California Court Approves Gay Marriage

California Supreme Court Rules

For Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

The California Supreme Court has overturned a gay marriage ban in a ruling that would make the nation's largest state the second one to allow gay and lesbian weddings.

The justices' 4-3 decision Thursday says domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage. Chief Justice Ron George wrote the opinion.

The city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and gay rights groups sued in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's monthlong same-sex wedding march.

The case before the court involved a series of lawsuits seeking to overturn a voter-approved law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

With the ruling, California could become the second state after Massachusetts where gay and lesbian residents can marry.

"What happens in California, either way, will have a huge impact around the nation. It will set the tone," said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of the gay rights group Equality California.

A coalition of religious and social conservative groups is attempting to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine California's current laws banning gay marriage in the state constitution.

The Secretary of State is expected to rule by the end of June whether the sponsors gathered enough signature to qualify the marriage amendment, similar to ones enacted in 26 other states.

The cases before the California court were brought by the city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples, Equality California and another gay rights group in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's monthlong same-sex wedding march that took place at Mayor Gavin Newsom's direction.

ArtSeen 3 2008

Where Was the HIV

In This HIV Fundraiser?

I was excited when I learned that AIDS Research Alliance's ArtSeen 3 2008 would be held downtown at local art galleries. AIDS Research Alliance (ARA) conducts clinical trials, does scientific research and works with HIV education and outreach.

I was a bit puzzled, though, about finding out about the event only one day prior to it by reading a post at Yahoo group newdowntown.

After all, I've been registered with ARA for at least 15 years and I have even participated in their clinical trials. I receive their publication Searchlight in the mail and they always send me birthday and holiday cards. I'm notified of all of their medical studies.

Why didn't I receive an invitation to the party? Why didn't they send notification of the event to the POZ people they work with?


I visited each participating gallery and the event was notable for the absense of POZ women and men. You can trust me on this; I've been POZ for over 23 years and I have an acute sense of what my community looks and feels like. Relatively few POZ people were in attendance.

I asked one ARA staffer why the POZ people registered with the group were not invited. "We try to keep our donor list and patient list separate," he told me. Why, I asked him. His only answer was an offer to add me to the donor list.


It does not make sense. Isn't it just logical that people who care about those living with HIV would want to be around the people they are helping? Maybe it's not fair to the benefactors to not include the POZ people registered with the organization.

Also, ARA can help people with HIV in more ways than filling them full of experimental medication and poking them with syringe needles.

Surely POZ people too would have enjoyed and benefited from "this high-profile event (with) a chance to view, and bid on, an eye-popping selection of contemporary art (and) enjoy the cuisine from some of the city's hottest restaurants and chefs."  We POZ people would have appreciated being invited to enjoy the DJ's, the live music, the food, the art.

We would have loved being invited to mingle with good and generous people who care about us.

Alas, AIDS Research Alliance segregates their donors from the people registered for their medical experiments and other POZ programs. That turns out to be nothing more than a loss for everyone involved.


Of course, in one glaring way the event was not considerate of the limitations of people living with HIV. The evening featured open bars serving Absolut 100 proof vodka drinks to "keep the proceedings lubricated," according to event publicity.  

HIV medications and 100 proof vodka are contraindicated.

Plus, one of the venues for the evening was LAMP, an organization existing to ending homelessness, improving health, and building self-sufficiency among homeless men and women living with severe mental illness.  How sensitive is 100 proof alcohol to the community served by LAMP?

There is no questioning the good that AIDS Research Alliance does; the fundraisers it throws are necessary to continue this good.  

Hopefully in the future, however, ARA will include their HIV patients in their fundraising events. These fundraisers will ideally be sensitive to the POZ community and to the community the fundraisers are held in.

These changes will benefit everyone involved.

How to Pick Up Dog Poop

Follow These Easy Steps

For Clean Downtown Streets

If you've been pounding the pavement lately, you've surely noticed the dog shit left right on the ground.

Some of my dog-walking neighbors might be lazy, but maybe they just don't know how to pick up their dogs' droppings. This handy guide should help them be better neighbors and more considerate dog owners.


You need to be prepared before setting out on your dog walks. A plastic bag for collecting the poop is a must.

My bag comes from Gold's Gym. They supply the plastic bags for wet garments. However, as I told Skid Row Dude, they make for the Cadillac of dog poop bags.


Please keep in mind that the palm will go down when it comes time to actually pick up the excrement.


Now it's time to set out on the walk for three reasons. One is for exercise and the second is to give my canine buddy Ruby a chance to do her duty.

The third reason is to show off the results of the one-handed lat pull-down technique suggested by Master Larry.

The above photo was taken of me by local diva Urban Memo while she was hanging out her window. That little snoop!


Good girl, Ruby!  I knew you'd cooperate with this photo shoot.

Yes, now step aside, Rubester.  It's time for daddy to take over.

Is this what you've been seeing more and more of lately? Let this expert show you just how to handle this situation.

By the way, I usually do things in triptychs, but I skipped from post number one to this post number three. Burt Green took care of number two for me.

The bag is over my lower arm and I have my palm down. Notice that I'm grabbing a handful of dog shit with my left hand. 

My right hand has a camera in it.  If I drop my camera, I'm in deep......well, you know.

I collected it all in one swipe! Now it's time to look at it.

I'm serious! You should always examine your pet's poop to check for worms, blood, parasites or anything else that may need addressing.

I even inspect my own for the same reasons.

Now I've pulled the bag backwards over my clenched fist. The poop is firmly in the bag. My own body is unsoiled by the droppings.

I've knotted it up now. That cuts down the smell and it is also a considerate move. After all, people will be digging through that trash can all day long. I don't want them to get all pooped up.

Say! Didn't I first meet Los Angeles Lexi right about here on 6th Street?

Can you guess where the bagged poop is going now? Sure you can! Check out my great hang.

I'm not kidding. Check it out sometime when you have a chance. I'll show you in a heartbeat.

Finally the properly-bagged poop is in the can. I noticed the liner had slid off the can, so I made sure to put the plastic in the plastic.

All right, class. We're done for the day. Are there any questions? If so, don't hesitate to put them into a comment for this post. Your comments are always lovingly welcomed here at Big City.

Now that you know how to do it, there is just no excuse for not cleaning up after your pet. 

Let's all work together to keep our Downtown Los Angeles streets as shit free as possible.

I love you, Ruby.

I love you too, Joe.

...and a large fries!

C'mon, Pamela.

What About the Fries?

Pamela's Meeko's Crumbs had a good review of the hamburgers at Hoagies and Hot Wings. Unfortunately, she forgot one thing--a shot of the french fries that come with the burgers there.

C'mon, Pamela. You can't fool me. I know all about those crispy fries.

I'm outing you on this, girlfriend. I have the photographic proof above.  Your little secret is over.

I know about your fries.

Message From Henry Proctor

"May Peace Fall

Upon Our Neighborhood"

"May a Sense of Community Prevail"

Henry Proctor, recent victim of a brutal assault, sends the following message to his Downtown Los Angeles community.

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to say thank you for your concern and support. Joe was very kind to say so many nice things about me. To all my friends in the community go my deepest thanks.

The two men now face felony assault-with-a-deadly-weapon charges, so the process continues.

May peace fall upon our neighborhood and may a sense of community prevail.

Henry Proctor

Filming in the Neighborhood

Rent-A-Retired Cop 

Makes Things Worse

Oh, no! It's another film day in the neighborhood.

That means more traffic, more congestion, more chaos.

Luckily, though, an ex-cop is working with the filming crew to help everything run smoothly.  

Right?


......er, wrong. This is what I encountered when I drove home from the gym. The left lane suddenly sported a red traffic cone in it.

Just beyond that cone and right in front of the entrance to the parking garage was another red cone. It was in front of a white motorcycle with super ex-cop lounging on it.

Notice that there is not enough room between the cone by the bike and the lane line for a vehicle.  It is necessary to swerve into the lane next to the left lane.


The car above pulling into the lane next to the far left lane could have been mine. I did not have quite enough room to squeeze between the truck and the cone, so I was forced to merge into rush hour traffic.

If the cones and the rent-a-retired cop on his bike (parked at a right angle to the curb) had not been there, I could have just taken the left hand lane directly to the entrance of the garage.


I parked and then stopped to ask the former police officer why the cones and his bike were blocking the lane leading to the garage.

He explained that his job was to protect the filming equipment on the other side of the garage entrance. He told me to go away and let him do his job.

Is he doing his job? Look at the photo above. He just watches while a car leaving the garage hopelessly tries to merge into the traffic.

Shouldn't he get off his bike and help? If he really wants to protect the equipment, why doesn't he stand up and direct traffic around it instead of just sitting and relaxing?

Why doesn't he move his cone and his bike to the other side of the garage entrance? Is his ridiculous-looking bike even necessary?


Oh, my mistake! I should have pointed the camera up a little higher to show the ex-cop's big rear end resting on his white bike. You can still make out the license number, though.

Check out the matching helmet.


Thanks for nothing, ex-cop. You parked your bike and placed your cones in a way that only made things worse. Then you just sat and relaxed while rush hour traffic backed up right in front of you.

Say, you sure do look cool sitting side-saddle on that snow-white bike, though. Do you have white boots to go with it?  I hope so!  It would be a super hot look for you on filming day.

We could enjoy your ex-cop biker fashion show while we sit jammed up in traffic that you helped create. 

Ripoff at Gold's Gym Downtown L.A.

Hey, Man, 

You Forgot My Underwear

My carelessness was partly to blame for my most recent ripoff at Gold's Gym in Downtown Los Angeles.

I had removed most of the things from my gym bag, including two water bottles, my shower shoes, my toiletries bag, and the gym wear I changed into.


As soon as I had changed, however, I closed my locker and accidentally left my gym bag on the floor. 

It contained a new razor, an extra workout shirt and a pair of soiled underwear.  I had forgotten to put those shorts into the dirty clothes bin at home.

Things were removed from my bag and my bag was crumpled up in the corner.

It was the second time I had been robbed at Gold's Gym.


A couple of months ago someone broke into my locker and took all of the money ($70) out of my wallet. I found the wallet lying on top of my extra towels on the bottom of the locker. Ten other guys were also robbed that same afternoon.

When I reported the theft at the front desk, another robbed member told me that it was our own fault for bringing money to the gym. I told him he had a poisoned mind set and that I was a victim, not an enabler.

He made me angry. I already felt violated.  I needed sympathy.


This theft was not as serious, although I had been looking forward to shaving my head with the new and missing four-bladed razor.

There is nothing like a fresh shave with a multi-blade razor. After I finish shaving and everything is hairless and smooth, I like to rub baby oil all over my head for that special shiny look.  My high school students used to call me Mr. Clean.

The robber was stupid. What if the razor hadn't been new? How could he tell? Didn't he know that there are possible health risks in shaving with a razor someone else had used?


A spare tank top was also pirated. It was not one of my prized Nautica Ribbed Athletic Tank Tops, though, so this loss was not so bad.

I was wearing one of my new ribbed tanks when I discovered the theft.


The only thing left behind was the pair of dirty underwear.  I had forgotten to take them out after my last workout.

The shorts were a casualty of doing squats. If you've ever done squats, then you know just how hard it is to walk away in clean underwear!

Those dirty shorts turned out to be my hero. Ever since the robbery, I delight in fantasies of the thief picking up those raunchy underpants. 

It falls short of absolute retribution, but I cherish the fantasy.

So hey, man, you forgot my underwear, but don't worry. I'll leave them in the bag forever in case you come back again.  

It will be my pleasure.

Los Angeles May Day Information

Immigration and Labor

May Day March and Rally

click for full size

This Thursday's May 1st marches and rallies should lead to an action-packed Downtown Los Angeles.

The updated march and rallies information and current area map can be accessed at Los Angeles Department of Transportation website. 

The Labor and Immigration March and Rally will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2008. Traffic impacts in Downtown Los Angeles may be felt on any street within the area bounded by Cesar Chavez Avenue to the north, Alameda Street to the east, Pico Boulevard to the south and Hoover Street to the west beginning at 11:00 am in the morning and lasting throughout the day.


There are three marches taking place with two separate starting points, routes and times with a common rally point. Three marches will come together at Broadway and 5th Street and continue north to the rally area on Broadway between 1st and Temple.

The first march May 1st Day of Action in Support of Workers Rights will assemble at 11am at Park View Street (MacArthur Park) and is scheduled to begin at 2pm with an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 participants.

The first march will travel east along 7th to Figueroa Street where it will make a left turn onto Figueroa, travel north on Figueroa to 5th Street, make a right turn on 5th, continue east to Broadway and make a left turn onto northbound Broadway where the other two marches will join it. 


The second march Immigrant Rights and third march Full Rights for Immigrants will assemble at 11 am and are scheduled to begin at 3pm at Olympic and Broadway with combined estimated of 100,000 participants and travel northbound on Broadway to the rally point between 1st and Temple.


The rally is expected to last several hours with an estimated end time of 8 pm.

In addition to the three marches scheduled for Thursday, May 1st, there is an application pending approval for a fourth march on May 1st. 


If approved, Legalize LA will assemble at 12:30 pm on 7th Street between Alameda Street and Central Avenue. 

The march is scheduled to start at 1:30 pm, traveling north on Central Avenue to 5th street, turning left onto eastbound 5th Street to Broadway where it will join the other three marches and continue north on Broadway to the common rally point on Broadway between 1st and Temple.

Due to the possible addition of a fourth march, downtown Los Angeles traffic will be severely impacted during the pm peak hours within the quadrants of Broadway from Pico Boulevard to Temple Street and 5th Street between Alameda Street and Figueroa Street.


Assembly area street closures are likely to begin at 10:30 am: Park View Street between 7th Street and Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway between 9th Street and Olympic Boulevard; Olympic Boulevard between Main Street and Hill Street. At approximately 1:30 pm, LADOT engineers will gradually begin securing the march route.

Well before the march starts, roadways surrounding the assembly and demonstration areas must be secured and all vehicles parked on the route in violation of the temporary parking prohibitions must be towed for public safety. 

Parking will also be prohibited on detour routes to reduce congestion. LADOT will aggressively enforce all temporary parking signs. It costs $70 for the citation and $150 to $185 to recover a towed vehicle.

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Special Traffic Operations Division has developed plans which will provide appropriate response to various situations if they occur. Any streets within the specified boundaries may be closed as warranted by the size of the protest.  Since detour routes may be complex and congestion may be severe, motorists are encouraged to avoid this entire area if possible. 

LADOT staffing for this event is expected to include approximately 40 engineers and over 100 Traffic Officers and Field Operations personnel to manage the traffic. LAPD will also provide Police Officers to ensure public safety.

Many roadways in Downtown Los Angeles will be impacted for most of the afternoon. It is impossible to predict either the actual participation level or the locations where participants will choose to join the protest or demonstration.


Please be advised that street closures are dictated by the number of participants. Whenever the number of participants exceeds the capacity of the sidewalks, the roadways must be closed to ensure pedestrian safety. This usually occurs well before the scheduled beginning of most demonstration marches because the assembly area is limited in size.

Traffic impacts will be severe in Downtown Los Angeles during the afternoon rush hour. During previous marches on this route, many participants have chosen to join the route at various points, rather than meet at the assembly area. 

While many participants will choose to drive personal vehicles, most are expected to utilize public transportation: Metro Rail Blue and Gold Lines, MTA and other regional buses. Many will pass through Union Station on their way to the assembly area.


The map provided on the DOT website shows the march routes in olive. The map also has downtown areas along the route shown in various colors with coordinating bubbles which show areas that are likely to be closed along with possible closure and reopening times. In the table located to the lower left of the map, there is a specific definition for the information contained in each bubble. 

Please note closure and re-opening times are based on estimated event start time and crowd levels. The Harbor Freeway (I-110) off ramps to 6th Street will be closed at 2:00pm.

The march along with the various street closures will encompass a very large part of the downtown Los Angeles area. 

To allow vehicular traffic to exit the impacted areas, three streets will remain open until the crowd reaches specific points along the route: Alvarado Street, Figueroa Street and Grand Avenue. 

For travel around the impacted areas use Cesar Chavez Av to the north, Pico Bl to the south, Los Angeles St to the east and the Harbor Freeway to the west.

Following the passage of participants, streets will be reopened, and traffic signal timing adjustments will be implemented to flush out the congested streets as quickly as possible.

Please advise your friends, relatives and associates to plan for this special event.

HIV Long-Term Survivor Labs

Lab Results and the State of My Health

My recent lab results are reasonably good news. The above notes were written down during my last doctor's appointment.

My CD4 count is 630, a number that is in the normal range (500 to 1,500). This is also called T-cells, a type of blood cell that protects the body from infection. A count of less than 200 could leave me open to opportunistic infections.

My 51% CD4 percentage is also good. In healthy adults, the number of T4 cells make up between 32% and 68% of the total number of lymphocytes—a large group of white blood cells that include T4 cells, T8 cells, and B-cells. In fact, the lab uses the T4 percentage to determine the number of T4 cells in a sample of blood.

T-4 Cell With HIV

The CD4 count can vary according to things like colds and stress levels. The percentage, however, is more stable and tells the true strength of the T-cells. My 51% indicates that the T-cells I have are strong ones. A percentage of less than 13% would put me in danger.

The viral load (VL) count of 115 is slightly troubling. The viral load test measures the amount of HIV virus in my blood.

I had been undetectable for the last couple of years, so I was disappointed to see any number. However, the test measures only down to 75, so the increase could be a small one.

Also, any reading under 500 is considered a blip and is not considered dangerous. This result indicates that HIV is not actively reproducing and that the risk of disease progression is low.


My doctor ran another viral load test to check the validity of this number. Lab errors of small numbers are common. However, any rapidly-increasing viral load is dangerous so this is definitely a number to watch. If the increase continues, then a change of medication may be warranted.

Just before I squeezed into a clinical trial for the first protease inhibitor in 1992, my viral load was 225,000! The inhibitor knocked it down to undetectable in just a few months. If not for that clinical trial, I would be ashes right now.

My current tiny viral load coupled with a high CD4 count and good percentage means that I will not be coming down with any HIV-related illnesses anytime soon. This is an incredible situation for someone who tested positive 23.5 years ago.

I'll explain the other numbers I jotted down in a future post.

The Art of Cleaning

The Art Of Cleaning

Henry Proctor's cleaning service is called The Art of Cleaning. Henry, who has a reputation for being an honest and hard worker, can be reached at 310-428-5225.

The Art of Cleaning does janitorial maintenance, pressure washing, floor and window service and loft cleaning.

Nobody cleans it better than Henry!

The Art of Cleaning

310-428-5225

Four Minutes to Save the World

Local Resident Brutally Assaulted

Henry Proctor Savagely Attacked on Main Street

Local resident and cleaning specialist Henry Proctor was savagely attacked on Main Street. The attack occurred around 1 am Thursday morning.

Henry related the attack while sitting at an outside table at Banquette Restaurant and Wine Bar on Main Street.


The two attackers, one black and the other caucasian, had just left Bar 107 at 107 W. 4th Street. The two boisterous men were kicking the sides of cars, causing the autos' alarms to sound off.


The two men also overturned a large planter close to the intersection of Main Street and Winston Street. When that happened, Henry asked the two men to respect local property. The men rushed towards Henry before he was even able to complete the sentence.


The two men caught up to Henry and attacked him in front of the Los Angeles Community Action Network at 456 S. Main Street.

"The big guy was even bigger than you," according to Henry. (I'm 6 feet tall and weight 210 pounds.) "He picked me up in the air and threw me down. Then he picked me up again and threw me down again," he stated.

Henry reported that he was kicked and beaten while he was on the ground.


The attack caused a large cut on Henry's head.


Henry also had some serious bleeding from the head wound. Doctors later stiched the open wound back together.

In addition, Henry's leg was cut open. "The police asked me why I was bleeding on my leg," Henry claimed. He looked down and realized that he had a serious open wound on his lower right leg.

Doctors closed the leg wound with four stitches and the leg is now bandaged up.


Henry also received several other cuts and wounds, including the above pictured cut on the lower left side of his face.

The two men ran away after the attack but Henry followed them, despite his serious injuries.

While he pursued his attackers, he called 911 on his cell phone and reported the assault to the police.

The police responded almost immediately. "A helicopter was circling overhead in about 60 seconds," said Henry. About 30 seconds after that was when the police actually arrived.


The police showed up just as the largest attacker had opened the door of the Leonide Hotel with a front door key. He was apprehended just inside the hotel entrance. The other man was arrested right outside the hotel on the sidewalk.

An ambulance took Henry to Good Samaritan Hospital where doctors treated his numerous wounds.


Blood was still on the sidewalk late Thursday morning. The blood pictured above was right next to the front door of Los Angeles Community Action Network.


Shortly after leaving the hospital, Henry--stitches and all--was back at work cleaning the windows of Banquette.

"The doctors gave me a medication called Vicodin, but I didn't want to take it," Henry stated. "I wanted to be able to do my job. I did not want those two men and the attack to get the best of me." 

Plus, he said, he had an obligation to Banquette that he intended to honor.

Henry's cleaning service is called The Art of Cleaning. Henry, who has a reputation for being an honest and hard worker, can be reached at 310-428-5225. The Art of Cleaning does janitorial maintenance, pressure washing and floor and window service.

Comfort Food

Fried Potatoes and Gravy

Three-Day Meds in Galvanized Tub

No Drinking Zone

I've received three different requests to publicize downtown gay clubs since I started this blog nearly six months ago. I turned down all three requests.

The latest request came two days ago from a club that moves around to different locations.

One of the reasons for not publicizing these clubs is because all three sell and serve alcohol. I want nothing to do with alcohol. In a future post, I'll explain how alcohol has had a negative impact on much of my life.

Also, I'm wondering if downtown really needs the ghetto mentality of an exclusively gay club. Many of the clubs downtown have a healthy mix of gay and straight. That seems so much more interesting and progressive than an old fashioned gay club.

It appears that alcohol is becoming the most popular drug downtown. The DLANC (neighborhood council) has its mixers at venues featuring drink specials. Has it even considered a sober mixer? Art Walk is turning into Alcohol Walk, despite some progress on cleaning it up.

.....so go ahead, clubbies.  Throw your little events and get as drunk as you want. I just won't be part of it and I won't publicize it.

Go sober, though, and it will be a completely different story. Try me.

Hands/Ear

Reader Survey!

Am I Guilty of Bad Taste?

Four different readers have told me that the photo I ran last week of queer comic Mikey Scott in a bathroom stall is in bad taste.

Here at Big City I have always striven towards the highest quality of content standards.  Just imagine how striken I am by the four accusations.


One reader even analyzed the photo of Mikey.

"That photo is neither flattering nor funny. However, if you were aiming for odd and slightly gross....success!" the critic wrote.

Granted, the commentator didn't directly accuse me of being in bad taste, but still....I have the feeling disapproval was being expressed.


The above photo of Mikey Scott is the one that prompted the outcries.  I ran the photo to publicize his appearance at Comedy Walk.

Now I ask for your help, dear readers.  

Please comment to this post and let me know whether or not you too think the photo of Mikey Scott squatting in a bathroom stall is in bad taste.

I just have to know.

Out POZ Blog of the Month

click here:

Regan Hofmann's POZ Blog

"The most difficult thing is the stigma."

Click for video of Regan Hofmann.

Regan is a native of Princeton, New Jersey and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of POZ Magazine, a publication for people living with HIV/AIDS and those affected by the disease.

In 1996, Regan was infected with HIV at age 28 by having unprotected sex twice with her heterosexual boyfriend. She discovered she had the disease when she went to the doctor about a swollen lymph gland.

She took an HIV test, which came back positive, and was told she had a year to live. Thankfully, protease inhibitors (protease is an enzyme that the HIV virus needs to replicate itself to infect new cells) were introduced that year and over 11 years later, she’s still alive and well.

Regan bravely announced her HIV status to the world on the front cover of POZ Magazine and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of HIV/AIDS she told her story in an essay for Vogue Magazine.

Regan currently resides in New Jersey.

Cat Attack on Main Street

Neighborhood Cat Loki

Attacks Ruby on Birthday!

Neighborhood cat Loki staged a surprise ambush on Historic Core dog Ruby. The former street cat surprised the bull terrier--who is still in shock--on her tenth birthday. 


"Why me," asked Ruby during an exclusive Big City interview. "I did nothing but mind my own bees wax."


Loki, who lives a life of luxury in Stella Dottir's dress shop, claimed that "Ruby is my business when the little princess ventures into Stella's store. Rubester needs to know who rules Main Street!"


Ruby, recovering at home, reports having claw wounds right on her nose.  "Beating up a girl on her birthday is just not fair," maintained downcast Ruby.


Former street-tough Loki, shown here relaxing while being stroked with a mannequin's arm, expressed no regret. "Frankly," he said, "it was funny."


Lucy, Ruby's Historic Core gal pal, told Big City that she's "in shock. What's this world coming to when a bully girl isn't even safe in the hood?"


Shown here with owner Jasper, Lucy said she is "tugging at the leash to exact revenge for Loki's mean attack on Ruby.  This needs to be addressed."


Loki expressed surprise at Lucy's reaction.  "She'd better butt out before this town has two damaged bull terriers," he retorted.  "I'm in charge here."


"I don't plan to be belly up for long," according to Ruby. "This situation is not finished. The fight for control of Main Street will continue."

Three-Day Meds on Crushed Foil