Photo:  starstories.astrology.com

Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith’s lawyer and companion, and two of the actress’ physicians were arraigned in a Downtown Los Angeles court today. The three defendants pleaded not guilty to charges they were involved in a conspiracy to provide the late actress with thousands of prescription pills and other drugs during the final years of her life.

Smith died in Florida in February of 2007, after being discovered unresponsive in a hotel room. Later, it was determined the 39-year-old former Playboy model died from a fatal drug overdose. The other two defendants in the case are 40-year-old Sandeep Kapoor and 61-year-old Khristine Eroshevich. State Attorney General Jerry Brown has accused 40-year-old Stern of being “the principal enabler” in an alleged scheme that involved prescriptions written using phony names.

Today, Commissioner Kristi Lousteau ordered Stern and the two doctors to give handwriting samples to investigators. Each defendant is free on $20,000 bond. The trio is due back in court on June 8, 2009 to set a date for a preliminary hearing.

A second person in this country has died after contracting the H1N1 virus commonly known as swine flu. Health officials say the victim, a U.S. resident,  was a woman living in Texas. The first death occurred in Texas as well, however, the toddler who died had been visiting from Mexico. Today officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put the number of confirmed cases of that new influenza strain nationally at around 400 in 44 states.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says it’s okay for schools to reopen and she recommend parents keep sick children home at least seven days.  

Meanwhile in Los Angeles County, the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 stands at 11.  However, Director of Public Health in the county, Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, suggests there are probably many more cases, but because the symptoms mimic those of seasonal flu a lot people are not seeking treatment.  

Worldwide, there are reportedly more than a thousand people in 22 nations infected with H1N1.

Los Angeles County has its first confirmed cases of that new flu strain, H1N1. Local health officials are now reporting three cases of the virus and don’t think they will be the last. On KNX 1070 newsradio today, Los Angeles County Director of Public Health, Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, encouraged residents to “… be cautious and not overreact…”

Nationally, there are now 160 cases in 21 states. Worldwide, 787 cases have been confirmed by the U.N. World Health Organization. Also in Canada, there’s a report of the virus in pigs on a farm in Alberta. Canadian officials say the pigs may have been infected by a farm worker who recently returned from Mexico. 

President Obama has a new challenge to deal in the next 100 days of his administration; a previously unknown flu virus, which has the potential to kill. Last Wednesday night, the president highlighted efforts being made to handle the two wars, the bad economy, and other problems inherited from the Bush years. The president said: “I am pleased with our progress, but I am not satisfied.”

Now we have to add to the country’s list of problems a health issue: a new strain of the swine flu or as it is being called now the H1N1 virus. This week, the flu virus popped up in a number of states and several countries, prompting concern about a pandemic. Today Mexico, ground zero for this flu outbreak, reportedly cut its number of suspected deaths from over 170 to around 101. Only one death in the U.S., a toddler in Texas.

Today in his weekly address, President Obama discussed H1NI and what steps and precautions the government is taking: “The good news is that the current strain of H1N1 can be defeated by a course of antiviral treatment that we already have on hand.  We began this week with 50 million courses of this treatment in the Strategic National Stockpile.  Over the course of the last few days, we have delivered one-quarter of that stockpile to states so that they are prepared to treat anyone who is infected with this virus.  We then purchased an additional thirteen million treatments to refill our strategic stockpile.”

“Out of an abundance of caution, I have also asked Congress for $1.5 billion if it is needed to purchase additional antivirals, emergency equipment, and the development of a vaccine that can prevent this virus as we prepare for the next flu season in the fall.” More of the president’s comments on the White House website.

Meanwhile, in California there are now 17 confirmed cases of H1NI, none of those are in Los Angeles County.

That new strain of swine flu is spreading rapidly in the U.S. and internationally. Today the U.N. World Health Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Margaret Chan, took action: “I have decided to raise the level of pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5…” the second highest level. This means the world is at imminent risk of a pandemic–global outbreak of the illness, therefore, governments, agencies, businesses, and the pharmaceutical industry should ramp up their precautions and preparations for the worst.

Confirmed cases of this swine flu virus is being reported in 11 countries. In Mexico, considered the epicenter of the outbreak, 159 have died and more than a thousand others are being tested for it. Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the number of swine flu cases had surged to nearly 100 in this country with one fatality, a toddler, in Texas.

In California the confirmed cases climbed to around 15 with a marine, at a base in Twentynine Palms, diagnosed with swine flu. So far, no confirmed cases of that influenza virus in Los Angeles County. Locally, the city of Burbank has posted information and answers to the most common questions about swine flu on its website.

The swine flu outbreak is continuing to spread both internationally and here in the U.S. Not only has the number of cases of this type of flu increased in the U.S. and Mexico, but there are now reports of confirmed cases in Canada and Europe. The swine flu is tough to detect because it produces common flu symptoms like high fever, cough, and sore throat. In terms of prevention, experts are encouraging people to wash their hands and do so often. Also, if you are sick, stay at home.

Today the number of people with swine flu is around 40 nationally, 11 in California and none confirmed in the Southland. In Beverly Hills today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared the state is prepared and “… at this time there is no reason for alarm.” President Obama echoed those feelings, but admitted this flu outbreak is “…cause for concern and requires a heightened state of alert.”

Hardest hit is Mexico where 149 people have died from swine flu and hundreds more are sick with it. Americans are being warned to avoid travel to Mexico.

We are at the tail end of our normal flu season. Health officials point out that every year 36,000 people die in this country from flu-related illnesses.

Photo: Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times (2001)

Veteran actress of stage and TV, Bea Arthur, died today in Los Angeles. Arthur was truly one of a kind. She carried her tall frame proudly and with a deep voice and sharp wit, could deliver some of the best comedy one-liners ever.

  Arthur acted on stage in local theater as well as on Broadway. She won a Tony for her supporting role in the original Broadway production of “Mame” in 1966. I was not lucky enough to see Arthur work her magic on stage, but I did watch her for years on television. And loved every minute of it.

In 1971, Arthur made her first appearance on the sitcom “All In The Family” as Edith Bunker’s sharp tongued cousin, Maude. Arthur would later have great success with her own show, “Maude,” which was really a comedy/drama because it dealt with serious issues as well as comedic situations. It reflected the times and the growing feminist movement. “Maude” ran for six years in prime-time. Arthur won an Emmy for the lead role in 1977.

 In 1985, Arthur returned to television for another classic sitcom, “The Golden Girls” with Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, and Betty White. All four won Emmys for their roles on the show. Arthur picked hers up in 1988.

Outside of acting, Arthur was a big supporter of animal rights and AIDS research. Arthur was 86. She reportedly died of cancer.

Photo: Rick Loomis/Los Angeles Times

Some stories make you want to cry and stand up and cheer — all at the same time. Crenshaw High School junior Sharron Pearson’s determination to go to a summer program at Oxford University and  the overwhelming financial support she has received from the public is just such a story. To say Pearson is bright is almost an understatement. She has a 4.2 grade-point average and is enrolled in a Los Angeles magnet program for gifted students.

As is the case for many families these days, money is tight. Her father said they could not afford the summer program at Oxford, but 17-year-old Pearson applied anyway. She got accepted with a scholarship. Yet, weeks before the first class on July 5, Pearson and her supporters were scrambling to raise $2,500 for airfare to London and to cover her other expenses.

Then an article about Pearson’s plight appeared on the Los Angeles Times website Tuesday, April 21 and the public came to the rescue. A special fund for Pearson was inundated with offers from as many as a thousand people, according to a follow up story today on the Times website.

A Crenshaw school official had said the fundraising would stop after the goal of $2,500 was met. I think the extra donations should go into the special fund for future needs. Pearson has high aspirations and the extra money will ease the burden on her family and help her reach her goals.  

After months of reports about billions of U.S. taxpayer bailout dollars going to arrogant Wall Street firms and financial institutions who’ve paid out millions in bonuses to their employees, it’s good to hear a story like Sharron Pearson’s where money is being well spent.

The second time around turned out to be a real downer for legendary music producer Phil Spector. Today, the Los Angeles jury in Spector’s retrial found him guilty of second degree murder for the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson at his Alhambra mansion in 2003. The first trial in 2007 ended in a mistrial because the jury was unable to reach a verdict. That jury deadlocked 10-2 for conviction.

The retrial began last October. This time Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler gave jurors the option of second degree murder or a lesser charge, involuntary manslaughter. The jury, six men and six women, began deliberations on March 26 and took about 30 hours to reach a verdict. Also, the panel found the eccentric producer guilty of using a firearm to commit a crime. Due to the seriousness of the charges, the judge ordered Spector taken into custody immediately.

Spector became famous back in the 1960s when he created a dense layered instrumental sound on recordings called the “wall of sound.” Spector produced such rock hits as “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by the Righteous Brothers, and “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “He’s A Rebel” by The Crystals. The 69-year-old music whiz has won two Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Spector is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26, 2009. He’s could get 18 years-to-life. 

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove

During this Christian Holy Week the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is remembered and honored. In a rare arrangement, Grand View Memorial Park will be open twice in the next few days: Good Friday and Easter Sunday, noon-to-4 p.m. Visitors are welcome to spend some of this special time with relatives and friends laid to rest at Grand View. As in the past, visitors will be allowed to leave flowers and mementos at the gravesites.

 Grand View, a local landmark in Glendale, is in limbo because of legal and management problems. Many of the difficulties began when a state investigator discovered thousands of mishandled human remains at the cemetery back in 2005. Then about a year and a half ago, the cemetery was shut down. It is open now, for a few hours, on specific days by order of Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Anthony Mohr. Not the best situation, but at least it provides some opportunities for the public to visit Grand View.

 Grand View Memorial Park is located at 1341 Glenwood Road in Glendale.

Paramedics and firefighters tend to a victim of that deadly multiple vehicle/truck accident 04/01/09 Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times

Under pressure from local officials and residents, Caltrans yesterday issued a 90 day ban on big rigs along a treacherous stretch of Angeles Crest Highway. The ban came two days after a double-decker car carrier careened out of control and slammed into several vehicles at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Angeles Crest Highway in La Canada Flintridge, before crashing into a bookstore and nail salon.

A Palmdale man and his daughter were killed. Around a dozen others were hurt. The big rig driver, 43-year-old Marcos Costa, suffered only minor injuries. He was arrested and yesterday charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter. According to KNX 1070 newsradio, Costa’s bail was set at $200,000. He’s due to be arraigned on Monday, April 13.

The truck ban begins at 12:01 a.m. Monday morning. Meanwhile, some state lawmakers are working on legislation that would make the ban permanent.

For a second time, the fate of legendary music producer Phil Spector is in the hands of a Los Angeles County jury today. The jury got the case yesterday after closing arguments wrapped up. The 12 jurors will decide if Spector murdered 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson.

The cult film actress was found shot to death in the foyer of Spector’s Alhambra mansion in 2003. During the nearly five months of testimony in the retrial, the prosecution tried to prove an enraged Spector killed Clarkson when she tried to leave his place. Defense attorneys countered by claiming the evidence doesn’t support that finding and therefore, Spector should be acquitted.

The jury, made up of six men and six women, will consider second-degree murder, which carries a prison term of at least 15 years or a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter with a penalty of two-to-four years behind bars.

In 2007, Spector first murder trial end in a mistrial, after the jury deadlocked 10-to-2 for conviction.

The fate of legendary rock producer Phil Spector will soon be in the hands of a Los Angeles County jury. Today the prosecution is expected to complete its rebuttal to the defense team’s closing arguments, which began on Tuesday.

Spector’s attorneys urged the jury to acquit their client on the grounds that the alleged victim, actress Lana Clarkson, probably committed suicide. Clarkson was found shot to death in the hallway of Spector’s Alhambra mansion in 2003. The prosecution claims an enraged Spector pulled the trigger of the .38 Special that killed the 40-year-old actress.

However, in his summation, Defense Attorney Doron Weinberg told the jurors more than a dozen pieces of forensic evidence point to Spector’s innocence. Weinberg said the big question is did the prosecution prove its case “… beyond a reasonable doubt?” Indeed, that is the key question the jury will have to answer during deliberations.

In 2007, the jury in the 69-year-old Spector’s first murder trial deadlocked 10-to-2 for a conviction, so a mistrial was declared. In the retrial, the music producer faces a minimum of 18 years in prison if found guilty of second degree murder, two-to-four years if convicted of involuntary manslaughter. 

After nearly five months of testimony, the murder retrial of rock legend Phil Spector is about to wrap up. Yesterday, the prosecution presented its closing arguments in an attempt to convince the jury to convict Spector of murdering 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson.

The actress was found shot to death in Spector’s Alhambra mansion back in 2003. Clarkson starred in “Barbarian Queen” (1985) and the movie spoof “Amazon Women on the Moon” (1987).

Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Truc Do called Spector a “demonic maniac” who was known to use a gun to play Russian Roulette with the lives of women he wanted to control. According to the Los Angeles Times website, The Deputy D.A. reminded jurors that several women had described Spector’s reckless and threatening behavior, a chauffeur testified Spector confessed to him, expert witnesses had noted blood was found on Spector’s jacket and that there were bruises on Clarkson’s wrist — evidence of a struggle.

The famous rock music producer is on trial for second degree murder; if convicted he faces at least 15 years in prison. Last Friday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler agreed to allow the jury to consider a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, which carries a penalty of two-to-four years behind bars.  

 In 2007, a mistrial was declared in Spector’s first trial after the jury deadlocked 10-to-2 in favor of conviction. In recent years, the 69-year-old Spector has been a recluse. He is famous for creating the recording technique dubbed the ”Wall of Sound,” back in the 1960s.

The defense team will get its chance to go before the jury with closing arguments today. Spector’s attorneys claim Clarkson’s death was a suicide. The jury is expected to begin deliberations by the end of the week.

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove  — Visitors at Grand View cemetery during a recent opening.

The gates of Grand View Memorial Park cemetery in Glendale will once again be open for a few hours tomorrow, Sunday, March 22. This is one of a series of openings ordered by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Anthony Mohr. The 125-year-old cemetery is considered to be a landmark by many in the nearby community; both Burbank and Glendale residents.

Grand View has fallen on hard times and it has little to do with the economic meltdown. Most of the cemetery’s troubles began back in 2005, when a state investigator discovered thousands of human remains that had been stored improperly. Since then, Grand View has been bogged down with legal actions and management difficulties. A year and a half ago, Grand View was shut down, but it opens periodically for families and friends of those laid to rest at the cemetery.

The  future 2009 visitations will be as follows: April 10 Good Friday, April 12 Easter Sunday, April 24 Armenian Genocide remembered, April 26, May 10 Mother’s Day, May 24, June 14, June 21 Father’s Day, and June 28. The cemetery gates are open from 12:00 p.m. until 4 p.m. during visitations. 

Actress Lindsay Lohan is in trouble with the law again. Today the People website and other media are reporting that the Beverly Hills police have an arrest warrant out for 22-year-old Lohan. The Beverly Hills Superior Court issued the $50,000 warrant yesterday. It apparently relates to some kind of probation violation in connection with Lohan’s DUI cases nearly two years ago.

In May of 2007, Lohan was arrested after crashing her Mercedes. The actress suffered minor injuries in that accident. Two months later in July, she was arrested again following a dispute and a high speed vehicle chase. Lohan ended up pleading guilty to being under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. In a plea deal, the actress was sentenced to one day in jail, ordered to complete an 18 month alcohol education program, and put on three years probation. 

Photo from  starstories.astrology.com

A surprise development in the investigation surrounding the accidental drug overdose death of model/television reality star, Anna Nicole Smith, two years ago. Smith’s long time lawyer and boyfriend Howard K. Stern, and two doctors have been charged with providing thousands of prescription pills to the troubled celebrity.

Stern and Dr. Sandeep Kapoor were booked and released on $20,000 bond each late yesterday. A third person, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, is expected to turn herself into authorities sometime in the next few days. All three are facing several felony counts.

State Attorney General Jerry Brown says the investigation was launched in March of 2007. At a news conference in Downtown Los Angeles today, Brown had some harsh words for the accused: “What we have in this case is a conspiracy among three individuals and Howard K. Stern is the principal enabler and Dr. Eroshevich and Dr. Kapoor are prescribing drugs excessively to a known addict and using false and fictitious names all in violation of the law and all in furtherance of a conspiracy.”

On February 8, 2007, Smith died after being discovered unconscious in a Hollywood, Florida hotel room. A few months before, Smith had given birth to a daughter, Dannielynn. Initially, Stern claimed to be the father of Smith’s daughter, However, DNA tests determined Smith’s ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead had fathered her child. Birkhead  has custody of Dannielynn. 

On March 2, 2007, Smith was buried in the Bahamas in a grave next to her son Danny, who had died of an accidentil drug overdose in September of 2006.  

More legal drama in singer Chris Brown’s domestic violence case involving his model/pop star girlfriend, Rihanna. Today the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Brown’s attorneys have requested a closed-door hearing. Hmm, this means no media or the public allowed.

The L.A. Times story suggests the focus of the hearing will be the testimony of some witnesses. The hearing has been set for Monday, March 23, 2009 before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg.

This may be another attempt at damage control by the Brown camp. Yesterday, the singer withdrew his name from the Kids’ Choice Awards ballot. That was a good idea. Also, there are reports out that Brown and Rihanna have reconciled and recorded a duet. If they think they can now go back to being just a regular celebrity couple, they need to get real. 

 It appears both careers and reputations have been tainted by this domestic violence incident/investigation: Brown more than Rihanna. Still at this point, I think very few people are interested in listening to a new duet on the radio by an alleged batterer and his suspected victim.

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove

Historic Grand View Memorial Park cemetery in Glendale is still struggling under the weight of an uncertain future. The neighborhood cemetery is scheduled to be open today by court order from noon until 4 p.m. On December 8, 2008, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Anthony Mohr approved a series of public openings at Grand View through June of this year.

You might remember, the 125-year-old Grand View has been caught up in legal wrangling and management problems since 2005, when a state investigator discovered thousands of human remains at that cemetery that had been mishandled. Caught in the middle are relatives and friends of those buried at Grand View who would like to visit the cemetery, which has been closed for more than a year and a half. The answer: a series of public visitations.

I dropped by Grand View several weeks ago during one of the openings. The grounds were greener; thanks to recent rains and from the use of the cemetery watering system. However, there was only a handful of volunteers trying to supervise the opening and assist visitors. What they need they say are more volunteers.

If you’re interested, talk to one of the volunteers at the Grand View opening today or contact the law office of David Baum (310) 312-9598. Grand View is located at 1341 Glenwood Road in Glendale.

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Pop and R&B singer Chris Brown was charged with two felonies today as a result of what was apparently a brutal attack on his pop star/model girlfriend, Rihanna, last month. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed the charges this morning, accusing Brown of committing an assault likely to cause “great bodily harm” and making terrorist threats.

There are reports all over the Internet today with details of the alleged attack, which are painful to read. Court documents indicate Brown viciously beat, bit, and then threatened to kill the victim, identified as Robyn F.  Rihanna’s full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Copies of the court document/ affidavit are on the Los Angeles Times and CNN websites.

Google Image

According to the court documents, the spark for the alleged attack was the discovery of a text message from another woman on Brown’s phone by 21-year-old Rihanna. It happened early on February 8, after a pre-Grammy event the couple had attended. The couple, with 19-year-old Brown at the wheel of a rented Lamborghini, argued. The altercation soon escalated with Brown reportedly shoving, punching, choking, biting, and threatening Rihanna. 

 Eventually, Brown stopped the vehicle on a street in Hancock Park, but the alleged attack continued. A resident heard Rihanna’s screams for help and called police. When officers arrived at the scene they found a battered Rihanna and the Lamborghini, but Brown had fled on foot.

Hours later, Brown turned himself in at a police station, was booked, and then released on $50,000 bond.  If found guilty of the charges Brown could be sentenced to probation or the maximum of four years and eight months in state prison.

Brown appeared briefly in Los Angeles Superior Court this afternoon. The singer was supposed to be arraigned on the charges, but that was postponed until April 6,  2009. Also, Brown was ordered “not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone ” by the court commissioner, according to the People website.

Over the weekend, reports surfaced that the couple has been attempting to reconcile. Rihanna needs to think long and hard about the consequences,( mental, physical, and career), of staying with a man who will beat you bloody for any reason. And yes, statistics have shown that the chances of it happening again are high, unless that man gets some serious therapy.