>> Why are people suddenly shopping again? Is the recession over? No, but shoppers may be trying to get their shopping done before sales taxes temporarily go up by a percent on Wed., April 1 (no joke). From that day forth, Angelenos’ll be paying a 9.25% sales tax.

>> Will sales taxes ever go down? Maybe, but first it’ll go up further. Come July 1, Measure R will kick in and the sales tax in L.A. will go up to 9.75% to help build the Subway to the Sea and address other LA County transit issues.

>> When’s the best time to shop? Broke people can save their shopping list until July 1, 2011, when the temporary 1% tax hike expires, bringing the sales tax to 8.75% for Angelenos. However, if Prop 1A, the Budget Stabilization Act, passes in the May 19 state election, the 1% tax hike will stay in place until July 1, 2012.

>> Why’s a helicopter circling above my building? Until Zach Behrens successfully convinces the LAPD to start twittering the info already, Angelenos can call 213.485.2600 to make their whirlybird inquiries.

>> Why don’t we have more vampires in L.A.? Deep down inside, you’ve always wondered about this, right? Short Sharp Science has some interesting speculations: “Assuming vampires are effectively immortal, and that they can reproduce by turning normal humans into vampires, their population would explode. So in the imagined worlds in which they exist, what prevents them from over-running the planet?” Women are blamed, among other potential vampire hazards.

Earlier: Get ready for higher taxes!

Photo by Steve Wampler

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