Morning Buzz: Monday 4.27.09

Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman caused a stir Sunday night at Disney Hall by announcing from the stage it would be his last U.S. performance because of the nation's military policies overseas. "Get your hands off of my country," he said as 30-40 attendees walked out and others cheered and booed. Mark Swed/Culture Monster
The Times endorsed the state ballot measures except for 1B, while Democrats meeting in Sacramento split their votes. LAT editorial, LAT story, Bee
Meanwhile, columnist Michael Hiltzik writes, "Of the six propositions billed as solutions to the fiscal crisis, two would make things worse, one would be irrelevant to the budget, two would be mostly irrelevant and the last is wishful thinking." LAT
Former state Sen. John Burton took over as the chair of the state Democratic Party, replacing Art Torres. SF Chronicle, Bee
Republican candidate for governor Meg Whitman won't be speaking at UCLA, and her support for Prop. 8 might be the reason. Bee
Carmen Trutanich pulled out of future debates with rival Jack Weiss, citing "staged antics and a stream of disruption" and starting with Tuesday's scheduled Town Hall forum. LAT
Staffers pay for their own holiday gifts to the boss, state Sen. Gil Cedillo, but his gifts to them are bought with campaign contributions, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune says.
City Hall unions are not inclined to give concessions to Mayor Villaraigosa, and Bureau of Street Services head Bill Robertson may run for the City Council in CD2. Rick Orlov/DN
"The future of LA hangs in the balance" during City Council budget hearings that begin today, says activist Ron Kaye. Blog
Local Democrats are being asked to pony up $1,000 to $25,000 for cocktails and conversation with New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine on May 1 at the Wilshire Boulevard apartment of Mary Louise Oates and Bob Shrum.
The Downtown News wants Mayor Villaraigosa to drop any ambitions to run for governor next year in order to focus on the city's problems. DTN
Former U.S. Attorney here Alejandro Mayorkas, now a partner at O’Melveny & Myers, was named by President Obama to head Immigration and Citizenship Services. WashPost
Public access TV regulars who lost their gigs have started Public Television Industry Corp to push for renewed access. Leslie Dutton is president, David Hernandez is VP.
Charles McNulty on Friday's opening performance of Ain't Misbehavin' at the Ahmanson: "like an intoxicating combination of a dry martini and a dirty joke, savored over the sassiest Depression-era jazz. I certainly wasn’t expecting to be as uplifted as I was..." LAT
This year's Festival Broadway, in the words of an LA Eastside blogger, "sucked ass."
Journalist Michael Goldstein wonders if the LAT's new All-Access offer to subscribers is a big step toward not printing the paper some week days. Blog
Westwood Village stalwart Roll In Sandwich, aka Buck Fiddy, has made its last sub. Losanjealous
Dr. Hassan Hathout, a leader in the Southern California Islamic community, died at home in Pasadena of natural causes at age 84. LAT

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