Former Pomona teacher Steven Petralia is set to be sentenced in Superior Court *tomorrow.

A wrong way crash on the Southbound 605 kills a driver.  Just minutes before the accident, Anissa Rivera, our "Mom's the word" blogger describes her family's close call.

APU students are causing a parking problem in the neighborhood.

The search for more Manson Family victims at Barker Ranch in Inyo was a big zip.

Sheriff's Department about to release more information in the March slaying of a Covina Hills woman who was on the phone with 9-1-1 when she was shot to death.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is one fat coyote. Believe it or not he was prowling Los Feliz Monday night at the intersection of North New Hampshire and Finley Avenue.

I pretty sure he had at least one friend, but the other coyote was sneakier and didn't want his picture taken.

Now I know why there's no stray cats in the neighborhood. I'd been wondering recently what happened to  this crazy homeless woman that hangs out nearby. She must be smarter than I thought. Who wants to sleep outside with these guys on the prowl? 

Apparently this has been reported before on an Atwater Village blog and may be fall out from the Griffith Park fire.

As for other sightings, coyotes make regular appearances in Arcadia. This from a city Web page dealing with animal control:

There are regular sightings of coyotes in the foothill areas of Arcadia, and along the horse trail and wash.  Residents should report sightings wherein a coyote seems to be unusually aggressive, sick or injured to the Pasadena Humane Society at 792-7151, extension 110, or to the Arcadia Police Department at 574-5150.

 

Posted by Frank Girardot at 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I love checking out Google's street view maps especially looking at places I'm familiar with.

Apparently it's an actual craze. According to Fox News, people actually hunt the maps for bizarre images.

Here's their story ... if you've found an interesting image in the SGV or Whittier you'd like to share, post a link in the comments section. I'll put all the links together in a post later today (that is if there are any).

Posted by Frank Girardot at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As the mud continues to slide down a couple of Sierra Madre streets, reporter Fred Ortega gets busy reporting the news.

Photographer Leo Jarzomb shot this picture Friday May 23, amid the freak late spring rain storm that's pelted the region.

Those guys cleaning the streets are inmates. Fred's the guy with the umbrella.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 3:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Frank Girardot at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saw this ad on Craigslist. Here's the pitch:

Talented freelance online bloggers and vloggers wanted to intern for for start-up weekly blog/vlog reaching thousands via email in the Foothill Communities (from the 57 fwy to the 15 fwy along the 210 corridor...

Posted by Frank Girardot at 8:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Never leave your cow suit in an unlocked car. From the Daily Bulletin:

The store's crowd-pleasing life-size cow costume was stolen from the car trunk of an unidentified employee last weekend, and police have no leads so far.

The employee, a 42-year-old Upland woman, called police Saturday morning when she woke to find her car had been ransacked overnight on Bodenhamer Street.

The entire car had been scoured - even the glove box was left open - but "the only thing that was missing was the adult-sized black-and-white cow suit belonging to Chick-fil-A," Upland police Sgt. Cliff Mathews said.

(snip)

In his 17 years as a police officer, Mathews said he has never seen a mascot costume stolen.

"Certainly it's a very uncommon occurrence," he said.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 9:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In the News

Both the LAT and the Riverside Press-Enterprise delve into the rash of violence at the Soboba Indian reservation outside San Jacinto. PE includes a timeline of incidents that stretches back to 2007. I've heard that the tensions are long simmering and likely go back many more years if not decades.

Speaking of OIS, I stumbled on a law enforcement Web site (Officer.com) that carries discussions of several of the more recent shootings, including Tuesday's Covina shooting.

Speaking of law enforcement -- how about the confluence of TV and Sheriff's department causing a reexamination (and temporary closure) of the Sheriff's Academy in Whittier. Here's what the DN says.

On the blogs:

Nice back and forth between Proctor and Ortega for the coveted WWE Pasadena belt. There's an interesting revelation or two in there...Just in time for Judgement Day this weekend.

Elsewhere:

Speaking of Judgement Day there's lots of news coming out of China in the wake of the devastating 7.9 earthquake, there's also plenty of local connections.

Oh almost forgot, it's Bike Week in Pasadena, but that' doesn't make things any safer as Hector Gonzalez, city editor of the Star-News just pointed out in an e-mail:

so much for bike-to-work week:HACIENDA HEIGHTS<NO1>ZZSG<NO> <NO1>(CNS)<NO>- A bicyclist in his 60s was killed today when his bike and a car collided in the Hacienda Heights<NO1>ZZSG<NO> area.<QA>

The accident occurred about 7 a.m. on Los Altos Drive at Hacienda Boulevard, the California Highway Patrol reported. The man, who was not immediately identified, died at a hospital.<QA>

 

 

Posted by Frank Girardot at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is an excerpt of a Brian Day story running in tomorrow's newspaper. I think it enhances my theory that the world has turned into a giant game of Grand Theft Auto IV:

Three recent video game store robberies in which thieves seemed more interested in games, not cash, might be connected, authorities said Tuesday.

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Major Crime Bureau are investigating a possible link between robberies at GameStop locations in Rosemead, Pico Rivera, and Bellflower that occurred between April 22 and Sunday, officials said.

The most recent incident was at a Rosemead GameStop store, located at 3000 San Gabriel Blvd., said sheriff's Sgt. Tri Hong.

Four robbers stole six PlayStation 3 video game systems and fled, said store manager Jovan Sanchez.

At least one handgun was used in the crime, Hong said.

Sanchez described the robbers as well-mannered and who said "please" as they demanded the video game systems.

 

Posted by Frank Girardot at 4:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Google News has a new feature that provides comments from "people in the news"  

I'm not sure how it works but it's cool.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 1:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When I first saw this photo by Watchara Phomicinda, I thought it was somebody wearing a Jimmy Carter mask at Vroman's Wednesday. Turns out, it's just Jimma bein Jimma.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 4:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Took this picture at lunch. If nothing else it says SGV.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by Frank Girardot at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Pasadena city government took a step closer Monday to enacting one of the nation's toughest anti-smoking laws.

Basically smokers will become pariahs on sidewalks, at ATMs, bus stops, and everywhere else in town that isn't the 210 Freeway.

Fred Ortega's filed a nice story summing up where the proposal stands, and has a blog entry on the subject too.

Others discussing it this a.m. include Aaron Proctor, Nosmoking Pasadena. I'll update this list as Google alerts me!

As for me, I'm still wondering how you enforce this sort of thing with an already understaffed police department. Are they enforcing laws against prostitution in the city's massage parlors?

Is the PD out there agressively arresting dope dealers? What about people who run red lights?

Posted by Frank Girardot at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This accident occurred last Wednesday on Orange Avenue in West Covina. A firefighter got pretty mad at me for snapping the picture out of my window.

He thought I would cause another accident.

Still, you have to wonder what happened here?  These cars are pretty close to the curb aren't they?

Posted by Frank Girardot at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is a photo of Pardeep Singh wanted for his role in a Craigslist scam gone bad.

Amanda Baumfeld has been all over this story and plans on filing an update this afternoon. In the meantime here's a snippet of what she wrote for Friday's newspaper:

This is a very well put together scam," said Capt. Joe Hartshorne of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "The families are truly victims. They could not have seen this coming."

A hold has been placed on Singh's passport and a silver Volvo left in the driveway has been impounded, officials said.

Renters began learning of the apparent fraud Monday night.

The Los Angeles Times didn't touch the story in its print version, but did post a blog entry at LA Now.  The story is accurate, but we're wondering where they got the picture of a "For Rent " sign.

None of the photographers or reporters who actually visited the scene at 5441 Calera Avenue saw a sign quite like that.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Took several photos over the past week (while the blog was down). Here's the first in the series:.

ICE agents get ready to take down a warehouse in Industry as part of an ongoing investigation. The agents were serving a warrant that was sealed. Not sure what they were looking for. They were surprised to see me and wanted to know how I got tipped off to the raid.

I responded "It's kind of hard not to notice 30 black Fords in the same parking lot as a bunch of guys wearing ICE jackets."

Posted by Frank Girardot at 1:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Aaron Proctor's increasingly infantile "Ham and Egger" award went to the entire staff of the Star-News last week.

Apparently he thought that because our computer system took a nose dive, the reporters and editors weren't working hard enough to get the paper out.

Looks like what's really not working hard enough is Aaron's printer. The award, which was enclosed in an envelope handed to me this a.m. by none other than Larry Wilson, is a black and white facsimilie of the color job Fred Ortega received last week.

Reporter Caroline An took one look and said, "What kind of cheap print job is that?"

Judge for yourself, I've posted my copy on a pillar next to my desk.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

We're still in the process of moving to a new server, so posts are slow appearing.

As we move forward, I plan on revamping parts of the site including the links. So,

If you have a site you think Crime Scene should link to, post it up in the comments below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Frank

Posted by Frank Girardot at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last night I attended a meeting of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
The group put together a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the new media, blogging and ethics.

On the panel were:
Attorney Terry Francke, of CalAware.
Writer Mickey Kaus, Kausfiles at Slate.com
Attorney Jack Lerner, a USC expert in intellectual property and technology law
Kevin Roderick, Pulitzer Prize winner and publisher of LA Observed.
**Roderick modestly points out he was editor on two undertakings that won the LA Times news staff Pulitzer Prizes.

There was heavyweight discussion on several issues. Francke suggested Thomas Jefferson would have been a top blogger, if blogs were around back in the 18th and 19th Centruies.
Kaus suggested SPJ's ethics rules don't necessarily apply in the digital age.
Lerner discussed recent case law, including the Apple vs Bloggers case.
Roderick talked about his blog, and how it got off the ground as a conservative political destination of choice when he leaked an LA Times editor's memo on abortion.
Joel Bellman, former Her-Ex opinion page editor, who is now Zev Yaroslavsky's press deputy, MC'd the deal. I like him because he's admitted anonymous source and level-headed moderator, especially when the conspiracy kooks come out. (And they did)
***Bellman points out I promoted him above his pay grade at the Examiner.

"You inadvertently promoted me at the Her-Ex. I was an editorial writer and rotating op-ed columnist - I was NOT the opinion-age editor (that distinction belonged to Gary Spiecker, an excellent fellow and longstanding assistant editor of the LA Times Sunday Opinion section.)"

My big question of the night for the panel was what's your home page? and what web sites do you regularly visit.

Got some interesting responses:
The Arts and Letter Blog is apparently well respected.
The Drudgereport got some notice, especially from Kaus who cited its more even-handed approach in recent years.
NYTimes.com also received kudos, especially from Bellman, who said it's the best newspaper site out there.
"Loads fast," he said.

Roderick also noted the healthy blog exchange taking place in the San Gabriel Valley. Noting that there are several "political blogs" and anonymous blogs getting a lot of attention.
* Looking at my notebook There were a couple of links I forgot.
* Kaus mentioned he was a fan of lukeford.net An LA area blog.
* Roderick mentioned the FOX 11 LA blogs, noting they are "mostly insipid."
* He praised others like John Schwada's.
****I should really work harder to check this stuff out before I post!
****From Bellman for Roderick:

...the site I meant to reference last night was not Arts & Letters Daily but Arts Journal, another very high quality site with many smart and interesting voices. The arts blogger whose name I couldn't remember is Tyler Green., whose site is Modern Art Notes.

http://www.artsjournal.com/
http://www.artsjournal.com/man/

Posted by Frank Girardot at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A block surrounding the intersection of Arden and Valley in El Monte has been evacuated because of a bomb scare. Det. Ralph Batres says officials will detonate the TNT at the location.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Over at LA Observed, Kevin Rodrick's readers have been lamenting the matzoh shortage that hit area markets in time for Passover.

I always look for Kosher Coke at this time of year because it's made with real sugar instead of corn syrup, which means it tastes better and probably better for you too. It's easy to find because of the yellow cap (regular Coke has a white cap).

That said I haven't seen any of the Kosher Coke this year. Shortage?

Posted by Frank Girardot at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

First of all, the print version of Tuesday's column again contains a mistake about the debuts of the Model Ts and Model As.

Wikipedia says this about the whole controversy.

I'm sure that when Bill Ruh wrote me he meant to say that Ford didn't produce the Model A until late 1927. (Of course as a caller just pointed out he might have meant that Ford produced the Model T until late 1927.)

When I cut and pasted his email into my column I didn't read it closely enough to make that distinction. But several readers have seen the error, so I've fixed it in the blog and will fix the online version as well.

Here's the link to the "Ruins of Detroit" website.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week in this spot I wrote about some wonderful historical pictures.

Many of the shots can be found on the Web either through the Los Angeles Public Library, UCLA or at fototeka.com, an art site devoted to ancient LAPD crime scene photos.

There's a reason I'm writing about these photos again this week: I made a mistake describing my favorite one of the bunch.

The picture in question, shot in 1921, depicts a funeral procession for a 106-year-old man. Santo Juncio's casket is being escorted just beyond the walls of an unrestored San Gabriel Mission.

A group of cars is parked alongside a dirt path next to the mission. I described the cars as Model A's.

They were, in fact, Model T's.

Almost 100 years later, that doesn't seem like a huge distinction. But to several of you who called, wrote and e-mailed me it was a glaring error.

Here's an example, written by Bill Ruh of Montclair:

"The Ford Model A was not around in 1921. Ford did(n't) produce the Model A until late 1927. The cars had to be the Ford Model T. The Model T speaks even more volumes about the photo - the first mass-production motor car along the final road of a man who was born when all humans relied on horses."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks, Bill.

A couple others were less complimentary. And, quite honestly, I should know better.

In case you didn't know, or if I haven't  said so before, I was born in Detroit and have lived most of my life on the Los Angeles freeway system.

By default, the American automotive industry is in my blood, and I should know the entire history of Henry Ford, assembly lines and how the Model T's DNA runs through the cars we drive today.

So, excuse the mistake. By the way, there's a great Detroit photo Web site called "Ruins of Detroit." Take a look; you'll be glad you live here.

Since we are on the subject of these wonderful archives, I can take the time to point out a few other Los Angeles-area photos that are quite interesting.

This past week has been filled with talk about the possibility of billionaire developer Ed Roski Jr. bringing professional football back to Los Angeles by building a stadium in Industry.

A search of "pro football" in the public library archive went as far back as 1927.

None of them mention Industry, but there is a great 1944 photo of a guy named Roy

"Bullet" Baker, a USC left halfback who racked up 107 yards in the 1923 Rose Bowl - the first played in the "new" stadium.

Roski's proposed stadium will be built where the 57 and the 60 freeways come together. A search of the library archive for "Pomona Freeway" revealed a 1969 shot titled "Pomona Freeway Mudslide."

Here's the caption:

"Mudslide covering all eastbound and two of the westbound lanes of the Pomona Freeway, 2 1/2 miles east of Pico Rivera."

What's fascinating about the shot is that there is a car atop the massive pile of mud. The car has obviously been pushed from the fast lane into oncoming traffic.

I tried hard to figure out the make and model of the car, but no such luck.

One thing for certain: it's not a Model T.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 9:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This from KQED's Capitol Notes:

A NEW TAXXX: Today was lobbying day for the adult entertainment industry, one of the more unusual annual rituals at a statehouse was unusual is the norm. The fully clothed ensemble that made their way to Sacramento had a particular gripe this time around: pending legislation to impose a new (and extra) 8% tax on adult DVD stores, theaters, and nightclubs. The money collected by the tax in Assemblymember Charles Calderon’s bill, AB 2914, would create a new fund to supposedly mitigate the impact of such businesses on local communities.

Let’s just answer that burning question now, shall we? Yes, adult film stars were in attendance. And no, I shouldn’t have Googled them in advance when I didn’t recognize the names listed on the press advisory (seriously, KQED, I was doing research).

Posted by Frank Girardot at 5:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Brian Day is set to report the existence of a serial robber who is targetign area beauty stores. THe robber has apparently hit five beauty supply locations in recent weeks.

The latest victim .com Beauty Supply in Walnut.

Aslo targeted were stores in Alhambra and Monterey Park. Link to the story when it comes in.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This from AP (Associated Press -- sorry Aaron Proctor)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A smackdown among presidential candidates?

Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain will appear on World Wrestling Entertainment's live "Monday Night Raw" (8-11 p.m. EST on cable's USA network) but instead of smacking each other down, they separately will deliver some wrestling-themed stumping in taped messages before Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary.

"Tonight, in honor of the WWE, you can call me Hillrod," Clinton says in her message. "This election is starting to feel a lot like `King of the Ring.' The only difference? The last man standing may just be a woman."

Obama borrows The Rock's famous catchphrase during his appearance.

"To the special interests who've been setting the agenda in Washington for too long and to all the forces of division and distraction that has stopped us from making progress, for the American people, I've got one question: Do you smell what Barack is cooking?" Obama says before flashing a smile.

McCain, meanwhile, looked to Hulkamania for inspiration for his message.

"Looks like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama want to celebrate their differences in the ring," McCain says. "Well, that's fine with me, but let me tell you: If you want to be the man, you have to beat the man. Come November, it'll be game over. And whatcha gonna do when John McCain and all his McCainiacs run wild on you?"

The candidate appearances will be used to promote "Smackdown Your Vote!" — the WWE's voter registration drive.

On the Net:

• World Wrestling Entertainment: http://www.wwe.com
• Smackdown Your Vote!: http://smackdownyourvote.com

 

This from AP (Aaron Proctor -- sorry Associated Press):

Posted by Frank Girardot at 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Ruby Gonzales at the Whittier Daily News talked to cops who said there's a growing trend of car theives targeting the removable 3rd seat in Chevy SUVs.

So add that third seat to a growing list of coveted items that includes tools, copper, catalytic converters, cell phones and iPODs.,

Here's a piece of Ruby's story:

The seats, which are removable and carry no serial numbers, end up being sold for as much as $2,000 in a thriving black market.

Thefts of such seats, especially from Tahoes, are happening in other communities, too.

The sheriff's Norwalk Station, which covers Norwalk, La Mirada and the unincorporated county areas of East Whittier and South Whittier, had 50 such thefts last year and 17 so far this year, according to Sgt. Steve Mills.

About 35 of the 50 cases last year involved Tahoes. And of the 17 SUVs that had third-row seats stolen to date this year, Mills said eight were Tahoes.

The latest theft happened April 7.

"They pop right out. They get in the vehicle real quick and remove them real quick," Mills said. "They favor the Tahoe. I don't know (why)."

So, I searched for 3rd Rows on Ebay and here's what I found.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Detectives Thursday continued their investigation into a 90-year-old woman suspected of beating a tiny dog to death.

Here's an excerpt from Sandra Molina's story:

This is the worst case of animal cruelty I've seen," said Southeast Area Animal Control Authority Officer Jaime Preciado, who responded to the call of animal cruelty Monday in the 12000 block of Bayla Street. "I was nauseous."

Authorities are seeking felony animal cruelty charges against Beatrice Castillo.

"We will be asking the District Attorney's Office to file charges," said Capt. Aaron Reyes, of SEAACA.

Although a felony charge can mean up to a year of incarceration in county jail and/or a $225,000 fine, officials are not looking to punish Castillo.

"Our goal is not to incarcerate her but to evaluate her mental health and make sure she gets the proper care she needs," Reyes said.

The 10-year-old dog suffered severe trauma to its jaw, teeth and hind leg, said Brad Brunskill, SEAACA veterinarian.

Keith Durflinger had complete access to evidence and the investigation. One of his photos on the jump. Do not look if you are squemish.

 

Continue reading "Investigation continues in dog beating" »

Posted by Frank Girardot at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Frank Girardot at 9:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

State parole agents arrested a pair accused of stealing a purse from the parents of Moe the chimp. Here's the story from reporter Brian Day:

CLAREMONT - A man and woman suspected of stealing a purse from the owners of Moe the chimpanzee late last month in West Covina were arrested Thursday, officials said.

Baldwin Park residents Karen Jean Cervantes, 46, and Michael Dean Huffman, 44, were arrested shortly after 8 p.m. when state parole agents stopped Huffman's truck in Claremont, said West Covina police Corporal Rudy Lopez. Huffman, a parolee, immediately led police to Cervantes, he said.

The pair has been booked on suspicion of several felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the theft of a purse from La Donna and St. James Davis' shopping cart at a Target store in the Eastland Shopping Center on March 30, Lopez said.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This comes from the Associated Press:

Thomas Riccio, the memorabilia dealer who arranged O.J. Simpson’s ill-fated meeting in a Las Vegas hotel room, says in a book released Monday that the former football star’s entourage carried at least one gun, even though Simpson tried afterward to tell him otherwise.

“He was trying to convince me a gun wasn’t involved, but that was ridiculous,” Riccio says in the book “Busted,” which he and his publisher, Phoenix Books, tout as an inside account of events leading to Simpson’s arrest in the botched Sept. 13 heist.

“I was standing right next to the guy with the gun,” Riccio says. “Some reports claim there may have been a second gunman in the room, but I only witnessed one.”

Riccio acknowledged the 212-page book breaks little new ground.

“Maybe there’s nothing really surprising in it,” Riccio told The Associated Press by telephone from New York, where he planned a news conference and television appearances.

“But as far as the O.J. thing, it’s amazing how many people don’t know quite what
happened,” he said.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 6:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Gotta love our state legislature. We're in a recession. People are losing their jobs, gasoline prices are through the roof, and they want to raise taxes. It's the kind of regressive tax that really hurts the poor. Way to go Cali. Here's something on its way from the SJ Merc:

Posted by Frank Girardot at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Here's the Lucky cap that started it all:

Posted by Frank Girardot at 1:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This comes from Dan Abendschein in the form of an IM. Apparently I'm not the first person to use the Top Ramen index as an economic indicator, I've just been using Top Ramen as a forecast longer and I actually think the Mama Noodles Index referred to below is a myth. I can find no direct links to it on the web and only five or six blog entries that talk about it ...none has a link.

Anyway, here's what Dan (and wikipedia) have to say.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As pundits and brainiacs around the country constantly attempt to determine if we are in a recession, I’ve been looking at my own economic indicator.

I call it the Top Ramen index.

Here’s how it works: When the price of Top Ramen rises, we’re in an economic crisis. When it falls, good times.

I guess I could gauge my economic barometer on other commodities like soybeans, pork bellies, uranium or light sweet crude, but I don’t buy any of that at Staters, Ralph’s, Albertsons or Vons. I’ll bet you don’t either.

The words “light, sweet crude” in the same sentence sound more like a review of a show on Fox than something you can actually buy anyway.

Top Ramen is a commodity, and you can live on it. I know. I did it in college.

Back in the late 1970s and early ‘80s you could buy something like 20 packages of the stuff for a buck. Think about it, that’s breakfast, lunch and dinner for six days.

Other options included Ralph’s Blue Label macaroni and cheese for a dime a box or a $1 jar of Pizza Quick and a $1 loaf of Wonder.

Throw in a case of Lucky Lager at $3.99 and a couple packs of smokes at a buck-and-a-half, a guy could live large for a week with less than 20 bucks.

Lucky Beer had the added bonus of puzzle caps, so who needed the Internet for entertainment?

The inside of the caps had little rebus puzzles that were easy to figure out at first but got harder and harder to solve the deeper you dug into the box.

Midway through a case, you could spend all night figuring out what the combination of the word RUSH, a picture of a hen, a picture of a dress and a picture of a sink meant. Russian dressing! Get it?

It’s been nearly 30 years since I lived so frugally, but I have always paid attention to the price of Top Ramen, boxed macaroni, cigarettes and beer.

Early last year, I popped into a Stater Bros. market and paid $1 for 10 Top Ramens, which meant my dollar bought half the noodles it bought almost 30 years ago. Can’t remember what mac and cheese cost that day, but it was certainly more than a dime a box.

Wednesday morning I stopped into Ralph’s on my way to work and saw that my favorite packaged noodle soup was selling for a quarter a package or five for a $1. That’s quite a price hike in a matter of months. Boxes of mac and cheese were selling for something like $1.25 each.

My conclusion?

Prices are on a rapid upswing. Our dollars don’t stretch as far as they did last year — or even last week.
Those old beer caps probably have an answer. I remember this one: a key followed by the letter P, an oar, a chin and an arrow pointing up, as in “keep your chin up.”

Yeah right.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

West Covina police said Tuesday they've identified a 46-year-old woman and 44-year-old man wanted in connection with a purse snatching that targeted St. James and LaDonna Davis, parents of Moe of the Chimp.

Police officials declined to release the names of the two suspects, indicating they are still at large. The man is apparently on parole, according to West Covina police Lt. Ron Mitchell.

The wanted pair, both of Baldwin Park, may be responsible for additional crimes throughout the area, Mitchell said.
West Covina police have sorted through several leads in the case since a press conference at attorney Gloria Allred’s office last week, authorities said.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Really bizarre story out of City Terrace this morning. Taxi driver picks up two women rides them out to the Ramona Gardens project. Somehow they end up stabbing the cabbie. He wrecks. There's two dead and one injured.

LAist sums up the tale here.

Posted by Frank Girardot at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)