I just got an email from Michael J. who suggested that the weed I could not ID (see July 15 2009 post)  is an Echium.  I looked it up and it looks like Echium vulgare L. (common viper's bugloss). I just moved it to a greenhouse last week so I'll take another look at it tomorrow.

According to the USDA Plants Profile site (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ECVU), there are no specimens reported in California. I'll take it to ag commissioners office so they can send it to CDFA for an "official" ID. 
Thanks Michael!  I'll post the outcome when I find out for sure.