West Africa

Dan Walters, Dean of State Political Reporters, v. Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of UCI Law School

The dean of California political reporters, Dan Walters, didn't like the idea of UC Irvine opening a law school six years ago and, in his syndicated column Monday, expressed vindication for that view thanks to a Los Angeles Times story that reports several law school graduates can't find jobs while ... More >>

Mawufemor Biekro, Ex-Girl Scouts Accountant, Gets 5 Years for $100k Embezzlement

Here's one we didn't get to last week: Mawufemor Bierko, a former foreign-exchange student from Ghana, pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling more than $100,000 from the Girl Scout Council of Orange County. Biekro, 35, who has worked as staff accountant for the Irvine-based nonprofit, Ghana, was s ... More >>

Park City's Breakouts

The movies to know from Sundance—and the year ahead

Top Five Musical Moments With Huell Howser

To say Huell Howser always had a song in his heart is probably an understatement. Anyone who ever sat down to watch his show California's Gold is familiar with the signature, syrupy southern drawl that made him sound like he was singing even when he wasn't. After the Weekly broke the news about the ... More >>

UCI's First Law School Class Has a Better Cali Bar Exam Passage Rate Than All But Stanford

The end of our October blog post on University of California at Irvine School of Law students helping Nigerian activists present a case to the U.S. Supreme Court mentioned that the local school has its critics.The blasts to the law school and its founding dean, Erwin Chemerinsky, began in 2009, but ... More >>

Notes, Quotes and Observations from Last Night's "Mad Meat Men" Bird Finale at Picnics in Costa Mesa

With apologies to the dearly missed former Orange County Register sports columnist Randy Youngman, notes, quotes, and observations from last night's game fowl extravaganza at Picnics Kitchen in Costa Mesa hosted by the Mad Meat Men.*Fucking Dave, I swear: fucking mensch! Unlike me, he's not a shamel ... More >>

William Scott Spalding, Gemologist-Movie Producer, Gets 10 Years for $280k Gold Scam

William Scott Spalding, the 47-year-old Irvine "gemologist" and "movie producer" who conned a single Huntington Beach mom out of $280,000 in a fake gold investment scam, pleaded guilty to a laundry list of charges today and was promptly sentenced to 10 years in state prison.He was also ordered to pa ... More >>

UCI Law School Professor and Students Fight for Nigerian Activists in U.S. Supreme Court

When the U.S. Supreme Court opened what's billed to be a contentious new term Monday, UC Irvine School of Law students were there.But the future legal eagles were not in Washington, D.C., to observe the proceedings as bystanders but to help one of their professors argue a case before the Supremes.

Pedagogy of the Offended: Mr. Bib Responds, Rants, Reviews (Helpfully, Politely, Patiently)

Mr Bib enjoys, appreciates, tries to live up to the gift--not to mention its responsibilities--of a forum featuring his interpretations, recommendations, critiques of books. It's discouraging, if perhaps not unexpected, to find readers who either don't understand or don't get it. Don't like my rheto ... More >>

Police: Welcome To Anaheimistan; Now Obey Our Whims or Die

It's a historical fact that the biggest threat to the citizens of any nation isn't outsiders but their own government's police and military--the folks with all the guns, arrest powers and unwavering insistence that their own violence is committed only as a means to peace.For proof, glance at the his ... More >>

New Music: Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra's 'Last Odyssey'

There's something geographically astounding about a Costa Mesa-based record label putting putting out a band from France who specializes in the fiery polyrhythms of Ethio and Nigerian funk. That's pretty much the situation when it comes to Ubiquity Record's latest signee, Afro Latin Vintage Orc ... More >>

[UPDATED with Family Cleared to Leave Ghana:] Sol and Christine Moghadam, Irvine Couple Held for Child Trafficking, Get Assist

See update at the end of the post on the family being cleared to return home with their children.ORIGINAL POST, JUNE 27, 3:06 P.M.: A website that allows participating American families to raise money so they can adopt children overseas, including an Irvine couple that was detained in Ghana for susp ... More >>

Maggi: The Condiment That Every Culture Thinks Is Theirs

Sriracha may inspire crazy blog posts and foodie adoration; but when it comes to world domination, it's got nothing on Maggi. PRI's The World has a great story about the stuff in the distinctive genie-like bottle. The brand is so ingrained in just about every culture in every part of the world, it's ... More >>

Phillip Jacob Shinen, Alleged Online Huckster, Has Been Quite Busy on the Interwebs

You'll find Phillip Jacob Shinen all over the Interwebs, offering riches to those who join his assorted online ventures. The 32-year-old has one ad at the top of a site warning visitors about the old Nigerian email scam. "This is not MLM"--a multi-level marketing Ponzi scheme--"or a Scam, these are ... More >>

The Best Of Coachella: Sunday, April 15

See also: *The Best Of Coachella: Saturday, April 14 *Top Ten Awkward Coachella Dance Move GIFs Wow, that was fast! In a whirlwind of top-notch performances from legends and buzz bands alike, pool parties, and rain, Coachella's first weekend is over. Here are our scribes' favorite moments from Su ... More >>

San Clemente Resident Convicted of Pittsburgh PA Rape

A former San Clemente resident was found guilty this month of rape, burglary and making terrorist threats in Pittsburgh, PA.In Sept. 2010, Akaninyene Efiong Akan--a mechanical engineer originally from Nigeria--climbed into a woman's apartment window, spit in her mouth, promised to kill her if she co ... More >>

Music From Saharan Cellphones, Remix by Matthewdavid

​In 2010, after returning from extensive travel in Mali and Mauritania, Chris Kirkley from Sahel Sounds presented Music from Saharan Cellphones, a collection of underground music from the Saharan region which was circulated almost exclusively from cellphone to cellphone via bluetooth bumps. He ... More >>

Legendary Vibraphone Player Roy Ayers On Being One Of The Most Sampled Artist in Hip-Hop

Roy Ayers​A music veteran whose legacy stretches from jazz to hip-hop, Roy Ayers is a legendary vibraphonist who, after a career in jazz, shifted to funk, R&B and even a bit of disco. His résumé includes collaborations with Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, the soundtrack to the Jack Hill ... More >>

Lemuel Uy Libunao: Immigrant Success Story or "Purple Syrup" Drug Lord?

​Lemuel Uy Libunao co-owns Plaza Pharmacy in Santa Ana, Blue Rose Pharmacy in Buena Park and Value Plus Pharmacy in Long Beach. Of Philippine-Chinese descent, the 42-year-old "Emerging Asian" was a shoo-in for the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award from the Asian Business Association of Orange Count ... More >>

Hundreds March To Trader Joe's Headquarters In Monrovia To Demand A One Penny Per Pound Raise For Florida Farm Workers

Marisa Gerber/ OCWeekly​Three vans of people -- many from El Centro Cultural de Mexico and others from Justice for Janitors and an inter-faith group -- carpooled from Santa Ana to Monrovia today for a protest at Trader Joe's headquarters. The crew of 30 or so from Santa Ana convened with abou ... More >>

[UPDATE: Protest is THIS FRIDAY] Coalition of Immokalee Workers in Town to Explain Campaign Against Trader Joe's

​UPDATE: Protest is THIS FRIDAY. More information at the CIW's website--see you there!Original post Oct. 10, 10:30 a.m.: Earlier this summer, we reported on an anti-Trader Joe's campaign launched by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, those Florida-based mensches who have done more to combat the f ... More >>

Geena Davis and Abigail E. Disney Preview Women and War Documentary at UCI, While Jody Hassett Sanchez Brings Human Trafficking Film

​Two female filmmakers come to UC Irvine this week to discuss their projects about women caught in the middle of war and children mostly caught up in human slavery around the world.One, entertainment brand heir Abigail E. Disney, is bringing even more star power: Academy Award winner Geena Davis. ... More >>

Locals Push Bill Spreading Religious Freedom

​A Santa Ana-based group pushing for religious freedom worldwide has launched a new advocacy campaign aimed at beefing up the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and, with it, U.S. foreign policy. Turmoil in Nigeria, the Middle East, Northern Africa and Pakistan--including the burning of ... More >>

Report: Pasta the Most Popular Dish in the World

​Grand, overarching summations derived from research papers must always be viewed skeptically, but the global organization Oxfam is well-regarded for its research, and its only real agenda is feeding folks, something they've been working on since the 1940s. They know a bit about global food trends ... More >>

Five Things You Want to Know About Akon

​Akon's been pretty busy lately--touring all over the world (he's was in India, Oregon and good old Cali), starting two labels (Konvict Muzic and Kon Live Distribution), collaborating with everyone from Snoop Dogg to Dr. Dre and prepping for his new album in the fall. The Grammy-nominated artist ... More >>

Cannes Outdoes Itself

Best of the best: Our picks from the strongest festival in years

Why Do Mexican Farm Workers Take a Shit in the Fields?

[¡Ask a Mexican!] And why aren't more Mexis part of the middle class?

[UPDATED with Expo Response:] Dog Magazine Reports Ruff Treatment at Pet Expo

​UPDATE, APRIL 18, 3:16 P.M.: America's Family Pet Expo organizers have a different interpretation of events that led to copies of The OC Dog magazine failing to be available at the event in Costa Mesa this past weekend.Editor/publisher Sheri Grant earlier today claimed the Midway City-based publi ... More >>

The Miracle Berry: A Solution to World Hunger?

Is this our best weapon against famine?​A few years ago, we heard about the miracle berry, a cranberry-like berry discovered in West Africa that tricks your mind into thinking sour and bitter foods are sweet. The berries emerged in the U.S. as a novelty, marketed on sites like ThinkGeek with lines ... More >>

Jan Morton Heger Allegedly Pulled $898K Scam With Baja Resort, Ghana Oil Funds and African Gold Mines

​An attorney is scheduled to be arraigned in Santa Ana this morning on charges of stealing $898,000 from 11 victims in an elaborate investment scheme that involved a luxury resort in Baja California, oil fund loans from Ghana and African gold mine revenues in Ghanan and Nigerian banks. Jan Morton ... More >>

Into the Mystic

Cults and the uncertain futures dominate Sundance

TGIF: The Wonder Years, Social Distortion, Jandek, Three Bad Jacks and Many More!

Michael MinichielloThe Wonder Years​On Friday, the Wonder Years play at Chain Reaction in Anaheim--and yes, we feel your eyes rolling a bit at the name. We still haven't quite gotten over Crystal Castles and Final Fantasy ourselves, to name just two. But the Philadelphia-based band, who look more ... More >>

Akaninyene Efiong Akan, San Clemente Resident, Tied to Rape in Oakland. No, the Other Oakland

​A San Clemente man is being held for a rape in Oakland.No, not the Oakland of A's, Raiders, Oak Town, Jerry Brown and Epic Beard Man fame, but the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania. Akaninyene Efiong Akan, a 29-year-old Nigerian, is charged with rape, burglary, assault and other crime ... More >>

World Gone Mad

In the muck of revolution with 'White Material'

UPDATED: Man Commits Suicide By Jumping Off Mickey & Friends Parking Structure at Disneyland

Flickr user Never Cool in School​UPDATE: The man has been identified, see bottom of post.Not many details have been released, but according to the LA Times, an Anaheim police spokesman has confirmed that a man committed suicide on Sunday evening by jumping off one of the upper floors of the Mickey ... More >>

TSOL Singer Jack Grisham: 'That's Right--I'm Supporting the Arts. I Got a Fucking Award For it. I'm An Award-Winning Artist.'

Danielle Bacher/ OC Weekly​Jack Grisham's life has taken more twists and turns than the PCH. The 49-year-old gained early notoriety as the lead singer of seminal Orange County punk rockers TSOL. After five years fronting the group, Grisham left amid rumors of substance abuse and acrimony from the ... More >>

[UPDATED:] 13 Things Possibly Going Through Don Bren's Mind During $134 Million Child-Support Case

​UPDATE: The jury made its ruling today (see end of post) . . . Irvine Co. chairman Don Bren is suffering the indignity of sitting in a Los Angeles courtroom and even--horror of all horrors!--testifying in the lawsuit brought by the multibillionaire's ex-lover/passing-acquaintance Jennifer Gold, w ... More >>

Free Ticket Tuesdays: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, BLOK and Far East Movement

Lilledeshan Bose​ This week, we're giving away tickets to shows by performers that aren't household names--but should be. That's five pairs for Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars and Far East Movement and 10 pairs of tickets to Blok and Railroad to Alaska's show. All you have to do is tell us w ... More >>

World Cup Semi-Finals

Nadine's Irish Mist

World Cup: Ghana vs. USA

The Olde Ship British Pub

American Soldiers

'Restrepo' captures military life in Afghanistan

Social D Performing At Outside Lands

MySpace / Julia Zave​Look who's performing at  San Francisco's answer to Coachella! Aside from beloved locals Social Distortion, the Outside Lands fest, is going all jammy by hosting the Grateful Dead. For the first time in almost 20 years, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir are playing the Golden Gate P ... More >>

Where Masks Still Dance: New Guinea

Bowers Museum

Afrobeat Down

Alex's Bar

Voice of the Forest

Bowers Museum

Doctors Without Borders' Mary Jo Frawley Lives in OC, But Her Heart's in Sri Lanka, Somalia . . .

A Fresh Wave of Globally Minded Music Websites Will Broaden Your Horizons

25 years later

It was twenty-five years ago today, June, 5, 1981, that the first cases of what would become known as HIV/AIDS were reported in the Centers for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. It was by no means the beginning of the disease– a recent study has identified the earliest i ... More >>

Cross-continental fusion

Uncle Al amalgamates the world through sauce

No Sellout

Rebel jazz flutist James Newton comes home