National Economy

Dana Rohrabacher Wants to Take His Loony Act to Bigger Stage

Glassy-eyed Dana​Dana Rohrabacher, a man whose notoriously poor judgment caused him to associate with a long list of people who became convicted felons, wants to become chairman of the Science Committee in the House of Representatives.According to a Nov. 30 profile in Politico, the Costa Mesa cong ... More >>

Explaining the Shitty Economy Through LMFAO's 'Shots'

Christopher Victorio/OC Weekly​The Great Recession may have been long declared over, but the pain continues for many everyday people. For the curious, the bottoming out of the U.S. economy prompted inquiry into what the hell went down. The subject of economics, however, is all too often unnecessar ... More >>

OC's Trillion Dollar Man Worried USA is Heading for a Double-Dip Recession

0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds​All those daily Obama Administration assurances that the U.S. economy is heading in the right direction might just be wishful thinking or cynical public manipulation.Dr. Mohamed Abdulla El-Erian, the chief executive of Newport Beach-based investment house giant Pimco--t ... More >>

Is the April Fools' Joke Democrats' Dana Rohrabacher Not-an-April-Fools' Joke?

​The following just arrived from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, whose "House Republican Hypocrisy Hall of Fame" now includes Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach). Sounds like a certain Surfin' Congresswoman is going to have to shop for an evening gown to wear to the inducti ... More >>

Obama, Economy, War, Swine Flu, Iran Election Crack Alamanac's Top 10 News Topics of 2009

Here are The World Almanac and Book of Facts Top Ten News Topics of 2009:​1. Obama Presidency Begins. With the U.S. at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and facing its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, Barack Obama swearing in as the nation's 44th president Jan. 20 in Washington, DC.her ... More >>

Rumbi Island Grill to Open Three More In O.C.

Over a year ago I reported that a Utah chain called Rumbi Island Grill was planning to come and open up a series of stores. With their Mission Viejo store now already well- established, they're moving onward and upward. The RSM store will debut in January and it's been announced that they're staki ... More >>

Grapes of Wrath

Tustin Library

Wax On, Wax Off: Boardfest 2009 Postponed Due to Bad Economy

We in the surfing world don't often talk about the economic downturn that has plagued America in recent months. Sure, there are more guys out in the water during work hours, having lost the jobs that used to keep their days filled. Surfboard sales are at rock bottom (the relatively small ma ... More >>

Consumer Confidence Reports Reach Opposite Conclusions

​According to Associated Press economics writer Chrstopher S. Rugaber, "Consumer sentiment rose more than expected in August and expectations hit the highest level since the recession began, indications that Americans' pessimism about the economy may be lifting."Rugaber cites findings from the New ... More >>

Evening for Hope and Possibility

Memphis at the Santora

Voice of the Forest

Bowers Museum

Ya Gotta Hang On

Annie Jr.

Helicopters Are Soooooo Huge Right Now

Organizers and assorted helicopter media (who knew?) are crowing about attendance at the three-day 2009 Heli-Expo, which wraps up today in Anaheim. The number of exhibitors and helicopters on display also beat last year's event in Houston."Heli-Expo 2009 a Resounding Success!!" boasts Helicopter Ass ... More >>

Days of Yore

Hollywood's Golden Age

Irvine Gives Back

The Great Skate

Newport Beach Financial Whiz Warns of 'Mini Depression' Unless Trillions Spent

A Newport Beach executive has got President Obama's back, saying the U.S. may slump into a "mini depression" unless policy makers spend trillions of dollars to spur growth. "This economy needs support from the government, a check from the government in the trillions," Bill Gross, the co-chief invest ... More >>

Bangok Taste Closed for a Week--No Worries. I Hope.

Had dinner earlier this week at Bangkok Taste in SanTana, my current fave Thai restaurant, with the mysterious Ben Dayhoe (contrary to popular rumor, he's not Mr. X). We enjoyed soups, fried tofu, their famous roti dessert, and the peanut-butter soup called khao soy. After our dinner (we ate with ou ... More >>

MUSINK Tattoo & Music Festival: Totally Canceled!

Curse you, recession! The MUSINK Tattoo & Music Festival, which was birthed from a three-day event this past February at the OC fairgrounds, has been completely scrapped; official word is that it's, unsurprisingly, "due to the current economic climate."The tour was planned for 25 cities, includ ... More >>

The Reaganomics

The Reaganomics

Fresh & Easy Opening its 100th Store in Fullerton: UPDATE!

Fresh & Easy will mark its first year in business with the debut of its 100th store, opening at 1207 South Euclid Street in Fullerton, this Wednesday, November 12th at 10:00 a.m. Although I am impressed with its achievements (as well as curious about its selection of cheaply priced organic produce) ... More >>

J Flynn Gallery Goes Bye-Bye

Weekly art critic Greg Stacy writes: "It is my sorry duty to report that we recently lost yet another fine local gallery, the J Flynn of Costa Mesa. Recent months have seen far too many local galleries close up for good, as the art world continues to suffer the effects of the ailing economy. In a t ... More >>

Willkommen, Bienvenue

Cabaret

Slow Boat

A Day on the Grand Canal 
With the Emperor of China

Remote Hog

Chappelle Show (Lost Episodes)

OC's leading indicator an economic downturn looms

Forget sky-high gas prices, stagnant home sales and shaky consumer confidence. Around here, all you need to know that rotten times are ahead is Sharper Image quarterly profits have sunk 62 percent.

Diary of a Mad County

Spin Recycle

Truth still grounded after El Toro approval

Steve Lowerys Weekly Investor