‘Tis the season of giving. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa , chances are you’ll get something that was not on your wish list. But when returning or exchanging an unwanted item is not an option, do you wrap it up again and offer it as a fresh present to someone else? Take the poll below and let us know if you are guilty of regifting. And find out how your Beverly Hills neighbors have voted! Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook . Read the original: To Regift, or Not to Regift?
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Kings Get the Gift of Offense
Highest Grossing Movies of 2011
Hollywood’s top-grossing movies of 2011 earned billions of dollars in the United States, but what were the biggest films of the year? The entertainment industry released some fantastic productions over the last year, with several successful movie sequels in the mix. Here are the top-ten blockbuster movies of 2011, including the film stars, directors and dollar amount grossed at the box office: Highest Grossing Movies of 2011 #1
Disgraced Former Journalist Fights To Become California Lawyer
SAN FRANCISCO — A former journalist who became the subject of a Hollywood movie after he was caught fabricating articles in the late 1990s is fighting to become a lawyer in California over the objections of a state bar committee. Stephen Glass, whose ethical missteps at The New Republic and other magazines were recounted in the film “Shattered Glass” and an autobiographical novel, has challenged the bar committee’s decision to deny him a license to practice law, the San Francisco Chronicle ( ) reported Monday. http://bit.ly/sfh2je Glass attended law school at Georgetown University and passed California’s bar exam in 2007. His application for an attorney’s license was turned down by the state’s Committee of Bar Examiners, which judged him morally unfit for his new profession. But an independent state bar court ruled in Glass’s favor in July and the California Supreme Court has since agreed to hear the committee’s appeal. No date for oral arguments has been set. The bar association’s lawyers said in written filings that even though Glass’ transgressions occurred when he was in his 20s, his attempts at atonement were inadequate and in some cases coincided with the publication of his novel. They faulted him for never compensating anyone who was hurt by his falsehoods. Law and journalism “share common core values – trust, candor, veracity, honor, respect for others,” Rachel Grunberg, a lawyer for the State Bar of California, told the Chronicle. “He violated every one of them.” The bar court that overruled the committee in July was persuaded, however, that Glass was genuinely repentant and had been rehabilitated. His appeal included character references from 22 witnesses, including two judges who had employed him, two psychiatrists, and Martin Peretz, who owned The New Republic when Glass’ deception occurred. In his own statement to the bar, Glass said he was “greatly ashamed and remorseful about my lying” but “forthright and candid about my years of misconduct.” Glass tried to become a lawyer in New York after he passed that state’s bar exam in 2003, but withdrew his application when his request for moral character approval from the New York bar languished. Now 39, Glass works as a law clerk at a Beverly Hills firm. His lawyers did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages for comment Monday. Continue reading here: Disgraced Former Journalist Fights To Become California Lawyer
Police Arrest Suspect In Shooting That Left Soldier Paralyzed
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Police on Monday arrested a suspect in a shooting that critically wounded a soldier at his Southern California homecoming party after he survived a suicide bombing attack in Afghanistan. Police said Ruben Ray Jurado turned himself in to authorities in Chino Hills, about 35 miles east of Los Angeles. The 19-year-old had been sought in the attempted murder of 22-year-old Christopher Sullivan. Authorities allege Jurado shot Sullivan at the party Friday night after getting into an argument with the soldier’s brother over football teams. Jurado, who had played football with Sullivan in high school, punched Sullivan’s brother and Sullivan intervened. Jurado then pulled a gun and fired multiple shots, hitting Sullivan in the neck, San Bernardino police Sgt. Gary Robertson said. Sullivan’s relatives said the Purple Heart recipient was hit twice by gunfire, which shattered his spine and left him paralyzed. His mother, Suzanne Sullivan, told the Los Angeles Times that doctors believe her son will be paralyzed from the neck down. “I don’t have any emotions. My emotions are none,” she said. “He didn’t deserve it. He’s an excellent son and an excellent man.” Jurado has been transferred to the custody of the San Bernardino Police Department where he will be booked, officials said Monday. Police said Jurado had an attorney but officials couldn’t immediately provide the lawyer’s name. It wasn’t immediately possible to locate a number for Jurado. Sullivan was wounded in a suicide bombing attack last year in Kandahar province while serving with the 101st Infantry Division. He suffered a cracked collarbone and brain damage in the attack and had been recovering in Kentucky, where he is stationed. He was home on leave when the shooting occurred. The Times reported that Sullivan joined the military in 2009. Fabian Salazar, a soldier who served with Sullivan in Afghanistan, said Sullivan rushed back to try to rescue other soldiers after the bomb blast propelled him several feet, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. “I know he would take a bullet for his brother,” Salazar told the newspaper. “And if you asked him again after all this… if he would take a bullet for him again, he would say yes. That’s the type of person he is.” See more here: Police Arrest Suspect In Shooting That Left Soldier Paralyzed
New CA Law To Affect Unlicensed Drivers
Every year, thousands of cars are towed away in California if the driver doesn’t carry a valid driver’s license. These rules definitely impact illegal immigrants. Now, as of January 1st, authorities at sobriety… Original post: New CA Law To Affect Unlicensed Drivers
Christmas Trees Repurposed as Protection for Fishies
When you think of recycling your Christmas tree, perhaps you don’t first think of how it might help out your local water-dwelling creatures. But if so, you are remiss; this year, the Riverside County Waste Management Department and the California Department of Fish and Game are working together to turn your former ornament-hanger into a habitat for small fish. more › More here: Christmas Trees Repurposed as Protection for Fishies
LA Times Polices Itself Over Sexist Writing
After announcing that Vanessa and Kobe Bryant had filed for divorce, the LA Times reported that the Lakers star’s soon-to-be ex-wife stands to collect a “windfall” during their settlement. Vanessa could indeed be awarded up to $75 million, but according to a blog post at the Times today, a reader pointed out — and rightly so — that the use of the word “windfall” smacked not just a little bit of sexism. more › See the original post here: LA Times Polices Itself Over Sexist Writing
Cable rates are on the rise
Stephen Glass’ lies in focus as he seeks law license
Stephen Glass faked all or parts of more than 40 articles for national magazines from 1996 to 1998. Originally posted here: Stephen Glass’ lies in focus as he seeks law license





