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June 14, 2011· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

June 14, 2011 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

  • 16 people, ranging in age from 18 to 50, were arrested at two locations in Newhall and Valencia last week after Sheriff’s investigators uncovered a large theft ring responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in retail, commercial and private theft. Among the arrested was 50 year old Traci Pontecorvo, a former well-connected membership director for the SCV Chamber of Commerce. Deputies allege the group targeted Toys R’ Us specifically and hints that they stole mostly to support their drug habits. Oh did I forget to mention heroine and meth were found at both locations and a two year old child was found at the Newhall location? More on this story later today KHTS, SIGNAL, DAILY NEWS
  • Reminder: One Valley, One Vision on the City Council agenda tonight. KHTS has a high-level overview of what the OVOV plan entails KHTS
  • KHTS also talked with SCOPE and other environmentalists about their email blast urging the City to delay OVOV adoption after a water well in Valencia was found to be contaminated with perchlorate KHTS
  • 38th Assembly District Republican Central Committee performs audit of the SCV Republican Assembly club’s bank account and finds no irregularities, saying the accusations made against the club’s former treasurer are “misleading and false.” But commenters on the WRB story are skeptical, saying the Committee and Bob Hauter are hardly unbiased, objective observers and they urge Buck McKeon to get involved and set things right WRB
  • Mike Cruz tells KHTS that, even though the new draft legislative districts appear to favor Republicans, Democratic registrations are increasing throughout the SCV and races for state Senate and Assembly might be more competitive than previously thought KHTS
  • A grocery worker strike could affect all Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons in the SCV, just like it did in 2003 according to the SIGNAL
  • But at least teachers and administration at the NSD appear to have struck a deal in which the teachers will instruct grade 1-3 students for 45 additional minutes everyday SIGNAL
  • Looks like the housing market is crashing again. May saw the largest year-to-year drop in median home prices in Southern California- 8.2% to $280,000. Home sales were down 17% too. SF GATE
  • NOOOO! Marie Callenders has declared bankruptcy and will shut down 65 stores. If our SCV store is closed, where will I get my last minute, emergency Thanksgiving pies? LA TIMES
  • First of five summer world music concert coming to CalArts’ The Wild Beast theater this Saturday. Details at the WRB
  • Sad: a World War 2 B-17 bomber named Liberty Belle crashed in Illinois yesterday. All the crew survived but the classic heavy bomber was destroyed. The Liberty Belle used to do flights out of Burbank; KHTS wrote about it in March LA TIMES, KHTS
  • Cute rap video pokes fun at Prius-driving, canvas-bag carrying hipsters who shop at Whole Foods YOU TUBE
  • Lori Rivas has an excellent column today on the hazards and moral failings of privatization SIGNAL
  • Petz was pleased to see the Republican field debate in last night’s big CNN Presidential debate. I thought Romney looked poised and sharp, but I’m not counting out a Bachmann/Beck ticket just yet RIGHT ON SCV

Comments (77)

  1. joshmannJune 14, 2011 at 7:18 am
    Rest assured Jeff, of the 31 Marie Callendar’s closures (13 in California), the SCV will keep its share of the pie! Here’s the list of the closed California restaurants: 2090 Diamond Blvd. Concord, CA. 20 W. Cochran Street Simi Valley, CA. 1990 Trower Ave. Napa, CA. 1101 S. California Boulevard Walnut Creek, CA. 2460 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa, CA. 3400 Clares Street Capitola, CA. 5B Serramonte Center Daly City , CA. 9134 E. Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove, CA. 18070 San Ramon Valley Blvd. San Ramon, CA. 1391 N. Davis Rd. Salinas, CA. 1435 V Street Merced, CA. 790 W. Winton Ave Hayward, CA. 6081 Center Drive Los Angeles, CA. Other states hit by the closures: Arizona (5); Nevada (2); Oklahoma (2); Oregon (3); Texas (1); Utah (2); Washington (3).
  2. LindaJune 14, 2011 at 7:49 am
    I think Coco’s pies are better — especially their Pumpkin Harvest pie.
  3. spineflower2June 14, 2011 at 8:32 am
    Too bad. The Magic Mountain/Old Road MC has some of the worst food and service I have been accosted with. They know most of their customers will not be back, being hungry travelers and not residents. The salads are wilted, the food reheated, the service awful or absent. But they dont care, since they are not looking for repeat customers. The Ventura MC is far better, even with the same menu.
  4. ToddJune 14, 2011 at 7:33 am
    Hidden due to low comment rating . Click here to see . I had a dream that I was at a garage sale, sorting through their DVDs and came across an, um, “adult film” with a familiar director…. SCV resident emeritus and Signal alumnus Josh Premako. Odd. Thought I’d share. Whats even more odd… why was I noticing who the director of an “adult film” was…. shouldn’t I be looking at the lovely ladies on the cover??? But I digress… Good to see our MC’s is spared… where else can I get my mediocre comedy in the SCV?
  5. MikeJune 14, 2011 at 8:11 am
    MC’s is usually awful comedy, but occasionally Jimmy Pardo comes to town (I think he goes way back with the guy who runs it). He’s easily one of the top 6 in the game, especially in a small room.
  6. Josh PremakoJune 14, 2011 at 2:46 pm
    Ok, this is about the absolute strangest thing I’ve ever seen on SCVTalk. I…eh…yeah, I have no response. (Except that you’ll never see me involved with “adult” content.)
  7. AlpinerJune 14, 2011 at 7:43 am
    Jeff, what, no mention that today is Flag Day?
  8. ToddJune 14, 2011 at 7:45 am
    Good catch! Happy flag day everyone. Remember to stop at 4pm and say the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your right hand over your heart… ready… begin….
  9. spineflower2June 14, 2011 at 8:34 am
    And in the interests of informed American history, it is the speaker’s choice whether or not to include “under God” in his/her pledge.
  10. AlpinerJune 14, 2011 at 1:36 pm
    And all I can say is God Bless America!!!!
  11. spineflower2June 16, 2011 at 8:35 am
    Shouldn’t that be in quotes?
  12. LindaJune 14, 2011 at 7:55 am
    I loved Lori’s opinion piece in the Signal, but I got a big laugh out of this line: “There is, also, a moral assumption that cushioned bank coiffures equal a moral superiority.” And here I was thinking big hair was out!
  13. Lori RivasJune 14, 2011 at 8:27 am
    Crap. Speel check corrected, and I missed it. Gotta have something to laugh about, though!
  14. ToddJune 14, 2011 at 9:10 am
    Good thing the copy editors caught it… oh, wait, what copy editors?
  15. Lori RivasJune 14, 2011 at 9:17 pm
    I should have caught it. Totally my fault.
  16. Alan FerdmanJune 14, 2011 at 8:04 am
    The tag line Signal Staff placed after Lori’s column is demeaning insulting and unprofessional. It stated “Lori Rivas, amateur opinionator and recipient of zero awards, lives across the border in Newhall, and is hoping that the voices in her head will bother you, too.” Lori, just like the signal staff, is entitled to her opinion. The Signal owes her an apology and the author should be made known.
  17. MikeJune 14, 2011 at 8:13 am
    I’m going to guess that Lori wrote the tagline, tongue-in-cheek. Lori?
  18. Timothy Myers SR.June 14, 2011 at 8:24 am
    Alan: I am CERTAIN that Lori wrote that as a joke. Since you are (perhaps substantially) older than me, could you tell me when the sense of humor flees?
  19. Lori RivasJune 14, 2011 at 8:25 am
    Thanks, Alan, but I wrote the tagline myself. I have no awards or titles to list, so I tried to get a laugh.
  20. JeffJune 14, 2011 at 8:27 am
    I found it hilarious and I really liked your piece
  21. ToddJune 14, 2011 at 9:11 am
    Agreed
  22. Lori RivasJune 14, 2011 at 10:27 am
    Thanks, Jeff and Todd.
  23. Alan FerdmanJune 14, 2011 at 11:28 am
    Lori Thanks for the information. The Signal also called and told me. Unfortunately, it was published as an editorial comment. I agree that as a quote it would be humorous, but as an editorial comment it takes on a whole different meaning. From my conversation with the Signal I realize they meant you no harm. Hopefully, by raising the issue, anyone who may have taken it the way I did will have a better understanding of what was intended.
  24. WalkerJune 14, 2011 at 6:31 pm
    I thought it was witty
  25. MikeJune 14, 2011 at 8:14 am
    As for the Awesometown megabust, what’s up with that?
  26. NFICJune 14, 2011 at 8:52 am
    The poor folks on this board can’t tag Canyon Country or Newhall with this crime group! Go Awesometown…
  27. MikeJune 14, 2011 at 9:02 am
    I need to bring back the “Where in the SCV” series. Reports say the second spot was in Newhall, but many say Saugus.
  28. JeffJune 14, 2011 at 9:03 am
    It was in Circle J ranch. I can’t decide myself if that’s Saugus or Newhall. Or nowhere.
  29. ToddJune 14, 2011 at 9:11 am
    Isn’t it part of the donut hole of SCV?
  30. LindaJune 14, 2011 at 6:38 pm
    Circle J Ranch is considered Saugus according to the MLS listings.
  31. MikeJune 14, 2011 at 6:47 pm
    What is this, 2003? SCV is no longer ruled by realtors.
  32. NateJune 14, 2011 at 7:16 pm
    Saugus? What is that again?
  33. CCJune 14, 2011 at 9:36 am
    Sometimes I forget how painful it must be not to live in Awesometown.
  34. MikeJune 14, 2011 at 9:38 am
    Awesometown is the epicenter of this. The land of opium dens.
  35. CCJune 14, 2011 at 12:59 pm
    You’re just jealous of our Awesomeness. Admit it. It’s OK. You’re not alone.
  36. Gang FangJune 14, 2011 at 8:31 pm
    “Awesometown” has quite the rep as the drug hub of the SCV, definitely true.
  37. Timothy Myers SR.June 14, 2011 at 8:28 am
    On the burglary ring: The Signal is reporting that they only recovered about $12K worth of stuff at the two locations. It seems like the “inventory” of stolen goods would have to be much higher to reasonably support the drug and living needs of 16 people, but this just once again proves that criminal activity is just not that financially rewarding.
  38. yourwebguruJune 14, 2011 at 11:37 am
    A little Googling showed that Traci was selling discounted Toys R Us gift cards through a site called cardhub.com.
  39. AlpinerJune 14, 2011 at 1:41 pm
    Wouldn’t most of the “stuff” already have been sold so they could get the money they needed for drugs? Wouldn’t having an inventory of stolen stuff defeat what they were doing it for?
  40. yourwebguruJune 14, 2011 at 11:59 am
    Re crime: I knew Traci when she worked at the Chamber and she was very hard working, at all the events, and was there day and night. I heard varying accounts as to her departure, and haven’t really been in touch since. I would like to believe that she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but a little Google research shows that she was selling discounted Toys R Us gift cards through a discount card website. Re House of Pies: I make a MEAN chocolate cream pie around the holidays and am prepared to take pre-orders, matching Marie’s prices if I have to! Re B-17: Tragic, but after 70 years, Germany can finally breathe a sigh of relief! Happy Tuesday!
  41. Timothy Myers SR.June 14, 2011 at 12:17 pm
    YWG I originally thought the same thing re: Traci and how it would be tragic if she just owned the residence where her son and his pals engaged in all this malfeasance, but the fact she is down on the largest bond ($215K) indicates a more prominent role.
  42. mikecJune 14, 2011 at 12:18 pm
    somebody get T-Paw a spine…stat! I thought Bachmann did well….Ron Paul, Herman Cain and Newt aren’t going anywhere…next, Huntsman and Perry are jumping in!!! Also, Rick Santorum, so badly wants to be Mitt’s VP on the ticket!!!!
  43. IHeartSCVJune 14, 2011 at 3:59 pm
    The comment voting system seems to be a smashing success. 34 comments. 7 (21%) have more thumbs up than thumbs down, that’s it. 17 (50%) are hidden due to low rating, including Linda for saying that she likes Coco’s Pumpkin Harvest Pie, and Lori for writing “Thanks, Jeff and Todd.” Now, instead of writing why someone agrees/disagrees with a comment, they just push a button. It’s like a caveman grunt instead of an conversation.
  44. MikeJune 14, 2011 at 4:02 pm
    I think someone is screwing around with it today.
  45. IHeartSCVJune 14, 2011 at 4:03 pm
    What an annoying thing for someone to do.
  46. yourwebguruJune 14, 2011 at 4:13 pm
    Methinks shenanigans are afoot with the thumbs button. Someone has either kited the system or has way too much time on their hands. Run and “Thumbs down” THIS, HOMEBOY!
  47. TaTonkaJune 14, 2011 at 8:25 pm
    Looks like Jeff ended the hidden comment part of the Blog? Wonder why?
  48. TaTonkaJune 15, 2011 at 5:43 am
    “Democracy at work. SCVTalk is the only blue site in SCV” “The silent majority now has a voice” “This comment rating system is almost as entertaining as the blog itself! It’s kind of like a virtual Gong Show” “Sorry but all comments will be judged by fellow readers now*. If a commenter doesn’t like how their peers have judged their comment, then the commenter should adjust their commenting style” “Sorry but all comments will be judged by fellow readers now*. If a commenter doesn’t like how their peers have judged their comment, then the commenter should adjust their commenting style” “I’m sure if you post cogent and intelligent comments referencing the day’s stories and events the commenters will reward you with positive ratings. I know I will. I have the option to exempt myself from ratings but I’m not, by the way” (lie… if you looked yesterday he had a post with negatives 22 to 1 that was not hidden) And my all time favorite stupid post “Berta, I say this with love. It isn’t your ideology (which I wouldn’t necessarily describe as conservative), but your style. Talking to people in a manner that they continually object to is no kind of dialogue”
  49. TaTonkaJune 15, 2011 at 5:54 am
    Hmmmm Berta? “Berta, you have to know the history around here. The same basic thing was on here years ago with the left giving the guys on the right “smites” down. Then the guys on the right got tired of it and banded together to pound the lefty’s with smites (hundreds a day). Then the lefty’s complained and jeff decided that people were “GAMING” the system. I still laugh about it. So we have 2 choices. Take it and be quiet or return the favor ten-fold and jeff will get so tired of the complaints he will shut it off. Your choice? I can go either way”
  50. TaTonkaJune 15, 2011 at 5:56 am
    I guess they chose option B?
  51. JeffJune 15, 2011 at 5:59 am
    What’s the problem here John? The commenting system was clearly being manipulated so I adjusted the values such that comments will only be hidden after many more thumbs down.
  52. TaTonkaJune 15, 2011 at 6:06 am
    Deja Vu all over again
  53. TaTonkaJune 15, 2011 at 6:12 am
    Funny!! When it was libs pounding every conservative with thumbs down it was not manipulating or gaming the system it was just good old democracy at work. Now when its the lib posts (not all, just the ones that were over the top) It is manipulating the system? How many post of petz and berta’s were hidden for no reason other than their name on the top? Liberal agenda Shift the subject- Ignore the Facts- Name Call (SIN for short)
  54. NateJune 15, 2011 at 7:50 am
    When it is one person that isn’t democracy, that is one loser with an obsession. So who is so obsessed? That even if he moved to the most exciting place on earth would still have serial killer like obsession with this site.
  55. TaTonkaJune 15, 2011 at 9:44 am
    So you are saying this was the work of one person that figured out a way to vote “Thumbs down/up” multiple times? I can only vote once. Pretty sure nobody is that smart on this board
  56. Gang FangJune 15, 2011 at 9:48 am
    Who really gives a flaming poo about the thumbs down/up thing? Does it really hurt?
  57. yourwebguruJune 15, 2011 at 6:25 am
    Indeed, Jeff. Seriously, this looks like a case of organized thumb-bombing by your detractors.
  58. TaTonkaJune 15, 2011 at 6:28 am
    LOL BRILLIANT!!
  59. Gang FangJune 14, 2011 at 8:35 pm
    DUI shames Ellis home? Say it ain’t so!
  60. TaTonkaJune 15, 2011 at 9:26 am
    I wonder why jeff removed Lil Nate’s post regarding Phil? Hmmmm? (but left others?) Maybe Lil Nate needs a timeout? What does a liberal have to do to be suspended around here?
  61. Capt. GeneJune 15, 2011 at 3:23 pm
    I was wondering the same thing. Hateful falsehoods about my daughter are allowed, but hateful comments about a DUI arrest are not? Perhaps decoder rings are in order.
  62. TaTonkaJune 15, 2011 at 3:51 pm
    I am watching msnbc tonight to get the answer.
  63. Gang FangJune 15, 2011 at 9:53 am
    I guess I’m one of the few that realizes that the internet (and particularly forums like this one) are words, opinions, insults, and threats……..but it’s quite obviously different than a bunch of folk sitting in a room discussing something. If you really get offended, or in this case get all macho and tuff guy like, you really should take a break from it. While it’s comedic to me, some people take it wayyyyyyyy too seriously. Wether it be childhood issues, low self esteem, or penis envy…..something is at the heart of those who let their blood pressure rise after reading something in a place like this. Chill pill, STAT.
  64. TaTonkaJune 14, 2011 at 6:24 pm
    Wow?????? Stay Classy
  65. NateJune 14, 2011 at 6:34 pm
    Hey Boy if he can’t raise his own kids. He should step down from his role on the Hart board. Make sense princess?
  66. Gang FangJune 14, 2011 at 8:36 pm
    TaTonka as hallway monitor for class is akin to asking Mother Teresa to hand out sex advice.
  67. NateJune 14, 2011 at 6:36 pm
    Correction: Newhall Board.
  68. Capt. GeneJune 14, 2011 at 6:46 pm
    Pond scum.
  69. NateJune 14, 2011 at 6:51 pm
    I agree Princess Boy! Anyone that raises a child so reckless that they would endanger the entire community with their selfishness is total pond scum!
  70. Capt. GeneJune 14, 2011 at 7:31 pm
    You’re such a loser, you can’t even come up with original insults. Plagiarist. By the way, I’ve been checking my email, why haven’t you contacted me? What’s the matter, don’t want to mess up your tiara?
  71. Capt. GeneJune 15, 2011 at 4:13 am
    How heartbreaking it must have been for your parents to have to admit you were theirs. I bet they spent years wondering where they went wrong.
  72. Capt. GeneJune 15, 2011 at 7:51 am
    You know, it’s really a shame you’re too afraid of me to say any of this to my face.
  73. NateJune 15, 2011 at 7:54 am
    It is really ashamed that you are too big of coward to use your real name.
  74. MikeJune 15, 2011 at 8:27 am
    A step too far. You’re talking about an actual person who has no fault here. At least the Ellis kid was arrested. Keep G’s daughter out it.
  75. Capt. GeneJune 15, 2011 at 9:09 am
    “It is really ashamed that you are too big of coward to use your real name.” Well said duchess, so where are you from …originally? Thanks Mike, if Nate ever grows up he will look back and realize he brought all this on himself.
  76. Capt. GeneJune 16, 2011 at 9:00 am
    Thanks Jeff.
  77. TaTonkaJune 16, 2011 at 2:45 pm
    Really nice to see that jeff has applied a simple standard of decency on this board. I cant remember ever seeing posts removed for their obvious lack of class and decorum.(You can take the person out of the trailer park, but can never take the trailer park out of the person) I applaud the decision and look forward to more civil moderation of this blog.

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