The LA Times has an article about a scam called “swoop and squat,” which forces car driving victims to rear-end the scam artists’ cars. It works like this. You, the victim, are driving along the freeway when a car suddenly pulls in front of you. Immediately, another car pulls in front of both of you, and slams the brakes. The car directly in front of you slams the breaks and you end up rear ending that car. As soon as that happens, the car in front leaves the scene, never to be seen again. The result: you and your insurance company end up paying bogus medical claims and outrageous repair bills.

These crimes are on the rise because it is financially lucrative for the crooks. Even low level participants can make $10,000 or more for assisting a staged accident. Some organized auto fraud rings are so complex they involve hundreds of willing participants, including unscrupulous lawyers, doctors, chiropractors, auto shops, tow truck operators, ambulance drivers, police officers and insurance company employees, according to NICB investigations.

from: www.boingboing.net

The Orb, Dntel, John Tejada and Boom Bip at the Disney Concert Hall on 3.18.06.

And then we bought 2 tickets in the front section and they came in the mail. This will be incredible. There are still some tickets available.

Explore the boundaries of time, space, and sound at an all-night experience at Walt Disney Concert Hall. UK’s electronic music heroes The Orb will be your tour guide on this progressive space and sound journey through the Hall which kicks off the Phil’s Minimalist Jukebox, a 3-week festival directed by composer John Adams.

On Saturday, March 18, just before midnight, Walt Disney Concert Hall will become the setting for this progressive, ambient musical movement to come to life. Dr. Alex Paterson and Thomas Fehlmann are The Orb – and since their seminal Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld in 1991 to last year’s Okie Dokie It’s The Orb on Kompakt, the Orb have continued to create electronic music from spacious and minimal celestial-techno to spiraling and hypnotic dance floor anthems.

This extraordinary event Рwhich runs from 11:59pm on Saturday, March 18 to 6am on Sunday, March 19 Рculminates with the Orb‚Äôs live performance in the main auditorium, preceded by special guest artists Dntel, Boom Bip, John Tejada, and dublab soundsystem. Visual artists, to be announced, will be featured in surrounding spaces and times of the Hall, and will showcase their respective visual minimalist artistic philosophies.

This event kicks off the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Minimalist Jukebox festival, featuring the work of John Adams, Philip Glass, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, Glenn Branca, and more. More information.

Link to Walt Disney Concert Hall info about show

props to Michael Garrett for keeping us informed of futuristic stuff happening on this planet.

50 artists remix Disney classics. Looks promising.

Gallery 1988 in Hollywood (7020 Melrose Ave. – near LaBrea) is hosting a reception next Friday (7-10pm) for their new exhibit REMIXING THE MAGIC (Feb. 17th through March 10th). This exhibit features the work of 50 contemporary artists reinterpreting Disney classic characters, scenes and magic moments. Artists include Tim Biskup, Amanda Visell, Gabe Swarr, Katie Rice, Jim Mahfood, Alex Kirwan, Jorge Gutierrez and 43 others.

From cartoonbrew.com