Homies

— Los Angeles Democratic mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has hired Jennifer LeSar, a close friend of San Diego city councilwoman Toni Atkins, to "orchestrate development" of what a news release calls a "visionary plan" to redevelop Central City East in downtown L.A., including the run-down Toy District, the Seafood District, and the area "traditionally known as Skid Row." LeSar, who sits on San Diego's Centre City Development Corporation board, will conduct interviews with "50 key stakeholders" and come up with a plan. ... Opponents of Blackwater, that shadowy military outsourcing outfit that wants to build a training complex in San Diego's backcountry, are crying foul over a splashy show the company's skydiving unit staged during halftime of a recent San Diego State football game at Qualcomm Stadium. One irate spectator emailed friends, describing a phone call he'd just had with an official of the university's athletic foundation. "He says the event is to honor the military, but he seems to forget that Blackwater is a private firm. He confirmed that the Blackwater Logos were on the canopies of the parachutes, and that Blackwater did not pay anything for the advertising. Bottom line is that this is confirmed, and is an outrage. TAKE ACTION!"... Alan Bersin, who at one time or another has been a U.S. attorney, San Diego school superintendent, and member of the State Board of Education and who is currently chairman of the regional airport authority, which runs Lindbergh Field, is set to put in a special appearance next month at a Harvard Alumni Association discussion of education reform at Santa Monica's Rand Corporation, the military think tank. Advance registration is required "due to security requirements of hosting facility," according to the invite.

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