After the Tea Party: A Little Uplift and Some Laughs

First, the feelgood moment we all need (click here for video)…

What exactly does Antonio know and how does he know it…

People have wondered for years what expertise Antonio Villaraigosa has beyond being able to charm the pants off of just about anyone.

Thanks to the Bond Buyer, we have found the answer: Public employee pensions.

That’s right, the man who helped pad the pensions of public employees as a legislator, City Council member and now mayor and is at the helm as the massive losses in city pension funds threaten to bankrupt LA or its taxpayers has found his calling.

“The Bond Buyer is pleased to
announce our new keynote speaker Antonio R. Villaraigosa,
Mayor, City of Los Angeles. Hear Mayor
Villaraigosa’s featured address at the 4th Annual Pension
& OPEB Financing Conference on Thursday, April 30 at
the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel,” says the press release.

The event is subtitled “Unlocking Budgetary Flexibility in a Lean Year” — the mayor has indicated he will nothing if not flexible about which city assets to sell off — parking meters, the zoo or whatever it takes — to restore city pensions to health.

Send checks to Nancy’s campaign, her causes, her bank account…

You got to hand it to Community College District Board Member Nancy Pearlman when it comes to chutzpah.

Pearlman is facing Robert Nakahiro in the May 19 runoff against and is so sure of victory she’s not just seeking money for her campaign and her various causes but for herself as well.

Angela Reddock faces a runoff challenge from Tina Park, a financial auditor who wants to bring some fiscal responsibility to the bond-rich district, must be far less certain as she is more concerned with raising campaign — than personal — cash.

“Remember that I am always available for consulting work as an environmental lecturer, panelist and speaker, a documentary video producer, a radio interviewer, a cultural anthropologist, and as an ethnic folk dance performer,” Pearlman says in a recent campaign mailing.

And if you just like to party, Pearlman is hosting a party April 25 at her John Lautner cabin in the San Jacinto Mountains “donations requested” but apparrently not required.