Mercedes-driving dognapper of Malibu

Veronique de Turenne at Here in Malibu says signs are posted everywhere about the year-old German shepherd taken by a 50-ish overweight woman with bleached blond hair who drove a silver Mercedes. She apparently lied to neighbors to steal the dog. On the subject of Malibu, Jenny Price posts at Native Intelligence that a truly unusual event has occurred at Carbon Beach: a homeowner voluntarily opened a public pathway to beach access. Jenny, by the way, will take John Rabe of KPCC's "Off-Ramp" on a sojourn to the hidden public beaches of Malibu this Saturday at noon on 89.3 FM. Her latest LA Observed guide to the beaches was posted today, with links to the earlier installments.

Other good stuff around LA Observed today:

• Mark Lacter takes down Lou Dobbs for playing loose with facts, and also posts at LA Biz Observed on the newest pro football league to try a launch (or is that the next league to fold?)
• Henry Samueli sure bought the Anaheim Ducks at a good time. SoCal Sports Observed
• Echo Park and its black walnut trees. Chicken Corner
• Harry Shearer takes exception to an LA Observed email about his Writers Bloc conversation with Al Gore.