March 20 - March 26, 2011
Friday, Mar. 25
Actually, hedge-fund manager Steve Cohen decided to auction off the famous "Liz #5" two weeks ago.
Clearly those guys aren't interested in dealing, and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg says he's "prepared to pull the plug"
So is next year's budget deficit $350 million or $500 million?
That's right, these are the same folks who led the bookstore chain into bankruptcy protection.
February saw a drop of 0.3 percent, to 12.6 percent, which is hardly terrific, although another indication that the worst may be over.
Consumer confidence falls, Japan tourism likely to slow, another big payday for Oxy CEO, and Montecito home sells for $27 million.
February's jobless rate was 12.2 percent from 12.4 percent the previous month, but the more encouraging news was the addition of 96,500 payroll jobs.
Thursday, Mar. 24
Californians who didn't file federal gift tax returns could face audits, penalties or even back taxes.
The three-year deal with the Coalition of L.A. City Unions would save the city nearly $400 million over the next four years.
Nearly 60 percent of the state's population is minority, according to 2010 Census data.
As part of the agreement, Henry Nicholas, the company's former CEO, will pay Broadcom $26.6 million.
The controller was all alone at Reagan National in Washington, D.C. as the pilots of two jetliners were trying to land.
Public support for Brown's plan may be slipping, California ranks 12th in per capita income, jobless claims keep falling, and new sexual harassment suit against Charney.
Wednesday, Mar. 23
It's a three-month freeze that is supposed to help ease the city's $47-million deficit.
"When Taylor arrived, everyone in the place dropped the pretense of being too sophisticated to stare."
The Japanese automaker says that because of parts shortages due to the earthquake, some production at its factories in North America will be shut down.
The governor says - I think - that all budget options are on the table.
One of the more misguided decisions by the L.A. City Council - and friends, it's a long list - was placing restrictions on new fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles.
Forget about double-bagging, and no bags at all for items that have a handle (milk containers, for example).
Big cuts to Cal State system, new home sales plunge, Delta losing business on Japan, and Barnes & Noble can't find a buyer.
Tuesday, Mar. 22
Waiting until fall presents some logistical problems, not the least of which is a still huge budget deficit.
Final price amounts to about $494,000 per room, which is on the upper range for an upscale property.
One explanation is that the most recent downturn was felt all over the nation.
Here's another local tech company you probably have never heard of.
This week's chat with Steve Julian looks at higher food prices and L.A.'s economic recovery.
Never mind Bernie Madoff - the most popular cons a lot less convoluted.
Well, we've just discovered what too much is in the uber-wealthy 90210 community.
Field Poll finds support for Brown, wealth gap for California schools, Anthem reduces rate hikes, and there's a Geiger counter shortage.
Monday, Mar. 21
That, of course, assumes there are enough votes in the legislature to place the tax extension measure on a ballot.
Huh? Tax revenue of $35,000 a year and the city might be stuck paying $34,000 a month in rent?
But oil prices were up today, which suggests that there is still lots of concern about supply disruptions.
The AT&T acquisition of T-Mobile helped a lot, but things still seem kind of tentative.
This 2007 bit about how Cingular became AT&T Wireless is a pretty funny - and accurate - backgrounder on the changing faces of what was once Ma Bell.
The governor is asking voters to demand that his tax-and-cuts budget be placed on the ballot.
Writers Guild cuts deal with producers, oil prices back up, AT&T purchase of T-Mobile is mixed bag for consumers, and Expo Line gets moving to Santa Monica.
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The funeral for Mark Lacter will be held Sunday, Nov. 24 at 12 noon at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles 90045. Reception to follow.
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