A Gunfight at Urban Outfitters!

It seems that our gun control groups are really unhappy with a Christmas tree ornament for sale at Urban Outfitters. They marched on the store with the national news media in tow, insisting these little glittery $6.00 handgun ornaments be removed from stock. Urban Outfitters declined the groups’ demand.

The predictable happened, as Urban Outfitters quickly sold them out on their catalog website. The unexpected publicity was good for business. As of this morning there were only a few left at their Westwood location as evidenced by the video below.

Gun control groups are responsible for the manufacture and sale of many millions of additional firearms because of the human condition that causes people to go out of their way to obtain what’s difficult to obtain. How can The Digger get these fine folks to demand a ban on a product or service he’d like to sell? Check out the video!

A News Stand To The Stars in Westwood

It’s located on the corner of Westwood and Kinross, Westwood Village’s very own Village Center News Stand. This is a great place to find nearly all of the popular newspapers and periodical magazines. That person browsing next to you just may be one of several recent patrons that include Nicholas Cage, Dustin Hoffman and Meg Ryan. It may even be actor, Tom Derek!

The Digger has always enjoyed browsing large news stands wherever he can find them but because of the Internet, paper publishing is selling to an ever-decreasing market. The days of these stands as we now known them are numbered. We just don’t know if we’re ready to call that progress.

Actor Tom Derek introduced The Digger to the “Pope Of Westwood”, the news stand’s manager, Karl Johansson. Johansson is a film character in his own right as he expertly takes care of the needs of his multi-national customers. Johansson gave us an interview along with a tour of his news domain. You can watch it right here!
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Is A Hookah Ban Right For Westwood?

Is A Hookah Ban Right For Westswood?

Hookah is a popular water pipe, nicotine delivery system for large number of immigrants from the Middle East. Smoking is banned inside restaurants but several in Westwood allow and encourage this unhealthy exercise at their sidewalk cafes. They even provide the Hookah pipes and tobacco.

The problem is that the non-smokers and people with health problems must walk away from the sidewalks and into the busy streets to avoid inhaling this poison. Pedestrians must choose between risky jaywalking, or being made sick by the Hookah air pollution.

On Broxton for example these Hookah joints are on both sides of the street. Public health and safety should be the concern as the all tabacco smoke is taken out of Westwood.

UCLA Taser Cop Is An 18-year Veteran

During an 18-year career, a cop is bound to be involved in some action. That’s certainly true of officer Terrence Duren who is at the center of the overblown Taser incident with student, Mostafa Tabatabainejad, 23.

Duren had to shoot a trespassing vagrant in a campus study hall three years ago. Then there was a brawl on fraternity row where someone complained about Duren using excessive force. The complainers got the best of Duren who took a 90-day suspension avoiding dismissal.

There are always a percentage of ignorant people arrested for criminal activity that complain about the cop hoping that their complaint will somehow nullify the arrest. That phenomenon is much more prevalent with young people that deny or minimize the conduct that led to the arrest when explaining things to their parents.

Making smoke about the use of the Taser or suggesting racial profiling does not change three things, Tabatabainejad’s refusal to show ID, leave as ordered, and his failure to peacefully submit to arrest. Tabatabainejad put on a good show for the other students by getting Tasered but the fact remains he was uninjured.

A better approach to calling officer Duren on the carpet would be to examine Tabatabainejad’s conduct and whether he should be suspended or expelled as a student.

The UCLA Taser Rhubarb Continues

Friday there was a student demonstration protesting the Tasering of Mostafa Tabatabainejad by UCLA police. The Digger also happens to be a long time big city cop. The Digger suspects the UCLA coppers would have done much better if they just jumped, handcuffed Tabatabainejad, put him on his feet and quickly pulled him by his beard out of the building.

Now some students want to participate in the investigation and recommendations regarding the incident. Perhaps these kids should relax and see what happens with the criminal allegation Tabatabainejad is facing first. The civil courts are the best way to examine and deal with the allegations of excessive force.

There is a compelling reason for the students and general public to see or examine every single document, report or other recording connected in any way to this event. Don’t expect that to happen because of California’s overly restrictive public records laws.

Having seen the video, read and watched the various news reports there appears to be no evidence of wrong doing by the UCLA police. The same can’t be said for Tabatabainejad’s conduct. You can read the actual Penal code section involved here.

The ultimate questions for the students, cops and school are, can the police demand to see a student’s identification to investigate a possible trespassing offense? Can the police arrest a person that either can’t or won’t produce identification on campus property? Can force be used to effect the actual arrest? Unfortunately for Tabatabainejad the answer to all these qusestions is yes.

Next is the vague issue of racial profiling. Was Tabatabainejad singled out for enforcement action simply because he is or appears to be an Arab? Trespassers come in all shapes, sizes genders and national origins. There appears to be no basis to suggest profiling was involved. Arabs don’t enjoy a special exception or immunity from the laws of California.

Not long ago a laptop computer was reported stolen by a student using that library. Of course there is a history of difficulties with trespassers committing crimes against students and their property at UCLA. The presumption must be that the police were protecting the students and the school when they arrested Tabatabainejad.  Tabatabainejad was not hospitalized or injured so The Digger must ask, What’s the big deal here?”

The importance of this event other than to be a learning experience for students is way overblown.

The Daily Bruin covered the demonstration and posted a video report.

Here is a real Taser video where the device was used perfectly.

Randy Newman—I Love L. A.

After seeing this talented and fun guy at the premier of Children of Men, The Digger thought the Westwood Happenings audience would appreciate that really cool video where he sings, I LOVE L. A. with its stunning visuals. Enjoy a younger version of this character.

Near Riot At UCLA (video)

Tuesday night the UCLA library was anything but a quiet place to study when Mostafa Tabatabainejad, 23 was questioned by a university policeman and asked for a student ID card. After a refusal the student was asked to leave the library. That escalated into an arrest situation. The library was filled with other students at the time.

Tabatabainejad was eventually zapped by a Taser Gun and began screaming. Other students began screaming too, and it quickly became a scene of chaos and bedlam. Another student captured six minutes of the circus on a cell phone camera.

The video shows no acts of anything more some students trying to hold court on the incident right then and there instead of the courtroom. Tempers were out of control and the cops sounded really officious and loud. Instead of the cops carrying their prisoner out they apparently kept shocking him demanding he get up and walk.

Had Tabatabainejad simply submitted to the arrest and fought for his rights in the courtroom he’d be in a much better position today. Resisting and obstruction of even an unlawful arrest is a crime and now Tabatabainejad is charged with a crime.

Campus police written response to the Taser controversy

The official Taser use policy at UCLA
Sit back and watch the video…

An Update

Premier Night In Westwood—Children Of Men

The official Premier will be in New York but that didn’t stop Universal Pictures from holding an abbreviated premier in Westwood at the Mann Village Theater.

The Digger learned that they have only allowed still photographers to photograph the stars. Television and video camera but for one were forbidden. The Digger is resourceful and managed to work quite well under the restrictions.

The audio was left as it was so you can hear both photographers and spectators yelling at the celebrities that made it here tonight. This film seems to promise a lot with an interesting story line and a fine cast.

Here is the official site of Children Of Men

Take a look at The Digger’s video:

Experience Real Las Vegas Excitement Up Close And Personal

Ever wonder what it would be like to experience the heart stopping rush of risking it all playing high stakes Blackjack in Las Vegas? You’ll get the star treatment with that kind of gambling and receive great perks that include, transportation, the best hotel rooms, meals, shows, and service. Perhaps you’ll even star in your own biographical film about your life. Is it all too good to be true? Watch the new docufilm, “VEGAS STRIPPED” and judge for yourself as you walk in our gambler, Darren Leverenz’s shoes.

Three excellent storytellers, Producer Nancy Alspaugh, Producer and Director Bernard Salzman along with the gambler, Darren Leverenz, take you on an amazing ride into this Las Vegas dream come nightmare. Experience the glitz, the glamour and the heartbreak of a man who shares this probing, postmortem examination of his remarkable life with us.

The official site for VEGAS STRIPPED

Saluting All Our Veterans Today!

A Westwood Afternoon Delight

This afternoon The Digger took a little stroll for an ice cream cookie and let a little video roll along the way. Another great day in a wonderful place!  That  wonderful voice  on the clip is the late and great Laura Nyro.

 

 

Veterans Honored Today In Westwood

Today the West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital is taking care of the wounded from our wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and all other conflicts of our time. The Digger, himself a vet is blessed to be able to use this world class facility for his own health care.

Veterans were invited to a ceremony, lunch and to get a free haircut today. In addition there were various counselors on hand to help vets with the benefits. The real frosting on this cake were the delightful playmates sent from the Playboy publisher, Hugh Heffner.

Many of the old soldiers at this event are true war heroes. They have lost limbs, sight, or suffer from brain injuries and neurological problems connected to their military service. These are the very people we can thank for our wealth, freedom and way of life. They risked all for their fellow Americans.

The exploits of our veterans have made untold billions for writers, producers, actors and crewmembers involved in motion pictures and television projects. Sadly missing from today’s event were the celebrities that live close enough to this health care facility to stop in and say hello to those who protected all that’s dear to us.

The haircuts for the vets came from the very generous Tony Bravo, his son Anthony and their crew of stylists who showed up in a full service hair salon on wheels. Tony can be reached at (310) 820-2797. Please give this man your business and help him underwrite the valuable service he’s done for or heroes.

Here’s a little video with highlights of today’s events.

Two Sunday Night Film Premiers In Westwood Village

In Westwood Village they have lots of film premiers. They’re covered by all manner of news media types. The production companies spend millions on advertising and will accept all they can get. If you missed these The Digger was there for you!

Two motion pictures, Babel and Harsh Times both had competing premiers in Westwood last night. I had an invitation for Hasrh Times but had to crash Babel’s media gauntlet since it was too late for me to get media passes for that one. Unfortunately because of bad timing I could not get good video of Brad Pitt or Cate Blanchett. Brad Pitt had to fly back from India so he could attend this one. I did visit with a couple of actors though. Of course at Harsh Times I caught the principas for sure!

The streets were shut down, lights and red carpeting were placed along with lots of posters hyping the films. The stars are always accessible during these things.

Here’s some video from both events:

Babel Official Site
Harsh Times Trailer

Westwood Rolls Out The Red Carpet!

You can see some stars in Westwood! The Digger has learned that four films will be premiered right here in Westwood over the next month. Most of the cast and crewmembers of the pictures involved will personally attend these premiers. Very often unexpected celebrities attend these events as guests.

Paramount Vantage
“Babel”
(Staring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchet, and Gael Garcia Bernal)
Sunday, November 5, 2006 – 5:30 p.m.
Mann Village
961 Broxton Ave. in Westwood

GM’s
“Harsh Times“
(Starring: Christian Bale, Eva Longoria, and Freddy Rodriguez)
Sunday, November 5, 2006 – 6:00 p.m.
Pacific Crest Theatre
1262 Westwood Blvd, in Westwood

Unievrsal Pictures’
“Children of Man“
(Starring: Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, and Michael Caine)
Thursday, November 16, 2006 – time TBA
(arrivals are likely to start between 5 PM and 6:30 PM)
Mann’s Village Theatre
961 Broxton Ave, in Westwood

Sony Pictures Studio
“Pursuit of Happyness“
(Starring: Will Smith, Thandie Newton, and Jaden Smith)
Thursday, December 7, 2006 – time TBA
(arrivals are likely to start between 5 PM and 6:30 PM)
at Mann’s Village Theatre
961 Broxton Ave, in Westwood

Lions Gate’s
“Happily N’ Ever After“
(Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr,
Sigourney Weaver, George Carlin, Andy Dickl.)

Saturday, December 16, 2006 time TBA
(could possibly be a daytime event)
at Mann’s Festival Theatre
10887 Lindbrook Dr., in Westwood

Westwood Physicians Volunteered For Military Combat?

What? Give up their cozy homes and condos with giant screen plasma TVs? Leave their SUVs behind along with paychecks that replenish like slot machines? Crazy you say? It sure seems so.

Well that’s just what the physicians were doing at The West Los Angeles V.A. Hospital when World War II broke out. Because of the resignations and military enlistments, the staff quickly became critically short handed. To remedy this problem the entire medical staff was quickly drafted and immediately assigned to stay right there at the VA Hospital!

That drastic move brought with it much lower military paychecks, the Uniform Code Of Military Justice and discipline. What else was a patriotic doctor to do?

With today’s Westwood physicians living in our current political climate and a huge percentage of them being foreign born that would never happen in our time again.

The Westwood Digger is himself a Viet Nam era veteran who served as a medical corpsman. The physicians he worked with were very reminiscent of the characters from the Robert Altman movie MASH and the later TV series by the same name. Most military doctors I knew were anti-bureaucracy, anti-violence and very eager to get out of the military. It’s obvious that we live in a vastly different time these days.