Deadly winds, fires, and Biden hit LA

Tragedy has struck, and we have been impacted. From the Santa Monica Bay to the foothills, Los Angeles is burning. Even Hollywood has not been spared. January 2025 Southern California wildfires. Is it natural? It's at least partially manmade because of the unnatural drought that uses a ridiculously high ridge of air to keep moisture away. Weather wars are real and have been in use by the military since the U.S. War on Vietnam. Paradise got it, Hawaii got it, why not the most populous city in the most populous state? All around us are scenes of devastation and normality, intermingled in a way that we did not imagine the Apocalypse. We were expecting "The Big One," a massive quake to end all services, civility, and any semblance of law and order. Instead, it's quite nice. People are pleasant, if not the best drivers. Mountains are smoldering, but otherwise most people are just carrying on their day-to-day existence without a visible change, except maybe rushing home to watch the news. The revolution will not be televised but the disasters will. We have an incompetent mayor and an even worse egomaniacal governor. What was anyone to expect? It's the perfect formula for imagining something fishy is going on, something willed. This is not just incompetence. But try to prove it.

Live KTLA 5 coverage: Wind-driven Palisades Fire in LA destroys homes

(KTLA 5) BREAKING NEWS: Firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire that has destroyed an undetermined number of homes (seaside mansions between the Hollywood studios and Santa Monica Bay) in the very affluent Pacific Palisades area of west Los Angeles. Watch KTLA 5 News team coverage. Liveblog: trib.al/tBDjKJ0

Brush fire in Pacific Palisades in LA destroys homes, forces evacuations

BREAKING: Wind storm hits peak as fires burn hundreds of Los Angeles acres, more coming

It was just wind damage in the morning

'Life-threatening windstorm' over SoCal

High pressure wind Diablo, Santa Ana

(FOX 11 Los Angeles) Jan. 6, 2025: The NWS said winds will reach "dangerous levels" by Tuesday afternoon, hitting LA and Ventura counties. Meteorologists estimated widespread gusts of 50 to 80 mph, with isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph across the mountains/foothills possible. Red flag warning in effect.

• VIDEO: Brush fire erupts in Pacific Palisades; homes possibly threatened: LAFD
• What's happening? It's the Santa Ana winds
• How Santa Ana winds spread wildfires (Washington Post)
• Brushfire hits Pacific Palisades, coastal LA
• Brush fire breaks out in Pacific Palisades (MSN)
• Where is Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles?
• Happening Now: First Santa Ana winds of the fall (RedZone)

SoCal sees its 'most destructive windstorm' in over a decade

(ABC7) Jan 7, 2025: Potentially destructive Santa Ana winds will blow through Southern California, elevating fire risk to dangerous levels for the next few days. abc7.com/los-angeles-weather-... Gusts up to 85 MPH, with sustained winds over 40 MPH, continuing for a few days.

Bag of wind visits SoCal to sign bill

We must not let Trump ruin this country like I ruined it, tried not to ruin it, y'know what I mean!

.

Is it true you tried to hang me on Jan. 6th?

Meanwhile, the weather is being worsened by a bag of hot air (Genocide Joe Biden) on the loose out there, east of Los Angeles, looking for a photo op as he declares public lands around Joshua Tree National Park a new monument dubbed Chuckwalla. Having arrived yesterday to disrupt the traffic, lame duck Biden is trying to leave a positive environmental legacy on top of all the destruction he has wrought with the U.S. War Machine as an old-timer with decades in Washington, DC, doing nothing to commend him or establish a good reputation.

• VIDEO: Pres. Biden to preserve Coachella: Chuckwalla National Monument
• Chuckwalla National Monument

SoCal bracing for potentially destructive windstorm, extreme fire danger

California: 7.0 quake, aftershocks, tsunami

Will Japanese tsunami ever overtake San Francisco or New York? (bigcanvasartprints.com)

(ABC News Bay Area) Humboldt Co. earthquake: Why tsunami warning was issued then canceled

(ABC News Bay Area) 7.0 quake strikes Northern California, triggers brief tsunami warning

Live updates and coverage

LIVE | Magnitude 7.0 quake strikes California (ABC News Chicago)

Magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits Northern California, tsunami watch, strong aftershocks

(KTLA 5) Dec 5, 2024: Coastal Santa Cruz to Oregon in danger of tsunami. A spate of strong earthquakes struck near the Bay Area on Dec. 5, 2024. This video aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on Dec. 5, 2024. KTLA 5 News: Keeping Southern Californians informed since 1947.

Develop and practice Reiki skills (10/18)

Kerri Draper, Huntington Beach Reiki, Santa Ana, California; Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation, Disclosure Project), Jen B. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Enjoy an evening of meditation, Reiju ("attunement"), and Reiki energy healing. We start the evening with a very brief meditation then practice Reiki on each other, taking turns on the massage table.

The chakras are energy centers of the body.

The instructor attunes everyone during the healing session and is available to work with anyone who wishes. Groups of three form to alternate hands on healing.

This is a great time to meet others in the group and practice healing skills. For those who are new to Reiki, come enjoy a night of healing.

• Cost: usual donation is $5-20.
• Everyone is welcome.
• Disclosure Project: Learn and practice hands on healing: Reiki with Attunement, Wed, Oct 18, 2023, 7:00 PM | Meetup
• Nature Center: Learn and practice hands on healing: Reiki with Attunement, Wed, Oct 18, 2023, 7:00 PM | Meetup
• PasaDharma: Learn and practice hands on healing: Reiki with Attunement, Wed, Oct 18, 2023, 7:00 PM | Meetup
• Huntington Beach Reiki, Santa Ana
• A Modern Shaman podcast, Thu, Oct 12, 2023, 2:00 PM | Meetup
• Weekly Guided Mindfulness and Sound Bath Experience, Thu, Oct 12, 2023, 7:00 PM | Meetup

The Most Poisonous Mushrooms (May 18)

LA Mushrooms (Meetup); iNaturalist; Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly

.

Assessing risk is one of the most important things we do as humans, and mycology (the study of mushrooms) is no exception.

Distinguishing the poisonous from the delicious is square one for beginning mushroom hunters. But what if we're almost completely ignoring the world's truly dangerous fungi?

Are these magic kind safe, Chris?

Let's take a tour of candidates for this category, exploring our blind spots, discussing problems of scale, and thinking together about how to move forward as a civilization.

The Los Angeles Mycological Society (LA's Mushroom Club or LAMS) is hosting UC Santa Cruz Norris Center Mycologist Christian Schwarz to take us on this online tour.

• LAMS General Meeting (FREE)
• Monday, May 18th, 2020, 7:30-9:30 PM
• ZOOM INFO: us02web.zoom.us/j/86032388792?pwd=MzhiMnZZUU0yZnVIME9WNlhQUThXdz09
• lamushrooms.org

Movies and Chinese Food Day (cartoons)

South Park; Sheldon S., Dhr. Seven, Seth A., Pat M., Wisdom Quarterly; David Pakman; FckConi

Y'know, it's not just Chinese food. There's Indian, and lots of popcorn and Junior Mints.

Fortunately, this year has many great cinematic releases. May we suggest "Pitch Perfect 3"? Or that "Star Peace," can't see that enough times. Laemmle's has a great selection of elevated art house fare. "My friends won't let me join in any games. And I can't sing Christmas songs or decorate a Christmas tree or leave water out for Rudolph, cause there's something wrong with me. My people don't believe in Jesus Christ's divinity. I'm a Jew, a lonely Jew, on Christmas. Hannukah is nice, but why is it that Santa passes over my house every year? And instead of eating ham I have to eat kosher latki. Instead of 'Silent Night' I'm singing 'Hu, haghtol gavish.' And what the f*ck is up with lighting all these f*cking candles? Tell me please. I'm a Jew, a lonely Jew. I'd me merry, but I'm Hebrew on Christmas." Hooray for South Park's irreverence and Mr. Hankey's (sh*tty) Christmas Classics!