Dual Airbags, please. and other Los Angeles, CA Warning Or Danger Tips

Those of us who live in Los Angeles talk of our "accidents" with caprice and disregard. There are accidents ALL THE TIME. Never, in any of my travels, have I found a more incompetent population of drivers. If you drive here, be very, VERY aware, and super-concious. The idea of "looking in a mirror before changing lanes" seems to have been skipped in Driver's Ed. Those "CHiPs" episodes with calamitous accidents and ludicrous, air-bound vehicles? Yeah, that really happens here!

Let me assure you: Los Angeles is continuously ranked among the worst cities for crime in the U.S. But, the real danger lies in the driving. Our insurance rates are sky-high for a reason. Oh, and this being the holidays, there will be numerous traffic delays due to "Christmas trees in lanes".

Ay Chihuahua.

Here's a link to actual Los Angeles accident footage: http://youtube.com/watch?v=e0QgjUH96O4


Link below.

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Website: http://youtube.com/watch?v=e0QgjUH96O4
Other Contact: KNX1070AM/traffic every 3 min.

Okay, so I'm white, male, and have never been convicted of any crime. I have no reason to fear the police, right? Not in Los Angeles. The LAPD is infamous for a reason, and if you are so unfortunate as to tussle with an officer, I recommend, you "yessir, yessir, yessir" until HaleBopp swings back around this part of the Milky Way. The Federal Govt. is running the dept. under consent decree b/c of the level of corruption. To be fair, the police department is grossly underfunded, understaffed, out-gunned by gangs, and utterly demoralized. I wouldn't want their job. But, I still don't think they should ticket my friend for "wearing headphones while riding a bicycle". I'm serious.

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Other Contact: contact "policewatch"

I'm not normally prone to drama and hypersensitivity. However, a couple of years ago, I did my run along the beach, took a dip, and came out with chemical burns along my beardline and on my chest. Basically, anywhere a razor had touched in the last month. It was nasty. Such is the state of the water in Santa Monica Bay. Much has been accompished by "Heal the Bay", but there is a Hella lot more to be done if lil' ol me cannot take a dip without coming out looking like a Chernobyl refugee. Know what I'm saying?

Hey, but don't panic. Just check the beach ratings at the following site before you plan a dip in the Pacific:

http://phps.dhs.co.la.ca.us/phcommon/public/eh/rechlth/ehrecocdata.cfm

A through F is the way the rating scheme runs, as you might suspect. Riptides are bad, yes, but so are bacterial infections.

I learned the hard way.

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Website: http://phps.dhs.co.la.ca.us/phcommon/public/eh/rechlth/ehrecocdata.cfm

Los Angeles has finally regained her crown - as the smoggiest city in the U.S. Yee haw! Number One, Again! Take that, Houston!

Seriously, though, travelers who are sensitive to toxins, or who suffer from respiratory or cardiac problems should take care in Los Angeles. The bizarre geography of the Los Angeles Basin keeps air remarkably still, a characteristic that was perfect for outdoor filming at the turn of the twentieth century - and perfect for air pollution since the first factory opened its doors.

The air quality differs depending on where you are in the city. Generally, the "Valleys" suffer far more "unhealthful" rated days than the basin. The beaches have the best AQIs(Air Quality Indices), with the exception of Long Beach and San Pedro which have the WORST due to the massive Port of Los Angeles wedged between the two communities.

If you fly into Los Angeles, you will see the toxic cloud floating over the city. Then, you'll step out of the terminal into the brilliant sunshine California is famous for. Just don't forget what you saw from above...

Today - this very day - authorities are recommending EVERYBODY stay indoors. Massive wildfires have turned the basin into a big floating ashtray and particulate matter is more than twice the normal level(and "normal" in LA is not so good in the first place). You can see the shimmering ash in the sky, and the smoke has turned some neighborhoods from day into night. This is an exceptional day, yes, but the dangers of smog cannot be underestimated, on any day of the week. Contact the "smog hotline", listed below. The service carries AQI readings for various neighborhoods, as well as warnings/suggestions.

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Phone: 1.800.CUT.SMOG.
Website: www.aqmd.gov

Hollywood has gone from ghetto to high rent in a remarkably short period of time. As one realtor friend said to me recently: "In five years, it will be unrecognizable".

This is my unrecognizable home.

I've survived the bad old days and I'm desperately fighting to survive the good times, as well. The renaissance has brought a flood of scenesters and tourists, and the streets buzz at night in a way no other Los Angeles area does. That's a plus. But, when you come to Hollywood at night, be sure you stick to the main drags and avoid dark side streets. Old habits die hard, and the pretty-fied Hollywood might just get you when you're not looking.

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