Marine", A group of teens who have gone above and beyond to keep our beaches and oceans clean.
Remember, If you're under 18 and thinking green, submit your video response to inspire the world and make the planet a greener place. In part 2, Whole Earth Generation host Mike Botticello visits Santa Monica High School to meet "Team Marine", A group of tee... more -
The Santa Monica Promenade is a sad place.
Have you ever been to the Santa Monica Promenade? It's a pretty ugly entertainment destination when you really think about it. Check out the blog and see if you agree. Have you ever been to the Santa Monica Promenade? It's a pretty ugly entertainment destination when you really think about it. Ch... more
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