How’s this for a powerful symbol?

Assemblyman Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) is willing to give up 18% of his salary, starting now.  He made the announcement this week as lawmakers consider ways to cover the gynormous budget deficit, especially after voters rejected the proposed bailout forged mostly by Democrats and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. That 18% amounts to $20,000 annually, Eng told me.

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Jim DeBoom had a bit of a dilemma.

Back in the ’80s, he coordinated a “Hall of Fame” for service club members with the YMCA. It was a way of bringing together members of organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Exchange, Soroptimists, Elks, and American Legion, among others. They all do their own thing throughout the year to help area charities. But Jim thought it would be a good idea if they networked a little more and could occasionally help each other. Strength in numbers.

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These local religious leaders were serious Thursday for most of their news conference on marriage equality, but I happened to catch this candid moment afterward as they gathered together for a portrait. I couldn’t resist using it. It was a lighter moment during what’s been a hotly contested and often bitter debate over marriage since Proposition 8 was first proposed and finally upheld by the state’s Supreme Court this week.

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