A weekday afternoon walk down Hollywood Boulevard...... [continue]

Photo by Thomas Hawk via Flickr The weather? The Getty? The beach? Spaceland? The hills? The light? Hollywood Bowl? The studios? Pink's? All losers, according to the readers of Los Angeles Magazine, who narrowed down a field of 64 to declare Amoeba Music the Greatest Thing About L.A. Not bad, for a music store that isn't even native to L.A. -- this music lover's wet dream opened first in Berkeley, then San Francisco, then... [continue]

Old men smile at each other's stories over games of dominoes played on card tables set up on the street corner. Ladies in their Sunday best daintily nibble cake at outdoor cafes, and children run laughing around the fountain in the park. People stop to chat as they meander along the boulevard. This is not a scene from another era; it's a typical Sunday afternoon in Leimert Park.... [continue]

Now in its fourth year, Punk Rock Social is a monthly event at Alex's Bar in Long Beach. This past weekend, they held the CD release for the Cute Lepers. LAist Featured Photos contributor Michael Zampelli checked it out, took these wonderful photos and came back with this to say. "The show openers, Prima Donna, were poser-pop and even covered a Beatles song. The joke band of the night was Black Fag, who did a... [continue]

Think LA's relationship with underground rail transit began with the first tunnels blasted out to make way for the Red Line? Think again! LA's first subterranean transit system was a short stretch of tunneling dubbed the "Hollywood Subway," which moved its first passengers under the city in 1925 via electric interurban rail cars. Opening Day in Toluca Yard (end of the Hollywood Subway at 1st and Glendale); original source unkonwn, via California Trolleys The idea... [continue]

The corner of Sunset and Cahuenga in Hollywood was officially renamed Larry King Square by the City of Los Angeles yesterday. City Council President Eric Garcetti introduced the 74 year old broadcast journalist and talk show host after honoring him with accolades of his accomplishments in his field. This year marks the 50th anniversary of his professional journalism career. On hand were several members of the CNN staff who did not need to travel far... [continue]

The Mae Shi played to an enthusiastic home crowd the other night at Spaceland, their last Los Angeles show before they rocket off across America in support of their fantastic album HLLLYH. The audience was lucky to have drummer & vocalist Brad Breeck in the house (he doesn't usually tour with the band), and the infamous Mae Sheet made a guest appearance. The Mae Shi are legendary for their explosive, interactive live performances; it's almost... [continue]

LASD, both human and dog, are watching you this summer | Photo by Cody Fogh/LAist It's been about a month since the loyal LAist readers sounded off on the meaning of "Metroquette" and its various rules and recommendations. We heard opinions from those transplanted from more mass transit friendly cities, and also from long time Metro riders here in Los Angeles. With the unstoppable surge in fuel prices and summer here, we have seen... [continue]

Former Golden State Warrior's guard Baron Davis is now a Clipper. According to ESPN.com, Davis has agreed verbally to a five-year $65 million deal. The Clippers are now expected to re-sign forward Elton Brand who opted out of the final year of his contract last night. Discuss. AP File Photo... [continue]

Tomorrow, this will be illegal Photo by berbercarpet via flickr Tomorrow talking on your mobile phone pressed up against your ear while driving will be just as illegal as running a red light, speeding or driving under the influence. In today’s LA Times a spokesman for the CHP, Tom Marshall, said the CHP would enforce the law "fairly and aggressively." What are you planning to do to avoid getting yourself a ticket? The law... [continue]

After a full weekend of roller derby action, it was time for last night's championship game on Sunday between the LA Ri-ettes (LA Derby Dolls) and Team Awesome (an all-star team from all over the USA). The game came down to a chaotic ending with the enforcers deciding the outcome in a confusing mess. In the end, the LA Ri-ettes came away with the victory and the trophy. Michael Zampelli (aka rink_rat on Flickr) was... [continue]

The Old Spaghetti Factory on Sunset Boulevard is gone, leaving a trail of b'day party memories, indigestion and chain link fencing in its wake. The Sunset & Gordon neighborhood has a big wide sidewalk but not much street life. The sound of the helicopter hovering overhead competes with the police sirens, the music pumping from the adjacent apartment building, the traffic on Sunset. This neighborhood needs a park! All it takes is the Los Angeles... [continue]

"Family Affair Jump", by Lush.i.ous via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr Schwarzenegger got smacked upside the head during this morning's Meet the Press. "If you were the CEO of a public company, the board would probably say, 'It is time to go,' " host Tom Brokaw said. "Are you always this positive?" Schwarzenegger retorted, before blaming it all on Washington, D.C. Are you always this short-sighted? Mayor Tony reflected on his first... [continue]

We got our hands on this from a guy who dropped this off after his softball game, and needed a shave. It's called Master Kush and we paid $70 for an 8th of the goodness. It's a hindu/skunk hybrid that originates from Holland, and this indica/sativa mix will be your best friend on a sleepless night. You'll be sleeping in no time. Pre-Smoke Examination: Its covered with crystals that glisten in the light like... [continue]

No joke, a car crashed into one of Hollywood's improv comedy clubs today at 4:33 p.m. iO West Theater (you know, as in Improv Olympic) at the corner of Hollywood and Cosmo was the victim. Luckily, no one was hurt says the LA Fire Department and a witness on scene said the driver was drunk (isn't it a little early to be drinking and then driving? Shouldn't you still be drinking at this hour?). Paramedics... [continue]

If you're at any LA Film Festival events this weekend, keep your eyes and ears open for the RVIP Lounge. The ridiculously fun, pimped-out ride, is appearing outside film festival venues and events, Friday through Sunday. If you come across the RVIP Lounge, step inside or take a ride. The RVIP, first made famous at SXSW last March, is going Tinseltown replete with a group of up-and-coming filmmakers & celebs, inspired new media and... [continue]

George Carlin once said that "anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac." Obviously, George lived here in LA. Almost his entire professional career was based here in the city of dreams, where he made his come true while influencing, inspiring, irritating, and entertaining so many different lives. People passed his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the corner of Vine and Selma and... [continue]

The Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council’s “Panel Of Visionaries” led over 300 community leaders in Saturday’s “The Destiny of the West Valley” forum, challenging the community to demand walkable streets, complete and effective mass transit, park-once concepts, circulators and people movers, sustainable infrastructure, green streets, improved property values, reduced utility bills and, quite simply, greatness!... [continue]

Tera Patrick is one of the world's most famous and hottest porn stars. She's a brand name on and off screen and has earned that right through her hard work as a performer and as a business woman (her production company, Teravision, is her main business). Tonight, a new business venture of hers begins as she releases a mens t-shirt line with PJE Los Angeles at Opera/Crimson's weekly Wednesday night party (they will be... [continue]

In April and May, LAist's TV Junkie highlighted an amazing PBS documentary series called "Carrier", about life on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its six-month mission to the Persian Gulf in 2005. The ten episodes gave a seawater and rivets-eye-view of what life is like for the sailors and Marines on the nuclear boat. With an average age of 20 years and a few months, the servicemen and women of the Nimitz gave... [continue]