Culver City Observer -

As we approach Election Day, April 12th, we have reviewed our choices for the three city council positions up for grabs. Theodorsia and I, like many of our friends and neighbors, plan to vote for Meghan Sahli-Wells and Marcus Tiggs. She likes Daniel Lee and I’m for Thomas Small. I am certain after one reads the candidates’ statements in the voter’s handbook the decision on where to “X” the ballot will be a snap.

I am nominating Meghan for “The L.A. Woman” as noted in the April 2016 issue of Los Angeles Magazine. The quintessential L.A. Woman is DEVOTED to a community larger than herself. She is DEDICATED to serving, leading, and mentoring. She is INNOVATIVE. She is INSPIRING. You can also complete the online nomination form at LAmag.com/LAwoman or call (323) 801-0024 by April 18, 2016.

Speaking of elections, the rumor mill, it seems, is running 24 hours a day. Time and time again I’ve been approached and told Mark Ridley-Thomas will be termed out, due to term limits, in 2018. The Los Angeles County Supervisor has narrowed the decision to whether or not he wants to move his residence. Mark could run for the seat held by Congresswoman Maxine Waters or the California State Board of Equalization post held by James Horton.

The plan, rumor has it, is to ask my two friends if they want to stay on, and if they do. to apply pressure by drying up their campaign funds. In my opinion, Mark will possibly move into Westchester, get elected to congress, and take Scott Malsin to run his Washington, D.C. Office. Cousin Neil was going to tell you the second part next week, but what the dickens. Mark goes to the nation’s capital, Curren Price goes to Supervisor and Sebastian Ridley-Thomas goes to the State Senate. Aren’t we lucky?

If you didn’t attend the Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble on April 3 held at the Mayme Clayton Library and Museum you missed a treat. Fantastic events are happening at the museum located at 4130 Overland Avenue in Culver City, says Lloyd Clayton, Executive Director. Check out (310) 202-1647 and hear how they plan to support the Los Angeles jazz community.

Speaking of coming events, on September 24, 2016 the National Museum of African American History and Culture will open in Washington, D.C.

Do you need a place to take your kids, age 12 and under, that is close by, free and educational? On the third Saturday of every month, when the merchants give store discounts, birthday gifts and free craft events, go to the Kids Fun Zone located next to dd Discounts at Crenshaw Imperial Plaza from noon to 3 p.m. See crenshawimperialplaza.com for information about signing your kids up.

Receive monthly, easy to read Health Tips for Parents, offered by the pediatricians at Mattel Children’s Hospital, UCLA. Health Tips for Parents tackles important issues on a variety of mental and physical health-related topics, and offers tips on how to keep children healthy. To learn more and for monthly emails, go to uclahealth.org/healthtips.

From the Flying News Post, March/April issue, I see former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents. Baca worked for the Sheriff’s Department for 48 years with the last 15 as the elected sheriff. His pension of nearly $20,000 a month could be trimmed a bit because of a recent law that requires public employees to forfeit certain pension benefits upon conviction of a job-related felony.

If you are a chocolate nut, then your chocolate holidays are on the horizon:

Dates Chocolate Names

April 21 National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day

May2 National Chocolate Mousse Day

May 15 National Chocolate Chip Day

June 7 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day

June 26 National Chocolate Pudding Day

Firefighters in De Kalb County, Georgia are not only asking for more money and benefits in contract discussions, but also new fire stations. The firefighters are not feeling valued in general these days because of leaks, mold, cracks, and the ceilings that are falling in over their heads. Fire personnel, including a De Kalb Captain, are leaving for other cities.

Do you know the top seven destinations for your vacation? If you have your copy of Money Magazine, April issue you would see Number One is San Diego, followed in order by New York, Memphis, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Austin, and Santa Fe. Personally, I wouldn’t give you a dime for some of those cities, but Cousin Neil is not the editor.

To help students and families, schools in Atlanta may soon serve three meals a day. Some Atlanta schools started serving dinner in 2014, while the school lunch program has been standard for years. A recent survey of Atlanta teenagers found a significant number were hungry, so much so that the superintendent plans to soon offer breakfast in the classroom.

Bills pending in the Georgia statehouse include legalizing guns at Georgia colleges and legalizing drinking alcohol while floating on an inflatable raft close to shore.

For those who missed an article, all my commentaries can be found at http://www.culvercityobserver.com by placing Rubenstein in the website’s search box.