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...
Fighting a rise in Covid 19 infections and desperate to keep numbers down, the State of California will soon require household pets to wear facemasks in public. Simultaneously, Mask vs. Anti Mask is trending on Twitter. The pro mask case: Why do doctors wear face masks? To protect you from their germs. So obviously it has some positive effect. The anti maskers reply that jurisdictions with masks requirements, i.e. California, have not done better than Texas or Florida in...
This Christmas give somebody the gift of mercy and forgiveness. Be broad with your giving and generous. We all need a lot of both. For such a joyful holiday of cheer, giving and yuletide merriment there is much to be stressed about. Typically, people have been stressed about all the holiday parties, gatherings and Christmas scheduling. This year there is more stress related to sickness, masks, vaccinations, Omicron, natural disasters, filled hospitals, massive numbers of...
Ask Rusty – Should I Take Social Security Even If I Don't Need It? Dear Rusty: I am 66 years plus 8 months old, am still working making six figures, and can support myself. I'm a healthy, self-employed single woman and have a State Pension (from a divorce settlement). I will work part time, probably through next year and until I am 70 years old or more. What should I do about my Social Security - take it or "bank it" in Social Security? Signed: Fully Independent Lady Dear Full...
WASHINGTON, DC, Dec 17 – Too many senior citizens come down with a case of Holiday Blues this time of the year. It's not a very "jolly" season – especially if you're old and living alone. The National Council on Aging [NCOA] estimates that 28% or more of folks in the 65-plus segment of the population live alone and while it can be tough on them each and every day, the holiday season is an especially rough reminder of their solitary lives. NCOA says that "Loneliness is mor...
Ask Rusty – I Have VA Coverage; Should I Get Medicare Part B? Dear Rusty: I am a 74 year old veteran enrolled with the VA. I have never had Medicare Part B. Should I? My only source of income is Social Security. Signed: Retired Veteran Dear Retired Veteran: First, thank you for your service to our country. Like you, I use the VA for certain healthcare needs but, unlike you, I am also enrolled in Medicare Part B. The decision on whether to have both is a personal choice only yo...
Apparently a starbucks in Los Angeles has taken the gender neutral bathroom movement to a whole new level. A sign on the door and also above the sink, tells patrons they are welcome whether they are men, women or well, space aliens. "Usually, i think so yeah. I feel like most of the time this is someone trying to be "hip" by saying look, you're welcome here regardless of gender identity -- but it just does so in an icky way without really realizing it," said one patron. The...
According to a post on Reddit, the MBA school at "Jerry Falwell University" (i.e., Liberty University) requires women to wear makeup to class. This requirement is part of professional dress code. Founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell, Liberty University has 80,000 online students, and 15,000 at its Lynchburg Campus. Its annual budget is over $100 million. Business students report that US graduate schools of business, often incorporate dress codes which are a relfection of what will...
If a cat could write a wish list to Santa, they'd probably put down some requests like world domination or a whole ham. But those items aren't necessarily healthy for your cat in the long run. With that in mind, here is a revised wish list of items your cat wants that will enrich their life and your bond. Disclaimer: none of the products mentioned have sponsored or endorsed this article. 12. A delicious meal. There's controversy as to whether dry kibble is truly bad for cats,...
Los Angeles, CA – Between now and New Year's Day, first responders see an increase in 9-1-1 calls for emergencies related to carbon monoxide alarms and poisoning, electrical fires, and fires caused by unattended candles or through the improper use of space heaters. This past Saturday, Los Angeles County firefighters and sheriff's deputies rescued three residents, including a child, after responding to a fire in a Florence area home caused by a space heater. All three p...
Ask Rusty – How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits? Dear Rusty: I would like some advice concerning Social Security. In January I will be 62.5 years old. I was laid off two years ago and have not had a steady income since (though I still have bills to pay). I also did not qualify for unemployment. Therefore, what little I had for "retirement" is now gone. For this reason, I have been seriously considering applying for Social Security as soon as I'm able. I remember r...
Ask Rusty – Social Security's WEP is Unfair – I Want My Money Back! Dear Rusty: How can a foreign company pay into the US Social Security system? I worked in Barbados before I immigrated to the USA and earned a pension there. Now my US Social Security benefits are reduced because I receive a pension from Barbados. One has nothing to do with the other and I want my money back! Signed: Angry Immigrant Dear Angry: Foreign companies don't pay into the U.S. Social Security sys...
What do you do with 20,000 square feet of vacant parking lot in Santa Monica? You turn it into a private dog club, of course. The dogs pay $80 per month to frolic on the astroturf, play with other dogs, eat dog biscuits, and poop wherever they feel like pooping Which of course is every canine's birthright. "NMS Properties owns the land," explains Liam Underwood, the club's Australian proprietor. "They're in between permits at the moment. So they graciously allowed us to use...
It's no wonder so many of us look forward to the holidays. It's a time to gather with family and friends, share memories and gifts, and make plans for the coming year. Cybercriminals look forward to the holidays, too-but for starkly different reasons. This time of year represents an opportunity to unleash their schemes on a busy, distracted audience that's focused on merriment, not mayhem. But being aware of some common scams can help keep you safe throughout the holidays. 1....
Los Angeles County Animal Shelters announced: Adoption Fees Waived for All Cats and Dogs in Care for Over 10 Days....
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...
