Scenes From the CityBeat Relaunch Party

Of me! Rebecca Schoenkopf! Credit to the wonderful Gary Leonard. And no, I don't know why they've turned blue.

City Lights

Hey, all my San Francisco friends! Or friends who want an excuse to go to San Francisco! I will be reading this Thursday, July 12, at City Lights, I think at 7 p.m. (You're on a computer; use your Google.)
My brother promises to bring the mayor. (My brother will not bring the mayor.)

Can't make it to San Fran? How's about Santa Ana? The OC Democratic Party will sponsor a signing July 24, 6-8 p.m., in their lobby before Drinking Liberally down the way at the Santora.
I don't care if it's just a signing. I will read. And they can not stop me.

Oh, Sweet Jesus

I think I just got cured of my Luke & Owen Wilson daydreams. They're like the sweetest penicillin.

Oooh, Fun Quiz for Fun

Match the presidential candidate with the following statements about Ted Kennedy's apparent stroke! Scroll down to see the answer!

A) "I was very sorry to hear that Senator Kennedy has taken ill, and like millions of Americans, [my spouse] and I anxiously await word of his condition. Senator Kennedy's role in the U.S. Senate cannot be overstated. He is a legendary lawmaker, and I have the highest respect for him. When we have worked together, he has been a skillful, fair and generous partner. I consider it a great privilege to call him my friend. [My spouse] and I are praying for our friend, his wife, Vicki, and the Kennedy family."

B) "I know a lot of you are interested in the situation with Senator Kennedy. I have been in contact with the family. Obviously they are in our thoughts and prayers – they I am sure will be releasing some sort of statement when they have a better assessment of what the situation is. You know, as I have said many times before, Ted Kennedy is a giant in American political history – he has done more for the health care of others than just about anybody in history and so we are going to be rooting for him and I insist on being optimistic about how it's going to turn out."

C) "My thoughts and prayers are with Ted Kennedy and his family today. We all wish him well and a quick recovery."

Scroll down for the answers!











A) John McCain; B) Barack Obama; and C) Hillary Clinton. That's right. Hillary Clinton either doesn't want anybody to think she has something nice to say about a fringe liberal, or she is still having trouble approximating human emotion. McCain's was particularly nice, as you can see. He would have done a lot better for himself -- a kind of Clinton centrist triangulation -- if he hadn't backed off his once principled stands. Too bad. There is a real core of decency in there, underneath all the pandering rightist crap.

Yay, HER!

This is my aunt. "Lion" is right. And hell yeah it's news when my aunt attends a fundraiser or endorses someone. Because she is fucking awesome. I saw her described in the paper once as someone who "doesn't suffer fools." This was their polite way of saying she can be a wee bit acerbic.
This time, she's talking about you, Hillz.

New Issues of CityBeat

Been a while, chilepeppers, and do please forgive me. Please to read my most recent cover story here. Added bonus? The Fonz!
Psst: Wanna see the whole issues? Go here, here and here!

Because I Am Somewhat Nifty

I just wrapped my first issue as (acting) editor of LA CityBeat. By all means, please stop by lacitybeat.com, and leave some profane comments.
I know y'all don't think I'm human or have feelings--I don't think so myself most of the time--but to get all stupid and sincere on you for a moment, I am so proud of this issue. I've wanted my own shop for a very long time, and due to a fluke--I started a week and a half ago as arts editor when my friend Steve Lowery started as editor ... four days before he realized he'd much rather be writing movies and other cool stuff--I've finally got it. I am just thrilled to bitses, and I hope you like it. Truly.
Love love love
Beccalou