Too often one walks into Ralph's Grocery in Sherman Oaks store at 1 or 2 am to find porn stars shopping. andPOP reports that Body & Soul Tattoo at Ventura Blvd./Van Nuys Blvd. "has been inundated with new customers since the pop star's impromptu visit." The local Business Improvement District (BID) and Chamber of Commerce owe Britney Spears a thank-you letter. Daily News thinks celebrities feel comfortable flipping out in the Valley. Interesting observations,......

This weekend, the Chinatown Business Improvement District is putting on a two-day Chinese Food Festival, aimed at getting folks out and about and eating in LA's historic Chinatown. Food and fun are on the menu, with attendees having the opportunity to sample tasty dishes from local restaurants, see Taiwan’s spectacular Hsiao Hsi Yuan Puppet Theatre, catch continuous showings of two of our favorite Chinese films, Eat Drink Man Woman and The Wedding Banquet, meet......

It's the weekend already? LAist throws enthusiastic support in the corner of the 4-day work week, and even though perhaps we didn't work as much this week, we're still going to play this weekend. Here are some things going on around town this lovely weekend. Friday LAist loves Grand Performances! Tonight is Algerian-born rai musician Khaled at 8:00 p.m. at the California Plaza. Saturday Take a tour of Chinatown from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00......

The Los Angeles Downtown News reports that the Figueroa Corridor Partnership Business Improvement District (FCPBID) has added permanent banners to light poles lining Figueroa Street, ultimately gracing poles on Figueroa Street, Vermont Avenue, Flower Street, Jefferson Boulevard, Washington Boulevard, 23rd Street and Exposition Boulevard. This news also answers a question we've always harbored about the banner system in LA. Apparently, the the traditional canvas banners that usually grace city light poles have to be......