One of the great things about holiday fare is that it’s usually already seasonal, based on traditions that are older than the globalized food market. However, if you’re anything like me, you like a good blend of traditional favorites with some new and innovative flavors to mix things up. Also, these holidays originated in the north-east in the freezing cold, not the, uh, sometimes-very-rainy south-west. more ›

While strawberry farmers in Ventura County and up the coast fight a possible state decision to use a pesticide they think it dangerous, citrus farmers have a problem of their own: Huanglongbing disease caused by the Asian citrus psyllid. "It is the most serious citrus disease in the world. It affects more trees quantitatively than other causes. You can't sell your fruit, and it kills every tree it infects," said John Krist, CEO of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, according to Scripps. For those who shop at farmers markets, many providers come from the county. In California, the citrus industry is worth $12.2 billion. more ›

- How would you describe your neighborhood in one sentence? (LACityNerd) - "Los Angeles is Burning" by Bad Religion was yesterday's official theme for LA, apparently (Atwater Village Newbie) - "The Orange Line now brings thousands of commuters through downtown Van Nuys and these riders disembark in an area with a Salvation Army store, a porno shop, an ice manufacturing company, auto painters, Big Valley Dodge and other one story buildings which close down... more ›