A proposal to create a Business Improvement District (BID) in Echo Park heads to a City Council committee (.pdf) this afternoon. Submitted by Councilman Eric Garcetti in January, it "would serve the local business community by providing increased security, homeless services, beautification, and streetscape maintenance. Establishment of the BID is expected to revitalize the local economy and is a positive step towards neighborhood renewal." Not everyone is on board, though. The Eastsider LA spoke to one business owner that was not too happy. "I can't stand the idea of rent-a-cops harassing our street vendors, our homeless, our cholos and our drunk hipsters. It's just not needed," the owner said. more ›

Little Armenia business owners are making headway in creating a stronger neighborhood brand. Coming soon are signs on the 101 Freeway near the Sunset Blvd. exits identifying where the neighborhood's location, the Little Armenia Chamber of Commerce announced in an e-mail last night. more ›

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,... more ›

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 faculty and interns from the Yo San University School of Traditional Chinese Medicine who will offer free acupuncture demonstrations, tongue reading, and pulse analysis, and see some teapot-juggling, tai chi, martial arts, plate-spinning, bowl-kicking, and contortionists. There are tons of games and activities, including a kids' "Chinese Fear Factor." And...tons of food to eat. You can even taste some of Fosselman's Chinese-inspired flavors (and, hey--they're our #2 pick in the Ice Cream Summer series!) more ›

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. more ›

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 renewed every three months with the city. more ›