Photo from the Getty by Rick O! via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr Students, faculty, staff, and parents associated with Lincoln Elementary school in Santa Monica are trying to come to grips today with the weekend arrest of Thomas Beltran, who taught ESL at the school. Beltran, 60, has been charged with molesting four young girls who were his students. An auto fire turned into a brush fire late this afternoon near......

Yes, it's Cinco de Mayo, and nearly every bar we can think of is having some sort of fiesta. But here are a few other options for tonight if tequila slammers don't quite fit into your schedule: FILM Today marks the New Beverly Cinema's 30th year in business – and this month’s calendar is a show-for-show replication of the New Beverly’s 1978 debut calendar. The double bill tonight are Sci-Fi classics Soylent Green with......

We've (finally) had enough of Thai Food: this month, we are checking out all sorts of late-night dining options, from the Valley to Hollywood to Culver City to Venice: Mao's Kitchen, Nak Won House, El Gran Burrito, Little Toni's, Gaby's Mediterranean, Nova Express Cafe, Greco's New York Pizzeria, Cinco de Mayo. Psst! Hey, hey, Mr. Gold? Ix-nay on the owards-hay. Nobody's supposed to know about it. You hearing me? Capisce? Otherwise, feel free to......

I love Tito’s Tacos, and you love Tito’s too. The lyrics to their jingle could not be more true. Everyone loves Tito’s, that’s why you always have to wait in line for at least thirty minutes before you can even order. Tito’s is an establishment, a landmark, which is why we deal with all the crowds and chaos when we eat there. But why am I talking about Tito’s Tacos, which closes at 11:30......

Since you know LAist is crazy about bacon, how about this burger made of ground bacon? [Serious Eats] In the meat-eating corner: Ted Nugent! In the meat-free corner: Paul McCartney! Read what Nugent really thinks about the folks in the music biz he knows who have been "Fired for eating meat by an animal-rights maniac, hard-core vegan bass player." [Waco Tribune-Hearld] David Haskell of Bin 8945: Chowhounds can be so tasteless, bloggers mean business......

Cinco De Mayo kicked off the summer drinking season and now we've got Memorial Day and the Fourth of July just around the corner. What better way to relieve the summer heat than with a nice cold brew? Suds are once again pouring in the Dodger Stadium bleachers. Weekend warriors are preparing their roadtrips to Bay to Breakers, where sobriety is as optional as the clothing. Yes sports fans, it's time to get your drink......

LA celebrates Cinco de Mayo - CBS2 City of LA is only using 1/4 of the Federal money earmarked for the homeless within the year that it's required. Frisco only wastes 12% - LAT Activists question whether LAPD instigated violence at immigration rally - Sign On San Diego LAT journalist apologizes for contacting a person believed to be a Phil Spector juror - CBS2 Preview of Paris' summer in jail - CBS2 Judge blocks......

Did you know that the mango is the most popular fruit in the world? I didn't either--I hadn't given it any thought, really--until I got in touch with the newly assembled National Mango Board, who are all about getting you to get to know the mighty mango. I met my first mango many years ago in my grandmother's kitchen. (Unfortunately, if you're looking for an exotic story about my spicy abuelita or a tale......

Dear LAist, In order to properly celebrate Cinco De Mayo, we'd like to drink real Coke. You know, the kind produced with real cane sugar and bottled in glass bottles. What mom used to serve ya. Where do you think I might be able to find a couple six packs (eight packs?) before Cinco De Mayo is over? signed, New To L.A.......

Sounds like a good time to play you Cypress Hill's "How I Could Just Kill A Man" in Spanish, aka "No Entienedes La Onda". Little known fact: The original version was the B-side of their first single, "Phuncky Feel One". Has iTunes killed the b-side? How Could i Just Kill A Side? Anyway, the quartet from South Gate, DJ Muggs, B-Real, Sen Dogg, and percussionist Eric Bobo will be lightening it up tonight in......

all photos by Wathana Lim for LAist. Los Angeles may not be know for it's beer. Yet. But if you roll up to a bar with Craftsman on draft, you're about to drink the freshest and most flavorful beer around. So fresh, that it may have found it's way from the fermenting tank to the keg earlier that day. That keg of Craftsman was delivered by Mark Jilg or one of his two full-time......

Saturday is going to be huge. I’m not even talking about Cinco de Mayo. Granted, Cinco de Mayo will be a huge day of cultural celebration for the many Mexican-Americans in LA, as well as the many boozers who will be, um, celebrating in their own way by double fisting Coronas. What I’m talking about is a boxing match. Wait, a boxing match? Seriously? Yes, I know, boxing is full of corruption and politics, more......

I love Mexican food, and really who doesn’t? I’ve met few people who don’t love the flavors of our neighbors to the South. That being said, not everyone likes the same types of Mexican food. By types I don’t mean Tex-Mex or Oaxacan—I mean that there are several different culinary categories of Mexican food to be found here in our fair city. There’s taco truck Mexican food, which on a good day can be......

Now that the dust has settled out in Indio, the world famous KROQ today announced its lineup for its annual spring fling, and just like any weenie roast there are some dogs in the bunch. So the question is, is it worth it to venture down behind the Orange Curtain and put up with annoying high schoolers in order to see The Killers, Bad Religion, Rise Against, Social D, Tim Armstrong and the Silversun......

inside immigration In two stories, the LA Times looks at families and immigration. First they look at what it's like to be an undocumented parent with children, born in the US, who have legal status; then there are the stories of four couples that immigrated from Mexico to California: the Padillas, Cardenases, the Huizars and Reyeses. If those names sound familiar, it's because each couple now has a son serving on the Los Angeles......

If you really want to celebrate Mexican culture this week, LAist suggests grabbing some delicious Mexican food tonight, like the Oaxacan delights at Guelaguetza. It's one of Jonathan Gold's top 99 LA restaurants, makes mole to die for and is incredibly cheap. Two things our reviewer didn't try — the enormous squash blossom quesedilla and the pan-fried, chili-coated grasshoppers/crickets — are both delicious, if a bit unusual. Looks like they've got a full bar......

A rumor started earlier this week running from email to email, IM window to IM window, phone to phone amongst the Southern California black community that the freeway shootings are gang related and that the "Mexican Mafia" is targeting black men wearing white tee shirts in retaliation for stolen drugs. Yesterday, it expanded to include specifics about attacks happening on Cinco de Mayo at area high schools. Despite the LAPD's assurances that they've found......

The fifth day of the fifth month means celebration time for anyone with ties to Mexico, or an affinity for international holidays that involve hard liquor and good food. Here in LA, Cinco de Mayo is a hugely popular Fiesta time, and with the holiday landing on a Thursday, there's sure to be celebrations running through the weekend. In honor of 05/05/05, LAist would like to mention 5 great Mexican restaurants where you can......