• Conservative McCain followers are worried he may pick someone who is…gasp… pro-choice. “McCain’s back-and-forth with voters at New Mexico State University came as Republicans released a schedule for next month’s national convention that gives prominent slots to abortion rights proponents, including California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, keynote speaker and former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.” But what will he decide?
• Aurora Las Encinas Hospital, best known for being associated with Drew Pinsky (aka Dr. Drew of “Loveline” and “Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew”), is being looked down upon by the state after three patients died and one was raped in the last five months. Experts say it is rare to see so many patients at a psychiatric hospital die or be harmed in such a short period. Two patients being treated for drug abuse, both died of apparent drug overdoses. This month, a patient receiving help for substance abusers, hanged himself from a wooden beam. One day after his body was found a 14-year-old girl was raped by a 16-year-old patient as hospital staffers and the suspects probation officer slept nearby.

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• Avril Lavigne is “too sexy” to play Malaysia. Avril’s upcoming concert on August 29th might just be canceled if the Islamic Party has their way. They think Avril’s act is too sexy. This isn’t the first time something like this has occurred. Gwen Stefani and the Pussycat Dolls were also asked to cover up and to tone down their, um, sexiness to play Malaysia. Here’s what a party official had to say about Avril’s show: “It is considered too sexy for us…it’s not good for viewers in Malaysia. We don’t want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models.” He then cleared his throat and said, no SK8er Boiz here, bi-atch. Just kidding. He didn’t say that, but he was thinking it.

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• Seven Southern Cali men arrested on suspicion on child porn - Seven men were arrested today on suspicion of possessing child pornography, following an eight-month investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. If convicted of each defendant could face up to 10 years in federal prison. Those charged include Gary Samuel Cochran, 50, of Huntington Beach, previously convicted of child molestation and possession of obscene materials depicting children engaged in sex acts; Evan Craig Stephens, 36 of Upland, a registered sex offender; George Tyler Farmer, 39, of Oxnard, previously convicted of molesting a 6-year-old child; and Eric David Lacey, 48, of Hollywood.
• Ex-police officer arrested at bank robbery - Vincent Cantu, 44, a retired Pasadena police officer was arrested in connection with a La Habra bank robbery. He was arrested after police spotted him driving away from the Banco Popular at 401 E. Whittier Blvd. that had just been robbed at 11:15 a.m. It was unclear whether cash was recovered from Cantu’s car, Knapp said. No one was injured during the robbery and arrest, she said. The Polite Bandit struck the Banco Popular at 12333 S. La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada on May 25 and Aug. 28, 2006, and the Banco Popular at 3160 Colima Road in Hacienda Heights on Nov. 23, 2006. Witnesses came up with the name Polite Bandit because they said the robber apologized to bank tellers, thanked them and said he was only trying to feed his children.

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• Gunman shoots 20 year old man - Authorities Monday were searching for the killer of a 20-year-old Riverside man who was gunned down in a possible gang-related attack. The victim, whose name was withheld, was shot at 11:20 p.m. Sunday night in the 7300 block of Evans Street and police are currently investigating the shooting. “There is no evidence at this time that confirms the shooting was gang-related,” Hudson said in a statement. “However, all potential leads are being pursued.” Anyone with information call (951) 353-7104.
• Dog found dead after stolen car recovered - Mary and Craig Michael were less than 20 feet from their vehicle when it was stolen with their 16-year-old dog “Rebel” inside. A couple recovered their sport utility vehicle, which was stolen as they visited Riverside National Cemetery, but it was too late. They say the Ford Excursion was running to keep the air conditioning on for the wolf-malamute mix when a woman drove away with a partner driving behind. Authorities found the vehicle Sunday afternoon, but the thieves had left the dog inside with the windows closed and Rebel died in the heat. No suspects have been arrested.

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• Donald Trump buys Ed McMahon’s soul, I mean, house. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Donald will buy McMahon’s casa so that he can avoid foreclosure and continue living there. But why? To hear the Donald tell it, out of the kindness of his heart, of course. “I don’t know the man, but I grew up watching him on TV,” Trump said Thursday. Helping him would “be an honor.” Wow. Trump as a landlord, eh? That would be even more intimidating than that one landlord I had that looked like Ron Jeremy. He was mean and he had a mullet and drove an IROC that said “I Rock” on the liscence plate. Good luck, Ed. Trump makes IROC dude seem like Strawberry Shortcake.
• Actress Busy Philipps and her screenwriter-husband Marc Silverstein announce the birth of their daughter, Birdie. Yup, Birdie Leigh Silverstein was born Wednesday, weighing 9 lbs., 7 oz. (You might remember Busy from the show, Freaks and Geeks. She is also godmother to Matilda, the daughter of Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger.) The name has already been compared with Pilot and Apple. I don’t know about you but I quite like it. It reminds me of Sandra Bullock’s character in Hope Floats, Birdie Calvert. Oh, great. Now I’ve admitted I’ve not only seen that movie but remembered the main character’s name.

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• Taggers can’t resist a white wall and store owners are getting fined for murals - The Antonio family has a store (featured right) in highland park and the side of the building seems to attract taggers like flies to honey. After painting over the graffiti “More than 100 times,” stated the father, they were told that if they asked an artist to paint a mural that the taggers would respect it. And it worked! Until City Hall slapped them with $1,000 fine for the mural and they had to repaint the wall which sent the hoards back. Stupid City Hall.
• Most Latinos get medical advise from the news - should we be worried? -The report by the Pew Hispanic Center found that “more Latinos turn to television and radio for health information rather than consult a doctor” and that “half of high school-educated Latinos don’t seek regular medical care and that more American-born Latinos use folk medicine than Latinos living here who were born outside the United States.”

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• NY Magazine asked Diddy what sport he would win gold in; his answer will surprise you. Just kidding. He said, “Who could have sex the longest. I think that’s an event I can do well in. And probably who could stay up the longest. Just so you know, that’s supposed to be funny. Even though I am serious.” Oh, Diddy, you never disappoint. This is better than when he described in detail exactly how he grooms his privates. That boy is just so self-conscious.  And shy.
• Britney sits down with OK Magazine for a real live interview, y’all! It’s been a year since Britney ran away from an interview by the same magazine but this year she lasted the whole interview, with her dad, Jaime, by her side. She talks about her career, her kids and her little sister. “I was shocked a little bit,” says Brit. “She’s always been the baby, and now the baby was having a baby. It was mind-boggling.” Well, I guess that explains everything. She was mind-boggled. That issue of OK hits newsstands tomorrow. You should get it and read it while you’re on the elliptical machine at your gym. That’s the only socially acceptable place to read OK Magazine. Plus, you burn calories.

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• NY Magazine asked Diddy what sport he would win gold in; his answer will surprise you. Just kidding. He said, “Who could have sex the longest. I think that’s an event I can do well in. And probably who could stay up the longest. Just so you know, that’s supposed to be funny. Even though I am serious.” Oh, Diddy, you never disappoint. This is better than when he described in detail exactly how he grooms his privates. That boy is just so self-conscious.  And shy.
• Britney sits down with OK Magazine for a real live interview, y’all! It’s been a year since Britney ran away from an interview by the same magazine but this year she lasted the whole interview, with her dad, Jaime, by her side. She talks about her career, her kids and her little sister. “I was shocked a little bit,” says Brit. “She’s always been the baby, and now the baby was having a baby. It was mind-boggling.” Well, I guess that explains everything. She was mind-boggled. That issue of OK hits newsstands tomorrow. You should get it and read it while you’re on the elliptical machine at your gym. That’s the only socially acceptable place to read OK Magazine. Plus, you burn calories.

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• Woman convicted of killing her disabled 3-year-old son - Cecilia Angelita Ochoa, 31, a Riverside woman was convicted Monday of killing her 3-year-old developmentally disabled son, Matteo in 2003. Matteo suffered from hydrocephalus, a brain disorder that causes spinal fluid to build up around the brain. Because of his condition, the child, who could not verbalize his pain, often cried and banged into objects. “She told police she was tired of his crying and didn’t know what to do to get him to stop crying,” the prosecutor said. “But everybody who knew the boy will tell you if you hugged and snuggled him, and let him know that he was loved, he would stop crying.” The night the boy died, a neighbor had complained to Ochoa that the child’s crying was keeping her awake. The defendant, aware that her son was standing next to his bedroom door, forcefully swung it open, striking him in the head, then waited six hours before contacting authorities.
• Lion’s attacked pregnant horse - Authorities were on the lookout Monday for a pack of mountain lions that apparently attacked a mare Saturday night that was giving birth on an Acton ranch.  Authorities found mountain lion tracks and a trail of blood at the scene. “We found her (Sunday) morning,” ranch owner Gary Jensen told KCAL9. “We called the vet and he couldn’t save her. We had to put her down. The baby was also inside.”

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Some sad happenings, big openings and minor announcements.  Like most weekends at my apartment.

• Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac both passed away over the weekend at the respective ages of 65 and 50.  I don’t have anything cheeky to say about it.  Well, I do, but I won’t
• Pineapple Express had a big opening this weekend, making around $22 million since Wednesday.  This wasn’t enough to smoke The Dark Knight, though which took number one for the 4th weekend in a row and has made a staggering $441 million since it opened.  Holy grosses, Batman!
• It was announced that Brad Pitt will have a major role in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming WWII movie, Inglorious Bastards.  Also in talks are Simon Pegg and B.J. Novak from The Office.  Hostel director Eli Roth has already been cast.  I can only hope something horrific happens to his character as punishment for making Hostel.

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• Britney films a VMA promo which begs the question, WILL SHE DO IT AGAIN? It’s been a year since that embarrassing performance (I still wake up in the middle of the night sometimes… shaking and trying to forget the horror). No one is saying if she’s been asked to perform or not but she did film a promo with host, Russell Brand (you know, the hottie from Forgetting Sarah Marshall) to promote this year’s ceremony. It’s the least she could do! She shares the stage with Brand and an elephant. Yeah, an elephant. That’s probably the only way she can get her kids to look at her. Bribe them with circus animals.
• Clay Aiken is a daddy! Clay’s friend, 50-year old record producer Jaymes Foster, gave birth to a baby boy at 8:08 am at an “undisclosed location” in North Carolina. The baby’s name is Parker Foster Aiken and according to Clay’s mom Faye, he has dark hair. The almost-Idol himself blogged about his new son, writing, “The little man is happy, healthy, and as loud as his daddy. Mama Jaymes is doing quite well also.” Congrats to Clay and Jaymes. P.S. Jaymes’ brother David confirmed that the baby was conceived via artificial insemination. Whew.

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• Doctor pleads not guilty to sexual assault - A physician whose father is the leader of the Bermudan government has pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing patients. Dr. Kevin Brown entered pleas to 23 felony counts at a hearing Thursday in Los Angeles. He remains in custody after being arrested last month and charged with molesting patients, including an undercover police officer and a 15-year-old. If convicted, Brown could face more than 25 years in prison
• Security guard kills man after alleged gang fight - Carson officials shut down the annual Samoan Flag Day celebration, because a security guard shot and killed a gunman Wednesday night. However, about 40 Samoans continued their festivities at the park this afternoon, but sheriff’s officials said no more people would be allowed in. Faletogo’s 46-year-old wife, Pulou, was one of three bystanders shot and wounded. Two boys, 12 and 13, were also hurt. They were taken to a local hospital, Carrillo said, with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said the trouble started about 10 p.m. when two young women began fighting. What began as a verbal confrontation escalated into a fistfight that included a Tongan man and a Samoan man. The Tongan eventually pulled out a firearm and fired into the crowd. The guard returned fire, striking the man, who then collapsed just outside the park gate. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s name had not been release.

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