San Clemente Conference Unveils New Environmental Report on Current Condition of OC’s Coastline

In California, there’s a deep connection between bona-fide scientific research and the policy decisions that directly affect our coastline. The recently released “The State of the California South Coast”—a 60-page, full-color report compiled by ocean scientists from data collected by pros and amateurs—details the baseline condition of the state’s 5-year-old Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) from …

Speak and Dream Panther’s SPEAKPANTHER is a Transnational Hip Hop Gem

Speak has killed the local independent hip-hop scene in SoCal for at least the last 5 years with a charming and larger than life persona that emanates from his physical presence down to his music. After relocating to Mexico City nearly two years ago, the rapper has recently found himself in a surge of artistic …

ACLU Accuses Orange County Board of Supervisors of Violating Free Speech

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California sent a letter Monday to the Orange County Board of Supervisors alleging violations of the state’s open meeting law and the U.S. Constitution due to the board policy of “severely limiting public comment at meetings.” “County Counsel has received the letter and is reviewing its contents,” says …

Santa Ana Cop Caught on Camera in Sky High Raid Coming Back to Work?

After being caught caught on camera eating what totally looked like edibles, insulting a paraplegic and ransacking the dispensary— Jorge Arroyo, Nicole Lynn Quijas and Brandon Matthew Sontag were fired and charged with petty theft. Sontag racked up an additional vandalism charge for destroying surveillance equipment inside the dispensary. The Weekly learned weeks ago that Sontag …

Bluegold in Huntington Beach Is Big, Bold and Ambitious—But Still a Bit Uneven

Bluegold in Huntington Beach’s Pacific City isn’t just one restaurant. Technically, it’s two. There’s a restaurant within a restaurant called LSXO, which lies beyond a second set of double doors to the right of Bluegold’s kitchen. But for now, I’m focusing on Bluegold itself, which already feels as if it’s four restaurants in itself. The …

OC Bar Association President Michael Baroni Apologizes for Being an Ass

That was quick. After causing an uproar with a column that trashed immigrants and psycho-fellated cops, then having to grin and bear it as lawyers walked out of his inauguration ceremony, Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) president Michael Baroni issued a full-fledged apology to the county’s lawyers earlier this week. “I’m sorry,” he stated succinctly …

We’re Sick of “Haunting” New Tracks And Other Overused Words To Describe Songs

Ever notice how many “haunting” new tracks exist?! “Haunting” has become the go-to descriptor for everything – from slow, melodic electronic beats layered with indecipherable hipster countertenor vocals; to female soloists offset by a dreary piano; to brooding, nasally vocals harmonized with synths and baritone guitar. Here’s how rampant “haunting new track” appears online (“haunting …

Newport Beach Winter Q Warm-Up: Chatting With Rad Fondo BBQ

This Saturday’s barbeque competition at Newport Dunes will be so hot, it’ll temporarily melt away that winter chill. Attendees can expect $10 general admission, with BBQ tastes going for a buck a ticket. For options like unlimited beer ($35) and a BBQ & beer tasting ($50 online), folks need only inquire at www.newportbeachbbqcompetition.com. Also included: samples, …

Snitch Scandal Judge Ponders $10,000 Contempt Fine For Orange County Sheriff

Complaining about continued “mind boggling” and “incomprehensible” record games by Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens in a death penalty case, Superior Court Judge Thomas M. Goethals today declared he is pondering contempt findings plus a $10,000 fine against her. Hutchens and her command staff, who have spent nearly 35,000 hours defying Goethals’ January 2013 discovery orders …