My good friend Maria AKA “The Wild Gypsy Lady” told me about the good work the Stentorians are doing at Dorsey high school. The Stentorians is a Black firefighter organization with members in L.A. City Fire Department, as well as L.A. County Fire, and teach skills and physical conditioning to those transitioning from being a regular citizen into the fire service twice a week, they stress self-discipline to persevere to be motivated, and how to work as a team. In a recent program there were 24 participants nine which were women. They also have training for people outside of high school. Why not check it out at their headquarters near the corner of Vernon Avenue and Normandie Avenue. The average fire fighter gets over $100,000 in wages and benefits, 1409 West Vernon is their headquarters.

Did you know our city is now 100 years old and we have never ever had even one lady in our fire department? If I were Mayor Meghan I would have a conference with all the chiefs in L.A. County on this serious problem. I would ask the Civil Service Commission to separate the paramedics from the firefighters and thirdly set up a program like Dorsey High.

For those of you who asked me how much money we in the Culver City Unified School District sent Sacramento for the STRS pensions. As you can see, the money mailed to state capitol listed below:

Year January STRS (Teachers) Medical

2016 $232,752.44 $265,223.60

2016 $308,233.34 $285,728.89

2017 $394,517.12 $315,493.83

2018 $475,663.10 $319,129.82

Cousin Neil doesn’t know what the Sam hill is going on, but his eyes don’t lie, and neither will yours when you review pension costs have doubled in three years.

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The Los Angeles Standard reports Sigma Gamma Rho develops young women through their Rhoers mentoring program of changing attitudes by building confidence which helps achieve a goal of 3.5 or higher. The Culver City Chapter of this great organization can be reached at Theta Epsilon Sigma (sgrhoculvercity.com). For middle and high schoolers.

The Las Vegas Sun reported recently the LV Stadium Authority signed the final documents to build the future home of the Raiders. Projected cost $1.8 billion for the 65,000 seat stadium of which the league will lend $200 million. The stadium is scheduled to be completed by August 1, 2020. The Raider organization has said the total cost of the move from Oakland to Las Vegas including a training facility and headquarters will top $2 billion. If you are a Raider fan-order your tickets early, they will be sold out for many games.

Fred Roggin Sports anchor from Channel 4 is listing his home in Calabasas for $2.995 million. The estate is 5,200 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Keep your checkbook available at this price it wouldn’t last long.

The Los Angeles Times says the Wells Fargo Bank might have to pay as much as $1 Billion over lending and insurance abuses. All that will do is mess with the stockholders so why not throw the big shots in prison for 10 years and be done with it?

The State of Pennsylvania has finally said “Enough is Enough. Drivers who routinely don’t pay tolls in the Keystone State could be convicted of a felony. A felon is when the sum owed exceeds $2000. One driver is accused of racking up more than $90,000 in debts since 2012. Among those facing a felony charge is Lori Yearick of Mount Joy, PA. She allegedly over a five-year period failed to pay 1,645 violations and received 6,580 notices.

For us oldsters who remember the Ed Sullivan Show I just bet you recall Sophie Tucker was on 16 times and was referred as, “The Last of the Red-Hot Mamas”. Hard to believe she died 53 years ago – February 1966. Sophie Tucker was some entertainer.

Say it isn’t so, but alas it is, for all you Ford lovers’ changes are just down the road a piece. The Fusion & Taurus sedans and the small Fiesta will be eliminated. Cousin Neil says for all you bargain hunters keep your eyes open and your check book in your pocket-cheapo prices will be coming down the pike.

Amazon.com started delivering packages to parked cars in 37 cities.

For those who missed an article, all my commentaries can be found at http://www.culvercityobserver.com; strolling down the page and underneath Opinion look for Rubenstein.