Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
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HAVE YOU DONE YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING YET? The Santa Monica Observer would like to share with you the 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Elevate The Gift Giving With Experience Gifts from our friends over at Santa Monica Macaroni Kid. Definitely check out this amazing Gift Guide! The holidays are here, and if you're like me, you want to be the one who gets THE perfect gift for everyone on your list. I mean, let's face it, sometimes you need a unique gift for that person who has...
Alumnus Farid Adibi credits his early education at PS1 Pluralistic School for his academic and professional ambitions, his leadership skills, and the formation of his media company "Left-Middle-Right," which offers multiple perspectives on contemporary issues. Now a junior at George Washington University, Farid reflects on his time at PS1. "As a young student, PS1 welcomed my immigrant family and taught me that inclusivity is not just about race and culture. It's also about...
Have you ever walked by a restaurant and the sweet scents emanating from within were so intoxicatingly delicious that you felt like you had to have whatever they were cooking right then? In this instance, the not-so-subtle smells come from the burning almond wood chef Jonah Johnson uses in his kitchen at his new restaurant, appropriately named Jonah's Kitchen. On Wilshire and 26th in Santa Monica, the incredibly welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant invites the casual passerb...
A new study by wedding photography experts Printique analyzed 26 essential factors in a wedding based on how much they are Googled in each U.S state, from wedding dresses and honeymoon to seating plans and best man speeches. The study found that South Carolina is the most wedding-obsessed state with an average wedding search score of 65.9. The state scored highly in multiple categories, all of which are measured out of 100, including 93 for "wedding band", 89 for "wedding...
Beverly Hills (11/23/21) – The American Friends of the World's Jewish Museum (AFWJM) held the 3rd annual awards benefit gala on Thursday, November 19th 2021. The spectacular Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills was the venue for this benefit Gala in honor of the World's Jewish Museum Hamakom. World Renowned architect Frank Gehry will spearhead the architectural design and vision for the museum, soon set to open it's doors to the world. Comic and Emmy nominated television host H...
Ask Rusty – Should I Take My Widower Benefit Now? Dear Rusty: I lost my wife 7 years ago. I was told that I could possibly collect 30 to 35% of her benefit as a widower benefit when I turned 60. I will be 61 soon. Would it make sense to pursue this if it is true? I am still working full time. Would this affect my ability to collect Social Security on my own account once I retire? Signed: Working Survivor Dear Working: Survivor benefits for a widower can be paid as early as a...
As of Friday, Novemeber 19th, we have a newly discovered Covid-19 case. That respective housing unit is locked down. However, we do have officer shortages. So, desperate times caused CDCR Headquarters to give CIW the official directive to close housing units. Three housing Units. Now, normally, during Covid-19 outbreaks, no prisoner movement would occur, as medical protocols override everything until all prisoners are tested and results come back negative. Not this time....
2/15/2021- West Hollywood: Touted as one of the few post-Lockdown West Hollywood launches, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Sutton Stracke hosted an in-person Fashion event at her boutique 'The Sutton Concept'. The boutique, located at 636 N. Almont Drive in West Hollywood, hosted a glamorous Parisian Launch for the Los Angeles fashionistas. Strict COVID-19 guidelines were followed and invited guests were able to visit the Sutton boutique and view the latest couture desi...
Too many cooks in the kitchen might perfectly describe an over-the-top situation. But at Thanksgiving, the worst time of the year for home-cooking fires, always having at least one cook in the kitchen is unquestionably the safest way prevent the leading cause of those fires - unattended stovetop cooking. This is crucial all year, but especially on Thanksgiving Day when reported home-cooking fires reach an annual peak by more than tripling to an average of 1,400 nationally...
Ask Rusty – About Computing COLA and Congressional Pay Increases Dear Rusty: What determines the amount of the cost of living increase for Social Security as compared to the cost of living increase for Congress? Last year Social Security got less than 2 percent, while Congress got a 10 percent cost of living increase. Why the double standard? What items are used to determine the cost of living increase? Signed: Inquiring Mind Dear Inquiring Mind: I'm happy to explain how t...
Westside Ballet's presentation of The Nutcracker has been a beloved Los Angeles classic since 1973, providing the perfect opportunity to introduce children to classical music and dance, and in so doing, showcasing the value of the performance arts––a point considered more poignant than ever after the collective nearly two-year drought of live entertainment and arts events throughout the pandemic. The whole family can expect to be entranced once more by the production's lavish...
Paris Hilton celebrated her wedding with a few lucky guests on the Santa Monica Pier Friday night, 11/12/21. I asked the young handsome actor type guy what folks were waiting for at the parking lot across the street from the Lutheran Church. "We're waiting for shuttle vans to take us to a private wedding event on the Pier," he said. It's about half a mile from the Santa Monica Pier. But it turns out, he was telling the truth, and the private part was for socialite Paris...
Ask Rusty – Why Is My Medicare Part B Premium So High? Dear Rusty: Social Security is deducting $297 per month for my Medicare Part B coverage. I have what's called a "Windfall Elimination Provision" because I receive a pension from my former State employer. Prior to my 65th Birthday in July of this year, Social Security was paying me $764 per month, but when I turned 65 they reduced my amount to $467 per month. I read that the Part B premiums for 2021 are $148.50, so I w...
Many homeless people hit the streets along with their pets. Others acquire pets when they are homeless. The animals seemingly don't discriminate on the basis of housing. They are often perfectly happy to live outdoors. But why would people experiencing homelessness want the burden of a pet? Homeless pet owners use their pets to facilitate socialization, says Wikipedia. The pets get their owners out to local vet clinics and parks where they interact with other pet owners. Many...
Sweeping new rules governing debt collection practices in the U.S. will go into effect on November 30. Unfortunately, many of the very serious concerns about the use of electronic communications for debt collection raised by citizens, cybersecurity experts and consumer advocacy groups including Keep Me Posted (KMP) were effectively ignored by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the federal agency charged with making sure banks, lenders and other financial companie...
Ask Rusty – About Paying SS Tax While Still Working Dear Rusty: Upon being let go in 2009 at age 65 from my full time job of 30 years, I immediately applied for Social Security for my wife and I to live on while seeking employment. Not finding anything full time, I ended up working part time for the past 9 years driving a school bus for an hourly wage. Even though my wife and I are collecting Social Security, my wages are still being taxed for it. While I don't feel this is fa...
Los Angeles, CA: The Giving Spirit-a nonprofit serving homeless individuals in Los Angeles since 1999-announced today that it will be serving 1,200 companion animals and their guardians by assembling 1,200 "Companion Animal Kits" at the Westchester Municipal Building on November 5 - 9, 2021, all while sounding the call for volunteers and donations to help make the initiative a resounding success. The Giving Spirit will also host a Zoom-based educational event to lead a...
Here at the CIW's women's yard, transgender women numbers continue to go up. How many? I'm not sure. With Covid-19 causing restricted movement, I'm limited on info. I'm also not sure what to call these people with full male anatomy. So I'll just call them what they are, PENISES. After all, that's what this is all about... No more condoms being given! After only one issuance, CDCR abruptly stopped? But why? I'll tell you why! We, us women here at CIW, raised hell over the...
Leave the holiday cooking to the professionals this year and have the chefs at Hotel Casa del Mar prepare you an unforgettable Thanksgiving meal. The iconic Santa Monica-based hotel is offering dine-in services, as well as a Thanksgiving Take Away menu for those celebrating from the comfort of their home. For dine-in, a special three-course-prix-fixe menu will be available for lunch and dinner on Thanksgiving Day 11/25 at Terrazza and Catch restaurants located inside the...
One man's agony: "I am 77 years old. I was happily married for 55 years but I lost my wife a year and a half ago. No, she didn't die. In fact, she is in great physical health-- except for her Alzheimer's Disease. She is in a Memory Care Facility. I see her a couple of times each week. Her confinement and my isolation have left me devastated. I love her and wake up each and every morning sad and abandoned." It's not easy growing old and alone, no matter the circumstances. And,...
Contemporary artist Haleh Mashian opened the final exhibition of the year with her newest series, SACRED WATERS at MASH Gallery in the Arts District, in downtown Los Angeles. This showstopper of a collection highlights Mashian's mastery of texture and three-dimensionality in her work, allowing her conceptual vision to flow beyond the confines of the canvas. SACRED WATERS offers an immersive experience, where paint, palette and materials embody the liquid properties of water. T...
Ask Rusty – Is Waiting until 70 Still the Best Plan to Maximize Social Security? Dear Rusty: My wife started her Social Security at 62 in March 2017 and I filed a Restricted Application to collect a spouse benefit from her shortly thereafter. Our plan is for me to file for my own Social Security later this year when I turn 70. Then my wife will file for her spousal benefit from me. Our life expectancy is 93 & 96. Is this still the best plan for maximum payments? Signed: P...
This Spooktober, the Observer has been featuring articles about cats -- first the black cats that are the hallmark of the season, followed by their festive ginger counterparts. This week, we're featuring a trick-or-treating bag brimming with a wide variety of cat mythology and superstition from around the world. While not an exhaustive treatment of the subject, we hope the taste of some of these legends might spark your interest. Japan: Bakeneko and Nekomata. Ancient beliefs i...
Ask Rusty – Is Taxing Social Security Fair? Dear Rusty: Taxing Social Security benefits isn't fair. It would benefit everyone if seniors could earn as much as possible without having their Social Security taxed. We would still be paying into Social Security which would help the fund. I also feel that all people earning over $100,000 should pay into Social Security because they can afford it. This would help fund Social Security without hurting anyone financially. Many seniors...
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released a tip sheet today on how to celebrate Halloween "Covid-safe." Suggestions include practical ideas like making your Covid-mask part of your costume and avoiding crowded places with poor air flow. (Interestingly, health officials warn against wearing a costume mask over a face mask, admitting this would make breathing difficult. Why didn't they think of that when they were tellng people to double-mask?) But some of the...
