Orange County News Blog

Jennie Warren / OC Weekly

​A few ideas I couldn't quite fit into this week's cover story on gay-rights activism in Orange County:

- LGBT-rights doesn't necessarily mean LGBT: Most of the LGBT activists working in Orange County told me that one of the most remarkable thing about the network that has developed because of Prop. 8 is that it includes a ton of "straight allies." Alex Gorman--the guy in the story wearing the nun costume--is one. So is Felicity Figueroa, the Orange County Equality Coalition's membership chair, as are a number of other board members. Groups that don't have marriage equality as their stated mission, like Americans United for Separation of Church and State, have also played a big role in activism here.

- OCEC is full of newbies. There's an old guard in Orange County gay activism. People like Jeff Letourneau, Harvey Liss, Misha Houser, Zoe Nicholson and even Weekly contributor Dave Barton--as well as groups groups like the Elections Committee of the County of Orange and institutions like The Center OC--paved the way in the 1980s and 1990s with their work on AIDS awareness, gay visibility and the opposition of maniacs like Bill Dannemeyer. They all remain involved in some way, but one of the noteworthy things about gay activism since Prop. 8 has been the emergence of completely new leaders--most of whom show up in this week's cover story.

- You can see it all in action this weekend. Read on...

In "The Man Who Isn't There" Daffodil J. Altan discusses Orange County's new Mexican Consul, Carlos Rodriguez y Quezada.

And Matt Coker takes a look at the infighting among Juaeno Indian factions as Anthony Rivera's tribal council says Chief David Balardes is not Juaneno in "Blood Feud."

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey, You! and Savage Love.
• Restaurant reviews of Villa Roma's carne and Macksan's Cafe.
  
• Culture focuses on SCR's "Noises Off" and Trendzilla talks about swimsuits. In February.
  
• Our film critics discuss "Katyn," "Two Lovers" and local special screenings.
  
• Music features articles on Everest and Dear and the Headlights. Albert Ching's "Sound Guy" column looks at UCI's Acrobatics Everyday; Locals Only listens to Out on a Limb; and we've got CD reviews of Morrassey's "Years of Refusal" (Lost Highway) and "Dark Was the Night" by Various Artists (4AD).

In "Out of Tune" Gustavo Arellano interviews Bob Gunn, the man who helped Mariners Chruch become an evangelical giant. Then the church fired him for being gay, and they've been in and out of court since.

News has Matt Coker explaining why Pastor Wiley Drake thinks he still has a unseating Barack Obama--sorry, Barack Hussein Obama in "The Preacher vs. the President-Elect."

And R. Scott Moxley takes a look at the new math on how many Mike Carona campaign contributors got badges in "Moxley Confidential."

In "Good Medicine" Daffodil J. Altan interviews Mary Jo Frawley of Doctors Without Borders, who may live in Sunset Beach, but her head and hart are in Sri Lanka, Somalia, Mexico, Angola . . .

News has Daffodil J. Altan explaining how Santa Ana Unified School District offers a lesson in upgrading and downsizing at the same time in "Renovation Under the Radar".

In our annual music issue, "Feedback":

Vickie Chang educates us about OC musician Pat Visel and his music that no one has heard.

Chris Ziegler interviews Greyboy about how he looks to make a name for himself with a new Best-of compilation

Ned Ragget talks to KUCI DJ Sam Farzin about 'College Rock'

Ryan Ritchie tells us why Long Beach's Mike Monster isn't just pretending to be spooky

In News:

Nick Schou explains why the DA dropped charges against Frank Santos, who was accused of pushing a Garden Grove cop in "Push Comes to Shove".

And R. Scott Moxley educates us on Mike Carona's defense team accidentally producing a rougue-cop hero in Don Haidl in this week's "Moxley Confidential".

In "Less is Mor" Vickie Change educates us about Hollywood nightlife mogul Anton Posniak, who set out to remake the OC scene. Now he’s got more lawsuits than restaurants here.

Gustavo Arellano mocks California's fires in "The Fire All the Time: Create Your Own Inferno News Story!".

And Matt Coker educates us on why Native Americans seeking to protect ancestors buried at Bolsa Chica get no relief . . . yet, in "Boned Again".

In "The Reformer" Matt Coker educates us about longtime OC GOP legislator Ross Johnson finding a new life as a campaign-finance watchdog in Sacramento.

R. Scott Moxley explains the reason behind Mike Carona's smile in "The Crooked Sheriff Chuckled".

And Matt Coker dictates departing OC Register columnist, Gordon Dillow's final screed in "Dillow Unbound".

In "Scars You Can't See," Nick Schou
introduces local vets of earlier wars who say they know what the new Iraq and Afghanistan PTSD sufferers are in for.

Matt Coker, Vickie Chang, Daffodil J. Altan recap election night in "Orange County Sings the Obama Blues."

While R. Scott Moxley entertains us with another edition of "Moxley Confidential: Who Hired This Crew?" describing indicted ex-OC sheriff Carona's putting the outcome of his trial on the hope that jurors find him to be an angel among thieves.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love.

• Restaurant reviews of Costa Mesa's Hidden Kitchen at Rooster Cafe and Pollo de Oro in Fullerton.

• Culture focuses on OCMA's 2008 "California Biennial" and interviews NYC playwright Johnna Adams about coming through Orange County to get famous. Trendzilla talks Purikura (a.k.a. giant expensive Japanese photo booths) and Game On dissects 'Guitar Hero: World Tour.'

• Film reviews of 'Role Models,' 'Soul Men' and local special screenings.

• Music features articles on Voltaire and the 88's. Rex Reason looks at Baltimore DJ Charles Feelgood in Aural Reports, Locals Only listens to Stanleylucasrevolution, 'Evolutionary Sunset Call', and we've got CD reviews of Shiny Toy Guns, 'Season of Poison' (Universal Motown) and Q-Tip, 'The Renaissance' (Universal Motown).

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In OC Weekly's Scariest People issue, Ted B. Kissell
introduces the county's scariest dead people and their spiritual heirs who haunt us still.

Matt Coker introduces the Ghost of Nixonstein, R. Scott Moxley introduces Count Coxula, Gustavo Arellano shows us The Sexorcist, Nick Schou explains the Orange Zombie, and Daffodil J. Altan tours the Haunted Alamo.

R. Scott Moxley entertains us with another edition of "Moxley Confidential: The Rapist, The Judge, the Lawyer and Her Lover" describing a disturbing rape case that is headed for appeal—and the conduct of key officers of the court that should have defense lawyers salivating.

While Gustavo Arellano, Daffodil Altan and Matt Coker show us three local elections worth watching in "Elector Set".

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love.

• Restaurant reviews of Garden Grove's Warung Pojok and El Bukanas in Santa Ana.

• Culture focuses on “Blood Work” at the ARTery Gallery at the Lab and South Coast Repertory's 'The Heiress'. Trendzilla talks Accent Pieces and Game On dissects 'Dead Space.'

• Film reviews of 'Zach and Miri Make a Porno,' 'The Changeling' and local special screenings.

• Music features articles on Loudon Wainwright's latest and The Dirtbombs. Rex Reason looks at Santa Ana's Mutilacion in Aural Reports, Locals Only listens to Jim Hitchcock's 'Grateful', and we've got CD reviews of Eagles of Death Metal, 'Heart On' (Downtown Records) and Larkin Grimm, 'Parplar' (Young God Records).

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In OC Weekly's election issue '08: Gayest. Election. Ever. Ted B. Kissell
introduces Obama, McCain (Who Sucks, By the Way) and explains why this is the gayest election ever.

Nick Schou interviews "Born on The Fourth of July" author Ron Kovic about his case for peace. Greg Stacy gives us 25 reasons why John Sidney McCain III sucks, while Matt Coker shows us 10 signs that people besides us in OC think John McCain sucks, too. And Ted B. Kissell shows us some unfamiliar (but funny) wedding invitations.

And Nick Schou's "Airtech-nical Foul?" explains why defense contractor Airtech, a big Rohrabacher contributor, is under investigation for fraud.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Tommy Pastrami New York Deli in Santa Ana and Waikiki Hawaiian Grill in Tustin

• Culture focuses onAndrew Holder’s “Neon Frontier” at the Hibbleton Gallery and Ray Donley’s “New Works” at the Sarah Bain Gallery, 'Kentucky Cycle' at Cal State Long Beach, and The Hunger Artists' 'Bug.' Trendzilla talks Shu Uemura skin-care products and Game On dissects 'Fracture'

• Film reviews of 'Pride and Glory,' 'I've Loved You So Long' and local special screenings

• Music features articles on Warpaint's Live Show, Coming to Detroit Bar and Prospector-bound Devon Williams. Rex Reason looks at Cory Case's European and American tour with the Shys in Aural Reports, Locals Only listens to Vast Atlantic, 'So Long', and we've got CD reviews of Sebastien Grainger, 'Sebastien Grainger & the Mountains' (Saddle Creek) and The Stiletto Formal, '¡Fiesta, Fiesta, Fiesta, Fiesta!' (Eyeball Records).

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "Rock Angel" Matt Coker takes a look at Garden Grove filmmaker David Di Sabatino is drawn to charismatic but damaged Christians. But nothing prepared him for Larry Norman.

And "Moxley Confidential: Sandra’s Got Their Guns" R. Scott Moxley takes a look at Sheriff Sandra Huchens’ concealed-weapon policy that prompts an accusation of a homosexual, Zionist plot.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Garden Grove's Jang Mo Gip and Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Irvine

• Culture focuses on OCCCA's 'Just How Does a Patriot Act' and Natsuo Kirino's new novel, 'Real World.' Trendzilla talks slutty Halloween bitches and Game On dissects OCD

• Film reviews of 'Secret Life of Bees,' Oliver Stone's 'W.' and local special screenings

• Music features articles on Portland's Hillstomp and Grove of Anaheim-bound VNV Nation. Rex Reason looks at why the New FBI aren't ready to make nice with club owners in Aural Reports, Locals Only listens to The Santiago Steps, 'Okay Okay Okay', and we've got CD reviews of Hearts of Palm UK, 'For Life' (Hypnote Recording Concern) and Department of Eagles, 'In Ear Park' (4AD).

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "The Best Of OC" our staffers take a look at the hippest spots, best food, and coolest cats in Orange County.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Garden Grove's Jang Mo Gip and Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Irvine

• Culture focuses on The Girls In Paula Rubino's 'Cerulean' Show at Scape Gallery and Rude Guerrilla's 'Helltown Buffet'. Trendzilla talks babies for Obama! and Game On dissects a two-point plan to save gaming news

• Film reviews of Ridley Scott's 'Body of Lies' and local special screenings

• Music features an article on the Hot Little Pony.. Rex Reason looks at Santa Ana's Missing Since Yesterday in Aural Reports, Locals Only listens to The Soft Hands, 'Hours Pass By' (Fidotrust), and we've got CD reviews of T.I., 'Paper Trail' (Atlantic) and Lambchop, 'OH (ohio)' (Merge)

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "Cells From Hell" Daffodil J. Altan interviews a nurse who says her futile efforts to improve the women’s infirmary at the Orange County Central Jail Complex have broken her body and haunt her dreams.

"Moxley Confidential: The Lion That Meowed" has R. Scott Moxley examines Chris Cox. He says he’s a tough Wall Street regulator at the SEC, but the record proves otherwise.

And "Idiot Box" has Rich Kane explaining why the newly dumbed-down DayBreak OC is the funniest Orange County-centered Sitcom since Arrested Development.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of The Retreat at the Spa in Costa Mesa and Plaza Bakery in Fullerton

• Culture focuses on 'Mel's Hole' at the Grand Central Art Center and South Coast Rep's 'Dead Man's Cell Phone'. Trendzilla talks the return of grunge and Game On dissects 'Rock Band 2'

• Film reviews of 'Blindness,' 'Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist," 'How to Lose Friends & Alienate People' and local special screenings

• Music features articles on the Look Daggers and University By the Sea/Schooled In Song Music and Arts Festival. Rex Reason looks at ceasing the fatality and shredding the soft hardcore in Aural Reports, Locals Only listens to Cold War Kids' 'Loyalty to Loyalty' (Downtown), and we've got a CD review of The Week That Was, 'The Week That Was' (Memphis Industries)

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "DIY Or Die" Vickie Chang interviews the women of the Long Beach Craft Mafia. They know that the handmade revolution will not be televised—it’ll be on Etsy.com.

And "The Echo Chamber" has Matt Coker explaining why when you say you build it, they will come—if the ‘it’ is a toll road over parkland

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Anaheim's Victory Bakery & Restaurant and Mi Casita in Placentia

• Culture focuses on Animal Magnetism at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art and STAGEStheatre's 'Larva Boy'. Trendzilla talks digging for Thrift-Store gold and Game On dissects 'Spore'—it isn't the leap you've been led to believe

• Film reviews of 'Choke,' Spike Lee's WWII Drama 'Miracle at St. Anna' and local special screenings

• Music features articles on Absorbing 'Death Magnetic,' Metallica's latest badass opus, entirely in video-game form and Detroit Bar-bound dance-pop duo Walter Meego. Rex Reason looks at Carlos Alvaro Jacobo in Aural Reports, Locals Only listens to Slings' 'The Old Hopeful Trail', and we've got CD reviews of Brightback Morning Light, 'Motion to Rejoin' (Matador) and Nelly, 'Brass Knuckles' (Derrty Ent, Universal)

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "Seeds of Change?" Nick Schou interviews Surf City Mayor Debbie Cook about the task of taking on Dana Rohrabacher, OC's weirdest Republican congressman.

And "Moxley Confidential: Suicide Notes" has R. Scott Moxley explaining DA Tony Rackauckas and Sheriff Sandra Hutchens' skirmish over investigation of suspected-child-molester deputy.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Fullerton's Hungry Bear Restaurant and Cowgirl's Cafe in Santa Ana.

• Culture focuses on Costa Mesa's Box Gallery for 'Übermensch', Breath of Fire's 'W.A.C. Iraq' and the Newest Philip K. Dick Anthology From the Library of America While Trendzilla talks affordable 'Gossip Girl' prep-school chic and Game On dissects 'Castle Crashers' the game.

• Film reviews of 'Lakeview Terrace,' 'Ghost Town' and local special screenings

• Music features articles on Delta Spirit and the Race To Hell Tour. Rex Reason looks at Adrian Ross in Aural Reports, Locals Only listens to Mr. Xquisit, 'Hypnotix Muzik', and we've got CD reviews of Jenny Lewis, 'Acid Tongue' (Warner) and Mogwai, 'The Hawk Is Howling' (Matador)

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "Orange County: This is Your Life" Gustavo Arellano provides a companion guide/shameless propaganda for his new book Orange County: A Personal History

"Huell Bleepin’ Howser!" has Gustavo Arellano interviewing California’s favorite citizen about Orange County, Trestles and the evil TCA.

And "Moxley Confidential: Tape? What Tape?" has R. Scott Moxley explaining why you’ll be shocked—shocked!—to hear that a civilian videotape of a rough arrest by sheriff’s deputies has gone missing.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Sea Smoke in San Clemente and Pho Dakao in Garden Grove.

• Culture focuses on 'Swimmin' With Women' at Anaheim's Sarah Bain Gallery and Alive Theatre's '28 Plays Later.' While Trendzilla talks affordable faux-leather jackets and Game On dissects the troubled journey of 'Too Human'

• Film reviews of 'Burn After Reading,' 'The Women' and local special screenings

• Music features articles on Vampire Weekend and The Whigs. Rex Reason looks at KUCI DJ Arthur Galestian in Aural Reports, Locals Only listens to Chris Williams, and we've got CD reviews of Juliana Hatfield, 'How to Walk Away' (Ye Olde Records) and Alexander Tucker, 'Portal' (ATP)

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "School Colors" Daffodil J. Altan looks at San Juan Capistrano’s schools, where white kids are painted into one corner, Latino kids into another. And asks: How did this happen?

In "Bent Over Rentl" Matt Coker looks into the historic $618,000 out-of-court settlement that was money well-spent for owners of a government-subsidized Stanton apartment complex.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Casa Inka in Fountain Valley and El Amanecer in Santa Ana.

• Culture focuses on Jim Hornung's 'Archeo-Art' show In Long Beach, Cartoonist Lynda Barry's How-To Book 'What It Is', Trendzilla talks Harvey's seat belt bags, and Game On dissects video games from the past

• Film reviews of Summer '08: Batman Saved the Season, While a Little 'Sex' Went a Long Way and the Indies Went South 2 and local special screenings

• Music features an interview with Brit trip-hop pioneer Tricky, worldly music websites, Rex Reason looks at the Simpkin Project; Locals Only listens to Baby Champ, 'Illoee', and new CD reviews of Nisennenmondai, 'Neji/Tori' (Smalltown Supersound) and Donavon Frankenreiter, 'Pass It Around' (Lost Highway)

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "Who's Your Addy?" Matt Coker looks at Adderall. It's hailed as a "miracle drug" for ADHD sufferers. But they're not the only ones using it. One South County clinic is trying to help OC kick "college crack."

In "This Is Your Brain On Adderall" Matt Coker looks for someone to explain to our readers how Adderall actually works, chemically speaking, and finds his own son, Dustin Coker—who not only is a research assistant in a UC Irvine study involving ADHD and psychostimulants, but who also grew up with ADHD.

In "Moxley Confidential" R. Scott Moxley reveals how the OC media is being asked to ignore still-emerging dirt on Carona’s PSR mess at the sheriff’s department.

In "Toeing the Line" Nick Schou interviews perennial Democratic candidate Paul Lucas, who says he’s still in trouble for playing footsie with the Republicans.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Jaqu's in Huntington Beach and Kasela Grill in Anaheim.

• Culture focuses on Bike Curious at Santa Ana's Go, Rilla! Gallery, Latina Theater Ensemble's New Works Festival, Trendzilla talks Designer Richard Chai, and Game On dissects Game-Changer

• Film reviews of Traitor' 2 and local special screenings

• Music features a review of Costa Mesa locals Japanese Motors, The Long Beach Blues Festival, Rex Reason looks at nightlife maven Sean Francis in Aural Reports; Locals Only listens to Daniel Morones, 'The Situation' and new CD reviews of Conor Oberst, 'Conor Oberst' (Merge) and The Bug, 'London Zoo' (Ninja Tune)

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "The Mouthpiece That Roared" David Davis interviews OC-raised USC Quarterback Mark Sanchez and the stink he's causing because of his proud Mexican heritage.

In "The Snow Job Express Rolls On" Gustavo Arellano looks at the controversial philanthropist Michael Scott Kerr's new career as a wrapper.

In "Back in the Saddle" Eleanor Carmichael recalls her experience at the Saddleback Church candidate forum.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Jongewaard's Bake 'n' Broil in Long Beach and Big B's BBQ in Fullerton.

• Culture focuses on Sherry Karver and David Lyle's photography at Sue Greenwood Fine Art Gallery, The Maverick Theater's Production of 'Picasso at the Lapin Agile,' Trendzilla talks Goyard tote bags and Game On dissects 'Order Up!'

• Film reviews of Hamlet 2, The Rocker and local special screenings

• Music features a review of the Germs/Darby Crash biopic 'What We Do Is Secret', Matthew Sweet, rapper The Game, Rex Reason looks at Aurora Napua Ka'awa in Aural Reports; Locals Only listens to Joshua Lanes and read new CD reviews of The Dandy Warhols, 'Earth to the Dandy Warhols' (Beat the World) and The Verve, 'Forth' (On Your Own)

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In our annual"If you believe a passenger jet hit the Pentagon on 9/11, then these local ‘citizen investigators’ say you’ve been . . . PentaConned!" Nick Schou interviews Aldo Marquis and Craig Ranke, two local 9/11 conspiracy theorists.

In "Moxley Confidential: Very Strange Bedfellows" R. Scott Moxley recognizes Senator Dick Ackerman doing the right thing in the case of James Ochoa.

In "Cutting Remarks" Daffodil Altan looks at plastic surgeon Brian West as he tries to get a restraining order against a former patient who got him into trouble with the state for violating the terms of the board’s alcohol-abuse treatment program.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Blackmarket Bakery in Irvine and PK Burger in Brea.

• Culture focuses on the "New York School" art exhibit at Rohrer Fine Art in Laguna Beach, Shakespeare Orange County's latest, "Trendzilla" talks oversized blazers and "Game On" covers Soul Calibur IV's Lack of ideas

• Film reviews of Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Tropic Thunder and local special screenings

• Music features Arabian Prince, Orange County homelessness benefit CD 'Shelter Me', Rex Reason looks at OC surf-instrumental band Slacktone in Aural Reports; Locals Only listens to The Good Fiction and read new CDs reviews of Bodies of Water, 'A Certain Feeling' (Secretly Canadian) and Syclops, 'I've Got My Eye on You' (DFA)

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In our annual"Food Issue 2008" Edwin Goei and Gustavo Arellano investigate cheap food for our recessionary times, by highlighting 54 Orange County meal deals between 99 cents and $15.

In "Moxley Confidential" R. Scott Moxley looks at the California Highway Patrol and their vanishing ethical impurities, bad math and more.

In "Getting Soaked" Daffodil Altan looks at Santa Ana Unified School District. Do they have the money to save hundreds of jobs it cut?

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Michael's On Naples in Long Beach and Naz Kabob in Fountain Valley.

• Culture focuses on 'Tiki FREAKout' Art Show at the Light Gallery, Rude Guerrilla's 'Nocturne,' Skater boy fashion to the Max and the French laughing in the face of video games as a sport

• Film reviews of Bottle Shock, Pineapple Express and local special screenings

• Music features Dave Segal's final 'Sprawl of Sound' column about the OC music scene, OC Pop-Punks Big Drill Car; Houston's Indian Jewelry; Rex Reason looks at Garden Grove-Based Online Shop Smartpunk in Aural Reports; Locals Only listens to Courtney Chambers and read new CDs, Paramount Styles, 'Failure American Style' (Konkurrent) and PAS/CAL, 'I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura' (Le Grand Magistery) are reviewed

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "Metheds to His Madness" Vickie Chang investigates Ed McKie, the man who wants to create a safe space for gay recovering meth addicts in the Santa Ana Artists’ Village. His efforts have gone . . . about how you’d expect. Badly.

In "Suits vs. Skins" Matt Coker looks at San Onofre nudists. Do they stand a stitch of a chance against the state's efforts to cover them up?

In "Doctored Evidence?" Nick Schou looks at a lawsuit alleging an intriguing theory about how a pair of gloves and a gun ended up in a whistleblower physician’s car.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Blake's Place in Anaheim and Green Rice in Huntington Beach.

• Culture focuses on the utopias of sponge and cardboard at the Huntington Beach Art Center, Rude Guerrilla's 'The Seven Deadly Sins,' Taking the Maxi Dress to the Max and Viva La 'Revolution'

• Film reviews of Swing Vote, The Mummy and local special screenings

• Music dishes on Mötley Crüe; NOMO's modernized Afrobeat; Rex Reason looks at San Clemente's Büddafinger in Aural Reports; Locals Only listens to Barrett Johnson, 'In Case I Went Missing' and read new CDs, Abe Vigoda, 'Skeleton' (Post Present Medium) and Daedelus, 'Love to Make Music To' (Ninja Tune) are reviewed

And more daily at OCweekly.com

In "I Want my Midwife!" Daffodil Altan investigates the reasons behind the shrinking list of OC hospitals that allow midwife-assisted births—but moms-to-be and midwives aren’t taking it lying down.

In "Mixed Signals" Gustavo Arellano wonders, Does Caltrans have a double standard when it comes to Minutemen adopting highways?

In "Moxley Confidential: This Time It's Personal" R. Scott Moxley discovers that businessman Ronald Cedillos hasn’t told the whole story of his falling-out with Mike Carona.

Plus...

• The Weekly's standing columns, ¡Ask a Mexican!, Hey You! and Savage Love

• Restaurant reviews of Shik Do Rak in Irvine and Mos 2 in Anaheim.

• Culture focuses on Amy Catrina's green art instillation at Grand Central Art Gallery, Brian Kojac's Production of Dan Acre's 'Dirty Laundry' at STAGEStheatre, Musicians, Fans and Fashions and Wii's 'Final Fantasy' E3

• Film reviews of Step Brothers and local special screenings

• Music dishes on Mozambique's Reggae Night; Hedonistic Hardcore Band Annihilation; Dave Segal's Sprawl of Sound covers Hommes & Femmes Vitales; Rex Reason looks at International Pop Overthrow; Locals Only reports on Oddity's 'Illegal Truth' (Gutter Water Music) and read new CD reviews on Various Artists, 'Life Beyond Mars—Bowie Covered' (Rapster/!K7) and One Day As a Lion, 'One Day As a Lion' (Anti).

And more daily at OCweekly.com