Today the United States celebrates Columbus Day, a controversial national holiday which applauds Christopher Columbus for discovering America on October 12, 1492. Americans are taught from an early age that when Columbus sailed upon the shores of the New World, he greeted the natives with peace and respect. more ›

Photo by blueiron9 via Flickr. I'm thankful that my mom always confuses Thanksgiving with Columbus Day, and then makes lasagne instead of turkey and pumpkin pie, and then says: "Puritans. Columbus. They're both genocidal land-thieves. Now shut-up and eat your lasagne or I'll tell all your progressive friends that you came over for Thanksgiving dinner." I'm also thankful for my Mommy Dearest DVD.... more ›

If you're a local sports fan, hopefully you had Columbus Day (International Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People, whatever) off to nurse a wicked hangover. In fact, maybe you should take tonight off from Sports Center, too. It's Leif Erikson day. Honest. Even George W. Bush knows that (and don't worry, he's probably not working today, either). Maybe it wasn't the worst, but it was up there. T.J. Simers hit the nail on the... more ›

It's well known that before there was "Hollywood," there was Edendale, home of Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios but lately the indie film shooting hot spot in 90026/39 seems to be Echo Park Lake. It's not like Echo Park suddenly reemerged on the live set scene following the excellent, filmed-throughout-Echo-Park Quinceañera, in fact, we're sure that numerous films have filmed key scenes at the home of the Lotus Fest and Dragon Boat Races. Last month,... more ›