Writer, Editor, Investigative Journalist
Is a friendly game of strip dreidel a matter of concern for the Department of Homeland Security? To celebrate an exhibit and a documentary detailing the high jinks of prankster crew the Cacophony Society ? best known for helping to spawn Burning Man and SantaCon in the early 1990s ? the group is creating a "Caco-palooza" at Santa Ana's Grand … Continue »
By Paul Abramson and L.J. Williamson You have no legal right to sex, and never had. In fact, in case you haven't heard, Texas Republicans want sodomy to be a crime again. Last June, the Texas Republican Party embraced a political platform that opposed the legalization of sodomy. To be clear, sodomy law refers to either oral or anal sex. … Continue »
Two books cut to the core of an L.A. obsession: female beauty Fragrant steam rises from an enormous vat of tea, and steeping in the brew at this Koreatown spa are three plump Korean grandmas. Their nudity, and the undulating rolls of fat ringing their waists, seem to trouble them not at all. The ritual of a communal bath is clearly comfortable. … Continue »
The stereotype of Valley residents is that once you drive over the hill, everyone is over the hill ? if not numerically, then philosophically. However, since work began on the new Valley Performing Arts Center at Cal State Northridge, San Fernando Valley residents have had hope that the spectacular new structure could undo a million … Continue »
It's 8 o'clock on a Saturday morning, and already the Valley heat is making its afternoon plans known. But on this sprawling expanse of green, with a glittering reservoir visible in the distance, moist grass cools your feet under the sheltering shade of trees, where Geno DeVandry has parked his camp chair and his cooler full of Gatorade. The … Continue »
TODAY is Groundhog Day, and celebrity groundhog Punxatawney Phil's ceremonialized annual weather prediction will once again unfold in Punxatawney, Pa. How this particular groundhog was selected for the task is a mystery, but as the appointed spokesman (spokeshog?) for all of his fellow groundhogs - and perhaps by extension all wildlife - Phil … Continue »
When you?re married with children, you need to do anything you can to keep your groove on, and a healthy fantasy life is key. Fortunately, child care duties can coexist with this important practice ? that is, if you call plunking your kids down in front of the TV ?child care,? and heck, I sure do! So while the kids are being entertained in the land … Continue »
My eight-year-old son wanted to have a sleepover party for his birthday, so we invited the usual suspects: the next door neighbor, a kid he's been friends with since infancy, and another long-time school buddy. Wanting to encourage my often-shy son to keep making new friends, I urged him to invite another nice-seeming boy named Gerry from his … Continue »