As California Heat Wave Continues, Santa Monica Community College Loses Air Conditioning (VIDEO)

I've been teaching this week and it's been perfectly comfortable in my classroom. But there but the grace of God I go, it turns out. 

This heat wave is devilish. It's not just Santa Monica, of course. 

At the Los Angeles Times, "PG&E warns over 500,000 customers of possible rotating outages as California heat wave drags on." 

And at CBS News 2 Los Angeles:

'The Haunted California Idyll of German Writers in Exile'

This is amazing, at Althouse, quoting an article at the New Yorker, "'Indeed, a number of exiles fell to scowling under the palms.... The composer Eric Zeisl called California a 'sunny blue grave'":

"Adorno could have had Muscle Beach in mind when he identified a social condition called the Health unto Death: 'The very people who burst with proofs of exuberant vitality could easily be taken for prepared corpses, from whom the news of their not-quite-successful decease has been withheld for reasons of population policy.'... Such doleful tales raise the question of why so many writers fled to L.A. Why not go to New York, where exiled visual artists gathered in droves? ... [T]he 'lack of a cultural infrastructure' in L.A. was attractive: it allowed refugees to reconstitute the ideals of the Weimar Republic instead of competing with an extant literary scene.... Thomas Mann... lived in a spacious, white-walled aerie in Pacific Palisades... He saw 'Bambi' at the Fox Theatre in Westwood; he ate Chinese food; he listened to Jack Benny on the radio; he furtively admired handsome men in uniform; he puzzled over the phenomenon of the 'Baryton-Boy Frankie Sinatra,' to quote his diaries. Like almost all the émigrés, he never attempted to write fiction about America...."

More.

'Fortress Venice' — Officials Seek to Restrict Street Access to Venice Beach Tourist Attraction

It's been not quite a year ago since I was up there, "Chillin' in Santa Monica and Venice Beach."

I've had a hankering to return, actually. But I better hurry up about it, if this front-page report at the Los Angeles Times is any indication, "Officials seek to tame Venice boardwalk":

Spencer Davis was chatting up tourists on the Venice boardwalk when police officers pulled up in front of his display of plastic alien heads.

Had Davis seen a man threatening people with a chain saw, they asked?

"Not today," he quipped with a smile, assuming that the officers were joking.

Then he turned around and saw police officers, their guns drawn, with a man holding a chain saw.

"Just when you think you've seen it all…" Davis said.

For all the gentrification, designer homes and tourist attractions, Venice is still that kind of place — where artists, the homeless, Silicon Beach hipsters, surfers, inline skaters and tourists come together along a circus-like boardwalk.

Over the last few decades, the city has tried to tame the scene on Ocean Front Walk, but with limited success. Now, City Hall is making what some locals consider the most concerted effort yet to bring control to the area.

The city is considering a series of safety measures, including security cameras, more lights and a public address system, as well as closing off about 20 of the 32 streets that dead-end onto Ocean Front Walk. To accomplish that, the plan also calls for the installation of automated retractable posts, as well as gates, planters or other measures at the locations to prevent cars from getting onto the boardwalk....

Critics say that the city is trying to turn the beloved boardwalk — one of California's top tourist draws — into "Fortress Venice."

"If you can't even go to the beach without being watched," said Venice Neighborhood Council President Linda Lucks, "where can you go?"

More.

'Subpar': Anti-Obama Street Art Covers Santa Monica

Heh, at far left-wing Santa Monica at that. You gotta love it.

At Instapundit, "'The artwork, which features images of Obama golfing with the message, can be found on trashcans, in Porta-potties, and on street benches'."

'Bodies Were Flying in the Air' — Horror at Venice Beach

It's an awesome boardwalk. You'd be just chillin', never expecting any problems.

The suspect was intent on killing. Witnesses are interviewed at the clip.



And a LAT, "Venice boardwalk crash: Man, 38, arrested on suspicion of murder," and "Venice boardwalk: Witnesses describe chaotic scene of hit-and-run."

Video here, "Venice Beach murderer getting into his car and plowing though innocent people." And moments after the hit-and-run, "Venice Boardwalk Tragedy."

Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to Close

Thinking offhand, I saw Iggy Pop, the Psychedelic Furs, and Siouxsie and the Banshees at the Santa Monica Civic.

The place was cool, but it's closing now.

At the Los Angeles Times, "Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to close after 55 years as cultural mecca."

And at LA Weekly, "RIP Santa Monica Civic Auditorium: Former Punk Haven Finished Holding Concerts":

Due to a combination of obsolescence and budget cuts, the landmark venue -- located at Pico and Main -- is finished hosting concerts, though the auditorium will still have some city events.

This news has gone largely under the radar. But that's a shame, because artists like Iggy Pop, David Bowie, and Queen performed classic shows there in the '70s, and in the following decades the spot helped propel the national punk movement, hosting acts like X, The Misfits, The Cramps, Bad Religion, and Black Flag.

Suspect's Gun Was 'Pieced Together' in Santa Monica Shooting Rampage

Yes, and California bans "semiautomatic firearms" (which leftists falsely label "assault weapons").

And still, suspect John Zawahri was undeterred.

At the Los Angeles Times, "Santa Monica shooter's rifle appears to have been pieced together":

#SMC UPDATE: SM police laid out evidence found on suspect's body; news conference planned for approx 1pm twitter.com/ABC7/status/34…
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 8, 2013

The semiautomatic weapon used in the Santa Monica shooting rampage appears to have been put together from various parts, possibly in an attempt to circumvent the state's restrictions on such guns, law enforcement sources said Wednesday.

While certain types of AR-15-style rifles are banned in California, it's legal to purchase parts that can be used to assemble and customize the guns. Santa Monica police have said John Zawahri, 23, used an AR-15-style gun during the attack and was also carrying a .44-caliber handgun.

The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing, said detectives are still trying to figure out how the gun was put together and whether Zawahri obtained it whole or assembled it himself.

Zawahri killed five people last Friday in an attack that started at his father's home and ended at Santa Monica College, where police fatally wounded him in the school's library.

Sources said Wednesday that Zawahri fired about 100 rounds during the rampage, which lasted about 10 minutes. He fired at passing cars, a bus, pedestrians as well as police. Authorities have said he had access to more than 1,300 rounds of ammunition.

Santa Monica Police Department investigators, working with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the California Department of Justice, are now trying to trace where the parts came from.

Zawahri's rifle appeared to be modified so it could fire more rounds, the sources said. Police said he had 40 magazines capable of holding 30 rounds each during the rampage.

California outlaws the commerce of AR-15 weapons that have certain features, including a detachable magazine, which allows sustained firing. Other features include folding telescopic or detachable stocks or a threaded barrel.

Purchase, sale and transfer of high-capacity magazines is illegal, but currently possession of the items is not.

And of course, despite all this, Sen. Barbara Boxer cravenly announced that the Santa Monica massacre gives us "wind at our backs" for even more ineffective gun control legislation.

Actually, the suspect had "psychiatric issues." Maybe Sen. Babs ought to be working on that.

Death Toll Climbs in Santa Monica Shooting Massacre

At the Los Angeles Times, "Santa Monica shootings: Death toll rises as fifth victim dies."

Also, "Santa Monica shooting: Police still trying to reach gunman's kin," and "Santa Monica shootings: Students and staff struggle to cope."

Here's ABC News with the suspect's photo:

#SMC UPDATE: Santa Monica PD have released a photo of the suspected gunman, 23-year-old John Zawahri twitter.com/ABC7/status/34…

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 9, 2013

Suspect Had 1,300 Rounds of Ammo During Santa Monica Shooting Rampage

More details coming out.

At LAT, "Santa Monica shooting was premeditated, police say."

#SMC UPDATE: Surveillance photo shows suspect entering Santa Monica College library twitter.com/ABC7/status/34…

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 8, 2013

SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis estimates suspect fired at least 70 rounds inside the #SMC library

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 8, 2013

SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis about suspect -- "He heavily armed himself and was ready for battle"

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 8, 2013

SHOOTING UPDATE #SMC -- Police Chief uses "execute" to describe gunman killing one woman on street. He had "multiple" magazines. @lanow

— Andrew Blankstein (@anblanx) June 8, 2013

Looks like #santamonica shooter ain't a bitter clinger. Has #muslim name.fireandreamitchell.com/2013/06/08/joh…

— Carol Greenberg (@LadyImpactOhio) June 8, 2013

What do we know about John Zawahri, the Santa Monica shooting suspect? lat.ms/19TdClD

— LA Times City Beat (@LATimescitybeat) June 8, 2013

The Perp-Whisperer: Inspirational Speaker Dyana Valentine Sends Love to Mass Murderer in Santa Monica Shooting Rampage

Unreal exchange on Twitter this afternoon.

It's Dyana Valentine, who calls herself an "oracle," a "Finder and Creator of SuperConditions for Greatness."

Well, I guess this mass murderer was just another "great guy."

.@dyanavalentine Love to the shooter? How about to law enforcement trying to keep people safe? Jeez... #SantaMonicaCollege
— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 7, 2013

.@dyanavalentine Wondering though, for you, there's no difference between the shooter and his victims? They're equivalent and love-needing?
— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 7, 2013

Some of the responses:

@dyanavalentine @ampowerblog LOVE TO THE SHOOTER? Are you serious? Lady wake the fuck up!

— Jesse Moody (@TheJesseMoody) June 7, 2013

.@dyanavalentine @ampowerblog How about Hitler, does he get love? Mao? Lenin? Pol Pot? Satan? #insane

— Dan Donaldson (@_donaldson) June 7, 2013

@dyanavalentine @ampowerblogmaybe you wouldn't be sending love if shooter blew your stupid head off, eh?

— NedL (@NCL387) June 8, 2013

@dyanavalentine @ampowerblog So you have the discrimination of a mosquito and the depth of a puppy. So evolved! I bet you hate this, lover!

— Jon A. Hartz, Sr. (@JonAHartzSr) June 8, 2013

Chillin' in Santa Monica and Venice Beach

I wasn't expected to be heading up to Santa Monica yesterday.

My oldest son comes into my room a little after Noon and asks, "Dad, will you take me up to Santa Monica so I can hang out with my friends?" I'm like, "Hey, you think that's a little far?" (We live close to an hour's drive South, in Irvine.) So I had my boy check with my wife to see if she thought that wasn't too much, and she was cool, so off we went.

Here's the Third Street Promenade. My boys are at left:

My oldest boy took off to have lunch with his friends (at Hooters, it turns out). So I took my little guy to Johnny Rockets. It was packed. We sat at the lunch counter stools at the back side. That's my son's reflection behind our vanilla shakes:

I love the Apple Store at the Third Street Promenade! It's freakin' huge, like a gymnasium. And you're not bugged by the sales associates every two minutes. Products everywhere:

American Power!

Heading over to Venice  Beach after lunch, greeted by Jim Morrison:

Here's the skatepark:

This dude had some skills:

And this lady skater was freakin' hot. Great style, reminiscent of the surf-skaters of the '70s:

Here's the awesome bookstore and sidewalk cafe. That's where I'd be chillin' most of the time:

After hanging out at the bookstore, as well as the skateboard shop next door, we run into the Sperminator on the way back to the van:

Folks were getting stoned up and down the boardwalk, and a bong shop was located right next to the bookstore. So as we were leaving, my son says, "That guy's sign says 'No meth! No crack! No homo!" You gotta love it. No Deranged Left Wing Bakers either!

Here we are back at the Apple Store waiting for my oldest son to meet up so we can head back to the O.C.

I have some photos from the Tesla showroom at the Promenade as well, and will post some of those later...

The Sperminator

I took the boys up to Santa Monica today and we got back a little while ago. After I dropped off my oldest at the Third Street Promenade, I took my youngest over to Venice Beach to check out the skate park. I'll post more photos tomorrow, but I couldn't stop laughing when my son called me over to this effigy of Arnold Schwarzenegger as "The Sperminator." Gawd, this is hilarious:

More from Santa Monica later. We had a blast. And a nice break from blogging too.