NEWS
Where’d They Get the Money?
Theo Douglas explains why the City Auditor might investigate the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: when then-Sixth District Councilman Laura Richardson helped organize the 19th annual edition of the event—in October and November 2006—she tried to pay for the band, Kool & the Gang, with money for the city’s general fund. Plus, Vector Control, Criminy! and I, Fink.

FEATURE
Neither Majic Nor Wand
Paul Brennan and Will Swaim explain how, like the Queen Mary and the Spruce Goose before it, the Majic Wand laser system was supposed to transform downtown Long Beach in the mid-’90s. Never heard of it? Exactly.

DEPT. OF COMMERCE
Chicano Style
Kim Lachance promotes some culture and unity at the Lakewood Center mall. And Ellen Griley takes to Vacation Village in Buy Curious.

FOOD+DRINK
Kafe Neo
Ellen Griley eats through Fourth Street’s newest restaurant. Miles Clements sips on sake and, in our new column Sides, takes a first shop at Fresh & Easy. And Blottery!

ART
“About Face”
Dave Wielenga sees others through the eyes of himself, at “About Face” at Long Beach Museum of Art. And Rebecca Schoenkopf reviews Long Beach is Sinking! (Or Hard Time is Better Than a Life of Injustice), at The Garage Theatre.

MUSIC
Chris Schlarb
Chris Ziegler visits with Chris Schlarb on the eve of the release of his Twilight & Ghost Stories album and then revisits Chicago punk band Naked Raygun, and Chesney Higgins examines the realigned Don Caballero.

FINE PRINT
(Not) Happy Together
Will Swaim asks a Self magazine editor why Long Beach women are so depressed.

FILM
Atonement and Revolver will totally change your life. As will the Charleston.